bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum YKL‐40 and uterine artery Doppler – a prospective cohort study, with focus on preeclampsia and small‐for‐gestational‐age
Authors: Gybel‐Brask Dorte , Høgdall Estrid , Johansen Julia , Christensen Ib Jarle , Skibsted Lillian 
Published: May 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo test if serum YKL‐40 is increased in women developing preeclampsia or small‐for‐gestational age fetuses. We also assessed the association between uterine artery pulsatility index, notching and serum YKL‐40 levels.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingA primary referral unit for obstetric ultrasound.PopulationA total of 1214 unselected pregnant women enrolled at nuchal translucency examination between 11+3 and 13+6 weeks of gestation.MethodsAll women had ultrasound and blood sample collection at the nuchal translucency scan, a 20‐week malformation scan and 25‐week and 32‐week fetal growth examinations. Uterine artery Doppler was assessed and outcome was registered from medical records.Main outcome measuresPreeclampsia, hypertension, small‐for‐gestational age.ResultsSerum YKL‐40 was associated with increasing maternal age (p < 0.0001), body mass index (p = 0.0002), primiparity (p = 0.0003), and hypertension (p = 0.015). Serum YKL‐40 increased from 12 to 20 weeks and decreased from 20–25 and 25–32 weeks of gestation. No association was found between preeclampsia and serum YKL‐40. Small‐for‐gestational‐age at birth was significantly associated with a 5.4% increase in serum YKL‐40 at 32 weeks of gestation (95% CI 1.5–9.3, p = 0.005). An association was found between uterine artery pulsatility index at 32 weeks and small‐for‐gestational age (p = 0.0015) but not between YKL‐40 and uterine artery notching (p = 0.83).ConclusionsSerum YKL‐40 was not associated with preeclampsia. Increasing serum YKL‐40 was related to maternal age, body mass index and small‐for‐gestational age and may reflect an exaggerated inflammatory response.
Unidirectional barbed suture for vesicourethral anastomosis during laparoscopic radical prostatectomy
Authors: Takeda Toshikazu , Miyajima Akira , Kaneko Gou , Hasegawa Masanori , Kikuchi Eiji , Oya Mototsugu 
Published: May 2014

AbstractIntroductionWe investigated the impact of unidirectional barbed suture (UBS) for vesicourethral anastomosis (VUA) during laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.MethodsThe polyglyconate UBS V‐Loc 180 was used for VUA during laparoscopic radical prostatectomy in 30 consecutive patients who were diagnosed with organ‐confined prostate cancer between January and October 2012. The operative and postoperative parameters were then compared with those of 30 consecutive patients who had previously undergone the same procedure but with the monofilament poliglecaprone suture Monocryl. All procedures were performed by the same experienced surgeon.ResultsVUA time was significantly shorter in the V‐Loc group (13.2 ± 2.3 min) than in the Monocryl group (19.1 ± 3.3 min) (P < 0.001). The V‐Loc group required significantly more stitches than the Monocryl group (11.4 ± 1.3 vs 10.6 ± 1.6 stitches; P = 0.031). The percentage of patients who required no more than one pad per day at 3 months postoperatively was significantly higher in the V‐Loc group (63.3%) than in the Monocryl group (23.3%) (P = 0.020). No significant differences in other perioperative parameters were observed between the two groups.ConclusionUsing UBS prevents suture slippage and enables tieless anastomosis. VUA using a UBS may relieve surgeon stress because a rapid and secure anastomosis is achievable.
Structure of the female reproductive system of the lac insect, Kerria chinensis (Sternorrhyncha, Coccoidea: Kerridae)
Authors: Ngernsiri Lertluk , Piyajaraprasert Wichian , Wisoram Wijit , Merritt David John 
Published: May 2014

AbstractThe ovaries of female lac insects, Kerria chinensis Mahd (Sternorrhyncha: Coccoidea: Kerridae), at the last nymphal stage are composed of several balloon‐like clusters of cystocytes with different sizes. Each cluster consists of several clusters of cystocytes arranging in rosette forms. At the adult stage, the pair of ovaries consists of about 600 ovarioles of the telotrophic‐meroistic type. An unusual feature when considering most scale insects is that the lateral oviducts are highly branched, each with a number of short ovarioles. Each ovariole is subdivided into an anterior trophic chamber (tropharium) containing six or seven large trophocytes and a posterior vitellarium harbouring one oocyte which is connected with the trophic chamber via a nutritive cord. No terminal filament is present. Late‐stage adult females show synchronized development of the ovarioles, while in undernourished females, a small proportion of ovarioles proceed to maturity.
Pathogenetic mechanisms of focal cortical dysplasia
Authors: Marin‐Valencia Isaac , Guerrini Renzo , Gleeson Joseph G. 
Published: May 2014

SummaryFocal cortical dysplasias (FCDs) constitute a prevalent cause of intractable epilepsy in children, and is one of the leading conditions requiring epilepsy surgery. Despite recent advances in the cellular and molecular biology of these conditions, the pathogenetic mechanisms of FCDs remain largely unknown. The purpose if this work is to review the molecular underpinnings of FCDs and to highlight potential therapeutic targets. A systematic review of the literature regarding the histologic, molecular, and electrophysiologic aspects of FCDs was conducted. Disruption of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling comprises a common pathway underlying the structural and electrical disturbances of some FCDs. Other mechanisms such as viral infections, prematurity, head trauma, and brain tumors are also posited. mTOR inhibitors (i.e., rapamycin) have shown positive results on seizure management in animal models and in a small cohort of patients with FCD. Encouraging progress has been achieved on the molecular and electrophysiologic basis of constitutive cells in the dysplastic tissue. Despite the promising results of mTOR inhibitors, large‐scale randomized trials are in need to evaluate their efficacy and side effects, along with additional mechanistic studies for the development of novel, molecular‐based diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.A PowerPoint slide summarizing this article is available for download in the Supporting Information section here.
Are afebrile seizures associated with minor infections a single seizure category? A hospital‐based prospective cohort study on outcomes of first afebrile seizure in early childhood
Authors: Zhang Ting , Ma Jiannan , Gan Xiaoming , Xiao Nong 
Published: May 2014

SummaryObjectiveTo explore if afebrile seizures associated with minor infections are a single category of seizure, or a set of different kinds of seizures.MethodsWe conducted this prospective cohort study on three kinds of first afebrile seizure: first afebrile seizure associated with gastrointestinal infection (AS‐GI), first afebrile seizure associated with nongastrointestinal infection (AS‐nGI), and first unprovoked seizure (US). The Kaplan‐Meier estimate risks of recurrent seizures were analyzed and compared pairwise. The characteristics of recurrent seizures were also compared pairwise.ResultsThe Kaplan‐Meier estimate risks of recurrent seizure at 2 years of the AS‐GI, AS‐nGI, and US groups were 6.9%, 23.7%, and 37.8%, respectively. The pairwise differences were significant between the AS‐GI and US groups (p < 0.001) and between the AS‐GI and AS‐nGI groups (p = 0.001), but not significant between the US and AS‐nGI groups (p = 0.066). Among unprovoked subsequent seizures in patients with recurrence, the pairwise differences were significant between the AS‐GI and US groups (p < 0.001) and between the AS‐GI and AS‐nGI groups (p = 0.005), but not significant between the US and AS‐nGI groups (p = 0.417).SignificanceAfebrile seizures associated with minor infections are indeed of two distinguishable kinds: AS‐GI, if free of risk factors such as a family history of epilepsy, had a better prognosis and should be categorized as an acute symptomatic seizure, whereas patients with first AS‐nGI, like patients with first US, may have recurrent unprovoked seizures, which suggests this category's essential difference from AS‐GI.A PowerPoint slide summarizing this article is available for download in the Supporting Information section here.
Association of ABCB1, CYP3A4, EPHX1, FAS, SCN1A, MICA,and BAG6 polymorphisms with the risk of carbamazepine‐induced Stevens‐Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis in Chinese Han patients with epilepsy
Authors: He Xiao‐Jing , Jian Ling‐Yan , He Xiao‐Lin , Tang Man , Wu Yan , Xu Yuan‐Yuan , Sun Xiao‐Jie , Zhao Li‐Mei 
Published: May 2014

SummaryObjectiveThis study explored the association between the risk of carbamazepine (CBZ)–induced Stevens‐Johnson syndrome (SJS)/toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) and CBZ dose, dose‐adjusted concentration, and ABCB1, CYP3A4, EPHX1, FAS, SCN1A, MICA, and BAG6 polymorphisms in patients of Han ethnicity with epilepsy who were living in northeastern China.Materials and methodsWe determined the genotypes of patients with CBZ‐SJS/TEN and CBZ‐tolerant patients, who were used as controls, for ABCB1, CYP3A4, EPHX1, FAS, SCN1A, MICA, and BAG6 polymorphisms by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and direct sequencing. We measured the steady‐state serum CBZ concentrations using fluorescence polarization immunoassay for the control patients.ResultsWe observed statistically significant differences in EPHX1 c.337T>C polymorphisms between patients with CBZ‐SJS/TEN and CBZ‐tolerant controls in terms of allelic and genotypic frequencies (p = 0.011 and p = 0.007, respectively). The C allele and the C‐G diplotype of EPHX1 may play important roles in increasing the risk of CBZ‐SJS/TEN development (odds ratio [OR] 0.478, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.267–0.855, p = 0.011; OR = 0.213, 95% CI = 0.049–0.930, p = 0.025, respectively). We did not observe any significant associations between ABCB1, CYP3A4, EPHX1, FAS, SCN1A, MICA or BAG6 genes and CBZ dose or dose‐adjusted concentration in CBZ‐tolerant patients.SignificanceWe found a significant association between EPHX1 c.337T>C polymorphisms and the development of CBZ–SJS/TEN in patients of Han ethnicity living in northeastern China. EPHX1 c.337T>C polymorphisms may contribute to the risk of severe CBZ‐SJS/TEN by increasing the concentration of a CBZ metabolite, CBZ‐10,11‐epoxide, in patients with epilepsy.A PowerPoint slide summarizing this article is available for download in the Supporting Information section here.
Response‐guided therapy in patients with genotype 1 hepatitis C virus: Current status and future prospects
Authors: Lawitz Eric J , Membreno Fernando E 
Published: May 2014

AbstractOn‐treatment responses to antiviral therapy are used to determine duration of therapy in patients being treated for genotype 1 hepatitis C virus infection. Such use of response‐guided therapy has successfully reduced exposure of patients to the side‐effects of pegylated interferon and ribavirin without jeopardizing overall treatment success. Response‐guided therapy is an integral part of treatment using the current standard treatments involving the direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) agents—boceprevir or telaprevir—combined with pegylated interferon/ribavirin. Improvements in our understanding of the kinetics of viral load during antiviral therapy have shown us that more potent suppression of viral replication increases the rate of viral eradication, providing impetus for the development of more potent DAAs. Emerging results from clinical trials of these agents—including trials of interferon‐free DAA combinations—suggest that very high rates of viral eradication are achievable, even in patients who failed to respond to previous courses of interferon‐based therapy. Furthermore, because of these high rates of treatment success, on‐treatment assessment of viral response may become unnecessary. The field of hepatitis C virus therapy is evolving rapidly and current trends indicate that the era of simple treatment regimens with high rates of success and good tolerability are near.
Implicit Measurements of Sexual Preference in Self-Declared Heterosexual Men: A Pilot Study on the Rate of Androphilia in Italy
Authors: Camperio Ciani Andrea , Battaglia Umberto 
Published: May 2014

Abstract

Introduction
An unambiguous measurement of the rate of nonheterosexuality in the male population (male bisexuality and homosexuality) is essential to estimate the health risks associated with same-sex sexual behavior and to scale social and health programs for these citizens. However, self-reported questionnaires on explicit measures of sexual orientation yield significant underestimations of nonheterosexuality. A necessary prerequisite for nonheterosexual preference is androphilia (sexual–erotic attraction to males), which can be explored through psychological tests.

Aims
This study, using a pilot sample, investigates the possibility to inventory the frequency of male androphilia in the general population through a sexual preference implicit association test (sp-IAT). This test is a classical IAT that is based on an association of pictures and words and is easily portable.

Methods
First we conducted a preliminary validation of the specific IAT protocol on 24 control subjects; then, we examined a sample of 150 adult males in Italy as a pilot study. The subjects responded to the sp-IAT and completed the explicit Kinsey scale questionnaire.

Main Outcome Measures
Kinsey scale scores and D value of sp-IAT for both preliminary and pilot sample.

Results
On the explicit Kinsey scale, 2.7% of the sample declared themselves to be sexually attracted to men, corresponding to previous explicit samplings of the Italian homosexual male population. However, the sp-IAT identified that 11.3% of self-declared gynephilic heterosexuals showed a moderate to strong androphilia with a significant effect size (D) always below −0.2, and another 5.6% of the heterosexual sample showed no preference for females (D between −0.2 and 0).

Conclusion
The Kinsey questionnaire strongly dichotomized the responses as either attracted to females or attracted to men, whereas the sp-IAT showed a wider distribution of responses from gynephilia to androphilia. In conclusion, the sp-IAT could be a novel and unambiguous instrument useful to ascertain androphilia population prevalence as a proxy for possible male nonheterosexuality.
Food protein‐induced enterocolitis syndrome: Pitfalls in the diagnosis
Authors: Guibas George V. , Tsabouri Sophia , Makris Michael , Priftis Kostas N. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractFood protein‐induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) represents the severe end of the spectrum of gastrointestinal food hypersensitivity; its acute episodes can culminate in severe dehydration and hypovolemic shock, and its chronic form entails considerable morbidity associated with feeding difficulty and failure to thrive. Nevertheless, awareness for this syndrome remains rather low. Many factors hamper the establishment of FPIES diagnosis. Such factors pertain to the pathophysiological mechanism of the syndrome, causal food proteins, clinical manifestations, diagnostic procedures, differential diagnosis considerations, and prevailing perceptions which may require critical appraisal. Throughout this review, we will present and discuss these issues and put the focus on factors that could lead to under‐diagnosis of FPIES, cause numerous acute episodes, and substantially increase the diseases morbidity and financial burden. We will also address other issues that are clinically relevant to FPIES.
Optical Coherence Tomography for the Study of Polymer and Polymer Matrix Composites
Authors: Liu P. , Groves R. M. , Benedictus R. 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACTBased on low‐coherence interferometry, a hybrid optical coherence tomography (OCT) system has been built. It coupled time‐domain OCT (TD‐OCT) and Fourier‐domain OCT (FD‐OCT) into one system. TD‐OCT can take the advantage of a large axial scan range while FD‐OCT has superior performance in fast imaging as no axial scan is needed. The two imaging modalities shared a broad bandwidth light source with a centre wavelength of 1550 nm, which is less scattering and can give better penetration depth in the polymer‐based material than the shorter wavelength used for biomedical applications. 2D translation stages were incorporated in the system to make cross‐sectional and volume imaging available. It can provide larger scan range as well as less image distortion compared with galvo scanners. Finally, we reported on successfully characterized specimens such as polymer coatings and glass‐fibre composites. The cross‐sectional and volumetric images obtained clearly show the microstructure of the materials. The thickness as well as the defects, e.g. microcrack and delamination can be determined.
A single‐center experience of cytomegalovirus infections in Asian pediatric patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant for leukemia in Singapore
Authors: Tan P.L. , Lim L.M. , Khanlian C. , Villegas M.S. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractIntroductionCytomegalovirus (CMV) infection remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in pediatric patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) despite improved surveillance and the current preemptive approach. Few data on its prevalence in the Asian pediatric population exist.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the prevalence of CMV infections in 33 patients with 37 transplants who received HSCT for leukemia from 1998 to 2008, and who were managed preemptively for infections.ResultsIn the 37 transplants, 16 patients (43%) had CMV DNAemia. Of the patients who were CMV seropositive before transplant and received stem cells from seropositive donors (R+/D+), 69% had DNAemia; of those who received stem cells from seronegative donors (R+/D−), 36% had CMV DNAemia. Of the patients who were CMV naïve before transplant and received stem cells from seropositive donors (R−/D+), 25% had CMV DNAemia. In CMV‐seronegative donor–recipient transplants (R−/D−), 20% of patients had CMV DNAemia. The median time to the first episode of CMV DNAemia was 21 (range: 10–107) days after the transplants, and the median duration of CMV DNAemia was 22 (range: 2–315) days. CMV DNAemia recurred in 44% (7 of 16) of these patients. Only 1 patient developed CMV disease (retinitis). No deaths were related to CMV infections.ConclusionsCMV infection manifesting as DNAemia is a common complication in pediatric patients undergoing allogeneic HSCT for leukemia. Pre‐transplant serostatus predicts reactivation risks; invasive CMV disease is rare using the preemptive approach in our patient population.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Burkholderia
sp. Strain MP-1, a Methyl Parathion (MP)-Degrading Bacterium from MP-Contaminated Soil
Authors: Liu Xu-Yun , Luo Xiao-Jing , Li Chun-Xiu , Lai Qi-Liang , Xu Jian-He 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT

Burkholderia
sp. strain MP-1 was isolated from pesticide-contaminated soil. Herein, we report the draft genome sequence of strain MP-1, which contains 168 contigs of 8,611,053 bp, with a G+C content of 62.55% and 7,631 protein-coding genes.
Primary endovascular treatment of post-irradiated carotid pseudoaneurysm at the skull base with the Pipeline embolization device
Authors: Tsang Anderson Chun-On , Leung Kar-ming , Lee Raymond , Lui Wai-man , Leung Gilberto Ka-Kit 
Published: May 2014

BackgroundA post-irradiated carotid pseudoaneurysm at the skull base can cause life-threatening blowout syndrome. Conventional treatments include parent vessel occlusion, endovascular coiling or covered stenting. Use of the Pipeline embolization device (PED) for pseudoaneurysm exclusion at the skull base is not well described.ObjectiveTo report the clinical and angiographic outcome after using multiple PEDs to treat recently ruptured radiation-induced carotid pseudoaneurysms at the skull base.MethodsRetrospective review of the clinical and angiographic records of patients who received PEDs as primary treatment for skull base carotid pseudoaneurysm between April 1, 2011 to March 31, 2013.ResultsSeven patients (five men, two women) with a mean age of 58 years (range 47–65) were treated in the study period. Primary treatment with the PED alone, with adjunct coil embolization in two patients, achieved immediate hemostasis in all patients, with no pseudoaneurysm rebleeding after a mean follow-up of 15.3 months (range 4–24 months). One patient had periprocedural cerebral infarction. Delayed internal carotid artery occlusion secondary to in-stent thrombosis occurred in three patients, one of whom had lacunar infarct and two remained asymptomatic.ConclusionsEndovascular treatment with the PED was effective in excluding skull base post-irradiated carotid pseudoaneurysms and preventing recurrent blowout. However, the risk of ischemic complications in this group of patients was high and our experience did not support the use of flow diverters as a first-line treatment for this condition.
Antigen-Specific Culture of Memory-like CD8 T Cells for Adoptive Immunotherapy
Authors: Litterman Adam J. , Zellmer David M. , LaRue Rebecca S. , Jameson Stephen C. , Largaespada David A. 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
Cytotoxic T cells typically are expanded ex vivo in culture with IL2 for adoptive immunotherapy. This culture period leads to a differentiated phenotype and acquisition of effector function, as well as a loss of in vivo proliferative capability and antitumor efficacy. Here, we report antigen-specific and polyclonal expansion of cytotoxic T cells in a cocktail of cytokines and small molecules that leads to a memory-like phenotype in mouse and human cells even during extended culture, leading to enhanced in vivo expansion and tumor control in mice. Cancer Immunol Res; 2(9); 839–45. ©2014 AACR.
Capillary Index Score in the Interventional Management of Stroke Trials I and II
Authors: Al-Ali Firas , Tomsick Thomas A. , Connors John J. , Gebel James M. , Elias John J. , Markarian Georges Z. , Al-Ali Zein , Broderick Joseph P. 
Published: May 2014

Background and Purpose—
The Capillary Index Score (CIS) is a simple angiography-based scale for assessing viable tissue in the ischemic territory. We retrospectively applied it to Interventional Management of Stroke (IMS) trials I and II to evaluate the predictive value for good outcomes.

Methods—

CIS was calculated from pretreatment diagnostic cerebral angiograms blinded to outcome. IMS I and II diagnostic cerebral angiogram images of sufficient quality were reviewed and CIS calculated for treated subjects with internal carotid artery or M1 occlusion. CIS scoring (0–3) was dichotomized into favorable (
f
CIS; 2 or 3) and poor (
p
CIS; 0 or 1). Modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction score 2b or 3 was considered good revascularization. CIS and modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction scores were compared with good outcome, defined as modified Rankin Scale score ≤2 at 90 days.

Results—

Twenty-eight of 161 subjects met the inclusion criteria. Thirteen (46%) had
f
CIS. Good clinical outcome was significantly different between the 2 CIS groups (62% for
f
CIS versus 7% for
p
CIS;
P
=0.004). Good reperfusion correlated to good outcome (
P
=0.04). No significant differences in time to intravenous or intra-arterial treatment were identified between
f
CIS and
p
CIS groups (
P
>0.25).

Conclusions—

A
f
CIS was found in ≈50% of subjects and was a virtual prerequisite for good outcome in this study subgroup of IMS I and II. We call this the 50% barrier.