bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anatomy and Physiology of Left Ventricular Suction Induced by Rotary Blood Pumps
Authors: Salamonsen Robert Francis , Lim Einly , Moloney John , Lovell Nigel Hamilton , Rosenfeldt Franklin L. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThis study in five large greyhound dogs implanted with a VentrAssist left ventricular assist device focused on identification of the precise site and physiological changes induced by or underlying the complication of left ventricular suction. Pressure sensors were placed in left and right atria, proximal and distal left ventricle, and proximal aorta while dual perivascular and tubing ultrasonic flow meters measured blood flow in the aortic root and pump outlet cannula. When suction occurred, end‐systolic pressure gradients between proximal and distal regions of the left ventricle on the order of 40–160 mm Hg indicated an occlusive process of variable intensity in the distal ventricle. A variable negative flow difference between end systole and end diastole (0.5–3.4 L/min) was observed. This was presumably mediated by variable apposition of the free and septal walls of the ventricle at the pump inlet cannula orifice which lasted approximately 100 ms. This apposition, by inducing an end‐systolic flow deficit, terminated the suction process by relieving the imbalance between pump requirement and delivery from the right ventricle. Immediately preceding this event, however, unnaturally low end‐systolic pressures occurred in the left atrium and proximal left ventricle which in four dogs lasted for 80–120 ms. In one dog, however, this collapse progressed to a new level and remained at approximately −5 mm Hg across four heart beats at which point suction was relieved by manual reduction in pump speed. Because these pressures were associated with a pulmonary capillary wedge pressure of −5 mm Hg as well, they indicate total collapse of the entire pulmonary venous system, left atrium, and left ventricle which persisted until pump flow requirement was relieved by reducing pump speed. We suggest that this collapse caused the whole vascular region from pulmonary capillaries to distal left ventricle to behave as a Starling resistance which further reduced right ventricular output thus contributing to a major reduction in pump flow. We contend that similar complications of manual speed control also occur in the human subject and remain a major unsolved problem in the clinical management of patients implanted with rotary blood pumps.
Retinal vascular and structural dynamics during acute hyperglycaemia
Authors: Klefter Oliver N. , Vilsbøll Tina , Knop Filip K. , Larsen Michael 
Published: July 2015

AbstractPurposeTo compare retinal vascular dynamics during acute hyperglycaemia in patients with type 2 diabetes and healthy volunteers.MethodsTwenty‐one patients with type 2 diabetes and 27 healthy controls were examined with fundus photographic measurement of retinal vessel diameters, retinal oximetry, macular perfusion velocities and optical coherence tomographic measurement of subfoveal choroidal thickness every 30 min during a 3‐hr 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Patients paused antidiabetic therapy for 1 week prior to the OGTT.ResultsPlasma glucose (PG) and fluctuations in PG were larger in patients with diabetes (p < 0.0001). PG increased significantly 30 min after ingestion of glucose (p < 0.0001 in both groups). With a delay of 0–120 min, the PG increase was followed by increased retinal arterial oxygen saturations and arteriovenous oxygen saturation differences, narrowed retinal veins and increased arteriovenous diameter ratios. No effect of age, gender or diabetes status was observed. Choroidal thickness was transiently reduced in controls and unchanged in patients with diabetes (p = 0.021). Macular perfusion velocities increased after 150 min in patients with diabetes but not in controls (arterial p = 0.059; venous p = 0.16). Higher age and diabetes tended to be associated with higher retinal arterial oxygen saturation.ConclusionThe transition from fasting to acute hyperglycaemia is followed, with a delay of up to 2 hr, by retinal vascular changes, notably increased oxygen extraction, suggesting an effect of secondary metabolic changes. Retinal responses were similar in patients with type 2 diabetes and controls despite differences in glucose levels. It is necessary to standardize measurement conditions in studies of retinal physiology.
Cost and effects of risk factor guided screening strategies for retinopathy of prematurity for different treatment strategies
Authors: van den Akker‐van Marle M. Elske , van Sorge Arlette J. , Schalij‐Delfos Nicoline E. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractPurposeTo investigate the cost and effects of risk factor guided screening strategies for retinopathy of prematurity.MethodsClinical data from the Netherlands Retinopathy of Prematurity study (NEDROP study) that included all infants screened for ROP and born in 2009 were used to assess the cost and effects of several screening strategies for ROP using different criteria: (1) gestational age (GA), (2) birthweight (BW), (3) combined GA‐BW and (4) combined GA‐BW and presence of risk factors. Two treatment strategies were evaluated: the infants actually treated in the NEDROP study (n = 17) and all infants detected with severe ROP (n = 29).ResultsThe most efficient screening strategy to include all infants treated for both treatment strategies is to screen all infants with a GA of 30 weeks or less and a BW of 1250 g or lower together with infants with a GA of 30–32 weeks and a BW of 1250–1500 g with at least one risk factor. The marginal cost ranged from €43 848 to € 226 914 per additional infant with improved vision.ConclusionThe current Dutch guideline may be improved: the same effectiveness can be obtained for lower costs. Releasing the precondition that no infants with severe ROP might be missed will lead to lower costs, but this will also lead to a lower number of infants with improved visual acuity. The costs of detecting all infants with severe ROP seem acceptable for society when the QALY gain and savings from a societal perspective resulting from improved vision are taken into account.
Frequency of genetic defects in combined pituitary hormone deficiency: a systematic review and analysis of a multicentre Italian cohort
Authors: De Rienzo Francesca , Mellone Simona , Bellone Simonetta , Babu Deepak , Fusco Ileana , Prodam Flavia , Petri Antonella , Muniswamy Ranjith , De Luca Filippo , Salerno Mariacarolina , Momigliano‐Richardi Patricia , Bona Gianni , Giordano Mara ,   the Italian Study Group on Genetics of CPHD
Published: July 2015

SummaryObjectiveCombined pituitary hormonal deficiency (CPHD) can result from mutations within genes that encode transcription factors. This study evaluated the frequency of mutations in these genes in a cohort of 144 unrelated Italian patients with CPHD and estimated the overall prevalence of mutations across different populations using a systematic literature review.Material and methodsA multicentre study of adult and paediatric patients with CPHD was performed. The PROP1, POU1F1, HESX1, LHX3 and LHX4 genes were analysed for the presence of mutations using direct sequencing. We systematically searched PubMed with no date restrictions for studies that reported genetic screening of CPHD cohorts. We only considered genetic screenings with at least 10 individuals. Data extraction was conducted in accordance with the guidelines set by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA).ResultsGlobal mutation frequency in Italian patients with CPHD was 2·9% (4/136) in sporadic cases and 12·5% (1/8) in familial cases. The worldwide mutation frequency for the five genes calculated from 21 studies was 12·4%, which ranged from 11·2% in sporadic to 63% in familial cases. PROP1 was the most frequently mutated gene in sporadic (6·7%) and familial cases (48·5%).ConclusionThe frequency of defects in genes encoding pituitary transcription factors is quite low in Italian patients with CPHD and other western European countries, especially in sporadic patients. The decision of which genes should be tested and in which order should be guided by hormonal and imaging phenotype, the presence of extrapituitary abnormalities and the frequency of mutation for each gene in the patient‐referring population.
Prevalence of coeliac disease in idiopathic hypoparathyroidism and effect of gluten‐free diet on calcaemic control
Authors: Saha Soma , Saini Savita , Makharia Govind K. , Datta Gupta Siddhartha , Goswami Ravinder 
Published: July 2015

SummaryBackgroundPatients with idiopathic hypoparathyroidism (IH) require variable doses of calcium and 1‐α‐(OH)D. The reasons for such variability are not clear. As autoimmune mechanisms may play a role in IH, there is a possibility of coexistent coeliac disease with calcium/vitamin D malabsorption.ObjectiveWe assessed the prevalence of coeliac disease and antitissue transglutaminase autoantibodies (anti‐tTGAbs) in IH and analysed the effect of a gluten‐free diet on calcaemic control.MethodA total of 171 patients with IH and 126 healthy controls were screened for anti‐tTGAb. IH patients with anti‐tTGAb >20 RU/ml underwent duodenoscopy and intestinal biopsy; those with biopsy‐proven coeliac disease were followed up on a gluten‐free diet.ResultsEleven of 171 (6·4%) patients with IH and seven of 126 (5·6%) controls had anti‐tTGAb (P = 0·81). There was no difference in the clinical and biochemical parameters at diagnosis and during long‐term follow‐up of 7·2 ± 4·8 year (mean serum total calcium = 1·88 ± 0·16 vs 1·82 ± 0·36 mmol/l, P = 0·52; phosphorus = 1·81 ± 0·17 vs 1·87 ± 0·36 mmol/l, P = 0·53) in IH patients with and without anti‐tTGAb. Although CaSRAb positivity was comparable in the two groups, IH patients with anti‐tTGAb had higher TPOAb positivity (45·5% vs 12·8%, P = 0·02). Coeliac disease was diagnosed in only 2/9 patients with IH on biopsy, both of whom showed improved calcaemic control with a gluten‐free diet.ConclusionThe prevalence of coeliac autoimmunity (6·4%) and coeliac disease (1·2%) in patients with IH seems to be similar to that in the general population. Notwithstanding this modest prevalence, it is important to be aware of the potential occurrence of coeliac disease with IH and the beneficial effect of a gluten‐free diet on calcium control.
Counterintuitive Religious Ideas and Metaphoric Thinking: An Event‐Related Brain Potential Study
Authors: Fondevila Sabela , Aristei Sabrina , Sommer Werner , Jiménez‐Ortega Laura , Casado Pilar , Martín‐Loeches Manuel 
Published: July 2015

AbstractIt has been shown that counterintuitive ideas from mythological and religious texts are more acceptable than other (non‐religious) world knowledge violations. In the present experiment we explored whether this relates to the way they are interpreted (literal vs. metaphorical). Participants were presented with verification questions that referred to either the literal or a metaphorical meaning of the sentence previously read (counterintuitive religious, counterintuitive non‐religious and intuitive), in a block‐wise design. Both behavioral and electrophysiological results converged. At variance to the literal interpretation of the sentences, the induced metaphorical interpretation specifically facilitated the integration (N400 amplitude decrease) of religious counterintuitions, whereas the semantic processing of non‐religious counterintuitions was not affected by the interpretation mode. We suggest that religious ideas tend to operate like other instances of figurative language, such as metaphors, facilitating their acceptability despite their counterintuitive nature.
Mortality prediction to hospitalized patients with influenza pneumonia: PO2/FiO2 combined lymphocyte count is the answer
Authors: Shi Shu Jing , Li Hui , Liu Meng , Liu Ying Mei , Zhou Fei , Liu Bo , Qu Jiu Xin , Cao Bin 
Published: July 2015

AbstractIntroductionCommunity‐acquired pneumonia (CAP) severity scores perform well in predicting mortality of CAP patients, but their applicability in influenza pneumonia is powerless.ObjectivesThe aim of our research was to test the efficiency of PO2/FiO2 and CAP severity scores in predicting mortality and intensive care unit (ICU) admission with influenza pneumonia patients.MethodsWe reviewed all patients with positive influenza virus RNA detection in Beijing Chao‐Yang Hospital during the 2009–2014 influenza seasons. Outpatients, inpatients with no pneumonia and incomplete data were excluded. We used receiver operating characteristic curves (ROCs) to verify the accuracy of severity scores or indices as mortality predictors in the study patients.ResultsAmong 170 hospitalized patients with influenza pneumonia, 30 (17.6%) died. Among those who were classified as low‐risk (predicted mortality 0.1%–2.1%) by pneumonia severity index (PSI) or confusion, urea, respiratory rate, blood pressure, age ≥65 year (CURB‐65), the actual mortality ranged from 5.9 to 22.1%. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that hypoxia (PO2/FiO2 ≤ 250) and lymphopenia (peripheral blood lymphocyte count <0.8 × 109/L) were independent risk factors for mortality, with OR value of 22.483 (95% confidence interval 4.927–102.598) and 5.853 (95% confidence interval 1.887–18.152), respectively. PO2/FiO2 combined lymphocyte count performed well for mortality prediction with area under the curve (AUC) of 0.945, which was significantly better than current CAP severity scores of PSI, CURB‐65 and confusion, respiratory rate, blood pressure, age ≥65 years for mortality prediction (P < 0.001). The scores or indices for ICU admission prediction to hospitalized patients with influenza pneumonia confirmed a similar pattern and PO2/FiO2 combined lymphocyte count was also the best predictor for predicting ICU admission.ConclusionIn conclusion, we found that PO2/FiO2 combined lymphocyte count is simple and reliable predictor of hospitalized patients with influenza pneumonia in predicting mortality and ICU admission. When PO2/FiO2 ≤ 250 or peripheral blood lymphocyte count <0.8 × 109/L, the clinician should pay great attention to the possibility of severe influenza pneumonia.
Relationship between serum vitamin D levels and angiographic severity and extent of coronary artery disease
Authors: Alsancak Yakup , Cengel Atiye , Akyel Ahmet , Ozkan Selcuk , Sezenoz Burak , Unlu Serkan , Kiziltunc Emrullah , Akboga Mehmet Kadri , Alsancak Aybuke Demir , Elbeg Sehri , Sahinarslan Asife , Yalcın Mehmet Rıdvan 
Published: July 2015

AbstractBackgroundVitamin D is known for its effect in calcium and bone homeostasis. There is an increasing evidence for health benefits accomplished by activated vitamin D that go beyond these classical functions. Previous studies have suggested that lower vitamin D levels are associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate relationship between vitamin D levels and extent and severity of coronary artery disease.Materials and methodsA total of 746 patients in whom coronary angiography was performed between August 2012 and July 2013 were enrolled in this study. Serum vitamin D levels were measured, and patients were grouped according to their serum vitamin D levels (vitamin D <20 ng/mL (n = 602) Group 1 versus >20 ng/dL (n = 144) Group 2). Gensini score system was used to evaluate the association between serum vitamin D levels and severity and extent of coronary artery disease.ResultsThere was no significant difference between the groups in terms of baseline characteristics and demographic characteristics. Mean serum vitamin D levels of all patient cohort was 15·54 ± 7·46 ng/mL. Group 1 and Group 2 had an average serum vitamin D levels of 12·6 ± 3·3 ng/mL and 27·5 ± 7·8 ng/mL, respectively. Gensini score for all cohort was 26·25 ± 34·32. Group 1 had an average Gensini score of 26·4 ± 35·7; on the other hand, Gensini score was 25·5 ± 27·5 in Group 2 (P = 0·097).ConclusionsThis study failed to demonstrate significant relationship between serum vitamin D levels and the severity and extent of coronary artery disease. Further studies with more participation and homogenous groups with comparable individual and environmental features are needed to evaluate the association of serum vitamin D levels and cardiovascular diseases.
Camelid heavy chain only antibody fragment domain against β‐site of amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 inhibits β‐secretase activity in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Dorresteijn Bram , Rotman Maarten , Faber Dorien , Schravesande Ruud , Suidgeest Ernst , van der Weerd Louise , van der Maarel Silvère M. , Verrips Cornelis T. , El Khattabi Mohamed 
Published: July 2015

Accumulation and aggregation of the amyloid‐β (Aβ) peptide is associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Aβ is generated from the amyloid precursor protein by the successive action of two membrane‐associated processing enzymes: β‐secretase or β‐site of amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) and γ‐secretase. Inhibition of one or both of these enzymes prevents Aβ generation and the accompanying Aβ accumulation. Antigen binding fragments from camelid heavy chain only antibodies (VHHs) were found to exert excellent enzyme inhibition activity. In the present study, we generated VHHs against BACE1 by active immunization of Lama glama with the recombinant BACE1 protein. Two classes of VHHs were selected from a VHH‐phage display library by competitive elution with a peptide encoding the Swedish mutation variant of the BACE1 processing site. One VHH was found to inhibit the enzyme activity of BACE1 in vitro and in cell culture, whereas two other VHHs were found to stimulate BACE1 activity under the same conditions in vitro. Furthermore, an in vivo study with a transgenic AD mouse model, using intracisternal injection of the inhibitory VHH, led to acute reduction of the Aβ load in the blood and brain. This inhibitory VHH may be considered as a candidate molecule for a therapy directed towards reduction of Aβ load and prevention of AD progression. Both the inhibitory and stimulatory VHH may be useful for improving our understanding of the structure–function relationship of BACE1, as well as its role in AD progression.DatabaseThe GenBank sequence accession numbers are KR363186 for VHH B1a; KR363187 for VHH B3a; and KR363188 for VHH B5a.
A novel bacterial community index to assess stream ecological health
Authors: Lau Kelvin E. M. , Washington Vidya J. , Fan Vicky , Neale Martin W. , Lear Gavin , Curran James , Lewis Gillian D. 
Published: July 2015

Summary

In stream ecosystems, bacterial communities play an important role in nutrient and energy cycling processes as they are among the most numerous and active organisms at the basal trophic level of the stream food web. Bacterial communities in stream biofilms have been shown to correlate well with different catchment land use and therefore provide an opportunity for the development of a novel ecological indicator of stream ecosystem health.

In this study, a bacterial community index (BCI) model was developed and validated using a national data set of biofilm bacterial community profiles collected from 223 streams across seven geographical regions in New Zealand. The six‐component BCI model was generated using the partial least squares regression method to associate the multivariate bacterial community profile with the macroinvertebrate community index, which is a well‐established indicator of stream health.

Despite strong regional clustering of the bacterial community profiles, the BCI was indicative of the level of disturbance in the catchment, as shown by significant correlations with a wide range of independent indicators of water quality, macroinvertebrate community data, ecosystem functioning and catchment land‐use data. The BCI was able to explain 35% of the variation in a multi‐metric index incorporating ten common ecological parameters, suggesting that the stream bacterial communities could provide useful information about the ecosystem integrity.

The BCI provides a novel ecosystem assessment tool, which can be used to complement existing stream health measures in the management of anthropogenic impacts on freshwater streams and rivers.
Cross‐national perspectives about weight‐based bullying in youth: nature, extent and remedies
Authors: Puhl R. M. , Latner J. D. , O'Brien K. , Luedicke J. , Forhan M. , Danielsdottir S. 
Published: July 2015

SummaryBackgroundNo cross‐national studies have examined public perceptions about weight‐based bullying in youth.ObjectivesTo conduct a multinational examination of public views about (i) the prevalence/seriousness of weight‐based bullying in youth; (ii) the role of parents, educators, health providers and government in addressing this problem and (iii) implementing policy actions to reduce weight‐based bullying.MethodsA cross‐sectional survey of adults in the United States, Canada, Iceland and Australia (N = 2866).ResultsAcross all countries, weight‐based bullying was identified as the most prevalent reason for youth bullying, by a substantial margin over other forms of bullying (race/ethnicity, sexual orientation and religion). Participants viewed parents and teachers as playing major roles in efforts to reduce weight‐based bullying. Most participants across countries (77–94%) viewed healthcare providers to be important intervention agents. Participants (65–87%) supported government augmentation of anti‐bullying laws to include prohibiting weight‐based bullying. Women expressed higher agreement for policy actions than men, with no associations found for participants' race/ethnicity or weight. Causal beliefs about obesity were associated with policy support across countries.ConclusionsAcross countries, strong recognition exists of weight‐based bullying and the need to address it. These findings may inform policy‐level actions and clinical practices concerning youth vulnerable to weight‐based bullying.
European Stroke Organisation (ESO) Guidelines for the Management of Temperature in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Ntaios George , Dziedzic Tomasz , Michel Patrik , Papavasileiou Vasileios , Petersson Jesper , Staykov Dimitre , Thomas Brenda , Steiner Thorsten ,   for the European Stroke Organisation
Published: July 2015

Background Hyperthermia is a frequent complication in patients with acute ischemic stroke. On the other hand, therapeutically induced hypothermia has shown promising potential in animal models of focal cerebral ischemia. This Guideline Document presents the European Stroke Organisation guidelines for the management of temperature in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Methods A multidisciplinary group identified related questions and developed its recommendations based on evidence from randomized controlled trials elaborating the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. This Guideline Document was reviewed within the European Stroke Organisation and externally and was approved by the European Stroke Organisation Guidelines Committee and the European Stroke Organisation Executive Committee. Results We found low-quality evidence, and therefore, we cannot make any recommendation for treating hyperthermia as a means to improve functional outcome and/or survival in patients with acute ischemic stroke and hyperthermia; moderate evidence to suggest against routine prevention of hyperthermia with antipyretics as a means to improve functional outcome and/or survival in patients with acute ischemic stroke and normothermia; very low-quality evidence to suggest against routine induction of hypothermia as a means to improve functional outcome and/or survival in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Conclusions The currently available data about the management of temperature in patients with acute ischemic stroke are limited, and the strengths of the recommendations are therefore weak. We call for new randomized controlled trials as well as recruitment of eligible patients to ongoing randomized controlled trials to allow for better-informed recommendations in the future.