bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Virtual Reality Lead Extraction as a Method for Training New Physicians: A Pilot Study
Authors: MAYTIN MELANIE , DAILY THOMAS P. , CARILLO ROGER G. 
Published: December 2014

BackgroundIt is estimated that the demand for transvenous lead extraction (TLE) has reached an annual extraction rate of nearly 24,000 patients worldwide. Despite technologic advances, TLE still has the potential for significant morbidity and mortality. Complication rates with TLE directly parallel operator experience. However, obtaining adequate training during and postfellowship can be difficult. Given the potential for catastrophic complications and the steep learning curve (up to 300 cases) associated with this procedure, we sought to validate a virtual reality (VR) lead extraction simulator as an innovative training and evaluation tool for physicians new to TLE.MethodsWe randomized eight electrophysiology fellows to VR simulator versus conventional training. We compared procedural skill competency between the groups using simulator competency, tactile measurements, markers of proficiency and attitudes, and cognitive abilities battery.ResultsPractical skills and simulator complications differed significantly between the VR simulator and conventional training groups. The VR simulator group executed patient preparation and procedure performance better than the conventional group (P < 0.01). All four fellows randomized to conventional training experienced a simulator complication (two superior vena cava [SVC] tears, three right ventricle [RV] avulsions) versus one fellow in the VR simulator group (one SVC tear) (P = 0.02). Tactile measurements revealed a trend toward excess pushing versus pulling forces among the conventionally trained group. The time for lead removal was also significantly higher in the conventional training group (12.46 minutes vs 5.54 minutes, P = 0.02). There was no significant difference in baseline or posttraining cognitive ability.ConclusionsWe contend that the implementation of alternative training tools such as a VR simulation model will improve physician training and allow for an innovative pathway to assess the achievement of competency.
Grapevine species from varied native habitats exhibit differences in embolism formation/repair associated with leaf gas exchange and root pressure
Authors: KNIPFER THORSTEN , EUSTIS ASHLEY , BRODERSEN CRAIG , WALKER ANDREW M. , MCELRONE ANDREW J. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractDrought induces xylem embolism formation, but grapevines can refill non‐functional vessels to restore transport capacity. It is unknown whether vulnerability to embolism formation and ability to repair differ among grapevine species. We analysed in vivo embolism formation and repair using x‐ray computed microtomography in three wild grapevine species from varied native habitats (Vitis riparia, V. arizonica, V. champinii) and related responses to measurements of leaf gas exchange and root pressure. Vulnerability to embolism formation was greatest in V. riparia, intermediate in V. arizonica and lowest in V. champinii. After re‐watering, embolism repair was rapid and pronounced in V. riparia and V. arizonica, but limited or negligible in V. champinii even after numerous days. Similarly, root pressure measured after re‐watering was positively correlated with drought stress severity for V. riparia and V. arizonica (species exhibiting embolism repair) but not for V. champinii. Drought‐induced reductions in transpiration were greatest for V. riparia and least in V. champinii. Recovery of transpiration after re‐watering was delayed for all species, but was greatest for V. champinii and most rapid in V. arizonica. These species exhibit varied responses to drought stress that involve maintenance/recovery of xylem transport capacity coordinated with root pressure and gas exchange responses.
Cooling water before panicle initiation increases chilling‐induced male sterility and disables chilling‐induced expression of genes encoding OsFKBP65 and heat shock proteins in rice spikelets
Authors: SUZUKI KENSAKU , AOKI NAOHIRO , MATSUMURA HISAKAZU , OKAMURA MASAKI , OHSUGI RYU , SHIMONO HIROYUKI 
Published: December 2014

AbstractIn rice (Oryza sativa L.), chilling‐induced male sterility increased when plants experienced low water temperature (Tw, 18 °C for 14 d) before panicle initiation. The number of mature pollen grains after chilling at the booting stage (12 °C for 5 d) was only 45% of total pollen grains in low‐Tw plants, whereas it was 71% in normal‐Tw plants (Tw not controlled; approximately 23 °C under air temperature of 26 °C/21 °C, day/night). Microarray and quantitative PCR analyses showed that many stress‐responsive genes (including OsFKBP65 and genes encoding the large heat shock protein OsHSP90.1, heat‐stress transcription factors and many small heat shock proteins) were strongly up‐regulated by chilling in normal‐Tw spikelets, but were unaffected or even down‐regulated by chilling in low‐Tw spikelets. OsAPX2 and genes encoding some other antioxidant enzymes were also significantly down‐regulated by low Tw in chilled spikelets. The levels of lipid peroxidation products (malondialdehyde equivalents) were significantly increased in low‐Tw spikelets by chilling. Ascorbate peroxidase activity in chilled spikelets was significantly lower in low‐Tw plants than in normal‐Tw plants. Our data suggest that an OsFKBP65‐related chilling response, which protects proteins from oxidative damage, is indispensable for chilling tolerance but is lost in low‐Tw spikelets.
Discussions of sexual health testing: Applying the theory of motivated information management
Authors: DILLOW MEGAN R. , LABELLE SARA 
Published: December 2014

AbstractTo investigate how individuals seek and disclose information related to testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in sexual relationships, this study utilizes the revised theory of motivated information management (TMIM; Afifi & Morse, 2009). As part of a longitudinal design, 199 participants completed questionnaires assessing TMIM constructs. The hypothesized model was supported for individuals as seekers and providers of information regarding STI testing behaviors, and efficacy emerged as a mediator of seekers' negative emotional response and indirect information seeking and of providers' outcome expectancies and indirect information provision. Findings from this investigation support the workings of the revised TMIM and illustrate the importance of efficacy in information management decisions regarding STI testing behaviors between sexual partners.
Usability testing of the Internet program: “Teens Taking Charge: Managing My Transplant Online”
Authors: Korus M. , Cruchley E. , Stinson J. N. , Gold A. , Anthony S. J. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractAdolescents with SOT demonstrate high rates of medication non‐adherence and higher rates of graft loss compared to all other age groups. Self‐management interventions encompass information‐based material designed to achieve disease‐related learning and changes in the participant's knowledge and skill acquisition, while providing social support. These interventions have had some success in chronic disease populations by reducing symptoms and promoting self‐efficacy and empowerment. Using findings from a needs assessment, an Internet‐based self‐management program, Teens Taking Charge: Managing My Transplant Online, for youth with SOT was developed. This program contains information on transplant, self‐management and transition skills, and opportunities for peer support. The purpose of this study was to determine the usability and acceptability of the initial three modules (Medication and Vaccines; Diet after Transplant; and Living with a Transplant Organ) of the online program from the perspectives of youth with SOT. Participants were recruited from SOT clinics at a large pediatric tertiary care center in Canada. Three iterative cycles (seven patients per iteration) of usability testing took place to refine the Web site prototype. Study procedures involved participants finding items from a standardized list of features and talking aloud about issues they encountered, followed by a semi‐structured interview to generate feedback about what they liked and disliked about the program. All 21 patients (mean age = 14.9 yr) found the Web site content to be trustworthy, they liked the picture content, and they found the videos of peer experiences to be particularly helpful. Participants had some difficulties finding information within submodules and suggested a more simplistic design with easier navigation. This web‐based intervention is appealing to teenagers and may foster improved self‐management with their SOT. Nine additional teen and two parent modules are being developed, and the completed Web site will undergo usability testing. In the future, a randomized control trial will determine the feasibility and effectiveness of this online self‐management program on adherence, self‐efficacy, and transition skills.
Cementum proteins: role in cementogenesis, biomineralization, periodontium formation and regeneration
Authors: Arzate Higinio , Zeichner‐David Margarita , Mercado‐Celis Gabriela 
Published: December 2014

AbstractDestruction of the periodontium is normally associated with periodontal disease, although many other factors, such as trauma, aging, infections, orthodontic tooth movement and systemic and genetic diseases, can contribute to this process. Strategies (such as guided tissue regeneration) have been developed to guide and control regeneration using bioresorbable membranes and bone grafts. Although effective to a certain point, these strategies have the problem that they are not predictable and do not completely restore the architecture of the original periodontium. To achieve complete repair and regeneration it is necessary to recapitulate the developmental process with complete formation of cementum, bone and periodontal ligament fibers. Detailed knowledge of the biology of cementum is key for understanding how the periodontium functions, identifying pathological issues and for developing successful therapies for repair and regeneration of damaged periodontal tissue. It is the purpose of this review to focus on the role of cementum and its specific components in the formation, repair and regeneration of the periodontium. As cementum is a matrix rich in growth factors that could influence the activities of various periodontal cell types, this review will examine the characteristics of cementum, its composition and the role of cementum components, especially the cementum protein‐1, during the process of cementogenesis, and their potential usefulness for regeneration of the periodontal structures in a predictable therapeutic manner.
Lasers in periodontal therapy
Authors: Passanezi Euloir , Damante Carla Andreotti , de Rezende Maria L. Rubo , Greghi Sebastião L. Aguiar 
Published: December 2014

AbstractAbout 50 years ago, lasers started to be used in periodontal treatment following evidence that wounds produced in animals healed more quickly after being irradiated with low‐intensity lasers. Increased production of growth factors, stimulated mainly by red and infrared lasers, may participate in this process by influencing the behavior of various types of cells. High‐intensity lasers have been used as an alternative to nonsurgical periodontal therapy in root biomodification and to reduce dentin hypersensivity; low‐intensity lasers are frequently employed to improve tissue repair in regenerative procedures and in antimicrobial photodynamic therapy. Despite the abundance of promising data on the advantages of their use, there is still controversy regarding the real benefits of lasers and antimicrobial photodynamic therapy in periodontal and peri‐implant treatment. A huge variation in the parameters of laser application among studies makes comparisons very difficult. An overview of the current concepts and findings on lasers in periodontal therapy is presented with emphasis on data collected from Latin‐American researchers.
Mesenchymal stem cells from the oral cavity and their potential value in tissue engineering
Authors: Sanz Antonio R. , Carrión Flavio S. , Chaparro Alejandra P. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractPeriodontal disease is one of the most common conditions affecting humans, and current treatment strategies, which focus on the removal and long‐term control of dental plaque, are generally successful in eliminating active disease and promoting tissue repair. However, regeneration of the supporting structures of the tooth remains an elusive goal and a challenge. The formation of new bone and cementum with supportive periodontal ligament is the ultimate objective, but current regeneration therapies are incapable of achieving this in a predictable way. The regeneration of periodontal tissue requires a combination of fundamental events, such as appropriate level and sequencing of regulatory signals, the presence of progenitor cells, an extracellular matrix or carrier and an adequate blood supply. Based on tissue‐engineering concepts, the regeneration process may be modulated by manipulating the signaling pathways of regulatory molecules, the extracellular matrix or scaffold, or the cellular components. The identification of mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow started a new era in regenerative medicine. Tissue engineering using mesenchymal stem cells became a therapeutic option with several advantages, including high‐quality regeneration of damaged tissues without the formation of fibrous tissue, minimal donor‐site morbidity compared with autografts and a low risk of autoimmune rejection and disease transmission. The aim of this review was to describe the main sources of mesenchymal stem cells from tissues in the oral cavity and the potential of these cells in regenerative therapy. Special attention is paid to gingival tissue‐derived mesenchymal stem cells because they represent the most accessible source of stem cells in the human mouth.
Effect of periodontal treatment on preterm birth rate: a systematic review of meta‐analyses
Authors: López Néstor J. , Uribe Sergio , Martinez Benjamín 
Published: December 2014

AbstractPreterm birth is a major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality in both developed and developing countries. Preterm birth is a highly complex syndrome that includes distinct clinical subtypes in which many different causes may be involved. The results of epidemiological, molecular, microbiological and animal‐model studies support a positive association between maternal periodontal disease and preterm birth. However, the results of intervention studies carried out to determine the effect of periodontal treatment on reducing the risk of preterm birth are controversial. This systematic review critically analyzes the methodological issues of meta‐analyses of the studies to determine the effect of periodontal treatment to reduce preterm birth. The quality of the individual randomized clinical trials selected is of highest relevance for a systematic review. This article describes the methodological features that should be identified a priori and assessed individually to determine the quality of a randomized controlled trial performed to evaluate the effect of periodontal treatment on pregnancy outcomes. The AMSTAR and the PRISMA checklist tools were used to assess the quality of the six meta‐analyses selected, and the bias domain of the Cochrane Collaboration's Tool was applied to evaluate each of the trials included in the meta‐analyses. In addition, the methodological characteristics of each clinical trial were assessed. The majority of the trials included in the meta‐analyses have significant methodological flaws that threaten their internal validity. The lack of effect of periodontal treatment on preterm birth rate concluded by four meta‐analyses, and the positive effect of treatment for reducing preterm birth risk concluded by the remaining two meta‐analyses are not based on consistent scientific evidence. Well‐conducted randomized controlled trials using rigorous methodology, including appropriate definition of the exposure, adequate control of confounders for preterm birth and application of effective periodontal interventions to eliminate periodontal infection, are needed to confirm the positive association between periodontal disease and preterm birth.
Risk–benefit analysis of antidepressant drug treatment in the elderly
Authors: Álamo Cecilio , López‐Muñoz Francisco , García‐García Pilar , García‐Ramos Silvia 
Published: December 2014

AbstractDepression in the elderly is a significant health issue that has the potential to seriously affect physical and emotional well‐being. Therefore, the treatment of geriatric depression is necessary. Antidepressant treatment in older depressed patients is efficacious, but differences in the effectiveness of different classes of antidepressants have not been demonstrated. However, differences in tolerability profile are most recognizable in the elderly. With ageing, a series of changes occur in the elderly that modify both the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of antidepressants and may influence the efficacy, tolerability and safety of treatment in the elderly. Comorbidities require the use of other drugs, which increases the possibility of drug‐drug interactions. Given these aspects, individualized therapy for each elderly patient is needed to achieve acceptable risk–benefit ratio. Effective treatment of depression in the elderly, which may require combined pharmacological with psychosocial treatment, can decrease both morbidity and mortality; it also may lead to reduced demands on family members and on health‐care and social services.
Non‐literal language deficits in mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Cardoso Sandra , Silva Dina , Maroco João , de Mendonça Alexandre , Guerreiro Manuela 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBackgroundVerbal language deteriorates in Alzheimer's disease, contributing to dramatic disturbances in the ability to communicate. The presence of language disturbances may be detected at earlier phases of the neurodegenerative process, like mild cognitive impairment (MCI). In daily verbal interactions, people mostly use literal language, but sometimes they employ non‐literal language, which requires listeners to interpret messages beyond the plain meaning of the words and can be quite demanding. In the present study, we tested the hypotheses that patients with MCI may have deficits in non‐literal language, and these deficits are more pronounced than deficits in literal language.MethodsParticipants were recruited in a private memory clinic and senior universities. General cognitive evaluation included a comprehensive neuropsychological battery, the Mini‐Mental State Examination, and the instrumental activities of daily living scale. Literal language was assessed with the semantic decision test, Token Test, and literal text comprehension test, and non‐literal language with the proverbs comprehension, idiomatic expressions and non‐literal text comprehension tests.ResultsFifty‐two participants with MCI and 31 controls were recruited. Patients with MCI had lower scores in all complex language tests, both literal (Token Test, semantic decision and literal text) and non‐literal (proverbs, idiomatic expressions, and non‐literal text), than the controls; the difference in literal text score was marginally significant. As much as 69% of MCI participants had deficits (performance below 1.5 SD of the mean) on at least one of the complex language tasks. Deficits were more frequent on the proverbs comprehension and semantic decision tests, and the deficits on these tests did not significantly differ from that on the Token Test.ConclusionPatients with MCI are hindered in understanding complex language, both literal and non‐literal. In daily living, these complex language deficits could compromise effective verbal interactions with the others. Amelioration of these deficits should be an important intervention target as part of a comprehensive rehabilitation strategy for patients with cognitive decline.
Compounding diagnostic delays: a qualitative study of point‐of‐care testing in South Africa
Authors: Engel Nora , Davids Malika , Blankvoort Nadine , Pai Nitika Pant , Dheda Keertan , Pai Madhukar 
Published: December 2014

AbstractObjectivesSuccessful point‐of‐care (POC) testing (completion of test‐and‐treat cycle in one patient encounter) has immense potential to reduce diagnostic and treatment delays, and improve patient and public health outcomes. We explored what tests are done and how in public/private, rural/urban hospitals and clinics in South Africa and whether they can ensure successful POC testing.MethodsThis qualitative research study examined POC testing across major diseases in Cape Town, Durban and Eastern Cape. We conducted 101 semi‐structured interviews and seven focus group discussions with doctors, nurses, community health workers, patients, laboratory technicians, policymakers, hospital managers and diagnostic manufacturers.ResultsIn South Africa, diagnostics are characterised by a centralised system. Most tests conducted on the spot can be made to work successfully as POC tests. The majority of public/private clinics and smaller hospitals send samples via couriers to centralised laboratories and retrieve results the same way, via internet, fax or phone. The main challenge to POC testing lies in transporting samples and results, while delays risk patient loss from diagnostic/treatment pathways. Strategies to deal with associated delays create new problems, such as artificially prolonged turnaround times, strains on human resources and quality of testing, compounding additional diagnostic and treatment delays.ConclusionsFor POC testing to succeed, particular characteristics of diagnostic ecosystems and adaptations of professional practices to overcome associated challenges must be taken into account.
Trade, Migration and Integration – Evidence and Policy Implications
Authors: Hatzigeorgiou Andreas , Lodefalk Magnus 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThis paper takes as its point of departure the unique position recently adopted by Swedish policymakers emphasising migration as a tool to increase trade. We attempt to empirically scrutinise this position. Our results demonstrate that migrants stimulate exports, especially along the extensive product margin of trade and for differentiated products, but have no significant impact on imports. This finding suggests that for small open economies where numerous immigrants are refugees, the strategy of using migration to facilitate trade may only be effective with respect to exports. This paper also contributes to the literature on trade and migration by exploiting data on gender and age, which allow us to draw inferences on the underlying impact channels. We adopt an instrumental variable approach to address the endogeneity issue due to potential reverse causality. The pattern of results is consistent with the hypothesis that migration primarily reduces fixed trade costs resulting from information and trust friction across migrant host and source countries. Importantly, the results imply that policymakers may be able to promote trade by improving immigrants’ labour market integration instead of simply being restricted to promoting more liberal immigration policies, which is generally more controversial.