bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors Affecting Medium-Term Outcomes After Crural Angioplasty in Critically Ischemic Legs
Authors: Mathur K. , Ayyappan M. K. , Hodson J. , Hopkins J. , Tiwari A. , Duddy M. , Vohra Rajiv 
Published: June 2015

Objectives: To study factors affecting patency and medium-term outcomes after crural angioplasty. Materials and Methods: All crural angioplasties between March 2003 and September 2010 were reviewed from a prospective database to analyze primary patency, amputation-free survival, and limb salvage. Results: Five hundred and twenty-seven limbs in 478 patients (58.7% male, mean age 73.9 ± 0.53 years) were treated. In all, 49.1% were diabetic patients and 7.4% were dialysis dependent. Primary patency was 65.5%, 57.8%, 48.5%, and 32.9% at 1, 6, 12, and 36 months, respectively. Amputation-free survival was 75.2% at 1 year and 59.0% at 3 years. Limb salvage at 3 years was 92.7%. Rutherford categories 5 and 6 had a consistent adverse effect on patency. This led to an adverse amputation-free survival and limb salvage at 3 years. Conclusion: Crural angioplasty is an effective treatment for limb salvage. Its outcomes are adversely affected by diabetes, renal disease, coronary disease, and worsening Rutherford grade.
David Ben-Gurion’s leadership as a “two-way interaction process”
Authors: Kabalo Paula 
Published: June 2015

The persona, influence, and modi operandi of Israel’s first PM, David Ben-Gurion, have been central in studies on the history of Israel. Relatively few studies, however, focus on the patterns of Ben-Gurion’s leadership in an attempt to decode his personality and the sources of his influence. This article seeks a better understanding about one pattern in Ben-Gurion’s leadership—his communication with “the public” or, to be more precise, with his followers. Below, using Ben-Gurion as a case study, a model is proposed that applies current leadership theories that view the leadership phenomenon as “a relationship that is jointly produced by leaders and followers.” The article proposes an analysis of Ben-Gurion’s leadership through the conceptualization of leader–follower interrelations, following Sheer’s conceptualization, as a “two-way interaction process [by which] the leader and the member co-contribute to the leadership process”.
Modulation of cardiac L-type Ca2+ current by angiotensin-(1-7): normal versus heart failure
Authors: Zhou Peng , Cheng Che Ping , Li Tiankai , Ferrario Carlos M. , Cheng Heng-Jie 
Published: June 2015

Objective: Recent evidence has shown that, in heart failure (HF), clinically relevant concentrations of angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)] counteracts angiotensin II induced cardiac depression and produces positive inotropic effects in both left ventricle (LV) and myocytes. However, the underlying electrophysiological mechanism is unclear. We investigated the role and mechanism of Ang-(1-7) on LV myocyte L-type calcium current (ICa,L) responses in normal state and in HF. Method: We compared the effect of Ang-(1-7) (10−5 M) on ICa,L responses in isolated LV myocytes obtained from 11 rats with isoproterenol (ISO) induced HF (3 months after 170 mg/kg subcutaneous for 2 days) and from 8 age-matched normal control rats by patch clamp technique. Results: In normal myocytes, compared with baseline, superfusion of Ang-(1-7) caused no significant changes in ICa,L (8.2 ± 0.2 versus 8.0 ± 0.3 pA/pF, p= not significant). In HF myocytes, the baseline ICa,L was significantly reduced (5.3 ± 0.1 versus 8.0 ± 0.3 pA/pF, p < 0.01). Ang-(1-7) produced a 21% increase in ICa,L (6.4±0.1 versus 5.3±0.1 pA/pF, p < 0.01). Pretreatment of HF myocytes with a nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor (L-NAME, 10−5 M) resulted in a significantly greater increase in ICa,L (28%, 8.4 ± 0.1 versus 6.5 ± 0.1 pA/pF, p < 0.01) during Ang-(1-7) superfusion. In contrast, during incubation with the bradykinin (BK) inhibitor HOE 140 (10−6 M), Ang-(1-7) induced increase in ICa,L was significantly decreased. The Ang-(1-7) induced increase in ICa,L was abolished by [D-Ala7]-Ang-(1-7) (A-779, 10−5 M). Conclusions: HF alters the response of ICa,L to Ang-(1-7). In normal myocytes, Ang-(1-7) has no significant effect on ICa,L. However, in HF myocytes, Ang-(1-7) increases ICa,L. These effects are mediated by the Ang-(1-7) Mas receptors and involve activation of NO/BK pathways.
The distribution of whole blood viscosity, its determinants and relationship with arterial blood pressure in the community: cross-sectional analysis from the Gutenberg Health Study
Authors: Gori Tommaso , Wild Philipp S. , Schnabel Renate , Schulz Andreas , Pfeiffer Norbert , Blettner Maria , Beutel Manfred E. , Forconi Sandro , Jung Friedrich , Lackner Karl J. , Blankenberg Stefan , Münzel Thomas 
Published: June 2015

Background: Blood viscosity has a role in modulating cardiovascular homeostasis; changes in this parameter have been associated with cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. However, it remains unclear whether these changes are (1) involved in the pathophysiology of disease, (2) an epiphenomenon, or (3) the expression of counterregulatory mechanisms. We report data on the normal values of blood viscosity and its association with cardiovascular risk factors, prevalent cardiovascular disease, and blood pressure in a large population-based cohort study. Methods and results: Viscosity was calculated using validated formulae and its associations were explored in 15,010 participants (mean 55.0, min–max: 35–74 years old; 49.5% women) from the Gutenberg Health Study as well as in a subgroup of 3223 subjects (61.1% women, mean age 49.2, min–max 35–74 years old) without risk factors or self-reported cardiovascular disease. Age- and gender-adjusted mean values for viscosity were defined. Regression models showed a relationship between classical risk factors and blood viscosity measures; the overall R2 of the multiple linear regression model was however as low as 0.067 and 0.049 for high and low shear stress viscosity, respectively. After correction for cardiovascular risk factors, there was a very mild association between viscosity and prevalent coronary artery disease and heart failure. Systolic, mean and diastolic blood pressure increased with increasing blood viscosity after correction for age and gender. Conclusions: We provide reference values for viscosity in a population-based cohort. Blood viscosity decreases in older subjects and shows a very mild association with cardiovascular risk factors and prevalent disease in our cohort. There is a linear positive association between viscosity and blood pressure.
Praziquantel treatment for Platynosomum species infection of a domestic cat on St Kitts, West Indies
Authors: Shell Linda , Ketzis Jennifer , Hall Rebecca , Rawlins Gilda , du Plessis Wencke 
Published: June 2015

Case summary A 1-year-old, female spayed, domestic shorthair, indoor cat on the island of St Kitts was diagnosed with platynosomiasis, infection with a feline-specific liver fluke, and treated with praziquantel at the marketed dose for tapeworms (5 mg/kg; actual calculated dose 5.75 mg/kg). Serial fecal analyses showed that egg counts decreased to zero within 10 days of treatment but re-emerged at day 17 and persisted at low levels until a second treatment was administered on day 78. After the second treatment, all fecal samples (n = 15) from day 85 to day 350 post-initial treatment were negative for Platynosomum ova. Relevance and novel information Treatment of platynosomiasis is poorly documented; no drugs are labeled for use against Platynosomum and the efficacy of suggested treatments is unknown. Using 5.75 mg/kg once, a dose that is significantly lower than published recommended doses for platynosomiasis, egg counts initially disappeared but re-emerged and persisted at low levels until a second treatment was administered. We hypothesize that immature forms may not have been killed and subsequently matured to produce eggs, or that the one-time dose may not have been completely effective at eliminating all adult flukes. However, administering praziquantel at 5.75 mg/kg twice, several weeks apart, appeared to be effective in treating this cat with platynosomiasis, as evidenced by monitoring of fecal egg counts over the course of 350 days.
Orbital actinomycotic mycetoma caused by Streptomyces cinnamoneus
Authors: Walton Stuart , Martin Patricia , Tolson Carla , Plumridge Susannah , Barrs Vanessa R 
Published: June 2015

Case summary An 18-month-old male neutered Ragdoll cat presented with an 8 week history of progressive unilateral right-sided mucopurulent nasal discharge and exophthalmos. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a heterogeneous right retrobulbar mass and bilateral nasal cavity disease. Filamentous structures seen on cytology of retrobulbar and nasal biopsies were mistakenly identified as filamentous fungal hyphae. Subsequent investigations revealed that the cat had a retrobulbar actinomycotic mycetoma with invasion of the globe. The aetiological agent was identified on 16S recombinant DNA sequencing as Streptomyces cinnamoneus. After exenteration and chronic antimicrobial therapy the cat was alive and well 3 years after presentation. Relevance and novel information This is the first report of a pathogenic role of S cinnamoneus in a cat. Orbital actinomycotic mycetomas in cats can resemble mycotic granulomas.
Successful conservative management of suspected Fournier’s gangrene in cats: three cases
Authors: Vaske Heather H , Ragan Izabela K , Harkin Kenneth R , Lee Karen , Hicks Sarah E 
Published: June 2015

Case series summary Three cats with suspected Fournier’s gangrene had an acute onset of clinical signs and bloodwork changes consistent with sepsis. All cases had similar progression of wounds that were managed without aggressive surgical debridement, which is the currently accepted treatment of choice. All cats survived and have maintained an excellent long-term quality of life. Relevance and novel information Fournier’s gangrene is a potentially fatal disease, with few cases reported in the veterinary literature. This retrospective case series describes the only known reports of survival from suspected Fournier’s gangrene cats, none of which required aggressive surgical debridement.
Ascending haemorrhagic myelomalacia associated with systemic hypertension in a hyperthyroid cat
Authors: Ferreira Alexandra , Sottiaux Jacques , Mandara Maria Teresa , Motta Luca 
Published: June 2015

Case summary An 8-year-old domestic shorthair neutered male cat was presented with acute onset of paraplegia, absent nociception on the pelvic limbs, tail and perianal area, and a previous history of uncontrolled hyperthyroidism (even after thyroidectomy) and chronic hypertension. The magnetic resonance findings (heterogeneous intramedullary ill-defined area, isointense on T1-weighted and hyperintense on short tau inversion recovery and T2-weighted scans between T12 and L5 spinal cord segments) were consistent with ascending haemorrhagic myelomalacia, which was confirmed by histopathology. It also revealed myelomalacia associated with diffuse arteriolar hyalinosis, similar to the reports found with hypertensive encephalopathy. Relevance and novel information Myelomalacia should be considered as a possible outcome in cats with hypertension. Considering that hypertension is a common consequence of hyperthyroidism, emphasis should be given to blood pressure monitoring, especially after treatment of this condition. We describe the histopathological changes occurring in the spinal cord associated with a state of hypertension.
Migration of a sewing needle foreign body into the brainstem of a cat
Authors: Cottam Emily J , Gannon Kristi 
Published: June 2015

Case summary A 1-year-old, female spayed domestic shorthair cat with a 6 week history of upper respiratory signs and a progressive reluctance to move, which culminated in a right-sided hemiparesis, was found to have a sewing needle foreign body lodged in the brainstem. Surgical extraction of the needle was successful and the cat’s neurological deficits resolved over the days to weeks following its removal. Relevance and novel information This case report describes, to our knowledge, the first reported incidence and management of an ingested sewing needle migrating into the central nervous system of a cat.
An improved multipath MANET routing using link estimation and swarm intelligence
Authors: R. Prabha , N. Ramaraj 
Published: June 2015

Abstract
Routing in ad hoc networks is challenging as nodes are mobile and links are continuously created and broken. Current on-demand ad hoc routing algorithms start route discovery after path break, incurring high cost to detect the disconnection and to establish a new route. Specifically, when a path is liable to break, the source is warned about the likelihood of disconnection. The source then starts path discovery avoiding disconnection entirely. A path is likely to break when link availability decreases. Since routing is nondeterministic polynomial (NP) hard, this work proposes an improved ad hoc on-demand multipath distance vector (AOMDV) based on link availability, neighboring node’s queuing delay, node mobility, and bit error rate. The optimal path is selected using BAT meta-heuristic optimization. Simulation shows improved performance compared to AOMDV.
Antimicrobial activity and mechanisms of Salvia sclarea essential oil
Authors: Cui Haiying , Zhang Xuejing , Zhou Hui , Zhao Chengting , Lin Lin 
Published: June 2015

Abstract

Background
Nowadays, essential oils are recognized as safe substances and can be used as antibacterial additives. Salvia sclarea is one of the most important aromatic plants cultivated world-wide as a source of essential oils. In addition to being flavoring foods, Salvia sclarea essential oil can also act as antimicrobials and preservatives against food spoilage. Understanding more about the antibacterial performance and possible mechanism of Salvia sclarea essential oil will be helpful for its application in the future. But so far few related researches have been reported.

Results
In our study, Salvia sclarea oil showed obvious antibacterial activity against all tested bacterial strains. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericide concentration (MBC) of seven pathogens were 0.05 and 0.1 % respectively. In addition, Salvia sclarea oil also exhibited a significant inhibitory effect on the growth of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) and meats. After treated with Salvia sclarea oil, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images can clearly see the damage of cell membrane; the intracellular ATP concentrations of E. coli and S. aureus reduced 98.27 and 69.61 % respectively, compared to the control groups; the nuclear DNA content of E. coli and S. aureus was significantly reduced to 48.32 and 50.77 % respectively. In addition, there was massive leakage of cellular material when E. coli and S. aureus were exposed to Salvia sclarea oil.

Conclusions

Salvia sclarea essential oil damaged the cell membrane and changed the cell membrane permeability, leading to the release of some cytoplasm such as macromolecular substances, ATP and DNA. In general, the antimicrobial action of Salvia sclarea essential oil is not only attributable to a unique pathway, but also involves a series of events both on the cell surface and within the cytoplasm. Therefore, more experiments need to be done to fully understand the antimicrobial mechanism of Salvia sclarea essential oil.
Seismic characterization of the Grängesberg iron deposit and its mining-induced structures, central Sweden
Authors: Place Joachim , Malehmir Alireza , Högdahl Karin , Juhlin Christopher , Nilsson Katarina Persson 
Published: June 2015

We have conducted a reflection seismic investigation over the apatite-iron deposit at Grängesberg in central Sweden. At the time of closure in 1989, the mine was operated using the sublevel caving method down to approximately a 650-m depth. This mining technique caused subsidence and generated a network of faults that propagated from excavated zones at depth up to the surface. The Grängesberg deposit is the largest iron oxide mineralization in central Sweden and is planned to be mined again in the coming years. It is therefore imperative to have a better understanding of the ore geometry and the fault network. A reconnaissance survey consisting of two seismic lines with a total length of 3.5 km was carried out to address these issues. The profiles intersect the Grängesberg deposit and open pit, as well as the major mining-induced fracture zone present in this area. A drop-hammer source mounted on a hydraulic truck was used to generate seismic signals; cabled and wireless receivers were used for the data recording. Preprocessing of the data first required the cable- and wireless-recorded data sets to be merged before stacking all data available at each shot point. Source gathers exhibit reflections from the near surface, probably generated at lithological boundaries hosting the iron mineralization and other geologic structures. Deeper reflections were also observed. The metavolcanic assemblage hosting the mineralization and the anthropogenic fault network were depicted in the stacked sections, bringing in new elements to refine the geologic model of the area. This study also illustrated the ability of reflection seismic methods to delineate mining-induced structures in hard-rock environments. Low-velocity anomalies from the open pit and adjacent structures were depicted in tomographic sections along the two lines, which showed good agreement with known geologic features and the reflection seismic results.
Adaptations of protein structure and function to temperature: there is more than one way to ‘skin a cat’
Authors: Fields Peter A. , Dong Yunwei , Meng Xianliang , Somero George N. 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACTSensitivity to temperature helps determine the success of organisms in all habitats, and is caused by the susceptibility of biochemical processes, including enzyme function, to temperature change. A series of studies using two structurally and catalytically related enzymes, A4-lactate dehydrogenase (A4-LDH) and cytosolic malate dehydrogenase (cMDH) have been especially valuable in determining the functional attributes of enzymes most sensitive to temperature, and identifying amino acid substitutions that lead to changes in those attributes. The results of these efforts indicate that ligand binding affinity and catalytic rate are key targets during temperature adaptation: ligand affinity decreases during cold adaptation to allow more rapid catalysis. Structural changes causing these functional shifts often comprise only a single amino acid substitution in an enzyme subunit containing approximately 330 residues; they occur on the surface of the protein in or near regions of the enzyme that move during catalysis, but not in the active site; and they decrease stability in cold-adapted orthologs by altering intra-molecular hydrogen bonding patterns or interactions with the solvent. Despite these structure–function insights, we currently are unable to predict a priori how a particular substitution alters enzyme function in relation to temperature. A predictive ability of this nature might allow a proteome-wide survey of adaptation to temperature and reveal what fraction of the proteome may need to adapt to temperature changes of the order predicted by global warming models. Approaches employing algorithms that calculate changes in protein stability in response to a mutation have the potential to help predict temperature adaptation in enzymes; however, using examples of temperature-adaptive mutations in A4-LDH and cMDH, we find that the algorithms we tested currently lack the sensitivity to detect the small changes in flexibility that are central to enzyme adaptation to temperature.
Usefulness of several biomarkers in the management of septic patients: C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, presepsin and mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin
Authors: Enguix-Armada Alfredo , Escobar-Conesa Rocío , La Torre Angela García-De , De La Torre-Prados María Victoria 
Published: June 2015

AbstractOur objective is to analyze whether the combination of C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), presepsin or SCD14-ST and mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin (MR-proADM) measured in the first 24 h from ICU admission allowing a better management of septic patients (diagnostic and prognostic) both in severe sepsis (SS) and septic shock (SSh).Cohort study of 388 patients admitted in the ICU during 12 months of whom 142 were controls. Biomarkers were measured through immunoluminometric assays in samples of serum or plasma within the first 24 h after admission. Data were evaluated with non-parametric statistics bivariant, ROC curve analysis for diagnostic evaluation and multivariate analyses for survival analysis.In the analyzed cohort, 61.8% of patients were males, mean age: 63 years range (18–90) and 67.8% in controls mean age: 63 years, range (39–91). PCT showed the highest area under the curve (AUC) (0.989) as compared with the rest of biomarkers (p<0.01). PCT also enabled the difference between Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteria to be determined. The AUCs for CRP (0.922) and presepsin (0.948) showed a similar diagnostic value. In cases of SSh, the AUC of presepsin experienced a noticeable increase (p<0.0001). MR-proADM showed a better prognostic value (p=0.00022) particularly in cases of SSh (p=0.00001) increasing along with the APACHE-II score.PCT, MR-proADM and presepsin are complementary markers that could be of great help in the management of septic patients when they are measured in the first 24 h after ICU admission.
Influence of Wall Structure on the Laminar Coupling Flow
Authors: Aifen Li , Haojun Xie , Ke Tao , Gangzhu Li 
Published: June 2015

Abstract
In order to study the effect of wall structure on the pressure-driven flow with slip condition at the fluid/porous interface, three cylindrical arrangements with different internal and surface structure are built. We solve the incompressible Stokes equation in the fluid phase for the cylindrical arrangements using the finite element analysis and solver software, Comsol-Multiphysics. The most suitable interface for determining the slip coefficient is the nominal position above the top cylindrical layer with a characteristic size. Then the streamlines of the fluid flow are shown. With the increase of pressure gradient and Reynolds number, the inertial effect rises and the exchange of fluid at the interface is visible. The permeability value and its growth rate both increase with the increment of the porosity and the internal structure of the porous medium affects the permeability value in an important way. Finally, our results show that the slip coefficient depends on the permeability and the surface structure instead of the porosity.