bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cardiac Autonomic Dysfunction in Patients with Head‐up Tilt Test‐Induced Vasovagal Syncope
Authors: SHINOHARA TETSUJI , EBATA YUKI , AYABE REIKA , FUKUI AKIRA , OKADA NORIHIRO , YUFU KUNIO , NAKAGAWA MIKIKO , TAKAHASHI NAOHIKO 
Published: August 2014

BackgroundVasovagal syncope (VVS) is the result of an autonomic reflex that has a final effect of reducing sympathetic drive and increasing vagal activity. However, whether syncopal symptoms are associated with pathological cardiac autonomic modulation is not fully known. We tested the hypothesis that cardiac autonomic function is impaired in patients with VVS.MethodsEighty‐four consecutive patients (59 males; 48.8 ± 20.9 years) with recurrent unexplained syncope were enrolled. The head‐up tilt test (HUTT) was positive in 38 patients and negative in 46 patients. Cardiac autonomic function was assessed by baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), heart rate variability, plasma concentrations of norepinephrine, and 123I‐metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphy.ResultsBRS indices were significantly lower in the HUTT‐positive group than in the HUTT‐negative group (6.1 ± 5.5 mm Hg/s vs 9.8 ± 7.6 mm Hg/s, P = 0.02). With regard to cardiac 123I‐MIBG scintigraphy, the mean heart‐to‐mediastinum ratio at the delayed phase tended to be lower in HUTT‐positive than in HUTT‐negative individuals, but this difference was not significant (2.75 ± 0.55 vs 3.02 ± 0.49, P = 0.08).The percent washout rate of 123I‐MIBG was significantly higher in the positive group compared with the negative group (40.7 ± 13.1% vs 31.5 ± 13.3%, P = 0.02). Multivariate logistic analysis revealed that the appearance of HUTT‐induced VVS was predicted independently by a high percent washout rate of 123I‐MIBG (odds ratio, 0.954; 95% confidence interval, 0.903–0.998; P = 0.048).ConclusionsOur results suggest that pathological autonomic cardiac modulation may play a role in the appearance of syncope in VVS patients.
Distal–proximal skin temperature gradient prior to sleep onset in infants for clinical use
Authors: Abe Noriko , Kodama Hideya 
Published: August 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe objective of this study was to explore the possibility of using distal–proximal skin temperature gradient (DPG) to predict sleep‐onset latency of night‐time sleep for infants at home.MethodsFoot (for distal) and abdominal (for proximal) skin temperature during sleep onset in healthy infants, aged 4–9 months, was continuously recorded using a temperature logger at home. Sleep‐onset latency during each study night was defined as the interval from lights‐off to sleep onset, determined on actigraphy. Association of DPG profile after lights‐off with sleep‐onset latency on the study nights was evaluated.ResultsData for 43 nights from 28 infants were available for analysis. With regard to low DPG (<−2.5°C) at lights‐off, >60% of infants fell asleep within 30 min if DPG was increased to ≥−2.5°C within 15 min after lights‐off. If DPG remained at <−2.5°C at 15 min after lights‐off, however, only 20% of infants fell asleep within 30 min. In addition, if infants were still awake at 15 min after lights‐off and the DPG at that time was <−2.5°C, they were not likely to quickly fall asleep (predictive value was 0.875).ConclusionsIncrease in DPG by 15 min after lights‐off is a key determinant for sleep‐onset latency.
The consequences of high levels of attachment security
Authors: GILLATH OMRI , GREGERSEN SABRINA C. , CANTERBERRY MELANIE , SCHMITT DAVID P. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractAttachment security is known to have various positive outcomes. Recent evidence, however, suggests that security, especially high levels of it, may also have negative outcomes. Three studies tested this possibility. Studies 1 and 2 showed a linear rather than curvilinear trend between security and positive outcomes, suggesting that even at high levels security correlates with positive outcomes. Study 3, which focused on secure behaviors, found that exhibiting high levels of secure behaviors was related to a higher frequency of negative outcomes. However, dispositional attachment security was negatively correlated with negative outcomes, and engaging in secure behaviors strengthened this correlation. These findings suggest that secure behaviors rather than perceptions associated with attachment security (i.e., working models) may be related with negative outcomes.
DNA Transport across the Outer and Inner Membranes of Naturally Transformable Vibrio cholerae Is Spatially but Not Temporally Coupled
Authors: Seitz Patrick , Blokesch Melanie 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACT

The physiological state of natural competence for transformation allows certain bacteria to take up free DNA from the environment and to recombine such newly acquired DNA into their chromosomes. However, even though conserved components that are required to undergo natural transformation have been identified in several naturally competent bacteria, our knowledge of the underlying mechanisms of the DNA uptake process remains very limited. To better understand these mechanisms, we investigated the competence-mediated DNA transport in the naturally transformable pathogen
Vibrio cholerae
. Previously, we used a cell biology-based approach to experimentally address an existing hypothesis, which suggested the competence protein ComEA plays a role in the DNA uptake process across the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. Here, we extended this knowledge by investigating the dynamics of DNA translocation across both membranes. More precisely, we indirectly visualized the transfer of the external DNA from outside the cell into the periplasm followed by the shuttling of the DNA into the cytoplasm. Based on these data, we conclude that for
V. cholerae
, the DNA translocation across the outer and inner membranes is spatially but not temporally coupled.

IMPORTANCE
As a mode of horizontal gene transfer, natural competence for transformation has contributed substantially to the plasticity of genomes and to bacterial evolution. Natural competence is often a tightly regulated process and is induced by diverse environmental cues. This is in contrast to the mechanistic aspects of the DNA translocation event, which are most likely conserved among naturally transformable bacteria. However, the DNA uptake process is still not well understood. We therefore investigated how external DNA reaches the cytosol of the naturally transformable bacterium
V. cholerae
. More specifically, we provide evidence that the DNA translocation across the membranes is spatially but not temporally coupled. We hypothesize that this model also applies to other competent Gram-negative bacteria and that our study contributes to the general understanding of this important biological process.
Remodeling of the Intestinal Brush Border Underlies Adhesion and Virulence of an Enteric Pathogen
Authors: Zhou Xiaohui , Massol Ramiro H. , Nakamura Fumihiko , Chen Xiang , Gewurz Benjamin E. , Davis Brigid M. , Lencer Wayne I. , Waldor Matthew K. 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACT

Intestinal colonization by
Vibrio parahaemolyticus
—the most common cause of seafood-borne bacterial enteritis worldwide—induces extensive disruption of intestinal microvilli. In orogastrically infected infant rabbits, reorganization of the apical brush border membrane includes effacement of some microvilli and marked elongation of others. All diarrhea, inflammation, and intestinal pathology associated with
V. parahaemolyticus
infection are dependent upon one of its type 3 secretion systems (T3SS2); however, translocated effectors that directly mediate brush border restructuring and bacterial adhesion are not known. Here, we demonstrate that the effector VopV is essential for
V. parahaemolyticus
intestinal colonization and therefore its pathogenicity, that it induces effacement of brush border microvilli, and that this effacement is required for adhesion of
V. parahaemolyticus
to enterocytes. VopV contains multiple functionally independent and mechanistically distinct domains through which it disrupts microvilli. We show that interaction between VopV and filamin, as well as VopV’s previously noted interaction with actin, mediates enterocyte cytoskeletal reorganization. VopV’s multipronged approach to epithelial restructuring, coupled with its impact on colonization, suggests that remodeling of the epithelial brush border is a critical step in pathogenesis.

IMPORTANCE
Colonization of the small bowel by
Vibrio parahaemolyticus
, the most common bacterial agent of seafood-borne enteric disease, induces extensive structural changes in the intestinal epithelium. Here, we show that this diarrheal pathogen’s colonization and virulence depend upon VopV, a bacterial protein that is transferred into host epithelial cells. VopV induces marked rearrangement of the apical epithelial cell membrane, including elimination of microvilli, by two means: through interaction with actin and through a previously unrecognized interaction with the actin-cross-linking protein filamin. VopV-mediated “effacement” of microvilli enables
V. parahaemolyticus
to adhere to host cells, although VopV may not directly mediate adhesion. VopV’s effects on microvillus structure and bacterial adhesion likely account for its essential role in
V. parahaemolyticus
intestinal pathogenesis. Our findings suggest a new role for filamin in brush border maintenance and raise the possibility that microvillus effacement is a common strategy among enteric pathogens for enhancing adhesion to host cells.
Acupuncture Increases the Diameter and Reorganisation of Collagen Fibrils during Rat Tendon Healing
Authors: de Almeida Marcos dos Santos , de Freitas Karine Moura , Oliveira Letícia Prado , Vieira Cristiano Pedrozo , Guerra Flávia Da Ré , Dolder Mary Anne Heidi , Pimentel Edson Rosa 
Published: August 2014

Background Our previous study showed that electroacupuncture (EA) increases the concentration and reorganisation of collagen in a rat model of tendon healing. However, the ultrastructure of collagen fibrils after acupuncture is unknown. Objectives To assess the effect of acupuncture protocols on the ultrastructure of collagen fibrils during tendon healing. Methods Sixty-four rats were divided into the following groups: non-tenotomised (normal group), tenotomised (teno group), tenotomised and subjected to manual acupuncture at ST36 (ST36 group), BL57 (BL57 group) and ST36+BL57 (SB group) and EA at ST36+BL57 (EA group). The mass-average diameter (MAD) and the reorganisation of collagen fibril diameters were determined during the three phases of tendon healing (at 7, 14 and 21 days). Results The MAD increased during the three phases of healing in the SB group. In the EA group, MAD increased initially but was reduced at day 21. The reorganisation of collagen fibrils was improved in the EA and SB groups at days 14 and 21, respectively. EA at day 21 appeared to reduce the reorganisation. Conclusions These results indicate that the use of EA up to day 14 and manual acupuncture at ST36+BL57 up to day 21 improve the ultrastructure of collagen fibrils, indicating strengthening of the tendon structure. These data suggest a potential role for acupuncture in rehabilitation protocols.
Misclassification due to age grouping in measures of child development
Authors: Veldhuizen Scott , Rodriguez Christine , Wade Terrance J , Cairney John 
Published: August 2014

PurposeScreens for developmental delay generally provide a set of norms for different age groups. Development varies continuously with age, however, and applying a single criterion for an age range will inevitably produce misclassifications. In this report, we estimate the resulting error rate for one example: the cognitive subscale of the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (BSID-III).DesignData come from a general population sample of 594 children (305 male) aged 1 month to 42.5 months who received the BSID-III as part of a validation study. We used regression models to estimate the mean and variance of the cognitive subscale as a function of age. We then used these results to generate a dataset of one million simulated participants and compared their status before and after division into age groups. Finally, we applied broader age bands used in two other instruments and explored likely validity limitations when different instruments are compared.ResultsWhen BSID-III age groups are used, 15% of cases are missed and 15% of apparent cases are false positives. Wider age groups produced error rates from 27% to 46%. Comparison of different age groups suggests that sensitivity in validation studies would be limited, under certain assumptions, to 70% or less.ImplicationsThe use of age groups produces a large number of misclassifications. Although affected children will usually be close to the threshold, this may lead to misreferrals. Results may help to explain the poor measured agreement of development screens. Scoring methods that treat child age as continuous would improve instrument accuracy.
Coronary artery disease in patients with atypical chest pain with and without diabetes mellitus assessed with coronary CT angiography
Authors: Krul Marije M G , Bogaard Kjell , Knol Remco J J , van Rossum Albert C , Knaapen Paul , Cornel Jan H , van der Zant Friso M 
Published: August 2014

IntroductionCoronary artery disease (CAD) in diabetes mellitus (DM) is often widespread when diagnosed. Non-invasive coronary calcium scoring and coronary CT angiography (CAC-score/CCTA) are accurate in the detection of CAD. This study compared CAD characteristics as identified by CCTA between patients with and without DM with atypical chest pain.MethodsCAD was defined as CAC-score >0 and/or presence of coronary plaque. Several CAD characteristics (number of affected segments, obstructive (>50% stenosis) CAD and CAD distribution) were compared on a per patient and segment basis. Subanalysis of duration of DM (<5 or >5 years) and gender was performed.ResultsA total of 1148 patients (63.3% men, mean age 57.7±10.7), of whom 99 (8.6%) suffered from DM, were referred for CCTA. There was no difference in the prevalence of CAD between patients with and without DM (53.5% vs 50.9%, p=0.674). However patients with DM showed more affected coronary segments compared with patients without DM (2.5±3.4 vs 1.7±2.4, p=0.003). Multivariate analysis indicated that DM was an independent predictor of obstructive CAD (OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.23 to 3.78), as were age, women, and Diamond-Forrester score. In our study, obstructive CAD was more prevalent in women than in men (DM 40.0% vs 14.1%, p=0.003; non-DM 16.8% vs 8.4%, p<0.001). Patients suffering from DM >5 years showed more distal plaques (11.2% vs 7.7%, p=0.030).ConclusionsPatients with atypical chest pain and DM showed more extensive CAD, as well as more obstructive CAD, particularly in women. Diabetes duration (>5 years) was not associated with more obstructive coronary disease or different plaque morphology, although more distal disease was present.
MAXimising Involvement in MUltiMorbidity (MAXIMUM) in primary care: protocol for an observation and interview study of patients, GPs and other care providers to identify ways of reducing patient safety failures
Authors: Daker-White Gavin , Hays Rebecca , Esmail Aneez , Minor Brian , Barlow Wendy , Brown Benjamin , Blakeman Thomas , Bower Peter 
Published: August 2014

IntroductionIncreasing numbers of older people are living with multiple long-term health conditions but global healthcare systems and clinical guidelines have traditionally focused on the management of single conditions. Having two or more long-term conditions, or ‘multimorbidity’, is associated with a range of adverse consequences and poor outcomes and could put patients at increased risk of safety failures. Traditionally, most research into patient safety failures has explored hospital or inpatient settings. Much less is known about patient safety failures in primary care. Our core aims are to understand the mechanisms by which multimorbidity leads to safety failures, to explore the different ways in which patients and services respond (or fail to respond), and to identify opportunities for intervention.Methods and analysisWe plan to undertake an applied ethnographic study of patients with multimorbidity. Patients’ interactions and environments, relevant to their healthcare, will be studied through observations, diary methods and semistructured interviews. A framework, based on previous studies, will be used to organise the collection and analysis of field notes, observations and other qualitative data. This framework includes the domains: access breakdowns, communication breakdowns, continuity of care errors, relationship breakdowns and technical errors.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval was received from the National Health Service Research Ethics Committee for Wales. An individual case study approach is likely to be most fruitful for exploring the mechanisms by which multimorbidity leads to safety failures. A longitudinal and multiperspective approach will allow for the constant comparison of patient, carer and healthcare worker expectations and experiences related to the provision, integration and management of complex care. This data will be used to explore ways of engaging patients and carers more in their own care using shared decision-making, patient empowerment or other relevant models.
Comparison and validation of International Consensus Diagnostic Criteria for diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis from pancreatic cancer in a Taiwanese cohort
Authors: Chang Ming-Chu , Liang Po-Chin , Jan I-Shiow , Yang Ching-Yao , Tien Yu-Wen , Wei Shu-Chen , Wong Jau-Min , Chang Yu-Ting 
Published: August 2014

ObjectivesThe International Consensus Diagnostic Criteria (ICDC) designed to diagnosis autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) has been proposed recently. The diagnostic performance of ICDC has not been previously evaluated in diffuse-type and focal-type AIP, respectively, in comparison with the revised HISORt and Asian criteria in Taiwan.DesignProspective, consecutive patient cohort.SettingLargest tertiary referred centre hospital managing pancreatic disease in Taiwan.Participants188 patients with AIP and 130 with tissue proofed pancreatic adenocarcinoma were consecutively recruited.InterventionsThe ICDC, as well as revised HISORt and Asian criteria, was applied for each participant. Each diagnostic criterion of ICDC was validated with special reference to levels 1 and 2 in diffuse-type and focal-type AIP.OutcomesSensitivity, specificity and accuracy. Each diagnostic criterion of ICDC was validated with special reference to levels 1 and 2 in AIP and focal-type AIP.ResultsThe sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of ICDC for all AIP were the best: 89.4%, 100% and 93.7%, respectively, in these three criteria. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of ICDC for focal-type AIP (84.9%, 100% and 93.8%) were also the best among these three criteria. The area under the curve of receiver-operator characteristic of ICDC was 0.95 (95% CI 0.92 to 0.97) in all AIP and 0.93 (95% CI 0.88 to 0.97) in focal-type AIP.ConclusionsThe sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of ICDC are higher than the revised HISORt and Asian criteria. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of each criterion are higher in diffuse-type AIP compared with focal-type AIP. Under the same specificity, the sensitivity and accuracy of ICDC are higher than other diagnostic criteria in focal-type AIP. ICDC has better diagnostic performance compared with previously proposed diagnostic criteria in diffuse-type and focal-type AIP.
Passive smoking assessed by salivary cotinine and self-report in relation to cause-specific mortality: 17-year follow-up of study participants in the UK Health and Lifestyle Survey
Authors: Batty G David , Gale Catharine R , Jefferis Barbara , Kvaavik Elisabeth 
Published: August 2014

BackgroundEvidence that passive smoking is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and selected cancers is largely derived from studies in which this exposure is self-reported. Objective assessment using biochemical techniques may yield a more accurate estimate of risk, although each approach has its strengths and weaknesses. We examined the association of salivary cotinine, a widely utilised biomarker for passive smoking, and self-reported passive smoking in the home, with mortality from all causes, cardiovascular disease and all cancers combined.MethodsIn 1992, investigators on the UK Health and Lifestyle Survey collected data on salivary cotinine, self-reported smoking (direct and passive) and a range of covariates in 3731 men and women aged 25 years and over. Mortality was ascertained using linkage to national death records.ResultsAnalyses were based on 2523 individuals (1433 [57%] women) who classified themselves as non-smokers (never and former). Seventeen years of follow-up gave rise to 588 deaths (253 from cardiovascular disease and 146 from cancer). In men, adjusted hazard ratios (HR) for the association between cotinine levels (1.3–15.0 [high] vs ≤0.3 [low] ng/mL) and the various mortality outcomes were weak for total mortality (HR; 95% CI: 1.22; 0.91 to 1.64) and cardiovascular disease (1.25; 0.78 to 1.99) and absent for all cancers combined (1.10; 0.61 to 2.00). Corresponding associations were generally stronger when self-reported passive smoking (some vs none) was the exposure of interest: 1.53 (1.12 to 2.08), 1.88 (1.20 to 2.96) and 1.58 (0.85 to 2.93). The pattern of association for women in both sets of analyses was less consistent.ConclusionsIn men in the present study, compared with our biochemical marker of passive smoking, cotinine, mortality was generally more consistently associated with self-reported passive smoking.
pg-Extensions and p-Extensions with applications to C(X)
Authors: Bhattacharjee Papiya , Knox Michelle L. 
Published: August 2014

Essential extensions and p-extensions have been studied for commutative rings with identity in various papers, such as [P. Bhattacharjee, M. L. Knox and W. Wm. McGovern, p-Extensions, Proceedings for the OSU-Denison Conference, AMS series Contemporary Mathematics Series (to appear); p-Embeddings, Topology Appl. 160(13) (2013) 1566–1576; R. M. Raphael, Algebraic Extensions of Commutative Regular Rings, Canad. J. Math. 22(6) (1970) 1133–1155]. The present paper applies these concepts to certain subrings of C(X). Moreover, the paper introduces a new ring extension, called a pg-extension, and determines its relation to both essential extension and p-extension. It turns out that the pg-extension R ↪ S induces a well-defined contraction map between principal ideals [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text].
On the structure and some numerical properties of subgroups and factor-groups defined by automorphism groups
Authors: Kurdachenko Leonid A. , Otal Javier , Pypka Alexander A. 
Published: August 2014

A group of automorphisms A of a group G defines the A-center CG(A) of G and the A-commutator subgroup [G, A] of G that naturally extend the ordinary center and the commutator subgroup of G. In this paper we study the relationship between the factor group G/CG(A) and the subgroup [G, A] when A has finite special rank and Inn (G) ≤ A.
How Much Asymmetry of Colliding Pair Affects Nuclear Dynamics at Balance Point?
Authors: Goyal Supriya 
Published: August 2014

Using the quantum molecular dynamics model, we study the nuclear dynamics at the balance energy of mass asymmetric colliding nuclei by keeping the total mass of the system fixed and by varying the mass asymmetry (η = (AT-AP)/(AT+AP), where AT and AP are the masses of the target and projectile, resp.) of the reaction. In particular, we study the various quantities like average and maximum density and temperature, collision rate, participant-spectator matter, anisotropic ratio, relative momentum, and their mass asymmetry and mass dependence. Our results indicate sizeable effect of mass asymmetry on these quantities.