bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of vitamin D on nonspecific low back pain
Authors: Sandoughi Mahnaz , Zakeri Zahra , Mirhosainee Zahra , Mohammadi Mahdi , Shahbakhsh Sogol 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackgroundNonspecific low back pain is known as one of the most common reasons for chronic low back pain (CLBP) that burdens healthcare systems with high costs. According to a hypothesis, CLBP has been associated with vitamin D3 deficiency, the goal of this study is to evaluate the effect of vitamin D3 administration on improvements in CLBP.Materials and MethodsThis double blind randomized clinical trial included 53 patients aged between 18–40 years with nonspecific CLBP. Pain was measured using the pain visual analogue scale score (VAS), and serum 25‐OH‐vitamin D level was measured using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay kit. The patients were randomly divided into two groups based on sex and weight. Pearl of vitamin D3 (50 000 IU) or placebo was administered orally every week for 8 weeks. Data were analyzed via SPSS 17th edition software using two‐tailed paired t‐test and chi‐square test.ResultsThere were 26 and 27 patients in drug and placebo groups respectively. Out of 53 subjects, 75.47% were female. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean age, sex, and mean weight between the two groups. The mean serum 25‐OH‐vitamin D level was 18.86 ± 9.24 nmol/L on the first visit. After 8 weeks of intervention, the mean serum 25‐OH‐vitamin D level changed from 17.88 ± 9.04 to 27.52 ± 9.04 (P = 0.043) and from 19.81 ± 9.60 to 18.91 ± 7.84 (P = 0.248) in drug and placebo groups, respectively. The mean VAS score for pain decreased from 5.42 ± 1.65 to 3.03 ± 3.14 (P = 0.001) and from 6.42 ± 1.62 to 3.11 ± 3.08 (P = 0.001) among drug and placebo groups, respectively. The mean changes in chronic pain were 2.38 ± 2.62, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.32–3.44 in the drug group and 3.33 ± 3.67, 95%CI = 0.61–2.55 in the placebo group. No significant statistical difference between the two groups was observed.ConclusionAccording to our results, both vitamin D3 and placebo treatments improved CLBP and there was no significant difference between vitamin D3 and placebo groups.
Anaerobic ammonium oxidation with an anode as the electron acceptor
Authors: Qu Bo , Fan Bin , Zhu Shikun , Zheng Yali 
Published: October 2013

SummaryAnaerobic ammonium oxidation with an anode as the electron acceptor was realized in a dual‐chamber microbial electrolysis cell (MEC). Nitrate was the main product that accounted for approximately 95% of ammonium consumed, but nitrite was also detectable. Using 16S ribosomal RNA analysis, we found that the microbial community attached to the electrode was dominated by Nitrosomonas europaea (40.3%) and the genus Empedobacter (34.7%), but no anammox bacteria were detected. Nitrosomonas europaea was shown to be necessary with an inhibition assay using allylthiourea. Certain soluble metabolites were found to have an important effect on the current production. These results show that there are many ways to oxidize ammonium biologically.
A shift in the archaeal nitrifier community in response to natural and anthropogenic disturbances in the northern Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Newell Silvia E. , Eveillard Damien , McCarthy Mark J. , Gardner Wayne S. , Liu Zhanfei , Ward Bess B. 
Published: October 2013

SummaryThe Gulf of Mexico is affected by hurricanes and suffers seasonal hypoxia. The Deepwater Horizon oil spill impacted every trophic level in the coastal region. Despite their importance in bioremediation and biogeochemical cycles, it is difficult to predict the responses of microbial communities to physical and anthropogenic disturbances. Here, we quantify sediment ammonia‐oxidizing archaeal (AOA) community diversity, resistance and resilience, and important geochemical factors after major hurricanes and the oil spill. Dominant AOA archetypes correlated with different geochemical factors, suggesting that different AOA are constrained by distinct parameters. Diversity was lowest after the hurricanes, showing weak resistance to physical disturbances. However, diversity was highest during the oil spill and coincided with a community shift, suggesting a new alternative stable state sustained for at least 1 year. The new AOA community was not significantly different from that at the spill site 1 year after the spill. This sustained shift in nitrifier community structure may be a result of oil exposure.
Feasibility of computed tomography‐guided core needle biopsy in producing state‐of‐the‐art clinical management in Chinese lung cancer
Authors: Chen Hua‐Jun , Yang Jin‐Ji , Fang Liang‐Yi , Huang Min‐Min , Yan Hong‐Hong , Zhang Xu‐Chao , Xu Chong‐Rui , Wu Yi‐Long 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackgroundA satisfactory biopsy determines the state‐of‐the‐art management of lung cancer in this era of personalized medicine. This study aimed to investigate the suitability and efficacy of computed tomography (CT)‐guided core needle biopsy in clinical management.MethodsA cohort of 353 patients with clinically suspected lung cancer was enrolled in the study. Patient factors and biopsy variables were recorded. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutations and echinoderm microtubule‐associated protein‐like 4 (EML4)‐anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangement were detected in tumor specimens. Adequacy of biopsic obtainment for clinical trial screening and tissue bank establishment were reviewed.ResultsOverall diagnostic accuracy of malignancy achieved 98.5%. The median biopsy time of the cohort was 20 minutes. In patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), 99.3% (287/289) were diagnosed as specific histologic subtypes, and two patients (0.7%) were determined as NSCLC not otherwise specified (NOS). EGFR mutations were analyzed in 81.7% (236/289) of patients with NSCLC, and 98.7% (233/236) showed conclusive results. EML4‐ALK gene fusion was tested in 43.9% (127/289) of NSCLC patients, and 98.4% (125/127) showed conclusive results: 6.4% (8/125) of those had gene fusion. Ninety‐six NSCLC patients participated in clinical trial screening and provided mandatory tumor slides for molecular profiling. Pathological evaluation was fulfilled in 90 patients (93.8%); 99.4% (320/322) of patients with malignancy provided extra tissue for the establishment of a tumor bank.ConclusionsCT‐guided core needle biopsy provided optimal clinical management in this era of translational medicine. The biopsic modality should be prioritized in selected lung cancer patients.
In Vivo Study of Ethanol‐Activated Brain Protein Kinase A: Manipulations of Ca2+ Distribution and Flux
Authors: Baliño Pablo , Ledesma Juan Carlos , Aragon Carlos M. G. 
Published: October 2013

BackgroundThe cAMP‐dependent protein kinase (PKA) signaling transduction pathway has been shown to play an important role in the modulation of several ethanol (EtOH)‐induced behavioral actions. In vivo, short‐term exposure to EtOH up‐regulates the cAMP‐signaling cascade. Interestingly, different Ca2+‐dependent cAMP–PKA cascade mediators play a critical role in the neurobehavioral response to EtOH, being of special relevance to the Ca2+‐dependent adenylyl cyclases 1 and 8. We hypothesize an intracellular PKA activation elicited by EtOH administration, which may be regulated by a Ca2+‐dependent mechanism as an early cellular response. Thus, the present work aims to explore the role of Ca2+ (internal and external) on the EtOH‐activated PKA cascade.MethodsSwiss male mice received an intraperitoneal injection of EtOH (0 or 4 g/kg), and brains were dissected following a temporal pattern (7, 15, 30, 45, 90, or 120 minutes). Either the enzymatic PKA activity or its fingerprint was analyzed on different brain areas (cortex, hypothalamus, hippocampus, and striatum). To explore the role of Ca2+ on the EtOH‐activated PKA cascade, mice were pretreated with diltiazem (0 or 20 mg/kg), dantrolene (0 or 5 mg/kg), or 3,7‐Dimethyl‐1‐(2‐propynyl)xanthine (0 or 1 mg/kg) 30 minutes before EtOH (4 g/kg) administration. After 45 minutes of EtOH administration, brains were removed and dissected to measure the PKA activity or its fingerprint.ResultsResults from these experiments showed an EtOH‐dependent activation of PKA in different brain areas. Manipulations involving a disruption of intracellular Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum resulted in a decreased EtOH‐induced activation of PKA. On the contrary, extracellular‐to‐cytoplasm Ca2+ manipulations did not prevent the PKA activation by EtOH.ConclusionsAltogether, these results show the critical role of stored Ca2+ as an intracellular mediator of different neurobiological actions of EtOH and provide further evidence of a possible new target for EtOH within the central nervous system.
The capacity of conophthorin to enhance the attraction of two Xylosandrus species (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) to ethanol and the efficacy of verbenone as a deterrent
Authors: VanDerLaan Nicole R. , Ginzel Matthew D. 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Exotic invasive ambrosia beetles are among the most economically important pests of nursery stock and forest systems in the U.S.A.
Conophthorin, a common bark volatile of deciduous trees, acts as an attractant for the exotic black stem borer, Xylosandrus germanus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae). Nevertheless, the extent to which a congener, Xylosandrus crassiusculus and other ambrosia beetles are attracted to conophthorin remains unclear. It is also unknown whether conophthorin enhances the attraction of these Xylosandrus beetles to traps baited with ethanol.
In the present study, we evaluated the extent to which conophthorin enhances the attraction of X. crassiusculus and X. germanus to ethanol‐baited traps. We also tested the capacity of verbenone, an anti‐aggregation pheromone component of several coniferophagous bark beetles, to deter both species.
More X. crassiusculus were captured in traps baited with both conophthorin and ethanol than in those containing either compound alone, suggesting that conophthorin enhances the response of X. crassiusculus to ethanol. This combination was also attractive to the checkered beetles Madoniella dislocatus and Pyticeroides laticornis (Coleoptera: Cleridae).
Verbenone deterred both X. germanus and X. crassiusculus, suggesting that the use of conophthorin and ethanol as an attractant and verbenone as a deterrent can be incorporated into an effective integrated pest management programme.
What are the farm‐level impacts of Malawi's farm input subsidy program? A critical review
Authors: Lunduka Rodney , Ricker‐Gilbert Jacob , Fisher Monica 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThis article provides a critical analysis of the current frontier of research evaluating Malawi's Farm Input Subsidy Program (FISP), whose main objectives are increasing maize production, promoting household food security, and enhancing rural incomes. We focus on farm‐level studies in Malawi, identifying consistent and contrasting research results in order to draw important policy lessons and provide suggested avenues for future research. While national production estimates suggested dramatic increases in maize production and productivity during the years of the FISP, the farm‐level studies found relatively modest increases in maize production and yields over the same period. Consistent with the farm‐level results of modest maize production increases, there has been a relative increase in real maize prices and the country continued to import maize during most of the subsidy program years. Furthermore, there is evidence that better‐off households gained substantially more than poorer households when they participated in the program. Together these findings cast some doubt on the FISP's ability to reduce food insecurity and poverty. We propose a number of policy lessons and suggestions for rigorous investigation, including research that directly measures the causal impacts of the FISP program on poverty in Malawi.
Atopic dermatitis and the atopic march revisited
Authors: Dharmage S. C. , Lowe A. J. , Matheson M. C. , Burgess J. A. , Allen K. J. , Abramson M. J. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractAtopic dermatitis (AD) has become a significant public health problem because of increasing prevalence, together with increasing evidence that it may progress to other allergic phenotypes. While it is now acknowledged that AD commonly precedes other allergic diseases, a link termed ‘the atopic march’, debate continues as to whether this represents a causal relationship. An alternative hypothesis is that this association may be related to confounding by familial factors or phenotypes that comanifest, such as early‐life wheeze and sensitization. However, there is increasing evidence from longitudinal studies suggesting that the association between AD and other allergies is independent of confounding by comanifest allergic phenotypes. The hypotheses on plausible biological mechanisms for the atopic march focus on defective skin barrier function and overexpression of inflammatory mediators released by the skin affected by AD (including thymic stromal lymphopoietin). Both human and animal studies have provided evidence supporting these potential biological mechanisms. Evidence from prevention trials is now critical to establishing a causal nature of the atopic march. An emerging area of research is investigation into environmental modifiers of the atopic march. Such information will assist in identifying secondary prevention strategies to arrest the atopic march. Despite much research into the aetiology of allergies, little progress has been made in identifying effective strategies to reduce the burden of allergic conditions. In this context, the atopic march remains a promising area of investigation.
Weighted Wilcoxon Estimators in Nonlinear Regression
Authors: Abebe Asheber , McKean Joseph W. 
Published: October 2013

SummaryIn this paper, we consider the estimation of parameters of a general near regression model. An estimator that minimises the weighted Wilcoxon dispersion function is considered and its asymptotic properties established under mild regularity conditions similar to those used in least squares and least absolute deviations estimation. As in linear models, the procedure provides estimators that are robust and highly efficient. The estimates depend on the choice of a weight function and diagnostics which differentiate between nonlinear fits are provided along with appropriate benchmarks. The behavior of these estimates is discussed on a real data set. A simulation study verifies the robustness, efficiency and validity of these estimates over several error distributions including the normal and a family of contaminated normal distributions.
Adding Pulsatile Vascular Stimulation to Venous Systemic Oxygen Persufflation of Liver Grafts
Authors: Lüer Bastian , Fox Mario , Efferz Patrik , Minor Thomas 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThe effect of adding pulsatility to gaseous oxygen persufflation during liver preservation was studied in an isolated rat liver model. Livers from male Wistar rats were retrieved 30 min after cardiac arrest of the donor and subjected to 18 h of cold storage. Some grafts were subjected to nonpulsatile or pulsatile gaseous oxygen persufflation. Graft viability was assessed thereafter upon warm reperfusion in vitro (n = 5 per group). Pulsatile persufflation significantly improved parenchymal integrity (enzyme release, bile flow) upon reperfusion, with respect to nonpulsatile persufflation or cold storage (CS) (e.g., max. release of alanine aminotransferase: 44 ± 10 vs. 178 ± 29 vs. 345 ± 100 U/L; pulsatile vs. nonpulsatile persufflation vs. CS).The effect was associated with the prevention of the ischemic decline in gene and protein expression of the vasoprotective Krüppel‐like factor 2, increased perfusate levels of the endogenous vasodilator nitric oxide, and reduced portal vascular resistance upon reperfusion, while nonpulsatile persufflation was less effective (e.g., vascular resistance: 1235 ± 108 vs. 1607 ± 155 vs. 2215 ± 208 Pa s/mL; pulsatile vs. nonpulsatile persufflation vs. CS). In conclusion, pulsatile mechanostimulation of the hepatovasculature seems a genuine protective mechanism, affecting early graft recovery upon reperfusion.
Noninvasive Perioperative Evaluation of Right Ventricular Function in Children With Tetralogy of Fallot
Authors: Ye Jing‐Jing , Shu Qiang , Liu Xi‐Wang , Gu Wei‐zhong , Yu Jin , Jiang Guo‐ping 
Published: October 2013

AbstractEarly and accurate noninvasive means of identifying right ventricular (RV) dysfunction in children with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) are needed. RV function was examined using tissue Doppler imaging (TDI), strain rate (SR), and strain analysis (SA) in children before (N = 37) and after (6–12 months; N = 32) TOF repair, and in a control group of children (N = 37). Plasma concentrations of N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP‐9) were measured. TDI, SR, and SA revealed that RV systolic and diastolic function indices were lower preoperatively in the TOF group compared with the control group, and did not improve after TOF repair. Plasma NT‐proBNP concentrations were significantly higher in the TOF group pre‐ and postoperatively compared with the control group. In the preoperative TOF group, NT‐proBNP concentration was significantly correlated with peak systolic SR and systolic strain in the mid segments of RV free wall. Plasma MMP‐9 concentrations were significantly increased in the preoperative TOF group compared with the control group, and significantly correlated with plasma NT‐proBNP and logNT‐proBNP concentrations. RV function correlated with plasma NT‐proBNP concentrations in children with TOF. Assessment of this noninvasive measure may help identify RV dysfunction in patients with TOF before they become clinically symptomatic.
Extracorporeal Life Support After Cardiac Surgery in Children: Outcomes From a Single Institution
Authors: Sasaki Takashi , Asou Toshihide , Takeda Yuko , Onakatomi Yasuko , Tominaga Takashi , Yamamoto Yusuke 
Published: October 2013

AbstractExtracorporeal life support (ECLS) is used after congenital heart surgery for several indications, including failure to separate from cardiopulmonary bypass, postoperative low cardiac output syndrome, and extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Here, we assessed the outcomes of ECLS in children after cardiac surgery at our institution. Medical records of all children who required postoperative ECLS at our institution were reviewed. Between 2003 and 2011, 36 (1.4%) of 2541 pediatric cardiac surgical cases required postoperative ECLS. Median age of patients was 64 days (range: 0 days–4.1 years). ECLS was in the form of either extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO; n = 24) or ventricular assist system (VAS; n = 12). Mean duration of ECLS was 4.9 ± 4.2 days. Overall, 21 patients (58%) were weaned off ECLS, and 17 patients (47%) were successfully discharged from the hospital. Patients with biventricular heart (BVH) had higher survival‐to‐hospital discharge rates compared with those with univentricular heart (UVH) (P = 0.019). Regarding ECLS type, UVH patients who received VAS showed higher rates of device discontinuation than UVH patients who received ECMO (P = 0.012). However, rates of hospital discharge were not significantly different between UVH patients who received VAS or ECMO. Surgical interventions, such as banding of Blalock–Taussig shunt to reduce pulmonary blood flow or placing bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt to minimize ventricular volume overload, were effective for weaning off ECLS in patients with UVH. ECLS is beneficial to children with low cardiac output after cardiac surgery. Rates of survival‐to‐hospital discharge were higher in BVH patients than UVH patients. Additional interventions to reduce ventricular volume load may be effective for discontinuing ECLS in patients with UVH.
Testing for the Multivariate Stochastic Order Among Ordered Experimental Groups with Application to Dose–Response Studies
Authors: Davidov Ori , Peddada Shyamal 
Published: October 2013

SummaryThe comparison of two or more ordered experimental groups based on multivariate data is common in a variety of applications such as toxicology, clinical trials and drug development, to name just a few. In this article, we develop a nonparametric methodology for analyzing such data. In particular we propose a global K sample nonparametric test for order among vector valued outcomes. The testing procedure can also be used in a post-hoc fashion to answer questions about the ordering of subgroups and/or single outcomes within any subset of experimental groups. Such a methodology does not currently exist. In contrast with standard methodology such as multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), and its nonparametric analogues, we do not assume that the groups differ only by a location parameter or that the components of the response vector have the same marginal distributions between and across groups, that is, we allow for the shape of the distribution to change across groups. We emphasize that our test compares the outcome distributions, not just their mean tendencies, and explicitly incorporates and exploits the order constraints. Consequently it is more powerful than the existing unordered tests. The methodology is illustrated using genotoxicity data where the effect of hydrogen peroxide exposure on damage to DNA is evaluated using a comet assay.
Synonymous nucleotide polymorphisms influence Dombrock blood group protein expression in K562 cells
Authors: de Coulgeans Cécile Durousseau , Silvy Monique , Halverson Gregory , Chiaroni Jacques , Bailly Pascal , Chapel‐Fernandes Sylvie 
Published: October 2013

SummaryTo gain further insight into ART4 (DO) gene alleles (DO*A, DO*JO1, DO*A‐WL, DO*DOYA, DO*B, DO*B‐WL, DO*B‐SH‐Q149K, DO*B‐(WL)‐I175N, DO*HY1, DO*HY2, DO*DOMR) and evaluate the impact of synonymous nucleotide polymorphisms on protein expression and mRNA accumulation of DO*A‐HA, DO*A‐SH and DO*B‐SH alleles, human erythroleukaemic K562 cells were transducted with variant DO‐lentiviral particles and analysed by flow cytometry and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Monoclonal antibody (MoAb) detection of DO*A‐HA and DO*JO1 transductants was lower than DO*A transductants, while detection of DO*A‐SH, DO*A‐WL and DO*DOYA transductants was higher. Variant DO*B alleles, i.e. DO*B‐SH, DO*B‐WL, DO*HY1, DO*HY2 and DO*DOMR, showed reduced MoAb binding. The unexpected modifications of protein expression of the DO*A‐HA, DO*A‐SH and DO*B‐SH alleles that differ from the DO*A or DO*B alleles by a single synonymous polymorphism were abolished by reversion, thus implying involvement of these polymorphisms. Depending on the Leu208 codon used, detection level ranged from 1 to 4·14. In the variant alleles resulting from single synonymous polymorphism, mRNA accumulation correlated roughly with MoAbs detection levels, suggesting post‐transcriptional regulation. Other than a few reports involving aberrant splicing, the experiments described herein provide the first evidence that synonymous nucleotide polymorphisms can influence Dombrock blood group expression. Such polymorphisms should be taken into account for molecular screening and potential impact on transfusion.
Disability and Perceptions of Work and Management
Authors: Jones Melanie K. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractMatched employee–employer data from the 2004 Workplace Employment Relations Survey are used to examine differences in work‐related perceptions between disabled and non‐disabled employees. Even after accounting for differences in personal, job and workplace characteristics, disabled employees are found to hold more negative views on the treatment of workers by managers and, consistent with this, they express less job satisfaction and commitment towards their organization. The influence of disability is also examined across workplaces defined by sector, the presence of disability‐related policies and practices, and employee views of management to explore the role of corporate culture.