bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The social difficulties of cancer patients of South Asian Indian and Pakistani origin
Authors: Dharni N , Hanif N , Bradley C , Velikova G , Stark D , Wright P 
Published: May 2011

AbstractIntroductionCancer patients experience psychosocial and informant needs. The National Cancer Survivorship Initiative recommends a shift towards assessment, information provision, personalised care planning and support for self-management including assessment within the social domain. This shift may be particularly difficult to implement with people for whom the language and culture do not fit with the majority.AimsIn a sample of patients of South Asian (SA) origin to:evaluate feasibility and acceptability of introducing assessment of social difficulties in everyday practice,examine the range and severity of reported social difficulties,inquire about their management.MethodsA cross-sectional study in which participants completed the Social Difficulties Inventory (SDI-21) in English, Urdu, Punjabi or Hindi followed by a semi-structured interview (subjected to Framework Analysis).Results26 men and 29 women (age range 18 and 80) with a range of diagnoses participated. Commonest primary languages were Urdu (n=17), Punjabi (n=17). SA cancer patients would welcome routine assessment of social difficulties as part of cancer care. They reported higher levels of social distress than found in earlier studies of white British patients. The majority self-managed their social difficulties with little discussion with clinicians, although this would have been welcomed. SA patients lacked information and were unaware of available support, especially when language was a barrier.ConclusionInclusive introduction of routine psychosocial assessment into cancer care requires not only appropriate screening tools but also staff trained to respond to the difficulties with knowledge of relevant information and supportive care services.
Effect of creatine supplementation on measured glomerular filtration rate in postmenopausal women
Authors: Neves Manoel , Gualano Bruno , Roschel Hamilton , Lima Fernanda Rodrigues , Lúcia de Sá-Pinto Ana , Seguro Antonio Carlos , Shimizu Maria Heloisa , Sapienza Marcelo Tatit , Fuller Ricardo , Lancha Antonio Herbert , Bonfá Eloisa 
Published: May 2011

We aimed to investigate whether creatine supplementation affects the measured glomerular filtration rate in postmenopausal women (age, 58 ± 3 years). Subjects were randomly assigned to receive either creatine (20 g·day–1 for 1 week and 5 g·day–1 thereafter) or a placebo. Kidney function was assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks. [51Cr]EDTA clearance remained unchanged (CR-PRE: 86.16 ± 14.36 mL·min–1 per 1.73 m2, POST: 87.25 ± 17.60 mL·min–1 per 1.73 m2; PL-PRE: 85.15 ± 8.54 mL·min–1 per 1.73 m2, POST: 87.18 ± 9.64 mL·min–1 per 1.73 m2; p = 0.81). Thus, we concluded that creatine supplementation does not affect glomerular filtration rate in postmenopausal women.
Effect of resveratrol on platelet activation in hypercholesterolemic rats: CD40–CD40L system as a potential target
Authors: Göçmen Ayşe Yeşim , Burgucu Durmus , Gümüşlü Saadet 
Published: May 2011

Our aim was to investigate whether trans-resveratrol (t-resveratrol), a red wine constituent known for its cardioprotective effects, was able to influence CD40 ligand (CD40L) and its receptor CD40 in platelets of hypercholesterolemic rats. Sixty Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups: control (C), ethanol (E), t-resveratrol (R), hypercholesterolemia (HC), and hypercholesterolemia plus t-resveratrol (HCR). Rats in the C, E, and R groups were fed a normal diet for 80 days. For 20 days before sacrifice, we intraperitoneally (i.p.) administered 0.1 mL ethanol (50% v/v) to the E group, and 0.1 mL t-resveratrol (20 mg·kg–1·day–1) to the R group. Rats in the HC and HCR groups were fed a 5% cholesterol diet for 80 days. Rats in the HCR group were administered i.p. 0.1 mL t-resveratrol (20 mg·kg–1·day–1) for 20 days before sacrifice. Serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL-C), and total triglycerides (TG) were assayed with a commercial colorimetric kit. Platelet P-selectin, CD40, and CD40L expression was determined by flow cytometry. sCD40L and IL6 levels were measured by ELISA. In the HC group, we observed a significant increase in serum TC, LDL-C, VLDL-C, TG, sCD40, and IL-6 levels and platelet activation markers compared with levels in the control group. However, t-resveratrol administration to the HC group (HCR group) attenuated the increase in lipids, sCD40, and IL-6 and down-regulated platelet P-selectin, CD40, and CD40L expressions. A positive correlation was found for serum lipids and all the platelet activation markers. Our study showed that the CD40–CD40L dyad is up-regulated in the presence of hypercholesterolemia and that t-resveratrol administration down-regulated the increase.
Skeletal muscle fatty acid oxidation is not directly associated with AMPK or ACC2 phosphorylation
Authors: Alkhateeb Hakam , Holloway Graham P. , Bonen Arend 
Published: May 2011

Rescue of palmitate-induced insulin resistance has been linked with improvements in fatty acid oxidation, but importantly, not always with concurrently altered AMPK or ACC2 phosphorylation. Therefore, we examined the interrelationships among AMPK, ACC2, and fatty acid oxidation under 12 controlled conditions in isolated muscle. Incubation of soleus muscle (0–12 h) did not alter fatty acid oxidation, but did increase AMPK and ACC2 phosphorylation (24%–30%). Muscle incubation with palmitate (2 mmol·L–1) inhibited palmitate oxidation (∼55%), but paradoxically, this was associated with increased AMPK and ACC2 phosphorylation (∼50%). Addition of an AMPK activator (thujone) to control (no palmitate) muscle increased AMPK and ACC2 phosphorylation (∼25%) but did not alter palmitate oxidation. Addition of AMPK inhibitors, compound C (50 µmol·L–1) or adenine 9-β-d-arabinofuranoside (Ara; 2.5 mmol·L–1), to thujone-treated muscles (no palmitate) did not alter palmiate oxidation but reduced AMPK phosphorylation (32%–42%), while ACC2 phosphorylation remained above basal level (+14%–18%). Finally, in palmitate-treated muscle, thujone increased AMPK (+100%) and ACC2 phosphorylation (+52%) and restored palmitate oxidation. Compound C or Ara, administered along with thujone in palmitate-treated muscle, only partly blunted palmitate oxidation recovery despite inhibiting AMPK phosphorylation (–22%), although ACC2 phosphorylation remained upregulated (+33%). Among these experiments, AMPK phosphorylation and ACC2 phosphorylation were positively correlated. However, AMPK phosphorylation was not correlated with palmitate oxidation, and unexpectedly, palmitate oxidation was negatively correlated with ACC2 phosphorylation. Our study, in accordance with a growing body of evidence, indicates that neither AMPK phosphorylation nor ACC2 phosphorylation is by itself an appropriate marker of fatty acid oxidation, and further serves to question their regulatory role.
Vascular consequences of a high-fat meal in physically active and inactive adults
Authors: Johnson Blair D. , Padilla Jaume , Harris Ryan A. , Wallace Janet P. 
Published: May 2011

Habitually active adults (ACT) typically exhibit lower postprandial lipemia, a condition that may attenuate oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction following a high-fat meal (HFM), compared with inactive adults (INA). Our objective was to compare triglycerides (TAG), superoxide dismutase activity (SOD), oxidative stress (thiobarbituric reactive substances; TBARS), and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD%) before and after an HFM challenge in ACT and INA. ACT (n = 7) and INA (n = 7) subjects were matched for body mass index, age, and sex. Plasma TAG, SOD, TBARS, and FMD% were measured at baseline and 4 h after an HFM challenge. TAG significantly increased following the HFM in INA (4.15 ± 3.79 mmol·L–1vs. 8.07 ± 5.12 mmol·L–1) and in ACT (2.16 ± 0.55 mmol·L–1vs. 3.24 ± 1.40 mmol·L–1). Baseline TBARS were greater in ACT and remained unchanged in response to the HFM in both INA (5.1 ± 2.7 mmol·L–1vs. 6.9 ± 2.9 mmol·L–1) and ACT (8.6 ± 2.0 mmol·L–1vs. 7.9 ± 1.9 mmol·L–1). ACT exhibited greater SOD than INA at baseline (8.6 ± 0.7 U·mL–1vs. 7.8 ± 0.6 U·mL–1) and following the HFM (9.3 ± 1.2 U·mL–1vs. 8.0 ± 0.7 U·mL–1). Postprandial FMD% was decreased in INA (9.1% ± 4.0% vs. 6.2% ± 3.4%), yet remained unchanged in ACT (7.9% ± 3.7% vs. 9.3% ± 3.2%). In conclusion, the differential responses following an HFM support the concept that habitual physical activity can attenuate the negative postprandial alterations that affect vascular health.
Innate immune responses to a single session of sprint interval training
Authors: Davison Glen 
Published: May 2011

Sprint interval training (SIT) is a potent stimulus for physiological and metabolic adaptations comparable with those induced by traditional “aerobic” endurance training. There has been a great deal of recent research on SIT, which may lead to increased use of this type of training. The purpose of the present study was to determine the acute effects of SIT on aspects of innate immunity not previously researched in this context. Nine males completed 1 SIT and 1 resting control trial in a crossover design. Blood and saliva samples were obtained at pre-, post-, and 30 min postexercise to measure blood neutrophil oxidative burst activity (OBA) in addition to saliva secretary IgA (s-IgA) and lysozyme. SIT induced a significant depression of neutrophil fMLP-stimulated OBA (–30% for the 30-min postexercise time point, p < 0.01), PMA-stimulated OBA (–14% for the postexercise time point, –21% for the 30-min postexercise time point, p < 0.01), and bacterial-stimulated degranulation (–23% for the postexercise time point, –32% for the 30-min postexercise time point, p < 0.01) but not fMLP-then-PMA-stimulated OBA, saliva lysozyme, or s-IgA concentrations or secretion rates (p > 0.05). The main novel finding of the present study is that a single session of SIT causes significant exercise-induced immunodepression of some neutrophil functions but mucosal immunity was not depressed.
Endothelial Microparticle Formation by Angiotensin II Is Mediated via Ang II Receptor Type I/NADPH Oxidase/ Rho Kinase Pathways Targeted to Lipid Rafts
Authors: Burger Dylan , Montezano Augusto C. , Nishigaki Nobuhiro , He Ying , Carter Anthony , Touyz Rhian M. 
Published: May 2011

Objective—
Circulating microparticles are increased in cardiovascular disease and may themselves promote oxidative stress and inflammation. Molecular mechanisms underlying their formation and signaling are unclear. We investigated the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS), Rho kinase, and lipid rafts in microparticle formation and examined their functional significance in endothelial cells (ECs).

Methods and Results—

Microparticle formation from angiotensin II (Ang II)–stimulated ECs and apolipoprotein E
−/−
mice was assessed by annexin V or by CD144 staining and electron microscopy. Ang II promoted microparticle formation and increased EC

generation and Rho kinase activity. Ang II–stimulated effects were inhibited by irbesartan (Ang II receptor type I blocker) and fasudil (Rho kinase inhibitor). Methyl-β-cyclodextrin and nystatin, which disrupt lipid rafts/caveolae, blocked microparticle release. Functional responses, assessed in microparticle-stimulated ECs, revealed increased

production, enhanced vascular cell adhesion molecule/platelet-EC adhesion molecule expression, and augmented macrophage adhesion. Inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor blocked the prooxidative and proinflammatory effects of microparticles. In vitro observations were confirmed in apolipoprotein E
−/−
mice, which displayed vascular inflammation and high levels of circulating endothelial microparticles, effects that were reduced by apocynin.

Conclusion—
We demonstrated direct actions of Ang II on endothelial microparticle release, mediated through NADPH oxidase, ROS, and Rho kinase targeted to lipid rafts. Microparticles themselves stimulated endothelial ROS formation and inflammatory responses. Our findings suggest a feedforward system whereby Ang II promotes EC injury through its own endothelial-derived microparticles.
Germinal Matrix Hemorrhage: Intraventricular Hemorrhage in Very-Low-Birth-Weight Infants
Authors: Ramenghi Luca A. , Fumagalli Monica , Groppo Michela , Consonni Dario , Gatti Loredana , Bertazzi Pier Alberto , Mannucci Pier Mannuccio , Mosca Fabio 
Published: May 2011

Background and Purpose—
The etiology of germinal matrix hemorrhage–intraventricular hemorrhage (GMH-IVH) is multifactorial and the role of genetic polymorphisms is unclear. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate prothrombotic genetic mutations as independent risk factors for the development of all grades of GMH-IVH in very-low-birth-weight infants.

Methods—
The presence of both factor V Leiden and prothrombin gain-of-function gene mutations were prospectively assessed in 106 very-low-birth-weight infants. Infants with GMH-IVH were compared to those without GMH-IVH according to genetic and clinical characteristics.

Results—

Twenty-two out of 106 infants had GMH-IVH develop (20.7%). Infants with GMH-IVH had significantly lower gestational ages and birth weights. In the multivariate Poisson regression model, the prevalence of GMH-IVH appeared to be inversely related to gestational age, with a risk ratio of 0.83 (95% CI, 0.72–0.97;
P
=0.02) per week. Risk ratio of GMH-IVH for carriers of either prothrombotic mutation was 2.65 (95% CI, 1.23–5.72;
P
=0.01), similar to the risk ratio associated with need for resuscitation at birth (2.30; 95% CI, 1.02–5.18;
P
=0.04).

Conclusions—
Very-low-birth-weight infants who are carriers for either prothrombotic mutations are at increased risk for development of GMH-IVH. Genetic factors act as independent risk factors of the same magnitude as other known risk factors.
Increased Brain Injury and Worsened Neurological Outcome in Interleukin-4 Knockout Mice After Transient Focal Cerebral Ischemia
Authors: Xiong Xiaoxing , Barreto George E. , Xu Lijun , Ouyang Yi Bing , Xie Xinmin , Giffard Rona G. 
Published: May 2011

Background and Purpose—
Stroke causes brain injury with activation of an inflammatory response that can contribute to injury. We tested the hypothesis that the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-4 (IL-4) reduces injury after stroke using IL-4 knockout (KO) adult male mice.

Methods—
IL-4 KO and wild-type mice were subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion. Outcome was assessed by triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining for infarct volume, neuroscore and spontaneous activity for behavioral outcome, and immunostaining and stereological counting for cellular response.

Results—
Infarction volume at 24 hours was significantly larger in IL-4 KO mice, neurological score was significantly worse, and spontaneous activity was reduced compared with wild-type mice. Increased macrophage/microglial infiltration, increased numbers of myeloperoxidase-positive cells, and increased Th1/Th2 ratio were observed in the infarct core in IL-4 KO mice. Reduced astrocyte activation was observed in the cortical penumbra in IL-4 KO mice. Recombinant IL-4 administered intracerebroventricularly before middle cerebral artery occlusion significantly reduced infarct volume, improved neurological score, reduced macrophages/microglia, and lowered the Th1/Th2 ratio in IL-4 KO mice, but not in wild-type.

Conclusions—
Loss of IL-4 signaling in KO mice was associated with worse outcome, and this was reversed by giving exogenous IL-4. Worsened outcome was associated with increased inflammation in the core, which was reversed in IL-4 KO but not significantly changed in wild-type mice by exogenous IL-4. This is consistent with IL-4 signaling leading to reduced inflammation in the core and a possible beneficial role for activated astrocytes in the penumbra.
Intravenous Thrombolysis in Nonagenarians With Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Sarikaya Hakan , Arnold Marcel , Engelter Stefan T. , Lyrer Philippe A. , Michel Patrik , Odier Céline , Weder Bruno , Tettenborn Barbara , Mueller Felix , Sekoranja Lucka , Sztajzel Roman , Ballinari Pietro , Mattle Heinrich P. , Baumgartner Ralf W. 
Published: May 2011

Background and Purpose—
Demographic changes will result in a rapid increase of patients age ≥90 years (nonagenarians), but little is known about outcomes in these patients after intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) for acute ischemic stroke. We aimed to assess safety and functional outcome in nonagenarians treated with IVT and to compare the outcomes with those of patients age 80 to 89 years (octogenarians).

Methods—
We analyzed prospectively collected data of 284 consecutive stroke patients age ≥80 years treated with IVT in 7 Swiss stroke units. Presenting characteristics, favorable outcome (modified Rankin scale [mRS] 0 or 1), mortality at 3 months, and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH) using the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke-Monitoring Study (SITS-MOST) criteria were compared between nonagenarians and octogenarians.

Results—

As compared with octogenarians (n=238; mean age, 83 years), nonagenarians (n=46; mean age, 92 years) were more often women (70% versus 54%;
P
=0.046) and had lower systolic blood pressure (161 mm Hg versus 172 mm Hg;
P
=0.035). Patients age ≥90 years less often had a favorable outcome and had a higher incidence of mortality than did patients age 80 to 89 years (14.3% versus 30.2%;
P
=0.034; and 45.2% versus 22.1%;
P
=0.002; respectively), while more nonagenarians than octogenarians experienced a SICH (SICH
NINDS
, 13.3% versus 5.9%;
P
=0.106; SICH
SITS-MOST
, 13.3% versus 4.7%;
P
=0.037). Multivariate adjustment identified age ≥90 years as an independent predictor of mortality (
P
=0.017).

Conclusions—
Our study suggests less favorable outcomes in nonagenarians as compared with octogenarians after IVT for ischemic stroke, and it demands a careful selection for treatment, unless randomized controlled trials yield more evidence for IVT in very old stroke patients.
Consequences of Stroke in Community-Dwelling Elderly
Authors: Divani Afshin A. , Majidi Shahram , Barrett Anna M. , Noorbaloochi Siamak , Luft Andreas R. 
Published: May 2011

Background and Purpose—
Stroke survivors are at risk of developing comorbidities that further reduce their quality of life. The purpose of this study was to determine the risk of developing a secondary health problem after stroke.

Methods—
We performed a case–control analysis using 6 biennial interview waves (1998 to 2008) of the Health and Retirement Study. We compared 631 noninstitutionalized individuals who had a single stroke with 631 control subjects matched for age, gender, and interview wave. We studied sleep problems, urinary incontinence, motor impairment, falls, and memory deficits among the 2 groups.

Results—
Stroke survivors frequently developed new or worsened motor impairment (33%), sleep problems (up to 33%), falls (30%), urinary incontinence (19%), and memory deficits (9%). As compared with control subjects, the risk of developing a secondary health problem was highest for memory deficits (OR, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.34 to 4.46) followed by urinary incontinence (OR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.31 to 2.66), motor impairment (OR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.16 to 2.24), falls (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.12 to 2.0), and sleep disturbances (OR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.09 to 2.03). In contrast, stroke survivors were not more likely to injure themselves during a fall (OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 0.72 to 1.79). After adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors, social status, psychiatric symptoms, and pain, the risks of falling or developing sleep problems were not different from the control subjects.

Conclusions—
The risk of developing a secondary health problem that can impact daily life is markedly increased after stroke. A better understanding of frequencies and risks for secondary health problems after stroke is necessary for designing better preventive and rehabilitation strategies.
Transient Possessions: Circulation, Replication, and Transmission of Gems and Jewels in Quattrocento Italy
Authors: Clark Leah R. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThis article examines the circulation of gems, jewelry, and antique hardstones, through merchant-banking networks in Italy in the late Quattrocento. The practices of pawning and exchange facilitated the circulation of objects, causing those goods to change hands constantly and to come into contact with a wide range of individuals, a process through which these artifacts accrued histories. Particular gems were sought after, not only for their material or artistic worth, but also for their histories and their previous illustrious owners, and many jewels were invested with names. Aside from their physical circulation, these objects were disseminated in visual form through replication across media, which raises questions around ownership, copies, and collections in the late fifteenth century.
How NGOs Advance Corporate Social Responsibility in China
Authors: Jia’ning Yang , Chan Kin-man 
Published: May 2011

AbstractOn the basis of four NGO case studies, this article considers how NGOs promote corporate social responsibility (CSR) from the angle of resource mobilization. NGOs’ approaches to promoting CSR can be divided into three types: cooperative, independent, and oppositional. Within the cooperative approach, there are two types of relationships between NGOs and enterprises. In the first, “integrated” social enterprise approach, NGO and enterprises are highly codependent. In the second, the NGO cooperates as an entity external to the enterprise. The independent approach has the NGO acting as a third-party examiner, and, based on its cooperation with a famous international organization, performing CSR evaluation and training for Mainland processing enterprises. The oppositional approach consists of NGOs using social movements to cast light on whether or not enterprises are fulfilling their social responsibilities. NGOs’ different levels of resources determine the power dynamics between them and enterprises. Those different power dynamics, in turn, determine the methods and strategies NGOs will use to try to compel enterprises to take on social responsibility and determine the kinds of relationships that form. These different approaches also reflect that NGOs lack institutional protections for their efforts to stimulate CSR. Currently, their efforts to advance CSR have not yet been able to develop into institutionally diverse models.
A Survey of NGO Participation in Reconstruction after the Wenchuan Earthquake: The Social Work Perspective
Authors: Kenan Wei , Qiongwen Zhang , Hua Feng 
Published: May 2011

AbstractAfter the Wenchuan earthquake, large numbers of NGOs entered the quake area and provided large amounts of social services. Analysis of survey responses from 149 NGOs has allowed three basic models to be identified among NGOs engaging in post-quake reconstruction: (1) university social work stations; (2) civil organizations; and (3) government-embedded organizations. Because reconstruction is a long-term task, adjustments to current strategies may merit consideration. First, the disproportionate weight currently placed on heavy infrastructure over social services and society-building must be rebalanced. Second, all of society ‐ and especially the government ‐ should recognize the enormous significance and the enormous role NGO services have played in post-quake reconstruction. Third, cooperative arrangements should be explored between grant makers like the government, enterprises, and foundations and NGOs. Fourth, trial introduction of people-run non-enterprise units to the quake area should be explored. Fifth, relations between NGOs and the government should be smoothed to ensure that NGOs have a legal space in which to conduct their social work. Sixth, NGOs must put more work into capacity building.