bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Mock Circulatory System Incorporating a Compliant 3D‐Printed Anatomical Model to Investigate Pulmonary Hemodynamics
Authors: Knoops Paul G.M. , Biglino Giovanni , Hughes Alun D. , Parker Kim H. , Xu Linzhang , Schievano Silvia , Torii Ryo 
Published: December 2016

AbstractA realistic mock circulatory system (MCS) could be a valuable in vitro testbed to study human circulatory hemodynamics. The objective of this study was to design a MCS replicating the pulmonary arterial circulation, incorporating an anatomically representative arterial model suitable for testing clinically relevant scenarios. A second objective of the study was to ensure the system's compatibility with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for additional measurements. A latex pulmonary arterial model with two generations of bifurcations was manufactured starting from a 3D‐printed mold reconstructed from patient data. The model was incorporated into a MCS for in vitro hydrodynamic measurements. The setup was tested under physiological pulsatile flow conditions and results were evaluated using wave intensity analysis (WIA) to investigate waves traveling in the arterial system. Increased pulmonary vascular resistance (IPVR) was simulated as an example of one pathological scenario. Flow split between right and left pulmonary artery was found to be realistic (54 and 46%, respectively). No substantial difference in pressure waveform was observed throughout the various generations of bifurcations. Based on WIA, three main waves were identified in the main pulmonary artery (MPA), that is, forward compression wave, backward compression wave, and forward expansion wave. For IPVR, a rise in mean pressure was recorded in the MPA, within the clinical range of pulmonary arterial hypertension. The feasibility of using the MCS in the MRI scanner was demonstrated with the MCS running 2 h consecutively while acquiring preliminary MRI data. This study shows the development and verification of a pulmonary MCS, including an anatomically correct, compliant latex phantom. The setup can be useful to explore a wide range of hemodynamic questions, including the development of patient‐ and pathology‐specific models, considering the ease and low cost of producing rapid prototyping molds, and the versatility of the setup for invasive and noninvasive (i.e., MRI) measurements.
Red Blood Cell Mechanical Fragility Test for Clinical Research Applications
Authors: Ziegler Luke A. , Olia Salim E. , Kameneva Marina V. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractRed blood cell (RBC) susceptibility to mechanically induced hemolysis, or RBC mechanical fragility (MF), is an important parameter in the characterization of erythrocyte membrane health. The rocker bead test (RBT) and associated calculated mechanical fragility index (MFI) is a simple method for the assessment of RBC MF. Requiring a minimum of 15.5 mL of blood and necessitating adjustment of hematocrit (Ht) to a “standard” value (40%), the current RBT is not suitable for use in most studies involving human subjects. To address these limitations, we propose a 6.5 mL reduced volume RBT and corresponding modified MFI (MMFI) that does not require prior Ht adjustment. This new method was assessed for i) correlation to the existing text, ii) to quantify the effect of Ht on MFI, and iii) validation by reexamining the protective effect of plasma proteins on RBC MF. The reduced volume RBT strongly correlated (r = 0.941) with the established large volume RBT at matched Hts, and an equation was developed to calculate MMFI: a numerical estimation (R2 = 0.923) of MFI if performed with the reduced volume RBT at “standard” (40%) Ht. An inversely proportional relationship was found between plasma protein concentration and RBC MF using the MMFI‐reduced volume method, supporting previous literature findings. The new reduced volume RBT and modified MFI will allow for the measurement of RBC MF in clinical and preclinical studies involving humans or small animals.
Ambiguity in the Presentation of Decellularized Tissue Composition: The Need for Standardized Approaches
Authors: Bruyneel Arne A.N. , Carr Carolyn A. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractDecellularization offers great potential to the field of tissue engineering, as this method gives rise to scaffold material with the native organ architecture by removing all cellular material and leaving much of the extracellular matrix (ECM) intact. However, many parameters may affect decellularization efficacy and ECM retention and, therefore, decellularization protocols need to be optimized for specific needs. This requires robust methods for comparison of decellularized tissue composition. Various representation methods are used in literature to express tissue composition (DNA, glycosaminoglycans, collagen, other ECM proteins, and growth factors). Here, we present and compare the various methods used and demonstrate that normalization to either dry or wet decellularized weight might be misleading and may overestimate true component retention. Moreover, the magnitude of the confounding effect is likely to be decellularization treatment dependent. As a result, we propose alternative comparison strategies: normalization to whole organ or to a unit of whole initial organ weight. We believe proper assessment of decellularized tissue composition is paramount for the successful comparison of different decellularization protocols and clinical translation.
Parents' perceptions are that their child's health‐related quality of life is more impaired when they have a wheat rather than a grass allergy
Authors: Borres Nora , Nilsson Nora , Drake Isabel , Sjölander Sigrid , Nilsson Caroline , Hedlin Gunilla , Nordlund Björn 
Published: December 2016

AbstractAimIt is unknown whether food allergies have greater impact on quality of life than respiratory allergies. This study compared health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) in children allergic to wheat or grass.MethodsWe surveyed 63 children with wheat allergies (median age of five) and 72 with grass allergies (median age 12), with their parents. The Child Health Questionnaires for parents (CHQ‐PF28) and children (CHQ‐CF87) were applied.ResultsThe parents of children in the wheat group recorded significantly lower CHQ‐PF28 scores for the impact of their child's allergy on general behaviour, general health perceptions, parental impact of emotions and time and family activities, than the parents of children with grass allergies (p values ≤0.001). However, parents in the grass group recorded lower scores for the change in health item than the parents of children with wheat allergies (p = 0.020). In the grass group, children and parents reported similar scores for the different questions, but there was poorer correlation between parents and children in the wheat allergy group.ConclusionHRQoL was lower in children with wheat than grass allergies according to parental reports, with more consistent perceptions of HRQoL among parents and children in the grass allergy than wheat allergy group.
Comparison on accuracy of different nonlinear models in predicting growth of Podolica bulls
Authors: Selvaggi Maria , Laudadio Vito , D'Alessandro Angela Gabriella , Dario Cataldo , Tufarelli Vincenzo 
Published: December 2016

AbstractAnimal growth does not follow a linear pattern, being explained mathematically by functions that have parameters with biological meaning. These parameters are used to estimate the expected weight of animals at specific ages. Several nonlinear models have been used to describe growth. This study was carried out to estimate the parameters of logistic, Gompertz, Richards and von Bertalanffy growth curve models in a sample of Podolica young bulls to determine the goodness of fit. Animals were weighed every 3 months from birth to 810 days of age. The results indicate that all the growth models used were easily fitted to the observed data with Gompertz and logistic functions presenting less computational difficulty in terms of number of iterations to achieve convergence. Moreover, logistic and Richards equations provided the best overall fit being useful to describe the growth of Podolica bulls. Considering that the literature lacks information on growth curves in Podolica breed, the study of a mathematical model for growth describing the developmental pattern of a specific population within a peculiar environment is a useful tool to improve Podolica breed production.
Oral administration ofSaccharomyces boulardiialters duodenal morphology, enzymatic activity and cytokine production response in broiler chickens
Authors: Sun Yajing , Rajput Imran Rashid , Arain Muhammad Asif , Li Yanfei , Baloch Dost Muhammad 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThe present study evaluated the effects ofSaccharomyces boulardiion duodenal digestive enzymes, morphology and cytokine induction response in broiler chicken. A total of 200 birds were allotted into two groups (n = 100) and each group divided into five replications (n = 20). The control group was fed basal diet in addition to antibiotic (virginiamycin 20 mg/kg), and treatment group received (1 × 108 colony‐forming units/kg feed)S. boulardiiin addition to basal diet lasting for 72 days. The results compared to control group revealed that adenosine triphosphatase, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase, lipase and trypsin activities were higher, while, no significant improvement was observed in amylase activities in the duodenum of the treatment group. Moreover, morphological findings showed that villus height, width and number of goblet cells markedly increased. Additionally, transmission electron microscopy visualized that villus height, width and structural condensation significantly increased in the treatment group. The immunohistological observations showed increased numbers of immunoglobulin A (IgA)‐positive cells in the duodenum of the treatment group. Meanwhile, cytokine production levels of tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin (IL)‐10, transforming growth factor‐β and secretory IgA markedly increased, and IL‐6 statistically remained unchanged as compared to the control group. These findings illustrated that initial contact ofS. boulardiito the duodenum has significant impact in improving enzymatic activity, intestinal morphology and cytokine response in broiler chicken.
Potential blood biomarkers in chronic spontaneous urticaria
Authors: Kolkhir P. , André F. , Church M. K. , Maurer M. , Metz M. 
Published: December 2016

SummaryChronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a mast cell‐driven disease that is defined as the recurrence of weals, angioedema or both for > 6 weeks due to known or unknown causes. As of yet, disease diagnosis is purely clinical. Objective tools are needed to monitor the activity of CSU and the efficacy of treatment. Recently, several reports have suggested that blood parameters may be considered as potential disease‐related biomarkers. Here, we reviewed available literature on blood biomarkers for CSU diagnosis, activity monitoring, duration, patient subgroup allocation or response to treatment. We performed a PubMed, Google Scholar and Web of Science search and identified and analysed 151 reports published prior to January 2016. We found strong evidence for significant differences between patients with CSU and healthy controls in blood levels or values of D‐dimer, C‐reactive protein (CRP), matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9), mean platelet volume (MPV), factor VIIa, prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 (F1 + 2), tumour necrosis factor, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and vitamin D. Also, there is strong evidence for a significant association between CSU activity and blood levels or values of D‐dimer, F1 + 2, CRP, IL‐6 and MPV. Strong evidence for reduced basophil count and high levels of IgG anti‐FcεRI in the subgroup of CSU patients with positive autologous serum skin test was shown. In contrast, the evidence for all reported blood biomarkers for differentiating CSU from other diseases, or a role in prognosis, is weak, inconsistent or non‐existent. Taken together, we identified 10 biomarkers that are supported by strong evidence for distinguishing patients with CSU from healthy controls, or for measuring CSU activity. There is a need for further research to identify biomarkers that predict outcome or treatment response in CSU.
Prognostic significance of hepatic arterial collaterals in liver transplant recipients with biliary strictures
Authors: Viveiros André , Rehwald Rafael , Vettori Erich , Finkenstedt Armin , Effenberger Maria , Schaefer Benedikt , Dorn Livia , Tilg Herbert , Schneeberger Stefan , Glodny Bernhard , Zoller Heinz , Freund Martin C. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hepatic artery stenosis (HAS) and the prognostic implications of hepatic arterial collaterals in liver transplant (LT) recipients with biliary strictures.MethodsThe 105 LT recipients transplanted between 2004 and 2015 at our center had documented biliary strictures. HAS and collaterals were assessed in high‐quality imaging of the hepatic artery available from 66 recipients. Clinical, demographic, and biochemical recipient and donor data were retrospectively analyzed and tested for their association with biliary or arterial complications after LT.ResultsThe prevalence of HAS was 68% (45 of 66) in LT recipients with biliary strictures. Seventy‐six percent (37 of 49) of patients with nonanastomotic biliary strictures had HAS. This was significantly higher than in patients with anastomotic stricture, where 47% (8 of 17) of patients had a pathological hepatic arteriogram (P=.039). The location of bile duct strictures was not predictive for outcome. In contrast, arterial collaterals were associated with significantly better patient and graft survival.ConclusionImpaired hepatic arterial perfusion is frequently associated with nonanastomotic strictures, but less closely correlated with anastomotic strictures. On survival analysis, hepatic arterial collaterals have a protective effect.
Effect of early intervention in infants at very high risk of cerebral palsy: a systematic review
Authors: Hadders‐Algra Mijna , Boxum Anke G , Hielkema Tjitske , Hamer Elisa G 
Published: December 2016

AimFirst, to systematically review the evidence on the effect of intervention applied during the first postnatal year in infants with or at very high risk of cerebral palsy (CP) on child and family outcome. Second, to assess whether type and dosing of intervention modify the effect of intervention.MethodRelevant literature was identified by searching the PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL databases. Selection criteria included infants younger than 12 months corrected age with or at very high risk of CP. Methodological quality including risk of bias was scrutinized.ResultsThirteen papers met the inclusion criteria. Seven studies with moderate to high methodological quality were analysed in detail; they evaluated neurodevelopmental treatment only (n=2), multisensory stimulation (n=1), developmental stimulation (n=2), and multifaceted interventions consisting of a mix of developmental stimulation, support of parent–infant interaction, and neurodevelopmental treatment (n=2). The heterogeneity precluded conclusions. Yet, two suggestions emerged: (1) dosing may be critical for effectiveness; (2) multifaceted intervention may offer best opportunities for child and family.InterpretationThe literature on early intervention in very high‐risk infants with sufficient methodological quality is limited, heterogeneous, and provides weak evidence on the effect. More studies are urgently needed. Suggestions for future research are provided.
Reflections on the encouragement of altruism in dental education
Authors: Holden A. C. L. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractDental ethics and professionalism are often relegated to being taught on the coat‐tails of other disciplines, if they are taught at all. The assumption that students develop professionalism as a by‐product of other learned competencies in dentistry is well documented to be false, and yet, little has been done in many institutions to deal with this. This article seeks to propose that altruism should be championed in dental education and that traditional learning through the preaching of professional codes is not the appropriate way to achieve this. The environment of dental schools needs to be challenged and reformed so that altruism is promoted. If we fail to address declines in altruism in the dental profession, then damage to the professional status of dentistry is inevitable and the ability to fulfil the profession's social contract with society will be inhibited.
Transcriptomic characterization of candidate genes responsive to salt tolerance of Miscanthus energy crops
Authors: Song Zhihong , Xu Qin , Lin Cong , Tao Chengcheng , Zhu Caiyun , Xing Shilai , Fan Yangyang , Liu Wei , Yan Juan , Li Jianqiang , Sang Tao 
Published: December 2016

AbstractGiven the growing need for biofuel production but the lack of suitable land for producing biomass feedstock, development of stress‐tolerant energy crops will be increasingly important. We used comparative transcriptomics to reveal differential responses to long‐term salt stress among five populations of Miscanthus lutarioriparius grown in the natural habitats and salinity experimental site. A total of 59 genes were found to be potentially responsive to the high‐salinity conditions shared by the five populations, including those involved in detoxification, plant defense, photosynthesis, and signal transduction. Of these genes, about 70% were related to abiotic stress response. Among five populations, the most contrasting performance between relatively high survival rates and the relatively weak growing traits was in accordance with the down‐regulation of genes involved in growth and up‐regulation of genes related to plant stress tolerance in one of the populations. These results might reveal a potential tolerance‐productivity trade‐off, where resources were allocated from growth to stress resistance. The comparative transcriptomics of different populations among different environments will provide a basis for breeding and domestication of energy crops.
Parental cooperation in a changing climate: fluctuating environments predict shifts in care division
Authors: Vincze Orsolya , Kosztolányi András , Barta Zoltán , Küpper Clemens , Alrashidi Monif , Amat Juan A. , Argüelles Ticó Araceli , Burns Fiona , Cavitt John , Conway Warren C. , Cruz‐López Medardo , Desucre‐Medrano Atahualpa Eduardo , dos Remedios Natalie , Figuerola Jordi , Galindo‐Espinosa Daniel , García‐Peña Gabriel E. , Gómez Del Angel Salvador , Gratto‐Trevor Cheri , Jönsson Paul , Lloyd Penn , Montalvo Tomás , Parra Jorge Enrique , Pruner Raya , Que Pinjia , Liu Yang , Saalfeld Sarah T. , Schulz Rainer , Serra Lorenzo , St Clair James J. H. , Stenzel Lynne E. , Weston Michael A. , Yasué Maï , Zefania Sama , Székely Tamás 
Published: December 2016

AbstractAimParental care improves the survival of offspring and therefore has a major impact on reproductive success. It is increasingly recognized that coordinated biparental care is necessary to ensure the survival of offspring in hostile environments, but little is known about the influence of environmental fluctuations on parental cooperation. Assessing the impacts of environmental stochasticity, however, is essential for understanding how populations will respond to climate change and the associated increasing frequencies of extreme weather events. Here we investigate the influence of environmental stochasticity on biparental incubation in a cosmopolitan ground‐nesting avian genus.LocationGlobal.MethodsWe assembled data on biparental care in 36 plover populations (Charadrius spp.) from six continents, collected between 1981 and 2012. Using a space‐for‐time approach we investigate how average temperature, temperature stochasticity (i.e. year‐to‐year variation) and seasonal temperature variation during the breeding season influence parental cooperation during incubation.ResultsWe show that both average ambient temperature and its fluctuations influence parental cooperation during incubation. Male care relative to female care increases with both mean ambient temperature and temperature stochasticity. Local climatic conditions explain within‐species population differences in parental cooperation, probably reflecting phenotypic plasticity of behaviour.Main conclusionsThe degree of flexibility in parental cooperation is likely to mediate the impacts of climate change on the demography and reproductive behaviour of wild animal populations.
How many research nurses for how many clinical trials in an oncology setting? Definition of the Nursing Time Required by Clinical Trial—Assessment Tool (NTRCT‐AT)
Authors: Milani Alessandra , Mazzocco Ketti , Stucchi Sara , Magon Giorgio , Pravettoni Gabriella , Passoni Claudia , Ciccarelli Chiara , Tonali Alessandra , Profeta Teresa , Saiani Luisa 
Published: December 2016

AbstractFew resources are available to quantify clinical trial–associated workload, needed to guide staffing and budgetary planning. The aim of the study is to describe a tool to measure clinical trials nurses' workload expressed in time spent to complete core activities. Clinical trials nurses drew up a list of nursing core activities, integrating results from literature searches with personal experience. The final 30 core activities were timed for each research nurse by an outside observer during daily practice in May and June 2014. Average times spent by nurses for each activity were calculated. The “Nursing Time Required by Clinical Trial—Assessment Tool” was created as an electronic sheet that combines the average times per specified activities and mathematic functions to return the total estimated time required by a research nurse for each specific trial. The tool was tested retrospectively on 141 clinical trials. The increasing complexity of clinical research requires structured approaches to determine workforce requirements. This study provides a tool to describe the activities of a clinical trials nurse and to estimate the associated time required to deliver individual trials. The application of the proposed tool in clinical research practice could provide a consistent structure for clinical trials nursing workload estimation internationally.
Feasibility and short‐term impact of the “case study in‐house group training program for family nursing” at medical facilities
Authors: Yamazaki Akemi , Tsumura Akemi , Mine Hiroko , Kimura Chisato , Soeda Akemi , Odatsu Kazumi , Kiwado Wataru 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and short‐term impact of case study training in family nursing care targeting midlevel nursing professionals. The intervention group participated in four 90‐minute case study training sessions over 6 months, while the control group participated in two 90‐minute lectures. Using primary outcome variables as evaluation indexes, we measured the participants' total scores on the Family Importance in Nursing Care Scale and 4 subitems 3 times (before, immediately after and 1 month after training) from May 2014 to March 2015 and then conducted 2‐way repeated‐measure analysis of variance. We asked the participants and training planners/managers to provide feedback on their evaluation and then performed content analysis on their responses. Although the primary impact due to the different measurement times was significant, no significant difference was observed in the interaction between measurement time and training differences. Of the 4 subitems, significant interactions because of measurement time and training differences were observed only in Fam‐B. Feedback data showed all participants felt that their understanding of the importance of family nursing care was strengthened, and participants in the intervention group specifically described how they were utilizing what they had learned from training in practice.