bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Creatinine modified Child–Turcotte–Pugh and integrated model of end‐stage liver disease scores as predictors of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis‐related in‐hospital mortality: Applicable or not
Authors: Hassan Elham Ahmed , Abdel Rehim Abeer Sharaf ELdin 
Published: February 2015

AbstractBackground and AimsDespite intensive management, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is associated with poor prognosis especially in hospitalized patients. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine prognostic factors for SBP‐related in‐hospital mortality, and to evaluate the predictive power of Child–Pugh (CP), model of end‐stage liver disease (MELD), creatinine modified Child–Turcotte–Pugh (CrCTP), and integrated MELD (iMELD) for identifying the best score to predict mortality.MethodsPredictors of SBP‐related in‐hospital mortality were assessed using regression analysis over 100 cirrhotic patients. Predictive abilities of CP, MELD, CrCTP, and iMELD were compared using the area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).ResultsSBP‐related in‐hospital mortality was 22%. Age, serum creatinine, bilirubin, sodium, CrCTP, MELD, and iMELD were associated with mortality. Using AUC, CrCTP, and iMELD was significantly better than CP and MELD in predicting in‐hospital mortality, where iMELD had the highest AUC (0.862). The cut‐off with the best ability to predict in‐hospital mortality was 43.5 for iMELD.ConclusionAge, serum creatinine, bilirubin, and sodium were associated with SBP‐related in‐hospital mortality. The incorporation of these variables into CP and MELD significantly improves their predictive ability. iMELD followed by CrCTP provided useful prognostic information for critically ill patients with SBP.
Preservation of quality of life with doxorubicin drug‐eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: Longitudinal prospective study
Authors: Xing Minzhi , Webber Grant , Prajapati Hasmukh J , Chen Zhengjia , El‐Rayes Bassel , Spivey James R , Pillai Anjana A , Kim Hyun S 
Published: February 2015

AbstractBackground and AimThe study aims to determine the effects of doxorubicin drug‐eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB‐TACE) therapies on health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).MethodsThis is a single‐center, prospective study assessing HRQOL of consecutive patients with unresectable HCC who underwent DEB‐TACE. Longitudinal assessment of HRQOL scores via Short‐Form‐36 (SF‐36) was performed. Baseline HRQOL scores were evaluated for significant change (P < 0.05) pre‐therapy, post‐therapy, and at 6‐ and 12‐month follow‐up. Analysis of overall survival (OS) from HCC diagnosis and OS from first DEB‐TACE was performed. Paired t‐tests were used to compare HRQOL domain scores.ResultsOne hundred eighteen patients (83 male; median age 60 years) were enrolled. Patients had lower baseline scores within all eight HRQOL domains of the SF‐36 compared with US age‐adjusted healthy norms. No significant changes in all eight domains were observed post‐therapy and at 6‐ or 12‐month follow‐up compared with baseline (P > 0.05). No significant differences in all eight domains were observed between patients receiving ≥ 4 versus ≤ 3 DEB‐TACE (P > 0.05). Both groups were similar for age at HCC diagnosis, gender, ethnicity, HCC etiology, Child–Pugh class and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (P > 0.05). Patients receiving staged DEB‐TACE demonstrated significantly greater median OS from HCC diagnosis (≥ 4 vs ≤ 3 DEB‐TACE procedures, 31.9 vs 23.7 months, P = 0.04) and from first DEB‐TACE (≥ 4 vs ≤ 3 DEB‐TACE, 29.1 vs 20.2 months, P = 0.03).ConclusionDEB‐TACE therapy for HCC demonstrated long‐term preservation of HRQOL. In addition, staged DEB‐TACE with four or more therapies does not significantly impact long‐term HRQOL compared with patients who received three or fewer therapies.
Intellectual functioning in relation to autism and ADHD symptomatology in children and adolescents with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome
Authors: Hidding E. , Swaab H. , de Sonneville L. M. J. , van Engeland H. , Sijmens‐Morcus M. E. J. , Klaassen P. W. J. , Duijff S. N. , Vorstman J. A. S. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS; velo‐cardio‐facial syndrome) is associated with an increased risk of various disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). With this study, we aimed to investigate the relation between intellectual functioning and severity of ASD and ADHD symptomatology in 22q11DS.MethodA sample of 102 individuals (62 females) with 22q11DS aged 9 to 18.5 years were assessed using age appropriate Wechsler scales of intelligence as well as psychological and psychiatric assessment to evaluate the presence of ASD and ADHD symptomatology.ResultsIntelligence profiles were characterised by lower scores on the factor perceptual organisation and higher scores on the factor processing speed, with on subtest level higher scores on digit span and lower scores on arithmetic and vocabulary as compared with the mean factor or subtest score respectively. No differences in intelligence profiles were found between subgroups with and without ASD and/or ADHD. Low scores on coding were associated with higher severity of ASD symptomatology, while lower scores on block design were associated with more severe ADHD symptomatology.ConclusionsOn several sub‐domains of intelligence, poorer performance was associated with higher severity of ASD and ADHD symptomatology. The impact of developmental disorders in 22q11DS can be traced in specific domains of intellectual functioning as well as in severity of symptomatology.
Signal‐to‐noise ratio enhancement on SEM images using a cubic spline interpolation with Savitzky–Golay filters and weighted least squares error
Authors: KIANI M.A. , SIM K.S. , NIA M.E. , TSO C.P. 
Published: February 2015

SummaryA new technique based on cubic spline interpolation with Savitzky–Golay smoothing using weighted least squares error filter is enhanced for scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. A diversity of sample images is captured and the performance is found to be better when compared with the moving average and the standard median filters, with respect to eliminating noise. This technique can be implemented efficiently on real‐time SEM images, with all mandatory data for processing obtained from a single image. Noise in images, and particularly in SEM images, are undesirable. A new noise reduction technique, based on cubic spline interpolation with Savitzky–Golay and weighted least squares error method, is developed. We apply the combined technique to single image signal‐to‐noise ratio estimation and noise reduction for SEM imaging system. This autocorrelation‐based technique requires image details to be correlated over a few pixels, whereas the noise is assumed to be uncorrelated from pixel to pixel. The noise component is derived from the difference between the image autocorrelation at zero offset, and the estimation of the corresponding original autocorrelation. In the few test cases involving different images, the efficiency of the developed noise reduction filter is proved to be significantly better than those obtained from the other methods. Noise can be reduced efficiently with appropriate choice of scan rate from real‐time SEM images, without generating corruption or increasing scanning time.
Rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) lipoprotein(a) and apolipoprotein(a): high frequency of small size apolipoprotein(a) isoforms
Authors: Enkhmaa Byambaa , Abbuthalha Adnan , Anuurad Erdembileg , Zhang Wei , Tarantal Alice F. , Berglund Lars 
Published: February 2015

AbstractBackgroundLevels of lipoprotein(a), Lp(a), a genetically regulated independent cardiovascular risk factor present in humans and Old World monkeys, are impacted by the apolipoprotein(a), apo(a), gene. Allele‐specific apo(a) levels, taking both the apo(a) genotypic and phenotypic characteristics into account, are useful markers to determine atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk.MethodsWe determined (i) the genetic variability of apo(a), (ii) Lp(a) levels, and (iii) allele‐specific apo(a) levels in rhesus monkeys (n = 95).ResultsLp(a) levels differed substantially between animals (range: 4–247 nmol/l) with a skewed distribution toward lower levels. Lp(a) and allele‐specific apo(a) levels were inversely related to the number of apo(a) Kringle 4 (K4) repeats. The median apo(a) size was 23 K4 repeats, and the prevalence of a small size apo(a) (≤22 K4) was 43%.ConclusionsDistribution of Lp(a) and allele‐specific apo(a) levels in rhesus monkeys reflected the corresponding human patterns, but with a high prevalence of smaller apo(a) sizes.
Different contributions of calcium channel subtypes to electrical excitability of chromaffin cells in rat adrenal slices
Authors: Albiñana Elisa , Segura‐Chama Pedro , Baraibar Andres M. , Hernández‐Cruz Arturo , Hernández‐Guijo Jesus M. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractWe characterized the ionic currents underlying the cellular excitability and the Ca2+‐channel subtypes involved in action potential (AP) firing of rat adrenal chromaffin cells (RCCs) preserved in their natural environment, the adrenal gland slices, through the perforated patch‐clamp recording technique. RCCs prepared from adrenal slices exhibit a resting potential of −54 mV, firing spontaneous APs (2–3 spikes/s) generated by the opening of Na+ and Ca2+‐channels, and terminated by the activation of voltage and Ca2+‐activated K+‐channels (BK). Ca2+ influx via L‐type Ca2+‐channels is involved in reaching threshold potential for AP firing, and is responsible for activation of BK‐channels contributing to AP‐repolarization and afterhyperpolarization, whereas P/Q‐type Ca2+‐channels are involved only in the repolarization phase. BK‐channels carry total outward current during AP‐repolarization. Blockade of L‐type Ca2+‐channels reduces BK‐current ~60%, whereas blockade of N‐ or P/Q‐type produces little effect. This study demonstrates that Ca2+ influx through L‐type Ca2+‐channels plays a key role in modulating the threshold potential from RCCs in situ.
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This study demonstrates that Ca2+ influx through L‐type Ca2+ channels plays a key role in modulating the threshold potential for action potential firing and activating BK channels contributing to repolarization and afterhyperpolarization from rat adrenal chromaffin cells in situ.
Noise‐induced cochlear F‐actin depolymerization is mediated via ROCK2/p‐ERM signaling
Authors: Han Yu , Wang Xianren , Chen Jun , Sha Su‐Hua 
Published: February 2015

AbstractOur previous work has suggested that traumatic noise activates Rho‐GTPase pathways in cochlear outer hair cells (OHCs), resulting in cell death and noise‐induced hearing loss (NIHL). In this study, we investigated Rho effectors, Rho‐associated kinases (ROCKs), and the targets of ROCKs, the ezrin‐radixin‐moesin (ERM) proteins, in the regulation of the cochlear actin cytoskeleton using adult CBA/J mice under conditions of noise‐induced temporary threshold shift (TTS) and permanent threshold shift (PTS) hearing loss, which result in changes to the F/G‐actin ratio. The levels of cochlear ROCK2 and p‐ERM decreased 1 h after either TTS‐ or PTS‐noise exposure. In contrast, ROCK2 and p‐ERM in OHCs decreased only after PTS‐, not after TTS‐noise exposure. Treatment with lysophosphatidic acid, an activator of the Rho pathway, resulted in significant reversal of the F/G‐actin ratio changes caused by noise exposure and attenuated OHC death and NIHL. Conversely, the down‐regulation of ROCK2 by pretreatment with ROCK2 siRNA reduced the expression of ROCK2 and p‐ERM in OHCs, exacerbated TTS to PTS, and worsened OHC loss. Additionally, pretreatment with siRNA against radixin, an ERM protein, aggravated TTS to PTS. Our results indicate that a ROCK2‐mediated ERM‐phosphorylation signaling cascade modulates noise‐induced hair cell loss and NIHL by targeting the cytoskeleton.
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We propose the following cascade following noise trauma leading to alteration of the F‐actin arrangement in the outer hair cell cytoskeleton: Noise exposure reduces the levels of GTP‐RhoA and subsequently diminishes levels of RhoA effector ROCK2 (Rho‐associated kinase 2). Phosphorylation of ezrin‐radixin‐moesin (ERM) by ROCK2 normally allows ERM to cross‐link actin filaments with the plasma membrane. Noise‐decreased levels of ROCK results in reduction of phosphorylation of ERM that leads to depolymerization of actin filaments. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), an agonist of RhoA, binds to the G‐protein‐coupled receptor (GPCR) leading to activation of RhoA through Gα12/13 and RhoGEF. Administration of LPA rescues the noise‐diminished F/G‐actin ratio.
Neuroprotective role of Nrf2 for retinal ganglion cells in ischemia‐reperfusion
Authors: Xu Zhenhua , Cho Hongkwan , Hartsock Matthew J. , Mitchell Katherine L. , Gong Junsong , Wu Lijuan , Wei Yanhong , Wang Shuang , Thimmulappa Rajesh K. , Sporn Michael B. , Biswal Shyam , Welsbie Derek S. , Duh Elia J. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractRetinal ischemia plays a critical role in multiple vision‐threatening diseases and leads to death of retinal neurons, particularly ganglion cells. Oxidative stress plays an important role in this ganglion cell loss. Nrf2 (NF‐E2‐related factor 2) is a major regulator of the antioxidant response, and its role in the retina is increasingly appreciated. We investigated the potential retinal neuroprotective function of Nrf2 after ischemia‐reperfusion (I/R) injury. In an experimental model of retinal I/R, Nrf2 knockout mice exhibited much greater loss of neuronal cells in the ganglion cell layer than wild‐type mice. Primary retinal ganglion cells isolated from Nrf2 knockout mice exhibited decreased cell viability compared to wild‐type retinal ganglion cells, demonstrating the cell‐intrinsic protective role of Nrf2. The retinal neuronal cell line 661W exhibited reduced cell viability following siRNA‐mediated knockdown of Nrf2 under conditions of oxidative stress, and this was associated with exacerbation of increase in reactive oxygen species. The synthetic triterpenoid CDDO‐Im (2‐Cyano‐3,12‐dioxooleana‐1,9‐dien‐28‐imidazolide), a potent Nrf2 activator, inhibited reactive oxygen species increase in cultured 661W under oxidative stress conditions and increased neuronal cell survival after I/R injury in wild‐type, but not Nrf2 knockout mice. Our findings indicate that Nrf2 exhibits a retinal neuroprotective function in I/R and suggest that pharmacologic activation of Nrf2 could be a therapeutic strategy.
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Oxidative stress is thought to be an important mediator of retinal ganglion cell death in ischemia‐reperfusion injury. We found that the transcription factor NF‐E2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2), a major regulator of oxidative stress, is an important endogenous neuroprotective molecule in retinal ganglion cells in ischemia‐reperfusion, exerting a cell‐autonomous protective effect. The triterpenoid 2‐Cyano‐3,12‐dioxooleana‐1,9‐dien‐28‐imidazolide (CDDO‐Im) reduces neurodegeneration following ischemia‐reperfusion in an Nrf2‐dependent fashion. This suggests that Nrf2‐activating drugs including triterpenoids could be a therapeutic strategy for retinal neuroprotection.
Inverted formin 2‐related Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth disease: extension of the mutational spectrum and pathological findings in Schwann cells and axons
Authors: Roos Andreas , Weis Joachim , Korinthenberg Rudolf , Fehrenbach Henry , Häusler Martin , Züchner Stephan , Mache Christoph , Hubmann Holger , Auer‐Grumbach Michaela , Senderek Jan 
Published: February 2015

AbstractMutations in the gene encoding inverted formin FH2 and WH2 domain‐containing protein (INF2), a Cdc42 effector involved in the regulation of actin dynamics, cause focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and intermediate Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth neuropathy combined with FSGS (FSGS–CMT). Here, we report on six patients from four families with sensorimotor polyneuropathy and FSGS. Nerve conduction velocities were moderately slowed, and amplitudes of sensory and motor potentials were decreased. One patient had internal hydrocephalus and was intellectually disabled. Molecular genetic testing revealed two known and two novel missense mutations in the second and fourth exons of the INF2 gene. Investigations of one nerve biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of intermediate‐type CMT and revealed occasional abnormal in‐ and outfoldings of myelin sheaths and expansions of the endoplasmic reticulum in axons and Schwann cells. While earlier reports suggested that mutations causing FSGS‐CMT are restricted to exons 2 and 3 of the INF2 gene, we found one CMT‐FSGS causing mutation (p.Glu184Lys) in exon 4 extending the critical region of INF2 for rapid CMT‐FSGS molecular genetic diagnosis. Study of a nerve biopsy showed abnormalities that might be related to the known role of the INF2‐binding partner CDC42 in myelination.
Crimp morphology in the ovine anterior cruciate ligament
Authors: Zhao Lei , Thambyah Ashvin , Broom Neil 
Published: February 2015

AbstractWhile the crimp morphology in ligaments and tendons has been described in detail in the literature, its relative distribution within the tissue has not been studied, especially in relation to the complex multi‐bundle arrangement as is found in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). In this study, the crimp morphology of the ovine ACL was examined topologically and with respect to its double‐bundle structure. The crimp morphologies were compared with the knee in three knee positions, namely stance, maximum extension and maximum flexion. As a control, the crimp morphology of the ACL free from its bony attachments was determined. In the control samples, the anterior‐medial (AM) bundle contained a combination of coarse and fine crimp, whereas the posterior‐lateral (PL) bundle manifested only a coarse crimp. Using the extent of crimp loss observed when subjecting the knee to the respective positions, and comparing with the controls, the crimp morphologies show that the AM bundle of the ACL is most active in the stance position, whereas for the maximum extension and flexion positions the PL bundle is most active. We propose that these differences in crimp morphologies have relevance to ACL design and function.
Long bone histology of the stem salamander Kokartus honorarius (Amphibia: Caudata) from the Middle Jurassic of Kyrgyzstan
Authors: Skutschas Pavel , Stein Koen 
Published: February 2015

AbstractKokartus honorarius from the Middle Jurassic (Bathonian) of Kyrgyzstan is one of the oldest salamanders in the fossil record, characterized by a mixture of plesiomorphic morphological features and characters shared with crown‐group salamanders. Here we present a detailed histological analysis of its long bones. The analysis of a growth series demonstrates a significant histological maturation during ontogeny, expressed by the progressive appearance of longitudinally oriented primary vascular canals, primary osteons, growth marks, remodelling features in primary bone tissues, as well as progressive resorption of the calcified cartilage, formation of endochondral bone and development of cartilaginous to bony trabeculae in the epiphyses. Apart from the presence of secondary osteons, the long bone histology of Kokartus is very similar to that of miniaturized temnospondyls, other Jurassic stem salamanders, miniaturized seymouriamorphs and modern crown‐group salamanders. We propose that the presence of secondary osteons in Kokartus honorarius is a plesiomorphic feature, and the loss of secondary osteons in the long bones of crown‐group salamanders as well as in those of miniaturized temnospondyls is the result of miniaturization processes. Hitherto, all stem salamander long bong histology (Kokartus, Marmorerpeton and ‘salamander A’) has been generally described as having paedomorphic features (i.e. the presence of Katschenko's Line and a layer of calcified cartilage), these taxa were thus most likely neotenic forms. The absence of clear lines of arrested growth and annuli in long bones of Kokartus honorarius suggests that the animals lived in an environment with stable local conditions.
Use of EchoNavigator, a Novel Echocardiography‐Fluoroscopy Overlay System, for Transseptal Puncture and Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion
Authors: GAFOOR SAMEER , SCHULZ PHILIPP , HEUER LUISA , MATIC PREDRAG , FRANKE JENNIFER , BERTOG STEFAN , REINARTZ MARKUS , VASKELYTE LAURA , HOFMANN ILONA , SIEVERT HORST 
Published: February 2015

AbstractStructural heart disease requires a coordinated effort to join echocardiographic and fluoroscopic data. Various methods have been used, including echocardiography, CT, and MRI. We report on the use of EchoNavigator (Philips Inc., Amsterdam, Netherlands), a novel echocardiographic‐fluoroscopic fusion system. This new system allows real‐time integration and marking of important structures that track on fluoroscopy even with movement of the C‐arm. In this article, we describe potential uses for this system in respect to transseptal puncture and left atrial appendage closure.
The Dark Side of Leadership: Towards a Mid‐Range Theory of Hubris and Greed in Entrepreneurial Contexts
Authors: Haynes Katalin Takacs , Hitt Michael A. , Campbell Joanna Tochman 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTMuch of the research on entrepreneurial behaviour and leadership has emphasized their importance and potentially valuable outcomes, along with the challenges involved in each. Although entrepreneurial activities are essential in all types of organizations, this research focuses on the potential dark side of strategic leaders. Specifically, we examine the potential for and the outcomes of the display of greed and hubris in different entrepreneurial contexts. We present a theoretical model of moderated mediation, focused on the effects of greedy and hubristic behaviour by entrepreneurial leaders on the firm's human and social capital, and consequently venture success. However, the negative relationship manifests differently in the presence of certain firm‐level characteristics. We examine the implications of the dark side of entrepreneurial leadership and recommend several avenues for future research. In so doing, this work contributes to the development of a mid‐range theory of the dark side of entrepreneurial leadership.