bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Elevated cerebrospinal fluid neurofilament light levels in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a possible marker of disease severity and progression
Authors: Tortelli R. , Ruggieri M. , Cortese R. , D'Errico E. , Capozzo R. , Leo A. , Mastrapasqua M. , Zoccolella S. , Leante R. , Livrea P. , Logroscino G. , Simone I. L. 
Published: June 2012

BackgroundTo date there are no biomarkers with proven reliability as a measure of disease burden in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The aim of our study is to assess the neurofilament light chain (NFL) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples as a measure of disease activity and progression in ALS.MethodsThirty‐seven consecutive patients with ALS, 25 with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy and 21 with other neurodegenerative diseases were evaluated. CSF NFL levels were assayed by two‐site solid‐phase sandwich ELISA. In patients with ALS, neurological status was assessed by the revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS‐r) and the Medical Research Council scale, and the progression of the disease was evaluated using the ‘diagnostic delay’ and the ‘progression rate’.ResultsCerebrospinal fluid NFL levels were higher in ALS cases than in controls (P < 0.0001). Using receiver operating curve analysis, an optimal NFL cut‐off of 1981 ng/l discriminated between patients with ALS and neurological controls, with a sensitivity of 78.4% and specificity of 72.5%. Multivariate logistic regression confirmed the association between CSF NFL levels and the presence of ALS (age and sex adjusted odds ratio for ALS 8.9; 95% CI 3.1–25.8; P < 0.0001). In ALS, CSF NFL negatively correlated with the diagnostic delay (P < 0.0001) and the ALSFRS‐r (P = 0.014) and positively with the progression rate (P < 0.0001).ConclusionsHigh CSF NFL levels were found in patients with ALS, reflecting the burden of neurodegeneration. The significant relation between CSF NFL levels and disease progression suggests that NFL may be a useful marker of disease activity and progression in ALS.
Synchronized versus asynchronized breeding in cordylid lizards: an evolutionary perspective
Authors: Mouton P. le Fras N. , Flemming A. F. , Stanley E. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThe lizard family Cordylidae is mainly endemic to southern Africa and comprises 80 named taxa, placed in 10 genera. We mapped parity mode and the timing of gametogenesis in males and females on a genus‐level phylogenetic tree for the family, derived from the literature. For those genera for which reproduction data were not available, we investigated male reproductive activity for representative species using museum material. In addition, we constructed an area cladogram to recover ancestral ranges. Our parsimony analysis retrieved two equally parsimonious solutions for evolutionary transformations in parity mode and reproductive timing in the Cordylidae. Both solutions suggest that oviparity and spring gametogenesis in both males and females (synchronized breeding) is the basal condition in the family. The correlated evolution of viviparity and autumn breeding has been noted in many lizard clades, and we therefore prefer the solution suggesting (1) that the transformations from oviparity to viviparity and from spring to autumn gametogenesis occurred simultaneously in the most recent common ancestor of the Cordylinae, and (2) that a subsequent return to spring spermatogenesis occurred in the most recent common ancestor of the Ouroborus‐Karusasaurus‐Namazonurus‐Hemicordylus‐Cordylus clade, a distinctly western clade. The evolution of viviparity and autumn spermatogenesis in the most recent common ancestor of the Cordylinae appears to have been correlated with the onset of cooler climates during the Oligocene while the return to spring spermatogenesis appears to be have been correlated with the aridification of the western parts of southern Africa during the early Miocene.
New case of true mimicry in cockroaches (Blattodea)
Authors: Schmied Heiko , Lambertz Markus , Geissler Peter 
Published: June 2012

AbstractTrue mimicry is an extremely rare phenomenon in cockroaches, with beetles as their favorite models. So far, only very few Pseudophyllodromiinae could be identified that conform to all requirements for Batesian mimicry and similarly exist only isolated reports on Müllerian mimicry. The vast majority, however, of the so‐called beetle‐mimicking cockroaches only shows a high degree of generalized convergence regarding their outer appearance. Specific models or counterparts, respectively, are lacking. Here we report on a last instar nymph of an undescribed Blattinae (Blattodea: Blattidae) that accurately mimics a truly harmful, sympatric carabid beetle. Although no indications for inedibility of this cockroach became evident, thus making Batesian mimicry likely, Müllerian mimicry can not be excluded with certainty. At any rate, this represents both the first case of mimicry in Blattidae and the first case with a ground beetle (Carabidae) as model for a cockroach mimic.
Seasonal fluctuations, spatial distribution and natural enemies of Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) in Iran
Authors: Rakhshani Ehsan , Saeedifar Abdolhvahid 
Published: June 2012

AbstractPopulation dynamics of the Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri Kuwayama was studied in two‐week intervals throughout the season on lemon in a citrus orchard in Southern Baluchistan, Iran. Population peaks were observed in March, April and September 2007 to January 2008. Population levels were positively related to the availability of new shoot flushes, which were in turn related to the weekly minimum temperature. Also, the nymph population peaks were observed in three periods (beginning of March, end of August and end of January). Results indicated that moderate climatic conditions coupled with the flushing of citrus trees are two main factors for an increase of the development and activity of nymphs resulting in pest population increase, while extremes of both high and low temperatures, low relative humidity and high rainfall were detrimental. Four coccinellids (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), one syrphid (Diptera: Syrphidae), two parasitoids (Hymenoptera) and two spiders (Araneae) were determined as natural enemies of the psyllid in the studied area.
Increased Length of Stay and Costs Associated with Inpatient Management of Vascular Access Failures
Authors: Sawant Abhishek , Mills Paul K. , Dhingra Hemant 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThe creation and maintenance of vascular access for hemodialysis patients is responsible for a significant amount of morbidity and hospital expenses which continue to escalate with increasing population of ESRD patients. A retrospective review of patient charts were performed from 2008 to May 2011 at an academic tertiary care center who had a diagnosis of vascular access failure based on ICD 9 coding. Data regarding demographic information, length of stay (LOS), source of insurance, hospital expenses, and discharge status were obtained. Based on strict inclusion criteria we identified 172 total patients. The mean age among all patients was 60.53 ± 15.35 years and the majority of patients were Hispanic (n = 81). The Mean LOS was 5.30 ± 4.64 days. Mean hospital costs were 41,896 ± 20,318 US$. Patients admitted for tunneled dialysis placement had greater length of stay (p‐value = 0.011) as did patients with hypertension (p‐value = 0.030). Hospital expenses were significantly higher for patients admitted for arterio‐venous fistula complications (55,456 ± 23,779 US$) compared with admissions for catheter or dialysis graft related complications (p‐value = 0.004). Patients on Medicare had significantly lower length of stay (3.98 ± 3.32 days) compared with patients with Medicare/Medical (6.59 ± 5.69 days), p‐value = 0.047. Inpatient management of vascular access failure is associated with increased length of stay, and significant hospital expenses. Timely referral to vascular access centers can prevent unnecessary hospitalizations and provide cost‐saving benefits.
The Controversies of Diagnosing and Treating Hypertension among Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Agarwal Rajiv 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThis review discusses 10 current controversies regarding the dialysis patient with hypertension. The clinician is faced with a dilemma at the bedside on how to evaluate blood pressure and treat this condition in a patient on long‐term hemodialysis. The evidence base to give firm recommendations is thin, but the epidemiological evidence tells us to do nothing. This appears to be an incorrect strategy, at least based on what we know today. Evaluating home BP in every dialysis patient, evaluating volume status on a regular basis, and treating hypertension predominantly with nonpharmacological strategies are worthwhile.
Multimodal Approach for the Management of Hunan Hand Syndrome: A Case Report
Authors: Saxena Ashok Kumar , Mandhyan Rajani 
Published: June 2012

AbstractHunan hand syndrome, a form of painful contact dermatitis, is a rare case finding. It is usually seen in people with continuous and prolonged exposure to chili peppers. The main ingredient in chili peppers is capsaicin that leads to the clinical condition, Hunan hand syndrome. This is paradoxical to the use of capsaicin as local application for relief of pain in various clinical situations, such as diabetic neuropathy and postherpetic neuralgia. We report a case of Hunan hand syndrome, managed successfully by using a multimodal approach comprised of a continuous stellate ganglion block, gabapentin, local ice water, and fluocinonide application.
Emergency Department Case Volume and Patient Outcomes in Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Tsai Chu‐Lin , Delclos George L. , Camargo Carlos A. 
Published: June 2012

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2012; 19:656–663 © 2012 by the Society for Academic Emergency MedicineAbstractObjectives:  The objective was to determine whether emergency department (ED) case volume of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is associated with patient outcomes in AECOPD.Methods:  The authors analyzed the 2007 Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS), the largest publicly available all‐payer ED database in the United States. ED visits for AECOPD were identified with a principal diagnosis of International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD‐9‐CM) code 491.21. EDs were categorized into quartiles by ED case volume of AECOPD. The primary outcome measures were early inpatient mortality (within the first 3 days of admission) and hospital length of stay (LOS).Results:  The 2007 NEDS sample contained 126,045 ED visits for AECOPD from 946 U.S. EDs; 58% were hospitalized. Of these, the overall inpatient mortality rate was 2.0%, the early inpatient mortality 0.6%, and the median hospital LOS 4 days. Early inpatient mortality was lower in the highest‐volume EDs (0.47%), compared with the lowest‐volume EDs (1.13%). In a multivariable analysis adjusting for 37 patient and hospital characteristics, early inpatient mortality remained lower in patients admitted through the highest‐volume EDs (adjusted odds ratios [ORs] = 0.51; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.32 to 0.82), compared with the lowest‐volume EDs; however, the hospital LOS in the highest‐volume EDs was slightly longer (adjusted difference in LOS = 0.53 day; 95% CI = 0.29 to 0.77). The volume threshold for reduced early mortality was approximately 200 cases per year.Conclusions:  ED patients who are hospitalized for AECOPD have an approximately 50% reduction in early inpatient mortality if they were admitted from an ED that handles a large volume of AECOPD cases.
Risk Factors for Increased ED Utilization in a Multinational Cohort of Children With Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: Glassberg Jeffrey A. , Wang Jason , Cohen Robyn , Richardson Lynne D. , DeBaun Michael R. 
Published: June 2012

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2012; 19:664–672 © 2012 by the Society for Academic Emergency MedicineAbstractObjectives:  The objective was to identify clinical, social, and environmental risk factors for increased emergency department (ED) use in children with sickle cell disease (SCD).Methods:  This study was a secondary analysis of ED utilization data from the international multicenter Silent Cerebral Infarct Transfusion (SIT) trial. Between December 2004 and June 2010, baseline demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected from children with SCD participating in the trial. The primary outcome was the frequency of ED visits for pain. A secondary outcome was the frequency of ED visits for acute chest syndrome.Results:  The sample included 985 children from the United States, Canada, England, and France, for a total of 2,955 patient‐years of data. There were 0.74 ED visits for pain per patient‐year. A past medical history of asthma was associated with an increased risk of ED utilization for both pain (rate ratio [RR] = 1.28, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.04 to 1.58) and acute chest syndrome (RR = 1.60, 95% CI = 1.03 to 2.49). Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke in the home was associated with 73% more ED visits for acute chest syndrome (RR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.09 to 2.74). Each $10,000 increase in household income was associated with 5% fewer ED visits for pain (RR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.91 to 1.00, p = 0.05). The association between low income and ED utilization was not significantly different in the United States versus countries with universal health care (p = 0.51).Conclusions:  Asthma and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke are potentially modifiable risk factors for greater ED use in children with SCD. Low income is associated with greater ED use for SCD pain in countries with and without universal health care.
U.S. Emergency Department Visits for Meningitis, 1993–2008
Authors: Takhar Sukhjit S. , Ting Sarah A. , Camargo Carlos A. , Pallin Daniel J. 
Published: June 2012

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2012; 19:632–639 © 2012 by the Society for Academic Emergency MedicineAbstractObjectives:  Large‐scale epidemiologic studies of meningitis in the emergency department (ED) setting are lacking. Using a nationwide sample, the authors determined the frequency of meningitis visits and characterize management.Methods:  Using National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS) data, 1993 through 2008, meningitis diagnoses were studied and national rates were estimated via standard weighting procedures.Results:  Meningitis was diagnosed at 1,048,000 visits (95% confidence interval [CI] = 893,000 to 1,203,000) during 1993 through 2008. This is 66,000 cases annually, or 62 per 100,000 visits, with no change over time (p = 0.20). ED diagnoses were unspecified (60%), viral (31%), bacterial (8%), and fungal (1%) meningitis. Median age was 24 years (interquartile range = 9 to 40 years). While 1.97 times as many adults were diagnosed with meningitis (95% CI = 1.83 to 2.13), meningitis accounted for a similar proportion of visits among children and adults (ratio = 1.33, 95% CI = 0.58 to 2.63). Per population, children were more likely to have a meningitis visit (31 vs. 21 per 100,000; ratio = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.003 to 2.10); children aged younger than 3 years had the highest rate (98 per 100,000, 95% CI = 63 to 133). Spring and summer visits were 1.25 times as numerous as fall and winter (95% CI = 1.15 to 1.36). Third‐generation cephalosporins were administered in 42%, analgesics in 19%, and antiemetics in 15% of cases, and 66% were admitted to the hospital (95% CI = 58% to 73%).Conclusions:  Meningitis is rare, diagnosed at 62 per 100,000 ED visits. Rates have been stable over time. Children are 1.48 times more likely to have a visit for meningitis, although adults make twice as many visits. Absence of consensus guidelines for patients suspected of having viral meningitis but being tested for bacterial meningitis may lead to variability in admission and prescribing decisions.
Cholesteryl Esters Associated With Acyl‐CoA:cholesterol Acyltransferase Predict Coronary Artery Disease in Patients With Symptoms of Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Miller Chadwick D. , Thomas Michael J. , Hiestand Brian , Samuel Michael P. , Wilson Martha D. , Sawyer Janet , Rudel Lawrence L. 
Published: June 2012

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2012; 19:673–682 © 2012 by the Society for Academic Emergency MedicineAbstractObjectives:  Identifying the likelihood of a patient having coronary artery disease (CAD) at the time of emergency department (ED) presentation with chest pain could reduce the need for stress testing or coronary imaging after myocardial infarction (MI) has been excluded. The authors aimed to determine if a novel cardiac biomarker consisting of plasma cholesteryl ester (CE) levels typically derived from the activity of the enzyme acyl‐CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT2) are predictive of CAD in a clinical model.Methods:  A single‐center prospective cohort design enrolled participants with symptoms of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) undergoing coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) or invasive angiography. Plasma samples were analyzed for CE composition with mass spectrometry. The primary endpoint was any CAD determined at angiography. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the relationship between the sum of the plasma concentrations from cholesteryl palmitoleate (16:1) and cholesteryl oleate (18:1) (defined as ACAT2‐CE) and the presence of CAD. The added value of ACAT2‐CE to the model was analyzed comparing the C‐statistics and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI).Results:  The study cohort was composed of 113 participants with a mean (± standard deviation [SD]) age of 49 (±11.7) years, 59% had CAD at angiography, and 23% had an MI within 30 days. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) plasma concentration of ACAT2‐CE was 938 μmol/L (IQR = 758 to 1,099 μmol/L) in patients with CAD and 824 μmol/L (IQR = 683 to 998 μmol/L) in patients without CAD (p = 0.03). When considered with age, sex, and the number of conventional CAD risk factors, ACAT2‐CE levels were associated with a 6.5% increased odds of having CAD per 10 μmol/L increase in concentration. The addition of ACAT2‐CE significantly improved the C‐statistic (0.89 vs. 0.95, p = 0.0035) and IDI (0.15, p < 0.001) compared to the reduced model. In the subgroup of low‐risk observation unit patients, the CE model had superior discrimination compared to the Diamond‐Forrester classification (IDI = 0.403, p < 0.001).Conclusions:  Plasma levels of ACAT2‐CE have strong potential to predict a patient’s likelihood of having CAD when considered in a clinical model but not when used alone. In turn, a clinical model containing ACAT2‐CE could reduce the need for cardiac imaging after the exclusion of MI.
Termination and activation of store‐operated cyclic AMP production
Authors: Maiellaro Isabella , Lefkimmiatis Konstantinos , Moyer Mary Pat , Curci Silvana , Hofer Aldebaran M. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractDiverse pathophysiological processes (e.g. obesity, lifespan determination, addiction and male fertility) have been linked to the expression of specific isoforms of the adenylyl cyclases (AC1‐AC10), the enzymes that generate cyclic AMP (cAMP). Our laboratory recently discovered a new mode of cAMP production, prominent in certain cell types, that is stimulated by any manoeuvre causing reduction of free [Ca2+] within the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) calcium store. Activation of this ‘store‐operated’ pathway requires the ER Ca2+ sensor, STIM1, but the identity of the enzymes responsible for cAMP production and how this process is regulated is unknown. Here, we used sensitive FRET‐based sensors for cAMP in single cells combined with silencing and overexpression approaches to show that store‐operated cAMP production occurred preferentially via the isoform AC3 in NCM460 colonic epithelial cells. Ca2+ entry via the plasma membrane Ca2+ channel, Orai1, suppressed cAMP production, independent of store refilling. These findings are an important first step towards defining the functional significance and to identify the protein composition of this novel Ca2+/cAMP crosstalk system.
Dominant‐negative effect of truncated mannose 6‐phosphate/insulin‐like growth factor II receptor species in cancer
Authors: Kreiling Jodi L. , Montgomery Michelle A. , Wheeler Joseph R. , Kopanic Jennifer L. , Connelly Christopher M. , Zavorka Megan E. , Allison Jenna L. , MacDonald Richard G. 
Published: June 2012

Oligomerization of the mannose 6‐phosphate/insulin‐like growth factor II receptor (M6P/IGF2R) is important for optimal ligand binding and internalization. M6P/IGF2R is a tumor suppressor gene that exhibits loss of heterozygosity and is mutated in several cancers. We tested the potential dominant‐negative effects of two cancer‐associated mutations that truncate M6P/IGF2R in ectodomain repeats 9 and 14. Our hypothesis was that co‐expression of the truncated receptors with the wild‐type/endogenous full‐length M6P/IGF2R would interfere with M6P/IGF2R function by heterodimer interference. Immunoprecipitation confirmed formation of heterodimeric complexes between full‐length M6P/IGF2Rs and the truncated receptors, termed Rep9F and Rep14F. Remarkably, increasing expression of either Rep9F or Rep14F provoked decreased levels of full‐length M6P/IGF2Rs in both cell lysates and plasma membranes, indicating a dominant‐negative effect on receptor availability. Loss of full‐length M6P/IGF2R was not due to increased proteasomal or lysosomal degradation, but instead arose from increased proteolytic cleavage of cell‐surface M6P/IGF2Rs, resulting in ectodomain release, by a mechanism that was inhibited by metal ion chelators. These data suggest that M6P/IGF2R truncation mutants may contribute to the cancer phenotype by decreasing the availability of full‐length M6P/IGF2Rs to perform tumor‐suppressive functions such as binding/internalization of receptor ligands such as insulin‐like growth factor II.Structured digital abstract
Rep9Fphysically interacts with WT‐M by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (View Interaction: 1, 2)
Rep14Fphysically interacts with WT‐M by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (View Interaction: 3, 4)
Reactive Processing of a ZrB2/ZrC/Zr–Si Ceramic Composite with a Controlled Oxygen Potential
Authors: Maheswaraiah Nischel , Sandate Alvaro V. , Bronson Arturo 
Published: June 2012

A Zr–Si liquid reacted with B4C in a graphite enclosure was configured to control the oxygen potential (10−45 kPa) to form a
ZrB2

/
ZrC
/
Zr
–
Si
ceramic composite. The graphite enclosure was placed in a temperature gradient with the hot zone at >2133 K to react
Zr
–
Si
with B4C and with the opposite end approximating 933–1000 K at the position of an aluminum melt. A
ZrB2

/
ZrC
/
Zr
–
Si
composite forms with the scanning‐electron microscope (SEM), microstructures showing rectangular
ZrB2

precipitates and hexagonally shaped
ZrC
precipitates embedded in a
Zr
–
Si
matrix.