bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microbiota and the human nature: know thyself
Authors: Brüssow Harald 
Published: December 2014

SummaryBiology has been driven by the human desire for self‐knowledge. The discovery of our intimate symbiosis with microbes raises the question about our identity. A central issue is whether the microbiome associated with humans changes our phenotype in an observable way. As we deal with a great multitude of colonizing microbes and as even monozygotic twins differ substantially for their microbiome, we might deal with a dynamic system that is highly sensitive to initial conditions for which long‐term prediction are impossible according to chaos theory. The overall colonization of the human alimentary tract can be teleological rationalized by a strong antimicrobial activity in the proximal and a mutualistic but controlled relationship with the microbiome in the distal gut segments. Yet the association of a specific microbiome with physiological traits turned out to be complicated and became frequently only clear after microbiota transfer experiments into gnotobiotic mice as a reductionist approach. As pathogenic bacteria create human phenotypes by their presence, mutualistic bacteria create symptoms (phenotypes) by their absence as exemplified by lactobacilli in bacterial vaginosis.
The Chartist Legacy in the British World: Evidence from New Zealand's Southern Settlements, 1840s−1870s
Authors: Griffiths John , Evans Vic 
Published: December 2014

AbstractWas there a Chartist legacy in British‐world settler societies such as New Zealand? An older historiography relating to the mid‐nineteenth century colony downplayed ideology and Chartism was given only the briefest of considerations. A closer scrutiny of early settler newspapers published in the first two decades of settlement, however, facilitated by recent digitalization, allows the historian to assess more accurately how far the British movement reproduced its discourse in the overseas colony. The article initially surveys the existing treatments of British‐world Chartism before exploring the extent to which Chartism infused political and economic discourse in this far‐flung location.
The effectiveness of exercise as treatment for vasomotor menopausal symptoms: randomised controlled trial
Authors: Daley AJ , Thomas A , Roalfe AK , Stokes‐Lampard H , Coleman S , Rees M , Hunter MS , MacArthur C 
Published: December 2014

ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of exercise as treatment for vasomotor menopausal symptoms.DesignThree‐group randomised controlled trial, two exercise interventions and a control group.SettingPrimary Care, West Midlands UK.PopulationPerimenopausal and postmenopausal women experiencing at least five hot flushes/night sweats per day and not taken MHT in previous 3 months were recruited from 23 general practices.MethodsParticipants in both exercise interventions groups were offered two face‐to‐face consultations with a physical activity facilitator to support engagement in regular exercise. In addition, one exercise group received a menopause‐specific information DVD and written materials to encourage regular exercise and the other exercise group was offered the opportunity to attend exercise social support groups in their communities. Interventions lasted 6 months.Main outcome measureThe primary outcome was frequency of hot flushes/night sweats at 6‐month up.ResultsTwo hundred and sixty‐one women were randomised (n = 87 per group). Neither of the exercise intervention groups reported significantly less frequent hot flushes/night sweats per week than controls (exercise‐DVD versus control: −8.9, 95% CI −20.0 to 2.2; exercise‐social support versus control: −5.2, 95% CI −16.7 to 6.3).ConclusionsThis trial indicates that exercise is not an effective treatment for hot flushes/night sweats. Contrary to current clinical guidance, women should not be advised that exercise will relieve their vasomotor menopausal symptoms.
Prenatal vitamin C and E supplementation in smokers is associated with reduced placental abruption and preterm birth: a secondary analysis
Authors: Abramovici A , Gandley RE , Clifton RG , Leveno KJ , Myatt L , Wapner RJ , Thorp JM , Mercer BM , Peaceman AM , Samuels P , Sciscione A , Harper M , Saade G , Sorokin Y ,   the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health Human Development Maternal‐Fetal Medicine Units Network
Published: December 2014

ObjectiveSmoking and pre‐eclampsia (PE) are associated with increases in preterm birth, placental abruption and low birthweight. We evaluated the relationship between prenatal vitamin C and E (C/E) supplementation and perinatal outcomes by maternal self‐reported smoking status focusing on outcomes known to be impacted by maternal smoking.Design/Setting/PopulationA secondary analysis of a multi‐centre trial of vitamin C/E supplementation starting at 9–16 weeks in low‐risk nulliparous women with singleton gestations.MethodsWe examined the effect of vitamin C/E by smoking status at randomisation using the Breslow–Day test for interaction.Main outcome measuresThe trial's primary outcomes were PE and a composite outcome of pregnancy‐associated hypertension (PAH) with serious adverse outcomes. Perinatal outcomes included preterm birth and abruption.ResultsThere were no differences in baseline characteristics within subgroups (smokers versus nonsmokers) by vitamin supplementation status. The effect of prenatal vitamin C/E on the risk of PE (P = 0.66) or PAH composite outcome (P = 0.86) did not differ by smoking status. Vitamin C/E was protective for placental abruption in smokers (relative risk [RR] 0.09; 95% CI 0.00–0.87], but not in nonsmokers (RR 0.92; 95% CI 0.52–1.62) (P = 0.01), and for preterm birth in smokers (RR 0.76; 95% CI 0.58–0.99) but not in nonsmokers (RR 1.03; 95% CI 0.90–1.17) (P = 0.046).ConclusionIn this cohort of women, smoking was not associated with a reduction in PE or the composite outcome of PAH. Vitamin C/E supplementation appears to be associated with a reduction in placental abruption and preterm birth among smokers.
Developmental milestones in children born post‐term in the Danish National Birth Cohort: a main research article
Authors: Olesen AW , Olsen J , Zhu JL 
Published: December 2014

ObjectiveTo examine the timing of reaching developmental milestones in children born post‐term.DesignCohort study.SettingThe Danish National Birth Cohort: children born between 1997 and 2003.PopulationData were obtained from a cohort of 92 892 pregnancies participating in the first pregnancy interview. All singletons born in gestational weeks 39–45 were identified. The study was then restricted to children who participated in an interview at the age of approximately 18 months and had information on at least one developmental milestone. We excluded children of mothers with chronic diseases from the final analysis. The remaining study population constituted of 43 915 singletons (27 503 born at term; 16 412 born post‐term).MethodsLogistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios of late achievement of these developmental milestones, adjusted for potential confounding factors.Main outcome measuresAchieving developmental milestones at the time of interview or at a certain age.ResultsMore children born post‐term achieved the assessed developmental milestones compared with children born at term (39–40 weeks). A test for trend for gestational ages 39, 40, and 41 weeks also showed a positive trend at achieving developmental milestones with gestational age at birth in nine out of 14 milestone items.ConclusionsChildren born post‐term appear to reach the main developmental milestones at an earlier age than children born at term. The association could also result from bias related to a longer time between conception and interviewing, misclassification of end points, or selection bias.
How doctors learn and perform sustained inflations with a self‐inflating bag: a manikin study with a newborn lung simulator
Authors: Boldingh Anne Marthe , Solevåg Anne L. , Benth Jūratė Šaltytė , Klingenberg Claus , Nakstad Britt 
Published: December 2014

AbstractAimSustained inflations during initial resuscitation may help a depressed infant make a more efficient transition to air‐filled lungs. This study examined whether doctors could perform sustained inflations with a self‐inflating bag in high and low compliance settings and with an open or blocked pressure‐relief valve.MethodsWe asked 43 doctors to carry out sustained inflations for more than 5‐sec in a manikin connected to a newborn lung simulator with randomised compliance settings. Tidal volume, inflation time, peak and mean inflating pressure were measured, and 34 were retested 3 months later.ResultsThe majority of the doctors – 72% in the initial study and 62% in the retest – managed sustained inflations within three ventilation attempts, irrespective of lung compliance setting and years of work experience. Using a blocked pressure‐relief valve produced higher tidal volume (27.8 versus 22.6 mL, p < 0.001), inflation time (8.9 versus 8.1 sec, p = 0.025), peak inflating pressure (34.0 versus 28.0 cmH2O; p = 0.012) and mean inflating pressure (28.1 versus 22.8 cmH2O; p < 0.001).ConclusionThe majority of doctors could deliver sustained inflation with a self‐inflating bag in a newborn lung simulator for more than 5‐sec. Using a blocked pressure‐relief valve resulted in higher inflation time, tidal volume and inflation pressure.
Use of Inhaled and Oral Corticosteroids in Pregnancy and the Risk of Malformations or Miscarriage
Authors: Bjørn Anne‐Mette Bay , Ehrenstein Vera , Nohr Ellen Aagaard , Nørgaard Mette 
Published: December 2014

AbstractCorticosteroids are potent anti‐inflammatory and immunosuppressive drugs, which sometimes must be given to pregnant women. Corticosteroids have been suspected to be teratogenic for many years; however, there is conflicting evidence regarding the association. Based on a literature review of three databases, this MiniReview provides an overview of inhaled and oral corticosteroid use in pregnancy with specific emphasis on the association between use of corticosteroids during pregnancy and risk of miscarriage and congenital malformations in offspring. The use of corticosteroids among pregnant women ranged from 0.2% to 10% and increased nearly two times in recent years. Taken together, the evidence suggests that the use of corticosteroids in early pregnancy is not associated with an increased risk of congenital malformations overall or oral clefts in offspring; at the same time, published estimates are inconsistent. The use of inhaled corticosteroids was associated with a slightly increased risk of miscarriage, whereas the use of oral corticosteroids was not; however, confounding by indication could not be ruled out.
Assisted Gestation and Transgender Women
Authors: Murphy Timothy F. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractDevelopments in uterus transplant put assisted gestation within meaningful range of clinical success for women with uterine infertility who want to gestate children. Should this kind of transplantation prove routine and effective for those women, would there be any morally significant reason why men or transgender women should not be eligible for the same opportunity for gestation? Getting to the point of safe and effective uterus transplantation for those parties would require a focused line of research, over and above the study of uterus transplantation for non‐transgender women. Some commentators object to the idea that the state has any duty to sponsor research of this kind. They would limit all publicly‐funded fertility research to sex‐typical ways of having children, which they construe as the basis of reproductive rights. This objection has no force against privately‐funded research, of course, and in any case not all social expenditures are responses to ‘rights’ properly speaking. Another possible objection raised against gestation by transgender women is that it could alter the social meaning of sexed bodies. This line of argument fails, however, to substantiate a meaningful objection to gestation by transgender women because social meanings of sexed bodies do not remain constant and because the change in this case would not elicit social effects significant enough to justify closing off gestation to transgender women as a class.
Low‐flow veno‐venous extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal in the management of severe status asthmatics: a case report
Authors: Tiruvoipati Ravindranath , Haji Kavi , Gupta Sachin , Braun Gary , Carney Ian , Botha John 
Published: December 2014

AbstractStatus asthmaticus is a life‐threatening condition that requires intensive care management. Most of these patients have severe hypercapnic acidosis that requires lung protective mechanical ventilation. A small proportion of these patients do not respond to conventional lung protective mechanical ventilation or pharmacotherapy. Such patients have an increased mortality and morbidity. Successful use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is reported in such patients. However, the use of ECMO is invasive with its associated morbidity and is limited to specialised centres. In this report, we report the use of a novel, minimally invasive, low‐flow extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal device in management of severe hypercapnic acidosis in a patient with life threatening status asthmaticus.
Fatty liver disease, glucose tolerance and insulin resistance in obese adolescents
Authors: Slyper A. H. , Rosenberg H. , Kabra A. , Huang W.‐M. , Blech B. , Matsumura M. M. 
Published: December 2014

SummaryBackground/objectivesAdult studies suggest that intra‐hepatic fat predicts 2‐h blood glucose levels and type 2 diabetes, and may have a role in the development of insulin resistance. Our study objective was to explore relationships between intra‐hepatic fat and (i) blood glucose levels and (ii) insulin resistance determined by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) in a group of obese adolescents.MethodsSubjects were 61 obese non‐diabetic male and female volunteers aged 12–18 years inclusive with a body mass index >95th percentile for age and 2‐h blood glucose <200 mg dL−1. Each subject underwent 2‐h glucose tolerance testing and measurement of haemoglobin A1c, ultrasensitive C‐reactive protein and fasting insulin. Visceral, subcutaneous abdominal and intra‐hepatic fat were determined by magnetic resonance imaging. Intra‐hepatic fat was measured by gradient echo chemical shift imaging.ResultsAlanine aminotransferase levels and hepatic phase difference were not significant correlates of fasting or 2‐h glucose. In a multiple regression model including hepatic phase difference and visceral fat volume, visceral fat volume was the sole predictor of HOMA.ConclusionsThis study provides no support to the notion that intra‐hepatic fat has a role in the regulation of fasting blood glucose, 2‐h postprandial blood glucose or systemic insulin resistance.
Management and outcomes of axial isolated distal deep vein thrombosis at North Shore Hospital, New Zealand: a retrospective audit
Authors: Li A. Y. , Woulfe T. , Rolfe‐Vyson V. , Rowland V. , Simpson D. , Merriman E. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBackgroundIt is standard of care to treat proximal vein deep vein thrombosis (DVT) for a minimum of 3 months. Conversely, management of isolated distal DVT (IDDVT) is controversial, with options including observation and repeat ultrasound scan within 1 week to detect and anticoagulate those with proximal propagation, or anticoagulation for periods of up to 3 months.AimThe aim was to assess the rates of proximal propagation and venous thromboembolism (VTE) recurrence within 3 months of diagnosis of IDDVT, and to examine how the duration of treatment might influence this.MethodsStudy patients were identified by retrospective audit of data from the North Shore Hospital VTE database. All patients presenting with established axial vein distal DVT from July 2007 to June 2012 were included. A 6‐week treatment duration cut‐off was used to separate the treatment arms (<6 weeks vs 6 weeks vs >6 weeks), and Fisher's exact or Pearson's Chi‐squared tests were used to assess between‐group comparisons.ResultsFive hundred and seven patients were included in the study, mean age 59.7 years; 53% female. There were three cases of proximal propagation, all occurring in those receiving <6 weeks treatment. There were six VTE recurrences, three in the <6 week and three in the ≥6 week treatment groups respectively. Malignancy was the only significant predictor of VTE recurrence (P = 0.001).ConclusionA 6‐week duration of anticoagulation appears to be an effective and safe treatment for isolated axial distal DVT, with low rates of VTE recurrence and proximal propagation.
An integrated assessment of histopathological changes of the enteric neuromuscular compartment in experimental colitis
Authors: Ippolito Chiara , Segnani Cristina , Errede Mariella , Virgintino Daniela , Colucci Rocchina , Fornai Matteo , Antonioli Luca , Blandizzi Corrado , Dolfi Amelio , Bernardini Nunzia 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBowel inflammatory fibrosis has been largely investigated, but an integrated assessment of remodelling in inflamed colon is lacking. This study evaluated tissue and cellular changes occurring in colonic wall upon induction of colitis, with a focus on neuromuscular compartment. Colitis was elicited in rats by 2,4‐dinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (DNBS). After 6 and 21 days, the following parameters were assessed on paraffin sections from colonic samples: tissue injury and inflammatory infiltration by histology; collagen and elastic fibres by histochemistry; HuC/D, glial fibrillar acidic protein (GFAP), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), nestin, substance P (SP), von Willebrand factor, c‐Kit and transmembrane 16A/Anoctamin1 (TMEM16A/ANO1) by immunohistochemistry. TMEM16A/ANO1 was also examined in isolated colonic smooth muscle cells (ICSMCs). On day 6, inflammatory alterations and fibrosis were present in DNBS‐treated rats; colonic wall thickening and fibrotic remodelling were evident on day 21. Colitis was associated with both an increase in collagen fibres and a decrease in elastic fibres. Moreover, the neuromuscular compartment of inflamed colon displayed a significant decrease in neuron density and increase in GFAP/PCNA‐positive glia of myenteric ganglia, enhanced expression of neural SP, blood vessel remodelling, reduced c‐Kit‐ and TMEM16A/ANO1‐positive interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs), as well as an increase in TMEM16A/ANO1 expression in muscle tissues and ICSMCs. The present findings provide an integrated view of the inflammatory and fibrotic processes occurring in the colonic neuromuscular compartment of rats with DNBS‐induced colitis. These morphological alterations may represent a suitable basis for understanding early pathophysiological events related to bowel inflammatory fibrosis.
Comparison of Stresses Generated within the Supporting Structures of Mandibular Second Molars Restored with Different Crown Materials: 3‐D Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
Authors: Abuelenain Dalia A. , Ajaj Reem , El‐Bab Eman I. M. Fath , Hammouda Mohammad M. I. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractPurposeThis study compares the FEA‐calculated stresses generated within the supporting periodontal structure of a mandibular second molar restored with a full ceramic crown and with a porcelain‐fused‐to‐metal (PFM) crown, each resisting occlusal forces acting at different inclinations.Materials and MethodsThree‐dimensional finite element models representing the crown of an unrestored mandibular second molar and two relevant restoration designs were constructed. Two designs represented the molar restored with a full ceramic crown and with a PFM crown, each cemented with the same resin cement. Occlusion was assumed at three contact areas, which equally shared a 100 N force. The analysis was carried out for forces located in the bucco‐axial‐lingual plane at five inclinations, 0, 22.5°, 45°, 67.5°, and 90°, measured from the axial direction of the tooth. The magnitudes and sites of the maximum equivalent stress (MES) generated within the supporting periodontium of each analyzed model were collected.ResultsGenerally, there were no significant differences in the site and magnitude of MES in the regions of the supporting structure for the analyzed models. The MES was located at the tooth periodontal ligament (PDL) bifurcation area and distal root apex, crestal bone at the junction between cortical and cancellous bone, and the distal wall of the mesial root socket of cancellous bone. The highest stresses corresponded to a horizontal load, followed by the axial load in the PDL and cortical zones. The results show opposite observations for the cancellous bone. The lowest stresses were generated under a load inclination between 22.5° and 45°.ConclusionConsidering the stresses generated within the supporting structures, the present work validates, by calculation, the proposed clinical use of either a full ceramic crown or a PFM crown as a restoration for mandibular second molars.
Surface Detail Reproduction and Effect of Disinfectant and Long‐Term Storage on the Dimensional Stability of a Novel Vinyl Polyether Silicone Impression Material
Authors: Nassar Usama , Chow Ava K. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractPurposeThis study investigated the surface detail reproduction and dimensional stability of a vinyl polyether silicone (VPES) in comparison to a vinylpolysiloxane (VPS) material as a function of prolonged storage for up to 2 weeks.Materials and MethodsHeavy‐body VPES (EXA'lenceTM Fast Set) and VPS (ImprintTM 3 Quick Step) were compared. Forty impression ingots of each material were made using a stainless steel die as described by ANSI/ADA specification No. 19. Twenty impressions of each material were disinfected by immersion in a 2.5% buffered glutaraldehyde solution. Surface quality was assessed and scored immediately after making the ingots. Dimensional stability measurements were made immediately and repeated on the same ingots after 7 and 14 days storage in ambient laboratory conditions. Data were analyzed using the D'Agostino and Pearson omnibus normality test followed by two‐way repeated measures ANOVA with post hoc Bonferroni tests. Values of p < 0.01 were deemed to be significant.ResultsDisinfected VPES and VPS specimens had significantly reduced dimensional changes at 7 and 14 days when compared with the nondisinfected ones (p < 0.0001). The dimensional stability of both materials was within ANSI/ADA specification No. 19's acceptable limit throughout the 2‐week test period, regardless of whether they were disinfected. Out of the initial 80 ingots, 8 VPES and 1 VPS ingot scored a 2 on the surface detail test, while the remaining 71 ingots scored 1.ConclusionsHeavy‐body fast‐set VPES experienced minimal contraction in vitro after prolonged storage, though surface detail scores were not as consistent as those of the VPS tested. The least contraction occurred when the material was examined immediately after ingot production.