bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antibiotic Treatment in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain and Vertebral Bone Edema, a Double-Blind RCT of Efficacy
Authors: Albert Hanne B. , Sorensen Joan Solgaard 
Published: May 2014

Background Modic type 1 changes (bone edema) in the vertebrae are present in 6% of the general population and in 35 to 40% of the low back pain population. It is strongly associated with low back pain (LBP). The aim was to test the efficacy of antibiotic treatment in patients with chronic LBP (> 6 months) and Modic type 1 changes (bone edema). Methods The study was a double-blind RCT with 162 patients whose only known illness was chronic LBP of greater than 6 months duration occurring after a previous disc herniation and who also had bone edema demonstrated as Modic type 1 changes in the vertebrae adjacent to the previous herniation. Patients were randomized to either 100 days of antibiotic treatment or placebo and were blindly evaluated at baseline; end of treatment and at 1-year follow-up. As primary outcome measures were disease-specific disability and lumbar pain. Secondary outcome leg pain, number of hours with pain last 4 weeks, global perceived health, EQ-5D thermometer, days with sick leave, bothersomeness, and constant pain. Results Of the 162 original patients, 144 were evaluated at 1-year follow-up. The two groups were similar at baseline. The antibiotic group improved highly statistically significant on all outcome measures and improvement progressed from 100 days follow-up until 1-year follow-up. At baseline, 100 days follow-up, and 1-year follow-up the disease-specific disability RMDQ changed; antibiotic 15, 11, 5.7, placebo 15, 14, 14. Leg pain; antibiotics 5.3, 3.0, 1.4, placebo 4.0, 4.3, 4.3. Lumbar pain; antibiotics 6.7, 5.0, 3.7, placebo 6.3, 6.3, 6.3 For the outcome measures, where a clinically important effect size was defined, improvements exceeded the thresholds, and a trend toward a dose-response relationship with double dose antibiotics being more efficacious. Conclusions The antibiotic protocol in this study was significantly more effective for this group of patients, (CLBP associated with Modic type I), than placebo in all the primary and secondary outcomes. Disclosure of Interest None declared
Cervical Disc Arthroplasty and Adjacent Segment Pathology
Authors: Riew K. Daniel 
Published: May 2014

The advantages of arthroplasty include maintenance of motion, avoiding nonunions, and avoiding plate and screw complications such as backout, esophageal erosion, and periplate ossification. Thus far, the purported long-term benefit of reducing the incidence of adjacent segment pathology has not been born out in FDA-IDE trials reporting on up to 5-year results. Only one disc showed a difference. There is, however, some unpublished data that suggests that at > 5 years, another arthroplasty has benefits over ACDF. In this study, I will review the available data. Disclosure of Interest None declared
Principles and Mechanical Requirements of Nucleus Implants
Authors: Wilke Hans-Joachim 
Published: May 2014

Nonfusion technologies in spinal surgery are continuously gaining popularity. New ideas are constantly being developed and turned into new products. Each idea has its own philosophy with the principle goal to maintain the motion in the treated segment. In contrast to total disc implants, nucleus implants are designed to preserve as many existing anatomical structures as possible, which include the annulus, the end plates of the vertebral bodies, and the ligaments. In theory, an optimum nucleus replacement should restore the mobility and reestablish the intact disc height, thereby restoring the nominal stresses and strains of the collagen fibers in the annulus. This seems to be a superior situation when compared with a disc left without augmentation following a discectomy. The origin of the idea to replace the nucleus goes back to the 1950s. The first idea was to fill the nuclear cavity with polymethyl methacrylate or silicon. The first mechanical nucleus implant was suggested in 1966 by Fernstrom, who implanted a stainless steel ball as a spacer into the disc. Since that time, a variety of solutions to replace the nucleus have been developed. These different ideas can be classified into three categories mechanical nucleus devices, polymer implants, and tissue-engineered nucleus implants. Like other implants, nucleus implants have to fulfill many mechanical and biomechanical requirements. Therefore, before being put into clinical practice, nucleus implants should be tested mechanically in static and dynamic tests. Aside from the mechanical challenges presented to the implant, the implant must reestablish the physiological biomechanics of a spinal segment. Therefore, biomechanical tests with the devices implanted into cadaveric specimens with respect to the surgical approaches for implantation should also be investigated in functional in vitro flexibility tests. Despite the evaluation and subsequent use of several of these implants in patients, some of them have not performed successfully enough to survive on the market. Depending on the type of device, expulsion or subsidence of the implant has been identified as a problem. Therefore, it became clear that aggressive testing is warranted. During in vitro testing, they can be subjected to complex cyclic loading with up to 100,000 load cycles. Some of the identified problems can be provoked with such in vitro tests and strategies developed to address the aforementioned issues. However, the ultimate arbiter of the implant's utility is not the biomechanical data, but rather it is still the clinical outcome. Disclosure of Interest None declared
Chinese Massage and acupuncture for Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Li Xiaoqun , Yang Feng , Zan Qiang , Xiaolingwang  , Wang Lei , Zhu Fengfeng 
Published: May 2014

Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is an increasing health problem. The object of the randomized controlled trial was designed to investigate the effects of Chinese massage and acupuncture for LDH. A total of 110 patients with LDH were randomly assigned to experimental group with Chinese massage and acupuncture or control group with intermediate frequency electric pulse therapy. The primary outcome was pain by the visual analog scale of pain (VASP). The secondary outcome was LDH severity by Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) Score and the quality of life (QL) evaluated by the SF-36 Questionnaire. The outcomes have been assessed at baseline, 3 weeks and 3 months. The results indicated that the experimental group experienced significant reduction in VASP compared with control group ( p < 0.001). The reduction in pain was significantly greater; as for the JOA Score and QL, the experimental group was effective after the interventions and in the follow-up assessment ( p < 0.001). These findings suggest that Chinese massage and acupuncture may be a beneficial complementary and alternative therapy for LDH. Disclosure of Interest None declared
A theoretical analysis of how strain-specific viruses can control microbial species diversity
Authors: Thingstad T. Frede , Våge Selina , Storesund Julia E. , Sandaa Ruth-Anne , Giske Jarl 
Published: May 2014

Significance
This work presents the first detailed analysis to the authors’ knowledge of how species-level diversity is a property emerging from competitive and defensive abilities at the organism level in a microbial system where the diversity-generating mechanism is strain-specific viral lysis. The theoretical analysis constitutes a general case treatment of the important special case question of what properties may make SAR11, a subphylum within the Alphaproteobacteria, so dominant in the pelagic environment. The resulting conceptual framework connects differences in the molecular defense mechanism to ecosystem-level properties such as diversity and activity. It also suggests a reinterpretation of the concept of dormancy in aquatic microbial communities.
Blended particle filters for large-dimensional chaotic dynamical systems
Authors: Majda Andrew J. , Qi Di , Sapsis Themistoklis P. 
Published: May 2014

Significance
Combining large uncertain computational models with big noisy datasets is a formidable problem throughout science and engineering. These are especially difficult issues when real-time state estimation and prediction are needed such as, for example, in weather forecasting. Thus, a major challenge in contemporary data science is the development of statistically accurate particle filters to capture non-Gaussian features in large-dimensional chaotic dynamical systems. New blended particle filters are developed in this paper. These algorithms exploit the physical structure of turbulent dynamical systems and capture non-Gaussian features in an adaptively evolving low-dimensional subspace through particles interacting with evolving Gaussian statistics on the remaining portion of the phase space.
PLAAC: a web and command-line application to identify proteins with prion-like amino acid composition
Authors: Lancaster Alex K. , Nutter-Upham Andrew , Lindquist Susan , King Oliver D. 
Published: May 2014

Summary: Prions are self-templating protein aggregates that stably perpetuate distinct biological states and are of keen interest to researchers in both evolutionary and biomedical science. The best understood prions are from yeast and have a prion-forming domain with strongly biased amino acid composition, most notably enriched for Q or N. PLAAC is a web application that scans protein sequences for domains with prion-like amino acid composition. Users can upload sequence files, or paste sequences directly into a textbox. PLAAC ranks the input sequences by several summary scores and allows scores along sequences to be visualized. Text output files can be downloaded for further analyses, and visualizations saved in PDF and PNG formats.
Availability and implementation: http://plaac.wi.mit.edu/. The Ruby-based web framework and the command-line software (implemented in Java, with visualization routines in R) are available at http://github.com/whitehead/plaac under the MIT license. All software can be run under OS X, Windows and Unix.
Contact: oliver.king@umassmed.edu or lindquist_admin@wi.mit.edu
HD-Zip Proteins GL2 and HDG11 Have Redundant Functions in Arabidopsis Trichomes, and GL2 Activates a Positive Feedback Loop via MYB23
Authors: Khosla Aashima , Paper Janet M. , Boehler Allison P. , Bradley Amanda M. , Neumann Titus R. , Schrick Kathrin 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
The class IV homeodomain leucine zipper transcription factor GLABRA2 (GL2) acts in a complex regulatory circuit that regulates the differentiation of trichomes in Arabidopsis thaliana. We describe a genetic interaction with HOMEODOMAIN GLABROUS11 (HDG11), previously identified as a negative regulator of trichome branching. gl2 hdg11 double mutants display enhanced trichome cell-type differentiation defects. Transgenic expression of HDG11 using the GL2 promoter partially suppresses gl2 trichome phenotypes. Vice versa, expression of GL2 under the control of its native promoter partially complements hdg11 ectopic branching. Since gl2 hdg11 and gl2 myb23 double mutants and the triple mutant display similar trichome differentiation defects, we investigated a connection to the R2R3-MYB transcription factor MYB23. We show that MYB23 transcript levels are significantly reduced in shoots from gl2 mutants and that GL2 can drive the expression of a MYB23-promoter fusion to green fluorescent protein. Yeast one-hybrid, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and in planta reporter gene experiments indicate that an L1-box in the MYB23 promoter acts as a GL2 binding site. Taken together, our findings reveal a functional redundancy between GL2 and HDG11, two homeodomain leucine zipper transcription factors previously thought to mediate opposing functions in trichome morphogenesis. A model is proposed in which GL2 transcript levels are maintained through a positive feedback loop involving GL2 activation of MYB23.
The Novel Nuclear Envelope Protein KAKU4 Modulates Nuclear Morphology inArabidopsis
Authors: Goto Chieko , Tamura Kentaro , Fukao Yoichiro , Shimada Tomoo , Hara-Nishimura Ikuko 
Published: May 2014

AbstractIn animals, the nuclear lamina is a fibrillar meshwork on the inner surface of the nuclear envelope, composed of coiled-coil lamin proteins and lamin binding membrane proteins. Plants also have a meshwork on the inner surface of the nuclear envelope, but little is known about its composition other than the presence of members of the CROWDED NUCLEI (CRWN) protein family, possible plant lamin analogs. Here, we describe a candidate lamina component, based on two Arabidopsis thaliana mutants (kaku2 and kaku4) with aberrant nuclear morphology. The responsible gene in kaku2 encodes CRWN1, and the responsible gene in kaku4 encodes a plant-specific protein of unknown function (KAKU4) that physically interacts with CRWN1 and its homolog CRWN4. Immunogold labeling revealed that KAKU4 localizes at the inner nuclear membrane. KAKU4 deforms the nuclear envelope in a dose-dependent manner, in association with nuclear membrane invagination and stack formation. The KAKU4-dependent nuclear envelope deformation was enhanced by overaccumulation of CRWN1, although KAKU4 can deform the nuclear envelope even in the absence of CRWN1 and/or CRWN4. Together, these results suggest that plants have evolved a unique lamina-like structure to modulate nuclear shape and size.
Modelling environmental and socio‐economic trade‐offs associated with land‐sparing and land‐sharing approaches to oil palm expansion
Authors: Lee Janice Ser Huay , Garcia‐Ulloa John , Ghazoul Jaboury , Obidzinski Krystof , Koh Lian Pin 
Published: May 2014

Summary

The effectiveness of land‐sharing and land‐sparing approaches has been widely debated. Yet, few studies quantify the environmental and socio‐economic outcomes of these approaches within a real‐world landscape. Indonesia's plans to increase its palm oil production present an opportunity to investigate the potential environmental and socio‐economic implications of the land‐sharing and sparing approaches.

We developed a computer model to simulate the expansion of oil palm agriculture in Sumatra, Indonesia, under four different scenarios distinguishable by the dominance of scheme smallholders or industrial estates: business‐as‐usual, BAU (25 : 75, scheme smallholders:industrial estates); high‐yielding industry dominated, ESTATE (10 : 90); low‐yielding smallholder dominated, SMALLHOLDER (40 : 60), high‐yielding smallholder dominated, HYBRID (40 : 60; but with improved smallholder yields).

Our results reveal several trade‐offs associated with varying the proportion of scheme smallholders and productivity of oil palm plantations. The ESTATE scenario (reflecting land‐sparing) resulted in lowest environmental costs in terms of forest conversion, greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity losses and nitrogen fertilizer usage. Additionally, infrastructural development and tax revenues were highest under the land‐sparing approach, though fewer jobs were created. The SMALLHOLDER scenario (indicating land‐sharing) resulted in highest environmental costs in terms of forest conversion, carbon dioxide emissions and biodiversity losses but involved more households in oil palm agriculture and thus created more employment opportunities. The HYBRID scenario ranked second best in terms of both minimizing forest loss and job creation. However, the drawbacks of this approach included high nitrogen fertilizer consumption, lower infrastructural development and lower tax revenues.

Synthesis and applications. From an environmental perspective, it is far more important to implement spatial restrictions on oil palm expansion over forests since increasing the productivity of smallholdings and industrial estates among the four scenarios examined show minimal differences to biodiversity loss and greenhouse gas emissions. The hybrid approach shows that increasing the proportion of scheme smallholders need not come at a great environmental cost for achieving Indonesia's palm oil production target. From a policy perspective, this hybrid approach requires a change in legislation to increase the minimum land area an industrial estate owner must allocate to scheme smallholders (40%), as well as increased support to improve productivity in oil palm smallholdings.
Implementing person‐environment approaches to prevent falls: A qualitative inquiry in applying the Westmead approach to occupational therapy home visits
Authors: Clemson Lindy , Donaldson Alex , Hill Keith , Day Lesley 
Published: May 2014

Background/aimsDespite evidence of the effectiveness of home safety interventions for preventing falls, there is limited uptake of such interventions within community services. Therefore, as part of a broader translational project, we explored issues underlying the implementation of an evidence‐based home safety fall prevention intervention.MethodWe conducted in‐depth interviews with eight occupational therapists and two programme coordinators engaged to deliver a home safety fall prevention intervention. Six community health centres within two metropolitan regions of Melbourne, Australia participated. The RE‐AIM framework and Diffusion of Innovations theory underpinned the interviews which examine the enablers and barriers to implementing a home safety fall prevention intervention and integrating it into routine community preventive practice. Analysis involved thematic and content analysis.ResultsInvestment in the home safety for fall prevention intervention was supported and valued by coordinators and therapists alike, and a number of themes emerged which influenced implementation of this intervention. These included issues of: compatibility with organisational processes, individual practitioner practices and skills, a prevention approach, and client expectations; relative advantage in terms of flexibility of the process, client engagement and regional capacity building; complexity of implementing the intervention; and observability related to the invisible nature of fall prevention outcomes.ConclusionImplementation of this home safety fall prevention intervention was influenced by a range of interrelated organisational, practitioner and client related factors. The findings from this project provide insights into, and opportunities to increase the sustainable implementation of the home safety fall prevention intervention into practice.
Effects of eNOS rs1799983 and ACE rs4646994 polymorphisms on the therapeutic efficacy of salvianolate injection in Chinese patients with coronary heart disease
Authors: Fang Chao , Ren Xian , Zhou Huan , Gong Zhi‐Cheng , Shen Li , Bai Jing , Yin Ji‐Ye , Qu Jian , Li Xiang‐Ping , Zhou Hong‐Hao , Liu Zhao‐Qian 
Published: May 2014

SummaryThe purpose of the present study was to clarify the association of eNOS 894G/T and ACE I/D genetic polymorphisms with the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) and to explore the effects of these polymorphisms on the therapeutic efficacy of salvianolate injection in Chinese CHD patients. In all, 153 CHD patients and 198 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. We collected 5 mL peripheral blood for DNA extraction. Genetic diagnosis of eNOS 894G/T was determined by direct sequencing. Polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis was used to detect ACE I/D genotypes. We observed significant differences in the frequency distribution of eNOS and ACE polymorphisms between CHD patients and healthy controls (P < 0.05). Binary logistic regression stepwise analysis revealed that the genotypes had an additive and dominant effect on patients' therapeutic responses (P < 0.05). These data suggest that the genetic polymorphisms of ACE I/D and eNOS 894G/T probably play a role in the development of CHD and these genetic polymorphisms may affect the response to salvianolate injection in Chinese CHD patients.
The novel role and underlying mechanism of Wnt5a in regulating cellular cholesterol accumulation
Authors: Qin Li , Hu Rong , Zhu Neng , Yao Hai‐Lun , Lei Xiao‐Yong , Li Shun‐Xiang , Liao Duan‐Fang , Zheng Xi‐Long 
Published: May 2014

SummaryCholesterol accumulation is a critical step during the development and progression of atherosclerosis. Recently, Wnt5a expression has been found to be markedly upregulated in both murine and human atherosclerotic lesions. However, the effect and mechanism of Wnt5a in atherosclerosis is poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated the effects and potential mechanisms of Wnt5a on cholesterol accumulation during atherosclerosis. We used RAW264.7 and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) treated with oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (oxLDL) as lipid‐loaded cell models. We found that expression of Wnt5a protein was increased in a concentration (25, 50, 75 and 100 μg/mL)‐ and time (24, 48 and 72 h)‐dependent manner by oxLDL treatment. To explore the underlying mechanism, we used Wnt5a short interference (si) RNA to knockdown Wnt5a expression in both RAW264.7 cells and VSMC, or applied recombinant Wnt5a (rWnt5a) to stimulate Wnt5a signalling. After Wnt5a knockdown, total cholesterol (TC) and free cholesterol (FC) content in both cell types increased significantly (P < 0.05) upon exposure to oxLDL. Conversely, the TC and FC content decreased markedly (P < 0.05) after treatment of cells with rWnt5a. More importantly, both protein and mRNA expression of Caveolin‐1 and ATP‐binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) was significantly reduced after exposure of wnt5a siRNA‐treated cells to oxLDL, whereas rWnt5a treatment of cells resulted in increased Caveolin‐1 and ABCA1 protein expression after exposure of cells to oxLDL. Together, these findings demonstrate, for the first time, that Wnt5a reduces the accumulation of cholesterol in lipid‐loaded cells by regulating the mRNA expression of Caveolin‐1 and ABCA1, which are involved in reverse cholesterol transport. This may present a novel mechanism of Wnt5a‐mediated cholesterol transportation in macrophages and VSMC. Therefore, targeting the Wnt5a signalling pathway may have clinical implications in atherosclerosis.