bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reflux episodes detected by impedance in patients on and off esomeprazole: a randomised double‐blinded placebo‐controlled crossover study
Authors: Moawad F. J. , Betteridge J. D. , Boger J. A. , Cheng F.‐K. F. , Belle L. S. , Chen Y.‐J. , Maydonovitch C. L. , Wong R. K. H. 
Published: April 2013

SummaryBackgroundCombined with 24‐h pH monitoring, the use of impedance is the most sensitive method available for detecting oesophageal reflux. Normal values for impedance have been previously established in healthy controls studied on and off proton pump inhibitors (PPI).AimsTo determine the effects of PPIs on the total number of reflux episodes in the distal oesophagus measured by impedance in patients with and without gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (GERD).MethodsIn this prospective randomised double‐blinded placebo controlled crossover study, all patients underwent two 24‐h pH with impedance studies at least 2 weeks apart. Based on a randomisation scheme, patients received either 40 mg of esomeprazole twice daily for 1 week or identical capsule placebo for 1 week, then all patients were crossed over to the other treatment arm. GERD was defined by the validated Johnson–DeMeester score. Reflux by impedance was defined as a 50% decrease from baseline in retrograde movement of liquid between two impedance sites.ResultsSixty‐three patients were enrolled and 41 patients completed the study [mean age 52 ± 12 years, 42% (17/41) men, 56% (23/41) Caucasian and 34% (14/41) African American]. Overall, there was no significant decrease in the total number of distal impedance episodes with esomeprazole compared with placebo (mean change 6.1 ± 22, P = 0.100). When analysed separately by GERD status, among GERD‐positive patients, there was a significant decrease in distal impedance episodes while on esomeprazole compared with placebo (mean change −16 ± 22, P = 0.023), but not in GERD‐negative patients (mean change −0.35 ± 20, P = 0.872).ConclusionEsomeprazole decreases significantly the number of reflux episodes detected by impedance, but only in patients with GERD.
Immunological characterization of peripheral blood leukocytes using vaccine for mycoplasmal pneumonia of swine (MPS) in swine line selected for resistance toMPS
Authors: Shimazu Tomoyuki , Borjigin Liushiqi , Katayama Yuki , Li Meihua , Satoh Takumi , Watanabe Kouichi , Kitazawa Haruki , Roh Sang‐gun , Aso Hisashi , Katoh Kazuo , Suda Yoshihito , Sakuma Akiko , Nakajo Mituru , Suzuki Keiichi 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThis study was conducted to evaluate immunological changes in peripheral blood leukocytes in pigs that were genetically selected for their improved resistance to mycoplasmal pneumonia of swine (MPS), usingMPSvaccine as an antigen. Twelve castratedMPS‐selectedLandrace pigs were compared with the same number of pigs from a nonselected line by using a time‐course analysis at the hematological level. After the second sensitization withMPSvaccine, the percentages ofBcells,CD4+T cells, and natural killer (NK) cells in total leukocytes were lower in the selected line than in the nonselected line, whereas the percentage of granulocytes in total leukocytes increased in theMPS‐selected line. We also assessed the proliferative ability of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) stimulated withMycoplasma hyopneumoniae, lipopolysaccharide or concanavalinA, and found that although the proliferative ability of thePBMCwas not different between the two lines at a steady state, the nonselected line showed a significantly higher proliferative ability after sensitization withMPSvaccine than the selected line regardless of antigens used. These results thus indicate that the selection of pigs on the basis ofMPSresistance changes their immunophenotype, and would give us beneficial information for the prevention ofMPSinfection.
Vitrification procedure decreases inositol 1,4,5‐trisphophate receptor expression, resulting in low fertility of pig oocytes
Authors: Hirose Masahiko , Kamoshita Maki , Fujiwara Katsuyoshi , Kato Tsubasa , Nakamura Ayaka , Wojcikiewicz Richard J. H. , Parys Jan B. , Ito Junya , Kashiwazaki Naomi 
Published: April 2013

AbstractAlthough cryopreservation of mammalian oocytes is an important technology, it is well known that unfertilized oocytes, especially in pigs, are highly sensitive to low temperature and that cryopreserved oocytes show low fertility and developmental ability. The aim of the present study was to clarify why porcine in vitro matured (IVM) oocytes at the metaphase II (MII) stage showed low fertility and developmental ability after vitrification. In vitro matured cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were vitrified with Cryotop and then evaluated for fertility through in vitro fertilization (IVF). Although sperm‐penetrated oocytes were observed to some extent (30–40%), the rate of pronuclear formation was low (9%) and none of them progressed to the two‐cell stage. The results suggest that activation ability of cryopreserved oocytes was decreased by vitrification. We examined the localization and expression level of the type 1 inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate receptor (IP3R1), the channel responsible for Ca2+ release during IVF in porcine oocytes. Localization of IP3R1 close to the plasma membrane and total expression level of IP3R1 protein were both decreased by vitrification. In conclusion, our present study indicates that vitrified‐warmed porcine COCs showed a high survival rate but low fertility after IVF. This low fertility seems to be due to the decrease in IP3R1 by the vitrification procedure.
Genome‐wide association study for fatty acid composition in Japanese Black cattle
Authors: Ishii Atsushi , Yamaji Keita , Uemoto Yoshinobu , Sasago Nanae , Kobayashi Eiji , Kobayashi Naohiko , Matsuhashi Tamako , Maruyama Shin , Matsumoto Hirokazu , Sasazaki Shinji , Mannen Hideyuki 
Published: April 2013

AbstractFatty acid composition is one of the important traits in beef. The aim of this study was to identify candidate genomic regions for fatty acid composition by genome‐wide association study with 50 K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array in Japanese Black cattle. A total of 461 individuals and 40 657 SNPs were used in this study. We applied genome‐wide rapid association using mixed model and regression (GRAMMAR) and genomic control approaches to estimate the associations between genotypes and fatty acid composition. In addition, two SNPs in fatty acid synthase (FASN) (T1952A) and stearoyl‐CoA desaturase (SCD) (V293A) genes were also genotyped. Association analysis revealed that 30 significant SNPs for several fatty acids (C14:0, C14:1, C16:1 and C18:1) were located in the BTA19 FASN gene located within this region but the FASN mutation had no significant effect on any traits. We also detected one significant SNP for C18:1 on BTA23 and two SNPs for C16:0 on BTA25. The region around 17 Mb on BTA26 harbored two significant SNPs for C14:1 and SNP in SCD in this region showed the strongest association with C14:1. This study demonstrated novel candidate regions in BTA19, 23 and 25 for fatty acid composition.
Recombinant Human Matrix Metalloproteinase‐2 Impairs Cardiovascular β‐Adrenergic Responses
Authors: Ferraz Karina C. , Sousa‐Santos Ozélia , Neto‐Neves Evandro M. , Rizzi Elen , Muniz Jaqueline J. , Gerlach Raquel F. , Tanus‐Santos Jose E. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractGrowing evidence supports the involvement of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the pathogenesis of many cardiovascular diseases. Particularly, imbalanced MMP‐2 activity apparently plays a critical role in cardiovascular remodelling. While some studies have suggested that MMP‐2 may affect the vascular tone and impair β‐adrenoreceptor function, no previous study has examined the acute haemodynamic effects of MMP‐2. We examined the effects of recombinant human MMP‐2 (rhMMP‐2) administered intravenously to anaesthetized lambs at baseline conditions and during β1‐adrenergic cardiac stimulation with dobutamine. We used 26 anaesthetized male lambs in two study protocols. First, rhMMP‐2 (220 ng/kg/min. over 60 min.) or vehicle was infused in the lambs, and no significant haemodynamic changes were found. Therefore, we infused dobutamine at 5 μg/kg/min. i.v. (or saline) over 180 min. in lambs that had received the same rhMMP‐2 infusion preceded by doxycycline i.v. at 10 mg/kg (or saline). Plasma and cardiac MMP‐2 levels were assessed by gelatin zymography, and gelatinolytic activity was assessed by spectrofluorimetry. Dobutamine decreased systemic vascular resistance index, and this effect was attenuated by rhMMP‐2 infusion. Moreover, dobutamine increased the cardiac index and left ventricular dP/dtmax, and these effects were attenuated by rhMMP‐2. The previous administration of doxycycline blunted rhMMP‐2‐induced changes in dobutamine responses. While the infusion of rhMMP‐2 did not increase plasma and cardiac MMP‐2 levels, it increased cardiac gelatinolytic activity, and doxycycline blunted this effect. Our findings show that rhMMP‐2 exerts no major haemodynamic effects in lambs. However, rhMMP‐2 impairs the responses elicited by activation of β‐adrenoreceptors.
A Human Experimental Bone Pain Model
Authors: Andresen Trine , Pfeiffer‐Jensen Mogens , Brock Christina , Drewes Asbjørn M. , Arendt‐Nielsen Lars 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe aim of this study was to develop a human experimental bone pain model. Fourteen healthy men were included in two study sessions. Pressure pain threshold (PPT) was estimated using probes of different sizes. Computer‐controlled and hand‐held algometry were applied to the skin area covering right and left medial tibia before and after local anaesthesia (LA) of the skin and reproducibility was evaluated. Pain experience (McGill questionnaire) was compared between healthy volunteers and 12 patients with vertebral fractures. Computer‐controlled algometer: No differences in PPT between study sessions for 6 and 8‐mm probes (p = 0.43 and 0.32) were seen. There was a difference in PPT before and after LA for the 6‐mm probe (p = 0.008), but not for the 8‐mm probe (p = 0.26). Hand‐held algometer: A difference in PPT between study sessions was observed for 4‐ and 8‐mm probes (p = 0.03 and 0.007), but not for 2, 6 and 10‐mm probes (p = 0.19, 0.05 and 0.25). No differences in PPT were seen before and after LA for 2, 4, 8 and 10‐mm probes (p = 0.35, 0.15, 0.08 and 0.53), but LA significantly influenced PPT with the 6‐mm probe (p = 0.01). Similar words were chosen in the McGill pain questionnaire by healthy volunteers and patients, qualitatively describing the deep pain sensation. The pain evoked by hand‐held algometer and the 2‐mm probe was not influenced by LA, and PPT was reproducible between sessions and is recommended for studies of experimentally evoked bone‐associated pain.
Bringing ‘patient voice’ into psychological formulations of in‐patients with intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorder and severe challenging behaviours: report of a service improvement pilot
Authors: Rowe Gareth , Nevin Helen 
Published: April 2013

Accessible summary

It is important to listen to patients' views when they are in hospital.

Sometimes it is difficult for staff to understand what people with intellectual disabilities are saying.

This project tried to include the views of all the patients on an autism services ward.

Some people were easier to understand than others but we managed to listen to everybody.

SummaryThis is a report of a service improvement pilot project undertaken at an inpatient autism service for adults with intellectual disabilities and severe challenging behaviours. Within the service, a key facet of the care pathway was the use of a biopsychosocial case formulation. Formulation meetings were led by psychology and involved a full multidisciplinary team and external representation. However, routine invitation of patients was not appropriate due to anxiety and complex communication difficulties. Therefore, the service was looking for alternative ways to incorporate the voices of patients into formulation. This report presents the case studies of four individual patients who were chosen because together they were indicative of the patient profile across the service. The study has demonstrated that it is possible to include patients' voices in their psychological formulation. For those with mild intellectual disabilities and mild autism spectrum disorder, this has been simple and extremely fruitful. For those with severe intellectual disability and severe autism spectrum disorder this has been more resource intensive and the results have been more tentative. Despite this, it has been demonstrated that it is possible to include the voices of all patients to some extent.
The impact of cognitive assessment on the identity of people with learning disabilities
Authors: Davidson Terence , Smith Hilary , Burns Jan 
Published: April 2013

Accessible summary

People with learning disabilities often have cognitive assessments (IQ tests) carried out by psychologists.

A cognitive assessment is a range of tests which help find out what people are good at and where they have difficulties.

Five people who had been given a cognitive assessment by a psychologist were interviewed.

They said it helped them to find out new things about themselves but they weren't sure why they had performed it.

Psychologists could explain more to people about why they were doing a cognitive assessment and what would happen afterwards.

SummaryResearchers and clinicians have hypothesised that cognitive assessments have the power to influence the self‐identity of people with learning disabilities. This research aimed to explore the experience of a sample of people who had been given a cognitive assessment by a psychologist based in a team for people with learning disabilities. Five people who had undergone these assessments participated in semi‐structured interviews, and interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to analyse the transcripts. The analysis identified that despite the participants not understanding the purpose of the assessment, they trusted the clinicians and felt they benefitted from the experience of doing the actual assessment. However, the term ‘learning disability’ was not used by the participants who also described experiencing little agency in the process, and being dependent on the actions of others for the assessment to bring about change.
Expanded vs. dense polytetrafluoroethylene membranes in vertical ridge augmentation around dental implants: a prospective randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Ronda Marco , Rebaudi Alberto , Torelli Lucio , Stacchi Claudio 
Published: April 2013

AbstractObjectiveThis prospective randomized controlled trial was designed to test the performance of titanium‐reinforced dense polytetrafluoroethylene (d‐PTFE) membrane vs. titanium‐reinforced expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e‐PTFE) membrane in achieving vertical bone regeneration, both associated with a composite grafting material.Material and methodsThe study enrolled 23 patients requiring bone augmentation with guided bone regeneration (GBR) procedures for placing implants in atrophic posterior mandibles (available bone height <7 mm). Implants were inserted and left to protrude from the bone level to achieve the programmed amount of vertical regeneration. Defects were filled with a composite bone graft (50% autologous bone and 50% mineralized bone allograft) and randomly covered with either an e‐PTFE membrane (control) or a d‐PTFE membrane (test). Membrane removal was performed after 6 months, and changes in bone height were recorded.ResultsSeventy‐eight implants were inserted in 26 mandibular sites contextually to vertical ridge augmentation procedures. The healing period was uneventful in all sites, and the vertical defects were satisfactorily filled with a newly formed hard tissue. Mean defect fill after 6 months was 5.49 mm (SD ± 1.58) at test sites and 4.91 mm (SD ± 1.78) at control sites. The normalized data (percentage changes against baseline) did not show any statistically significant difference between test and control groups (P = NS).ConclusionsBased on the data from this study, both d‐PTFE and e‐PTFE membranes showed identical clinical results in the treatment of vertical bone defects around implants, using the GBR technique. The membrane removal procedure was easier to perform in the d‐PTFE group than in the e‐PTFE group.
Use of a self‐curing resorbable polymer in vertical ridge augmentations – a pilot study in dogs
Authors: Schliephake Henning , Drewes Mona , Mihatovic Ilja , Schwarz Frank , Becker Jürgen , Iglhaut Gerhard 
Published: April 2013

AbstractAimThe aim of the present study was to evaluate bone formation in vertical ridge augmentations using particulate bone grafting material stabilized by a resorbable polymer.Material and methodsThree vertical defects were created in the maxillary alveolar ridge of six Beagle dogs 3 months after the removal of all premolars. One defect in each dog was filled with tricalciumphosphate/hydroxylapatite (TCP/HA) grafting material and stabilized using a poloxamer hydrogel (test group). Defects filled with grafting material only and covered with a collagen membrane as well as empty defects served as controls (controls 1 & 2). Bone formation in the defects was evaluated after 14 weeks of healing using histomorphometry on undecalcified thick‐section specimens.ResultsThere was no difference between the test group and the controls with respect to the amount of newly formed bone, percentage of bone fill, and bone density. The mean maximum bone height within the augmented area was the only parameter that was significantly higher in the test group compared with empty defects. The use of the poloxamer gel did not result in a better preservation of ridge shape compared with the group of augmentations covered with a collagen membrane.ConclusionsThe use of a poloxamer gel for the stabilization of particulate bone grafting material in vertical ridge augmentations had no advantage compared with coverage of grafting materials with a collagen membrane.
Six Common Mistakes in Conservation Priority Setting
Authors: GAME EDWARD T. , KAREIVA PETER , POSSINGHAM HUGH P. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractA vast number of prioritization schemes have been developed to help conservation navigate tough decisions about the allocation of finite resources. However, the application of quantitative approaches to setting priorities in conservation frequently includes mistakes that can undermine their authors’ intention to be more rigorous and scientific in the way priorities are established and resources allocated. Drawing on well‐established principles of decision science, we highlight 6 mistakes commonly associated with setting priorities for conservation: not acknowledging conservation plans are prioritizations; trying to solve an ill‐defined problem; not prioritizing actions; arbitrariness; hidden value judgments; and not acknowledging risk of failure. We explain these mistakes and offer a path to help conservation planners avoid making the same mistakes in future prioritizations.Seis Errores Comunes en la Definición de Prioridades de Conservación
Regional Ontogeny of New England Salt Marsh Die‐Off
Authors: COVERDALE TYLER C. , BERTNESS MARK D. , ALTIERI ANDREW H. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractCoastal areas are among the world's most productive and highly affected ecosystems. Centuries of human activity on coastlines have led to overexploitation of marine predators, which in turn has led to cascading ecosystem‐level effects. Human effects and approaches to mediating them, however, differ regionally due to gradients in biotic and abiotic factors. Salt marsh die‐off on Cape Cod, Massachusetts (U.S.A.), triggered by a recreational‐fishing‐induced trophic cascade that has released herbivorous crabs from predator control, has been ongoing since 1976. Similar salt marsh die‐offs have been reported in Long Island Sound and Narragansett Bay (U.S.A.), but the driving mechanism of these die‐offs has not been examined. We used field experiments to assess trophic interactions and historical reconstructions of 24 New England marshes to test the hypotheses that recreational fishing and predator depletion are a regional trigger of salt marsh die‐off in New England and that die‐offs in Long Island Sound and Narragansett Bay are more recent than those on Cape Cod. Predator depletion was the general trigger of marsh die‐off and explained differences in herbivorous crab abundance and the severity of die‐off across regions. Die‐offs in Long Island Sound and Narragansett Bay are following a trajectory similar to die‐off on Cape Cod, but are approximately 20 years behind those on Cape Cod. As a result, die‐off currently affects 31.2% (SE 2.2) of low‐marsh areas in Long Island Sound and Narragansett Bay, less than half the severity of die‐off on Cape Cod. Our results contribute to the growing evidence that recreational fishing is an increasing threat to coastal ecosystems and that studying the effects of human activity at regional scales can provide insight into local effects and aid in early detection and potential remediation.Ontogenia Regional de un Incremento en la Mortandad en una Marisma Salada de Nueva Inglaterra
Exhaled nitric oxide indicates poorly athlete's asthma
Authors: Voutilainen Mikko , Malmberg Leo Pekka , Vasankari Tommi , Haahtela Tari 
Published: April 2013

AbstractIntroductionIn athletes, exercise‐induced respiratory symptoms are common and their assessment is time and resource consuming.ObjectiveThe objective was to evaluate fractional concentration of exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) as a predictor of bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) and of asthma.Materials and MethodsEighty‐seven elite athletes and a control group of 87 sedentary patients with symptoms suggesting asthma underwent measurements of FENO and of BHR by using methacholine provocation test (MCH) and eucapnic voluntary hyperpnoea (EVH) (athletes) or histamine provocation test (HIST) (controls).ResultsIn athletes, elevated FENO (>30 ppb) was not associated with lung function‐confirmed asthma or with MCH positivity, but receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis showed some predictive value for EVH positivity [Area Under Curve (AUC) 0.652, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.53 to 0.78, P = 0.020]. However, the sensitivity (55%) and the specificity (71%) were poor. In sedentary patients, FENO was significantly associated with both confirmed asthma and HIST positivity, ROC analysis showing FENO to be significantly predictive for HIST positivity (AUC 0.83, 95% CI: 0.70 to 0.96, P = 0.001) and for asthma (AUC 0.74, 95% CI: 0.63 to 0.85, P < 0.001).ConclusionThe results suggest that in contrast to sedentary patients, FENO seems to be a poor predictor of BHR and of clinical asthma in elite athletes. We find it unlikely that FENO could be a useful screening tool in athletes with exercise‐induced respiratory symptoms.