bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Value of Bone Scan Imaging in Determining Painful Vertebrae of Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures Patients With Contraindications to MRI
Authors: Tang Zhi‐bing , Lei Zhang , Yang Hui‐lin , Chen Kang‐wu 
Published: August 2012

ObjectiveTo assess the value of bone scan imaging in determining painful vertebrae of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) patients with contraindications to MRI.MethodsTwenty‐three OVCFs patients with contraindications to MRI, diagnosed and treated in our hospital between December 2007 and November 2010, were enrolled in this retrospective study. There were 18 females and five males, aged from 57 to 87 years, with a mean age of 69.5 years. All patients underwent X‐ray, CT scans examinations and bone scan to determine painful vertebrae. After the painful vertebra was defined, percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) was performed. Efficacy of PKP was assessed with visual analog (VAS) pain scale and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) preoperatively, postoperatively and during final follow‐up assessments.ResultsThe painful vertebrae shown on radiological films did not accord with those found based on bone scan imaging, with a high rate of incongruent findings (27.3%, 9/33). Radiological films showed 33 vertebrae with fractures, but only 26 vertebrae (22 patients) were selected as painful vertebrae for PKP based on bone scan imaging. There were statistically significant differences in mean VAS and ODI between the preoperative and the postoperative assessments; no significant differences were observed between postoperative and final follow‐up assessments.ConclusionsFor the OVCFs patients with contraindications to MRI, bone scan imaging could be used to determine painful vertebrae, which is an effective method.
Management of Neglected Elbow Dislocations in a Setting with Low Clinical Resources
Authors: Islam Md Somirul , Jahangir Jabed , Manzur Rakib Mohammad , Chowdury AHM Asgar Ali , Tripura Nayan , das Ajoy 
Published: August 2012

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of open reduction operative treatment in neglected elbow dislocation.MethodsBetween January 2009 and October 2010, 13 patients (mean, 27 years, nine men and four women) with old unreduced posterior dislocation of the elbow were treated by open reduction and removal of fibrous tissue between distal humerus and ulna with Kirschner wire fixation with or without triceps lengthening in our hospital.ResultsThe patients were followed up for a mean of 18 (range, 14–22) months. The mean operating time was 69.53 (range, 56–90) min. Mean operative blood loss 361.53 mL (range, 300–450 mL), mean tourniquet time 51.92 min (range, 46–70 min). According to the Mayo Elbow Performance Index at the final follow‐up, 11 patients had satisfactory outcomes (six excellent, five good) and two patients had unsatisfactory outcomes (one fair and one poor). The mean score was 87. Nine patients had no pain, two had mild pain during repetitive elbow movements or weight lifting, and two had moderate pain. The mean pain score was 38 (range, 15–45). At the final follow‐up, two patients had signs of instability; the mean score was 15. Seven achieved a flexion range of 105° to 130°, two achieved 100°, two achieved 95°, one achieved 80°, and one 60°.ConclusionOperative treatment of late‐presenting, unreduced elbow dislocation is effective in restoring the joint to a painless, stable and functional limb.
Relationship of Surgical Accuracy and Clinical Outcomes in Charitè Lumbar Disc Replacement
Authors: Jones Christopher W , Smitham Peter , Walsh William R 
Published: August 2012

ObjectiveTo retrospectively assess the clinical and functional outcomes of a group of patients receiving Charitè lumbar disc replacement and to compare those outcomes to the corresponding surgical technical accuracy.MethodsA retrospective study of all patients treated over a 3‐year period was undertaken. Objective pain scores were quantified from 1 to 10. Short Form 36‐Health Survey (SF‐36v2) scores were compared to Australian population norms. Surgical placements were radiographically classified. Heterotopic ossification, disc height restoration and angle‐defined instability were assessed using established protocols.ResultsTwenty‐five patients were identified with three patients lost to follow‐up. Average follow‐up was 34 months. Ideal surgical placement was achieved in five (33%) single‐level and three (37.5%) dual‐level disc replacements. Sub‐optimal surgical placement was seen in nine (60%) single‐level and five (62.5%) dual‐level disc replacements. Poor surgical placement was observed in a single‐level disc replacement. All patients demonstrated a reduction in objective pain score (P < 0.05). SF‐36v2 outcomes were superior in single‐level compared to dual‐level and ideal compared to sub‐optimal replacements (P < 0.05).ConclusionThe hypothesis that ideal surgical placements are associated with improved clinical and functional outcomes in total lumbar disc replacement was confirmed.
Clinical and microbiologic effects of commercially available gel and powder containing Acacia arabica on gingivitis
Authors: Pradeep AR , Agarwal E , Bajaj P , Naik SB , Shanbhag N , Uma SR 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBackground:  There is a need for an anti‐plaque agent that can be used on a daily basis without the side effects of antibacterial chemicals such as chlorhexidine. The present study was designed to evaluate the clinical and microbiologic effects of commercially available gel and powder containing Acacia arabica in subjects with gingivitis.Methods:  One hundred and twenty subjects with chronic generalized gingivitis were selected and randomly divided into four groups: Group 1 – placebo group; Group 2 –Acacia arabica gel group; Group 3 –Acacia arabica powder group; and Group 4 – 1% chlorhexidine gel group. Microbial counts of plaque samples, the gingival index of Loe and Silness and the plaque index were evaluated at baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks and 24 weeks. Microbial counts of plaque samples were evaluated at all visits.Results:  Acacia arabica gel and powder showed significant clinical improvement in gingival and plaque index scores as compared to a placebo. This improvement was comparable to 1% chlorhexidine gel. The difference between gel and powder with regard to clinical and microbiological parameters was not found to be significant at any time interval.Conclusions:  Both Acacia arabica gel and powder may be useful herbal formulations for chemical plaque control in subjects with gingivitis.
Biomechanical properties of novel biodegradable poly ε‐caprolactone–chitosan scaffolds
Authors: Thuaksuban Nuttawut , Nuntanaranont Thongchai , Suttapreyasri Srisurang , Pattanachot Wachirapan , Sutin Kanyarat , Cheung Lim Kwong 
Published: August 2012

AbstractAimTo investigate the biomechanical properties of poly ε‐caprolactone (PCL)–chitosan (CS) scaffolds fabricated by the melt stretching and multilayer deposition technique.MethodsThe PCL–CS scaffolds containing CS at 0% (pure PCL), 10%, and 20% by weight were prepared. For the monolayer scaffolds, shear and blending tests simulating the reconstruction of orbital floor defects (situation A) and mandibular defects (situation B) were conducted. For the 3‐D scaffolds, compression tests of their superior and lateral aspects were done.ResultsFor the monolayer scaffolds, the pure PCL group had remarkably lower shear strength than the other groups (P > 0.05). In situation A, all groups withstood the forces without any significant difference. In situation B, the pure PCL group could withstand the forces remarkably lower than those of the other group (P < 0.05). The 3‐D scaffolds of all groups could withstand compressive forces directed towards their superior aspects. However, they could not withstand the forces directed towards their lateral aspects at the limited strain.ConclusionsThe monolayer scaffolds were suitable for reconstruction of the orbital floor and mandibular defects under light load‐bearing conditions. The 3‐D scaffolds could be used in the high load bearing‐areas only if the forces were directed at their superior aspects.
Ventricular response during lungeing exercise in horses with lone atrial fibrillation
Authors: Verheyen T. , Decloedt A. , van der Vekens N. , Sys S. , De Clercq D. , van Loon G. 
Published: August 2012

SummaryReasons for performing the studyAtrial fibrillation (AF) is the most important dysrhythmia affecting performance in horses and has been associated with incoordination, collapse and sudden death. Limited information is available on ventricular response during exercise in horses with lone AF.ObjectivesTo investigate ventricular response in horses with lone AF during a standardised lungeing exercise test.MethodsA modified base‐apex electrocardiogram was recorded at rest and during a standardised lungeing exercise test from 43 horses diagnosed with lone AF. During the test horses walked for 7 min, trotted for 10 min, cantered for 4 min, galloped for 1 min and recovered for 7 min.ResultsIndividual average heart rate during walk ranged from 42 to 175 beats/min, during trot from 89 to 207 beats/min, during canter from 141 to 269 beats/min, and during gallop from 191 to 311 beats/min. Individual beat‐to‐beat maximal heart rate ranged from 248 to 492 beats/min. Ventricular premature depolarisations were present in 81% of the horses: at rest (16%), during exercise (69%), and during recovery (2%). In 33% of the horses, broad QRS complexes with R‐on‐T morphology were found.ConclusionsExercising horses with lone AF frequently develop disproportionate tachycardia. In addition, QRS broadening and even R‐on‐T morphology is frequently found. QRS broadening may originate from ventricular ectopic foci or from aberrant intraventricular conduction, for example due to bundle branch block. This might explain the high number of complexes currently classified as ventricular premature depolarisations.Potential relevancePrevalence of QRS broadening and especially R‐on‐T was very high in horses with AF and was found at low levels of exercise. These dysrhythmias are considered risk factors for the development of ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation and they might explain signs of weakness, collapse or sudden death that have been reported in horses with AF.
Undergraduate pharmacy students’ perceptions of research in general and attitudes towards pharmacy practice research
Authors: Kritikos Vicky S , Carter Steven , Moles Rebekah J , Krass Ines 
Published: August 2012

AbstractObjectivesTo investigate pharmacy students’ perceptions of research in general and attitudes towards pharmacy practice research (PPR) at each stage of the undergraduate programme and determine any relationship between perceptions and attitudes, and to validate a measure of attitudes towards PPR in an Australian cohort of pharmacy students.MethodsA 23-item survey was administered to all students enrolled in each year of the 4-year pharmacy undergraduate programme, University of Sydney, Australia. Perceptions of research in general were measured with four items on a five-point semantic-differential scale and attitudes towards PPR with19 items on a five-point Likert scale.Key findingsIn total 853 students responded to the survey (83% response rate). While students perceived research to be necessary, they found it difficult and were divided in their interests in pursuing research. Attitudes towards PPR were assessed within five identified domains: ‘role of PPR in the curriculum’, ‘engaging in PPR activities’, ‘confidence to do PPR’, ‘faculty involvement of students in PPR’ and ‘role of PPR in the profession’. Most participants agreed that PPR played an important part in the profession and curriculum but almost half of the cohort lacked confidence to undertake PPR, with very few holding positive attitudes towards all five domains. The PPR instrument was found to be valid and reliable. There were significant differences in perceptions and attitudes at various stages of the degree.ConclusionsFuture research should investigate changes in perceptions and attitudes in a single cohort over the 4-year degree, explore factors influencing attitudes and identify strategies for stimulating research interest.
Performance of matrix‐assisted laser desorption‐time of flight mass spectrometry for identification of clinical yeast isolates
Authors: Rosenvinge Flemming S. , Dzajic Esad , Knudsen Elisa , Malig Sanne , Andersen Line B. , Løvig Annette , Arendrup Maiken C. , Jensen Thøger G. , Gahrn‐Hansen Bente , Kemp Michael 
Published: August 2012

SummaryAccurate and fast yeast identification is important when treating patients with invasive fungal disease as susceptibility to antifungal agents is highly species related. Matrix‐assisted laser desorption‐time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF‐MS) provides a powerful tool with a clear potential to improve current diagnostic practice. Two MALDI‐TOF‐MS‐systems (BioTyper/Bruker and Saramis/AXIMA) were evaluated using: (i) A collection of 102 archived, well characterised yeast isolates representing 14 different species and (ii) Prospectively collected isolates obtained from clinical samples at two participating laboratories. Of the 102 archived isolates, 81 (79%) and 92 (90%) were correctly identified by Saramis/AXIMA and BioTyper/Bruker respectively. Saramis/AXIMA was unable to separate Candida albicans, C. africana and C. dubliniensis in 13 of 32 isolates. After manual interpretation of the mass spectra output, all 13 isolates were correctly identified, resulting in an overall identification performance of 92%. No misidentifications occurred with the two systems. Of the routine isolates one laboratory identified 99/99 (100%) and 90/99 (91%) to species level by Saramis/Axima and conventional identification, respectively, whereas the other laboratory identified 83/98 (85%) to species level by both BioTyper/Bruker and conventional identification. Both MALDI‐TOF‐MS systems are fast, have built‐in databases that cover the majority of clinically relevant Candida species, and have an accuracy that outperforms our conventional identification systems.
Vagal sensory innervation of the gastric sling muscle and antral wall: implications for gastro‐esophageal reflux disease?
Authors: Powley T. L. , Gilbert J. M. , Baronowsky E. A. , Billingsley C. N. , Martin F. N. , Phillips R. J. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBackground  The gastric sling muscle has not been investigated for possible sensory innervation, in spite of the key roles the structure plays in lower esophageal sphincter (LES) function and gastric physiology. Thus, the present experiment used tracing techniques to label vagal afferents and survey their projections in the lesser curvature.Methods  Sprague–Dawley rats received injections of dextran biotin into the nodose ganglia. Fourteen days postinjection, animals were euthanized and their stomachs were processed to visualize the vagal afferent innervation. In different cases, neurons, muscle cells, or interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) were counterstained.Key Results  The sling muscle is innervated throughout its length by vagal afferent intramuscular arrays (IMAs) associated with ICC. In addition, the distal antral attachment site of the sling muscle is innervated by a novel vagal afferent terminal specialization, an antral web ending. The muscle wall of the distal antrum is also innervated by conventional IMAs and intraganglionic laminar endings, the two types of mechanoreceptors found throughout stomach smooth muscle.Conclusions & Inferences  The innervation of sling muscle by IMAs, putative stretch receptors, suggests that sling sensory feedback may generate vago‐vagal or other reflexes with vagal afferent limbs. The restricted distribution of afferent web endings near the antral attachments of sling fibers suggests the possibility of specialized mechanoreceptor functions linking antral and pyloric activity to the operation of the LES. Dysfunctional sling afferents could generate LES motor disturbances, or normative compensatory sensory feedback from the muscle could compromise therapies targeting only effectors.
Complex fault structure interactions of crustal shear zones revealed by seismic anisotropy: an example in the eastern betic cordillera (Spain)
Authors: Buontempo Luisa , Wuestefeld Andreas 
Published: August 2012

Terra Nova, 25, 57–64, 2013AbstractCharacterizing the interaction of a fault with its surroundings is vital to fully understand the tectonic processes involved and predict future behaviour. Regional and local stress orientations affect different fracture length scales, manifested by numerous associated fault, fracture and crack structures. We use seismic anisotropy to constrain the dominant orientation of aligned rupture planes of various length scales. In particular, we study shear‐wave splitting of regional seismic events in Trans‐Alboran Shear Zone (TASZ), south‐east Spain. The TASZ consists of three major left‐lateral strike‐slip faults and numerous secondary strike‐slip and thrust faults. The observed orientations for S‐waves vary from roughly N–S in the northern segment of TASZ, to E–W in the centre, to NNW–SSE and NNE–SSW in the south. We show that the strikes of fast polarizations reflect both structural and lithological differences, indicating complex interactions of principal and secondary faults within the crust to accommodating tectonic stresses.
No Serologic Evidence for Zoonotic Canine Respiratory Coronavirus Infections among Immunocompetent Adults
Authors: Krueger W. S. , Heil G. L. , Gray G. C. 
Published: August 2012

SummaryZoonotic diseases continue to emerge and threaten both human and animal health. Overcrowded shelters and breeding kennels create the perfect environment for amplified infectious disease transmission among dogs and present a critical opportunity for zoonotic pathogens to emerge and infect people who work in close contact with dogs. Coronaviruses’ widespread prevalence, extensive host range, various disease manifestations and increased frequency of recombination events all underline their potential for interspecies transmission (Methods Mol. Biol. 2008, 454, 43). The objectives of this study were to determine whether people with occupational contact with dogs were more likely to have antibodies against canine respiratory coronavirus (CRCoV) compared to persons with no dog exposure. A seroepidemiological cohort study was completed, for which 302 canine‐exposed and 99 non‐canine‐exposed study subjects enrolled in the study by providing a serum sample and completing a self‐administered questionnaire. A competitive enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed to detect human antibodies against CRCoV while controlling for cross‐reacting antibodies against the human coronavirus OC43. All study subjects were negative for antibodies against CRCoV by this competitive ELISA. This study supports the premise that humans are not at risk for CRCoV infections; however, infrequent cross‐species transmission of CRCoV cannot be ruled out.
Genetic downregulation of receptor‐interacting protein 140 uncovers the central role of Akt signalling in the regulation of fatty acid oxidation in skeletal muscle cells
Authors: Constantinescu Silvana , Turcotte Lorraine P. 
Published: August 2012

New findings
What is the central question of this study?Receptor‐interacting protein 140 (RIP140) is a known negative regulator of oxidative capacity. However, the effects of its downregulation on insulin‐mediated fatty acid metabolism and of gene expression and Akt–atypical protein kinase C‐ζ signalling in skeletal muscle remain incomplete.
What is the main finding and its importance?Our data indicate that downregulation of RIP140 significantly impacts both basal and insulin‐mediated activation of Akt and atypical protein kinase C‐ζ. This extends the assigned regulatory role of these signalling intermediates during insulin stimulation and suggests that Akt may also be an important regulator of fatty acid oxidation in basal conditions.
The role of the nuclear co‐repressor receptor‐interacting protein 140 (RIP140) in metabolic regulation, gene and protein expression and insulin signalling in skeletal muscle cells remains to be delineated. To study this question, L6 myotubes were treated with or without an RNA interference oligonucleotide sequence to downregulate RIP140 expression and incubated with or without insulin (1 μm). Downregulation of RIP140 increased (P < 0.05) basal palmitate uptake (by 20%) and decreased (P < 0.05) basal palmitate oxidation (by 38%). In control small interfering RNA‐treated cells, insulin increased (P < 0.05) glucose (by 31%) and palmitate uptake (by 20%) and decreased (P < 0.05) palmitate oxidation (by 35%). However, in RIP140 small interfering RNA‐treated cells, insulin did not affect (P > 0.05) palmitate uptake and increased (P < 0.05) palmitate oxidation (by 79%). In insulin‐mediated conditions, downregulation of RIP140 decreased (P < 0.05) AktSer473 and atypical protein kinase C‐ζThr403/410 phosphorylation. As expected, downregulation of RIP140 was accompanied by an increase (P < 0.05) in cytochrome c oxidase subunit 4 isoform 1 and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor receptor γ coactivator‐1α mRNA content. Downregulation of RIP140 increased (P < 0.05) fatty acid transport protein 1 mRNA content and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1b protein content and decreased (P < 0.05) medium chain acyl‐CoA dehydrogenase mRNA content in basal conditions. In insulin‐mediated conditions, downregulation of RIP140 increased (P < 0.05) carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1b, fatty acid transport protein 1 and fibroblast growth factor 21 mRNA content and decreased (P < 0.05) medium chain acyl‐CoA dehydrogenase mRNA content and plasma membrane fatty acid translocase/cluster of differentiation 36 protein content. Our data show that, in skeletal muscle cells, RIP140 expression significantly impacts palmitate uptake and oxidation and that alterations in gene expression and Akt–atypical protein kinaseC‐ζ signalling can partly explain these changes.
Analysis of risk of medical errors using structural-equation modelling: a 6-month prospective cohort study
Authors: Tanaka Mika , Tanaka Katsutoshi , Takano Tomoki , Kato Noritada , Watanabe Mayumi , Miyaoka Hitoshi 
Published: August 2012

BackgroundMedical-error analyses have been conducted to determine the root cause of adverse events and near misses. More precise determination of the cause-and-effect relationship likely will require a prospective design path analysis including both direct and indirect effects.MethodsThe authors performed a 6-month prospective cohort study using structural-equation modelling (SEM). Of the 879 nurses approached, 789 (89.8%) were included in the final analysis. Potential predictors provided for analysis included age, years of nursing experience, mean frequency of night shifts per month, nursing-specific job stressors, degree of depression, frequency of feeling unskilled, feeling time pressure, feeling a lack of communication between self and other hospital staff members, frequency of suffering from sleep disturbance and frequency of feeling a decrease in attention. The authors regarded a latent variable composed of frequencies for near misses and adverse events as an outcome.Results and conclusionThe SEM model constructed in this study suggested that potential root causes (exogenous variables directly or indirectly connected to the outcome which are not affected by other variables) were years of nursing experience, feeling unskilled, job stressors and sleep disturbance, with estimated standardised total (direct and indirect) effects of −0.22, 0.21, 0.008 and 0.005, respectively. A prospective design path analysis using the SEM model for both direct and indirect effects enabled a statistical exploration of root causes and estimation of their impact on the outcome. Our findings suggested such an analysis to be useful in devising countermeasures against medical errors.