bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification of Acute Stroke Using Quantified Brain Electrical Activity
Authors: Michelson Edward A. , Hanley Daniel , Chabot Robert , Prichep Leslie S. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractObjectivesAcute stroke is a leading cause of brain injury and death and requires rapid and accurate diagnosis. Noncontrast head computed tomography (CT) is the first line for diagnosis in the emergency department (ED). Complicating rapid triage are presenting conditions that clinically mimic stroke. There is an extensive literature reporting clinical utility of brain electrical activity in early diagnosis and management of acute stroke. However, existing technologies do not lend themselves to easily acquired rapid evaluation. This investigation used an independently derived classifier algorithm for the identification of traumatic structural brain injury based on brain electrical activity recorded from a reduced frontal montage to explore the potential clinical utility of such an approach in acute stroke assessment.MethodsAdult patients (age 18 to 95 years) presenting with stroke‐like and/or altered mental status symptoms were recruited from urban academic EDs as part of a large research study evaluating the clinical utility of quantitative brain electrical activity in acutely brain‐injured patients. All patients from the parent study who had confirmed strokes, and a control group of stroke mimics (those with final ED diagnoses of migraine or syncope), were selected for this study. All stroke patients underwent head CT scans. Some patients with negative CTs had further imaging with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Ten minutes of electroencephalographic data were acquired on a hand‐held device in development, from five frontal electrodes. Data analyses were done offline. A Structural Brain Injury Index (SBII) was derived using an independently developed binary discriminant classification algorithm whose input was specified features of brain electrical activity. The SBII was previously found to have high accuracy in the identification of traumatic brain‐injured patients who were found to have brain injury on CT (CT+). This algorithm was applied to patients in this study and used to classify patients as CT+ or not CT+. Performance was assessed using sensitivity, specificity, and negative and positive predictive values (NPV, PPV).ResultsForty‐eight stroke patients (31 ischemic and 17 hemorrhagic) and 135 stroke mimic controls were included. Within the ischemic population, approximately half were CT– but later confirmed for stroke with MRI (CT–/MRI+). Sensitivity to stroke was 91.7%, specificity 50.4% (to stroke mimic), NPV 94.4%, and PPV 39.6%. Eighty percent of the CT–/MRI+ ischemic strokes were correctly identified at the time of the CT– scan.ConclusionsDespite a small population and the use of a classifier without the benefit of training on a stroke population, these data suggest that a rapidly acquired, easy‐to‐use system to assess brain electrical activity at the time of evaluation of acute stroke could be a valuable adjunct to current clinical practice.
The Effect of Laboratory Testing on Emergency Department Length of Stay: A Multihospital Longitudinal Study Applying a Cross‐classified Random‐effect Modeling Approach
Authors: Li Ling , Georgiou Andrew , Vecellio Elia , Eigenstetter Alex , Toouli George , Wilson Roger , Westbrook Johanna I. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractObjectivesThe objective was to examine the relationship between laboratory testing (including test volume and turnaround time [TAT]) and emergency department (ED) length of stay (LOS), using linked patient‐level data from four hospitals across 4 years.MethodsThis was a retrospective, multisite cohort study of patients presenting to any one of fourEDs in New South Wales, Australia, during a 2‐month period (August and September) in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011. Data fromEDinformation systems were linked to laboratory test data. A cross‐classified random‐effect modeling approach was applied to identify factors affectingED LOS, taking into account the correlation between patients' presentations at the same hospital and/or in the same calendar year. Number of test order episodes (tests ordered at one point in time during theEDstay) andTAT(time from laboratory order receipt to result available) were examined.ResultsAs the number of test order episodes increased, so did the duration of patientED LOS(p < 0.0001). For every five additional tests ordered per test order episode, the medianED LOSincreased by 10 minutes (2.9%, p < 0.0001); each 30‐minute increase inTATwas, on average, associated with a 5.1% (17 minutes; p < 0.0001) increase inED LOS, after adjustment for other factors. Patients presenting to theEDat night (7 p.m. to 7 a.m.) had longer stays than those presenting during the daytime, although the medianTATs at nights were shorter than those during the daytime.ConclusionsLaboratory testing has a direct effect on patients'LOSinED. LaboratoryTAT, number of testing episodes, and test volume influenceED LOS. Targeted increases ofEDresources and staffing after‐hours may also contribute to reductions inED LOS.
US federal cocaine essential (‘precursor’) chemical regulation impacts on US cocaine availability: an intervention time–series analysis with temporal replication
Authors: Cunningham James K. , Callaghan Russell C. , Liu Lon‐Mu 
Published: January 2015

AbstractBackground and AimsResearch shows that essential/precursor chemical controls have had substantial impacts on US methamphetamine and heroin availability. This study examines whether US federal essential chemical regulations have impacted US cocaine seizure amount, price and purity—indicators of cocaine availability.DesignAutoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA)‐intervention time–series analysis was used to assess the impacts of four US regulations targeting cocaine manufacturing chemicals: potassium permanganate/selected solvents, implemented October 1989 sulfuric acid/hydrochloric acid, implemented October 1992; methyl isobutyl ketone, implemented May 1995; and sodium permanganate, implemented December 2006. Of these chemicals, potassium permanganate and sodium permanganate are the most critical to cocaine production.SettingConterminous United States (January 1987—April 2011).MeasurementsMonthly time–series: purity‐adjusted cocaine seizure amount (in gross weight seizures < 6000 grams), purity‐adjusted price (all available seizures), and purity (all available seizures). Data source: System to Retrieve Information from Drug Evidence.FindingsThe 1989 potassium permanganate/solvents regulation was associated with a seizure amount decrease (change in series level) of 28% (P < 0.05), a 36% increase in price (P < 0.05) and a 4% decrease in purity (P < 0.05). Availability recovered in 1–2 years. The 2006 potassium permanganate regulation was associated with a 22% seizure amount decrease (P < 0.05), 100% price increase (P < 0.05) and 35% purity decrease (P < 0.05). Following the 2006 regulation, essentially no recovery occurred to April 2011. The other two chemical regulations were associated with statistically significant but lesser declines in indicated availability.ConclusionsIn the United States, essential chemical controls from 1989 to 2006 were associated with pronounced downturns in cocaine availability.
Islam and Human Rights: A Growing Rapprochement?
Authors: Johnston David L. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractCan Islamic thought provide a basis for a fully developed theory of human rights? This article begins with an examination of the tensions between religion in general and the secular framing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). From a historical perspective, it then delves into the history of the relationship between Muslim political and religious leaders and the UDHR. With that background in mind, the author analyzes the positions of three influential Muslim scholars on human rights: Khaled Abou El Fadl's emphasis on ethics and law; Abdulaziz Sachedina's recent bookIslam and the Challenge of Human Rights(2009), in which he urges the traditionalists to develop a “public theology”; and finally, Abdullahi An‐Na'im's focus on shari'a and the secular state. He concludes that the majority of Muslims worldwide remain more conservative than these authors, and yet they overwhelmingly support the notion of human rights. This bodes well for the growing influence of such reformist thinking and, as a result, for the retooling of traditional Islamic jurisprudence in addressing human rights.
Impacts of an Extreme Precipitation Event on Dipterocarp Mortality and Habitat Filtering in a Bornean Tropical Rain Forest
Authors: Margrove James A. , Burslem David F. R. P. , Ghazoul Jaboury , Khoo Eyen , Kettle Chris J. , Maycock Colin R. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThe frequency of extreme precipitation events is predicted to increase in some tropical regions in response to global climate change, but the impacts of this form of disturbance on the structure and dynamics of tropical tree communities across heterogeneous landscapes remain understudied. We determined the effects of an extreme precipitation event (EPE) in July 2006 on mortality of dipterocarps on a 68 ha permanent inventory plot in Sepilok Forest Reserve, Sabah. For stems ≥30 cm dbh, 12 of the 15 species of Dipterocarpaceae on this plot have significant positive and/or negative associations to habitats defined by topography and soil type. Short‐term mortality induced by the EPE was much greater for individuals growing on the alluvial floodplain (13.7%) than in the mudstone (1.4%) or sandstone (0.0%) habitats, but mortality of dipterocarps did not differ among these habitats in the subsequent 5‐yr interval. The likelihood of mortality in response to the EPE was highest for a small group of fast growing dipterocarps that possess low wood density and a strong association to the alluvial forest habitat. This group of species represents a high percentage of dipterocarp individuals but a low proportion of dipterocarp diversity in this habitat. We conclude that disturbance induced by high rainfall events contributes to the episodic nature of tropical forest dynamics, and that increases in the frequency of these events would disproportionately impact low‐lying alluvial forest environments and some of the species growing in them.
CXCL10 induces the recruitment of monocyte-derived macrophages into kidney, which aggravate puromycin aminonucleoside nephrosis
Authors: Petrovic-Djergovic D , Popovic M , Chittiprol S , Cortado H , Ransom R F , Partida-Sánchez S 
Published: January 2015

Summary
The mechanism responsible for trafficking of monocyte-derived macrophages into kidney in the puromycin aminonucleoside model of nephrotic syndrome in rats (PAN-NS), and the significance of this infiltration, remain largely unknown. CXCL10, a chemokine secreted in many T helper type 1 (Th1) inflammatory diseases, exhibits important roles in trafficking of monocytes and activated T cells. We hypothesized that induction of circulating interferon (IFN)-γ and glomerular tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α during PAN-NS would stimulate the release of CXCL10 by podocytes, leading to infiltration of activated immune cells and greater glomerular injury. We found that serum IFN-γ, glomerular Cxcl10 mRNA and intra- and peri-glomerular macrophage infiltration were induced strongly during the late acute phase of PAN-NS in Wistar rats, but not in nude (Foxn1rnu/rnu) rats lacking functional effector T lymphocytes. Wistar rats also developed significantly greater proteinuria than nude rats, which could be abolished by macrophage depletion. Stimulation of cultured podocytes with both IFN-γ and TNF-α markedly induced the expression of Cxcl10 mRNA and CXCL10 secretion. Together, these data support our hypothesis that increased circulating IFN-γ and glomerular TNF-α induce synergistically the production and secretion of CXCL10 by podocytes, attracting activated macrophages into kidney tissue. The study also suggests that IFN-γ, secreted from Th1 lymphocytes, may prime proinflammatory macrophages that consequently aggravate renal injury.
Longitudinal analysis of maternal serum Follistatin concentration in normal pregnancy and preeclampsia
Authors: Garcés María F. , Vallejo Sergio A. , Sanchez Elizabeth , Palomino‐Palomino Miguel A. , Leal Luis G. , Ángel‐Muller Edith , Díaz‐Cruz Luz A. , Ruíz‐Parra Ariel Iván , González‐Clavijo Angélica M. , Castaño Justo P. , Abba Martin , Lacunza Ezequiel , Diéguez Carlos , Nogueiras Rubén , Caminos Jorge E. 
Published: January 2015

SummaryObjectiveFollistatin (FST) is a regulator of the biological activity of activin A (Act A), binding and blocking it, which could contribute to the modulation of its pro‐inflammatory activity during pregnancy. We sought to investigate, in this nested case–control study, FST serum levels during normal pregnancy and correlate it with the FST profile in preeclamptic pregnant women, normal pregnant women followed 3 months postpartum and eumenorrheic nonpregnant women throughout the menstrual cycle.Subjects and MethodsFollistatin serum levels determined by ELISA, biochemical and anthropometric variables were measured in normal pregnant (n = 28) and preeclamptic (n = 20) women during three periods of gestation. In addition, FST serum levels were measured in a subset of normal pregnant women (n = 13) followed 3 months postpartum and in eumenorrheic nonpregnant women (n = 20) during the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle.ResultsFollistatin serum levels in the eumenorrheic nonpregnant and postpartum group were significantly lower when compared to levels throughout gestation (P < 0·01). Serum FST levels increased in each period of pregnancy analysed, being significantly higher towards the end of gestation (P < 0·01). FST levels were lower in late pregnancy in preeclamptic women compared to normal pregnant women (P < 0·05). Finally, FST levels were higher in the luteal phase when compared with the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle (P < 0·05).ConclusionsThese analyses would permit the consideration that changes in FST levels during pregnancy contribute to the control of the Act A system.
Polygenic expression of teratozoospermia and normal fertility in B10.MOL‐TEN1 mouse strain
Authors: Hirawatari Keitaro , Hanzawa Naoto , Kuwahara Maki , Aoyama Hiroaki , Miura Ikuo , Wakana Shigeharu , Gotoh Hideo 
Published: January 2015

AbstractSubfertility and infertility are two major reproductive health problems in human and domestic animals. The contribution of the genotype to these conditions is poorly understood. To examine the genetic basis of male subfertility, we analyzed its relationship to sperm morphology in B10.MOL‐TEN1 mice, which shows high‐frequencies (about 50%) of morphologically abnormal sperm. Drastic histological changes were also found in the testis of the B10.MOL‐TEN1. Segregation analysis showed that the abnormal sperm phenotype in B10.MOL‐TEN1 was inherited and was predictably controlled by at least three loci. We also found that male fertility of this strain was normal. These findings indicate a complicated relationship between sperm morphology and male subfertility.
Radiological comparison of laser‐microtextured and platform‐switched implants in thin mucosal biotype
Authors: Linkevicius Tomas , Puisys Algirdas , Svediene Olga , Linkevicius Rokas , Linkeviciene Laura 
Published: January 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo compare how laser‐microtextured implants and implants with platform switching maintain crestal bone stability in thin peri‐implant tissues.Material and methodsThirty laser‐microtextured implants of 4.6 mm diameter (Tapered Internal Laser‐Lok, BioHorizons, Birmingham, AL, USA; Group 1) and 30 implants with platform switching of 5/4 mm diameter (Certain Prevail; Biomet/3i, Palm Beach Gardens, FL, USA; Group 2) were placed in 30 patients (12 males and 18 females, mean age 42.3 ± 2.4) with thin mucosal tissues (≤2 mm). Implants were placed in posterior mandible in one‐stage approach and after integration were restored with screw‐retained metal‐ceramic restorations. Radiographic examination was performed after implant placement, 2 months after healing, at prosthetic restoration delivery and after 1‐year follow‐up. Mean crestal bone loss was calculated, Mann–Whitney U‐test was applied, and significance was set to 0.05.ResultsAfter 2 months of healing, the crestal bone loss was 0.71 ± 0.25 mm SD (range, 0.25–1.6 mm) and 1.02 ± 0.25 mm SD (range, 0.6–1.55 mm) in groups 1 and 2, respectively (P = 0.001). At restorations' delivery, the crestal bone loss was 1.10 ± 0.30 mm SD (range, 0.65–1.85 mm) and 1.37 ± 0.27 mm SD (range, 0.90–1.80 mm) in groups 1 and 2, respectively (P = 0.001). After 1‐year follow‐up, the crestal bone loss was 1.41 ± 0.42 mm SD (range, +0.1–2.30 mm) and 1.43 ± 0.23 mm SD (range, 1–1.80 mm) in groups 1 and 2, respectively (P = 0.976).ConclusionsLaser‐microtexturing of implant collar or platform‐switched implant/abutment connection did not eliminate crestal bone loss, if at the time of implant placement vertical soft tissue thickness was ≤2 mm. However, laser‐microtextured implants may present less proximal bone loss than platform‐switching implants in the period before implant loading.
Frequency, manifestations and management of bezoars in ileal pouches
Authors: Wu Xian‐rui , Ashburn Jean , Shen Bo 
Published: January 2015

Background and AimTo evaluate the frequency, diagnosis and management of ileal pouch bezoars.MethodsPatients diagnosed with ileal pouch bezoars at the Pouch Center at Cleveland Clinic from 2002 to 2013 were included. Demographic, clinical and endoscopic features, management and outcomes were evaluated.ResultsTwelve patients with ileal pouch bezoars were enrolled, including five (0.4%) of 1390 patients with J‐pouch and seven (13.0%) of 54 with continent ileostomy (P < 0.001). Males accounted for 25% (n = 3) of the cohort. Mean age at time of detection was 61.5 ± 10.3 years. Of the 12 patients, six (50.0%) had phytobezoars, four (33.3%) had lithobezoars, one (8.3%) had pharmacobezoar and one (8.3%) had a retained‐Jackson‐Pratt drain. Median number of harvested bezoars was one (range: 1–224), and mean diameter was 4.0 ± 2.4 cm. Bezoars were located at the pouch body in eight (66.7%) patients, pouch inlet in two (16.7%), pouch‐anal anastomosis in one (8.3%) and efferent limb in one (8.3%). Ten patients (83.3%) were symptomatic, including seven (58.3%) with partial bowel obstructive symptoms. Eleven patients (91.7%) were initially managed with endoscopic treatment including basket, RothNet®, mechanical lithotripsy Tripod and snares. After a median of one (1–3) endoscopic therapy, bezoars were successfully removed in seven patients (58.3%). Surgical intervention was required in the remaining five patients (41.7%).ConclusionsIleal pouch bezoars appeared to be more frequently encountered in patients with continent ileostomies than in those with J‐pouches. Endoscopic management seemed to be effective in some patients, whereas surgical intervention was needed in others.
Strategies for inhibitor treatment and costs in the short and long term: a critical evaluation of recent clinical studies
Authors: Baghaipour Mohammad Reza , Steen Carlsson Katarina 
Published: January 2015

AbstractOne important complication of patients with severe haemophilia A is the formation of inhibitory antibodies to factor VIII (FVIII). Immune tolerance induction (ITI) is the treatment of choice for patients with inhibitors, but this approach is successful in about 60% of patients. Treatment of acute bleeding in patients with inhibitors is one of the greatest challenges in haemophilia management and is costly. Bypassing agents are the mainstay of treatment in these patients. The aims of this study were to review the most recent publications concerning the costs of inhibitor treatment. We conducted a literature review using PubMed which yielded 63 papers analysing the costs of inhibitor management of which 12 were suitable for our study. Four of eight studies supported the use of activated prothrombin complex concentrate (aPCC) with lower costs, but the remaining four studies showed that recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) had a lower average treatment cost. Of four ITI studies, two supported lifelong cost‐effectiveness of ITI vs. bypassing agents and the remaining two papers showed a high cost of inhibitor treatment. Dosages, time between onset of bleeding and treatment, patient characteristics and the price of drugs are some of the important issues that should be considered for further studies.
A new dynamic null model for phylogenetic community structure
Authors: Pigot Alex L. , Etienne Rampal S. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractPhylogenies are increasingly applied to identify the mechanisms structuring ecological communities but progress has been hindered by a reliance on statistical null models that ignore the historical process of community assembly. Here, we address this, and develop a dynamic null model of assembly by allopatric speciation, colonisation and local extinction. Incorporating these processes fundamentally alters the structure of communities expected due to chance, with speciation leading to phylogenetic overdispersion compared to a classical statistical null model assuming equal probabilities of community membership. Applying this method to bird and primate communities in South America we show that patterns of phylogenetic overdispersion – often attributed to negative biotic interactions – are instead consistent with a species neutral model of allopatric speciation, colonisation and local extinction. Our findings provide a new null expectation for phylogenetic community patterns and highlight the importance of explicitly accounting for the dynamic history of assembly when testing the mechanisms governing community structure.
Islands as model systems in ecology and evolution: prospects fifty years after MacArthur‐Wilson
Authors: Warren Ben H. , Simberloff Daniel , Ricklefs Robert E. , Aguilée Robin , Condamine Fabien L. , Gravel Dominique , Morlon Hélène , Mouquet Nicolas , Rosindell James , Casquet Juliane , Conti Elena , Cornuault Josselin , Fernández‐Palacios José María , Hengl Tomislav , Norder Sietze J. , Rijsdijk Kenneth F. , Sanmartín Isabel , Strasberg Dominique , Triantis Kostas A. , Valente Luis M. , Whittaker Robert J. , Gillespie Rosemary G. , Emerson Brent C. , Thébaud Christophe 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThe study of islands as model systems has played an important role in the development of evolutionary and ecological theory. The 50th anniversary of MacArthur and Wilson's (December 1963) article, ‘An equilibrium theory of insular zoogeography’, was a recent milestone for this theme. Since 1963, island systems have provided new insights into the formation of ecological communities. Here, building on such developments, we highlight prospects for research on islands to improve our understanding of the ecology and evolution of communities in general. Throughout, we emphasise how attributes of islands combine to provide unusual research opportunities, the implications of which stretch far beyond islands. Molecular tools and increasing data acquisition now permit re‐assessment of some fundamental issues that interested MacArthur and Wilson. These include the formation of ecological networks, species abundance distributions, and the contribution of evolution to community assembly. We also extend our prospects to other fields of ecology and evolution – understanding ecosystem functioning, speciation and diversification – frequently employing assets of oceanic islands in inferring the geographic area within which evolution has occurred, and potential barriers to gene flow. Although island‐based theory is continually being enriched, incorporating non‐equilibrium dynamics is identified as a major challenge for the future.