bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Moderate preterm birth affects right ventricular structure and function and pulmonary artery blood flow in adult sheep
Authors: Mrocki Marshall M. , Nguyen Vivian B. , Lombardo Paul , Sutherland Megan R. , Bensley Jonathan G. , Nitsos Ilias , Allison Beth J. , Harding Richard , De Matteo Robert , Schneider Michal , Polglase Graeme R. , Black M. Jane 
Published: March 2018

Key points
Preterm birth occurs when the heart muscle is immature and ill‐prepared for the changes in heart and lung function at birth.
MRI imaging studies show differences in the growth and function of the heart of young adults born preterm, with the effects more pronounced in the right ventricle.
The findings of this study, conducted in sheep, showed that following moderate preterm birth the right ventricular wall was thinner in adulthood, with a reduction in the number and size of the heart muscle cells; in addition, there was impaired blood flow in the main artery leading from the right ventricle to the lungs.
The findings indicate that being born only a few weeks early adversely affects the cellular structure of the right ventricle and blood flow to the lungs in adulthood.
The reduced number of heart muscle cells has the potential to deleteriously affect right ventricular growth potential and function.
AbstractPreterm birth prematurely exposes the immature heart to the haemodynamic transition at birth, which has the potential to induce abnormal cardiac remodelling. Magnetic resonance imaging studies in young adults born preterm have shown abnormalities in the gross structure of the ventricles (particularly the right ventricle; RV), but the cellular basis of these alterations is unknown. The aim of this study, conducted in sheep, was to determine the effect of moderate preterm birth on RV cellular structure and function in early adulthood. Male singleton lambs were delivered moderately preterm (132 ± 1 days; n = 7) or at term (147 ± 1 days; n = 7). At 14.5 months of age, intra‐arterial blood pressure and heart rate were measured. Pulmonary artery diameter and peak systolic blood flow were determined using ultrasound imaging, and RV stroke volume and output calculated. Cardiomyocyte number, size, nuclearity and levels of cardiac fibrosis were subsequently assessed in perfusion‐fixed hearts using image analysis and stereological methods. Blood pressure (systolic, diastolic and mean), heart rate, levels of myocardial fibrosis and RV stroke volume and output were not different between groups. There was, however, a significant reduction in RV wall thickness in preterm sheep, and this was accompanied by a significant reduction in peak systolic blood flow in the pulmonary artery and in RV cardiomyocyte number. Cellular changes in the RV wall and reduced pulmonary artery blood flow following preterm birth have the potential to adversely affect cardiac and respiratory haemodynamics, especially when the cardiovascular system is physiologically or pathologically challenged.
Effects of passive muscle stiffness measured by Shear Wave Elastography, muscle thickness, and body mass index on athletic performance in adolescent female basketball players
Authors: Akkoc Orkun , Caliskan Emine , Bayramoglu Zuhal 
Published: March 2018

Aims: Athletic performance in basketball comprises the contributions of anaerobic and aerobic performance. The aim was to investigate the effects of passive muscle stiffness, using shear wave elastography (SWE), as well as muscle thickness, and body mass index (BMI), on both aerobic and anaerobic performances in adolescent female basketball players.Material and methods: Anaerobic and aerobic (VO2max) performance was assessed using the vertical jump and shuttle run tests, respectively, in 24 volunteer adolescent female basketball players. Passive muscle stiffness of the rectus femoris (RF), gastrocnemius medialis (GM), gastrocnemius lateralis (GL) and soleus muscles were measured by SWE, and the thickness of each muscle was assessed by gray scale ultrasound. The BMI of each participant was also calculated. The relationship between vertical jump and VO2max values, and those of muscle stiffness, thickness, and BMI were investigated via Pearson’s correlation and multivariate linear regression analysis.Results: No significant correlation was observed between muscle stiffness and VO2max or vertical jump (p>0.05). There was significant negative correlation between GL thickness and VO2max (p=0.026), and soleus thickness and VO2max (p=0.046). There was also a significant negative correlation between BMI and VO2max (p=0.001). Conclusions: This preliminary work can be a reference for future research. Although our article indicates that passive muscle stiffness measured by SWE is not directly related to athletic performance, future comprehensive studies should be performed in order to illuminate the complex nature of muscles. The maintenance of lower muscle thickness and optimal BMI may be associated with better aerobic performance.
Effect of Antimicrobial Agents on Inflammatory Cytokines in Acute Leptospirosis
Authors: Fernando Narmada , de Silva Rajiva , Handunnetti Shiroma M. , Karunanayake Lilani , De Silva Nipun Lakshitha , de Silva H. Janaka , Rajapakse Senaka , Premawansa Sunil 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to assess the inflammatory cytokine response and possible association with antimicrobial treatment with penicillin, ceftriaxone, and doxycycline in acute leptospirosis. In the early acute stage, interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels were higher in mild cases than in severe cases (
P
= 0.01). IL-6 and IL-8 levels were low in patients who received >5 antimicrobial doses (
P
< 0.01). IL-8 levels were negatively correlated with the number of ceftriaxone doses administered (
r
= −0.315;
P
= 0.031). Further studies are needed to evaluate the possible downregulation of proinflammatory cytokines by ceftriaxone in leptospirosis.
Topical Treatment for Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: Dermato-Pharmacokinetic Lead Optimization of Benzoxaboroles
Authors: Van Bocxlaer Katrien , Gaukel Eric , Hauser Deirdre , Park Seong Hee , Schock Sara , Yardley Vanessa , Randolph Ryan , Plattner Jacob J. , Merchant Tejal , Croft Simon L. , Jacobs Robert T. , Wring Stephen A. 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACT

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is caused by several species of the protozoan parasite
Leishmania
, affecting an estimated 10 million people worldwide. Previously reported strategies for the development of topical CL treatments have focused primarily on drug permeation and formulation optimization as the means to increase treatment efficacy. Our approach aims to identify compounds with antileishmanial activity and properties consistent with topical administration. Of the test compounds, five benzoxaboroles showed potent activity (50% effective concentration [EC
50
] < 5 μM) against intracellular amastigotes of at least one
Leishmania
species and acceptable activity (20 μM < EC
50
< 30 μM) against two more species. Benzoxaborole compounds were further prioritized on the basis of the
in vitro
evaluation of progression criteria related to skin permeation, such as the partition coefficient and solubility. An MDCKII-hMDR1 cell assay showed overall good permeability and no significant interaction with the P-glycoprotein transporter for all substrates except LSH002 and LSH031. The benzoxaboroles were degraded, to some extent, by skin enzymes but had stability superior to that of
para
-hydroxybenzoate compounds, which are known skin esterase substrates. Evaluation of permeation through reconstructed human epidermis showed LSH002 to be the most permeant, followed by LSH003 and LSH001. Skin disposition studies following finite drug formulation application to mouse skin demonstrated the highest permeation for LSH001, followed by LSH003 and LSH002, with a significantly larger amount of LSH001 than the other compounds being retained in skin. Finally, the efficacy of the leads (LSH001, LSH002, and LSH003) against
Leishmania major
was tested
in vivo
. LSH001 suppressed lesion growth upon topical application, and LSH003 reduced the lesion size following oral administration.
Fatty Acid Oxidation Is Required for Myxococcus xanthus Development
Authors: Bullock Hannah A. , Shen Huifeng , Boynton Tye O. , Shimkets Lawrence J. 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACT

Myxococcus xanthus
cells produce lipid bodies containing triacylglycerides during fruiting body development. Fatty acid β-oxidation is the most energy-efficient pathway for lipid body catabolism. In this study, we used mutants in
fadJ
(MXAN_5371 and MXAN_6987) and
fadI
(MXAN_5372) homologs to examine whether β-oxidation serves an essential developmental function. These mutants contained more lipid bodies than the wild-type strain DK1622 and 2-fold more flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), consistent with the reduced consumption of fatty acids by β-oxidation. The β-oxidation pathway mutants exhibited differences in fruiting body morphogenesis and produced spores with thinner coats and a greater susceptibility to thermal stress and UV radiation. The MXAN_5372/5371 operon is upregulated in sporulating cells, and its expression could not be detected in
csgA
,
fruA
, or
mrpC
mutants. Lipid bodies were found to persist in mature spores of DK1622 and wild strain DK851, suggesting that the roles of lipid bodies and β-oxidation may extend to spore germination.

IMPORTANCE
Lipid bodies act as a reserve of triacylglycerides for use when other sources of carbon and energy become scarce. β-Oxidation is essential for the efficient metabolism of fatty acids associated with triacylglycerides. Indeed, the disruption of genes in this pathway has been associated with severe disorders in animals and plants.
Myxococcus xanthus
, a model organism for the study of development, is ideal for investigating the complex effects of altered lipid metabolism on cell physiology. Here, we show that β-oxidation is used to consume fatty acids associated with lipid bodies and that the disruption of the β-oxidation pathway is detrimental to multicellular morphogenesis and spore formation.
Population-based incidence of conjunctival tumours in Olmsted County, Minnesota
Authors: Dalvin Lauren A , Salomão Diva R , Patel Sanjay V 
Published: March 2018

AimTo determine population-based incidence of conjunctival tumours in Olmsted County, Minnesota.MethodsThe Rochester Epidemiology Project medical record linkage system was used to identify patients with conjunctival tumours in Olmsted County (1 January 1980 to 31 December 2015). Records were reviewed for demographics, types of tumours, histopathology, treatment and clinical course. Incidence rate of all tumours was calculated per 1 000 000 person-years. Poisson regression analysis was used to assess changes in incidence over time.ResultsThere were 504 patients with conjunctival tumours, giving an age-adjusted and sex-adjusted incidence rate of 125 per 1 000 000 (CI 113.5 to 135.5). Incidence increased over time (P<0.001). Most tumours (474, 94%) were benign. Of benign lesions, melanocytic lesions accounted for the majority (431, 86%), with adjusted incidence rates of 10.8 (CI 7.7 to 13.9) for complexion-associated melanosis, 49.7 (CI 42.9 to 56.6) for nevus and 44.1 (37.5–50.8) for primary acquired melanosis. Malignant lesions were rare (30, 6%) with 6 cases of melanoma, 21 cases of ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN), 1 case of Langerhans cell histiocytosis and 2 cases of lymphoma. Adjusted incidence rates of conjunctival melanoma and OSSN were 1.5 (CI 0.3 to 2.8) and 6.1 (CI 3.5 to 8.7), respectively. Outcomes for melanoma (mean follow-up 14 years, range 0–34) and OSSN (mean follow-up 4 years, range 0–24) were favourable in 29 cases, with one fatality due to metastatic melanoma.ConclusionsIn a population-based setting, most conjunctival tumours are benign, and the majority of lesions are melanocytic. While it is important to remain vigilant for malignancies, most conjunctival lesions in a community-based practice are not life-threatening.
Effects of five types of selenium supplementation for treatment of Kashin-Beck disease in children: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Xie Dongmei , Liao Yulin , Yue Jirong , Zhang Chao , Wang Yanyan , Deng Chuanyao , Chen Ling 
Published: March 2018

ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of five kinds of selenium supplementation for the treatment of patients with Kashin-Beck disease, and rank these selenium supplementations based on their performance.DesignWe searched for all publications between 1 January 1966 and 31 March 2017 using seven electronic databases. GRADE system to network meta-analyses (NMAs) was applied to rate the quality of the evidence. We conducted a random effects model NMA in STATA 12.1 to determine comparative effectiveness of each intervention. Rankings were obtained by using the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) values and mean ranks.ResultsA total of 15 randomised controlled trials involving 2931 patients were included. After assessment of the overall quality of the evidence, we downgraded our primary outcomes from high to low or very low quality. NMAs showed that all five kinds of selenium supplementation had higher metaphysis X-ray improvement which were superior to placebo. Ranking on efficacy indicated that selenium salt was ranked the highest, followed by sodium selenite + vitamin E, selenium enriched yeast, sodium selenite and then sodium selenite + vitamin C.ConclusionsBased on the results of NMA, all five types of selenium supplements are more effective than placebo and so that selenium supplementation is of help in repairing metaphyseal lesions. Since the overall quality of the evidence was low or very low, the SUCRA values may be misleading and should be considered jointly with the The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) confidence in the estimates for each comparison. The quality of the evidence is insufficient to draw a conclusion about what method of selenium supplementation is most effective.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42016051874.
A skin cancer prevention photoageing intervention for secondary schools in Brazil delivered by medical students: protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Brinker Titus Josef , Faria Bianca Lisa , Gatzka Martina , de Faria Olber Moreira , Heppt Markus V , Kirchberger Michael C , Schadendorf Dirk , Nakamura Yasuhiro , Buslaff Fabian , Lisboa Oscar Campos , Oliveira Ana Carla Cruz , Lino Henrique Augusto , Bernardes-Souza Breno 
Published: March 2018

IntroductionThe incidence of melanoma is increasing faster than any other major cancer both in Brazil and worldwide. The Southeast of Brazil has especially high incidences of melanoma, and early detection is low. Exposure to UV radiation represents a primary risk factor for developing melanoma. Increasing attractiveness is a major motivation for adolescents for tanning. A medical student-delivered intervention that harnesses the broad availability of mobile phones as well as adolescents’ interest in their appearance may represent a novel method to improve skin cancer prevention.Methods and analysisWe developed a free mobile app (Sunface), which will be implemented in at least 30 secondary school classes, each with 21 students (at least 30 classes with 21 students for control) in February 2018 in Southeast Brazil via a novel method called mirroring. In a 45 min classroom seminar, the students’ altered three-dimensional selfies on tablets are ‘mirrored’ via a projector in front of their entire class, showing the effects of unprotected UV exposure on their future faces. External block randomisation via computer is performed on the class level with a 1:1 allocation. Sociodemographic data, as well as skin type, ancestry, UV protection behaviour and its predictors are measured via a paper–pencil questionnaire before as well as at 3 and 6 months postintervention. The primary end point is the group difference in the 30-day prevalence of daily sunscreen use at a 6-month follow-up. Secondary end points include (1) the difference in daily sunscreen use at a 3-month follow-up, (2) if a self-skin examination in accordance with the ABCDE rule was performed within the 6-month follow-up and (3) the number of tanning sessions.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval was obtained from the ethics committee of the University of Itauna. Results will be disseminated at conferences and in peer-reviewed journals.Trial registration numberNCT03178240; Pre-results.
‘Just an extra pair of hands’? A qualitative study of obstetric service users’ and professionals’ views towards 24/7 consultant presence on a single UK tertiary maternity unit
Authors: Reid Holly E , Wittkowski Anja , Vause Sarah , Heazell Alexander E P 
Published: March 2018

ObjectivesTo explore the views of maternity service users and professionals towards obstetric consultant presence 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.DesignSemistructured interviews conducted face to face with maternity service users and professionals in March and April 2016. All responses were analysed together (ie, both service users’ and professionals’ responses) using an inductive thematic analysis.SettingA large tertiary maternity unit in the North West of England that has implemented 24/7 obstetric consultant presence.ParticipantsAntenatal and postnatal inpatient service users (n=10), midwives, obstetrics and gynaecology specialty trainees and consultant obstetricians (n=10).ResultsFive themes were developed: (1) ‘Just an extra pair of hands?’(the consultant’s role), (2)the context, (3)the team, (4)trainingand(5)change for the consultant. Respondents acknowledged that obstetrics is an acute specialty, and consultants resolve intrapartum complications. However, variability in consultant experience and behaviour altered perception of its impact. Service users were generally positive towards 24/7 consultant presence but were not aware that it was not standard practice across the UK. Professionals were more pragmatic and discussed how the implementation of 24/7 working had affected their work, development of trainees and potential impacts on future consultants.ConclusionsThe findings raised several issues that should be considered by practitioners and policymakers when making decisions about the implementation of 24/7 consultant presence in other maternity units, including attributes of the consultants, the needs of maternity units, the team hierarchy, trainee development, consultants’ other duties and consultant absences.
Spectral Properties of Hypergraph Laplacian and Approximation Algorithms
Authors: Chan T.-H. Hubert , Louis Anand , Tang Zhihao Gavin , Zhang Chenzi 
Published: March 2018

The celebrated Cheeger’s Inequality (Alon and Milman 1985; Alon 1986) establishes a bound on the edge expansion of a graph via its spectrum. This inequality is central to a rich spectral theory of graphs, based on studying the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the adjacency matrix (and other related matrices) of graphs. It has remained open to define a suitable spectral model for hypergraphs whose spectra can be used to estimate various combinatorial properties of the hypergraph.
In this article, we introduce a new hypergraph Laplacian operator generalizing the Laplacian matrix of graphs. In particular, the operator is induced by a diffusion process on the hypergraph, such that within each hyperedge, measure flows from vertices having maximum weighted measure to those having minimum. Since the operator is nonlinear, we have to exploit other properties of the diffusion process to recover the Cheeger’s Inequality that relates hyperedge expansion with the “second eigenvalue” of the resulting Laplacian. However, we show that higher-order spectral properties cannot hold in general using the current framework.

Since higher-order spectral properties do not hold for the Laplacian operator, we instead use the concept of procedural minimizers to consider higher-order Cheeger-like inequalities. For any
k
∈ N, we give a polynomial-time algorithm to compute an
O
(log
r
)-approximation to the
k
th procedural minimizer, where
r
is the maximum cardinality of a hyperedge. We show that this approximation factor is optimal under the SSE hypothesis (introduced by Raghavendra and Steurer (2010)) for constant values of
k
.

Moreover, using the factor-preserving reduction from vertex expansion in graphs to hypergraph expansion, we show that all our results for hypergraphs extend to vertex expansion in graphs.
Time to Epinephrine Administration and Survival From Nonshockable Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Among Children and Adults
Authors: Hansen Matthew , Schmicker Robert H. , Newgard Craig D. , Grunau Brian , Scheuermeyer Frank , Cheskes Sheldon , Vithalani Veer , Alnaji Fuad , Rea Thomas , Idris Ahamed H. , Herren Heather , Hutchison Jamie , Austin Mike , Egan Debra , Daya Mohamud 
Published: March 2018

Background:
Previous studies have demonstrated that earlier epinephrine administration is associated with improved survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) with shockable initial rhythms. However, the effect of epinephrine timing on patients with nonshockable initial rhythms is unclear. The objective of this study was to measure the association between time to epinephrine administration and survival in adults and children with emergency medical services (EMS)–treated OHCA with nonshockable initial rhythms.

Methods:
We performed a secondary analysis of OHCAs prospectively identified by the Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium network from June 4, 2011, to June 30, 2015. We included patients of all ages with an EMS-treated OHCA and an initial nonshockable rhythm. We excluded those with return of spontaneous circulation in <10 minutes. We conducted a subgroup analysis involving patients <18 years of age. The primary exposure was time (minutes) from arrival of the first EMS agency to the first dose of epinephrine. Secondary exposure was time to epinephrine dichotomized as early (<10 minutes) or late (≥10 minutes). The primary outcome was survival to hospital discharge. We adjusted for Utstein covariates and Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium study site.

Results:
From 55 568 EMS-treated OHCAs, 32 101 patients with initial nonshockable rhythms were included. There were 12 238 in the early group, 14 517 in the late group, and 5346 not treated with epinephrine. After adjusting for potential confounders, each minute from EMS arrival to epinephrine administration was associated with a 4% decrease in odds of survival for adults, odds ratio=0.96 (95% confidence interval, 0.95–0.98). A subgroup analysis (n=13 290) examining neurological outcomes showed a similar association (adjusted odds ratio, 0.94 per minute; 95% confidence interval, 0.89–0.98). When epinephrine was given late in comparison with early, odds of survival were 18% lower (odds ratio, 0.82; 95% confidence interval, 0.68–0.98). In a pediatric analysis (n=595), odds of survival were 9% lower (odds ratio, 0.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.81–1.01) for each minute delay in epinephrine.

Conclusions:
Among OHCAs with nonshockable initial rhythms, the majority of patients were administered epinephrine >10 minutes after EMS arrival. Each minute delay in epinephrine administration was associated with decreased survival and unfavorable neurological outcomes. EMS agencies should consider strategies to reduce epinephrine administration times in patients with initial nonshockable rhythms.