bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Percutaneous Cervical Nucleoplasty vs. Pulsed Radio Frequency of the Dorsal Root Ganglion in Patients with Contained Cervical Disk Herniation; A Prospective, Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Halim Willy , van der Weegen Walter , Lim Toine , Wullems Jorgen Antonin , Vissers Kris Christiaan 
Published: September 2016

AbstractBackgroundCervical neck pain is often caused by cervical disk pathology and may cause severe symptoms and disability. Surgeons and patients are increasingly aware of postsurgery‐related complications. This stimulated the clinical usage of minimally invasive treatments such as percutaneous nucleoplasty (PCN) and pulsed radio frequency (PRF). However, scientific evidence on both treatments is limited.ObjectiveOur objective was to evaluate the efficacy of PCN compared to PRF in patients with contained cervical disk herniation.MethodsA prospective randomized clinical trial was conducted including 34 patients with radicular pain due to a single contained cervical disk herniation who were treated with either PCN or PRF. Demographic data were collected, and the Medical Outcomes Study 12‐Item Short Form (SF‐12) Health Survey, visual analog scale (VAS), and the Neck Disability Index (NDI) were completed 1, 2, and 3 months after treatment. Treatment satisfaction and complications were recorded.ResultsIn the PCN group (n = 17, mean age 52.4 years, 10 female/7 male), patients were treated at C5 to C6 (8 cases) or C6 to C7 (9 cases). In the PRF group (n = 17, mean age 49.5 years, 8 female/9 male), patients were treated at C3 to C4 (1 case), C5 to C6 (10 cases), or C6 to C7 (6 cases). At 3 months, mean pain VAS improved significantly from baseline in the PCN group (mean improvement: 43.4 points) and in the PRF group (34.0 points). However, improvement in 1 group was not superior compared to the other group (P = 0.48). No serious complications were reported.ConclusionWithin 3 months, both PCN and PRF show significant pain improvement in patients with contained cervical disk herniation, but none is superior to the other. Both treatment options appear to be effective and safe in regular clinical practice.
Contractile capability of the diaphragm assessed by ultrasonography predicts nocturnal oxygen saturation in COPD
Authors: Okura Kazuki , Kawagoshi Atsuyoshi , Iwakura Masahiro , Sugawara Keiyu , Takahashi Hitomi , Kashiwagura Takeshi , Homma Mitsunobu , Satake Masahiro , Shioya Takanobu 
Published: September 2016

ABSTRACTBackground and objectiveDiaphragm function might be useful to predict nocturnal oxygen desaturation in COPD. Ultrasonography has been widely used for the assessment of the diaphragm. We aimed to investigate the relationship between the contractile capability of the diaphragm assessed by ultrasonography and the nocturnal percutaneous arterial oxygen saturation (NSpO2) in COPD.MethodsTwenty‐eight male patients with COPD (age, 73 ± 7 years; forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1
), 54.2 ± 17.0% predicted) were included. The thickness of the diaphragm (Tdi) was assessed by ultrasonography. We calculated the change ratio of Tdi at the end of maximal inspiration and expiration (%ΔTdi). The mean value of NSpO2
(NSpO2mean
), the percentage of total sleep time (TST) with desaturation above 4% (DA4%) and the percentage of TST with saturation below 90% (SB90%) were measured by overnight oximetry. Daytime arterial oxygen pressure (PaO2
) and maximal inspiratory mouth pressure (PImax
) were also measured.ResultsAll participants had mild or no daytime hypoxaemia (PaO2
, 77.3 ± 8.6 mm Hg). The NSpO2mean
, DA4% and SB90% were significantly correlated with %ΔTdi, PaO2
, %PImax
of the predicted value and the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stage. The %ΔTdi and PaO2
were predictors of NSpO2mean by multiple regression analysis.ConclusionThis study suggested a close relationship between the NSpO2
and the contractile capability of the diaphragm assessed by ultrasonography in COPD. The %ΔTdi combined with PaO2
might predict NSpO2
in COPD patients with mild or no daytime hypoxaemia.
Osmotic Pressure in Clinical Medicine with an Emphasis on Dialysis
Authors: Raimann Jochen G. , Tzamaloukas Antonios H. , Levin Nathan W. , Ing Todd S. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractSince the beginning of life of the first multicellular organisms, the preservation of a physiologic milieu for every cell in the organism has been a critical requirement. A particular range of osmolality of the body fluids is essential for the maintenance of cell volume. In humans the stability of electrolyte concentrations and their resulting osmolality in the body fluids is the consequence of complex interactions between cell membrane functions, hormonal control, thirst, and controlled kidney excretion of fluid and solutes. Knowledge of these mechanisms, of the biochemical principles of osmolality, and of the relevant situations occurring in disease is of importance to every physician. This comprehensive review summarizes the major facts on osmolality, its relation to electrolytes and other solutes, and its relevance in physiology and in disease states with a focus on dialysis‐related considerations.
Return of the Nanny: Public Policy towards In‐home Childcare in the UK, Canada and Australia
Authors: Adamson Elizabeth , Brennan Deborah 
Published: September 2016

AbstractResearch on early childhood education and care (ECEC) policy focuses overwhelmingly on formal, centre‐based provision and, to a lesser extent, on family day care (or childminding) provided in the homes of registered carers. Comparatively little research addresses the policy treatment of care provided in the child's home by nannies and au pairs. This article examines the position of in‐home childcare in Australia, the UK and Canada, and the varied nature and extent of public funding and regulation. Introducing a new dimension into comparative studies of ECEC, it also explores how shifts in migration policy in each country have intersected with ECEC funding and regulation to reshape the recruitment and employment of in‐home child carers. Australia, the UK and Canada are all liberal, market‐oriented countries, but there is considerable diversity in the way governments support and regulate in‐home childcare, their rationales for so doing, and in the connections between childcare and migration. We argue that connecting the analysis of in‐home childcare to migration policies raises new questions about the classification and comparison of ECEC policies.
Development and Evaluation of a Landmark‐Based Method to Estimate Displacements and Strains in Soft Tissues Imaged During an Impact Using Ultrafast Ultrasound
Authors: Le Ruyet Anicet , Beillas Philippe 
Published: September 2016

AbstractUltrafast ultrasound imaging allows observing the internal response of soft tissues subjected to impacts. However, the limited image quality and the large deformations associated with such loading make the generation of displacement and strain maps difficult. This study describes a new automatic method to estimate the 2D displacements and strains based on an existing tracking algorithm combined with filtering, regression and integration steps. The predictions were assessed using four test cases: (1) Predicted displacements were compared with expert tracking from past tests, (2) predicted displacements and strains were compared with the known field used to deform numerically an image, (3) internal strains predicted based on ultrafast ultrasound were compared with strains provided by digital image correlation on nearby external surfaces, and (4) for almost noise‐free images that contain random patterns, predicted strains were compared with results provided by a commercial digital image correlation software package. The results are promising, in particular for 2D displacements and, to some extent, for filtered strain. This suggests that the method could be useful to interpret ultrafast ultrasound data collected for application in impact biomechanics.
Temporal and spatial patterns of Cenozoic deformation across the Qaidam Basin, Northern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Wei Yanyan , Xiao Ancheng , Wu Lei , Mao Liguang , Zhao Haifeng , Shen Ya , Wang Liqun 
Published: September 2016

AbstractWe conducted a systematic analysis of the temporal and spatial patterns of Cenozoic deformation of the northeastern (NE) and southwestern (SW) parts of the Qaidam Basin, the largest and thickest Cenozoic sedimentary basin within the Tibetan Plateau, by constructing balanced cross‐sections traversing the whole basin using high‐resolution seismic‐reflection data. We found that that these two parts deformed synchronously with similar temporal patterns involving nearly constant NE–SW contraction before c. 2.5 Ma and much more intense shortening, possibly enhanced by fierce wind erosion, since then. However, the spatial deformation patterns of these two areas differ markedly: an eastward weakening trend in the SW part is not observed in the NE part. We believe that this difference is due to their different boundary conditions. This result places new constraints on the formation mechanisms of the northern Tibetan Plateau.
Isolation and characterization of mutants corresponding to the MENA, MENB, MENC and MENE enzymatic steps of 5′‐monohydroxyphylloquinone biosynthesis in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Emonds‐Alt Barbara , Coosemans Nadine , Gerards Thomas , Remacle Claire , Cardol Pierre 
Published: September 2016

SummaryPhylloquinone (PhQ), or vitamin K1, is an essential electron carrier (A1) in photosystem I (PSI). In the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, which is a model organism for the study of photosynthesis, a detailed characterization of the pathway is missing with only one mutant deficient for MEND having been analyzed. We took advantage of the fact that a double reduction of plastoquinone occurs in anoxia in the A1 site in the mend mutant, interrupting photosynthetic electron transfer, to isolate four new phylloquinone‐deficient mutants impaired in MENA, MENB, MENC (PHYLLO) and MENE. Compared with the wild type and complemented strains for MENB and MENE, the four men mutants grow slowly in low light and are sensitive to high light. When grown in low light they show a reduced photosynthetic electron transfer due to a specific decrease of PSI. Upon exposure to high light for a few hours, PSI becomes almost completely inactive, which leads in turn to lack of phototrophic growth. Loss of PhQ also fully prevents reactivation of photosynthesis after dark anoxia acclimation. In silico analyses allowed us to propose a PhQ biosynthesis pathway in Chlamydomonas that involves 11 enzymatic steps from chorismate located in the chloroplast and in the peroxisome.
PYK10 myrosinase reveals a functional coordination between endoplasmic reticulum bodies and glucosinolates in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Nakano Ryohei T. , Piślewska‐Bednarek Mariola , Yamada Kenji , Edger Patrick P. , Miyahara Mado , Kondo Maki , Böttcher Christoph , Mori Masashi , Nishimura Mikio , Schulze‐Lefert Paul , Hara‐Nishimura Ikuko , Bednarek Paweł 
Published: September 2016

SummaryThe endoplasmic reticulum body (ER body) is an organelle derived from the ER that occurs in only three families of the order Brassicales and is suggested to be involved in plant defense. ER bodies in Arabidopsis thaliana contain large amounts of β‐glucosidases, but the physiological functions of ER bodies and these enzymes remain largely unclear. Here we show that PYK10, the most abundant β‐glucosidase in A. thaliana root ER bodies, hydrolyzes indole glucosinolates (IGs) in addition to the previously reported in vitro substrate scopolin. We found a striking co‐expression between ER body‐related genes (including PYK10), glucosinolate biosynthetic genes and the genes for so‐called specifier proteins affecting the terminal products of myrosinase‐mediated glucosinolate metabolism, indicating that these systems have been integrated into a common transcriptional network. Consistent with this, comparative metabolite profiling utilizing a number of A. thaliana relatives within Brassicaceae identified a clear phylogenetic co‐occurrence between ER bodies and IGs, but not between ER bodies and scopolin. Collectively, our findings suggest a functional link between ER bodies and glucosinolate metabolism in planta. In addition, in silico three‐dimensional modeling, combined with phylogenomic analysis, suggests that PYK10 represents a clade of 16 myrosinases that arose independently from the other well‐documented class of six thioglucoside glucohydrolases. These findings provide deeper insights into how glucosinolates are metabolized in cruciferous plants and reveal variation of the myrosinase–glucosinolate system within individual plants.
Full‐length nucleotide sequence of ERMAP alleles encoding Scianna (SC) antigens
Authors: Srivastava Kshitij , Lee Eunah , Owens Eric , Rujirojindakul Pairaya , Flegel Willy A. 
Published: September 2016

BACKGROUNDScianna (SC) blood group system comprises two antithetical antigens, Sc1 and Sc2, and five additional antigens. The antigens reside on a glycoprotein encoded by the erythroblast membrane–associated protein (ERMAP) gene. For the common ERMAP alleles, we determined the full‐length nucleotide sequence that encodes the Scianna glycoprotein.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSBlood donor samples from five populations were analyzed including 20 African Americans, 10 Caucasians, 10 Thai, five Asians, and five Hispanics for a total of 100 chromosomes. An assay was devised to determine the genomic sequence of the ERMAP gene in one amplicon, spanning 21.4 kb and covering Exons 2 to 12 and the intervening sequence (IVS). All alleles (confirmed haplotypes) were resolved without ambiguity.RESULTSAmong 50 blood donors, we found 80 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), including six novel SNPs, in 21,308 nucleotides covering the coding sequence of the ERMAP gene and including the introns. The noncoding sequences harbored 75 SNPs (68 in the introns and seven in the 3′‐UTR). No SNP indicative of a nonfunctional allele was detected. The nucleotide sequences for 48 ERMAP alleles (confirmed haplotypes) were determined by allele‐specific polymerase chain reaction and sequencing in 100 chromosomes.CONCLUSIONSWe documented 48 ERMAP alleles of 21,308 nucleotides each. The two nucleotide sequences available in GenBank for ERMAP alleles of similar length have not been found in our 100 chromosomes. Alleles determined without ambiguity can be used as templates to analyze next generation sequencing data, which will enhance the reliability in clinical diagnostics.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Pokeweed Mosaic Virus (PkMV)-New Jersey Isolate and Its Comparison to PkMV-MD and PkMV-PA
Authors: Di Rong 
Published: September 2016

ABSTRACT

Pokeweed mosaic virus (PkMV) causes systemically mosaic symptoms on pokeweed (
Phytolacca americana
L.) plants. The genome of the PkMV-NJ (New Jersey) isolate was cloned by PCR and sequenced by the Sanger sequencing method. The sequence comparison indicates that PkMV-NJ is more divergent from the other two sequenced isolates, PkMV-MD and PkMV-PA.
Shaping dental contract reform: a clinical and cost-effective analysis of incentive-driven commissioning for improved oral health in primary dental care
Authors: Hulme C , Robinson P G , Saloniki E C , Vinall-Collier K , Baxter P D , Douglas G , Gibson B , Godson J H , Meads D , Pavitt S H 
Published: September 2016

ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of a new blended dental contract incentivising improved oral health compared with a traditional dental contract based on units of dental activity (UDAs).DesignNon-randomised controlled study.SettingSix UK primary care dental practices, three working under a new blended dental contract; three matched practices under a traditional contract.Participants550 new adult patients.InterventionsA new blended/incentive-driven primary care dentistry contract and service delivery model versus the traditional contract based on UDAs.Main outcome measuresPrimary outcome was as follows: percentage of sites with gingival bleeding on probing. Secondary outcomes were as follows: extracted and filled teeth (%), caries (International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS)), oral health-related quality of life (Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14)). Incremental cost-effective ratios used OHIP-14 and quality adjusted life years (QALYs) derived from the EQ-5D-3L.ResultsAt 24 months, 291/550 (53%) patients returned for final assessment; those lost to follow-up attended 6.46 appointments on average (SD 4.80). The primary outcome favoured patients in the blended contract group. Extractions and fillings were more frequent in this group. Blended contracts were financially attractive for the dental provider but carried a higher cost for the service commissioner. Differences in generic health-related quality of life were negligible. Positive changes over time in oral health-related quality of life in both groups were statistically significant.ConclusionsThis is the first UK study to assess the clinical and cost-effectiveness of a blended contract in primary care dentistry. Although the primary outcome favoured the blended contract, the results are limited because 47% patients did not attend at 24 months. This is consistent with 39% of adults not being regular attenders and 27% only visiting their dentist when they have a problem. Promotion of appropriate attendance, especially among those with high need, necessitates being factored into recruitment strategies of future studies.
High prevalence of intracranial aneurysms in patients with aortic dissection or aneurysm: feasibility of extended aorta CT angiography with involvement of intracranial arteries
Authors: Lee Dahye , Ahn Sung Jun , Cho Eun-Suk , Kim Yong Bae , Song Suk-Won , Jung Woo Sang , Suh Sang Hyun 
Published: September 2016

IntroductionPrevious studies have suggested a higher prevalence of intracranial aneurysms (IAs) in patients with aortic aneurysms (AAs).ObjectiveTo carry out a preliminary study to evaluate the prevalence of IAs in these patients and the diagnostic feasibility of extended aorta CT angiography (CTA), including intracranial arteries as well as the aorta.Materials and methodsWe retrospectively reviewed all patients with a clinical diagnosis of AA or aortic dissection (AD) who had undergone aorta CTA as well as MR angiography, CTA, and/or DSA of the brain between 2009 and 2014. Since 2012, the extended aorta CTA protocol has been applied in these patients. Characteristics of IAs were classified with baseline clinical data. For quantitative and qualitative assessment by two independent raters, brain images obtained by extended aorta CTA and brain CTA were compared. The radiation dose of the two aorta protocols was compared.ResultsThe prevalence of IA was 22.2% (35/158). All IAs were detected by extended aorta CTA, except one small aneurysm (<3 mm). The mean vascular attenuation value between brain images showed no difference (p=0.83), but the contrast-to-noise ratio was significantly lower in extended aorta CTA (p<0.001). In qualitative assessment, the interobserver agreement was substantial (k=0.79). For the radiation dose, the dose–length product of the extended aorta CTA increased with increment of the scan range (p=0.048).ConclusionsWith a high prevalence of IAs in patients with ADs or AAs, extended aorta CTA could be used to evaluate aorta disease and IA in a single session. However, further prospective studies are needed to prove efficacy and safety of the extended aorta CTA protocol in patients with AAs or ADs.
Facile Synthesis, Characterization, Nanocrystal Growth and Photoluminescence Properties of GeS Nanowires
Authors: Lai Zhiqiang , Guo Yanjie , Yang Peihui 
Published: September 2016

As a IV–VI semiconductor, GeS is winning wide attention for its excellent properties. However, few examples of GeS nanostructures, especially those with photoluminescence (PL) properties, have been reported. After the optimization of reaction conditions, including time and temperature, the GeS nanowires with PL properties are synthesized a green, facile hydrothermal route without using any toxic reagent. These materials are characterized by transmission and scanning electron microscopy (TEM and SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), etc. With the average diameter of [Formula: see text]200[Formula: see text]nm and the length ranging from 1–25[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m, the resulting GeS nanowires have relatively smooth surface and round top, and are oriented along [100] facet. The growth mechanism of GeS nanowires is investigated, and the understanding of their growth mechanism could provide helpful guidance for designing experimental conditions rationally to synthesize nanowires. Due to their special nanostructure, these nanowires possess very good fluorescent properties, which indicates that these nanowires have potential to apply in future optical nanodevices.
Aging‐Related Decline of Glutathione Peroxidase 3 and Risk of Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Pastori Daniele , Pignatelli Pasquale , Farcomeni Alessio , Menichelli Danilo , Nocella Cristina , Carnevale Roberto , Violi Francesco 
Published: September 2016

Background

Experimental studies demonstrated that glutathione peroxidase 3 (
GP
x3), an antioxidant enzyme that catabolizes hydrogen peroxide, protects against thrombosis. Little is known about its role in cardiovascular disease.

Methods and Results

A prospective cohort study was conducted in 909 atrial fibrillation patients. Serum activities of
GP
x3, superoxide dismutase (
SOD
), and catalase were measured at baseline to assess the risk of cardiovascular events during a mean follow‐up of 43.4 months (3291 person‐years). Serum Nox2 and urinary excretion of 11‐deydro‐thromboxane B
2
were also measured. During follow‐up 160 cardiovascular events occurred (4.9%/year). Significantly lower values of
GP
x3 (
P
<0.001) and
SOD
(
P
=0.037) were detected in patients with, compared to those without, cardiovascular events. A lower survival rate was observed in patients with
GP
x3 (
P
<0.001) and
SOD
(
P
=0.010) activities below the median, as compared to those above. In a fully adjusted Cox regression model,
GP
x3 was the only antioxidant enzyme predictor of cardiovascular events (hazard ratio 0.647, 95% confidence interval 0.524‐0.798,
P
<0.001).
GP
x3 was inversely associated with urinary 11‐dehydro‐thromboxane B
2
(B −0.337,
P
<0.001) and serum Nox2 (B: −0.423,
P
<0.001).
GP
x3 activity progressively decreased with decades of age (
P
<0.001), with a progressive reduction in people aged ≥70 years.

Conclusions

This study provides evidence that a low antioxidant status, as depicted by reduced levels of
GP
x3, increases the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with atrial fibrillation. The age‐related decline of
GP
x3 may represent a mechanism for the enhanced cardiovascular risk in the elderly population.