bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pilot Study Exploring Chronic Pudendal Neuromodulation as a Treatment Option for Pain Associated with Pudendal Neuralgia
Authors: PETERS Kenneth M. , KILLINGER Kim A. , JAEGER Christopher , CHEN Charity 
Published: July 2014

ObjectivesPudendal neuralgia can cause significant voiding and pain symptoms. We explored the effects of chronic pudendal neuromodulation (CPN) and nerve blocks on pain associated with pudendal neuralgia.MethodsPatients with pudendal neuralgia and tined lead placed at the pudendal nerve were reviewed. History and initial improvement after lead placement were collected from medical records. Demographics, symptom characteristics and changes after various treatments were assessed by mailed survey. Descriptive statistics were performed.ResultsOf 19 patients (mean age 54.8 years, 63% female), 6/19 (32%) had previous sacral neuromodulation. Before CPN, 18 patients had 77 nerve blocks (median six blocks per patient); most blocks (60/77; 78%) provided at least some relief. After lead placement, pain relief was complete in three patients, almost complete in three, significant/remarkable in 10, and small/slight in three. All 19 patients had a permanent generator placed. Five were ultimately explanted at (mean) 2.95 years: one had total symptom resolution, one had stopped using the device, and three lost efficacy. Survey respondents (n = 10) indicated that they had been experiencing pain for (median) 4.42 years before CPN. The most helpful pain treatment cited was medication for 6/10 and neuromodulation for 4/10; 8/9 rated neuromodulation as more helpful than nerve block, while one subject felt that the two treatments were equally helpful. Compared to sacral neuromodulation, 3/4 rated CPN as more effective for pain. Overall, 8/10 were satisfied with CPN; only 1/9 was mildly satisfied with nerve block.ConclusionsChronic pudendal neuromodulation can improve pain in patients with pudendal neuralgia.
An observational study of how patients are identified before medication administrations in medical and surgical wards
Authors: Härkänen Marja , Kervinen Marjo , Ahonen Jouni , Turunen Hannele , Vehviläinen‐Julkunen Katri 
Published: July 2014

AbstractThe aims of this study were to clarify how a patient's identity was verified before the administration of medication in medical and surgical wards in a hospital, as well as to study the association between patient identification and the registered nurse's work experience, observed interruptions, and distractions. The study material was collected during April and May 2012 in two surgical and two medical wards in one university hospital in Finland, using a direct, structured observation method. A total of 32 registered nurses were observed while they administered 1058 medications to 122 patients. Patients were not identified at all in 66.8% (n = 707) of medication administrations. Patient identifications were made more often by nurses with shorter work experience in the nursing profession or in the wards (4 years or less), or if distractions existed during medication administration. According to the results, patient identification was not adequately conducted. There is a need for education and change in the culture of medication processes and nursing practice.
New Evidence for Neolithic Habitation in the Hinterland of the Troad
Authors: Yalçikli Derya 
Published: July 2014

SummaryThis essay introduces two newly discovered Neolithic sites identified through the archaeological surveys conducted in the hinterland of the Troad in north‐western Turkey. Most of our knowledge about the Neolithic period of the region comes from the coastal site of Coşkuntepe, as well as Uğurlu on the island of Gökçeada (Imbros) and Karağaçtepe (Protesilas) on the Gallipoli Peninsula. The lack of evidence for Neolithic habitation in the hinterland of the region was apparently due to the state of research. The recently discovered rock shelter‐type site of Evkayası and the mound of Taraçcı imply that the hinterland of the Troad also bears traces of Neolithic habitation. Each of these sites yielded a single obsidian artefact of Melian origin, suggesting that these two settlements were on a land‐based route that connected the Gulf of Edremit with the southern coast of the Sea of Marmara.
Iron‐ and hemin‐dependent gene expression of Porphyromonas gingivalis
Authors: Anaya‐Bergman C. , Rosato A. , Lewis J.P. 
Published: July 2014

SummaryAlthough iron under anaerobic conditions is more accessible and highly reactive because of its reduced form, iron‐dependent regulation is not well known in anaerobic bacteria. Here, we investigated iron‐ and hemin‐dependent gene regulation in Porphyromonas gingivalis, an established periodontopathogen that primarily inhabits anaerobic pockets. Whole‐genome microarrays of P. gingivalis genes were used to compare the levels of gene expression under iron‐replete and iron‐depleted conditions as well as under hemin‐replete and hemin‐depleted conditions. Under iron‐depleted conditions, the expression of genes encoding proteins that participate in iron uptake and adhesion/invasion of host cells was increased, while that of genes encoding proteins involved in iron storage, energy metabolism, and electron transport was decreased. Interestingly, many of the genes with altered expression had no known function. Limiting the amount of hemin also resulted in a reduced expression of the genes encoding proteins involved in energy metabolism and electron transport. However, hemin also had a significant effect on many other biological processes such as oxidative stress protection and lipopolysaccharide synthesis. Overall, comparison of the data from iron‐depleted conditions to those from hemin‐depleted ones showed that although some regulation is through the iron derived from hemin, there also is significant distinct regulation through hemin only. Furthermore, our data showed that the molecular mechanisms of iron‐dependent regulation are novel as the deletion of the putative Fur protein had no effect on the expression of iron‐regulated genes. Finally, our functional studies demonstrated greater survivability of host cells in the presence of the iron‐stressed bacterium than the iron‐replete P. gingivalis cells. The major iron‐regulated proteins encoded by PG1019–20 may play a role in this process as deletion of these sequences also resulted in reduced survival of the bacterium when grown with eukaryotic cells. Taken together, the results of this study demonstrated the utility of whole‐genome microarray analysis for the identification of genes with altered expression profiles during varying growth conditions and provided a framework for the detailed analysis of the molecular mechanisms of iron and hemin acquisition, metabolism and virulence of P. gingivalis.
Epidermal UV‐A absorbance and whole‐leaf flavonoid composition in pea respond more to solar blue light than to solar UV radiation
Authors: SIIPOLA SARI M. , KOTILAINEN TITTA , SIPARI NINA , MORALES LUIS O. , LINDFORS ANDERS V. , ROBSON T. MATTHEW , APHALO PEDRO J. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractPlants synthesize phenolic compounds in response to certain environmental signals or stresses. One large group of phenolics, flavonoids, is considered particularly responsive to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. However, here we demonstrate that solar blue light stimulates flavonoid biosynthesis in the absence of UV‐A and UV‐B radiation. We grew pea plants (Pisum sativum cv. Meteor) outdoors, in Finland during the summer, under five types of filters differing in their spectral transmittance. These filters were used to (1) attenuate UV‐B; (2) attenuate UV‐B and UV‐A < 370 nm; (3) attenuate UV‐B and UV‐A; (4) attenuate UV‐B, UV‐A and blue light; and (5) as a control not attenuating these wavebands. Attenuation of blue light significantly reduced the flavonoid content in leaf adaxial epidermis and reduced the whole‐leaf concentrations of quercetin derivatives relative to kaempferol derivatives. In contrast, UV‐B responses were not significant. These results show that pea plants regulate epidermal UV‐A absorbance and accumulation of individual flavonoids by perceiving complex radiation signals that extend into the visible region of the solar spectrum. Furthermore, solar blue light instead of solar UV‐B radiation can be the main regulator of phenolic compound accumulation in plants that germinate and develop outdoors.
Interface Designs Model of Location-Aware Mobile Commerce for Songket
Authors: Ibrahim Mardhiah , Tengku Wook Tengku Siti Meriam , Jailani Norleyza 
Published: July 2014

This paper centers on research of the user interface design of mobile commerce (m-commerce) focusing on the location of the songket business. The research is based on a comparison method between interfaces of location-aware m-commerce with different domains. The goal is to analyze the aspect of m-commerce interface design that has already been accepted by the user. 7C’s interface design elements have been selected as the guideline of the analysis. The comparison analysis of localization technique showed that four out of the seven elements are suitable for the guideline; namely Context, Customization, Communication and Connection. Research proved A-GPS technique suitable for application of songket localization. The outcome of the research is the user interface of location aware m-commerce based on multi user mental model specific to songket localization using A-GPS technique.
Development of a Non-Invasive Bio-Acoustics Measurement System for Assessing Articular Cartilage Knee Joint Problem
Authors: Mohd Noor Anas 
Published: July 2014

A technique in measuring and recording of bio-acoustics signals for the assessment of physiological of knee joint articular cartilage conditions has been developed. Currently, invasive technique such as knee arthroscopy and imaging modalities methods are widely been applied in determining problems related to the knee joint. However, these methods are uncomfortable to the patient, performing in static condition, costly instrumentation and maintenance and most of the times it could not reveal the early symptoms of knee articular cartilage problems. Knee acoustical is used to overcome the current practice limitation and could assist physicians to diagnose at the early stage. The measurement system is developed which consists of a high-sensitivity acoustical piezoelectric transducer with frequency response ranges from 2.5 to 5000Hz, the signal conditioning circuit, and real-time signal visualization and analyzed using a short time Fourier transform technique. The knee cartilage produced an acoustic signals are measured non-invasively during a dynamic cycle of flexion-extension and sit-stand-sit movements. This paper also describes the details of hardware components and software used in this system. Six volunteers with normal and injured cartilage involved in this study. The normal conditions of the knee articular cartilage produced a lower frequency component which is less than 120Hz, and abnormal signal shows frequency more than 200Hz is generated. It has been demonstrated that, the developed system prototype could be used to differentiate between normal and abnormal knee articular cartilage acoustic signal using frequency spectral which could be beneficial in the early detection of the problem.
Cysticidal Activity of Antifungals against Different Genotypes of Acanthamoeba
Authors: Iovieno Alfonso , Miller Darlene , Ledee Dolena R. , Alfonso Eduardo C. 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT

Antifungal drugs have been proposed as a novel treatment for
Acanthamoeba
keratitis. The cysticidal activity of several antifungal compounds was tested against different genotypes of culture collection and clinical isolates of
Acanthamoeba
. Only voriconazole and posaconazole were found to be cysticidal, with no differences in activity observed between clinical and culture collection isolates.
Molecular Characterization of Three Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus Phages
Authors: Casey Eoghan , Mahony Jennifer , O'Connell-Motherway Mary , Bottacini Francesca , Cornelissen Anneleen , Neve Horst , Heller Knut J. , Noben Jean-Paul , Dal Bello Fabio , van Sinderen Douwe 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT

In this study, three phages infecting
Lactobacillus delbrueckii
subsp.
bulgaricus
, named Ld3, Ld17, and Ld25A, were isolated from whey samples obtained from various industrial fermentations. These phages were further characterized in a multifaceted approach: (i) biological and physical characterization through host range analysis and electron microscopy; (ii) genetic assessment through genome analysis; (iii) mass spectrometry analysis of the structural components of the phages; and (iv), for one phage, transcriptional analysis by Northern hybridization, reverse transcription-PCR, and primer extension. The three obtained phage genomes display high levels of sequence identity to each other and to genomes of the so-called group b
L. delbrueckii
phages c5, LL-Ku, and phiLdb, where some of the observed differences are believed to be responsible for host range variations.
rBCG30-Induced Immunity and Cross-Protection against Mycobacterium leprae Challenge Are Enhanced by Boosting with the Mycobacterium tuberculosis 30-Kilodalton Antigen 85B
Authors: Gillis Thomas P. , Tullius Michael V. , Horwitz Marcus A. 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACTLeprosy remains a major global health problem and typically occurs in regions in which tuberculosis is endemic. Vaccines are needed that protect against both infections and do so better than the suboptimalMycobacterium bovisBCG vaccine. Here, we evaluated rBCG30, a vaccine previously demonstrated to induce protection superior to that of BCG againstMycobacterium tuberculosisandMycobacterium bovischallenge in animal models, for efficacy againstMycobacterium lepraechallenge in a murine model of leprosy. rBCG30 overexpresses theM. tuberculosis30-kDa major secretory protein antigen 85B, which is 85% homologous with theM. lepraehomolog (r30ML). Mice were sham immunized or immunized intradermally with BCG or rBCG30 and challenged 2.5 months later by injection of viableM. lepraeinto each hind footpad. After 7 months, vaccine efficacy was assessed by enumerating theM. lepraebacteria per footpad. Both BCG and rBCG30 induced significant protection againstM. lepraechallenge. In the one experiment in which a comparison between BCG and rBCG30 was feasible, rBCG30 induced significantly greater protection than did BCG. Immunization of mice with purifiedM. tuberculosisorM. lepraeantigen 85B also induced protection againstM. lepraechallenge but less so than BCG or rBCG30. Notably, boosting rBCG30 withM. tuberculosisantigen 85B significantly enhanced r30ML-specific immune responses, substantially more so than boosting BCG, and significantly augmented protection againstM. lepraechallenge. Thus, rBCG30, a vaccine that induces improved protection againstM. tuberculosis, induces cross-protection againstM. lepraethat is comparable or potentially superior to that induced by BCG, and boosting rBCG30 with antigen 85B further enhances immune responses and protective efficacy.
European Working Time Directive and doctors’ health: a systematic review of the available epidemiological evidence
Authors: Rodriguez-Jareño Maria Cruz , Demou Evangelia , Vargas-Prada Sergio , Sanati Kaveh A , Škerjanc Alenka , Reis Pedro G , Helimäki-Aro Ritva , Macdonald Ewan B , Serra Consol 
Published: July 2014

ObjectiveTo summarise the available scientific evidence on the health effects of exposure to working beyond the limit number of hours established by the European Working Time Directive (EWTD) on physicians.DesignA systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed and EMBASE. Study selection, quality appraisal and data extraction were carried out by independent pairs of researchers using pre-established criteria.SettingPhysicians of any medical, surgical or community specialty, working in any possible setting (hospitals, primary healthcare, etc), as well as trainees, residents, junior house officers or postgraduate interns, were included.ParticipantsThe total number of participants was 14 338.Primary and secondary outcome measuresHealth effects classified under the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10).ResultsOver 3000 citations and 110 full articles were reviewed. From these, 11 studies of high or intermediate quality carried out in North America, Europe and Japan met the inclusion criteria. Six studies included medical residents, junior doctors or house officers and the five others included medical specialists or consultants, medical, dental, and general practitioners and hospital physicians. Evidence of an association was found between percutaneous injuries and road traffic accidents with extended long working hours (LWH)/days or very LWH/weeks. The evidence was insufficient for mood disorders and general health. No studies on other health outcomes were identified.ConclusionsLWH could increase the risk of percutaneous injuries and road traffic accidents, and possibly other incidents at work through the same pathway. While associations are clear, the existing evidence does not allow for an established causal or ‘dose–response’ relationship between LWH and incidents at work, or for a threshold number of extended hours above which there is a significantly higher risk and the hours physicians could work and remain safe and healthy. Policymakers should consider safety issues when working on relaxing EWTD for doctors.
Emergency department noise: mental activation or mental stress?
Authors: Folscher Lindy-Lee , Goldstein Lara Nicole , Wells Mike , Rees David 
Published: July 2014

BackgroundHealthcare professionals working in emergency medicine are often exposed to noisy environments. We determined if there is any difference in cognitive task performance required for clinical decision-making of healthcare professionals in a quiet compared with noisy environment and to assess the subjective experience of participants with regard to performance in a noisy environment.MethodsThis was a prospective cross-over study conducted at three academic hospitals in Johannesburg, South Africa. 41 doctors involved in the emergency management of patients were administered six matched and prevalidated medical questions over a 30-min period. Each doctor completed half of the questions with exposure to ambient noise (range 40–52 dB(A)) and the other half with exposure to pre-recorded background emergency department noise at 80–85 dB(A). The questions were completed in alternating quiet and noise: half of the physicians answered the odd questions in noise and half answered even numbered questions in noise. Each question was scored out of 10 and the time taken to complete each question was recorded.ResultsOverall median test scores in quiet and noise were 18.5/30 and 20/30 (p=0.2), respectively; time for test completion was longer in quiet (836 s in quiet and 819 s in noise (p=0.006)). While there was no statistically significant difference in task performance, 65% of the doctors found the noise distracting with 88% experiencing varying degrees of stress.ConclusionsPerformance of mental tasks is maintained during noise exposure but noise exposure is associated with significant degrees of self-reported distress.
Evidence of Contribution of iPLA2β-Mediated Events During Islet β-Cell Apoptosis Due to Proinflammatory Cytokines Suggests a Role for iPLA2β in T1D Development
Authors: Lei Xiaoyong , Bone Robert N. , Ali Tomader , Zhang Sheng , Bohrer Alan , Tse Hubert M. , Bidasee Keshore R. , Ramanadham Sasanka 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) results from autoimmune destruction of islet β-cells, but the underlying mechanisms that contribute to this process are incompletely understood, especially the role of lipid signals generated by β-cells. Proinflammatory cytokines induce ER stress in β-cells and we previously found that the Ca2+-independent phospholipase A2β (iPLA2β) participates in ER stress-induced β-cell apoptosis. In view of reports of elevated iPLA2β in T1D, we examined if iPLA2β participates in cytokine-mediated islet β-cell apoptosis. We find that the proinflammatory cytokine combination IL-1β+IFNγ, induces: a) ER stress, mSREBP-1, and iPLA2β, b) lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) generation, c) neutral sphingomyelinase-2 (NSMase2), d) ceramide accumulation, e) mitochondrial membrane decompensation, f) caspase-3 activation, and g) β-cell apoptosis. The presence of a sterol regulatory element in the iPLA2β gene raises the possibility that activation of SREBP-1 after proinflammatory cytokine exposure contributes to iPLA2β induction. The IL-1β+IFNγ-induced outcomes (b–g) are all inhibited by iPLA2β inactivation, suggesting that iPLA2β-derived lipid signals contribute to consequential islet β-cell death. Consistent with this possibility, ER stress and β-cell apoptosis induced by proinflammatory cytokines are exacerbated in islets from RIP-iPLA2β-Tg mice and blunted in islets from iPLA2β-KO mice. These observations suggest that iPLA2β-mediated events participate in amplifying β-cell apoptosis due to proinflammatory cytokines and also that iPLA2β activation may have a reciprocal impact on ER stress development. They raise the possibility that iPLA2β inhibition, leading to ameliorations in ER stress, apoptosis, and immune responses resulting from LPC-stimulated immune cell chemotaxis, may be beneficial in preserving β-cell mass and delaying/preventing T1D evolution.
Characterization of Phytoconstituents in Leaf Extracts of Forest Species for Textile Applications
Authors: Vastrad Jyoti V. , Byadgi Shameembanu A. , Goudar Giridhar , Kotur Rajashri 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
Antimicrobial fabric is increasingly used, and could eventually be required, in garments that are in direct contact with the human body, an environment that is ideal for microbial growth. Forest species such as Cassia fistula, Pongamia pinnata, Tectona grandis, and Jatropha curcas represent major groups of antimicrobial agents, which consist of active phytochemical constituents and can be used as antimicrobial agents for applying special finishes on textiles. In the present study, qualitative and quantitative screening of leaf extracts of forest species was carried out. Leaf extracts of C. fistula, P. pinnata, T. grandis, and J. curcas were prepared using solvents, viz., ethanol (70%), methanol (70%), choloroform, and deionized water. Extracts were determined for the presence of phytochemicals. Results of phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, and tannins in all the leaf extracts of selected forest species. However, the saponins were absent in P. pinnata and J. curcas leaf extracts, and terpenoids were absent only in P. pinnata extracts. Further, the total phenolic content (TPC) was evaluated using the Folin-Ciocalteu assay method, whereas total flavonoid content (TFC) was analyzed using the colorimetric method. Methanolic extracts of T. grandis, P. pinnata, and C. fistula exhibited the highest TPC and TFC in the increasing order 143.74, 161.53, and 228.08 mg, and 126.21, 148.33, and 179.1 mg, respectively, while J. curcas exhibited high amounts of TPC and TFC content in ethanolic extract. We therefore conclude that extracts from forest species such as C. fistula, P. pinnata, T. grandis, and J. curcas can be used for applying eco-friendly and healthy finishes to textile substrates.