bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thick legs – not always lipedema
Authors: Reich‐Schupke Stefanie , Altmeyer Peter , Stücker Markus 
Published: December 2012

SummaryDue to its increased presence in the press and on television, the diagnosis of lipedema is on the way to becoming a trendy diagnosis for those with thick legs. Despite this, one must recognize that lipedema is a very rare disease. It is characterized by disproportional obesity of the extremities, especially in the region of the hip and the legs, hematoma development after minimal trauma, and increased pressure‐induced or spontaneous pain. Aids for making the correct diagnosis are (duplex) sonography, the waist‐hip index or the waist‐height index and lymphoscintigraphy. Important differential diagnoses are constitutional variability of the legs, lipohypertrophy in obesity, edema in immobility, edema in chronic venous insufficiency and rheumatic diseases.The symptom‐based therapy of lipedema consists of conservative (compression, manual lymphatic drainage, exercise) and surgical treatments (liposuction). Until now there is no curative therapy. Obesity is an important risk factor for the severity and prognosis of lipedema. Further studies for a better understanding of the pathogenesis of lipedema and in the end possible curative treatments are urgently needed.
SES differences in language processing skill and vocabulary are evident at 18 months
Authors: Fernald Anne , Marchman Virginia A. , Weisleder Adriana 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThis research revealed both similarities and striking differences in early language proficiency among infants from a broad range of advantaged and disadvantaged families. English‐learning infants (n = 48) were followed longitudinally from 18 to 24 months, using real‐time measures of spoken language processing. The first goal was to track developmental changes in processing efficiency in relation to vocabulary learning in this diverse sample. The second goal was to examine differences in these crucial aspects of early language development in relation to family socioeconomic status (SES). The most important findings were that significant disparities in vocabulary and language processing efficiency were already evident at 18 months between infants from higher‐ and lower‐SES families, and by 24 months there was a 6‐month gap between SES groups in processing skills critical to language development.
Aortic Distensibility and Aortic Intima‐Media Thickness in Patients without Clinical Manifestation of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Elbasan Zafer , Şahin Durmuş Yıldıray , Gür Mustafa , Kalkan Gülhan Yüksel , Yıldız Ali , Kaya Zekeriya , Kıvrak Ali , Gözübüyük Gökhan , Özdoğru Ibrahim , Çaylı Murat 
Published: December 2012

Background: There is growing evidence that aortic distensibility (AD) is a subclinical marker of early atherosclerosis. Aortic intima‐media thickness (IMT) was an earlier marker than carotid IMT of preclinical atherosclerosis. In this study, we aimed to assess the relationship between thoracic aortic IMT and AD. Methods: We studied 192 patients (mean age: 45.5 ± 8.4 years) who underwent transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for various indications. Four different grades were determined according to IMT of thoracic aorta (Grade 1 < 1 mm; 1 mm ≤ Grade 2 < 3 mm; 3 mm ≤ Grade 3 < 5 mm; 5 mm ≤ Grade 4). AD was calculated from the echocardiographically derived ascending aorta diameters and hemodynamic pressure measurements in all patients. High sensitive C‐reactive protein (hsCRP) and other biochemical markers were measured using an automated chemistry analyzer. Results: TEE evaluation characterized thoracic aortic intimal morphology as grade 1 in 71 patients (37%), grade 2 in 57 patients (29.7%), grade 3 in 34 patients (17.7%), and grade 4 in 30 (15.6%) patients. The lowest AD level was observed in grade 4 group compared with grade 1 and grade 2 groups (P < 0.001, P = 0.009, respectively). AD level of grade 3 group was lower than grade 1 and grade 2 group (P < 0.001, P = 0.021, respectively). In multiple linear regression analysis, AD was independently associated with age (β = −0.138, P = 0.029), hsCRP (β = −0.209, P = 0.001), and aortic IMT (β = −0.432, P < 0.001). Conclusion: AD is independently associated with age, thoracic aortic IMT, and hsCRP. Impaired elasticity index of the aorta might be an independent predictor for the severity of thoracic atherosclerosis.
Serendipitous Discovery of a Right Coronary Artery to Right Pulmonary Artery Fistula by Transesophageal Echocardiogram
Authors: Wayangankar Siddharth A. , Payne Joshua , Po Sunny , Sivaram Chittur A. 
Published: December 2012

Mini‐AbstractAlthough computed tomography, magnetic resonance angiography, and catheter‐based angiography have been preferred for diagnosis and management of coronary artery fistulae (CAF), transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) may play an important supplementary role in diagnosis and management of patients, where use of the afore‐mentioned modalities is limited (renal dysfunction, pacemaker, severe anaphylaxis to contrast agents). We present an imaging vignette depicting a serendipitous discovery of right CAF draining into right pulmonary artery via TEE.
Circumferential Type A Aortic Dissection and Intimal Intussusception of the Aorta Causing Severe Aortic Regurgitation and Obstruction of the Left Main Coronary Artery
Authors: Yang Eric H. , Kwon Murray H. , Mahajan Aman , Child John S. , Tobis Jonathan M. , Manthripragada Gopi , Silverstein Cheri A. , Shamsa Kamran 
Published: December 2012

Mini‐AbstractCircumferential dissection of the ascending aorta is a rare subtype of Type A aortic dissection which involves the entire intimal layer of the aorta which can cause a variety of devastating sequelae, given its propensity to involve the aortic valve and coronary arteries. Echocardiography is essential in making the diagnosis and visualize its involvement of the cardiovascular system, as invasive aortography can be limited in visualization of this unusual variant of aortic dissection. We present a patient who suffered a circumferential dissection of the ascending aorta which also caused severe aortic regurgitation and ischemia from left main coronary artery obstruction.
Diastolic Abnormalities in Normal Phenotype Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Gene Carriers: A Study Using Speckle Tracking Echocardiography
Authors: Kauer Floris , van Dalen Bas M. , Michels Michelle , Soliman Osama I. I. , Vletter Wim B. , van Slegtenhorst Marjon , ten Cate Folkert J. , Geleijnse Marcel L. 
Published: December 2012

BackgroundTissue Doppler imaging (TDI) of the mitral annulus has been proposed as an alternative for the identification of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) genetically affected subjects without left ventricular hypertrophy (G+/LVH−). Unfortunately, conflicting results have been described in the literature, potentially caused by the angle‐dependency of TDI. This study sought to assess abnormalities in mitral annular velocities in G+/LVH− subjects as detected by speckle tracking echocardiography (STE).MethodsThe study population consisted of 23 consecutive genotyped family members without major or minor criteria for the diagnosis of HCM (mean age 37 ± 13 years, 9 men) and 23 healthy volunteers (age 38 ± 12 years, 12 men) who prospectively underwent STE.ResultsThere were no significant differences in global peak systolic annular velocity (7.4 ± 1.2 vs. 7.1 ± 1.0 cm/sec) and early diastolic annular velocity (10.2 ± 2.5 vs. 11.3 ± 2.2 cm/sec) between G+/LVH− and control subjects. Global peak late diastolic annular velocity was higher in G+/LVH− subjects (8.1 ± 1.7 vs. 5.7 ± 1.1 cm/sec, P < 0.001). Regionally, this difference was seen in all 6 studied LV walls.ConclusionsThis STE study confirms our previous TDI observations on increased peak late diastolic annular velocities in G+/LVH− subjects. Because of the complete overlap in early diastolic annular velocities this parameter cannot be used in the genotypes we studied to differentiate genotype (+) from genotype (−) individuals.
Collapse of Aortic Tube Graft during Systole
Authors: Barbieri John S. , Weiss Richard L. 
Published: December 2012

Mini‐AbstractWe present a case of a 61‐year‐old man with a history of an ascending aortic aneurysm repair who was found to have prosthetic valve endocarditis. On transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography, we show a devastating complication of prosthetic valve endocarditis: valve dehiscence with paravalvular flow compressing the tube graft during systole and distal dehiscence of the graft as blood from outside the graft reenters the native aorta. These echocardiographic images highlight the virulent nature of prosthetic valve endocarditis and the value of echocardiography in the diagnosis and management of prosthetic valve endocarditis.
Functional expression, purification and reconstitution of the recombinant phosphate transporter Pho89 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Sengottaiyan Palanivelu , Ruiz‐Pavón Lorena , Persson Bengt L. 
Published: December 2012

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae high‐affinity phosphate transporter Pho89 is a member of the inorganic phosphate (Pi) transporter (PiT) family, and shares significant homology with the type III Na+/Pi symporters, hPit1 and hPit2. Currently, detailed biochemical and biophysical analyses of Pho89 to better understand its transport mechanisms are limited, owing to the lack of purified Pho89 in an active form. In the present study, we expressed functional Pho89 in the cell membrane of Pichia pastoris, solubilized it in Triton X‐100 and foscholine‐12, and purified it by immobilized nickel affinity chromatography combined with size exclusion chromatography. The protein eluted as an oligomer on the gel filtration column, and SDS/PAGE followed by western blotting analysis revealed that the protein appeared as bands of approximately 63, 140 and 520 kDa, corresponding to the monomeric, dimeric and oligomeric masses of the protein, respectively. Proteoliposomes containing purified and reconstituted Pho89 showed Na+‐dependent Pi transport activity driven by an artificially imposed electrochemical Na+ gradient. This implies that Pho89 operates as a symporter. Moreover, its activity is sensitive to the Na+ ionophore monensin. To our knowledge, this study represents the first report on the functional reconstitution of a Pi‐coupled PiT family member.Structured digital abstract

Pho89 and Pho89 bind by molecular sieving (View interaction)

Pho89 and Pho89 bind by comigration in gel electrophoresis (View interaction)

Pho89 and Pho89 bind by molecular sieving (View interaction)

Pho89 and Pho89 bind by comigration in gel electrophoresis (View interaction)
Mixed-methods research in pharmacy practice: basics and beyond (part 1)
Authors: Hadi Muhammad Abdul , Alldred David Phillip , Closs S José , Briggs Michelle 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
This is the first of two papers which explore the use of mixed-methods research in pharmacy practice. In an era of evidence-based medicine and policy, high-quality research evidence is essential for the development of effective pharmacist-led services. Over the past decade, the use of mixed-methods research has become increasingly common in healthcare, although to date its use has been relatively limited in pharmacy practice research. In this article, the basic concepts of mixed-methods research including its definition, typologies and advantages in relation to pharmacy practice research are discussed. Mixed-methods research brings together qualitative and quantitative methodologies within a single study to answer or understand a research problem. There are a number of mixed-methods designs available, but the selection of an appropriate design must always be dictated by the research question. Importantly, mixed-methods research should not be seen as a ‘tool’ to collect qualitative and quantitative data, rather there should be some degree of ‘integration’ between the two data sets. If conducted appropriately, mixed-methods research has the potential to generate quality research evidence by combining strengths and overcoming the respective limitations of qualitative and quantitative methodologies.
Sozialschutz und Krankheitsprävention in Entwicklungsländern: Der gesundheitliche Nutzen von Renten‐ und Krankenversicherung
Authors: Lloyd‐Sherlock Peter , Minicuci Nadia , Beard John , Chatterji Somnath 
Published: December 2012

AuszugIn diesem Artikel beurteilen wir die Wirksamkeit von Rentenbereitstellung und Krankenversicherung für die Krankheitsprävention bei älteren Menschen in Entwicklungsländern. Wir behaupten, dass in den Sozialschutzagenden bis vor kurzem der Prävention von Gesundheitsrisiken zu wenig Aufmerksamkeit gewidmet und stattdessen das Schwergewicht auf die Verringerung der Einkommensarmut durch Geldtransfers gelegt worden ist. Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird gezeigt, dass wenige zuverlässige Beweise vorliegen, aus denen sich ableiten ließe, dass die Bereitstellung von Rentenleistungen für ältere Menschen deren Gesundheitszustand verbessert, und dass dieses Ergebnis daher von den Entscheidungsträgern nicht als gesichert vorausgesetzt werden sollte. Wir befassen uns anschließend damit, wie die Einbeziehung älterer Menschen in Krankenversicherungssysteme deren Gesundheit beeinflusst und gehen konkret auf die Ergebnisse bei Bluthochdruck ein. Unter Bezugnahme auf die erst seit kurzem verfügbaren Daten von der Weltgesundheitsorganisation für Ghana, Mexiko und Südafrika wird gezeigt, dass sich ältere Menschen, die über eine Krankenversicherung verfügen, Gesundheitsproblemen wie Bluthochdruck mit geringfügig grösserer Wahrscheinlichkeit bewusst sind, und dass sie diese höchstwahrscheinlich unter Kontrolle haben. Dessen ungeachtet wird die überwiegende Mehrheit älterer Menschen mit Bluthochdruck — ob versichert oder nicht versichert — nicht wirksam behandelt. Es zeigt sich, dass die hauptsächlichen Hindernisse zur Behandlung vorallem mit dem Bewusstsein und Leistungsangebot zu tun haben und weniger mit den Finanzen. Folglich hängt die Fähigkeit von Renten‐ oder Krankenversicherungen, zu besseren Gesundheitsergebnissen älterer Menschen in solchen Ländern wie auch in ländlichen Gebieten beizutragen, stark von der Gesundheitserziehung, von medizinischen Untersuchungen und einem geeigneten Leistungsangebot ab. Diese Interventionen sollten als ein integraler Bestandteil von Standard‐Sozialschutzstrategien betrachtet werden und nicht in Ergänzung zu diesen. In der Praxis werden jedoch Sozialschutz und Gesundheitsförderung weiterhin als fast vollständig separate Bereiche behandelt, und müssen daher als substanzielle institutionelle Hindernisse zur Entwicklung kombinierter Interventionen angesehen werden.
Soziale Unsicherheit besser verhindern
Authors: Sinfield Adrian 
Published: December 2012

AuszugStarke Programme der sozialen Sicherheit, die kollektive und individuelle Sicherheit fördern, können einen wichtigen Beitrag dazu leisten, soziale Unsicherheit zu verhindern: Sie fungieren als eingebaute automatische Stabilisatoren mit sozialem, politischem und wirtschaftlichem Nutzen für die Gesamtgesellschaft. Im Gegensatz dazu haben schwächere Systeme de facto eine eingebaute destabilisierende Wirkung. In vielen Ländern hat die Art und Weise, wie Systeme der sozialen Sicherheit dazu beitragen, soziale und wirtschaftliche Unsicherheit zu verhindern, an Wirkung eingebüßt. Wir untersuchen hier die Gründe für die relative Vernachlässigung des Präventionsgedankens sowie die Veränderungen, die in den Systemen der sozialen Sicherheit ganz konkret zu einer Schwächung der präventiven Elemente geführt haben. Der strukturelle Kontext, innerhalb dessen Handlungskonzepte zur sozialen Sicherheit umgesetzt werden müssen, und insbesondere die Qualität und die Quantität von Beschäftigung sowie die Interaktion mit anderen Programmen öffentlicher Stellen haben natürlich einen großen Einfluss auf ihre Fähigkeit, präventiv zu wirken. Dennoch können Systeme viel erreichen, wenn sie die Aufmerksamkeit stärker auf die Notwendigkeit richten, Unsicherheit zu verhindern. Um eine Debatte über diese Thematik anzuregen und die Rolle der Prävention ins Zentrum zu rücken, werden Vorschläge zur Stärkung des Präventivbeitrags in Programmen der sozialen Sicherheit unterbreitet.
Acute bacterial septic vasculopathy
Authors: Delgado‐Jiménez Yolanda , Fraga Javier , Requena Celia , Requena Luis , Aragües Maximiliano , Fernandez Herrera Jesus , Diez Amaro Garcia 
Published: December 2012

AbstractObjectives  The frequency and clinicopathologic characteristics of cutaneous lesions in sepsis are not well known. This study aimed to analyze cutaneous lesions in bacterial septic vasculopathy.Methods  The study population comprised 32 patients with bacterial sepsis, cutaneous lesions, and skin biopsy‐proven septic vasculopathy. The clinical and histologic characteristics of the lesions were analyzed. Findings in non‐immunosuppressed patients (NISPs) and immunosuppressed patients (ISPs) were compared.Results  Nine of 32 patients were immunosuppressed. The foci of sepsis were variable; in 17 patients, the focus was not identified. Although Neisseria meningitidis was the most common causal agent, several microorganisms were identified. Cutaneous manifestations were an early event in 90.6% of patients. The most common skin signs were purpuric lesions and petechiae. Overall mortality was 28.1%; 65.5% of patients survived without sequelae. Skin biopsies showed thrombi in 100% of cases. Other common findings were inflammatory infiltrate, blood extravasation, and epidermal involvement. Bacteria within the vascular wall were seen in 21.9% of cases and fibrinoid necrosis in 25%. A comparison of ISPs with NISPs disclosed that meningococcemia was more common in the latter group, and the presence of pustules was more common in the former. Histopathology testing revealed that fibrinoid necrosis and bacterial invasion of the vessel wall were more common in ISPs than in NISPs.Conclusions  Several microorganisms can cause septic vasculopathy. Clinical presentation is variable and does not depend on the microorganism or the pathogenic mechanism. Histopathologically, septic vasculopathy is a thrombo‐occlusive vasculopathy with variable morphology. Cutaneous lesions are an early event and allow for rapid diagnosis.
Signaling pathways targeted by curcumin in acute and chronic injury: burns and photo‐damaged skin
Authors: Heng Madalene C. Y. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractPhosphorylase kinase (PhK) is a unique enzyme in which the spatial arrangements of the specificity determinants can be manipulated to allow the enzyme to recognize substrates of different specificities. In this way, PhK is capable of transferring high energy phosphate bonds from ATP to serine/threonine and tyrosine moieties in serine/threonine kinases and tyrosine kinases, thus playing a key role in the activation of multiple signaling pathways. Phosphorylase kinase is released within five minutes following injury and is responsible for activating inflammatory pathways in injury‐activated scarring following burns. In photo‐damaged skin, PhK plays an important role in promoting photocarcinogenesis through activation of NF‐kB‐dependent signaling pathways with inhibition of apoptosis of photo‐damaged cells, thus promoting the survival of precancerous cells and allowing for subsequent tumor transformation. Curcumin, the active ingredient in the spice, turmeric, is a selective and non‐competitive PhK inhibitor. By inhibition of PhK, curcumin targets multiple PhK‐dependent pathways, with salutary effects on a number of skin diseases induced by injury. In this paper, we show that curcumin gel produces rapid healing of burns, with little or no residual scarring. Curcumin gel is also beneficial in the repair of photo‐damaged skin, including pigmentary changes, solar elastosis, thinning of the skin with telangiectasia (actinic poikiloderma), and premalignant lesions such as actinic keratoses, dysplastic nevi, and advanced solar lentigines, but the repair process takes many months.
Cytomegalovirus infection and ganciclovir resistance caused by UL97 mutations in pediatric transplant recipients
Authors: Kim Y.‐J. , Boeckh M. , Cook L. , Stempel H. , Jerome K.R. , Boucek R. , Burroughs L. , Englund J.A. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackgroundCytomegalovirus (CMV) infection may cause serious disease after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) and solid organ transplantation (SOT), but few reports describe ganciclovir (GCV) resistance in pediatric patients.ObjectivesThis study was performed to describe the clinical impact of CMV infection with UL97 mutation in pediatric transplant recipients.MethodsQuantitative surveillance data for CMV infection in pediatric patients between October 2001 and February 2007 at the University of Washington were analyzed. Testing for UL97 mutation was performed in selected patients with prolonged CMV viremia despite therapy. Data associated with the detection of UL97 mutations were reviewed.Results
CMV was detected in 89 pediatric transplant recipients. Among these, 39 had undergone HCT and 50 SOT (12 heart, 22 kidney, 15 liver, and 1 bilateral lung transplants). CMV with at least one UL97 sequence variation was detected in 5 patients: 4 HCT recipients (4/39, 10%) and 1 heart transplant recipient (1/50, 2%). All 5 pediatric patients were CMV seropositive before transplantation. Underlying conditions included chronic myelogenous leukemia, primary immunodeficiency disorders, and hypoplastic left heart syndrome. One known GCV drug‐resistant mutation was detected in 2 HCT recipients (A594V). Three strain variants with mutations considered to have no significant impact on UL97 function (H469Y, N510S, and D605E) were detected. Two of these 5 patients died, 1 because of uncontrolled CMV infection and 1 with other complications.Conclusions
UL97 drug‐resistant mutations occur in pediatric transplant recipients with CMV viremia and can cause serious disease. Screening for mutations conferring resistance to CMV antivirals should be considered for patients with persistent viremia during therapy and the sequences of UL97 mutations evaluated.
A study of student participation and nonparticipation in prelecture electronic surveys
Authors: Tong Vincent C. H. , Chow Danny S. L. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractStudent nonparticipation in electronic surveys represents a challenge to educators as it may impact significantly on the implementation or evaluation of the associated teaching activities. We here study the student evaluation of a pedagogical project consisting of prelecture online polling followed by linked revision lectures. This investigation involves studying the responses from 43 undergraduate students following a course in accounting at a British university. With regard to the students' views on the use of prelecture polling, our study shows that there are no statistically significant differences between those who did not participate in the online polling and those who did. Both groups of students were generally positive about the use of (1) polling results in structuring the revision lecture, (2) online survey in helping them prepare for the examination and (3) online polling as a teaching platform in other courses. Our findings therefore suggest that prelecture electronic surveys can help engage students with follow‐up lectures, including those who did not participate in the prelecture survey.