bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Apparent Idiopathic Hyponatremia in an Ambulatory Geriatric Population
Authors: Miller Myron , Hecker Melanie S. , Friedlander Deborah A. , Carter John M. 
Published: April 2015

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this descriptive analysis is to demonstrate that among older patients with hyponatremia, there is a subset with apparent hyponatremia of the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) type, which appears associated with the aging process. A retrospective chart review was done to identify patients with hyponatremia and to classify them into non‐SIADH, SIADH, and idiopathic categories.DESIGN: The participants were the ambulatory population of The Mount Sinai Hospital's outpatient geriatric clinic. Pertinent data generated during the antecedent 24 months were collected from outpatient charts and included sets of laboratory values (consisting of one sodium, glucose, BUN and creatinine level), age, sex, race, clinical history, present diagnosis, medications, and prescribed diets for each patient in the total population.RESULTS: Patients demonstrating hyponatremia with serum sodium levels of less than 135 mEq/L were identified from the total population and were further divided into SIADH and non‐SIADH etiologies. The SIADH patients were then subdivided into known etiology SIADH and apparent idiopathic SIADH. In an ambulatory geriatric population of 405 subjects, 46 had hyponatremia, with SIADH the apparent cause in 27. Of the SIADH population, seven patients were considered to have idiopathic SIADH. An apparent predilection for development of this syndrome was observed among non‐black patients and the old old.CONCLUSIONS: The results support the hypothesis that aging is a risk factor for the development of SIADH‐like hyponatremia in a subset of older patients who do not have an apparent underlying etiology. Thus, aging may be an independent etiology for the development of hyponatremia. J Am Geriatr Soc 44:404–408, 1996.
Multicenter Semiquantitative Evaluation of 123I‐FP‐CIT Brain SPECT
Authors: Skanjeti Andrea , Castellano Giancarlo , Elia Baldassarre O. , Zotta Michela , Dazzara Francesca , Manfredi Matteo , Galati Antonello , Grimaldi Serena , Balma Michele , Pellerito Riccardo E. , Podio Valerio 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTAIMSThe aims of this study were: (1) to cross‐compare data from semiquantitative, software‐assisted, and phantom‐corrected evaluations of 123I‐ioflupane [123I]N‐ω‐fluoropropyl‐2β‐carbomethoxy‐3β‐{4‐iodophenyl}nortropane FP‐CIT brain single‐photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) acquired in three centers; (2) to assess the accuracy of semiquantitative evaluation; and (3) to identify the threshold with the best accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity in patients with suspected Parkinsonian Syndrome.MATERIAL AND METHODSTwo‐hundred‐twenty patients, acquired in three centers, were included. All of them underwent 123I‐FP‐CIT brain SPECT. All examinations were analyzed with the freely available software, BasGan, and semiquantitative data were used to predict disease. Analysis was based on the values from the most deteriorated putamen and caudate, normalized for age, and corrected by anthropomorphic phantom data. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed and areas under the curve (AUC) were estimated.RESULTSAnalysis showed high AUCs (.880, .866, .920, and .882 for each center and multicenter setting). Best thresholds were 1.53 and 1.56 for putamen and caudate, respectively. Thresholds of putamen data showed sensitivity and specificity of 86% and 89%, respectively, in the multicenter setting. Neither sensibility nor specificity showed significant differences among centers.CONCLUSIONA unique, accurate threshold for all centers, with high sensitivity and specificity was identified. Semiquantitative assessment of 123I‐FP‐CIT brain SPECT among different centers resulted reliable, accurate, and potentially useful in clinical trials.
Dynamic Contrast‐Enhanced Perfusion MRI of High Grade Brain Gliomas Obtained with Arterial or Venous Waveform Input Function
Authors: Filice Silvano , Crisi Girolamo 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND AND PURPOSEThe aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in dynamic contrast‐enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) perfusion estimates of high‐grade brain gliomas (HGG) due to the use of an input function (IF) obtained respectively from arterial (AIF) and venous (VIF) approaches by two different commercially available software applications.METHODSThis prospective study includes 20 patients with pathologically confirmed diagnosis of high‐grade gliomas. The data source was processed by using two DCE dedicated commercial packages, both based on the extended Toft model, but the first customized to obtain input function from arterial measurement and the second from sagittal sinus sampling. The quantitative parametric perfusion maps estimated from the two software packages were compared by means of a region of interest (ROI) analysis. The resulting input functions from venous and arterial data were also compared.RESULTSNo significant difference has been found between the perfusion parameters obtained with the two different software packages (P‐value < .05). The comparison of the VIFs and AIFs obtained by the two packages showed no statistical differences.CONCLUSIONSDirect comparison of DCE‐MRI measurements with IF generated by means of arterial or venous waveform led to no statistical difference in quantitative metrics for evaluating HGG. However, additional research involving DCE‐MRI acquisition protocols and post‐processing would be beneficial to further substantiate the effectiveness of venous approach as the IF method compared with arterial‐based IF measurement.
Modulatory effects of propolis samples from Latin America (Brazil, Cuba and Mexico) on cytokine production by human monocytes
Authors: Conti Bruno J , Santiago Karina B , Búfalo Michelle C , Herrera Yahima F , Alday Efrain , Velazquez Carlos , Hernandez Javier , Sforcin José M 
Published: April 2015

Abstract

Objectives
Propolis has been used in folk medicine in different regions of the world including Latin America. Propolis is a resinous mixture of substances collected by honey bees from several botanical sources, and its composition contains a rich chemical variety, depending on the geographical area and plant sources. Our aim was to compare the modulatory effect of propolis samples from three different countries of Latin America (Brazil, Cuba and Mexico) on pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine production (tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-10, respectively) by human monocytes.

Methods
Cells were incubated with propolis for 18 h at 37°C. Cell viability was assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide method, and cytokine production was determined by ELISA.

Key findings
All samples did not affect monocyte viability. Brazilian propolis stimulated both TNF-α and IL-10 production by monocytes. Cuban propolis stimulated TNF-α and inhibited IL-10 production, while Mexican sample exerted the opposite effect, inhibiting TNF-α and stimulating IL-10 production. The major compounds found in Brazilian, Cuban and Mexican propolis samples were artepillin C, isoflavonoids and pinocembrin, respectively.

Conclusion
Brazilian, Cuban and Mexican propolis contained different components that may exert pro- and anti-inflammatory activity depending on concentration, what may provide a novel approach to the development of immunomodulatory drugs containing propolis.
Characterization of lung-delivered in-situ forming controlled release formulations
Authors: Dalla-Bona Alexandra C , Stoisiek Katharina , Oesterheld Nina , Schmehl Thomas , Gessler Tobias , Seeger Werner , Beck-Broichsitter Moritz 
Published: April 2015

Abstract

Objectives
This study investigated the controlled drug release potential of formulations revealing temperature-induced sol–gel transition following administration to the respiratory tract.

Methods
Diverse sildenafil-containing aqueous poloxamer 407 preparations were evaluated for critical gelation temperature and rheological properties. The in-vitro drug release profiles of the in-situ forming formulations were studied in a Franz type cell, while the drug absorption characteristics were determined in an isolated lung model. Furthermore, the weight gain of isolated lungs was monitored and the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was analysed for the total protein content.

Key findings
Poloxamer 407 solutions with concentrations of &gt;12 wt.% revealed gelation upon temperature increase (&gt;20°C). Compared with free sildenafil solution, sildenafil-containing polymer formulations showed a prolonged in-vitro drug release profile. Likewise, 17 and 21 wt.% of poloxamer 407 were characterized by a sustained sildenafil transfer from the lung into the perfusate. However, a 10 wt.% polymer solution displayed an immediate sildenafil absorption. Interestingly, increasing the poloxamer 407 concentration (21 and 17 vs. 10 wt.%) led to decreased organ weight gain kinetics and a lower total protein content found in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.

Conclusions
In-situ forming controlled release hydrogels represent a viable approach for inhalative therapy.
Sensor Attitude Correction of Wireless Sensor Network for Acceleration‐Based Monitoring of Civil Structures
Authors: Cho Soojin , Spencer Billie F. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractWireless sensors are now becoming practical alternatives to traditional wired sensors in monitoring civil structures. Though many have been reported on acceleration‐based monitoring of civil structures using wireless sensor networks, sensor attitude that may be different from instrumentation plan has been a seemingly overlooked issue behind performance validation of the network. In this article, a technique to correct the sensor attitude is proposed for the wireless sensor network that measures 3D acceleration of civil structures. Six simple formulas to assess the well‐known 3D Euler angles (i.e., roll, pitch, and yaw) are derived using the gravity extracted from measured 3D acceleration and nonchanging direction of sensors on a stationary structure. The proposed technique is validated at a large‐scale wireless sensor network with 22 sensors in the respective attitudes on a truss bridge. First, attitudes assessed by the proposed method are compared with instrumentation plan. Then, mode shapes obtained before and after the correction are compared with those from finite element model. Comparison shows that quality of the mode shapes improves significantly by small amount of attitude correction less than 7°.
CLUSTERED PRIMARY BRANCH 1, a new allele of DWARF11, controls panicle architecture and seed size in rice
Authors: Wu Yongzhen , Fu Yongcai , Zhao Shuangshuang , Gu Ping , Zhu Zuofeng , Sun Chuanqing , Tan Lubin 
Published: April 2015

SummaryPanicle architecture and seed size are important agronomic traits that directly determine grain yield in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Although a number of key genes controlling panicle architecture and seed size have been cloned and characterized in recent years, their genetic and molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we identified a mutant that produced panicles with fascicled primary branching and reduced seeds in size. We isolated the underlying CLUSTERED PRIMARY BRANCH 1 (CPB1) gene, a new allele of DWARF11 (D11) encoding a cytochrome P450 protein involved in brassinosteroid (BR) biosynthesis pathway. Genetic transformation experiments confirmed that a His360Leu amino acid substitution residing in the highly conserved region of CPB1/D11 was responsible for the panicle architecture and seed size changes in the cpb1 mutants. Overexpression of CPB1/D11 under the background of cpb1 mutant not only rescued normal panicle architecture and plant height, but also had a larger leaf angle and seed size than the controls. Furthermore, the CPB1/D11 transgenic plants driven by panicle‐specific promoters can enlarge seed size and enhance grain yield without affecting other favourable agronomic traits. These results demonstrated that the specific mutation in CPB1/D11 influenced development of panicle architecture and seed size, and manipulation of CPB1/D11 expression using the panicle‐specific promoter could be used to increase seed size, leading to grain yield improvement in rice.
Small but not ephemeral: newly discovered species of Aphelinidae and Trichogrammatidae (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) from Eocene amber
Authors: BURKS ROGER A. , HERATY JOHN M. , PINTO JOHN D. , GRIMALDI DAVID 
Published: April 2015

AbstractNew species of fossil Aphelinidae and Trichogrammatidae are described from middle Eocene (Lutetian) Baltic amber (41.3–47.8 Ma). A new subfamily, two new genera and three new species of Aphelinidae are described, with comments on their placement:Phtuaria fimbriaegen.n.,sp.n.in Phtuariinaesubf.n.,Glaesaphytis interregnigen.n.,sp.n.andCentrodora brevispinaesp.n.These represent the first described true fossil Aphelinidae. Four new species of Trichogrammatidae are described:Mirufens illusionissp.n.,Palaeogramma eosgen.n.,sp.n.,Pterandrophysalis plasmanssp.n.andSzelenyia terebraesp.n., thus expanding our knowledge of fossil Trichogrammatidae beyond the single previously described species. The presence of recognizable extant genera of Aphelinidae and Trichogrammatidae in the Eocene suggests that the morphology of these genera has been relatively invariant despite highly variable conditions during and since the Eocene.This published work has been registered in ZooBank,http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:E9AD60B6‐3D56‐4E74‐AA54‐F7B91F4FDC79.
Prevalence of HLA‐B*57:01 allele in Argentinean HIV‐1 infected patients
Authors: Moragas M. , Belloso W. H. , Baquedano M. S. , Gutierrez M. I. , Bissio E. , Larriba J. M. , Fay F. , Aulicino P. , Gurevich J. M. , Yaunguzian M. F. , Maldonado A. C. , Falistocco C. , Sen L. , Mangano A. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractHypersensitivity reaction to abacavir (ABC hypersensitivity syndrome, AHS) is strongly associated with the presence of the HLA‐B*57:01 allele. This study was designed to estimate the prevalence of HLA‐B*57:01 allele in Argentinean HIV‐1 infected patients. We analyzed the presence of HLA‐B*57:01 allele in 1646 HIV‐1 infected patients from different regions of Argentina. This allele was detected in 81 patients; most of them corresponded to patients living in the central region of the country. The prevalence of HLA‐B*57:01 was 4.9%, similar to other Caucasian populations and higher than other data reported for South American populations. This strongly supports screening for the presence of HLA‐B*57:01 in abacavir treatment of HIV‐1 in our country.
Regulation of flowering time by the histone deacetylase HDA5 in Arabidopsis
Authors: Luo Ming , Tai Ready , Yu Chun‐Wei , Yang Songguang , Chen Chia‐Yang , Lin Wen‐Dar , Schmidt Wolfgang , Wu Keqiang 
Published: April 2015

SummaryThe acetylation level of histones on lysine residues regulated by histone acetyltransferases and histone deacetylases plays an important but under‐studied role in the control of gene expression in plants. With the aim of characterizing the Arabidopsis RPD3/HDA1 family histone deacetylase HDA5, we present evidence showing that HDA5 displays deacetylase activity. Mutants defective in the expression of HDA5 displayed a late‐flowering phenotype. Expression of the flowering repressor genes FLC and MAF1 was up‐regulated in hda5 mutants. Furthermore, the gene activation markers, histone H3 acetylation and H3K4 trimethylation on FLC and MAF1 chromatin were increased in hda5‐1 mutants. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis showed that HDA5 binds to the chromatin of FLC and MAF1. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays and co‐immunoprecipitation assays showed that HDA5 interacts with FVE, FLD and HDA6, indicating that these proteins are present in a protein complex involved in the regulation of flowering time. Comparing gene expression profiles of hda5 and hda6 mutants by RNA‐seq revealed that HDA5 and HDA6 co‐regulate gene expression in multiple development processes and pathways.
Dysregulated flow‐mediated vasodilatation in the human placenta in fetal growth restriction
Authors: Jones Sarah , Bischof Helen , Lang Ingrid , Desoye Gernot , Greenwood Sue L. , Johnstone Edward D. , Wareing Mark , Sibley Colin P. , Brownbill Paul 
Published: April 2015

Key points
A correlation was found between in vivo umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry and resistance to fetal‐side flow in the human ex vivo dually perfused placenta, highlighting that the fetoplacental vascular bed is a key site of resistance to umbilico‐placental flow in pregnancy.
We discovered high resistance and poor flow‐mediated vasodilatory responses in placentas from pregnancies associated with fetal growth restriction (FGR).
Endothelial cells isolated from the FGR placentas and grown in static and flow culture showed a dysregulated phenotype, with biochemical signalling demonstrating a failed compensatory response to high blood‐flow resistance.
AbstractIncreased vascular resistance and reduced fetoplacental blood flow are putative aetiologies in the pathogenesis of fetal growth restriction (FGR); however, the regulating sites and mechanisms remain unclear. We hypothesised that placental vessels dictate fetoplacental resistance and in FGR exhibit endothelial dysfunction and reduced flow‐mediated vasodilatation (FMVD). Resistance was measured in normal pregnancies (n = 10) and FGR (n = 10) both in vivo by umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry and ex vivo by dual placental perfusion. Ex vivo FMVD is the reduction in fetal‐side inflow hydrostatic pressure (FIHP) following increased flow rate. Results demonstrated a significant correlation between vascular resistance measured in vivo and ex vivo in normal pregnancy, but not in FGR. In perfused FGR placentas, vascular resistance was significantly elevated compared to normal placentas (58 ± 7.7 mmHg and 36.8 ± 4.5 mmHg, respectively; 8 ml min−1; means ± SEM; P < 0.0001) and FMVD was severely reduced (3.9 ± 1.3% and 9.1 ± 1.2%, respectively). In normal pregnancies only, the highest level of ex vivo FMVD was associated with the lowest in vivo resistance. Inhibition of NO synthesis during perfusion (100 μm l‐NNA) moderately elevated FIHP in the normal group, but substantially in the FGR group. Human placenta artery endothelial cells from FGR groups exhibited increased shear stress‐induced NO generation, iNOS expression and eNOS expression compared with normal groups. In conclusion, fetoplacental resistance is determined by placental vessels, and is increased in FGR. The latter also exhibit reduced FMVD, but with a partial compensatory increased NO generation capacity. The data support our hypothesis, which highlights the importance of FMVD regulation in normal and dysfunctional placentation.
Cyclic AMP Regulates Social Behavior in African Trypanosomes
Authors: Oberholzer Michael , Saada Edwin A. , Hill Kent L. 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACT

The protozoan parasite
Trypanosoma brucei
engages in surface-induced social behavior, termed social motility, characterized by single cells assembling into multicellular groups that coordinate their movements in response to extracellular signals. Social motility requires sensing and responding to extracellular signals, but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Here we report that
T. brucei
social motility depends on cyclic AMP (cAMP) signaling systems in the parasite's flagellum (synonymous with cilium). Pharmacological inhibition of cAMP-specific phosphodiesterase (PDE) completely blocks social motility without impacting the viability or motility of individual cells. Using a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based sensor to monitor cAMP dynamics in live cells, we demonstrate that this block in social motility correlates with an increase in intracellular cAMP levels. RNA interference (RNAi) knockdown of the flagellar PDEB1 phenocopies pharmacological PDE inhibition, demonstrating that PDEB1 is required for social motility. Using parasites expressing distinct fluorescent proteins to monitor individuals in a genetically heterogeneous community, we found that the social motility defect of PDEB1 knockdowns is complemented by wild-type parasites in
trans
. Therefore, PDEB1 knockdown cells are competent for social motility but appear to lack a necessary factor that can be provided by wild-type cells. The combined data demonstrate that the role of cyclic nucleotides in regulating microbial social behavior extends to African trypanosomes and provide an example of transcomplementation in parasitic protozoa.

IMPORTANCE
In bacteria, studies of cell-cell communication and social behavior have profoundly influenced our understanding of microbial physiology, signaling, and pathogenesis. In contrast, mechanisms underlying social behavior in protozoan parasites are mostly unknown. Here we show that social behavior in the protozoan parasite
Trypanosoma brucei
is governed by cyclic-AMP signaling systems in the flagellum, with intriguing parallels to signaling systems that control bacterial social behavior. We also generated a
T. brucei
social behavior mutant and found that the mutant phenotype is complemented by wild-type cells grown in the same culture. Our findings open new avenues for dissecting social behavior and signaling in protozoan parasites and illustrate the capacity of these organisms to influence each other's behavior in mixed communities.
Short-term outcomes and mortality after interhospital intensive care transportation: an observational prospective cohort study of 368 consecutive transports with a mobile intensive care unit
Authors: Strauch Ulrich , Bergmans Dennis C J J , Winkens Bjorn , Roekaerts Paul M H J 
Published: April 2015

ObjectivesTo evaluate short-term outcomes and mortality after interhospital transportation of intensive care patients performed by a mobile intensive care unit (MICU).SettingThis study was performed in the tertiary care process of interhospital transportation using the local MICU system in the South East of the Netherlands.ParticipantsBetween March 2009 and December 2011, all transports of adult patients being performed by the local MICU centre have been documented; data on 42 variables, including a 24 h follow-up Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score of 368 consecutive interhospital transports of intensive care patients, were recorded. In 24 cases, the follow-up SOFA score was missing, so 344 data sets were included.InterventionsNo interventions have been done.Primary/secondary outcome measuresPrimary outcome measures were the mean SOFA score before and 24 h after transport, and the 24 h post-transport mortality. Moreover, the differences between the groups of 24 h post-transport survivors and non-survivors have been analysed.ResultsThe mean SOFA score before transport was 8.8 for the whole population and 8.6 for those patients who were alive 24 h after transport, with a mean SOFA score of 8.4 after transport. The adverse events rate was 6.4%. Fourteen patients (4.1%) died within 24 h after transport. Patients in this group had a higher SOFA score, lower pH, higher age and more additional medical support devices than those patients in the survivor group.ConclusionsThe non-significant decrease in the post-transport SOFA score and the lack of an association between transport and 24 h post-transport mortality indicates that in the study setting, interhospital transportation of intensive care patients performed by a MICU system was not associated with a clinically relevant deterioration of the patient.