bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quantification and variability in colonic volume with a novel magnetic resonance imaging method
Authors: Nilsson M. , Sandberg T. H. , Poulsen J. L. , Gram M. , Frøkjær J. B. , Østergaard L. R. , Krogh K. , Brock C. , Drewes A. M. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractBackgroundSegmental distribution of colorectal volume is relevant in a number of diseases, but clinical and experimental use demands robust reliability and validity. Using a novel semi‐automatic magnetic resonance imaging‐based technique, the aims of this study were to describe: (i) inter‐individual and intra‐individual variability of segmental colorectal volumes between two observations in healthy subjects and (ii) the change in segmental colorectal volume distribution before and after defecation.MethodsThe inter‐individual and intra‐individual variability of four colorectal volumes (cecum/ascending colon, transverse, descending, and rectosigmoid colon) between two observations (separated by 52 ± 10) days was assessed in 25 healthy males and the effect of defecation on segmental colorectal volumes was studied in another seven healthy males.Key ResultsNo significant differences between the two observations were detected for any segments (All p > 0.05). Inter‐individual variability varied across segments from low correlation in cecum/ascending colon (intra‐class correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.44) to moderate correlation in the descending colon (ICC = 0.61) and high correlation in the transverse (ICC = 0.78), rectosigmoid (ICC = 0.82), and total volume (ICC = 0.85). Overall intra‐individual variability was low (coefficient of variance = 9%). After defecation the volume of the rectosigmoid decreased by 44% (p = 0.003). The change in rectosigmoid volume was associated with the true fecal volume (p = 0.02).Conclusions & InferencesImaging of segmental colorectal volume, morphology, and fecal accumulation is advantageous to conventional methods in its low variability, high spatial resolution, and its absence of contrast‐enhancing agents and irradiation. Hence, the method is suitable for future clinical and interventional studies and for characterization of defecation physiology.
A systematic literature review of nutrition interventions in vending machines that encourage consumers to make healthier choices
Authors: Grech A. , Allman‐Farinelli M. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryInternationally, vending machines are scrutinized for selling energy‐dense nutrient‐poor foods and beverages, and the contribution to overconsumption and subsequent risk of obesity. The aim of this review is to determine the efficacy of nutrition interventions in vending machine in eliciting behaviour change to improve diet quality or weight status of consumers. Electronic databases Cochrane, EMBASE, CINAHL, Science Direct and PubMed were searched from inception. Inclusion criteria: (i) populations that have access to vending machines; (ii) nutrition interventions; (iii) measured outcomes of behaviour change (e.g. sales data, dietary intake or weight change); and (iv) experimental trials where controls were not exposed to the intervention. Risk of bias was assessed independently by two researchers, and higher quality research formed the basis of this qualitative review. Twelve articles from 136 searched were included for synthesis. Intervention settings included schools, universities and workplaces. Reducing price or increasing the availability increased sales of healthier choices. The results of point‐of‐purchase nutrition information interventions were heterogeneous and when measured changes to purchases were small. This review offers evidence that pricing and availability strategies are effective at improving the nutritional quality foods and beverages purchased from vending machines. Evidence on how these interventions alter consumer's overall diet or body mass index is needed.
Spheres of influence: Porphyromonas gingivalis outer membrane vesicles
Authors: Gui M.J. , Dashper S.G. , Slakeski N. , Chen Y.‐Y. , Reynolds E.C. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryOuter membrane vesicles (OMVs) are asymmetrical single bilayer membranous nanostructures produced by Gram‐negative bacteria important for bacterial interaction with the environment. Porphyromonas gingivalis, a keystone pathogen associated with chronic periodontitis, produces OMVs that act as a virulence factor secretion system contributing to its pathogenicity. Despite their biological importance, the mechanisms of OMV biogenesis have not been fully elucidated. The ~14 times more curvature of the OMV membrane than cell outer membrane (OM) indicates that OMV biogenesis requires energy expenditure for significant curvature of the OMV membrane. In P. gingivalis, we propose that this may be achieved by upregulating the production of certain inner or outer leaflet lipids, which causes localized outward curvature of the OM. This results in selection of anionic lipopolysaccharide (A‐LPS) and associated C‐terminal domain (CTD) ‐family proteins on the outer surface due to their ability to accommodate the curvature. Deacylation of A‐LPS may further enable increased curvature leading to OMV formation. Porphyromonas gingivalis OMVs that are selectively enriched in CTD‐family proteins, largely the gingipains, can support bacterial coaggregation, promote biofilm development and act as an intercessor for the transport of non‐motile bacteria by motile bacteria. The P. gingivalis OMVs are also believed to contribute to host interaction and colonization, evasion of immune defense mechanisms, and destruction of periodontal tissues. They may be crucial for both micro‐ and macronutrient capture, especially heme and probably other assimilable compounds for its own benefit and that of the wider biofilm community.
Pre‐operative investigations in patients undergoing oral and maxillofacial procedures
Authors: Henry Alastair , Dewi Ffion , Atan Rizal , Patel Natasha , Bhatia Satyajeet 
Published: September 2015

AbstractAimWe designed and implemented an audit to investigate compliance with the guideline Preoperative Tests published by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE).MethodsResults from the first audit cycle confirmed overall compliance with the guideline in 70.6% of cases and that 27.8% of investigations were performed unnecessarily. Results were presented locally and we conducted two educational sessions for junior doctors regarding the use of the guideline.ResultsCompliance with the guideline increased by 25.6% (from 70.6% to 91.1% P < 0.001) between the cycles, and the proportion of unnecessary investigations reduced by 71.1% (from 27.8% to 8.25% P < 0.01). These results were statistically significant. Education regarding use of the guideline has the potential to safely reduce the number of inappropriate pre‐operative tests performed on patients.ConclusionUtilisation of the guideline Preoperative Tests can result in reduced patient inconvenience and discomfort, while also improving staff efficiency and reducing cost.
Consensus Communication on Early Peanut Introduction and Prevention of Peanut Allergy in High‐Risk Infants
Authors: Fleischer David M. , Sicherer Scott , Greenhawt Matthew , Campbell Dianne , Chan Edmond , Muraro Antonella , Halken Susanne , Katz Yitzhak , Ebisawa Motohiro , Eichenfield Lawrence , Sampson Hugh , Lack Gideon , Du Toit George , Roberts Graham , Bahnson Henry , Feeney Mary , Hourihane Jonathan , Spergel Jonathan , Young Michael , As'aad Amal , Allen Katrina , Prescott Susan , Kapur Sandeep , Saito Hirohisa , Agache Ioana , Akdis Cezmi A. , Arshad Hasan , Beyer Kirsten , Dubois Anthony , Eigenmann Philippe , Fernandez‐Rivas Monserrat , Grimshaw Kate , Hoffman‐Sommergruber Karin , Host Arne , Lau Susanne , O'Mahony Liam , Mills Clare , Papadopoulos Nikolaus , Venter Carina , Agmon‐Levin Nancy , Kessel Aaron , Antaya Richard , Drolet Beth , Rosenwasser Lanny 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe purpose of this brief communication is to highlight emerging evidence regarding potential benefits of supporting early rather than delayed peanut introduction during the period of complementary food introduction in infants. This document should be considered as interim guidance based on consensus among the following organizations: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Israel Association of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Japanese Society for Allergology, Society for Pediatric Dermatology, and World Allergy Organization. More formal guidelines regarding early‐life, complementary feeding practices and the risk of allergy development will follow in the next year from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases—sponsored Working Group and the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
Leishmania mexicana amastigotes inhibit p38 and JNK and activate PI3K/AKT: role in the inhibition of apoptosis of dendritic cells
Authors: Vázquez‐López R. , Argueta‐Donohué J. , Wilkins‐Rodríguez A. , Escalona‐Montaño A. , Aguirre‐García M. , Gutiérrez‐Kobeh L. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryLeishmania mexicana is the causal agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Mexico. Dendritic cells (DC) are one of the host cells of Leishmania parasites. Intracellular microorganisms inhibit host cell apoptosis as a strategy to ensure their survival in infected cells. We have previously shown that Leishmania mexicana promastigotes and amastigotes inhibit camptothecin‐induced apoptosis of monocyte‐derived dendritic cells (moDC), but the mechanisms underlying the inhibition of apoptosis of DC by Leishmania have not been established. MAP kinases and PI3K participate in the process of apoptosis and are modulated by different species of Leishmania. As shown in this study, the infection of moDC with L. mexicana amastigotes diminished significantly the phosphorylation of the MAP kinases p38 and JNK. The inhibition of both kinases diminished significantly DNA fragmentation in moDC stimulated with camptothecin. On the other hand, L. mexicana amastigotes were able to activate the anti‐apoptotic pathways PI3K and AKT. Our results indicate that L. mexicana amastigotes have the capacity to diminish MAP kinases activation and activate PI3K and AKT, which is probably one of the strategies employed by L. mexicana amastigotes to inhibit apoptosis in the infected moDC.
Noradrenergic and cholinergic modulation of late ERP responses to deviant stimuli
Authors: Brown Stephen B. R. E. , van der Wee Nic J. A. , van Noorden Martijn S. , Giltay Erik J. , Nieuwenhuis Sander 
Published: September 2015

AbstractResearchers have proposed several hypotheses about the neuromodulator systems involved in generating P3 components of the ERP. To test some of these hypotheses, we conducted a randomized placebo‐controlled crossover study in which we investigated how the late positive ERP response to deviant stimuli is modulated by (a) clonidine, an α2 agonist that attenuates baseline noradrenergic activity; and (b) scopolamine, a muscarinic antagonist of acetylcholine receptors. We collected EEG data from 18 healthy volunteers during the performance of an auditory oddball task with several active and passive task conditions. We then used temporospatial principal component analysis (PCA) to decompose the ERP waveforms. The PCA revealed two distinct late positive ERP components: the classic parietal P300 and the frontal novelty P3. Statistical analysis of the temporospatial factor scores indicated that in most conditions the amplitude of the classic P300 was increased by clonidine and scopolamine. In contrast, the amplitude of the novelty P3 was decreased by both drugs. The similar pattern of results for clonidine and scopolamine probably reflects the strong interactions between the noradrenergic and cholinergic systems. The results, in combination with previous pharmacological studies, suggest a critical role for both neuromodulator systems in the generation of the P300 and the novelty P3.
Measurement with microscopic MRI and simulation of flow in different aneurysm models
Authors: Edelhoff Daniel , Walczak Lars , Frank Frauke , Heil Marvin , Schmitz Inge , Weichert Frank , Suter Dieter 
Published: September 2015

Purpose:The impact and the development of aneurysms depend to a significant degree on the exchange of liquid between the regular vessel and the pathological extension. A better understanding of this process will lead to improved prediction capabilities. The aim of the current study was to investigate fluid‐exchange in aneurysm models of different complexities by combining microscopic magnetic resonance measurements with numerical simulations. In order to evaluate the accuracy and applicability of these methods, the fluid‐exchange process between the unaltered vessel lumen and the aneurysm phantoms was analyzed quantitatively using high spatial resolution.Methods:Magnetic resonance flow imaging was used to visualize fluid‐exchange in two different models produced with a 3D printer. One model of an aneurysm was based on histological findings. The flow distribution in the different models was measured on a microscopic scale using time of flight magnetic resonance imaging. The whole experiment was simulated using fast graphics processing unit‐based numerical simulations. The obtained simulation results were compared qualitatively and quantitatively with the magnetic resonance imaging measurements, taking into account flow and spin–lattice relaxation.Results:The results of both presented methods compared well for the used aneurysm models and the chosen flow distributions. The results from the fluid‐exchange analysis showed comparable characteristics concerning measurement and simulation. Similar symmetry behavior was observed. Based on these results, the amount of fluid‐exchange was calculated. Depending on the geometry of the models, 7% to 45% of the liquid was exchanged per second.Conclusions:The result of the numerical simulations coincides well with the experimentally determined velocity field. The rate of fluid‐exchange between vessel and aneurysm was well‐predicted. Hence, the results obtained by simulation could be validated by the experiment. The observed deviations can be caused by the noise in the measurement and by the limited resolution of the simulation. The resulting differences are small enough to allow reliable predictions of the flow distribution in vessels with stents and for pulsed blood flow.
Theoretical detection threshold of the proton‐acoustic range verification technique
Authors: Ahmad Moiz , Xiang Liangzhong , Yousefi Siavash , Xing Lei 
Published: September 2015

Purpose:Range verification in proton therapy using the proton‐acoustic signal induced in the Bragg peak was investigated for typical clinical scenarios. The signal generation and detection processes were simulated in order to determine the signal‐to‐noise limits.Methods:An analytical model was used to calculate the dose distribution and local pressure rise (per proton) for beams of different energy (100 and 160 MeV) and spot widths (1, 5, and 10 mm) in a water phantom. In this method, the acoustic waves propagating from the Bragg peak were generated by the general 3D pressure wave equation implemented using a finite element method. Various beam pulse widths (0.1–10 μs) were simulated by convolving the acoustic waves with Gaussian kernels. A realistic PZT ultrasound transducer (5 cm diameter) was simulated with a Butterworth bandpass filter with consideration of random noise based on a model of thermal noise in the transducer. The signal‐to‐noise ratio on a per‐proton basis was calculated, determining the minimum number of protons required to generate a detectable pulse. The maximum spatial resolution of the proton‐acoustic imaging modality was also estimated from the signal spectrum.Results:The calculated noise in the transducer was 12–28 mPa, depending on the transducer central frequency (70–380 kHz). The minimum number of protons detectable by the technique was on the order of 3–30 × 106 per pulse, with 30–800 mGy dose per pulse at the Bragg peak. Wider pulses produced signal with lower acoustic frequencies, with 10 μs pulses producing signals with frequency less than 100 kHz.Conclusions:The proton‐acoustic process was simulated using a realistic model and the minimal detection limit was established for proton‐acoustic range validation. These limits correspond to a best case scenario with a single large detector with no losses and detector thermal noise as the sensitivity limiting factor. Our study indicated practical proton‐acoustic range verification may be feasible with approximately 5 × 106 protons/pulse and beam current.
Rehabilitation After Hamstring-Strain Injury Emphasizing Eccentric Strengthening at Long Muscle Lengths: Results of Long-Term Follow-Up
Authors: Tyler Timothy F. , Schmitt Brandon M. , Nicholas Stephen J. , McHugh Malachy P. 
Published: September 2015

Context:Hamstring-strain injuries have a high recurrence rate.Objective:To determine if a protocol emphasizing eccentric strength training with the hamstrings in a lengthened position resulted in a low recurrence rate.Design:Longitudinal cohort study.Setting:Sports-medicine physical therapy clinic.Participants:Fifty athletes with hamstring-strain injury (age 36 ± 16 y; 30 men, 20 women; 3 G1, 43 G2, 4 G3; 25 recurrent injuries) followed a 3-phase rehabilitation protocol emphasizing eccentric strengthening with the hamstrings in a lengthened position.Main Outcome Measures:Injury recurrence; isometric hamstring strength at 80°, 60°, 40°, and 20° knee flexion in sitting with the thigh flexed to 40° above the horizontal and the seat back at 90° to the horizontal (strength tested before return to sport).Results:Four of the 50 athletes sustained reinjuries between 3 and 12 mo after return to sport (8% recurrence rate). The other 42 athletes had not sustained a reinjury at an average of 24 ± 12 mo after return to sport. Eight noncompliant athletes did not complete the rehabilitation and returned to sport before initiating eccentric strengthening in the lengthened state. All 4 reinjuries occurred in these noncompliant athletes. At time of return to sport, compliant athletes had full restoration of strength while noncompliant athletes had significant hamstring weakness, which was progressively worse at longer muscle lengths (compliance × side × angle P = .006; involved vs noninvolved at 20°, compliant 7% stronger, noncompliant 43% weaker).Conclusion:Compliance with rehabilitation emphasizing eccentric strengthening with the hamstrings in a lengthened position resulted in no reinjuries.
Laboratory Diagnosis of Pertussis
Authors: van der Zee Anneke , Schellekens Joop F. P. , Mooi Frits R. 
Published: September 2015

SUMMARY
The introduction of vaccination in the 1950s significantly reduced the morbidity and mortality of pertussis. However, since the 1990s, a resurgence of pertussis has been observed in vaccinated populations, and a number of causes have been proposed for this phenomenon, including improved diagnostics, increased awareness, waning immunity, and pathogen adaptation. The resurgence of pertussis highlights the importance of standardized, sensitive, and specific laboratory diagnoses, the lack of which is responsible for the large differences in pertussis notifications between countries. Accurate laboratory diagnosis is also important for distinguishing between the several etiologic agents of pertussis-like diseases, which involve both viruses and bacteria. If pertussis is diagnosed in a timely manner, antibiotic treatment of the patient can mitigate the symptoms and prevent transmission. During an outbreak, timely diagnosis of pertussis allows prophylactic treatment of infants too young to be (fully) vaccinated, for whom pertussis is a severe, sometimes fatal disease. Finally, reliable diagnosis of pertussis is required to reveal trends in the (age-specific) disease incidence, which may point to changes in vaccine efficacy, waning immunity, and the emergence of vaccine-adapted strains. Here we review current approaches to the diagnosis of pertussis and discuss their limitations and strengths. In particular, we emphasize that the optimal diagnostic procedure depends on the stage of the disease, the age of the patient, and the vaccination status of the patient.
Visceral Leishmaniasis in China: an Endemic Disease under Control
Authors: Lun Zhao-Rong , Wu Ming-Shui , Chen Yun-Fu , Wang Jun-Yun , Zhou Xiao-Nong , Liao Li-Fu , Chen Jian-Ping , Chow Larry M. C. , Chang Kwang Poo 
Published: September 2015

SUMMARY

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) caused by
Leishmania
spp. is an important vector-borne and largely zoonotic disease. In China, three epidemiological types of VL have been described: anthroponotic VL (AVL), mountain-type zoonotic VL (MT-ZVL), and desert-type ZVL (DT-ZVL). These are transmitted by four different sand fly species:
Phlebotomus chinensis
,
P. longiductus
,
P. wui
, and
P. alexandri.
In 1951, a detailed survey of VL showed that it was rampant in the vast rural areas west, northwest, and north of the Yangtze River. Control programs were designed and implemented stringently by the government at all administrative levels, resulting in elimination of the disease from most areas of endemicity, except the western and northwestern regions. The control programs consisted of (i) diagnosis and chemotherapy of patients, (ii) identification, isolation, and disposal of infected dogs, and (iii) residual insecticide indoor spraying for vector control. The success of the control programs is attributable to massive and effective mobilization of the general public and health workers to the cause. Nationally, the annual incidence is now very low, i.e., only 0.03/100,000 according to the available 2011 official record. The overwhelming majority of cases are reported from sites of endemicity in the western and northwestern regions. Here, we describe in some depth and breadth the current status of epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of the disease, with particular reference to the control programs. Pertinent information has been assembled from scattered literature of the past decades in different languages that are not readily accessible to the scientific community. The information provided constitutes an integral part of our knowledge on leishmaniasis in the global context and will be of special value to those interested in control programs.