bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phylogeography of the ground squirrel subgenusXerospermophilusand assembly of the Mojave Desert biota
Authors: Bell Kayce C. , Hafner David J. , Leitner Philip , Matocq Marjorie D. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractAim The Mohave ground squirrel (Xerospermophilus mohavensis) is one of a few endemic species of the Mojave Desert of south‐western North America. We describe phylogeographic patterns within this species and its sister taxon (Xerospermophilus tereticaudus) and test hypotheses concerning their biogeographical history using genetic signatures of stable versus expanding populations. We compare these patterns with those of other Mojave species to evaluate the role of vicariance in producing phylogeographic structure during the assembly of the Mojave Desert biota.Location The Mojave Desert and adjacent desert regions of south‐western North America.Methods Complete cytochromebgene sequences ofX. mohavensis(46 individuals representing 11 localities) andX. tereticaudus(38 individuals representing 14 localities) were analysed using Bayesian methods to infer phylogenetic relationships. Genetic signals of stable or expanding populations were examined based on the distribution of recent mutations and pairwise differences, as well as with a coalescent‐based approach.Results The two species are reciprocally monophyletic and may have diverged in response to the late Pliocene–early Pleistocene uplift of the Transverse Ranges and Mojave block. Little phylogeographic structure is evident withinX. mohavensis, but there is a signature of northern expansion from a presumably full‐pluvial refugium in the Mojave River basin. Four geographic subgroups are evident withinX. tereticaudus, and there is a signature of northern expansion from a presumably full‐pluvial refugium in the Sonoran coastal plains. Roughly congruent phylogeographic patterns are found within five arid‐adapted taxa, indicating a strong element of vicariance during the assembly of the generally transitional Mojave Desert biota.Main conclusions We present a preliminary model for the historical assembly of the Mojave Desert biota that indicates a strong vicariant element producing autochthonous lineages (includingX. mohavensis) that diverged during the major geological and climatic events of the last 5 Myr. Phylogeographic partitioning within the Mojave Desert underscores the necessity of immediate conservation measures for this unique and fragile arid ecosystem that is locked between two large metropolitan population centres and is the target of continued adverse environmental impact.
Variation in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi colonization modifies the expression of tolerance to above‐ground defoliation
Authors: Garrido Etzel , Bennett Alison E. , Fornoni Juan , Strauss Sharon Y. 
Published: September 2009

Summary1. Plant association with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) has been considered a factor increasing plant tolerance to herbivory. However, this positive effect could decrease with colonization density if the benefit : cost ratio of the AMF–plant association changes. We measured plant performance and tolerance to defoliation across a gradient of commercial AMF (Glomussp.) inoculum concentration.2. Six genetic families ofDatura stramoniumwere grown under greenhouse conditions and subjected to five increasing levels of AMF inoculum concentration and to defoliation treatments, i.e. the presence/absence of 50% artificial damage, following a full‐factorial design.3. AMF colonization increased linearly with inoculum concentration while foliar area, root mass, flowering phenology and seed production expressed nonlinear functions. Plant genetic variation in the benefit function of AMF colonization was also detected. We show a negative interaction between AMF concentration and plant tolerance to defoliation.4. Synthesis. The negative correlation between plant tolerance and AMF concentration suggests that defoliation can reduce AMF benefits and that natural variations in AMF can limit the evolution of optimum levels of tolerance. Moreover, genetic variation in the shape of the reaction norms to AMF in the presence/absence of defoliation suggests that plants may evolve in response to variation in densities of AMF and herbivores.
Computer‐aided system for health economic evaluation
Authors: Lin Wen‐Chou , Yen Amy Ming‐Fang , Chang Chi‐Ming , Chao Chih‐Hsung , Chen Tony Hsiu‐Hsi 
Published: September 2009

AbstractBackground  Health policy makers are usually stranded by the complicated infrastructure and intensive computation related to economic evaluation.Objectives  It is therefore valuable to develop a computer‐aided tool to help health personnel to perform economic evaluation with ease.Method  The infrastructure for economic evaluation was first designed. Markov process with micro‐simulation was applied to model the disease natural history or lifetime sequale to project the effectiveness by comparing all possible decisions. All the essential elements of economic evaluation together with sensitivity analysis are encoded in this computer‐aided software written with SAS Screen Control Language in user‐defined menu style.Illustration  Screening versus no screening for colorectal cancer was used as an example.Conclusion  The computer‐aided model for economic evaluation was developed in this study. It is anticipated that the flexibility and user‐defined menu style facilitate the wide application of economic evaluation to health care intervention program.
A combined diabetes renal clinic improves risk factor management and progression of renal disease in a district general hospital
Authors: Patel Manish , Shilliday Ilona R. , McKay Gerard A. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractAims  Aggressive management of vascular risk factors reduces the rate of progression to end‐stage renal failure in patients with diabetic nephropathy. The aim of our audit was to clarify whether improvements in patient care could be demonstrated within a short time period after establishing a combined diabetes renal clinic in a district general hospital.Methods  A retrospective analysis of weight, glycaemic control, blood pressure control, rate of decline in renal function and appropriate use of medications for vascular risk management for patients in a district general hospital was performed before and after attendance at a combined diabetes renal clinic.Results  Data were complete for 45 patients. There was no significant change in weight from 14 months before attending the combined clinic, referral to the clinic and after 14 months of mean follow‐up. An improvement in mean systolic blood pressure was achieved at the combined diabetes renal clinic (from 147 to 134 mmHg with an average fall of 16.5 mmHg, P < 0.01). The mean glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) improved from 8.6% to 8% (P = 0.002). The rate of decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate of 1.16 mL min−1 per month prior to referral improved to 0.21 mL min−1 per month on attending the combined clinic (P = 0.002).Conclusions  Vascular risk factor management was improved and decline in renal function slowed in patients with diabetic nephropathy within a short period of establishing a combined diabetes renal clinic in a district general hospital.
Responsiveness of the EQ‐5D to HADS‐identified anxiety and depression
Authors: Whynes David K. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractRationale  The use of generic measures of health‐related quality of life enables cost effectiveness comparisons of different health care interventions to be made. Nevertheless, there exists a concern that generic instruments may be insufficiently sensitive to detect the differences or changes in outcome identified by condition‐specific instruments. This paper compares the psychometric properties of the EQ‐5D generic instrument with a widely used specific measure of distress, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).Method  The analysis was based on data obtained from a large sample of women (n = 3119) with low‐grade cervical cytological abnormalities detected at routine screening. These women completed EQ‐5D and HADS questionnaires at recruitment and at 12 months thereafter. We examined the strength of association between HADS‐determined severity of distress and EQ‐5D scores at recruitment and between changes in severity and in scores over time.Results  A higher likelihood of HADS‐identified anxiety and/or depression was associated with significantly lower EQ‐5D index and visual analogue scores. Over time, the EQ‐5D score rose significantly when the likelihood of an individual representing a HADS‐defined anxiety and/or depression case decreased.Conclusion  We conclude that the EQ‐5D has shown itself to be responsive to differing degrees of HADS‐assessed distress, although generalization beyond the UK context requires further investigation.
The utility of the Illness Perception Questionnaire in the evaluation of mental health practitioners' perspectives on patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Fleming Mick P. , Martin Colin R. , Miles Jeremy , Atkinson John 
Published: September 2009

AbstractRationale, aims, objectives  The Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ) was designed as a measure of illness perception and has been used extensively for measuring the perceptions of people with physical illness. Latterly modified versions of the IPQ have been used to measure the illness perceptions of people with mental health problems and their carers. This study examined the utility of a modified version of the IPQ to measure changes in mental health practitioners' illness perceptions about schizophrenia after undertaking psychosocial intervention training.Method  A total of 245 mental health practitioners who undertook psychosocial intervention training completed a modified version of the IPQ before and after training. The structure of the questionnaire was tested using confirmatory factor analysis. The internal consistency of sub‐scales embedded in the instrument was also examined.Results  The hypothesized structure failed to account for the data. Model fit indices revealed a poor fit to the data across all models evaluated. Cronbach's alpha revealed a number of sub‐scales in the instrument to have mediocre internal consistency characteristics.Conclusions  The modified version of the IPQ is not suitable for evaluating the impact of psychosocial intervention training on changes in illness perceptions of schizophrenia in mental health practitioners. However, the study has highlighted the need to develop a valid and reliable measure to assess the illness perceptions health professionals have of patients in their care.
Revitalizing primary health care and family medicine/primary care in India – disruptive innovation?
Authors: Biswas Rakesh , Joshi Ankur , Joshi Rajeev , Kaufman Terry , Peterson Chris , Sturmberg Joachim P. , Maitra Arjun , Martin Carmel M. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractContext India has rudimentary and fragmented primary health care (PHC) and family medicine systems, yet it also has the policy expectation that PHC should meet the needs of extremely large populations with slums and difficult to reach groups, rapid social and epidemiological transition from developing to developed nation profiles. Historically, the system has lacked impetus to achieve PHC.Objective To provide an overview of PHC approaches and the current state of PHC and family medicine in India in order to assess the opportunities for their revitalization.Methods A narrative review of the published and grey literature on PHC, family medicine, Web2.0 and health informatics key papers and policy documents, pertinent to India.Outcomes A conceptual framework and recommendations for policy makers and practitioner audiences.Findings PHC is constructed through systems of local providers who address individual, family and local community basic health needs with strong community participation. Successful PHC is a pre‐eminent strategy for India to address the determinants of health and the almost chaotic of massive social transition in its institutions and health care sector. There is a lack of an articulated comprehensive framework for the publicly stated goals of improving health and implementing PHC. Also, there exists a very limited education and organization of a medical and PHC workforce who are trained and resourced to address individual, family and local community health and who have become increasingly specialized. However, emerging technology, Health2.0 and user generated health care informatics, which are largely conducted through mobile phones, are co‐evolving patient‐driven health systems, and potentially enhance PHC and family medicine workforce development.Conclusions In order to improve health outcomes in an equitable manner in India, there is a pressing need for a framework for implementing PHC. The co‐emergence of information technologies accessible to the mass population and user‐driven health care provide a potential catalyst or innovation for this transition.
Part 1 – unravelling primary health care conceptual predicaments through the lenses of complexity and political economy: a position paper for progressive transformation
Authors: Félix‐Bortolotti Margot 
Published: September 2009

AbstractObjective  To disentangle the concepts of primary health care and primary care as well as their conceptual and empirical ramifications for progressive transformation.Methods  over 400 international and interdisciplinary abstracts and papers with 96 annotated bibliography abstracts of literature across multiple dimensions relating to the knowledge base around mechanisms in PHC development were reviewed. The text is confronted with the reality, as it exists in the field and makes the case for complexity perspectives to assess this phenomenon in its context.Conclusion  PHC complexity is an important analytical tool to interrogate the ways in which this phenomenon is socially constructed as well as in the matrices in which it is embedded. It is also a potent analytical tool to assist in the deconstruction of prevalent linear thinking built around PHC as a whole.
Patients’ perceptions of discrimination during hospitalization
Authors: Hudelson Patricia , Kolly Véronique , Perneger Thomas 
Published: September 2009

AbstractObjective  To identify sources of perceived discrimination during hospitalization and examine the relationship of perceived discrimination to patient and hospital stay characteristics, and to patient ratings of care.Background  Patient experiences of discrimination within the health‐care system are associated with delays in care seeking, non‐adherence to medical advice and poorer health status. Most research to date has focused on race and ethnicity‐based discrimination, and few studies have included hospitalized patients.Methods  Questions about patients’ experiences of discrimination were added to a regular patient opinion survey conducted at the Geneva University Hospitals. Participants were 1537 adult residents of Switzerland discharged from the hospital between 15 February and 15 March 2007.Results  A total of 171 (11.1%) respondents reported at least one source of discrimination. Most (93, 54.4%) reported a single cause of discrimination. The most frequent causes of discrimination were language, age, nationality and having a disease that is viewed negatively by others. Fifteen percentage of non‐European respondents reported at least one of the following types of discrimination: language, nationality, religion and skin colour. Reporting discrimination from any cause was associated with higher Picker Patient Experience problem scores, and patients who reported discrimination were less likely to describe their care as very good or excellent and less likely to recommend the hospital to others.Conclusions  Patient experiences of discrimination during hospitalization are relatively frequent and are associated with lower patient ratings of care. Collection of data on patient experiences of discrimination may contribute to the development of interventions aimed at ensuring respectful, quality care for all patients.
SURF1 missense mutations promote a mild Leigh phenotype
Authors: Piekutowska‐Abramczuk D , Magner M , Popowska E , Pronicki M , Karczmarewicz E , Sykut‐Cegielska J , Kmiec T , Jurkiewicz E , Szymanska‐Debinska T , Bielecka L , Krajewska‐Walasek M , Vesela K , Zeman J , Pronicka E 
Published: September 2009

SURF1 gene mutations are the most common cause of Leigh syndrome (LS), a rare progressive neurodegenerative disorder of infancy, characterized by symmetric necrotizing lesions and hypervascularity in the brainstem and basal ganglia, leading to death before the age of 4 years. Most of the reported mutations create premature termination codons, whereas missense mutations are rare.The aim of the study was to characterize the natural history of LS patients carrying at least one missense mutation in the SURF1 gene. Nineteen such patients (8 own cases and 11 reported in the literature) were compared with a reference group of 20 own c.845_846delCT homozygous patients, and with other LSSURF– cases described in the literature.Disease onset in the studied group was delayed. Acute failure to thrive and hyperventilation episodes were rare, respiratory failure did not appear before the age of 4 years. Dystonia, motor regression and eye movement dissociation developed slowly. The number of patients who survived 7 years of life totaled 9 out of 15 (60%) in the ‘missense group’ and 1 out of 26 (4%) patients with mutations leading to truncated proteins.In conclusion: (i) The presence of a missense mutation in the SURF1 gene may correlate with a milder course and longer survival of Leigh patients, (ii) normal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, normal blood lactate value, and only mild decrease of cytochrome c oxidase (COX) activity are not sufficient reasons to forego SURF1 mutation analysis in differential diagnosis.
Interaction of Potential Porcine Sperm Ligands with the Oocyte Plasma Membrane
Authors: Berger T , Nitta BJ , Ducolomb Y , Betancourt M 
Published: September 2009

ContentsWe previously identified 62, 39, 27 and 7 kDa porcine sperm plasma membrane proteins that demonstrated a predominant affinity for the porcine oocyte plasma membrane by Western ligand blotting. The current experiments were designed to further investigate the potential roles of these molecules in sperm–oocyte plasma membrane interaction. Abilities of these proteins to bind to the oocyte plasma membrane and to inhibit sperm–oocyte interaction were evaluated. Plasma membrane was isolated primarily from the head of ejaculated porcine sperm by nitrogen cavitation and density gradient centrifugation. Fractions containing the 62, 39, 27 and 7 kDa proteins were electroeluted from one dimensional SDS polyacrylamide gels, dialysed and proteins biotinylated. Following incubation with zona‐free porcine oocytes, bound protein was visualized with 20 μg TRITC‐avidin/ml using confocal microscopy. Fractions of the dialysed, electroeluted proteins were added to porcine in vitro fertilization assays. The 62, 39, 27 and 7 kDa proteins all demonstrated binding to the oocyte plasma membrane in contrast to a biotinylated control protein. Addition of unlabelled sperm plasma membrane proteins to the biotinylated protein visibly reduced binding. Addition of each of these protein fractions to in vitro fertilization assays reduced sperm interaction with the porcine oocyte plasma membrane in a concentration‐dependent manner. Binding of these sperm plasma membrane proteins to the oocyte plasma membrane and inhibition of fertilization are consistent with these proteins being involved in sperm–oocyte plasma membrane interaction.
Facial trauma in geriatric patients in a selected Malaysian hospital
Authors: Rahman Normastura Abdul , Ramli Roszalina , Rahman Roslan Abdul , Hussaini Haizal Mohd , Hamid Abdul Latif Abdul 
Published: September 2009

Background:  Road traffic accidents are the main cause of trauma in Malaysia. It has been shown that there was an increase in admissions for trauma patients older than 60 years in the last decade. The purpose of this study was to determine the pattern of maxillofacial injuries in the geriatric patients referred to Seremban Hospital, Malaysia.Methods:  Records of patients aged 60 years or older who sustained oral and maxillofacial injuries between 1998 and 2002 were reviewed. Data related to age, sex, race, etiology, types of injuries and treatment modalities were obtained.Results:  A total of 134 geriatric patients with maxillofacial and dental injuries were seen in Seremban Hospital between January 1998 and December 2002. There were 101 (75.4%) men and 33 (24.6%) women. The age ranged 60–92 years with the mean age of 68.3 years (standard deviation, 7.48). Chinese made up the majority of the patients (51.8%), followed by Malays (37.2%), Indian (20.4%) and other ethnic groups (1.5%). The most common cause of injury was due to road traffic accidents (64.2%) However, falls were more common in those aged 76 years and above. The most common bone fracture documented was the mandible (35.7%) followed by fracture of the zygomatic complex (34.0%). The majority of treatment was conservative or closed reduction.Conclusion:  All the elderly patients with facial trauma were managed conservatively or as closed reduction in this hospital. This was largely because of their comorbid state and financial constraints.
Does subliminal visual perception have an error‐monitoring system?
Authors: Pavone Enea Francesco , Marzi Carlo Alberto , Girelli Massimo 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThere is substantial evidence that subliminal stimuli, i.e. stimuli that cannot be perceived consciously, may influence visually guided human behaviour. Two important points require further investigation, namely, the neural bases and the functional capability of unconscious stimulus processing. In this study we aimed at studying one specific aspect of the latter question, i.e. whether unconscious vision can feed into an error‐monitoring system in much the same way as conscious vision. We therefore tested whether the event‐related potential component known as error‐related negativity, which represents the electrophysiological correlate of an error‐monitoring system, is produced by unconscious errors. We found an error‐related negativity not only for errors committed in a discrimination task with visible stimuli but also for those committed with subthreshold stimuli. Moreover, behavioural analysis showed post‐error slowing of reaction time for correct responses following unconscious as well as conscious errors. Thus, the present results provide both electrophysiological and behavioural evidence of an error‐monitoring system operating even when stimuli cannot access consciousness.