bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nutritional and physical properties of organic Beauregard sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas (L.)] as influenced by broiler litter application rate
Authors: Gichuhi Peter N. , Kpomblekou‐A Kokoasse , Bovell‐Benjamin Adelia C. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractOrganic farming has been on an upward trend in recent years. However, the manures used like broiler litter have variable nutrient content, making it important to establish optimal application rate, for maximum crop yield and quality. Additionally, some states like Alabama restricts the amount of broiler litter to control excessive nutrients accumulation which can lead to surface and ground water contamination. The current study evaluated the effect of broiler litter at rates 0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 t ha−1 (treatments T0, T0.5, T1, T2, and T3), on the nutritional and physical properties of Beauregard sweet potato. Analyses were performed to determine moisture, ash, fiber, vitamin C, and β‐carotene contents using oven, muffler furnace, dye, and spectrophotometric methods; texture; and color using compressive strength and L, a, b system, respectively. Ash content of the samples ranged from 0.9% to 1.4% with a very strong positive linear correlation (r = 0.9) to the broiler litter rate. However, vitamin C had a quadratic relationship with the broiler litter rate with a peaking at T0.5 (15.5 mg/100 g). The yellow color (b‐value) also had a strong linear relationship with the broiler litter rate (r = 0.86). However, the other measures showed moderate, weak, or negligible correlations to the broiler litter level. T0.5 had the highest β‐carotene (262.0 μg/g), dry matter contents and had the most firm (0.040 kN) sweet potatoes with the deepest orange color (L = 60.7). Based on the study's findings, 0.5 t ha−1 appeared to be appropriate level of broiler litter, which is consistent with Alabama's law and is also advantageous in terms of low cost of farming practices and water pollution reduction.
The Treatment of Solvent in Multiscale Biophysical Modeling
Authors: Lazaridis Themis , Versace Rodney 
Published: April 2014

AbstractDifferent approaches for treating the solvent in biophysical simulations are reviewed. They include explicit atomistic (classical fixed‐charge, polarizable, or ab initio), explicit coarse‐grained (polarizable or not), and implicit approaches (dielectric‐based or empirical). The solvent is usually an aqueous electrolyte solution, but it can also be an aqueous mixture or heterogeneous, as in micelles and lipid bilayers. The treatment of the solvent is tied to that of the solute, with implicit solvation exhibiting the highest versatility. Applications of implicit and coarse‐grained solvent modeling include a wide range of biological processes, such as protein folding, ligand binding, lipid self‐assembly, and transmembrane translocation. The advantages and disadvantages of each approach are discussed and thoughts are offered on the optimal choice of method for different problems.
Electronic Properties of Amyloid β‐Based Peptide Filaments with Different Non‐Natural Heterocyclic Side Chains
Authors: Amit Moran , Ashkenasy Nurit 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThe incorporation of non‐canonical amino acids with aromatic side chains is considered to be a promising way to improve and control the electronic properties of self‐assembled peptide nanostructures. In this work, we have studied the influence of aromatic ring heteroatom on the electronic properties of amyloid β‐derived peptide fiber networks. We show that the incorporation of furan instead of thiophene side chains results in only small changes in the resistivity of the peptide network, with a threefold increase in the sheet resistance and a small decrease in the contact resistance. These changes can be explained by a twofold decrease in the diameter of the self‐assembled fibers. These characteristics open the way to the use of furan‐ instead of thiophene‐based analogues as non‐natural side‐chain modifications of peptides for electronic applications; this makes the fibrils more biodegradable and biorenewable.
Inflammatory Markers and Risk of Hip Fracture in Older White Women: The Study of Osteoporotic Fractures
Authors: Barbour Kamil E , Lui Li-Yung , Ensrud Kristine E , Hillier Teresa A , LeBlanc Erin S , Ing Steven W , Hochberg Marc C , Cauley Jane A ,   for the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures (SOF) Research Group
Published: April 2014

Abstract

Hip fractures are the most devastating consequence of osteoporosis and impact 1 in 6 white women leading to a two- to threefold increased mortality risk in the first year. Despite evidence of inflammatory markers in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis, few studies have examined their effect on hip fracture. To determine if high levels of inflammation increase hip fracture risk and to explore mediation pathways, a case-cohort design nested in a cohort of 4709 white women from the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures was used. A random sample of 1171 women was selected as the subcohort (mean age 80.1 ± 4.2 years) plus the first 300 women with incident hip fracture. Inflammatory markers interleukin-6 (IL-6) and soluble receptors (SR) for IL-6 (IL-6 SR) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF SR1 and TNF SR2) were measured, and participants were followed for a median (interquartile range) of 6.3 (3.7, 6.9) years. In multivariable models, the hazard ratio (HR) of hip fracture for women in the highest inflammatory marker level (quartile 4) was 1.64 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09–2.48, p trend = 0.03) for IL-6 and 2.05 (95% CI, 1.35–3.12, p trend &lt;0.01) for TNF SR1 when compared with women in the lowest level (quartile 1). Among women with 2 and 3–4 inflammatory markers in the highest quartile, the HR of hip fracture was 1.51 (95% CI, 1.07–2.14) and 1.42 (95% CI, 0.87–2.31) compared with women with zero to one marker(s) in the highest quartile (p trend = 0.03). After individually adjusting for seven potential mediators, cystatin-C (a biomarker of renal function) and bone mineral density (BMD) attenuated HRs among women with the highest inflammatory burden by 64% and 50%, respectively, suggesting a potential mediating role. Older white women with high inflammatory burden are at increased risk of hip fracture in part due to poor renal function and low BMD. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Birth Weight Is Not Associated With Risk of Fracture: Results From Two Swedish Cohort Studies
Authors: Byberg Liisa , Michaëlsson Karl , Goodman Anna , Zethelius Björn , Koupil Ilona 
Published: April 2014

Abstract

Development and growth in utero has been suggested to influence bone health. However, the relationship with risk of fracture in old age is largely unknown. Using Cox proportional hazards regression, we studied the association between birth weight and fractures at ages 50–94 among 10,893 men and women (48% women) from the Uppsala Birth Cohort Study (UBCoS, born 1915–29) and 1334 men from the Uppsala Longitudinal Study of Adult Men (ULSAM, born 1920–24). Measured birth weight was collected from hospital or midwives' records and fractures from the Swedish National Patient Register. We observed 2796 fractures (717 of these were hip fractures) in UBCoS and 335 fractures (102 hip fractures) in ULSAM. In UBCoS, the hazard ratio (HR) per 1 kg increase in birth weight, adjusted for sex and socioeconomic status at birth, was 1.01 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.94–1.09] for any fracture and 1.06 (95% CI, 0.91–1.23) for hip fracture. Estimates in ULSAM were similar. We did not observe a differential association of birth weight with fractures occurring before age 70 or after age 70 years. Neither birth weight standardized for gestational age nor gestational duration was associated with fracture rate. In linear regression, birth weight was not associated with bone mineral density among 303 men who were 82-years-old in ULSAM but showed positive associations with total body bone mineral content (β per kg increase in birth weight, adjusted for social class and age, 133; 95% CI, 30–227). This association was attenuated after further adjustment for body mass index and height (β, 41; 95% CI, -43–126). We conclude that birth weight is associated with bone mineral content but this association does not translate into an association with risk of fracture in men and women aged 50–94 years. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Association of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Smoking Status With Bone Density and Vertebral Fractures in Male Lung Cancer Screening Participants
Authors: de Jong Werner U , de Jong Pim A , Vliegenthart Rozemarijn , Isgum Ivana , Lammers Jan-Willem J , Oudkerk Matthijs , van der Aalst Carlijn , de Koning Harry J , Mohamed Hoesein Firdaus A 
Published: April 2014

Abstract

We studied the vertebral fracture prevalence on low-dose chest computed tomography (CT) in male lung cancer screening participants and the association of fractures and bone density with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and smoking. 1140 male current and former smokers with ≥16.5 packyears from the NELSON lung cancer screening trial were included. Age, body mass index, and smoking status were registered. CT scans and pulmonary function tests were obtained on the same day. On CT, vertebral fractures and bone density were measured. The cohort had a mean age of 62.5 years (standard deviation 5.2) old; 531 (46.6%) had quit smoking; and 437 (38.3%) had COPD. Of the group, 100 (8.8%) participants had a vertebral fracture. Fracture prevalence was higher in current compared to former smokers (11.3% versus 5.8%, p = 0.001), but similar in participants with COPD compared to those without (9.6% versus 8.3%, p = 0.430). The multivariable adjusted odds ratio for fracture presence was 1.79 (95% CI: 1.13–2.84) in current smokers and 1.08 (95% CI: 0.69–1.67) in COPD participants. Bone density was lower in current compared to former smokers (103.2HU versus 108.7HU, p = 0.006) and in participants with COPD compared to those without [100.7 Hounsfield Units (HU) versus 108.9HU, p &lt; 0.001]. In multivariate analysis, smoking status and COPD status were independently associated with bone density, corrected for age and body mass index. In conclusion, our study shows that lung cancer screening participants have a substantial vertebral fracture burden. Fractures are more common in current smokers, who also have lower bone density. We could not confirm that COPD is independently associated with vertebral fractures. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
The impact of hospital‐onset Clostridium difficile infection on outcomes of hospitalized patients with sepsis
Authors: Lagu Tara , Stefan Mihaela S. , Haessler Sarah , Higgins Thomas L. , Rothberg Michael B. , Nathanson Brian H. , Hannon Nicholas S. , Steingrub Jay S. , Lindenauer Peter K. 
Published: April 2014

OBJECTIVETo examine the impact of hospital‐onset Clostridium difficile infection (HOCDI) on the outcomes of patients with sepsis.BACKGROUNDMost prior studies that have addressed this issue lacked adequate matching to controls, suffered from small sample size, or failed to consider time to infection.DESIGNRetrospective cohort study.SETTING AND PATIENTSWe identified adults with a principal or secondary diagnosis of sepsis who received care at 1 of the institutions that participated in a large multihospital database between July 1, 2004 and December 31, 2010. Among eligible patients with sepsis, we identified patients who developed HOCDI during their hospital stay.MEASUREMENTSWe used propensity matching and date of diagnosis to match cases to patients without Clostridium difficile infections and compared outcomes between the 2 groups.MAIN RESULTSOf 218,915 sepsis patients, 2368 (1.08%) developed HOCDI. Unadjusted in‐hospital mortality was significantly higher in HOCDI patients than controls (25% vs 10%, P < 0.001). After multivariate adjustment, in‐hospital mortality rate was 24% in cases vs. 15% in controls. In an analysis limited to survivors, adjusted length of stay (LOS) among cases with Clostridium difficile infections was 5.1 days longer than controls (95% confidence interval: 4.4–5.8) and the median‐adjusted cost increase was $4916 (P < 0.001).CONCLUSIONSAfter rigorous adjustment for time to diagnosis and presenting severity, hospital‐acquired Clostridium difficile infection was associated with increased mortality, LOS, and cost. Our results can be used to assess the cost‐effectiveness of prevention programs and suggest that efforts directed toward high‐risk patient populations are needed. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2014;9:411–417. © 2014 Society of Hospital Medicine
Beyond warfarin: A patient‐centered approach to selecting novel oral anticoagulants for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation
Authors: Patel Keval K. , Mehdirad Ali A. , Lim Michael J. , Ferreira Scott W. , Mikolajczak Peter C. , Stolker Joshua M. 
Published: April 2014

BACKGROUNDWarfarin reduces stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. However, its narrow therapeutic index and need for chronic monitoring are barriers to its optimal utilization in many patients. The recent introduction of 3 novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs), as alternatives to warfarin, may change the eligibility and management of patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) who require systemic anticoagulation.PURPOSETo summarize contemporary indications for anticoagulation in NVAF, and to help provide patient‐centered clinical decision making for selecting warfarin or 1 of the NOACs (dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban) based on randomized trials and mechanistic data for each drug.DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SELECTIONThe primary clinical outcome trials of warfarin and the NOACs, pharmacologic studies, and briefing documents from the US Food and Drug Administration were reviewed.DATA EXTRACTION AND DATA SYNTHESISIn randomized trials, NOACs were consistently noninferior to warfarin for reducing stroke or systemic embolism in patients with NVAF, with reductions in intracranial bleeding as well. However, NOACs have several important drug‐drug interactions, exclusion criteria for specific patient subgroups (eg, severe renal disease), and each medication may have a different impact on other clinical outcomes such as myocardial infarction or gastrointestinal bleeding. Benefits of the new drugs are particularly pronounced when international normalized ratio levels on warfarin are labile.CONCLUSIONSWarfarin continues to play an important role in the prevention of stroke or systemic embolism in NVAF. Among selected patients, the use of NOACs provides equal or superior benefit, without the need for chronic anticoagulation monitoring or ongoing dose titration. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2014;9:400–406. © 2014 Society of Hospital Medicine
The effect of recombinant human fibroblast growth factor‐18 on articular cartilage following single impact load
Authors: Barr Lynne , Getgood Alan , Guehring Hans , Rushton Neil , Henson Frances M. D. 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACTThe aim of this in vitro study was to ascertain the effect of recombinant human Fibroblast Growth Factor‐18 (rhFGF18) on the repair response of mechanically damaged articular cartilage. Articular cartilage discs were harvested from healthy mature horses (n = 4) and subjected to single impact load (SIL). The impacted explants, together with unimpacted controls were cultured in modified DMEM ± 200 ng/ml rhFGF18 for up to 30 days. Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) release into the media was measured using the dimethylmethylene blue (DMMB) assay. Aggrecan neopepitope CS846, collagen type II synthesis (CPII) and cleavage (C2C) were measured by ELISA. Histological analysis and TUNEL staining were used to assess repair cell number and cell death. Impacted explants treated with rhFGF18 showed significantly more GAG and CS846 release into the media (p < 0.05), there was also a significant decrease in C2C levels at Day 20. Loaded sections treated with rhFGF18 had more repair cells and significantly less cell death (p < 0.001) at Day 30 in culture. In an in vitro damage/repair model, rhFGF18 increases the proteoglycan synthesis, the repair cell number and prevents apoptosis at Day 30. This suggests that rhFGF18 may be a good candidate for enhancement of cartilage repair following mechanical damage. © 2014 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 32:923–927, 2014.
Maximizing bone formation in posterior spine fusion using rhBMP‐2 and zoledronic acid in wild type and NF1 deficient mice
Authors: Bobyn Justin , Rasch Anton , Kathy Mikulec , Little David G. , Schindeler Aaron 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACTSpinal pseudarthrosis is a well described complication of spine fusion surgery in NF1 patients. Reduced bone formation and excessive resorption have been described in NF1 and anti‐resorptive agents may be advantageous in these individuals. In this study, 16 wild type and 16 Nf1+/− mice were subjected to posterolateral fusion using collagen sponges containing 5 µg rhBMP‐2 introduced bilaterally. Mice were dosed twice weekly with 0.02 mg/kg zoledronic acid (ZA) or sterile saline. The fusion mass was assessed for bone volume (BV) and bone mineral density (BMD) by microCT. Co‐treatment using rhBMP‐2 and ZA produced a significant increase (p < 0.01) in BV of the fusion mass compared to rhBMP‐2 alone in both wild type mice (+229%) and Nf1+/− mice (+174%). Co‐treatment also produced a significantly higher total BMD of the fusion mass compared to rhBMP‐2 alone in both groups (p < 0.01). Despite these gains with anti‐resorptive treatment, Nf1+/− deficient mice still generated less bone than wild type controls. TRAP staining on histological sections indicated an increased osteoclast surface/bone surface (Oc.S/BS) in Nf1+/− mice relative to wild type mice, and this was reduced with ZA treatment. © 2014 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 32:1090–1094, 2014.
PROMIS evaluation for head and neck cancer patients: A comprehensive quality‐of‐life outcomes assessment tool
Authors: Stachler Robert J. , Schultz Lonni R. , Nerenz David , Yaremchuk Kathleen L. 
Published: April 2014

Objectives/HypothesisThe objective of this study was to evaluate the Patient‐Reported Outcomes Measure Information System (PROMIS) in a head and neck cancer patient cohort by assessing the associations of the PROMIS instruments with the responses to the European Oncology Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) general measures, EORTC head and neck (H&N) measures, and Voice Handicap Index (VHI‐10). We hypothesized that PROMIS scores are related to the other measures and may be used as assessment tools to help determine quality‐of‐life outcomes in head and neck cancer patients.Study DesignProspective baseline assessment of quality‐of‐life outcomes.MethodsThirty‐nine head and neck cancer patients were included in the study. PROMIS (domains of fatigue, physical functioning, sleep disturbance, sleep‐related impairment, and negative perceived cognitive function, EORTC (general), EORTC H&N, and the VHI‐10 were given to all patients at the onset of their cancer diagnosis. Spearman correlation coefficients were computed to assess relationships between the measures. Correlations with corresponding P values <.0083 (Bonferroni adjustment) were considered statistically significant. Descriptive statistics of means, standard deviations, medians, and ranges were computed for all the instruments and measures.ResultsSignificant correlations between the PROMIS instruments and EORTC functional scales were observed. The PROMIS instruments were also associated with some of the EORTC symptom scales, as well as some of the EORTC H&N symptoms measures. PROMIS fatigue instrument was significantly correlated with the VHI‐10 measure.ConclusionsPROMIS instruments are reasonable measures to determine quality‐of‐life outcomes in head and neck cancer patients. Computerized adaptive testing devices can be effectively utilized in this patient population.Level of Evidence2c. Laryngoscope, 124:1368–1376, 2014
Two‐step irradiance schedule versus single‐dose tramadol sustained‐release tablets for pain control during topical 5‐aminolevulinic acid‐photodynamic therapy of condyloma acuminatum in Chinese patients: A randomized comparative study
Authors: Mchepange Uwesu O. , Huang Chun‐Yan , Sun Yi , Tu Ya‐Ting , Tao Juan 
Published: April 2014

Background and ObjectivePhotodynamic therapy with 5‐aminolevulinic acid (ALA‐PDT) offers promising results for the treatment of condyloma acuminatum. However, patients have to dwell with pain to benefit from this otherwise effective and safe “off‐label” treatment modality. Several techniques have been explored to control ALA‐PDT‐induced pain, but the desperate search for a universally accepted method is still ongoing. This study compares the two‐step irradiance approach with single‐dose administration of 100 mg tramadol sustained‐release tablets for pain induced by ALA‐PDT of condyloma acuminatum in Chinese patients.Patients and MethodsAdult Chinese patients with condyloma acuminatum were enrolled in a randomized comparative study. Pain levels were compared using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) at pre‐defined assessment points during and after irradiation.ResultsThe pain was dominated by characteristics such as burning and pricking and was almost always local and superficial.During IrradiationThe median pain scores were lower in the two‐step irradiance group at 1 minute (U = 621.5, P = 0.002) but higher at 20 minutes (U = 585.5, P = 0.002). The median pain scores between the two groups did not differ significantly at other assessment points. The pain was moderate in both groups and peaked earlier in the analgesics group (median: 5 minutes) but later in the two‐step irradiance group (median: 15 minutes).After IrradiationThe pain was generally mild. The median pain scores were equal at each assessment point, except at 3 hours where the median was lower in the analgesics group (1.0) as compared with the two‐step irradiance group (2.0) (U = 725.0, P = 0.056).ConclusionsPain in the two‐step irradiance protocol is irradiance‐dependent. The two‐step irradiance approach produces significant benefits over analgesics during the initial stages of therapy but analgesics offer significant benefits thereafter. There are potential benefits of combining the two approaches in minimizing ALA‐PDT‐induced pain. Lasers Surg. Med. 46:389–395, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.