bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Accuracy of Susceptibility-Weighted Imaging for the Detection of Arteriovenous Shunting in Vascular Malformations of the Brain
Authors: Jagadeesan Bharathi D. , Delgado Almandoz Josser E. , Moran Christopher J. , Benzinger Tammie L.S. 
Published: November 2010

Background and Purpose—
To determine the accuracy of susceptibility-weighted MRI (SWI) for the detection of arteriovenous shunting (AVS) in vascular malformations of the brain (BVM).

Methods—
We retrospectively identified 60 patients who had been evaluated for known or suspected BVM by both SWI and digital subtraction angiography, without intervening treatment, during a 3-year period. SWI images were retrospectively assessed by 2 independent reviewers for the presence of AVS as determined by the presence of signal hyperintensity within a venous structure in the vicinity of the BVM. Discrepancies were resolved by consensus among a panel of 3 neuroradiologists. Accuracy parameters of SWI for the detection of AVS were calculated using digital subtraction angiography as the reference standard.

Results—
A total of 80 BVM were identified in the 60 patients included in our study. Of the 29 BVM with AVS on digital subtraction angiography, 14 were untreated arteriovenous malformations, 10 were previously treated arteriovenous malformations, and 5 were untreated dural arteriovenous fistulas. Overall, SWI was 93% sensitive and 98% specific for the detection of AVS in BVM, with excellent interobserver agreement (κ=0.94). In the 14 previously treated arteriovenous malformations, SWI was 100% sensitive and specific for the detection of AVS. In the 28 BVM associated with intracerebral hemorrhage, SWI was 100% sensitive and 96% specific for the detection of AVS.

Conclusions—
SWI is accurate for the detection of arteriovenous shunting in vascular malformations of the brain and, for some patients, SWI may offer a noninvasive alternative to angiography in screening for or follow-up of treated BVM.
Immunodepression After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Authors: Sarrafzadeh Asita , Schlenk Florian , Meisel Andreas , Dreier Jens , Vajkoczy Peter , Meisel Christian 
Published: November 2010

Background and Purpose—
Immunodepression after stroke is associated with complications like high infection rate, but its role in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is unclear. This pilot study aimed to assess the presence of immunodepression and its association with infections after aSAH.

Methods—
Sixteen aSAH patients were enrolled in a prospective study on immune function in a single institution. Detailed immune monitoring (peripheral blood leukocyte subsets, monocyte human leukocyte antigen-DR expression, ex vivo lipopolysaccharide-induced monocytic, Concanavalin A-induced lymphocytic cytokine secretion) was performed until day 10 after aSAH. Occurrence of infection was assessed within 14 days after aSAH.

Results—

Sixteen consecutive aSAH patients (53.1±10.2 years; mean±SD) met the inclusion criteria, classified as asymptomatic (World Federation of Neurological Surgeons; median, 1; quartile, 1–1; n=7) and symptomatic (median, 4; quartile, 3–5; n=9), all presenting with acute neurological deficits, and 5 of these had additional delayed cerebral ischemia. T-lymphopenia, impaired ex vivo lymphocytic/monocytic cytokine secretion, and decreased monocyte human leukocyte antigen-DR expression occurred over all World Federation of Neurological Surgeons grades but persisted beyond day 3 only in symptomatic patients. Pneumonia (67%;
P
=0.011) was more frequent in symptomatic patients. Already at day 1, patients with pneumonia showed significantly lower T-cell counts and mitogen-induced interferon-γ production compared to patients without infections.

Conclusions—
A pronounced SAH-induced immunodepression was observed early after aSAH but persisted only in symptomatic patients. Immunodepression was associated with a high incidence of pneumonia. Early diagnosis of immunodepression might allow targeted treatment to prevent infectious complications after aSAH.
From food to fuel
Authors: Lynch Meghan 
Published: November 2010

Objective: An investigation of the discussion surrounding the relationship between food and exercise in one community of photography-based food blogs that past research has identified as exhibiting characteristics of dietary restraint. Design: Forty-five blogs written by young adult women belonging to a food-blogging community were selected for study. All selected blogs had been publicly posted online. Method: Using a qualitative approach of constant comparative analysis, two months of entries from food blogs created by young women were analyzed and coded for entries discussing food before, during and after exercise. Results: Analysis revealed that bloggers discussed three themes, mainly prior to and following exercise: food as fuel, food restricted and worked off through exercise, and food intake as justified by exercise. Conclusion: These findings provide insight into how a community of food bloggers views the relationship between food and exercise, suggest ways that women practising dietary restraint perceive food and exercise, and encourage further research on food blogging.
A study of psychological symptoms, family function, marital and life satisfactions of polygamous and monogamous women: The Palestinian case
Authors: Al-Krenawi Alean 
Published: November 2010

Background: Polygamy is defined as a marriage in which a spouse of either gender has more than one mate at the same time. Polygamy is considered a valid form of marriage in many countries and communities around the globe. Aim: The purpose of this study is to examine the psychological symptoms, family function, marital satisfaction, life satisfaction and the degree of agreement with the practice of polygamy among ‘senior wives’ – the first wife in the polygamous marriage – and women in monogamous marriages in the West Bank, Palestine. Method: A convenience sample of 309 women, 187 from polygamous and 122 from monogamous families, participated in this study. All women from polygamous families were senior wives. The following instruments were deployed: the McMaster Family Assessment Device (FAD), the ENRICH marital satisfaction questionnaire, the SCL-90 mental health symptoms checklist, the Rosenberg self-esteem (SE) scale, the Diener et al. (1985), a life satisfaction scale, and a basic socio-demographic scale, including the degree of agreement of the practice of polygamy. Results: The findings revealed significant differences between senior wives in polygamous marriages and wives in monogamous marriages with regard to family functioning, marital satisfaction, self-esteem and life satisfaction. Likewise, many of the mental health symptoms were different. Particularly noteworthy were somatization, depression, hostility psychotism and the General Severity Index (a global index of distress). More women in polygamous marriages agreed with the practice of polygamy than their monogamous counterparts. Conclusion: Practitioners and policy makers need to be aware of the consequences of polygamy on first wives and on society as whole.
The efficacy of natalizumab in patients with multiple sclerosis according to level of disability: results of an observational study
Authors: Fernández Oscar , Alvarenga Marcos Papais , Guerrero Miguel , León Antonio , Alonso Ana , López-Madrona Jose Carlos , Leyva Laura , Oliver Begoña , de Ramón Enrique , Luque Gloria , Fernández Victoria 
Published: November 2010

Background: Little is known about how the level of disability at the start of treatment with natalizumab affects its efficacy. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of natalizumab on relapses in patients with different levels of baseline disability associated with MS. Methods: This single-centre observational study collected demographic data for patients followed prospectively and who were scheduled to start natalizumab therapy due to the presence of disease activity. The annualized relapse rate (ARR) and Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale scores were analysed for the previous year, on starting treatment (baseline) and 1 year after starting therapy. Results: Seventy-seven patients (mean age: 39.0 years, mean disease duration: 12.4 years) were included. The difference between ARR before and after starting treatment was 0.92 for baseline Expanded Disability Status Scale ≤3.5 ( p < 0.0005), 0.70 for Expanded Disability Status Scale 4.0–6.0 ( p < 0.007) and 0.57 for Expanded Disability Status Scale ≥6 ( p = 0.386). Expanded Disability Status Scale did not vary during the study. One patient discontinued treatment due to an adverse event and nine patients discontinued due to positive anti-natalizumab antibodies. Conclusions: The findings support the efficacy of natalizumab in reducing ARR in the year after starting treatment in patients with baseline Expanded Disability Status Scale ≤6.
The impact of LABA+ICS fixed combinations on morbidity and economic burden of COPD in Italy: a six-year observational study
Authors: Dal Negro Roberto , Bonadiman Luca , Tognella Silvia , Micheletto Claudio , Turco Paola 
Published: November 2010

Background: In Italy, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has progressively received increasing attention in the last decade, and its impact has been investigated extensively in both clinical and pharmacoeconomic terms. Methods: In 2004, the national health authorities stated the appropriateness of long-acting β2 agonists (LABA) and inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) fixed combinations for treating COPD, even though this pharmaceutical option was limited to the severe and very severe stages of the disease (forced expiratory volume in one second [FEV1] <50% predicted). The effectiveness in primary care of this official recommendation has been investigated in 1125 COPD patients together with the appropriateness of the therapeutic approach to the disease. Results and conclusions: Clinical and economic outcomes were monitored over the 3 years before (2001–2003) and the 3 years following this recommendation (2004–2006), and statistically compared ( t-test). In general, the overall impact of COPD changed progressively after the pronunciation of the public health authorities. In particular, since the point when LABA/ICS fixed combinations were officially recommended, both morbidity of COPD and the corresponding consumption of healthcare resources have progressively lowered. Moreover, the appropriateness of the pharmaceutical approach increased in the same period, thus emphasizing the importance of the optimization of therapeutic strategies in reducing the long-term impact of the disease.
Volunteering in nature as a way of enabling people to reintegrate into society
Authors: O'Brien Liz , Burls Ambra , Townsend Mardie , Ebden Matthew 
Published: November 2010

Aims: Those who experience emotional and behavioural difficulties or mental health problems, are unemployed or bereaved, or have been in trouble with the law can be socially marginalized and can become isolated from their families, community and wider society. This paper explores the role of active hands-on contact with the environment through a general environmental volunteering programme and through a targeted therapeutic volunteer programme, highlighting how these two approaches can potentially aid some marginalized people to reintegrate into society. Methods: This study draws on concepts from the well-being and social capital literatures and refers to two separate pieces of research: Study 1 was based on general environmental volunteering primarily in northern England and southern Scotland; and Study 2 focused on mental health participants at Meanwhile Wildlife Garden in London. Ethnographic and interview data were gathered from participants as a means to understand the benefits they gained from their voluntary involvement. The participants all volunteered to undertake the activities they were involved in and chose outdoor nature activity as opposed to other activities. Results: There is self-reported and observed evidence from and of participants in these studies that contact with nature can be beneficial to a range of excluded groups; also the studies show that the learning and curative processes that take place in green spaces can provide benefits in terms of social reintegration of vulnerable young people and adults. Three key themes of particular relevance to the marginalized participants were identified as: (1) improving relations with others and nature; (2) working alongside others who are different; and (3) developing social and employable skills. Active hands-on engagement allows people to work at their own pace, since these approaches are not target focused, and skills and social networks can be developed slowly. Practical engagement in environmental conservation work is one approach that may provide people with a new role, identity, skills and social networks. This paper argues that volunteering in nature has the potential to provide a shared purpose for people, independent of gender, age, physical ability, mental functioning, socioeconomic status or knowledge of environmental management. However, it is recognized that particular people may and do experience barriers to engaging with and enjoying the natural environment. Conclusions: Volunteering in nature may be particularly effective for those who would like to be outdoors and have more contact with nature yet need specific encouragement and supported/led activities to participate.
Physical Functioning Measures and Risk of Falling in Older People Living in Residential Aged Care Facilities
Authors: Wilson Nicholas , Hilmer Sarah , March Lyn , Cameron Ian , Lord Stephen , Mason Rebecca , Sambrook Philip 
Published: November 2010

Background: Frail older individuals living in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) have impaired physical function compared with to older people living in the community. In residents of RACFs, we aimed to produce sex-specific means and empirical norms of objective physical function measures to ascertain whether these measures are predictors of falls. Methods: Data were extracted from a large cohort study investigating fall and fracture rates in RACFs in the Northern Sydney Health Area, Australia. Results: Study participants (n = 602, 70.9% female) were recruited from 51 RACFs. Cohort means (±standard deviation) for females were for grip strength (GS) 16.8±5.3 kg, simple reaction time (RT) 384±154 ms, walking speed (WS) 0.56 ±0.20 ms−1, balance category (B) 3.8±1.1 and sit to stand category (STS) 3.6±0.5. For males, means were for GS 28.8±7.8 kg, RT 335±150 ms, WS 0.62±0.22 ms−1, B 4.1±1.1 and STS 3.7±0.5. Means of B and STS decreased significantly over the 1-year study period for males and females ( p < 0.001). Individual multivariate negative binomial regression models for each functional outcome showed having a WS <0.6 ms−1 (IRR = 1.37, 95% Cl = 1.03—1.84), a STS score of 3 (IRR = 1.39, 95% Cl = 1.09—1.79) and B category of 3 or 5 (IRR = 1.69, 95% CI = 1.29—2.22) were significantly associated with an increased fall rate. Conclusions: This study establishes normative values for physical function tests in mobile residents of RACFs and demonstrates that walking speed, balance and sit to stand impairments are associated with falls in this group.
CD8+ T-cell expansion and maintenance after recombinant adenovirus immunization rely upon cooperation between hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic antigen-presenting cells
Authors: Bassett Jennifer D. , Yang Teng Chih , Bernard Dannie , Millar James B. , Swift Stephanie L. , McGray A. J. Robert , VanSeggelen Heather , Boudreau Jeanette E. , Finn Jonathan D. , Parsons Robin , Evelegh Carole , Damjanovic Daniela , Grinshtein Natalie , Divangahi Maziar , Zhang Liang , Xing Zhou , Wan Yonghong , Bramson Jonathan L. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractWe have recently reported that CD8+ T-cell memory maintenance after immunization with recombinant human adenovirus type 5 (rHuAd5) is dependent upon persistent transgene expression beyond the peak of the response. In this report, we have further investigated the location and nature of the cell populations responsible for this sustained response. The draining lymph nodes were found to be important for primary expansion but not for memory maintenance, suggesting that antigen presentation through a nonlymphoid source was required. Using bone marrow chimeric mice, we determined that antigen presentation by nonhematopoietic antigen-presenting cells (APCs) was sufficient for maintenance of CD8+ T-cell numbers. However, antigen presentation by this mechanism alone yielded a memory population that displayed alterations in phenotype, cytokine production and protective capacity, indicating that antigen presentation through both hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic APCs ultimately defines the memory CD8+ T-cell response produced by rHuAd5. These results shed new light on the immunobiology of rHuAd5 vectors and provide evidence for a mechanism of CD8+ T-cell expansion and memory maintenance that relies upon both hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic APCs.
Transplantation of human fetal blood stem cells in the osteogenesis imperfecta mouse leads to improvement in multiscale tissue properties
Authors: Vanleene Maximilien , Saldanha Zahraa , Cloyd Kristy L. , Jell Gavin , Bou-Gharios George , Bassett J. H. Duncan , Williams Graham R. , Fisk Nicholas M. , Oyen Michelle L. , Stevens Molly M. , Guillot Pascale V. , Shefelbine Sandra J. 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI or brittle bone disease) is a disorder of connective tissues caused by mutations in the collagen genes. We previously showed that intrauterine transplantation of human blood fetal stem/stromal cells in OI mice (oim) resulted in a significant reduction of bone fracture. This work examines the cellular mechanisms and mechanical bone modifications underlying these therapeutic effects, particularly examining the direct effects of donor collagen expression on bone material properties. In this study, we found an 84% reduction in femoral fractures in transplanted oim mice. Fetal blood stem/stromal cells engrafted in bones, differentiated into mature osteoblasts, expressed osteocalcin, and produced COL1a2 protein, which is absent in oim mice. The presence of normal collagen decreased hydroxyproline content in bones, altered the apatite crystal structure, increased the bone matrix stiffness, and reduced bone brittleness. In conclusion, expression of normal collagen from mature osteoblast of donor origin significantly decreased bone brittleness by improving the mechanical integrity of the bone at the molecular, tissue, and whole bone levels.
Multiple phenotypic changes in mice after knockout of the B3gnt5gene, encoding Lc3 synthase—a key enzyme in lacto-neolacto ganglioside synthesis
Authors: Kuan Chien-Tsun , Chang Jinli , Mansson Jan-Eric , Li Jianjun , Pegram Charles , Fredman Pam , McLendon Roger E , Bigner Darell D 
Published: November 2010

AbstractBackgroundGanglioside biosynthesis occurs through a multi-enzymatic pathway which at the lactosylceramide step is branched into several biosynthetic series. Lc3 synthase utilizes a variety of galactose-terminated glycolipids as acceptors by establishing a glycosidic bond in the beta-1,3-linkage to GlcNaAc to extend the lacto- and neolacto-series gangliosides. In order to examine the lacto-series ganglioside functions in mice, we used gene knockout technology to generate Lc3 synthase geneB3gnt5-deficient mice by two different strategies and compared the phenotypes of the two null mouse groups with each other and with their wild-type counterparts.ResultsB3gnt5gene knockout mutant mice appeared normal in the embryonic stage and, if they survived delivery, remained normal during early life. However, about 9% developed early-stage growth retardation, 11% died postnatally in less than 2 months, and adults tended to die in 5-15 months, demonstrating splenomegaly and notably enlarged lymph nodes. Without lacto-neolacto series gangliosides, both homozygous and heterozygous mice gradually displayed fur loss or obesity, and breeding mice demonstrated reproductive defects. Furthermore,B3gnt5gene knockout disrupted the functional integrity of B cells, as manifested by a decrease in B-cell numbers in the spleen, germinal center disappearance, and less efficiency to proliferate in hybridoma fusion.ConclusionsThese novel results demonstrate unequivocally that lacto-neolacto series gangliosides are essential to multiple physiological functions, especially the control of reproductive output, and spleen B-cell abnormality. We also report the generation of anti-IgG response against the lacto-series gangliosides 3'-isoLM1 and 3',6'-isoLD1.
A novel syndrome of paediatric cataract, dysmorphism, ectodermal features, and developmental delay in Australian Aboriginal family maps to 1p35.3-p36.32
Authors: Hattersley Kathryn , Laurie Kate J , Liebelt Jan E , Gecz Jozef , Durkin Shane R , Craig Jamie E , Burdon Kathryn P 
Published: November 2010

Abstract

Background
A novel phenotype consisting of cataract, mental retardation, erythematous skin rash and facial dysmorphism was recently described in an extended pedigree of Australian Aboriginal descent. Large scale chromosomal re-arrangements had previously been ruled out. We have conducted a genome-wide scan to map the linkage region in this family.

Methods
Genome-wide linkage analysis using Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) markers on the Affymetrix 10K SNP array was conducted and analysed using MERLIN. Three positional candidate genes (ZBTB17, EPHA2 and EPHB2) were sequenced to screen for segregating mutations.

Results
Under a fully penetrant, dominant model, the locus for this unique phenotype was mapped to chromosome 1p35.3-p36.32 with a maximum LOD score of 2.41. The critical region spans 48.7 cM between markers rs966321 and rs1441834 and encompasses 527 transcripts from 364 annotated genes. No coding mutations were identified in three positional candidate genes EPHA2, EPHB2 or ZBTB17. The region overlaps with a previously reported region for Volkmann cataract and the phenotype has similarity to that reported for 1p36 monosomy.

Conclusions
The gene for this syndrome is located in a 25.6 Mb region on 1p35.3-p36.32. The known cataract gene in this region (EPHA2) does not harbour mutations in this family, suggesting that at least one additional gene for cataract is present in this region.