bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differences in Access to and Use of Electronic Personal Health Information Between Rural and Urban Residents in the United States
Authors: Greenberg Alexandra J. , Haney Danielle , Blake Kelly D. , Moser Richard P. , Hesse Bradford W. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractPurposeThe increase in use of health information technologies (HIT) presents new opportunities for patient engagement and self‐management. Patients in rural areas stand to benefit especially from increased access to health care tools and electronic communication with providers. We assessed the adoption of 4 HIT tools over time by rural or urban residency.MethodsAnalyses were conducted using data from 7 iterations of the National Cancer Institute's Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS; 2003‐2014). Rural/urban residency was based on the USDA's 2003 Rural‐Urban Continuum Codes. Outcomes of interest included managing personal health information online; whether providers maintain electronic health records (EHRs); e‐mailing health care providers; and purchasing medicine online. Bivariate analyses and logistic regression were used to assess relationships between geography and outcomes, controlling for sociodemographic characteristics.FindingsIn total, 6,043 (17.6%, weighted) of the 33,749 respondents across the 7 administrations of HINTS lived in rural areas. Rural participants were less likely to report regular access to Internet (OR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.61‐0.80). Rural respondents were neither more nor less likely to report that their health care providers maintained EHRs than were urban respondents; however, they had decreased odds of managing personal health information online (OR = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.40‐0.78) and e‐mailing health care providers (OR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.49‐0.77).ConclusionsThe digital divide between rural and urban residents extends to HIT. Additional investigation is needed to determine whether the decreased use of HIT may be due to lack of Internet connectivity or awareness of these tools.
Antibody and cytokine levels in humans fed on by the common bedbug, Cimex lectularius L
Authors: Sheele J. M. , Ridge G. E. , Coppolino K. , Bonfield T. , Young A. B. , Gaines S. L. , McCormick T. S. 
Published: January 2017

SummaryLittle is known about cimicosis, the resultant dermal reaction from feeding activity by the common bedbug, Cimex lectularius L. We fed C. lectularius on human study subjects four times over four weeks and measured serum cytokine and antibody levels, and subjects recorded any cimicosis. The average time for subjects to develop cimicosis decreased with each feeding from 8.4, to 2.1, 1.5 and 1.3 days, respectively. There were no significant changes in total IgG, IgG1, IgG2, IgG4 or IgE levels between the first and fourth bedbug feedings, but there was a significant decrease in total IgG3 levels (P<.001). IgG4 was not required for cimicosis. Higher IgG2 and IgG4 levels at study visit 4 were associated with an increased duration of cimicosis (P=.04) and lower pruritis (P=.03), respectively. There were no significant changes in serum TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐6, IL‐10, IFN‐γ and IL‐17A levels before and one hour after the C. lectularius feeding. Lower post‐C. lectularius feeding IL‐6 levels were associated with increased pruritis (P=.001) and the time to maximum pruritis (P=.04), respectively. Higher post‐C. lectularius feeding IL‐5 levels were associated with a longer duration of pruritis (P=.05).
Computed tomographic evaluation of dynamic alteration of the canine lumbosacral intervertebral neurovascular foramina
Authors: Worth Andrew J. , Hartman Angela , Bridges Janis P. , Jones Boyd R. , Mayhew Joe I. G. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo develop a computed tomographic (CT) method to measure the volume of the lumbosacral intervertebral neurovascular foramina (IVF) in dogs, and determine the effect of the range of motion of the lumbosacral (LS) junction on this measurement in German shepherd dogs (GSDs) with degenerative lumbosacral stenosis (DLSS) compared to unaffected controls.Study DesignIn vivo analysis and retrospective case series.Sample Population: Twenty‐four working Police GSDs, 12 diagnosed with DLSS and 12 unaffected by DLSS were compared to 10 Greyhounds without DLSS.MethodsThree‐dimensional renderings of CT data were used to measure the lumbosacral foraminal volume of dogs positioned in dorsal recumbency with the LS junction alternately positioned in extension, neutral position, and flexion.ResultsVolumetric analysis of the IVF was found repeatable for the extended and neutral positions (interclass correlation coefficient of 0.89 and 0.8, respectively).The mean lumbosacral IVF volume was decreased by 74% between LS flexion and extension in Greyhounds, compared to 79 and 85% reductions in GSDs unaffected and affected by DLSS, respectively. The lumbosacral IVF volume was decreased by 23% when comparing extended to neutral LS positions in Greyhounds, 29% in unaffected GSDs, and 31% in affected GSDs. IVF volumes were smaller in affected GSDs compared to unaffected GSDs (P < .05) and Greyhounds (P < .01).ConclusionsPositioning the LS junction in full extension decreases the volume of the lumbosacral IVF. This dynamic narrowing was more pronounced in GSDs with signs of DLSS than in GSDs not overtly affected by DLSS.
The Assimilation of Diazotroph-Derived Nitrogen by Scleractinian Corals Depends on Their Metabolic Status
Authors: Bednarz Vanessa N. , Grover Renaud , Maguer Jean-François , Fine Maoz , Ferrier-Pagès Christine 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACT

Tropical corals are associated with a diverse community of dinitrogen (N
2
)-fixing prokaryotes (diazotrophs) providing the coral an additional source of bioavailable nitrogen (N) in oligotrophic waters. The overall activity of these diazotrophs changes depending on the current environmental conditions, but to what extent it affects the assimilation of diazotroph-derived N (DDN) by corals is still unknown. Here, in a series of
15
N
2
tracer experiments, we directly quantified DDN assimilation by scleractinian corals from the Red Sea exposed to different environmental conditions. We show that DDN assimilation strongly varied with the corals’ metabolic status or with phosphate availability in the water. The very autotrophic shallow-water (~5 m) corals showed low or no DDN assimilation, which significantly increased under elevated phosphate availability (3 µM). Corals that depended more on heterotrophy (i.e., bleached and deep-water [~45 m] corals) assimilated significantly more DDN, which contributed up to 15% of the corals’ N demand (compared to 1% in shallow corals). Furthermore, we demonstrate that a substantial part of the DDN assimilated by deep corals was likely obtained from heterotrophic feeding on fixed N compounds and/or diazotrophic cells in the mucus. Conversely, in shallow corals, the net release of mucus, rich in organic carbon compounds, likely enhanced diazotroph abundance and activity and thereby the release of fixed N to the pelagic and benthic reef community. Overall, our results suggest that DDN assimilation by corals varies according to the environmental conditions and is likely linked to the capacity of the coral to acquire nutrients from seawater.

IMPORTANCE
Tropical corals are associated with specialized bacteria (i.e., diazotrophs) able to transform dinitrogen (N
2
) gas into a bioavailable form of nitrogen, but how much of this diazotroph-derived nitrogen (DDN) is assimilated by corals under different environmental conditions is still unknown. Here, we used
15
N
2
labeling to trace the fate of DDN within the coral symbiosis. We show that DDN is assimilated by both the animal host and the endosymbiotic algae. In addition, the amount of assimilated DDN was significantly greater in mesophotic, bleached, or phosphorus-enriched corals than in surface corals, which almost did not take up this nitrogen form. DDN can thus be of particular importance for the nutrient budget of corals whenever they are limited by the availability of other forms of dissolved nutrients.
Rapid Deployment Aortic Replacement (RADAR) Registry in Spain: a protocol
Authors: Bautista-Hernandez Victor , Cal-Purriños Natalia , Arribas-Leal Jose M , Carnero-Alcazar Manuel , Gutierrez-Diez Jose F , Cuenca-Castillo Jose J 
Published: January 2017

IntroductionRapid deployment valves (RDV) represent a newly introduced approach to aortic valve replacement which facilitates surgical implantation and minimally invasive techniques, shortens surgical times and shows excellent haemodynamic performance. However, evidence on their safety, efficacy and potential complications is mostly fitted with small-volume and retrospective studies. Moreover, no current guidelines exist. To improve our knowledge on this technology, The Rapid Deployment Aortic Replacement (RADAR) Registry will be established across Spain with the aim of assessing RDV outcomes in the real-world setting.Methods and analysisThe RADAR Registry is designed as a product registry that would provide information on its use and outcomes in clinical practice. This multicentre, prospective, national effort will initially involve 4 centres in Spain. Any patient undergoing cardiac surgery for aortic valve replacement and receiving an RDV as an isolated operation or in combination with other cardiac procedures may be included. Participation is voluntary. Data collection is equal to information obtained during standard care and is prospectively entered by the participating physicians perioperatively and during subsequent follow-up visits. The primary outcome assessed is in-hospital and up to 5 years of follow-up, prosthetic valve functioning and clinical status. Secondary outcomes are to perform subgroup analysis, to compare outcomes with other existing approaches and to develop future clinical guidelines. The follow-up assessments are timed with routine clinical appointments. Dissociated data will be extracted and collectively analysed. Initial target sample size for the registry is 500 participants entered with complete follow-up information. Different substudies will be implemented within the registry to investigate specific populations undergoing aortic valve replacement.Ethics and disseminationThe protocol is approved by all local institutional ethics committees. Findings will be shared by the participant hospitals, policymakers and the academic community to promote quality monitoring and efficient use of this technology.
Pancreatic cancer cell lines as patient-derived avatars: genetic characterisation and functional utility
Authors: Knudsen Erik S , Balaji Uthra , Mannakee Brian , Vail Paris , Eslinger Cody , Moxom Christopher , Mansour John , Witkiewicz Agnieszka K 
Published: January 2017

ObjectivePancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a therapy recalcitrant disease with the worst survival rate of common solid tumours. Preclinical models that accurately reflect the genetic and biological diversity of PDAC will be important for delineating features of tumour biology and therapeutic vulnerabilities.Design27 primary PDAC tumours were employed for genetic analysis and development of tumour models. Tumour tissue was used for derivation of xenografts and cell lines. Exome sequencing was performed on the originating tumour and developed models. RNA sequencing, histological and functional analyses were employed to determine the relationship of the patient-derived models to clinical presentation of PDAC.ResultsThe cohort employed captured the genetic diversity of PDAC. From most cases, both cell lines and xenograft models were developed. Exome sequencing confirmed preservation of the primary tumour mutations in developed cell lines, which remained stable with extended passaging. The level of genetic conservation in the cell lines was comparable to that observed with patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models. Unlike historically established PDAC cancer cell lines, patient-derived models recapitulated the histological architecture of the primary tumour and exhibited metastatic spread similar to that observed clinically. Detailed genetic analyses of tumours and derived models revealed features of ex vivo evolution and the clonal architecture of PDAC. Functional analysis was used to elucidate therapeutic vulnerabilities of relevance to treatment of PDAC.ConclusionsThese data illustrate that with the appropriate methods it is possible to develop cell lines that maintain genetic features of PDAC. Such models serve as important substrates for analysing the significance of genetic variants and create a unique biorepository of annotated cell lines and xenografts that were established simultaneously from same primary tumour. These models can be used to infer genetic and empirically determined therapeutic sensitivities that would be germane to the patient.
Temporally precise control of single-neuron spiking by juxtacellular nanostimulation
Authors: Stüttgen Maik C. , Nonkes Lourens J. P. , Geis H. Rüdiger A. P. , Tiesinga Paul H. , Houweling Arthur R. 
Published: January 2017

Temporal patterns of action potentials influence a variety of activity-dependent intra- and intercellular processes and play an important role in theories of neural coding. Elucidating the mechanisms underlying these phenomena requires imposing spike trains with precisely defined patterns, but this has been challenging due to the limitations of existing stimulation techniques. Here we present a new nanostimulation method providing control over the action potential output of individual cortical neurons. Spikes are elicited through the juxtacellular application of short-duration fluctuating currents (“kurzpulses”), allowing for the sub-millisecond precise and reproducible induction of arbitrary patterns of action potentials at all physiologically relevant firing frequencies (<120 Hz), including minute-long spike trains recorded in freely moving animals. We systematically compared our method to whole cell current injection, as well as optogenetic stimulation, and show that nanostimulation performance compares favorably with these techniques. This new nanostimulation approach is easily applied, can be readily performed in awake behaving animals, and thus promises to be a powerful tool for systematic investigations into the temporal elements of neural codes, as well as the mechanisms underlying a wide variety of activity-dependent cellular processes. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Assessing the impact of temporal features of neuronal spike trains requires imposing arbitrary patterns of spiking on individual neurons during behavior, but this has been difficult to achieve due to limitations of existing stimulation methods. We present a technique that overcomes these limitations by using carefully designed short-duration fluctuating juxtacellular current injections, which allow for the precise and reliable evocation of arbitrary patterns of neuronal spikes in single neurons in vivo.
Spatial cognition in a virtual reality home-cage extension for freely moving rodents
Authors: Kaupert Ursula , Thurley Kay , Frei Katja , Bagorda Francesco , Schatz Alexej , Tocker Gilad , Rapoport Sophie , Derdikman Dori , Winter York 
Published: January 2017

Virtual reality (VR) environments are a powerful tool to investigate brain mechanisms involved in the behavior of animals. With this technique, animals are usually head fixed or secured in a harness, and training for cognitively more complex VR paradigms is time consuming. A VR apparatus allowing free animal movement and the constant operator-independent training of tasks would enable many new applications. Key prospective usages include brain imaging of animal behavior when carrying a miniaturized mobile device such as a fluorescence microscope or an optetrode. Here, we introduce the Servoball, a spherical VR treadmill based on the closed-loop tracking of a freely moving animal and feedback counterrotation of the ball. Furthermore, we present the complete integration of this experimental system with the animals’ group home cage, from which single individuals can voluntarily enter through a tunnel with radio-frequency identification (RFID)-automated access control and commence experiments. This automated animal sorter functions as a mechanical replacement of the experimenter. We automatically trained rats using visual or acoustic cues to solve spatial cognitive tasks and recorded spatially modulated entorhinal cells. When electrophysiological extracellular recordings from awake behaving rats were performed, head fixation can dramatically alter results, so that any complex behavior that requires head movement is impossible to achieve. We circumvented this problem with the use of the Servoball in open-field scenarios, as it allows the combination of open-field behavior with the recording of nerve cells, along with all the flexibility that a virtual environment brings. This integrated home cage with a VR arena experimental system permits highly efficient experimentation for complex cognitive experiments. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Virtual reality (VR) environments are a powerful tool for the investigation of brain mechanisms. We introduce the Servoball, a VR treadmill for freely moving rodents. The Servoball is integrated with the animals’ group home cage. Single individuals voluntarily enter using automated access control. Training is highly time-efficient, even for cognitively complex VR paradigms.
Unsupervised Clustering of Quantitative Image Phenotypes Reveals Breast Cancer Subtypes with Distinct Prognoses and Molecular Pathways
Authors: Wu Jia , Cui Yi , Sun Xiaoli , Cao Guohong , Li Bailiang , Ikeda Debra M. , Kurian Allison W. , Li Ruijiang 
Published: January 2017

Abstract
Purpose: To identify novel breast cancer subtypes by extracting quantitative imaging phenotypes of the tumor and surrounding parenchyma and to elucidate the underlying biologic underpinnings and evaluate the prognostic capacity for predicting recurrence-free survival (RFS).
Experimental Design: We retrospectively analyzed dynamic contrast–enhanced MRI data of patients from a single-center discovery cohort (n = 60) and an independent multicenter validation cohort (n = 96). Quantitative image features were extracted to characterize tumor morphology, intratumor heterogeneity of contrast agent wash-in/wash-out patterns, and tumor-surrounding parenchyma enhancement. On the basis of these image features, we used unsupervised consensus clustering to identify robust imaging subtypes and evaluated their clinical and biologic relevance. We built a gene expression–based classifier of imaging subtypes and tested their prognostic significance in five additional cohorts with publically available gene expression data but without imaging data (n = 1,160).
Results: Three distinct imaging subtypes, that is, homogeneous intratumoral enhancing, minimal parenchymal enhancing, and prominent parenchymal enhancing, were identified and validated. In the discovery cohort, imaging subtypes stratified patients with significantly different 5-year RFS rates of 79.6%, 65.2%, 52.5% (log-rank P = 0.025) and remained as an independent predictor after adjusting for clinicopathologic factors (HR, 2.79; P = 0.016). The prognostic value of imaging subtypes was further validated in five independent gene expression cohorts, with average 5-year RFS rates of 88.1%, 74.0%, 59.5% (log-rank P from &lt;0.0001 to 0.008). Each imaging subtype was associated with specific dysregulated molecular pathways that can be therapeutically targeted.
Conclusions: Imaging subtypes provide complimentary value to established histopathologic or molecular subtypes and may help stratify patients with breast cancer. Clin Cancer Res; 23(13); 3334–42. ©2017 AACR.
Caregivers of Patients With Left Ventricular Assist Devices
Authors: Bruce Courtenay R. , Minard Charles G. , Wilhelms L.A. , Abraham Mackenzie , Amione-Guerra Javier , Pham Linda , Grogan Sherry D. , Trachtenberg Barry , Smith Martin L. , Bruckner Brian A. , Estep Jerry D. , Kostick Kristin M. 
Published: January 2017

Background—
How caregivers contribute to positive or negative outcomes for left ventricular assist device (LVAD) patients remains unclear. Our primary study objectives were to (1) identify caregiver support attributes through a retrospective chart review of social workers’ psychosocial assessments for LVAD patients and (2) determine how these attributes associated with patients’ post-LVAD placement mortality and Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support–defined morbidity events.

Methods and Results—

We retrospectively reviewed and recorded social workers’ clinical assessments of adult patients implanted with durable continuous-flow LVADs as bridge to transplant, destination therapy, or bridge to decision from January 2010 to December 2014. Associations between caregiver characteristics and patient mortality and morbidity events were analyzed using Kaplan–Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards regression. Patient follow-up time was calculated as the time from hospital discharge until the earliest among death with LVAD, transplant, or the last day of the study (December 31, 2015). Patients were censored for death with LVAD at the time of transplant or the last day of the study. A total of 96 LVAD recipients were included in this study. Having a caregiver who understands the severity of the illness and options available to the patient (as determined and documented by the social worker;
P
=0.01), a caregiver who has identified a backup plan (
P
=0.02), and a caregiver who is able to provide logistical support (
P
=0.04) significantly mitigated risk of death. The risk of death for an LVAD patient was also significantly lower among those who have at least 1 adult child who lives within 50 miles (
P
=0.03) and those who have an extended family who can care for the patient (
P
=0.03). The risk of death was 3.1× more likely among patients who live alone compared with those who do not live alone (
P
=0.04). No caregiver characteristics were significantly associated with morbidity.

Conclusions—
This exploratory, hypothesis-generating study suggests that mortality after LVAD placement is impacted by caregiver understanding of patient severity of illness and caregiver presence. This study provides initial evidence to support further work in understanding the associations between caregivers and LVAD patients, as well as interventions that may improve patient outcomes.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT02248974.
Management of Peptic Ulcer
Authors: Kay A. W. , Gillespie I. E. 
Published: January 2017

Although the pattern of peptic ulcer is probably changing, it is still a large health problem in this country. The majority are easily diagnosed by barium meal examination, but endoscopy may reveal a few radiologically missed gastric ulcers. Acid secretory measurements are of limited proven value. The principal measures in medical treatment are frequent meals, extra milk, antacids and anticholinergics. Liquorice preparations are currently showing promise but require further careful evaluation. Operation for duodenal ulcer aims at permanently reducing gastric acid and pepsin secretion, anb this can be achieved by vagotomy and drainage procedure or by partial gastrectomy. The main considerations are mortality, risk of recurrent ulcer and post-operative sequelae. Gastric ulcer is still most often treated successfully by Billroth I partial gastrectomy, The management of the acute complications, perforation and bleeding, and of the rare Zollinger-Ellison syndrome are discussed.