bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improving health‐related quality of life of patients with chronic heart failure: effects of relaxation therapy
Authors: Yu Doris S. F. , Lee Diana T. F. , Woo Jean 
Published: January 2010

yu d.s.f., lee d.t.f. & woo j. (2010) Improving health‐related quality of life of patients with chronic heart failure: effects of relaxation therapy. Journal of Advanced Nursing66(2), 392–403.AbstractTitle.  Improving health‐related quality of life of patients with chronic heart failure: effects of relaxation therapy. Aim.  This paper is a report of a study conducted to examine the effects of a relaxation training programme on the health‐related quality of life of Chinese patients with chronic heart failure.Background.  Despite the substantial evidence indicating the beneficial effects of relaxation therapy on the health‐related quality of life of various cardiac populations, the value of this intervention in patients with chronic heart failure remains uncertain. Even less is known about its therapeutic effects in Chinese culture.Method.  A total of 121 Chinese patients with chronic heart failure and over 60 years of age were recruited in 2002–2003 and randomly allocated to a relaxation training programme (n = 59) or an attention‐control intervention (n = 62). The training included two relaxation training sessions, one skill revision workshop, twice daily relaxation self‐practice and biweekly telephone follow‐up. The World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire was completed at hospital discharge and at the 8th and 14th weeks after discharge.Results.  Repeated measures analysis of covariance indicated that those who attended the relaxation training programme reported statistically significantly greater improvement in psychological (P = 0·007, η2 = 0·043) and social (P = 0·016, η2 = 0·035) health‐related quality of life than those who received the attention‐control intervention over the evaluative period. Comparing outcomes at timepoints showed that the statistically significant group differences in the improvement of psychological and social health‐related quality of life occurred mainly during the first evaluative endpoints.Conclusion.  Relaxation techniques are beneficial to the emotional and social health‐related quality of life of Chinese patients with chronic heart failure. Combining this intervention with other treatment modalities may produce a more substantial improvement in their health‐related quality of life.
Dynamic heterogeneity and life history variability in the kittiwake
Authors: Steiner Ulrich K. , Tuljapurkar Shripad , Orzack Steven Hecht 
Published: January 2010

Summary 1. Understanding the evolution of life histories requires an assessment of the process that generates variation in life histories. Within‐population heterogeneity of life histories can be dynamically generated by stochastic variation of reproduction and survival or be generated by individual differences that are fixed at birth. 2. We show for the kittiwake that dynamic heterogeneity is a sufficient explanation of observed variation of life histories. 3. The total heterogeneity in life histories has a small contribution from reproductive stage dynamics and a large contribution from survival differences. We quantify the diversity in life histories by metrics computed from the generating stochastic process. 4. We show how dynamic heterogeneity can be used as a null model and also how it can lead to positive associations between reproduction and survival across the life span. 5. We believe our approach to identifying the nature of among‐individual heterogeneity yields important insights into the forces that generate within‐population variation of life‐history traits. It provides an alternative to claims that fixed individual differences are a major determinant of heterogeneity in life histories.
The modality effect tested in children in a user‐paced multimedia environment
Authors: Witteman M.J. , Segers E. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThe modality learning effect proposes that learning is enhanced when information is presented in both the visual and the auditory domains (e.g. pictures and spoken information) compared with presenting information solely in the visual channel (e.g. pictures and written text). Most of the evidence for this effect comes from adults in a laboratory setting. Therefore, we tested the modality effect with 80 children in the highest grade of elementary school in a naturalistic setting. In a between‐subjects design, the children either saw representational pictures with speech or representational pictures with text. Retention and transfer knowledge was tested at three moments: immediately after the intervention, one day after and after one week. The present study did not find any evidence for a modality effect in children when the lesson was learner‐paced. Instead, we found a reversed modality effect directly after the intervention for retention. A reversed modality effect was also found for the transfer questions one day later. This effect was robust, even when controlling for individual differences.
Selective sweeps in the homoploid hybrid species Helianthus deserticola: evolution in concert across populations and across origins
Authors: GROSS BRIANA L. , TURNER KATHRYN G. , RIESEBERG LOREN H. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThe evolution of different populations within a species in response to selective pressures can potentially happen in three different ways. It can occur in parallel, where similar changes occur independently in each population in response to selection; in concert, where the spread of an adaptive mutation across a species’ range results in a single allele fixing in each population; or populations can diverge in response to local selective pressures. We explored these possibilities in populations of the homoploid hybrid species Helianthus deserticola relative to its parental species Helianthus annuus and Helianthus petiolaris using an analysis of variation in 96 expressed sequence tag‐based microsatellites. A total of nine loci showed evidence consistent with recent selection at either the species or population level, although two of these genes were discarded because the apparent sweep did not occur relative to the parent from which the locus was derived. Between one and five loci showed a putative sweep across the entire species range with the same microsatellite allele fixed in each population. This pattern is consistent with evolution in concert despite geographical isolation and potential independent origins of the populations. Only one population of H. deserticola showed candidate sweeps that were unique compared to the rest of the species, and this population has also potentially experienced recent admixture with the parental species.
Interaction between hydrogen peroxide and plant hormones during germination and the early growth of pea seedlings
Authors: BARBA‐ESPIN G. , DIAZ‐VIVANCOS P. , CLEMENTE‐MORENO M. J. , ALBACETE A. , FAIZE L. , FAIZE M. , PÉREZ‐ALFOCEA F. , HERNÁNDEZ J. A. 
Published: January 2010

ABSTRACTHydrogen peroxide (H2O2) increased the germination percentage of pea seeds, as well as the growth of seedlings in a concentration‐dependent manner. The effect of H2O2 on seedling growth was removed by incubation with 10 µm ABA. The H2O2‐pretreatment produced an increase in ascorbate peroxidase (APX), peroxidase (POX) and ascorbate oxidase (AAO). The increases in these ascorbate‐oxidizing enzymes correlated with the increase in the growth of the pea seedlings as well as with the decrease in the redox state of ascorbate. Moreover, the increase in APX activity was due to increases in the transcript levels of cytosolic and stromal APX (cytAPX, stAPX).The proteomic analysis showed that H2O2 induced proteins related to plant signalling and development, cell elongation and division, and cell cycle control.A strong correlation between the effect of H2O2 on plant growth and the decreases in ABA and zeatin riboside (ZR) was observed.The results suggest an interaction among the redox state and plant hormones, orchestrated by H2O2, in the induction of proteins related to plant signalling and development during the early growth of pea seedlings.
Transplantation for Chagas’ disease: an overview of immunosuppression and reactivation in the last two decades
Authors: Bacal Fernando , Silva Christiano Pereira , Pires Philippe Vieira , Mangini Sandrigo , Fiorelli Alfredo Inacio , Stolf Noedir Groppo , Bocchi Edimar Alcides 
Published: January 2010

Bacal F, Silva CP, Pires PV, Mangini S, Fiorelli AI, Stolf NG, Bocchi EA. Transplantation for Chagas’ disease: an overview of immunosuppression and reactivation in the last two decades. Clin Transplant 2010 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399‐0012.2009.01202.x. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  Over the last 20 yr, the immunosuppression protocols in chagasic heart‐transplanted patients have gone through three phases, and we have identified several changes and discoveries about Chagas’ disease reactivation, mortality, and neoplasia development. The first phase was especially important because until that time, Chagas’ disease was an absolute contraindication for transplantation. The second phase started when an adjustment was made to the immunosuppression protocol, a lower dosage being adopted to avoid adverse effects, especially neoplasias and reactivation episodes. Currently, strategies to change the immunosuppression, especially replacement of mycophenolate mofetil by azathioprine or low doses of mycophenolate in this special situation, have been shown to be effective in reducing Chagas’ disease reactivation. Cardiac transplantation for Chagas’ disease is a reality. Although patients with Chagas’ disease may experience particular complications when undergoing transplantation compared with transplantation for other etiologies, these difficulties are well known, and treatment and preventive strategies are also better established. In other organs and tissues, transplantation in patients with Chagas’ disease also has good outcomes. Blood monitoring for parasitemias is mandatory as is the institution of therapy in the case of a reactivation diagnosis. Acute Chagas’ disease may occur in patients who received organs from donors with Chagas’ disease.
Habitat heterogeneity and its influence on benthic biodiversity in oxygen minimum zones
Authors: Gooday Andrew J. , Bett Brian J. , Escobar Elva , Ingole Baban , Levin Lisa A. , Neira Carlos , Raman Akkur V. , Sellanes Javier 
Published: January 2010

AbstractOxygen minimum zones (OMZs; midwater regions with O2 concentrations <0.5 ml l−1) are mid‐water features that intercept continental margins at bathyal depths (100–1000 m). They are particularly well developed in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. Based on analyses of data from these regions, we consider (i) how benthic habitat heterogeneity is manifested within OMZs, (ii) which aspects of this heterogeneity exert the greatest influence on alpha and beta diversity within particular OMZs and (iii) how heterogeneity associated with OMZs influences regional (gamma) diversity on continental margins. Sources of sea‐floor habitat heterogeneity within OMZs include bottom‐water oxygen and sulphide gradients, substratum characteristics, bacterial mats, and variations in the organic matter content of the sediment and pH. On some margins, hard grounds, formed of phosphorites, carbonates or biotic substrata, represent distinct subhabitats colonized by encrusting faunas. Most of the heterogeneity associated with OMZs, however, is created by strong sea‐floor oxygen gradients, reinforced by changes in sediment characteristics and organic matter content. For the Pakistan margin, combining these parameters revealed clear environmental and faunal differences between the OMZ core and the upper and lower boundary regions. In all Pacific and Arabian Sea OMZs examined, oxygen appears to be the master driver of alpha and beta diversity in all benthic faunal groups for which data exist, as well as macrofaunal assemblage composition, particularly in the OMZ core. However, other factors, notably organic matter quantity and quality and sediment characteristics, come into play as oxygen concentrations begin to rise. The influence of OMZs on meiofaunal, macrofaunal and megafaunal regional (gamma) diversity is difficult to assess. Hypoxia is associated with a reduction in species richness in all benthic faunal groups, but there is also evidence for endemism in OMZ settings. We conclude that, on balance, OMZs probably enhance regional diversity, particularly in taxa such as Foraminifera, which are more tolerant of hypoxia than others. Over evolutionary timescales, they may promote speciation by creating strong gradients in selective pressures and barriers to gene flow.
Disparity in management of diabetes and coronary heart disease risk factors by sex in DCCT/EDIC
Authors: Larkin M. E. , Backlund J.‐Y. , Cleary P. , Bayless M. , Schaefer B. , Canady J. , Nathan D. M. ,   the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (DCCT/EDIC) Research Group
Published: January 2010

Diabet. Med. 27, 451–458 (2010)AbstractAims  Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes. Sex disparity in the treatment of modifiable CHD risk factors in patients with Type 2 diabetes has been reported previously; however, there is little comparable information in Type 1 diabetes.Methods  We performed a cross‐sectional analysis of 1153 subjects with Type 1 diabetes in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (DCCT/EDIC) cohort to compare achievement of metabolic and CHD risk factor goals and use of recommended risk factor interventions between the sexes.Results  Women were less likely than men to achieve glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) < 7.0% [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.76, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.57–0.995] or < 8.0% (AOR 0.74, 95% CI 0.58–0.95). Achievement of target lipid levels was not significantly different between the sexes. As in the non‐diabetic population, men had higher blood pressure. Women were significantly less likely than men to report using aspirin (AOR 0.77, 0.60–0.99) and angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) (AOR 0.62, 0.49–0.80) and statins (AOR 0.56, 0.43–0.73), even after adjusting for blood pressure and lipid levels, respectively. Reported use of statins was also lower in women than men in the subset that developed a low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level > 3.4 mmol/l (39% vs. 60%, P < 0.05).Conclusions  In Type 1 diabetes, women report lower frequency than men in the use of interventions that decrease CHD risk. These findings are consistent with reports in the Type 2 diabetic population, showing that risk‐reducing measures are underused in women with diabetes.
Deep geothermal groundwater flow in the Seferihisar–Balçova area, Turkey: results from transient numerical simulations of coupled fluid flow and heat transport processes
Authors: MAGRI F. , AKAR T. , GEMICI U. , PEKDEGER A. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThe Seferihisar–Balçova Geothermal system (SBG) is characterized by complex temperature and hydrochemical anomalies. Previous geophysical and hydrochemical investigations suggest that hydrothermal convection in the faulted areas of the SBG and recharge flow from the Horst may be responsible for the observed patterns. A numerical model of coupled fluid flow and heat transport processes has been built in order to study the possible fluid dynamics of deep geothermal groundwater flow in the SBG. The results support the hypothesis derived from interpreted data. The simulated scenarios provide a better understanding of the geophysical conditions under which the different fluid dynamics develop. When recharge processes are weak, the convective patterns in the faults can expand to surrounding reservoir units or below the seafloor. These fault‐induced drag forces can cause natural seawater intrusion. In the Melange of the Seferihisar Horst, the regional flow is modified by buoyant‐driven flow focused in the series of vertical faults. As a result, the main groundwater divide can shift. Sealing caprocks prevent fault‐induced cells from being overwhelmed by vigorous regional flow. In this case, over‐pressured, blind geothermal reservoirs form below the caprocks. Transient results showed that the front of rising hot waters in faults is unstable: the tip of the hydrothermal plumes can split and lead to periodical temperature oscillations. This phenomenon known as Taylor–Saffman fingering has been described in mid‐ocean ridge hydrothermal systems. Our findings suggest that this type of thermal pulsing can also develop in active, faulted geothermal systems. To some extent, the role of an impervious fault core on the flow patterns has been investigated. Although it is not possible to reproduce basin‐scale transport processes, this first attempt to model deep groundwater geothermal flow in the SBG qualitatively supported the interpreted data and described the different fluid dynamics of the basin. Geofluids (2010) 10, 388–405
Hyperglycaemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome (HAPO) Study: associations with maternal body mass index
Authors:   HAPO Study Cooperative Research Group
Published: January 2010

Please cite this paper as: HAPO Study Cooperative Research Group. Hyperglycaemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome (HAPO) Study: associations with maternal body mass index. BJOG 2010;117:575–584.Objective  To determine whether higher maternal body mass index (BMI), independent of maternal glycaemia, is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes.Design  Observational cohort study.Setting  Fifteen centres in nine countries.Population  Eligible pregnant women.Methods  A 75‐g 2‐hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed between 24 and 32 weeks of gestation in all participants. Maternal BMI was calculated from height and weight measured at the OGTT. Fetal adiposity was assessed using skinfold measurements and percentage of body fat was calculated. Associations between maternal BMI and pregnancy outcomes were assessed using multiple logistic regression analyses, with adjustment for potential confounders.Main outcome measures  Predefined primary outcomes were birthweight >90th percentile, primary caesarean section, clinical neonatal hypoglycaemia and cord serum C‐peptide >90th percentile. Secondary outcomes included pre‐eclampsia, preterm delivery (before 37 weeks) and percentage of body fat >90th percentile.Results  Among 23 316 blinded participants, with control for maternal glycaemia and other potential confounders, higher maternal BMI was associated (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] for highest {≥42.0 kg/m2} versus lowest {<22.6 kg/m2} BMI categories) with increased frequency of birthweight >90th percentile (3.52 [2.48–5.00]) and percentage of body fat >90th percentile (3.28 [2.28–4.71]), caesarean section (2.23 [1.66–2.99]), cord C‐peptide >90th percentile (2.33 [1.58–3.43]) and pre‐eclampsia (14.14 [9.44–21.17]). Preterm delivery was less frequent with higher BMI (0.48 [0.31–0.74]). Associations with fetal size tended to plateau in the highest maternal BMI categories.Conclusion  Higher maternal BMI, independent of maternal glycaemia, is strongly associated with increased frequency of pregnancy complications, in particular those related to excess fetal growth and adiposity and to pre‐eclampsia.
Na+/K+‐ATPase inhibitor palytoxin enhances vulnerability of cultured cerebellar neurons to domoic acid via sodium‐dependent mechanisms
Authors: Pérez‐Gómez Anabel , Novelli Antonello , Fernández‐Sánchez M. Teresa 
Published: January 2010

J. Neurochem.(2010)114, 28–38.AbstractDysfunction or deficiency of the Na+/K+‐ATPase appears to be a common event in a variety of pathological conditions in the central nervous system. Studies on neurotoxicity associated to impaired Na+/K+‐ATPase activity have focused on NMDA receptors, while the involvement of non‐NMDA receptors has been much less explored. We show that mild, non‐toxic, exposures to the Na+/K+‐ATPase inhibitor palytoxin (PTX) synergistically sensitized the vulnerability of neurons to normally non‐toxic concentrations of domoic acid, leaving NMDA receptor‐mediated excitotoxic response unaltered. Enhancement of excitotoxicity required at least 1 h pre‐exposure to PTX, was not observed after longer exposures to PTX, and did not require RNA synthesis. PTX caused a voltage‐sensitive Na+channel‐independent increase in intracellular Na+. Both intracellular Na+increase and potentiation of excitotoxicity depended upon the external concentrations of Na+and Cl−, and were suppressed by the anion exchanger blocker 4,4′‐diisothiocyanatostilbene‐2, 2′‐disulfonic acid in a dose‐dependent manner. Other stilbene derivatives, chloride channel antagonists or Na+cotransporter inhibitors proved ineffective. Our results demonstrate a crucial role for Na+/K+‐ATPase activity in determining neuronal vulnerability to domoic acid‐mediated excitotoxicity. They also raise reasonable concern about possible risks for human health associated to the ingestion of low amounts of phycotoxins PTX and domoic acid in food.
Parkin regulates metal transport via proteasomal degradation of the 1B isoforms of divalent metal transporter 1
Authors: Roth Jerome A. , Singleton Steven , Feng Jian , Garrick Michael , Paradkar Prasad N. 
Published: January 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 113, 454–464.AbstractAbnormal iron accumulation is linked to a variety of neurological disorders and may contribute to the progressive damage seen in these diseases. The biochemical processes responsible for iron accumulation are not known but are likely to entail alteration in transport into injured brain areas. The major transport protein responsible for uptake of iron is divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) and recent studies demonstrate that the 1B species is regulated post‐translationally by degradation via the proteasomal pathway. As reported in this paper, the E3 ligase, parkin, when over‐expressed in SH‐SY5Y cells, results in a decrease in 1B‐DMT1 isoforms and also a significant reduction in manganese transport and toxicity. Incubating cells over‐expressing parkin with the proteasomal inhibitor, MG‐132, restores 1B‐DMT1 levels emphasizing that the observed changes are caused by degradation via the proteasomal pathway. Expression of the 1B species of DMT1 was also shown to be elevated in human lymphocytes containing a homozygous deletion of exon 4 of parkin and in brains of parkin knockout animals. Immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescent studies confirm that parkin co‐localizes with DMT1 in SH‐SY5Y cells transfected with wild‐type parkin. These results demonstrate that parkin is the E3 ligase responsible for ubiquitination of the 1B species of DMT1.