bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Speckle‐tracking analysis based on 2D echocardiography does not reliably measure left ventricular torsion
Authors: Parisi Valentina , Losi Maria Angela , Contaldi Carla , Chiacchio Elena , Pastore Fabio , Scatteia Alessandra , Giamundo Alessandra , Nardo Carlo di , Lombardi Raffaella , Betocchi Sandro 
Published: October 2012

SummaryPurposeWorldwide left ventricular (LV) twist is measured by 2D speckle tracking acquiring apical short axis at a LV level where papillary muscles are no longer visible; however, we hypothesized that this methodological recommendation is not enough accurate to obtain a reliable measurement of apical rotation.MethodsWe measured twist and untwist rate in 30 healthy subjects by following the earlier method. By 3D echocardiography, we identified two LV apex levels: (i) 3D Apex, defined as the last apical slice at which LV cavity was visible; (ii) 2D Apex, defined as the level where diameters are equal to those of apical LV short axis used for twist analysis in the same subject. The ratio between the distance of 2D Apex and 3D Apex from LV base was calculated and expressed as percentage (2D Apex/3D Apex).Results2D Apex/3D Apex was strongly related to the magnitude of twist and untwisting rate (r = 0·82, P<0·001; r = −0·46, P = 0·015, respectively). The only determinant of twist was 2D Apex/3D Apex (r2 = 0·68; r = 0·82; F ratio: 52·6, P<0·001); whereas untwisting rate was influenced by 2D Apex/3D Apex and age (r2 = 0·42; r = 0·65; F ratio: 7·7; P = 0·003 for 2D Apex/3D Apex; and P = 0·011 for age).ConclusionsLeft ventricular apical level acquisition, even when recorded in a standard manner, determines variability of twist mechanics measurements. Thus, current anatomical markers used to identify LV apex for twist analysis are not reliable and need different standardization. 3D echocardiography may help in such standardization.
Attenuation of contact hypersensitivity by cell‐permeable heat shock protein 70 in BALB/c mouse model
Authors: Park Jin Mo , Je Jeong Hwan , Wu Wen Hao , Jee Hyun Joong , Lee Sang‐Kyou , Lee Min‐Geol 
Published: October 2012

Abstract In contact hypersensitivity (CHS), multiple cells, inflammatory mediators and cytokines are known to be involved in the regulation of the immune response. Previously, we revealed the reactive oxygen species generation by 2, 4, 6‐trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS) in vivo, followed by heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) carbonylation and the exogenous antioxidant role of cell‐permeable Hsp70. Here, we demonstrate the role of Hsp70 using cell‐permeable Hsp70 in the mouse CHS model. Pretreatment of cell‐permeable Hsp70: (i) suppressed ear swelling; (ii) down‐regulated phosphorylated p38, but up‐regulated phosphorylated extracellular signal‐regulated kinase; (iii) increased population of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T cells; (iv) decreased secretion of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), IL‐12, interferon‐γ and IL‐2 and (v) but up‐regulated IL‐4 and transforming growth factor beta (TGF‐β) in the lymph nodes. In conclusion, cell‐permeable Hsp70 attenuates CHS through modulation of MAPK pathway and regulation of Th1, Th2 and regulatory T cells.
Association between non‐atopic hand eczema and interleukin‐13 gene polymorphism in Taiwanese nursing population
Authors: Chen Yin‐Chun , Tu Hung‐Pin , Wu Ching‐Shuang , Ko Ying‐Chin , Yu Hsin‐Su , Lu Yi‐Wei , Li Wan‐Chen , Chen Gwo‐Shing , Lan Cheng‐Che E. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractChronic hand eczema is an important occupational skin disease with atopic dermatitis (AD) and wet work being the most important risk factors. This study was launched to analyse the potential association between AD‐related inflammation genes and development of non‐atopic hand eczema among nurses in University Hospital. Atopic eczema, non‐atopic hand dermatitis and control groups were identified. The association between occurrence of non‐atopic hand eczema and interleukin (IL)‐13, IL‐4 and IL‐5 gene variants was analysed. IL13 rs20541 A allele [assuming recessive model; odds ratio (OR) = 3.38, 95% CI: (1.63–7.00)] showed association with development of non‐atopic hand eczema. Additive score analyses showed combination of this gene variant with previously identified risk factors including certain SPINK5 polymorphism and more than 10 years of work experience conferred highest risk for development of non‐atopic hand eczema. As non‐atopic hand eczema made up significant portion of occupational skin diseases, further studies should be focused on this commonly encountered skin condition.
The Th2 cytokine, interleukin‐4, abrogates the cohesion of normal stratum corneum in mice: implications for pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis
Authors: Hatano Yutaka , Adachi Yasuko , Elias Peter M. , Crumrine Debra , Sakai Takashi , Kurahashi Rieko , Katagiri Kazumoto , Fujiwara Sakuhei 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThere is mounting evidence that Th2 cytokines adversely affect skin barrier functions and contribute to the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD). AD is also characterized by abnormal cohesion in the stratum corneum (SC). However, the contribution of Th2 cytokines to this abnormality remains unknown. This study examined the effects of IL‐4, a prototypic Th2 cytokine, on the cohesion of the SC. Structural and physiological assessments revealed that repeated intradermal injections of IL‐4 compromised the cohesion of the SC of normal hairless mice. Two potential mechanisms were explored to account for the altered cohesion. First, IL‐4 decreased the amount of corneodesmosomes and down‐regulated the expression of desmoglein 1, but not of corneodesmosin (CDSN) or loricrin expression, in murine skin and in cultured human keratinocytes (KC). IL‐4 did not affect the skin surface pH, and in situ zymography revealed no net change in total serine protease activity in the IL‐4‐treated SC. Yet, IL‐4 enhanced expression of kallikrein (KLK)7, while simultaneously down‐regulating KLK5 and KLK14. Finally, IL‐4 did not alter the expression of the lympho‐epithelial Kazal‐type inhibitor (LEKTI) in KC. This study suggests that IL‐4 abrogates the cohesion of SC primarily by reducing epidermal differentiation.
Influence of in vitro hemolysis on nucleated red blood cells and reticulocyte counts
Authors: Lippi G. , Pavesi F. , Cattabiani C. , Avanzini P. , Pipitone S. 
Published: October 2012

SummaryIntroductionNucleated red blood cells (NRBCs) and reticulocytes are early and important measures of red blood cells’ (RBCs) turnover, but little is known on how spurious hemolysis may affect the reliability of these parameters.Materials and MethodsTen EDTA‐anticoagulated samples were divided into three aliquots. The first was immediately tested, where;?>as the others (defined A and B) were mechanically hemolyzed by aspiration 5 and 10 times through a small‐gauge needle. RBC, NRBC, and reticulocyte counts were performed on Sysmex XE‐2100.ResultsAn increasing amount of hemolysis was produced in hemolyzed aliquots A and B. The RBC and reticulocyte counts progressively decreased from the nonhemolyzed sample to hemolyzed aliquots ‘A’ and ‘B’. The NRBC count increased in 3 of the 10 samples and decreased in the remaining seven.ConclusionsHemolysis of venous blood samples may seriously jeopardize NRBC and reticulocyte counts.
Acute renal failure in cirrhotic patients with severe sepsis: Value of urinary interleukin‐18
Authors: Tsai Ming‐Hung , Chen Yung‐Chang , Yang Chih‐Wei , Jenq Chang‐Chi , Fang Ji‐Tseng , Lien Jau‐Min , Hung Cheng‐Chieh , Weng Hsu‐Huei , Wu Cheng‐Shyong , Peng Yun‐Shing , Shen Chien‐Heng , Tung Shui‐Yi , Tian Ya‐Chung 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBackground and AimAcute renal failure (ARF) is a common complication of liver cirrhosis and severe sepsis. Differentiating functional renal failure from acute tubular necrosis (ATN) has been difficult in this clinical setting. It has been shown that urinary interleukin 18 (IL‐18) can serve as a sensitive marker for ARF and ATN. This study was aimed to investigate the diagnostic and prognostic values of urinary IL‐18 in ARF associated with liver cirrhosis and severe sepsis.MethodsWe prospectively evaluated the relationship between urinary IL‐18 and clinical outcomes in 168 consecutive cirrhotic patients with severe sepsis.ResultsOne hundred and eight patients (64.3%) developed ARF at admission to the intensive care unit. ARF was associated with higher urinary IL‐18 and impaired effective arterial volume. Renal failure was functional in 64 (59.2%), due to acute tubular necrosis (ATN) in 30 (27.7%), and mixed type in 14 (12.9%). Patients with ATN had significantly higher levels of urinary IL‐18, rates of vasopressor dependency, and hospital mortality than those with functional renal failure. By using the areas under receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve, urinary IL‐18 demonstrated an excellent discriminative power (AUROC 0.882) for diagnosing tubular injury in those with ARF. Meanwhile, hospital survivors had significantly lower urinary and serum IL‐18 levels, compared to non‐survivors. In multivariate analysis, urinary IL‐18, international normalized ratio, and mean arterial pressure were independent factors to predict hospital mortality.ConclusionsUrinary IL‐18 can serve as a diagnostic and prognostic marker in cirrhotic patients with severe sepsis.
Australasian respiratory and emergency physicians do not use the pneumonia severity index in community‐acquired pneumonia
Authors: SERISIER DAVID J. , WILLIAMS SOPHIE , BOWLER SIMON D. 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  The value of community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP) severity scoring tools is almost exclusively reliant upon regular and accurate application in clinical practice. Until recently, the Australasian Therapeutic Guidelines has recommended the use of the Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI) in spite of poor user‐friendliness.Methods:  Electronic and postal survey of respiratory and emergency medicine physician and specialist registrar members of the Royal Australasian College was undertaken to assess the use of the PSI and the accuracy of its application to hypothetical clinical CAP scenarios. The confusion, urea, respiratory rate, blood pressure, age 65 or older (CURB‐65) score was also assessed as a simpler alternative.Results:  Five hundred thirty‐six (228 respiratory, 308 emergency) responses were received. Only 12% of respiratory and 35% of emergency physicians reported using the PSI always or frequently. The majority were unable to accurately approximate PSI scores, with significantly fewer respiratory than emergency physicians recording accurate severity classes (11.8% vs 21%, OR 0.50, 95% CI: 0.37–0.68, P < 0.0001). In contrast, significantly more respiratory physicians were able to accurately calculate the CURB‐65 score (20.4% vs 15%, OR 1.45, 95% CI: 1.10–1.91, P = 0.006).Conclusions:  Australasian specialist physicians primarily responsible for the acute management of CAP report infrequent use of the PSI and are unable to accurately apply its use to hypothetical scenarios. Furthermore, respiratory and emergency physicians contrasted distinctly in their use and application of the two commonest severity scoring systems—the recent recommendation of two further alternative scoring tools by Australian guidelines may add to this confusion. A simple, coordinated approach to pneumonia severity assessment across specialties in Australasia is needed.
Contribution of phage‐derived genomic islands to the virulence of facultative bacterial pathogens
Authors: Busby Ben , Kristensen David M. , Koonin Eugene V. 
Published: October 2012

SummaryFacultative pathogens have extremely dynamic pan‐genomes, to a large extent derived from bacteriophages and other mobile elements. We developed a simple approach to identify phage‐derived genomic islands and apply it to show that pathogens from diverse bacterial genera are significantly enriched in clustered phage‐derived genes compared with related benign strains. These findings show that genome expansion by integration of prophages containing virulence factors is a major route of evolution of facultative bacterial pathogens.
Data‐Parallel Decompression of Triangle Mesh Topology
Authors: Meyer Quirin , Keinert Benjamin , Sußner Gerd , Stamminger Marc 
Published: October 2012

AbstractWe propose a lossless, single‐rate triangle mesh topology codec tailored for fast data‐parallel GPU decompression. Our compression scheme coherently orders generalized triangle strips in memory. To unpack generalized triangle strips efficiently, we propose a novel parallel and scalable algorithm. We order vertices coherently to further improve our compression scheme. We use a variable bit‐length code for additional compression benefits, for which we propose a scalable data‐parallel decompression algorithm. For a set of standard benchmark models, we obtain (min: 3.7, med: 4.6, max: 7.6) bits per triangle. Our CUDA decompression requires only about 15% of the time it takes to render the model even with a simple shader.
Synthetic Controllable Turbulence Using Robust Second Vorticity Confinement
Authors: He S , Lau R. W. H. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractCapturing fine details of turbulence on a coarse grid is one of the main tasks in real‐time fluid simulation. Existing methods for doing this have various limitations. In this paper, we propose a new turbulence method that uses a refined second vorticity confinement method, referred to as robust second vorticity confinement, and a synthesis scheme to create highly turbulent effects from coarse grid. The new technique is sufficiently stable to efficiently produce highly turbulent flows, while allowing intuitive control of vortical structures. Second vorticity confinement captures and defines the vortical features of turbulence on a coarse grid. However, due to the stability problem, it cannot be used to produce highly turbulent flows. In this work, we propose a robust formulation to improve the stability problem by making the positive diffusion term to vary with helicity adaptively. In addition, we also employ our new method to procedurally synthesize the high‐resolution flow fields. As shown in our results, this approach produces stable high‐resolution turbulence very efficiently.
Security‐level classification for confidential documents by using adaptive neuro‐fuzzy inference systems
Authors: Alparslan Erdem , Karahoca Adem , Bahşi Hayretdin 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe security‐level detection of a confidential document is a vital task for organizations to protect their confidential information. Diverse classification rules and techniques are being applied by human experts. Increasing number of confidential information in organizations is making difficult to classify all the documents carefully with human effort. The recommended frameworks in this study classify the internal documents of TUBITAK UEKAE (National Research Institute of Electronics and Cryptology of Turkey) by using classification algorithms naïve Bayes, support vector machines (SVMs) and adaptive neuro‐fuzzy inference systems (ANFISs). A hybrid approach involving support vector classifiers and adaptive neuro‐fuzzy classifiers exposes the most successful accuracy rates of expert system classification. This study also states preprocessing tasks required for document classification with natural language processing. To represent term–document relations, a recommended metric TF‐IDF was chosen to construct a weight matrix. Agglutinative nature of Turkish documents is handled by Turkish stemming algorithms. At the end of the article, some experimental results and success metrics are projected with accuracy rates and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.
Move for Change Part II: a European survey evaluating the impact of the EPDA Charter for people with Parkinson's disease
Authors: Stocchi F. , Bloem B. R. 
Published: October 2012

Background and purposeThe Move for Change campaign is a three‐part series of pan‐European surveys designed by the European Parkinson's Disease Association (EPDA) to assess the impact that the EPDA Charter for People with Parkinson's disease (PD) has had since its launch in 1997. Here, we report results from the second survey, focusing on the third right of the Charter; that is, ‘all patients have the right to have access to support services’. Although the level of evidence for different support services varies, it is important to ensure that patients can access services with clinically proven benefits.MethodsThis survey comprised nine questions administered online via the EPDA and PD organization Web sites. Accessibility of support services was defined as ‘services/medication/multidisciplinary healthcare professionals, etc. being available and on hand to patients when required’.ResultsNeurologists and general practitioners (GPs) received highest accessibility results (90.0 and 87.0% of respondents, respectively), with moderate results for physiotherapists (68.0%) and PD organizations (72.0%) and lower results for PD specialist nurses (26.0%), occupational therapists (23.0%), and counselors (27.0%). Support provided by neurologists and PD specialists was considered to be ‘very helpful’ by 59.0 and 55.7%, respectively, whilst only 31.8% of respondents gave such favorable ratings to GPs. Funding of services was variable across Europe.ConclusionsThese data demonstrate the challenges faced by PD patients in accessing the adequate care and support required throughout the course of their disease. These findings can assist healthcare professionals and policymakers in improving access to support services for patients and their families across Europe.
Characteristics and natural course of neonatal and infantile gastrointestinal milk allergy and the efficacy of oral immunotherapy
Authors: Arakawa H. , Yagi H. , Koyama H. , Nakajima N. , Takizawa T. 
Published: October 2012

SummaryThe characteristics and natural course of gastrointestinal (GI) allergies, which mainly affect infants and young children, are not fully determined. We investigated the nature of neonatal and infantile GI allergies and the efficacy of slow oral immunotherapy in patients with persistent symptoms. We observed 12 patients (five boys, seven girls) aged at first presentation from 0 days to 8 months after birth. Detailed interviews, peripheral blood eosinophil counts, antigen‐specific IgE antibody levels, antigen‐specific lymphocyte stimulation tests (LSTs), stool occult blood eosinophil counts and skin tests were performed in combination with milk elimination tests. Five patients underwent an intestinal mucosal biopsy. Provocation testing was used to assess tolerance acquisition. The only clinical symptom in six patients was bloody stool, while vomiting, fever, poor weight gain or hepatic dysfunction developed in six patients. Milk‐specific LSTs were positive in 10 of 11 cases tested. Lower GI endoscopy showed large numbers of infiltrating eosinophils in four of five patients with an intestinal mucosal biopsy. Provocation tests to confirm tolerance acquisition were performed in three patients. Interestingly, one patient suffered IgE‐mediated GI anaphylaxis during the provocation test. One patient had a sustained high LST index, and elimination of dairy milk products was continued. At 4 years of age, she underwent an oral challenge test. On ingestion of 5 mL of milk, she exhibited fever, loose stool, poor appearance and increased white blood cell counts, which was considered a positive provocation test. Therefore, slow oral immunotherapy was started using 1/20 of the threshold dose, with fat intake at least four times per week. This was steadily increased by 20% over 2 weeks without inducing symptoms. The characteristics of neonatal and infantile GI allergies are diverse, and they generally remit spontaneously. However, patients who do not develop tolerance may be suitable choices for oral immunotherapy.
Sublingual immunotherapy for Japanese cedar pollinosis: current status in Japan
Authors: Gotoh M. , Okubo K. 
Published: October 2012

SummaryImmunotherapy is not generally used in Japan and very few medical institutions perform it. For radical treatment, immunotherapy should be selected. However, subcutaneous immunotherapy has not yet gained acceptance. Japanese cedar pollinosis is a seasonal allergic rhinitis that is indigenous to Japan and occurs with a nationwide mean prevalence of 25%. Clinical research on sublingual immunotherapy for Japanese cedar pollinosis has made progress and it should come into practical use within 2–3 years. If sublingual immunotherapy becomes practical, it should provide a new treatment option for Japanese cedar pollinosis.
Role of Pain Medications, Consultants, and Other Services in Improved Pain Control of Elderly Adults with Cancer in Geriatric Evaluation and Management Units
Authors: Nipp Ryan , Sloane Richard , Rao Arati V. , Schmader Kenneth E. , Cohen Harvey J. 
Published: October 2012

ObjectivesTo determine whether pain medication use and inpatient consultations and services were associated with significantly better pain control.DesignSecondary data analysis from a randomized two‐by‐two factorial trial. Hospitalized, frail individuals aged 65 and older were randomized to receive care in a geriatric inpatient unit, a geriatric outpatient clinic, both, or neither.SettingEleven Veterans Affairs Medical Centers.ParticipantsNinety‐nine individuals with a diagnosis of cancer, excluding nonmelanoma skin cancer; 44 received geriatric evaluation and management unit (GEMU) care and 55 usual care.MeasurementsPain medications were measured at baseline and discharge; consultations and other services were quantified for the entire admission.ResultsParticipants receiving GEMU care had a significantly higher number of consultations than those in usual care. Participants in GEMU care received psychiatry, endocrinology, and psychology consultations 12.7% (P = .004), 9.1% (P = .04), and 21.8% (P = .05) times more, respectively, and occupational and physical therapy 27.3% (P = .004) and 18.2% (P = .04) more, respectively. There were no significant differences in pain medication use between intervention and usual care.ConclusionSignificantly greater use of psychology, psychiatry, physical and occupational therapy in the GEMU participants may have improved the effectiveness of pain management in individuals in inpatient GEMUs. Although analgesic use was not significantly different between the GEMU and usual care groups, small sample size may have limited the ability to detect these differences.