bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as comorbidity in patients admitted to a university hospital: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Nielsen Helene Møller , Rødsgaard Pernille Andersen , Weinreich Ulla Møller 
Published: August 2013

AbstractBackground and AimsChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common disease, especially among smokers. The disease is underdiagnosed, and patients often suffer from comorbidities. The aims of this study were to elucidate the prevalence of COPD as comorbidity in a university hospital setting, to characterise patients demographically, to investigate comorbidities in patients suffering from COPD and lastly, to analyse whether CODP as comorbidity influenced the length of stay.MethodsAalborg University Hospital covers all medical and surgical specialities. A 1‐day cross‐sectional study was carried out in the entire hospital. A spirometry was performed on the patients. Data on smoking habits, prior lung function measurements, prescribed lung medicine and self‐evaluated dyspnoea, using the Medical Research Council score and body mass index were recorded. The final diagnosis was registered after 1 month.ResultsTwo hundred fifteen patients participated, and 28% suffered from COPD. Sixteen per cent had mild, 48% moderate, 18% severe and 18% very severe COPD. Seventy‐seven per cent were newly diagnosed at our examination. COPD patients did not have significantly more comorbidities than non‐COPD patients. Gastrointestinal diseases, haematologic diseases and uro‐nephrologic diseases were significantly more prevalent in COPD patients. Duration of stay was significantly longer among COPD patients compared with non‐COPD patients, P < 0.05.ConclusionSeventy‐seven per cent of the COPD patients in this study were newly diagnosed at our examination. Gastrointestinal diseases, haematologic diseases and uro‐nephrologic diseases were significantly more prevalent in COPD patients. COPD patients were hospitalised significantly longer than non‐COPD patients.
Assessment of the relationship between right ventricular function and the severity of obstructive sleep‐disordered breathing
Authors: Tanaka Yosuke , Hino Mitsunori , Mizuno Kyoichi , Gemma Akihiko 
Published: August 2013

AbstractIntroductionSome complications of obstructive sleep‐disordered breathing (OSDB), such as heart failure including right ventricular (RV) overload, are more serious than an increase of the apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) or respiratory disturbance index (RDI). These serious complications may contribute to the worsening of OSDB.ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between RV function in OSDB patients while awake and the severity of OSDB.MethodsFifty‐eight patients were evaluated to determine the cause of OSDB and were subjected to various examinations, including cardiac ultrasonography. Of them, 54 were included in this analysis.ResultsIsovolumetric relaxation time decreased as AHI increased to about 40 events/h and increased when AHI increased beyond 40 events/h. The total ejection isovolume index increased as AHI increased to approximately 35 events/h and decreased when AHI increased beyond 35 events/h.ConclusionsRV function gradually deteriorated from the early stages of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, even though there was no apparent increase in pulmonary artery pressure. The results of this study indicated that the progression of OSDB correlated with RV function determined in patients while awake. Further studies are required to clarify this relationship, including assessment of components of RV function.
Measuring and explaining racial and ethnic differences in willingness to donate live kidneys in the United States
Authors: Purnell Tanjala S. , Powe Neil R. , Troll Misty U. , Wang Nae‐Yuh , Haywood Carlton , LaVeist Thomas A. , Boulware L. Ebony 
Published: August 2013

AbstractBackgroundReasons for US racial–ethnic minority ESRD patients’ reported difficulties identifying live kidney donors are poorly understood.MethodsWe conducted a national study to develop scales measuring willingness to donate live kidneys among US adults (scores ranged from 0 [not willing] to 10 [extremely willing]), and we tested whether racial–ethnic differences exist in willingness to donate. We also examined whether clinical, sociodemographic, and attitudinal factors mediated potential racial–ethnic differences in willingness.ResultsAmong 845 participants, the majority were extremely willing to donate to relatives (77%) while fewer than half were extremely willing to donate to non‐relatives (18%). In multivariable linear regression analyses, willingness to donate varied by race–ethnicity and recipient relationship to the donor. African Americans were less willing to donate to relatives than whites (β: −0.48; 95% CI [Confidence Interval]: −0.94 to −0.17; p = 0.04), but these differences were eliminated after accounting for socioeconomic factors, medical trust, and concerns about burial after death. There were no differences in willingness to donate between Hispanics and whites.ConclusionsAfrican Americans’ burial concerns, medical trust, and socioeconomic factors explained differences in their willingness to donate to relatives, suggesting efforts to address these barriers may enhance rates of live kidney donation in this group.
The scaling of colony size with nest volume in termites: a role in population dynamics?
Authors: LIMA PEQUENO PEDRO A. C. , FRANKLIN ELIZABETH , VENTICINQUE EDUARDO M. , SERRÃO ACIOLI AGNO N. 
Published: August 2013

Abstract
Colony size is often attributed a key role in social insect population ecology. However, in nest‐building termites, colony size is a power function of nest volume, so that colonies of species with low scaling exponents tend to grow less as their nests are expanded. Thus, in such species, intercolonial differences in colony size may be less likely to develop, and changes in species total biomass may largely reflect those in colony numbers rather than colony sizes.
The scaling of colony biomass with nest volume in three termite species, namely Anoplotermes banksiEmerson, Neocapritermes braziliensis Snyder and Labiotermes labralis Holmgren was determined. Then, their nests were counted and their total biomass in plots across an Amazonian rainforest landscape was estimated. Finally, whether the strength of the relationship between total biomass and number of nests reflected species scaling exponents was examined.
Scaling exponents were 0.47 for N. braziliensis, 0.57 for A. banksi, and 0.83 for L. labralis. On the other hand, the strength of the relationship between total biomass and the number of nests (r2) followed the opposite trend: 0.93 for N. braziliensis, 0.92 for A. banksi, and 0.53 for L. labralis.
It is suggested that the scaling of colony size with nest volume may mediate termite population dynamics: as the scaling exponent decreases across species, changes in total biomass would increasingly reflect changes in colony numbers, with an accompanying increase in the importance of colony births and deaths as opposed to colony growth.
Apparent competition leaves no detectable imprint on patterns of community composition: observations from a natural experiment
Authors: KAARTINEN RIIKKA , ROSLIN TOMAS 
Published: August 2013

Indirect interactions mediated by natural enemies shared among herbivorous insects have recently attracted much interest. While many studies have predicted a high potential for apparent competition, only a few have rigorously tested predictions derived from the food web structure in terms of realised population and community dynamics.
In this study, a quantified food web was used to identify pairs of herbivore species potentially tied by strong parasitoid‐mediated interactions. The host populations and their parasitism rates over two consecutive years were then followed, during which time the abundance of one dominant host crashed. Following this natural experiment, imprints of asymmetrical, long‐term apparent competition among hosts were sought in population growth rates.
The population growth revealed no signs of apparent competition as mediated by parasitoids: the abundance and parasitism rates of less abundant herbivores were uncorrelated with the relative growth rate of four dominant herbivore species with which they shared a major part of their parasitoids. Likewise, the population crash of the dominant herbivore, Cynips longiventris, did not detectably affect the abundances or parasitism rates of other herbivores with which it shared a major fraction of its parasitoids.
Overall, this case study fails to add evidence to previous suggestions that apparent competition may constitute a major force in structuring natural communities. However, it suggests that dynamics should not be inferred from static food web structure alone, but rather that predictions based on structure should be verified by empirical observations of realised population dynamics.
The form of a trade‐off determines the response to competition
Authors: Maharjan Ram , Nilsson Susanna , Sung Judy , Haynes Ken , Beardmore Robert E. , Hurst Laurence D. , Ferenci Tom , Gudelj Ivana 
Published: August 2013

AbstractUnderstanding how populations and communities respond to competition is a central concern of ecology. A seminal theoretical solution first formalised by Levins (and re‐derived in multiple fields) showed that, in theory, the form of a trade‐off should determine the outcome of competition. While this has become a central postulate in ecology it has evaded experimental verification, not least because of substantial technical obstacles. We here solve the experimental problems by employing synthetic ecology. We engineer strains of Escherichia coli with fixed resource allocations enabling accurate measurement of trade‐off shapes between bacterial survival and multiplication in multiple environments. A mathematical chemostat model predicts different, and experimentally verified, trajectories of gene frequency changes as a function of condition‐specific trade‐offs. The results support Levins' postulate and demonstrates that otherwise paradoxical alternative outcomes witnessed in subtly different conditions are predictable.
Hypothermia for pediatric refractory status epilepticus
Authors: Guilliams Kristin , Rosen Max , Buttram Sandra , Zempel John , Pineda Jose , Miller Barbara , Shoykhet Michael 
Published: August 2013

SummaryPurposeRefractory status epilepticus (RSE) is a life‐threatening emergency, demonstrating, by definition, significant pharmacoresistance. We describe five cases of pediatric RSE treated with mild hypothermia.MethodsRetrospective chart review was performed of records of children who received hypothermia for RSE at two tertiary‐care pediatric hospitals between 2009 and 2012.Key FindingsFive children with RSE received mild hypothermia (32–35°C). Hypothermia reduced seizure burden during and after treatment in all cases. Prior to initiation of hypothermia, four children (80%) received pentobarbital infusions to treat RSE, but relapsed after pentobarbital discontinuation. No child relapsed after treatment with hypothermia. One child died after redirection of care. Remaining four children were discharged.SignificanceThis is the largest pediatric case series reporting treatment of RSE with mild hypothermia. Hypothermia decreased seizure burden during and after pediatric RSE and may prevent RSE relapse.
The application of proteomic approaches to the study of mammalian spermatogenesis and sperm function
Authors: MacLeod Graham , Varmuza Susannah 
Published: August 2013

Spermatogenesis is the process by which terminally differentiated sperm are produced from male germline stem cells. This complex developmental process requires the coordination of both somatic and germ cells through phases of proliferation, meiosis, and morphological differentiation, to produce the cell responsible for the delivery of the paternal genome. With infertility affecting ~ 15% of all couples, furthering our understanding of spermatogenesis and sperm function is vital for improving the diagnosis and treatment of male factor infertility. The emerging use of proteomic technologies has played an instrumental role in our understanding of spermatogenesis by providing information regarding the genes involved. This article reviews existing proteomic literature regarding spermatogenesis and sperm function, including the proteomic characterization of spermatogenic cell types, subcellular proteomics, post‐translational modifications, interactomes, and clinical studies. Future directions in the application of proteomics to the study of spermatogenesis and sperm function are also discussed.
Non‐pharmacological treatment reducing not only behavioral symptoms, but also psychotic symptoms of older adults with dementia: A prospective cohort study in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Rue‐Chuan , Liu Chien‐Liang , Lin Ming‐Hsien , Peng Li‐Ning , Chen Liang‐Yu , Liu Li‐Kuo , Chen Liang‐Kung 
Published: August 2013

AimThe clinical effectiveness of non‐pharmacological interventions on behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) among older Chinese with dementia remains unclear, and the evidence supporting the benefits of a non‐pharmacological approach on psychotic symptoms is scarce.MethodsA prospective cohort study including 104 older men with dementia living in two veterans homes in Taiwan was carried out in 2011. An organized program of music therapy, orientation training, art‐cognitive activities and physical activities was carried out for the intervention group. All participants were evaluated for neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI), defined daily dose of psychotropic drug use, Barthel Index, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, Mini‐Mental State Examination, Geriatric Depression Scale, Tinetti balance score and Tinetti gait score.ResultsOverall, 104 residents were enrolled and 92 of them completed the study. The intervention group had a more significant reduction than the reference group in the overall NPI score (−2.36, P = 0.046), and in the subcategories of delusion (−0.9, P = 0.018), hallucination (−0.82, P = 0.004) and agitation (−0.91, P = 0.038). Multivariate analysis showed that the non‐pharmacological intervention was associated with a favorable outcome in overall NPI score (OR 4.113, P = 0.013) and in the subcategories of hallucination (OR 14.309, P = 0.049) and agitation (OR 6.604, P = 0.037). Meanwhile, a higher baseline NPI score was also associated with a favorable outcome in overall NPI score, and in the subcategories of delusion, hallucination and agitation.ConclusionNon‐pharmacological interventions have a positive effect on behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, not only in outward symptoms like agitation, but also intrinsic psychotic symptoms like hallucination and delusion, and agitation in older Chinese men with dementia. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2013; 14: 440–446.
LMO2 (LIM domain only 2) is expressed in a subset of acute myeloid leukaemia and correlates with normal karyotype
Authors: Patel Jay L , Pournazari Payam , Haggstrom Sarah‐Joy , Kosari Farid , Shabani‐Rad Meer‐Taher , Natkunam Yasodha , Mansoor Adnan 
Published: August 2013

AimLMO2 is a transcription factor that plays a key role in haematopoiesis. Expression of LMO2 has been demonstrated in germinal centre B cells, various B cell lymphomas and T lymphoblastic lymphoma/leukaemia (T‐ALL), but has not been studied extensively in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).MethodsWe studied LMO2 expression by immunohistochemistry in biopsies from a cohort of AML patients (n = 196) and correlated it with established prognostic factors such as age, bone marrow morphology and cytogenetic findings.ResultsForty per cent (79 of 196) of the samples from AML patients showed moderate/strong expression of LMO2 protein. LMO2 expression showed a significant positive correlation with normal cytogenetics (65% versus 24%, P < 0.0001) and a moderately negative correlation with complex karyotype [rs(98) = −0.218, P < 0.002]. AML associated with core binding factor [(t(8;21)/inv(16)/t(16;16)] had low LMO2 expression compared to diploid karyotype (29% versus 65%; P = 0.013). Expression of LMO2 protein exhibited an insignificant association with age (P = 0.197). Lower expression of LMO2 protein was noted in AML associated with myelodysplasia‐related changes, compared to AML subtypes based on FAB classification (M0–M7) (21% versus 44%, P = 0.0187).ConclusionsLMO2 is expressed in a subset of AML patients and is associated with normal karyotype, which is different from T‐ALL, where specific translocation (11p13) mediates protein expression.
Combined acid‐ and rennet‐induced gelation of a mixed soya milk–cow's milk system
Authors: Grygorczyk Alexandra , Alexander Marcela , Corredig Milena 
Published: August 2013

SummaryThe objective of this study was to better understand the gelation behaviour of a mixed soya milk–cow's milk system, by forming different reactive protein particles using rennet and glucono‐δ‐lactone. The formation of the structure of these mixed gels was followed, for the first time, using diffusing wave spectroscopy and rheology. When only one protein source was induced to gel, protein aggregation was hindered, as shown by the slower increase in apparent radius after the gel point. Confocal microscopy analysis of the gel networks suggested that while milk gels exhibited large pores with interconnecting strands of protein, soya gels appeared as densely packed protein aggregates, and mixed soya milk gels appeared as a network of aggregated proteins. This study demonstrated that by modulating the reactivity of the building blocks, it is possible to fine‐tune structure formation of these mixed protein gels.
Effect of different drying methods on drying characteristics, colour, total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of Goldenberry (Physalis peruviana L.)
Authors: İzli Nazmi , Yıldız Gökçen , Ünal Halil , Işık Eşref , Uylaşer Vildan 
Published: August 2013

SummaryIn this study, the effects of convective, microwave and microwave–convective drying methods on the drying characteristics, colour, total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of goldenberry fruits were investigated. To select the most appropriate thin‐layer drying model for drying treatments, nine mathematical drying models were fitted to the experimental data. Based on the statistical tests used for evaluation, the Midilli et al. and Wang and Singh models were considered the best models to describe the drying behaviours of goldenberry fruits in all drying methods. The colour values (L*, a* and b*) of fresh fruit were decreased by drying. Compared with the fresh sample, the dried samples exhibited a 64–75% and 65–75% decrease in total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity, respectively. Among the different drying treatments, the values closest to those of fresh samples with respect to colour values, total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity were achieved with the 160 W microwave drying method.
Effect of pH, biopolymer mixing ratio and salts on the formation and stability of electrostatic complexes formed within mixtures of lentil protein isolate and anionic polysaccharides (κ‐carrageenan and gellan gum)
Authors: Aryee Felix N. A. , Nickerson Michael T. 
Published: August 2013

SummaryAssociative phase separation within lentil protein isolate (LPI), polysaccharide (κ‐carrageenan (κ‐CG) and gellan gum (GG)) mixtures was investigated as a function of pH (1.50–8.00) and mixing ratio (1:1–30:1; LPI/polysaccharide) by turbidity and electrophoretic mobility. Effects of salts (NaCl, KCl and CaCl2) on complex stability were also studied as a function of ionic strength. Coacervation typically follows two pH‐dependent forming events associated with the formation of soluble and insoluble complexes. The addition of polysaccharides to a LPI system (at all ratios) resulted in a significant drop in turbidity over the entire pH range and a shift in net neutrality to lower pH relative to LPI alone; where LPI aggregation was inhibited by repulsive forces between neighbouring polysaccharide chains. As the biopolymer mixing ratio increased, structure formation was less inhibited. The addition of salts resulted in the disruption of formed LPI/polysaccharide complexes.
Comparison of different peeling systems for kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa, cv Hayward)
Authors: Gómez‐López Manuel , García‐Quiroga Maruxa , Arbones‐Maciñeira Enrique , Vázquez‐Odériz Ma Lourdes , Romero‐Rodríguez Ma Angeles 
Published: August 2013

SummaryGalicia (N.W. Spain) produces 60% of Spanish kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) and 5–20% of these are ‘destrío’ fruits, which do not reach market size and the appropriate form. These rejected fruits can be processed into products, thus increasing their added value. The processing of kiwifruit always includes a peeling operation, which can be performed by different systems. The most suitable conditions for caustic peeling and thermal peeling were established. Then, the two peeling systems were compared with manual peeling with the aim of selecting the best system to remove the peel of the ‘destrío’ kiwifruit. The fruits, once harvested, were stored in a cold chamber at 0 °C. Before processing or marketing kiwifruits, it is necessary to remove them from storage in cold chamber and storage at room temperature. In this study, different storage times at room temperature before peeling kiwifruits were also tested. The best system for peeling the kiwifruit was thermal peeling as this system resulted in the lowest weight loss and preserved the green colour characteristic of the kiwifruit. The best time for peeling the kiwifruit was after 8 days of storage at room temperature, after being removed from the cold chamber.
Histopathological diagnosis of graft‐versus‐host disease of the skin – an interobserver comparison
Authors: Ziemer M. , Haeusermann P. , Janin A. , Massi D. , Ziepert M. , Wolff D. , Greinix H. , Hillen U. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractBackgroundHistopathology is an important tool in diagnosing cutaneous graft‐versus‐host disease (GvHD). Minimum diagnostic criteria for active chronic GvHD have recently been defined. However, they are not specific and their interpretation is dependent on observer judgement.ObjectiveAims of the study: i) to explore interobserver variability in the interpretation of histopathological changes in GvHD, and ii) to analyse the impact of detailed clinical data on histopathological diagnosis of GvHD.MethodsHistopathological slides from 15 skin biopsies of GvHD and from dermatoses with histopathologically similar appearance were sent in two phases to four dermatopathologists experienced in cutaneous GvHD in France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland (first round of ‘blind’ review followed by a second round with complete clinical information provided).ResultsInterface dermatitis, especially vacuolar alteration, was the most inconsistently evaluated, particularly in cases with minor alterations. Interestingly, for vacuolar alteration and apoptotic keratinocytes, interobserver variability was lower in the adnexal epithelia than in the interfollicular epidermis.Complete clinical information resulted in increased diagnostic confidence and greater concordance on the final diagnosis, rising from 53% (first round, k = 0.345, fair agreement) to 80% (second round, k = 0.529, moderate agreement). The percentage of correct diagnoses increased from 33.3% to 80%.ConclusionFor the diagnosis of GvHD, histopathological analysis is of importance, but, for correct diagnosis, the correlation of pathological findings with clinical results is crucial. In cases of minor alteration, histopathologists should focus on the interpretation of vacuolar changes and apoptotic keratinocytes, possibly on the adnexal epithelia.