bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The treatment experience of patients with low back pain during pregnancy and their chiropractors: a qualitative study
Authors: Sadr Shabnam , Pourkiani-Allah-Abad Neda , Stuber Kent Jason 
Published: October 2012

Abstract

Background
Chiropractors regularly treat pregnant patients for low back pain during their pregnancy. An increasing amount of literature on this topic supports this form of treatment; however the experience of the pregnant patient with low back pain and their chiropractor has not yet been explored. The objective of this study is to explore the experience of chiropractic treatment for pregnant women with low back pain, and their chiropractors.

Methods
This qualitative study employed semi-structured interviews of pregnant patients in their second or third trimester, with low back pain during their pregnancy, and their treating chiropractors in separate interviews. Participants consisted of 11 patients and 12 chiropractors. The interviews consisted of 10 open-ended questions for patients, and eight open-ended questions for chiropractors, asking about their treatment experience or impressions of treating pregnant patients with LBP, respectively. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and reviewed independently by the investigators to develop codes, super-codes and themes. Thematic saturation was reached after the eleventh chiropractor and ninth patient interviews. All interviews were analyzed using the qualitative analysis software N-Vivo 9.

Results
Five themes emerged out of the chiropractor and patient interviews. The themes consisted of Treatment and Effectiveness; Chiropractor-Patient Communication; Pregnant Patient Presentation and the Chiropractic Approach to Pregnancy Care; Safety Considerations; and Self-Care.

Conclusions
Chiropractors approach pregnant patients with low back pain from a patient-centered standpoint, and the pregnant patients interviewed in this study who sought chiropractic care appeared to find this approach helpful for managing their back pain symptoms.
Mean platelet volume: a controversial marker of disease activity in Crohn’s disease
Authors: Liu Song , Ren Jianan , Han Gang , Wang Gefei , Gu Guosheng , Xia Qiuyuan , Li Jieshou 
Published: October 2012

Abstract

Background
We investigated and compared the capacity of mean platelet volume (MPV) and other inflammatory markers in detecting Crohn’s disease (CD) activity and differentiating CD patients from healthy controls.

Methods
MPV, C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and white blood cells were measured in 61 CD patients and 50 healthy subjects. Disease activity was assessed by the Crohn’s Disease Activity Index.

Results
A significant decrease in MPV was noted in patients with CD compared with healthy controls (P <0.0001), but statistical difference was not found between active and inactive CD groups. In CD, no significant correlation was found between MPV and other inflammatory markers. The overall accuracy of MPV (cutoff: 10.35 fl), CRP (cutoff: 4.85 mg/dl) and ESR (cutoff: 8.5 mm/hour) in differentiating CD patients from healthy controls was 76.6%, 65.8% and 72.1% respectively. The overall accuracy of CRP (cutoff: 4.95 mg/dl) and ESR (cutoff: 16.5 mm/hour) in determination of active CD was 80.3% and 73.8%.

Conclusions
MPV declined in CD patients compared with healthy subjects. MPV had the best accuracy in determination of CD patients and healthy controls. MPV did not show a discriminative value in disease activity.
A fresh look at paralytics in the critically ill: real promise and real concern
Authors: Price David , Kenyon Nicholas J , Stollenwerk Nicholas 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs), or “paralytics,” often are deployed in the sickest patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) when usual care fails. Despite the publication of guidelines on the use of NMBAs in the ICU in 2002, clinicians have needed more direction to determine which patients would benefit from NMBAs and which patients would be harmed. Recently, new evidence has shown that paralytics hold more promise when used in carefully selected lung injury patients for brief periods of time. When used in early acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), NMBAs assist to establish a lung protective strategy, which leads to improved oxygenation, decreased pulmonary and systemic inflammation, and potentially improved mortality. It also is increasingly recognized that NMBAs can cause harm, particularly critical illness polyneuromyopathy (CIPM), when used for prolonged periods or in septic shock. In this review, we address several practical considerations for clinicians who use NMBAs in their practice. Ultimately, we conclude that NMBAs should be considered a lung protective adjuvant in early ARDS and that clinicians should consider using an alternative NMBA to the aminosteroids in septic shock with less severe lung injury pending further studies.
Low sclerostin levels: a predictive marker of persistent inflammation in ankylosing spondylitis during anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy?
Authors: Saad Carla GS , Ribeiro Ana CM , Moraes Julio CB , Takayama Liliam , Goncalves Celio R , Rodrigues Marcelo B , de Oliveira Ricardo M , Silva Clovis A , Bonfa Eloisa , Pereira Rosa MR 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Introduction
Sclerostin levels have been reported to be low in ankylosing spondylitis (AS), but there is no data regarding the possible role of this Wnt inhibitor during anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy. The present study longitudinally evaluated sclerostin levels, inflammatory markers and bone mineral density (BMD) in AS patients under anti-TNF therapy.

Methods
Thirty active AS patients were assessed at baseline, 6 and 12 months after anti-TNF therapy regarding clinical parameters, inflammatory markers, BMD and baseline radiographic damage (mSASSS). Thirty age- and sex-matched healthy individuals comprised the control group. Patients' sclerostin levels, sclerostin binding low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 (LRP6) and BMD were evaluated at the same time points and compared to controls.

Results
At baseline, AS patients had lower sclerostin levels (60.5 ± 32.7 vs. 96.7 ± 52.9 pmol/L, P = 0.002) and comparable sclerostin binding to LRP6 (P = 0.387) than controls. Improvement of Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI), Ankylosing Spondylitis quality of life (ASQoL) was observed at baseline vs. 6 vs. 12 months (P < 0.01). Concomitantly, a gradual increase in spine BMD (P < 0.001) and a positive correlation between baseline mSASSS and spine BMD was found (r = 0.468, P < 0.01). Inflammatory parameters reduction was observed comparing baseline vs. 6 vs. 12 months (P < 0.01). Sclerostin levels progressively increased [baseline (60.5 ± 32.7) vs. 6 months (67.1 ± 31.9) vs. 12 months (72.7 ± 32.3) pmol/L, P < 0.001]. At 12 months, the sclerostin levels remained significantly lower in patients compared to controls (72.7 ± 32.3 vs. 96.70 ± 52.85 pmol/L, P = 0.038). Moreover, sclerostin serum levels at 12 months were lower in the 10 patients with high C reactive protein (CRP) (≥ 5 mg/l) compared to the other 20 patients with normal CRP (P = 0.004). Of note, these 10 patients with persistent inflammation also had lower sclerostin serum levels at baseline compared to the other patients (P = 0.023). Univariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that AS patients with lower sclerostin serum levels had an increased risk to have high CRP at 12 months (odds ratio = 7.43, 95% CI 1.23 to 45.01, P = 0.020) than those with higher sclerostin values.

Conclusions
Persistent low sclerostin levels may underlie continuous inflammation in AS patients under anti-TNF therapy.
Co-expression of HER2 and HER3 receptor tyrosine kinases enhances invasion of breast cells via stimulation of interleukin-8 autocrine secretion
Authors: Aceto Nicola , Duss Stephan , MacDonald Gwen , Meyer Dominique S , Roloff Tim-C , Hynes Nancy E , Bentires-Alj Mohamed 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Introduction
The tyrosine kinase receptors HER2 and HER3 play an important role in breast cancer. The HER2/HER3 heterodimer is a critical oncogenic unit associated with reduced relapse-free and decreased overall survival. While signaling cascades downstream of HER2 and HER3 have been studied extensively at the level of post-translational modification, little is known about the effects of HER2/HER3 overexpression and activation on gene expression in breast cancer. We have now defined the genetic landscape induced by activation of the HER2/HER3 unit in mammary cells, and have identified interleukin (IL)8 and CXCR1 as potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of HER2/HER3-overexpressing breast cancers.

Methods
Three-dimensional (3D) cultures, invasion and migration assays were used to determine the effects of HER2 and HER3 co-expression and activation. Gene expression analysis was performed to identify the gene network induced by HER2/HER3 in 3D cultures. Bioinformatic analysis and neutralizing antibodies were used to identify key mediators of HER2/HER3-evoked invasion.

Results
Co-expression of the tyrosine kinase receptors HER2 and HER3 induced migration and invasion of MCF10A cells. Microarray analysis of these cells revealed a specific "HER2/HER3 signature" comprising 80 upregulated transcripts, with IL8 being the highest (11-fold upregulation). Notably, examination of public datasets revealed high levels of IL8 transcripts in HER2-enriched as well as basal-like primary breast tumors, two subtypes characterized by a particularly poor prognosis. Moreover, IL8 expression correlated with high tumor grade and ER-negative status. Importantly, treatment with IL8-neutralizing antibodies prevented invasion of MCF10A-HER2/HER3 and BT474 cells in 3D cultures, highlighting the importance of IL8 autocrine signaling upon HER2/HER3 activation.

Conclusions
Our findings demonstrate that HER2 and HER3 co-expression induces IL8 autocrine signaling, leading to the invasion of mammary cells. Agents targeting IL8 or its receptor CXCR1 may be useful for the treatment of HER2/HER3/IL8-positive breast cancers with invasive traits.
Mild hypoglycemia is independently associated with increased risk of mortality in patients with sepsis: a 3-year retrospective observational study
Authors: Park Sunghoon , Kim Dong-Gyu , Suh Gee Young , Kang Jun Goo , Ju Young-Su , Lee Yong-Jae , Park Ji Young , Lee Seok Won , Jung Ki-Suck 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Introduction
Mild hypoglycemia is associated with increased mortality in critically ill patients. However, data regarding the association between mild hypoglycemia and patient outcomes among patients with sepsis are limited.

Methods
Patients admitted to a medical ICU for sepsis, as defined by the Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines, during a 3-year period were enrolled retrospectively. Data on blood glucose (BG) control parameters and patient outcomes were collected. The primary outcome was the relationship of mild hypoglycemia (defined as minimum BG of 40 to 69 mg/dl during ICU stay) to hospital mortality, and the secondary outcomes were ICU-acquired complication rates, ICU and 1-year mortality rates. A relationship between glucose variability and hypoglycemic events was also investigated.

Results
Three-hundred and thirteen consecutive patients with sepsis were enrolled (mean age, 71.8 ± 11.3 years; male, n = 166; diabetics, n = 102). A total of 14,249 (5.6/day/patient) BG tests were performed, and 175 hypoglycemic events (spontaneous, n = 71; iatrogenic, n = 104) occurred in 80 (25.6%) patients during the ICU stay; severe hypoglycemia (minimum BG level < 40 mg/dl) occurred in 24 (7.7%) patients, and mild hypoglycemia (minimum BG level 40 to 69 mg/dl) was found in 56 (17.9%) patients. The frequency of hypoglycemic events increased with higher glucose variability, and patients with mild hypoglycemia had higher rates of ICU-acquired complications than did those with no hypoglycemia (renal, 36.2% vs. 15.6%, P = 0.003; cardiac, 31.9% vs. 14.3%, P = 0.008; hepatic, 34.0% vs. 18.2%, P = 0.024; bacteremia, 14.9% vs. 4.5%, P = 0.021). Multivariate analysis revealed that mild hypoglycemia was independently associated with increased hospital mortality (odds ratio, 3.43; 95% confidence interval, 1.51 to 7.82), and even a single event was an independent risk factor (odds ratio, 2.98; 95% confidence interval, 1.10 to 8.09). Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that mild hypoglycemia was significantly associated with a lower 1-year cumulative survival rate among patients with sepsis (P < 0.001).

Conclusion
Mild hypoglycemia was associated with increased risk of hospital and 1-year mortality, as well as the occurrence of ICU-acquired complications. Physicians thus need to recognize the importance of mild hypoglycemia in patients with sepsis.
VPS35 regulates developing mouse hippocampal neuronal morphogenesis by promoting retrograde trafficking of BACE1
Authors: Wang Chun-Lei , Tang Fu-Lei , Peng Yun , Shen Cheng-Yong , Mei Lin , Xiong Wen-Cheng 
Published: October 2012

Summary
VPS35, a major component of the retromer, plays an important role in the selective endosome-to-Golgi retrieval of membrane proteins. Dysfunction of retromer is a risk factor for neurodegenerative disorders, but its function in developing mouse brain remains poorly understood. Here we provide evidence for VPS35 promoting dendritic growth and maturation, and axonal protein transport in developing mouse hippocampal neurons. Embryonic hippocampal CA1 neurons suppressing Vps35 expression by in utero electroporation of its micro RNAs displayed shortened apical dendrites, reduced dendritic spines, and swollen commissural axons in the neonatal stage, those deficits reflecting a defective protein transport/trafficking in developing mouse neurons. Further mechanistic studies showed that Vps35 depletion in neurons resulted in an impaired retrograde trafficking of BACE1 (β1-secretase) and altered BACE1 distribution. Suppression of BACE1 expression in CA1 neurons partially rescued both dendritic and axonal deficits induced by Vps35-deficiency. These results thus demonstrate that BACE1 acts as a critical cargo of retromer in vitro and in vivo, and suggest that VPS35 plays an essential role in regulating apical dendritic maturation and in preventing axonal spheroid formation in developing hippocampal neurons.
Creation of Shape-memory Gels with Inter-crosslinking Network Structure
Authors: Amano Yoshitaka , Hidema Ruri , Gong Jin , Furukawa Hidemitsu 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Medical treatments in emergency should be simple and quick. Although bandages and plaster are commonly used to wrap and fix external injuries, these treatments are too simple to treat the injuries effectively. Smart materials could possibly add multiple beneficial functions to the bandages and plaster, such as cooling, shape memory, transparence, and recycling. Here, we propose novel high-strength shape-memory gels as smart medical materials. The gels are composed of several polymers of a unique structure, where the crosslinking forms covalent bonds solely between different polymers. We named this structure inter-crosslinking network (ICN), with gels becoming tough while having a high water content. The ICN gels achieve a high ductility, i.e., over 740% strain in tensile tests. The ICN gels retain their original shapes at the state of preparation, show plastic deformation at room temperature, and quickly recover to their original shape by heating only.
X-ray Reflectivity Study of the Effect of Ion Species on Nanostructure and Its Transition of Poly(styrenesulfonate) Brush at the Air/Water Interface
Authors: Matsuoka Hideki , Nakayama Shunichi , Yamada Tasuku 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Ionic amphiphilic diblock copolymer poly(hydrogenated isoprene)-b-poly(styrenesulfonate) was synthesized by living anionic polymerization. The nanostructure of its monolayer on the water surface, especially that of the poly(styrenesulfonate) brush under the water surface, was investigated using X-ray reflectivity as a function of the added salt concentration with different kinds of salts (NaCl, KCl, LiCl, CaCl2, and MgCl2). The critical salt concentration (csc) at which the polyelectrolyte brush starts to shrink by salt effect was found for many kinds of salts. The csc values were found to be in the order of Li+ &lt; Na+ &lt; K+ for monovalent ions and Mg2+ &lt; Ca2+ for divalent ions. This order is in agreement with the order proposed in the well-known Hofmeister series, and this means that the so-called structure-maker ions, such as Li+, can go into the inside of the brush layer more easily than structure-breaker ions like K+. Although no direct evidence has been found, it is reasonable to think that the water structure inside the brush is something special because the analytical ion concentration in the brush layer is very high (ca. 2 M).
Ternary Fluid Mixture Confined between Surfaces: Surface-induced Phase Transition and Long-range Oscillatory Forces
Authors: Banerjee Soumi , Mulder Pieter , Kleijn J Mieke , Stuart Martien A Cohen 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Surface forces between a soft cellulose surface and a hard silica particle were measured in wet hexane with or without the addition of a surfactant. In the absence of a surfactant, the adhesion force was enhanced as a result of capillary condensation of water. The effect of the surfactant in reducing the adhesion force with increasing water content in a ternary fluid mixture of a surfactant, hexane, and water was systematically studied. Long-range oscillations of the force–distance curves are discussed in the light of various mesophase compositions in the bulk.
Dissipative Hydrodynamics of Rigid Spherical Particles
Authors: Kim Albert S 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
A unified version of particle dynamics simulation, dissipative hydrodynamics (DHD), is proposed by selecting advantageous features of Brownian dynamics, Stokesian dynamics, and dissipative particle dynamics. A stochastic differential equation is adopted as a governing equation, and the Ito–Wiener process is incorporated to fundamentally deal with the fluctuation theorem. As a result, DHD developed in this study is free from the typical restriction that the time interval should be considerably longer than the particle relaxation time.
Nanostructural and Morphological Control of Biological Molecules Arranged by Using Langmuir–Blodgett Films of Organo-modified Aluminosilicate as Templates
Authors: Arai Shuntaro , Kusaka Jun-Ichi , Kubota Munehiro , Kurosaka Kei-ichi , Fujimori Atsuhiro 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Clay Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) films play the role of a template in the formation of lysozyme thin layers. Chemisorption of biological molecules onto the anionic montmorillonite surface is confirmed by comparing the IR spectra of organoclay multilayers and the chemisorbed lysozyme. The difference between the height of the monolayers for the organo-modified aluminosilicates and that for their adsorbed lysozyme is about 9 nm. This value is almost twice the length of the lysozyme along the long axis.
Monolayer Property of “Core–Coronae” Type Hybrid Amphiphile with Four Hydrogen-bonding Groups at Air–Water Interface
Authors: Matsui Jun , Kucuk Asuman C , Miyashita Tokuji 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
A “core–coronae” type hybrid amphiphile, which contains urethane unit in the coronae was synthesized, and the monolayer property was studied. The hybrid amphiphile formed a liquid-like monolayer at the air–water interface. The urethane groups formed intramolecular hydrogen bonds.
Thermal Stability of Synthetic Lipid Bicelles Encompassed by Siloxane Surfaces as Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Nanodiscs
Authors: Yasuhara Kazuma , Hayashi Hiroki , Kikuchi Jun-ichi 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
We examined the thermal stability of organic–inorganic hybrid bicelles, which are lipid bilayer nanodiscs encompassed by siloxane surfaces. The hybrid bicelles were formed with a binary lipid mixture consisting of a long-chain alkoxysilane lipid and a short-chain phospholipid. It was clarified that the hybrid bicelles maintained a discoid assembly in water beyond the temperature of the gel to liquid-crystalline phase transition of the face-forming long-chain lipid, at which conventional phospholipid bicelles are transformed spontaneously to vesicles.
Comparative Study of Aqueous Solutions of Cationic Surfactants: Structure/Activity Relation in Their Aggregation and Solubilization Behavior and Complexation with an Oligonucleotide
Authors: Zakharova Lucia Ya , Kashapov Ruslan R , Vagapova Guzalia I , Gabdrakhmanov Dinar R , Vasilieva Elmira A 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
For mono- and dicationic surfactants with trimethylammonium (TMA), triphenylphosphonium (TPP), and 4-aza-1-alkyl-1-azoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) polar groups, and also for pyrimidinic amphiphiles, a correlation is revealed between their aggregation and solubilization properties and their complexation capacity toward an oligonucleotide. Mixed cationic surfactant–calixarene systems demonstrate controllable binding/release properties.
Operando Observation of Ni2P Structural Changes during Catalytic Reaction: Effect of H2S Pretreatment
Authors: Wada Takahiro , Bando Kyoko K , Oyama S Ted , Miyamoto Takeshi , Takakusagi Satoru , Asakura Kiyotaka 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
In situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy was used to study the effect of H2S pretreatment on the activation of Ni2P catalysts for the thiophene hydrodesulfurization (HDS) reaction. It was found that H2S treatment produced Ni–S bonds that were slightly longer and that had higher coordination numbers than those formed during reaction. The longer Ni–S bonds formed by H2S treatment were changed to the shorter Ni–S bonds by the catalytic reaction, and these shorter bonds were associated with high activity. The work provides evidence that a NiPS phase is active in the HDS reaction.
Effect of Electrolyte and Alcohol in Solution on the Hydrophobic Attraction between Alkoxylated Silica Surfaces
Authors: Ishida Naoyuki , Kusaka Yasuyuki , Ushijima Hirobumi 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
The interaction forces between silica surfaces when nanobubbles were removed from the surfaces were measured using an atomic force microscope. In the approaching force curves between the hydrophobic surfaces, an attractive force was observed from a distance of 10–20 nm. The electrolyte concentration had little effect on the range and strength of the interaction, whereas the addition of even a small amount of ethanol dramatically reduced the range of the interaction.
Biomimetic Hydrophilic–Hydrophobic Hybrid Polymer-structured Surfaces with Superhydrophobicity and Strong Water Microdroplet Adhesion
Authors: Ishii Daisuke , Takahashi Akihito , Shimomura Masatsugu 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
To mimic the function of rose petals, we demonstrate a facile method to fabricate superhydrophobic surfaces that strongly absorb water droplets, even when the surfaces are inverted. The hydrophilic–hydrophobic hybrid surfaces were made from self-organized honeycomb-patterned porous films (i.e., honeycombs) by a simple casting and peeling process, and they were composed of microscale hydrophilic parasols and hydrophobic nanoscale pillars. The hybrid polymer surfaces gave rise to characteristic wettabilities that combined water repellency with strong adhesion of water droplets of less than 9 µL.
Electric-field-assisted Control of Lipid Bilayer Stacking Structure
Authors: Nabika Hideki , Murakoshi Kei 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Control of the bilayer structure is an important issue for both scientific and technological uses of lipid bilayers. The present experiments have succeeded in the control of lipid bilayer stacking dynamics via two mechanisms that can work in concert: electrophoretic and electro-osmotic mechanisms. This can be achieved simply by applying an appropriate electric field on preformed lipid bilayer stackings. The present experimental approach offers a simple and general way of controlling lipid bilayer stacking structures.