bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Morphological analysis of the urethral muscle of the male pig with relevance to urinary continence and micturition
Authors: Ragionieri Luisa , Ravanetti Francesca , Gazza Ferdinando , Botti Maddalena , Ivanovska Ana , Cacchioli Antonio 
Published: November 2015

AbstractTo investigate whether the pig could be considered a suitable model to study lower urinary tract function and dysfunction, the pelvic urethra of 24 slaughtered male pigs were collected, and the associated muscles were macroscopically, histologically and histochemically analyzed. In cross‐sections of the urethra, a muscular complex composed of an inner layer of smooth muscle and an outer layer of striated muscle that are not separated by fascial planes was observed. A tunica muscularis, composed of differently oriented smooth muscle bundles, is only evident in the proximal part of the pelvic urethra while, in the remaining part, it contributes to form the prostatic fibromuscular stroma. The striated urethral muscle surrounds the pelvic urethra in a horseshoe‐like configuration with a dorsal longitudinal raphe, extending from the bladder neck to the central tendon of perineum. Proximally to the bladder, it is constituted of slow‐twitch and fast‐twitch myofibers of very small diameter, and embedded in an abundant collagen and elastic fiber net. Moving caudally it is gradually encircled and then completely substituted by larger and compact myofibers, principally presenting circular orientation and fast‐twitch histochemical characteristics. So, like in humans, the cranial tract of the muscular system surrounding the pelvic urethra is principally composed of smooth musculature. The striated component cranially may have a role in blocking retrograde ejaculation, while the middle and caudal tracts may facilitate urine and semen flow, and seem especially concerned with the rapid and forceful urethral closure during active continence. Some differences in the morphology and structure between pigs and humans seem due to the different morphology of the ‘secondary’ sexual organs that develop from the urethral wall and to the different effect of gravity on the mechanics of the urinary system in quadruped and bipedal mammals.
Selective loss of alpha motor neurons with sparing of gamma motor neurons and spinal cord cholinergic neurons in a mouse model of spinal muscular atrophy
Authors: Powis Rachael A. , Gillingwater Thomas H. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractSpinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neuromuscular disease characterised primarily by loss of lower motor neurons from the ventral grey horn of the spinal cord and proximal muscle atrophy. Recent experiments utilising mouse models of SMA have demonstrated that not all motor neurons are equally susceptible to the disease, revealing that other populations of neurons can also be affected. Here, we have extended investigations of selective vulnerability of neuronal populations in the spinal cord of SMA mice to include comparative assessments of alpha motor neuron (α‐MN) and gamma motor neuron (γ‐MN) pools, as well as other populations of cholinergic neurons. Immunohistochemical analyses of late‐symptomatic SMA mouse spinal cord revealed that numbers of α‐MNs were significantly reduced at all levels of the spinal cord compared with controls, whereas numbers of γ‐MNs remained stable. Likewise, the average size of α‐MN cell somata was decreased in SMA mice with no change occurring in γ‐MNs. Evaluation of other pools of spinal cord cholinergic neurons revealed that pre‐ganglionic sympathetic neurons, central canal cluster interneurons, partition interneurons and preganglionic autonomic dorsal commissural nucleus neuron numbers all remained unaffected in SMA mice. Taken together, these findings indicate that α‐MNs are uniquely vulnerable among cholinergic neuron populations in the SMA mouse spinal cord, with γ‐MNs and other cholinergic neuronal populations being largely spared.
Predicting dentists’ decisions: a choice‐based conjoint analysis of Medicaid participation
Authors: Kateeb Elham T. , McKernan Susan C. , Gaeth Gary J. , Kuthy Raymond A. , Adrianse Nancy B. , Damiano Peter C. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractObjectivesPrivate practice dentists are the major source of care for the dental safety net; however, the proportion of dentists who participate in state Medicaid programs is low, often due to poor perceptions of the program's administration and patient population. Using a discrete choice experiment and a series of hypothetical scenarios, this study evaluated trade‐offs dentists make when deciding to accept Medicaid patients.MethodsAn online choice‐based conjoint survey was sent to 272 general dentists in Iowa. Hypothetical scenarios presented factors at systematically varied levels. The primary determination was whether dentists would accept a new Medicaid patient in each scenario. Using an ecological model of behavior, determining factors were selected from the categories of policy, administration, community, and patient population to estimate dentists’ relative preferences.Results62 percent of general dentists responded to the survey. The probability of accepting a new Medicaid patient was highest (81 percent) when reimbursement rates were 85 percent of the dentist's fees, patients never missed appointments, claims were approved on first submission, and no other practices in the area accepted Medicaid. Although dentists preferred higher reimbursement rates, 56 percent would still accept a new Medicaid patient when reimbursement decreased to 55 percent if they were told that the patient would never miss appointments and claims would be approved on initial submission.ConclusionsThis study revealed trade‐offs that dentists make when deciding to participate in Medicaid. Findings indicate that states can potentially improve Medicaid participation without changing reimbursement rates by making improvements in claims processing and care coordination to reduce missed appointments.
High bicarbonate levels in narcoleptic children
Authors: Franco Patricia , Junqua Aurelie , Guignard‐Perret Anne , Raoux Aude , Perier Magali , Raverot Veronique , Claustrat Bruno , Gustin Marie‐Paule , Inocente Clara Odilia , Lin Jian‐Sheng 
Published: November 2015

SummaryThe objective of this study was to evaluate the levels of plasma bicarbonate levels in narcoleptic children. Clinical, electrophysiological data and bicarbonate levels were evaluated retrospectively in children seen in our paediatric national reference centre for hypersomnia. The cohort included 23 control subjects (11.5 ± 4 years, 43% boys) and 51 patients presenting de‐novo narcolepsy (N) (12.7 ± 3.7 years, 47% boys). In narcoleptic children, cataplexy was present in 78% and DQB1*0602 was positive in 96%. The control children were less obese (2 versus 47%, P = 0.001). Compared with control subjects, narcoleptic children had higher bicarbonate levels (P = 0.02) as well as higher PCO2 (P < 0.01) and lower venous pH gas (P < 0.01). Bicarbonate levels higher than 27 mmol L−1 were found in 41.2% of the narcoleptic children and 4.2% of the controls (P = 0.001). Bicarbonate levels were correlated with the Adapted Epworth Sleepiness Scale (P = 0.01). Narcoleptic patients without obesity often had bicarbonate levels higher than 27 mmol L −1 (55 versus 25%, P = 0.025). No differences were found between children with and without cataplexy. In conclusion, narcoleptic patients had higher bicarbonate plasma levels compared to control children. This result could be a marker of hypoventilation in this pathology, provoking an increase in PCO2 and therefore a respiratory acidosis, compensated by an increase in plasma bicarbonates. This simple screening tool could be useful for prioritizing children for sleep laboratory evaluation in practice.
The Literary History of World‐Systems, II: World Literature and Deep Time
Authors: Eatough Matthew 
Published: November 2015

AbstractThis essay is the conclusive piece of a two‐part series on the use of world‐systems theory in literary studies. In it, I continue my discussion of literary world‐systems by turning to the field of world literature. As I show, world‐systems theory owes much of its current popularity in literary studies to the “new” world literature, which has borrowed part of its conceptual language from world‐systems theory. This language includes such key terms aslongue durée, circulation, cyclical history, and center and periphery. These terms have helped to revolutionize literary history in a number of ways, three of which I focus on: (1) the pursuit of a more abstract, quantitative account of literary genres; (2) the attempt to reposition European literature within a longer history of global literature; and (3) the theorization of cyclical models of literary history. Taken together, these projects have helped scholars to rewrite the history and geography of world literature in important ways – by reimagining the novel form as a response to risk and insecurity rather than power; by emphasizing Europe's competition with non‐European cultural centers; and by identifying a temporal limit to European and American hegemony.
The influence of household pets on the composition and quantity of allergenic mite fauna within Irish homes: a preliminary investigation
Authors: CLARKE D. , DIX E. , LIDDY S. , GORMALLY M. , BYRNE M. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractAllergenic mites are responsible for inducing hypersensitive reactions in genetically predisposed people worldwide. Mites in dust from 30 Irish homes with pets (dogs, n = 23; cats, n = 7) were compared with those in 30 homes without pets. House dust mites constituted 78% of all mites recorded, with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Acariformes: Pyroglyphidae) representing 57–72% of mites in furniture and mattresses in both home types compared with only 22% of mites in pet beds. Although storage mites accounted for just 13% of all mites recorded, they represented 46% of mites recorded in pet beds. Median levels of the dust mite allergen Der p 1 (µg/g) in dust samples from mattresses in homes without pets were significantly greater than in mattresses from homes with pets, reflecting the greater densities of D. pteronyssinus found in the former home category. Mite species richness was greater in homes with pets (17 species) than in homes without pets (13 species). This suggests that although the presence of pets can result in a wider variety of epidemiologically important mite species within households, increased competition among mite species may result in a more balanced mite fauna in the home, inhibiting the dominance of any one species and hence lowering allergen‐associated risks.
Ineffective esophageal motility phenotypes following fundoplication in gastroesophageal reflux disease
Authors: Mello M. D. , Shriver A. R. , Li Y. , Patel A. , Gyawali C. P. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractBackgroundIneffective esophageal motility (IEM) is associated with reflux disease, but its natural history is unclear. We evaluated patients undergoing repeat esophageal high resolution manometry (HRM) for symptomatic presentations after antireflux surgery (ARS) to understand the progression of IEM.MethodsPatients with repeat HRM after ARS were included. Ineffective esophageal motility was diagnosed if ≥5 sequences had distal contractile integral (DCI) <450 mmHg cm s. Augmentation of DCI following multiple rapid swallows (MRS) was assessed. The esophagogastric junction (EGJ) was interrogated using the EGJ contractile integral (EGJ‐CI). Esophageal motor function was compared between patients with and without IEM.Key ResultsSixty‐eight patients (53.9 ± 1.8 years, 66.2% female) had pre‐ and post‐ARS HRM studies 2.1 ± 0.19 years apart. Esophagogastric junction‐CI augmented by a mean of 26.3% following ARS. Four IEM phenotypes were identified: 14.7% had persistent IEM, 8.8% resolved IEM after ARS, 19.1% developed new IEM, and 57.4% had no IEM at any point. Patients with IEM had a lower DCI pre‐ and post‐ARS, lower pre‐ARS EGJ CI, and lower pre‐ARS‐integrated relaxation pressure (p ≤ 0.02 for all comparisons); presenting symptoms and other EGJ metrics were similar (p ≥ 0.08 for all comparisons). The IEM phenotypes could be predicted by MRS DCI response patterns (p = 0.008 across groups); patients with persistent IEM had the least DCI augmentation (p = 0.007 compared to no IEM), while those who resolved IEM had DCI augmentation comparable to no IEM (p = 0.08).Conclusions & InferencesDistinct phenotypes of IEM exist among symptomatic reflux patients following ARS. Provocative testing with MRS may help identify these phenotypes pre‐ARS.
Effect of a local anesthetic lozenge in relief of symptoms in burning mouth syndrome
Authors: Treldal C , Jacobsen CB , Mogensen S , Rasmussen M , Jacobsen J , Petersen J , Lynge Pedersen AM , Andersen O 
Published: November 2015

ObjectivePatients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS) often represent a clinical challenge as available agents for symptomatic treatment are few and often ineffective. The aim was to evaluate the effect of a bupivacaine lozenge on oral mucosal pain, xerostomia, and taste alterations in patients with BMS.MethodsEighteen patients (4 men and 14 women) aged 39–71 years with BMS were included in this randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled, crossover trial. Lozenges (containing bupivacaine or placebo) were administrated three times a day for 2 weeks for two separate treatment periods. Assessment of oral mucosal pain, xerostomia, and taste alterations was performed in a patient diary on a visual analog scale (ranging from 0 to 100 mm) before and after the lozenge was dissolved.ResultsThe bupivacaine lozenge significantly reduced the burning oral pain (P < 0.001), increased the sense of taste disturbances (P < 0.001), and had no impact on xerostomia, when adjusted for the treatment period.ConclusionsOur results indicate that the bupivacaine lozenge offers a novel therapeutic modality to patients with BMS, although without alleviating effect on the associated symptoms, taste alterations, and xerostomia.
Prescription patterns, adherence and characteristics of non‐adherence in children with asthma in primary care
Authors: Engelkes Marjolein , Janssens Hettie M. , de Jongste Johan C. , Sturkenboom Miriam C.J.M. , Verhamme Katia M.C. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractAdherence to treatment remains important for successful asthma management. Knowledge about asthma medication use and adherence in real‐life offers opportunities to improve asthma treatment in children.ObjectiveTo describe prescription patterns, adherence and factors of adherence to drugs in children with asthma.MethodsPopulation‐based cohort study in a Dutch primary care database (IPCI), containing medical records of 176,516 children, aged 5–18 years, between 2000 and 2012. From asthma medication prescriptions, age, gender, seasonal and calendar year rates were calculated. Adherence was calculated using medication possession ratio (MPR) and ratio of controller to total asthma drug (CTT). Characteristics of children with high‐vs.‐low adherence were compared.ResultsThe total asthma cohort (n = 14,303; 35,181 person‐years (PY) of follow‐up) was mainly treated with short‐acting β2‐agonists (SABA; 40 users/100 PY) and inhaled corticosteroids (ICS; 32/100 PY). Median MPR for ICS was 56%. Children with good adherence (Q4 = MPR > 87%) were younger at start of ICS, more often visited specialists and had more exacerbations during follow‐up compared to children with low adherence (Q1 = MPR < 37%).ConclusionIn Dutch primary care children with asthma were mainly prescribed SABA, and ICS. Adherence to ICS was relatively low. Characteristics of children with good adherence were compatible with more severe asthma, suggesting that adherence is driven by treatment need or intensity of medical follow‐up.
Giving support to others reduces sympathetic nervous system‐related responses to stress
Authors: Inagaki Tristen K. , Eisenberger Naomi I. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractSocial support is a major contributor to the link between social ties and beneficial health outcomes. Research to date has focused on how receiving support from others might be good for us; however, we know less about the health effects of giving support to others. Based on prior work in animals showing that stimulating neural circuitry important for caregiving behavior can reduce sympathetic‐related responses to stressors, it is possible that, in humans, giving to others can reduce stressor‐evoked sympathetic nervous system responding, which has implications for health outcomes. To test the effect of giving support on the physiological stress response, participants either wrote a supportive note to a friend (support‐giving condition) or wrote about their route to school/work (control condition) before undergoing a standard laboratory‐based stress task. Physiological responses (heart rate, blood pressure, salivary alpha‐amylase, salivary cortisol), and self‐reported stress were collected throughout the protocol. In line with hypotheses, support giving (vs. control) reduced sympathetic‐related responses (systolic blood pressure and alpha‐amylase) to the stressor. No effects of support giving were found on self‐reported psychological stress or cortisol levels. Results add to existing knowledge of the pathways by which support giving may lead to health benefits and highlight the contribution of giving to others in the broader social support‐health link.
Noradrenaline goes nuclear: epigenetic modifications during long‐lasting synaptic potentiation triggered by activation of β‐adrenergic receptors
Authors: Maity Sabyasachi , Jarome Timothy J. , Blair Jessica , Lubin Farah D. , Nguyen Peter V. 
Published: November 2015

Key points
Transcription is recruited by noradrenaline in the hippocampus.
Epigenetic mechanisms are recruited by hippocampal noradrenergic receptor activation.
Epigenetic regulation by noradrenaline offers a novel mechanism for long‐term potentiation
AbstractNoradrenaline (NA) is a neuromodulator that can effect long‐lasting changes in synaptic strength such as long‐term potentiation (LTP), a putative cellular mechanism for memory formation in the mammalian brain. Persistent LTP requires alterations in gene expression that may involve epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation, histone acetylation and histone phosphorylation. It is known that β‐adrenergic receptors and NA can boost LTP maintenance by regulating translation. However, it is unclear whether NA can additionally engage epigenetic mechanisms to regulate transcription and boost LTP endurance. To address this issue, we probed NA‐treated mouse hippocampal slices with pharmacological inhibitors targeting epigenetic regulatory pathways and discovered that NA activates β‐adrenergic receptors to boost LTP maintenance in area CA1 through DNA methylation and post‐translational histone modifications. Specifically, NA paired with 100 Hz stimulation enhanced histone H3 acetylation and phosphorylation, both of which were required for NA‐induced boosting of LTP maintenance. Together, our findings identify NA as a neuromodulatory transmitter capable of triggering epigenetic, transcriptional control of genes required for establishing persistent LTP in the mouse hippocampus. These modifications may contribute to the stabilization of memory.
Antipseudomonal Bacteriophage Reduces Infective Burden and Inflammatory Response in Murine Lung
Authors: Pabary Rishi , Singh Charanjit , Morales Sandra , Bush Andrew , Alshafi Khalid , Bilton Diana , Alton Eric W. F. W. , Smithyman Anthony , Davies Jane C. 
Published: November 2015

ABSTRACTAs antibiotic resistance increases, there is a need for new therapies to treat infection, particularly in cystic fibrosis (CF), wherePseudomonas aeruginosais a ubiquitous pathogen associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Bacteriophages are an attractive alternative treatment, as they are specific to the target bacteria and have no documented side effects. The efficacy of phage cocktails was establishedin vitro. TwoP. aeruginosastrains were taken forward into an acute murine infection model with bacteriophage administered either prophylactically, simultaneously, or postinfection. The infective burden and inflammation in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were assessed at various times. With low infective doses, both control mice and those undergoing simultaneous phage treatment clearedP. aeruginosainfection at 48 h, but there were fewer neutrophils in BALF of phage-treated mice (median, 73.2 × 104/ml [range, 35.2 to 102.1 × 104/ml] versus 174 × 104/ml [112.1 to 266.8 × 104/ml],P< 0.01 for the clinical strain; median, 122.1 × 104/ml [105.4 to 187.4 × 104/ml] versus 206 × 104/ml [160.1 to 331.6 × 104/ml],P< 0.01 for PAO1). With higher infective doses of PAO1, all phage-treated mice clearedP. aeruginosainfection at 24 h, whereas infection persisted in all control mice (median, 1,305 CFU/ml [range, 190 to 4,700 CFU/ml],P< 0.01). Bacteriophage also reduced CFU/ml in BALF when administered postinfection (24 h) and both CFU/ml and inflammatory cells in BALF when administered prophylactically. A reduction in soluble inflammatory cytokine levels in BALF was also demonstrated under different conditions. Bacteriophages are efficacious in reducing both the bacterial load and inflammation in a murine model ofP. aeruginosalung infection. This study provides proof of concept for future clinical trials in patients with CF.
In Vitro
Antimicrobial Activity of a Siderophore Cephalosporin, S-649266, against Enterobacteriaceae Clinical Isolates, Including Carbapenem-Resistant Strains
Authors: Kohira Naoki , West Joshua , Ito Akinobu , Ito-Horiyama Tsukasa , Nakamura Rio , Sato Takafumi , Rittenhouse Stephen , Tsuji Masakatsu , Yamano Yoshinori 
Published: November 2015

ABSTRACT

S-649266 is a novel siderophore cephalosporin antibiotic with a catechol moiety on the 3-position side chain. Two sets of clinical isolate collections were used to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of S-649266 against
Enterobacteriaceae
. These sets included 617 global isolates collected between 2009 and 2011 and 233 β-lactamase-identified isolates, including 47 KPC-, 49 NDM-, 12 VIM-, and 8 IMP-producers. The MIC
90
values of S-649266 against the first set of
Escherichia coli
,
Klebsiella pneumoniae
,
Serratia marcescens
,
Citrobacter freundii
,
Enterobacter aerogenes
, and
Enterobacter cloacae
isolates were all ≤1 μg/ml, and there were only 8 isolates (1.3%) among these 617 clinical isolates with MIC values of ≥8 μg/ml. In the second set, the MIC values of S-649266 were ≤4 μg/ml against 109 strains among 116 KPC-producing and class B (metallo) carbapenemase-producing strains. In addition, S-649266 showed MIC values of ≤2 μg/ml against each of the 13 strains that produced other types of carbapenemases such as SME, NMC, and OXA-48. The mechanisms of the decreased susceptibility of 7 class B carbapenemase-producing strains with MIC values of ≥16 μg/ml are uncertain. This is the first report to demonstrate that S-649266, a novel siderophore cephalosporin, has significant antimicrobial activity against
Enterobacteriaceae
, including strains that produce carbapenemases such as KPC and NDM-1.