bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Estrogen Modulates Corneal Nociception and Maintains Corneal Homeostasis in Rat Eye
Authors: Kumar Vinod , Sur Vishma Pratap , Guha Rajdeep , Konar Aditya , Hazra Sarbani 
Published: November 2017

Purpose:
To evaluate the role of estrogen in corneal nociception, its influence on lacrimal secretion, and development of dry eye.

Methods:
Ovariectomy was performed in normal healthy female rats (OVX). Estrogen replacement was performed in a population of these rats (OVX+E). Tests for dry eye and corneal sensitivity were performed and compared with rats in proestrus (PRO) as controls. Gene expression of neuropeptides such as substance P, calcitonin gene receptor-like protein (CGRP), estrogen receptor α, TRPV1, and TRPM8 was evaluated in the cornea and trigeminal ganglion. Expression of substance P and CGRP in the cornea was also examined by immunohistochemistry. The response of the cornea to capsaicin and menthol was evaluated to identify the activity of receptors TRPV1 and TRPM8, respectively.

Results:
There was a significant decrease in tear formation (4.2 ± 0.6 mm/min vs. 6.6 ± 0.42 mm/min), corneal sensitivity (2.2 ± 0.17 cm vs. 6 ± 0 cm), and increase in fluorescein staining in corneas after ovariectomy compared with controls. There was a significant decrease in gene expression of CGRP, substance P, TRPV1, and TRPM8 in the ovarioectomized cornea. A significant decrease in tear formation (3.17 ± 0.30 mm/min vs. 7.17 ± 0.87 mm/min) and eye wipe response (10.5 ± 1.99 wipes vs. 18.33 ± 1.05 wipes) after treatment with menthol and capsaicin in OVX rats was observed. Estrogen replacement significantly enhanced tear formation (4.02 ± 0.6 mm/min vs. 6.7 ± 0.80 mm/min), corneal sensitivity (2.2 ± 0.17 cm vs. 3.2 ± 0.17 cm), and response to capsaicin (10.5 ± 1.99 eye wipes vs. 24.5 ± 0.92 wipes) and menthol (3.17 ± 0.30 mm/min vs. 6.5 ± 0.22 mm/min) and increased expression of neuropeptides, TRPV1 and TRPM8.

Conclusions:
This study demonstrates the role of estrogen in corneal nociception and its deficiency as a cause of dry eye.
Coordination of Gaze Behavior and Foot Placement During Walking in Persons With Glaucoma
Authors: Miller Andreas B. , Lajoie Kim , Strath Robert A. , Neima David R. , Marigold Daniel S. 
Published: November 2017

Purpose:
Vision normally provides environmental information necessary to direct the foot to safe locations during walking. Peripheral visual field loss limits what a person can see, and may alter how a person visually samples the environment. Here we tested the hypothesis that the spatial-temporal coupling between gaze and stepping in a precision-based walking task is altered in persons with glaucoma, particularly under dual task situations, and results in reduced foot-placement accuracy.

Methods:
Twenty persons with glaucoma and 20 normally sighted controls performed a precision walking task that involved stepping to the center of 4 targets under 3 conditions: targets only, walking, and counting backwards to simulate a conversation, and walking while performing a concurrent visual search task to simulate locating a landmark. We quantified foot-placement error and error variability with respect to the targets, as well as saccade and fixation timing with respect to foot placement.

Results:
Compared with controls, persons with glaucoma looked earlier at future stepping targets (with respect to toe-off of the foot) in the targets only and count conditions, and transferred gaze away sooner from the current stepping target in all conditions (P<0.05). Persons with glaucoma also had increased foot-placement error, particularly in the count condition, and increased foot-placement error variability compared with normally sighted controls (P<0.05).

Conclusions:
Glaucoma significantly disrupts gaze-foot coordination and results in less accurate foot placement when precision is required during walking. This may increase the risk of trips and falls in this population.
Risk Factors for Earlier Reexposure of Glaucoma Drainage Devices
Authors: Thompson Atalie C. , Manjunath Varsha , Muir Kelly W. 
Published: November 2017

Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to investigate factors associated with a second exposure of a glaucoma drainage device (GDD) following repair of an initial GDD exposure.

Materials and Methods:
This IRB-approved retrospective cohort study examined the incidence of a second exposure of a GDD following initial repair for exposure. Logistic regression was performed to assess the relationship between demographic and clinical characteristics and a second exposure of the GDD. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were plotted and Cox regression was performed to examine factors impacting the time to a second GDD exposure.

Results:
Ninety-four eyes of subjects that underwent initial revision for GDD exposure were reviewed. Approximately 44% (N=41/94) of subjects underwent surgical revision for a second exposure. Factors associated with reexposure in multivariate logistic regression included caucasian race (odds ratio, 2.99; P=0.02) and use of a nonscleral patch graft (odds ratio, 2.93; P=0.019). Time from revision of the initial exposure to reexposure was significantly shorter for those with a nonscleral patch graft (hazard ratio, 2.23; P=0.01) and caucasian race (hazard ratio, 2.08; P=0.04).

Conclusions:
Caucasian race and use of a nonscleral patch graft during revision surgery was associated with a higher risk of experiencing a sooner reexposure of the GDD following revision of an initial exposure. Future studies should examine whether particular graft materials increase the risk of GDD reexposure.
Endoscopic Sciatic Nerve Decompression After Fracture or Reconstructive Surgery of the Acetabulum in Comparison With Endoscopic Treatments in Idiopathic Deep Gluteal Syndrome
Authors: Park Myung-sik , Jeong Seong-Yep , Yoon Sun-Jung 
Published: November 2017

Objective:
The purpose of this study was to assess the endoscopic findings of the sciatic nerve and clinical outcomes of major traumatic sciatic nerve neuropathies after fracture or reconstructive surgery of the acetabulum with idiopathic deep gluteal syndrome (DGS) groups.

Design:
Retrospective review of patient reports.

Setting:
Level I trauma center of a tertiary university hospital.

Participants:
The study included 70 patients who consecutively underwent endoscopic sciatic nerve decompression. Patients who had previous fractures or reconstructive surgeries of the acetabulum were categorized as the major trauma group, whereas those without major trauma were categorized as the idiopathic group (45 patients) after a minimum of 24-months of follow-up period.

Main Outcome Measures:
The results were evaluated using the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), Hip outcome, and 12-Item Short Form Health Survey scores, respectively.

Results:
In the major trauma group, all patients with sensory symptoms showed some degree of relief after the endoscopic sciatic nerve release. None of the patients with complete foot drop demonstrated complete improvement. Three patients with motor weakness without foot drop showed complete improvement in motor function. The mean mHHS increased from 61.5 ± 13.4 to 84.1 ± 8.1 (P = 0.031). In the idiopathic DGS group, the mean mHHS increased from 73.8 ± 10.3 to 94.4 ± 5.3 (P = 0.003). The Benson outcomes rating in the major trauma group was statistically lower than that in the idiopathic DGS group.

Conclusion:
Endoscopic release of the sciatic nerve after fractures or reconstructive surgeries could provide some improvements without complications. However, more favorable outcomes were observed in the idiopathic DGS group.
Effects of Intravenous Cold Saline on Hyperthermic Athletes Representative of Large Football Players and Small Endurance Runners
Authors: Morrison Katherine E. , Desai Natasha , McGuigan Christopher , Lennon Megan , Godek Sandra Fowkes 
Published: November 2017

Objective:
To evaluate the cooling effects of intravenous (IV) cold normal (0.9%) saline on hyperthermic athletes.

Design:
Randomized crossover study design.

Setting:
Controlled research laboratory.

Participants:
Twelve male participants who were representative of a collegiate cross-country (6) and American football (6) population.

Interventions:
Participants underwent body composition analysis using a BodPod. They were placed in an environmentally controlled chamber and brought to a Tc of 39.5°C with dynamic exercise. When temperatures were reached, they were treated with either 2 L of cold saline (CS) (4°C) or intravenous room temperature (22°C) saline (RS) over a ∼30-minute period. Tre was measured with a rectal temperature probe every minute during the treatment period.

Main Outcome Measures:
Total ΔTre (ending Tre − starting Tre) and cooling rate (total change in Tre/time) were measured for each condition, and body composition variables calculated included body surface area (BSA), BSA-to-mass ratio (BSA/mass), lean body mass, and body fat percentage (%BF) (P < 0.05).

Results:
Statistically significant differences were found in the total ΔTre and cooling rate between the CS and RS trials. The cooling rate for the CS trials was significantly correlated to mass, BSA, BSA/mass, and %BF.

Conclusions:
In hyperthermic athletes, core temperature was reduced more effectively using chilled saline during IV infusion. Body composition had a significant impact on overall cooling revealing that the smaller and leaner participants cooled at a greater rate. When indicated, CS infusion could be considered for cooling hyperthermic individuals when other methods are not available.
Trajectories of Anxiety and Depression After Liver Transplantation as Related to Outcomes During 2-Year Follow-Up: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Annema Coby , Drent Gerda , Roodbol Petrie F. , Stewart Roy E. , Metselaar Herold J. , van Hoek Bart , Porte Robert J. , Ranchor Adelita V. 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACT

Objective
The aims of the study were to examine whether distinct trajectories of anxious and depressive symptoms are present among liver transplant recipients from before transplantation to 2 years afterward, to identify associated demographic, clinical, and individual characteristics, and to examine the influence of distinct trajectories on outcomes.

Methods
A prospective, multicenter cohort study was performed among 153 liver transplant recipients. Data were retrieved using questionnaires administered before transplantation and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after transplantation. Clinical data were retrieved by medical record review. Latent class growth analysis was used to identify distinct trajectories. χ2 test, analyses of variance, and multinomial logistic regression were used to identify associated variables and the impact of the distinct trajectories on outcomes.

Results
Three distinct trajectories for symptoms of anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-short form) as well as depression (Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale) were identified: “no symptoms,” “resolved symptoms,” and “persistent symptoms.” The trajectories of persistent anxiety and depression comprised, respectively, 23% and 29% of the transplant recipients. Several clinical and individual variables were associated with the trajectories of persistent anxiety and/or depression: experiencing more adverse effects of the immunosuppressive medication, lower level of personal control, more use of emotion-focused coping, less disclosure about the transplant, and more stressful life events. The trajectories of persistent symptoms were associated with worse outcomes regarding medication adherence and health-related quality of life, but not with mortality.

Conclusions
A significant subset of transplant recipients showed persistent symptoms of anxiety and depression from before to 2 years after transplantation. These results emphasize the importance of psychosocial care in the transplant population.
The Clinician Faced With Anticochlear Antibodies: What to Do With Them?
Authors: Carlomagno Adriana , Silveira Gonzalo , Rebella Martín , Vola Magdalena , Danza Alvaro 
Published: November 2017

BackgroundAutoimmune inner ear disease as a cause of sensorineural hearing loss is a poorly understood entity. Thus, the role of anticochlear antibodies (ACLAs) in clinical management is still not well established.ObjectiveThe aims of this study were to describe the use of ACLAs in our clinical setting and to understand the clinicians' therapeutic approach in these cases. We also analyzed the usefulness of these autoantibodies in clinical practice.MethodsA retrospective study with nonprobabilistic convenience sampling of patients who were tested for ACLAs in the period from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2015, was performed. The study was carried out in 2 stages: (1) medical records of all patients who were investigated for ACLAs were reviewed. The following variables were analyzed: age, sex, reason for requesting ACLAs, concomitant autoimmune disease, audiogram, immunosuppressive treatment, duration of treatment, and clinical response; (2) patients who received immunosuppressive therapy were contacted by telephone. A visual analog scale (VAS) (0–10) was applied to evaluate the therapeutic response.ResultsThirty-nine patients who were investigated for ACLAs were identified. The mean age was 41 (SD, 16) years; there were 33 female patients. Of the 34 patients with ACLA-positive antibodies, 16 patients received immunosuppressive agents, of for management of their sensorineural hearing loss, corticosteroids was the most commonly used treatment. No clinical improvement was reported by patients after immunosuppressive treatment in this subgroup.ConclusionsThe role of ACLAs in the diagnosis and management of sensorineural hearing loss remains unclear. In this small study at a single institution, ACLA testing may not have improved the outcome of sensorineural hearing loss.
Assessment of Fetal Congenital Heart Diseases by 4-Dimensional Ultrasound Using Spatiotemporal Image Correlation
Authors: Araujo Júnior Edward , Tonni Gabriele , Bravo-Valenzuela Nathalie Jeanne , Da Silva Costa Fabricio , Meagher Simon 
Published: November 2017

Abstract
The aim of this pictorial review is to describe the technical advances achieved through the application of 4-dimensional (4D) ultrasound using spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC) over conventional 2-dimensional ultrasound in the prenatal detection of congenital heart disease (CHD). Spatiotemporal image correlation is a volume imaging technique that simplifies fetal heart studies while providing more diagnostic information than is typically available from traditional 2-dimensional studies. Four-dimensional software allows the study of cardiac anatomy and function during a single cardiac cycle and has greatly contributed to diagnostic enhancement of CHD. Color flow and power Doppler can be added to STIC in the study of vessel anatomy and to increase the detection of ventricular septal defects. Anatomical details of the fetus can be displayed in multiple images such as using computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. In addition, cardiac anatomy can be sectioned freely and reconstructed using different reformatting applications. Realistic views of the fetal heart, with particular emphasis on myocardium and endocardium cushion, can be reached using novel lightening techniques. Moreover, using 4D ultrasound, echolucent structures can be converted into solid voxels generating “digital casts” of the fetal heart that enhances the understanding of the great vessel relationships in the ventricular inflow and outflow tracts. Recently, sillhouette mode has shown to improve depth perception and resolution compared with conventional 3D power Doppler in the study of inflow and outflow tracts. Here, a gallery of prenatally detected CHD using 4D ultrasound with STIC and different applications is described.
Prediction of 60-Day Case Fatality in Critically Ill Patients Receiving Renal Replacement Therapy: External Validation of a Prediction Model
Authors: Carvalho Gloria Maria Custodio de , Leite Tacyano Tavares , Libório Alexandre Braga 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACT

Background:
A recent prognostic model, predicting 60-day case fatality in critically ill patients requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT), has been developed (Acute Renal Failure Trial Network [ATN] study). Because many prognostic models are suggested in literature, but just a few have found its way into clinical practice, we aimed to externally validate this prediction model in an independent cohort.

Methods:
A total of 1,053 critically ill patients requiring RRT from the MIMIC-III database were analyzed. The models’ discrimination was evaluated using c-statistics. Calibration was evaluated by Hosmer–Lemeshow (H–L) test and GiViTi calibration belt.

Results:
In a case-mix population, including patients with normal or altered serum creatinine (sCr) at intensive care unit admission, discrimination was moderate, with a c-statistic of 0.71 in the nonintegerized risk model. In patients with altered baseline sCr, better discrimination was achieved with the integer risk model (0.76, 95% confidence interval, 0.71–0.81). As for the calibration, although the H–L test was good only in patients with normal/slightly altered sCr at admission, the calibration belt disclosed no significant deviations from the bisector line for any of the models in patients, regardless of admission sCr. Of note, a refitted model had a c-statistics of 0.85, similar to the derivation cohort.

Conclusions:
The ATN prognostic model can be useful in a broad cohort of critically ill patients. Although it showed only moderate discrimination capacity when patients with elevated admission sCr were included, using a refitted model improved it, illustrating the need for continuous external validation and updating of prognostic models over time before their implementation in clinical practice.
Low recombination rates in sexual species and sex–asex transitions
Authors: Haag Christoph R. , Theodosiou Loukas , Zahab Roula , Lenormand Thomas 
Published: November 2017

In most sexual, diploid eukaryotes, at least one crossover occurs between each pair of homologous chromosomes during meiosis, presumably in order to ensure proper segregation. Well-known exceptions to this rule are species in which one sex does not recombine and specific chromosomes lacking crossover. We review other possible exceptions, including species with chromosome maps of less than 50 cM in one or both sexes. We discuss the idea that low recombination rates may favour sex–asex transitions, or, alternatively may be a consequence of it. We then show that a yet undescribed species of brine shrimpArtemiafrom Kazakhstan (A. sp. Kazakhstan), the closest known relative of the asexualArtemia parthenogenetica, has one of the shortest genetic linkage maps known. Based on a family of 42 individuals and 589 RAD markers, we find that many linkage groups are considerably shorter than 50 cM, suggesting either no obligate crossover or crossovers concentrated at terminal positions with little effect on recombination. We contrast these findings with the published map of the more distantly related sexual congener,A. franciscana, and conclude that the study of recombination in non-model systems is important to understand the evolutionary causes and consequences of recombination.This article is part of the themed issue ‘Evolutionary causes and consequences of recombination rate variation in sexual organisms’.
The consequences of sequence erosion in the evolution of recombination hotspots
Authors: Tiemann-Boege Irene , Schwarz Theresa , Striedner Yasmin , Heissl Angelika 
Published: November 2017

Meiosis is initiated by a double-strand break (DSB) introduced in the DNA by a highly controlled process that is repaired by recombination. In many organisms, recombination occurs at specific and narrow regions of the genome, known as recombination hotspots, which overlap with regions enriched for DSBs. In recent years, it has been demonstrated that conversions and mutations resulting from the repair of DSBs lead to a rapid sequence evolution at recombination hotspots eroding target sites for DSBs. We still do not fully understand the effect of this erosion in the recombination activity, but evidence has shown that the binding oftrans-acting factors like PRDM9 is affected. PRDM9 is a meiosis-specific, multi-domain protein that recognizes DNA target motifs by its zinc finger domain and directs DSBs to these target sites. Here we discuss the changes in affinity of PRDM9 to eroded recognition sequences, and explain how these changes in affinity of PRDM9 can affect recombination, leading sometimes to sterility in the context of hybrid crosses. We also present experimental data showing that DNA methylation reduces PRDM9 bindingin vitro. Finally, we discuss PRDM9-independent hotspots, posing the question how these hotspots evolve and change with sequence erosion.This article is part of the themed issue ‘Evolutionary causes and consequences of recombination rate variation in sexual organisms’.
The Red Queen model of recombination hot-spot evolution: a theoretical investigation
Authors: Latrille Thibault , Duret Laurent , Lartillot Nicolas 
Published: November 2017

In humans and many other species, recombination events cluster in narrow and short-lived hot spots distributed across the genome, whose location is determined by the Zn-finger protein PRDM9. To explain these fast evolutionary dynamics, an intra-genomic Red Queen model has been proposed, based on the interplay between two antagonistic forces: biased gene conversion, mediated by double-strand breaks, resulting in hot-spot extinction, followed by positive selection favouring new PRDM9 alleles recognizing new sequence motifs. Thus far, however, this Red Queen model has not been formalized as a quantitative population-genetic model, fully accounting for the intricate interplay between biased gene conversion, mutation, selection, demography and genetic diversity at the PRDM9 locus. Here, we explore the population genetics of the Red Queen model of recombination. A Wright–Fisher simulator was implemented, allowing exploration of the behaviour of the model (mean equilibrium recombination rate, diversity at the PRDM9 locus or turnover rate) as a function of the parameters (effective population size, mutation and erosion rates). In a second step, analytical results based on self-consistent mean-field approximations were derived, reproducing the scaling relations observed in the simulations. Empirical fit of the model to current data from the mouse suggests both a high mutation rate at PRDM9 and strong biased gene conversion on its targets.
This article is part of the themed issue ‘Evolutionary causes and consequences of recombination rate variation in sexual organisms’.
The impact of recombination on human mutation load and disease
Authors: Alves Isabel , Houle Armande Ang , Hussin Julie G. , Awadalla Philip 
Published: November 2017

Recombination promotes genomic integrity among cells and tissues through double-strand break repair, and is critical for gamete formation and fertility through a strict regulation of the molecular mechanisms associated with proper chromosomal disjunction. In humans, congenital defects and recurrent structural abnormalities can be attributed to aberrant meiotic recombination. Moreover, mutations affecting genes involved in recombination pathways are directly linked to pathologies including infertility and cancer. Recombination is among the most prominent mechanism shaping genome variation, and is associated with not only the structuring of genomic variability, but is also tightly linked with the purging of deleterious mutations from populations. Together, these observations highlight the multiple roles of recombination in human genetics: its ability to act as a major force of evolution, its molecular potential to maintain genome repair and integrity in cell division and its mutagenic cost impacting disease evolution.This article is part of the themed issue ‘Evolutionary causes and consequences of recombination rate variation in sexual organisms’.