bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Near infrared spectroscopy for measuring changes in bone hemoglobin content after exercise in individuals with spinal cord injury
Authors: Draghici Adina E. , Potart Diane , Hollmann Joseph L. , Pera Vivian , Fang Qianqian , DiMarzio Charles A. , Andrew Taylor J. , Niedre Mark J. , Shefelbine Sandra J. 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACTBone blood perfusion has an essential role in maintaining a healthy bone. However, current methods for measuring bone blood perfusion are expensive and highly invasive. This study presents a custom built near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) instrument to measure changes in bone blood perfusion. We demonstrated the efficacy of this device by monitoring oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin changes in the human tibia during and after exercise in able‐bodied and in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI), a population with known impaired peripheral blood perfusion. Nine able‐bodied individuals and six volunteers with SCI performed a 10 min rowing exercise (functional electrical stimulation rowing for those with SCI). With exercise, during rowing, able‐bodied showed an increase in deoxygenated hemoglobin in the tibia. Post rowing, able‐bodied showed an increase in total blood content, characterized by an increase in total hemoglobin content due primarily to an increase in deoxygenated hemoglobin. During rowing and post‐rowing, those with SCI showed no change in total blood content in the tibia. The current study demonstrates that NIRS can non‐invasively detect changes in hemoglobin concentration in the tibia. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:183–191, 2018.
Smoking and olfactory dysfunction: A systematic literature review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Ajmani Gaurav S. , Suh Helen H. , Wroblewski Kristen E. , Pinto Jayant M. 
Published: May 2017

Objectives/HypothesisA systematic review and meta‐analysis of the literature was undertaken, examining the association between tobacco smoking and olfactory function in humans, utilizing PubMed and Web of Science (1970–2015) as data sources.Study DesignSystematic literature review and meta‐analysis.MethodsThis database review of studies of smoking and olfaction, with a focus on identifying high‐quality studies (based on modified versions of the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale), used validated olfactory tests among the generally healthy population.ResultsWe identified 11 studies meeting inclusion criteria. Of 10 cross‐sectional studies, two were excluded from meta‐analysis because the cohorts they studied were included in another article in the review. In meta‐analysis, current smokers had substantially higher odds of olfactory dysfunction compared to never smokers (odds ratio [OR] = 1.59, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.37–1.85). In contrast, former smokers were found to have no difference in risk of impaired olfaction compared to never smokers (OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 0.91–1.21). The single longitudinal study reviewed found a trend toward increased risk of olfactory decline over time in ever smokers; this trend was stronger in current as compared to former smokers.ConclusionsCurrent smoking, but not former smoking, is associated with significantly increased risk of olfactory dysfunction, suggesting that the effects of smoking on olfaction may be reversible. Future studies that prospectively evaluate the impact of smoking cessation on improvement in olfactory function are warranted.Level of EvidenceN/A. Laryngoscope, 127:1753–1761, 2017
Stapes prosthesis length and hearing outcomes
Authors: Husain Qasim , Lin Kenny F. , Selesnick Samuel H. 
Published: May 2017

ObjectivesFirst, to determine if prosthesis length plays a role in optimizing successful hearing outcomes in stapedotomy surgery; and second, to determine if patient factors such as height are correlated with prosthesis length.Study DesignRetrospective chart review.MethodsRetrospective chart review of patients undergoing stapedotomy surgeries with adequate follow up. Length of prosthesis, pre‐/postoperative audiograms, and follow‐up data were obtained.ResultsThe primary group consisted of 227 cases. The prosthesis length ranged from 3.75 mm to 4.75 mm (median 4.25 mm). The greatest improvement in postoperative air–bone gap (ABG) occurred in the 4.25 mm group, and the least in the 3.75 mm group. Patient height showed a positive, although weak, correlation with prosthesis length. No findings reached statistical significance.ConclusionAccurate measurement of prosthesis length is important for successful postoperative hearing outcomes. There is a positive but not significant correlation between patient height and prosthesis length.Level of Evidence4. Laryngoscope, 128:722–726, 2018
Muscle changes in patients with diabetes and chronic exertional compartment syndrome before and after treatment with fasciotomy
Authors: Edmundsson David S. , Toolanen Göran L. , Stål Per S. 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Muscle changes in patients with diabetes and lower leg pain due to chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) were investigated before and after fasciotomy. Methods: The tibialis anterior muscle was analyzed with histochemical and morphological techniques in 7 patients with diabetes and CECS before fasciotomy and in 5 of them 1 year after fasciotomy. Nondiabetic patients with CECS and healthy participants served as references. Results: Before treatment, walking distance until occurrence of pain was limited (<0.2 km). Intramuscular pressure was significantly higher than in reference participants. Muscle analysis showed changes pathognomonic for neuropathy and myopathy and a restricted capillary network, with significantly more severe changes in the muscles of patients with diabetes than in the muscles of nondiabetic patients. Treatment with fasciotomy improved clinical signs, increased walking ability, and reduced muscle abnormalities, but muscle capillarization remained low. Discussion: Patients with diabetes and CECS have distinct pathological changes in affected muscles. Pressure‐relieving fasciotomy triggers a regenerative response in the muscle tissue but not in the capillary bed. Muscle Nerve 57: 229–239, 2018
Validation by Monte Carlo sampling of experimental observation functionals
Authors: Taddei Tommaso , Penn James D , Patera Anthony T 
Published: May 2017

SummaryWe present and analyze a validation procedure for a given state estimate u⋆ of the true field utrue based on Monte Carlo sampling of experimental observation functionals. Our method provides, given a set of N possibly noisy local experimental observation functionals over the spatial domain Ω, confidence intervals for the L2(Ω) error in state and the error in L2(Ω) outputs. For L2(Ω) outputs, our approach also provides a confidence interval for the output itself, which can be used to improve the initial output estimate based on u⋆. Our approach implicitly takes advantage of variance reduction, through the proximity of u⋆ to utrue, to provide tight confidence intervals even for modest values of N. We present results for a synthetic model problem to illustrate the elements of the methodology and confirm the numerical properties suggested by the theory. Finally, we consider an experimental thermal patch configuration to demonstrate the applicability of our approach to real physical systems.
Importance of prumycin produced by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SD‐32 in biocontrol against cucumber powdery mildew disease
Authors: Tanaka Keijitsu , Fukuda Mutsumi , Amaki Yusuke , Sakaguchi Takatoshi , Inai Koji , Ishihara Atsushi , Nakajima Hiromitsu 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDPowdery mildew disease of cucurbits is caused mainly by Podosphaera fusca, which is one of the most important limiting factors in cucurbit production worldwide. Previously we reported that Bacillus amyloliquefaciens biocontrol strain SD‐32 produces C17 bacillomycin D and [Ile 2002]surfactin, and that these metabolites play important roles in SD‐32's biocontrol over cucumber gray mold disease. Our further investigation demonstrated that the culture broth and its supernatant suppressed cucumber powdery mildew disease in greenhouse experiments. However, the active principle(s) remained unknown.RESULTSThe active compound was isolated from the culture supernatant after anti‐powdery mildew disease activity‐guided purification and identified as prumycin. Prumycin significantly suppressed the disease, whereas bacillomycin D and [Ile 2002]surfactin did not. Prumycin did not induce the expression of plant defense genes (PR1a and VSP1), suggesting that it does not act via plant defense response. Light microscopic observations of prumycin‐treated cucumber cotyledon suggested that prumycin inhibits the conidial germination of P. fusca.CONCLUSIONThis study demonstrates that prumycin is a major factor in SD‐32's suppression of cucumber powdery mildew disease. Our findings shed light for the first time on prumycin's role in biocontrol by Bacillus against this disease. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Climate model pluralism beyond dynamical ensembles
Authors: Mazzocchi Fulvio , Pasini Antonello 
Published: May 2017

Using pluralist research strategies can be a profitable way to study complex systems. This contribution focuses on the approaches for studying the climate that make use of multiple different models, aiming to increase the reliability (in terms of robustness) of attribution results. This Opinion article argues that the traditional approach, which is based on ensemble runs of global climate models, only partially allows the application of a robustness scheme, owing to the difficulty to match or evaluate the conditions required for robustness (i.e., independence or heterogeneity among models). An alternative ‘multi‐approach’ strategy is advanced, beyond dynamical modeling but still preserving the idea of model pluralism. Such a strategy, which uses a set of ensembles of different model types by combining dynamical modeling with data‐driven methodological approaches (i.e., neural networks and Granger causality), seems to better match the condition of independence. In addition, neural networks and Granger causality lead to achievements in attribution studies that can complement those obtained by dynamical modeling. WIREs Clim Change 2017, 8:e477. doi: 10.1002/wcc.477This article is categorized under:

Climate Models and Modeling > Earth System Models
Decentralised Authoring, Annotations and Notifications for a Read-Write Web with dokieli
Authors: Capadisli Sarven , Guy Amy , Verborgh Ruben , Lange Christoph , Auer Sören , Berners-Lee Tim 
Published: May 2017

AbstractWhile the Web was designed as a decentralised environment, individual authors still lack the ability to conveniently author and publish documents, and to engage in social interactions with documents of others in a truly decentralised fashion. We present dokieli, a fully decentralised, browser-based authoring and annotation platform with built-in support for social interactions, through which people retain ownership of and sovereignty over their data. The resulting “living” documents are interoperable and independent of dokieli since they follow standards and best practices, such as HTML+RDFa for a fine-grained semantic structure, Linked Data Platform for personal data storage, and Linked Data Notifications for updates. This article describes dokieli’s architecture and implementation, demonstrating advanced document authoring and interaction without a single point of control. Such an environment provides the right technological conditions for independent publication of scientific articles, news, and other works that benefit from diverse voices and open interactions. To experience the described features please open this document in your Web browser under its canonical URI: http://csarven.ca/dokieli-rww.
Use of large-scale HRQoL datasets to generate individualised predictions and inform patients about the likely benefit of surgery
Authors: Gutacker Nils , Street Andrew 
Published: May 2017

Abstract

Purpose
The English NHS has mandated the routine collection of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) data before and after surgery, giving prospective patient information about the likely benefit of surgery. Yet, the information is difficult to access and interpret because it is not presented in a lay-friendly format and does not reflect patients’ individual circumstances. We set out a methodology to generate personalised information to help patients make informed decisions.

Methods
We used anonymised, pre- and postoperative EuroQol-5D-3L (EQ-5D) data for over 490,000 English NHS patients who underwent primary hip or knee replacement surgery or groin hernia repair between April 2009 and March 2016. We estimated linear regression models to relate changes in EQ-5D utility scores to patients’ own assessment of the success of surgery, and calculated from that minimally important differences for health improvements/deteriorations. Classification tree analysis was used to develop algorithms that sort patients into homogeneous groups that best predict postoperative EQ-5D utility scores.

Results
Patients were classified into between 55 (hip replacement) to 60 (hernia repair) homogeneous groups. The classifications explained between 14 and 27% of variation in postoperative EQ-5D utility score.

Conclusions
Patients are heterogeneous in their expected benefit from surgery, and decision aids should reflect this. Large administrative datasets on HRQoL can be used to generate the required individualised predictions to inform patients.
Molecular and functional characterization of myxobacteria isolated from soil in India
Authors: Kumar Shiv , Yadav Arun Kumar , Chambel Priyanka , Kaur Ramandeep 
Published: May 2017

Abstract
This study reports the isolation of myxobacteria from soil collected from plains in north India. Based on the morphology and 16S rDNA sequence, the isolated myxobacteria were identified as Corallococcus sp., Pyxidicoccus sp., Myxococcus sp., Cystobacter sp. and Archangium sp. The myxobacteria were functionally characterized to assess their ability to produce antibacterial and anticancer metabolites. The isolates were found to be functionally versatile as they produced extracellular bioactive molecules that exhibited high frequency of activities against Bacillus cereus, Mycobacterium smegmatis, Enterobacter cloacae and Pseudomonas syringae. The strains also showed cytotoxic activity against the human cancer cell lines of liver, pancreas, prostrate, bone and cervix. These results indicate the importance of isolating diverse strains of myxobacteria from unexplored habitats to find novel bioactive compounds. Moreover, the bioactive molecules explored in this study are predominantly hydrophilic compounds, obviating the limitations of solubility-related aspect of drug discovery.
Iron acquisition in maize (Zea mays L.) using Pseudomonas siderophore
Authors: Sah Stuti , Singh Nahar , Singh Rajni 
Published: May 2017

Abstract
Siderophore facilitates iron availability in soil, but its assistance in iron transportation to different plant parts is not reported till date. Therefore, it is worthwhile to study the effect of siderophore produced by Pseudomonas for iron acquisition in the presence and absence of iron. To study these effects, two siderophore-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains RSP5 and RSP8 were selected. RSP5 and RSP8 produced the highest and lowest amounts of siderophore, respectively. Iron (Fe) concentration of stem, leaf, seed, and shoot length, root length, cob length, and number of grains parameters were analysed. It was observed that the plants treated with RSP5 were sturdier and taller than RSP5 + Fe > RSP8 > RSP8 + Fe > Fe > Control plants. Iron content of RSP8 vs. RSP8 + Fe, RSP8 + Fe vs. Control, and RSP8 + Fe vs. RSP5 + Fe was significantly different (P < 0.01). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) proves that RSP5 was able to transport higher amount of iron to maize plant than other treatments. Increase in shoot length, root length, cob length, grain number and iron content of stem, and leaf and seed of maize plant inoculated with RSP5 suggests that the strain can be used as an inoculant for increasing iron transportation in maize plant. (Indian Patent Filed: 40163/DEL/2016).
Technical insight on the requirements for CO2-saturated growth of microalgae in photobioreactors
Authors: Yuvraj  , Padmanabhan Padmini 
Published: May 2017

Abstract
Microalgal cultures are usually sparged with CO2-enriched air to preclude CO2 limitation during photoautotrophic growth. However, the CO2 vol% specifically required at operating conditions to meet the carbon requirement of algal cells in photobioreactor is never determined and 1–10% v/v CO2-enriched air is arbitrarily used. A scheme is proposed and experimentally validated for Chlorella vulgaris that allows computing CO2-saturated growth feasible at given CO2 vol% and volumetric O2 mass-transfer coefficient (k
L
a)O. CO2 sufficiency in an experiment can be theoretically established to adjust conditions for CO2-saturated growth. The methodology completely eliminates the requirement of CO2 electrode for online estimation of dissolved CO2 to determine critical CO2 concentration (Ccrit), specific CO2 uptake rate (SCUR), and volumetric CO2 mass-transfer coefficient (k
L
a)C required for the governing CO2 mass-transfer equation. Ccrit was estimated from specific O2 production rate (SOPR) measurements at different dissolved CO2 concentrations. SCUR was calculated from SOPR and photosynthetic quotient (PQ) determined from the balanced stoichiometric equation of growth. Effect of light attenuation and nutrient depletion on biomass estimate is also discussed. Furthermore, a simple design of photosynthetic activity measurement system was used, which minimizes light attenuation by hanging a low depth (ca. 10 mm) culture over the light source.
A Single-Institution Study of Permanent Vascular Access Outcomes in Patients undergoing Hemodialysis
Authors: Alexander Cameron E. , Wolf Bernhard , Joss Nicola 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBackground: Vascular access (VA) is essential for successful hemodialysis (HD) but its provision poses significant challenges to renal services. This study aimed to report the long-term outcomes for different types of first permanent VA, and identify factors that affected outcomes in a cohort of patients undergoing HD at a single renal unit.Methods: Data recorded before April 1, 2013, were collected on factors related to patient characteristics and VA management. Univariate analysis of VA survival was undertaken using the Kaplan-Meier method with log-rank testing used to test for differences between subgroups. Secondary outcomes included VA complication and intervention rates.Results: Of those first permanent VA attempts (n = 103), 26.2% were radiocephalic arteriovenous fistulae (RCAVF), 54.4% were brachiocephalic arteriovenous fistulae (BCAVF), 10.7% were transposed basilic arteriovenous fistulae (TBAVF), and the remaining 8.7% were polytetrafluoroethylene forearm loop arteriovenous grafts (AVG). Overall cumulative secondary VA survival rates at 6, 12, and 24 months were 90.9%, 82.8%, and 73.4%, respectively. Complication rates for RCAVF, BCAVF, TBAVF, and AVG were 0.5, 1.2, 4.5, and 2.6 per patient year on HD, respectively. Intervention rates for RCAVF, BCAVF, TBAVF, and AVG were 0.4, 0.8, 2.9, and 2.1 per patient year on HD, respectively. A primary renal diagnosis of diabetes (P = 0.022), use of temporary central venous catheter (P = 0.003) or rope-ladder needling (P = 0.013), and the use of TBAVF or AVG (P &lt; 0.001) were predictive of significantly poorer VA survival.Conclusions: RCAVF and BCAVF were associated with significantly superior outcomes compared with TBAVF and AVG in terms of complication and intervention rates, and long-term survival.
Long‐term survival of implantable cardioverter defibrillator recipients with end‐stage renal disease
Authors: El‐Chami Mikhael F. , Matar Lea , Smith Paige , Casey Mary , Addish Maher A. , Kelly Kimberly , Wood Carolyn , Merlino John , Goyal Abhinav , Leon Angel R. , Merchant Faisal M. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe efficacy of implantable cardioverter‐defibrillators (ICD) for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death (SCD) has not been studied in patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) and left ventricular dysfunction. We sought to identify predictors of long‐term survival among ICD recipients with and without ESRD.MethodsPatients implanted with an ICD at our institution from January 2006 to March 2014 were retrospectively identified. Clinical and demographic characteristics were collected. Patients were stratified by the presence of ESRD at the time of ICD implant. Mortality data were collected from the Social Security Death Index (SSDI).ResultsA total of 3453 patients received an ICD at our institution in the pre‐specified time period, 184 (5.3%) of whom had ESRD. In general, ESRD patients were sicker and had more comorbidities. Kaplan Meier survival curve showed that ESRD patients had worse survival as compared with non‐dialysis patients (p<0.001). Following adjustment for differences in baseline characteristics, patients with ESRD remained at increased long‐term mortality in the Cox model. The one‐year mortality in the ESRD patients was 18.1%, as compared with 7.7% in the non‐dialysis cohort (p<0.001). The three‐year mortality in ESRD patients was 43%, as compared with 21% in the non‐dialysis cohort (p<0.001).ConclusionESRD patients are at significantly increased risk of mortality as compared with a non‐dialysis cohort. While the majority of these patients survive more than one year post‐diagnosis, the three‐year mortality is high (43%). Randomized studies addressing the benefits of ICDs in ESRD patients are needed to better define their value for primary prevention of SCD.
Association between serum soluble urokinase‐type plasminogen activator receptor and atrial fibrillation
Authors: Ichihara Noboru , Miyamura Masatoshi , Maeda Daichi , Fujisaka Tomohiro , Fujita Shu‐ichi , Morita Hideaki , Takeda Yoshihiro , Ito Takahide , Sohmiya Koichi , Hoshiga Masaaki , Ishizaka Nobukazu 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBackgroundCirculating soluble urokinase‐type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR), which can reflect immune activation and low‐grade inflammation, may be a novel biomarker of cardiovascular disease.MethodsWe investigated the potential association between suPAR and the prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) by analyzing patients with either sinus rhythm, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF), or non‐paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (NPAF), which indicates either permanent or persistent AF.ResultsAmong 426 patients enrolled (mean age 71.4±9.2 years; 110 (25.8%) female), 310, 62, and 54 were diagnosed with sinus rhythm, PAF, and NPAF, respectively. NPAF was >10‐fold more prevalent in the highest suPAR quartile (>3534 pg/mL; 32 (30.2%) of 106 patients) than in the lowest suPAR quartile (<1802 pg/mL; 3 (2.8%) of 107 patients). Logistic regression analysis showed that, as compared with the lowest suPAR quartile, the highest suPAR quartile was associated with NPAF with an odds ratio of 6.48 (95% confidence interval, 1.71–24.5) after adjustment for sex, age, log(eGFR), C‐reactive protein, and systolic blood pressure. In multivariate receiver operating characteristic analysis to predict NPAF, the area under the curve (AUC) for the combination of age, sex, log(eGFR), and C‐reactive protein was 0.777 (standard error [SE], 0.036); the addition of log(suPAR) slightly improved the prediction (AUC, 0.812; SE, 0.034, P=0.084).ConclusionsSerum suPAR was associated with AF, particularly NPAF, as demonstrated by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Whether suPAR promotes or maintains AF should be investigated in further studies.