bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ORAI1/STIM1 Interaction Intervenes in Stroke and in Neuroprotection Induced by Ischemic Preconditioning Through Store-Operated Calcium Entry
Authors: Secondo Agnese , Petrozziello Tiziana , Tedeschi Valentina , Boscia Francesca , Vinciguerra Antonio , Ciccone Roselia , Pannaccione Anna , Molinaro Pasquale , Pignataro Giuseppe , Annunziato Lucio 
Published: April 2019

Background and Purpose—

Disturbance of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca
2+
homeostasis causes neuronal cell injury in stroke. By contrast, ischemic preconditioning (IPC)—a brief sublethal ischemic episode affording tolerance to a subsequent ischemic insult—restores ER Ca
2+
homeostasis. Under physiological conditions, ER calcium content is continuously refilled by the interaction between the ER-located Ca
2+
sensor STIM (stromal interacting molecule) 1 and the plasma membrane channel ORAI1 (a structural component of the CRAC calcium channel)—2 key mediators of the store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) mechanism. However, the role played by ORAI1 and STIM1 in stroke and in IPC-induced neuroprotection during stroke remains unknown. Therefore, we explored whether ORAI1 and STIM1 might be involved in stroke pathogenesis and in IPC-induced neuroprotection.

Methods—

Primary cortical neurons were subjected to oxygen and glucose deprivation+reoxygenation to reproduce in vitro brain ischemia. Focal brain ischemia and IPC were induced in rats by transient middle cerebral artery occlusion. Expression of ORAI1 and STIM1 transcripts and proteins and their immunosignals were detected by qRT-PCR, Western blot, and immunocytochemistry, respectively. SOCE and Ca
2+
release–activated Ca
2+
currents (I
CRAC
) were measured by Fura-2 AM video imaging and patch-clamp electrophysiology in whole-cell configuration, respectively.

Results—

STIM1 and ORAI1 protein expression and immunosignals decreased in the ipsilesional temporoparietal cortex of rats subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion followed by reperfusion. Analogously, in primary hypoxic cortical neurons, STIM1 and ORAI1 transcript and protein levels decreased concurrently with SOCE and Ca
2+
release–activated Ca
2+
currents. By contrast, IPC induced SOCE and Ca
2+
release–activated Ca
2+
current upregulation, thereby preventing STIM1 and ORAI1 downregulation induced by oxygen and glucose deprivation+reoxygenation. Silencing of STIM1 or ORAI1 prevented IPC-induced tolerance and caused ER stress, as measured by GRP78 (78-kDa glucose regulated protein) and caspase-3 upregulation.

Conclusions—
ORAI1 and STIM1, which participate in SOCE, take part in stroke pathophysiology and play an important role in IPC-induced neuroprotection.
ERASER
Authors: Fiehler Jens , Thomalla Goetz , Bernhardt Martina , Kniep Helge , Berlis Ansgar , Dorn Franziska , Eckert Bernd , Kemmling Andre , Langner Soenke , Remonda Luca , Reith Wolfgang , Rohde Stefan , Möhlenbruch Markus , Bendszus Martin , Forkert Nils D. , Gellissen Susanne 
Published: April 2019

Background and Purpose—
Using a novel study design with virtual comparators based on predictive modeling, we investigated whether next-generation mechanical thrombectomy devices improve outcomes in patients with ischemic stroke. We hypothesized that this new study design shows that a next-generation mechanical thrombectomy system is superior to intravenous tPA (tissue-type plasminogen activator) therapy (IVT) alone.

Methods—
ERASER (Eric Acute Stroke Recanalization) was an investigator-initiated, prospective, multicenter, single-arm (virtual 2-arm) study that evaluated the effectiveness of a new recanalization device together with a specific intermediate catheter (Embolus Retriever with Interlinked Cages/SOFIA, Microvention) in stroke patients with internal carotid artery or middle cerebral artery occlusions. The primary end point was the volume of saved tissue. Volume of saved tissue was defined as the difference of actual infarct volume and brain volume predicted to develop infarction using a machine learning model based on data from intravenous tPA therapy patients.

Results—

Eighty-one patients were enrolled. The median patient age was 71 years (interquartile range, 61–77). National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 14 (interquartile range, 12–18). The actual infarct volume was smaller than predicted by the intravenous tPA therapy model, with a median volume of saved tissue of 50 mL (interquartile range, 19–103;
P
<0.0001). Good clinical outcome (modified Rankin Scale, 0–2 at 90 days) was observed in 48 out of 69 (70%). The recanalization rate (Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction 2b/3) was 95%.

Conclusions—
ERASER is the first mechanical thrombectomy study with a primary end point based on predictive analytics enabling intraindividual virtual comparisons. The next-generation mechanical thrombectomy method resulted in smaller infarcts than predicted after intravenous tPA therapy alone and showed a high rate of good clinical outcome. The novel study design with virtual comparisons is promising for further application and testing in the neurovascular arena.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT02534701.
Reared parasitic wasps attacking hesperiids from Western Ghats (Kerala, India) with description of a new species of Dolichogenidea (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) as a larval parasitoid of Thoressa evershedi (Evans) (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae)
Authors: GUPTA ANKITA , S KALESH. 
Published: April 2019

Eight species of parasitic wasps were bred from various stages of five species of hesperiids viz. Thoressa evershedi (Evans), Pelopidas mathias (Fabricius), Udaspes folus (Cramer), Borbo cinnara (Wallace) and Caltoris sp. inhabiting Western Ghats, Kerala, India. One new species, Dolichogenidea kunhi Gupta & Kalesh, is described and illustrated from Kerala, India, and its relationship with closely allied species is discussed. This new species was bred from parasitized larvae of Thoressa evershedi (Evans) (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae). Microgastrinae braconid species, Apanteles javensis Rohwer and Cotesia erionotae (Wilkinson) were bred from parasitized larvae of P. mathias and U. folus respectively. Brachymeria habui Özdikmen (Chalcididae) was recorded from pupae of U. folus. Two hyperparasitoids, Eurytoma manilensis Ashmead (Eurytomidae) & Pediobius foveolatus (Crawford) (Eulophidae) were bred from larvae of B. cinnara. Egg parasitoid, Ooencyrtus papilionis Ashmead (Encyrtidae) and pupal parasitoid Brachymeria lasus (Walker) (Chacididae) was recorded from Caltoris sp. Information on the parasitoid distribution, brief diagnosis of each species with a habitus photograph for easy identification, host association, host caterpillars, caterpillar host plants, and taxonomic comments are provided.
Recent Decadal Changes in Heat Waves over China: Drivers and Mechanisms
Authors: Su Qin , Dong Buwen 
Published: April 2019

AbstractObservational analysis indicates significant decadal changes in daytime, nighttime, and compound (both daytime and nighttime) heat waves (HWs) over China across the mid-1990s, featuring a rapid increase in frequency, intensity, and spatial extent. The variations of these observed decadal changes are assessed by the comparison between the present day (PD) of 1994–2011 and the early period (EP) of 1964–81. The compound HWs change most remarkably in all three aspects, with frequency averaged over China in the PD tripling that in the EP and intensity and spatial extent nearly doubling. The daytime and nighttime HWs also change significantly in all three aspects. A set of numerical experiments is used to investigate the drivers and physical processes responsible for the decadal changes of the HWs. Results indicate the predominant role of the anthropogenic forcing, including changes in greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations and anthropogenic aerosol (AA) emissions in the HW decadal changes. The GHG changes have dominant impacts on the three types of HWs, while the AA changes make significant influences on daytime HWs. The GHG changes increase the frequency, intensity, and spatial extent of the three types of HWs over China both directly via the strengthened greenhouse effect and indirectly via land–atmosphere and circulation feedbacks in which GHG-change-induced warming in sea surface temperature plays an important role. The AA changes decrease the frequency and intensity of daytime HWs over Southeastern China through mainly aerosol–radiation interaction, but increase the frequency and intensity of daytime HWs over Northeastern China through AA-change-induced surface–atmosphere feedbacks and dynamical changes related to weakened East Asian summer monsoon.
Stochastic Spectral Method for Radar-Based Probabilistic Precipitation Nowcasting
Authors: Pulkkinen Seppo , Chandrasekar V. , Harri Ari-Matti 
Published: April 2019

AbstractNowcasts (short-term forecasts) of heavy rainfall causing flash floods are highly valuable in densely populated urban areas. In the Collaborative Adaptive Sensing of the Atmosphere (CASA) project, a high-resolution X-band radar network was deployed in the Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW) metroplex. The Dynamic and Adaptive Radar Tracking of Storms (DARTS) method was developed as a part of the CASA nowcasting system. In this method, the advection field is determined in the spectral domain using the discrete Fourier transform. DARTS was recently extended to include a filtering scheme for suppressing small-scale precipitation features that have low predictability. Building on the earlier work, Stochastic DARTS (S-DARTS), a probabilistic extension of DARTS, is developed and tested using the CASA DFW radar network. In this method, the nowcasts are stochastically perturbed in order to simulate uncertainties. Two novel features are introduced in S-DARTS. First, the scale filtering and perturbation based on an autoregressive model are done in the spectral domain in order to achieve high computational efficiency. Second, this methodology is extended to modeling the temporal evolution of the advection field. The performance and forecast skill of S-DARTS are evaluated with different precipitation intensity thresholds and ensemble sizes. It is shown that S-DARTS can produce reliable probabilistic nowcasts in the CASA DFW domain with 250-m spatial resolution up to 45 min for lower precipitation intensities (below 2 mm h−1). For higher intensities (above 5 mm h−1), adequate skill can be obtained up to 15 min.
Variational Bias Correction of TAMDAR Temperature Observations in the WRF Data Assimilation System
Authors: Gao Feng , Liu Zhiquan , Ma Juhui , Jacobs Neil A. , Childs Peter P. , Wang Hongli 
Published: April 2019

AbstractA variational bias correction (VarBC) scheme is developed and tested using regional Weather Research and Forecasting Model Data Assimilation (WRFDA) to correct systematic errors in aircraft-based measurements of temperature produced by the Tropospheric Airborne Meteorological Data Reporting (TAMDAR) system. Various bias models were investigated, using one or all of aircraft height tendency, Mach number, temperature tendency, and the observed temperature as predictors. These variables were expected to account for the representation of some well-known error sources contributing to uncertainties in TAMDAR temperature measurements. The parameters corresponding to these predictors were evolved in the model for a two-week period to generate initial estimates according to each unique aircraft tail number. Sensitivity experiments were then conducted for another one-month period. Finally, a case study using VarBC of a cold front precipitation event is examined. The implementation of VarBC reduces biases in TAMDAR temperature innovations. Even when using a bias model containing a single predictor, such as height tendency or Mach number, the VarBC produces positive impacts on analyses and short-range forecasts of temperature with smaller standard deviations and biases than the control run. Additionally, by employing a multiple-predictor bias model, which describes the statistical relations between innovations and predictors, and uses coefficients to control the evolution of components in the bias model with respect to their reference values, VarBC further reduces the average error of analyses and short-range forecasts with respect to observations. The potential impacts of VarBC on precipitation forecasts were evaluated, and the VarBC is able to indirectly improve the prediction of precipitation location by reducing the forecast error for wind-related synoptic circulation leading to precipitation.
Congenital Nasal Pyriform Aperture Stenosis: Conservative Management
Authors: Collins Benjamin , Powitzky Rosser , Enix Jessica , Digoy G. Paul 
Published: April 2019

Objectives This case series outlines the advantages of using 0.1% intranasal dexamethasone drops (IDD) to treat nasal obstruction in patients with congenital pyriform aperture stenosis (PAS). Methods Five consecutive cases of PAS were reviewed. Results Three patients were treated with IDD alone, and 2 were treated surgically and had residual postoperative nasal obstruction before IDD. Four patients in follow-up (mean, 1 year) were weaned off the steroid drops with good breathing results. One patient developed iatrogenic Cushing's disease, and another, who was initially treated with surgery, eventually required nasal vestibular stenosis repair in addition to IDD. Conclusions This study is the first to review the use of IDD in treating PAS. The potential impact of midnasal stenosis is discussed, and a conservative management algorithm for patients with PAS is presented. Careful surveillance for potential side effects of IDD is recommended, especially in cases that require elevated doses.
Multislice Computed Tomography Overestimates Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence Syndrome
Authors: Re Massimo , Gioacchini Federico Maria , Salvolini Ugo , Totaro Anna Maria , Santarelli Andrea , Mallardi Vito , Magliulo Giuseppe 
Published: April 2019

Objectives We assessed the prevalence of superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD) through examination of ultrahigh-resolution computed tomography (CT) scans of the temporal bone and attempted to verify the correspondence between a radiologic diagnosis of SSCD and clinical signs of SSCD syndrome. Methods A prospective study was carried out on 191 consecutive patients who underwent temporal bone ultrahigh-resolution CT scans. Cases that matched the radiologic diagnosis of SSCD were subsequently referred for a comprehensive audiological evaluation that might enable a final diagnosis of SSCD syndrome. Results Among the 191 patients, 17 had a radiologic diagnosis of SSCD, which was bilateral in 5 cases, for a total of 22 SSCD cases, with a prevalence rate of 5.8%. In 2 of the 17 patients, the audiological examination revealed signs and symptoms indicative of SSCD syndrome, with a total prevalence rate of 0.5%. Conclusions Our data confirm that the radiologic diagnosis of SSCD, performed by mean thin-section CT scans reformatted in the plane of the superior semicircular canal, is not necessarily related to the clinical presentation of SSCD syndrome. Our study also showed a prevalence rate of SSCD syndrome that was similar to the prevalence of SSCD reported from studies of histologic specimens.
Curcumin and Anthocyanin Inhibit Pepsin-Mediated Cell Damage and Carcinogenic Changes in Airway Epithelial Cells
Authors: Samuels Tina L. , Pearson Amy C. S. , Wells Clive W. , Stoner Gary D. , Johnston Nikki 
Published: April 2019

Objectives Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is associated with inflammatory and neoplastic airway diseases. Gastric pepsin internalized by airway epithelial cells during reflux contributes to oxidative stress, inflammation, and carcinogenesis. Several plant extracts and compounds inhibit digestive enzymes and inflammatory or neoplastic changes to the esophagus in models of gastroesophageal reflux. This study examined the potential of chemoprotective phytochemicals to inhibit peptic activity and mitigate pepsin-mediated damage of airway epithelial cells. Methods Cultured human laryngeal and hypopharyngeal epithelial cells were pretreated with curcumin (10 μmol/L), ecabet sodium (125 μg/mL), and anthocyanin-enriched black-raspberry extract (100 μg/mL) 30 minutes before treatment with pepsin (0.1 mg/mL; 1 hour; pH 7). Controls were treated with media pH 7 or pepsin pH 7 without phytochemicals. Cell damage and proliferative changes were assessed by electron microscopy, cell count, thymidine analog incorporation, and real-time polymerase chain reaction array. Pepsin inhibition was determined by in vitro kinetic assay. Results Micromolar concentrations of curcumin, ecabet sodium, and black-raspberry extract inhibited peptic activity and pepsin-induced mitochondrial damage and hyperproliferation. Curcumin abrogated pepsin-mediated depression of tumor suppressor gene expression and altered the subcellular localization of pepsin following endocytosis. Conclusions Several phytochemicals inhibit the pepsin-mediated cell damage underlying inflammatory or neoplastic manifestations of LPR. Dietary supplementation or adjunctive therapy with phytochemicals may represent novel preventive or therapeutic strategies for LPR-attributed disease.
Postoperative Nasal Debridement after Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Alsaffar Hussain , Sowerby Leigh , Rotenberg Brian W. 
Published: April 2019

Objectives Postoperative debridement is a controversial subject in the rhinology literature. The objective of this randomized controlled trial was to determine the effect of regular debridement versus no debridement on disease-specific outcomes and patient inconvenience. Methods Patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with polyposis who were to undergo basic sinus surgery (antrostomy, ethmoidectomy, and polypectomy) were randomized to either debridement (at postoperative weeks 2 and 4) or no debridement, and their outcomes were assessed at 4 weeks and at 6 months with the Lund-Kennedy Endoscopic Score (LKES), the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test–21 (SNOT-21), a visual analog scale for postoperative pain, and a novel scoring system for postoperative inconvenience (Post-Operative Inconvenience Scale; POIS). All patients were instructed to use high-volume saline rinses twice daily. Results At 4 weeks after operation, there was no difference between the groups in regard to LKESs (control group, 2.1 of 20; debridement group, 2.4 of 20; p = 0.59) or SNOT scores (control group, 9.1; debridement group, 8.3; p = 0.47). The visual analog scale pain scores showed significance (control group, 19 mm; debridement group, 38 mm; p = 0.019), as did the POIS scores (control group, 18.3; debridement group, 6.1; p = 0.002). At 6 months after surgery, again no difference was seen between the groups on either LKESs or SNOT scores. Conclusions In our patient population, debridement after surgery did not affect disease-specific outcomes.
Does Bone Mineral Density Have an Effect on Hearing Loss in Postmenopausal Patients?
Authors: Özkınrış Mahmut , Karaçavuş Seyhan , Kapusuz Zeliha , Balbaloğlu Özlem , Saydam Levent 
Published: April 2019

Objectives An age-related decline in the bone mineral density (BMD) of the temporal bone, specifically in the segments that house the middle and inner ear, has been suggested as an additional risk factor for sensorineural hearing loss. We evaluated the effect of BMD on hearing loss in postmenopausal patients. Methods This study involved 120 postmenopausal women who were referred between May 1, 2012, and September 1, 2012. The age range was 50 to 55 years (mean, 52.7 ± 2.3 years). The subjects were divided into three groups according to the results of BMD measurements. Of these, 30 were control subjects with normal BMD values, 45 had osteopenia, and 45 had osteoporosis. Each subject was tested with low- and high-frequency audiometry by a single experienced investigator under standard audiometric testing conditions. For each set of tests, mean values of air and bone conduction at each frequency and tympanometric values were calculated for the osteopenia, osteoporosis, and control groups. Results All three groups were designed to have similar mean ages and roughly equal durations of menopause and body mass indexes. At low frequencies (0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2 kHz), the differences in the mean air conduction threshold values among the three groups were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). At high frequencies (4,6, and 8 kHz), the difference in the mean air conduction threshold values between the osteopenia and control groups was not statistically significant (p > 0.05), but that in the osteoporosis group was statistically significantly higher than those in the osteopenia and control groups (p < 0.05). At low frequencies (0.5, 1, and 2 kHz), the differences in the mean bone conduction threshold values among the three groups were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). At 4 kHz, the difference in the mean bone conduction threshold values between the osteopenia and control groups was not statistically significant (p > 0.05), but that in the osteoporosis group was statistically significantly higher than those in the osteopenia and control groups (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference among the three groups in tympanometric values (p > 0.05). Conclusions We conclude that patients with low BMD values should routinely be counseled for an audiological assessment to detect any change in hearing thresholds.
Radiation Therapy Impact on Lymph Node Yield in Patients With Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Reyes Camilo , Rios Julian , Groves Michael , Solares C. Arturo , Jackson Lana , Byrd J. Kenneth 
Published: April 2019

Background:A lymph node yield (LNY) over 20 is considered a quality metric for lateral neck dissection to ensure an oncologic representative sample. Anecdotally, however, LNY in patients undergoing neck dissection after radiation therapy (RT) is lower due to atrophy and fibrosis.Objective:To determine whether preoperative RT decreases LNY in patients with laryngeal cancers undergoing surgery.Methods:Medical record database was queried for patients presenting between 2006 and 2015 with laryngeal cancer. Tabulation was made for location (glottic/supraglottic), stage, and side for the total number of lymph nodes between primary surgery and RT (salvage surgery) groups. Descriptive analysis and a paired Student t test were used for statistical analysis.Results:Fifty-nine patients were included in the study for a total of 98 neck dissections. Twenty-six (44%) patients had primary surgery, and 33 (56%) patients had salvage surgery. The mean left and right total LNY in the salvage surgery group was 27.6 and 29.5, respectively, and 32.2 and 33.7 for the primary surgery group. A difference of 4.5 (left) and 4.3 (right) in LNY between the salvage surgery and primary surgery group was found. A Student t test showed no statistically significant difference in LNY between both groups when analyzed per site (glottic and supraglottic), side, and stage (III-IV).Conclusion:Although patients with prior RT had a lower mean of LNY, our results did not demonstrate a statistically significant difference. Further studies with a larger number of patients are recommended.