bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sedimentary indications and absolute chronology of Holocene relative sea‐level changes retrieved from coastal lagoon deposits on Samsø, Denmark
Authors: Sander Lasse , Fruergaard Mikkel , Koch Julian , Johannessen Peter N. , Pejrup Morten 
Published: April 2015

Coastal lagoons are a typical feature of the landscape in central Denmark. The lagoons formed when basins within the inherited glacial topography were flooded by the mid‐Holocene sea‐level rise. The transgression initiated coastal geomorphological processes and prompted marine sedimentation in the inundated areas. Despite their common occurrence and wide distribution in the area, coastal lagoons and their deposits have rarely been studied as sedimentary archives. The absolute chronology established for the basal marine deposits in sediment cores retrieved from coastal lagoons on the island of Samsø, southern Kattegat Sea, central Denmark, is evidence of a nearly synchronous onset of marine sedimentation at different elevations. This is interpreted as a new indication of a period of very rapid relative sea‐level (RSL) rise between 7.6 and 7.2 ka BP. Following a period of RSL highstand, a marked facies change in the deposits from an inactive lagoon yields consistent ages of around 4.1 ka BP and may be an indication of a marked RSL fall. This study illustrates the potential of coastal lagoons as sedimentary archives for the reconstruction of RSL in SW Scandinavia and in similar coastal environments elsewhere.
Receptors involved in the modulation of guinea pig urinary bladder motility by prostaglandin D2
Authors: Guan Na N , Svennersten Karl , de Verdier Petra J , Wiklund N Peter , Gustafsson Lars E 
Published: April 2015

Background and PurposeWe have described a urothelium‐dependent release of PGD2‐like activity which had inhibitory effects on the motility of guinea pig urinary bladder. Here, we have pharmacologically characterized the receptors involved and localized the sites of PGD2 formation and of its receptors.Experimental ApproachIn the presence of selective DP and TP receptor antagonists alone or combined, PGD2 was applied to urothelium‐denuded diclofenac‐treated urinary bladder strips mounted in organ baths. Antibodies against PGD2 synthase and DP1 receptors were used with Western blots and for histochemistry.Key ResultsPGD2 inhibited nerve stimulation ‐induced contractions in strips of guinea pig urinary bladder with estimated pIC50 of 7.55 ± 0.15 (n = 13), an effect blocked by the DP1 receptor antagonist BW‐A868C. After blockade of DP1 receptors, PGD2 enhanced the contractions, an effect abolished by the TP receptor antagonist SQ‐29548. Histochemistry revealed strong immunoreactivity for PGD synthase in the urothelium/suburothelium with strongest reaction in the suburothelium. Immunoreactive DP1 receptors were found in the smooth muscle of the bladder wall with a dominant localization to smooth muscle membranes.Conclusions and ImplicationsIn guinea pig urinary bladder, the main effect of PGD2 is an inhibitory action via DP1 receptors localized to the smooth muscle, but an excitatory effect via TP receptors can also be evoked. The urothelium with its suburothelium might signal to the smooth muscle which is rich in PGD2 receptors of the DP1 type. The results are important for our understanding of regulation of bladder motility.
Immunoinflammatory diseases of the central nervous system – the tale of two cytokines
Authors: Hofer M J , Campbell I L 
Published: April 2015

Cytokines are potent mediators of cellular communication that have crucial roles in the regulation of innate and adaptive immunoinflammatory responses. Clear evidence has emerged in recent years that the dysregulated production of cytokines may in itself be causative in the pathogenesis of certain immunoinflammatory disorders. Here we review current evidence for the involvement of two different cytokines, IFN‐α and IL‐6, as principal mediators of specific immunoinflammatory disorders of the CNS. IFN‐α belongs to the type I IFN family and is causally linked to the development of inflammatory encephalopathy exemplified by the genetic disorder, Aicardi–Goutières syndrome. IL‐6 belongs to the gp130 family of cytokines and is causally linked to a number of immunoinflammatory disorders of the CNS including neuromyelitis optica, idiopathic transverse myelitis and genetically linked autoinflammatory neurological disease. In addition to clinical evidence, experimental studies, particularly in genetically engineered mouse models with astrocyte‐targeted, CNS‐restricted production of IFN‐α or IL‐6 replicate many of the cardinal neuropathological features of these human cytokine‐linked immunoinflammatory neurological disorders giving crucial evidence for a direct causative role of these cytokines and providing further rationale for the therapeutic targeting of these cytokines in neurological diseases where indicated.Linked ArticlesThis article is part of a themed section on Inflammation: maladies, models, mechanisms and molecules. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2016.173.issue-4
A novel snake venom‐derived GPIb antagonist, anfibatide, protects mice from acute experimental ischaemic stroke and reperfusion injury
Authors: Li Ting‐Ting , Fan Man‐Li , Hou Shi‐Xiang , Li Xiao‐Yi , Barry Devin M , Jin Hui , Luo Sheng‐Yong , Kong Feng , Lau Lit‐Fui , Dai Xiang‐Rong , Zhang Guo‐Hui , Zhou Lan‐Lan 
Published: April 2015

Background and PurposeIschaemic stroke is a serious disease with limited therapy options. Glycoprotein (GP)Ib binding to von Willebrand factor (vWF) exposed at vascular injury initiates platelet adhesion and contributes to platelet aggregation. GPIb has been suggested as an effective target for antithrombotic therapy in stroke. Anfibatide is a GPIb antagonist derived from snake venom and we investigated its protective effect on experimental brain ischaemia in mice.Experimental ApproachFocal cerebral ischaemia was induced by 90 min of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). These mice were then treated with anfibatide (4, 2, 1 μg·kg−1), injected i.v., after 90 min of MCAO, followed by 1 h of reperfusion. Tirofiban, a GPIIb/IIIα antagonist, was used as a positive control.Key ResultsTwenty‐four hours after MCAO, anfibatide‐treated mice showed significantly improved ischaemic lesions in a dose‐dependent manner. The mice had smaller infarct volumes, less severe neurological deficits and histopathology of cerebrum tissues compared with the untreated MCAO mice. Moreover, anfibatide decreased the amount of GPIbα, vWF and accumulation of fibrin(ogen) in the vasculature of the ischaemic hemisphere. Tirofiban had similar effects on infarct size and fibrin(ogen) deposition compared with the MCAO group. Importantly, the anfibatide‐treated mice showed a lower incidence of intracerebral haemorrhage and shorter tail bleeding time compared with the tirofiban‐treated mice.Conclusions and ImplicationsOur data indicate anfibatide is a safe GPIb antagonist that exerts a protective effect on cerebral ischaemia and reperfusion injury. Anfibatide is a promising candidate that could be beneficial for the treatment of ischaemic stroke.
Political Pugilists: Recuperative Gender Strategies in Canadian Electoral Politics
Authors: Maiolino Elise 
Published: April 2015

This paper offers the concept recuperative gender strategies to describe how political leaders work to restore their public gender identities. The author examines a charity‐boxing match between two Canadian politicians, Justin Trudeau and Patrick Brazeau. Trudeau is the current leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and son of former Prime Minister, Pierre Trudeau. Brazeau was a Conservative Senator. Through a discourse analysis of 222 national newspaper articles published on the match, this paper chronicles Justin Trudeau's transition from “precariously masculine” to “sufficiently masculine” and discusses the significance of this transformation for Trudeau's suitability for Liberal Party leadership.Cet article propose le concept de stratégies de récupération des sexes pour décrire et expliquer comment des dirigeants politiques travaillent à rétablir leurs identités sexuelles publiques. J’analyse la couverture médiatique du combat de boxe caritatif datant de mars 2012 et opposant deux politiciens canadiens : Justin Trudeau, le chef du Parti libéral du Canada, et Patrick Brazeau, un sénateur conservateur. En m'appuyant sur une analyse de discours de 222 articles de journaux nationaux publiés au sujet de ce combat, je détaille la transition de Justin Trudeau d'une forme de masculinité « précaire » à une « masculinité suffisante », et je discute de l'importance de cette transformation pour l'aptitude perçue de Trudeau comme chef du Parti libéral.
Evaluation of noise‐induced hearing loss by auditory steady‐state and auditory brainstem‐evoked responses
Authors: Karawani H. , Attias J. , Shemesh R. , Nageris B. 
Published: April 2015

ObjectivesNoise‐induced hearing loss (NIHL) may result from occupational noise exposures and is considered as an ‘Occupational Disease’; therefore, it is compensable. To verify the existence and severity of the work‐related hearing loss, there is a need of an objective, reliable auditory measure in cases of arbitration of financial disputes to resolve any medicolegal aspects. The objective of the study was to compare between the ABR and ASSR for predicting the behavioural threshold in subjects with normal hearing or NIHL.DesignThe study included 82 subjects regularly exposed to high levels of occupational noise, with normal hearing and NIHL. ABR to clicks and to tone bursts were recorded followed by multiple‐frequency ASSR. Physiological and behavioural thresholds were compared for specific frequencies (1000, 2000 Hz) and average of high‐frequency range (2000 and 4000 Hz). In addition, Pearson correlations and the specificity and sensitivity of each measure were also calculated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.ResultsIn the NIHL group, there was a significantly smaller difference between the behavioural threshold and click‐ABR than the ASSR in high‐frequency range. Pearson correlations were significantly higher for click‐ABR. Analysis of specific frequencies yielded a smaller difference between behavioural and ASSR than tone‐burst‐ABR thresholds, with a slightly better correlation for ASSR than tone‐burst‐ABR. Higher sensitivity but lower specificity was suggested for ASSR than ABR.ConclusionsASSR is associated with high‐frequency specificity, shorter test sessions and good correlations with behavioural thresholds, making it a potentially better measure than ABR for predicting audiograms in subjects with NIHL. These findings have diagnostic implications, especially in cases of workers' compensation when subjects may be uncooperative.
Use of antiseptic hand rubs in the health and community services industry: an Australian population‐based survey
Authors: MacFarlane Ewan , LaMontagne Anthony D. , Driscoll Tim , Nixon Rosemary L. , Keegel Tessa 
Published: April 2015

SummaryBackgroundThe use of antiseptic hand rubs (AHRs), rather than washing with soap and water, is considered to be the gold standard for reducing the frequency of nosocomial infections, as well as being less damaging to the hands than washing with soap and water, but little is known at a population level about usage patterns for AHRs.ObjectivesTo describe AHR use patterns among workers in the health and community services industry in Australia.MethodsUsing data from a population‐based survey of Australian workers, we focused on health and community services workers' exposure to chemicals at work, including the use of AHRs. Data regarding the frequency of hand‐washing were also collected.ResultsNine hundred and fifty‐six health and community service workers participated in the Australian National Hazard Exposure Worker Surveillance survey. Of these, 11% reported using AHRs, and 31% reported hand‐washing >20 times per shift. According to an adjusted logistic regression model, professional workers [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.29, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.40–3.72] and frequent hand washers (aOR 3.08, 95%CI: 1.92−4.93) were more likely to use AHRs.ConclusionsAHR use by health and community service workers was generally lower than expected. AHR use was most likely to be reported by professionals and frequent hand washers, suggesting that AHRs are used as an adjunct to conventional hand‐washing.
A double‐blinded randomized multicentre study to investigate the effect of changes in stimulation parameters on sacral nerve stimulation for constipation
Authors: Thomas G. P. , Duelund‐Jakobsen J. , Dudding T. C. , Bradshaw E. , Nicholls R. J. , Alam A. , Emmanuel A. , Thin N. , Knowles C. H. , Laurberg S. , Vaizey C. J. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractAimSacral nerve stimulation (SNS) may be offered to patients with constipation who have failed to improve with conservative treatment. The response to SNS is variable, with a significant loss of efficacy in some patients. An increased frequency of stimulation may improve the efficacy of SNS for faecal incontinence. This study aimed to see if alteration of the pulse width or frequency improved the outcome for those with constipation.MethodEleven patients with constipation currently being treated by SNS were recruited from three centres. They were randomized to five different protocols of stimulation each applied for 5 weeks. Group 1 used standard settings (pulse width 210 μs, frequency 14 Hz); in the other four groups (Groups 2–5) the pulse width and/or frequency were halved or doubled. Patients and investigators were blinded to the group allocation.ResultsThe Cleveland Clinic constipation score varied significantly between the five groups. Group 1 achieved the lowest score mean (± SD) 13.4 (± 4.4) (P = 0.03). The number of digitations per defaecation was the lowest in Group 4, 90 μs and 14 Hz (P < 0.01). No other variable changed significantly. Standard settings were the most preferred by the recruited patients.ConclusionAlteration of pulse width or frequency of stimulation had no significant effect on the outcome of SNS for constipation.
The role of EBUS‐TBNA and standard bronchoscopic modalities in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis
Authors: Dziedzic Dariusz Adam , Peryt Adam , Orlowski Tadeusz 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBackground and AimsEndobronchial ultrasound‐guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS‐TBNA) is an accurate and minimally invasive technique that has been shown to have excellent diagnostic yield in the diagnosis of mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy. However, endoscopic bronchial biopsy (EBB) and transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) are still the standard method for making a pathologic diagnosis of sarcoidosis. The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic yield of EBUS‐TBNA and TBLB through a flexible bronchoscope in patients with stage I and II sarcoidosis.MethodsA total of 653 patients with suspected stage I and II sarcoidosis were included in this retrospective study. After radiological assessment, patients were qualified to bronchoscopy. Patients underwent sequential EBUS‐TBNA followed by TBLB and/or EBB. In all patients, 1056 biopsies from mediastinal lymph nodes group were taken.ResultsIn all of the biopsied lymph nodes, positive results were obtained in 549 patients (84%). In 180 patients with stage II TBLB, a biopsy was taken from affected part of the lung. Positive results were found in 79 patients (43.9%). EBB was performed in 340 patients, with a positive result in 101 (29.7%). Mediastinoscopy was performed in 60 patients (9.2%) with a negative result in EBUS‐TBNA, TBLB and/or EBB. Non‐caseating granulomas were found in 48 patients. The sensitivity of TBLB technique alone was significantly lower at 43.9% (79/180) (P < 0.001). The sensitivity of EBB was significantly lower than EBUS‐TBNA and TBLB and reached 29.7% (101/340) (P < 0.0001, P < 0.003). The overall diagnostic accuracy for EBUS‐TBNA was 84%, and the combination of EBUS‐TBNA with standard bronchoscopic techniques had a diagnostic accuracy of 89%.ConclusionThe diagnostic yield of the EBUS‐TBNA for stage I and II sarcoidosis is clearly higher than for TBLB and EBB. The combination of EBUS‐TBNA with standard bronchoscopic techniques is safe and feasible, and optimizes the diagnostic yield in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis and enlarged intrathoracic lymph nodes. EBUS‐TBNA in combination with standard bronchoscopy may be considered to be the first‐line investigation in patients with suspected sarcoidosis and enlarged intrathoracic lymphadenopathy.
Downregulation of immune responses in asthmatic humans by ES products of Marshallagia marshalli
Authors: Jabbari Azad Farahzad , Kiaee Fatemeh , Rezaei Abdorahim , Farid Hosseini Reza , Soleimani Nooshinmehr , Borji Hassan 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBackground and AimsHelminths and their products are considered to possess therapeutic capability to control or even prevent immune‐mediated diseases. Studies suggest that helminths induce a systemic immunomodulatory network, including regulatory T cells and anti‐inflammatory interleukin‐10 (IL‐10), which might play a key role in the protection against the allergic phenotype. Thus, helminthic therapy is becoming of a major interest, and several researchers are enthusiastically tended to explore its role in allergic diseases.MethodsPeripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 25 asthmatic and 25 healthy human were collected. After isolation of PBMCs, they were stimulated with excretory/secretory (ES) antigen of M. marshalli, in incubator with 5% CO2, 37°C. Total RNA was isolated from all cells from antigen stimulated and non‐stimulated control PBMC in asthmatic and healthy human after 6 h. The concentration of Th1 type cytokines [interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ)] and Th2 type cytokines (IL‐4) and T‐reg cytokines [transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β), IL‐10] was determined using real‐time polymerase chain reaction.ResultsResults showed that the IFN‐γ expression was significantly decreased in culture condition with ES Ag of M. marshalli in healthy and asthmatic patients (P < 0.05). Similar data were obtained for IL‐4 expression in both healthy individuals (<0.006) and asthmatic patients (<0.001). The increment of regulatory cytokines IL‐10 and TGF‐β expression was considerably increased in our investigation.ConclusionTo our knowledge, this is the first report to document the suppressive effect that the M. marshalli ES product has on PBMSC cell culture of asthmatic patients. The present study provides new insights into understanding the immune modulation governed by parasite‐derived products and the development of new asthma treatment strategies.
Endobronchial ultrasound‐guided transbronchial needle aspiration for diagnosing mediastinal lymphadenectasis: a cohort study from a single center
Authors: Zhu Jun , Zhang Hai‐ping , Ni Jian , Gu Ye , Wu Chun‐yan , Song Jiong , Ji Xiao‐bin , Lu Hai‐wen , Wei Ping , Zhou Cai‐cun , Xu Jin‐fu 
Published: April 2015

AbstractObjectiveEndobronchial ultrasound‐guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS‐TBNA) is commonly used for clinical diagnosis of mediastinal lymphadenectasis. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic significance of EBUS‐TBNA for mediastinal lymphadenectasis in a large single center.MethodsA total of 846 patients who were not definitively diagnosed with mediastinal lymphadenectasis underwent EBUS‐TBNA were retrospectively analyzed in this study.ResultsIn total, 842 patients underwent EBUS‐TBNA successfully. There were 589 patients with malignancy, including squamous carcinoma (118 cases; 20.6%), adenocarcinoma (187 cases; 32.7%) and small cell carcinoma (88 cases; 15.4%). A total of 253 patients were diagnosed with benign disease, including tuberculosis (111 cases; 43.9%) and sarcoidosis (93 cases; 36.7%). The diagnostic sensitivity of lung cancer, tuberculosis and sarcoidosis were 94.4%, 81.1% and 51.6%, respectively. The overall sensitivity of EBUS‐TBNA was 92.0%. N2 stage in lung cancer patients who were diagnosed by EBUS‐TBNA was significantly higher than other stages. The positive rate of targeted puncture is high for the lymph nodes whose short‐axis diameters were larger than 1 cm.ConclusionThe operation risk of EBUS‐TBNA is relatively small. In diseases complicated by mediastinal lymphadenectasis, malignant diseases are most, and benign diseases mainly are granulomatous. EBUS‐TBNA is a valuable diagnostic technique in patients with mediastinal lymphadenectasis whose diagnosis have not been determined.
The evaluation of clinical usefulness of transbrochoscopic lung biopsy in undefined interstitial lung diseases: a retrospective study
Authors: Han Qian , Luo Qun , Chen Xiaobo , Xie Jiaxing , Wu Lulu , Chen Rongchang 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBackground and AimsPrevious studies mostly focused on the diagnostic accuracy of transbronchoscopic lung biopsy (TBLB) in the diagnosis of interstitial lung diseases (ILDs). We aimed to explore the clinical usefulness of TBLB results in the diagnostic procedure of undefined ILDs.MethodsThe retrospective analysis included patients undergoing TBLB for the diagnosis of undefined ILDs from January 2007 to December 2010. The clinically useful TBLB was defined as that lead to a specific histopathological diagnosis or that was consistent with the working diagnosis based on existing clinical and radiological data.ResultsA total of 664 patients were included in the study. TBLB failed to obtain lung parenchyma in 155 cases (23.3%). TBLB was considered clinically helpful in 202 procedures (30.4%), including 114 cases that provided definitive histopathological diagnoses and 88 cases that were consistent with working diagnoses. Among 202 cases of clinically useful TBLBs, the majority were diagnosed as pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) (67 cases, 33.2%), connective tissue disease‐related ILDs (CTD‐ILDs) (65, 32.2%) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) (33, 16.3%). Although TBLB could provide definitive histopathological diagnoses in all cases diagnosed as PAP, only few cases of IPF (7, 21.2% of IPF diagnoses) and CTD‐ILDs (9, 13.8% of CTD‐ILD diagnoses) could be identified by TBLBs.ConclusionThe clinical usefulness of TBLB, in conjunction with thorough clinical and radiological data, in the diagnosis of ILDs may be varied depending on different subtypes. The use of histopathological analysis and the type of biopsy employed should therefore be considered on a case‐by‐case basis.
Social development of children born very preterm: a systematic review
Authors: Ritchie Kirsten , Bora Samudragupta , Woodward Lianne J 
Published: April 2015

AimTo review systematically studies examining the development of social competence in children born very preterm (VPT) (gestation <33wks) and identify neonatal and family predictors.MethodPeer‐reviewed original articles were extracted from PubMed and PsycINFO following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Selection criteria included children born VPT and comparison children born at term, sample born after 1990, and children assessed between 0 and 17 years on at least one measure of social competence spanning social adjustment, performance, and/or social skills.ResultsTwenty‐three studies were included. Seven focused on social competence and another 16 examined social competence within a range of outcomes. Study quality was low. Limitations included reliance on single informant data, cross‐sectional measurement, use of brief screening tools, absence of child or peer report, and no conceptual model. In terms of social adjustment, 16 out of 21 studies found children born VPT had more peer problems and social withdrawal. Findings of social performance were mixed, with some studies suggesting differences in prosocial behavior (4/14) and others not. Social skills were assessed in four studies and showed children born VPT had poorer skills than children born at term. Predictors of social competence included gestational age, neonatal brain abnormalities, and family socio‐economic status.InterpretationChildren born VPT have poorer social competence. These difficulties emerge early and persist throughout childhood.