bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preoperative abdominal muscle elongation with botulinum toxin A for complex incisional ventral hernia repair
Authors: Farooque Faisal , Jacombs Anita S. W. , Roussos Emmanouel , Read John W. , Dardano Anthony N. , Edye Michael , Ibrahim Nabeel 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBackgroundSurgical repair of recurrent abdominal incisional hernia(s) can be challenging due to complex operative conditions, intense post‐operative pain, potential respiratory compromise and lateral muscle traction predisposing to early recurrence. We report our preliminary results with botulinum toxin A (BTA) injection causing flaccid paralysis (relaxation) of the lateral abdominal wall muscles prior to surgery.MethodsA prospective pilot study measured the effect of preoperative BTA prior to elective repair of recurrent abdominal hernias. Under ultrasound control, 2 weeks prior to surgery, 50 units of BTA was injected into the external oblique, internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles at three sites on each side of the lateral abdominal wall (total dose 300 units). Pre‐ and post‐BTA abdominal computed tomography measured changes in abdominal wall muscle thickness and length. All hernias were repaired with laparoscopic or laparoscopic‐assisted mesh techniques in a single or two‐staged procedure.ResultsEight patients received BTA injections which were tolerated with no complications. Post‐BTA preoperative computed tomography showed a significant increase in mean length of lateral abdominal wall from 18.5 cm pre‐BTA to 21.3 cm post‐BTA (P = 0.017) with a mean unstretched length gain of 2.8 cm per side (range 0.8–6.0 cm). All hernias were surgically reduced with mesh with no early recurrence.ConclusionPreoperative BTA injection prior to complex abdominal hernia repair is a safe procedure that causes flaccid relaxation, elongation and thinning of the lateral abdominal muscles and decrease in hernia defect. Although further evaluation is required, BTA injections may be a useful adjunct to surgical repair of complex incisional hernias.
The clinical presentation of acute bacterial meningitis varies with age, sex and duration of illness
Authors: Johansson Kostenniemi Urban , Norman David , Borgström Malin , Silfverdal Sven Arne 
Published: August 2015

AbstractAimThis Swedish study reviewed differences in clinical presentation and laboratory findings of acute bacterial meningitis in children aged one month to 17 years in Västerbotten County, Sweden.MethodsA register‐based study was performed for the period 1986 to 2013 using the Västerbotten County Council's patient registration and laboratory records at the Department of Laboratory Medicine at Umeå University Hospital. The medical records were reviewed to extract data and confirm the diagnosis.ResultsWe found 103 cases of acute bacterial meningitis, and Haemophilus influenzae was the most common pathogen, causing 40.8% of all cases, followed by Streptococcus pneumoniae at 30.1% and Neisseria meningitidis at 9.7%. Significant differences in clinical presentation and laboratory findings were found. Younger children were more unwell than older ones and had more diffuse symptoms on admission. In addition, important sex‐related differences were found that might explain the higher case fatality rates for boys than girls. For example, boys tended to have a higher disturbance in the blood–brain barrier, which is known to be a negative prognostic factor.ConclusionThis study showed that clinical presentation for acute bacterial meningitis varied with age and sex and, to a lesser extent, on the duration of the illness.
The mouth apparatus of Lithodes maja (Crustacea: Decapoda) – form, function and biological role
Authors: Jaszkowiak Katja , Keiler Jonas , Wirkner Christian S. , Richter Stefan 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBeing able to utilize many different food resources is probably an important aspect of the success of decapod crustaceans which fill a wide range of various ecological niches worldwide. The phenomenon is facilitated by the complex mouth apparatus found in this group, whose representatives possess six pairs of mouthparts– mandibles, maxillae 1, and maxillae 2 and three maxillipeds, the first three pairs of thoracic appendages which are also specialized to food manipulation. These six pairs are able to perform a number of movements for transporting, aligning, crushing and cutting. Studies into the functional morphology of mouthparts have already been carried out in some decapod species. This study focuses on Lithodes maja, a species of the hitherto understudied king crabs (Lithodidae), chosen on the grounds of their remarkable evolutionary history as ‘derived hermit crabs’. Individuals were filmed while being presented with different kinds of food. To obtain structural information on the individual mouthpart elements as naturally arranged in relation to one another, the shape of the mouthparts was 3D‐reconstructed from micro‐CT scans. These data were complemented by scanning electron microscopy, to analyse the surface structures in detail. There is evidence that the various elements of the mouthparts of L. maja can be sorted into six functional groups: (i) transporting mouthpart elements, (ii) aligning/sorting mouthpart elements, (iii) clutching/holding mouthpart elements, (iv) tearing/cutting/crushing mouthpart elements, (v) current‐generating mouthpart elements and (vi) grooming mouthpart elements. According to our 3D reconstruction, there only seem to be minor differences in morphology and relative position between the mouthparts of L. maja and those of the closely related species, Pagurus bernhardus.
Late‐onset recurrent mania as a manifestation of Wallenberg syndrome: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Das Piyush , Chopra Amit , Rai Abhishek , Kuppuswamy Preetha Sharone 
Published: August 2015

ObjectiveThe aim of the present case report was to describe the late onset of recurrent mania in a patient after ischemic injury to the cerebellum and dorsolateral medulla.MethodsWe studied an 86‐year‐old male with no prior psychiatric history who developed recurrent episodes of mania following a brain stroke. Additionally, he had neurological symptom constellation typical of Wallenberg syndrome.ResultsMagnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed infarction in the inferomedial right cerebellar hemisphere and the right dorsolateral medulla in the right posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) distribution. He was successfully managed with a combination of antipsychotic and mood‐stabilizer medications.ConclusionsPost‐stroke mania may be one of the rare manifestations of Wallenberg syndrome. This case adds to the emerging literature on cerebellar involvement in mood regulation and pathology of mania.
Abnormal gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines and their receptors in the lymphocytes of patients with bipolar disorder
Authors: Pandey Ghanshyam N , Ren Xinguo , Rizavi Hooriyah S , Zhang Hui 
Published: August 2015

ObjectivesAbnormalities of protein levels of proinflammatory cytokines and their soluble receptors have been reported in plasma of patients with bipolar disorder (BP). In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the mRNA expression of membrane‐bound receptors for proinflammatory cytokines will be altered in the lymphocytes of patients with BP.MethodsWe determined protein and mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines, and mRNA expression of their receptors in the lymphocytes from 29 drug‐free, hospitalized patients with BP and 30 drug‐free normal control subjects. The subjects were diagnosed according to DSM‐IV criteria. Plasma protein levels of cytokines were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); mRNA levels in lymphocytes were determined by the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method.ResultsWe found that mean mRNA levels of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, and their receptors TNFR1, IL‐1R1, and the antagonist IL‐1RA were significantly higher in the lymphocytes of patients with BP compared with normal controls.ConclusionsThis study suggests that the observed abnormalities of membrane‐bound cytokine receptors may alter the functional response of cytokines in BP and that the mRNA levels of these receptors could be a potential biomarker.
Disrupted Topological Organization of Resting‐State Functional Brain Network in Subcortical Vascular Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Yi Li‐Ye , Liang Xia , Liu Da‐Ming , Sun Bo , Ying Sun , Yang Dong‐Bo , Li Qing‐Bin , Jiang Chuan‐Lu , Han Ying 
Published: August 2015

SummaryAimsNeuroimaging studies have demonstrated both structural and functional abnormalities in widespread brain regions in patients with subcortical vascular mild cognitive impairment (svMCI). However, whether and how these changes alter functional brain network organization remains largely unknown.MethodsWe recruited 21 patients with svMCI and 26 healthy control (HC) subjects who underwent resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans. Graph theory‐based network analyses were used to investigate alterations in the topological organization of functional brain networks.ResultsCompared with the HC individuals, the patients with svMCI showed disrupted global network topology with significantly increased path length and modularity. Modular structure was also impaired in the svMCI patients with a notable rearrangement of the executive control module, where the parietal regions were split out and grouped as a separate module. The svMCI patients also revealed deficits in the intra‐ and/or intermodule connectivity of several brain regions. Specifically, the within‐module degree was decreased in the middle cingulate gyrus while it was increased in the left anterior insula, medial prefrontal cortex and cuneus. Additionally, increased intermodule connectivity was observed in the inferior and superior parietal gyrus, which was associated with worse cognitive performance in the svMCI patients.ConclusionTogether, our results indicate that svMCI patients exhibit dysregulation of the topological organization of functional brain networks, which has important implications for understanding the pathophysiological mechanism of svMCI.
NF‐κB Signaling is Involved in the Effects of Intranasally Engrafted Human Neural Stem Cells on Neurofunctional Improvements in Neonatal Rat Hypoxic–Ischemic Encephalopathy
Authors: Ji Gang , Liu Ming , Zhao Xiong‐Fei , Liu Xiao‐Yan , Guo Qi‐Lin , Guan Zhu‐Fei , Zhou Hou‐Guang , Guo Jing‐Chun 
Published: August 2015

SummaryAimHypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a common neurological disease in infants with persistent neurobehavioral impairments. Studies found that neural stem cell (NSC) therapy benefits HIE rats; however, the mechanisms underlying are still unclear. The current study investigated the efficacy and molecular events of human embryonic neural stem cells (hNSCs) in neonatal hypoxic–ischemic (HI) rats.MethodsPKH‐26‐labeled hNSCs were intranasally delivered to P7 Sprague Dawley rats 24 h after HI. Neurobehavioral tests were performed at the indicated time after delivery: righting reflex and gait testing at D1, 3, 5, and 7; grid walking at D7 and 14; social choice test (SCT) at D28; and Morris water maze from D35 to 40. Protein expression was determined by Western blot analysis. Brain damage was assessed by cresyl violet staining and MBP staining. hNSC distribution and differentiation were observed by in vivo bioluminescence imaging and immunofluorescence staining.Results(1) hNSCs migrated extensively into brain areas within 24 h after the delivery, survived even at D42 with the majority in ipsi‐hemisphere, and could be co‐labeled with NeuN or GFAP. (2) hNSCs reduced the upregulation in cytosolic IL‐1β, p‐IκBα, and NF‐κB p65 levels, whereas enhanced nuclear p65 expression in HI rats at D3 after the delivery. (3) hNSCs decreased HI‐induced brain tissue loss and white matter injury at D42 after the delivery. (4) hNSCs improved neurological outcomes in HI rats in the tests of righting reflex (within 3 days), gait (D5), grid (D7), SCT (D28), and water maze (D42).ConclusionIntranasal delivery of hNSCs could prevent HI‐induced brain injury and improve neurobehavioral outcomes in neonatal HI rats, which is possibly related to the modulation of NF‐κB signaling.
Transanal anorectal stricturoplasty using the Heineke–Mikulicz principle: a novel technique
Authors: Lee S. W. , Niec R. , Melnitchouk N. , Samdani T. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractAimCurrent surgical options for the treatment of rectal stricture are either technically difficult or result in a high rate of recurrence. We describe the results of a simple and potentially effective technique of transanal stricturoplasty using the Heineke–Mikulicz principle.MethodThe medical records and a prospectively maintained database of patients with rectal stricture were searched. Those who underwent transanal stricturoplasty for an anorectal stricture from 2007 to 2013 were studied retrospectively. Morbidity, length of hospital stay and the rates of success and recurrence were recorded.ResultsFifteen patients with a symptomatic rectal stricture who failed dilatation underwent transanal stricturoplasty. The types of stricture included strictures in Crohn's disease (n = 7) and anastomotic stricture after stapled ileoanal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis (n = 4), after stapled hemorrhoidopexy (n = 3) and after low anterior resection for rectal cancer (n =1). The median (range) distance of the stricture from the dentate line was 4 (0–6) cm. Recurrence of symptoms after anal dilatation occurred at a median of 3 (1–4) weeks. The median follow up after transanal stricturoplasty was 21 (6–88) months. Two patients had symptomatic recurrence at 12 months and both underwent a repeat transanal stricturoplasty, resulting in persistent patency of the strictured area at the time of the last follow up, 10 and 26 months, respectively, after repeat transanal stricturoplasty. The remaining 13 had a satisfactory result.ConclusionDespite the retrospective nature of this report and the small sample size and short follow up, the results strongly suggest that transanal Heineke–Mikulicz‐type stricturoplasty is a promising treatment for this important condition. This operation is easy to perform and may result in success.
Safety, efficacy and glucose turnover of reduced prandial boluses during closed‐loop therapy in adolescents with type 1 diabetes: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Elleri D. , Biagioni M. , Allen J. M. , Kumareswaran K. , Leelarathna L. , Caldwell K. , Nodale M. , Wilinska M. E. , Haidar A. , Calhoun P. , Kollman C. , Jackson N. C. , Umpleby A. M. , Acerini C. L. , Dunger D. B. , Hovorka R. 
Published: August 2015

AimsTo evaluate safety, efficacy and glucose turnover during closed‐loop with meal announcement using reduced prandial insulin boluses in adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D).MethodsWe conducted a randomized crossover study comparing closed‐loop therapy with standard prandial insulin boluses versus closed‐loop therapy with prandial boluses reduced by 25%. Eight adolescents with T1D [3 males; mean (standard deviation) age 15.9 (1.5) years, glycated haemoglobin 74 (17) mmol/mol; median (interquartile range) total daily dose 0.9 (0.7, 1.1) IU/kg/day] were studied on two 36‐h‐long visits. In random order, subjects received closed‐loop therapy with either standard or reduced insulin boluses administered with main meals (50–80 g carbohydrates) but not with snacks (15–30 g carbohydrates). Stable‐label tracer dilution methodology measured total glucose appearance (Ra_total) and glucose disposal (Rd).ResultsThe median (interquartile range) time spent in target (3.9–10 mmol/l) was similar between the two interventions [74 (66, 84)% vs 80 (65, 96)%; p = 0.87] as was time spent above 10 mmol/l [21.8 (16.3, 33.5)% vs 18.0 (4.1, 34.2)%; p = 0.87] and below 3.9 mmol/l [0 (0, 1.5)% vs 0 (0, 1.8)%; p = 0.88]. Mean plasma glucose was identical during the two interventions [8.4 (0.9) mmol/l; p = 0.98]. Hypoglycaemia occurred once 1.5 h post‐meal during closed‐loop therapy with standard bolus. Overall insulin delivery was lower with reduced prandial boluses [61.9 (55.2, 75.0) vs 72.5 (63.6, 80.3) IU; p = 0.01] and resulted in lower mean plasma insulin concentration [186 (171, 260) vs 252 (198, 336) pmol/l; p = 0.002]. Lower plasma insulin was also documented overnight [160 (136, 192) vs 191 (133, 252) pmol/l; p = 0.01, pooled nights]. Ra_total was similar [26.3 (21.9, 28.0) vs 25.4 (21.0, 29.2) µmol/kg/min; p = 0.19] during the two interventions as was Rd [25.8 (21.0, 26.9) vs 25.2 (21.2, 28.8) µmol/kg/min; p = 0.46].ConclusionsA 25% reduction in prandial boluses during closed‐loop therapy maintains similar glucose control in adolescents with T1D whilst lowering overall plasma insulin levels. It remains unclear whether closed‐loop therapy with a 25% reduction in prandial boluses would prevent postprandial hypoglycaemia.
Incremental Utility of Real Time Three‐Dimensional Transthoracic Echocardiography for the Assessment of Left Ventricular Free Wall Rupture Location, Orifice Geometry, and Complex Intracardiac Flow
Authors: Avsar Sahin , Keskin Muhammed , Velibey Yalcin , Kemaloglu Oz Tugba , Guvenc Tolga S. , Guzelburc Ozge , Bozbay Mehmet 
Published: August 2015

Mini‐AbstractWe present a patient with acute left ventricular free wall rupture and pseudoaneurysm formation after myocardial infarction. We review the accuracy and incremental utility of real time handheld 3‐dimensional transthoracic echocardiography for the assessment of left ventricular rupture location, orifice geometry, and complex intracardiac flow.
Left Ventricular Side Obstructive Pannus Formation after Rheumatic Mitral Valve Replacement with Preservation of the Subvalvular Apparatus
Authors: Kalçık Macit , Yesin Mahmut , Gündüz Sabahattin , Gürsoy Mustafa Ozan , Bayam Emrah , Özkan Mehmet 
Published: August 2015

Mini AbstractThe preservation of the subvalvular apparatus (SVA) during mitral valve replacement (MVR) surgery due to rheumatic valve disease remains controversial. The presence of intense fibrosis and calcification in rheumatic valves may promote impingement of the pannus tissue on the prosthesis and cause obstruction of the mitral inflow tract. Here we present an obstructive left ventricular side mitral pannus tissue image in a patient who had undergone rheumatic MVR with the preservation of SVA.
Assessing the role of large herbivores in the structuring and functioning of freshwater and marine angiosperm ecosystems
Authors: Bakker Elisabeth S. , Pagès Jordi F. , Arthur Rohan , Alcoverro Teresa 
Published: August 2015

While large herbivores can have strong impacts on terrestrial ecosystems, much less is known of their role in aquatic systems. We reviewed the literature to determine: 1) which large herbivores (> 10 kg) have a (semi‐)aquatic lifestyle and are important consumers of submerged vascular plants, 2) their impact on submerged plant abundance and species composition, and 3) their ecosystem functions.We grouped herbivores according to diet, habitat selection and movement ecology: 1) Fully aquatic species, either resident or migratory (manatees, dugongs, turtles), 2) Semi‐aquatic species that live both in water and on land, either resident or migratory (swans), 3) Resident semi‐aquatic species that live in water and forage mainly on land (hippopotamuses, beavers, capybara), 4) Resident terrestrial species with relatively large home ranges that frequent aquatic habitats (cervids, water buffalo, lowland tapir).Fully aquatic species and swans have the strongest impact on submerged plant abundance and species composition. They may maintain grazing lawns. Because they sometimes target belowground parts, their activity can result in local collapse of plant beds. Semi‐aquatic species and turtles serve as important aquatic–terrestrial linkages, by transporting nutrients across ecosystem boundaries. Hippopotamuses and beavers are important geomorphological engineers, capable of altering the land and hydrology at landscape scales. Migratory species and terrestrial species with large home ranges are potentially important dispersal vectors of plant propagules and nutrients. Clearly, large aquatic herbivores have strong impacts on associated species and can be critical ecosystem engineers of aquatic systems, with the ability to modify direct and indirect functional pathways in ecosystems. While global populations of large aquatic herbivores are declining, some show remarkable local recoveries with dramatic consequences for the systems they inhabit. A better understanding of these functional roles will help set priorities for the effective management of large aquatic herbivores along with the plant habitats they rely on.
Morbidity and mortality associated with a Standardbred yearling sale
Authors: Weese J. S. 
Published: August 2015

SummaryIn the 2‐week period following a Standardbred yearling sale, 5 horses from the sale died or were subjected to euthanasia. Three were confirmed as equine herpesvirus type 1 myeloencephalopathy (EHM), while EHM was suspected in 2. Clinical abnormalities were reported in 77 of 177 (43.5%) other yearlings during the 14‐day period after the sale; however, no diagnostic testing was performed. Eleven secondary cases of suspected EHM in horses in contact with yearlings purchased at the sale were identified. No cases of EHM were identified associated with the same sale in 2003; however, there was no difference in morbidity with clinical abnormalities reported in 39/96 (41%) horses sold that year (P = 0.70). Yearling sales have an inherent risk of pathogen exposure and illness is common in purchased horses. Disease in these horses could have been associated with a wide range of respiratory pathogens; however, the incidence of confirmed or suspected primary and secondary EHM cases associated with the 2002 yearling sale highlight the potential for significant outbreaks of disease.
Biochemical characterization and selective inhibition of β‐carotene cis–trans isomerase D27 and carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase CCD8 on the strigolactone biosynthetic pathway
Authors: Harrison Peter J. , Newgas Sophie A. , Descombes Flora , Shepherd Sarah A. , Thompson Andrew J. , Bugg Timothy D. H. 
Published: August 2015

The first three enzymatic steps of the strigolactone biosynthetic pathway catalysed by β‐carotene cis–trans isomerase Dwarf27 (D27) from Oryza sativa and carotenoid cleavage dioxygenases CCD7 and CCD8 from Arabidopsis thaliana have been reconstituted in vitro, and kinetic assays have been developed for each enzyme, in order to develop selective enzyme inhibitors. Recombinant OsD27 shows a UV‐visible λmax at 422 nm and is inactivated by silver(I) acetate, consistent with the presence of an iron–sulfur cluster that is used in catalysis. OsD27 and AtCCD7 are not inhibited by hydroxamic acids that cause shoot branching in planta, but OsD27 is partially inhibited by terpene‐like hydroxamic acids. The reaction catalysed by AtCCD8 is shown to be a two‐step kinetic mechanism using pre‐steady‐state kinetic analysis. Kinetic evidence is presented for acid–base catalysis in the CCD8 catalytic cycle and the existence of an essential cysteine residue in the CCD8 active site. AtCCD8 is inhibited in a time‐dependent fashion by hydroxamic acids D2, D4, D5 and D6 (> 95% inhibition at 100 μm) that cause a shoot branching phenotype in A. thaliana, and selective inhibition of CCD8 is observed using hydroxamic acids D13H and D15 (82%, 71% inhibition at 10 μm). The enzyme inhibition data imply that the biochemical basis of the shoot branching phenotype is due to inhibition of CCD8.