bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multi‐image based method to correct vignetting effect in light microscopy images
Authors: PICCININI F. , LUCARELLI E. , GHERARDI A. , BEVILACQUA A. 
Published: August 2012

SummaryVignetting is the radial attenuation effect of the image's brightness intensity from the center of the optical axis to the edges. To perform quantitative image analyses it is mandatory to take into account this effect, intrinsic of the acquisition system. Many image processing steps, such as segmentation and object tracking, are strongly affected by vignetting and the effect becomes particularly evident in mosaicing. The most common approach to compensate the attenuation of the image's brightness intensity is to estimate the vignetting function from a homogeneous reference object, typically an empty field, and to use it to normalize the images acquired under the same microscope set‐up conditions. However, several reasons lead to the use of image‐based methods to estimate the vignetting function from the images themselves. In this work, we propose an effective multi‐image based method suitable for real‐time applications. It is designed to correct vignetting in wide field light microscopy images. The vignetting function is computed stemming from a background built incrementally from the proposed background segmentation algorithm, validated on several manually segmented images. The extensive experiments carried out using cell cultures, histological samples and synthetic images prove that our method almost always yields the best results and in worst cases are comparable to those achieved by using homogeneous reference objects.
The role of dental loss and denture status on clinical signs of temporomandibular disorders
Authors: Sipilä K. , Näpänkangas R. , Könönen M. , Alanen P. , Suominen A. L. 
Published: August 2012

SummaryStudies concerning the role of denture status on in temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of tooth loss and denture status with clinical findings of TMD. The data were obtained from 6316 subjects aged ≥30 years from the Finnish Health 2000 Survey. The associations between clinically assessed TMD findings and number of teeth, wearing of removable dentures, need for denture repair and age of the dentures were analysed by means of chi‐square test and logistic regression. Among women after adjusting for age, having fewer teeth or wearing complete dentures associated with restricted maximum interincisal distance and pain on palpation of the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) and masticatory muscles. After adding education level and depression in the model, the associations between TMJ pain and explanatory variables were weakened. Among men, having a higher number of teeth associated with occurence of TMJ crepitation. Subjective need for repair of dentures and having a denture aged ≥5 years associated with pain on palpation in masticatory muscles among women. Among men, both the objective and subjective need for denture repair and having at least one denture aged ≥5 years or been repaired during the past 5 years associated negatively with the presence of TMJ crepitation. It can be concluded that edentulousness, wearing of complete dentures and poor condition of dentures associate with pain‐related TMD findings among women. Psychosocial factors have a modifying effect on these associations.
Non‐random distribution of euler poles: is plate tectonics subject to rotational effects?
Authors: Vérard Christian , Hochard Cyril , Stampfli Gérard 
Published: August 2012

Terra Nova, 24, 467–476, 2012AbstractA full global, physically coherent geodynamical model over 600 Ma has been developed at the University of Lausanne during the past 20 years, based on the PaleoDyn database, compiling information of geodynamical interest. One of the outstanding results, presented herein, is the distribution of Euler poles (axis around which tectonic plates are moving on the Earth’s surface from one reconstruction to another), which are not randomly distributed, but smeared out along a weakly developed girdle. The scattering reflects the tendency of plates to follow a random evolution. However, the distribution along a preferential plane (‘best‐fitted’ plane) suggests a long‐term influence on plate motion. The fact that the poles predominantly lie within the inter‐tropical zone together with the computed net rotation throughout the Phanerozoic indicating a ‘westward drift’, suggest a long‐term influence of rotational effects.
Feline superficial pyoderma: a retrospective study of 52 cases (2001–2011)
Authors: Yu Hui W. , Vogelnest Linda J. 
Published: August 2012

Background –  Superficial pyoderma is traditionally considered rare in cats but may be more prevalent than previously reported.Objectives –  To better characterize superficial pyoderma in cats.Animals –  Fifty‐two cats from a dermatology referral population over a 10 year period.Methods –  This study was retrospective. Cases were included if neutrophils and intracellular bacteria were reported from surface cytology of skin lesions. Medical records were reviewed for signalment, historical and clinical data, cytology results, primary skin diagnoses and treatment details.Results –  Disease prevalence was 20%, with no breed or sex predispositions. The estimated median age of onset was 2 years, affecting 54% of cats by 3 years and 23% after 9 years. Fewer cases presented during winter (15%) compared with other seasons. Skin lesions were typically multifocal, affecting the face (62%), neck (37%), limbs (33%) and ventral abdomen (29%) most commonly. Crusting (83%), alopecia (67%), ulceration/erosion (54%) and erythema (46%) were common lesion types. Pruritus was reported in 92% of cats. Underlying hypersensitivities (confirmed in 60%; suspected in 19%), and atopic dermatitis specifically (confirmed in 48%), were the most frequent primary dermatoses. Cats were treated with a variety of systemic and/or topical antimicrobials. The overall apparent response was considered good in 61% and poor in 27% of cats. Recurrence was confirmed or suspected in 42% of cats.Conclusions and clinical importance –  Feline superficial pyoderma was more prevalent in this study population than previously reported. Young cats with hypersensitivities and older cats were more commonly affected, and a variety of lesion types and distributions occurred.
Exploring the utility of whole‐exome sequencing as a diagnostic tool in a child with atypical episodic muscle weakness
Authors: Hanchard NA , Murdock DR , Magoulas PL , Bainbridge M , Muzny D , Wu YQ , Wang M , McGuire AL , Lupski JR , Gibbs RA , Brown CW 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThe advent of whole‐exome next‐generation sequencing (WES) has been pivotal for the molecular characterization of Mendelian disease; however, the clinical applicability of WES has remained relatively unexplored. We describe our exploration of WES as a diagnostic tool in a 3½‐year old female patient with a 2‐year history of episodic muscle weakness and paroxysmal dystonia who presented following a previous extensive but unrevealing diagnostic work‐up. WES was performed on the proband and her two parents. Parental exome data was used to filter potential de novo genomic events in the proband and suspected variants were confirmed using di‐deoxy sequencing. WES revealed a de novo non‐synonymous mutation in exon 21 of the calcium channel gene CACNA1S that has been previously reported in a single patient as a rare cause of atypical hypokalemic periodic paralysis. This was unexpected, as the proband's original differential diagnosis had included hypokalemic periodic paralysis, but clinical and laboratory features were equivocal, and standard clinical molecular testing for hypokalemic periodic paralysis and related disorders was negative. This report highlights the potential diagnostic utility of WES in clinical practice, with implications for the approach to similar diagnostic dilemmas in the future.
Roles of cell walls and intracellular contents in supercooling capability of xylem parenchyma cells of boreal trees
Authors: Kasuga Jun , Endoh Keita , Yoshiba Megumi , Taido Ippei , Arakawa Keita , Uemura Matsuo , Fujikawa Seizo 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThe supercooling capability of xylem parenchyma cells (XPCs) in boreal hardwood species differs depending not only on species, but also season. In this study, the roles of cell walls and intracellular contents in supercooling capability of XPCs were examined in three boreal hardwood species, Japanese beech, katsura tree and mulberry, whose supercooling capability differs largely depending on species and season. XPCs in these species harvested in winter and summer were treated by rapid freezing and thawing (RFT samples) or by RFT with further washing (RFTW samples) to remove intracellular contents from XPCs in order to examine the roles of cell walls in supercooling. RFT samples were also treated with glucose solution (RFTG samples) to examine roles of intracellular contents in supercooling. The supercooling capabilities of these samples were examined by differential thermal analysis after ultrastructural observation of XPCs by a cryo‐scanning electron microscope to confirm effects of the above treatments. XPCs in RFTW samples showed a large reduction in supercooling capability to similar temperatures regardless of species or season. On the other hand, XPCs in RFTG samples showed a large increase in supercooling capability to similar temperatures regardless of species or season. These results indicate that although cell walls have an important role in maintenance of supercooling, change in supercooling capability of XPCs is induced by change in intracellular contents, but not by change in cell wall properties.
Alfentanil and patient‐controlled propofol sedation – facilitate gynaecological outpatient surgery with increased risk of respiratory events
Authors: NILSSON A. , NILSSON L. , USTAAL E. , SJÖBERG F. 
Published: August 2012

BackgroundWidespread use of patient‐controlled sedation (PCS) demands simplicity and a predictable outcome. We evaluated patients’ safety and ease of use of PCS for gynaecological outpatient procedures.MethodsIn a prospective double‐blind study, 165 patients were randomized to use propofol or propofol with alfentanil as PCS combined with local anaesthetic for pain control. Data on cardiopulmonary function, consciousness, and need for interventions were collected at baseline and every fifth minute. The surgeons’ evaluation of the ease and the duration of the procedure were recorded.ResultsOne hundred and fifty‐five patients used PCS for the entire procedure, 76 patients propofol, and 79 patients propofol/alfentanil. Fifteen procedures in the propofol group were limited or could not be done, compared with four in the propofol/alfentanil group (P = 0.02). The duration of surgery was not affected. The addition of alfentanil affected respiratory function compared with the propofol group: five patients compared with none were manually ventilated (P = 0.03), and two thirds, compared with a quarter, were given supplementary oxygen as their saturation decreased below 90% (P < 0.001). Overall cardiovascular stability was maintained. The propofol group had deeper conscious sedation as measured by the bispectral index (P = 0.03), but all patients could be roused. In the propofol/alfentanil group, five patients became apnoeic and could not be roused.ConclusionsPCS using propofol alone supports patients’ safety, as the addition of alfentanil increased the need for specific interventions to maintain respiratory stability. However, alfentanil increases the feasibility of the procedure, as complementary doses of propofol were not required.
Viscoelastic and aggregometric point‐of‐care testing in patients with septic shock – cross‐links between inflammation and haemostasis
Authors: BRENNER T. , SCHMIDT K. , DELANG M. , MEHRABI A. , BRUCKNER T. , LICHTENSTERN C. , MARTIN E. , WEIGAND M. A. , HOFER S. 
Published: August 2012

BackgroundIn the pathogenesis of sepsis, inflammation‐induced changes in coagulation play a pivotal role.MethodsIn total, 90 patients (30 patients with septic shock, 30 surgical patients following major abdominal surgery and 30 healthy volunteers) were enrolled. Blood samples from patients with septic shock were collected at the time of sepsis diagnosis as well as 24 h, 4 days, 7 days, 14 days and 28 days later. Samples from surgical patients with a post‐surgical inflammatory response were collected three times (before surgery, immediately after surgery and 24 h after surgery) and once from healthy volunteers. Thromboelastometry (ROTEM
®), as well as whole blood impedance aggregometry (Multiplate®) were performed. Additionally, plasma concentrations of interleukin‐6 and tumour necrosis factor‐alpha were measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay kits.ResultsThromboelastometry lysis index was shown to be a reliable biomarker for septic shock. Furthermore, in septic patients with overt disseminated intravascular coagulation, thromboelastometry revealed signs indicating a hypocoagulable status, whereas patients without overt disseminated intravascular coagulation were found to be hypercoagulable. Platelet aggregation capability, as assessed by whole blood impedance aggregometry, was significantly reduced in septic patients with overt disseminated intravascular coagulation, whereas it was comparable with healthy volunteers and in septic patients without overt disseminated intravascular coagulation.ConclusionViscoelastic and aggregometric point‐of‐care testing was shown to be potentially useful for bedside diagnosis of sepsis. Moreover, viscoelastic and aggregometric point‐of‐care testing was able to determine the phase of septic coagulopathy (hypercoagulability vs. hypocoagulability) and therefore identified patients at high risk for overt disseminated intravascular coagulation.
Cryptic recombination in the ever‐young sex chromosomes of Hylid frogs
Authors: Guerrero R. F. , Kirkpatrick M. , Perrin N. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractSex chromosomes are expected to evolve suppressed recombination, which leads to degeneration of the Y and heteromorphism between the X and Y. Some sex chromosomes remain homomorphic, however, and the factors that prevent degeneration of the Y in these cases are not well understood. The homomorphic sex chromosomes of the European tree frogs (Hyla spp.) present an interesting paradox. Recombination in males has never been observed in crossing experiments, but molecular data are suggestive of occasional recombination between the X and Y. The hypothesis that these sex chromosomes recombine has not been tested statistically, however, nor has the X‐Y recombination rate been estimated. Here, we use approximate Bayesian computation coupled with coalescent simulations of sex chromosomes to quantify X‐Y recombination rate from existent data. We find that microsatellite data from H. arborea, H. intermedia and H. molleri support a recombination rate between X and Y that is significantly different from zero. We estimate that rate to be approximately 105 times smaller than that between X chromosomes. Our findings support the notion that very low recombination rate may be sufficient to maintain homomorphism in sex chromosomes.
Spatial sorting may explain evolutionary dynamics of wing polymorphism in pygmy grasshoppers
Authors: Berggren H. , Tinnert J. , Forsman A. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractWing polymorphism in insects provides a good model system for investigating evolutionary dynamics and population divergence in dispersal‐enhancing traits. This study investigates the contribution of divergent selection, trade‐offs, behaviour and spatial sorting to the evolutionary dynamics of wing polymorphism in the pygmy grasshopperTetrix subulata(Tetrigidae:Orthoptera). We use data for > 2800 wild‐caught individuals from 13 populations and demonstrate that the incidence of the long‐winged (macropterous) morph is higher and changes faster between years in disturbed habitats characterized by succession than in stable habitats. Common garden and mother‐offspring resemblance studies indicate that variation among populations and families is genetically determined and not influenced to any important degree by developmental plasticity in response to maternal condition, rearing density or individual growth rate. Performance trials show that only the macropterous morph is capable of flight and that propensity to fly differs according to environment.Mark–recapture data reveal no difference in the distance moved between free‐ranging long‐ and short‐winged individuals. There is no consistent difference across populations and years in number of hatchlings produced by long‐ and shorter‐winged females. Our findings suggest that the variable frequency of the long‐winged morph among and within pygmy grasshopper populations may reflect evolutionary modifications driven by spatial sorting due to phenotype‐ and habitat type–dependent emigration and immigration.
Incidence and outcome of early Candida peritonitis after liver and pancreas transplantation
Authors: Bartoletti Michele , Cervera Carlos , Hoyo Irma , Linares Laura , Sanclemente Gemma , Bosch Jordi , Marco Francesc , Cofán Federico , Ricart María José , Navasa Miquel , Moreno Asunción 
Published: August 2012

SummaryCandida peritonitis is a potentially life‐threatening infection after abdominal transplantation, although there is scant information regarding its incidence and outcome. We analysed the incidence rate and outcome of Candida peritonitis in 717 liver or pancreas transplant recipients. Five cases of Candida peritonitis were diagnosed, representing the second most frequent cause of invasive fungal infection in the cohort. The incidence rate of Candida peritonitis during the first 30 days after transplantation was 6.5 cases/10 000 transplant days in pancreas recipients and 1.2 cases/10 000 transplant days in liver recipients (P = 0.035). Four of the five patients received an echinocandin in combination with other antifungal. All patients were alive and with good graft function at 1‐year follow‐up. In our series, Candida peritonitis in liver and pancreas transplant recipients was not uncommon and had a good prognosis.
Toxic epidermal necrolysis caused by over the counter eyedrops
Authors: Byrom Lisa , Zappala Tania , Muir Jim 
Published: August 2012

AbstractWe present a case of a 15‐year‐old boy who developed toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) from sulfacetamide eyedrops. He presented with conjunctival injection and an erythematous rash that rapidly progressed to epidermal necrosis of over 30% of his body. A skin biopsy revealed an acute lichenoid reaction pattern consistent with TEN. After 22 days in hospital, he was left with significant scarring to his eyes, mouth and anogenital areas. An extensive search for an infective aetiology was negative. Previously exposed to bactrim tablets, he used Bleph‐10 eyedrops 3 days before admission to hospital. The patient had a strong family history of sulphur allergy. The onset of TEN after topical administration of medication has been reported rarely in the literature. This case highlights the need for a thorough medication history that includes topical preparations.
Time trends and risk factors for rhinoconjunctivitis in New Zealand children: An International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) survey
Authors: Moyes Chris D , Clayton Tadd , Pearce Neil , Asher M Innes , Ellwood Philippa , Mackay Richard , Mitchell Ed , Pattemore Philip , Stewart Alistair W , Crane Julian 
Published: August 2012

Aim:  To investigate prevalence, time trends and factors associated with rhinitis and rhinoconjunctivitis not related to acute infections in New Zealand.Methods:  The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) surveyed children aged 6–7 and 13–14 years for symptoms of these conditions. Five New Zealand centres were surveyed on two occasions (Phase One and Phase Three) 8–10 years apart. In Phase Three, questions were included on environmental factors, which might be associated with rhinoconjunctivitis. We report findings related to symptoms of rhinoconjunctivitis among 24 190 New Zealand children.Results:  Symptoms of rhinoconjunctivitis in the past year were reported in 11.4% of 6‐ to 7‐year‐old children and 18% of 13‐ to 14‐year‐old adolescents in Phase Three compared with 9.5 and 19.1%, respectively, in Phase One. Severe symptoms of rhinoconjunctivitis were reported in 0.5% of children and 0.8% of adolescents. Current symptoms were more common in males at 6–7 years and in females of 13–14 years, and Māori and Pacific Island ethnic groups had higher prevalence compared with those of European descent, especially in the older age group. For immigrant children, there was a very strong positive relationship between symptoms and length of time resident in New Zealand, supporting the probable importance of environmental factors. A positive association was found between symptoms and use of paracetamol in infancy or in the last year, and weaker associations were noted for antibiotic use, exercise, and regular pasta ingestion.Conclusions:  Further study of environmental factors is recommended.
Effects of post‐discharge telephone calls on the rate of emergency department visits in paediatric patients
Authors: Yang Chen , Chen Chung‐Ming 
Published: August 2012

Aim:  The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of post‐discharge telephone calls on the rate of emergency department (ED) visits within 3 days following hospitalisation in paediatric patients.Methods:  Patients hospitalised on the Paediatric Service from May 2008 through December 2008 were included in the intervention group and patients hospitalised from May 2007 through December 2007 were included in the control group. Within 3 days of hospital discharge, nurse practitioners attempted daily to contact caregivers in the intervention group and asked children conditions and provided health information.Results:  There were 643 patients in the intervention group and 642 patients in the control group, respectively. Characteristics of the intervention and control groups were similar with respect to age, sex and days of hospitalisation. Ninety‐two per cent of patients in the intervention group received a telephone call from a nurse practitioner within 3 days of hospital discharge. Significantly fewer patients in the intervention group (3 patients, 0.47%) had a subsequent visit to the ED within 3 days of hospital discharge than in the control group (11 patients, 1.71%) (P= 0.034).Conclusions:  Telephone follow‐up is an effective way of providing health information, managing remaining symptoms, recognising complications, advising patients of medical alternatives and giving reassurance; this may reduce unnecessary patient ED visits.