bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Echocardiography and Coronary CT Angiography Imaging of Variations in Coronary Anatomy and Coronary Abnormalities in Athletic Children: Detection of Coronary Abnormalities that Create a Risk for Sudden Death
Authors: Attili Anil , Hensley Allison K. , Jones Fredrick D. , Grabham Jason , DiSessa Thomas G. 
Published: November 2012

In a recent publication, Maron et al. reported the causes of sudden death in athletes from data collected in the US National Registry of Sudden Death in Athletes at the Minneapolis Heart Institute Registry. It is not surprising that in this study, cardiovascular disease is reported as the most common cause of sudden death in athletes (56%). The most frequently encountered cardiac pathology was hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (36% of the population who died of cardiac disease). Coronary artery anomalies of wrong sinus origin were next in frequency (17%). Less common causes attributed to coronary pathology were Kawasaki disease, origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery, atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, and myocardial bridging of the left anterior descending artery. Echocardiographic imaging along with color and pulsed‐wave Doppler has been widely employed to visualize the anatomy and function of the heart and proves to be a valuable instrument in the identification of coronary artery abnormalities. Moreover, coronary CT angiography provides additional confirmatory information. This article will discuss the scope, importance, and implications of echocardiographic and coronary CT angiography imaging of the major coronary anomalies and abnormalities in young athletes who are at risk of sudden death and who otherwise have a structurally normal heart.
Images in Cardiovascular Medicine: Caseous Calcification of the Mitral Annulus
Authors: Pugliatti Pietro , Piccione Maurizio Cusmà , Ascenti Giorgio , Germanò Antonino , Recupero Antonino , Oreto Giuseppe , Carerj Scipione 
Published: November 2012

A 78‐year‐old woman was admitted to our emergency department for subarachnoid hemorrhage. Since a month ago, she was taking warfarin after diagnosis, on transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE), of a suspected large atrial thrombus. The patient, referred to our institution for further investigation, presented asymptomatic; electrocardiogram showed sinus rhythm. TTE revealed an echo dense spherical mass located in the mitral periannular posterior region with moderate mitral regurgitation. Transesophageal echocardiography and cardiac computed tomography confirmed a calcified round mass (2.0 × 2.9 cm) with central areas of echolucency‐like liquefaction surrounded by a hyperechogenic structure without systolic flow inside the cavity. The mass was diagnosed as caseous calcification of the mitral annulus (CCMA), a rare finding associated with a benign prognosis, requiring surgery only in the presence of mitral valve dysfunction. The diagnosis of CCMA is, often, misconstrued as thrombus, tumor, or abscess, leading to unnecessary investigations or interventions. Our patient was discharged after discontinuation of warfarin.
Nonassociative plasticity alters competitive interactions among mixture components in early olfactory processing
Authors: Locatelli Fernando F. , Fernandez Patricia C. , Villareal Francis , Muezzinoglu Kerem , Huerta Ramon , Galizia C. Giovanni , Smith Brian H. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractExperience‐related plasticity is an essential component of networks involved in early olfactory processing. However, the mechanisms and functions of plasticity in these neural networks are not well understood. We studied nonassociative plasticity by evaluating responses to two pure odors (A and X) and their binary mixture using calcium imaging of odor‐elicited activity in output neurons of the honey bee antennal lobe. Unreinforced exposure to A or X produced no change in the neural response elicited by the pure odors. However, exposure to one odor (e.g. A) caused the response to the mixture to become more similar to that of the other component (X). We also show in behavioral analyses that unreinforced exposure to A caused the mixture to become perceptually more similar to X. These results suggest that nonassociative plasticity modifies neural networks in such a way that it affects local competitive interactions among mixture components. We used a computational model to evaluate the most likely targets for modification. Hebbian modification of synapses from inhibitory local interneurons to projection neurons most reliably produced the observed shift in response to the mixture. These results are consistent with a model in which the antennal lobe acts to filter olfactory information according to its relevance for performing a particular task.
Visual mismatch negativity is sensitive to symmetry as a perceptual category
Authors: Kecskés‐Kovács Krisztina , Sulykos István , Czigler István 
Published: November 2012

AbstractWe investigated the sensitivity of visual mismatch negativity (vMMN) to an abstract and non‐semantic category, vertical mirror symmetry. Event‐related potentials (ERPs) elicited by random and symmetric square patterns, delivered in passive oddball paradigm (participants played a video game), were recorded. In one of the conditions, symmetric patterns were frequent (standard) stimuli and the random patterns were infrequent (deviant) stimuli; in the other condition, the probabilities were reversed. We compared the ERPs elicited by symmetric stimuli as deviants and as standards, and, similarly, the ERPs elicited by the random deviants and random standards. As the difference between the ERPs elicited by random deviant and random standard stimuli, a posterior negativity emerged in two latency ranges (112–120 and 284–292 ms). These negativities were considered to be vMMN components. We suggest that the two vMMN components are organised in cascade error signals. However, there was no significant difference between the ERPs elicited by symmetric deviants and those elicited by symmetric standards. The emergence of vMMN in response to the deviant random stimuli is considered to be a deviation of a perceptual category (in the symmetric standard sequence presented). Accordingly, random stimuli acquired no perceptual category; for this reason, the symmetric deviant (in the random standard sequence presented) elicited no vMMN. The results show that the memory system underlying vMMN is capable of coding perceptual categories such as bilateral symmetry, even if the stimulus patterns are unrelated to the ongoing behavior.
Non‐linear relationship between intensity of plant–animal interactions and selection strength
Authors: Vanhoenacker Didrik , Ågren Jon , Ehrlén Johan 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe shape of the relationship between intensity of biotic interactions and strength of selection is important for spatial variation in selection, but is little explored. We quantified interactions and selection in 69 populations of the short‐lived herb Primula farinosa. As predicted because of saturation and depletion effects, the strength of selection on a discrete and on a continuously varying floral display trait were in several cases significantly non‐linearly related to the mean intensity of mutualistic and antagonistic interactions. Strength of selection was strongest at low levels of fruit initiation and at high intensities of seed predation. Seed predation varied more among populations than did fruit initiation and could explain a larger proportion of the among‐population variation in strength of selection. Our results support the contention that interaction intensity affects selection strength, and suggests that for mutualistic and antagonistic interactions that can be saturated or depleted, this relationship is sometimes non‐linear.
Crystal structures of murine angiogenin‐2 and ‐3 – probing ‘structure – function’ relationships amongst angiogenin homologues
Authors: Iyer Shalini , Holloway Daniel E. , Acharya K. Ravi 
Published: November 2012

Angiogenin (Ang) is a potent inducer of neovascularization. Point mutations in human Ang have been linked to cancer progression and two neurodegenerative diseases: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Parkinson's disease. Intensive structural and functional analyses of Ang have been paramount in assigning functions to this novel homologue of bovine pancreatic RNase A. However, inhibitor‐binding studies with crystalline Ang (for designing potential anti‐cancer drugs) have been hampered as a result of the inaccessibility of the active site. Experiments with the murine homologues of Ang have not only overcome the obvious practical limitations encountered when studying the role of a human protein in healthy individuals, but also the crystal structures of murine angiogenins (mAng and mAng‐4) have revealed themselves to have greater potential for the visualization of small‐molecule inhibitor binding at the active site. In the present study, we report the crystal structures of two more murine Ang paralogues, mAng‐2 and mAng‐3, at 1.6 and 1.8 Å resolution, respectively. These constitute the first crystal structures of an Ang with a zinc ion bound at the active site and provide some insight into the possible mode of inhibition of the ribonucleolytic activity of the enzyme by these divalent cations. Both structures show that the residues forming the putative P1, B1 and B2 subsites occupy positions similar to their counterparts in human Ang and are likely to have conserved roles. However, a less obtrusive conformation of the C‐terminal segment in mAng‐3 and the presence of a sulfate ion in the B1 subsite of mAng‐2 suggest that these proteins have the potential to be used for inhibitor‐binding studies. We also discuss the biological relevance of the structural similarities and differences between the different Ang homologues.DatabaseThe atomic coordinates and structure factors for mAng‐2 (3ZBV) and mAng‐3 (3ZBW) have been deposited in the Protein Data Bank, Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA (http://www.rcsb.org/).Structured digital abstract

mAng2 and mAng3 bind by x-ray crystallography (View interaction)
Microbial community structure and sulfur biogeochemistry in mildly‐acidic sulfidic geothermal springs in Yellowstone National Park
Authors: Macur R.E. , Jay Z.J. , Taylor W.P. , Kozubal M.A. , Kocar B.D. , Inskeep W.P. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractGeothermal and hydrothermal waters often contain high concentrations of dissolved sulfide, which reacts with oxygen (abiotically or biotically) to yield elemental sulfur and other sulfur species that may support microbial metabolism. The primary goal of this study was to elucidate predominant biogeochemical processes important in sulfur biogeochemistry by identifying predominant sulfur species and describing microbial community structure within high‐temperature, hypoxic, sulfur sediments ranging in pH from 4.2 to 6.1. Detailed analysis of aqueous species and solid phases present in hypoxic sulfur sediments revealed unique habitats containing high concentrations of dissolved sulfide, thiosulfate, and arsenite, as well as rhombohedral and spherical elemental sulfur and/or sulfide phases such as orpiment, stibnite, and pyrite, as well as alunite and quartz. Results from 16S rRNA gene sequencing show that these sediments are dominated by Crenarchaeota of the orders Desulfurococcales and Thermoproteales. Numerous cultivated representatives of these lineages, as well as the Thermoproteales strain (WP30) isolated in this study, require complex sources of carbon and respire elemental sulfur. We describe a new archaeal isolate (strain WP30) belonging to the order Thermoproteales (phylum Crenarchaeota, 98% identity to Pyrobaculum/Thermoproteus spp. 16S rRNA genes), which was obtained from sulfur sediments using in situ geochemical composition to design cultivation medium. This isolate produces sulfide during growth, which further promotes the formation of sulfide phases including orpiment, stibnite, or pyrite, depending on solution conditions. Geochemical, molecular, and physiological data were integrated to suggest primary factors controlling microbial community structure and function in high‐temperature sulfur sediments.
Associations of the IL‐1F7 gene polymorphisms with rheumatoid arthritis in Chinese Han population
Authors: Pei B. , Xu S. , Liu T. , Pan F. , Xu J. , Ding C. 
Published: November 2012

SummaryOur aim was to investigate whether genetic polymorphism of IL‐1F7 (rs3811047) was involved in the susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Chinese Han population. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of IL‐1F7 gene (rs3811047) was analyzed in 184 unrelated Chinese Han patients with RA and 184 healthy controls by ligase detection reaction based on high temperature ligase detection reactions polymerase chain reaction (LDR‐PCR). There were no statistically significant differences in the genetic polymorphism (genotypes and allele frequencies) of IL‐1F7 (rs3811047) in the patients with RA compared with control. Although all of the clinical and laboratory measures were similar to each other among patients with different genotypes, RA patients carrying AA or AG genotypes had lower swollen joint count, swollen joint index, rest pain and health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) score than that in patients having GG genotype (P < 0.05). These findings show that no evidence for the involvement of a pro‐inflammatory polymorphism in the IL‐1F7 in the susceptibility to RA in China. Patients carrying A allele had less severe disease activity than those not carrying this allele, suggesting that the A allele of IL‐1F7 gene (rs3811047) may have a protective effect on RA.
Parallel host range expansion in two unrelated cossid moths infesting Eucalyptus nitens on two continents
Authors: DEGEFU DAWIT T. , HURLEY BRETT P. , GARNAS JEFF , WINGFIELD MICHAEL J. , AHUMADA RODRIGO , SLIPPERS BERNARD 
Published: November 2012

1. Two cossid moths, Coryphodema tristis Drury and Chilecomadia valdiviana Philippi, have recently become pests on Eucalyptus nitens H. Deane & Maiden in South Africa and Chile, respectively. Both C. tristis and C. valdiviana have large host ranges and high levels of similarity in their host distributions. Their infestations of E. nitens are the first records of these moths on Myrtaceae.2. The contemporaneous adoption of E. nitens as a novel host, despite widespread availability of native and introduced Myrtaceae, suggests a non‐random pattern of invasion. Phylogenetic relatedness among the two species linked to cryptic invasion of one or both moths at some time in the recent past provides a possible explanation for this pattern.3. To test this hypothesis, variation in mtDNA sequences for the COI gene of C. tristis and C. valdiviana were analyzed. The COI mtDNA sequence data showed that C. tristis and C. valdiviana are highly divergent genetically, indicating that both are native on their respective continents with independent evolutionary trajectories.4. The parallel host range expansions to E. nitens on different continents appear to be unrelated events, likely driven by characteristics of the biology and/or ecology of the host.
Environmental heterogeneity mediates a cross‐ecosystem trophic cascade
Authors: MOON DANIEL C. , SILVA DIANA 
Published: November 2012

1. The flow of energy and nutrients across ecosystem boundaries can have significant community‐wide effects, but the role of productivity of the recipient habitat in mediating these effects remains unclear. This is especially true when organisms moving across ecosystem boundaries serve simultaneously as predators and prey.2. In this study, the effects of odonates, primarily Enallagma civile (Hagen), on a salt marsh system were examined. Cages were used to exclude odonate predators, but not other arthropods, from experimental plots of the sea oxeye daisy, Borrichia frutescens (L.) in high and low productivity areas. The effects were assessed on the in situ arthropod community and the host plant.3. There were strong direct effects of predation on the herbivores Pissonotus quadripustulatus Van Duzee and Asphondylia borrichiae Rossi and Strong, with higher densities where damselflies were excluded. Damselflies also served as prey for web‐building spiders. This resulted in lower spider densities inside cages, and a positive indirect effect on grasshopper densities.4. Direct and indirect effects of odonates were greater in the high productivity area, resulting in a trophic cascade, with greater damage and reduced flowering and density of the host plant inside cages.5. The results of this study support the subsidy hypothesis and show that theoretical models of trophic dynamics, which were developed to explain exchanges within ecosystems, may have predictive and explanatory value for exchanges across ecosystems as well.
Nurses' experiences of participation in a research and development programme
Authors: Bäck‐Pettersson Siv , Jensen Kirsten P , Kylén Sven , Sernert Ninni , Hermansson Evelyn 
Published: November 2012

Aims and objectivesTo describe clinical nurses' experience of participating in a Research and Development (R&D) programme and its influence on their research interest and ability to conduct and apply nursing research.BackgroundTo stimulate nurses' research interest and to overcome barriers for building research capacity in nursing, there is a need for sustainable research programmes. A two‐year programme was designed for nurses, to take part in both an academic education for master and research seminars and workshops to conduct a research project from idea to publication.DesignA qualitative approach using using focus group interviews.MethodsRegistered nurses (n = 12) with a bachelor's degree in nursing, participated. Data were collected in focus group interviews, after one year and when the programme ended. Content analysis was used to analyse the data.ResultsThe findings consist of two themes: being a traveller in the world of nursing research, which included three categories, and experiencing professional growth as a result of nursing research training, in both cases focusing on the experience of students involved in a cohesive programme which included four categories: discovering new dimensions of clinical nursing practice; selected and confirmed; supported by professional others; development of professional self‐concept.ConclusionsTo support early career researchers, there is a need for strong leadership, an organisational and supportive infrastructure underpinning research capability building in nurses. In this context, research strategies, programmes and collaboration between leaders of academia and clinical institutions appear to be essential.Relevance to clinical practiceThe R&D programme illustrates an effective way of stimulating nurses' lifelong learning by building the capacity to conduct and apply nursing research in clinical practice. The structure of the programme can be used as a model in other contexts.
Positivity for HLA DR1 is associated with basal cell carcinoma in renal transplant patients in southern Brazil
Authors: de Carvalho André V. E. , Bonamigo Renan R. , da Silva Cristina M. , De Zorzi Pinto Ângela C. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackground  Renal transplant patients have a higher incidence of non‐melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). Previous studies hypothesized that human leukocyte antigen (HLA), especially types DR1, DR4, and DR7, may influence the incidence of these tumors. This study investigates the association between NMSC and the presence of HLA DR1, DR4, and DR7 in renal transplant patients in southern Brazil.Methods  In a historical cohort study, 1032 patients who underwent renal transplantation during the period from January 1993 to December 2006 were examined to identify occurrences of NMSC and HLA status prior to transplant.Results  Of the 1032 patients examined, 59 (5.71%) developed NMSC (squamous cell carcinoma [SCC]: 2.42%; basal cell carcinoma [BCC]: 1.74%; both: 1.55%). The presence of HLA DR1 was associated with a higher probability of developing any NMSC and particularly with developing BCC (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant association between the presence of HLA DR4 or DR7 and the occurrence of NMSC in this sample.Conclusions  HLA DR1 appears to be associated with the development of BCC, as well as with the higher number of NMSC lesions in renal transplant patients. This study supports the trend to associate the DR1 allele with BCC and not with SCC.
The treatment of keloids with pneumatic technology: a pilot study
Authors: Kim Hyun Kyu , Park Mi Kyung , Kim Beom Joon , Kim Myeung Nam , Kim Chan Woong , Kim Sung Eun 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackground Keloid scars derive from abnormal fibrous wound healing when the mechanisms controlling tissue repair and regeneration malfunction. Previous studies have reported a reduction in hyaluronic acid among fibroblasts cultured from keloid tissue compared with the levels in normal skin. Here, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of subdermal minimal surgery using hyaluronic acid as a novel treatment in keloid scars.Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of subdermal minimal surgery technology in the treatment of keloids.Materials and methods Ten Korean patients (Fitzpatrick skin type II–IV) with keloids on the upper arms were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent three sessions of subdermal minimal surgery at three‐week intervals. Scar assessments were performed at baseline, before each treatment session, and three months after the final treatment, with three different assessment methods. Specifically, in addition to the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS), two independent physicians performed global assessment evaluations regarding the final cosmetic results. As a final form of assessment, participant satisfaction was assessed using a four‐point scale.Results All volunteers completed three treatment sessions, and nine of 10 patients were satisfied with the procedure. The average VSS score decreased three months after the final treatment, and global assessment showed clinical improvement of the scars. No adverse events occurred, except transient spot bleeding at entry points and slight post‐procedure edema, which resolved within 48 hours.Conclusion Subdermal minimal surgery technology may help to improve keloids on the upper arm without noticeable adverse effects.
Skin manifestations of nutritional deficiency disease in children: modern day contexts
Authors: Lee Lara Wine , Yan Albert C. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractNutritional deficiency syndromes, such as scurvy, pellagra, and beriberi are of historical significance but have largely disappeared from modern society. However, certain populations of children in modern society are at risk of severe nutritional complications. The rarity of these syndromes and lack of understanding about modern‐day risk factors for nutritional deficiency often delays diagnosis. Dermatologists must maintain an appropriate index of suspicion for these characteristic syndromes as many of the deficiency states present with cutaneous manifestations. Here we review the cutaneous manifestations of macronutrient and micronutrient deficiency syndromes as well as those populations of children that remain at risk for developing severe disease.