bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of UMAT scores and GPA in prediction of performance in medical school: a national study
Authors: Poole Phillippa , Shulruf Boaz , Rudland Joy , Wilkinson Tim 
Published: January 2012

Medical Education 2012:

46

: 163–171Context  Medical schools continue to seek robust ways to select students with the greatest aptitude for medical education, training and practice. Tests of general cognition are used in combination with markers of prior academic achievement and other tools, although their predictive validity is unknown. This study compared the predictive validity of the Undergraduate Medicine and Health Sciences Admission Test (UMAT), the admission grade point average (GPA), and a combination of both, on outcomes in all years of two medical programmes.Methods  Subjects were students (n = 1346) selected since 2003 using UMAT scores and attending either of New Zealand’s two medical schools. Regression models incorporated demographic data, UMAT scores, admission GPA and performance on routine assessments.Results  Despite the different weightings of UMAT used in selection at the two institutions and minor variations in student demographics and programmes, results across institutions were similar. The net predictive power of admission GPA was highest for outcomes in Years 2 and 5 of the 6‐year programme, accounting for 17–35% of the variance; UMAT score accounted for < 10%. The highest predictive power of the UMAT score was 9.9% for a Year 5 written examination. Combining UMAT score with admission GPA improved predictive power slightly across all outcomes. Neither UMAT score nor admission GPA predicted outcomes in the final trainee intern year well, although grading bands for this year were broad and numbers smaller.Conclusions  The ability of the general cognitive test UMAT to predict outcomes in major assessments within medical programmes is relatively minor in comparison with that of the admission GPA, but the UMAT score adds a small amount of predictive power when it is used in combination with the GPA. However, UMAT scores may predict outcomes not studied here, which underscores the need for further validation studies in a range of settings.
Classification of functional dyspepsia based on concomitant bowel symptoms
Authors: Matsuzaki J. , Suzuki H. , Asakura K. , Fukushima Y. , Inadomi J. M. , Takebayashi T. , Hibi T. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackground  Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a heterogeneous disease, and categorized into postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) and epigastric pain syndrome (EPS). However, many FD patients have overlap of both PDS and EPS. The present study was designed to examine whether FD could be categorized based on the presence of concomitant gastrointestinal symptoms.Methods  A web survey comprised of the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), Rome III criteria of FD, and demographic information was sent to public participants who have no history of severe illness. Factor and cluster analyses were conducted to identify sub‐categories of FD based on GSRS.Key Results  A total of 8038 participants completed the survey. A total of 563 participants met the criteria for FD, whereas 6635 participants did not have dyspepsia symptoms. The remainder had either organic disease (377) or uninvestigated dyspepsia (463). The cluster analysis categorized participants as constipation predominant (cluster C), diarrhea predominant (cluster D), or having neither diarrhea nor constipation (cluster nCnD). Cluster C and D were significantly associated with the presence of FD [odds ratio (OR) 2.57, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.06–3.21; OR 2.80; 95% CI 2.27–3.45, respectively]. In FD, especially in PDS cases, the scores of upper gastrointestinal symptoms were higher in cluster C or D than in cluster nCnD.Conclusions & Inferences  The severity of dyspepsia symptoms is associated with the presence of bowel symptoms especially in PDS. This novel categorization of FD based on concomitant constipation or diarrhea may improve classification of patients.
Parasites as mediators of heterozygosity–fitness correlations in the Great Tit (Parus major)
Authors: VOEGELI B. , SALADIN V. , WEGMANN M. , RICHNER H. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractPositive correlations between heterozygosity and fitness traits are frequently observed, and it has been hypothesized, but rarely tested experimentally, that parasites play a key role in mediating the heterozygosity–fitness association. We evaluated this hypothesis in a wild great tit (Parus major) population by testing the prediction that the heterozygosity–fitness association would appear in broods experimentally infested with a common ectoparasite, but not in parasite‐free broods. We simultaneously assessed the effects of parental and offspring heterozygosity on nestling growth and found that body mass of nestlings close to independence, which is a strong predictor of post‐fledging survival, increased significantly with nestling levels of heterozygosity in experimentally infested nests, but not in parasite‐free nests. Heterozygosity level of the fathers also showed a significant positive correlation with offspring body mass under an experimental parasite load, whereas there was no correlation with the mothers’ level of heterozygosity. Thus, our results indicate a key role for parasites as mediators of the heterozygosity–fitness correlations.
Vitamin C Enhances the In vitro Development of Porcine Pre‐implantation Embryos by Reducing Oxidative Stress
Authors: Hu J , Cheng D , Gao X , Bao J , Ma X , Wang H 
Published: January 2012

ContentsVitamin C (Vc) is a natural compound supplemented to culture media to guarantee the appropriate reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, as well as protect cells from oxidative damage and apoptosis. The current study was conducted to determine the effects of Vc (0, 2.5, 5, 10, 20 and 40 μg/ml) on the ROS production, developmental ability and quality of in vitro produced porcine parthenotes. The results show that: (i) the ROS levels in the embryos significantly decrease in the Vc‐treated groups compared with the control (p < 0.05), (ii) the rates of blastocyst formation and total cell numbers in each blastocyst are significantly higher in the Vc‐treated groups than in the control (p < 0.05); the optimum concentration of Vc is 20 μg/ml, (iii) the relative expression of Bcl‐xL significantly increases and that of Bax is downregulated after Vc treatment. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick‐end labelling analysis indicates that the ratio of apoptotic cells in the blastocyst is also significantly lower in Vc‐treated groups (p < 0.05) and (iv) Vc treatment can also increase the expression of the Nanog gene in porcine embryos, with a fivefold increase in 20 μg/ml Vc treatment compared with the control (p < 0.05). Therefore, Vc improves the development of porcine embryos by reducing the ROS levels. Vc addition in PZM‐3 medium can decrease the number of apoptotic cells and increase the cell numbers in blastocysts to produce high‐quality porcine embryos in vitro.
Correlates for nocturia: A review of epidemiological studies
Authors: Yoshimura Koji 
Published: January 2012

AbstractTraditionally, nocturia was considered to be one of the symptoms of prostatism. However, this symptom has unusual characteristics compared with other lower urinary tract symptoms; for example, there is only a mild benefit for nocturia from treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia. In the past decade, nocturia has been investigated as a separate symptom in epidemiological studies. These types of studies have shown various correlates for nocturia other than benign prostatic hyperplasia, as well as the prevalence of this symptom. These correlates include age, race/ethnicity, medical problems (such as hypertension, diabetes and stroke) psychological aspects, tasting habits, quality of life and even mortality. The cause‐and‐effect associations are not always obvious between nocturia and its correlates. In the present article, the author attempts to comprehensively review the correlates for nocturia shown by epidemiological studies.
Survival period after tube feeding in bedridden older patients
Authors: Kosaka Yoichi , Nakagawa‐Satoh Takuma , Ohrui Takashi , Fujii Masahiko , Arai Hiroyuki , Sasaki Hidetada 
Published: January 2012

Aim:  We prospectively studied survival periods after tube feeding.Methods:  Participants were 163 bedridden older patients suffering from dysphagia.Results:  A wide range of survival periods after tube feeding were observed within half a year without tube feeding after being bedridden. After this initial period, survival periods after tube feeding were limited to approximately half a year. Survival periods after tube feeding were positively proportional to the length of time patients were free from pneumonia after tube feeding. After tube feeding, patients died from pneumonia within half a year, and the frequency of pneumonia was 3.1 ± 2.7 times (mean ± SD) before death.Conclusion:  Survival periods after tube feeding for less than 1 year were primarily determined by being bedridden for more than half a year without tube feeding and once pneumonia occurred; patients who were tube fed did not survive for more than half a year. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2012; 12: 317–321.
De novo synthesis of PERIOD initiates circadian oscillation in cultured mouse suprachiasmatic nucleus after prolonged inhibition of protein synthesis by cycloheximide
Authors: Nishide Shin‐ya , Ono Daisuke , Yamada Yoshiko , Honma Sato , Honma Ken‐ichi 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe circadian oscillation is known to stop with prolonged inhibition of protein synthesis and to restart from a particular phase after the removal of inhibition. In order to know the underlying molecular mechanisms, the mouse suprachiasmatic nucleus was cultured and treated with a protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide (CHX), for various durations. Circadian rhythms in Bmal1 expression and PER2 protein were monitored by means of bioluminescence reporters. Bmal1‐LUC and PER2::LUC bioluminescence decreased to basal levels after CHX application. CHX washout restarted the circadian rhythms from a fixed phase when CHX treatment exceeded 18 h. mRNA of Per1, Per2 and Rev‐erbα increased and reached high plateau levels in 18 h after CHX application, which continued for 48 h; whereas Bmal1 mRNA increased for the first 18 h but then decreased to the basal level. Immunoblot analysis showed a decreased PER2::LUC level at 24 h after CHX application, indicating that the transcription of Pers and Rev‐erbα was disinhibited by CHX. CHX washout increased PER2::LUC bioluminescence and protein level in a few hours. High Per mRNA levels induced the rapid increases of their proteins, which might trigger the restarting of circadian oscillation. These findings indicate that the circadian oscillation is stopped by disinhibition of Per1 and Per2 transcriptions, and restarted upon the recovery of the PER mediated auto‐feedback loop. De novo synthesis of PER protein is a key factor to initiate the circadian oscillation after prolonged inhibition of protein synthesis.
Phenology drives mutualistic network structure and diversity
Authors: Encinas‐Viso Francisco , Revilla Tomás A. , Etienne Rampal S. 
Published: January 2012

Ecology Letters (2012)AbstractSeveral network properties have been identified as determinants of the stability and complexity of mutualistic networks. However, it is unclear which mechanisms give rise to these network properties. Phenology seems important, because it shapes the topology of mutualistic networks, but its effects on the dynamics of mutualistic networks have scarcely been studied. Here, we study these effects with a general dynamical model of mutualistic and competitive interactions where the interaction strength depends on the temporal overlap between species resulting from their phenologies. We find a negative complexity–stability relationship, where phenologies maximising mutualistic interactions and minimising intraguild competitive interactions generate speciose, nested and poorly connected networks with moderate asymmetry and low resilience. Moreover, lengthening the season increases diversity and resilience. This highlights the fragility of real mutualistic communities with short seasons (e.g. Arctic environments) to drastic environmental changes.
Uveodermatologic lymphoma in two young related Portuguese water dogs
Authors: Escanilla Natàlia , Leiva Marta , Ordeix Laura , Peña Teresa 
Published: January 2012

AbstractPurpose  Canine lymphoma (CL) is one of the most common forms of spontaneous canine neoplasia. Improved understanding of the genetic and environmental factors associated with CL may provide benefits for the study of non‐Hodgkin’s and Hodgkin’s lymphoma in humans. Uveodermatologic lymphoma is reported in a single household of Portuguese water dog, and the etiology is discussed.Methods  A 1‐year‐old female intact Portuguese water dog was referred to the Ophthalmology Service of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the Autonomous University of Barcelona because of acute blepharospasm of the right eye in association with a multinodular dermatosis. Physical and ophthalmological examination and a complete diagnostic work‐up, including skin and ocular histopathology and immunohistochemistry, were performed. Three months prior, in Galicia (Spain), 1200 km away from Barcelona, a male dog of the same litter showed very similar oculodermatological clinical signs and skin histopathology, and immunohistochemistry were obtained.Results  The clinical diagnoses were anterior exudative uveitis, iridal masses, and secondary glaucoma. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry revealed a nonepitheliotropic lymphoma rich in B cell in dog 1 and rich in T cell in dog 2.Conclusion  It is proposed that an underlying genetic predisposition could have played a role in the development of lymphoma in these two young related dogs.
CEO Power and Risk Taking: Evidence from the Subprime Lending Industry
Authors: Lewellyn Krista B. , Muller‐Kahle Maureen I. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTManuscript Type: EmpiricalResearch Question/Issue: There is a general consensus that the lack of restraint by US financial firm executives to engage in risky subprime mortgage lending practices played a contributing role in both the inflation and deflation of the housing bubble at the heart of the global financial crisis. Evidence is less clear on what influenced the managerial proclivity to ignore warning signs and take on more and more risk to the detriment of numerous firm stakeholders. Our study examines the effects of power on Managerial Risk Taking in the context of the subprime mortgage industry.Research Findings/Insights: We hypothesize that a CEO's power is positively related to excessive risk taking. We find general support for these hypotheses in a matched pair sample of 74 firms and 344 firm years, where half the firms specialized in subprime lending and the other did not from 1997 to 2005.Theoretical/Academic Implications: We take a novel theoretical approach to our research by drawing from the social psychology literature to employ the approach/inhibition theory of power. The use of this theoretical perspective affords the opportunity to contribute a nuanced understanding of how managerial power within an agency‐based governance framework propels managers from taking reasonable risks to engaging in excessive risk taking.Practitioner/Policy Implications: By presenting evidence of the role that CEO power had in promoting excessive risky lending practices, corporate directors and policy makers will be empowered and more capable of designing and enacting governance and regulatory frameworks that result in not only profitable but prudent risk taking.
EXPLORING DUTCH MIGRATION TO RURAL SWEDEN: INTERNATIONAL COUNTERURBANISATION IN THE EU
Authors: EIMERMANN MARCO , LUNDMARK MATS , MÜLLER DIETER K 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTThis paper explores whether the concept of counterurbanisation, expanded with an international dimension, offers a valuable framework for understanding recent migration flows from the Netherlands to Sweden. Using a geo‐referenced database comprising demographic and socio‐economic variables, the post‐migration employment status, employment sector and settlement location of Dutch migrants in Central Sweden are analysed. In addition, results from observation, interviews and a survey during emigration fairs are employed to describe the motives for migration from the Netherlands to Central Sweden. We argue that counterurbanisation is not an exhausted research topic, when international political, economic and socio‐cultural factors are added to the study.
Minimal essential length of Clostridium botulinum C3 peptides to enhance neuronal regenerative growth and connectivity in a non‐enzymatic mode
Authors: Loske Peter , Boato Francesco , Hendrix Sven , Piepgras Johannes , Just Ingo , Ahnert‐Hilger Gudrun , Höltje Markus 
Published: January 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 120, 1084–1096.AbstractC3 ADP‐ribosyltransferase is a valuable tool to study Rho‐dependent cellular processes. In the current study we investigated the impact of enzyme‐deficient peptides derived from Clostridium botulinum C3 transferase in the context of neuronal process elongation and branching, synaptic connectivity, and putative beneficial effects on functional outcome following traumatic injury to the CNS. By screening a range of peptidic fragments, we identified three short peptides from C3bot that promoted axon and dendrite outgrowth in cultivated hippocampal neurons. Furthermore, one of these fragments, a 26‐amino acid peptide covering the residues 156–181 enhanced synaptic connectivity in primary hippocampal culture. This peptide was also effective to foster axon outgrowth and re‐innervation in organotypical brain slice culture. To evaluate the potential of the 26mer to foster repair mechanisms after CNS injury we applied this peptide to mice subjected to spinal cord injury by either compression impact or hemisection. A single local administration at the site of the lesion improved locomotor recovery. In addition, histological analysis revealed an increased serotonergic input to lumbar motoneurons in treated compared with control mice. Pull‐down assays showed that lesion‐induced up‐regulation of RhoA activity within the spinal cord was largely blocked by C3bot peptides despite the lack of enzymatic activity.
Activity of mannose‐binding lectin in centenarians
Authors: Tomaiuolo Rossella , Ruocco Anna , Salapete Chiara , Carru Ciriaco , Baggio Giovannella , Franceschi Claudio , Zinellu Angelo , Vaupel James , Bellia Chiara , Sasso Bruna Lo , Ciaccio Marcello , Castaldo Giuseppe , Deiana Luca 
Published: January 2012

SummaryWe analyzed MBL2 gene variants in two cohorts of centenarians, octo‐nonagenarians and nonagenarians, and in the general population, one from Sardinia Island (Italy), recruited in the frame of the AKea study, and another from Campania (southern Italy), to search for haplotypes related to longevity. We also assessed in vitro the effect of mannose‐binding lectin (MBL) on various human cells at different stage of senescence. The frequency of high and null activity haplotypes was significantly lower, and the frequency of intermediate activity haplotype significantly higher in centenarians and in subjects between 80 and 99 years from both the cohorts as compared each to the general population from the same geographic area. Furthermore, serum MBL concentration (also after normalization to serum albumin) was significantly lower in centenarians and in octo‐ and nonagenarians as compared to the general population, suggesting that intermediate MBL haplotype/activity may be protective. We also demonstrated that in vitro MBL protein bound to senescent IMR90 fibroblasts thereby causing cell lysis, but not to other types of cycle‐arrested cells not in senescence. This implicates a novel role of MBL in the clearance of senescent cells.
A comparison of postexercise shear rate patterns following different intensities and durations of running in healthy men
Authors: Johnson Blair D. , Wallace Janet P. 
Published: January 2012

SummaryPurpose:  We tested the hypothesis that high‐intensity exercise would elicit the greatest alterations in postexercise shear rate (SR) patterns when compared to moderate intensity exercise, and moderate duration exercise would produce similar postexercise SR patterns as long‐duration exercise.Methods:  On separate days, ten healthy men completed three acute treadmill exercise sessions at different intensities and/or durations. Sessions were 80% VO2peak for 30 min (HIGH), 50% VO2peak for 30 min (MOD) and 50% VO2peak for 60 min (MODL). SR in the brachial artery was assessed at baseline, immediately postexercise, 1 and 2 h postexercise using Doppler ultrasound.Results:  Oscillatory and retrograde SR decreased immediately following all exercise sessions (P<0·01) and returned to baseline at 1 h postexercise; however, there were no differences between sessions (P>0·08). Antegrade and mean SR were elevated immediately following all exercise sessions (P<0·01), and the greatest elevations were observed following the HIGH session (P<0·05). Antegrade and mean SR declined below baseline values at 1 h (P<0·05) and 2 h (P<0·05) after the MODL session and 2 h following the HIGH session (P<0·05).Conclusion:  Antegrade and mean SR immediately following running exercise are dependent upon exercise intensity. Reductions in oscillatory and retrograde SR after treadmill running are not dependent on exercise intensity or duration and appear to last <1 h. Collectively, SR profiles following exercise are differentially altered based on the dose of exercise performed.
A modelling approach to the design of in situ agricultural drainage filters
Authors: Mcgrath J. M. , Penn C. J. , Coale F. J. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractAgricultural drainage ditches provide a direct pathway for high nutrient loads such as phosphorus (P) from fields to surface waters. Most practices designed to reduce P loading from fields focus on overland flow and sediment‐bound P; however, P transport in these landscapes can be dominated by subsurface transport of dissolved P. Filters have been designed and are currently being field‐tested that utilize P sorbing materials to remove P directly from flow in ditches. Models have been developed to predict P removal and the time of filter effectiveness. While filter performance along with model development and validation is examined in separate papers, there is a need to translate these models into usable tools for watershed managers who have to decide on filter design. This study provides examples of how these models can be used to design P‐removal structures containing electric arc furnace slag (EAFS) or flue gas desulphurization gypsum (FGDG). Through the use of realistic parameters for retention time, inflow P concentration and material characteristics, the presented examples demonstrate that EAFS would outperform FGDG across a range of inflow P concentrations (0.5–10 mg/L) and removing 28–65% more P. With an average inflow P concentration of 1.62 mg/L (typical for ditches on the Delmarva Peninsula, United States), a 20‐Mg EAFS filter would remove 42% more P than a 31‐Mg FGDG filter. In addition, the EAFS filter would have a flow rate 10 times that of the FGDG filter. The predictive equations discussed in this paper can be used to determine the cost per unit of P removed of filters containing different materials.