bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and implications of a difference in systolic blood pressure between one arm and the other in vascular surgical patients
Authors: Durrand J. W. , Batterham A. M. , O'Neill B. R. , Danjoux G. R. 
Published: October 2013

SummaryInter‐arm differences in blood pressure may confound haemodynamic management in vascular surgery. We evaluated 898 patients in the vascular pre‐assessment clinic to determine the prevalence of inter‐arm differences in systolic and mean arterial pressure, quantify the consequent risk of clinical error in siting monitoring peri‐operatively and evaluate systolic inter‐arm difference as a predictor of all‐cause mortality (median follow‐up 49 months). The prevalence of a systolic inter‐arm difference ≥ 15 mmHg was 26% (95% CI 23–29%). The prevalence of an inter‐arm mean arterial pressure difference ≥ 10 mmHg was 26% (95% CI 23–29%) and 11% (95% CI 9–13%) for a difference ≥ 15 mmHg. Monitoring could be erroneously sited in an arm reading lower for systolic pressure once in every seven to nine patients. The hazard ratio for a systolic inter‐arm difference ≥ 15 mmHg vs < 15 mmHg was 1.03 (95% CI 0.78–1.36, p = 0.84). Large inter‐arm blood pressure differences are common in this population, with a high potential for monitoring errors. Systolic inter‐arm difference was not associated with medium‐term mortality. [Correction added on 17 October 2013, after first online publication: In the Summary the sentence beginning ‘We evaluated 898 patients’ was corrected from (median (IQR [range]) follow‐up 49 months) to read (median follow up 49 months)]
Growth hormone‐induced insulin resistance in human subjects involves reduced pyruvate dehydrogenase activity
Authors: Nellemann B. , Vendelbo M. H. , Nielsen T. S. , Bak A. M. , Høgild M. , Pedersen S. B. , Biensø R. S. , Pilegaard H. , Møller N. , Jessen N. , Jørgensen J. O. L. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractAimInsulin resistance induced by growth hormone (GH) is linked to promotion of lipolysis by unknown mechanisms. We hypothesized that suppression of the activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase in the active form (PDHa) underlies GH‐induced insulin resistance similar to what is observed during fasting.MethodsEight healthy male subjects were studied four times in a randomized, single‐blinded parallel design: Control, GH, Fasting (36 h) and GH + Fasting. GH (30 ng × kg−1 × min−1) or saline was infused throughout the metabolic study day. Substrate metabolism and insulin sensitivity were assessed by indirect calorimetry and isotopically determined rates of glucose turnover before and after a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp. PDHa activity, PDH‐E1α phosphorylation, PDK4 expression and activation of insulin signalling proteins were assessed in skeletal muscle.ResultsBoth fasting and GH promoted lipolysis, which was associated with ≈50% reduction in insulin sensitivity compared with the control day. PDHa activity was significantly reduced by GH as well as fasting. This was associated with increased inhibitory PDH‐E1α phosphorylation on site 1 (Ser293) and 2 (Ser300) and up‐regulation of PDK4 mRNA, while canonical insulin signalling to glucose transport was unaffected.ConclusionCompetition between intermediates of glucose and fatty acids seems to play a causal role in insulin resistance induced by GH in human subjects.
Serum neopterin and soluble CD163 as markers of macrophage activation in paracetamol (acetaminophen)‐induced human acute liver injury
Authors: Craig D. G. , Lee P. , Pryde E. A. , Hayes P. C. , Simpson K. J. 
Published: October 2013

SummaryBackgroundMacrophage activation is implicated in the pathogenesis of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) following paracetamol (acetaminophen) overdose (POD). Neopterin is synthesised from macrophages and reflects the intensity of monocyte/macrophage activation. Soluble CD163 (sCD163) is a marker of alternatively activated M2 macrophages.AimTo examine neopterin and sCD163 levels in a cohort of acute liver injury patients.MethodsConsecutive patients (n = 41, (18 (43.9%) male) with acute liver injury were enrolled. Neopterin and sCD163 levels were measured by ELISA.ResultsA total of 24/33 (72.7%) POD patients developed hepatic encephalopathy (HE), and therefore acute liver failure. Both neopterin and sCD163 levels were significantly higher in PODs compared with chronic liver disease (neopterin P < 0.001, sCD163 P = 0.038) and healthy (both P < 0.001) controls. Admission neopterin levels were significantly higher in PODs: with HE (P = 0.001); with the SIRS (P = 0.005); who required renal replacement therapy (P = 0.003); who died or required liver transplantation (P = 0.006; AUROC 78.6% (95% CI 62.2–94.9%). Serum sCD163 levels were significantly higher in those PODs with the SIRS (P = 0.033) on admission, and were higher in those PODs who died or required OLT (P = 0.024). Both admission neopterin and sCD163 levels in PODs correlated with organ failure scores but not with serum ALT. There was no significant correlation between neopterin and sCD163 values.ConclusionsBoth serum neopterin and sCD163 levels are significantly elevated following paracetamol overdose, and reflect the degree of macrophage activation in this condition. Serum neopterin in particular may have value as an early proxy marker of macrophage activation following paracetamol overdose.
Prescription of antidepressants and the risk of road traffic crash in the elderly: a case–crossover study
Authors: Orriols Ludivine , Wilchesky Machelle , Lagarde Emmanuel , Suissa Samy 
Published: October 2013

AimTo investigate the impact of antidepressants on the risk of road traffic crash in the elderly.MethodsReports from the Universal Quebec Automobile Insurance Agency database were matched with data on antidepressant prescription from the Quebec Health Insurance Agency. The case–crossover analysis consisted in comparing exposure during a period immediately before the crash with exposure during earlier periods, for the same subject.ResultsOne hundred and nine thousand four hundred and six drivers between 66 and 84 years of age involved in a traffic crash between 1988 and 2000 were included. Two thousand nine hundred and nineteen (2.7%) were exposed to an antidepressant on the day of the crash. Case–crossover analysis found an increased risk of crash in drivers with a prescription of antidepressants before their crash when compared with a prescription of antidepressants 4 to 8 months before the crash (OR = 1.19, 95% CI 1.08, 1.30 to 1.42. 95% CI 1.30, 1.55). With the most recent control periods, results were not significant.ConclusionA patient's mental state is probably more similar between two periods that are close to each other than up to 8 months before. Consequently, the risk of crash is likely to be linked to symptoms of depression.
Centrality in children's best friend networks: The role of social behaviour
Authors: Betts Lucy R. , Stiller James 
Published: October 2013

Centrality is an indicator of an individual's relative importance within a social group. Predictors of centrality in best friendship networks were examined in 146 children (70 boys and 76 girls, Mage = 9.95). Children completed measures of social confidence, social desirability, friendship quality, school liking, and loneliness and nominated their best friends from within their class at two time points, 3 months apart. Multigroup path analysis revealed gender differences in the antecedents of centrality. Social confidence, social desirability, and friendship quality predicted changes in the indicators of centrality in best friend networks over time. Boys' social behaviour positively predicted changes in centrality, whereas girls' social behaviour negatively predicted changes in centrality. Together, these findings suggest that some aspects of social behaviour are influential for centrality in best friend groups.
Varicocele decreases epididymal neutral α‐glucosidase and is associated with alteration of nuclear DNA and plasma membrane in spermatozoa
Authors: Vivas‐Acevedo Giovanny , Lozano‐Hernández Ricardo , Camejo María I. 
Published: October 2013

Objective
To assess the relationship between a marker of epididymal function and both the fragmentation of the sperm nucleus and the integrity and maturity of the sperm membrane in patients with or without varicocele.
Patients and Methods
Semen samples were obtained from men with varicocele grades II and III (n = 60) and from a control group with zoospermia defined as normal (n = 30).
Samples were evaluated by a spermiogram, a hypoosmotic swelling test (HOST), neutral α‐glucosidase (NAG) enzyme activity, sperm hyaluronan‐binding assay (HBA) and DNA fragmentation using a sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test.
Results
Seminal plasma NAG levels, percentage of sperm bound to hyaluronic acid, HOST‐positive cells and sperm quality were significantly lower in the varicocele compared with the control group.
Higher levels of sperm DNA fragmentation, as measured by SCD, were also observed in the varicocele group compared with the control group.
Seminal NAG activity levels showed a strong negative correlation with DNA fragmentation and a significant positive correlation with the HBA test and the HOST.
Conclusions
Varicocele causes a reduction in NAG activity by the epididymis that is associated with damage to both the membrane and sperm nucleus and a reduction in the seminal parameters.
NAG levels were correlated with the quality of the sperm membrane and nucleus.
Data suggest that a reduction of fertilization capacity in men during varicocele can result from damage to both the testis and the epididymis.
Brain RVD‐haemopressin, a haemoglobin‐derived peptide, inhibits bombesin‐induced central activation of adrenomedullary outflow in the rat
Authors: Tanaka Kenjiro , Shimizu Takahiro , Yanagita Toshihiko , Nemoto Takayuki , Nakamura Kumiko , Taniuchi Keisuke , Dimitriadis Fotios , Yokotani Kunihiko , Saito Motoaki 
Published: October 2013

Background and PurposeHaemopressin and RVD‐haemopressin, derived from the haemoglobin α‐chain, are bioactive peptides found in brain and are ligands for cannabinoid CB1 receptors. Activation of brain CB1 receptors inhibited the secretion of adrenal catecholamines (noradrenaline and adrenaline) induced by i.c.v. bombesin in the rat. Here, we investigated the effects of two haemoglobin‐derived peptides on this bombesin‐induced responseExperimental ApproachAnaesthetised male Wistar rats were pretreated with either haemoglobin‐derived peptide, given i.c.v., 30 min before i.c.v. bombesin and plasma catecholamines were subsequently measured electrochemically after HPLC. Direct effects of bombesin on secretion of adrenal catecholamines were examined using bovine adrenal chromaffin cells. Furthermore, activation of haemoglobin α‐positive spinally projecting neurons in the rat hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN, a regulatory centre of central adrenomedullary outflow) after i.c.v. bombesin was assessed by immunohistochemical techniques.Key ResultsBombesin given i.c.v. dose‐dependently elevated plasma catecholamines whereas incubation with bombesin had no effect on spontaneous and nicotine‐induced secretion of catecholamines from chromaffin cells. The bombesin‐induced increase in catecholamines was inhibited by pretreatment with i.c.v. RVD‐haemopressin (CB1 receptor agonist) but not after pretreatment with haemopressin (CB1 receptor inverse agonist). Bombesin activated haemoglobin α‐positive spinally projecting neurons in the PVN.Conclusions and ImplicationsThe haemoglobin‐derived peptide RVD‐haemopressin in the brain plays an inhibitory role in bombesin‐induced activation of central adrenomedullary outflow via brain CB1 receptors in the rat. These findings provide basic information for the therapeutic use of haemoglobin‐derived peptides in the modulation of central adrenomedullary outflow.
Quantification of circulating house dust mite‐specific IL‐4‐ and IL‐13‐secreting T cells correlates with rhinitis severity in asthmatic children and varies with the seasons
Authors: Michaud B. , Gouvis‐Echraghi R. , Candon S. , Couderc R. , Jais J. P. , Bach J. F. , Chatenoud L. , Just J. 
Published: October 2013

SummaryBackgroundDefining suitable markers to diagnose and monitor allergy and its severity is essential to correctly assign patients for specific immunotherapy. Circulating levels of specific IgE are good markers of sensitization, but not of clinically symptomatic allergy.ObjectiveTo quantify circulating interleukin (IL)‐4‐ and IL‐13‐secreting T cells specific for house dust mite (HDM) in children presenting HDM‐allergic asthma associated or not with rhinitis and correlate results with clinical symptoms.MethodsWe analysed 26 children with HDM respiratory disease (allergic rhinitis and asthma) together with six children with non‐allergic asthma. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated with HDM extract in a 24‐h ELISpot assay to quantify the number of HDM‐specific IL‐4‐ and IL‐13‐secreting T cells. Asthma severity and control, and rhinitis severity were scored according to the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) and the Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) Guidelines.ResultsThe number of HDM‐specific IL‐4‐ and IL‐13‐secreting T cells was higher in patients with allergic asthma as compared to patients with non‐allergic asthma. It varied with the season of blood sampling with two peaks in the fall and early spring. Independently of the season, the number of HDM‐specific IL‐4‐secreting T cells correlated with rhinitis severity (OR = 2; 95% IC:1.1–3.8; P = 0.04).Conclusions and Clinical relevanceAllergen‐specific IL‐4‐ and IL‐13‐producing T cells were only detected in HDM‐allergic asthmatic children (not in patients with non‐allergic asthma). Their numbers correlated with clinical severity of allergic rhinitis.
Visual Analysis of Multi‐Dimensional Categorical Data Sets
Authors: Broeksema Bertjan , Telea Alexandru C. , Baudel Thomas 
Published: October 2013

AbstractWe present a set of interactive techniques for the visual analysis of multi‐dimensional categorical data. Our approach is based on multiple correspondence analysis (MCA), which allows one to analyse relationships, patterns, trends and outliers among dependent categorical variables. We use MCA as a dimensionality reduction technique to project both observations and their attributes in the same 2D space. We use a treeview to show attributes and their domains, a histogram of their representativity in the data set and as a compact overview of attribute‐related facts. A second view shows both attributes and observations. We use a Voronoi diagram whose cells can be interactively merged to discover salient attributes, cluster values and bin categories. Bar chart legends help assigning meaning to the 2D view axes and 2D point clusters. We illustrate our techniques with real‐world application data.
Learning provides mating opportunities for males of a parasitoid wasp
Authors: Danci Adela , Hrabar Michael , Ikoma Shari , Schaefer Paul W. , Gries Gerhard 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThe ability of insects to learn locations of future resources has rarely been studied. Here, we show that males of the solitary parasitoid wasp Pimpla disparis Viereck (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) learn locations of future mates. Male P. disparis reportedly arrest on parasitized pupae of wax moth, Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), and gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar L. (Lepidoptera: Erebidae), when mate emergence is imminent. We tested the hypothesis that male P. disparis identify, memorize, and revisit the location(s) of parasitized host pupae as a strategy to attain mates. We colour‐coded P. disparis males in the field and noticed that they revisit parasitized moth pupae on consecutive days, and arrest on those pupae with a near‐emergence P. disparis parasitoid. In a laboratory experiment with two large corrugated cardboard cylinders (CCCs) as surrogate trees, each CCC bearing two parasitized moth pupae with a near‐emergence P. disparis parasitoid or two pupae not parasitized, males on day 1 of the experiment visited parasitized pupae more often than pupae not parasitized. On day 2, when each CCC had been replaced and now carried pupae that were not parasitized, males returned to the same CCC, or the same micro‐location on that CCC, which on day 1 had carried parasitized pupae. Field and laboratory data combined indicate that male P. disparis learn the location of future mates. With female P. disparis being haplodiploid and capable of reproducing without mating experience, the onus to find a mate is on males. They accomplish this by detecting parasitized pupae, learning their location, revisiting them frequently, and then arresting on them when the prospective mate nears emergence, taking a 50% chance that it is indeed a female.
The size‐number trade‐off and components of fitness in clonal parasitoid broods
Authors: Saeki Yoriko , Crowley Philip H. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBody size can strongly influence the components of fitness. We investigated the role of body mass in the reproductive success of the parasitoid Copidosoma bakeri (Howard) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae). Copidosoma bakeri develops polyembryonically, producing thousands of genetically identical individuals from one egg. In this species, the brood size and body mass of clonal individuals developing within a host are in a trade‐off relationship, which flexibly responds to the environment while maintaining female‐biased sexual size dimorphism. We addressed the following questions regarding several possible effects of body mass on male and female reproductive success. (1) Is longevity positively related to body size in both sexes? (2) Is potential fecundity positively related to female body size? (3) Is mating competitiveness positively correlated with male body size? We found that body size increased with longevity of females, but not of males. Copidosoma bakeri was weakly synovigenic; a few eggs were produced after female maturation. Also, egg volume increased with age of the females. We did not detect a relationship between body size and potential fecundity, but mated females produced more eggs than unmated females. Thus, larger females may increase their opportunities to mate, find hosts, and oviposit primarily by living longer. Male mating competitiveness was not related to body mass. Mating reduced male longevity, suggesting a cost of mating that was independent of body mass. Differences between males and females in the effects of body mass on longevity suggest sex‐specific selection pressures on body mass that may explain female‐biased sexual size dimorphism.
Cytogenetic risk grouping by the monosomal karyotype classification is superior in predicting the outcome of acute myeloid leukemia undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation in complete remission
Authors: Hemmati Philipp G. , Schulze‐Luckow Anthea , Terwey Theis H. , le Coutre Philipp , Vuong Lam G. , Dörken Bernd , Arnold Renate 
Published: October 2013

AbstractWe retrospectively analyzed the impact of cytogenetic abnormalities grouped according to the monosomal karyotype (MK) classification or the Southwest Oncology/Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (SWOG/ECOG) definition in 263 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who underwent allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT) in complete remission (CR) at our center. Risk grouping using the MK criteria shows a highly significant difference in 5‐yr overall survival (OS) ranging between 67%, for the most favorable, and 32%, for the poorest risk group (P = 0.001). Although similarly precise in predicting OS, the MK scheme better separates patients with respect to relapse incidence as compared to the SWOG/ECOG grouping (P = 0.0001 vs. P = 0.01). Notably, patients displaying non‐MK abnormalities (MK−) had a 5‐yr relapse incidence identical to those cytogenetically normal (CN), that is 24%. Multivariate analysis revealed that the MK classification is an independent prognosticator and superior in predicting OS (hazard ratios, HR 3.74, P = 0.01) and relapse incidence (HR 3.74, P = 0.005) as compared to the SWOG/ECOG criteria. Finally, subgroup analysis revealed that the prognostic capacity of the MK classification is highly significant in patients treated with standard myeloablative conditioning prior to alloSCT (P = 0.0011 for OS, P = 0.0007 for relapse). In contrast, the MK grouping failed to predict OS or relapse incidence in patients treated with reduced intensity conditioning. Taken together, these results indicate that the MK classification is superior in predicting the overall outcome of patients with AML undergoing alloSCT in CR. Furthermore, our data suggest that the genetic risk profile of MK− and CN patients is mostly overlapping in this setting.
Biochar addition rate influences soil microbial abundance and activity in temperate soils
Authors: Gomez J. D. , Denef K. , Stewart C. E. , Zheng J. , Cotrufo M. F. 
Published: October 2013

SummaryBiochar (BC) amendment to soils is a proposed strategy to improve soil fertility and mitigate climate change. However, before this can become a recommended management practice, a better understanding of the impacts of BC on the soil biota is needed. We determined the effect of addition rates (0, 1, 5, 10 and 20% by mass) of a fast‐pyrolysis wood‐derived BC on the extraction efficiency (EE), abundance and temporal dynamics of phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs, microbial community biomarkers) in four temperate soils during a 1‐year incubation. Additionally, the effects on microbial mineralization/incorporation of BC‐C were determined by measuring CO2 efflux and the BC contribution to CO2 and PLFA‐C using the natural 13C abundance difference between BC and soils. Biochar addition proportionally increased microbial abundance in all soils and altered the community composition, particularly at the greatest addition rate, towards a more gram‐negative bacteria‐dominated (relative to fungi and gram‐positive) community. Though chemically recalcitrant, the BC served as a substrate for microbial activity, more so at large addition rates and in soil with little organic matter. Microbial utilization of BC‐C for growth could only partially explain the observed increase in microbial biomass, suggesting that other, potentially abiotic, mechanisms were involved. The strong decrease in PLFA EE (−77%) in all soils with biochar addition emphasizes the need to measure and correct for EE when using PLFA biomarkers to estimate soil microbial responses to BC additions. Overall, our study provides support for BC use as a soil amendment that potentially stimulates microbial activity and growth.