bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
EUS-guided thrombin injection for management of gastric fundal varices
Authors: Frost John , Hebbar Srisha 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
Background and study aims Cyanoacrylate glue is recommended first-line endoscopic therapy for gastric fundal varices but it is difficult to use and carries a risk of embolization. Thrombin is preferred by many in the UK, but its effectiveness can be difficult to establish at endoscopy and the rate of re-bleeding is higher. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) can help assess variceal blood flow and has the potential to improve both targeting and effectiveness of injection therapy. Whereas there is already some data for its use with glue, little data currently exist in relation to its use with thrombin.
Patients and methods We present a series of patients treated with EUS-guided thrombin injection over the last 4 years. Thrombin was injected under EUS guidance with the intention of obliterating flow within the fundal varices. Outcomes reviewed included whether haemostasis was achieved, the dose of thrombin required for endosonographic variceal obliteration, the incidence of re-bleeding, and procedural related adverse events.
Results Eight patients received EUS-guided thrombin: 3 with active bleeding and 5 as elective prevention. In 2/3 (66 %) patients with active bleeding haemostasis was achieved after a single dose with complete variceal obliteration. 1/3 (33 %) had no alteration in blood flow despite 10 000 IU. None of the elective prevention group had further bleeding and obliteration was observed in 4/5 (80 %). A range of 600 to 10 000 IU of thrombin was used and there were no adverse procedure-related outcomes.
Conclusions Our results are promising and suggest that EUS-guided thrombin injection may have a role in managing bleeding from gastric fundal varices.
Current Soccer Footwear, Its Role in Injuries and Potential for Improvement
Authors: Blanchard Sylvain , Palestri Jérôme , Guer Jean-Luc , BEHR Michel 
Published: May 2018

AbstractSoccer is the most popular sport in the world and generates great financial revenue. It is also a sport whose practice has evolved considerably in terms of intensity and commitment, and in which the intrinsic risk of injury (not directly related to an interaction with the environment) is particularly high. In this context, the cleated shoe as a major component of soccer equipment may play a key role in the overexposure to injury. Soccer shoe evolution is all the more challenging, because design and mechanical structure differ in many points compared to other modern shoes developed for sports such as running, tennis and basketball.This critical review aims to elucidate the characteristics of modern soccer footwear and their possible link to soccer-specific injuries, focusing on the following areas: (1) ergonomics, comfort and proprioception; (2) shoe mechanical characteristics; (3) field surfaces and shoe design.
In Vivo Tibial Fit and Rotational Analysis of a Customized, Patient-Specific TKA versus Off-the-Shelf TKA
Authors: Schroeder Lennart , Martin Gregory 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIn total knee arthroplasty (TKA), surgeons often face the decision of maximizing tibial component fit and achieving correct rotational alignment at the same time. Customized implants (CIMs) address this difficulty by aiming to replicate the anatomical joint structure, utilizing data from patient-specific knee geometry during the manufacturing. We intraoperatively compared component fit in four tibial zones of a CIM to that of three different off-the-shelf (OTS) TKA designs in 44 knees. Additionally, we assessed the rotational alignment of the tibia using computed tomography (CT)-based computer aided design model analysis. Overall the CIM device showed significantly better component fit than the OTS TKAs. While 18% of OTS designs presented an implant overhang of 3 mm or more, none of the CIM components did (p < 0.05). There was a larger percentage of CIMs seen with optimal fit (≤1 mm implant overhang to ≤1 mm tibial bone undercoverage) than in OTS TKAs. Also, OTS implants showed significantly more component underhang of ≥3 mm than the CIM design (37 vs. 18%). The rotational analysis revealed that 45% of the OTS tibial components showed a rotational deviation of more than 5 degrees and 4% of more than 10 degrees to a tibial rotational axis described by Cobb et al. No deviation was seen for the CIM, as the device is designed along this axis. Using the medial one-third of the tibial tubercle as the rotational landmark, 95% of the OTS trays demonstrated a rotational deviation of more than 5 degrees and 73% of more than 10 degrees compared with 73% of CIM tibial trays with more than 5 degrees and 27% with more than 10 degrees. Based on our findings, we believe that the CIM TKA provides both better rotational alignment and tibial fit without causing overhang of the tibial tray than the three examined OTS implants.
Less Invasive Modified Extradural Temporopolar Approach for Paraclinoid Lesions: Operative Technique and Surgical Results in 80 Consecutive Patients
Authors: Toyooka Terushige , Takeuchi Satoru , Tomiyama Arata , Nakao Yasuaki , Yamamoto Takuji , Wada Kojiro , Mori Kentaro , Otani Naoki 
Published: May 2018

Background Extradural temporopolar approach for paraclinoid lesions can provide extensive and early exposure of the anterior clinoid process, and complete mobilization and decompression of the optic nerve and internal carotid artery, which can prevent intraoperative neurovascular injury. The present study investigated the usefulness of our less invasive modified technique and discussed its operative nuances.
Methods We retrospectively reviewed medical charts of 80 consecutive patients with neoplastic (21 patients) and vascular lesions (59 patients) who underwent the modified extradural temporopolar approach between September 2009 and March 2014.
Results Preoperative visual acuity worsened in 4 patients (5.0%) and worsening of visual field function occurred in 10 patients (12.5%). Postoperative outcome was good recovery in 71 patients, moderate disability in 6, severe disability in 2, and death in 1 (due to reruptured aneurysm). No operation-related mortality occurred in the series.
Conclusion Less invasive modified extradural temporopolar approach is safe and can be recommended for the surgical treatment of deeply located aneurysms and skull base tumors to reduce the risk of intraoperative optic neurovascular injury.
Predictors of patient reluctance to wake early in the morning for bowel preparation for colonoscopy: a precolonoscopy survey in city-wide practice
Authors: Shafer L. , Walker J. , Waldman C. , Michaud V. , Yang C. , Bernstein C. , Hathout L. , Park J. , Sisler J. , Wittmeier K. , Restall G. , Singh H. 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
Introduction Many endoscopists do not use split-dose bowel preparation (SDBP) for morning colonoscopies. Despite SDBP being recommended practice, they believe patients will not agree to take early morning bowel preparation (BP). We assessed patients’ opinions about waking early for BP.
Methods A self-administered survey was distributed between 08/2015 and 06/2016 to patients in Winnipeg, Canada when they attended an outpatient colonoscopy. Logistic regression was performed to determine predictors of reluctance to use early morning BP.
Results Of the 1336 respondents (52 % female, median age 57 years), 33 % had used SDBP for their current colonoscopy. Of the 1336, 49 % were willing, 24 % neutral, and 27 % reluctant to do early morning BP. Predictors of reluctant versus willing were number of prior colonoscopies (OR 1.20; 95 %CI: 1.07 – 1.35), female gender (OR 1.65; 95 %CI: 1.19 – 2.29), unclear BP information (OR 1.86; 95 %CI: 1.21 – 2.85), high BP anxiety (OR 2.02; 95 %CI: 1.35 – 3.02), purpose of current colonoscopy being bowel symptoms (OR 1.40; 95 %CI: 1.00 – 1.97), use of 4 L of polyethylene glycol laxative (OR 1.45; 95 %CI: 1.02 – 2.06), not having SDBP (OR 1.96; 95 %CI: 1.31 – 2.93), and not having finished the laxative for the current colonoscopy (OR 1.66; 95 %CI: 1.01 – 2.73). Most of the same predictors were identified when reluctance was compared to willing or neutral, and in ordinal logistic regression.
Conclusions Almost three-quarters of patients do not express reluctance to get up early for BP. Among those who are reluctant, improving BP information, allaying BP-related anxiety, and use of low volume BP may increase acceptance of SDBP.
Gender and aboriginality
Authors: Walton Chris 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThis paper re-examines ideas of culture that have been dominant within the field of Aboriginal education. It draws upon feminist post-structuralism and postmodernism in order to critique the practice of dichotomising differences between Australian Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal cultural practices. It uses this critique to examine current mismatch theories of differential educational location. Finally, it asks whether we need to sustain an interest in macrotheories in order to retain the ability to theorize about gender and Aboriginality across different sites.
Developing language tests for specific populations
Authors: Baker Rosemary 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
This article examines the decisions underpinning language test design in circumstances where existing tests are of questionable validity for particular subpopulations, or where no suitable test exists. Three strands of test development work are described, all concerned with the assessment of language abilities in bilinguals and speakers of English as a second language in Australia. The specific contexts discussed are: (1) the assessment of residual language-processing abilities following stroke; (2) the assessment of communicative ability following stroke; and (3) the assessment of first and second language abilities in Alzheimer’s dementia. For all of these purposes, tests need to be suitable for people of a range of ethnolinguistic backgrounds and degrees of bilingualism. Each context, however, raises its own set of considerations, and has therefore necessitated a different approach. In the first case, the starting point for the development of appropriate test content has been the investigation of a published aphasia test already available in many of the required languages. In the second case, an analysis of the communicative needs of a sample of stroke patients of non-English-speaking background was conducted, and content for a new measure selected on the basis of the results. In the third case, content selection has been informed primarily by the findings of empirical research on language decline in dementia.
Teaching Kanji by focusing on learners’ development of graphemic awareness
Authors: Toyoda Etsuko 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIt has been widely claimed that Kanji is one of the most difficult aspects of Japanese language learning for learners with alphabetic language backgrounds. There are various techniques devised by teachers to teach Kanji effectively. However, given variables such as individual differences, none of these techniques can be a single perfect technique. In this paper, how learners process Kanji is analysed, then based on the findings of the analysis, techniques for teaching Kanji are classified into four categories for developing learners’ proper processing skills. The four categories are: 1) techniques to eliminate learners’ anxiety, 2) techniques to familiarise learners with Kanji, 3) techniques to store Kanji in long-term memory, and 4) techniques to restructure learners’ schema. The paper suggests 1) that learners need to have appropriate graphemic awareness to process Kanji, and 2) that techniques from each category should be implemented in teaching to facilitate the development of proper processing skills.
Annotated bibliography on language teaching in Australia
Authors: Kirwan Sharyn J. 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
This paper reviews a number of articles that have been published since 1988, just after the release of Lo Bianco’s National policy recommendations on language. The review, which covers two sections 1) theoretical LOTE issues and 2) practical LOTE issues, is by no means exhaustive. The aim of this paper is to provide teachers, students and researchers with an overview of what has been happening, theoretically and practically, in the area of LOTE teaching in Australia during the past 4 years.
Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-based monomer composition analysis of medium-chain-length polyhydroxyalkanoates biosynthesized by Pseudomonas spp
Authors: Huang Pengtao , Okoshi Takaya , Mizuno Shoji , Hiroe Ayaka , Tsuge Takeharu 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACT
Medium-chain-length (mcl)-polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), elastomeric polyesters synthesized by Genus Pseudomonas bacteria, generally have many different monomer components. In this study, PHAs biosynthesized by four type strains of Pseudomonas (P. putida, P. citronellolis, P. oleovorans, and P. pseudoalcaligenes) and a typical PHA producer (P. putida KT2440) were characterized in terms of the monomer structure and composition by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. With a thiomethyl pretreatment of PHA methanolysis derivatives, two unsaturated monomers, 3-hydroxy-5-dodecenoate (3H5DD) and 3-hydroxy-5-tetradecenoate (3H5TD), were identified in mcl-PHAs produced by P. putida and P. citronellolis. The quantitative analysis of PHA monomers was performed by employing GC-MS with methanolysis derivatives, and the results coincided with those obtained by performing nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Only poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) was detected from the P. oleovorans and P. pseudoalcaligenes type strains. These analytical results would be useful as a reference standard for phenotyping of new PHA-producing bacteria.
Enhancing the stability of trehalose synthase via SpyTag/SpyCatcher cyclization to improve its performance in industrial biocatalysts
Authors: Xu Chao , Xu Qing , Huang He , Jiang Ling 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACT
SpyTag and SpyCatcher can spontaneously and rapidly conjugate to form an irreversible and stable covalent bond. The trehalose synthase (TreS) from Thermomonospora curvata was successfully cyclized after the fusion of a SpyTag to its C-terminus and SpyCatcher to the N-terminus. Cyclized TreS retained more than 85% of its activity at temperatures ranging from 40 to 50°C and more than 95% at a pH range of 8 to 10, while the wild type kept only 60 and 80% of its activity under the same conditions. These results demonstrated that cyclized TreS had better resistance to high temperature and alkali than the wild type. Furthermore, structural analysis revealed that cyclized TreS had better conformational stability and was able to fold correctly at a higher temperature than the wild type. Our findings indicate that the use of SpyTag and SpyCatcher to cyclize enzymes is a promising strategy to increase their stability.
Identification of pyridinoline, a collagen crosslink, as a novel intrinsic ligand for the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE)
Authors: Murakami Yoto , Fujino Takayuki , Kurachi Ryotaro , Hasegawa Toshiki , Usui Teruyuki , Hayase Fumitaka , Watanabe Hirohito 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACT
Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) elicit inflammatory responses via the receptor for AGEs (RAGE) and participate in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications. An earlier study showed that 3-hydroxypyridinium (3-HP), a common moiety of toxic AGEs such as glyceraldehyde-derived pyridinium (GLAP) and GA-pyridine, is essential for the interaction with RAGE. However, the physiological significance of 3-HP recognition by RAGE remains unclear. We hypothesized that pyridinoline (Pyr), a collagen crosslink containing the 3-HP moiety, could have agonist activity with RAGE. To test this hypothesis, we purified Pyr from bovine achilles tendons and examined its cytotoxicity to rat neuronal PC12 cells. Pyr elicited toxicity to PC12 cells in a concentration-dependent manner, and this effect was attenuated in the presence of either the anti-RAGE antibody or the soluble form of RAGE. Moreover, surface plasmon resonance-based analysis showed specific binding of Pyr to RAGE. These data indicate that Pyr is an intrinsic ligand for RAGE.
Abbreviations: AGEs: advanced glycation end-products; RAGE: receptor for advanced glycation end-products; DAMPs: damage-associated molecular patterns; PRR: pattern recognition receptor; TLR: toll-like receptor; GLAP: glyceraldehyde-derived pyridinium; 3-HP: 3-hydroxypyridinium; Pyr: pyridinoline; HFBA: heptafluorobutyric acid; GST: glutathione S-transferase; SPR: surface plasmon resonance; ECM: extracellular matrix; EMT: epithelial to mesenchymal transition
A lemon myrtle extract inhibits glucosyltransferases activity ofStreptococcus mutans
Authors: Yabuta Yukinori , Mukoyama Haruka , Kaneda Yoshimi , Kimura Narisa , Bito Tomohiro , Ichiyanagi Tsuyoshi , Ishihara Atsushi , Watanabe Fumio 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACTStreptococcus mutans is a bacterium found in human oral biofilms (dental plaques) that is associated with the development of dental caries. Glucosyltransferases (GTFs) are key enzymes involved in dental plaque formation, and compounds that inhibit their activities may prevent dental caries. We developed a screening system for GTF-inhibitory activities, and used it to profile 44 types of herbal tea extracts. Lemon myrtle (Backhousia citriodora) extract exhibited the highest GTF-inhibitory activity, with an IC50 for GTF in solution of 0.14 mg mL−1. Furthermore, lemon myrtle extracts had the third-highest polyphenol content of all tested extracts, and strongly inhibited S. mutans biofilm. Interestingly, lemon myrtle extracts did not inhibit cell growth.
ggCyto: next generation open-source visualization software for cytometry
Authors: Van Phu , Jiang Wenxin , Gottardo Raphael , Finak Greg 
Published: May 2018

AbstractMotivationOpen source software for computational cytometry has gained in popularity over the past few years. Efforts such as FlowCAP, the Lyoplate and Euroflow projects have highlighted the importance of efforts to standardize both experimental and computational aspects of cytometry data analysis. The R/BioConductor platform hosts the largest collection of open source cytometry software covering all aspects of data analysis and providing infrastructure to represent and analyze cytometry data with all relevant experimental, gating and cell population annotations enabling fully reproducible data analysis. Data visualization frameworks to support this infrastructure have lagged behind.ResultsggCyto is a new open-source BioConductor software package for cytometry data visualization built on ggplot2 that enables ggplot-like functionality with the core BioConductor flow cytometry data structures. Amongst its features are the ability to transform data and axes on-the-fly using cytometry-specific transformations, plot faceting by experimental meta-data variables and partial matching of channel, marker and cell populations names to the contents of the BioConductor cytometry data structures. We demonstrate the salient features of the package using publicly available cytometry data with complete reproducible examples in a Supplementary Material.Availability and implementationhttps://bioconductor.org/packages/devel/bioc/html/ggcyto.htmlSupplementary informationSupplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Alpine soil microbial ecology in a changing world
Authors: Donhauser Jonathan , Frey Beat 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACT
Climate change has a disproportionally large impact on alpine soil ecosystems, leading to pronounced changes in soil microbial diversity and function associated with effects on biogeochemical processes at the local and supraregional scales. However, due to restricted accessibility, high-altitude soils remain largely understudied and a considerable heterogeneity hampers the comparability of different alpine studies. Here, we highlight differences and similarities between alpine and arctic ecosystems, and we discuss the impact of climatic variables and associated vegetation and soil properties on microbial ecology. We consider how microbial alpha-diversity, community structures and function change along altitudinal gradients and with other topographic features such as slope aspect. In addition, we focus on alpine permafrost soils, harboring a surprisingly large unknown microbial diversity and on microbial succession along glacier forefield chronosequences constituting the most thoroughly studied alpine habitat. Finally, highlighting experimental approaches, we present climate change studies showing shifts in microbial community structures and function in response to warming and altered moisture, interestingly with some contradiction. Collectively, despite harsh environmental conditions, many specially adapted microorganisms are able to thrive in alpine environments. Their community structures strongly correlate with climatic, vegetation and soil properties and thus closely mirror the complexity and small-scale heterogeneity of alpine soils.
Care Recipient Multimorbidity and Health Impacts on Informal Caregivers: A Systematic Review
Authors: Amer Nordin Awatef , Mohd Hairi Farizah , Choo Wan Yuen , Hairi Noran N 
Published: May 2018

Abstract

Background and Objectives
Caregiving outcomes have often been reported in terms of care recipients of single disease, rather than multiple health conditions. A systematic review was conducted to outline caregiving health outcomes and its association with care recipient multimorbidity for informal caregivers of older adults.

Research Design and Methods
A search strategy was applied in six databases and grey literature. Inclusion criteria were primary observational studies on informal caregiving for care recipients aged 60 years and above, in the English language. Informal caregivers were those not formally hired and multimorbidity referred to presence of at least two health conditions. From a total of 2,101 titles, 230 abstracts were screened, and 19 articles were included. Quality assessment was conducted with application of the Newcastle-Ottawa-Scale.

Results
Health-related and caregiving-related outcomes have been assessed for informal caregivers of older adults with multimorbidity. Caregiver subjective burden was most commonly evaluated and often reported to be low to moderate. In association with care recipient multimorbidity, caregiver burden, quality of life, and perceived difficulty in assisting the older adults were examined in 14 of the studies with mixed results. Studies were heterogeneous, with nonuniform definitions of informal caregivers and multimorbidity as well as measurement tools.

Discussion and Implications
This narrative review found that caring for older adults with multimorbidity impacts caregivers, although overall evidence is not conclusive. Despite caregiving-related outcomes being most commonly assessed among the caregivers, particularly subjective burden, findings suggest that it is worthwhile to examine other outcomes to enrich the evidence base.