bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Continuous visual properties explain neural responses to nonsymbolic number
Authors: Gebuis Titia , Reynvoet Bert 
Published: October 2012

AbstractNonsymbolic number and its continuous visual properties are confounded in everyday life: When number changes, its continuous visual properties also change. It could therefore be efficient to rely on the visual properties to judge number. The current consensus, however, holds that number is processed independent of its visual properties. In this study, we pitched these two opposing theories against each other. We used electroencephalography to look at the components suggested to process number. The first experiment showed that number and visual cues affect the N1 and/or the P2 component. To disentangle number and visual processes, we controlled the visual cues in the second experiment. Now, no number‐related effects were present. When the data were reorganized according to visual cue instead of number size, N1 and P2 effects emerged. These results argue against the idea that number is processed independent of its continuous visual variables.
RHD and RHCE variant and zygosity genotyping via multiplex ligation–dependent probe amplification
Authors: Haer‐Wigman Lonneke , Veldhuisen Barbera , Jonkers Remco , Lodén Martin , Madgett Tracey E. , Avent Neil D. , de Haas Masja , van der Schoot C. Ellen 
Published: October 2012

BackgroundThe presence of a D variant may hamper correct serologic D typing, which may result in D immunization. D variants can be determined via RHD genotyping. However, a convenient single assay to identify D variants is still lacking. We developed and evaluated a multiplex ligation–dependent probe amplification (MLPA) assay to determine clinically relevant RHD and RHCE variant alleles and RHD zygosity.Study design and methodsWe analyzed 236 cases (73 normal and 163 selected samples) with the RH‐MLPA assay, which is able to determine 79 RHD and 17 RHCE variant alleles and RHD zygosity. To confirm the results, mutations were verified by RHD and/or RHCE exon–specific sequencing and RHD zygosity was verified by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for 18 cases.ResultsIn 99% of the cases, the RH‐MLPA assay correctly determined whether a person carried only wild‐type RHD and RHCE alleles (n = 69) or (a) variant RHD allele(s) and/or (a) variant RHCE allele(s) (n = 164). In only three cases, including two new RHD variant alleles, the variant allele was not identified, due to lack of detecting probes. These were RHD*DCS2, a new partial RHD allele, RHD*525T (Phe175Leu), and a new D– null allele, RHD*443G (Thr148Arg). All RHD (n = 175) and RHCE variant alleles (n = 79) indicated by the RH‐MLPA assay were confirmed by sequencing. RHD zygosity was confirmed by quantitative PCR. Two hematopoietic chimeras were recognized.ConclusionThe RH‐MLPA genotyping assay is a fast, easy, and reliable method to determine almost all clinically relevant RHD and RHCE variant alleles, RHD zygosity, and RHD+/RHD– chimeras in blood donors, blood recipients, and pregnant women.
Creating Opportunities? Bipartisanship in the Early Obama Presidency
Authors: Edwards George C. 
Published: October 2012

ObjectiveI investigate whether it was possible for President Obama to create an opportunity for change by obtaining bipartisan support for his initiatives.MethodsI analyze the theoretical prospects for Republican support and then examine the president's level of success in obtaining it.ResultsI find the president rarely received bipartisan support and that his efforts to obtain it were costly.ConclusionThe president, like all presidents, could not create opportunities for change. Instead, he was dependent on exploiting the opportunities presented by those disposed to support his initiatives.
Coping with drought with innovative pricing systems: the case of two irrigation water management companies in France
Authors: Sidibé Yoro , Terreaux Jean‐Philippe , Tidball Mabel , Reynaud Arnaud 
Published: October 2012

AbstractIn recent years, France has been facing particularly severe drought periods especially in summer. In a country where agriculture is the largest water user, some irrigation management companies have implemented innovative pricing systems to handle this situation. The objective of this article is to analyze the impact of these new management systems on farmers’ incomes, the revenue of the management companies, and the amount of water used. To do that, we develop a methodology using a stochastic model that simulates the representative farmer's optimal behavior in a context of climatic variability. An empirical application is made with a crop growth model and data collected from the Midi‐Pyrenees region. The results show that using these specific nonlinear pricing systems allow irrigation water managers to reduce the impact of drought on production. Moreover, the type of pricing implemented depends on the characteristics and capabilities of the water company. More particularly, these pricing systems can be used to anticipate agricultural water demand in order to avoid imbalance with water availability.
BOOK REVIEW
Authors: Witt Matt 
Published: October 2012

Book reviewed in this article:Made Possible By …: The Death of Public Broadcasting in the United States: By James Ledbetter, Verso, 1997Public Television: Politics & the Battle Over Documentary Film: By B.J. Bullert, Rutgers University Press, 1997Public Radio and Television in America: By Ralph Engelman, Sage Publications, 1996
Use of stereotactic body radiation therapy for medically inoperable multiple primary lung cancer
Authors: Matthiesen Chance , Thompson J Spencer , De La Fuente Herman Tania , Ahmad Salahuddin , Herman Terence 
Published: October 2012

AbstractIntroduction: To review outcomes of medically inoperable patients treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for multiple primary lung cancer (MPLC).Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 10 patients (21 lesions) treated with SBRT for synchronous (seven), metachronous (one) or synchronous/metachronous lung cancers. All patients were male, medically inoperable and had a median age of 66 years. Eight patients had bilateral disease and two had unilateral disease. All patients had a histological diagnosis in at least one of the two lesions and four patients (44.4%) had both lesions biopsied. There were 18 T1 lesions and three T2 lesions. SBRT was in three fractions of 20 Gy or five fractions of 11–12 Gy to each lesion.Results: Mean and median follow up were 18.8 and 15.5 months, respectively. At analysis, six patients (60.0%) are alive, and five of these living patients (83.3%) have no evidence of disease recurrence or progression. Four patients (44.4%) developed distant metastatic disease. Twenty lesions (95.2%) achieved in‐field local control. No patients experienced acute pulmonary complications and only two patients (22.2%) experienced late grade I lung toxicity as per the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group toxicity criteria.Conclusion: SBRT for MPLC in medically inoperable patients is a safe, feasible and effective treatment approach.
Radioembolisation with Yttrium‐90 microspheres: An effective treatment modality for unresectable liver metastases
Authors: Bester Lourens , Meteling Baerbel , Pocock Nicholas , Saxena Akshat , Chua Terence C , Morris David L 
Published: October 2012

SummaryPurposeTo compare the outcomes (survival and adverse events) of the authors' use of 90Y microsphere radioembolisation in patients with chemotherapy‐refractory liver metastases with published data from other groups using radioembolisation. To retrospectively evaluate the efficiency, in particular survival benefits, of radioembolisation in the treatment of liver metastases.Methods and MaterialsOver 5 years, 339 patients underwent 90Y microsphere radioembolisation for unresectable liver metastases and were evaluated for adverse events at the time of treatment and 1 and 3 months after treatment. Overall survival (OS) was calculated by the Kaplan–Meier method. The results from the present retrospective study were compared with a number of prospective and retrospective clinical trials which have addressed the use of 90Y microspheres as a salvage treatment for liver metastases.ResultsThe OS time of the present study (12.0 months) compares favourably with survival times reported by other groups. The incidence of late grade 2 adverse events (e.g. duodenal or gastric ulceration, radiation‐induced liver disease, gall bladder complications) is comparable to previous studies, with a lower prevalence of grade 2/3 ulcerations (3.7%) at our centre.ConclusionsThe survival results, together with the low acute and late toxicity observed in our data and previous studies, support the use of radioembolisation to aid in the local control of unresectable liver metastases in the salvage setting. The present study contributes to the growing evidence for efficiency, in particular survival gains, of radioembolisation in the treatment of liver metastases.
Exploring the utility of three nuclear regions to reconstruct reticulate evolution in the fern genus Asplenium
Authors: SCHNEIDER Harald , NAVARRO‐GOMEZ Adriana , RUSSELL Stephen J. , ANSELL Stephen , GRUNDMANN Michal , VOGEL Johannes 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThree nuclear regions nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (nrITS) and intron regions of two nuclear low‐copy genes—gapCp, and pgiC, in combination with one chloroplast genome region were employed to explore patterns of reticulate evolution in the fern genus Asplenium. This is the one of the first studies using DNA sequences of multiple nuclear markers in ferns. All three nuclear markers amplified well with PCR and several copies were recovered by cloning PCR products. All three nuclear regions showed congruent results by recovering the neo‐allotetraploid Asplenium adulterinum as the hybrid of diploid A. trichomanes and diploid A. viride. Conflicting results were obtained for several nodes. First, gapCp did not discriminate between A. aethiopicum and A. praegracile whereas the other markers recovered these two taxa as distinct. Conflicts among gene‐trees were found in respect to A. monanthes, chloroplast and pgiC suggested a sister relationship of A. monanthes and A. trichomanes but gapCp and nrITS nested A. monanthes within A. normale. Our results confirm: (i) the usefulness of several nuclear regions, in particular gapCp and pgiC, to unravel reticulate evolution in ferns and species differentiation and (ii) highlights the need to employ more than one nuclear region to obtain reliable hypotheses on reticulate events versus incomplete lineage sorting. Especially, if one assumes that the reticulation event might have occurred in the more distant past. Considering the expected high frequency of reticulate evolution in ferns, the establishment of robust and informative nuclear genomic markers is critical to achieve further progress in our efforts to elucidate fern evolution.
Is the haematopoietic effect of testosterone mediated by erythropoietin? The results of a clinical trial in older men
Authors: Maggio M. , Snyder P. J. , Ceda G. P. , Milaneschi Y. , Luci M. , Cattabiani C. , Masoni S. , Vignali A. , Volpi R. , Lauretani F. , Peachey H. , Valenti G. , Cappola A. R. , Longo D. , Ferrucci L. 
Published: October 2012

SummaryThe stimulatory effects of testosterone on erythropoiesis are very well known, but the mechanisms underlying the erythropoietic action of testosterone are still poorly understood, although erythropoietin has long been considered a potential mediator. A total of 108 healthy men >65 years old with serum testosterone concentration <475 ng/dL were recruited by direct mailings to alumni of the University of Pennsylvania and Temple University, and randomized to receive a 60‐cm2 testosterone or placebo patch for 36 months. Ninety‐six subjects completed the trial. We used information and stored serum specimens from this trial to test the hypothesis that increasing testosterone increases haemoglobin by stimulating erythropoietin production. We used information of 67 men, 43 in the testosterone group and 24 in the placebo group who had banked specimens available for assays of testosterone, haemoglobin and erythropoietin at baseline and after 36 months. The original randomized clinical study was primarily designed to verify the effects of testosterone on bone mineral density. The primary outcome of this report was to investigate whether or not transdermal testosterone increases haemoglobin by increasing erythropoietin levels. The mean age ± SD of the 67 subjects at baseline was 71.8 ± 4.9 years. Testosterone replacement therapy for 36 months, as compared with placebo, induced a significant increase in haemoglobin (0.86 ± 0.31 g/dL, p = 0.01), but no change in erythropoietin levels (−0.24 ± 2.16 mIU/mL, p = 0.91). Included time‐varying measure of erythropoietin did not significantly account for the effect of testosterone on haemoglobin (Treatment‐by‐time: β = 0.93, SE = 0.33, p = 0.01). No serious adverse effect was observed. Transdermal testosterone treatment of older men for 36 months significantly increased haemoglobin, but not erythropoietin levels. The haematopoietic effect of testosterone does not appear to be mediated by stimulation of erythropoietin production.
Ultrasonographic determination of caput epididymis diameter is strongly predictive of obstruction in the genital tract in azoospermic men with normal serum FSH
Authors: Pezzella A. , Barbonetti A. , Micillo A. , D'Andrea S. , Necozione S. , Gandini L. , Lenzi A. , Francavilla F. , Francavilla S. 
Published: October 2012

SummaryThe relationship between epididymis ultrasonography (US) and infertility is poorly defined probably owing to lack of objective and reproducible criteria of US evaluation. Here, we evaluated US size of testes, caput and of corpus epididymis in infertile men: 165 with total sperm count ≥39 × 106, 187 with total sperm count <39 × 106 and 75 azoospermic men. Blood levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and of total testosterone were also evaluated. US measures obtained using a high‐frequency (12 MHz) linear array transducer, included the mean value of bilateral testicular volumes (mL) (Testes‐M), of bilateral longitudinal diameter of caput epididymis (mm) (Caput‐M) and of the bilateral antero‐posterior diameter of the corpus measured on a longitudinal scan (mm) (Corpus‐M). Testicular histology of azoospermic men was obtained and the percentage of seminiferous tubules with elongated spermatids (%T) was used to classify cases with normal spermatogenesis (obstructive azoospermia) (n = 17; %T ≥ 80), or with deranged spermatogenesis (n = 58; %T ≤ 33). Caput‐M was correlated with Testes‐M (p = 0.0003; r = 0.17) and with FSH serum levels (p = 0.024; r = −0.14) but not with semen parameters. Caput‐M but not Corpus‐M values resulted greater in obstructive azoospermia compared with other groups, but difference was not significant. Cut‐off values of Testes‐M, Caput‐M and of FSH correctly classified cases of obstructive azoospermia (AUC > 0.5). A patient with FSH < 7.8 IU/mL had a 63.6% chance (CI 40.1–83.2%) of being affected by obstructive azoospermia. US Caput‐M ≥10.85 mm, which represented the cut‐off value with the highest combination of sensitivity (58.8%, CI 32.9–81.6%) and specificity (91.4%, CI 81.0–97.1%) applied in cases with FSH < 7.8 IU/mL increased the probability for obstructive azoospermia from 63.6% up to 92.3% (CI 76.5–98.8%). US evaluation of the caput epididymis diameter helped in predicting the obstructive origin of azoospermia when FSH was not increased, whereas it was not relevant in non‐azoospermic men.
Optimizing TESE‐ICSI by laser‐assisted selection of immotile spermatozoa and polarization microscopy for selection of oocytes
Authors: Nordhoff V. , Schüring A. N. , Krallmann C. , Zitzmann M. , Schlatt S. , Kiesel L. , Kliesch S. 
Published: October 2012

SummaryFor most azoospermic men testicular sperm extraction (TESE) is the only treatment, however it presents challenges for the ART laboratory, as the retrieval of motile spermatozoa is difficult. In the absence of sperm movement no unequivocal distinction can be made between either dead or immotile, but vital spermatozoa. However, a single laser shot directed to the tip of the tail allows recognition of viability because the flagellum coils at the area of impact. To rank the quality and the maturity of oocytes, polarization microscopy can be used. The zona score and the visualization of the meiotic spindle correlate with implantation and pregnancy rates. We compared 65 TESE‐ICSI cycles of the years 2007 and 2008 (Group 1, G1) with 58 TESE‐ICSI cycles of the years 2009 and 2010 (Group 2, G2). Testicular spermatozoa were injected according to motility and morphology into selected oocytes. In G1 both, oocyte and spermatozoa were rated using light microscopy only, whereas in G2 the laser was used for sperm selection and the oocytes were rated by light and polarization microscopy. In G2 we enhanced our fertilization rate (FR) significantly in comparison to G1 (G1 42.1% vs. G2 52.7%, p < 0.001). The fertilization rate with immotile, but vital spermatozoa improved significantly when applying laser‐based selection (p = 0.006). The laser selection of immotile spermatozoa and the use of polarization microscopy can enhance the FR of TESE‐ICSI. No negative effect of the laser was seen on birth rates. The FR with immotile, but vital spermatozoa clearly benefits from laser selection and is a non‐hazardous and safe method for the selection of viable but immotile sperm. To our knowledge this is the first report using new technology creating novel endpoints for the analysis of spermatozoa and oocytes in TESE‐ICSI.
Blood Pressure Measurement Device, Number and Timing of Visits, and Intra‐Individual Visit‐to‐Visit Variability of Blood Pressure
Authors: Levitan Emily B. , Kaciroti Niko , Oparil Suzanne , Julius Stevo , Muntner Paul 
Published: October 2012

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2012;14:744–750. ©2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Visit‐to‐visit variability (VVV) of blood pressure is associated with cardiovascular disease. The authors examined the effects of visit number and timing and automated or manual measurement device on VVV in the placebo arm of the Trial of Preventing Hypertension (TROPHY) (N=225) and simulations. VVV was assessed using intra‐individual standard deviation (SD), range, maximum, coefficient of variation, successive variation, and average real variability of systolic blood pressure. VVV increased with number of visits used to calculate it in the TROPHY population (P for trend <.05 for all metrics) and simulations. Using consecutive visits in TROPHY, average SD was 5.6 mm Hg from 3 visits, 6.8 mm Hg from 7 visits, and 7.7 mm Hg from 18 visits. When 7 visits were spread out across 4 years, the average SD was higher (7.5 mm Hg) than when visits were consecutive over 18 months (P<.001). SD was higher using a single blood pressure measurement per visit (compared with the mean of 3 measurements per visit P<.001) and with automated vs manual devices (P<.001). In summary, number and timing of visits and device used to measure blood pressure influence VVV and need to be considered when designing, interpreting, and comparing studies.
Is Isolated Systolic Hypertension Worse Than Combined Systolic/Diastolic Hypertension?
Authors: Ma Yonggang , Yabluchanskiy Andriy , Lindsey Merry L. , Chilton Robert J. 
Published: October 2012

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2012;14:808–809. ©2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.New developments in cardiovascular translational sciences have significantly advanced our understanding of the endovascular biology of blood pressure. Reductions in vascular elasticity and vessel compliance of conduit arteries are key components of both ISH and SDH. Vascular changes from the matrix metalloproteinase family of enzymes are involved in arterial wall remodeling and vascular stiffness. This new translational information helps further our understanding of both ISH and SDH.
Efficacy and safety of intraoperative dexmedetomidine for acute postoperative pain in children: a meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Schnabel Alexander , Reichl Sylvia U. , Poepping Daniel M. , Kranke Peter , Pogatzki‐Zahn Esther M. , Zahn Peter K. 
Published: October 2012

SummaryBackgroundAim of the current meta‐analysis was to assess the effects of intraoperative dexmedetomidine on postoperative pain, analgesic consumption, and adverse events in comparison with placebo or opioids in children undergoing surgery.MethodsThis meta‐analysis was performed according to the recommendations of the PRISMA statement and the Cochrane collaboration. For dichotomous and continuous outcomes of efficacy and adverse events, the Revman® (The Nordic Cochrane Centre, Copenhagen, Denmark) statistical software was used to calculate relative risk (RR), mean difference (MD), and 95% confidence intervals (CI).ResultsWe included 11 randomized controlled trials – 434 children received dexmedetomidine, 440 received control. In comparison with placebo, children receiving dexmedetomidine showed a reduced RR for postoperative opioids (0.4; 95% CI: 0.26–0.62; P < 0.00001) and postoperative pain (0.51; 95% CI: 0.32–0.81; P = 0.004). Similar results were obtained for the comparison with intraoperative opioids: reduced RR for postoperative pain (0.49; 95% CI: 0.25–0.94; P = 0.03) and the need for postoperative opioids (0.77; 95% CI: 0.60–1.09; P = 0.05).ConclusionsThis meta‐analysis revealed a lower risk for postoperative pain and the need for postoperative opioids following intraoperative dexmedeto‐midine in comparison with placebo or opioids in children undergoing surgery; however, the influence of dexmedetomidine on postoperative opioid consumption is less clear. Although there were only a limited number of adverse events, further studies focusing on procedure specific dexmedetomidine dosing and adverse events are urgently needed.
Surfactant deactivation in a pediatric model induces hypovolemia and fluid shift to the extravascular lung compartment
Authors: Díaz Franco , Erranz Benjamín , Donoso Alejandro , Carvajal Cristóbal , Salomón Tatiana , Torres María , Cruces Pablo 
Published: October 2012

SummaryBackgroundSurfactant deficiency is the pivotal abnormality in Neonatal and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Surfactant deactivation can produce hypoxemia, loss of lung compliance, and pulmonary edema, but its circulatory consequences are less understood.ObjectiveTo describe the sequential hemodynamic changes and pulmonary edema formation after surfactant deactivation in piglets.MethodsSurfactant deactivation was induced by tracheal instillation of polysorbate 20 in 15 anesthetized and mechanically ventilated Large White piglets. The hemodynamic consequences of surfactant deactivation were assessed at 30, 120, and 240 min by transpulmonary thermodilution and traditional methods.ResultsSurfactant deactivation caused hypoxemia, reduced lung compliance, and progressively increased lung water content (P < 0.01). Early hypovolemia was observed, with reductions of the global end‐diastolic volume and stroke volume (P < 0.05). Reduced cardiac output was observed at the end of the study (P < 0.05). Standard monitoring was unable to detect these early preload alterations. Surprisingly, the bronchoalveolar protein content was greatly increased at the end of the study compared with baseline levels (P < 0.01). This finding was inconsistent with the notion that the pulmonary edema induced by surfactant deactivation was exclusively caused by high surface tension.ConclusionsHypovolemia develops early after surfactant deactivation, in part due to the resulting fluid shift from the intravascular compartment to the lungs.