bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical presentation and treatment of tick paralysis in dogs and cats in Sydney (2001–2010)
Authors: Westwood MN , Emery DL , Dhand NK 
Published: November 2013

ObjectiveTo investigate associations between clinical presentations and treatment of tick paralysis in dogs and cats, particularly the relationship between the dose of tick antiserum (TAS) and time to recovery.DesignA retrospective analysis of 325 cases of tick paralysis (227 dogs, 98 cats), from 2001 to 2010, was conducted using records from six practices in Sydney, New South Wales.ResultsDoses of TAS in excess of 2 mL/animal, 0.30 mL/kg and 1.25 mL/tick in dogs, and 2 mL/animal, 0.45 mL/kg and 0.38 mL/tick in cats did not significantly alter the time to recovery. In dogs, a longer time to recovery was associated with cases in winter than in other seasons (P = 0.0099) and with more severe gait scores (P = 0.0002). There was a trend of longer recovery times in patients with higher respiratory scores (P = 0.0561). In cats, a longer time to recovery was associated with multiple ticks (P = 0.0133) and more severe gait scores (P < 0.0001).ConclusionWithin this retrospective study, minimum doses of TAS were considered optimal, negating any association between dose rate and time to recovery.
The natural regeneration of calcareous grassland at a landscape scale: 150 years of plant community re‐assembly on Salisbury Plain, UK
Authors: Redhead John W. , Sheail John , Bullock James M. , Ferreruela Andrea , Walker Kevin J. , Pywell Richard F. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractQuestionsWhat is the time‐scale for natural regeneration of calcareous grassland? Is this time‐scale the same for individual plant species, plant community composition and functional traits?LocationDefence Training Estate Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, UK.MethodsWe investigated the rate of natural regeneration of species‐rich calcareous grassland across a 20 000‐ha landscape. We combined a large‐scale botanical survey with historic land‐use data (6–150 yrs before present) and examined differences between grassland age classes in the occurrence of individual plant species, plant community composition and plant community functional traits.ResultsMany species showed a significant association with grasslands over 100 yrs old. These included the majority of those defined elsewhere as calcareous grassland indicators, although some appeared on grasslands <10 yrs old. Plant community composition showed increasing similarity to the oldest grasslands with increased grassland age, with the exception of very recently ex‐agricultural grasslands. Most functional traits showed clear trends with grassland age, with dispersal ability differing most strongly between recent and older grasslands, whilst soil fertility and pH tolerance were more influential over longer time‐scales.ConclusionsEven in a well connected landscape, natural regeneration to a community resembling ancient calcareous grassland in terms of functional traits and plant community composition takes over a century, although changes at the level of individual species may occur much earlier. These findings confirm the uniqueness of ancient calcareous grassland. They also suggest that the targets of re‐establishment efforts should be adjusted to account for the likely time‐scale of full community re‐assembly.
Community‐acquired infections associated with increased risk of lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma/Waldenström macroglobulinaemia
Authors: McShane Charlene M. , Murray Liam J. , Engels Eric A. , Anderson Lesley A. 
Published: November 2013

SummaryEmerging evidence supports the role of immune stimulation in the development of lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma/Waldenström Macroglobulinaemia (LPL/WM). Using the population‐based Surveillance, Epidemiology End Results‐Medicare database we investigated the exposure to 14 common community‐acquired infections and subsequent risk of LPL/WM in 693 LPL/WM cases and 200 000 controls. Respiratory tract infections, bronchitis [odds ratio (OR) 1·56], pharyngitis (OR 1·43), pneumonia (OR 1·42) and sinusitis (OR 1·33) and skin infection, herpes zoster (OR 1·51) were all significantly associated with subsequent increased risk of LPL/WM. For each of these infections, the findings remained significantly elevated following the exclusion of more than 6 years of Medicare claims data prior to LPL/WM diagnosis. Our findings may support a role for infections in the development of LPL/WM or could reflect an underlying immune disturbance that is present several years prior to diagnosis and thereby part of the natural history of disease progression.
Predicting ease of perinephric fat dissection at time of open partial nephrectomy using preoperative fat density characteristics
Authors: Zheng Yin , Espiritu Patrick , Hakky Tariq , Jutras Kristin , Spiess Philippe E. 
Published: November 2013

ObjectiveTo predict the ease of perinephric fat surgical dissection at the time of open partial nephrectomy (OPN) using perinepheric fat density characteristics as measured on preoperative computed tomography (CT).Patients and MethodsIn all, 41 consecutive OPN patients with available preoperative imaging and prospectively collected dissection difficulty assessment were identified. Using a scoring system that was adopted for the purposes of this study, the genitourinary surgeon quantified the difficulty of the perinephric fat dissection on the surface of the renal capsule at the time of surgery. On axial CT slice centred on the renal hilum, we measured the quantity and density of perinephric fat whose absorption coefficient was between –190 to –30 Hounsfield units. Correlation between perinephric fat surface density (PnFSD) as noted on preoperative imaging and as observed by the surgeon at time of surgery were correlated in a completely ‘double‐blinded’ fashion. Density comparisons between fat dissection difficulties were made using an anova. Associations between covariates and perinephric fat density were evaluated by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) curves for six different predictive models were created to visualise the predictive enhancement of PnFSD.ResultsPnFSD was positively correlated with total surgical duration (Pearson's correlation coefficient 0.314, P = 0.04). PnFSD significantly correlated with gender (P = 0.001) and difficulty of perinephric fat surgical dissection (P < 0.001) scores. The mean (sd) PnFSD for a dissection that was not difficult (n = 19) was 5598.32 (1367.77) surface density pixel unit (SDPU), and for a difficult dissection (n = 22) was 10272.23 (3804.67) SDPU. Univariate analysis showed gender (P = 0.002), and PnFSD were predictive of the presence of ‘sticky’ perinephric fat. A multivariate analysis model showed that PnFSD was the only variable that remained an independent predictor of perinephric fat dissection difficulty (P = 0.01). Of the six ROC models assessed, only PnFSD had a significant capability to predict the difficulty of the perinephric fat dissection due to the presence of highly adherent ‘sticky’ fat, with an area under the curve of 0.87 (P < 0.001).ConclusionAccurate preoperative assessment of perinephric fat density constitutes a strong indicator of perioperative fat dissection difficulty. Perinephric fat densities can be practically obtained from preoperative CT to identify ‘sticky’ fat, which may help determine the anticipated ease of surgical dissection, which can guide education, preoperative surgical planning, and potentially the surgical approach offered to patients.
Prevalence of dyslipidaemia in patients with renal cell carcinoma: a case‐control study in China
Authors: Zhang Gui‐Ming , Zhu Yao , Luo Lei , Zhang Hai‐Liang , Gu Cheng‐Yuan , Sun Li‐Jiang , Ye Ding‐Wei 
Published: November 2013

ObjectiveTo examine the prevalence of dyslipidaemia in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in a Chinese population.Patients and MethodsIn all, 550 histologically confirmed RCC cases and 570 controls, matched for age and sex were included. Total cholesterol, triglyceride, low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) and high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) were assessed before treatment using standard techniques. The lipid profiles were defined as ‘normal’, ‘borderline high’, ‘high’ and ‘low’ according to Chinese Guidelines on Adult Dyslipidaemia. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using unconditional logistic regression in both unadjusted and adjusted models.ResultsAbnormal LDL elevation was common in RCC cases compared with controls (P < 0.001). Results for total cholesterol, triglyceride and HDL levels between groups were insignificant. The OR for RCC for high levels of LDL (≥160 mg/dL) compared with those with a normal LDL profile was 4.675 (95% CI 1.900–11.500). After adjustment for age, gender, body mass index, smoking status, hypertension, diabetes, total cholesterol and triglyceride, the coexistence of high levels of LDL and RCC was large and statistically significant (OR 8.955, 95% CI 3.371–23.786). There was a significant coexistence of RCC for participants with high LDL levels when subgroups of cases with clear cell subtypes and advanced T stages were compared with controls.ConclusionAbnormal LDL elevation was prevalent in Chinese patients with RCC. The results remain to be evaluated in prospective cohorts.
The Cancer of the Prostate Risk Assessment (CAPRA) score predicts biochemical recurrence in intermediate‐risk prostate cancer treated with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) dose escalation or low‐dose rate (LDR) brachytherapy
Authors: Krishnan Vimal , Delouya Guila , Bahary Jean‐Paul , Larrivée Sandra , Taussky Daniel 
Published: November 2013

ObjectiveTo study the prognostic value of the University of California, San Francisco Cancer of the Prostate Risk Assessment (CAPRA) score to predict biochemical failure (bF) after various doses of external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and/or permanent seed low‐dose rate (LDR) prostate brachytherapy (PB).Patients and MethodsWe retrospectively analysed 345 patients with intermediate‐risk prostate cancer, with PSA levels of 10–20 ng/mL and/or Gleason 7 including 244 EBRT patients (70.2–79.2 Gy) and 101 patients treated with LDR PB. The minimum follow‐up was 3 years. No patient received primary androgen‐deprivation therapy. bF was defined according to the Phoenix definition. Cox regression analysis was used to estimate the differences between CAPRA groups.ResultsThe overall bF rate was 13% (45/345). The CAPRA score, as a continuous variable, was statistically significant in multivariate analysis for predicting bF (hazard ratio [HR] 1.37, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10–1.72, P = 0.006). There was a trend for a lower bF rate in patients treated with LDR PB when compared with those treated by EBRT ≤ 74 Gy (HR 0.234, 95% CI 0.05–1.03, P = 0.055) in multivariate analysis. In the subgroup of patients with a CAPRA score of 3–5, CAPRA remained predictive of bF as a continuous variable (HR 1.51, 95% CI 1.01–2.27, P = 0.047) in multivariate analysis.ConclusionThe CAPRA score is useful for predicting biochemical recurrence in patients treated for intermediate‐risk prostate cancer with EBRT or LDR PB. It could help in treatment decisions.
Antiplatelet activity of nifedipine is mediated by inhibition of NF‐κB activation caused by enhancement of PPAR‐β/‐γ activity
Authors: Shih Ching‐Yu , Lin I‐Hsin , Ding James‐Cheng , Chen Fu‐Chi , Chou Tz‐Chong 
Published: November 2013

Background and PurposeThe transcription factor NF‐κB, stimulates platelet aggregation through a non‐genomic mechanism. Nifedipine, a voltage‐gated L‐type calcium channel blocker, is widely used to treat hypertension. Nifedipine also displays antiplatelet activity, but the underlying mechanisms involved remain unclear. This study was designed to investigate whether the antiplatelet effects of nifedipine are mediated by regulating NF‐κB‐dependent responses.Experimental ApproachPlatelet aggregation was measured turbidimetrically using an aggregometer. NF‐κB and PPAR activation, intracellular Ca2+ mobilization, PKCα activity, surface glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (GPIIb/IIIa) expression and platelet activation‐related signalling pathways were determined in control and nifedipine‐treated platelets in the presence or absence of PPAR antagonists or betulinic acid, a NF‐κB activator.Key ResultsExposure of platelets to nifedipine significantly increased the PPAR‐β/‐γ activity in activated human platelets. Treatment with nifedipine reduced collagen‐induced NF‐κB events, including the phosphorylation of IκB kinase‐β, IκBα and p65NF‐κB, which were markedly attenuated by GSK0660, a PPAR‐β antagonist, or GW9662, a PPAR‐γ antagonist. Furthermore, the interaction of PPAR‐β/‐γ with NF‐κB and the PPAR‐β/‐γ‐up‐regulated NO/cGMP/PKG1 cascade may contribute to inhibition of NF‐κB activation by nifedipine. Suppressing PPAR‐β/‐γ activity or increasing NF‐κB activation greatly reversed the inhibitory effect of nifedipine on collagen‐induced platelet aggregation, intracellular Ca2+ mobilization, PKCα activity and surface GPIIb/IIIa expression.Conclusions and ImplicationsPPAR‐β/‐γ‐dependent inhibition of NF‐κB activation contributes to the antiplatelet activity of nifedipine. These findings provide a novel mechanism underlying the beneficial effects of nifedipine on platelet hyperactivity‐related vascular and inflammatory diseases.
Activation and inhibition of transient receptor potential TRPM3‐induced gene transcription
Authors: Lesch Andrea , Rubil Sandra , Thiel Gerald 
Published: November 2013

Background and PurposeTransient receptor potential‐3 (TRPM3) channels function as Ca2+ permeable cation channels. While the natural ligands for these channels are still unknown, several compounds have been described that either activate or inhibit TRPM3 channel activity.Experimental ApproachWe assessed TRPM3‐mediated gene transcription, which relies on the induction of intracellular signalling to the nucleus following activation of TRPM3 channels. Activator protein‐1 (AP‐1) and Egr‐1‐responsive reporter genes were integrated into the chromatin of the cells. This strategy enabled us to analyse gene transcription of the AP‐1 and Egr‐1‐responsive reporter genes that were packed into an ordered chromatin structure.Key ResultsThe neurosteroid pregnenolone sulfate strikingly up‐regulated AP‐1 and Egr‐1 transcriptional activity, while nifedipine and D‐erythro‐sphingosine, also putative activators of TRPM3 channels, exhibited either no or TRPM3‐independent effects on gene transcription. In addition, pregnenolone sulfate robustly enhanced the transcriptional activation potential of the ternary complex factor Elk‐1. Pregnenolone sulfate‐induced activation of gene transcription was blocked by treatment with mefenamic acid and, to a lesser extent, by the polyphenol naringenin. In contrast, progesterone, pregnenolone and rosiglitazone reduced AP‐1 activity in the cells, but had no inhibitory effect on Egr‐1 activity in pregnenolone sulfate‐stimulated cells.Conclusion and ImplicationsPregnenolone sulfate is a powerful activator of TRPM3‐mediated gene transcription, while transcription is completely inhibited by mefenamic acid in cells expressing activated TRPM3 channels. Both compounds are valuable tools for further investigating the biological functions of TRPM3 channels.Linked ArticlesThis article is part of a themed section on the pharmacology of TRP channels. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2014.171.issue‐10
Hypotensive effects of ghrelin receptor agonists mediated through a novel receptor
Authors: Callaghan Brid , Kosari Samin , Pustovit Ruslan V. , Sartor Daniela M , Ferens Dorota , Ban Kung , Baell Jonathan , Nguyen Trung V , Rivera Leni R , Brock James A , Furness John B 
Published: November 2013

Background and PurposeSome agonists of ghrelin receptors cause rapid decreases in BP. The mechanisms by which they cause hypotension and the pharmacology of the receptors are unknown.Experimental ApproachThe effects of ligands of ghrelin receptors were investigated in rats in vivo, on isolated blood vessels and on cells transfected with the only molecularly defined ghrelin receptor, growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a (GHSR1a).Key ResultsThree agonists of GHSR1a receptors, ulimorelin, capromorelin and CP464709, caused a rapid decrease in BP in the anaesthetized rat. The effect was not reduced by either of two GHSR1a antagonists, JMV2959 or YIL781, at doses that blocked effects on colorectal motility, in vivo. The rapid hypotension was not mimicked by ghrelin, unacylated ghrelin or the unacylated ghrelin receptor agonist, AZP531. The early hypotension preceded a decrease in sympathetic nerve activity. Early hypotension was not reduced by hexamethonium or by baroreceptor (sino‐aortic) denervation. Ulimorelin also relaxed isolated segments of rat mesenteric artery, and, less potently, relaxed aorta segments. The vascular relaxation was not reduced by JMV2959 or YIL781. Ulimorelin, capromorelin and CP464709 activated GHSR1a in transfected HEK293 cells at nanomolar concentrations. JMV2959 and YIL781 both antagonized effects in these cells, with their pA2 values at the GHSR1a receptor being 6.55 and 7.84.Conclusions and ImplicationsOur results indicate a novel vascular receptor or receptors whose activation by ulimorelin, capromorelin and CP464709 lowered BP. This receptor is activated by low MW GHSR1a agonists, but is not activated by ghrelin.
Changes in mitochondrial function are pivotal in neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders: How important is BDNF?
Authors: Markham A , Bains R , Franklin P , Spedding M 
Published: November 2013

The brain is at the very limit of its energy supply and has evolved specific means of adapting function to energy supply, of which mitochondria form a crucial link. Neurotrophic and inflammatory processes may not only have opposite effects on neuroplasticity, but also involve opposite effects on mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and glycolytic processes, respectively, modulated by stress and glucocorticoids, which also have marked effects on mood. Neurodegenerative processes show marked disorders in oxidative metabolism in key brain areas, sometimes decades before symptoms appear (Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases). We argue that brain‐derived neurotrophic factor couples activity to changes in respiratory efficiency and these effects may be opposed by inflammatory cytokines, a key factor in neurodegenerative processes.Linked ArticlesThis article is part of a themed issue on Mitochondrial Pharmacology: Energy, Injury & Beyond. To view the other articles in this issue visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2014.171.issue‐8
A GPU‐based Streaming Algorithm for High‐Resolution Cloth Simulation
Authors: Tang Min , Tong Ruofeng , Narain Rahul , Meng Chang , Manocha Dinesh 
Published: November 2013

AbstractWe present a GPU‐based streaming algorithm to perform high‐resolution and accurate cloth simulation. We map all the components of cloth simulation pipeline, including time integration, collision detection, collision response, and velocity updating to GPU‐based kernels and data structures. Our algorithm perform intra‐object and inter‐object collisions, handles contacts and friction, and is able to accurately simulate folds and wrinkles. We describe the streaming pipeline and address many issues in terms of obtaining high throughput on many‐core GPUs. In practice, our algorithm can perform high‐fidelity simulation on a cloth mesh with 2M triangles using 3GB of GPU memory. We highlight the parallel performance of our algorithm on three different generations of GPUs. On a high‐end NVIDIA Tesla K20c, we observe up to two orders of magnitude performance improvement as compared to a single‐threaded CPU‐based algorithm, and about one order of magnitude improvement over a 16‐core CPU‐based parallel implementation.
Constrainable Multigrid for Cloth
Authors: Jeon Inyong , Choi Kwang‐Jin , Kim Tae‐Yong , Choi Bong‐Ouk , Ko Hyeong‐Seok 
Published: November 2013

AbstractWe present a new technique which can handle both point and sliding constraints in the multigrid (MG) framework. Although the MG method can theoretically perform as fast as O(N), the development of a clothing simulator based on the MG method calls for solving an important technical challenge: handling the constraints. Resolving constrains has been difficult in MG because there has been no clear way to transfer the constraints existing in the finest level mesh to the coarser level meshes. This paper presents a new formulation based on soft constraints, which can coarsen the constraints defined in the finest level to the coarser levels. Experiments are performed which show that the proposed method can solve the linear system up to 4–9 times faster in comparison with the modified preconditioned conjugate gradient method (MPCG) without quality degradation. The proposed method is easy to implement and can be straightforwardly applied to existing clothing simulators which are based on implicit time integration.
Topology Aware Data‐Driven Inverse Kinematics
Authors: Ho Edmond S. L. , Shum Hubert P. H. , Cheung Yiu‐ming , Yuen P. C. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractCreating realistic human movement is a time consuming and labour intensive task. The major difficulty is that the user has to edit individual joints while maintaining an overall realistic and collision free posture. Previous research suggests the use of data‐driven inverse kinematics, such that one can focus on the control of a few joints, while the system automatically composes a natural posture. However, as a common problem of kinematics synthesis, penetration of body parts is difficult to avoid in complex movements. In this paper, we propose a new data‐driven inverse kinematics framework that conserves the topology of the synthesizing postures. Our system monitors and regulates the topology changes using the Gauss Linking Integral (GUI), such that penetration can be efficiently prevented. As a result, complex motions with tight body movements, as well as those involving interaction with external objects, can be simulated with minimal manual intervention. Experimental results show that using our system, the user can create high quality human motion in real‐time by controlling a few joints using a mouse or a multi‐touch screen. The movement generated is both realistic and penetration free. Our system is best applied for interactive motion design in computer animations and games.
Second‐Order Approximation for Variance Reduction in Multiple Importance Sampling
Authors: Lu H. , Pacanowski R. , Granier X. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractMonte Carlo Techniques are widely used in Computer Graphics to generate realistic images. Multiple Importance Sampling reduces the impact of choosing a dedicated strategy by balancing the number of samples between different strategies. However, an automatic choice of the optimal balancing remains a difficult problem. Without any scene characteristics knowledge, the default choice is to select the same number of samples from different strategies and to use them with heuristic techniques (e.g., balance, power or maximum). In this paper, we introduce a second‐order approximation of variance for balance heuristic. Based on this approximation, we introduce an automatic distribution of samples for direct lighting without any prior knowledge of the scene characteristics. We demonstrate that for all our test scenes (with different types of materials, light sources and visibility complexity), our method actually reduces variance in average. We also propose an implementation with low overhead for offline and GPU applications. We hope that this approach will help developing new balancing strategies.