bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Structure and function of the mammalian middle ear. II: Inferring function from structure
Authors: Mason Matthew J. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractAnatomists and zoologists who study middle ear morphology are often interested to know what the structure of an ear can reveal about the auditory acuity and hearing range of the animal in question. This paper represents an introduction to middle ear function targetted towards biological scientists with little experience in the field of auditory acoustics. Simple models of impedance matching are first described, based on the familiar concepts of the area and lever ratios of the middle ear. However, using the Mongolian gerbilMeriones unguiculatusas a test case, it is shown that the predictions made by such ‘ideal transformer’ models are generally not consistent with measurements derived from recent experimental studies. Electrical analogue models represent a better way to understand some of the complex, frequency‐dependent responses of the middle ear: these have been used to model the effects of middle ear subcavities, and the possible function of the auditory ossicles as a transmission line. The concepts behind such models are explained here, again aimed at those with little background knowledge. Functional inferences based on middle ear anatomy are more likely to be valid at low frequencies. Acoustic impedance at low frequencies is dominated by compliance; expanded middle ear cavities, found in small desert mammals including gerbils, jerboas and the sengiMacroscelides, are expected to improve low‐frequency sound transmission, as long as the ossicular system is not too stiff.
In-vivo antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of rosiglitazone, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-γ) agonists in animal model of bronchial asthma
Authors: El-Naa Mona M , El-Refaei Mohamed F , Nasif Wesam A , Abduljawad Suha H , El-Brairy Amany I , El-Readi Mahmoud Z 
Published: June 2015

Abstract

Objectives
Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-γ) has been shown to play an important role in the control of immunological and inflammatory responses. This study aims at investigating the potential role of rosiglitazone, a strong PPAR-γ agonist in a murine model of bronchial asthma.

Methods
Adult male guinea pigs were administered ovalbumin 100 mg/kg subcutaneous (SC) and 100 mg/kg intraperitoneal (IP). Treatment with rosiglitazone [5 mg/kg/day, per oral (PO)] was assessed for 21 days. On day 21, the animals were challenged with the same dose of ovalbumin. The forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) to forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC, was measured using a spirometer to diagnosis lung obstruction. Serum levels of interleukin-5 (IL-5) and immunoglobulin E (IgE) were assessed. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase and the level of reduced glutathione (GSH) were determined in lung tissue homogenates.

Key findings
Our results demonstrated that treatment with rosiglitazone resulted in a statistically significant improvement in lung function and histopathological features. Significant decrease in the serum levels of IL-5 and IgE were observed. The activity of SOD and catalase as well as the GSH level were significantly increased in the lung tissues of treated animals compared with untreated asthmatic animals. Serum IgE concentrations and IL-5 levels were directly correlated to each other and inversely correlated to the SOD, GSH and catalase levels in the all studied guinea pigs.

Conclusions
Our results provide evidence that the PPAR-γ agonist rosiglitazone may have potential in the development of therapies for bronchial asthma.
Serum posaconazole levels among haematological cancer patients taking extended release tablets is affected by body weight and diarrhoea: single centre retrospective analysis
Authors: Miceli Marisa H. , Perissinotti Anthony J. , Kauffman Carol A. , Couriel Daniel R. 
Published: June 2015

SummaryThe posaconazole extended release tablet formulation was developed to improve bioavailability relative to the oral suspension. Therapeutic drug monitoring has been used to optimise posaconazole dosing to achieve a target trough level ≥0.7 μg ml−1. We retrospectively evaluated 28 patients with haematological malignancies who received posaconazole tablets for antifungal prophylaxis. Posaconazole serum trough levels were obtained 5 days after initiation of therapy. Mean trough level was 1.19 ± 0.63 μg ml−1, and 71% achieved a trough level ≥0.7 μg ml−1. Diarrhoea was associated with lower mean trough levels (0.65 ± 0.08 μg ml−1 vs. 1.31 ± 0.13 μg ml−1), P = 0.002. Mean trough levels were lower in patients ≥90 kg (0.74 ± 0.09 μg ml−1) vs. <90 kg (1.32 ± 0.14 μg ml−1), P = 0.002 and in patients with body mass index (BMI) ≥30 (0.89 ± 0.13 μg ml−1) vs. BMI <30 (1.29 ± 0.14 μg ml−1), P = 0.05. Posaconazole delayed release tablets attain appropriate trough levels in most patients, but patients with a higher weight and those experiencing diarrhoea are more likely to have lower levels.
STOCHASTIC OPTIMIZATION FOR MULTISPECIES FISHERIES IN THE BARENTS SEA
Authors: POUDEL DIWAKAR , SANDAL LEIF K. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractWe present a multispecies stochastic model that suggests optimal fishing policy for two species in a three‐species predator–prey ecosystem in the Barents Sea. We employ stochastic dynamic programming to solve a three‐dimensional model, in which the catch is optimized by using a multispecies feedback strategy. Applying the model to the cod, capelin, and herring ecosystem in the Barents Sea shows that the optimal catch for the stochastic interaction model is more conservative than that implied by the deterministic model. We also find that stochasticity has a stronger effect on the optimal exploitation policy for prey (capelin) than for predator (cod).
CD19‐Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells for Treatment of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia and Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia
Authors: Lorentzen C. L. , Straten P. T. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractAdoptive cell therapy (ACT) for cancer represents a promising new treatment modality. ACT based on the administration of cytotoxic T cells genetically engineered to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) recognizing CD19 expressed by B cell malignancies has been shown to induce complete lasting responses in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). So far, eleven clinical trials including 99 CLL and ALL patients treated with CAR T cells targeting CD19 have been published, and the results from these trials are promising with impressive clinical responses in heavily pretreated patients. Thus, CAR T cell therapy has induced complete responses in both CLL and ALL, and surprisingly, current results indicate that patients with ALL are more prone to respond than are CLL patients. Importantly, the majority of CAR cell studies have observed severe therapy‐associated toxicities, which needs attention. Herein we review current data and discuss key aspects of this powerful approach to treat and potentially cure B cell malignancies.
Inclusion of human immunodeficiency virus Type 2 (HIV‐2) in a multiplex transcription‐mediated amplification assay does not affect detection of HIV‐1 and hepatitis B and C virus genotypes: a multicenter performance evaluation study
Authors: Grabarczyk Piotr , Koppelman Marco , Boland Fiona , Sauleda Silvia , Fabra Cécile , Cambie Giuseppe , Kopacz Aneta , O'Riordan Karen , van Drimmelen Harry , O'Riordan Joan , Lelie Nico 
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUNDThe Ultrio Elite assay (Hologic/Grifols) runs on the Panther blood screening system and is comparable to the Ultrio Plus assay apart from the addition of oligonucleotides for human immunodeficiency virus Type 2 (HIV‐2) detection. In this multicenter evaluation study the analytical sensitivity and genotype detection efficiency of the two assay versions were compared.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSThe analytical sensitivity and genotype detection efficiency were analyzed by replicate (18‐303) testing of 27 hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), HIV‐1, and HIV‐2 standard dilution panels calibrated in international units (IUs) and copies/mL. A wider range of subgenotypes was tested at 25 copies/mL. Specificity was evaluated in 30,756 donor samples.RESULTSThe 95% lower limits of detection (LODs) in Ultrio Elite assay on WHO standards were 4.6, 7.3, 23.5, and 23.3 IU/mL for HBV, HCV, HIV‐1, and HIV‐2, respectively, and ranged from 13 to 44, 7 to 23, 6 to 15, and 9 copies/mL on genotype panels of the respective viruses. Comparable LODs had been previously found on the same panels with the Ultrio Plus assay. The specificity was 99.95% on initial test and 100% in the repeat test algorithm.CONCLUSIONThe change in the oligonucleotide design of the Ultrio Elite assay to enable HIV‐2 detection has not affected the analytical sensitivity for the other viruses regardless of the genotype. Genotype reference panels are instrumental to compare the sensitivity of nucleic acid test assay versions and could serve as an alternative to seroconversion panels.
Local infusion of ascorbate augments NO‐dependent cutaneous vasodilatation during intense exercise in the heat
Authors: Meade Robert D. , Fujii Naoto , Alexander Lacy M. , Paull Gabrielle , Louie Jeffrey C. , Flouris Andreas D. , Kenny Glen P. 
Published: June 2015

Key points
Recent work demonstrates that nitric oxide (NO) contributes to cutaneous vasodilatation during moderate (400 W of metabolic heat production) but not high (700 W of metabolic heat production) intensity exercise bouts performed in the heat (35°C).
The present study evaluated whether the impairment in NO‐dependent cutaneous vasodilatation was the result of a greater accumulation of reactive oxygen species during high (700 W of metabolic heat production) relative to moderate (500 W of metabolic heat production) intensity exercise.
It was shown that local infusion of ascorbate (an anti‐oxidant) improves NO‐dependent forearm cutaneous vasodilatation during high intensity exercise in the heat.
These findings provide novel insight into the physiological mechanisms governing cutaneous blood flow during exercise‐induced heat stress and provide direction for future research exploring whether oxidative stress underlies the impairments in heat dissipation that may occur in older adults, as well as in individuals with pathophysiological conditions such as type 2 diabetes.
AbstractNitric oxide (NO)‐dependent cutaneous vasodilatation is reportedly diminished during exercise performed at a high (700 W) relative to moderate (400 W) rate of metabolic heat production. The present study evaluated whether this impairment results from increased oxidative stress associated with an accumuluation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during high intensity exercise. On two separate days, 11 young (mean ± SD, 24 ± 4 years) males cycled in the heat (35°C) at a moderate (500 W) or high (700 W) rate of metabolic heat production. Each session included two 30 min exercise bouts followed by 20 and 40 min of recovery, respectively. Cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) was monitored at four forearm skin sites continuously perfused via intradermal microdialysis with: (1) lactated Ringer solution (Control); (2) 10 mm ascorbate (Ascorbate); (3) 10 mm l‐NAME; or (4) 10 mm ascorbate + 10 mm l‐NAME (Ascorbate + l‐NAME). At the end of each 500 W exercise bout, CVC was attenuated with l‐NAME (∼35% CVCmax) and Ascorbate + l‐NAME (∼43% CVCmax) compared to Control (∼60% CVCmax; all P < 0.04); however, Ascorbate did not modulate CVC during exercise (∼60% CVCmax; both P > 0.87). Conversely, CVC was elevated with Ascorbate (∼72% CVCmax; both P < 0.03) but remained similar to Control (∼59% CVCmax) with l‐NAME (∼50% CVCmax) and Ascorbate + l‐NAME (∼47% CVCmax; all P > 0.05) at the end of both 700 W exercise bouts. We conclude that oxidative stress associated with an accumulation of ascorbate‐sensitive ROS impairs NO‐dependent cutaneous vasodilatation during intense exercise.
Single‐frequency excitation wideband MRI (SE‐WMRI)
Authors: Wu Edzer L. , Huang Yun‐An , Chiueh Tzi‐Dar , Chen Jyh‐Horng 
Published: June 2015

Purpose:In this study, single‐frequency excitation wideband magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (SE‐WMRI) was proposed to obtain high‐quality accelerated images by reducing phase‐encoding steps while applying separation gradients.Methods:A zig‐zag k‐space trajectory with reduced phase‐encoding steps and an increased readout sampling rate was proposed. A unique gradient design with buffer intervals near the trajectory turns was employed to avoid undersampling and image artifacts. A gridding method and Fourier transform were used for image reconstruction. Quantitative analysis was performed on phantom images to investigate the characteristics of the acceleration method.Results:The proposed method showed evident improvements in the accelerated phantom images, substantially reducing the ringing and blurring artifacts found using previous methods. Furthermore, the accelerated images exhibited the same signal‐to‐noise ratio as standard imaging. The accelerated in vivo experiment also produced the same quality as standard imaging.Conclusions:The proposed SE‐WMRI method can effectively remove image artifacts and acquire images of higher temporal or spatial resolutions with less compromise.
Are Cancer Survivors Physically Active? A Comparison by US States
Authors: Tannenbaum Stacey L. , McClure Laura A. , Asfar Taghrid , Sherman Recinda L. , LeBlanc William G. , Lee David J. 
Published: June 2015

Background:Cancer survivors who engage in physical activity (PA) have improved quality of life, reduced fatigue, and lower mortality rates. We compare the percentage of cancer survivors meeting PA recommendations for US states, stratified by age and gender, to identify the need for PA education and intervention among cancer survivors.Methods:Pooled data from the 1997–2010 National Health Interview Survey were used to determine and rank age-adjusted PA by state. American Cancer Society guidelines (≥150 min/wk of PA) were used to compare prevalence by state, stratified by age group (< 65 and ≥65) and gender.Results:Thirty-three percent of cancer survivors met PA recommendations. The highest age-adjusted compliance to PA recommendations was in Vermont (59.9%, 95% confidence interval [CI], 40.8–76.3) and the lowest was in Louisiana (14.8%, 95% CI, 9.6–22.1) and Mississippi (15.5%, 95% CI, 10.4–22.3). The lowest percentages meeting recommendations were in Arkansas for males (8.6%, 95% CI, 7.0–10.6), Louisiana for females (12.5%, 95% CI, 6.8–21.9), Louisiana for survivors < 65 (15.6%, 95% CI, 10.5–22.6), and West Virginia for those ≥65 years (12.7%, 95% CI, 7.6–20.6).Conclusions:Meeting PA recommendations by cancer survivors varies markedly by state of residence. Future efforts should target states with low percentages, tailoring interventions to the special needs of this high-risk population. The importance of PA should be incorporated within cancer survivorship care plans.
Variety, Enjoyment, and Physical Activity Participation Among High School Students
Authors: Michael Shannon L. , Coffield Edward , Lee Sarah M. , Fulton Janet E. 
Published: June 2015

Background:Federal guidelines state that youth should participate in a variety of physical activity (PA) they find enjoyable. Little is known, however, about how variety and enjoyment are associated with PA participation among adolescents.Methods:Data came from the 2010 National Youth Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey, a nationally representative survey of adolescents. Path analysis was used to examine the association of a variety of self-reported PA, defined as the number of activities and activity types (ie, team sports/weightlifting, individual activities, and other competitive/recreational sports), on self-reported PA enjoyment and participation. The analysis also examined whether enjoyment mediates the association between a variety of PA and participation. Separate models were estimated for boys and girls.Results:Number of activities was associated with increased PA enjoyment and participation. For boys and girls, team sports/weightlifting was associated with increased participation, and individual activities were indirectly associated with increased participation through enjoyment. For boys, team sports/weightlifting was indirectly related with participation.Conclusions:These findings suggest that participation in a variety of PA is associated with increased PA enjoyment and participation. Providing opportunities for adolescents to engage in a variety of activities might help them identify PA they enjoy and facilitate lifelong PA habits.
Findings From the EASY Minds Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial: Evaluation of a Physical Activity Integration Program for Mathematics in Primary Schools
Authors: Riley Nicholas , Lubans David R. , Holmes Kathryn , Morgan Philip J 
Published: June 2015

Background:To evaluate the impact of a primary school-based physical activity (PA) integration program delivered by teachers on objectively measured PA and key educational outcomes.Methods:Ten classes from 8 Australian public schools were randomly allocated to treatment conditions. Teachers from the intervention group were taught to embed movement-based learning in their students’ (n = 142) daily mathematics program in 3 lessons per week for 6 weeks. The control group (n = 98) continued its regular mathematics program. The primary outcome was accelerometer-determined PA across the school day. Linear mixed models were used to analyze treatment effects.Results:Significant intervention effects were found for PA across the school day (adjusted mean difference 103 counts per minute [CPM], 95% confidence interval [CI], 36.5–169.7, P = .008). Intervention effects were also found for PA (168 CPM, 95% CI, 90.1–247.4, P = .008) and moderate-to-vigorous PA (2.6%, 95% CI, 0.9–4.4, P = .009) in mathematics lessons, sedentary time across the school day (–3.5%, 95% CI, –7.0 to –0.13, P = .044) and during mathematics (–8.2%, CI, –13.0 to –2.0, P = .010) and on-task behavior (13.8%, 95% CI, 4.0–23.6, P = .011)—but not for mathematics performance or attitude.Conclusion:Integrating movement across the primary mathematics syllabus is feasible and efficacious.
Multicenter Retrospective Study of Cefmetazole and Flomoxef for Treatment of Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli Bacteremia
Authors: Matsumura Yasufumi , Yamamoto Masaki , Nagao Miki , Komori Toshiaki , Fujita Naohisa , Hayashi Akihiko , Shimizu Tsunehiro , Watanabe Harumi , Doi Shoichi , Tanaka Michio , Takakura Shunji , Ichiyama Satoshi 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACT

The efficacy of cefmetazole and flomoxef (CF) for the treatment of patients with extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing
Escherichia coli
(ESBL-EC) bacteremia (ESBL-CF group) was compared with that of carbapenem treatment for ESBL-EC patients (ESBL-carbapenem group) and with that of CF treatment in patients with non-ESBL-EC bacteremia (non-ESBL-CF group). Adult patients treated for
E. coli
bacteremia in four hospitals were retrospectively evaluated. The 30-day mortality rates in patients belonging to the ESBL-CF, ESBL-carbapenem, and non-ESBL-CF groups were compared as 2 (empirical and definitive therapy) cohorts. The adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) for mortality were calculated using Cox regression models with weighting according to the inverse probability of propensity scores for receiving CF or carbapenem treatment. The empirical-therapy cohort included 104 patients (ESBL-CF, 26; ESBL-carbapenem, 45; non-ESBL-CF, 33), and the definitive-therapy cohort included 133 patients (ESBL-CF, 59; ESBL-carbapenem, 54; non-ESBL-CF, 20). The crude 30-day mortality rates for patients in the ESBL-CF, ESBL-carbapenem, and non-ESBL-CF groups were, respectively, 7.7%, 8.9%, and 3.0% in the empirical-therapy cohort and 5.1%, 9.3%, and 5.0% in the definitve-therapy cohort. In patients without hematological malignancy and neutropenia, CF treatment for ESBL-EC patients was not associated with mortality compared with carbapenem treatment (empirical-therapy cohort: aHR, 0.87; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.11 to 6.52; definitive therapy cohort: aHR, 1.04; CI, 0.24 to 4.49). CF therapy may represent an effective alternative to carbapenem treatment for patients with ESBL-EC bacteremia for empirical and definitive therapy in adult patients who do not have hematological malignancy and neutropenia.
Interactions between QnrB, QnrB Mutants, and DNA Gyrase
Authors: Kim Eu Suk , Chen Chunhui , Braun Molly , Kim Hyo Youl , Okumura Ryo , Wang Yin , Jacoby George A. , Hooper David C. 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACT
Plasmid-encoded protein QnrB1 protects DNA gyrase from ciprofloxacin inhibition. Using a bacterial two-hybrid system, we evaluated the physical interactions between wild-type and mutant QnrB1, the GyrA and GyrB gyrase subunits, and a GyrBA fusion protein. The interaction of QnrB1 with GyrB and GyrBA was approximately 10-fold higher than that with GyrA, suggesting that domains of GyrB are important for stabilizing QnrB1 interaction with the holoenzyme. Sub-MICs of ciprofloxacin or nalidixic acid reduced the interactions between QnrB1 and GyrA or GyrBA but produced no reduction in the interaction with GyrB or a quinolone-resistant GyrA:S83L (GyrA with S83L substitution) mutant, suggesting that quinolones and QnrB1 compete for binding to gyrase. Of QnrB1 mutants that reduced quinolone resistance, deletions in the C or N terminus of QnrB1 resulted in a marked decrease in interactions with GyrA but limited or no effect on interactions with GyrB and an intermediate effect on interactions with GyrBA. While deletion of loop B and both loops moderately reduced the interaction signal with GyrA, deletion of loop A resulted in only a small reduction in the interaction with GyrB. The loop A deletion also caused a substantial reduction in interaction with GyrBA, with little effect of loop B and dual-loop deletions. Single-amino-acid loop mutations had little effect on physical interactions except for a Δ105I mutant. Therefore, loops A and B may play key roles in the proper positioning of QnrB1 rather than as determinants of the physical interaction of QnrB1 with gyrase.