bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ethnicity and pre‐hospital care for people with suspected cardiac pain: cross‐sectional study
Authors: Asghar Zahid , Phung Viet‐Hai , Siriwardena Aloysius Niroshan 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjectivesFew studies have investigated the quality of pre‐hospital care by ethnicity. We aimed to investigate ethnic differences in pre‐hospital ambulance care of patients with suspected cardiac pain.MethodsWe conducted a cross‐sectional analysis of retrospective electronic clinical data for patients with suspected cardiac pain over one year (August 2011 to July 2012) extracted from a single regional ambulance service. This included patient demographic data, clinical measurements, drugs administered and outcomes, such as transportation to hospital or referral to primary care. We used multivariate regression to investigate differences in care by ethnicity comparing non‐White with White patients.ResultsThere were 7046 patients with suspected cardiac pain, with 4825 who had ethnicity recorded including 4661 (96.6%) White and 164 (3.4%) non‐White. After correcting for age, sex, socio‐economic status and whether transported to hospital, non‐White patients were significantly more likely to have temperature [odds ratio (OR) 2.96, P = 0.007], blood glucose (OR 3.95, P = 0.003), respiratory rate (OR 4.94, P = 0.03) and oxygen saturation (OR 2.43, P = 0.006) recorded. Non‐White patients were significantly less likely to be transported to hospital (OR 0.43, P = 0.03).ConclusionThere were significant differences in pre‐hospital ambulance care for non‐White compared with White patients with suspected cardiac pain. These differences could be due to differences in clinical condition or case‐mix, language and cultural barriers, limited understanding of appropriate use of health care services, recording bias or true differences in provider management. Further analysis should involve larger and more complete data sets to explore ethnic differences in greater detail.
Effect of Ultrasound on the Stability of Turmeric Oleoresin Microencapsulated in Gelatin‐Collagen Matrices
Authors: Zuanon Larissa A. C. , Malacrida Cassia R. , Telis Vânia R. N. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThis study evaluated the effect of sonication on the stability of turmeric oleoresin microcapsules produced by spray and freeze‐drying using blends of gelatin‐collagen as encapsulating matrices. Samples prepared with different wall matrix formulations presented solubility between 82.7 and 86.9%, yield above 88% and encapsulation efficiency between 17.41 and 56.21%. The wall matrix composed of 2% gelatin and 28% collagen (C2G28), which presented the highest yield (94.7%) and good encapsulation efficiency (42.83%), was adopted to investigate the effects of ultrasound in the emulsification step (C2G28US), to compare the performance of spray and freeze‐drying, as well as to study stability of the microcapsules during storage under incident light. Ultrasound combined with spray drying resulted in the smallest particle size, according to SEM analyses and the highest curcumin retention (342.84 mg/g). Sonication also showed positive effects on product stability, with better curcumin color retention observed for spray‐dried microcapsules.Practical ApplicationsEncapsulation of turmeric oleoresin by spray drying in protein matrices composed of gelatin and collagen hydrolysate was enhanced by using ultrasound in the emulsification step, which resulted in the smallest particle size, higher curcumin retention and greater color stability under light incidence. The produced curcumin capsules may be used as a food supplement or as a natural dye.
Prediction of Come‐Up Time Correction Factor for Heat Processing of Food in Containers Using Come‐Up Heating Medium Temperatures
Authors: Terajima Yoshimi 
Published: March 2016

AbstractA general formula was derived for predicting come‐up time correction factors needed to accurately estimate the
values of food in containers subjected to time variable heating medium temperatures during the come‐up period of heat sterilization process. It would be applicable to any food with any mode of heat transfer regardless to container geometry because it was derived from empirical formulas containing
and
values, which were developed for food temperature estimation. From this general formula, a new procedure was developed for calculating the come‐up time correction factors by using experimental come‐up heating medium temperatures. In this investigation, however, come‐up time correction factors were calculated by the developed procedure using time‐temperature data obtained from mathematical functions representing assumed come‐up heating medium temperature history curves. By comparing the results with those calculated from theoretical formulas, which were derived by substituting these mathematical functions for the general formula, it was found that the come‐up time correction factors could be accurately calculated by the developed procedure.Practical ApplicationsThe
and
values, which are accurately estimated from the heating curve, may be used for determining
(thermal diffusivity) and
(surface heat transfer coefficient/thermal conductivity) necessary to heat penetration simulation for heat conduction food in containers, which are approximated by cylinders, slabs, or spheres.
Development of A Monoclonal Antibody‐Based Competitive Elisa Method for Quantitative Detection of Dextran
Authors: Wang Shengyu , Li Zhe , Wang Xianjiang , Ni Erru , Zeng Lianqiang , Luo Fanghong , Yan Jianghua , Liang Dafeng 
Published: March 2016

AbstractTo solve processing problems caused by bacterial activity in sugar industry, a sensitive method for dextran detection is expected. In this study, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against dextran were prepared using dextran T40 conjugated with bovine serum albumin as immunogens. Basing on the mAbs, a competitive enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method to measure dextran quantitatively was developed. Results demonstrated that this competitive ELISA method had a calibration curve with correlation coefficient of 0.9986, IC50 value of 204.2 ng/mL and detection value ranging from 26.3 ng/mL to 1174.9 ng/mL. In addition, cross‐reaction assay suggested the method had no significant cross‐reaction with dextran‐related substances such as β‐glucan, starch, sucrose, sugar and glucose. Besides, spike recovery assay indicated this quantitative method for dextran detection had a perfect accuracy.Practical ApplicationsWith wide detection range, high specificity and good calibration curve, this developed competitive ELISA method will be reliable to detect dextran quantitatively in sugar industry, and even may be commercially applied into kit development.
The roles of HOXB7 in promoting migration, invasion, and anti‐apoptosis in gastric cancer
Authors: Joo Moon Kyung , Park Jong‐Jae , Yoo Hyo Soon , Lee Beom Jae , Chun Hoon Jai , Lee Sang Woo , Bak Young‐Tae 
Published: March 2016

AbstractBackground and AimThe aim of this study was to compare HOXB7 expression level between gastric cancer and non‐cancerous gastric tissues. Additionally, the functional effects of HOXB7, including its pro‐migration or invasion and anti‐apoptosis roles, were evaluated in gastric cancer cells.MethodsBoth gene and protein expression levels of HOXB7 were examined in gastric cancer cell lines, and HOXB7 expression was compared between primary or metastatic gastric cancer tissues and chronic gastritis or intestinal metaplasia tissues. Functional studies included a wound healing assay, a Matrigel invasion assay, and an Annexin‐V assay were performed, and Akt/PTEN activity was measured by western blotting.ResultsBoth gene and protein expression levels of HOXB7 could be clearly detected in various gastric cancer cell lines except MKN‐28 cell. HOXB7 expression was significantly higher in primary or metastatic gastric cancer tissues than in chronic gastritis or intestinal metaplasia tissues. HOXB7 knockdown led to inhibition of cell invasion and migration, had an apoptotic effect, downregulated phosphor‐Akt, and upregulated PTEN in AGS and SNU‐638 cells. Reinforced expression of HOXB7 caused the opposite effects in MKN‐28 and MKN‐45 cells.ConclusionOur study suggests that HOXB7 has an oncogenic role in gastric cancer, which might be related to the modulation of Akt/PTEN activity to induce cell migration/invasion and anti‐apoptotic effects.
Aspiration Abortion With Immediate Intrauterine Device Insertion: Comparing Outcomes of Advanced Practice Clinicians and Physicians
Authors: Patil Eva , Darney Blair , Orme‐Evans Kaebah , Beckley Ethan H. , Bergander Linn , Nichols Mark , Bednarek Paula H. 
Published: March 2016

IntroductionImmediate postabortion intrauterine device (IUD) insertion is a safe, effective strategy to prevent subsequent unplanned pregnancy. Oregon is one of 5 US states where advanced practice clinicians perform aspiration abortions. This study compares outcomes of first‐trimester aspiration abortion with immediate IUD insertion between advanced practice clinicians and physicians.MethodsWe conducted a historical cohort study of first‐trimester aspiration abortions with immediate IUD insertion performed at our center from 2009 to 2011. We extracted demographic and clinical data from patient charts. Immediate complications including excessive blood loss, perforation, and reaspirations were recorded at the time of procedure. We used descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression to test for differences in outcomes by clinician type.ResultsData were available on 669 of the 1134 combined procedures. Advanced practice clinicians performed 224 of these. There were no significant differences in immediate outcomes. The only immediate complications were reaspirations; 1.8% (4/224) in the advanced practice clinician group, and 2.0% (9/445) in the physician group (P = .83).DiscussionWe found no differences in outcomes between provider type for immediate IUD insertion after first‐trimester aspiration abortion. This study helps reinforce that advanced practice clinicians can provide immediate postaspiration abortion IUD insertions with similar outcomes to those of physicians. Many countries do not allow advanced practice clinicians to perform this service, but a change in policy could help address family planning provider shortages.
Bioenergetics and redox adaptations of astrocytes to neuronal activity
Authors: Bolaños Juan P. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractNeuronal activity is a high‐energy demanding process recruiting all neural cells that adapt their metabolism to sustain the energy and redox balance of neurons. During neurotransmission, synaptic cleft glutamate activates its receptors in neurons and in astrocytes, before being taken up by astrocytes through energy costly transporters. In astrocytes, the energy requirement for glutamate influx is likely to be met by glycolysis. To enable this, astrocytes are constitutively glycolytic, robustly expressing 6‐phosphofructo‐2‐kinase/fructose‐2,6‐bisphosphatase‐3 (PFKFB3), an enzyme that is negligibly present in neurons by continuous degradation because of the ubiquitin‐proteasome pathway via anaphase‐promoting complex/cyclosome (APC)‐Cdh1. Additional factors contributing to the glycolytic frame of astrocytes may include 5′‐AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK), hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1 (HIF‐1), pyruvate kinase muscle isoform‐2 (PKM2), pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase‐4 (PDK4), lactate dehydrogenase‐B, or monocarboxylate transporter‐4 (MCT4). Neurotransmission‐associated messengers, such as nitric oxide or ammonium, stimulate lactate release from astrocytes. Astrocyte‐derived glycolytic lactate thus sustains the energy needs of neurons, which in contrast to astrocytes mainly rely on oxidative phosphorylation. Neuronal activity unavoidably triggers reactive oxygen species, but the antioxidant defense of neurons is weak; hence, they use glucose for oxidation through the pentose‐phosphate pathway to preserve the redox status. Furthermore, neural activity is coupled with erythroid‐derived erythroid‐derived 2‐like 2 (Nrf2) mediated transcriptional activation of antioxidant genes in astrocytes, which boost the de novo glutathione biosynthesis in neighbor neurons. Thus, the bioenergetics and redox programs of astrocytes are adapted to sustain neuronal activity and survival. Developing therapeutic strategies to interfere with these pathways may be useful to combat neurological diseases.
image
Our current knowledge on brain's management of bioenergetics and redox requirements associated with neural activity is herein revisited. The astrocyte‐neuronal lactate shuttle (ANLS) explains the energy needs of neurotransmission. Furthermore, neurotransmission unavoidably triggers increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species in neurons. By coupling glutamatergic activity with transcriptional activation of antioxidant genes, astrocytes provide neurons with neuroprotective glutathione through an astrocyte‐neuronal glutathione shuttle (ANGS).This article is part of the 60th Anniversary special issue.
Paper or Plastic? Exploring the Effects of Natural Enrichment on Behavioural and Neuroendocrine Responses in Long‐Evans Rats
Authors: Bardi M. , Kaufman C. , Franssen C. , Hyer M. M. , Rzucidlo A. , Brown M. , Tschirhart M. , Lambert K. G. 
Published: March 2016

Enriched environments are beneficial to neurobiological development; specifically, rodents exposed to complex, rather than standard laboratory, environments exhibit evidence of neuroplasticity and enhanced cognitive performance. In the present study, the nature of elements placed in the complex environment was investigated. Accordingly, rats (n = 8 per group) were housed either in a natural environment characterised by stimuli such as dirt and rocks, an artificial environment characterised by plastic toys and synthetic nesting materials, a natural/artificial environment characterised by a combination of artificial and natural stimuli or a laboratory standard environment characterised by no enrichment stimuli. Following exposure to emotional and cognitive behavioural tasks, including a cricket hunting task, a novel object preference task and a forced swim task, brains were processed for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)‐, neuronal nuclei (NeuN)‐ and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) immunoreactivity. Baseline and stress foecal samples were collected to assess corticosterone (CORT) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Natural environment animals exhibited shorter diving latencies and increased diving frequencies in the second forced swimming task, along with higherDHEA/CORTratios, and higherGFAPimmunoreactivity in the hippocampus. The type of environmental enrichment did not influence levels ofBDNFimmunoreactivity in theCA1,CA3 and dentate gyrus of the hippocampus; however, natural environment animals exhibited higher levels of NeuN immunoreactivity in the retrosplenial cortex, an area involved in spatial memory and other cognitive functions. These results suggest that, in addition to enhancing behavioural and endocrinological variables associated with resilience, exposure to natural stimuli might alter plasticity in brain areas associated with cortical processing and learning.
Does ability to walk reflect general functionality in inflammatory neuropathies?
Authors: Draak Thomas H. P. , Gorson Kenneth C. , Vanhoutte Els K. , van Nes Sonja I. , van Doorn Pieter A. , Cornblath David R. , van den Berg Leonard H. , Faber Catharina G. , Merkies Ingemar S. J. ,   PeriNomS Study Group
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe “ability to walk” is considered a benchmark for good clinical recovery and prognosis, particularly in patients with Guillain‐Barré syndrome (GBS) and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP). However, it has never been determined whether being “able to walk” represents general functionality. The purpose of this study was to examine whether the ability to walk outside independently reflects general functional improvement in patients with GBS, CIDP, and gammopathy‐related neuropathy (MGUSP). A total of 137 patients with newly diagnosed (or relapsing) GBS (55), CIDP (59), and MGUSP (23) were serially examined (1‐year). Predefined arbitrary cut‐offs (so‐called patients' Functional‐Acceptable‐Clinical‐Thresholds [FACTs]) were taken at the 50th, 75th, and 90th percentile of the Inflammatory‐Rasch‐built‐Overall‐Disability‐Scale (I‐RODS©). We determined the proportion of patients able to walk outside independently that reached the postulated cut‐offs. A mean total of 85%, 39%, and 12% of all patients able to walk reached 50th, 75th, and 90th percentile thresholds, respectively. These findings were not neuropathy type related. Our findings show that assessing only one construct of functionality (e.g., walking ability) does not reflect the full scope of daily/social functional deficits perceived by patients. The ability to walk shows a patient is doing better, but not necessarily doing well. The I‐RODS© bypasses these limitations.
Fampridine‐PR (prolonged released 4‐aminopyridine) is not effective in patients with inflammatory demyelination of the peripheral nervous system
Authors: Leussink Verena‐Isabell , Stettner Mark , Warnke Clemens , Hartung Hans‐Peter 
Published: March 2016

AbstractFampridine‐PR is a voltage‐gated potassium channel inhibitor potentially improving nerve conduction in demyelinated axons. Based on its established clinical efficacy in patients with demyelination in the central nervous system, we assessed if fampridine‐PR is also effective in patients with inflammatory demyelination of the peripheral nerve. In this small open‐label study, 10 patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) were treated with fampridine‐PR 10 mg BID for 28 days and assessed clinically as well as by nerve conduction studies. In this study, Fampridine‐PR failed to improve CIDP based on clinical measures and nerve conduction studies. Our findings suggest that Fampridine‐PR appears to be ineffective in demyelinating polyneuropathies. These observations may indicate a more complex mode of action beyond improving action potential conduction in demyelinated axons.
Diffusible iodine‐based contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (diceCT): an emerging tool for rapid, high‐resolution, 3‐D imaging of metazoan soft tissues
Authors: Gignac Paul M. , Kley Nathan J. , Clarke Julia A. , Colbert Matthew W. , Morhardt Ashley C. , Cerio Donald , Cost Ian N. , Cox Philip G. , Daza Juan D. , Early Catherine M. , Echols M. Scott , Henkelman R. Mark , Herdina A. Nele , Holliday Casey M. , Li Zhiheng , Mahlow Kristin , Merchant Samer , Müller Johannes , Orsbon Courtney P. , Paluh Daniel J. , Thies Monte L. , Tsai Henry P. , Witmer Lawrence M. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractMorphologists have historically had to rely on destructive procedures to visualize the three‐dimensional (3‐D) anatomy of animals. More recently, however, non‐destructive techniques have come to the forefront. These include X‐ray computed tomography (CT), which has been used most commonly to examine the mineralized, hard‐tissue anatomy of living and fossil metazoans. One relatively new and potentially transformative aspect of current CT‐based research is the use of chemical agents to render visible, and differentiate between, soft‐tissue structures in X‐ray images. Specifically, iodine has emerged as one of the most widely used of these contrast agents among animal morphologists due to its ease of handling, cost effectiveness, and differential affinities for major types of soft tissues. The rapid adoption of iodine‐based contrast agents has resulted in a proliferation of distinct specimen preparations and scanning parameter choices, as well as an increasing variety of imaging hardware and software preferences. Here we provide a critical review of the recent contributions to iodine‐based, contrast‐enhanced CT research to enable researchers just beginning to employ contrast enhancement to make sense of this complex new landscape of methodologies. We provide a detailed summary of recent case studies, assess factors that govern success at each step of the specimen storage, preparation, and imaging processes, and make recommendations for standardizing both techniques and reporting practices. Finally, we discuss potential cutting‐edge applications of diffusible iodine‐based contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (diceCT) and the issues that must still be overcome to facilitate the broader adoption of diceCT going forward.
Simplifying a wing: diversity and functional consequences of digital joint reduction in bat wings
Authors: Bahlman Joseph W. , Price‐Waldman Rosalyn M. , Lippe Hannah W. , Breuer Kenneth S. , Swartz Sharon M. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractBat wings, like other mammalian forelimbs, contain many joints within the digits. These joints collectively affect dynamic three‐dimensional (3D) wing shape, thereby affecting the amount of aerodynamic force a wing can generate. Bats are a speciose group, and show substantial variation in the number of wing joints. Additionally, some bat species have joints with extensor but no flexor muscles. While several studies have examined the diversity in number of joints and presence of muscles, musculoskeletal variation in the digits has not been interpreted in phylogenetic, functional or ecological contexts. To provide this context, the number of joints and the presence/absence of muscles are quantified for 44 bat species, and are mapped phylogenetically. It is shown that, relative to the ancestral state, joints and muscles were lost multiple times from different digits and in many lineages. It is also shown that joints lacking flexors undergo cyclical flexion and extension, in a manner similar to that observed in joints with both flexors and extensors. Comparison of species with contrasting feeding ecologies demonstrates that species that feed primarily on non‐mobile food (e.g. fruit) have fewer fully active joints than species that catch mobile prey (e.g. insects). It is hypothesized that there is a functional trade‐off between energetic savings and maneuverability. Having fewer joints and muscles reduces the mass of the wing, thereby reducing the energetic requirements of flapping flight, and having more joints increases the assortment of possible 3D wing shapes, thereby enhancing the range and fine control of aerodynamic force production and thus maneuverability.