bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of cost sharing on seeking outpatient care: a propensity‐matched study in Germany and Switzerland
Authors: Huber Carola A. , Rüesch Peter , Mielck Andreas , Böcken Jan , Rosemann Thomas , Meyer Peter C. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractBackground  Several studies have assessed the effect of cost sharing on health service utilization (HSU), mostly in the USA. Results are heterogeneous, showing different effects. Whereas previous studies compared insurants within one health care system but different modes of insurance, we aimed at comparing two different health care systems in Europe: Germany and Switzerland. Furthermore, we assessed the impact of cost sharing depending on socio‐demographic factors as well as health status.Methods  Two representative samples of 5197 Swiss insurants with and 5197 German insurants without cost sharing were used to assess the independent association between cost sharing and the use of outpatient care. To minimize confounding, we performed cross‐sectional analyses between propensity score matched Swiss and German insurants. We investigated subgroups according to health and socio‐economic status to assess a potential social gradient in HSU.Results  We found a significant association between health insurance scheme and the use of outpatient services. German insurants without cost sharing (visit rate: 4.8 per year) consulted a general practitioner or specialist more frequently than Swiss insurants with cost sharing (visit rate: 3.0 per year; P < 0.01). Subgroup analyses showed that vulnerable populations were differently affected by cost sharing. In the group of respondents with poor health and low socio‐economic status, the cost‐sharing effect was strongest.Conclusion  Cost‐sharing models reduce HSU. The challenge is to create cost‐sharing models which do not preclude vulnerable populations from seeking essential health care.
Methods to assess the reliability of the interRAI Acute Care: a framework to guide clinimetric testing. Part II
Authors: Wellens Nathalie I. H. , Milisen Koen , Flamaing Johan , Moons Philip 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThe interRAI Acute Care is a comprehensive geriatric assessment tool that provides a holistic picture of complex and frail hospitalized older persons. It is designed to support holistic care planning and to transfer patient data across settings. Its usefulness in clinical decision making depends on the extent to which clinicians can rely on the patient data as accurate and meaningful indicators of patients functioning. But its multidimensional character implies challenges for clinimetric testing as some of the traditional analyses techniques cannot be unconditionally applied. The objective was to present an overview of methods to examine the reliability of the interRAI Acute Care. For each line of evidence, examples of hypotheses and research questions are listed.
The chlorarachniophyte nucleomorph is supplemented with host cell nucleus‐encoded histones
Authors: Löffelhardt Wolfgang 
Published: April 2011

SummaryIn chlorarachniophytes, algae originating from secondary endosymbiosis, the complex plastids retained a nucleomorph, the vestigial nucleus of the green algal endosymbiont. The nucleomorph of Bigelowiella natans encodes several plastid‐targeted proteins and hundreds of housekeeping proteins. However, many fundamental genes for the maintainance of this subcompartment are missing. In this issue of Molecular Microbiology, Hirakawa et al. (2011) demonstrate nuclear histone genes of dual evolutionary origin in B. natans and convincingly show the targeting of the corresponding proteins to nucleus and nucleomorph respectively. One of the ways through which the nuclear genome exerts control upon its endosymbiotic junior partner is revealed. Insights into the nature of bipartite targeting sequences directing the respective proteins into the periplastidal space (where the nucleomorph resides) are gained. Further, cell cycle‐dependent, differential regulation is shown for both nuclear and nucleomorph histone genes.
Integration of a complex regulatory cascade involving the SirA/BarA and Csr global regulatory systems that controls expression of the Salmonella SPI‐1 and SPI‐2 virulence regulons through HilD
Authors: Martínez Luary C. , Yakhnin Helen , Camacho Martha I. , Georgellis Dimitris , Babitzke Paul , Puente José L. , Bustamante Víctor H. 
Published: April 2011

Summary Salmonella pathogenicity islands 1 and 2 (SPI‐1 and SPI‐2) play key roles in the pathogenesis of Salmonella enterica. Previously, we showed that when Salmonella grows in Luria–Bertani medium, HilD, encoded in SPI‐1, first induces the expression of hilA, located in SPI‐1, and subsequently of the ssrAB operon, located in SPI‐2. These genes code for HilA and the SsrA/B two‐component system, the positive regulators of the SPI‐1 and SPI‐2 regulons respectively. In this study, we demonstrate that CsrA, a global regulatory RNA binding protein, post‐transcriptionally regulates hilD expression by directly binding near the Shine–Dalgarno and translation initiation codon sequences of the hilD mRNA, preventing its translation and leading to its accelerated turnover. Negative regulation is counteracted by the global SirA/BarA two‐component system, which directly activates the expression of CsrB and CsrC, two non‐coding regulatory RNAs that sequester CsrA, thereby preventing it from binding to its target mRNAs. Our results illustrate the integration of global and specific regulators into a multifactorial regulatory cascade controlling the expression of virulence genes acquired by horizontal transfer events.
Duration of gestation, size at birth and later childhood behaviour
Authors: Yang Seungmi , Fombonne Eric , Kramer Michael S. 
Published: April 2011

SummaryYang S, Fombonne E, Kramer MS. Duration of gestation, size at birth and later childhood behaviour. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology 2011; 25: 377–387.Although many previous studies have reported an association between preterm birth or small size at birth and later behaviour, multiple methodological limitations threaten the validity of causal inferences from reported associations. The authors have examined the association between gestational age and gestational age‐specific size at birth (weight, length and head circumference) and behaviour in a large sample of children born healthy at term. The data were from the 6.5‐year follow‐up of 13 889 Belarusian children who participated in the Promotion of Breastfeeding Intervention Trial, a cluster‐randomised trial of a breast‐feeding promotion intervention. Child behaviour was measured using the parent and teacher versions of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Differences in SDQ scores by gestational age and by birthweight, birth length and birth head circumference standardised for gestational age and sex (z‐scores) were analysed after controlling for potentially confounding maternal and family factors. There was no association between gestational age and child behaviour after adjusting for potential confounding factors. Lower birthweight‐for‐gestational age was associated with higher scores in problem behaviours including total difficulties, conduct problems, hyperactivity, emotional symptoms and peer problems. Similar but smaller differences were observed with birth length and birth head circumference, but those differences were attenuated with adjustment for birthweight. The patterns of association were consistent in both parent and teacher assessments. Among school‐age children born at term within normal range of birthweight, fetal growth, but not gestational age, was associated with behavioural problem scores.
Socioeconomic inequalities and infant mortality of 46 470 preterm infants born in Sweden between 1992 and 2006
Authors: Calling Susanna , Li Xinjun , Sundquist Jan , Sundquist Kristina 
Published: April 2011

SummaryCalling S, Li X, Sundquist J, Sundquist K. Socioeconomic inequalities and infant mortality of 46 470 preterm infants born in Sweden between 1992 and 2006. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology 2011; 25: 357–365.Studies on possible sociodemographic inequities in the survival of preterm infants are scarce. Individual and neighbourhood sociodemographic factors are related to preterm birth and to infant mortality in full‐term infants. The aim here was to examine whether infant mortality in Swedish preterm infants is related to individual and neighbourhood sociodemographic factors, and to study whether the hypothesised association between neighbourhood deprivation and infant mortality persists after accounting for individual sociodemographic factors.The study included 46 470 infants with a gestational length of <37 weeks, born in Sweden between 1992 and 2006. Neighbourhood deprivation was assessed by an index (education, income, unemployment, welfare assistance) in small geographical units, and categorised into low, moderate and high deprivation. Adjusted odds ratios for infant mortality were examined in relation to individual and neighbourhood sociodemographic factors.After adjusting for maternal age, infant mortality was associated with the following sociodemographic variables: maternal non‐married/non‐cohabiting status, low family income, low maternal education and rural status. After full adjustment, the odds ratio [95% confidence interval] was 2.98 [2.42, 3.67] for low family income compared with high family income. An increase in infant mortality was also associated with high neighbourhood deprivation; however, this increased risk no longer remained statistically significant after adjusting for individual sociodemographic factors. In conclusion, this study showed an increased infant mortality in preterm infants born to women with a less favourable sociodemographic profile.
Subregion‐specific role of glutamate receptors in the nucleus accumbens on drug context‐induced reinstatement of cocaine‐seeking behavior in rats
Authors: Xie Xiaohu , Lasseter Heather C. , Ramirez Donna R. , Ponds KaiCee L. , Wells Audrey M. , Fuchs Rita A. 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTThe functional integrity of the nucleus accumbens (NAC) core and shell is necessary for contextual cocaine‐seeking behavior in the reinstatement animal model of drug relapse; however, the neuropharmacological mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are poorly understood. The present study evaluated the contribution of metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 1 (mGluR1) and α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA)/kainate receptor populations to drug context‐induced reinstatement of cocaine‐seeking behavior. Rats were trained to lever press for un‐signaled cocaine infusions in a distinct context followed by extinction training in a different context. Cocaine‐seeking behavior (non‐reinforced active lever pressing) was then assessed in the previously cocaine‐paired and extinction contexts after JNJ16259685 (mGluR1 antagonist: 0.0, 0.6, or 30 pg/0.3 µl/hemisphere) or CNQX (AMPA/kainate receptor antagonist: 0.0, 0.03, or 0.3 µg/0.3 µl /hemisphere) administration into the NAC core, medial or lateral NAC shell, or the ventral caudate‐putamen (vCPu, anatomical control). JNJ16259685 or CNQX in the NAC core dose‐dependently impaired contextual cocaine‐seeking behavior relative to vehicle. Conversely, CNQX, but not JNJ16259685, in the lateral or medial NAC shell attenuated, whereas CNQX or JNJ16259685 in vCPu failed to inhibit, this behavior. The manipulations failed to alter instrumental behavior in the extinction context, general motor activity or food‐reinforced instrumental behavior in control experiments. Thus, glutamate‐mediated changes in drug context‐induced motivation for cocaine involve distinct neuropharmacological mechanisms within the core and shell subregions of the NAC, with the stimulation of mGlu1 and AMPA/kainate receptors in the NAC core and the stimulation of AMPA/kainate, but not mGlu1, receptors in the NAC shell being necessary for this phenomenon.
Monoamine oxidase A variants are associated with heavy betel quid use
Authors: Chen Ping‐Ho , Tu Hung‐Pin , Wang Shu‐Jung , Ko Albert Min‐Shan , Lee Chi‐Pin , Chiang Tai‐An , Tsai Yi‐Shan , Lee Chien‐Hung , Shieh Tien‐Yu , Ko Chih‐Hung , Chiang Shang‐Lun , Ko Ying‐Chin 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTFew studies have investigated whether genetic abnormalities predispose individuals to heavy betel quid (BQ) use. One of the major ingredients of BQ, arecoline, is known to affect the expression of monoamine oxidase A (MAO‐A). We investigated the extent to which arecoline inhibits MAO‐A expression and the role of MAO‐A polymorphisms in BQ use in Taiwanese aborigines. Cytotoxicity assays, microarrays and quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction were used to examine the effects of arecoline and areca nut extract (ANE) on cell viability and MAO‐A expression in neuroblastoma SH‐SY5Y cells. After identifying the effective concentrations of arecoline and ANE in vitro, we examined the in vivo effects of these compounds using a rat model system. Our results indicate that arecoline and ANE inhibit MAO‐A expression both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, we examined the correlation between plasma MAO‐A activity and cumulative exposure to BQ in humans. We recruited 1307 aborigines from a large‐scale community‐based survey to determine whether MAO‐A variants were associated with high BQ use and a preference for use with smoking or alcohol and whether gender bias existed. MAO‐A expression was significantly downregulated by arecoline and ANE at 100–200 µg/ml and in rat whole brains on days 30 and 45. MAO‐A activity levels in human plasma were positively correlated with the extent of BQ exposure, and individuals with at‐risk alleles exhibited lower activity, although this result did not reach statistical significance. We found two single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) in aboriginal males [rs2283725, odds ratio (OR) = 2.04; rs5953210, OR = 2.03] and females (rs2283725, OR = 1.54; rs5953210, OR = 1.59) that were associated with heavy BQ use. Those individuals carrying at‐risk alleles who drank alcohol were twice as likely to be heavy BQ users. However, the effects of these SNPs on BQ use were significant even after controlling for alcohol use. Our results suggest that two specific loci may confer a susceptibility to BQ abuse and affect MAO‐A enzymatic activity.
Non‐invasive assessment of fibrosis in liver grafts due to hepatitis C virus recurrence
Authors: J.S. Cross Timothy , Jothimani Dinesh , Heneghan Michael A. , Harrison Phillip M. 
Published: April 2011

Cross TJS, Jothimani D, Heneghan MA, Harrison PM. Non‐invasive assessment of fibrosis in liver grafts due to hepatitis C virus recurrence. Clin Transplant 2011: 25: 345–351. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has become the most common indication for liver transplantation in the United States and Europe. Recurrence of HCV is universal in all liver graft recipients, but the natural history of the disease is variable with some patients displaying slowly progressive liver injury, while approximately 30% become cirrhotic within five yr of surgery. Currently, liver biopsy is the reference standard to assess liver injury in the post‐transplant setting. But biopsy is associated with complications such as bleeding and pain, as well as the risk of sampling error and discordance in reporting between histopathologists. Thus, as in the pre‐transplant setting, there is increasing attention being drawn to the use of non‐invasive tests of liver fibrosis. This review examines the role of non‐invasive assessment of hepatic fibrosis in the post‐transplant setting including simple tests such as aspartate aminotransferase‐to‐platelet ratio index, the Benlloch formula, London Transplant Centre score, and finally transient elastography. The authors assess the respective advantages and disadvantages of the tests and consider how non‐invasive tests of liver fibrosis can be utilized in the future management of post‐transplant HCV infection.
Hypertension in standard criteria deceased donors is associated with inferior outcomes following kidney transplantation
Authors: Singh Rajinder P. , Farney Alan C. , Rogers Jeffrey , Gautreaux Michael , Reeves‐Daniel Amber , Hartmann Erica , Doares William , Iskandar Samy , Adams Patricia , Stratta Robert J. 
Published: April 2011

Singh RP, Farney AC, Rogers J, Gautreaux M, Reeves‐Daniel A, Hartmann E, Doares W, Iskandar S, Adams P, Stratta RJ. Hypertension in standard criteria deceased donors is associated with inferior outcomes following kidney transplantation. Clin Transplant 2011: 25: E437–E446. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  Background:  Hypertension may be a either a cause or an effect of kidney disease. Although hypertension is an important component of the expanded criteria donor definition, risks of transplanting deceased donor kidneys from hypertensive standard criteria donors (SCD) are less well understood.Methods:  Retrospective single‐center study in all adult patients who received a deceased donor kidney transplant from a SCD to evaluate the role of donor hypertension as a pre‐transplant risk factor for death‐censored graft loss (DCGL) and renal function.Results:  From October 2001 through May 2008, 297 kidney transplants were performed from donation after brain death SCDs. A total of 47 (15.8%) grafts were lost, including 19 (6.4%) deaths with functioning grafts. Univariate analysis of death‐censored cases (n = 278) identified history of donor hypertension, cold ischemia time (CIT) >30 h, and African American (AA) recipients as significant pre‐transplant risk factors predictive for DCGL at five yr follow‐up (mean 38 months, all p < 0.02). Cox regression analysis showed donor hypertension (relative risk 2.2, p = 0.04) to be a significant risk factor for DCGL, whereas CIT >30 h and AA recipient ethnicity showed only trends toward DCGL. Renal function as determined by serum creatinine levels was significantly higher in recipients of hypertensive compared with non‐hypertensive SCD kidneys at all time points out to 48 months follow‐up and the disparity in renal function increased over time.Conclusions:  Transplanting SCD kidneys from hypertensive donors is associated with worse graft function and an increased risk of graft loss.
Comparing aortic stiffness in kidney transplant recipients, hemodialysis patients, and patients with chronic renal failure
Authors: Pan Cheng R. , Schmaderer Christoph , Roos Marcel , von Eynatten Maximilian , Sollinger Daniel , Lutz Jens , Heemann Uwe , Baumann Marcus 
Published: April 2011

Pan CR, Schmaderer C, Roos M, von Eynatten M, Sollinger D, Lutz J, Heemann U, Baumann M. Comparing aortic stiffness in kidney transplant recipients, hemodialysis patients, and patients with chronic renal failure. Clin Transplant 2011: 25: E463–E468. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  Background:  The poor cardiovascular survival of patients with renal insufficiency is improved by transplantation. Carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) is able to predict independently overall and cardiovascular mortality. PWV is elevated in renal insufficiency. Consequently, PWV may change according to the improvement in renal function after kidney transplantation.Methods:  In a cross‐sectional setting, PWV was determined in 40 renal transplant recipients (RTx) and compared to the PWV of 40 age‐ and gender‐matched patients with comparable renal insufficiency (CKD) and 40 age‐ and gender‐matched hemodialysis patients (HD).Results:  RTx and CKD patients had comparable eGFR (RTx: 42.9 ± 18.4, CKD: 48.3 ± 29.1 mL/min/1.73 m2) and protein/creatinine ratio (RTx: median 172.5, 25th percentile 97.75, 75th percentile 344.5, CKD: median 183.272, 25th percentile 100.00, 75th percentile 470.00 mg/g creatinine). There was no significant difference in PWV between RTx 3–12 months post‐transplant and CKD or HD patients (RTx: 9.65 ± 1.57, CKD: 9.98 ± 3.91, HD: 10.27 ± 2.89 m/s; n = 20 pairs). Similarly, PWV in transplant patients >12‐month post‐transplant was similar to that of CKD and HD patients (RTx: 9.71 ± 2.23, CKD: 9.36 ± 2.74, HD: 9.84 ± 3.41 m/s; n = 20 pairs).Discussion:  We could not detect significant differences in PWV comparing RTx with age‐ and gender‐matched CKD patients.
Comparative evaluation of expanded criteria for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma beyond the Milan criteria undergoing living‐related donor liver transplantation
Authors: Shirabe Ken , Taketomi Akinobu , Morita Kazutoyo , Soejima Yuji , Uchiyama Hideaki , Kayashima Hiroto , Ninomiya Mizuki , Toshima Takeo , Maehara Yoshihiko 
Published: April 2011

Shirabe K, Taketomi A, Morita K, Soejima Y, Uchiyama H, Kayashima H, Ninomiya M, Toshima T, Maehara Y. Comparative evaluation of expanded criteria for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma beyond the Milan criteria undergoing living‐related donor liver transplantation. Clin Transplant 2011: 25: E491–E498. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  Objective:  To clarify the predictive impact of expanded criteria for liver transplantation (LT) for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in 54 patients with HCC beyond the Milan criteria (MC) from a series of 109 consecutive living‐related donor liver transplantation (LDLT) recipients with HCC.Methods:  Among 54 patients with HCC exceeding the MC, the predictive values for HCC recurrence within expanded criteria comprising the UCSF, Tokyo, Kyoto, Kyushu University (based on the tumor size and des‐gamma carboxy prothrombin level) and Up‐to‐seven criteria were compared using univariate and multivariate analyses. The histological characteristics of HCC were compared among these extended criteria.Results:  All five criteria were significant predictors for recurrence‐free survival after univariate analyses. The Kyushu University criteria were the most powerful predictive criteria for HCC recurrence after multivariate analyses. The incidence of microvascular invasion and poorly differentiated HCC was significantly higher in patients with HCC exceeding the Kyushu University criteria than in those with HCC within the criteria.Conclusions:  Compared with the other expanded criteria, the Kyushu University criteria may be useful to eliminate LT candidates at very high risk of HCC recurrence. The Kyushu University criteria were useful to evaluate LT candidates with HCC.
Pathways of psychosocial factors, stress, and health outcomes after liver transplantation
Authors: Stilley Carol S. , Flynn William B. , Sereika Susan M. , Stimer Erin D. , DiMartini Andrea F. , deVera Michael E. 
Published: April 2011

Stilley CS, Flynn WB, Sereika SM, Stimer ED, DiMartini AF, deVera ME. Pathways of psychosocial factors, stress, and health outcomes after liver transplantation.  Clin Transplant 2011 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399‐0012.2011.01467.x.  © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  The impact of stress and individual factors on health outcomes in general medicine and transplantation are well documented. Few researchers have investigated the complex relationships between these constructs. This longitudinal study assessed coping style, self‐regulatory ability, hostility, and social support at baseline among a cohort of 130 adult liver transplant recipients at the Starzl Transplant Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and followed those subjects with interview and medical records data about personal and transplant‐related stress, physical and mental health outcomes throughout the first post‐transplant year. Results show a number of strong bidirectional relationships between coping style, self‐regulatory ability, hostility, the caregiver relationship and family environment, personal and transplant‐related stress over the second half of the first post‐transplant year, and health (especially mental) outcomes at 12 months post‐transplant. Stress mediates the relationship between psychosocial factors and mental health outcomes. The importance of those relationships to researchers and clinicians is discussed.