bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Referral patterns of special needs patients at the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Authors: Mohamed Rohani M , Calache H , Borromeo GL 
Published: September 2016

AbstractBackgroundSpecial Needs Dentistry (SND) has been recognized as a dental specialty in Australia since 2003 but there have been no studies addressing the profile of patients for specialist care. The purpose of this study is to identify, via referrals received, the profile of patients and quality of referrals at the largest public SND unit in Victoria, Australia.MethodsAll referrals received over a 6‐month period (1 January–30 June 2013) by the integrated SND unit (ISNU) were reviewed prior to allocation to the outpatient clinic (OP), domiciliary (DOM) or general anaesthetic (GA) services.ResultsSix‐hundred and eighty‐eight referrals were received with the majority for the OP clinic (68.3%), followed by DOM (22.4%) and GA services (9.3%) (χ2 = 360.2, P < 0.001). A referral may have specified more than one special needs condition with the most common category being those who were medically compromised (81.7%). The reasons for referral included lack of compliance (27.2%), further management due to multiple medical conditions or GA services required (9.9%), or for multiple other reasons (62.9%).ConclusionsA diverse pattern of SND patients was referred to the ISNU with a majority of referrals having no specific referral reason cited, suggesting poor quality of referrals.
Staging research of human lung cancer tissues by high‐resolution magic angle spinning proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (HRMAS 1H NMR) and multivariate data analysis
Authors: Chen Wenxue , Lu Shaohua , Wang Guifang , Chen Fener , Bai Chunxue 
Published: September 2016

AbstractAimHigh‐resolution magic‐angle spinning proton nuclear magnetic resonance (HRMAS 1H NMR) spectroscopy technique was employed to analyze the metabonomic characterizations of lung cancer tissues in hope to identify potential diagnostic biomarkers for malignancy detection and staging research of lung tissues.MethodsHRMAS 1H NMR spectroscopy technique can rapidly provide important information for accurate diagnosis and staging of cancer tissues owing to its noninvasive nature and limited requirement for the samples, and thus has been acknowledged as an excellent tool to investigate tissue metabolism and provide a more realistic insight into the metabonomics of tissues when combined with multivariate data analysis (MVDA) such as component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares‐discriminant analysis in particular.ResultsHRMAS 1H NMR spectra displayed the metabonomic differences of 32 lung cancer tissues at the different stages from 32 patients. The significant changes (P < 0.05) of some important metabolites such as lipids, aspartate and choline‐containing compounds in cancer tissues at the different stages had been identified. Furthermore, the combination of HRMAS 1H NMR spectroscopy and MVDA might potentially and precisely provided for a high sensitivity, specificity, prediction accuracy in the positive identification of the staging for the cancer tissues in contrast with the pathological data in clinic.ConclusionThis study highlighted the potential of metabonomics in clinical settings so that the techniques might be further exploited for the diagnosis and staging prediction of lung cancer in future.
Fatty acids profiling reveals potential candidate markers of semen quality
Authors: Zerbinati C. , Caponecchia L. , Rago R. , Leoncini E. , Bottaccioli A. G. , Ciacciarelli M. , Pacelli A. , Salacone P. , Sebastianelli A. , Pastore A. , Palleschi G. , Boccia S. , Carbone A. , Iuliano L. 
Published: September 2016

SummaryPrevious reports showed altered fatty acid content in subjects with altered sperm parameters compared to normozoospermic individuals. However, these studies focused on a limited number of fatty acids, included a short number of subjects and results varied widely. We conducted a case–control study involving 155 patients allocated into four groups, including normozoospermia (n = 33), oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (n = 32), asthenozoospermia (n = 25), and varicocoele (n = 44). Fatty acid profiling, including 30 species, was analyzed by a validated gas chromatography (GC) method on the whole seminal fluid sample. Multinomial logistic regression modeling was used to identify the associations between fatty acids and the four groups. Specimens from 15 normozoospermic subjects were also analyzed for fatty acids content in the seminal plasma and spermatozoa to study the distribution in the two compartments. Fatty acids lipidome varied markedly between the four groups. Multinomial logistic regression modeling revealed that high levels of palmitic acid, behenic acid, oleic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) confer a low risk to stay out of the normozoospermic group. In the whole population, seminal fluid stearic acid was negatively correlated (r = −0.53), and DHA was positively correlated (r = 0.65) with sperm motility. Some fatty acids were preferentially accumulated in spermatozoa and the highest difference was observed for DHA, which was 6.2 times higher in spermatozoa than in seminal plasma. The results of this study highlight complete fatty acids profile in patients with different semen parameters. Given the easy‐to‐follow and rapid method of analysis, fatty acid profiling by GC method can be used for therapeutic purposes and to measure compliance in infertility trials using fatty acids supplements.
Spermatozoa from normozoospermic fertile and infertile individuals convey a distinct miRNA cargo
Authors: Salas‐Huetos A. , Blanco J. , Vidal F. , Grossmann M. , Pons M. C. , Garrido N. , Anton E. 
Published: September 2016

SummaryDeciphering the underlying causes of idiopathic male infertility is one of the main challenges in reproductive medicine. This is especially relevant in infertile patients displaying normal seminal parameters and no urogenital or genetic abnormalities. In these cases, the search for additional sperm biomarkers is of high interest. This study was aimed to determine the implications of the sperm miRNA expression profiles in the reproductive capacity of normozoospermic infertile individuals. The expression level of 736 miRNAs was evaluated in spermatozoa from eight normozoospermic infertile males using TaqMan® qRT‐PCR. Results were contrasted with data from 10 control normozoospermic fertile individuals analyzed under the same conditions. Clustering analysis of miRNA expression data separated the individuals according to their fertility condition (fertile and infertile). Fifty‐seven miRNAs were differentially expressed (DE‐miRNAs) between populations; 20 of them was regulated by a host gene promoter that in three cases comprised genes involved in fertility. The predicted targets of the DE‐miRNAs (n = 8,606) unveiled a significant enrichment of biological processes related to embryonic morphogenesis and chromatin modification. Normozoospermic infertile individuals exhibit a specific sperm miRNA expression profile clearly differentiated from normozoospermic fertile individuals. This miRNA cargo has potential implications in the individuals' reproductive competence.
Addition of different concentrations of prostasome‐like vesicles at neutral or slightly alkaline pH decreases canine sperm motility
Authors: Zelli R. , Orlandi R. , Verstegen J. , Troisi A. , Elad Ngonput A. , Menchetti L. , Cardinali L. , Polisca A. 
Published: September 2016

SummaryProstasome‐like vesicles (PV) are components of the canine prostatic fluid during ejaculation and despite some enzymatic activities have been identified recently, their functions in the reproductive events in this species are still poorly understood. In this study, we evaluated at neutral or slightly alkaline pH, the effects of different concentrations of purified PV on sperm cell motility characteristics and the impact on the short‐ and long‐term preservation of preserved semen maintained at room temperature. Two different experiments were performed. In the first experiment, purified PV were added at increasing concentration (1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 μL equivalent to 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 μg of protein, respectively) to aliquots of 100 μL of preserved semen maintained at 22 °C at the following time points: 0, 30, 60, 120, 240, and 480 min. Computer‐assisted sperm motility characteristics and pH were assessed three times at each time points, for each sample and for every concentrations. In the second experiment, the purified PV were added with the same methods as described above but only at time 0. Sperm motility characteristics and pH were assessed over the time. This study showed how the addition of purified PV to preserved semen affects negatively (p < 0.05) at neutral and alkaline pH, both total and progressive motility in a concentration depending manner. Furthermore, prostasome addition was demonstrated to change the quality of sperm movement which may represent a mechanism facilitating sperm cells attachment to the uterine epithelium and facilitating energy preservation before fertilization.
Effects of baseline abdominal pain and bloating on response to lubiprostone in patients with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation
Authors: Chang L. , Chey W. D. , Drossman D. , Losch‐Beridon T. , Wang M. , Lichtlen P. , Mareya S. 
Published: September 2016

SummaryBackgroundLubiprostone (8 μg b.d.) received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in 2008 for the treatment of constipation‐predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS‐C) in women aged ≥18 years. In 2012, the FDA issued new guidance for IBS‐C clinical trials, recommending a composite endpoint incorporating both abdominal pain and stool frequency.AimIn a post hoc analysis, similar criteria were applied to data from two pivotal, phase 3, double‐blind, randomised trials of lubiprostone in patients with IBS‐C.MethodsIncluded patients had a baseline spontaneous bowel movement (SBM) frequency <3/week and abdominal pain or bloating ratings ≥1.36 on a 5‐point scale [0 (absent) to 4 (very severe)]. Responders (composite endpoint) had a mean pain reduction ≥30% compared with baseline, and an increase from baseline of ≥1 SBM/week for ≥6 of the 12 treatment weeks. Lubiprostone effects on abdominal pain alone were also evaluated, as were bloating alone and in a composite endpoint with stool frequency.ResultsIn pooled data, 325 patients received lubiprostone and 180 received placebo. Rates of response were higher with lubiprostone vs. placebo for the composite endpoint of improved pain and stool frequency (26.3% vs. 15.3%, respectively; P = 0.008) and the composite endpoint of improved bloating and stool frequency (23.8% vs. 12.6%, respectively; P = 0.012). Response rates were also higher with lubiprostone vs. placebo for abdominal pain alone (P = 0.005) and bloating alone (P = 0.012).ConclusionLubiprostone was significantly more effective than placebo in improving abdominal pain or bloating, and also in composite endpoints that included stool frequency.
Viral neurotropism, peripheral neuropathy and other morphological abnormalities in bovine ephemeral fever virus‐infected downer cattle
Authors: Barigye R , Davis S , Hunt R , Hunt N , Walsh S , Elliott N , Burnup C , Aumann S , Day C , Dyrting K , Weir R , Melville LF 
Published: September 2016

ObjectiveThis study assessed the neurotropism of bovine ephemeral fever (BEF) virus (BEFV) and described histomorphological abnormalities of the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves that may causally contribute to paresis or paralysis in BEF.MethodsFour paralysed and six asymptomatic but virus‐infected cattle were monitored, and blood and serum samples screened by qRT‐PCR, virus isolation and neutralisation tests. Fresh brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerve and other tissues were qRT‐PCR‐tested for viral RNA, while formalin‐fixed specimens were processed routinely and immunohistochemically evaluated for histomorphological abnormalities and viral antigen distribution, respectively.ResultsThe neurotropism of BEFV was immunohistochemically confirmed in the brain and peripheral nerves and peripheral neuropathy was demonstrated in three paralysed but not the six aneurological but virus‐infected animals. Wallerian degeneration (WD) was present in the ventral funicular white matter of the lumbar spinal cord of a paralysed steer and in cervical and thoracic spinal cord segments of three paralysed animals. Although no spinal cord lesions were seen in the steer euthanased within 7 days of illness, peripheral neuropathy was present and more severe in nerves of the brachial plexuses than in the gluteal or fibular nerves. The only steer with WD in the lumbar spinal cord also showed intrahistiocytic cell viral antigen that was spatially distributed within areas of moderate brain stem encephalitis.ConclusionThe data confirmed neurotropism of BEFV in cattle and documented histomorphological abnormalities in peripheral nerves and brain which, together with spinal cord lesions, may contribute to chronic paralysis in BEFV‐infected downer cattle.
Live and inactivated vaccine regimens against caecal Salmonella Typhimurium colonisation in laying hens
Authors: Groves PJ , Sharpe SM , Muir WI , Pavic A , Cox JM 
Published: September 2016

ObjectiveIn Australia, Salmonella serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) is the predominant zoonotic serovar in humans and is frequently isolated from layer hens. Vaccination against this serovar has been previously shown to be effective in broilers and the aim of this current study was to assess and determine the best vaccination strategy (live or inactivated) to minimise caecal colonisation by S. Typhimurium.MethodsA long‐term experiment (56 weeks) was conducted on ISABROWN pullets using a commercial live aroA deleted mutant S. Typhimurium vaccine and an autogenous inactivated multivalent Salmonella vaccine (containing serovars Typhimurium, Infantis, Montevideo and Zanzibar). These vaccines were administered PO or by SC or IM injection, either alone or in combination. Pullets were vaccinated throughout rearing (to 18 weeks of age) and sequentially bled for antibody titre levels. The birds, vaccinated and controls, were challenged orally with a field isolate of S. Typhimurium at different ages, held for 21 days post‐challenge, then euthanased and their caeca cultured for the presence of Salmonella.
ResultsNone of the oral live‐vaccinated groups exhibited lasting protection. When administered twice, the inactivated vaccine gave significant protection at 17 weeks of age and the live vaccine given by SC injection given twice produced significant protection at 17, 25 and 34 weeks.ConclusionsVaccination regimens that included parenteral administration of live or inactivated vaccines and thus achieved positive serum antibody levels were able to provide protection against challenge. Hence, vaccination may play a useful role in a management strategy for Salmonella carriage in layer flocks.
Giving meaning to Ellenberg nutrient values: National Forest Soil Inventory yields frequency‐based scaling
Authors: Ewald Jörg , Ziche Daniel 
Published: September 2016

AbstractQuestionsEllenberg nutrient values based on indicator plant species composition of vegetation plots (mN) are widely used to measure temporal and spatial patterns of nutrient deficiency and eutrophication. The widespread use is in contrast to the lack of direct calibration against soil chemical proxies of nutrient availability. Lack of calibration and range contraction due to averaging of a bounded ordinal scale hinder the interpretation of mN across studies. Based on a large set of concomitant vegetation–soil data we asked: (1) which is the best single soil predictor of mN, (2) which combination of soil variables best explains mN; and (3) can a meaningful relative scale of mN be provided for comparative purposes?LocationForests in Germany, sampled in a systematic 8 km × 8 km grid.MethodsThe German National Forest Soil Inventory (NFSI) provides a large, representative sample of joint soil and vegetation plots, which were additionally intersected with modelled background N deposition. Values of mN of vegetation plots were related to measured 36 soil and three deposition variables by correlation and multiple regression. The distribution of mN was partitioned based on quantiles.ResultsIn NFSI mN was most closely related to the C/N ratio of the topsoil (r² = 0.31). Multiple analysis regression showed that soil acidity, soil P and K, humus quality and deposition were complementary predictors (multiple r² = 0.47) of mN.ConclusionsValues of mN are moderately, but consistently, related to measurable chemical properties of forest soils. The 10, 30, 70 and 90% quantiles of the frequency distribution of mN in the NFSI data are proposed to define a relative scale of macronutrient availability in forest soils, distinguishing very oligotrophic (mN < 3.38), oligotrophic (3.38–4.8), mesotrophic (4.80–5.75), eutrophic (5.75–6.21) and highly eutrophic (>6.21) sites, which broadly correspond to conventional classes of C/N ratio used in forest site mapping. This proposed five‐class trophic scale can be used to compare mN and its trends across studies in forest vegetation of Central Europe.
A multifaceted intervention to reduce drug‐related complications in surgical patients
Authors: Bos Jacqueline M. , van den Bemt Patricia M. L. A. , Kievit Wietske , Pot Johan L. W. , Nagtegaal J. Elsbeth , Wieringa André , van der Westerlaken Monique M. L. , van der Wilt Gert Jan , de Smet Peter A. G. M. , Kramers Cornelis 
Published: September 2016

AimThe P‐REVIEW study was a prospective, multicenter, open intervention study, designed to determine whether a multifaceted intervention of educating the prescriber combined with medication review and pharmaceutical visits to the ward by the hospital pharmacist could lead to a reduction in drug‐related complications among surgical patients.MethodsA total of 6780 admissions of 5940 patients to surgical, urological and orthopaedic wards during the usual care period and 6484 admissions of 5711 patients during the intervention period were included. An educational programme covering pain management, antithrombotics, fluid and electrolyte management, prescription in case of renal insufficiency and antibiotics was developed. National and local hospital guidelines were included. Hospital pharmacists performed medication safety consultations, combining medication review of high‐risk patients and a visit to the physician on the ward.ResultsA significantly lower proportion of admissions with one or more clinically relevant, potentially preventable, drug‐related problems (including death, temporary or sustained disability, increased length of hospital stay or readmission within 30 days) occurred in the intervention period (1.1% (73/6484) compared to the usual care period [1.6% (106/6780)] (P = 0.029). The relative risk (RR) was 0.72 (95% CI 0.53–0.97). Several types of drug‐related problems occurred less frequently. Costs incurred as result of time spent on study‐related activities were not different before and after the intervention.ConclusionsThe P‐REVIEW study shows that education and support of the prescribing physician with respect to high‐risk patients in surgical departments leads to a significant, clinically relevant benefit for patients without generating additional costs.
Apoptotic properties of the type 1 interferon induced family of human mitochondrial membrane ISG12 proteins
Authors: Gytz Heidi , Hansen Mariann F. , Skovbjerg Signe , Kristensen Anders C. M. , Hørlyck Sofie , Jensen Mette B. , Fredborg Marlene , Markert Lotte D. , McMillan Nigel A. , Christensen Erik I. , Martensen Pia M. 
Published: September 2016

Background informationInterferons are a family of cytokines with growth inhibitory and antiviral functions, which exert their biological actions through the expression of interferon‐stimulated genes (ISGs). The human ISG12 family of proteins comprises ISG12A, ISG12B, ISG12C and ISG6‐16. Due to differential splicing and a gene variation, the human ISG12A protein exists as a full‐length ISG12A form and three ISG12A variants. ISG12 genes have been found transcriptionally dysregulated in many disorders. High levels of ISG12A mRNA have been found in breast and ovarian cancers. Loss of heterozygosity at the position of the ISG12 genes often occurs in ovarian carcinomas and lymphoblastic leukemias. Both ISG12A and ISG6‐16 are up‐regulated in psoriasis.ResultsWe demonstrate here that expression of the human full‐length ISG12A protein sensitises cells for TNFα and the BH3 mimetic gossypol induced apoptosis, and the other ISG12A variants as well as ISG12B and ISG12C can induce apoptosis directly in HEK293 cells. Also ISG6‐16 sensitises HEK293 cells for gossypol‐induced apoptosis. In the ISG12 motif, two putative Bcl‐2 homology (BH)3 like motifs were found, which may be decisive for the apoptotic properties of the ISG12 proteins. A series of BH3 mutants was made in ISG12AΔ‐S, the smallest apoptosis‐inducing ISG12A variant and our results indicate that ISG12AΔ‐S indeed possesses features resembling those of BH3‐only proteins. Supporting this notion are our findings that the full‐length ISG12A co‐immunoprecipitates with the Bcl‐2 protein, and the apoptotic properties of the ISG12A variants are reduced in Bcl‐2 expressing HEK293 cells. In addition, full‐length ISG12A is able to form homodimers, which suggests a possible involvement in pore formation during apoptosis. The full‐length ISG12A, the three ISG12A variants and the ISG12B proteins were found to be localised in the mitochondria.ConclusionsOur results suggest that the ISG12 family of proteins has an important role for the apoptotic properties induced by type 1 interferon.SignificanceThe ISG12 family constitute small hydrophic proteins involved in apoptosis. This is the first comparison of the apoptotic potentials of the full‐length ISG12A protein and the three ISG12A variants. The differential apoptotic potentials of these proteins might have an impact on the strategies to monitor and interpret their dysregulation associated with many disorders.
Socio‐economics, food habits and the prevalence of childhood obesity in Spain
Authors: Gil J. M. , Takourabt S. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractBackgroundIn 2012, the prevalence of obesity and overweight statuses among children in Spain was 9% and 26%, respectively. Concerns about childhood obesity have increased over the past few years, as obesity developed during childhood can persist throughout an individual's lifetime (cohort effect). This study aims to develop a better understanding of the factors influencing the prevalence of obesity in Spain.MethodsMicrodata from the 2012 National Health Survey are used, and the methodological framework is based on the estimation of a sample selection model.ResultsResults suggest that the prevalence of obesity increases among children who live in households of a lower socio‐economic status and households in which parents are obese. Lower levels of childhood physical activity are positively related to the probability of being obese. Finally, there exists a positive relationship between children's body mass index and an inappropriate intake of fresh fruits, fish, pasta and rice, legumes, sweets and soft drinks.ConclusionsThe methodological framework used in this study is flexible enough to be used in traditional longitudinal studies. Children's and households' lifestyles play a pivotal role in the prevalence of obesity. Policies should be oriented toward changing lifestyles, which would require more multidisciplinary research in the future to reduce childhood obesity.