bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of echocardiography before cardiac resynchronization therapy: new advances and current developments
Authors: Marechaux Sylvestre , Menet Aymeric , Guyomar Yves , Ennezat Pierre‐Vladimir , Guerbaai Raphaëlle Ashley , Graux Pierre , Tribouilloy Christophe 
Published: August 2016

The role of echocardiography in improving the selection of patients who will benefit from cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) remains a source of debate. Although previous landmark reports have demonstrated a link between mechanical dyssynchrony, assessed by delays between left ventricle (LV) walls and response to CRT, the predictive value of these findings has not yet been confirmed in multicenter trials. Indeed, recent studies demonstrated that the classical assessment of LV mechanical dyssynchrony using delay between walls by echocardiography depends not only on LV electrical activation delay (electrical dyssynchrony), but also on abnormalities in regional contractility of the LV and/or loading conditions, which do not represent an appropriate target for CRT. Recent reports highlighted the value of new indices of electromechanical dyssynchrony obtained by echocardiography, to predict LV response and outcome after CRT including septal flash, left bundle branch block—typical pattern by longitudinal strain, apical rocking, septal strain patterns, and systolic stretch index. This was achieved using a mechanistic approach, based on the contractile consequences of electrical dyssynchrony. These indices are rarely found in patients with narrow QRS (<120 ms), whereas their frequency rises in patients with an increase in QRS duration (>120 ms). Theses indices should improve candidate selection for CRT in clinical practice, especially for patients in whom the benefit of CRT remains uncertain, for example, patients with intermediate QRS width (120–150 ms).
Feeding during the resting phase causes profound changes in physiology and desynchronization between liver and muscle rhythms of rats
Authors: Opperhuizen Anne‐Loes , Wang Dawei , Foppen Ewout , Jansen Remi , Boudzovitch‐Surovtseva Olga , de Vries Janneke , Fliers Eric , Kalsbeek Andries 
Published: August 2016

AbstractShiftworkers run an increased risk of developing metabolic disorders, presumably as a result of disturbed circadian physiology. Eating at a time‐of‐day that is normally dedicated to resting and fasting, may contribute to this association. The hypothalamus is the key brain area that integrates different inputs, including environmental time information from the central biological clock in the suprachiasmatic nuclei, with peripheral information on energy status to maintain energy homeostasis. The orexin system within the lateral hypothalamus is an important output of the suprachiasmatic nuclei involved in the control of sleep/wake behavior and glucose homeostasis, among other functions. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that feeding during the rest period disturbs the orexin system as a possible underlying contributor to metabolic health problems. Male Wistar rats were exposed to an 8‐week protocol in which food was available ad libitum for 24‐h, for 12‐h during the light phase (i.e., unnatural feeding time) or for 12‐h during the dark phase (i.e., restricted feeding, but at the natural time‐of‐day). Animals forced to eat at an unnatural time, i.e., during the light period, showed no changes in orexin and orexin‐receptor gene expression in the hypothalamus, but the rhythmic expression of clock genes in the lateral hypothalamus was absent in these animals. Light fed animals did show adverse changes in whole‐body physiology and internal desynchronization of muscle and liver clock and metabolic gene expression. Eating at the ‘wrong’ time‐of‐day thus causes internal desynchronization at different levels, which in the long run may disrupt body physiology.
Relative contribution of the dorsal raphe nucleus and ventrolateral periaqueductal gray to morphine antinociception and tolerance in the rat
Authors: Campion Kyle N. , Saville Kimber A. , Morgan Michael M. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) is embedded in the ventral part of the caudal periaqueductal gray (PAG). Electrical or chemical activation of neurons throughout this region produces antinociception. The objective of this manuscript is to determine whether the ventrolateral PAG and DRN are distinct antinociceptive systems. This hypothesis was tested by determining the antinociceptive potency of microinjecting morphine into each structure (Experiment 1), creating a map of effective microinjection sites that produce antinociception (Experiment 2) and comparing the development of antinociceptive tolerance to repeated microinjections of morphine into the ventrolateral PAG and DRN (Experiment 3). Morphine was more potent following cumulative injections (1.0, 2.2, 4.6 & 10 μg/0.2 μL) into the ventrolateral PAG (D50 = 3.3 μg) compared to the lateral (4.3 μg) or medial DRN (5.8 μg). Antinociception occurred following 94% of the morphine injections into the ventrolateral PAG, whereas only 68.3% and 78.3% of the injections into the lateral and medial aspects of the DRN produced antinociception. Repeated microinjections of morphine into the ventrolateral PAG produced tolerance as indicated by a 528% difference in potency between morphine and saline pretreated rats. In contrast, relatively small changes in potency occurred following repeated microinjections of morphine into the lateral and medial aspects of the DRN (107% and 49%, respectively). These data indicate that the ventrolateral PAG and DRN are distinct antinociceptive structures. Antinociception is greater with injections into the ventrolateral PAG compared to the DRN, but this antinociception disappears rapidly because of the development of tolerance.
Blood oxygenation level dependent signal and neuronal adaptation to optogenetic and sensory stimulation in somatosensory cortex in awake animals
Authors: Aksenov Daniil P. , Li Limin , Miller Michael J. , Wyrwicz Alice M. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe adaptation of neuronal responses to stimulation, in which a peak transient response is followed by a sustained plateau, has been well‐studied. The blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) signal has also been shown to exhibit adaptation on a longer time scale. However, some regions such as the visual and auditory cortices exhibit significant BOLD adaptation, whereas other such as the whisker barrel cortex may not adapt. In the sensory cortex a combination of thalamic inputs and intracortical activity drives hemodynamic changes, although the relative contributions of these components are not entirely understood. The aim of this study is to assess the role of thalamic inputs vs. intracortical processing in shaping BOLD adaptation during stimulation in the somatosensory cortex. Using simultaneous fMRI and electrophysiology in awake rabbits, we measured BOLD, local field potentials (LFPs), single‐ and multi‐unit activity in the cortex during whisker and optogenetic stimulation. This design allowed us to compare BOLD and haemodynamic responses during activation of the normal thalamocortical sensory pathway (i.e., both inputs and intracortical activity) vs. the direct optical activation of intracortical circuitry alone. Our findings show that whereas LFP and multi‐unit (MUA) responses adapted, neither optogenetic nor sensory stimulation produced significant BOLD adaptation. We observed for both paradigms a variety of excitatory and inhibitory single unit responses. We conclude that sensory feed‐forward thalamic inputs are not primarily responsible for shaping BOLD adaptation to stimuli; but the single‐unit results point to a role in this behaviour for specific excitatory and inhibitory neuronal sub‐populations, which may not correlate with aggregate neuronal activity.
Reduced small world brain connectivity in probands with a family history of epilepsy
Authors: Bharath R. D. , Chaitanya G. , Panda R. , Raghavendra K. , Sinha S. , Sahoo A. , Gohel S. , Biswal B. B. , Satishchandra P. 
Published: August 2016

Background and purposeThe role of inheritance in ascertaining susceptibility to epilepsy is well established, although the pathogenetic mechanisms are still not very clear. Interviewing for a positive family history is a popular epidemiological tool in the understanding of this susceptibility. Our aim was to visualize and localize network abnormalities that could be associated with a positive family history in a group of patients with hot water epilepsy (HWE) using resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI).MethodsGraph theory analysis of rsfMRI (clustering coefficient γ; path length λ; small worldness σ) in probands with a positive family history of epilepsy (FHE+, 25) were compared with probands without FHE (FHE−, 33). Whether a closer biological relationship was associated with a higher likelihood of network abnormalities was also ascertained.ResultsA positive family history of epilepsy had decreased γ, increased λ and decreased σ in bilateral temporofrontal regions compared to FHE− (false discovery rate corrected P ≤ 0.0062). These changes were more pronounced in probands having first degree relatives and siblings with epilepsy. Probands with multiple types of epilepsy in the family showed decreased σ in comparison to only HWE in the family.ConclusionGraph theory analysis of the rsfMRI can be used to understand the neurobiology of diseases like genetic susceptibility in HWE. Reduced small worldness, proportional to the degree of relationship, is consistent with the current understanding that disease severity is higher in closer biological relations.
Quantifying antiepileptic drug effects using intrinsic excitability measures
Authors: Meisel Christian , Plenz Dietmar , Schulze‐Bonhage Andreas , Reichmann Heinz 
Published: August 2016

SummaryPathologic increases in excitability levels of cortical tissue commonly underlie the initiation and spread of seizure activity in patients with epilepsy. By reducing the excitability levels in neural tissue, antiepileptic drug (AED) pharmacotherapy aims to reduce seizure severity and frequency. However, AEDs may also bring about adverse effects, which have been reported to increase with higher AED load. Measures that monitor the dose‐dependent effects of AEDs on cortical tissue and quantify its excitability level are therefore of prime importance for efficient clinical care and treatment but have been difficult to identify. Here, we systematically analyze continuous multiday electrocorticography (ECoG) data from 10 patients under different levels of AED load and derive the recently proposed intrinsic excitability measures (IEMs) from different brain regions and across different frequency bands. We find that IEMs are significantly negatively correlated with AED load (prescribed daily dose/defined daily dose). Furthermore, we demonstrate that IEMs derived from different brain regions can robustly capture global changes in the degree of excitability. These results provide a step toward the ultimate goal of developing a reliable quantitative measure of central physiologic effects of AEDs in patients with epilepsy.
Thermal limits of leaf metabolism across biomes
Authors: O'sullivan Odhran S. , Heskel Mary A. , Reich Peter B. , Tjoelker Mark G. , Weerasinghe Lasantha K. , Penillard Aurore , Zhu Lingling , Egerton John J. G. , Bloomfield Keith J. , Creek Danielle , Bahar Nur H. A. , Griffin Kevin L. , Hurry Vaughan , Meir Patrick , Turnbull Matthew H. , Atkin Owen K. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractHigh‐temperature tolerance in plants is important in a warming world, with extreme heat waves predicted to increase in frequency and duration, potentially leading to lethal heating of leaves. Global patterns of high‐temperature tolerance are documented in animals, but generally not in plants, limiting our ability to assess risks associated with climate warming. To assess whether there are global patterns in high‐temperature tolerance of leaf metabolism, we quantifiedTcrit(high temperature where minimal chlorophyllafluorescence rises rapidly and thus photosystemIIis disrupted) andTmax(temperature where leaf respiration in darkness is maximal, beyond which respiratory function rapidly declines) in upper canopy leaves of 218 plant species spanning seven biomes. Mean site‐basedTcritvalues ranged from 41.5 °C in the Alaskan arctic to 50.8 °C in lowland tropical rainforests of Peruvian Amazon. ForTmax, the equivalent values were 51.0 and 60.6 °C in the Arctic and Amazon, respectively.TcritandTmaxfollowed similar biogeographic patterns, increasing linearly (˜8 °C) from polar to equatorial regions. Such increases in high‐temperature tolerance are much less than expected based on the 20 °C span in high‐temperature extremes across the globe. Moreover, with only modest high‐temperature tolerance despite high summer temperature extremes, species in mid‐latitude (~20–50°) regions have the narrowest thermal safety margins in upper canopy leaves; these regions are at the greatest risk of damage due to extreme heat‐wave events, especially under conditions when leaf temperatures are further elevated by a lack of transpirational cooling. Using predicted heat‐wave events for 2050 and accounting for possible thermal acclimation ofTcritandTmax, we also found that these safety margins could shrink in a warmer world, as rising temperatures are likely to exceed thermal tolerance limits. Thus, increasing numbers of species in many biomes may be at risk as heat‐wave events become more severe with climate change.
Fishing degrades size structure of coral reef fish communities
Authors: Robinson James P. W. , Williams Ivor D. , Edwards Andrew M. , McPherson Jana , Yeager Lauren , Vigliola Laurent , Brainard Russell E. , Baum Julia K. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractFishing pressure on coral reef ecosystems has been frequently linked to reductions of large fishes and reef fish biomass. Associated impacts on overall community structure are, however, less clear. In size‐structured aquatic ecosystems, fishing impacts are commonly quantified using size spectra, which describe the distribution of individual body sizes within a community. We examined the size spectra and biomass of coral reef fish communities at 38 US‐affiliated Pacific islands that ranged in human presence from near pristine to human population centers. Size spectra ‘steepened’ steadily with increasing human population and proximity to market due to a reduction in the relative biomass of large fishes and an increase in the dominance of small fishes. Reef fish biomass was substantially lower on inhabited islands than uninhabited ones, even at inhabited islands with the lowest levels of human presence. We found that on populated islands size spectra exponents decreased (analogous to size spectra steepening) linearly with declining biomass, whereas on uninhabited islands there was no relationship. Size spectra were steeper in regions of low sea surface temperature but were insensitive to variation in other environmental and geomorphic covariates. In contrast, reef fish biomass was highly sensitive to oceanographic conditions, being influenced by both oceanic productivity and sea surface temperature. Our results suggest that community size structure may be a more robust indicator than fish biomass to increasing human presence and that size spectra are reliable indicators of exploitation impacts across regions of different fish community compositions, environmental drivers, and fisheries types. Size‐based approaches that link directly to functional properties of fish communities, and are relatively insensitive to abiotic variation across biogeographic regions, offer great potential for developing our understanding of fishing impacts in coral reef ecosystems.
Multiyear fate of a15N tracer in a mixed deciduous forest: retention, redistribution, and differences by mycorrhizal association
Authors: Goodale Christine L. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe impact of atmospheric nitrogen deposition on forest ecosystems depends in large part on its fate. Past tracer studies show that litter and soils dominate the short‐term fate of added15N, yet few have examined its longer term dynamics or differences among forest types. This study examined the fate of a15N‐tracer over 5–6 years in a mixed deciduous stand that was evenly composed of trees with ectomycorrhizal and arbuscular mycorrhizal associations. The tracer was expected to slowly mineralize from its main initial fate in litter and surface soil, with some15N moving to trees, some to deeper soil, and some net losses. Recovery of added15N in trees and litterfall totaled 11.3% both 1 and 5–6 years after the tracer addition, as15N redistributed from fine and especially coarse roots into cumulative litterfall and small accumulations in woody tissues. Estimates of potential carbon sequestration from tree15N recovery amounted to 12–14 kg C per kg of N deposition. Tree15N acquisition occurred within the first year after the tracer addition, with no subsequent additional net transfer of15N from detrital to plant pools. In both years, ectomycorrhizal trees gained 50% more of the tracer than did trees with arbuscular mycorrhizae. Much of the15N recovered in wood occurred in tree rings formed prior to the15N addition, demonstrating the mobility of N in wood. Tracer recovery rapidly decreased over time in surface litter material and accumulated in both shallow and deep soil, perhaps through mixing by earthworms. Overall, results showed redistribution of tracer15N through trees and surface soils without any losses, as whole‐ecosystem recovery remained constant between 1 and 5–6 years at 70% of the15N addition. These results demonstrate the persistent ecosystem retention of N deposition even as it redistributes, without additional plant uptake over this timescale.
Re‐ensiling and inoculant application with Lactobacillus plantarum and Propionibacterium acidipropionici on sorghum silages
Authors: Michel P. H. F. , Gonçalves L. C. , Rodrigues J. A. S. , Keller K. M. , Raposo V. S. , Lima E. M. , Santos F. P. C. , Jayme D. G. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractRe‐ensiling of previously ensiled forage has been a common practice in Brazil, and the use of inoculants may provide a means of reducing dry‐matter (DM) loss. This study aimed to determine the effect of re‐ensiling and the use of microbial inoculants on the quality of sorghum silage. Treatments were presence/absence of an inoculant (Lactobacillus plantarum and Propionibacterium acidipropionici) in the silage, and the re‐ensiling, or not, of the material after 24 h of exposure to air, and these were tested in a factorial 2 × 2 design. Losses due to gas, effluent and total DM were assessed, as were the fermentation characteristics, chemical composition, aerobic stability, and aerobic counts of microorganisms. Effluent loss was higher in re‐ensiled silage, and these silages had lower lactic acid content and higher levels of acetic and propionic acids. The in vitro DM digestibility was lower in the re‐ensiled sorghum silages. The re‐ensiled silage had higher aerobic stability. The inoculant only increased the acetic acid content of the silage. The re‐ensiling of sorghum silage increased effluent loss by 71·2%, and reduced DM digestibility by 5·35%. The use of inoculant did not influence the quality of sorghum silage.
Propensity for Japanese‐American older adults’ use of medical alert services in Hawaii
Authors: Yamazaki Yuka , Yontz Valerie , Hayashida Cullen 
Published: August 2016

AimHawaii is a fast‐aging, multi‐ethnic state. At present, ethnic Japanese represent the largest segment of the elderly population (aged ≥65 years). Studies in Western countries have identified an association between ethnicity and the use of homecare services. The present study sought to substantiate this association in relation to the use of a personal emergency response system service by older ethnic Japanese adults in Hawaii.MethodsQuestionnaires were mailed to 585 elderly subscribers of a company providing personal emergency response system services in Hawaii in 2014. The questionnaire inquired about the subscriber's ethnicity, functional disability, number of medications taken and falls experienced. Additional information on the sex, age and service payer was obtained for each of the responding subscribers from the corporate database. The χ2‐test and t‐test were carried out to assess the associations between factors.ResultsA total of 244 questionnaires were analyzed (41.7% response rate; mean age of respondents 86.1 + 7.8 years). Compared with non‐Japanese older adults, ethnic Japanese older adults had a higher propensity to use the personal emergency response system services, were older, used fewer prescribed medications and were more likely to have these services paid for by family members or to pay themselves.ConclusionsJapanese culture might influence the use of personal emergency response system services. Ethnic Japanese older adults might want to receive homecare services focusing on preventing minor accidents from becoming medical crises because of their high level of concern for health, their independence and the availability of family support. Healthcare planners should consider such factors in the provision of care in Hawaii. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 1392–1398.
Implementation of evidence‐based practice by nurses working in community settings and their strategies to mentor student nurses to develop evidence‐based practice: A qualitative study
Authors: Brooke Joanne Mary , Mallion Jaimee 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe aim of the study was to explore how community nurses apply the best available evidence to their practice, and how they mentor student nurses to conceptualize and implement evidence‐based practice in community settings. In the UK, the expansion of health‐care provision in the community has supported the development of highly skilled community nurses. However, there is limited literature regarding the strategies used by community nurses to implement evidence‐based practice and mentor student nurses to conceptualize evidence‐based practice in community placements. An exploratory qualitative approach applying inductive reasoning to focus group data was used. As a result, nurses working for a community NHS Foundation Trust in South England with a mentor qualification were invited to participate in one of the seven focus groups, 33 nurses participated. Data were analyzed with thematic analysis. The themes discussed in this paper are: ‘our practice is evidence‐based’ as guidelines and policies provided structure, but occasionally stifled autonomous clinical decision‐making, and ‘time’ as a barrier and facilitator to mentoring student nurses in community settings. In conclusion, nurses need to develop the ability to incorporate patients' needs and wishes within evidence‐based care. Time was a facilitator for some community mentors, but protected time is required to complete the necessary practice documentation of student nurses.
Clearance of apoptotic neutrophils and resolution of inflammation
Authors: Greenlee‐Wacker Mallary C. 
Published: August 2016

SummaryThe engulfment of apoptotic cells by phagocytes, a process referred to as efferocytosis, is essential for maintenance of normal tissue homeostasis and a prerequisite for the resolution of inflammation. Neutrophils are the predominant circulating white blood cell in humans, and contain an arsenal of toxic substances that kill and degrade microbes. Neutrophils are short‐lived and spontaneously die by apoptosis. This review will highlight how the engulfment of apoptotic neutrophils by human phagocytes occurs, how heterogeneity of phagocyte populations influences efferocytosis signaling, and downstream consequences of efferocytosis. The efferocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils by macrophages promotes anti‐inflammatory signaling, prevents neutrophil lysis, and dampens immune responses. Given the immunomodulatory properties of efferocytosis, understanding pathways that regulate and enhance efferocytosis could be harnessed to combat infection and chronic inflammatory conditions.