bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
POLYSOMNOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE OF SLEEP APNOEA DISORDERS IN LEAN AND OVERWEIGHT HAEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS
Authors: Sakkas Giorgos K , Karatzaferi Christina , Liakopoulos Vassilios , Maridaki Maria D , Lavdas Eleftherios , Giannaki Christoforos D , Gourgoulianis Konstantinos I , Stefanidis Ioannis 
Published: July 2012

ABSTRACTBackground — Sleep apnoea disorders affect a large proportion of patients with renal failure. However, it is unknown whether body composition and visceral adiposity predispose haemodialysis patients to sleep apnoea disorders.Methods — Forty‐one dialysis patients were divided in two groups according to the BMI score as; the Lean group (N=21, 1F/20M, BMI = 21.3 ± 2.1) and the Overweight group (N=20, 9F/11M, BMI =28.3 ± 2.8). Sleep disturbances assessed by a full polysomnography (PSG), visceral adipose tissue (VAT), calculated by computed tomography, the quality of life, assessed by the SF‐36, and the body composition, measured by DEXA.Results — None of the PSG parameters were different between the two groups. Only visceral adiposity was correlated significantly with sleep apnoea disorders.Conclusions — BMI and percent of total body fat do not seem to predispose for sleep apnoea disorders. Rather it is the increased fat deposition in abdominal area that plays the pivotal role.
PATIENT EDUCATION IN PERITONEAL DIALYSIS: AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY IN ITALY
Authors: Bordin Gabriella , Casati Monica , Sicolo Nicola , Zuccherato Nicoletta , Eduati Vincenzina 
Published: July 2012

ABSTRACTThis observational study describes the characteristics of the education programmes used in Italian PD‐centres, evaluating a possible relationship between programmes and peritonitis rates. The survey involved 150 non‐paediatric public dialysis centres in Italy. The data were collected by a questionnaire and evaluated with SPSS software. Descriptive statistics of synthesis were calculated, Kruskal‐Wallis, Wilcoxon's test were used to verify the differences in the replies, and association between variables was tested with Pearson correlation and Pearson's X 2 test. 120 dialysis centres took part in the survey and reported a median incidence of peritonitis of 1/29 months. Training occurs in all the centres, while pre‐dialysis education, home visits and re‐training take place in 38.3%, 50% and 44.2% respectively. A lower peritonitis rates proves to be correlated to these activities rather than to presence of specialised personnel, to ratio nurses‐patients or training time.
ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGES OF RENAL ANAEMIA: HOW NURSES CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Authors: Macdonald J. 
Published: July 2012

SUMMARYNephrology nurses play a central and wide‐ranging role in renal care. However, they have inadequate time to manage their responsibilities as patient volume increases due to earlier diagnosis and improved survival, and patient care becomes more complex. The challenge to achieve and maintain target haemoglobin levels with current agents compounds nursing workload.Early recognition and treatment of anaemia, a multidisciplinary approach and patient management algorithms can improve outcomes and nursing time utilisation. Innovative erythropoietic agents produce stable haemoglobin levels at extended administration intervals, offering time‐savings. Such initiatives may allow nurses more time to focus on other aspects of patient care.
Pitavastatin ameliorated the progression of steatohepatitis in ovariectomized mice fed a high fat and high cholesterol diet
Authors: Kamada Yoshihiro , Kiso Shinichi , Yoshida Yuichi , Chatani Norihiro , Kizu Takashi , Hamano Mina , Egawa Mayumi , Takemura Takayo , Ezaki Hisao , Furuta Kunimaro , Hayashi Norio , Takehara Tetsuo 
Published: July 2012

AimMany studies indicate an accelerated progression of non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in postmenopausal women. Very recently, we reported that estrogen deficiency enhanced the progression of steatohepatitis in mice fed a high fat and high cholesterol (HFHC) diet. Hypercholesterolemia is often observed in postmenopausal women, and recent studies indicate it to be an important risk factor for the progression of NASH. Statins can slow NASH progression in the estrogen‐deficient state but the precise mechanisms of their effects are still unclear.MethodsWe investigated the effects of pitavastatin on steatohepatitis progression using ovariectomized (OVX) mice fed a HFHC diet or HFHC + pitava diet (containing 5 p.p.m. pitavastatin) for 6 weeks.ResultsSerum alanine aminotransferase and cholesterol levels significantly decreased in mice fed the HFHC + pitava diet compared with mice fed the HFHC diet. Real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction representing hepatic inflammatory gene expressions significantly decreased in mice fed the HFHC + pitava diet compared with the HFHC‐fed mice. Pitavastatin treatment also decreased both hepatic macrophage infiltration and hepatocyte chemokine (C‐C motif) ligand 2 expression and improved the liver fibrosis condition when compared with the mice fed the HFHC diet. In addition, the enhanced spleen monocyte chemokine (C‐C motif) receptor 2 expression in ovariectomized mice fed the HFHC diet was also decreased by pitavastatin administration.ConclusionOur study demonstrated that the exacerbated steatohepatitis progression in OVX mice fed a HFHC diet could be attenuated by pitavastatin treatment at least through inhibition of hepatic macrophage infiltration. We concluded that statins should be useful for treating NASH in postmenopausal women.
Increased arterial stiffness is closely associated with hyperglycemia and improved by glycemic control in diabetic patients
Authors: Ibata Junko , Sasaki Hideyuki , Hanabusa Tadashi , Wakasaki Hisao , Furuta Hiroto , Nishi Masahiro , Akamizu Takashi , Nanjo Kishio 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAims/IntroductionAlthough arteriosclerotic diseases have been reported to be frequently complicated by diabetes mellitus (DM), a detailed relationship between hyperglycemia and arterial stiffness has not been fully clarified. We investigated the influence of hyperglycemia on arterial stiffness using the cardio‐ankle vascular index (CAVI), which is a new method for estimating arterial stiffness.Materials and Methods
CAVI values of 52 early‐staged DM patients (duration <5 years, no microangiopathies) were compared with those of 43 age‐matched non‐diabetic (NDM) subjects. The association between CAVI and clinical background factors was evaluated. The effect of glycemic improvement on CAVI was examined in 36 DM patients who were hospitalized for 2 weeks to treat hyperglycemia. CAVI and clinical parameters were measured twice during hospitalization and again after 8 weeks. Additionally, we measured CAVI before and 2 h after breakfast in five DM and five NDM subjects.ResultsThe CAVI of DM patients was significantly higher than that of NDM subjects. Multiple regression analysis showed that neither hypertension, obesity nor dyslipidemia, but aging and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) were significantly related to CAVI elevation. The CAVI, HbA1c and total cholesterol (TC) had significantly improved. Improvement of CAVI was significantly associated with HbA1c improvement. In contrast, no significant association was observed between the improvements of TC and CAVI. CAVI values before and after breakfast did not change significantly.Conclusions
CAVI elevation seems to be a sensitive arteriosclerotic marker, which is closely associated with hyperglycemia and improved by glycemic control.
PEGylation enhancement of pH stability of uricase via inhibitive tetramer dissociation
Authors: Tian Hong , Guo Yuan , Gao Xiangdong , Yao Wenbing 
Published: July 2012

Abstract

Objectives
Previously, PEGylated uricase was demonstrated to maintain catalytic activity at pH 5.8, the isoelectric point of uricase, where native uricase ceases to function. To find out whether PEGylation could enhance pH stability of uricase, the enzyme activity to pH curve was completely characterized.

Methods
Complete characterization of the enzyme activity to pH curve, indicating an inverted bell-shaped relationship not previously documented, is presented. PEGylation enhancement of uricase stability at a pH lower than that commonly found in the liver, can be explored by dynamic dissociation of uricase using ultrafiltration and size-exclusion chromatography.

Key findings
The results suggest the role of PEGylation in enhanced pH stability is via inhibition of subunit disintegration. The mechanism of this effect is characterized by the wrapping of PEG chains around uricase, providing a flexible shell preventing subunit disintegration. The presence of notable PEGylation-induced changes in uricase supports this mechanism and include improved enzyme-substrate affinity and elevated thermal stability.

Conclusions
Characterization of PEGylated uricase provides a basis for the rational design of therapeutic PEGylated proteins.
Chirality plays critical roles in enhancing the aqueous solubility of nocathiacin I by block copolymer micelles
Authors: Feng Kun , Wang Shuzhen , Ma Hairong , Chen Yijun 
Published: July 2012

Abstract

Objectives
Although drug solubilization by block copolymer micelles has been extensively studied, the rationale behind the choice of appropriate block copolymer micelles for various poorly water-soluble drugs has been of relatively less concern. The objective of this study was to use methoxy-poly(ethylene glycol)-polylactate micelles (MPEG-PLA) to solubilize glycosylated antibiotic nocathiacin I and to compare the effects of chirality on the enhancement of aqueous solubility.

Methods
Nocathiacin I-loaded MPEG-PLA micelles with opposite optical property in PLA were synthesized and characterized. The drug release profile, micelle stability and preliminary safety properties of MPEG-PLA micelles were evaluated. Meanwhile, three other poorly water-soluble chiral compound-loaded micelles were also prepared and compared.

Key findings
The aqueous solubility of nocathiacin I was greatly enhanced by both l- and d-copolymers, with the degree of enhancement appearing to depend on the chirality of the copolymers. Comparison of different chiral compounds confirmed the trend that aqueous solubility of chiral compounds can be more effectively enhanced by block copolymer micelles with specific stereochemical configuration.

Conclusions
The present study introduced chiral concept on the selection and preparation of block copolymer micelles for the enhancement of aqueous solubility of poorly water-soluble drugs.
First record of aTrichodesmium erythraeumbloom in the Mediterranean Sea1This article is derived from a special session entitled “A New Hydrology: Inflow Effects on Ecosystem Form and Functioning” that took place at the February 2011 ASLO Aquatic Sciences conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Authors: Spatharis Sofie , Skliris Nikolaos , Meziti Alexandra , Kormas Konstantinos Ar. 
Published: July 2012

Trichodesmium erythraeum is a species of marine cyanobacteria that forms extensive blooms in tropical and subtropical areas, predominantly in the Indian and Pacific oceans. An extensive bloom of this species, identified by microscopic and molecular analysis, is recorded for the first time at latitude greater than 30°N in Lesvos Island, Aegean Sea, eastern Mediterranean. Analysis of climatological trends revealed that the September 2010 bloom followed an extended period of the highest sea surface temperature and lowest wind speed observed since 1955, leading to a shallow thermocline formation. These conditions are considered among the main prerequisites for T. erythraeum bloom development. Analysis of abiotic parameters showed that other important factors for Trichodesmium proliferations, such as iron availability, oligotrophic conditions, and salinity levels, typical for the eastern Mediterranean, were also favourable. These findings seem directly linked to climate change already reported for the Mediterranean Sea and provide further evidence of the “tropicalization” of the area. Expansion of Trichodesmium blooms to greater latitudes may have important regional and global implications potentially affecting the global nitrogen cycle, the biological carbon pump, productivity levels, and harmful algal bloom frequency.
Estuarine ingress timing as revealed by spectral analysis of otolith life history scans
Authors: Hoover Reneé R. , Jones Cynthia M. , Grosch Chester E. 
Published: July 2012

The ability to accurately measure the timing of migration is fundamental in testing hypotheses in marine ecology that deal with migration and movement of fish populations. Timing and patterns of movement in larval and juvenile fish have been estimated using life history scans of the chemical signatures encoded in their otoliths. We provide a quantitative approach to analyzing life history scan data using spectral analysis, which retrospectively measures the timing of ingress for individual fish. Saggital otoliths from juvenile Atlantic croaker ( Micropogonias undulatus ) were sampled using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). Spectral analyses on these data estimate the timing of ingress at 68 days on average using strontium and 85 days using barium. Based on the inflection points of their nonlinear mixing curves, these data reveal entry and subsequent movement up-estuary. Moreover, we use these spectrally derived estimates to show that growth rates did not drive ingress timing for our samples. These data thus lend no support to the critical-size hypothesis in this instance.
Linking fishing mortality reference points to life history traits: an empirical study
Authors: Zhou Shijie , Yin Shaowu , Thorson James T. , Smith Anthony D.M. , Fuller Michael 
Published: July 2012

The rule of thumb that fishing mortality to achieve maximum sustainable yield (FMSY) equals natural mortality (M) has been both criticised and supported by theoretical arguments. However, the relationship has been rarely investigated using empirical data. We carried out a meta-analysis on 245 fish species worldwide and linked three types of reference points (FBRP: FMSY, Fproxy, and F0.5r) to M and other life history parameters (LHP). We used Bayesian hierarchical errors-in-variables models to investigate the relationships and included the effect of taxonomic class and order. We compared various models and found that natural mortality is the most important LHP affecting FBRP. Other covariates, such as von Bertalanffy growth coefficient, asymptotic length, maximum age, and habitat types, add little to the relationship, partially because of correlation and large measurement and process errors. The best model results in FMSY = 0.87M (standard deviation (SD) = 0.05) for teleosts and FMSY = 0.41M (SD = 0.09) for chondrichthyans. Fproxybased on per-recruit analysis is about 15% smaller than FMSY. Results could be used to estimate FBRPfrom LHP in data-poor situations.
Modeling the timing of spawning and hatching of shortnose sturgeon, Acipenser brevirostrum, in the Saint John River, New Brunswick, Canada
Authors: Usvyatsov Sima , Picka Jeffrey , Hardy Ryan Scott , Shepherd Travis Dawson , Watmough James , Litvak Matthew Kenneth 
Published: July 2012

Timing of spawning and hatching of shortnose sturgeon, Acipenser brevirostrum , in the Saint John River, New Brunswick, Canada, was estimated using inverse prediction. We examined egg incubation periods at 5, 9, and 13 °C to back-calculate spawning dates. No larvae hatched at 5 °C. At 9 and 13 °C, hatching began after 18 and 8 days post fertilization, respectively. Lengths of yolk-sac larvae reared in the laboratory at 13–21 °C were used to develop a temperature-mediated Gompertz growth model. The inverted Gompertz model, predicting larval age from larval size and water temperature, was applied to 671, 164, and 746 larvae captured in the wild in 2008, 2009, and 2010, respectively. Estimated hatching distributions peaked in late May, and mean spawning events were predicted to occur in late April – early May (9 °C scenario) and middle to late May (13 °C scenario). Larval ages at the two sampling transects, 4.5 km apart, were similar, while catch per unit effort was lower downstream, indicating mortality during dispersal. Inverse prediction of larval ages provides fast and cost-effective estimates of the timing of spawning, hatching, and larval migration in the wild.
Implementation of the Fifth Link of the Chain of Survival Concept for Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest
Authors: Tagami Takashi , Hirata Kazuhiko , Takeshige Toshiyuki , Matsui Junichiroh , Takinami Makoto , Satake Masataka , Satake Shuichi , Yui Tokuo , Itabashi Kunihiro , Sakata Toshio , Tosa Ryoichi , Kushimoto Shigeki , Yokota Hiroyuki , Hirama Hisao 
Published: July 2012

Background—
The American Heart Association 2010 resuscitation guidelines recommended adding a fifth link (multidisciplinary postresuscitation care in a regional center) to the previous 4 in the chain of survival concept for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Our study aimed to determine the effectiveness of this fifth link.

Methods and Results—

This multicenter prospective cohort study involved all eligible out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients in the Aizu region (n=1482, suburban/rural, Fukushima, Japan). Proportions of favorable neurological outcomes were evaluated before (January 2006–April 2008) and after (January 2009–December 2010) the implementation of the fifth link. After implementation, all patients were transported directly from the field to the tertiary-level hospital or secondarily from an outlying hospital to the tertiary-level hospital after restoration of circulation. The tertiary hospital provided intensive postresuscitation care, including appropriate hemodynamic and respiratory management, therapeutic hypothermia, and percutaneous coronary intervention. One-month survival with a favorable neurological outcome among all patients treated by emergency medical services providers improved significantly after implementation (4 of 770 [0.5%] versus 21 of 712 [3.0%];
P
<0.001). The adjusted odds ratios of favorable neurological outcome were 0.9 (95% confidence interval, 0.7–1.1) for early access to emergency medical care, 3.1 (95% confidence interval, 0.7–14.2) for bystander resuscitation, 14.7 (95% confidence interval, 3.2–67.0) for early defibrillation, 1.0 (95% confidence interval, 1.0–1.1) for early advanced life support, and 7.8 (95% confidence interval, 1.6–39.0) for the fifth link.

Conclusion—
The proportion of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients with a favorable neurological outcome improved significantly after the implementation of the fifth link, which may be an independent predictor of outcome.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.apps.who.int/trialsearch
. Unique identifier: UMIN000001607.
Greening of Jaipur
Authors: Datta Subhash , Tappenden Holly 
Published: July 2012

In this article, we look into the environmental sustainability of the city of Jaipur and investigate the proposals drawn by the Master Development Plan and the governmental plans with applicability to the environmental concerns and looks at potential areas for improvements. A simulation model was developed for scenario generation so as to assist the forecast of the number of trees remaining after each year. Three separate scenarios were generated and five different tree classifications were used to calculate the expected proportion of land that is covered by trees each year. The model solutions were obtained using three different options: the idealistic option of there being full resources (best case), the more realistic option of having upper (realistic case) and lower (worst case) estimates of the land.
Outcomes associated with a negotiated asthma treatment plan
Authors: Clark Noreen M , Ko Yi-An , Gong Z Molly , Johnson Timothy R 
Published: July 2012

Negotiated treatment plans are increasingly recommended in asthma clinical care. However, limited data are available to indicate whether this more patient-engaged process results in improved health outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine the associations between the presence of a negotiated treatment plan and the outcomes related to adherence to the medical regimen, symptom control, and health care use. The focus of the study was on women, the subgroup of adult patients, who are most vulnerable for negative asthma outcomes. Data were collected by telephone interview and medical record review from 808 women diagnosed with asthma at baseline, first year, and second year follow-up. Associations were examined between the presence of a negotiated treatment plan at baseline and subsequent asthma outcomes. Women with a negotiated treatment plan reported more adherent to prescribed asthma medicines (odds ratio (OR) = 2.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) = (1.82, 3.19)) and those with a plan and using oral steroids at baseline had less oral steroid use at follow-up (OR = 0.21, 95% CI = (0.05, 0.93)). Women with a negotiated plan also had more days (17%, 95% CI = (8, 27)) and nights (31%, 95% CI = (16, 48)) with symptoms than those without such a plan. No differences in hospitalizations, emergency department visits, or urgent physician office visits were noted between the groups. Patients with higher education levels were more likely to have a negotiated treatment plan. Negotiated treatment plans appear to have achieved greater adherence to prescribed asthma medicines and less need for oral steroids but were not related to fewer symptoms of asthma or reductions in urgent health care use. Additional strategies may be needed to reduce symptom and health services utilization outcomes.
The RosR transcription factor is required for gene expression dynamics in response to extreme oxidative stress in a hypersaline-adapted archaeon
Authors: Sharma Kriti , Gillum Nicholas , Boyd J Lomax , Schmid Amy 
Published: July 2012

Abstract

Background
Previous work has shown that the hypersaline-adapted archaeon, Halobacterium salinarum NRC-1, is highly resistant to oxidative stress caused by exposure to hydrogen peroxide, UV, and gamma radiation. Dynamic alteration of the gene regulatory network (GRN) has been implicated in such resistance. However, the molecular functions of transcription regulatory proteins involved in this response remain unknown.

Results
Here we have reanalyzed several existing GRN and systems biology datasets for H. salinarum to identify and characterize a novel winged helix-turn-helix transcription factor, VNG0258H, as a regulator required for reactive oxygen species resistance in this organism. This protein appears to be unique to the haloarchaea at the primary sequence level. High throughput quantitative growth assays in a deletion mutant strain implicate VNG0258H in extreme oxidative stress resistance. According to time course gene expression analyses, this transcription factor is required for the appropriate dynamic response of nearly 300 genes to reactive oxygen species damage from paraquat and hydrogen peroxide. These genes are predicted to function in repair of oxidative damage to proteins and DNA. In vivo DNA binding assays demonstrate that VNG0258H binds DNA to mediate gene regulation.

Conclusions
Together these results suggest that VNG0258H is a novel archaeal transcription factor that regulates gene expression to enable adaptation to the extremely oxidative, hypersaline niche of H. salinarum. We have therefore renamed VNG0258H as RosR, for
r
eactive
o
xygen
s
pecies
r
egulator.