bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Trunk Muscle Characteristics of the Multifidi, Erector Spinae, Psoas, and Quadratus Lumborum in Older Adults With and Without Chronic Low Back Pain
Authors: Sions J. Megan , Elliott James M. , Pohlig Ryan T. , Hicks Gregory E. 
Published: February 2017

Study Design Cross-sectional study. Objective To determine whether there are differences in trunk muscle characteristics between older adults with and without chronic low back pain (LBP), while controlling for age, sex, and body mass index. Background Muscle support for the trunk is provided by the multifidi, erector spinae, psoas, and quadratus lumborum. Trunk muscle characteristics may be altered with aging and/or chronic LBP. To date, most trunk muscle research has been conducted among younger adults. Given age-related muscle changes, such as reduced size and increased intramuscular fat, studies are needed in older adults, including those comparing older adults with and without LBP. Methods One hundred two older adults with (n = 53) and without (n = 49) chronic LBP were included. Cross-sectional area (CSA) measurements were taken by tracing inside the fascial borders on magnetic resonance images. Pixel intensity summaries were obtained to compute muscle-to-fat indices and relative muscle CSA, that is, CSA void of fat. Right/left averages for levels L2 through L5 were determined. Mixed-design analyses of covariance were used to test for differences between groups, based on LBP presence and sex, across levels (P≤.05). Results Older adults with LBP had a greater average multifidus muscle-to-fat index (0.51 versus 0.49) and smaller average erector spinae relative muscle CSA (8.56 cm2 versus 9.26 cm2) when compared to control participants without LBP. No interactions between LBP status and average muscle characteristics were found for the psoas or quadratus lumborum (P>.05). Conclusion Up to 54% of older adult trunk muscle CSA may be fat. Women have smaller muscles and greater intramuscular fat (at lower spinal levels) than men. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2017;47(3):173–179. Epub 3 Feb 2017. doi:10.2519/jospt.2017.7002
Dry Needling Combined With Physical Therapy in Patients With Chronic Postsurgical Pain Following Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Case Series
Authors: Núñez-Cortés Rodrigo , Cruz-Montecinos Carlos , Vásquez-Rosel Álvaro , Paredes-Molina Orlando , Cuesta-Vargas Antonio 
Published: February 2017

Study Design Case series. Background This case series describes a combined program of dry needling and therapeutic exercise in a small group of patients with persistent pain following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Case Description Fourteen patients who underwent TKA had persistent postsurgical pain and myofascial trigger points that were nonresponsive to treatment with conventional physical therapy and/or medication. The patients received a weekly dry needling treatment in combination with therapeutic exercises for 4 weeks. Pain perception was assessed preintervention and postintervention with a visual analog scale and function was assessed with the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, 6-minute walk test, timed up-and-go test, 30-second chair-stand test, and knee joint range of motion. Outcomes After TKA, the patients had a mean ± SD symptom duration of 6.3 ± 3.1 months. Subsequent to dry needling, patients reported a significant mean ± SD decrease in pain intensity from 55.6 ± 6.6 to 19.3 ± 5.6 (P<.001) and improvements in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index scores from 10.1 ± 0.8 to 4.9 ± 1.0 for pain (P<.001), from 5.3 ± 0.4 to 2.4 ± 1.2 for stiffness (P<.001), and from 36.7 ± 2.0 to 20.1 ± 3.2 for function (P<.001). Knee flexion increased from a mean ± SD of 82.7° ± 5.2° to 93.3° ± 4.3° (P<.001), and joint extension improved from 15.8° ± 2.9° to 5.3° ± 2.4° (P<.05). The 6-minute walk test also showed improvement in postintervention values from a mean ± SD of 391.4 ± 23.7 to 424.7 ± 28.4 m (P<.05). Discussion After dry needling combined with therapeutic exercises, patients who had chronic pain following TKA showed clinically significant improvements in pain, range of motion, function, and myofascial trigger points. Future randomized clinical trials should further investigate the effectiveness of this protocol under similar conditions. Level of Evidence Therapy, level 4. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2017;47(3):209–216. Epub 3 Feb 2017. doi:10.2519/jospt.2017.7089
The Effectiveness of Trigger Point Dry Needling for Musculoskeletal Conditions by Physical Therapists: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Gattie Eric , Cleland Joshua A. , Snodgrass Suzanne 
Published: February 2017

Study Design Systematic review and meta-analysis. Background An increasing number of physical therapists in the United States and throughout the world are using dry needling to treat musculoskeletal pain. Objective To examine the short- and long-term effectiveness of dry needling delivered by a physical therapist for any musculoskeletal pain condition. Methods Electronic databases were searched. Eligible randomized controlled trials included those with human subjects who had musculoskeletal conditions that were treated with dry needling performed by a physical therapist, compared with a control or other intervention. The overall quality of the evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation. Results The initial search returned 218 articles. After screening, 13 were included. Physiotherapy Evidence Database quality scale scores ranged from 4 to 9 (out of a maximum score of 10), with a median score of 7. Eight meta-analyses were performed. In the immediate to 12-week follow-up period, studies provided evidence that dry needling may decrease pain and increase pressure pain threshold when compared to control/sham or other treatment. At 6 to 12 months, dry needling was favored for decreasing pain, but the treatment effect was not statistically significant. Dry needling, when compared to control/sham treatment, provides a statistically significant effect on functional outcomes, but not when compared to other treatments. Conclusion Very low-quality to moderate-quality evidence suggests that dry needling performed by physical therapists is more effective than no treatment, sham dry needling, and other treatments for reducing pain and improving pressure pain threshold in patients presenting with musculoskeletal pain in the immediate to 12-week follow-up period. Low-quality evidence suggests superior outcomes with dry needling for functional outcomes when compared to no treatment or sham needling. However, no difference in functional outcomes exists when compared to other physical therapy treatments. Evidence of long-term benefit of dry needling is currently lacking. Level of Evidence Therapy, level 1a. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2017;47(3):133–149. Epub 3 Feb 2017. doi:10.2519/jospt.2017.7096
SEROPREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH NEOSPORA CANINUM IN DAIRY CATTLE OF WESTERN DAIRY POCKET AREA IN CHITWAN DISTRICT OF NEPAL
Authors: Yadav G. P. , Manadhar S. , Karna A. K. , Acharya K. P. , Maharjan D. , Singh D. K. 
Published: February 2017

Dairy industry is growing in Nepaland western dairy pocket area is the main milk producing area in Chitwan district. This study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with N. caninum in western dairy pocket area in Chitwan district of Nepal. A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2014 to July 2014 among the small holder dairy farms, and out of 2188 animals from different sampling villages, 186 (8.5%) animals were randomly selected. Individual blood samples (5-10 ml) were collected and screened for N. caninum antibodies by ELISA test kit. The study showed that apparent overall prevalence of N. caninum to be 4.84% and true prevalence, 4.07%. The prevalence varied from a low of 0% to a high of 13.16% in various VDCs. The prevalence rates among Holstein-Friesian cross and Jersey cross Cattle were 6.94% and 3.51% respectively. The seroprevalence of N. caninum was found to be 16.13% and 2.5% in animals with and without history of abortion respectively, showed statistically significant different (p value <0.05). Similarly, prevalence were 13.64% and 3.66% in animals with and without presence of dog respectively and 8.5%, 3.39% and 0% in the animals of age group of 3-5 years, 1-3 years and above 5 years respectively, showed statistically non-significant association (p value <0.05). This study shows that N. caninum is associated with abortion in dairy cattle of Chitwan region. The study may contribute the base line data of N. caninum in Nepal for future preventive strategy for stake-holders and government.
ISOLATION AND PREVALENCE OF ESCHERICHIA COLI IN WILD ANIMALS AT THE NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL GARDEN JOS, NIGERIA
Authors: Oludairo O. O. , Kwaga J. K. P. , Dzikwi A. A. , Kabir J. 
Published: February 2017

There had been reports of infectious diarrhea leading to death of wild animals at the National Zoological Garden Jos, Nigeria which could possibly be due to E. coli. The presence of the zoonotic infection puts the animals, staff, visitors and the general public at risk of contracting the bacteria which could lead to death of wildlife, economic losses, wildlife conservation issues, human sickness, expenditure on treatments or death of man or animals. The record of surveillance of E. coli in Nigeria is limited. The study sought to determine the presence and prevalence of E. coli in the zoo. 160 faecal samples were collected over a period of three months and analysed for E. coli using the conventional biochemical tests and confirmation was done using the Microbact GNB 12E. Seventy seven (48.1%) isolates showed reactions presumptive of E. coli after the conventional biochemical tests while 58 (36.3%) were confirmed after testing with Microbact GNB 12E. The confirmed isolates were from primates 18, carnivores 5, herbivores 5, birds 28, and reptiles 2. There was a statistically significant association (p<0.05) between the different classes of animals and the isolation of E. coli. There was also a statistically significant association (p<0.05) between the occurrence of E. coli and months of sample collection. The occurrence and high prevalence of E. coli implies the organism could be the cause of infectious diarrhoea and death in the zoo, while staff and as many as visit the zoo are at risk of contracting the organisms from the animals or other contaminated objects which could lead to human death and epidemics.
MOLECULAR DETECTION AND ANTIBIOGRAM OF SHIGA TOXIN PRODUCING ESCHERICHIA COLI (STEC) ISOLATED FROM DIARRHEIC CHILDREN
Authors: Islam M. M. , Ahamed S. , Arafat M. Y. , Hasan I. , Rahman M. , Nazir K. H. M. N. H. 
Published: February 2017

This study was designed to determine the shiga toxin producing genes and to investigate antibiotic sensitivity or resistant patterns of the Escherichia coli isolated from diarrheic children at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh. A total of 83 stool samples were collected and screened for the detection of E. coli on the basis of cultural, staining and biochemical properties followed by molecular detection by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) using genus specific 16SrRNA primers. Antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of E. coli was determined by disc diffusion method against 9 antimicrobial agents. In this study, 27 (32.53%) out of 83 samples, were confirmed as E. coli. Overall prevalence of shiga toxin producing E. coli (STEC) among the examined children was 1.20% (n=1/83). Further, 27 E. coli isolates were analyzed for the presence of Stx-1 and Stx-2 genes by duplex-PCR. The STEC isolate was confirmed to be positive for the presence of the Stx-2 gene only. Highest susceptibility of the E. coli isolates was found against Gentamicin (92.59%), followed by Ciprofloxacin (48.14%) and Moxifloxacin (33.33%). More than 77.78% of the isolates were resistant to more than three antibiotics thus defined as multi-drug resistant (MDR). In conclusion, Gentamicin and Ciprofloxacin can be recommended as the effective drugs successful treatment of STEC infections in children.
Expérience familiale subjective et dynamique psychique familiale à l’annonce du diagnostic du cancer
Authors: Nguimfack Léonard 
Published: February 2017

La situation d’entrée dans la maladie cancer, de même que l’annonce du diagnostic constituent tous deux des moments qui provoquent une angoisse automatique dans la famille, et qui ensuite rendent compte d’un vécu groupal angoissé. Les résultats de l’étude présentée montrent des remaniements dans le mode de fonctionnement de l’appareil psychique familial du patient cancéreux : effraction, fragilisation, angoisse permanente, manifestations dépressives, mécanismes de défense tels que le clivage, l’évitement, la rationalisation, conduites réactionnelles, etc., qui sont liés à cet éprouvé subjectif du diagnostic positif de la maladie par la famille. Par conséquent, les dits résultats peuvent être exploités dans la prise en charge du patient cancéreux et de sa famille.
Cross-Presentation of Soluble and Cell-Associated Antigen by Murine Hepatocytes Is Enhanced by Collectrin Expression
Authors: Dolina Joseph S. , Cechova Sylvia , Rudy Christine K. , Sung Sun-Sang J. , Tang William W. , Lee Joey , Hahn Young S. , Le Thu H. 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
Cross-presentation is a modular series of intracellular events dictating the internalization and subsequent MHC class I (MHC I) display of extracellular Ags. This process has been defined in dendritic cells and plays a fundamental role in the induction of CD8+ T cell immunity during viral, intracellular bacterial, and antitumor responses. Herein, acute viral infection of murine liver with adenovirus, a model for intrahepatic cross-presentation, confirms hepatocytes directly contribute to cross-presentation of Ags and priming the pool of naive CD8+ T cells within the liver microenvironment. Processing of soluble and cell-associated Ags into peptide displayed by MHC I is however defective in hepatocytes lacking collectrin, an intracellular chaperone protein that localizes within the endoplasmic reticulum–Golgi intermediate compartment. Loss of hepatic collectrin expression leads to the diminished cross-priming and expansion of cytolytic antiviral CD8+ T cells. This study demonstrates that collectrin positively regulates processing of engulfed Ags into MHC I:peptide complexes within hepatocytes. Collectrin-mediated cross-presentation supports intrahepatic adaptive antiviral immune responses and may lead to insights into the nature of how the liver acts as a primary site of CD8+ T cell activation.
Cutting Edge: Tissue-Resident Memory T Cells Generated by Multiple Immunizations or Localized Deposition Provide Enhanced Immunity
Authors: Davies Brooke , Prier Julia E. , Jones Claerwen M. , Gebhardt Thomas , Carbone Francis R. , Mackay Laura K. 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
Tissue-resident memory T cells (TRM) have been shown to afford superior protection against infection, particularly against pathogens that enter via the epithelial surfaces of the body. Although TRM are often concentrated at sites of prior infection, it has been shown that TRM can disseminate throughout the body. We examined the relative effectiveness of global versus targeted CD8+ TRM lodgment in skin. The site of initial T cell priming made little difference to skin lodgement, whereas local inflammation and Ag recognition enhanced TRM accumulation and retention. Disseminated TRM lodgment was seen with the skin, but required multiple exposures to Ag and was inferior to targeted strategies. As a consequence, active recruitment by inflammation or infection resulted in superior TRM numbers and maximal protection against infection. Overall, these results highlight the potency of localized TRM deposition as a means of pathogen control as well as demonstrating the limitations of global TRM lodgment.
NLRX1 Regulates Effector and Metabolic Functions of CD4+ T Cells
Authors: Leber Andrew , Hontecillas Raquel , Tubau-Juni Nuria , Zoccoli-Rodriguez Victoria , Hulver Matthew , McMillan Ryan , Eden Kristin , Allen Irving C. , Bassaganya-Riera Josep 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
Nucleotide oligomerization domain–like receptor X1 (NLRX1) has been implicated in viral response, cancer progression, and inflammatory disorders; however, its role as a dual modulator of CD4+ T cell function and metabolism has not been defined. The loss of NLRX1 results in increased disease severity, populations of Th1 and Th17 cells, and inflammatory markers (IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-17) in mice with dextran sodium sulfate–induced colitis. To further characterize this phenotype, we used in vitro CD4+ T cell–differentiation assays and show that NLRX1-deficient T cells have a greater ability to differentiate into an inflammatory phenotype and possess greater proliferation rates. Further, NLRX1−/− cells have a decreased responsiveness to immune checkpoint pathways and greater rates of lactate dehydrogenase activity. When metabolic effects of the knockout are impaired, NLRX1-deficient cells do not display significant differences in differentiation or proliferation. To confirm the role of NLRX1 specifically in T cells, we used an adoptive-transfer model of colitis. Rag2−/− mice receiving NLRX1−/− naive or effector T cells experienced increased disease activity and effector T cell populations, whereas no differences were observed between groups receiving wild-type or NLRX1−/− regulatory T cells. Metabolic effects of NLRX1 deficiency are observed in a CD4-specific knockout of NLRX1 within a Citrobacter rodentium model of colitis. The aerobic glycolytic preference in NLRX1−/− effector T cells is combined with a decreased sensitivity to immunosuppressive checkpoint pathways to provide greater proliferative capabilities and an inflammatory phenotype bias leading to increased disease severity.
Energy conversion at dipolarization fronts
Authors: Khotyaintsev Yu. V. , Divin A. , Vaivads A. , André M. , Markidis S. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractWe use multispacecraft observations by Cluster in the Earth's magnetotail and 3‐D particle‐in‐cell simulations to investigate conversion of electromagnetic energy at the front of a fast plasma jet. We find that the major energy conversion is happening in the Earth (laboratory) frame, where the electromagnetic energy is being transferred from the electromagnetic field to particles. This process operates in a region with size of the order several ion inertial lengths across the jet front, and the primary contribution to E·j is coming from the motional electric field and the ion current. In the frame of the front we find fluctuating energy conversion with localized loads and generators at sub‐ion scales which are primarily related to the lower hybrid drift instability excited at the front; however, these provide relatively small net energy conversion.
Large earthquakes and creeping faults
Authors: Harris Ruth A. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractFaults are ubiquitous throughout the Earth's crust. The majority are silent for decades to centuries, until they suddenly rupture and produce earthquakes. With a focus on shallow continental active‐tectonic regions, this paper reviews a subset of faults that have a different behavior. These unusual faults slowly creep for long periods of time and produce many small earthquakes. The presence of fault creep and the related microseismicity helps illuminate faults that might not otherwise be located in fine detail, but there is also the question of how creeping faults contribute to seismic hazard. It appears that well‐recorded creeping fault earthquakes of up to magnitude 6.6 that have occurred in shallow continental regions produce similar fault‐surface rupture areas and similar peak ground shaking as their locked fault counterparts of the same earthquake magnitude. The behavior of much larger earthquakes on shallow creeping continental faults is less well known, because there is a dearth of comprehensive observations. Computational simulations provide an opportunity to fill the gaps in our understanding, particularly of the dynamic processes that occur during large earthquake rupture and arrest.
An estimation of the main wetting branch of the soil water retention curve based on its main drying branch using the machine learning method
Authors: Lamorski Krzysztof , Šimůnek Jiří , Sławiński Cezary , Lamorska Joanna 
Published: February 2017

AbstractIn this paper, we estimated using the machine learning methodology the main wetting branch of the soil water retention curve based on the knowledge of the main drying branch and other, optional, basic soil characteristics (particle size distribution, bulk density, organic matter content, or soil specific surface). The support vector machine algorithm was used for the models' development. The data needed by this algorithm for model training and validation consisted of 104 different undisturbed soil core samples collected from the topsoil layer (A horizon) of different soil profiles in Poland. The main wetting and drying branches of SWRC, as well as other basic soil physical characteristics, were determined for all soil samples. Models relying on different sets of input parameters were developed and validated. The analysis showed that taking into account other input parameters (i.e., particle size distribution, bulk density, organic matter content, or soil specific surface) than information about the drying branch of the SWRC has essentially no impact on the models' estimations. Developed models are validated and compared with well‐known models that can be used for the same purpose, such as the Mualem (1977) (M77) and Kool and Parker (1987) (KP87) models. The developed models estimate the main wetting SWRC branch with estimation errors (RMSE = 0.018 m3/m3) that are significantly lower than those for the M77 (RMSE = 0.025 m3/m3) or KP87 (RMSE = 0. 047 m3/m3) models.
Multilingual virtual environment for wireless sensor networks
Authors: Alpotte Algaddafi Khalifa , Zivkovic Miodrag , Branovic Irina , Popovic Ranko 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACTA pedagogical model for teaching wireless sensor network courses to Libyan students is presented in this paper, using 3D virtual classes and utilizing the collaborative learning technique by mixing students with different languages and different learning styles. We describe how a wireless sensor network simulator was integrated into a 3D environment for use in multilingual teaching environment. This learning model was based on simulation tool eWISENS. The system enables students from different countries to collaborate and work together, and creating an international environment helps Libyan students to overcome the language barrier and organize virtual sessions with colleagues all over the world. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 25:200–213, 2017; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cae; DOI 10.1002/cae.21790