bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Deficiency of a New Protein Associated with Cardiac Syndrome X; Called Adropin
Authors: Celik Ahmet , Balin Mehmet , Kobat Mehmet Ali , Erdem Kenan , Baydas Adil , Bulut Musa , Altas Yakup , Aydin Suna , Aydin Suleyman 
Published: January 2013

SummaryThe pathophysiology of cardiac syndrome X (CSX) is still unclear, but most patients with CSX have endothelial dysfunction. It has been shown that adropin uniquely effects the regulation of endothelial function. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the role of adropin in CSX. Eighty‐six consecutive cardiac syndrome X‐diagnosed patients and 86 age‐sex matched healthy subjects were enrolled into the study. Serum adropin levels, nitrite/nitrate levels were measured in each subject. The adropin levels were significantly lower in patients with CSX than healthy subjects (1.7 ± 0.8 ng/mL and 3.4 ± 1.8 ng/mL, respectively; P < 0.001). The BMI values of patients with CSX were significantly higher than control subjects (28.1 ± 2.4 kg/m2 and 26.0 ± 3.7 kg/m2, respectively; P < 0.001). Plasma nitrite/nitrate levels were lower in patients with CSX than control subjects (15.9 ± 1.6 μmol/L vs. 25.4 ± 2.8 μmol/L, respectively; P < 0.001), and they have a significantly positive correlation with plasma adropin levels (r = 0.463, P < 0.001). In the multiple linear regression analysis, nitrite/nitrate levels, BMI, and adropin were found to be independent risk factors for CSX. A ROC curve is used to identify the ability of adropin levels to predict the cardiac syndrome X. The area under the ROC curve was 0.854 for adropin levels (P = 0.0001). The sensitivity and specificity values of adropin levels were 90.7 and 70.9%, respectively (cut‐off value 2.73). In conclusion, lower serum adropin levels were associated with CSX. Adropin is an independent risk factor for CSX.
Determining adrenocortical activity as a measure of stress in African elephants (Loxodonta africana) in relation to human activities in Serengeti ecosystem
Authors: Tingvold Heidi G. , Fyumagwa Robert , Bech Claus , Baardsen Lisa F. , Rosenlund Håvard , Røskaft Eivin 
Published: January 2013

AbstractAfrican elephants (Loxodonta africana) play a vital role in most African ecosystems, with their opportunity to alter the entire ecosystem by their sheer numbers. Defining and measuring animal welfare has been much discussed. One potential way of determining an animal's welfare is to record the absence or presence of stress. Little research on elephant welfare has so far been performed in the Serengeti ecosystem. The aim of this study was to record the faecal glucocorticoid metabolite levels of African elephants in areas with high or with minimum human interference. A total of 117 faecal samples were collected from randomly located single elephants as well as family herds in the northern, central and western Serengeti National Park (SNP) as well as in Grumeti Game Reserve and Ikoma Open Area, northern Tanzania in 2010. Elephants had higher levels of faecal glucocorticoid metabolites in the areas outside, compared with areas inside SNP. No single males were observed outside SNP, and in general, higher abundance of elephants was observed inside SNP. This suggests that elephants may prefer to reside in the potential safer areas inside the national park, demonstrating the importance of protected areas to improve the welfare of elephants.
Early childhood‐onset restless legs syndrome: symptoms and effect of oral iron treatment
Authors: Tilma Jens , Tilma Karen , Norregaard Ole , Ostergaard John R 
Published: January 2013

AbstractAimTo describe symptoms of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in early childhood and the effect of oral iron treatment.MethodsA study population comprising 22 children, 15 males and seven females referred for paediatric evaluation because of sleep disturbances. Presence of RLS was evaluated using the International RLS Study Group consensus criteria of RLS. In case of ferritin level below 50 ng/mL, oral iron treatment was initiated. Fourteen were examined by polysomnography as well, and periodic limb movement index during sleep (PLMSI) was calculated. Relief of symptoms was recorded by the parents and correlated with ferritin levels and PLMSI.ResultsMedian age at onset of symptoms was 7.5 months (0–40 months). The most striking single symptom was awakening after 1–3 h of sleep followed by screaming, crying, kicking or hitting the legs. Oral iron supplementation had a positive ferritin‐concentration‐dependent clinical effect. A relation between high PLMSI and low ferritin levels was demonstrated.ConclusionSymptoms of RLS may start as early as the first year of life, are accompanied by low ferritin levels and a high PLMSI and can be ameliorated by iron supplementation. An increased awareness and knowledge of RLS in early childhood are warranted.
Temporal alterations and cellular mechanisms of transmural repolarization during progression of mouse cardiac hypertrophy and failure
Authors: Shi C. , Wang X. , Dong F. , Wang Y. , Hui J. , Lin Z. , Yang J. , Xu Y. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractAimThe remodelling of transmural dispersion of repolarization (TDR) in human heart failure (HF) and in different animal models of cardiac hypertrophy or HF remains a controversial topic. We hypothesize that TDR may exhibit temporal alterations, depending on the stage of the disease.MethodsWe systematically investigated the temporal alterations of TDR during the development of cardiac hypertrophy and HF in the mouse pressure‐overload model using electrophysiological and molecular biology techniques.ResultsA progressive prolongation of QT interval and changes in the amplitude of the J wave at 2, 5, 9 and 13 weeks were found in anesthetized aorta‐banded mice. Action potential duration (APD) at 90% repolarization (APD90) in subendocardial myocytes of the left ventricular free wall remained unchanged at the hypertrophic stage (2 and 5 weeks), but was significantly prolonged in HF mice at 9 and 13 weeks. However, APD90 in subepicardial myocytes exhibited a significant prolongation at 2 weeks and did not progressively extend from 2 weeks to 13 weeks in banded mice. Thus, non‐parallel prolongation of APD in subendocardial and subepicardial myocytes led to a reduction in TDR at hypertrophic stage and an amplification of TDR at HF stage. Further experiments revealed that asynchronous down‐regulation of voltage‐dependent potassium currents (Ito,f, IK,slow and Iss) and L‐type calcium currents (ICa‐L) in subendocardial and subepicardial myocytes may contribute to the dynamic remodelling of transmural APD.ConclusionThe two distinct TDR modes were revealed during the progression of mouse cardiac hypertrophy and failure, indicating that the remodelling of TDR depends on the stage of the disease.
Development of a chick bioassay for determination of infectivity of viral pathogens in poultry litter
Authors: Islam AFMF , Walkden‐Brown SW , Groves PJ , Wells B 
Published: January 2013

ObjectiveTo develop a chicken bioassay to detect infective viral pathogens in poultry litter and to determine the effects of type of chicken and age of exposure, as well as the effect of simulated litter transportation, on the level of viral infectivity detected.DesignA 5 × 2 × 2 factorial design, plus negative controls. Five chicken litters, including two with deliberate contamination (one transported and one not), two chicken types (specific‐pathogen‐free (SPF) Leghorns and Cobb broilers) and two ages at initial exposure (days 1 and 8). Two replicates of each treatment combination.MethodsThe 10 chickens in each of 22 isolators were either exposed (20 isolators) or not (2 isolators) to 8 L of previously used or deliberately contaminated poultry litter in two deep scratch trays. At day 35 post‐exposure, sera were assayed for antibodies against chicken anaemia virus (CAV), infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV), Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and fowl adenovirus (FAV). Spleen samples were tested for Marek's disease virus (MDV) using real‐time polymerase chain reaction.ResultsThe bioassay detected CAV, IBDV and FAV, but not NDV, IBV or MDV, in chickens exposed to infected litters. Infection in SPF chickens was detected with greater sensitivity than in the broiler chickens. Sensitivity increased with age at exposure in broiler but not SPF chickens. Simulated transportation for 24 h had little effect on pathogen detection.ConclusionA bioassay based on the exposure of day‐old SPF chickens to poultry litter and measurement of seroconversion at day 35 post‐exposure is a useful semi‐quantitative assay for viral infectivity in poultry litter, with overnight transportation of litter having little effect on the level of viral infectivity detected. This bioassay has applications in research on litter treatment protocols.
The HSP90 inhibitor NVP‐AUY922‐AG inhibits the PI3K and IKK signalling pathways and synergizes with cytarabine in acute myeloid leukaemia cells
Authors: Walsby Elisabeth J. , Lazenby Michelle , Pepper Chris J. , Knapper Steven , Burnett Alan K. 
Published: January 2013

SummaryHeat shock protein 90 (HSP90; HSP90AA1) is a molecular chaperone involved in signalling pathways for cell proliferation, survival, and cellular adaptation. Inhibitors of HSP90 are being examined as anti‐cancer agents, but the critical molecular mechanism(s) of their activity remains unresolved. HSP90 inhibition potentially facilitates the simultaneous targeting of multiple molecules within tumour cells and represents an attractive therapeutic proposition. Here, we investigated HSP90 as a molecular target for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) using the novel HSP90 inhibitor NVP‐AUY922‐AG. NVP‐AUY922‐AG induced dose‐dependent killing in myeloid cell lines and primary AML blasts. In primary blasts, cell death in response to NVP‐AUY922‐AG was seen at concentrations almost 2 logs lower than cytarabine (Ara‐C) (50% lethal dose = 0·12 μ mol/l ± 0·28). NVP‐AUY922‐AG was significantly less toxic to normal bone marrow (P = 0·02). In vitro response to NVP‐AUY922‐AG did not correlate with response to Ara‐C (r2 = 0·0006). NVP‐AUY922‐AG was highly synergistic with Ara‐C in cell lines and in 20/25 of the primary samples tested. NVP‐AUY922‐AG induced increases in HSP70 expression and depletion of total AKT, IKKα and IKKβ in cell lines and primary blasts. This study shows that the novel HSP90 inhibitor NVP‐AUY922‐AG has significant single agent activity in AML cells and is synergistic with Ara‐C.
The efficacy and tolerability of adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine and Stanford V in older Hodgkin lymphoma patients: a comprehensive analysis from the North American intergroup trial E2496
Authors: Evens Andrew M. , Hong Fangxin , Gordon Leo I. , Fisher Richard I. , Bartlett Nancy L. , Connors Joseph M. , Gascoyne Randy D. , Wagner Henry , Gospodarowicz Mary , Cheson Bruce D. , Stiff Patrick J. , Advani Ranjana , Miller Thomas P. , Hoppe Richard T. , Kahl Brad S. , Horning Sandra J. 
Published: January 2013

SummaryThere is a lack of contemporary prospective data examining the adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine (ABVD) and Stanford V (SV; doxorubicin, vinblastine, mechlorethamine, vincristine, bleomycin, etoposide, prednisone) regimens in older Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patients. Forty‐four advanced‐stage, older HL patients (aged ≥60 years) were treated on the randomized study, E2496. Toxicities were mostly similar between chemotherapy regimens, although 24% of older patients developed bleomycin lung toxicity (BLT), which occurred mainly with ABVD (91%). Further, the BLT‐related mortality rate was 18%. The overall treatment‐related mortality for older HL patients was 9% vs. 0·3% for patients aged <60 years (P < 0·001). Among older patients, there were no survival differences between ABVD and SV. According to age, outcomes were significantly inferior for older versus younger patients (5‐year failure‐free survival: 48% vs. 74%, respectively, P = 0·002; 5‐year overall survival: 58% and 90%, respectively, P < 0·0001), although time‐to‐progression (TTP) was not significantly different (5‐year TTP: 68% vs. 78%, respectively, P = 0·37). Furthermore, considering progression and death without progression as competing risks, the risk of progression was not different between older and younger HL patients (5 years: 30% and 23%, respectively, P = 0·30); however, the incidence of death without progression was significantly increased for older HL patients (22% vs. 9%, respectively, P < 0·0001). Altogether, the marked HL age‐dependent survival differences appeared attributable primarily to non‐HL events.
Habitat Specialization by Birds in Western Amazonian White‐sand Forests
Authors: Alonso José Álvarez , Metz Margaret R. , Fine Paul V. A. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractIn the Peruvian Amazon, white‐sand forests are patchily distributed and restricted to a few localities in the North. Although recent studies have documented patterns of habitat specialization by plants in these unique forests, very few studies of the fauna of these habitats have been conducted. The species composition of the avifauna of the white‐sand forests at six localities in the region was sampled by conducting transects and point counts. Surrounding habitats were also sampled to compare avifaunal communities and to determine the degree of restriction of bird species to white‐sand habitats. Non‐metric multidimensional scaling analysis showed that bird communities of white‐sand forests were more similar to each other than they were to terra firme or flooded forest communities. Sites on either side of the Amazon‐Marañón barrier were the most similar within habitat type consistent with the hypothesis that these rivers represent a major biogeographic barrier. Twenty‐six species, belonging to 13 families, were to some degree specialized to white‐sand forests. This is the first comprehensive ornithological assessment carried out on these habitats in Peru. The high degree of habitat specialization found in these 26 bird species highlights the need for conservation and management measures that will protect white‐sand forests.
Using Theory of Mind
Authors: Liszkowski Ulf 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThe ability to flexibly predict others' behaviors has been ascribed to a theory of mind (ToM) system. Most research has focused on formal conceptual definitions of such a system, and the question of whom to credit with a ToM. In this article, I suggest shifting perspective from formal definitions to a usage‐based approach. This approach views action within human interaction as central to the emergence and continuous development of the ability to flexibly predict others' behaviors. Addressing the current debate about whether infants have a ToM, I illustrate how infants use flexible action expectations to interact with others appropriately. I also discuss the continuous development of ToM and its natural structure from a usage‐based perspective.
Longitudinal development of gross motor function among Dutch children and young adults with cerebral palsy: an investigation of motor growth curves
Authors: Smits Dirk‐Wouter , Gorter Jan Willem , Hanna Steven E , Dallmeijer Annet J , Van Eck Mirjam , Roebroeck Marij E , Vos Rimke C , Ketelaar Marjolijn ,   on behalf of the PERRIN Plus Study Group
Published: January 2013

AimThe aim of this study was to describe patterns for gross motor development by level of severity in a Dutch population of individuals with cerebral palsy (CP).MethodThis longitudinal study included 423 individuals (260 males, 163 females) with CP. The mean age at baseline was 9 years 6 months (SD 6y 2mo, range 1–22y). The level of severity of CP among participants, according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), was 50% level I, 13% level II, 14% level III, 13% level IV, and 10% level V. Participants had been assessed up to four times with the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM‐66) at 1‐ or 2‐year intervals between 2002 and 2009. Data were analysed using non‐linear mixed effects modelling. For each GMFCS level, patterns were created by contrasting a stable limit model (SLM) with a peak and decline model (PDM), followed by estimating limits and rates of gross motor development.ResultsThe SLM showed a better fit for all GMFCS levels than the PDM. Within the SLM, significant differences between GMFCS levels were found for both the limits (higher values for lower GMFCS levels) and the rates (higher values for GMFCS levels I–II vs level IV and for GMFCS levels I–IV vs level V) of gross motor development.InterpretationThe results validate the existence of five distinct patterns for gross motor development by level of severity of CP.
Clinical utility of a panfungal polymerase chain reaction assay for invasive fungal diseases in patients with haematologic disorders
Authors: Sugawara Yumiko , Nakase Kazunori , Nakamura Akiko , Ohishi Kohshi , Sugimoto Yuka , Fujieda Atushi , Monma Fumihiko , Suzuki Kei , Masuya Masahiro , Matsushima Yoshiko , Wada Hideo , Nobori Tsutomu , Katayama Naoyuki 
Published: January 2013

AbstractObjectivesInvasive fungal diseases (IFDs) are life‐threatening events in patients with haematologic disorders, and the spectrum of the aetiological pathogens continues to expand. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical utility of a panfungal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for the management of IFDs in such patients.MethodsWe prospectively analysed 273 consecutive blood samples from 64 risk episodes in 51 patients with haematologic disorders at high risk for IFD who were treated at our hospital between April 2007 and October 2010.ResultsPCR‐positive results were obtained in 18 of 64 risk episodes (35.3%). IFD was documented in 14 episodes (21.9%, 9 probable IFDs and 5 possible IFDs) according to the revised criteria of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Mycoses Study Group. PCR was positive in all of these 14 episodes, and in 4 of the 50 episodes with no IFD category. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of our assay were 100%, 92%, 78% and 100% respectively. A considerable number of fungi (44.4%) that are less common than Aspergillus and Candida species were positive by PCR. Molecular diagnoses of Cunninghamella species, Aspergillus ustus, Fusarium species, Scedosporium apiospermum, Rhodotorula species and Rhizopus species were beneficial in selecting suitable treatments.ConclusionsOur panfungal PCR approach allows for the highly sensitive and specific detection and identification of a wide spectrum of fungal pathogens, which provides indispensable information for managing IFDs, especially refractory or breakthrough IFDs during antifungal therapy in high‐risk patients with haematologic disorders.
A pilot project testing the effectiveness of three weed control methods on the removal of Lantana camara in Forty Mile Scrub National Park, Queensland, Australia
Authors: Dohn Justin , Berry Z. Carter , Curran Timothy J. 
Published: January 2013

SummaryLantana (Lantana camara) poses a serious threat to the biodiversity of the dry rainforest vegetation at Forty Mile Scrub National Park, Queensland, Australia, by outcompeting native species and increasing vulnerability to fire. This pilot study tests the effectiveness of three weed control methods (hand pulling, a glyphosphate‐based foliar spray herbicide and a picloram‐ and triclopyr‐based basal bark herbicide) in removing lantana and their success in reducing lantana fuel loads. The foliar spray herbicide was the most effective in killing lantana, while manual pulling resulted in the largest decrease in fuel height. We suggest that foliar spraying will be most efficient for combating large infestations of lantana, while hand pulling techniques are recommended for creating firebreaks or when minimizing damage to native species is paramount.
Examining factors related to accelerated long‐term forgetting in epilepsy using ambulatory EEG monitoring
Authors: Fitzgerald Zoë , Thayer Zoë , Mohamed Armin , Miller Laurie A. 
Published: January 2013

SummaryPurposeSome patients with epilepsy demonstrate normal memory when this is tested at relatively short intervals (e.g., 30 min), but substantial loss over longer delay periods (e.g., days or weeks) when compared to healthy control subjects. This pattern of “accelerated long‐term forgetting” (ALF) affects the everyday lives of patients, yet goes undetected by standard neuropsychological memory tests, and its pathophysiologic basis is poorly understood. By testing memory over a period of concurrent ambulatory electroencephalography (EEG), the current study aimed to investigate possible factors contributing to ALF.MethodsThirty‐nine patients diagnosed with epilepsy or probable epilepsy underwent 5 days of continuous ambulatory EEG: 18 had normal EEG studies, 10 had focal epileptic discharges, 5 had generalized epileptic discharges, and 6 had one or more seizures. Fifteen matched healthy control subjects also participated, but did not undergo EEG. Subjects were taught 13‐item word and design lists to criterion, and recall was tested at 30 min, 24 h, and 4 days. Subjects also completed questionnaires pertaining to everyday memory and mood.Key FindingsGroup analyses (excluding patients who experienced seizures during monitoring) indicated that patients who experienced generalized discharges during the 24‐h to 4‐day delay intervals showed higher rates of forgetting for nonverbal information. Those with focal discharges showed ALF between 30 min and 4 days for verbal information, whereas those with normal EEGs over the 4 days recording had no evidence of ALF. Surprisingly, mood and epilepsy variables (such as duration of disease or number of anticonvulsant medications) showed no significant correlation with ALF. Although no aspect of nighttime sleep architecture was found to be related to recall after the first 24 h, daytime naps were associated with better retention. Self‐report of everyday memory functioning was related to recall at longer delays, but not at 30 min.SignificanceThe present findings indicated that ALF in epilepsy is associated with subclinical discharges rather than antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), mood or sleep disturbance. Measures of longer‐term recall can reveal correlations with subjective everyday memory complaints that are not evident when recall is only tested at a standard (30 min) delay interval. These findings have the potential to improve treatment strategies for patients who complain of memory difficulties.
Altered transporter‐mediated neocortical GABA release in Rasmussen encephalitis
Authors: Rassner Michael P. , van Velthoven‐Wurster Vera , Ramantani Georgia , Feuerstein Thomas J. 
Published: January 2013

SummaryTo learn whether epileptic seizures in Rasmussen encephalitis (RE) may be promoted by insufficient γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) release. 3H‐GABA was released from neocortical synaptosomes through transporter reversal following intrasynaptosomal Na+ accumulation by veratridine that prevents inactivation of Na+ channels. Tissues of three RE patients were compared with those of nine non‐RE. In RE, the release was markedly reduced. In non‐RE, the extracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]e) was inversely related to the amount of release. In RE, the percental decline of additional release upon withdrawal was linked with the presurgical duration of epilepsy. Permanent opening of Na+ channels by veratridine resembles maximal frequency of action potentials corresponding to epileptic seizures. These are preceded by a fall in [Ca2+]e. Zero [Ca2+]e increased release through the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger additionally elevating intrasynaptosomal Na+. This enhanced GABA release probably reflects an antiseizure mechanism. In RE, the additional release gets lost over epilepsy duration.