bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical Settings Leading to Presystolic Tricuspid Regurgitation
Authors: Szymański Piotr , Lipczyńska Magdalena , Klisiewicz Anna , Hoffman Piotr 
Published: April 2014

PurposeFew studies describe diastolic (presystolic) tricuspid regurgitation (DTR) mainly in the context of atrioventricular conduction abnormalities. Little is known about its occurrence in the other clinical settings.MethodsWe identified patients with DTR recorded during routine echocardiographic examinations. DTR was defined as low velocity backward flow through the tricuspid valve orifice during end‐diastole recorded with a continuous and/or pulsed‐wave Doppler and/or color‐coded M‐mode Doppler echocardiography.ResultsDiastolic tricuspid regurgitation was present in a wide variety of clinical entities. Of the 23 patients with DTR 6 patients had ischemic and 10 dilated cardiomyopathy. Others had clinical conditions including: inappropriate pacemaker settings, decompensated hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, biventricular dysfunction following orthotropic heart transplantation, torrential aortic regurgitation, low ejection fraction aortic stenosis, advanced endocardial fibroelastosis, and complex congenital heart disease. Twenty of 23 patients had significantly impaired right ventricle (RV) systolic function. Systolic tricuspid regurgitation was estimated as moderate or severe in 13 cases and mild in the remaining 10 cases. RV systolic pressure was significantly elevated in all but 2 cases. In all but 4 cases DTR was transient. The persistence of DTR was associated with severe pulmonary hypertension, severe biventricular failure, and persistent severe pulmonary regurgitation.ConclusionsDiastolic tricuspid regurgitation may be encountered in a variety of clinical settings and should be sought for especially in patients with advanced RV systolic dysfunction, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary regurgitation, or conduction abnormalities. Significant systolic regurgitation is not prerequisite for the development of DTR.
Three‐Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography for Guiding Percutaneous Fontan Fenestration Closure
Authors: Giannakoulas George , Thanopoulos Vasilios 
Published: April 2014

Mini AbstractThe presented case highlights the important complementary role of real time 3D transesophageal echocardiography in the guidance of transcatheter closure of a surgically created fenestration after Fontan operation.
Atrial Mechanics after Surgical Repair of Tetralogy of Fallot
Authors: Hou Jia , Yu Hong‐kui , Wong Sophia J. , Cheung Yiu‐fai 
Published: April 2014

BackgroundVentricular diastolic dysfunction in patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) may affect atrial mechanics. This study aimed to explore right atrial (RA) and left atrial (LA) mechanics in repaired TOF patients and their relationship with ventricular diastolic function.MethodsFifty‐four patients (36 males), aged 17.8 ± 8.3 years, who had undergone TOF repair at 3.9 ± 3.3 years and 40 healthy subjects aged 16.9 ± 6.3 years (P = 0.57) were studied. Right and LA peak positive, peak negative, and total strain, strain rate at ventricular systole (SRs), early diastole (SRed), and atrial contraction (SRac), and electromechanical delay were determined using speckle tracking echocardiography (STE). Ventricular diastolic function was assessed by tissue Doppler imaging and STE. Ventricular volumes and pulmonary regurgitant volume were derived from 3D echocardiography.ResultsCompared with controls, patients had significantly lower RA and LA peak positive and total strain, SRs, SRed, and SRac (all P < 0.001). The timing of RA (178 ± 33 msec vs. 152 ± 17 msec, P < 0.001) and LA (170 ± 32 msec vs. 152 ± 24 msec, P = 0.006) electromechanical coupling (EMC) was significantly longer in patients than in controls. The RA total strain, SRs, SRed, SRac, and EMC correlated positively with corresponding LA parameters (all P < 0.001). The RA and LA total strain and SRed were associated positively with diastolic annular velocities and strain rates of respective ventricles (all P < 0.05). The LA SRed correlated negatively with pulmonary regurgitant volume (r = −0.33, P = 0.016) and RV end‐diastolic volume (r = −0.33, P = 0.015).ConclusionMechanics of both atria are impaired in patients after repair of TOF and are associated with diastolic performance of the respective ventricles.
Back to basics: could behavioural therapy be a good treatment option for youth depression? A critical review
Authors: Hetrick Sarah E. , Cox Georgina R. , Fisher Caroline A. , Bhar Sunil S. , Rice Simon M. , Davey Christopher G. , Parker Alexandra G. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractAimRecent findings from systematic reviews and primary research studies have shown more modest effects of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for youth depression than previously shown, highlighting the need to further enhance the effectiveness of this intervention, or components of this intervention. Therefore, the aim of this review is to summarize the work that has been done to identify the different components of CBT and their varying effectiveness for young people with depression.MethodsNarrative overview of English language reviews/meta‐analyses and primary intervention studies retrieved from searches of computerized databases as well as ancestry searches.ResultsReviews of intervention studies of adults as well as young people with depression have shown that behavioural approaches are equally as effective as cognitive approaches in reducing depression symptoms. Post‐hoc analyses of large studies in youth depression have also shown that behavioural approaches might be more suitable for young people.ConclusionsBehaviourally based approaches appear promising in treating youth depression; however, further research is required. This research will represent an essential step towards refining interventions for youth depression, and enabling interventions to be targeted to particular subgroups, to optimize their effectiveness.
In vivo ketogenic diet treatment attenuates pathologic sharp waves and high frequency oscillations in in vitro hippocampal slices from epileptic Kv1.1α knockout mice
Authors: Simeone Timothy A. , Samson Kaeli K. , Matthews Stephanie A. , Simeone Kristina A. 
Published: April 2014

SummaryThe ketogenic diet (KD) is an effective therapy for pediatric refractory epilepsies; however, whether the KD changes the pathologic network oscillations generated by an epileptic brain remains unknown. We have reported that hippocampal CA3 regions of epileptic Kv1.1α knockout (KO) mice generate pathologic sharp waves (SPWs) and high‐frequency oscillations (HFOs) that have higher incidence, longer duration, and fast ripples compared to wild‐type (WT). Synaptic activity of hyperexcitable KO mossy fibers significantly decreased CA3 principal cell spike‐timing reliability, which contributed to this network pathology. In addition, we have demonstrated that the KD reduces seizures by 75% in KO mice. Here, we determined whether 10‐ to 14‐day in vivo KD treatment exerts disease‐modifying effects that alter the spontaneous SPW‐HFO complexes generated by the hippocampal CA3 region of KO mice in vitro using extracellular multielectrode array recordings. We found that KD treatment significantly attenuated the pathologic features of KO SPWs and ripples and reduced the incidence of fast ripples. The KD also improved spike‐timing reliability of KO CA3 principal cells, decreased mossy fiber excitability, increased mossy fiber‐CA3 paired‐pulse ratios, and reduced coupling of field excitatory postsynaptic potentials and population spikes in the CA3 region. Collectively, these data indicate that KD treatment modulates CA3‐generated pathologic oscillations by dampening hyperactive mossy fiber synapses.A PowerPoint slide summarizing this article is available for download in the Supporting Information section here.
Impaired cognitive function in idiopathic generalized epilepsy and unaffected family members: An epilepsy endophenotype
Authors: Chowdhury Fahmida A. , Elwes Robert D. C. , Koutroumanidis Michaelis , Morris Robin G. , Nashef Lina , Richardson Mark P. 
Published: April 2014

SummaryObjectiveIdiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) has a strong genetic component, and patients with IGE show deficits in a range of frontal lobe functions. Previous studies provide hints that unaffected siblings of people with IGE may share some of these cognitive deficits, suggesting that these deficits may be genetically determined endophenotypes. Establishment of a neurocognitive endophenotype of IGE would contribute to genetic studies and increase our understanding of the pathophysiology of IGE. To identify potential neurocognitive endophenotypes of IGE, this study aimed to measure neuropsychological performance in patients with IGE, their unaffected relatives, and healthy controls.MethodsThirty‐six patients with IGE, 38 first‐degree relatives, and 40 healthy controls were examined using a battery of neuropsychological tests sensitive to frontal lobe dysfunction (executive function, nonverbal reasoning, verbal generativity, response inhibition, attention, and working memory). Subject groups were compared using robust Bonferroni‐corrected statistics.ResultsPatients with IGE showed deficits in nonverbal reasoning, verbal generativity, attention, and working memory. Relatives exhibited a parallel profile of cognitive abilities, with significant deficits in these tasks. Patients tended to show greater impairment than relatives in these tasks.SignificanceThis study shows that measures of nonverbal reasoning, verbal generativity, sustained attention, and working memory are endophenotypes of IGE and offer the potential for aiding molecular genetic studies and elucidating the pathophysiology of IGE. Patients tended to demonstrate greater impairment in these tasks, possibly because of a greater genetic contribution and/or disease‐related factors.A PowerPoint slide summarizing this article is available for download in the Supporting Information section here.
Sexual History Affects Mating Behavior and Mate Choice in the Crayfish Orconectes limosus
Authors: Mellan Dane , Warren Allyson , Buckholt Michael A. , Mathews Lauren M. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBecause mating entails both costs and potential benefits to both sexes, males and females should be under selection to make optimal choices from among available potential mates. For example, in some cases, individuals may benefit by using information on potential mates' previous sexual histories to make mate choices. In such cases, the form and direction of these benefits may vary both between the sexes and based on the sexual history of the choosing individuals themselves. We investigated the effects of recent previous sexual history on the mate choice and mating behavior of both males and females of the crayfish Orconectes limosus. In one experiment, we found that opposite‐sex dyads comprising crayfish that had both mated 7–8 d previously with other conspecifics were significantly less likely to mate than dyads in which at least one crayfish was unmated. In a second experiment, we found that, when presented with a choice of tethered (but free to move) opposite‐sex conspecifics, only virgin females discriminated between males based on sexual history, showing a preference for virgin males over recently mated males. Mated females, mated males, and virgin males showed no preferences based on the sexual histories of potential mates. We discuss the implications of these inferences in the context of what was previously known about mating behavior and potential sperm limitation in crustaceans and other taxa.
Nitrogen limitation of the phytobenthos in Alpine lakes: results from nutrient‐diffusing substrata
Authors: Lepori Fabio , Robin Joël 
Published: April 2014

Summary

In the Alps, as in other mountainous regions across the world, nitrogen (N) enrichment of ecosystems via atmospheric deposition is a major environmental concern. Nitrogen enrichment can cause acidification in poorly buffered lakes and streams, but here we assessed the less well‐known effects of eutrophication on the phytobenthos of lakes and its consequences for grazing.

To simulate the effects of N deposition, we conducted experimental nutrient additions (N and N+P) in two lakes in the French Alps, in summer 2012. In each lake, we deployed nutrient‐diffusing substrata for 22 days. The substrata were placed within cages that either allowed or prevented access by macrograzers. We tested the hypotheses that N enrichment: (i) increases phytobenthic biomass, (ii) alters phytobenthic taxonomic composition and (iii) reduces benthic grazing.

Supporting the first hypothesis, at the end of the experiments N‐enriched substrata had a greater phytobenthic biomass than unenriched substrata, indicating N limitation. Supporting the second hypothesis, the taxonomic composition of the phytobenthos differed between N‐enriched and control substrata. Green algae, including filamentous forms, were favoured by N enrichment to a greater extent than diatoms and cyanobacteria. By contrast, the third hypothesis was not supported. Grazing had the same effect on the biomass of the phytobenthos regardless of nutrient treatment.

Our results highlight the sensitivity of Alpine lakes to deposition of atmospheric N. Its ecological effects are not limited to acidification, but also include increased biomass (eutrophication) and altered taxonomic composition of the phytobenthos. Because filamentous green algae favoured by N enrichment are usually unpalatable to macrograzers, inputs of atmospheric N could reduce the efficiency of transfer of energy from the phytobenthos up through the food web.
Process‐based models not always better than empirical models for simulating budburst of Norway spruce and birch in Europe
Authors: Olsson Cecilia , Jönsson Anna Maria 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBudburst models have mainly been developed to capture the processes of individual trees, and vary in their complexity and plant physiological realism. We evaluated how well eleven models capture the variation in budburst of birch and Norway spruce in Germany, Austria, the United Kingdom and Finland. The comparison was based on the models performance in relation to their underlying physiological assumptions with four different calibration schemes. The models were not able to accurately simulate the timing of budburst. In general the models overestimated the temperature effect, thereby the timing of budburst was simulated too early in the United Kingdom and too late in Finland. Among the better performing models were three models based on the growing degree day concept, with or without day length or chilling, and an empirical model based on spring temperatures. These models were also the models least influenced by the calibration data. For birch the best calibration scheme was based on multiple sites in either Germany or Europe, and for Norway spruce the best scheme included multiple sites in Germany or cold years of all sites. Most model and calibration combinations indicated greater bias with higher spring temperatures, mostly simulating earlier than observed budburst.
Melanin‐based colour polymorphism responding to climate change
Authors: Roulin Alexandre 
Published: April 2014

AbstractClimate warming leads to a decrease in biodiversity. Organisms can deal with the new prevailing environmental conditions by one of two main routes, namely evolving new genetic adaptations or through phenotypic plasticity to modify behaviour and physiology. Melanin‐based colouration has important functions in animals including a role in camouflage and thermoregulation, protection against UV‐radiation and pathogens and, furthermore, genes involved in melanogenesis can pleiotropically regulate behaviour and physiology. In this article, I review the current evidence that differently coloured individuals are differentially sensitive to climate change. Predicting which of dark or pale colour variants (or morphs) will be more penalized by climate change will depend on the adaptive function of melanism in each species as well as how the degree of colouration covaries with behaviour and physiology. For instance, because climate change leads to a rise in temperature and UV‐radiation and dark colouration plays a role in UV‐protection, dark individuals may be less affected from global warming, if this phenomenon implies more solar radiation particularly in habitats of pale individuals. In contrast, as desertification increases, pale colouration may expand in those regions, whereas dark colourations may expand in regions where humidity is predicted to increase. Dark colouration may be also indirectly selected by climate warming because genes involved in the production of melanin pigments confer resistance to a number of stressful factors including those associated with climate warming. Furthermore, darker melanic individuals are commonly more aggressive than paler conspecifics, and hence they may better cope with competitive interactions due to invading species that expand their range in northern latitudes and at higher altitudes. To conclude, melanin may be a major component involved in adaptation to climate warming, and hence in animal populations melanin‐based colouration is likely to change as an evolutionary or plastic response to climate warming.
Sternal instability in a hemodialysis patient with secondary hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Eleftheriadis Theodoros , Antoniadi Georgia , Leivaditis Konstantinos , Pissas Georgios , Liakopoulos Vassilios , Stefanidis Ioannis 
Published: April 2014

AbstractA 77‐year‐old man, 11 years under chronic hemodialysis treatment for chronic renal failure of unknown origin, presented with anterior chest pain, dyspnea with paradoxical breathing, and sternal instability after a simple fall from a standing height. Patient underwent three‐vessel coronary artery bypass grafting 31 months ago. Computed tomography with three‐dimensional volume rendering showed sternal nonunion with a great gap between the two halves of the sternum and at least one fracture in the left half of the sternum. A successful surgical repair followed. Patient suffered from severe secondary hyperparathyroidism for many years. Despite treatment with sevelamer, paricalcitol and cinacalcet, intact parathyroid hormone was 1682 pg/mL. During the last 5 years, serum intact parathyroid hormone remained steadily above 1000 pg/mL. Patient refused parathyroidectomy in the past. We assume that long‐lasting severe hyperparathyroidism contributed to this rare and life‐threatening complication of median sternotomy in our patient, due to the detrimental effect of hyperparathyroidism on bone metabolism and its association with increased incidence of bone fractures and defect in bone fracture healing.
Computed tomography during hepatic arteriography pattern may predict hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence following transarterial chemoembolization
Authors: Katayama Kazuhiro , Ohkawa Kazuyoshi , Imanaka Kazuho , Sakakibara Mitsuru , Miyazaki Masanori , Kimura Haruki , Ishihara Akio , Matsunaga Takashi , Murata Masayuki , Nakazawa Tetsuro , Nakanishi Katsuyuki 
Published: April 2014

AimThis study aimed to determine the role of morphological patterns seen on imaging in predicting hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence following transarterial chemoembolization therapy.MethodsForty‐seven patients from a single center who underwent transarterial chemoembolization to treat unresectable hepatocellular carcinomas between January 2011 and June 2012 were included in this study. We investigated whether the two pretreatment findings on computed tomography during hepatic arteriography (pattern 1, the single nodule pattern; pattern 2, at least one nodule showing the contiguous multinodular pattern) and other factors (age, sex, etiology, serum total bilirubin, serum albumin, prothrombin time, platelet count, serum level of protein induced by vitamin K absence/antagonist‐II, serum α‐fetoprotein, number of previous treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma, tumor number and maximum tumor size, presence of hypovascular lesions) could predict post‐treatment recurrence.ResultsIn a univariate analysis using Cox's proportional hazards model, serum total bilirubin, the serum level of protein induced by vitamin K absence/antagonist‐II (≤100 vs ≥101 mAU/mL), tumor morphology (pattern 1 vs 2) and tumor number (≤3 vs ≥4) showed statistical significance (≤0.05). In a multivariate analysis of these factors, morphology and tumor number showed significance. According to Kaplan–Meier estimation, the cumulative disease‐free survival rates were significantly lower in patients with four or more lesions than in those with three or less lesions and in patients showing pattern 2 than in those showing pattern 1.ConclusionPatients with pattern 2 hepatocellular carcinoma and/or four or more lesions may have a relatively high recurrence rate after transarterial chemoembolization.
Angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma of the pulmonary artery: a multidisciplinary discussion
Authors: Ghigna Maria‐Rosa , Hamdi Sarah , Petitpretz Patrick , Rohnean Adela , Florea Valentina , Mussot Sacha , Dartevelle Philippe , Dorfmuller Peter , Tu Ly , Thuillet Raphaël , Guignabert Christophe , Thomas‐de‐Montpreville Vincent 
Published: April 2014

AimsAngiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma (AFH) is a rare neoplastic disease usually occurring in the dermis or subcutis of the extremities of young adults or children. Although sporadic cases in deep soft tissue and visceral organs have been reported, we present here the first description of AFH developing in a large artery.Methods and resultsParaffin sections of the surgical specimen were stained with haematoxylin and eosin, and immunohistochemistry was performed (CKAE1/AE3, EMA, CD34, p63, CD38, smooth muscle actin, and desmin). In addition, FISH and RT‐PCR were applied in order to check for EWRS rearrangement. The histomorphological features, and FISH analysis revealing rearrangement of EWSR, indicated the definitive diagnosis of AFH. RT‐PCR confirmed EWSR rearrangement, and detected an EWSR1–ATF1 fusion transcript.ConclusionsA thoracic location of AFH has not been reported until very recently, and shares a differential diagnosis with diverse neoplasms, including spindle cell carcinoma and low‐grade sarcoma. We describe the first reported case of thoracic AFH arising in a large vessel, and highlight distinctive histological and molecular features.