bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ultra-High Dilutions and Homeopathy: Can They Be Explained without Non-Local Theory?
Authors: Tsitinidis Konstantinos , Almirantis Yannis 
Published: June 2018

We discuss questions related to the ‘Benveniste Affair’, its consequences and broader issues in an attempt to understand homeopathy. Specifically, we address the following points:
1. The relationship between the experiments conducted by Benveniste, Montagnier, their collaborators and groups that independently tested their results, and ‘traditional’ homeopathy.
2. Possible non-local components such as ‘generalised entanglement’ as the basis of the homeopathic phenomenon and experimental evidence for them.
3. The capability of highly diluted homeopathic remedies to provoke tangible biological changes in whole organisms and cellular experimental systems.
4. Aspects of the similia principle related to the above.
5. Suggestions that can lead to experimental verifications of the non-local hypothesis in homeopathy.
Infantile Onset Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Secondary to PRKAG2 Gene Mutation is Associated with Poor Prognosis
Authors: Raja Kishore , Garg Ashish , Barbouth Deborah , Rusconi Paolo , Gorla Sudheer 
Published: June 2018

AbstractHypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the second most prevalent form of cardiomyopathy in children. The etiology of the HCM is heterogeneous, so is the age of onset of symptoms. The HCM associated with metabolic disorders and genetic syndromes presents early in childhood. There are very few case reports of early-onset infantile HCM secondary to the PRKAG2 gene. Here, we report a case of HCM in a neonate diagnosed prenatally and eventually diagnosed with a missense mutation in the PRKAG2 gene.
Independent Predictors of Severity and Hospitalization in Acute Bronchiolitis: Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio and Mean Platelet Volume
Authors: Takçı Şahin , Seyyah Buket , Yılmaz Resul , Gul Ali 
Published: June 2018

Background and Aim Acute bronchiolitis is the most common cause of hospitalization in the first year of life. The neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and mean platelet volume (MPV) are readily calculable laboratory markers used to evaluate systemic inflammation. We aim to evaluate the optimal values of these markers for the prediction of severity and hospitalization in infants with acute bronchiolitis.
Materials and Methods A total of 105 patients with acute bronchiolitis and 62 healthy controls aged 1 to 12 months were prospectively enrolled to the study. The patients' group was classified into two groups, namely, outpatient and inpatient, also divided into three groups according to clinical scoring: mild, moderate, and severe. The association of NLR and MPV with clinical severity and hospitalization was investigated.
Results The mean age was 7.75 ± 2.98 months in patients and 7.69 ± 2.87 months in controls. The means of NLR were 0.47 and 0.64 in controls and patients, respectively (p = 0.032) and of MPV were 9.64 and 8.9 (p < 0.001), respectively. The means of NLR were 0.73 and 0.50 in inpatient and outpatient groups, respectively (p = 0.014) and of MPV were 8.65 and 9.32 (p = 0.046), respectively. NLR of 0.64 value was calculated as a cutoff for the prediction of hospitalization with 45% sensitivity and 83% specificity (positive predictive value = 81%, negative predictive value = 19%).
Conclusion We found that blood neutrophil percentage and blood NLR are increased and also weakly predictive—but insufficient to be clinically useful—for the decision of hospitalization in acute bronchiolitis. When the positive predictive value of an NLR of 0.64 is sufficient to decide hospitalization, the negative predictive value is impractical. MPV value was less in infants with acute bronchiolitis than healthy controls and in inpatients than outpatients with acute bronchiolitis. Low MPV might be marker of inflammation in acute bronchiolitis.
Carbamazepine-Induced Pure Red Cell Aplasia
Authors: Mansoor C. , Priya Laksmi 
Published: June 2018

AbstractAntiepileptic therapy is associated with various hematologic disorders. Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) is a rare disease that may be congenital or acquired. Severe normocytic anemia, reticulocytopenia, and absence of erythroblasts from an otherwise normal bone marrow should raise the suspicion of PRCA. A 32-year-old unmarried woman was admitted with fatigue for 4 months. She had been on carbamazepine therapy for 4 years (200 mg twice daily) for seizure disorder. On evaluation, she was diagnosed to have PRCA secondary to carbamazepine. We describe a patient with carbamazepine-induced PRCA that improved after discontinuation of the drug.
Image-Guided Percutaneous Biopsy and Drainage of the Abdomen
Authors: Arellano Ronald 
Published: June 2018

AbstractImage-guided percutaneous biopsy and abscess drainages are some of the most commonly performed procedures in interventional radiology. With advances in targeted immunotherapies for oncology patients, physicians increasingly depend on the experience and skill of the interventional radiologist to acquire tissue specimens from within the abdomen and pelvis. Furthermore, percutaneous drainage of abdominal and pelvic fluid collections has largely replaced the need for surgical interventions for infected abdominal collections. This review will discuss techniques of image-guided percutaneous abdominal biopsy and drainage.
Infantile Hämangiome im Lid- und Orbitabereich
Authors: Weißer M. , Sterker I. 
Published: June 2018

ZusammenfassungInfantile Hämangiome im Lid- und Orbitabereich können trotz ihres selbstlimitierenden natürlichen Verlaufs zu funktionellen Defiziten infolge einer Amblyopie oder Optikuskompression führen oder ein ästhetisch störendes Erscheinungsbild entwickeln und bedürfen dann einer Therapie.Seit der „zufälligen” Entdeckung des Effektes von Propranolol auf infantile Hämangiome im Jahr 2008 wird diese Substanz zur Behandlung komplizierter Hämangiome eingesetzt, die ansonsten den Einsatz von Kortikosteroiden, Laser oder operativen Verfahren erfordert hätten. Propranolol systemisch ist derzeit bei komplizierten Hämangiomen der Lider und Orbita aufgrund des raschen und komplikationsarmen Therapieeffektes Therapie der ersten Wahl.Dargestellt werden Pathogenese, Klassifikation, Indikation zur Therapie, Therapieoptionen sowie deren Effektivität für infantile Hämangiome im Lid- und Orbitabereich.Weitere klinische Studien zur Optimierung von Dosierung, Behandlungsdauer und Art der Anwendung von Propranolol (lokal oder systemisch) sind jedoch weiterhin erforderlich, um den Regressionseffekt und die Regressionsrate weiter zu verbessern.
Comprehensive skin microbiome analysis reveals the uniqueness of human skin and evidence for phylosymbiosis within the class Mammalia
Authors: Ross Ashley A. , Müller Kirsten M. , Weese J. Scott , Neufeld Josh D. 
Published: June 2018

Significance
Skin forms a critical protective barrier between a mammal and its external environment. Baseline data on the mammalian skin microbiome elucidates which microorganisms are found on healthy skin and provides insight into mammalian evolutionary history. To our knowledge, this study represents the largest existing mammalian skin microbiome survey. Our findings demonstrate that human skin is distinct, not only from other Primates, but from all 10 mammalian orders sampled. Identifying significant similarities between branching of mammalian phylogenetic trees and relatedness trees for their corresponding microbial communities raises the possibility that mammals have experienced coevolution between skin microbiota and their corresponding host species.
High-resolution μCT of a mouse embryo using a compact laser-driven X-ray betatron source
Authors: Cole Jason M. , Symes Daniel R. , Lopes Nelson C. , Wood Jonathan C. , Poder Kristjan , Alatabi Saleh , Botchway Stanley W. , Foster Peta S. , Gratton Sarah , Johnson Sara , Kamperidis Christos , Kononenko Olena , De Lazzari Michael , Palmer Charlotte A. J. , Rusby Dean , Sanderson Jeremy , Sandholzer Michael , Sarri Gianluca , Szoke-Kovacs Zsombor , Teboul Lydia , Thompson James M. , Warwick Jonathan R. , Westerberg Henrik , Hill Mark A. , Norris Dominic P. , Mangles Stuart P. D. , Najmudin Zulfikar 
Published: June 2018

Significance
High-resolution microcomputed tomography with benchtop X-ray sources requires long scan times because of the heat load limitation on the anode. We present an alternative, high-brightness plasma-based X-ray source that does not suffer from this restriction. A demonstration of tomography of a centimeter-scale complex organism achieves equivalent quality to a commercial scanner. We will soon be able to record such scans in minutes, rather than the hours required by conventional X-ray tubes.
Landscape of the long non-coding RNA transcriptome in human heart
Authors: Jiang Chunjie , Ding Na , Li Junyi , Jin Xiyun , Li Lili , Pan Tao , Huo Caiqin , Li Yongsheng , Xu Juan , Li Xia 
Published: June 2018

Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been revealed to play essential roles in the human cardiovascular system. However, information about their mechanisms is limited, and a comprehensive view of cardiac lncRNAs is lacking from a multiple tissues perspective to date. Here, the landscape of the lncRNA transcriptome in human heart was summarized. We summarized all lncRNA transcripts from publicly available human transcriptome resources (156 heart samples and 210 samples from 29 other tissues) and systematically analysed all annotated and novel lncRNAs expressed in heart. A total of 7485 lncRNAs whose expression was elevated in heart (HE lncRNAs) and 453 lncRNAs expressed in all 30 analysed tissues (EIA lncRNAs) were extracted. Using various bioinformatics resources, methods and tools, the features of these lncRNAs were discussed from various perspectives, including genomic structure, conservation, dynamic variation during heart development, cis-regulation, differential expression in cardiovascular diseases and cancers as well as regulation at transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. Afterwards, all the features discussed above were integrated into a user-friendly resource named CARDIO-LNCRNAS (http://bio-bigdata.hrbmu.edu.cn/CARDIO-LNCRNAS/ or http://www.bio-bigdata.net/CARDIO-LNCRNAS/). This study represents the first global view of lncRNAs in the human cardiovascular system based on multiple tissues and sheds light on the role of lncRNAs in developments and heart disorders.
Integrating proteomic or transcriptomic data into metabolic models using linear bound flux balance analysis
Authors: Tian Mingyuan , Reed Jennifer L 
Published: June 2018

AbstractMotivationTranscriptomics and proteomics data have been integrated into constraint-based models to influence flux predictions. However, it has been reported recently for Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, that model predictions from parsimonious flux balance analysis (pFBA), which does not use expression data, are as good or better than predictions from various algorithms that integrate transcriptomics or proteomics data into constraint-based models.ResultsIn this paper, we describe a novel constraint-based method called Linear Bound Flux Balance Analysis (LBFBA), which uses expression data (either transcriptomic or proteomic) to predict metabolic fluxes. The method uses expression data to place soft constraints on individual fluxes, which can be violated. Parameters in the soft constraints are first estimated from a training expression and flux dataset before being used to predict fluxes from expression data in other conditions. We applied LBFBA to E.coli and S.cerevisiae datasets and found that LBFBA predictions were more accurate than pFBA predictions, with average normalized errors roughly half of those from pFBA. For the first time, we demonstrate a computational method that integrates expression data into constraint-based models and improves quantitative flux predictions over pFBA.Availability and implementationCode is available in the Supplementary data available at Bioinformatics online.Supplementary informationSupplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
snpEnrichR: analyzing co-localization of SNPs and their proxies in genomic regions
Authors: Nousiainen Kari , Kanduri Kartiek , Ricaño-Ponce Isis , Wijmenga Cisca , Lahesmaa Riitta , Kumar Vinod , Lähdesmäki Harri 
Published: June 2018

Abstract

Motivation
Co-localization of trait associated SNPs for specific transcription-factor binding sites or regulatory regions in the genome can yield profound insight into underlying causal mechanisms. Analysis is complicated because the truly causal SNPs are generally unknown and can be either SNPs reported in GWAS studies or other proxy SNPs in their linkage disequilibrium. Hence, a comprehensive pipeline for SNP co-localization analysis that utilizes all relevant information about both the genotyped SNPs and their proxies is needed.

Results
We developed an R package snpEnrichR for SNP co-localization analysis. The software integrates different tools for random SNP generation and genome co-localization analysis to automatize and help users to create custom SNP co-localization analysis. We show via an example that including proxy SNPs in SNP co-localization analysis enhances the sensitivity of co-localization detection.

Availability and implementation
The software is available at https://github.com/kartiek/snpEnrichR.
Development of significant tricuspid regurgitation over time and prognostic implications: new insights into natural history
Authors: Prihadi Edgard A , van der Bijl Pieter , Gursoy Erhan , Abou Rachid , Mara Vollema E , Hahn Rebecca T , Stone Gregg W , Leon Martin B , Ajmone Marsan Nina , Delgado Victoria , Bax Jeroen J 
Published: June 2018

Abstract

Aims
To evaluate the risk factors influencing the development of significant (moderate and severe) tricuspid regurgitation (TR), and its impact on all-cause mortality in large registry of referral centre.

Methods and results
In 1000 patients (mean age 68 ± 13 years; 50.9% male) with documented significant TR, clinical, and echocardiographic data were retrospectively analysed when the echocardiogram showed none/mild TR. Patients with congenital heart disease were excluded. The study population was divided into quartiles according to the time interval between the two echocardiograms: Group 1: ≤1.2 years, n = 251; Group 2: 1.3–4.7 years, n = 248, Group 3: 4.8–8.9 years, n = 251; Group 4: ≥9.0 years, n = 250. Baseline age [odds ratio (OR) 1.02], presence of pacemaker and defibrillator lead (OR 1.59), presence of mild (vs. none) TR (OR 8.96), reduced tricuspid annulus plane systolic excursion (OR 0.86), and tricuspid annulus dilation (OR 1.06) were independently associated with development of significant TR in a short period of time. Any valvular surgery (without concomitant tricuspid surgery) occurring between both echocardiograms was also associated with a higher risk of fast development of significant TR (OR 1.58). During a median follow-up of 2.9 years after the second echocardiogram (with significant TR), 42.1% patients died. Patients with fast development of significant TR showed worse survival than patients with slower significant TR development (log rank P = 0.001). Fast development of significant TR was independently associated with all-cause mortality (hazard ratio per preceding year of development: 0.92, confidence interval 0.90–0.94; P &lt; 0.001).

Conclusion
By identifying patients at increased risk of developing significant TR, close echocardiographic surveillance can be indicated permitting effective therapy at an earlier stage to improve survival.
A new approach for estimating stock status from length frequency data
Authors: Froese Rainer , Winker Henning , Coro Gianpaolo , Demirel Nazli , Tsikliras Athanassios C , Dimarchopoulou Donna , Scarcella Giuseppe , Probst Wolfgang Nikolaus , Dureuil Manuel , Pauly Daniel 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThis study presents a new method (LBB) for the analysis of length frequency data from commercial catches. LBB works for species that grow throughout their lives, such as most commercially-important fish and invertebrates, and requires no input in addition to length frequency data. It estimates asymptotic length, length at first capture, relative natural mortality, and relative fishing mortality. Standard fisheries equations can then be used to approximate current exploited biomass relative to unexploited biomass. In addition, these parameters allow the estimation of length at first capture that would maximize catch and biomass for a given fishing effort, and estimation of a proxy for the relative biomass capable of producing maximum sustainable yields. Relative biomass estimates of LBB were not significantly different from the “true” values in simulated data and were similar to independent estimates from full stock assessments. LBB also presents a new indicator for assessing whether an observed size structure is indicative of a healthy stock. LBB results will obviously be misleading if the length frequency data do not represent the size composition of the exploited size range of the stock or if length frequencies resulting from the interplay of growth and mortality are masked by strong recruitment pulses.
Brief Electrical Stimulation Promotes Nerve Regeneration Following Experimental In-Continuity Nerve Injury
Authors: Shapira Yuval , Sammons Vanessa , Forden Joanne , Guo Gui Fang , Kipp Alexander , Girgulis Jill , Mishra Tanmay , de Villers Alant Jacob Daniel , Midha Rajiv 
Published: June 2018

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Brief electrical stimulation (ES) therapy to the nerve may improve outcome in lacerated, repaired nerves. However, most human nerve injuries leave the nerve in continuity with variable and often poor functional recovery from incomplete axon regeneration and reinnervation.

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of brief ES in an experimental model for neuroma-in-continuity (NIC) injuries in rodents.

METHODS
Lewis rats were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups: NIC injury immediately followed by brief (1 h) ES; NIC injury without ES; sham-operated controls; sciatic nerve transection without repair. Outcome measures included serial behavioral evaluation and electrophysiology together with terminal retrograde spinal cord motor neuron labeling and histomorphological analysis for axonal regeneration.

RESULTS
Applying brief ES immediately after in-continuity nerve injury resulted in earlier recovery and significantly improved locomotion function at 4 and 6 wk. At 8 wk, brief ES resulted in higher compound action potential amplitude. By 12 wk there was no significant difference between the 2 groups in behavior or electrophysiology. Histomorphological analysis demonstrated a significantly higher percentage of neural tissue in the brief ES group. Spinal cord motor neuron pool cell counts revealed a preference for regeneration into a motor over a sensory nerve, for the group receiving ES.

CONCLUSION
The application of brief ES for in-continuity nerve injury promotes faster recovery, although in a rat model where regeneration distances are short the control group ultimately recovers to a similar degree. Brief EF requires further evaluation as a promising therapy for in-continuity nerve injuries in humans.
Quality of Life Improvement Following Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson Disease: Development of a Prognostic Model
Authors: Frizon Leonardo A , Hogue Olivia , Achey Rebecca , Floden Darlene P , Nagel Sean , Machado Andre G , Lobel Darlene A 
Published: June 2018

Abstract

BACKGROUND
There is a growing attention to determine the factors that predict quality of life (QoL) improvement after deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson's disease. Prior literature has largely focused on examining predictors one at a time, sometimes controlling for covariates.

OBJECTIVE
To develop a model that could be used as a nomogram to predict improvement in QoL following DBS surgery in patients with Parkinson's disease.

METHODS
All patients with complete pre- and postoperative movement disorder and neuropsychological testing who underwent DBS at a single institution between 2007-2012 were analyzed. The Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39 (PDQ-39) was used to measure QoL. Potential predictive factors, including patient demographics, clinical presentation characteristics, radiographic imaging, and motor and psychological testing were analyzed for impact on QoL.

RESULTS
Sixty-seven patients were identified, 36 (53.73%) of whom had meaningfully improved QoL following surgery. Five baseline variables showed significant relationships with the outcome: years since symptom onset, percent change in on/off motor evaluation, levodopa equivalent daily dose, bilateral vs unilateral DBS implantation, and PDQ-39 score. The final model includes PDQ-39, percent change in UPRS-III, and years since symptom onset and is able to predict improvement in QoL with 81% accuracy.

CONCLUSION
Our model accurately predicted whether QoL would improve in patients undergoing subthalamic nucleus DBS 81% of the time. Our data may serve as the foundation to further refine a clinically relevant prognostic tool that would assist the decision-making process for clinicians and DBS multidisciplinary teams assessing patient candidacy for surgery.
Novel Dual Lumen Catheter and Filtration Device for Removal of Subarachnoid hemorrhage: First Case Report
Authors: Blackburn Spiros L , Swisher Christa B , Grande Andrew W , Rubi Alba , Verbick Laura Zitella , McCabe Aaron , Lad Shivanand P 
Published: June 2018

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE
The amount of subarachnoid blood and the presence of toxic blood breakdown products in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) have long been associated with poor outcomes in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. The Neurapheresis™ system (Minnetronix Inc, St. Paul, Minnesota) has been developed to filter CSF and remove blood products, and is being investigated for safety and feasibility in the ExtracorPoreal FILtration of subarachnoid hemorrhage via SpinaL CAtheteR (PILLAR) study. We report the first case using this novel device.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION
A 65-yr-old female presented with a ruptured left posterior communicating artery aneurysm. Following placement of a ventriculostomy and coil embolization of her aneurysm, the patient underwent placement of a lumbar dual lumen catheter for CSF filtration as part of the PILLAR study. In this case, a total of 9 h of filtration during 31 h of catheter indwelling resulted in 309.47 mL of processed CSF without complication. Computed tomography images demonstrated an interval reduction of subarachnoid hemorrhage immediately after filtration. The patient was discharged home on postbleed day 11 and at 30 d showed good recovery.

CONCLUSION
Safety of the Neurapheresis procedure was confirmed in this first case, and we will continue to evaluate safety of the Neurapheresis system through the PILLAR trial.