bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Posaconazole: when and how? The clinician’s view
Authors: Katragkou Aspasia , Tsikopoulou Fotini , Roilides Emmanuel , Zaoutis Theoklis E. 
Published: July 2011

SummaryPosaconazole is the newest triazole antifungal agent available as an oral suspension with an extended spectrum of activity against Candida species, Aspergillus species, Cryptococcus neoformans, Zygomycetes and endemic fungi. Among posaconazole advantages are the relatively low potential of cross‐resistance with other azoles, few drug interactions compared with other azoles and its activity against Zygomycetes. Randomised, double‐blind trials have shown that posaconazole is effective for prophylaxis against invasive fungal infections (IFI), especially aspergillosis, in high‐risk patients. Results of Phase III clinical trials and case/series reports indicate that posaconazole is effective in treating oesophageal candidiasis, including azole‐refractory disease, and other IFI refractory to standard antifungal therapies. To date, posaconazole has appeared to be well tolerated even in long‐term courses; it has an excellent safety profile with gastrointestinal disturbances being the most common adverse events reported. The dose of posaconazole is 200 mg three times daily for prophylaxis, 800 mg daily in two or four divided doses for the treatment of IFI and 100 mg daily (200 mg loading dose) for the treatment of oropharyngeal candidiasis. On the basis of early clinical experience, it appears that posaconazole will be a valuable aid in the management of life‐threatening fungal infections.
Cryptococcal meningitis in immunocompetent children
Authors: Yuanjie Zhu , Jianghan Chen , Nan Xu , Xiaojun Wang , Hai Wen , Wanqing Liao , Julin Gu 
Published: July 2011

SummaryTo describe clinical characteristics, treatment and outcome of cryptococcal meningitis in immunocompetent children. Immunocompetent children with cryptococcal meningitis who attended Changzheng Hospital between 1998 and 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. During the 10 years reviewed, 11 children with cryptococcal meningitis were admitted to Changzheng hospital and identified as immunocompetent. The 11 children had a median age of 7.25 years. Headache (100%), fever (81.8%), nausea or vomiting (63.6%) and visual or hearing damage or loss (36.4%) were the most common symptoms before treatment. There is no evidence for other site infection of cryptococcus although all the cryptococcal antigen titre is high in blood. All the patients received amphotericin B or AmB liposome with 5‐flucytosine for at least 6 weeks followed by fluconazole or itraconazole as consolidation treatment for at least 12 weeks. Nine patients were cured mycologically; however, sequela of visual damage was showed in one patient. Cryptococcal meningitis seems to be uncharacteristic of symptoms, and central nervous system may be the only common site for infection. Amphotericin B with 5‐flucytosine should be the choice of induction treatment in this group of patients.
N‐acetyl‐l‐cysteine Supplementation Improves Boar Spermatozoa Characteristics and Subsequent Fertilization and Embryonic Development
Authors: Whitaker BD , Casey SJ , Taupier R 
Published: July 2011

ContentsThe effects of 1.0 mmN‐acetyl‐l‐cysteine (NAC) supplementation during the incubation of frozen–thawed and preserved boar sperm were studied in addition to subsequent oocyte IVF. Frozen–thawed and preserved boar sperm were supplemented with 1.0 mm NAC and incubated for 60 min to allow capacitation to occur followed by the addition of calcium ionophore 23187 to induce the acrosome reaction. The number of sperm having undergone the acrosome reaction was determined using the Wells–Awa staining technique. DNA damage was detected using single‐cell gel electrophoresis. Membrane lipid peroxidation was estimated by the end point generation of malondialdehyde (MDA). Frozen–thawed sperm was not different in the ability of sperm to undergo the acrosome reaction but did have significantly (p < 0.05) more DNA damage (59.8 ± 1.0) compared to preserved sperm (32.0 ± 1.0%). Supplementing 1.0 mm NAC did not have an effect on the ability of sperm to undergo the acrosome reaction but did have significantly (p < 0.05) less DNA (39.2 ± 1.0%) damage compared to no antioxidant supplementation (52.7 ± 1.0%). Frozen–thawed sperm produced a significantly higher (p < 0.05) concentration of MDA (2.08 ± 0.05 μm MDA/107 cells) compared to preserved sperm (1.82 ± 0.05 μm MDA/107 cells), and non‐supplemented sperm produced a significantly higher (p < 0.05) concentration of MDA (3.62 ± 0.05 μm MDA/107 cells) compared to the 1.0 mm NAC‐supplemented sperm (0.28 ± 0.05 μm MDA/107 cells. Supplementation or semen storage method had no effect on IVF or embryonic development. These results indicate that supplementation with 1.0 mm NAC improved the ability to use frozen–thawed boar sperm during IVF as it reduces the DNA fragmentation and lipid peroxidation of the sperm.
mRNA Expression in Rabbit Blastocyst and Endometrial Tissue of Candidate Gene Involved in Gestational Losses
Authors: Llobat L , Marco‐Jiménez F , Peñaranda DS , Thieme R , Navarrete A , Vicente JS 
Published: July 2011

ContentsGestation is a complex process that involves different growth factors, cytokines and adhesion proteins related with embryo development, cellular differentiation and proliferation, embryo‐endometrium interaction, angiogenesis, maternal‐embryonic recognition and growth development of placenta and embryos. In this study, we examine pre‐implantational (at 6 days of gestation) and gestational (at 12 days and total from ovulation to birth) losses in two rabbit lines selected by different criteria (post‐weaning daily gain and litter size) and the pattern of a set of candidate transcripts, at 6 days of gestation, related with embryo development and implantation process, such as Oct‐4, epidermal growth factor receptor 3 (erbB3), Transforming Growth Factor β2, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Interferon γ and related with insulin‐like growth factors signalling as insulin growth factors I and II and their receptors in rabbit blastocysts and endometrial tissue. Similar pre‐implantational losses were obtained in both lines. However, the gestational losses of the line selected by post‐weaning daily gain clearly mirrored an increase in losses by 50% at 12 days and at birth (22.4 vs 9.5 and 50.2 vs 25.4, respectively, between line selected by post‐weaning daily gain and line selected by litter size). In blastocysts and endometrial tissue at 6 days of gestation qRT‐PCR assays indicated that the mean insulin‐like growth factor (IGF)‐IIR mRNA expression was down‐regulated in line selected by post‐weaning daily gain. Dysregulation of the IGF‐IIR could be potential reasons for induced gestational losses. We conclude that IGF‐IIR gene expression in blastocyst and endometrial tissue at 6th day of gestation tends to decline in line selected by post‐weaning daily gain. The functional significance related with gestational losses is uncertain.
Association of interleukin‐13 C‐1112T and G+2044A polymorphisms with asthma: A meta‐analysis
Authors: YANG HAIJUN , DONG HAIYAN , DAI YUFEI , ZHENG YUXIN 
Published: July 2011

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  Polymorphisms in the IL13 gene have been reported to be associated with susceptibility to asthma. However, a number of studies have shown inconsistent results. A meta‐analysis was performed to investigate whether polymorphisms in the IL13 gene were associated with the risk of asthma.Methods:  Searches were performed of the Medline and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases, covering all papers published up to 31 August 2010. A recently proposed logistic regression‐based method for meta‐analysis of case–control genetic association studies was used to analyse pooled data. All statistical analyses were performed using stata version 10.0 software.Results:  The IL13 C‐1112T and G+2044A polymorphisms were investigated in 10 and 14 studies, respectively. The summary estimates suggested that both these polymorphisms were associated with susceptibility to asthma. Carriers of the IL13 −1112T allele had a 38.9% increased risk of asthma compared with homozygotes (−1112CC) (odds ratio (OR) 1.389, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.103–1.749). Carriers of the IL13+2044A allele had a 40.0% increased risk of asthma compared with homozygotes (+2044GG) (OR 1.400, 95% CI: 1.137–1.724). In a subgroup analysis by ethnicity, the IL13 −1112T allele was associated with an increased risk of asthma among Caucasians (OR 1.629, 95% CI: 1.255–2.113) but not among Asians, and the IL13+2044A allele was associated with an increased risk of asthma among Asians (OR 1.436, 95% CI: 1.101–1.873) but not among Caucasians.Conclusions:  This meta‐analysis indicated that the IL13 C‐1112T and G+2044A polymorphisms predispose to asthma. Further studies, including pooling of individual data to facilitate evaluation of gene–gene and gene–environment interactions between these IL13 gene polymorphisms and asthma susceptibility, are recommended.
The minimum period of polysomnography required to confirm a diagnosis of severe obstructive sleep apnoea
Authors: CHOU KUN‐TA , CHANG YU‐TIEN , CHEN YUH‐MIN , SU KANG‐CHENG , PERNG DIANG‐WANG , CHANG SHI‐CHUAN , SHIAO GUANG‐MING 
Published: July 2011

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  To combine the diagnosis of OSA with titration of positive airway pressure (PAP), current guidelines recommend that split‐night polysomnography (PSG) be performed if an AHI of ≥40/h is recorded over 2 h. However, the diagnostic validity of partial‐night PSG is uncertain. This study aimed to test the validity of partial‐night PSG and to determine the optimum AHI cut‐off points.Methods:  Patients who visited the sleep centre at a tertiary medical centre between January and December 2008, for symptoms related to sleep disorders (sleepiness, snoring, sleep disturbance), and who completed full‐night PSG, were evaluated for this study. Full‐night PSG data were processed to obtain partial‐night PSG data, from which AHI were computed as a reference for diagnosing severe OSA. Full‐night and partial‐night PSG data obtained over different recording times (expressed as x‐h PSG, where x = 1–6) were compared using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The diagnostic validity of 2‐h PSG with different AHI cut‐off points (25/h to 45/h) was also calculated.Results:  Data from 198 PSG recordings was processed. For 2‐h PSG, an AHI cut‐off point of 30/h gave the highest accuracy of 90.9%. Comparing areas under the ROC curves (AUC), 2‐h PSG (AUC = 0.97) was as good as 2.5‐h PSG (AUC = 0.977, P = 0.057) and 3‐h PSG (AUC = 0.978, P = 0.125), but was better than 1.5‐h PSG (AUC = 0.955, P = 0.016).Conclusions:  Partial‐night PSG is effective for diagnosing severe OSA. If there is an unabridged PSG recording indicating an AHI of ≥30/h for 2 h, severe OSA can be diagnosed and PAP titration initiated.
Population structure of the pecan nut casebearer Acrobasis nuxvorella throughout its geographical distribution
Authors: Hartfield Emilie A. , Harris Marvin K. , Medina Raul F. 
Published: July 2011

The pecan nut casebearer Acrobasis nuxvorella Neunzig (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is an important, monophagous pest of pecan Carya illinoinensis (Fagales: Juglandaceae).
This pest is native from Louisiana west to the eastern edge of New Mexico and north to Illinois in the U.S.A. and as far west as Chihuahua and south to Oaxaca in Mexico.
Recently, this pest has expanded beyond the native range of pecan into regions where pecan has been introduced for cultivation.
Amplified fragment length polymorphism markers were used to determine the population genetic structure of this insect pest across its current geographical distribution.
Population genetic analyses indicate a great degree of genetic structure in the pecan nut casebearer across its geographical distribution, with genetically distinct populations occurring in those areas where the pecan nut casebearer is not native but has been invasive.
The clinical significance of radiologically detected indeterminate pulmonary nodules in colorectal cancer
Authors: Quyn A. J. , Matthews A. , Daniel T. , Amin A. I. , Yalamarthi S. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractAim  Colorectal cancer patients identified with indeterminate pulmonary nodules (IPN) in the absence of other metastasis represent a clinical dilemma. This study aimed to identify characteristics that could predict which nodules truly represented a metastasis in an attempt to optimize therapy and to reduce the number of follow‐up chest CT scans performed.Method  All patients with colon or rectal cancer who presented between 2004 and 2008 were analysed. Patients with IPN on staging CT were identified from a dedicated prospective database and the medical records analysed and follow up recorded. Patients with obvious metastatic disease were excluded from analysis. Association of location, number and size of the nodules and metastatic disease were the primary end‐points for analysis.Results  Nine hundred and eight patients presenting with cancer of the colon or rectum were identified. Thirty‐seven (4%) patients were diagnosed with IPN with no obvious metastatic disease on staging CT. At a median follow up of 23 months there were eight (21%) cases where nodules had progressed. No significant association was detected between nodule size and pulmonary metastasis. Half of the patients with four or more nodules showed progression on serial CT imaging suggestive of pulmonary metastasis (χ2, P ≤ 0.01).Conclusion  Colorectal cancer patients with four or more indeterminate pulmonary nodules on preoperative staging CT imaging, even in the absence of metastasis elsewhere, are likely to represent pulmonary metastatic disease. These patients should be followed up with short‐term interval CT imaging to enable early detection of progression so that treatment can be tailored appropriately.
Financial Control of a Competitive Economy with Public Goods but Without Randomness
Authors: KARATZAS IOANNIS , SHUBIK MARTIN , SUDDERTH WILLIAM D. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractThe monetary and fiscal control of a simple economy without outside randomness is studied here from the microeconomic basis of a strategic market game. The government’s bureaucracy is treated as a public good that provides services at a cost. A conventional public good is also considered.
Institutions, Foreign Direct Investment and Growth: A Hierarchical Bayesian Approach
Authors: McCloud Nadine , Kumbhakar Subal C. 
Published: July 2011

SummaryWe investigate empirically the existence of a heterogeneous relationship between foreign direct investment (FDI) and economic growth across developing countries. We argue that, across countries, differences in institutional quality are correlated with heterogeneous absorptive capacities and hence a heterogeneous FDI–growth relationship. Our empirical results show substantial heterogeneity in the FDI–growth relationship. We find that controlling for certain measures of institutional quality reduces the degree of heterogeneity. These findings question the orthodox assumption of a homogeneous return to FDI in the existing empirical literature and highlight the importance of specific aspects of institutional quality in the FDI–growth relationship.
Cortex‐sparing fiber dissection: an improved method for the study of white matter anatomy in the human brain
Authors: Martino Juan , De Witt Hamer Philip C. , Vergani Francesco , Brogna Christian , de Lucas Enrique Marco , Vázquez‐Barquero Alfonso , García‐Porrero Juan A. , Duffau Hugues 
Published: July 2011

AbstractClassical fiber dissection of post mortem human brains enables us to isolate a fiber tract by removing the cortex and overlying white matter. In the current work, a modification of the dissection methodology is presented that preserves the cortex and the relationships within the brain during all stages of dissection, i.e. ‘cortex‐sparing fiber dissection’. Thirty post mortem human hemispheres (15 right side and 15 left side) were dissected using cortex‐sparing fiber dissection. Magnetic resonance imaging study of a healthy brain was analyzed using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)‐based tractography software. DTI fiber tract reconstructions were compared with cortex‐sparing fiber dissection results. The fibers of the superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF), inferior fronto‐occipital fasciculus (IFOF), inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF) and uncinate fasciculus (UF) were isolated so as to enable identification of their cortical terminations. Two segments of the SLF were identified: first, an indirect and superficial component composed of a horizontal and vertical segment; and second, a direct and deep component or arcuate fasciculus. The IFOF runs within the insula, temporal stem and sagittal stratum, and connects the frontal operculum with the occipital, parietal and temporo‐basal cortex. The UF crosses the limen insulae and connects the orbito‐frontal gyri with the anterior temporal lobe. Finally, a portion of the ILF was isolated connecting the fusiform gyrus with the occipital gyri. These results indicate that cortex‐sparing fiber dissection facilitates study of the 3D anatomy of human brain tracts, enabling the tracing of fibers to their terminations in the cortex. Consequently, it is an important tool for neurosurgical training and neuroanatomical research.
Evidence that self‐affirmation reduces body dissatisfaction by basing self‐esteem on domains other than body weight and shape
Authors: Armitage Christopher J. 
Published: July 2011

Background:  Body satisfaction interventions have typically been multifaceted and targeted at clinical populations. The aim of the present research was to isolate the effects of self‐affirmation on body satisfaction in a community sample and to see whether self‐affirmation works by basing one’s self‐esteem on domains other than body weight and shape.Methods:  Adolescents (N = 220) were randomized to complete a self‐affirmation manipulation or an equivalently active control task before rating their body shape and weight, and completing measures of perceived threat, body satisfaction and self‐esteem.Results:  Affirmed girls showed significantly greater body satisfaction and perceived significantly less threat from having to rate their body shape and weight compared with an equivalently active control group. Mediator analyses showed that the effects were due both to increases in self‐esteem and shifts away from using body shape and weight as a source of self‐esteem. Self‐affirmation did not affect boys because they: (a) were less threatened by having to rate their body shape and weight, and (b) principally derived their self‐esteem from sources other than body shape and weight.Conclusions:  The findings provide support for the unique effects of self‐affirmation on girls’ body satisfaction thereby isolating one active ingredient of programs to increase body satisfaction and identify a potential mechanism for understanding self‐affirmation effects. Further research is required to establish the long‐term effects of self‐affirmation and test how self‐affirmation interacts with other active ingredients in treatment programs.
Pupillometry and P3 index the locus coeruleus–noradrenergic arousal function in humans
Authors: Murphy Peter R. , Robertson Ian H. , Balsters Joshua H. , O'connell Redmond G. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractThe adaptive gain theory highlights the pivotal role of the locus coeruleus–noradrenergic (LC‐NE) system in regulating task engagement. In humans, however, LC‐NE functional dynamics remain largely unknown. We evaluated the utility of two candidate psychophysiological markers of LC‐NE activity: the P3 event‐related potential and pupil diameter. Electroencephalogram and pupillometry data were collected from 24 participants who performed a 37‐min auditory oddball task. As predicted by the adaptive gain theory, prestimulus pupil diameter exhibited an inverted U‐shaped relationship to P3 and task performance such that largest P3 amplitudes and optimal performance occurred at the same intermediate level of pupil diameter. Large phasic pupil dilations, by contrast, were elicited during periods of poor performance and were followed by reengagement in the task and increased P3 amplitudes. These results support recent proposals that pupil diameter and the P3 are sensitive to LC‐NE mode.
Electrophysiological correlates of speech perception mechanisms and individual differences in second language attainment
Authors: Jakoby Hilla , Goldstein Abraham , Faust Miriam 
Published: July 2011

AbstractIn an increasingly globalized world mastering a second language (L2) provides a clear advantage. However, after early childhood, not everyone can easily learn a foreign language. The present study explored whether the large variability found in L2 attainment in the normal population, not diagnosed as learning disabled, is related to preattentive speech perception abilities. Using event‐related potentials (ERPs) we examined the mismatch negativity, P3a, and the late discriminative negativity (MMN‐P3a‐LDN) complex, which served as an index for preattentive foreign phonological contrast discrimination abilities. Our results show that, compared to unsuccessful L2 learners, successful L2 learners had shorter latencies of the MMN and P3a components and higher amplitudes of the LDN component. These results suggest that unsuccessful L2 learners have a deficient speech perception mechanism.
Practical Instrumental Colour Quality Control ‐ The Hatra Experience
Authors: JAECKEL S. M. , WARD C. D. 
Published: July 2011

Paper presented at the Society's ‘Teach‐in’ on Quantitative Colour Control at the University of Nottingham on 20 September 1975.The requirements that are considered essential for successful operation for both the control system and the dyehouse organization are stated. There is a brief review of problems of formula selection, colorimeter selection, computation, and presentation of colour differences. Problems of dyehouse organization and tolerance‐limit selection are discussed and illustrated. Views on customer‐contractor relations in this connection are expressed.
Nuclear Clusterin Is Associated with Neuronal Apoptosis in the Developing Rat Brain upon Ethanol Exposure
Authors: Kim Nayoung , Han Jae Y. , Roh Gu S. , Kim Hyun J. , Kang Sang S. , Cho Gyeong J. , Park Jae Y. , Choi Wan S. 
Published: July 2011

Background: Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is often accompanied by reduced brain volumes, reflecting brain cell death induced by ethanol, but the molecular mechanisms were less elucidated. This study was set up to investigate whether clusterin (Clu) was involved in neuronal cell death in developing rats.Methods: Seven‐day‐old rats were subcutaneously injected with 20% ethanol in normal saline at 3 g/kg twice. The upregulation of Clu and cell death was detected by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence microscopy, and/or Western blotting. Protein–protein interaction was detected by immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting. To identify the isoform interacting with Bcl‐XL, HT22 mouse hippocampal cells were transfected with nuclear Clu(nClu)‐ or secretory Clu‐expressing vector, and confocal microscopy was performed. Clu transcripts were knocked down in primary cortical cells using siRNA.Results: We found that Clu increased in the cerebral cortex following acute ethanol treatment. The Clu upregulation was related to increased cell death, which was assessed by activated caspase‐3 and TUNEL staining. The upregulated Clu was a nuclear isoform that was nuclear translocated upon ethanol exposure and interacted with Bcl‐XL, mediating apoptosis.Conclusions: This study shows that nClu plays a pro‐apoptotic role in ethanol‐induced cell death in the developing brain, providing new insights for development of FASD.