bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identifying acne treatment uncertainties via a James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership
Authors: Layton Alison , Eady E Anne , Peat Maggie , Whitehouse Heather , Levell Nick , Ridd Matthew , Cowdell Fiona , Patel Mahenda , Andrews Stephen , Oxnard Christine , Fenton Mark , Firkins Lester
Published: June 2016

Objectives

The Acne Priority Setting Partnership (PSP) was set up to identify and rank treatment uncertainties by bringing together people with acne, and professionals providing care within and beyond the National Health Service (NHS).

Setting

The UK with international participation.

Participants

Teenagers and adults with acne, parents, partners, nurses, clinicians, pharmacists, private practitioners.

Methods

Treatment uncertainties were collected via separate online harvesting surveys, embedded within the PSP website, for patients and professionals. A wide variety of approaches were used to promote the surveys to stakeholder groups with a particular emphasis on teenagers and young adults. Survey submissions were collated using keywords and verified as uncertainties by appraising existing evidence. The 30 most popular themes were ranked via weighted scores from an online vote. At a priority setting workshop, patients and professionals discussed the 18 highest-scoring questions from the vote, and reached consensus on the top 10.

Results

In the harvesting survey, 2310 people, including 652 professionals and 1456 patients (58% aged 24 y or younger), made submissions containing at least one research question. After checking for relevance and rephrasing, a total of 6255 questions were collated into themes. Valid votes ranking the 30 most common themes were obtained from 2807 participants. The top 10 uncertainties prioritised at the workshop were largely focused on management strategies, optimum use of common prescription medications and the role of non-drug based interventions. More female than male patients took part in the harvesting surveys and vote. A wider range of uncertainties were provided by patients compared to professionals.

Conclusions

Engaging teenagers and young adults in priority setting is achievable using a variety of promotional methods. The top 10 uncertainties reveal an extensive knowledge gap about widely used interventions and the relative merits of drug versus non-drug based treatments in acne management.
Older, vulnerable patient view: a pilot and feasibility study of the patient measure of safety (PMOS) with patients in Australia
Authors: Taylor Natalie , Hogden Emily , Clay-Williams Robyn , Li Zhicheng , Lawton Rebecca , Braithwaite Jeffrey
Published: June 2016

Objectives

The UK-developed patient measure of safety (PMOS) is a validated tool which captures patient perceptions of safety in hospitals. We aimed (1) to investigate the extent to which the PMOS is appropriate for use with stroke, acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and hip fracture patients in Australian hospitals and (2) to pilot the PMOS for use in a large-scale, national study ‘Deepening our Understanding of Quality in Australia’ (DUQuA).

Participants

Stroke, AMI and hip fracture patients (n=34) receiving care in 3 wards in 1 large hospital.

Methods

2 phases were conducted. First, a ‘think aloud’ study was used to determine the validity of PMOS with this population in an international setting, and to make amendments based on patient feedback. The second phase tested the revised measure to establish the internal consistency reliability of the revised subscales, and piloted the recruitment and administration processes to ensure feasibility of the PMOS for use in DUQuA.

Results

Of the 43 questions in the PMOS, 13 (30%) were amended based on issues patients highlighted for improvement in phase 1. In phase 2, a total of 34 patients were approached and 29 included, with a mean age of 71.3 years (SD=16.39). Internal consistency reliability was established using interitem correlation and Cronbach's α for all but 1 subscale. The most and least favourably rated aspects of safety differed between the 3 wards. A study log was categorised into 10 key feasibility factors, including liaising with wards to understand operational procedures and identify patterns of patient discharge.

Conclusions

Capturing patient perceptions of care is crucial in improving patient safety. The revised PMOS is appropriate for use with vulnerable older adult groups. The findings from this study have informed key decisions made for the deployment of this measure as part of the DUQuA study.
Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol goals: still not in patients' best interest
Authors: Mayer Martin
Published: June 2016

In what became a highly-publicised move, the American Heart Association (AHA) and American College of Cardiology (ACC) effectively dropped low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goals from their most recent guidelines pertaining to the matter. However, due to developments since the AHA and ACC released their current guidelines, some have called for a return to focusing on LDL-C goals. This article puts forth an overview of the salient issues at hand, important evidence-based considerations, and a conclusion that shifting focus away from LDL-C goals is clearly an evidence-based step in the right direction. Indeed, careful scrutiny of the current evidence base shows returning to LDL-C goals would be a mistake, and we should focus instead on overall cardiovascular risk, medications proven to reduce patient-relevant outcomes, and shared decision-making.
Antithrombotic drugs and non-variceal bleeding outcomes and risk scoring systems: comparison of Glasgow Blatchford, Rockall and Charlson scores
Authors: Taha Ali S , McCloskey Caroline , Craigen Theresa , Angerson Wilson J
Published: June 2016

Objectives

Antithrombotic drugs (ATDs) cause non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB). Risk scoring systems have not been validated in ATD users. We compared Blatchford, Rockall and Charlson scores in predicting outcomes of NVUGIB in ATD users and controls.

Methods

A total of 2071 patients with NVUGIB were grouped into ATD users (n=851) and controls (n=1220) in a single-centre retrospective analysis. Outcomes included duration of hospital admission, the need for blood transfusion, rebleeding requiring surgery and 30-day mortality.

Results

Duration of admission correlated with all scores in controls, but correlations were significantly weaker in ATD users. Rank correlation coefficients in control versus ATD: 0.45 vs 0.20 for Blatchford; 0.48 vs 0.32 for Rockall and 0.42 vs 0.26 for Charlson (all p<0.001). The need for transfusion was best predicted by Blatchford (p<0.001 vs Rockall and Charlson in both ATD users and controls), but all scores performed less well in ATD users. Area under the receiver operation characteristic curve (AUC) in control versus ATD: 0.90 vs 0.85 for Blatchford; 0.77 vs 0.61 for Rockall and 0.69 vs 0.56 for Charlson (all p<0.005). In predicting surgery, Rockall performed best; while mortality was best predicted by Charlson with lower AUCs in ATD patients than controls (p<0.05). Stratification showed the scores' performance to be age-dependent.

Conclusions

Blatchford score was the strongest predictor of transfusion, Rockall's had the strongest correlation with duration of admission and with rebleeding requiring surgery and Charlson was best in predicting 30-day mortality. Modifications of these systems should be explored to improve their efficiency in ATD users.
Point‐of‐care testing in cattle practice: reliability of cow‐side diagnostic tests
Authors: Abuelo Ángel , Alves‐Nores Victor
Published: June 2016

In ambulatory practice, there has traditionally been limited access to quick ancillary tests to aid the diagnostic process. However, over the past decades, diagnostic technologies have improved substantially, producing several accurate and cost‐effective tests that can be used on‐farm to establish a better diagnosis, a quick and informed therapeutic plan and help to determine the prognosis. Examples of these tests include the glutaraldehyde test for estimating the inflammatory response, tests to measure several metabolites (eg, glucose, ketone bodies, L‐lactate) cow‐side, or tests to identify different pathogens. This article aims to review the accuracy and practical applications of some of the different animal‐side tests that are available to cattle veterinarians in an ambulatory setting, providing diagnostic tools that can be used in the field, without having to submit a sample to a laboratory, thereby expediting the clinical decision.
Dural carotid cavernous fistulas: endovascular treatment and assessment of the correlation between clinical symptoms and the Cognard classification system
Authors: Griauzde Julius , Gemmete Joseph J , Pandey Aditya S , Chaudhary Neeraj
Published: June 2016

Objective

To present our experience with endovascular treatment of dural carotid cavernous fistulas (DCCFs) and determine if there is a correlation between clinical symptoms and the Cognard classification system.

Methods

We searched our institutional neurovascular database to identify patients treated for DCCFs from January 1995 to May 2015. DCCFs were defined as a vascular shunt between meningeal branches of the internal carotid artery (ICA), external carotid artery (ECA), or both, draining into the cavernous sinus. Clinical symptoms were recorded based on clinical examination. Lesions were classified on angiography using the Cognard and Barrow classification systems. Treatment goal was defined as symptomatic cure based on clinical examination, cure of ophthalmic venous drainage, and cortical venous reflux on angiography.

Results

The search revealed 37 patients with DCCFs; 32 DCCFs underwent endovascular treatment. The primary treatment goal was met in 30/32 (94%) lesions, with one neurologic complication (1/34; 3%). We identified 31 Cognard IIa fistulas, 4 Cognard IIa+b, 2 Cognard IIb, 7 Barrow B, 7 Barrow C, and 23 Barrow D fistulas. Eye redness, proptosis, and ocular pain were significantly lower in the Cognard IIb group than in the Cognard IIa and IIa+b groups (p=0.0015). Intracranial hemorrhage was more likely in the Cognard IIb group than in the Cognard IIa and IIa+b groups, with marginal significance (p=0.054). No correlation was seen between symptomatology and the Barrow classification.

Conclusions

Endovascular treatment of DCCFs has a high degree of clinical success and a low complication rate. The Cognard system is suitable for grading DCCFs as it correlates with presenting symptomatology and venous drainage patterns. The Barrow classification adds no value in grading DCCFs.
A pilot study of neurointerventional research level of evidence and collaboration
Authors: Fargen Kyle M , Mocco J , Spiotta Alejandro M , Rai Ansaar , Hirsch Joshua A
Published: June 2016

Introduction

No studies have sought to provide a quantitative or qualitative critique of research in the field of neurointerventional surgery.

Objective

To analyze recent publications from theJournal of Neurointerventional Surgery(JNIS) to test a new method for assessing research and collaboration.

Methods

We reviewed allJNISOnline First publications from 25 February 2015 to 24 February 2016. All publications—human or non-human research, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, or literature reviews—were included; editorials and commentaries were excluded. For each publication, study design, number of patients, authors, contributing centers, and study subject were recorded. Level of evidence was defined using a new scale.

Results

A total of 206 articles met inclusion criteria. Only 4% were prospective studies. Twenty-eight per cent of scientific research featured patient series of nine or less. The majority of publications were categorized as low-level evidence (91%). Forty-seven per cent involved individuals from a single center, with 87% having collaboration from three or fewer centers. International collaboration was present in 19%. While 256 institutions from 31 countries were represented, 66% were represented in only one publication.

Conclusions

We queriedJNISOnline First articles from a 1-year period in a pilot study to test a new method of analyzing research quality and collaboration. The methodology appears to adequately quantify the studies into evidence tiers that emulate previously published, widely accepted scales. This may be useful for future comparison of peer-reviewed journals or for studying the quality of research being performed in different disease processes or medical specialties.
Use of medical abbreviations and acronyms: knowledge among medical students and postgraduates
Authors: Awan Safia , Abid Shahab , Tariq Muhammad , Zubairi Ali Bin Sarwar , Kamal Ayeesha , Arshad Sadia , Masood Qamar , Kashif Waqar , Hamid Saeed
Published: June 2016

Introduction

Inappropriate use of abbreviations and acronyms in healthcare has become an international patient safety issue. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge of medical abbreviations and acronyms among residents of the department of medicine at a tertiary-care hospital.

Methods

Internal medicine residents (IMRs), subspecialty residents (SRs) and students were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire which comprised standard abbreviations used in medicine and its various subspecialties. Scores obtained by the residents were classified into three categories: >70% correct answers; 50–69% correct answers; <50% correct answers.

Results

A total of 77 IMRs, SRs and medical students participated. Overall, good responses were achieved by 53 (68.8%), 16 (20.8%) attained satisfactory responses, and eight (10.4%) had unsatisfactory scores. The majority of SRs achieved good responses (19/22 (86%)), followed by IMRs (30/40 (75%)) and students (4/15 (26.7%)). Evaluation of their knowledge taken from the list of ‘do not use’ abbreviations showed that 89.6% reported using ‘Q.D.’ instead of ‘once a day’, and 93% used ‘IU’ instead of the entire phrase ‘international unit’. The top five ‘not to use’ abbreviations were ZnSO4, µg, MgSO4, IU and SC, with the frequency 100%, 96%, 94.8%, 93% and 90%, respectively.

Conclusions

This study showed that there is a knowledge gap among trainees in medicine regarding the meaning and usage of common medical abbreviations. We therefore recommend proper education of trainees in medicine to ensure they understand the meaning of abbreviations and are aware of the list of ‘do not use’ abbreviations.
Thermal stress, human performance, and physical employment standards
Authors: Cheung Stephen S. , Lee Jason K.W. , Oksa Juha
Published: June 2016

Many physically demanding occupations in both developed and developing economies involve exposure to extreme thermal environments that can affect work capacity and ultimately health. Thermal extremes may be present in either an outdoor or an indoor work environment, and can be due to a combination of the natural or artificial ambient environment, the rate of metabolic heat generation from physical work, processes specific to the workplace (e.g., steel manufacturing), or through the requirement for protective clothing impairing heat dissipation. Together, thermal exposure can elicit acute impairment of work capacity and also chronic effects on health, greatly contributing to worker health risk and reduced productivity. Surprisingly, in most occupations even in developed economies, there are rarely any standards regarding enforced heat or cold safety for workers. Furthermore, specific physical employment standards or accommodations for thermal stressors are rare, with workers commonly tested under near-perfect conditions. This review surveys the major occupational impact of thermal extremes and existing employment standards, proposing guidelines for improvement and areas for future research.
Nutra-ergonomics: influence of nutrition on physical employment standards and the health of workers
Authors: Shearer Jane , Graham Terry E. , Skinner Tina L.
Published: June 2016

The importance of ergonomics across several scientific domains, including biomechanics, psychology, sociology, and physiology, have been extensively explored. However, the role of other factors that may influence the health and productivity of workers, such as nutrition, is generally overlooked. Nutra-ergonomics describes the interface between workers, their work environment, and performance in relation to their nutritional status. It considers nutrition to be an integral part of a safe and productive workplace that encompasses physical and mental health as well as the long-term wellbeing of workers. This review explores the knowledge, awareness, and common practices of nutrition, hydration, stimulants, and fortified product use employed prior to physical employment standards testing and within the workplace. The influence of these nutra-ergonomic strategies on physical employment standards, worker safety, and performance will be examined. Further, the roles, responsibilities, and implications for the applicant, worker, and the employer will be discussed within the context of nutra-ergonomics, with reference to the provision and sustainability of an environment conducive to optimize worker health and wellbeing. Beyond physical employment standards, workplace productivity, and performance, the influence of extended or chronic desynchronization (irregular or shift work) in the work schedule on metabolism and long-term health, including risk of developing chronic and complex diseases, is discussed. Finally, practical nutra-ergonomic strategies and recommendations for the applicant, worker, and employer alike will be provided to enhance the short- and long-term safety, performance, health, and wellbeing of workers.
Validity and reliability of physical employment standards
Authors: Milligan Gemma S. , Reilly Tara J. , Zumbo Bruno D. , Tipton Michael J.
Published: June 2016

In this paper the role of validity and reliability in the development of physical employment standards (PESs) and the consideration of these factors in determining the final pass/fail criteria for a PES and ultimately the legal defensibility of a PES is examined. Particular attention is paid to the use of subject-matter experts, the levels of evidence used in the establishment of the minimum acceptable pace/intensity for the completion of critical tasks, and the considerations needed in physical test selection.
Electronic transport and shot noise in a Thue–Morse bilayer graphene superlattice with interlayer potential bias
Authors: Li Yuanqiao , Zhang Hongmei , Liu De
Published: June 2016

In this paper, we evaluate the transport properties of a Thue–Morse AB-stacked bilayer graphene superlattice with different interlayer potential biases. Based on the transfer matrix method, the transmission coefficient, the conductance, and the Fano factor are numerically calculated and discussed. We find that the symmetry of the transmission coefficient with respect to normal incidence depends on the structural symmetry of the system and the new transmission peak appears in the energy band gap opening region. The conductance and the Fano factor can be greatly modulated not only by the Fermi energy and the interlayer potential bias but also by the generation number. Interestingly, the conductance exhibits the plateau of almost zero conductance and the Fano factor plateaus with Poisson value occur in the energy band gap opening region for large interlayer potential bias.
Infrared surprises in the de Sitter universe
Authors: Moschella Ugo
Published: June 2016

We describe a few unexpected features of de Sitter quantum field theory (QFT) that have no Minkowskian counterparts. These phenomena show that even when the cosmological constant is tiny a Minkowskian way of fast thinking about de Sitter can lead to mistakes and that de Sitter QFT is essentially different from standard relativistic (Minkowskian) QFT.
A New Strategy for ECG Baseline Wander Elimination Using Empirical Mode Decomposition
Authors: Shahbakhti Mohammad , Bagheri Hamed , Shekarchi Babak , Mohammadi Somayeh , Naji Mohsen
Published: June 2016

Electrocardiogram (ECG) signals might be affected by various artifacts and noises that have biological and external sources. Baseline wander (BW) is a low-frequency artifact that may be caused by breathing, body movements and loose sensor contact. In this paper, a novel method based on empirical mode decomposition (EMD) for removal of baseline noise from ECG is presented. When compared to other EMD-based methods, the novelty of this research is to reach the optimized number of decomposed levels for ECG BW de-noising using mean power frequency (MPF), while the reduction of processing time is considered. To evaluate the performance of the proposed method, a fifth-order Butterworth high pass filtering (BHPF) with cut-off frequency at 0.5[Formula: see text]Hz and wavelet approach are applied. Three performance indices, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), mean square error (MSE) and correlation coefficient (CC), between pure and filtered signals have been utilized for qualification of presented techniques. Results suggest that the EMD-based method outperforms the other filtering method.
The classical left regular left quotient ring of a ring and its semisimplicity criteria
Authors: Bavula V. V.
Published: June 2016

Let [Formula: see text] be a ring, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] be the set of regular and left regular elements of [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text]). Goldie’s Theorem is a semisimplicity criterion for the classical left quotient ring [Formula: see text]. Semisimplicity criteria are given for the classical left regular left quotient ring [Formula: see text]. As a corollary, two new semisimplicity criteria for [Formula: see text] are obtained (in the spirit of Goldie).
More on crossed modules in Lie, Leibniz, associative and diassociative algebras
Authors: Casas J. M. , Casado R. F. , Khmaladze E. , Ladra M.
Published: June 2016

Adjoint functors between the categories of crossed modules in dialgebras and Leibniz algebras are constructed. The well known relations between the categories of Lie, Leibniz, associative algebras and dialgebras are extended to the respective categories of crossed modules.
MUSCLE FORCE MAGNITUDES IN THE HUMAN LEG FOR ISOMETRIC EXERCISES WITH VARIOUS RESULTANT FORCE DIRECTIONS AND JOINT ANGLES
Authors: FLORIO C. S.
Published: June 2016

Using a gradient-based numerical optimization routine, the force magnitudes required of 10 major sagittal plane leg muscles to create a constant magnitude isometric resultant force against a fixed surface at the toe directed anteriorly, posteriorly, superiorly, and inferiorly were quantitatively predicted for three sets of joint angles: a straight leg configuration, with the knee flexed, and with both the hip and knee flexed. Comparisons over the conditions studied for each individual system muscle found that the maximum variation occurred in knee and hip extensor forces (up to two orders of magnitude). Comparisons within the set of active muscles for each studied condition identified dominant muscles and muscle functions. All anteriorly-directed and posteriorly-directed resultants required a small number of muscles with common functions (mainly knee or hip extensors) and large force magnitudes (O(1000[Formula: see text]N)). In contrast, a large number of muscles, with wide-ranging synergistic and antagonistic functions, acting across multiple joints with relatively small magnitudes (O(100[Formula: see text]N)) were needed to create the superiorly-directed resultant with flexed hip and knee. With good correlation to experimentally measured trends in the interrelationships between leg joint angles and isometric forces, the systematic muscle force prediction and analysis presented in this work can be used to guide the design of targeted muscle strengthening exercises and study of muscle-specific injury.
DETERMINATION OF VISCOELASTIC PROPERTIES OF THE PERIODONTAL LIGAMENT USING NANOINDENTATION TESTING AND NUMERICAL MODELING
Authors: HUANG HUIXIANG , TANG WENCHENG , YANG YU , WU BIN , YAN BIN
Published: June 2016

Viscoelasticity of the periodontal ligament (PDL) plays an important role in load transmission between tooth and alveolar bone, as well as tooth movement. This paper provides a novel nanoindentation experiment in combination with a rheological model to characterize the viscoelastic mechanical properties of the PDL. Two creep models of the indentation experiments with a Berkovich and a spherical indenter based on Zener model were developed. The hardness and reduced modulus were determined by using the Berkovich indenter. The parameters were identified through curve fittings. The fitting results show that the creep models are both in good agreement with the experimental data. Meanwhile, the models were both validated by comparing the numerical curves for load–depth relationship in loading segment with the corresponding experimental data. It is found that the spherical indenter is more suitable for testing the viscoelastic mechanical properties of the PDL than Berkovich indenter. Hence, the nanoindentation experiment with spherical indenter was simulated to further evaluate the Zener model by finite element analysis. The good agreement between the simulated results and experimental data demonstrates that the Zener model is capable of describing the viscoelastic mechanical behavior of the PDL.
IDENTIFICATION OF THE BEST CONTROL STRATEGY FOR THE APPLICATION OF PROSTHETIC LIMBS
Authors: ASHMI M. , ANILA M. , JAYARAJ S. , SIVANANDAN K. S.
Published: June 2016

Prosthesis is a part of the bio-mechanics field, the science of fusing electro-mechanical devices with human muscles, skeleton, nervous systems, etc. The prosthetic limbs are incredibly precious to amputees as it can improve mobility and help them stay independently. To actuate the assistive device, a real time closed loop driving system is developed comprising of Atmega328 microcontrollers and DC series motors which mimics human locomotion. The feedback corresponding to the rotation of the DC motors is fetched by optical encoders mounted on it and the error is computed. The controllers implemented will take corrective action so as to bring the motors to the desired position at the respective time. In this study P, PI, and PID control algorithms are incorporated in the closed loop driving system for better accuracy and performance. The gain constants ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]) are tuned manually and the suitable constants are determined by which the drive could be moved at the desired position (angle) in the ideal time of 1.4[Formula: see text]s for completing one gait cycle. The performance of P, PI, and PID controllers are compared and the best control strategy is employed in the driving system which exhibits least error and good stability.
Quaternionic structures, supertwistors and fundamental superspaces
Authors: Cirilo-Lombardo Diego Julio , Pervushin Victor N.
Published: June 2016

Superspace is considered as space of parameters of the supercoherent states defining the basis for oscillator-like unitary irreducible representations of the generalized superconformal group [Formula: see text] in the field of quaternions [Formula: see text]. The specific construction contains naturally the supertwistor one of the previous work by Litov and Pervushin [1] and it is shown that in the case of extended supersymmetry such an approach leads to the separation of a class of superspaces and its groups of motion. We briefly discuss this particular extension to the domain of quaternionic superspaces as nonlinear realization of some kind of the affine and the superconformal groups with the final end to include also the gravitational field [6] (this last possibility to include gravitation, can be realized on the basis of Ref. 12 where the coset [Formula: see text][Formula: see text] was used in the non supersymmetric case). It is shown that this quaternionic construction avoid some unconsistencies appearing at the level of the generators of the superalgebras (for specific values of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]; [Formula: see text]) in the twistor one.
Metrizability problem for spray on Lie algebroids
Authors: Pirbodaghi Zahra , Rezaii Morteza Mir Mohammad
Published: June 2016

In this paper, we study inverse problem for sprays on Lie algebroids. We obtain necessary and sufficient conditions, based on semi-basic forms, for a spray to be Lagrangian. Then we discuss the Finsler metrizability of a spray and obtain some equations on the Jacobi endomorphism.
Links between Probabilistic Convergence Groups Under Triangular Norms and Enriched Lattice-Valued Convergence Groups
Authors: Ahsanullah T. M. G. , Al-Thukair Fawzi
Published: June 2016

We propose here two types of probabilistic convergence groups under triangular norms; present some basic facts, and give some characterizations for both the cases. We look at the possible link from categorical point of view between each of the proposed type and enriched lattice-valued convergence group. We produce several natural examples on probabilistic convergence groups under triangular norms. We also present a notion of probabilistic uniform convergence structure in a new perspective, showing that every probabilistic convergence group is probabilistic uniformizable. Moreover, we prove that this probabilistic uniform structure maintains a close connection with a known enriched lattice-valued uniform convergence structure.
Mitochondrial maintenance via autophagy contributes to functional skeletal muscle regeneration and remodeling
Authors: Nichenko Anna S. , Southern W. Michael , Atuan Mark , Luan Junna , Peissig Kristen B. , Foltz Steven J. , Beedle Aaron M. , Warren Gordon L. , Call Jarrod A.
Published: June 2016

The primary objective of this study was to determine whether alterations in mitochondria affect recovery of skeletal muscle strength and mitochondrial enzyme activity following myotoxic injury. 3-Methyladenine (3-MA) was administered daily (15 mg/kg) to blunt autophagy, and the creatine analog guanidionpropionic acid (β-GPA) was administered daily (1% in chow) to enhance oxidative capacity. Male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to nontreatment (Con, n = 6), 3-MA-treated ( n = 6), and β-GPA-treated ( n = 8) groups for 10 wk. Mice were euthanized at 14 days after myotoxic injury for assessment of mitochondrial remodeling during regeneration and its association with the recovery of muscle strength. Expression of several autophagy-related proteins, e.g., phosphorylated Ulk1 (∼2- to 4-fold, P < 0.049) was greater in injured than uninjured muscles, indicating a relationship between muscle regeneration/remodeling and autophagy. By 14 days postinjury, recovery of muscle strength (18% less, P = 0.03) and mitochondrial enzyme (e.g., citrate synthase) activity (22% less, P = 0.049) were significantly lower in 3-MA-treated than Con mice, suggesting that the autophagy process plays an important role during muscle regeneration. In contrast, muscle regeneration was nearly complete in β-GPA-treated mice, i.e., muscle strength recovered to 93% of baseline vs. 78% for Con mice. Remarkably, 14 days allowed sufficient time for a near-complete recovery of mitochondrial function in β-GPA-treated mice (e.g., no difference in citrate synthase activity between injured and uninjured, P = 0.49), indicating a robust mitochondrial remodeling process during muscle regeneration. In conclusion, autophagy is likely activated following muscle injury and appears to play an important role in functional muscle regeneration.
High salt induces autocrine actions of ET-1 on inner medullary collecting duct NO production via upregulated ETBreceptor expression
Authors: Hyndman Kelly Anne , Dugas Courtney , Arguello Alexandra M. , Goodchild Traci T. , Buckley Kathleen M. , Burch Mariah , Yanagisawa Masashi , Pollock Jennifer S.
Published: June 2016

The collecting duct endothelin-1 (ET-1), endothelin B (ETB) receptor, and nitric oxide synthase-1 (NOS1) pathways are critical for regulation of fluid-electrolyte balance and blood pressure control during high-salt feeding. ET-1, ETBreceptor, and NOS1 are highly expressed in the inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) and vasa recta, suggesting that there may be cross talk or paracrine signaling between the vasa recta and IMCD. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that endothelial cell-derived ET-1 (paracrine) and collecting duct-derived ET-1 (autocrine) promote IMCD nitric oxide (NO) production through activation of the ETBreceptor during high-salt feeding. We determined that after 7 days of a high-salt diet (HS7), there was a shift to 100% ETBexpression in IMCDs, as well as a twofold increase in nitrite production (a metabolite of NO), and this increase could be prevented by acute inhibition of the ETBreceptor. ETBreceptor blockade or NOS1 inhibition also prevented the ET-1-dependent decrease in ion transport from primary IMCDs, as determined by transepithelial resistance. IMCD were also isolated from vascular endothelial ET-1 knockout mice (VEETKO), collecting duct ET-1 KO (CDET-1KO), and flox controls. Nitrite production by IMCD from VEETKO and flox mice was similarly increased twofold with HS7. However, IMCD NO production from CDET-1KO mice was significantly blunted with HS7 compared with flox control. Taken together, these data indicate that during high-salt feeding, the autocrine actions of ET-1 via upregulation of the ETBreceptor are critical for IMCD NO production, facilitating inhibition of ion reabsorption.
Restoring placental growth factor-soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 balance reverses vascular hyper-reactivity and hypertension in pregnancy
Authors: Zhu Minglin , Ren Zongli , Possomato-Vieira José S. , Khalil Raouf A.
Published: June 2016

Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-related hypertensive disorder (HTN-Preg) with unclear mechanism. An imbalance between antiangiogenic soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) and angiogenic placental growth factor (PlGF) has been observed in PE, but the vascular targets and signaling pathways involved are unclear. We assessed the extent of sFlt-1/PlGF imbalance and vascular dysfunction in a rat model of HTN-Preg produced by reduction of uteroplacental perfusion pressure (RUPP), and tested whether inducing a comparable sFlt-1/PlGF imbalance by infusing sFlt-1 (10 μg·kg−1·day−1) in day 14 pregnant (Preg) rats cause similar increases in blood pressure (BP) and vascular reactivity. Using these guiding measurements, we then tested whether restoring sFlt-1/PlGF balance by infusing PIGF (20 μg·kg−1·day−1) in RUPP rats would improve BP and vascular function. On gestational day 19, BP was in Preg+sFlt-1 and RUPP > Preg, and in RUPP+PlGF < RUPP rats. Plasma sFlt-1/PlGF ratio was increased in Preg+sFlt-1, and RUPP and was reduced in RUPP+PlGF rats. In isolated endothelium-intact aorta, carotid, mesenteric, and renal artery, phenylephrine (Phe)- and high KCl-induced contraction was in Preg+sFlt-1 and RUPP > Preg, and in RUPP+PlGF < RUPP. The differences in vascular reactivity to Phe and KCl between groups were less apparent in vessels treated with the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor l-NAME or guanylate cyclase inhibitor 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) or endothelium-denuded, suggesting changes in endothelial NO-cGMP pathway. In Phe precontracted vessels, ACh-induced relaxation was in Preg+sFlt-1 and RUPP < Preg, and in RUPP+PlGF > RUPP, and was blocked by Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) or ODQ treatment or endothelium removal. Western blots revealed that aortic total endothelial NOS (eNOS) and activated phosphorylated-eNOS were in Preg+sFlt-1 and RUPP < Preg and in RUPP+PlGF > RUPP. ACh-induced vascular nitrate/nitrite production was in Preg+sFlt-1 and RUPP < Preg, and in RUPP+PlGF > RUPP. Vascular relaxation to the exogenous NO donor sodium nitroprusside was not different among groups. Thus, a tilt in the angiogenic balance toward anti-angiogenic sFlt-1 is associated with decreased vascular relaxation and increased vasoconstriction and BP. Restoring the angiogenic/antiangiogenic balance using PlGF enhances endothelial NO-cGMP vascular relaxation and decreases vasoconstriction and BP in HTN-Preg rats and could offer a new approach in the management of PE.
Octopamine stabilizes conduction reliability of an unmyelinated axon during hypoxic stress
Authors: Money T. G. A. , Sproule M. K. J. , Cross K. P. , Robertson R. M.
Published: June 2016

Mechanisms that could mitigate the effects of hypoxia on neuronal signaling are incompletely understood. We show that axonal performance of a locust visual interneuron varied depending on oxygen availability. To induce hypoxia, tracheae supplying the thoracic nervous system were surgically lesioned and action potentials in the axon of the descending contralateral movement detector (DCMD) neuron passing through this region were monitored extracellularly. The conduction velocity and fidelity of action potentials decreased throughout a 45-min experiment in hypoxic preparations, whereas conduction reliability remained constant when the tracheae were left intact. The reduction in conduction velocity was exacerbated for action potentials firing at high instantaneous frequencies. Bath application of octopamine mitigated the loss of conduction velocity and fidelity. Action potential conduction was more vulnerable in portions of the axon passing through the mesothoracic ganglion than in the connectives between ganglia, indicating that hypoxic modulation of the extracellular environment of the neuropil has an important role to play. In intact locusts, octopamine and its antagonist, epinastine, had effects on the entry to, and recovery from, anoxic coma consistent with octopamine increasing overall neural performance during hypoxia. These effects could have functional relevance for the animal during periods of environmental or activity-induced hypoxia.
Effects of Hypoxia and Chitosan on Equine Umbilical Cord‐Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Griffon D. J. , Cho J. , Wagner J. R. , Charavaryamath C. , Wei J. , Wagoner Johnson A.
Published: June 2016

Chitosan opens new perspectives in regenerative medicine as it enhances the properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) through formation of spheroids. Hypoxia has also been proposed to enhance stemness and survival of MSCs after in vivo implantation. These characteristics are relevant to the development of an off‐the‐shelf source of allogenic cells for regenerative therapy of tendinopathies. Umbilical cord‐derived MSCs (UCM‐MSCs) offer an abundant source of immature and immunoprivileged stem cells. In this study, equine UCM‐MSCs (eqUCM‐MSCs) conditioned for 3 and 7 days on chitosan films at 5% oxygen were compared to eqUCM‐MSCs under standard conditions. Equine UCM‐MSCs formed spheroids on chitosan but yielded 72% less DNA than standard eqUCM‐MSCs. Expression of Sox2, Oct4, and Nanog was 4 to 10 times greater in conditioned cells at day 7. Fluorescence‐labeled cells cultured for 7 days under standard conditions or on chitosan films under hypoxia were compared in a bilateral patellar tendon defect model in rats. Fluorescence was present in all treated tendons, but the modulus of elasticity under tension was greater in tendons treated with conditioned cells. Chitosan and hypoxia affected cell yield but improved the stemness of eqUCM‐MSCs and their contribution to the healing of tissues. Given the abundance of allogenic cells, these properties are highly relevant to clinical applications and outweigh the negative impact on cell proliferation.
Aluminum-Doped SnO2Hollow Microspheres as Photoanode Materials for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Xu Binghua , Chen Zeng , Li Shengjun
Published: June 2016

Al doped SnO2microspheres were prepared through hydrothermal method. As-prepared SnO2microspheres were applied as photoanode materials in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). The properties of the assembled DSCs were significantly improved, especially the open-circuit voltage. The reason for the enhancement was explored through the investigation of dark current curves and electrochemistry impedance spectra. These results showed that the Al doping significantly increased the reaction resistance of recombination reactions and restrained the dark current. The efficient lifetime of photoexcited electrons was also obviously lengthened.
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Clinical Characteristics, Psychological Factors, and Peripheral Cytokines
Authors: Chu Hua , Fox Mark , Zheng Xia , Deng Yanyong , Long Yanqin , Huang Zhihui , Du Lijun , Xu Fei , Dai Ning
Published: June 2016

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Psychosocial factors and low-grade colonic mucosal immune activation have been suggested to play important roles in the pathophysiology of IBS. In total, 94 patients with IBS and 13 healthy volunteers underwent a 10 g lactulose hydrogen breath test (HBT) with concurrentTc99mscintigraphy. All participants also completed a face-to-face questionnaire survey, including the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Life Event Stress (LES), and general information. Serum tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin- (IL-) 6, IL-8, and IL-10 levels were measured. The 89 enrolled patients with IBS and 13 healthy controls had no differences in baseline characteristics. The prevalence of SIBO in patients with IBS was higher than that in healthy controls (39% versus 8%, resp.;p=0.026). Patients with IBS had higher anxiety, depression, and LES scores, but anxiety, depression, and LES scores were similar between the SIBO-positive and SIBO-negative groups. Psychological disorders were not associated with SIBO in patients with IBS. The serum IL-10 level was significantly lower in SIBO-positive than SIBO-negative patients with IBS.
The Effect of Preoperative Type 2 Diabetes and Physical Fitness on Mental Health and Health-Related Quality of Life after Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
Authors: Wimmelmann Cathrine L. , Lund Michael T. , Hansen Merethe , Dela Flemming , Mortensen Erik L.
Published: June 2016

Objective. To investigate the predictive value of type 2 diabetes and lack of physical activity for mental health and health-related quality of life after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.Method. Forty severely obese patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass were included in the GASMITO study. Information about physiological and psychological factors was prospectively assessed at four time points, two times prior to surgery and two times after surgery. Measures included oral and intravenous glucose tolerance tests, VO2max test,Symptoms Checklist (SCL-90), Short Form Health Survey 36 (SF-36), Body Image Questionnaire, and a questionnaire assessing sociodemographic factors and medical status.Results. Mean % excess weight loss was 65% (±12) at 18-month follow-up and 50% of the participants with diabetes experienced total remission. Also, significant improvements were observed with regard to physical fitness, mental distress, health-related quality of life, and weight-related body image (p<0.05). The interaction between follow-up time and type 2 diabetes at baseline significantly predicted six of the thirteen psychological subscales (p<0.05) and, across the follow-ups, physical fitness level made modest contributions to variations in mental symptoms and HRQOL but not weight-related body image.Conclusion. The results suggest that baseline difference in mental symptoms and physical HRQOL between diabetic and nondiabetic patients declines across follow-ups and resolves around the time of surgery.
The Association between Birth Weight and Gestational Age and Asthma in 6-7- and 13-14-Year-Old Children
Authors: Raheleh Zamani , Ahmad Alikhani , Abtin Heydarzadeh , Roghaye Zare , Sara Hashemain , Siavash Rahimi
Published: June 2016

Background. Previous studies that assessed the role of birth weight and gestational age in the risk of asthma have been conflicting.Objectives. To examine the association between birth weight and gestational age and symptoms of asthma.Patients and Methods. Subjects were 6656 school children of ages 6-7 and 13-14 years from urban districts of Mazandaran, Iran. ISAAC questionnaires were used.Results. There was an increased risk of “wheeze ever” in both age groups with birth weight under 2.5 kg and in all subgroups of low birth weight (LBW). Birth weight more than 3.5 kg was associated with lower risk of “severe asthma” in age group 6-7 years. With respect to gestational age, higher risks of “wheeze ever,” “asthma ever,” and “night cough in the past 12 months” were found in age group 13-14 years born before 37 weeks and the risk of “severe asthma” was higher in younger group (6-7 years). A lower risk of "asthma ever" was also found in 6-7-year-old children and 13-14-year-old girls who were born after 40 weeks.Conclusions. This study showed that there is a direct relation between “wheeze ever” and LBW and an inverse relation between risk of “severe asthma” and birth weight more than 3.5 kg.
A Subdivision Based Iterative Collocation Algorithm for Nonlinear Third-Order Boundary Value Problems
Authors: Ejaz Syeda Tehmina , Mustafa Ghulam
Published: June 2016

We construct an algorithm for the numerical solution of nonlinear third-order boundary value problems. This algorithm is based on eight-point binary subdivision scheme. Proposed algorithm is stable and convergent and gives more accurate results than fourth-degree B-spline algorithm.
The Preclinical Research Progress of Stem Cells Therapy in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Zhang Jun , Wang Xianyun , Li Jing , Huang Rui , Yu Xuerui , Dong Ci , Liu Pujuan , Zhang Fan , Hu Jie , Qi Yixin , Zhang Jing , Li Quanhai , Yan Baoyong
Published: June 2016

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a type of degenerative disorder of the basal ganglia, causing tremor at rest, muscle rigidity hypokinesia, and dementia. The effectiveness of drug treatments gradually diminishes because the conversion to dopamine within the brain is increasingly disrupted by the progressive degeneration of the dopaminergic terminals. After long-term treatment, most patients with PD suffer from disability that cannot be satisfactorily controlled. To solve these issues, stem cells have recently been used for cell therapy of PD. In this review, the characteristics of different stem cells and their therapeutic effects on PD treatment will be discussed.
Fractional-Order Two-Port Networks
Authors: Fouda M. E. , Elwakil A. S. , Radwan A. G. , Maundy B. J.
Published: June 2016

We introduce the concept of fractional-order two-port networks with particular focus on impedance and admittance parameters. We show how to transform a2×2impedance matrix with fractional-order impedance elements into an equivalent matrix with all elements represented by integer-order impedances; yet the matrix rose to a fractional-order power. Some examples are given.
The Onstep Method for Inguinal Hernia Repair: Operative Technique and Technical Tips
Authors: Rosenberg Jacob , Andresen Kristoffer
Published: June 2016

Inguinal hernia repair is one of the most common surgical procedures and several different surgical techniques are available. The Onstep method is a new promising technique. The technique is simple with a number of straightforward steps. This paper provides a full description of the technique together with tips and tricks to make it easy and without complications.
Quasi-Brittle Fracture Modeling of Preflawed Bitumen Using a Diffuse Interface Model
Authors: Hou Yue , Sun Fengyan , Sun Wenjuan , Guo Meng , Xing Chao , Wu Jiangfeng
Published: June 2016

Fundamental understandings on the bitumen fracture mechanism are vital to improve the mixture design of asphalt concrete. In this paper, a diffuse interface model, namely, phase-field method is used for modeling the quasi-brittle fracture in bitumen. This method describes the microstructure using a phase-field variable which assumes one in the intact solid and negative one in the crack region. Only the elastic energy will directly contribute to cracking. To account for the growth of cracks, a nonconserved Allen-Cahn equation is adopted to evolve the phase-field variable. Numerical simulations of fracture are performed in bituminous materials with the consideration of quasi-brittle properties. It is found that the simulation results agree well with classic fracture mechanics.