bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
RUNX‐2, OPN and OCN expression induced by grey and white mineral trioxide aggregate in normal and hypertensive rats
Authors: Martins C. M. , de Azevedo Queiroz I. O. , Ervolino E. , Cintra L. T. A. , Gomes‐Filho J. E. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAimTo investigate whether hypertension affects mineralization associated with white and grey mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA Angelus®) implanted subcutaneously into rats by assaying osteoblastic biomarkers.MethodologyPolyethylene tubes containing grey MTA Angelus®, white MTA Angelus®, intermediate restorative material (IRM; positive control) or an empty tube (negative control) were implanted into the dorsal connective tissue of spontaneous hypertensive (n = 12) and Wistar (normotensive; n = 10) rats. Half of the rats in each group were killed after 7 days, and the remaining after 30 days. Tubes with surrounding tissue were removed, and immunostaining was performed to detect RUNX‐2, OPN and OCN proteins. The normality of data was analysed using the Shapiro–Wilk test. Comparison of two independent groups was performed using the Mann–Whitney U‐test, to detect a significant difference. A post hoc test accounting for multiple comparisons was performed following Tukey's test (P < 0.05).ResultsUnder hypertensive conditions after 30 days, both MTA materials were associated with immunolabelling for RUNX‐2 from low to moderate, which was less than that observed at normal blood pressure and the 7‐day groups (P < 0.05). The expression of OPN and OCN proteins under both MTA conditions was considered low after both 7 and 30 days for the hypertensive condition, and was less than that in animals with normal blood pressure after 30 days (P < 0.05). No immunostaining for any biomarkers in the control and IRM groups was observed (P < 0.05).ConclusionHypertension decreased the immunostaining of RUNX‐2, OPN and OCN biomarkers in response to MTA. Thus, hypertension can jeopardize the mineralization ability of MTA and may have a negative impact on endodontic treatment outcomes.
Estimating burden of influenza‐associated influenza‐like illness and severe acute respiratory infection at public healthcare facilities in Romania during the 2011/12‐2015/16 influenza seasons
Authors: Gefenaite Giedre , Pistol Adriana , Popescu Rodica , Popovici Odette , Ciurea Daniel , Dolk Christiaan , Jit Mark , Gross Diane 
Published: November 2017

BackgroundInfluenza is responsible for substantial morbidity and mortality, but there is limited information on reliable disease burden estimates, especially from middle‐income countries in the WHO European Region.ObjectivesTo estimate the incidence of medically attended influenza‐associated influenza‐like illness (ILI) and hospitalizations due to severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) presenting to public healthcare facilities in Romania.Patients/MethodsSentinel influenza surveillance data for ILI and SARI from 2011/12‐2015/16, including virological data, were used to estimate influenza‐associated ILI and SARI incidence/100 000 and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).ResultsThe overall annual incidence of ILI and influenza‐associated ILI per 100 000 persons in Romania varied between 68 (95% CI: 61‐76) and 318 (95% CI: 298‐338) and between 23 (95% CI: 19‐29) and 189 (95% CI: 149‐240), respectively. The highest ILI and influenza incidence was among children aged 0‐4 years. We estimated that SARI incidence per 100 000 persons was 6 (95% CI: 5‐7) to 9 (95% CI: 8‐10), of which 2 (95% CI: 1‐2) to 3 (95% CI: 2‐4) were due to influenza. Up to 0.3% of the Romanian population were annually reported with ILI, and 0.01% was hospitalized with SARI, of which as much as one‐third could be explained by influenza.ConclusionsThis evaluation was the first study estimating influenza burden in Romania. We found that during each influenza season, a substantial number of persons in Romania suffer from influenza‐related ILI or are hospitalized due to influenza‐associated SARI.
Comparison of gene expression in post‐smolt Atlantic salmon challenged by LF‐89‐like and EM‐90‐like Piscirickettsia salmonis isolates reveals differences in the immune response associated with pathogenicity
Authors: Rozas‐Serri M , Peña A , Arriagada G , Enríquez R , Maldonado L 
Published: November 2017

AbstractPiscirickettsiosis is the main bacterial disease affecting the Chilean salmon farming industry and is responsible for high economic losses. The aim of this study was to describe and comparatively quantify the immune response of post‐smolt Atlantic salmon infected by cohabitation with fish bearing LF‐89‐like and EM‐90‐like Piscirickettsia salmonis. The expression of 17 genes related to the immune response was studied in head kidney from cohabitant fish by RT‐qPCR. Our results at the transcriptomic level suggest that P. salmonis is able to manipulate the kinetics of cytokine production in a way that might constitute a virulence mechanism that promotes intracellular bacterial replication in cells of Atlantic salmon. This strategy involves the creation of an ideal environment for the microorganism based on induction of the inflammatory and IFN‐mediated response, modulation of Th1 polarization, reduced antigen processing and presentation, modulation of the evasion of the immune response mediated by CD8+ T cells and promotion of the CD4+ T‐cell response during the late stage of infection as a mechanism to escape host defences. This response was significantly exacerbated in fish infected by PS‐EM‐90 compared with fish infected by PS‐LF‐89, a finding that is probably associated with the higher pathogenicity of PS‐EM‐90.
Relationship Between Hospital‐Level Percentage of Midwife‐Attended Births and Obstetric Procedure Utilization
Authors: Attanasio Laura , Kozhimannil Katy B. 
Published: November 2017

IntroductionResearch has shown good outcomes among individual low‐risk women who receive perinatal care from midwives, yet little is known about how hospital‐level variation in midwifery care relates to procedure use and maternal health. This study aimed to document the association between the hospital‐level proportion of midwife‐attended births and obstetric procedure utilization.MethodsThis analysis used 2 data sources: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient Database data for New York in 2014, and New York State Department of Health data on the percentage of midwife‐attended births at hospitals in the state in 2014. Using logistic regression, we estimated the association between the hospital‐level percentage of midwife‐attended births and 4 outcomes among low‐risk women: labor induction, cesarean birth, episiotomy, and severe maternal morbidity.ResultsHospital‐level percentage of midwife‐attended births was not associated with reduced odds of labor induction or severe maternal morbidity. Women who gave births at hospitals with more midwife‐attended births had lower odds of giving birth by cesarean (eg, adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59‐0.82 at a hospital with 15% to 40% of births attended by midwives, compared to no midwife‐attended births) and lower odds of episiotomy (eg, aOR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.23‐0.74 at a hospital with more than 40% of births attended by midwives, compared to no midwife‐attended births).DiscussionOur results indicate that hospitals with more midwife‐attended births have lower utilization of some obstetric procedures among low‐risk women; this raises the possibility of improving value in maternity care through greater access to midwifery care.
PK/PD modeling of flunixin meglumine in a kaolin‐induced inflammation model in piglets
Authors: Levionnois O. L. , Fosse T. K. , Ranheim B. 
Published: November 2017

Flunixin is marketed in several countries for analgesia in adult swine but little is known about its efficacy in piglets. Thirty‐two piglets (6–8 days old) were randomized to receive placebo saline (n = 11, group CONTROL) or flunixin meglumine intravenously at 2.2 (n = 11, group MEDIUM) or 4.4 (n = 10, group HIGH) mg/kg, 10 hr after subcutaneous injection of kaolin in the left metacarpal area. A hand‐held algometer was used to determine each piglet’s mechanical nociceptive threshold (MNT) from both front feet up to 50 hr after treatment (cut‐off value of 24.5 newton). Serial venous blood samples were obtained to quantify flunixin in plasma using LC‐MS/MS. A PKPD model describing the effect of flunixin on the mechanical nociceptive threshold was obtained based on an inhibitory indirect response model. A two‐compartmental PK model was used. A significant effect of flunixin was observed for both doses compared to control group, with 4.4 mg/kg showing the most relevant (6–10 newton) and long‐lasting effect (34 hr). The median IC50 was 6.78 and 2.63 mg/ml in groups MEDIUM and HIGH, respectively. The ED50 in this model was 6.6 mg/kg. Flunixin exhibited marked antinociceptive effect on kaolin‐induced inflammatory hyperalgesia in piglets.
Power, discourse, and resistance: Poststructuralist influences in nursing
Authors: Holmes Dave , Gagnon Marilou 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBased on our respective research programs (psychiatry, forensic psychiatry, public health, HIV/AIDS, harm reduction) this article aims to use purposely non‐conventional means to present the substantial contribution of poststructuralist perspectives to knowledge development in nursing science in general and in our current research in particular. More specifically, we call on the work of Michel Foucault and Deleuze & Guattari to politicize nursing science using examples from our empirical research programs with marginal and often highly marginalized populations. We discuss the concepts of power, discourse, and resistance to illustrate the essential contribution of poststructuralism to marginal, even “nomadic”, nursing research.
On the origin of obesity: identifying the biological, environmental and cultural drivers of genetic risk among human populations
Authors: Qasim A. , Turcotte M. , de Souza R. J. , Samaan M. C. , Champredon D. , Dushoff J. , Speakman J. R. , Meyre D. 
Published: November 2017

SummaryGenetic predisposition to obesity presents a paradox: how do genetic variants with a detrimental impact on human health persist through evolutionary time? Numerous hypotheses, such as the thrifty genotype hypothesis, attempt to explain this phenomenon yet fail to provide a justification for the modern obesity epidemic. In this critical review, we appraise existing theories explaining the evolutionary origins of obesity and explore novel biological and sociocultural agents of evolutionary change to help explain the modern‐day distribution of obesity‐predisposing variants. Genetic drift, acting as a form of ‘blind justice,’ may randomly affect allele frequencies across generations while gene pleiotropy and adaptations to diverse environments may explain the rise and subsequent selection of obesity risk alleles. As an adaptive response, epigenetic regulation of gene expression may impact the manifestation of genetic predisposition to obesity. Finally, exposure to malnutrition and disease epidemics in the wake of oppressive social systems, culturally mediated notions of attractiveness and desirability, and diverse mating systems may play a role in shaping the human genome. As an important first step towards the identification of important drivers of obesity gene evolution, this review may inform empirical research focused on testing evolutionary theories by way of population genetics and mathematical modelling.
Growth rate rather than growth duration drives growth heterosis in maize B104 hybrids
Authors: Feys Kim , Demuynck Kirin , De Block Jolien , Bisht Anchal , De Vliegher Alex , Inzé Dirk , Nelissen Hilde 
Published: November 2017

AbstractResearch in maize is often performed using inbred lines that can be readily transformed, such as B104. However, because the B104 line flowers late, the kernels do not always mature before the end of the growing season, hampering routine seed yield evaluations of biotech traits introduced in B104 at many geographical locations. Therefore, we generated five hybrids by crossing B104 with the early‐flowering inbred lines CML91, F7, H99, Mo17, and W153R and showed in three consecutive years that the hybrid lines proved to be suitable to evaluate seed yield under field conditions in a temperate climate. By assessing the two main processes driving maize leaf growth, being rate of growth (leaf elongation rate or LER) and the duration of growth (leaf elongation duration or LED) in this panel of hybrids, we showed that leaf growth heterosis was mainly the result of increased LER and not or to a lesser extent of LED. Ectopic expression of the transgenes GA20‐oxidase (GA20‐OX) and PLASTOCHRON1 (PLA1), known to stimulate the LER and LED, respectively, in the hybrids showed that leaf length heterosis can be stimulated by increased LER, but not by LED, indicating that LER rather than LED is the target for enhancing leaf growth heterosis.
Patch testing in Israeli children with suspected allergic contact dermatitis: A retrospective study and literature review
Authors: Zafrir Yaron , Trattner Akiva , Hodak Emmillia , Eldar Oren , Lapidoth Moshe , Ben Amitai Dan 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackground/objectivesChildhood allergic contact dermatitis is recognized as a significant clinical problem. The objective was to evaluate the rate of positive patch tests in Israeli children with clinically suspected allergic contact dermatitis, identify possible sex and age differences, compare results with those in Israeli adults, and review pediatric studies in the literature.MethodsThe study sample included 343 children and adolescents (197 female, 146 male; 1‐18 years of age, mean age 11.8 years) with clinically suspected allergic contact dermatitis who underwent patch testing with a standard pediatric series of 23 allergens at a tertiary medical center from 1999 to 2012. Data on clinical characteristics and test results were collected retrospectively from the medical files.ResultsNinety‐eight subjects (28.6%) (75 girls [38.1%], 23 boys [15.8%]) had at least one positive reaction. The most frequent reactions were to nickel sulfate, followed by potassium dichromate and cobalt chloride. Nickel sulfate sensitivity was more common in girls, especially those younger than 3 years and older than 12 years. The prevalence of contact sensitization was similar in subjects with and without atopic dermatitis (50% and 51%, respectively).ConclusionNickel is the most common allergen in Israeli children, especially girls. Patch testing should be performed in children with clinically suspected allergic contact dermatitis regardless of atopic background.
Ethnic differences in stratum corneum functions between Chinese and Thai infants residing in Bangkok, Thailand
Authors: Fujimura Tsutomu , Miyauchi Yuki , Shima Kyoko , Hotta Mitsuyuki , Tsujimura Hisashi , Kitahara Takashi , Takema Yoshinori , Palungwachira Pakhawadee , Laohathai Diane , Chanthothai Jetchawa , Nararatwanchai Thamthiwat 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackground/ObjectivesEthnic and racial differences in infant skin have not been well characterized. The purpose of this study was to establish whether there are ethnic differences and similarities in the stratum corneum (SC) functions of Thai and Chinese infants.MethodsHealthy infants 6 to 24 months of age (N = 60; 30 Thai, 30 Chinese) who resided in Bangkok, Thailand, were enrolled. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and SC hydration (capacitance) on the thigh, buttock, and upper arm were measured. Ceramide content was determined in the SC on the upper arm.ResultsSC hydration was not remarkably different between the two ethnicities at any site measured, but TEWL was significantly higher in Chinese infants than in Thai infants at all sites. Hydration of the SC was not significantly correlated with age in either ethnicity. TEWL had significant but weak correlations with age on the thigh and upper arm in Thai infants. Ceramide content was significantly higher in Chinese SC than in Thai SC. No relationship between ceramide content and TEWL or hydration was observed in either ethnicity.ConclusionThe significant differences in TEWL and ceramide contents between Chinese and Thai infant skin could prove useful in designing skin care and diapering products that are best suited for each ethnicity.
The impact of flow PRA on outcome in pediatric heart recipients in modern era: An analysis of the Pediatric Heart Transplant Study database
Authors: Das B. B. , Pruitt E. , Molina K. , Ravekes W. , Auerbach S. , Savage A. , Knox L. , Kirklin J. K. , Naftel D. C. , Hsu D. ,   the Pediatric Heart Transplant Study Investigators
Published: November 2017

AbstractData from patients in the Pediatric Heart Transplant Study (PHTS) registry transplanted between 2010 and 2014 were analyzed to determine the association between HLA antibody (PRA) determined by SPA using Luminex or flow cytometry with a positive retrospective cross‐match and the post‐transplant outcomes of acute rejection and graft survival. A total of 1459 of 1596 (91%) recipients had a PRA reported pretransplant; 26% had a PRA > 20%. Patients with a PRA > 20% were more likely to have CHD, prior cardiac surgery, ECMO support at listing, and waited longer for transplantation than patients with a PRA <20%. Patients with higher PRA% determined by SPA were predictive of a positive retrospective cross‐match determined by flow cytometric method (P < .001). A PRA > 50% determined by SPA was independently associated with worse overall graft survival after first month of transplant in both unadjusted and adjusted for all other risk factors. In this large multicenter series of pediatric heart transplant recipients, an elevated PRA determined by SPA remains a significant risk factor in the modern era.
Cell Death Pathways Associated with Photodynamic Therapy: An Update
Authors: Kessel David , Oleinick Nancy L. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractPhotodynamic therapy (PDT) has the potential to make a significant impact on cancer treatment. PDT can sensitize malignant tissues to light, leading to a highly selective effect if an appropriate light dose can be delivered. Variations in light distribution and drug delivery, along with impaired efficacy in hypoxic regions, can reduce the overall tumor response. There is also evidence that malignant cells surviving PDT may become more aggressive than the initial tumor population. Promotion of more effective direct tumor eradication is therefore an important goal. While a list of properties for the “ideal” photosensitizing agent often includes formulation, pharmacologic and photophysical elements, we propose that subcellular targeting is also an important consideration. Perspectives relating to optimizing PDT efficacy are offered here. These relate to death pathways initiated by photodamage to particular subcellular organelles.
The effect of resveratrol on the developmental competence of porcine oocytes vitrified at germinal vesicle stage
Authors: Santos ECS , Appeltant R , Dang‐Nguyen TQ , Noguchi J , Kaneko H , Kikuchi K , Somfai T 
Published: November 2017

ContentsWe tested the effects of resveratrol both as a pre‐treatment and as a recovery treatment after warming during in vitro maturation (IVM) on the viability and developmental competence of porcine oocytes vitrified at the germinal vesicle stage. Pre‐treatment before vitrification of oocytes for 3 hr with 2 μM resveratrol did not affect survival, oocyte maturation and embryo developmental competence to the blastocyst stage after parthenogenetic activation. However, supplementation of the medium with resveratrol during subsequent IVM after vitrification and warming significantly improved the ability of surviving oocytes to develop to the blastocyst stage, and this effect was observed only on vitrified, but not on non‐vitrified oocytes. The intracellular levels of glutathione and hydrogen peroxide in oocytes were not affected by vitrification and resveratrol treatment. Also, there was no significant difference in the occurrence of apoptosis measured by annexin V binding between vitrified and non‐vitrified oocytes, regardless of the resveratrol treatment. In conclusion, resveratrol did not prevent the cellular damages in immature porcine oocytes during vitrification; however, when added to the IVM medium, it specifically improved the developmental competence of vitrified oocytes. Further research will be necessary to clarify the mechanisms of action of resveratrol on the recovery of vitrified oocytes from vitrification‐related damages.
An overview of methods to mitigate artifacts in optical coherence tomography imaging of the skin
Authors: Adabi Saba , Fotouhi Audrey , Xu Qiuyun , Daveluy Steve , Mehregan Darius , Podoleanu Adrian , Nasiriavanaki Mohammadreza 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackgroundOptical coherence tomography (OCT) of skin delivers three‐dimensional images of tissue microstructures. Although OCT imaging offers a promising high‐resolution modality, OCT images suffer from some artifacts that lead to misinterpretation of tissue structures. Therefore, an overview of methods to mitigate artifacts in OCT imaging of the skin is of paramount importance. Speckle, intensity decay, and blurring are three major artifacts in OCT images. Speckle is due to the low coherent light source used in the configuration of OCT. Intensity decay is a deterioration of light with respect to depth, and blurring is the consequence of deficiencies of optical components.MethodTwo speckle reduction methods (one based on artificial neural network and one based on spatial compounding), an attenuation compensation algorithm (based on Beer‐Lambert law) and a deblurring procedure (using deconvolution), are described. Moreover, optical properties extraction algorithm based on extended Huygens‐Fresnel (EHF) principle to obtain some additional information from OCT images are discussed.ResultsIn this short overview, we summarize some of the image enhancement algorithms for OCT images which address the abovementioned artifacts. The results showed a significant improvement in the visibility of the clinically relevant features in the images. The quality improvement was evaluated using several numerical assessment measures.ConclusionClinical dermatologists benefit from using these image enhancement algorithms to improve OCT diagnosis and essentially function as a noninvasive optical biopsy.
Subjective Externalism
Authors: Sawyer Sarah 
Published: November 2017

AbstractIn this article I argue for a novel theory of representational content, which I call ‘subjective externalism’. The view combines an internal, subjective constraint on the attribution of thought content which traditionally underpins internalist theories of thought, and an external, objective constraint on the attribution of thought content which traditionally underpins externalist theories of thought. While internalism and externalism are mutually inconsistent, the constraints to which each theory is committed are not. It is this realization that opens up the conceptual space for subjective externalism, according to which the correct attribution of thought content to an individual is essentially constrained by her nonrepresentational relations to objective manifest properties in her wider reality.
Severe BK polyomavirus‐induced hemorrhagic cystitis in a kidney transplant recipient with the absence of renal allograft involvement
Authors: Kamal Mahwash , Govil Amit , Anand Manish , Abu Jawdeh Bassam G. , Shah Silvi 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBK polyomavirus mostly manifests as polyomavirus‐associated nephropathy (PyVAN) in kidney transplant patients and polyoma virus‐associated hemorrhagic cystitis (PyVHC) in bone marrow transplant patients. PyVHC in kidney transplant patients is only reported in four cases in the literature. Our patient had severe hemorrhagic cystitis without renal involvement. We postulate that our patient's exposure to ifosfamide and radiation 8 years prior transplantation might predispose him to this disease.