bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pituitary Gene Signalling Pathway
Authors: Cooper Odelia , Fukuoka Hidenori 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThe anterior pituitary contains five trophic hormone‐secreting cells, including adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)‐secreting corticotrophs, luteinising hormone (LH)‐/follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH)‐secreting gonadotrophs, thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH)‐secreting thyrotrophs, growth hormone (GH)‐secreting somatotrophs and prolactin (PRL)‐secreting lactotrophs. Each cell is differentiated from stem cells by intrinsic and extrinsic signals. Pituitary hormone synthesis and secretion is strictly regulated by stimulating hormone, mainly from the hypothalamus, and suppressing hormone, predominantly from peripheral tissues, as a negative feedback system. Pituitary adenomas are the most common pathological state in the anterior pituitary. Several impaired signalling pathways related with pituitary tumourigenesis have been shown in human and animal studies. These include cAMP‐PKA signalling pathway, cell cycle signalling pathway and epigenetic changes. These disruptions could induce not only pituitary cell proliferation but also hormone hypersecretion.Key ConceptsThe pituitary gland contains five trophic cells.These cells are differentiated from stem cells by intrinsic and extrinsic signallings.Hormone synthesis and secretion is regulated by stimulatory and inhibitory signallings.Pituitary adenomas are the most common pathological state in the anterior pituitary.Human and animal studies identified several genes related to pituitary adenomas.Impaired cAMP‐PKA and/or cell cycle signalling pathway has an important role in pituitary tumourigenesis.Epigenetic changes deregulate gene signallings related to pituitary tumourigenesis.
A Point‐of‐Care Raman Spectroscopy–Based Device for the Diagnosis of Gout and Pseudogout: Comparison With the Clinical Standard Microscopy
Authors: Li Bolan , Singer Nora G. , Yeni Yener N. , Haggins Donard G. , Barnboym Emma , Oravec Daniel , Lewis Steven , Akkus Ozan 
Published: February 2016

ObjectiveTo demonstrate the usefulness of a novel medical device based on Raman spectroscopy for the rapid point‐of‐care diagnosis of gout and pseudogout.MethodsA shoebox‐sized point‐of‐care Raman spectroscopy (POCRS) device was developed for use in the diagnosis of gout and pseudogout. The device included a disposable syringe microfiltration kit to collect arthropathic crystals from synovial fluid and a customized automated Raman spectroscopy system to chemically identify crystal species. Diagnosis according to the findings of POCRS was compared with the clinical standard diagnosis based on compensated polarized light microscopy (CPLM) of synovial fluid aspirates collected from symptomatic patients (n = 174). Kappa coefficients were used to measure the agreement between POCRS and CPLM findings.ResultsOverall, POCRS and CPLM results were consistent in 89.7% of samples (156 of 174). For the diagnosis of gout, the kappa coefficient for POCRS and CPLM was 0.84 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.75–0.94). For the diagnosis of pseudogout, the kappa coefficient for POCRS and CPLM was 0.61 (95% CI 0.42–0.81).ConclusionKappa coefficients indicated that there was excellent agreement between POCRS and CPLM for the diagnosis of gout, with good agreement for the diagnosis of pseudogout. The POCRS device holds the potential to standardize and expedite the time to clinical diagnosis of gout and pseudogout, especially in settings where certified operators trained for CPLM analysis are not available.
Mesoporous Graphitic Carbon Nitride‐Based Nanospheres as Visible‐Light Active Chemical Warfare Agents Decontaminant
Authors: Giannakoudakis Dimitrios A. , Seredych Mykola , Rodríguez‐Castellón Enrique , Bandosz Teresa J. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractGraphitic carbon nitride, GCN, was oxidized using the Hummers’ method. Both initial and modified materials were extensively characterized by various physical and chemical methods. The results showed the marked changes in morphology. Even though the short‐range layered structure was still present in the oxidized sample, spherical nanoparticles with 5–50 nm sizes made up the bulk of the material. This results in the development of porosity in the mesopore range. Incorporation of oxygen groups at the edges of carbon nitrogen layers/units is likely responsible for the formation of nanospheres (folding due to the polar forces). This process also increased the band gap energy from 2.85 to 3.39 eV. The initial and oxidized samples were used as reactive adsorbents of a mustard gas surrogate. The results showed an improvement in the adsorptive performance upon oxidation. Both samples were found photoactive in visible light. The degradation to ethyl vinyl sulfide was enhanced on the oxidized sample owing to the developed porosity and chemical heterogeneity.
Postmating–prezygotic isolation between two allopatric populations of Drosophila montana: fertilisation success differs under sperm competition
Authors: Ala‐Honkola Outi , Ritchie Michael G. , Veltsos Paris 
Published: February 2016

AbstractPostmating but prezygotic (PMPZ) interactions are increasingly recognized as a potentially important early‐stage barrier in the evolution of reproductive isolation. A recent study described a potential example between populations of the same species: single matings between Drosophila montana populations resulted in differential fertilisation success because of the inability of sperm from one population (Vancouver) to penetrate the eggs of the other population (Colorado). As the natural mating system of D. montana is polyandrous (females remate rapidly), we set up double matings of all possible crosses between the same populations to test whether competitive effects between ejaculates influence this PMPZ isolation. We measured premating isolation in no‐choice tests, female fecundity, fertility and egg‐to‐adult viability after single and double matings as well as second‐male paternity success (P2). Surprisingly, we found no PMPZ reproductive isolation between the two populations under a competitive setting, indicating no difficulty of sperm from Vancouver males to fertilize Colorado eggs after double matings. While there were subtle differences in how P2 changed over time, suggesting that Vancouver males’ sperm are somewhat less competitive in a first‐male role within Colorado females, these effects did not translate into differences in overall P2. Fertilisation success can thus differ dramatically between competitive and noncompetitive conditions, perhaps because the males that mate second produce higher quality ejaculates in response to sperm competition. We suggest that unlike in more divergent species comparisons, where sperm competition typically increases reproductive isolation, ejaculate tailoring can reduce the potential for PMPZ isolation when recently diverged populations interbreed.
Introduced Drosophila subobscura populations perform better than native populations during an oviposition choice task due to increased fecundity but similar learning ability
Authors: Foucaud Julien , Moreno Céline , Pascual Marta , Rezende Enrico L. , Castañeda Luis E. , Gibert Patricia , Mery Frederic 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThe success of invasive species is tightly linked to their fitness in a putatively novel environment. While quantitative components of fitness have been studied extensively in the context of invasive species, fewer studies have looked at qualitative components of fitness, such as behavioral plasticity, and their interaction with quantitative components, despite intuitive benefits over the course of an invasion. In particular, learning is a form of behavioral plasticity that makes it possible to finely tune behavior according to environmental conditions. Learning can be crucial for survival and reproduction of introduced organisms in novel areas, for example, for detecting new predators, or finding mates or oviposition sites. Here we explored how oviposition performance evolved in relation to both fecundity and learning during an invasion, using native and introduced Drosophila subobscura populations performing an ecologically relevant task. Our results indicated that, under comparable conditions, invasive populations performed better during our oviposition task than did native populations. This was because invasive populations had higher fecundity, together with similar cognitive performance when compared to native populations, and that there was no interaction between learning and fecundity. Unexpectedly, our study did not reveal an allocation trade‐off (i.e., a negative relationship) between learning and fecundity. On the contrary, the pattern we observed was more consistent with an acquisition trade‐off, meaning that fecundity could be limited by availability of resources, unlike cognitive ability. This pattern might be the consequence of escaping natural enemies and/or competitors during the introduction. The apparent lack of evolution of learning may indicate that the introduced population did not face novel cognitive challenges in the new environment (i.e., cognitive “pre‐adaptation”). Alternatively, the evolution of learning may have been transient and therefore not detected.
TrendMD: Helping scholarly content providers reach larger and more targeted audiences
Authors: Kudlow Paul , Rutledge Alan , Shachak Aviv , McIntyre Roger S. , Eysenbach Gunther 
Published: February 2016

Key points

With over 6,000 new peer‐reviewed articles published daily, scholarly content providers face growing challenges of reaching their target audience.
There are few evidenced‐based strategies for disseminating online scholarly content to a targeted audience.
TrendMD increased weekly page views by 49% relative to baseline traffic for a group of articles published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research.
Future studies are needed to determine how article page views correlate with other article‐level metrics such as Altmetric scores and citations.
Depth edge detection by image-based smoothing and morphological operations
Authors: Abid Hasan Syed Mohammad , Ko Kwanghee 
Published: February 2016

Abstract
Since 3D measurement technologies have been widely used in manufacturing industries edge detection in a depth image plays an important role in computer vision applications. In this paper, we have proposed an edge detection process in a depth image based on the image based smoothing and morphological operations. In this method we have used the principle of Median filtering, which has a renowned feature for edge preservation properties. The edge detection was done based on Canny Edge detection principle and was improvised with morphological operations, which are represented as combinations of erosion and dilation. Later, we compared our results with some existing methods and exhibited that this method produced better results. However, this method works in multiframe applications with effective framerates. Thus this technique will aid to detect edges robustly from depth images and contribute to promote applications in depth images such as object detection, object segmentation, etc.
Highlights A method is proposed that can detect edges from depth images more profoundly. We modified the Canny edge detection method using morphological operations. The proposed method works in multi-frames.
Time for a reality check: Is business willing to support a smart mix of complementary regulation in private governance?
Authors: Kinderman Daniel 
Published: February 2016

Abstract
In recent years, scholars and policymakers have become interested in the idea of a smart mix of voluntary and regulatory measures in private governance. If public and private actors are to share the work load of governing the commons, this presupposes that both sides can agree on this compromise formula — but can they? So far, we have limited knowledge of firms and business associations’ regulatory preferences in this realm. As a ground-clearing exercise my article aims to help fill this gap and expose some of the underappreciated fault and conflict lines within private governance. Its thrust is that existing literature is excessively optimistic about business's willingness to support regulation. The article surveys the EU's non-financial disclosure Directive and half a dozen other attempts to regulate CSR or non-financial disclosure across the world, and finds that public authorities’ more ambitious attempts at regulation met with vigorous business opposition. Even after the financial crisis, most business associations and firms reject a smart mix in favor of voluntarism and soft law without hard sanctions.
Prevalence of housing needs among inpatients: a 1 year audit of housing needs in the acute mental health unit in Tallaght Hospital
Authors: Cowman J. , Whitty P. 
Published: February 2016

ObjectiveThere is a dearth of information relating to the prevalence of housing needs among psychiatric in-patients in Ireland. Most of the information we have to date emerged as a result of attempts to plan for the closure of old psychiatric hospitals and inappropriate community residences. This study sought to identify the prevalence of housing needs among in-patients in the acute psychiatric unit in Tallaght Hospital.MethodsEach week, over a 12-month period, nursing managers and/or key nurses who knew the patients well were asked for numerical data. Information was collected on the numbers of in-patients with accommodation needs, number of delayed discharges due to accommodation needs and number of discharges to homeless accommodation in the previous week.ResultsOn average, 38% of in-patients had accommodation related needs at any one time. Most (98%) of delayed discharges had accommodation related needs. Delayed discharge in-patients with accommodation needs accounted for 28% of all inpatients and for 72% of all inpatients with accommodation related needs.ConclusionsAccommodation need among psychiatric in-patients is underreported. Housing need data should be routinely collected and effective interagency strategies developed to address housing needs.
Excessive adiposity at low BMI levels among women in rural Bangladesh
Authors: Shaikh Saijuddin , Jones-Smith Jessica , Schulze Kerry , Ali Hasmot , Christian Parul , Shamim Abu Ahmed , Mehra Sucheta , Labrique Alain , Klemm Rolf , Wu Lee , Rashid Mahbubur , West Keith P. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractAsian populations have a higher percentage body fat (%BF) and are at higher risk for CVD and related complications at a given BMI compared with those of European descent. We explored whether %BF was disproportionately elevated in rural Bangladeshi women with low BMI. Height, weight, mid-upper arm circumference, triceps and subscapular skinfolds and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) were measured in 1555 women at 3 months postpartum. %BF was assessed by skinfolds and by BIA. BMI was calculated in adults and BMI Z-scores were calculated for females <20 years old. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves found the BMI and BMI Z-score cut-offs that optimally classified women as having moderately excessive adipose tissue (defined as >30 % body fat). Linear regressions estimated the association between BMI and BMI Z-score (among adolescents) and %BF. Mean BMI was 19·2 (sd 2·2) kg/m2, and mean %BF was calculated as 23·7 (sd 4·8) % by skinfolds and 23·3 (sd 4·9) % by BIA. ROC analyses indicated that a BMI value of approximately 21 kg/m2 optimised sensitivity (83·6 %) and specificity (84·2 %) for classifying subjects with >30 % body fat according to BIA among adults. This BMI level is substantially lower than the WHO recommended standard cut-off point of BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2. The equivalent cut-off among adolescents was a BMI Z-score of –0·36, with a sensitivity of 81·3 % and specificity of 80·9 %. These findings suggest that Bangladeshi women exhibit excess adipose tissue at substantially lower BMI compared with non-South Asian populations. This is important for the identification and prevention of obesity-related metabolic diseases.
Postscript: In Fairness to Condemnation
Authors: Davis Michael 
Published: February 2016

Von Hirsch has presented me with a dilemma. As he says, “Proportionality in the Philosophy of Punishment” is a “substantially revised” version of the paper originally prepared for the Jerusalem conference. Its predecessor, “Allocating Penalties”, was in part a response to my “Criminal Desert, Harm, and Fairness”, the paper I prepared for the conference. “Proportionality” is instead (if only in part) a response to what I said at the conference — the “Postscript” cited in its footnotes.Here is the dilemma. On the one hand: I could leave “Postscript” more or less as I gave it. That would preserve the historical record, but at some cost. I would have missed a chance to advance discussion of important issues. I would also have caused an anomaly in the order of papers printed here. On the other hand: I could rewrite “Postscript”, making it a response to “Proportionality” rather than to “Allocating Penalties”.
The Failure of Punishment as Social Control
Authors: L. Abel Richard 
Published: February 2016

I must begin with several disclaimers, which express not the obligatory protestations of false modesty but the real limitations of this article. First, I am not a criminologist, penologist or philosopher of law but a lawyer and sociologist of law. Second, I inevitably reflect the unique social environment within the United States, which may be very different from that of the other countries represented at this conference. Third, my remarks are impressionistic and synthetic, not the conclusions of a careful empirical study.My argument is simple. In the contemporary United States, stateimposed sanctions are seen as a central mechanism of social control. (Of course, they also are seen as incapacitation, retribution, and rehabilitation; but most people would view these as secondary justifications.) Indeed, I believe most Americans would view state punishment as the most important mechanism of social control. By state-imposed sanctions I mean both criminal penalties (execution, imprisonment, fine, probation, and community service) and civil damages (compensatory and punitive).
Regional HmPAO SPECT and CT Measurements in the Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Mattman A. , Feldman H. , Forste B. , Li D. , Szasz I. , Beattie B.L. , Schulzer M. 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACT:Background:This study investigated the hypothesis that the combination of regional CT brain atrophy measurements and semiquantitative SPECT regional blood flow ratios could produce a diagnostic test for Alzheimer's disease (AD) with an accuracy comparable to that achieved with the present clinical gold standard of the NINCDS-ADRDA criteria.Methods:Single proton emission computed tomography (SPECT) and CT head scans were performed on 122 subjects referred an UBC Alzheimer clinic and diagnosed as either ‘not demented’ (ND-37) or ‘possible/probable AD’ (AD-85) by the NINCDS-ADRDA criteria. Stepwise discriminant analysis (SDA) was performed on the bilateral SPECT regions of interest and compared to bilateral CT qualitative/quantitative assessment in the frontal, parietal and temporal lobes to determine which were most accurate at ND/AD distinction. Receiver operating curves (ROC) were then constructed for these variables individually and for their combined discriminant function.Results:The left temporal qualitative cortical atrophy score (CT) and left temporal perfusion ratio (SPECT) were selected in the SDA. The combined discriminant function was more specific at AD/ND distinction than either of CT or SPECT alone. The accuracy of AD/ND distinction with the combined discriminant function was below that achieved by clinical diagnosis according to the NINCDS-ADRDA criteria and was not significantly different from that achieved with SPECT or CT alone as defined by ROC curve analysis.Conclusion:The measurements of left temporal cortical atrophy and regional cerebral blood flow were most indicative of AD; however they lacked the sensitivity and specificity to recommend their use as a diagnostic test for AD.
Marked Hyperprolactinemia Caused by Carotid Aneurysm
Authors: Kahn Susan R. , Leblanc Richard , Sadiko Abbas F. , Fantus I. George 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACT:Background:Pituitary dysfunction caused by intracranial aneurysms is rare. We report a patient with the unique feature of hyperprolactinemia to a degree previously seen only with prolactinsecreting tumours.Method:Case report.Result:A 42-year-old woman had a galactorrhea, left-sided headache, reduced vision in the left eye and a left temporal hemianopsia. Serum prolactin was elevated (365 μg/L). Cranial computed tomography (CT) revealed a suprasellar mass, which carotid angiography showed to be a left internal carotid artery aneurysm. At craniotomy, this aneurysm and a smaller one of the ophthalmic artery were repaired, and the patient's vision returned to normal. The prolactin level fell to normal. Follow-up CT showed no evidence of pituitary adenoma or hypothalamic lesion.Conclusions:Carotid aneurysm can cause reversible pituitary dysfunction. A prolactin level >300 μg/L is not a reliable cut-off for distinguishing prolactin-secreting adenomas from other causes of elevated prolactin. A co-existing prolactinoma was felt to be ruled out by both a normal CT scan and normal prolactin levels following aneurysm repair. Patients with marked hyperprolactinemia should be considered for angiography or MRI to rule out carotid aneurysm, since the consequences of pituitary exploration in this setting are potentially grave.
Syringomyelia Developing as an Acute Complication of Tuberculous Meningitis
Authors: Daif Abdu Kader , Rajeh Al , Ogunniy Adesola , Boukai Amer Al , Tahan Abdulrahman Al 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACT:Background:Tuberculosis of the nervous system has protean manifestations. Syringomyelia, though an uncommon complication of it, is usually of late onset.Methods:We report two patients with tuberculosis meningitis who developed syringomyelia acutely. The diagnosis was supported by neuroimaging and findings at laminectomy.Results:The two patients developed syringomyelia between 11 days and 6 weeks of the onset of tuberculous meningitis. They both had cord swelling and softeningConclusions:Acute-onset syringomyelia should be suspected in any patient being treated for tuberculosis meningitis who subsequently develops limb weakness and/or sphincteric dysfunction. Inflammatory edema and cord ischemia appeared to be the underlying mechanisms in these early onset cases rather than arachnoiditis which is important in late-onset cases.
Lhermitte-Duclos Disease: Literature Review and Novel Treatment Strategy
Authors: Tuli Sagun , Provias John P. , Bernstein Mark 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACT:Background:Lhermitte-Duclos disease (LDD) is a rare pathologic entity involving the cerebellum. The fundamental nature of the entity and its pathogenesis remain unknown, and considerable debate has centered on whether it represents a neoplastic, malformative or hamartomatous lesion. The cell or cells of origin remain incompletely defined. Previous reports of cases in the English literature have dealt predominantly with the clinical and pathological aspects yet few address issues of treatment.Methods:A case of Lhermitte-Duclos disease (LDD) in a 54-year-old female leading to local compressive symptoms and obstructive hydrocephalus is presented. A craniectomy, in addition to a CI laminectomy followed by a decompressive duroplasty (using autologous fascia lata graft) was performed.Results:The patient clinically improved and follow-up MRI 11 months post-operatively revealed improvement in hydrocephalus.Conclusions:The histological and immunohistochemical features of the lesion are described, emphasizing the role of an abnormal dysplastic granule cell layer. The evidence in favor of each of the major theories of pathogenesis, malformative and neoplastic is discussed. Based on these facts a form of surgical intervention involving decompressive duroplasty is proposed.