bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influenza A infection enhances antigen‐induced airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness in young but not aged mice
Authors: Birmingham J. M. , Gillespie V. L. , Srivastava K. , Li X‐M. , Busse P. J. 
Published: July 2014

SummaryBackgroundAlthough morbidity and mortality rates from asthma are highest in patients > 65 years of age, the effect of older age on airway inflammation in asthma is not well established.ObjectiveTo investigate age‐related differences in the promotion of allergic inflammation after influenza A viral respiratory infection on antigen‐specific IgE production, antigen‐induced airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness in mice.MethodsTo accomplish this objective, the following model system was used. Young (6 week) and aged (18 months) BALB/c mice were first infected with a non‐lethal dose of influenza virus A (H/HKx31). Mice were then ovalbumin (OVA)‐sensitized during the acute infection (3‐days post inoculation) and then chronically underwent challenge to the airways with OVA. Forty‐eight hours after the final OVA challenge, airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), bronchoalveolar fluid (BALF) cellular and cytokine profile, antigen‐specific IgE and IgG1, and lung tissue inflammation were measured.ResultsAge‐specific differences were noted on the effect of a viral infection, allergic sensitization, airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness. Serum OVA‐specific IgE was significantly increased in only the aged mice infected with influenza virus. Despite greater morbidity (e.g. weight loss and sickness scores) during the acute infection in the 18‐month old mice that were OVA‐sensitized, there was little effect on the AHR and BALF cellular differential. In contrast, BALF neutrophils and AHR increased, but eosinophils decreased in 6‐week mice that were OVA‐sensitized during an acute influenza infection.ConclusionWith increased age in a mouse model, viral infection prior to antigen sensitization affects the airway and systemic allergic response differently. These differences may reflect distinct phenotypic features of allergic inflammation in older patients with asthma.
Hypertension and hypertensive cardiomyopathy in patients with a relapse‐free history of phaeochromocytoma
Authors: Weismann Dirk , Liu Dan , Bergen Till , Peitzsch Mirko , Raida Anna , Wagner Martin , Fassnacht Martin , Weidemann Frank , Allolio Bruno 
Published: July 2014

SummaryBackgroundIn patients with a relapse‐free history of phaeochromocytoma/paraganglioma (PCC/PGL), persistent hypertension has been reported, but has not been well characterized.MethodsIn 28 patients [mean age 54·5 (26–81) years] with a relapse‐free history of PCC/PGLs, we prospectively analysed resting, supine blood pressure (BP), ambulatory BP, echocardiography, exercise testing, metabolic parameters and retrospectively collected data from the time of diagnosis (baseline). Echocardiographic measures were compared to healthy (n = 28) and hypertensive controls (n = 15).ResultsMedian follow‐up was 6 [1–16] years. Three patients had normal office and ambulatory BP and three patients had only increased office BP. Fifty‐four per cent of patients had a blunted circadian rhythm. Comparing normal, hypertensive and PCC/PGL patients, we found significant differences in end‐diastolic septal thickness (8·8 ± 0·2, 13·8 ± 0·4, 10·0 ± 0·3 mm, P < 0·05), septal basal thickness (9·0 ± 0·3, 15·9 ± 0·5, 11·2 ± 0·4 mm, P < 0·05) and left ventricular mass (143 ± 8, 255 ± 19, 169 ± 9 g, P < 0·05). In five patients, seven major cardiovascular events were observed. Compared to baseline, no significant difference was found in systolic (140 ± 35 vs 137 ± 18 mmHg) and diastolic (85 ± 18 vs 83 ± 10 mmHg) BP. An increase or a decrease in BP (>10 mmHg) was found in 36% and 39% of patients, respectively. The number of antihypertensive drugs had not changed [1 (0–3) vs 1 (0–4)]. Fewer patients received insulin (1 vs 3) or oral antiglycaemic drugs (2 vs 7).ConclusionOur data indicate that hypertension persists after removal of PCG/PGL in a substantial proportion of patients. Hypertensive heart disease is common, and cardiovascular events are frequent in patients with a history of PCC/PGL.
Maturity onset diabetes of the young in India – a distinctive mutation pattern identified through targeted next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Chapla Aaron , Mruthyunjaya Mahesh Doddabelavangala , Asha Hesarghatta Shyamasunder , Varghese Denny , Varshney Manika , Vasan Senthil K. , Venkatesan Padmanaban , Nair Veena , Mathai Sarah , Paul Thomas Vizhalil , Thomas Nihal 
Published: July 2014

SummaryObjectiveTo establish and utilize a Next‐Generation Sequencing (NGS)‐based strategy to screen for maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY) gene mutations in subjects with early‐onset diabetes.Patients and MethodsMaturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY) genetic testing was carried out in 80 subjects of Asian Indian origin with young onset diabetes to identify mutations in a comprehensive panel of ten MODY genes. A novel multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based target enrichment was established, followed by NGS on the Ion Torrent Personal Genome Machine (PGM). All the mutations and rare variants were confirmed by Sanger sequencing.ResultsWe identified mutations in 11 (19%) of the 56 clinically diagnosed MODY subjects and seven of these mutations were novel. The identified mutations include p.H241Q, p.E59Q, c.‐162G>A 5′ UTR in NEUROD1, p.V169I cosegregating with c.493‐4G>A and c.493‐20C>T, p.E271K in HNF4A, p.A501S in HNF1A, p.E440X in GCK, p.V177M in PDX1, p.L92F in HNF1B and p.R31L in PAX4 genes. Interestingly, two patients with NEUROD1 mutation were also positive for the p.E224K mutation in PDX1 gene. These patients with coexisting NEUROD1–PDX1 mutations showed a marked reduction in glucose‐induced insulin secretion. All 24 subjects who had not met the clinical criteria of MODY were negative for the mutations. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of PDX1, HNF1B, NEUROD1 and PAX4 mutations from India.ConclusionsMultiplex PCR coupled with NGS provides a rapid, cost‐effective and accurate method for comprehensive parallelized genetic testing of MODY. When compared to earlier reports, we have identified a higher frequency and a novel digenic mutation pattern involving NEUROD1 and PDX1 genes.
Chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, vincristine and dacarbazine for malignant paraganglioma and pheochromocytoma: systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Niemeijer N.D. , Alblas G. , van Hulsteijn L.T. , Dekkers O.M. , Corssmit E.P.M. 
Published: July 2014

SummaryBackgroundChemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, vincristine and dacarbazine (CVD) can be used for palliative treatment of malignant pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma. However, the precise effect of this chemotherapeutic regimen on tumour volume is unclear. The main objective of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta‐analysis assessing the effect of chemotherapy with CVD on tumour volume in patients with malignant paraganglioma/pheochromocytoma.MethodsA literature search was performed in October 2013 to identify potentially relevant studies. Main outcomes were the pooled percentages of complete response, partial response and stable disease after chemotherapy with CVD. A meta‐analysis was performed with an exact likelihood approach using a logistic regression. Pooled percentages with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported.ResultsFour studies concerning a total of 50 patients with malignant paraganglioma/pheochromocytoma reported on treatment with a combination of CVD chemotherapy. A meta‐analysis of the effect of chemotherapy on tumour volume showed pooled percentages of complete response, partial response and stable disease of, respectively, 4% (95% CI: 1%–15%), 37%(95% CI: 25%–51%) and 14% (95% CI: 7%–27%). Only two studies concerning a total of 35 patients assessed the response on catecholamine excess; pooled percentages for complete, partial and stable hormonal response were 14% (95% CI: 6%–30%), 40% (95% CI: 25%–57%) and 20% (95% CI: 10%–36%), respectively. Duration of response was also reported in only two studies with a median duration of response of 20 months and 40 months.ConclusionsData on the effects of a combination of CVD chemotherapy on malignant paraganglioma/pheochromocytoma suggest that a partial response concerning tumour volume can be achieved in about 37% of patients and a partial response on catecholamine excess in about 40% of patients. However, in the included studies, the protocol when to initiate treatment was not well described. Therefore, it cannot be excluded that the reported effect of chemotherapy on tumour volume reflects the natural course of the disease, at least partially.
Information Processing and Dynamics in Minimally Cognitive Agents
Authors: Beer Randall D. , Williams Paul L. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractThere has been considerable debate in the literature about the relative merits of information processing versus dynamical approaches to understanding cognitive processes. In this article, we explore the relationship between these two styles of explanation using a model agent evolved to solve a relational categorization task. Specifically, we separately analyze the operation of this agent using the mathematical tools of information theory and dynamical systems theory. Information‐theoretic analysis reveals how task‐relevant information flows through the system to be combined into a categorization decision. Dynamical analysis reveals the key geometrical and temporal interrelationships underlying the categorization decision. Finally, we propose a framework for directly relating these two different styles of explanation and discuss the possible implications of our analysis for some of the ongoing debates in cognitive science.
Aortic Valve Stenosis Planimetry by Means of Three‐Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography in the Real Clinical Setting: Feasibility, Reliability and Systematic Deviations
Authors: Saura Daniel , de la Morena Gonzalo , Flores‐Blanco Pedro J. , Oliva María J. , Caballero Luis , González‐Carrillo Josefa , Espinosa María D. , López‐Ruiz María , García‐Navarro Miguel , Valdés Mariano 
Published: July 2014

AimsTo assess the feasibility and reliability of aortic valve area (AVA) planimetry by means of three‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3DTEE) as compared with the transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) calculation of AVA, to determine the systematic deviations between measurements, and to describe the distribution of mean systolic in relation with 3DTEE anatomical AVA.Methods and ResultsThree hundred seven patients with aortic valve stenosis (AVS) underwent both TTE and 3DTEE for AVA measurement by means of the continuity equation and direct anatomical planimetry, respectively. AVA planimetry was achieved in 282 (91.9%) of patients. Severity of the aortic valve calcification was independently associated with a poorer performance of planimetry. Intraclass correlation coefficient yielded a 0.848 (95% CI: 0.807–0.879) value. 3DTEE rendered a mild constant underestimation of AVA in comparison with TTE. Severe aortic stenosis according to the area criterion (<1 cm2) despite mean systolic gradient below 40 mm Hg was detected in 37.6% of the study population, and in 33.7% of the subset of patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction.ConclusionsReliability of AVA planimetry by 3DTEE in comparison with the calculation by TTE is good, but 3DTEE underestimates slightly the measurement. Feasibility of the technique is good but independently affected by valvular calcification. Inconsistent classification of AVS severity as graded by AVA or mean systolic gradient is observed in the overall population and in patients with preserved systolic function.
Left Atrial Deformation Predicts Pulmonary Capillary Wedge Pressure in Pediatric Heart Transplant Recipients
Authors: Yeh Jay , Aiyagari Ranjit , Gajarski Robert J. , Zamberlan Mary C. , Lu Jimmy C. 
Published: July 2014

BackgroundPulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) is an important indicator in pediatric heart transplant patients, but commonly used noninvasive surrogates, such as ratio of early diastolic mitral inflow velocity to annular velocity (E/E'), have limitations in this population. This study aimed to evaluate the relation of left atrial (LA) peak systolic strain and distensibility with PCWP in pediatric heart transplant recipients.MethodsConsecutive pediatric heart transplant patients were enrolled at time of cardiac catheterization, with echocardiogram immediately afterward. E/E' ratio at the lateral and medial mitral annulus, peak LA systolic longitudinal strain by speckle tracking, and LA distensibility were measured from echocardiograms and compared to invasively measured PCWP.ResultsIn 38 patients (11.1 ± 5.8 years old), PCWP correlated with peak LA systolic strain (r = ‐0.44, P = 0.01) and LA distensibility (r= −0.43, P = 0.02), but not with E/E'. On receiver operating characteristics analysis, LA strain had a higher area under the curve than LA distensibility (0.846 vs. 0.606). LA strain <18.9% had sensitivity 62% and specificity 95%, with likelihood ratio 12.3 for PCWP ≥12. However, LA strain had lower intra‐observer and inter‐observer reproducibility than distensibility (intra‐class correlation coefficients 0.89 and 0.75 vs. 0.93 and 0.90).ConclusionsPeak LA systolic strain and LA distensibility may be more useful surrogates of left ventricular filling pressure than E/E' in the pediatric heart transplant population, with greater reproducibility of LA distensibility. Longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate which parameters track changes in PCWP and clinical outcome.
Prevalence and Long‐Term Prognosis of Patients with Complete Bundle Branch Block (Right or Left Bundle Branch) with Normal Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Referred for Stress Echocardiography
Authors: Supariwala Azhar A. , Po Jose Ricardo F. , Mohareb Sameh , Aslam Farhan , Kaddaha Firas , Mian Zainab I. , Chaudhry Farhan , Otokiti Ahmed , Chaudhry Farooq A. 
Published: July 2014

BackgroundThe prognostic value of stress echocardiography (SE) in patients with complete bundle branch blocks (BBB) with normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) has not been well described. We sought to determine the prognostic value of SE in patients with BBB and normal LVEF.MethodsWe analyzed 7214 patients (58 ± 14 years; 57% female) with a mean follow‐up time of 9 ± 4 years. Dobutamine SE was performed in 51% of patients and exercise SE was performed in 49%. All‐cause mortality data were obtained from the Social Security Death Index.ResultsThere were 222 (3%) patients with right bundle branch block (RBBB) and 50 (0.7%) patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB). Patients with LBBB were 3 times more likely to have an abnormal stress test after adjusting for age, gender, mode of stress test, and coronary artery disease risk factors (OR = 3.3; 95% CI: 1.86–5.92; P < 0.001). The mortality rates were 4.5%/year for patients with LBBB, 2.5%/year for patients with RBBB, and 1.9%/year for patients without BBB (P < 0.001). Among patients with a normal SE, those with LBBB had similar mortality to those without LBBB (HR = 0.9; 95% CI: 0.4–2.2; P = 0.8). Patients with LBBB and abnormal SE had more than 2 times greater risk of all‐cause mortality (HR = 2.4; 95% CI: 1.4–4.2; P = 0.002).ConclusionA normal stress echocardiogram in LBBB is associated with benign prognosis while those with LBBB and abnormal SE have the worst outcomes.
Normal Pediatric Data for Isovolumic Acceleration at the Lateral Tricuspid Valve Annulus—A Heart Rate – Dependent Measure of Right Ventricular Contractility
Authors: Weismann Constance G. , Bamdad Michaela C. , Abraham Sharon , Ghiroli Stephen , Dziura James , Hellenbrand William E. 
Published: July 2014

BackgroundQuantitative assessment of right ventricular (RV) function is important for the management of patients with congenital heart disease. Tissue Doppler (TDI)‐derived myocardial acceleration during isovolumic contraction (IVA) is an echocardiographic measure of contractility that is independent of loading conditions. The aim of this study was to establish normative data for IVA at the lateral tricuspid valve annulus (RV IVA).MethodsThis is a retrospective study of 340 children who had normal echocardiograms. We analyzed RV IVA in relation to age, body surface area (BSA), gender, heart rate (HR), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), and TDI‐derived S′ (RV S′).ResultsRV IVA showed a positive correlation with HR (r = 0.58, P<0.001) and a negative correlation with age and BSA (r = −0.44, P<0.001, for both). RV IVA ranged from 2.3 m/sec2 (±2 SD: 1–3.7 m/sec2) at a HR of <60 beats per minute (bpm) to 4.9 m/sec2 (±2 SD: 3.5–6.4 m/sec2) at a HR of >160 bpm. When RV IVA was corrected for HR (RV IVAc), it became independent of HR, age, BSA, and gender. The mean RV IVAc was 2.3 m/sec1.5 (±2 SD: 1.1–3.6 m/sec1.5). There was a correlation of normalized RV IVAc with normalized TAPSE and RV S′.ConclusionRV IVA, a marker of RV contractility, shows a strong dependence on HR. HR corrected RV IVA (RV IVAc) is independent of age, BSA, gender, and HR. We suggest measuring RV IVAc routinely in patients at risk for RV dysfunction.
The effect of large‐scale privatization on public sector pay gap in a transition economy
Authors: Nikolic Jelena 
Published: July 2014

AbstractEstimating the public–private sector earnings differentials in Serbia from 1995 until 2008 this paper finds significant changes at the mean and across the earnings distribution. The results show that the average public sector pay gap was negative at early stages of economic transition but grew to be positive during large‐scale privatizations. The paper uses different sources of data and adopts a number of statistical procedures, including a novel instrument to infer the likelihood of changes in the individual public sector status due to privatization.
Flowers for bees, autumn colours for whom? An experimental test with autumn colouration in mountain birches (Betula pubescens ssp. czerepanovii) as a signal against the moth Epirrita autumnata
Authors: Isaksen Trond , Folstad Ivar 
Published: July 2014

AbstractIn 2001, Hamilton and Brown proposed a controversial hypothesis of handicap signalling to potential insect parasites as an adaptive explanation for autumn leaf colouration. In subsequent studies there has been little attention to the costs and benefits of early autumnal colour change. Yet, in an observational study by Hagen et al. (2003) it was demonstrated that birch trees [Betula pubescens ssp. czerepanovii Ehrhart (Betulaceae)] turning yellow early in autumn had less damage from insects chewing on leaves the subsequent summer. Here, two experiments are presented which test the mechanisms in this model. The first addresses the proposed defence of leaves of B. pubescens ssp. czerepanovii by letting caterpillars of Epirrita autumnata Borkhausen (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), the birches’ most common insect parasites, choose between leaves from trees that either turned yellow late or early the foregoing autumn. The second experiment addresses whether adult female E. autumnata choose between early or late senescent (i.e., yellow or green) ‘twigs’ when ovipositing in autumn. We could not find evidence of preferences in either larvae or females, suggesting that timing of colour change in B. pubescens ssp. czerepanovii is not a warning signal that elicits a response in E. autumnata.
Does a multi‐plant diet benefit a polyphagous herbivore? A case study with Bemisia tabaci
Authors: Zhang Kai , Di Ning , Ridsdill‐Smith James , Zhang Bo‐Wen , Tan Xiao‐Ling , Cao He‐He , Liu Yan‐Hong , Liu Tong‐Xian 
Published: July 2014

AbstractBemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is a highly polyphagous herbivore. This research was conducted to compare the development of B. tabaci reared in a multi‐plant treatment (polyculture) with those in single‐plant treatments (monocultures). Adult B. tabaci females fed on a mixture of tomato, cabbage, cotton, cucumber, and kidney bean survived longer and laid more eggs than those fed exclusively on one of these plant species. Egg numbers per plant laid in the polyculture treatment were positively correlated with those laid on the same plant species in the monoculture treatments, and egg numbers per plant laid on tomato, cotton, and cucumber in the polyculture were significantly higher than those laid on the same plants in the monocultures. Concentrations of total protein and trehalose in B. tabaci were not significantly different after 7 days of feeding in the respective treatments, but activities of superoxide dismutases (SOD) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) of B. tabaci in polyculture were lower than those in monoculture. Conversely, activities of trehalase, sucrase, and amylase in B. tabaci kept in polyculture were higher than those of insects from the monoculture. In each of the monoculture treatments, there was a negative correlation between AKP in B. tabaci and oviposition, and also between AKP and amylase. SOD and sucrase activities in B. tabaci were positively correlated with polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) activities in plants. In the plants damaged by whiteflies in the polyculture treatment, activities of SOD in cucumber, PPO in cotton and kidney bean, and POD in tomato and cucumber were lower than those in the monoculture treatments, whereas SOD in cabbage and catalase (CAT) in tomato in the polyculture treatment were higher than those in the monoculture treatments.
Evidence that the pregnane X and retinoid receptors PXR, RAR and RXR may regulate transcription of the transporter hOCT1 in chronic myeloid leukaemia cells
Authors: Austin Gemma , Holcroft Alison , Rinne Natasha , Wang Lihui , Clark Richard E. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractThe expression and activity of the uptake transporter human organic cation transporter 1 (hOCT1; SLC22A1) is an independent predictor of response to imatinib treatment in patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). We have recently shown that peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR) activation can increase the killing effect of imatinib in CML cells, due to upregulated hOCT1 gene expression and increased imatinib uptake. To investigate the role of activation of nuclear receptors other than PPAR in the transcriptional regulation of hOCT1, CML cells were treated with agonists for 13 adopted orphan receptors and endocrine receptors. It was found that hOCT1 expression was upregulated by the agonists for pregnane X receptor (PXR), retinoid acid receptor (RAR) and retinoid X receptor (RXR) in CML cell line and primary CML cells (P = 0.04; Wilcoxon rank test). Hence, agonists for PXR, RAR and RXR may be potentially used to improve the efficacy of imatinib in patients with CML.