bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Persistent alterations in colonic afferent innervation in a rat model of postinfectious gut dysfunction: Role for changes in peripheral neurotrophic factors
Authors: Jardí F. , Fernández‐Blanco J. A. , Martínez V. , Vergara P. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractBackgroundVisceral hypersensitivity in the inflamed gut is related partly to the effects of peripheral neurotrophic factors (NTFs) on local afferent neurons. However, alterations in sensory afferents of distant areas remain unexplored. Using the Trichinella spiralis infection model, which causes a jejunitis, we investigated the remodeling of colonic afferents and the potential role of NTFs.MethodsRats were infected with T. spiralis. Inflammatory‐like changes, mucosal mast cells (MMCs) dynamics, and expression of nerve growth factor and glial cell line–derived NTFs (glial cell–derived neurotrophic factor, artemin, and neurturin) were determined in the colon up to day 30 postinfection. Functional responses of colonic afferents were determined assessing changes in the expression of sensory‐related markers in thoracolumbar (TL)/lumbosacral (LS) dorsal root ganglias (DRGs) following intracolonic capsaicin.Key ResultsTrichinella spiralis induced an inflammatory‐like response within the colon, partly resolved at day 30 postinfection, except for a persistent MMC infiltrate. While the jejunum of infected animals showed an up‐regulation in the expression of NTFs, a transitory down‐regulation was observed in the colon. Overall, T. spiralis effects on DRGs gene expression were restricted to a transient down‐regulation of TPRV1. Stimulation with intracolonic capsaicin induced a down‐regulation of TRPV1 levels in TL and LS DRGs, an effect enhanced in LS DRGs of infected animals, regardless the postinfection time considered.Conclusions & InferencesDuring intestinal inflammation, spread morphological and functional alterations, including remodeling of visceral afferents, are observed outside the primary region affected by the insult. Similar mechanisms might be operating in states of widespread alterations of visceral sensitivity.
Managing for Legitimacy: Agency Governance in Its “Deep” Constitutional Context
Authors: MacCarthaigh Muiris , Painter Martin , Yee Wai‐Hang 
Published: January 2016

AbstractRecent literature on bureaucratic structure has gone further than studying discretions given to bureaucrats in policy making, and much attention is now paid to understanding how bureaucratic agencies are managed. This article proposes that the way in which executive governments manage their agencies varies according to their constitutional setting and that this relationship is driven by considerations of the executive's governing legitimacy. Inspired by Charles Tilly (1984), the authors compare patterns of agency governance in Hong Kong and Ireland, in particular, configurations of assigned decision‐making autonomies and control mechanisms. This comparison shows that in governing their agencies, the elected government of Ireland's parliamentary democracy pays more attention to input (i.e., democratic) legitimacy, while the executive government of Hong Kong's administrative state favors output (i.e., performance) legitimacy. These different forms of autonomy and control mechanism reflect different constitutional models of how political executives acquire and sustain their governing legitimacy.
Going Upstream: Coordination to Improve CKD Care
Authors: Johnson Douglas S. , Kapoian Toros , Taylor Robert , Meyer Klemens B. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractCare coordination for patients with chronic kidney disease has been shown to be effective in improving outcomes and reducing costs. However, few patients with CKD benefit from this systematic management of their kidney disease and other medical conditions. As a result, outcomes for patients with kidney disease are not optimal, and their cost of care is increased. For those patients who transition to kidney failure treatment in the United States, the transition does not go as well as it could. The effectiveness of treatments to delay progression of kidney disease in contemporary clinical practice does not match the efficacy of these treatments in clinical trials. Conservative care for kidney disease, which should be an option for patients who are very old and very sick, is not considered often enough or seriously enough. Opportunities for early and even pre‐emptive transplantation are missed, as are opportunities for home dialysis. The process of dialysis access creation is rarely optimal. The consequence is care which is not as good as it could be, and much more expensive than it should be. We describe our initial efforts to implement care coordination for chronic kidney disease in routine clinical care and attempt to project some of the benefits to patients and the cost savings.
Corporate Taxation of Heterogeneous Firms and the Welfare Effects of Labour Unions
Authors: Schneider Andrea 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThis paper examines the welfare effects of powerful labour unions when the government levies a uniform tax rate – as is currently the case in most OECD countries – and firms are heterogeneous with respect to productivity. I show that an increase in the bargaining power of labour unions can decrease the welfare loss generated by restriction of the tax policy and provide conditions under which powerful labour unions decrease the likelihood that firms will move abroad. I also reproduce the well‐known effect whereby powerful labour unions decrease corporate tax rates if firms are mobile.
Cross‐border Travellers and Parallel Trade: Implications for Asian Economies
Authors: Nguyen Xuan , Chao Chi‐Chur , Sgro Pasquale , Nabin Munirul 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThis paper explores the impact of parallel trade in an export market by cross‐border travellers on welfare of the home country in a model with heterogeneous consumers' perceptions. We show that such parallel trade when it is organised trading always hurts the home‐country welfare. However, when parallel trade is unorganised trading, it might benefit the home‐country welfare provided that the size of the export market is relatively small. Along these lines, we suggest optimal policy responses in the home country to parallel trade by cross‐border travellers. The results of the paper yield insightful policy implications for Asian economies.
Estimating the risk of dengue transmission from Dutch blood donors travelling to Suriname and the Dutch Caribbean
Authors: Oei W. , Lieshout‐Krikke R. W. , Kretzschmar M. E. , Zaaijer H. L. , Coutinho R. A. , Eersel M. , Jubithana B. , Halabi Y. , Gerstenbluth I. , Maduro E. , Tromp M. , Janssen M. P 
Published: January 2016

BackgroundThe risk of dengue transmitted by travellers is known. Methods to estimate the transmission by transfusion (TT) risk from blood donors travelling to risk areas are available, for instance, the European Up‐Front Risk Assessment Tool (EUFRAT). This study aimed to validate the estimated risk from travelling donors obtained from EUFRAT.MethodsSurveillance data on notified dengue cases in Suriname and the Dutch Caribbean islands (Aruba, Curaçao, St. Maarten, Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba) in 2001–2011 was used to calculate local incidence rates. Information on travel and donation behaviour of Dutch donors was collected. With the EUFRAT model, the TT risks from Dutch travelling donors were calculated. Model estimates were compared with the number of infections in Dutch travellers found by laboratory tests in the Netherlands.ResultsThe expected cumulative number of donors becoming infected during travels to Suriname and the Dutch Caribbean from 2001 to 2011 was estimated at 5 (95% CI, 2–11) and 86 (45–179), respectively. The infection risk inferred from the laboratory‐based study was 19 (9–61) and 28 (14–92). Given the independence of the data sources, these estimates are remarkably close. The model estimated that 0·02 (0·001–0·06) and 0·40 (0·01–1·4) recipients would have been infected by these travelling donors.ConclusionsThe EUFRAT model provided an estimate close to actual observed number of dengue infections. The dengue TT risk among Dutch travelling donors can be estimated using basic transmission, travel and donation information. The TT risk from Dutch donors travelling to Suriname and the Dutch Caribbean is small.
Pathogen‐reduced Ebola virus convalescent plasma: first steps towards standardization of manufacturing and quality control including assessment of Ebola‐specific neutralizing antibodies
Authors: Geisen C. , Kann G. , Strecker T. , Wolf T. , Schüttfort G. , van Kraaij M. , MacLennan S. , Rummler S. , Weinigel C. , Eickmann M. , Fehling S. K. , Krähling V. , Seidl C. , Seifried E. , Schmidt M. , Schäfer R. 
Published: January 2016

BackgroundEbola virus disease is a public health emergency of international concern, and enormous efforts are being made in the development of vaccines and therapies. Ebola virus convalescent plasma is a promising anti‐infective treatment of Ebola virus disease. Therefore, we developed and implemented a pathogen‐reduced Ebola virus convalescent plasma concept in accordance with national, European and global regulatory framework.Materials and MethodsEbola virus convalescent plasma manufacture and distribution was managed by a collection centre, two medical centres and an expert group from the European Blood Alliance. Ebola virus convalescent plasma was collected twice with an interval of 61 days from a donor recovering from Ebola virus disease in Germany. After pathogen reduction, the plasma was analysed for Ebola virus‐specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies and its Ebola virus neutralizing activity.ResultsConvalescent plasma could be collected without adverse events. Anti‐Ebola virus IgG titres and Ebola‐specific neutralizing antibodies in convalescent plasma were only slightly reduced after pathogen reduction treatment with S59 amotosalen/UVA. A patient in Italy with Ebola virus disease was treated with convalescent plasma without apparent adverse effects.DiscussionAs proof of principle, we describe a concept and practical implementation of pathogen‐reduced Ebola virus convalescent plasma manufacture, quality control and its clinical application to an Ebola virus disease patient.
The Effects of Interlocking a Universal Hip Cementless Stem on Implant Subsidence and Mechanical Properties of Cadaveric Canine Femora
Authors: Buks Yonathan , Wendelburg Kirk L. , Stover Susan M. , Garcia‐Nolen Tanya C. 
Published: January 2016

ObjectiveTo determine if an interlocking bolt would limit subsidence of the biological fixation universal hip (BFX®) femoral stem under cyclic loading and enhance construct stiffness, yield, and failure properties.Study DesignEx vivo biomechanical study.AnimalsCadaveric canine femora (10 pairs).MethodsPaired femora implanted with a traditional stem or an interlocking stem (constructs) were cyclically loaded at walk, trot, and gallop loads while implant and bone motions were captured using kinematic markers and high‐speed video. Constructs were then loaded to failure to evaluate failure mechanical properties.ResultsImplant subsidence was greater (P = .037) for the traditional implant (4.19 mm) than the interlocking implant (0.78 mm) only after gallop cyclic loading, and cumulatively after walk, trot, and gallop cyclic loads (5.20 mm vs. 1.28 mm,P = .038). Yield and failure loads were greater (P = .029 and .002, respectively) for the interlocking stem construct (1155 N and 2337 N) than the traditional stem construct (816 N and 1405 N). Version angle change after cyclic loading was greater (P = .020) for the traditional implant (3.89 degrees) than for the interlocking implant (0.16 degrees), whereas stem varus displacement at failure was greater (P = .008) for the interlocking implant (1.5 degrees) than the traditional implant (0.17 degrees).ConclusionAddition of a stabilizing bolt enhanced construct stability and limited subsidence of a BFX®femoral stem. Use of the interlocking implant may decrease postoperative subsidence. However, in vivo effects of the interlocking bolt on osseointegration, bone remodeling, and stress shielding are unknown.
Long Term Functional Outcome of Tibial Tuberosity Advancement vs. Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy and Extracapsular Repair in a Heterogeneous Population of Dogs
Authors: Krotscheck Ursula , Nelson Samantha A. , Todhunter Rory J. , Stone Marisa , Zhang Zhiwu 
Published: January 2016

ObjectiveTo determine a long term function of tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA) for treatment of ruptured cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) in dogs, and to compare this to the long term function of previously reported tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO), extracapsular reconstruction (ECR), and a population of normal dogs.Study DesignProspective clinical trial.AnimalsDogs with unilateral ruptured CCL treated with TTA (n = 14), TPLO (n = 15), and ECR (n = 23), and normal adult dogs (control, n = 80).Materials and MethodsForce plate gait analysis was performed at 1 time point for the normal control group and preoperatively, and at 2 and 8 weeks and 6 and 12 months postoperatively for the treatment groups. Using serial force plates, symmetry indices (SI) were calculated between the operated and unoperated pelvic limbs for peak vertical force (PVF), contact time (CT), and vertical impulse (VI). Ground reaction forces (GRF) of the treatment and control group were compared using a general linear model.ResultsWalk SI for dogs with TTA were not significantly different from the control group at 12 months postoperatively. At the trot, neither TTA nor ECR achieved normal GRF. SI of the TPLO group were not different from the normal control group by 6–12 months postoperatively.ConclusionAt the walk, TTA achieves normal function by 12 months; however, at the trot TTA is indistinguishable from ECR. TPLO resulted in operated limb function that was similar to the control population by 6–12 months postoperatively at the walk and the trot.
Classification of arterial and venous cerebral vasculature based on wavelet postprocessing of CT perfusion data
Authors: Havla Lukas , Schneider Moritz J. , Thierfelder Kolja M. , Beyer Sebastian E. , Ertl‐Wagner Birgit , Reiser Maximilian F. , Sommer Wieland H. , Dietrich Olaf 
Published: January 2016

Purpose:The purpose of this study was to propose and evaluate a new wavelet‐based technique for classification of arterial and venous vessels using time‐resolved cerebral CT perfusion data sets.Methods:Fourteen consecutive patients (mean age 73 yr, range 17–97) with suspected stroke but no pathology in follow‐up MRI were included. A CT perfusion scan with 32 dynamic phases was performed during intravenous bolus contrast‐agent application. After rigid‐body motion correction, a Paul wavelet (order 1) was used to calculate voxelwise the wavelet power spectrum (WPS) of each attenuation‐time course. The angiographic intensity A was defined as the maximum of the WPS, located at the coordinates T (time axis) and W (scale/width axis) within the WPS. Using these three parameters (A, T, W) separately as well as combined by (1) Fisher's linear discriminant analysis (FLDA), (2) logistic regression (LogR) analysis, or (3) support vector machine (SVM) analysis, their potential to classify 18 different arterial and venous vessel segments per subject was evaluated.Results:The best vessel classification was obtained using all three parameters A and T and W [area under the curve (AUC): 0.953 with FLDA and 0.957 with LogR or SVM]. In direct comparison, the wavelet‐derived parameters provided performance at least equal to conventional attenuation‐time‐course parameters. The maximum AUC obtained from the proposed wavelet parameters was slightly (although not statistically significantly) higher than the maximum AUC (0.945) obtained from the conventional parameters.Conclusions:A new method to classify arterial and venous cerebral vessels with high statistical accuracy was introduced based on the time‐domain wavelet transform of dynamic CT perfusion data in combination with linear or nonlinear multidimensional classification techniques.
Monte Carlo simulations of 3He ion physical characteristics in a water phantom and evaluation of radiobiological effectiveness
Authors: Taleei Reza , Guan Fada , Peeler Chris , Bronk Lawrence , Patel Darshana , Mirkovic Dragan , Grosshans David R. , Mohan Radhe , Titt Uwe 
Published: January 2016

Purpose:3He ions may hold great potential for clinical therapy because of both their physical and biological properties. In this study, the authors investigated the physical properties, i.e., the depth‐dose curves from primary and secondary particles, and the energy distributions of helium (3He) ions. A relative biological effectiveness (RBE) model was applied to assess the biological effectiveness on survival of multiple cell lines.Methods:In light of the lack of experimental measurements and cross sections, the authors used Monte Carlo methods to study the energy deposition of 3He ions. The transport of 3He ions in water was simulated by using three Monte Carlo codes—fluka, geant4, and mcnpx—for incident beams with Gaussian energy distributions with average energies of 527 and 699 MeV and a full width at half maximum of 3.3 MeV in both cases. The RBE of each was evaluated by using the repair‐misrepair‐fixation model. In all of the simulations with each of the three Monte Carlo codes, the same geometry and primary beam parameters were used.Results:Energy deposition as a function of depth and energy spectra with high resolution was calculated on the central axis of the beam. Secondary proton dose from the primary 3He beams was predicted quite differently by the three Monte Carlo systems. The predictions differed by as much as a factor of 2. Microdosimetric parameters such as dose mean lineal energy (yD), frequency mean lineal energy (yF), and frequency mean specific energy (zF) were used to characterize the radiation beam quality at four depths of the Bragg curve. Calculated RBE values were close to 1 at the entrance, reached on average 1.8 and 1.6 for prostate and head and neck cancer cell lines at the Bragg peak for both energies, but showed some variations between the different Monte Carlo codes.Conclusions:Although the Monte Carlo codes provided different results in energy deposition and especially in secondary particle production (most of the differences between the three codes were observed close to the Bragg peak, where the energy spectrum broadens), the results in terms of RBE were generally similar.
De Novo
Assembly of
Candida sojae
and Candida boidinii Genomes, Unexplored Xylose-Consuming Yeasts with Potential for Renewable Biochemical Production
Authors: Borelli Guilherme , José Juliana , Teixeira Paulo José Pereira Lima , dos Santos Leandro Vieira , Pereira Gonçalo Amarante Guimarães 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT

Candida boidinii
and
Candida sojae
yeasts were isolated from energy cane bagasse and plague-insects. Both have fast xylose uptake rate and produce great amounts of xylitol, which are interesting features for food and 2G ethanol industries. Because they lack published genomes, we have sequenced and assembled them, offering new possibilities for gene prospection.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Pathogenic Filamentous Fungus
Aspergillus lentulus
IFM 54703
T
Authors: Kusuya Yoko , Sakai Kanae , Kamei Katsuhiko , Takahashi Hiroki , Yaguchi Takashi 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT

Aspergillus lentulus
, a sibling species of
Aspergillus fumigatus
, has been reported as a causative agent of aspergillosis, and exhibited low susceptibility to azole. Here, we present the draft genome sequence of
A. lentulus
strain IFM 54703
T
for the first time.
Is preoperative physical activity related to post-surgery recovery? A cohort study of patients with breast cancer
Authors: Nilsson Hanna , Angerås Ulf , Bock David , Börjesson Mats , Onerup Aron , Fagevik Olsen Monika , Gellerstedt Martin , Haglind Eva , Angenete Eva 
Published: January 2016

ObjectiveThe aim of our study is to assess the association between preoperative level of activity and recovery after breast cancer surgery measured as hospital stay, length of sick leave and self-assessed physical and mental recovery.DesignA prospective cohort study.SettingPatients included were those scheduled to undergo breast cancer surgery, between February and November 2013, at two participating hospitals in the Western Region of Sweden.ParticipantsPatients planned for breast cancer surgery filled out a questionnaire before, as well as at 3 and 6 weeks after the operation. The preoperative level of activity was self-assessed and categorised into four categories by the participants using the 4-level Saltin-Grimby Physical Activity Level Scale (SGPALS).Main outcome measureOur main outcome was postoperative recovery measured as length of sick leave, in-hospital stay and self-assessed physical and mental recovery.Results220 patients were included. Preoperatively, 14% (31/220) of participants assessed themselves to be physically inactive, 61% (135/220) to exert some light physical activity (PA) and 20% (43/220) to be more active (level 3+4). Patients operated with mastectomy versus partial mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection versus sentinel node biopsy were less likely to have a short hospital stay, relative risk (RR) 0.88 (0.78 to 1.00) and 0.82 (0.70 to 0.96). More active participants (level 3 or 4) had an 85% increased chance of feeling physically recovered at 3 weeks after the operation, RR 1.85 (1.20 to 2.85). No difference was seen after 6 weeks.ConclusionsThe above study shows that a higher preoperative level of PA is associated with a faster physical recovery as reported by the patients 3 weeks post breast cancer surgery. After 6 weeks, most patients felt physically recovered, diminishing the association above. No difference was seen in length of sick leave or self-assessed mental recovery between inactive or more active patients.
Role of parenting styles in adolescent substance use: results from a Swedish longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Berge J , Sundell K , Öjehagen A , Håkansson A 
Published: January 2016

ObjectiveAdolescent substance use is an area of concern because early substance use is associated with a higher risk of adverse outcomes. Parenting style, defined as the general style of parenting, as well as substance-specific parenting practices may influence children's substance use behaviour. The present study aims to probe the impact of parenting style on adolescent substance use.MethodA cohort of 1268 adolescents (48% girls), aged 12–13 years at baseline, from 21 junior high schools was assessed in the first semester of junior high school, and then again in the last semester of the 9th grade, 32 months later. Parenting style, operationalised as a fourfold classification of parenting styles, including established risk factors for adolescent substance use, were measured at baseline.ResultsNeglectful parenting style was associated with worse substance use outcomes across all substances. After adjusting for other proximal risk factors in multivariate analyses, parenting style was found to be unrelated to substance use outcomes with one exception: authoritative parenting style was associated with less frequent drinking. Association with deviant peers, delinquent behaviour, provision of alcohol by parents, and previous use of other substances were associated with substance use outcomes at follow-up.ConclusionsThe results of the present study indicate that parenting style may be less important for adolescent substance use outcomes than what has previously been assumed, and that association with deviant peers and delinquent behaviour may be more important for adolescent substance use outcomes than general parenting style.