bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dual‐energy computed tomography as a diagnostic tool for gout during intercritical periods
Authors: Breuer Gabriel S. , Bogot Naama , Nesher Gideon 
Published: July 2016

AbstractAimThe aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic yield of dual‐energy computed tomography (DECT) in detection of uric acid accumulation in joints or periarticular structures in patients suspected of having gout, in their intercritical period.MethodsPatients with a history of recurrent, short‐lived mono‐ or oligo‐arthralgia or arthritis, referred to the rheumatology clinic for diagnosis of their condition, were included in this retrospective evaluation.ResultsDECT confirmed the diagnosis of gout in 30 of 50 patients (60%). A positive DECT was present in 12 of 16 cases (75%) with serum uric acid > 8.5 mg/dL, compared to seven of 13 cases (54%) and two of five cases (40%) with levels of 6.1–8.5 mg/dL and ≤ 6 mg/dL, respectively. The diagnostic impact of screening hands and feet were highest (78% and 56%, respectively). Follow‐up data were available for 24 of the 30 patients with urate deposits identified by DECT. Twenty‐one were treated with urate‐lowering agents, all responded with lowering of serum uric acid and cessation of flares. Follow‐up data were available for 16 of the 20 patients with no urate deposits identified by DECT. Gout was diagnosed in two of them by synovial fluid examination during subsequent flares. Both positive and negative predictive values of DECT for diagnosing gout in this patient population were 87%. Following DECT, treatment regimen was modified to gout‐specific therapy in 52% of the patients.DiscussionThe ability to make a definite diagnosis of gout by DECT imaging in a substantial number of asymptomatic patients in the intercritical period should help in treatment decision‐making and improve patient adherence to long‐term urate‐lowering therapy.
An Effective Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank: A Bottom Up Approach
Authors: Malkin Anton , Momani Bessma 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThis article suggests that the debate surrounding the inception of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is missing a crucial element of staffing policy. We review existing literature onIMFand World Bank reform, which shows that developing and emerging economy leadership in the organizations may not be sufficient in changing the normative character and policy orientation of the new organization. To counter principle‐agent problems that make multilateral lending institutions unresponsive to policy directives from shareholders and management, we argue that staffing policies should be at the forefront ofAIIBscrutiny. We show that, staffing practices should safeguard against three specific staff‐level issues: (1) half‐hearted or incomplete policy mandate reform; (2) intellectual monocropping; and (3) at organization culture incompatibility. To substantiate our conclusions and policy recommendations we examine the World Bank andIMFas case studies of staff‐level reforms in multilateral lending institutions.
Prolonged withdrawal from cocaine self‐administration affects prefrontal cortex‐ and basolateral amygdala–nucleus accumbens core circuits but not accumbens GABAergic local interneurons
Authors: Purgianto Anthony , Weinfeld Michael E. , Wolf Marina E. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractWithdrawal from extended‐access cocaine self‐administration leads to progressive intensification (‘incubation’) of cocaine craving. After prolonged withdrawal (1–2 months), when craving is high, expression of incubation depends on strengthening of excitatory inputs to medium spiny neurons (MSN) of the nucleus accumbens (NAc). These excitatory inputs interact with the intra‐NAc GABAergic ‘microcircuit’, composed of MSN axon collaterals and GABAergic interneurons. Here, we investigated whether the increased glutamatergic neurotransmission observed after prolonged withdrawal is accompanied by altered GABAergic neurotransmission, focusing on NAc core. Rats self‐administered cocaine or saline (6 hours/day) and then underwent >40 days of withdrawal. First, we investigated parvalbumin positive (PV+) interneurons, GABAergic fast‐spiking interneurons that regulate MSN activity. Immunohistochemical studies revealed no significant change in PV signal intensity or the number of PV+ cells in cocaine rats versus saline controls. We then screened PV and other interneuron markers using immunoblotting. We detected no changes in levels of PV, calretinin, calbindin or neuronal nitric oxide synthase. Because expression of these markers is activity dependent, our results suggest no marked changes in interneuron activity. Finally, we utilized local field potential recording, which can detect GABA‐mediated alterations at the circuit level, to investigate potential changes in two circuits implicated in cocaine craving: prelimbic prefrontal cortex to NAc core and basolateral amygdala to NAc core. We detected differential adaptations in these circuits, some of which may involve GABA. Overall, our results suggest that alterations in GABA transmission may accompany incubation of cocaine craving, but they are circuit specific and less pronounced than alterations in glutamate transmission.
Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane exposure and anogenital distance in the Venda Health Examination of Mothers, Babies and their Environment (VHEMBE) birth cohort study, South Africa
Authors: Bornman M. S. , Chevrier J. , Rauch S. , Crause M. , Obida M. , Sathyanarayana S. , Barr D. B. , Eskenazi B. 
Published: July 2016

SummaryDichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) is used for malaria control by 10 countries, nine of which are in Africa. Technical DDT contains various isomers with 65–80% insecticidal p,p’‐DDT and 15–21% o,p′‐DDT, an estrogenic chemical, while the persistent metabolite of p,p′‐DDT, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p′‐DDE), is an antiandrogen. In utero antiandrogenic exposure reduces anogenital distance in animal models and the anal position index in a single study. This study examined the associations between mother's serum DDT and DDE levels at delivery and anogenital distance in their children at birth and age 1 year. Data were collected as part of the Venda Health Examination of Mothers, Babies and their Environment (VHEMBE), a birth cohort study located in rural South Africa. DDT and DDE concentrations were measured in blood samples collected from 752 mothers at delivery. Anogenital distance measurements, taken at birth (n = 671) and age 1 year (n = 674), included anofourchette and anoclitoral distances in girls, and anoscrotal and anopenile lengths in boys. We also measured anococcygeal and coccyx‐fourchette distances in girls, while in boys, we measured anococcygeal and coccyx‐scrotal distances as well as penile length and penile width. The anal position index is calculated for both sexes as anoscrotal/coccyx‐scrotal in boys and anofourchette/coccyx‐fourchette in girls. We found no associations between p,p′‐DDT/‐DDE or o,p′‐DDT and anogenital distance measurements at birth in either boys or girls. At 1 year, o,p′‐DDE was negatively associated with anofourchette in girls (β =−1.32 mm, 95% confidence interval (CI) = −2.27, −0.38) and positively associated with penile width in boys (β = 0.30 mm, 95% CI = 0.00, 0.60). The results do not suggest an overt antiandrogenic or estrogenic effect on anogenital distance after long‐term DDT exposure. These weak associations may be due to chance.
Ventricular repolarization time, location of pacing stimulus and current pulse amplitude conspire to determine arrhythmogenicity in mice
Authors: Speerschneider T. , Grubb S. , Olesen S. P. , Calloe K. , Thomsen M. B. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractAimIn this study, we investigate the impact of altered action potential durations (APD) on ventricular repolarization time and proarrhythmia in mice with and without genetic deletion of the K+‐channel‐interacting protein 2 (KChIP2−/− and WT respectively). Moreover, we examine the interrelationship between the dispersion of repolarization time and current pulse amplitude in provoking ventricular arrhythmia.MethodsIntracardiac pacing in anesthetized mice determined refractory periods and proarrhythmia susceptibility. Regional activation time (AT), APD and repolarization time (=AT + APD) were measured in isolated hearts using floating microelectrodes.ResultsProarrhythmia in WT and KChIP2−/− was not sensitive to changes in refractory periods. Action potentials were longer in KChIP2−/− hearts compared to WT hearts. Isolated WT hearts had large apico‐basal dispersion of repolarization time, whereas hearts from KChIP2−/− mice had large left‐to‐right ventricular dispersion of repolarization time. Pacing from the right ventricle in KChIP2−/− mice in vivo revealed significant lower current pulse amplitudes needed to induce arrhythmias in these mice.ConclusionLarge heterogeneity of repolarization time is proarrhythmic when pacing is delivered from the location of earlier repolarization time. Ventricular repolarization time, location of the pacing stimulus and the amplitude of the stimulating current pulse are critical parameters underlying arrhythmia vulnerability.
The role of knowledge visualisation in supporting postgraduate dissertation assessment
Authors: Renaud Karen , Biljon Judy Van 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThere has been a worldwide increase in the number of postgraduate students over the last few years and therefore some examiners struggle to maintain high standards of consistency, accuracy and fairness. This is especially true in developing countries where the increase is supervision capacity is not on a par with the growth in student numbers. The aim of this research is to deploy freely available technology in order to find a way to help examiners to cope with this extra pressure, while maintaining the rigour of the assessment process. In terms of methodology, we commenced by mining the literature to ascertain exactly what criteria dissertation examiners were assessing, and how they went about doing this. We discovered that examiners tend first to gain an initial impression of a dissertation by reading the summary sections of the report: the abstract, introduction and conclusion. This delivers a helpful overview that eases the subsequent thorough examination of the dissertation, where they work their way through each chapter. This “overview then zoom” practice is reminiscent of the primary information visualisation mantra. This led us to consider whether knowledge visualisation could be the ameliorative mechanism we were looking for. We then carried out a systematic literature overview in order to determine whether knowledge visualisation had been used in this context. This revealed a surprising lack of research on the use of knowledge visualisation for assessment. We thus commenced to study extant use of visualisations. A case study approach was employed to study extant use of visualisations, in terms of how adequately they provided evidence of students having satisfied the previously identified assessment criteria. A number of experienced supervisors were then surveyed to gather their opinions about the role of knowledge visualisations in dissertations. Our findings indicate that knowledge visualisations can indeed provide evidence that particular criteria have been satisfied within a dissertation, and they do this more efficiently than text. Given the advances in technology, all postgraduate students are now able easily to produce computer‐generated visualisations, so requiring their inclusion would be no great impediment. We conclude that knowledge visualisations demonstrate promise in terms of supporting assessment of postgraduate dissertations. Our recommendations are that the deliberate deployment of knowledge visualisations in this context be investigated further to determine whether this initial promise can be realised in actual practice.A video abstract of this article can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y7mcF2ZBNT8
The effect of alendronate soaking and ultraviolet treatment on bone–implant interface
Authors: Kim Hyung Soo , Lee Jae In , Yang Sun Sik , Kim Beom Su , Kim Bong Chul , Lee Jun 
Published: July 2016

AbstractObjectiveRapid and stable fixation of dental implants is crucial for successful treatment. Herein, we examined whether the simultaneous treatment of titanium implants with ultraviolet (UV) and alendronate (ALN) synergistically improved the bone‐to‐implant contact.Materials and methodsWe assessed the in vitro effects of UV radiation‐treated (UV+/ALN−), ALN‐soaked (UV−/ALN+), and UV radiation/ALN‐treated (UV+/ALN+) titanium implants on cell proliferation, cytotoxicity, cell adhesion, and osteoblast differentiation using MG‐63 osteoblast‐like cells by the assays of MTS, live/dead, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and alizarin red S (AR‐S) staining, respectively. Furthermore, in vivo bone formation at the bone–implant interface efficiency determined using a rabbit tibia implantation. Implants were divided into 3 experimental groups (UV+/ALN−, UV−/ALN+, UV+/ALN+) and the non‐treated control (UV−/ALN−) group and transplanted into the proximal tibia of rabbits. At 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks post‐operation, bone formation at the bone–implant interface was evaluated by micro‐computed tomography and histological analysis.ResultsMG‐63 cells cultured on UV+/ALN+ implants showed significantly higher cell proliferation, ALP activity, and calcium mineralization than those cultured on other implants (P < 0.05). Furthermore, SEM observation showed the highest increase in cell attachment and growth on the UV+/ALN+ implants. In vivo, experimental groups at all time points showed greater peri‐implant bone formation than the control group. At 8 weeks post‐implantation, in the UV+/ALN+ group, significantly higher bone formation was observed than the UV+/ALN− or UV−/ALN+ group, respectively (P < 0.05).ConclusionsTreatment of titanium surfaces with UV and ALN may synergistically enhance osteoblastic differentiation and mineralization in vitro and enhance bone formation at the bone–implant interface in vivo. These data suggest that UV and ALN treatment may improve the osseointegration of titanium implants.
Incipient ferralization and weathering indices along a soil chronosequence in Taiwan
Authors: Jien S.‐H. , Baillie I. , Huang W.‐S. , Chen Y.‐Y. , Chiu C.‐Y. 
Published: July 2016

The low hilly topography of Green Island, a volcanic island off southeastern Taiwan, includes an altitudinal sequence of sub‐horizontal benches. We examined eight profiles along this sequence, ranging from pale brown loamy coral sand on the lowest bench that fringes the coast at an elevation of about 10 m to deep, intensely red and acid clay on the highest bench at about 240 m. Chemical analyses, differential Fe extractions, thin sections, X‐ray diffraction of the clay minerals and indices of pedochemical weathering and strain indicated that soil development progressed by weathering of primary and secondary phyllosilicates through argilluviation in the intermediate stages to the generation of increasing quantities of free Fe. The Fe accumulates as free sesquioxides, which crystallize with age. Taxonomically the soil types progress from sandy coral Arenosol, through Eutric Cambisol, Hypereutric Lixisol and Acrisol to incipient Ferralsol (Udipsamment → Eutrudept → Udalf → Udultisol → Udox in Soil Taxonomy). The profiles are interpreted as a chronosequence, although this is complicated by minor and upwardly diminishing contributions of reef coral to the mainly igneous parent materials. There are also variations in the andesitic‐basaltic bedrock, and minor aeolian inputs in the higher and older soil types. Regional eustatic sea‐level correlations, 14C dating of carbonates on the two lowest benches and estimates of local tectonic uplift indicate that the incipient Ferralsols on the upper bench might date from about 150 ka. The transition through argilluvial Acrisols to incipient sesquioxide‐dominated Ferralsols appears, therefore, to develop within 100–200 ka on Green Island, which is faster than usual.HighlightsGreen Island (Taiwan) has been volcanically dormant but tectonically active for 2 million years.
The island has a toposequence of bevelled surfaces with relatively uniform andesitic regoliths.
The soils of the surfaces form a chronosequence from Arenosols through Acrisols to incipient Ferralsols.
The transition from argilluvial to ferralitic pedogenesis, at 100–200 ka, is relatively rapid.
Blindfolded vs. Informed Ultimatum Bargaining – A Theoretical and Experimental Analysis
Authors: Güth Werner , Pull Kerstin , Stadler Manfred , Zaby Alexandra K. 
Published: July 2016

Abstract
This paper analyzes blindfolded vs. informed ultimatum bargaining where proposer and responder are both either uninformed or informed about the size of the pie. Considering the transition from one information setting to another suggests that more information induces lower (higher) price offers and acceptance thresholds when the pie is small (large). While our experimental data confirm this transition effect, risk aversion leads to diverging results in blindfolded ultimatum bargaining where task-independent strategies such as ‘equal sharing’ or the ‘golden mean’ are implemented more frequently.
Trunk muscle activation characteristics in patients with severe haemophilia
Authors: Kurz E. , Herbsleb M. , Grassme R. , Anders C. , Hilberg T. 
Published: July 2016

IntroductionRecurrent bleeding episodes in patients with haemophilia (PWH) lead to joint alterations and therewith disturbed muscle coordination patterns. Major weight‐bearing joints are affected most. However, possible effects on trunk muscle activity have not been examined so far. The objective of this work was to study consequences of haemarthropathy on characteristics of trunk muscles in PWH while standing on surfaces with different mechanical properties.MethodsSurface EMG of internal oblique (IO) and multifidus (MF) muscles were bilaterally recorded during a natural bilateral stance in 20 PWH with severe haemophilia A [age: 42 years (SD: 10)] and 25 non‐haemophilic controls [NHC, 43 (12)]. Amplitude ratios, a symmetry index between sides and the co‐activation ratio of IO over MF served as outcome measures and compared standing on three different surfaces (stable, soft, unsteady).ResultsPWH revealed markedly restricted lower extremity joints (P < 0.001), but without any hint of back pain. Neither result revealed significant main or interaction effects of ‘group’ (P > 0.24). Group‐independent analyses showed amplitude ratios (MF: P < 0.05) as well as symmetry indices (MF: P < 0.02) significantly altered by ‘surface’ in NHC only. Effects of utilizing soft vs. unsteady surfaces were not detectable (P > 0.77).ConclusionUtilizing unstable surfaces does not lead to altered trunk muscle activity in PWH. Differently than expected, a quite similar behaviour of lower trunk muscles in terms of applied indices can be found in PWH and NHC. Ascending alterations of muscle coordination in PWH could not be verified.
Air embolism following removal of hemodialysis catheter
Authors: Sahutoglu Tuncay , Sakaci Tamer , Hasbal Nuri Baris , Kara Ekrem , Ahbap Elbis , Sevinc Mustafa , Koc Yener , Basturk Taner , Sahutoglu Elif , Unsal Abdulkadir 
Published: July 2016

AbstractIntroduction: Air embolism (AE) is a rare, but serious complication that can occur in the practice of hemodialysis. In contrast to careful techniques and meticulous care during insertions and manipulations of the central catheters, awareness of the risk of AE following catheter removal is less. We aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics of the all case reports with AE after catheter removal and summarize the mechanisms, clinical consequences, treatment and prevention of AE. Methods: In addition to our case, MEDLINE database was searched for all case reports with AE following catheter removal, and the clinical, diagnostic and outcome data were analyzed. Findings: A total of 10 patients (including our case) (M/F 6/4; median age 50.5 years) were found for the analysis. Procedures for prevention of AE were reported in a few patients (Trendelenburg position 2, airtight dressing 1). The time that elapsed between catheter removals and onset of AEs was ranged from seconds to 6 hours. The most common findings were dyspnea (90%), hypoxemia (70%), and cerebral dysfunction (70%). The most common sites where air could be detected were the left ventricle (40%), pulmonary artery (30%) and right ventricle (30%). Mortality was reported in 4 (40%) cases and the remaining 6 patients had complete recovery. Blocking of air portal was not reported in any of the fatal cases. Discussion: AE following catheter removal carries a major risk of mortality. Great awareness and attention to preventive procedures and appropriate care after development of AE seem mandatory.
Biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance pattern of dominant Staphylococcus aureus clonal lineages in China
Authors: Song Minghui , Li Qiongqiong , Zhang Yi , Song Jinxia , Shi Xianming , Shi Chunlei 
Published: July 2016

AbstractBiofilm formation usually increases antimicrobial resistance capacity of Staphylococcus aureus, which poses considerable challenges to successful eradication of staphylococcal infections. Very little is known about the biofilm‐forming capacity and antibiotic resistance pattern of dominant S. aureus clonal lineages in China. In this study, the disk diffusion method and the microtiter plate assay were, respectively, performed to determine the antibiotic resistance and biofilm‐forming capacity of 84 different S. aureus isolates belonging to 10 dominant clonal lineages in China. It was shown that isolates of different clonal lineages had obvious variations in biofilm‐forming capacity. Resistance to individual antibacterial agents was most frequently observed to erythromycin (72.6%) and azithromycin (72.6%). Then, all tested isolates were further screened for the presence of 16 resistance genes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and no significant correlation was found between clonal lineage and the distribution of resistance genes. Overall, our results indicate that biofilm producers of S. aureus have a greater likelihood to carry more antibiotic resistance genes than non‐biofilm producers (p < .01), further implying that biofilm may promote the dissemination of antibiotic resistance determinants.Practical applicationsStaphylococcus aureus is the leading cause of nosocomial infections and often associated with food poisoning worldwide. Biofilm formation of S. aureus influences the efficacy of antimicrobial therapy and promotes the persistence of infections; however, the knowledge about biofilm formation capacity of isolates belonging to different clonal lineages is little. Therefore, this study on biofilm formation capacity and antibiotic resistance pattern of dominant S. aureus clonal lineages could help to fix this information gap.