bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal development of the gut microbiota in healthy and diarrheic piglets induced by age‐related dietary changes
Authors: Yang Qiaoli , Huang Xiaoyu , Wang Pengfei , Yan Zunqiang , Sun Wenyang , Zhao Shengguo , Gun Shuangbao 
Published: September 2019

AbstractDiarrhea is one of the most common enteric diseases in young piglets. Diverse factors such as an unstable gut microenvironment, immature intestinal immune system, early supplementary feeding, and weaning often induce dysfunction of gut microbiota, thus leading to a continuing high incidence of diarrhea in piglets. However, few studies have characterized the gut microbiota of diarrheic piglets following changes in diet and during the development of intestinal physiology. In this study, we used 16S rRNA gene sequencing to analyze the dynamic establishment of fecal microbiota in six healthy piglets in response to age‐related changes in the diet: sow‐reared, early supplementary creep‐feeding (sow‐reared + starter diet), and weaning (solid nursery diet). We compared the gut microbiota of these six healthy piglets with those of diarrheic piglets during each of the three dietary stages (n = 10 sow‐reared, n = 10 early supplementary creep‐feeding, and n = 5 weaning). We found that weaning (solid nursery feeding) was the primary factor leading to dynamic colonization by microbiota in healthy piglets, and diarrhea primarily affected the microbial communities of piglets before weaning. Healthy piglets showed a continuous decrease in Lactobacillus and Escherichia, as well as a gradual increase in Prevotella with the transition to solid food. An altered relationship between Prevotella and Escherichia may be the main cause of diarrhea in preweaned piglets, whereas reduced numbers of Bacteroides, Ruminococcus, Bulleidia, and Treponema that are responsible for the digestion and utilization of solid feeds may be related to the onset of postweaning piglet diarrhea. The Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt) functional analysis indicated that a reduction in genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism induced by intestinal dysbacteriosis in diarrheic piglets was one of the major causes of diarrhea at the three dietary stages. These findings provide insights into developing an intervention strategy for better management of diarrhea in piglets.
Optimum design of helical antennas by genetic algorithm
Authors: Lovestead Raymond L. , Safaai‐Jazi Ahmad 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe genetic algorithm is employed to obtain optimal designs for helical antennas that, over the frequency range of operation, provide considerably smaller axial ratio, higher gain, and an appreciably wider overall bandwidth than the conventional axial mode helices with the same size. Also, for nearly equal bandwidth and peak directivity, the new design provides a 2 to1 reduction in size. For these helical antennas the pitch angle and radius, which are constant in conventional helices, vary continuously along the length; pitch angle increases while radius decreases. Genetic algorithm is used to determine variations of these parameters such that maximum directivity and minimum axial ratio are simultaneously achieved over the largest frequency range. Radiation properties of optimized helices, including far‐field pattern, axial ratio, and directivity, are examined numerically over a wide range of frequencies. Empirical design equations are provided. A 12‐turn prototype optimized helix is constructed and measured. Comparison of measured and simulated radiation patterns shows excellent agreement.
Simultaneous respiratory motion correction and image reconstruction in 4D‐multi pinhole small animal SPECT
Authors: Naseri Maryam , Rajabi Hossein , Wang Jing , Abbasi Mehrshad , Kalantari Faraz 
Published: September 2019

PurposeRespiratory motion in the chest region during single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is a major degrading factor that reduces the accuracy of image quantification. This effect is more notable when the tumor is very small, or the spatial resolution of the imaging system is less than the respiratory motion amplitude. Small animals imaging systems with sub‐millimeter spatial resolution need more attention to the respiratory motion for quantitative studies. We developed a motion‐embedded four‐dimensional (4D)‐multi pinhole SPECT (MPS) reconstruction algorithm for respiratory motion correction. This algorithm makes full use of projection statistics for reconstruction of every individual frame.MethodsThe ROBY phantom with small tumors in liver was generated in eight different phases during one respiratory cycle. The MPS projections were modeled using a fast ray tracing method simulating an MPS acquisition. Individual frames were reconstructed and used for motion estimation. The Demons non‐rigid registration algorithm was used to calculate deformation vector fields (DVFs) for simultaneous motion correction and image reconstruction. A motion‐embedded 4D‐MPS method was used to reconstruct images using all the projections and corresponding DVFs, simultaneously. The 4D‐MPS reconstructed images were compared to the low‐count single frame (LCSF) reconstructed image, the three‐dimensional (3D)‐MPS images reconstructed using individual frames, and post reconstruction registration (PRR) that aligns all individual phases to a reference frame using Demons‐derived DVFs. The tumor volume relative error (TVE), tumor contrast relative error (TCE), and dice index (DI) for 2, 3, and 4 mm liver were calculated and compared for different reconstruction methods.ResultsFor the 4D‐MPS reconstruction method, TVE was reduced and DI was higher compared to PRR, 3D‐MPS, and LCSF. The extent of the improvement was higher for the small tumor size (i.e. 2 mm). For the biggest tumor in contrast 3 (i.e. 4 mm) TVE for 4D‐MPS, PRR, 3D‐MPS and, LCSF were 1.33%, 8%, 8%, and 14.67%, respectively.ConclusionsThe results suggest that motion‐embedded 4D‐MPS method is an effective and practical way for respiratory motion correction. It reconstructs high quality gated frames while using all projection data to reconstruct each frame.
The use of MM/QM calculations of 13C and 15N chemical shifts in the conformational analysis of alkyl substituted anilines
Authors: Abraham Raymond J. , Cooper Marcus Ashley 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe calculation of the 13C and 15N NMR chemical shifts by a combined molecular mechanics (Pcmodel 9.1/MMFF94) and ab initio (GIAO (B3LYP/DFT, 6‐31 + G(d)) procedure is used to investigate the conformations of a variety of alkyl substituted anilines. The 13C shifts are obtained from the GIAO isotropic shielding (Ciso) with separate references for sp3 and sp2 carbons (δc = δref − Ciso). The 15N shifts are obtained similarly from the GIAO isotropic shielding (Niso) with reference to the 15N chemical shift of aniline. Comparison of the observed and calculated shifts provides information on the molecular conformations. Aniline and the 2,6‐dialkylanilines exist with a rapidly inverting symmetric pyramidal nitrogen atom. The 2‐alkylanilines have similar conformations with the NH2 group tilted away from the 2‐alkyl substituent. The N,N‐dialkylanilines show more varied conformations. N,N‐dimethylaniline has a similar structure to aniline, but N‐ethyl, N‐methylaniline, N,N‐diethylaniline, and N,N‐diisopropylaniline are conformationally mobile with two rapidly interconverting conformers. In contrast, the anilines substituted at C2 and the nitrogen atom exist as one conformer where the steric interaction between the C2 substituent and the N substituent determines the conformation. In 2‐methyl‐N‐methylaniline, the nitrogen atom is pyramidal as usual with the N‐methyl opposite to the 2‐methyl, but in 2‐methyl‐N,N‐dimethyl aniline, the NMe2 group is now almost orthogonal to the phenyl plane. This is also the case with 2‐methyl‐N,N‐diethylaniline and 2,6‐diisopropyl‐N,N‐dimethylaniline. The comparison of the observed and calculated 15N chemical shifts confirms the above findings, in particular the pyramidal conformation of aniline and the above observations with respect to the conformations of the N,N‐dialkylanilines.
Assessing pathological changes within the nucleus ambiguus of horses with recurrent laryngeal neuropathy: An extreme, length‐dependent axonopathy
Authors: Draper Alexandra C.E. , Cahalan Stephen D. , Goodwin David , Perkins Justin , Piercy Richard J. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractIntroductionEquine recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN) is a naturally occurring model of length‐dependent axonopathy characterized by asymmetrical degeneration of recurrent laryngeal nerve axons (RLn). Distal RLn degeneration is marked, but it is unclear whether degeneration extends to include cell bodies (consistent with a neuronopathy).MethodsWith examiners blinded to RLN severity, brainstem location, and side, we examined correlations between RLN severity (assessed using left distal RLn myelinated axon count) and histopathological features (including chromatolysis and glial responses) in the nucleus ambiguus cell bodies, and myelinated axon count of the right distal RLn of 16 horses.ResultsRLN severity was not associated with RLn cell body number (P > .05), or degeneration. A positive correlation between the left and right distal RLn myelinated axon counts was identified (R2= 0.57,P < .05).DiscussionWe confirm that RLN, a length‐dependent distal axonopathy, occurs in the absence of detectable neuronopathy.
Importance of early diagnosis in LMNA‐related muscular dystrophy for cardiac surveillance
Authors: Choi Sun Ah , Cho Anna , Kim Soo Yeon , Kim Woo Joong , Shim Young Kyu , Lee Jin Sook , Jang Se Song , Lim Byung Chan , Kim Hunmin , Hwang Hee , Choi Ji Eun , Kim Ki Joong , Kim Man Jin , Seong Moon‐Woo , Chae Jong‐Hee 
Published: September 2019

AbstractIntroductionThe identification of LMNA‐related muscular dystrophy is important because it poses life‐threatening cardiac complications. However, diagnosis of LMNA‐related muscular dystrophy based on clinical features is challenging.MethodsWe reviewed the clinical phenotypes of 14 children with LMNA variants, focusing on the cardiac function and genotypes.ResultsMost patients presented with motor developmental delay or gait abnormalities. Eight (57%) patients had prominent neck extensor weakness or contractures. All patients showed ankle contractures at an early stage. Regular cardiac surveillance allowed for the detection of dysrhythmias in 57% of patients at a mean age of 14 years (range, 5–26). All patients had missense variants; however, there were no clear phenotype–genotype correlations.DiscussionEarly diagnosis of LMNA‐related muscular dystrophy provides an opportunity for cardiac surveillance, potentially leading to the prevention of cardiac mortality in children.
European Federation of Neurological Societies cutoff values significantly reduce creatine kinase sensitivity for diagnosing neuromuscular disorders
Authors: Abraham Alon , Katzberg Hans D. , Lovblom Leif E. , Bril Vera 
Published: September 2019

AbstractIntroductionElevated creatine kinase (CK) level was redefined by the European Federation of Neurological Societies)EFNS(as 1.5 times the upper limit of normal. In the current study we sought to determine the sensitivity and specificity of CK testing for the diagnosis of neuromuscular disorders.MethodsDemographics and CK levels were retrospectively extracted from an electronic database for 234 patients with neuromuscular disorders. Sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios and the area under curve were determined for each diagnosis and different cutoff CK values.ResultsUsing the EFNS cutoff values significantly reduced CK test sensitivity. Creatine kinase values >1000 IU/L showed a high likelihood (11.04) for myopathies and a low likelihood for polyneuropathies (0).DiscussionEuropean Federation of Neurological Societies cutoff values significantly reduce CK sensitivity for diagnosing neuromuscular disorders. While low CK values cannot exclude a neuromuscular disease, values >1000 IU/L are associated with a high likelihood of myopathy.
Skeletal muscle unloading results in increased mitophagy and decreased mitochondrial biogenesis regulation
Authors: Leermakers Pieter A. , Kneppers Anita E.M. , Schols Annemie M.W.J. , Kelders Marco C.J.M. , de Theije Chiel C. , Verdijk Lex B. , van Loon Luc J.C. , Langen Ramon C.J. , Gosker Harry R. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractIntroductionPhysical inactivity significantly contributes to loss of muscle mass and performance in bed‐bound patients. Loss of skeletal muscle mitochondrial content has been well‐established in muscle unloading models, but the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear. We hypothesized that apparent unloading‐induced loss of muscle mitochondrial content is preceded by increased mitophagy‐ and decreased mitochondrial biogenesis‐signaling during the early stages of unloading.MethodsWe analyzed a comprehensive set of molecular markers involved in mitochondrial‐autophagy, −biogenesis, −dynamics, and ‐content, in the gastrocnemius muscle of C57BL/6J mice subjected to 0‐ and 3‐days hind limb suspension, and in biopsies from human vastus lateralis muscle obtained before and after 7 days of one‐leg immobilization.ResultsIn both mice and men, short‐term skeletal muscle unloading results in molecular marker patterns indicative of increased receptor‐mediated mitophagy and decreased mitochondrial biogenesis regulation, before apparent loss of mitochondrial content.DiscussionThese results emphasize the early‐onset of skeletal muscle disuse‐induced mitochondrial remodeling.
Impact of the Liverpool Care Pathway on quality end‐of‐ care in residential care homes and home care—Nurses’ perceptions
Authors: Olsson Cecilia , Kling Elisabeth , Grundel Persson Karina , Larsson Maria 
Published: September 2019

AbstractAimAim was to describe how Registered Nurses (RNs) and assistant nurses (ANs) working in residential care homes and home care perceived quality end‐of‐life care after implementation of the Liverpool Care Pathway (LCP) in terms of subjective importance of care aspects and actual care given.DesignDescriptive cross‐sectional.MethodsRegistered Nurses (N = 22; 100% response rate) and ANs (N = 120; 59% response rate) working in a Swedish municipality. Data collection with a study‐specific questionnaire (50 items) about perceived reality (PR) and subjective importance (SI). Non‐parametric statistics.ResultsImplementation of the LCP ensured systematic assessment and alleviation of patients’ symptoms and needs. The ANs, more than the RNs, perceived that the patients received the best possible nursing and medical care (p = .01). Both groups considered that communication with patients and families as well as the information exchange between the team members was facilitated. Areas for improvement were identified about psychological and existential support and patients and families’ participation in care.
A case of secondary syphilis presenting on the oral mucosa: A case report
Authors: Harada Yusei , Amekawa Shigeki , Takubo Kazuko , Otsuki Kazuma , Kawasaki Makoto , Tamura Takayuki , Fujii Nobuyuki , Kodani Isamu 
Published: September 2019

AbstractSyphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by Treponema pallidum. We report a case of secondary syphilis originating in the oral mucosa. The patient was a 58‐year‐old man who visited our hospital at May 2009. Clinical examination revealed a mass at the right angle of the mouth with a white mass on the tip of the tongue and an indurated ulcer on the left border of the tongue. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed multiple swollen lymph nodes in the bilateral submandibular glands, as well as in the bilateral deep cervical and supraclavicular lymph nodes. Serological examination revealed elevated rapid plasma reagin (RPR) (titer, 1:32) and Fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test (2+) values. Consequently, the mass at the right angle of the mouth, the white patch on the tip of the tongue, and the ulcer on the left border of the tongue were diagnosed as secondary syphilis. Oral amoxicillin 1500 mg/d was administered for 4 weeks. The oral lesions improved after 20 days of treatment and the RPR titer had improved to 1:2 after 5 months of treatment.
Analysis‐suitable CAD Models based on Watertight Boolean Operations
Authors: Marussig Benjamin , Urick Benjamin , Cohen Elaine , Crawford Richard H. , Hughes Thomas J. R. , Riesenfeld Richard F. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractIsogeometric analysis has established a new paradigm in computational engineering that significantly improves the interoperability problem between design and analysis, but addressing the full scope of the issue requires adaptations of traditional CAD concepts as well. The recently introduced watertight Boolean operations resolve a fundamental inconsistency in the underlying representations of current CAD models. We investigate the suitability of the resulting geometries for analysis purposes; in particular, in the context of isogeometric boundary element methods. The results confirm that watertight Boolean operations yield CAD models that meet the requirements of numerical simulations.
A Numerical RANS‐Based Model of a Nanosecond Pulsed Plasma Actuator for Flow Control over an Airfoil
Authors: Aslani Roozbeh , Krieger Michael 
Published: September 2019

AbstractAirfoil stall influences the performance of flight vehicles and remains a challenge for the design of modern aircraft. A Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) device seems to be a promising tool to control the flow over various parts of an aircraft and to suppress separation. A phenomenological model based on dynamic similarity is developed to simulate the control effect of a Nanosecond Dielectric Barrier Discharge (NS‐DBD) actuator. A two‐dimensional numerical simulation considers the response of the flow past a NACA 0015 airfoil at 14° post stall angle of attack and a Reynolds number of 250,000 to pulsed surface heating at the leading edge. The RANS‐based numerical results have been obtained for a baseline simulation (no actuation) and an open‐loop control simulation of the airfoil. A one‐equation local correlation‐based transition model is implemented to capture laminar‐turbulent transition. The numerical results of both the baseline and the actuated case are in good agreement with experiments performed by other authors.
A Retrospective Study of the Association between Pain Intensity and Opioid Use with Length of Stay during Musculoskeletal Inpatient Rehabilitation after Primary Knee and Hip Arthroplasty
Authors: Sahota Bhupinder , Alavinia Seyed Mohammad , Kumbhare Dinesh , Sangha Harpreet , Flannery John , Furlan Andrea 
Published: September 2019

BackgroundThe relationship between pain intensity, opioid consumption, and length of stay (LOS) has received little attention in primary, lower extremity joint arthroplasty patients admitted to inpatient musculoskeletal rehabilitation.ObjectiveTo assess how initial pain and other clinical factors are associated with rehabilitation LOS.DesignRetrospective chart review.SettingRehabilitation hospital.ParticipantsOne hundred ninety nine patients admitted for inpatient rehabilitation.InterventionsNot Applicable.Main Outcome MeasuresPain intensities on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) were completed 3 times daily and total daily opioid consumption recorded in terms of morphine equivalents (MEQ). Confounding variables included patient demographics, medical comorbidity burden using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), and early functional status as measured by the motor subscale from the Functional Independence Measure (FIM).ResultsMean day 3 NRS values of ≥5.2 and total day 3 opioid consumption of >50 MEQ were associated with a prolonged LOS by nearly 3 and 2 days, respectively. Within a multivariate linear regression, age, mean day 3 pain, comorbidity burden, and early motor functional status accounted for 36% of the variability seen in joint replacement rehabilitation LOS. With all other variables remaining constant, for every unit increase in mean day 3 pain and CCI, this amounted to an additional 5% and 4% increase to LOS, whereas each unit increase in admission motor FIM decreased estimated LOS by 3%.ConclusionMean pain intensity and total opioid consumption on day 3 of inpatient rehabilitation is associated with LOS. For the rehabilitation physician, this is useful information as the earlier identification of patients with poorly controlled pain can lead to directed intervention, better patient care, and significant cost savings.
Multimodal pain assessment improves discrimination between noxious and non‐noxious stimuli in infants
Authors: van der Vaart Marianne , Duff Eugene , Raafat Nader , Rogers Richard , Hartley Caroline , Slater Rebeccah 
Published: September 2019

AbstractInfants in neonatal intensive care units frequently experience clinically necessary painful procedures, which elicit a range of behavioral, physiological, and neurophysiological responses. However, the measurement of pain in this population is a challenge and no gold standard exists. The aim of this study was to investigate how noxious‐evoked changes in facial expression, reflex withdrawal, brain activity, heart rate, and oxygen saturation are related and to examine their accuracy in discriminating between noxious and non‐noxious stimuli. In 109 infants who received a clinically required heel lance and a control non‐noxious stimulus, we investigated whether combining responses across each modality, or including multiple measures from within each modality improves our ability to discriminate the noxious and non‐noxious stimuli. A random forest algorithm was used to build data‐driven models to discriminate between the noxious and non‐noxious stimuli in a training set which were then validated in a test set of independent infants. Measures within each modality were highly correlated, while different modalities showed less association. The model combining information across all modalities had good discriminative ability (accuracy of 0.81 in identifying noxious and non‐noxious stimuli), which was higher than the discriminative power of the models built from individual modalities. This demonstrates the importance of including multiple modalities in the assessment of infant pain.
Airway disease on chest computed tomography of preschool children with cystic fibrosis is associated with school‐age bronchiectasis
Authors: Bouma Nynke R. , Janssens Hettie M. , Andrinopoulou Eleni‐Rosalina , Tiddens Harm A. W. M. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractAirway wall thickening and mucus plugging are important characteristics of cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease in the first 5 years of life.The aim of this study is to investigate the association of lung disease in preschool children (age, 2‐6) with bronchiectasis and other clinical outcome measures in the school age (age >7). Deidentified computed tomography‐scans were annotated using Perth‐Rotterdam annotated grid morphometric analysis for CF. Preschool %disease (a composite score of %airway wall thickening, %mucus plugging, and %bronchiectasis) and %MUPAT (a composite score of %airway wall thickening and %mucus plugging) were used as predictors for %bronchiectasis and several other school‐age clinical outcomes. For statistical analysis, we used regression analysis, linear mixed‐effects models and two‐way mixed models. Sixty‐one patients were included. %Disease increased significantly with age (P  <  .01). Preschool %disease and %MUPAT were significantly associated with school‐age %bronchiectasis (P  <  .01 and P  <  .01, respectively). No significant association was found between preschool %disease and %MUPAT and school‐age forced expiratory volume 1 (FEV1%) predicted and quality of life (P  >  .05). Cross‐sectional, %disease in school‐age was associated with a low FEV1% predicted and low quality of life (P  =  .01 and P  =  .007, respectively). %Disease can be considered an early marker of diffuse airways disease and is a risk factor for school‐age bronchiectasis.