bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adjunct antibiotic combination therapy for steroid‐refractory or ‐dependent ulcerative colitis: an open‐label multicentre study
Authors: Kato K. , Ohkusa T. , Terao S. , Chiba T. , Murakami K. , Yanaka A. , Uehara T. , Ishii Y. , Soma M. , Tajiri H. 
Published: March 2014

SummaryBackgroundWe previously demonstrated that antibiotic combination therapy is effective for induction and maintenance of ulcerative colitis (UC) remission.AimTo assess whether antibiotic combination therapy is effective for active UC refractory to or dependent on steroids in a multicentre, open‐label trial.MethodsWe enrolled 30 patients with steroid‐refractory and 64 with steroid‐dependent active UC. These patients received three‐times‐daily by mouth amoxicillin 500 mg, tetracycline 500 mg and metronidazole 250 mg, for two weeks, as well as conventional treatment. Symptom assessment and colonoscopic evaluation were performed before enrolment and at 3 and 12 months after treatment completion. Clinical response was defined as a Lichtiger symptom score decrease in ≥3 points and clinical remission as a score ≤4.ResultsNineteen of the 30 steroid‐refractory (63.3%) and 47 of the 64 steroid‐dependent (73.4%) patients showed a clinical response within 2 weeks. At 3 and 12 months, 60% and 66.6% of steroid‐refractory patients, and 56.3% and 51.6% of steroid‐dependent patients, respectively, achieved clinical remission. In the steroid‐dependent group, 39 of the 64 patients (60.9%) were able to stop steroid therapy and remained in remission for 3 months. Three (10%) steroid‐refractory and four (6.3%) steroid‐dependent patients underwent colectomy.ConclusionsThis multicentre, long‐term follow‐up study suggests 2 week antibiotic combination therapy to be effective and safe in patients with active UC refractory to or dependent on steroids.
Segmentation of Trabecular Jaw Bone on Cone Beam CT Datasets
Authors: Nackaerts Olivia , Depypere Maarten , Zhang Guozhi , Vandenberghe Bart , Maes Frederik , Jacobs Reinhilde ,   SEDENTEXCT Consortium
Published: March 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe term bone quality is often used in a dentomaxillofacial context, for example in implant planning, as bone density and bone structure have been linked to primary implant success.PurposeThis research aimed to investigate the performance of adaptive thresholding of trabecular bone in cone beam CT (CBCT) images. The segmentation quality was assessed for different imaging devices and upper and lower jaws.Materials and MethodsFour jaws were scanned with eight CBCT scanners and one micro‐CT device. Images of the jaws were spatially aligned with the micro‐CT images. Two volumes of interest for each jaw were manually delineated. Trabecular bone in the volumes of interest in the micro‐CT images was segmented so that the micro‐CT images could serve as high‐resolution ground truth images. The volumes of interest in the CBCT images were segmented using both global and adaptive thresholding.ResultsSegmentation was significantly better for the lower jaw than for the upper jaw. Differences in performance between the scanners were significant for both jaws. Adaptive thresholding performed significantly better in segmenting the bone structure out of CBCT images.ConclusionsWhen assessing jaw bone structure, the observer should always choose adaptive thresholding. It remains a challenge to identify the optimal threshold selection for the structural assessment of jaw bone.
On the Early Mechanisms of Bone Formation after Maxillary Sinus Membrane Elevation: An Experimental Histological and Immunohistochemical Study
Authors: Jungner Måns , Cricchio Giovanni , Salata Luiz A. , Sennerby Lars , Lundqvist Carina , Hultcrantz Malou , Lundgren Stefan 
Published: March 2014

AbstractBackgroundPrevious studies have shown predictable bone formation in the maxillary sinus after membrane elevation. However, how and where the bone is formed is not well understood.PurposeThe aim of the study was to histologically and immunohistochemically study the early bone formation events in primates after membrane elevation in the maxillary sinus.Materials and MethodsNine adult male tufted capuchin primates (Cebus apella) were included in the study. Eight animals were subjected to bilateral maxillary sinus membrane elevation using a lateral replaceable bone window technique. One oxidized dental implant was placed into the maxillary sinus cavity on both sides. In four animals, one sinus was left without any additional treatment, whereas the contralateral sinus was filled with autologous bone grafts from the tibia. In two animals, the implants were inserted under the elevated sinus membrane on both sides. In two animals, the sinus membrane was totally removed. The animals were euthanized after 10 or 45 days. One nonoperated animal representing pristine tissue conditions served as control. The maxillary sinuses with implants were retrieved and further processed for light microscopic ground sections or decalcified sections for immune‐histochemical analyses.ResultsBone formation started from the bottom of the sinus floor, sprouting into the granulation tissue along the implant surface under the elevated membrane irrespective of time and surgical technique. Bone formation was not seen in direct conjunction with the sinus membrane. A distinct expression of osteopontin was observed in the serous glands of the lamina propria close to the implant within all groups.ConclusionBone formation after sinus membrane elevation with or without additional bone grafts starts at the sinus floor and sprouts into the elevated space along the implant surface. The sinus membrane does not seem to present osteoinductive potential in sinus membrane elevation procedures in this study.
Vocal Activity as a Low Cost and Scalable Index of Seabird Colony Size
Authors: BORKER ABRAHAM L. , MCKOWN MATTHEW W. , ACKERMAN JOSHUA T. , EAGLES‐SMITH COLLIN A. , TERSHY BERNIE R. , CROLL DONALD A. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractAlthough wildlife conservation actions have increased globally in number and complexity, the lack of scalable, cost‐effective monitoring methods limits adaptive management and the evaluation of conservation efficacy. Automated sensors and computer‐aided analyses provide a scalable and increasingly cost‐effective tool for conservation monitoring. A key assumption of automated acoustic monitoring of birds is that measures of acoustic activity at colony sites are correlated with the relative abundance of nesting birds. We tested this assumption for nesting Forster's terns (Sterna forsteri) in San Francisco Bay for 2 breeding seasons. Sensors recorded ambient sound at 7 colonies that had 15–111 nests in 2009 and 2010. Colonies were spaced at least 250 m apart and ranged from 36 to 2,571 m2. We used spectrogram cross‐correlation to automate the detection of tern calls from recordings. We calculated mean seasonal call rate and compared it with mean active nest count at each colony. Acoustic activity explained 71% of the variation in nest abundance between breeding sites and 88% of the change in colony size between years. These results validate a primary assumption of acoustic indices; that is, for terns, acoustic activity is correlated to relative abundance, a fundamental step toward designing rigorous and scalable acoustic monitoring programs to measure the effectiveness of conservation actions for colonial birds and other acoustically active wildlife.La Actividad Vocal como un Índice Escalable y de Bajo Costo del Tamaño de Colonia de las Aves Marinas
Odor memories regulate olfactory receptor expression in the sensory periphery
Authors: Claudianos Charles , Lim Julianne , Young Melanie , Yan Shanzhi , Cristino Alexandre S. , Newcomb Richard D. , Gunasekaran Nivetha , Reinhard Judith 
Published: March 2014

AbstractOdor learning induces structural and functional modifications throughout the olfactory system, but it is currently unknown whether this plasticity extends to the olfactory receptors (Or) in the sensory periphery. Here, we demonstrate that odor learning induces plasticity in olfactory receptor expression in the honeybee, Apis mellifera. Using quantitative RT‐PCR analysis, we show that six putative floral scent receptors were differentially expressed in the bee antennae depending on the scent environment that the bees experienced. Or151, which we characterized using an in vitro cell expression system as a broadly tuned receptor binding floral odorants such as linalool, and Or11, the specific receptor for the queen pheromone 9‐oxo‐decenoic acid, were significantly down‐regulated after honeybees were conditioned with the respective odorants in an olfactory learning paradigm. Electroantennogram recordings showed that the neural response of the antenna was similarly reduced after odor learning. Long‐term odor memory was essential for inducing these changes, suggesting that the molecular mechanisms involved in olfactory memory also regulate olfactory receptor expression. Our study demonstrates for the first time that olfactory receptor expression is experience‐dependent and modulated by scent conditioning, providing novel insight into how molecular regulation at the periphery contributes to plasticity in the olfactory system.
Study of coal gas wettability for CO2 storage and CH4 recovery
Authors: Saghafi A. , Javanmard H. , Pinetown K. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractTo quantify and rank gas wettability of coal as a key parameter affecting the extent of CO2 sequestration in coal and CH4 recovery from coal, we developed a contact angle measuring system based on a captive gas bubble technique. We used this system to study the gas wetting properties of an Australian coal from the Sydney Basin. Gas bubbles were generated and captivated beneath a coal sample within a distilled water‐filled (pH 5.7) pressurised cell. Because of the use of distilled water, and the continuous dissolution and shrinkage of the gas bubble in water during measurement, the contact angles measured correspond to a ‘transient receding’ contact angle. To take into account the mixed‐gas nature (CO2, CH4, and to a lesser extent N2) of coal seam gas in the basin, we evaluated the relative wettability of coal by CH4, CO2 and N2 gases in the presence of water. Measurements were taken at various pressures of up to 15 MPa for CH4 and N2, and up to 6 MPa for CO2 at a constant temperature of 22°C. Overall, our results show that CO2 wets coal more extensively than CH4, which in turn wets coal slightly more than N2. Moreover, the contact angle reduces as the pressure increases, and becomes < 90° at various pressures depending on the gas type. In other words, all three gases wet coal better than water under sufficiently high pressure.
The Ripples of Death: Exploring the Bereavement Experiences and Mental Health of Young Men in Custody
Authors: Vaswani Nina 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThe study explored the prevalence and nature of bereavement among 33 young men who had been sentenced to a young offender institution. A bereavement had been experienced by 91% of the sample, and the rates of traumatic and multiple deaths were high. Young men who had experienced more ‘difficult’ bereavements scored higher on the mental health screen than those who had not, with the exception of the loss of a parent/main carer. Differences did not reach statistical significance. Semi‐structured interviews were also undertaken with a subsample in order to describe young men's bereavement experiences from their own perspective.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Microstructure of ZrC/SiC Composite Ceramics via Liquid Precursor Conversion Method
Authors: Liu Dan , Qiu Wen‐Feng , Cai Tao , Sun Ya‐nan , Zhao Ai‐Jun , Zhao Tong 
Published: March 2014

The ceramic precursor for ZrC/SiC was prepared via solution‐based processing using polyzirconoxane, polycarbosilane, and divinylbenzene. The precursor could be transformed into ZrC/SiC ceramic powders at relative low temperature (1500°C). The cross‐linking process of precursor was studied by FT–IR. The conversion from precursor into ceramic was investigated by TGA, XRD. The ceramic compositions and microstructures were identified by element analysis, Raman spectra, SEM, and corresponding EDS. The results indicated that the ceramic samples remained amorphous below 1000°C and t–ZrO2 initially generated at 1200°C. Further heating to 1400°C led to the formation of ZrC and SiC with the phase transformation of ZrO2 and almost pure ZrC/SiC could be obtained upon heat‐treatment at 1500°C. During heat treatments, the ceramic sample changed from compact to porous due to carbothermal reduction. The ceramic powders with particle size of 100 nm~400 nm consisted of high crystalline degree ZrC and SiC phases, and Zr, Si, C were well distributed at the different sites in ceramic powders. The free carbon content was lowered to 1.60 wt% in final ZrC/SiC composite ceramics.
Exploring Biotic Interactions Within Protist Cell Populations Using Network Methods
Authors: Cheng Shu , Price Dana C. , Karkar Slim , Bhattacharya Debashish 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThe study of diseased human cells and of cells isolated from the natural environment will likely be revolutionized by single cell genomics (SCG). Here, we used protein similarity networks to explore within‐ and between‐cell DNA differences from SCG data derived from six individual rhizarian cells related to Paulinella ovalis and proteins from the complete genome of another rhizarian, Bigelowiella natans. We identified shared and distinct DNA components within our SCG data and between P. ovalis and B. natans. We show that network properties such as assortativity and degree effectively discriminate genome features between SCG assemblies and that SCG data follow the power law with a small number of protein families dominating networks.
Antimicrobial Effects of Four Lactobacilli Strains Isolated from Yoghurt against Escherichia Coli O157:H7
Authors: Imani Fooladi Abbas Ali , Chavoshi Forooshai Maryam , Saffarian Parvaneh , Mehrab Rezvan 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThis study aimed to isolate Lactobacillus species from yoghurt and to evaluate its antimicrobial activity against enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7. After incubation of different yoghurt samples in MRS (de Man, Rogosa and Sharpe) agar at 37C under anaerobic conditions, four Lactobacillus species, L. casei, L. acidophilus, L. helveticus and L. delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus were identified. Standard growth curves of E. coli O157:H7 in proximity with lactobacilli test strains were obtained. The antibacterial effects of lactobacilli cell debris and culture supernatant against E. coli O157:H7 were determined. The results showed that the antibacterial effects of culture supernatant were stable at different temperature conditions (56–100C) for 30 and 60 min; also, it was stable at pH 3–10. With regard to the antibacterial effect of the lactobacilli strains in this study, they may help in the treatment of E. coli O157:H7‐associated diseases and can be applied as a biological preservative in the food industry.Practical ApplicationsIn recent years, foodborne diseases become a health problem in most of the population. One of the most important etiologic agents of such diseases is Escherichia coli O157:H7, which can be transmitted through eating undercooked infected meat and leads to hemorrhagic diarrhea and kidney failure. There is increasing evidence that lactobacilli bacteria produce potential agents (H2O2, small organic compounds, lactic acid, etc.) that can inhibit growths of some invasive foodborne bacteria, such as enterohemorrhagic E. coli. The results of this study also confirmed these reports and showed that the use of lactobacilli bacteria is a promising way to prevent the infection of E. coli O157:H7; also, they can be used as a biological preservative in the food industry.
Evolving endoscopic surgery
Authors: Sakai Paulo , Faintuch Joel 
Published: March 2014

AbstractSince the days of Albukasim in medieval Spain, natural orifices have been regarded not only as a rather repugnant source of bodily odors, fluids and excreta, but also as a convenient invitation to explore and treat the inner passages of the organism. However, surgical ingenuity needed to be matched by appropriate tools and devices. Lack of technologically advanced instrumentation was a strong deterrent during almost a millennium until recent decades when a quantum jump materialized. Endoscopic surgery is currently a vibrant and growing subspecialty, which successfully handles millions of patients every year. Additional opportunities lie ahead which might benefit millions more, however, requiring even more sophisticated apparatuses, particularly in the field of robotics, artificial intelligence, and tissue repair (surgical suturing). This is a particularly exciting and worthwhile challenge, namely of larger and safer endoscopic interventions, followed by seamless and scarless recovery. In synthesis, the future is widely open for those who use together intelligence and creativity to develop new prototypes, new accessories and new techniques. Yet there are many challenges in the path of endoscopic surgery. In this new era of robotic endoscopy, one will likely need a virtual simulator to train and assess the performance of younger doctors. More evidence will be essential in multiple evolving fields, particularly to elucidate whether more ambitious and complex pathways, such as intrathoracic and intraperitoneal surgery via natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES), are superior or not to conventional techniques.
Ulinastatin activates the renin–angiotensin system to ameliorate the pathophysiology of severe acute pancreatitis
Authors: Liu Ruixia , Qi Haiyu , Wang Jing , Wang Yan , Cui Lijian , Wen Yan , Yin Chenghong 
Published: March 2014

AbstractBackground and AimUlinastatin is a drug used effectively to alleviate symptoms and improve the pathophysiology of various types of pancreatitis. However, the molecular mechanism responsible for its action remains unknown. Therefore, we further explore the therapeutic effects of ulinastatin and investigate possible molecular pathways modulated by this drug in the development of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).MethodsSAP mouse model was created by administering intraperitoneal injections of cerulein and lipopolysaccharide. Pancreatic injury was assessed by performing biochemical and histological assays and by measuring the inflammatory response of the pancreas. Specifically, we examined changes in the expression of components of the rennin–angiotensin system (RAS), including angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE)‐angiotensin II (Ang II)‐angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT‐1R), and ACE2‐Ang‐(1–7)–Mas receptor.ResultsWhen SAP mouse models were treated with ulinastatin at a dosage of 50 000 U/kg body weight, we found, through biochemical and histopathological analyses, that the pancreatic injury was significantly ameliorated. Administration of ulinastatin to SAP mice led to increased expression of ACE2, Ang‐(1–7), and Mas receptor, decreased expression of serum Ang II and pancreatic AT‐1R, and no alterations in the expression of pancreatic ACE and Ang II when compared to cerulein‐treated control group that did not receive ulinastatin.ConclusionsThis study shows that ulinastatin has differential effects on the two axes of the RAS during SAP. Our results further suggest that upregulation of components of the ACE2‐Ang‐(1–7)–Mas pathway might be an important mechanism contributing to the therapeutic role of ulinastatin in alleviating pancreatitis‐associated symptoms.
Child Aggression as a Source and a Consequence of Parenting Stress: A Three‐Wave Longitudinal Study
Authors: Krahé Barbara , Bondü Rebecca , Höse Anna , Esser Günter 
Published: March 2014

This longitudinal study examined the links between child aggression and parenting stress over 4 years. Child aggression was hypothesized to contribute to parenting stress, which should increase aggression. Parents and teachers of 239 German children aged between 6 and 15 years completed measures of child aggression at Time 1 and Time 3, complemented by children's self‐reports of aggression at Time 3. Parents rated their child‐focused and parent‐focused stress at an intermediate measurement Time 2. Child‐focused stress mediated the path from Time 1 to Time 3 aggression in boys and girls, whereas parent‐focused stress was unrelated to Time 3 aggression. The findings help to understand the continuity of aggressive behavior in childhood and adolescence and highlight the need to intervene early with families susceptible to parenting stress.
Corporate Demand for Insurance: New Evidence From the U.S. Terrorism and Property Markets
Authors: Michel‐Kerjan Erwann , Raschky Paul , Kunreuther Howard 
Published: March 2014

AbstractSince the passage of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002, corporate terrorism insurance is sold as a separate policy from commercial property coverage. In this article, we determine whether companies differ in their demand for property and terrorism insurance. Using a unique data set of insurance policies purchased by large U.S. firms, combined with financial information of the corporate clients and of the insurance provider, we apply a two‐stage least squares approach to obtain consistent estimates of premium elasticity of corporate demand for property and terrorism coverage. Our findings suggest that both are rather price inelastic and that corporate demand for terrorism insurance is significantly more price inelastic than demand for property insurance. We further find a negative relation between the solvency ratios of both property and terrorism risk coverage, with a stronger effect on the latter, indicating that companies use their ability to self‐insure as a substitute for market insurance. Our results are robust to the application of alternative estimators as well as changes in the econometric specifications.
Protective effect of the edible brown alga Ecklonia stolonifera on doxorubicin-induced hepatotoxicity in primary rat hepatocytes
Authors: Jung Hyun Ah , Kim Jae-I , Choung Se Young , Choi Jae Sue 
Published: March 2014

Abstract

Objectives
As part of our efforts to isolate anti-hepatotoxic agents from marine natural products, we screened the ability of 14 edible varieties of Korean seaweed to protect against doxorubicin-induced hepatotoxicity in primary rat hepatocytes.

Methods
Among the crude extracts of two Chlorophyta (Codium fragile and Capsosiphon fulvescens), seven Phaeophyta (Undaria pinnatifida, Sargassum thunbergii, Pelvetia siliquosa, Ishige okamurae, Ecklonia cava, Ecklonia stolonifera and Eisenia bicyclis), five Rhodophyta (Chondrus ocellatus, Gelidium amansii, Gracilaria verrucosa, Symphycladia latiuscula and Porphyra tenera), and the extracts of Ecklonia stolonifera, Ecklonia cava, Eisenia bicyclis and Pelvetia siliquosa exhibited significant protective effects on doxorubicin-induced hepatotoxicity, with half maximal effective concentration (EC50) values of 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 and 15.0 μg/ml, respectively.

Key findings
Since Ecklonia stolonifera exhibits a significant protective potential and is frequently used as foodstuff, we isolated six phlorotannins, including phloroglucinol (1), dioxinodehydroeckol (2), eckol (3), phlorofucofuroeckol A (4), dieckol (5) and triphloroethol-A (6). Phlorotannins 2 ∼ 6 exhibited potential protective effects on doxorubicin-induced hepatotoxicity, with corresponding EC50 values of 3.4, 8.3, 4.4, 5.5 and 11.5 μg/ml, respectively.

Conclusion
The results clearly demonstrated that the anti-hepatotoxic effects of Ecklonia stolonifera and its isolated phlorotannins are useful for further exploration and development of therapeutic modalities for treatment of hepatotoxicity.