bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum properdin consumption as a biomarker of C5 convertase dysregulation in C3 glomerulopathy
Authors: Corvillo F , Bravo García-Morato M , Nozal P , Garrido S , Tortajada A , Rodríguez de Córdoba S , López-Trascasa M 
Published: December 2015

Summary
Properdin (P) stabilizes the alternative pathway (AP) convertases, being the only known positive regulator of the complement system. In addition, P is a pattern recognition molecule able to initiate directly the AP on non-self surfaces. Although P deficiencies have long been known to be associated with Neisseria infections and P is often found deposited at sites of AP activation and tissue injury, the potential role of P in the pathogenesis of complement dysregulation-associated disorders has not been studied extensively. Serum P levels were measured in 49 patients with histological and clinical evidence of C3 glomerulopathy (C3G). Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of C3 nephritic factor (C3NeF), an autoantibody that stabilizes the AP C3 convertase. The presence of this autoantibody results in a significant reduction in circulating C3 (P &lt; 0·001) and C5 levels (P &lt; 0·05), but does not alter factor B, P and sC5b-9 levels. Interestingly, in our cohort, serum P levels were low in 17 of the 32 C3NeF-negative patients. This group exhibited significant reduction of C3 (P &lt; 0·001) and C5 (P &lt; 0·001) and increase of sC5b-9 (P &lt; 0·001) plasma levels compared to the control group. Also, P consumption was correlated significantly with C3 (r = 0·798, P = 0·0001), C5 (r = 0·806, P &lt; 0·0001), sC5b-9 (r = −0·683, P = 0·043) and a higher degree of proteinuria (r = −0·862, P = 0·013). These results illustrate further the heterogeneity among C3G patients and suggest that P serum levels could be a reliable clinical biomarker to identify patients with underlying surface AP C5 convertase dysregulation.
Autologous cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cell immunotherapy combined with cyclophosphamide in five patients with POEMS syndrome
Authors: Ma L , Wang Y , Bo J , Han W , Wang Y , Zhang L , Wu X , Yu S , Liu R 
Published: December 2015

SummaryThe primary objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and clinical efficacy of autologous cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells combined with cyclophosphamide in the treatment of polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy and skin changes (POEMS) syndrome patients. We evaluated five POEMS syndrome patients treated with autologous CIK cell immunotherapy combined with cyclophosphamide from 1 May 2012 to 30 November 2014. The Overall Neuropathy Limitation Scale (ONLS), computed tomography of the chest and abdomen, ultrasound of the abdomen, serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level and lymphocyte count findings in the five patients were recorded. The median age of the patients was 40 years (range: 25–62), and all the patients were male. CIK cells were generated routinely from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of all five patients, and the numbers of CIK cells increased by approximately 105-fold after 14 days of culture. All five patients (100%) responded to their neuropathy treatment, the ONLS scores were reduced by at least 1 and a paired-sample t-test revealed a significant difference (t = 5·715, P = 0·003 &lt; 0·01). The extravascular volume overload responses indicated partial remission (PR = 60%) or stable disease (SD = 40%), and no cases of progressive disease (PD) or complete remission (CR) were observed. During clinical treatment, the serum VEGF of patient 5 decreased after one cycle of transfusion within 1 month. The lymphocyte counts of all the patients increased significantly after CIK transfusion, and a paired-sample t-test revealed a significant difference (t = 5·101, P = 0·004 &lt; 0·01). Autologous CIK cell infusion combined with cyclophosphamide was found to be highly safe and elicited no adverse reactions. CIK cells can improve both the symptoms and quality of life, decrease serum VEGF levels and increase lymphocyte counts in patients with POEMS syndrome.
Can TTE Diagnose Right Pulmonary Artery‐to‐Left Atrial Fistula? A Rare Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Zhang Min‐yu , Liu Mei , Gao Yu , Huang Xiao‐ling , Ding Gui‐chun , Wang Jian‐hua 
Published: December 2015

Mini‐AbstractThis article describes echocardiographic features of a PA‐LAF case which is a very rare congenital heart disease and assesses the diagnostic value of echocardiography by comparing echocardiographic features with the clinical characteristics, computed tomography imaging features, and surgical findings.
Efficacy and Accuracy of Novel Automated Mitral Valve Quantification: Three‐Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiographic Study
Authors: Kagiyama Nobuyuki , Toki Misako , Hara Masahiko , Fukuda Shuichiro , Aritaka Shingo , Miki Tomonori , Ohara Minako , Hayashida Akihiro , Hirohata Atsushi , Yamamoto Keizo , Yoshida Kiyoshi 
Published: December 2015

BackgroundPrevious studies indicated that the three‐dimensional features of the mitral valve (MV) have a significant impact on MV disease. However, quantification of MV with manual tracing software was too time‐consuming for routine clinical practice. This study was performed to investigate the efficacy and accuracy of MV quantification with a novel highly automated commercially available software package developed for this purpose.MethodsUsing the manual tracing and automated package, two expert sonographers and one cardiologist individually analyzed three‐dimensional datasets acquired with transesophageal echocardiography from 74 patients (15 with functional mitral regurgitation, 32 with MV prolapse, and 27 normal subjects) retrospectively. Time for analysis and inter‐observer agreement were compared between the two methods, and agreement of measurements was analyzed using Cronbach's α.ResultsTime for analysis using the automated package was significantly shorter than manual tracing (whole cohort, 260 ± 65 vs. 381 ± 68 seconds, P < 0.001; functional mitral regurgitation, 234 ± 42 vs. 378 ± 64 seconds, P < 0.001; MV prolapse, 293 ± 69 vs. 407 ± 67 seconds, P < 0.001; normal controls, 235 ± 52 vs. 351 ± 60 seconds, P < 0.001). There was good agreement among all three observers using both methods, and measurements with the automated package agreed well with the manual tracing values.ConclusionsThe novel automated software package reduced time for quantification of MV with similar accuracy compared to the manual method. Automated quantification is useful and may be a key to widespread adoption of three‐dimensional quantification in clinical practice.
New haplotype and inter‐strain reproductive compatibility ofWolbachia‐uninfected alfalfa weevil,Hypera postica(Coleoptera:Curculionidae), inJapan
Authors: Iwase Shun‐ichiro , Tani Soichiro 
Published: December 2015

AbstractHypera posticais a univoltine invasive pest of alfalfa,Medicago sativa, inNorthAmerica. InJapan,H. posticawas first found in 1982 fromFukuoka andOkinawaPrefectures and became a serious pest ofChinese milk vetch,Astragalus sinicus, cultivated as a honey source for humans and green manure for rice. InNorthAmerica, three strains,Western,Eastern andEgyptian, have been identified and theWestern strain is infected withWolbachia, which causes complete inter‐strain reproductive incompatibility. In contrast, onlyWestern andEgyptian strains had been reported throughoutJapan and none of theWestern strain examined for theFukuoka populations in northernKyushu was infected withWolbachia. First, we screened populations from northernKyushu collected since 1982 for geographical and chronological distribution of theEastern strain. TheEastern strain has been found at low frequencies since 1985 and is still present in 2014. Second, we experimentally tested our hypothesis that inter‐strain crosses between uninfectedWestern‐strain males andEgyptian‐strain females should produce viable offspring. We crossbred virgin adults reared individually from field‐collected larvae and confirmed that theF1eggs of crosses between theWestern‐strain males and theEgyptian‐strain females develop successfully into larvae.
Lipoma of the long digital extensor tendon sheath in a horse
Authors: Owens C. , Young A. , Loukopoulos P. , Hilbert B. 
Published: December 2015

SummaryThis paper describes the occurrence of a lipoma associated with the long digital extensor tendon sheath at the level of the tarsus in a 5‐month‐old female Thoroughbred. Radiographic and ultrasonographic images were interpreted as being an atypically located lipoma. Its position and character have some similarities to lipoma arborescens, which is reported to occur in and around human joints and tendon sheaths. Surgical removal is considered to be the treatment of choice.
Investigating the role of nisoldipine in foot‐shock‐induced post‐traumatic stress disorder in mice
Authors: Verma Meenu , Bali Anjana , Singh Nirmal , Jaggi Amteshwar S. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThis study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of nisoldipine, an L‐type voltage‐sensitive calcium channel blocker, to ameliorate anxiety and fear response in a mouse model of post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Acute trauma was induced in Swiss albino mice in a 2‐day electric foot‐shock paradigm consisting of 15 intermittent foot‐shocks of 0.8 mA intensity, 10‐s duration and 10‐s intershock interval, during 5 min, followed by 3 weekly situational reminders, that is, once per week in the same context on three successive weeks. PTSD‐induced behavioral changes were assessed using actophotometer, open‐field, social interaction test, and freezing behavior. Biochemically, the serum corticosterone levels were estimated. Electric foot‐shock and situational reminders produced behavioral alterations and decreased corticosterone levels, assessed on the 21st day following the traumatic event. Administration of sertraline (Ser 15 mg/kg), a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and nisoldipine (20 and 40 mg/kg), significantly attenuated the foot‐shock‐trauma‐induced behavioral changes along with normalization of the corticosterone levels. It may be concluded that nisoldipine produces beneficial effects in re‐establishing behavioral alterations, which may be due to normalization of reduced corticosterone levels in PTSD in mice.
Intercultural Communicative Competence Development During and After Language Study Abroad: Insights From Arabic
Authors: Shiri Sonia 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThis study explored the development and maintenance of intercultural communicative competence (ICC) among 352 American learners of Arabic who completed summer intensive language programs in five Arab countries. Data were collected through a survey that was based on the 2007 draft of the Culture Proficiency Guidelines (Lampe, 2007; later adopted by the Interagency Language Roundtable in 2012) that was designed to measure ICC development and was administered upon students' return to the United States. The survey also investigated which components of the intensive study abroad program fostered the development of particular components of ICC. Data indicated that although students mostly developed ICC at the Intermediate level (completing daily activities), they also progressed into higher levels, e.g., by identifying, comparing, and contrasting traditions, history, and politics or by participating in low‐frequency social occasions. Data showed that the structured and the unstructured components of the program and the diglossic learning of Arabic both supported, to various degrees, students' development of ICC. Data also suggested that students sustained their developing levels of ICC upon their return to the United States, as demonstrated by their ability to shift perspectives, their increased compassion toward different populations, and their sensitivity to stereotyping.
Evaluation of cytocompatibility of calcium silicate‐based endodontic sealers and their effects on the biological responses of mesenchymal dental stem cells
Authors: Rodríguez‐Lozano F. J. , García‐Bernal D. , Oñate‐Sánchez R. E. , Ortolani‐Seltenerich P. S. , Forner L. , Moraleda J. M. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractAimTo investigate in vitro the cytocompatibility of the calcium silicate‐containing endodontic sealers MTA Fillapex and TotalFill BC Sealer on human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) by assaying their biological responses and compare them with that observed when using an epoxy resin‐based sealer (AH Plus).MethodologySpecimens from the three different endodontic sealers were eluated with culture medium for 24 h. The cytotoxicity of these eluates was evaluated using the MTT assay. In addition, an in vitro scratch wound healing model was used to determine their effects on cell migration. Cell adhesion to collagen type I after treatment with the different sealer eluates was also measured, whereas cytotoxicity was determined using the DNA‐specific fluorochrome Hoechst 33342. Finally, to assess cell morphology and attachment to the different sealers, hPDLSCs were directly seeded onto the material surfaces and analysed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). One‐way analysis of variance (anova) followed by a Bonferroni post‐test were performed (P < 0.05).ResultshPDLSCs exposed to different dilutions of TotalFill BC Sealer eluates had significantly higher cell proliferation compared with that observed when cells were treated with AH Plus and MTA Fillapex eluates (P < 0.001). In addition, TotalFill eluates were associated with significantly increased cell adhesion to collagen type I and migration of hPDLSCs in a concentration‐dependent manner than displayed after treatment with MTA Fillapex or AH Plus eluates (P < 0.001). Moreover, TotalFill BC Sealer‐induced cytotoxicity was significantly lower than observed using AH Plus and MTA Fillapex eluates (P < 0.001). Finally, SEM studies revealed suitable proliferation, cell spreading and attachment, especially when using TotalFill BC Sealer discs.ConclusionTotalFill BC Sealer exhibited a higher cytocompatibility than AH Plus and MTA Fillapex. Further investigations using in vivo animal models are required to validate the potential biological responses of TotalFill BC Sealer on hPDLSCs.
Motivation and Arousal Influence Sound‐induced Maternal Pup‐retrieving Behavior in Lactating House Mice
Authors: Ehret G. , Haack B. 
Published: December 2015

Abstract and Summary1. Influences of sounds, short‐term motivation and arousal (alertness) on sound‐induced pup‐retrieving behavior of female house mice were studied in choice tests.2. The females respond significantly faster to key‐stimuli (preferred ultrasonic call models) compared with non‐preferred ultrasounds, given the choice between these two alternatives. In addition, response latency depends on the pre‐response behavior, being shortest when the females are orienting and longest when they are nursing their pups (intermediate latencies after “active” broodcare, self‐directed behavior, and warming the pups).3. Key‐stimuli are significantly more often chosen after broodcaring activities than after other behaviors.4. Retrieval time is generally longer after broodcaring behavior than after other activities. Retrieval time is not influenced by the presence or absence of sound during retrieval.5. Duration of control runs is longer when sound (key‐stimuli or non‐preferred ultrasound) is present compared with a no‐sound situation.6. The behavior after the control runs (at the end of the tests) depends on pre‐response behavior.7. The results are summarized and interpreted in a flow‐diagram which semi‐quantitatively describes the release and course of the behavioral sequence of pup searching and retrieving behavior in house mice.Zusammenfassung

Wir haben Einflüsse von Schallsignalen und Motivations‐ und Erregungs‐ (Aufmerksamkeits‐)zuständen auf schallinduziertes Jungeeintrageverhalten von Mäuseweibchen in Wahltests untersucht.
Die Weibchen reagierten signifikant schneller auf Schlüsselreize (bevorzugte Ultraschall‐Lautmodelle) als auf nicht bevorzugten Ultraschall, wenn sie die Wahl zwischen diesen Alternativen hatten. Die Reaktionslatenz auf Ultraschall hängt weiterhin von dem Verhalten vor den Tests ab und ist am kürzesten, wenn die Weibchen sich orientieren, und am längsten, wenn sie die Jungen säugen (dazwischenliegende Latenzen treten bei “aktiver” Brutpflege, Eigenverhalten und Wärmen der Jungen auf).
Nach einer Brutpflegeaktivität wählen die Weibchen signifikant häufiger Schlüsselreize als nach anderen Verhaltensweisen.
Die Eintragezeit ist nach Brutpflegeverhalten im allgemeinen länger als nach anderen Aktivitäten. Sie bleibt von Schallsignalen während des Eintragens unbeeinflußt.
Die Präsenz von Schallsignalen (Schlüsselreize oder nicht bevorzugter Schall) verlängert die Kontrollgänge im Vergleich zur Situation ohne Schall.
Das nach den Kontrollgängen gezeigte Verhalten hängt vom Verhalten vor dem Eintragen ab.
Die Ergebnisse werden in einem Flußdiagramm zusammengefaßt und interpretiert, das halb‐quantitativ die Auslösung und den Verlauf der Verhaltenssequenz Jungesuch‐ und Eintrageverhalten von Hausmäusen beschreibt.
Reasonable doubt definition effects on judged guilt: moderation by need for cognition and mediation by changes in required and felt certainty
Authors: Leippe Michael R. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractMock‐jurors read a criminal‐trial transcript in which the judge defined “beyond reasonable doubt” with either a stringent (even small doubts require acquittal) or lax (having some doubt does not require acquittal) guilt criterion. Across three experiments, guilty verdict preferences were less likely when the criterion was stringent. A stringent criterion also was associated with higher reported certainty required to vote guilty and lower certainty in the preferred verdict. These two variables mediated the influence of definition on verdict preferences in an analysis that included data from all experiments. Perceived strength of evidence was unaffected by definition. Need for cognition (NC) moderated the definition effect on verdict preferences in all experiments. High‐NC mock‐jurors were strongly influenced by the definition; the influence on low‐NC mock‐jurors was minimal.
Cardiorespiratory Fitness Suppresses Age‐Related Arterial Stiffening in Healthy Adults: A 2‐Year Longitudinal Observational Study
Authors: Gando Yuko , Murakami Haruka , Kawakami Ryoko , Yamamoto Kenta , Kawano Hiroshi , Tanaka Noriko , Sawada Susumu S. , Miyatake Nobuyuki , Miyachi Motohiko 
Published: December 2015

Cardiorespiratory fitness is negatively associated with arterial stiffness, although it is unclear whether it is associated with prospective arterial stiffness changes. The authors examined cardiorespiratory fitness and arterial stiffness progression in a 2‐year follow‐up study of 470 healthy men and women aged 26 to 69 years. Peak oxygen uptake () was measured at baseline using a graded cycle exercise test. Arterial stiffness was assessed using brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) at baseline and after 2 years. Two‐year changes in baPWV were significantly higher in patients in the lowest tertile (28.8±7.6 cm/s) compared with those in the highest tertile (−1.4±7.5 cm/s) (P=.024) and were inversely correlated with (r=−.112, P=.015). Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that age, glucose, baPWV, , and sex were independent correlates of 2‐year changes in baPWV, suggesting that higher cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with age‐related arterial stiffening suppression.
Bacterial community shifts during healing of palatal wounds: comparison of two graft harvesting approaches
Authors: Delima Suzanne L. , Kumar Purnima S. , Tatakis Dimitris N. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the postoperative healing and microbial profile of donor sites of routine and pre‐wounded free gingival grafts (FGGs).MethodsTen volunteers, recruited into a split mouth study, had one side of the palate pre‐wounded. Five days later, grafts were harvested from both the pre‐wounded and the contra‐lateral site (routine graft). Wound healing was assessed on postoperative day 3, 7, 14 and 21. Microbiological samples were collected at baseline, graft harvest and the aforementioned postoperative days, and analysed by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism for bacterial community profiling.ResultsOn postoperative day 14, 0% of routine and 40% of pre‐wounded sites exhibited epithelial closure; 90% of routine and 30% of pre‐wounded sites were painful on day 7. Microbial profiles differed significantly between routine and pre‐wounded sites at graft harvest and postoperative days 3 and 7. The number of bacterial species increased from surgical intervention to closure. While the number of species in pre‐wounded sites was similar from harvest to day 7, the number in routine sites increased. The Shannon diversity and equitability indices showed statistically significant differences between routine and pre‐wounded sites for days 3 and 7.ConclusionsPre‐wounding FGG donor sites might accelerate the healing course and wounding the palate was associated with significant bacterial community shifts.
Restrictive educational placements increase adolescent risks for students with early‐starting conduct problems
Authors: Powers Christopher J. , Bierman Karen L. , Coffman Donna L. 
Published: December 2015

BackgroundStudents with early‐starting conduct problems often do poorly in school; they are disproportionately placed in restrictive educational placements outside of mainstream classrooms. Although intended to benefit students, research suggests that restrictive placements may exacerbate the maladjustment of youth with conduct problems. Mixed findings, small samples, and flawed designs limit the utility of existing research.MethodsThis study examined the impact of restrictive educational placements on three adolescent outcomes (high school noncompletion, conduct disorder, depressive symptoms) in a sample of 861 students with early‐starting conduct problems followed longitudinally from kindergarten (age 5–6). Causal modeling with propensity scores was used to adjust for confounding factors associated with restrictive placements. Analyses explored the timing of placement (elementary vs. secondary school) and moderation of impact by initial problem severity.ResultsRestrictive educational placement in secondary school (but not in elementary school) was iatrogenic, increasing the risk of high school noncompletion and the severity of adolescent conduct disorder. Negative effects were amplified for students with conduct problem behavior with less cognitive impairment.ConclusionsTo avoid harm to students and to society, schools must find alternatives to restrictive placements for students with conduct problems in secondary school, particularly when these students do not have cognitive impairments that might warrant specialized educational supports.