bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
PRIME‐HF: Novel Exercise for Older Patients with Heart Failure. A Pilot Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Giuliano Catherine , Levinger Itamar , Vogrin Sara , Neil Christopher James , Allen Jason David 
Published: April 2020

OBJECTIVESTo test the hypothesis that (1) older patients with heart failure (HF) can tolerate COMBined moderate‐intensity aerobic and resistance training (COMBO), and (2) 4 weeks of Peripheral Remodeling through Intermittent Muscular Exercise (PRIME) before 4 weeks of COMBO will improve aerobic capacity and muscle strength to a greater extent than 8 weeks of COMBO.DESIGNProspective randomized parallel open‐label blinded end point.SETTINGSingle‐site Australian metropolitan hospital.PARTICIPANTSNineteen adults (72.8 ± 8.4 years of age) with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).INTERVENTIONParticipants were randomized to 4 weeks of PRIME or COMBO (phase 1). All participants subsequently completed 4 weeks of COMBO (phase 2). Sessions were twice a week for 60 minutes. PRIME is a low‐mass, high‐repetition regime (40% one‐repetition maximum [1RM], eight strength exercises, 5 minutes each). COMBO training involved combined aerobic (40%‐60% of peak aerobic capacity [VO2peak], up to 20 minutes) and resistance training (50‐70% 1RM, eight exercises, two sets of 10 repetitions).MEASUREMENTSWe measured VO2peak, VO2 at anaerobic threshold (AT), and muscle voluntary contraction (MVC).RESULTSThe PRIME group significantly increased VO2peak after 8 weeks (2.4 mL/kg/min; 95% confidence interval [CI] = .7‐4.1; P = .004), whereas the COMBO group showed minimal change (.2; 95% CI −1.5 to 1.8). This produced a large between‐group effect size of 1.0. VO2 at AT increased in the PRIME group (1.6 mL/kg/min; 95% CI .0‐3.2) but not in the COMBO group (−1.2; 95% CI −2.9 to .4), producing a large between‐group effect size. Total MVC increased significantly in both groups in comparison with baseline; however, the change was larger in the COMBO group (effect size = .6).CONCLUSIONTraditional exercise approaches (COMBO) and PRIME improved strength. Only PRIME training produced statistically and clinically significant improvements to aerobic capacity. Taken together, these findings support the hypothesis that PRIME may have potential advantages for older patients with HFrEF and could be a possible alternative exercise modality.
Older Sepsis Survivors Suffer Persistent Disability Burden and Poor Long‐Term Survival
Authors: Mankowski Robert T. , Anton Stephen D. , Ghita Gabriela L. , Brumback Babette , Cox Michael C. , Mohr Alicia M. , Leeuwenburgh Christiaan , Moldawer Lyle L. , Efron Philip A. , Brakenridge Scott C. , Moore Frederick A. 
Published: April 2020

ObjectivesSepsis has been called a “disease of the elderly,” and as in‐hospital mortality has decreased, more sepsis survivors are progressing into poorly characterized long‐term outcomes. The purpose of this study was to describe the current epidemiology of sepsis in older adults compared with middle‐aged and young adults.DesignProspective longitudinal study with young (≤45 years), middle‐aged (46‐64 years), and older (≥65 years) patient groups.SettingUniversity tertiary medical center.ParticipantsA total of 328 adult surgical intensive care unit (ICU) sepsis patients.MeasurementsPatients were characterized by (1) baseline demographics and predisposition, (2) septic event, (3) hospital outcomes and discharge disposition, (4) 12‐month mortality, and (5) Zubrod Performance Status, physical function (Short Physical Performance Battery and handgrip strength), and cognitive function (Hopkins Verbal Learning Test, Controlled Oral Word Association, and Mini‐Mental Status Examination) at 3‐, 6‐, and 12‐month follow‐up. Loss to follow‐up was due to death (in 68), consent withdrawal (in 32), and illness and scheduling difficulties: month 3 (in 51), month 6 (in 29), and month 12 (in 20).ResultsCompared with young and middle‐aged patients, older patients had (1) significantly more comorbidities at presentation (eg, chronic renal disease 6% vs 12% vs 21%), intra‐abdominal infections (14% vs 25% vs 37%), septic shock (12% vs 25% vs 36%), and organ dysfunctions; (2) higher 30‐day mortality (6% vs 4% vs 17%) and fewer ICU‐free days (median = 25 vs 23 vs 20); (3) more progression into chronic critical illness (22% vs 34% vs 42%) with higher poor disposition discharge to non‐home destinations (19% vs 40% vs 62%); (4) worse 12‐month mortality (11% vs 14% vs 33%); and (5) poorer Zubrod Performance Status and objectively measured physical and cognitive functions with only slight improvement over 12‐month follow‐up.ConclusionCompared with younger patients, older sepsis survivors suffer both a higher persistent disability burden and 12‐month mortality.
Skin infections by Mycobacterium chelonae following mesotherapy: A report of two cases and review of the literature
Authors: Veraldi Stefano , Spigariolo Cristina Beatrice , Cusini Marco , Nazzaro Gianluca , Gianotti Raffaele 
Published: April 2020

AbstractMesotherapy is sometimes responsible for dermal and subcutaneous infections caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria. Mycobacterium chelonae, M abscessus, and M fortuitum are usually involved. We present two cases of deep skin infections caused by M chelonae following mesotherapy. A review of the literature is included.
Measuring coverage of infant and young child feeding counselling interventions: A framework and empirical considerations for survey question design
Authors: Choufani Jowel , Kim Sunny S. , Nguyen Phuong Hong , Heidkamp Rebecca , Grummer‐Strawn Laurence , Saha Kuntal Kumar , Hayashi Chika , Mehra Vrinda , Alayon Silvia , Menon Purnima 
Published: April 2020

AbstractMost countries implement nutrition counselling interventions as part of programmes to support breastfeeding and complementary feeding. However, data to track coverage of counselling interventions are rarely available. As a result, little is known about the coverage of counselling on infant and young child feeding (IYCF). Survey‐based data collection systems generally collect data on IYCF practices but do not collect data on coverage of interventions to support IYCF, and those surveys that do collect this information do not do so consistently. We present a framework to guide the design of survey questions to measure IYCF counselling coverage. We provide examples of how large‐scale surveys for programme evaluation and national monitoring have included survey questions to address these data gaps. Our review suggests that elements relevant to designing survey questions to capture coverage of counselling interventions include timing of contact, target behaviour and message content, place of contact, type of service provider, frequency of contact and mode of intervention. Application of this framework may help strengthen harmonized measurement of IYCF counselling coverage to enable better tracking of programme investments, document progress in scaling up nutrition services and allow for cross‐country comparisons. Thus, improving measurement of counselling coverage may lead to improved reach of programmes to support optimal IYCF practices.
Niche width of above‐ and below‐ground organisms varied in predicting biodiversity profiling along a latitudinal gradient
Authors: Feng Kai , Wang Shang , Wei Ziyan , Wang Zhujun , Zhang Zhaojing , Wu Yueni , Zhang Yuguang , Deng Ye 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBiodiversity is the foundation of all ecosystems across the planet, and having a better understanding of its global distribution mechanism could be important for biodiversity conservation under global change. A niche width model, combined with metabolic theory, has successfully predicted the increase of α‐diversity and decrease of β‐diversity in the below‐ground microbial community along an altitudinal mountain gradient. In this study, we evaluated this niche width model of above‐ground plants (mainly trees and shrubs) and below‐ground bulk soil microbial communities (i.e., bacteria and archaea) along a latitudinal gradient of forests in China. The niche widths of both plants and microbes increased with increasing temperature and precipitation, and with proximity to circumneutral pH. However, the α‐ and β‐diversities (observed richness and Bray–Curtis dissimilarity, respectively) could not be accurately predicted by a single niche width model alone, either temperature, precipitation or pH. Considering the interactions among different niche width models, all three niche width models were combined to predict biodiversity at the community level using structural equation modelling. The results showed that the niche width model of circumneutral pH was most important in predicting diversity profiling (i.e., α‐ and β‐diversity) for both plants and microbes, while niche width of precipitation and temperature showed both direct and indirect importance for microbe and plant biodiversity, respectively. Because the current niche width model neglects several scenarios related to taxon and environmental attributes, it still needs to be treated with caution in predicting biodiversity trends.
The best type of inoculum for testing the antifungal drug susceptibility of Microsporum canis: In vivo and in vitro results
Authors: Aneke Chioma Inyang , Rhimi Wafa , Pellicoro Claudia , Cantacessi Cinzia , Otranto Domenico , Cafarchia Claudia 
Published: April 2020

SummaryBackgroundData correlating in vitro drug susceptibility of Microsporum canis with clinical outcomes of its infections are lacking as well as the most suitable inoculum and incubation time in broth microdilution assays.Objectives and MethodsMicrosporum canis strains were collected from animal hosts that tested positive (Group I; n = 13) and negative (Group II; n = 14) to this pathogen following itraconazole (ITC) therapy. In vitro ITC susceptibility was assessed according to the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI M38‐A2) methodology using conidia, hypha‐conidia and arthroconidia at 3 and 7 days of incubation in order to assess the most suitable inoculum and incubation time. Successively, ketoconazole (KTC), voriconazole (VRC), terbinafine (TRB), posaconazole (PSZ), fluconazole (FLC) and griseofulvin (GRI) susceptibilities were assessed using the chosen inoculum.ResultsThe MIC values of ITC after three‐day incubation were equal than those recorded after 7‐day incubation.Itraconazole MICs were ≤1 μg/mL for strains from Group II and >1 μg/mL for those of Group II only when conidia were used. All strains showed high susceptibility to VRC, POS, TEB and low susceptibility to ITC, KTC, GRI and FLC regardless of the source and incubation time.Conclusions and clinical importanceResults suggest that correlation between the in vitro results and clinical outcome was observed only by incubating conidia for 3 days at 30 ± 2°C. These conditions might be most suitable to assess in vitro susceptibility of M. canis and assist in determining the occurrence of drug resistance and cross‐resistance phenomena.
Non‐invasive brain stimulation and short‐term cortical plasticity
Authors: Ogata Katsuya 
Published: April 2020

AbstractNon‐invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques have been widely used to study central nervous system pathophysiology and have revealed new information about the functional roles of specific brain structures. This review first outlines the basic technologies and neural mechanisms associated with NIBS. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was first utilized to obtain motor‐evoked potentials, which reflect corticospinal tract function. Later, studies using repetitive TMS and patterned TMS‐like theta‐burst stimulation reported the presence of aftereffects, which can enhance or inhibit cortical excitability depending on the stimulus frequency or continuous/intermittent stimulation. Over the past two decades, transcranial electrical stimulation has become increasingly popular for neuromodulation, which includes direct current stimulation (tDCS) and alternating current stimulation (tACS). While tDCS modulates cortical excitability depending on the stimulation polarity, tACS exerts its effects in a frequency‐phase–dependent manner. Although entrainment may be an important underlying mechanism, the recorded aftereffects are likely due to spike‐timing–dependent plasticity. Second, recent innovations using NIBS to induce short‐term cortical plasticity are highlighted. State‐dependent or informed open‐loop stimulation can be used to explore the interactions between endogenous cortical oscillations and TMS. Electroencephalographic oscillations prior to TMS stimulation reflect instantaneous cortical excitability depending on the stimulation power and phase, and repetitive TMS at a certain EEG state can enhance cortical excitability. Finally, temporal deafferentation of the peripheral nerve induced by a modified ischemic nerve block can modulate sensorimotor function after tourniquet deflation. Overall, NIBS techniques are promising tools for investigating human brain functions and developing new protocols for neurorehabilitation.
Safety of double‐balloon enteroscopy in postoperative pediatric patients
Authors: Matsushita Kohei , Inoue Mikihiro , Nagano Yuka , Koike Yuhki , Otake Kohei , Okita Yoshiki , Uchida Keiichi , Kusunoki Masato 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of double‐balloon enteroscopy (DBE) in postoperative pediatric patients.MethodsThis was a retrospective analysis of pediatric patients 18 years and younger referred to Mie University Hospital. Twenty procedures in 11 children occurred postoperatively; 29 children (42 procedures) had not undergone surgery.ResultsAmong postoperative patients, five DBE procedures were performed via the oral route, 12 via the anal route, and three via a stomal route. Among nonoperative patients, 14 DBE procedures were performed via the oral route and 28 via the anal route. Four postoperative patients and two nonoperative patients had difficult pleating via the transanal route because of adhesions or thickening of the intestinal wall resulting from inflammation (P = 0.02). Excluding patients with stenosis, the mean length of endoscopic insertion for transanal procedures was significantly shorter among postoperative patients than among nonoperative patients (73.6 cm vs 160.5 cm, P < 0.01). There were no major complications in either group.ConclusionsInsertion difficulty was encountered in postoperative pediatric patients. However, our findings indicate that DBE is a safe procedure in postoperative pediatric patients.
Prevalence of Internet addiction in Japan: Comparison of two cross‐sectional surveys
Authors: Kawabe Kentaro , Horiuchi Fumie , Nakachi Kiwamu , Hosokawa Rie , Ueno Shu‐ichi 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundInternet addiction is a serious problem, and the incidence has increased significantly in recent years. In two cross‐sectional studies over a 4‐year period, we investigated Internet addiction in adolescents and evaluated the resulting changes in their lives.MethodsJunior high‐school students (aged 12 to 15 years) were assessed in 2014 (survey I) and in 2018 (survey II). They filled out Young's Internet Addiction Test (IAT), the Japanese version of the General Health Questionnaire, and a questionnaire on sleep habits and usage of electric devices.ResultsIn total, 1,382 students were recruited for the two surveys. The mean IAT score was significantly higher in survey II (36.0 ± 15.2) than in survey I (32.4 ± 13.6) (P < 0.001). The increase in total IAT score indicates that the rate of Internet addiction was significantly higher in 2018 than in 2014. For each subscale of the General Health Questionnaire, social dysfunction scores were significantly lower in survey II than in survey I (P = 0.022). During the weekend, mean total sleep time was 504.8 ± 110.1 min, and the time awake was 08:02 h in survey II; the total sleep time and time awake were significantly longer and later, respectively, in survey II than in survey I (P < 0.001, P = 0.004, respectively). Smartphone use was also significantly higher in survey II than in survey I (P < 0.001).ConclusionsThe prevalence of Internet addiction differed over the 4 years of this study.
Influence of Surface Structure, Pigmentation and Particulate Matter on Plant Reflectance and Fluorescence
Authors: Cuba Nahuel I. , Torres Rocio , San Román Enrique , Lagorio M. Gabriela 
Published: April 2020

AbstractOptical properties of plant leaves are relevant to evaluate their physiological state and stress effect. The main objective of this work was to study how variegation, pigment composition or reflective features modifies leaves' photophysical behavior. For this purpose, green leaves (Ficus benjamina), purple leaves (Tradescantia pallida), green leaves covered by white trichomes (Cineraria maritima) and variegated leaves (Codiaeum aucubifolium) were analyzed. Firstly, foliar surface morphology was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. UV‐vis and near‐IR reflectance and transmittance spectra were obtained to calculate absorption (k) and scattering (s) coefficients. The theoretical approaches of Pile of Plates and Kubelka–Munk's theory resulted still valid for nonstandard leaves with differing surface conditions. However, frequently used spectral indices were not reliable for predicting water content, when leaves differed from conventional ones. The proportionality between the absorption factor and chromophore/pigment concentration was also lost for hairy leaves. A simplified model to describe these facts was presented here. Fluorescence spectra were recorded and corrected, due to light re‐absorption. Water‐optical parameter connection and pigment‐optical parameter connection were thoroughly discussed. Leaf surface morphology and pigmentation have not only influenced the optical features of leaves but also played a role in the effect that particulate matter could cause on leaf photosynthesis.
The quest for the genuine visual mismatch negativity (vMMN): Event‐related potential indications of deviance detection for low‐level visual features
Authors: Male Alie G. , O’Shea Robert P. , Schröger Erich , Müller Dagmar , Roeber Urte , Widmann Andreas 
Published: April 2020

AbstractResearch shows that the visual system monitors the environment for changes. For example, a left‐tilted bar, a deviant, that appears after several presentations of a right‐tilted bar, standards, elicits a classic visual mismatch negativity (vMMN): greater negativity for deviants than standards in event‐related potentials (ERPs) between 100 and 300 ms after onset of the deviant. The classic vMMN is contributed to by adaptation; it can be distinguished from the genuine vMMN that, through use of control conditions, compares standards and deviants that are equally adapted and physically identical. To determine whether the vMMN follows similar principles to the auditory mismatch negativity (MMN), in two experiments we searched for a genuine vMMN from simple, physiologically plausible stimuli that change in fundamental dimensions: orientation, contrast, phase, and spatial frequency. We carefully controlled for attention and eye movements. We found no evidence for the genuine vMMN, despite adequate statistical power. We conclude that either the genuine vMMN is a rather unstable phenomenon that depends on still‐to‐be‐identified experimental parameters, or it is confined to visual stimuli for which monitoring across time is more natural than monitoring over space, such as for high‐level features. We also observed an early deviant‐related positivity that we propose might reflect earlier predictive processing.
Progesterone and Luteinizing hormone secretion patterns in early pregnant gilts
Authors: Haen Silke M. , Heinonen Mari , Bjorkman Stefan , Soede Nicoline M. , Peltoniemi Olli A.T. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractWe studied luteinizing hormone (LH) pulsatility and episodic progesterone release of the corpus luteum (CL) on Day 11 and Day 21 in inseminated gilts and aimed to establish a relationship between these two hormones. Blood was collected at 15‐min intervals for 12 hr on Days 11, 16 and 21 from a vena cava caudalis catheter. At euthanasia, eight gilts were pregnant and six gilts were not pregnant. Progesterone parameters (basal, mean, pulse frequency and pulse amplitude) did not differ between pregnant and non‐pregnant gilts on Day 11, LH pulse frequency and amplitude tended to differ (p = .07 and p = .079). In pregnant gilts, basal and mean progesterone, progesterone pulse amplitude and frequency declined significantly from Day 11 to Day 21 (p < .05). A significant decline was also seen in the LH pulse amplitude from Day 11 to Day 21 (p < .05). None of the LH pulses was followed by a progesterone pulse within 1 hr on Day 21. On Day 11 and Day 21 appeared a synchronicity in the LH pulse pattern, as there were two or three LH pulses in 12 hr and these LH pulses appeared in the same time window. We conclude that on Day 11 and Day 21 of pregnancy in gilts, progesterone pulses do not follow an LH pulse within one hour. Further we demonstrated that the successful or not successful formation of a CL of pregnancy is independent of progesterone release on Day 11 after insemination. We confirmed the decline of progesterone from Day 11 to Day 21 in the vena cava caudalis and could demonstrate that this decline is partly due to lower progesterone pulse amplitude and frequency and that the decline occurs simultaneously with a decline in LH pulse amplitude.
Three‐dimensional physics‐based registration of pelvic system using 2D dynamic magnetic resonance imaging slices
Authors: Courtecuisse H. , Jiang Z. , Mayeur O. , Witz J. F. , Lecomte‐Grosbras P. , Cosson M. , Brieu M. , Cotin S. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThis paper introduces a method for dynamic 3D registration of female pelvic organs using 2D dynamic magnetic‐resonance images (MRIs). The aim is to provide a better knowledge and understanding of pathologies such as prolapsus or abnormal mobility of tissues. 2D dynamic MRI sequences are commonly used in nowadays clinical routines in order to evaluate the dynamic of organs, but due to the limited view, subjectivity related to human perception cannot be avoided in the diagnoses. A novel method for 2D/3D registration is proposed combining 3D finite element models with a priori knowledge of boundary conditions, in order to provide a 3D extrapolation of the dynamic of the organs observed in a single 2D MRI slice. The method is applied to the four main structures of the female pelvic floor (bladder, vagina, uterus and rectum), providing a full 3D visualisation of the organs' displacements. The methodology is evaluated with two patient‐specific data sets of volunteers presenting no pelvic pathology, and a sensitivity study is performed using synthetic data. The resulting simulations provide an estimation of the dynamic 3D shape of the organs facilitating diagnosis compared with 2D sequences. Moreover, the method follows a protocol compatible with current clinical constraints presenting this way potential short term medical applications.