bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spiroergometric parameters at maximal exercise testing assessed functional respiratory impairment in asbestos‐induced fibrosis
Authors: Schneider Joachim , Arhelger Rolf , Funk Melanie 
Published: September 2013

AbstractIntroductionExercise intolerance is typical for asbestosis. We examined the correlation of spiroergometric parameters with severity of asbestosis according to the International Labour Office (ILO) classification. Patients were compared to a healthy control group.ObjectivesNineteen consecutive male patients with compensated asbestosis and 24 healthy subjects were examined.MethodsAll participants underwent pulmonary functional testing including maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). Results were compared to those of healthy subjects; the correlation to disease status was investigated.ResultsSignificantly lower VCin, FVC, FEV1, MEF50, TLC and PaO2 at rest (P < 0.001) were observed in asbestosis patients. Lower peak (weight‐related) work rate (WR, WR/kg), (weight‐related) oxygen uptake (V′O2, V′O2/kg), oxygen pulse (V′O2/hr), ventilation volume (V′E), carbon dioxide output (V′CO2) and blood lactate was associated (P < 0.001) with more severe asbestosis according to the ILO‐classification. Significant positive correlations (P < 0.001) were seen for alveolar‐arterial oxygen difference [P(A‐a)O2] and PaCO2. Multiple regression analysis revealed that asbestosis was the only significant factor associated with the spiroergometric parameters (P < 0.001). A reduction of V′O2, V′O2/kg, V′O2/hr, V′E, or V′CO2 at identical submaximal workload could neither be detected among the asbestosis severity nor in comparison to healthy subjects. Only the respiratory frequency was depending on severity of asbestosis.ConclusionsThe severity of asbestosis correlates with maximal WR, V′O2, V′O2/hr, V′E and gas exchange. At identical workload the discrimination between patients and controls was only possible concerning the respiratory frequency. For detection of limitations in asbestosis patients, maximal CPET is recommended.
The Energy Hot Potato and Governance of Value Chains: Power, Risk, and Organizational Adjustment in Intermediate Manufacturing Firms
Authors: Mulhall Rachel Ann , Bryson John R. 
Published: September 2013

AbstractCost competitiveness remains a significant element of firms' advantage in developed economies. Input costs, particularly nonlabor costs, are important factors underlying the competitive position of firms that are competing both domestically and internationally. Energy costs are becoming an increasing threat to the long‐term survival of firms because of their more volatile nature. The distinct geographic structure of energy prices combines both international markets and intranational policies and supply structures. It is vital to understand how firms manage the risk that is generated from such a complex input. This article explores the adjustment process of intermediate metal‐processing firms in the West MidlandsU.K. and their wider supply chain to the energy price risk and its interaction with existing long‐term adjustments to the pressure of globalization. Formal and informal relational agreements between customers and suppliers are identified as critical factors in determining the capacity of supplier firms to transfer energy price risks to their customers and to adapt to energy‐related pressures.
Factors Influencing the Twisting and Untwisting Properties of the Left Ventricle during Normal Pregnancy
Authors: Papadopoulou Elektra , Kaladaridou Anna , Agrios John , Matthaiou John , Pamboukas Constantinos , Toumanidis Savvas 
Published: September 2013

AimsDuring pregnancy, important hemodynamic changes occur, consistent with an increase in preload and decrease in afterload and systemic vascular resistance. The aim of the present study was to investigate the changes in left ventricular (LV) strain and rotational properties during the 3 trimesters of normal pregnancy and to examine the factors that drive these changes.Methods and ResultsTwenty‐seven pregnant women (29.7 ± 6.9 years) and 11 age‐matched nonpregnant controls (29.9 ± 5.4 years) were evaluated. Conventional echocardiography and two‐dimensional speckle tracking imaging were performed at 8–12 (1st trimester), 21–28 (2nd trimester), and 33–36 (3rd trimester) weeks of pregnancy. LV rotation, twist, untwisting rate, and circumferential strain were measured using the parasternal short‐axis views at basal and apical levels. Global longitudinal strain was calculated from the LV apical views. Peak LV twist and peak untwisting rate increased significantly in the 3rd trimester of normal pregnancy (13.48 ± 2.90°, 13.12 ± 3.30°, 16.83 ± 3.61°, P < 0.001; and −111.52 ± 23.54°/sec, −107.40 ± 26.58°/sec, −144.30 ± 45.14°/sec, P < 0.001; in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd trimester, respectively). Global longitudinal and circumferential strain of the apex decreased significantly from the 2nd trimester. An independent association was found between the change in LV twist and the change in LV end‐systolic volume between the 1st and 3rd trimester. Peak untwisting rate at the 3rd trimester correlated significantly with peak twist and LV end‐diastolic volume.ConclusionsDuring normal pregnancy, LV twist and peak untwisting rate increase in the 3rd trimester and correlate with end‐systolic and end‐diastolic volume, respectively. Circumferential strain of the apex and global longitudinal strain decrease from the 2nd trimester.
Echocardiographic and Lung Ultrasound Characteristics in Ambulatory Patients with Dyspnea or Prior Heart Failure
Authors: Platz Elke , Hempel Dorothea , Pivetta Emanuele , Rivero Jose , Solomon Scott D. 
Published: September 2013

PurposeLung ultrasound (LUS) represents a novel, noninvasive method in the assessment of extravascular lung water. We investigated the utility of LUS in ambulatory subjects with dyspnea or prior heart failure (HF).MethodsWe studied 81 ambulatory subjects with HF history or dyspnea who underwent transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) with LUS of 8 zones. Subjects with heart transplantation or pulmonary conditions known to interfere with LUS were excluded. A reviewer blinded to the clinical data performed echocardiographic measurements and quantified B‐lines (reverberation artifacts arising from the pleural line).ResultsOf 81 subjects, 74 (91%) (median age 66 years, 39% men, median left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] 54%, 39% with prior HF) had adequate LUS images of all 8 zones and were included in the analysis. The number of B‐lines ranged from 0–12 (median 2). Increased B‐lines, analyzed by tertiles, were associated with larger left ventricular (LV) end‐diastolic (P = 0.036) and end‐systolic diameters (P = 0.026), septal wall thickness (P = 0.009), LV mass index (P = 0.001), left atrial (LA) volume index (P = 0.005), tricuspid regurgitation (TR) velocity (P = 0.005) and estimated pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) (P = 0.003). In a secondary analysis associations between B‐lines (not grouped by tertiles) and LV mass index, LA volume index, TR velocity and PASP remained stable after adjustment for age, gender, BMI and HF history.ConclusionsSonographic B‐lines from LUS are related to measures of LV and LA structure and right ventricular pressure in ambulatory patients with dyspnea or prior HF. The added clinical and prognostic utility of this imaging modality in ambulatory patients warrants further investigation.
Determination of the Optimum Number of Cardiac Cycles to Differentiate Intra‐Pulmonary Shunt and Patent Foramen Ovale by Saline Contrast Two‐ and Three‐Dimensional Echocardiography
Authors: Bhatia Nirmanmoh , Abushora Mohannad Y. , Donneyong Macarius M. , Stoddard Marcus F. 
Published: September 2013

IntroductionPatent foramen ovale (PFO) and intra‐pulmonary shunt (IPS) are potential causes of stroke. The most optimum cardiac cycle cutoff for bubbles to appear in the left heart on saline contrast transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) as criteria to differentiate the 2 entities is unknown.MethodsNinety‐five adult patients had saline contrast transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), two‐dimensional (2D) and 3DTTE. Sensitivity and specificity of each cardiac cycle as cutoff to differentiate a PFO and IPS were obtained.ResultsTransesophageal echocardiography showed IPS in 28 and PFO in 15 patients. If bubbles appeared in the left heart within the first 4 cardiac cycles (the 4th cardiac cycle rule) as compared to alternate cutoffs, a PFO was most accurately diagnosed by both 2D and 3DTTE. Bubbles appearing at or after the 5th cardiac cycle most accurately determined an IPS. 3D versus 2DTTE had a trend for a higher sensitivity (61% vs. 36%, P = 0.06), but similar specificity (94% vs. 91%) for IPS. Accuracy of 3DTTE was 84% and 2DTTE was 75% (P = 0.08) for IPS. For PFO, 2DTTE sensitivity (87%) and specificity (98%) did not differ (P = NS) from that of 3DTTE sensitivity (73%) and specificity (100%).ConclusionsThis study demonstrates for the first time that the 4th cardiac cycle rule differentiates PFO and IPS most optimally by 2D and 3DTTE. 3DTTE appears to have higher sensitivity for diagnosing IPS. These data suggest that 3DTTE is preferable when IPS is to be diagnosed. Both methods are similar for diagnosing PFO.
Discordant Doppler Right Heart Catheterization Pulmonary Artery Systolic Pressures: Importance of Pulmonary Capillary Wedge Pressure
Authors: Finkelhor Robert S. , Scrocco John D. , Madmani Mohammed , Rovner Aleksandr , Pillai Dilip 
Published: September 2013

BackgroundAlthough the echo Doppler (D) estimation of pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) was initially highly correlated with right heart catheterization (RHC), recent D‐RHC studies have questioned its accuracy. The aim of this study was to reevaluate this relationship and to determine possible explanations for disparate D‐RHC results.MethodsWe retrospectively identified all patients at one institution who underwent RHC and had an echocardiogram within the prior month. Echocardiographic and catheterization hemodynamic factors were evaluated by regression and Bland–Altman analysis.ResultsOf 69 patients, 52 (75.4%) had estimable D‐PASP. D‐RHC PASP r = 0.62 and 51.9% had a PASP difference >10 mmHg, comparable to other recent studies. The D‐RHC difference correlated with pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) (r = −0.60, P < 0.001) and right atrial pressure (r = −0.43, P = 0.002). Multivariate analysis including wedge pressure improved the relation between D and RHC for PASP (r = 0.86). These results were little changed using only the respective RV‐RA pressure gradients from D and RHC.ConclusionPulmonary capillary wedge pressure appears to be a significant covariate in the correlation between D and RHC PASP.
Effects of release timing on migration behaviour and survival of hatchery‐reared Atlantic salmon smolts in a regulated river
Authors: Karppinen Petri , Jounela Pekka , Huusko Riina , Erkinaro Jaakko 
Published: September 2013

AbstractIn this study, 221 two‐year‐old hatchery‐reared salmon, Salmo salar, smolts were tagged with radio transmitters over a period of three consecutive years and released in the river in groups of 20–21 fish in various dates between late April and early June. Tagged smolts were tracked during their downstream migration in the lower 36‐km stretch of the regulated River Oulujoki, with the focus on the effects of release date, water temperature and river flow on migration behaviour and survival. The results indicate that release timing and river temperature have profound effects on the initiation of migration, swimming speed and survival of released S. salar smolts. Smolts released early in the spring in cold waters ceased migration after brief downstream movement and were vulnerable to predation, whereas the migration speed and survival rates increased markedly for smolts released later in the spring.
Seizure predisposition after perinatal hypoxia: Effects of subsequent age and of an epilepsy predisposing gene mutation
Authors: Leonard A. Soren , Hyder S. Nabeel , Kolls Brad J. , Arehart Eric , W. Ng Kim C. , Veerapandiyan Aravindhan , Mikati Mohamad A. 
Published: September 2013

SummaryPurposeThere is a gap in our knowledge of the factors that modulate the predisposition to seizures following perinatal hypoxia. Herein, we investigate in a mouse model the effects of two distinct factors: developmental stage after the occurrence of the perinatal insult, and the presence of a seizure predisposing mutation.MethodsEffects of age: P6 (postnatal day 6) mouse pups were subjected to acute hypoxia down to 4% O2 over the course of 45 min. Seizure susceptibilities to flurothyl‐induced seizures (single exposures) and to flurothyl kindling were determined at specific subsequent ages. Effects of mutation: Heterozygote mice, with deletion of one copy of the Kcn1a gene, subjected to P6 hypoxia were compared as adults to wild‐type mice with respect to susceptibility to a single exposure to flurothyl and to the occurrence of spontaneous seizures as detected by hippocampal electroencephalography (EEG) and video recordings.Key FindingsEffects of age: As compared to controls, wild‐type mice exposed to P6 hypoxia had a shortened seizure latency in response to a single flurothyl exposure at P50, but not at P7 or P28 (p < 0.04). In addition, perinatal hypoxia at P6 enhanced the rate of development of flurothyl kindling performed at P28–38 (p < 0.03), but not at P7–17. Effects of mutation: Kcn1a heterozygous mice subjected to P6 hypoxia exhibited increased susceptibility to flurothyl‐induced seizures at P50 as compared to Normoxia heterozygote littermates, and to wild‐type Hypoxia and Normoxia mice. In addition, heterozygotes exposed to P6 hypoxia were the only group in which spontaneous seizures were detected during the period of long‐term monitoring (p < 0.027 in all comparisons).SignificanceOur data establish a mouse model of mild perinatal hypoxia in which we document the following: (1) the emergence, after a latent period, of increased susceptibility to flurothyl‐induced seizures, and to flurothyl induced kindling; and (2) an additive effect of a gene mutation to the seizure predisposing consequences of perinatal hypoxia, thereby demonstrating that a modifier (or susceptibility) gene can exacerbate the long‐term consequences of hypoxic injury.
Deep brain stimulation of the centromedian thalamic nucleus for the treatment of generalized and frontal epilepsies
Authors: Valentín Antonio , García Navarrete Eduardo , Chelvarajah Ramesh , Torres Cristina , Navas Marta , Vico Lelia , Torres Nerea , Pastor Jesus , Selway Richard , Sola Rafael G. , Alarcon Gonzalo 
Published: September 2013

SummaryPurposeDeep brain stimulation (DBS) of the thalamus is an emerging surgical option for people with medically refractory epilepsy that is not suitable for resective surgery, or in whom surgery has failed. Our main aim was to evaluate the efficacy of bilateral centromedian thalamic nucleus (CMN) DBS for seizure control in generalized epilepsy and frontal lobe epilepsy with a two‐center, single‐blind, controlled trial.MethodsParticipants were adults with refractory generalized or frontal lobe epilepsy. Seizure diaries were kept by patients/carers prospectively from enrollment. The baseline preimplantation period was followed by a control period consisting of a blind stimulation‐OFF phase of at least 3 months, a 3‐month blind stimulation‐ON phase, and a 6‐month unblinded stimulation‐ON phase. The control period was followed by an unblinded long‐term extension phase with stimulation‐ON in those patients in whom stimulation was thought to be effective.Key FindingsEleven patients were recruited at King's College Hospital (London, United Kingdom United Kingdom) and at University Hospital La Princesa (Madrid, Spain). Among the five patients with frontal lobe epilepsy, only one patient had >50% improvement in seizure frequency during the blind period. In the long‐term extension phase, two patients with frontal lobe epilepsy had >50% improvement in seizure frequency. All six patients with generalized epilepsy had >50% improvement in seizure frequency during the blind period. In the long‐term extension phase, five of the six patients showed >50% improvement in the frequency of major seizures (one became seizure free, one had >99% improvement, and three had 60–95% reduction in seizure frequency). Among patients with generalized epilepsy, the DBS implantation itself appears to be effective, as two patients remained seizure free during 12 and 50 months with DBS OFF, and the remaining four had 50–91% improvement in the initial 3 months with DBS OFF.SignificanceDBS implantation and stimulation of the CMN appears to be a safe and efficacious treatment, particularly in patients with refractory generalized epilepsy. CMN stimulation was not as effective in frontal lobe epilepsy, which requires further studies. DBS of the CMN should be considered as a treatment option, particularly in patients with refractory generalized epilepsy syndromes.
Subclinical early posttraumatic seizures detected by continuous EEG monitoring in a consecutive pediatric cohort
Authors: Arndt Daniel H. , Lerner Jason T. , Matsumoto Joyce H. , Madikians Andranik , Yudovin Sue , Valino Hannah , McArthur David L. , Wu Joyce Y. , Leung Michelle , Buxey Farzad , Szeliga Conrad , Van Hirtum‐Das Michele , Sankar Raman , Brooks‐Kayal Amy , Giza Christopher C. 
Published: September 2013

SummaryPurposeTraumatic brain injury (TBI) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in children, and early posttraumatic seizures (EPTS) are a contributing factor to ongoing acute damage. Continuous video‐EEG monitoring (cEEG) was utilized to assess the burden of clinical and electrographic EPTS.MethodsEighty‐seven consecutive, unselected (mild – severe), acute TBI patients requiring pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission at two academic centers were monitored prospectively with cEEG per established clinical TBI protocols. Clinical and subclinical seizures and status epilepticus (SE, clinical and subclinical) were assessed for their relation to clinical risk factors and short‐term outcome measures.Key FindingsOf all patients, 42.5% (37/87) had seizures. Younger age (p = 0.002) and injury mechanism (abusive head trauma – AHT, p < 0.001) were significant risk factors. Subclinical seizures occurred in 16.1% (14/87), while 6.9% (6/87) had only subclinical seizures. Risk factors for subclinical seizures included younger age (p < 0.001), AHT (p < 0.001), and intraaxial bleed (p < 0.001). SE occurred in 18.4% (16/87) with risk factors including younger age (p < 0.001), AHT (p < 0.001), and intraaxial bleed (p = 0.002). Subclinical SE was detected in 13.8% (12/87) with significant risk factors including younger age (p < 0.001), AHT (p = 0.001), and intraaxial bleed (p = 0.004). Subclinical seizures were associated with lower discharge King's Outcome Scale for Childhood Head Injury (KOSCHI) score (p = 0.002). SE and subclinical SE were associated with increased hospital length of stay (p = 0.017 and p = 0.041, respectively) and lower hospital discharge KOSCHI (p = 0.007 and p = 0.040, respectively).SignificancecEEG monitoring significantly improves detection of seizures/SE and is the only way to detect subclinical seizures/SE. cEEG may be indicated after pediatric TBI, particularly in younger children, AHT cases, and those with intraaxial blood on computerized tomography (CT).
Leukotrienes orchestrating allergic skin inflammation
Authors: Sadik Christian D. , Sezin Tanya , Kim Nancy D. 
Published: September 2013

AbstractLeukotrienes constitute a group of lipid mediators, which may be subdivided into two groups, with leukotriene B4 on the one hand and cysteinyl leukotrienes on the other. Although leukotrienes are abundantly expressed in skin affected by diverse chronic inflammatory diseases, including atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, pemphigus vulgaris and bullous pemphigoid, their pathological roles in these diseases have remained elusive. Recent data now reveal that both leukotriene B4 and cysteinyl leukotrienes are indispensable in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis, with leukotriene B4 initiating the recruitment of inflammatory cells, particularly neutrophils and TH2 cells into the skin, and cysteinyl leukotrienes later inducing characteristic structural alterations of chronically affected skin, specifically skin fibrosis and keratinocyte proliferation. Thus, these results reveal a sequential cooperation of LTB4 and cysteinyl leukotrienes to initiate and perpetuate allergic skin inflammation. These new insights highlight leukotrienes as promising therapeutic targets in allergic skin inflammation and should encourage more research into the role of leukotrienes in other inflammatory skin diseases.
Identification and polymorphism discovery of the cathelicidins, Lf‐CATHs in ranid amphibian (Limnonectes fragilis)
Authors: Yu Haining , Cai Shasha , Gao Jiuxiang , Zhang Songyan , Lu Yiling , Qiao Xue , Yang Hailong , Wang Yipeng 
Published: September 2013

To protect themselves against the invasion of microorganisms, amphibians, especially the Rana frogs, are possibly equipped with complex combinations of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). The two major AMP families, ranid skin secretion AMPs and cathelicidins might together constitute the host innate immune system of amphibians. Cathelicidins are a group of cationic peptides found in leukocytes and epithelial cells, and they play a central role in the early innate immune defense found in virtually all species of mammals. However, they have rarely been reported from amphibians. Here, we report the identification and discovery of polymorphism cathelicidins in Limnonectes fragilis. The expression profile indicated high cathelicidin transcript levels in frog spleen, liver and kidney, but lower levels in lung, skin and stomach. According to the amphibian's unique proteolytic pattern, R125 and L121 of the prepropeptides are predicted to be the processing positions for protease to generate the mature peptides, Lf‐CATH1 and ‐2, respectively. Both consist of 30 amino acid residues, of which two were cysteines positionally conserved among a few known amphibian cathelicidins. Homology modeling analysis revealed that Lf‐CATH1 and ‐2 adopt a tertiary structure with a mostly α helix that is representative of small cationic cathelicidin family peptides. Recombinant Lf‐CATH1 (rLf‐CATH1) was produced in Escherichia coli. Synthetic Lf‐CATH1 and ‐2 displayed potent antimicrobial activities in vitro against a broad spectrum of microorganisms, including standard and clinically isolated drug‐resistant strains, while showing neglectable hemolysis and cytotoxicities.
New types of experimental data shape the use of enzyme kinetics for dynamic network modeling
Authors: Tummler Katja , Lubitz Timo , Schelker Max , Klipp Edda 
Published: September 2013

Since the publication of Leonor Michaelis and Maude Menten's paper on the reaction kinetics of the enzyme invertase in 1913, molecular biology has evolved tremendously. New measurement techniques allow in vivo characterization of the whole genome, proteome or transcriptome of cells, whereas the classical enzyme essay only allows determination of the two Michaelis–Menten parameters V and Km. Nevertheless, Michaelis–Menten kinetics are still commonly used, not only in the in vitro context of enzyme characterization but also as a rate law for enzymatic reactions in larger biochemical reaction networks. In this review, we give an overview of the historical development of kinetic rate laws originating from Michaelis–Menten kinetics over the past 100 years. Furthermore, we briefly summarize the experimental techniques used for the characterization of enzymes, and discuss web resources that systematically store kinetic parameters and related information. Finally, describe the novel opportunities that arise from using these data in dynamic mathematical modeling. In this framework, traditional in vitro approaches may be combined with modern genome‐scale measurements to foster thorough understanding of the underlying complex mechanisms.