bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Promoting well-being through creativity: how arts and public health can learn from each other
Authors: Cameron Marsaili , Crane Nikki , Ings Richard , Taylor Karen 
Published: January 2013

For many years, participatory arts projects have been observed to make a significant contribution to the health and well-being of local communities – only for beneficial outcomes to disappear without trace when short-term project funding runs out. At the same time, there has been mounting evidence, commissioned by both arts and health bodies, to show that creativity and the arts do indeed make a significant difference to people’s health and well-being and to how they feel about, and interact with, their neighbours. What can be done to build on and develop the evidence base? Particularly in times of austerity, there is also a need to draw on that evidence to develop principles and recommendations for bodies wishing to commission, and artists wishing to lead, participatory or public art initiatives that are most likely to result in sustained benefit to local people and communities. This paper suggests ways in which arts and public health professionals can learn from each other and go on to work more effectively together and with local communities. The paper is based on a qualitative evaluation study of a wide-ranging and innovative initiative, Be Creative Be Well (part of a wider programme, Well London) that nurtured around 100 different small participatory arts projects across 20 of London’s most disadvantaged areas. Through analysis of case studies and desk research, the paper presents a summary of what exactly the artist and the creative process bring to a community context and how that can best be supported by policy makers and funders.
Comparison of Cardioprotective Effects of Volatile Anesthetics in Children Undergoing Ventricular Septal Defect Closure
Authors: Singh Pooja , Chauhan Sandeep , Jain Gaurav , Talwar Sachin , Makhija Neeti , Kiran Usha 
Published: January 2013

Background: Volatile anesthetic agents may precondition the myocardium and protect against ischemia and infarction. Preconditioning by volatile anesthetic agents is well documented in adults but is underinvestigated in children. The present study compares the effect of preconditioning in children by three volatile anesthetic agents along with several other variables associated with cardioprotection. Method: Eighty children scheduled for ventricular septal defect closure under cardioplegic arrest were assigned to preconditioning for five minutes after commencement of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) with one minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of one of the following agents: isoflurane, sevoflurane, desflurane, or placebo (oxygen-air mixture). The plasma concentration of creatine kinase MB (CK-MB) was determined after initiation of CPB, and again 6 and 24 hours after admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) after surgery. Duration of inotropic support, mechanical ventilation, and length of ICU stay in all the groups were also recorded. Results: Preconditioning with isoflurane, sevoflurane, and desflurane was associated with significantly decreased postoperative release of CK-MB as compared to placebo group at 6 (group 1: 237.2 ± 189, group 2: 69.8 ± 15.8, group 3: 64.7 ± 37.8, and group 4: 70.4 ± 26.7) and 24 hours (group 1: 192.4 ± 158.2, group 2: 67.7 ± 25.0, group 3: 85.7 ± 66.8, and group 4: 50.4 ± 31.6) after admission to ICU. No significant differences were observed in the CK-MB levels among the three volatile anesthetic agents. Duration of inotropic support, mechanical ventilation, and length of ICU stay were greater in placebo group as compared to other groups without reaching statistical significance. Conclusion: Volatile anesthetic appear to provide definite cardioprotection to pediatric myocardium. No conclusion can be drawn regarding the best preconditioning agent among isoflurane, sevoflurane, and desflurane.
Hierarchical organization in the hemostatic response and its relationship to the platelet-signaling network
Authors: Stalker Timothy J. , Traxler Elizabeth A. , Wu Jie , Wannemacher Kenneth M. , Cermignano Samantha L. , Voronov Roman , Diamond Scott L. , Brass Lawrence F. 
Published: January 2013

Key Points
Hemostatic plugs develop a regional architecture defined by the extent of platelet activation and packing density. The regional composition of a hemostatic plug is due to the interaction of local conditions with the platelet-signaling network.
Hair growth-promoting activity of hot water extract of Thuja orientalis
Authors: Zhang Nan-nan , Park Dong Ki , Park Hye-Jin 
Published: January 2013

Abstract

Background

Thuja orientalis has been traditionally used to treat patients who suffer from baldness and hair loss in East Asia. The present study sought to investigate the hair growth-promoting activity of T. orientalis hot water extract and the underlying mechanism of action.

Methods
After T. orientalis extract was topically applied to the shaved dorsal skin of telogenic C57BL/6 N mice, the histomorphometric analysis was employed to study induction of the hair follicle cycle. To determine the effect of T. orientalis extract on the telogen to anagen transition, the protein expression levels of β-catenin and Sonic hedgehog (Shh) in hair follicles were determined by immunohistochemistry.

Results
We observed that T. orientalis extract promoted hair growth by inducing the anagen phase in telogenic C57BL/6 N mice. Specifically, the histomorphometric analysis data indicates that topical application of T. orientalis extract induced an earlier anagen phase and prolonged the mature anagen phase, in contrast to either the control or 1% minoxidil-treated group. We also observed increases in both the number and size of hair follicles of the T. orientalis extract-treated group. Moreover, the immunohistochemical analysis reveals earlier induction of β-catenin and Shh proteins in hair follicles of the T. orientalis extract-treated group, compared to the control or 1% minoxidil-treated group.

Conclusion
These results suggest that T. orientalis extract promotes hair growth by inducing the anagen phase in resting hair follicles and might therefore be a potential hair growth-promoting agent.
XH-14, a novel danshen methoxybenzo[b]furan derivative, exhibits anti-inflammatory properties in lipopolysaccharide-treated RAW 264.7 cells
Authors: Park Geun-Mook , Jun Jong-Gab , Kim Jin-Kyung 
Published: January 2013

Abstract

Background
XH-14 isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza is a bioactive component and adenosine antagonist. In the present study, we evaluated anti-inflammatory properties of XH-14 in murine macrophages.

Methods
RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cell line was cultured with various concentrations of XH-14 in the absence or presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). LPS-induced release and mRNA expression of inflammatory mediators were examined by ELISA and real-time PCR. The modification of signal pathways involved in inflammatory reactions was determined by Western blotting analysis.

Results
XH-14 suppressed the generation of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2, and the expression of inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 induced by LPS. Similarly, XH-14 inhibited the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines induced by LPS in RAW 264.7 cells. The underlying mechanism of XH-14 on anti-inflammatory action was correlated with down-regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and activator protein-1 activation.

Conclusions
XH-14 inhibits the production of several inflammatory mediators and so might be useful for the treatment of various inflammatory diseases.
Differential expression of TNFR1 (CD120a) and TNFR2 (CD120b) on subpopulations of human monocytes
Authors: Hijdra Daniëlle , Vorselaars Adriane DM , Grutters Jan C , Claessen Anke ME , Rijkers Ger T 
Published: January 2013

AbstractBackgroundThree subpopulations of monocytes can be distinguished in human blood: classical (CD14++CD16−), intermediate (CD14++CD16+), and nonclassical (CD14+CD16++). CD16 expressing monocytes are expanded in patients with sarcoidosis and in various other inflammatory diseases. In sarcoidosis, it is unclear whether either intermediate, nonclassical or both CD16 expressing monocytes are responsible for this increase. Data relating to the monocyte subpopulations is receiving increasing attention, but the expression of TNF receptors on these subpopulations has not been studied thus far. The aim of this study was to determine frequencies of monocyte subpopulations and their expression of TNFR1 and TNFR2 in both sarcoidosis patients and healthy controls.MethodsPeripheral blood cells of sarcoidosis patients and healthy controls were stained for the markers HLA-DR, CD14, CD16, CD120a and CD120b. Cells were measured on a FACSCalibur and analyzed with FlowJo. We used Student’st-test and a parametric One-way ANOVA for statistical analysis.ResultsSarcoidosis patients had a significant higher frequency of intermediate monocytes than healthy controls. Significant differences in TNF receptor expression were found between the monocyte subpopulations, both in sarcoidosis patients as well as in healthy controls: intermediates expressed more TNFR1 than classicals and nonclassicals and nonclassicals expressed more TNFR2 than intermediates, whereas intermediates showed higher expression than classicals.ConclusionsIn both sarcoidosis patients and healthy controls intermediate monocytes show the highest expression level of TNFR1 among monocyte subpopulations and nonclassical monocytes show the highest expression level of TNFR2. These findings, as wells as the higher frequency of intermediate monocytes in sarcoidosis patients, provide evidence for the existence of two functionally-distinct CD16 expressing monocyte subpopulations.
An approach to performance assessment and fault diagnosis for rotating machinery equipment
Authors: Tao Xiaochuang , Lu Chen , Lu Chuan , Wang Zili 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
Predict and prevent maintenance is routinely carried out. However, how to address the problem of performance assessment maximizing the use of available monitoring data, and how to build a framework that integrates performance assessment, fault detection, and diagnosis are still a significant challenge. For this purpose, this article introduces an approach to performance assessment and fault diagnosis for rotating machinery, including wavelet packet decomposition for extracting energy feature samples from vibration signals acquired during normal and faulty conditions; clustering analysis for demonstrating the separability of the samples; and Fisher discriminant analysis for providing an optimal lower-dimensional representation, in terms of maximizing the separability among different populations, by projecting the samples into a new space. In the new low-dimensional space, the Mahalanobis distance (MD) between the new measurement data and normal population can be calculated for performance assessment. Moreover, this model for performance assessment only requires data to be available in normal conditions and any one of all possible fault conditions, without the necessity for the full life cycle of condition monitoring data. In addition, if monitoring data under different fault conditions are available, the fault mode can be identified accurately by comparing the MDs between the new measurement data and each fault population. Finally, the proposed method was verified to be successful on performance assessment and fault diagnosis via a hydraulic pump test and a ball bearing test.
A cell based high-throughput screening approach for the discovery of new inhibitors of respiratory syncytial virus
Authors: Chung Dong-Hoon , Moore Blake P , Matharu Daljit S , Golden Jennifer E , Maddox Clinton , Rasmussen Lynn , Sosa Melinda I , Ananthan Subramaniam , White E Lucile , Jia Fuli , Jonsson Colleen B , Severson William E 
Published: January 2013

Abstract

Background
Human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) is a highly contagious pathogen and is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia for infants and children under one year of age. Worldwide, greater than 33 million children under five years of age are affected by hRSV resulting in three million hospitalizations and 200,000 deaths. However, severe lower respiratory tract disease may occur at any age, especially among the elderly or those with compromised cardiac, pulmonary, or immune systems. There is no vaccine commercially available. Existing therapies for the acute infection are ribavirin and the prophylactic humanized monoclonal antibody (Synagis® from MedImmune) that is limited to use in high risk pediatric patients. Thus, the discovery of new inhibitors for hRSV would be clinically beneficial.

Results
We have developed and validated a 384-well cell-based, high-throughput assay that measures the cytopathic effect of hRSV (strain Long) in HEp-2 cells using a luminescent-based detection system for signal endpoint (Cell Titer Glo®). The assay is sensitive and robust, with Z factors greater than 0.8, signal to background greater than 35, and signal to noise greater than 24. Utilizing this assay, 313,816 compounds from the Molecular Libraries Small Molecule Repository were screened at 10 μM. We identified 7,583 compounds that showed greater than 22% CPE inhibition in the primary screen. The top 2,500 compounds were selected for confirmation screening and 409 compounds showed at least 50% inhibition of CPE and were considered active. We selected fifty-one compounds, based on potency, selectivity and chemical tractability, for further evaluation in dose response and secondary assays Several compounds had SI50 values greater than 3, while the most active compound displayed an SI50 value of 58.9.

Conclusions
A robust automated luminescent-based high throughput screen that measures the inhibition of hRSV-induced cytopathic effect in HEp-2 cells for the rapid identification of potential inhibitors from large compound libraries has been developed, optimized and validated. The active compounds identified in the screen represent different classes of molecules, including aryl sulfonylpyrrolidines which have not been previously identified as having anti-hRSV activity.
Intrauterine protein restriction combined with early postnatal overfeeding was not associated with adult-onset obesity but produced glucose intolerance by pancreatic dysfunction
Authors: Coutinho Grazielle Vitória Ponti , Coutinho Felipe Rodrigues , Faiad Jaline Zandonato , Taki Marina Satie , de Lima Reis Silvia Regina , Ignácio-Souza Letícia Martins , Paiva Adriene Alexandra , Latorraca Márcia Queiroz , Gomes-da-Silva Maria Helena Gaíva , Martins Maria Salete Ferreira 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
We investigated if whether intrauterine protein restriction in combination with overfeeding during lactation would cause adult-onset obesity and metabolic disorders. After birth, litters from dams fed with control (17% protein) and low protein (6% protein) diets were adjusted to a size of four (CO and LO groups, respectively) or eight (CC and LC groups, respectively) pups. All of the offspring were fed a diet containing 12% protein from the time of weaning until they were 90 d old. Compared to the CC and LC groups, the CO and LO groups had higher relative and absolute food intakes, oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production; lower brown adipose tissue weight and lipid content and greater weight gain and absolute and relative white adipose tissue weight and absolute lipid content. Compared with the CO and CC rats, the LC and LO rats exhibited higher relative food intake, brown adipose tissue weight and lipid content, reduced oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production and spontaneous activity, increased relative retroperitoneal adipose tissue weight and unaltered absolute white adipose tissue weight and lipid content. The fasting serum glucose was similar among the groups. The area under the glucose curve was higher in the LO and CO rats than in the LC and CC rats. The basal insulinemia and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were lower in the LO group than in the other groups. The total area under the insulin curve for the LO rats was similar to the CC rats, and both were lower than the CO and LC rats. Kitt was higher in the LO, LC and CO groups than in the CC group. Thus, intrauterine protein restriction followed by overfeeding during lactation did not induce obesity, but produced glucose intolerance by impairing pancreatic function in adulthood.
Dietary oil composition differentially modulates intestinal endotoxin transport and postprandial endotoxemia
Authors: Mani Venkatesh , Hollis James H , Gabler Nicholas K 
Published: January 2013

AbstractBackgroundIntestinal derived endotoxin and the subsequent endotoxemia can be considered major predisposing factors for diseases such as atherosclerosis, sepsis, obesity and diabetes. Dietary fat has been shown to increase postprandial endotoxemia. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the effects of different dietary oils on intestinal endotoxin transport and postprandial endotoxemia using swine as a model. We hypothesized that oils rich in saturated fatty acids (SFA) would augment, while oils rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) would attenuate intestinal endotoxin transport and circulating concentrations.MethodsPostprandial endotoxemia was measured in twenty four pigs following a porridge meal made with either water (Control), fish oil (FO), vegetable oil (VO) or coconut oil (CO). Blood was collected at 0, 1, 2, 3 and 5 hours postprandial and measured for endotoxin. Furthermore, ex vivo ileum endotoxin transport was assessed using modified Ussing chambers and intestines were treated with either no oil or 12.5% (v/v) VO, FO, cod liver oil (CLO), CO or olive oil (OO). Ex vivo mucosal to serosal endotoxin transport permeability (Papp) was then measured by the addition of fluorescent labeled-lipopolysaccharide.ResultsPostprandial serum endotoxin concentrations were increased after a meal rich in saturated fatty acids and decreased with higher n-3 PUFA intake. Compared to the no oil control, fish oil and CLO which are rich in n-3 fatty acids reduced ex vivo endotoxin Papp by 50% (P < 0.05). Contrarily, saturated fatty acids increased the Papp by 60% (P = 0.008). Olive and vegetable oils did not alter intestinal endotoxin Papp.ConclusionOverall, these results indicate that saturated and n-3 PUFA differentially regulate intestinal epithelial endotoxin transport. This may be associated with fatty acid regulation of intestinal membrane lipid raft mediated permeability.
Clinical effect of catgut implantation at acupoints for allergic rhinitis: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Li Xinrong , Zhang Qinxiu , Jiang Luyun , Li Tao , Liu Min , Liu Huanxing , Wang Xiaopei , Zhang Fubing 
Published: January 2013

Abstract

Background
Catgut implantation at acupoints has been used in China to treat allergic rhinitis (AR) for a long time. However, its efficacy and safety in the treatment of AR is controversial due to the poor quality of the clinical trial of this therapy. This study aims to identify whether catgut implantation at acupoints is indeed an effective and safe treatment for patients with persistent or intermittent allergic rhinitis (PER or IAR) by comparing with sham catgut implantation treatment.

Methods and design
This study compares real versus sham catgut implantation at acupoints in 242 patients with a history of PER or IAR and with a positive skin prick test (SPT). The trial will be conducted in the Teaching Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. In the study, patients will be randomly assigned by computer-generated randomization list into two groups and assessed prior to treatment. Then, they will receive two sessions of treatments (once per 2 weeks) for 4 consecutive weeks and have a follow-up phase of 12 weeks. The administration of catgut implantation (or sham-control) at acupoints follows the guidelines for clinical research on acupuncture (WHO Regional Publication, Western Pacific Series No.15, 1995), and is performed double-blindly by a well-trained physician in acupuncture. The main outcome measures include the primary and secondary indicators. Primary indicators are subjective symptoms scores evaluated by visual analogue scales (VAS) and Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaires (RQLQ). The secondary indicators are the results of laboratory examinations, such as serum allergen-specific IgE, nasal inflammatory cells counts (mast cells, eosinophils, and T cells) and nitric oxide concentration in nasal excretion. The use of anti-allergic medication will also be recorded as one of the secondary indicators. Furthermore, adverse events will be recorded and analyzed. If any participants withdraw from the trial, intention-to-treat analysis (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analysis will be performed.

Discussion
The important features of this trial include the randomization procedures, large sample, and a standardized protocol of catgut implantation at acupoints. This trial will be the first study with a high evidence level in China in order to assess the efficacy and safety of catgut implantation at acupoints in treatment of AR following a randomized, double-blind sham-controlled method.

Trial registration
Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR-TRC-12002191
Medicinal flora and ethnoecological knowledge in the Naran Valley, Western Himalaya, Pakistan
Authors: Khan Shujaul M , Page Sue , Ahmad Habib , Shaheen Hamayun , Ullah Zahid , Ahmad Mushtaq , Harper David M 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
Background
Mountain ecosystems all over the world support a high biological diversity and provide home and services to some 12% of the global human population, who use their traditional ecological knowledge to utilise local natural resources. The Himalayas are the world's youngest, highest and largest mountain range and support a high plant biodiversity. In this remote mountainous region of the Himalaya, people depend upon local plant resources to supply a range of goods and services, including grazing for livestock and medicinal supplies for themselves. Due to their remote location, harsh climate, rough terrain and topography, many areas within this region still remain poorly known for its floristic diversity, plant species distribution and vegetation ecosystem service.

Methods
The Naran valley in the north-western Pakistan is among such valleys and occupies a distinctive geographical location on the edge of the Western Himalaya range, close to the Hindu Kush range to the west and the Karakorum Mountains to the north. It is also located on climatic and geological divides, which further add to its botanical interest. In the present project 120 informants were interviewed at 12 main localities along the 60 km long valley. This paper focuses on assessment of medicinal plant species valued by local communities using their traditional knowledge.

Results
Results revealed that 101 species belonging to 52 families (51.5% of the total plants) were used for 97 prominent therapeutic purposes. The largest number of ailments cured with medicinal plants were associated with the digestive system (32.76% responses) followed by those associated with the respiratory and urinary systems (13.72% and 9.13% respectively). The ailments associated with the blood circulatory and reproductive systems and the skin were 7.37%, 7.04% and 7.03%, respectively. The results also indicate that whole plants were used in 54% of recipes followed by rhizomes (21%), fruits (9.5%) and roots (5.5%).

Conclusion
Our findings demonstrate the range of ecosystem services that are provided by the vegetation and assess how utilisation of plants will impact on future resource sustainability. The study not only contributes to an improved understanding of traditional ethno-ecological knowledge amongst the peoples of the Western Himalaya but also identifies priorities at species and habitat level for local and regional plant conservation strategies.