bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
BI-RADS® 3 lesions at contrast-enhanced breast MRI: is an initial short-interval follow-up necessary?
Authors: Bahrs Sonja D , Baur Astrid , Hattermann Valerie , Hahn Markus , Vogel Ulrich , Claussen Claus D , Siegmann-Luz Katja C 
Published: August 2013

Background Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) BI-RADS® 3 lesions should have a very high probability of being benign. To prove benignity most institutions do follow-up MRI. Purpose To evaluate the necessity of initial short-interval follow-up after 6 months as it is suggested for mammographic BI-RADS®3 lesions. Material and Methods We analyzed 163 consecutive MRI-BI-RADS® 3 lesions on follow-up MRI: 75 masses (46%), 67 foci (41.1%), and 21 (12.9%) non-mass-like enhancing lesions (NMLE). Results During MRI follow-up (mean time, 563 days) 20% of the lesions disappeared, 23% decreased, 52% did not change, and 4.9% showed increase. All increasing lesions were biopsied (5 benign, 2 ductal carcinoma in situ, 1 invasive carcinoma). The rate of malignancy was 1.8%. All malignant lesions (1 mass, 1 focus, 1 NMLE) showed increase at initial follow-up after a mean interval of 190 days. Conclusion In this study the malignancy rate of MRI-BI-RADS® 3 lesions corresponded to mammographic BI-RADS® 3 lesions. Initial short-interval MRI should be suggested to identify malignant MRI-BI-RADS® 3 lesions.
The effect of duration post-migraine on visual electrophysiology and visual field performance in people with migraine
Authors: Nguyen Bao N , Vingrys Algis J , McKendrick Allison M 
Published: August 2013

Purpose: In between migraine attacks, some people show visual field defects that are worse when measured closer to the end of a migraine event. In this cohort study, we consider whether electrophysiological responses correlate with visual field performance at different times post-migraine, and explore evidence for cortical versus retinal origin. Methods: Twenty-six non-headache controls and 17 people with migraine performed three types of perimetry (static, flicker and blue-on-yellow) to assess different aspects of visual function at two visits conducted at different durations post-migraine. On the same days, the pattern electroretinogram (PERG) and visual evoked response (PVER) were recorded. Results: Migraine participants showed persistent, interictal, localised visual field loss, with greater deficits at the visit nearer to migraine offset. Spatial patterns of visual field defect consistent with retinal and cortical dysfunction were identified. The PERG was normal, whereas the PVER abnormality found did not change with time post-migraine and did not correlate with abnormal visual field performance. Conclusions: Dysfunction on clinical tests of vision is common in between migraine attacks; however, the nature of the defect varies between individuals and can change with time. People with migraine show markers of both retinal and/or cortical dysfunction. Abnormal visual field sensitivity does not predict abnormality on electrophysiological testing.
Reliability and Validity of the Quality of Life-Alzheimer Disease Chinese Version
Authors: Yu Hong-Mei , He Run-Lian , Ai Yong-Mei , Liang Rui-Feng , Zhou Li-Ye 
Published: August 2013

Objectives: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the quality of life-Alzheimer disease (QOL-AD) Chinese version in patients with dementia in mainland, China and to compare patient and caregiver reports of patient QOL. Methods: The QOL-AD Chinese version was established following standard guidelines for cross-cultural adaptation of measures. The reliability was assessed by internal consistency and test–retest reliability. The validity included construct and convergent validity. A paired Student t test was performed to determine differences between patient reports and caregiver reports. Results: The reliability for both patient and caregiver reports on the QOL-AD was good (Cronbach α values of 0.66 and 0.87; intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.84 and 0.90 for patient and caregiver reports, respectively). The validity of patient and caregiver reports was supported by correlation with domain measures. All of the multitrait-multimethod correlations demonstrated a high relationship between patient reports and caregiver reports, ranging from 0.26 to 0.55. The caregivers rated patient QOL significantly higher than did the patients. Conclusion: The findings support the use of the Chinese version of the QOL-AD as a generic instrument to measure QOL of AD in mainland China. Further research is needed to clarify the relationship between patient and caregiver reports of patient QOL.
Chunggan extract (CGX), methionine-and choline-deficient (MCD) diet-induced hepatosteatosis and oxidative stress in C57BL/6 mice
Authors: Park H-J , Han J-M , Kim H-G , Choi M-K , Lee J-S , Lee H-W , Son C-G 
Published: August 2013

In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of Chunggan extract (CGX) in an animal model of hepatosteatosis. The C57BL/6N mice were fed either methionine- and choline-sufficient (MCS) diet ( n = 10) or a methionine- and choline-deficient (MCD) diet ( n = 50) for 4 weeks, and then they were treated orally with CGX (100 or 200 mg/kg), ursodeoxycholic acid (80 mg/kg, as a positive control), or distilled water (DW, MCS diet group, and MCD diet group) for the final 2 weeks (once per day). The MCD diet induced severe hepatic injury with the typical features of hepatosteatosis in both serum and hepatic tissues. CGX treatment significantly attenuated these alterations in the serum levels including triglyceride (TG), aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and total bilirubin. Moreover, CGX also efficiently prevented from the hepatic TG accumulation in the hepatic tissue, evidenced by histopathological findings, compared with the MCD diet. In addition, CGX treatment significantly ameliorated the excessive oxidative stress and antioxidant markers in the serum as well as the hepatic levels of reactive oxygen species, the levels of malondialdehyde, the protein carbonyl, and total antioxidant capacity, and the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase. In conclusion, our results indicate the experimental relevance of CGX for potential clinical application in patients with hepatosteatotic disorders and a possible mechanism related to its antioxidant properties.
Evidence on Structural Instability in the Japanese Money Demand Function
Authors: Tang Chor Foon 
Published: August 2013

The main purpose of this study is to re-investigate the long-run Japanese M2 money demand function and its stability over the period of 1970:Q1 to 2010:Q4. This study uses the bounds testing approach to cointegration within the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) framework to examine the presence of a cointegration relationship. The rolling regression procedure is then incorporated into the ARDL cointegration test to investigate the stability of the cointegrating relationship between money demand and its determinants in Japan. With the full sample, this study confirms that real M2 money demand, real income, real interest rates and real exchange rates are cointegrated. However, the evidence of the rolling ARDL cointegration test implies that the cointegrating relationships are not stable over time, indicating that the Japanese M2 money demand function is also unstable. In line with the rolling ARDL cointegration results, the recursive Chow breakpoint F-test and the Quandt likelihood ratio (QLR) test also suggest the same instability outcome. JEL Classification Codes: C22; E41
The Effects of Transaction Costs, Landlord and Tenant Practices and Property Rights on Foreign Real Estate Investment
Authors: Fereidouni Hassan Gholipour , Al-mulali Usama , Mohammed Miswan Abdul Hakim Bin 
Published: August 2013

The purpose of this article is to examine the relationships between real estate market factors (transaction costs, landlord and tenant practices and property rights) and foreign real estate investments (FREI) after controlling for other relevant determinants of FREI. This article uses related observations from 38 countries to investigate the relationships between real estate market factors and FREI. Our analysis shows that countries with lower transaction costs and higher level of property rights attract greater amounts of FREI. Furthermore, our empirical results indicate that there is a positive and significant relationship between pro-landlord practices and FREI. JEL Classification: R3, D23, P26
Government Expenditures and Business Cycles—Policy Reaction and Surprise Shocks
Authors: Glocker Christian 
Published: August 2013

This article analyses the effects of government expenditures on German business cycle fluctuations by means of an estimated DSGE model based on low frequency oscillations. The results highlight that fiscal policy has a strong impact on the amplitude of fluctuations while hardly any on the duration of business cycles. To the extent that fiscal policy shocks are an important source for triggering economy-wide fluctuations, fiscal policy also strongly reacts to shocks originating elsewhere. Thus standard specifications of government expenditures in terms of simple AR(1) processes ignore the fact that there can indeed be a strong dependence of governmental variables on economic fluctuations. JEL Classification: C13, C32, E3, E62
The New Alternative DSM-5 Model for Personality Disorders
Authors: Porter Jeffrey S. , Risler Edwin 
Published: August 2013

Purpose: Assess the new alternative Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5) model for personality disorders (PDs) as it is seen by its creators and critics. Method: Follow the DSM revision process by monitoring the American Psychiatric Association website and the publication of pertinent journal articles. Results: The DSM-5 PD Work Group’s proposal was not included in the main diagnostic section of the new DSM, but it was published in the section devoted to emerging models. The alternative DSM-5 PD constructs are radically different from those found in DSM, fourth edition, text revision. Discussion: There are some positive conceptual changes in the new model, but reliability and validity are not generally improved. However, social workers may be able to benefit from the use of the personality trait domains/facets of the alternative model.
The learning of adjectives and nouns from affordance and appearance features
Authors: Yürüten Onur , Şahin Erol , Kalkan Sinan 
Published: August 2013

We study how a robot can link concepts represented by adjectives and nouns in language with its own sensorimotor interactions. Specifically, an iCub humanoid robot interacts with a group of objects using a repertoire of manipulation behaviors. The objects are labeled using a set of adjectives and nouns. The effects induced on the objects are labeled as affordances, and classifiers are learned to predict the affordances from the appearance of an object. We evaluate three different models for learning adjectives and nouns using features obtained from the appearance and affordances of an object, through cross-validated training as well as through testing on novel objects. The results indicate that shape-related adjectives are best learned using features related to affordances, whereas nouns are best learned using appearance features. Analysis of the feature relevancy shows that affordance features are more relevant for adjectives, and appearance features are more relevant for nouns. We show that adjective predictions can be used to solve the odd-one-out task on a number of examples. Finally, we link our results with studies from psychology, neuroscience and linguistics that point to the differences between the development and representation of adjectives and nouns in humans.
The impact of diagnostic criteria for neuromyelitis optica in patients with MS: a 10-year follow-up of the South Atlantic Project
Authors: Papais-Alvarenga Regina M , Vasconcelos Claudia CF , Alves-Leon Soniza V , Batista Elizabeth , Santos Claudia MM , Camargo Solange MGG , Godoy Mauricio , Lacativa Maria C , Lorenti Mariangela , Damasceno Benito , Damasceno Alfredo , Brum Doralina , Barreira Amilton A , Guimarães Rocha Maria S , Alvarenga Helcio , Tilbery Charles P 
Published: August 2013

Background: It is recognized that there is a particular geographic and ethnic distribution of neuromyelitis optica (NMO) among Caucasian and non-Caucasian populations. Objective: To review the diagnoses of patients whom were enrolled in the South Atlantic Project, a Brazilian multiple sclerosis (MS) survey performed from 1995–1998, and to identify NMO and MS case frequencies. Methods: We reviewed the data from a 10-year follow-up of MS patients. To apply the current diagnostic criteria, the neurologists were asked to collect clinical and laboratory data from the medical records of study patients treated from 1999–2009. Results: The spectrum of inflammatory demyelinating disease in 322 patients (67% white; 33% African-Brazilian) was: 49 (15%) with NMO; 14 (4%) with NMO syndromes; 10 (3%) with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM); one isolated tumefactive brain lesion; 249 (77%) with MS (151 with relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS), 70 with secondary progressive MS (SPMS) and 27 with primary progressive MS (PPMS)). Disability was more severe in NMO and PPMS. One-third of the NMO patients had died. Conclusions: The frequency of NMO was 6.8% in São Paulo and 20.5% in Rio de Janeiro, and mainly seen in persons of African descent, which strengthens the hypothesis of there being an ethnic association of this disease. We recommend that epidemiological studies on MS that were performed previously be reviewed again, to ensure more accurate diagnoses.
Conditional and constitutive expression of a Tbx1-GFP fusion protein in mice
Authors: Freyer Laina , Nowotschin Sonja , Pirity Melinda K , Baldini Antonio , Morrow Bernice E 
Published: August 2013

Abstract

Background
Velo-cardio-facial syndrome/DiGeorge syndrome (VCFS/DGS) is caused by a 1.5-3 Mb microdeletion of chromosome 22q11.2, frequently referred to as 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS). This region includes TBX1, a T-box transcription factor gene that contributes to the etiology of 22q11DS. The requirement for TBX1 in mammalian development is dosage-sensitive, such that loss-of-function (LOF) and gain-of-function (GOF) of TBX1 in both mice and humans results in disease relevant congenital malformations.

Results
To further gain insight into the role of Tbx1 in development, we have targeted the Rosa26 locus to generate a new GOF mouse model in which a Tbx1-GFP fusion protein is expressed conditionally using the Cre/LoxP system. Tbx1-GFP expression is driven by the endogenous Rosa26 promoter resulting in ectopic and persistent expression. Tbx1 is pivotal for proper ear and heart development; ectopic activation of Tbx1-GFP in the otic vesicle by Pax2-Cre and Foxg1-Cre represses neurogenesis and produces morphological defects of the inner ear. Overexpression of a single copy of Tbx1-GFP using Tbx1

Cre/+
was viable, while overexpression of both copies resulted in neonatal lethality with cardiac outflow tract defects. We have partially rescued inner ear and heart anomalies in Tbx1

Cre/-
null embryos by expression of Tbx1-GFP.

Conclusions
We have generated a new mouse model to conditionally overexpress a GFP-tagged Tbx1 protein in vivo. This provides a useful tool to investigate in vivo direct downstream targets and protein binding partners of Tbx1.
Safety of intracorporeal circular stapling esophagojejunostomy using trans-orally inserted anvil (OrVil™) following laparoscopic total or proximal gastrectomy - comparison with extracorporeal anastomosis
Authors: Jung Yoon Ju , Kim Dong Jin , Lee Jun Hyun , Kim Wook 
Published: August 2013

Abstract

Background
There have been several attempts to develop a unique and easier way to perform esophagojejunostomy during laparoscopy-assisted total gastrectomy or laparoscopy-assisted proximal gastrectomy. The OrVil™ system (Covidien, Mansfield, MA, USA) is one of those methods, but its technical and oncologic feasibility have not been proven and need to be observed.

Methods
Among 87 patients who underwent laparoscopy-assisted total gastrectomy (LATG; 79 cases) and laparoscopy-assisted proximal gastrectomy with double tract anastomosis (LAPG_DT; 8 cases) from April 2004, 47 patients underwent the conventional extracorporeal method (Group I; 2004–2008) were compared with 40 patients treated with the intracorporeal OrVil™ system (Group II; 2009–2012).

Results
There was no significant difference in clinicopathologic characteristics between the two groups except tumor location; more cardia lesions were involved in group II (p = 0.012). The mean time for esophagojejunostomy (E-J), defined as the time from anvil insertion to closure of the jejunal entry site has no significant difference (Group I vs II: 22.2 ± 3.2 min vs 18.6 ± 3.5 min, p = 0.623). In terms of anastomotic complication, there was no significant difference in E-J leakage and stricture. E-J leakage occurred in 2 out of 47 (4.3%) cases in group I and 2 out of 40 (5%) in group II (p = 0.628); half of them were treated conservatively in each group and the others underwent reoperation. E-J stricture occurred in 2 (4.3%) cases in group I and 1 (2.5%) in group II (p = 0.561), which required postoperative gastrofiberscopic balloon dilatation.

Conclusions
Esophagojejunostomy using the OrVil™ system was a feasible and safe technique compared with the conventional extracorporeal method through mini-laparotomy in terms of anastomotic complications. Moreover, it can help to reduce surgeon’s stress regarding esophagojejunostomy because it needs no purse-string procedure and serves a secure operation view laparoscopically.
Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus: a rare and aggressive disease
Authors: Morita Flávio Hiroshi Ananias , Ribeiro Ulysses , Sallum Rubens Antonio Aissar , Tacconi Marcos Roberto , Takeda Flávio Roberto , Rocha Julio Rafael Mariano da , Ligabó Giovanna de Sanctis Callegari , de Melo Evandro Sobrosa , Pollara Wilson Modesto , Cecconello Ivan 
Published: August 2013

Abstract
Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus is an uncommon tumor, with approximately 300 cases having been reported thus far. The purpose of this study was to describe a case of a 60 year-old man with a 10 month history of progressive dysphagia and thoracic pain, the investigations of which led to a diagnosis of primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus. The patient underwent a transhiatal esophagectomy with subcarinal lymphadenectomy, and isoperistaltic gastric tube replacement of the esophagus. Nine months after surgery, he developed ischemic colitis, and metastasis in the mesentery was diagnosed. His disease progressed and he died one year after the esophagectomy. A review of the literature was performed.
Developing and testing a street audit tool using Google Street View to measure environmental supportiveness for physical activity
Authors: Griew Pippa , Hillsdon Melvyn , Foster Charlie , Coombes Emma , Jones Andy , Wilkinson Paul 
Published: August 2013

Abstract

Background
Walking for physical activity is associated with substantial health benefits for adults. Increasingly research has focused on associations between walking behaviours and neighbourhood environments including street characteristics such as pavement availability and aesthetics. Nevertheless, objective assessment of street-level data is challenging. This research investigates the reliability of a new street characteristic audit tool designed for use with Google Street View, and assesses levels of agreement between computer-based and on-site auditing.

Methods
The Forty Area STudy street VIEW (FASTVIEW) tool, a Google Street View based audit tool, was developed incorporating nine categories of street characteristics. Using the tool, desk-based audits were conducted by trained researchers across one large UK town during 2011. Both inter and intra-rater reliability were assessed. On-site street audits were also completed to test the criterion validity of the method. All reliability scores were assessed by percentage agreement and the kappa statistic.

Results
Within-rater agreement was high for each category of street characteristic (range: 66.7%-90.0%) and good to high between raters (range: 51.3%-89.1%). A high level of agreement was found between the Google Street View audits and those conducted in-person across the nine categories examined (range: 75.0%-96.7%).

Conclusion
The audit tool was found to provide a reliable and valid measure of street characteristics. The use of Google Street View to capture street characteristic data is recommended as an efficient method that could substantially increase potential for large-scale objective data collection.
Existence of positive solutions of nonlinear fractional q-difference equation with parameter
Authors: Li Xinhui , Han Zhenlai , Sun Shurong 
Published: August 2013

Abstract
In this paper, we study the boundary value problem of a class of nonlinear fractional q-difference equations with parameter involving the Riemann-Liouville fractional derivative. By means of a fixed point theorem in cones, some positive solutions are obtained. As applications, some examples are presented to illustrate our main results.

MSC:39A13, 34B18, 34A08.
Epigenetic regulation of polyomavirus JC
Authors: Wollebo Hassen S , Woldemichaele Baheru , Khalili Kamel , Safak Mahmut , White Martyn K 
Published: August 2013

Abstract

Background
Polyomavirus JC (JCV) causes the CNS demyelinating disease progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), which occurs almost exclusively in people with immune deficiencies, such as HIV-1/AIDS patients. JCV infection is very common and usually occurs early in life. After primary infection, virus is controlled by the immune system but, rarely when immune function is impaired, it can re-emerge and multiply in the astrocytes and oligodendrocytes in the brain and cause PML. Thus a central question in PML pathogenesis is the nature of the molecular mechanisms maintaining JCV in a latent state and then allowing reactivation.

Methods
Since transcription can be regulated by epigenetic mechanisms including DNA methylation and histone acetylation, we investigated their role in JCV regulation by employing inhibitors of epigenetic events.

Results
The histone deacetylase inhibitors trichostatin A (TSA) and sodium butyrate powerfully stimulated JCV early and late transcription while the DNA methylation inhibitor 5-azacytidine had no effect. Analysis of JCV mutants showed that this effect was mediated by the KB element of the JCV control region, which binds transcription factors NF-κB p65, NFAT4 and C/EBPβ and mediates stimulation by TNF-α. Stimulation of transcription by p65 was additive with TSA as was cotransfection with transcriptional coactivators/acetyltransferase p300 whereas depletion of endogenous p65 by RNA interference inhibited the effect of TSA. EMSA with a KB oligonucleotide showed p65 expression, TNF-α stimulation or TSA treatment each caused a gel shift that was further shifted by antibody to p65.

Conclusions
We conclude that JCV is regulated epigenetically by protein acetylation events and that these involve the NF-κB p65 binding site in the JCV control region.