bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimal dose and duration of amoxicillin‐plus‐metronidazole as an adjunct to non‐surgical periodontal therapy: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized, placebo‐controlled trials
Authors: McGowan Kelly , McGowan Troy , Ivanovski Saso 
Published: October 2017

AbstractAimThis systematic review aimed to determine the optimum dose and duration of amoxicillin‐plus‐metronidazole prescribed as an adjunct to non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis.MethodsElectronic searching identified 376 records, of which 18 were eligible blinded, randomized placebo‐controlled trials. The primary outcomes assessed were periodontal pocket depth and clinical attachment level at 3 months, and secondary outcomes were adverse events and compliance. Subgroup analyses were conducted to compare lower and higher doses, and 7‐ and 14‐day courses.ResultsMeta‐analysis showed a small beneficial effect of adjunctive amoxicillin‐plus‐metronidazole for each primary outcome, but there was <0.1 mm variation with antibiotic dose or duration. Risk differences for adverse events in the higher dose and longer duration groups were minimally greater (0.04 and 0.05, respectively), and there was one report of anaphylaxis; 1.3% of patients were not fully compliant.ConclusionThere was no clinically meaningful difference between different doses or duration of amoxicillin‐plus‐metronidazole at 3 months post‐treatment. Without compelling evidence to suggest that any one regimen performed superiorly, principles of responsible antibiotic use generally recommend the highest dose for the shortest duration of time to reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance. Therefore, a 7‐day regimen of 500/500 mg or 500/400 mg of amoxicillin and metronidazole would be most appropriate.
Potential of thermophilic amylolytic bacteria for growth in unconventional media: Potato peels
Authors: Awan Khadija , Jabeen Faiza , Manzoor Maleeha , Qazi Javed Iqbal 
Published: October 2017

AbstractExtremozymes have gained high level of popularity for their industrial relevance. In this regard four thermophilic bacterial isolates were isolated from hot spring Chakwal in Pakistan. All the strains were screened for amylolytic activity by producing zone of clearance on starch agar plates. The bacterial isolates were cultivated employing potato peels as major energy source. All the four bacterial strains were Gram positive, motile, endospore formers and were positive for catalase and oxidase tests. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA sequences confirmed that all the strains were belonged to the Bacillus licheniformis with 98–99% similarity under Accession numbers KF424263, KF424264, KF424265, and KF424266 for KA2, KA5, KA6, and KA9, respectively. The pH, temperature, oxygen requirement, and inocula size of the medium were optimized, which could yield amylase up to 0.61 U while growing in potato peels based media. Besides being thermostable, the enzymes have a working pH range of 5–9. The isolate KA2 showed maximum threefold purification, and percentage yield was estimated to be 93.06% as compared to crude enzyme. They yielded enough protein suggesting their potential in industrial applications in unconventional and economical substrate.Practical applicationsAmylases produced in this study could be utilized in starch hydrolysis for the production bioethanol and can be employed in different industries like food, paper, and detergent for various purposes. In addition, production of efficient amylases resolves the waste management problem of agro‐industrial waste of potato peels.
Alteration of sphingolipid metabolism as a putative mechanism underlying LPS‐induced BBB disruption
Authors: Vutukuri Rajkumar , Brunkhorst Robert , Kestner Roxane‐Isabelle , Hansen Lena , Bouzas Nerea Ferreiros , Pfeilschifter Josef , Devraj Kavi , Pfeilschifter Waltraud 
Published: October 2017

AbstractSeptic encephalopathy with confusion and agitation occurs early during sepsis and contributes to the severity of the disease. A decrease in the sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P) blood levels has been shown in patients and in animal models of sepsis. The lipid mediator S1P is known to be involved in endothelial barrier function in a context‐dependent manner. We utilized lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐injected mice as a model for septic encephalopathy and first performed tracer permeability assays to assess the blood–brain barrier (BBB) breakdown in vivo. At time points corresponding to the BBB breakdown post LPS injection, we aimed to characterize the regulation of the sphingolipid signaling pathway at the BBB during sepsis. We measured sphingolipid concentrations in blood, in mouse brain microvessels (MBMVs), and brain tissue. We also analyzed the expression of S1P receptors, transporters, and metabolizing enzymes in MBMVs and brain tissue. Primary mouse brain microvascular endothelial cells (MBMECs) were isolated to evaluate the effects of LPS on transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) as a measure of permeability in vitro. We observed a relevant decrease in S1P levels after LPS injection in all three compartments (blood, MBMVs, brain tissue) that was accompanied by an increased expression of the S1P receptor type 1 and of sphingosine kinase 1 on one hand and of the S1P degrading enzymes lipid phosphate phosphatase 1 (LPP1) and S1P phosphatase 1 on the other hand, as well as a down‐regulation of sphingosine kinase 2. Application of LPS to a monolayer of primary MBMECs did not alter TEER, but serum from LPS‐treated mice lead to a breakdown of the barrier compared to serum from vehicle‐treated mice. We observed profound alterations of the sphingolipid metabolism at the BBB after LPS injection that point toward a therapeutic potential of drugs interfering with this pathway as novel approach for the detrimental overwhelming immune response in sepsis.
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Read the Editorial Highlight for this article on page 115.Cover Image for this Issue: doi. 10.1111/jnc.14161.
Adaptive self‐organization in the embryo: its importance to adult anatomy and to tissue engineering
Authors: Davies Jamie A. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe anatomy of healthy humans shows much minor variation, and twin‐studies reveal at least some of this variation cannot be explained genetically. A plausible explanation is that fine‐scale anatomy is not specified directly in a genetic programme, but emerges from self‐organizing behaviours of cells that, for example, place a new capillary where it happens to be needed to prevent local hypoxia. Self‐organizing behaviour can be identified by manipulating growing tissues (e.g. putting them under a spatial constraint) and observing an adaptive change that conserves the character of the normal tissue while altering its precise anatomy. Self‐organization can be practically useful in tissue engineering but it is limited; generally, it is good for producing realistic small‐scale anatomy but large‐scale features will be missing. This is because self‐organizing organoids miss critical symmetry‐breaking influences present in the embryo: simulating these artificially, for example, with local signal sources, makes anatomy realistic even at large scales. A growing understanding of the mechanisms of self‐organization is now allowing synthetic biologists to take their first tentative steps towards constructing artificial multicellular systems that spontaneously organize themselves into patterns, which may soon be extended into three‐dimensional shapes.
Virtual Mobility and the Lonely Cloud: Theorizing the Mobility‐Isolation Paradox for Self‐Employed Knowledge‐Workers in the Online Home‐Based Business Context
Authors: Daniel Elizabeth , Di Domenico MariaLaura , Nunan Daniel 
Published: October 2017

AbstractWe advance both mobility and paradox theorizing by advocating the new concepts of ‘mobility‐isolation paradox’ and ‘paradoxical imagination’. These emerged from examining the nuanced, multifaceted conceptualizations of the mobility‐isolation tensions facing home‐based, self‐employed, online knowledge‐workers. We thereby enhance current conceptual understandings of mobility, isolation and paradox by analyzing knowledge‐workers’ interrelated, multidimensional experiences within restrictive home‐based working contexts. We compare the dearth of research and theorizing about these autonomous online knowledge‐workers with that available about other types of knowledge‐workers, such as online home‐based employees, and the more physically/corporeally mobile self‐employed. This research into an increasingly prevalent knowledge‐worker genre addresses these knowledge gaps by analyzing home‐based knowledge‐workers’ views, and tensions from paradoxical pressures to be corporeally mobile and less isolated. Despite enjoying career, mental and virtual mobility through internet‐connectedness, they were found to seek face‐to‐face social and/or professional interactions, their isolation engendering loneliness, despite their solitude paradoxically often fostering creativity and innovation.
Did Late Pleistocene climate change result in parallel genetic structure and demographic bottlenecks in sympatric Central African crocodiles, Mecistops and Osteolaemus?
Authors: Shirley Matthew H. , Austin James D. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe mid‐Holocene has had profound demographic impacts on wildlife on the African continent, although there is little known about the impacts on species from Central Africa. Understanding the impacts of climate change on codistributed species can enhance our understanding of ecosystem dynamics and for formulating restoration objectives. We took a multigenome comparative approach to examine the phylogeographic structure of two poorly known Central African crocodile species—Mecistops sp. aff. cataphractus and Osteolaemus tetraspis. In addition, we conducted coalescent‐based demographic reconstructions to test the hypothesis that population decline was driven by climate change since the Last Glacial Maximum, vs. more recent anthropogenic pressures. Using a hierarchical Bayesian model to reconstruct demographic history, we show that both species had dramatic declines (>97%) in effective population size in the 'period following the Last Glacial Maximum 1,500–18,000 YBP. Identification of genetic structuring showed both species have similar regional structure corresponding to major geological features (i.e., hydrologic basin) and that small observed differences between them are best explained by the differences in their ecology and the likely impact that climate change had on their habitat needs. Our results support our hypothesis that climatic effects, presumably on forest and wetland habitat, had a congruent negative impact on both species.
Modal Identification for High‐Rise Building Structures Using Orthogonality of Filtered Response Vectors
Authors: Kim Doyoung , Oh Byung Kwan , Park Hyo Seon , Shim Hak Bo , Kim Jiyoung 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe modal parameters of civil structures (natural frequency, mode shape, and mode damping ratio) are used for structural health monitoring (SHM), damage detection, and updating the finite element model. Long‐term measurement has been necessary to conduct operational modal analysis (OMA) under various loading conditions, requiring hundreds of thousands of discrete data points for estimating the modal parameters. This article proposes an efficient output‐only OMA technique in the form of filtered response vector (frv)‐based modal identification, which does not need complex signal processing and matrix operations such as singular value decomposition (SVD) and lower upper (LU) factorization, thus overcoming the main drawback of the existing OMA technique. The developed OMA technique also simplifies parameters such as window or averaging, which should be designed for signal processing by the OMA operator, under well‐separated frequencies and loading conditions excited by white noise. Using a simulation model and a 4‐story steel frame specimen, the accuracy and applicability were verified by comparing the dynamic properties obtained by the proposed technique and traditional frequency‐domain decomposition (FDD). In addition, the applicability and efficiency of the method were verified by applying the developed OMA to measured data, obtained through a field test on a 55‐story, 214‐m‐tall high‐rise building.
Effect of haemodialysis and residual renal function on serum levels of galectin‐3, B‐type natriuretic peptides and cardiac troponin T
Authors: Roberts Matthew A , Srivastava Piyush M , Hare David L , Ierino Francesco L 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACTAimLevels of plasma markers of myocardial fibrosis (galectin‐3), stretch (B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP)) and injury (high‐sensitivity troponin T (hs‐TnT)) are affected by haemodialysis, residual renal function (RRF) and cardiac pathology. We aimed to determine the association of RRF, urine output and haemodialysis itself on cardiac biomarkers in haemodialysis patients.MethodsAdult haemodialysis patients underwent venesection pre‐ and post‐haemodialysis then echocardiography and inter‐dialytic urine collection to calculate RRF (mL/min per 1.73m2) and urine output (mL/day). Galectin‐3, BNP‐32, NT‐ProBNP and hs‐TnT levels were compared across tertiles of echocardiographic parameters, RRF and urine output using the non‐parametric test for trend across ordered groups.ResultsTwenty‐three patients (17 male) with mean age 67.7±13.8 years and median (interquartile range) dialysis duration 13.6 (9.8–19.1) months participated. Galectin‐3 was substantially lower following haemodialysis: 55 ng/mL (47–70) versus 23 ng/mL (19–27, P < 0.001), but other biomarkers changed little. By increasing RRF tertile, post‐dialysis galectin‐3 was 32.6 ng/mL (23.7–36.6), 21.9 ng/mL (19.0–23.2) and 19.0 ng/mL (16.9–21.0, P = 0.001); NT‐ProBNP was 10 192 ng/L (2303–21 504), 2037 ng/L (1224–10 795) and 1481 ng/L (172–2890, P = 0.016). Results were similar for daily urine volume, but measured echocardiographic parameters were not associated with biomarker concentrations.ConclusionPlasma concentration of galectin‐3 is reduced by the haemodialysis procedure. Lower RRF and urine volume are strongly associated with higher levels of galectin‐3 and NT‐Pro‐BNP. These associations are important to the clinical interpretation of these biomarker levels in haemodialysis patients.
Severity of ineffective esophageal motility is associated with utilization of skeletal muscle relaxant medications
Authors: Rangan V. , George N. S. , Khan F. , Geng Z. , Gabbard S. , Kichler A. , Gittleman H. , Fass R. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractBackgroundIneffective esophageal motility (IEM) is the most common finding on high‐resolution esophageal manometry (HREM). The underlying mechanisms for IEM remain to be fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to determine if utilization of skeletal muscle relaxants is associated with IEM, and with more severe subtypes of the disorder.MethodsPatients with diagnosis of IEM were gender and age matched to patients with normal HREM. Demographic information, symptoms, endoscopic findings, medication usage and medical comorbidities were recorded. Patients with a diagnosis of IEM were divided into subgroups based on mean distal contractile integral (DCI) and percentage of ineffective swallows, and assessed for clinically significant differences among patients with varying severity of underlying IEM.Key ResultsA total of 118 patients were included in each group. There were no significant clinical differences between the group of patients with IEM and the group of patients with normal manometry. Within the group of IEM patients, those with mean DCI < 250 mm Hg/s/cm were more likely to be prescribed skeletal muscle relaxants (27.8% vs 11.0%, P = .044), and those using skeletal muscle relaxants had a larger mean percentage of ineffective swallows (81.1% vs 71.5%, P = .029). There were no significant differences across mean DCI subgroups in usage of any other medication, or in any of the demographic variables or disease comorbidities examined in this study.Conclusions & InferencesUse of skeletal muscle relaxants is associated with more severe IEM, which may suggest a causal association between this class of medications and weaker esophageal peristalsis.
Obesity as a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease: weighing the evidence
Authors: Alford S. , Patel D. , Perakakis N. , Mantzoros C. S. 
Published: October 2017

SummaryAlzheimer's disease (AD) is the sixth leading cause of death in the USA today; therefore, it is imperative that public health initiatives and clinical strategies are developed to prevent and effectively treat AD. Despite the enormous impact that AD has on individuals, families, society, and the health care system, there are no biomarkers to clearly identify those at risk for AD, public health prevention strategies in place, or treatments to address the underlying pathology or stop the progression of AD. There is ample scientific as well as empirical evidence that obesity and its metabolic and vascular comorbidities are related to AD and likely in the causative pathway. Obesity prevention and treatment could prove to be an efficacious and safe approach to preventing AD, a serious and daunting epidemic disease. In this review, we present the current pathophysiological and clinical evidence linking obesity and obesity‐related comorbidities (eg, insulin resistance, hyperglycaemia, and type 2 diabetes) with AD. Additionally, we discuss which population to target and when to consider treatment for AD. Finally, we summarize the current evidence regarding the efficacy of anti‐obesity and anti‐diabetic pharmacotherapeutic agents for the treatment of AD.
Permanent tooth agenesis in individuals with non‐syndromic Robin sequence: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Antonarakis G. S. , Palaska P. K. , Suri S. 
Published: October 2017

Structured AbstractObjectivesTo evaluate prevalence rates and patterns of permanent tooth agenesis in individuals with non‐syndromic Robin sequence (ns‐RS).Material and MethodsTwo investigators independently carried out a literature search, using PubMed, Web of Science, Ovid, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library, identifying articles relating to permanent tooth agenesis, diagnosed using panoramic radiographs, in individuals with ns‐RS. The outcomes desired were prevalence rates and patterns of permanent tooth agenesis. The final search was carried out in January 2017.ResultsSix articles were selected for inclusion, with a total of 448 individuals with ns‐RS. Data available in each study varied which allowed conducting further specific meta‐analyses only on sample sizes of 339 or 378 individuals from three or four of the six included articles. The overall estimated prevalence rate of permanent tooth agenesis was 42% (95% CI: 35%‐48%), excluding third molars, with no sex predilection. In individuals with tooth agenesis, approximately 30% had one missing tooth while 40% had two missing teeth. Tooth agenesis was more commonly bilateral (Relative Risk 2) and found in the mandible (Relative Risk 1.6). The highest prevalence of permanent tooth agenesis was found for mandibular second premolars (26%) followed by maxillary second premolars (14%). The most common tooth agenesis patterns were the agenesis of both mandibular second premolars, followed by the agenesis of all second premolars.ConclusionIndividuals with ns‐RS have high prevalence rates of permanent tooth agenesis. The most prevalent tooth agenesis patterns are bilateral symmetric tooth agenesis, most commonly agenesis of both mandibular second premolars.
A radiographic analysis of anatomical variation at the mandibular sites of intraoral bone harvesting
Authors: Adams RJ. , Hamid L. , Binney A. , Claydon N. , Farnell D. , Griffiths B. , Thomas DW. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractObjectivesIntraoral bone grafting is an important component of implant treatment, but also a source of intra‐ and post‐operative complications. This study sought to determine the relationship of bone surface to underlying nerves and vasculature, at the two most commonly employed intraoral sites for bone harvesting.Materials and MethodsData were collected by direct measurement of 103 potential graft sites (50 retromolar sites: 53 symphyseal sites) of patients undergoing CT scanning for implant surgery assessment.ResultsSymphyseal analysis included 26 female and 27 male patients. Data recorded were as follows: maximal width of the mandible between lower central incisor root tips (mean: 13.7 mm; range: 11.3–16.4 mm), maximal width of the mandible below the canine tip (mean: 11.5 mm; range: 7.7–14.9 mm), tip of canine to mandibular incisive nerve (mean: 4.3 mm; range: 1.2–8.9 mm), canine root tip to outer labial cortex (mean: 4.0 mm; range: 1.9–7.3 mm) and midline distance from the incisive nerve to outer labial cortex (mean: 3.0 mm; range: 1.0–6.9 mm). Retromolar analysis comprised of 33 female and 17 male patients. Data recorded included distance from inferior dental canal to the outer buccal cortex (mean: 3.2 mm; range: 1.0–7.9 mm), the most buccal point of the lower second molar roots to the outer buccal cortex (mean: 3.3 mm; range: 1.0–6.5 mm) and thickness of the mandibular crest at the lower second molar (mean: 13.8; range: 10.2–18.2 mm).ConclusionsThe proximity of underlying vital structures may be easily overlooked in routine examination of implant patients and may be related to patient characteristics.
Fruit intake reduces the onset of respiratory allergic symptoms in schoolchildren
Authors: Kusunoki Takashi , Takeuchi Jiro , Morimoto Takeshi , Sakuma Mio , Yasumi Takahiro , Nishikomori Ryuta , Higashi Akane , Heike Toshio 
Published: October 2017

AbstractBackgroundPrevious studies have shown that dietary pattern is associated with allergy prevention.MethodsWe conducted a prospective cohort study on all primary schools in Omihachiman City, Shiga Prefecture, Japan. Questionnaires regarding allergic symptoms and diet were distributed to the parents of all 759 7‐year‐old schoolchildren for 4 consecutive years, from 2011 to 2014. Specific immunoglobulin E to inhalant allergens was measured at 10 years of age. Participants were then categorized as low, medium, or high intake during the study period for four food groups (fruits, vegetables, fish, and beans). Logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals.ResultsA total of 520 children (68.5%) whose parents responded to the questionnaires all 4 years were included in the analysis. The prevalence of asthma, rhinitis, and any allergic symptoms at age 10 was significantly decreased with increases in fruit intake. In addition, the onset of any allergic symptoms during the study period was significantly decreased with increases in fruit intake (33.3%, 28.3%, and 14.3% in children with low, medium, and high fruit intake, respectively; P for trend =.01). The sensitization rate to ragweed at age 10 was significantly decreased with increases in fruit intake (P for trend =.046). No significant effect was observed for the other three food groups, except for the association between fish intake and new‐onset asthma symptoms.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that higher intake of fruit can help prevent respiratory allergic symptoms in schoolchildren.