bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A new and standardized method to sample and analyse vitreous samples by the Cellient® automated cell block system
Authors: Van Ginderdeuren Rita , Van Calster Joachim , Stalmans Peter , Van den Oord Joost 
Published: February 2014

AbstractPurposeIn this prospective study, a universal protocol for sampling and analysing vitreous material was investigated. Vitreous biopsies are difficult to handle because of the paucity of cells and the gelatinous structure of the vitreous. Histopathological analysis of the vitreous is useful in difficult uveitis cases to differentiate uveitis from lymphoma or infection and to define the type of cellular reaction.MethodsHundred consecutive vitreous samples were analysed with the Cellient® tissue processor (Hologic). This machine is a fully automated processor starting from a specified container with PreservCyt® (fixative fluid) with cells to paraffin. Cytology was compared with fixatives Cytolyt® (contains a mucolyticum) and PreservCyt®. Routine histochemical and immunostainings were evaluated.ResultsIn 92% of the cases, sufficient material was found for diagnosis. In 14%, a Cytolyt® wash was necessary to prevent clotting of the tubes in the Cellient® due to the viscosity of the sample. In 23%, the diagnosis was an acute inflammation (presence of granulocytes); in 33%, chronic active inflammation (presence of T lymphocytes); in 33%, low‐grade inflammation (presence of CD68 cells, without T lymphocytes); and in 3%, a malignant process.ConclusionA standardized protocol for sampling and handling vitreous biopsies, fixing in PreservCyt® and processing by the Cellient® gives a satisfactory result in morphology, number of cells and possibility of immuno‐histochemical stainings. The diagnosis can be established or confirmed in more than 90% of cases.
The revised ghent nosology; reclassifying isolated ectopia lentis
Authors: Chandra A. , Patel D. , Aragon‐Martin J.A. , Pinard A. , Collod‐Béroud G. , Comeglio P. , Boileau C. , Faivre L. , Charteris D. , Child A.H. , Arno G. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractInherited ectopia lentis (EL) is most commonly caused by Marfan syndrome (MFS), a multisystemic disorder caused by mutations in FBN1. Historically the diagnosis for patients with EL who have no systemic features of MFS is isolated EL (IEL). However, the Ghent nosology for MFS was updated in 2010 and made some important alterations. In particular, patients with EL and a FBN1 mutation are now categorically diagnosed with MFS, if their mutation has previously been described with aortic dilation/dissection. This carries significant systemic implications, as many patients previously diagnosed with IEL are now reclassified. We provide a review of all published cases of IEL caused by FBN1 mutations over the last 20 years to assess what impact the new Ghent nosology has on these. Indeed, 57/123 probands (46.3%) are now classified as MFS according to the revised Ghent nosology and 37/96 mutations (38.5%) reported to cause isolated EL have also been found in patients with aortic dilation/dissection. These findings suggest that EL caused by mutations in FBN1 is actually part of a spectrum of fibrillinopathies with MFS, and the term ‘IEL’ should be avoided in such cases.
Electrophysiological Phenotypes of MeCP2 A140V Mutant Mouse Model
Authors: Ma Lu‐Yao , Wu Chen , Jin Yu , Gao Ming , Li Guo‐Hui , Turner Dharshaun , Shen Jian‐Xin , Zhang Shi‐Jiang , Narayanan Vinodh , Jentarra Garilyn , Wu Jie 
Published: February 2014

SummaryAimsMeCP2 gene mutations are associated with Rett syndrome and X‐linked mental retardation (XLMR), diseases characterized by abnormal brain development and function. Recently, we created a novel MeCP2 A140V mutation mouse model that exhibited abnormalities of cell packing density and dendritic branching consistent with that seen in Rett syndrome patients as well as other MeCP2 mutant mouse models. Therefore, we hypothesized that some deficits of neuronal and synaptic functions might also be present in the A140V mutant model.MethodsHere, we tested our hypothesis in hippocampal slices using electrophysiological recordings.ResultsWe found that in young A140V mutant mice (3‐ to 4‐week‐old), hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons exhibited more positive resting membrane potential, increased action potential (AP) firing frequency induced by injection of depolarizing current, wider AP duration, and smaller after hyperpolarization potential compared to neurons prepared from age‐matched wild‐type mice, suggesting a neuronal hyperexcitation. At the synaptic level, A140V mutant neurons exhibited a reduced frequency of spontaneous IPSCs (inhibitory postsynaptic potentials) and an enhanced probability of evoked glutamate release, both suggesting neuronal hyperexcitation. However, hippocampal CA1 long‐term potentiation was not significantly different between A140V and WT mice. In adult mice (11‐ to 13‐month‐old), in addition to neuronal hyperexcitation, we also found significant deficits of both short‐term and long‐term potentiation of CA3‐CA1 synapses in A140V mice compared to WT mice.ConclusionsThese results clearly illustrate the age‐dependent abnormalities of neuronal and synaptic function in the MeCP2 A140V mutant mouse model, which provides new insights into the understanding of the pathogenesis of Rett syndrome.
Predicting postoperative mortality after colorectal surgery: a novel clinical model
Authors: van der Sluis F. J. , Espin E. , Vallribera F. , de Bock G. H. , Hoekstra H. J. , van Leeuwen B. L. , Engel A. F. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to develop and externally validate a clinically, practical and discriminative prediction model designed to estimate in‐hospital mortality of patients undergoing colorectal surgery.MethodAll consecutive patients who underwent elective or emergency colorectal surgery from 1990 to 2005, at the Zaandam Medical Centre, The Netherlands, were included in this study. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) linking the explanatory variables to the outcome variable in‐hospital mortality, and a simplified Identification of Risk in Colorectal Surgery (IRCS) score was constructed. The model was validated in a population of patients who underwent colorectal surgery from 2005 to 2011 in Barcelona, Spain. Predictive performance was estimated by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve.ResultsThe strongest predictors of in‐hospital mortality were emergency surgery (OR = 6.7, 95% CI 4.7–9.5), tumour stage (OR = 3.2, 95% CI 2.8–4.6), age (OR = 13.1, 95% CI 6.6–26.0), pulmonary failure (OR = 4.9, 95% CI 3.3–7.1) and cardiac failure (OR = 3.7, 95% CI 2.6–5.3). These parameters were included in the prediction model and simplified scoring system. The IRCS model predicted in‐hospital mortality and demonstrated a predictive performance of 0.83 (95% CI 0.79–0.87) in the validation population. In this population the predictive performance of the CR‐POSSUM score was 0.76 (95% CI 0.71–0.81).ConclusionsThe results of this study have shown that the IRCS score is a good predictor of in‐hospital mortality after colorectal surgery despite the relatively low number of model parameters.
Assessment of Atrial Electromechanical Delay and P‐Wave Dispersion in Patients with Psoriasis
Authors: Yildiz Abdulkadir , Ucmak Derya , Oylumlu Mustafa , Akkurt Meltem Z. , Yuksel Murat , Akil Mehmet Ata , Acet Halit , Polat Nihat , Aydin Mesut , Bilik M. Zihni 
Published: February 2014

BackgroundIn this study, we sought to evaluate atrial electromechanical properties and conduction homogeneity by tissue Doppler imaging and electrocardiography in patients with psoriasis.MethodsThirty‐four patients with psoriasis and 30 age‐ and gender‐matched healthy controls were included in the study. Atrial electromechanical coupling intervals were assessed by means of tissue Doppler echocardiography and P‐wave dispersion (Pd) was calculated from electrocardiogram.ResultsA total of 64 subjects (33 male) with a mean age of 36.8 ± 11.9 years were included in the study. Basal characteristics were similar between 2 groups. Intra‐atrial (15 ± 7 ms vs. 12 ± 5 ms, P = 0.009) and inter‐atrial (28 ± 7 ms vs. 23 ± 7 ms, P = 0.002) electromechanical delays were significantly higher in patients with psoriasis compared with control groups. P‐maximum (112 ± 16 ms vs. 103 ± 8 ms, P = 0.006) and Pd (35 ± 9 ms vs. 20 ± 6 ms, P < 0.001) were also prolonged in patients with psoriasis.ConclusionThis study demonstrated that atrial electromechanical coupling intervals and P‐wave dispersion were prolonged in patients with psoriasis, which may cause an increased risk of atrial fibrillation in this patient group.
Residency Duration and Shelter Quality Influence Vibratory Signalling Displays in A Territorial Caterpillar
Authors: Yack Jayne E. , Gill Sharleen , Drummond‐Main Chris , Sherratt Thomas N. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractResidents are more likely to win territorial disputes than intruders. One explanation for this prior resident advantage is that residents place a higher value on the resource and are therefore more motivated to win. Although value asymmetry models of animal contests often assume that contestants use information about resource value, information on the proximate cues affecting territorial behaviour is often lacking. We use a simple model system – territorial behaviour in the masked birch caterpillar (Drepana arcuata) to identify factors that affect territorial behaviour. Late instar caterpillars occupy solitary silken leaf shelters, which they defend against wandering conspecifics with a vibratory display. We evaluated how a caterpillar identifies itself as the owner and the factors that influence a resident's motivation to signal. To do so, we conducted three experiments between size‐matched residents and intruders to assess how residency duration and shelter quality independently affected territorial displays during the early stages of a contest. Experiment 1 (Time Exp.) demonstrated that resident signalling rates increase with increased duration on the leaf prior to introducing the intruder. Residents also signal more than intruders after residency periods of 1–3 min and longer, demonstrating that residents gather information about resource value shortly after occupying a leaf. Experiment 2 (Squatter Exp.) aimed to disentangle the effects of time on the leaf and silk accumulation. Squatters (individuals in a shelter made by another) placed for 1–3 min on a leaf containing a full silk shelter signalled more to intruders than did caterpillars placed on a fresh leaf for 1–3 min. Experiment 3 (Shelter Removal Exp.) showed that residents whose shelters had been removed signal less than those occupying an intact shelter, despite an equal length of time investing in them. Our experiment is the first to covary both prior residency duration and territory quality, and we find that the motivation of caterpillars to signal is a function of both of these attributes.
Thermal fatigue resistance characterization and ranking of materials using the V‐shape specimen testing method
Authors: Wei Z. , Konson D. , Yang F. , Luo L. , Lin B. , Ellinghaus K. , Pieszkalla M. 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTThermal fatigue resistance of materials is an extremely important criterion for the long‐term durability and reliability performance of very high‐temperature components and systems, such as advanced auto engine and exhaust systems. There is a broad range of material choices for thermal fatigue resistance applications. The final selection of the materials depends on the balance of engineering performance of the materials and the cost. To optimize the thermal fatigue resistance and cost of those materials, a reliable testing procedure for material thermal fatigue characterization and a material evaluation/selection matrix must be established.In this paper, the V‐shape specimen testing method in evaluating thermal fatigue resistance performance is introduced first. The influence of several factors, such as the thickness of specimens, operating temperature and hold time, on the thermal fatigue resistance is experimentally investigated. Subsequently, the statistical and probabilistic characteristics of the thermal fatigue failure data are analysed to reveal the possible failure mechanisms. Finally, a general rational approach for thermal fatigue resistance characterization and ranking is demonstrated, and a simple parameter λ = kσf/Eα, which combines the material strength, thermal conductivity and thermal expansion, is found to be the new breakthrough parameter, correlating to V‐shape thermal fatigue test results. Results on four currently used stainless steels verify the correlations and indicate the validity of this approach.
Rome III Criteria Cannot Distinguish Patients with Chronic Gastritis from Those Functional Dyspepsia Patients
Authors: Wei Zhu , Ying Liu , Wen Guo , Mengnan Zhang , Yali Zhang 
Published: February 2014

AbstractBackgroundFunctional dyspepsia is thought to be a diagnosis made after excluding endoscopically detectable lesions by the current Rome III criteria. However, whether these “functional dyspepsia” patients were diagnosed appropriately is still controversial.Materials and MethodsA total of 223 patients diagnosed with functional dyspepsia by Rome III criteria were enrolled. All patients were submitted to endoscopic examination, rapid urease test, and histologic evaluation. We also appraised the effect of a 7‐day treatment based on the Glasgow Dyspepsia Severity Score.ResultsHelicobacter pylori infection and neutrophil infiltration were found in 37.7% and 36.3% cases, respectively, and were both more frequent in the subgroup with epigastric pain symptom (EPS) than in the other two subgroups. In addition, neutrophil infiltration was more common and severe in the H. pylori‐positive individuals than in the patients without infection (Mann–Whitney U‐test = 431.500, p < .001). The treatment was useful in symptom improvement of all three subgroups, and the EPS subgroup had the greatest change of symptom scores before and after treatment as compared with the subgroup with postprandial distress symptom (PDS) and PDS/EPS subgroup (χ2 = 42.745, p < .001), and the eradication of H. pylori revealed a statistical significant difference in different subgroups (χ2 = 11.300, p = .001).ConclusionsOur findings showed that many H. pylori‐positive subjects diagnosed as “functional dyspepsia” were actually chronic gastritis patients, especially the EPS cases who are more likely to be patients with “active gastritis under microscope,” and also benefit most from the treatment of proton‐pump inhibitors or eradication of H. pylori.
Porous Bulk Specimens in CaO‐MgO‐SiO2 Systems Using Steel Slag and Altered Additives by Conventional Sintering
Authors: Faeghinia Aida 
Published: February 2014

To obtain the porous, bulk, brick like samples the following mixtures were pressed and sintered at different temperatures: steel slag, sintering aids (soda lime glass, sodium phosphate), and common foaming additives (like dolomite, perlite). The bulk densities of final composites were from 1.3 to 2.41 g/cm3, and open porosities were from 15 to 40 vol%. The bending strengths of composites varied from 5.5 to 15.9 MPa. The final phase of sintered samples was forming of calcium magnesium silicate. The samples which had 80 wt% slag–5 wt% SiC–5 wt% perlite–5 wt% boric acid–5 wt% sodium phosphate showed the 40 vol% porosity and 6.7 ± 0.2 MPa bending strength.
The evaluation of three diagnostic tests for the detection of equine influenza nucleoprotein in nasal swabs
Authors: Galvin Pamela , Gildea Sarah , Nelly Maura , Quinlivan Michelle , Arkins Sean , Walsh Cathal , Cullinane Ann 
Published: February 2014

BackgroundEquine influenza (EI) is a highly contagious respiratory disease of horses.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate two rapid antigen detection kits (Directigen or DFA, and Espline) and a commercial ELISA for the detection of EI nucleoprotein in nasal swabs.MethodNasal swab samples from naturally and experimentally infected horses were used to compare the sensitivity and specificity of these assays to virus isolation (VI) and real‐time RT‐PCR.ResultsIf real‐time RT‐PCR was considered as the gold standard, the sensitivity of the other tests in field samples was 68% (DFA), 35% (ELISA), 29% (Espline), and 9% (VI). These tests had 100% specificity when compared to real‐time RT‐PCR. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve indicated that decreasing the cutoff of the ELISA would increase sensitivity with some loss of specificity. In samples from experimentally infected horses, the sensitivity of the tests compared with real‐time RT‐PCR was 69% (VI), 27% (DFA), 6% (Espline), and 2% (ELISA). The specificity was 100% for Espline and ELISA and 95% for VI and DFA.ConclusionsThis study illustrated that DFA is the most sensitive antigen detection test evaluated for the diagnosis of EI and that it can detect virus in some subclinical infected and vaccinated horses. The results suggest that DFA is a useful adjunct to laboratory tests and may be effective as a screening test in a quarantine station or similar facility where horses are monitored daily.
THE ECONOMICS OF COUNTERTERRORISM: A SURVEY
Authors: Schneider Friedrich , Brück Tilman , Meierrieks Daniel 
Published: February 2014

AbstractWe provide a review of theoretical and empirical contributions on the economic analysis of terrorism and counterterrorism. We argue that simple rational‐choice models of terrorist behavior – in the form of cost‐benefit models – already provide a well‐founded theoretical framework for the study of terrorism and counterterrorism. We also hint at their limitations which relate to the failure of accounting for the dynamics between terrorism and counterterrorism that may produce unintended second‐order effects as well as for the costs associated with counterterrorism and its international dimension. We reevaluate previously proposed counterterrorism strategies accordingly. Finally, in the light of our findings, we discuss interesting areas of future research.
Transitions from grassland to savanna under drought through passive facilitation by grasses
Authors: de Dios Víctor Resco , Weltzin Jake F. , Sun Wei , Huxman Travis E. , Williams David G. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractQuestionsWoody plant encroachment into former grasslands currently represents a major physiognomic shift globally. Seedling establishment is a critical demographic bottleneck and is considered to be alleviated by increases in water availability and negatively impacted by interactions with grasses, particularly when water stress increases. However, interactions with grasses that are not actively competing for resources (‘passive interactions’ when grasses are dead) has seldom been considered. Could the transition from a live to a dead grass (litter) canopy favour recruitment of woody seedlings in a semi‐arid grassland of the American SW? How does the sign and intensity of grass–seedling interactions change across drastically different summer precipitation regimes with and without passive interactions?LocationSonoran Desert shrub savanna at the Santa Rita Experimental Range, near Tucson, AZ, US.MethodsFour cohorts of Prosopis velutina seeds were planted annually (2002–2005) under rainout shelters that intercepted all incoming precipitation on a soil with sandy loam texture. Summer precipitation was manipulated to simulate either a 50% increase or decrease in the long‐term mean, and cover was manipulated to simulate a grassland dominated by the C4 bunchgrass Heteropogon contortus or left unvegetated. Emergence and survival of P. velutina was monitored and compared across cover types, along with monitoring of soil water content and light interception.ResultsStrong active competition was observed with live grasses, under both summer drought and also under ample summer water supply. However, the pattern was reversed and strong passive facilitation of P. velutina was observed over time when grass canopies died and remained in place. This passive facilitation under dry summers was so strong that recruitment under dead grass conditions was comparable to that observed when ample water supply removed the effects of competition on unvegetated plots.ConclusionsAfter significant mortality of standing grass canopies, which typically compete for limited soil moisture resources, rates of recruitment by shrubs may increase even with significant seasonal drought. This work extends our understanding of interactions among co‐located organisms and their effects on plant community dynamics, and introduces a new hypothesis on how grass litter facilitates woody plant encroachment during seasonal droughts.
The gastric accommodation response to meal intake determines the occurrence of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations and reflux events in patients with gastro‐esophageal reflux disease
Authors: Pauwels A. , Altan E. , Tack J. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractBackgroundGastro‐esophageal reflux (GER), the retrograde flow of gastric contents into the esophagus is a physiologic phenomenon, which can evoke symptoms and/or lesions in the esophagus (=gastro‐esophageal reflux disease or GERD). Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) reduce gastric acidity; however, as they are unable to control transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations (TLESRs), the main mechanism for reflux in GERD, they do not abolish reflux. TLESRs occur predominantly in the postprandial period, and they are believed to be triggered by gastric distention. Gastric accommodation (GA) is the physiologic response to gastric distention and serves to prevent a rise in gastric wall tension during food intake. We aimed to study the relationship between GA and TLESRs, as they both are triggered by gastric distention.MethodsWe studied 12 GERD patients (average age 37 years [range 18–62], 7m/5f) and nine healthy volunteers (average age 27 years [range 22–36], 2m/7f) using high resolution manometry‐impedance measurement before and after a mixed meal challenge. We determined the number of TLESRs (with or without reflux) and measured pre‐ and postprandial IGP. The change in IGP between the pre‐ and postprandial period (ΔIGP) is used as surrogate for GA. We also measured LES pressure before and after the meal and calculated the change (ΔLESp).Key ResultsThere were no statistical differences between pre‐ and postprandial IGP in GERD and healthy volunteers and similarly, there was no significant difference between pre‐ and postprandial LES pressures in GERD patients and healthy volunteers. The number of TLESRs (with or without reflux) was similar in GERD and healthy volunteers. More importantly, we did observe a negative correlation between ΔIGP and the number of TLESRs, irrespective of whether they were associated with reflux or not, in the GERD patients (without reflux r = −0.67, p = 0.017; with reflux r = −0.81, p = 0.0014). The same observations were found in healthy volunteers, where ΔIGP and the number of TLESRs are significantly inversely correlated (without reflux r = −0.87, p = 0.0045; with reflux r = −0.75, p = 0.021). We could not establish a correlation between ΔLESp and the number of TLESRs, neither in GERD patients nor in healthy volunteers.Conclusions & InferencesThis is the first study showing a clear negative correlation between ΔIGP and the number of TLESRs, irrespective of whether they were associated with reflux or not, both in GERD patients and in healthy subjects. These results suggest that TLESRs and GA are closely linked, probably through activation of mechanoreceptors involved in triggering of TLESRs.