bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Features of cardioembolic stroke with persistent and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation – a study with the Japan Stroke Registry
Authors: Deguchi I. , Hayashi T. , Fukuoka T. , Kobayashi S. , Tanahashi N. ,   Japan Standard Stroke Registry Study Group
Published: May 2015

Background and purposeThe stroke severity on admission and clinical outcomes were compared between ischaemic stroke patients with non‐valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) of the persistent (PeAF) and paroxysmal (PAF) types.MethodsThe study comprised 9293 patients with cardioembolic stroke and NVAF who were registered in the Japanese stroke databank: 6522 had PeAF (70.2%) and 2771 had PAF (29.8%). Stroke severity on admission and the clinical outcomes on discharge were retrospectively compared between these patient groups.ResultsThe National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score on admission (median, interquartile range) was 10 (3–20) for PeAF patients and 7 (2–17) for PAF patients, indicating that stroke severity on admission was significantly worse in PeAF patients than PAF patients (P < 0.001). Good outcomes (modified Rankin scale score ≤2) were achieved by 45% PeAF patients and 53% PAF patients. Thus, PeAF patients had significantly poorer clinical outcomes than PAF patients (P < 0.001). In‐hospital mortality was significantly higher amongst PeAF patients (11%) than PAF patients (8%) (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis of factors contributing to clinical outcomes showed that PeAF was a contributing factor for in‐hospital mortality (odds ratio 1.261; 95% confidence interval 1.011–1.652; P = 0.045).ConclusionsAmongst cardioembolic stroke patients with NVAF, those with PeAF have significantly higher stroke severity on admission than those with PAF, and PeAF is a factor contributing to in‐hospital mortality. Thus, our study suggests that the type of atrial fibrillation affects stroke severity and clinical outcomes following cerebral infarction.
The diagnostic utility of intracranial EEG monitoring for epilepsy surgery in children
Authors: Brna Paula , Duchowny Michael , Resnick Trevor , Dunoyer Catalina , Bhatia Sanjiv , Jayakar Prasanna 
Published: May 2015

SummaryObjectiveThere are limited data on the indications for the use of chronic invasive electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring (IEM) for pediatric epilepsy surgery.MethodsWe retrospectively studied 102 children who underwent intracranial monitoring to map critical cortex, localize the epileptogenic region, or resolve divergent findings. We assessed IEM utility based on changes to the resection plan following analysis of noninvasive data.ResultsIEM was judged useful in 87% of cases and had greatest utility for resolving discordant data and localizing extratemporal and multilobar epileptogenic zones. IEM data were least useful for seizure onset in the temporal lobe and had little utility for direct cortical stimulation mapping unless functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) revealed atypical language representation or the epileptogenic zone was in proximity to critical cortex.SignificanceIEM utility was demonstrated for a majority of cases with well‐defined indications. The method of assessing utility will facilitate multicentric studies toward developing future consensus and practice guidelines.
Clobazam: An effective add‐on therapy in refractory status epilepticus
Authors: Sivakumar Sanjeev , Ibrahim Mohammad , Parker Dennis , Norris Gregory , Shah Aashit , Mohamed Wazim 
Published: May 2015

SummaryRefractory status epilepticus (RSE) is a medical emergency, with significant morbidity and mortality. The use and effectiveness of clobazam, a unique 1,5‐benzodiazepine, in the management of RSE has not been reported before. Over the last 24 months, we identified 17 patients with RSE who were treated with clobazam in our hospital. Eleven of the 17 patients had prior epilepsy. Fifteen patients had focal status epilepticus. Use of clobazam was prompted by a favorable pharmacokinetic profile devoid of drug interactions. Clobazam was introduced after a median duration of 4 days and after a median of three failed antiepileptic drugs. A successful response, defined as termination of RSE within 24 h of administration, without addition or modification of concurrent AED and with successful wean of anesthetic infusions, was seen in 13 patients. Indeterminate response was seen in three patients, whereas clobazam was unsuccessful in one patient. Clobazam averted the need for anesthetic infusions in five patients. Clobazam was well tolerated, and appears to be an effective and promising option as add‐on therapy in RSE. Its efficacy, particularly early in the course of SE, should be further investigated in prospective, randomized trials.
Laminin L4 domain structure resembles adhesion modules in ephrin receptor and other transmembrane glycoproteins
Authors: Moran Toot , Gat Yair , Fass Deborah 
Published: May 2015

The ~ 800 kDa laminin heterotrimer forms a distinctive cross‐shaped structure that further self‐assembles into networks within the extracellular matrix. The domains at the laminin chain termini, which engage in network formation and cell‐surface interaction, are well understood both structurally and functionally. By contrast, the structures and roles of additional domains embedded within the limbs of the laminin cross have remained obscure. Here, we report the X‐ray crystal structure, determined to 1.2 Å resolution, of the human laminin α2 subunit L4b domain, site of an inframe deletion mutation associated with mild congenital muscular dystrophy. The α2 L4b domain is an irregular β‐sandwich with many short and broken strands linked by extended loops. The most similar known structures are the carbohydrate‐binding domains of bacterial cellulases, the ephrin‐binding domain of ephrin receptors, and MAM adhesion domains in various other eukaryotic cell‐surface proteins. This similarity to mammalian adhesion modules, which was not predicted on the basis of amino acid sequence alone due to lack of detectable homology, suggests that laminin internal domains evolved from a progenitor adhesion molecule and may retain a role in cell adhesion in the context of the laminin trimer.DatabaseThe atomic coordinates and structure factors have been deposited in the Protein Data Bank, Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA (http://www.rcsb.org/) under codes 4YEP and 4YEQ.
Optimizing Wellfield Operation in a Variable Power Price Regime
Authors: Bauer‐Gottwein Peter , Schneider Raphael , Davidsen Claus 
Published: May 2015

AbstractWellfield management is a multiobjective optimization problem. One important objective has been energy efficiency in terms of minimizing the energy footprint (EFP) of delivered water (MWh/m3). However, power systems in most countries are moving in the direction of deregulated markets and price variability is increasing in many markets because of increased penetration of intermittent renewable power sources. In this context the relevant management objective becomes minimizing the cost of electric energy used for pumping and distribution of groundwater from wells rather than minimizing energy use itself. We estimated EFP of pumped water as a function of wellfield pumping rate (EFP‐Q relationship) for a wellfield in Denmark using a coupled well and pipe network model. This EFP‐Q relationship was subsequently used in a Stochastic Dynamic Programming (SDP) framework to minimize total cost of operating the combined wellfield‐storage‐demand system over the course of a 2‐year planning period based on a time series of observed price on the Danish power market and a deterministic, time‐varying hourly water demand. In the SDP setup, hourly pumping rates are the decision variables. Constraints include storage capacity and hourly water demand fulfilment. The SDP was solved for a baseline situation and for five scenario runs representing different EFP‐Q relationships and different maximum wellfield pumping rates. Savings were quantified as differences in total cost between the scenario and a constant‐rate pumping benchmark. Minor savings up to 10% were found in the baseline scenario, while the scenario with constant EFP and unlimited pumping rate resulted in savings up to 40%. Key factors determining potential cost savings obtained by flexible wellfield operation under a variable power price regime are the shape of the EFP‐Q relationship, the maximum feasible pumping rate and the capacity of available storage facilities.
The Glycemic Indices in Dialysis Evaluation (GIDE) study: Comparative measures of glycemic control in diabetic dialysis patients
Authors: Williams Mark E. , Mittman Neal , Ma Lin , Brennan Julia I. , Mooney Ann , Johnson Curtis D. , Jani Chinu M. , Maddux Franklin W. , Lacson Eduardo 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThe validity of hemoglobin A1c (HgbA1c) is undergoing increasing scrutiny in the advanced CKD/ESRD (chronic kidney disease/end‐stage renal disease) population, where it appears to be discordant from other glycemic indices. In the Glycemic Indices in Dialysis Evaluation (GIDE) Study, we sought to assess correlation of HgbA1c with casual glucose, glycated albumin, and serum fructosamine in a large group of diabetic patients on dialysis. From 26 dialysis facilities in the United States, 1758 diabetic patients (hemodialysis = 1476, peritoneal dialysis = 282) were enrolled in the first quarter of 2013. The distributions of HgbA1c and the other glycemic indices were analyzed. Intra‐patient coefficients of variation and correlations among the four glycemic indices were determined. Patients with low HgbA1c values were both on higher erythropoietin (ESA) doses and more anemic. Serum glucose exhibited the highest intra‐patient variability over a 3‐month period; variability was modest among the other glycemic indices, and least with HgbA1c. Statistical analyses inclusive of all glycemic markers indicated modest to strong correlations. HgbA1c was more likely to be in the target range than glycated albumin or serum fructosamine, suggesting factors which may or may not be directly related to glycemic control, including anemia, ESA management, and iron administration, in interpreting HgbA1c values. These initial results from the GIDE Study clarify laboratory correlations among glycemic indices and add to concerns about reliance on HgbA1c in patients with diabetes and advanced kidney disease.
Leukotriene B4—leukotriene B4 receptor axis promotes oxazolone‐induced contact dermatitis by directing skin homing of neutrophils and CD8+ T cells
Authors: Lv Jiaoyan , Zou Linlin , Zhao Lina , Yang Wei , Xiong Yingluo , Li Bingji , He Rui 
Published: May 2015

SummaryLeukotriene B4 (LTB4) is a lipid mediator that is rapidly generated in inflammatory sites, and its functional receptor, BLT1, is mostly expressed on immune cells. Contact dermatitis is a common inflammatory skin disease characterized by skin oedema and abundant inflammatory infiltrates, primarily including neutrophils and CD8+ T cells. The role of the LTB4–BLT1 axis in contact dermatitis remains largely unknown. In this study, we found up‐regulated gene expression of 5‐lipoxygenase and leukotriene A4 hydrolase, two critical enzymes for LTB4 synthesis, BLT1 and elevated LTB4 levels in skin lesions of oxazolone (OXA)‐induced contact dermatitis. BLT1 deficiency or blockade of LTB4 and BLT1 by the antagonists, bestatin and U‐75302, respectively, in the elicitation phase caused significant decreases in ear swelling and skin‐infiltrating neutrophils and CD8+ T cells, which was accompanied by significantly reduced skin expression of CXCL1, CXCL2, interferon‐γ and interleukin‐1β. Furthermore, neutrophil depletion during the elicitation phase of OXA‐induced contact dermatitis also caused significant decreases in ear swelling and CD8+ T‐cell infiltration accompanied by significantly decreased LTB4 synthesis and gene expression of CXCL2, interferon‐γ and interleukin‐1β. Importantly, subcutaneous injection of exogenous LTB4 restored the skin infiltration of CD8+ T cells in neutrophil‐depleted mice following OXA challenge. Collectively, our results demonstrate that the LTB4–BLT1 axis contributes to OXA‐induced contact dermatitis by mediating skin recruitment of neutrophils, which are a major source of LTB4 that sequentially direct CD8+ T‐cell homing to OXA‐challenged skin. Hence, LTB4 and BLT1 could be potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of contact dermatitis.
Estimating the secondary attack rate and serial interval of influenza‐like illnesses using social media
Authors: Yom‐Tov Elad , Johansson‐Cox Ingemar , Lampos Vasileios , Hayward Andrew C. 
Published: May 2015

ObjectivesKnowledge of the secondary attack rate (SAR) and serial interval (SI) of influenza is important for assessing the severity of seasonal epidemics of the virus. To date, such estimates have required extensive surveys of target populations. Here, we propose a method for estimating the intrafamily SAR and SI from postings on the Twitter social network. This estimate is derived from a large number of people reporting ILI symptoms in them and\or their immediate family members.DesignWe analyze data from the 2012–2013 and the 2013–2014 influenza seasons in England and find that increases in the estimated SAR precede increases in ILI rates reported by physicians.ResultsWe hypothesize that observed variations in the peak value of SAR are related to the appearance of specific strains of the virus and demonstrate this by comparing the changes in SAR values over time in relation to known virology. In addition, we estimate SI (the average time between cases) as 2·41 days for 2012 and 2·48 days for 2013.ConclusionsThe proposed method can assist health authorities by providing near‐real‐time estimation of SAR and SI, and especially in alerting to sudden increases thereof.
Quantification of Metals and Semimetals in Carbon‐Rich Rocks: A New Sequential Protocol Including Extraction from Humic Substances
Authors: Henrique‐Pinto Renato , Barnes Sarah‐Jane , Savard Dany , Mehdi Sadia 
Published: May 2015

We have developed a new sequential extraction technique that does not require complex procedures and is efficient in determining metal and semimetal contents of carbon‐rich rocks. Six geological reference materials (SBC‐1, SCHS‐1, SCo‐1, SDO‐1, SGR‐1b and SLg‐1) and an in‐house black shale (SH‐1) were selected to test the method, which consists of four main digestion steps involving: (a) dilute HCl acid; (b) NaOH; (c) aqua regia; and (d) hydrofluoric acid. Compared with traditional aqua regia + hydrofluoric acid attack, this new protocol recovers more of the moderately volatile elements during early extraction of humic substances. In addition when compared with reference values, those for most elements are in agreement within uncertainty. Furthermore, this new protocol reveals important information on the partitioning of elements; for instance, steps one and two indicate which elements are associated with carbonates and organic phases from fulvic and humic acid extractions, whereas step three provides results for which elements are associated with sulfide minerals and step four indicates which elements remained in the silicate and oxide phases.
Hierarchically Designed Bioactive Glassy Nanocoatings for the Growth of Faster and Uniformly Dense Apatite
Authors: Das Indranee , Medda Samar K. , De Goutam , Fagerlund Susanne , Hupa Leena , Puska Mervi A. , Vallittu Pekka K. 
Published: May 2015

Crack‐free bioactive nanocoatings embedded with uniformly distributed silica‐rich bioactive spherical aggregates were successfully prepared in situ by controlling the micellization of a SiO2–CaO–P2O5 sol using the tri‐block copolymer P123 followed by dip‐coating onto a bio‐inert glass substrate and calcined. These hierarchically designed nanocoatings embedded with such bioactive glassy nanospheres (BGNS) enabled to induce the deposition of a densely populated, uniform, and well‐developed needlelike crystalline carbonated hydroxyapatite coating reminiscence of the mineral phase of natural bone within a short immersion time in simulated body fluid. The BGNS nanocoatings also supported the growth and attachment of human gingival fibroblasts. The results suggest that these newly designed composite nanocoatings are noncytotoxic, capable of supporting rapid and homogeneous calcium phosphate deposition as well as subsequent crystallization, and likely to be promising candidates for inert glass reinforced bone implants.
Increased infection with key periodontal pathogens during gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Gogeneni Himabindu , Buduneli Nurcan , Ceyhan‐Öztürk Banu , Gümüş Pınar , Akcali Aliye , Zeller Iris , Renaud Diane E. , Scott David A. , Özçaka Özgün 
Published: May 2015

AbstractAimGestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), gingivitis, infection with specific periodontal pathogens and systemic inflammation each increase the risk for poor pregnancy outcome. We set out to monitor the interactions of gingivitis and GDM with respect to oral infection and the systemic inflammatory burden.Materials and MethodsFour case–control groups (n = 117) were recruited, (1) No gingivitis, No GDM (n = 27); (2) Gingivitis, No GDM (n = 31); (3) No gingivitis, GDM (n = 21); and (4) Gingivitis, GDM (n = 38). Oral infection with three key periodontal pathogens was determined by PCR. Systemic inflammation was determined by quantification of CRP by EIA.ResultsGingivitis during pregnancy was associated with oral infection with Porphyromonas gingivalis, Filifactor alocis and Treponema denticola and combinations thereof (all p < 0.01). GDM was also associated with increased infection with individual and multiple oral pathogens (all p < 0.05). Gingivitis during pregnancy led to a 325% increase in systemic CRP (mean, 2495 versus 8116 ng/ml, p < 0.01).ConclusionsDiabetes and gingivitis act in concert to increase risk biomarkers for poor pregnancy outcome.
Contour Diagram‐Based Evaluation on Logistics Stability of Table Grapes under Variable Temperature
Authors: Ma Changyang , Xiao Xinqing , Zhu Zhiqiang , Vlad Liviu Bogdan , Zhang Xiaoshuan 
Published: May 2015

AbstractTable grapes are inherently perishable and unstable, tending to deteriorate after harvest. The logistics stability of table grape that is closely related to product quality tends to decline. This paper proposed a contour diagram‐based graphical method in order to evaluate the logistics stability visually and easily under variable temperature. Firmness was selected as the indicator of table grape quality and shelf life prediction. Two kinds of experiments were designed to evaluate the proposed method by comparing with the kinetics method: one is isothermal experiment with five temperatures and the other is simulated variable temperature. The results suggest that both methods have the ability to evaluate the logistics stability at variable temperature, but the proposed method can provide a more accurate evaluation of logistics stability intuitively and conveniently. Furthermore, two prerequisite conditions are required for applying the proposed method, i.e., the time ratio for the equivalent logistics transformation at different temperatures must match in the kinetics theory and the primary state of the quality index should equal the initial state of the corresponding contour diagram.Practical ApplicationsThe proposed method could be applied to evaluate the logistics stability for any products and provide the cold chain management.
Flood forecasting on the Tocantins River using ensemble rainfall forecasts and real‐time satellite rainfall estimates
Authors: Fan F.M. , Collischonn W. , Quiroz K.J. , Sorribas M.V. , Buarque D.C. , Siqueira V.A. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThe Tocantins River, located at the northern region of Brazil with over 300 000 km2 of drainage area, is an important water body in terms of hydropower production. The occurrence of floods along the Tocantins River is a relatively frequent event that affects hydropower plant operations and several cities and their inhabitants. Motivated by recent flooding issues, a hydrological forecasting system was developed in order to assist the decision making of dam operation for flood control. The model uses merged rainfall information from ground‐based telemetric gauges and real‐time TRMM satellite rainfall estimates. Streamflow forecasts are obtained based on quantitative precipitation forecasts from two different sources, CPTEC Eta 15 km regional deterministic model and the Global Ensemble Forecasting System‐VII, maintained by the National Center for Environmental Prediction‐National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. We present here the forecasting system analysis of the 2011/2012 rainy season flood predictions with the use of ensemble forecasts, and comparison results of deterministic and ensemble forecasts for the major flood of 2012/2013.
Development of an expert‐led GIS‐based approach for assessing the performance of river levees: the Digsure method and tool
Authors: Peyras L. , Tourment R. , Vuillet M. , Beullac B. , Delaunay C. , Bambara G. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractFrance and other regions around the world frequently undergo devastating flood events. Any failure of a flood protection structure can lead to human casualties and material damage. Unfortunately, such long linear structures are often poorly maintained and have shown repeated signs of weakness. Therefore, river levee management raises a number of substantial issues for the decision‐makers responsible for ensuring maximum safety for the surrounding population at a reasonable management cost. The aim of the Digsure project is to provide levee managers with scientific methods and information technology (IT) tools for levee management. The Digsure method is a levee assessment method based on a probabilistic pattern. It produces levee performance indicators and integrates data and the uncertainty on results. Digsure is a geographic information system tool that implements the Digsure method. It estimates and displays levee performance and associated uncertainty intervals throughout levee assessments.