bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Potentiation of spinal glutamatergic response in the neuron‐glia interactions underlies the intrathecal IL‐1β‐induced thermal hyperalgesia in rats
Authors: Sung Chun‐Sung , Wen Zhi‐Hong , Feng Chien‐Wei , Chen Chun‐Hong , Huang Shi‐Ying , Chen Nan‐Fu , Chen Wu‐Fu , Wong Chih‐Shung 
Published: May 2017

SummaryAimsWe previously demonstrated that intrathecal IL‐1β upregulated phosphorylation of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (P‐p38 MAPK) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in microglia and astrocytes in spinal cord, increased nitric oxide (NO) release into cerebrospinal fluid, and induced thermal hyperalgesia in rats. This study investigated the role of spinal glutamatergic response in intrathecal IL‐1β‐induced nociception in rats.MethodsThe pretreatment effects of MK‐801 (5 μg), minocycline (20 μg), and SB203580 (5 μg) on intrathecal IL‐1β (100 ng) in rats were measured by behavior, Western blotting, CSF analysis, and immunofluorescence studies.ResultsIL‐1β increased phosphorylation of NR‐1 (p‐NR1) subunit of N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptors in neurons and microglia, reduced glutamate transporters (GTs; glutamate/aspartate transporter by 60.9%, glutamate transporter‐1 by 55.0%, excitatory amino acid carrier‐1 by 39.8%; P<.05 for all), and increased glutamate (29%‐133% increase from 1.5 to 12 hours; P<.05) and NO (44%‐101% increase from 4 to 12 hours; P<.05) levels in cerebrospinal fluid. MK‐801 significantly inhibited all the IL‐1β‐induced responses; however, minocycline and SB203580 blocked the IL‐1β‐downregulated GTs and elevated glutamate but not the upregulated p‐NR1.ConclusionThe enhanced glutamatergic response and neuron‐glia interaction potentiate the intrathecal IL‐1β‐activated P‐p38/iNOS/NO signaling and thermal hyperalgesia.
Post‐Laryngectomy stricture and pharyngocutaneous fistula: Review of techniques in primary pharyngeal reconstruction in laryngectomy
Authors: Walton B. , Vellucci J. , Patel P.B. , Jennings K. , McCammon S. , Underbrink M.P. 
Published: May 2017

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to find a correlation between closure technique in pharyngeal closure and outcomes of both pharyngocutaneous fistula and post‐laryngectomy stricture after laryngectomy.Study DesignRetrospective Chart Review.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed a total of 151 patients over a 20‐year period from January 1994 to December of 2013 who underwent primary pharyngeal reconstruction after total laryngectomy specifically looking at the closure technique in relation to pharyngo‐cutaneous fistula (PCF) and post‐laryngectomy stricture postoperatively. Patients were excluded based on secondary pharyngeal closure. Using logistic regression modelling, we performed univariate and multivariate analyses of our data.ResultsThe overall PCF and post‐laryngectomy stricture rates were 19.1% and 15.8%. When salvage laryngectomy was excluded, t‐type closure had a significantly lower risk of fistula rate (P=.038) compared to vertical closure. In multivariate analysis, this statistical significance was lost (P=.23); however, non‐salvage t‐type closure remained significantly better than both salvage laryngectomy groups (t‐type, P=.033, vertical, P=.037), while non‐salvage vertical closure had no significant difference from other groups. There was no difference in stricture rate between the two closure techniques (P=.63).ConclusionOur study supports the role of t‐type closure decreasing fistula rates in primary pharyngeal reconstruction. Orientation of the pharyngeal closure does not appear to change the risk of post‐laryngectomy stricture formation after total laryngectomy. Salvage laryngectomy with primary pharyngeal reconstruction remains an independent risk factor for fistula formation.
A comparison of attitudes to laryngeal cancer treatment outcomes: A time trade‐off study
Authors: Hamilton D.W. , Pedersen A. , Blanchford H. , Bins J.E. , McMeekin P. , Thomson R. , Paleri V. , Wilson J.A. 
Published: May 2017

DesignTime trade‐off choice experiment.SettingTwo large head and neck cancer centres.ParticipantsPatients who have received treatment for head and neck cancer and members of the head and neck cancer multidisciplinary team.Main outcome measuresParticipants were asked to rank the outcome scenarios, assign utility values using time trade‐off and rate the importance of survival on treatment choice.ResultsA total of 49 patients with head and neck cancer and 73 staff members were recruited. Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) optimal outcome was the most preferred health state (34 of 49, 69% patients, and 50 of 73, 68% staff), and CRT with complications was least preferred (27 of 49, 55% patients, and 51 of 73, 70% staff). Using time trade‐off, mean utility values were calculated for CRT optimal outcome (0.73 for patients, 0.77 for staff), total laryngectomy (TL) optimal outcome (0.67 for patients, 0.69 for staff), TL outcome with complications (0.46 for patients, 0.51 for staff) and CRT with complications (0.36 for patients, 0.49 for staff). The average survival advantage required for a participant to change their preferred choice was 2.6 years.ConclusionsWe have demonstrated that a significant proportion of patients with head and neck cancer and staff members would not choose CRT to manage locally advanced laryngeal cancer. Staff members rated the health states associated with laryngeal cancer treatment higher than patients who have experienced them, and this is particularly evident when considering the poorer outcomes. The head and neck cancer community should develop methods of practice and decision‐making which incorporate elicitation and reporting of patient values as a central principle.
Comprehensive genetic study of cystic fibrosis in Slovak patients in 25 years of genetic diagnostics
Authors: Soltysova Andrea , Tothova Tarova Eva , Ficek Andrej , Baldovic Marian , Polakova Helena , Kayserova Hana , Kadasi Ludevit 
Published: May 2017

AbstractIntroductionCystic fibrosis (CF) has one of the longest histories in hereditary disease molecular diagnostics. However, identification of causative mutations in the CFTR gene is complicated by over 2000 currently identified mutations; with more still being discovered. Knowledge of mutation spectrum may improve effective routine diagnostics and is obligatory in mutation‐specific treatment.ObjectivesThis study presents comprehensive mutation screening of the CFTR gene; with 275 unrelated, clinically confirmed and treated cystic fibrosis (CF) patients diagnosed in 25 years genetic testing in Slovakia.MethodsDetection of the most common CFTR mutations was performed by ELUCIGENE 29 and ELUCIGENE CF EU2 kits. HRM and dHPLC mutation screening methods with subsequent Sanger sequencing were applied for minor mutation screening, and MLPA analysis for deletion/duplication detection.ResultsA total of 70 different mutations were identified, from which the most common mutation F508del accounted for 60.36% of all disease alleles and 8 mutations have currently been observed only in Slovak patients. Two large deletions identified on chromosomes 2 and 22 were further characterized to identify breakpoints. Based on mutation screening results and neonatal screening we estimated incidence in Slovakian newborns at approximately 1:6000‐7000.ConclusionIn our study, we identified mutations in 98.54% of all disease chromosomes, while 86.54% were identified using ELUCIGENE kits, 0.54% by MLPA analysis and 11.46% by sequencing analysis. Knowledge of the mutation spectrum in genetically diagnosed patients improves possibilities of genetic counseling and cascade screening in the affected families and Slovak population.
Analysis of the patients with simultaneous bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax
Authors: Akcam Tevfik Ilker , Kavurmaci Onder , Ergonul Ayse Gul , Aydin Sercan , Turhan Kutsal , Cakan Alpaslan , Cagirici Ufuk 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBackgroundSimultaneous bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax (SBSP) is an uncommon condition with limited data on its incidence in the literature. In this study, we aimed to describe the bilaterality in both primary and secondary spontaneous pneumothorax cases, and the clinical approach in simultaneous disease and prognosis of these patients.MethodsA total of 16 patients who were followed with the diagnosis of bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax between January 2005 and January 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups: secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (SSP; Group 1, n = 11) and primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP; Group 2, n = 5). Demographic data, underlying lung pathologies, treatments applied, clinical findings and survival data were recorded.ResultsOf the patients in Group 1, four (36.3%) had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), three (27.3%) had granulomatous lung disease, two (18.2%) had idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, one (9.1%) had bronchiectasis and one (9.1%) had hypersensitivity reaction. Of these patients, four had bilateral tube thoracostomy, four had unilateral tube thoracostomy and the remaining three received medical treatment under follow‐up. Of the Group 1 patients, six (54.6%) died during the 72‐month follow‐up period, while only one of these patients had COPD. All patients in Group 2 were treated using bilateral video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery either in the first or the second episode.ConclusionsThese results suggest that simultaneous and bilateral occurrence of SPP is an indicator of an advanced lung pathology with a poor prognosis.
Use of active video gaming in children with neuromotor dysfunction: a systematic review
Authors: Hickman Robbin , Popescu Lisa , Manzanares Robert , Morris Brendan , Lee Szu‐Ping , Dufek Janet S 
Published: May 2017

AimTo examine current evidence on use of active video gaming (AVG) to improve motor function in children with movement disorders including cerebral palsy, developmental coordination disorder, and Down syndrome.MethodScopus, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and CINAHL were searched. Included papers studied the use of AVG for improving movement‐related outcomes in these populations. Parameters studied included health condition, strength of evidence, AVG delivery methods, capacity for individualizing play, outcomes addressed, effectiveness for achieving outcomes, and challenges/limitations.ResultsThe 20 extracted articles varied in quality. Studies involved children with six different conditions using AVG in clinical, home, or school settings for 49 different motor outcomes. Dosage varied in frequency and duration. Choice of games played and difficulty level were therapist determined (n=6) or child controlled (n=14). The most common study limitations were small sample sizes and difficulty individualizing treatment. All articles showed improvement in outcomes with AVG, although differences were not consistently significant compared with conventional therapy.InterpretationHeterogeneity of measurement tools and target outcomes prevented meta‐analysis or development of formal recommendations. However, AVG is feasible and shows potential for improving outcomes in this population. Additional investigations of dosing variables, utility as a home supplement to clinical care, and outcomes with larger sample sizes are merited.
The social benefits of water and sanitation projects in Northern Colombia: Cost‐Benefit Analysis, the Water Poverty Index and beyond
Authors: Azqueta Diego , Montoya Álvaro 
Published: May 2017

AbstractWater, and Sanitation projects play an important role in alleviating water‐related poverty in developing countries. There are several methodologies that will not only assess the performance of these projects but will also help to better identify the problem and its characteristics, and to improve the efficiency of the investment. The Water Poverty Index is one of them. It is a very useful tool that helps to measure water stress at the household level in a holistic way, and to identify priorities. It is important, however, to complement it with a Cost‐Benefit Analysis that will take into account the costs of the project. A case study in Northern Colombia illustrates this point.
Does foreign bank entry contribute to financial development? Examining the role of income thresholds
Authors: Gopalan Sasidaran 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThis article examines the relationship between foreign bank entry and financial development in a panel framework covering 57 emerging market and developing economies (EMDEs) between 1995 and 2009. Using various measures of financial sector deepening, the article also explores the degree to which the relationship between foreign bank entry and financial sector depth varies by different income thresholds of the EMDEs. The empirical findings suggest that while foreign banks have a direct positive impact in furthering financial depth, the marginal effects of foreign bank entry diminish over time with greater levels of economic development. In other words, the impact of foreign bank entry tends to diminish as the per capita income of the country rises.
Serum adrenomedullin and urinary thromboxane B2 help early categorizing of acute kidney injury in decompensated cirrhotic patients: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Liu Chih‐Wei , Huang Chia‐Chang , Tsai Hung‐Cheng , Su Yen‐Bo , Huang Shiang‐Fen , Lee Kuei‐Chuan , Hsieh Yun‐Cheng , Li Tzu‐Hao , Tsai Chang‐Youh , Chong Lee‐Won , Ou Shuo‐Ming , Yang Ying‐Ying , Fan Wen‐Chien , Hou Ming‐Chih , Lin Han‐Chieh , Lee Shou‐Dong 
Published: May 2017

AimsIncreases in the systemic vasodilator adrenomedullin and the renal vasoconstrictors thromboxane A2 in cirrhotic patients are pathogenic factors for the development of functional acute kidney injury (AKI), including pre‐renal azotemia (PRA) and hepatorenal syndrome (HRS), which is associated with high mortality. This study aims to find biomarkers that can diagnose HRS at an early stage, to enable treatment as soon as possible.MethodsAcute decompensated cirrhotic patients who had been admitted to hospital were enrolled in this prospective cohort study. Blood and urinary samples were collected immediately after admission. In addition to initially categorizing AKI cases into PRA, acute tubular necrosis (ATN), and HRS groups, their final diagnosis was adjudicated by a nephrologist and a hepatologist who checked the corrected and misclassification rates for significant biomarkers.ResultsThe cut‐off values for serum adrenomedullin and urinary thromboxane B2 (TXB2), when used as predictors for functional AKI (adrenomedullin >283 pg/mL, urinary TXB2>978 [pg/mg urinary creatinine]), for HRS (adrenomedullin >428, urinary TXB2 >1604), and for good terlipressin plus albumin treatment responders (adrenomedullin >490, urinary TXB2 >1863), were observed. Patients with HRS who could be treated, due to high mortality, had significantly higher serum adrenomedullin and urinary TXB2 levels compared to HRS patients receiving standard treatment. In addition to predicting 60‐day mortality, a combination of these two markers further increased diagnostic accuracy for HRS among functional AKI.ConclusionsPrompt diagnosis of HRS by differentiating it from PRA and ATN can be achieved by using serum adrenomedullin and urinary TXB2 in acute decompensated cirrhotic patients. In combination with severe clinical courses, these two markers are useful to select HRS patients who cannot be treated.
Ultrastructure of cell types within the scolex and cephalic peduncle of the litobothriidean tapeworm, Litobothrium aenigmaticum
Authors: Gallagher Kaitlin , Caira Janine , Cantino Marie 
Published: May 2017

AbstractLitobothrium aenigmaticum Caira, Jensen, Waeschenbach, & Littlewood 2014 is a cestode species that parasitizes pelagic thresher sharks in Taiwan and the Gulf of California. A previous study using light microscopy suggested the scolex contains four types of unusual tissues, one of which was considered to aid in adhesion of the worm to the mucosa of the spiral intestine. The function of the other tissues was unknown. Also unknown was the function of two laterally paired ducts found extending throughout the length of the worm. The goal of the present study was to use transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to examine the internal anatomy of the scolex and cephalic peduncle of this tapeworm in more detail. Three specimens from Taiwan were examined with TEM and two with light microscopy. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the laterally paired ducts were excretory, since they were closely associated with numerous protonephridia. The number of cell types, previously referred to as tissues, in the scolex was expanded to 11 based on a combination of features including cell size, nucleus size, ratio of the maximum diameter of the nucleus to maximum diameter of the whole cell, and types of observed organelles, as well as the presence or absence of cytoplasmic electron‐dense and electron‐lucent vesicles. The cytoplasm of all 11 cell types was found to include electron‐dense vesicles, and all types were periodic acid‐Schiff (PAS) positive. This suggests that the electron‐dense vesicles may contain glycoproteins and/or mucoproteins. As all 11 cell types occurred within the region of the scolex that is surrounded by a papilla of host mucosa at the site of tapeworm attachment, we hypothesize that one or more of these cell types may produce a substance that induces this inflammatory reaction. The specific products in the secretory vesicles and how those products are released are still unclear, as are any relationships between or among the cell types in terms of products produced. Further research will be necessary to fully understand the complexity of this organism.
Embryo and early larval stages of the Humboldt Current krill Euphausia mucronata (Crustacea: Euphausiacea)
Authors: Riquelme‐Bugueño Ramiro , Gómez‐Gutiérrez Jaime , Silva‐Aburto Jocelyn , Escribano Rubén , Schneider Wolfgang 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe Humboldt Current krill, Euphausia mucronata (Crustacea: Euphausiacea), is an endemic and keystone species in the food web of this highly productive eastern border current ecosystem. The morphology and ontogeny of E. mucronata is known from calyptopis I to the adult phase, but the embryonic and early‐life stages (nauplius and metanauplius) of this broadcast spawning species are unknown. We describe the morphology and development time of these life stages to complete the knowledge of its life cycle. Embryos were obtained from purple‐gonad gravid females collected off Dichato, central Chile, during November 2012. Eight gravid females (mean=16 mm total length) were incubated in seawater at 12°C under laboratory conditions. The average development time from single‐cell embryos to the metanauplius stage was 2.2 d and hatching occurred between 20 and 25 h. The average growth rate was 0.35 mm d−1 from the late limb bud to the metanauplius stage (range=0.21–0.48 mm d−1). Embryos of E. mucronata had a mean chorion diameter of 0.460 mm, embryo diameter of 0.343 mm, and perivitelline space of 0.056 mm. Our biological information reported here constitutes a baseline for future ecological studies on distribution and temporal variability of spawning activity and reproductive strategies of E. mucronata in the highly variable and productive Humboldt Current ecosystem.
Effects of optical dopants and laser wavelength on atom probe tomography analyses of borosilicate glasses
Authors: Lu Xiaonan , Schreiber Daniel K. , Neeway James J. , Ryan Joseph V. , Du Jincheng 
Published: May 2017

AbstractAtom probe tomography (APT) is a novel analytical microscopy method that provides three dimensional elemental mapping with sub‐nanometer spatial resolution and has only recently been applied to insulating glass and ceramic samples. In this paper, we have studied the influence of the optical absorption in glass samples on APT characterization by introducing different transition metal optical dopants to a model borosilicate nuclear waste glass. A systematic comparison is presented of the glass optical properties and the resulting APT data quality in terms of compositional accuracy and the mass spectra quality for two APT systems: one with a green laser (532 nm, LEAP 3000X HR) and one with a UV laser (355 nm, LEAP 4000X HR). These data were also compared to the study of a more complex borosilicate glass (SON68). The results show that the analysis data quality, particularly the compositional accuracy and sample yield, was clearly linked to optical absorption when using a green laser, while for the UV laser optical doping aided in improving data yield but did not have a significant effect on compositional accuracy. Comparisons of data between the LEAP systems suggest that the smaller laser spot size of the LEAP 4000X HR played a more critical role for optimum performance than the optical dopants themselves. The smaller spot size resulted in more accurate composition measurements due to a reduced background level independent of the material's optical properties.
Evaluation of fungal microflora for aflatoxin producing possibility in novel quality Meju fermented with single and/or multiple additions of Nelumbo nucifera, Ginkgo biloba, and Allium sativum extracts
Authors: Shukla Shruti , Park Juyeon , Park Jung Hyun , Kim Min Kyeong , Park Sangje , Dubey Akanksha , Jeon Junhyun , Khang Yongho , Kim Myunghee 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThis study was aimed to evaluate the fungal microflora in Meju samples fermented using single and/or multiple additions of ethanolic extracts from plants, including Nelumbo nucifera leaves, Ginkgo biloba leaves, and Allium sativum cloves, at different concentrations (1 and 10%) and mixtures of these extracts at a 1:1:1 ratio. Fungal species were grouped based on morphological characteristics, and selected fungal strains were identified based on DNA sequence analysis. Aspergillus species were the dominant microflora in Meju samples. A total of 10 fungal strains isolated from the tested Meju products resulted in the identification of five genera, including Agaricaceae, Aspergillus (synonym: Eurotium), Mucor, Penicillium, and Paecilomyces. Further, Meju samples fermented with selected individual and/or multiple ethanolic extracts resulted in the occurence of various fungal strains, including Aspergillus, Mucor, Paecilomyces, and Penicillium chrysogenum. Conversely, Meju samples fermented without ethanolic extracts as a control resulted in the isolation of Aspergillus ruber, which might be capable of producing aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A. The outcome of this study confirms that fermentation of Meju using plant extracts may significantly influence fungal microflora, leading to improved quality of Meju production, because of diminishing effects of the extracts against toxin producing fungal pathogens.Practical applicationsFor decades, fermented foods have been used traditionally as health beneficial products in Asian countries including Korea. Contamination of fermented food starter culture, such as soybean‐based Meju, by pathogenic fungi or toxin producing fungi, such as Aspergillus species, has been reported as a severe concern to consumers. Medicinal plants have shown remarkable efficacy to control a number of pathogenic microbes including fungi. In this study, Nelumbo nucifera leaves, Ginkgo biloba leaves, and Allium sativum cloves exhibited significant potential to diminish the growth of toxin producing fungi, suggesting potential application of medicinal plants for the improved quality of Meju production.