bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An insight into statin use and its association with muscular side effects in clinical practice
Authors: Farcas Andreea , Bucsa Camelia , Leucuta D. , Mogosan Cristina , Bojita M. , Dumitrascu D. 
Published: October 2015

Abstract

Background. Muscular complaints are known side-effects of statin therapy, ranging from myalgia to clinically important myositis and rhabdomyolysis. We investigated the statin use and association with the presence and characteristics of muscular complaints.

Methods. We conducted a prospective observational study in internal medicine departments. Patients with statin therapy before hospitalization were interviewed for muscular complaints. When muscular complaints were reported, information on type and severity of muscular symptoms, location and time to onset was collected.

Results. We identified 85 patients with statin treatment at hospital admission out of 521 included. Nine (10.59%) patients reported muscular complaints associated with statin therapy. A cluster of symptoms (cramps, stiffness, decreased muscle power) was reported, affecting both upper and lower limbs. The severity of pain was in most of the cases moderate or severe. All patients reported that pain was intermittent. Five reported that pain was generalized. Symptoms appeared in the first month of treatment or three months after the drug initiation. Creatine kinase was raised in one patient. In two cases drug interactions were probably responsible for muscular complaints.

Conclusion. In the studied set of patients muscular symptoms were a rather frequent effect of statin therapy. As this side-effect could be troublesome for patients and could lead to more severe outcomes, their timely detection and management is important.
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia after previously treated, relapsed Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: A Case Report
Authors: Andrus Elena , Nicolescu Anca , Bumbea H. , Vlădăreanu Ana-Maria 
Published: October 2015

Abstract
We present the case of a 71-year-old woman diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia who received multiple chemotherapeutic lines and evolved to acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The patient was Rai stage 0 at the time of the diagnosis and was monitored for almost 9 years. After that, the disease progressed and the patient began chemotherapy (fludarabine/cyclophosphamide combination), obtained complete remission and relapsed one year later after finishing treatment. She received multiple therapeutic regimens, accompanied by multiple infectious complications. After 8 years of evolution since she started chemotherapy, bone marrow aspirate and immunophenotyping revealed acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The occurrence of acute leukemia in CLL is rare and may arise from the same clone; however, most cases appear after patients have received chemotherapy, suggesting that they are therapy-related.
Density of tryptase-positive mast cells correlated with the presence of H. pylori in gastric neoplasia
Authors: Micu Gianina , Stăniceanu Florica , Sticlaru Liana , Popp Cristiana , Bastian Alexandra , Gramadă Eliza , Rimbaş M. , Mateescu B. 
Published: October 2015

Abstract

Background. Gastric cancer continues to be a platoon leader of mortality causes. A significant number of recent studies show direct or indirect involvement of mast cells (MC), with a complex role both pro- and anti-tumor growth.

Aim. To objectify the correlations between expression of MC and presence of Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection depending on neoplastic nature of the gastric damage.

Subjects and Methods. The study was carried out on archival samples of gastric wall from 30 patients with gastric cancer versus 30 age and sex-matched subjects with gastric surgery for nonneoplastic diseases. The inclusion criteria for the case group were histologically proven stage T3/T4 malignancies with regional lymph node metastases. For each case of the study group, distribution and number of MC tryptase positive (DMC–TP) were analyzed in five different areas from the same gastrectomy specimen: intratumor area, deep and side tumor invasion front, normal gastric tissue sample 5-10 cm or more distant from the tumor and furthest resection margin.

Results. Independently of HP infection, the study recorded a significantly lower value of DMC-TP in male patients. In regions with inflammatory lesions and preneoplastic changes and in control cases with non-gastric neoplasia, the DMC-TP level was higher than controls with HP-related inflammatory pathology, thus removing bacterial etiology from the forefront of MC mobilizing causes.

Conclusion. The presence of H. pylori infection was not found to cause significant changes in terms of mobilizing mast cells in the gastric wall with advanced tumors, with minimal stage III TNM.
The association between insulin resistance and proliferative retinopathy in type 1 diabetes
Authors: Duţă Irina , Fica Simona , Ion Daniela Adriana 
Published: October 2015

Abstract

Introduction. Little is known about the relationship between insulin resistance and proliferative diabetic retinopathy in type 1 diabetes. The aim of this article is to explore the relationship between sight-threatening proliferative diabetic retinopathy and insulin resistance.

Methods. This was a cross-sectional study that included 167 type 1 diabetes patients. Insulin resistance was assessed using eGDR (estimated glucose disposal rate) formula. Diabetic retinopathy was assessed by ophthalmoscopy using Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy classification. The association between eGDR and proliferative diabetic retinopathy was assessed in uni- and multivariate models using stepwise logistic regression of covariates. The contribution of individual predictors in the final regresion model was examined using Wald statistic.

Results. Significantly lower eGDR’s values were observed in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy: 5.5 vs. 7 (p = 0.002). The results remained significant (p < 0.001) after adjusting for multiple covariates (sex, diabetes duration, body mass index, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, smoking). eGDR variable was retained in the final model of stepwise logistic regression (p < 0.001) and showed the strongest association with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (Wald = 12.73).

Conclusions. In type 1 diabetes patients insulin resistance was the most important independent risk factor associated with diabetic proliferative retinopathy.
Incidental discovery of multiple myeloma, presenting as an amyloid tumor with plasmacytic elements of the thoracic wall
Authors: Şerban Oana , Achim A. , Poantă Laura Irina 
Published: October 2015

Abstract
Multiple myeloma is characterized by monoclonal proliferation of bone marrow plasma cells causing multiple bone lesions and overproduction of a monoclonal protein (M-protein) that could deposit in tissues (amyloidosis). Dissemination of the multiple myeloma outside the bone is rare.
We present a case of a 76 years old woman presenting with dry cough. Chest X-ray showed a giant tumor of the upper right lung. Contrast enhanced CT revealed a tumor that most probably originated from the structures of the thoracic wall. The transthoracic biopsy was inconclusive. The tumor was resected and the histopathological examination showed amyloid tumor of the thoracic wall with plasmacytic elements and lambda light chains deposits. A bone marrow aspiration was performed that found diffuse plasmacytic infiltrate of 20-60% and the serum proteins electrophoresis with immunofixation revealed elevated IgA and lambda light chains. The patient was diagnosed with IgA and lambda light chains multiple myeloma with consequent AL amyloidosis presenting as thoracic mass.
Comparative Study Between Experimental Results and the Numerical One of the Lateral Buckling Resistence for the Two Curved I Girders of a Curved Bridge Model
Authors: Daraban Marian 
Published: October 2015

Rezumat
Articolul prezintă un studiul al rezistenţei la flambaj lateral pentru grinzile curbe utilizate la poduri.
Rezistenţa la flambaj lateral va fi evaluată printr-o analiză geometric şi fizic neliniară utilizând programul de calcul Lusas®, fară a considera imperfecţiunile de execuţie. Pentru a da veridicitate rezultatelor analitice, studiul numeric se va realiza pe unul din modelele fizice prezentate în lucrarea [1] care pune la dispoziţie valori ale încercărilor experimentale.
Geometria modelului fizic din lucrarea [1] se bazează pe o analiză dimensională a grinzilor curbe „I” utilizate în mod frecvent la poduri. Modelul fizic este alcătuit din două grinzi I curbe, dublu simetrice, prevăzute cu antretoaze şi contravântuiri la nivelul tălpilor. De antretoazele de capăt sunt sudate pe direcţia axei curbe două console scurte de lungime e .
Schema statică a structurii este grinda simplu rezemată cu console, ale cărei aparate de reazem sunt dispuse pe direcţia coardei. Consolele scurte vor fi încărcate cu prese hidraulice la o forţă P care are ca efect în grinda principală un moment încovoietor uniform având valoarea P *e şi forţă tăietoare zero.
Pentru analiza neliniară s-a folosit formularea Total Lagrange, împreună cu utilizarea metodei lungimii arcului modificat formulată de Crisfield. De asemenea s-a considerat comportarea neliniară a materialului.
Evaluarea rezistenţei la flambaj lateral constă în determinarea momentului încovoietor critic pentru care grinda îşi pierde stabilitatea. Comparaţia rezultatelor numerice cu cele experimentale preluate, confirmă posibilitatea evaluării numerice a rezistenţei la flambaj lateral pentru grinzile curbe.
“Bowstring” Arches in Langer System Without Wind Bracing
Authors: Răcănel Ionuţ Radu , Urdăreanu Vlad Daniel , Radu Andrei 
Published: October 2015

Abstract
Arch bridges are slender structures and can be efficiently used in the range of medium to large spans. These structures have an improved aesthetic aspect and in the same time a low construction height, with obvious advantages regarding reduced costs in the infrastructuers and their foundations.
For this type of structures usually composite or orthotropic decks are used. Lately, innovative solutions have been used in designing arch bridges, especially discarding the top wind bracing system. The level of axial forces and bending moments in the arches and tie imply the design of sections with sufficient stiffness and strength in both directions in order to ensure the general stability of the arches, without the need for top wind bracing. Moreover, the cross section of the arches is not constant, but shifts in accordance with the variation of the bending moments, in order to ensure their lateral stability.
This paper studies a road bridge with parallel Bowstring arches, with a span of 108m and a carriageway 7.00m wide, sustained by a deck made up of crossbeams 2m apart and a concrete slab. The main beams are held by ties arranged in the Langer system, 10 to 14m apart from each other. The sag of the arches is 18m high.
The analyzed structure was proposed for construction in the city of Oradea and is used for crossing the “Crişul Repede” river, between Oneştilor street on the left bank and the Sovata, Fagului and Carpaţi streets on the right bank.
The performed analyses have the following two main objectives: to establish the critical load for which the failure of the arches occurs by instability and to underline the influence of different wind bracing systems on the bridge’s collapse loads respectively.
Equivalent Imperfections In Arched Structures
Authors: Dallemule Marian 
Published: October 2015

Abstract
There are currently three design methods to verify the in-plane buckling of an arched structure: substitute member method, the method of equivalent imperfection with recommendations for arched bridges, and the equivalent unique global and local initial imperfection method (EUGLI), which uses the critical elastic buckling mode as an imperfection. The latter method is included in the EN 1993-1-1 cl. 5.3.2 (11) since 2002; however, to this day it is neither utilized in the design practice nor is it incorporated in ordinary structural analysis software. The main purpose of this article is to show the application of the proposed methods in a step-by-step manner to the numerical example considered and to compare these design methods for various arched structures. Verification of the in-plane buckling of an arch is explained in detail.
Differential object marking in Standard Turkish and Caucasian Urum
Authors: Böhm Stefanie 
Published: October 2015

Abstract
Differential object marking (DOM) is a common feature of many languages, including Standard Turkish and Urum, a Turkish variety spoken by ethnic Greeks in Georgia. This article investigates the interaction between case marking and word order in both varieties of Turkish. While Standard Turkish shows a strong dependence of the case marking possibilities from word order, i.e. bare objects may only appear in immediately preverbal position of a clause, the analysis reveals that bare objects in Urum may occur in any position of a clause. This provides evidence that the verb in Urum can freely move within the VP.
The oblique phrase and the order of the relative construction
Authors: Lawyer Lewis C. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractUsing data from the World Atlas of Language Structures (WALS), the order of the oblique phrase with respect to the verb in a sentence is shown to be a good predictor of the order of the relative clause with respect to its head noun in a relative construction. It is a significantly better predictor of relative construction order than the more traditional indicator, the relative order of the verb and the direct object in a sentence. The difference between these two predictors is demonstrated quantitatively, and then discussed in the context of theories of syntactic head-position harmony.
Hippocampal Volume Reduction in Humans Predicts Impaired Allocentric Spatial Memory in Virtual-Reality Navigation
Authors: Guderian Sebastian , Dzieciol Anna M. , Gadian David G. , Jentschke Sebastian , Doeller Christian F. , Burgess Neil , Mishkin Mortimer , Vargha-Khadem Faraneh 
Published: October 2015

The extent to which navigational spatial memory depends on hippocampal integrity in humans is not well documented. We investigated allocentric spatial recall using a virtual environment in a group of patients with severe hippocampal damage (SHD), a group of patients with “moderate” hippocampal damage (MHD), and a normal control group. Through four learning blocks with feedback, participants learned the target locations of four different objects in a circular arena. Distal cues were present throughout the experiment to provide orientation. A circular boundary as well as an intra-arena landmark provided spatial reference frames. During a subsequent test phase, recall of all four objects was tested with only the boundary or the landmark being present. Patients with SHD were impaired in both phases of this task. Across groups, performance on both types of spatial recall was highly correlated with memory quotient (MQ), but not with intelligence quotient (IQ), age, or sex. However, both measures of spatial recall separated experimental groups beyond what would be expected based on MQ, a widely used measure of general memory function. Boundary-based and landmark-based spatial recall were both strongly related to bilateral hippocampal volumes, but not to volumes of the thalamus, putamen, pallidum, nucleus accumbens, or caudate nucleus. The results show that boundary-based and landmark-based allocentric spatial recall are similarly impaired in patients with SHD, that both types of recall are impaired beyond that predicted by MQ, and that recall deficits are best explained by a reduction in bilateral hippocampal volumes.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTIn humans, bilateral hippocampal atrophy can lead to profound impairments in episodic memory. Across species, perhaps the most well-established contribution of the hippocampus to memory is not to episodic memory generally but to allocentric spatial memory. However, the extent to which navigational spatial memory depends on hippocampal integrity in humans is not well documented. We investigated spatial recall using a virtual environment in two groups of patients with hippocampal damage (moderate/severe) and a normal control group. The results showed that patients with severe hippocampal damage are impaired in learning and recalling allocentric spatial information. Furthermore, hippocampal volume reduction impaired allocentric navigation beyond what can be predicted by memory quotient as a widely used measure of general memory function.
Somatosensory Contribution to the Initial Stages of Human Motor Learning
Authors: Bernardi Nicolò F. , Darainy Mohammad , Ostry David J. 
Published: October 2015

The early stages of motor skill acquisition are often marked by uncertainty about the sensory and motor goals of the task, as is the case in learning to speak or learning the feel of a good tennis serve. Here we present an experimental model of this early learning process, in which targets are acquired by exploration and reinforcement rather than sensory error. We use this model to investigate the relative contribution of motor and sensory factors to human motor learning. Participants make active reaching movements or matched passive movements to an unseen target using a robot arm. We find that learning through passive movements paired with reinforcement is comparable with learning associated with active movement, both in terms of magnitude and durability, with improvements due to training still observable at a 1 week retest. Motor learning is also accompanied by changes in somatosensory perceptual acuity. No stable changes in motor performance are observed for participants that train, actively or passively, in the absence of reinforcement, or for participants who are given explicit information about target position in the absence of somatosensory experience. These findings indicate that the somatosensory system dominates learning in the early stages of motor skill acquisition.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThe research focuses on the initial stages of human motor learning, introducing a new experimental model that closely approximates the key features of motor learning outside of the laboratory. The finding indicates that it is the somatosensory system rather than the motor system that dominates learning in the early stages of motor skill acquisition. This is important given that most of our computational models of motor learning are based on the idea that learning is motoric in origin. This is also a valuable finding for rehabilitation of patients with limited mobility as it shows that reinforcement in conjunction with passive movement results in benefits to motor learning that are as great as those observed for active movement training.
PSD-Zip70 Deficiency Causes Prefrontal Hypofunction Associated with Glutamatergic Synapse Maturation Defects by Dysregulation of Rap2 Activity
Authors: Mayanagi Taira , Yasuda Hiroki , Sobue Kenji 
Published: October 2015

Dysregulation of synapse formation and plasticity is closely related to the pathophysiology of psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is particularly important for executive functions such as working memory, cognition, and emotional control, which are impaired in the disorders. PSD-Zip70 (Lzts1/FEZ1) is a postsynaptic density (PSD) protein predominantly expressed in the frontal cortex, olfactory bulb, striatum, and hippocampus. Here we found that PSD-Zip70 knock-out (PSD-Zip70KO) mice exhibit working memory and cognitive defects, and enhanced anxiety-like behaviors. These abnormal behaviors are caused by impaired glutamatergic synapse transmission accompanied by tiny-headed immature dendritic spines in the PFC, due to aberrant Rap2 activation, which has roles in synapse formation and plasticity. PSD-Zip70 modulates the Rap2 activity by interacting with SPAR (spine-associated RapGAP) and PDZ-GEF1 (RapGEF) in the postsynapse. Furthermore, suppression of the aberrant Rap2 activation in the PFC rescued the behavioral defects in PSD-Zip70KO mice. Our data demonstrate a critical role for PSD-Zip70 in Rap2-dependent spine synapse development in the PFC and underscore the importance of this regulation in PFC-dependent behaviors.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTPSD-Zip70 deficiency causes behavioral defects in working memory and cognition, and enhanced anxiety due to prefrontal hypofunction. This study revealed that PSD-Zip70 plays essential roles in glutamatergic synapse maturation via modulation of the Rap2 activity in the PFC. PSD-Zip70 interacts with both SPAR (spine-associated RapGAP) and PDZ-GEF1 (RapGEF) and modulates the Rap2 activity in postsynaptic sites. Our results provide a novel Rap2-specific regulatory mechanism in synaptic maturation involving PSD-Zip70.
Cardiovascular risk and white matter lesions after endocrine control of Cushing's syndrome
Authors: Santos Alicia , Resmini Eugenia , Gómez-Ansón Beatriz , Crespo Iris , Granell Esther , Valassi Elena , Pires Patricia , Vives-Gilabert Yolanda , Martínez-Momblán M Antonia , de Juan Manuel , Mataró Maria , Webb Susan M 
Published: October 2015

ObjectiveCushing's syndrome (CS) is associated with high cardiovascular risk. White matter lesions (WML) are common on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with increased cardiovascular risk.AimTo investigate the relationship between cardiovascular risk, WML, neuropsychological performance and brain volume in CS.Design/methodsThirty-eight patients with CS (23 in remission, 15 active) and 38 controls sex-, age- and education-level matched underwent a neuropsychological and clinical evaluation, blood and urine tests and 3Tesla brain MRI. WML were analysed with the Scheltens scale. Ten-year cardiovascular risk (10CVR) and vascular age (VA) were calculated according to an algorithm based on the Framingham heart study.ResultsPatients in remission had a higher degree of WML than controls and active patients (P<0.001 andP=0.008 respectively), which did not correlate with cognitive performance in any group. WML severity positively correlated with diastolic blood pressure (r=0.659,P=0.001) and duration of hypertension (r=0.478,P=0.021) in patients in remission. Both patient groups (active and in remission) had higher 10CVR (P=0.030,P=0.041) and VA than controls (P=0.013,P=0.039). Neither the 10CVR nor the VA correlated with WML, although both negatively correlated with cognitive function and brain volume in patients in remission (P<0.05). Total brain volume and grey matter volume in both CS patient groups were reduced compared to controls (total volume: activeP=0.006, in remissionP=0.012; grey matter: activeP=0.001, in remissionP=0.003), with no differences in white matter volume between groups.ConclusionsPatients in remission of Cushing's syndrome (but not active patients) have more severe white matter lesions than controls, positively correlated with diastolic pressure and duration of hypertension. Ten-year cardiovascular risk and vascular age appear to be negatively correlated with the cognitive function and brain volume in patients in remission of Cushing's syndrome.
Die Rückabwicklung rechtsgrundloser Zahlungen eines Bürgen
Authors: Koziol Helmut 
Published: October 2015

Abstract
Hat der Bürge dem Gläubiger gezahlt und stellt sich dann die Unwirksamheit der Hauptverbindlichkeit heraus, so steht der Rückforderungsanspruch nach Canaris dem Hauptschuldner zu. Diese Auffassung ist gewichtigen Einwänden ausgesetzt, doch vermag auch die herrschende Meinung, die dem Bürgen die Kondiktion zuspricht, nicht völlig zu überzeugen, insbesondere weil sie das Sicherungsbedüifhis des Gläubigers bei der Rückabwicklung vernachlässigt. Im folgenden wird versucht, durch Herausarbeitung der maßgebenden Kausalbeziehungen und Interessen zu einer befriedigenden Lösung zu gelangen