bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Responsiveness to methacholine, but not leukotriene D4, correlates with fractional exhaled nitric oxide in asthma
Authors: Guan Wei‐jie , Shi Xu , Jiang Cai‐yu , Xie Yan‐qing , Zhu Zheng , Gao Yi , Zheng Jin‐ping 
Published: August 2014

AbstractBackground and AimsCorrelation between fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and responsiveness to inhaled leukotriene D4 (LTD4) and methacholine (MCh) might be different. This study aims to determine the correlation between FeNO and airway responsiveness to LTD4 and MCh, and to compare the airway responsiveness to inhaled LTD4 and MCh and FeNO in non‐smokers, patients without rhinitis and non‐smokers without rhinitis.MethodsIn this cross‐over study, asthmatic patients and healthy subjects underwent LTD4 and MCh inhalation challenge at a 2‐ to 14‐day interval. The FeNO was measured by using NIOX MINO, a portable instrument, at the initial visit, before spirometry and inhalation challenge tests. Subgroup analyses were performed in asthmatic patients based on the categorisation of never‐smoker group, non‐rhinitis group and never‐smoker without rhinitis group.ResultsOf 62 asthmatic patients enrolled, 43 did not have self‐reported rhinitis (asthmatic patients without rhinitis), 56 were never‐smokers (asthmatic non‐smokers), giving rise to 37 non‐smokers who did not have rhinitis (asthmatic non‐smokers without rhinitis). Twenty‐one healthy subjects were enrolled. Overall, Log10FeNO correlated with Log10PD20FEV1‐MCh but not Log10PD20FEV1‐LTD4 or Log10(LTD4/MCh potency ratio). Reduced FeNO was associated with significantly higher Log10PD20FEV1‐MCh but not Log10PD20FEV1‐LTD4, except for non‐smokers. Compared with all asthmatic patients, asthmatic non‐smokers without rhinitis were characterised by markedly reduced levels of Log10PD20FEV1‐MCh but not Log10PD20FEV1‐LTD4. The difference in all parameters did not reach statistical significance among asthmatic patients without rhinitis, asthmatic non‐smokers and asthmatic non‐smokers without rhinitis.ConclusionFeNO correlates with airway responsiveness to inhaled MCh but not LTD4, in asthmatic patients, particularly in asthmatic non‐smokers without rhinitis.
Characteristics of benign solitary pulmonary nodules confirmed by diagnostic video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery
Authors: Choi Sun Mi , Heo Eun Young , Lee Jinwoo , Park Young Sik , Lee Chang‐Hoon , Park Chang Min , Kang Chang Hyun , Yim Jae‐Joon , Kim Young Tae , Yoo Chul‐Gyu , Han Sung Koo , Kim Young Whan 
Published: August 2014

AbstractBackground and AimsThe solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN) is a common clinical problem usually detected incidentally during screening tests for lung cancer. Video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is performed for diagnosing SPNs when there are technical difficulties with transthoracic needle aspiration biopsy or bronchoscopic biopsy, inconclusive biopsy results, or when there is a high suspicion of malignancy. This study aimed to identify factors that can reduce unnecessary VATS for the diagnosis of SPNs.MethodsWe retrospectively analysed patients with SPNs (n = 107) who had undergone diagnostic VATS at Seoul National University Hospital from January 2007 to December 2008. Clinical and radiological parameters were evaluated to compare benign and malignant SPNs.ResultsBenign SPNs were diagnosed in 31 patients (29.0%). The most common reason for patients to undergo a diagnostic VATS was a history of malignancy. The most common histological findings in patients with benign SPNs were non‐specific inflammatory lesions (29.0%) and tuberculosis (16.1%). The presence of respiratory symptoms was significantly associated with benign diseases [P = 0.004, odds ratio (OR) 0.189, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.060–0.590], and part‐solid nodules were significantly related to malignancy (P = 0.026, OR 6.34, 95% CI 1.248–32.169).ConclusionApproximately 30% of SPNs resected by VATS were benign. Although we did not identify a definite factor for predicting benign disease or malignancy, the presence of respiratory symptoms was related to benign disease, and part‐solid nodules were associated with malignancy.
Frequency and clinical significance of respiratory isolates of non‐tuberculous mycobacteria in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Authors: AL‐Harbi Abdullah , AL‐Jahdali Hamdan , AL‐Johani Sameera , Baharoon Salim , Bin Salih Salih , Khan Mohammad 
Published: August 2014

AbstractBackground and AimsThe prevalence of pulmonary non‐tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) disease is increasing worldwide. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency and clinical significance of NTM isolated from respiratory specimens at King Abdul‐Aziz Medical City‐Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.MethodsThe medical records of all patients who had at least one respiratory specimen that was positive for growth of NTM between 2006 and 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical significance of the isolates was determined using the diagnostic criteria for NTM disease published by the American Thoracic Society (ATS).ResultA total of 380 respiratory specimens with positive culture for NTM from 142 patients were identified. Forty patients (28%) had definite pulmonary NTM disease with a mean (± standard deviation) age of 54 ± 16 years, 58% were male and 50% had had underlying chronic lung disease. Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) (n = 19, 48%) and Mycobacterium abscessus (n = 10, 25%) were the most commonly encountered NTM. The clinical manifestations of NTM lung disease are non‐specific, with symptoms indistinguishable from pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). The most common radiological features of NTM lung disease were nodular bronchiectasis (45%) and fibrocavitary lesions (40%).ConclusionsTwenty‐eight percent of the patients with NTM isolates met the ATS diagnostic criteria for NTM lung disease. MAC and M. abscessus were the most encountered NTM isolated species that caused NTM lung disease in our population, which is a rate similar to many previous studies.
Activation of transient receptor potential vanilloid 2‐expressing primary afferents stimulates synaptic transmission in the deep dorsal horn of the rat spinal cord and elicits mechanical hyperalgesia
Authors: Petitjean Hugues , Hugel Sylvain , Barthas Florent , Bohren Yohann , Barrot Michel , Yalcin Ipek , Schlichter Rémy 
Published: August 2014

AbstractProbenecid, an agonist of transient receptor vanilloid (TRPV) type 2, was used to evaluate the effects of TRPV2 activation on excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission in the dorsal horn (DH) of the rat spinal cord and on nociceptive reflexes induced by thermal heat and mechanical stimuli. The effects of probenecid were compared with those of capsaicin, a TRPV1 agonist. Calcium imaging experiments on rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and DH cultures indicated that functional TRPV2 and TRPV1 were expressed by essentially non‐overlapping subpopulations of DRG neurons, but were absent from DH neurons and DH and DRG glial cells. Pretreatment of DRG cultures with small interfering RNAs against TRPV2 suppressed the responses to probenecid. Patch‐clamp recordings from spinal cord slices showed that probenecid and capsaicin increased the frequencies of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) and spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents in a subset of laminae III–V neurons. In contrast to capsaicin, probenecid failed to stimulate synaptic transmission in lamina II. Intrathecal or intraplantar injections of probenecid induced mechanical hyperalgesia/allodynia without affecting nociceptive heat responses. Capsaicin induced both mechanical hyperalgesia/allodynia and heat hyperalgesia. Activation of TRPV1 or TRPV2 in distinct sets of primary afferents increased the sEPSC frequencies in a largely common population of DH neurons in laminae III–V, and might underlie the development of mechanical hypersensitivity following probenecid or capsaicin treatment. However, only TRPV1‐expressing afferents facilitated excitatory and/or inhibitory transmission in a subpopulation of lamina II neurons, and this phenomenon might be correlated with the induction of thermal heat hyperalgesia.
Patient‐reported cognitive functioning and daily functioning in chronic dialysis patients
Authors: Song Mi‐Kyung , Ward Sandra E. , Bair Eric , Weiner Lia J. , Bridgman Jessica C. , Hladik Gerald A. , Gilet Constance A. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractSubjective cognitive impairment negatively affects daily functioning, health‐related quality of life, and health care consumption, and is predictive of future cognitive decline in many patient populations. However, no subjective measures of multidimensional cognitive functioning have been evaluated for dialysis patients. Our purposes were to examine (1) the association between patient‐reported (subjective) cognitive functioning and objective cognitive functioning and (2) the relationships between subjective and objective cognitive functioning and everyday functioning of dialysis patients. We used baseline data from an ongoing longitudinal observational study of trajectories in dialysis patients' multidimensional quality of life. One hundred thirty‐five patients completed a telephone‐based neuropsychological battery (BriefTest ofAdultCognition byTelephone, a measure of objective cognitive functioning), a measure of subjective cognitive functioning (Patient's Assessment of Own Functioning Inventory), and measures of everyday functioning (Activities ofDailyLiving [ADL] andInstrumentalActivities ofDailyLiving [IADL] scales). After controlling for age and education, there was a modest correlation (r = 0.33,P > 0.001) between subjective and objective cognitive functioning. Multivariate logistic regression models showed subjective, but not objective, cognitive functioning was a significant predictor of bothADLsandIADLs. The findings suggest the potential clinical value of subjective measures of cognitive functioning, not to replace objective measures or diagnostic tests, but rather to optimize the meaningfulness of clinical assessment and management.
Predictive Validity of Severity Grading for Cerebral Steno-Occlusive Arteriopathy in Recurrent Childhood Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Sultan Sally M. , Beslow Lauren A. , Vossough Arastoo , Elkind Mitchell S. V. , Kasner Scott E. , Mirsky David M. , Licht Daniel J. , Ichord Rebecca N. 
Published: August 2014

Background Cerebral arteriopathy is a risk factor for incident and recurrent childhood AIS. There are no standardized criteria to quantify arteriopathy severity. Aims To evaluate a method of scoring severity of steno-occlusive arteriopathy in childhood arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) and its association with recurrence. Methods In a single-center prospectively enrolled cohort of 49 children with first AIS and arteriopathy, a composite cerebrovascular stenosis score (CVSS) was measured by two independent raters as the sum of stenosis scores in each of 18 intracranial large and medium arteries, where 0 = none; 1 = low-grade, 1–50%; 2 = high-grade, >50–99%; 3 = occlusion, 100%. Cox proportional-hazards models were used to determine the association of CVSS with recurrence. The analysis was stratified by presence or absence of moyamoya arteriopathy (syndrome or disease). Results At a median follow-up period of 2·5 years (range: 0·8–9), 18/49 children (37%) experienced a recurrence. Median time to recurrence was 0·2 (range: 0·02–2·8) years. Interrater agreement was good, with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0·77 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0·63–0·87, P < 0·001). Higher CVSS was associated with higher recurrence rate [hazard ratio (HR) per point 1·09, 95% CI 1·04–1·16, P = 0·001]. Among those with moyamoya arteriopathy, CVSS was associated with recurrence (HR per point of CVSS 1·11, 95% CI 1·03–1·19, P = 0·004), but there was no association in those without moyamoya arteriopathy (HR per point of CVSS 0·91, 95% CI 0·75–1·09, P = 0·32). Conclusions The CVSS is a reliable measure of severity of steno-occlusive arteriopathy in childhood stroke. This preliminary study suggests that higher CVSS is associated with stroke recurrence in children with moyamoya arteriopathy.
Achieving universal health coverage‐the case of Zhuhai city
Authors: Sun Jing , Zhang Xiao Tian , Zhang Zou , Hogerzeil Hans V. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractObjectiveUniversal health coverage cannot be achieved without evidence from research, which requires national and international support. We hope that our careful documentation of one of China's local experience in designing and implementing the basic health insurance coverage, and our analysis of how it helped to achieve universal health coverage, will inform other systems in China as well as other relevant countries on their way to universal coverage.MethodsThe paper first presents the development of Zhuhai's basic health insurance system chronologically; then comprehensively describes the background and the key components of the common disease outpatient benefit package; followed by a comparison with the common practices of outpatient benefit package of other areas of China and four neighboring countries. It also summarizes the strengths and weakness of the package, and lists the remaining research questions for future studies.ResultsThe common disease outpatient benefit package of Zhuhai has helped to improve the universal health coverage of Zhuhai in the following aspects: securing all citizens’ access to the common disease outpatient services under the basic health insurance coverage; containing the rapid growth of health expenditures; enhancing provider awareness of expenditure and encouraging cost‐effective interventions through appropriate financial incentives; and shifting the focus from treatment to prevention and preventing the development of common diseases into serious conditions with high cost specialist services. The common disease outpatient benefit package greatly improved and strengthened the basic health insurance system through secured equal access to affordable outpatient care for common conditions.ConclusionLimited health resources are used more efficiently by pooling the risks and by implementing capitated provider payment, which enhances the cost awareness by health care providers, to improves efficiency and creates positive incentives for health professionals for using the most cost‐effective health interventions.
Predictors of Men's Sexual Response to Erotic Film Stimuli: The Role of Affect and Self-Reported Thoughts
Authors: Oliveira Cátia , Laja Pedro , Carvalho Joana , Quinta Gomes Ana , Vilarinho Sandra , Janssen Erick , Nobre Pedro J. 
Published: August 2014

Abstract

Introduction
Both emotions and cognitions seem to play a role in determining sexual arousal. However, no studies to date have tested the effects of self-reported thoughts on subjective sexual arousal and genital response using psychophysiological methods.

Aim
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of self-reported thoughts and affect during exposure to erotic material in predicting subjective and genital responses in sexually healthy men.

Methods
Twenty-seven men were presented with two explicit films, and genital responses, subjective sexual arousal, self-reported thoughts, and positive and negative affect were assessed.

Main Outcome Measures
Men's genital responses, subjective sexual arousal, affective responses, and self-reported thoughts during exposure to sexual stimulus were measured.

Results
Regression analyses revealed that genital responses were predicted by self-reported thoughts (explaining 20% of the variance) but not by affect during exposure to erotic films. On the other hand, subjective sexual arousal was significantly predicted by both positive and negative affect (explaining 18% of the variance) and self-reported thoughts (explaining 37% of the variance). Follow-up analyses using the single predictors showed that “sexual arousal thoughts” were the only significant predictor of subjective response (β = 0.64; P &lt; 0.01) and that “distracting/disengaging thoughts” were the best predictor of genital response (β = −0.51; P &lt; 0.05).

Conclusions
The findings of this study suggest that both affect and sexual arousal thoughts play an important role in men's subjective sexual response, whereas genital response seems to be better predicted by distracting thoughts.
HLA‐DP genes polymorphisms associate with hepatitis B surface antigen kinetics and seroclearance during nucleot(s)ide analogue therapy
Authors: Hosaka Tetsuya , Suzuki Fumitaka , Kobayashi Masahiro , Fukushima Taito , Kawamura Yusuke , Sezaki Hitomi , Akuta Norio , Suzuki Yoshiyuki , Saitoh Satoshi , Arase Yasuji , Ikeda Kenji , Kobayashi Mariko , Kumada Hiromitsu 
Published: August 2014

AbstractBackground & AimsGenome‐wide association studies (GWAS) recently indicated that polymorphisms in the human leucocyte antigen (HLA)‐DP genes were associated with risk of persistent hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and clearance of HBV, but the effect of HLA‐DP gene polymorphisms on the effect of antiviral therapy was unknown. We here investigated whether such polymorphisms were associated with decreases in HBsAg levels and seroclearance in patients who received long‐term lamivudine (LAM) treatment.MethodsJapanese patients (202) who were hepatitis B e antigen positive at baseline, received LAM as first‐line treatment, and consented to HLA‐DP genotyping (HLA‐DPA1 rs3077 and HLA‐DPB1 rs9277535) were categorized into two cohorts, viz., a cohort who achieved virological response without rescue therapy (cohort 1) and those who did so with rescue therapy (cohort 2).ResultsSerum HBsAg levels declined significantly between year 3 and 9 from baseline among cohort 1 patients possessing ≥2 A‐alleles at rs3077 and rs9277535. The percentages of such patients in cohort 1 patients with decreases in HBsAg ≥0.5 log IU/ml were higher than those with <2 A‐alleles (71.8% [28/39] vs. 38.9% [23/59]; P = 0.004). However, there was no significant difference in cumulative HBsAg seroclearance rates between patients with ≥2 and those with <2 A‐alleles in cohort 1. In cohort 2, HBsAg seroclearance rates were higher in patients with ≥2 A‐alleles than in those with <2 A‐alleles (P = 0.003).ConclusionWe found an association between HLA‐DP polymorphisms and decreases in HBsAg levels and seroclearance among HBeAg‐positive patients treated with LAM.
Acclimation to hypoxia in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii: can biophotolysis be the major trigger for long‐term H2 production?
Authors: Scoma Alberto , Durante Lorenzo , Bertin Lorenzo , Fava Fabio 
Published: August 2014

Summary

In anaerobiosis, the microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is able to produce H2 gas. Electrons mainly derive from mobilization of internal reserves or from water through biophotolysis. However, the exact mechanisms triggering this process are still unclear. Our hypothesis was that, once a proper redox state has been achieved, H2 production is eventually observed.

To avoid nutrient depletion, which would result in enhanced fermentative pathways, we aimed to induce long‐lasting H2 production solely through a photosynthesis : respiration equilibrium. Thus, growing cells were incubated in Tris Acetate Phosphate (TAP) medium under low light and high chlorophyll content.

After a 250‐h acclimation phase, a 350‐h H2 production phase was observed. The light‐to‐H2 conversion efficiency was comparable to that given in some reports operating under sulphur starvation. Electron sources were found to be water, through biophotolysis, and proteins, particularly through photofermentation. Nonetheless, a substantial contribution from acetate could not be ruled out. In addition, photosystem II (PSII) inhibition by 3‐(3,4‐dichlorophenyl)‐1,1‐dimethylurea (DCMU) showed that it actively contributed to maintaining a redox balance during cell acclimation.

In appropriate conditions, PSII may represent the major source of reducing power to feed the H2 evolution process, by inducing and maintaining an ideal excess of reducing power.
Was Spinoza a Naturalist?
Authors: Douglas Alexander 
Published: August 2014

AbstractIn this article I dispute the claim, made by several contemporary scholars, thatSpinoza was a naturalist. ‘Naturalism’ here refers to two distinct but related positions in contemporary philosophy. The first, ontological naturalism, is the view that everything that exists possesses a certain character (variously defined) permitting it to be defined as natural and prohibiting it from being defined as supernatural. I argue that the only definition of ontological naturalism that could be legitimately applied toSpinoza's philosophy is so unrestrictive as to tell us nothing about the content of his ideas. The second, methodological naturalism, is the view that the natural sciences are the best means of finding out substantial truths about the concrete world. I present some historical research showing thatSpinoza's way of positioning himself with respect to other philosophers in theDutchRepublic casts very serious doubt on the claim that he was a methodological naturalist. This adds further weight to arguments that have already been made against the naturalist reading ofSpinoza.
The Influence of Temperature and Humidity on the ABS Contaminations
Authors: Cui Fuhao , Hu Jinhong , Peng Yue , Li Hui , Shen Shengnan , Huang Jie , Hu Jicai 
Published: August 2014

In order to increase the areal recording density of hard disk drive beyond 1 Tb/in2, the flying height has to be reduced to several nanometers. At such a low flying height, particles and lube contaminations, which could lead to a transient vibration and flying height modulation in a hard disk drive, are becoming more and more serious. In this work, it studies the influence of temperature and humidity on the air flow pattern, velocity and shear stress distribution on the air bearing surface (ABS) of slider using a self-developed simulator. It first solves the generalized steady state Reynolds equation with slip boundary conditions. Then it solves the reduced Navier-Stokes (N-S) equation with slip boundary conditions to get the air velocity distribution, i.e., identify the air flow pattern on the ABS. The stagnation lines and areas of air flow are calculated to judge the contamination area. On the other hand, it calculates the air shear stress distribution on the ABS since the air shear stress is the main driving force for the lubricant and particles migration and contaminations. After that, the impact of the temperature and humidity on the air flow pattern is analyzed by applying the Sutherland equation and mixed gas viscosity calculation equation.
The simulation results indicate that the impact of temperature and humidity on the air flow pattern is un-conspicuous. However, the peak velocity of the air flow, which contains no vapor, reduces almost 10%, and the peak air flow shear stress increases less than 1.5%, with the increase of operational temperature from 298.15 K to 343.15 K. In addition, the peak velocity of the air flow increasing almost 4%, and the peak air flow shear stress keeps almost same, with the increase of the operational mole fraction of vapor from 5% to 15%.