bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of atrial fibrillation on inpatient cost for ischemic stroke in the USA
Authors: Mukherjee Kumar , Kamal Khalid M 
Published: March 2018

Background Atrial fibrillation is a significant risk factor for ischemic stroke and increases cost of treatment. Aims To estimate the incremental inpatient cost and length of stay due to atrial fibrillation among adults hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of ischemic stroke after controlling for sociodemographic, clinical, and hospital characteristics in a nationally representative discharge record of US population. Methods Hospital discharge records with a primary diagnosis of ischemic stroke were identified from the National Inpatient Sample data for the years 2010–2013. Generalized linear model with log link and least-square means were utilized to estimate the incremental inpatient cost and length of stay in ischemic stroke due to atrial fibrillation after controlling for sociodemographic, clinical, and hospital characteristics. Results Among 434,544 hospital discharge records with a primary diagnosis of ischemic stroke, 90,190 (20.76%) discharge records had a secondary diagnosis of atrial fibrillation. The average inpatient cost for all discharge records with a primary diagnosis of ischemic stroke was (mean = $13,072, median = $9270.87) significantly (p < 0.0001) higher compared to all discharge records without ischemic stroke (mean = $12,543.07, median = $7517.13). The mean length of stay for all records was 4.55 days (95% CI = 4.53–4.56). Among those identified with ischemic stroke, adjusted mean inpatient cost was higher by $2829 (95% CI = $2708–$2949) and mean length of stay was greater by 0.85 (95% CI = 0.81–0.89) for those with atrial fibrillation compared to those without. Conclusions The presence of atrial fibrillation was associated with increased inpatient cost and length of stay among patients diagnosed with ischemic stroke. Increased inpatient cost and length of stay call for a more comprehensive patient care approach including targeted interventions among adults diagnosed with ischemic stroke and atrial fibrillation, which could potentially reduce the overall cost in this population.
Assessment of the efficacy of repeated instillations of mitomycin C mixed with a thermosensitive hydrogel in an orthotopic rat bladder cancer model
Authors: van Valenberg F. Johannes P. , Strauss-Ayali Dalit , Agmon-Gerstein Yael , Friedman Astar , Arentsen Harm C. , Schaafsma H. Ewout , Witjes J. Alfred , Oosterwijk Egbert 
Published: March 2018

Background: We investigated a thermoreversible hydrogel that is highly viscous at body temperature, while fluid-like at a low temperature, thus aiming for a slow and prolonged intravesical drug release. Our study purposed to assess antitumor efficacy of mitomycin C (MMC) mixed with hydrogel in an orthotopic rat bladder cancer model. Methods: Bladders of female Fischer F344 rats were grafted with 1.5 × 106 AY-27 urothelial carcinoma cells. On day 5, tumor presence was assessed by cystoscopy and rats were divided into six groups (five treatment, one control, n = 10/group). Intravesical treatments (0.5 mg or 1 mg MMC-H2O or MMC-hydrogel, or 2 mg MMC-hydrogel) were administered on days 5, 8 and 11. Rats were sacrificed at day 14 and bladders were evaluated. Results: Rats with tumor at cystoscopy (47/60) were evaluated for efficacy. At necropsy, all control animals (8/8) had tumors. No microscopic tumors were present in the 0.5 mg and 1 mg MMC-hydrogel groups compared with 2/8 and 1/8 rats in the 0.5 mg and 1 mg MMC-H2O groups ( p = 0.47 and p = 1.00, respectively). Greater toxicity was seen in animals treated with MMC-hydrogel compared with MMC-H2O, as demonstrated by lower body weights at necropsy ( p = 0.000) and a tendency for more severe clinical signs in the 1 and 2 mg MMC-hydrogel groups. Rats that died prematurely received 1 mg (4/10) or 2 mg (9/10) of MMC-hydrogel. Conclusions: Under the current model conditions it is unclear whether instillation of MMC-hydrogel is more effective than MMC-H2O. Nonetheless, the observed difference in toxicity, acting as a surrogate marker for systemic MMC exposure in the MMC-hydrogel-treated rats, supports the prolonged drug release mechanism of the hydrogel.
Minimally Invasive Far Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Doria Carlo , Balsano Massimo , Rampal Virginie , Solla Federico 
Published: March 2018

Study Design: Prospective cohort study. Objectives: To assess rate and degree of interbody bone fusion and evolution in Oswestry Disability index (ODI) and visual analog scale (VAS) of pain after minimally invasive far lateral lumbar interbody fusion. Methods: Twenty-three patients with single-level lumbar instability or degenerative disc were treated by this method and prospectively included. VAS of pain and ODI were evaluated preoperatively and at last follow-up. Computed tomography scan was performed 6 months after surgery to assess interbody fusion. Results: Between preoperative and 2 years postoperative follow-up, mean VAS decreased by 2.4 points ( P < .001); mean ODI improved by 21.8% ( P < .001). Computed tomography scan showed fusion in all patients but one. No severe complications were observed. Conclusions: Minimally invasive far lateral lumbar interbody fusion resulted in satisfactory clinical and radiological results.
Differences in Cross-Sectional Intervertebral Foraminal Area From C3 to C7
Authors: Knapik Derrick M. , Abola Matthew V. , Gordon Zachary L. , Seiler John G. , Marcus Randall E. , Liu Raymond W. 
Published: March 2018

Study Design: Anatomical comparative study. Objectives: Few studies have evaluated foraminal areas in the cervical spine without degenerative changes. The purpose of this study was to determine and compare the mean cross-sectional foraminal areas between the C3/4, C4/5, C5/6, and C6/7 levels while also analyzing specimens for differences between sexes and races. Methods: We performed an anatomic study of the intervertebral foramen at 4 levels (C3/4, C4/5, C5/6, C6/7) in 100 skeletally mature osseous specimens. Specimens were selected to obtain equal number of African American and Caucasian males and females (n = 25/group) aged 20 to 40 years at time of death. Foramina were photographed bilaterally with and without a silicone rubber disc. The maximal vertical height and mid-sagittal width of each foramen were digitally measured and the areas were calculated using an ellipse as a model. Results: The average age at death for all specimens was 30 ± 6 years. The mean cross-sectional area of the C4/5 foramen was significantly smaller compared with the C5/6 ( P < .001). C5/6 was significantly narrower than C6/7 ( P < .001) foramen with and without disc augmentation. C3/4 was not significantly different from more caudal levels. There was no difference between male and female specimens, while African Americans had smaller foraminal sizes than Caucasians. Conclusions: This study provides the largest anatomical reference of the cervical intervertebral foramen. In a mature spine without facet joint hypertrophy or osteophytic changes, the C4/5 foramen was narrower than C5/6, which was narrower than C6/7. Understanding the relative foraminal areas in the nonpathological cervical spine is crucial to understanding degenerative changes as well as the anatomical changes in pathologies that affect the intervertebral foramen.
27-Hydroxycholesterol Is an Estrogen Receptor β–Selective Negative Allosteric Modifier of 17β-Estradiol Binding
Authors: Starkey Nicholas J E , Li Yufei , Drenkhahn-Weinaug Sara K , Liu Jinghua , Lubahn Dennis B 
Published: March 2018

AbstractEstrogens bind to two nuclear estrogen receptor (ER) subtypes, ERα and ERβ, which are expressed in differing amounts in various tissues. The endogenous estrogen, 17β-estradiol (E2), binds to both subtypes with nearly equal affinity and is the prototypical agonist. Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) may bind to both subtypes with equivalent affinities but have agonist activities in some tissues while having antagonist activities in others. In the present study, we demonstrate that the first reported endogenous SERM, 27-hydroxycholesterol (27-OHC), binds preferentially (>100-fold) to ERβ over ERα. Furthermore, 27-OHC is not able to fully compete with E2 binding, suggesting the two may bind at different sites. We provide an allosteric ternary complex model for the simultaneous binding of 27-OHC and E2 to ERβ, which accurately describes the binding data we have observed. We conclude that 27-OHC is a negative allosteric modifier of E2 binding, with an inhibitor constantof 50 nM and cooperativity factor (α) of 0.036. We also propose an in silico three-dimensional model of the simultaneous binding to guide future experiments. Further study of this unique binding model may allow for the discovery of novel ERβ-selective ligands and potentially explain the lack of effectiveness of ERβ-selective agonists in humans vs preclinical models.
The teneurin C-terminal domain possesses nuclease activity and is apoptogenic
Authors: Ferralli Jacqueline , Tucker Richard P. , Chiquet-Ehrismann Ruth 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACT
Teneurins are type 2 transmembrane proteins expressed by developing neurons during periods of synaptogenesis and apoptosis. Neurons expressing teneurin-1 synapse with other teneurin-1-expressing neurons, and neurons expressing teneurin-2 synapse with other teneurin-2-expressing neurons. Knockdowns and mutations of teneurins lead to abnormal neuronal connections, but the mechanisms underlying teneurin action remain unknown. Teneurins appear to have evolved via horizontal gene transfer from prokaryotic proteins involved in bacterial self-recognition. The bacterial teneurin-like proteins contain a cytotoxic C-terminal domain that is encapsulated in a tyrosine-aspartic acid repeat barrel. Teneurins are likely to be organized in the same way, but it is unclear if the C-terminal domains of teneurins have cytotoxic properties. Here we show that expression of teneurin C-terminal domains or the addition of purified teneurin C-terminal domains leads to an increase in apoptosis in vitro. The C-terminal domains of teneurins are most similar to bacterial nucleases, and purified C-terminal domains of teneurins linearize pcDNA3 and hydrolyze mitochondrial DNA. We hypothesize that yet to be identified stimuli lead to the release of the encapsulated teneurin C-terminal domain into the intersynaptic region, resulting in programmed cell death or the disruption of mitochondrial DNA and the subsequent pruning of inappropriate contacts.
Parallel assembly of actin and tropomyosin, but not myosin II, during de novo actin filament formation in live mice
Authors: Masedunskas Andrius , Appaduray Mark A. , Lucas Christine A. , Lastra Cagigas María , Heydecker Marco , Holliday Mira , Meiring Joyce C. M. , Hook Jeff , Kee Anthony , White Melissa , Thomas Paul , Zhang Yingfan , Adelstein Robert S. , Meckel Tobias , Böcking Till , Weigert Roberto , Bryce Nicole S. , Gunning Peter W. , Hardeman Edna C. 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACT
Many actin filaments in animal cells are co-polymers of actin and tropomyosin. In many cases, non-muscle myosin II associates with these co-polymers to establish a contractile network. However, the temporal relationship of these three proteins in the de novo assembly of actin filaments is not known. Intravital subcellular microscopy of secretory granule exocytosis allows the visualisation and quantification of the formation of an actin scaffold in real time, with the added advantage that it occurs in a living mammal under physiological conditions. We used this model system to investigate the de novo assembly of actin, tropomyosin Tpm3.1 (a short isoform of TPM3) and myosin IIA (the form of non-muscle myosin II with its heavy chain encoded by Myh9) on secretory granules in mouse salivary glands. Blocking actin polymerization with cytochalasin D revealed that Tpm3.1 assembly is dependent on actin assembly. We used time-lapse imaging to determine the timing of the appearance of the actin filament reporter LifeAct–RFP and of Tpm3.1–mNeonGreen on secretory granules in LifeAct–RFP transgenic, Tpm3.1–mNeonGreen and myosin IIA–GFP (GFP-tagged MYH9) knock-in mice. Our findings are consistent with the addition of tropomyosin to actin filaments shortly after the initiation of actin filament nucleation, followed by myosin IIA recruitment.
Stereoisomerism and Structures of Rigid Cylindrical Cycloarylenes
Authors: Sun Zhe , Matsuno Taisuke , Isobe Hiroyuki 
Published: March 2018

AbstractStereoisomerism is one of the most fundamental and indispensable notions in chemistry. We have recently found that a novel form of stereoisomerism emerges in cycloarylenes, cyclic arrays of aromatic panels. Structural rigidity that is a precondition for chirality has been realized in an unconventional manner with the cyclic structures, which gives rise to unique cyclostereoisomerism affording diastereomers and enantiomers. In this account, structural chemistry of cylindrical cycloarylenes synthesized in our group will be reviewed with an emphasis on stereochemistry. The relevant studies in this new field will deepen our understanding of the fundamental structural chemistry of finite single-wall carbon nanotube molecules.
Did it work? An update on the costs and benefits of the transition to digital TV in Australia
Authors: Given Jock 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
This article re-evaluates Australia’s transition to digital television. Earlier analysis in this journal, conducted after about a third of the vacated digital dividend spectrum remained unsold following an auction in 2013, found the whole policy had resulted in a net cost to government revenues. After a further auction in 2017 where the remaining spectrum was sold at much higher prices (A$/MHz/pop), this article repeats the evaluation. It finds that digital switchover, now virtually complete, has produced a significant net increase in government revenues. Other conclusions from the original article about the complexity and difficulty of ex ante cost–benefit analysis, the influence of industry structure, and the capacity of government to plan and complete a large spectrum re-farming project, despite contested and shifting ideas about the purpose of the whole project, are confirmed and emphasized.
The effect of a birthplace decision support tool on women’s decision-making and information gathering behaviours during pregnancy: mybirthplace study protocol
Authors: Wiggins Daisy , Hundley Vanora A. , Wilkins Carol , Bond Carol , Walton Gill 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundThe Maternity Review for England highlighted the need for more accessible information to support decisions. This study assesses the effect of a decision support tool (DST) on women’s decision-making regarding birthplace.MethodsA mixed method sequential exploratory design involving three phases and 169 women from a large UK maternity hospital. Phase one: A questionnaire survey pre and post-access to the DST examining knowledge level and stages of decision-making scale. Phase 2: Follow-up questionnaire at 28 weeks to enable the usefulness of Mybirthplace to be evaluated. Phase 3: Qualitative interviews with 10 purposely chosen women at 36 weeks gestation. Collection of data on actual birthplace.DiscussionThis study is the first to assess the effect of a DST in supporting women’s choice of place of birth.
Topology of Functional Connectivity and Hub Dynamics in the Beta Band As Temporal Prior for Natural Vision in the Human Brain
Authors: Betti Viviana , Corbetta Maurizio , de Pasquale Francesco , Wens Vincent , Della Penna Stefania 
Published: March 2018

Networks hubs represent points of convergence for the integration of information across many different nodes and systems. Although a great deal is known on the topology of hub regions in the human brain, little is known about their temporal dynamics. Here, we examine the static and dynamic centrality of hub regions when measured in the absence of a task (rest) or during the observation of natural or synthetic visual stimuli. We used Magnetoencephalography (MEG) in humans (both sexes) to measure static and transient regional and network-level interaction in α- and β-band limited power (BLP) in three conditions: visual fixation (rest), viewing of movie clips (natural vision), and time-scrambled versions of the same clips (scrambled vision). Compared with rest, we observed in both movie conditions a robust decrement of α-BLP connectivity. Moreover, both movie conditions caused a significant reorganization of connections in the α band, especially between networks. In contrast, β-BLP connectivity was remarkably similar between rest and natural vision. Not only the topology did not change, but the joint dynamics of hubs in a core network during natural vision was predicted by similar fluctuations in the resting state. We interpret these findings by suggesting that slow-varying fluctuations of integration occurring in higher-order regions in the β band may be a mechanism to anticipate and predict slow-varying temporal patterns of the visual environment.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTA fundamental question in neuroscience concerns the function of spontaneous brain connectivity. Here, we tested the hypothesis that topology of intrinsic brain connectivity and its dynamics might predict those observed during natural vision. Using MEG, we tracked the static and time-varying brain functional connectivity when observers were either fixating or watching different movie clips. The spatial distribution of connections and the dynamics of centrality of a set of regions were similar during rest and movie in the β band, but not in the α band. These results support the hypothesis that the intrinsic β-rhythm integration occurs with a similar temporal structure during natural vision, possibly providing advanced information about incoming stimuli.
Electrophysiological Evidence for the Development of a Self-Sustained Large-Scale Epileptic Network in the Kainate Mouse Model of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Authors: Sheybani Laurent , Birot Gwenaël , Contestabile Alessandro , Seeck Margitta , Kiss Jozsef Zoltan , Schaller Karl , Michel Christoph M. , Quairiaux Charles 
Published: March 2018

Most research on focal epilepsy focuses on mechanisms of seizure generation in the primary epileptic focus (EF). However, neurological deficits that are not directly linked to seizure activity and that may persist after focus removal are frequent. The recruitment of remote brain regions of an epileptic network (EN) is recognized as a possible cause, but a profound lack of experimental evidence exists concerning their recruitment and the type of pathological activities they exhibit. We studied the development of epileptic activities at the large-scale in male mice of the kainate model of unilateral temporal lobe epilepsy using high-density surface EEG and multiple-site intracortical recordings. We show that, along with focal spikes and fast ripples that remain localized to the injected hippocampus (i.e., the EF), a subpopulation of spikes that propagate across the brain progressively emerges even before the expression of seizures. The spatiotemporal propagation of these generalized spikes (GSs) is highly stable within and across animals, defining a large-scale EN comprising both hippocampal regions and frontal cortices. Interestingly, GSs are often concomitant with muscular twitches. In addition, while fast ripples are, as expected, highly frequent in the EF, they also emerge in remote cortical regions and in particular in frontal regions where GSs propagate. Finally, we demonstrate that these remote interictal activities are dependent on the focus in the early phase of the disease but continue to be expressed after focus silencing at later stages. Our results provide evidence that neuronal networks outside the initial focus are progressively altered during epileptogenesis.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTIt has long been held that the epileptic focus is responsible for triggering seizures and driving interictal activities. However, focal epilepsies are associated with heterogeneous symptoms, calling into question the concept of a strictly focal disease. Using the mouse model of hippocampal sclerosis, this work demonstrates that focal epilepsy leads to the development of pathological activities specific to the epileptic condition, notably fast ripples, that appear outside of the primary epileptic focus. Whereas these activities are dependent on the focus early in the disease, focus silencing fails to control them in the chronic stage. Thus, dynamical changes specific to the epileptic condition are built up outside of the epileptic focus along with disease progression, which provides supporting evidence for network alterations in focal epilepsy.
Implementasi Kebijakan Distribusi Program Raskin di Desa Kawengen Kabupaten Semarang
Authors: Maharani Elsa Rizki 
Published: March 2018

Penelitian ini dilakukan dengan tujuan untuk mengetahui pelaksanaan program raskin di Desa Kawengen Kabupaten Semarang. Fokus penelitian ini adalah implementasi program raskin di Desa Kawengen Kabupaten Semarang yang hingga saat ini masih memunculkan beberapa permasalahan. pendekatan penelitian ini menggunakan metode penelitian kualitatif dengan model deskriptif. Penelitian ini menggunakan analisis data model interaktif oleh Miles dan Huberman. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian dapat diketahui bahwa implementasi program raskin di Desa Kawengen Kabupaten Semarang belum sesuai dengan tujuan dan belum sepenuhnya berjalan dengan optimal seperti yang diharapkan. Sebab ketidaktepatan administrasi yang menyebabkan tersendatnya pembayaran uang HTR dari rumah tangga sasaran kepada pelakasana distribusi Desa Kawengen mengindikasikan belum sepenuhnya tercapai indikator keberhasilan raskin terkait 6 tepat.
The purpose of this study is to the implementation of Raskin program in Kawengen Village, Semarang Regency. The focus of this research is all stages of the implementation of the distribution of Raskin program in Kawengen Village, Semarang Regency, which until now still raises several problems. This research approach using qualitative research method with descriptive model. This research uses interactive data model analysis by Miles and Huberman. Based on the results of the research can be seen that the implementation of Raskin program in Kawengen Village Semarang Regency has not been in accordance with the objectives and has not fully run optimally as expected. Because of the inaccuracy of the administration that caused the hTR payment of the HTR money from the target households to the distribution of Kawengen Village Village indicates that there has not been a complete indicator of the success of raskin related to the precise six.
POPULATION PARAMETER AND REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY OF INDIAN MACKEREL Rastrelliger kanagurta (Cuvier, 1817) CAUGHT BY LIFT NET IN KWANDANG WATERS, NORTH GORONTALO
Authors: Faizah Ria , Sadiyah Lilis , Fauzi Moh. 
Published: March 2018

Kwandang waters is one of the main base for small pelagic fisheries in Sulawesi sea in which the Indian mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta) has been exploited. The objective of the research was to estimate the population parameters, exploitation rate and reproductive biology of Indian mackerel. Length frequency data were collected from PP Kwandang, between February and October 2012. Estimation of population parameters of Indian mackerel was done using FISAT II method. The results showed that growth rate as follows (K) = 0,80 year-1 , L∞=27,3 cm. Total mortality rate (Z) = 2,72 year-1, with natural mortality (M) = 1,29 year-1 and fishing mortality (F) = 1,43 year-1 and exploitation rate (E)=0,53. Exploitation of Indian mackerel in Kwandang waters have reached its optimum level. The sex ratio of Indian mackerel was balance. The most commonly found is Gonado Maturity Stage of I. Based on the results, it is necessary to manage with the responsible management through gradually increasing of the mesh size of the gears or restricting additional lift net or by restricting fishing for certain seasons or declaring fish sanctuaries in certain areas, especially in spawning grounds to protect the Indian mackerel.