bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cardiac right‐to‐left shunt subtypes in Chinese patients with cryptogenic strokes: a multicenter case−control study
Authors: Xu W.‐H. , Xing Y.‐Q. , Yan Z.‐R. , Jiang J.‐D. , Gao S. 
Published: January 2014

Background and purposeData on the possible association between cardiac right‐to‐left shunt (RLS) and cryptogenic stroke are lacking in Asians. RLS and its subtypes in Chinese cryptogenic stroke patients were investigated.MethodsPatients (n = 153, mean age 42 ± 10 years, 81 male) with cryptogenic stroke from four medical centers in China and 135 healthy volunteers (mean age 34 ± 8 years, 54 male) were recruited. Contrast transcranial Doppler was used to assess the prevalence of RLS. A three‐level RLS categorization was applied as follows: none, 0 microbubbles (MBs); small, 1–25 MBs; and large, >25 MBs. RLS was considered latent if it occurred only after the Valsalva maneuver or permanent when it occurred also during normal respiration.ResultsOverall, RLS (P = 0.02), large RLS (P < 0.001) and permanent RLS (P = 0.02) were more frequently detected in patients with cryptogenic stroke than in healthy volunteers. The prevalences of small RLS and latent RLS in the two groups were similar (22% vs. 21% and 11% vs. 10%, respectively). The proportion of large RLSs amongst the subjects with RLS was much higher in the patient group than in healthy volunteers (45% vs. 18%, P < 0.001), whilst the proportion of permanent RLS was similar (72% vs. 64%, P = 0.11). Most large RLSs in the patient group (22/27, 81%) were permanent RLSs.ConclusionsCardiac RLS is associated with cryptogenic stroke in Chinese. However, the higher prevalence of overall RLS in the patient group was mainly due to the increased proportion of large RLSs. The results only support large RLSs as a pathological condition.
Differences in paracingulate connectivity associated with epileptiform discharges and uncontrolled seizures in genetic generalized epilepsy
Authors: Kay Benjamin P. , Holland Scott K. , Privitera Michael D. , Szaflarski Jerzy P. 
Published: January 2014

SummaryObjectivePatients with genetic generalized epilepsy (GGE) frequently continue to have seizures despite appropriate clinical management. GGE is associated with changes in the resting‐state networks modulated by clinical factors such as duration of disease and response to treatment. However, the effect of generalized spike and wave discharges (GSWDs) and/or seizures on resting‐state functional connectivity (RSFC) is not well understood.MethodsWe investigated the effects of GSWD frequency (in GGE patients), GGE (patients vs. healthy controls), and seizures (uncontrolled vs. controlled) on RSFC using seed‐based voxel correlation in simultaneous electroencephalography (EEG) and resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) (EEG/fMRI) data from 72 GGE patients (23 with uncontrolled seizures) and 38 healthy controls. We used seeds in paracingulate cortex, thalamus, cerebellum, and posterior cingulate cortex to examine changes in cortical‐subcortical resting‐state networks and the default mode network (DMN). We excluded from analyses time points surrounding GSWDs to avoid possible contamination of the resting state.Results(1) Higher frequency of GSWDs was associated with an increase in seed‐based voxel correlation with cortical and subcortical brain regions associated with executive function, attention, and the DMN; (2) RSFC in patients with GGE, when compared to healthy controls, was increased between paracingulate cortex and anterior, but not posterior, thalamus; and (3) GGE patients with uncontrolled seizures exhibited decreased cerebellar RSFC.SignificanceOur findings in this large sample of patients with GGE (1) demonstrate an effect of interictal GSWDs on resting‐state networks, (2) provide evidence that different thalamic nuclei may be affected differently by GGE, and (3) suggest that cerebellum is a modulator of ictogenic circuits.
Thalamotemporal impairment in temporal lobe epilepsy: A combined MRI analysis of structure, integrity, and connectivity
Authors: Keller Simon S. , O'Muircheartaigh Jonathan , Traynor Catherine , Towgood Karren , Barker Gareth J. , Richardson Mark P. 
Published: January 2014

SummaryObjectiveThalamic abnormality in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is well known from imaging studies, but evidence is lacking regarding connectivity profiles of the thalamus and their involvement in the disease process. We used a novel multisequence magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol to elucidate the relationship between mesial temporal and thalamic pathology in TLE.MethodsFor 23 patients with TLE and 23 healthy controls, we performed T1‐weighted (for analysis of tissue structure), diffusion tensor imaging (tissue connectivity), and T1 and T2 relaxation (tissue integrity) MRI across the whole brain. We used connectivity‐based segmentation to determine connectivity patterns of thalamus to ipsilateral cortical regions (occipital, parietal, prefrontal, postcentral, precentral, and temporal). We subsequently determined volumes, mean tractography streamlines, and mean T1 and T2 relaxometry values for each thalamic segment preferentially connecting to a given cortical region, and of the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex.ResultsAs expected, patients had significant volume reduction and increased T2 relaxation time in ipsilateral hippocampus and entorhinal cortex. There was bilateral volume loss, mean streamline reduction, and T2 increase of the thalamic segment preferentially connected to temporal lobe, corresponding to anterior, dorsomedial, and pulvinar thalamic regions, with no evidence of significant change in any other thalamic segments. Left and right thalamotemporal segment volume and T2 were significantly correlated with volume and T2 of ipsilateral (epileptogenic), but not contralateral (nonepileptogenic), mesial temporal structures.SignificanceThese convergent and robust data indicate that thalamic abnormality in TLE is restricted to the area of the thalamus that is preferentially connected to the epileptogenic temporal lobe. The degree of thalamic pathology is related to the extent of mesial temporal lobe damage in TLE.
A question of persistence: Langerhans cells and graft‐versus‐host disease
Authors: Collin Matthew , Jardine Laura 
Published: January 2014

AbstractLangerhans cells (LCs) have been scrutinized many times in studies of the pathogenesis of graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD). As migratory dendritic cells, LCs are capable of direct antigen presentation to cytotoxic T cells. Their self‐renewal capacity has led to speculation that persistent recipient LCs could provide a continuous source of host antigen to donor T cells infused during hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). In this issue of Experimental Dermatology, a new study examines at the relationship between recipient LCs and chronic GVHD.
Mast cells protect from skin tumor development and limit tumor growth during cutaneous de novo carcinogenesis in a Kit‐dependent mouse model
Authors: Siebenhaar Frank , Metz Martin , Maurer Marcus 
Published: January 2014

AbstractEpidermal tumors belong to the most frequent type of neoplasms, and tumor‐associated accumulation of mast cells (MCs) has first been observed more than a century ago. Therefore, MCs have been implicated in tumor development and growth; however, the results regarding the role of MC in cutaneous de novo carcinogenesis are still controversially discussed. Here, we subjected MC‐deficient KitW/KitW−v mice to chemical skin carcinogenesis. Tumors were induced using the carcinogen 7,12‐dimethylbenz[a]‐anthracene and subsequent treatment with the tumor promoter 12‐tetradecanoyl‐phorbol‐13‐acetat. The treatment resulted in pronounced inflammatory cell infiltrates that were diminished in MC‐deficient animals. Unexpectedly, tumor development and growth was significantly increased in MC‐deficient KitW/KitW−v mice. The repair of their MC deficiency by local adoptive transfer of MCs normalized tumor incidence and growth. The recruitment of skin‐infiltrating immune cells, particularly of F4/80+ monocytes, Gr‐1+ granulocytes, B220+ B cells and CD8+ T lymphocytes, to sites of tumor development was, in part, also controlled by MCs. Recent evidence indicated the importance of local antitumor tissue immunity which prevents tumor development. These findings suggest a critical role for MCs in mediating these host antitumor immune responses in the skin.
Developing pathways for oral care in elders: evidence‐based interventions for dental caries prevention in dentate elders
Authors: Ghezzi Elisa M. 
Published: January 2014

BackgroundDental caries is becoming an ever‐growing challenge as the number of elders maintaining their teeth increases. There is a need for low‐cost, effective preventive interventions to retain natural teeth for elders.ObjectiveThe purpose of this article is to evaluate evidence based interventions for dentate elders, specifically the adjunct therapies of fluoride, chlorhexidine, xylitol, casein phosphopeptide‐amorphous calcium phosphate, ozone, and herbal liquorice.ResultsFluoride interventions have demonstrated prevention and remineralization of dental caries in elders. Systematic reviews of the literature are unable to establish definitive conclusions regarding the effectiveness of other adjunct therapies in dental caries prevention.ConclusionsFurther research with elders requires improved study design with well designed multi‐center trials. Considerations for new strategies for research of the effectiveness of therapies to reduce dental caries include the development and evaluation of combinations of therapeutic interventions and dental caries management by risk assessment.
Patients who present late to HIV care and associated risk factors in Nigeria
Authors: Agaba PA , Meloni ST , Sule HM , Agbaji OO , Ekeh PN , Job GC , Nyango N , Ugoagwu PO , Imade GE , Idoko JA , Kanki PJ 
Published: January 2014

ObjectivesOur objectives were to assess trends in late presentation and advanced HIV disease (AHD) and determine associated risk factors.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of patients who had received care and treatment at the AIDS Prevention Initiative Nigeria Plus (APIN)/Harvard School of Public Health−President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) programme at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria from 2005 to 2010. We used the European Consensus Definition to assess trends in late presentation (CD4 count < 350 cells/μL or AIDS‐defining illness) and AHD (CD4 count < 200 cells/μL or AIDS‐defining illness) and evaluated associated risk factors using logistic regression methods.ResultsAmong 14 487 eligible patients, 12 401 (85.6%) were late presenters and 9127 (63.0%) presented with AHD. Late presentation decreased from 88.9% in 2005 to 80.1% in 2010 (P < 0.001). Similarly, AHD decreased from 67.8% in 2005 to 53.6% in 2010 (P < 0.001). In logistic regression models adjusting for sociodemographic and biological variables, male sex [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.80; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.60–2.04], older age (aOR = 1.37; 95% CI 1.22–1.54), civil service employment (aOR = 1.48; 95% CI 1.00–2.21), referral from out‐patient (aOR = 2.18; 95% CI 1.53–3.08) and in‐patient (aOR = 1.55; 95% CI 1.11–2.17) services, and hepatitis B virus (aOR = 1.43; 95% CI 1.26–1.63) and hepatitis C virus (aOR = 1.18; 95% CI 1.02–1.37) coinfections were associated with late presentation. Predictors of AHD were male sex (aOR = 1.67; 95% CI 1.54–1.82), older age (aOR = 1.26; 95% CI 1.16–1.36), unemployment (aOR = 1.34; 95% CI 1.00–1.79), referral from out‐patient (aOR = 2.40; 95% CI 1.84–3.14) and in‐patient (aOR = 1.97; 95% CI 1.51–2.57) services and hepatitis B virus coinfection (aOR = 1.30; 95% CI 1.19–1.42).ConclusionsEfforts to reduce the proportion of patients who first seek care at late stages of disease are needed. The identified risk factors should be utilized in formulating targeted public health interventions to improve early diagnosis and presentation for HIV care.
Effect of TiO2Doping on the Sintering Process, Mechanical and Magnetic Properties of NiFe2O4Ferrite Ceramics
Authors: Wang Bin , Du Jinjing , Liu Yihan , Yao Guangchun 
Published: January 2014

TiO2‐doped NiFe2O4samples were prepared via ball‐milling and two‐step sintering processes. Besides NiFe2O4phase, two new phases, NiTiO3and Fe2TiO5, formed in TiO2‐doped samples. The temperature of sintering onset for 1.0 wt% TiO2‐doped samples is 230°C lower than that of undoped samples. Early‐stage synthesis process of TiO2‐doped NiFe2O4ceramics is controlled by grain boundary diffusion mechanism. Increasing TiO2content from 0 to 1.0 wt%, the apparent activation energy decreased from 813.919 KJ/mol to 639.361 KJ/mol. The values of relative density and bending strength reached their maximum value with 1.0 wt% TiO2. Saturation magnetization, residual magnetization ratio and coercivity decrease with increasing TiO2content.
Investigations of Structural and Magnetic Properties of Nanostructured Ni0.5+xZn0.5‐xFe2O4 Magnetic Feeders for CSEM Application
Authors: Niaz Akhtar Majid , Yahya Noorhana , Sattar Abdul , Ahmad Mukhtar , Idrees Muhammad , Hasan Asif Muhammad , Azhar Khan Muhammad 
Published: January 2014

Marine CSEM is a new technique for detection of deep target hydrocarbons. Aluminum EM antenna was developed, and nanostructured NiZn magnetic feeders were used to increase the field strength from EM antenna for deep hydrocarbons. The doping of Ni2+ was aimed at the optimization of initial permeability and magnetic losses. Ni0.5+xZn0.5‐xFe2O4 (x = 0.3) samples sintered at 950°C presented highest initial permeability (106.23) and low magnetic loss (0.0002) as compared to other samples. Due to better magnetic properties, Ni0.5+xZn0.5‐xFe2O4 (x = 0.3) samples were used as magnetic feeders for EM antenna. Magnitude of EM waves from the antenna increased up to 186%.
Study on Gelcasting of Fused Silica Glass Using Glutinous Rice Flour as Binder
Authors: Wan Wei , Huang Chun‐e , Yang Jian , Qiu Tai 
Published: January 2014

Gelcasting is a colloidal processing method for fabricating high‐strength and complex shape ceramic green bodies. However, industry has been reluctant to use the gelcasting technique because the most commonly used gel, acrylamide (AM), is a neurotoxin. Here, we report an attempt at the gelcasting of fused silica glass using a natural and nontoxic gel, glutinous rice flour (GRF) as binder. The GRF‐based aqueous system was found to behave excellently in the gelcasting process. Flexural strength of fused silica green bodies solidified with only 3 wt% GRF is up to 11.87 MPa. Bulk density and flexural strength of fused silica glass sintered at 1275 °C are 1.75 g/cm3 and 47.02 MPa, respectively.
A descriptive cross‐sectional international study to explore current practices in the assessment, prevention and treatment of skin tears
Authors: LeBlanc Kimberly , Baranoski Sharon , Holloway Samantha , Langemo Diane , Regan Mary 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThis study presents the results of a descriptive, cross‐sectional, online international survey in order to explore current practices in the assessment, prediction, prevention and treatment of skin tears (STs). A total of 1127 health care providers (HCP) from 16 countries completed the survey. The majority of the respondents (69·6%, n = 695) reported problems with the current methods for the assessment and documentation of STs with an overwhelming majority (89·5%, n = 891) favouring the development of a simplified method of assessment. Respondents ranked equipment injury during patient transfer and falls as the main causes of STs. The majority of the samples indicated that they used non‐adhesive dressings (35·89%, n = 322) to treat a ST, with the use of protective clothing being the most common method of prevention. The results of this study led to the establishment of a consensus document, classification system and a tool kit for use by practitioners. The authors believe that this survey was an important first step in raising the global awareness of STs and to stimulate discussion and research of these complex acute wounds.
Regional mapping of myocardial hibernation phenotype in idiopathic end‐stage dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Lionetti Vincenzo , Matteucci Marco , Ribezzo Marco , Di Silvestre Dario , Brambilla Francesca , Agostini Silvia , Mauri Pierluigi , Padeletti Luigi , Pingitore Alessandro , Delsedime Luisa , Rinaldi Mauro , Recchia Fabio A. , Pucci Angela 
Published: January 2014

AbstractMyocardial hibernation (MH) is a well‐known feature of human ischaemic cardiomyopathy (ICM), whereas its presence in human idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is still controversial. We investigated the histological and molecular features of MH in left ventricle (LV) regions of failing DCM or ICM hearts. We examined failing hearts from DCM (n = 11; 41.9 ± 5.45 years; left ventricle‐ejection fraction (LV‐EF), 18 ± 3.16%) and ICM patients (n = 12; 58.08 ± 1.7 years; LVEF, 21.5 ± 6.08%) undergoing cardiac transplantation, and normal donor hearts (N, n = 8). LV inter‐ventricular septum (IVS) and antero‐lateral free wall (FW) were transmurally (i.e. sub‐epicardial, mesocardial and sub‐endocardial layers) analysed. LV glycogen content was shown to be increased in both DCM and ICM as compared with N hearts (P < 0.001), with a U‐shaped transmural distribution (lower values in mesocardium). Capillary density was homogenously reduced in both DCM and ICM as compared with N (P < 0.05 versus N), with a lower decrease independent of the extent of fibrosis in sub‐endocardial and sub‐epicardial layers of DCM as compared with ICM. HIF1‐α and nestin, recognized ischaemic molecular hallmarks, were similarly expressed in DCM‐LV and ICM‐LV myocardium. The proteomic profile was overlapping by ~50% in DCM and ICM groups. Morphological and molecular features of MH were detected in end‐stage ICM as well as in end‐stage DCM LV, despite epicardial coronary artery patency and lower fibrosis in DCM hearts. Unravelling the presence of MH in the absence of coronary stenosis may be helpful to design a novel approach in the clinical management of DCM.
Protection of neurons from high glucose‐induced injury by deletion of MAD2B
Authors: Meng Xianfang , Wang Xiaolan , Tian Xiujuan , Yang Zhihua , Li Man , Zhang Chun 
Published: January 2014

AbstractDiabetic encephalopathy may lead to cognitive deficits in diabetic patients and diminish quality of life. It has been shown that protracted hyperglycaemia is directly associated with neuronal apoptosis, which is involved in diabetic encephalopathy. The anaphase‐promoting complex (APC) is essential for the survival of post‐mitotic neurons. In our previous study, we found that the mitotic arrest deficient protein MAD2B, one of APC inhibitors, was expressed in neurons in central nervous system. However, whether MAD2B is involved in hyperglycaemia‐induced apoptosis and thus takes part in diabetic encephalopathy is still unknown. To address this issue, we first explored the expression of MAD2B and cyclin B1 detected by immunofluorescence and Western blot. It was found that hyperglycaemia remarkably increased the expression of MAD2B and accumulation of cyclin B1 in cortices of diabetes mellitus rat model and in cultured primary neurons. To further explore the role of MAD2B in hyperglycaemia‐induced neuronal injury, we depleted MAD2B expression by a specifically targeted shRNA against MAD2B. We observed that MAD2B deficiency alleviated cyclin B1 expression and apoptotic neuronal death. These results demonstrate that MAD2B expression is the main culprit for accumulation of cyclin B1 and apoptosis in neurons under high glucose. Moreover, inhibition of the expression of MAD2B prevented neurons from entering an aberrant S phase that led differentiated neurons into apoptotic cell death. These results suggest that hyperglycaemia induced neuronal apoptosis through inducing expression of MAD2B, which represents a novel mechanism of diabetic encephalopathy.
Shared familial transmission of autism spectrum and attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorders
Authors: Musser Erica D. , Hawkey Elizabeth , Kachan‐Liu Svetlana S. , Lees Paul , Roullet Jean‐Baptiste , Goddard Katrina , Steiner Robert D. , Nigg Joel T. 
Published: January 2014

BackgroundTo determine whether familial transmission is shared between autism spectrum disorders and attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder, we assessed the prevalence, rates of comorbidity, and familial transmission of both disorders in a large population‐based sample of children during a recent 7 year period.MethodsStudy participants included all children born to parents with the Kaiser Permanente Northwest (KPNW) Health Plan between 1 January 1998 and 31 December 2004 (n = 35,073). Children and mothers with physician‐identified autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and/or attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were identified via electronic medical records maintained for all KPNW members.ResultsAmong children aged 6–12 years, prevalence was 2.0% for ADHD and 0.8% for ASD; within those groups, 0.2% of the full sample (19% of the ASD sample and 9.6% of the ADHD sample) had co‐occurring ASD and ADHD, when all children were included. When mothers had a diagnosis of ADHD, first born offspring were at 6‐fold risk of ADHD alone (OR = 5.02, p < .0001) and at 2.5‐fold risk of ASD alone (OR = 2.52, p < .01). Results were not accounted for by maternal age, child gestational age, child gender, and child race.ConclusionsAutism spectrum disorders shares familial transmission with ADHD. ADHD and ASD have a partially overlapping diathesis.
Mate competition and resource competition are inter‐related in sexual selection
Authors: Wacker S. , Amundsen T. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractSexual selection can be affected by the competition for limited breeding resources and/or the competition for limited mates. Although there is ample evidence for each type of competition by itself, little is known about their relative importance and interaction. To address these questions, we established 48 experimental breeding populations of the two‐spotted goby (Gobiusculus flavescens), a substrate‐breeding fish with paternal care. In three experimental treatments, males were limited in the access to either nest sites or mates or were provided with both nests and mates in excess. We quantified male competition behaviour (agonistic and courtship), the opportunity for selection and selection on male body size. Limited access to nests and mates produced similar opportunities for selection, but only limited access to mates increased male competitive behaviours and caused positive selection on male body size. Selection on body size in the mate‐limited treatment was due both to larger males being more likely to take up nests and to larger males being more likely to mate once they had a nest. These findings demonstrate that resource and mate limitation can differ in their effects on sexual selection. The results also reveal that resource and mating competition can be highly inter‐related and not always separated in time, implying that methods to disentangle the two processes must be chosen with care. Future research should consider experimental and analytical approaches similar to those of the present study in attempts to elucidate the interaction of resource and mating competition in animals.