bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Waiting list randomized controlled trial within a case‐finding design: methodological considerations
Authors: Ronaldson Sarah , Adamson Joy , Dyson Lisa , Torgerson David 
Published: June 2014

AbstractRationale, aims and objectivesRandomized controlled trials (RCTs) are widely used in health care research to provide high‐quality evidence of effectiveness of an intervention. However, sometimes a study does not require an RCT in order to answer its primary objective; a case‐finding design may be more appropriate. The aim of this paper was to introduce a new study design that nests a waiting list RCT within a case‐finding study.MethodsAn example of the new study design is the DOC Study, which primarily aims to determine the diagnostic accuracy of lung function tests for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It also investigates the impact of lung function tests on smoking behaviour through use of a waiting list design. The first step of the study design is to obtain participants' consent. Individuals are then randomized to one of two groups; either the ‘intervention now’ group or the ‘intervention later’ group, that is, participants are placed on a waiting list. All participants receive the same intervention; the only difference between the groups is the timing of the intervention.Results and conclusionsThe design addresses patient preference issues and recruitment issues that can arise in other trial designs. Potential limitations include differential attrition between study groups and potential demoralization for the ‘intervention later’ group. The ‘waiting list case‐finding trial’ design is a valuable method that could be applied to case‐finding studies; the design enables the case‐finding component of a study to be maintained while simultaneously exploring additional hypotheses through conducting a trial.
The P450‐type carotene hydroxylase PuCHY1 from Porphyra suggests the evolution of carotenoid metabolism in red algae
Authors: Yang Li‐En , Huang Xing‐Qi , Hang Yu , Deng Yin‐Yin , Lu Qin‐Qin , Lu Shan 
Published: June 2014

AbstractCarotene hydroxylases catalyze the hydroxylation of α‐ and β‐carotene hydrocarbons into xanthophylls. In red algae, β‐carotene is a ubiquitously distributed carotenoid, and hydroxylated carotenoids such as zeaxanthin and lutein are also found. However, no enzyme with carotene hydroxylase activity had been previously identified in red algae. Here, we report the isolation of a gene encoding a cytochrome P450‐type carotene hydroxylase (PuCHY1) from Porphyra umbilicalis, a red alga with an ancient origin. Sequence comparisons found PuCHY1 belongs to the CYP97B subfamily, which has members from different photosynthetic organisms ranging from red algae to land plants. Functional complementation in Escherichia coli suggested that PuCHY1 catalyzed the conversion from β‐carotene to zeaxanthin. When we overexpressed PuCHY1 in the Arabidopsis thaliana chy2 mutant, pigment analysis showed a significant accumulation of hydroxylated carotenoids, including neoxanthin, violaxanthin, and lutein in the leaves of transgenic plants. These results confirmed a β‐hydroxylation activity of PuCHY1, and also suggested a possible ϵ‐hydroxylation function. The pigment profile and gene expression analyses of the algal thallus under high‐light stress suggested that P. umbilicalis is unlikely to operate a partial xanthophyll cycle for photoprotection.
Biological applications of cryo‐soft X‐ray tomography
Authors: DUKE E. , DENT K. , RAZI M. , COLLINSON L. M. 
Published: June 2014

SummaryX‐rays are used for imaging many different types of biological specimen, ranging from live organisms to the individual cells and proteins from which they are made. The level of detail achieved as a result of the imaging varies depending on both the sample and the technique used. One of the most recent technical developments in X‐ray imaging is that of the soft X‐ray microscope, designed to allow the internal structure of individual biological cells to be explored. With a field of view of ∼10–20 × ∼10–20 μm, a penetration depth of ∼10 μm and a resolution of ∼40 nm3, the soft X‐ray microscope neatly fits between the imaging capabilities of light and electron microscopes.
Reversed scan direction reduces electron beam damage in EBSD maps
Authors: KIDDER S. , PRIOR D. 
Published: June 2014

SummaryThe deleterious effects of electron beam damage on high‐resolution electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) maps of undeformed quartz are significantly reduced by scanning in the direction opposite to that dictated by widely used EBSD acquisition software. Higher quality electron backscatter patterns are produced when the electron beam moves progressively down the sample (the apparent ‘up’ direction in the resulting maps) for all step sizes where beam damage affects EBSD map quality (≤ ∼0.4 μm in this study). The relative improvement associated with downward scanning increases as step size is reduced. A comparison of high‐resolution maps made in experimentally deformed quartz demonstrates that downward scanning reduces by a factor of ∼2 the lower limit in step size relative to maps scanned in the conventional direction. The electron beam damages quartz at its point of entry, forming ∼0.1‐μm diameter bumps visible in Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. Downward scanning produces better results because it minimizes the flux of electrons through these loci of damaged crystal.
The impact of a ‘Critical Moments’ workshop on undergraduate nursing students’ attitudes to caring for patients at the end of life: an evaluation
Authors: Bailey Cara , Hewison Alistair 
Published: June 2014

Aims and objectivesTo evaluate the impact of an educational workshop on nursing students’ attitudes to caring for dying patients.BackgroundThe quality of end‐of‐life care education provided in preregistration nursing programmes has been criticised. The lack of attention to the emotional content results in nursing students feeling ill‐prepared to care for the dying and bereaved. This article reports the findings of a study conducted to evaluate the impact of an educational workshop on undergraduate nursing students’ attitudes to caring for patients at the end of life.DesignA pre‐ and postintervention survey was used to determine nursing students’ attitudes and feelings concerning end‐of‐life care prior to and following their involvement in an educational workshop.MethodsThird‐year undergraduate nursing students completed two questionnaires incorporating the Frommelt Attitude Toward Care of the Dying Scale, before and after attending a ‘Critical Moments’ workshop.ResultsThe data revealed a statistically significant increase in positive attitudes to end‐of‐life care amongst the respondents. Free text responses confirmed the development of positive attitudes and indicated that the workshop was regarded as a valuable learning opportunity.ConclusionsWorkshops that use case studies based on ‘real‐life’ episodes of end‐of‐life care can provide an effective learning opportunity that significantly improves the attitudes of nursing students to caring for the dying.Relevance to clinical practiceIdentifying emotional labour is an important stage in the development of emotionally intelligent nurses. It may reduce the risk of occupational stress, burnout and potential withdrawal from nursing practice in the longer term. Timing, expert facilitation and peer support are important considerations for an educational workshop that aims to enable nurses to remain healthy whilst delivering high‐quality care to patients and their relatives near the end of life.
Prophecy and Progress: Christianity and Dissent in Modern America
Authors: Rossinow Doug 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThe categories of left and right, and the standard interpretive alignments of progressive Christianity with postmillennialism and of right‐wing Protestantism with premillennialist fatalism in US historiography, are far from adequate. Prophetic politics, calling contemporary society to account for its ungodly ways, was widely dispersed among modern American Christians along the whole political spectrum. Moreover, there were many prophetic postmillennialists, who denounced society's iniquity while working to realize God's Kingdom, and there were reform premillennialists, who lamented a fallen world even as, paradoxically, they worked to make it more godly and less satanic.
Long‐term use of occlusal appliance has impact on sleep structure
Authors: Sjoholm T. , Kauko T. , Kemppainen P. , Rauhala E. 
Published: June 2014

SummaryAcrylic occlusal appliances (OAs) have been used for temporomandibular disorders and sleep bruxism, but the effects of the treatment are still insufficiently evaluated. Two all‐night polysomnographic recordings were made in a sleep laboratory on 14 bruxists (9 females and 5 males with mean age of 27·5 years). The measurement included basic polysomnography with additional masseter muscle electromyogram and movement recording (static charge‐sensitive bed method) using randomisation. The base night recording was followed by the second study night after 8 weeks regular use of OA. The OA was made on the occlusal surface of the teeth of the upper jaw, and it was used at night time during the study period. With the OA, rapid eye movement sleep changed from 23·3% to 19·6% (P = 0·078), and slow wave sleep increased significantly from 10·2% to 14·7% (P = 0·039). Masseter contraction (MC) episodes occurred with similar frequency (9·7 vs. 10·5 episodes per hour, P = 0·272). The intensity of the rhythmic MC bursts within an episode decreased from 5·5 to 4·4 (P = 0·027). The groups were post hoc divided into responders and non‐responders using a 20% change in MC episode per hour as a cut‐off point. The results indicated that 43% of bruxists increased activity (negative responders), while 36% decreased (positive responders), and in 21%, there was no change in the level. It is concluded that OA does not have significant feedback inhibition on masseter muscle motor activity during sleep. However, OA may increase slow wave sleep.
Injury risk among children in motor vehicle crashes: Older versus younger drivers
Authors: Bromfield Samantha G , McGwin Gerald 
Published: June 2014

AimTo explore the relationship between injury risk among child occupants involved in motor vehicle collisions according to the age of the vehicle driver.MethodsThe National Automotive Sampling System Crashworthiness Data System 2000–2009 (n = 10 797) was used to identify demographic, vehicle‐, collision‐ and injury‐related characteristics among motor vehicle collision occupants ≤15 years of age. The association between the age of the driver (older vs. younger, defined as individuals <50 years of age vs. individuals ≥50 years of age, respectively) and injury occurrence was estimated using logistic regression adjusting for the potentially confounding effect of occupant, vehicle and collision characteristics.ResultsOf the child occupants in motor vehicle collisions, 2.9% were driving with an older driver, and approximately 2.9% were injured while driving with a younger driver (odds ratio 1.03; 95% confidence interval 0.55–1.91). After adjusting for child occupant age, gender, restraint use, seat position and vehicle type, there remained no significant association between the age of the driver (older vs. younger) and the risk of injury (odds ratio 0.92; 95% confidence interval 0.49–1.74).ConclusionsThese findings add to the body of literature indicating no difference in injury risk found among children when considering the age of the driver. Research is needed to ascertain the association and further evaluate characteristics more specific to the relationship being explored in this study.
Adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome and somatoform disorders: A prospective clinical study
Authors: Klineberg Emily , Rushworth Alexandra , Bibby Helen , Bennett David , Steinbeck Kate , Towns Susan 
Published: June 2014

AimTo examine and compare the presenting characteristics and the change in the physical and psychosocial functioning of adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or somatoform disorders who have received an adaptable multidisciplinary intervention over a 12‐month period.MethodsFifty adolescents presenting to theComplexAdolescentClinic at TheChildren'sHospital atWestmead,Sydney,Australia were assessed. Their physical and psychosocial functioning was rated by the adolescents and their parents using theChildHealthQuestionnaire. Participants were assessed at baseline, 4 months and 12 months after initiating treatment. Analyses examined whether diagnosis and/or illness precipitants were related to treatment outcome.ResultsAdolescents with bothCFSand somatoform disorders demonstrated improvement in physical and psychosocial functioning over the first 4 months of treatment, sustained at 12‐month follow‐up. A diagnosis ofCFSwas associated with poorer physical functioning over time and a trend towards a longer illness time course compared with somatoform disorder. Adjustment for a physical precipitant reduced the association between diagnosis and physical functioning. Those who had a physical precipitant to their illness had significantly poorer physical functioning over time than those who did not, regardless of diagnostic category. Diagnosis and physical precipitant were not associated with psychosocial functioning.ConclusionsImprovement in adolescent physical and psychosocial functioning over time suggests that a multidisciplinary treatment model may be effective for varied complex medico‐psychosocial presentations, irrespective of diagnosis and illness precipitant. Illness precipitant may have a greater influence on treatment outcome than diagnostic category.
Ultraviolet radiation exposure and serum vitamin D levels in young children
Authors: Ramankutty Padmaja , de Klerk Nicholas H , Miller Margaret , Fenech Michael , O'Callaghan Nathan , Armstrong Bruce K , Milne Elizabeth 
Published: June 2014

AimHealth benefits of adequate vitamin D levels in the blood include better bone health and a reduced incidence of a range of chronic diseases and infections. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure from the sun is the main source of vitamin D; however, such exposure, especially from a young age, is also a potential risk factor for skin cancer. The current study examined the association of UV exposure with vitamin D production in young children to determine the period of weekly exposure prior to blood testing that affected serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels.MethodsBetween 2009 and 2011, healthy children aged 3, 6 and 9 years were recruited from the community for a cross‐sectional study of nutritional factors and DNA damage. Parents of 464 children provided information on the children's average weekly sun exposure and level of sun protection during each of the 16 weeks before blood sample collection by a domiciliary phlebotomist.ResultsSerum 25(OH)D levels were best predicted from UV exposure during the week before blood collection for samples drawn in autumn, summer or spring. For samples drawn in winter, serum 25(OH)D levels were best predicted by UV exposure during the 2 weeks before blood collection.ConclusionsConsistent weekly sun exposure may be beneficial for young children, especially in winter, to maintain healthy vitamin D levels in the blood. However, confirmation of these results is needed before their public health significance can be fully evaluated.
Epigenetic variation reflects dynamic habitat conditions in a rare floodplain herb
Authors: Schulz Benjamin , Eckstein Rolf Lutz , Durka Walter 
Published: June 2014

AbstractVariation of DNA methylation is thought to play an important role for rapid adjustments of plant populations to dynamic environmental conditions, thus compensating for the relatively slow response time of genetic adaptations. However, genetic and epigenetic variation of wild plant populations has not yet been directly compared in fast changing environments. Here, we surveyed populations of Viola elatior from two adjacent habitat types along a successional gradient characterized by strong differences in light availability. Using amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP) and methylation‐sensitive amplification polymorphisms (MSAP) analyses, we found relatively low levels of genetic (H′gen = 0.19) and epigenetic (H′epi = 0.23) diversity and high genetic (ϕST = 0.72) and epigenetic (ϕST = 0.51) population differentiation. Diversity and differentiation were significantly correlated, suggesting that epigenetic variation partly depends on the same driving forces as genetic variation. Correlation‐based genome scans detected comparable levels of genetic (17.0%) and epigenetic (14.2%) outlier markers associated with site specific light availability. However, as revealed by separate differentiation‐based genome scans for AFLP, only few genetic markers seemed to be actually under positive selection (0–4.5%). Moreover, principal coordinates analyses and Mantel tests showed that overall epigenetic variation was more closely related to habitat conditions, indicating that environmentally induced methylation changes may lead to convergence of populations experiencing similar habitat conditions and thus may play a major role for the transient and/or heritable adjustment to changing environments. Additionally, using a new MSAP‐scoring approach, we found that mainly the unmethylated (ϕST = 0.60) and CG‐methylated states (ϕST = 0.46) of epiloci contributed to population differentiation and putative habitat‐related adaptation, whereas CHG‐hemimethylated states (ϕST = 0.21) only played a marginal role.
Adaptor bypass mutations of Bacillus subtilis spx suggest a mechanism for YjbH‐enhanced proteolysis of the regulator Spx by ClpXP
Authors: Chan Chio Mui , Hahn Erik , Zuber Peter 
Published: June 2014

SummaryThe global regulator, Spx, is under proteolytic control exerted by the adaptor YjbH and ATP‐dependent protease ClpXP in Bacillus subtilis. While YjbH is observed to bind the Spx C‐terminus, YjbH shows little affinity for ClpXP, indicating adaptor activity that does not operate by tethering. Chimeric proteins derived from B. subtilis AbrB and the Spx C‐terminus showed that a 28‐residue C‐terminal section of Spx (AbrB28), but not the last 12 or 16 residues (AbrB12, AbrB16), was required for YjbH interaction and for ClpXP proteolysis, although the rate of AbrB28 proteolysis was not affected by YjbH addition. The result suggested that the YjbH‐targeted 28 residue segment of the Spx C‐terminus bears a ClpXP‐recognition element(s) that is hidden in the intact Spx protein. Residue substitutions in the conserved helix α6 of the C‐terminal region generated Spx substrates that were degraded by ClpXP at accelerated rates compared to wild‐type Spx, and showed reduced dependency on the YjbH activity. The residue substitutions also weakened the interaction between Spx and YjbH. The results suggest a model in which YjbH, through interaction with residues of helix α6, exposes the C‐terminus of Spx for recognition and proteolysis by ClpXP.
Treatment and outcomes of invasive fusariosis: review of 65 cases from the PATH Alliance® registry
Authors: Horn David L. , Freifeld Alison G. , Schuster Mindy G. , Azie Nkechi E. , Franks Billy , Kauffman Carol A. 
Published: June 2014

SummaryInvasive Fusarium infections occur in immunosuppressed patients, especially those with haematological malignancies. We conducted a descriptive analysis of data from patients with invasive fusariosis identified in the Prospective Antifungal Therapy Alliance registry, which collected data on invasive fungal infections in the United States and Canada from 2004 to 2008. In this series of 65 patients with proven (83.1%) and probable (16.9%) invasive fusariosis, the most common underlying condition was haematological malignancy, in which neutropenia and corticosteroid usage frequently occurred. Seven patients with invasive Fusarium infections had cross‐reactive galactomannan assay results. The survival rate for all patients at 90 days was 44%, which was an improvement compared with historical data. Disseminated disease occurred frequently (35.4%), and patients with and without disseminated disease had survival rates of 33% and 50%, respectively. Posaconazole and voriconazole were the most frequently employed therapies and may be linked to the improved survival rate observed in this patient series. In summary, patients with invasive Fusarium infections continue to have high fatality rates, especially those with disseminated disease. Fusarium infections should be strongly considered in the absence of Aspergillus isolation in patients at high risk of mould infections with positive galactomannan assay test results.
Cross‐species outlier detection reveals different evolutionary pressures between sister species
Authors: Cullingham Catherine I. , Cooke Janice E. K. , Coltman David W. 
Published: June 2014

Summary

Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia) and jack pine (Pinus banksiana) hybridize in western Canada, an area of recent mountain pine beetle range expansion. Given the heterogeneity of the environment, and indications of local adaptation, there are many unknowns regarding the response of these forests to future outbreaks. To better understand this we aim to identify genetic regions that have adaptive potential.

We used data collected on 472 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci from 576 tree samples collected across 13 lodgepole pine‐dominated sites and four jack pine‐dominated sites. We looked at the relationship of genetic diversity with the environment, and we identified candidate loci using both frequency‐based (arlequin and bayescan) and correlation‐based (matsam and bayenv) methods.

We found contrasting relationships between environmental variation and genetic diversity for the species. While we identified a number of candidate outliers (34 in lodgepole pine, 25 in jack pine, and 43 interspecific loci), we did not find any loci in common between lodgepole and jack pine. Many of the outlier loci identified were correlated with environmental variation.

Using rigorous criteria we have been able to identify potential outlier SNPs. We have also found evidence of contrasting environmental adaptations between lodgepole and jack pine which could have implications for beetle spread risk.
Plasticity in sunflower leaf and cell growth under high salinity
Authors: Céccoli G. , Bustos D. , Ortega L. I. , Senn M. E. , Vegetti A. , Taleisnik E. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractA group of sunflower lines that exhibit a range of leaf Na+ concentrations under high salinity was used to explore whether the responses to the osmotic and ionic components of salinity can be distinguished in leaf expansion kinetics analysis. It was expected that at the initial stages of the salt treatment, leaf expansion kinetics changes would be dominated by responses to the osmotic component of salinity, and that later on, ion inclusion would impose further kinetics changes. It was also expected that differential leaf Na+ accumulation would be reflected in specific changes in cell division and expansion rates. Plants of four sunflower lines were gradually treated with a relatively high (130 mm NaCl) salt treatment. Leaf expansion kinetics curves were compared in leaves that were formed before, during and after the initiation of the salt treatment. Leaf areas were smaller in salt‐treated plants, but the analysis of growth curves did not reveal differences that could be attributed to differential Na+ accumulation, since similar changes in leaf expansion kinetics were observed in lines with different magnitudes of salt accumulation. Nevertheless, in a high leaf Na+‐including line, cell divisions were affected earlier, resulting in leaves with proportionally fewer cells than in a Na+‐excluding line. A distinct change in leaf epidermal pavement shape caused by salinity is reported for the first time. Mature pavement cells in leaves of control plants exhibited typical lobed, jigsaw‐puzzle shape, whereas in treated plants, they tended to retain closer‐to‐circular shapes and a lower number of lobes.