bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spontaneous bladder rupture diagnosis based on urinary appearance of mesothelial cells: a case report
Authors: Hayashi Waka , Nishino Tomoya , Namie Satoru , Obata Yoko , Furukawa Masataka , Kohno Shigeru 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Introduction
Spontaneous bladder rupture is an extremely rare clinical event that is associated with urinary ascites and apparent acute renal failure. This event is difficult to diagnose clinically, even with advanced techniques such as computed tomography; however, the timely diagnosis of this condition is critical. Here, we report a case of a patient who experienced a spontaneous intraperitoneal bladder rupture 10 years after postoperative pelvic irradiation for the treatment of uterine cancer. In this report of a rare case, we describe the contribution of the appearance of mesothelial cells in the urine to the diagnosis of this condition.

Case presentation
Our patient was a 71-year-old Asian woman who experienced lower abdominal pain and vomiting of two days duration. On admission, abdominal computed tomography showed intraperitoneal fluid collection and her blood tests revealed acute renal failure and hyperkalemia. She underwent hemodialysis and a transurethral catheter was inserted. The transurethral catheter was removed three days after her admission. Four days after the catheter removal, her symptoms recurred and her serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels were elevated. We noted the presence of mesothelial cells in her urine, which led to a diagnosis of intraperitoneal bladder rupture. She underwent surgical repair of her bladder and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and was discharged after her renal function returned to normal.

Conclusion
Urine analysis is a simple and non-invasive test and we believe that a thorough urine analysis may contribute to the early diagnosis of an intraperitoneal bladder rupture. We think that the findings presented in this case report will significantly enhance our understanding of the etiology of bladder rupture. Moreover, these case findings may help nephrologists and urologists to rapidly diagnose this condition.
Concentrations of osmotically related constituents in plasma and urine of finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis): implications for osmoregulatory strategies for marine mammals living in freshwater
Authors: Guo Aihuan , Hao Yujiang , Wang Jingzhen , Zhao Qingzhong , Wang Ding 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Background
Most cetaceans inhabit the hyperosmotic marine environment with only a few species living in freshwater habitats. The Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis) is the only freshwater subspecies of the genus. Our aim was to study whether the osmoregulation mechanism of the Yangtze finless porpoise is different from the marine subspecies, the East Asian finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis sunameri). We assayed and compared the concentrations of the constituents involved in osmoregulation in the blood and urine in the Yangtze finless porpoise and the East Asian finless porpoise. We also compared the corresponding urine constituents of the porpoises with existing data on fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus).

Results
The mean plasma osmolality of Yangtze finless porpoise was significantly lower than that of the marine subspecies (P < 0.01). Similarly, the urine osmolality of Yangtze finless porpoise was also significantly lower than that of its marine counterpart (P < 0.05). However, the urine sodium concentration of freshwater finless porpoise was significantly lower than that in the marine subspecies (P < 0.01), even though their serum sodium has no significant difference. Moreover, the freshwater porpoise has significantly lower urine urea concentration but much higher serum urea than in the marine finless porpoise (P < 0.05).

Conclusions
These results suggest that the freshwater finless porpoise does have different osmoregulatory mechanism from marine cetaceans. Conserving sodium by excreting urine with low ion levels may be an essential strategy to maintain the serum electrolyte balance for the freshwater subspecies that also appears to be more susceptible to hyponatremia.
Molecular (PCR-DGGE) versus morphological approach: analysis of taxonomic composition of potentially toxic cyanobacteria in freshwater lakes
Authors: Bukowska Aleksandra , Bielczyńska Aleksandra , Karnkowska Anna , Chróst Ryszard J , Jasser Iwona 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Background
The microscopic Utermöhl method is commonly used for the recognition of the presence and taxonomic composition of potentially toxic cyanobacteria and is especially useful for monitoring reservoirs used as drinking water, recreation and fishery resources. However, this method is time-consuming and does not allow potentially toxic and nontoxic cyanobacterial strains to be distinguished. We have developed a method based on denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of the marker gene ITS and the mcy-gene cluster, and DNA sequencing. We have attempted to calibrate the DGGE-method with a microscopic procedure, using water samples taken in 2011 from four lakes of the Great Mazurian Lakes system.

Results
Results showed that the classic microscopic method was much more precise and allowed the classification of the majority of cyanobacterial taxa to the species or genus. Using the molecular approach, most of the sequences could only be assigned to a genus or family. The results of DGGE and microscopic analyses overlapped in the detection of the filamentous cyanobacteria. For coccoid cyanobacteria, we only found two taxa using the molecular method, which represented 17% of the total taxa identified using microscopic observations. The DGGE method allowed the identification of two genera of cyanobacteria (Planktothrix and Microcystis) in the studied samples, which have the potential ability to produce toxins from the microcystins group.

Conclusions
The results confirmed that the molecular approach is useful for the rapid detection and taxonomic distinction of potentially toxic cyanobacteria in lake-water samples, also in very diverse cyanobacterial communities. Such rapid detection is unattainable by other methods. However, with still limited nucleotide sequences deposited in the public databases, this method is currently not sufficient to evaluate the entire taxonomic composition of cyanobacteria in lakes.
What socio-demographic factors influence poverty and financial health care access among disabled people in Flanders: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Adams Margo , Augustyns Nele , Janssens Herman , Vriesacker Bart , Van Hal Guido 
Published: February 2014

AbstractBackgroundCurrent literature shows that people with a disability have a lower income than people without a disability. Disabled people often experience difficulties with health care access.The objective of this study is to assess the current financial situation and poverty rate amongst disabled people in Flanders. Furthermore we wanted to analyze factors that contribute to the risk of poverty and problems with financial health care access in adult people with a disability in Flanders.MethodsAn online and paper survey were constructed and made available through two large organizations for people with different types of disability in Flanders. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were performed.ResultsIn this convenience sample, 20.9% of the 889 respondents live under the poverty threshold. Important contributing factors to the risk of poverty are having children (OR 3.43, 95% CI 2.10-5.59) and a low level of dependence (OR 16.40, 95% CI 6.21-43.28). 25.2% of the respondents did not access health care because of financial shortcomings. A low level of dependence is one important contributing factor (OR 3.16, 95% CI 1.41-6.98) to limited financial health care access.ConclusionThis research confirms that disability is associated with a higher risk of poverty and impaired financial health care access.
CARD8 is a negative regulator for NLRP3 inflammasome, but mutant NLRP3 in cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes escapes the restriction
Authors: Ito Sayaka , Hara Yukichi , Kubota Tetsuo 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
Introduction
NLRP3 plays a role in sensing various pathogen components or stresses in the innate immune system. Once activated, NLRP3 associates with apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC) and procaspase-1 to form a large protein complex termed inflammasome. Although some investigators have proposed a model of NLRP3-inflammasome containing an adaptor protein caspase recruitment domain-containing protein 8 (CARD8), the role of this molecule remains obscure. This study aimed to clarify the interaction between CARD8 and wild-type NLRP3 as well as mutant forms of NLRP3 linked with cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS).

Methods
In here HEK293 expression system, cells were transfected with the cDNAs for inflammasome components. Also used were peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and human monocyte-derived macrophages (HMDMs) from healthy volunteers. The interaction of CARD8 and NLRP3 was studied by immunoprecipitation. The effect of CARD8 expression on IL-1β secretion was assessed by ELISA. CARD8 knockdown experiments were carried out by transfection of the specific siRNA into HMDMs.

Results
In HEK293 cells, CARD8 interacted with wild-type NLRP3, but not with CAPS-associated mutant NLRP3. CARD8 significantly reduced IL-1β secretion from cells transfected with wild-type NLRP3, but not if they were transfected with mutant NLRP3. In addition, association of endogenously expressed CARD8 with NLRP3 was confirmed in resting PBMCs, and CARD8 knockdown resulted in higher amount of IL-1β secretion from HMDMs.

Conclusions
Until specific stimuli activate NLRP3, CARD8 holds NLRP3, and is supposed to prevent activation by subtle stimuli. However, CAPS-associated mutant NLRP3 is unable to bind with CARD8, which might be relevant to the pathogenesis of CAPS.
Platelet mitochondrial membrane depolarization reflects disease severity in patients with sepsis and correlates with clinical outcome
Authors: Gründler Katharina , Angstwurm Matthias , Hilge Robert , Baumann Philipp , Annecke Thorsten , Crispin Alexander , Sohn Hae-Young , Massberg Steffen , Kraemer Bjoern F 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
Introduction
Sepsis is still a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, even in modern times, and thrombocytopenia has been closely associated with unfavorable disease outcome. Decreases in mitochondrial membrane potential (depolarization) were found in different tissues during sepsis. Previous work suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction of platelets correlates with clinical disease activity in sepsis. However, platelet mitochondrial membrane potential (Mmp) has not been investigated in a clinical follow-up design and not with regard to disease outcome.

Methods
In this study, platelet mitochondrial membrane depolarization was assessed by means of a fluorescent Mmp-Index with flow cytometry in 26 patients with sepsis compared with control patients. Platelet Mmp-Index on admission was correlated with the clinical disease scores Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Score II (APACHE II), Sequential Organ Failure Score (SOFA), and Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (SAPS II). Finally, platelet Mmp-Index on admission and follow-up were compared in the group of sepsis survivors and nonsurvivors. Expression of the prosurvival protein Bcl-xL in platelets was quantified by immunoblotting.

Results
Platelet mitochondrial membrane depolarization correlated significantly with the simultaneously assessed clinical disease severity by APACHE II (r = -0.867; P < 0.0001), SOFA (r = -0.857; P <0.0001), and SAPS II score (r = -0.839; P < 0.0001). Patients with severe sepsis showed a significant reduction in platelet Mmp-Index compared with sepsis without organ failure (0.18 (0.12 to 0.25) versus 0.79 (0.49 to 0.85), P < 0.0006) or with the control group (0.18 (0.12 to 0.25) versus 0.89 (0.68 to 1.00), P < 0.0001). Platelet Mmp-Index remained persistently low in sepsis nonsurvivors (0.269 (0.230 to 0.305)), whereas we observed recovery of platelet Mmp-Index in the survivor group (0.9 (0.713 to 1.017)). Furthermore, the level of prosurvival protein Bcl-xL decreased in platelets during severe sepsis.

Conclusion
In this study, we demonstrated that mitochondrial membrane depolarization in platelets correlates with clinical disease severity in patients with sepsis during the disease course and may be a valuable adjunct parameter to aid in the assessment of disease severity, risk stratification, and clinical outcome.
Human adipose-derived stem cell transplantation as a potential therapy for collagen VI-related congenital muscular dystrophy
Authors: Alexeev Vitali , Arita Machiko , Donahue Adele , Bonaldo Paolo , Chu Mon-Li , Igoucheva Olga 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
Introduction
Congenital muscular dystrophies (CMD) are a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of neuromuscular disorders characterized by muscle weakness within the first two years of life. Collagen VI-related muscle disorders have recently emerged as one of the most common types of CMD. COL6 CMD is caused by deficiency and/or dysfunction of extracellular matrix (ECM) protein collagen VI. Currently, there is no specific treatment for this disabling and life-threatening disease. The primary cellular targets for collagen VI CMD therapy are fibroblasts in muscle, tendon and skin, as opposed to muscle cells for other types of muscular dystrophies. However, recent advances in stem cell research have raised the possibility that use of adult stem cells may provide dramatic new therapies for treatment of COL6 CMD.

Methods
Here, we developed a procedure for isolation of human stem cells from the adipose layer of neonatal skin. The adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC) were examined for expression of ECM and related genes using gene expression array analysis. The therapeutic potential of ADSC was assessed after a single intramuscular transplantation in collagen VI-deficient mice.

Results
Analysis of primary cultures confirmed that established ADSC represent a morphologically homogenous population with phenotypic and functional features of adult mesenchymal stem cells. A comprehensive gene expression analysis showed that ADSC express a vast array of ECM genes. Importantly, it was observed that ADSC synthesize and secrete all three collagen VI chains, suggesting suitability of ADSC for COL6 CMD treatment. Furthermore, we have found that a single intramuscular transplantation of ADSC into Col6a1
−/−
Rag1
−/−
mice under physiological and cardiotoxin-induced injury/regeneration conditions results in efficient engraftment and migration of stem cells within the skeletal muscle. Importantly, we showed that ADSC can survive long-term and continuously secrete the therapeutic collagen VI protein missing in the mutant mice.

Conclusions
Overall, our findings suggest that stem cell therapy can potentially provide a new avenue for the treatment of COL6 CMD and other muscular disorders and injuries.
Models of culture and modelling culture: Visiting artists as cultural ambassadors
Authors: Gall David 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
However lofty our educational goals, models of culture inform our teaching for better or worse. Therefore the quality of our theories of culture makes a difference to alleviating teacher anxieties about teaching diverse cultures and to better transcultural teaching. Effective preparation for multicultural teaching needs the best models of culture available, opportunities to interact with diverse cultures, and reflective practice about art teaching as a transcultural event. The limitations of dominant models of culture, which generally either assume people are puppets of cultural systems, or that cultural systems are epiphenomena of people’s actions, are reviewed. Transformative models developed by Critical Realists are recommended. Reflection on a visiting artist workshop as a case study of transcultural interaction complements the review of theory. Not knowing is the engine of cultural change; and lack of total control a reason for improvisation. Familiarity with culture’s Janus faces, fluid/incoherent and comforting/coherent, relieves teacher anxieties.
FDG-PET-CT in the early response evaluation for primary systemic therapy of breast cancer
Authors: Tőkés Tímea , Torgyík László , Kulka Janina , Borka Katalin , Szász Attila , Tóth Andrea , Harsányi László , Lengyel Zsolt , Györke Tamás , Dank Magdolna 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
Primary systemic therapy (PST) is a standard treatment for patients with locally advanced breast cancer. We report one of our patients to demonstrate the optimal use of FDG-PET-CT in the routine clinical workup during PST, especially when clinicians face contradictory clinical and pathological findings, and to show the advantages of this imaging modality in the decision-making process about the initial treatment choice. By reviewing the literature we would also like to confirm that FDG-PET-CT is highly sensitive in the measurement of the early therapeutic response and the prediction of the complete pathological remission, as early as after the first cycle of chemotherapy is administered.
Double teeth: evaluation of 10-years of clinical material
Authors: Koszowski Rafał , Waśkowska Jadwiga , Kucharski Grzegorz , Śmieszek-Wilczewska Joanna 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
The aim of the study was to evaluate 10-years of clinical material referring to the rare dental abnormality of double teeth. The study material consisted of case records, operation-books and radiographic or photographic documentation on patients treated in the Department of Oral Surgery, Silesian Medical University, Katowice, from the 1st of June 2000 to the 31st of May 2010. The following features were considered important: age and sex, the reason why the patient reported for treatment, general state of health, the time of recognition and type of double teeth, location of double teeth, complaints and disturbances connected with double teeth, types of radiographs, the radiographic and macroscopic appearance of double teeth and treatment method. Diagnoses were as follows: eight conrescent teeth, two fused teeth, two geminated teeth and one invaginated tooth. The anomaly of a deciduous tooth was referred to in one case only. Double teeth were most often seen in the region of maxillary incisors and molars but rarely in the mandible. The region of incisors was affected chiefly in children and the region of molars in adults. Double incisors are usually recognized prior to treatment whereas double molars as late as during their extraction. In many cases, neither intraoral radiographs nor pantomographs help to confirm double teeth or provide sufficient information to plan the treatment. In such a situation, CT or CBCT should be used in addition to imaging diagnostics. Double teeth among incisors are usually accompanied by occlusal disorders. Therefore the therapeutic management is conducted by a team, including orthodontists.
Numerical Modeling of Macroscale Brittle Rock Crushing during Impacts
Authors: Badr Salah A. , Abdelhaffez Gamal S. 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
Several machines, such as crushers use the physical effect of compression to cause fragmentation “crushing” of brittle rocks. As a consequence of the complex fragmentation process, crushers are still sized by empirical approaches. This paper presents the results of a numerical study to understand some aspects of rock crushing phenomenon in terms of energy consumption. The study uses the discrete element approach of PFC2D code to simulate a stamp mill. The stamp mill has a simple crushing mechanism of a fixed kinetic energy delivered by a rigid ram impact. A single rock fragment crushing process dependent on the number of stamp mill ram blows is numerically examined. Both amount and type of energy generated by a ram blow are monitored besides the type of fractures generated. The model results indicate that the ram impact energy is mainly consumed in form of friction energy (up to 61 %) while strain energy stays at about 5 % of delivered energy. The energy consumed by crushing the rock represents only 32 % to 45 % of stamp mill energy and tends to decrease as the number of impacts increases. The rock fragmented matrix tends to convert into more friction energy with reduced number of new fractures as number of blows increase. The fragmentation caused by tensile is more often compared to those caused by shear, this behaviour increased with increasing number of ram blows.
Dietitians’ Perceptions of Precepting: Knowledge, Skills, Attitudes, Barriers, and Training
Authors: Nasser Roseann , Morley Catherine , Cook Stephanie , Coleman Jean , Berenbaum Shawna 
Published: February 2014

Purpose The extent to which dietitians agreed or disagreed with key informants’ perceptions of precepting knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSA), training needs, and barriers was determined. Methods A 98-item survey was developed and distributed electronically to Dietitians of Canada members (n=5376). Results Of the 750 respondents who completed the survey (14% response rate), more than 95% agreed that preceptors should have knowledge of promoting learning and skills acquisition, and of learner assessment and evaluation. More than 90% of respondents agreed that preceptors should have skills in planning, teaching, coaching, research, facilitation, and evaluation. Differences in respondents’ perceptions of preceptor participation in practice-based research differed with years of experience. Respondents with fewer than five years of experience had a higher level of agreement that preceptors should participate in practice-based research than did those with more experience (P<0.05). Respondents indicated that barriers to precepting training were insufficient time (93%) and work environments not supportive of precepting (64%). Conclusions The findings articulate the KSA, training needs, and barriers to precepting considered significant for dietitian preceptors. The results are important for the advocacy for resources to support the training and development of preceptors, upon whom sustainability of the profession depends.