bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of osseous‐associated cervical spondylomyelopathy in dogs using kinematic magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Provencher Michele , Habing Amy , Moore Sarah A. , Cook Laurie , Phillips Gary , da Costa Ronaldo C. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractOsseous‐associated cervical spondylomyelopathy in dogs is characterized by both static and dynamic spinal cord compression; however, standard MRI methods only assess static compression. In humans with cervical spondylotic myelopathy, kinematic MRI is commonly used to diagnose dynamic spinal cord compressions. The purpose of this prospective, analytical study was to evaluate kinematic MRI as a method for characterizing the dynamic component of osseous‐associated cervical spondylomyelopathy in dogs. We hypothesized that kinematic MRI would allow visualization of spinal cord compressions that were not identified with standard imaging. Twelve client‐owned dogs with osseous‐associated cervical spondylomyelopathy were enrolled. After standard MRI confirmed a diagnosis of osseous‐associated cervical spondylomyelopathy, a positioning device was used to perform additional MRI sequences with the cervical vertebral column flexed and extended. Morphologic and morphometric (spinal cord height, intervertebral disc width, spinal cord width, vertebral canal height, and spinal cord area) assessments were recorded for images acquired with neutral, flexion, and extension imaging. A total of 25 compressions were seen with neutral positioning, while extension identified 32 compressions. There was a significant association between extension positioning and presence of a compressive lesion at C4‐C5 (p= 0.02). Extension was also associated with a change in the most severe site of compression in four out of 12 (33%) dogs. None of the patients deteriorated neurologically after kinematic imaging. We concluded that kinematic MRI is a feasible method for evaluating dogs with osseous‐associated cervical spondylomyelopathy, and can reveal new compressions not seen with neutral positioning.
Targeting Energy Metabolism in
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
, a New Paradigm in Antimycobacterial Drug Discovery
Authors: Bald Dirk , Villellas Cristina , Lu Ping , Koul Anil 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACT

Drug-resistant mycobacterial infections are a serious global health challenge, leading to high mortality and socioeconomic burdens in developing countries worldwide. New innovative approaches, from identification of new targets to discovery of novel chemical scaffolds, are urgently needed. Recently, energy metabolism in mycobacteria, in particular the oxidative phosphorylation pathway, has emerged as an object of intense microbiological investigation and as a novel target pathway in drug discovery. New classes of antibacterials interfering with elements of the oxidative phosphorylation pathway are highly active in combating dormant or latent mycobacterial infections, with a promise of shortening tuberculosis chemotherapy. The regulatory approval of the ATP synthase inhibitor bedaquiline and the discovery of Q203, a candidate drug targeting the cytochrome
bc
1
complex, have highlighted the central importance of this new target pathway. In this review, we discuss key features and potential applications of inhibiting energy metabolism in our quest for discovering potent novel and sterilizing drug combinations for combating tuberculosis. We believe that the combination of drugs targeting elements of the oxidative phosphorylation pathway can lead to a completely new regimen for drug-susceptible and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.
Forest Soil Bacteria: Diversity, Involvement in Ecosystem Processes, and Response to Global Change
Authors: Lladó Salvador , López-Mondéjar Rubén , Baldrian Petr 
Published: April 2017

SUMMARY
The ecology of forest soils is an important field of research due to the role of forests as carbon sinks. Consequently, a significant amount of information has been accumulated concerning their ecology, especially for temperate and boreal forests. Although most studies have focused on fungi, forest soil bacteria also play important roles in this environment. In forest soils, bacteria inhabit multiple habitats with specific properties, including bulk soil, rhizosphere, litter, and deadwood habitats, where their communities are shaped by nutrient availability and biotic interactions. Bacteria contribute to a range of essential soil processes involved in the cycling of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus. They take part in the decomposition of dead plant biomass and are highly important for the decomposition of dead fungal mycelia. In rhizospheres of forest trees, bacteria interact with plant roots and mycorrhizal fungi as commensalists or mycorrhiza helpers. Bacteria also mediate multiple critical steps in the nitrogen cycle, including N fixation. Bacterial communities in forest soils respond to the effects of global change, such as climate warming, increased levels of carbon dioxide, or anthropogenic nitrogen deposition. This response, however, often reflects the specificities of each studied forest ecosystem, and it is still impossible to fully incorporate bacteria into predictive models. The understanding of bacterial ecology in forest soils has advanced dramatically in recent years, but it is still incomplete. The exact extent of the contribution of bacteria to forest ecosystem processes will be recognized only in the future, when the activities of all soil community members are studied simultaneously.
Influence of genetic variants on renal uric acid handling in response to frusemide: an acute intervention study
Authors: Dalbeth Nicola , Allan Jordyn , Gamble Gregory D , Phipps-Green Amanda , Flynn Tanya J , Mihov Borislav , Horne Anne , Doughty Robert , Stamp Lisa K , Merriman Tony R 
Published: April 2017

ObjectivesGenetic variation in the renal urate transportersSLC2A9(GLUT9) andSLC22A11(OAT4) has been reported to interact with diuretics to increase the risk of developing gout. The aim of this study was to determine whether variation inSLC2A9orSLC22A11influences acute renal handling of uric acid in response to frusemide.MethodsFollowing an overnight fast, healthy participants (n=100) attended a study visit with oral intake of 40 mg frusemide. Blood and urine samples were obtained at baseline and 30, 60, 120 and 180 min after frusemide intake. The primary end point was change in fractional excretion of uric acid (FEUA).ResultsFollowing intake of frusemide, FEUA initially increased (mean (SD) change from baseline +1.9% (3.0%) at 60 min, p<0.001) and then decreased (mean (SD) change from baseline −1.5% (2.1%) at 180 min, p<0.001). A very small increase in serum urate was observed over the study period (mean (SD) change from baseline 0.007 (0.01) mmol/L at 180 min, p<0.001). The presence of the urate-lowering and gout-protective alleles forSLC2A9(rs11942223andrs13129697) andSLC22A11(rs207826) did not significantly alter the FEUA following a frusemide load. At both 60 and 180 min, change in fractional excretion of sodium was independently associated with change in FEUA (standardised β≥0.40, p<0.001).ConclusionsThe tested variants inSLC2A9andSLC22A11do not influence acute changes in renal handling of uric acid in response to frusemide.Trial registration numberACTRN12614000871640; Results.
Flavour chemicals in a sample of non-cigarette tobacco products without explicit flavour names sold in New York City in 2015
Authors: Farley Shannon M , Schroth Kevin RJ , Grimshaw Victoria , Luo Wentai , DeGagne Julia L , Tierney Peyton A , Kim Kilsun , Pankow James F 
Published: April 2017

BackgroundYouth who experiment with tobacco often start with flavoured products. In New York City (NYC), local law restricts sales of all tobacco products with ‘characterising flavours’ except for ‘tobacco, menthol, mint and wintergreen’. Enforcement is based on packaging: explicit use of a flavour name (eg, ‘strawberry’) or image depicting a flavour (eg, a fruit) is presumptive evidence that a product is flavoured and therefore prohibited. However, a tobacco product may contain significant levels of added flavour chemicals even when the label does not explicitly use a flavour name.MethodsSixteen tobacco products were purchased within NYC in 2015 that did not have explicit flavour names, along with three with flavour names. These were analysed for 92 known flavour chemicals plus triacetin by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.Results14 of the 16 products had total determined flavour chemical levels that were higher (>0.3 mg/g) than in previously studied flavour-labelled products and of a chemical profile indicating added flavour chemicals.ConclusionsThe results suggest that the tobacco industry has responded to sales restrictions by renaming flavoured products to avoid explicitly identifying them as flavoured. While chemical analysis is the most precise means of identifying flavours in tobacco products, federal tobacco laws pre-empt localities from basing regulations on that approach, limiting enforcement options. If the Food and Drug Administration would mandate that all tobacco products must indicate when flavourings are present above a specific level, local jurisdictions could enforce their sales restrictions. A level of 0.1 mg/g for total added flavour chemicals is suggested here as a relevant reference value for regulating added flavour chemicals in tobacco products.
An Ex Vivo Platform for the Prediction of Clinical Response in Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Silva Ariosto , Silva Maria C. , Sudalagunta Praneeth , Distler Allison , Jacobson Timothy , Collins Aunshka , Nguyen Tuan , Song Jinming , Chen Dung-Tsa , Chen Lu , Cubitt Christopher , Baz Rachid , Perez Lia , Rebatchouk Dmitri , Dalton William , Greene James , Gatenby Robert , Gillies Robert , Sontag Eduardo , Meads Mark B. , Shain Kenneth H. 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
Multiple myeloma remains treatable but incurable. Despite a growing armamentarium of effective agents, choice of therapy, especially in relapse, still relies almost exclusively on clinical acumen. We have developed a system, Ex vivo Mathematical Myeloma Advisor (EMMA), consisting of patient-specific mathematical models parameterized by an ex vivo assay that reverse engineers the intensity and heterogeneity of chemosensitivity of primary cells from multiple myeloma patients, allowing us to predict clinical response to up to 31 drugs within 5 days after bone marrow biopsy. From a cohort of 52 multiple myeloma patients, EMMA correctly classified 96% as responders/nonresponders and correctly classified 79% according to International Myeloma Working Group stratification of level of response. We also observed a significant correlation between predicted and actual tumor burden measurements (Pearson r = 0.5658, P &lt; 0.0001). Preliminary estimates indicate that, among the patients enrolled in this study, 60% were treated with at least one ineffective agent from their therapy combination regimen, whereas 30% would have responded better if treated with another available drug or combination. Two in silico clinical trials with experimental agents ricolinostat and venetoclax, in a cohort of 19 multiple myeloma patient samples, yielded consistent results with recent phase I/II trials, suggesting that EMMA is a feasible platform for estimating clinical efficacy of drugs and inclusion criteria screening. This unique platform, specifically designed to predict therapeutic response in multiple myeloma patients within a clinically actionable time frame, has shown high predictive accuracy in patients treated with combinations of different classes of drugs. The accuracy, reproducibility, short turnaround time, and high-throughput potential of this platform demonstrate EMMA's promise as a decision support system for therapeutic management of multiple myeloma. Cancer Res; 77(12); 3336–51. ©2017 AACR.
Circulating DNA Demonstrates Convergent Evolution and Common Resistance Mechanisms during Treatment of Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Thierry Alain R. , Pastor Brice , Jiang Zhi-Qin , Katsiampoura Anastasia D. , Parseghian Christine , Loree Jonathan M. , Overman Michael J. , Sanchez Cynthia , Messaoudi Safia El , Ychou Marc , Kopetz Scott 
Published: April 2017

AbstractPurpose: Liquid biopsies allow the tracking of clonal dynamics and detection of mutations during treatment.Experimental Design: We evaluated under blinded conditions the ability of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) to detect RAS/BRAF mutations in the plasma of 42 metastatic colorectal cancer patients treated on a phase Ib/II trial of FOLFOX and dasatinib, with or without cetuximab.Results: Prior to treatment, sequencing of archival tissue detected mutations in 25 of 42 patients (60%), while the cfDNA assay detected mutations in 37 of 42 patients (88%). Our cfDNA assay detected mutations with allele frequencies as low as 0.01%. After exposure to treatment, 41 of 42 patients (98%) had a cfDNA-detected RAS/BRAF mutation. Of 21 patients followed with serial measurements who were RAS/BRAF mutant at baseline, 11 (52%) showed additional point mutation following treatment and 3 (14%) no longer had detectable levels of another mutant allele. Of RAS/BRAF wild-type tumors at baseline, 4 of 5 (80%) showed additional point mutations. cfDNA quantitative measurements from this study closely mirrored changes in CEA and CT scan results, highlighting the importance of obtaining quantitative data beyond the mere presence of a mutation.Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate the development of new RAS/BRAF mutations in patients regardless of whether they had preexisting mutations in the pathway, demonstrating a convergent evolutionary pattern. Clin Cancer Res; 23(16); 4578–91. ©2017 AACR.
Dynamics of the Disrupted 2015/16 Quasi-Biennial Oscillation
Authors: Coy Lawrence , Newman Paul A. , Pawson Steven , Lait Leslie R. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractA significant disruption of the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) occurred during the Northern Hemisphere (NH) winter of 2015/16. Since the QBO is the major wind variability source in the tropical lower stratosphere and influences the rate of ascent of air entering the stratosphere, understanding the cause of this singular disruption may provide new insights into the variability and sensitivity of the global climate system. Here this disruptive event is examined using global reanalysis winds and temperatures from 1980 to 2016. Results reveal record maxima in tropical horizontal momentum fluxes and wave forcing of the tropical zonal mean zonal wind over the NH 2015/16 winter. The Rossby waves responsible for these record tropical values appear to originate in the NH and were focused strongly into the tropics at the 40-hPa level. Two additional NH winters, 1987/88 and 2010/11, were also found to have large tropical lower-stratospheric momentum flux divergences; however, the QBO westerlies did not change to easterlies in those cases.
Wave Events: Climatology, Trends, and Relationship to Northern Hemisphere Winter Blocking and Weather Extremes
Authors: Martineau Patrick , Chen Gang , Burrows D. Alex 
Published: April 2017

AbstractDiagnostics of finite-amplitude local wave activity (LWA) are applied to the 500-hPa geopotential height field to diagnose persistent synoptic weather events of anomalously large wave activity in the Northern Hemisphere. By considering the cyclonic and anticyclonic components of LWA separately, persistent weather systems associated with large-amplitude troughs and ridges are detected. While anticyclonic wave events are predominantly found over Europe and Alaska, cyclonic wave events usually occur over East Asia and northeastern Canada. Those preferred regions correspond to the location of planetary-scale ridges and troughs, which contribute, together with transient anomalies, to the formation of wave events. Although wave events are not blocking events per definition, they are typically associated with increased blocking in their vicinity. Their spatial relationship to blocking, however, varies depending on their cyclonic or anticyclonic nature and the type of wave-breaking signatures. Wave events are also shown to be accompanied by warm or cold temperature extremes, whose spatial pattern depends on the type of events, cyclonic or anticyclonic, and the sector affected. Trends in the frequency of wave events indicate that cyclonic wave events and the associated cold extremes affecting East Asia have become more frequent in recent decades and could be linked to recent trends toward La Niña–like conditions in the Pacific and trends toward the negative phase of Arctic Oscillation.
Passive Optical Sensing of the Near-Surface Wind-Driven Current Profile
Authors: Laxague Nathan J. M. , Haus Brian K. , Ortiz-Suslow David G. , Smith Conor J. , Novelli Guillaume , Dai Hanjing , Özgökmen Tamay , Graber Hans C. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractEstimation of near-surface current is essential to the estimation of upper-ocean material transport. Wind forcing and wave motions are dominant in the near-surface layer [within O(0.01) m of the surface], where the highly sheared flows can differ greatly from those at depth. This study presents a new method for remotely measuring the directional wind and wave drift current profile near to the surface (between 0.01 and 0.001 m for the laboratory and between 0.1 and 0.001 m for the field). This work follows the spectral analysis of high spatial (0.002 m) and temporal resolution (60 Hz) wave slope images, allowing for the evaluation of near-surface current characteristics without having to rely on instruments that may disturb the flow. Observations gathered in the 15 m × 1 m × 1 m wind-wave flume at the University of Miami’s Surge-Structure-Atmosphere Interaction (SUSTAIN) facility show that currents retrieved via this method agree well with the drift velocity of camera-tracked dye. Application of this method to data collected in the mouth of the Columbia River (MCR) indicates the presence of a near-surface current component that departs considerably from the tidal flow and may be steered by the wind stress. These observations demonstrate that wind speed–based parameterizations alone may not be sufficient to estimate wind drift and to hold implications for the way in which surface material (e.g., debris or spilled oil) transport is estimated when atmospheric stress is of relatively high magnitude or is steered off the mean wind direction.
Economic Disparities and Syphilis Incidence in Massachusetts, 2001-2013
Authors: Smock Laura , Caten Evan , Hsu Katherine , DeMaria Alfred 
Published: April 2017

Objectives: We used area-level indicators of poverty to describe economic disparities in the incidence rate of infectious syphilis in Massachusetts to (1) determine whether methods developed in earlier AIDS analyses in Massachusetts could be applied to syphilis and (2) characterize syphilis trends during a time of increased rates of syphilis incidence. Methods: Using census tract data and population counts from the US Census Bureau and Massachusetts data on syphilis, we analyzed the incidence rate of syphilis infection from 2001 to 2013 by the poverty level of the census tract in which people with syphilis resided, stratified by age, sex, and race/ethnicity. Results: The syphilis incidence rate increased in all census tract groups in Massachusetts from 2001 to 2013, and disparities in incidence rates by area poverty level persisted over time. The overall incidence rate of syphilis increased 6.9-fold from 2001 to 2013 in all census tract poverty-level groupings (from 1.5 to 10.3 per 100 000 population), but the rise in rate was especially high in the poorest census tracts (from 5.6 to 31.0 per 100 000 population) and among men (from 2.2 to 19.4 per 100 000 population). The highest syphilis incidence rate was among non-Hispanic black people. The largest changes in incidence rate occurred after 2010. One region had a disproportionate increase in incidence rates and a disproportionate impact on the statewide trend. Conclusions: Census tract poverty analyses can inform the targeting of interventions that make progress toward reducing disparities in rates of syphilis incidence possible.
Facial pain: Overlapping syndromes
Authors: Evers Stefan 
Published: April 2017

Premise This review summarises the pain syndromes that overlap between headache and facial pain and overlap between pain and cranial nerve lesion. Problem These syndromes share two features in common. First, they show both cranial nerve impairment (e.g. palsy, autonomic dysfunction) and pain; second, they have inflammatory (and/or small vessel) processes as the underlying mechanism. A typical representative of these syndromes is recurrent painful ophthalmoplegic neuropathy, which was previously called ophthalmoplegic migraine and was regarded as a migraine subtype. It is now supposed that this syndrome is caused by an inflammation of one of the ocular motor nerves. Other syndromes discussed in this review are optic neuritis, Tolosa-Hunt syndrome, ischaemic ocular motor nerve palsy, and the very rare Raeder’s syndrome. Treatment of all these syndromes is mainly based on steroids. Potential solution Management of possibly underlying disorders such as multiple sclerosis or atherosclerosis should also be considered.
The Graft Bending Angle Can Affect Early Graft Healing After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: In Vivo Analysis With 2 Years’ Follow-up
Authors: Tashiro Yasutaka , Gale Tom , Sundaram Vani , Nagai Kanto , Irrgang James J. , Anderst William , Nakashima Yasuharu , Tashman Scott , Fu Freddie H. 
Published: April 2017

Background: A high graft bending angle (GBA) after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction has been suggested to cause stress on the graft. Nevertheless, evidence about its effect on graft healing in vivo is limited. Hypothesis: The signal intensity on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) would be higher in the proximal region of the ACL graft, and higher signals would be correlated to a higher GBA. Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Methods: Anatomic single-bundle ACL reconstruction was performed on 24 patients (mean age, 20 ± 4 years) using the transportal technique. A quadriceps tendon autograft with a bone plug was harvested. To evaluate graft healing, the signal/noise quotient (SNQ) was measured in 3 regions of interest (ROIs) of the proximal, midsubstance, and distal ACL graft using high-resolution MRI (0.45 × 0.45 × 0.70 mm), with decreased signals suggesting improved healing. Dynamic knee motion was examined during treadmill walking and running to assess the in vivo GBA. The GBA was calculated from the 3-dimensional angle between the graft and femoral tunnel vectors at each motion frame, based on tibiofemoral kinematics determined from dynamic stereo X-ray analysis. Graft healing and GBAs were assessed at 6 and 24 months postoperatively. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to compare the SNQ in the 3 ROIs at 2 time points. Pearson correlations were used to analyze the relationship between the SNQ and mean GBA during 0% to 15% of the gait cycle. Results: The SNQ of the ACL graft in the proximal region was significantly higher than in the midsubstance ( P = .022) and distal regions ( P < .001) at 6 months. The SNQ in the proximal region was highly correlated with the GBA during standing ( R = 0.64, P < .001), walking ( R = 0.65, P = .002), and running ( R = 0.54, P = .015) but not in the other regions. At 24 months, signals in the proximal and midsubstance regions decreased significantly compared with 6 months ( P < .001 and P = .008, respectively), with no difference across the graft area. Conclusion: The signal intensity was highest in the proximal region and lowest in the distal region of the reconstructed graft at 6 months postoperatively. A steep GBA was significantly correlated with high signal intensities of the proximal graft in this early period. A steep GBA may negatively affect proximal graft healing after ACL reconstruction.