bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The influence of rider:horse bodyweight ratio and rider‐horse‐saddle fit on equine gait and behaviour: A pilot study
Authors: Dyson S. , Ellis A. D. , Mackechnie‐Guire R. , Douglas J. , Bondi A. , Harris P. 
Published: March 2019

SummaryThe effect of rider weight on equine welfare and performance requires further investigation. The objective of this prospective, cross‐over, randomised trial was to assess gait and behavioural responses of horses to riders of similar ability, but different bodyweights. Six nonlame horses in regular work were ridden by each of four riders: Light (L), Moderate (M), Heavy (H) and Very Heavy (VH). Saddle fit was assessed subjectively throughout the study. Each horse was ridden twice by riders L and M, and once by rider H. RiderVHrode five horses once and one twice. Each horse‐rider combination undertook a standardised, 30‐min ‘dressage‐test' which was abandoned if we observed lameness grade ≥ 3/8 in one limb, grade ≥ 2/8 in ≥ 2 limbs, or ≥ 10/24 behavioural markers of pain. Horses were reassessed in hand 45–60 min after any abandonment. Mean rider bodyweights, body mass index (BMI) values and rider:horse bodyweight percentages for the L, M, H andVHriders were respectively: 60.8, 77.8, 91.0, 142.1 kg; 23.2, 28.0, 26.3, 46.9 kg/m2; 10.0–11.7%, 12.8–15.0%, 15.3–17.9%, 23.6–27.5%. All 13 H andVHrider tests (lameness, n = 12; behaviour, n = 1) and one of 12 M rider tests (lameness) were abandoned. Lameness was confirmed using inertial measurement unit data. All horses trotted sound after test abandonment and completed the study moving well when ridden. Limitations of the study were saddle fit was not ideal in all horse‐rider combinations and abandonment criteria were subjective. The conclusions and clinical relevance of the study were that large riders can induce temporary lameness and behaviours consistent with musculoskeletal pain. This may relate to rider bodyweight and/or weight distribution. Riders M and H had similarBMIbut markedly different test abandonment rates, therefore bodyweight is likely to be more relevant thanBMI. Further work is required to determine if horse fitness, adaptation to heavier weights and better saddle fit for heavier/taller riders will increase horses' weight‐carrying capacity.
Keratin‐binding ability of the N‐terminal Solo domain of Solo is critical for its function in cellular mechanotransduction
Authors: Fujiwara Sachiko , Matsui Tsubasa S. , Ohashi Kazumasa , Mizuno Kensaku , Deguchi Shinji 
Published: March 2019

AbstractSolo (ARHGEF40) is a RhoA‐targeting guanine nucleotide exchange factor that regulates tensional force‐induced cytoskeletal reorganization. Solo binds to keratin 8/keratin 18 (K8/K18) filaments through multiple sites, but the roles of these interactions in the localization and mechanotransduction‐regulating function of Solo remain unclear. Here, we constructed two Solo mutants (L14R/L17R and L49R/L52R) with leucine‐to‐arginine replacements in the N‐terminal conserved region (which we termed the Solo domain) and analyzed their K18‐binding activities. These mutations markedly decreased the K18‐binding ability of the N‐terminal fragment (residues 1–329) of Solo but had no apparent effect on the K18‐binding ability of full‐length (FL) Solo. When expressed in cultured cells, wild‐type Solo‐FL showed a unique punctate localization near the ventral surface of cells and caused the reinforcement of actin filaments. In contrast, despite retaining the K18‐binding ability, the L14R/L17R and L49R/L52R mutants of Solo‐FL were diffusely distributed in the cytoplasm and barely induced actin cytoskeletal reinforcement. Furthermore, wild‐type Solo‐FL promoted traction force generation against extracellular matrices and tensional force‐induced stress fiber reinforcement, but its L14R/L17R and L49R/L52R mutants did not. These results suggest that the K18‐binding ability of the N‐terminal Solo domain is critical for the ventral localization of Solo and its function in regulating mechanotransduction.
MRG‐1 is required for both chromatin‐based transcriptional silencing and genomic integrity of primordial germ cells in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Miwa Takashi , Inoue Kunio , Sakamoto Hiroshi 
Published: March 2019

AbstractIn Caenorhabditis elegans, germline cells remain transcriptionally silenced during embryogenesis. The transcriptional silencing is achieved by two different mechanisms: One is the inhibition of RNA polymerase II in P2‐P4 cells at the establishment stage, and another is chromatin‐based silencing in two primordial germ cells (PGCs) at the maintenance stage; however, the molecular mechanism underlying chromatin‐based silencing is less understood. We investigated the role of the chromodomain protein MRG‐1, which is an essential maternal factor for germline development, in transcriptional silencing in PGCs. PGCs lacking maternal MRG‐1 showed increased levels of two histone modifications (H3K4me2 and H4K16ac), which are epigenetic markers for active transcription, and precocious activation of germline promoters. Loss of MES‐4, a H3K36 methyltransferase, also caused similar derepression of the germline genes in PGCs, suggesting that both MRG‐1 and MES‐4 function in chromatin‐based silencing in PGCs. In addition, the mrg‐1 null mutant showed abnormal chromosome structures and a decrease in homologous recombinase RAD‐51 foci in PGCs, but the mes‐4 null mutant did not show such phenotypes. Taken together, we propose that MRG‐1 has two distinct functions: chromatin‐based transcriptional silencing and preserving genomic integrity at the maintenance stage of PGCs.
Inter‐seasonality of influenza in Australia
Authors: Moa Aye M. , Adam Dillon C. , MacIntyre C. Raina 
Published: March 2019

BackgroundIt appears inter‐seasonal influenza notifications have been increasing in summer months in Australia. This study aims to determine changes in inter‐seasonal influenza activity in Australia over time.MethodsRoutine influenza surveillance data and hospitalisations data were analysed to study the epidemiology of inter‐seasonal influenza and to examine the impact of inter‐seasonal influenza on morbidity in Australia at a national level. To adjust for changes in testing over time, we calculated a ratio of summer‐to‐winter notifications for each year in the study. AP‐value of <0.05 was used for statistical significance.ResultsNationally, 18 933 notifications were reported during summer months from December to February 2005‐2016. There have been increasing summer notifications over time, which corresponded to similarly increased notifications in winter. A significant upward trend was observed for rate of notification during summer period over these years,P < 0.01. However, the ratio of summer‐to‐winter notifications demonstrated that while notifications have increased, the ratio has not increased markedly over the years and did not show a significant trend. No seasonal trend in rates of hospitalisation for influenza and pneumonia, respiratory and circulatory diagnosis was observed over the studied years.ConclusionThis study provides a clearer understanding of the epidemiology and burden of inter‐seasonal influenza and trends over time in Australia. The ratio of summer‐to‐winter notifications remains relatively constant and is supported by reasonably constant hospitalisation rates over the years.
No gains for bigger brains: Functional and neuroanatomical consequences of relative brain size in a parasitic wasp
Authors: van der Woude Emma , Groothuis Jitte , Smid Hans M. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractHeritable genetic variation in relative brain size can underlie the relationship between brain performance and the relative size of the brain. We used bidirectional artificial selection to study the consequences of genetic variation in relative brain size on brain morphology, cognition and longevity in Nasonia vitripennis parasitoid wasps. Our results show a robust change in relative brain size after 26 generations of selection and six generations of relaxation. Total average neuropil volume of the brain was 16% larger in wasps selected for relatively large brains than in wasps selected for relatively small brains, whereas the body length of the large‐brained wasps was smaller. Furthermore, the relative volume of the antennal lobes was larger in wasps with relatively large brains. Relative brain size did not influence olfactory memory retention, whereas wasps that were selected for larger relative brain size had a shorter longevity, which was even further reduced after a learning experience. These effects of genetic variation on neuropil composition and memory retention are different from previously described effects of phenotypic plasticity in absolute brain size. In conclusion, having relatively large brains may be costly for N. vitripennis, whereas no cognitive benefits were recorded.
Role of melatonin in sleep deprivation‐induced intestinal barrier dysfunction in mice
Authors: Gao Ting , Wang Zixu , Dong Yulan , Cao Jing , Lin Rutao , Wang Xintong , Yu Zhengquan , Chen Yaoxing 
Published: March 2019

AbstractIntestinal diseases caused by sleep deprivation (SD) are severe public health threats worldwide. This study focuses on the effect of melatonin on intestinal mucosal injury and microbiota dysbiosis in sleep‐deprived mice. Mice subjected to SD had significantly elevated norepinephrine levels and decreased melatonin content in plasma. Consistent with the decrease in melatonin levels, we observed a decrease of antioxidant ability, down‐regulation of anti‐inflammatory cytokines and up‐regulation of pro‐inflammatory cytokines in sleep‐deprived mice, which resulted in colonic mucosal injury, including a reduced number of goblet cells, proliferating cell nuclear antigen‐positive cells, expression of MUC2 and tight junction proteins and elevated expression of ATG5, Beclin1, p‐P65 and p‐IκB. High‐throughput pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA demonstrated that the diversity and richness of the colonic microbiota were decreased in sleep‐deprived mice, especially in probiotics, including Akkermansia, Bacteroides and Faecalibacterium. However, the pathogen Aeromonas was markedly increased. By contrast, supplementation with 20 and 40 mg/kg melatonin reversed these SD‐induced changes and improved the mucosal injury and dysbiosis of the microbiota in the colon. Our results suggest that the effect of SD on intestinal barrier dysfunction might be an outcome of melatonin suppression rather than a loss of sleep per se. SD‐induced intestinal barrier dysfunction involved the suppression of melatonin production and activation of the NF‐κB pathway by oxidative stress.
Airway management in patients with mucopolysaccharidoses: The progression toward difficult intubation
Authors: Madoff Lauren U. , Kordun Anna , Cravero Joseph P. 
Published: March 2019

SummaryBackgroundPatients with mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) have physical changes to their airways over time. Due to the natural progression of their disease, these patients become more difficult to intubate as they get older.AimsThe aims of this study were to evaluate the difficulty of airway management in MPS patients over time, and to evaluate the effect of bone marrow transplant and/or enzyme replacement therapy on airway difficulty.MethodsA retrospective review of MPS patients presenting for surgery from January 2012 to May 2018 was performed. Patients were assigned to groups based on their ages at the time of surgery, number of intubation attempts, equipment used for intubation, difficulty of mask ventilation, and difficulty of laryngeal mask airway placement. The same designations were applied to patients with a history of a bone marrow transplant (BMT) and/or enzyme replacement therapy, and they were compared to patients of similar ages who had received no treatment. Logistic regression was used to determine the odds of difficult intubation.ResultsOne hundred and twenty‐eight anesthetic records were reviewed. In 27 cases, the patient had a BMT and in 54 cases, the patient had received enzyme replacement therapy. Adults (18 years and older) had the highest likelihood of difficult intubation (OR 13.44, CI 1.45‐124.86, P = 0.022). Mask ventilation and laryngeal mask airway placement were not significantly more difficult in any age groups. Bone marrow transplant did not improve airway management. A history of enzyme replacement therapy was associated with an increased risk of difficult intubation in patients under the age of 12.ConclusionsAs patients with MPS get older, there is a progression toward difficult intubation. Mask ventilation and laryngeal mask airway placement does not become more difficult with age. Bone marrow transplantation did not affect airway difficulty in our population, while enzyme replacement therapy was associated with difficult intubations in younger patients.
Impact of immunoglobulin G2 subclass level on late‐onset bacterial infection after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Yamazaki Rie , Kato Jun , Koda Yuya , Sakurai Masatoshi , Tozawa Keiichi , Okayama Mikio , Nakayama Hitomi , Watanuki Shintaro , Kikuchi Taku , Hasegawa Naoki , Okamoto Shinichiro , Mori Takehiko 
Published: March 2019

AbstractBackgroundImmunoglobulin (Ig) G2 subclass deficiency is known to be associated with recurrent bacterial respiratory infections caused by capsulated bacteria and is found mostly in pediatric patients. However, its impact after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has not been fully assessed.MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated the relationship between IgG2 subclass levels and bacterial pneumonia in 74 adult patients who survived longer than 2 years after allogeneic HSCT.ResultsDuring the evaluation period, nine patients developed bacterial pneumonia. The median IgG2 level was significantly lower in patients with an infectious episode than in those without (143 mg/dL vs 287 mg/dL; P < 0.01). In multivariate analysis, a history of rituximab therapy and cord blood as a stem cell source were significantly associated with decreased levels of both IgG2 and IgG2/IgG ratios (P < 0.05).ConclusionsSuboptimal serum IgG2 levels could increase susceptibility to late‐onset bacterial pneumonia after allogeneic HSCT. IgG2 levels should be considered carefully, especially in patients receiving cord blood transplantation and/or rituximab treatment.
Prevalence of active hepatitis E virus infection and efficacy of ribavirin treatment in renal allograft recipients
Authors: Friebus‐Kardash Justa , Eisenberger Ute , Ackermann Jessica , Kribben Andreas , Witzke Oliver , Wenzel Jürgen , Rohn Hana , Fiedler Melanie 
Published: March 2019

AbstractBackgroundHepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype 3 infection frequently progresses to chronic disease with persisting HEV viremia in immunocompromised patients. Here, we evaluated the prevalence of HEV infection in renal allograft recipients and investigated the efficacy and tolerability of ribavirin monotherapy.MethodsA total of 947 recipients on average 8.7 years post transplant were screened for anti‐HEV IgG, IgM and HEV‐RNA. Sixteen HEV‐viremic renal allograft recipients were treated with ribavirin for 12 weeks. HEV‐RNA concentration, laboratory and clinical parameters were assessed at baseline, during therapy and 12 weeks after treatment cessation. HEV‐genotyping was performed in all HEV‐viremic patients.ResultsPast HEV infection was detected serologically in 18% of the renal allograft recipients. Ongoing HEV replication was found in 16 recipients (all genotype 3). Unanimously, distinct HEV sequences were revealed in all HEV‐viremic patients. At the start of ribavirin treatment, median HEV‐RNA viral load was 4.3 × 106 (8000‐5.0 × 106) IU/mL. Ninety‐four percentage of HEV‐infected allograft recipients showed a sustained virological response 12 weeks after treatment cessation. Ribavirin treatment was associated with rapid decrease in liver enzymes and rare occurrence of anemia.ConclusionsPrevalence of active HEV infection is important in renal transplant patients without signs of nosocomial infection. Ribavirin treatment was safe and effective.
Impact of obesity on operative treatment and inpatient outcomes of paediatric limb fractures
Authors: Li N. Y. , Kalagara S. , Hersey A. , Eltorai A. E. M. , Daniels A. H. , Cruz Jr A. I. 
Published: March 2019

Aims The aim of this study was to utilize a national paediatric inpatient database to determine whether obesity influences the operative management and inpatient outcomes of paediatric limb fractures. Patients and Methods The Kids’ Inpatient Database (KID) was used to evaluate children between birth and 17 years of age, from 1997 and 2012, who had undergone open and closed treatment of humeral, radial and ulna, femoral, tibial, and ankle fractures. Demographics, hospital charges, lengths of stay (LOS), and complications were analyzed. Results Obesity was significantly associated with increased rates of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) for: distal humeral (odds ratio (OR) = 2.139, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.92 to 3.44; p < 0.001); distal radius and ulna fractures (OR = 1.436, 95% CI 1.14 to 2.16; p < 0.05); distal femoral (OR = 2.051, 95% CI 1.69 to 3.60; p < 0.05); tibial and fibula shaft (OR = 2.101, 95% CI 2.10 to 3.50; p < 0.001); and ankle (OR = 1.733, 95% CI 1.70 to 2.39; p < 0.001). Older age was significantly associated with ORIF for all fractures (p < 0.05). LOS, hospital charges, and complications were significantly increased in obese patients following ORIF for upper and lower limb fractures (p < 0.05). Conclusion Obese paediatric patients are more likely to undergo ORIF in both upper and lower limb fractures and have more inpatient complications. These findings may assist in informing obese paediatric fracture patients and their families regarding the increased risk for open operative fixation and associated outcomes. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B:491–496.
Informed consent in spinal surgery
Authors: Todd N. V. , Birch N. C. 
Published: March 2019

Informed consent is a very important part of surgical treatment. In this paper, we report a number of legal judgements in spinal surgery where there was no criticism of the surgical procedure itself. The fault that was identified was a failure to inform the patient of alternatives to, and material risks of, surgery, or overemphasizing the benefits of surgery. In one case, there was a promise that a specific surgeon was to perform the operation, which did not ensue. All of the faults in these cases were faults purely of the consenting process. In many cases, the surgeon claimed to have explained certain risks to the patient but was unable to provide proof of doing so. We propose a checklist that, if followed, would ensure that the surgeon would take their patients through the relevant matters but also, crucially, would act as strong evidence in any future court proceedings that the appropriate discussions had taken place. Although this article focuses on spinal surgery, the principles and messages are applicable to the whole of orthopaedic surgery. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B:355–360.
Rotational acetabular osteotomy for symptomatic hip dysplasia in patients younger than 21 years of age
Authors: Yasunaga Y. , Tanaka R. , Mifuji K. , Shoji T. , Yamasaki T. , Adachi N. , Ochi M. 
Published: March 2019

AimsThe aim of this study was to report the long-term results of rotational acetabular osteotomy (RAO) for symptomatic hip dysplasia in patients aged younger than 21 years at the time of surgery.Patients and MethodsWe evaluated 31 patients (37 hips) aged younger than 21 years at the time of surgery retrospectively. There were 29 female and two male patients. Their mean age at the time of surgery was 17.4 years (12 to 21). The mean follow-up was 17.9 years (7 to 30). The RAO was combined with a varus or valgus femoral osteotomy or a greater trochanteric displacement in eight hips, as instability or congruence of the hip could not be corrected adequately using RAO alone.ResultsThe mean Merle d’Aubigné clinical score improved significantly from 15.4 to 17.2 (p < 0.0001). The mean centre-edge (CE) angle improved from -2.6° to 26°, the mean acetabular roof angle improved from 3.0° to 5.2°, and the mean head lateralization index improved from 0.68 to 0.62. Progression of radiological osteoarthritis (OA) was seen in seven hips, but no patient underwent total hip arthroplasty.ConclusionRAO is an effective form of correction for a severely dysplastic hip in adolescent and young adult patients. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B:390–395.
Hip capsule biomechanics after arthroplasty
Authors: Logishetty K. , van Arkel R. J. , Ng K. C. G. , Muirhead-Allwood S. K. , Cobb J. P. , Jeffers J. R. T. 
Published: March 2019

AimsThe hip’s capsular ligaments passively restrain extreme range of movement (ROM) by wrapping around the native femoral head/neck. We determined the effect of hip resurfacing arthroplasty (HRA), dual-mobility total hip arthroplasty (DM-THA), conventional THA, and surgical approach on ligament function.Materials and MethodsEight paired cadaveric hip joints were skeletonized but retained the hip capsule. Capsular ROM restraint during controlled internal rotation (IR) and external rotation (ER) was measured before and after HRA, DM-THA, and conventional THA, with a posterior (right hips) and anterior capsulotomy (left hips).ResultsHip resurfacing provided a near-native ROM with between 5° to 17° increase in IR/ER ROM compared with the native hip for the different positions tested, which was a 9% to 33% increase. DM-THA generated a 9° to 61° (18% to 121%) increase in ROM. Conventional THA generated a 52° to 100° (94% to 199%) increase in ROM. Thus, for conventional THA, the capsule function that exerts a limit on ROM is lost. It is restored to some extent by DM-THA, and almost fully restored by hip resurfacing. In positions of low flexion/extension, the posterior capsulotomy provided more normal function than the anterior, possibly because the capsule was shortened during posterior repair. However, in deep flexion positions, the anterior capsulotomy functioned better.ConclusionNative head-size and capsular repair preserves capsular function after arthroplasty. The anterior and posterior approach differentially affect postoperative biomechanical function of the capsular ligaments. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B:426–434.