bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Featured Article: Electroporation-mediated gene delivery of surfactant protein B (SP-B) restores expression and improves survival in mouse model of SP-B deficiency
Authors: Barnett Rebecca C , Lin Xin , Barravecchia Michael , Norman Rosemary A , de Mesy Bentley Karen L , Fazal Fabeha , Young Jennifer L , Dean David A 
Published: June 2017

Surfactant Protein B Deficiency is a rare but lethal monogenetic, congenital lung disease of the neonate that is unresponsive to any treatment except lung transplantation. Based on the potential that gene therapy offers to treat such intractable diseases, our objective was to test whether an electroporation-based gene delivery approach could restore surfactant protein B expression and improve survival in a compound knockout mouse model of surfactant protein B deficiency. Surfactant protein B expression can be shut off in these mice upon withdrawl of doxycycline, resulting in decreased levels of surfactant protein B within four days and death due to lung dysfunction within four to seven days. Control or one of several different human surfactant protein B-expressing plasmids was delivered to the lung by aspiration and electroporation at the time of doxycycline removal or four days later. Plasmids expressing human surfactant protein B from either the UbC or CMV promoter expressed surfactant protein B in these transgenic mice at times when endogenous surfactant protein B expression was silenced. Mean survival was increased 2- to 5-fold following treatment with the UbC or CMV promoter-driven plasmids, respectively. Histology of all surfactant protein B treated groups exhibited fewer neutrophils and less alveolar wall thickening compared to the control groups, and electron microscopy revealed that gene transfer of surfactant protein B resulted in lamellar bodies that were similar in the presence of electron-dense, concentric material to those in surfactant protein B-expressing mice. Taken together, our results show that electroporation-mediated gene delivery of surfactant protein B-expressing plasmids improves survival, lung function, and lung histology in a mouse model of surfactant protein B deficiency and suggest that this may be a useful approach for the treatment of this otherwise deadly disease.Impact statementSurfactant protein B (SP-B) deficiency is a rare but lethal genetic disease of neonates that results in severe respiratory distress with no available treatments other than lung transplantation. The present study describes a novel treatment for this disease by transferring the SP-B gene to the lungs using electric fields in a mouse model. The procedure is safe and results in enough expression of exogenous SP-B to improve lung histology, lamellar body structure, and survival. If extended to humans, this approach could be used to bridge the time between diagnosis and lung transplantation and could greatly increase the likelihood of affected neonates surviving to transplantation and beyond.
Effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on neuropathic pain via mitophagy in microglia
Authors: Han Guang , Liu Kun , Li Lu , Li Xingyue , Zhao Ping 
Published: June 2017

Purpose Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy has been suggested to palliate neuropathic pain, but the mechanisms involved are not well understood. This study explored the involvement of microglial mitophagy via HBO relative to neuropathic pain therapy. Materials and methods A total of 80 male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups: a normal group ( n = 40) and a mitophagy inhibitor group ( n = 40) in which the mitophagy inhibitor cyclosporin A (CsA) was administrated prior to chronic constriction injury (CCI). Groups ( n = 10 rats per group) consisted of the following: control (C), sham operation (S), sciatic nerve with chronic constriction injury (CCI), and a CCI plus HBO treatment (CCI + HBO). Pain-related behaviors were evaluated using mechanical withdraw tendency and thermal withdraw latency analysis. Mitochondrial membrane potential was measured, and Western blot was employed to assess expression of NIX and BNIP3. Immunofluorescence changes in neuron protein (NESTIN) and mitochondria inner or outer layer proteins (TIM23, TOM20) were examined. Results HBO significantly ameliorated pain-related behaviors, which were downregulated by mitophagy inhibitors ( P < 0.05). Mitochondrial membrane potential indexes were decreased after HBO therapy, but were reversed in the mitophagy inhibitor group ( P < 0.05). HBO upregulated NIX and BNIP3 expression, which did not occur in the CCI group ( P < 0.05). However, expression was reduced when mitophagy inhibitors were administered. Immunofluorescence examination showed that mitophagy in microglia was induced by CCI, which was upregulated after HBO treatment. This phenomenon was not observed in the mitophagy inhibitor group. Conclusions HBO therapy palliated CCI-induced neuropathic pain in rats by upregulating microglial mitophagy. These results could serve as guidelines to improve neuropathic pain therapy using HBO to maximize therapeutic efficiency.
Taurine supplementation has anti-atherogenic and anti-inflammatory effects before and after incremental exercise in heart failure
Authors: Ahmadian Mehdi , Roshan Valiollah Dabidi , Aslani Elaheh , Stannard Stephen R 
Published: June 2017

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the anti-atherogenic and anti-inflammatory effect of supplemental taurine prior to and following incremental exercise in patients with heart failure (HF). Methods: Patients with HF and left ventricle ejection fraction less than 50%, and placed in functional class II or III according to the New York Heart Association classification, were randomly assigned to two groups: (1) taurine supplementation; or (2) placebo. The taurine group received oral taurine (500 mg) 3 times a day for 2 weeks, and performed exercise before and after the supplementation period. The placebo group followed the same protocol, but with a starch supplement (500 mg) rather than taurine. The incremental multilevel treadmill test was done using a modified Bruce protocol. Results: Our results indicate that inflammatory indices [C-reactive protein (CRP), platelets] decreased in the taurine group in pre-exercise, post-supplementation and post-exercise, post-supplementation as compared with pre-exercise, pre-supplementation ( p < 0.05) whereas these indices increased in pre-exercise, post-supplementation and post-exercise, post-supplementation as compared with pre-exercise, pre-supplementation in the placebo group ( p < 0.05). Our results also show that atherogenic indices [Castelli’s Risk Index-I (CRI-I), Castelli’s Risk Index-II (CRI-II) and Atherogenic Coefﬁcient (AC)] decreased in the taurine group in pre-exercise, post-supplementation and post-exercise, post-supplementation as compared with pre-exercise, pre-supplementation ( p < 0.05). No such changes were noted in the placebo group ( p > 0.05). Conclusions: our results suggest that 2 weeks of oral taurine supplementation increases the taurine levels and has anti-atherogenic and anti-inflammatory effects prior to and following incremental exercise in HF patients.
Atrial Fibrillation Predictors on Mobile Cardiac Telemetry in Cryptogenic Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Kass-Hout Omar , Kass-Hout Tareq , Parikh Ankit , Hoskins Michael , Clements Stephen D. , Rangaraju Srikant , Noorian Ali Reza , Ayala Lauren , Blanke Debra , Bamford Laura , Anderson Aaron , Belagaje Samir , Yepes Manuel , Frankel Michael , Nahab Fadi 
Published: June 2017

Background and Purpose: The objective of our study was to evaluate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and echocardiographic characteristics that would identify patients with cryptogenic ischemic stroke (IS) and transient ischemic attack (TIA) who subsequently developed paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) on mobile cardiac outpatient telemetry (MCOT). Methods: All patients with cryptogenic IS or TIA seen at the Emory University Hospital and Emory University Hospital Midtown from January 1, 2009, to June 30, 2013, who underwent MCOT were included in this analysis. Location (cortical, high subcortical, or neither) of current and prior strokes on MRI and left atrial (LA) functional and anatomical echocardiographic parameters were evaluated to determine their association with subsequent detection of PAF. Results: Of 132 patients, 17 (13%) had evidence of newly diagnosed PAF on MCOT (mean duration of monitoring = 25 days). The presence (vs absence) of ≥1 cortical infarct on baseline MRI was a significant predictor of identifying PAF (odds ratio: 5.2, 95% confidence interval: 1.3-19; P = .01). On baseline echocardiography, patients who had PAF (vs non-PAF) had significantly higher mean LA diameters (4.2 vs 3.7 cm, P = .03) and lower tissue Doppler velocity (a’; 5.5 vs 13.5 cm/s, P = .03). In receiver operating characteristic analysis, the ratio of LA volume index to the septal Doppler velocity (LAVI/a’) of >4.6 was associated with a higher likelihood of PAF. Combining MRI with echocardiographic variables did not improve the predictive ability beyond echocardiography alone. Conclusion: Although the presence of cortical-based infarcts on MRI in patients with cryptogenic IS or TIA increases the likelihood of detecting PAF on MCOT, LA functional and anatomic parameters alone best predicted which patients subsequently had PAF.
General practice views of managing childhood obesity in primary care: a qualitative analysis
Authors: O’Donnell Jennifer E , Foskett-Tharby Rachel , Gill Paramjit S 
Published: June 2017

Objective To explore general practice staff views of managing childhood obesity in primary care. Design A qualitative study to elicit the views of clinical and non-clinical general practice staff on managing childhood obesity. Setting Interviews were conducted at 30 general practices across England. These practices were interviewed as part of the Quality and Outcomes Framework Pilot Study. Participants A total of 52 staff from 30 practices took part in a semi-structured interview. Main outcome measures Key themes were identified through thematic analysis of transcripts using an inductive approach. Results Three themes were identified: lack of contact with well children, sensitivity of the issue, and the potential impact of general practice. Identifying overweight children was challenging because well children rarely attended the practice. Interviewees felt ill equipped to solve the issue because they lacked influence over the environmental, economic and lifestyle factors underpinning obesity. They described little evidence to support general practice intervention and seemed unaware of other services. Raising the issue was described as sensitive. Conclusion General practice staff were unconvinced that they could have a significant role in managing childhood obesity on a large scale. Participants believed schools have more contact with children and should coordinate the identification and management of overweight children. Future policy could recommend a minor role for general practice involving opportunistically identifying overweight children and signposting to obesity services.
World medical schools: The sum also rises
Authors: Rigby Perry G , Gururaja Ramnarayan P 
Published: June 2017

Objective There is a worldwide shortage of doctors, which is true in most countries and on most continents. To enumerate the number of medical schools in the world at two different times, showing the trends and relating this to population is a beginning. The number is actually going up and has done so for some time; this has increased the supply of physicians and broadened healthcare delivery. Design The number to count for geographic and regional information about the medical schools relates directly to the supply of doctors. Regions were chosen from WHO and Foundation for the Advancement of International Medical Education and Research data to illustrate geographic distributions, physicians per patient and kinetics. Setting The number of medical schools has consistently been rising around the world. However, world order is reverting to disorder, considering wars, disease and beleaguered stand-offs. Participants None. Main outcome measures Eight countries contain 40% of medical schools; however, several locations are rising faster than the rest. Some regions are stable, but sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean, South Asia and South America have increased the most in percentage recently, but not uniformly. Results Medical schools are related not only by geography, political boundaries and population but are concentrated in some regions. Graduate Medical Education positions appear to be short on a worldwide basis, as well as in some regions and countries. Conclusions The number of medical schools is increasing worldwide and the identification of rapidly rising geographic areas is useful in exploring, planning and comparing regions. Controversy continues in a variety of locations, especially concerning Graduate Medical Education. In addition to funding, faculty candidates and accreditation, new schools are confronting a variety of choices in standards and quality, sizing and regional concerns.
Agrarian Question and Democratic Decentralization in Kerala
Authors: Harilal K. N. , Eswaran K. K. 
Published: June 2017

This article is dedicated to Professor Sam Moyo, whose work on radical land reform in Zimbabwe within a neoliberal environment has engaged our attention and illuminated the subject of our own research, the agrarian question in post-land reform Kerala. In Kerala, the experiment of democratic decentralization is now nearly two decades old. The present article focuses on one of its weakest links, the failure to generate sustainable livelihood opportunities, in either industry or agriculture. The crisis in agriculture is best seen as part of a larger process of structural transformation of the Kerala economy which has blocked agrarian transition and requires thorough overhauling of the social organization of production for overcoming the present impasse. Even though local governments have a major role in resolving the agrarian question, it presupposes greater involvement of higher tiers of government and deeper cooperation among different tiers.
A Pilot Study of Tobacco Screening and Referral for Smoking Cessation Program among HIV-Infected Patients in France
Authors: Parienti Jean-Jacques , Merzougui Zine , de la Blanchardière Arnaud , Dargère Sylvie , Feret Philippe , Le Maitre Béatrice , Verdon Renaud 
Published: June 2017

Background: The prevalence of tobacco smoking is high among patients living with HIV, supporting the need for effective targeted interventions. Materials and Methods: All current smokers at our outpatient HIV clinic were invited to participate in a smoking cessation program. Results: Of the 716 patients living with HIV, 280 (39%) reported active smoking and were younger, more recently HIV infected and more frequently infected due to intravenous drug use (IDU). One hundred forty-seven (53%) smokers agreed to participate in the smoking cessation program and had a higher Fagerström score and were less likely IDU. During follow-up, 41 (28%) smokers withdrew from the program. After 6 months, 60 (57%) of the 106 smokers who completed the intervention had stopped tobacco smoking and were more likely to use varenicline, adjusting for a history of depression. Conclusion: Our smoking cessation program was feasible. However, strategies to reach and retain in smoking cessation program specific groups such as IDU are needed to improve the smoking cessation cascade.
Gothic green glazed tile from Malbork Castle: multi-analytical study
Authors: Svorová Pawełkowicz Sylwia , Rohanová Dana , Svora Petr 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
Looking at the façade of a historical building, it is often difficult to distinguish between the original decoration and later additions. One such building is the Holy Virgin Mary Church at the Malbork Castle (Northern Poland), built between 1276 and 1406. During the latest restoration works, ceramic tiles with some remnants of the green glaze, decorating the Holy Virgin Mary Church façade, were studied in situ using portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Micro-samples were analyzed in laboratory by scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM–EDS) and wavelength-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM–WDS), micro-Raman spectroscopy and powder X-ray micro-diffraction. We found that what was originally thought to be a paint layer was in fact a heavily deteriorated SiO2–PbO glaze. White, yellow and black pigments were found to have been added into the glaze as opacifiers and colorants. Copper and iron were used as glaze colorants. The originally added pigments were transformed into new phases, such as antimony-doped tin oxide. The technology used to produce the glazed tiles was identified. All the results collectively confirmed the medieval origin of the green glazed tiles.
Investigating the impact of cleaning treatments on polystyrene using SEM, AFM and ToF–SIMS
Authors: Fricker Anna L. , McPhail David S. , Keneghan Brenda , Pretzel Boris 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
Concerns about the stability of plastic artefacts are commonly expressed when discussing the conservation of modern materials. One of the factors affecting the degradation of plastics is the presence of soil, degradation products and other contaminants on the surface. Cleaning treatments for plastic artefacts may therefore increase their stability as well as improving their visual appearance. While past studies have shown that dry, aqueous and solvent cleaning can visibly damage a plastic surface, the chemical and physical changes occurring to the surface at the micro-scale have been largely unexplored. In this work time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF–SIMS) has been used in conjunction with atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to examine the effect of cleaning treatments on the surface of sheet polystyrene. Chemometric analysis of the ToF–SIMS data reveals the presence of surfactant residues and contamination from cleaning agents while physical damage in the form of scratching has been characterised using AFM and SEM. It is anticipated such work will assist in informing future conservation treatments for plastics.
Computational study for reliability improvement of a circuit board
Authors: Abali B. Emek 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
Background
An electronic device consists of electronic components attached on a circuit board. Reliability of such a device is limited to fatigue properties of the components as well as of the board. Printed circuit board (PCB) consists of conducting traces and vertical interconnect access (via) out of copper embedded in a composite material. Usually the composite material is fiber reinforced laminate out of glass fibers and polyimid matrix. Different reasons play a role by choosing the components of the laminate for the board, one of them is its structural strength and fatigue properties. An improvement of board’s lifetime can be proposed by using computational mechanics.

Methods
In this work we present the theory and computation of a simplified one layer circuit board conducting electrical signals along its copper via, producing heat that leads to thermal stresses.

Results
Such stresses are high enough to perform a plastic deformation. Although the plastic deformation is small, subsequent use of the electronic device causes accumulating plastic deformation, which ends the lifetime effected by a fatigue failure in the copper via.

Conclusion
Computer simulations provide a convenient method for understanding the nature of this phenomenon as well as predicting the lifetime. We present a coupled and monolithic way for solving the multiphysics problem of this electro-thermo-mechanical system, numerically, by using finite element method in space and finite difference method in time.
Identification of factors predicting scar outcome after burn injury in children: a prospective case-control study
Authors: Wallace Hilary J. , Fear Mark W. , Crowe Margaret M. , Martin Lisa J. , Wood Fiona M. 
Published: June 2017

Abstract

Background
There is a lack of rigorous research investigating the factors that influence scar outcome in children. Improved clinical decision-making to reduce the health burden due to post-burn scarring in children will be guided by evidence on risk factors and risk stratification. This study aimed to examine the association between selected patient, injury and clinical factors and the development of raised scar after burn injury. Novel patient factors were investigated including selected immunological co-morbidities (asthma, eczema and diabetes type 1 and type 2) and skin pigmentation (Fitzpatrick skin type).

Methods
A prospective case-control study was conducted among 186 children who sustained a burn injury in Western Australia. Logistic regression was used to explore the relationship between explanatory variables and a defined outcome measure: scar height measured by a modified Vancouver Scar Scale (mVSS).

Results
The overall correct prediction rate of the model was 80.6%; 80.9% for children with raised scars (&gt;1 mm) and 80.4% for children without raised scars (≤1 mm). After adjustment for other variables, each 1% increase in % total body surface area (%TBSA) of burn increased the odds of raised scar by 15.8% (95% CI = 4.4–28.5%). Raised scar was also predicted by time to healing of longer than 14 days (OR = 11.621; 95% CI = 3.727–36.234) and multiple surgical procedures (OR = 11.521; 1.994–66.566).

Conclusions
Greater burn surface area, time to healing of longer than 14 days, and multiple operations are independently associated with raised scar in children after burn injury. Scar prevention strategies should be targeted to children with these risk factors.
Does Provider Self‐Reporting of Etiquette Behaviors Improve Patient Experience? A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Siddiqui Zishan , Qayyum Rehan , Bertram Amanda , Durkin Nowella , Kebede Sosena , Ponor Lucia , Oduyebo Ibironke , Allen Lisa , Brotman Daniel J. 
Published: June 2017

BACKGROUNDThere is a glaring lack of published evidence‐based strategies to improve the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) patient experience scores on the physician domain. Strategies that have been used are resource intensive and difficult to sustain.OBJECTIVEWe hypothesized that prompting providers to assess their own etiquette‐based practices every 2 weeks over the course of 1 year would improve patient experience on the physician domain.DESIGNRandomized controlled trial.SETTING4 acute care hospitals.PARTICIPANTSHospitalists.INTERVENTIONHospitalists were randomized to the study or the control arm. The study arm was prompted every 2 weeks for 12 months to report how frequently they engaged in 7 best‐practice bedside etiquette behaviors. Control arm participants received similarly worded questions on quality improvement behaviors.MEASUREMENTProvider experience scores were calculated from the physician HCAHPS and Press Ganey survey provider items.RESULTSPhysicians reported high rates of etiquette‐based behavior at baseline, and this changed modestly over the study period. Self‐reported etiquette behaviors were not associated with experience scores. The difference in difference analysis of the baseline and postintervention physician experience scores between the intervention arm and the control arm was not statistically significant (P = 0.71).CONCLUSIONIn this 12‐month study, biweekly reflection and reporting of best‐practice bedside etiquette behaviors did not result in significant improvement on physician domain experience scores. It is likely that hospitalists' self‐assessment of their bedside etiquette may not reflect patient perception of these behaviors. Furthermore, hospitalists may be resistant to improvement in this area since they rate themselves highly at baseline.