bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Progressive Biological Behavior of a Dysembryoplastic Neuroepithelial Tumor
Authors: Preuss M. , Nestler U. , Zühlke C.J. , Kuchelmeister K. , Neubauer B.A. , Jödicke A.
Published: January 2011

We present the case of a 13-month-old girl with a right occipital cortical alteration on MRI that proved to be a growing lesion. Tumor growth had been observed over a period of 15 months before total resection was performed, revealing a dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor WHO grade I. This case shows that dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors can present as growing neoplasias. It underlines the importance of obtaining histologic diagnosis and close follow-up examinations using MRI, even in so-called stable lesions that are only unveiling through epileptic seizures.
Does the Therapeutic Relationship Predict Outcomes of Psychiatric Treatment in Patients with Psychosis? A Systematic Review
Authors: Priebe Stefan , Richardson Michelle , Cooney Maire , Adedeji Oluwatoyin , McCabe Rosemarie
Published: January 2011

Background: Numerous studies have shown that the quality of the therapeutic relationship (TR) between the patient and the clinician is an important predictor of the outcome of different forms of psychotherapy. It is less clear whether the TR also predicts outcomes of psychiatric treatment programmes in patients with psychosis (i.e. outside conventional psychotherapy). Methods: We conducted a systematic review and identified 9 primary studies that prospectively tested the association of the TR with 3 outcomes, i.e. hospitalisation, symptom levels and functioning. Because of the heterogeneity of the methods used, a meta-analysis was not feasible. A vote counting method was used to determine the number of statistically significant effects in the hypothesised direction (i.e. that a more positive TR predicts more favourable outcomes). Results: For each outcome, a χ2 analysis showed that the number of statistically significant findings in the hypothesised direction was greater than expected if the null hypothesis of no association were true. However, studies had methodological shortcomings, and the effect sizes of positive associations were rather small. Conclusion: It may be concluded that there is some, but not overwhelming, evidence that the TR predicts outcomes of complex psychiatric treatment programmes in patients with psychosis, and that methodologically more rigorous research is required. Such research should measure the TR at initial stages of treatment and use validated assessment instruments for both TR and outcomes.
An Appraisal of Kidney Dysfunction and Its Risk Factors in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: Arogundade F.A. , Sanusi A.A. , Hassan M.O. , Salawu L. , Durosinmi M.A. , Akinsola A.
Published: January 2011

Sickle cell disease (SCD), a genetically inherited disease of blacks, often presents with disabling acute complications which can occasionally be fatal. Its renal manifestations are increasingly being recognized as affected patients now survive to middle and rarely old age. We set out to determine the magnitude of kidney dysfunction in our SCD patient population and evaluate its predictive factors. We reviewed the available case records of SCD patients managed in our hospital. Information on socio-demographic, clinical and laboratory data were retrieved and collated. A total of 374 (99.46%) were reviewed with complete data; the median age was 23 years (range 7–62), while median age at diagnosis of SCD was 4 years (range 0.25–31). 235 patients (68.2%) had no kidney disease while the remaining 139 (37.2%) had proteinuria, hematuria or reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <60 ml/min. The age of patients was a significant predictor of kidney disease (p = 0.002) and correlated with the level of serum creatinine (r = 0.188, p < 0.001), GFR (r = 0.245, p < 0.0001) and the degree of proteinuria (r = 0.174, p = 0.006). Patients with kidney disease had a significantly higher number of crises/hospitalizations (p < 0.001). Seven patients died in all and 4 (57%) of them had end-stage renal disease. We concluded that kidney disease is a common complication of SCD and significantly contributes to mortality. The age of the patients, duration of SCD and frequency of crises/hospitalizations are strong predictors of development of kidney disease.
Cortical Areas Involved in Numerical Processing: An Intraoperative Electrostimulation Study
Authors: Pu Song , Li Yong-nian , Wu Chen-xing , Wang Yong-zhi , Zhou Xin-lin , Jiang Tao
Published: January 2011

Background: Numerical processing is important in our everyday lives. However, very few attempts have been made to map the numerical processing function areas during lesion surgery. Objective: To identify and protect the cortical areas involved in numerical processing, the authors used the intraoperative brain mapping approach to study numerical processing areas in patients with parietal lobe tumors. Methods: During resection in patients with parietal lobe tumors, local anesthesia was administered and numerical processing mapping was performed. Our mapping procedures were conducted before glioma removal and included somatosensory, language and numerical processing tasks. We focused on the numerical processing task. Results: Different brain sites within the parietal lobe were detected to be specifically related to multiplication or subtraction processing. They displayed precise spatial distribution and overlapped with each other. No brain sites were found to be specifically related to numerical processing in the right hemisphere. Conclusions: To improve the quality of resection while minimizing the neurological deficits, functional boundaries of numerical processing areas should be considered during the removal of a parietal low-grade glioma. Moreover, only the left intraparietal sulcus is necessary for numerical processing, whereas the right intraparietal sulcus does not appear to be critically involved in numerical processing.
2D-Speckle Tracking Echocardiography Contributes to Early Identification of Impaired Left Ventricular Myocardial Function in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Yan Ping , Li Haiming , Hao Chuanming , Shi Haiming , Gu Yong , Huang Guoqian , Chen Jing
Published: January 2011

Background/Aims: Our aim was to investigate left ventricular (LV) physiology and short-axis and long-axis regional LV myocardial function throughout the cardiac cycle with 2D-speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) in patients with chronic kidney disease. Methods: The study population consisted of 40 maintenance hemodialysis patients (hemodialysis group), 20 uremic patients hospitalized for creation of primary arteriovenous fistula (nondialysis group), and a control group of 20 healthy volunteers. LV regional longitudinal, circumferential and radial peak systolic velocity (Vs); early diastolic velocity (Ve); and peak systolic strain (Ε) were measured with 2D-STE. Results: Increased LV wall thickness and a decreased E/A ratio were found in the nondialysis and hemodialysis groups as compared to the control group, but there was no difference between the 2 study groups. Longitudinal Vs and Ve of the LV basal segment and middle segment in hemodialysis group and nondialysis group were all slower than those in the control group, and Vs in the nondialysis group was slower than that of the hemodialysis group. Circumferential and radial Vs and Ve were not different among the 3 groups, except that the radial Vs of LV basal segment was markedly decreased in the nondialysis group. Longitudinal peak systolic strain in the hemodialysis and nondialysis groups were both decreased as compared to the control group. Circumferential and radial peak systolic strain was decreased only in the nondialysis group. Conclusions: 2D-STE may be used to identify early abnormalities in patients with chronic kidney disease who have preserved LV ejection fraction. LV regional function appeared to be better in the hemodialysis group than that in the nondialysis group.
Acute Oxidative Stress following Intravenous Iron Injection in Patients on Chronic Hemodialysis: A Comparison of Iron-Sucrose and Iron-Dextran
Authors: Stefánsson Bergur V. , Haraldsson Börje , Nilsson Ulf
Published: January 2011

Background/Aims: Intravascular iron release from parenteral iron formulations can catalyze various harmful oxidative reactions. These topics have mainly been investigated in vivo with iron-sucrose (IS). The aim of our study was to compare IS and iron-dextran (ID) regarding iron release and induction of oxidative stress. Methods: Twenty hemodialysis patients were enrolled. Plasma iron and oxidative stress parameters were measured before and 10 min after intravenous (IV) injection of 100 mg IS and ID, respectively. Results: Intravascular iron increased significantly more after IS. The mean ± SD changes in plasma iron were 314 ± 172% after IS versus 90 ± 44% after ID (p < 0.001). Comparable changes in non-transferrin bound iron were 86 ± 42 versus 45 ± 45%, respectively (p < 0.05). Plasma ascorbic free radical did not change following ID (–1.8 ± 11.2%) but increased by 29 ± 31.3% after IS (p < 0.01). Further, protein carbonyls increased following IS (p < 0.05) but not after ID. Conclusion: Increased oxidative stress was found only after IV injection with IS.
Proteinuria Thresholds Are Irrational: A Call for Proteinuria Indexing
Authors: Ellam Timothy J. , El Nahas Meguid
Published: January 2011

Current guidelines for chronic kidney disease (CKD) diagnosis, referral and management are based on absolute thresholds of proteinuria/albuminuria with no reference to the residual nephron mass or function. This is illogical since the severity of proteinuria is a direct reflection of the number of filtering nephrons as well as their pathology and the capacity of the tubules to reabsorb filtered protein/albumin. The current simplistic approach to proteinuria may also compromise its usefulness as a robust guide to appropriate treatment, e.g. preferential use of inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. The routine measurement of the urinary protein/albumin:creatinine ratio (PCR/ACR) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) gives rise to the opportunity to index proteinuria for renal function (i.e. a PCR:eGFR or ACR:eGFR ratio). Since both PCR/ACR and eGFR are reflections of quantities assessed per unit body surface area, this is a logical approach to the assessment of proteinuria/albuminuria. We advocate a consideration of the benefits of indexing PCR/ACR for eGFR to optimise treatment decisions based on proteinuria/albuminuria.
Right Ventricular Diastolic Function in Dialysis Patients Could Be Affected by Vascular Access
Authors: Di Lullo Luca , Floccari Fulvio , Polito Pasquale
Published: January 2011

Tricuspid annular plane excursion (TAPSE) measurement in echocardiography is a measure of heart diastolic distensibility: a low TAPSE indicates reduced ventricular distensibility leading to diastolic dysfunction. It is a good prognostic index for cardiac mortality risk in congestive heart failure patients, adding significant prognostic information to the NYHA clinical classification. Our study was designed to evaluate the effect of a single hemodialysis (HD) session on diastolic function and TAPSE, focusing on the effects of vascular access typology. Twenty chronically uremic patients (age 51 ± 10 years, dialytic age 24 ± 8 months), without overt heart disease, underwent conventional two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography immediately before starting and 15 min after ending a mid-week HD session. Ten patients had distal radiocephalic arterovenous fistula (AVF), and 10 had permanent central venous catheters (CVC). The amount of fluid removed by HD was 2,706 ± 1,047 g/session. HD led to a reduction in TAPSE, left ventricle end-diastole volume, left ventricle end-systole volume, right ventricle end-diastole diameter, peak early transmitral flow velocity, and the ratio of early to late Doppler velocities of diastolic mitral flow. AVF patients showed greater right ventricle diameters versus CVC patients, while TAPSE appeared higher in the latter. Only the AVF patient group showed TAPSE values <15 mm. Our data confirm the effects of terminal uremia on right ventricle function (chamber dilation, impaired diastolic function), showing that these abnormalities are more frequent in AVF patients as opposed to CVC patients. It is reasonable to explain these clinical features as the effect of preload increase operated by AVF.
Aneurysmal Bone Cyst of the Petrous Bone: Case Presentation and Review of the Literature
Authors: Sayama Christina M. , MacDonald Joel D.
Published: January 2011

Aneurysmal bone cysts (ABC) were originally described by Jaffe and Lichtenstein [Arch Surg 1942;44:1004–1025] in 1942 as nonneoplastic benign lesions with obscure pathogenesis. ABC occurring in the temporal bone are uncommon. Those arising from the petrous portion of the temporal bone are exceedingly rare. We report a right petrous ABC in a 16-year-old girl who presented clinically with hearing loss, facial weakness, and facial numbness and tingling. Her symptoms were preceded by a coincidental traumatic concussion 4 months earlier. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography findings were both consistent with an ABC, although the lesion was noted to be in a very unusual location. Surgical resection was performed with adjuvant preoperative embolization. The patient recovered complete facial sensation and movement, and follow-up imaging documented complete resection.
Hypomaturation Amelogenesis Imperfecta due to WDR72 Mutations: A Novel Mutation and Ultrastructural Analyses of Deciduous Teeth
Authors: El-Sayed W. , Shore R.C. , Parry D.A. , Inglehearn C.F. , Mighell A.J.
Published: January 2011

Background:Mutations in WDR72 have been identified in autosomal recessive hypomaturation amelogenesis imperfecta (AI). Objective: to describe a novel WDR72 mutation and report the ultrastructural enamel phenotype associated with a different WDR72 mutation. Methods: A family segregating autosomal recessive hypomaturation AI was recruited, genomic DNA obtained and WDR72 sequenced. Four deciduous teeth from one individual with a previously published WDR72 mutation, extracted as part of clinical care, were subjected to scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis and transverse microradiography. Results: A novel homozygous nonsense mutation, R897X, was identified in WDR72 in a family originating from Pakistan. Ultrastructural analysis of enamel from the deciduous teeth of an AI patient with the WDR72 mutation S783X revealed energy-dispersive X-ray analysis spectra with normal carbon and nitrogen peaks, excluding retention of enamel matrix protein. However, transverse microradiography values were significantly lower for affected teeth when compared to normal teeth, consistent with reduced mineralisation. On scanning electron microscopy the enamel rod form observed was normal, yet with inter-rod enamel more prominent than in controls. This appearance was unaltered following incubation with either α-chymotrypsin or lipase. Conclusions: The novel WDR72 mutation described brings the total reported WDR72 mutations to four. Analyses of deciduous tooth enamel in an individual with a homozygous WDR72 mutation identified changes consistent with a late failure of enamel maturation without retention of matrix proteins. The mechanisms by which intracellular WDR72 influences enamel maturation remain unknown.
Clinical Follow-Up of Hydroxyurea-Treated Adults with Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: Nzouakou Ruben , Bachir Dora , Lavaud Anne , Habibi Anoosha , Lee Ketty , Lionnet François , Hulin Anne , Jouault Hélène , Préhu Claude , Roudot-Thoraval Françoise , Girot Robert , Galactéros Frédéric
Published: January 2011

Hydroxyurea-derived clinical and biological benefits and safety were retrospectively studied for 123 adult patients from 2 sickle cell disease referral centers during a total follow-up of 654 patient-years and total hydroxyurea exposure of 549 patient-years. Fifty-six adverse events occurred (incidence: 12%/patient-year), with leg ulcers being the most frequent. Adverse events could arise at any time and were usually reversible. No malignancy was observed. Clinical and biological benefits of our cohort were similar to those previously reported. Based on this relatively long retrospective study, the risk/benefit ratio for moderate hydroxyurea doses was satisfactory.
Comet-Tail-Like Inflammatory Infiltrate to Polymer Filaments Develops in Tension-Free Conditions
Authors: Klink C.D. , Binnebösel M. , Kaemmer D. , Schachtrupp A. , Fiebeler A. , Anurov M. , Schumpelick V. , Klinge U.
Published: January 2011

Background: Mesh reinforcement in hiatal hernia repair becomes more frequent but is charged by complications such as erosion or stenosis of the oesophagus. These complications are accompanied by an intense inflammatory infiltrate around the polymer fibres. To characterize this effect, the response to polypropylene fibres in the absence of tension was examined. Methods: In rats, polypropylene sutures (USP size 1, 3-0 and 7-0) were placed in the subcutis of the abdominal wall without knot or tension. On postoperative days 3, 7 and 21, specimens were excised. The expressions of c-myc, β-catenin, Notch3, COX-2, CD68 and Ki-67 were measured by immunohistochemistry. Results: In the absence of tension, sutures were surrounded by a foreign body granuloma with an inflammatory infiltrate not encircling the fibre but forming almost symmetric comet-tail-like infiltrates on opposite sides. The expression of c-myc, β-catenin, Notch3, COX-2, CD68 and Ki-67 was significantly reduced over time in the comet tail, but not in the granuloma. Conclusions: Even in tension-free conditions, surgical sutures cause a foreign body response with infiltrates of inflammatory cells. This reaction is shaped like a comet tail, and its extension depends on the diameter of the used fibre. Therefore, for reduction of perifilamental infiltrates, not only absence of tension is required, but also a small-sized fibre textile.
Aggressive Systemic Mastocytosis Associated with Mesangioproliferative Glomerulonephritis
Authors: Diamantidis Michael D. , Myrou Athena D. , Kaiafa Georgia D. , Kaloutsi Vasiliki , Karayannopoulou Georgia , Theodoridis Andreas , Adamidou Alexandra , Papadopoulos Athanasios , Grekas Dimitrios
Published: January 2011

Background/Aims/Methods: Aggressive systemic mastocytosis (ASM) is a subtype of systemic mastocytosis, which comprises a heterogenous group of disorders characterized by infiltration of bone marrow, skin, liver, spleen, lymph nodes and gastrointestinal tract by neoplastic mast cells. There is lack of data on the association of ASM with renal involvement, as kidney is not among the known organs affected by ASM. Results/Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of ASM associated with mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, without the presence of nephrotic syndrome. The patient’s clinical course and the intriguing family history, along with the treatment selection are described. Finally, the proposed possible pathophysiological mechanisms explaining the renal involvement of our patient are discussed.
Storage Conditions of Skin Affect Tissue Structure and Subsequent in vitro Percutaneous Penetration
Authors: Nielsen J.B. , Plasencia I. , Sørensen J.A. , Bagatolli L.A.
Published: January 2011

Storage of skin at low temperatures may affect its structure. There is no report in the literature on the correlation between spatially resolved skin structure and percutaneous penetration after different storage conditions. The present study applies imaging techniques (multiphoton excitation fluorescence microscopy) and in vitro percutaneous penetration of caffeine under four different storage conditions using skin samples from the same donors: fresh skin, skin kept at –20°C for 3 weeks (with or without the use of polyethylene glycol) and at –80°C. Our results show a correlation between increasing permeation of caffeine and tissue structural damage caused by the storage conditions, most so after skin storage at –80°C. The presented approach, which combines imaging techniques with studies on percutaneous penetration, enables the link between tissue damage at selected depths and penetration into the upper layers of the epidermis to be investigated.
Confocal Raman Microspectroscopy for Evaluating the Stratum Corneum Removal by 3 Standard Methods
Authors: Förster M. , Bolzinger M.A. , Rovere M.R. , Damour O. , Montagnac G. , Briançon S.
Published: January 2011

Background/Aims: Stratum corneum (SC) removal is needed in biopharmaceutical studies or in evaluating the barrier function. The most common technique is the tape stripping method. However, it results in neither a homogeneous nor a complete removal. Methods: The removal qualities of tape stripping, cyanoacrylate skin surface biopsy and trypsinization were estimated in vitro via histological imaging and confocal Raman microspectroscopy (CRM) and compared. In addition, the potential of the noninvasive CRM as a replacement method is discussed. Results: Comparison between the 3 methods showed, as expected, that the tape stripping method did not result in a uniform removal over the whole surface even after 28 strips. The trypsinization and cyanoacrylate skin surface biopsies allowed a complete and uniform removal of the SC after defining a standard protocol (2 cyanoacrylate strips with a polymerization time of 15 min). Conclusion: The feasibility of CRM to control SC removal was demonstrated in vitro. Tape stripping is a simple method, but it is influenced by many extrinsic factors and axial drug quantification is difficult. With trypsinization and cyanoacrylate methods, the entire SC is removed so that quantification over the whole SC is possible but not an axial drug screening.
The Histopathology of Revision Cochlear Implantation
Authors: Lee Joonhan , Eddington Donald K. , Nadol Joseph B.
Published: January 2011

The current study evaluates histopathologic changes in the temporal bones of 4 human subjects who underwent revision cochlear implantation. Specimens were removed at autopsy, fixed and prepared for histological study by standard techniques. Specimens were serially sectioned, reconstructed by two-dimensional methods, and the tracks of the initial and revision cochlear-implant electrodes identified. The tracks were of three types: a ‘common track’ (shared by the reimplantation electrode and initial electrode), ‘two tracks’ (where the reimplantation electrode was in a different track than that of the initial electrode) and ‘one track’ (where the reimplantation electrode extended beyond the initial electrode, forming a single track). Associated histopathologic findings (new bone formation, fibrosis or inflammatory cells, and cochlear fluid) were evaluated for the three types of tracks. In all 4 subjects, the insertion depth of the revision cochlear implant was deeper than that of the initial cochlear implant. The primary track of the initial implantation did not interfere with insertion of a revision cochlear implant, and the trajectory of the revision electrode did not always follow the primary track. In cochlear segments with a common track or two tracks, the mean (across-subject) percent area of the extraelectrode cochlear duct filled with abnormal (new bone or fibrotic) tissue (43.2%) was significantly greater than the mean percent area occupied by fluid (13.4%; t = 3.12, d.f. = 19.9, p = 0.003).
Long-Term Language Levels and Reading Skills in Mandarin-Speaking Prelingually Deaf Children with Cochlear Implants
Authors: Wu Che-Ming , Chen Yen-An , Chan Kai-Chieh , Lee Li-Ang , Hsu Kuang-Hung , Lin Bao-Guey , Liu Tien-Chen
Published: January 2011

The aim of this study was to document receptive and expressive language levels and reading skills achieved by Mandarin-speaking children who had received cochlear implants (CIs) and used them for 4.75–7.42 years. The effects of possible associated factors were also analyzed. Standardized Mandarin language and reading tests were administered to 39 prelingually deaf children with Nucleus 24 devices. The Mandarin Chinese version of the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test was used to assess their receptive vocabulary knowledge and the Revised Primary School Language Assessment Test for their receptive and expressive language skills. The Graded Chinese Character Recognition Test was used to test their written word recognition ability and the Reading Comprehension Test for their reading comprehension ability. Raw scores from both language and reading measurements were compared to normative data of nor- mal-hearing children to obtain standard scores. The results showed that the mean standard score for receptive vocabulary measurement and the mean T scores for the receptive language, expressive language and total language measurement were all in the low-average range in comparison to the normative sample. In contrast, the mean T scores for word and text reading comprehension were almost the same as for their age-matched hearing counterparts. Among all children with CIs, 75.7% scored within or above the normal range of their age-matched hearing peers on receptive vocabulary measurement. For total language, Chinese word recognition and reading scores, 71.8, 77 and 82% of children with CIs were age appropriate, respectively. A strong correlation was found between language and reading skills. Age at implantation and sentence perception scores account for 37% of variance for total language outcome. Sentence perception scores and preimplantation residual hearing were revealed to be associated with the outcome of reading comprehension. We concluded that by using standard tests, the language development and reading skill of Mandarin-speaking children who use CIs from a young age appear to fall within the normal range of their hearing age mates, at least after 4.8–7.4 years of experience. However, to fully evaluate the fine linguistic skills of these subjects, a more detailed study and longer follow-up period are needed.
A New Possible Function for Placental Pericytes
Authors: Jones Carolyn J.P. , Desoye Gernot
Published: January 2011

The pericyte is a multifunctional cell closely associated with endothelial cells and may play a role in angiogenesis and vessel stabilisation. Re-examination of over 1,100 micrographs from archival material used to investigate ultrastructural changes in placental development and pathology has identified previously undescribed structures associated with the pericyte of the human placental terminal villus. These structures take the form of outgrowths from the main body of the cell, with a narrow neck rich in cytoplasmic filaments, terminating in swollen tips which appear to bleb off the pericyte and form electron lucent stromal vesicles. Semi-quantitative analysis indicated that these features are present in some placentae from normal, term pregnancies but are increasingly found where capillaries show abnormalities such as a failure to form sinusoids, as in pregnancies complicated by diabetes, postmaturity, rhesus incompatibility and pre-eclampsia. This blebbing is compared with similar phenomena associated with apoptosis and zeiosis and it is suggested that it may contribute to fluid homeostasis where normal mechanisms are impaired by thickening or damage to endothelial cells.
Effects of Xylitol on Survival of Mutans Streptococci in Mixed-Six-Species in vitro Biofilms Modelling Supragingival Plaque
Authors: Giertsen E. , Arthur R.A. , Guggenheim B.
Published: January 2011

Xylitol has been claimed to reduce mutans streptococci (MS) in dental plaque by energy-consuming futile metabolic cycles. This study aimed to investigate the effects of xylitol on MS in an in vitro 6-species oral biofilm model. Each multispecies biofilm contained either a laboratory reference strain, a fresh isolate, a xylitol-sensitive or a xylitol-resistant strain of Streptococcus mutans or Streptococcus sobrinus. Biofilms, grown on pellicle-coated hydroxyapatite discs, were fed with a glucose/sucrose-supplemented medium 3 times daily for 45 min and incubated in saliva between feedings. Before or after feeding, biofilms were exposed to either 7.5% xylitol, 7.5% sorbitol or to saliva (control) for 20 min. After 64.5 h, biofilms were harvested and the microbial composition was analysed by non-selective and selective culturing. Strain variability in the ability to colonize biofilms was observed. However, the response patterns in the biofilms to the 4 polyol treatments were similar. None of the MS were inhibited by xylitol provided either before or after feeding. Sorbitol given before feeding did not affect microbial growth whereas sorbitol provided after feeding showed a slight, albeit statistically significant increase in MS counts for some of the tested strains. It did so at the expense of Streptococcus oralis, which decreased in numbers. The present findings do not support the contention that xylitol reduces MS in plaque by futile metabolic cycles.
Predictive Factors for Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy in Patients with Spontaneous Intracranial Hemorrhage
Authors: Kiphuth Ines C. , Kuramatsu Joji B. , Lücking Hannes , Kloska Stephan , Schwab Stefan , Huttner Hagen B.
Published: January 2011

Background: Dysphagia is frequent after hemorrhagic stroke, and some of the affected patients require prolonged enteral nutrition, most often via percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tubes. The identification of patients at risk of prolonged dysphagia permits earlier tube placement and helps guide clinicians in the decision-making process. Methods: This retrospective study included all patients with spontaneous ICH admitted to a tertiary university hospital from 2007 until 2009 (n = 208). Fifty-one patients received PEG tubes. PEG tube placement was conducted in ventilated patients within 30 days and in spontaneously breathing patients if swallowing did not improve within 14 days. Results: Twenty-five percent of patients received PEG tubes. Those patients had larger lobar hemorrhages, intraventricular hemorrhage and occlusive hydrocephalus and higher ICH scores. Furthermore, patients with PEG scored worse on Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II), more frequently needed mechanical ventilation, and had more inflammatory and renal complications. A multivariate regression analysis identified GCS, occlusive hydrocephalus, mechanical ventilation, and systemic sepsis as independent risk factors for PEG tube placement. Conclusion: Disease severity and neurocritical care complications represent the major influencing parameters for PEG tube placement in spontaneous ICH patients.
Gα
12/13
Induction of CYR61 in Association With Arteriosclerotic Intimal Hyperplasia
Authors: Kim Young Mi , Lim Sung-Chul , Han Chang Yeob , Kay Hee Yeon , Cho Il Je , Ki Sung Hwan , Lee Moo Yeol , Kwon Hyuck Moon , Lee Chang Ho , Kim Sang Geon
Published: January 2011

Objective—

Gα
12/13
play a role in oncogenic transformation and tumor growth. Cysteine-rich protein 61 (CYR61) is a growth-factor-inducible angiogenic factor. In view of potential overlapping functions between Gα
12/13
and CYR61, this study investigated the role of these G proteins in
CYR61
induction in association with hyperplastic vascular abnormality.

Methods and Results—

Overexpression of activated Gα
12
or Gα
13
induced CYR61 expression in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Gene knockdown and knockout experiments revealed that sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) treatment induced CYR61 via Gα
12/13
. JunD/activator protein-1 (AP-1) was identified as a transcription factor required for
CYR61
transactivation by S1P. Deficiencies in Gα
12/13
abrogated AP-1 activation and AP-1-mediated CYR61 induction. c-Jun N-terminal kinase was responsible for CYR61 induction. Moreover, deficiencies of Gα
12/13
abolished c-Jun N-terminal kinase–dependent CYR61 induction by S1P.
N
-acetyl-
l
-cysteine or NADPH oxidase inhibitor treatment reversed CYR61 induction by S1P, indicating that reactive oxygen species are responsible for this process. The levels of Gα
12/13
were increased within thickened intimas and medias in wire-injured mouse femoral arteries, which was accompanied by simultaneous CYR61 induction. Moreover, Gα
12/13
and CYR61 were costained in the arteriosclerotic lesions immediately adjacent to human tumor tissues.

Conclusion—

Gα
12/13
regulate AP-1-dependent CYR61 induction in VSMCs and promote VSMC migration, and they are upregulated with CYR61 in arteriosclerotic lesions.
A Selective Matrix Metalloproteinase-12 Inhibitor Retards Atherosclerotic Plaque Development in Apolipoprotein E–Knockout Mice
Authors: Johnson Jason L. , Devel Laurent , Czarny Bertrand , George Sarah J. , Jackson Christopher L. , Rogakos Vassilis , Beau Fabrice , Yiotakis Athanasios , Newby Andrew C. , Dive Vincent
Published: January 2011

Objective—

Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-12 has been implicated in plaque progression and instability and is also amenable to selective inhibition. In this study, we investigated the influence of a greater than 10-fold selective synthetic MMP-12 inhibitor on plaque progression in the apolipoprotein E knockout mouse model of atherosclerosis.

Methods and Results—

A phosphinic peptide (RXP470.1) that is a potent, selective murine MMP-12 inhibitor significantly reduced atherosclerotic plaque cross-sectional area by approximately 50% at 4 different vascular sites in male and female apolipoprotein E knockout mice fed a Western diet. Furthermore, RXP470.1 treatment resulted in less complex plaques with increased smooth muscle cell:macrophage ratio, less macrophage apoptosis, increased cap thickness, smaller necrotic cores, and decreased incidence of calcification. Additional in vitro and in vivo findings indicate that attenuated monocyte/macrophage invasion and reduced macrophage apoptosis probably underlie the beneficial effects observed on atherosclerotic plaque progression with MMP-12 inhibitor treatment.

Conclusion—

Our data demonstrate that a selective MMP-12 inhibitor retards atherosclerosis development and results in a more fibrous plaque phenotype in mice. Our study provides proof of principle to motivate translational work on MMP-12 inhibitor therapy in humans.
Door-to-Door Capture of Incident and Prevalent Stroke Cases in Durango, Mexico
Authors: Cantu-Brito Carlos , Majersik Jennifer J. , Sánchez Brisa N. , Ruano Angel , Becerra-Mendoza Daniela , Wing Jeffrey J. , Morgenstern Lewis B.
Published: January 2011

Background and Purpose—

Stroke incidence and prevalence estimates in developing countries should include stroke cases not presenting to hospital. We performed door-to-door stroke case ascertainment in Durango Municipality, Mexico, to estimate stroke incidence and prevalence and to determine the error made by only ascertaining hospital cases.

Methods—

Between September 2008 and March 2009, 1996 housing units were randomly sampled to screen for stroke in Durango Municipality residents 35 years of age and older. Field workers utilized a validated screening tool. Those screening positive were referred to a neurologist for history and examination and a head CT scan. Prevalence and cumulative incidence from the door-to-door surveillance were calculated and compared with previously reported hospitalization rates during the same defined time.

Results—

Respondents included 2437 subjects from 1419 homes. The refusal rate was 3.8%. Twenty subjects had verified or probable stroke. The prevalence of probable or verified stroke was 7.7 per 1000 (95% CI, 4.3 per 1000–11.2 per 1000). Five patients had a stroke during the time of the hospital surveillance, yielding a cumulative incidence of 232.3 per 100 000 (95% CI, 27.8–436.9). Two of the 5 cases were captured by door-to-door surveillance but not by hospital surveillance.

Conclusions—

This study provides the first community-based stroke prevalence and incidence estimates in Mexico. The wide confidence intervals, despite the large number of surveyed housing units, suggest the need for more advanced sampling strategies for stroke surveillance in the developing world.
Endogenous Tissue Plasminogen Activator Mediates Bone Marrow Stromal Cell-Induced Neurite Remodeling After Stroke in Mice
Authors: Shen Li Hong , Xin Hongqi , Li Yi , Zhang Rui Lan , Cui Yisheng , Zhang Li , Lu Mei , Zhang Zheng Gang , Chopp Michael
Published: January 2011

Background and Purpose—

Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) decrease neurological deficits in rodents after stroke and concomitantly induce extensive neurite remodeling in the brain, which highly correlates with the improvement of neurological function. We investigated the effects of endogenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) on neurite remodeling after BMSC treatment.

Methods—

Adult C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) mice and tPA knockout (tPA
−/−
) mice were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion, followed by an injection of 1×10
6
BMSC (n=18) or phosphate-buffered saline (n=18) into the tail vein 24 hours later. Behavioral tests were performed at 3, 7, and 14 days after middle cerebral artery occlusion. Animals were euthanized at 14 days after stroke.

Results—

The effects of BMSC on functional recovery depended on presence or absence of tPA, even after adjusting for imbalanced stroke severity. BMSC significantly improve functional recovery in WT mice compared to WT controls but show no beneficial effect in the tPA
−/−
mice compared to tPA
−/−
controls. Axonal density and synaptophysin-positive areas along the ischemic boundary zone of the cortex and striatum in WT mice are significantly higher than in the tPA
−/−
mice. BMSC treatment significantly increases tPA protein level and activity only in WT mice.

Conclusions—

Our results suggest that endogenous tPA promotes BMSC-induced neurite outgrowth and may contribute to functional recovery after stroke.
Circulation and Transport at the Southeast Tip of Greenland
Authors: Daniault Nathalie , Lherminier Pascale , Mercier Herlé
Published: January 2011

The circulation and related transports at the southeast tip of Greenland are determined from direct current observations of a moored current meter array. The measurements cover a time span from June 2004 to June 2006. The net mean total southwestward transport of the East Greenland–Irminger Current from the midshelf (20 km off the coast at 60°N) to the 2070-m isobath (about 100 km offshore) was estimated as 17.3 Sv (Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1) with an uncertainty of 1 Sv. The transport variability is characterized by a standard deviation of 3.8 Sv with a peak-to-peak amplitude up to 30 Sv. The seasonal variability has an amplitude of 1.5 Sv. Frequencies around 0.1 day−1 dominate the signal, although a variability at lower frequency (∼1 month−1) also appears in winter. The coherence between the observed transport variability and the wind stress curl variability over the Irminger Sea differs significantly from 0 at the 95% confidence level for periods greater than 5 days.
Seasonal Modulation of Eddy Kinetic Energy and Its Formation Mechanism in the Southeast Indian Ocean
Authors: Jia Fan , Wu Lixin , Qiu Bo
Published: January 2011

Mesoscale eddy activity in the southeast Indian Ocean (15°–30°S, 60°–110°E) is investigated based on available satellite altimetry observations. The observed sea level anomaly data show that this region is the only eastern basin among the global oceans where strong eddy activity exists. Furthermore, the eddy kinetic energy (EKE) level in this region displays a distinct seasonal cycle with the maximum in austral summer and minimum in austral winter. It is found that this seasonal modulation of EKE is mediated by baroclinic instability associated with the surface-intensified South Indian Countercurrent (SICC) and the underlying South Equatorial Current (SEC) system. In austral spring and summer the enhanced flux forcing of combined meridional Ekman and geostrophic convergence strengthens the upper-ocean meridional temperature gradient, intensifying the SICC front and its vertical velocity shear. Modulation of the vertical velocity shear results in the seasonal changes in the strength of baroclinic instability, leading to the seasonal EKE variations in the southeast Indian Ocean.
Parameterizations and Algorithms for Oceanic Whitecap Coverage
Authors: Goddijn-Murphy Lonneke , Woolf David K. , Callaghan Adrian H.
Published: January 2011

Shipboard measurements of fractional whitecap coverage W and wind speed at 10-m height, obtained during the 2006 Marine Aerosol Production (MAP) campaign, have been combined with ECMWF wave model and Quick Scatterometer (QuikSCAT) satellite wind speed data for assessment of existing W parameterizations. The wind history trend found in an earlier study of the MAP data could be associated with wave development on whitecapping, as previously postulated. Whitecapping was shown to be mainly wind driven; for high wind speeds (>9 m s−1), a minor reduction in the scatter of in situ W data points could be achieved by including sea state conditions or by using parameters related to wave breaking. The W values were slightly larger for decreasing wind/developed waves than for increasing wind/developing waves, whereas cross-swell conditions (deflection angle between wind and swell waves between ±45° and ±135°) appeared to dampen whitecapping. Tabulated curve fitting results of the different parameterizations show that the errors that could not be attributed to the propagation of the standard error in U10 remained largely unexplained. It is possible that the counteracting effects of wave development and cross swell undermine the performance of the simple parameterizations in this study.
Global Variability of the Wavenumber Spectrum of Oceanic Mesoscale Turbulence
Authors: Xu Yongsheng , Fu Lee-Lueng
Published: January 2011

The wavenumber spectra of sea surface height from satellite altimeter observations have revealed complex spatial variability that cannot be explained by a universal theory of mesoscale turbulence. Near the edge of the core regions of high eddy energy, agreement is observed with the prediction of the surface quasigeostrophic (SQG) turbulence theory, which has fundamental differences from that of the traditional quasigeostrophic (QG) turbulence theory. In the core regions of high eddy energy, the spectra are consistent with frontogenesis that is not fully accounted for by the SQG theory. However, the observations in the vast ocean interior of low eddy energy exhibit substantial differences from the predictions of existing theories of oceanic mesoscale turbulence. The spectra in these regions may reflect the ocean’s response to short-scale atmospheric forcing and air–sea interaction. The observations presented in this paper serve as a test bed for new theories and ocean general circulation models.
The NOAA Hydrometeorology Testbed Soil Moisture Observing Networks: Design, Instrumentation, and Preliminary Results
Authors: Zamora Robert J. , Ralph F. Martin , Clark Edward , Schneider Timothy
Published: January 2011

The NOAA Hydrometeorology Testbed (HMT) program has deployed soil moisture observing networks in the watersheds of the Russian River and the North Fork (NF) of the American River in northern California, and the San Pedro River in southeastern Arizona. These networks were designed to serve the combined needs of the hydrological, meteorological, agricultural, and climatological communities for observations of soil moisture on time scales that range from minutes to decades.

The networks are a major component of the HMT program that has been developed to accelerate the development and infusion of new observing technologies, modeling methods, and recent scientific research into the National Weather Service (NWS) offices and to help focus research and development efforts on key hydrological and meteorological forecast problems. These forecast problems are not only of interest to the NWS, but they also play a crucial role in providing input to water managers who work at the national, state, and local government levels to provide water for human consumption, agriculture, and other needs.

The HMT soil moisture networks have been specifically designed to capture the changes in soil moisture that are associated with heavy precipitation events and runoff from snowpack during the melt season. This paper describes the strategies used to site the networks and sensors as well as the selection, testing, and calibration of the soil moisture probes. In addition, two illustrative examples of the data gathered by the networks are shown.

The first example shows changes in soil moisture observed before and during a flood event on the Babocomari River tributary of the San Pedro River near Sierra Vista, Arizona, on 23 July 2008. The second example examines a 5-yr continuous time series of soil moisture gathered at Healdsburg, California. The time series illustrates the transition from a multiyear wet period to exceptionally dry conditions from a soil moisture perspective.
Optimal Determination of Parameters for Gamma-Type Drop Size Distributions Based on Moments
Authors: Handwerker Jan , Straub Winfried
Published: January 2011

Measured raindrop size distributions are often approximated by analytical functions. The parameters determining such functions are usually derived from measured data. This procedure can suffer from various uncertainties. The most important of which are (i) the limited detection range of measuring devices such as, for example, disdrometers, and (ii) poor statistics resulting from the rare appearance of relatively large drops.

One way to derive the parameters is the moments method that has a degree of freedom in the choice of the moments. The aim of this study is to find an optimal choice of moments. To this end, numerical experiments are performed by calculating random samples from drop populations with gamma-shaped size distributions. These samples are evaluated as they were recorded by an ideal disdrometer whose single limitation is the cutoff with respect to very small and very large raindrops. From that data the parameters mentioned above are determined by the moments method. The truncation of the measurement is explicitly taken into account during the retrieval. Further, all possible combinations of three different moments used to derive the gamma parameters are impartially compared.

It turns out that parameters derived on the basis of low-order moments are less affected by biases and noise than parameters derived by larger-order moments, that is, the sampling problem is more severe than the truncation problem, especially because the latter can be overcome much more efficiently within the retrieval algorithm. It is shown that by using very low-order moments and estimating the unmeasured fraction of the moments, optimal results from real measurements can be obtained.