bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nsite, NsiteH and NsiteM computer tools for studying transcription regulatory elements
Authors: Shahmuradov Ilham A. , Solovyev Victor V.
Published: July 2015

Summary: Gene transcription is mostly conducted through interactions of various transcription factors and their binding sites on DNA (regulatory elements, REs). Today, we are still far from understanding the real regulatory content of promoter regions. Computer methods for identification of REs remain a widely used tool for studying and understanding transcriptional regulation mechanisms. The Nsite, NsiteH and NsiteM programs perform searches for statistically significant (non-random) motifs of known human, animal and plant one-box and composite REs in a single genomic sequence, in a pair of aligned homologous sequences and in a set of functionally related sequences, respectively.

Availability and implementation: Pre-compiled executables built under commonly used operating systems are available for download by visiting http://www.molquest.kaust.edu.sa and http://www.softberry.com.

Contact:  solovictor@gmail.com

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Data2Dynamics: a modeling environment tailored to parameter estimation in dynamical systems
Authors: Raue A. , Steiert B. , Schelker M. , Kreutz C. , Maiwald T. , Hass H. , Vanlier J. , Tönsing C. , Adlung L. , Engesser R. , Mader W. , Heinemann T. , Hasenauer J. , Schilling M. , Höfer T. , Klipp E. , Theis F. , Klingmüller U. , Schöberl B. , Timmer J.
Published: July 2015

Summary: Modeling of dynamical systems using ordinary differential equations is a popular approach in the field of systems biology. Two of the most critical steps in this approach are to construct dynamical models of biochemical reaction networks for large datasets and complex experimental conditions and to perform efficient and reliable parameter estimation for model fitting. We present a modeling environment for MATLAB that pioneers these challenges. The numerically expensive parts of the calculations such as the solving of the differential equations and of the associated sensitivity system are parallelized and automatically compiled into efficient C code. A variety of parameter estimation algorithms as well as frequentist and Bayesian methods for uncertainty analysis have been implemented and used on a range of applications that lead to publications.

Availability and implementation: The Data2Dynamics modeling environment is MATLAB based, open source and freely available at http://www.data2dynamics.org.

Contact:  andreas.raue@fdm.uni-freiburg.de

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
A system to build distributed multivariate models and manage disparate data sharing policies: implementation in the scalable national network for effectiveness research
Authors: Meeker Daniella , Jiang Xiaoqian , Matheny Michael E , Farcas Claudiu , D’Arcy Michel , Pearlman Laura , Nookala Lavanya , Day Michele E , Kim Katherine K , Kim Hyeoneui , Boxwala Aziz , El-Kareh Robert , Kuo Grace M , Resnic Frederic S , Kesselman Carl , Ohno-Machado Lucila
Published: July 2015

Background Centralized and federated models for sharing data in research networks currently exist. To build multivariate data analysis for centralized networks, transfer of patient-level data to a central computation resource is necessary. The authors implemented distributed multivariate models for federated networks in which patient-level data is kept at each site and data exchange policies are managed in a study-centric manner.

Objective The objective was to implement infrastructure that supports the functionality of some existing research networks (e.g., cohort discovery, workflow management, and estimation of multivariate analytic models on centralized data) while adding additional important new features, such as algorithms for distributed iterative multivariate models, a graphical interface for multivariate model specification, synchronous and asynchronous response to network queries, investigator-initiated studies, and study-based control of staff, protocols, and data sharing policies.

Materials and Methods Based on the requirements gathered from statisticians, administrators, and investigators from multiple institutions, the authors developed infrastructure and tools to support multisite comparative effectiveness studies using web services for multivariate statistical estimation in the SCANNER federated network.

Results The authors implemented massively parallel (map-reduce) computation methods and a new policy management system to enable each study initiated by network participants to define the ways in which data may be processed, managed, queried, and shared. The authors illustrated the use of these systems among institutions with highly different policies and operating under different state laws.

Discussion and Conclusion Federated research networks need not limit distributed query functionality to count queries, cohort discovery, or independently estimated analytic models. Multivariate analyses can be efficiently and securely conducted without patient-level data transport, allowing institutions with strict local data storage requirements to participate in sophisticated analyses based on federated research networks.
CSER and eMERGE: current and potential state of the display of genetic information in the electronic health record
Authors: Shirts Brian H , Salama Joseph S , Aronson Samuel J , Chung Wendy K , Gray Stacy W , Hindorff Lucia A , Jarvik Gail P , Plon Sharon E , Stoffel Elena M , Tarczy-Hornoch Peter Z , Van Allen Eliezer M , Weck Karen E , Chute Christopher G , Freimuth Robert R , Grundmeier Robert W , Hartzler Andrea L , Li Rongling , Peissig Peggy L , Peterson Josh F , Rasmussen Luke V , Starren Justin B , Williams Marc S , Overby Casey L
Published: July 2015

Objective Clinicians’ ability to use and interpret genetic information depends upon how those data are displayed in electronic health records (EHRs). There is a critical need to develop systems to effectively display genetic information in EHRs and augment clinical decision support (CDS).

Materials and Methods The National Institutes of Health (NIH)-sponsored Clinical Sequencing Exploratory Research and Electronic Medical Records & Genomics EHR Working Groups conducted a multiphase, iterative process involving working group discussions and 2 surveys in order to determine how genetic and genomic information are currently displayed in EHRs, envision optimal uses for different types of genetic or genomic information, and prioritize areas for EHR improvement.

Results There is substantial heterogeneity in how genetic information enters and is documented in EHR systems. Most institutions indicated that genetic information was displayed in multiple locations in their EHRs. Among surveyed institutions, genetic information enters the EHR through multiple laboratory sources and through clinician notes. For laboratory-based data, the source laboratory was the main determinant of the location of genetic information in the EHR. The highest priority recommendation was to address the need to implement CDS mechanisms and content for decision support for medically actionable genetic information.

Conclusion Heterogeneity of genetic information flow and importance of source laboratory, rather than clinical content, as a determinant of information representation are major barriers to using genetic information optimally in patient care. Greater effort to develop interoperable systems to receive and consistently display genetic and/or genomic information and alert clinicians to genomic-dependent improvements to clinical care is recommended.
Assessing payer perspectives on health information exchange
Authors: Cross Dori A , Lin Sunny C , Adler-Milstein Julia
Published: July 2015

Objective To identify factors that impede payer engagement in a health information exchange (HIE), along with organizational and policy strategies that might effectively address the impediments.

Materials and Methods Qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews with leaders from 17 varied payer organizations from across the country (e.g., large, national payers; state Blues plans; local Medicaid managed care plans).

Results We found a large gap between payers’ vision of what optimal HIE should be and the current approach to HIE in the United States. Notably, payers sought to be active participants in HIE efforts – both providing claims data and accessing clinical data to support payer HIE use cases. Instead, payers were often asked by HIE efforts only to provide financial support without the option to participate in data exchange, or, when given the option, their data needs were secondary to those of providers.

Discussion Efforts to engage payers in pursuit of more robust and sustainable HIE need to better align their value proposition with payer HIE use cases. This will require addressing provider concerns about payer access to clinical data. Policymakers should focus on creating the conditions for broader payer engagement by removing common obstacles, such as low provider engagement in HIE.

Conclusion Despite variation in the extent to which payers engaged with current HIE efforts, there was agreement on the vision of optimal HIE and the facilitators of greater payer engagement. Specific actions by those leading HIE efforts, complemented by policy efforts nationally, could greatly increase payer engagement and enhance HIE sustainability.
Hepatitis C virus vaccine development: old challenges and new opportunities
Authors: Li Dapeng , Huang Zhong , Zhong Jin
Published: July 2015

Hepatitis C virus (HCV), an enveloped positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus, can cause chronic and end-stage liver diseases. Approximately 185 million people worldwide are infected with HCV. Tremendous progress has been achieved in the therapeutics of chronic hepatitis C thanks to the development of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs), but the worldwide use of these highly effective DAAs is limited due to their high treatment cost. In addition, drug-resistance mutations remain a potential problem as DAAs are becoming a standard therapy for chronic hepatitis C. Unfortunately, no vaccine is available for preventing new HCV infection. Therefore, HCV still imposes a big threat to human public health, and the worldwide eradication of HCV is critically dependent on an effective HCV vaccine. In this review, we summarize recent progresses on HCV vaccine development and present our views on the rationale and strategy to develop an effective HCV vaccine.
Acute Phase Reactants in Infections: Evidence-Based Review and a Guide for Clinicians
Authors: Markanday Anurag
Published: July 2015

Acute-phase reactants such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein have traditionally been used as markers for inflammation and as a measure of “sickness index” in infectious and noninfectious conditions. In the last decade, more data have become available on the wider and more specific role for these markers in the management of complex infections. This includes the potential role in early diagnosis, in differentiating infectious from noninfectious causes, as a prognostic marker, and in antibiotic guidance strategies. A better defined role for biological markers as a supplement to clinical assessment may lead to more judicious antibiotic prescriptions, and it has the potential for a long-term favorable impact on antimicrobial stewardship and antibiotic resistance. Procalcitonin as a biological marker has been of particular interest in this regard. This review examines the current published evidence and summarizes the role of various acute-phase markers in infections. A MEDLINE search of English-language articles on acute-phase reactants and infections published between 1986 and March 2015 was conducted. Additional articles were also identified through a search of references from the retrieved articles, published guidelines, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses.
Location of gamma-ray flaring region in quasar 4C +21.35
Authors: Lei Maichang , Wang Jiancheng
Published: July 2015

4C +21.35 is a flat-spectrum-radio-quasar-type blazar, in which the rapid variability of very high energy (VHE, Eγ ≳ 100 GeV) emission as short as ∼ 10 min was observed by MAGIC Cherenkov telescopes, and the VHE spectrum extends up to at least 400 GeV. In this paper, by using a flat broad-line region (BLR) structure, we study the location and properties of the γ-ray-emitting region of 4C +21.35 under the constraints of multiwavelength data. We fit three quasi-simultaneous spectral energy distributions using a homogeneous one-zone leptonic model, in which a flat BLR with aperture angle α = 25° and a spherically symmetric hot dusty torus with a temperature of Tsub = 1200 K are assumed. The results show that the jet structure of 4C +21.35 is nearly conical with a half-opening angle of θj ≃ 0 $_{.}^{\circ}$29–0 $_{.}^{\circ}$6. Furthermore, the emitting region is located within the BLR clouds and approaches the outer radius of the BLR during the flaring states, while it is well beyond the dusty torus in quiescent state. The quiescent high-energy emission is dominated by the synchrotron self-Compton process, the high-energy emission during the flaring periods is dominated by Compton scattering of BLR and dusty torus photons with a value of the Compton-dominance parameter of about 30. Moreover, the fit to optical/ultraviolet data provides further support that the central black hole mass of 4C +21.35 is 6 × 108 M⊙.
Travelling With Children on Home Parenteral Nutrition
Authors: Mantegazza Cecilia , La Vela Vanessa , Hill Susan , Köglmeier Jutta
Published: July 2015

Background:

Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) is an established therapy in children with intestinal failure. Parenteral nutrition (PN) management allows most paediatric patients to participate in age‐appropriate activities; however, HPN may lead to significant restrictions, particularly going on holiday. We aimed to identify sociodemographic and illness‐specific variables that influence if and how families with children on HPN travel.

Methods:

A standardised questionnaire was sent to all 40 children on HPN within a large tertiary intestinal failure centre in the United Kingdom. Depending on whether the family had/had not been on holiday since their child had started HPN, questions were asked to understand the reasons for not travelling or to gather information about individual travel experiences.

Results:

A total of 30 children were enrolled, 20 of 30 went at least once on holiday, and 5 of 30 travelled more than once per year, 70% travelled outside Britain. Going on vacation was more common, the longer the child had been on HPN (P = 0.022); hours spent on PN tolerance of enteral feeds or the child's age did not influence travel behaviour; 80% of parents who went on vacation had a good/worthy experience, 95% would travel again. The biggest reported obstacle was the transportation of PN bags. Ten families sacrificed a holiday over fear that it may be difficult to arrange or because of the child's unstable medical condition.

Conclusions:

A significant proportion of families chose to go on holiday away from home despite their child being on HPN. The experience is considered good by most.
Escherichia coli heme oxygenase modulates host innate immune responses
Authors: Maharshak Nitsan , Ryu Hyungjin Sally , Fan Ting‐Jia , Onyiah Joseph C. , Schulz Stephanie , Otterbein Sherrie L. , Wong Ron , Hansen Jonathan J. , Otterbein Leo E. , Carroll Ian M. , Plevy Scott E.
Published: July 2015

Induction of mammalian heme oxygenase (HO)‐1 and exposure of animals to carbon monoxide (CO) ameliorates experimental colitis. When enteric bacteria, including Escherichia coli, are exposed to low iron conditions, they express an HO‐like enzyme, chuS, and metabolize heme into iron, biliverdin and CO. Given the abundance of enteric bacteria residing in the intestinal lumen, our postulate was that commensal intestinal bacteria may be a significant source of CO and those that express chuS and other Ho‐like molecules suppress inflammatory immune responses through release of CO. According to real‐time PCR, exposure of mice to CO results in changes in enteric bacterial composition and increases E. coli 16S and chuS DNA. Moreover, the severity of experimental colitis correlates positively with E. coli chuS expression in IL‐10 deficient mice. To explore functional roles, E. coli were genetically modified to overexpress chuS or the chuS gene was deleted. Co‐culture of chuS‐overexpressing E. coli with bone marrow‐derived macrophages resulted in less IL‐12p40 and greater IL‐10 secretion than in wild‐type or chuS‐deficient E. coli. Mice infected with chuS‐overexpressing E. coli have more hepatic CO and less serum IL‐12 p40 than mice infected with chuS‐deficient E. coli. Thus, CO alters the composition of the commensal intestinal microbiota and expands populations of E. coli that harbor the chuS gene. These bacteria are capable of attenuating innate immune responses through expression of chuS. Bacterial HO‐like molecules and bacteria‐derived CO may represent novel targets for therapeutic intervention in inflammatory conditions.
Quantifying the influence of measured and unmeasured individual differences on demography
Authors: Plard Floriane , Gaillard Jean‐Michel , Coulson Tim , Delorme Daniel , Warnant Claude , Michallet Jacques , Tuljapurkar Shripad , Krishnakumar Siddharth , Bonenfant Christophe
Published: July 2015

Demographic rates can vary not only with measured individual characters like age, sex and mass but also with unmeasured individual variables like behaviour, genes and health.

Predictions from population models that include measured individual characteristics often differ from models that exclude them. Similarly, unmeasured individual differences have the potential to impact predictions from population models. However, unmeasured individual differences are rarely included in population models.

We construct stage‐ and age‐structured models (where stage is mass) of a roe deer population, which are parameterized from statistical functions that either include, or ignore, unmeasured individual differences.

We found that mass and age structures substantially impacted model parameters describing population dynamics, as did temporal environmental variation, while unmeasured individual differences impacted parameters describing population dynamics to a much smaller extent once individual heterogeneity related to mass and age has been included in the model. We discuss how our assumptions (unmeasured individual differences only in mean trait values) could have influenced our findings and under what circumstances unmeasured individual differences could have had a larger impact on population dynamics.

There are two reasons explaining the relative small influence of unmeasured individual differences on population dynamics in roe deer. First, individual body mass and age both capture a large amount of individual differences in roe deer. Second, in large populations of long‐lived animals, the average quality of individuals (independent of age and mass) within the population is unlikely to show substantial variation over time, unless rapid evolution is occurring. So even though a population consisting of high‐quality individuals would have much higher population growth rate than a population consisting of low‐quality individuals, the probability of observing a population consisting only of high‐quality individuals is small.
Adaptive strategies in nocturnally migrating insects and songbirds: contrasting responses to wind
Authors: Chapman Jason W. , Nilsson Cecilia , Lim Ka S. , Bäckman Johan , Reynolds Don R. , Alerstam Thomas
Published: July 2015

Animals that use flight as their mode of transportation must cope with the fact that their migration and orientation performance is strongly affected by the flow of the medium they are moving in, that is by the winds. Different strategies can be used to mitigate the negative effects and benefit from the positive effects of a moving flow. The strategies an animal can use will be constrained by the relationship between the speed of the flow and the speed of the animal's own propulsion in relation to the surrounding air.

Here we analyse entomological and ornithological radar data from north‐westernEurope to investigate how two different nocturnal migrant taxa, the noctuid mothAutographa gammaand songbirds, deal with wind by analysing variation in resulting flight directions in relation to the wind‐dependent angle between the animal's heading and track direction.

Our results, from fixed locations along the migratory journey, reveal different global strategies used by moths and songbirds during their migratory journeys. As expected, nocturnally migrating moths experienced a greater degree of wind drift than nocturnally migrating songbirds, but both groups were more affected by wind in autumn than in spring.

The songbirds’ strategies involve elements of both drift and compensation, providing some benefits from wind in combination with destination and time control. In contrast, moths expose themselves to a significantly higher degree of drift in order to obtain strong wind assistance, surpassing the songbirds in mean ground speed, at the cost of a comparatively lower spatiotemporal migratory precision.

Moths and songbirds show contrasting but adaptive responses to migrating through a moving flow, which are fine‐tuned to the respective flight capabilities of each group in relation to the wind currents they travel within.
Preparing preschool teacher candidates for inclusion: impact of two special education courses on their perspectives
Authors: Rakap Salih , Cig Oguzcan , Parlak‐Rakap Asiye
Published: July 2015

Successful implementation of inclusive practices depends mainly on teachers' attitudes towards children with special needs and their inclusion, and teachers' willingness to work with children with special needs in their classrooms. Experiences teacher candidates have during pre‐service stage might influence their perceptions towards children with disabilities and their inclusion. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of two special education courses on (1) preschool teacher candidates' general attitudes towards inclusion, (2) their willingness to work with children with significant intellectual, physical and behavioural disabilities within inclusive classroom settings and (3) their level of comfort in interacting with children with disabilities. A four‐part survey was administered to participants four times throughout the study, once before and after each course. The survey package included (1) a demographic information form, (2) the Opinions Relative to the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities Scale, (3) an adapted version of the Teachers' Willingness to Work with Children with Severe Disabilities Scale and (4) the Interaction with Children with a Disability Scale. The results showed that both special education courses positively influenced teacher candidates' attitudes, willingness and comfort levels. However, impact of the second course focused on helping teacher candidates learn and apply instructional strategies to work with children with disabilities in inclusive classrooms was much larger. Implications of the study findings in relation to future research and practice are discussed.
Application of Chromatographic Techniques in the Detection and Identification of Constituents Formed during Food Frying: A Review
Authors: Zhang Qing , Qin Wen , Li Meiliang , Shen Qun , Saleh Ahmed S.M.
Published: July 2015

Frying is one of the most popular food processing methods. However, many physicochemical reactions occur during frying, forming complex products in both the frying oil and the fried food. Chromatographic techniques have been successfully applied to characterize the products formed during food‐frying or during a simulated frying process. In this review, the specific products analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) are elucidated in detail. The most studied components are polar compounds (such as volatile compounds, hydrolysis products, oxidized triacylglycerol [TAG] decomposition products, oxidized TAG monomers, sterol oxides, oxygenated TAG polymers, and acrylamide) and nonpolar compounds (such as cyclic fatty acid monomers and trans isomers), which are classified based on their polarity. However, the definite structures of TAG polymers and sterol oxides, and polymers analyzed by GC or HPLC‐based methods are only investigated in modeled reactions. Furthermore, some of the sample pretreatments and chromatographic methods are only used to analyze the known products. A number of earlier trace amounts of undetected products need to be investigated by more effective detection techniques. The development of multidimensional chromatographic techniques and elaborate mass spectrometry detectors makes composition analysis possible for the food‐frying process, which may effectively promote the development of quality monitoring and nutrition evaluation for the fried foods.
Effect of Novel Starter Culture on Reduction of Biogenic Amines, Quality Improvement, and Sensory Properties ofDoenjang, a Traditional Korean Soybean Fermented Sauce Variety
Authors: Shukla Shruti , Lee Jong Suk , Park Hae‐Kyong , Yoo Jung‐Ah , Hong Sung‐Yong , Kim Jong‐Kyu , Kim Myunghee
Published: July 2015

To select appropriate microorganisms as starter cultures for the reliable and reproducible fermentation of soybean fermented products of KoreanDoenjang, various ratios of fungi (Aspergillus oryzaeJ,Mucor racemosus15,M. racemosus42) combined withBacillus subtilisTKSP 24 were selected as either single, double, or multipleMejustrains for commercial mass production ofDoenjang, followed by analysis of sensory characteristics. In the sensory evaluation,DoenjangBAM15‐1 and BAM42‐1, which were fermented with multiple strains (1:1:1), showed the highest sensory scores as compared to control. Based on sensory characteristics, 6Doenjangsamples were subjected to quantitative determination of amino acids, free sugars, and organic acids (volatile and nonvolatile) contents, followed by determination of biogenic amines. Total sweet taste amino acid contents were highest in BAM15‐1 and BAM42‐1 samples (333.7 and 295.8 mg/100 g, respectively) and similar that of control (391.1 mg/100 g). Samples BAM15‐1 and BAM42‐1 showed the relatively high volatile and nonvolatile organic acid contents (154.24, 192.26, and 71.31, 82.42 mg/100 g, respectively). In addition, BAM15‐1 and BAM42‐1 showed negligible biogenic amine formation, ranging from 0.00 to 1.02 and 0.00 to 3.92 mg/100 g, respectively. These findings indicate that determination of food components along with sensory and quality attributes using multiple microbialMejustrains as a starter culture may provide substantial results on improved quality fermentedDoenjangproducts.
Use of Attenuated Total Reflectance Mid‐Infrared Spectroscopy for Rapid Prediction of Amino Acids in Chinese Rice Wine
Authors: Wu Zhengzong , Xu Enbo , Long Jie , Wang Fang , Xu Xueming , Jin Zhengyu , Jiao Aiquan
Published: July 2015

The high content of amino acids of Chinese rice wine (CRW), especially essential amino acids makes it a food increasingly demanded by consumers. Rapid detection technique of amino acid content, which is an important quality and function index of CRW, is highly desirable for consumers, producers as well as administrative authorities. In this study, the potential of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) as a novel and rapid analytical technique to determine 17 free amino acids in CRW were investigated. Genetic algorithms (GA) and synergy interval partial least squares (SiPLS) were used to select the most efficient spectral variables to improve the prediction precision of the classic partial least squares (PLS) model constructed on the full‐spectrum. The results demonstrated that compared with the PLS model using all wavelengths of FT‐IR spectra, the prediction precision of model based on the spectral variables selected by GA and SiPLS was significantly improved, especially for arginine and proline. After systemic comparison and discussion, it was found that GA‐SiPLS model achieved the best performance, with the correlation coefficient in calibration (R2 (cal)) higher than 0.80 and the residual predictive deviation higher than 2.00 for all of the free amino acids analyzed in this study. The overall results confirmed that FT‐IR combined with efficient variable selection algorithms is a method that may be useful to replace the traditional methods for routine analysis of free amino acids in CRW.
Macroeconomic Policy for the Real World: A Post‐Keynesian Perspective
Authors: Nevile JW , Harcourt GC , Kriesler Peter
Published: July 2015

The current mainstream neoclassical economic analysis of growth in a “Western” economy holds that in anything but the relatively short run, defined as the length of a business cycle, the economy reaches an equilibrium growth rate determined entirely by supply side factors and unaffected by measures taken to increase aggregate demand during a slump. In addition, the process of transformation to this long‐run equilibrium position is never explained. As a result of these views, the finance sector, both domestically and internationally, has obtained undue influence and behaved in a manner that caused the crisis which started in 2007. This paper considers these propositions, focussing on neoclassical growth theory. After establishing these claims, the policy implications are discussed.
Merging time‐series Australian data across databases: challenges and solutions
Authors: Katselas Dean , Sidhu Baljit K. , Yu Chuan
Published: July 2015

This study discusses the differences in company identification across sources of Australian data and raises important issues which should be considered prior to merging across databases. In particular, we show that the practice among accounting databases of overwriting prior identifiers used by a given company, with its most recent, results in failure to match data which actually exists. We suggest a method for reconciling these differences and show that our method results in a match rate of 97 percent with the Aspect company identification file, and 94 percent after missing accounting data is considered. This contrasts with a match rate of only 71 percent when performing a direct merge.
Association between adult atopic dermatitis, cardiovascular disease, and increased heart attacks in three population‐based studies
Authors: Silverberg J. I.
Published: July 2015

Background

Adults with eczema are more likely to smoke cigarettes, consume alcohol, and have sedentary lifestyle. We sought to determine whether adult eczema is associated with increased cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease.

Methods

Data from the 2005–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (n = 4970) and 2010 (n = 27 157) and 2012 (n = 34 525) National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). History of coronary artery disease (CAD), angina, heart attack, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease (PVD) were determined.

Results

In NHANES, flexural eczema in the past year was associated with significantly higher odds of CAD (P ≤ 0.04), heart attack (P ≤ 0.01), and congestive heart failure (P ≤ 0.02), but not with stroke (P ≥ 0.37), in survey‐weighted multivariate logistic regression models that controlled for socio‐demographics, comorbid asthma, and hay fever. Similarly, in NHIS 2010 and 2012, 1‐year history of eczema was associated with significantly higher odds of CAD (P ≤ 0.02), angina (P ≤ 0.02), heart attack (P ≤ 0.047), other heart disease (P < 0.0001), stroke (P ≤ 0.02), and PVD (<0.0001) in multivariate models.

Conclusions

Adults with atopic dermatitis may have increased cardiovascular disease, heart attack, and stroke.
Gluten and casein supplementation does not increase symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Pusponegoro Hardiono D. , Ismael Sofyan , Firmansyah Agus , Sastroasmoro Sudigdo , Vandenplas Yvan
Published: July 2015

Aim

A gluten‐ and casein‐free diet is often given to children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We aimed to determine the effect of gluten and casein supplementation on maladaptive behaviour, gastrointestinal symptom severity and intestinal fatty acids binding protein (I‐FABP) excretion in children with ASD.

Methods

A randomised, controlled, double‐blind trial was performed on 74 children with ASD with severe maladaptive behaviour and increased urinary I‐FABP. Subjects were randomised to receive gluten–casein or a placebo for seven days. We evaluated maladaptive behaviour before and after supplementation, using I‐FABP excretion, the approach withdrawal problem composite subtest of the Pervasive Developmental Disorder Behavior Inventory and the Gastrointestinal Symptom Severity Index.

Results

The mean approach withdrawal problem composite score was significantly higher before supplementation than after, both in the placebo and in the gluten–casein group. However, the mean difference was not significant and may have been caused by additional therapy. There was no significant difference in gastrointestinal symptoms and urinary I‐FABP excretion.

Conclusion

Administrating gluten–casein to children with ASD for one week did not increase maladaptive behaviour, gastrointestinal symptom severity or urinary I‐FABP excretion. The effect of prolonged administration or other mechanisms of enterocyte damage in ASD should be explored.
Using a novel laminar flow unit provided effective total body hypothermia for neonatal hypoxic encephalopathy
Authors: Perez Jose M. R. , Golombek Sergio G. , Alpan Gad , Sola Augusto
Published: July 2015

Aim

This was a clinical observational trial on a laminar flow device that provides total body hypothermia for infants with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE).

Methods

We enrolled infants born at up to 35 weeks of gestation, who presented with HIE within six hours of birth. Total body cooling was achieved using the neonatal laminar flow unit for 72 hours, with continuous rectal temperature servo control, isolation and humidification. Outcome measures were cerebral palsy, a Bayley II Mental Development Index score <70, hearing loss or blindness. We compared findings with previously published studies.

Results

We included 26 newborn infants (69% male) with a birthweight of 3.341 ± 1658 g and gestational age of 38.2 ± 3.2 weeks. The majority (62.6%) had a Sarnat HIE score of three and 38.4% had a score of two. Total body cooling (33–34°C) was achieved in 70 minutes and maintained with servo control, showing very little variability until rewarming. At 18–24 months of age, two of the 18 survivors were diagnosed with cerebral palsy and one was diagnosed with impaired hearing.

Conclusion

The laminar flow unit proved effective in maintaining moderate total body hypothermia under well‐controlled conditions, and our results were very similar to other studies.
Multiple institutional logics in union–NGO relations: private labor regulation in the Swedish Clean Clothes Campaign
Authors: Egels‐Zandén Niklas , Lindberg Kajsa , Hyllman Peter
Published: July 2015

Conflicts between labor unions and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) often impede private labor regulatory attempts to protect worker rights at supplier factories. Based on a study of a failed private regulatory attempt for Swedish garment retailers, we contribute to existing research into union–NGO relations by demonstrating how conflict arises because unions and NGOs act upon different institutional logics. We also contribute to the institutional logics perspective by challenging the current emphasis on either coexistence or conflict among multiple logics, and showing the heterogeneity in how multiple logics manifest on a local level, how this could shift over time, and suggesting an empirically derived typology of manifestations of multiple logics.
Genetics and Racial Difference in Contemporary Brazil: Haemoglobinopathies, Whiteness and Admixture in Biomedical Literature
Authors: CALVO‐GONZÁLEZ ELENA
Published: July 2015

The historical role of biomedicine in shaping and legitimising ideas of race in Brazil has long been documented. Much less discussed, however, is how contemporary biomedicine helps recreate notions of race. In this article I explore some of the uses of race, and particularly whiteness, in current biomedical research, using as a case study articles published on the prevalence of haemoglobinopathies, including sickle cell anaemia and β‐Thalassaemia. One can only properly understand how race features in these texts by pointing to the links between ideas about admixture and purity, existing historical discourses about difference and Nation and new genetic knowledge.
Microscale Adaptation of In Vitro Transcription/Translation for High‐Throughput Screening of Natural Product Extract Libraries
Authors: Lowell Andrew N. , Santoro Nicholas , Swaney Steven M. , McQuade Thomas J. , Schultz Pamela J. , Larsen Martha J. , Sherman David H.
Published: July 2015

Novel antimicrobials that effectively inhibit bacterial growth are essential to fight the growing threat of antibiotic resistance. A promising target is the bacterial ribosome, a 2.5 MDa organelle susceptible to several biorthogonal modes of action used by different classes of antibiotics. To promote the discovery of unique inhibitors, we have miniaturized a coupled transcription/translation assay using E. coli and applied it to screen a natural product library of ~30 000 extracts. We significantly reduced the scale of the assay to 2 μL in a 1536‐well plate format and decreased the effective concentration of costly reagents. The improved assay returned 1327 hits (4.6% hit rate) with %CV and Z′ values of 8.5% and 0.74, respectively. This assay represents a significant advance in molecular screening, both in miniaturization and its application to a natural product extract library, and we intend to apply it to a broad array of pathogenic microbes in the search for novel anti‐infective agents.
A histomorphometric assessment of collagen‐stabilized anorganic bovine bone mineral in maxillary sinus augmentation – a randomized controlled trial in sheep
Authors: Alayan Jamil , Vaquette Cedryck , Saifzadeh Siamak , Hutmacher Dietmar , Ivanovski Saso
Published: July 2015

Objective

To histomorphometrically compare the use of collagen‐stabilized anorganic bovine bone (ABBM‐C) (test) to anorganic bovine bone + autogenous bone (ABBM + AB) (control) in maxillary sinus augmentation.

Materials and methods

Nine sheep underwent bilateral sinus augmentation. Each sinus was randomized to receive either control or test bone graft. Three animals were sacrificed at 8 weeks, and six animals were sacrificed at 16 weeks post‐grafting. The 18 sinuses were processed for histomorphometry, which assessed the area fraction of new bone (%NB), residual graft (%RG) and soft tissue components (% STM), as well as graft particle osseointegration (% OI), within three zones equally distributed from the augmented sinus floor.

Results

At week 16, a significant increase in %NB was evident across all three zones in the control group when compared to week 8. A significantly greater %NB was evident in the control group when compared to the test group in zones 2 (P < 0.001) and 3 (P < 0.001). There was a significant increase in %OI in week 16 when compared to week 8 across all three zones in the control group (P < 0.001). %OI in the control group was significantly greater across all three zones when compared to the test group at week 16 (P < 0.001). Zone was found to be a significant main effect (P < 0.001) that was independent of time and treatment with decreasing %OI in distant zones. %RG did not significantly change with time for both groups. There was a significant reduction in %ST in week 16 when compared to week 8 across all three zones in the control group (P < 0.001). %ST in the test group was significantly greater across all zones when compared to the control group at week 16 (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Both groups exhibited very similar histomorphometric measurements in the zones proximal to the resident sinus wall. The % NB and % OI were greatest in the zones proximal to resident bony walls and gradually decreased as the distance from the proximal walls increased. There was greater % NB and % OI in the control group when compared to the test group in the distant zone.
Submerged flapless technique vs. conventional flap approach for implant placement: experimental domestic pig study with 12‐month follow‐up
Authors: Pérez‐Albacete Martínez Carlos , Vlahović Zoran , Šćepanović Miodrag , Videnović Goran , Barone Antonio , Calvo‐Guirado José Luis
Published: July 2015

Objectives

The aim of our study was to compare osseointegration and peri‐implant crestal bone resorption in submerged flapless and conventional flap surgery over a 12‐month follow‐up.

Materials and methods

The study used five domestic pigs. Implants were inserted 9 weeks after tooth extraction. Each animal received six implants in the mandible, following a split‐mouth design: one side was treated using a flapless technique using mini‐incisions, while a flap was raised on the other. The animals were sacrificed at 2 weeks, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after implant placement. Radiographic images were taken to analyze crestal bone loss, and samples were extracted for histopathological and bone‐to‐implant contact (BIC) analyses.

Results

Significantly, greater crestal bone loss (P = 0.005) was obtained in the flap group compared with the flapless group. The flapless group presented significantly higher percentages of BIC (P < 0.05) at 3, 6 and 12 months compared with the conventional flap group.

Conclusions

Within the limitations of this experimental animal study, it may be concluded that the type of surgery (flap or flapless) affects peri‐implant bone preservation and osseointegration of regular platform implants. Flapless surgery is associated with peri‐implant crestal bone preservation. Flapless surgery in combination with submerged implants allows higher osseointegration values.
Intramuscular water movement during and after isometric muscle contraction: evaluation at different exercise intensities
Authors: Yanagisawa Osamu , Kurihara Toshiyuki
Published: July 2015

We aimed at evaluating the effect of isometric muscle contraction on intramuscular water movement at different exercise intensities. Seven men performed 1‐min isometric ankle dorsiflexion (20% and 50% maximal voluntary contractions [MVCs]) with a non‐magnetic custom‐made dynamometer, inside a magnetic resonance (MR) device. Axial diffusion‐weighted images were obtained before, during and at 1–20 min (1‐min interval) after the exercise to calculate the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of the tibialis anterior. Under the same exercise condition, the concentration change of total haemoglobin (Hb) and myoglobin (Mb) (total Hb/Mb) within the tibialis anterior was assessed by performing near‐infrared spectroscopy before, during and after the exercise outside the MR device. The 20% MVC exercise significantly increased the ADC only at 1 min postexercise (P<0·01), whereas the ADC significantly increased during and at 2–20 min after the 50% MVC exercise (P<0·01). The 20% MVC exercise decreased the total Hb/Mb during exercise (P<0·01), but the value significantly increased at 1 min postexercise (P<0·01). The total Hb/Mb significantly decreased during the 50% MVC exercise, but significantly increased at 1–5 min postexercise (P<0·01). One‐minute moderate‐intensity isometric exercise activates intramuscular water movement during and after the exercise. This activation was found even after a low‐intensity exercise, but the effect was small and did not last long. The effect of intramuscular hyperaemia on the postexercise ADC elevation may be limited to the very early period after low‐ to moderate‐intensity exercises.
Three‐phase bone scintigraphy for diagnosis of Charcot neuropathic osteoarthropathy in the diabetic foot – does quantitative data improve diagnostic value?
Authors: Fosbøl M. , Reving S. , Petersen E. H. , Rossing P. , Lajer M. , Zerahn B.
Published: July 2015

Aim

To investigate whether inclusion of quantitative data on blood flow distribution compared with visual qualitative evaluation improve the reliability and diagnostic performance of 99 mTc‐hydroxymethylene diphosphate three‐phase bone scintigraphy (TPBS) in patients suspected for charcot neuropathic osteoarthropathy (CNO) of the foot.

Method

A retrospective cohort study of TPBS performed on 148 patients with suspected acute CNO referred from a single specialized diabetes care centre. The quantitative blood flow distribution was calculated based on the method described by Deutsch et al. All scintigraphies were re‐evaluated by independent, blinded observers twice with and without quantitative data on blood flow distribution at ankle and focus level, respectively. The diagnostic validity of TPBS was determined by subsequent review of clinical data and radiological examinations.

Results

A total of 90 patients (61%) had confirmed diagnosis of CNO. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of three‐phase bone scintigraphy without/with quantitative data were 89%/88%, 58%/62% and 77%/78%, respectively. The intra‐observer agreement improved significantly by adding quantitative data in the evaluation (Kappa value 0·79/0·94). The interobserver agreement was not significantly improved.

Conclusion

Adding quantitative data on blood flow distribution in the interpretation of TBPS improves intra‐observer variation, whereas no difference in interobserver variation was observed. The sensitivity of TPBS in the diagnosis of CNO is high, but holds limited specificity. Diagnostic performance does not improve using quantitative data in the evaluation. This may be due to the reference intervals applied in the study or the absence of a proper gold standard diagnostic procedure for comparison.
An echo‐planar imaging sequence is superior to a steady‐state free precession sequence for visual as well as quantitative assessment of cardiac magnetic resonance stress perfusion
Authors: Ahlander Britt‐Marie , Maret Eva , Brudin Lars , Starck Sven‐Ake , Engvall Jan
Published: July 2015

Background

To assess myocardial perfusion, steady‐state free precession cardiac magnetic resonance (SSFP, CMR) was compared with gradient‐echo–echo‐planar imaging (GRE‐EPI) using myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) as reference.

Methods

Cardiac magnetic resonance perfusion was recorded in 30 patients with SSFP and in another 30 patients with GRE‐EPI. Timing and extent of inflow delay to the myocardium was visually assessed. Signal‐to‐noise (SNR) and contrast‐to‐noise (CNR) ratios were calculated. Myocardial scar was visualized with a phase‐sensitive inversion recovery sequence (PSIR). All scar positive segments were considered pathologic. In MPS, stress and rest images were used as in clinical reporting. The CMR contrast wash‐in slope was calculated and compared with the stress score from the MPS examination. CMR scar, CMR perfusion and MPS were assessed separately by one expert for each method who was blinded to other aspects of the study.

Results

Visual assessment of CMR had a sensitivity for the detection of an abnormal MPS at 78% (SSFP) versus 91% (GRE‐EPI) and a specificity of 58% (SSFP) versus 84% (GRE‐EPI). Kappa statistics for SSFP and MPS was 0·29, for GRE‐EPI and MPS 0·72. The ANOVA of CMR perfusion slopes for all segments versus MPS score (four levels based on MPS) had correlation r = 0·64 (SSFP) and r = 0·96 (GRE‐EPI). SNR was for normal segments 35·63 ± 11·80 (SSFP) and 17·98 ± 8·31 (GRE‐EPI), while CNR was 28·79 ± 10·43 (SSFP) and 13·06 ± 7·61 (GRE‐EPI).

Conclusion

GRE‐EPI displayed higher agreement with the MPS results than SSFP despite significantly lower signal intensity, SNR and CNR.