bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in peripheral nerve contributes to paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain
Authors: Jia Min , Wu Caihua , Gao Fang , Xiang Hongchun , Sun Ning , Peng Ping , Li Jingjing , Yuan Xiaocui , Li Hongping , Meng Xianfang , Tian Bo , Shi Jing , Li Man 
Published: August 2017

Background Paclitaxel is commonly used as a cancer chemotherapy drug that frequently causes peripheral neuropathic pain. Inflammasome is a multiprotein complex consisting of Nod-like receptor proteins (NLRPs), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein, and caspase-1, which functions to switch on the inflammatory process and the release of interleukin-1β. Growing evidences have supported that peripheral interleukin-1β is critical in enhancing paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain. However, whether activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in peripheral nerve contributes to paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain is still unclear. Results Paclitaxel induced mechanical allodynia of rats from day 3 and worsened gradually till 3 weeks after injection. Paclitaxel resulted in expression of NLRP3 and activated fragments of caspase-1 and interleukin-1β in L4-6 dorsal root ganglia and sciatic nerve three weeks after injection, indicating activation of NLRP3 inflammasome. The expression of NLRP3 was located in CD68-labeled macrophages infiltrating in L4-6 dorsal root ganglia and sciatic nerve, and paclitaxel increased the expression of NLRP3 in macrophage. Moreover, the paclitaxel elicited mitochondria damage, which became swollen and enlarged in macrophages and axons of sciatic nerve three weeks after injection. In vitro, paclitaxel increased the number of damaged mitochondria and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production in the rat alveolar macrophage cell line NR8383. The administration of a non-specific reactive oxygen species scavenger, phenyl-N-tert-butylnitrone, markedly alleviated mechanical allodynia and inhibited the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in L4-6 dorsal root ganglia and sciatic nerve of the paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain model. Conclusions Paclitaxel induced mechanical allodynia and activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in infiltrated macrophages of L4-6 dorsal root ganglia and sciatic nerve. Paclitaxel elicited mitochondria damage and reactive oxygen species production may result in activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in peripheral nerve, which contributes to paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain.
Enhancement of spinal dorsal horn neuron N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor phosphorylation as the mechanism of remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia: Roles of protein kinase C and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II
Authors: Li Sisi , Zeng Jie , Wan Xiaoxiao , Yao Ying , Wu Yujia , Zhao Nan , Yu Cong , Xia Zhengyuan 
Published: August 2017

Background Modulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunits NR1 and NR2 through phosphorylation mediates opioid-induced hyperalgesia, and activations of protein kinase C and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 potentiate while activation of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II inhibits opioid-induced hyperalgesia. However, the mechanism of opioid-induced hyperalgesia development and in particular the potential interplay between N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors and protein kinase C or calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II or extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 in the development of remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia is unclear. Methods Remifentanil (1 µg ċ kg−1 ċ min−1) was given intravenously over 60 min in rats, followed by the infusion of either vehicle solution or the respective inhibitors of protein kinase C (chelerythrine), extracellular signal-regulated kinase II (KN93), or extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (PD98059). Thereafter, the pain behaviors were evaluated by the paw withdrawal mechanical threshold and paw withdrawal thermal latency. In in vitro studies, fetal spinal cord dorsal horn neurons were primary cultured in the presence of 4 nM remifentanil for 60 min, and then the remifentanil was washed out and replaced immediately by culturing in the absence or presence of chelerythrine, KN93 or PD98059, respectively for up to 8 h. The expressions of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors subunits and their phosphorylation (NR1, NR2B, p-NR1, p-NR2B) were analyzed by Western blotting after the completion of treatments. Functional changes of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors were evaluated by electrophysiologic recordings of N-methyl-D-aspartate currents. Results Remifentanil induced significant thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia, which were significantly attenuated by Chelerythrine or KN93 but not PD98059. The expressions of NR1, NR2B, p-NR1, and p-NR2B were increased significantly and progressively over time after remifentanil administration, and these increases were all significantly attenuated by either chelerythrine or KN93 but not PD98059. Intriguingly, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor functional enhancement induced by remifentanil was attenuated by Chelerythrine, KN93, and PD98059. Conclusions It is concluded that the enhancements in function and quantity of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor via phosphorylation of its subunits through protein kinase C and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II activation may represent the major mechanism whereby remifentanil induced hyperalgesia.
Variables associated with work performance in multidisciplinary mental health teams
Authors: Fleury Marie-Josée , Grenier Guy , Bamvita Jean-Marie , Chiocchio François 
Published: August 2017

Objectives: This study investigates work performance among 79 mental health teams in Quebec (Canada). We hypothesized that work performance was positively associated with the use of standardized clinical tools and clinical approaches, integration strategies, “clan culture,” and mental health funding per capita. Methods: Work performance was measured using an adapted version of the Work Role Questionnaire. Variables were organized into four key areas: (1) team attributes, (2) organizational culture, (3) inter-organizational interactions, and (4) external environment. Results: Work performance was associated with two types of organizational culture (clan and hierarchy) and with two team attributes (use of standardized clinical tools and approaches). Discussion and conclusion: This study was innovative in identifying associations between work performance and best practices, justifying their implementation. Recommendations are provided to develop organizational cultures promoting a greater focus on the external environment and integration strategies that strengthen external focus, service effectiveness, and innovation.
Allograft Maturation After Reconstruction of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament Is Dependent on Graft Parameters in the Sagittal Plane
Authors: Rose Michael , Crawford Dennis 
Published: August 2017

Background: Allograft healing (ligamentization) after reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is dependent on multiple factors, including tissue processing, host biologic environment, and biomechanical stressors. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to assess graft maturation after ACL reconstruction. Hypothesis: A significant difference will exist in the MRI analysis between 2 distinct allograft constructs. Specifically, the MRI signal-to-noise quotient (SNQ) value will be smaller in quadrupled hamstring tendon (HT) allografts compared with doubled tibialis anterior (TA) allografts due to the difference in graft geometry (surface area–to-volume ratio). Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Prospectively collected data from a subset of patients who participated in a randomized controlled trial at a single center from July 2010 to April 2012 were reviewed. Patients underwent ACL reconstruction using either HT or TA allografts. Six months postoperatively, 32 patients underwent noncontrast MRI to assess ligamentization. The SNQ was calculated for the allograft using sagittal noncontrast T2-weighted MRI as follows: SNQ = ( S graft − S qaudriceps)/ S backgroud. Graft properties including sagittal and coronal angle as well as tibial and femoral tunnel location were measured. All participants completed validated patient-reported outcome measures preoperatively and at 2 years postoperatively. Results: The mean MRI SNQ for the HT and TA allografts was 2.56 ± 2.41 and 3.15 ± 3.38, respectively ( P = .57). For the entire group, there was a significant correlation between MRI SNQ and both sagittal graft angle ( P = .02) and sagittal tibial tunnel position ( P < .001). We did not find a significant correlation between the tibial tunnel location in the coronal plane, coronal graft angle, or location of the femoral tunnel and the MRI SNQ. Conclusion: Allograft ligamentization 6 months postoperatively, as assessed by MRI, is dependent on position of the tibial tunnel in the sagittal plane as well as sagittal graft orientation. We did not detect a difference in graft maturation at 6 months between the tibialis anterior and hamstring tendon allografts. This is the only study to our knowledge that directly compares quadrupled HT allografts and doubled TA allografts using postoperative MRI.
Evidence for changes in the occurrence, frequency or severity of human health impacts resulting from exposure to alien species in Europe: a systematic map
Authors: Bayliss Helen R. , Schindler Stefan , Adam Mildren , Essl Franz , Rabitsch Wolfgang 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
Background
Alien species are frequently considered a serious environmental threat but negative impacts on human health through injury, allergy, or as vectors of disease sometimes have the most dire consequences for human livelihoods. Climate change and the increasing magnitude and frequency of introductions of species across geographic barriers as a result of international trade are likely to change their establishment, spread, abundance, physiology or phenology, potentially also altering their human health impacts. Yet despite receiving increasing attention in the scientific literature, there have been few attempts to quantify recent changes in human health impacts. Here we report the findings from a systematic map of the literature identifying evidence of any change in the occurrence, frequency or severity of impacts of alien species on human health in Europe over the last 25 years.

Methods
We conducted a systematic search of the ecological and medical literature using English language search terms to identify potentially relevant studies. Search results were assessed against inclusion criteria published in an a priori protocol at title, abstract and full-text to determine their suitability for inclusion in the review. Repeatability was checked at each stage by comparing a subset between reviewers and testing for inter-rater agreement using Cohen’s kappa test. Studies deemed relevant at full text were coded against bibliographic, inclusion and study design criteria to create a searchable database of evidence.

Results
Searches retrieved over 15,700 results yet only sixteen cases met criteria for inclusion in the systematic map. Most of this evidence represents first records of impacts from different areas, and in particular first reports of transmission of exotic diseases by introduced mosquito species.

Conclusions
There is currently limited published evidence demonstrating a change in the occurrence, frequency or severity of human health impacts caused by alien species in Europe over the last 25 years. Relevant studies relate to only a few species, often report specific cases and rarely link health impacts with ecology, distribution or spread of the species. Difficulties in attributing human health impacts, such as stings or allergies, to a specific alien species likely complicate attempts to measure changes, as may differences in professional interests between the environmental and health professions. Future studies could helpfully compare spread or abundance with reported, rather than potential, health impacts. Better cooperation between invasion ecologists and health professionals working in affected areas are likely to be necessary to improve the evidence base on this topic for the future.
Health Care Use by Older Adults With Acute Myeloid Leukemia at the End of Life
Authors: Wang Rong , Zeidan Amer M. , Halene Stephanie , Xu Xiao , Davidoff Amy J. , Huntington Scott F. , Podoltsev Nikolai A. , Gross Cary P. , Gore Steven D. , Ma Xiaomei 
Published: August 2017

Purpose Little is known about the patterns and predictors of the use of end-of-life health care among patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). End-of-life care is particularly relevant for older adults with AML because of their poor prognosis. Methods We performed a population-based, retrospective cohort study of patients with AML who were ≥ 66 years of age at diagnosis and diagnosed during the period from 1999 to 2011 and died before December 31, 2012. Medicare claims were used to assess patterns of hospice care and use of aggressive treatment. Predictors of these end points were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression analyses. Results In the overall cohort (N = 13,156), hospice care after AML diagnosis increased from 31.3% in 1999 to 56.4% in 2012, but the increase was primarily driven by late hospice enrollment that occurred in the last 7 days of life. Among the 5,847 patients who enrolled in hospice, 47.4% and 28.8% started their first hospice enrollment in the last 7 and 3 days of life, respectively. Among patients who transferred in and out of hospice care, 62% received transfusions outside hospice. Additionally, the use of chemotherapy within the last 14 days of life increased from 7.7% in 1999 to 18.8% in 2012. Patients who were male and nonwhite were less likely to enroll in hospice and more likely to receive chemotherapy or be admitted to intensive care units at the end of life. Conversely, older patients were less likely to receive chemotherapy or have intensive care unit admission at the end of life, and were more likely to enroll in hospice. Conclusion End-of-life care for older patients with AML is suboptimal. Additional research is warranted to identify reasons for their low use of hospice services and strategies to enhance end-of-life care for these patients.
Treatment of femoral shaft fractures with monoaxial external fixation in polytrauma patients
Authors: Testa Gianluca , Aloj Domenico , Ghirri Alessandro , Petruccelli Eraclite , Pavone Vito , Massé Alessandro 
Published: August 2017

Background: Femoral shaft fractures, typical in younger people, are often associated with polytrauma followed by traumatic shock. In these situations, despite intramedullary nailing being the treatment of choice, external fixation could be used as the definitive treatment. The aim of this study is to report evidence regarding definitive treatment of femoral shaft fractures with monoaxial external fixation. Methods: Between January 2006 and December 2015, 83 patients with 87 fractures were treated at the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology CTO of Turin, with a monoaxial external fixation device. Mean age at surgery, type of fracture, mean follow-up, time and modalities of treatment, non-weight bearing period, average healing, external fixation removal time, and complications were reported. Results: The average patient age was 31.43±15.19 years. In 37 cases (42.53%) the right femur was involved. 73 (83.91%) fractures were closed, and 14 (16.09%) were open. The average follow-up time was 61.07±21.86 weeks. In 68 (78.16%) fractures the fixation was carried out in the first 24 hours, using a monoaxial external fixator. In the remaining 19 cases, the average delay was 6.80±4.54 days. Mean non-weight bearing time was 25.82±27.66 days (ranging from 0 to 120). The 87 fractures united at an average of 23.60±11.37 weeks (ranging from 13 to 102). The external fixator was removed after an average of 33.99±14.33 weeks (ranging from 20 to 120). Reported complications included 9.19% of delayed union, 1.15% of septic non-union, 5.75% of malunion, and 8.05% cases of loss of reduction. Conclusions: External fixation of femoral shaft fractures in polytrauma is an ideal method for definitive fracture stabilization, with minimal additional operative trauma and an acceptable complication rate.
What do we know about grant peer review in the health sciences?
Authors: Guthrie Susan , Ghiga Ioana , Wooding Steven 
Published: August 2017

Background: Peer review decisions award >95% of academic medical research funding, so it is crucial to understand how well they work and if they could be improved. Methods: This paper summarises evidence from 105 relevant papers identified through a literature search on the effectiveness and burden of peer review for grant funding. Results: There is a remarkable paucity of evidence about the overall efficiency of peer review for funding allocation, given its centrality to the modern system of science. From the available evidence, we can identify some conclusions around the effectiveness and burden of peer review. The strongest evidence around effectiveness indicates a bias against innovative research. There is also fairly clear evidence that peer review is, at best, a weak predictor of future research performance, and that ratings vary considerably between reviewers. There is some evidence of age bias and cronyism. Good evidence shows that the burden of peer review is high and that around 75% of it falls on applicants. By contrast, many of the efforts to reduce burden are focused on funders and reviewers/panel members. Conclusions: We suggest funders should acknowledge, assess and analyse the uncertainty around peer review, even using reviewers’ uncertainty as an input to funding decisions. Funders could consider a lottery element in some parts of their funding allocation process, to reduce both burden and bias, and allow better evaluation of decision processes. Alternatively, the distribution of scores from different reviewers could be better utilised as a possible way to identify novel, innovative research. Above all, there is a need for open, transparent experimentation and evaluation of different ways to fund research. This also requires more openness across the wider scientific community to support such investigations, acknowledging the lack of evidence about the primacy of the current system and the impossibility of achieving perfection.
Optimal cutoff for the evaluation of insulin resistance through triglyceride-glucose index: A cross-sectional study in a Venezuelan population
Authors: Salazar Juan , Bermúdez Valmore , Calvo María , Olivar Luis Carlos , Luzardo Eliana , Navarro Carla , Mencia Heysa , Martínez María , Rivas-Ríos José , Wilches-Durán Sandra , Cerda Marcos , Graterol Modesto , Graterol Rosemily , Garicano Carlos , Hernández Juan , Rojas Joselyn 
Published: August 2017

Background: Insulin resistance (IR) evaluation is a fundamental goal in clinical and epidemiological research. However, the most widely used methods are difficult to apply to populations with low incomes. The triglyceride-glucose index (TGI) emerges as an alternative to use in daily clinical practice. Therefore the objective of this study was to determine an optimal cutoff point for the TGI in an adult population from Maracaibo, Venezuela. Methods: This is a sub-study of Maracaibo City Metabolic Syndrome Prevalence Study, a descriptive, cross-sectional study with random and multi-stage sampling. For this analysis, 2004 individuals of both genders ≥18 years old with basal insulin determination and triglycerides < 500 mg/dl were evaluated.. A reference population was selected according to clinical and metabolic criteria to plot ROC Curves specific for gender and age groups to determine the optimal cutoff point according to sensitivity and specificity.The TGI was calculated according to the equation: ln [Fasting triglyceride (mg / dl) x Fasting glucose (mg / dl)] / 2. Results: The TGI in the general population was 4.6±0.3 (male: 4.66±0.34 vs. female: 4.56±0.33, p=8.93x10-10). The optimal cutoff point was 4.49, with a sensitivity of 82.6% and specificity of 82.1% (AUC=0.889, 95% CI: 0.854-0.924). There were no significant differences in the predictive capacity of the index when evaluated according to gender and age groups. Those individuals with TGI≥4.5 had higher HOMA2-IR averages than those with TGI <4.5 (2.48 vs 1.74, respectively, p<0.001). Conclusions: The TGI is a measure of interest to identify IR in the general population. We propose a single cutoff point of 4.5 to classify individuals with IR. Future studies should evaluate the predictive capacity of this index to determine atypical metabolic phenotypes, type 2 diabetes mellitus and even cardiovascular risk in our population.
DNA of Erythroid Origin Is Present in Human Plasma and Informs the Types of Anemia
Authors: Lam W K Jacky , Gai Wanxia , Sun Kun , Wong Raymond S M , Chan Rebecca W Y , Jiang Peiyong , Chan Natalie P H , Hui Winnie W I , Chan Anthony W H , Szeto Cheuk-Chun , Ng Siew C , Law Man-Fai , Chan K C Allen , Chiu Rossa W K , Lo Y M Dennis 
Published: August 2017

Abstract

BACKGROUND
There is much interest in the tissue of origin of circulating DNA in plasma. Data generated using DNA methylation markers have suggested that hematopoietic cells of white cell lineages are important contributors to the circulating DNA pool. However, it is not known whether cells of the erythroid lineage would also release DNA into the plasma.

METHODS
Using high-resolution methylation profiles of erythroblasts and other tissue types, 3 genomic loci were found to be hypomethylated in erythroblasts but hypermethylated in other cell types. We developed digital PCR assays for measuring erythroid DNA using the differentially methylated region for each locus.

RESULTS
Based on the methylation marker in the ferrochelatase gene, erythroid DNA represented a median of 30.1% of the plasma DNA of healthy subjects. In subjects with anemia of different etiologies, quantitative analysis of circulating erythroid DNA could reflect the erythropoietic activity in the bone marrow. For patients with reduced erythropoietic activity, as exemplified by aplastic anemia, the percentage of circulating erythroid DNA was decreased. For patients with increased but ineffective erythropoiesis, as exemplified by β-thalassemia major, the percentage was increased. In addition, the plasma concentration of erythroid DNA was found to correlate with treatment response in aplastic anemia and iron deficiency anemia. Plasma DNA analysis using digital PCR assays targeting the other 2 differentially methylated regions showed similar findings.

CONCLUSIONS
Erythroid DNA is a hitherto unrecognized major component of the circulating DNA pool and is a noninvasive biomarker for differential diagnosis and monitoring of anemia.
La construcción de las bases para la elaboración de mapas de riesgo. Una forma de intervención social desde Terapia Ocupacional
Authors: Ariño Rosana , Boffelli Mariana , Demiryi Milagros , Chiapessoni Daniela 
Published: August 2017

El artículo presenta la experiencia desarrollada por estudiantes que cursaron 1º y 4º año de la Licenciatura en Terapia Ocupacional de la Universidad Nacional delLitoral (UNL), junto con agentes municipales, vecinos y organizaciones del barrio Villa Oculta de la ciudad de Santa Fe.En el marco de la Educación Experiencial, esta práctica de extensión incorporadaen el currículo posibilitó a los futuros profesionales la oportunidad de involucrarse en la resolución de problemas reales y complejos de la comunidad.El trabajo consistió en una experiencia piloto para la construcción de un mapa de riesgo, los que han funcionado como instrumentos puente entre el saber popular,la toma de decisiones y el saber académico. Experiencia posible por el interés de la Dirección de Gestión de Riesgo, vecinos, estudiantes y docentes de la UNL.