bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of Balloon Size on Aortic Regurgitation in Neonates Undergoing Balloon Aortic Valvuloplasty—A Retrospective Study Over an 11‐Year Period
Authors: HAMIDI‐MANESH LAILA , TIBBY SHANE M. , HERMAN ROSIE , ROSENTHAL ERIC , QURESHI SHAKEEL A. , KRASEMANN THOMAS 
Published: February 2013

AbstractBackgroundTranscatheter balloon aortic valvuloplasty has become the first‐line treatment for critical or severe aortic stenosis in neonates in many centers. Aortic regurgitation following balloon aortic valvuloplasty remains a major concern. An optimal balloon size to aortic annulus ratio in order to minimize aortic regurgitation postprocedure, while relieving the obstruction, has not yet been identified.Methods and ResultsIn this retrospective study, data from 29 neonates with critical or severe congenital aortic valve stenosis, who underwent balloon aortic valvuloplasty in the first 28 days of life, over an 11‐year period, was evaluated. The balloon size used, ranged from 71% to 160% of the annulus size, with an average of 89%, based on the aortic annulus size as measured on angiography. The aortic regurgitation immediately following the procedure was trivial in 8 (27.6%), mild in 13 (44.8%), moderate in 7 (24.1%), and severe in 1 (3.4%) patient. The balloon to annulus ratio had no statistically significant effect on the degree of aortic regurgitation immediately after the procedure (P‐value of 0.25), at first follow‐up within 6 weeks of the procedure (P‐value of 0.76) or at follow‐up at 1 year (P‐value of 0.52).ConclusionThis study did not show any significant relationship between the balloon to annulus ratio during interventional dilatation and the degree of aortic regurgitation following the procedure. (J Interven Cardiol 2013;26:200–207)
Moderating effects of attributions on the relationship between emotional dissonance and surface acting: a transactional approach to health care professionals' emotion work
Authors: Crego Antonio , Martínez‐Iñigo David , Tschan Franziska 
Published: February 2013

AbstractBased on a transactional model of stress, this study aims to understand the role played by attributions in selecting surface acting as emotion regulation strategy when coping with emotion‐rule dissonance. A sample of primary health care professionals (n = 87) based in Madrid filled in a questionnaire. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted to test hypotheses on the moderating effects of attributions on the relationship between emotion‐rule dissonance and surface acting. Results showed that high levels of attribution to patients of responsibility for negative events, low levels of professionals' self‐accountability, and low attribution of being able to promote a positive change strengthen the positive association between emotion‐rule dissonance and surface acting. This could explain why professionals use a potentially damaging emotion regulation strategy.
Picky hitch‐hikers: vector choice leads to directed dispersal and fat‐tailed kernels in a passively dispersing mite
Authors: Fronhofer Emanuel A. , Sperr Ellen B. , Kreis Anna , Ayasse Manfred , Poethke Hans Joachim , Tschapka Marco 
Published: February 2013

Dispersal is a central life‐history trait for most animals and plants: it allows to colonize new habitats, escape from competition or avoid inbreeding. Yet, not all species are mobile enough to perform sufficient dispersal. Such passive dispersers may use more mobile animals as dispersal vectors. If multiple potential vectors are available, an active choice can allow to optimize the dispersal process and to determine the distribution of dispersal distances, i.e. an optimal dispersal kernel.We explore dispersal and vector choice in the neotropical flower mite Spadiseius calyptrogynae using a dual approach which combines experiments with an individual‐based simulation model. Spadiseius calyptrogynae is found in lowland rainforests in Costa Rica. It inhabits inflorescences of the understorey palm Calyptrogyne ghiesbreghtiana and is phoretic on a number of flower visitors including bats, beetles and stingless bees. We hypothesised that the mites should optimise their dispersal kernel by actively choosing a specific mix of potential phoretic vectors.In a simple olfactometer setup we showed that the flower mites do indeed discriminate between potential vectors. Subsequently we used an individual‐based model to analyse the evolutionary forces responsible for the observed patterns of vector choice. The mites combine vectors exhibiting long‐distance dispersal with those allowing for more localized dispersal. This results in a fat‐tailed dispersal kernel that guarantees the occasional colonization of new host plant patches (long distance) while optimizing the exploitation of clumped resources (local dispersal). Additionally, kin competition results in a preference for small vectors that transport only few individuals at a time. At the same time, these vectors lead to directed dispersal towards suitable habitat, which increases the stability of this very specialized interaction. Our findings can be applied to other phoretic systems but also to vector‐based seed dispersal, for example.
Functional role of progestin and the progesterone receptor in the suppression of spermatogenesis in rodents
Authors: Lue Yanhe , Wang Christina , Lydon John P , Leung Andrew , Li James , Swerdloff Ronald S. 
Published: February 2013

SummarySynthetic progestins such as levonorgestrel (LNG) are used in combination with testosterone (T) in male contraceptive clinical trials to suppress gonadotropins secretion, but whether progestins have additional direct effects on the testis are not known. This study aimed to examine the effect of a potent progestin, (LNG), alone or in combination with testosterone (T) on spermatogenesis in adult rats, and to evaluate the functional role of the progesterone receptors (PRs) in the testis. In comparison with a low dose of LNG treatment in adult rats for 4 weeks, T and T + LNG treatment decreased testicular sperm count to 64.1 and 40.2% of control levels respectively. LNG induced germ cell apoptosis at stages I–IV and XII–XIV; T increased apoptosis at stages VII–VIII; LNG + T treatment induced greater germ cell apoptosis at a wider range of seminiferous epithelial stages. RT‐PCR and Western Blots showed that PR was present in testes and up‐regulated during suppression of spermatogenesis induced by testicular hormonal deprivation. PR knockout (PRKO) mice had larger testes, greater sperm production, increased numbers of Sertoli and Leydig cells. Suppression of gonadotropin and intratesticular T by GnRH‐antagonist treatment induced PR promoter driven LacZ expression in Leydig cells of PRKO mice. This suggests that GnRH‐antagonist treatment while inducing germ cell apoptosis also up‐regulates PR. We conclude that (i) LNG + T induced greater suppression of spermatogenesis through increase in germ cell apoptosis involving a wider range of seminiferous epithelial stages than either treatment alone, (ii) up‐regulation of PR was associated with inhibition of spermatogenesis, (iii) PR knockout mice showed increased sperm production suggesting that testicular PR activated events play a physiological and pharmacological inhibitory role in the testis. These data support the hypothesis that in addition to its known suppressive effects on gonadotropins, progestins may have direct inhibitory actions on the testis.
Effects of the naturally‐occurring disaccharides, palatinose and sucrose, on incretin secretion in healthy non‐obese subjects
Authors: Maeda Aya , Miyagawa Jun‐ichiro , Miuchi Masayuki , Nagai Etsuko , Konishi Kosuke , Matsuo Toshihiro , Tokuda Masaru , Kusunoki Yoshiki , Ochi Humihiro , Murai Kazuki , Katsuno Tomoyuki , Hamaguchi Tomoya , Harano Yutaka , Namba Mitsuyoshi 
Published: February 2013

AbstractAims/IntroductionIncretins might play some pathophysiological role in glucose metabolism in diabetes and obesity; it is not clear whether or not the amount and the pattern of incretin secretion vary with different types of sugars. To evaluate the effect of two types of disaccharides on glucose metabolism and the kinetics of incretin secretion, plasma levels were measured after palatinose or sucrose ingestion in non‐obese healthy participants.Materials and MethodsThe study was carried out on healthy participants who were given a solution containing 50 g of palatinose or sucrose for ingestion. Blood samples were obtained before loading and after ingestion. Insulin, glucagon and incretins hormones were measured by the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay method.ResultsWhen the data were compared between palatinose and sucrose ingestion, both plasma glucose values at 15, 30 and 60 min, and plasma insulin values at 15 and 30 min after palatinose loading were significantly lower than those after sucrose loading. Plasma levels of total glucose‐dependent insulinotropic polypeptide at 15–90 min after palatinose loading were significantly lower than those after sucrose loading. Plasma levels of total and active glucagon‐like peptide‐1 at 90 min and the area under the curve (60–120 min) of the total glucagon‐like peptide‐1 were significantly higher with palatinose‐loading than with sucrose loading.ConclusionCompared with sucrose, palatinose appears to have a more favorable effect on glucose metabolism and protection of pancreatic islets as a result of less hyperglycemic and hyperinsulinemic potency.
Increased regulatory T cells and impaired functions of circulating CD8 T lymphocytes is associated with viral persistence in Hepatitis B virus‐positive newborns
Authors: Shrivastava S. , TrehanPati N. , Patra S. , Kottilil S. , Pande C. , Trivedi S. S. , Sarin S. K. 
Published: February 2013

SummaryHepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection in infancy or early childhood leads to high rate of persistent infection (25–90%). The immunological basis of high rate of viral persistence in vertically acquired HBV infections is not completely understood. CD8 T cells play a pivotal role in clearing the Hepatitis B virus infection in adults. Herein, we sought to delineate the role of T cells in viral persistence in HBsAg+ve newborns. At birth peripheral and cord blood of HBsAg+ve (N = 12), HBsAg‐ve (N = 10) and healthy newborns (HC: N = 15) were evaluated for T‐cell frequency and functionality by flow cytometry. No significant differences were observed in the frequency of CD8 and CD4 T cells in all the three groups. However, significantly higher frequency of FoxP3 expressing regulatory T cells were observed in HBsAg+ve (63.79%) compared with HBsAg‐ve (28.12%) and HC (11.06%) (P < 0.05). Moreover, HBsAg+ve newborns showed functional defect in CD8 T cells by decreased IFN‐γ production and lower CD107A expression (cytotoxic capacity) compared with HBsAg‐ve and HC, which positively correlated with decreased TCRζ‐chain expression CD8 T cells (r2 > 0.93, P < 0.05). Despite equal frequency of CD8 T cells in all the three groups, CD8 T cells in HBsAg+ve newborns are dysfunctional. An expansion of regulatory T cells and impaired TCR signalling may represent the immune tolerant state of the adaptive immune system in response to chronic HBV infection.
Minireview: host defence in invasive aspergillosis
Authors: Lass‐Flörl Cornelia , Roilides Emmanuel , Löffler Jürgen , Wilflingseder Doris , Romani Luigina 
Published: February 2013

SummaryAspergillus is a saprophytic fungus, which mainly becomes pathogenic in immunosuppressed hosts. A failure of host defences results in a diverse set of illnesses, ranging from chronic colonisation, aspergilloma, invasive disease and hypersensitivity. A key concept in immune responses to Aspergillus species is that host susceptibility determines the morphological form, antigenic structure and physical location of the fungus. Traditionally, innate immunity has been considered as a first line of defence and activates adaptive immune mechanisms by the provision of specific signals; innate and adaptive immune responses are intimately linked. The T‐helper cell (TH1) response is associated with increased production of inflammatory cytokines IFN‐γ, IL‐2 and IL‐12 and stimulation of antifungal effector cells. Alternatively, TH2‐type responses are associated with suppression of antifungal effector cell activity, decreased production of IFN‐γ and increased concentrations of IL‐4 and IL‐10, which promote humoral responses to Aspergillus. The host’s defensive capacity is defined by the sum of resistance and tolerance. Resistance displays the ability to limit fungal burden and elimination of the pathogen, and tolerance means the ability to limit host damage caused by immune response.
The body and ethics in Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologiae
Authors: Rose Marika 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
This article explores the role of the body in Thomas Aquinas’ ethical
thought, focusing on the Summa Theologiae.
Drawing on Thomas’ account of human nature, teleology and ethics, it traces
Thomas’ account of human embodiment through his discussion of the
relationship between human and angelic nature, the beatific vision, law and
virtue, and the active and contemplative lives. Against several recent
accounts which have presented versions of Thomas as a thinker who is
generally positive in his assessment of the human body, it argues that there
is a basic tension in Thomas’ thought between the desire to locate human
distinctiveness in the conjunction of body and soul and the sense that after
a certain point, embodiment is precisely that which obstructs progress
towards God. This tension is inextricably connected to Thomas’ understanding
of human calling and discipleship and poses serious challenges to any
attempts to draw on Thomas’ work as an ethical resource.
Evaluation of salivary biomarker profiles following non‐surgical management of chronic periodontitis
Authors: Prakasam S , Srinivasan M 
Published: February 2013

ObjectivesSoluble toll‐like receptor‐2 (sTLR‐2) and cytokines in saliva were assessed as clinical markers for chronic periodontitis in a longitudinal study.Materials and MethodsUnstimulated whole saliva was collected from 20 periodontally healthy individuals and 20 patients with chronic periodontitis at diagnosis and at 1 and 6 weeks following scaling and root planing (SRP). Biomarkers including the cytokines (IL‐4, IL‐6, IL‐10, and IL‐17), sTLR‐2, and sCD14 in saliva were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Mann–Whitney U‐test and Student's t‐test were used to determine the significance between healthy and chronic periodontitis groups and that between pre‐ and post‐SRP samples, respectively.ResultsSalivary sTLR‐2, IL‐17, and IL‐10 levels were significantly lower and those of sCD14, IL‐6, and IL‐4 were significantly higher in patients with chronic periodontitis as compared with healthy controls. Furthermore, sTLR‐2 and IL‐4 in saliva reached levels comparable to those of healthy individuals at 6‐week re‐evaluation visit, implicating a correlation of the two markers with the disease process.ConclusionsOur data suggest that salivary sTLR‐2 is a potential prognostic or maintenance marker for chronic periodontitis. The observed variability of salivary cytokines is consistent with the role of these cytokines in the progression of chronic periodontitis.
Understanding the stimulus of an air‐jet aesthesiometer: computerised modelling and subjective interpretation
Authors: Golebiowski Blanka , Lim May , Papas Eric , Stapleton Fiona 
Published: February 2013

AbstractPurposeAssessment of corneal sensory function is more frequently being carried out using novel non‐contact methods, which promise better stimulus control and a greater intensity range than more traditional techniques. An examination of the characteristics of the air‐jet stimulus of these ‘non‐contact’ aesthesiometers is important to enable an understanding of how these instruments stimulate the cornea. The purpose of this study was to model the air‐jet stimulus of the CRCERT‐Belmonte Aesthesiometer (CBA) and its interaction with the cornea.MethodA computerised simulation was used to model the CBA stimulus and this model was then examined in the context of verbal descriptions of the supra‐threshold stimulus provided by 27 human subjects with normal corneas. The computational fluid dynamics model and the subjective descriptions considered CBA airflow values between 70 and 400 mL min−1.ResultsThe computational fluid dynamics results showed that the CBA air‐jet stimulus behaves as expected in terms of force exerted and stabilises and subsides quickly during the 1 s duration for which it is turned on/off. The computer modelling demonstrated that the stimulus of the CBA consists of a central core of air flow, similar in diameter to the CBA nozzle, which exerts maximum pressure at the corneal apex. This core is surrounded by a less prominent zone of lower pressure, extending out to the corneal periphery at higher flow rates. The computer modelling results were confirmed by the subjective descriptions of intensity and corneal area stimulated, whereas relation to duration of sensation was more equivocal.ConclusionsThe CBA probably stimulates sensory receptors over a greater area of the ocular surface compared to the traditional nylon filament aesthesiometer and may recruit neurons sensitive to additional stimulus modalities. Future computational models should also incorporate temperature as an important aspect of the corneal response. This study has effectively demonstrated that it is possible to create a virtual model of an air‐jet aesthesiometer stimulus using computational methods and that this model is corroborated by subjective descriptions provided by subjects.
The impact of glaucoma referral refinement criteria on referral to, and first‐visit discharge rates from, the hospital eye service: the Health Innovation & Education Cluster (HIEC) Glaucoma Pathways project
Authors: Ratnarajan Gokulan , Newsom Wendy , French Karen , Kean Jane , Chang Lydia , Parker Mike , Garway‐Heath David F , Bourne Rupert RA 
Published: February 2013

AbstractPurposeTo assess the impact of referral refinement criteria on the number of patients referred to, and first‐visit discharges from, the Hospital Eye Service (HES) in relation to the National Institute for Health & Clinical Excellence (NICE) Glaucoma Guidelines, Joint College Group Guidance (JCG) and the NICE commissioning guidance.MethodsAll low‐risk (one risk factor: suspicious optic disc, abnormal visual field (VF), raised intra‐ocular pressure (IOP) (22–28 mmHg) or IOP asymmetry (>5 mmHg) and high‐risk (more than one risk factor, shallow anterior chamber or IOP >28 mmHg) referrals to the HES from 2006 to 2011 were analysed. Low‐risk referrals were seen by Optometrists with a specialist interest in glaucoma and high‐risk referrals were referred directly to the HES.ResultsTwo thousand nine hundred and twelve patient records were analysed. The highest Consultant first‐visit discharge rates were for referrals based on IOP alone (45% for IOP 22–28 mmHg) and IOP asymmetry (53%), VF defect alone (46%) and for abnormal IOP and VF (54%). The lowest first‐visit discharge rates were for referrals for suspicious optic disc (19%) and IOP >28 mmHg (22%). 73% of patients aged 65–80 and 60% of patients aged >80 who were referred by the OSI due to an IOP between 22–28 mmHg would have satisfied the JCG criteria for non‐referral. For patients referred with an IOP >28 mmHg and an otherwise normal examination, adherence to the NICE commissioning guidance would have resulted in 6% fewer referrals. In 2010 this scheme reduced the number of patients attending the HES by 15%, which resulted in a saving of £16 258 (13%).ConclusionThe results support that referrals for a raised IOP alone or in combination with an abnormal VF be classified as low‐risk and undergo referral refinement. Adherence to the JCG and the NICE commissioning guidance as onward referral criteria for specialist optometrists in this referral refinement scheme would result in fewer referrals.
There is a trend for the diagnosis of glaucoma to be made at an earlier stage in 2010 compared to 2008 in Oxford, United Kingdom
Authors: de Silva Samantha R , Riaz Yasmin , Purbrick Robert MJ , Salmon John F 
Published: February 2013

AbstractPurposeNew guidelines on glaucoma diagnosis and management were published by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) in 2009. The aim of this study was to determine whether these guidelines on glaucoma referral have changed the numbers of patients diagnosed with glaucoma in Oxford and whether the severity of disease at presentation has altered between 2008 and 2010.MethodsA retrospective study was undertaken of patients referred to a glaucoma case‐finding clinic at the Oxford Eye Hospital in 2008 and 2010. Severity of glaucoma was assigned on the basis of the worse eye and defined according to mean deviation (MD) on 24‐2 Humphrey visual field testing, with early glaucomatous visual field defects defined as MD less than −6 dB, moderate defects as MD between −6 and −12 dB and severe defects as MD more than −12 dB. Statistical analysis was undertaken using Chi squared and Mann Whitney tests.ResultsThe number of referrals to this clinic increased from 521 patients in 2008, to 895 patients in 2010. 85 (16.3%) patients were diagnosed with ocular hypertension in 2008, compared to 144 (16.1%) in 2010. The number of patients diagnosed with glaucoma increased from 94 cases in 2008 to 113 cases in 2010, although the percentage of referrals diagnosed with glaucoma fell from 18.1% to 12.6%. More patients diagnosed with glaucoma in 2010 had early disease (61.9% in 2010 vs 48.8% in 2008, p = 0.03). Patients found to have glaucoma in 2010 had less severe visual field defects than in 2008: patients presented with a lower mean deviation (−6.36 dB in 2010, −7.95 dB in 2008, p = 0.03) and lower pattern standard deviation (5.44 dB in 2010, 6.64 dB in 2008, p = 0.02). However, there was no significant difference between age of presentation (65.1 years in 2010, 65.2 years in 2008, p = 0.82), and IOP (21.62 mmHg in 2010, 23.15 mmHg in 2008, p = 0.22).ConclusionsThere has been a significant increase in number of referrals to the glaucoma case‐finding clinic in Oxford between 2008 and 2010. The introduction of NICE referral guidelines in 2009 has had the benefit of increasing the absolute number of patients detected with glaucoma and has resulted in more patients being diagnosed with early disease. More effort needs to be made to reduce the number of false positive referrals. In addition, the guidelines on referral of individuals with ocular hypertension need to be reconsidered.
Corneal cross‐linking – a review
Authors: Meek Keith M , Hayes Sally 
Published: February 2013

AbstractPurposeTo review cross‐linking the cornea using riboflavin and ultraviolet A light, which has been widely adopted, refined and applied in a range of corneal surgeries and pathologies where the strength of the cornea might be compromised.Recent findingsA large number of clinical trials have been carried out, most of which have demonstrated that standard cross‐linking is a successful method to halt the progression of keratoconus or even aid regression.SummaryThis review describes our current understanding of the technique, focussing on how cross‐linking works, how the treatment is being optimised, the clinical results that have been reported to date and the potential use of the therapy in the treatment of other corneal disorders.