bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predictive value of serum myeloperoxidase activity for thrombosis of arteriovenous fistulas
Authors: Stolic Radojica V. , Trajkovic Goran Z. , Kostic Mirjana , Stolic Dragica Z. , Miric Dijana J. , Kisic Bojana M. , Pajovic Slavica D. , Peric Vladan M. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractMyeloperoxidase is a proinflammatory protein that appears as a result of increased oxidative stress. It plays an important role in the promotion and progression of atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to determine the importance of MPO as a predictive parameter for thrombosis of arteriovenous fistula (AVF). The study involved monitoring patients with AVFs for hemodialysis over a period of 2 years. There were 41 patients, 19 (46%) men and 22 (54%) women, with mean age of 65 ± 12.7 years. Routine laboratory analyses were carried out in all respondents, including determination of MPO concentration. Gender, demographic and anthropometrical characteristics, smoking, alcohol consumption, as well as the presence of diabetic nephropathy, as an etiological factor of kidney disease, were recorded. The group of patients who developed initial thrombosis of the AVFs had significantly different values for leukocytes (8.5 ± 3.8 vs. 7.3 ± 2.1, P = 0.024), erythrocytes (2.8 ± 0.27 vs. 3.2 ± 0.65; P = 0.019), hemoglobin (88.5 ± 81 vs. 99.1 ± 6.02; P = 0.041), and myeloperoxidase (19.3 ± 4.67 vs. 11.1 ± 4.43; P = 0.007) when compared with the group without fistula thrombosis. Diabetic nephropathy (P = 0.02) characterized the group of patients with thrombosis of the fistula. Diabetic nephropathy (B = 2.53, P = 0.049) and MPO (B = 0.03, P = 0.029) were statistically significant predictors of fistula thrombosis. In our study, MPO and diabetic nephropathy were predictors of thrombosis of the AVF.
Triploid ZZZ Zebra Finches Taeniopygia guttata exhibit abnormal sperm heads and poor reproductive performance
Authors: Girndt Antje , Knief Ulrich , Forstmeier Wolfgang , Kempenaers Bart 
Published: March 2014

Here we report the first discovery of two viable triploid male Zebra Finches Taeniopygia guttata. We compared the morphology of their sperm with that of normal diploid Zebra Finches and examined eggs resulting from a triploid male and diploid female pairing to investigate whether triploid Zebra Finches can reproduce. The majority (78%) of the triploids' spermatozoa had malformed sperm heads, which were 60% larger, and all examined eggs (n = 42) were infertile. Our results tentatively suggest that triploid ZZZ Zebra Finches cannot reproduce, and thus represent a rare evolutionary dead‐end.
Experimental evidence for parental, but not parentally biased, favouritism in relation to offspring size inBlueTitsCyanistes caeruleus
Authors: García‐Navas Vicente , Ferrer Esperanza S. , Serrano‐Davies Eva 
Published: March 2014

In species with biparental care, males and females share the benefits of investing in offspring but pay the costs individually. As a result of these evolutionary conflicts of interest between the sexes, it is expected that the two parents should follow different behavioural rules when providing food to the young. Such a discrepancy may be accentuated when parents have to choose between different subsets of offspring (e.g. large and small nestlings). We manipulated the degree of hatching asynchrony inBlueTitsCyanistes caeruleusand quantified male and female feeding behaviour when nestlings were 7 and 10 days old. First, we tested for a difference in the role of the sexes during the nestling rearing period between experimentally asynchronous and synchronous control broods. We then used experimentally asynchronous broods to assess differences between the sexes in the pattern of food distribution in terms of number of feedings and prey types, between junior and senior siblings. When nestlings in experimental nests were 7 days old, females fed young more often than did males despite facing a trade‐off between brooding the smallest nestlings and bringing food to the nest. At this age, there was also a skew in food delivery in favour of senior siblings, whereas food was more evenly distributed across the brood when nestlings were 10 days old. We found no difference in how male and female Blue Tits distributed feeding visits among junior and senior nestlings. However, females fed the smallest nestlings with more spiders in comparison with their senior siblings. This could be related to their more suitable size relative to other prey types, their high content of essential nutrients, or both, and may represent a more cryptic form of parentally biased favouritism. We compare these findings with previous work on other species and discuss why parents did not feed junior siblings more frequently.
Evidence of facultative daytime hypothermia in a small passerine wintering at northern latitudes
Authors: Lewden Agnès , Petit Magali , Milbergue Myriam , Orio Stéphane , Vézina François 
Published: March 2014

The use of hypothermia as a means to save energy is well documented in birds. This energy‐saving strategy is widely considered to occur exclusively at night in diurnally active species. However, recent studies suggest that facultative hypothermia may also occur during the day. Here, we document the use of daytime hypothermia in foraging Black‐capped Chickadees Poecile atricapillus wintering in eastern Canada. We measured the body temperature (Tb) of 126 individuals (plus 48 repeated measures) during a single winter and related values to ambient temperature (Ta) at the time of capture. We also tested whether daytime hypothermia was correlated with the size of body reserves (residuals of mass on structural size and fat score) and levels of metabolic performance (basal metabolic rate and maximum thermogenic capacity). We found that Tb of individual birds was lower when captured at low Ta, reaching values as low as 35.5 °C in actively foraging individuals. Tb was unrelated to metabolic performance or measures of body reserves. Therefore, daytime hypothermia does not result from individuals being unable to maintain Tb during cold spells or to a lack of body reserves. Our data also demonstrated a high level of individual variation in the depth of hypothermia, the causes of which remain to be explored.
Evaluation of risk impact of consumers' behaviour in terms of exposure to Listeria monocytogenes in lettuce
Authors: Doménech Eva , Conchado Andrea , Escriche Isabel 
Published: March 2014

SummaryThe influence that consumers have on the exposure assessment due to the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in lettuce was studied. Four stages of the food chain were considered: transport home, storage, handling and washing. A survey provided information about family behaviour classified as: one adult living alone (n = 77), one adult with children (n = 21), two adults (n = 75), two adults with children (n = 139) and seniors (n = 157). Multiple correspondence analyses revealed only slight differences between one adult living alone (with or without children) and the other groups. The simulation results highlighted that in all groups, ‘transportation’ and ‘storage at home’ did not increase contamination. In the ‘handling’ stage, Listeria was able to increase an average of 1 log CFU g−1, and in ‘washing’, consumers were able to reduce it to the values at retail. Finally, sensitivity analysis demonstrated that washing and surface contamination were the practices that had most influence on the risk.
Evaluation of minimal processing of orange juice by automated data analysis of volatiles and nonvolatile polar compounds determined by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry
Authors: Cerdán‐Calero Manuela , Izquierdo Luís , Halket John M. , Sentandreu Enrique 
Published: March 2014

SummaryThe effects of minimal processing on the metabolite composition of orange juice were studied. Volatiles and nonvolatile polar compounds in Lane Late orange juices, with different pulp contents, treated by high‐pressure homogenisation (HPH) at 150 MPa (at 58, 63 and 68 °C) and stored for 3 months at 3 °C were analysed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) with automated data processing. A total of 92 volatiles and 22 polar components (trimethylsilyl, TMS, derivatives of sugars, organic acids and amino acids) were determined in fresh, processed and stored juices. Initially, concentration of fresh flavours (hydrocarbon terpenes and aldehydes) determined in the homogenised samples with the original pulp content was higher than that determined in fresh juice. During storage, desirable descriptors were better preserved in the juice processed at 68 °C with the lowest increase in off‐flavours (alcohols and ketones). Generally, operations assayed did not exert a significant influence on polar metabolites, showing no effect on their decrease with time.
Variations of hairy cell nuclei shapes with regard to ring‐shaped nuclei simulating dysplastic neutrophilic granulocytes and review of the literature
Authors: Lemež P. , Kačírková P. 
Published: March 2014

SummaryIntroductionNuclei of hairy cells (HC) are typically oval, round or indented, but atypical shapes are occasionally described in HCL and may lead to a provisional wrong diagnosis.MethodsThe aim of this study was to quantify HC nuclei shapes classified into 11 categories on diagnostic bone marrow smears of 38 consecutive patients with HCL.ResultsHC in all 33 patients with evaluable smears at diagnosis exhibited a round/oval nucleus in 60.8–95.8%, an indented nucleus in 3.4–24.5% and a kidney‐shaped nucleus in 0.4–7.0%. Other shapes of HC nuclei were found only in a proportion of patients: nuclei with two indentations in 0.4–6.5% HC (28 patients), overlapped nuclei in 0.5–3.5% HC (17) and lobulated nuclei in 0.4–4.5% HC (15). Two per cent or less of HC had the following nuclear shapes: that of an opposite indentation and impression (14 patients), dumb‐bell (13), ring (10), horseshoe (5), two nuclei (8 patients).ConclusionDifferent shapes of HC nuclei similar to cells typical for other diagnoses are found usually in low frequencies. However, if their numbers are increased, they may cause diagnostic problems because cytology of blood and bone marrow smears is usually the first available diagnostic method.
The Spirit, Creaturehood and Sanctification: On Avoiding Theological Overcompensation
Authors: Castelo Daniel 
Published: March 2014

AbstractTalk of the Spirit's work of sanctification often leads to a number of different conclusions, ones that often appear mutually exclusive. Under such conditions, their espousers often make cases for their views in overcompensatory ways by highlighting their approaches over and against other views that may be complementary in their own way. This article contends that behind this diversity are often competing claims within different domains of inquiry surrounding the Creator–creation interface. These commitments lurk in the background of these debates, and their exposure may help in the ongoing task of speaking of the Spirit's endeavoring in and among creatures.
Holiness and Mediation: Pneumatology in Pietist Perspective
Authors: Vickers Jason E. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractIn contemporary Christian theology, Pietism denotes a form of Christianity that rejects mediation in favor of the Holy Spirit's direct, unmediated infusion of grace into the human heart. In this article, I contend that this reading of Pietism is deeply flawed. Drawing on recent scholarship, I show that Pietism, especially in its Methodist, Wesleyan‐holiness and Pentecostal forms, embraces and promotes mediation through a wide range of places, materials, persons and practices. From a Pietist perspective, God's holiness precludes presumption, not mediation per se. It also leads Pietists to underscore the significance of waiting for the Christian life.
The Holy Spirit and Unity: Getting out of the Way of Christ
Authors: Radner Ephraim 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThis article argues for a limited pneumatological definition of Christian unity, in favor of a more exclusive christological explanation. It traces some of the theological problems associated with tying Christian unity too closely with the Holy Spirit, by examining the works of three near‐contemporary seventeenth‐century theologians, Bossuet, Baxter and Owen. The pneumatological ‘expansionism’ in each of these writers, still common in contemporary discussions of ecclesial unity, are not only counterproductive but obscure the specific kinds of charismatic gifting demanded by Christian reconciliation.
The Frusemide Test: Simple Screening Test for Renal Acidification Defect in Urolithiasis
Authors: REYNOLDS T. M. , BURGESS N. , MATANHELIA S. , BRAIN A. , PENNEY M. D. 
Published: March 2014

Summary— Urinary pH was first labelled as a risk factor for patients with recurrent calcium stone disease of the renal tract in 1978. The standard diagnostic test for patients with a history of stones, who appear to have urinary acidification defects is the ammonium chloride test. However, the performance of this test results in significant morbidity, particularly nausea and vomiting, and as a result there is little enthusiasm for screening for such defects.We describe a screening test that may be used to determine which patients require more definitive testing. It involves an oral dose of frusemide (40 mg) followed by half‐hourly urine sampling for pH. For the detection of a renal tubular acidification defect, the frusemide test had sensitivity = 100%, specificity = 82%, predictive value of a positive result = 40%, predictive value of a negative result = 100%, screening efficiency = 84%, and there was no morbidity. During the ammonium chloride test 80% of the patients vomited or felt very nauseated.
Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia and Invasive Carcinoma in Total Prostatectomy Specimens: Distribution, Volumes and DNA Ploidy
Authors: DE LA TORRE M. , HÄGGMAN M. , BRÄNDSTEDT S. , BUSCH C. 
Published: March 2014

Summary—Prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) has been postulated to be the main precursor of invasive carcinoma of the prostate (IC). The occurrence, distribution and volumes of PIN and IC in addition to grade were studied in 54 patients who underwent total prostatectomy because of localised IC (T0d–T2 NO MO).PIN always occurred multifocally, localised generally in the peripheral zone (PZ) and was found in all cases. PIN 1 was the most common grade, PIN 3 the least. PIN 3 occurred exclusively in the PZ, in the vicinity of or intermingled with high grade IC. PIN and IC grades were usually concordant. The relative volumes of IC and PIN showed an inverse relationship,i.e.at small IC + PIN volumes PIN dominated, whereas at large IC + PIN volumes both relative and absolute PIN volumes were lower. Furthermore, with increasing PIN grade a tendency towards an increase in tumour volume, Gleason score and frequency of disruption of the basal cell layer was observed. These findings indicate progression from PIN to IC.DNA ploidy of PIN areas was determined by means of flow cytometry. Areas containing PIN 1, 2 or 3 were sampled (1 plug/ml of PIN). All foci displayed only diploid DNA profiles regardless of PIN volume and grade, even with coexistent IC displaying heterogeneous DNA patterns. Our results support the claim that low and medium grade prostatic carcinoma arises from near‐diploid PIN stemlines and may progress into heterogeneous tumours containing non‐diploid stemlines.
Immunohistological findings in patients with superficial bladder carcinoma after intravesical instillation of keyhole limpet haemocyanin
Authors: JURINCIC‐WINKLER C. , METZ K.A. , BEUTH J. , ENGELMANN U. , KLIPPEL K.F. 
Published: March 2014

Objective To determine whether keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH) instilled intravesically improves the local cellular response within the bladder wall of patients suffering from superficial bladder carcinomaPatients and methods Twelve patients (10 men and two women, mean age 67 years, range 42–85) with superficial carcinomas of the bladder were treated for 6 consecutive weeks and then monthly for 1 year with 20 mg KLH in 20 mL saline instilled intravesically after complete resection of the tumours. Biopsies were taken for immunohistochemical examination before treatment and again 6 weeks, 3, 6 and 9 months after treatment. Six patients with no evidence of cystitis or malignant bladder disease acted as a control group. Immunofluorescent staining of the biopsies was performed using monoclonal antibodies to the T‐cell markers CD4 and CD8, and to CD14 (monocytes), CDw15 (granulocytes), CD19 B‐cells (Pan‐B), CD68 (macrophages) and HLA‐DR. Anti‐KLH antibody‐producing plasma cells were detected using a standard technique. A semiquantitative analysis of locally infiltrating cell types was performed.Results After treatment with KLH the increase of CD8 + suppressor cells was less pronounced than that of CD4+ helper cells. The T‐helper/inducer to T‐suppressor/cytotoxic cell ratio thus altered from 0.8:2.0 before treatment to 1.6:2.3 afterwards. Hence, the number of T‐helper cells had increased considerably, whereas there was only a moderate increase in the number of T‐suppressor cells. This cellular ratio could be detected for 9 months after KLH therapy. The numbers of activated HLA‐DR + immune cells in the submucosa and among urothelial cells also increased after KLH instillation. The degree of mononuclear cell infiltration of the submucosa increased considerably, but granulocyte infiltration was only moderate. Lymph follicles with enhanced B‐lymphocyte counts were also detected.Conclusion Immune‐cell infiltration into the urothelium and enhanced activation (expression of class II antigens) suggests distinct processes of cellular antigen recognition, which could be detected for up to 9 months after the beginning of KLH therapy. This may represent a basic functional mechanism of KLH therapy.
Immunohistochemical analysis of nm23 protein in transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder
Authors: SHIINA H. , IGAWA M. , URAKAMI S. , SHIRAKAWA H. , ISHIBE T. 
Published: March 2014

Objectives To elucidate the clinical significance of the nm23 gene product in transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder.Patients and methods The immunoreactivity of nm23 protein and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were evaluated in paraffin‐embedded tumour samples obtained from 74 patients with TCC of the bladder who underwent total cystectomy between 1981 and 1993 and compared with the histological findings and clinical outcome.Results The immunoreactivity of nm23 protein was positive near basement membrane in normal transitional epithelium and superficial TCCs; it could also be positive at the invasive front of TCCs. The immunoreactivity of nm23 protein in TCCs was significantly higher than that in normal transitional epithelium and correlated significantly with the expression of PCNA and with histological grade. Similarly, immunoreactivity was significantly higher in invasive TCCs than in superficial TCCs; however, there was no significant difference between superficial TCCs and normal transitional epithelium. Immunoreactivity of nm23 protein was not associated with the early development of metastasis after radical surgery or with a favorable clinical outcome.Conclusion Immunoreactivity of nm23 protein appeared to be associated with the proliferation and progression of TCC of the bladder. The potential role of nm23 as a suppressor of the metastatic activity of tumours was less prominent, partly because of mutations of nm23 in TCCs of the bladder.
Determinants of treatment‐seeking behaviour for urinary symptoms in older men
Authors: MACFARLANE G.J. , SAGNIER P‐P. , RICHARD F. , TEILLAC P. , BOTTO H. , BOYLE P. 
Published: March 2014

Objective To determine the factors associated with seeking treatment for urinary symptoms among older men in a European population.Subjects and methods A community survey involving a representative nationwide sample of 2011 French men aged between 50 and 80 years was performed and information collected using an interviewer‐administered questionnaire.Results Visiting a doctor for urinary symptoms was associated with the perceived bothersomeness of urinary symptoms, in addition to and independently of the level of symptom severity. It was also associated with higher socio‐economic class. Many partners of men with urinary symptoms were unaware of their condition.Conclusions This study emphasizes the importance of including the perception of bother associated with urinary symptoms in addition to urinary severity and provides information useful for inclusion in education programmes on urinary symptoms.
Development of nerves containing nitric oxide synthase in the human male urogenital organs
Authors: DIXON J.S. , JEN P.Y.P. 
Published: March 2014

Objective To determine the spatial and temporal distribution of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the urogenital organs of a series of human male fetuses, using an immunohistochemical technique.Material and methods Thirteen pre‐natal specimens ranging in gestational age from 13 to 30 weeks were acquired following abortion or miscarriage. The distribution of NOS, which catalyses the production of nitric oxide (NO), was revealed using an indirect immunolabelling technique and compared with the overall innervation of each specimen visualized using the general nerve‐marker protein gene product 9.5 (PGP).Results At 13 weeks of gestation the majority of nerves supplying the developing prostate gland expressed NOS while similar nerves formed a very minor proportion of the total innervation to the urinary bladder and intramural ureters. With increasing gestational age, NOS‐containing nerves became more numerous in the lower urinary tract, the majority occurring at the bladder neck and around the prostatic urethra. In contrast, NOS‐containing nerves were not detected in the muscle coat of the vas deferens and seminal vesicle until 23 weeks of gestation and at 30 weeks still only formed a small proportion of the intramuscular nerves. From 23 weeks onwards NOS‐containing nerves were present occasionally in the dense subepithelial nerve plexuses which developed in the bladder, prostate, vas deferens and seminal vesicle. Also from 23 weeks onwards, many of the epithelial cells lining the vas deferens, seminal vesicle and ejaculatory ducts showed immunoreactivity to NOS but no immunoreactivity was observed in the epithelial lining of the urinary bladder and the intramural ureters.Conclusion Based on the comparative density of NOS‐containing nerves and the difference in their temporal development among the various urogenital organs it is apparent that NO plays an increasingly important role in the autonomic control of the lower urinary tract during fetal development but that its involvement in the functional control of the vas deferens and seminal vesicle is relatively minor before birth.