bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Complete protection from impending stroke following permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion in awake, behaving rats
Authors: Lay Christopher C. , Frostig Ron D. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractUsing a rodent model of ischemic stroke [permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO)], our laboratory has previously demonstrated that sensory‐evoked cortical activation via mechanical single whisker stimulation treatment delivered under an anesthetized condition within 2 h of ischemic onset confers complete protection from impending infarct. There is a limited time window for this protection; rats that received the identical treatment at 3 h following ischemic onset lost neuronal function and sustained a substantial infarct. Rats in these studies, however, were anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital or isoflurane, whereas most human stroke patients are typically awake. To optimize our animal model, the present study examined, using functional imaging, histological, and behavioral analysis, whether self‐induced sensorimotor stimulation is also protective in unrestrained, behaving rats that actively explore an enriched environment. Rats were revived from anesthesia either immediately or at 3 h after pMCAO, at which point they were allowed to freely explore an enriched environment. Rats that explored immediately after ischemic onset maintained normal cortical function and did not sustain infarct, even when their whiskers were clipped. Rats that were revived at 3 h post‐pMCAO exhibited eliminated cortical function and sustained cortical infarct. Further, the data suggested that the level of individual active exploration could influence the outcome. Thus, early activation of the ischemic cortical area via unrestrained exploration resulted in protection from ischemic infarct, whereas late activation resulted in infarct, irrespective of the level of arousal or whisker‐specific stimulation.
Odour enrichment increases adult‐born dopaminergic neurons in the mouse olfactory bulb
Authors: Bonzano Sara , Bovetti Serena , Fasolo Aldo , Peretto Paolo , De Marchis Silvia 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe olfactory bulb (OB) is the first brain region involved in the processing of olfactory information. In adult mice, the OB is highly plastic, undergoing cellular/molecular dynamic changes that are modulated by sensory experience. Odour deprivation induces down‐regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression in OB dopaminergic interneurons located in the glomerular layer (GL), resulting in decreased dopamine in the OB. Although the effect of sensory deprivation is well established, little is known about the influence of odour enrichment on dopaminergic cells. Here we report that prolonged odour enrichment on C57BL/6J strain mice selectively increases TH‐immunopositive cells in the GL by nearly 20%. Following odour enrichment on TH–green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic mice, in which GFP identified both mature TH‐positive cells and putative immature dopaminergic cells expressing TH mRNA but not TH protein, we found a similar 20% increase in GFP‐expressing cells, with no changes in the ratio between TH‐positive and TH‐negative cells. These data suggest that enriched conditions induce an expansion in the whole dopaminergic lineage. Accordingly, by using 5‐bromo‐2‐deoxyuridine injections to label adult‐generated cells in the GL of TH–GFP mice, we found an increase in the percentage of 5‐bromo‐2‐deoxyuridine‐positive dopaminergic cells in enriched compared with control conditions, whereas no differences were found for calretinin‐ and calbindin‐positive subtypes. Strikingly, the fraction of newborn cells among the dopaminergic population doubled in enriched conditions. On the whole, our results demonstrate that odour enrichment drives increased integration of adult‐generated dopaminergic cells that could be critical to adapt the OB circuits to the environmental incoming information.
Deep‐biosphere consortium of fungi and prokaryotes in Eocene subseafloor basalts
Authors: Bengtson S. , Ivarsson M. , Astolfo A. , Belivanova V. , Broman C. , Marone F. , Stampanoni M. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe deep biosphere of the subseafloor crust is believed to contain a significant part of Earth's biomass, but because of the difficulties of directly observing the living organisms, its composition and ecology are poorly known. We report here a consortium of fossilized prokaryotic and eukaryotic micro‐organisms, occupying cavities in deep‐drilled vesicular basalt from the Emperor Seamounts, Pacific Ocean, 67.5 m below seafloor (mbsf). Fungal hyphae provide the framework on which prokaryote‐like organisms are suspended like cobwebs and iron‐oxidizing bacteria form microstromatolites (Frutexites). The spatial inter‐relationships show that the organisms were living at the same time in an integrated fashion, suggesting symbiotic interdependence. The community is contemporaneous with secondary mineralizations of calcite partly filling the cavities. The fungal hyphae frequently extend into the calcite, indicating that they were able to bore into the substrate through mineral dissolution. A symbiotic relationship with chemoautotrophs, as inferred for the observed consortium, may be a pre‐requisite for the eukaryotic colonization of crustal rocks. Fossils thus open a window to the extant as well as the ancient deep biosphere.
Autoantibodies binding to ubiquitin‐fold modifier‐conjugating enzyme 1 (Ufc1) and pleckstrin homology domain containing, family G (with RhoGef domain) member 2 (Plekhg2) are associated with mycobacterial infections
Authors: Tellermann A , Witte T , Lansche C , Stoll M , Schmidt RE , Baerlecken NT 
Published: September 2014

ObjectivesThe diagnosis of extrapulmonary tuberculous infections and nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections is difficult because the symptoms are nonspecific and suitable specimens for bacterial culture are often not available. Recent publications reported the existence of autoantibodies in tuberculous infections. We screened for specific autoantibodies in mycobacterial infections.MethodsWe screened four in 29 patients with active mycobacterial infections and different controls using protein array technology. We could identify autoantibodies against ubiquitin‐fold modifier‐conjugating enzyme 1 (Ufc1) and pleckstrin homology domain containing, family G (with RhoGef domain) member 2 (Plekhg2) in all four patients. Subsequently, we designed enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for the detection of autoantibodies binding to Ufc1 and Plekhg2.ResultsAutoantibodies binding to Ufc1 and Plekhg2 were found in 19 of 29 patients (66%) with active mycobacterial infections. In comparison, we found these autoantibodies in one of 31 patients (3%) with successfully treated mycobacterial infections, in three of 40 (8%) HIV‐infected patients not receiving combination antiretorviral therapy (cART) and in six of 134 (5%) blood donors. Interestingly, six of eight (75%) patients with HIV‐associated B‐cell non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (B‐NHL) at the onset of disease had autoantibodies against Ufc1 and Plekhg2, but none of nine (0%) patients after treatment of HIV‐associated B‐NHL, none of seven patients with non‐HIV‐associated B‐NHL and 11 of 115 (10%) patients with other malignant diseases had autoantibodies against both proteins.ConclusionsIn view of the high frequency of these autoantibodies, we postulate that they might be of potential use for additional diagnostics for mycobacterial infections, and further studies may shed light on the pathomechanisms of these two autoantibodies.
Comparative assessment of textural properties and microstructure of composite gels prepared from gelatine or gellan with maize starch and/or egg white
Authors: Tan Thuan‐Chew , Foo Wan‐Teck , Liong Min‐Tze , Mat Easa Azhar 
Published: September 2014

SummarySingle component gels (SCG) were formed from gelatine, gellan, maize starch or egg white, while binary composite gel (BCG) and ternary composite gel (TCG) were formed by mixing gelatine or gellan with maize starch and/or egg white. Each type of SCG exhibited distinct textural and microstructure characteristics. Gelatine‐SCG was the softest to hold but has the strongest and the most elastic network compared with other SCG. The effects of gelatine or gellan proportions on the textural properties of composite gels were investigated using mixture design experiments. Gelatine and gellan yielded composite gels that showed different textural behaviours and microstructure. All BCG and TCG blends showed antagonistic effects; the composite gels were softer and weaker as compared to the SCG. Gelatine‐BCG and TCG were comparatively stronger than those of gellan due to their different gelling mechanisms, in which the former had yielded a denser network structures as compared to the latter.
Body fluid cellular analysis using the Sysmex XN‐2000 automatic hematology analyzer: focusing on malignant samples
Authors: Cho Y.‐U. , Chi H.‐S. , Park S. H. , Jang S. , Kim Y.‐J. , Park C.‐J. 
Published: September 2014

SummaryIntroductionThe majority of previous studies on body fluid (BF) mode of automatic hematology analyzer used nonmalignant BF samples. Here, we evaluated the BF mode on the recently launched Sysmex XN for counting blood cells, especially for malignant samples.MethodsA total of 405 BF specimens including 125 malignant samples were analyzed using both the automated method and manual microscopy.ResultsIn non‐cerebrospinal fluids (CSF) samples, there was an agreement between two methods for WBC, RBC, polymorphonuclear, and mononuclear cell counts (R2 = 0.96, 0.94, 0.88, and 0.88, respectively). CSF samples showed slightly poorer correlations than other fluids. Exclusion of malignant samples significantly improved correlations in non‐CSF samples, but not in CSF samples. High fluorescence‐BF (HF‐BF) cells were identified significantly more frequently in malignant samples compared to benign samples (17.8 and 4.15/100 WBC, respectively; P < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated an HF‐BF cell AUC of 0.791 using a cutoff value of 6.9/100 WBC for detecting malignant samples.ConclusionThe BF mode on the Sysmex XN could be an alternative method for the manual counts in the BF analysis with a few drawbacks. However, if a concentration of HF‐BF cells is greater than the given threshold, microscopic examination should be subsequently performed.
Recombinant influenza H7 hemagglutinins induce lower neutralizing antibody titers in mice than do seasonal hemagglutinins
Authors: Blanchfield Kristy , Kamal Ram P. , Tzeng Wen‐Pin , Music Nedzad , Wilson Jason R. , Stevens James , Lipatov Aleksander S. , Katz Jacqueline M. , York Ian A. 
Published: September 2014

BackgroundVaccines against avian influenza viruses often require high hemagglutinin (HA) doses or adjuvants to achieve serological titers associated with protection against disease. In particular, viruses of the H7 subtype frequently do not induce strong antibody responses following immunization.ObjectivesTo evaluate whether poor immunogenicity of H7 viruses is an intrinsic property of the H7 hemagglutinin.MethodsWe compared the immunogenicity, in naïve mice, of purified recombinant HA from two H7 viruses [A/Netherlands/219/2003(H7N7) and A/New York/107/2003(H7N2)] to that of HA from human pandemic [A/California/07/2009(H1N1pdm09)] and seasonal [A/Perth16/2009(H3N2)] viruses.ResultsAfter two intramuscular injections with purified hemagglutinin, mice produced antibodies to all HAs, but the response to the human virus HAs was greater than to H7 HAs. The difference was relatively minor when measured by ELISA, greater when measured by hemagglutination inhibition assays, and more marked still by microneutralization assays. H7 HAs induced little or no neutralizing antibody response in mice at either dose tested. Antibodies induced by H7 were of significantly lower avidity than for H3 or H1N1pdm09.ConclusionsWe conclude that H7 HAs may be intrinsically less immunogenic than HA from seasonal human influenza viruses.
Quality of life psychosocial characteristics in Greek patients with leg ulcers: a case control study
Authors: Kouris Anargyros , Armyra Kalliopi , Christodoulou Christos , Sgontzou Themis , Karypidis Dimitrios , Kontochristopoulos George , Liordou Fotini , Zakopoulou Nikoletta , Zouridaki Eftychia 
Published: September 2014

AbstractChronic leg ulcers are a public health problem that can have a significant impact on the patient's physical, socioeconomic and psychological status. The aim of this study is to evaluate the quality of life, anxiety and depression, self‐esteem and loneliness in patients suffering from leg ulcers. A total of 102 patients were enrolled in the study. The quality of life, anxiety and depression, self‐esteem and loneliness of the patient were assessed using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Rosenberg's Self‐esteem Scale (RSES) and the UCLA Loneliness Scale (UCLA‐Version 3), respectively. The mean DLQI score was 13·38 ± 2·59, suggesting a serious effect on the quality of life of patients. Those with leg ulcers had statistically significant higher scores according to the HADS‐total scale (P = 0·031) and HADS‐anxiety subscale (P = 0·015) compared with healthy volunteers. Moreover, a statistically significant difference was found between the two groups concerning the UCLA‐scale (P = 0·029). Female patients presented with a higher score of anxiety (P = 0·027) and social isolation (P = 0·048), and worse quality of life (P = 0·018) than male patients. A severe quality of life impairment was documented, reflecting a significant psychosocial impact on patients with leg ulcers.
Social Concentration on Boards, Corporate Information Environment and Cost of Capital
Authors: Upadhyay Arun 
Published: September 2014

AbstractPrior evidence on the relationship between demographic diversity in corporate boards and firm performance is mixed. Some studies have found that the relationship between board attributes and firm performance is driven by a firm's information environment. This study examines whether corporate transparency also impacts the relationship between gender and ethnic diversity of directors and firm performance. To test this hypothesis, I use a Herfindahl Index based on directors’ gender and ethnicity to measure board diversity, and an opacity index based on analyst following, analyst forecast error, bid‐ask spread, and share turnover to measure corporate transparency. I find that the cost of capital is positively associated with social concentration on corporate boards and that this premium is larger for highly opaque firms. In further analysis, I find that the interaction of corporate information environment and social concentration on boards is more important for operationally complex firms. Compared with simple firms, operationally complex firms pay a greater premium on their capital if they have a socially concentrated board and an opaque information environment.
Misvaluation and Insider Trading Incentives for Accrual‐based and Real Earnings Management
Authors: Sawicki Julia , Shrestha Keshab 
Published: September 2014

AbstractWe investigate the incentives that misvaluation creates for: (1) insider trading; and (2) concurrent earnings management through both accruals and real activities. Managers of overvalued firms have an incentive to sustain overvaluation through income increasing earnings management and, at the same time, to sell their shares (Jensen,). Managers of undervalued firms benefit from buying their firm's shares, however the negative effects of downward earnings management may offset incentives to enhance trading advantages. The results indicate that managers ofbothover‐ and under‐valued firms act opportunistically, managing earnings upward (downward) with accruals while selling (buying) shares. The Sarbanes‐Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX) has been largely ineffective in eliminating trading motivated earnings management. Finally, we do not find evidence of a relationship between managerial trading and real earnings management.
Factors Affecting Catheter Contact in the Human Left Atrium and Their Impact on Ablation Efficacy
Authors: ULLAH WAQAS , HUNTER ROSS J. , BAKER VICTORIA , DHINOJA MEHUL B. , SPORTON SIMON , EARLEY MARK J. , SCHILLING RICHARD J. 
Published: September 2014

Factors Influencing AF Ablation EfficacyIntroductionPreclinical work suggests factors including catheter orientation and contact consistency during individual radiofrequency ablations influence lesion size. Our aim was to investigate factors affecting catheter contact in the left atrium (LA) and their effects on ablation.Methods and ResultsA total of 2,298 8‐second static LA mapping points were studied in 30 patients undergoing ablation for AF (16 in AF, 14 sinus rhythm [SR], 18 remote robotic navigation [RRN] procedures) using a contact force (CF) sensing catheter. CF variability (CFV: difference between 20 Hz–sampled CF waveform mean peak and trough) increased with mean CF, Spearman's ρ = 0.6, P < 0.005. Catheter drift correlated weakly with CF (Pearson's correlation −0.06, P = 0.005). CFV was higher in SR than AF and with RRN (P < 0.001). In AF, there was less catheter drift for RRN than manual navigation points but the converse was true in SR. In 747 static 30 second LA ablations, the influence of contact parameters on ablation efficacy was compared by multivariate analysis of impedance drop during ablation: a lesser drop suggesting reduced efficacy. For a given force time integral (FTI), increased CFV (>5 g) and locational drift (>3.5 mm), perpendicular contact, SR and RRN usage were associated with a lesser impedance drop with ablation (P < 0.005 for each), suggesting reduced efficacy.ConclusionsBeyond the FTI, the quality of catheter contact influences ablation efficacy, and clinical catheter contact is affected by multiple factors, including the atrial rhythm and catheter navigation mode. Maximal efficacy is provided by parallel contact with CFV ≤5 g, catheter drift ≤3.5 mm, and manual navigation.
Premature Ventricular Contraction Variability in Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia/Cardiomyopathy
Authors: CAMM CHRISTIAN F. , TICHNELL CRYSTAL , JAMES CYNTHIA A. , MURRAY BRITTNEY , PORTERFIELD FLORENCE , TE RIELE ANNELINE S.J.M. , TANDRI HARIKRISHNA , CALKINS HUGH 
Published: September 2014

PVC Variability in ARVD/CIntroductionArrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy (ARVD/C) is an inherited cardiomyopathy, characterized by right ventricular dysfunction and ventricular arrhythmias. Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are an important measure in determining disease severity and constitute a minor criterion in the 2010 Task Force Criteria for the diagnosis of ARVD/C. Little information is available regarding the variability in PVCs.Methods and ResultsPatients (n = 40) from the Johns Hopkins ARVD/C registry, meeting diagnostic criteria were included. Single lead continuous 12‐lead electrocardiogram (ECG) monitors (Zio® Patches) were applied to monitor PVC counts. Detailed demographic, phenotypic, and structural information were obtained from registry data. ECG monitors were worn for a mean period of 159.3 hours (±39.3). Average 24‐hour PVC count in this population was 1,090.5 (interquartile range = 1,711). One‐way analysis of variance demonstrated statistically significant interday variance in mean hourly PVC counts in 76% of ARVD/C‐positive subjects (28/37, 3 cases excluded due to insufficient data). Eleven individuals (27.5%) had maximum 24‐hour PVC counts of >500 with a corresponding minimum 24‐hour PVC count of <500. The average 24‐hour PVC count for each patient was derived for each day recorded. The 24‐hour PVC count placed 89.6% of counts (223/249) on the correct side of the 500‐PVC count.ConclusionStatistically significant variation between 24‐hour PVC counts is present in the ARVD/C population. However, 24‐hour ECG monitoring was sufficient to identify 89.6% of 24‐hour periods to the correct grouping based on 2010 Task Force Criteria.
Oral Anticoagulant Use Around the Time of Atrial Fibrillation Ablation: A Review of the Current Evidence of Individual Oral Anticoagulant Use for Periprocedural Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Thromboembolic Prophylaxis
Authors: GARTON ALEX B. , DUDZINSKI JOHN , KOWEY PETER R. 
Published: September 2014

Oral Anticoagulant Use Around the Time of Atrial Fibrillation AblationAtrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia and ablation is becoming more prevalent as a treatment option. Appropriate treatment of atrial fibrillation mandates thromboembolic prophylaxis, and atrial fibrillation ablation periprocedural management of oral anticoagulation is paramount because of the unique susceptibility for thromboembolism that exists for a patient undergoing ablation. Uninterrupted warfarin therapy is the current standard approach for periprocedural atrial fibrillation anticoagulation. Novel oral anticoagulants, including direct thrombin and factor Xa inhibitors, are being used more frequently for thromboembolic prophylaxis in atrial fibrillation patients, but the best strategy for using novel oral anticoagulants in periprocedural anticoagulation is unknown. Optimal periprocedural anticoagulation management strategies with oral anticoagulants, limitations of using novel oral anticoagulants, and future directions in this field are discussed.
Effect of Packaging and Temperature on Survival Kinetics of Campylobacter jejuni on Precooked Chicken Breast
Authors: Park Na Yoon , Ro Eun Young , Jo Hye Jin , Park Kun Sang , Yoon Ki Sun 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe survival ability of Campylobacter jejuni in poultry has been a major public health risk because of the low infectious dose. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different packaging condition and temperature on the survival kinetics of C. jejuni ATCC 33291 on precooked chicken breast. Survival kinetics of C. jejuni were also compared with those of C. coli ATCC 43486. Inoculated chicken breasts with 5.0–6.0 log cfu/g were packed in three different ways (aerobic, semi‐aerobic or vacuum), which were stored at 4, 10, 17, 24, 30 and 36C. Survival curves were fitted to Baranyi model to obtain the values of lag time and death rate of C. jejuni. During storage, the greatest reduction of C. jejuni (4.316 log cfu/g) was observed in aerobic packaged chicken breast at 24C, while the least reduction of C. jejuni (1.031 log cfu/g) was observed in vacuum‐packaged chicken breast at 4C. Lag time was affected by packing method, temperature and strain. Similar survival behavior of C. coli to C. jejuni was observed only at 10C. At the temperatures above 24C, lag phase of C. jejuni was only observed in semi‐aerobic or vacuum‐packed chicken breasts, indicating that C. jejuni survived better than C. coli, for which no lag phase was observed. The results indicated that vacuum or semi‐aerobic packaging on poultry product at 4C, which is the most popular method at retail markets, created the highest risk for C. jejuni survival.Practical ApplicationsSurvival ability and pattern of Campylobacter in poultry product at retail market is affected by packing condition, storage temperature and species. The survival model for C. jejuni ATCC 33291 in precooked chicken was not suitable for use in making predictions for C. coli. ATCC 43486, thus the survival model for C. coli must be developed separately. The viable count of C. jejuni in tailing part in survival curve can be very dangerous, thus, preventing cross contamination and proper cooking must be reemphasized in the food service establishments and at home.