bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The relevance of somatosensory auras in refractory temporal lobe epilepsies
Authors: Perven Ghazala , Yardi Ruta , Bulacio Juan , Najm Imad , Bingaman William , Gonzalez‐Martinez Jorge , Jehi Lara 
Published: August 2015

SummaryThe purpose of this study is to look at the prevalence, characteristics, and prognostic value of somatosensory auras (SSAs) in patients who have undergone temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) surgery to treat drug‐resistant focal epilepsy. We retrospectively reviewed all patients with drug‐resistant epilepsy who underwent TLE surgery at Cleveland Clinic between 2005 and 2010 (n = 333) to study the prevalence, characteristics, and prognostic implications of SSA in the context of TLE surgery. Analyses were performed using two seizure outcome definitions: complete seizure freedom and Engel classification. Of the 333 patients, 26 (7.8%) had SSA. Almost half (12 patients) had unilateral sensory symptoms, whereas the rest had bilateral symptoms. Tingling and numbness were the most frequently reported sensations. Compared to their non‐SSA counterparts, patients with SSA had the same clinical and imaging characteristics, but had a higher rate of breakthrough seizures (p = 0.03), although most (54%) were still able to achieve Engel class of I (p = 0.02). Based on our results we would encourage detailed presurgical testing, which may include an invasive evaluation to analyze the extent of the epileptogenic zone in patients with SSA and suspected TLE.
The evolution of epilepsy surgery between 1991 and 2011 in nine major epilepsy centers across the United States, Germany, and Australia
Authors: Jehi Lara , Friedman Daniel , Carlson Chad , Cascino Gregory , Dewar Sandra , Elger Christian , Engel Jerome , Knowlton Robert , Kuzniecky Ruben , McIntosh Anne , O'Brien Terence J. , Spencer Dennis , Sperling Michael R. , Worrell Gregory , Bingaman Bill , Gonzalez‐Martinez Jorge , Doyle Werner , French Jacqueline 
Published: August 2015

SummaryObjectiveEpilepsy surgery is the most effective treatment for select patients with drug‐resistant epilepsy. In this article, we aim to provide an accurate understanding of the current epidemiologic characteristics of this intervention, as this knowledge is critical for guiding educational, academic, and resource priorities.MethodsWe profile the practice of epilepsy surgery between 1991 and 2011 in nine major epilepsy surgery centers in the United States, Germany, and Australia. Clinical, imaging, surgical, and histopathologic data were derived from the surgical databases at various centers.ResultsAlthough five of the centers performed their highest number of surgeries for mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS) in 1991, and three had their highest number of MTS surgeries in 2001, only one center achieved its peak number of MTS surgeries in 2011. The most productive year for MTS surgeries varied then by center; overall, the nine centers surveyed performed 48% (95% confidence interval [CI] −27.3% to −67.4%) fewer such surgeries in 2011 compared to either 1991 or 2001, whichever was higher. There was a parallel increase in the performance of surgery for nonlesional epilepsy. Further analysis of 5/9 centers showed a yearly increase of 0.6 ± 0.07% in the performance of invasive electroencephalography (EEG) without subsequent resections. Overall, although MTS was the main surgical substrate in 1991 and 2001 (proportion of total surgeries in study centers ranging from 33.3% to 70.2%); it occupied only 33.6% of all resections in 2011 in the context of an overall stable total surgical volume.SignificanceThese findings highlight the major aspects of the evolution of epilepsy surgery across the past two decades in a sample of well‐established epilepsy surgery centers, and the critical current challenges of this treatment option in addressing complex epilepsy cases requiring detailed evaluations. Possible causes and implications of these findings are discussed.
Foraging Trade‐offs between Prey Size, Delivery Rate and Prey Type: How Does Niche Breadth and Early Learning of the Foraging Niche Affect Food Delivery?
Authors: Wiebe Karen L. , Slagsvold Tore 
Published: August 2015

AbstractOptimal foraging theory suggests that avian parents should prefer the most energetically efficient (largest) prey items when delivering food to offspring at a central place. However, during periods of high demand, selectivity of prey may decline, leading to the delivery of smaller and/or less nutritious items. We compared foraging trade‐offs between great tits (Parus major) which had a wider feeding niche than blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus). We also compared the foraging efficiency of cross‐fostered young, which had learned the spatial foraging niche and prey size of the foreign species, to that of control conspecifics. Mean delivery rates did not differ between control and cross‐fostered parents of either species but as delivery rates increased, prey size declined for both species and both treatment groups. However, across the range of increasing delivery rates, parents were able to increase the total biomass of prey delivered. Cross‐fostering did not alter the proportion of different prey taxa in the diet, but cross‐fostered birds shifted the size of the prey taken to that of their foster species. Consistent with their broader feeding niche, great tits, but not blue tits, incorporated more unpalatable items (flies) as delivery rates increased. Although great tits foraged less efficiently in the blue tit niche, paradoxically, blue tits seem to deliver more prey biomass when foraging in the great tit niche.
Head Tilt and Fertility Contribute to Different Aspects of Female Facial Attractiveness
Authors: Sulikowski Danielle , Burke Darren , Havlíček Jan , Roberts S. Craig 
Published: August 2015

AbstractSubjective attractiveness ratings of facial portraits of women taken at the fertile phase of the menstrual cycle are higher than those of portraits of the same women taken during non‐fertile periods. As female faces tilted downward are rated as more attractive and female courtship behaviours change across the menstrual cycle, we investigated whether systematic downward tilt of women's faces during the fertile phase might be responsible for increased attractiveness ratings. In the original study (Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B, 271, 2004, S272), the fertile‐phase portrait of each woman was deemed more attractive in 56–62% of cases. When the portraits were reclassified by head pitch, the more downward‐tilted portrait was preferred in 64–73% of cases. The fertile‐phase portrait was no more likely to be the downward‐tilted one, however, suggesting that effects of fertility on attractiveness are not simply due to changes in head position. We also had these portraits rated (N = 130) for physical attractiveness and behavioural allure. Fertile‐phase portraits were rated as more physically attractive than non‐fertile portraits, while more downward‐tilted portraits were rated as more behaviourally alluring than less downward‐tilted ones. These data not only confirm reported effects of head tilt and fertility on perceived female attractiveness, but also suggest that these factors influence different components of the attractiveness percept.
Alleviation of salinity stress on germination of Leymus chinensis seeds by plant growth regulators and nitrogenous compounds under contrasting light/dark conditions
Authors: Wu Y. P. , Chen F. , Hu X. W. , Baskin C. C. , Baskin J. M. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe effects of plant growth regulators (PGRs) and nitrogenous compounds on alleviating salinity stress on seed germination of Leymus chinensis in light (12 h light/12 h dark) and dark (24 h dark) conditions were determined in a laboratory experiment. Seed germination was compared at various combinations of salinity and germination‐promoting compounds. Seed germination percentages were 57 and 74% under non‐saline conditions in light and dark, respectively, suggesting that germination was light‐inhibited. Germination decreased significantly with increasing salinity level in both light and dark conditions, and the reduction was greater in light than in dark at each salinity level. Seed germination percentage decreased to 22 and 7% in light but only to 51 and 27% in dark, in 100 and 200 mm NaCl solutions respectively. The influence of PGRs and nitrogenous compounds in alleviating salinity stress varied with light and salinity condition; e.g., gibberellins (GA4 + 7) significantly increased germination percentages from 22%, 7% and 0·3% to 47%, 23% and 15% in light at 100, 200 and 300 mm NaCl, respectively, while they showed no effect on germination in darkness. In contrast, sodium nitroprusside and cytokinin significantly increased germination percentage in darkness at all salinity levels, but showed no effect on germination in light at 200 and 300 mm NaCl. Fluridone was very effective in alleviating salinity stress on germination in both light and dark; however, it was lethal to seedlings. Thiourea had no effect in alleviating salinity stress in either light or dark. Thus, alleviation of salinity stress on seed germination of L. chinensis by germination‐promoting compounds is strongly dependent on chemicals and light conditions.
The herbage productivity of tall fescue in the Pampas region of Argentina is correlated to its ecological niche
Authors: Scheneiter J. O. , Kaufmann I. I. , Ferreyra A. R. , Llorente R. T. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractSince its introduction in the 1950s, tall fescue has spread throughout the Pampas region of Argentina to become naturalized in much of this region. Its annual forage mass productivity shows significant differences among sites. In this work, we hypothesized that, under dryland conditions, the annual forage mass productivity is related to the probability that the corresponding site is within the ecological niche of the species. To test this hypothesis, the spontaneous occurrence of tall fescue was surveyed in an area of 440 000 km2. The abundance of tall fescue was verified on roadsides of national and provincial roads, in systematic sampling points spaced every 50 km. Subsequently, the ecological niche of the species was estimated with the Maxent software, based on the environmental information available. Additionally, the bioclimatic variables with greatest influence in determining the ecological niche were identified. Based on the information of comparative yield trials of tall fescue cultivars, a correlation analysis between annual forage mass productivity and the likelihood of ecological niche was performed. We found that the realized ecological niche of tall fescue in the Pampas region covers an area of 237 000 km2 where the average minimum temperature of the coldest month is between 2·6 and 3·2°C and the rainfall in the driest quarter is 100 mm or higher. We also found that there were significant correlations between annual forage mass productivity and the probability of realized ecological niche. Therefore, in areas with low probability of realized ecological niche, other forage species could be a better option than tall fescue to obtain a high and stable annual forage mass productivity.
Potential of Cistus ladanifer L. (rockrose) in small ruminant diets – effect of season and plant age on chemical composition, in vitro digestibility and antioxidant activity
Authors: Guerreiro O. , Dentinho M. T. P. , Moreira O. C. , Guerra A. R. , Ramos P. A. B. , Bessa R. J. B. , Duarte M. F. , Jerónimo E. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractShrubs can provide an important contribution to the fodder resources for small ruminants in Mediterranean areas, but there is limited information on their feed value, including secondary metabolites and their seasonal differences. This study evaluated the effect of seasonal variation in chemical composition, in vitro digestibility and antioxidant activity of the aerial parts of plants of Cistus ladanifer of two age groups [young plants vs. older ones (2–6 years old)]. Aerial parts of C. ladanifer plants of both age groups were characterized by moderate cell‐wall content [321–410 g NDF kg−1 dry matter (DM)], high levels of phenolic compounds (55·1–106 g gallic acid equivalents per kg DM) and condensed tannins (CT) (32·1–161 g kg−1 DM), low protein content (55–100 g kg−1 DM) and low digestibility (249–315 g of digestible organic matter per kg DM). During autumn and winter, C. ladanifer showed higher protein levels and lower cell‐wall content than in the other seasons. The highest values of phenolic compounds, CT and antioxidant activity were achieved during summer. Young plants showed higher levels of phenolic compounds during spring, summer and winter, and higher CT contents in summer (more than 54 g kg−1 DM) compared to old plants. Aerial parts of C. ladanifer of both age groups may be used as a component of ruminant nutrition, but only as a supplement and associated with other feeding resources to complement its nutritional imbalances.
A tortuous route to a capable fatherhood: the experience of being a father to a child with severe haemophilia
Authors: Myrin Westesson L. , Sparud‐Lundin C. , Wallengren C. , Baghaei F. 
Published: August 2015

IntroductionHaemophilia is a chronic illness that affects the whole family as the child's reactions to the illness occur in interaction with the parents. Limited research has been conducted on how fathers of children with haemophilia experience their life situation.AimThe aim of this study was to describe the lived experience of being a father to a child with severe haemophilia.MethodIndividual, qualitative interviews were conducted with 14 fathers of 17 children with severe Haemophilia A. Data were analysed by means of a phenomenological hermeneutic method, including naïve reading, structural analysis and comprehensive interpretation.ResultsThe results revealed that the fathers gradually grew into fatherhood through a process that can be explained in the metaphor, ‘A tortuous road to a capable fatherhood’. The fathers experienced sorrow, powerlessness, concern and loss of a regular fatherhood after the child's diagnosis. The loss of an envisaged fatherhood emerged as the greatest sorrow of being a father to a child with haemophilia. When home treatment with factor concentrates functioned without the involvement of Health Care Personal (HCP), the fathers’ sense of insufficiency decreased.ConclusionA sense of being a capable father was associated with a sense of independence and control of one's life situation. Support from the Haemophilia Treatment Centre (HTC) in the learning process is essential for both parents of a child with severe haemophilia. Awareness of the fathers’ struggle to feel capable is also vital while supporting the family in the first years after diagnosis.
Alloantibody developed in a factor XIII A subunit deficient patient during substitution therapy; characterization of the antibody
Authors: Pénzes K. , Vezina C. , Bereczky Z. , Katona É. , Kun M. , Muszbek L. , Rivard G. E. 
Published: August 2015

IntroductionIn factor XIII A subunit (FXIIIA) deficiency, the development of alloantibodies is extremely rare. Only four reports have been published and the antibodies were not characterized.AimThe aim of this study was to describe the clinical course and the laboratory diagnosis of a FXIII‐A deficient patient who developed alloantibodies.MethodsFXIII activity was assessed with an ammonia release assay. FXIII‐A, FXIII B subunit (FXIII‐B) and the complex plasma FXIII (FXIII‐A2B2) antigens were determined by ELISA. The causative mutation was detected by fluorescent DNA sequencing. The binding of alloantibody to FXIII‐A2 and FXIII‐A2B2 was studied by surface plasmon resonance. The cleavage of FXIII‐A by thrombin and Ca2+‐induced activation of thrombin‐cleaved FXIII were followed by western blotting and activity measurement, respectively.ResultsFXIII activity, FXIII‐A2B2 and FXIII‐A antigens were below the limit of detection in the patient's plasma. The severe FXIII‐A deficiency was due to a novel homozygous mutation resulting in early stop codon (c.127C>T, p.Gln42STOP). The alloantibody bound to FXIII‐A2 and FXIII‐A2B2 with equally high affinity (Kd~10−8). It accelerated the elimination of administered FXIII concentrate from the circulation, interfered with thrombin and Ca2+‐induced activation and inhibited FXIII activity. Attempts to eliminate the alloantibody resulted only in transient improvement. Patient developed intracerebral haemorrhage after a minor trauma and died in spite of aggressive replacement therapy with FXIII concentrate.ConclusionThe anti‐FXIII‐A alloantibody caused an unmanageable bleeding complication. The antibody was of combined subtype which accelerated the elimination of FXIII and exerted a multiple inhibitory effect on FXIII activation/activity.
Anti‐Helicobacter pylori Antibody Profiles in Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV)‐Positive and EBV‐Negative Gastric Cancer
Authors: Camargo M. Constanza , Kim Kyoung‐Mee , Matsuo Keitaro , Torres Javier , Liao Linda M. , Morgan Douglas R. , Michel Angelika , Waterboer Tim , Zabaleta Jovanny , Dominguez Ricardo L. , Yatabe Yasushi , Kim Sung , Rocha‐Guevara Erick R. , Lissowska Jolanta , Pawlita Michael , Rabkin Charles S. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBackgroundHelicobacter pylori is the primary cause of gastric cancer, but about 9% of cases harbor Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) in the tumor cells. There is limited evidence on the possible interaction or antagonism between these infectious agents in gastric carcinogenesis.MethodsWe compared H. pylori serologic profiles of EBV‐positive (n = 58) and EBV‐negative (n = 111) noncardia gastric cancer patients from the United States National Cancer Institute's International EBV‐Gastric Cancer Consortium. EBV positivity of tumors was assessed by in situ hybridization. Serum levels of 15 antibodies to immunogenic proteins of H. pylori (Cad, CagA, Cagδ, CagM, Catalase, GroEL, HcpC, HP0231, HP0305, HpaA, HyuA, NapA, Omp, UreA, VacA) were assessed using bead‐based multiplex serology. Logistic regression models were used to adjust odds ratios (OR) for country, age, sex, and year of diagnosis.ResultsSeropositivity to individual proteins ranged up to 90% overall. Antibodies to Catalase were borderline associated with tumor EBV positivity (adjusted OR = 3.15, p = .0024, Bonferroni corrected p = .036). Distributions of other antibodies did not vary by tumor EBV status.ConclusionSimilarity of host–response indicates the essential etiological role of H. pylori in EBV‐positive gastric cancer.
Transparent and Luminescent ZnS Ceramics Consolidated by Vacuum Hot Pressing Method
Authors: Li Yiyu , Wu Yiquan 
Published: August 2015

In this study, ZnS powders with homogeneous morphology were synthesized using a colloidal processing method. Vacuum hot pressing was subsequently applied to consolidate the ZnS powders into infrared transparent ceramics (77.3% transmittance at wavelengths of 6.74 and 9.29 μm). The phase composition of the sintered ZnS suggests the presence of wurtzite as a minor phase in addition to the primary sphalerite phase, and microstructural analysis indicates that the ceramics are highly densified. It has been found that the VHP‐sintered ZnS ceramics exhibit blue (450 nm) and green (530 nm) luminescence, which is due to the formation of zinc vacancies and sulfur interstitials, respectively, during the sintering process.
Association of Serum Uric Acid Level With Blood Pressure Variability in Newly Diagnosed Essential Hypertension
Authors: Çağlı Kumral , Turak Osman , Canpolat Uğur , Özcan Fırat , Tok Derya , Mendi Mehmet Ali , Öksüz Fatih , Siriopol Dimitrie , Veisa Gabriel , Covic Adrian , Kanbay Mehmet 
Published: August 2015

Serum uric acid (UA) is independently associated with hypertension and blood pressure (BP) variability (BPV) is associated with cardiovascular events and mortality in hypertensive patients. The aim of the present study was to assess the association of serum UA with BPV in 300 untreated essential hypertension patients (mean age 57.3±13.6 years). BPV was quantified as the standard deviation (SD) of the 24‐hour, daytime, and nighttime mean values obtained by using ambulatory BP monitoring. In correlation analysis, log UA values were found to be positively correlated with 24‐hour systolic BPV and nighttime systolic and diastolic BPV (Pearson coefficients of 0.246, 0.280, and 0.353, respectively; P<.001 for all). In multivariate analysis, log UA had an independent association with 24‐hour systolic BPV and nighttime systolic and diastolic BPV. This study show for the first time that increased serum UA is independently associated with BPV in untreated essential hypertension patients.
Patterns and prognostic value of lymph node dissection for resected perihilar cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Mao Kai , Liu Jieqiong , Sun Jian , Zhang Jianlong , Chen Jie , Pawlik Timothy M. , Jacobs Lisa K. , Xiao Zhiyu , Wang Jie 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBackground and Aim:Lymph node metastasis is a major prognostic factor for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC). However, prognostic significance of extent of node dissection, lymph node ratio (LNR), and number and location of positive nodes remain unclear. We aimed to evaluate whether node status, LNR, or number or location of positive nodes are independent factors for staging in PHC and to determine the minimum requirements for node examination.Methods:The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was used to identify 1116 resected PHCs from 1998 to 2008. The correlation between nodal status and survival was analyzed retrospectively.Results:Lymph node metastasis occurred in 43.4% patients and was an independent predictor for overall survival and cancer‐specific survival. No survival benefit was observed for an increasing number of node retrieval in node‐positive patients. However, in node‐negative patients, ≥13 node dissection was of more survival benefit than 3 ≤ total lymph node count (TLNC) ≤ 12 and TLNC < 3 (5‐year overall survival: 52.8% vs 39.7% vs 26.3%, P = 0.001; 5‐year cancer‐specific survival: 60.6% vs 46.3% vs 30.0%, P = 0.001). No difference in survival between patients with regional and distant node involvement was found. Survival for patients with greater than three positive nodes was significantly worse than that for those with three or less (relative ratio: 1.466, P = 0.001). And patients with LNR > 0.27 also had unfavorable prognosis (relative ratio: 1.376, P = 0.001).Conclusions:We determined that to adequately assess nodal status of this life‐threatening disease, 13 or more nodes retrieval should be considered. Number of positive nodes and LNR rather than location of metastatic nodes may be defined as parameters for staging of PHC.