bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sodium and potassium conductances in principal neurons of the mouse piriform cortex: a quantitative description
Authors: Ikeda Kaori , Suzuki Norimitsu , Bekkers John M. 
Published: September 2018

Key points
The primary olfactory (or piriform) cortex is a promising model system for understanding how the cerebral cortex processes sensory information, although an investigation of the piriform cortex is hindered by a lack of detailed information about the intrinsic electrical properties of its component neurons.
In the present study, we quantify the properties of voltage‐dependent sodium currents and voltage‐ and calcium‐dependent potassium currents in two important classes of excitatory neurons in the main input layer of the piriform cortex.
We identify several classes of these currents and show that their properties are similar to those found in better‐studied cortical regions.
Our detailed quantitative descriptions of these currents will be valuable to computational neuroscientists who aim to build models that explain how the piriform cortex encodes odours.
AbstractThe primary olfactory cortex (or piriform cortex, PC) is an anatomically simple palaeocortex that is increasingly used as a model system for investigating cortical sensory processing. However, little information is available on the intrinsic electrical conductances in neurons of the PC, hampering efforts to build realistic computational models of this cortex. In the present study, we used nucleated macropatches and whole‐cell recordings to rigorously quantify the biophysical properties of voltage‐gated sodium (NaV), voltage‐gated potassium (KV) and calcium‐activated potassium (KCa) conductances in two major classes of glutamatergic neurons in layer 2 of the PC, semilunar (SL) cells and superficial pyramidal (SP) cells. We found that SL and SP cells both express a fast‐inactivating NaV current, two types of KV current (A‐type and delayed rectifier‐type) and three types of KCa current (fast‐, medium‐ and slow‐afterhyperpolarization currents). The kinetic and voltage‐dependent properties of the NaV and KV conductances were, with some exceptions, identical in SL and SP cells and similar to those found in neocortical pyramidal neurons. The KCa conductances were also similar across the different types of neurons. Our results are summarized in a series of empirical equations that should prove useful to computational neuroscientists seeking to model the PC. More broadly, our findings indicate that, at the level of single‐cell electrical properties, this palaeocortex is not so different from the neocortex, vindicating efforts to use the PC as a model of cortical sensory processing in general.
The Effects of a 12-Week Combined Exercise Training Program on Arterial Stiffness, Vasoactive Substances, Inflammatory Markers, Metabolic Profile, and Body Composition in Obese Adolescent Girls
Authors: Wong Alexei , Sanchez-Gonzalez Marcos A. , Son Won-Mok , Kwak Yi-Sub , Park Song-Young 
Published: September 2018

Purpose: Childhood and adolescent obesity is a major international public health crisis. It is crucial to prevent the negative effects of obesity at an early age by implementing appropriate lifestyle interventions, such as exercise training. We evaluated the effects of a combined resistance and aerobic exercise training (CET) regimen on arterial stiffness, vasoactive substances, inflammatory markers, metabolic profile, and body composition in obese adolescent girls. Methods: A total of 30 obese adolescent girls were randomly assigned to a CET (n = 15) or a control group (n = 15). The CET group trained for 3 days per week. Plasma nitric oxide, endothelin-1, C-reactive protein, arterial stiffness, glucose, insulin, the adiponectin/leptin ratio, and body fat were measured before and after 12 weeks. Results: There were significant increases (P < .05) in nitric oxide (4.0 μM) and adiponectin/leptin ratio (0.33); and decreases (P < .05) in arterial stiffness (−1.0 m/s), C-reactive protein (−0.5 mg/L), glucose (−1.2 mmol/L), insulin (−17.1 μU/mL), and body fat (−3.6%) following CET compared with control. There were no significant changes in endothelin-1 after CET or control. Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate that CET improves arterial stiffness, nitric oxide, and inflammatory and metabolic markers in obese adolescent girls. CET may have important health implications for the prevention of atherosclerosis at an early age.
Does Wearing a Portable Metabolic Unit Affect Youth’s Physical Activity or Enjoyment During Physically Active Games or Video Games?
Authors: Clevenger Kimberly A. , Pfeiffer Karin A. , Howe Cheryl A. 
Published: September 2018

Portable metabolic units (PMUs) are used to assess energy expenditure, with the assumption that physical activity level and enjoyment are unaffected due to the light weight and small size. Purpose: To assess differences in physical activity level and enjoyment while wearing and not wearing a PMU. Method: Youth (8–17 y; N = 73) played children’s games or active video games while wearing and not wearing a PMU (crossover design). Participants wore an accelerometer and heart rate monitor and responded to questions about enjoyment on a facial affective scale. A repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to determine if accelerometer measures, heart rate, or enjoyment differed between conditions overall and by sex and weight status. Results: Steps per minute were lower while wearing the PMU than not wearing the PMU (40 vs 44, P = .03). There was an interaction between PMU condition and weight status for enjoyment (P = .01), with overweight participants reporting less enjoyment when wearing the PMU compared with not wearing the PMU (72 vs 75 out of 100). Heart rate, vector magnitude, and counts per minute were not different. Conclusion: There may be psychosocial effects of wearing the PMU, specifically in overweight participants. Activity level was minimally affected, but the practical significance for research is still unknown.
Acupressure for Respiratory Allergic Diseases: A Systematic Review of Randomised Controlled Trials
Authors: Liang Yaqun , Lenon George Binh , Yang Angela Wei Hong 
Published: September 2018

Objective To evaluate the effects and safety of acupressure for the management of respiratory allergic diseases by systematically reviewing randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Methods A total of 13 electronic English and Chinese databases were searched until July 2017. Two authors extracted data and evaluated risk of bias independently. Review Manager V.5.3 was employed for data analysis. Results The literature search identified 186 papers, of which only four of met the inclusion criteria: two for allergic rhinitis (AR) and two for asthma. High and unclear risk of bias existed across all the included studies. The findings demonstrated that acupressure greater effects on the relief of nasal symptoms of AR compared with 1% ephedrine nasal drop plus thermal therapy. With either Western medicine or Chinese herbal medicine as a cointervention, one study indicated that acupressure plus salbutamol was led to a significantly greater improvement of pulmonary function for patients with asthma compared with salbutamol only. However, the remaining two studies indentified no significant differences in any outcome measures between the two groups. Conclusions No reliable conclusions regarding the effects of acupressure on AR and asthma could be drawn by this review due to the small number of available trials with significant heterogeneity of study design and high/unclear risk of bias. Further, more rigorously designed RCTs are needed. Acupressure seems safe for symptomatic relief of AR and asthma, although larger studies are required to be able to robustly confirm its safety. Trial registration number ACTRN12617001106325; Pre-results.
Chronic ocular hypertension in rabbits induced by limbal buckling
Authors: Wang Qilin , Wang Juanjuan , Lin Xingyan , Lui Kwok Ho , Chang Suiting , Zhou Rouxi , Lam Dennis Shun-Chiu 
Published: September 2018

AimTo establish a rabbit model of chronic ocular hypertension (OHT) by limbal buckling.MethodsEighteen New Zealand White rabbits were involved and divided into three groups. A latex encircling band of 20, 25 or 35 mm was implanted behind the limbus in the right eye of each animal. The intraocular pressure (IOP) was monitored for 8 weeks, after which optic nerve damage was evaluated by fundus photography, optical coherence tomography (OCT) retrograde labelling and histology. Meanwhile, the anterior chamber angle (ACA) was examined by OCT and gonioscopy.ResultsOHT was induced in all animals after surgery. The IOP peaked at 38.0±3.7, 32.0±3.9 and 24.1±6.5 mm Hg in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively, and remained elevated for 22, 25 and 39 days on average, respectively. The elevated IOPs showed good consistency within 2 weeks, although the durations of high IOP varied moderately. The area ratio between the optic cup and disc (cup to disc area) was increased in 73% of the treated eyes, and the average changes were 0.10±0.13, 0.11±0.08 and 0.09±0.02 in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The depth of the optic cup was also increased in the treated eyes, and the density of the retinal ganglion cells was reduced. Additionally, the ACA showed a dynamic change with IOP after the latter was reduced by paracentesis.ConclusionLimbal buckling provides an effective method of producing chronic OHT and glaucomatous optic neuropathy in rabbits.
Hepatic fat and glucose tolerance in women with recent gestational diabetes
Authors: Mehmood Sadia , Margolis Myles , Ye Chang , Maple-Brown Louise , Hanley Anthony J , Connelly Philip W , Sermer Mathew , Zinman Bernard , Retnakaran Ravi 
Published: September 2018

ObjectiveWomen with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have an elevated risk of ultimately developing pre-diabetes and diabetes later in life. They also have an increased prevalence of fatty liver, but recent studies have reported conflicting findings on whether hepatic fat affects their risk of pre-diabetes/diabetes. Thus, we sought to evaluate the associations of liver fat with glucose homeostasis and determinants thereof in women with and without recent gestational dysglycemia.MethodsTwo hundred and fifty-seven women underwent an antepartum oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), which diagnosed 97 with GDM, 40 with gestational impaired glucose tolerance (GIGT), and 120 with normal glucose tolerance (NGT). At a mean of 4.8 years post partum, they underwent an OGTT (which revealed that 52 had progressed to pre-diabetes/diabetes) and hepatic ultrasound, on which liver fat was graded as none (n=164), mild (n=66), or moderate (n=27).ResultsLiver fat was more prevalent in women with previous GDM than in those with GIGT or NGT (p=0.009) and in women with current pre-diabetes/diabetes than in those without (p=0.0003). As the severity of liver fat increased, there was a progressive worsening of insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function, coupled with rising fasting and 2-hour glucose (all p<0.0001). On multiple linear regression analyses, moderate liver fat was independently associated with lower insulin sensitivity (p=0.0002) and higher 2-hour glucose (p=0.009). Moreover, moderate liver fat emerged as an independent predictor of pre-diabetes/diabetes (OR=3.66, 95% CI 1.1 to 12.5).ConclusionThe higher prevalence of liver fat in women with previous GDM is associated with their increased risk of pre-diabetes/diabetes.
Effectiveness of service models and organisational structures supporting tuberculosis identification and management in hard-to-reach populations in countries of low and medium tuberculosis incidence: a systematic review
Authors: Heuvelings Charlotte C , Greve Patrick F , de Vries Sophia G , Jelle Visser Benjamin , Bélard Sabine , Janssen Saskia , Cremers Anne L , Spijker René , Shaw Elizabeth , Hill Ruaraidh A , Zumla Alimuddin , Sandgren Andreas , van der Werf Marieke J , Grobusch Martin Peter 
Published: September 2018

ObjectiveTo determine which service models and organisational structures are effective and cost-effective for delivering tuberculosis (TB) services to hard-to-reach populations.DesignEmbase and MEDLINE (1990–2017) were searched in order to update and extend the 2011 systematic review commissioned by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), discussing interventions targeting service models and organisational structures for the identification and management of TB in hard-to-reach populations. The NICE and Cochrane Collaboration standards were followed.SettingEuropean Union, European Economic Area, European Union candidate countries and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries.ParticipantsHard-to-reach populations, including migrants, homeless people, drug users, prisoners, sex workers, people living with HIV and children within vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations.Primary and secondary outcome measuresEffectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the interventions.ResultsFrom the 19 720 citations found, five new studies were identified, in addition to the six discussed in the NICE review. Community health workers from the same migrant community, street teams and peers improved TB screening uptake by providing health education, promoting TB screening and organising contact tracing. Mobile TB clinics, specialised TB clinics and improved cooperation between healthcare services can be effective at identifying and treating active TB cases and are likely to be cost-effective. No difference in treatment outcome was detected when directly observed therapy was delivered at a health clinic or at a convenient location in the community.ConclusionsAlthough evidence is limited due to the lack of high-quality studies, interventions using peers and community health workers, mobile TB services, specialised TB clinics and improved cooperation between health services can be effective to control TB in hard-to-reach populations. Future studies should evaluate the (cost-)effectiveness of interventions on TB identification and management in hard-to-reach populations and countries should be urged to publish the outcomes of their TB control systems.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42015017865.
Incidence and characteristics of ventilator-associated pneumonia in a regional non-tertiary Australian intensive care unit: protocol for a retrospective clinical audit study
Authors: Watson Kirsty , Heales Luke J , Fernando Jeremy , Reoch Josephine , Tan Elise , Smith Karen , Austin David , Divanoglou Anestis 
Published: September 2018

IntroductionVentilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a medical complication associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation. Most studies looking at VAP originate from major, tertiary intensive care units (ICUs). Our understanding of VAP in regional hospitals is limited. Given that patient characteristics often differ between metropolitan and regional centres, it is important to investigate VAP in a regional non-tertiary ICU. This project will establish and report the incidence, case characteristics and outcomes including mortality and length of stay related to VAP in a regional non-tertiary Australian ICU. Furthermore, it will compare the incidence of VAP in accordance with consultant diagnosed cases in the medical record, and by a post hoc screening of all cases against a list of previously published diagnostic criteria.Methods and analysisThis retrospective clinical audit study will screen medical records from the period 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2016. All cases requiring mechanical ventilation for ≥72 hours will be screened against previously reported diagnostic criteria for VAP. At the same time, their medical records will be screened for a documented diagnosis of VAP.Ethics and disseminationThis study has been granted ethical approval from the Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service (CQHHS) Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC/17/QCQ/11) and the Central Queensland University Human Research Ethics Committee (H17/05-102). This study will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal and presented at internal workshops (within Queensland Health) and national and/or international scientific conferences.
Systematic review of high-cost patients’ characteristics and healthcare utilisation
Authors: Wammes Joost Johan Godert , van der Wees Philip J , Tanke Marit A C , Westert Gert P , Jeurissen Patrick P T 
Published: September 2018

ObjectivesTo investigate the characteristics and healthcare utilisation of high-cost patients and to compare high-cost patients across payers and countries.DesignSystematic review.Data sourcesPubMed and Embase databases were searched until 30 October 2017.Eligibility criteria and outcomesOur final search was built on three themes: ‘high-cost’, ‘patients’, and ‘cost’ and ‘cost analysis’. We included articles that reported characteristics and utilisation of the top-X% (eg, top-5% and top-10%) patients of costs of a given population. Analyses were limited to studies that covered a broad range of services, across the continuum of care. Andersen’s behavioural model was used to categorise characteristics and determinants into predisposing, enabling and need characteristics.ResultsThe studies pointed to a high prevalence of multiple (chronic) conditions to explain high-cost patients’ utilisation. Besides, we found a high prevalence of mental illness across all studies and a prevalence higher than 30% in US Medicaid and total population studies. Furthermore, we found that high costs were associated with increasing age but that still more than halve of high-cost patients were younger than 65 years. High costs were associated with higher incomes in the USA but with lower incomes elsewhere. Preventable spending was estimated at maximally 10% of spending. The top-10%, top-5% and top-1% high-cost patients accounted for respectively 68%, 55% and 24% of costs within a given year. Spending persistency varied between 24% and 48%. Finally, we found that no more than 30% of high-cost patients are in their last year of life.ConclusionsHigh-cost patients make up the sickest and most complex populations, and their high utilisation is primarily explained by high levels of chronic and mental illness. High-cost patients are diverse populations and vary across payer types and countries. Tailored interventions are needed to meet the needs of high-cost patients and to avoid waste of scarce resources.
Protocol for a randomised controlled trial of interventions to promote adoption and maintenance of physical activity in adults with mental illness
Authors: Chapman Justin J , Suetani Shuichi , Siskind Dan , Kisely Steve , Breakspear Michael , Byrne Jacqueline H , Patterson Sue 
Published: September 2018

IntroductionPhysical activity (PA) has diverse benefits for physical and mental health and can reduce symptoms of mental illness. Adults with mental illness face practical, psychosocial and socioeconomic barriers to adopting and maintaining PA, and it is unclear how to effectively promote PA in this group. Supervised exercise interventions provide high support but may not promote autonomous motivation, which is important for PA maintenance. The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of two interventions to promote PA in adults with mental illness.Methods and analysisThis is a randomised controlled trial of two interventions to promote PA: (1) supervised exercise and gym membership and (2) motivational discussions and self-monitoring of PA using fitness trackers. The intervention duration is 16 weeks, including 8 weeks of weekly supervised group sessions, and 8 weeks of access to the gym or fitness tracker unsupervised. Participants are community-dwelling adults recruited from outpatient clinics of public mental health services. The primary outcome is PA adoption assessed using GENEActiv accelerometers worn continuously over 8 weeks. Secondary outcomes measured at baseline, postintervention (8 weeks) and follow-up (16 weeks), include exercise motivation, psychological distress and self-reported PA assessed using self-administered questionnaires and indicators of physical health measured by a researcher blinded to allocation (blood pressure, weight, waist circumference, 6 min walk test). Participant experiences will be assessed using qualitative focus groups with analysis informed by a theoretical model of behaviour (COM-B).Ethics and disseminationEthics approval has been obtained from the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (HREC/17/QRBW/302). We plan to submit a manuscript on protocol development from pilot work, and a manuscript of the results to a peer-reviewed journal. Results will be presented at conferences, community and consumer forums and hospital grand rounds.Trial registration numberACTRN12617001017314; Pre-results.
Assessors’ and trainees’ perceptions of workplace-based assessments in histopathology
Authors: Brierley Daniel J , Farthing Paula M , Zijlstra-Shaw Sandra 
Published: September 2018

AimWorkplace-based assessments (WBAs) are an integral part of specialist medical and dental training in the UK. Histopathology represents a very different training environment to the surgical specialities so it is important to know that the current WBAs are fit for purpose. A literature search revealed very little evidence regarding the perception of WBAs in histopathology. The aim of this study was therefore to assess the current perception of WBAs in histopathology by assessors and trainees.MethodsA questionnaire was sent to all histopathology assessors and trainees on the Royal College of Pathologists database. Data were analysed using basic descriptive statistics. Free text comments were analysed by thematic analysis.ResultsThe questionnaire was completed by 242/2175 assessors (response rate 11.1%) and 91/519 trainees (response rate 17.5%). There was no significantly different perception of WBAs between trainers and trainees (p>0.05). Key findings included respondents stating that they strongly disagreed or disagreed WBAs identify diagnostic competence (68% of trainees; 62% of assessors), identify trainees in difficulty (69% of trainees; 64% of assessors) or accurately reflect trainee progress (62% of trainees; 59% of assessors). Analysis of free text comments identified three main issues related to WBAs: their utilisation, purpose and design.ConclusionThere was an overall negative perception of WBAs, particularly their perceived regulatory nature. It appears that the current WBAs do not always meet the criteria of a useful test in that they are perceived as being applied variably, produce results with questionable validity and have little apparent educational value.