bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optical Bedside Monitoring of Cerebral Blood Flow in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients During Head-of-Bed Manipulation
Authors: Favilla Christopher G. , Mesquita Rickson C. , Mullen Michael , Durduran Turgut , Lu Xiangping , Kim Meeri N. , Minkoff David L. , Kasner Scott E. , Greenberg Joel H. , Yodh Arjun G. , Detre John A. 
Published: March 2014

Background and Purpose—
A primary goal of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) management is to maximize perfusion in the affected region and surrounding ischemic penumbra. However, interventions to maximize perfusion, such as flat head-of-bed (HOB) positioning, are currently prescribed empirically. Bedside monitoring of cerebral blood flow (CBF) allows the effects of interventions such as flat HOB to be monitored and may ultimately be used to guide clinical management.

Methods—
Cerebral perfusion was measured during HOB manipulations in 17 patients with unilateral AIS affecting large cortical territories in the anterior circulation. Simultaneous measurements of frontal CBF and arterial flow velocity were performed with diffuse correlation spectroscopy and transcranial Doppler ultrasound, respectively. Results were analyzed in the context of available clinical data and a previous study.

Results—

Frontal CBF, averaged over the patient cohort, decreased by 17% (
P
=0.034) and 15% (
P
=0.011) in the ipsilesional and contralesional hemispheres, respectively, when HOB was changed from flat to 30°. Significant (cohort-averaged) changes in blood velocity were not observed. Individually, varying responses to HOB manipulation were observed, including paradoxical increases in CBF with increasing HOB angle. Clinical features, stroke volume, and distance to the optical probe could not explain this paradoxical response.

Conclusions—
A lower HOB angle results in an increase in cortical CBF without a significant change in arterial flow velocity in AIS, but there is variability across patients in this response. Bedside CBF monitoring with diffuse correlation spectroscopy provides a potential means to individualize interventions designed to optimize CBF in AIS.
Branching Patterns Determine the Size of Single Subcortical Infarctions
Authors: Kim Bum Joon , Lee Deok Hee , Kang Dong-Wha , Kwon Sun U. , Kim Jong S. 
Published: March 2014

Background and Purpose—
The size variation of single subcortical infarcts (SSIs) may be because of differences in stroke mechanisms or branching patterns of perforators. We aim to investigate this issue using high-resolution MRI.

Methods—
Patients with high-resolution MRI–identified SSI without significant (≥50%) middle cerebral artery stenosis were enrolled. Perforator stems were defined as perforators originating from the middle cerebral artery and perforator branches as linear structures inside the infarcted area, traceable from >2 adjacent slices. The branching index was calculated as the number of perforator branches divided by the number of perforator stems. Clinical and imaging characteristics were compared between large (≥20 mm in diameter) and small SSI groups.

Results—

Forty-one patients (10 large and 31 small SSIs) were enrolled. Larger SSIs were more closely associated with diabetes mellitus and severe neurological dysfunction but not with the presence of middle cerebral artery plaque. Although there was no difference in the number of perforator stems, the number of perforator branches (4.8±2.2 versus 2.3±1.4;
P
=0.005) and branching index (2.9±1.0 versus 1.2±0.8;
P
<0.001) was higher in the large SSI group. SSI diameter showed a significant correlation with the number of perforator branches (
r
=0.630;
P
<0.001) and branching index (
r
=0.750;
P
<0.001).

Conclusions—
SSI diameter seems to be associated with anatomic branching variation rather than the mechanism of stroke. Definition of small vessel disease with lesion diameter criteria may not be appropriate.
The Value of High-Resolution Met Office Regional Climate Models in the Simulation of Multihourly Precipitation Extremes
Authors: Chan Steven C. , Kendon Elizabeth J. , Fowler Hayley J. , Blenkinsop Stephen , Roberts Nigel M. , Ferro Christopher A. T. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractExtreme value theory is used as a diagnostic for two high-resolution (12-km parameterized convection and 1.5-km explicit convection) Met Office regional climate model (RCM) simulations. On subdaily time scales, the 12-km simulation has weaker June–August (JJA) short-return-period return levels than the 1.5-km RCM, yet the 12-km RCM has overly large high return levels. Comparisons with observations indicate that the 1.5-km RCM is more successful than the 12-km RCM in representing (multi)hourly JJA very extreme events. As accumulation periods increase toward daily time scales, the erroneous 12-km precipitation extremes become more comparable with the observations and the 1.5-km RCM. The 12-km RCM fails to capture the observed low sensitivity of the growth rate to accumulation period changes, which is successfully captured by the 1.5-km RCM. Both simulations have comparable December–February (DJF) extremes, but the DJF extremes are generally weaker than in JJA at daily or shorter time scales. Case studies indicate that “gridpoint storms” are one of the causes of unrealistic very extreme events in the 12-km RCM. Caution is needed in interpreting the realism of 12-km RCM JJA extremes, including short-return-period events, which have return values closer to observations. There is clear evidence that the 1.5-km RCM has a higher degree of realism than the 12-km RCM in the simulation of JJA extremes.
Patient Perception of Midlevel Providers in Pediatric Diabetes Care
Authors: Andrews Erica Brecht , Thomas Joan , Jaacks Lindsay , D’Agostino Ralph , Ward Dianne , Mayer-Davis Elizabeth J. 
Published: March 2014

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate perceptions of the role of midlevel providers among pediatric type 1 diabetes patients. Methods The study population was a convenience sample of 82 youth with type 1 diabetes who were enrolled in the SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth Study, Carolina site, and attended either baseline (n = 22) or follow-up (n = 60) visits between May 25, 2012, and October 3, 2012. Self-administered surveys queried participants’ understanding of providers’ roles and perceived employment at clinics and whether participants had seen providers since diagnosis. Midlevel providers of interest included dietitians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and medical social workers. Mean proportions for each provider were compared to dietitians (referent) via a t test. Fisher exact tests were used to determine associations between survey responses. Results Baseline participants reported seeing a dietitian since diagnosis more often than they reported seeing an nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or medical social worker. Baseline and follow-up participants both reported understanding the role of dietitians significantly more than the role of other providers. Dietitians were reported by all participants to be employed at clinics more frequently than physician assistants or medical social workers. Seeing the provider was associated with patients’ self-reported understanding of providers and their employment at diabetes care clinics. Conclusions The survey population reported a high understanding of dietitian roles. However, the roles of other midlevel providers were not as well understood by youth with type 1 diabetes and their parents, which could represent a missed opportunity for care.
Prevalence of hypertension and circadian blood pressure variations in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea–hypopnoea syndrome
Authors: Wang Yan , Li Caili , Feng Liting , Feng Jing , Cao Jie , Chen Baoyuan 
Published: March 2014

Objective To investigate the prevalence of hypertension and circadian blood pressure (BP) variations in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea–hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS). Methods Patients referred to a sleep clinic underwent polysomnography with measurement of BP at four time points. They were classified into four groups (control, and mild, moderate or severe sleep apnoea) using the apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI). Circadian variation was assessed using night-time to daytime mean BP ( RN/D) and morning to evening mean BP ( RM/E) ratios. Results Hypertension was significantly more common in patients with OSAHS (50.5%) than in controls (30.4%). AHI was positively correlated with hypertension after controlling for related confounders. Mean BP values at all four time points rose with increasing AHI. The increase in night-time and morning values was more pronounced than the increase in daytime and evening values in patients with OSAHS, resulting in loss of the normal BP diurnal rhythm. The RN/D and RM/E ratios increased with increasing AHI. Daytime BP was significantly correlated with AHI and the lowest oxygen saturation value. Conclusion OSAHS was shown to be an independent risk factor for hypertension. It was also associated with loss of the normal BP diurnal rhythm.
Postoperative haemodynamic changes in transplanted liver: Long-term follow-up with ultrasonography
Authors: Han Hong , Liu Rong , Wang Wen-Ping , Ding Hong , Wen Jie-Xian , Lin Xi-Yuan 
Published: March 2014

Objective To investigate haemodynamic changes in the transplanted liver without postoperative complications. Methods Colour Doppler ultrasound was used to monitor recipients of liver transplants who had no postoperative complications. The haemodynamic data for the hepatic vasculature were compared at different time-points during the first 4 years after liver transplantation. Results A total of 144 liver transplant patients were enrolled in the study. Portal vein flow velocity decreased significantly from 72.1 ± 30.3 cm/s at 1 day to 44.2 ± 20.1 cm/s at 1 month after liver transplantation. Hepatic artery flow velocity was 61.4 ± 33.2 cm/s at day 1; it then decreased slowly but significantly to 48.3 ± 20.4 cm/s at 3 years after transplantation. There were 81 (56.3%) patients with high hepatic artery resistance index (HARI) (>0.80) and 19 (13.2%) with low HARI (<0.50) measured at least once during the 4-year follow-up examination. Conclusions Decreased portal vein flow velocity was the typical change observed during the first month after liver transplantation. Abnormal haemodynamic Doppler results should be interpreted with caution because they may not be clinically significant and may improve spontaneously.
Fasting ameliorates metabolism, immunity, and oxidative stress in carbon tetrachloride-intoxicated rats
Authors: Sadek KM , Saleh EA 
Published: March 2014

Background: Fasting has been recently discovered to improve overall health, but its beneficial effects in the presence of hepatic insufficiency have not been proven. Aim: The influence of fasting on the metabolism, immunological aspects, and oxidative stress of 40 male carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-intoxicated Wistar rats was investigated in the present study. Methods: The rats were divided into four groups, including a placebo group, CCl4-intoxicated rats, which were injected subcutaneously with 1.0 ml/kg of CCl4 solution, a fasting group, which was fasted 12 h/day for 30 days, and a fourth group, which was injected with CCl4 and fasted. Results: The metabolism, immunity, and oxidative stress improved in CCl4-intoxicated rats fasted for 12 h/day for 30 days, as evidenced in significant increase ( p < 0.05) in total protein, globulin, immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG levels, and total antioxidant capacity. In contrast, significant decrease ( p < 0.05) in blood glucose, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, C-reactive protein, and malondialdehyde levels were observed. Compared with CCl4-intoxicated rats, significant differences in the albumin, triacylglycerol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, cardiovascular risk factor, calcium and magnesium levels were not detected. Conclusions: The results of the present study showed that fasting improved metabolism, immunity, and oxidative stress in CCl4-intoxicated rats. Thus, fasting during Ramadan is safe for patients with hepatic disorders, as the prophet Mohammed (S) said “Keep the fast, keep your health”.
Chinese SLE Treatment and Research group (CSTAR) registry: II. Prevalence and risk factors of pulmonary arterial hypertension in Chinese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Li M , Wang Q , Zhao J , Li Z , Ye Z , Li C , Li X , Zhu P , Wang Z , Zheng Y , Li X , Zhang M , Tian Z , Liu Y , He J , Zhang F , Zhao Y , Zeng X ,   CSTAR co-authors
Published: March 2014

Objectives To estimate the prevalence of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and risk factors for PAH in patients registered in the Chinese SLE Treatment and Research group (CSTAR) database, the first online registry of Chinese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods A prospective cross-sectional study of patients with SLE was conducted using the CSTAR registry. Resting transthoracic echocardiography was used to estimate pulmonary artery pressure (PAP); PAH was defined as systolic PAP (PASP) ≥40 mmHg. Patients with interstitial lung disease, valvular disease or cardiomyopathy were excluded because of disease influence on PAP. We explored potential risk factors for PAH including patient characteristics, organ involvement, laboratory findings and SLE disease activity. Results Of 1934 patients with SLE, 74 had PASP with 54.2 ± 17.1 (40,106) mmHg and were diagnosed with probable PAH. The incidences of lupus nephritis, pleuritis, pericarditis, hypocomplementemia, anti-SSA, and anti-ribonucleoprotein (RNP) were significantly higher in patients with PAH than in those without ( p<0.05). SLE disease activity was significantly higher in patients with PAH than in unaffected patients ( p<0.05). Multivariate analysis indicated that pericarditis (odds ratio (OR) = 4.248), pleuritis (OR = 3.061) and anti-RNP (OR = 2.559) were independent risk factors for PAH in patients with SLE ( p<0.05). Conclusions The possible prevalence of PAH was 3.8% in Chinese patients with SLE in the CSTAR registry. The significant association of pericarditis, pleuritis and anti-RNP positivity with PAH suggests that higher disease activity and vasculopathy may both contribute to the development of PAH in SLE, which need be treated aggressively to improve prognosis.
The Discipline’s Escalating Whisper
Authors: Watkins Daphne C. , Hawkins Jaclynn , Mitchell Jamie A. 
Published: March 2014

Objective: Though sparse in previous years, research on the mental health of Black men has recently experienced a gradual increase in social work journals. This article systematically organizes and critically examines peer-reviewed, social work evidence on the mental health of Black men. Methods: Twenty-two peer-reviewed articles from social work journals were examined based on their contribution to social work research and practice on the mental health of Black men. Results: The social work evidence on Black men’s mental health can be grouped into one of four categories: psychosocial factors; mental health care and the role of clinicians; fatherhood; and sexual orientation, HIV status, and sexual practices. Conclusions: This representation of the social work literature on Black men’s mental health neglects critical areas germane to social work research and practice with this population. Implications include ways to extend current social work research and practice to improve the health for Black men.
Quantitative Evaluation of Changes in the Clock-Watching Behavior of a Patient With Semantic Dementia
Authors: Nonaka Takahiro , Suto Shunji , Yamakawa Miyae , Shigenobu Kazue , Makimoto Kiyoko 
Published: March 2014

Background: Clock-watching activity in patients with dementia has not been documented in detail. Methods: A male patient having semantic dementia was monitored at a dementia care unit in a general hospital in Japan. We used an integrated circuit monitoring system to record the distance and location of ambulation and the total number of movements that occurred outside the patient’s room. Results: The patient was reported to clock watch a couple of years prior to monitoring. In 2011, when monitoring started, he regularly came out of his room saying, “8 o’clock” about 40 minutes into every hour. It seemed as if he could only recognize the minute hand. The median number of sensor detections increased by 4-fold at this clock-watching phase. Behavior consistent with his clock-watching patterns was also detected during the night. In 2012, clock-watching activity disappeared. Conclusions: This study documented the progression of clock-watching and subsequent disappearance with worsening cognitive function.
Personalized State-space Modeling of Glucose Dynamics for Type 1 Diabetes Using Continuously Monitored Glucose, Insulin Dose, and Meal Intake
Authors: Wang Qian , Molenaar Peter , Harsh Saurabh , Freeman Kenneth , Xie Jinyu , Gold Carol , Rovine Mike , Ulbrecht Jan 
Published: March 2014

Background: An essential component of any artificial pancreas is on the prediction of blood glucose levels as a function of exogenous and endogenous perturbations such as insulin dose, meal intake, and physical activity and emotional tone under natural living conditions. Methods: In this article, we present a new data-driven state-space dynamic model with time-varying coefficients that are used to explicitly quantify the time-varying patient-specific effects of insulin dose and meal intake on blood glucose fluctuations. Using the 3-variate time series of glucose level, insulin dose, and meal intake of an individual type 1 diabetic subject, we apply an extended Kalman filter (EKF) to estimate time-varying coefficients of the patient-specific state-space model. We evaluate our empirical modeling using (1) the FDA-approved UVa/Padova simulator with 30 virtual patients and (2) clinical data of 5 type 1 diabetic patients under natural living conditions. Conclusion: Compared to a forgetting-factor-based recursive ARX model of the same order, the EKF model predictions have higher fit, and significantly better temporal gain and J index and thus are superior in early detection of upward and downward trends in glucose. The EKF based state-space model developed in this article is particularly suitable for model-based state-feedback control designs since the Kalman filter estimates the state variable of the glucose dynamics based on the measured glucose time series. In addition, since the model parameters are estimated in real time, this model is also suitable for adaptive control.
Image-guided intrathymic injection of multipotent stem cells supports lifelong T-cell immunity and facilitates targeted immunotherapy
Authors: Tuckett Andrea Z. , Thornton Raymond H. , Shono Yusuke , Smith Odette M. , Levy Emily R. , Kreines Fabiana M. , van den Brink Marcel R. M. , Zakrzewski Johannes L. 
Published: March 2014

Key Points
Image-guided intrathymic injection of cells or drugs permits implementation of clinically relevant strategies to improve thymic function. Intrathymic injection of hematopoietic stem cells generates long-lasting antigen-specific T-cell immunity.
Erythro-megakaryocytic transcription factors associated with hereditary anemia
Authors: Crispino John D. , Weiss Mitchell J. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractMost heritable anemias are caused by mutations in genes encoding globins, red blood cell (RBC) membrane proteins, or enzymes in the glycolytic and hexose monophosphate shunt pathways. A less common class of genetic anemia is caused by mutations that alter the functions of erythroid transcription factors (TFs). Many TF mutations associated with heritable anemia cause truncations or amino acid substitutions, resulting in the production of functionally altered proteins. Characterization of these mutant proteins has provided insights into mechanisms of gene expression, hematopoietic development, and human disease. Mutations within promoter or enhancer regions that disrupt TF binding to essential erythroid genes also cause anemia and heritable variations in RBC traits, such as fetal hemoglobin content. Defining the latter may have important clinical implications for de-repressing fetal hemoglobin synthesis to treat sickle cell anemia and β thalassemia. Functionally important alterations in genes encoding TFs or their cognate cis elements are likely to occur more frequently than currently appreciated, a hypothesis that will soon be tested through ongoing genome-wide association studies and the rapidly expanding use of global genome sequencing for human diagnostics. Findings obtained through such studies of RBCs and associated diseases are likely generalizable to many human diseases and quantitative traits.
From root to fruit: RNA-Seq analysis shows that arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis may affect tomato fruit metabolism
Authors: Zouari Inès , Salvioli Alessandra , Chialva Matteo , Novero Mara , Miozzi Laura , Tenore Gian Carlo , Bagnaresi Paolo , Bonfante Paola 
Published: March 2014

Abstract

Background
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) establishes a beneficial symbiosis with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. The formation of the mycorrhizal association in the roots leads to plant-wide modulation of gene expression. To understand the systemic effect of the fungal symbiosis on the tomato fruit, we used RNA-Seq to perform global transcriptome profiling on Moneymaker tomato fruits at the turning ripening stage.

Results
Fruits were collected at 55 days after flowering, from plants colonized with Funneliformis mosseae and from control plants, which were fertilized to avoid responses related to nutrient deficiency. Transcriptome analysis identified 712 genes that are differentially expressed in fruits from mycorrhizal and control plants. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis of these genes showed 81 overrepresented functional GO classes. Up-regulated GO classes include photosynthesis, stress response, transport, amino acid synthesis and carbohydrate metabolism functions, suggesting a general impact of fungal symbiosis on primary metabolisms and, particularly, on mineral nutrition. Down-regulated GO classes include cell wall, metabolism and ethylene response pathways. Quantitative RT-PCR validated the RNA-Seq results for 12 genes out of 14 when tested at three fruit ripening stages, mature green, breaker and turning. Quantification of fruit nutraceutical and mineral contents produced values consistent with the expression changes observed by RNA-Seq analysis.

Conclusions
This RNA-Seq profiling produced a novel data set that explores the intersection of mycorrhization and fruit development. We found that the fruits of mycorrhizal plants show two transcriptomic “signatures”: genes characteristic of a climacteric fleshy fruit, and genes characteristic of mycorrhizal status, like phosphate and sulphate transporters. Moreover, mycorrhizal plants under low nutrient conditions produce fruits with a nutrient content similar to those from non-mycorrhizal plants under high nutrient conditions, indicating that AM fungi can help replace exogenous fertilizer for fruit crops.