bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
External quality assessment of patient HLA‐B*57:01 testing prior to abacavir prescription
Authors: Darke C. , Corbin S. A. 
Published: April 2014

SummaryHypersensitivity reactions to the drug abacavir are strongly associated with possession of HLA‐B*57:01. Hence, patients with HIV/AIDS who may be prescribed abacavir should be tested for this HLA allele and the drug withheld from those that possess B*57:01. The UK National External Quality Assessment Service for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics has operated a scheme for B*57:01 testing since 2008 which, in 2013, involved 47 participants from 12 countries. A total of 24 B*57:01‐positive, 2 B*57:03‐positive and 22 B*57‐negative blood samples (including 2 B*58 samples) were distributed to between 28 and 47 laboratories each year over 6 years. Participants, who were unaware of the samples' HLA types, tested and reported on their B*57/B*57:01 status. A total of 1868 reports were assessed over the 6 years. Of the 880 reports on B*57:01 samples, 93.4% were correctly assigned as B*57:01, 2.8% were assigned as groups of B*57 alleles including B*57:01, and 3.3% were reported as B*57 positive only. Over the 6 years, there were four (0.46%) false B*57:01 negative reports. All the B*57:03‐positive and B*57‐negative samples, involving 72 and 916 assignments, respectively, were essentially reported as B*57:01 negative. Thus, there were no false B57:01 positive assignments. The reporting of B*57:01 status over the last 3 years of the scheme was 99.8% sensitive and 100% specific. Over the last year, it was 100% sensitive and 100% specific.
Insufficient interleukin‐12 signalling favours differentiation of human CD4+ and CD8+ T cells into GATA‐3+ and GATA‐3+ T‐bet+ subsets in humanized mice
Authors: Billerbeck Eva , Labitt Rachael N. , Vega Kevin , Frias‐Staheli Natalia , Dorner Marcus , Xiao Jing W. , Rice Charles M. , Ploss Alexander 
Published: April 2014

SummaryDifferentiation of CD4+ T cells into type 1 or type 2 subsets is mediated by the expression of the opposing lineage defining transcription factors T‐bet and GATA‐3. However, the existence of GATA‐3+ T‐bet+ CD4+ T cells in mice suggests functional plasticity of these subsets. Little is known about type 1 and type 2 plasticity of human T‐cell subsets in vivo. Here, we show that in the xenogeneic environment of humanized mice, which lacks a functional immune‐regulatory network, human CD4+ and, notably, CD8+ T cells preferentially differentiate into interleukin (IL)‐4+ GATA‐3+ and IL‐4+ interferon‐γ+ GATA‐3+ T‐bet+ subsets. Treatment with recombinant human IL‐12 or expansion of IL‐12‐producing human dendritic cells in vivo reverted this phenotype and led to the down‐regulation of GATA‐3 expression. These changes also correlated with improved antiviral immune responses in humanized mice. In conclusion, our study shows the capacity of human CD4+ and CD8+ T cells for stable co‐expression of GATA‐3 and T‐bet in humanized mice and reveals a critical role for IL‐12 in regulating this phenotype.
Wogonin prevents lipopolysaccharide‐induced acute lung injury and inflammation in mice via peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma‐mediated attenuation of the nuclear factor‐kappaB pathway
Authors: Yao Jing , Pan Di , Zhao Yue , Zhao Li , Sun Jie , Wang Yu , You Qi‐Dong , Xi Tao , Guo Qing‐Long , Lu Na 
Published: April 2014

SummaryAcute lung injury (ALI) from a variety of clinical disorders, characterized by diffuse inflammation, is a cause of acute respiratory failure that develops in patients of all ages. Previous studies reported that wogonin, a flavonoid‐like chemical compound which was found in Scutellaria baicalensis, has anti‐inflammatory effects in several inflammation models, but not in ALI. Here, the in vivo protective effect of wogonin in the amelioration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) ‐induced lung injury and inflammation was assessed. In addition, the in vitro effects and mechanisms of wogonin were studied in the mouse macrophage cell lines Ana‐1 and RAW264.7. In vivo results indicated that wogonin attenuated LPS‐induced histological alterations. Peripheral blood leucocytes decreased in the LPS‐induced group, which was ameliorated by wogonin. In addition, wogonin inhibited the production of several inflammatory cytokines, including tumour necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) and IL‐6, in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung tissues after LPS challenge, while the peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PPARγ) inhibitor GW9662 reversed these effects. In vitro results indicated that wogonin significantly decreased the secretion of IL‐6, IL‐1β and tumour necrosis factor‐α in Ana‐1 and RAW264.7 cells, which was suppressed by transfection of PPARγ small interfering RNA and GW9662 treatment. Moreover, wogonin activated PPARγ, induced PPARγ‐mediated attenuation of the nuclear translocation and the DNA‐binding activity of nuclear factor‐κB in vivo and in vitro. In conclusion, all of these results showed that wogonin may serve as a promising agent for the attenuation of ALI‐associated inflammation and pathology by regulating the PPARγ‐involved nuclear factor‐κB pathway.
Mycobacterium indicus pranii and Mycobacterium bovis BCG lead to differential macrophage activation in Toll‐like receptor‐dependent manner
Authors: Kumar Pawan , Tyagi Rohit , Das Gobardhan , Bhaskar Sangeeta 
Published: April 2014

SummaryMycobacterium indicus pranii (MIP) is an atypical mycobacterial species possessing strong immunomodulatory properties. It is a potent vaccine candidate against tuberculosis, promotes Th1 immune response and protects mice from tumours. In previous studies, we demonstrated higher protective efficacy of MIP against experimental tuberculosis as compared with bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG). Since macrophages play an important role in the pathology of mycobacterial diseases and cancer, in the present study, we evaluated the MIP in live and killed form for macrophage activation potential, compared it with BCG and investigated the underlying mechanisms. High levels of tumour necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐12p40 (IL‐12p40), IL‐6 and nitric oxide were produced by MIP‐stimulated macrophages as compared with BCG‐stimulated macrophages. Prominent up‐regulation of co‐stimulatory molecules CD40, CD80 and CD86 was also observed in response to MIP. Loss of response in MyD88‐deficient macrophages showed that both MIP and BCG activate the macrophages in a MyD88‐dependent manner. MyD88 signalling pathway culminates in nuclear factor‐κB/activator protein‐1 (NF‐κB/AP‐1) activation and higher activation of NF‐κB/AP‐1 was observed in response to MIP. With the help of pharmacological inhibitors and Toll‐like receptor (TLR) ‐deficient macrophages, we observed the role of TLR2, TLR4 and intracellular TLRs in MIP‐mediated macrophage activation. Stimulation of HEK293 cells expressing TLR2 in homodimeric or heterodimeric form showed that MIP has a distinctly higher level of TLR2 agonist activity compared with BCG. Further experiments suggested that TLR2 ligands are well exposed in MIP whereas they are obscured in BCG. Our findings establish the higher macrophage activation potential of MIP compared with BCG and delineate the underlying mechanism.
Jordanian women's dissatisfaction with childbirth care
Authors: Mohammad K.I. , Alafi K.K. , Mohammad A.I. , Gamble J. , Creedy D. 
Published: April 2014

BackgroundDissatisfaction with childbirth care can have a negative impact on a woman's health and well‐being, as well as her relationships with her infant.AimTo investigate the prevalence and associated factors of dissatisfaction with intrapartum care by Jordanian women.MethodA descriptive cross‐sectional study was used. Participants (n = 320) who were 7 weeks post‐partum were recruited from five maternal and child health centres in Irbid city in northern Jordan. Participants provided personal and obstetric information, and completed the Satisfaction with Childbirth Care Scale.ResultsThe majority of women (75.6%) were dissatisfied with their intrapartum care. Dissatisfaction was associated with the attendance of unknown and unwanted persons during childbirth, experiencing labour as more painful than expected, and perceptions of inadequate help from healthcare providers to manage pain during labour.LimitationsFindings are limited to Jordanian women accessing public sector perinatal health services.ConclusionThe high percentage of women reporting dissatisfaction with intrapartum care in this study is of concern. Women's perception of pain and expectations of staff during labour and birth need to be addressed through education and improved communication by staff.Implications for Nursing and Health PolicyDevelopment of national evidence‐based policies and quality assurance systems would help reduce the rate of obstetric interventions and give greater emphasis to respect for women's preferences during labour and birth.
Choosing union representation: the role of attitudes and emotions
Authors: Eaton Adrienne E. , Rogers Sean E. , Chang Tracy F. H. , Voos Paula B. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractIn theUnitedStates, most unions are recognised by a majority vote of employees through union representation elections administered by the government. Most empirical studies of individual voting behaviour during union representation elections use a rational choice model. Recently, however, some have posited that voting is often influenced by emotions. We evaluate competing hypotheses about the determinants of union voting behaviour by using data collected from a 2010 representation election atDeltaAirLines, aUS‐based company. In addition to the older rational choice framework, multiple regression results provide support for an emotional choice model. Positive feelings toward the employer are statistically significantly related to voting ‘no’ in a representation election, while positive feelings toward the union are related to a ‘yes’ vote. Effect sizes for the emotion variables were generally larger than those for the rational choice variables, suggesting that emotions may play a key role in representation election outcomes.
Effects of Land Use and Climate Change on Stream Temperature I: Daily Flow and Stream Temperature Projections
Authors: Daraio Joseph A. , Bales Jerad D. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractFreshwater mussels (order Unionida) are a highly imperiled group of organisms that are at risk from rising stream temperatures (T). There is a need to understand the potential effects of land use (LU) and climate change (CC) on stream T and have a measure of uncertainty. We used available downscaled climate projections and LU change simulations to simulate the potential effects on average daily stream T from 2020 to 2060. Monte Carlo simulations were run, and a novel technique to analyze results was used to assess changes in hydrologic and stream T response. Simulations of daily mean T were used as input to our stochastic hourly T model. CC effects were on average two orders of magnitude greater than LU impacts on mean daily stream T. LU change affected stream T primarily in headwater streams, on average up to 2.1°C over short durations, and projected CC affected stream T, on average 2.1‐3.3°C by 2060. Daily mean flow and T ratios from Monte Carlo simulations indicated greater variance in the response of streamflow (up to 55%) to LU change than in the response of stream T (up to 9%), and greater variance in headwater stream segments compared to higher order stream segments for both streamflow and T response. Simulations indicated that combined effects of climate and LU change were not additive, suggesting a complex interaction and that forecasting long‐term stream T response requires simulating CC and LU change simultaneously.
The Atmosphere can be a Source of Certain Water Soluble Volatile Organic Compounds in Urban Streams
Authors: Kenner Scott J. , Bender David A. , Pankow James F. , Zogorski John S. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractSurface water and air volatile organic compound (VOC) data from 10 U.S. Geological Survey monitoring sites were used to evaluate the potential for direct transport of VOCs from the atmosphere to urban streams. Analytical results of 87 VOC compounds were screened by evaluating the occurrence and detection levels in both water and air, and equilibrium concentrations in water (Cws) based on the measured air concentrations. Four compounds (acetone, methyl tertiary butyl ether, toluene, and m‐ & p‐xylene) were detected in more than 20% of water samples, in more than 10% of air samples, and more than 10% of detections in air were greater than long‐term method detection levels (LTMDL) in water. Benzene was detected in more than 20% of water samples and in more than 10% of air samples. Two percent of benzene detections in air were greater than one‐half the LTMDL in water. Six compounds (chloroform, p‐isopropyltoluene, methylene chloride, perchloroethene, 1,1,1‐trichloroethane, and trichloroethene) were detected in more than 20% of water samples and in more than 10% of air samples. Five VOCs, toluene, m‐ & p‐xylene, methyl tert‐butyl ether (MTBE), acetone, and benzene were identified as having sufficiently high concentrations in the atmosphere to be a source to urban streams. MTBE, acetone, and benzene exhibited behavior that was consistent with equilibrium concentrations in the atmosphere.
Automation of a Hydrodynamic Model of the Delaware Estuary for Rapid Water Quality Simulations of Pollutant Releases
Authors: Yagecic John , Suk Namsoo 
Published: April 2014

AbstractTo facilitate the rapid simulation of accidental pollution releases, the Delaware River Basin Commission has developed applications which completely automate data retrieval and processing for the development of a hydrodynamic model input file, as well as running the model. Overnight, every night, the applications retrieve from the internet multiple datasets for constructing freshwater inflow and tidal boundary time series. The hydrodynamic model is run automatically, using the recently written model input file. When no release has occurred, the hydrodynamic output file is not used and is simply overwritten on the following evening, from the updated hydrodynamic model run. Automating the hydrodynamic model portion of the simulation dramatically reduces the time required to simulate the transport of an accidental release to the Delaware Estuary.
Aortic to Brachial Pulse Pressure Amplification as Functional Marker and Predictor of Renal Function Loss in Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Wassertheurer Siegfried , Burkhardt Klaus , Heemann Uwe , Baumann Marcus 
Published: April 2014

Pulse pressure amplification (PPA) reflects large artery function. Its contribution in chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains uncertain. The authors assessed PPA in CKD progression in patients with CKD stage 2 to 4 (n=128) and 89 controls (follow‐up: 42 months). PPA was reduced in CKD patients as compared with control patients and associated with decline in renal function. Sixteen renal endpoints, defined by 50% loss of renal function or start of renal replacement therapy, were detected. In Cox regression analysis, PPA, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and proteinuria predicted renal endpoints. Patients with CKD stage 4 and low PPA had the highest risk for developing renal endpoints (unadjusted 8.1; 2.4–27.7 and adjusted for age and proteinuria 5.6; 1.5–21.9, log‐rank P<.001). Taken together, PPA is reduced in CKD and is associated with declining renal function. In addition, low PPA predicts renal endpoints in severe CKD. Furthermore, this study emphasizes the role of systolic blood pressure as a major determinant of PPA.
Blood Pressure Variability in Children With Primary vs Secondary Hypertension
Authors: Leisman Daniel , Meyers Melissa , Schnall Jeremy , Chorny Nataliya , Frank Rachel , Infante Lulette , Sethna Christine B. 
Published: April 2014

Increased blood pressure variability (BPV) is correlated with adverse cardiovascular (CV) events in adults. However, there has been limited research on its effect in the pediatric population. Additionally, BPV differences between primary and secondary hypertension (HTN) are not known. Children with primary and secondary HTN underwent 24‐hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and echocardiography studies. BPV measures of standard deviation (SD), average real variability (ARV), and range were calculated for the 24‐hour, daytime, and nighttime periods. Seventy‐four patients (median age, 13.5 years; 74% boys) were examined, 40 of whom had primary HTN. Body mass index z score and age were independent predictors of systolic ARV (R2=0.14) and SD (R2=0.39). There were no statistically significant differences in overall or wake period BPV measures between secondary or primary HTN groups, but sleep period diastolic SD was significantly greater in the secondary HTN group (9.26±3.8 vs 7.1±2.8, P=.039). On multiple regression analysis, secondary HTN was associated with increased sleep period diastolic SD (P=.025). No metrics of BPV in the overall, wake, and sleep periods were found to be significantly associated with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). The results of this study do not show a strong relationship between overall or wake BPV with primary vs secondary HTN, but the association of secondary HTN with sleep period diastolic BPV deserves further exploration. Contrary to expectation, the findings of this study failed to indicate a relationship between BPV and LVH for all patients as well for primary hypertensive and secondary hypertensive patients.
Toxicity of Carum copticum essential oil‐loaded nanogel against Sitophilus granarius and Tribolium confusum
Authors: Ziaee M. , Moharramipour S. , Mohsenifar A. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractMyristic acid–chitosan (MA‐chitosan) nanogels were synthesized with the technique of self‐assembly and loaded with Carum copticum (L.) essential oil. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) study indicated nanogels with smooth surfaces and near spherical appearance, and according to transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image, core–shell stricter of nanogels was reported. Subsequently, fumigant toxicity of C. copticum oil and oil‐loaded nanogels was assessed against Sitophilus granarius (L.) and Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val. Adults were exposed to different concentrations of the oil and oil‐loaded nanogels at 27 ± 1°C and 55 ± 5% r.h. in continuous darkness. The mortality was counted after 3, 6, 10, 24 and 48 h of exposure. Mortality increased with increasing concentration levels. Fumigant toxicity of oil‐loaded nanogels was significantly more than the oil even after 48 h. According to the findings, oil‐loaded nanogels were 8.9‐ and 3.7‐fold more toxic than the oil against S. granarius and T. confusum, respectively. The persistence of oil and oil‐loaded nanogels was also investigated over period of time. Oil‐loaded nanogels lost the insecticidal effectiveness after 21 days post‐application for S. granarius and 33 days in the case of T. confusum, while the efficacy of oil decreased in the early days of application. Chemical composition of C. copticum essential oil was measured, and six components were identified. Thymol, ρ‐cymene and γ‐terpinolene were the major components of the oil. The essential oil‐loaded nanogels may have potential to be used as an alternative to synthetic insecticides for stored products protection. However, more research is necessary to improve the findings.
Development of a standardized protein immunomarking protocol for insect mark–capture dispersal research
Authors: Hagler J. R. , Naranjo S. E. , Machtley S. A. , Blackmer F. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractA field study was conducted to test the marking efficiency of broadcast spray applications of protein marks on stationary (represented by cadavers) and free‐roaming lady beetles Hippodamia convergens Guérin‐Méneville that were strategically placed in blooming alfalfa plots. The marks tested included three different concentrations of egg albumin from chicken egg white, casein from bovine milk and trypsin inhibitor from soy milk. The cadaver and free‐roaming beetle treatments served to measure the acquisition and retention of each protein treatment regime by direct contact with the spray solution and by residual contact with protein‐marked residue on alfalfa, respectively. In addition, the vertical distribution of marking efficacy was determined by sampling alfalfa plant tissue and beetle cadavers that were located on the upper and lower portion of the plant canopy. The data indicated that the backpack spray apparatus was very effective at uniformly administering the various protein marks, regardless of the concentration, throughout the entire plant canopy. Also, the free‐roaming beetles readily self‐marked by contact exposure to protein‐treated plants. We also identified concentrations of each protein type that will mark about 90% of the resident beetle population. Moreover, if a mark–capture‐type study only requires two unique protein marks, we determined that concentrations of 25% for egg white and 100% for bovine milk could be used to mark 98% of the population. Our results provide a significant step towards standardizing protein immunomarking protocols for insect mark–capture dispersal research. In addition, we identify several areas of research that are needed to further standardize the protein mark–capture procedure.
Promoting self‐management and adherence with strength and balance training for older people with long‐term conditions: a mixed‐methods study
Authors: Robinson Lisa , Newton Julia L. , Jones Diana , Dawson Pamela 
Published: April 2014

AbstractRationale, aims and objectivesIn the context of an ageing population, increasing numbers of older people with long‐term conditions are presenting to secondary health care facilities in the United Kingdom having experienced a fall or fall‐related injury. Despite such observations, falls and long‐term conditions have traditionally been regarded as entirely separate entities. The purpose of this study was to explore the process of behaviour change in a small sample of older people with the fall‐associated chronic liver disease primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) receiving either a standard or an enhanced programme of strength and balance training (SBT).MethodsA qualitatively driven mixed‐methods approach was employed that juxtaposed semi‐structured interviews with graphical representations of patient‐reported outcome measures collected during the course of an experimental case series in nine older people with the fall‐associated chronic liver disease PBC.ResultsParticipants receiving both the standard and enhanced intervention completed the programme of SBT as instructed throughout the course of the case series. However, only the enhanced intervention, which focused on self‐determination and self‐management support, was associated with continued active participation on completion of the programme.ConclusionsLonger, but not necessarily more intensive, periods of clinical intervention are necessary to support individuals at risk of falling to move through the incremental stages of behaviour change. Effective self‐management support should focus on the development of a wide range of strategies and behaviours to empower older people with long‐term conditions develop an ongoing active commitment to SBT.