bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Female genital mutilation (FGM) and the lower urinary tract
Authors: Creighton Sarah M. 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACTFemale genital mutilation (FGM) is defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as comprising various procedures which remove or damage the external female genital organs for no medical reason. FGM has no health benefits and is recognized to cause severe short and long term damage to both physical and psychological health. Although FGM is primarily performed in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, migration of FGM practising communities means that the health professionals worldwide need to be aware of the impact of FGM on health. FGM is almost always performed on children but the health implications of FGM are life‐long. FGM can cause immediate and long term damage to urinary function. In addition FGM may be detected during investigations for urinary symptoms which may be related or unrelated to the patient's FGM. Health professionals caring for girls and women with urinary symptoms must be aware of the clinical presentation of FGM and management options. They must also understand the legal implications of FGM and the role of health professionals in safeguarding girls from FGM as well as their own responsibilities for recording and reporting information about FGM.
Liberty, Political Rights and Wealth Transfer Taxation
Authors: Braun S. Stewart 
Published: March 2015

AbstractLibertarians famously contend that the minimal state is the most just social arrangement because it secures individual freedoms and basic political rights. They also oppose wealth transfer taxation, i.e. taxation of inheritances, bequests, and inter vivos gifts, arguing that it violates people's right to use their wealth freely. However, as I argue, libertarian opposition to wealth transfer taxation causes practical problems for their commitment to a minimal state, as there is strong empirical evidence demonstrating that wealth transfer taxation is required to secure the political rights necessary for a free and stable society. In other words, I contend that without an effective wealth transfer tax, it will be difficult to ensure political rights and basic freedoms, thus leaving the libertarian minimal state in peril of collapse.
Evolutionary biogeography of South American weevils of the tribe Naupactini (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
Authors: del Río M. Guadalupe , Morrone Juan J. , Lanteri Analia A. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractAimNaupactini are highly diverse weevils, widespread in the Neotropical region. Their evolution may have been driven by geological and environmental changes. Our main goals were to explain the biotic diversification of this tribe in South America and to test previous hypotheses on the relationships between distribution areas.LocationNeotropical South America.MethodsWe compiled geographical records for 165 species of South American Naupactini. We then applied a track analysis and a parsimony analysis of paralogy‐free subtrees to obtain generalized tracks and a general area cladogram, respectively.ResultsWe retrieved 11 generalized tracks that coincided broadly with biogeographical areas of Neotropical South America: Northern Venezuelan, Galápagos Islands, Ecuadorian, Yungas, Cerrado, Caatinga, Puna+Pacific coastal deserts, Chacoan, Atlantic+Parana forests, Monte and Pampean. The single general area cladogram obtained showed the following topology: ((Northern Venezuelan–Ecuadorian) (Galápagos Islands–Puna+Pacific coastal deserts) (Yungas (Cerrado (Monte (Pampean (Chacoan–Atlantic+Parana forests)))))).Main conclusionsThe general patterns identified agree with biogeographical provinces of modern regionalizations, assumed to have been caused by vicariance. These biogeographical units form two main components, one from north‐western South America and the other from south‐eastern South America, separated by the barrier of the Andean cordillera. The absence of other discernible geological barriers and the influence of the Plio‐Pleistocene cycles make it difficult to elucidate the historical relationships between most forest areas and nearby open areas of South America. These observations indicate that the taxa under consideration underwent dispersal at different times, contributing to complex biogeographical patterns.
Cardiac Autoantibody Levels Predict Recurrence Following Cryoballoon‐Based Pulmonary Vein Isolation in Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Patients
Authors: YALCIN MUHAMMED ULVI , GURSES KADRI MURAT , KOCYIGIT DUYGU , KESIKLI SACIT ALTUG , DURAL MUHAMMET , EVRANOS BANU , YORGUN HIKMET , SAHINER LEVENT , KAYA ERGUN BARIS , OTO MEHMET ALI , GUC DICLE , AYTEMIR KUDRET , OZER NECLA 
Published: March 2015

Cardiac Autoantibodies and AF RecurrenceIntroductionRecent evidence has suggested that autoantibodies may play an important role in the development of atrial fibrillation (AF). The predictive value of preprocedural autoantibodies against beta‐1 adrenergic receptor (anti‐β1‐R) and M2‐muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (anti‐M2‐R) for AF recurrence following cryoballoon‐based pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is still unclear. We aimed to determine the predictive value of preprocedural anti‐β1‐R and anti‐M2‐R levels for AF recurrence.MethodsEighty patients (mean age 54.25 ± 7.70 years; 40% female) with paroxysmal AF and preserved left ventricular function who underwent cryoballoon‐based PVI were included in the study. Preprocedural anti‐M2‐R and anti‐β1‐R levels were measured with ELISA.ResultsAt 1‐year follow‐up after ablation, late AF recurrence was observed in 17 (21.25%) patients. In the Cox regression model, including number of antiarrhythmic drugs, early AF recurrence, anti‐β1‐R levels >159.88 ng/mL, anti‐M2‐R levels >277.65 ng/mL, AF duration, and left atrial volume index, only anti‐β1‐R levels >159.88 ng/mL (HR: 4.281, P = 0.039) and anti‐M2‐R levels >277.65 ng/mL (HR: 4.313, P = 0.030) were found to be independent predictors of late AF recurrence. Anti‐β1‐R level >159.88 ng/mL was shown to predict late AF recurrence with a sensitivity of 70.59% and specificity of 90.48%. A cut‐off value of 277.65 ng/mL for anti‐M2‐R level predicted AF recurrence with a sensitivity of 70.59% and specificity of 95.24%.ConclusionPreprocedural serum anti‐β1‐R and anti‐M2‐R levels are independent predictors of late AF recurrence following cryoballoon‐based PVI in paroxysmal AF patients. Detection of preprocedural anti‐β1‐R and anti‐M2‐R levels may serve as a novel method for determination of paroxysmal AF patients who may not benefit from cryoballoon‐based PVI.
IKs Gain‐ and Loss‐of‐Function in Early‐Onset Lone Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: STEFFENSEN ANNETTE BUUR , REFSGAARD LENA , ANDERSEN MARTIN NYBO , VALLET CECILIA , MUJEZINOVIC AMER , HAUNSØ STIG , SVENDSEN JESPER HASTRUP , OLESEN SØREN‐PETER , OLESEN MORTEN SALLING , SCHMITT NICOLE 
Published: March 2015

KCNQ1 Mutations in Early‐Onset Lone AFIntroductionAtrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent cardiac arrhythmia. The potassium current IKs is essential for cardiac repolarization. Gain‐of‐function mutation in KCNQ1, the gene encoding the pore‐forming α‐subunit of the IKs channel (KV7.1), was the first ion channel dysfunction to be associated with familial AF. We hypothesized that early‐onset lone AF is associated with a high prevalence of mutations in KCNQ1.Methods and ResultsWe bidirectionally sequenced the entire coding sequence of KCNQ1 in 209 unrelated patients with early‐onset lone AF (<40 years) and investigated the identified mutations functionally in a heterologous expression system. We found 4 nonsynonymous KCNQ1 mutations (A46T, R195W, A302V, and R670K) in 4 unrelated patients (38, 31, 39, and 36 years, respectively). None of the mutations were present in the control group (n = 416 alleles). No other mutations were found in genes previously associated with AF. The mutations A46T, R195W, and A302V have previously been associated with long‐QT syndrome. In line with previous reports, we found A302V to display a pronounced loss‐of‐function of the IKs current, while the other mutants exhibited a gain‐of‐function phenotype.ConclusionsMutations in the IKs channel leading to gain‐of‐function have previously been described in familial AF, yet this is the first time a loss‐of‐function mutation in KCNQ1 is associated with early‐onset lone AF. These findings suggest that both gain‐of‐function and loss‐of‐function of cardiac potassium currents enhance the susceptibility to AF.
Dedifferentiation of patient‐derived glioblastoma multiforme cell lines results in a cancer stem cell‐like state with mitogen‐independent growth
Authors: Olmez Inan , Shen Wangzhen , McDonald Hayes , Ozpolat Bulent 
Published: March 2015

AbstractEmerging evidence shows that glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) originates from cancer stem cells (CSCs). Characterization of CSC‐specific signalling pathways would help identify new therapeutic targets and perhaps lead to the development of more efficient therapies selectively targeting CSCs. Here; we successfully dedifferentiated two patient‐derived GBM cell lines into CSC‐like cells (induced glioma stem cells, iGSCs) through expression of Oct4, Sox2 and Nanog transcription factors. Transformed cells exhibited significant suppression of epidermal growth factor receptor and its downstream pathways. Compared with parental GBM cells, iGSCs formed large neurospheres even in the absence of exogenous mitogens; they exhibited significant sensitivity to salinomycin and chemoresistance to temozolomide. Further characterization of iGSCs revealed induction of NOTCH1 and Wnt/β‐catenin signalling and expression of CD133, CD44 and ALDH1A1. Our results indicate that iGSCs may help us understand CSC physiology and lead to development of potential therapeutic interventions aimed at differentiating tumour cells to render them more sensitive to chemotherapy or other standard agents.
Rosettes and other white shiny structures in polarized dermoscopy: histological correlate and optical explanation
Authors: Haspeslagh M. , Noë M. , De Wispelaere I. , Degryse N. , Vossaert K. , Lanssens S. , Facchetti F. , Van Den Bossche K. , Brochez L. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractBackgroundRosettes are a specific form of a white shiny structure seen with polarized dermoscopy. The precise morphological correlate and optical explication are not known.ObjectiveTo estimate the frequency of rosettes in ex vivo dermoscopy and to find explication and morphologic correlate of this dermoscopic feature.MethodsA series of 6108 consecutive skin biopsies were examined with ex vivo dermoscopy and when rosettes were present serial transverse sections with polarization were examined.ResultsIn this series of 6108 consecutive skin biopsies, rosettes were found on ex vivo dermoscopy in 63 cases. When multiple we observed that they are always oriented at the same angle. Transverse sections with polarization of these lesions proved that smaller rosettes are mainly caused by polarizing horny material in adnexal openings, and larger rosettes by concentric perifollicular fibrosis.ConclusionsRosettes are an optical effect of crossed polarization by concentric fibrosis or horny material and hence are not lesion‐specific.
Ocular adverse effects after facial cosmetic procedures: a review of case reports
Authors: Ricci Lucas H. , Navajas Samia V. , Carneiro Paula R. , Söderberg Stephanie A. , Ferraz Caroline A. 
Published: March 2015

SummaryTo review indexed literature concerning adverse ocular effects of the most common aesthetic facial procedures (light‐emitting therapy, dermal fillers injection, and botulinum toxin). Literature search using three online databases – PubMed, SciELO, and Capes – selecting case reports, series of cases and reviews, with no language restriction, published in a period of the last twenty years (1995–2015). After reviewing 48 case reports and most recent reviews, the authors found the most common ocular adverse effects of dermal fillers were related to vascular occlusion; light‐emitting therapy was associated with pigmented tissue damage leading to anterior uveitis and iris atrophy, and ptosis presented the higher relative risk associated with botulinum toxin. Even though ocular adverse effects are not very frequent, some of them can lead to permanent ocular dysfunction and visual impairment. Professionals involved in cosmetic procedures should be aware of the risks.
Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter Measurement to Identify High‐Risk Patients for Spinal Ischemia after Endovascular Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair
Authors: Ertl Michael , Schierling Wilma , Kasprzak Piotr , Schömig Beate , Brückl Corinna , Schlachetzki Felix , Pfister Karin 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND & PURPOSEThoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is associated with a reasonable risk of spinal ischemia. As cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFP) is correlated with the rate of paraplegia, a non‐invasive method to estimate CSFP could help to estimate the patient's individual risk and guide the therapeutic approach. The quantification of the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) using ocular sonography (OS) could be a suitable technique and was examined in the present study.METHODS28 patients with TEVAR were included. Five consecutive measurements of the ONSD were performed in each patient. The first before the intervention (“baseline”), the next immediately postinterventional at the intensive care unit (post1), measurements 3, 4 (post2, post3) on day 1 and 2 after the intervention and number 5 (post4) before discharge. Statistical analysis was done using the Wilcoxon‐test. A p‐value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.RESULTSA significant increase between baseline and post1‐measurements (right eye: p = 0.006; left eye: p = 0.02) could be detected. A significant decrease was detected between post1 and post3 (right eye: p = 0.02; left eye: p < 0.01). A group of 5 patients had an additional increase of ONSD from post1 to post2, one of these patients developed a permanent paraplegia. Patients with spinal catheters had significantly lower ONSDs at nearly all time points.CONCLUSIONThe present study is the first to prospectively examine and prove the possibility to monitor CSFP changes in patients with TEVAR associated transient spinal edema using OS. Systematic factors as artificial ventilation and body positioning did not have a significant effect.
Anatomical Variations in the Posterior Circle of Willis and Vascular Pathologies in Isolated Unilateral Thalamic Infarction
Authors: Goerlitz Johannes , Wenz Holger , Al‐Zghloul Mansour , Kerl Hans U. , Groden Christoph , Förster Alex 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND AND PURPOSETo characterize relations between configurations of the posterior part of the Circle of Willis (CoW) and the occurrence of unilateral thalamic infarction.METHODSFrom a magnetic resonance imaging report database, we identified and analyzed 111 patients with acute isolated unilateral thalamic infarction on diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI). Vascular pathologies were noted on magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and the diameter of the posterior communicating artery (PComA) and the P1 and P2 segments of the posterior cerebral artery determined.RESULTSMost infarctions were observed in the territory of the inferolateral arteries (70.2%), followed by the paramedian (16.3%), tuberothalamic (8.7%), and posterior choroidal arteries (4.8%). Relevant vascular pathologies included stenosis of the basilar artery (4.5%), P1 segment stenosis (4.5%)/occlusion (.9%), and P2 segment stenosis (14.4%)/occlusion (4.5%). Paramedian thalamic infarction was associated with ipsilateral P1 segment hypoplasia/absence (P < .001); tuberothalamic infarction with ipsilateral PComA hypoplasia/absence (P = .08). Furthermore, the diameter of the relevant CoW segment was smaller in patients with ipsilateral thalamic infarction.CONCLUSIONSAssessment of CoW configuration on MRA may be helpful to understand the appearance of unilateral thalamic stroke independent from stroke etiology. A smaller diameter of the relevant CoW segment might be a risk factor for ipsilateral thalamic stroke in the corresponding thalamic vascular territory.
Impact of diet on incisor growth and attrition and the development of dental disease in pet rabbits
Authors: Meredith A. L. , Prebble J. L. , Shaw D. J. 
Published: March 2015

OBJECTIVESTo assess the impact of four rabbit diets (hay only; extruded diet with hay; muesli with hay; muesli only) on length and curvature of cheek teeth and eruption and attrition rates of incisors.MATERIALS AND METHODSThirty‐two Dutch rabbits, randomly divided into four diet groups, had length and saggital plane curvature of the first cheek teeth measured radiographically at 1, 9 and 17 months. Eruption/attrition of the left upper incisor was directly measured at weeks 30, 32 and 35.RESULTSEruption rates matched attrition rates in all groups, but were higher in the hay only group than in both groups fed muesli. By month 9, a greater degree of tooth curvature was present in rabbits fed muesli only than in those fed hay only and extruded diet with hay. After 17 months, rabbits fed muesli only and muesli with hay had longer lower first cheek teeth and larger interdental spaces between the first two molars than rabbits fed extruded diet and hay and hay only. Three rabbits fed muesli only developed evidence of dental disease.CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCEPresence of increased tooth length, curvature and interdental spaces indicated early dental pathology in rabbits fed muesli. Muesli diets cannot be recommended for pet rabbits.
Expansion load: recessive mutations and the role of standing genetic variation
Authors: Peischl Stephan , Excoffier Laurent 
Published: March 2015

AbstractExpanding populations incur a mutation burden – the so‐called expansion load. Previous studies of expansion load have focused on codominant mutations. An important consequence of this assumption is that expansion load stems exclusively from the accumulation of new mutations occurring in individuals living at the wave front. Using individual‐based simulations, we study here the dynamics of standing genetic variation at the front of expansions, and its consequences on mean fitness if mutations are recessive. We find that deleterious genetic diversity is quickly lost at the front of the expansion, but the loss of deleterious mutations at some loci is compensated by an increase of their frequencies at other loci. The frequency of deleterious homozygotes therefore increases along the expansion axis, whereas the average number of deleterious mutations per individual remains nearly constant across the species range. This reveals two important differences to codominant models: (i) mean fitness at the front of the expansion drops much faster if mutations are recessive, and (ii) mutation load can increase during the expansion even if the total number of deleterious mutations per individual remains constant. We use our model to make predictions about the shape of the site frequency spectrum at the front of range expansion, and about correlations between heterozygosity and fitness in different parts of the species range. Importantly, these predictions provide opportunities to empirically validate our theoretical results. We discuss our findings in the light of recent results on the distribution of deleterious genetic variation across human populations and link them to empirical results on the correlation of heterozygosity and fitness found in many natural range expansions.
Activation of senescence‐associated Dark‐inducible (DIN) genes during infection contributes to enhanced susceptibility to plant viruses
Authors: Fernández‐Calvino Lourdes , Guzmán‐Benito Irene , del Toro Francisco J. , Donaire Livia , Castro‐Sanz Ana B. , Ruíz‐Ferrer Virginia , Llave César 
Published: March 2015

SummaryVirus infections in plants cause changes in host gene expression that are common to other environmental stresses. In this work, we found extensive overlap in the transcriptional responses between Arabidopsis thaliana plants infected with Tobacco rattle virus (TRV) and plants undergoing senescence. This is exemplified by the up‐regulation during infection of several senescence‐associated Dark‐inducible (DIN) genes, including AtDIN1 (Senescence 1, SEN1), AtDIN6 (Asparagine synthetase 1, AtASN1) and AtDIN11. DIN1, DIN6 and DIN11 homologues were also activated in Nicotiana benthamiana in response to TRV and Potato virus X (PVX) infection. Reduced TRV levels in RNA interference (RNAi) lines targeting AtDIN11 indicate that DIN11 is an important modulator of susceptibility to TRV in Arabidopsis. Furthermore, low accumulation of TRV in Arabidopsis protoplasts from RNAi lines suggests that AtDIN11 supports virus multiplication in this species. The effect of DIN6 on virus accumulation was negligible in Arabidopsis, perhaps as a result of gene or functional redundancy. However, TRV‐induced silencing of NbASN, the DIN6 homologue in N. benthamiana, compromises TRV and PVX accumulation in systemically infected leaves. Interestingly, NbASN inactivation correlates with the appearance of morphological defects in infected leaves. We found that DIN6 and DIN11 regulate virus multiplication in a step prior to the activation of plant defence responses. We hypothesize on the possible roles of DIN6 and DIN11 during virus infection.
Part 2: pressure ulcer assessment: implementation and revision of CALCULATE
Authors: Richardson Annette , Straughan Christine 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACTIntroductionCritically ill patients are a vulnerable group at very high risk of developing pressure ulcers, and the incidence varies within critical care.MethodsA number of strategies were used to implement the pressure ulcer assessment tool CALCULATE across four adult critical care units. Strategies included, nursing leadership, the provision of definitions for each risk factor, information laid out on posters at each patient's bedside, changes to pre‐printed nursing documentation and a 30‐min focused training package. Two local audits were conducted to measure the number and types of risk factors occurring in patients with pressure ulcers, and to assess the frequency of assessments and gain feedback on the usability of the tool in practice.FindingsCritical care acquired pressure ulcer incidence was 3.4%. The two most commonly occurring risk factors were impaired circulation (82%) and mechanical ventilation (75%). Patients had a mean score of 4, and 65% had 4 or more reported risk factors. Feedback on the usability of the tool was mainly positive.DiscussionThe tool CALCULATE was relatively straightforward to implement and was likely to be due to the design and the various change strategies used to implement the new approach. The seven point tool was revised to an eight point score based on nurses' clinical feedback.ConclusionsResearch is required to further enhance and develop pressure ulcer assessment. Meanwhile CALCULATE offers an easy to use and appropriate tool to assist in the identification of patients at an elevated risk of pressure ulcer damage.Implications for PracticeCareful choice of change management strategies are needed when implementing a new assessment tool. CALCULATE should be considered for use in critical care for pressure ulcer assessment, but used alongside nurses' clinical judgement and observations of skin.