bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Training community care workers to provide comprehensive TB/HIV/PMTCT integrated care in KwaZulu‐Natal: lessons learnt
Authors: Uwimana J. , Zarowsky C. , Hausler H. , Jackson D. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractObjective  To describe a participatory approach to implement and evaluate ways to integrate and train community care workers (CCWs) to enhance collaborative TB/HIV/PMTCT activities, and home‐based HIV counseling and testing (HCT) at community level.Methods  The intervention study was conducted in Sisonke, a rural district of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. A baseline household (HH) survey was conducted in 11 villages. Six villages were randomly selected into intervention and control clusters. Training was provided first to CCWs from the intervention cluster (IC) followed by the control cluster (CC). Routine monthly data from CCWs were collected from March–December 2010. The data was subjected to bivariate tests.Results  The baseline HH survey revealed that of 3012 HH members visited by CCWs in 2008, 21% were screened for TB symptoms, 7% were visited for TB adherence support and 2% for ART adherence, and 1.5% were counselled on infant feeding options. A total of 89 CCWs were trained. Data show that during the study period in IC, 684 adults were offered HCT by CCWs, 92% accepted HCT and tested and 7% tested HIV‐positive and were referred to the clinic for further care. Of 3556 adults served in IC, 44% were screened for TB symptoms and 32% for symptoms of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and 37% of children were traced as TB contact. Out of 6226 adults served in CC, 10% were screened for TB symptoms and 7% for STI symptoms. The differences in uptake of services between IC and CC were statistically significant (p < 0.05).Conclusion  The findings of this study suggest higher uptake of TB and STI symptoms screening, TB contact tracing and home based HCT in the intervention clusters. This study suggests that up‐skilling CCWs could be one avenue to enhance TB/HIV case finding, TB contact tracing and linkages to care.
Sources contributing to the average extracellular concentration of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens
Authors: Owesson‐White Catarina A. , Roitman Mitchell F. , Sombers Leslie A. , Belle Anna M. , Keithley Richard B. , Peele Jessica L. , Carelli Regina M. , Wightman R. Mark 
Published: February 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 121, 252–262.AbstractMesolimbic dopamine neurons fire in both tonic and phasic modes resulting in detectable extracellular levels of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). In the past, different techniques have targeted dopamine levels in the NAc to establish a basal concentration. In this study, we used in vivo fast scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) in the NAc of awake, freely moving rats. The experiments were primarily designed to capture changes in dopamine caused by phasic firing – that is, the measurement of dopamine ‘transients’. These FSCV measurements revealed for the first time that spontaneous dopamine transients constitute a major component of extracellular dopamine levels in the NAc. A series of experiments were designed to probe regulation of extracellular dopamine. Lidocaine was infused into the ventral tegmental area, the site of dopamine cell bodies, to arrest neuronal firing. While there was virtually no instantaneous change in dopamine concentration, longer sampling revealed a decrease in dopamine transients and a time‐averaged decrease in the extracellular level. Dopamine transporter inhibition using intravenous GBR12909 injections increased extracellular dopamine levels changing both frequency and size of dopamine transients in the NAc. To further unmask the mechanics governing extracellular dopamine levels we used intravenous injection of the vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT2) inhibitor, tetrabenazine, to deplete dopamine storage and increase cytoplasmic dopamine in the nerve terminals. Tetrabenazine almost abolished phasic dopamine release but increased extracellular dopamine to ∼500 nM, presumably by inducing reverse transport by dopamine transporter (DAT). Taken together, data presented here show that average extracellular dopamine in the NAc is low (20–30 nM) and largely arises from phasic dopamine transients.
Finding political capital for monetary tightening: Unemployment insurance and partisan monetary cycles
Authors: ALEXIADOU DESPINA 
Published: February 2012

AbstractHow do governments find the political capital to raise interest rates in pursuit of inflation stabilisation? Against common wisdom, this article shows that the ability of governments to exercise tight monetary policy largely depends on the level of unemployment insurance. Unemployment insurance is particularly useful to social democratic parties since their core constituency – labour – is the hardest hit by economic downturns. Empirical evidence from 17 OECD countries over thirty years demonstrates that high levels of unemployment insurance present a strong incentive for social democratic governments to respond more aggressively to positive changes in inflation. These findings resolve the puzzle of why partisan monetary cycles are not often observed in the literature and have important policy implications, given continued calls for scaling down social insurance.
Novel developmental biology‐based protocol of embryonic stem cell differentiation to morphologically sound and functional yet immature hepatocytes
Authors: Bukong Terence N. , Lo Tracie , Szabo Gyongyi , Dolganiuc Angela 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackground/AimsLiver diseases are common in the United States and often require liver transplantation; however, donated organs are limited and thus alternative sources for liver cells are in high demand. Embryonic stem cells (ESC) can provide a continuous and readily available source of liver cells. ESC differentiation to liver cells is yet to be fully understood and comprehensive differentiation protocols are yet to be defined. Here, we aimed to achieve human (h)ESC differentiation into mature hepatocytes using defined recombinant differentiation factors and metabolites.MethodsEmbryonic stem cell H1 line was sub‐cultured on feeder layer. We induced hESCs into endodermal differentiation succeeded by early/late hepatic specification and finally into hepatocyte maturation using step combinations of Activin A and fibroblast growth factor (FGF)‐2 for 7 days; followed by FGF‐4 and bone morphogenic protein 2 (BMP2) for 7 days, succeeded by FGF‐10 + hepatocyte growth factor 4 + epidermal growth factor for 14 days. Specific inhibitors/stimulators were added sequentially throughout differentiation. Cells were analysed by PCR, flow cytometry, microscopy or functional assays.ResultsOur hESC differentiation protocol resulted in viable cells with hepatocyte shape and morphology. We observed gradual changes in cell transcriptome, including up‐regulation of differentiation‐promoting GATA4, GATA6, POU5F1 and HNF4 transcription factors, steady levels of stemness‐promoting SOX‐2 and low levels of Nanog, as defined by PCR. The hESC‐derived hepatocytes expressed alpha‐antitrypsin, CD81, cytokeratin 8 and low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor. The levels of alpha‐fetoprotein and proliferation marker Ki‐67 in hESC‐derived hepatocytes remained elevated. Unlike stem cells, the hESC‐derived hepatocytes performed LDL uptake, produced albumin and alanine aminotransferase and had functional alcohol dehydrogenase.ConclusionWe report a novel protocol for hESC differentiation into morphological and functional yet immature hepatocytes as an alternative method for hepatocyte generation.
Cardiac dysfunction in cirrhosis – does adrenal function play a role? A hypothesis
Authors: Theocharidou Eleni , Krag Aleksander , Bendtsen Flemming , Møller Søren , Burroughs Andrew K. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractCirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CCM), a condition of unknown pathogenesis, is characterized by suboptimal ventricular contractile response to stress, diastolic dysfunction and QT interval prolongation. It is most often found in patients with advanced cirrhosis. It is clinically relevant during stressful conditions, such as sepsis, bleeding and surgery. CCM reverses after liver transplantation and potentially has a role in the pathogenesis of hepatorenal syndrome. In adrenal insufficiency (AI), cardiac dysfunction is a feature with low ejection fraction, decreased left ventricular chamber size and electrocardiographic abnormalities, including QT interval prolongation. With optimal diagnostic tests, AI is present in approximately 10% of patients with cirrhosis, particularly in those with advanced disease. Down‐regulation and decreased number of beta‐adrenergic receptors, and high catecholamine levels are common to both cardiac conditions. Thus, AI may play a role in CCM. Steroid replacement therapy reverses cardiac changes in AI, and may do so for CCM, with important therapeutic implications; this needs formal evaluation.
Blockage of the afferent sensitive pathway prevents sympathetic atrophy and hemodynamic alterations in rat portal hypertension
Authors: Ezkurdia Nahia , Coll Mar , Raurell Imma , Rodriguez Sarai , Cuenca Silvia , González Antonio , Guardia Jaime , Esteban Rafael , Genescà Joan , Martell María 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackground and AimsPortal hypertension causes arterial vasodilation and sympathetic atrophy in the splanchnic area. We aimed to demonstrate a relationship between hemodynamic alterations and sympathetic atrophy by investigating a pathway from sensitive afferent signals to mesenteric sympathetic ganglia.MethodsExperiments were conducted in sham and portal vein ligated (PVL) adult and neonatal rats treated with vehicle or capsaicin. Hemodynamic parameters, and immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and Western blot of different tissues were analysed.ResultscFos expression in the brain supraoptic nuclei was used to confirm abrogation of the afferent signal in capsaicin‐treated PVL rats (effectively afferent blocked). Neonatal and adult PVL afferent blocked rats showed simultaneous prevention of hemodynamic alterations and sympathetic atrophy (measured by tyrosine hydroxylase expression in nerve structures of splanchnic vasculature). Not effectively afferent blocked rats showed none of these effects, behaving as PVL vehicle. All capsaicin treated animals presented loss of calcitonin gene‐related peptide in superior mesenteric artery and ganglia, whereas neuronal nitric oxide synthase remained unaffected. Neuronal markers semaphorin‐3A, nerve growth factor, its precursor and p75 neurotrophic receptor, were significantly over‐expressed in the PVL sympathetic ganglia compared with sham, but not in effectively afferent blocked rats. Semaphorin‐3A staining in mesenteric ganglia co‐localized with vesicular acetylcholine transporter, but not with adrenergic, nitrergic and sensory axons, suggesting that semaphorin‐3A might originate in preganglionic neurons.ConclusionThese results indicate that the nervous system has a central role in the genesis of the circulatory abnormalities of portal hypertension, and support that mesenteric sympathetic atrophy contributes to splanchnic arterial vasodilation.
Early Patient Experience with an Electro‐Anatomic Navigation System Dedicated to Device Lead Implantation: Feasibility and Safety
Authors: MANLUCU JAIMIE , YEE RAYMOND , SKANES ALLAN C. , GARDESKI KENNETH C. , NEIDERT MICHAEL R. , KELLEY JAMES F. , KLEIN GEORGE J. , KRAHN ANDREW D. , GULA LORNE J. , LEONG‐SIT PETER , VERARD LAURENT G. , WU KEVIN T. 
Published: February 2012

Introduction:
Fluoroscopy‐guided pacing lead placement has well‐recognized limitations and risks. We studied the safety and feasibility of using a novel electromagnetic navigation system specifically designed to guide pacemaker and implantable cardioverter defibrillator lead placement.
Methods:
Twenty‐four patients (mean age of 54 ± 34 years) underwent the study protocol; 16 before electrophysiology study and eight before device implantation. The navigational deflectable sheath assembly was introduced via the subclavian vein and advanced to seven prespecified targets within the right heart chambers. The time taken to reach each target site was measured.
Results:
All seven prespecified targets were successfully reached by 21 of 24 patients (88%). The total time required to complete the study protocol ranged from 3.21 to 15.25 minutes (average 8.9 minutes), with an associated mean fluoroscopy time of 50 ± 36 seconds. In three of the 24 patients, this navigation system was successfully used to guide right ventricular pacing lead placement. The average total procedure time for these devices was 97.8 minutes (excluding the study protocol), with an average associated fluoroscopy time of 6.93 minutes. These procedures were well tolerated and no periprocedural complications were noted.
Conclusions:
This study suggests that this novel electro‐anatomic navigation system is a viable and safe alternative to traditional fluoroscopy‐guided lead implantation. Further studies are required to determine the absolute reduction in radiation exposure and increased efficiency relative to current standard fluoroscopic techniques. PACE 2012; 35:385–391)
Oral health attitudes and behaviours of final‐year dental students
Authors: Messer L. B. , Calache H. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractObjectives:  The objectives of this study of final‐year dental students in 10 classes (1997, 2001—2009) were to examine their self‐reported oral health attitudes and behaviours and describe any trends in these attributes.Participants and methods:  Students were surveyed in final semester via an anonymous questionnaire (34 behaviour questions; eight attitude statements). Distributions, trends over time and attitude–behaviour associations were examined.Results:  Of 583 students, 459 responded (79%). All tooth‐brushed with fluoride toothpaste; 80% brushed ≥2/day. Overall, 85% flossed; over time flossing behaviour increased significantly (P < 0.05), and those flossing 1—2/day increased (P < 0.005). Over time, significant decreases occurred in those taught toothbrushing (P < 0.001) and flossing (P < 0.05), and in use of mouth rinses (P < 0.05) and tooth cleansing sticks/picks (P < 0.001). Almost all (96%) had received a dental examination; 77% attended a dentist 1—3/year. Between‐meal snacking was common (84%); 71% chewed gum. Although 18% had ever smoked, 5% currently smoked. Most strongly agreed they expected to keep most of their teeth for all their life (76%); their future needs for fillings would be minimal (61%); smoking could adversely affect their teeth or gums (85%); and regular dental attendance was important for their dental health (51%). Congruent attitudes and behaviours favouring oral health were widely held concerning dental attendance, flossing and smoking.Conclusions:  Final‐year dental students showed well established, favourable oral hygiene attitudes and behaviours, with evidence to suggest this knowledge was developed whilst in dental school. Despite many ceasing smoking, 5% still smoked. All dental students should receive training in motivational counselling and tobacco cessation to ensure this is included in patient care.
Intermittent granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor maintains dose intensity after ABVD therapy complicated by neutropenia
Authors: Ho Prahlad , Sherman Peter , Grigg Andrew 
Published: February 2012

AbstractIntroduction: Granulocyte Colony‐Stimulating Factor (G‐CSF) is commonly used to maintain dose intensity in patients receiving ABVD chemotherapy (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine and dacarbazine) for Hodgkin lymphoma. However, the need for growth factor support is unclear, with studies suggesting that dose intensity can be maintained without G‐CSF. Moreover, G‐CSF is expensive (pegfilgrastim: EUR 1540/cycle; 300 μg filgrastim for 7 days: EUR 700/cycle) and is associated with side effects including bone pain and increased risk of bleomycin lung toxicity. Intermittent G‐CSF may be an effective compromise, given that the effect of G‐CSF on granulocyte precursors in vitro persists for 4–5 days after administration. After promising results of a pilot study, this schedule has been used subsequently in the majority of our patients receiving G‐CSF as secondary prophylaxis for ABVD complicated by neutropenia. Methods: Retrospective analysis of the incidence of febrile neutropenia and treatment delay in a variety of different G‐CSF schedules used as secondary prophylaxis in patients receiving ABVD. Results: 848 cycles in 85 consecutive patients were evaluated. Most patients (86%) received G‐CSF, generally commenced prophylactically for neutropenia when cycle 1B was due. Intermittent G‐CSF (typically given on days 4, 8 and 12) was used in 413 cycles compared with daily or pegylated G‐CSF in 99 cycles. In patients receiving intermittent G‐CSF, the median neutrophil count, across all cycles, was 7.3 × 109/L (range: 1.4–47.1) when the next scheduled chemotherapy was due. There were two cases of febrile neutropenia (0.45%) and no treatment delays. One patient developed possible bleomycin toxicity. Conclusions: Intermittent G‐CSF is effective in maintaining dose intensity in patients receiving ABVD.
Comparison of fresh to fixed weights of the vervet monkey (Chlorocebus sabaeus) placenta and its relation to gestational age
Authors: DeMartelly Victoria , Hurley Patrick , Lawrence Mathew , Redmond D. Eugene , Rutherford Julienne 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackground  Focus on the placenta as an agent of fetal development and offspring health outcomes is growing. Primate research facilities or zoos may collect and fix placental tissue for long‐term storage, but little is known about the effects of formalin fixation on the non‐human primate placenta.Methods  We obtained 48 vervet monkey placentas from the St. Kitts Biomedical Research Foundation. We investigated via correlation coefficients and ANOVAs the effects of gestational age and original fresh weight on weight change due to fixation. We also used linear regression models to determine whether fixed tissue weight was predictive of fresh weight and gestational age.Results  Although the vervet monkey placenta is described as bidiscoid, 14.6% of the placentas in this sample were fused into a single mass. A decrease in weight was the most common response to formalin fixation, with the greatest degree of loss experienced by the heaviest placentas (ANOVA, F = 5.99, P = 0.005). Gestational age was unrelated to weight change. Those placentas that increased in weight had the lowest fresh weights. Fixed weights significantly predicted both fresh weight and gestational age (r2 = 0.78, P < 0.00001; r2 = 0.76, P < 0.00001, respectively).Conclusions  This paper adds to a sparse literature on the vervet monkey placenta. That fixed placentas are excellent predictors of both fresh weight and gestational age suggests that banked tissue may be a valuable resource for reconstructing aspects of individual life history, although caution must be exercised given the variability of weight change as a function of original placental size.
Transportation behaviours of older adults: An investigation into car dependency in urban Australia
Authors: Buys Laurie , Snow Stephen , van Megen Kimberley , Miller Evonne 
Published: February 2012

Aim:  Increased car dependency among Australia's ageing population may result in increased social isolation and other health impacts associated with the cessation of driving. While public transport represents an alternative to car usage, patronage remains low among older cohorts. This study investigates the facilitators and barriers to public transport patronage and the nature of car dependence among older Australians.Methods:  Data were gathered from a sample of 24 adults (mean age = 70 years) through a combination of quantitative (remote behavioural observation) and qualitative (interviews) investigation.Results:  Findings suggest that relative convenience, affordability and health/mobility may dictate transport mode choices. The car is considered more convenient for the majority of suburban trips irrespective of the availability of public transport.Conclusion:  Policy attention should focus on providing better education and information regarding driving cessation and addressing older age specific social aspects of public transport including health and mobility issues.
Silver as an Example of the Applications of Photochemistry to the Synthesis and Uses of Nanomaterials†,‡
Authors: Stamplecoskie Kevin G. , Scaiano Juan C. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractPhotochemistry is a powerful tool for controlled synthesis of metal nanoparticles, their modification and in many of the applications that these materials have. Plasmon transitions offer a unique way of delivering energy with exquisite spatial and temporal control and can be used to advantage where visible wavelength control is required. This account of research at the University of Ottawa summarizes details of the synthesis, modification and applications of silver nanostructures.
Application of probability distributions to the modeling of biogenic CO2 fluxes in life cycle assessment
Authors: Cherubini Francesco , Guest Geoffrey , Strømman Anders H. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractIn life cycle assessment (LCA), the same characterization factors are conventionally applied irrespective of when the emissions occur (the same importance is given to emissions in the past, present, and future). When the assessment is constrained by fixed timeframes, the appropriateness of this paradigm is questioned and the temporal distribution of emissions becomes of relevance. One typical example is the accounting for biogenic CO2 emissions and removals. This article proposes a methodology for assessing the climate impact of time‐distributed CO2 fluxes using probability distributions. Three selected wood applications, such as fuel, nonstructural panels, and housing construction materials are assessed. In all the cases, CO2 sequestration in growing trees is modeled with an appropriate forest growth function, whereas CO2 emissions from wood oxidation are modeled with different probability distributions, such as the delta function, the uniform distribution, the exponential distribution, and the chi‐square distribution. The combination of these CO2 fluxes with the global carbon cycle provides the respective changes caused in CO2 atmospheric concentration and hence in the radiative forcing. The latter is then used as basis for climate impact metrics. Results demonstrate the utility of using emission and removal functions rather than single pulses, which generally overestimate the climate impact of CO2 emissions, especially in presence of short time horizons. Characterization factors for biogenic CO2 are provided for selected combinations of biomass species, rotation periods, and probability distributions. The time discrepancy between biogenic CO2 emissions and capture through regrowth results in a certain climate impact, even for a system that is carbon neutral over time. For the oxidation rate of wooden products, the use of a chi‐square distribution appears the most reliable and appropriate option under a methodological perspective. The feasibility of its adoption in LCA and emission accounting from harvested wood products deserves further scientific considerations.