bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A systematic analysis of bone marrow cells by flow cytometry defines a specific phenotypic profile beyond GPI deficiency in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria
Authors: Mannelli Francesco , Bencini Sara , Peruzzi Benedetta , Cutini Ilaria , Sanna Alessandro , Benelli Matteo , Magi Alberto , Gianfaldoni Giacomo , Rotunno Giada , Carrai Valentina , Gelli Anna Maria Grazia , Valle Veronica , Santini Valeria , Notaro Rosario , Luzzatto Lucio , Bosi Alberto 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackground.Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a unique disorder caused by a PIG‐A gene mutation in a stem cell clone. Its clinical picture can sometimes make challenging the distinction from other disorders, and especially from myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), since both diseases correlate with cytopenias and morphological abnormalities of bone marrow (BM) cells. Recently, flow cytometry (FC) has been proposed to integrate the morphologic assessment of BM dysplasia, and thus to improve the diagnostics of MDS.Methods.In the present study, we have analyzed systematically FC data resulting from the study of BM cells from patients with PNH and MDS.Results.Our data demonstrated abnormalities in PNH beyond the deficiency of glycosylphosphatidylinositol‐linked proteins and the application of a systematic approach allowed us to separate effectively MDS and PNH in a cluster analysis and to highlight disease‐specific abnormalities. Indeed, the parallel evaluation of some key parameters, i.e. patterns of expression of CD45 and CD10, provided information with practical diagnostic usefulness in the distinction between PNH and MDS. Moreover, the hypo‐expression of CD36 that we observed on monocytes might be related to the thrombotic tendency in PNH.Conclusions.We investigated systematically the phenotypic profile of BM cells from patients with PNH; our data provide useful antigenic patterns to solve between PNH and MDS, sometimes morphologically overlapping. Moreover, some PNH‐related phenotypic changes might be involved in the physiopathology of the disease and further studies addressing this issue are warranted. © 2013 International Clinical Cytometry Society
What should be the antihypertensive drug of choice in diabetic patients and should we avoid drugs that increase glucose levels? Pro and Cons
Authors: Standl Eberhard , Erbach Michael , Schnell Oliver 
Published: December 2012

SummaryIt has long been known that antihypertensive drugs may affect blood glucose in a differential manner. In particular new onset diabetes is significantly increased in association with the use of thiazides or beta‐blockers, respectively, compared to placebo, whereas treatment with angiotensin‐conversion‐enzyme‐inhibitors or angiotensin‐receptor‐blockers is associated with a lower than expected frequency, as also assessed in several meta‐analyses. In line with these notions, the NAVIGATOR Trial was the first to report a significant preventive effect of an angiotensin‐receptor‐blocker on new onset diabetes evaluated as a primary outcome in a prospective randomized study. Hence, and in view of the fact that comparable blood pressure lowering with any of the five major classes of antihypertensive drugs, including calcium‐channel‐blockers, give comparable benefits in reducing cardiovascular complications, unless there are specific indications or contraindications for an individual drug, caution should be exercised, therefore, to use beta‐blockers or thiazides as first‐line drugs for blood pressure lowering indications in subjects at high risk to develop diabetes, especially in patients with so called metabolic syndrome. The potential of glycemic worsening in overt diabetic patients with thiazides or beta‐blockers has less well been studied systematically, yet paradigmatically in UKPDS evaluating a randomized comparison of a beta‐blocker with an angiotensin‐conversion‐enzyme(ACE)‐inhibitor. Not only was there HbA1c worsening with beta‐blocker use which required additional blood glucose lowering therapy, but also significantly more weight gain which still was detectable at the 20 year follow‐up. On the other hand, the overall cardiovascular outcomes were comparable in the two treatment groups irrespective whether therapy was based on the beta blocker atenolol or the ACE‐inhibitor captopril. Awareness of these facts and highly individualized therapy seem to be the way forward.
Population‐based screening for the prevention of lower extremity complications in diabetes
Authors: Ozdemir B. A. , Brownrigg J. , Patel N. , Jones K. G. , Thompson M. M. , Hinchliffe R. J. 
Published: December 2012

SummaryDiabetes‐related foot disease is a major health problem leading to significant morbidity and cost. If high‐risk populations could be identified and treated before they develop complications, a significant reduction in the burden of foot disease and number of amputations might be expected. We examined the evidence to support population‐based screening programs.MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched from January 1970 to February 2012 to identify studies assessing the impact of screening on lower limb complications in diabetes. Foot screening was defined as combined risk stratification and intervention to prevent foot complications in a population of people with diabetes mellitus. Articles reporting singularly on stratification of risk factors to predict subsequent complications but not reporting effect on minor, major and/or combined major and minor (total) amputation were excluded.Two randomized control trials were identified. These demonstrated patient benefit from screening in the setting of a general secondary care diabetes clinic and renal dialysis unit. Four before and after studies suggested benefit from primary care or regional screening. One study tried to address confounding from general improvements in the provision of diabetes foot care separately from screening. All the observational studies were prone to confounding.The evidence base for formal national primary care‐based foot screening of all patients with diabetes is weak. Focused research is needed to confirm that general population‐based screening in the community is effective and cost‐effective. Limited evidence suggests that screening of high‐risk populations of patients may be justified. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
UNCERTAINTY AND THE DECISION MAKER: ASSESSING AND MANAGING THE RISK OF UNDESIRABLE OUTCOMES
Authors: Gafni Amiram , Walter Stephen , Birch Stephen 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACTWe present an approach to rank order new programs in ways that accommodate uncertainty of different outcomes occurring, on the basis of the size and nature (‘bad’ or ‘good’) of those outcomes. This represents an improvement on the way uncertainty has been accommodated in existing approaches (e.g., threshold approach to cost‐effectiveness analysis). We illustrate the approach using the decision making plane, which explicitly incorporates opportunity costs and relaxes the assumptions of perfect divisibility and constant returns to scale of the cost‐effectiveness plane. The nature of the bad (or good) outcome is determined by the quadrant that it falls into (i.e., a ‘quadrant effect’) and its magnitude by its location within the quadrant (i.e., ‘within quadrant effect’). By explicitly defining the loss function, the process of accepting (or rejecting) a new program becomes transparent. We illustrate the approach using a loss function and a net gain function. We show that by recognizing that, not all bad (or good) outcomes are equal and the choice of a loss or a net gain function can result in different ranking of resource allocation options. Further implications of the proposed approach are discussed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structure Evolution of Gelatin Particles Induced by pH and Ionic Strength
Authors: Xu Jing , Li Tianduo , Tao Furong , Cui Yuezhi , Xia Yongmei 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACTMicrostructure of gelatin particles played a key role in determining the physicochemical properties of gelatin. Ionic strength and pH as systematic manners were considered to affect gelatin particles structure on the micrometer scale. Scanning electron microscopy was used for depicting the morphologies of gelatin particles. Increasing pH to 10.0 or decreasing pH to 4.0, spherical, spindle, and irregular aggregates of gelatin particles at 2, 6, 10, and 14% solution (w/w) were all transformed to spindle aggregates. When NaCl was added to the system, the molecular chains of gelatin possibly rearranged themselves in a stretched state, and the ribbon aggregates was observed. The structural transitions of gelatin aggregates were strongly depended on the electrostatic repulsion. In the gelatin–sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) case, the micrometer scale of aggregates was larger and the different degrees of cross‐links were induced through hydrophobic interaction and electrostatic repulsion. Microsc. Res. Tech. 76:272–281, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
γ‐Aminobutyric acid type a receptor inhibition triggers a nicotinic neuroprotective mechanism
Authors: Ferchmin P.A. , Pérez Dinely , Castro Alvarez William , Penzo Mario A. , Maldonado Héctor M. , Eterovic Vesna A. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractNicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR)‐mediated neuroprotection has been implicated in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases and hypoxic ischemic events as well as other diseases hallmarked by excitotoxic and apoptotic neuronal death. Several modalities of nicotinic neuroprotection have been reported. However, although this process generally involves α4β2 and α7 subtypes, the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. Interestingly, both activation and inhibition of α7 nAChRs have been reported to be neuroprotective. We have shown that inhibition of α7 nAChRs protects the function of acute hippocampal slices against excitotoxicity in an α4β2‐dependent manner. Neuroprotection was assessed as the prevention of the N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate‐dependent loss of the area of population spikes (PSs) in the CA1 area of acute hippocampal slices. Our results support a model in which α7 AChRs control the release of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA). Blocking either α7 or GABAA receptors reduces the inhibitory tone on cholinergic terminals, thereby promoting α4β2 activation, which in turn mediates neuroprotection. These results shed light on how α7 nAChR inhibition can be neuroprotective through a mechanism mediated by activation of α4β2 nAChRs. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Celebrating the golden anniversary of anterior skull base surgery: Reflections on the Past 50 Years and Its Historical Evolution
Authors: Husain Qasim , Patel Smruti K. , Soni Resha S. , Patel Amit A. , Liu James K. , Eloy Jean Anderson 
Published: December 2012

AbstractWith its inception nearly half a century ago through the pioneering work of Dandy, McLean, and Smith, anterior skull base (ASB) surgery is a relatively young discipline. It became a distinct entity in 1963 when Ketcham popularized the combined transcranial transfacial approach for en bloc resection of tumors of the paranasal sinuses extending into the anterior cranial fossa. However, because these procedures resulted in major morbidities and mortalities, alternative modes of treatment were sought. Since the 1970s, the introduction and promotion of the surgical endoscope by Messerklinger, Stammberger, and Kennedy, commenced the era of endoscopic sinus surgery. Thaler and colleagues described the utility of the endoscope for ASB surgery at the turn of the century. This allowed direct visualization and safer, more accurate removal of tumors. In 2001, Casiano reported the first purely endoscopic endonasal ASB resection, a novel technique that has been adopted by major skull base centers. The success of ASB surgery can be attributed to both the development of the skull base team as well as improvements in surgical techniques, instrumentation, and visualization technology. In this article, we review the historical evolution of ASB surgery as we approach the 50th anniversary since its recognition as a distinct entity. Laryngoscope, 2013
Soil Quality Indicators in Relation to Land Use and Topography in a Small Catchment on the Loess Plateau of China
Authors: Zhao X. , Wu P. , Gao X. , Persaud N. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBetter understanding of how the loess soils respond to topography and land use under catchment‐scale vegetation restoration is needed to enable science‐based land management interventions for the policy‐driven “Grain‐for‐Green” eco‐restoration program in the Loess Plateau of China. The objective of this study was to characterize the relationships of four selected soil quality indicators to land use under vegetation restoration and topography for a small catchment (0·58 km2) in the Loess Plateau. The major land uses established in the catchment are cropland, fallow (i.e., natural revegetation), grassland, and jujube orchard. The four soil quality indicators were soil organic carbon (SOC), soil total nitrogen (STN), soil total phosphorus (STP), and mean root zone soil water content during the wet season (MRZSWwet). SOC, STN, and MRZSWwet were significantly different (p < 0·05) for different land uses. Grassland showed the highest values for these three properties, whereas cropland had relatively low values for SOC and STN. Land use had no effect on STP, although the lowest value was observed in grassland. Spatial analysis showed that various relations between soil quality indicators and topography (slope and elevation) were observed. These relations were generally weak for most of them, and they varied with land uses. Further analyses indicated that land uses, slope, and elevation had significant effects on the relations between different soil quality indicators. The results here should provide useful information for the further development of “Grain‐for‐Green” program. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transfer of brachioradialis motor branch to the anterior interosseous nerve in C8‐T1 brachial plexus palsy. An anatomic study
Authors: García‐López Antonio , Fernández Eduardo , Martínez Francisco 
Published: December 2012

AbstractWe present an anatomical and histomorphometric study of the transfer of the motor branch to the brachioradialis muscle to the anterior interosseous nerve in recent brachial plexus lesions, involving C8 and T1 roots. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the anatomic constancy of the nerves involved in the transfer, feasibility, and reproducibility of the transfer. We performed a study of 14 elbows in fresh cadavers. Transfer of the motor branch of the brachioradialis muscle to the anterior interosseous nerve was possible in all specimens; there was constancy in the origin and entry into the muscle of the donor nerve, and it was always possible to dissect the recipient nerve at the level of the donor nerve, thereby allowing for direct coaptation of the nerves. The mean diameter of the anterior interosseous nerve was 2.9 ± 0.5 mm and the mean diameter of the brachioradialis muscle branch was 2 ± 0.4 mm. The branch to the brachioradialis muscle contains an average of 550 ± 64 myelinated axons and the anterior interosseous nerve has an average of 2266 ± 274 myelinated axons. The anatomic study in cadavers showed that the technique is justified and anatomically reproducible. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2013.
Dorsal foot resurfacing using free anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap in children
Authors: El‐Gammal Tarek A. , El‐Sayed Amr , Kotb Mohamed M. , Saleh Waleed Riad , Ragheb Yasser Farouk , El‐Refai Omar , El Fahar Mohammed Hassan Ali 
Published: December 2012

AbstractVery limited literature described the use of the free anterolateral thigh (ALT) among other flaps for pediatric lower limb reconstruction. The aim of this study is to present our experience using the free ALT flap for reconstruction of soft tissue defects over the dorsum of the foot and ankle in children. The study included 42 children aged 2.5–13 years with a mean of 6.18 years. Three children had crush injuries while the rest were victims of run over car accidents. All of the flaps were vascularized by at least two perforators; 88.23% were musculocutaneous and 11.77 were septocutaneous perforators. All flaps were raised in a subfascial plane. Initial thinning was performed in five flaps and 35% required subsequent debulking. Mean Flap surface area was 117.11 cm2. The recipient arteries were the anterior tibial artery in 38 cases and posterior tibial artery in four cases. Venous anastomosis was performed to one vena commitant and in nine cases the long saphenous vein was additionally used. Mean ischemia time of the flap was 2 hours while total operative time averaged 6.3 hours. About 41% of donor sites were closed primarily while 59% required skin grafting. Primary flap survival rate was 92.8% (39/42 cases). Three flaps showed venous congestion. After venous reanastomosis, two flaps showed partial loss and one flap was lost completely. Post‐operative hospital stay averaged 7.5 days. The free ALT flap could be as safe, reliable, and aesthetically appealing option for foot/ankle resurfacing in children after traumatic soft tissue loss. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2013.
Controlled block glycopolymers able to bind specific proteins
Authors: Muñoz‐Bonilla Alexandra , León Orietta , Bordegé Vanesa , Sánchez‐Chaves Manuel , Fernández‐García Marta 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThe syntheses of a variety of amphiphilic block glycopolymers based on 2‐{[(D‐glucosamin‐2‐N‐yl)carbonyl]oxy}ethyl acrylate and n‐butyl acrylate or methyl methacrylate by single‐electron transfer‐living radical polymerization (SET‐LRP) are described. In a first step, the homopolymerization of unprotected acrylic glycomonomer to obtain well‐controlled glycopolymers is studied. Posterior and based on these studies, di‐ and triblock glycopolymers were synthesized via SET‐LRP of the glycomonomer from different hydrophobic blocks, varying the hydrophilic block lengths. All the copolymers are characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and GPC. Moreover, their water solution behavior by dynamic light scattering and their capacity of interaction with Concanavalin A lectin by turbidimetry are analyzed. The effect on the block glycopolymers behavior of hydrophobic block nature and the length of glycopolymer segments is evaluated. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013
The Saccharomyces cerevisiae enolase‐related regions encode proteins that are active enolases
Authors: Kornblatt M. J. , Richard Albert J. , Mattie S. , Zakaib J. , Dayanandan S. , Hanic‐Joyce P. J. , Joyce P. B. M. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractIn addition to two genes (ENO1 and ENO2) known to code for enolase (EC4.2.1.11), the Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome contains three enolase‐related regions (ERR1, ERR2 and ERR3) which could potentially encode proteins with enolase function. Here, we show that products of these genes (Err2p and Err3p) have secondary and quaternary structures similar to those of yeast enolase (Eno1p). In addition, Err2p and Err3p can convert 2‐phosphoglycerate to phosphoenolpyruvate, with kinetic parameters similar to those of Eno1p, suggesting that these proteins could function as enolases in vivo. To address this possibility, we overexpressed the ERR2 and ERR3 genes individually in a double‐null yeast strain lacking ENO1 and ENO2, and showed that either ERR2 or ERR3 could complement the growth defect in this strain when cells are grown in medium with glucose as the carbon source. Taken together, these data suggest that the ERR genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae encode a protein that could function in glycolysis as enolase. The presence of these enolase‐related regions in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and their absence in other related yeasts suggests that these genes may play some unique role in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Further experiments will be required to determine whether these functions are related to glycolysis or other cellular processes. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diagnostic and prognostic value of immunohistochemical expression of S100P and IMP3 in transpapillary biliary forceps biopsy samples of extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma
Authors: Kawashima Hiroki , Itoh Akihiro , Ohno Eizaburo , Miyahara Ryoji , Ohmiya Naoki , Tanaka Tsutomu , Shimoyama Yoshie , Nakamura Shigeo , Ebata Tomoki , Nagino Masato , Goto Hidemi , Hirooka Yoshiki 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackgroundBecause the biopsy specimen of extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma (EHBDC) is small and shows reactive changes, the histological distinction between malignant and benign tissue can be difficult. Recent studies reported that S100P and insulin‐like growth factor II mRNA‐binding protein 3 (IMP3) were not only diagnostic molecules but also prognostic biomarkers in several organs. The objective of this study is to clarify the diagnostic and prognostic value of immunohistochemical expression of S100P and IMP3 in transpapillary biliary forceps biopsy (TBFB) samples.MethodsThe TBFB samples were collected from 80 patients (EHBDC, 68 patients; benign, 12 patients), retrospectively.ResultsWhen using cytoplasmic‐positive staining for IMP3 as a marker of malignancy, the sensitivity and specificity reached 79.4 and 91.7 %, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy achieved 89.7, 91.7 and 90.0 %, respectively, when using positive staining for IMP3 and/or positive histology as a maker of malignancy. While univariate (P = 0.033) and multivariate (P = 0.039) analysis revealed that S100P‐positive EHBDC patients showed significantly shorter survival.ConclusionsThe results of this study suggest that immunohistochemical staining for IMP3 is useful in the diagnosis of EHBDC and that of S100P is useful as a prognostic marker for EHBDC.
Totally laparoscopic hepatectomy exposing the major vessels
Authors: Honda Goro , Kurata Masanao , Okuda Yukihiro , Kobayashi Shin , Tadano Sosuke , Yamaguchi Tatsuro , Matsumoto Hiroshi , Nakano Daisuke , Takahashi Keiichi 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackgroundEven during laparoscopic hepatectomy, a technique is often required to expose the major vessels, for example, in anatomical hepatectomy. We have standardized and performed such laparoscopic hepatectomy as successfully as open hepatectomy.MethodsWe divide the liver parenchyma without pre‐coagulation, exposing the major vessels using CUSA. To control the bleeding, we keep the central venous pressure low and often perform Pringle's maneuver. Over 49 months, we performed totally laparoscopic hepatectomies in 41 patients with the technique of exposing the major vessels. These included major hepatectomy in 7, sectorectomy in 17, segmentectomy in 14, and others in 3.ResultsThe median operative time was 361 (range 176–605) minutes, with median blood loss of 216 (range 0–1600) g. The conversion rate was 4.9 %. Postoperative morbidity rate was 9.8 % (prolonged ascites in 1, port site infection in 1, peroneal palsy in 2). Mortality was zero. The median length of hospital stay after surgery was 8 (range 5–28) days. No local recurrence was found at the time of writing.ConclusionsBy using our standardized procedure exposing the major vessels, we could raise the quality of laparoscopic hepatectomy toward the level of open hepatectomy significantly.