bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
G-protein–gated Inwardly Rectifying Potassium Channels Modulate Respiratory Depression by Opioids
Authors: Montandon Gaspard , Ren Jun , Victoria Nicole C. , Liu Hattie , Wickman Kevin , Greer John J. , Horner Richard L. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractAbstract
By using genetic, pharmacological, and physiological approaches in rodents, this article identifies G-protein–gated inwardly rectifying potassium channels in the respiratory network of the ventrolateral medulla. G-protein–gated inwardly rectifying potassium channels contribute to respiratory depression by μ-opioid receptors and opioid analgesics.

Background
Drugs acting on μ-opioid receptors (MORs) are widely used as analgesics but present side effects including life-threatening respiratory depression. MORs are G-protein–coupled receptors inhibiting neuronal activity through calcium channels, adenylyl cyclase, and/or G-protein–gated inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) channels. The pathways underlying MOR-dependent inhibition of rhythmic breathing are unknown.

Methods
By using a combination of genetic, pharmacological, and physiological tools in rodents in vivo, the authors aimed to identify the role of GIRK channels in MOR-mediated inhibition of respiratory circuits.

Results
GIRK channels were expressed in the ventrolateral medulla, a neuronal population regulating rhythmic breathing, and GIRK channel activation with flupirtine reduced respiratory rate in rats (percentage of baseline rate in mean ± SD: 79.4 ± 7.4%, n = 7), wild-type mice (82.6 ± 3.8%, n = 3), but not in mice lacking the GIRK2 subunit, an integral subunit of neuronal GIRK channels (GIRK2−/−, 101.0 ± 1.9%, n = 3). Application of the MOR agonist [d-Ala2, N-MePhe4, Gly-ol]-enkephalin (DAMGO) to the ventrolateral medulla depressed respiratory rate, an effect partially reversed by the GIRK channel blocker Tertiapin-Q (baseline: 42.1 ± 7.4 breath/min, DAMGO: 26.1 ± 13.4 breath/min, Tertiapin-Q + DAMGO: 33.9 ± 9.8 breath/min, n = 4). Importantly, DAMGO applied to the ventrolateral medulla failed to reduce rhythmic breathing in GIRK2−/− mice (percentage of baseline rate: 103.2 ± 12.1%, n = 4), whereas it considerably reduced rate in wild-type mice (62.5 ± 17.7% of baseline, n = 4). Respiratory rate depression by systemic injection of the opioid analgesic fentanyl was markedly reduced in GIRK2−/− (percentage of baseline: 12.8 ± 15.8%, n = 5) compared with wild-type mice (72.9 ± 27.3%).

Conclusions
Overall, these results identify that GIRK channels contribute to respiratory inhibition by MOR, an essential step toward understanding respiratory depression by opioids.
TEMPORAL INVERTED INTERNAL LIMITING MEMBRANE FLAP TECHNIQUE FOR A MACULAR HOLE PATIENT UNABLE TO MAINTAIN POSTOPERATIVE PRONE POSITIONING
Authors: Takai Yasuyuki , Tanito Masaki , Sugihara Kazunobu , Kodama Tatsuo , Ohira Akihiro 
Published: December 2015

Purpose:
To report the surgical technique and efficacy of the temporal inverted internal limiting membrane (ILM) flap technique for a patient with an idiopathic macular hole (MH) who is unable to maintain postoperative prone positioning.

Methods:
Case report.

Results:
A 73-year-old man with a Stage III MH in his left eye was scheduled to undergo surgery. Owing to his inability to maintain postoperative prone positioning for continuous placement of a transdermal bladder catheter after radical cystoprostatectomy to treat urinary bladder cancer, he underwent pars plana vitrectomy combined with the temporal inverted ILM flap technique and intraocular sulfur hexafluoride gas tamponade. The technique included ILM peeling at a temporal area of the macula to create one 2-disk-diameter semicircular ILM flap and inversion of the ILM flap nasally to cover the MH. Optical coherence tomography showed that MH closure started from the top of the MH just beneath the covered ILM flap; the closure process gradually extended toward the bottom of the MH. The well-aligned fovea recovered in 5 weeks postoperatively. The visual acuity was 20/200 preoperatively and improved to 20/50 postoperatively.

Conclusion:
The temporal inverted ILM flap technique, a simple surgery to treat MHs, provides scaffolding for retinal gliosis and may facilitate bridge formation between the walls of the MH beneath the flap. The procedure may be a good option to achieve MH closure without postoperative prone positioning.
CENTRAL VISUAL PHENOMENA AS CLUES TO VITREOMACULAR TRACTION IN PATIENTS WITH NORMAL FUNDUS OCULI
Authors: Scarinci Fabio , Sheyman Alan T. , Jampol Lee M. 
Published: December 2015

Purpose:
To report two cases where the primary visual complaints were central visual phenomena, with normal fundus biomicroscopy.

Methods:
History and clinical examination, fundus autofluorescence, and spectral domain–optical coherence tomography.

Results:
The authors report 2 patients, a 66-year-old woman and a 77-year-old woman, who complained of a central visual disturbance in one eye. Best-corrected visual acuity was normal. Ophthalmoscopy in the first case was unremarkable and showed minimal retinal pigment epithelial mottling in Case 2. Spectral domain–optical coherence tomography revealed vitreomacular traction with foveal distortion in both eyes, associated with small cysts in the inner retinal layers and in one patient disruption of photoreceptors.

Conclusion:
Central visual phenomena are important clues for central vitreomacular traction, even in the presence of a normal fundus examination. The authors highlight the importance of performing spectral domain–optical coherence tomography evaluation in this setting before considering neurologic or systemic causes.
Early Childhood Education to Promote Health Equity: A Community Guide Systematic Review
Authors: Hahn Robert A. , Barnett W. Steven , Knopf John A. , Truman Benedict I. , Johnson Robert L. , Fielding Jonathan E. , Muntaner Carles , Jones Camara Phyllis , Fullilove Mindy T. , Hunt Pete C. 
Published: December 2015

Context:
Children in low-income and racial and ethnic minority families often experience delays in development by 3 years of age and may benefit from center-based early childhood education.

Design:
A meta-analysis on the effects of early childhood education by Kay and Pennucci best met Community Guide criteria and forms the basis of this review.

Results:
There were increases in intervention compared with control children in standardized test scores (median = 0.29 SD) and high school graduation (median = 0.20 SD) and decreases in grade retention (median = 0.23 SD) and special education assignment (median = 0.28 SD). There were decreases in crime (median = 0.23 SD) and teen births (median = 0.46 SD) and increases in emotional self-regulation (median = 0.21 SD) and emotional development (median = 0.04 SD). All effects were favorable, but not all were statistically significant. Effects were also long-lasting.

Conclusions:
Because many programs are designed to increase enrollment for high-risk students and communities, they are likely to advance health equity.
Innovation-receiving subsidiaries and dual embeddedness: impact on business performance
Authors: Bresciani Stefano , Ferraris Alberto 
Published: December 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between the degree of subsidiary’s external and internal embeddedness and the contribution on subsidiary’s business performance of a received innovation. In particular it focusses on dual embeddedness of the subsidiary that receives an innovation from the rest of the MNC’s network.Design/methodology/approach– Using Amadeus databases were selected 93 CEE subsidiaries located in six countries. Data were collected through a standardized questionnaire and three hypothesis were tested through an OLS regression model.Findings– The results indicate that the two types of embeddedness positively affect the received innovation’s contribution on business performance. Moreover, the inclusion of the interaction term shows how a simultaneously high level of embeddedness in both external and internal business networks lead to a multiplicative and positive effect on subsidiary’s business performance. This means that external and internal embeddedness are not mutually exclusive suggesting, at the same time, the presence of interdependencies between the two networks that leads the “dual embedded” subsidiary to better received innovation performance.Research limitations/implications– The results are limited due to the sample characteristics and the conceptual focus of network theory. Regarding the first point, the results are derived from MNC coming from developed European countries that are geographically proximate. Regarding the second point, this approach neglects the limitations of networks.Practical implications– These results, therefore, propose to management the need to force the subsidiary toward a dual embeddedness in order to achieve better performance when an innovation has been received.Social implications– This study puts in evidence how Eastern European policy makers should increase the knowledge sharing and accumulation in the local clusters between all the stakeholders with the aim at increasing the “appeal” of this area.Originality/value– The specific contest in which the embedddedness component is analyzed is the main contribution of the paper because most of the previous research have been focussed on subsidiaries that develop and transfer the innovation. Moreover, the specific area where subsidiaries are located (Central and East Europe) may be another important contribution.
An ontology-based computer-aided diagnosis system in African traditional medicine
Authors: Tekemetieu Armel Ayimdji , KOUSSOUBE Souleymane , FOTSO Laure Pauline 
Published: December 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to describe an AI (Artificial Intelligence) that can “think like an African traditional doctor”. The system proposes to model and to use attitudes taken and concepts used by African traditional doctors when facing cases. It is designed to go deep into the concepts of African traditional medicine (ATM) by dealing with all the possible interpretations of those concepts, and to produce more much satisfying and accurate support for medical diagnosis and prescription than existing systems.

Design/methodology/approach
– To take into account the sometimes strange concepts used and attitudes taken by African traditional healers, including mystical considerations, the system relies on a deep ontology describing all those concepts and attitudes in a more computer readable manner allowing a multi-agent system to have full access to ATM knowledge. Ethnological inquiries, literary analysis and interviews of traditional doctors (the holders of African medicine knowledge) were performed to gather sufficient data to achieve the work.

Findings
– The paper addresses this question of how to build a practical large-scope computer-aided diagnosis and prescription system which can exploit deep descriptions of ATM concepts, including mystical considerations. The system also provides scientific interpretations to some concepts sometimes considered as mystical facts. It is a java web-based platform combined to a Java Agent Development framework multi-agent system accessing an ontology to provide its results.

Research limitations/implications
– Because of the origins of healers involved in this research (from Gabon and Cameroon, countries of Central Africa), the ontology and the collected data may lack generalizability in the African scope and then it is a prototype. Therefore, ATM experts all over the continent are encouraged to participate to improve and standardize the ATM ontology and to populate the knowledge base. On the other side, the system cannot give scientific explanations to all the mystical considerations in ATM, there still some facts which cannot be rationally explained for now.

Practical implications
– The paper demonstrates the practical usability of the implemented system on the diagnosis and the treatment of a patient case.

Social implications
– The research describes a system which once validated by traditional experts, will serve as a tool to assist them in their day-to-day diagnosis and prescription tasks and will also serve as a reference on ATM practices for all interested users.

Originality/value
– The paper provides an in-depth description of a computer-aided diagnosis system (CADS) that promotes indigenous technology from an African perspective. Comparing to the former systems identified in the literature, the proposed system is the first which deals with believes and mystical considerations in ATM, and also the first which provides a function to rank its results.
Toxicity of chlorpyrifos‐methyl to Sitophilus zeamais collected in Korea and biochemical differences
Authors: Choi Won‐Sik , Lee Sung‐Eun 
Published: December 2015

AbstractIn this study, lethal concentration (LC50) values of chlorpyrifos‐methyl (CPM) were determined for two Korean strains (CBNU and KNU) of Sitophilus zeamais. The two strains had similar susceptibilities (1.70 and 1.86 μg a.i./cm2, respectively) to CPM. Carboxylesterase (CE) activity was twice as high in the CBNU strain as in the KNU strain. Lower acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was also noted in the latter; however, the activity of glutathione S‐transferase (GST) was twice as high as in the CBNU strain. Gel electrophoresis of CE of crude extracts from adults of the two strains of S. zeamais showed clearly different band patterns, with molecular weights of 60 kDa and 71 kDa in the CBNU and KNU strains, respectively. MALDI‐TOF MS/MS was used to profile small proteins (less than 10 kDa), with results indicating that 206 proteins are expressed differently in the two strains. The peak of interest of 2247.7 m/z was applied to TOF‐TOF MS and its de novo peptide sequence was identified as a tyrosine phosphatase fragment. Phospholipids from the two strains were analyzed and 34 phospholipids were found to be significantly different between strains. Results suggest that the two strains collected from Korea showed different biochemical results, presumably differences in insecticide selection by different living locations.
Frequency, natural course and clinical significance of symptomatic terminal ileitis
Authors: Kedia Saurabh , Kurrey Lalit , Pratap Mouli Venigalla , Dhingra Rajan , Srivastava Saurabh , Pradhan Rajesh , Sharma Raju , Das Prasenjit , Tiwari Veena , Makharia Govind , Ahuja Vineet 
Published: December 2015

ObjectiveTreatment guidelines for managing symptomatic terminal ileitis (TI) are lacking. We followed up a cohort of symptomatic TI patients to conduct an algorithm for their management.MethodsConsecutive patients with symptomatic TI from July 2007 to October 2013 were included. Symptomatic TI was defined as isolated terminal ileum ulceration (superficial or deep) and/or nodularity with abdominal symptoms. Patients were diagnosed either with intestinal tuberculosis (ITB) or Crohn's disease (CD) using standard criteria or received only symptomatic treatment according to their clinical manifestations, endoscopic, imaging and histological (specific to ITB/CD vs non‐specific) features. Based upon above findings, an algorithm was conducted to differentiate non‐specific TI from those with specific etiology (ITB/CD).ResultsIn all, 63/898 (7.0%) patients with ulcero‐constrictive intestinal disease had TI, of which 45 (26 males and 19 females) were included. Fever, diarrhea, weight loss, deep ulcers, and ileal thickening were more frequently observed in patients with ITB or CD having specific treatments compared with those receiving symptomatic treatments. All patients with deep ulcers and those with superficial ulcer and specific histology had ITB/CD. In patients with superficial ulcers and/or nodularity and non‐specific inflammation (n = 31), the absence of fever, diarrhea, GI bleeding or weight loss had a negative predictive value of 92% in excluding ITB/CD.ConclusionsIn symptomatic TI patients with superficial ulcers and a non‐specific histology, the absence of fever, diarrhea, GI bleeding or weight loss rules out the possibility of significant diagnoses like ITB/CD.
Accuracy of the Broselow Tape in South Sudan, “The Hungriest Place on Earth”
Authors: Clark Melissa C. , Lewis Roger J. , Fleischman Ross J. , Ogunniyi Adedamola A. , Patel Dipesh S. , Donaldson Ross I. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractObjectivesThe Broselow tape is a length‐based tool used for the rapid estimation of pediatric weight and was developed to reduce dosage‐related errors during emergencies. This study seeks to assess the accuracy of the Broselow tape and age‐based formulas in predicting weights of South Sudanese children of varying nutritional status.MethodsThis was a retrospective, cross‐sectional study using data from existing acute malnutrition screening programs for children less than 5 years of age in South Sudan. Using anthropometric measurements, actual weights were compared with estimated weights from the Broselow tape and three age‐based formulas. Mid‐upper arm circumference was used to determine if each child was malnourished. Broselow accuracy was assessed by the percentage of measured weights falling into the same color zone as the predicted weight. For each method, accuracy was assessed by mean percentage error and percentage of predicted weights falling within 10% of actual weight. All data were analyzed by nutritional status subgroup.ResultsOnly 10.7% of malnourished and 26.6% of nonmalnourished children had their actual weight fall within the Broselow color zone corresponding to their length. The Broselow method overestimated weight by a mean of 26.6% in malnourished children and 16.6% in nonmalnourished children (p < 0.001). Age‐based formulas also overestimated weight, with mean errors ranging from 16.2% over actual weight (Advanced Pediatric Life Support in nonmalnourished children) to 70.9% over actual (Best Guess in severely malnourished children).ConclusionsThe Broselow tape and age‐based formulas selected for comparison were all markedly inaccurate in both the nonmalnourished and the malnourished populations studied, worsening with increasing malnourishment. Additional studies should explore appropriate methods of weight and dosage estimation for populations of low‐ and low‐to‐middle‐income countries and regions with a high prevalence of malnutrition.
Effects of an empowerment program for self‐management among rural older adults with hypertension in South Korea
Authors: Shin Dong‐Soo , Kim Chun‐Ja , Choi Yong‐jun 
Published: December 2015

AbstractObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the effects of an empowerment program for hypertension self‐management among rural older adults in South Korea.DesignA pretest–posttest controlled design for a 12‐month hypertension self‐management program with assessments at commencement, 6 months and 12 months.SettingTwo subsistence farming areas.ParticipantsSubsistence farmers aged 65 and over: intervention group (n = 41) and control group (n = 36).InterventionTwelve‐month empowerment program for hypertension self‐management.Main outcome measuresSelf‐efficacy, social support, self‐care behaviours, blood pressure control and renal function.ResultsThere were significant interactions of group by time for self‐efficacy (P < 0.001) and self‐care behaviour (P = 0.019). Blood pressure control at 12 months also showed a significant improvement in the empowered group compared with the control group (82.8% versus 56.8%, P < 0.014). Other clinical outcomes, including systolic blood pressure (P = 0.006) and renal function (P < 0.001), showed significant interactions of group by time.ConclusionsThe empowerment program was effective for rural older adults with hypertension in South Korea. Further investigation of the relationships among core components of empowerment would be beneficial.
Effects of anaesthesia on proliferation, invasion and apoptosis of LoVo colon cancer cells in vitro
Authors: Xu Y. J. , Li S. Y. , Cheng Q. , Chen W. K. , Wang S. L. , Ren Y. , Miao C. H. 
Published: December 2015

SummaryTumour cell proliferation, invasion and apoptosis are crucial steps in tumour metastasis. We evaluated the effect of serum from patients undergoing colon cancer surgery receiving thoracic epidural and propofol anaesthesia on colon cancer cell biology. Patients were randomly assigned to receive propofol anaesthesia with a concomitant thoracic epidural (PEA, n = 20) or sevoflurane anaesthesia with opioid analgesia (SGA, n = 20). Venous blood was obtained before induction of anaesthesia and 24 hours postoperatively. The LoVo colon cancer cells were cultured with patient serum from both groups and the effects on proliferation, invasion and apoptosis were measured. Twenty‐four hours after surgery, the absorbance value of LoVo cells at 10% serum concentration from PEA was decreased when compared with SGA (0.302 (0.026) vs 0.391 (0.066), p = 0.005). The inhibitory rate of LoVo cells at 10% serum concentration from PEA was higher than that from SGA (p = 0.004) 24 h after surgery. The number of invasive LoVo cells at 10% serum concentration from PEA was reduced when compared with SGA (44 (4) vs 62 (4), p < 0.001). Exposure of LoVo cells to postoperative serum from patients receiving PEA led to a higher luminescence ratio (apoptosis) than those receiving SGA (0.36 (0.04) vs 0.27 (0.05), p < 0.001). Serum from patients receiving PEA for colon cancer surgery inhibited proliferation and invasion of LoVo cells and induced apoptosis in vitro more than that from patients receiving SGA. Anaesthetic technique might influence the serum milieu in a way that affects cancer cell biology and, thereby, tumour metastastasis.
Unravelling the immunological roles of dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) activity and/or structure homologue (DASH) proteins
Authors: Wagner L , Klemann C , Stephan M , von Hörsten S 
Published: December 2015

SummaryDipeptidyl peptidase (DPP) 4 (CD26, DPP4) is a multi-functional protein involved in T cell activation by co-stimulation via its association with adenosine deaminase (ADA), caveolin-1, CARMA-1, CD45, mannose-6-phosphate/insulin growth factor-II receptor (M6P/IGFII-R) and C-X-C motif receptor 4 (CXC-R4). The proline-specific dipeptidyl peptidase also modulates the bioactivity of several chemokines. However, a number of enzymes displaying either DPP4-like activities or representing structural homologues have been discovered in the past two decades and are referred to as DPP4 activity and/or structure homologue (DASH) proteins. Apart from DPP4, DASH proteins include fibroblast activation protein alpha (FAP), DPP8, DPP9, DPP4-like protein 1 (DPL1, DPP6, DPPX L, DPPX S), DPP4-like protein 2 (DPL2, DPP10) from the DPP4-gene family S9b and structurally unrelated enzyme DPP2, displaying DPP4-like activity. In contrast, DPP6 and DPP10 lack enzymatic DPP4-like activity. These DASH proteins play important roles in the immune system involving quiescence (DPP2), proliferation (DPP8/DPP9), antigen-presenting (DPP9), co-stimulation (DPP4), T cell activation (DPP4), signal transduction (DPP4, DPP8 and DPP9), differentiation (DPP4, DPP8) and tissue remodelling (DPP4, FAP). Thus, they are involved in many pathophysiological processes and have therefore been proposed for potential biomarkers or even drug targets in various cancers (DPP4 and FAP) and inflammatory diseases (DPP4, DPP8/DPP9). However, they also pose the challenge of drug selectivity concerning other DASH members for better efficacy and/or avoidance of unwanted side effects. Therefore, this review unravels the complex roles of DASH proteins in immunology.