bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quality of Life and Health‐Related Disability in Children With Migraine
Authors: Ferracini Gabriela Natália , Dach Fabíola , Speciali José Geraldo 
Published: October 2013

ObjectiveTo determine whether migraine interferes with health‐related quality of life (HRQL) and the degree of disability caused by this condition in the daily life of children of both genders aged 6‐12 years.BackgroundMigraine is a chronic disease with recurrent symptoms that lead to a reduction of daily activity during the crises and during the intercritical periods, with an impact on HRQL.MethodsThe sample consisted of 50 children with migraine without aura being treated at a childhood headache outpatient clinic (study group) and 50 children with no history of headache selected at a pediatric outpatient clinic (control group). The Pediatric Migraine Disability Score questionnaire was applied to the study group in order to determine the disability provoked by headache in daily life, and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory4.0 was applied to both groups to determine HRQL.ResultsChildren with migraine were absent from school activities, did not perform household tasks, and did not participate in leisure activities for 23.9 days, on average, during the last 3 months because of migraine. Disability was absent or mild in 38% of the children, whereas 14% showed severe disability. HRQL was similar in both groups regarding self‐evaluation, whereas it was perceived as being worse by the parents of children with migraine. Children with migraine had a worse school and emotional quality of life as determined by self‐perception. According to the perception of the parents, children with migraine had a worse general, physical, and psychosocial quality of life. Absenteeism from school activities, household tasks, and leisure was not correlated with HRQL.ConclusionAlthough migraine was a cause of school absenteeism, most of the children with migraine showed little or no disability regarding daily life activities and their quality of life was similar to that of children without headache.
Granuloma annulare as a possible new adverse effect of topiramate
Authors: Cassone Giulia , Tumiati Bruno 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackgroundGranuloma annulare (GA) is a relatively common, self‐limiting condition that can be associated with disorders such as diabetes mellitus, malignancy, and thyroid disease, and with the use of some drugs. Topiramate is approved for the prevention of migraine. Its adverse effects include somnolence, fatigue, paresthesia, anorexia and weight loss, and other abnormalities.ObjectivesWe report a 50‐year‐old woman in whom topiramate at 50 mg/d was initiated in January 2010.Case reportOne month after starting topiramate, the patient presented with painless nodules on the left ankle, which later spread to the left leg. Histopathology of a punch biopsy revealed lymphohistiocytic infiltrate, collagen degeneration, and mucin deposition, all of which are characteristic of GA. Two weeks after the discontinuation of topiramate, the lesion resolved. Two years later, the patient resumed topiramate. Two weeks later, a new GA appeared in the same area and disappeared within a few weeks of discontinuation of the drug.ConclusionsAssociations between the use of topiramate and a GA‐like reaction have been reported in recent years. Based on the present case, it would appear that an actual association between GA and topiramate is possible given that: (i) the GA appeared only after the initiation of topiramate; (ii) the GA resolved after the discontinuation of topiramate; (iii) the GA reappeared with the resumption of topiramate in the same area and with the same characteristics as previously; and (iv) the lesion healed after topiramate was suspended.
Improvement in the lag phase estimation of individual cells that have survived mild heat treatment
Authors: Aguirre Juan S. , Monis Almira , García de Fernando Gonzalo D. 
Published: October 2013

SummaryThe effect of heat on the variability of lag phase of single cells was investigated. In addition, three alternatives on the lag phase determination were analysed, considering different approaches to estimate the inoculum size: samples with growth contained one initial cell (1C), the average of the truncated Poisson distribution of the number of cells (TP) or the number of cells given by the Poisson function (P). Increasing the intensity of the treatment lengthened the lag phase of survivors and increased its variability. In addition, the comparisons between the lag phase assuming the approaches 1C and P, and TP and P, usually differed significantly in the absence of heat treatment, but not when heat was applied. 1C and TP approaches were never significantly different. The assumption that growth starts from one cell is appropriate when lag phases are long, but it can lead to errors when growth conditions are optimal.
A Survey ofL1Regression
Authors: Vidaurre Diego , Bielza Concha , Larrañaga Pedro 
Published: October 2013

SummaryL1regularization, or regularization with anL1penalty, is a popular idea in statistics and machine learning. This paper reviews the concept and application ofL1regularization for regression. It is not our aim to present a comprehensive list of the utilities of theL1penalty in the regression setting. Rather, we focus on what we believe is the set of most representative uses of this regularization technique, which we describe in some detail. Thus, we deal with a number ofL1‐regularized methods for linear regression, generalized linear models, and time series analysis. Although this review targets practice rather than theory, we do give some theoretical details aboutL1‐penalized linear regression, usually referred to as the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (lasso).
A Multiplicity of Worlds: Other Habitable Planets
Authors: Rushby Andrew 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
The first planet orbiting another star was discovered in 1995. Since then some of Earth's most sensitive and far-seeing eyes have been picking out alien worlds from across the vast gulf of space, at a steadily increasing pace. Most found so far are very large, very hot and not at all similar to Earth. But how representative is today's sample of extrasolar planets? And are Earth-like planets likely to be found close enough for us to signal to them? Andrew Rushby gives some surprising answers.
Repeated and predictable patterns of ecotypic differentiation during a biological invasion: lake–stream divergence in parapatricSwiss stickleback
Authors: Lucek K. , Sivasundar A. , Roy D. , Seehausen O. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThe relative importance of ecological selection and geographical isolation in promoting and constraining genetic and phenotypic differentiation among populations is not always obvious. Interacting with divergent selection, restricted opportunity for gene flow may in some cases be as much a cause as a consequence of adaptation, with the latter being a hallmark of ecological speciation. Ecological speciation is well studied in parts of the native range of the three‐spined stickleback. Here, we study this process in a recently invaded part of its range. Switzerland was colonized within the past 140 years from at least three different colonization events involving different stickleback lineages. They now occupy diverse habitats, ranging from small streams to the pelagic zone of large lakes. We use replicated systems of parapatric lake and stream populations, some of which trace their origins to different invasive lineages, to ask (i) whether phenotypic divergence occurred among populations inhabiting distinct habitats, (ii) whether trajectories of phenotypic divergence follow predictable parallel patterns and (iii) whether gene flow constrains divergent adaptation or vice versa. We find consistent phenotypic divergence between populations occupying distinct habitats. This involves parallel evolution in several traits with known ecological relevance in independent evolutionary lineages. Adaptive divergence supersedes homogenizing gene flow even at a small spatial scale. We find evidence that adaptive phenotypic divergence places constraints on gene flow over and above that imposed by geographical distance, signalling the early onset of ecological speciation.
Incipient post‐zygotic barrier in a model system of ecological speciation with gene flow
Authors: Sá‐Pinto A. , Martínez‐Fernández M. , López‐Fernández C. , Ferreira Z. , Pereira R. , Gosálvez J. , Rolán‐Alvarez E. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThe role of post‐zygotic isolation in nonallopatric ecological speciation is still mostly unknown and information on the nature and strength of these barriers in well‐known speciation models is essential for a deeper understanding of such processes. The Galician ecotypes of the marine snail Littorina saxatilis represent one of the best studied cases of nonallopatric ecological speciation. Here, we test the existence of incipient post‐zygotic isolation by comparing the fertility of male hybrids with that of both pure forms [ridged and banded (RB) and smooth and unbanded (SU) ecotypes]. We analysed the degree of sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) of individuals morphologically classified as RB, SU and hybrids, sampled from two locations. SDF analyses were chosen to study sperm quality because, in other animal species, SDF rates correlate with important parameters for speciation research, such as fertilization and abortion rates and viability of adult progeny. In the present work, hybrids showed significantly higher SDF rates than RB and SU males in one location and significantly higher variances in both locations. These results suggest the existence of an incipient post‐zygotic barrier, the strength of which may vary across the Galician shore, and highlight the potential of SDF analyses for speciation research.
A Statistical Analysis of Prices of Electrical and Electronic Equipment after the Introduction of the WEEE Directive
Authors: Favot Marinella , Marini Alfio 
Published: October 2013

SummaryIn January 2003, the European Union (EU) issued a directive on e‐waste (waste from electrical and electronic equipment; WEEE) to deal with increasing quantities and the included hazardous components. The WEEE Directive is based on the principle of extended producer responsibility, which shifts the responsibility for end of life of products away from municipalities toward producers. This led some researchers to state that, in theory, the costs of waste treatment are passed on to consumers in terms of higher prices. This work addresses two fundamental questions: (1) Did the introduction of the WEEE Directive increase consumer prices of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE)? and (2) how much is this price increase? We carry out, for the first time in the literature, a quantitative research on price variation of the vast majority of EEE sold in the EU after the introduction of producers’ financial responsibility. The panel data include 972 price level indices, namely, six categories of EEE for 27 member states for six years. The main result is that the average variation of the prices for each category of EEE investigated actually increased and the variation was between 0.71% and 3.88%, depending on the specific category of EEE. The average increase of 2.19% is in line with the previous studies that estimated the impact of the WEEE Directive up to a 3% increase of the product price. The t‐test performed on the data shows a good statistical significance, which strengthens the relevance of the results. Finally, future directions for research are included.
Immunocytochemical characterisation of olfactory ensheathing cells of zebrafish
Authors: Lazzari Maurizio , Bettini Simone , Franceschini Valeria 
Published: October 2013

AbstractContinuous lifelong neurogenesis is typical of the vertebrate olfactory system. The regenerative ability of olfactory receptor neurons is dependent on the glial cell type specific to the olfactory pathway, designated ‘olfactory ensheathing cells’. Several studies to date have focused on mammalian olfactory ensheathing cells, owing to their potential roles in cell‐based therapy for spinal cord injury repair. However, limited information is available regarding this glial cell type in non‐mammalian vertebrates, particularly anamniotes. In the current immunocytochemical study, we analysed the features of olfactory ensheathing cells in the zebrafish, Danio rerio. Fish provide a good model for studying glial cells associated with the olfactory pathway of non‐mammalian vertebrates. In particular, zebrafish has numerous valuable features that enable its use as a prime model organism for genetic, neurobiological and developmental studies, as well as toxicology and genomics research. Paraffin sections from decalcified heads of zebrafish were processed immunocytochemically to detect proteins used in the research on mammalian olfactory ensheathing cells, including glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP), S100, neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), polysialylated NCAM (PSA‐NCAM), vimentin (VIM), p75NTR and galactin (Gal)‐1. Notably, GFAP, S100, NCAM and Gal‐1 were clearly observed, whereas no vimentin staining was detected. Weak immunostaining for PSA‐NCAM and p75NTR was evident. Moreover the degree of marker expression was not uniform in various tracts of the zebrafish olfactory pathway. The immunostaining patterns of the zebrafish olfactory system are distinct from those of other fish to some extent, suggesting interspecific differences. We also showed that the olfactory pathway of zebrafish expresses markers of mammalian olfactory ensheathing cells. The olfactory systems of vertebrates have similarities but there are also marked variations between them. The issue of whether regional and interspecific differences in immunostaining patterns of olfactory pathway markers have functional significance requires further investigation.
Clinical efficacy of new aloe vera‐ and myrrh‐based oral mucoadhesive gels in the management of minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis: a randomized, double‐blind, vehicle‐controlled study
Authors: Mansour Ghada , Ouda Soliman , Shaker Ahmed , Abdallah Hossam M. 
Published: October 2013

ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy, and safety of newly customized natural oral mucoadhesive gels, containing either aloe vera or myrrh as active ingredients, in the management of minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis (MiRAS).Subjects and MethodsNinety subjects with MiRAS were recruited from Oral Medicine Clinic, at Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia, for this randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study. Two new natural gels, containing aloe vera and myrrh, were prepared in a concentration of (0.5% w/w), in addition to a plain mucoadhesive gel used as a placebo. Patients with fresh ulcers (<48‐h duration) were instructed to apply either one of the three gels four times a day for a period of 5 days. Clinical efficacy was investigated in the form of changes in ulcer size, pain intensity, erythema, and exudation at days 4 and 6 of study entry. Participants were interviewed for the emergence of any side effects.Results76.6% of patients using aloe gel showed complete ulcer healing, 86.7%, and 80% of them revealed subsidence of erythema and exudation, respectively, especially at day 6 visit, whereas 76.7% of myrrh‐treated patients revealed almost absence of pain at day 6. No side effects were encountered with the use of any of the three gels.ConclusionThe new formulated aloe‐ and myrrh‐based gels proved to be effective in topical management of MiRAS. Aloe was superior in decreasing ulcer size, erythema, and exudation; whereas myrrh resulted in more pain reduction.
Automatic and Deliberate Affective Associations with Sexual Stimuli in Women with Lifelong Vaginismus Before and After Therapist-Aided Exposure Treatment
Authors: Melles Reinhilde J. , ter Kuile Moniek M. , Dewitte Marieke , van Lankveld Jacques J.D.M. , Brauer Marieke , de Jong Peter J. 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Introduction
The intense fear response to vaginal penetration in women with lifelong vaginismus, who have never been able to experience coitus, may reflect negative automatic and deliberate appraisals of vaginal penetration stimuli which might be modified by exposure treatment.

Aims
The aim of this study is to examine whether (i) sexual stimuli elicit relatively strong automatic and deliberate threat associations in women with vaginismus, as well as relatively negative automatic and deliberate global affective associations, compared with symptom-free women; and (ii) these automatic and more deliberate attitudes can be modified by therapist-aided exposure treatment.

Methods
A single target Implicit Association Test (st-IAT) was used to index automatic threat associations, and an Affective Simon Task (AST) to index global automatic affective associations. Participants were women with lifelong vaginismus (N = 68) and women without sexual problems (N = 70). The vaginismus group was randomly allocated to treatment (n = 34) and a waiting list control condition (n = 34).

Main Outcome Measures
Indices of automatic threat were obtained by the st-IAT and automatic global affective associations by the AST, visual analogue scales (VAS) were used to assess deliberate appraisals of the sexual pictures (fear and global positive affect).

Results
More deliberate fear and less global positive affective associations with sexual stimuli were found in women with vaginismus. Following therapist-aided exposure treatment, the strength of fear was strongly reduced, whereas global positive affective associations were strengthened. Automatic associations did not differ between women with and without vaginismus and did not change following treatment.

Conclusions
Relatively stronger negative (threat or global affect) associations with sexual stimuli in vaginismus appeared restricted to the deliberate level. Therapist-aided exposure treatment was effective in reducing subjective fear of sexual penetration stimuli and led to more global positive affective associations with sexual stimuli. The impact of exposure might be further improved by strengthening the association between vaginal penetration and positive affect (e.g., by using counter-conditioning techniques).
The Contribution of Vascular Smooth Muscle to Aortic Stiffness Across Length Scales
Authors: Saphirstein Robert J. , Morgan Kathleen G. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThe operation of the cardiovascular system in health and disease is inherently mechanical. Clinically, aortic stiffness has proven to be of critical importance as an early biomarker for subsequent cardiovascular disease; however, the mechanisms involved in aortic stiffening are still unclear. The etiology of aortic stiffening with age has been thought to primarily involve changes in extracellular matrix protein composition and quantity, but recent studies suggest a significant involvement of the differentiated contractile vascular smooth muscle cells in the vessel wall. Here, we provide an overview of vascular physiology and biomechanics at different spatial scales. The processes involved in aortic stiffening are examined with particular attention given to recent discoveries regarding the role of vascular smooth muscle.
Three‐Dimensional Reconstruction of Neovasculature in Solid Tumors and Basement Membrane Matrix Using Ex Vivo X‐ray Microcomputed Tomography
Authors: Lee Seunghyung , Barbe Mary F. , Scalia Rosario , Goldfinger Lawrence E. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractObjectiveTo create accurate, high‐resolution 3D reconstructions of neovasculature structures in xenografted tumors and Matrigel plugs for quantitative analyses in angiogenesis studies in animal models.MethodsThe competent neovasculature within xenografted solid tumors or Matrigel plugs in mice was perfused with Microfil, a radioopaque, hydrophilic polymerizing contrast agent, by systemic perfusion of the blood circulation via the heart. The perfused tumors and plugs were resected and scanned by X‐ray micro‐CT to generate stacks of 2D images showing the radioopaque material. A nonbiased, precise postprocessing scheme was employed to eliminate background X‐ray absorbance from the extravascular tissue. The revised binary image stacks were compiled to reveal the Microfil‐casted neovasculature as 3D reconstructions. Vascular structural parameters were calculated from the refined 3D reconstructions using the scanner software.ResultsClarified 3D reconstructions were sufficiently precise to allow measurements of vascular architecture to a diametric limit of resolution of 3 μm in tumors and plugs.ConclusionsEx vivo micro‐CT can be used for 3D reconstruction and quantitative analysis of neovasculature including microcirculation in solid tumors and Matrigel plugs. This method can be generally applied for reconstructing and measuring vascular structures in three dimensions.
An anaerobic bacterium, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, uses a consortium of enzymes to scavenge hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Mishra Surabhi , Imlay James A. 
Published: October 2013

SummaryObligate anaerobes are periodically exposed to oxygen, and it has been conjectured that on such occasions their low‐potential biochemistry will predispose them to rapid ROS formation. We sought to identify scavenging enzymes that might protect the anaerobe Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron from the H2O2 that would be formed. Genetic analysis of eight candidate enzymes revealed that four of these scavenge H2O2 in vivo: rubrerythrins 1 and 2, AhpCF, and catalase E. The rubrerythrins served as key peroxidases under anoxic conditions. However, they quickly lost activity upon aeration, and AhpCF and catalase were induced to compensate. The AhpCF is an NADH peroxidase that effectively degraded low micromolar levels of H2O2, while the catalytic cycle of catalase enabled it to quickly degrade higher concentrations that might arise from exogenous sources. Using a non‐scavenging mutant we verified that endogenous H2O2 formation was much higher in aerated B. thetaiotaomicron than in Escherichia coli. Indeed, the OxyR stress response to H2O2 was induced when B. thetaiotaomicron was aerated, and in that circumstance this response was necessary to forestall cell death. Thus aeration is a serious threat for this obligate anaerobe, and to cope it employs a set of defences that includes a repertoire of complementary scavenging enzymes.