bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Restorative Biological Processes and Health
Authors: Robles Theodore F. , Carroll Judith E. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractResearch on psychological influences on physiology primarily focuses on biological responses during stressful challenges, and how those responses can become dysregulated with prolonged or repeated exposure to stressful circumstances. At the same time, humans spend considerable time recovering from those challenges, and a host of biological processes involved in restoration and repair take place during normal, non‐stressed activities. We review restorative biological processes and evidence for links between psychosocial factors and several restorative processes including sleep, wound healing, antioxidant production, DNA repair, and telomerase function. Across these biological processes, a growing body of evidence suggests that experiencing negative emotional states, including acute and chronic stress, depressive symptoms, and individual differences in negative affectivity and hostility, can influence these restorative processes. This review calls attention to restorative processes as fruitful mechanisms and outcomes for future biobehavioral research.
Health Implications of Conflict in Close Relationships
Authors: Wright Brittany L. , Loving Timothy J. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractWe summarize the large body of research conducted over the previous 30 years on the link between interpersonal conflict and physiological outcomes, with a focus on implications for health. Specifically, we review evidence that conflict in close, romantic relationships affects internal bodily processes, including cardiovascular, endocrine, and immune function, as well as objective health indicators. We focus on studies that have utilized standardized, laboratory‐based conflict discussions, as we believe this methodology provides the clearest picture of how conflict affects health. It is our hope that this general overview serves as a useful introduction to the state of the field.
Self‐Fulfilling Prophecies: Mechanisms, Power, and Links to Social Problems
Authors: Madon Stephanie , Willard Jennifer , Guyll Max , Scherr Kyle C. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractA core theme of social psychology is that perceivers can shape targets’ future behaviors through self‐fulfilling prophecies. Self‐fulfilling prophecies occur when perceivers’ false beliefs about targets initiate a sequence of events that ultimately cause targets to exhibit expectancy‐consistent behaviors, thereby causing perceivers’ initially false beliefs to become true. This article reviews theory and research relevant to self‐fulfilling prophecies with particular foci on the underlying mechanisms that produce self‐fulfilling prophecies, the power of self‐fulfilling prophecies to alter behavior, and the extent to which self‐fulfilling prophecies contribute to social problems.
Anti‐American Resistance in Latin America: An Issue of Sovereignty, Militarization, and Neoliberalism
Authors: Vélez‐Vélez Roberto 
Published: August 2011

AbstractIn recent years, Latin America has experienced a shift toward the left, bringing attention to the significance of US‐Latin America relations and the history of resistance that these dynamics have engendered. While the voices and faces of these resistance movements may be perceived as new, their roots date back to the turn of the 20th century. The emergence of an anti‐American narrative from diverse sectors in Latin America as part of a response to US policies – political, military, and economic – provides an opportunity for reflection on this history. By examining US policy towards Latin America, and the emerging forms of resistance from local sectors in response to policies on sovereignty, militarism, and neoliberalism, we can better situate the ‘anti‐American’ resistance movements of today.
James Arbuckle's Glotta (1721) and the Poetry of Allusion
Authors: HOLMES RICHARD 
Published: August 2011

AbstractJames Arbuckle's Glotta (1721) is a topographical poem about the River Clyde, which also examines Scottish culture in post‐Union ‘Britain’. It is a conscious exercise in a tradition of allusive poetry, the allusions ranging from Pope's Windsor‐Forest and Denham's Cooper's Hill to a Scottish poetic tradition that includes the sixteenth‐century humanist George Buchanan and Arbuckle's contemporary (and friend) Allan Ramsay. Pope's Tory celebration of Stuart culture is married to the ‘ultra‐Whig’ Buchanan to celebrate the new Hanoverian ‘Britain’ as the source of Scottish ‘enlightenment’. This article explores these issues through a detailed analysis of Arbuckle's allusions and their historical context.
ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY IN CRITICALLY ILL A(H1N1)‐INFECTED PATIENTS: A STUDY OF THE PROGNOSES
Authors: Chaari Anis , Dammak Hssan , Chtara Kamilia , Bahloul Mabrouk , Bouaziz Mounir 
Published: August 2011

SUMMARY Purpose: to identify factors correlated with poor outcome and factors correlated with acute kidney injury (AKI) onset in critically A(H1N1) infected patients. Methods: All patients admitted for respiratory distress due to a confirmed infection by A(H1N1) virus were included retrospectively. Results: Thirty‐four patients were included. Mean age was 37.3 ± 20.8 years. Independent factors correlated to mortality in multivariate analysis were shock [OR = 32.52, CI95% (1.29–816.3); p = 0.034], AKI [OR = 31.12, CI95% (1.3–746.5); p = 0.034] and hyperglycaemia over than 5.7 mmol/l on admission [OR = 74, CI95% (1.01–5495); p = 0.049]. Only age over 30 years was identified as an independent factor correlated with the onset of AKI [OR = 18, CI95% (1.04‐312.41); p = 0.047] in multivariate analysis. Conclusion: AKI, as well as hypotension, is an independent factor correlated with mortality. Its onset is usually linked to multi‐organ failure. Advanced age is an important risk factor for renal dysfunction in this group of patients.
SELF‐EFFICACY AND LONG‐TERM MEDICATION USE IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE
Authors: Wierdsma Judith , van Zuilen Arjan , van der Bijl Jaap 
Published: August 2011

SUMMARY Background: Long‐term medication use in patients with chronic kidney disease is necessary to prevent further kidney damage. Medication adherence is positively influenced by high self‐efficacy ratings. Aim: To determine if by discussing self‐efficacy scores, leads to higher self‐efficacy scores, regarding long‐term medication use by patients with chronic kidney disease. Method: A total of 54 patients, randomised to a control or intervention group, rated their self‐efficacy using the Long‐Term Medication Behaviour Self‐Efficacy Scale (LTMBSES). Their scores were only discussed in the intervention group. Self‐efficacy enhancing interventions were used to influence self‐efficacy scores. Results: The intervention group had significant higher self‐efficacy scores at posttest (p = 0.013). Transplantation had no effect on the mean self‐efficacy. Patients ≤ 55 years had significant higher self‐efficacy scores than patients > 55 years (p = 0.015). Conclusions: Discussing self‐efficacy scores can lead to increased self‐efficacy scores in patients with chronic kidney disease.
IS HIGH BODY MASS INDEX INDEPENDENTLY ASSOCIATED WITH DIMINISHED GLOMERULAR FILTRATION RATE? AN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY
Authors: Hobbs Helen , Farmer Christopher , Irving Jean , Klebe Bernhard , Stevens Paul 
Published: August 2011

SUMMARY Aim: To examine whether there is an independent association between body mass index (BMI) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in a large primary care population. Methods: Anonymous data were sequentially extracted from primary care records between 2006 and 2009 in a primary care population of approximately 220 000 people in Kent, South East UK. Using GFR, BMI, age, gender and comorbidities we examined the association between BMI and GFR. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed using SPSS® (SPSS Inc., Chicago). Results: Sixty‐one thousand six‐hundred thirty seven people fulfilled the inclusion criteria. There was no correlation between BMI and GFR on univariate analysis. When stratified by BMI, ANOVA demonstrated a statistically significant difference in GFR across BMI strata (p < 0.001). However the absolute differences in BMI between groups were very small. There was a small association between BMI and GFR on multivariate analysis, much of which was lost on adjustment for confounding variables. Conclusion: These findings suggest that elevated BMI is not a biologically significant predictor of diminished GFR and therefore may be an insufficiently accurate measure of risk for the metabolic syndrome and CKD.
The ISRCTN Register: achievements and challenges 8 years on
Authors: Faure Helene , Hrynaszkiewicz Iain 
Published: August 2011

AbstractThe ISRCTN register has been operational for the past 8 years and is approaching 10,000 trial records. It complies with international guidelines and pools its data in the International Trial Search Portal initiated by the World Health Organisation. Through its ongoing collaboration with the Department of Health in England, the register has been able to participate in a national initiative aiming to bring clinical trials to the attention of a wider public with the objective of maximising participation. As part of BioMed Central, the register provides the first step in the concept of threaded publications, enabling the tracking of clinical research studies from inception and the linking of all resulting publications including the raw data where this is available.
Growing Everyday: The Pan African Clinical Trials Registry
Authors: Abrams Amber , Siegfried Nandi 
Published: August 2011

AbstractThe Pan African Clinical Trial Registry (http://www.pactr.org), established as the AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Registry (ATM) has developed into the registry of choice for African trials. The register was formally launched as a World Health Organization primary register in September 2009. Data analysis shows that registry applications have increased steadily since then, as has representation throughout the region. New developments to the registry include the implementation of a real‐time Global Information Systems map on the portal and development of Standard Operating Procedures while focused efforts on dissemination continue. http://www.pactr.org is now well‐placed to provide a valuable resource for researchers, clinicians, policy‐makers and consumers on the continent.
The Cuban Public Registry of Clinical Trials: primary registry of World Health Organization.
Authors: Jiménez Gladys , Pascual María Amparo , Fors Martha , Cobas José , Torres Ania , Cachimaille Yamilé , Rodríguez Julián , López Isabel 
Published: August 2011

AbstractDespite the importance of randomized trials for well‐informed decisions in health care, a large proportion of the results of these trials are not published, especially when they are negative. Publication bias has a negative impact in the treatment of patients, due to the distorted impression it leads to for new therapies. Clinical Trial Registries help to overcome this by providing transparency in the process of conducting research. The World Health Organization takes the position that the registration of interventional trials is a scientific, ethical and moral responsibility. Taking account of this global movement, the National Coordinating Centre of Clinical Trials and the Cuban Health Network, designed and implemented the Cuban Public Registry of Clinical Trials. The Registry was established in June 2007 and is intended for public service in Cuban territory, although it is open to registrants and patients outside Cuba. The Registry staff developed a strategy to become a Primary Registry of the World Health Organization, and this was achieved in February 2011.
The Political and Security Dimension of Japan–China Relations: Strategic Mistrust and Fragile Stability*
Authors: Atanassova‐Cornelis Elena 
Published: August 2011

Japan–China relations in the 2000s have seen both significant tensions, notably during the term of Koizumi Junichiro, and marked improvement in the post‐Koizumi period. This article analyzes the way external and domestic factors in both countries have influenced the political and security dimension of the bilateral relationship. It also assesses the extent of the underlying tensions and the prospects of long‐term stability in Sino–Japanese relations.The article argues that structural changes and a shifting balance of power in East Asia have led to strategic divergences and security dilemma dynamics in the bilateral relations. Additionally, the rise of conservatism in Japan under Koizumi and China's use of the “history card” exacerbated mutual distrust and contributed to souring ties in the first half of the 2000s. While the bilateral relations have stabilized in the post‐Koizumi era, with the political leaders of both countries emphasizing mutual engagement and alleviation of the security dilemma, this “cooling‐off period” is unlikely to lead to long‐term stability in ties between Tokyo and Beijing. Lacking strategic trust on both sides, as well as the significance of the US factor for the bilateral security interactions, suggest that the present stability in Japan–China relations remains fragile.
Nepheline Crystallization in Nuclear Waste Glasses: Progress Toward Acceptance of High‐Alumina Formulations
Authors: McCloy John S. , Schweiger Michael J. , Rodriguez Carmen P. , Vienna John D. 
Published: August 2011

Historical data have been critically compiled and analyzed for investigating the quantity of nepheline (NaAlSiO4) precipitated as a function of composition in simulated nuclear waste glasses. To understand compositional effects two primary methods were used: (1) investigating the Al2O3–SiO2–Na2O ternary while filtering for different B2O3 levels and (2) creating a quadrant system consisting of compositions reduced to two representations: (i) the nepheline discriminator (ND) which depends only on the SiO2 content by weight normalized to the total weight of the Al2O3–SiO2–Na2O submixture and (ii) the optical basicity (OB) which contains contributions from all constituents in the glass. Nepheline precipitation is expected to be suppressed at high SiO2 levels (ND > 0.62) or at low basicities (OB < 0.55–0.57). Changes in sodium aluminosilicate glass OB values due to additions of CaO and B2O3 correlate with the observed effects on nepheline formation. It is proposed that additional composition space is available for formulating high waste loading, high‐Al2O3 nuclear waste glasses when consideration is given to location on the Al2O3–SiO2–Na2O submixture as well as OB.
Effect of chronic supplementation with methylsulfonylmethane on oxidative stress following acute exercise in untrained healthy men
Authors: Nakhostin-Roohi Babak , Barmaki Sarah , Khoshkhahesh Faegheh , Bohlooli Shahab 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Objective
This study was conducted to assess the effects of chronic daily methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) supplementation on known markers of oxidative stress following acute bouts of exercise in untrained healthy young men.

Methods
Eighteen untrained men volunteered for this study. Participants were randomized in a double-blind placebo-controlled fashion into two groups: MSM (n = 9) and placebo (n = 9). The participants took supplementation or placebo daily for 10 days before running. Participants ran 14 km. The MSM supplementation was prepared in water at 50 mg/kg body weight. The placebo group received water. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PC) and plasma oxidized glutathione (GSSG) were measured as markers of oxidative stress. The plasma-reduced glutathione (GSH) level and the GSH/GSSG ratio were determined as markers of plasma antioxidant capacity.

Key Findings
Acute exercise led to elevated levels of serum MDA, PC and plasma GSSG. MSM supplementation maintained PC, MDA and GSSG at lower levels after exercise than the placebo. The plasma level of GSH and the ratio of GSH/GSSG were significantly higher in the MSM supplemented group.

Conclusions
These results suggest that chronic daily oral supplementation of MSM has alleviating effects on known markers of oxidative stress following acute bouts of exercise in healthy young men.
The Insect Peptide Coprisin Prevents Clostridium difficile-Mediated Acute Inflammation and Mucosal Damage through Selective Antimicrobial Activity
Authors: Kang Jin Ku , Hwang Jae Sam , Nam Hyo Jung , Ahn Keun Jae , Seok Heon , Kim Sung-Kuk , Yun Eun Young , Pothoulakis Charalabos , Lamont John Thomas , Kim Ho 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACT

Clostridium difficile
-associated diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis are typically treated with vancomycin or metronidazole, but recent increases in relapse incidence and the emergence of drug-resistant strains of
C. difficile
indicate the need for new antibiotics. We previously isolated coprisin, an antibacterial peptide from
Copris tripartitus
, a Korean dung beetle, and identified a nine-amino-acid peptide in the α-helical region of it (LLCIALRKK) that had antimicrobial activity (J.-S. Hwang et al., Int. J. Pept., 2009, doi:10.1155/2009/136284). Here, we examined whether treatment with a coprisin analogue (a disulfide dimer of the nine peptides) prevented inflammation and mucosal damage in a mouse model of acute gut inflammation established by administration of antibiotics followed by
C. difficile
infection. In this model, coprisin treatment significantly ameliorated body weight decreases, improved the survival rate, and decreased mucosal damage and proinflammatory cytokine production. In contrast, the coprisin analogue had no apparent antibiotic activity against commensal bacteria, including
Lactobacillus
and
Bifidobacterium
, which are known to inhibit the colonization of
C. difficile
. The exposure of
C. difficile
to the coprisin analogue caused a marked increase in nuclear propidium iodide (PI) staining, indicating membrane damage; the staining levels were similar to those seen with bacteria treated with a positive control for membrane disruption (EDTA). In contrast, coprisin analogue treatment did not trigger increases in the nuclear PI staining of
Bifidobacterium thermophilum
. This observation suggests that the antibiotic activity of the coprisin analogue may occur through specific membrane disruption of
C. difficile
. Thus, these results indicate that the coprisin analogue may prove useful as a therapeutic agent for
C. difficile
infection-associated inflammatory diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis.
The Trypanocidal Activity of Amidine Compounds Does Not Correlate with Their Binding Affinity to Trypanosoma cruzi Kinetoplast DNA
Authors: Daliry A. , Pires M. Q. , Silva C. F. , Pacheco R. S. , Munde M. , Stephens C. E. , Kumar A. , Ismail M. A. , Liu Z. , Farahat A. A. , Akay S. , Som P. , Hu Q. , Boykin D. W. , Wilson W. D. , De Castro S. L. , Soeiro M. N. C. 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACT

Due to limited efficacy and considerable toxicity, the therapy for Chagas' disease is far from being ideal, and thus new compounds are desirable. Diamidines and related compounds such as arylimidamides have promising trypanocidal activity against
Trypanosoma cruzi
. To better understand the mechanism of action of these heterocyclic cations, we investigated the kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) binding properties and trypanocidal efficacy against
T. cruzi
of 13 compounds. Four diamidines (DB75, DB569, DB1345, and DB829), eight arylimidamides (DB766, DB749, DB889, DB709, DB613, DB1831, DB1852, and DB2002), and one guanylhydrazone (DB1080) were assayed in thermal denaturation (

T
m

) and circular dichroism (CD) studies using whole purified
T. cruzi
kDNA and a conserved synthetic parasite sequence. The overall CD spectra using the whole kDNA were similar to those found for the conserved sequence and were indicative of minor groove binding. Our findings showed that some of the compounds that exhibited the highest trypanocidal activities (e.g., DB766) caused low or no change in the

T
m

measurements. However, while some active compounds, such as DB766, induced profound alterations of kDNA topology, others, like DB1831, although effective, did not result in altered

T
m

and CD measurements. Our data suggest that the strong affinity of amidines with kDNA
per se
is not sufficient to generate and trigger their trypanocidal activity. Cell uptake differences and possibly distinct cellular targets need to be considered in the final evaluation of the mechanisms of action of these compounds.
First Description of an RND-Type Multidrug Efflux Pump in Achromobacter xylosoxidans, AxyABM
Authors: Bador Julien , Amoureux Lucie , Duez Jean-Marie , Drabowicz Anthony , Siebor Eliane , Llanes Catherine , Neuwirth Catherine 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACT

Achromobacter xylosoxidans
is an emerging pathogen in cystic fibrosis patients. The multidrug resistance of these bacteria remains poorly understood. We have characterized in a clinical strain the first resistance-nodulation-cell division (RND)-type multidrug efflux pump in this species: AxyABM. The inactivation of the transporter component
axyB
gene led to decreased MICs of cephalosporins (except cefepime), aztreonam, nalidixic acid, fluoroquinolones, and chloramphenicol.
Quantitative Impact of Neutrophils on Bacterial Clearance in a Murine Pneumonia Model
Authors: Guo Beining , Abdelraouf Kamilia , Ledesma Kimberly R. , Chang Kai-Tai , Nikolaou Michael , Tam Vincent H. 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACT

The rapid increase in the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens is a global problem that has challenged our ability to treat serious infections. Currently, clinical decisions on treatment are often based on
in vitro
susceptibility data. The role of the immune system in combating bacterial infections is unequivocal, but it is not well captured quantitatively. In this study, the impact of neutrophils on bacterial clearance was quantitatively assessed in a murine pneumonia model.
In vitro
time-growth studies were performed to determine the growth rate constants of
Acinetobacter baumannii
ATCC BAA 747 and
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
PAO1. The absolute neutrophil count in mice resulting from different cyclophosphamide preparatory regimens was determined. The dynamic change of bacterial (
A. baumannii
BAA 747) burden in mice with graded immunosuppression over 24 h was captured by a mathematical model. The fit to the data was satisfactory (
r
2
= 0.945). The best-fit maximal kill rate (

K
k

) of the bacterial population by neutrophils was 1.743 h
−1
, the number of neutrophils necessary for 50% maximal killing was 190.8/μl, and the maximal population size was 1.8 × 10
9
CFU/g, respectively. Using these model parameter estimates, the model predictions were subsequently validated by the bacterial burden change of
P. aeruginosa
PAO1 at 24 h. A simple mathematical model was proposed to quantify the contribution of neutrophils to bacterial clearance and predict the bacterial growth/suppression in animals. Our results provide a novel framework to link
in vitro
and
in vivo
information and may be used to improve clinical treatment of bacterial infections.