title stringlengths 0 901 | abstract stringlengths 3 9.89k | PMID int64 22 25.3M | embedding listlengths 768 768 |
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Diaminoglyoxime as a versatile reagent in the synthesis of bis(1,2,4-oxadiazoles), 1,2,4-oxadiazolyl-quinazolines and 1,2,4-oxadiazolyl-benzothiazinones. | The synthesis of bis(1,2,4-oxadiazoles), 1,2,4-oxadiazolyl-quinazolines, and 1,2,4-oxadiazolyl-benzothiazinones has been investigated by the reaction of diaminoglyoxime with various ketones and methyl 2-aminobenzoate, 2-amino-5-chlorophenyl)(phenyl)methanone, and 2-mercapto benzoic acid in acetic acid either a catalyst or solvent at 100 °C. | 25,115,630 | [
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Health related quality of life of children and adolescents with congenital adrenal hyperplasia in Brazil. | Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) is an endocrine disorder characterized by enzymatic deficiency in adrenal steroidogenesis, leading to adrenal insufficiency and hyperandrogenism. Patients need continuous hormone replacement therapy, but adequate control has proven challenging, exposing patients to undesirable consequences of both disease and treatment. To evaluate the health related quality of life (HRQoL) of children and adolescents with CAH due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency. In an analytical study, generic questionnaires, validated and translated versions, Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 (for self-assessment of patients) and Child Health Questionnaire - PF50 (for parents) were applied and mean scores were analyzed with Student's t-test. We included 25 patients (19 female) with classical CAH (14 salt wasting/11 simple virilizing), mean age ± standard deviation (SD) of 11.4 ± 3.6 years (5-17.9), and their parents. Self-assessment of HRQOL showed decrease in mean scores: overall (67.8 ± 15.5 vs. 88.9 ± 7.4, p value = 0.015) and in the physical (75.2 ± 15.0 vs. 95.9 ± 5.8, p value = 0.014) and psychosocial (63.9 ± 17.8 vs. 85.0 ± 9.6, p value = 0.023) dimensions of patients, compared to healthy controls (previously published national data on children and adolescents). The assessment of the parent's view was concordant, also showing losses in the physical (43.7 ± 8.0 vs. 55.1 ± 3.6, p value = 0.013) and psychosocial (41.9 ± 9.7 vs. 53.0 ± 7.0, p value = 0.025) dimensions. The comparison of HRQOL between subgroups 1) males versus females and 2) salt-wasting versus simple virilizing showed no significant differences. There seems to be a loss of HRQOL in children and adolescents with classical CAH. The self-assessment was concordant in key areas with the assessment made by their parents. No differences were observed between genders or clinical presentation of the disease. | 25,115,634 | [
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Copper(II) catalyzed expeditious synthesis of furoquinoxalines through a one-pot three-component coupling strategy. | Microwave assisted one-pot transformation has been developed for the synthesis of biologically significant polysubstituted furoquinoxalines in good to excellent yields through a copper(II) catalyzed three-component coupling of o-phenylenediamine, ethylglyoxalate, and terminal alkyne, known as A(3)-coupling, followed by 5-endo-dig cyclization. | 25,115,644 | [
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Update on house dust mite immunotherapy: are more studies needed? | Although systematic reviews have confirmed the effectiveness of subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) and sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) for the treatment of allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma, a review of studies employing extracts of house dust mites (HDMs) for immunotherapy found no consensus on basic treatment parameters. Over the last 2 years nine additional reports on immunotherapy with HDM extract preparations have been published. Six studies were with SLIT, five for allergic rhinitis and one for allergic asthma. The other three studies were all with SCIT in children with allergic asthma. The publication of these nine studies supports the efficacy of HDM-SLIT for allergic rhinitis and asthma and for HDM-SCIT for asthma in children. The reported safety data are also reassuring, especially for SLIT.HDM-SLIT tablets under development will have optimal doses established in large, randomized, placebo-controlled trials. The HDM-SCIT trial in children with allergic asthma confirms the efficacy of a commercialized HDM preparation for injection immunotherapy. However, the information that is presented on dosing in the articles on SLIT-liquid is unsatisfactory, as doses are not presented in a form that the clinician can use to guide their practice. | 25,115,684 | [
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Adrenoceptor Polymorphisms in Hypertension and Diabetes with obesity-update in 2014. | Hypertension, diabetes mellitus (especially type 2 diabetes mellitus) and metabolic syndrome associated with obesity are rapidly growing public health problems. Sympathetic nerve activation is well documented in hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and obesity, hypertension and diabetes are determined by genetic background and environmental factors. Reduced energy expenditure and resting metabolic rate are predictive of weight gain, and the sympathetic nervous system participates in regulating energy balance through thermogenesis. The thermogenic effects of sympathetic nervous system in obesity have been mainly mediated via the β2 and β3-adrenergic receptors in humans. Further, β2-adrenoceptors importantly influence vascular reactivity and may regulate blood pressure. Genetic polymorphisms of the -adrenoceptor gene have been shown to alter the function of several adrenoceptor subtype and thus to modify the response to catecholamine. Among β2-adrenoceptor polymorphisms, Arg16Gly, Gln27Glu, and Thr164Ile are considered the most functionally important. β2-adrenoceptor genes have been studied in relation to hypertension. Genetic variations in the β3-adrenoceptor, such as the Try64Arg variant, are also associated with both obesity and hypertension. This review is an update of several versions published of the relationships between adrenoceptor polymorphisms and hypertension, diabetes and obesiy based on the my own review on the relationship with obesity in 2011 in "Journal of Obesity" [1], and another of my own reviews on the relationships with hypertension in 2010 in "International journal of Hypertension" [2], with 37 articles provided by the "PubMed" with the keywords of "adrenoceptor polymorphisms, obesity, hypertension and diabetes" searched on December 2013. However, the relationships of the polymorphisms of β2- and β3-adrenoceptor genes with sympathetic nervous system activity, hypertension and metabolic syndrome have been still discordant, it might be related to the ethnicity, gender, severeity of obesity, duration of hypertension or obesity, etc (refer the "Possible confounding variable affecting the relationships" section and Table 4). Therefore, this review may not be so much different from the previous ones, but, of importance, currently most investigations have shown that the β-adrenoceptor polymorphisms accompanying sympathetic nervous activity contribute to the onset and maintenance of hypertension, diabetes and obesity. | 25,115,695 | [
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[Anticipated efficacy of HPV vaccination in prophylaxis against nongenital cancers]. | There is a considerable number of studies on the efficacy HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccination against different cancers but relevant information is scattered in diverse journals. This paper is a review summarizing current knowledge of the potential of HPV vaccination against all HPV related cancers. HPV infection is probably the most frequent sexually transmitted disease. At least 13 HPV genotypes are classified as carcinogenic or probably carcinogenic in respect to cervical cancer. Almost 100% of cervical cancers are linked to HPV infection. HPV 16 and HPV 18 are the most frequently involved genotypes and account together for approximately 70% of cervical cancer in the world. Persistent high risk HPV infection is responsible for a significant proportion of vulvar, vaginal, anal and penile carcinomas. The virus has also been implicated in oncogenesis of head and neck cancers, including oropharyngeal cancers. HPV infection can play an important role in cancerogenesis of lung, esophagus, breast, and colon and rectum. On the contrary, published results indicate that HPV infection is not associated with prostate oncogenesis. Strong predominance of HPV 16 has been reported for all HPV associated cancer sites. Generally, it is estimated that approximately 5.2% of all cancers are associated with oncogenic HPV infection. Currently, there are two vaccines on the market; quadrivalent Silgard® (Gardasil®) and bivalent CervarixTM. Large trials for both vaccines have shown efficacy against HPV related infection and disease. Efficacy has been very high in HPV naive subjects to vaccine related types. While HPV vaccination is currently approved for the prevention of cervical cancer, it also has the potential in the prevention of all HPV associated malignancies. The Czech republic belongs to countries that cover HPV vaccination of girls at the age of 13- 14 years by general health insurance. Overall impact of this vaccination remains to be evaluated. The new issues of the role of HPV in oncogenesis, as well as the potential effect of HPV vaccination against HPV related nongenital cancers are discussed. Approximately 5.2% of all human cancers are associated with oncogenic human papillomavirus infection. HPV vaccination against the most risky HPV oncotypes may cause a significant reduction of these cancers mainly in the HPV naive population. | 25,115,712 | [
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[Brazilian story of the R337H p53 mutation]. | The p53 tumor suppressor is an evergreen of molecular oncology. Since its discovery in 1979, it has been subjected to intensive investigation. The p53 protein is composed of "only" 393 amino acid residues, and function of almost each of them has been addressed in detail. Somatic mutations are extremely frequent, they can be found almost in each of the p53 codons and in all types of tumors. Inherited p53 mutations are rare but very penetrant, and they are typically associated with development of a broad spectrum of tumors. However, in 2001, the p53 research provided an unexpected discovery: the R337H allele was found in southern Brazil. This allele was atypically associated with only one type of tumor - childhood adrenocortical carcinoma and it exhibited low penetrance. Therefore, new data on functioning and impact of the R337H mutation were highly desired. The results obtained during a few following years helped to elucidate not only this specific p53 variant but also provided insight into general principles of mutant p53 variants function. It also turned out that all R337H alleles that are very frequent in southern Brazil originate from one common ancestor. | 25,115,713 | [
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Reducing readmissions following paediatric cardiothoracic surgery: a quality improvement initiative. | We have previously identified risk factors for readmission following congenital heart surgery - Hispanic ethnicity, failure to thrive, and original hospital stay more than 10 days. As part of a quality initiative, changes were made to the discharge process in hopes of reducing the impact. All discharges were carried out with an interpreter, medications were delivered to the hospital before discharge, and phone calls were made to families within 72 hours following discharge. We hypothesised that these changes would decrease readmissions. The current cohort of 635 patients underwent surgery in 2012. Demographic, preoperative, operative, and postoperative variables were evaluated. Univariate and multivariate risk factor analyses were performed. Comparisons were made between the initial (2009) and the current (2012) cohorts. There were 86 readmissions of 77 patients during 2012. Multivariate risk factors for readmission were risk adjustment for congenital heart surgery score and initial hospital stay >10 days. In comparing 2009 with 2012, the overall readmission rate was similar (10 versus 12%, p=0.27). Although there were slight decreases in the 2012 readmissions for those patients with Hispanic ethnicity (18 versus 16%, p=0.79), failure to thrive (23 versus 17%, p=0.49), and initial hospital stay >10 days (22 versus 20%, p=0.63), they were not statistically significant. Potential risk factors for readmission following paediatric cardiothoracic surgery have been identified. Although targeted modifications in discharge processes can be made, they may not reduce readmissions. Efforts should continue to identify modifiable factors that can reduce the negative impact of hospital readmissions. | 25,115,729 | [
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Sex is a stronger predictor of colorectal adenoma and advanced adenoma than fecal occult blood test. | Due to high costs and limited availability of screening colonoscopy, some screening programs require a positive fecal occult blood test (FOBT) before screening colonoscopy is remunerated. As male sex is a strong predictor of adenoma and advanced adenoma, we evaluated whether a positive FOBT or male sex is a stronger risk factor for adenoma and advanced adenoma. FOBT and screening colonoscopy results from 18.665 consecutive patients participating in a "national health check program" between 2009 and 2011 were included in this cohort study. Age-corrected adenoma detection rates (ADR), advanced adenoma detection rates (AADR) and carcinoma detection rates were calculated for men and women according to FOBT result separately. ADR and AADR in FOBT-positive men (34.6 and 11.8 %) and FOBT-negative men (29.1 and 7.6 %) were higher than ADR and AADR in FOBT-positive women (20 and 6.9 %) and in FOBT-negative women (17.6 and 4.4 %), (p = 0.0003). Men with negative FOBT were at higher risk of having an adenoma and advanced adenoma than women with positive FOBT (p < 0.0001). Odds ratios of a positive FOBT for ADR and AADR were 1.3 (1.1-1.5) (p = 0.0047) and 1.6 (1.2-2.1) (p < 0.0001), respectively. Odds ratios of male sex to predict ADR and AADR were significantly higher with 1.9 (1.8-2.1) and 1.8 (1.6-2), respectively (p < 0.001). Male sex is a stronger predictor for colorectal adenoma and advanced adenoma than positive FOBT. These results should be taken into account analyzing FOBT-based screening programs. | 25,115,743 | [
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Dabigatran Versus Warfarin in Atrial Fibrillation: Multicenter Experience in Turkey. | Safety issues have been raised about dabigatran. We aimed to investigate the occurrence of safety outcomes in patients who had atrial fibrillation and a risk of stroke. We analyzed 439 patients prescribed dabigatran (n = 220) or warfarin (n = 219). Ischemic stroke occurred in 15 (6.8%) patients in the warfarin group versus 5 (5.2%) patients in the 110-mg group versus 1 (0.8%) patient in the 150-mg dabigatran group (P = .015). Intracranial hemorrhage occurred in 6 (2.7%) patients in the warfarin group versus 3 (2.4%) patients in the 150-mg dabigatran group (P = .104). Death from any cause occurred in 10 (4.6%) patients in the warfarin group versus 1 (1.0%) patient in the 110-mg dabigatran group (P = .005). Dabigatran was associated with less ischemic stroke and death from any cause than warfarin. Dabigatran may be a better option for stroke prophylaxis, where recommended monitoring with warfarin is suboptimal. | 25,115,764 | [
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Effects of sildenafil on nanostructural and nanomechanical changes in mitochondria in an ischaemia-reperfusion rat model. | Sildenafil exerts cardioprotective effects by activating the opening of mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channels to attenuate ischaemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. In the present study, we used atomic force microscopy (AFM) to investigate changes in mitochondrial morphology and properties to assess sildenafil-mediated cardioprotection in a rat myocardial infarction model. To investigate the cardioprotective effects of sildenafil, we used an in vivo Sprague-Dawley rat model of IR. Rats were randomly divided into three groups: (i) sham-operated rats (control; n = 5); (ii) IR-injured rats treated with vehicle (normal saline; IR; n = 10); and (iii) IR-injured rats treated with 0.75 mg/kg, i.p., sildenafil (IR + Sil; n = 10). Morphological and mechanical changes to mitochondria were analysed by AFM. Infarct areas were significantly reduced in sildenafil-treated rats (7.8 ± 3.9% vs 20.4 ± 7.0% in the sildenafil-treated and untreated IR groups, respectively; relative reduction 62%; P < 0.001). Analysis of mitochondria by AFM showed that IR injury significantly increased the areas of isolated mitochondria compared with control (24 150 ± 18 289 vs 1495 ± 1139 nm(2) , respectively; P < 0.001), indicative of mitochondrial swelling. Pretreatment with sildenafil before IR injury reduced the mitochondrial areas (7428 ± 3682 nm(2) ; P < 0.001; relative reduction 69.2% compared with the IR group) and ameliorated the adhesion force of mitochondrial surfaces. Together, these results suggest that sildenafil has cardioprotective effects against IR injury in a rat model by improving the morphological and mechanical characteristics of mitochondria. | 25,115,773 | [
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Severe agitation in depression precipitated by dasatinib. | We describe a case of a man with chronic myeloid leukaemia who achieved remission through dasatinib therapy after being unable to tolerate several tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) regimens due to severe physical side effects. However, this coincided with the onset of distressing agitation, insomnia and motor restlessness leading him to take a large zopiclone overdose. Start of appropriate therapy with a clonazepam, venlafaxine and mirtazapine combination led to a rapid improvement in symptomatology. We discuss the differential diagnosis and review the literature of neuropsychiatric complications of TKIs. This case serves as an illustrative reminder that in cases of complicated agitation referral to specialist mental health teams for rational psychopharmacological management is advised. | 25,115,782 | [
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Direct synthesis of chromium perovskite oxyhydride with a high magnetic-transition temperature. | We report a novel oxyhydride SrCrO2H directly synthesized by a high-pressure high-temperature method. Powder neutron and synchrotron X-ray diffraction revealed that this compound adopts the ideal cubic perovskite structure (Pm3̄m) with O(2-)/H(-) disorder. Surprisingly, despite the non-bonding nature between Cr 3d t(2g) orbitals and the H 1s orbital, it exhibits G-type spin ordering at T(N)≈380 K, which is higher than that of RCrO3 (R=rare earth) and any chromium oxides. The enhanced T(N) in SrCrO2H with four Cr-O-Cr bonds in comparison with RCr(3+)O3 with six Cr-O-Cr bonds is reasonably explained by the tolerance factor. The present result offers an effective strategy to tune octahedral tilting in perovskites and to improve physical and chemical properties through mixed anion chemistry. | 25,115,824 | [
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Functional swallowing outcomes in nasopharyngeal cancer treated with IMRT at 6 to 42 months post-radiotherapy. | We sought to evaluate the swallowing function of 18 patients surviving nasopharyngeal cancer, who had been treated using an intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) protocol designed to minimise functional impairment. We compared the outcomes of a patient-reported oral function score with fiberoptic endoscopic examination of swallow (FEES), Australian Therapy Outcome Measures (AusTOMs) and a measure of trismus. While all patients returned to a fully oral diet, there was ongoing swallow dysfunction characterised by bolus residue and delay, but no aspiration. Dysphagia was of mild or moderate severity on all measures, generally because of the need for texture modification, impaired bolus transit or dysgeusia. There was xerostomia on self-reported measurement combined with reports of behaviours adaptive to xerostomia on AusTOMs; however, salivary functioning was less impaired on FEES. There was no trismus in this cohort. Our cohort lacked the morbidity experienced by cohorts reported in earlier studies, potentially due to the use of IMRT. | 25,115,856 | [
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Peri-operative kidney injury and long-term chronic kidney disease following orthotopic heart transplantation in children. | Significant advances in cardiac intensive care including extracorporeal life support have enabled children with complex congenital heart disease and end-stage heart failure to be supported while awaiting transplantation. With an increasing number of survivors after heart transplantation in children, the complications from long-term immunosuppression, including renal insufficiency, are becoming more apparent. Severe renal dysfunction after heart transplant is defined by a serum creatinine level >2.5 mg/dL (221 μmol/L), and/or need for dialysis or renal transplant. The degree of renal dysfunction is variable and is progressive over time. About 3-10 % of heart transplant recipients will go on to develop severe renal dysfunction within the first 10 years post-transplantation. Multiple risk factors for chronic kidney disease post-transplant have been identified, which include pre-transplant worsening renal function, recipient demographics and morbidity, peri-transplant haemodynamics and long-term exposure to calcineurin inhibitors. Renal insufficiency increases the risk of post-transplant morbidity and mortality. Hence, screening for renal dysfunction pre-, peri- and post-transplantation is important. Early and timely detection of renal insufficiency may help minimize renal insults, and allow prompt implementation of renoprotective strategies. Close monitoring and pre-emptive management of renal dysfunction is an integral aspect of peri-transplant and subsequent post-transplant long-term care. | 25,115,875 | [
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Postnatal hyperoxia exposure differentially affects hepatocytes and liver haemopoietic cells in newborn rats. | Premature newborns are frequently exposed to hyperoxic conditions and experimental data indicate modulation of liver metabolism by hyperoxia in the first postnatal period. Conversely, nothing is known about possible modulation of growth factors and signaling molecules involved in other hyperoxic responses and no data are available about the effects of hyperoxia in postnatal liver haematopoiesis. The aim of the study was to analyse the effects of hyperoxia in the liver tissue (hepatocytes and haemopoietic cells) and to investigate possible changes in the expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α (HIF-1α), endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase (eNOS), and Nuclear Factor-kB (NF-kB). Experimental design of the study involved exposure of newborn rats to room air (controls), 60% O2 (moderate hyperoxia), or 95% O2 (severe hyperoxia) for the first two postnatal weeks. Immunohistochemical and Western blot analyses were performed. Severe hyperoxia increased hepatocyte apoptosis and MMP-9 expression and decreased VEGF expression. Reduced content in reticular fibers was found in moderate and severe hyperoxia. Some other changes were specifically produced in hepatocytes by moderate hyperoxia, i.e., upregulation of HIF-1α and downregulation of eNOS and NF-kB. Postnatal severe hyperoxia exposure increased liver haemopoiesis and upregulated the expression of VEGF (both moderate and severe hyperoxia) and eNOS (severe hyperoxia) in haemopoietic cells. In conclusion, our study showed different effects of hyperoxia on hepatocytes and haemopoietic cells and differential involvement of the above factors. The involvement of VEGF and eNOS in the liver haemopoietic response to hyperoxia may be hypothesized. | 25,115,881 | [
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Genetic studies reveal an unexpected negative regulatory role for Jak2 in thrombopoiesis. | JAK inhibitor treatment is limited by the variable development of anemia and thrombocytopenia thought to be due to on-target JAK2 inhibition. We evaluated the impact of Jak2 deletion in platelets (PLTs) and megakaryocytes (MKs) on blood counts, stem/progenitor cells, and Jak-Stat signaling. Pf4-Cre-mediated Jak2 deletion in PLTs and MKs did not compromise PLT formation but caused thrombocytosis, and resulted in expansion of MK progenitors and Lin(-)Sca1(+)Kit+ cells. Serum thrombopoietin (TPO) was maintained at normal levels in Pf4-Cre-positive Jak2(f/f) mice, consistent with reduced internalization/turnover by Jak2-deficient PLTs. These data demonstrate that Jak2 in terminal megakaryopoiesis is not required for PLT production, and that Jak2 loss in PLTs and MKs results in non-autonomous expansion of stem/progenitors and of MKs and PLTs via dysregulated TPO turnover. This suggests that the thrombocytopenia frequently seen with JAK inhibitor treatment is not due to JAK2 inhibition in PLTs and MKs, but rather due to JAK2 inhibition in stem/progenitor cells. | 25,115,888 | [
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Rationale and design of the Pan Australasian chemotherapy-induced emesis burden of illness study. | Preventing and managing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) remain important goals. The objective of the Pan Australasian chemotherapy-induced emesis burden of illness (PrACTICE) study was to describe the incidence of CINV after highly or moderately emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC or MEC) for cancer in current clinical practice in Australia and five Asian countries (China, India, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan). This prospective, observational study of CINV was conducted at 31 sites in these six countries from August 2011 through September 2012 and enrolled male and female adult patients (≥18 years of age) naïve to HEC and MEC who were scheduled to receive at least two cycles of single-day chemotherapy. The primary effectiveness endpoint was complete response, defined as no vomiting or use of rescue therapy, during chemotherapy cycle 1 in the overall phase (0-120 h), acute phase (0-24 h), and delayed phase (>24-120 h). Study outcomes were analyzed descriptively. Primary outcomes, CINV incidence, and treatment patterns (chemotherapy, CINV prophylaxis, rescue medication prescription, and rescue medication use) were assessed by phase (overall, acute, delayed), by cycle (as appropriate), within and across countries, and by level of chemotherapy emetogenicity (HEC vs. MEC). The impact of CINV in cycle 1 on CINV in cycle 2 was analyzed for all patients with evaluable data for cycle 2. No site-specific analyses were performed. The remainder of this special series of papers reports on the results of this study. | 25,115,893 | [
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Implantable collamer lens versus iris-fixed phakic intraocular lens implantation to correct myopia: a meta-analysis. | This study is a meta-analysis comparing the efficacy, predictability, and safety of correcting myopia via implantation of two types of phakic intraocular lens (PIOLs): the implantable collamer lens (ICL) and iris-fixed PIOL. The Cochrane library, Pubmed, and EMBASE were searched. Study selection, data exclusion, and quality assessment were performed by two independent observers. The pooled relative risk (RR), pooled standardized mean difference (SMD), and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to compare lenses. Seven studies, involving 511 eyes, were included. The pooled SMD in postoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) comparing ICLs to iris-fixed PIOLs was -0.22 (95% CI, -0.58 to 0.13; P = .22). The pooled RR values of UDVA of 20/20 or better and of 20/40 or better comparing ICLs to iris-fixed PIOLs were 1.15 (95% CI, 0.89 to 1.47; P = .29) and 1.01 (95% CI, 0.95 to 1.08; P = .75), respectively. The pooled RR of loss of best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) and gain in BSCVA comparing ICLs to iris-fixed PIOLs were 1.20 (95% CI, 0.24 to 6.00; P = .82) and 1.14 (95% CI, 0.89 to 1.48; P = .31), respectively. The pooled RR comparing ICLs to iris-fixed PIOLs was 0.78 (95% CI, 0.29 to 2.12; P = .63) for all reported complications and 2.80 (95% CI, 1.04 to 7.52; P = .04) for severe complications. The pooled RR of achieving a result within ± 0.5 D (diopter) of the intended target comparing ICLs to iris-fixed PIOLs was 1.35 (95% CI, 1.04 to 1.77; P = .03). Overall, there is no significant difference in efficacy between the two types of PIOLs or in safety, except that the ICL is associated with a greater incidence of severe complications, especially anterior subcapsular cataract, primarily in the Version 2 and Version 3 groups. However, ICL has better predictability. | 25,115,906 | [
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Effects of the duration of cold stratification on early life stages of the Mediterranean alpine plant Silene ciliata. | Cold stratification provided by snow cover is essential to break seed dormancy in many alpine plant species. The forecast reduction in snow precipitation and snow cover duration in most temperate mountains as a result of global warming could threaten alpine plant populations, especially those at the edge of their species distribution, by altering the dynamics of early life stages. We simulated some effects of a reduction in the snow cover period by manipulating the duration of cold stratification in seeds of Silene ciliata, a Mediterranean alpine specialist. Seeds from three populations distributed along an altitudinal gradient were exposed to different periods of cold stratification (2, 4 and 6 months) in the laboratory and then moved to common garden conditions in a greenhouse. The duration of the cold stratification treatment and population origin significantly affected seed emergence percentage, emergence rate and seedling size, but not the number of seedling leaves. The 6-month and 4-month cold stratification treatments produced higher emergence percentages and faster emergence rates than seeds without cold stratification treatment. No significant cold stratification duration x seed population origin interactions were found, thus differential sensitivity to cold stratification along elevation is not supported. | 25,115,908 | [
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Macrophage phenotype is associated with disease severity in preterm infants with chronic lung disease. | The etiology of persistent lung inflammation in preterm infants with chronic lung disease of prematurity (CLD) is poorly characterized, hampering efforts to stratify prognosis and treatment. Airway macrophages are important innate immune cells with roles in both the induction and resolution of tissue inflammation. To investigate airway innate immune cellular phenotypes in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) or CLD. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid was obtained from term and preterm infants requiring mechanical ventilation. BAL cells were phenotyped by flow cytometry. Preterm birth was associated with an increase in the proportion of non-classical CD14(+)/CD16(+) monocytes on the day of delivery (58.9 ± 5.8% of total mononuclear cells in preterm vs 33.0 ± 6.1% in term infants, p = 0.02). Infants with RDS were born with significantly more CD36(+) macrophages compared with the CLD group (70.3 ± 5.3% in RDS vs 37.6 ± 8.9% in control, p = 0.02). At day 3, infants born at a low gestational age are more likely to have greater numbers of CD14(+) mononuclear phagocytes in the airway (p = 0.03), but fewer of these cells are functionally polarized as assessed by HLA-DR (p = 0.05) or CD36 (p = 0.05) positivity, suggesting increased recruitment of monocytes or a failure to mature these cells in the lung. These findings suggest that macrophage polarization may be affected by gestational maturity, that more immature macrophage phenotypes may be associated with the progression of RDS to CLD and that phenotyping mononuclear cells in BAL could predict disease outcome. | 25,115,925 | [
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Serial intravascular ultrasound analysis of complex bifurcation coronary lesions treated with the Tryton Bifurcation Stent in conjunction with an everolimus-eluting stent: IUVANT (Intravascular Ultrasound Evaluation of Tryton Stent) study. | To characterize the treatment of complex bifurcation lesions (BL) with the Tryton Bifurcation Stent (TBS) paired with an everolimus-eluting stent (EES). Complex BL are associated with higher procedural complications and poorer long-term outcomes. The TBS is a dedicated side-branch (SB) stent designed to be used in conjunction with a standard drug-eluting stent. Prospectively identified, consecutive patients underwent TBS+EES stenting of BL using a protocol which included TBS postdilation and simultaneous final kissing balloon inflations (FKBI). All lesions were systematically evaluated with coronary angiography and IVUS, obtained at procedure completion and at 9 months, and were assessed by independent core laboratories. Thirty-three BL were treated in 32 patients presenting primarily (87.5%) with stable angina and complex BL with angiographic apparent disease in the main vessel (MV) and SB in 87.9% and 75% by site and core evaluation, respectively. Procedural success was 100% and high postprocedure percent stent expansion (MV 96 [93, 109]%, SB 88 [77, 100]%, carina MV 135 [99, 166]%, carina SB 116 [91, 130]%) was demonstrated by IVUS. At 9-month angiographic follow-up (n = 28 patients), one MV in-segment restenosis and one SB in-stent restenosis were observed. SB in-stent late lumen loss was 0.41 ± 0.27 mm. IVUS assessment revealed the absence of stent recoil; percent carinal neointimal hyperplasia (NIH) was 1.8 [0.0,11.2]% in MV and 15.0 [6.7,23.5]% in SB, with NIH volume obstruction of 2.0 [0.7,4.3]% in MV and 14.2 [7.5,29.6]% in SB. Stenting of complex BL with the TBS+EES provides high acute success with sustained clinical, angiographic, and IVUS results at 9 months. These excellent results are likely due to the extent of stent expansion at the carina. | 25,115,944 | [
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Complete genome sequence of virulent bacteriophage SHOU24, which infects foodborne pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus. | A novel lytic Vibrio parahaemolyticus phage (SHOU24) belonging to the family Siphoviridae was isolated from aquatic market sewage. The phage is only able to infect V. parahaemolyticus containing a tdh gene. SHOU24 has a linear genome of 77,837 bp with a G+C content of 46.0 %. In total, 88 predicted proteins have homologues in databases, and the majority of the core genes share high sequence similarity with genes from unrelated viruses and bacteria. Genes related to lysogeny and host lysis were not detected. However, the detection method, the results of a one-step growth experiment and analysis using the Phage Classification Tool Set (PHACTS) indicate that SHOU24 is lytic. A bioinformatics analysis showed that SHOU24 is not closely related to other Vibrio phages. | 25,115,946 | [
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Automating lexical cross-mapping of ICNP to SNOMED CT. | The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of automating lexical cross-mapping of a logic-based nursing terminology (ICNP) to SNOMED CT using the Unified Medical Language System (UMLS) maintained by the U.S. National Library of Medicine. A two-stage approach included patterns identification, and application and evaluation of an automated term matching procedure. The performance of the automated procedure was evaluated using a test set against a gold standard (i.e. concept equivalency table) created independently by terminology experts. There were lexical similarities between ICNP diagnostic concepts and SNOMED CT. The automated term matching procedure was reliable as presented in recall of 65%, precision of 79%, accuracy of 82%, F-measure of 0.71 and the area under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve of 0.78 (95% CI 0.73-0.83). When the automated procedure was not able to retrieve lexically matched concepts, it was also unlikely for terminology experts to identify a matched SNOMED CT concept. Although further research is warranted to enhance the automated matching procedure, the combination of cross-maps from UMLS and the automated procedure is useful to generate candidate mappings and thus, assist ongoing maintenance of mappings which is a significant burden to terminology developers. | 25,115,967 | [
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Roughness and morphology of composites: influence of type of material, fluoride solution, and time. | This study evaluated the effect of fluoride solutions on surface roughness and morphology of composites in the short and long term. Specimens were randomly assigned to experimental groups (n=5) according to type of composite (nanofilled, microhybrid, microfilled) and immersion media (artificial saliva, 0.05% sodium fluoride solution, Fluordent Reach, Oral-B, and Fluorgard). Roughness was evaluated at time intervals: T 0 after 24 h in artificial saliva (baseline); T 60 after being in assigned immersion media for 1 min daily over 60 days; and T final after artificial aging (20,000 thermal cycles, 1,200,000 mechanical loading cycles, and continuous immersion for 1,825 min). Surface morphology was qualitatively analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) at T 60 and T final. Roughness data were submitted to analysis of variance for mixed repeated measures, Sidak, and Tukey tests at α=0.05. Micro-filled resin showed the highest roughness values. Fluoride solutions had no influence on roughness. Higher roughness values were observed after artificial aging. In SEM observations after the artificial aging, the specimens showed surface degradation, irrespective of immersion medium or type of composite. Nano-filled resin showed higher loss of resin matrix and protrusion of filler particles. Roughness was not influenced by fluoride solutions; however, it is material dependent and increases over time. | 25,115,976 | [
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Sterile-filtered saliva is a strong inducer of IL-6 and IL-8 in oral fibroblasts. | Saliva has been implicated to support oral wound healing, a process that requires a transient inflammatory reaction. However, definitive proof that saliva can provoke an inflammatory response remained elusive. We investigated the ability of freshly harvested and sterile-filtered saliva to cause an inflammatory response of oral fibroblasts and epithelial cells. The expression of cytokines and chemokines was assessed by microarray, RT-PCR, immunoassays, and Luminex technology. The involvement of signaling pathways was determined by Western blot analysis and pharmacologic inhibitors. We report that sterile-filtered whole saliva was a potent inducer of IL-6 and IL-8 in fibroblasts from the gingiva, the palate, and the periodontal ligament, but not of oral epithelial cells. This strong inflammatory response requires nuclear factor-kappa B and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling. The pro-inflammatory capacity is heat stable and has a molecular weight of <40 kDa. Genome-wide microarrays and Luminex technology further revealed that saliva substantially increased expression of other inflammatory genes and various chemokines. To preclude that the observed pro-inflammatory activity is the result of oral bacteria, sterile-filtered parotid saliva, collected under almost aseptic conditions, was used and also increased IL-6 and IL-8 expression in gingiva fibroblasts. The inflammatory response was, furthermore, independent of MYD88, an adapter protein of the Toll-like receptor signaling pathway. We conclude that saliva can provoke a robust inflammatory response in oral fibroblasts involving the classical nuclear factor-kappa B and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway. Since fibroblasts but not epithelial cells show a strong inflammatory response, saliva may support the innate immunity of defect sites exposing the oral connective tissue. | 25,115,993 | [
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Multiple approaches to predicting oxygen and glucose consumptions by HepG2 cells on porous scaffolds in an axial-flow bioreactor. | In this study, the distribution of oxygen and glucose was evaluated along with consumption by hepatocytes using three different approaches. The methods include (i) Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation, (ii) residence time distribution (RTD) analysis using a step-input coupled with segregation model or dispersion model, and (iii) experimentally determined consumption by HepG2 cells in an open-loop. Chitosan-gelatin (CG) scaffolds prepared by freeze-drying and polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds prepared by salt leaching technique were utilized for RTD analyses. The scaffold characteristics were used in CFD simulations i.e. Brinkman's equation for flow through porous medium, structural mechanics for fluid induced scaffold deformation, and advection-diffusion equation coupled with Michaelis-Menten rate equations for nutrient consumption. With the assumption that each hepatocyte behaves like a micro-batch reactor within the scaffold, segregation model was combined with RTD to determine exit concentration. A flow rate of 1 mL/min was used in the bioreactor seeded with 0.6 × 10(6) HepG2 cells/cm(3) on CG scaffolds and oxygen consumption was measured using two flow-through electrodes located at the inlet and outlet. Glucose in the spent growth medium was also analyzed. RTD results showed distribution of nutrients to depend on the surface characteristics of scaffolds. Comparisons of outlet oxygen concentrations between the simulation results, and experimental results showed good agreement with the dispersion model. Outlet oxygen concentrations from segregation model predictions were lower. Doubling the cell density showed a need for increasing the flow rate in CFD simulations. This integrated approach provide a useful strategy in designing bioreactors and monitoring tissue regeneration. | 25,116,006 | [
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Activation of nuclear factor kappa B in the hepatic stellate cells of mice with schistosomiasis japonica. | Schistosomiasis japonica is a serious tropical parasitic disease in humans, which causes inflammation and fibrosis of the liver. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are known to play an important role in schistosome-induced fibrosis, but their role in schistosome-induced inflammation is still largely unknown. Here, we use a murine model of schistosomiasis japonica to investigate the role that nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), a critical mediator of inflammatory responses, plays in schistosome-induced inflammation. We revealed that NF-κB was significantly activated in HSCs at the early stage of infection, but not at later stages. We also show that the expression levels of several chemokines regulated by NF-κB signaling (Ccl2, Ccl3 and Ccl5) were similarly elevated at early infection. TLR4 signaling, one of the strongest known inducers of NF-κB activation, seemed not activated in HSCs post-infection. Importantly, we found that levels of miR-146 (a known negative regulator of NF-κB signaling) in HSCs opposed those of NF-κB signaling, elevating at later stage of infection. These results indicate that HSCs might play an important role in the progression of hepatic schistosomiasis japonica by linking liver inflammation to fibrosis via NF-κB signaling. Moreover, our work suggests that miR-146 appeared to regulate this process. These findings are significant and imply that manipulating the function of HSCs by targeting either NF-κB signaling or miR-146 expression may provide a novel method of treating hepatic schistosomiasis japonica. | 25,116,007 | [
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Error-monitoring in an everyday task in people with Alzheimer-type dementia: observations over five years of performance decline. | Research suggests that, although everyday action errors increase significantly with dementia progression, accomplishment of the task remains high, even in severe dementia. We used archive observational data charting progressive decline in everyday task performance to explore error-monitoring over a 5-year period in four people with dementia. None of the participants showed effective error-monitoring during their execution of their established tea-making routine: Over 5 years and into more severe stages of dementia, errors increased, but there was no reactive increase from our participants in error-monitoring. Training to error-monitor routine tasks may be an appropriate target for further study. | 25,116,037 | [
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Dietary isoflavones and bone mineral density during midlife and the menopausal transition: cross-sectional and longitudinal results from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation Phytoestrogen Study. | This study aims to examine cross-sectional and longitudinal relations between dietary intake of isoflavones and bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine (LS) and femoral neck (FN) in black, white, Chinese, and Japanese women during the menopausal transition. We tested whether tertiles of isoflavone intake were associated with baseline BMD when all women were premenopausal or early perimenopausal. To analyze whether isoflavone intake was associated with longitudinal BMD, we fitted piecewise linear models to repeated measurements of baseline-normalized LS or FN BMD as functions of time before or after the final menstrual period (FMP) date. Multiply adjusted mean FN BMD values of premenopausal Japanese women were monotonically positively related to isoflavone consumption (P for trend = 0.0003). Otherwise, no statistically significant baseline associations were observed. During the period of 1 year before the FMP through 5 years after the FMP, all participants lost LS and FN BMD. Loss was unrelated to isoflavone intake, except for Japanese women during the period of 1 year before the FMP to 2 years after the FMP: higher tertiles of isoflavone intake were associated with greater annual LS BMD loss rates (P for trend = 0.01) and FN loss rates (P for trend = 0.04). In Japanese women, higher isoflavone intake is associated with higher peak FN BMD but also with greater rates of LS and FN BMD loss during the menopausal transition. Results for the other racial/ethnic groups did not support a relation between dietary intake of isoflavones and either peak BMD or BMD loss during the menopausal transition. | 25,116,050 | [
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Picophytoplankton predominance in hypersaline lakes (Transylvanian Basin, Romania). | The occurrence and importance of photoautotrophic picoplankton (PPP, cells with a diameter <2 μm) was studied along a trophic and salinity gradient in hypersaline lakes of the Transylvanian Basin (Romania). The studied lakes were found to be rich in PPP, with abundances (maximum 7.6 × 10(6) cells mL(-1)) higher than in freshwater and marine environments of similar trophic conditions. The contribution of PPP to the total phytoplankton biovolume did not decrease with increasing trophic state as it was generally found in other aquatic environments. Regardless of the trophic conditions, the contribution of PPP could reach 90-100 % in these hypersaline lakes. We hypothesized that the PPP predominance might be the result of the low grazing pressure, since heterotrophic nanoflagellates (the main grazers of PPP) were absent in the studied samples. There were significant differences in community composition among the lakes along the salinity gradient. CyPPP predominated in less saline waters (mainly below 5 %), while EuPPP were present along the entire salinity range (up to 18.7 %), dominating the phytoplankton between 3 and 13 % salinity. Above 13 % salinity, the phytoplankton was composed mainly of Dunaliella species. | 25,116,056 | [
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Muscle fascicle behavior during eccentric cycling and its relation to muscle soreness. | A single bout of eccentric exercise confers a protective effect against muscle damage and soreness in subsequent eccentric exercise bouts, but the mechanisms underpinning this effect are unclear. This study compared vastus lateralis (VL) muscle-tendon behavior between two eccentric cycling bouts to test the hypothesis that muscle-tendon behavior would be different between bouts and would be associated with the protective effect. Eleven untrained men (27.1 ± 7.0 yr) performed two bouts of eccentric cycling (ECC1 and ECC2) separated by 2 wk for 10 min at 65% of maximal concentric workload (191.9 ± 44.2 W) each. Muscle soreness (by visual analog scale) and maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) torque of the knee extensors were assessed before and 1-2 d after exercise. Using ultrasonography, VL fascicle length and angle changes during cycling were assessed, and tendinous tissue (TT) length changes were estimated. VL EMG amplitude, crank torque, and knee joint angles were measured during cycling. Soreness was greater (P < 0.0001) after ECC1 than ECC2, although MVC changes were not different between bouts (P = 0.47). No significant differences in peak EMG amplitude (normalized to EMG during MVC), crank peak torque, or knee angles were evident between bouts. However, fascicle elongation was 16% less during ECC2 than ECC1 (P < 0.01), indicating less fascicle strain in ECC2. Maximum TT length occurred at a smaller knee joint angle during ECC2 than ECC1 (P = 0.055). These results suggest that a lesser fascicle elongation and earlier TT elongation were associated with reduced muscle soreness after ECC2 than ECC1; thus, changes in muscle-tendon behavior may be an important mechanism underpinning the protective effect. | 25,116,087 | [
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The old but new IgM Fc receptor (FcμR). | IgM is the first Ig isotype to appear during phylogeny, ontogeny and the immune response. The importance of both pre-immune "natural" and antigen-induced "immune" IgM antibodies in immune responses to pathogens and self-antigens has been established by studies of mutant mice deficient in IgM secretion. Effector proteins interacting with the Fc portion of IgM, such as complement and complement receptors, have thus far been proposed, but fail to fully account for the IgM-mediated immune protection and regulation of immune responses. Particularly, the role of the Fc receptor for IgM (FcμR) in such effector functions has not been explored until recently. We have identified an authentic FcμR in humans using a functional cloning strategy and subsequently in mice by RT-PCR and describe here its salient features and the immunological consequences of FcμR deficiency in mice. Since the FcμR we cloned was identical to Toso or Fas inhibitory molecule 3 (FAIM3), there have been spirited debates regarding the real function of FcμR/Toso/FAIM3 and we will also comment on this topic. | 25,116,093 | [
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Effects of foot placement, hand positioning, age and climbing biodynamics on ladder slip outcomes. | Ladder falls frequently cause severe injuries; yet the factors that influence ladder slips/falls are not well understood. This study aimed to quantify (1) the effects of restricted foot placement, hand positioning, climbing direction and age on slip outcomes, and (2) differences in climbing styles leading to slips versus styles leading to non-slips. Thirty-two occupational ladder users from three age groups (18-24, 25-44 and 45-64 years) were unexpectedly slipped climbing a vertical ladder, while being assigned to different foot placement conditions (unrestricted vs. restricted toe clearance) and different hand positions (rails vs. rungs). Constraining foot placement increased the climber's likelihood of slipping (p < 0.01), while younger and older participants slipped more than the middle-aged group (p < 0.01). Longer double stance time, dissimilar and more variable foot and body positioning were found in styles leading to a slip. Maintaining sufficient toe clearance and targeting ladder safety training to younger and older workers may reduce ladder falls. Practitioner Summary: Ladder falls frequently cause severe occupational fall injuries. This study aims to identify safer ladder climbing techniques and individuals at risk of falling. The results suggest that ladders with unrestricted toe clearance and ladder climbing training programmes, particularly for younger and older workers, may reduce ladder slipping risk. | 25,116,116 | [
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Localized GABAergic inhibition of dendritic Ca(2+) signalling. | Neuronal circuits are defined by synaptic connections between their cellular constituents. In this article, I highlight several recent studies emphasizing the surprising level of precision exhibited by inhibitory GABAergic synapses within the neocortex and hippocampus. Specifically, GABAergic inputs to dendritic shafts and spines of pyramidal cells have a key role in the localized regulation of neuronal Ca(2+) signalling. These findings provide important new insights into the cellular mechanisms underlying the contributions of inhibitory transmission to both normal and abnormal brain activity. | 25,116,141 | [
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The Last Bastion of Sexual and Gender Prejudice? Sexualities, Race, Gender, Religiosity, and Spirituality in the Examination of Prejudice Toward Sexual and Gender Minorities. | Prior research has reported that many Americans hold prejudicial attitudes toward sexual and gender minorities. Most of this research analyzed attitudes toward target categories in isolation and not in relation to attitudes toward heterosexuals. In addition, most previous research has not examined attitudes of members of sexual and gender minority categories toward other categories. While some research has examined the influence of religiosity on attitudes toward sexual and gender minorities, none of these studies has examined religiosity while also examining the influence of spirituality. In this article we drew on insights from queer theory to examine attitudes toward heterosexual, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals, as well as individuals who practice polygamy, among college students. Three samples gathered over a four-year period (2009, 2011, 2013) at a private, nonsectarian, midsized urban university in the Southeastern United States were used. We found that heterosexuals had the most positive rating, followed in order of rating by gay/lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals, and then those who practice polygamy. Regression analyses revealed gender and race were significant predictors of attitudes toward various sexual and gender categories. Holding a literalistic view of the Bible and self-identifying as more religious were related to more negative views toward sexual minorities, while self-identifying as more spiritual was related to more positive views. | 25,116,166 | [
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Bioimpedance in 7-year-old children: validation by dual X-ray absorptiometry - part 2: assessment of segmental composition. | Segmental body composition in children was assessed using the bioimpedance analyzer (BIA) TANITA BC-418 and compared with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) values. A cross-sectional validation study in which 7-year-old children from the Spanish subsample of the EU Childhood Obesity Project were assessed through anthropometry, BIA and DXA. Main outcome measures were fat and lean masses of the trunk, left arm and left leg (in kg) assessed through BIA direct outputs (BIAoutputs) and DXA. Predictive equations for the composition of each segment were derived from raw impedance and anthropometric measurements; results obtained from these predictive equations (BIAregressions) were also compared to DXA. One hundred seventy-one (84 boys) 7-year-old children were studied. BIAoutputs and DXA results showed small differences for leg lean mass (6.5%) and high differences for trunk fat and trunk lean masses (>30%). BIAregressions results showed differences of about 20% for trunk fat mass, 1.5% for trunk lean mass and 3.7% for leg lean mass compared to DXA. Segmental body composition measures predicted by internal algorithms of the TANITA BC-418 were not valid for clinical or epidemiological use, except for leg lean mass. The assessment of segmental composition was improved using our own predictive equations combining segmental-specific anthropometric measurements with segmental impedances. | 25,116,219 | [
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Serum hepcidin measured by immunochemical and mass-spectrometric methods and their correlation with iron status indicators in healthy children aged 0.5-3 y. | The diagnostic use of hepcidin is limited by the absence of standardization and lack of age-specific reference ranges in children in particular. The aim of this study was to determine reference ranges of serum hepcidin in healthy children aged 0.5-3 y using mass spectometry (MS) and a commercial immunochemical (IC) assay, and to investigate its association with other indicators of iron status and inflammation. We included 400 healthy children aged 0.5-3 y. We constructed reference ranges for MS-hepcidin and IC-hepcidin concentrations using the median, P2.5, and P97.5 in a normative population of 219 children with no anemia, no infection and/or inflammation, and no iron deficiency. Median concentrations (P2.5-P97.5) of MS-hepcidin and IC-hepcidin were 3.6 nmol/l (0.6-13.9 nmol/l) and 7.9 nmol/l (1.9-28.6 nmol/l), respectively. We found a good correlation between both methods. However, MS-hepcidin was consistently lower than IC-hepcidin. Hepcidin correlated with ferritin and C-reactive protein. We provide reference ranges for hepcidin for an MS and commercial IC method. Absolute values between assays differed significantly, but hepcidin concentrations obtained by MS and IC methods correlate with each other, and both correlate with ferritin and CRP. | 25,116,229 | [
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[Special topics in pediatric orthopedics: options and limits of growth guidance]. | A main task of pediatric orthopedics is the treatment of legs of different lengths or misshapen legs. Whereas for adult patients complicated and invasive operative interventions are necessary, the growth potential of the epiphysial plate can be utilized in childhood and adolescence to correct leg length differences and leg axis deformities. Epiphysiodesis leads to a guidance of growth via a temporary or permanent and partial or complete blockade of the epiphysial plate depending on the indications. This method is principally a less invasive procedure with few complications. Careful preoperative assessment of the indications and planning, precise operative technique and attentive postoperative control investigations are absolutely essential for successful treatment. | 25,116,240 | [
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Whole-genome sequencing of individuals from a founder population identifies candidate genes for asthma. | Asthma is a complex genetic disease caused by a combination of genetic and environmental risk factors. We sought to test classes of genetic variants largely missed by genome-wide association studies (GWAS), including copy number variants (CNVs) and low-frequency variants, by performing whole-genome sequencing (WGS) on 16 individuals from asthma-enriched and asthma-depleted families. The samples were obtained from an extended 13-generation Hutterite pedigree with reduced genetic heterogeneity due to a small founding gene pool and reduced environmental heterogeneity as a result of a communal lifestyle. We sequenced each individual to an average depth of 13-fold, generated a comprehensive catalog of genetic variants, and tested the most severe mutations for association with asthma. We identified and validated 1960 CNVs, 19 nonsense or splice-site single nucleotide variants (SNVs), and 18 insertions or deletions that were out of frame. As follow-up, we performed targeted sequencing of 16 genes in 837 cases and 540 controls of Puerto Rican ancestry and found that controls carry a significantly higher burden of mutations in IL27RA (2.0% of controls; 0.23% of cases; nominal p = 0.004; Bonferroni p = 0.21). We also genotyped 593 CNVs in 1199 Hutterite individuals. We identified a nominally significant association (p = 0.03; Odds ratio (OR) = 3.13) between a 6 kbp deletion in an intron of NEDD4L and increased risk of asthma. We genotyped this deletion in an additional 4787 non-Hutterite individuals (nominal p = 0.056; OR = 1.69). NEDD4L is expressed in bronchial epithelial cells, and conditional knockout of this gene in the lung in mice leads to severe inflammation and mucus accumulation. Our study represents one of the early instances of applying WGS to complex disease with a large environmental component and demonstrates how WGS can identify risk variants, including CNVs and low-frequency variants, largely untested in GWAS. | 25,116,239 | [
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The tumor-educated-macrophage increase of malignancy of human pancreatic cancer is prevented by zoledronic acid. | We previously defined macrophages harvested from the peritoneal cavity of nude mice with subcutaneous human pancreatic tumors as "tumor-educated-macrophages" (Edu) and macrophages harvested from mice without tumors as "naïve-macrophages" (Naïve), and demonstrated that Edu-macrophages promoted tumor growth and metastasis. In this study, Edu- and Naïve-macrophages were compared for their ability to enhance pancreatic cancer malignancy at the cellular level in vitro and in vivo. The inhibitory efficacy of Zoledronic acid (ZA) on Edu-macrophage-enhanced metastasis was also determined. XPA1 human pancreatic cancer cells in Gelfoam co-cultured with Edu-macrophages proliferated to a greater extent compared to XPA1 cells cultured with Naïve-macrophages (P = 0.014). XPA1 cells exposed to conditioned medium harvested from Edu culture significantly increased proliferation (P = 0.016) and had more migration stimulation capability (P<0.001) compared to cultured cancer cells treated with the conditioned medium from Naïve. The mitotic index of the XPA1 cells, expressing GFP in the nucleus and RFP in the cytoplasm, significantly increased in vivo in the presence of Edu- compared to Naïve-macrophages (P = 0.001). Zoledronic acid (ZA) killed both Edu and Naïve in vitro. Edu promoted tumor growth and metastasis in an orthotopic mouse model of the XPA1 human pancreatic cancer cell line. ZA reduced primary tumor growth (P = 0.006) and prevented metastasis (P = 0.025) promoted by Edu-macrophages. These results indicate that ZA inhibits enhanced primary tumor growth and metastasis of human pancreatic cancer induced by Edu-macrophages. | 25,116,261 | [
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A role for spatial and nonspatial working memory processes in visual search. | Searching a cluttered visual scene for a specific item of interest can take several seconds to perform if the target item is difficult to discriminate from surrounding items. Whether working memory processes are utilized to guide the path of attentional selection during such searches remains under debate. Previous studies have found evidence to support a role for spatial working memory in inefficient search, but the role of nonspatial working memory remains unclear. Here, we directly compared the role of spatial and nonspatial working memory for both an efficient and inefficient search task. In Experiment 1, we used a dual-task paradigm to investigate the effect of performing visual search within the retention interval of a spatial working memory task. Importantly, by incorporating two working memory loads (low and high) we were able to make comparisons between dual-task conditions, rather than between dual-task and single-task conditions. This design allows any interference effects observed to be attributed to changes in memory load, rather than to nonspecific effects related to "dual-task" performance. We found that the efficiency of the inefficient search task declined as spatial memory load increased, but that the efficient search task remained efficient. These results suggest that spatial memory plays an important role in inefficient but not efficient search. In Experiment 2, participants performed the same visual search tasks within the retention interval of visually matched spatial and verbal working memory tasks. Critically, we found comparable dual-task interference between inefficient search and both the spatial and nonspatial working memory tasks, indicating that inefficient search recruits working memory processes common to both domains. | 25,116,297 | [
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Seeing the forest before the trees depends on individual field-dependency characteristics. | Numerous studies have demonstrated that the well-known global precedence effect, characterized by a visual bias toward global information, is highly dependent on stimulus characteristics (Kimchi, 1992). Despite the extensive global-local literature, few studies have investigated how interindividual characteristics could affect the global precedence effect. In this framework, we studied the relationship between global-local visual biases and the Group Embedded Figure Test (GEFT), a standardized measure of field dependency. Data from 34 participants were consistent with the idea that an individual's bias toward the global level is linearly related to his or her degree of field dependence. Given the important role that global-local visual skills play during visuospatial tasks, these results have important implications for future research in this area. | 25,116,300 | [
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Talking about health care: news framing of who is responsible for rising health care costs in the United States. | This content analysis examines how the American news media have presented the problem of high and rising health care costs, looking particularly at the question of who is responsible. More specifically, the authors examine how often the media have discussed the 5 major causes of the problem: (a) patients, (b) health care providers, (c) insurance companies, (d) the government, and (e) pharmaceutical companies. Results revealed that patients were most often mentioned as the cause of increasing health care costs. The authors also found that the media's attribution of responsibility to patients has increased over the years. Overall, media coverage of rising health care costs peaked in 1993, 2004, and 2009, suggesting that coverage was influenced by newsworthy events (e.g., the president endorsing legislation or signing a bill into law) that draw the public's attention. | 25,116,304 | [
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[Reducing the incidence of needlestick injuries due to insulin pen injectors among self-users in the outpatient clinic setting]. | The rising number of people practicing insulin self-injection at home has led to increasing numbers of needlestick injuries due to inadequate self-injection skills among these patients. To reduce needlestick injuries at home, patients should not recap needles and should adopt proper needle disposal practices. A random survey of 80 outpatients currently using insulin pen injectors at home conducted between February and April 2012 found that 70% self-reported suffering needlestick incidents. Data analysis indicated the principal causes of these incidents were the lack of standard operating procedures, the absence of educational training, the shortage of educational instruction sheets for patients, and the inadequate skills and tools available to patients for disposing of needles safely at home. The aim of this project was to decrease the needlestick incidence rate for outpatients that use insulin pen injectors in order to increase overall patient safety. The project team established a pen injector standard operation procedure (SOP), conducted an educational training program, developed nursing instruction sheets for patients, designed and distributed needle disposal containers to patients, and taught patients the correct techniques for the disposing of needles at home. The needlestick incidence rate decreased from 70% pretest to 2.6% following implementation of the abovementioned measures. This project effectively reduced the needlestick rate attributable to insulin pen injectors. The authors hope that other departments will adopt this approach in order to improve patient safety. | 25,116,317 | [
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Flow-compensated intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion imaging. | The pseudo-diffusion coefficient D* in intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) imaging was found difficult to seize. Flow-compensated diffusion gradients were used to test the validity of the commonly assumed biexponential limit and to determine not only D*, but also characteristic timescale τ and velocity v of the incoherent motion. Bipolar and flow-compensated diffusion gradients were inserted into a flow-compensated single-shot EPI sequence. Images were obtained from a pipe-shaped flow phantom and from healthy volunteers. To calculate the IVIM signal outside the biexponential limit, a formalism based on normalized phase distributions was developed. The flow-compensated diffusion gradients caused less signal attenuation than the bipolar ones. A signal dependence on the duration of the flow-compensated gradients was found at low b-values in the volunteer datasets. The characteristic IVIM parameters were estimated to be v = 4.60 ± 0.34 mm/s and τ = 144 ± 10 ms for liver and v = 3.91 ± 0.54 mm/s and τ = 224 ± 47 ms for pancreas. Our results strongly indicate that the biexponential limit does not adequately model the diffusion signal in liver and pancreas. By using both bipolar and flow-compensated diffusion gradients of different duration, the characteristic timescale and velocity of the incoherent motion can be determined. | 25,116,325 | [
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Grouping annotations on the subcellular layered interactome demonstrates enhanced autophagy activity in a recurrent experimental autoimmune uveitis T cell line. | Human uveitis is a type of T cell-mediated autoimmune disease that often shows relapse-remitting courses affecting multiple biological processes. As a cytoplasmic process, autophagy has been seen as an adaptive response to cell death and survival, yet the link between autophagy and T cell-mediated autoimmunity is not certain. In this study, based on the differentially expressed genes (GSE19652) between the recurrent versus monophasic T cell lines, whose adoptive transfer to susceptible animals may result in respective recurrent or monophasic uveitis, we proposed grouping annotations on a subcellular layered interactome framework to analyze the specific bioprocesses that are linked to the recurrence of T cell autoimmunity. That is, the subcellular layered interactome was established by the Cytoscape and Cerebral plugin based on differential expression, global interactome, and subcellular localization information. Then, the layered interactomes were grouping annotated by the ClueGO plugin based on Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes databases. The analysis showed that significant bioprocesses with autophagy were orchestrated in the cytoplasmic layered interactome and that mTOR may have a regulatory role in it. Furthermore, by setting up recurrent and monophasic uveitis in Lewis rats, we confirmed by transmission electron microscopy that, in comparison to the monophasic disease, recurrent uveitis in vivo showed significantly increased autophagy activity and extended lymphocyte infiltration to the affected retina. In summary, our framework methodology is a useful tool to disclose specific bioprocesses and molecular targets that can be attributed to a certain disease. Our results indicated that targeted inhibition of autophagy pathways may perturb the recurrence of uveitis. | 25,116,327 | [
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Predictors of non-adherence to follow-up visits and deferasirox chelation therapy among jordanian adolescents with Thalassemia major. | Poor adherence to treatment can have negative effects on outcomes and heath care cost. However, little is known about the factors that impact adherence to deferasirox chelation therapy. The aims of this study were to identify rates and predictors of non-adherence to medical regimen among thalassemia major adolescents on deferasirox oral chelation therapy by using subjective (self-reporting) and objective (serum ferritin and follow-up visits) measures. Convenient samples of 164 adolescents, aged 12-19 years were recruited from three National Thalassemia Centers in Jordan. Patients were interviewed using a four-section questionnaire and the medical records were checked. Results indicated that rate of adherence according to self-report was (73%); while to follow-up medical appointments and serum ferritin level rates was 57% and 47%, respectively. One-third of participant adolescents (n = 52) were psychologically impaired. Multivariate analysis showed that factors affecting adolescent non-adherence to deferasirox chelation therapy is different from that affecting adherence to follow-up visits. In general, adolescents more than 16 years old, presence of sibling with thalassemia, lack of parental monitoring, lower family income, decrease frequency of blood transfusion, and psychological impairment were found significant predictors of non-adherence among adolescents. Disease knowledge was not associated with adherence status of the adolescents. Clinician should be aware of high prevalence of low adherence to chelation therapy during adolescent years. Nurses need to regularly assess, monitor, and promote adherence behavior that might impact patients' outcomes. | 25,116,329 | [
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Drastic change in China's lakes and reservoirs over the past decades. | Using remote sensing images, we provided the first complete picture of freshwater bodies in mainland China. We mapped 89,700 reservoirs, covering about 26,870 km(2) and approximately 185,000 lakes with a surface area of about 82,232 km(2). Despite relatively small surface area, the total estimated storage capacity of reservoirs (794 km(3)) is triple that of lakes (268 km(3)). Further analysis indicates that reservoir construction has made the river systems strongly regulated: only 6% of the assessed river basins are free-flowing; 20% of assessed river basins have enough cumulative reservoir capacity to store more than the entire annual river flow. Despite the existence of 2,721 lakes greater than 1 km(2), we found that about 50 lakes greater than km(2) have formed on the Tibetan Plateau resulting from climate change. More than 350 lakes of ≥1 km(2) vanished in four other major lake regions. Although the disappearance of lakes happened in the context of global climate change, it principally reflects the severe anthropogenic impacts on natural lakes, such as, the excessive plundering of water resources on the Inner Mongolia-Xinjiang Plateau and serious destruction (land reclamation and urbanization) on the eastern plains. | 25,116,335 | [
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Summary health statistics for u.s. Children: national health interview survey, 2011. | Objectives-This report presents both age-adjusted and unadjusted statistics from the 2011 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) on selected health measures for children under age 18 years, classified by sex, age, race, Hispanic origin, family structure, parent education, family income, poverty status, health insurance coverage, place of residence, region, and current health status. Topics included are asthma, allergies, learning disability, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), prescription medication use for at least 3 months, respondent-assessed health status, school days missed due to illness or injury, usual place of health care, time since last contact with a health care professional, selected measures of health care access, emergency room visits, and dental care. Data Source-NHIS is a multistage probability sample survey conducted annually by interviewers of the U.S. Census Bureau for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics and is representative of the civilian noninstitutionalized population of the United States. This report analyzes data from two of the main components of NHIS: the family core, in which data are collected for all family members by interviewing an adult family respondent, and the sample child core, in which additional health information is collected about a randomly selected child (the ''sample child'') from an adult proxy familiar with the child's health. Selected Highlights-In 2011, most U.S. children under age 18 years had excellent or very good health (83%). However, 7% of children had no health insurance coverage, and 3% of children had no usual place of health care. Six percent of children had unmet dental need because their families could not afford dental care. Fourteen percent of children had ever been diagnosed with asthma. An estimated 8% of children aged 3-17 had a learning disability, and an estimated 9% of children had ADHD. | 25,116,332 | [
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Key residues responsible for enhancement of catalytic efficiency of Thermomyces lanuginosus lipase Lip revealed by complementary protein engineering strategy. | The variant Lip-T (S88T/A99N/V116D) of lipase Lip from Thermomyces lanuginosus has been proved to be a potential biocatalyst for kinetic resolution of 2-carboxyethyl-3-cyano-5-methylhexanoic acid ethyl ester (CNDE) to produce valuable chiral intermediate of Pregabalin. In this study, random, site-directed and site-saturation mutagenesis were performed to further enhance the activity of Lip-T, and the key residues responsible for catalytic efficiency were revealed. A mutant S63L/D232A with improved activity toward CNDE was obtained after screening of approximately 2500 clones from random-mutant libraries. Site-directed mutagenesis at site 63 and 232 demonstrated that the single-point mutants S63L and D232A showed opposite effect on activity. S63L exhibited a significant improvement on activity, whereas D232A exerted a slight inhibitory effect. Then a mutant S63M with a 4.5-fold higher catalytic efficiency than Lip-T was obtained by site-saturation mutagenesis. Structural changes resulting from the mutations were analyzed and the mechanisms responsible for the enhanced activity were discussed. Moreover, the engineered lipase catalyzed enantioselective hydrolysis of CNDE at a very high substrate loading (765 g/l). As only 5% (w/v) resting cells were used, the bioprocess is much more cost-effective than Pfizer's process using 8% (w/v) commercially available lipase Lipolase(®). These results provide not only new insights into lipase structure-function relationships but also a novel robust biocatalyst for the production of Pregabalin. | 25,116,359 | [
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Spatial analysis of PM10 and cardiovascular mortality in the Seoul metropolitan area. | Numerous studies have revealed the adverse health effects of acute and chronic exposure to particulate matter less than 10 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM10). The aim of the present study was to examine the spatial distribution of PM10 concentrations and cardiovascular mortality and to investigate the spatial correlation between PM10 and cardiovascular mortality using spatial scan statistic (SaTScan) and a regression model. From 2008 to 2010, the spatial distribution of PM10 in the Seoul metropolitan area was examined via kriging. In addition, a group of cardiovascular mortality cases was analyzed using SaTScan-based cluster exploration. Geographically weighted regression (GWR) was applied to investigate the correlation between PM10 concentrations and cardiovascular mortality. An examination of the regional distribution of the cardiovascular mortality was higher in provincial districts (gu) belonging to Incheon and the northern part of Gyeonggido than in other regions. In a comparison of PM10 concentrations and mortality cluster (MC) regions, all those belonging to MC 1 and MC 2 were found to belong to particulate matter (PM) 1 and PM 2 with high concentrations of air pollutants. In addition, the GWR showed that PM10 has a statistically significant relation to cardiovascular mortality. To investigate the relation between air pollution and health impact, spatial analyses can be utilized based on kriging, cluster exploration, and GWR for a more systematic and quantitative analysis. It has been proven that cardiovascular mortality is spatially related to the concentration of PM10. | 25,116,367 | [
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Treatment outcome of Chinese children with anaplastic large cell lymphoma by using a modified B-NHL-BFM-90 protocol. | Pediatric anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) has rarely been reported in Chinese pediatric patients. This study evaluated the clinical characteristics and treatment outcome of Chinese pediatric patients with ALCL. Between October 2002 and October 2012, 39 untreated pediatric patients with ALCL were enrolled at a single institution. The patients were stratified into three groups (R1, R2, and R3) based on the stage of the disease, clinical risk factors, and chemotherapeutic response, and received different intensive chemotherapy regimens based on a modified B-NHL-BFM-90 protocol. Of the 39 patients, 22 were boys, and 17 were girls, with a median age at diagnosis of 10 years (range 2-16 years), 91.2% were anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive. The patient groups R1, R2, and R3 accounted for 12.8%, 30.4%, and 56.4% of the total, respectively. 87.2% of patients were stage III/IV. At a median follow-up period of 52 months (range 15-136 months), seven patients relapsed and three patients died of their disease. The 5-year event-free survival for all patients was 81.4% ± 6.4%, with 100%, 83.3% ± 10% and 75.3% ± 9.8% for groups R1, R2, and R3, respectively. The overall survival for all patients was 92.2% ± 4.3%. Our study demonstrates that a risk-stratified treatment with a modified B-NHL-BFM-90 protocol is efficacious for Chinese children with ALCL. | 25,116,372 | [
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Summary health statistics for the u.s. Population: national health interview survey, 2011. | Objectives-This report presents both age-adjusted and unadjusted health statistics from the 2011 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) for the civilian noninstitutionalized population of the United States. Estimates are disaggregated by sex, age, race, Hispanic origin, education, family income, poverty status, health insurance coverage (where appropriate), place of residence, and region of residence. The topics covered are respondent-assessed health status, limitations in activities, special education or early intervention services, injury and poisoning episodes, health care access and utilization, and health insurance coverage. Data Source-NHIS is a household, multistage probability sample survey conducted annually by interviewers of the U.S. Census Bureau for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics. In 2011, household interviews were completed for 101,875 persons living in 39,509 households, reflecting a household response rate of 82.0%. Selected Highlights-Nearly 7 in 10 persons were in excellent or very good health in 2011. About 40 million persons (13%) were limited in their usual activities due to one or more chronic health conditions. About 5 million persons (2%) required the help of another person with activities of daily living, and about 10 million persons (4%) required the help of another person with instrumental activities of daily living. About 7% of children received special education or early intervention services. Among persons under age 65, about 45 million (17%) did not have any health insurance coverage. The most common reason for lacking health insurance was cost, followed by a change in employment. | 25,116,371 | [
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Synthesis, structures, and solution dynamics of tetrasubstituted nine-atom germanium deltahedral clusters. | Reported are the rational synthesis, structures, and solution dynamics of three tetrasubstituted and neutral Ge9-based deltahedral clusters [Ge9R3R'](0), where R = Si(SiMe3)3 and R' = Et (1), Sn(n)Bu3 (2), or Tl (3). The first step of the synthesis is a reaction of an acetonitrile suspension of the intermetallic precursor compound K4Ge9 with {Si(SiMe3)3}Cl which produces the trisubstituted monoanions [Ge9{Si(SiMe3)3}](-). A benzene suspension of the latter is then reacted with Sn(n)Bu3Cl or TlCp to produce 2 and 3, respectively, while the same acetonitrile solution is reacted with EtBr in order to produce 1. All three structures can be viewed as tricapped trigonal prisms of Ge9 with the three "hypersilyl" substituents, Si(SiMe3)3, exo-bonded to the capping atoms. The fourth substituent in 1, the ethyl group, is exo-bonded to one of the six available Ge atoms with the Ge-C bond positioned radially to the Ge9 core. In the case of 2, on the other hand, the tin fragment is found above one of the triangular bases of the prism interacting with one or more Ge atoms in three crystallographically different molecules in the structure. Lastly, the Tl atom in the structure of 3 is found capping a pseudosquare face between two hypersilyl substituents. NMR spectroscopy indicates that all three compounds are dynamic at room temperature. Variable-temperature studies suggest that the process in 1 and 2 is intramolecular while the process in 3 involves dissociation of the Tl(+) ion from the molecule followed by association at the same or another equivalent pseudosquare face of the molecule. Thus, the latter compound may be considered to a large extent to be ionic as it is made of a thallium cation and a trisubstituted cluster anion. | 25,116,405 | [
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Exome sequencing of three cases of familial exceptional longevity. | Exceptional longevity (EL) is a rare phenotype that can cluster in families, and co-segregation of genetic variation in these families may point to candidate genes that could contribute to extended lifespan. In this study, for the first time, we have sequenced a total of seven exomes from exceptionally long-lived siblings (probands ≥ 103 years and at least one sibling ≥ 97 years) that come from three separate families. We have focused on rare functional variants (RFVs) which have ≤ 1% minor allele frequency according to databases and that are likely to alter gene product function. Based on this, we have identified one candidate longevity gene carrying RFVs in all three families, APOB. Interestingly, APOB is a component of lipoprotein particles together with APOE, and variants in the genes encoding these two proteins have been previously associated with human longevity. Analysis of nonfamilial EL cases showed a trend, without reaching statistical significance, toward enrichment of APOB RFVs. We have also identified candidate longevity genes shared between two families (5-13) or within individual families (66-156 genes). Some of these genes have been previously linked to longevity in model organisms, such as PPARGC1A, NRG1, RAD52, RAD51, NCOR1, and ADCY5 genes. This work provides an initial catalog of genes that could contribute to exceptional familial longevity. | 25,116,423 | [
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Clinical utility of an observation and response chart with human factors design characteristics and a track and trigger system: study protocol for a two-phase multisite multiple-methods design. | Clinical deterioration of adult patients in acute medical-surgical wards continues to occur, despite a range of systems and processes designed to minimize this risk. In Australia, a standardized template for adult observation charts using human factors design principles and decision-support characteristics was developed to improve the detection of and response to abnormal vital signs. To describe the study protocol for the clinical testing of these observation and response charts (ORCs). We propose a two-phase multisite multiple-methods design to test the initial clinical utility of the charts in 10 hospitals of differing types and sizes across state jurisdictions in Australia. Data collection in the first phase includes user surveys, observations and field notes by project officers, handover de-briefs (short interviews with small groups of staff), and an audit of ORC documentation completion compared to the site's existing observation chart. For the second phase, data will be collected using a retrospective audit of observation documentation from the previous hospital observation chart, prospective audit of observation documentation following implementation of the selected ORC, user focus groups, observational field notes, and patient outcome data from routinely collected organizational data sources. Site selection and preparation, project officer training, chart selection and implementation, participant recruitment, and data collection has been completed and the analysis of these results are in progress. This detailed description of these study methods and data collection approaches will enable a comprehensive assessment of the clinical utility of these newly developed track and trigger charts and will be useful for clinicians and researchers when planning and implementing similar studies. Potential methodological limitations are also noted. | 25,116,446 | [
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Role of inflammation and tumor microenvironment in the development of gastrointestinal cancers: what induced pluripotent stem cells can do? | Connections between inflammation and cancer are a rapidly developing field. Some gastrointestinal tract cancers arise from infection, chronic irritation, and ensuing inflammation. Cellular effectors and mediators are important constituents of the tumor microenvironment, including neoplastic, stromal, and migratory hematopoietic cells. Complex interaction between these cells in the tumor microenvironment regulates tumor growth, progression, metastasis, and angiogenesis. Tumor-associated macrophages represent the major inflammatory cell population in tumors, which orchestrate various aspects of cancer. Cytokines and chemokines are major mediators of communication between cells in the tumor microenvironment. The concept of oncogene builds up an inflammatory pre-neoplastic microenvironment has emerged in the last few years. On the other hand, the development of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) unraveled a mystery in stem cell research. However, there are still some debates about iPSCs which should be answered by science. | 25,116,450 | [
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Tackle-related injury rates and nature of injuries in South African Youth Week tournament rugby union players (under-13 to under-18): an observational cohort study. | The tackle situation is most often associated with the high injury rates in rugby union. Tackle injury epidemiology in rugby union has previously been focused on senior cohorts but less is known about younger cohorts. The aim of this study was to report on the nature and rates of tackle-related injuries in South African youth rugby union players representing their provinces at national tournaments. Observational cohort study. Four South African Youth Week tournaments (under-13 Craven Week, under-16 Grant Khomo Week, under-18 Academy Week, under-18 Craven Week). Injury data were collected from 3652 youth rugby union players (population at risk) in 2011 and 2012. Tackle-related injury severity ('time-loss' and 'medical attention'), type and location, injury rate per 1000 h (including 95% CIs). Injury rate ratios (IRR) were calculated and modelled using a Poisson regression. A χ(2) analysis was used to detect linear trends between injuries and increasing match quarters. The 2012 under-13 Craven Week had a significantly greater 'time-loss' injury rate when compared with the 2012 under-18 Academy Week (IRR=4.43; 95% CI 2.13 to 9.21, p<0.05) and under-18 Craven Week (IRR=3.52; 95% CI 1.54 to 8.00, p<0.05). The Poisson regression also revealed a higher probability of 'overall' ('time-loss' and 'medical attention' combined) and 'time-loss' tackle-related injuries occurring at the under-13 Craven Week. The proportion of 'overall' and 'time-loss' injuries increased significantly with each quarter of the match when all four tournaments were combined (p<0.05). There was a difference in the tackle-related injury rate between the under-13 tournament and the two under-18 tournaments, and the tackle-related injury rate was higher in the final quarter of matches. Ongoing injury surveillance is required to better interpret these findings. Injury prevention strategies targeting the tackle may only be effective once the rate and nature of injuries have been accurately determined. | 25,116,454 | [
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Arterial stiffness and wave reflection 1 year after a pregnancy complicated by hypertension. | Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) later in life. The authors investigated the association of HDP with blood pressure (BP) and arterial stiffness 1-year postpartum. Seventy-four participants, 33 with an HDP and 41 with uncomplicated pregnancies, were examined using applanation tonometry to measure BP, carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), and augmentation index (AIx). On average, women with HDP had a 9 mm higher systolic BP (P<.01), 0.8 m/s faster cfPWV (P=.09), and 5.4% greater AIx (P=.09) at the 1-year examination. After adjustment for covariates, there was no significant difference in cfPWV between groups, while a 7.3% greater AIx (P<.05) remained. These findings suggest that reduced endothelial function may be detected 1 year after HDP. Large prospective studies are needed to further understand the contribution of arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction in the evolution of CVD after these complicated pregnancies. | 25,116,457 | [
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Isolated right-sided mural infective endocarditis in a 32-year-old woman with muscular ventricular septal defect. | Bacterial endocarditis secondary to jet streams from a congenital heart defect without valvular involvement is very rare, especially in adult patients. We report an unusual case of a 32-year-old woman with a previously known unrepaired ventricular septal defect (VSD) who presented with intermittent fever and chills after dental treatment and was diagnosed with isolated right-sided mural infective endocarditis associated with a muscular-type VSD. Echocardiography revealed a low echogenic, mobile vegetation along the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) free wall and a small-sized muscular-type VSD. The patient's blood culture grew Streptococcus viridians. After 3 weeks of antibiotic treatment, VSD patch closure was performed, and the vegetation on the RVOT endomyocardium was removed. | 25,116,463 | [
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Midwives' personal experiences of pregnancy and childbirth: Exploring issues of autonomy and agency in relation to the use of professional knowledge. | This paper seeks to explore midwives' experiences of pregnancy and childbirth. It draws on interviews with nine midwives who completed their midwifery training prior to becoming mothers, to discuss how midwives use their professional knowledge to exercise agency (the choices made about their own care), and assume autonomy (the control and responsibility in relation to their own care), in pregnancy and childbirth. It illustrates that a reliance on professional knowledge may create opportunities for choice and increased autonomy in some situations, although the need for intervention during childbirth, for example, may challenge the degree of autonomy exercised by midwives and the choices available to them. As knowledgeable experts, midwives demonstrate a very different understanding of risk and safety in relation to their own experiences of childbirth. Professional knowledge may increase their anxieties which may not be addressed appropriately by caregivers due to their professional status. The use of knowledge in this way highlights potential conflict between their position as midwives and their experience as mothers, illustrating that midwives' ability to exercise agency and autonomy in relation to their pregnancy and childbirth experiences is potentially problematic. | 25,116,466 | [
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Cognitive judgment bias in the psychostimulant-induced model of mania in rats. | Animal models of mania lack genuine cognitive parameters. The present gold standard of mania models, amphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion, is rather unspecific and does not necessarily target its cardinal symptoms. Therefore, alternative behavioral markers that are sensitive to stimulants are required. In the present study, by combining the psychostimulant-induced model of mania in rodents with the recently developed ambiguous-cue interpretation (ACI) tests, we investigated the effects of chronic administration of D-amphetamine and cocaine on the cognitive judgment bias of rats. To accomplish this goal, in two separate experiments, previously trained animals received chronic, daily injections of either D-amphetamine (2 mg/kg) or cocaine (10 mg/kg) for 2 weeks and were subsequently tested with the ACI procedure. Chronic treatment with both psychostimulants did not make rats more "optimistic." The results are discussed in terms of behavioral and pharmacological actions of the tested compounds and their implications for modeling mania in animals. | 25,116,482 | [
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Investigation of initial pH effects on growth of an oleaginous microalgae Chlorella sp. HQ for lipid production and nutrient uptake. | Using microalgae for synchronous biodiesel production and wastewater treatment is a promising technology. The growth, lipid accumulation and nutrient uptake characteristics of an oleaginous microalga Chlorella sp. HQ were evaluated at different initial pH from 5.0 to 11.0. The pH values changed towards neutrality and ended in the range 6.0-9.0 without artificial control. The alkalinity change before 8 days was in accordance with pH changing. The alkalinity increase after 8 days might be due to the nitrate consumption, CO2 absorption and the algal release at stationary phases. The algal maximal cell density and population growth rate increased with initial pH values while the specific growth rate kept high without significant difference. After 30 days, the maximal algal lipid yield reaching 167.5 mg · L(-1) occurred at initial pH of 7.0 and the triacylglycerols content was significantly enhanced to 63.0% at initial pH of 5.0 but with a peak of 54.4 mg · L(-1) at initial pH of 9.0. Furthermore, nutrients were taken up by the alga obviously at all initial pH values. The total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) uptake efficiencies in neutral/alkalic circumstances were larger than that in acid circumstance. The TN and TP were removed by 87.77% and 92.05%, respectively, at initial pH of 7.0. | 25,116,503 | [
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N2O emissions from secondary clarifiers and their contribution to the total emissions of the WWTP. | Recent studies have indicated that the emissions of nitrous oxide, N2O, constitute a major part of the carbon footprint of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Denitrification occurring in the secondary clarifier basins has been observed by many researchers, but until now N2O emissions from secondary clarifiers have not been widely reported. The objective of this study was to measure the N2O emissions from secondary clarifiers and weigh the portion they could represent of the overall emissions at WWTPs. Online measurements over several days were carried out at four different municipal WWTPs in Finland in cold weather conditions (March) and in warm weather conditions (June-July). An attempt was made to define the conditions in which N2O emissions from secondary clarifiers may occur. It was evidenced that large amounts of N2O can be emitted from the secondary clarifiers, and that the emissions have long-term variation. It was assumed that part of the N2O released in secondary clarification was originally formed in the activated sludge basin. The emissions from secondary clarification thus seem to be dependent on conditions of the nitrification and denitrification accomplished in the denitrification-nitrification process and on the amount of sludge stored in the secondary clarifiers. | 25,116,504 | [
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Pay rise 'a political issue' as review body ignored. | The government is refusing to revisit its decision to deny 70 per cent of nurses a 1 per cent cost of living pay rise next April - despite the looming threat of industrial action by a number of health unions. | 25,116,519 | [
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Staff seek funds in NHS version of Dragons' Den. | Nurses and healthcare assistants pitched ideas to improve care in a Dragons' Den-style event at Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust last week. | 25,116,525 | [
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Staffing shortfalls remain an issue at many trusts in special measures. | Five trusts that must remain in special measures for another six months have nurse shortages and inadequate leadership that pose a threat to public safety, according to a report by health regulators. | 25,116,528 | [
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RCN faces challenges over rising inequalities within profession. | It is difficult to understand why the RCN will not join colleagues in the Royal College of Midwives and other health unions in balloting members on industrial action (Editorial and News July 30). Is the RCN fearful of the outcome should the response be a yes? | 25,116,554 | [
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It is time to take industrial action to reverse the sell-off of the NHS. | As a nurse at St Thomas' Hospital in London during the strikes in the 1980s, I never wanted to strike, having seen the effects on patient care (Letters May 21). | 25,116,555 | [
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Larval Population Density Alters Adult Sleep in Wild-Type Drosophila melanogaster but Not in Amnesiac Mutant Flies. | Sleep has many important biological functions, but how sleep is regulated remains poorly understood. In humans, social isolation and other stressors early in life can disrupt adult sleep. In fruit flies housed at different population densities during early adulthood, social enrichment was shown to increase subsequent sleep, but it is unknown if population density during early development can also influence adult sleep. To answer this question, we maintained Drosophila larvae at a range of population densities throughout larval development, kept them isolated during early adulthood, and then tested their sleep patterns. Our findings reveal that flies that had been isolated as larvae had more fragmented sleep than those that had been raised at higher population densities. This effect was more prominent in females than in males. Larval population density did not affect sleep in female flies that were mutant for amnesiac, which has been shown to be required for normal memory consolidation, adult sleep regulation, and brain development. In contrast, larval population density effects on sleep persisted in female flies lacking the olfactory receptor or83b, suggesting that olfactory signals are not required for the effects of larval population density on adult sleep. These findings show that population density during early development can alter sleep behavior in adulthood, suggesting that genetic and/or structural changes are induced by this developmental manipulation that persist through metamorphosis. | 25,116,571 | [
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New anti-malarial drugs: who cares? | Most of the people suffering malaria do not know how complex is that disease and how hard searchers are working to fight against it. Some of these people are dying from malaria while still efficient drug combinations should have save their lives. But these drugs were not available for them when needed, or the diagnosis was wrong, or the drugs were fake, or the doctor was untrained, or the patient had no money. Should this terrible reality preclude the need for continuous research to develop new antimalarial drugs? Should people working in laboratories located in non-endemic countries adapt their project to that reality? Malaria eradication, then elimination was announced and broadcasted in the late sixties, and later forgotten. From that failure due to chloroquine resistance and after decades of less arrogant work, billions of dollars are on the table again to claim this goal. There were bed nets, drugs, vaccine and communication as starters, let's hope people in endemic countries will be winners. | 25,116,585 | [
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Imaging molecular adsorption and desorption dynamics on graphene using terahertz emission spectroscopy. | Being an atomically thin material, graphene is known to be extremely susceptible to its environment, including defects and phonons in the substrate on which it is placed as well as gas molecules that surround it. Thus, any device design using graphene has to take into consideration all surrounding components, and device performance needs to be evaluated in terms of environmental influence. However, no methods have been established to date to readily measure the density and distribution of external perturbations in a quantitative and non-destructive manner. Here, we present a rapid and non-contact method for visualizing the distribution of molecular adsorbates on graphene semi-quantitatively using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy and imaging. We found that the waveform of terahertz bursts emitted from graphene-coated InP sensitively changes with the type of atmospheric gas, laser irradiation time, and ultraviolet light illumination. The terahertz waveform change is explained through band structure modifications in the InP surface depletion layer due to the presence of localized electric dipoles induced by adsorbed oxygen. These results demonstrate that terahertz emission serves as a local probe for monitoring adsorption and desorption processes on graphene films and devices, suggesting a novel two-dimensional sensor for detecting local chemical reactions. | 25,116,593 | [
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A map of taste neuron projections in the Drosophila CNS. | We provide a map of the projections of taste neurons in the CNS of Drosophila. Using a collection of 67 GAL4 drivers representing the entire repertoire of Gr taste receptors, we systematically map the projections of neurons expressing these drivers in the thoracico-abdominal ganglion and the suboesophageal ganglion (SOG). We define 9 categories of projections in the thoracico-abdominal ganglia and 10 categories in the SOG. The projection patterns are modular, and can be interpreted as combinations of discrete pattern elements. The elements can be interpreted in terms of the taste organ from which the projections originate, the structures from which they originate, and the quality of taste information that they represent. The extensive diversity in projection patterns provides an anatomical basis for functional diversity in responses elicited by different taste stimuli. | 25,116,611 | [
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Ultradian rhythm unmasked in the Pdf clock mutant of Drosophila. | A diverse range of organisms shows physiological and behavioural rhythms with various periods. Extensive studies have been performed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of circadian rhythms with an approximately 24 h period in both Drosophila and mammals, while less attention has been paid to ultradian rhythms with shorter periods. We used a video-tracking method to monitor the movement of single flies, and clear ultradian rhythms were detected in the locomotor behaviour of wild type and clock mutant flies kept under constant dark conditions. In particular, the Pigment-dispersing factor mutant (Pdf 01) demonstrated a precise and robust ultradian rhythmicity, which was not temperature compensated. Our results suggest that Drosophila has an endogenous ultradian oscillator that is masked by circadian rhythmic behaviours. | 25,116,613 | [
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Insights into brain development and disease from neurogenetic analyses in Drosophila melanogaster. | Groundbreaking work by Obaid Siddiqi has contributed to the powerful genetic toolkit that is now available for studying the nervous system of Drosophila. Studies carried out in this powerful neurogenetic model system during the last decade now provide insight into the molecular mechanisms that operate in neural stem cells during normal brain development and during abnormal brain tumorigenesis. These studies also provide strong support for the notion that conserved molecular genetic programs act in brain development and disease in insects and mammals including humans. | 25,116,614 | [
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Limnology and cyanobacterial diversity of high altitude lakes of Lahaul-Spiti in Himachal Pradesh, India. | Limnological data of four high altitude lakes from the cold desert region of Himachal Pradesh, India, has been correlated with cyanobacterial diversity. Physico-chemical characteristics and nutrient contents of the studied lakes revealed that Sissu Lake is mesotrophic while Chandra Tal, Suraj Tal and Deepak Tal are ultra-oligotrophic. Based on morphology and 16S rRNA gene sequence, a total of 20 cyanobacterial species belonging to 11 genera were identified. Canonical correspondence analysis distinguished three groups of species with respect to their occurrence and nutrient/physical environment demand. The first group, which included Nostoc linckia, N. punctiforme, Nodularia sphaerocarpa, Geitlerinema acutissimum, Limnothrix redekii, Planktothrix agardhii and Plank. clathrata, was characteristic of water with high nutrient content and high temperature. The second group, including Gloeocapsopsis pleurocapsoides, Leptolyngbya antarctica, L. frigida, Pseudanabaena frigida and N. spongiaeforme, occurred in oligotrophic water with high pH and low temperature. The distribution of third group of Cyanobium parvum, Synechocystis pevalekii, L. benthonica, L. foveolarum, L. lurida, L. valderiana, Phormidium autumnale and P. chalybeum could not be associated with a particular environmental condition because of their presence in all sampling sites. | 25,116,619 | [
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Toxicological effects of nickel chloride on IgA+ B Cells and sIgA, IgA, IgG, IgM in the intestinal mucosal immunity in broilers. | The objective of this study was to investigate the toxicological effects of dietary NiCl2 on IgA+ B cells and the immunoglobulins including sIgA, IgA, IgG and IgM in the small intestine and cecal tonsil of broilers by the methods of immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Two hundred and forty one-day-old avian broilers were randomly divided into four groups and fed on a control diet and three experimental diets supplemented with 300, 600, and 900 mg/kg NiCl2 for 42 days. Compared with the control group, the IgA+ B cell number and the sIgA, IgA, IgG, and IgM contents in the NiCl2-treated groups were significantly decreased (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). It was concluded that dietary NiCl2 in the excess of 300 mg/kg had negative effects on the IgA+ B cell number and the above mentioned immunoglobulin contents in the small intestine and the cecal tonsil. NiCl2-reduced sIgA, IgA, IgG and IgM contents is due to decrease in the population and/or the activation of B cell. The results suggest that NiCl2 at high levels has intestinal mucosal humoral immunotoxicity in animals. | 25,116,637 | [
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Are insights from Indigenous health shaping a paradigm shift in health promotion praxis in Australia? | Health promotion really is at a cross-road. Traditionally guided by the Ottawa Charter, it has been thought of as principle-guided actions, processes and technique, as well as outcomes or results. Health promotion has been characterised by its products and some even call it theory. In Australia, public funding for health promotion has, for many years, shaped its practice into behaviour change interventions. However, governments around the country are reconsidering their investments, evidenced by ideologically motivated policy shifts and associated substantial funding cuts. Recently, themes of empowerment, community control and community agency have emerged as new directions for future health promotion praxis and reports of activism-based approaches that seek to mobilise community energies around sexual health inequity have started to appear in the literature. Noting parallel developments in the social determinants and social change discourses, this paper posits that cutting edge health promotion efforts by Indigenous communities in Australia are shaping a new approach with potentially global application. | 25,116,647 | [
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Supervision in neuropsychological assessment: a survey of training, practices, and perspectives of supervisors. | Within the psychology supervision literature, most theoretical models and practices pertain to general clinical or counseling psychology. Supervision specific to clinical neuropsychology has garnered little attention. This survey study explores supervision training, practices, and perspectives of neuropsychology supervisors. Practicing neuropsychologists were invited to participate in an online survey via listservs and email lists. Of 451 respondents, 382 provided supervision to students, interns, and/or fellows in settings such as VA medical centers (37%), university medical centers (35%), and private practice (15%). Most supervisors (84%) reported supervision was discussed in graduate school "minimally" or "not at all." Although 67% completed informal didactics or received continuing education in supervision, only 27% reported receiving training specific to neuropsychology supervision. Notably, only 39% were satisfied with their training in providing supervision and 77% indicated they would likely participate in training in providing supervision, if available at professional conferences. Results indicate that clinical neuropsychology as a specialty has paid scant attention to developing supervision models and explicit training in supervision skills. We recommend that the specialty develop models of supervision for neuropsychological practice, supervision standards and competencies, training methods in provision of supervision, and benchmark measures for supervision competencies. | 25,116,655 | [
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Low rifampicin concentrations in tuberculosis patients with HIV infection. | The efficacy of tuberculosis (TB) treatment in Human Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV) co-infected patients may be compromised by genetic and pharmacokinetic variation in drug disposition. Rifampicin is a critical component of TB treatment. We investigated the influence of drug transporter gene polymorphisms on rifampicin concentrations in TB-HIV co-infected patients in Durban, South Africa. Rifampicin concentrations were measured 2.5 hours post-dose (approximated peak, C2.5 hr) in patients receiving either 450mg or 600mg rifampicin, randomized to either integrated or sequential antiretroviral treatment. Patients were genotyped for SLCO1B1 (rs4149032) polymorphisms. A mixed effects regression model was fitted to assess the influence of various factors on rifampicin concentrations. TB recurrence rates were also estimated. In 57 patients, median (IQR) C2.5 hr was 3.6 (2.8-5.0) µg/mL. Polymorphism frequency in the SLCO1B1 (rs4149032) drug transporter gene was high (0.76) and was associated with low median rifampicin C2.5 hr, 3.7 (2.8-5.0) µg/mL in the heterozygous and 3.4 (2.7-4.7) µg/mL in the homozygous variant carriers. Concentrations were also low in males (p < 0.0001) and those with low haemoglobin (p = 0.02). Although reinfection could not be distinguished from reactivation for the 43 patients followed post trial, the incidence of TB recurrence was 7.1 per 100 person-years. Of the eight patients in whom TB recurred, seven had the polymorphism. Approximated peak rifampicin concentrations were well below the recommended target range of 8 to 24 µg/mL in this patient population with its high frequency of the SLCO1B1 (rs4149032) polymorphism. Increased rifampicin dosage may be warranted in African, HIV- TB co-infected patients. | 25,116,663 | [
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Risk factors for carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumanii blood stream infections in a neonatal intensive care unit, Delhi, India. | Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) infection is being increasingly observed and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in newborns. In this study, we determined the epidemiology, risk factors, and outcomes of blood stream infection (BSI) caused by CRAB in neonates. The clinical charts of neonates who developed Acinetobacter baumannii BSI in the period between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2012 were reviewed. During the study period, 65 neonates developed Acinetobacter baumannii BSI; 33 were CRAB at an incidence of 0.50 case per 1,000 patient-days. Compared with carbapenem-sensitive Acinetobacter baumannii (CSAB), patients with CRAB BSI had significantly higher prior antimicrobial use, longer duration of ventilation, and late isolation of organisms. Feeding with expressed breast milk was protective. All isolates of Acinetobacter baumenii were sensitive to colistin and tigecycline. The all-cause mortality rates were 27.3% in CRAB and 9.4% in CSAB BSI, respectively (p = 0.074). Neonatal BSI caused by CRAB was not common but caused high mortality. Feeding with breast milk was protective. Lack of effective antibiotics was the major challenge in treating these patients. | 25,116,673 | [
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Play behavior of the golden-headed lion tamarin in Brazilian cocoa agroforests. | During play, primates may become more vulnerable to predation. Our goal was to examine the potential role of predation risk on the play behavior of 3 groups of golden-headed lion tamarin, Leontopithecus chrysomelas, in shaded cocoa agroforest (cabruca) of Southern Bahia, Brazil. We identified the preferred (and safer) locations on vertical strata during playtime and investigated if frequency and duration of play differed according to group size. All groups preferred to play on the lower levels of vertical strata, which may be perceived as either a safer environment or as a more suitable location for play due to the vegetation structure. The smallest group played less than the others, while the largest group played more and for longer periods. Our data suggest that predation risk can influence where play takes place as well as its frequency and length. | 25,116,696 | [
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The role of P2X7 receptor in infectious inflammatory diseases and the influence of ectonucleotidases. | The purinergic receptor P2X ligand-gated ion channel 7 (P2X7) is ubiquitously expressed in almost all tissues and organs of the body with the highest distribution in the immune cells of monocyte-macrophage origin. Classically, P2X7 receptor is involved in apoptotic cell death, and it is well known that extracellular ATP ligation to this purinergic receptor serves as an important secondary stimulus, which is also considered as danger signal for the interleukin (IL)-1β cleavage and secretion from pro-inflammatory cells. More recently, however, there has been substantial evidence of additional roles for the P2X7 receptor, both in innate immune response and as an adaptive link, including T-cell activation in a chronic state of inflammation. Also, compelling evidences have revealed an important role for ectonucleotidases as ATP-consuming enzymes in the control and fine-tuning of P2X7 function by regulating the time, concentration, and availability of ATP during infection-driven inflammation. This review focuses on the current evidences for P2X7 receptor involvement in the initial stages of inflammation, as well as for its role in acute and chronic stages of infection. Here, we also highlight the role of ectonucleotidase family in the control of P2X7 function, including the initial and resolution phases of inflammation. | 25,116,711 | [
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Extended shelf life of random donor platelets stored for 7 days in platelet additive solution at different temperatures. | Platelets are routinely stored in plasma for 5 days at an average temperature of 22°C. In the present study, the shelf life of random donor platelets was extended by storing for 7 days with and without additive solution at temperatures of 22°C, 18°C, and 16°C. Random donor platelets were stored in 100% plasma and 20%/80% platelet additive solution. The data were compared using paired "t"- test. The confidence limit was kept at 95%, hence a "p" < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Out of total 150 samples, 148 samples were analyzed and 2 were discarded due to the bacterial contamination on day 7 at 22°C without platelet additive solution. A significant difference in platelet count, platelet factor 3 (PF 3), glucose, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and platelet aggregation was observed on day 7 (p < 0.001) at 16°C in without platelet additive solution. In platelet additive solution, the mean values of platelet count, platelet distribution width (PDW), LDH, and pH showed no significant difference on day 7 at 22°C, 18°C, and 16°C. Only significant differences were observed in the levels of mean platelet volume (MPV), PF 3, glucose, and platelet aggregation on day 7 (p < 0.001) at 16°C of the storage period. Random donor platelets functions are better maintained in platelet additive solution as compared to plasma at a lower temperature of 18°C but not at 16°C, on the 7 th day. | 25,116,717 | [
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A meditation on the use of hands. Previously published in Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy 1995; 2: 153-166. | The theme of mind-body unity is fundamental to occupational therapy. Nonetheless, the field continues to embrace a dualism of mind and body. This dualism persists because the field views the body only as an object, ignoring how the body is lived. Drawing upon phenomenological discussions of bodily experience, this paper illustrates how the lived body is a locus of intelligence, intentionality, adaptiveness, and experience. It also considers the bodily ground of motivation and thought and discusses how the body constitutes and incorporates its world. Finally, the paper considers implications of the lived body for therapy. | 25,116,744 | [
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Occupational justice--bridging theory and practice. Previously published in Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy 2010; 17: 57-63. | The evolving theory of occupational justice links the concept to social justice and to concerns for a justice of difference: a justice that recognizes occupational rights to inclusive participation in everyday occupations for all persons in society, regardless of age, ability, gender, social class, or other differences. The purpose of this descriptive paper is to inspire and empower health professionals to build a theoretical bridge to practice with an occupational justice lens. Using illustrations from a study of leisure and the use of everyday technology in the lives of very old people in Northern Sweden, the authors argue that an occupational justice lens may inspire and empower health professionals to engage in critical dialogue on occupational justice; use global thinking about occupation, health, justice, and the environment; and combine population and individualized approaches. The authors propose that taking these initiatives to bridge theory and practice will energize health professionals to enable inclusive participation in everyday occupations in diverse contexts. | 25,116,747 | [
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An investigation of the support needs of men and partners throughout the prostate cancer journey. | Prostate cancer is one of the mostly commonly diagnosed cancers in men. Unfortunately, the treatment for this cancer can have a number of negative side effects, both for the man himself and his partner. This study investigated the support needs of both men and partners throughout the prostate cancer journey and how this journey may be optimally managed. Thirty-one men who had undergone prostate cancer treatment within the last 6 years and 31 partners answered a questionnaire, which explored support care issues as identified in the literature and from focus groups. Men and partners were moderately satisfied with information given regarding diagnosis, treatment and side effects, but partners were more satisfied with information relating to the particular chosen treatment. Men's understanding of their chosen treatment's potential side effects was significantly different from their understanding of diagnosis, cancer outcome, treatment options and selected treatment. Timing of information delivery was preferred by men at diagnosis, whereas partners preferred after the diagnosis. Men wanted more time to think about the diagnosis and treatment, whereas partners wanted an opportunity to discuss the diagnosis. The management of common side effects such as emotional changes, incontinence and erectile dysfunction was rated as 'somewhat' satisfactory. Men and partners may have different educational and supportive needs throughout the prostate cancer journey that require attention and tailored management. | 25,116,753 | [
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Establishment of glycosaminoglycan assays for mucopolysaccharidoses. | Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) are a group of lysosomal storage disorders caused by deficiency of the lysosomal enzymes essential for catabolism of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Accumulation of undegraded GAGs results in dysfunction of multiple organs, resulting in distinct clinical manifestations. A range of methods have been developed to measure specific GAGs in various human samples to investigate diagnosis, prognosis, pathogenesis, GAG interaction with other molecules, and monitoring therapeutic efficacy. We established ELISA, liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and an automated high-throughput mass spectrometry (HT-MS/MS) system (RapidFire) to identify epitopes (ELISA) or disaccharides (MS/MS) derived from different GAGs (dermatan sulfate, heparan sulfate, keratan sulfate, and/or chondroitin sulfate). These methods have a high sensitivity and specificity in GAG analysis, applicable to the analysis of blood, urine, tissues, and cells. ELISA is feasible, sensitive, and reproducible with the standard equipment. HT-MS/MS yields higher throughput than conventional LC-MS/MS-based methods while the HT-MS/MS system does not have a chromatographic step and cannot distinguish GAGs with identical molecular weights, leading to a limitation of measurements for some specific GAGs. Here we review the advantages and disadvantages of these methods for measuring GAG levels in biological specimens. We also describe an unexpected secondary elevation of keratan sulfate in patients with MPS that is an indirect consequence of disruption of catabolism of other GAGs. | 25,116,756 | [
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Human ocular thelaziasis in Karnataka. | Thelaziasis is an arthropod-born disease of the eye and adnexa caused by Thelazia callipaeda, a nematode parasite transmitted by drosophilid flies to carnivores and humans. Because of its distribution mainly confined to South Asian countries and Russia, it is commonly known as Oriental eye worm. It is often under-reported and not been given its due clinical importance. We report first case of human thelaziasis from Hassan District, Karnataka. Five creamy-white, translucent worms were removed from the conjunctival sac of a 74-year-old male patient. Based on morphological characters, the worms were identified as nematodes belonging to the genus Thelazia and speciation was confirmed by CDC, Atlanta as callipaeda. Rarity of the disease and its ability to cause both extra and intraocular manifestations leading to ocular morbidity is the reason for presenting this case. From the available data, this is the first case report from Karnataka, India. | 25,116,781 | [
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New methods for the synthesis of naphthyl amines; application to the synthesis of dihydrosanguinarine, sanguinarine, oxysanguinarine and (±)-maclekarpines B and C. | A new method for preparing naphthyl amines from 1,5 unsaturated dicarbonyl precursors is described; the utility of this new method was proven in the syntheses of several natural products, all containing the benzo[c]phenanthridine core and enabled by a radical promoted cyclisation of the naphthyl amine products formed in the key cyclisation. | 25,116,797 | [
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Preparation of highly efficient MRI contrast agents through complexation of cationic Gd(III)-containing metallosurfactant with biocompatible polyelectrolytes. | Novel contrast agents were developed through assembling of Gd(III) -containing metallosurfactant (MS) with biocompatible polyelectrolytes sodium hyaluronate (HA), heparinsodium (HS) and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). The formed polyelectrolyte-surfactant complexes showed different structural patterns as the charge ratio increased, including spherical aggregates, rod-like aggregates and network patterns in monovalent HA system, while spherical structures emerged in multivalent HS and DSS systems. Energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis and scanning electron microscopy mapping showed the presence of Gd(III) in these complexes. Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry was further used to quantify the contents of Gd(III) in the assemblies. T1 magnetic resonance imaging showed that these Gd(III) -loaded complexes exhibited relaxivity of up to 63.81 mM(-1) s(-1) , much higher than that of Ominiscan (4.64 mM(-1) s(-1) ). The cytotoxicity test in vitro demonstrated the excellent biocompatibility of these complexes, which is essential for clinical application. | 25,116,812 | [
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Health status and health care services in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar: a comparative study. | India's growth hype and dream of emerging as an economic superpower are being challenged today, among other things, by its failure to foster an inclusive growth path and provide to bulk of its population basic amenities of education and health. There exists great inequality at interstate and intrastate level in terms of the key components of human development-health and education. The present work attempts to measure the extent of the inequality in health status and health care services in the two most populous states of India namely Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. A detailed analysis of interdistrict and interregion disparity in health status and health care in the two states has been done using secondary data from Annual Health Survey (2011) and Statistical Diary (2011). Composite indices of health status and health services have been developed using Maher's normalization technique and principal component analysis. Inequality measures like co-efficient of variations have been used to measure the relevant disparities in the two states and explain the reason thereof. The work shows low overall health status and wide interdistrict and interregion health disparity in the two states with lower disparity in Uttar Pradesh as compared to Bihar in terms of health status and relatively high disparity in health infrastructure. One startling fact is existence of very low and insignificant correlation between infrastructure and outcome. The study finds health status is influenced not only by health care facilities, but a number of other factors principally government's commitment and policies. | 25,116,823 | [
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Prevalence of behavioral risk factors, overweight and hypertension in the urban slums of North 24 Parganas District, West Bengal, India, 2010. | Globally, 1 billion people live in slums. There are few reports of high prevalence of noncommunicable disease (NCD) risk factors among the urban poor. The prevalence of NCD risk factors in the slums in North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India was estimated. Cross-sectional survey in 24 slums selected using cluster sampling method was conducted. Questionnaire for behavioral risk factors was used and anthropometric and blood pressure measurements were done. The study population included 1052 participants aged 25-64 years, 528 (50%) were males. Among males, 206 (39%) were current smokers and 154 (29%) were current alcohol users. Central obesity was prevalent among 32.8% males and 56.1% females and 115 (10.9%) had body mass index ≥27.5 kg/m 2 . Hypertension was prevalent among 35% males and 33% females. We observed high prevalence of NCD risk factors among urban slum dwellers that need to be addressed with health promotion programs and strengthening of primary health care system. | 25,116,826 | [
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Testing the accuracy of an observation-based classifier for rapid detection of autism risk. | Current approaches for diagnosing autism have high diagnostic validity but are time consuming and can contribute to delays in arriving at an official diagnosis. In a pilot study, we used machine learning to derive a classifier that represented a 72% reduction in length from the gold-standard Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Generic (ADOS-G), while retaining >97% statistical accuracy. The pilot study focused on a relatively small sample of children with and without autism. The present study sought to further test the accuracy of the classifier (termed the observation-based classifier (OBC)) on an independent sample of 2616 children scored using ADOS from five data repositories and including both spectrum (n=2333) and non-spectrum (n=283) individuals. We tested OBC outcomes against the outcomes provided by the original and current ADOS algorithms, the best estimate clinical diagnosis, and the comparison score severity metric associated with ADOS-2. The OBC was significantly correlated with the ADOS-G (r=-0.814) and ADOS-2 (r=-0.779) and exhibited >97% sensitivity and >77% specificity in comparison to both ADOS algorithm scores. The correspondence to the best estimate clinical diagnosis was also high (accuracy=96.8%), with sensitivity of 97.1% and specificity of 83.3%. The correlation between the OBC score and the comparison score was significant (r=-0.628), suggesting that the OBC provides both a classification as well as a measure of severity of the phenotype. These results further demonstrate the accuracy of the OBC and suggest that reductions in the process of detecting and monitoring autism are possible. | 25,116,834 | [
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Applying socioendocrinology to evolutionary models: fatherhood and physiology. | Owing to humans' unique life history pattern, particularly comparatively short interbirth intervals, early weaning, and prolonged support of multiple dependents, human females have greater reproductive value and higher lifetime fertility, on average, than do their Great Ape counterparts. As hominin females began weaning their young early and "stacking" dependents of various ages, they must have had cooperative allomaternal care partners already in place or been successful at concurrently soliciting help to ensure a high rate of survival of their offspring. Following Hrdy, I define allomaternal care (and its derivatives, such as "allomothers" and "allomothering") as "care from anyone other than the mother," which thus encompasses a wide range of individuals, including fathers. Who the likely allomother candidates mothers were and what form that cooperation took remain intriguing, difficult-to-answer questions, which are limited, in some capacity, by the lines of evidence available to us. Here, I present a framework for the ways in which we can integrate neurobiological-endocrine and social-behavioral data ("socioendocrinology") to contribute to this dialogue in terms of evaluating fathers' roles. | 25,116,846 | [
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Creating electrochemical gradients by light: from bio-inspired concepts to photoelectric conversion. | Light is harvested by natural photosynthetic systems to generate electrochemical gradients that power various reactions. Implementing nature's lessons in photosynthesis holds great promise for technological advances. With a focus on designs and concepts, recent progress in generating electrochemical gradients by light, mimicking the two general types of photosynthetic centers in nature that make use of either light-induced charge separation or photo-isomerization are summarized here. Light induced electrochemical gradients pave new ways for photoelectric conversion. While extensive research in this direction has focused on light-induced charge separation, recent work has shown that energy conversion based on photo-isomerization is very promising. Photoswitchable compounds have been found in nature, such as the retinal molecule in bacteriorhodopsin. These compounds may form an attractive molecular basis for future progress in this field. | 25,116,853 | [
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Perpetration, revictimization, and self-injury: traumatic reenactments of child sexual abuse in a nonclinical sample of South African adolescents. | Risk factors for traumatic reenactments of child sexual abuse experiences (perpetration, revictimization, and self-injury) were examined in a sample of 718 South African secondary school adolescents. Logistic regression analyses indicated that the most consistent predictors of reenactments were a history of child sexual abuse (rape and/or indecent assault) and respondents' gender, with males being significantly more likely than females to report perpetration (OR = 13.5) and females being more likely to report revictimization (OR = 3.2) and self-injury (OR = 2.5). An analysis restricted to respondents with a history of child sexual abuse indicated that negative abuse-related cognitions were the most consistent predictor of all forms of traumatic reenactment. | 25,116,866 | [
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Associations between estimated glomerular filtration rate and stroke outcomes in diabetic versus nondiabetic patients. | Low estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is known to be associated with clinical adverse outcomes. However, whether diabetes mellitus influences the association between eGFR and prognosis of stroke is still not elucidated. Prospective cohort of 17,280 (nondiabetic 12,498 and diabetic 4782) Chinese patients with acute stroke from the China National Stroke Registry and from abnormal glucose regulation in patients with acute stroke across China (ACROSS) between 2007 and 2009 were followed-up for 1 year for all-cause mortality, stroke recurrence, and stroke disability related to baseline eGFR in the presence and absence of diabetes mellitus. Among nondiabetic patients, as compared with eGFR of 90 to 119 mL/min per 1.73 m2, the adjusted odds ratio of lower eGFR of <45 mL/min per 1.73 m2 was 2.79 (95% confidence interval, 2.09-3.73) for all-cause mortality, 2.28 (1.74-2.98) for stroke recurrence, and 1.53 (1.16-2.01) for stroke disability; higher eGFR of ≥120 mL/min per 1.73 m2 was just significantly associated with higher risk of all-cause mortality (odds ratio, 1.38; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.86) but not with other outcomes. In diabetic patients, the adjusted odds ratios of all-cause mortality, stroke recurrence, and stroke disability in lower eGFR were 2.16 (1.51-3.08), 1.43 (1.02-2.00), and 1.38 (0.98-1.95), respectively; higher eGFR was significantly associated with higher risks of all stroke outcomes. Decreased eGFR (<45 mL/min per 1.73 m2) is a strong predictor of all-cause mortality, stroke recurrence, and stroke disability in diabetic and nondiabetic patients with acute stroke. Increased eGFR (≥120 mL/min per 1.73 m2) is associated with all of stroke outcomes in diabetic patients and linked to all-cause mortality in nondiabetic patients. | 25,116,878 | [
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Peromyscus leucopus mice: a potential animal model for haematological studies. | Peromyscus leucopus mice share physical similarities with laboratory mice Mus musculus (MM) but have higher agility and longer lifespan. We compared domesticated P. leucopus linville (PLL) and M. musculus C57BL/6 (MMB6) mice for cellular composition of peripheral blood (PB), bone marrow (BM) and spleen. PLL mice had significantly fewer platelets and significantly more monocytes in the blood, and notably fewer megakaryocytes in the BM. Spleens of PLL mice were significantly smaller, with 50% fewer cells and reduced 'red pulp'. There was no obvious haematological change in PLL mice between 2-8 and 16-26 months of age, except for a significant increase in blood monocytes. Cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) content showed no change with age but differed significantly between different cell types. Treating two to eight month-old PLL mice with antioxidant N-acetylcysteine in drinking water for three months did not affect cellular ROS content, but increased blood leucocytes especially the concentration of monocytes. The low platelets, low megakaryocytes, high monocytes and low splenic erythropoiesis in PLL mice resemble human measurements better than the values seen in MMB6. | 25,116,892 | [
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