bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of obstructive sleep apnoea on severity and short-term prognosis of acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Barbé Ferran , Sánchez-de-la-Torre Alicia , Abad Jorge , Durán-Cantolla Joaquin , Mediano Olga , Amilibia Jose , Masdeu Maria José , Florés Marina , Barceló Antonia , de la Peña Mónica , Aldomá Albina , Worner Fernando , Valls Joan , Castellà Gerard , Sánchez-de-la-Torre Manuel 
Published: January 2015

The goal of this study was to evaluate the influence of obstructive sleep apnoea on the severity and short-term prognosis of patients admitted for acute coronary syndrome.Obstructive sleep apnoea was defined as an apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI) >15 h−1. We evaluated the acute coronary syndrome severity (ejection fraction, Killip class, number of diseased vessels, and plasma peak troponin) and short-term prognosis (length of hospitalisation, complications and mortality).We included 213 patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (mean±sdAHI 30±14 h−1, 61±10 years, 80% males) and 218 controls (AHI 6±4 h−1, 57±12 years, 82% males). Patients with obstructive sleep apnoea exhibited a higher prevalence of systemic hypertension (55%versus37%, p<0.001), higher body mass index (29±4 kg·m−2versus26±4 kg·m−2, p<0.001), and lower percentage of smokers (61%versus71%, p=0.04). After adjusting for smoking, age, body mass index and hypertension, the plasma peak troponin levels were significantly elevated in the obstructive sleep apnoea group (831±908 ng·L−1versus987±884 ng·L−1, p=0.03) and higher AHI severity was associated with an increased number of diseased vessels (p=0.04). The mean length of stay in the coronary care unit was higher in the obstructive sleep apnoea group (p=0.03).This study indicates that obstructive sleep apnoea is related to an increase in the peak plasma troponin levels, number of diseased vessels, and length of stay in the coronary care unit.
Epidemiology of invasive aspergillosis in critically ill patients: clinical presentation, underlying conditions, and outcomes
Authors: Taccone Fabio Silvio , Van den Abeele Anne-Marie , Bulpa Pierre , Misset Benoit , Meersseman Wouter , Cardoso Teresa , Paiva José-Artur , Blasco-Navalpotro Miguel , De Laere Emmanuel , Dimopoulos George , Rello Jordi , Vogelaers Dirk , Blot Stijn I ,   on behalf of the AspICU Study Investigators
Published: January 2015

Abstract
Introduction
Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a fungal infection that particularly affects immunocompromised hosts. Recently, several studies have indicated a high incidence of IA in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. However, few data are available on the epidemiology and outcome of patients with IA in this setting.

Methods
An observational study including all patients with a positive Aspergillus culture during ICU stay was performed in 30 ICUs in 8 countries. Cases were classified as proven IA, putative IA or Aspergillus colonization according to recently validated criteria. Demographic, microbiologic and diagnostic data were collected. Outcome was recorded 12 weeks after Aspergillus isolation.

Results
A total of 563 patients were included, of whom 266 were colonized (47%), 203 had putative IA (36%) and 94 had proven IA (17%). The lung was the most frequent site of infection (94%), and Aspergillus fumigatus the most commonly isolated species (92%). Patients with IA had higher incidences of cancer and organ transplantation than those with colonization. Compared with other patients, they were more frequently diagnosed with sepsis on ICU admission and more frequently received vasopressors and renal replacement therapy (RRT) during the ICU stay. Mortality was 38% among colonized patients, 67% in those with putative IA and 79% in those with proven IA (P < 0.001). Independent risk factors for death among patients with IA included older age, history of bone marrow transplantation, and mechanical ventilation, RRT and higher Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score at diagnosis.

Conclusions
IA among critically ill patients is associated with high mortality. Patients diagnosed with proven or putative IA had greater severity of illness and more frequently needed organ support than those with Aspergillus spp colonization.
Optimal site for ultrasound-guided venous catheterisation in paediatric patients: an observational study to investigate predictors for catheterisation success and a randomised controlled study to determine the most successful site
Authors: Takeshita Jun , Nakayama Yoshinobu , Nakajima Yasufumi , Sessler Daniel I , Ogawa Satoru , Sawa Teiji , Mizobe Toshiki 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
Introduction
Venous catheterisation in paediatric patients can be technically challenging. We examined factors affecting catheterisation of invisible and impalpable peripheral veins in children and evaluated the best site for ultrasound-guided catheterisation.

Methods
Systolic pressure, age, sex, and American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) physical status were determined in 96 children weighing less than 20 kg. Vein diameter and subcutaneous depth were measured with ultrasound. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the contribution of these factors to cannulation success with (n = 65) or without (n = 31) ultrasound guidance. Thereafter, we randomly assigned 196 patients for venous catheter insertion in the dorsal veins of the hand, the cephalic vein in the forearm, or the great saphenous vein. Success rates and vein diameters were evaluated by using Dunn tests; insertion time was evaluated by using Kaplan-Meier cumulative incidence analysis.

Results
Independent predictors of catheterisation were ultrasound guidance (odds ratio (OR) = 7.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.0 to 26.0, P = 0.002), vein diameter (OR = 1.5 per 0.1 mm increase in diameter, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.0, P = 0.007), and ASA physical status (OR = 0.4 per status 1 increase, 95% CI 0.2 to 0.9, P = 0.03). Cephalic veins were significantly larger (cephalic diameter 1.8 mm, P = 0.001 versus saphenous 1.5 mm, P <0.001 versus dorsal 1.5 mm). Catheterisation success rates were significantly better at the cephalic vein than either the dorsal hand or saphenous vein (cephalic 95%, 95% CI 89% to 100%, P <0.001 versus dorsal 69%, 95% CI 56% to 82%, P = 0.03 versus saphenous 75%, 95% CI 64% to 86%).

Conclusions
The cephalic vein in the proximal forearm appears to be the most appropriate initial site for ultrasound-guided catheterisation in invisible and impalpable veins of paediatric patients.

Trial registry number
UMIN Clinical Trials Registry as UMIN000010961. Registered on 14 June 2013.
Neurokinin B Is Critical for Normal Timing of Sexual Maturation but Dispensable for Adult Reproductive Function in Female Mice
Authors: True Cadence , Nasrin Alam Sayeda , Cox Kimberly , Chan Yee-Ming , Seminara Stephanie B. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractHumans carrying mutations in neurokinin B (NKB) or the NKB receptor fail to undergo puberty due to decreased secretion of GnRH. Despite this pubertal delay, many of these patients go on to achieve activation of their hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in adulthood, a phenomenon termed reversal, indicating that NKB signaling may play a more critical role for the timing of pubertal development than adult reproductive function. NKB receptor-deficient mice are hypogonadotropic but have no defects in the timing of sexual maturation. The current study has performed the first phenotypic evaluation of mice bearing mutations in Tac2, the gene encoding the NKB ligand, to determine whether they have impaired sexual development similar to their human counterparts. Male Tac2−/− mice showed no difference in the timing of sexual maturation or fertility compared with wild-type littermates and were fertile. In contrast, Tac2−/− females had profound delays in sexual maturation, with time to vaginal opening and first estrus occurring significantly later than controls, and initial abnormalities in estrous cycles. However, cycling recovered in adulthood and Tac2−/− females were fertile, although they produced fewer pups per litter. Thus, female Tac2−/− mice parallel humans harboring NKB pathway mutations, with delayed sexual maturation and activation of the reproductive cascade later in life. Moreover, direct comparison of NKB ligand and receptor-deficient females confirmed that only NKB ligand-deficient animals have delayed sexual maturation, suggesting that in the absence of the NKB receptor, NKB may regulate the timing of sexual maturation through other tachykinin receptors.
Proper migration and axon outgrowth of zebrafish cranial motoneuron subpopulations require the cell adhesion molecule MDGA2A
Authors: Ingold Esther , vom Berg-Maurer Colette M. , Burckhardt Christoph J. , Lehnherr André , Rieder Philip , Keller Philip J. , Stelzer Ernst H. , Greber Urs F. , Neuhauss Stephan C. F. , Gesemann Matthias 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACT
The formation of functional neuronal circuits relies on accurate migration and proper axonal outgrowth of neuronal precursors. On the route to their targets migrating cells and growing axons depend on both, directional information from neurotropic cues and adhesive interactions mediated via extracellular matrix molecules or neighbouring cells. The inactivation of guidance cues or the interference with cell adhesion can cause severe defects in neuronal migration and axon guidance. In this study we have analyzed the function of the MAM domain containing glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor 2A (MDGA2A) protein in zebrafish cranial motoneuron development. MDGA2A is prominently expressed in distinct clusters of cranial motoneurons, especially in the ones of the trigeminal and facial nerves. Analyses of MDGA2A knockdown embryos by light sheet and confocal microscopy revealed impaired migration and aberrant axonal outgrowth of these neurons; suggesting that adhesive interactions mediated by MDGA2A are required for the proper arrangement and outgrowth of cranial motoneuron subtypes.
Modelling of soldier fly halteres for gyroscopic oscillations
Authors: Parween Rizuwana , Pratap Rudra 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACT
Nature has evolved a beautiful design for small-scale vibratory rate-gyro in the form of dipteran halteres that detect body rotations via Coriolis acceleration. In most Diptera, including soldier fly, Hermetia illucens, halteres are a pair of special organs, located in the space between the thorax and the abdomen. The halteres along with their connecting joint with the fly's body constitute a mechanism that is used for muscle-actuated oscillations of the halteres along the actuation direction. These oscillations lead to bending vibrations in the sensing direction (out of the haltere's actuation plane) upon any impressed rotation due to the resulting Coriolis force. This induced vibration is sensed by the sensory organs at the base of the haltere in order to determine the rate of rotation. In this study, we evaluate the boundary conditions and the stiffness of the anesthetized halteres along the actuation and the sensing direction. We take several cross-sectional SEM (scanning electron microscope) images of the soldier fly haltere and construct its three dimensional model to get the mass properties. Based on these measurements, we estimate the natural frequency along both actuation and sensing directions, propose a finite element model of the haltere's joint mechanism, and discuss the significance of the haltere's asymmetric cross-section. The estimated natural frequency along the actuation direction is within the range of the haltere's flapping frequency. However, the natural frequency along the sensing direction is roughly double the haltere's flapping frequency that provides a large bandwidth for sensing the rate of rotation to the soldier flies.
Functional characterisation of the chromatically antagonistic photosensitive mechanism of erythrophores in the tilapiaOreochromis niloticus
Authors: Chen Shyh-Chi , Xiao Chengfeng , Troje Nikolaus F. , Robertson R. Meldrum , Hawryshyn Craig W. 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACTNon-visual photoreceptors with diverse photopigments allow organisms to adapt to changing light conditions. Whereas visual photoreceptors are involved in image formation, non-visual photoreceptors mainly undertake various non-image-forming tasks. They form specialised photosensory systems that measure the quality and quantity of light and enable appropriate behavioural and physiological responses. Chromatophores are dermal non-visual photoreceptors directly exposed to light and they not only receive ambient photic input but also respond to it. These specialised photosensitive pigment cells enable animals to adjust body coloration to fit environments, and play an important role in mate choice, camouflage and ultraviolet (UV) protection. However, the signalling pathway underlying chromatophore photoresponses and the physiological importance of chromatophore colour change remain under-investigated. Here, we characterised the intrinsic photosensitive system of red chromatophores (erythrophores) in tilapia. Like some non-visual photoreceptors, tilapia erythrophores showed wavelength-dependent photoresponses in two spectral regions: aggregations of inner pigment granules under UV and short-wavelengths and dispersions under middle- and long-wavelengths. The action spectra curve suggested that two primary photopigments exert opposite effects on these light-driven processes: SWS1 (short-wavelength sensitive 1) for aggregations and RH2b (rhodopsin-like) for dispersions. Both western blot and immunohistochemistry showed SWS1 expression in integumentary tissues and erythrophores. The membrane potential of erythrophores depolarised under UV illumination, suggesting that changes in membrane potential are required for photoresponses. These results suggest that SWS1 and RH2b play key roles in mediating intrinsic erythrophore photoresponses in different spectral ranges and this chromatically dependent antagonistic photosensitive mechanism may provide an advantage to detect subtle environmental photic change.
Shiver me titin! Elucidating titin's role in shivering thermogenesis
Authors: Taylor-Burt Kari R. , Monroy Jenna , Pace Cinnamon , Lindstedt Stan , Nishikawa Kiisa C. 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACT
Shivering frequency scales predictably with body mass and is 10 times higher in a mouse than a moose. The link between shivering frequency and body mass may lie in the tuning of muscle elastic properties. Titin functions as a muscle ‘spring’, so shivering frequency may be linked to titin's structure. The muscular dystrophy with myositis (mdm) mouse is characterized by a deletion in titin's N2A region. Mice that are homozygous for the mdm mutation have a lower body mass, stiffer gait and reduced lifespan compared with their wild-type and heterozygous siblings. We characterized thermoregulation in these mice by measuring metabolic rate and tremor frequency during shivering. Mutants were heterothermic at ambient temperatures of 20–37°C while wild-type and heterozygous mice were homeothermic. Metabolic rate increased at smaller temperature differentials (i.e. the difference between body and ambient temperatures) in mutants than in non-mutants. The difference between observed tremor frequencies and shivering frequencies predicted by body mass was significantly larger for mutant mice than for wild-type or heterozygous mice, even after accounting for differences in body temperature. Together, the heterothermy in mutants, the increase in metabolic rate at low temperature differentials and the decreased tremor frequency demonstrate the thermoregulatory challenges faced by mice with the mdm mutation. Oscillatory frequency is proportional to the square root of stiffness, and we observed that mutants had lower active muscle stiffness in vitro. The lower tremor frequencies in mutants are consistent with reduced active muscle stiffness and suggest that titin affects the tuning of shivering frequency.
Selection for upper thermal tolerance in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykissWalbaum)
Authors: Chen Zhongqi , Snow Michael , Lawrence Craig S. , Church Anthony R. , Narum Shawn R. , Devlin Robert H. , Farrell Anthony P. 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACTRainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum) in southern Western Australia have undergone passive selection for over 19 generations to survive high water temperatures. Based on the conceptual model of ‘oxygen- and capacity-limited thermal tolerance’, we measured critical thermal maximum (CTmax), maximum heart rate (fH,max) and aerobic scope to test the hypothesis that these rainbow trout can maintain aerobic scope at high temperatures through a robust cardiac performance supporting oxygen delivery. Across five family groups CTmax averaged 29.0±0.02°C. Aerobic scope was maximized at 15.8±0.3°C (Topt), while the upper pejus temperature (Tpej, set at 90% of maximum aerobic scope) was 19.9±0.3°C. Although aerobic scope decreased at temperatures above Topt, the value at 25°C remained well over 40% of the maximum. Furthermore, pharmacologically stimulated fH,max increased with temperature, reaching a peak value between 23.5±0.4 and 24.0±0.4°C (Tmax) for three family groups. The Arrhenius breakpoint temperature (TAB) for fH,max was 20.3±0.3 to 20.7±0.4°C, while the average Q10 breakpoint temperature (TQB, when the incremental Q10&lt;1.6) for fH,max was 21.6±0.2 to 22.0±0.4°C. Collectively, fH,max progressively became less temperature dependent beyond 20°C (TAB and TQB), which coincides with the upper Tpej for aerobic scope. Although upper thermal performance indices for both aerobic scope and fH,max were compared among family groups in this population, appreciable differences were not evident. Compared with other populations of rainbow trout, the present assessment is consistent with the prediction that this strain has undergone selection and shows the ability to tolerate higher water temperatures.
Tandemly Repeated Peptide for Cancer-specific Gene Carrier Prepared by Native Chemical Ligation
Authors: Funamoto Daiki , Asai Daisuke , Kim Chan Woo , Nakamura Yuta , Lee Eun Kyung , Nobori Takanobu , Niidome Takuro , Mori Takeshi , Katayama Yoshiki 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
We reported here a preparation of a cancer-specific gene carrier by native chemical ligation of a substrate peptide of protein kinase Cα (PKCα), which highly expresses in many types of cancer. This carrier is a tetramer of the substrate peptide connected with adequate spacer to maintain reactivity toward PKCα. The carrier successfully regulated the reporter gene expression responding to the phosphorylation of its serine residues.
Cancer: what are the risks and how can you help to get them across to your patients?
Authors: Kaplan Gwen , Kilgour Gill 
Published: January 2015

We know from the people we train that there is a lot of confusion and misinformation as to what actually increases the risk of cancer and why. Many have heard of potential risk factors through the media, others through friends and word of mouth, and some may have drawn their own conclusions from personal experience.In this paper, we look at what is known about the risks related to cancer and the research that supports it. We help to make sense of the latest evidence and hope this will shape and inform the conversations you are having with patients every day.
A search for learning transfer: does non-mandatory training make a difference?
Authors: John Vivien 
Published: January 2015

When NHS expenditure is tight, it would seem right to question the benefit of providing training over and above necessary and mandatory requirements. When Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust delivered its ‘Simply the Best’ training programme to bands 1-4 in 2013, it needed to know if this opportunity for development really made a difference to practice. A research project ensued, looking for evidence that learning had not only improved an individual's level of knowledge, skills and confidence, but that it had also been sustained over a period of time. Although previous literature suggested the outcomes would not be favourable, the results were encouraging and were used to inform the future provision of training.
Development and Implementation of ExPLORE Clinical Practice, a Web-accessible
Comparative Outcomes Tool for California Hospitals and Physicians
Authors: McNair Peter D. , Fang Jade , Schwarzwaelder Stephan , Jackson Terri 
Published: January 2015

Background: Hospital-based clinicians have little information about the outcomes
of their care, much less how those outcomes compare with those of their peers. A variety
of care quality indicators have been developed, but comparisons tend to be hospitalwide,
and often irrelevant to the practice and patient group of many hospital clinicians.
Moreover, information is not enough to transform clinical practice, as the human
response to such comparisons is, “I’m doing the best I know how.” What is needed is
granular, clinically specific feedback with peer-mediated advice about how “positive
deviants” achieve better results.Objective: This case study reports on the development
and implementation of a web-accessible comparative outcomes tool, ExPLORE Clinical
Practice, for hospitals and clinicians in California.Methods: We use iterative
development and refinement of web tools to report comparative outcomes; incremental
development of suites of procedure-patient outcome pairs specific to particular medical
specialty groups; testing and refinement of response time metrics to reduce delays in
report generation; and introduction of a comments section for each measure that assists
with interpretation and ties results to strategies found to lead to better clinical
outcomes.Results: To date, 76 reports, each with 115 to 251 statistically evaluated
outcomes, are available electronically to compare individual hospitals in California to
statewide outcomes.Discussion and Conclusions: ExPLORE Clinical Practice is one of a
number of emerging systems that attempt to lever available data to improve patient
outcomes. The ExPLORE Clinical Practice system combines a clinical focus on highly
specific outcome measures with attention to technical issues such as crafting an
intuitive user interface and graphic presentation. This case study illustrates the
important advances made in using data to support clinicians to improve care for
patients. We see this information as a way to start local conversations about quality
improvement, and as a means of generating peer advice for improving patient
outcomes.
Maneuvering MEPDG Input Variables to Improve Level-3 and Level-2 Mastercurve Predictions to the Accuracy of Level-1 Input Hierarchy
Authors: Tarefder Rafiqul A. , Weldegiorgis Mekdim T. 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
In this study, mix and binder input variables were optimized to investigate the problems related to the accuracy of mastercurves developed using Mechanistic Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG). Dynamic modulus testing over a wide temperature and frequency range was performed on Superpave mixes typically used for structural and surface coarse pavement construction by New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT). Dynamic modulus mastercurves were produced using the MEPDG software and using Microsoft Excel for the actual test data. Mastercurves developed using actual test results were compared with mastercurves produced using MEPDG software at level-1, level-2, and level-3 input hierarchies. Finally, mix and binder input variables were optimized to determine appropriate shift factors to improve accuracy of mastercurves developed at level-2 and level-3 input hierarchies. The results show that mastercurves developed using level-1 input hierarchy accurately represent the test results. However, all predicted mastercurves at level-2 and level-3 input hierarchies underpredict actual test results and level-3 prediction results showed better accuracy than level-2 outputs for all mixes in this study. The MEPDG software was also re-run to predict mix mastercurves using optimized (shifted) input values and the resulting mastercurves from level-3 and level-2 MEPDG input hierarchies were found to overlap with mastercurves produced using level-1 MEPDG input hierarchy. Optimized mix input values suggest that aggregate variables can be eliminated from the E* model.