bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Negotiating hope with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients: a qualitative study of patients and healthcare professionals
Authors: Philip J. , Gold M. , Brand C. , Douglass J. , Miller B. , Sundararajan V. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackground:  The information needs of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) towards the end of life are poorly understood.Aim:  This study explored the views of patients with COPD and healthcare professionals, focusing upon information needs and treatment preferences.Method:  In‐depth, semi‐structured interviews were held with patients with COPD following admission to hospital with respiratory failure, and focus groups held with healthcare professionals from hospital and community settings.Results:  Ten patients were interviewed, who had a median 4 previous hospital admissions, and had smoked for median 47 years. Five focus groups were held with 31 healthcare professionals (18 nurses, 7 doctors, 6 allied health). The theme underpinning all discussions was of tension between maintaining hope and negotiating the reality of the illness and its consequences. Within this theme, patients tended to be optimistic, viewed acute exacerbations as separate from their underlying chronic illness, and were keen for intensive treatments, including intubation if acutely unwell. They had little understanding of the complexities of decision‐making around treatment escalation. Both patients and health workers believed that information around end of life should be offered routinely, but delivered in a manner that recognises and maintains a form of hope.Conclusion:  Patients and healthcare professionals believe information around illness course, future goals and treatment is important to care. An expanded view of hope may assist when providing such information, including when discussing goals of care in the setting of advanced illness.
Awareness regarding venous thromboembolism among internal medicine practitioners in Mexico: a national cross‐sectional study
Authors: Majluf‐Cruz A. , Castro Martinez G. , Herrera Cornejo M. A. , Liceaga‐Cravioto G. , Espinosa‐Larrañaga F. , Garcia‐Chavez J. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackgroundVenous thromboembolism (VTE) affects millions of patients worldwide and is responsible for thousands of hospitalisations annually.AimsTo evaluate the awareness regarding VTE among Mexican internists.MethodsWe designed a cross‐sectional survey using a questionnaire applied to Mexican internists mainly during academic meetings.ResultsWe collected 1220 questionnaires. VTE was considered a potential complication for medical inpatients by 85% of the respondents, whereas 69% and 63%, respectively, considered pulmonary embolism to be a complication of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and a cause of death. Awareness of some VTE risk factors was adequate, and 85% of those physicians surveyed routinely observed patients for these risk factors, although only 58% performed global risk stratification. Only 12% of the respondents considered length of hospital stay as a risk factor, and 58% assumed that the risk decreases after hospital discharge; 64% and 49% responded that the risk is higher, and VTE risk factors are more frequent in surgical versus medical inpatients respectively. VTE diagnosis was reported as easy or very easy for 59% of the respondents, but only 41% regarded phlebography as the gold standard for diagnosing DVT, although 85% of the respondents reported that d‐dimer + Doppler ultrasound was an alternative. Pulmonary arteriography or helical computed tomography CT scan was the gold standard for diagnosing pulmonary embolism for 60% of the physicians, but 55% responded that electrocardiogram, arterial gasometry and chest X‐ray are also useful.ConclusionsAwareness regarding VTE risk factors and the degree of diagnostic skills among Mexican internal medicine specialists are low.
Natural history of severe eosinophilia with uncertain aetiology and proposals on a practical approach to its management
Authors: Ang A. L. , Wong R. X. , Zhuang Q. Y. , Linn Y. C. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackground:  Eosinophilia is commonly encountered during clinical practice. Some can be attributed to well‐defined causes while others cannot. Optimal management of hypereosinophilia with unknown aetiology is uncertain as the natural history is not well described.Methods:  We retrospectively studied patients with hypereosinophilia (>5 × 109/L) and described the characteristics, natural history and treatment of those with eosinophilia of uncertain aetiology.Results:  There were 141 patients with hypereosinophilia: 87 with well‐defined causes, 54 with uncertain aetiology. The latter was managed as hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) (n= 5), idiopathic hypereosinophilia (IH) (n= 11), presumptive helminthic infection (n= 11) and reactive eosinophilia (n= 5), while 22 were insufficiently investigated and did not have definite working diagnoses. Their median age and peak eosinophil count were 64 (22 to 94) years and 10.0 (5.2–33.9) × 109/L respectively. Forty‐six per cent had symptoms attributable to eosinophilia, with the HES and insufficiently investigated groups having the highest (100%) and lowest (27%) percentages respectively. HES and IH patients were most extensively investigated. All 14 HES or IH patients who received steroids responded. All presumptive helminthic infection patients received mebendazole: nine responded, and two had unassessable responses. For the remaining patients, seven received steroids and all responded; one received mebendazole but defaulted; 19 were not treated:11 resolved spontaneously. No non‐HES patients developed eosinophilia‐related organ dysfunction. No mortality was caused by hypereosinophilia.Conclusions:  Patients with hypereosinophilia of uncertain aetiology can be empirically managed according to working diagnoses derived from history taking, examination and selective investigations. Most patients have benign short‐term outcomes, but longer monitoring is required to assess long‐term outcomes from untreated hypereosinophilia.
Protective effects of the dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitor sitagliptin in the blood–retinal barrier in a type 2 diabetes animal model
Authors: Gonçalves A. , Leal E. , Paiva A. , Teixeira Lemos E. , Teixeira F. , Ribeiro C. F. , Reis F. , Ambrósio A. F. , Fernandes R. 
Published: December 2011

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of sitagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitor (DPP‐IV), in preventing the deleterious effects of diabetes on the blood–retinal barrier in male Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF) rats.Methods: ZDF rats at 20 weeks of age were treated with sitagliptin (10 mg/kg/day) during 6 weeks. The effect of the drug on glycaemia was assessed by evaluating glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c). The content and/or distribution of tight junction (TJ) proteins occludin and claudin‐5, as well as nitrotyrosine residues, interleukin (IL)‐1β, BAX and Bcl‐2 was evaluated in the retinas by western blotting and/or immunohistochemistry. Retinal cell apoptosis was assessed by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick‐end labelling (TUNEL) assay. The number of CD34+ cells present in peripheral circulation was assessed by flow cytometry, and endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) adhesion ability to the retinal vessels was evaluated by immunohistochemistry.Results: Sitagliptin improved glycaemic control as reflected by a significant decrease in HbA1c levels by about 1.2%. Treatment with sitagliptin prevented the changes in the endothelial subcellular distribution of the TJ proteins induced by diabetes. Sitagliptin also decreased the nitrosative stress, the inflammatory state and cell death by apoptosis in diabetic retinas. Diabetic animals presented decreased levels of CD34+ cells in the peripheral circulation and decreased adhesion ability of EPC to the retinal vessels. Sitagliptin allowed a recovery of the number of CD34+ cells present in the bloodstream to levels similar to their number in controls and increased the adhesion ability of EPC to the retinal vessels.Conclusions: Sitagliptin prevented nitrosative stress, inflammation and apoptosis in retinal cells and exerted beneficial effects on the blood–retinal barrier integrity in ZDF rat retinas.
Management of chronic spontaneous urticaria in real life – in accordance with the guidelines? A cross‐sectional physician‐based survey study
Authors: Weller K. , Viehmann K. , Bräutigam M. , Krause K. , Siebenhaar F. , Zuberbier T. , Maurer M. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackground  Recently, the updated EAACI/GA2LEN/EDF/WAO guidelines for urticaria have been published.Objective  To examine how chronic spontaneous urticaria (csU) patients in Germany are diagnosed and treated, and to compare the outcome to the guideline recommendations.Methods  During this cross‐sectional survey study, most dermatologists, paediatricians and 5149 general practitioners in private practice in Germany were asked to participate. All physicians who agreed were requested to complete a standardized questionnaire about their diagnostic and therapeutic management of csU.Results  A total of 776 questionnaires were available for analysis. Most physicians (82%) were attempting to identify underlying causes in their csU patients, but with only limited success. More than 70% reported to check for total serum IgE and to do skin prick testing (not suggested in first line by guideline). In contrast, only 10% applied the autologous serum skin test. The most common first‐line treatments were non‐sedating antihistamines in standard or higher doses (as recommended). However, many physicians reported still using first generation sedating antihistamines (23%) (not recommended) or systemic steroids (18%). Experience with alternative options was low. Less than one‐third of the participants reported to be familiar with the guidelines. Those who did, were found to be more likely to check for underlying causes, to be more experienced with antihistamine updosing and to be more reluctant to use sedating antihistamines or systemic steroids.Conclusion  The diagnostic and therapeutic management of csU by private practice physicians does not sufficiently comply with the guidelines. Awareness of the guidelines can lead to improved care.
Activation of mu opioid receptors in the striatum differentially augments methamphetamine‐induced gene expression and enhances stereotypic behavior
Authors: Horner Kristen A. , Hebbard John C. , Logan Anna S. , Vanchipurakel Golda A. , Gilbert Yamiece E. 
Published: December 2011

J. Neurochem. (2012) 120, 779–794.AbstractMu opioid receptors are densely expressed in the patch compartment of striatum and contribute to methamphetamine‐induced patch‐enhanced gene expression and stereotypy. To further elucidate the role of mu opioid receptor activation in these phenomena, we examined whether activation of mu opioid receptors would enhance methamphetamine‐induced stereotypy and prodynorphin, c‐fos, arc and zif/268 expression in the patch and/or matrix compartments of striatum, as well as the impact of mu opioid receptor activation on the relationship between patch‐enhanced gene expression and stereotypy. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were intrastriatally infused with d‐Ala(2)‐N‐Me‐Phe(4),Gly(5)‐ol]enkephalin (DAMGO; 1 μg/μL), treated with methamphetamine (0.5 mg/kg) and killed at 45 min or 2 h later. DAMGO augmented methamphetamine‐induced zif/268 mRNA expression in the patch and matrix compartments, while prodynorphin expression was increased in the dorsolateral patch compartment. DAMGO pre‐treatment did not affect methamphetamine‐induced arc and c‐fos expression. DAMGO enhanced methamphetamine‐induced stereotypy and resulted in greater patch versus matrix expression of prodynorphin in the dorsolateral striatum, leading to a negative correlation between the two. These findings indicate that mu opioid receptors contribute to methamphetamine‐induced stereotypy, but can differentially influence the genomic responses to methamphetamine. These data also suggest that prodynorphin may offset the overstimulation of striatal neurons by methamphetamine.
Early and late calcium waves during wound healing in corneal endothelial cells
Authors: Chifflet Silvia , Justet Cristian , Hernández Julio A. , Nin Verónica , Escande Carlos , Benech Juan C. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractImmediately after wounding, bovine corneal endothelial cells develop a fast calcium wave that propagates from the wound border to the rest of the monolayer and extinguishes in approximately 5 minutes. One hour after wounding, a late, slow calcium wave (SCW) develops concomitantly to the depolarization of the plasma membrane potential of the border cells. The incorporation of inhibitors of the epithelial sodium channel and of the sodium‐calcium exchanger produces inhibition of the membrane depolarization and the SCW, and diminishes the rate of wound healing. The L‐type calcium channel blocker nimodipine does not have any effect on the SCW. The reversible inhibition of the fast calcium wave does not affect the SCW and only slightly decreases the velocity of healing. Our results suggest that the SCW is at least partially produced by the coupling of the epithelial sodium channel and the sodium‐calcium exchanger functioning in reverse mode. They also suggest that the SCW may play a role in the overall healing process.
Effect of Obesity on Falls, Injury, and Disability
Authors: Himes Christine L. , Reynolds Sandra L. 
Published: December 2011

ObjectivesTo examine the effect of obesity on the propensity of older adults to fall, sustain a fall‐related injury, and develop disability in activities of daily living (ADLs) after a fall.DesignLongitudinal population‐based survey.SettingFive waves of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), 1998–2006.ParticipantsTen thousand seven hundred fifty‐five respondents aged 65 and older in 31,602 person‐intervals.MeasurementsFalls within any 2‐year interval (9,621 falls). Injuries requiring medical attention (3,130 injuries). Increased ADL disability after a fall within any 2‐year interval (2,162 events). Underweight and three classes of obesity (body mass index (BMI) 30.0–34.9 kg/m2, Class 1) 35.0–39.9 kg/m2, Class 2; ≥40.0 kg/m2, Class 3), calculated from self‐reported height and weight. Self‐reported presence of lower body limitation, pain, dizziness, or vision problems. Self‐reported doctor's diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, stroke, or arthritis.ResultsCompared with normal‐weight respondents, the odds ratios (OR) for risk of falling were 1.12 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.01–1.24) for obesity Class 1, 1.26 (95% CI = 1.05–1.51) for obesity Class 2, and 1.50 (95% CI = 1.21–1.86) for obesity Class 3. Conditional on falling, only obesity Class 3 was related to a lower propensity for a fall‐related injury (OR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.44–0.87). Obesity Classes 1 and 2 were associated with a higher risk of greater ADL disability after a fall than normal‐weight respondents (OR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.02–1.34; OR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.10–1.75, respectively). Being underweight was not related to risk of falling or to reported injury or greater ADL limitation after a fall. The presence of measured health problems and chronic conditions was associated with greater risk of falling and, of those who fell, greater ADL limitation but not serious injury.ConclusionObesity appears to be associated with greater risk of falling in older adults, as well as a higher risk of greater ADL disability after a fall. Obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2) may reduce the risk of injury from a fall. Further investigation of the mechanisms of obesity on falls and related health outcomes is warranted.
Looking Forward: Comment on Morgante, Zolfaghari, and Johnson
Authors: Creel Sarah C. 
Published: December 2011

Morgante et al. (in press) find inconsistencies in the time reporting of a Tobii T60XL eye tracker. Their study raises important questions about the use of the Tobii T‐series in particular, and various software and hardware in general, in different infant eye tracking paradigms. It leaves open the question of the source of the inconsistencies. Here, observations from a Tobii eye tracker are presented to elucidate possible sources of timing inconsistencies, including those found by Morgante et al. The ramifications of the reported timing inconsistencies are related to various infant paradigms. The focus is on the level of concern a researcher should have if any eye tracker displays these timing characteristics, and what corrective measures may be taken. While posing no problems for some paradigms, timing inconsistencies are potentially problematic (but correctable) when assessing event‐related looking behavior. Observed timing contraindicates use in fast gaze‐contingent displays (<100 ms). General suggestions are made regarding timing in eye‐tracked data collection.
The Cutaneous Trunci Muscle Reflex: A Predictor of Recovery in Dogs with Acute Thoracolumbar Myelopathies Caused by Intervertebral Disc Extrusions
Authors: Muguet‐Chanoit Audrey C. , Olby Natasha J. , Lim Ji‐Hey , Gallagher Ryan , Niman Zachary , Dillard Stacy , Campbell James , Early Peter , Mariani Christopher L. , Muñana Karen R. , Freeman Courtenay , Platt Simon R. , Kent Marc , Giovanella Carley , Longshore Randall C. 
Published: December 2011

ObjectiveTo determine whether changes in the cutaneous trunci muscle (CTM) reflex are an early predictor of outcome in dogs with severe acute thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion (IVDE).Study DesignMulticenter prospective cohort study.AnimalsDogs (n= 36) with acuteIVDEcausing paraplegia, loss of nociception in pelvic limbs and tail, and an abnormalCTMreflex postoperatively.MethodsThe caudal border of theCTMreflex was established 24 hours after surgery and at discharge, and was reported as moving cranially, caudally, or staying static. Dogs were re‐evaluated at 12–20 weeks and at 7–36 months postoperatively. Outcome was classified as improved or unimproved, successful or unsuccessful, and ascending myelomalacia or not, and compared with early movement of theCTMreflex by construction of contingency tables and performing aFisher's exact test.ResultsBy discharge (mean, 4.7 days;SD= 2.10),CTMreflex progression was caudal in 19 dogs, static in 11, and cranial in 6. Five of 6 dogs with cranial movement developed ascending myelomalacia (P< .0001). Seventeen of 19 dogs with caudal movement showed an improvement by 12–20 weeks (P= .0046) and none developed ascending myelomalacia (P= .0013).ConclusionsPostoperative changes of the caudal border of theCTMreflex are an early indicator of outcome in dogs with severe acuteIVDE. Cranial movement of theCTMreflex is significantly associated with the development of ascending myelomalacia. Caudal movement is significantly associated with improvement, but not associated with a long‐term successful outcome.
The effects of male harassment on mating duration in the seed bug, Togo hemipterus
Authors: Himuro Chihiro , Fujisaki Kenji 
Published: December 2011

AbstractHarassment on mating pairs by solitary males is usually considered an attempt by the male to (1) take over the female, (2) guard the female against further insemination (when the solitary male has previously copulated with this female), or (3) influence mating duration. Paired males of a seed bug repel harassment on mating pairs by solitary males by firmly grasping females using their legs and/or genital claspers; in this way, mating duration is prolonged. Male fertilization success increases as mating duration increases. Males of the seed bug, Togo hemipterus (Scott) (Heteroptera: Lygaeidae), use seminal substances to inhibit female remating. These substances induce protracted female refractory periods and are transferred to the females in a time‐dependent manner. Consequently, mating duration has important effects on fitness in this species. We observed harassment on T. hemipterus mating pairs by solitary males, and examined conflicts between paired and solitary males over mating duration. None of the solitary males were able to take over a mating female, and this may be due to the unique male genital structure in this species. All conflicts over mating duration resulted in wins by the paired males over the solitary males. Paired males prolonged mating durations, whereas severe harassment on mating pairs by solitary males shortened durations. We show that even though there is no immediate reward for the solitary male (i.e., it is unable to take over the mating female), this harassment behavior may be adaptive.
Identification and expression analysis of three novel splice variants of protein kinase A catalytic β subunit gene in the mouse using combinatorial in silico and molecular biology approaches
Authors: Banday Abdul R. , Azim Shafquat , Tabish Mohammad 
Published: December 2011

The murine, bovine and human protein kinase A catalytic β (Cβ) subunit genes encode several splice variants. Ten human Cβ gene splice variants, namely Cβ1, Cβ2, Cβ3, Cβ3b, Cβ3ab, Cβ3abc, Cβ4, Cβ4b, Cβ4ab and Cβ4abc, have been reported. Four splice variants of the murine Cβ gene are homologues of human Cβ1, Cβ2, Cβ3 and Cβ4 variants. Using a combinatorial approach comprising bioinformatics tools and molecular biology techniques, we have identified three novel alternatively spliced transcript variants of the mouse Cβ gene designated Cβ5, Cβ6 and Cβ7. These transcript variants differ in their first coding exon. New exons of Cβ5 and Cβ6 variants can encode different N‐terminals; however, the new exon of variant Cβ7, when spliced with exon 2, encountered a stop codon in all three reading frames and thus cannot form a functional protein. The Cβ6 variant showed an ubiquitous pattern of expression, whereas Cβ5 was not expressed in muscle tissue on postnatal days (PN)3 and 15. Also, Cβ7 was found to be expressed only in brain and muscle tissues at PN3 and was absent in all tissues examined at PN15 and PN60. The post‐translational modification analysis showed characteristic signature sequence motifs in predicted proteins important for the functionality of the protein. The human homologues of variants reported in the present study have not yet been identified. The present study reports three novel splice variants that have not been identified using conventional approaches of alternative splice variant detection methods. Therefore, the approach used in the present study can be used to identify splice variants of genes in organisms.Database
GenBank accession numbers: JN189786, JN189787 and JN189788.
Is abdominal obesity associated with the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) pandemic in Korean school‐aged children?
Authors: Kim Choon Ok , Nam Chung Mo , Lee Duk‐Chul , Chang Joon , Lee Ji Won 
Published: December 2011

Please cite this paper as: Kim et al. (2012) Is abdominal obesity associated with the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) pandemic in Korean school‐aged children? Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 6(5), 313–317.Objective  Given their medical vulnerabilities, we investigated the epidemiological factors related to H1N1 infection in school‐aged children.Methods  This study analyzed data collected on 7448 school‐aged children in South Korea between 18 November and 8 December 2009.Results  We found that H1N1 infection was associated with body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), the use of facemasks, contact history with H1N1‐infected persons, and overseas travel history (P < 0·05). In addition, WC quartiles were significantly associated with H1N1 infection after adjusting for BMI and other confounding variables [OR (95% CI): 1·00, 1·10 (0·72–1·45), 1·13 (0·76–1·67), and 2·71 (1·74–4·24), respectively).Conclusions  Abdominal obesity and the use of facemasks appear to be independently associated with H1N1 infection in school‐aged children. We infer that providing education on wearing facemasks and specific planning for abdominally obese children and adolescents may be effective means of reducing the spread of the influenza pandemic in school‐aged children.