bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A reappraisal of the medical therapy with steroidogenesis inhibitors in Cushing's syndrome
Authors: Valassi Elena , Crespo Iris , Gich Ignasi , Rodríguez José , Webb Susan M. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the outcome of preoperative therapy with ketoconazole (KTZ) and/or metyrapone (MTP) in previously untreated patients with Cushing's syndrome (CS).Design and patientsSixty‐two patients with CS (85% ACTH dependent), treated with steroidogenesis inhibitors prior to surgery between 1983 and 2010, were retrospectively studied. T0 and t1 defined baseline and end of preoperative medical treatment.ResultsOutcomes were based upon clinical and biochemical (normal UFC) control of hypercortisolism at t1: group CO (controlled) included 20 patients (32%) with eucortisolism and significant clinical improvement; group NC (not controlled) 30 (48%) with persistent hypercortisolism and no control of symptoms; and group PC (partially controlled) 12 patients (19%) who despite eucortisolism had no real clinical improvement. Median duration of treatment was 4 months (range: 1–30·7), and median cumulative dose of KTZ and MTP was 57 g (range: 3·6–240) and 120 g (range: 7·5–1215). CO patients were treated more with KTZ alone than the other groups (P < 0·05). MTP alone was administered more in PC than in CO patients (P < 0·01). No clinical differences were observed between groups at baseline. Systolic blood pressure at t1 was higher in PC than in NC patients (P < 0·05). Hypertension persisted more in PC patients than in the other groups (P < 0·05) after a median postsurgery follow‐up of 108 months (range: 4–276).ConclusionsPreoperative administration of KTZ, MTP or both normalized UFC in 52% of patients with CS, but concomitant clinical improvement did not always follow. Larger, multicentre studies are needed to individualize preoperative medical treatment and improve outcome in patients with CS.
Automatic and controlled cognitive responses to intergroup threat as assessed using the process dissociation procedure: A study of a low‐status group from China
Authors: XIANG LING , ZHAO YUFANG 
Published: April 2012

Xiang, L. & Zhao, Y. (2012). Automatic and controlled cognitive responses to intergroup threat as assessed using the process dissociation procedure: A study of a low‐status group from China.Scandinavian Journal of Psychology53, 280–285.Explicit and implicit methods are typically employed to investigate the respective controlled and automatic cognitive responses to intergroup threat. However, these may not be “process pure” measures of automatic or controlled responses. The present study used the process dissociation procedure to investigate the relative contributions of automatic and controlled cognitive responses to intergroup threat. Following exposure to a threat/no threat manipulation, fifty Chinese rural undergraduates who were regarded as low‐status group members completed a recognition memory task, in which they were asked to identify all or select “old” (previously presented) trait words relating to an urban outgroup. The results showed that compared to the non‐threat group, when rural members perceived threat from an urban group, their automatic response was a decrease in favoritism for this outgroup, but was not derogative, whereas the controlled response was neither positive nor negative. These findings are inconsistent with previous research using explicit and implicit methods. The reasons for this discrepancy are discussed.
Understanding the origins and prevalence of AIDS conspiracy beliefs in the United States and South Africa
Authors: Nattrass Nicoli 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) originated from cross‐species transmission of the simian immunodeficiency virus from primates to humans. Yet a significant minority of people in the United States (US) and South Africa believe that HIV was deliberately created by scientists as a bioweapon. Scholars in the humanities emphasise the historical context, socially situated character and psycho‐social dimensions of such aetiological narratives. This is important, but so is the role of individual agents participating in the cultic milieu in which oppositional ideas such as HIV conspiracy theories are borrowed across national, ideological and political divides. This article discusses the origins of the legend of ‘HIV as bioweapon’ and summarises the available evidence on the prevalence of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) conspiracy beliefs in the US and South Africa. This is followed by a discussion of the history of biowarfare and racial oppression which renders the legend (and its local South African variants) believable for many people. The article then moves beyond socio‐historical analysis to argue that analytical space needs to be created to critique the political leaders who promoted AIDS conspiracy beliefs.
IL‐33 and HMGB1 alarmins: sensors of cellular death and their involvement in liver pathology
Authors: Arshad Muhammad I. , Piquet‐Pellorce Claire , Samson Michel 
Published: April 2012

Abstract‘Alarmins’ are a group of proteins or molecules that are released from cells during cellular demise to alert the host immune system. Two of them, Interleukin‐33 (IL‐33) and high‐mobility group box‐1 (HMGB1), share many similarities of cellular localization, functions and involvement in various inflammatory pathologies including hepatitis. The expressions of IL‐33 and HMGB1, and their receptors ST2 and receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), are substantially up‐regulated during acute and chronic hepatitis. Recent data evidence a possible protective role of IL‐33/ST2 axis during liver injury. A contrast in expression of IL‐33 and HMGB1 alarmins were associated with type of hepatocellular death mediated by immune cells or hepato‐toxic agents. The massive release of active form of IL‐33 from hepatocytes may affect the recruitment and activation of its ST2‐positive target immune cells in the liver to confer its alarmin functions. This review highlights the emerging roles of alarmin proteins in various liver pathologies, by focusing on classical HMGB1 and a newly discovered alarmin, the IL‐33.
Adverse Childhood Experiences Are Associated With Migraine and Vascular Biomarkers
Authors: Tietjen Gretchen E. , Khubchandani Jagdish , Herial Nabeel A. , Shah Kavit 
Published: April 2012

Objectives.— Migraine is a risk factor for stroke in young women. Biomarker studies implicate endothelial activation as a possible mechanism. Emerging relationships of childhood adversity with migraine, and with inflammation, a component of endothelial activation, suggest that it may play a role in the migraine–stroke association. Our objective is to evaluate the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), migraine, and vascular biomarker levels in premenopausal women.Methods.— Vascular and metabolic biomarkers from women 18‐50 years, including 125 with migraine (interictal) and 50 without migraine, were evaluated. An ACE questionnaire was later collected by mail (response rate 80.6%, 100 migraineurs, 41 controls).Results.— Migraineurs and controls were demographically similar. Migraineurs reported adversity more commonly than controls (71% vs 46%, odds ratio [OR] = 1.53, 95% confidence interval 1.07‐2.17). Average ACE scores were elevated in migraineurs as compared with controls (2.4 vs 0.76, P < .001). ACE scores correlated with headache frequency (0.37, P = .001) and younger age of headache onset (−0.22, P = .04). It also correlated with body mass index (r = 0.43, P = .0001), von Willebrand factor activity (r = 0.21, P = .009), tissue plasminogen activator antigen (r = 0.28, P = .004), prothrombin activation fragment (r = 0.36, P = .001), high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (r = 0.98, P = .0001), transforming growth factor‐beta1 (r = 0.28, P = .003), tissue necrosis factor‐alpha (r = 0.20, P = .03), interleukin‐6 (r = 0.22, P = .03), adiponectin (r = −0.29, P = .003), and nitrate/nitrite concentration (r = −314, P = .001). Logistic regression analyses (adjusted for vascular risk factors and migraine) demonstrated an association of childhood adversity with inflammatory factors (high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein, interleukin‐6, and tissue necrosis factor‐alpha).Conclusions.— In young women, adverse childhood events are associated with migraine, particularly chronic and transformed migraine, and with vascular biomarkers, especially inflammatory biomarkers. These findings implicate early life stress as a link between migraine and endothelial activation.
Pregnancy Planning and Diabetes: A Qualitative Exploration of Women's Attitudes Toward Preconception Care
Authors: McCorry Noleen K. , Hughes Clare , Spence Dale , Holmes Valerie A. , Harper Roy 
Published: April 2012

Introduction: Seeking preconception care is recognized as an important health behavior for women with preexisting diabetes. Yet many women with diabetes do not seek care or advice until after they are pregnant, and many enter pregnancy with suboptimal glycemic control. This study explored the attitudes about pregnancy and preconception care seeking in a group of nonpregnant women with type 1 diabetes mellitus.Methods: In‐depth semistructured interviews were completed with 14 nonpregnant women with type 1 diabetes.Results: Analysis of the interview data revealed 4 main themes: 1) the emotional complexity of childbearing decisions, 2) preferences for information related to pregnancy, 3) the importance of being known by your health professional, and 4) frustrations with the medical model of care.Discussion: These findings raise questions about how preconception care should be provided to women with diabetes and highlight the pivotal importance of supportive, familiar relationships between health professionals and women with diabetes in the provision of individualized care and advice. By improving the quality of relationships and communication between health care providers and patients, we will be better able to provide care and advice that is perceived as relevant to the individual, whatever her stage of family planning.
Electrophysiological characterization of sodium‐activated potassium channels in NG108‐15 and NSC‐34 motor neuron‐like cells
Authors: Wu S.‐N. , Yeh C.‐C. , Huang H.‐C. , So E. C. , Lo Y.‐C. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractAimsThe electrical properties of Na+‐activated K+ current (IK(Na)) and its contribution to spike firing has not been characterized in motor neurons.MethodsWe evaluated how activation of voltage‐gated K+ current (IK) at the cellular level could be coupled to Na+ influx through voltage‐gated Na+ current (INa) in two motor neuron‐like cells (NG108‐15 and NSC‐34 cells).ResultsIncreasing stimulation frequency altered the amplitudes of both INa and IK simultaneously. With changes in stimulation frequency, the kinetics of both INa inactivation and IK activation were well correlated at the same cell. Addition of tetrodotoxin or ranolazine reduced the amplitudes of both INa and IK simultaneously. Tefluthrin (Tef) increased the amplitudes of both INa and IK throughout the voltages ranging from −30 to + 10 mV. In cell‐attached recordings, single‐channel conductance from a linear current‐voltage relation was 94 ± 3 pS (n = 7). Tef (10 μm) enhanced channel activity with no change in single‐channel conductance. Tef increased spike firing accompanied by enhanced facilitation of spike‐frequency adaptation. Riluzole (10 μm) reversed Tef‐stimulated activity of KNa channels. In motor neuron‐like NSC‐34 cells, increasing stimulation frequency altered the kinetics of both INa and IK. Modelling studies of motor neurons were simulated to demonstrate that the magnitude of IK(Na) modulates AP firing.ConclusionsThere is a direct association of Na+ and KNa channels which can provide the rapid activation of KNa channels required to regulate AP firing occurring in motor neurons.
Pelvic floor complaints in gastroenterology practice: results of a survey in the netherlands
Authors: Nicolai Melianthe P J , Fidder Herma H , Bekker Milou D , Putter Hein , Pelger Rob C M , Elzevier Henk W 
Published: April 2012

ObjectiveThe pelvic floor is an integrated structure; dysfunctions may lead to a wide range of symptoms, involving voiding, defecation and sexual functioning (SF). Functional symptoms such as constipation and lower abdominal pain are often caused by pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD), and they highly impact the quality of life. Multiple specialists are responsible for a specific part of the pelvic floor, but its treatment asks for a holistic approach. The authors are still unaware of gastroenterologists' knowledge on PFD or whether they are addressing pelvic floor complaints in their daily practice.DesignA 42-itemed anonymous questionnaire was mailed to all 402 members of the Dutch Society of Gastroenterology (gastroenterologists and residents-in-training).Results169 (42%) questionnaires were analysed. Most gastroenterologists address lower urinary tract symptoms in their history-taking, 92% in female patients and 84% in male patients. When patients indicate irritable bowel syndrome-like complaints, more than 60% of the physicians inquire about SF to their female patients, compared with 38% inquiries to male patients (p<0.001). A reason not to inquire about SF is a lack of knowledge about female and male sexuality (19% and 23%, respectively). Forty-six per cent of the respondents regard it rather important to receive more training on PFD in male patients versus 61% in female patients.ConclusionAwareness of PFD is not yet routinely integrated into the history taken by gastroenterologists.
Timing of fault reactivation in the upper crust of the St. Lawrence rift system, Canada, by K–Ar dating of illite-rich fault rocks1GEOTOP Contribution 2012-0002.
Authors: Sasseville Christian , Clauer Norbert , Tremblay Alain 
Published: April 2012

Formed during late Proterozoic – early Paleozoic, the St. Lawrence rift system of eastern North America hosts an active seismic zone, also displaying evidence of subsequent tectonic reactivation in Paleozoic and Mesozoic times. However, lack of a detailed reconstruction of the basement geometry and limited geochronological constraints limit our understanding of its structural evolution. Late Silurian – Early Devonian fault reactivation is demonstrated here in typical fault sites of the St. Lawrence rift system by combining structural observations of basement structures and a mineralogical, morphological, and K–Ar isotopic study of clay-rich fault material (<0.4 µm et 1–2 µm). The K–Ar data of clay-rich size fractions from gouges of varied rock types from Saint-Laurent and Montmorency faults define two isochron ages at 436 ± 45 and 406 ± 22 Ma that are within analytical uncertainty and give an average at 421 ± 15 Ma. However, these two faulting episodes could also picture a single long-lasting phase of foreland subsidence of the Appalachian orogen starting during the Late Ordovician – Early Silurian deformation in the external Humber zone and continuing during Late Silurian – Early Devonian subsidence related to a normal faulting. This interpretation is based on a different mineral composition of the younger size fractions that consist of smectite-enriched clay minerals and could, therefore, correspond to the end of a reactivation event that was episodically active between 436 ± 45 and 406 ± 22 Ma. The faults were selectively reactivated depending on their location relative to pre-existing metamorphic and tectonic fabrics of the Grenvillian basement. The identified Late Silurian – Early Devonian reactivation of the Saint-Laurent and Montmorency faults was contemporaneous with the subsidence of the adjacent Appalachian foreland, resulting in SE-dipping faults in the crystalline basement of the St. Lawrence rift system and NW-dipping faults in the Appalachian cover.
Linear versus Nonlinear Filtering with Scale-Selective Corrections for Balanced Dynamics in a Simple Atmospheric Model
Authors: Subramanian Aneesh C. , Hoteit Ibrahim , Cornuelle Bruce , Miller Arthur J. , Song Hajoon 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
This paper investigates the role of the linear analysis step of the ensemble Kalman filters (EnKF) in disrupting the balanced dynamics in a simple atmospheric model and compares it to a fully nonlinear particle-based filter (PF). The filters have a very similar forecast step but the analysis step of the PF solves the full Bayesian filtering problem while the EnKF analysis only applies to Gaussian distributions. The EnKF is compared to two flavors of the particle filter with different sampling strategies, the sequential importance resampling filter (SIRF) and the sequential kernel resampling filter (SKRF). The model admits a chaotic vortical mode coupled to a comparatively fast gravity wave mode. It can also be configured either to evolve on a so-called slow manifold, where the fast motion is suppressed, or such that the fast-varying variables are diagnosed from the slow-varying variables as slaved modes. Identical twin experiments show that EnKF and PF capture the variables on the slow manifold well as the dynamics is very stable. PFs, especially the SKRF, capture slaved modes better than the EnKF, implying that a full Bayesian analysis estimates the nonlinear model variables better. The PFs perform significantly better in the fully coupled nonlinear model where fast and slow variables modulate each other. This suggests that the analysis step in the PFs maintains the balance in both variables much better than the EnKF. It is also shown that increasing the ensemble size generally improves the performance of the PFs but has less impact on the EnKF after a sufficient number of members have been used.
Intraseasonal Tropical Atmospheric Variability Associated with the Two Flavors of El Niño
Authors: Gushchina Daria , Dewitte Boris 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT
The characteristics of intraseasonal tropical variability (ITV) associated with the two flavors of El Niño [i.e., the canonical or eastern Pacific (EP) El Niño and the Modoki or central Pacific (CP) El Niño] are documented using composite and regression analysis. Double space–time Fourier analysis is applied to the NCEP–NCAR zonal wind at 850 hPa (U850) to separate the different components of the ITV in the tropical troposphere, which is then used to define indices of wave activity, and document the spatial pattern of the waves.
It is shown that the ITV characteristics are altered during CP El Niño compared to the typical seasonal dependence of the ITV–ENSO relationship. In particular, while EP El Niño is characterized by enhanced MJO and equatorial Rossby (ER) wave activity during spring–summer prior to the ENSO peak, during CP El Niño, the ITV activity is increased during the mature and decaying phases. It is suggested that ITV is more propitious to the triggering of the EP event; while during the CP event, it contributes mostly to the persistence of positive SST anomalies. The oceanic response of these ITV anomalous patterns is further investigated in the Simple Ocean Data Assimilation (SODA) reanalysis by documenting the seasonal evolution of the intraseasonal equatorial oceanic Kelvin wave (IEKW) activity during the two flavors of El Niño. It is shown that anomalous westerlies associated with ITV may generate the corresponding response in the ocean in the form of anomalous IEKW activity.
The impact of pretransplant 25-hydroxy vitamin D deficiency on subsequent graft function: An observational study
Authors: Kim Hyunwook , Kang Shin-Wook , Yoo Tae-Hyun , Kim Myoung Soo , Kim Soon Il , Kim Yu Seun , Choi Kyu Hun 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackgroundIn addition to its canonical role in musculoskeletal health, several reports have demonstrated that serum vitamin D level may influence kidney function. However, the effect of pretransplant serum vitamin D level on subsequent graft function has not been explored. Therefore, this study was undertaken to examine the effect of serum vitamin D level at the time of kidney transplantation (KT) on subsequent graft function.MethodsWe analyzed 106 patients who underwent KT and for whom 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OHD) levels were measured during hospitalization prior to transplantation. We measured estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula at baseline and at six-month intervals up to 36 months after KT.Results38.7% of the patients were diagnosed with 25-OHD deficiency defined as less than 10 ng/mL. Recipient gender (female vs. male, odds ratio [OR] 3.30, 95% CI 1.33-8.21,P= 0.010), serum albumin level (per 1 mg/dl increase, OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.13-0.98,P= 0.047), and predominant renal replacement therapy modality before KT (P< 0.001) were found to be independent pretransplant risk factors for 25-OHD deficiency by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Subsequent repeated measures analysis of covariance revealed that 25-OHD level had the only significant main effect on eGFR during the 36-month follow-up period [F(1, 88) = 12.07,P= 0.001].ConclusionsPretransplant 25-OHD deficiency was significantly associated with a lower post-transplant eGFR, suggesting that 25-OHD may play an important role in maintaining graft function after KT.
Non-physician providers of obstetric care in Mexico: Perspectives of physicians, obstetric nurses and professional midwives
Authors: DeMaria Lisa M , Campero Lourdes , Vidler Marianne , Walker Dilys 
Published: April 2012

Abstract

Background
In Mexico 87% of births are attended by physicians. However, the decline in the national maternal mortality rate has been slower than expected. The Mexican Ministry of Health’s 2009 strategy to reduce maternal mortality gives a role to two non-physician models that meet criteria for skilled attendants: obstetric nurses and professional midwives. This study compares and contrasts these two provider types with the medical model, analyzing perspectives on their respective training, scope of practice, and also their perception and/or experiences with integration into the public system as skilled birth attendants.

Methodology
This paper synthesizes qualitative research that was obtained as a component of the quantitative and qualitative study that evaluated three models of obstetric care: professional midwives (PM), obstetric nurses (ON) and general physicians (GP). A total of 27 individual interviews using a semi-structured guide were carried out with PMs, ONs, GPs and specialists. Interviews were transcribed following the principles of grounded theory, codes and categories were created as they emerged from the data. We analyzed data in ATLAS.ti.

Results
All provider types interviewed expressed confidence in their professional training and acknowledge that both professional midwives and obstetric nurses have the necessary skills and knowledge to care for women during normal pregnancy and childbirth. The three types of providers recognize limits to their practice, namely in the area of managing complications.
We found differences in how each type of practitioner perceived the concept and process of birth and their role in this process. The barriers to incorporation as a model to attend birth faced by PMs and ONs are at the individual, hospital and system level. GPs question their ability and training to handle deliveries, in particular those that become complicated, and the professional midwifery model particularly as it relates to a clinical setting, is also questioned.

Conclusions
Hospitals in the Mexican public health sector have a heavy obstetric workload; physicians carry the additional burden of non-obstetric cases. The incorporation of a non- physician model at the primary health center level to attend low-risk, normal deliveries would contribute to the reduction of non-necessary referrals. There is also a role for these providers at the hospital level.