bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diaphragmatic breathing for rumination syndrome: efficacy and mechanisms of action
Authors: Halland M. , Parthasarathy G. , Bharucha A. E. , Katzka D. A. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractBackgroundWhile high resolution esophageal manometry combined with impedancometry has demonstrated that gastric pressurizations lead to rumination, the contribution of upper esophageal sphincter (UES) and esophagogastric junction (EGJ) function to rumination is unclear. Behavioral therapy with diaphragmatic breathing (DB) can reduce rumination. We aimed to evaluate the pressures in the stomach, EGJ and UES during rumination and the effects of DB augmented with biofeedback therapy.MethodsSixteen patients with rumination were studied with manometry and impedancometry before and after a meal. The postprandial assessment comprised three periods: before, during, and after DB augmented with biofeedback therapy.Key ResultsAll patients had postprandial rumination, which was associated (p < 0.001) with increased gastric pressure and reversal of the postprandial gastroesophageal pressure gradient from −4 (−43 to 18) before to 20 (7–79) mmHg during rumination. The EGJ pressure was lower (p < 0.001) during gastric pressurizations that were associated with rumination vs those that were not. The UES also relaxed, almost completely, during rumination. Patients had a median (range) of 5 (2–10) rumination episodes before, 1 (0–2) (p < 0.001) during, and 3 (1–5) after (p < 0.001 vs during) diaphragmatic breathing. During manometry and impedancometry, DB was well‐tolerated and learned within 5 min. Diaphragmatic breathing increased EGJ pressure (p < 0.001) and restored a negative gastroesophageal pressure gradient (−20 mmHg [−80 to 7]).Conclusions & InferencesDiaphragmatic breathing aided with high resolution esophageal manometry is well‐tolerated, effective and averts the gastroesophageal pressure disturbance that leads to rumination.
Prospect of future housing and risk of psychological distress at 1 year after an earthquake disaster
Authors: Nakaya Naoki , Nakamura Tomohiro , Tsuchiya Naho , Narita Akira , Tsuji Ichiro , Hozawa Atsushi , Tomita Hiroaki 
Published: December 2015

AimSince the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, many of the affected have been forced to live in temporary housing or at a relative's house. Special attention needs to be paid to the negative health impacts resulting from such changes in living conditions. This study examined the association between future housing prospects and the risk of psychological distress 1 year after the earthquake.MethodsIn 2012, a questionnaire was completed by a cross‐sectional study of people aged 20 years or older living in Shichigahama Town, Miyagi, northeastern Japan, an area that had been severely inundated by the tsunami. Future housing prospects post‐earthquake were classified into four categories: already settled in permanent housing, moving to new housing, under consideration, or unable to make any plans. Psychological distress was evaluated using the Kessler 6 scale, defined as ≥5 points out of 24. We performed multiple logistic regression analyses adjusted for potential confounding factors.ResultsOf the 3614 individuals studied, subjects whose future housing was under consideration (odds ratio [OR] = 2.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.6–2.7, P < 0.01) and those who were unable to make any future housing plans (OR = 1.9, 95%CI = 1.4–2.5, P < 0.01) exhibited a significantly higher risk of psychological distress compared with subjects who had already settled in permanent housing.ConclusionIn this study, subjects whose future housing prospects were under consideration and those who were unable to make any future housing plans were at a higher risk of psychological distress 1 year after the earthquake disaster.
Variance in saccadic eye movements reflects stable traits
Authors: Meyhöfer Inga , Bertsch Katja , Esser Moritz , Ettinger Ulrich 
Published: December 2015

AbstractSaccadic tasks are widely used to study cognitive processes, effects of pharmacological treatments, and mechanisms underlying psychiatric disorders. In genetic studies, it is assumed that saccadic endophenotypes are traits. While internal consistency and temporal stability of saccadic performance is high for most of the measures, the magnitude of underlying trait components has not been estimated, and influences of situational aspects and person by situation interactions have not been investigated. To do so, 68 healthy participants performed prosaccades, antisaccades, and memory‐guided saccades on three occasions at weekly intervals at the same time of day. Latent state‐trait modeling was applied to estimate the proportions of variance reflecting stable trait components, situational influences, and Person × Situation interaction effects. Mean variables for all saccadic tasks showed high to excellent reliabilities. Intraindividual standard deviations were found to be slightly less reliable. Importantly, an average of 60% of variance of a single measurement was explained by trans‐situationally stable person effects, while situation aspects and interactions between person and situation were found to play a negligible role. We conclude that saccadic variables, in standard laboratory settings, represent highly reliable measures that are largely unaffected by situational influences. Extending previous reliability studies, these findings clearly demonstrate the trait‐like nature of these measures and support their role as endophenotypes.
Reproductive Performance of Native Pulawska and High Productivity Polish Landrace Sows in the Context of Stress During the Period of Early Pregnancy
Authors: Babicz M , Szyndler‐Nędza M , Skrzypczak E , Kasprzyk A 
Published: December 2015

ContentsExperiments revealed that it is necessary to get rid of genotypes RYR1C/T and RYR1T/T because of problems with meat quality and reproduction of gilts and sows. This phenomenon, however, is of individual nature and is characterized by high variability. The aim of the study was to analyse the influence of stressogenic factors in native Puławska and high productivity Polish Landrace breed sows during the period of low pregnancy on reproductive performance and maternal behaviour. Sows in the 2nd reproduction cycle were assigned into groups of five animals as follows: control (C) of RYR1 C/C genotype and experimental (E) of RYR1 C/T genotype. In all, 30 Puławska breed sows and 30 PL breed sows were analysed. During the early stage of pregnancy (days 42–84), experimental groups were subjected to the action of stressogenic factors: elevated temperature, noisy and rough treatment of sows by service personnel and immobilization stress. The effect of stressogenic factors was referred to the reproductive performance of sows. Puławska and PL breed sows from the experimental groups were subjected to the evaluation of maternal traits on the basis of perinatal behaviour determined with the help of an ethogram. Analysis of the results of reproduction and the behaviour of the sows confirmed the higher resistance to stressogenic factors of the Puławska breed. The performed analysis of reproduction and behaviour confirmed that heterozygotic genotypes in the RYR1 locus exhibited less advantageous reproduction, which corroborates the hypothesis about a negative impact of the T allele on swine productivity.
A Characteristics Approach to Optimal Taxation: Line Drawing and Tax‐Driven Product Innovation
Authors: Gillitzer Christian , Kleven Henrik Jacobsen , Slemrod Joel 
Published: December 2015

AbstractReal‐world tax legislation assigns goods to different categories of tax rates on the basis of observable characteristics, allowing the tax system to handle a constantly evolving set of available goods. We recast the theory of optimal taxation in the language of characteristics, and we show how to optimally draw lines that delineate tax‐rate regimes. Such lines are associated with notches in tax liability as a function of characteristics, creating incentives to introduce goods with new combinations of characteristics in order to reduce tax liability. With a restricted set of tax instruments, such notches are in general part of the second‐best optimal tax system.
How do we cultivate in England? Tillage practices in crop production systems
Authors: Townsend T. J. , Ramsden S. J. , Wilson P. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractReducing tillage intensity offers the possibility of moving towards sustainable intensification objectives. Reduced tillage (RT) practices, where the plough is not used, can provide a number of environmental and financial benefits, particularly for soil erosion control. Based on 2010 harvest year data from the nationally stratified Farm Business Survey and drawing on a sub‐sample of 249 English arable farmers, we estimate that approximately 32% of arable land was established under RT, with 46% of farms using some form of RT. Farms more likely to use some form of RT were larger, located in the East Midlands and South East of England and classified as ‘Cereals’ farms. Application of RT techniques was not determined by the age or education level of the farmer. Individual crops impacted the choice of land preparation, with wheat and oilseed rape being more frequently planted after RT than field beans and root crops, which were almost always planted after ploughing. This result suggests there can be limitations to the applicability of RT. Average tillage depth was only slightly shallower for RT practices than ploughing, suggesting that the predominant RT practices are quite demanding in their energy use. Policy makers seeking to increase sustainable RT uptake will need to address farm‐level capital investment constraints and target policies on farms growing crops, such as wheat and oilseed rape, that are better suited to RT practices.
Early‐ and late‐stage ocular complications of herpes zoster ophthalmicus in rural South Africa
Authors: Schaftenaar Erik , Meenken Christina , Baarsma G. Seerp , McIntyre James A. , Verjans Georges M. G. M. , Peters Remco P. H. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractObjectivesTo describe the spectrum of ocular complications of herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) in rural South Africa.MethodsPatients presenting with visual complaints and active or healed HZO at the ophthalmology outpatient department of three hospitals in rural South Africa were included in this study. Demographic and clinical data were collected, and HIV status was determined for all participants.ResultsForty‐eight patients were included, and 81% were HIV infected. Poor vision was reported by 94% of patients, painful eye by 79% and photophobia by 63%. A diverse spectrum of ocular complications was observed with corneal inflammation and opacification in 77% followed by anterior uveitis in 65%. The majority (65%) presented with late‐stage ocular complications associated with irreversible loss of vision whereas early‐stage complications, such as punctate epithelial keratitis and anterior uveitis, were less common. Blindness of the affected eye was observed in 68% of patients with late‐stage complications. There was a considerable delay between onset of symptoms and first presentation to the ophthalmology outpatient department (median time 35 days; range 1–2500 days), and longer delay was associated with late‐stage ocular complications (P = 0.02).ConclusionsHZO patients present with relatively late‐stage ocular complications, and blindness among these patients is common. The delayed presentation to the ophthalmology outpatient department of hospitals in our rural setting is of concern, and efforts to improve ocular outcomes of HZO are urgently needed.
Lymphocyte subpopulations and Treg cells in dogs with atopic dermatitis receiving ciclosporin therapy: a prospective study
Authors: Beccati Massimo , Martini Valeria , Comazzi Stefano , Fanton Natalia , Cornegliani Luisa 
Published: December 2015

BackgroundCanine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is a chronic dermatological disease partly due to dysregulation of the immune system. Inappropriate activation of CD4+ lymphocytes could favour and promote the allergic response. An inadequate activation system of regulatory T cells (Tregs) is suspected to be a key immunological feature of the allergic response in atopic dogs.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo evaluate the difference in the CD4/CD8 lymphocyte ratio and the percentage of Tregs in healthy dogs, in a breed predisposed to CAD, and in dogs affected by CAD before and during therapy with ciclosporin (CsA). Additionally to assess the improvement in pruritus and skin lesions during therapy with CsA, and to compare this with CD4/CD8/Treg values.AnimalsTen atopic dogs of different breed, sex and age, ten healthy dogs and ten English bulldogs were included.MethodsPeripheral blood from all dogs was tested using flow cytometry to assess the CD4/CD8 ratio and percentage of Tregs. For atopic dogs, sampling was repeated after 30 and 90 days of therapy with CsA.ResultsThe CD4/CD8 ratio was not significantly different between the three groups. The Treg percentage was higher, but not statistically significant, in atopic dogs compared with controls. Therapy with CsA led to clinical improvement; it was not associated with statistically significant differences in haematological variables.Conclusion and clinical importanceThis study suggests that Tregs may be involved in the pathogenesis of CAD and that ciclosporin therapy does not affect the circulating lymphocyte subpopulations
One bout of vibration exercise with vascular occlusion activates satellite cells
Authors: Aguayo David , Mueller Sandro Manuel , Boutellier Urs , Auer Maria , Jung Hans H. , Flück Martin , Toigo Marco 
Published: December 2015

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?
Acute skeletal muscle satellite cell (SC) activation is associated with skeletal muscle hypertrophy. Although the quantity of SCs has been reported to increase following a single bout of resistance exercise, data on muscle fibre type‐specific SC quantity and/or activation status after a single bout of vibration is presently lacking.

What is the main finding and its importance?
By determining SCs from muscle biopsies of the vastus lateralis using immunohistochemistry, we conclude that modification of vibration exercise by superimposition of occlusion induced activation and differentiation of SCs in young men, which had not been observed with whole‐body vibration or blood flow restriction alone.

We tested the hypothesis that whole‐body vibration (WBV) is insufficient to expand satellite cell numbers 24 h postexercise, whereas WBV in combination with blood flow restriction (BFR) is sufficient. Twenty‐five young men were randomly assigned to one of the following three groups: WBV, BFR exercise or WBVBFR. Satellite cell numbers were determined from muscle biopsies of the vastus lateralis muscle using immunohistochemistry. Satellite cell quantity and frequency (+99.4%, P = 0.012 and +77.1%, P = 0.010, respectively) increased only in the WBVBFR group. Similar results were obtained for the quantity and frequency of myogenin‐positive myonuclei (+139.0%, P < 0.001 and +148.4%, P < 0.001, respectively). We conclude that modification of WBV by superimposition of BFR induced activation and differentiation of satellite cells in young men, which had not been observed with WBV or BFR alone. These data suggest that WBVBFR might represent a novel viable anabolic stimulus.
Calcium‐activated chloride current determines action potential morphology during calcium alternans in atrial myocytes
Authors: Kanaporis Giedrius , Blatter Lothar A. 
Published: December 2015

Key points
Cardiac alternans – periodic beat‐to‐beat alternations in contraction, action potential (AP) morphology or cytosolic calcium transient (CaT) amplitude – is a high risk indicator for cardiac arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. However, it remains an unresolved issue whether beat‐to‐beat alternations in intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) or AP morphology are the primary cause of pro‐arrhythmic alternans.
Here we show that in atria AP alternans occurs secondary to CaT alternans.
CaT alternans leads to complex beat‐to‐beat changes in Ca2+‐regulated ion currents that determine alternans of AP morphology.
We report the novel finding that alternans of AP morphology is largely sustained by the activity of Ca2+‐activated Cl− channels (CaCCs). Suppression of the CaCCs significantly reduces AP alternans, while CaT alternans remains unaffected.
The demonstration of a major role of CaCCs in the development of AP alternans opens new possibilities for atrial alternans and arrhythmia prevention.
AbstractCardiac alternans, described as periodic beat‐to‐beat alternations in contraction, action potential (AP) morphology or cytosolic Ca transient (CaT) amplitude, is a high risk indicator for cardiac arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. We investigated mechanisms of cardiac alternans in single rabbit atrial myocytes. CaTs were monitored simultaneously with membrane currents or APs recorded with the patch clamp technique. Beat‐to‐beat alternations of AP morphology and CaT amplitude revealed a strong quantitative correlation. Application of voltage clamp protocols in the form of pre‐recorded APs (AP‐clamp) during pacing‐induced CaT alternans revealed a Ca2+‐dependent current consisting of a large outward component (4.78 ± 0.58 pA pF–1 in amplitude) coinciding with AP phases 1 and 2 that was followed by an inward current (−0.42 ± 0.03 pA pF–1; n = 21) during AP repolarization. Approximately 90% of the initial outward current was blocked by substitution of Cl− ions or application of the Cl− channel blocker DIDS identifying it as a Ca2+‐activated Cl− current (ICaCC). The prominent AP prolongation at action potential duration at 30% repolarization level during the small alternans CaT was due to reduced ICaCC. Inhibition of Cl− currents abolished AP alternans, but failed to affect CaT alternans, indicating that disturbances in Ca2+ signalling were the primary event leading to alternans, and ICaCC played a decisive role in shaping the beat‐to‐beat alternations in AP morphology observed during alternans.
El cine durante la primera competencia televisiva española (1990-1994)
Authors: Mateos-Pérez Javier , Cabeza San Deogracias José 
Published: December 2015

<p>Esta investigación analiza la programación cinematográfica emitida durante el inicio y primer desarrollo de la competencia televisiva (1990-1994) de ámbito nacional. Para ello, se toma en consideración la programación de las televisiones públicas, en las cadenas privadas y en los operadores de pago. Se tienen en cuenta los largometrajes emitidos en términos de su género, nacionalidad, inserción dentro de la rejilla; los ciclos programados y los programas cinematográficos más representativos, con el fin de observar su evolución, contenidos, características y su relación con la competencia.</p><p> </p>
La producción académica sobre Comunicación, Desarrollo y Cambio Social en las revistas científicas de América Latina
Authors: Barranquero Carretero Alejandro , Ángel Botero Adriana María 
Published: December 2015

<p>El artículo presenta los resultados de una investigación sobre el estado actual de la producción científica en Comunicación, Desarrollo y Cambio Social en Latinoamérica. La metodología parte de un análisis de contenido de los artículos publicados en los últimos cinco años (2009-2013) en las revistas latinoamericanas de comunicación de mejor en el Índice H de en 2013: , , , , , , , , y .</p><p> </p><p>Tras presentar algunas características tales como país, año de publicación, género y adscripción institucional, se avanzan un conjunto de hallazgos acerca de las temáticas, enfoques y métodos de los artículos, entre los que destacan: el bajo nivel de investigación empírica, el escaso contacto con las comunidades a partir de metodologías participativas, la apertura a temáticas y enfoques novedosos, y el permanente dinamismo del campo de la Comunicación para el Desarrollo y el Cambio Social.</p>
Role of Serologic and Molecular Diagnostic Assays in Identification and Management of Hepatitis C Virus Infection
Authors: Cloherty Gavin , Talal Andrew , Coller Kelly , Steinhart Corklin , Hackett John , Dawson George , Rockstroh Juergen , Feld Jordan 
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT
The drugs available for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) have evolved to provide shorter treatment duration and higher rates of sustained virologic response (SVR), and the role of HCV infection diagnostic tests has had to evolve in order to meet changing clinical needs. This review gives an overview on the role of HCV infection diagnostic testing (molecular and serological tools) used in the diagnosis and management of HCV infection. All of this critical information guides physician decisions to optimize patient clinical outcomes. Also discussed is the future direction of diagnostic testing in the context of further advances in drug development.
Clinical Laboratory Assessment of Mycoplasma genitalium Transcription-Mediated Amplification Using Primary Female Urogenital Specimens
Authors: Munson Erik , Bykowski Holly , Munson Kimber L. , Napierala Maureen , Reiss Pamela J. , Schell Ronald F. , Hryciuk Jeanne E. 
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT

Following analysis of primary cervix, vagina, and first-void female urine specimens for
Chlamydia trachomatis
,
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
, and
Trichomonas vaginalis
via commercial transcription-mediated amplification (TMA), residual material was subjected to
Mycoplasma genitalium
research-use-only TMA. Representation within a 2,478-specimen retrospective study set was established by comparison to a 6-month audit of clinical
C. trachomatis
TMA (12,999 specimens) on the basis of the
C. trachomatis
detection rate, specimen source distribution, clinic location, and age.
M. genitalium
was detected in 282 (11.4%) patients. This rate was higher than those seen with
T. vaginalis
(9.0%;
P
= 0.005),
C. trachomatis
(6.2%), and
N. gonorrhoeae
(1.4%). Positive
M. genitalium
results were confirmed by repeat testing or alternative-target TMA at a rate of 98.7%. The mean age of the
M. genitalium
-infected females (24.7 years) was lower than that of the
T. vaginalis
-infected females (mean, 30.1 years;
P
< 0.0001) and higher than that of the
C. trachomatis
-infected females (mean, 23.8 years;
P
= 0.003). Of 566 patient encounters positive for at least one sexually transmitted infection (STI), 35.9% exhibited sole detection of
M. genitalium
(
P
≤ 0.0004 versus sole detection of other STI agents) and 26.1% were solely positive for
T. vaginalis
(
P
< 0.0002 versus
C. trachomatis
). The
M. genitalium
and
T. vaginalis
detection rates among 755 patients at urban emergency departments were 14.6% and 13.0%, respectively (
P
= 0.37). A 10.0%
M. genitalium
detection rate from other facilities exceeded that of
T. vaginalis
(7.2%;
P
= 0.004). Incorporation of
M. genitalium
TMA into comprehensive testing programs would detect
M. genitalium
in a significant proportion of females, particularly those in outpatient obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) settings.