bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Root gravitropism and root hair development constitute coupled developmental responses regulated by auxin homeostasis in the Arabidopsis root apex
Authors: Rigas Stamatis , Ditengou Franck Anicet , Ljung Karin , Daras Gerasimos , Tietz Olaf , Palme Klaus , Hatzopoulos Polydefkis 
Published: December 2012

Summary

Active polar transport establishes directional auxin flow and the generation of local auxin gradients implicated in plant responses and development. Auxin modulates gravitropism at the root tip and root hair morphogenesis at the differentiation zone.

Genetic and biochemical analyses provide evidence for defective basipetal auxin transport in trh1 roots.

The trh1, pin2, axr2 and aux1 mutants, and transgenic plants overexpressing PIN1, all showing impaired gravity response and root hair development, revealed ectopic PIN1 localization. The auxin antagonist hypaphorine blocked root hair elongation and caused moderate agravitropic root growth, also leading to PIN1 mislocalization. These results suggest that auxin imbalance leads to proximal and distal developmental defects in Arabidopsis root apex, associated with agravitropic root growth and root hair phenotype, respectively, providing evidence that these two auxin‐regulated processes are coupled. Cell‐specific subcellular localization of TRH1‐YFP in stele and epidermis supports TRH1 engagement in auxin transport, and hence impaired function in trh1 causes dual defects of auxin imbalance.

The interplay between intrinsic cues determining root epidermal cell fate through the TTG/GL2 pathway and environmental cues including abiotic stresses modulates root hair morphogenesis. As a consequence of auxin imbalance in Arabidopsis root apex, ectopic PIN1 mislocalization could be a risk aversion mechanism to trigger root developmental responses ensuring root growth plasticity.
Tool to estimate optical metrics from summary wave‐front analysis data in the human eye
Authors: Jansonius Nomdo M 
Published: December 2012

AbstractPurposeStudies in the field of cataract and refractive surgery often report only summary wave‐front analysis data – data that are too condensed to allow for a retrospective calculation of metrics relevant to visual perception. The aim of this study was to develop a tool that can be used to estimate these metrics from summary wave‐front analysis data.MethodsThe core of the tool is a two‐parameter (primary spherical aberration and an overall measure of all other higher‐order aberrations) model for the statistical description of the optical aberrations of the human eye. Modulation transfer through‐focus curves were calculated for realistic ranges of spherical aberration, other higher‐order aberrations and pupil diameters, for both white and monochromatic light. A series of commonly used metrics (modulation transfer, Strehl ratio, visual Strehl ratio and width of line spread function) was derived from these through‐focus curves, with corresponding location of optimal focus and depth‐of‐focus.ResultsPublished wave‐front analysis data from healthy subjects served as input for the tool. The output was compared to published measurements of the included metrics, performed in the same or in comparable samples. Agreement between output of the tool and measurements was within the accuracy of the data.ConclusionsThe tool is able to relate accurately summary wave‐front analysis data from groups of patients to metrics relevant to visual perception and can thus be used to estimate these metrics in situations where their calculation from raw wave‐front analysis data is not possible.
Line of sight of a heterocentric astigmatic eye
Authors: Harris William F , van Gool Radboud DHM , Evans Tanya 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe line of sight and the corneal sighting centre are important references for clinical work in optometry and ophthalmology. Their locations are not fixed but may vary with displacement of the pupil and other changes in the eye.PurposeTo derive equations for the dependence of the locations on properties of an eye which may be heterocentric and astigmatic.MethodsThe optical model used is linear optics. It allows for the refracting surfaces of the eye to be astigmatic and tilted or decentred. Because the approach is general it applies not only to the natural eye but also to a pseudophakic eye and to the compound system of eye and any optical instrument in front of it. The analysis begins with the line of sight defined in terms of the foveal chief ray.ResultsEquations are derived for the position and inclination of the line of sight at incidence onto the eye. They allow one to locate the line of sight and corneal sighting centre given the structure (curvatures, tilts, spacings of refracting surfaces) of the eye. The results can be generalized in several ways including application in the case of extra‐foveal fixation and when there is a lens or other optical instrument in front of the eye. The calculation is illustrated in the Appendix for a model eye with four separated, astigmatic and tilted refracting surfaces.ConclusionsThe equations allow routine calculation of the line of sight for an eye of known structure and of the eye combined with an optical device such as a spectacle lens. They also allow exploration of the dependence of the line of sight on the location of the centre of the pupil and on other properties in the eye. There is a dependence of the line of sight on the frequency (or vacuum wavelength) of light but this may not be of clinical significance.
The Relationship between Right Ventricular Lead Position and Paced QRS Duration
Authors: KAWAKAMI TOHRU , TANAKA NOBUKIYO , OHNO HIROYOSHI , KOBAYAKAWA HIROKO , SAKURAI TOMOHIRO , ISHIHARA HIROKI , OHMORI HIROYUKI , MATSUZAKI TERUMASA 
Published: December 2012

BackgroundThe relationship between the anatomical location of right ventricular pacing site and paced QRS duration is unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between right ventricular pacing site and paced QRS duration using cardiac angiography.MethodsFifty patients were implanted with pacemakers. The right ventricular lead position was determined from the findings of cardiac angiography and the paced QRS duration was measured. Cardiac angiography was used to display the right ventriculogram (RVG) and the left ventriculogram (LVG). The RVG view was divided into three areas and the LVG view was divided into four areas.ResultsThe paced QRS duration value was significantly longer in the right ventricular apex area compared with the outflow and inflow areas (160 ± 15 ms vs 140 ± 15 ms, P = 0.02, and vs 133 ± 17 ms, P < 0.001, respectively), but those values were not statistically significantly different between the right ventricular outflow and the right ventricular inflow areas (140 ± 15 ms vs 133 ± 17 ms, P = 0.187). When assessed with LVG views, there were the statistically significant differences in the paced QRS duration values in all areas except the apex area. (LV mid‐anterior: 147 ± 11 ms vs LV base: 127 ± 13 ms, P < 0.001, and vs LV mid‐septum: 129 ± 12 ms, P = 0.001, respectively.)ConclusionsCardiac angiography showed that there was a relationship between the anatomical right ventricular pacing site and paced QRS duration. Cardiac angiography can help determine the areas that produce shorter paced QRS duration.
Outcomes of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in the Elderly
Authors: KILLU AMMAR M. , WU JIA‐HUI , FRIEDMAN PAUL A. , SHEN WIN‐KUANG , WEBSTER TRACY L. , BROOKE KELLY L. , HODGE DAVID O. , WISTE HEATHER J. , CHA YONG‐MEI 
Published: December 2012

BackgroundOctogenarians (>80 years) have been underrepresented in clinical trials of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).ObjectiveTo determine the benefit of CRT with or without a defibrillator in older elderly patients.MethodsWe retrospectively studied consecutive patients who received CRT at our institution from 2002 through 2008. New York Heart Association (NYHA) class and echocardiographic parameters were assessed before and after CRT. Thirty‐day complications after device implant were collected. Survival data were obtained from the national death and location database. Data were compared between those 80 years and younger and those older than 80 years.ResultsOf 728 patients identified, 90 (12.4%) were older than 80 years. After CRT, older and younger patients had similar improvements in NHYA class (P = 0.41), ejection fraction (P = 0.48), and mitral valve regurgitation (MR) severity (P = 0.42). In the older patients, defibrillator implantation was associated with comparable improvement in NYHA class, ejection fraction, and MR grade severity (P > 0.05), as in those without a defibrillator. Overall survival was worse in octogenarians than in the younger patients by Kaplan‐Meier estimates (P = 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed similar survival between the younger and older subjects (hazard ratio, 1.23; 95% confidence interval, 0.83–1.84; P = 0.31). The observed complication rate in all study subjects was 12.2%, with no difference between the two age groups.ConclusionOctogenarian patients who received CRT with or without a defibrillator for advanced heart failure had similar clinical benefits as younger patients. CRT should not be withheld from octogenarians meeting current selection guidelines.
Does Left Atrial Appendage Closure with a Cardiac Plug System Reduce the Stroke Risk in Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation Patients? A Single‐Center Case Series
Authors: DANNA PAOLO , PROIETTI RICCARDO , SAGONE ANTONIO , ARENSI ANDREA , VIECCA MAURIZIO , RAGO ANNA , RUSSO VINCENZO 
Published: December 2012

BackgroundAtrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia and it is associated with an increased stroke risk, due mainly to cardiac embolism from the left atrial appendage (LAA). Percutaneous LAA closure is a method to reduce stroke risk in AF without using anticoagulant agents. In this study we report data from an Italian experience with the LAA occluder Amplatzer Cardiac Plug (ACP) device (Aga Medical Corporation, Plymouth, MN, USA).MethodsThe study was designed to evaluate the safety of LAA closure using ACP and the efficacy of the procedure in preventing strokes during a 1‐year follow‐up. Patients with permanent or paroxysmal AF, high stroke risk, and contraindication to warfarin therapy were selected for the procedure.ResultsThe LAA closure was attempted in 37 patients and succeeded in 34 cases (91.9%). Four patients experienced serious complications (one cardiac tamponade requiring pericardiocentesis, two device embolizations, one low‐rate response AF requiring artificial pacing). During a 1‐year follow‐up, ischemic stroke occurred in one of 34 patients, resulting in a stroke rate of 2.94%; thus there was a stroke rate reduction of 50.2% and 26.5% compared to the expected stroke rate, according to CHADS2 and CHA2DS2VASc score. None of the patients who received ACP experienced major bleeding during the follow‐up.ConclusionLAA closure using ACP is a relatively feasible procedure which can be performed by highly experienced operators to reduce stroke rate in patients with AF, high stroke risk, and contraindication to oral anticoagulants.
Feasibility of Heart Sounds Measurements from an Accelerometer within an ICD Pulse Generator
Authors: SIEJKO KRZYSZTOF Z. , THAKUR PRAMODSINGH H. , MAILE KEITH , PATANGAY ABHILASH , OLIVARI MARIA‐TERESA 
Published: December 2012

ObjectiveThe feasibility of detecting heart sounds (HS) from an accelerometer sensor enclosed within an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) pulse generator (PG) was explored in a noninvasive pilot study on heart failure (HF) patients with audible third HS (S3).MethodsAccelerometer circuitry enhanced for HS was incorporated into non‐functional ICDs. A study was conducted on 30 HF patients and 10 normal subjects without history of cardiac disease. The devices were taped to the skin surface over both left and right pectoral regions to simulate subcutaneous implants. A lightweight reference accelerometer was taped over the cardiac apex. Waveforms were recorded simultaneously with a surface electrocardiogram for 2 minutes. Algorithms were developed to perform off‐line automatic detection of HS and HS time intervals (HSTIs).ResultsS1, S2, and S3 vibrations were detected in all accelerometer locations for all 40 subjects, including 16 subjects without an audible S3. A substantial proportion of S3 energy was infrasonic (<20 Hz). Extending the signal bandwidth accordingly increased HS amplitudes and the ability of S3 to separate HF patients from the normal subgroup. HSTIs also separated the subgroups and were less susceptible to patient‐dependent acoustic propagation properties than amplitude measures.ConclusionHS, including S3 amplitude and HSTIs, may be measured using PG‐embedded circuitry at implant sites without special purpose leads. Further study is warranted to determine if relative changes in heart sounds measurements can be effective in applications such as remote ambulatory monitoring of HF progression and the detection of the onset of HF decompensation.
BCGitis in a Patient with Transient Hypogammaglobulinemia of Infancy
Authors: Lynch Maeve , O'Loughlin Anne , Devaney Deirdre , O'Donnell Brid 
Published: December 2012

AbstractReactions to the Bacille Calmette–Guerin (BCG) vaccine are not uncommon and have been reported in association with immunodeficiency syndromes. We report a case of an infant developing a localized BCG reaction, confirmed histologically, associated with transient hypogammaglobulinemia of infancy. Conservative management of localized BCG reactions is appropriate in most cases.
Dermoscopy for the Pediatric Dermatologist Part III: Dermoscopy of Melanocytic Lesions
Authors: Haliasos Elena C. , Kerner Miryam , Jaimes Natalia , Zalaudek Iris , Malvehy Josep , Hofmann‐Wellenhof Rainer , Braun Ralph P. , Marghoob Ashfaq A. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractMelanocytic nevi encompass a variety of lesions, including blue, Spitz, congenital, and acquired nevi. These nevi can occasionally manifest clinical morphologies resembling melanoma, and the presence of such nevi in children can elicit anxiety in patients, parents, and clinicians. Dermoscopy has been shown to increase the diagnostic accuracy for melanoma and to help differentiate melanoma from nevi, ultimately aiding in the decision‐making process as to whether to perform a biopsy. Dermoscopy is the perfect instrument to use during the evaluation of pigmented skin lesions in children because it is painless and provides important information for the clinician that can assist in formulating appropriate management decisions. This review highlights the most common benign dermoscopic patterns encountered in nevi and discuss the 10 most common dermoscopic structures seen in melanomas. Lesions manifesting a benign dermoscopic pattern and lacking any melanoma‐specific structures do not need to be excised and can safely be monitored. In contrast, melanomas will invariably deviate from the benign nevus patterns and will usually manifest at least 1 of the 10 melanoma‐specific structures: atypical network, negative network, streaks, crystalline structures, atypical dots and globules, irregular blotch, blue‐white veil, regression structures, peripheral brown structureless areas, and atypical vessels. It is important to be cognizant of the fact that melanomas in childhood usually do not manifest the clinical ABCD features. Instead, they are often symmetric, amelanotic, nodular lesions. Although the clinical appearance may not be alarming, with dermoscopy they will invariably manifest at least one melanoma‐specific structure, the most common being atypical vascular structures and crystalline structures.
Natural history of irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Marugán‐Miguelsanz José Manuel , Ontoria Mercedes , Velayos Benito , Torres‐Hinojal Maria Carmen , Redondo Paz , Fernández‐Salazar Luis 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackgroundChronic diarrhea and functional abdominal pain (FAP) in childhood could be an early manifestation of adult irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of chronic functional digestive symptoms in childhood, interviewing adult patients diagnosed with IBS, in an attempt to establish a relationship between them.MethodsBy means of a questionnaire, the history of colic, chronic diarrhea, functional abdominal pain, constipation and migraine in childhood, was analyzed in patients diagnosed with IBS according to the current Rome III criteria, and in control patients without known chronic digestive disorders. Fisher's exact test was used for comparison of frequencies.ResultsThe IBS study group was made up of 40 patients (24 women; average age, 33.03 years), and the control group by 40 adults (22 women; average age, 29.62 years). IBS‐diagnosed adults spoke about a significantly higher prevalence of chronic diarrhea (32.5/7.5%; odds ratio [OR], 7.01; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 26.84–1.80), and FAP (37.5/15%; OR, 4.30; 95%CI: 12.67–1.43) in their childhood, than the control group. There were no differences in the presence of other childhood functional symptoms. Interestingly, the present patients, when asked about the onset of symptoms that led to the diagnosis of IBS, referred to them mostly beginning in adulthood, not linking their current diagnosis of IBS with their background in childhood.ConclusionsIn a proportion of adults with IBS the natural history of their symptoms probably began during their childhood.
Bacteremia during neutropenia is a predictive factor for invasive fungal infection in children
Authors: Sano Hirozumi , Kobayashi Ryoji , Suzuki Daisuke , Kishimoto Kenji , Yasuda Kazue , Kobayashi Kunihiko 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackgroundInvasive fungal infection (IFI) is a critical complication in the management of hematologic and malignant disease. Given that there is a tendency for IFI to occur after bacteremia following febrile episodes during neutropenia, the aim of this study was to determine if bacteremia was a predictive factor for IFI in pediatric patients with hematologic and malignant disease.MethodsSixty‐two patients (32 boys, 30 girls; median age, 4 years) with hematologic or malignant disease who had received chemotherapy, immunosuppressive therapy, and/or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and experienced febrile episodes during neutropenia were enrolled. In patient‐based analysis, clinical features of 62 patients were compared between those with and without IFI. Meanwhile, in febrile episode‐based analysis, clinical features were analyzed for 268 febrile episodes occurring during neutropenia in the 62 patients.ResultsPatient‐based analysis showed that relapse of original disease and acute myeloid leukemia were risk factors for IFI. Meanwhile, febrile episode‐based analysis identified bacteremia following febrile episodes during neutropenia as a potential risk factor for IFI.ConclusionsThis is the first report to identify bacteremia following febrile episodes during neutropenia as a predictive factor for IFI in pediatric patients with hematologic or malignant disease. When bacteremia is detected in such patients, sufficient preventive measures against IFI, including intensive use of antifungal agents, are warranted.
Validity of a children's physical activity questionnaire (cPAQ) for the study of bone health
Authors: Nor Aini Jamil , Poh Bee Koon , Chee Winnie Siew Swee 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this cross‐sectional study was to examine the ability of a children's physical activity questionnaire (cPAQ) to assess physical activity levels and bone health status of school children.MethodsSubjects consisted of 90 pre‐pubertal and early pubertal children aged 9–10 years. Components of physical activity were assessed using metabolic intensity (METPA) scores and mechanical bone strain (MECHPA) scores. An Actical accelerometer was used to validate METPA scores among a sub‐sample of 57 children. Reliability was assessed by test–retesting all children after a 7 day interval. Whole body bone mineral content (BMC) was measured using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry.ResultsThe reliability of cPAQ for assessment of various categories of physical activity was moderate to high (r ranged from 0.55 to 0.68, P < 0.001). Agreement was fair for repeated use of the cPAQ (Cohen's kappa = 0.32, P < 0.001). Bland‐Altman plots show cPAQ had fair agreement only for moderate activity (mean difference 35.4 min/week; 95% limits of agreement −434.0 to +504.9 min/week). Approximately 69.6% of children were correctly classified (into the same or adjacent quartiles) according to the quartiles of BMC for METPA score, and 58.7% were correctly classified according to MECHPA score. Only 10.9% and 12.0% of children were grossly misclassified as compared to METPA and MECHPA scores, respectively.ConclusionsThe cPAQ has reasonable validity in assessing moderate physical activity, and it demonstrates good ability to accurately classify children according to BMC. It fails, however, to assess other activity levels, suggesting that objective measurement is still a better method of assessment of physical activity among primary school children.
Copper-Boosting Compounds: a Novel Concept for Antimycobacterial Drug Discovery
Authors: Speer Alexander , Shrestha Tej B. , Bossmann Stefan H. , Basaraba Randall J. , Harber Gregory J. , Michalek Suzanne M. , Niederweis Michael , Kutsch Olaf , Wolschendorf Frank 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACT

We and others recently identified copper resistance as important for virulence of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
. Here, we introduce a high-throughput screening assay for agents that induce a copper hypersensitivity phenotype in
M. tuberculosis
and demonstrate that such copper-boosting compounds are effective against replicating and nonreplicating
M. tuberculosis
strains.
The gem electuary
Authors: Duffin Christopher J. 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
The gem electuary was reputedly the brainchild of Maswijah al-Marindi or Mesuë the Younger, who died in AD 1015, but the recipe was first published in the 1470s. Combining finely comminuted sapphires, chalcedony emeralds, garnets and amber together with pearls, red coral, ivory and musk along with a range of herbal ingredients, an exotic and highly expensive paste, usually bound together with sugar or honey, was produced. The list of ingredients evolved slightly, especially in light of the availability of some of the herbal materials. The electuary was used, both as an individual medicine and in combination with additional preparations, right through to the mid-eighteenth century. Most popular during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, it was prescribed for the treatment of melancholia, nightmares, plague, syphilis, palsy, cramp, breast cancer, headache, erysipelas, fevers, tuberculous adenitis (scrofula) and a range of gynaecological conditions, as well as being employed as an alexipharmic and cardiac tonic. Usually taken internally, it was also applied topically with the apparent added benefit of being a rubefacient and fragrant cosmetic.