bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An oxygen enrichment device for lowlanders ascending to high altitude
Authors: Shen Guanghao , Wu Xiaoming , Tang Chi , Yan Yili , Liu Juan , Guo Wei , Jing Da , Lei Tao , Tian Yue , Xie Kangning , Luo Erping , Zhang Jianbao 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
When ascending to the high altitude, people living in low altitude areas will suffer from acute mountain sickness. The aim of this study is to test the hypothesis that whether an oxygen concentration membrane can be made and used to construct a new portable oxygen enrichment device for individuals in acute exposure to the high altitude.

Methods
The membrane was fabricated using vinylsiloxane rubber, polyphenylene oxide hydrogen silicone polymers, chloroplatinic acid and isopropyl alcohol. The membrane was assembled in a frame and the performance was tested in terms of concentration of oxygen, flow rate of oxygen enriched air, pressure ratio across the membrane and ambient temperature. Furthermore, the oxygen concentration device was constructed using the membrane, a DC fan, vacuum pump and gas buffer. A nonrandomized preliminary field test was conducted, in which eight healthy male subjects were flown to Tibet (Lhasa, 3,700 m). First, subjects wore the oxygen enrichment device and performed an incremental exercise on cycle ergometer. The test included heart rate (HR), saturation of peripheral oxygen (SpO2) and physical work capacity (PWC). Then, after a rest period of 4 hours, the experimental protocol was repeated without oxygen enrichment device.

Results
The testing showed that the membrane could increase the oxygen concentration by up to 30%. Simulation test indicated that although the performance of the oxygen enrichment device decreased with altitudes, the oxygen concentration could still maintain 28% with flow rate of enriched air 110 cm3/s at 5000 m. The field test showed that higher SpO2, lower HR, and better PWC (measured by the PWC-170) were observed from all the subjects using oxygen enrichment device compared with non-using (P < 0.01).

Conclusions
We concluded that the new portable oxygen enrichment device would be effective in improving exercise performance when ascending to the high altitude.
Control of thumb force using surface functional electrical stimulation and muscle load sharing
Authors: Westerveld Ard J , Schouten Alfred C , Veltink Peter H , van der Kooij Herman 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
Stroke survivors often have difficulties in manipulating objects with their affected hand. Thumb control plays an important role in object manipulation. Surface functional electrical stimulation (FES) can assist movement. We aim to control the 2D thumb force by predicting the sum of individual muscle forces, described by a sigmoidal muscle recruitment curve and a single force direction.

Methods
Five able bodied subjects and five stroke subjects were strapped in a custom built setup. The forces perpendicular to the thumb in response to FES applied to three thumb muscles were measured. We evaluated the feasibility of using recruitment curve based force vector maps in predicting output forces. In addition, we developed a closed loop force controller. Load sharing between the three muscles was used to solve the redundancy problem having three actuators to control forces in two dimensions. The thumb force was controlled towards target forces of 0.5 N and 1.0 N in multiple directions within the individual’s thumb work space. Hereby, the possibilities to use these force vector maps and the load sharing approach in feed forward and feedback force control were explored.

Results
The force vector prediction of the obtained model had small RMS errors with respect to the actual measured force vectors (0.22±0.17 N for the healthy subjects; 0.17±0.13 N for the stroke subjects). The stroke subjects showed a limited work range due to limited force production of the individual muscles. Performance of feed forward control without feedback, was better in healthy subjects than in stroke subjects. However, when feedback control was added performances were similar between the two groups. Feedback force control lead, especially for the stroke subjects, to a reduction in stationary errors, which improved performance.

Conclusions
Thumb muscle responses to FES can be described by a single force direction and a sigmoidal recruitment curve. Force in desired direction can be generated through load sharing among redundant muscles. The force vector maps are subject specific and also suitable in feedforward and feedback control taking the individual’s available workspace into account. With feedback, more accurate control of muscle force can be achieved.
Label-free in vitro toxicity and uptake assessment of citrate stabilised gold nanoparticles in three cell lines
Authors: Vetten Melissa A , Tlotleng Nonhlanhla , Tanner Rascher Delia , Skepu Amanda , Keter Frankline K , Boodhia Kailen , Koekemoer Leigh-Anne , Andraos Charlene , Tshikhudo Robert , Gulumian Mary 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
Reliable in vitro toxicity testing is needed prior to the commencement of in vivo testing necessary for hazard identification and risk assessment of nanoparticles. In this study, the cytotoxicity and uptake of 14 nm and 20 nm citrate stabilised gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in the bronchial epithelial cell line BEAS-2B, the Chinese hamster ovary cell line CHO, and the human embryonic kidney cell line HEK 293 were investigated.

Methods
Cytotoxicity of the AuNPs was assessed via traditional XTT-, LDH-, and ATP-based assays, followed by cell impedance studies. Dark-field imaging and hyperspectral imaging were used to confirm the uptake of AuNPs into the cells.

Results
Interference of the AuNPs with the XTT- and ATP-based assays was overcome through the use of cell impedance technology. AuNPs were shown to be relatively non-toxic using this methodology; nevertheless CHO cells were the most sensitive cell type with 20 nm AuNPs having the highest toxicity. Uptake of both 14 nm and 20 nm AuNPs was observed in all cell lines in a time- and cell type-dependent manner.

Conclusions
Using the cell impedance and dark-field hyperspectral imaging technologies, it was possible to study the toxicity of AuNPs in different cell lines and show that these cells could internalize AuNPs with their subsequent intracellular aggregation. It was also possible to show that this toxicity would not correlate with the level of uptake but it would correlate with cell-type and the size of the AuNPs. Therefore, these two label-free methodologies used in this study are suitable for in vitro studies on the effects of AuNPs, and could present themselves as appropriate and valuable methodologies for future nanoparticle toxicity and uptake studies.
Outcome measures in rheumatoid arthritis randomised trials over the last 50 years
Authors: Kirkham Jamie J , Boers Maarten , Tugwell Peter , Clarke Mike , Williamson Paula R 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
The development and application of standardised sets of outcomes to be measured and reported in clinical trials have the potential to increase the efficiency and value of research. One of the most notable of the current outcome sets began nearly 20 years ago: the World Health Organization and International League of Associations for Rheumatology core set of outcomes for rheumatoid arthritis clinical trials, originating from the OMERACT (Outcome Measures in Rheumatology) Initiative. This study assesses the use of this core outcome set by randomised trials in rheumatology.

Methods
An observational review was carried out of 350 randomised trials for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis identified through The Cochrane Library (up to and including September 2012 issue). Reports of these trials were evaluated to determine whether or not there were trends in the proportion of trials reporting on the full set of core outcomes over time. Researchers who conducted trials after the publication of the core set were contacted to assess their awareness of it and to collect reasons for non-inclusion of the full core set of outcomes in the study.

Results
Since the introduction of the core set of outcomes for rheumatoid arthritis, the consistency of measurement of the core set of outcomes has improved, although variation in the choice of measurement instrument remains. The majority of trialists who responded said that they would consider using the core outcome set in the design of a new trial.

Conclusions
This observational review suggests that a higher percentage of trialists conducting trials in rheumatoid arthritis are now measuring the rheumatoid arthritis core outcome set. Core outcome sets have the potential to improve the evidence base for health care, but consideration must be given to the methods for disseminating their availability amongst the relevant communities.
Radiotherapy in langerhans cell histiocytosis - a rare indication in a rare disease
Authors: Kriz Jan , Eich Hans Theodor , Bruns Frank , Heyd Reinhard , Schäfer Ulrich , Haverkamp Uwe , Büntzel Jens , Seegenschmiedt Heinrich , Micke Oliver 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Introduction
Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH) represents a rare benign disorder, previously designated as “Histiocytosis X”, “Type II Histiocytosis” or “Langerhans Cell Granulomatosis”. Clinical presentation includes osteolysis, ulcerations of skin and soft tissues but also involvement of the CNS is described.
Because treatment concepts are not well defined the German Cooperative Group on Radiotherapy for Benign Diseases performed a retrospective analysis.

Methods and material
Eight closely cooperating centres collected patients’ data of the past 45 years. As study endpoints disease free survival, recurrent disease, death and therapy related side effects were defined.

Results
A total of 80 patients with histologically proven LCH were irradiated within the past 45 years. According to the LCH classification of Greenberger et al. 37 patients had stage Ia, 21 patients stage Ib, 13 patients stage II and 9 patients stage IIIb and the median age was 29 years. The median Follow up was 54 months (range 9–134 months). A total of 39 patients had a surgical intervention and 23 patients a chemotherapy regimen.
Radiation treatment was carried out with a median total dose of 15 Gy (range 3–50.4 Gy). The median single fraction was 2 Gy (range 1.8-3 Gy).
Overall, 77% patients achieved a complete remission and 12.5% achieved a partial remission. The long-term control rate reached 80%. Within an actuarial overall 5-year survival of 90% no radiogenic side and late effects ≥EORTC/RTOG II° were observed.

Conclusion
In the present study a large collective of irradiated patients was analysed. Radiotherapy (RT) is a very effective and safe treatment option and even low RT doses show sufficient local control.
Quantifying respiratory complications post-adenotonsillectomy in patients with normal or inconclusive overnight oximetry
Authors: Lee Terence TN , Lefebvre Claire E , Gans Nathalie E , Daniel Sam J 
Published: October 2013

Background Children with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) are at risk of developing post-operative respiratory complications following adenotonsillectomy (T&A). Our goal was to describe and quantify these complications following T&A in children with clinical SDB but with a pre-operative overnight home oximetry score of “normal/inconclusive” (McGill Oximetry Score (MOS) of 1), and to determine whether these children could safely undergo surgery in peripheral hospitals or outpatient surgical centers. Methods We performed a retrospective chart review of patients 3 years and older who had T&A between 2003 and 2010 at 2 of our institution's hospitals. To be included in the study, in addition to not having severe comorbidities, children had to have undergone an overnight home oximetry within 12 months of surgery that was normal or inconclusive (MOS of 1). This was defined as fewer than 3 episodes of oxygen desaturation below 90% and stable baseline saturation over 95%. Medical charts were reviewed for major and minor postoperative respiratory complications. The main outcome measure was post-T&A respiratory complications. Results Out of 2708 T&A patients, 231 met the inclusion criteria. No patient had a major postoperative respiratory complication requiring re-intubation or admission to the intensive care unit. Five patients (2.16%) had minor respiratory complications but only one required admission to the ward. Conclusions An overnight home oximetry that is “normal/inconclusive” (MOS of 1) can be used as a screening tool to identify patients with sleep-disordered breathing who can be safely sent to peripheral hospitals or outpatient surgical centers for T&A.
Burden of illness and quality of life in patients being treated for seasonal allergic rhinitis: a cohort survey
Authors: Small Mark , Piercy James , Demoly Pascal , Marsden Helen 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackgroundAllergic Rhinitis is an inflammatory disease which is characterised by burdensome nasal and/or ocular symptoms. This study aimed to assess the impact of symptoms (number of symptom‐free days (SFD) and Quality of Life (QoL)) in patients with Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis (SAR) being treated with fluticasone furoate (FF), mometasone furoate (MF) or fluticasone propionate (FP).MethodsIn a cross‐sectional, non‐interventional, cohort analysis, primary care physicians and allergy specialists in France, Germany, and Spain were recruited via telephone interviews. Each physician prospectively recruited 4 SAR patients ‐ 2 receiving FF, 1 receiving MF and 1 receiving FP ‐ during June 2009. Patients answered questions on symptoms and completed questionnaires on QoL (mini‐rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire, RQLQ) and burden of illness (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index).ResultsA total of 540 patients were recruited during June 2009. 88 patients were subsequently found to be ineligible and excluded from the analyses. In the 4 weeks prior to assessment, patients reported a mean of 14.58 (±8.42) SFD. Patients receiving FF had more SFD (mean 15.45 ±8.29) than patients receiving MF (adjusted mean difference ‐1.22, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) [‐3.16 to 0.72], p=0.434) or FP (adjusted mean difference ‐1.95, 95% CI [‐3.87 to ‐0.03], p=0.092), although statistical significance was not achieved. The mean RQLQ score was 1.54 (±1.06). Patients receiving FF had a better quality of life in the previous week (mini‐RQLQ score: mean 1.42, ±1.04) than patients receiving MF (adjusted mean difference 0.28, 95% CI [0.03 to 0.52], p=0.052) or FP (adjusted mean difference 0.18, 95% CI [‐0.05 to 0.41], p=0.244). Again, none of these results achieved statistical significance.ConclusionsAt the height of the allergy season, patients with SAR suffer symptoms approximately 50% of the time, and report an impact on their QoL. No significant differences were observed between FF, FP and MF related to SFD or QoL.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01199757
Initial serum sodium concentration determines the decrease in sodium level after terlipressin administration in patients with liver cirrhosis
Authors: Kang Yeo-Jin , Bae Eun Jin , Hwang Kyungo , Jeon Dae-Hong , Jang Ha Nee , Cho Hyun Seop , Chang Se-Ho , Park Dong Jun 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
Terlipressin, as a prodrug of vasopressin, has agonistic effects on the V1 receptor and partial agonistic effects on renal vasopressin V2 receptors. However, its effects on serum sodium concentration are controversial.

Methods
This study retrospectively investigated 127 patients with liver cirrhosis to examine the incidence and risk factors for the decrease in serum sodium level following terlipressin administration.

Results
Terlipressin was prescribed for bleeding control (99) and management of hepatorenal syndrome (28). Serum sodium level decreased from 134.0 ± 6.5 mmol/L to 130.4 ± 6.2 mmol/L during or after terlipressin treatment (P < 0.001) in all patients. In 45 patients (35.4%), the serum sodium concentration decreased by > 5 mmol/L, in 29 patients (22.8%); by 5–10 mmol/L; and in 16 patients (12.6%), by > 10 mmol/L. Five patients in the latter group showed neurological manifestations. In the univariate analysis, several factors including age, purpose of use, serum creatinine, and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score, representing liver function, were significantly associated with the decrease in serum sodium after terlipressin administration. However, a multivariate analysis revealed that only initial sodium level was the most powerful predictor of terlipressin-induced reduction in serum sodium.

Conclusion
An acute reduction in serum sodium concentration was not uncommon during terlipressin treatment, and the baseline serum sodium level was closely related to the reduction in serum sodium concentration.
EMG amplitude of the biceps femoris during jumping compared to landing movements
Authors: Padulo Johnny , Tiloca Alessandra , Powell Douglas , Granatelli Giampietro , Bianco Antonino , Paoli Antonio 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Hamstrings injury is a common occurrence in athletic performance. These injuries tend to occur during a deceleration or landing task suggesting the negative work may be a key component in hamstrings injury. The purpose of this study was to investigate the muscular activity (EMG) of the biceps femoris (BF) in different phases (concentric vs. eccentric) of a Counter Movement Jump (CMJ), Squat Jump (SJ) and the Braking Phase (BP) of a landing task. Twelve female volleyball players performed 5 CMJs, SJs and BPs while surface EMG was recorded using a MuscleLab (BoscoSystemTM, Norway). EMG values were normalized to an maximal voluntary contraction. A repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare mean normalized EMG values of the concentric and eccentric portions of the CMJ with the BP and SJ. The ANOVA revealed significantly lower BF activation in the concentric and eccentric portions of the CMJ compared to the BP (64%, p < 0.001) and SJ (7%, p = 0.02), respectively. These findings suggest that the CMJ relies on a greater contribution of elastic tissues during the concentric and eccentric portions of the movement and thus requires less muscle activation of the BF.
Morphing Banner Advertising
Authors: Urban Glen L. , Liberali Guilherme (Gui) , MacDonald Erin , Bordley Robert , Hauser John R. 
Published: October 2013

Researchers and practitioners devote substantial effort to targeting banner advertisements to consumers, but they focus less effort on how to communicate with consumers once targeted. Morphing enables a website to learn, automatically and near optimally, which banner advertisements to serve to consumers to maximize click-through rates, brand consideration, and purchase likelihood. Banners are matched to consumers based on posterior probabilities of latent segment membership, which are identified from consumers' clickstreams.This paper describes the first large-sample random-assignment field test of banner morphing—more than 100,000 consumers viewed more than 450,000 banners on CNET.com. On relevant Web pages, CNET's click-through rates almost doubled relative to control banners. We supplement the CNET field test with an experiment on an automotive information-and-recommendation website. The automotive experiment replaces automated learning with a longitudinal design that implements morph-to-segment matching. Banners matched to cognitive styles, as well as the stage of the consumer's buying process and body-type preference, significantly increase click-through rates, brand consideration, and purchase likelihood relative to a control. The CNET field test and automotive experiment demonstrate that matching banners to cognitive-style segments is feasible and provides significant benefits above and beyond traditional targeting. Improved banner effectiveness has strategic implications for allocations of budgets among media.
Re-producing western goods for transnational markets: Case studies in rebranding and revaluing second-hand clothes
Authors: Botticello Julie 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
In an age of consumer plenty, the over abundance of clothing available to western consumers has, through rapid cycles of consumption and disposal, generated a surfeit of unwanted, yet clearly still useful, second-hand clothing. While some of these garments are sold in charity shops, many find their way to commercial sorters who specialize in transforming these waste items to wanted, and resalable, goods in new contexts. This is done by adding value to the garments, through selection from the waste pile, by giving further care through washing or mending, and by specially choosing new market outlets for optimum resale. Through these means, old clothes are effectively rebranded with a metaphorical quality mark of the person or company reprocessing them. Based on three case studies with middlemen resellers who operate on local, national and transnational scales, this article shows that the reinvigoration of second-hand clothes is embedded in person-to-person and person-to-clothing relations, whereby new value is given to old clothes that often supersedes the designations of brand names and labels granted during original production.
The Wonders of Norwegian Wool
Authors: Hebrok Marie , Klepp Ingun G. 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
This article draws from research undertaken as part of the Valuing Norwegian Wool project. Here, we will discuss the Norwegianess of Norwegian wool as found and used in Norwegian wardrobes following a wardrobe studies methodology. As a method, the wardrobe study aims to consider the materiality of garments in clothes research outside of but in addition to more usual studies of dress. Analysing the materiality of objects in connection with the social and cultural aspects of clothing facilitates a greater knowledge of the relations between materiality and practice (object and wear). This article addresses the fundamental questions and responses arising from this project: What constitutes Norwegian wool in the minds of Norwegians? How are material, cultural and social aspects of wool co-produced, and how do they relate to each other?
Critical role of RAGE in lung physiology and tumorigenesis: a potential target of therapeutic intervention?
Authors: Marinakis Evangelos , Bagkos Georgios , Piperi Christina , Roussou Paraskevi , Diamanti-Kandarakis Evanthia 
Published: October 2013

AbstractLung cancer is one of the most common malignancies in the world and one of the leading causes of death from cancer. In the search for molecules that may be involved in lung tumor induction and progression, the receptor of advanced glycation end products (RAGE) comes across as a critical regulator of lung physiology. RAGE is a multiligand receptor that presents a differential expression pattern in lung epithelial cells compared to other cell types being gradually increased from fetal to birth and adult life. Under stress conditions, RAGE expression and activation are rapidly elevated resulting in chronic inflammation, which, in turn, in many instances, promotes epithelial cell malignant transformation. RAGE overexpression in normal lung alveolar type I epithelial cells is followed by rapid downregulation upon malignant transformation, being associated with increased aggressiveness. This is a striking paradox, since in every other cell type the pattern of RAGE expression follows the opposite direction, suggesting the involvement of RAGE in the well-functioning of lung cells. Additionally, RAGE has been attributed with the role of adhesion molecule, since it can stabilize mature alveolar epithelial cells to their substrate (basal lamina) by interacting electrostatically with other molecules. However, the reduction of RAGE observed in lung tumorigenesis interrupts cell-to-cell and cell-to-substrate communication, which is a critical step for cancer cell induction, progression and migration. This review addresses the differential properties of RAGE in lung physiology and carcinogenesis, providing evidence of therapeutic possibilities.