bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does Day Length Affect Cognitive Performance in Memory Clinic Patients?
Authors: Lacny Catherine , Kirk Andrew , Morgan Debra G. , Karunanayake Chandima 
Published: December 2014

Objective:To determine whether day length affects cognitive performance in rural and remote memory clinic patients.Methods:A rural and remote memory clinic in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan provided an opportunity to examine how cognitive performance on the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) is influenced by day length. Saskatchewan is an ideal location to test this association as day length varies greatly both seasonally and geographically. Following an initial assessment by the Rural and Remote Memory Clinic (RRMC) team in Saskatoon, patient follow-up appointments were performed either in-person or via telehealth videoconference. At each follow-up appointment the clinic neurologist administered the MMSE. The relationship between day length and MMSE scores at the sixweek follow-up appointment was analyzed in 154 patients. The mean daily temperature was controlled for in the analysis. Bivariate correlate and linear regression analyses were conducted.Results:There was no significant association between MMSE scores and either minutes of day length or mean daily temperature.Conclusion:Day length does not appear to have significant effect on cognitive performance of rural and remote memory clinic patients.
Factors Predictive of Obliteration After Arteriovenous Malformation Radiosurgery
Authors: Herbert C. , Moiseenko V. , McKenzie M. , Redekop G. , Hsu F. , Gete E. , Gill B. , Lee R. , Luchka K. , Lee A. , Haw C. , Toyota B. , Martin M. 
Published: December 2014

Objective:To investigate predictive factors of complete obliteration following treatment with linac-based stereotactic radiosurgery for intracerebral arteriovenous malformations.Methods:Archived plans for 48 patients treated at the British Columbia Cancer Agency and who underwent post-treatment digital subtraction angiography to assess obliteration were studied. Actuarial estimates of obliteration were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used for analysis of incidence of obliteration. Log-rank test was used to search for parameters associated with obliteration.Results:Complete nidus obliteration was achieved in 38/48 patients (79.2%). Actuarial rate of obliteration was 75.9% at 4 years (95% confidence interval 63.1%-88.6%). On univariate analysis, prescribed dose to the margin (p=0.002) and dose to isocentre (p=0.022) showed statistical significance. No parameters were significant in a multivariate model. According to the log-rank test, prescribed dose to the margin of >20 Gy (p=0.004) and dose to the isocentre of >25 Gy (p=0.004) were associated with obliteration.Conclusion:Reported series in the literature suggest a number of different factors are predictive of complete obliteration of arteriovenous malformations following radiosurgery. However, differing definitions of volume and complete obliteration makes direct comparison between series difficult. This study demonstrates that complete obliteration of the nidus following linear accelerator-based stereotactic radiosurgery for arteriovenous malformations appears to be most closely related to the prescribed marginal dose. In particular, a marginal dose of >20Gy is strongly associated with obtaining complete obliteration of the nidus.
Serum-Positive and -Negative AQP4 Antibody NMO in Chinese Patients
Authors: Long Youming , Lu Zhengqi , Hu Xueqiang 
Published: December 2014

Objective:To compare the clinical features of our sero-negative and sero-positive neuromyelitis optica (NMO) patients.Methods:Thirty-nine patients with NMO were recruited and analyzed retrospectively. Serum aquaporin 4 (AQP4) antibody status was determined by a cell-based assay. For the sero-negative patients, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum samples were re-tested using the cell-based assay and an indirect immunofluorescence assay.Results:By the cell-based assay, 30 patients (76.92%, 30/39), were positive for AQP4 antibodies in serum and 37 patients (94.9%, 37/39), had a CSF-positive antibody status. Seven NMO patients (17.9%, 7/39) were sero-negative by the cell-based assay but demonstrated positive CSF results. By indirect immunofluorescence, the remaining two patients, who had no AQP4 antibodies in serum or CSF by the cell-based assay, were positive for IgG antibodies in serum, which selectively targeted the central nervous system microvessels, pia, subpia, Virchow-Robin space, kidney, and stomach. There were no significant differences between the sero-positive and sero-negative NMO groups among their demographic and clinical data.Conclusions:Repeating the test using a different assay or CSF is helpful to clarify whether sero-negative NMO patients do in fact carry AQP4 antibodies.
A Review of Cases of Human Cysticercosis in Canada
Authors: Del Brutto Oscar H. 
Published: December 2014

Objective:Review of human cysticercosis in Canada, to estimate the magnitude of the disease and to describe the pattern of disease expression in this country.Methods:MEDLINE and manual search of case reports and case series of patients with cysticercosis diagnosed in Canada. Abstracted data included year of diagnosis, citizenship status, clinical manifestations, and form of cysticercosis.Findings:A total of 21 articles reporting 60 patients were found. Forty (67%) of these patients were diagnosed in the past two decades. Most cases came from Ontario (n=43) and Quebec (n=14). Immigrants accounted for 96% of the 28 cases in whom citizenship information was available. Neurocysticercosis was observed in 55 patients, and isolated compromise of striated muscles in the remaining five. Seizures was the primary or sole manifestation of the disease in 72% of patients, and most of them had parenchymal brain cysticerci (either viable cysts or calcifications). Two of seven patients were positive for Taenia eggs. In no case were household contacts of the patients investigated for taeniasis.Conclusions:An increasing number of patients with cysticercosis have been reported from Canada in the past two decades, suggesting that the prevalence of this parasitic disease may be on the rise. While most cases occur in immigrants, it is possible that at least some of these patients had acquired the disease in Canada.
Sleep-laughing – Hypnogely
Authors: Trajanovic Nikola N. , Shapiro Colin M. , Milovanovic Srdjan 
Published: December 2014

Abstract:Objective:To explain relatively common phenomenon of laughing during sleep and help to better define criteria for differentiating between physiological and pathological sleep-laughing.Methods:Observational study of patients who underwent a sleep assessment in a referential tertiary health facility.Results:A total of ten patients exhibited sleep laughing, nine of whom had episodes associated with rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Also, in one of the patients sleep-laughing was one of the symptoms of REM sleep Behaviour Disorder, and in another patient sleep-laughing was associated with NREM sleep arousal parasomnia.Conclusion:The collected data and review of literature suggests that hypnogely in majority of the cases presents as a benign physiological phenomenon related to dreaming and REM sleep. Typically, these dreams are odd, bizarre or even unfunny for a person when awake. Nevertheless, they bring a sense of mirth and a genuine behavioural response. In a minority of cases, sleep-laughing appears to be a symptom of neurological disorders affecting the central nervous system. In these patients the behavioural substrate differs when compared to physiological laughing, and the sense of mirth is usually absent.
Delays in Carotid Endarterectomy: The Process is the Problem
Authors: Blacquiere Dylan , Sharma Michael , Jetty Prasad 
Published: December 2014

Abstract:Background:Current recommendations for carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for symptomatic carotid stenosis state benefit is greatest when performed within two weeks of symptoms. However, only a minority of cases are operated on within this guideline, and no systematic examinations of reasons for these delays exist.Methods:All CEA cases performed at our institution by vascular surgery for symptomatic carotid stenosis after neurologist referral in 2008-2009 were reviewed. Dates of symptom onset, initial presentation, referral to and evaluation by neurology and vascular surgery, vascular imaging, and CEA were collected, and the length of time between each analysed. Reasons for delays were noted where available.Results:Of 36 included patients, 34 had CEA more than two weeks after symptom onset. Median time to CEA from onset was 76 days (IQR, 38-105 days). Longest intervals were between surgeon assessment and CEA (14 days; IQR, 9-21 days), neurology referral and neurologist assessment (9 days; IQR, 2-26 days), vascular imaging and referral to vascular surgery (9 days; IQR, 2-35 days) and vascular surgery referral and assessment (8 days; IQR, 6-15 days). Few patients (44.1%) had reasons for delays identified; of these, process-related delays were related to delayed vascular imaging, delayed referral by primary care physicians, or multiple conflicting referrals.Conclusions:There are significant delays between symptom onset and CEA in patients referred for CEA, with delay highest between specialist referral and evaluation. Strategies to reduce these delays may be effective in increasing the proportion of procedures performed within two weeks of symptom onset.
Immune Cell Infiltrates in Atypical Teratoid/Rhabdoid Tumors
Authors: Lu Jian-Qiang , Wilson Beverly A. , Yong V. Wee , Pugh Jeffrey , Mehta Vivek 
Published: December 2014

Objective:Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT) is a highly malignant tumor of the central nervous system. Its pathogenesis remains unknown. Like glioblastomas, AT/RTs contain brain cancer stem cells (CSCs) that suppress the immunity of patients and are resistant to conventional chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Considerable infiltration of immune cells, including macrophages/microglia, dendritic cells and T-cells, has been noted in glioblastomas, which correlates with poor prognosis. The present study examines the significance of infiltrating immune cells in four cases of AT/RT; including one associated with an autoimmune disease, Henoch-Schonlein purpura.Methods:Tumor tissues from four patients with AT/RT were analyzed and compared with those from four patients with glioblastomas. The frequency of immune cells, including CD68+, CD4+, and CD8+ cells, was assessed by scoring for statistical analysis.Results:The infiltration of immune cells was identified in the case of AT/RT associated with HSP and three other cases of infratentorial AT/RTs. Moderate infiltration of CD68+ macrophages/microglia and CD4+ cells was noted in AT/RTs with no significant difference from that in glioblastomas (p> 0.05). However, the infiltration of CD8+ T-cells was significantly higher in AT/RTs than that in glioblastomas (p< 0.05); CD4+/CD8+ ratio was significantly lower in AT/RTs than that in glioblastomas (p< 0.05). In addition, eosinophils were found in all AT/RTs, but not in glioblastomas.Conclusions:These findings suggest an immune microenvironment of AT/RTs with more immune effectors than glioblastomas. Our observation contributes to understanding the growth environment of AT/RTs for which adjuvant immunotherapy may be potentially beneficial.
Delays in Initiation of Acyclovir Therapy in Herpes Simplex Encephalitis
Authors: Hughes Peter S. , Jackson Alan C. 
Published: December 2014

Background:Diagnosis of herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) is based on clinical findings, MRI, and detection of herpes simplex virus (HSV) DNA in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) using polymerase chain reaction amplification. Delays in starting treatment are associated with poorer clinical outcomes. We assessed the timing of initiation of acyclovir therapy in HSE.Methods:Inpatient databases from seven hospitals in Winnipeg, Manitoba were used to identify individuals diagnosed with encephalitis and HSE from 2004 to 2009. The time taken to initiate therapy with acyclovir and the reasons for delays were determined.Results:Seventy-seven patients were identified; 69 (90%) received acyclovir; in the others a non-HSV infection was strongly suspected. Thirteen patients were subsequently confirmed to have HSE. Acyclovir was initiated a median of 21 hours (3-407) after presentation in encephalitis cases, and a median of 11 hours (3-118) in HSE. The most common reason for delay was a failure to consider HSE in the differential diagnosis, despite suggestive clinical features. Where therapy was delayed in HSE patients, the decision to begin acyclovir was prompted by transfer of the patient to a different service (55%), recommendations by consultants (18%), imaging results (18%), and CSF pleocytosis (9%).Conclusions:Delays in initiating acyclovir for HSE are common, and are most often due to a failure to consider HSE in a timely fashion on presentation. In order to improve patient outcomes, physicians should be more vigilant for HSE, and begin acyclovir therapy expeditiously on the basis of clinical suspicion rather than waiting for confirmatory tests.
Cerebrospinal Fluid IL-21 Levels in Neuromyelitis Optica and Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Wu Aimin , Zhong Xiaonan , Wang Honghao , Xu Wen , Cheng Chen , Dai Yongqiang , Bao Jian , Qiu Wei , Lu Zhengqi , Hu Xueqiang 
Published: December 2014

Background:Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and multiple sclerosis (MS) are inflammatory demyelinating diseases of human central nervous system (CNS) with complex pathogenesis. IL-21/IL-21R regulates activation, proliferation and survival of both T cells and B cells, which are involved in the pathogenesis of NMO and MS. High levels of serum IL-21 were observed in NMO patients. However, concentration of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) IL-21 in MS and NMO patients still remain unknown.Object:To detect the CSF concentration of IL-21 in NMO and MS patients and to evaluate its relationship with disease activity, particularly concerned about its impact on humoral immunity.Methods:CSF IL-21 was detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in NMO patients (n=21), MS patients (n=20) and controls (n=16).Results:CSF concentration of the IL-21 was noticeably elevated in NMO (p=0.012) and borderline significantly increased in MS (p=0.115). In addition, this occurrence was associated with humoral immune activity as shown by a correlation between IL-21 and complement in NMO cohort (p=0.023) and high IL-21 levels in autoantibody-positive subgroup (p=0.027).Conclusions:The concentration of CSF IL-21 was noticeably elevated and might have a positive correlation with humoral immune activity in NMO.
Rosette-forming Glioneuronal Tumors in the Posterior Third Ventricle
Authors: Alnaami Ibrahim , Aronyk Keith , Lu Jian-Qiang , Johnson Edward S. , O'Kelly Cian 
Published: December 2014

Rosette-forming glioneuronal tumor (RGNT) is a rare brain tumor found almost exclusively within the fourth ventricle. These grade I tumors were first included in the World Health Organization (WHO) Classification for the central nervous system in 20071. Since then, approximately 49 cases have been published.There are no reported cases of RGNT within the third ventricle, although this tumor has also been described in the pineal region, the tectum and within the aqueduct. Supratentorial localization is quite rare, with only three published: one was found in the septum pellucidum, another within the optic nerve in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) patient and one in a patient with multiple RGNT in the lateral ventricle. The authors report the first case series in the literature of RGNT occurring within the posterior third ventricle.
Use of DALYs in economic analyses on interventions for infectious diseases: a systematic review
Authors: OOSTVOGELS A. J. J. M. , DE WIT G. A. , JAHN B. , CASSINI A. , COLZANI E. , DE WAURE C. , KRETZSCHMAR M. E. E. , SIEBERT U. , MÜHLBERGER N. , MANGEN M.-J. J. 
Published: December 2014

SUMMARYA systematic literature review was performed on full economic evaluations of infectious disease interventions using disability-adjusted life years (DALY) as outcome measure. The search was limited to the period between 1994 and September 2011 and conducted in Medline, SciSearch and EMBASE databases. We included 154 studies, mostly targeting HIV/AIDS and malaria with most conducted for African countries (40%) and <10% in high-income countries. Third-payer perspective was applied in 29% of the studies, 25% used the societal perspective and 12% used both. Only 16% of the studies took indirect effects (i.e. herd immunity) of interventions into account. Intervention, direct healthcare and indirect non-healthcare costs were taken into account in respectively 100%, 81% and 36% of the studies. The majority of the studies followed the Global Burden of Disease method for DALY estimations, but most studies deviated from WHO cost-effectiveness guidelines. Better adherence to freely accessible guidelines will improve generalizability between full economic evaluations.
‘A Victorian community overseas’ transformed: demographic and morphological change in suburban Melbourne, Australia, 1947–1981
Authors: O’HANLON SEAMUS 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTOne of the world's great Victorian-era suburban metropolises, Melbourne, Australia, was transformed by mass immigration and the redevelopment of some of its older suburbs with low-rise flats and apartments in the post-war years. Drawing on a range of sources, including census material, municipal rate and valuation books, immigration and company records, as well as building industry publications, this article charts demographic and morphological change across the Melbourne metropolitan area and in two particular suburbs in the mid- to late twentieth century. In doing so, it both responds to McManus and Ethington's recent call for more histories of suburbs in transition, and seeks to embed the role of immigration and immigrants into Melbourne's urban historiography.
Urban planning by obliteration of both waterways and opponents: the infilling of canals during the 1950s reconstruction of central Tokyo
Authors: HASEGAWA JUNICHI 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTThis article examines the infilling of canals constructed in early modern times and subsequent development on newly created land in central Tokyo in the 1950s, following the curtailment of official war-damage reconstruction after World War II. New developments included a high-rise central station building, a four-storey amusement complex, an underground entertainment street and an elevated motorway. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Japanese National Railways were driving forces in infilling and development, which resulted in enormous political and social reactions in the local communities, newspapers and the National Diet (Parliament).
New low-cost broadband CPW-fed planar antenna
Authors: Dakir Rachid , Zbitou Jamal , Mouhsen Ahmed , Tribak Abdelwahed , Sanchez Amediavilla , Latrach Mohamed 
Published: December 2014

The narrow bandwidth of microstrip antennas is one of the most important features that restrict its wide usage. This paper presents a new coplanar waveguide-fed compact rectangular microstrip antenna with the improvement of the bandwidth using the slot geometry and cutting rectangular periodic edges for the patch radiator. To develop this structure, we have conducted many optimization and investigation using Momentum Software integrated into ADS “Advanced Design System” and comparison of the results with CST Microwave Studio. The comparison between the simulation and measurement results permits to validate the final achieved antenna with an improvement of the bandwidth. This antenna has wide matching input impedance ranging from 1.7 to 3.5 GHz with a return loss less than −10 dB, corresponding to bandwidth 69.7% at 2.6 GHz as a frequency center. The antenna achieved is a low cost, planar, and easy to be fabricated, thus promising for multiple applications in wireless communication systems. Details of the proposed antenna design and both simulated and experimental results are described and discussed.
Premature guinea pigs: a new paradigm to investigate the late-effects of preterm birth
Authors: Berry M. , Gray C. , Wright K. , Dyson R. , Wright I. 
Published: December 2014

Preterm birth is common and the associated short-term morbidity well described. The adult-onset consequences of preterm birth are less clear, but cardiovascular and metabolic health may be adversely affected. Although large animal models of preterm birth addressing important short-term issues exist, long-term studies are hampered by significant logistical constraints. Current small animal models of prematurity require terminal caesarean section of the mother; both caesarean birth and early maternal care modify offspring adult cardio-metabolic function.We describe a novel method for inducing preterm labour in guinea pigs. With support comparable to that received by moderately preterm human infants, preterm pups are viable. Growth trajectories between preterm and term-born pups differ significantly; between term equivalent age and weaning ex-preterm animals demonstrate increased weight and ponderal index.We believe this novel paradigm will significantly improve our ability to investigate the cardio-metabolic sequelae of preterm birth throughout the life course and into the second generation.
Caspase-1 cleavage of transcription factor GATA4 and regulation of cardiac cell fate
Authors: Aries A , Whitcomb J , Shao W , Komati H , Saleh M , Nemer M 
Published: December 2014

AbstractCaspase-1 or interleukin-1β (IL-1β) converting enzyme is a pro-inflammatory member of the caspase family. An IL-1β-independent role for caspase-1 in cardiomyocyte cell death and heart failure has emerged but the mechanisms underlying these effects are incompletely understood. Here, we report that transcription factor GATA4, a key regulator of cardiomyocyte survival and adaptive stress response is an in vivo and in vitro substrate for caspase-1. Caspase-1 mediated cleavage of GATA4 generates a truncated protein that retains the ability to bind DNA but lacks transcriptional activation domains and acts as a dominant negative regulator of GATA4. We show that caspase-1 is rapidly activated in cardiomyocyte nuclei treated with the cell death inducing drug Doxorubicin. We also find that inhibition of caspase-1 alone is as effective as complete caspase inhibition at rescuing GATA4 degradation and myocyte cell death. Caspase-1 inhibition of GATA4 transcriptional activity is rescued by HSP70, which binds directly to GATA4 and masks the caspase recognition motif. The data identify a caspase-1 nuclear substrate and suggest a direct role for caspase-1 in transcriptional regulation. This mechanism may underlie the inflammation-independent action of caspase-1 in other organs.
Response-dependent dynamics of cell-specific inhibition in cortical networks in vivo
Authors: El-Boustani Sami , Sur Mriganka 
Published: December 2014

AbstractIn the visual cortex, inhibitory neurons alter the computations performed by target cells via combination of two fundamental operations, division and subtraction. The origins of these operations have been variously ascribed to differences in neuron classes, synapse location or receptor conductances. Here, by utilizing specific visual stimuli and single optogenetic probe pulses, we show that the function of parvalbumin-expressing and somatostatin-expressing neurons in mice in vivo is governed by the overlap of response timing between these neurons and their targets. In particular, somatostatin-expressing neurons respond at longer latencies to small visual stimuli compared with their target neurons and provide subtractive inhibition. With large visual stimuli, however, they respond at short latencies coincident with their target cells and switch to provide divisive inhibition. These results indicate that inhibition mediated by these neurons is a dynamic property of cortical circuits rather than an immutable property of neuronal classes.