bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of emergency medical service transport on acute stroke care
Authors: Minnerup J. , Wersching H. , Unrath M. , Berger K. 
Published: January 2014

Background and purposeSince early treatment of acute stroke is associated with an improved outcome, emergency medical service (EMS) transport of stroke patients is recommended. It remains unclear, however, whether EMS transport leads to faster treatment. The impact of the transport mode on pre‐ and in‐hospital processes of care was therefore investigated.MethodsThe present study was based on a prospective database of 158 hospitals of the Stroke Register of Northwestern Germany, which included 162 511 stroke patients admitted between January 2010 and December 2011. Main outcome measures were the baseline characteristics associated with EMS transport and process‐of‐care indicators according to the transport mode.ResultsOverall, 101 850 (72.0%) patients were transported by EMS and 39 324 (28.0%) by self‐transport. The baseline characteristics showing the strongest associations with EMS use were the care situation [institutional care, adjusted odds ratio (OR) 7.81; 95% CI 6.86–8.90], a disturbed level of consciousness (adjusted OR 3.00; 95% CI 2.59–3.48) and having a subarachnoid (adjusted OR 2.79; 95% CI 2.24–3.49) or intracerebral hemorrhage (adjusted OR 2.26; 95% CI 1.92–2.67). For self‐transport patients the probability of being in a higher onset‐to‐door time category was 4.36 (95% CI 4.26–4.47) and the probability of being in a higher door‐to‐imaging time category was 1.32 (95% CI 1.28–1.36). Compared with self‐transport, EMS transport was independently associated with thrombolysis (adjusted OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.77–2.15).ConclusionsPatient transport with EMS was independently associated with faster hospital arrival and shorter time periods from hospital admission to brain imaging and to the frequency of thrombolysis.
Anatomy of the vestibule of the omental bursa and epiploic foramen in the horse
Authors: Freeman D. E. , Pearn A. R. 
Published: January 2014

SummaryReasons for performing studyEpiploic foramen entrapment (EFE) is a common cause of colic in horses and available anatomical descriptions of this foramen and the associated vestibule of the omental bursa tend to be inconsistent, contradictory and inaccurate.ObjectivesTo describe the anatomy of the vestibule of the omental bursa and epiploic foramen.Study designDissection of 21 fresh equine cadavers shortly after euthanasia.MethodsThe anatomy of the vestibule of the omental bursa, epiploic foramen and related structures in the cranial abdomen were examined in situ and after removal from the abdomen. Photographs were taken and illustrations rendered to bring the relationship of the different folds, ligaments and organs involved into a 3D concept.ResultsThe entrance into the vestibule and the passageway through it to the epiploic foramen is bounded by the gastropancreatic fold dorsally, caudally and ventrally. This fold constitutes the caudoventral boundary of the epiploic foramen along with the portal vein cranially and ventrally. The craniodorsal boundary of the epiploic foramen is formed by the caudate lobe of the liver.ConclusionsThe gastropancreatic fold plays a more important role in the anatomy of the vestibule of the omental bursa and the epiploic foramen than has been documented in the most widely used anatomy textbooks written in English. Because of the importance of EFE in horses, information from this study about the relevant anatomy could provide a first step towards improved methods for treatment and laparoscopic prevention of these diseases.
Metabolic states with maximal specific rate carry flux through an elementary flux mode
Authors: Wortel Meike T. , Peters Han , Hulshof  Josephus , Teusink Bas , Bruggeman Frank J. 
Published: January 2014

Specific product formation rates and cellular growth rates are important maximization targets in biotechnology and microbial evolution. Maximization of a specific rate (i.e. a rate expressed per unit biomass amount) requires the expression of particular metabolic pathways at optimal enzyme concentrations. In contrast to the prediction of maximal product yields, any prediction of optimal specific rates at the genome scale is currently computationally intractable, even if the kinetic properties of all enzymes are available. In the present study, we characterize maximal‐specific‐rate states of metabolic networks of arbitrary size and complexity, including genome‐scale kinetic models. We report that optimal states are elementary flux modes, which are minimal metabolic networks operating at a thermodynamically‐feasible steady state with one independent flux. Remarkably, elementary flux modes rely only on reaction stoichiometry, yet they function as the optimal states of mathematical models incorporating enzyme kinetics. Our results pave the way for the optimization of genome‐scale kinetic models because they offer huge simplifications to overcome the concomitant computational problems.DatabaseThe mathematical model described here has been submitted to the JWS Online Cellular Systems Modelling Database and can be accessed at http://jjj.mib.ac.uk/database/wortel2/index.html free of charge.[Database section added 14 May 2014 after original online publication]
Vascular access‐related infection in nocturnal home hemodialysis
Authors: Hayes Wesley N. , Tennankore Karthik , Battistella Marisa , Chan Christopher T. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractFrequent hemodialysis is associated with increased vascular access adverse events. We hypothesized that bacteremia would be more frequent in patients with central venous catheter (CVC) than arteriovenous fistula or arteriovenous graft (AVF/AVG) in nocturnal home hemodialysis (NHHD). We reviewed blood culture reports and concurrent clinical data for a cohort of one hundred eighty‐seven NHHD patients between January 1, 2006 and June 30, 2012. The primary outcome was time to first bacteremia, technique failure, or death after commencing NHHD. Types of bacteremia and clinical consequences were analyzed. Analyses were adjusted for a priori defined confounders. One hundred eighty‐seven patients were included with a total follow up of six hundred five patient years. Initial vascular access was AVF in seventy‐eight (42%) patients, AVG in eleven (6%) patients, and CVC in ninety‐eight (52%) patients. A total of 79.3% of patients with a CVC reached the composite endpoint of bacteremia, technique failure, or death in the study period; 44.5% of patients with an AVF or AVG reached this composite endpoint. Adjusted time to first bacteremia, technique failure, or death was significantly shorter in patients with initial CVC access (hazard ratio 2.42, 95% confidence interval 1.50–3.90, p < 0.001). Risk factors for bacteremia were comorbid status quantified by the Charlson Comorbidity Index (p < 0.001) and diabetes (p < 0.001). Coagulase negative staphylococcus was the commonest organism cultured accounting for 51.4% bacteremias. The second commonest organism was staphylococcus aureus (20.3% bacteremias). Patients undergoing NHHD with a CVC have a shorter duration to first infection, technique failure, or death than those with permanent vascular access.
Antibiotic intravenous-to-oral switch guidelines: barriers to adherence and possible solutions
Authors: Warburton John , Hodson Karen , James Delyth 
Published: January 2014

AbstractObjectivesTo identify reasons for poor adherence to antibiotic intravenous-to-oral switch guidelines and to explore the possible solutions. To rate the importance of the barriers and solutions identified, as perceived by a multidisciplinary expert panel.MethodsThree-round Delphi study in an expert panel comprising doctors, nurses and pharmacists, with concurrent semi-structured interviews.Key findingsThe three rounds of the Delphi were completed by 13 out of the 30 healthcare professionals invited to participate. No nurses were included in the final round. Consensus was achieved for 28 out of 35 statements, with the most important barrier being that of inappropriate antibiotic review at the weekend, and the most important solution being to raise guideline awareness. The findings from the seven interviews (three doctors, two pharmacists and two nurses) complemented those from the Delphi study, although they provided more specific suggestions on how to improve the adherence to guidelines.ConclusionThis study, using a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, has identified several barriers to explore further and offered many practical solutions to improve practice. The importance of a multidisciplinary approach to address guideline non-adherence was emphasised. Clinical guidelines must be well publicised and well written to prevent a feeling of guideline saturation in the healthcare populous. Novel approaches may have to be investigated in order to further encourage adherence with antibiotic intravenous-to-oral switch guidelines.
Structure and expression of a cysteine proteinase gene from Spodoptera litura and its response to biocontrol fungus Nomuraea rileyi
Authors: Chen H. , Yin Y. , Feng E. , Xie X. , Wang Z. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractCysteine proteinases (Cyps) play vital roles in many biological processes, including physiological and pathological reactions. In the present study, we cloned a full cDNA of SlCyp, encoding a 344‐amino‐acid protein from Spodoptera litura. The putative amino acid sequence shared >75% identity with Cyps from other insects. A phylogenetic analysis revealed that SlCyp is closely related to other known lepidopteran Cyps. Real‐time PCR and Western blotting analyses showed that SlCyp is induced by Nomuraea rileyi infection in all the tissues tested. The strongest SlCyp mRNA and protein expression was found in haemocytes, followed by the fat bodies, of unchallenged and N. rileyi‐challenged S. litura. A time‐course analysis showed that SlCyp mRNA and protein expression levels were upregulated in the haemocytes and fat bodies by N. rileyi infection. Upon N. rileyi infection, the proteolytic activities of SlCyp were also significantly higher in the haemolymph than in normal or phosphate‐buffered‐saline‐challenged controls. These results suggest that SlCyp plays an important role in the innate immunity of S. litura in response to N. rileyi. SlCyp mRNA and protein expression and activities were also elevated during sixth‐instar moulting and metamorphosis. Knocking down SlCyp transcripts with double‐stranded RNA interference caused prepupal, pupal, and adult phenotypic changes, and SlCyp‐silenced mutant larvae displayed a significantly lower survival rate after N. rileyi infection. These facts suggest that SlCyp plays a significant role in resisting N. rileyi infection and an essential role in larval development. Our data should facilitate the development of techniques for S. litura control.
Influence of type‐I Interferon receptor expression level on the response to type‐I Interferons in human pancreatic cancer cells
Authors: Booy Stephanie , van Eijck Casper H. J. , Dogan Fadime , van Koetsveld Peter M. , Hofland Leo J. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractPancreatic cancer is a highly aggressive malignancy with limited treatment options. Type‐I interferons (e.g. IFN‐α/‐β) have several anti‐tumour activities. Over the past few years, clinical studies evaluating the effect of adjuvant IFN‐α therapy in pancreatic cancer yielded equivocal results. Although IFN‐α and ‐β act via the type‐I IFN receptor, the role of the number of receptors present on tumour cells is still unknown. Therefore, this study associated, for the first time, in a large panel of pancreatic cancer cell lines the effects of IFN‐α/‐β with the expression of type‐I IFN receptors. The anti‐tumour effects of IFN‐α or IFN‐β on cell proliferation and apoptosis were evaluated in 11 human pancreatic cell lines. Type‐I IFN receptor expression was determined on both the mRNA and protein level. After 7 days of incubation, IFN‐α significantly reduced cell growth in eight cell lines by 5–67%. IFN‐β inhibited cell growth statistically significant in all cell lines by 43–100%. After 3 days of treatment, IFN‐β induced significantly more apoptosis than IFN‐α. The cell lines variably expressed the type‐I IFN receptor. The maximal inhibitory effect of IFN‐α was positively correlated with the IFNAR‐1 mRNA (P < 0.05, r = 0.63), IFNAR‐2c mRNA (P < 0.05, r = 0.69) and protein expression (P < 0.05, r = 0.65). Human pancreatic cancer cell lines variably respond to IFN‐α and ‐β. The expression level of the type‐I IFN receptor is of predictive value for the direct anti‐tumour effects of IFN‐α treatment. More importantly, IFN‐β induces anti‐tumour effects already at much lower concentrations, is less dependent on interferon receptor expression and seems, therefore, more promising than IFN‐α.
Development and reliability testing of the quality clinical placement evaluation tool
Authors: Courtney‐Pratt Helen , Fitzgerald Mary , Ford Karen , Johnson Caddi , Wills Karen 
Published: January 2014

Aims and objectivesTo develop and test the content and face validity, and reliability of the quality clinical placement evaluation tool.BackgroundThe importance of clinical experience during undergraduate nursing degrees is undisputed. To date, tools available to measure quality of clinical placements have focused on single perspectives, that of the undergraduate or that of the supervising nurse. The quality clinical placement evaluation tool was proposed to provide an assessment of clinical placement experiences informed by supervising ward nurses and undergraduate stakeholders.DesignThe study employed a cross‐sectional design.MethodsThe internal validity of an existing instrument was evaluated by an expert panel and modified for use in the acute care sector. Surveys were completed by undergraduate students (n = 48) and supervising ward nurses (n = 47). Factor analysis was used to identify themes drawn from the literature and explore redundancy of items. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency and test–retest (five to seven days apart).ResultsReliability testing showed good internal consistency for the tool; test–retest reliability testing results were moderate to good for students and fair to moderate for nurses. Factor analysis identified three core themes related to supervising ward nurse responses that could also be applied to undergraduate nurses. The domains identified were the following: welcome and belonging; support to meet learning needs; and confidence and competence: reflections on learning.ConclusionsThe quality clinical placement evaluation has shown statistically acceptable levels of reliability and validity for measuring the quality of clinical placement from perspectives of undergraduates and supervising ward nurses.Relevance to clinical practiceThe tool provides tertiary institutions, acute care facilities, wards and individuals with the means to capture views of the quality of clinical placement which can also be used to undertake comparisons over time and between sites.
Prevention, diagnosis and treatment of high‐throughput sequencing data pathologies
Authors: Zhou Xiaofan , Rokas Antonis 
Published: January 2014

AbstractHigh‐throughput sequencing (HTS) technologies generate millions of sequence reads from DNA/RNA molecules rapidly and cost‐effectively, enabling single investigator laboratories to address a variety of ‘omics’ questions in nonmodel organisms, fundamentally changing the way genomic approaches are used to advance biological research. One major challenge posed by HTS is the complexity and difficulty of data quality control (QC). While QC issues associated with sample isolation, library preparation and sequencing are well known and protocols for their handling are widely available, the QC of the actual sequence reads generated by HTS is often overlooked. HTS‐generated sequence reads can contain various errors, biases and artefacts whose identification and amelioration can greatly impact subsequent data analysis. However, a systematic survey on QC procedures for HTS data is still lacking. In this review, we begin by presenting standard ‘health check‐up’ QC procedures recommended for HTS data sets and establishing what ‘healthy’ HTS data look like. We next proceed by classifying errors, biases and artefacts present in HTS data into three major types of ‘pathologies’, discussing their causes and symptoms and illustrating with examples their diagnosis and impact on downstream analyses. We conclude this review by offering examples of successful ‘treatment’ protocols and recommendations on standard practices and treatment options. Notwithstanding the speed with which HTS technologies – and consequently their pathologies – change, we argue that careful QC of HTS data is an important – yet often neglected – aspect of their application in molecular ecology, and lay the groundwork for developing a HTS data QC ‘best practices’ guide.
Altered intrinsic regional activity and corresponding brain pathways reflect the symptom severity of functional dyspepsia
Authors: Nan J. , Liu J. , Zhang D. , Yang Y. , Yan X. , Yin Q. , Xiong S. , von Deneen K. M. , Liang F. , Gong Q. , Qin W. , Tian J. , Zeng F. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractBackgroundIncreasing evidence shows central abnormalities in functional dyspepsia (FD) patients, but whether the symptom severity is directly reflected in altered brain patterns remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore how FD affected the resting functional brain patterns for different degrees of symptom severity.MethodsFunctional magnetic resonance imaging was carried out in 40 FD patients and 20 healthy controls. The resting‐state brain changes in regional homogeneity (ReHo) and seed correlation analysis were investigated in patients relative to controls. To what degree the brain changes reflected the severity of the disease was assessed by a pattern classification technique.Key ResultsAltered ReHo values (p < 0.05, FDR corrected) were discovered in multiple brain areas in FD patients, and only the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and thalamus exhibited significant correlation with the severity of dyspepsia symptoms. Compared with controls, the neural signal changes of the thalamus were not found in the less severe FD patient group but in the relatively more severe group, while the ACC showed aberrations in both groups. Seed‐based correlation analysis revealed ACC‐ and thalamus‐related functional connectivity differences between FD patients and controls at a voxel‐wise level, and the altered thalamic circuits provided the best performance in distinguishing FD patients with different levels of symptom severity.Conclusions & InferencesOur results indicated that the functional abnormalities of the ACC and thalamus may occur at different clinical courses in FD. This may help us better understand the progression of FD.
High‐resolution molecular karyotyping uncovers pairing between ancestrally related Brassica chromosomes
Authors: Mason Annaliese S. , Batley Jacqueline , Bayer Philipp Emanuel , Hayward Alice , Cowling Wallace A. , Nelson Matthew N. 
Published: January 2014

Summary

How do chromosomal regions with differing degrees of homology and homeology interact at meiosis? We provide a novel analytical method based on simple genetics principles which can help to answer this important question. This method interrogates high‐throughput molecular marker data in order to infer chromosome behavior at meiosis in interspecific hybrids.

We validated this method using high‐resolution molecular marker karyotyping in two experimental Brassica populations derived from interspecific crosses among B. juncea, B. napus and B. carinata, using a single nucleotide polymorphism chip.

This method of analysis successfully identified meiotic interactions between chromosomes sharing different degrees of similarity: full‐length homologs; full‐length homeologs; large sections of primary homeologs; and small sections of secondary homeologs.

This analytical method can be applied to any allopolyploid species or fertile interspecific hybrid in order to detect meiotic associations. This genetic information can then be used to identify which genomic regions share functional homeology (i.e., retain enough similarity to allow pairing and segregation at meiosis). When applied to interspecific hybrids for which reference genome sequences are available, the question of how differing degrees of homology and homeology affect meiotic interactions may finally be resolved.
Postprocedure Mapping of Cardiac Resynchronization Lead Position Using Standard Fluoroscopy Systems: Implications for the Nonresponder with Scar
Authors: PARKER KATHERINE M. , BUNTING ETHAN , MALHOTRA ROHIT , CLARKE SAMANTHA A. , MASON PAMELA , DARBY ANDREW E. , KRAMER CHRISTOPHER M. , SALERNO MICHAEL , HOLMES JEFFREY W. , BILCHICK KENNETH C. 
Published: January 2014

BackgroundThe relationship between cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), left ventricular (LV) lead position, scar, and regional mechanical function influences CRT response.ObjectiveTo determine LV lead position relative to LV structural characteristics in standard clinical practice, we developed and validated a practical yet mathematically rigorous method to register procedural fluoroscopic LV lead position with pre‐CRT cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR).MethodsAfter one‐time calibration of the standard fluoroscopic suite, we identified the projected CMR LV lead position using three reference landmarks on both CMR and fluoroscopy. This predicted lead position was validated in a canine model by histology and in eight “validation group” patients based on postoperative computed tomography scans (n = 7) or CMR coronary sinus venography (n = 1). The methodology was applied in an additional eight patients with CRT nonresponse and infarction‐related myocardial scar.ResultsThe projected and actual lead positions were within 1.2 mm in the canine model. The median distance between projected and actual lead positions for the validation group (n = 8) and animal validation case was 11.3 mm (interquartile range 9.2–14.6 mm). In the application (nonresponder) group (n = 8), the lead mapped to the scar periphery in three patients, the core of the scar in one patient, and more than 3 cm from scar in four patients.ConclusionsThis methodology projects procedural fluoroscopic LV lead position onto pre‐CRT CMR using standard fluoroscopic equipment and a one‐time calibration, enabling assessment of LV lead position with sufficient accuracy to identify the lead position relative to regional function and infarction‐related scar in CRT nonresponders.
Novel method for isolating human melanoblasts from keratinocyte culture
Authors: Cho Eun‐Gyung , Bin Bum‐Ho , Choi Hyunjung , Park Phil June , Kang Hak Hee , Lee Tae Ryong 
Published: January 2014

SummaryThe characterization of melanoblasts is important for understanding their in vivo development, melanoma formation, and pigment‐related disorders. However, no methods have been reported for the isolation of melanoblasts from human skin. Using a ‘calcium‐pulse’ technique, involving the differentiation of human keratinocytes with high calcium and the subsequent spontaneous separation of the epidermal sheets, we effectively isolated human melanoblasts (keratinocyte‐adapted melanoblasts, KaMBs) from keratinocyte culture. The KaMBs expressed early melanogenesis‐related genes, including BRN2, which is a known melanoblast marker. Moreover, the KaMBs displayed much higher proliferative and growth capacities than the primary melanocytes. Considering that keratinocytes might provide an in vivo‐like environment for KaMBs during isolation and in vitro culture, the ‘calcium‐pulse’ technique offers an unprecedented, easy, and efficient method for the isolation of human melanoblasts, retaining the original characteristics of these cells.