bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Partial Aortic Root Remodeling in Case of Ascending Aortic Aneurysms
Authors: Sansone Fabrizio , Zingarelli Edoardo , Ceresa Fabrizio , Patanè Francesco 
Published: October 2013

Objective In degenerative ascending aortic aneurysms (AAAs), the pathological process may extend into the aortic root, causing aortic regurgitation (AR). As often one or two sinuses are involved, ascending aorta replacement should be associated with selected sinus replacement. Methods Thirty patients (21 men and 9 women; mean ± SD age, 70.0 ± 10.4) were operated on for ascending aorta and selected sinus replacement. All patients had degenerative AAA with sinotubular junction and partial root dilatation: one or two sinuses of Valsalva were involved. Mild to moderate-severe AR was present in all patients. The mean ± SD logistic EUROscore 1 was 15.4 ± 12.5. Twenty patients had ascending aorta replacement associated with noncoronary sinus replacement; 8 patients, associated with both right and noncoronary sinuses; 1 patient, associated with both left and noncoronary sinuses; and 1 patient, associated with left coronary sinus alone. Results There were no hospital or late deaths. No thromboembolic event or bleeding complications were reported. Postoperative echocardiography did not show significant AR, and computed tomographic scanning revealed a normal positioning of the vascular graft in the ascending aorta. Conclusions Remodeling of the sinotubular junction with selected sinus replacement in degenerative AAA is a valuable approach for aortic root remodeling, leading to a significant reduction of AR when the aortic leaflets are normal.
Effects of biological control on long‐term population dynamics: identifying unexpected outcomes
Authors: Reilly James R. , Elderd Bret D. 
Published: October 2013

Summary

Attempts to control natural systems through management have often met with success but have also led to unexpected and often undesirable outcomes. Unfortunately, the ultimate result of such management programmes may not be apparent until long after the control efforts have begun. This is particularly true for forest‐defoliating species that exhibit long‐period cycles such as the invasive gypsy moth Lymantria dispar, which causes widespread damage in some years but is rare in other years.

We studied the effects of two commonly employed biocontrol agents on gypsy moth dynamics using a series of field‐tested and empirically parameterized mathematical models, which allowed us to examine various potential control strategies and assess long‐term effects.

In a non‐spatial model, addition of either a manufactured version of the same baculovirus involved in natural epizootics, or a general bioinsecticide Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk), which directly kills a fraction of the population, decreases the amplitude between boom and bust portions of the cycle.

However, ill‐planned biocontrol applications can result in increased gypsy moth densities over the long term. Thus, control efforts may maintain pest populations at unexpectedly high numbers, which could result in constant forest defoliation.

In a spatial two‐patch model, where one patch is sprayed and the other is left untreated, there is also considerable danger that migration between patches may drive the unsprayed population to levels that could result in constant forest defoliation.

Synthesis and applications: Perturbations to host–pathogen systems may have unexpected results, driving and maintaining populations at multiple levels including those far from desired management goals. It is often assumed that any control strategy that decreases pest populations in the short term is beneficial, but our results show that undesirable outcomes may often occur. The mechanisms we describe apply to many systems that undergo population cycles or outbreaks regulated by density‐dependent processes, and in which disease or pesticide application is used for pest control. We suggest that successful management strategies should closely monitor population responses immediately following the control application to ensure that pest populations are not being maintained at artificially high levels compared with historic data.
Accuracy of allele frequency estimation using pooled RNA‐Seq
Authors: Konczal M. , Koteja P. , Stuglik M. T. , Radwan J. , Babik W. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractFor nonmodel organisms, genome‐wide information that describes functionally relevant variation may be obtained by RNA‐Seq following de novo transcriptome assembly. While sequencing has become relatively inexpensive, the preparation of a large number of sequencing libraries remains prohibitively expensive for population genetic analyses of nonmodel species. Pooling samples may be then an attractive alternative. To test whether pooled RNA‐Seq accurately predicts true allele frequencies, we analysed the liver transcriptomes of 10 bank voles. Each sample was sequenced both as an individually barcoded library and as a part of a pool. Equal amounts of total RNA from each vole were pooled prior to mRNA selection and library construction. Reads were mapped onto the de novo assembled reference transcriptome. High‐quality genotypes for individual voles, determined for 23 682 SNPs, provided information on ‘true’ allele frequencies; allele frequencies estimated from the pool were then compared with these values. ‘True’ frequencies and those estimated from the pool were highly correlated. Mean relative estimation error was 21% and did not depend on expression level. However, we also observed a minor effect of interindividual variation in gene expression and allele‐specific gene expression influencing allele frequency estimation accuracy. Moreover, we observed strong negative relationship between minor allele frequency and relative estimation error. Our results indicate that pooled RNA‐Seq exhibits accuracy comparable with pooled genome resequencing, but variation in expression level between individuals should be assessed and accounted for. This should help in taking account the difference in accuracy between conservatively expressed transcripts and these which are variable in expression level.
Meta‐analysis on blood transcriptomic studies identifies consistently coexpressed protein–protein interaction modules as robust markers of human aging
Authors: van den Akker Erik B. , Passtoors Willemijn M. , Jansen Rick , van Zwet Erik W. , Goeman Jelle J. , Hulsman Marc , Emilsson Valur , Perola Markus , Willemsen Gonneke , Penninx Brenda W.J.H. , Heijmans Bas T. , Maier Andrea B. , Boomsma Dorret I. , Kok Joost N. , Slagboom Pieternella E. , Reinders Marcel J.T. , Beekman Marian 
Published: October 2013

SummaryThe bodily decline that occurs with advancing age strongly impacts on the prospects for future health and life expectancy. Despite the profound role of age in disease etiology, knowledge about the molecular mechanisms driving the process of aging in humans is limited. Here, we used an integrative network‐based approach for combining multiple large‐scale expression studies in blood (2539 individuals) with protein–protein Interaction (PPI) data for the detection of consistently coexpressed PPI modules that may reflect key processes that change throughout the course of normative aging. Module detection followed by a meta‐analysis on chronological age identified fifteen consistently coexpressed PPI modules associated with chronological age, including a highly significant module (P = 3.5 × 10−38) enriched for ‘T‐cell activation’ marking age‐associated shifts in lymphocyte blood cell counts (R2 = 0.603; P = 1.9 × 10−10). Adjusting the analysis in the compendium for the ‘T‐cell activation’ module showed five consistently coexpressed PPI modules that robustly associated with chronological age and included modules enriched for ‘Translational elongation’, ‘Cytolysis’ and ‘DNA metabolic process’. In an independent study of 3535 individuals, four of five modules consistently associated with chronological age, underpinning the robustness of the approach. We found three of five modules to be significantly enriched with aging‐related genes, as defined by the GenAge database, and association with prospective survival at high ages for one of the modules including ASF1A. The hereby‐detected age‐associated and consistently coexpressed PPI modules therefore may provide a molecular basis for future research into mechanisms underlying human aging.
Triple monoamine uptake inhibitors demonstrate a pharmacologic association between excessive drinking and impulsivity in high‐alcohol‐preferring (HAP) mice
Authors: O'Tousa David S. , Warnock Kaitlin T. , Matson Liana M. , Namjoshi Ojas A. , Linn Michael Van , Tiruveedhula Veera Venkata , Halcomb Meredith E. , Cook James , Grahame Nicholas J. , June Harry L. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractApproximately 30% of current drinkers in the United States drink excessively, and are referred to as problem/hazardous drinkers. These individuals, who may not meet criteria for alcohol abuse or dependence, comprise binge, heavy drinkers, or both. Given their high prevalence, interventions that reduce the risk of binge and heavy drinking have important public health implications. Impulsivity has been repeatedly associated with excessive drinking in the clinical literature. As impulsivity is correlated with, and may play a critical role in, the initiation and maintenance of excessive drinking, this behavior may be an important target for therapeutic intervention. Hence, a better understanding of pharmacological treatments capable of attenuating excessive drinking and impulsivity may markedly improve clinical outcomes. The high‐alcohol‐preferring (HAP) mice represent a strong rodent model to study the relationship between impulsivity and excessive alcohol drinking, as recent evidence indicates they consume high levels of alcohol throughout their active cycle and are innately impulsive. Using this model, the present study demonstrates that the triple monoamine uptake inhibitors (TUIs) amitifadine and DOV 102, 677 effectively attenuate binge drinking, heavy drinking assessed via a 24‐hour free‐choice assay, and impulsivity measured by the delay discounting procedure. In contrast, 3‐PBC, a GABA‐A α1 preferring ligand with mixed agonist‐antagonist properties, attenuates excessive drinking without affecting impulsivity. These findings suggest that in HAP mice, monoamine pathways may predominate as a common mechanism underlying impulsivity and excessive drinking, while the GABAergic system may be more salient in regulating excessive drinking. We further propose that TUIs such as amitifadine and DOV 102, 677 may be used to treat the co‐occurrence of impulsivity and excessive drinking.
Pyogenic liver abscess trends in South Australia
Authors: Chang Angela Christine , Ha Ngoc Buu , Satyadas Thomas , Maddern Guy 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackgroundPyogenic liver abscess (PLA) is an uncommon but potentially life‐threatening condition. Due to advances in diagnostic and treatment methods, the mortality rate has reduced in recent decades. The aim of this study was to gather recent data to examine PLA trends in South Australia.MethodsThe medical records of all patients admitted to The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, South Australia, between November 2000 and November 2009 with a primary or secondary diagnosis of PLA were retrospectively reviewed.ResultsThirty‐six patients were identified. Twenty (55.6%) were male and 16 (44.4%) female. The mean patient age was 70.2 years. A single PLA was found in 21 (58.3%) patients and multiple abscesses in 15 (41.7%) patients. Segment 7 of the liver was most commonly affected (10 cases). In 12 patients, multiple organisms were identified. Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia and Streptococcus species were most commonly identified. All patients received antibiotics and 27 (75%) received additional treatment. Nine patients received open abscess drainage. Fourteen received ultrasound‐guided or computed tomography‐guided percutaneous drainage or aspiration. One patient died as a direct result of a PLA.DiscussionSince its first description, the epidemiology of PLA has changed. Patients diagnosed with PLA are now older, the male predominance is less and the organism more likely to originate from the biliary tract. The approach to PLA has also progressed with more accurate imaging and better treatment methods becoming available, which has resulted in a low mortality rate. This series confirms the described trends in South Australia.
Central Limit Theorems for Reduced U‐Statistics Under Dependence and Their Usefulness
Authors: Kim Tae Yoon , Ha Jeongcheol , Hwang Sun Young , Park Cheolyong , Luo Zhi‐Ming 
Published: October 2013

SummaryA reduced ‐statistic is a ‐statistic with its summands drawn from a restricted but balanced set of pairs. In this article, central limit theorems are derived for reduced ‐statistics under ‐mixing, which significantly extends the work of Brown & Kildea in various aspects. It will be shown and illustrated that reduced ‐statistics are quite useful in deriving test statistics in various nonparametric testing problems.
The Effect of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Therapy on Systemic Oxidative Stress Injury in a Porcine Model
Authors: Chen Qiyi , Yu Wenkui , Shi Jiangliang , Shen Juanhong , Hu Yimin , Gong Jianfeng , Li Jieshou , Li Ning 
Published: October 2013

AbstractExtracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy can result in systemic immune inflammation and trigger a hemolytic response, both of which can lead to oxidative stress injury. However, currently, there are few studies about whether ECMO can lead to oxidative stress injury. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of ECMO therapy on systemic oxidative stress. Twelve pigs were randomly divided into control and ECMO treatment groups. Blood samples were collected at −1, 0, 2, 6, 12, and 24 h during ECMO therapy in order to measure the levels of various oxidative stress markers in plasma. All animals included in the study were euthanized after 24 h of ECMO treatment. Malondialdehyde (MDA) was used as a marker of oxidation, and superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC) were used as indices for antioxidant activity. The plasma levels of each molecule were similar when measured at −1 and 0 h (P > 0.05). In the control group, MDA, SOD, GSH, and T‐AOC remained relatively constant throughout the study period. However, when ECMO was administered for 2 h, plasma levels of MDA increased significantly; conversely, levels of SOD, GSH, and T‐AOC decreased. Maximum MDA levels and minimal SOD, GSH, and T‐AOC levels were observed after 6 h of ECMO treatment. MDA and SOD levels had returned to baseline at 24 h. At this time‐point, levels of MDA and T‐AOC in samples from the right frontal cortex and jejunum differed significantly between the control and ECMO treatment groups. These results show that early ECMO treatment can induce significant oxidative stress injury in plasma. However, in the latter stage of the treatment, the oxidative stress injury can be repaired gradually. ECMO treatment can also result in mild oxidative stress injury in the jejunum and brain tissue.
Adipose afferent reflex: sympathetic activation and obesity hypertension
Authors: Xiong X.‐Q. , Chen W.‐W. , Zhu G.‐Q. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractExcessive sympathetic activity contributes to the pathogenesis of hypertension and the progression of the related organ damage. Adipose afferent reflex (AAR) is a sympatho‐excitatory reflex that the afferent activity from white adipose tissue (WAT) increases sympathetic outflow and blood pressure. Hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN or PVH) is one of the central sites in the control of the AAR, and ionotropic glutamate receptors in the nucleus mediate the AAR. The AAR is enhanced in obesity and obesity hypertension. Enhanced WAT afferent activity and AAR contribute to the excessive sympathetic activation and hypertension in obesity. Blockage of the AAR attenuates the excessive sympathetic activity and hypertension. Leptin may be one of sensors in the WAT for the AAR, and is involved in the enhanced AAR in obesity and hypertension. This review focuses on the neuroanatomical basis and physiological functions of the AAR, and the important role of the enhanced AAR in the pathogenesis of obesity hypertension.
In vitro antimicrobial profile of Ureaplasma urealyticum from genital tract of childbearing‐aged women in Northern and Southern Italy
Authors: Pignanelli Salvatore , Pulcrano Giovanna , Iula Vita Dora , Zaccherini Patrizia , Testa Antonio , Catania Maria Rosaria 
Published: October 2013

Ureaplasma urealyticum is an opportunistic pathogen during pregnancy and in newborns. Other clinical problems related to U. urealyticum infections are: no susceptibility to cell wall‐active drugs, limits of antibiotic treatment in pregnancy, and spread of antimicrobial resistance. In addition, the results of antimicrobial susceptibility against U. urealyticum from various countries are few and controversial. The antimicrobial susceptibility of U. urealyticum, isolated from cervical swabs and collected from outpatient childbearing‐aged women in Italy from 2009 to 2012, was performed against fluoroquinolones, macrolides, streptogramin and tetracyclines, using an available biochemical commercial kit and a specific solid culture medium, to improve the therapeutic management of these pathogenic agents. Ureaplasma urealyticum was detected in 49.4% of samples, but significant bacterial load was revealed in 29.8%. In vitro tetracyclines showed the best activity against U. urealyticum, followed by streptogramin, macrolides, and fluoroquinolones.
Cytokine profiles linked to fatal outcome in infective prosthetic valve endocarditis
Authors: Bustamante Juan , Arévalo Adolfo , Tamayo Eduardo , Sarria Cristina , Aguilar‐Blanco Eva M. , Heredia Maria , Almansa Raquel , Rico Lucia , Iglesias Verónica , Bermejo‐Martin Jesús F 
Published: October 2013

Infective endocarditis is a disease normally of bacterial cause which affects the endocardic tissue, specifically the valves (native or prosthetic). It is a serious illness and mortality rates remain high, ranging between 20% and 40%. Previous reports have evidenced the potential role of cytokines in the diagnosis of this disease, but no information is available on their relationship with outcome. We recruited 26 consecutive patients with late prosthetic valve endocarditis requiring surgical treatment according to Duke criteria. Eight cytokines were measured in plasma in the first 24 h following diagnosis by using a Bio‐Rad multiplex assay. Levels of IL‐6, IL‐8 and interferon gamma (IFN‐γ) were higher in non survivors. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis evidenced that IL‐6, IL‐8 and IFN‐γ behaved as good diagnostic tests for identifying those patients with fatal outcome (area under the curve, CI 95%, p): IL‐6: [0.81 (0.61–1.00) 0.012]; IL‐8 [0.76 (0.56–0.96) 0.035]; IFN‐γ [0.79 (0.59–0.99) 0.021]. Levels of IL‐6, IL‐8 and IFN‐γ correlated positively between them, indicating that they are produced as consequence of a simultaneous response to the infection. Our findings support the participation of IL‐6, IL‐8 and IFN‐γ in the events linked to fatal outcome in infective prosthetic valve endocarditis.
Single nucleotide polymorphism array analysis of bone marrow failure patients reveals characteristic patterns of genetic changes
Authors: Babushok Daria V. , Xie Hongbo M. , Roth Jacquelyn J. , Perdigones Nieves , Olson Timothy S. , Cockroft Joshua D. , Gai Xiaowu , Perin Juan C. , Li Yimei , Paessler Michele E. , Hakonarson Hakon , Podsakoff Gregory M. , Mason Philip J. , Biegel Jaclyn A. , Bessler Monica 
Published: October 2013

SummaryThe bone marrow failure syndromes (BMFS) are a heterogeneous group of rare blood disorders characterized by inadequate haematopoiesis, clonal evolution, and increased risk of leukaemia. Single nucleotide polymorphism arrays (SNP‐A) have been proposed as a tool for surveillance of clonal evolution in BMFS. To better understand the natural history of BMFS and to assess the clinical utility of SNP‐A in these disorders, we analysed 124 SNP‐A from a comprehensively characterized cohort of 91 patients at our BMFS centre. SNP‐A were correlated with medical histories, haematopathology, cytogenetic and molecular data. To assess clonal evolution, longitudinal analysis of SNP‐A was performed in 25 patients. We found that acquired copy number‐neutral loss of heterozygosity (CN‐LOH) was significantly more frequent in acquired aplastic anaemia (aAA) than in other BMFS (odds ratio 12·2, P < 0·01). Homozygosity by descent was most common in congenital BMFS, frequently unmasking autosomal recessive mutations. Copy number variants (CNVs) were frequently polymorphic, and we identified CNVs enriched in neutropenia and aAA. Our results suggest that acquired CN‐LOH is a general phenomenon in aAA that is probably mechanistically and prognostically distinct from typical CN‐LOH of myeloid malignancies. Our analysis of clinical utility of SNP‐A shows the highest yield of detecting new clonal haematopoiesis at diagnosis and at relapse.
Bupivacaine‐induced cellular entry of QX‐314 and its contribution to differential nerve block
Authors: Brenneis C , Kistner K , Puopolo M , Jo S , Roberson DP , Sisignano M , Segal D , Cobos E J , Wainger B J , Labocha S , Ferreirós N , von Hehn C , Tran J , Geisslinger G , Reeh P W , Bean B P , Woolf C J 
Published: October 2013

Background and PurposeSelective nociceptor fibre block is achieved by introducing the cell membrane impermeant sodium channel blocker lidocaine N‐ethyl bromide (QX‐314) through transient receptor potential V1 (TRPV1) channels into nociceptors. We screened local anaesthetics for their capacity to activate TRP channels, and characterized the nerve block obtained by combination with QX‐314.Experimental ApproachWe investigated TRP channel activation in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons by calcium imaging and patch‐clamp recordings, and cellular QX‐314 uptake by MS. To characterize nerve block, compound action potential (CAP) recordings from isolated nerves and behavioural responses were analysed.Key ResultsOf the 12 compounds tested, bupivacaine was the most potent activator of ruthenium red‐sensitive calcium entry in DRG neurons and activated heterologously expressed TRPA1 channels. QX‐314 permeated through TRPA1 channels and accumulated intracellularly after activation of these channels. Upon sciatic injections, QX‐314 markedly prolonged bupivacaine's nociceptive block and also extended (to a lesser degree) its motor block. Bupivacaine's blockade of C‐, but not A‐fibre, CAPs in sciatic nerves was extended by co‐application of QX‐314. Surprisingly, however, this action was the same in wild‐type, TRPA1‐knockout and TRPV1/TRPA1‐double knockout mice, suggesting a TRP‐channel independent entry pathway. Consistent with this, high doses of bupivacaine promoted a non‐selective, cellular uptake of QX‐314.Conclusions and ImplicationsBupivacaine, combined with QX‐314, produced a long‐lasting sensory nerve block. This did not require QX‐314 permeation through TRPA1, although bupivacaine activated these channels. Regardless of entry pathway, the greatly extended duration of block produced by QX‐314 and bupivacaine may be clinically useful.