bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Facet Effusion without Radiographic Instability Has No Effect on the Outcome of Minimally Invasive Decompression Surgery
Authors: Tamai Koji , Kato Minori , Konishi Sadahiko , Matsumura Akira , Hayashi Kazunori , Nakamura Hiroaki 
Published: April 2016

Study Design Retrospective cohort study. Objective Lumbar segmental instability is a key factor determining whether decompression alone or decompression and fusion surgery is required to treat lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). Some recent reports have suggested that facet joint effusion is correlated with spinal segmental instability. The aim of this study is to report the effect of facet effusion without radiographic segmental instability on the outcome of less-invasive decompression surgery for LSS. Methods Seventy-nine patients with LSS (32 women, mean age: 69.1 ± 9.1 years) who had no segmental instability on dynamic radiographs before undergoing L4–L5 microsurgical decompression and who were followed for at least 2 years postoperatively were analyzed. They were divided into three groups on the basis of the existence and size of L4–L5 facet effusion using preoperative magnetic resonance imaging: grade 0 had no effusion ( n = 31), grade 1 had measurable effusion ( n = 35), and grade 2 had large effusion ( n = 13). Japanese Orthopedics Association (JOA) score, visual analog scale (VAS), and the Short-Form (SF)-36 scores were recorded preoperatively and 12 and 24 months postoperatively. Results JOA score; VAS of low back pain, leg pain, and numbness; and SF-36 (physical component summary and mental component summary) scores did not differ significantly between the three groups in every terms ( p = 0.921, 0.996, 0.950, 0.693, 0.374, 0.304, and 0.624, respectively, at final follow-up). Conclusion In the absence of radiographic instability, facet joint effusion has no effect on the outcome of less-invasive decompression surgery.
Blue light reduces organ injury from ischemia and reperfusion
Authors: Yuan Du , Collage Richard D. , Huang Hai , Zhang Xianghong , Kautza Benjamin C. , Lewis Anthony J. , Zuckerbraun Brian S. , Tsung Allan , Angus Derek C. , Rosengart Matthew R. 
Published: April 2016

Significance
It is well established that light regulates mammalian biology. And yet, we have been unable to define and thus harness the underlying mechanisms so as to apply them to alter the course of human disease. In this study we determine that the spectrum of light is a critical determinant of its effect on critical illness. We show that an acute and short (24 h) exposure to high-illuminance (1,400 lx) blue spectrum (peak 442 nm) light prior to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) significantly attenuates the degree of organ injury. Our characterization of the biological mechanisms through which blue light beneficially alters the cellular response to I/R provides an opportunity to develop novel therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of many diseases.
Imaging the dynamics of individual electropores
Authors: Sengel Jason T. , Wallace Mark I. 
Published: April 2016

Significance
Transient permeabilization of the cell membrane is needed to introduce genes and drugs into cells, and electroporation (the physical breakdown of a bilayer membrane under an external electric field) is the most common method to achieve this. By applying an electric field to an artificial lipid bilayer, we have been able to visualize the presence of individual electropores in the bilayer. We exploit droplet interface bilayers (formed from the contact between an aqueous droplet and a hydrogel surface immersed in a phospholipid/oil solution) to provide simultaneous single-channel electrical recording and fluorescence imaging of the bilayer.
Tracking solvent and protein movement during CO
2
release in carbonic anhydrase II crystals
Authors: Kim Chae Un , Song HyoJin , Avvaru Balendu Sankara , Gruner Sol M. , Park SangYoun , McKenna Robert 
Published: April 2016

Significance
Carbonic anhydrases catalyze the fast interconversion of carbon dioxide and water into bicarbonate and proton. In this study, we use the method of high-pressure cryocooling to capture the gaseous carbon dioxide in crystals of carbonic anhydrase and follow the sequential structure changes as the carbon dioxide is released. These “snapshots” enable us to “slow down” and visualize the water and protein motions that form a “proton wire” as the carbon dioxide exits the enzyme’s active site. This study provides an understanding of the importance of water rearrangements within an enzyme-active site and further suggests that such a method could be generally applied to other protein-mediated reactions that use gaseous molecules.
Reticulate evolution is favored in influenza niche switching
Authors: Ma Eric J. , Hill Nichola J. , Zabilansky Justin , Yuan Kyle , Runstadler Jonathan A. 
Published: April 2016

Significance
Are the processes that result in the exchange of genes between microbes quantitatively advantageous for those microbes when switching between ecological niches? To address this question, we consider the influenza A virus as a model microbe, with its ability to infect multiple host species (ecological niches) and undergo reassortment (exchange genes) with one another. Here, through our analysis of sequence data from the Influenza Research Database and the Barcode of Life Database, we find that the greater the quantitative difference between influenza hosts, the greater the proportion of reassortment events were found. More broadly, for microbes, we infer that reticulate evolutionary processes should be quantitatively favored when switching between ecological niches.
Targeted erythropoietin selectively stimulates red blood cell expansion in vivo
Authors: Burrill Devin R. , Vernet Andyna , Collins James J. , Silver Pamela A. , Way Jeffrey C. 
Published: April 2016

SignificanceErythropoietin is used to treat anemia but has prothrombotic side effects that limit its use. We have demonstrated in vivo the ability to target erythropoietin to red blood cell precursors and away from platelet precursors, thereby potentially avoiding off-target effects. We have systematically determined the protein design features required for in vivo success of the engineered protein. Our results reveal how rational engineering of protein drugs can be used to reduce side effects, with broad implications for designers of therapeutic signaling systems.
Nickel-pincer cofactor biosynthesis involves LarB-catalyzed pyridinium carboxylation and LarE-dependent sacrificial sulfur insertion
Authors: Desguin Benoît , Soumillion Patrice , Hols Pascal , Hausinger Robert P. 
Published: April 2016

Significance
Nicotinic acid is a precursor of the ubiquitous cofactors nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP). Previous studies revealed that nicotinic acid is required for lactate racemization, an enzymatic activity that enables microorganisms to produce or use both isomers of lactate. Lactate racemase (Lar) was shown to harbor a nicotinic acid-derived cofactor that coordinates a nickel ion, forming a pincer complex. The biosynthesis of this cofactor requires three accessory proteins: LarB, LarC, and LarE. Here, we describe this biosynthetic pathway by showing that LarB carboxylates and hydrolyzes the NAD precursor nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide (NaAD) and LarE sacrificially inserts two sulfur atoms into the product of LarB. Finally, LarC inserts the nickel ion to form the mature cofactor.
Musical intervention enhances infants’ neural processing of temporal structure in music and speech
Authors: Zhao T. Christina , Kuhl Patricia K. 
Published: April 2016

Significance
Musicians show enhanced musical pitch and meter processing, effects that generalize to speech. Yet potential differences between musicians and nonmusicians limit conclusions. We examined the effects of a randomized laboratory-controlled music intervention on music and speech processing in 9-mo-old infants. The Intervention exposed infants to music in triple meter (the waltz) in a social environment. Controls engaged in similar social play without music. After 12 sessions, infants’ temporal information processing was assessed in music and speech using brain measures [magnetoencephalography (MEG)]. Compared with controls, intervention infants exhibited enhanced neural responses to temporal violations in both music and speech, in both auditory and prefrontal cortices. The intervention improves infants’ detection and prediction of auditory patterns, skills important to music and speech.
Extended survival of misfolded G85R SOD1-linked ALS mice by transgenic expression of chaperone Hsp110
Authors: Nagy Maria , Fenton Wayne A. , Li Di , Furtak Krystyna , Horwich Arthur L. 
Published: April 2016

Significance
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS; Lou Gehrig’s disease) is a progressive paralyzing condition affecting ∼1:1,000 adults, associated with death of motor neurons, for which there is no effective treatment. ALS is inherited in 10% of cases, whereas the remainder are “sporadic,” yet all behave very similarly. In mice, the condition has been modeled by transgenesis with mutant versions of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) (∼2% of human cases). Mutant SOD1s misfold and form aggregates inside the cytosol of motor neurons in the spinal cord. Recently, a disaggregating machinery has been described consisting of three chaperones, one of which, Hsp110, plays a rate limiting role. Here, we have transgenically overexpressed Hsp110 in motor neurons of a mutant SOD1 strain and observed extended survival.
Adaptation of the State-Trait Inventory for Cognitive and Somatic Anxiety for Use in Children: A Preliminary Analysis
Authors: Deacy Amanda D. , Gayes Laurie A. , De Lurgio Stephen , Wallace Dustin P. 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
Objective Anxiety has both state/trait and cognitive/somatic dimensions, and these distinctions may be particularly relevant for children with medical problems. This two-part study adapted the State-Trait Inventory for Cognitive and Somatic Anxiety (STICSA) and confirmed its factor structure in a sample of children in a primary care clinic. Methods STICSA items were adapted for reading level and piloted in a small group of children. Next, 250 children (12.3 ± 2.7 years) completed the adapted version, the STICSA-C. Results Separate confirmatory factor analyses conducted on the State and Trait forms of the STICSA-C confirmed the two-factor structure of the original measure (i.e., cognitive and somatic anxiety) and suggested an improved parsimonious model. Conclusions Support was found for use of the STICSA-C as a reasonably good internally consistent measure for assessing cognitive and somatic anxiety in pediatric samples. Further investigation of its reliability and validity with replication in pediatric populations is warranted.
A Survey of Physical Therapists' Attitudes and Practice Patterns Regarding Intervention During a Red Blood Cell Transfusion
Authors: Rosenfeldt Anson B. , Pilkey Lauren M. , Butler Robert S. 
Published: April 2016

Purpose:
Blood cell transfusions occur in approximately 12% of individuals who are hospitalized and undergo a procedure. There is a lack of evidence to guide physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs) in the delivery of physical therapy services to individuals receiving an red blood cell (RBC) transfusion. The purpose of this survey was to determine current practice patterns in this patient population.

Methods:
An electronic survey was distributed to PTs and PTAs across the state of Ohio.

Results:
Of the 262 respondents, 54.8% of individuals felt comfortable delivering physical therapy services to individuals receiving an RBC transfusion. PTs with a doctoral degree and those who worked in an inpatient hospital or long-term acute care setting were more likely to treat. Respondents required an average minimum hemoglobin (Hb) concentration of 6.9 g/dL to deliver physical therapy services to individuals who were anemic and receiving an RBC transfusion. Nine-point-two percent of respondents reported that their institution had a policy regarding the delivery of physical therapy services during an RBC transfusion.

Conclusion:
Responses revealed variability in practice patterns among PTs and PTAs regarding comfort level, likelihood to treat, Hb concentration, institutional policies, and perceived barriers pertaining to the delivery of physical therapy services to individuals receiving an RBC transfusion. There is a need for further research on this topic to guide therapists in the clinical decision-making process.
Endoscopic Variceal Ligation followed by Argon Plasma Coagulation Against Endoscopic Variceal Ligation Alone
Authors: Kamal Ahmed , Abd Elmoety Amr A. , Hamza Yasser , Zeid Ahmed 
Published: April 2016

Goals:
Our aim was to study the efficacy and the safety of argon plasma coagulation (APC) in secondary prophylaxis against esophageal varices in view of many contraindications and side effects to β-blockers in cirrhotic patients.

Background:
Rebleeding rates from esophageal varices after endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) are high; thus, the current recommendation is to combine nonselective β-blockers to it, but side effects and relative contraindications to nonselective β-blockers hinder their usage or require discontinuation in 15% to 20% of the cirrhotic patients. Thus, it is important to find another combination.

Study:
This study included all patients admitted to the Alexandria Main University Hospital during the period between April 2012 and October 2012 with variceal bleeding. After exclusions, the total number of included patients was 40. All participants were subjected to EVL and eradication of varices, and then they were randomized to either APC (group 1) or just observation (group 2). Both groups were followed up by endoscopy every 3 months for 30 months.

Results:
During the 2.5-year follow-up, 21% of the participants in group 1 experienced esophageal variceal recurrence, but no one needed rebanding. In group 2, 68.4% of the participants experienced esophageal variceal recurrence (P=0.003) and 63.2% underwent rebanding (P<0.001).

Conclusions:
APC after esophageal variceal eradication using EVL can decrease the risk of recurrence of esophageal varices and the need for rebanding. This technique may be recommended in secondary prophylaxis against esophageal variceal bleeding in those who have contraindications, are intolerant, or are noncompliant to nonselective β-blockers.
Medicaid Health Home Reducing Costs and Reliance on Emergency Department
Authors: Shane Dan M. , Nguyen-Hoang Phuong , Bentler Suzanne E. , Damiano Peter C. , Momany Elizabeth T. 
Published: April 2016

Background:
The Affordable Care Act allowed an optional Medicaid State Plan benefit for states to establish Health Homes coordinating care for people who have chronic conditions. Differences in medical home program incentives and implementation styles are important to understand in evaluating effects on key outcomes such as cost and acute care. In Iowa, a Medicaid Health Home (MHH) program was developed targeting Medicaid members with multiple chronic conditions. Provider patient management payments were tied to the number of chronic conditions of MHH members.

Objectives:
To assess the effects of an Iowa MHH program on total spending, emergency department (ED) utilization, and ED spending.

Data:
Claims data from January 2011 through December 2013; per member per month unit of analysis.

Research Design:
We use a difference-in-difference regression design comparing pre/post outcomes for MHH members to pre/post outcomes for Medicaid members not participating in the MHH. We include individual fixed effects and matched controls to minimize the potential for confounding. In addition, we include a series of administrative covariates to control for individual demographic and geographic variation.

Results:
Participation in the MHH program reduced spending by $132 per member per month. There is also evidence that the largest cost savings occur with a lag, as those in the program longer than a year showed the most savings. Members were less likely to visit the ED compared with traditional Medicaid recipients and ED spending was also lower for MHH members.

Conclusions:
Participation in a MHH program led to fewer ED visits and lower overall spending among Medicaid recipients in Iowa.
Serotonin-dependent kinetics of bursts of feeding underlie a graded response to food availability
Authors: Lee Kyung Suk , Iwanir Shachar , Kopito Ronen B , Scholz Monika , Biron David , Levine Erel 
Published: April 2016

AbstractAnimals integrate physiological and environmental signals to modulate their food uptake. Failure to regulate feeding may have devastating results, including obesity and diabetes, underscoring the importance of understanding its underlying mechanisms. The nematodeC. elegans, whose food uptake consists of pumping bacteria from the environment into the gut, provides excellent opportunities for discovering principles of conserved regulatory mechanisms. Here we show that worms implement a graded feeding response to the concentration of environmental bacteria by modulating a commitment to bursts of fast pumping. Using long-term, high-resolution, longitudinal recordings of feeding dynamics under defined conditions, we find that the frequency and duration of pumping bursts increase and the duration of long pauses diminishes in environments richer in bacteria. The bioamine serotonin, a known feeding regulator in metazoa, is required for food-dependent induction of bursts as well as for maintaining their high rate of pumping through two distinct mechanisms. Following this phenotype quantitatively we identify the essential serotonergic neurons and the differential roles of distinct families of serotonin receptors. We propose that regulation of bursts is a conserved mechanism of behavior and motor control.
A fuzzy-ExIWO method for optimal placement of multiple DSTATCOM/DG and tuning the DSTATCM’s controller
Authors: bagheri tolabi hajar , Lashkar Ara Afshin , hosseini rahil 
Published: April 2016

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is optimal placement of multiple Distribution Static Compensator (DSTATCOM) and Distributed Generation (DG) units along with nonlinear control of the DSTATCOM in order to loss reduction, voltage drop improvement, increase in the voltage stability and improvement of the performance of the controller of the DTATCOM.

Design/methodology/approach
A combination of a fuzzy system and Expanded Invasive Weed Optimization (ExIWO) has been employed for solving the nonlinear/complex problem. A nonlinear control has been designed based on Partial Feedback Linearization (PFL) theory for the DSTATCOM and Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controllers have been employed to trace the reference values.

Findings
A combination of a fuzzy system and Expanded Invasive Weed Optimization (ExIWO) has been employed for solving the nonlinear/complex problem. A nonlinear control has been designed based on Partial Feedback Linearization (PFL) theory for the DSTATCOM and Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controllers have been employed to trace the reference values.

Practical implications
An expandable application was written in MATLAB software to investigate the electrical distribution system with multiple DSTAOM and DG units by considering the DSTATCOM controller.

Originality/value
1-	Definition of a new technical and hybrid optimization problem (i.e. optimal placement of multiple DSTATCOM and DG units along with nonlinear controlling of the DSTATCOM). Indeed another important challenge in distribution systems (i.e. optimal placement (size and location) of multiple DSTATCOM and DG units) has been considered along with previous problem (i.e. tuning the DSTATCOM controller).
2-	Development the objective function and convert it from a purely controlling function to a multi objective function which aims to not only improve the controller of DSTATCOM performance but also aims to reduce the power losses, improve voltage drop and voltage stability.
3-	Solving the nonlinear-complex problem by a new combination of fuzzy sets and ExIWO algorithm.
4-	Considering two 33 bus and 119 bus distribution test systems and analyzing them in five different scenarios in order to demonstrate the proper performance of the proposed technique for the both small and large systems. Please see the modifications in introduction, problem formulation and simulation results sections.
Speech enhancement using robust estimators and rank-order statistics
Authors: Sandoval Yuma , Diaz-Ramirez Victor H. , Kober Vitaly 
Published: April 2016

Purpose
The purpose of the present work is to design robust estimators for speech enhancement by incorporation of calculation rank-order statistics and locally-adaptive neighborhoods. The proposed estimators are able to increase the speech quality of a noisy signal, to preserve better speech intelligibility, and to introduce less artifacts comparing with known speech enhancement estimators.

Design/methodology/approach
We design a novel speech enhancement algorithm based on rank-order statistics and local adaptive signal processing to improve the accuracy of existing speech enhancement estimators, in terms of speech quality, intelligibility, and introduction of artificial artifacts.

Findings
We found that by using the proposed estimators for speech enhancement we obtain a better adaptation to nonstationary characteristics of speech and noise processes comparing with that of known speech enhancement estimators. The proposed algorithm increases speech quality, preserves better speech intelligibility, and introduces less artifacts comparing with known speech enhancement estimators.

Research limitations/implications
The proposed approach for speech enhancement is a locally-adaptive signal processing performed for each element of a noisy speech signal. Thus, the main limitation of the proposed approach is an increase of computational complexity compared with that of nonadaptive conventional techniques.

Practical implications
In order to perform real-time speech enhancement with the proposed approach, it is recommended to use a digital system with a fast processor. Another option is by using a parallel architecture such as a FPGA.

Originality/value
We propose a novel local-adaptive algorithm for robust speech enhancement by incorporation of calculation of rank-order statistics and local-adaptive neighborhoods. The proposed algorithm is able to adjust itself in response to changes in the statistical properties of ambience noise.