bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of Otitis Media Severity on Children's Quality of Life
Authors: Grindler David J. , Blank Sarah J. , Schulz Kristine A. , Witsell David L. , Lieu Judith E. C. 
Published: March 2014

ObjectiveChildren with otitis media (OM) suffer sleep disturbances, loss of appetite, earache, and behavioral problems. Our objective was to quantitate the average burden of OM and to compare the associated impact of tympanostomy tubes on infant health related quality of life (HR‐QoL).Study DesignMulti‐institutional prospective cross‐sectional study.SettingOtolaryngology, family practice, and pediatric clinics.Subjects and MethodsChildren ages 6 to 24 months of age with or without recurrent OM. Patient history, the PedsQL Infant QoL survey, and the 6‐item child with OM survey (Otitis Media 6 [OM‐6]) were collected from providers and parents.ResultsData from 1208 patients were analyzed. Mean age was 14.7 months, and 54% were male. The mean OM‐6 score of children with recurrent OM was 3.3, whereas similarly aged well‐children had a mean OM‐6 score of 2.5. The mean PedsQL Infant scores of recurrent OM patients were significantly worse than those of children from well‐child visits. Worse OM‐6 scores were correlated with poorer PedsQL Infant scores, Pearson r = −0.581 (1‐12 months) and −0.558 (13‐24 months), P <. 001. Otolaryngology patients who were recommended to undergo ear tube placement had significantly poorer OM‐6 scores and worse PedsQL Infant scores, whereas patients with prior tube placement had significantly better OM‐6 and PedsQL Infant scores.ConclusionChildren with recurrent OM had significantly worse HR‐QoL than similarly aged healthy children. Increased burden of OM strongly affected HR‐QoL, and recommendation for tube placement was associated with increased disease burden and poorer HR‐QoL. The presence of tympanostomy tubes was associated with better OM‐6 and PedsQL Infant scores.
Immunomodulatory Effect of Mesenchymal Stem Cells on T Lymphocyte and Cytokine Expression in Nasal Polyps
Authors: Cho Kyu‐Sup , Kim Yong‐Wan , Kang Myoung Joo , Park Hee‐Young , Hong Sung‐Lyong , Roh Hwan‐Jung 
Published: March 2014

ObjectivesAdipose tissue–derived stem cells (ASCs) have been reported to have immunomodulatory effects in various inflammatory diseases, including asthma and allergic rhinitis, through the induction of T cell anergy. Nasal polyps (NPs) are a chronic inflammatory disease in the nose and paranasal sinus characterized histologically by the infiltration of inflammatory cells, such as eosinophils or lymphocytes. This study was performed to investigate whether ASCs have immunomodulatory effects on T lymphocyte and cytokine expression in eosinophilic NPs.Study DesignBasic science experimental study.SettingUniversity tertiary care facility.Subjects and MethodsNP specimens were obtained from 20 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and eosinophilic NPs. ASCs were isolated and cultured from the abdominal fat of 15 subjects undergoing intra‐abdominal surgery. Infiltrating cells (1 × 106) were isolated from NP tissue and co‐cultured with 1 × 105 ASCs. To determine whether ASCs affect infiltrating T lymphocyte and cytokine expression in eosinophilic NP, T lymphocyte subsets and cytokine expression were analyzed before and after ASC treatment.ResultsASC treatment significantly decreased the proportions of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. After ASC treatment, Th2 cytokine (interleukin [IL]–4 and IL‐5) levels decreased significantly. In contrast, levels of Th1 (interferon‐γ and IL‐2) and regulatory cytokines (transforming growth factor–β and IL‐10) increased significantly after ASC treatment.ConclusionsASCs have immunomodulatory effects in the eosinophilic inflammation of NPs, characterized by down‐regulation of activated T lymphocytes and a Th2 immune response. These effects would be expected, over time, to significantly contribute to the control of eosinophilic inflammation and, possibly, growth of eosinophilic NPs.
Systematic Review: Efficacy of Gufoni Maneuver for Treatment of Lateral Canal Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo with Geotropic Nystagmus
Authors: van den Broek Emke Mechelina Josephina Margo , van der Zaag‐Loonen Hester Josephine , Bruintjes Tjasse Doewe 
Published: March 2014

ObjectiveIn this rapid systematic review, we studied the efficacy of the Gufoni maneuver for the treatment of lateral canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) with geotropic nystagmus.MethodsA comprehensive search, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane as data sources, resulted in 44 original papers for randomized trials that compared the Gufoni maneuver with other maneuvers (date of search: April 23, 2013). Three studies (389 patients) remained after screening of title, abstract, and full text.ResultsAfter method assessment, 2 of these 3 studies were considered to have a low risk of bias and a high level of validity. The third study did not properly report the treatment allocation and blinding; moreover, outcome data were incomplete. The first 2 studies compared the Gufoni maneuver with a sham maneuver (and the barbecue roll in one study). The third study compared the Gufoni maneuver with a treatment with vestibular suppressants and with the barbecue roll (plus forced prolonged positioning). All 3 studies reported short‐term results. Midterm results (1 month) were reported in 2 studies.Conclusion and RecommendationGiven the variety in the comparative treatments and follow‐up duration, all 3 studies showed that the Gufoni maneuver was more effective than the sham maneuver or treatment with vestibular suppressants. All agreed that the maneuver was easy to perform, which made it suitable for older, immobile, and obese patients. However, there were insufficient data to establish the relative efficacy of the Gufoni maneuver compared with other maneuvers.
Safety in numbers: multiple occurrences of highly similar homologs among Azotobacter vinelandiicarbohydrate metabolism proteins probably confer adaptive benefits
Authors: Mærk Mali , Johansen Jostein , Ertesvåg Helga , Drabløs Finn , Valla Svein 
Published: March 2014

Abstract

Background
Gene duplication and horizontal gene transfer are common processes in bacterial and archaeal genomes, and are generally assumed to result in either diversification or loss of the redundant gene copies. However, a recent analysis of the genome of the soil bacterium Azotobacter vinelandii DJ revealed an abundance of highly similar homologs among carbohydrate metabolism genes. In many cases these multiple genes did not appear to be the result of recent duplications, or to function only as a means of stimulating expression by increasing gene dosage, as the homologs were located in varying functional genetic contexts. Based on these initial findings we here report in-depth bioinformatic analyses focusing specifically on highly similar intra-genome homologs, or synologs, among carbohydrate metabolism genes, as well as an analysis of the general occurrence of very similar synologs in prokaryotes.

Results
Approximately 900 bacterial and archaeal genomes were analysed for the occurrence of synologs, both in general and among carbohydrate metabolism genes specifically. This showed that large numbers of highly similar synologs among carbohydrate metabolism genes are very rare in bacterial and archaeal genomes, and that the A. vinelandii DJ genome contains an unusually large amount of such synologs. The majority of these synologs were found to be non-tandemly organized and localized in varying but metabolically relevant genomic contexts. The same observation was made for other genomes harbouring high levels of such synologs. It was also shown that highly similar synologs generally constitute a very small fraction of the protein-coding genes in prokaryotic genomes. The overall synolog fraction of the A. vinelandii DJ genome was well above the data set average, but not nearly as remarkable as the levels observed when only carbohydrate metabolism synologs were considered.

Conclusions
Large numbers of highly similar synologs are rare in bacterial and archaeal genomes, both in general and among carbohydrate metabolism genes. However, A. vinelandii and several other soil bacteria harbour large numbers of highly similar carbohydrate metabolism synologs which seem not to result from recent duplication or transfer events. These genes may confer adaptive benefits with respect to certain lifestyles and environmental factors, most likely due to increased regulatory flexibility and/or increased gene dosage.
Invasive pneumococcal diseases in children and adolescents– a single centre experience
Authors: Schnappauf Christin , Rodloff Arne , Siekmeyer Werner , Hirsch Wolfgang , Sorge Ina , Schuster Volker , Kiess Wieland 
Published: March 2014

Abstract

Background

S. pneumoniae is a major cause of meningitis, pneumonia and sepsis in children. In 2006 universal pneumococcal vaccination was recommended in Germany for all children up to their second birthday. We have compared the prevalence and outcome of IPD at a single hospital before and after the introduction of vaccination.

Findings
55 cases of IPD were identified over an 11 year period. Almost half of the patients were younger than 2 years of age. Most of the children were affected by pneumonia. The second highest incidence seen was for meningitis and sepsis. 17 patients exhibited additional complications. Significant pre-existing and predisposing disorders, such as IRAK 4 defect, ALPS or SLE were identified in 4 patients. Complete recovery was seen in 78% of affected children; 11% had a fatal outcome and 11% suffered from long term complications. Only 31% overall had been vaccinated. The most common serotype was 14. Serotypes not covered by any of the current vaccines were also found. Antibiotic treatment commenced with cephalosporins in over 90%.

Conclusion
Frequency of IPD in our hospital did not decrease after initiation of the pneumococcal vaccination. This might be due to vaccinations not being administered satisfactorily as well as to poor education about the need of the vaccination. Pre-existing diseases must be monitored and treated accordingly and rare deficiencies taken into account when IPD takes a foudroyant course. In addition, antibiotic stewardship has been initiated at this hospital centre as a consequence of the high cephalosporin use detected in this study.
Promising potential of new generation translocator protein tracers providing enhanced contrast of arthritis imaging by positron emission tomography in a rat model of arthritis
Authors: Gent Yoony YJ , Weijers Karin , Molthoff Carla FM , Windhorst Albert D , Huisman Marc C , Kassiou Michael , Jansen Gerrit , Lammertsma Adriaan A , van der Laken Conny J 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
Introduction
Early diagnosis of and subsequent monitoring of therapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) could benefit from detection of (sub)clinical synovitis. Imaging of (sub)clinical arthritis by targeting the translocator protein (TSPO) on activated macrophages is feasible using (R)-[11C] PK11195-based positron emission tomography (PET), but clinical applications are limited by background uptake in peri-articular bone/bone marrow. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate two other TSPO ligands with potentially lower background uptake in neurological studies, [11C]DPA-713 and [18F]DPA-714, in a rat model of arthritis.

Methods
TSPO binding of DPA-713, DPA-714 and PK11195 were assessed by in vitro competition studies with [3H]DPA-713 using human macrophage THP-1 cells and CD14+ monocytes from healthy volunteers. In vivo studies were performed in rats with methylated bovine serum albumin-induced knee arthritis. Immunohistochemistry with anti-TSPO antibody was performed on paraffin-embedded sections. Rats were imaged with [11C]DPA-713 or [18F]DPA-714 PET, followed by ex vivo tissue distribution studies. Results were compared with those obtained with the tracer (R)-[11C]PK11195, the established ligand for TSPO.

Results
In THP-1 cells, relative TSPO binding of DPA-713 and DPA-714 were 7-fold and 25-fold higher, respectively, than in PK11195. Comparable results were observed in CD14+ monocytes from healthy volunteers. In the arthritis rat model, immunohistochemistry confirmed the presence of TSPO-positive inflammatory cells in the arthritic knee. PET images showed that uptake of [11C]DPA-713 and [18F]DPA-714 in arthritic knees was significantly increased compared with contralateral knees and knees of normal rats. Uptake in arthritic knees could be largely blocked by an excess of PK11195. [11C]DPA-713 and [18F]DPA-714 provided improved contrast compared with (R)-[11C]PK11195, as was shown by significantly higher arthritic knee-to-bone ratios of [11C]DPA-713 (1.60 ± 0.31) and [18F]DPA-714 (1.55 ± 0.10) compared with (R)-[11C]PK11195 (1.14 ± 0.19).

Conclusions
[11C]DPA-713 and [18F]DPA-714 clearly visualized arthritis and exhibited lower (peri-articular) bone/bone marrow uptake than (R)-[11C]PK11195. These features merit further investigation of these tracers for early diagnosis and therapy monitoring of RA in a clinical setting.
Axon degeneration and PGC1α-mediated protection in a vertebrate model of α-synuclein toxicity
Authors: O'Donnell Kelley C. , Lulla Aaron , Stahl Mark C. , Wheat Nickolas D. , Bronstein Jeff M. , Sagasti Alvaro 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
α-Synuclein (aSyn) expression is implicated in neurodegenerative processes, including Parkinson disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). In animal models of these diseases, axon pathology often precedes cell death, raising the question of whether aSyn has compartment-specific toxic effects that may require early and/or independent therapeutic intervention. The relevance of axonal pathology to degeneration can only be addressed through longitudinal, in vivo monitoring of different neuronal compartments. With current imaging methods, dopaminergic neurons do not readily lend themselves to such a task in any vertebrate system. We therefore expressed human wild-type aSyn in zebrafish peripheral sensory neurons, which project elaborate superficial axons that can be continuously imaged in vivo. Axonal outgrowth was normal in these neurons, but by 2 days post-fertilization (dpf), many aSyn-expressing axons became dystrophic, with focal varicosities or diffuse beading. Approximately 20% of aSyn-expressing cells died by 3 dpf. Time-lapse imaging revealed that focal axonal swelling, but not overt fragmentation, usually preceded cell death. Co-expressing aSyn with a mitochondrial reporter revealed deficits in mitochondrial transport and morphology even when axons appeared overtly normal. The axon-protective protein Wallerian degeneration slow (WldS) delayed axon degeneration but not cell death caused by aSyn. By contrast, the transcriptional co-activator PGC-1α, which has roles in the regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis and reactive oxygen species detoxification, abrogated aSyn toxicity in both the axon and the cell body. The rapid onset of axonal pathology in this system, and the relatively moderate degree of cell death, provide a new model for the study of aSyn toxicity and protection. Moreover, the accessibility of peripheral sensory axons will allow effects of aSyn to be studied in different neuronal compartments, and may have utility in screening for novel disease-modifying compounds.
An endoplasmic reticulum-retained atrial fibrillation-linked connexin40 mutant impairs atrial gap junction channel function
Authors: Sun Yiguo , Tong Xiaoling , Chen Honghong , Huang Tao , Shao Qing , Huang Weixiong , Laird Dale W. , Bai Donglin 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
Connexin40 (Cx40)-containing gap junction channels are expressed in the atrial myocardium and provide a low resistance passage for rapid impulse propagation. A germline mutation in the GJA5 gene encoding Cx40 resulting in a truncated Cx40 (Q49X) was identified in a large Chinese family with lone atrial fibrillation (AF). This mutation co-segregated with seven AF probands in an autosomal dominant way over generations. To test the hypothesis that this Cx40 mutant affects the distribution and function of atrial gap junctions, we studied the Q49X mutant in gap junction deficient HeLa and N2A cells. The Q49X mutant was typically localized in the cytoplasm and failed to form gap junction plaques at cell-cell interfaces distinct from that of wild type Cx40. When the Q49X mutant was co-expressed with Cx40 or Cx43, the mutant substantially reduced the gap junction plaque formation of Cx40 and Cx43. Electrophysiological studies revealed no electrical coupling of cell pairs expressing the mutant alone and a significant decrease in the coupling conductance when the mutant was co-expressed with Cx40 or Cx43. Further colocalization experiments with the organelle residential proteins indicate that Q49X was retained in the endoplasmic reticulum. These findings provide evidence that the Q49X mutant is capable to impair the gap junction distribution and function of key atrial connexins which may play a role in the predisposition and onset of AF.
Chiral Porous TADDOL-Embedded Organic Polymers for Asymmetric Diethylzinc Addition to Aldehydes
Authors: Wang Xiuren , Zhang Jie , Liu Yan , Cui Yong 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
Two chiral porous organic polymers (CPOPs) were synthesized by linking a TADDOL-embedded building block with arylethynylenes units. The CPOPs are highly stable to thermal treatment, moisture, acidity, and basicity. The dihydroxy groups of TADDOL inside the pores promise the CPOPs as good asymmetric catalysts after postsynthesis modification with a secondary metal center. After being treated with Ti(OiPr)4, the CPOPs could be used as highly effective and reusable heterogeneous catalyst for asymmetric diethylzinc addition to aldehydes with up to 99% conversion and 95% ee. This work promises the potential of generating chiral solid catalysts with unique and practically useful enantioselective functions via a modular approach.
Photocrosslinking of the Exterior of a Fullerene Bilayer that Prevents Vesicle Aggregation
Authors: Harano Koji , Narita Akimitsu , Nakamura Eiichi 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
An amphiphilic molecule bearing a coumarin moiety attached to a water-soluble fullerene via an alkyl linker forms a water-soluble fullerene bilayer vesicle in water that spontaneously agglomerates and fuses upon standing. The agglomeration–fusion ability of the vesicle was endowed probably by the intervesicular interaction between the coumarin group and the fullerene core, as judged by the lack of such ability for the vesicles bearing only alkyl groups and by complete inhibition by conversion of the coumarin group into a photodimer.
Practical considerations for volumetric wear analysis of explanted hip arthroplasties
Authors: Langton D. J. , Sidaginamale R. P. , Holland J. P. , Deehan D. , Joyce T. J. , Nargol A. V. F. , Meek R. D. , Lord J. K. 
Published: March 2014

Objectives Wear debris released from bearing surfaces has been shown to provoke negative immune responses in the recipient. Excessive wear has been linked to early failure of prostheses. Analysis using coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) can provide estimates of total volumetric material loss of explanted prostheses and can help to understand device failure. The accuracy of volumetric testing has been debated, with some investigators stating that only protocols involving hundreds of thousands of measurement points are sufficient. We looked to examine this assumption and to apply the findings to the clinical arena. Methods We examined the effects on the calculated material loss from a ceramic femoral head when different CMM scanning parameters were used. Calculated wear volumes were compared with gold standard gravimetric tests in a blinded study. Results Various scanning parameters including point pitch, maximum point to point distance, the number of scanning contours or the total number of points had no clinically relevant effect on volumetric wear calculations. Gravimetric testing showed that material loss can be calculated to provide clinically relevant degrees of accuracy. Conclusions Prosthetic surfaces can be analysed accurately and rapidly with currently available technologies. Given these results, we believe that routine analysis of explanted hip components would be a feasible and logical extension to National Joint Registries. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2014;3:60–8.
Mortality among sons of female dental personnel – a national cohort study
Authors: Naimi-Akbar Aron , Sandborgh-Englund Gunilla , Ekbom Anders , Ekstrand Jan , Näsman Peggy , Montgomery Scott 
Published: March 2014

Abstract

Aims: Dental personnel are exposed to mercury when using dental amalgam. This exposure constitutes a potential hazard to offspring of women working in dentistry. The present study examined increased mortality risk in offspring of mothers working in dentistry.

Methods: Mortality was compared between sons of dental personnel and sons of nondental health-care personnel. Hazard ratios were calculated for three decades (1960s–1980s), when the magnitude of mercury exposure in dentistry was likely to have varied.

Results: During the 1960s, there was a statistically significant increase in the risk of neonatal mortality for sons of dental nurses when compared with sons of assistant nurses: hazard ratio (HR) 1.82 (95% confidence interval, CI: 1.04–3.22). There was no increased risk in the subsequent decades, but a trend test demonstrated a consistent decrease in the risk over the three decades: HR for trend 0.63 (95% CI: 0.44–0.90). The raised mortality risk was limited to neonatal mortality. The comparison between dentists and physicians had insufficient statistical power.

Conclusions: There is no increased mortality risk among sons of female dentists after the 1960s. Although the results should be interpreted with caution, they suggest a modestly raised risk of neonatal mortality, during the 1960s, when exposure to mercury was thought to be highest.
Sociolinguistic typology in North East India: A tale of two branches
Authors: DeLancey Scott 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
Long-standing ideas about the “linguistic cycle” hold that languages naturally shift from analytic to synthetic morphological patterns and then from synthetic back to analytic in a long-term cyclic pattern. But the demonstrable history of actual languages shows dramatic differences in their tendencies to shift in either direction, and there are well-known examples of language families which preserve complexity or analyticity over millennia. We see the same thing within Tibeto-Burman, where some branches are highly synthetic and others analytic. Examining the history of a representative language from each of two TB branches in Northeast India, analytic Boro (Boro-Garo) and synthetic Lai (Kuki-Chin), suggests a possible sociolinguistic explanation for these tendencies. Trudgill and others have suggested that the tendency to develop and maintain strongly analytic grammatical patterns is associated with “exoteric” languages spoken by large populations, and regularly used to communicate with outsiders, while the development and maintenance of morphological complexity is characteristic of “esoteric” languages spoken by small communities and used only to communicate with other native speakers. This paper presents Boro-Garo and Kuki-Chin as exemplifying these tendencies.