bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Knee Pain Location on Symptoms, Functional Status, and Knee-related Quality of Life in Older Adults With Chronic Knee Pain
Authors: Farrokhi Shawn , Chen Yi-Fan , Piva Sara R. , Fitzgerald G. Kelley , Jeong Jong-Hyeon , Kwoh C. Kent 
Published: August 2015

Objective:To evaluate whether knee pain location can influence symptoms, functional status, and knee-related quality of life in older adults with chronic knee pain.Materials and Methods:A total of 2959 painful knees from the Osteoarthritis Initiative database were analyzed. Trained interviewers recorded patient-reported location of knee pain. Painful knees were divided into 3 groups of patellofemoral only pain, tibiofemoral only pain, and combined pain. Self-reported knee-specific symptoms, functional status, and knee-related quality of life were assessed using the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score.Results:The most common knee pain pattern was tibiofemoral only pain (62%), followed by patellofemoral only pain (23%), and combined pain (15%). The combined pain pattern was associated with greater odds of reporting pain, symptoms, sports, or recreational activity limitations and lower knee-related quality of life compared with either isolated knee pain patterns, after adjusting for demographics and radiographic disease severity. Individual item analysis further revealed that patients with combined pain had greater odds of reporting difficulty with daily weight-bearing activities that required knee bending compared with tibiofemoral or patellofemoral only pain patterns. Furthermore, symptoms, functional status, and knee-related quality of life were comparable between patients with patellofemoral and tibiofemoral only pain patterns, after adjusting for demographics and radiographic disease severity.Discussion:Combined patellofemoral and tibiofemoral pain is associated with poorer clinical presentation compared with isolated knee pain from either location. In addition, patellofemoral pain in isolation may be as important as tibiofemoral pain in causing symptoms and functional limitation in older adults with chronic knee pain.
Biomechanical Investigation of a Novel Revision Device in an Osteoporotic Model
Authors: Manon Jacinto , Hussain Mir M. , Harris Jonathan , Moldavsky Mark , La Marca Frank , Bucklen Brandon S. 
Published: August 2015

Study Design:In vitro cadaveric biomechanical study.Objective:To assess revision pullout strength of novel anchored screws (AS) versus conventional larger diameter traditional pedicle screws (TPS) in an osteoporotic model.Summary of Background Data:Pedicle screws are the most ubiquitous method of treating spinal pathologies requiring lumbar fusion. Although these screws are effective in providing 3-column stabilization of the spine, revision surgeries are occasionally necessary, particularly for geriatric and osteoporotic populations. Innovative technologies should be tested to ensure continued improvement in revision techniques.Methods:For 4 specimens at L2–L5 (T-score=−3.6±0.54), 6.5-mm-diameter TPS were inserted into left and right pedicles and were pulled out; revision screws were then inserted. Polyether-ether-ketone anchors, designed to expand around a 6.5-mm screw, were inserted into all left pedicles. On the contralateral side, 7.5-mm-diameter TPS were inserted at L2–L3, and 8.5-mm-diameter TPS at L4–L5. Pullout testing was performed at 10 mm/min. The maximum pullout strength and insertion forces were recorded.Results:The initial average pullout force (6.5-mm screw) was 837 N (±329 N) and 642 N (±318 N) in L2–L3 and L4–L5 left pedicles, and 705 N (±451 N) and 779 N (±378 N) in L2–L3 and L4–L5 right pedicles, respectively. Comparison of revision pullout forces versus initial pullout forces revealed the following: 87% and 63% for AS in L2–L3 and L4–L5 left pedicles, respectively; 56% for 7.5-mm and 93% for 8.5-mm TPS in L2–L3 and L4–L5 right pedicles, respectively.Conclusions:Anchor sleeves with 6.5-mm-diameter pedicle screws provided markedly higher resistance to screw pullout than 7.5-mm-diameter revision screws and fixation statistically equivalent to 8.5-mm-diameter screws, possibly because of medial-lateral expansion within the vertebral space and/or convex filling of the pedicle. AS results had the lowest SD, indicating minimal variability in bone-screw purchase.
Identifying Natural Alignments Between Ambulatory Surgery Centers and Local Health Systems
Authors: Funk Russell J. , Owen-Smith Jason , Landon Bruce E. , Birkmeyer John D. , Hollingsworth John M. 
Published: August 2015

Objective:
To develop and compare methods for identifying natural alignments between ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and hospitals that anchor local health systems.

Measures:
Using all-payer data from Florida’s State Ambulatory Surgery and Inpatient Databases (2005–2009), we developed 3 methods for identifying alignments between ASCS and hospitals. The first, a geographic proximity approach, used spatial data to assign an ASC to its nearest hospital neighbor. The second, a predominant affiliation approach, assigned an ASC to the hospital with which it shared a plurality of surgeons. The third, a network community approach, linked an ASC with a larger group of hospitals held together by naturally occurring physician networks. We compared each method in terms of its ability to capture meaningful and stable affiliations and its administrative simplicity.

Results:
Although the proximity approach was simplest to implement and produced the most durable alignments, ASC surgeon’s loyalty to the assigned hospital was low with this method. The predominant affiliation and network community approaches performed better and nearly equivalently on these metrics, capturing more meaningful affiliations between ASCs and hospitals. However, the latter’s alignments were least durable, and it was complex to administer.

Conclusions:
We describe 3 methods for identifying natural alignments between ASCs and hospitals, each with strengths and weaknesses. These methods will help health system managers identify ASCs with which to partner. Moreover, health services researchers and policy analysts can use them to study broader communities of surgical care.
Gastric Emptying of Liquids in Children
Authors: Hauser Bruno , Roelants Mathieu , De Schepper Jean , Veereman Gigi , Caveliers Vicky , Devreker Thierry , De Greef Elisabeth , Vandenplas Yvan 
Published: August 2015

ABSTRACTObjectives:The present study was performed to determine normal values for gastric half‐emptying time (t1/2GE) of liquids in healthy children.Methods:Gastric emptying (GE) of a standardized test milk‐drink measured with 99mtechnetium scintigraphy and the 13C‐acetate breath test (13C‐ABT) was compared in 19 children ages between 4 and 15 years with upper gastrointestinal symptoms. The 13C‐ABT was subsequently used to determine normal values for GE of the same liquid test meal in 133 healthy children ages between 1 and 17 years.Results:In the group of children with upper gastrointestinal symptoms, the results showed a significant correlation (r = 0.604, P = 0.0006) between t1/2GE measured with both techniques. In the group of healthy children, the results of t1/2GE showed that there was no influence of age, sex, weight, height, and body mass index on GE.Conclusions:Normal values for GE of a standardized test milk‐drink in healthy children were determined with the 13C‐ABT. This technique is considered reliable and is well accepted by the patients.
Gallbladder and Pancreas in Henoch‐Schönlein Purpura
Authors: Helbling Rossana , Lava Sebastiano A.G. , Simonetti Giacomo D. , Camozzi Pietro , Bianchetti Mario G. , Milani Gregorio P. 
Published: August 2015

ABSTRACTObjective:Involvement of the pancreato‐biliary system has been occasionally noted in Henoch‐Schönlein purpura. Furthermore, cases of this vasculitis syndrome sometimes develop in the context of a viral hepatitis or after hepatitis vaccination.Methods:We completed a review of the literature.Results:Fifty reports published between 1977 and 2015 were retained for the analysis. A pancreato‐biliary involvement was recognized in 34 individually well‐described patients (♂:♀ = 19:15) with severe abdominal pain: pancreatitis (N = 20), acalculous cholecystitis (N = 11), both pancreatitis and cholecystitis (N = 3). In all of the pancreatitis patients, full recovery occurred (within ⩽3 weeks in three‐fourths of the patients). Cholecystectomy was performed in 8 cholecystitis patients. Seventeen Henoch‐Schönlein patients (♂:♀ = 9:8) were associated with a viral liver disease and 4 (♂:♀ = 1:3) with a hepatitis vaccination. The vasculitis syndrome rapidly remitted in the 7 patients accompanying hepatitis A or E, in 2 patients of hepatitis B, and in the 4 patients preceded by a vaccination. Henoch‐Schönlein purpura seemed to be serious in 5 patients with chronic hepatitis B and in 3 with chronic hepatitis C.Conclusions:This analysis indicates that pancreato‐biliary involvement is unusual in Henoch‐Schönlein purpura. This complication deserves consideration in patients with especially severe abdominal pain. Finally, viral hepatitides and hepatitis vaccinations seem to be rare triggers of Henoch‐Schönlein purpura.
Prevalence of Peripheral Eosinophilia at Diagnosis in Children With Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Sadi Geetanjalee , Yang Qi , Dufault Brenden , Stefanovici Camelia , Stoffman Jayson , El‐Matary Wael 
Published: August 2015

ABSTRACTBackground and Objective:Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encompasses 2 disorders of unknown etiology: Crohn disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). There has been a continuous search for markers for disease activity. Eosinophils are granulocytic leukocytes that are implicated in the pathogenesis of IBD. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence and significance of peripheral eosinophilia (PE) at diagnosis in children with IBD.Methods:A comprehensive chart review of all children with diagnosed as having IBD between January 2006 and August 2014 was performed. Patients with PE at diagnosis were compared with those without in relation to disease clinical activity and disease course.Results:A total of 109 children (mean age 14.6 ± 2.77, range 4.5–17.9 years, 55 boys) with IBD (68 with CD and 41 with UC) who were studied for a mean duration of 2.82 ± 1.89 (range 0.1–9.2 years) were identified. At diagnosis, 44 (40.4%) children had PE, which was more prevalent in patients with UC compared with those with CD (61.3% vs 36.3%, P < 0.05). At diagnosis, PE was more common in patients with high eosinophilic count in colonic biopsy samples (P < 0.01) and was significantly associated with disease activity as indicated by Pediatric CD Activity Index for children with CD (P < 0.05), Pediatric UC Activity Index for children with UC (P < 0.01).Conclusions:PE is a common finding at diagnosis in children with IBD especially in those with UC. Patients with PE at diagnosis are more likely to present with higher clinical activity indices. PE is associated with more eosinophils in colonic biopsy samples.
Insufficient Body Weight of Adults Born With Esophageal Atresia
Authors: Presse Nancy , Taillefer Julie , Maynard Stéphanie , Bouin Mickael 
Published: August 2015

ABSTRACTObjectives:Impaired growth has been reported in children born with esophageal atresia (EA). Their nutritional fate at adulthood remains uncertain though. Our objectives were to determine the body mass index (BMI) of adult patients with EA followed up from 2009 to 2011 in the EA clinic of a university‐affiliated hospital in Quebec (Canada), and investigate characteristics associated with underweight.Methods:The 40 adult patients with EA attending the clinic were invited to participate. Height and weight were measured and BMI calculated. Patients with BMI < 18.5 kg/m2 were deemed underweight. Patients’ characteristics were obtained, including digestive symptoms and compensatory eating behaviors. Nonparametric tests were used to compare the proportion of underweight among patients with EA with that found in the Quebec population and the characteristics between patients with EA deemed underweight and those with BMI ≥ 18.5 kg/m2.Results:The final sample included 16 women and 21 men, ages 18 to 44 years. Mean BMI was 21.3 ± 4.9 kg/m2 and 24.3% had BMI < 18.5 kg/m2, which is higher than in the Quebec adult population (2.5%, P < 0.001). Compared with patients with EA having BMI ≥ 18.5 kg/m2, underweight patients had more often experienced failure to thrive during their adolescence (55.6% vs 7.4%, P = 0.006), and reported severe postprandial fullness (62.5% vs 21.4%, P = 0.040), the need to eat slowly (87.5% vs 46.4%; P = 0.045), and severe difficulties to swallow dry solid foods (50.0% vs 14.3%, P = 0.054).Conclusions:Insufficient body weight is prevalent in this sample of adult patients with EA and could result from digestive symptoms. Follow‐up with a gastroenterologist and nutritional counseling should be considered for adult patients with EA.
Cyproheptadine Use in Children With Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
Authors: Madani Shailender , Cortes Orlando , Thomas Ronald 
Published: August 2015

ABSTRACTObjective:The objective of this study was to evaluate clinical improvement and safety with use of cyproheptadine in functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) in children.Methods:Retrospectively evaluating the efficacy and safety of the use for indications including Rome III–defined FGIDs: functional abdominal pain, functional dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), abdominal migraine, cyclic vomiting syndrome. Response categories were as follows: no improvement group/partial improvement group; requiring intervention, or complete improvement group (CIG); warranting discontinuation; ongoing use; or parental unwillingness to stop medication.Results:Among 307 patients, 151 included; 58% girls, ages 1 to 18 years (median 9); 110 (72.8%) reported complete symptom improvement; 41 (27.2%) reported no or partial improvement. Mean initial and final doses in the CIG were 4.85 mg/day (0.14 mg · kg−1 · day−1) and 5.34 mg/day (0.14 mg · kg−1 · day−1), respectively. A total of 102/151 (68%) reported no adverse effects. Adverse effects shown were as sleepiness in 19/151 (13%) and weight gain in 15/151 (10%). Cyproheptadine was effective in improving symptoms of functional abdominal pain, functional dyspepsia, in a relatively larger number of patients. Patients in smaller numbers had significant improvement 13/18 (72%) abdominal migraine, 10/10 (100%) IBS, and 6/8 (75%) cyclic vomiting syndrome. This is the first time report of improvement in IBS. Other pharmacodynamics had been as follows: the lower the body weight, the higher are the odds of no to partial improvement; patients in no improvement group/partial improvement group experience more adverse effects as compared to the CIG; the single best predictor of clinical improvement was body mass index. A 1 unit increase in body mass index with cyproheptadine use increased the odds of clinical improvement by 1.5‐fold (P = 0.01).Conclusions:Cyproheptadine effectively improves symptoms of Rome III–defined FGIDs and has a good safety profile when used for these indications.
Hepatitis B viral core proteins with an N-terminal extension can assemble into core-like particles but cannot be enveloped
Authors: Hui Eric Ka-Wai , Yi Yong Shyang , Lo Szecheng J. 
Published: August 2015

The structure of hepatitis B virus (HBV) nucleocapsids has been revealed in great detail by cryoelectron microscopy. How nucleocapsids interact with surface antigens to form enveloped virions remains unknown. In this study, core mutants with N-terminal additions were created to address two questions: (1) can these mutant core proteins still form nucleocapsids and (2) if so, can the mutant nucleocapsids interact with surface antigens to form virion-like particles. One plasmid encoding an extra stretch of 23 aa, including six histidine residues, fused to the N terminus of the core protein (designated HisC183) was expressed inEscherichia coliand detected by Western blot. CsCl gradient and electron microscopy analyses indicated that HisC183 could self-assemble into nucleocapsids. When HisC183 or another similar N-terminal fusion core protein (designated FlagC183) was co-expressed with a core-negative plasmid in human hepatoma cells, both mutant core proteins self-assembled into nucleocapsids. These particles also retained kinase activity. Using an endogenous polymerase assay, a fill-in HBV DNA labelled with isotope was obtained from intracellular nucleocapsids formed by mutant cores. In contrast, no such signal was detected from the transfection medium, which was consistent with PCR and Southern blot analyses. Results indicate that core mutants with N-terminal extensions can form nucleocapsids, but are blocked during the envelopment process and cannot form secreted virions. The mutant nucleocapsids generated from this work should facilitate further study on how nucleocapsids interact with surface antigens.
The rat cytomegalovirus R32 gene encodes a virion-associated protein that elicits a strong humoral immune response in infected rats
Authors: Beuken Erik , Grauls Gert , Bruggeman Cathrien A. , Vink Cornelis 
Published: August 2015

A gene of rat cytomegalovirus (RCMV), designated R32, has been identified that encodes a homologue of the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) pp150 (ppUL32) major tegument phosphoprotein. The R32 ORF has the capacity to encode a 667 amino acid polypeptide (pR32) with a calculated molecular mass of 73 kDa. The predicted amino acid sequence of pR32 shows similarity to that of polypeptides predicted to be encoded by the HCMV UL32, murine cytomegalovirus M32 and human herpesvirus types 6 and 7 U11 genes. The R32 gene is transcribed as a 2·5 kb mRNA during the late phase of RCMV infection in rat embryo fibroblasts in vitro. To study expression of the pR32 protein in vitro and in vivo, a rabbit polyclonal antiserum was raised against a recombinant protein that comprised amino acids 252–522 of pR32. By using this antiserum, pR32 could be detected predominantly in the cytoplasm of RCMV-infected fibroblasts at 24 and 48 h post-infection in vitro. The pR32 protein was also detected within virions isolated from the culture medium of RCMV- infected cells. Expression of pR32 in vivo was observed within the cytoplasm of salivary gland epithelial cells of RCMV-infected rats. In addition, recombinant pR32 was found to react with sera from rats that were previously infected with RCMV, whereas reactivity was not seen with sera from mock-infected rats. Together, these findings indicate that RCMV pR32 represents the homologue of HCMV ppUL32, both in primary structure and in function.
Complete sequence of RNA 1 and the presence of tRNA-like structures in all RNAs of Potato mop-top virus, genus Pomovirus
Authors: Savenkov Eugene I. , Sandgren Maria , Valkonen Jari P. T. 
Published: August 2015

The complete nucleotide sequence (6043 nt) of RNA 1 from Potato mop-top virus (PMTV-Sw), the type member of the genus Pomovirus, was determined. The first (5′-terminal) open reading frame (ORF 1) encodes a predicted protein of 148 kDa. ORF 2 extends through the opal stop codon of ORF 1 producing a predicted readthrough protein of 206 kDa which resembles the RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RdRp) of other fungal-transmitted viruses. It includes a methyltransferase, a helicase and a GDD RdRp motif, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses of RdRps indicated that PMTV is most closely related to Beet soil-borne virus (genusPomovirus), Broad bean necrosis virus (genus Pomovirus) and Soil-borne wheat mosaic virus (genus Furovirus), and is more distantly related to the other viruses of the former furovirus group. The 5′ and 3′ termini of RNA 1 in PMTV contained untranslated regions (UTR) of 114 nt and 489 nt, respectively. The 3′-UTR of RNA 1 contained a tRNA-like structure, which has previously been reported in the 3′-UTR of RNA 2 but not RNA 3. However, in this study, the tRNA-like structure was also found in the 3′-UTR of RNA 3, which confirms its presence in the 3′-UTRs of all three RNAs of PMTV.
Tomato chlorotic dwarf viroid: an evolutionary link in the origin of pospiviroids
Authors: Singh Rudra P. , Nie Xianzhou , Singh Mathuresh 
Published: August 2015

Over 40 isolates of potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd) have been reported from potato, other Solanum species and greenhouse tomato. These isolates have sequence similarities in the range 95–99%. A viroid which caused chlorotic leaves and severe dwarfing of plants in greenhouse tomato crops was detected. The viroid was found to hybridize readily with PSTVd probes. It migrated faster than PSTVd in return-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and was not amplified in RT–PCR by a primer pair based on the lower strand of the central conserved region of PSTVd. Nucleotide sequencing of the viroid indicated that it is a circular RNA of 360 nt, with less than 90% sequence similarities with PSTVd isolates. The Variable domain (V) has less than 60% and the Terminal Right domain less than 90% sequence similarity, while the remainder of the molecule has greater than 97% similarity with PSTVd. Because of its less-than 90% sequence similarities, unique V domain, lack of seed-transmission and lack of cross-protection by PSTVd, the viroid from tomato is proposed to be a distinct viroid species (tomato chlorotic dwarf viroid; TCDVd) which also differs from two viroids infecting tomato in nature. TCDVd may be an evolutionary link in the development of crop viroids, with Mexican papita viroid as the ancestral viroid.
Assembly of the Epstein–Barr virus BBLF4, BSLF1 and BBLF2/3 proteins and their interactive properties
Authors: Yokoyama Naoaki , Fujii Ken , Hirata Mineo , Tamai Katsuyuki , Kiyono Tohru , Kuzushima Kiyotaka , Nishiyama Yukihiro , Fujita Masatoshi , Tsurumi Tatsuya 
Published: August 2015

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) encodes putative helicase–primase proteins BBLF4, BSLF1 and BBLF2/3, which are essential for the lytic phase of viral DNA replication. The BSLF1, BBLF4 and BBLF2/3 proteins were expressed in B95-8 cells after induction of a virus productive cycle, possessing apparent molecular masses of 89 kDa, 90 kDa and 80 kDa, respectively. The anti-BSLF1 or anti-BBLF2/3 protein-specific antibody, which recognizes its target protein in both Western blotting and immunoprecipitation analyses, immunoprecipitated all of the BSLF1, BBLF4 and BBLF2/3 proteins from the extract of the cells with a virus productive cycle, indicating that these viral proteins are assembled togetherin vivo. To characterize their protein–protein interactions in detail, recombinant baculoviruses capable of expressing each of these viral gene products in insect cells were constructed. The assembly of the three virus replication proteins was reproduced in insect cells co- infected with the three recombinant baculoviruses, indicating that complex formation does not require other EBV replication proteins. Furthermore, experiments performed by using the extracts from insect cells co-infected with each pair of the recombinant viruses demonstrated that the BSLF1 protein could interact separately with both the BBLF4 and BBLF2/3 proteins and that the BBLF2/3 protein also interacted with the BBLF4 protein. These observations strongly suggest that within the BBLF4–BSLF1–BBLF2/3 complex each component interacts directly with the other two, resulting in helicase–primase enzyme activity.