bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bell's palsy and sudden deafness associated with Rickettsia spp. infection in Sweden. A retrospective and prospective serological survey including PCR findings
Authors: Nilsson K. , Wallménius K. , Hartwig S. , Norlander T. , Påhlson C. 
Published: June 2013

Background and purposeSixty patients with facial palsy and 67 with sudden deafness were retrospectively or prospectively examined for serological evidence of rickettsial infection; in six cases where cerebrospinal fluid was available, patients were also examined for presence of rickettsial DNA.MethodsRickettsial antibodies were detected in single or paired serum samples using immunofluorescence with Rickettsia helvetica as the antigen and in four cases also using western blot. Using PCR and subsequent direct cycle sequencing, the nucleotide sequences of the amplicons (17 kDa protein gene) in cerebrospinal fluid were analysed.ResultsFive out of 60 (8.3%) patients with facial palsy and eight of 67 (11.9%) with hearing loss showed confirmative serological evidence of infection with Rickettsia spp. An additional three and four patients in the facial palsy and hearing loss groups, respectively, showed evidence of having a recent or current infection or serological findings suggestive of infection. In four cases, the specificity of the reaction was confirmed by western blot. An additional 70 patients were seroreactive with IgG or IgM antibodies higher than or equal to the cut‐off of 1:64, whereas 37 patients were seronegative. Only two of 127 patients had detectable antibodies to Borrelia spp. In three of six patients, rickettsial DNA was detected in the cerebrospinal fluid, where the obtained sequences (17 kDa) shared 100% similarity with the corresponding gene sequence of Rickettsia felis.ConclusionsThese results highlight the importance of considering Rickettsia spp. as a cause of neuritis, and perhaps as a primary cause of neuritis unrelated to neuroborreliosis.
Subthreshold depression and subjective cognitive complaints in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Santangelo G. , Vitale C. , Trojano L. , Angrisano M. G. , Picillo M. , Errico D. , Agosti V. , Grossi D. , Barone P. 
Published: June 2013

Background and purposeSubthreshold depression (SubD) is characterized by clinically relevant depressive symptoms not meeting criteria for major depression. The possible association of SubD with subjective cognitive complaints and/or objective cognitive impairments was investigated in a sample of consecutive, non‐demented Parkinson's disease (PD) outpatients.MethodsAmongst 115 patients, SubD was identified in 30 patients, major depression in 33; 36 patients were classified as non‐depressed. Enrolled patients were administered tests and questionnaires validated in PD for assessing objective and subjective cognitive dysfunctions.ResultsOn objective cognitive measures SubD patients did not differ from non‐depressed patients, whereas depressed patients achieved significantly lower scores than the other two groups. SubD and depressed patients reported more cognitive complaints than non‐depressed patients.ConclusionsSubD is a non‐motor aspect of PD that is not related to objective cognitive deficits but is associated with subjective cognitive complaints, thus impacting on patients’ well‐being.
Scent‐Mark Identification and Scent‐Marking Behaviour in African Wild Dogs (Lycaon pictus)
Authors: Jordan Neil R. , Golabek Krystyna A. , Apps Peter J. , Gilfillan Geoffrey D. , McNutt John W. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractScent‐marking is common in mammals, but where signals are carried by urine and faeces, distinguishing between scent‐marking and mere elimination is problematic. To do so, we documented behaviours and context variables associated with urination and defecation in free‐ranging endangered African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) and tested whether these were related to the responses of other dogs to deposits. We found that distinct postures were almost uniquely associated with deposits by dominant wild dogs, were more common during urination than defecation, and increased the likelihood that these deposits would be investigated by other wild dogs. The likelihood of investigation depended on the sex and dominance status of the depositor, the type of deposit and the substrate. Urine from dominant females was more likely to be investigated by other wild dogs than any other deposits, and deposits placed on vegetation were more likely to be investigated than those on bare ground. The likelihood that a deposit would be overmarked was affected by the deposit type and the sex and dominance status of the last depositor. Collectively, these results suggest that dominant wild dog urine is of greatest interest to other dogs. Our results show that some deposits by African wild dogs are not scent‐marks and that detailed observations of behaviours and context variables during elimination events can be used to distinguish deposits that are likely to be of communication value.
Lawsonia intracellularis proliferative enteropathy in a 3.5‐year‐old miniature horse
Authors: Mayer J. R. , Fielding C. L. , Pusterla N. , Magdesian K. G. , Higgins J. C. 
Published: June 2013

SummaryA 3.5‐year‐old miniature horse gelding was evaluated for signs of colic and decreased faecal production. Initial clinical pathology showed severe hypoproteinaemia with an albumin concentration <10 g/l. Abdominal ultrasound identified multiple loops of small intestine with significantly increased wall thickness. Diagnosis of equine proliferative enteropathy was based on clinical and laboratory findings, as well as a positive faecal polymerase chain reaction and positive antibody titre (>1:240) to Lawsonia intracellularis. Treatment with intravenous oxytetracylcine and additional supportive care gradually resolved the clinical and laboratory abnormalities.
Turbulence disturbs vertical refuge use by Chaoborus flavicans larvae and increases their horizontal dispersion
Authors: Joensuu Laura , Pekcan‐Hekim Zeynep , Hellén Noora , Horppila Jukka 
Published: June 2013

Summary

Small‐scale turbulence is a key factor in increasing encounter rates but also dispersing prey patches of planktonic organisms and can thus contribute to their distribution. Our hypotheses were that turbulence can (i) disturb the vertical refuge use of fourth instar Chaoborus flavicans larvae and (ii) also disperse them horizontally. Both were tested experimentally, across a gradient of turbulence.

The vertical experiments were conducted in 46‐L cylinders, providing the larvae a vertical refuge by darkening the bottom layer. The horizontal experiments were conducted in a 200‐L aquarium, providing them a horizontal refuge by darkening one end of the aquarium.

With both set‐ups, two light treatments were tested: uniform darkness as a control and the bottom layer of the cylinder or either end of the aquarium darkened to provide a refuge. In addition to non‐turbulent treatment, five different root‐mean‐square (RMS) velocities were generated, ranging from 0.6 to 10.2 cm s−1 in the vertical and to 10.9 cm s−1 in the horizontal experiment.

Increasing turbulence had a significant effect on the distribution of C. flavicans larvae in both vertical and horizontal directions and increased the proportion of larvae in the non‐preferred illuminated environment. In the vertical direction, the proportion of larvae in the refuge decreased linearly with increasing turbulence, showing a decline from 84% under calm conditions to 61% at the highest RMS velocity (10.2 cm s−1). The effect of turbulence was more prominent in the horizontal direction; without turbulence, 86% of the larvae occupied the refuge, but the proportion declined to 32% at 5.4 cm s−1 RMS velocity. In experiments with uniform darkness, the distribution of chaoborids was not affected by turbulence either in the vertical or in the horizontal direction.

Our results indicate that turbulence has substantial effects on refuge use and distribution of C. flavicans larvae. Increasing turbulence can greatly diminish the ability of prey species to use their vertical refuges. Once away from their vertical refuge, chaoborids are highly vulnerable to horizontal dispersion, thus upsetting their horizontal escape behaviour. Small‐scale turbulence is therefore likely to have considerable effects on food‐web dynamics in lakes.
Lipid biomarkers in ooids from different locations and ages: evidence for a common bacterial flora
Authors: Summons R. E. , Bird L. R. , Gillespie A. L. , Pruss S. B. , Roberts M. , Sessions A. L. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractOoids are one of the common constituents of ancient carbonate rocks, yet the role that microbial communities may or may not play in their formation remains unresolved. To search for evidence of microbial activity in modern and Holocene ooids, samples collected from intertidal waters, beaches and outcrops in the Bahamas and in Shark Bay in Western Australia were examined for their contents of lipid biomarkers. Modern samples from Cat and Andros islands in the Bahamas and from Carbla Beach in Hamelin Pool, Western Australia, showed abundant and notably similar distributions of hydrocarbons, fatty acids (FAs) and alcohols. A large fraction of these lipids were bound into the carbonate matrix and only released on acid dissolution, which suggests that these lipids were being incorporated continuously during ooid growth. The distributions of hydrocarbons, and their disparate carbon isotopic signatures, were consistent with mixed input from cyanobacteria together with small and variable amounts of vascular plant leaf wax [C27–C35; δ13C −25 to −32‰Vienna Pee Dee Belemnite (VPDB)]. The FAs comprised a complex mixture of C12–C18 normal and branched short‐chain compounds with the predominant straight‐chain components attributable to bacteria and/or cyanobacteria. Branched FA, especially 10‐MeC16 and 10‐MeC17, together with the prevalence of elemental sulfur in the extracts, indicate an origin from sulfate‐reducing bacteria. The iso‐ and anteiso‐FA were quite variable in their 13C contents suggesting that they come from organisms with diverse physiologies. Hydrogen isotopic compositions provide further insight into this issue. FAs in each sample show disparate δD values consistent with inputs from autotrophs and heterotrophs. The most enigmatic lipid assemblage is an homologous series of long‐chain (C24–C32) FA with pronounced even carbon number preference. Typically, such long‐chain FA are thought to come from land plant leaf wax, but in this case, their 13C‐enriched isotopic signatures compared to co‐occurring n‐alkanes (e.g., Hamelin Pool TLE FA C24–C32; δ13C −20 to −24.2‰ VPDB; TLE n‐alkanes δ13C −24.1 to −26.2 −‰VPDB) indicate a microbial origin, possibly sulfate‐reducing bacteria. Lastly, we identified homohopanoic acid and bishomohopanol as the primary degradation products of bacterial hopanoids. The distributions of lipids isolated from Holocene oolites from the Rice Bay Formation of Cat Island, Bahamas were very similar to the beach ooids described above and, in total, these modern and fossil biomarker data lead us to hypothesize that ooids are colonized by a defined microbial community and that these microbes possibly mediate calcification.
Compositional shifts in Costa Rican forests due to climate‐driven species migrations
Authors: Feeley Kenneth J. , Hurtado Johanna , Saatchi Sassan , Silman Miles R. , Clark David B. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractSpecies are predicted to shift their distributions upslope or poleward in response to global warming. This prediction is supported by a growing number of studies documenting species migrations in temperate systems but remains poorly tested for tropical species, and especially for tropical plant species. We analyzed changes in tree species composition in a network of 10 annually censused 1‐ha plots spanning an altitudinal gradient of 70–2800 m elevation in Costa Rica. Specifically, we combined plot data with herbarium records (accessed through GBIF) to test if the plots' community temperature scores (CTS, average thermal mean of constituent species weighted by basal area) have increased over the past decade as is predicted by climate‐driven species migrations. In addition, we quantified the contributions of stem growth, recruitment, and mortality to the observed patterns. Supporting our a priori hypothesis of upward species migrations, we found that there have been consistent directional shifts in the composition of the plots, such that the relative abundance of lowland species, and hence CTS, increased in 90% of plots. The rate of the observed compositional shifts corresponds to a mean thermal migration rate (TMR) of 0.0065 °C yr−1 (95% CI = 0.0005–0.0132 °C yr−1). While the overall TMR is slower than predicted based on concurrent regional warming of 0.0167 °C yr−1, migrations were on pace with warming in 4 of the 10 plots. The observed shifts in composition were driven primarily by mortality events (i.e., the disproportionate death of highland vs. lowland species), suggesting that individuals of many tropical tree species will not be able to tolerate future warming and thus their persistence in the face of climate change will depend on successful migrations. Unfortunately, in Costa Rica and elsewhere, land area inevitably decreases at higher elevations; hence, even species that are able to migrate successfully will face heightened risks of extinction.
Pharmacist intervention in improving hypertension‐related knowledge, treatment medication adherence and health‐related quality of life: a non‐clinical randomized controlled trial
Authors: Saleem Fahad , Hassali Mohamed A. , Shafie Asrul A. , Ul Haq Noman , Farooqui Maryam , Aljadhay Hisham , Ahmad Fiaz Ud Din 
Published: June 2013

AbstractObjectiveThe study evaluated whether a pharmaceutical care intervention can result in better understanding about hypertension, increase medication adherence to antihypertensive therapy and improve overall health‐related quality of life.MethodsA non‐clinical randomized control trial was conducted whereby participants received an educational intervention through hospital pharmacists. Hypertension knowledge, medication adherence and health‐related quality of life were measured by means of self‐administered questionnaires. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the demographic and disease characteristics of the patients. Inferential statistics were used for inter‐ and intragroup comparisons. SPSS 17 was used for data analysis.ResultsThree hundred and eighty‐five hypertensive patients were randomly assigned (192 in the control group and 193 in the intervention group) to the study. No significant differences were observed in either group for age, gender, income, locality, education, occupation or duration of disease. There was, however, a significant increase in the participants' levels of knowledge about hypertension and medication adherence among the interventional group after completing the intervention. Significantly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels were also observed among the interventional group after completion of the intervention. The interventional group, however, reported decreased yet significant health‐related quality of life at the end of the interventional programme.ConclusionPharmacist intervention can significantly increase disease‐related knowledge, blood pressure control and medication adherence in patients with hypertension. However, further research is needed to address the decreased health‐related quality of life after completion of the study.
Precursor‐derived versus de‐novo carcinogenesis depends on lineage‐specific mucin phenotypes of intramucosal gland‐forming gastric neoplasms
Authors: Nishimura Rie , Mukaisho Ken‐ichi , Yamamoto Hiroto , Sonoda Ayano , Andoh Akira , Fujiyama Yoshihide , Hattori Takanori , Sugihara Hiroyuki 
Published: June 2013

AimsTo clarify the lineage‐specific carcinogenesis of gland‐forming gastric neoplasms, by characterizing mucin phenotypes and proliferation patterns immunohistochemically using monoclonal antibodies against MUC2, MUC5AC, MUC6, CD10 and Ki67.Methods and resultsWe analysed 49 gland‐forming intramucosal neoplasms, including 15 non‐invasive low‐grade neoplasms (group A), 10 non‐invasive high‐grade neoplasms (group B) and 24 intramucosal adenocarcinomas (group C). The mode of gland‐forming gastric carcinoma development was different between the intestinal and gastric lineages. The pure intestinal‐type accounted for 93% of group A, 50% of group B and 4.2% of group C tumours. A zonal pattern of cell proliferation was well retained in group A tumours and was lost size‐dependently in group B tumours. These findings suggest that non‐invasive low‐grade neoplasms of the intestinal lineage progress to non‐invasive high‐grade neoplasms, but rarely to intramucosal adenocarcinomas. In tumours of the gastric lineage, which exhibited pure gastric or mixed phenotypes, the polarity of cell proliferation and differentiation was well retained in small (≦5 mm) tumours but was lost in larger tumours in groups B and C.ConclusionsIntramucosal adenocarcinomas of the gastric lineage may often arise de novo, develop in the proper gastric mucosa, and are partially derived from non‐invasive high‐grade neoplasms.
Down‐regulation of EMP1 is associated with epithelial hyperplasia and metaplasia in nasal polyps
Authors: Yu Xue Min , Li Chun Wei , Li Ying Ying , Liu Jing , Lin Zhi Bin , Li Tian Ying , Zhao Li , Pan Xin Liang , Shi Li , Wang De Yun 
Published: June 2013

AimsThe aim of this study was to assess protein and mRNA expression of epithelial membrane protein 1 (EMP1) in the nasal mucosa of patients with nasal polyps (NP), and to determine what changes occur in response to glucocorticosteroid (GC) treatment.Methods and resultsNP tissue was obtained from 55 patients, 18 of whom were treated with nasal GCs (i.e. these 18 patients had NP biopsies taken before and after treatment). Biopsies of inferior turbinate mucosa from 30 healthy subjects were used as controls. Quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry were performed to determine the expression levels of EMP1. EMP1 mRNA expression was significantly lower (2.77‐fold) in tissues from NP patients before GC treatment when compared to controls, but was increased in these patients after GC treatment. EMP1 staining in nasal epithelium co‐localized with both basal (p63+) and differentiated (CK18+) epithelial cells. Their immunoreactivity was significantly greater in controls than NP patients. EMP1 mRNA levels were lower in the epithelium with severe hyperplasia (1.79‐fold) or with metaplasia (1.85‐fold) as compared to those with mild to moderate hyperplasia or non‐metaplastic epithelium, respectively. Positive correlations between EMP1 and other epithelial cell‐related gene (e.g. JUN, PTGS2, AREG etc.) mRNAs were observed.ConclusionsEMP1 could be a biomarker for aberrant epithelial remodelling and metaplasia in chronic inflammatory upper airway mucosa (e.g. NP).
Inter‐ and intra‐specific differences in butterfly behaviour at boundaries
Authors: Kallioniemi Eveliina , Zannese Audrey , Tinker Julia E. , Franco Aldina M.A. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractTo plan effective conservation measures and to predict which species will be able to change distribution in response to climate change, there is an increasing need for understanding species dispersal abilities and how species move in complex landscapes. Responses to habitat boundaries affect emigration rates from habitat and are therefore important determinants of species dispersal. There are, however, few studies linking dispersal parameters to likelihood of crossing barriers across several species.In this study, dispersal and likelihood of crossing boundaries, which are presented here as tall and dense tree plantation, were investigated for seven butterfly species. Effects of adult age and sex on the dispersal and behaviour at boundaries were also analysed.Our results demonstrate differences in movements and response to habitat boundaries between species belonging to different butterfly families. Pieridae species were the most likely to cross boundaries and most mobile, whilst with the Lycaenidae species only a small fraction of individuals crossed the tall dense boundary.Individuals and species that moved with longer move bouts (i.e. steps) were more likely to cross boundaries. Therefore, we propose using step length, which is relatively easy to measure, as a proxy for butterfly dispersal at the landscape level.Female butterflies moved less than males within habitat but crossed boundaries more often than males, indicating that dispersal data needs to be collected for the two sexes separately to provide more accurate estimates of species ability to colonise new areas.
Extracorporeal photopheresis for the treatment of erythrodermic cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma: a single center clinical experience with long‐term follow‐up data and a brief overview of the literature
Authors: Quaglino Pietro , Knobler Robert , Fierro Maria T. , Savoia Paola , Marra Elena , Fava Paolo , Bernengo Maria G. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractExtracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is a therapeutic procedure in which leukapheresed peripheral blood mononuclear cells are exposed to ultraviolet A in the presence of the photosensitizer 8‐methoxypsoralen and then reinfused. Several guidelines recommend ECP as a treatment of choice in erythrodermic primary cutaneous T‐cell lymphomas (E‐CTCL). However, the level of evidence is low due to the rarity of this disease and the lack of randomized controlled trials. We performed a review of the English literature, restricting our analysis to studies including erythrodermic patients and more than 10 cases. Based on these criteria, we identified 28 studies, with a total of 407 patients. The median response rate in erythrodermic patients was 63% (range 31–86%), with a complete response rate ranging between 0 and 62% (median 20%). In our experience, we treated 51 patients with E‐CTCL since 1992. A clinical response was obtained in 32 of 51 patients (63%), with a 16% complete response rate. The median time for response induction was eight months (range: 1–23). The median response duration was 22.4 months (range six months to 11 years). The treatment was generally well tolerated without systemic toxicities grade III–IV. The pretreatment parameters significantly associated with a higher likelihood to obtain a clinical response were the B‐score in the peripheral blood, CD4/CD8 ratio, and amount of circulating CD3+CD8+ cells. Literature data together with our personal experience clearly support the clinical activity and tolerability of ECP in patients with E‐CTCL. Prospective controlled clinical trials are strongly recommended to better document the evidence.
Alkaline Phosphatase Activity in Non‐Hodgkin's Lymphomas and Pseudolymphomas of the Skin
Authors: GEERTS MARIE‐LOUISE , BURG GÜNTER , SCHMOECKEL CHRISTIAN , OTTO BRAUN‐FALCO M.D.  
Published: June 2013

Abstract Alkaline phosphatase enzyme activity was studied histochemically in 60 non‐Hodgkin lymphomas and 10 pseudolymphomas of the skin. Among the 37 B‐cell lymphomas, membrane‐bound alkaline phosphatase activity was demonstrated in 8 cases. In none of the 23 cutaneous T‐cell lymphomas studied could membrane‐bound alkaline phosphatase be detected. Among the pseudolymphomas, 2 cases revealed alkaline phosphatase activity.It was not possible to draw any particular clinically significant conclusions from the membrane‐bound alkaline phosphatase reactions. Looking for the microenvironmental conditions of lymphoproliferative processes in the skin, alkaline phosphatase‐positive capillaries were seen predominantly in the T‐cell lymphomas. The stromal reaction showing a proliferation of alkaline phosphatase‐positive fibroblasts was more pronounced in cutaneous B‐cell lymphomas.In conclusion, membrane‐bound alkaline phosphatase in lymphoproliferative processes in the skin, as in the lymph node, characterize a distinct group of B lymphocytes related to follicle center cells. The clinical relevance of this finding remains to be determined.