bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Age–Length Key Sample Sizes Required to Estimate Fish Total Mortality and Growth
Authors: Coggins Lewis G. , Gwinn Daniel C. , Allen Micheal S. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractFisheries assessments often rely on age composition data to infer information about growth, mortality, and the outcome of various management policies. To reduce the costs of estimating the age of all fish collected (i.e., via direct aging), an age–length key (ALK) is often developed by directly aging only a subsample of fish and estimating the ages of the remaining fish based on observed lengths. Although this approach is common, there is little guidance in the literature for determining the appropriate total sample size and numbers of fish needed to directly age for each length bin. We developed a stochastic simulation to evaluate the sample‐size requirement for using ALKs to estimate von Bertalanffy growth parameters and the instantaneous rate of total mortality (Z). The simulations accounted for variation in life history characteristics of stocks and exploitation rates of fisheries. Our simulations suggested that for overfished populations, aging more fish per bin provides negligible benefits whereas collecting larger total sample sizes could improve bias and precision ofZestimates. These results also indicated that bias and precision was relatively uninfluenced by fish life history type, which may allow for standardization of field collection methods across a wide range of fish species. In most cases, total sample sizes of 500–1,000 and 10 fish aged per bin provided near optimal performance in accuracy and precision, suggesting that this could be a guideline for many studies.
Improved Variance Estimates of Biomass for Stream‐Dwelling Fish Calculated Using Removal Estimators
Authors: Shepard Bradley B. , Taper Mark L. , Zale Alexander V. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractTotal biomass of fish populations has traditionally been computed by multiplying the mean weight of captured fish by the estimated abundance of fish. The variance estimator for this method overestimates variance when a moderate to large portion of the population is sampled. We developed and evaluated finite population correction (FPC) methods for estimating fish biomass in small streams (<5 m wetted width) in conjunction with removal population estimators. Using simulated data we found that removal estimates could deviate by more than 50% from true population abundances and be biased when the ratio of total captured fish to the estimated abundance was less than 0.6. These deviations were generally not biased and within 25% of the true population when the ratio was 0.6 or higher. To estimate biomass using FPC methods we investigated a classical a priori sample design and an a posteriori modeled estimator. Both methods take advantage of the fact that relatively high proportions of total populations are typically captured (and can be weighed) in small streams during removal estimates. The a posteriori model‐based method can be used to partition estimates of variance and incorporate measurement error, but the a priori design cannot. Estimates of biomass using all three methods were identical. However, precision of FPC methods was significantly better (Wilcoxon paired sign‐ranked test:P< 0.001) than the traditional method. Coverage by 95% confidence intervals for the model‐based FPC method were much closer to the 95% nominal level than for the traditional method, especially when capture probabilities were higher than 0.5. We recommend using the model‐based FPC method because it reduces estimates of SE as the sample size (n) approaches the population size (N) and it provides the most reliable 95% confidence intervals.
The Impact of Lost Therapeutic Benefit (LTB) in High‐Risk Hypertensive Patients: 2‐Year Follow‐Up Data from the Australian REACH Registry
Authors: Ademi Zanfina , Huq Molla M. , Liew Danny , Steg Ph. Gabriel , Bhatt Deepak L. , Nelson Mark , Reid Christopher M. ,   the REACH Registry investigators
Published: April 2013

SummaryObjectiveThe aim of the study is to determine the extent of lost therapeutic benefit (LTB) in the hypertensive patients, and to determine the relationship between the presence of LTB and clinical outcomes.MethodsProspective‐cohort study of n = 2856 patients with or at high risk of atherothrombosis. LTB was calculated as the proportion of patients receiving blood pressure medication who were not attaining guideline blood pressure (BP) control targets (<140/90 mmHg). Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of LTB at baseline, and propensity score matching (PSM) was undertaken to estimate the treatment effects by matching case LTB and control non‐LTB cohorts based on the nearest neighbor matching.ResultsOf the total sample of 2856, 45.6% had uncontrolled BP, and LTB was present in 46.7% patients. The likelihood of LTB was less in males (OR = 0.78 [95% CI; 0.64–0.97]), and those with a previous myocardial infarction (OR = 0.66 [0.53–0.81]) or heart failure (OR = 0.58 [0.42–0.82]). LTB was more common in those with diabetes (OR = 1.44 [1.16–1.79]), aged >65 years (OR = 1.36 [1.06–1.75]) and having an ABI < 0.09 in either leg at rest (OR = 1.30 [1.02–1.75]). Following PSM, the combination of ischemic events (55–64 age category) was more likely to occur in the LTB compared with non‐LTB group (4.38% and 0.68%, respectively [P = 0.046]).ConclusionPresence of HF, previous MI and being male decreased the likelihood of LTB, while presence of diabetes, age > 65 and ABI < 0.09 increased the risk of LTB. Patients with LTB in age category 55–64 had higher incidence of vascular events compared with those with non‐LTB.
Purpose and effectiveness of psychoeducation in patients with bipolar disorder in a bipolar clinic setting
Authors: Stafford N. , Colom F. 
Published: April 2013

ObjectiveThis article reviews psychological therapies in the treatment of bipolar disorder, in particular psychoeducation, and how the inclusion of four fundamental principles – patient/therapist communication, flow of information, patient involvement and a trusting relationship – can improve patient outcomes.MethodThe content of this article is based on the proceedings of a 1‐day standalone symposium in November 2011 exploring how to establish a bipolar clinic within the context of existing services in the UK's National Health Service.ResultsCertain psychological interventions have emerged as beneficial add‐on treatments to pharmacotherapy in bipolar disorder and are associated with greater stabilisation of symptoms, fewer relapses and longer time to relapse. Psychoeducation is a simple approach to support prevention of future episodes by delivering behavioural training to improve illness insight, early symptom identification and development of coping strategies. Empowering patients to actively participate in their treatment provides independence, counteracts the current disconnect of therapist and patient, and increases awareness and understanding of the challenges of living with and treating bipolar disorder.ConclusionPsychoeducation enables patients to understand bipolar disorder, get actively involved in therapy planning, and be aware of methods for episode prevention, therefore effectively contributing to improved treatment outcomes and patient quality of life.
Nephrectomized and Hepatectomized Animal Models as Tools in Preclinical Pharmacokinetics
Authors: Vestergaard Bill , Agersø Henrik , Lykkesfeldt Jens 
Published: April 2013

AbstractEarly understanding of the pharmacokinetics and metabolic patterns of new drug candidates is essential for selection of optimal candidates to move further in to the drug development process. In vitro methodologies can be used to investigate metabolic patterns, but in general, they lack several aspects of the whole‐body physiology. In contrast, the complexity of intact animals does not necessarily allow individual processes to be identified. Animal models lacking a major excretion organ can be used to investigate these individual metabolic processes. Animal models of nephrectomy and hepatectomy have considerable potential as tools in preclinical pharmacokinetics to assess organs of importance for drug clearance and thereby knowledge of potential metabolic processes to manipulate to improve pharmacokinetic properties of the molecules. Detailed knowledge of anatomy and surgical techniques is crucial to successfully establish the models, and a well‐balanced anaesthesia and adequate monitoring of the animals are also of major importance. An obvious drawback of animal models lacking an organ is the disruption of normal homoeostasis and the induction of dramatic and ultimately mortal systemic changes in the animals. Refining of the surgical techniques and the post‐operative supportive care of the animals can increase the value of these models by minimizing the systemic changes induced, and thorough validation of nephrectomy and hepatectomy models is needed before use of such models as a tool in preclinical pharmacokinetics. The present MiniReview discusses pros and cons of the available techniques associated with establishing nephrectomy and hepatectomy models.
Sputum cytokine mapping reveals an ‘IL‐5, IL‐17A, IL‐25‐high’ pattern associated with poorly controlled asthma
Authors: Seys S. F. , Grabowski M. , Adriaensen W. , Decraene A. , Dilissen E. , Vanoirbeek J. A. , Dupont L. J. , Ceuppens J. L. , Bullens D. M. A. 
Published: April 2013

SummaryBackground and objectiveAsthma is a heterogeneous disease with various clinical, inflammatory and molecular phenotypes. We studied sputum cytokine mRNA expression patterns in an unselected group of adult asthma patients to characterize the underlying inflammatory process.MethodsDifferential cell counts and cytokine mRNA (quantified by real‐time PCR) were analysed on sputum from 40 controls and 66 asthmatic adults. A ‘cytokine‐high’ profile was defined if mRNA levels for that particular cytokine exceeded the 90th percentile value in the control population. Radar graphs were used to visualize cytokine profiles.ResultsSputum mRNA analysis confirmed heterogeneity of cytokine patterns among patients. Thirty‐six patients (55%) had a Th2 cytokine pattern: ‘IL‐5‐high’ (n = 13), ‘IL‐4‐high’ (n = 17) or ‘IL‐4‐ and IL‐5‐high’ (n = 6). The ‘IL‐5‐high’ asthma profile (n = 13) coincided with the ‘IL‐25‐high’ (10/13) and surprisingly also with the ‘IL‐17A‐high’ (11/13) profile. The ‘IL‐5‐/IL‐25‐/IL‐17A‐high profile was different from the ‘IL‐4‐high’ pattern. Patients with the ‘IL‐5, IL‐17A, IL‐25‐high’ pattern had significantly worse lung function parameters. Uncontrolled asthmatics [Asthma Control Test (ACT) < 20] had higher sputum IL‐5, IL‐17A and IL‐25 mRNA levels compared to controlled asthmatics (P = 0.002; P = 0.002; P = 0.066) and uncontrolled asthma is more common among ‘IL‐5‐ and IL‐17A‐high’ asthmatics compared to ‘IL‐5‐, IL‐17A‐low’ asthmatics (χ2 = 3.7, P = 0.027; relative risk (RR): 1.8, 95% CI = 1.1–3.1).Conclusions and Clinical RelevancePatients with the ‘IL‐5, IL‐17A, IL‐25‐high’ airway inflammatory pattern are often uncontrolled asthmatics, despite daily treatment. It seems worthwhile to evaluate whether measuring sputum cytokine levels might be used to assess the response to increased doses of steroids in patients with asthma.
Ecological influences on the difference in δ15N and δ13C values between fish tissues: implications for studies of temporal diet variation
Authors: Michaud Wendy K. , Dempson J. Brian , Reist James D. , Power Michael 
Published: April 2013

AbstractTemporal diet changes can be detected by comparing δ13C and δ15N values between tissues with different isotopic turnover times. However, other factors contribute to disparities in δ13C and δ15N signatures between tissues and could confound the interpretation of stable isotope data. We examined the effects of ecological factors on differences in muscle and liver δ13C and δ15N signatures of Arctic charr [Salvelinus alpinus, (L.)] to determine whether their effects were large enough to influence studies of diet change. In addition, we examined whether differences in lipid content accounted for a significant portion of the differences in δ13C values between tissues. Results indicated that life history, diet, reproductive status and gender had significant effects on the differences in δ13C values between tissues, while gender and diet significantly affected differences in δ15N values. Differences in % lipid content between tissues also explained approximately 74% of the observed variation in the difference in δ13C values between tissues. The differences in δ13C values observed between muscle and liver tissues may be partially explained by physiological differences in lipid storage and use between tissues associated with ecological factor effects. These results demonstrate that ecological factors other than a change in diet can influence the differences in δ13C and δ15N signatures between muscle and liver tissues. However, the impact of ecological factors on studies of diet change depends on how the magnitude of the factor effects compared with a biologically meaningful change in diet.
Activity patterns in the category‐selective occipitotemporal cortex predict upcoming motor actions
Authors: Gallivan Jason P. , Chapman Craig S. , McLean D. Adam , Flanagan J. Randall , Culham Jody C. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractConverging lines of evidence point to the occipitotemporal cortex (OTC) as a critical structure in visual perception. For instance, human functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has revealed a modular organisation of object‐selective, face‐selective, body‐selective and scene‐selective visual areas in the OTC, and disruptions to the processing within these regions, either in neuropsychological patients or through transcranial magnetic stimulation, can produce category‐specific deficits in visual recognition. Here we show, using fMRI and pattern classification methods, that the activity in the OTC also represents how stimuli will be interacted with by the body – a level of processing more traditionally associated with the preparatory activity in sensorimotor circuits of the brain. Combining functional mapping of different OTC areas with a real object‐directed delayed movement task, we found that the pre‐movement spatial activity patterns across the OTC could be used to predict both the action of an upcoming hand movement (grasping vs. reaching) and the effector (left hand vs. right hand) to be used. Interestingly, we were able to extract this wide range of predictive movement information even though nearly all OTC areas showed either baseline‐level or below baseline‐level activity prior to action onset. Our characterisation of different OTC areas according to the features of upcoming movements that they could predict also revealed a general gradient of effector‐to‐action‐dependent movement representations along the posterior–anterior OTC axis. These findings suggest that the ventral visual pathway, which is well known to be involved in object recognition and perceptual processing, plays a larger than previously expected role in preparing object‐directed hand actions.
Bilateral perisylvian ulegyria: An under‐recognized, surgically remediable epileptic syndrome
Authors: Schilling Lucas P. , Kieling Renata R. , Pascoal Tharick A. , Kim Hyoung‐Ihl , Lee Min Cheol , Kim Yun Hee , Paglioli Eliseu , Neto Pedro R. , Costa Jaderson C. , Palmini Andre 
Published: April 2013

SummaryPurposeInterest in the association of epilepsy and pseudobulbar palsy was rekindled since the identification through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of bilateral perisylvian polymicrogyria (PMG). Seizures are often intractable, but resective epilepsy surgery has not been recommended. However, a similar clinical picture can be encountered in patients with bilateral perisylvian destructive lesions, which fit the description of ulegyria (ULG). We report a series of patients with epilepsy and pseudobulbar palsy due to bilateral perisylvian ULG (BP‐ULG), show that hippocampal sclerosis (HS) is often associated and highlight the fact that in this entity, unlike in malformative bilateral perisylvian PMG, seizures may be surgically treated.MethodsThe motor, cognitive, epileptologic, and imaging features of 12 patients with perisylvian ULG followed at three institutions are described. For patients with refractory seizures, we detail extracranial and intracranial electrographic recordings, surgical strategies, histopathologic analyses of the resected tissue, and outcome of surgical treatment. Descriptive statistics were used for quantitative and categorical variables. Student's t‐test was used to compare means, and a p < 0.05 was considered significant.Key FindingsPseudobulbar palsy and mental retardation were present in all patients with symmetrical BP‐ULG. Five had refractory seizures. There was no relationship between the severity of the pseudobulbar palsy or of the mental retardation and the degree of seizure control with medication. The five patients in whom seizures were refractory to medication had significantly earlier age of onset and longer duration of epilepsy (p < 0.05). Dual pathology with associated unilateral HS was present in four. One patient with dual pathology had a temporolimbic electroclinical picture and had an anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL) based upon noninvasive evaluation. The other four had ictal semiology suggesting involvement of both temporolimbic and perisylvian cortex. Intracranial electroencephalography (EEG) showed concomitant seizure onset in the anterior temporal region and in the ipsilateral ULG in three of the four with dual pathology and in the ulegyric cortex in the one without HS. Resection guided by a combination of semiology, MRI, and extra and intracranial EEG led to complete seizure control in two and almost complete seizure control (Engel class II) in two other patients. The only surgical failure was an isolated ATL in a patient with dual pathology, and concomitant seizure onset in both lesions according to semiology and intracranial EEG.SignificanceOur findings suggest that BP‐ULG mimics the clinical features of bilateral perisylvian PMG. In patients with refractory seizures, recognition of this entity should lead to consideration of resective surgery despite the bilateral ULG.
Absence epilepsy subnetworks revealed by event‐related independent components analysis of functional magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Masterton Richard A. J. , Carney Patrick W. , Abbott David F. , Jackson Graeme D. 
Published: April 2013

SummaryPurposeThe aim of this study was to provide better spatiotemporal description of the brain activity observed during generalized spike‐and‐wave (GSW) discharges. Simultaneous electroencephalography and functional magnetic resonance imaging (EEG‐fMRI) studies of these epileptiform events have shown regional differences in the timing of fMRIsignal changes, which suggests activities within multiple interacting networks rather than a single unified network.MethodsEEG‐fMRIrecordings from eight patients with childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) were studied using event‐related independent components analysis (eICA). This technique separates the fMRIsignal changes observed duringGSWdischarges into different spatial components, each showing different event‐related timing. Unlike standard independent components analysis (ICA), which is applied to the entire fMRItime series, the eICAmethod is applied only to the event‐related time courses at each voxel, which means that only a small number of components are generated that are all explicitly related to the event of interest.Key FindingsSix eICAcomponents were identified, representing distinctGSW‐related subnetworks. Activations were detected in a number of brain regions, including the striatum, which have not previously been reported in association withGSWinCAEpatients.SignificanceThe eICAresults support previous findings that the earliest activity associated withGSWmay be in posterior cortical regions and provide new evidence that the thalamostriate network may play a more important role in the generation ofGSWthan suggested by previous studies.
Commentary from the Editorial Board to Vitiligo: interplay between oxidative stress and immune system (Laddha et al.)
Authors: Colucci Roberta , Böhm Markus , Moretti Silvia 
Published: April 2013

AbstractVitiligo pathogenesis is very puzzling, and novel mechanisms possibly involved in the development of this disorder are frequently explored. Recently, some authors proposed an interplay between oxidative stress and immune system at the basis of melanocyte loss. According to the experimental evidence, they suggest that exposition to environmental agents might lead to an association between vitiligo and other autoimmune diseases. Accordingly, it is proposed that increased reactive oxygen species due to environmental agents could induce a modification of both melanocytic structures and other tissue proteins, or might disregulate the immune system, influencing the appearance of vitiligo and autoimmune comorbidities.
Stress granules in neurodegeneration – lessons learnt from TAR DNA binding protein of 43 kDa and fused in sarcoma
Authors: Bentmann Eva , Haass Christian , Dormann Dorothee 
Published: April 2013

Stress granules (SGs) are cytoplasmic foci that rapidly form when cells are exposed to stress. They transiently store mRNAs encoding house‐keeping proteins and allow the selective translation of stress‐response proteins (e.g. heat shock proteins). Besides mRNA, SGs contain RNA‐binding proteins, such as T cell internal antigen‐1 and poly(A)‐binding protein 1, which can serve as characteristic SG marker proteins. Recently, some of these SG marker proteins were found to label pathological TAR DNA binding protein of 43 kDa (TDP‐43)‐ or fused in sarcoma (FUS)‐positive cytoplasmic inclusions in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal lobar degeneration. In addition, protein aggregates in other neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. tau inclusions in Alzheimer's disease) show a co‐localization with T cell internal antigen‐1 as well. Moreover, several RNA‐binding proteins that are commonly found in SGs have been genetically linked to neurodegeneration. This suggests that SGs might play an important role in the pathogenesis of these proteinopathies, either by acting as a seed for pathological inclusions, by mediating translational repression or by trapping essential RNA‐binding proteins, or by a combination of these mechanisms. This minireview gives an overview of the general biology of SGs and highlights the recently identified connection of SGs with TDP‐43, FUS and other proteins involved in neurodegenerative diseases. We propose that pathological inclusions containing RNA‐binding proteins, such as TDP‐43 and FUS, might arise from SGs and discuss how SGs might contribute to neurodegeneration via toxic gain or loss‐of‐function mechanisms.