bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of remifentanil on esophageal motility: a double‐blind, randomized, cross‐over study in healthy volunteers
Authors: Savilampi J. , Magnuson A. , Ahlstrand R. 
Published: April 2015

BackgroundRecent studies have shown that remifentanil increases the risk of aspiration and induces subjective swallowing difficulties. The mechanisms are not completely understood. Here, we investigated whether remifentanil impairs esophageal motility and hypothesized that this is one possible underlying mechanism. Naloxone was used to evaluate whether the effects of remifentanil are mediated through opioid receptors. We also examined subjective swallowing difficulties and the influence of metoclopramide on remifentanil‐induced effects.MethodsFourteen healthy volunteers participated in a double‐blind, randomized, cross‐over trial at the University Hospital in Örebro, Sweden. They were studied on two different occasions, during which they were randomly assigned to receive either naloxone given as a bolus of 6 μg/kg followed by an infusion of 0.1 μg/kg/min, or saline 5 min before target‐controlled infusions of remifentanil at three target‐site concentrations: 1, 2, and 3 ng/ml. On both occasions, 0.2 mg/kg metoclopramide was given before the final measurement. Five swallows were performed during each measuring condition, and the metrics defining esophageal motility were measured by high‐resolution manometry. Outcomes were differences in the metrics at baseline vs. during remifentanil infusion, with naloxone vs. placebo, and with remifentanil before and after metoclopramide administration. Differences in swallowing difficulties were also recorded.ResultsRemifentanil decreased swallow‐evoked esophagogastric junction relaxation and the latency time of esophageal peristalsis. There were no significant effects of naloxone or metoclopramide on remifentanil‐induced effects, and we detected no differences in swallowing difficulties.ConclusionsRemifentanil induces dysfunction of esophageal motility; this may contribute to the elevated risk of regurgitation and aspiration.
Effect of exogenous xylanase on rumen in vitro gas production and degradability of wheat straw
Authors: Togtokhbayar Norovsambuu , Cerrillo María A. , Rodríguez Germán Buendía , Elghandour Mona M. M. Y. , Salem Abdelfattah Z. M. , Urankhaich Chuluunbaatar , Jigjidpurev Sukhbaatar , Odongo Nicholas E. , Kholif Ahmed E. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe objective of this study was to determine effects of xylanase on in vitro gas production (GP) and in sacco degradability of wheat straw. Rumen fluid was obtained from three Mongolian native goats fitted with permanent rumen cannulas. The trial consisted of five doses (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 μL/g of substrate) of a commercial xylanase (Dyadic® xylanase PLUS, Dyadic International, Inc., Jupiter, FL, USA). For the in sacco degradability, different levels of xylanase enzyme were added directly onto 2 g of wheat straw in nylon bags and incubated in the rumen for 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h to estimate degradability of wheat straw. Total GP increased (P < 0.001) at all times of incubation at intermediate levels of xylanase. Methane production had a similar pattern at 3 and 12 h of incubation; increased linearly at 24 h of incubation, and was unaffected at 6 and 48 h of incubation. Rumen NH3‐N concentration increased linearly at 3 h and the highest values were observed with intermediate enzyme levels. All ruminal volatile fatty acids increased linearly with intermediate levels of the fibrolytic enzyme. The in sacco rate of dry matter degradation decreased linearly (P = 0.020) with increasing enzymes. Intermediate levels of xylanase improved rumen kinetic fermentation and degradability. The outcome of this research indicated that the application of xylanase enzyme could improve in vitro GP fermentation of wheat straw.
Current status and future prospects for platelet function testing in the diagnosis of inherited bleeding disorders
Authors: Dovlatova Natalia 
Published: April 2015

SummaryPlatelets play a crucial role in haemostasis by preventing bleeding at the site of vascular injury. Several defects in platelet morphology and function have been identified and described over the years. Although a range of methodologies is available to assess platelet function, a significant proportion of subjects with bleeding symptoms and normal coagulation parameters still appear to have normal results on platelet function testing. This might suggest that the reason for bleeding is multifactorial and is due to a combination of several minor defects in platelet function and/or other parts of the haemostatic system or might indicate that the currently available platelet function tests do not provide optimal diagnostic power. This review will summarize the established platelet function tests used for diagnosing inherited platelet abnormalities in adults and children, and discuss the newly developed methodologies as well as unmet challenges and potential areas for further improvement in this field.
From the bush to the bench: the annual Nothobranchius fishes as a new model system in biology
Authors: Cellerino Alessandro , Valenzano Dario R. , Reichard Martin 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTAfrican annual fishes from the genus Nothobranchius are small teleosts that inhabit temporary water bodies subject to annual desiccation due to the alternation of the monsoon seasons. Given their unique biology, these fish have emerged as a model taxon in several biological disciplines. Their increasing popularity stems from the extremely short lifespan that is the result of their specific life‐history adaptations and is retained under laboratory conditions. Nothobranchius furzeri, the most popular laboratory species, is the vertebrate species with the shortest lifespan recorded in captivity. In the laboratory, adults of different Nothobranchius species and populations live between 3 and 18 months and, notably, there is a negative correlation between the captive lifespan of a species and the aridity of their habitat. Their short lifespan is coupled to rapid age‐dependent functional decline and expression of cellular and molecular changes comparable to those observed in other vertebrates, including humans. The recent development of transgenesis in this species makes it possible to insert specific constructs into their genome, and the establishment of transgenic lines is facilitated by their very rapid generation time, which can be as short as 1 month. This makes Nothobranchius species particularly suited for investigating biological and molecular aspects of ageing and ageing‐associated dysfunctions. At the same time, they also represent a unique model taxon to investigate the evolution of life‐history adaptations and their genetic architecture. We review their natural history, including phylogenetic relationships, distribution in relation to habitat conditions and natural selection for differential longevity, population structure and demography, and life cycle with emphasis on diapause that may occur at three stages during embryonic development. We further critically evaluate their use as a laboratory model for understanding the evolution of a rapid ageing rate and its consequences for other life‐history traits, for cellular, molecular and integrative traits associated with the ageing process, high incidence of neoplasias, their utility for genome‐wide gene‐expression studies, and as a model for quantitative genetics. We summarize recent achievements in fostering Nothobranchius species as a widely applicable model system, including an annotated transcriptome, successful transgenesis, and existence of viable inbred lines. We compare the conditions they experience in the wild and in captivity and suggest that they are an ideal taxon to investigate natural genetic variation in a laboratory setting. We conclude that Nothobranchius species – and N. furzeri in particular – could become a unique model taxon that bridges interests in ecological and biomedical research. We hope that a conceptual and methodological integration of these two branches of biology will provide important new insights.
Measurement Issues: Depression measures in children and adolescents
Authors: Simmons Meinou , Wilkinson Paul , Dubicka Bernadka 
Published: April 2015

BackgroundSince the recognition of youth depression, numerous instruments have been developed, but there is little consensus regarding their use. In recent years, a national programme for outcome measurement has been introduced in the United Kingdom.MethodA pragmatic literature search was conducted to select instruments commonly used to measure depression either in research or as recommended by UK national bodies.Results15 depression rating scales were identified. Diagnostic instruments and rating scales are described.ConclusionsRecent large depression trials have produced additional new data, and UK national organisations have made recommendations regarding the implementation of certain instruments.
Influence of Age on Clinical Performance of Mandibular Two‐Implant Overdentures: A 10‐Year Prospective Comparative Study
Authors: Hoeksema Arie R. , Visser Anita , Raghoebar Gerry M. , Vissink Arjan , Meijer Henny J.A. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractPurposeThe aim of this prospective comparative study was to assess whether age has influence on peri‐implant health in patients treated with mandibular two‐implant overdentures during a 10‐year evaluation period.Materials and MethodsA prospective study was carried out with two groups of edentulous patients, viz a younger (n = 52; mean age 45 years, 35–50 years) and an older (n = 53; mean age 68 years, 60–80 years) group. In all patients, two dental implants were placed in the interforaminal region of the mandible and after a 3‐month healing period overdentures were fabricated. Clinical and radiographic parameters were evaluated immediately after completion of the prosthetic treatment, and after 1, 5 and 10 years. Implant loss, plaque index, gingival index, bleeding index, and probing depth were assessed as clinical parameters. Peri‐implant bone loss was assessed on dental radiographs made with a standardized long‐cone technique with a direction device.ResultsImplant survival after 10 years was 97.1% and 93.4% in the younger and older group, respectively. Ten‐year scores of plaque, gingiva, and bleeding were between 0 and 1 for both groups (possible scores 0–3), and mean probing depth was 3 mm in both groups. Mean peri‐implant bone loss after 10 years was 1.2 and 1.4 mm in the younger and older patients, respectively. No significant differences were observed between the groups.ConclusionClinical performance of mandibular two‐implant overdentures is equally successful in younger and older patients.
Framing the ecosystem concept through a longitudinal study of developments in science and policy
Authors: Aggestam Filip 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThis paper examines how scientific literature and policy documents frame the ecosystem concept and how these frames have shaped scientific dialogue and policy making over time. This was achieved by developing a frame typology, as a basis for organizing relevant value expressions, to assess how different frames have altered perspectives of the ecosystem concept. The frame typology and analysis is based on a semi‐grounded and longitudinal document analysis of scientific literature and policy documents using the ecosystem concept. Despite changing discourses and public priorities (e.g., cultural constructs of biodiversity) both science and policy documents are characterized by stable value systems that have not changed substantially since the 1930s. These value systems were defined based on ethical principles that delineate 6 core frames: humans first, dual systems, eco‐science, eco‐holism, animals first, and multicentrism. Specific crises (e.g., climate change) and cross‐disciplinary uptake and re‐uptake of, for example, the ecosystem services concept, have brought new perspectives to the forefront of public discourse. These developments triggered changes in the core frames that, rather than being value based, are based on how the ecosystem is conceptualized under fixed value systems and over time. Fourteen subframes were developed to reflect these longitudinal changes. There are as such clear framing effects in both scientific literature and in policy. Ecosystem research is for instance often characterized by unstated value judgments even though the scientific community does not make these explicit. In contrast, policy documents are characterized by clear value expressions but are principally management driven and human centered.
Integrating geospatial and multi‐depth laboratory spectral data for mapping soil classes in a geologically complex area in southeastern Brazil
Authors: Vasques G. M. , Demattê J. A. M. , Viscarra Rossel R. A. , Ramírez López L. , Terra F. S. , Rizzo R. , De Souza Filho C. R. 
Published: April 2015

SummarySoil mapping across large areas can be enhanced by integrating different methods and data sources. This study merges laboratory, field and remote sensing data to create digital maps of soil suborders based on the Brazilian Soil Classification System, with and without additional textural classification, in an area of 13 000 ha in the state of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil. Data from 289 visited soil profiles were used in multinomial logistic regression to predict soil suborders from geospatial data (geology, topography, emissivity and vegetation index) and visible–near infrared (400–2500 nm) reflectance of soil samples collected at three depths (0–20, 40–60 and 80–100 cm). The derived maps were validated with 47 external observations, and compared with two conventional soil maps at scales of 1:100 000 and 1:20 000. Soil suborders with and without textural classification were predicted correctly for 44 and 52% of the soil profiles, respectively. The derived suborder maps agreed with the 1:100 000 and 1:20 000 conventional maps in 20 and 23% (with textural classification) and 41 and 46% (without textural classification) of the area, respectively. Soils that were well defined along relief gradients (Latosols and Argisols) were predicted with up to 91% agreement, whereas soils in complex areas (Cambisols and Neosols) were poorly predicted. Adding textural classification to suborders considerably degraded classification accuracy; thus modelling at the suborder level alone is recommended. Stream density and laboratory soil reflectance improved all classification models, showing their potential to aid digital soil mapping in complex tropical environments.
Structural views of quinone oxidoreductase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis reveal large conformational changes induced by the co‐factor
Authors: Zheng Qianqian , Song Yunlong , Zhang Wei , Shaw Neil , Zhou Weihong , Rao Zihe 
Published: April 2015

Energy generation, synthesis of biomass and detoxification of synthetic compounds are driven by electron transfer in all living organisms. Soluble quinone oxidoreductases (QORs) catalyze transfer of electrons from NADPH to substrates. The open reading frame Rv1454c of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) encodes a NADPH‐dependent QOR that is known to catalyze one‐electron reduction of quinones to produce semiquinones. Here, we report the crystal structures of the apo‐enzyme of MtbQOR and its binary complex with NADPH determined at 1.80 and 1.85 Å resolutions, respectively. The enzyme is bi‐modular. Domain I binds the substrate, while domain II folds into a typical Rossmann fold for tethering NADPH. Binding of NADPH induces conformational changes. Among the known structures of QORs, MtbQOR exhibits the largest conformational change. Movement of Phe41 to stack against Ala244 results in partial closure of the active site. Comparison of the structure with homologs suggests a conserved topology. However, differences are observed in the region around the site of hydride transfer, highlighting differences in substrate specificities amongst the homologs. Unliganded as well as NADPH‐bound MtbQOR crystallized as a dimer. Dimerization is mediated by homotypic intermolecular interactions involving main chain Cα as well as side‐chain atoms of residues. The results of analytical ultracentrifugation analysis revealed that MtbQOR exists as a dimer in solution. Enzymatic assays indicate that MtbQOR prefers 9,10‐phenanthrenequinone over 1,4‐benzoquinone as a substrate. The ability to reduce quinones probably assists Mtb in detoxification of a range of harmful chemicals encountered in the host during invasion.DatabaseThe coordinates and structure factors for apo‐ and NADPH‐bound MtbQOR have been deposited in the Protein Data Bank under accession codes 4RVS and 4RVU, respectively.
Interface damage behaviour during interference‐fit bolt installation process for CFRP/Ti alloy joining structure
Authors: Li J. , Li Y. , Zhang K. , Liu P. , Zou P. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractA numerical and experimental investigation was conducted to determine the effect of interference‐fit size on damage behaviour of bolted single‐lap carbon fibre‐reinforced plastic/Ti alloy composite structure. Three‐dimensional finite element analysis (FEA) was conducted for interference‐fit bolt installation process considering the friction coefficient and nonlinear shear stress–strain relationship, and damage sub‐routine was used to predict composite progressive failure region and failure type in single‐lap bolted‐joints. Experiments involving three interference‐fit sizes of 0.4%, 2.1% and 3.0% were designed to verify the FEA. In addition, micro‐analysis results show that damage type during interference‐fit bolt inserting process predicted by FEA was consistent with experimental results. Various types of micro‐scale damage around the hole after interference bolt installation were analysed and characterised, and the effects of interference‐fit size on structure strength were analysed in view of micro‐scale damage. An appropriate interference‐fit size can prompt the carbon fibre‐reinforced plastic hole to become ‘brush‐like’ and exhibit ‘soften’ and ‘buffering’ effect that improves the bearing capacity. In this paper, interference fit of 2.1% exhibits the maximum bearing damage strength.
Modeling the carbon cycle in Lake Matano
Authors: Kuntz L. B. , Laakso T. A. , Schrag D. P. , Crowe S. A. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractLake Matano, Indonesia, is a stratified anoxic lake with iron‐rich waters that has been used as an analogue for the Archean and early Proterozoic oceans. Past studies of Lake Matano report large amounts of methane production, with as much as 80% of primary production degraded via methanogenesis. Low δ13C values of DIC in the lake are difficult to reconcile with this notion, as fractionation during methanogenesis produces isotopically heavy CO2. To help reconcile these observations, we develop a box model of the carbon cycle in ferruginous Lake Matano, Indonesia, that satisfies the constraints of CH4 and DIC isotopic profiles, sediment composition, and alkalinity. We estimate methane fluxes smaller than originally proposed, with about 9% of organic carbon export to the deep waters degraded via methanogenesis. In addition, despite the abundance of Fe within the waters, anoxic ferric iron respiration of organic matter degrades <3% of organic carbon export, leaving methanogenesis as the largest contributor to anaerobic organic matter remineralization, while indicating a relatively minor role for iron as an electron acceptor. As the majority of carbon exported is buried in the sediments, we suggest that the role of methane in the Archean and early Proterozoic oceans is less significant than presumed in other studies.
Histological reassessment of the role of bridging fibrosis in the angioarchitectural features associated with lobular distortion of the liver in chronic viral hepatitis
Authors: Hano Hiroshi , Takasaki Satoshi , Endo Yasuhiko , Harada Tohru , Komine Kazumasa , Koike Yujin 
Published: April 2015

AimTo reassess the role of bridging fibrosis in the lobular distortion of the liver from an angioarchitectural aspect.MethodsTwo tissue samples obtained from surgically resected livers with chronic hepatitis and one obtained from an autopsy case with chronic hepatitis were used for the three‐dimensional observation of angioarchitecture by histological reconstruction.ResultsSamples showed bridging fibrosis with various degrees of severity, without cirrhotic changes. Two different types of portal–portal bridging fibrosis were found. In our samples, the type that developed in the bifurcation region of the portal tracts was more common than the type observed between the distal portions originating from different parent portal tracts. The angioarchitecture tended to be generally maintained in these lesions. Concerning portal–central bridging fibrosis, two types were observed. One type developed in the lesion with partial paucity of the third‐step portal branches in the portal tract at a relatively early stage of chronic hepatitis. The other type developed in an advanced lesion with a complete loss of the normal angioarchitecture of the parenchymal portion of the portal veins. The former was likely developed after large‐scale necrosis, such as bridging necrosis, while the latter was presumed to be attributable to portal vein damage associated with long standing chronic inflammation.ConclusionAs has been previously noted regarding lobular angioarchitecture, portal–central bridging fibrosis clearly affects the lobular structure of the liver more than portal–portal bridging fibrosis. Therefore, portal vein damage may be a critical event in the eventual distortion of the lobular structure.
Evaluation of schistocyte analysis by a novel automated digital cell morphology application
Authors: Hervent A.‐S. , Godefroid M. , Cauwelier B. , Billiet J. , Emmerechts J. 
Published: April 2015

SummaryIntroductionThe CellaVision Advanced Red Blood Cell (RBC) Software Application is a new software for advanced morphological analysis of RBC, which automatically performs a preliminary characterization and grouping of RBC into 21 morphological categories, including schistocytes. Upon automated classification, the software offers the possibility of reclassification of RBC by the operator. The aim of this study was to evaluate the schistocyte analysis by the CellaVision Advanced RBC Application.MethodsSchistocyte counts were evaluated comparing the automated count on a CellaVision DM96, both before and after reclassification, with the reference manual microscopic method according to the ICSH criteria. Thirty‐six samples of hospitalized patients and 40 samples of controls were analyzed.ResultsWithin‐run, between‐run and between‐observer coefficients of variation were lower when counted with the CellaVision compared to the manual microscopic count. The very high sensitivity but rather poor specificity implicates the need for reclassification by the operator, following automated analysis. After reclassification, method comparison studies revealed good agreement with the manual microscopic method, with however slightly higher values of schistocytes for the automated analysis.ConclusionThe CellaVision Advanced RBC Software Application provides a sensitive and reproducible measurement of schistocytes in peripheral blood, but still requires manual revision. Furthermore, it is an easy‐to‐use software and an excellent teaching tool that might contribute to standardization in the investigation of schistocyte‐related conditions.