bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of the antibiotic tetracycline on the reproduction, growth and population growth rate of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Vangheel Matthew , Traunspurger Walter , Spann Nicole 
Published: July 2013

The antibiotic tetracycline (TC) has been reported in natural systems, a consequence of its abundant usage in farming. TCs are protein synthesis inhibitors that are effective against bacteria but adverse effects on non-target organisms, whilst less well understood, have also been demonstrated. This study is the first investigation into the effects of this common antibiotic on the growth, reproduction and population growth rate (PGR) of the nematodeCaenorhabditis elegans. All toxicological endpoints were shown to be affected negatively. TC concentrations as low as 5 mg l−1(5 ppm) significantly reduced growth and reproduction, and even lower concentrations (3 mg l−1or 3 ppm) significantly decreased the PGR. These levels are much higher than the TC concentrations detected in surface waters, sediments and soils (0.005-300 ppb). However, although the antibiotic might not pose a direct significant risk to nematodes in the natural environment, its use in RNAi experiments involvingC. elegansmay cause unwanted effects that influence interpretations of the results.
Political Life: Giorgio Agamben and the Idea of Authority
Authors: DeCaroli Steven 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
This article explores the relation between biological life and political life, placing it in the context of the ancient Greek distinction between the life of the home (the oikos) and the realm of politics (the polis). In contrast with the oikos, the life of the polis was characterized by attempts to exclude from its sphere both the constraints of necessity that oblige human action to conform to the exigencies of survival as well as the violence that accompanies this pursuit. Although this exclusion has never been successful, the question of how to achieve it lies at the heart of the oldest philosophical reflections on politics and, in a more concealed fashion, remains central to our political concerns today. Invoking the work of Giorgio Agamben, this article explores the earliest discussions concerning the question “what is political life?” to show why so much depends upon how we answer this question.
Effects of high-velocity resistance training on muscle function, muscle properties, and physical performance in individuals with hip osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Fukumoto Yoshihiro , Tateuchi Hiroshige , Ikezoe Tome , Tsukagoshi Rui , Akiyama Haruhiko , So Kazutaka , Kuroda Yutaka , Ichihashi Noriaki 
Published: July 2013

Objective: To investigate the effects of high-velocity resistance training on muscle function, muscle properties, and physical performance in patients with hip osteoarthritis by comparison with those of low-velocity resistance training. Design: Single-blind randomized controlled trial. Setting: Home-based exercise programmes. Subjects: A total of 46 women with hip osteoarthritis were randomly assigned to the high-velocity ( n = 23) or low-velocity ( n = 23) training group. Interventions: Both groups underwent an eight-week daily home-based resistance training programme using an elastic band. Exercises involved hip abduction, extension, and flexion and knee extension. Participants in the high-velocity group performed the concentric phase of each repetition as rapidly as possible and returned to the initial position eccentrically in 3 s. Participants in the low-velocity group performed both the concentric and eccentric phases in 3 s. Main measures: The following outcome measures were evaluated: isometric muscle strength, muscle power, muscle thickness, muscle echo intensity, maximum walking speed, Timed Up and Go test, 3-minute walking test, Harris Hip Score, and hip pain. Results: Decreases in the time for performing the Timed Up and Go test (mean changes: high-velocity group −0.46 s, low-velocity group −0.23 s) and echo intensity of the gluteus maximus (mean changes: high-velocity group −6.8, low-velocity group −1.0) were significantly greater in the high-velocity group than in the low-velocity group. No significant difference was observed in changes of other outcome measures between the groups. Conclusion: This study revealed that high-velocity training for patients with hip osteoarthritis has partially a greater effect on muscle properties and physical performance than low-velocity training.
Acute serotonin 2A receptor blocking alters the processing of fearful faces in the orbitofrontal cortex and amygdala
Authors: Hornboll Bettina , Macoveanu Julian , Rowe James , Elliott Rebecca , Paulson Olaf B , Siebner Hartwig R , Knudsen Gitte M 
Published: July 2013

Background: The serotonin 2A (5-HT2A) receptor has been implicated in neural-processing of emotionally salient information. To elucidate its role in processing of fear and anger, healthy individuals were studied with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) after 5-HT2A receptor blockade, while judging the gender of neutral, fearful and angry faces. Methods: 5-HT2A receptors were blocked with ketanserin to a variable degree across subjects by adjusting the time between ketanserin-infusion and onset of the fMRI protocol. Neocortical 5-HT2A receptor binding in terms of the binding potential ( BPp) was assessed prior to fMRI with 18F-altanserin positron emission tomography (PET) and subsequently integrated in the fMRI data analysis. Also functional connectivity analysis was employed to evaluate the effect of ketanserin blocking on connectivity. Results: Compared to a control session, 5-HT2A receptor blockade reduced the neural response to fearful faces in the medial orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), independently of 5-HT2A receptor occupancy or neocortical 5-HT2A receptor BPp. The medial OFC also showed increased functional coupling with the left amygdala during processing of fearful faces depending on the amount of blocked 5-HT2A receptors. Conclusions: 5-HT2A receptor mediated signaling increases the sensitivity of the OFC to fearful facial expressions and regulates the strength of a negative feedback signal from the OFC to amygdala during processing of fearful faces.
Incidence, treatment, and consequences of chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia in the inpatient and outpatient settings
Authors: Weycker Derek , Barron Richard , Kartashov Alex , Legg Jason , Lyman Gary H 
Published: July 2013

Objective To examine the incidence, treatment, and consequences of febrile neutropenia across inpatient and outpatient care settings. Methods Data were obtained from Humedica's National Electronic Health Record-Derived Longitudinal Patient-Level Database (2007–2010). The study population included adult patients who received myelosuppressive chemotherapy for a solid tumor or non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. For each patient, each chemotherapy regimen course and each cycle within each regimen course was characterized. Febrile neutropenia episodes were identified on a cycle-specific basis based on any of the following: (1) absolute neutrophil count <1.0 × 109/L and evidence of infection or fever; (2) inpatient diagnosis of neutropenia, fever, or infection; (3) outpatient diagnosis of neutropenia and non-prophylactic antimicrobial use; or (4) mention of febrile neutropenia in physician notes. Febrile neutropenia episodes were categorized as inpatient or outpatient based on the initial setting of care (i.e. acute-care inpatient facility vs. ambulatory care facility). Febrile neutropenia consequences included hospital length of stay and mortality (inpatient cases only), as well as number of febrile neutropenia-related outpatient encounters. Results Among the 2131 patients in this study, 401 experienced a total of 458 febrile neutropenia episodes. Risk of febrile neutropenia during the chemotherapy regimen course was 16.8% (95% CI: 15.3, 18.4). In cycle 1 alone, risk of febrile neutropenia was 8.1% (7.1, 9.3). Most febrile neutropenia episodes (83.2%) were initially treated in the inpatient setting; the hospital mortality rate was 8.1% (5.8, 11.1), and mean hospital length of stay was 8.4 days (7.7, 9.1). Among febrile neutropenia episodes initially treated in the outpatient setting (16.8%), the mean number of outpatient management encounters was 2.6 (2.1, 3.1), most of which were in the physician’s office (69.2%) or emergency department (26.9%). Conclusions Febrile neutropenia remains a common occurrence among patients receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy and typically results in extended hospitalization and, for many patients, death. A minority of patients are, however, treated exclusively on an outpatient basis.
Staphylococcus aureus Colonization in Children Undergoing Heart Surgery
Authors: Costantini Sydney T. , Lach Donna , Goldfarb Johanna , Stewart Robert D. , Foster Charles B. 
Published: July 2013

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is an important cause of cardiac surgical site infection. Based on studies in adults, nasal screening to detect S aureuscolonization is used to guide decolonization and selection of prophylactic antibiotics. In our Children’s Hospital, a sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay is used to screen patients undergoing cardiac surgery for nasal colonization with methicillin-sensitive S aureus (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant S aureus (MRSA). Additionally for patients in diapers, cultures are used to detect MRSA colonization of the groin. The purpose of this study was to determine whether screening two anatomic locations results in a higher MRSA detection rate among children undergoing cardiac surgery. Methods: A retrospective chart review determined whether the frequency of bacterial colonization with MRSA differed by anatomic site. Records for 322 pediatric cardiac surgery procedures performed between January 2009 and June 2011 were reviewed. Both a nasal PCR and a second anatomic site culture were performed before 102 procedures. Results: The overall rate of colonization with MRSA and MSSA was 4.2% and 29.1%, respectively. Of the seven dually screened patients who tested positive for MRSA, two were identified solely via a groin test, four by nasal screening alone, and one by both the tests. Screening of only the nose would have failed to detect 28.6% of the MRSA cases. Conclusion: Preoperative detection of MRSA colonization may be enhanced by screening both the nose and a second anatomic site. The clinical utility of the extranasal MRSA culture was limited due to the long assay turnaround time.
Improving adherence in paediatric respiratory disease
Authors: Klok Ted , Kaptein Adrian A. , Brand Paul L.P. 
Published: July 2013

Educational aimsTo review the evidence on determinants of adherence in children with chronic respiratory disease.To discuss the “common sense model” as a method to understand medication-taking behaviour in children.To review the importance of illness perceptions and medication beliefs in determining adherence to maintenance medication in children with chronic respiratory disease.To present recommendations to optimise adherence through enhancing involvement of patients and parents in consultations of children with chronic respiratory disease.SummaryIn children with chronic respiratory disease, nonadherence to maintenance medication is common. Observational studies, however, show that good adherence can be achieved and maintained. This review will discuss the current state of the evidence on adherence and its determinants in children with chronic respiratory disease. It will highlight the importance of illness perceptions and medication beliefs as strong drivers of adherence, based on the common sense model of how people deal with a chronic illness. Exploring such cognitions by interested enquiry of the patient's perspective will help the clinician to identify and overcome barriers to adherence. When decisions on treatment are made according to the principle of shared decision making, concordance between patient and healthcare provider is aided, which improves adherence.
Potentiation of neuritogenic activity of medicinal mushrooms in rat pheochromocytoma cells
Authors: Ling-Sing Seow Syntyche , Naidu Murali , David Pamela , Wong Kah-Hui , Sabaratnam Vikineswary 
Published: July 2013

Abstract

Background
Senescence of the neurons is believed to be a focal factor in the development of age-related neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. Diminutions in the levels of nerve growth factor (NGF) lead to major declines in brain cell performance. Functional foods, believed to mitigate this deficiency, will be reaching a plateau in the near future market of alternative and preventive medicine. In the search for neuroactive compounds that mimic the NGF activity for the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases, the potential medicinal values of culinary and medicinal mushrooms attract intense interest.

Methods
Cytotoxic effects of aqueous extracts of three medicinal mushrooms basidiocarps, Ganoderma lucidum, Ganoderma neo-japonicum and Grifola frondosa towards rat pheochromocytoma (PC-12) cells were determined by 3-(4,5-dimethythiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The potentiation of neuritogenic activity was assessed by neurite outgrowth stimulation assay. Involvement of cellular signaling pathways, mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK/ERK1/2) and phosphoinositide-3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) in mushrooms-stimulated neuritogenesis were examined by using specific pharmacological inhibitors. Alteration of neuronal morphology by inhibitors was visualized by immunofluorescence staining of the neurofilament.

Results
All the aqueous extracts tested caused a marked stimulation of neuritogenesis with no detectable cytotoxic effects towards PC-12 cells. The aqueous extract of G. neo-japonicum triggered maximal stimulation of neurite outgrowth at a lower concentration (50 μg/ml) with 14.22 ± 0.43% of neurite-bearing cells, compared to G. lucidum and G. frondosa that act at a higher concentration (75 μg/ml), with 12.61 ± 0.11% and 12.07 ± 0.46% of neurite-bearing cells, respectively. The activation of MEK/ERK1/2 and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways were necessary for the NGF and aqueous extracts to promote neuritogenesis.

Conclusions

Ganoderma lucidum, G. neo-japonicum and G. frondosa may contain NGF-like bioactive compound(s) for maintaining and regenerating the neuronal communications network. The present study reports the first evidence of the neuritogenic effects of aqueous extracts of basidiocarps of G. neo-japonicum in-vitro and showed the involvement of MEK/ERK1/2 and P13K/Akt signaling pathways for neuritogenesis in PC-12 cells.
Adult Epicardial Fat Exhibits Beige Features
Authors: Sacks Harold S. , Fain John N. , Bahouth Suleiman W. , Ojha Shalini , Frontini Andrea , Budge Helen , Cinti Saverio , Symonds Michael E. 
Published: July 2013

Context:
Human epicardial fat has been designated previously as brown-like fat. The supraclavicular fat depot in man has been defined as beige coexistent with classical brown based on its gene expression profile.

Objective:
The aim of the study was to establish the gene expression profile and morphology of human epicardial and visceral paracardial fat compared with sc fat.

Setting:
The study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital cardiac center.

Patients:
Epicardial, visceral paracardial, and sc fat samples had been taken from middle-aged patients with severe coronary atherosclerosis or valvular heart disease.

Interventions:
Gene expression was determined by reverse transcription- quantitative PCR and relative abundance of the mitochondrial uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1) by Western blotting. Epicardial tissue sections from patients were examined by light microscopy, UCP-1 immunohistochemistry, and cell morphometry.

Main Outcome Measures:
We hypothesized that epicardial fat has a mixed phenotype with a gene expression profile similar to that described for beige cell lineage.

Results:
Immunoreactive UCP-1 was clearly measurable in each epicardial sample analyzed but was undetectable in each of the 4 other visceral and sc depots. Epicardial fat exhibited high expression of genes for UCP-1, PRDM16, PGC-1α, PPARγ, and the beige adipocyte-specific marker CD137, which were also expressed in visceral paracardial fat but only weakly in sternal, upper abdominal, and lower extremity sc fat. Histology of epicardial fat showed small unilocular adipocytes without UCP-1 immunostaining.

Conclusion:
UCP-1 is relatively abundant in epicardial fat, and this depot possesses molecular features characteristic of those found in vitro in beige lineage adipocytes.
Delayed diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma following dental treatment
Authors: Singh T , Schenberg M 
Published: July 2013

Introduction Oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) can present with a wide range of clinical appearances. Consequently, an oral SCC, particularly in its early stage, may not be considered suspicious by a clinician, thereby delaying diagnosis. Delayed diagnosis of an oral SCC could result in more advanced disease at the time of treatment, leading to more extensive and costly treatment, greater morbidity and poorer survival. The aim of this study was to identify cases of oral SCC treated at Southern Heath (Melbourne, Australia) with a history of prediagnosis dental treatment, and to determine the delay between dental treatment and appropriate surgical assessment of the oral SCC. Methods Patients were identified from the head and neck tumour database at Southern Health who met the inclusion criteria and relevant data were recorded. Results Twelve patients met the inclusion criteria and 83% of cases involved the mandible. Dental extraction was the most common prediagnosis treatment performed (75%). The average delay from dental treatment to surgical assessment was just over eight weeks and all patients were found to have stage IV disease. Most patients had received extensive surgical resections (83%), neck dissections (75%) and adjunctive therapy (83%). Conclusions Oral SCC can sometimes be difficult to diagnose, which can result in more extensive treatment and greater morbidity. Health professionals and patients need to be aware that non-healing oral lesions, even after dental treatment such as a dental extraction, need to be considered as suspicious and an appropriate surgical referral should be made.
Clinical efficacy and cost effectiveness of intraoperative cell salvage in pelvic trauma surgery
Authors: Odak S , Raza A , Shah N , Clayson A 
Published: July 2013

Introduction Pelvic acetabular injuries are associated with significant blood loss. This is compounded by multiple surgical interventions including definitive fracture fixation, which put patients at further risk of postoperative transfusion. We use intraoperative cell salvage routinely as a blood conservation strategy to address this issue. This is a prospective evaluation of the clinical efficacy and cost effectiveness of using intraoperative cell salvage in patients with pelvic acetabular injuries. Methods Data were collected prospectively for all the patients who underwent pelvic acetabular fracture fixation at our institution. A total of 30 patients (25 men, 5 women) with a mean age of 41 years (range: 31–79 years) were assessed over a period of 10 months. Results The mean preoperative and postoperative haemoglobin levels were 11.8g/dl and 9.9g/dl respectively. The mean intraoperative blood loss was 1,232.5ml (range: 150–2,693ml). The mean amount of blood salvaged and retransfused through a cell saver was 388ml. Of the 30 patients, 14 (47%) required transfusion after surgery and 26 units of blood were transfused. In terms of cost effectiveness, a total of £2,572 in 30 patients or £86 per patient were saved. Conclusions We found intraoperative cell salvage to be clinically efficacious and cost effective in patients with pelvic acetabular injuries.
Low rate of active treatment of patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Mishreki AP , Lim E , Cranefield P , Pascoe S , Jackson S , Stell DA 
Published: July 2013

Introduction The results of surgical resection and palliative chemotherapy use in hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HC) have been well publicised but the proportion of patients able to undergo these treatments and the comparative outcomes in a population of patients with HC are less well known. Methods Patients with HC were identified by review of all patients undergoing percutaneous cholangiography over a nine-year period (2002–2010) in a tertiary facility. The treatment undertaken and outcomes were recorded. Results Overall, 68 patients were identified (37 female) with a median age of 70 years. Forty-five (66%) were treated solely by insertion of a metal stent (median survival 4.73 months) and nine (13%) also received palliative chemotherapy (median survival 13.7 months). Persisting jaundice after stent insertion was noted in 18 of 35 patients (51%) tested within one month of death. Fourteen patients (21%) underwent surgical resection (median survival 20.2 months). Conclusions Patients undergoing surgical resection had significantly longer survival than those receiving only a palliative stent but not compared with those also receiving palliative chemotherapy, with short-term follow-up. Only a third of patients, however, receive active treatment (surgery or chemotherapy) and improvements in long-term biliary palliation are needed.
Opportunities in the Economics of Personalized Health Care and Prevention
Authors: Meltzer David O. 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
Personalized medicine is best viewed from a broad perspective of trying to use information about a patient to improve care. While “personalized medicine” often emphasizes the value of genetic information, traditional clinical approaches to personalizing care based on patient phenotype, provider and system-level factors should not be neglected. As these diverse approaches to personalization are examined, tools such as cost-effectiveness analysis can provide important insights into the value of these approaches, strategies for their implementation and dissemination, and priorities for future research. Such analyses are likely to be most insightful if they recognize that patient and provider behaviors are essential determinants of the value of treatments and that patient factors in particular may have large effects on the value of treatments and the need for interventions to improve decision making. These comments suggest three major areas of opportunity for economic analyses of personalized medicine: (1) traditional clinical approaches to personalized medicine, (2) multi-perspective studies of the benefits and costs of personalized medicine, and (3) the role of behavior in the value of personalized medicine.
Enhanced Trichloroethylene CatalyticOxidation on Modified Lanthanum Manganite ano-Perovskites
Authors: Maghsoodi Sarah , Khodadadi A.A. , Towfighi Jafar , Mortazavi Y. 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
The lanthanum manganite perovskites with excess Mn and La partially substituted with alkaline earth metals including Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba were used for oxidation of trichloroethylene (TCE). Ba-substituted perovskite shows highest TCE oxidation performance. Twenty percent of excess Mn and La substitution with Ba up to 30% (La0.7Ba0.3Mn1.2O3+δ) resulted in a high Brunauer, Emmett and Teller (BET) surface area and enhanced oxygen mobility. About 12% loss of the performance of La0.7Ba0.3Mn1.2O3+δ is observed during the first 20 min, and then a steady-state conversion is established for oxidation of TCE for 10 h. The perovskite structure is not destroyed after deactivation test, and loss of surface area may be responsible for the initial performance decline.