bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Target dIsease-Guided placEbo-contRolled (TIGER) design: a novel method for clinical trials of acupuncture
Authors: Zheng Wenke , Wang Hui , Zhang Li , Bian Zhaoxiang , Shang Hongcai 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
At present, the design of an ideal placebo control in acupuncture studies challenges researchers. Previously devised sham acupuncture techniques have reported various imperfections; therefore, the specific effects of acupuncture cannot be accurately examined in clinical trials primarily because of interferences from the placebo effects.

Method
Guided by evidence-based medicine (EBM) theories, we have made an initial attempt to establish a set of control methods for use in acupuncture studies, which is named the target disease-guided placebo-controlled (TIGER) design. In a trial using the TIGER design, participants suffering simultaneously from a predefined target disease and a pseudo target disease will be recruited and randomized to receive identical acupuncture intervention measures. As a result, the interventions not only appear the same but also produce the same stimulations in both groups. The patients in the treatment group will be informed of the actual target disease that the treatment aims for, whereas patients in the control group will be informed that the treatment is for the pseudotarget disease. It is speculated that no psychological response will be aroused in the control group. During data analysis, changes in the outcome measures of the patients in the control groupreveal the real therapeutic effect of acupuncture, and those of patients in the treatment group show both the real and placebo acupuncture effect. In this article, we explain how to put this design into use in a planned randomized clinical trial of acupuncture for the treatment of migraine.

Results
This approach can eliminate the acupuncture placebo effect in the control group that may confound trial results. It is possible to observe the specific and placebo effects of acupuncture for the target disease separately using the TIGER design.

Conclusions
The proposed TIGER design has limitations. It is designed for clinical studies focusing on the specific effects of acupuncture, and it needs to be tested and verified for practicality and feasibility in various clinical research settings.
Activated protein C ameliorates impaired renal microvascular oxygenation and sodium reabsorption in endotoxemic rats
Authors: Almac Emre , Johannes Tanja , Bezemer Rick , Mik Egbert G , Unertl Klaus E , Groeneveld AB Johan , Ince Can 
Published: October 2013

AbstractIntroductionWe aimed to test whether continuous recombinant human activated protein C (APC) administration would be able to protect renal oxygenation and function during endotoxemia in order to provide more insight into the role of coagulation and inflammation in the development of septic acute kidney injury.MethodsIn anesthetized, mechanically ventilated Wistar rats, endotoxemia was induced by lipopolysaccharide administration (10 mg/kg i.v. over 30 min). One hour later, the rats received fluid resuscitation with 0 (LPS + FR group;n= 8), 10 (APC10 group;n= 8), or 100 (APC100 group;n= 8) μg/kg/h APC for 2 h. Renal microvascular oxygenation in the cortex and medulla were measured using phosphorimetry, and renal creatinine clearance rate and sodium reabsorption were measured as indicators of renal function. Statistical significance of differences between groups was tested using two-way ANOVA with Bonferronipost hoctests.ResultsAPC did not have notable effects on systemic and renal hemodynamic and oxygenation variables or creatinine clearance. The changes in renal microvascular oxygenation in both the cortex (r= 0.66;p< 0.001) and medulla (r= 0.80;p< 0.001) were correlated to renal sodium reabsorption.ConclusionRenal sodium reabsorption is closely correlated to renal microvascular oxygenation during endotoxemia. In this study, fluid resuscitation and APC supplementation were not significantly effective in protecting renal microvascular oxygenation and renal function. The specific mechanisms responsible for these effects of APC warrant further study.
Interleukin-17A- or tumor necrosis factor α-mediated increase in proliferation of T cells cocultured with synovium-derived mesenchymal stem cells in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Zhang Zhengzheng , Ding Yuanjing , Li Weiping , Song Bin , Yang Rui 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Introduction
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represent promising applications in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the inflammatory niche in the RA synovium could adversely affect MSC function. This study was designed to investigate biologic and immunologic properties of synovium-derived MSCs (SMSCs) in RA, with particular focus on whether cytokines can mediate increase of proliferation of T cells cocultured with SMSCs in RA.

Methods
Compared with SMSCs from eight healthy donors (HDs), SMSCs from 22 patients with RA (RAp) were evaluated. The methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay was used to assess cell-population doubling and viability. Multipotentiality of SMSCs was examined by using appropriate culture conditions. Flow cytometry was used to investigate the marker phenotype of SMSCs. Immunomodulation potential of SMSCs was examined by mixed peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) reactions, and then by PBMCs or synovial T cells with or without the addition of inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-17A (IL-17A), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ)) after stimulation with phytohemagglutinin (PHA), respectively.

Results
SMSCs from RA patients (RA-SMSCs) showed normal population doubling, cell viability, multiple differentiation characteristics, and surface markers. In either mixed PBMC reactions or PBMC proliferation stimulated with PHA, RA-SMSCs showed normal immunomodulation function compared with SMSCs from healthy donors (HD-SMSCs). However, the increase in proliferation of T cells was observed when IL-17A and TNF-α were added alone or in combination.

Conclusions
Our data suggest that the inflammatory niche, especially these cytokines, may increase the proliferation of T cells cocultured with SMSCs in RA.
Sonographic measurement of cervical length as a predictor of preterm delivery: a systematic review
Authors: Barros-Silva Joana , Pedrosa Ana Catarina , Matias Alexandra 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate if transvaginal cervical length measurement in the second-trimester scan is an effective screening test for preterm delivery.

Methods: We performed a search in Medline and, for each selected article, information was extracted regarding the performance of the test in terms of sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative likelihood ratios, in low-risk, high-risk, and multiple gestations. We also evaluated the performance of the combined test (more than one sonographic marker).

Results: A positive relationship was established between short cervix and preterm delivery in all articles. The majority of studies presented high specificity and positive likelihood ratio, while sensitivity and negative likelihood ratio were variable and globally poor. Better values of accuracy were found in high-risk and multiple gestations and, in all studied subgroups, for preterm delivery at lower gestational ages.

Conclusions: We conclude that a short cervix is predictive of preterm delivery and can identify women that may benefit from preventive and therapeutic measures, however, a negative result is not always reassuring.
Origin of the long-term variability and acceleration of FHR studied for the prevention of cerebral palsy in fetal hypoxia and general insults
Authors: Maeda Kazuo 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Aims: The development of fetal heart rate (FHR) variability and acceleration, and their loss in the hypoxic brain damage and cerebral palsy (CP) is investigated.

Methods: FHR, movements in physiologic sinusoidal FHR and fetal movements were studied by actocardiogram.

Results: Periodic fetal respiratory movements evoked moderate FHR variation similar to medium variability. Small fetal movements provoked FHR variability, and large fetal movement burst developed the acceleration. The brain centers should be midbrain for variability and acceleration. FHR variability and acceleration develop by the reaction of fetal brain to fetal movements. As severe organic fetal brain damage could develop through fetal hypoxia in the loss of variability, early delivery before the loss of variability will prevent infantile CP. As the abnormal FHR would be developed by fetal brain damage in non-hypoxic fetal insults, early delivery before the loss of variability could also prevent the brain damage in viral and bacterial infections.
Narrow Vs Broad-spectrum Antimicrobial Therapy for Children Hospitalized With Pneumonia
Authors: Williams Derek J. , Hall Matthew , Shah Samir S. , Parikh Kavita , Tyler Amy , Neuman Mark I. , Hersh Adam L. , Brogan Thomas V. , Blaschke Anne J. , Grijalva Carlos G. 
Published: October 2013

BACKGROUND:The 2011 Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society/Infectious Diseases Society of America community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) guideline recommends narrow-spectrum antimicrobial therapy for most children hospitalized with CAP. However, few studies have assessed the effectiveness of this strategy.METHODS:Using data from 43 children’s hospitals, we conducted a retrospective cohort study to compare outcomes and resource utilization among children hospitalized with CAP between 2005 and 2011 receiving either parenteral ampicillin/penicillin (narrow spectrum) or ceftriaxone/cefotaxime (broad spectrum). Children with complex chronic conditions, interhospital transfers, recent hospitalization, or the occurrence of any of the following during the first 2 calendar days of hospitalization were excluded: pleural drainage procedure, admission to intensive care, mechanical ventilation, death, or hospital discharge.RESULTS:Overall, 13 954 children received broad-spectrum therapy (89.7%) and 1610 received narrow-spectrum therapy (10.3%). The median length of stay was 3 days (interquartile range 3–4) in the broad- and narrow-spectrum therapy groups (adjusted difference 0.12 days, 95% confidence interval [CI]: –0.02 to 0.26). One hundred fifty-six children (1.1%) receiving broad-spectrum therapy and 13 children (0.8%) receiving narrow-spectrum therapy were admitted to intensive care (adjusted odds ratio 0.85, 95% CI: 0.27 to 2.73). Readmission occurred for 321 children (2.3%) receiving broad-spectrum therapy and 39 children (2.4%) receiving narrow-spectrum therapy (adjusted odds ratio 0.85, 95% CI: 0.45 to 1.63). Median costs for the hospitalization were $3992 and $4375 (adjusted difference –$14.4, 95% CI: –177.1 to 148.3).CONCLUSIONS:Clinical outcomes and costs for children hospitalized with CAP are not different when treatment is with narrow- compared with broad-spectrum therapy.
Magnetic Response of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles as Measured by AC Faraday Rotation
Authors: Syed Maarij , Moore John 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTMetal ferrite nanoparticles are of considerable technological and theoretical interest. Magnetic response of these systems is a function of various system properties like saturation magnetization, growth orientation, average particle size and size distribution, volume concentration, etc. [1]. This preliminary study investigates the magnetization dynamics (and thereby the Verdet constant) of aqueous Fe3O4 nanoparticle solutions through precision AC measurements of the Faraday Rotation (FR) at 633 nm for three different Fe3O4 nanoparticle solutions that are all prepared to have the same average particle size (∼10 nm) but differing saturation magnetization values. For each of these nanoparticle solutions precision measurements for FR are carried out over a given range of volume concentrations. The study shows simple linear dependence of FR on volume concentration and a more involved dependence on saturation magnetization. Some preliminary results relating to the frequency dependence of Verdet constants are also presented. Future directions for this work are also discussed. It is hoped that that these results will help in the development of better models to characterize response of these technologically and fundamentally useful systems.
Prevention of burning phenomenon in fabrication of anodic aluminum oxide membranes using a constant current method
Authors: Chen Chih -Yao , Chen I-Chen 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTIn this study, we have developed a constant current method for fabrication of AAO membranes with a large interpore distance in order to avoid the burning phenomenon. From our preliminary results, the average growth rate of AAO membranes could increase up to 6 μm/hr with an applied current density of 6 mA/cm2 and the burning phenomenon could be totally avoided at a relatively high anodizing voltage of 175 V. The effect of current density on the growth rate and burning phenomenon was also investigated.
Evaluation of a rapid pressor response test in healthy cats
Authors: Coleman Amanda Erickson , Schmiedt Chad W. , Jenkins Tiffany L. , Garber Emily D. , Reno Lisa R. , Brown Scott A. 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Objective—To evaluate angiotensin I and angiotensin II rapid pressor response tests in healthy cats.
Animals—6 purpose-bred sexually intact male cats.
Procedures—Telemetric blood pressure (BP) implants were placed in all cats. After 2 weeks, cats were anesthetized for challenge with exogenous angiotensin I or angiotensin II. Continuous direct arterial BP was recorded during and immediately after IV administration of boluses of angiotensin I or angiotensin II at increasing doses. Blood pressure responses were evaluated for change in systolic BP (SBP), change in diastolic BP (DBP), and rate of increase of SBP by 4 observers.
Results—Following IV angiotensin I and angiotensin II administration, transient, dose-dependent increases in BP (mean ± SEM change in SBP, 25.7 ± 5.2 and 45.0 ± 9.1; change in DBP, 23.4 ± 4.7 mm Hg and 36.4 ± 7.8 mm Hg; for 100 ng of angiotensin I/kg and angiotensin II/kg, respectively) and rate of increase of SBP were detected. At angiotensin I and II doses < 2.0 ng/kg, minimal responses were detected, with greater responses at doses ranging from 20 to 1,000 ng/kg. A significant effect of observer was not found. No adverse effects were observed.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The rapid pressor response test elicited dose-dependent, transient increases in SBP and DBP. The test has potential as a means of objectively evaluating the efficacy of various modifiers of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in cats. Ranges of response values are provided for reference in future studies.
Evaluation of the use of atropine sulfate, a combination of butylscopolammonium bromide and metamizole sodium, and flunixin meglumine to ameliorate clinical adverse effects of imidocarb dipropionate in horses
Authors: Abutarbush Sameeh M. , Alfaqeeh Sameh M. , Mustafa Ghazi , Qura'n Lara , Al-Majali Ahmad M. 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Objective—To evaluate the ability of atropine sulfate, butylscopolammonium bromide combined with metamizole sodium, and flunixin meglumine to ameliorate the clinical adverse effects of imidocarb dipropionate in horses.
Animals—28 horses with piroplasmosis.
Procedures—28 horses were randomly assigned to 4 equal groups according to the pretreatment administered. Fifteen minutes before administration of 2.4 mg of imidocarb dipropionate/kg IM, horses in the first group were pretreated with 0.02 mg of atropine sulfate/kg IV, the second group with a combination of 0.2 mg of butylscopolammonium bromide/kg IV and 25 mg of metamizole sodium/kg IV, the third group with 1.1 mg of flunixin meglumine/kg IV, and the fourth (control) group with 1 mL of saline (0.9% NaCl) solution/50 kg IV. Physical examination, including evaluation of rectal temperature, heart and respiratory rates, capillary refill time, mucous membrane color, hydration status, abdominal sounds, signs of abdominal pain, salivation, diarrhea, and number of defecations, was performed.
Results—Imidocarb dipropionate use in the control group was associated with serious adverse effects including signs of abdominal pain (4/7 horses) and diarrhea (2/7). Horses pretreated with atropine had no diarrhea, but 6 had signs of abdominal pain. Only 1 horse that received butylscopolammonium-metamizole pretreatment had signs of abdominal pain and 3 had diarrhea, which was numerically but not significantly different than the control group. Of horses pretreated with flunixin, 3 had signs of abdominal pain and 3 had diarrhea.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—A combination of butylscopolammonium bromide and metamizole sodium may be useful to ameliorate the adverse effects of imidocarb dipropionate in horses, although group size was small and significant differences from the control group were not found.
Anti–glucagon-like peptide-1 immunoreactivity in samples of blood and ileum obtained from neonatal and adult alpacas
Authors: Smith Courtney C. , Cebra Christopher K. , Heidel Jerry R. , Stang Bernadette V. 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Objective—To compare numbers of L cells in intestinal samples and blood concentrations of glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 between neonatal and mature alpacas.
Sample—Intestinal samples from carcasses of 4 suckling crias and 4 postweaning alpacas for immunohistochemical analysis and blood samples from 32 suckling crias and 19 healthy adult alpacas for an ELISA.
Procedures—Immunohistochemical staining was conducted in accordance with Oregon State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory standard procedures with a rabbit polyclonal anti–GLP-1 primary antibody. Stained cells with staining results in ileal tissue were counted in 20 fields by 2 investigators, and the mean value was calculated. For quantification of GLP-1 concentrations, blood samples were collected into tubes containing a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor. Plasma samples were tested in duplicate with a commercial GLP-1 ELISA validated for use in alpacas.
Results—Counts of stained cells (mean ± SD, 50 ± 18 cells) and plasma GLP-1 concentrations (median, 0.086 ng/mL; interquartile range, 0.061 to 0.144 ng/mL) were higher for suckling alpacas than for postsuckling alpacas (stained cells, 26 ± 4 cells; plasma GLP-1 concentration, median, 0.034 ng/mL; interquartile range, 0.015 to 0.048 ng/mL).
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Older alpacas had lower numbers of L cells in intestinal tissues and lower blood concentrations of GLP-1 than those in neonates. These findings suggested that there may be a decrease in the contribution of GLP-1 to insulin production in adult alpacas, compared with the contribution in neonates.
L’intégration du Portfolio européen des langues en milieu ouest-canadien minoritaire et universitaire
Authors: Lemaire Eva 
Published: October 2013

Résumé: Dans le cadre d’un cours en éducation jumelé avec un cours de français, nous avons proposé à nos étudiants de réaliser un portfolio langagier inspiré du portfolio Laplante et Christiansen (2001) mais reprenant également des éléments des Principes et Lignes Directrices du Portfolio Européen des Langues (PEL) (Conseil de la coopération culturelle, 2000). Il s’agissait, avec cette expérience, d’aider nos étudiants francophones de l’ouest canadien à mieux appréhender leur répertoire langagier et identitaire, et à se fixer des objectifs de développement langagier, tout en se familiarisant avec un référentiel de compétences de plus en plus relayé par les conseils scolaires locaux. Il s’agissait également d’explorer dans quelle mesure le PEL pouvait se montrer pertinent à des fins d’éducation interculturelle, le but étant d’amener nos étudiants à réfléchir sur les dynamiques complexes qui se nouent entre les différentes composantes de la francophonie ouest-canadienne. Enfin, cette recherche exploratoire a permis de co-construire avec nos étudiants une approche critique de la version française du PEL (Conseil de l’Europe / CRDP Basse-Normandie) utilisée dans une optique de contextualisation future. Le présent article fait état du contexte et du projet tel qu’il a été mis en place, décrit le protocole méthodologique et dégage les premiers enseignements de la recherche.
Aircraft-Deployable Ice Observation System (ADIOS) for instrumenting inaccessible glaciers
Authors: Jones David H. , Gudmundsson G. Hilmar 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThere remain large regions of scientific interest in the Antarctic that are not instrumented. These include highly dynamic ice streams and glaciers that are difficult or impossible to reach safely because heavy crevassing impedes an overland trek or an aircraft landing. We have developed an alternative strategy for instrumenting these regions: an aerodynamic sensor that can be dropped from an overflying aircraft. During freefall the sensor accelerates to its terminal velocity of 42 m s−1 before impacting with the glacier. On impact it partially buries itself in the snow while leaving an antenna mast protruding high above the surface to ensure a long operating life. In this paper, we describe the design and results of testing this aircraft-deployable sensor. Finally we present the initial results of two campaigns to instrument inaccessible regions of Pine Island Glacier, West Antarctica, and Scar Inlet, Antarctic Peninsula, with GPS receivers.
Inhibitor Dosage Rates and Corrosion - A CFD Model Investigating Inhibitor Over-Dosing and Increased Corrosion Rates in Subsea Pipelines
Authors: Peng Deng-jr , Annan Irving , Salami Aliu , Wood Terry , Taylor Andy , Ndione H. , Jones Steven 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Injection of corrosion inhibitors is employed to decrease internal corrosion rates in subsea carbon steel pipelines. The corrosion inhibitor availability model is now well established, however, the real-time availability of inhibitors is affected by different factors not addressed by the model. For instance, the morphology of corrosion product scales present would have either negative or positive effects on corrosion rates, but are not captured in the inhibitor availability model. In order to conclusively investigate this and other factors affecting inhibitor availability, the mechanistic details of the inner workings of inhibitors, especially with regards to three-phase flow subsea systems need to be well understood. The effects of the characteristic persistence of inhibitors in multiphase flow remain unclear. Although the impact of these knowledge gaps is widely perceived to be limited with respect to the inhibition of bottom of line corrosion, whilst being critical only for probable and effective inhibition of top of line corrosion, the reported ‘inhibited’ corrosion rates of subsea pipelines tell a different story. In addition, the mechanisms involved in inhibitor over-dosing leading to increased flow induced localised corrosion rates remain a mystery. It has been observed that at higher than ‘optimal’ inhibitor dosage rates, the CO2 corrosion rates of carbon steel lines are increased. The increased corrosion rate is commonly attributed to the interaction between incident local wall shear stresses (high droplets concentration, micro-turbulences, etc) and the characteristic inhomogeneous protective scales formed at high inhibitor concentrations. This observation is contrary to the industry perception of inhibitor under-dosing and its effect on inhibitor availability being the only concern in terms of inhibitor dosage rates; and brings into sharp focus the necessity to control inhibitor dosage rates to avoid both under-dosing and over-dosing. This paper therefore aims to investigate these phenomena using Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) simulations. Further development of a new technique suggested between inhibitor concentration and the inherent integrity of protective scales formed will be proposed in the study.