bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pulmonary function tests correlated with thoracic volumes in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
Authors: Ledonio Charles Gerald T. , Rosenstein Benjamin E. , Johnston Charles E. , Regelmann Warren E. , Nuckley David J. , Polly David W. 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTScoliosis deformity has been linked with deleterious changes in the thoracic cavity that affect pulmonary function. The causal relationship between spinal deformity and pulmonary function has yet to be fully defined. It has been hypothesized that deformity correction improves pulmonary function by restoring both respiratory muscle efficiency and increasing the space available to the lungs. This research aims to correlate pulmonary function and thoracic volume before and after scoliosis correction. Retrospective correlational analysis between thoracic volume modeling from plain x‐rays and pulmonary function tests was conducted. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients enrolled in a multicenter database were sorted by pre‐operative Total Lung Capacities (TLC) % predicted values from their Pulmonary Function Tests (PFT). Ten patients with the best and ten patients with the worst TLC values were included. Modeled thoracic volume and TLC values were compared before and 2 years after surgery. Scoliosis correction resulted in an increase in the thoracic volume for patients with the worst initial TLCs (11.7%) and those with the best initial TLCs (12.5%). The adolescents with the most severe pulmonary restriction prior to surgery strongly correlated with post‐operative change in total lung capacity and thoracic volume (r2 = 0.839; p < 0.001). The mean increase in thoracic volume in this group was 373.1 cm3 (11.7%) which correlated with a 21.2% improvement in TLC. Scoliosis correction in adolescents was found to increase thoracic volume and is strongly correlated with improved TLC in cases with severe restrictive pulmonary function, but no correlation was found in cases with normal pulmonary function. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:175–182, 2017.
Structure and mechanical function of the inter‐lamellar matrix of the annulus fibrosus in the disc
Authors: Tavakoli Javad , Elliott Dawn M. , Costi John J. 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTThe inter‐lamellar matrix (ILM) has an average thickness of less than 30 µm and lies between adjacent lamellae in the annulus fibrosus (AF). The microstructure and composition of the ILM have been studied in various anatomic regions of the disc; however, their contribution to AF mechanical properties and structural integrity is unknown. It was suggested that the ILM components, mainly elastic fibers and cross‐bridges, play a role in providing mechanical integrity of the AF. Therefore, the manner in which they respond to different loadings and stabilize adjacent lamellae structure will influence AF tear formation and subsequent herniation. This review paper summarizes the composition, microstructure, and potential role of the ILM in the progression of disc herniation, clarifies the micromechanical properties of the ILM, and proposes critical areas for future studies. There are a number of unknown characteristics of the ILM, such as its mechanical role, impact on AF integrity, and ultrastructure of elastic fibers at the ILM‐lamella boundary. Determining these characteristics will provide important information for tissue engineering, repair strategies, and the development of more‐physiological computational models to study the initiation and propagation of AF tears that lead to herniation and degeneration. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:1307–1315, 2016.
Thinned stone fruits are a source of polyphenols and antioxidant compounds
Authors: Redondo Diego , Arias Esther , Oria Rosa , Venturini María E 
Published: May 2016

AbstractBACKGROUNDThinned fruits are agricultural by‐products that contain large quantities of interesting compounds due to their early maturity stage. In this work, the phenolic profile and the antioxidant activity of six thinned stone fruits (apricot, cherry, flat peach, peach, plum and nectarine) have been investigated, focussing on proanthocyanidins.RESULTSThinned nectarine had the highest content of total phenols [67.43 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE) g−1 dry weight (DW)] and total flavonoids (56.97 mg CE g−1 DW) as well as the highest antioxidant activity measured by DPPH scavenging (133.30 mg [Trolox equivalents (TE) g−1 DW] and FRAP assay (30.42 mg TE g−1 DW). Proanthocyanidins were very abundant in these by‐products, and the main phenolic group quantified in cherry (10.54 mg g−1 DW), flat peach (33.47 mg g−1 DW) and nectarine (59.89 mg g−1 DW), while hydroxycinnamic acids predominate in apricot, peach and plum (6.67, 22.04 and 23.75 mg g−1 DW, respectively). The low, mean degree of polymerisation of proanthocyanidins suggests that their bioavailability could be very high.CONCLUSIONSThis study shows that thinned stone fruit extracts might be used as antioxidants in foods or as a source of compounds with health‐related benefits that can be used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Isolation and identification of anti‐proliferative peptides from Spirulina platensis using three‐step hydrolysis
Authors: Wang Zhujun , Zhang Xuewu 
Published: May 2016

AbstractBACKGROUNDSpirulina platensis is an excellent source of proteins (>60%) that can be hydrolyzed into bioactive peptides.RESULTSIn this study, whole proteins of Spirulina platensis were extracted and hydrolyzed using three gastrointestinal endopeptidases (pepsin, trypsin and chymotrypsin). Subsequently, gel filtration chromatography was employed to separate hydrolysates, and four fractions (Tr1–Tr4) were obtained. Among them, Tr2 showed the strongest anti‐proliferation activities on three cancer cells (MCF‐7, HepG‐2 and SGC‐7901), with IC50 values of <31.25, 36.42 and 48.25 µg mL−1, respectively. Furthermore, a new peptide, HVLSRAPR, was identified from fraction Tr1. This peptide exhibited strong inhibition on HT‐29 cancer cells with an IC50 value of 99.88 µg mL−1.CONCLUSIONTaken together, these peptides possessed anti‐proliferation activities on cancer cells and low cytotoxicity on normal cells, suggesting that they might serve as a natural anticancer agent for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Parkinsonian Rest Tremor Is Associated With Modulations of Subthalamic High‐Frequency Oscillations
Authors: Hirschmann Jan , Butz Markus , Hartmann Christian J. , Hoogenboom Nienke , Özkurt Tolga E. , Vesper Jan , Wojtecki Lars , Schnitzler Alfons 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTBackgroundHigh frequency oscillations (>200 Hz) have been observed in the basal ganglia of PD patients and were shown to be modulated by the administration of levodopa and voluntary movement.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to test whether the power of high‐frequency oscillations in the STN is associated with spontaneous manifestation of parkinsonian rest tremor.MethodsThe electromyogram of both forearms and local field potentials from the STN were recorded in 11 PD patients (10 men, age 58 [9.4] years, disease duration 9.2 [6.3] years). Patients were recorded at rest and while performing repetitive hand movements before and after levodopa intake. High‐frequency oscillation power was compared across epochs containing rest tremor, tremor‐free rest, or voluntary movement and related to the tremor cycle.ResultsWe observed prominent slow (200‐300 Hz) and fast (300‐400 Hz) high‐frequency oscillations. The ratio between slow and fast high‐frequency oscillation power increased when tremor became manifest. This increase was consistent across nuclei (94%) and occurred in medication ON and OFF. The ratio outperformed other potential markers of tremor, such as power at individual tremor frequency, beta power, or low gamma power. For voluntary movement, we did not observe a significant difference when compared with rest or rest tremor. Finally, rhythmic modulations of high‐frequency oscillation power occurred within the tremor cycle.ConclusionsSubthalamic high‐frequency oscillation power is closely linked to the occurrence of parkinsonian rest tremor. The balance between slow and fast high‐frequency oscillation power combines information on motor and medication state. © 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Association between the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and multiple sclerosis disability progression
Authors: Zhang Tingting , Kingwell Elaine , De Jong Hilda JI , Zhu Feng , Zhao Yinshan , Carruthers Robert , Petkau John , Gustafson Paul , Oger Joel , Tremlett Helen 
Published: May 2016

AbstractBackgroundBenefits of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in modifying the multiple sclerosis (MS) disease course have been suggested, but their ability to delay disability progression remains unknown. We examined the association between SSRI exposure and MS disability progression.MethodsA nested case–control study was conducted using the British Columbia (Canada) Multiple Sclerosis clinical data linked to health administrative data. The primary outcome was a sustained score of 6 (requires a cane to walk) on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and the secondary outcome was the onset of secondary progressive MS (SPMS, an advanced stage of MS). The cases were those who reached a study outcome and were matched with up to four randomly selected controls by sex, age, EDSS and calendar year at study entry using incidence density sampling. The associations between disability worsening and SSRI exposure were assessed with conditional logistic regression models, adjusted for confounders.ResultsA total of 3920 patients were included in the main analyses, of which 272 reached sustained EDSS 6 and 187 reached SPMS. SSRI exposure was significantly different between patients who reached sustained EDSS 6 and controls [adjusted odds ratio (adjOR):1.44; 95% confidence interval (CI):1.03–2.01]. However, SSRI exposure was not significantly different between those who reached SPMS and their controls (adjOR:1.35; 95%CI:0.89–2.04).ConclusionWe found no evidence to suggest that SSRI exposure was associated with a delay in MS disability accumulation or progression. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
FcRn binding is not sufficient for achieving systemic therapeutic levels of immunoglobulin G after oral delivery of enteric‐coated capsules in cynomolgus macaques
Authors: Muzammil Salman , Mabus John R. , Cooper Philip R. , Brezski Randall J. , Bement Courtney B. , Perkinson Rob , Huebert Norman D. , Thompson Suzanne , Levine Dalia , Kliwinski Connie , Bradley Dino , Hornby Pamela J. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractAlthough much speculation has surrounded intestinally expressed FcRn as a means for systemic uptake of orally administered immunoglobulin G (IgG), this has not been validated in translational models beyond neonates or in FcRn‐expressing cells in vitro. Recently, IgG1 intestinal infusion acutely in anesthetized cynomolgus resulted in detectable serum monoclonal antibody (mAb) levels. In this study, we show that IgG2 has greater protease resistance to intestinal enzymes in vitro and mice in vivo, due to protease resistance in the hinge region. An IgG2mAb engineered for FcRn binding, was optimally formulated, lyophilized, and loaded into enteric‐coated capsules for oral dosing in cynomolgus. Small intestinalpH7.5 was selected for enteric delivery based on gastrointestinalpHprofiling of cynomolgus by operator‐assisted IntelliCap System®. Milling of the lyophilized IgG2 M428L FcRn‐binding variant after formulation in 10 mmol/L histidine,pH5.7, 8.5% sucrose, 0.04%PS80 did not alter the physicochemical properties nor the molecular integrity compared to the batch released inPBS. Size 3 hard gel capsules (23.2 mg IgG2 M428L ~3 mg/kg) were coated with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate for rapid dissolution atpH7.5 in small intestine and FcRn binding of encapsulatedmAb confirmed. Initial capsule dosing by endoscopic delivery into the small intestine achieved 0.2 + 0.1 ng/mL (n = 5) peak at 24 h. Weekly oral capsule dosing for 6 weeks achieved levels of 0.4 + 0.2 ng/mL and, despite increasing the dose and frequency, remained below 1 ng/mL. In conclusion, lyophilized milledmAb retains FcRn binding and molecular integrity for small intestinal delivery. The low systemic exposure has demonstrated the limitations of intestinal FcRn in non‐human primates and the unfeasibility of employing this for therapeutic levels ofmAb. LocalmAb delivery with limited systemic exposure may be sufficient as a therapeutic for intestinal diseases.
Diclofenac, a nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug, is an antagonist of human TRPM3 isoforms
Authors: Suzuki Hiroka , Sasaki Eiji , Nakagawa Ayumi , Muraki Yukiko , Hatano Noriyuki , Muraki Katsuhiko 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe effects of diclofenac (Dic), an acetic acid derivative‐type nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug, were examined on the function of transient receptor potential (TRP) melastatin (TRPM) 3 (TRPM3) in human embryonic kidney 293 cell‐line (HEK293) cells with recombinant human TRPM3 isoforms (TRPM31325, TRPM3‐3, TRPM3‐9, and TRPM3‐S) and in a neuroblastoma cell line human neuroblastoma IMR‐32 cells (IMR‐32 cells) derived from human peripheral neurons. TRPM3 responses evoked by pregnenolone sulfate (PregS) were effectively inhibited by Dic in a concentration‐dependent manner in Ca2+ measurement and electrophysiological assays. The apparent IC50 for PregS‐induced Ca2+ response of TRPM31325, TRPM3‐3, and TRPM3‐9 was calculated to be 18.8, 42.5, and 7.1 μmol/L, respectively. The TRPM3‐dependent Ca2+ responses evoked by nifedipine, another TRPM3 agonist, were also significantly inhibited by Dic. In contrast, aceclofenac, an acetoxymethyl analog of Dic, had no effects on PregS‐induced TRPM3 responses. Constitutive channel activity of TRPM3‐S without TRPM3 agonists was substantially inhibited by Dic, ruling out the possibility of interaction of Dic against TRPM3 agonists to the channel binding sites. Moreover, Dic reversibly inhibited TRPM3 single‐channel activity recorded in excised outside‐out patches without affecting the channel conductance. In differentiated neuronal IMR‐32 cells with endogenous TRPM3, Dic inhibited PregS‐evoked Ca2+ responses with an apparent IC50 of 17.1 μmol/L. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that Dic inhibits human TRPM3 without interacting with the channel pore.
ENSO‐related variation of equatorial MRG and Rossby waves and forcing from higher latitudes
Authors: Yang Gui‐Ying , Hoskins Brian J. 
Published: May 2016

The contrasting behaviour of westward‐moving mixed Rossby–gravity (WMRG) and the first Rossby (R1) waves in El Niño (EN) and La Niña (LN) seasons is documented with a focus on the Northern Hemisphere winter. The eastward‐moving variance in the upper troposphere is dominated by WMRG and R1 structures that appear to be Doppler‐shifted by the flow and are referred to as WMRG‐E and R1‐E. In the east Pacific and Atlantic the years with stronger equatorial westerly winds, LN in the former and EN in the latter, have the stronger WMRG and WMRG‐E. In the east Pacific, R1 is also a maximum in LN. However, R1‐E exhibits an eastward shift between LN and EN.The changes with El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phase provide a test bed for the understanding of these waves. In the east Pacific and Atlantic, the stronger WMRG‐E and WMRG with stronger westerlies are in accord with the dispersion relation with simple Doppler‐shifting by the zonal flow. The possible existence of free waves can also explain stronger R1 in EN in the Eastern Hemisphere. 1‐D free‐wave propagation theory based on wave activity conservation is also important for R1. However, this theory is unable to explain the amplitude maxima for other waves observed in the strong equatorial westerly regions in the Western Hemisphere, and certainly not their ENSO‐related variation. The forcing of equatorial waves by higher‐latitude wave activity and its variation with ENSO phase is therefore examined. Propagation of extratropical eastward‐moving Rossby wave activity through the westerly ducts into the equatorial region where it triggers WMRG‐E is favoured in the stronger westerlies, in LN in the east Pacific and EN in the Atlantic. It is also found that WMRG is forced by Southern Hemisphere westward‐moving wave trains arching into the equatorial region where they are reflected. The most significant mechanism for both R1 and R1‐E appears to be lateral forcing by subtropical wave trains.
Prehospital Blood Transfusions in Non‐Trauma Patients
Authors: Thiels Cornelius A. , Aho Johnathon M. , Fahy Aoidhnait S. , Parker Maile E. , Glasgow Amy E. , Berns Kathleen S. , Habermann Elizabeth B. , Zietlow Scott P. , Zielinski Martin D. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractIntroductionDespite advances in trauma care, hemorrhage continues to be the leading cause of preventable mortality in trauma. The evidence to support its use in non‐trauma patients is limited. We aim to report our experience with prehospital blood product transfusion. We hypothesize that it is safe, appropriately utilized, and that our protocol, which was designed for trauma patients, is adaptable to fit the needs of non‐trauma patients.MethodsPatients transfused with blood products, packed red blood cells (pRBCs) or plasma, in the prehospital environment between 2002 and 2014 were included. Trauma patients were compared to non‐trauma patients using descriptive statistics.ResultsA total of 857 patients (n = 549 trauma and n = 308 non‐trauma) were transfused with pRBCs (76 %, n = 654, mean 1.6 ± 1.1 units en route), plasma (53 %, n = 455, mean 1.7 ± 0.7 unit), or both (29 %, n = 252) during ground (12 %) or air (84 %) critical care transport. Mean age was 60.8 ± 21.6 years with 60.1 % (n = 515) males. Subsequently, in‐hospital blood transfusions were performed in 80 % of patients, operations in 44 %, and endoscopy in 31 %. Five percent (n = 41) of patients did not require any of these interventions. Thirty‐day mortality rate was 18 %, and one patient (<0.01 %) had a transfusion reaction. The majority of patients were non‐trauma (n = 549, 64 %). Of the non‐trauma patients, 219 (40 %) were surgical, 193 (35 %) gastrointestinal bleeds, and 137 (25 %) medical.ConclusionBoth non‐trauma and trauma patients require blood products for life threatening hemorrhage and the majority required further interventions. Further research on the benefits of transfusion among non‐trauma patients is warranted.
Addressing the role of medical students using community mobilization and social media in the Ebola response
Authors: Chapman Helena J. , Animasahun Victor J. , Tade Adesoji E. , Naveed Asad 
Published: May 2016

Health professions education in the 21st century should incorporate both community mobilization and social media strategies. First, community mobilization facilitates change by educating community members with evidence-based, high-quality and up-to-date health information and empowering their active participation in target health initiatives. Second, advancements in technology and globalization foster the development of innovative communication technologies used as a key tool in the ‘roll out’ of community health initiatives during epidemics such as Ebola virus disease. In August 2014, medical students of Sierra Leone and Guinea used these dual health promotional strategies in the Kick Ebola Out campaign to educate community members about transmission of the Ebola virus and preventive measures, as well as to reduce perceptions related to stigma or fear of disease transmission. In this report, we describe how medical students, who are trained in basic and clinical sciences, evidence-based practices, and social determinants of health, can serve as human resources for health and facilitate dynamic communication strategies to educate and empower both medical students and community members for local or national health initiatives.
A Dialogue with King Agaja: William Snelgrave’s 1727 Ardra Diary and the Contours of Dahomian-European Commercial Exchange
Authors: Polhemus Neal D. 
Published: May 2016

Abstract:The rise of the Kingdom of Dahomey in the first quarter of the eighteenth century was a watershed event in the political history of precolonial West Africa. This article draws on a newly rediscovered copy of William Snelgrave’s diary who visited King Agaja of Dahomey in April 1727. The diary provides the fullest account to date of Agaja’s motives for invading Whydah in March 1727. In addition, the Diary provides the earliest evidence confirming the bona fides of Bulfinch Lambe’s 1731 mission to England to establish commercial relations with King George II.
Interplay between signaling network design and swarm dynamics
Authors: SEKUNDA ANDRÉ , KOMAREJI MOHAMMAD , BOUFFANAIS ROLAND 
Published: May 2016

AbstractDistributed information transfer is of paramount importance to the effectiveness of dynamic collective behaviors, especially when a swarm is confronted with complex environmental circumstances. Recently, the signaling network of interaction underlying such effective information transfers has been revealed in the particular case of bird flocks governed by a topological interaction. Such biological systems are known to be evolutionary optimized, but are also constrained by the very nature of the signaling mechanisms—owing to intrinsic limitations in sensory modalities—enabling communication among individuals. Here, we propose that artificial swarm design can be tackled from the angle of signaling network design. To this aim, we use different network models to investigate the impact of some network structural properties on the effectiveness of a specific emergent swarming behavior, namely global consensus. Two new network models are introduced, which together with the well-known Watts–Strogatz model form the basis for an analysis of the relationship between clustering, shortest path and speed to consensus. A network-theoretic approach combined with spectral graph theory tools are used to propose some signaling network design principles. Eventually, one key design principle—a concomitant reduction in clustering and connecting path—is successfully tested on simulations of swarms of self-propelled particles.