bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dementia and loneliness: an Australian perspective
Authors: Moyle Wendy , Kellett Ursula , Ballantyne Alison , Gracia Natalie 
Published: March 2011

Aim.  To explore the perceptions of loneliness according to people with early‐stage dementia, living in community and long‐term care and also the views of their family carers.Background.  Research that specifically explores the influence of loneliness on dementia is limited and indicates the prevalence of loneliness and the negative relationship between loneliness and cognitive decline. There is a paucity of research that explores loneliness from the perspective of the person with dementia.Design.  A descriptive exploratory qualitative approach was used.Methods.  Data were collected through semi‐structured audio‐taped interviews. A purposive sample of 70 people with a diagnosis or probable dementia and 73 family carers were recruited from community and long‐term care from South East Queensland, Australia.Results.  Four themes were identified: staying connected to others; losing the ability to socially engage; experiencing loneliness; and overcoming loneliness. The results emphasise the importance of familiar human relationships in reducing the feelings of loneliness in people experiencing dementia.Conclusions.  People with dementia are at risk of loneliness, but placing them with unfamiliar people and environments may not improve their situation.Relevance to clinical practice.  Better refinement of care that takes into account the potential for loneliness and an understanding of premorbid social tendency may assist in the implementation of individualised and evidence‐based strategies to assist people with dementia to lead a better quality of life. To maintain well‐being, the social needs of the person with dementia as well as the family need to be considered.
Not too loose, not too tight – just right. Biphasic control of the Tsr HAMP domain
Authors: Manson Michael D. 
Published: March 2011

SummaryHAMP domains communicate between input and output signalling modules in a wide variety of bacterial sensor proteins. In the Tsr chemoreceptor, they convert a signal initiated by binding of serine to the periplasmic domain of the protein into regulation of receptor control of the CheA kinase, and ultimately of the direction of flagellar rotation. In this issue, Zhou et al. report an extensive mutational analysis of the Tsr HAMP domain that shows that it can assume a number of different signalling states, which presumably correspond to a variety of different conformations. The two conformational extremes of a tightly packed and a loosely packed HAMP four‐helix bundle support only low levels of CheA activity. Thus, Tsr HAMP does not function as a simple on‐off, two‐state device but rather as a dynamic structure with biphasic control. The normal physiological operating range of Tsr is proposed to be at intermediate degrees of packing of the HAMP four‐helix bundle, but HAMP domains in other proteins could occupy different portions of the conformational spectrum.
In vivo phosphorylation patterns of key stressosome proteins define a second feedback loop that limits activation of Bacillus subtilis	σB
Authors: Eymann Christine , Schulz Stephan , Gronau Katrin , Becher Dörte , Hecker Michael , Price Chester W. 
Published: March 2011

SummaryThe Bacillus subtilis stressosome is a 1.8 MDa complex that orchestrates activation of the σB transcription factor by environmental stress. The complex comprises members of the RsbR co‐antagonist family and the RsbS antagonist, which together form an icosahedral core that sequesters the RsbT serine‐threonine kinase. Phosphorylation of this core by RsbT is associated with RsbT release, which activates downstream signalling. RsbRA, the prototype co‐antagonist, is phosphorylated on T171 and T205 in vitro. In unstressed cells T171 is already phosphorylated; this is a prerequisite but not the trigger for activation, which correlates with stress‐induced phosphorylation of RsbS on S59. In contrast, phosphorylation of RsbRA T205 has not been detected in vivo. Here we find (i) RsbRA is additionally phosphorylated on T205 following strong stresses, (ii) this modification requires RsbT, and (iii) the phosphorylation‐deficient T205A substitution greatly increases post‐stress activation of σB. We infer that T205 phosphorylation constitutes a second feedback mechanism to limit σB activation, operating in addition to the RsbX feedback phosphatase. Loss of RsbX function increases the fraction of phosphorylated RsbS and doubly phosphorylated RsbRA in unstressed cells. We propose that RsbX both maintains the ready state of the stressosome prior to stress and restores it post‐stress.
Effects of crop canopy structure on herbicide deposition and performance
Authors: KIM D S , MARSHALL E J P , BRAIN P , CASELEY J C 
Published: March 2011

Kim DS, Marshall EJP, Brain P & Caseley JC (2011). Effects of crop canopy structure on herbicide deposition and performance. Weed Research51, 310–320.SummaryTo explore the relationship between canopy structure of winter wheat and herbicide performance, new indices representing canopy structural characteristics have been devised. Canopy structures of six different wheat cultivars grown in trays were determined and herbicide deposition and performance measured in a split‐plot experiment. A canopy index (Cp) was devised as the ratio of growing canopy height to manually extended maximum plant height, as a representation of structure and stem and leaf inclination. Canopy volume was taken as the volume within the canopy consisting of one main stem and two tillers. Canopy index and volume were closely correlated with individual crop growth characteristics. These indices were also closely correlated with each other (r = 0.80; P < 0.001) and showed relatively consistent correlation with other characteristics, such as leaf area, plant height, canopy area, and light penetration as the wheat grew. Canopy index and volume were closely but negatively correlated with light penetration (r = −0.87; P < 0.001 and −0.71; P < 0.001 respectively), which in turn showed close correlation with herbicide deposition. The amount of herbicide deposition on the soil surface was positively correlated with weed biomass. Surprisingly, the amount on target weeds was uncorrelated with final weed biomass, indicating that herbicide performance was not dependent upon deposition on the target in different crop cultivars with different canopy structures. Our findings thus demonstrate the importance of crop canopy structure, represented by canopy index and volume, in herbicide performance. These new indices should be useful for investigating crop canopy structure in relation to crop competitivity and herbicide performance.
Potential immunosuppressive function of plasma indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase in patients with aGVHD after allo‐HSCT
Authors: Zhao Xiao‐Su , Liu Kai‐Yan , Liu Dai‐Hong , Xu Lan‐Ping , Chen Huan , Huang Xiao‐Jun 
Published: March 2011

Zhao X‐S, Liu K‐Y, Liu D‐H, Xu L‐P, Chen H, Huang X‐J. Potential immunosuppressive function of plasma indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase in patients with aGVHD after allo‐HSCT. Clin Transplant 2011: 25: E304–E311. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  Given the function of indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase (IDO) in the induction of immune tolerance as a T‐cell inhibitor, we investigated whether plasma IDO levels correlate with the biological activity of acute graft‐versus‐host disease (aGVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Plasma levels of IDO were monitored by ELISA in 147 samples from 65 patients who fulfilled the diagnostic histopathological and/or clinical criteria of aGVHD and 16 episodes of infection after allo‐HSCT. Elevated plasma IDO levels were associated with occurrence of infection or mild aGVHD (grade I–II). Most patients with grade III–IV aGVHD had relatively low levels of IDO compared to those with mild aGVHD or infection. Responses of aGVHD to immunosuppressive therapy were associated with a decrease in IDO levels in the majority of patients with mild aGVHD, whereas secondary infection was characterized by persistent or increased IDO levels after treatment. Although plasma IDO levels may indicate the severity and outcome of aGVHD and point to appropriate therapies through its function in immune tolerance, it is not aGVHD specific and may not be a distinguishing biomarker of aGVHD.
KCNQ1 gene variants and risk of new‐onset diabetes in tacrolimus‐treated renal‐transplanted patients
Authors: Tavira Beatriz , Coto Eliecer , Díaz‐Corte Carmen , Ortega Francisco , Arias Manuel , Torres Armando , Díaz Juan M. , Selgas Rafael , López‐Larrea Carlos , Campistol Jose M. , Ruiz‐Ortega Marta , Alvarez Victoria ,   The Pharmacogenetics of Tacrolimus REDINREN Study Group
Published: March 2011

Tavira B, Coto E, Díaz‐Corte C, Ortega F, Arias M, Torres A, Díaz JM, Selgas R, López‐Larrea C, Campistol JM, Ruiz‐Ortega M, Alvarez V, The Pharmacogenetics of Tacrolimus REDINREN Study Group. KCNQ1 gene variants and risk of new‐onset diabetes in tacrolimus‐treated renal‐transplanted patients. Clin Transplant 2011: 25: E284–E291. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  Recent genome‐wide association studies identified single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the gene encoding the pore‐forming subunit of the voltage‐gated K+ channel (KCNQ1) as a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Tacrolimus (Tac) increased the risk of new‐onset diabetes after transplantation (NODAT). The aim of this study was to analyze the association between KCNQ1 variants and the risk for NODAT in kidney‐transplanted patients who received Tac as primary immunosuppressor. We genotyped three common KCNQ1 SNPs in 145 Spanish patients who received a cadaveric kidney graft and developed NODAT in the first‐year post‐transplant (the NODAT group), and 260 patients who remained non‐diabetics (non‐NODAT). In addition, we searched for DNA variants in the whole KCNQ1 coding exons in these patients.SNP rs2237895 (genotype CC) was associated with an increased risk for NODAT in our population (p = 0.008; OR = 1.83, 95% CI = 1.14–2.93), independently of other risk factors as body mass index, recipient age, or tacrolimus dosage. Other KCNQ1 variants were not associated with NODAT in our patients. Our work supported a role for KCNQ1 gene variants as determinants of the risk of developing NODAT among Tac‐treated patients.
Molecular epidemiology of Escherichia coli bacteremia in liver transplant recipients
Authors: Bert F. , Huynh B. , Dondero F. , Johnson J.R. , Paugam‐Burtz C. , Durand F. , Belghiti J. , Valla D. , Moreau R. , Nicolas‐Chanoine M.‐H. 
Published: March 2011

F. Bert, B. Huynh, F. Dondero, J.R. Johnson, C. Paugam‐Burtz, F. Durand, J. Belghiti, D. Valla, R. Moreau, M.‐H. Nicolas‐Chanoine. Molecular epidemiology of Escherichia coli bacteremia in liver transplant recipients. Transpl Infect Dis 2011: 13: 359–365. All rights reservedAbstract: The characteristics of Escherichia coli strains causing bacteremia in profoundly immunosuppressed patients such as transplant recipients are undefined. The phylogenetic group and the virulence genotype of 57 distinct E. coli strains that caused bacteremia in 53 liver transplant recipients were investigated, and the association of these characteristics with host factors and in‐hospital mortality was examined. Phylogenetic groups A, B1, B2, and D accounted for 39%, 10%, 25%, and 26% of the isolates, respectively. The most prevalent virulence genes were fyuA (yersiniabactin system: 70%) and iutA (aerobactin system: 63%), whereas hlyA (alpha‐hemolysin) and cnf1 (cytotoxic necrotizing factor 1) occurred in only 14% and 12% of isolates, respectively. Most virulence genes were significantly more prevalent among group B2 and D isolates, vs. group A and B1 isolates. The overall rate of in‐hospital mortality after E. coli bacteremia was 20%. Predictors of mortality included onset of bacteremia within 30 days of transplantation or during the intensive care unit stay, and non‐urinary source and cutaneous source, but not E. coli phylogenetic group or virulence profile. Compared with historical E. coli bloodstream isolates from non‐transplant patients, those from liver transplant recipients are characterized by a higher prevalence of groups A and B1 isolates and reduced virulence gene content. This finding can be explained by the severely immunocompromised status of the patients and the predominance of abdominal‐source bacteremic episodes. Time of onset and source of bacteremia, not bacterial characteristics, predict mortality.
(3Z,6Z,9Z,12Z,15Z)‐pentacosapentaene and (9Z,11E)‐tetradecadienyl acetate: sex pheromone of the spruce coneworm Dioryctria abietella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)
Authors: Löfstedt C. , Svensson G. P. , Jirle E. V. , Rosenberg O. , Roques A. , Millar J. G. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThe spruce coneworm, Dioryctria abietella Denis & Schiffermüller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is a major pest in spruce seed orchards in Europe. Initial work on its pheromone ecology reported significant attraction of males to (9Z,11E)‐tetradecadienyl acetate (9Z,11E‐14:OAc), but this compound appeared to be a very weak attractant in field trials. In this study, we show that a second female‐produced compound, the polyunsaturated long‐chain hydrocarbon (3Z,6Z,9Z,12Z,15Z)‐pentacosapentaene (C25 pentaene), is a strong synergist to 9Z,11E‐14:OAc, and that both compounds are needed for significant attraction of males. In field‐trapping experiments, the highest catches were obtained with high amounts of pentaene added to the acetate (acetate:pentaene ratio from 1 : 10 to 1 : 30) and the highest doses (1–3 mg per rubber septum dispenser) were the most attractive. Two potential behavioural synergists, (Z)‐9‐tetradecenyl acetate and (9Z,12E)‐tetradecadienyl acetate, turned out to be behavioural antagonists and both reduced trap catch of D. abietella in a dose‐dependent way when added individually to the binary blend. The recent discovery of the C25 pentaene as a pheromone component of D. abietella, as well as of three North American congeners, suggests that the use of a mixture of so‐called type I and type II pheromone compounds is a widespread motif of sexual communication within the genus. The identification of a highly attractive sex pheromone will help in developing efficient strategies for monitoring and control of D. abietella populations in European spruce seed orchards.
Tumour necrosis factor‐α and its receptors in the beneficial effects of vagal stimulation after myocardial infarction in rats
Authors: Kong Shan‐Shan , Liu Jin‐Jun , Hwang Tyzh‐Chang , Yu Xiao‐Jiang , Lu Yi , Zang Wei‐Jin 
Published: March 2011

Summary1. Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) often activates the sympathetic system and inhibits the vagal system. Long‐term vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) exerts several beneficial effects on the ischaemic heart, including an anti‐inflammatory effect. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether short‐term VNS during AMI could inhibit tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α expression and the effect of TNF receptor (TNFR), key components in inflammatory responses to AMI, in a rodent model.2. Adult male Sprague‐Dawley rats were divided into four groups, namely a control (C), VNS (S), AMI (M) and an AMI group subjected to prior VNS (MS). In the S and MS groups, the right vagus nerve was stimulated electrically for 4 h; in the M and MS groups, AMI was induced by occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Haemodynamic data were monitored continuously using a multichannel physiological recorder. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage, creatine kinase (CK) leakage and infarct size were determined. The expression of TNF‐α and its receptors were analysed by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction, western blotting and ELISA.3. Compared with the control group, rats in the M group had low blood pressure, high left ventricular (LV) end‐diastolic pressure, a depressed maximum dP/dt of LV pressure, higher LDH and CK leakage, a larger infarct size, increased TNF‐α levels and an increased TNFR1/TNFR2 ratio. However, these presumably harmful effects of AMI were all significantly ameliorated by VNS during AMI (MS group).4. In conclusion, VNS can rectify ischaemia‐induced cardiac dysfunction partly via inhibition of a TNF‐α‐mediated signalling pathway.
Prospective evaluation of a new stool antigen test for the detection of Helicobacter pylori, in comparison with histology, rapid urease test, 13C‐urea breath test, and serology
Authors: Choi Jeongmin , Kim Chung Hyeon , Kim Donghee , Chung Su Jin , Song Ji Hyun , Kang Jung Mook , Yang Jong In , Park Min Jung , Kim Young Sun , Yim Jeong Yoon , Lim Seon Hee , Kim Joo Sung , Jung Hyun Chae , Song In Sung 
Published: March 2011

AbstractBackground and Aims:  This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a new polyclonal enzyme immunoassay for the detection of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) antigen in stool by determination of the optimal cut‐off value in the screening population.Methods:  A consecutive 515 patients undergoing a routine health check‐up were prospectively enrolled. H. pylori infection was defined if at least two of four tests (histology, rapid urease test, 13C‐urea breath test, and serology) were positive. A stool antigen test (EZ‐STEP H. pylori) was performed for the detection of H. pylori. The optimal cut‐off value was determined by the receiver–operator characteristic curve. The diagnostic performance of each test was evaluated with regard to the histological diagnosis of atrophic gastritis (AG)/intestinal metaplasia (IM), degree of AG/IM, and old age.Results:  Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy of the stool antigen test were 93.1%, 94.6%, 95.1%, 92.3%, and 93.8%, respectively. The sensitivity of histology, rapid urease test, and the 13C‐urea breath test ranged from 89.1% to 97.6%, and their specificity was > 98%, while serology had high sensitivity, but low specificity. The accuracy of the stool antigen test was comparable to that of other methods (93.6–95.9%), whereas it was higher than that of serology. The stool antigen test still showed good diagnostic performance in the setting of progression of AG/IM and in patients over 40 years.Conclusions:  The performance of a new stool antigen test was comparable to that of other methods in the diagnosis of H. pylori infection for the screening population, even with the presence of AG/IM.
Assessment and learning curve evaluation of endobronchial ultrasound skills following simulation and clinical training
Authors: STATHER DAVID R. , MACEACHERN PAUL , RIMMER KAREN , HERGOTT CHRISTOPHER A. , TREMBLAY ALAIN 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  Endobronchial ultrasound is a revolutionary diagnostic pulmonary procedure. The use of a computer endobronchial ultrasound simulator could improve trainee procedural skills before attempting to perform procedures on patients. This study aims to compare endobronchial ultrasound performance following training with simulation versus conventional training using patients.Methods:  A prospective study of pulmonary medicine and thoracic surgery trainees. Two cohorts of trainees were evaluated using simulated cases with performance metrics measured by the simulator. Group 1 received endobronchial ultrasound training by performing 15 cases on an endobronchial ultrasound simulator (n = 4). Group 2 received endobronchial ultrasound training by doing 15–25 cases on patients (n = 9).Results:  Total procedure time was significantly shorter in group 1 than group 2 (15.15 (±1.34) vs 20.00 (±3.25) min, P < 0.05). The percentage of lymph nodes successfully identified was significantly better in group 1 than group 2 (89.8 (±5.4) vs 68.1 (±5.2), P < 0.05). There was no difference between group 1 and group 2 in the percentage of successful biopsies (100.0 (±0.0) vs 90.4 (±11.5), P = 0.13). The learning curves for simulation trained fellows did not show an obvious plateau after 19 simulated cases.Conclusions:  Using an endobronchial ultrasound simulator leads to more rapid acquisition of skill in endobronchial ultrasound compared with conventional training methods, as assessed by an endobronchial ultrasound simulator. Endobronchial ultrasound simulators show promise for training with the advantage of minimizing the burden of procedural learning on patients.
Efficacy and comfort of volume‐guaranteed pressure support in patients with chronic ventilatory failure of neuromuscular origin
Authors: CRESCIMANNO GRAZIA , MARRONE ORESTE , VIANELLO ANDREAW 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  Although non‐invasive ventilation is widely used for the management of patients with neuromuscular disease, it remains unclear which ventilatory mode is associated with optimal patient–ventilator interaction and provides more effective gas exchange. The effects of volume‐guaranteed pressure support (PSV‐VTG) as compared with pressure support ventilation (PSV) and assisted pressure controlled ventilation (APCV) on breathing pattern and patient–ventilator synchrony during sleep, blood gases and subjective comfort were evaluated in a group of stable patients with neuromuscular disease.Methods:  PSV‐VTG, PSV and APCV were applied in random order on three consecutive nights, during which cardio‐respiratory monitoring was performed. Arterial blood gases were measured at the end of each ventilatory session. Evaluation of subjective sleep quality, comfort and perception of patient–ventilator synchrony was performed using a 10‐item visual analogue questionnaire.Results:  Twenty‐eight patients were included in the study. The different ventilatory modes showed similar effects on breathing pattern during sleep, arterial blood gases and degree of subjective comfort. Ineffective efforts were only observed during PSV‐VTG and were inversely correlated with the variability of leaks (r = −0.61, P = 0.015). A greater number of prolonged inspirations was observed with PSV‐VTG and PSV compared with APCV (P = 0.048 and 0.029, respectively). There were no correlations between patient comfort and physiological variables or ventilator setting.Conclusions:  PSV‐VTG did not outperform older modes of ventilation in terms of efficacy on breathing pattern and blood gases. In addition, application of PSV‐VTG was associated with a higher rate of patient–ventilator dyssynchrony.