bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of ReBound Diathermy as a Thermal Heating Agent: A Critically Appraised Topic
Authors: Rhode Alissa C. , Lavelle Lauren M. , Berry David C. 
Published: June 2018

Clinical Scenario: ReBound is a portable shortwave diathermy unit used to heat tissues using the same principle as induction drum shortwave diathermy. It is unclear if ReBound can vigorously (4°C) heat intramuscular tissue as efficiently as other thermal agents. Clinical Question: In adults (P), is ReBound diathermy (I) compared with other thermal agents (C) effective at increasing intramuscular tissue temperature by 4°C (O)? Summary of Key Findings: (1) Three studies were included for review, all randomized crossover studies. (2) All studies agreed ReBound does not achieve vigorous (4°C) heating effects during a 30-minute treatment to the triceps surae muscle (depth = 1 and 3 cm). (3) Studies agreed that the heat generated by ReBound dissipates slower than (P < .001) or similar to pulsed shortwave diathermy at 3 cm and faster than moist hot packs (P < .001) at 1 cm. (4) One study found that intramuscular tissue temperatures increased more with ReBound (3.69°C [1.50°C]) than moist hot packs (2.82°C [0.90°C]) at superficial depths (1 cm, d = 0.70). (5) Two studies compared ReBound with MegaPulse II pulsed shortwave diathermy at a 3 cm depth. One found that the MegaPulse II increased intramuscular tissue temperature by 4.32°C (1.79°C) compared with the ReBound’s 2.31°C (0.87°C) increase (d = 1.43). The final study reported that the MegaPulse II increased triceps surae muscle temperature by 3.47°C (0.92°C) versus ReBound at 3.08°C (1.19°C) (d = 0.37). (6) The combined results are an increase of 3.81 (1.38°C) for the MegaPulse II and 2.77 (1.12°C) for ReBound (d = 0.83). Clinical Bottom Line: Results strongly indicate that the ReBound should not be used for vigorous (4°C) heating effects in the triceps surae muscle at 1 and 3 cm. Clinicians can use ReBound when traveling or instead of moist hot packs for moderate (2°C–3°C) heating effects at deep and superficial levels (1 and 3 cm) for large treatment areas with subcutaneous fat thickness <15 mm. Strength of Recommendation: Consistent level B findings indicate that ReBound does not achieve vigorous heating effects (4°C).
Hop Stabilization Training Improves Neuromuscular Control in College Basketball Players With Chronic Ankle Instability: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Minoonejad Hooman , Karimizadeh Ardakani Mohammad , Rajabi Reza , Wikstrom Erik A. , Sharifnezhad Ali 
Published: June 2018

Context: Neuromuscular control deficit has been reported in people with chronic ankle instability (CAI) and hopping exercises have been recommended as a functional training tool to prevent lower limb injury, but its effects on lower-extremity neuromuscular control in those with CAI are unclear. Objective: To investigate the effect of hop stabilization training on neuromuscular control and self-reported function in college basketball players with CAI. Study Design: A randomized controlled trial. Setting: Research Laboratory. Patients (or Other Participants): A total of 28 college basketball players with CAI were randomly assigned to the experimental hop stabilization group (age = 22.78 [3.09] y, weight = 82.59 [9.51] kg, and height = 187.96 [7.93] cm) or the control group (age = 22.57 [2.76] y, weight = 78.35 [7.02] kg, and height = 185.69 [7.28] cm). Intervention: Participants in the experimental group performed supervised hop stabilization exercises 3 times per week for 6 weeks. The control group received no intervention. Main Outcome Measures: Preparatory and reactive muscle activation levels and muscle onset time were assessed from 8 lower-extremity muscles during a jump-landing task before and after the 6-week training program. Results: Significant improvements in preparatory muscle activation, reactive muscle activation, and muscle onset time were noted across the lower-extremity in the experimental group relative to the control group (P < .05). Self-reported function also improved in the experimental group relative to the control group (P < .05). Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that 6 weeks of hop stabilization training is effective in improving neuromuscular control and self-reported function in college basketball players with CAI. Hop stabilization exercises can be incorporated into the rehabilitation program for CAI.
Herpes Simplex Virus 2 Latency-Associated Transcript (LAT) Region Mutations Do Not Identify a Role for LAT-Associated MicroRNAs in Viral Reactivation in Guinea Pig Genital Models
Authors: Kawamura Yoshiki , Bosch-Marce Marta , Tang Shuang , Patel Amita , Krause Philip R. 
Published: June 2018

ABSTRACT

Despite the long-standing observation that herpes simplex virus (HSV) latency-associated transcript (LAT) promoter deletion viruses show impaired recurrence phenotypes in relevant animal models, the mechanism by which these sequences exert this phenotypic effect is unknown. We constructed and evaluated four mutant HSV-2 isolates with targeted mutations in the LAT promoter and LAT-associated microRNAs (miRNAs) affecting (i) the LAT TATA box; (ii) the LAT ICP4-binding site; (iii) miRNA I (miR-I) and miR-II (miR-I/II), which both target ICP34.5; and (iv) miR-III, which targets ICP0. While the LAT TATA box mutant caused milder acute infections than wild-type (WT) virus, there was no difference in the recurrence phenotype between these viruses. LAT and miRNA expression during latency was not impaired by this mutation, suggesting that other promoter elements may be more important for latent HSV-2 LAT expression. Mutation of the LAT ICP4-binding site also did not cause an
in vivo
phenotypic difference between mutant and WT viruses. Acute infection and reactivation from latency of the miR-I/II mutant were similar to those of its rescuant, although the acute infection was slightly reduced in severity relative to that caused by the wild-type virus. The miR-III mutant also exhibited WT phenotypes in acute and recurrent phases of infection. While they do not rule out an effect of these elements in human latency or reactivation, these findings do not identify a specific role for LAT or LAT-associated miRNAs in the HSV-2 LAT promoter deletion phenotype in guinea pigs. Thus, other sequences in this region may play a more important role in the long-studied LAT-associated phenotype in animals.

IMPORTANCE
While it has been known for several decades that specific HSV-1 and HSV-2 sequences near the LAT promoter are required for efficient viral reactivation in animal models, the mechanism is still not known. We constructed four mutant viruses with the goal of identifying critical sequence elements and of specifically testing the hypothesis that microRNAs that are expressed during latency play a role. Determination that specific LAT promoter sequences and miRNA sequences do not influence viral reactivation of HSV-2 helps to narrow down the search for the mechanism by which the virus controls its latency and recurrence phenotype.
Prevalence and clinical consequences of cytomegalovirus DNA in the aqueous humour and corneal transplants
Authors: Hsiao Ching-Hsi , Hwang Yih-Shiou , Chuang Wen-Yu , Ma David H K , Yeh Lung-Kun , Chen Shin-Yi , Shu Jwu-Ching 
Published: June 2018

AimTo determine the prevalence and clinical consequences of cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA in the aqueous and corneal tissues obtained at the time of corneal transplantation to evaluate the diagnostic value of PCR analysis in identifying patients at risk of postkeratoplasty CMV endotheliitis.MethodsThirty patients who underwent corneal transplantation were included in 2011. The aqueous, excised recipient corneas and donor corneoscleral rims were analysed by PCR for the presence of CMV DNA. The medical records of the patients were retrospectively reviewed and linked with PCR results.ResultsCMV DNA was detected in three (10%) aqueous, eight (26.7%) recipient corneas and six (20.0%) donor corneas obtained during keratoplasty from the 30 patients. Postoperatively, four patients, who had CMV DNA in either aqueous (3) or recipient cornea (1), were diagnosed with CMV endotheliitis based on clinical features and repeat aqueous tapping for real-time PCR analysis. At the median 60.5 months follow-up, 8 (72.7%), including 4 with postkeratoplasty CMV endotheliitis, of the 11 patients with CMV positivity in any one sample had graft failure, while 9 (47.3%) of the 19 patients without evidence of CMV DNA experienced graft failure.ConclusionsWe found a relatively high prevalence of CMV DNA in the aqueous and corneas obtained during keratoplasty. All the patients who had CMV positivity in aqueous developed CMV endotheliitis postoperatively and experienced graft failure eventually. Aqueous tapping at the time of corneal transplantation for PCR analysis may help to improve the diagnosis and follow-up management of postkeratoplasty CMV endotheliitis.
Quantitative retinal microvasculature in children using swept-source optical coherence tomography: the Hong Kong Children Eye Study
Authors: Cheung Carol Y , Li Jian , Yuan Nan , Lau Gordon Yiu Leung , Chan Anthony Yu Fung , Lam Alexander , Tang Fang Yao , Tham Clement C , Pang Chi-Pui , Chen Li Jia , Yam Jason C 
Published: June 2018

AimsTo evaluate the distributions of quantitative optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) metrics and its associated factors in children.Methods1059 children aged 6–8 years were recruited from the Hong Kong Children Eye Study. All the participants underwent OCT-A with a swept-source OCT. Retinal microvasculature on superficial capillary plexus was assessed and quantified by a customised automated image analysis programme. Univariable and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to determine systemic (body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, head circumference and blood pressure), demographic and ocular (axial length (AL), macular thickness and volume, retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness and visual acuity) variables (independent variables) associated with OCT-A metrics (dependent variables).ResultsIn multiple linear regression analyses, enlarged foveal avascular zone area was associated with female gender (β=0.110, p<0.001), decreased AL (β=−0.097, p<0.001) and decreased central macular thickness (β=−0.008, p<0.001). Decreased vessel density was associated with increased BMI (β=−4.12×10−4, p=0.006), decreased AL (β=0.003, p<0.001) and decreased central macular thickness (β=7.87×10−5, p=0.001). Increased vessel diameter index was associated with female gender (β=0.020, p=0.007) and decreased AL (β=−0.020, p<0.001). Decreased fractal dimension was associated with older age (β=−0.001, p=0.008). There were no significant correlations between OCT-A metrics with visual acuity, RNFL thickness, central corneal thickness, waist circumference, head circumference and blood pressure (all p>0.05).ConclusionOur findings provides new information on baseline morphology of retinal microvasculature and its associated factors in school children, which will be useful for interpreting OCT-A metrics and for identifying and characterising pathological changes in retinal microvasculature.
Sexual health prevention for incarcerated women: eroticising safe sex during re-entry to the community
Authors: Kuo Caroline C , Rosen Rochelle K , Zlotnick Caron , Wechsberg Wendee M , Peabody Marlanea , Johnson Jennifer E 
Published: June 2018

IntroductionIn the USA, incarcerated women are disproportionately affected by sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV. Transitioning from incarceration into the community is accompanied by elevated risk behaviours related to acquisition of STIs, yet few efficacious interventions address sexual health prevention among incarcerated women.MethodsWe conducted an exploratory qualitative study with 21 incarcerated women at four women’s state prison facilities in two Northeastern states in the USA. Qualitative data were gathered from four focus groups to guide future intervention development. Focus group discussions were guided by a semi-structured protocol exploring perceptions of sexual health prevention methods, experience with implementing prevention technologies and protective behaviours, and strategies to overcome challenges in implementing sexual health prevention behaviours. Focus groups were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsWomen described challenges in uptake of existing low-cost sexual health prevention strategies such as condoms. They identified strategies to facilitate use of prevention tools, and to increase protective behaviours relating to sexual health during the transition from incarceration to the community. For example, women described methods for eroticising male and female condoms, including selecting condoms with novel features, explaining to partners that condoms could increase sexual pleasure, and incorporating condom application into foreplay and/or oral sex.ConclusionIncorporating these insights, including how to eroticise safe sex, can inform the design of future preventive interventions tailored to meet the urgent sexual health needs of incarcerated women preparing for reintegration into the community.Clinical trial registrationNCT01907126.
A 42-year-old woman with acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Fahey James K , Ihdayhid Abdul Rahman , White Anthony John 
Published: June 2018

Clinical introductionA 42-year-old woman presented with anterior ST elevation myocardial infarction. Urgent coronary angiography revealed tapering then occlusion of the distal left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery with no flow in the distal LAD (figure 1A). Balloon angioplasty with a 2.0×8 mm balloon re-established flow into the distal LAD. An angiogram of the right external iliac artery was also performed (figure 1B).Figure 1Invasive angiography of the left coronary system (A) and the right external iliac artery (B). The coronary angiogram (A) shows tapering and then occlusion (arrow) of the distal left anterior descending coronary artery.QuestionWhich of the following explains the abnormal appearance of the external iliac artery (figure 1B)?Atherosclerosis.Concertina effect.Fibromuscular dysplasia.Perforation.Multiple aneurysms.
Models for predicting risk of dementia: a systematic review
Authors: Hou Xiao-He , Feng Lei , Zhang Can , Cao Xi-Peng , Tan Lan , Yu Jin-Tai 
Published: June 2018

BackgroundInformation from well-established dementia risk models can guide targeted intervention to prevent dementia, in addition to the main purpose of quantifying the probability of developing dementia in the future.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review of published studies on existing dementia risk models. The models were assessed by sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve (AUC) from receiver operating characteristic analysis.ResultsOf 8462 studies reviewed, 61 articles describing dementia risk models were identified, with the majority of the articles modelling late life risk (n=39), followed by those modelling prediction of mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer’s disease (n=15), mid-life risk (n=4) and patients with diabetes (n=3). Age, sex, education, Mini Mental State Examination, the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease neuropsychological assessment battery, Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale, body mass index, alcohol intake and genetic variables are the most common predictors included in the models. Most risk models had moderate-to-high predictive ability (AUC>0.70). The highest AUC value (0.932) was produced from a risk model developed for patients with mild cognitive impairment.ConclusionThe predictive ability of existing dementia risk models is acceptable. Population-specific dementia risk models are necessary for populations and subpopulations with different characteristics.
Impact assessment of the WHO FCTC over its first decade: methodology of the expert group
Authors: Fong Geoffrey T , Chung-Hall Janet , Craig Lorraine 
Published: June 2018

BackgroundAt its sixth meeting (Moscow, November 2014), the Conference of the Parties (COP) adopted decision FCTC/COP6(13) that called for an impact assessment to ‘examine the impact of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) on the implementation of tobacco control measures and on the effectiveness of its implementation’ after its first 10 years. An independent expert group (EG) was established to conduct the impact assessment, and report their findings at COP7 (Delhi, November 2016). This article describes the methodology used by the EG to conduct the first comprehensive multi-method assessment of the possible causal impact of the FCTC on global tobacco control over the past decade.MethodsThe EG developed and followed a four-stage process model to conduct the impact assessment: (1) desk review of literature on FCTC impact; (2) collection and analysis of interview data from 12 country missions; (3) data synthesis and interpretation; and (4) preparation of a final report.ConclusionsThe EG developed and engaged in a transparent and systematic process to conduct the FCTC impact assessment. The methods employed were rigorous, and explicitly guided by concerns about the difficulty of ascribing cause-and-effect relations. The EG’s report and supporting documents represent important sources of the positive impact of the Convention over its first decade. As development of the FCTC increasingly shifts to mechanisms for accelerating global implementation, the EG’s process model can be used as a methodology to assist Parties in carrying out their own assessments of the impact of the Treaty.
Subexponential Parameterized Algorithm for I
nterval
C
ompletion
Authors: Bliznets Ivan , Fomin Fedor V. , Pilipczuk Marcin , Pilipczuk MichaŁ 
Published: June 2018

In the I
nterval
C
ompletion
problem we are given an
n
-vertex graph
G
and an integer
k
, and the task is to transform
G
by making use of at most
k
edge additions into an interval graph. This is a fundamental graph modification problem with applications in sparse matrix multiplication and molecular biology. The question about fixed-parameter tractability of I
nterval
C
ompletion
was asked by Kaplan et al. [FOCS 1994; SIAM J. Comput. 1999] and was answered affirmatively more than a decade later by Villanger et al. [STOC 2007; SIAM J. Comput. 2009], who presented an algorithm with running time
O
(
k

2
k

n
3
m
). We give the first subexponential parameterized algorithm solving I
nterval
C
ompletion
in time
k

O
(√
k
)

n

O
(1)

. This adds I
nterval
C
ompletion
to a very small list of parameterized graph modification problems solvable in subexponential time.
Lipid malabsorption from altered hormonal signaling changes early gut microbial responses
Authors: Terry Natalie A. , Ngaba Lucie V. , Wilkins Benjamin J. , Pi Danielle , Gheewala Nishi , Kaestner Klaus H. 
Published: June 2018

Infants with congenital diarrheal disorders caused by enteroendocrine cell dysgenesis, or the loss of intestinal endocrine cells, causes severe malabsorptive diarrhea, though the mechanism is not fully understood. The transcription factor “aristaless-related homeobox” (Arx) is specifically expressed in intestinal endocrine cells. This study seeks to characterize the early malabsorptive phenotype of mice deficient for Arx using cell-type specific gene ablation in Villin-Cre; ArxloxP/Y ( Arxint) mice. In neonatal mice, the loss of intestinal Arx caused the loss of intestinal hormones, such as cholecystokinin, secretin, neurotensin, glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide, glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 and GLP-2 but also upregulation of somatostatin. Arxint mice exhibited steatorrhea with the loss of lipid transport in duodenal enterocytes, upregulation of lysozyme-positive Paneth cells, and a secondary increase in antimicrobial peptides, specifically Reg3β. When the epithelium from Arxint mice was cultured ex vivo into enteroids, however, the Reg3β upregulation was lost under the sterile conditions. Thus, Arx is required for the appropriate lineage allocation of multiple enteroendocrine subtypes. We concluded that altered hormonal signaling caused by Arx deficiency results in lipid malabsorption, premature Paneth cell differentiation, and an inflammatory response, including neutrophilic infiltrates and a microbiota-triggered upregulation of Reg3β. NEW & NOTEWORTHY The enteroendocrine transcription factor aristaless-related homeobox (Arx) plays a key role in lineage specification. Changes in hormonal expression mediated by Arx lead to lipid malabsorption and premature Paneth cell development. Furthermore, global profiling of whole intestine from Arx-deficient mice revealed significant upregulation of antimicrobial peptides. This antimicrobial response in Arx-deficient animals is lost under sterile culture conditions of enteroids.
Role of Angptl4/Fiaf in exercise-induced skeletal muscle AMPK activation
Authors: Chang Hyukki , Kwon Obin , Shin Mi-Seon , Kang Gil Myoung , Leem Yea Hyun , Lee Chan Hee , Kim Seong Jun , Roh Eun , Kim Hyun-Kyong , Youn Byung-Soo , Kim Min-Seon 
Published: June 2018

Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (Angptl4)/fasting-induced adipose factor (Fiaf) expression levels are increased by exercise in skeletal muscle. We have previously shown that Angptl4 regulates food intake and energy expenditure via modulation of hypothalamic AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity. AMPK is an important signaling molecule that integrates skeletal muscle metabolism during exercise. Therefore, we investigated the involvement of Angptl4 in exercise-induced AMPK activation in skeletal muscle. Angptl4 protein and mRNA expression levels were significantly increased in the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles of mice following a 50-min running bout. Treatment of C2C12 myotubes with Angptl4 increased phosphorylation of AMPK and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), which were markers of AMPK activation, and the mitochondrial maximum respiratory capacity. Treadmill exercise increased AMPK and ACC phosphorylation in the gastrocnemius of normal mice; this phosphorylation increase was attenuated in mice lacking Angptl4. Endurance to swimming and hanging was also reduced in Angptl4 knockout mice. Taken together, our current data demonstrate that exercise-induced upregulation of skeletal muscle Angptl4 is critical for AMPK activation and exercise tolerance. These findings unveil a new role for skeletal muscle Angptl4 in exercise physiology. NEW & NOTEWORTHY 1) Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (Angptl4) treatment activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling in skeletal muscle cells. 2) Angptl4 increases the maximum mitochondrial oxidative capacity through AMPK activation in skeletal muscle cells. 3) Lack of Angptl4 mitigates exercise-induced skeletal muscle AMPK activation. 4) Angptl4-deficient mice show a lower endurance to exercise.