bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inflammatory Exudates Modulate the Function and Apoptosis of Neutrophils
Authors: Takashi Noriyuki , Watari Fumio , Totsuka Yasunori 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBiochemical factors of neutrophils in exudates from acute surgical wounds have been investigated. However, the fate and functions of neutrophils in the exudates have not been clarified and no prior study had compared exudates in the early and late surgical wound stages. The purpose of this study was to investigate the differing effects of exudates on human neutrophils between the early and late phases of inflammation, and to clarify the factors affecting neutrophil function. Exudates from 30 surgical patients with oral cancer who underwent radical neck dissection were collected on the 1st and 5th day after surgery (EX1, EX5). Neutrophils were obtained from two healthy volunteers. Following incubation of the neutrophils with the exudates we examined superoxide anion production and hAPO‐1/Fas expression by the neutrophils, apoptosis of the neutrophils and cytokine concentration in the exudates, and the factors related to neutrophil apoptosis. Superoxide anion production by neutrophils incubated with EX1 was significantly higher than by those incubated with EX5, while hAPO‐1/Fas expression by the neutrophils was also significantly greater upon incubation with EX5. The DNA ladder was detected only in human neutrophils incubated with EX5. The level of IL‐10 in EX1 was significantly lower than that in EX5. Apoptosis of the neutrophils incubated with EX5 was suppressed by the addition of anti‐IL‐10 antibody. These results indicate that neutrophils have their functions augmented and apoptosis is inhibited in the early phase of inflammation. Furthermore, IL‐10 is involved in apoptosis of neutrophils in the late phase of inflammation.
A Case of Actinomycosis of the Minor Salivary Gland in the Buccal Region
Authors: Tamura Takayuki , Ryoke Kazuo , Kidani Kazunori , Takubo Kazuko , Nakabayashi Motoki , Amekawa Shigeki 
Published: August 2012

AbstractWe report a case of actinomycosis arising in the minor salivary gland in the buccal region. A 71‐year‐old male presented with a swelling in the left buccal region. The clinical diagnosis was minor salivary gland tumor in the buccal mucosa. Under local anesthesia, the lesion was excised. Histopathological examination showed basophilic amorphous masses of Actinomyces in the dilated excretory duct with squamous metaplasia. A final diagnosis of actinomycosis was made. Its portal of entry was thought to be a disruption of the mucosal barrier after trauma due to maladaptation of dentures. There was no sign of recurrence after the surgery.
A Case of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Arising from Branchial Cleft Cyst
Authors: Saito Takashi , Sato Touru , Usui Hiroyuki , Hirashita Kouki , Asada Kouichi , Ishibashi Katsunori 
Published: August 2012

AbstractCarcinoma arising from the remnant of branchial epithelium or branchial cleft cyst is known as branchiogenic carcinoma. It is very rare, and its existence is a matter of controversy. We report a case of cystic carcinoma of the upper neck that fully met Martin’s criteria for branchiogenic carcinoma. A 53‐year‐old male visited Tsurumi University Dental Hospital with a swelling on the left side of the neck. Three tumors were excised from the neck, and histopathology revealed squamous cell carcinoma in a cystic lesion. As metastatic carcinoma of the cervical lymph nodes was suspected, the appropriate clinical tests and imaging were performed to determine the possible presence of a primary tumor. However, no primary carcinoma was found. These findings suggest that this was a case of branchiogenic carcinoma. The patient was treated with radiotherapy and followed up over an 8‐year period. No evidence of recurrence was found.
Swallowing in Cockayne Syndrome: A Case Report
Authors: Hara Iwao , Umemoto George , Takahashi Hiromasa , Kikuta Toshihiro 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThe case of a 20‐year‐old female with Cockayne syndrome, presenting with reduced intake of food, is described. At admission, her intake of food and her body weight were low. The patient’s food swallowing function was recorded by video fluorography and evaluated. Reduced transfer of food boluses to the posterior site of the oral cavity, incomplete formation of boluses in the oral phase, and residual food after swallowing in the pharynx phase were observed. No aspiration was observed, however, during video fluorography. The patient’s nutrition was managed by changing her meals to fluid‐type food to shorten the eating time.
Septic Pulmonary Embolism Ascribed to Periapical Periodontitis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Sakuma Hidenori , Nakamura Atsushi , Fukuoka Yumi , Okabe Mitsukuni , Tsurumi Kunio , Yokoi Motoo 
Published: August 2012

AbstractSeptic pulmonary embolism is a rare condition, the common sources of which are bacterial endocarditis and infected venous catheters. Septic pulmonary embolism ascribed to dental infection is extremely rare. The present report describes a case of septic pulmonary embolism attributed to periapical periodontitis in a 39‐year‐old patient, who was admitted with persistent toothache, fever, and chest pain. Chest CT showed a feeding vessel sign and a target sign. A panoramic radiograph of the left maxillary bone showed alveolar bone loss in a horizontal pattern typical of periodontitis and periapical periodontitis. The patient was treated with intravenous antibiotics and teeth extraction. To our knowledge, only 4 cases of septic pulmonary embolism ascribed to dental infection have been reported in the English literature. These patients repeatedly developed dental infections but did not receive appropriate dental treatment including extraction of the causative teeth, leading to the development of septic pulmonary embolism. This paper may contribute to the limited clinical knowledge base regarding septic pulmonary embolism ascribed to periapical periodontitis. Effective oral care and removal of the primary source of infection, including extraction of the causative teeth, are important to prevent septic pulmonary embolism.
Clinical and Electrocardiographic Characteristics of Patients with Brugada Syndrome: Report of Five Cases of Documented Ventricular Fibrillation
Authors: Takashio Seiji , Honda Toshihiro , Koyama Junjiro , Odagawa Yukinari , Nakao Koichi 
Published: August 2012

Background: Brugada syndrome is a disease in which idiopathic ventricular fibrillation (VF) sometimes occurs and causes sudden death. However, the clinical characteristics are still not fully understood.Patients and Methods: Five patients with Brugada syndrome, and with spontaneous VF documented by electrocardiograms (ECGs), were included in this study. We examined their clinical and electrocardiographic characteristics.Results: The mean age at the first VF/syncope episode was 54:4 ± 11:4 years. The mean follow‐up duration of the study was 114:8 ± 35:9 months. In 4 patients, typical coved‐type ST‐elevation with a circadian change in >1 right precordial lead (V1 to V3) was observed, and in the remaining patient it developed only after a pilsicainide test. VF was initiated by ventricular premature contractions (VPCs), which were almost identical to the preceding VPCs. While the isolated VPCs rarely occurred before VF in the patients whose late potentials were positive, in the patient whose late potential was negative, there were frequent episodes of VPCs before VF.Conclusion: In this study, we presented variable clinical and electrocardiographic characteristics of the patients. The differences might suggest that several mechanisms are involved in the onset of VF in Brugada syndrome.
Clinical Meaning of Right Bundle Branch Block Pattern on Surface Electrocardiogram in Pacemaker Patients During Right Ventricular Endocardial Pacing
Authors: Abulaiti Abula , Goseki Yoshinari , Arata Hiroshi , Morisaki Michihiko , Yazaki Yoshinao , Ishiyama Taizo , Yamashina Akira 
Published: August 2012

Introduction: Right bundle branch block (RBBB) pattern is sometimes observed in right ventricular (RV) endocardial pacing. However, the true mechanism and the clinical meaning of this phenomenon are still unknown.Methods and results: Out of 218 consecutive patients with RV apex endocardial pacing, we studied 30 cases with RBBB pattern and 111 cases with left bundle branch block (LBBB) pattern. No significant differences were found between these 2 groups in age, sex, and pacing mode. However, the percentage of cardiomyopathy patients in the RBBB pattern group was significantly higher than in the LBBB pattern group (36.7% versus 1.8%, p < 0.0001). The left ventricular diastolic dimension (52.2 ± 9.3 mm versus 48.0 ± 5.5 mm, p = 0.05) was bigger and left ventricular ejection fraction (56.2 ± 14.7% versus 66.4 ± 11.6%, p = 0.0003) was lower in the RBBB pattern group. In RBBB pattern group, 11 out of 13 patients with low cardiac function (ejection fraction <50%) showed a wide QRS duration greater than 160 ms in V1 and II leads.Conclusions: RBBB pattern, especially QRS duration wider than 160 ms in V1 and II leads, during RV endocardial pacing may represent left ventricular enlargement and dysfunction. These findings would help assess the cardiac function based on surface 12‐lead electrocardiography even in RV pacing.
Multiproxy characterization and budgeting of terrigenous end‐members at the NW African continental margin
Authors: Just Janna , Heslop David , von Dobeneck Tilo , Bickert Torsten , Dekkers Mark J. , Frederichs Thomas , Meyer Inka , Zabel Matthias 
Published: August 2012

Grain‐size, terrigenous element and rock magnetic remanence data of Quaternary marine sediments retrieved at the NW African continental margin off Gambia (gravity core GeoB 13602–1, 13°32.71′N, 17°50.96′W) were jointly analyzed by end‐member (EM) unmixing methods to distinguish and budget past terrigenous fluxes. We compare and cross‐validate the identified single‐parameter EM systems and develop a numerical strategy to calculate associated multiparameter EM properties. One aeolian and two fluvial EMs were found. The aeolian EM is much coarser than the fluvial EMs and is associated with a lower goethite/hematite ratio, a higher relative concentration of magnetite and lower Al/Si and Fe/K ratios. Accumulation rates and grain sizes of the fluvial sediment appear to be primarily constrained by shore distance (i.e., sea level fluctuations) and to a lesser extent by changes in hinterland precipitation. High dust fluxes occurred during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and during Heinrich Stadials (HS) while the fluvial input remained unchanged. Our approach reveals that the LGM dust fluxes were ∼7 times higher than today's. However, by far the highest dust accumulation occurred during HS 1 (∼300 g m−2 yr−1), when dust fluxes were ∼80 fold higher than today. Such numbers have not yet been reported for NW Africa, and emphasize strikingly different environmental conditions during HSs. They suggest that deflation rate and areal extent of HSs dust sources were much larger due to retreating vegetation covers. Beyond its regional and temporal scope, this study develops new, in principle, generally applicable strategies for multimethod end‐member interpretation, validation and flux budgeting calibration.
Cancer radiotherapy based on femtosecond IR laser-beam filamentation yielding ultra-high dose rates and zero entrance dose
Authors: Meesat Ridthee , Belmouaddine Hakim , Allard Jean-François , Tanguay-Renaud Catherine , Lemay Rosalie , Brastaviceanu Tiberius , Tremblay Luc , Paquette Benoit , Wagner J. Richard , Jay-Gerin Jean-Paul , Lepage Martin , Huels Michael A. , Houde Daniel 
Published: August 2012

Since the invention of cancer radiotherapy, its primary goal has been to maximize lethal radiation doses to the tumor volume while keeping the dose to surrounding healthy tissues at zero. Sadly, conventional radiation sources (γ or X rays, electrons) used for decades, including multiple or modulated beams, inevitably deposit the majority of their dose in front or behind the tumor, thus damaging healthy tissue and causing secondary cancers years after treatment. Even the most recent pioneering advances in costly proton or carbon ion therapies can not completely avoid dose buildup in front of the tumor volume. Here we show that this ultimate goal of radiotherapy is yet within our reach: Using intense ultra-short infrared laser pulses we can now deposit a very large energy dose at unprecedented microscopic dose rates (up to 10
11
Gy/s) deep inside an adjustable, well-controlled macroscopic volume, without any dose deposit in front or behind the target volume. Our infrared laser pulses produce high density avalanches of low energy electrons via laser filamentation, a phenomenon that results in a spatial energy density and temporal dose rate that both exceed by orders of magnitude any values previously reported even for the most intense clinical radiotherapy systems. Moreover, we show that (
i
) the type of final damage and its mechanisms in aqueous media, at the molecular and biomolecular level, is comparable to that of conventional ionizing radiation, and (
ii
) at the tumor tissue level in an animal cancer model, the laser irradiation method shows clear therapeutic benefits.
The Effects of Neutrally Buoyant, Externally Attached Transmitters on Swimming Performance and Predator Avoidance of Juvenile Chinook Salmon
Authors: Janak Jill M. , Brown Richard S. , Colotelo Alison H. , Pflugrath Brett D. , Stephenson John R. , Deng Z. Daniel , Carlson Thomas J. , Seaburg Adam G. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractMigrating juvenile salmonids experience rapid decompression that could result in injury or mortality due to barotrauma as they pass turbines at hydropower facilities. Recent research indicates that the risk of injury or mortality due to barotrauma is higher in fish bearing surgically implanted transmitters. Since tagged fish are used to represent the entire population, this tag effect potentially leads to inaccuracies in survival estimates for fish passing turbines. This problem led to development of a novel transmitter, the use of which may eliminate bias associated with the passage of transmitter‐bearing fish through turbines. Juvenile Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha were tagged with two different neutrally buoyant, externally attached transmitters (types A and B). The effects of transmitter presence on swimming performance were examined by comparing critical swimming speeds (Ucrit; an index of prolonged swimming performance) of externally tagged fish, untagged individuals, and fish that received surgically implanted Juvenile Salmon Acoustic Telemetry System acoustic transmitters. Fish tagged with external transmitters had lower Ucrit than untagged individuals. However, there was no difference in Ucrit between fish with external transmitter type A or B and fish with surgically implanted transmitters. Testing was conducted to determine whether predator avoidance was affected by the presence of type A transmitters compared with untagged fish. No difference in predation mortality was detected between tagged and untagged fish. Although results suggest that Ucrit was affected by externally attached transmitters in comparison with untagged fish, the overall impact as reflected by survival was similar; field‐based survival studies involving juvenile salmonids passing through hydroturbines are recommended. The absence of swimming performance effects in fish with external tags relative to fish with internally implanted transmitters and the lack of an increased predation risk relative to untagged fish suggest that an externally attached, neutrally buoyant transmitter is a viable option for telemetry studies in estimating survival of juvenile salmonids passing through hydroturbines.
On the standard canonical form of time-varying linear DAEs
Authors: Berger Thomas , Ilchmann Achim 
Published: August 2012

We introduce a solution theory for time-varying linear differential-algebraic equations (DAEs)

E
(
t
)

x
˙

=
A
(
t
)
x

E(t)\dot x=A(t)x

which can be transformed into standard canonical form (SCF); i.e., the DAE is decoupled into an ODE

z
˙

1

=
J
(
t
)

z
1

\dot z_1 = J(t)z_1

and a pure DAE

N
(
t
)

z
˙

2

=

z
2

N(t) \dot z_2 = z_2

, where

N
N

is pointwise strictly lower triangular. This class is a time-varying generalization of time-invariant DAEs where the corresponding matrix pencil is regular. It will be shown in which sense the SCF is a canonical form, that it allows for a transition matrix similar to the one for ODEs, and how this can be exploited to derive a variation of constants formula. Furthermore, we show in which sense the class of systems transferable into SCF is equivalent to DAEs which are analytically solvable, and relate SCF to the derivative array approach, differentiation index and strangeness index. Finally, an algorithm is presented which determines the transformation matrices which put a DAE into SCF.
PSA: software for parental structure analysis of seed or seedling patches
Authors: Robledo‐Arnuncio J. J. , Grivet D. , Smouse P. E. , Sork V. L. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractParental structure analysis (PSA) is a computer program to analyse separate contributions of paternal and maternal parents to postdispersal plant offspring. The program provides joint estimates of maternal, paternal and cross‐parental correlations within and among a set of predefined groups of seeds or seedlings, as well as derivative estimates of effective parental numbers. PSA utilizes data sets that distinguish between maternal and paternal contributions to the genotype of each offspring in the sample, but does not require parental samples per se. The approach requires assay of codominant diploid markers from both seed coat (maternally inherited) and seedling/embryo (biparentally inherited) tissues for each offspring. A simulation analysis of PSA's performance shows that it provides fairly accurate parental correlation estimates from affordable sampling effort. PSA should be of interest to plant biologists studying the interplay between dispersal, demography and genetics, as well as plant–animal interactions.
The clinical picture of juvenile parotitis in a prospective setup
Authors: Saarinen Riitta , Kolho Kaija‐Leena , Davidkin Irja , Pitkäranta Anne 
Published: August 2012

AbstractAim:  To characterize the features of juvenile parotitis in a prospective setup and epidemiology.Methods:  All children with parotitis admitted to Helsinki University Central Hospital 2005–2010 were recruited. Clinical characteristics, given treatment, outcome, blood leukocyte count, C‐reactive protein, serum amylase and trypsinogen, SPINK‐1 genotype and mumps antibodies were recorded. To map the epidemiology, a questionnaire was sent to 1000 randomly selected 13‐year‐old children.Results:  The prospective study included 41 children (aged ≤ 17) with acute parotitis, all in good general condition. Serum amylase, but not trypsinogen, was elevated in majority of the cases (79%) and C‐reactive protein in 68%. Eleven (27%) children had an elevated blood leukocyte count. None had acute mumps. Most children recovered well, 51% being treated symptomatically only. Seven children were treated on ward. Seventeen (46%) children had recurrent symptoms. One child (2.4%) had SPINK P55S mutation. According to the epidemiological questionnaire, 1.1% of the respondents (8/728, response rate 73%) reported a verified episode(s) of parotitis.Conclusion:  Juvenile parotitis has a frequency close to 1%. In the majority, the general condition is good during the episode. Serum amylase serves as an additional marker for the disease. Parotitis has a tendency to recur in almost half of the cases.
Timing of allergy‐preventive and immunomodulatory dietary interventions – are prenatal, perinatal or postnatal strategies optimal?
Authors: Jenmalm M. C. , Duchén K. 
Published: August 2012

SummaryThe increasing allergy prevalence in affluent countries may be caused by reduced microbial stimulation and a decreased dietary ω‐3/ω‐6 long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) ratio, resulting in an abnormal postnatal immune maturation. The timing of allergy‐preventive probiotic and ω‐3 LCPUFA interventions is critical, as early‐life events occurring during critical windows of immune vulnerability can have long‐term impact on immune development. The maternal dietary and microbial environment during pregnancy may programme the immune development of the child. Prenatal environmental exposures may alter gene expression via epigenetic mechanisms, aiming to induce physiological adaptations to the anticipated postnatal environment, but potentially also increasing disease susceptibility in the offspring if exposures are mismatched. Although the importance of fetal programming mostly has been studied in cardiovascular and metabolic disease, this hypothesis is also very attractive in the context of environmentally influenced immune‐mediated diseases. This review focuses on how prenatal, perinatal or postnatal ω‐3 LCPUFA interventions regulate childhood immune and allergy development, and if synergistic effects may be obtained by simultaneous probiotic supplementation. We propose that combined pre‐ and postnatal preventive measures may be most efficacious. Increasing knowledge on the immunomodulatory effects of prenatal, perinatal and postnatal interventions will help to direct future strategies to combat the allergy epidemic.
Dietary restriction and exercise improve airway inflammation and clinical outcomes in overweight and obese asthma: a randomized trial
Authors: Scott H. A. , Gibson P. G. , Garg M. L. , Pretto J. J. , Morgan P. J. , Callister R. , Wood L. G. 
Published: August 2012

SummaryBackgroundObesity and asthma are associated conditions; however, the mechanisms linking the two remain unclear. Few studies have examined the effects of weight loss on inflammation and clinical outcomes in obese–asthma.ObjectiveTo compare the effects of weight loss achieved by dietary restriction, exercise or combined dietary restriction and exercise on airway inflammation and clinical outcomes in overweight and obese adults with asthma.MethodsParticipants (n = 46; 54.3% female, body mass index (mean ± SD) 33.7 ± 3.5 kg/m2) were randomized to complete a 10‐week dietary, exercise or combined dietary and exercise intervention. Dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry was performed, the Juniper Asthma Control Questionnaire and Juniper Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire completed and inflammatory markers, dietary intake and physical activity measured. The trial was registered with the Australian Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12611000235909.ResultsRetention was 82.6%. Mean ± SD weight loss was 8.5 ± 4.2%, 1.8 ± 2.6% and 8.3 ± 4.9% after the dietary, exercise and combined interventions respectively. Asthma control improved after the dietary (mean ± SD; −0.6 ± 0.5, P ≤ 0.001) and combined interventions (−0.5 ± 0.7, P = 0.040), whereas quality of life improved after the dietary [median (IQR); 0.9 (0.4, 1.3), P = 0.002], exercise [0.49 (0.03, 0.78), P = 0.037] and combined [0.5 (0.1, 1.0), P = 0.007] interventions. A 5–10% weight loss resulted in clinically important improvements to asthma control in 58%, and quality of life in 83%, of subjects. Gynoid adipose tissue reduction was associated with reduced neutrophilic airway inflammation in women [β‐coefficient (95% CI); 1.75 (0.02, 3.48), P = 0.047], whereas a reduction in dietary saturated fat was associated with reduced neutrophilic airway inflammation in males (r = 0.775, P = 0.041). The exercise intervention resulted in a significant reduction to sputum eosinophils [median (IQR); −1.3 (−2.0, −1.0)%, P = 0.028].Conclusion and clinical relevanceThis study suggests a weight‐loss goal of 5–10% be recommended to assist in the clinical management of overweight and obese adults with asthma. The obese–asthma phenotype may involve both innate and allergic inflammatory pathways.