bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors associated with pain and disability reduction following exercise interventions in chronic whiplash
Authors: Ludvigsson M. L. , Peterson G. , Dedering Å. , Falla D. , Peolsson A. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractBackgroundSome studies support the prescription of exercise for people with whiplash‐associated disorders (WAD); however, the response is highly variable. Further research is necessary to identify factors which predict response.MethodsThis is a secondary analysis of a randomized, multicentre controlled clinical trial of 202 volunteers with chronic WAD (grades 2 and 3). They received either neck‐specific exercise with, or without a behavioural approach, or prescription of physical activity for 12 weeks. Treatment response, defined as a clinical important reduction in pain or disability, was registered after 3 and 12 months, and factors associated with treatment response were explored using logistic regression.ResultsParticipation in the neck‐specific exercise group was the only significant factor associated with both neck pain and neck disability reduction both at 3 and 12 months. Patients in this group had up to 5.3 times higher odds of disability reduction and 3.9 times higher odds of pain reduction compared to those in the physical activity group. Different baseline features were identified as predictors of response depending on the time point examined and the outcome measure selected (pain vs. disability).ConclusionFactors associated with treatment response after exercise interventions differ in the short and long term and differ depending on whether neck pain or disability is considered as the primary outcome. Participation in a neck‐specific exercise intervention, in contrast to general physical activity, was the only factor that consistently indicated higher odds of treatment success. These results support the prescription of neck‐specific exercise for individuals with chronic WAD.
Involvement of α2‐adrenoceptors in inhibitory and facilitatory pain modulation processes
Authors: Vo L. , Drummond P.D. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractBackgroundIn healthy humans, high‐frequency electrical stimulation (HFS) of the forearm not only produces hyperalgesia at the site of stimulation but also reduces sensitivity to pressure‐pain on the ipsilateral side of the forehead. In addition, HFS augments the ipsilateral trigeminal nociceptive blink reflex and intensifies the ipsilateral component of conditioned pain modulation. The aim of this study was to determine whether α2‐adrenoceptors mediate these ipsilateral nociceptive influences.MethodsThe α2‐adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine was administered to 22 participants in a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled crossover study. In each session, thermal and mechanical sensitivity in the forearms and forehead was assessed before and after HFS. In addition, the combined effect of HFS and yohimbine on the nociceptive blink reflex and on conditioned pain modulation was explored. In this paradigm, the conditioning stimulus was cold pain in the ipsilateral or contralateral temple, and the test stimulus was electrically evoked pain in the forearm.ResultsBlood pressure and electrodermal activity increased for several hours after yohimbine administration, consistent with blockade of central α2‐adrenoceptors. Yohimbine not only augmented the nociceptive blink reflex ipsilateral to HFS but also intensified the inhibitory influence of ipsilateral temple cooling on electrically evoked pain at the HFS‐treated site in the forearm. Yohimbine had no consistent effect on primary or secondary hyperalgesia in the forearm or on pressure‐pain in the ipsilateral forehead.ConclusionsThese findings imply involvement of α2‐adrenoceptors both in ipsilateral antinociceptive and pronociceptive pain modulation processes. However, a mechanism not involving α2‐adrenoceptors appears to mediate analgesia in the ipsilateral forehead after HFS.
The generalization of shared reality: When communication about one target shapes evaluations of other targets
Authors: Bebermeier Sarah , Echterhoff Gerald , Bohner Gerd , Hellmann Jens H. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractCommunicators often tune their message about a target to the audience's attitude toward that target. This tuning can shape a communicator's own evaluation of the target, which reflects the creation of a shared reality with the audience. So far, evidence for shared‐reality creation has been confined to one specific target. In two experiments, we examined whether and when a shared reality would generalize to other targets. In Experiment 1, shared‐reality creation about an ambiguous sexist target generalized to the evaluation of a new ambiguous sexist target for which no audience attitude was provided. However, this happened only when there was high (vs. low) commonality with the audience regarding previous judgments. In Experiment 2, we investigated conditions for the temporal persistence of generalization. One week after message tuning to a high‐commonality audience, a shared reality generalized to a new ambiguous sexist target when participants recalled the shared‐reality creation about the initial target, but it did not generalize in conditions without such recall. Also, no generalization occurred for non‐ambiguous or non‐sexist targets. Results suggest that shared reality generalization depends on perceived commonality with the audience, recollection of shared reality at time of judgment, and similarity between new and initial targets.
Label‐free bead‐based metallothionein electrochemical immunosensor
Authors: Nejdl Lukas , Nguyen Hoai Viet , Richtera Lukas , Krizkova Sona , Guran Roman , Masarik Michal , Hynek David , Heger Zbynek , Lundberg Karin , Erikson Kristofer , Adam Vojtech , Kizek Rene 
Published: May 2015

A novel microfluidic label‐free bead‐based metallothionein immunosensors was designed. To the surface of superparamagnetic agarose beads coated with protein A, polyclonal chicken IgY specifically recognizing metallothionein (MT) were immobilized via rabbit IgG. The Brdicka reaction was used for metallothionein detection in a microfluidic printed 3D chip. The assembled chip consisted of a single copper wire coated with a thin layer of amalgam as working electrode. Optimization of MT detection using designed microfluidic chip was performed in stationary system as well as in the flow arrangement at various flow rates (0–1800 μL/min). In stationary arrangement it is possible to detect MT concentrations up to 30 ng/mL level, flow arrangement allows reliable detection of even lower concentration (12.5 ng/mL). The assembled miniature flow chip was subsequently tested for the detection of MT elevated levels (at approx. level 100 μg/mL) in samples of patients with cancer. The stability of constructed device for metallothionein detection in flow arrangement was found to be several days without any maintenance needed.
Legacy of road salt: Apparent positive larval effects counteracted by negative postmetamorphic effects in wood frogs
Authors: Dananay Kacey L. , Krynak Katherine L. , Krynak Timothy J. , Benard Michael F. 
Published: May 2015

Abstract

Road salt runoff has potentially large effects on wetland communities, but is typically investigated in short-term laboratory trials. The authors investigated effects of road salt contamination on wood frogs (Rana sylvatica) by combining a field survey with 2 separate experiments. The field survey tested whether wood frog larval traits were associated with road salt contamination in natural wetlands. As conductivity increased, wood frog larvae were less abundant, but those found were larger. In the first experiment of the present study, the authors raised larvae in outdoor artificial ponds under 4 salt concentrations and measured larval vital rates, algal biomass, and zooplankton abundance. Salt significantly increased larval growth, algal biomass, and decreased zooplankton abundance. In the second experiment, the authors raised larvae to metamorphosis in the presence and absence of salt contamination and followed resulting juvenile frogs in terrestrial pens at high and low densities. Exposure to road salt as larvae caused juvenile frogs to have greater mortality in low-density terrestrial environments, possibly because of altered energy allocation, changes in behavior, or reduced immune defenses. The present study suggests that low concentrations of road salt can have positive effects on larval growth yet negative effects on juvenile survival. These results emphasize the importance of testing for effects of contaminants acting through food webs and across multiple life stages as well as the potential for population-level consequences in natural environments. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:2417–2424. © 2015 SETAC
Latent cognitive effects from low-level polychlorinated biphenyl exposure in juvenile European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris)
Authors: Zahara Alexander R.D. , Michel Nicole L. , Flahr Leanne M. , Ejack Leanne E. , Morrissey Christy A. 
Published: May 2015

Abstract

Ecotoxicology research on polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) mixtures has focused principally on short-term effects on reproduction, growth, and other physiological endpoints. Latent cognitive effects from early life exposure to low-level PCBs were examined in an avian model, the European starling (Sturnus vulgaris). Thirty-six birds, divided equally among 4 treatment groups (control = 0 µg, low = 0.35 µg, intermediate = 0.70 µg, and high = 1.05 µg Aroclor 1254/g body weight), were dosed 1 d through 18 d posthatch, then tested 8 mo to 9 mo later in captivity in an analog to an open radial arm maze. Birds were subject to 4 sequential experiments: habituation, learning, cue selection, and memory. One-half of the birds did not habituate to the test cage; however, this was not linked to a treatment group. Although 11 of the remaining 18 birds successfully learned, only 1 was from the high-dosed group. Control and low-dosed birds were among the only treatment groups to improve trial times throughout the learning experiment. High-dosed birds were slower and more error-prone than controls. Cue selection (spatial or color cues) and memory retention were not affected by prior PCB exposure. The results indicate that a reduction in spatial learning ability persists among birds exposed to Aroclor 1254 during development. This may have implications for migration ability, resource acquisition, and other behaviors relevant for fitness. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:2513–2522. © 2015 SETAC
Evaluation and comparison of the relationship between NOEC and EC10 or EC20 values in chronic Daphnia toxicity testing
Authors: Beasley Amy , Belanger Scott E. , Brill Jessica L. , Otter Ryan R. 
Published: May 2015

Abstract

Hypothesis-based no-effect-concentration (NOEC) and regression-based x% effect concentration (ECx) values are common statistical approaches used to summarize ecotoxicological effects. Controversy over the NOEC model has prompted a movement toward discontinuation of the NOEC in favor of ECx, but the best x% effect surrogate for NOEC has not yet been determined. Historically, 10% and 20% effect concentrations (EC10 and EC20) have been treated as NOEC analogs. Given these measurements' importance to ecotoxicology, further understanding of the relationships between NOEC and EC10 or EC20 is crucial. In the present study, a metadataset of daphnid chronic toxicity tests was compiled to analyze the strength and significance of NOEC:EC10 and NOEC:EC20 relationships. The impact of endpoint (e.g., mortality, reproduction) and test condition parameters (e.g., pH, temperature) on NOEC:EC10 and NOEC:EC20 was evaluated. Mortality endpoints were most sensitive 51% of the time, with growth and reproductive endpoints constituting the remainder, underscoring the value of using multiple endpoints to evaluate toxic effects rather than relying on reproduction as the a priori most sensitive endpoint. When test condition parameters were less restricted (e.g., pH, hardness), the NOEC:EC20 association was more robust, suggesting that variability introduced by test implementation increased variability in ECx calculation. The analysis revealed that, overall, EC10 was a more suitable analog than EC20 for NOEC. Recommendations include refinement and reporting of the test parameters pH and hardness to minimize variability in ECx calculation. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:2378–2384. © 2015 SETAC
Relationship between metabolic and vascular conditions and cognitive decline among older Mexican Americans
Authors: Downer Brian , Raji Mukaila A. , Markides Kyriakos S. 
Published: May 2015

ObjectiveMetabolic and vascular conditions have been independently associated with dementia and cognitive decline among older adults, but research on the combined effects that these conditions have on cognitive decline, especially among older Mexican Americans, is lacking. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between metabolic and vascular conditions and cognitive decline among older Mexican Americans.MethodsThe final sample included 2767 participants of the Hispanic Established Populations for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly. Linear mixed‐effects regression was used to model cognitive decline across six examinations (1993–2007) according to the number (zero, one, two, and three to four) of metabolic and vascular conditions (hypertension, diabetes, stroke, and heart attack).ResultsOf the 2767 participants included in the final sample, 777 had zero conditions, 1314 had one condition, 553 had two conditions, and 123 had three to four conditions. Participants with two or three to four conditions had significantly greater cognitive decline compared with participants with zero or one condition. Stroke had the largest effect size on cognitive decline based on the proportion of variance that stroke accounted for in the linear mixed‐effects model.ConclusionMexican American older adults with multiple metabolic and vascular conditions exhibit greater cognitive decline than those with zero or one condition. Public health interventions designed to reduce the prevalence of chronic metabolic and vascular conditions, in particular stroke, may limit the severity of cognitive decline among older Mexican Americans. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Carbon monoxide: A new player in the redox regulation of connexin hemichannels
Authors: Retamal Mauricio A. , León‐Paravic Carmen G. , Ezquer Marcelo , Ezquer Fernando , Rio Rodrigo Del , Pupo Amaury , Martínez Agustín D. , González Carlos 
Published: May 2015

AbstractCarbon monoxide (CO) is a gaseous transmitter that is known to be involved in several physiological processes, but surprisingly it is also becoming a promising molecule to treat several pathologies including stroke and cancer. CO can cross the plasma membrane and activate guanylate cyclase, increasing the cGMP concentration and activating some kinases, including PKG. The other mechanism of action involves induction of protein carbonylation. CO is known to directly and indirectly modulate the function of ion channels at the plasma membrane, which in turn have important repercussions in the cellular behavior. One group of these channels is hemichannels, which are formed by proteins known as connexins (Cxs). Hemichannel allows not only the flow of ions through their pore but also the release of molecules such as ATP and glutamate. Therefore, their modulation not only impacts cellular function but also cellular communication, having the capability to affect tissular behavior. Here, we review the most recent results regarding the effect of CO on Cx hemichannels and their possible repercussions on pathologies. © 2015 IUBMB Life, 67(6):428–437, 2015
Modelling Inflation Volatility
Authors: Eisenstat Eric , Strachan Rodney W. 
Published: May 2015

SummaryThis paper discusses estimation of US inflation volatility using time‐varying parameter models, in particular whether it should be modelled as a stationary or random walk stochastic process. Specifying inflation volatility as an unbounded process, as implied by the random walk, conflicts with priors beliefs, yet a stationary process cannot capture the low‐frequency behaviour commonly observed in estimates of volatility. We therefore propose an alternative model with a change‐point process in the volatility that allows for switches between stationary models to capture changes in the level and dynamics over the past 40 years. To accommodate the stationarity restriction, we develop a new representation that is equivalent to our model but is computationally more efficient. All models produce effectively identical estimates of volatility, but the change‐point model provides more information on the level and persistence of volatility and the probabilities of changes. For example, we find a few well‐defined switches in the volatility process and, interestingly, these switches line up well with economic slowdowns or changes of the Federal Reserve Chair. Moreover, a decomposition of inflation shocks into permanent and transitory components shows that a spike in volatility in the late 2000s was entirely on the transitory side and characterized by a rise above its long‐run mean level during a period of higher persistence. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Oleic acid surfactant in polycaprolactone/hydroxyapatite‐composites for bone tissue engineering
Authors: Cardoso Guinea B. C. , Maniglio Devid , Volpato Fabio Z. , Tondon Abhishek , Migliaresi Claudio , Kaunas Roland R. , Zavaglia Cecilia A. C. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractBone substitutes are required to repair osseous defects caused by a number of factors, such as traumas, degenerative diseases, and cancer. Autologous bone grafting is typically used to bridge bone defects, but suffers from chronic pain at the donor‐site and limited availability of graft material. Tissue engineering approaches are being investigated as viable alternatives, which ideal scaffold should be biocompatible, biodegradable, and promote cellular interactions and tissue development, need to present proper mechanical and physical properties. In this study, poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL), oleic acid (OA) and hydroxyapatite (HAp) were used to obtain films whose properties were investigated by contact angle, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, tensile mechanical tests, and in vitro tests with U2OS human osteosarcoma cells by direct contact. Our results indicate that by using OA as surfactant/dispersant, it was possible to obtain a homogenous film with HAp. The PCL/OA/Hap sample had twice the roughness of the control (PCL) and a lower contact angle, indicating increased hydrophilicity of the film. Furthermore, mechanical testing showed that the addition of HAp decreased the load at yield point and tensile strength and increased tensile modulus, indicating a more brittle composition vs. PCL matrix. Preliminary cell culture experiments carried out with the films demonstrated that U2OS cells adhered and proliferated on all surfaces. The data demonstrate the improved dispersion of HAp using OA and the important consequences of this addition on the composite, unveiling the potentially of this composition for bone growth support. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 104B: 1076–1082, 2016.
Validation of the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire (ATQ) Among Mainland Chinese Students in Hong Kong
Authors: Pan Jia‐Yan , Ye Shengquan , Ng Petrus 
Published: May 2015

ObjectiveThe present study validated the combined version of the 8‐item Automatic Thought Questionnaire (ATQ) and 10 positive items from the ATQ‐revised among Chinese university students.MethodA total of 412 Mainland Chinese university students were recruited in Hong Kong by an online survey.ResultsA 14‐item Chinese ATQ was derived via item analysis. Satisfactory internal consistency reliability and good split‐half reliability were obtained. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis revealed a 3‐correlated‐factor solution for the Chinese ATQ: negative thought, positive thought (emotional), and positive thought (cognitive). The negative ATQ subscale score was positively correlated with negative affect, and negatively correlated with positive affect and life satisfaction. The two positive ATQ subscale scores were negatively correlated with negative affect, and positively correlated with positive affect and life satisfaction.ConclusionThe 14‐item ATQ is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring automatic thoughts in the Chinese context of Hong Kong.
Mental Health Among Adolescents Exposed to a Tornado: The Influence of Social Support and Its Interactions With Sociodemographic Characteristics and Disaster Exposure
Authors: Paul Lisa A. , Felton Julia W. , Adams Zachary W. , Welsh Kyleen , Miller Stephanie , Ruggiero Kenneth J. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractApproximately 25% of youths experience a natural disaster and many experience disaster‐related distress, including symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. This study contributes to the literature by examining PTSD and depressive symptoms among 2,000 adolescents (50.9% female, 70.5% White) assessed after exposure to tornadoes in 2011. The authors hypothesized that greater tornado exposure, female sex, and younger age would be associated with distress, and that social support would interact with these associations. Analyses showed that PTSD symptoms were associated with lower levels of social support (β = −.28, p < .001), greater tornado exposure (β = .14, p < .001), lower household income (β = −.06, p = .013, female sex (β = −.10, p < .001), and older age (β = .07, p = .002), with a 3‐way interaction between tornado exposure, sex, and social support (β = −.06, p = .017). For boys, the influence of tornado exposure on PTSD symptoms increased as social support decreased. Regardless of level of tornado exposure, low social support was related to PTSD symptoms for girls; depressive symptom results were similar. These findings were generally consistent with the literature and provide guidance for intervention development focused on strengthening social support at the individual, family, and community levels.
Enhanced emission extraction and selective excitation of NV centers with all–dielectric nanoantennas
Authors: Krasnok Alexander E. , Maloshtan Alex , Chigrin Dmitry N. , Kivshar Yuri S. , Belov Pavel A. 
Published: May 2015

A novel approach to facilitate excitation and readout processes of isolated negatively charged nitrogen‐vacancy (NV) centers is proposed. The approach is based on the concept of all‐dielectric nanoantennas. It is shown that the all‐dielectric nanoantenna can significantly enhance both the emission rate and emission extraction efficiency of a photoluminescence signal from a single NV center in a diamond nanoparticle on a dielectric substrate. The proposed approach provides high directivity, large Purcell factor, and efficient beam steering, thus allowing an efficient far‐field initialization and readout of several NV centers separated by subwavelength distances.
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