bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of White Matter Injury and Outcome in Severe Brain Trauma
Authors: Galanaud Damien , Perlbarg Vincent , Gupta Rajiv , Stevens Robert D. , Sanchez Paola , Tollard Eléonore , de Champfleur Nicolas Menjot , Dinkel Julien , Faivre Sébastien , Soto-Ares Gustavo , Veber Benoit , Cottenceau Vincent , Masson Françoise , Tourdias Thomas , André Edith , Audibert Gérard , Schmitt Emmanuelle , Ibarrola Danielle , Dailler Frédéric , Vanhaudenhuyse Audrey , Tshibanda Luaba , Payen Jean-François , Le Bas Jean-François , Krainik Alexandre , Bruder Nicolas , Girard Nadine , Laureys Steven , Benali Habib , Puybasset Louis 
Published: November 2012

Background
Existing methods to predict recovery after severe traumatic brain injury lack accuracy. The aim of this study is to determine the prognostic value of quantitative diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).

Methods
In a multicenter study, the authors prospectively enrolled 105 patients who remained comatose at least 7 days after traumatic brain injury. Patients underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging, including DTI in 20 preselected white matter tracts. Patients were evaluated at 1 yr with a modified Glasgow Outcome Scale. A composite DTI score was constructed for outcome prognostication on this training database and then validated on an independent database (n=38). DTI score was compared with the International Mission for Prognosis and Analysis of Clinical Trials Score.

Results
Using the DTI score for prediction of unfavorable outcome on the training database, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.84 (95% CI: 0.75-0.91). The DTI score had a sensitivity of 64% and a specificity of 95% for the prediction of unfavorable outcome. On the validation-independent database, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.80 (95% CI: 0.54-0.94). On the training database, reclassification methods showed significant improvement of classification accuracy (P < 0.05) compared with the International Mission for Prognosis and Analysis of Clinical Trials score. Similar results were observed on the validation database.

Conclusions
White matter assessment with quantitative DTI increases the accuracy of long-term outcome prediction compared with the available clinical/radiographic prognostic score.
Can Changes in Arterial Pressure be Used to Detect Changes in Cardiac Output during Volume Expansion in the Perioperative Period?
Authors: Le Manach Yannick , Hofer Christoph K. , Lehot Jean-Jacques , Vallet Benoît , Goarin Jean-Pierre , Tavernier Benoît , Cannesson Maxime 
Published: November 2012

Background
Cardiac output (CO) is rarely monitored during surgery, and arterial pressure remains the only hemodynamic parameter for assessing the effects of volume expansion (VE). However, whether VE-induced changes in arterial pressure accurately reflect changes in CO has not been demonstrated. The authors studied the ability of VE-induced changes in arterial pressure and in pulse pressure variation to detect changes in CO induced by VE in the perioperative period.

Methods
The authors studied 402 patients in four centers. Hemodynamic variables were recorded before and after VE. Response to VE was defined as more than 15% increase in CO. The ability of VE-induced changes in arterial pressure to detect changes in CO was assessed using a gray zone approach.

Results
VE increased CO of more than 15% in 205 patients (51%). Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for VE-induced changes in systolic, diastolic, means, and pulse pressure ranged between 0.64 and 0.70, and sensitivity and specificity ranged between 52 and 79%. For these four arterial pressure-derived parameters, large gray zones were found, and more than 60% of the patients lay within this inconclusive zone. A VE-induced decrease in pulse pressure variation of 3% or more allowed detecting a fluid-induced increase in CO of more than 15% with a sensitivity of 90% and a specificity of 77% and a gray zone between 2.2 and 4.7% decrease in pulse pressure variation including 14% of the patients.

Conclusion
Only changes in pulse pressure variation accurately detect VE-induced changes in CO and have a potential clinical applicability.
Rhizobial and Mycorrhizal Symbioses in Lotus japonicus Require Lectin Nucleotide Phosphohydrolase, Which Acts Upstream of Calcium Signaling
Authors: Roberts Nicholas J. , Morieri Giulia , Kalsi Gurpreet , Rose Alan , Stiller Jiri , Edwards Anne , Xie Fang , Gresshoff Peter M. , Oldroyd Giles E.D. , Downie J. Allan , Etzler Marilynn E. 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
Nodulation in legumes requires the recognition of rhizobially made Nod factors. Genetic studies have revealed that the perception of Nod factors involves LysM domain receptor-like kinases, while biochemical approaches have identified LECTIN NUCLEOTIDE PHOSPHOHYDROLASE (LNP) as a Nod factor-binding protein. Here, we show that antisense inhibition of LNP blocks nodulation in Lotus japonicus. This absence of nodulation was due to a defect in Nod factor signaling based on the observations that the early nodulation gene NODULE INCEPTION was not induced and that both Nod factor-induced perinuclear calcium spiking and calcium influx at the root hair tip were blocked. However, Nod factor did induce root hair deformation in the LNP antisense lines. LNP is also required for infection by the mycorrhizal fungus Glomus intraradices, suggesting that LNP plays a role in the common signaling pathway shared by the rhizobial and mycorrhizal symbioses. Taken together, these observations indicate that LNP acts at a novel position in the early stages of symbiosis signaling. We propose that LNP functions at the earliest stage of the common nodulation and mycorrhization symbiosis signaling pathway downstream of the Nod factor receptors; it may act either by influencing signaling via changes in external nucleotides or in conjunction with the LysM receptor-like kinases for recognition of Nod factor.
Regulatory effects of Spirulina complex polysaccharides on growth of murine RSV‐M glioma cells through Toll‐like receptor 4
Authors: Kawanishi Yu , Tominaga Akira , Okuyama Hiromi , Fukuoka Satoshi , Taguchi Takahiro , Kusumoto Yutaka , Yawata Toshio , Fujimoto Yasunori , Ono Shiro , Shimizu Keiji 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThis study is the first to report that Spirulina complex polysaccharides (CPS) suppress glioma growth by down‐regulating angiogenesis via a Toll‐like receptor 4 signal. Murine RSV‐M glioma cells were implanted s.c. into C3H/HeN mice and TLR4 mutant C3H/HeJ mice. Treatment with either Spirulina CPS or Escherichia coli (E. coli) lipopolysaccharides (LPS) strongly suppressed RSV‐M glioma cell growth in C3H/HeN, but not C3H/HeJ, mice. Glioma cells stimulated production of interleukin (IL)‐17 in both C3H/HeN and C3H/HeJ tumor‐bearing mice. Treatment with E. coli LPS induced much greater IL‐17 production in tumor‐bearing C3H/HeN mice than in tumor‐bearing C3H/HeJ mice. In C3H/HeN mice, treatment with Spirulina CPS suppressed growth of re‐transplanted glioma; however, treatment with E. coli LPS did not, suggesting that Spirulina CPS enhance the immune response. Administration of anti‐cluster of differentiation (CD)8, anti‐CD4, anti‐CD8 antibodies, and anti‐asialo GM1 antibodies enhanced tumor growth, suggesting that T cells and natural killer cells or macrophages are involved in suppression of tumor growth by Spirulina CPS. Although anti‐interferon‐γ antibodies had no effect on glioma cell growth, anti‐IL‐17 antibodies administered four days after tumor transplantation suppressed growth similarly to treatment with Spirulina CPS. Less angiogenesis was observed in gliomas from Spirulina CPS‐treated mice than in those from saline‐ or E. coli LPS‐treated mice. These findings suggest that, in C3H/HeN mice, Spirulina CPS antagonize glioma cell growth by down‐regulating angiogenesis, and that this down‐regulation is mediated in part by regulating IL‐17 production.
Mental Illness, Access to Hospitals with Invasive Cardiac Services, and Receipt of Cardiac Procedures by Medicare Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients
Authors: Li Yue , Glance Laurent G. , Lyness Jeffrey M. , Cram Peter , Cai Xueya , Mukamel Dana B. 
Published: November 2012

ObjectiveOlder persons with coronary heart disease have reduced access to appropriate medical and surgical services if they are also mentally ill. This study determined whether difference exists in access to hospitals that provide on‐site invasive cardiac procedures among a national cohort of Medicare acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients with and without comorbid mental illness, and its implications for subsequent procedure use.MethodsRetrospective analyses of Medicare claims for initial AMI admissions between January and September 2007. Hospital service availability was obtained from annual survey data. Logistic regression estimated the associations of mental illness with admission to hospitals with any invasive cardiac services (diagnostic catheterization, coronary angioplasty, or bypass surgery) and post‐admission care patterns and outcomes.ResultsEighty‐two percent of mentally ill AMI patients (n = 28,888) versus 87 percent of other AMI patients (n = 73,895) were initially admitted to hospitals with invasive cardiac facilities [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.81, p < .001]. Admission to such hospitals was associated with overall higher rate of procedure use within 90 days of admission and improved 30‐days readmission and mortality rates. However, irrespective of on‐site service availability of the admitting hospital, mentally ill patients were one half as likely to receive invasive procedures (adjusted OR approximately 0.5, p < .001).ConclusionsAmong Medicare patients with AMI, those with comorbid mental illness were less likely to be admitted to hospitals with on‐site invasive cardiac services. Mental illness was associated with reduced cardiac procedure use within each type of admitting hospitals (with on‐site invasive cardiac services or not).
Stress response to acoustic stimuli in an aphid: A behavioral bioassay model
Authors: Lee Yerim , Kim Hyojoong , Kang Taek‐Jun , Jang Yikweon 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), feeds consistently and regularly throughout all stages of nymphs and adult. That is, honey dew production, which indicates a state of feeding, occurs at regular intervals within a given stage, and moving, which interrupts feeding, tends to occur rarely. We used these behaviors to test whether sound stimuli acted as a stress in this species. We conducted the playback experiment in which acoustic stimuli with a combination of five frequencies (100, 500, 1000, 5000, and 10000 Hz) and three intensity levels (66, 78, 90 dB SPL) were presented to all stages of aphids. Under all acoustic stimuli, honey dew production occurred less often, and moving occurred more often and for longer. The results of two‐way multivariate analysis of variance showed that the stimulus frequency was a significant factor for variation in aphid behaviors in the playback experiment. However, there was no intensity effect on the aphid's behavior. Based on the electrical penetration graph experiment, aphid feeding stopped frequently and lasted only for short durations under acoustic stimuli. The results of both experiments demonstrated that the acoustic stimuli were effective in inducing feeding suppression in this species. Thus, the acoustic stimuli may be a stressor in the green peach aphid. Furthermore, the behavioral bioassay employed in this study may be used to assess the effect of various stressors on aphids.
Improving PCR detection of prey in molecular diet studies: importance of group‐specific primer set selection and extraction protocol performances
Authors: Zarzoso‐Lacoste Diane , Corse Emmanuel , Vidal Eric 
Published: November 2012

AbstractWhile the morphological identification of prey remains in predators' faeces is the most commonly used method to study trophic interactions, many studies indicate that this method does not detect all consumed prey. Polymerase chain reaction–based methods are increasingly used to detect prey DNA in the predator food bolus and have proven efficient, delivering highly accurate results. When studying complex diet samples, the extraction of total DNA is a critical step, as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) inhibitors may be co‐extracted. Another critical step involves a careful selection of suitable group‐specific primer sets that should only amplify DNA from the targeted prey taxon. In this study, the food boluses of five Rattus rattus and seven Rattus exulans were analysed using both morphological and molecular methods. We tested a panel of 31 PCR primer pairs targeting bird, invertebrate and plant sequences; four of them were selected to be used as group‐specific primer pairs in PCR protocols. The performances of four DNA extraction protocols (QIAamp® DNA stool mini kit, DNeasy® mericon food kit and two of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide‐based methods) were compared using four variables: DNA concentration, A260/A280 absorbance ratio, food compartment analysed (stomach or faecal contents) and total number of prey‐specific PCR amplification per sample. Our results clearly indicate that the A260/A280 absorbance ratio, which varies between extraction protocols, is positively correlated to the number of PCR amplifications of each prey taxon. We recommend using the DNeasy® mericon food kit (QIAGEN), which yielded results very similar to those achieved with the morphological approach.
Two highly validated SSR multiplexes (8‐plex) for Euphrates' poplar, Populus euphratica (Salicaceae)
Authors: Xu Fang , Feng Sisi , Wu Rongling , Du Fang K. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractMultiplex PCR amplification of microsatellites has significantly increased the throughput and decreased the costs of genotyping. We have developed two highly polymorphic microsatellite multiplexes for Populus euphratica, the only tree species found in desert regions of Western China and adjacent Central Asian countries. The first of these multiplex kits comprises an eight‐Plex of genomic SSRs (gSSRs) obtained from published databases. The second comprises an eight‐plex of newly designed EST‐SSRs (eSSRs) based on expressed sequence tags for P. euphratica. Both kits were tested on a sample of 170 individuals from four populations. The gSSRs exhibited slightly more polymorphism than the eSSRs. The new multiplex protocols yielded consistent results in the hands of multiple researchers, demonstrating their robustness. The 16 loci used in the kits exhibited a high transferability rate (82.0%) in eight other poplar species belonging to five different sections of the genus. Both kits should therefore be useful for further investigations of population genetics in P. euphratica and related species. Our results indicate that it is essential to follow recently established recommendations when developing microsatellite markers, including verifying the amplification efficiency, detecting null alleles and carefully measuring error rates.
Rainfall in prior breeding seasons influences population size of a small marsupial
Authors: LADA HANIA , THOMSON JAMES R. , CUNNINGHAM SHAUN C. , MAC NALLY RALPH 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe imposition of the stresses of climate change (higher temperatures and in many regions lower rainfall) on existing stressors, such as habitat loss and degradation, will increase pressures on native fauna already experiencing declines. We focused on assessing how the ‘Big Dry’ (severe drought, 1997–2010) in south‐eastern Australia affected populations of a small marsupial carnivore, the yellow‐footed antechinus (Antechinus flavipes), in box‐ironbark forests, which suffer a range of anthropogenic disturbances. Trapping of the mammal was conducted on 136 (0.25 ha) sites in two box‐ironbark forests in 2004, 2005 and 2011 (46 or 64 sites per year). Capture rates of all distinct individuals, males and second‐year females with suckled teats, and the number of suckled teats were positively associated with rainfall in the previous September (time of lactation and deposition of young in nests). Despite differences between forests in capture rates of all individuals, the positive effect of rainfall was evident in both forests. Populations in one forest, Chiltern, were substantially larger than other locations surveyed in 2004 and 2005, yet crashed to small numbers in 2011. This crash was most likely due to low rainfall in the preceding years including the lowest recorded annual rainfall (2006), below‐average annual rainfall (2007, 2008 and 2009) and well‐below‐average rainfall in September (2006, 2007 and 2008). The predicted drying and warming climate in south‐eastern Australia and habitat loss and degradation pose a threat to the viability of the yellow‐footed antechinus in box‐ironbark forests. An integrated approach to small‐mammal management is necessary given that the region may be facing additional losses, especially during droughts, to those already experienced since the early 1800s. Our work emphasizes the need to identify specific effects of stressors on vital demographic characteristics of species.
A de novo mutation in KIT causes white spotting in a subpopulation of German Shepherd dogs
Authors: Wong A. K. , Ruhe A. L. , Robertson K. R. , Loew E. R. , Williams D. C. , Neff M. W. 
Published: November 2012

SummaryAlthough variation in the KIT gene is a common cause of white spotting among domesticated animals, KIT has not been implicated in the diverse white spotting observed in the dog. Here, we show that a loss‐of‐function mutation in KIT recapitulates the coat color phenotypes observed in other species. A spontaneous white spotting observed in a pedigree of German Shepherd dogs was mapped by linkage analysis to a single locus on CFA13 containing KIT (pairwise LOD = 15). DNA sequence analysis identified a novel 1‐bp insertion in the second exon that co‐segregated with the phenotype. The expected frameshift and resulting premature stop codons predicted a severely truncated c‐Kit receptor with presumably abolished activity. No dogs homozygous for the mutation were recovered from multiple intercrosses (P = 0.01), suggesting the mutation is recessively embryonic lethal. These observations are consistent with the effects of null alleles of KIT in other species.
Revised infant dietary recommendations: the impact of maternal education and other parental factors on adherence rates in Iceland
Authors: Thorisdottir Asa Vala , Gunnarsdottir Ingibjorg , Thorsdottir Inga 
Published: November 2012

AbstractAimRevised infant dietary recommendations from the Icelandic Nutrition Council (Nutrition: the first twelve months. Reykjavík, Iceland: The Icelandic Nutrition Council, 2003) are outlined in a booklet provided during free postnatal care. These focus on increasing the duration of exclusive and total breastfeeding and reducing cow's milk consumption. This study explored whether maternal education and other parental factors affected whether mothers followed the recommendations.MethodsMothers of randomly selected healthy infants (n = 200) completed questionnaires on body mass index (BMI), age, education (basic, medium and higher), household income, smoking and parental factors. Dietary data were collected during home visits by a researcher (0–4 months) and through monthly food records completed by parents or caregivers (5–12 months).ResultsEach maternal education level increased breastfeeding duration by 0.72 months (95% CI = 0.04, 1.39) and reduced cow's milk consumption by 36.7 mL/day (95% CI = −70.11, −3.03), when adjusted for maternal BMI, age, smoking and family income. Maternal education was not associated with duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Duration of exclusive and total breastfeeding was inversely associated with maternal BMI, B = −0.10 (95% CI = −0.16, −0.05) and −0.13 (95% CI = −0.23, −0.03), respectively.ConclusionMothers with higher education appear to have adapted more easily to the revised recommendations on infant diet, particularly when their infants are 6–12 months old. Higher maternal BMI was associated with shorter duration of both exclusive and total breastfeeding.
Increased expression of toll‐like receptor 4 and inflammatory cytokines, interleukin‐6 in particular, in islets from a mouse model of obesity and type 2 diabetes
Authors: Ladefoged Mette , Buschard Karsten , Hansen Ann Maria Kruse 
Published: November 2012

Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) has received much attention in the recent years due to its role in development of insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Its expression is elevated in fat and muscle from insulin‐resistant mice. Several cells of the pancreatic islets, including β‐cells and resident macrophages, express TLR4. Our hypothesis is that expression of TLR4 and downstream signalling molecules in islets increases during progression of type 2 diabetes, thereby contributing to β‐cell damage. We investigated the hypothesis in the db/db mouse. Islets from male db/db (4, 8 and 15 weeks old) and control db/+ (4 and 15 weeks old) mice were examined for mRNA expression of TLR4 and selected cytokines using qPCR. In addition, cytokine secretion from islets was quantified. TLR4 is expressed in islets from lean and obese mice, displaying a 7.4‐fold higher level in 15 weeks old db/db relative to age‐matched control (p < 0.01). During progression of clinical type 2 diabetes manifested by hyperglycaemia, TLR4 expression increases 5.6‐fold in islets from 15 weeks compared with 4 weeks old db/db mice (p < 0.01). Furthermore, both protein and mRNA levels of all cytokines examined increased. In particular, expression of IL‐6 increased with 37 fold. Expression of TLR4 in db/db mouse islets increased in parallel with hyperglycaemia. A similar increase in expression and secretion of TNFα, IL‐1 and IL‐6 was observed. Our results demonstrate that, in addition to its contribution to insulin resistance, TLR4 might also play a role in β‐cell dysfunction in type 2 diabetes.
Randomised clinical trial: comparison of two everolimus dosing schedules in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Shiah H.‐S. , Chen C.‐Y. , Dai C.‐Y. , Hsiao C.‐F. , Lin Y.‐J. , Su W.‐C. , Chang J.‐Y. , Whang‐Peng J. , Lin P.‐W. , Huang J.‐D. , Chen L.‐T. 
Published: November 2012

SummaryBackgroundDeregulation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling is common in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).AimTo determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of the oral mTOR inhibitor everolimus in advanced HCC patients.MethodsPatients with locally advanced or metastatic HCC (Child‐Pugh class A or B) were enrolled in an open‐label phase 1 study and randomly assigned to daily (2.5–10 mg) or weekly (20–70 mg) everolimus in a standard 3 + 3 dose‐escalation design. MTD was based on the rate of dose‐limiting toxicities (DLTs). Secondary endpoints included safety, pharmacokinetics and tumour response. In a post hoc analysis, serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels were quantified.ResultsThirty‐nine patients were enrolled. DLTs occurred in five of 21 patients in the daily and two of 19 patients in the weekly cohort. Daily and weekly MTDs were 7.5 mg and 70 mg respectively. Grade 3/4 adverse events with a ≥10% incidence were thrombocytopenia, hypophosphataemia and alanine transaminase (ALT) elevation. In four hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)‐seropositive patients, grade 3/4 ALT elevations were accompanied by significant (>1 log) increases in serum HBV levels. The incidence of hepatitis flare (defined as ALT increase >100 IU/mL from baseline) in HBsAg‐seropositive patients with and without detectable serum HBV DNA before treatment was 46.2% and 7.1% respectively (P < 0.01, Fisher exact test). Disease control rates in the daily and weekly cohorts were 71.4% and 44.4% respectively.ConclusionsThe recommended everolimus dosing schedule for future hepatocellular carcinoma studies is 7.5 mg daily. Prophylactic anti‐viral therapy should be mandatory for HBsAg‐seropositive patients (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00390195).