bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Autoimmunity predominates in a large South African cohort with addison’s disease of mainly European descent despite long‐standing disease and is associated with HLA DQB*0201
Authors: Ross Ian , Boulle Andrew , Soule Steven , Levitt Naomi , Pirie Fraser , Karlsson Anders , Mienie Japie , Yang Ping , Wang Hongjie , She Jin‐Xiong , Winter William , Schatz Desmond 
Published: April 2010

SummaryObjective  We sought to determine whether autoimmunity is the predominant cause of Addison’s disease in South Africa and whether human leucocyte antigen (HLA) DQ association exists.Design  We compiled a national registry of patients from primary care, referral centres and private practices.Patients  A total of 144 patients, 94 of European descent, 34 Mixed Ancestry, 5 Asian and 11 Black Africans (mean age 45·9 years, range 2·7–88 years; mean duration of disease 13·1 years, range 0–50 years) and controls were matched for gender and ethnicity. All potential causes were investigated.Results  Fifty one per cent of cases (74 patients) were autoimmune in aetiology. Either 21‐hydroxylase autoantibodies (72 patients, 50% of entire patient group) or adrenocortical autoantibodies (35 patients, 24%) were present, while 23% of patients had both. None of the Asian (n = 5) or Black (n = 11) patients had evidence of autoimmune disease. Overall 8% of patients had tuberculosis, 4% adrenoleucodystrophy, 1% adrenocorticotrophic hormone resistance syndrome and 6% X‐linked adrenal hypoplasia. In those with autoimmune disease primary hypothyroidism (47%), premature ovarian failure (8%) and type 1 diabetes (7%) were the most prevalent accompanying autoimmune conditions. HLA DQB1*0201 alleles predominated in the autoimmune group (DQB1*0201: 65%vs 43% of controls P = 0·017) with the *0201/*0302 heterozygous genotype being the most prevalent (28%vs 8%P = 0·02).Conclusions  While autoimmunity accounts for at least half of patients with Addison’s disease in South Africa and is associated with HLA DQB1*0201, none of the Black Africans or Asians in this cohort had adrenal autoantibodies. Moreover, 21‐hydroxylase autoantibodies were detectable in a higher proportion than adrenocortical autoantibodies, especially in those patients with a long history after disease onset.
Partial growth hormone deficiency in adults; should we be looking for it?
Authors: Shalet Stephen M. 
Published: April 2010

SummaryQuantitatively, GH secretion exists as a continuum in states ranging from good health through to hypopituitarism. Currently, GH replacement is considered only for adults designated as being severely GH deficient (GHD). In clinical practice the gold standard, on which the biochemical diagnosis of severe GHD is based, centres on the presence of two or more additional anterior pituitary hormone deficits. Cohorts of adults with partial GHD (Growth Hormone Insufficiency [GHI]) have been reported with adverse body composition changes, dyslipidaemia, insulin resistance, altered cardiac performance and increased carotid intima‐media thickness. The diagnosis of GHI in an individual patient, however, is extremely difficult because such patients rarely exhibit additional anterior pituitary hormone deficits, and the levels of GH‐dependent proteins, including IGF‐I, are normal in the majority. Currently, GH replacement therapy should only be considered in a patient characterized as GHI by dynamic GH testing in whom there is a plausible cause for hypopituitarism and in whom the IGF‐I level is pathologically low.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Complications and death among elderly patients undergoing pituitary tumour surgery
Authors: Grossman Rachel , Mukherjee Debraj , Chaichana Kaisorn L. , Salvatori Roberto , Wand Gary , Brem Henry , Chang David C. , Quiñones‐Hinojosa Alfredo 
Published: April 2010

SummaryBackground  Preoperative determinants of surgical risk in elderly patients with pituitary tumour are not fully defined. The aim of this study was to quantify operative risk for these patients.Design and methods  We performed a retrospective analysis of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (1998–2005), a database containing discharge information from a stratified, random sample of 20% of all non‐federal hospitals in 37 states. Patients >65 years old who underwent pituitary tumour resection were identified by ICD‐9 coding. Primary outcome was inpatient death. Other outcomes included post‐operative complications, length of stay (LOS) and total charges.Results  A total of 8400 patients (53·7% male) were identified. Mean age was 72·2. Mean co‐morbidity score was 5·3. A majority were white (82·0%) admitted to academic hospitals (69·5%) for elective procedures (55·7%). Inpatient mortality was 3·8%. The most common complication was fluid and electrolyte abnormalities (14·3%). Mean LOS was 8·5 days. In multivariate analysis, patients >80 years old had 30% greater odds of death, relative to 65–69 year old counterparts. Each complication increased LOS by an average of at least 4 days. These associations were statistically significant (P‐values <0·05).Conclusions  New clinically relevant risk stratification information is now available to assist clinicians in operative decision‐making for elderly patients with pituitary tumour considering operative intervention.
Acoustic full waveform inversion of synthetic land and marine data in the Laplace domain
Authors: Ha Wansoo , Pyun Sukjoon , Yoo Jewoo , Shin Changsoo 
Published: April 2010

ABSTRACTElastic waves, such as Rayleigh and mode‐converted waves, together with amplitude versus offset variations, serve as noise in full waveform inversion using the acoustic approximation. Heavy preprocessing must be applied to remove elastic effects to invert land or marine data using the acoustic inversion method in the time or frequency domains. Full waveform inversion using the elastic wave equation should be one alternative; however, multi‐parameter inversion is expensive and sensitive to the starting velocity model. We implement full acoustic waveform inversion of synthetic land and marine data in the Laplace domain with minimum preprocessing (i.e., muting) to remove elastic effects. The damping in the Laplace transform can be thought of as an automatic time windowing. Numerical examples show that Laplace‐domain acoustic inversion can yield correct smooth velocity models even with the noise originating from elastic waves. This offers the opportunity to develop an accurate smooth starting model for subsequent inversion in the frequency domain.
Apical transportation created using three different patency instruments
Authors: Gonzalez Sanchez J. A. , Duran‐Sindreu F. , Albuquerque Matos M. , Garcia Carabaño T. , Mercade Bellido M. , Morello Castro S. , Roig Cayón M. 
Published: April 2010

Gonzalez Sanchez JA, Duran‐Sindreu F, Albuquerque Matos M, Garcia Carabaño T, Mercade Bellido M, Morello Castro S, Roig Cayón M. Apical transportation created using three different patency instruments. International Endodontic Journal 43, 560–564, 2010.AbstractAim  To evaluate root canal transportation at the major foramen through the use of stainless steel size 08 K‐Flex files, size 10 reamers, and XF finger spreaders when used as patency instruments.Methodology  One hundred and two mesiobuccal canals of maxillary and mandibular first molars were randomly divided into three groups (34 canals each). Size 08 stainless steel K‐Flex files, size 10 stainless steel reamers and stainless steel XF finger spreaders were used as patency instruments in groups A, B and C respectively. The major foramen was photographed before and after instrumentation. The images were superimposed and then evaluated using Photoshop® to determine the frequency of apical transportation. The statistic analysis was performed using χ2test.Results  Transportation was detected in 22% of the specimens; 9% in group A, 12% in group B and 44% in group C. Significant differences were observed between groups A and C (P = 0.0025) and between groups B and C (P = 0.0069), but not between groups A and B (P = 1.00).Conclusions  No transportation was found in the majority of the samples when size 08 K‐Flex files and size 10 stainless steel reamers were used. The XF finger spreaders, when used to maintain apical patency, caused the greatest transportation of the major foramen.
The cytotoxic effects of resin‐based sealers on dental pulp stem cells
Authors: Trubiani O. , Caputi S. , Di Iorio D. , D’Amario M. , Paludi M. , Giancola R. , Di Nardo Di Maio F. , De Angelis F. , D’Arcangelo C. 
Published: April 2010

Trubiani O, Caputi S, Di Iorio D, D’Amario M, Paludi M, Giancola R, Di Nardo Di Maio F, De Angelis F, D’Arcangelo C. The cytotoxic effects of resin‐based sealers on dental pulp stem cells. International Endodontic Journal.AbstractAim  To evaluate the effect of four current resin‐based adhesives on expanded ex vivo human dental pulp mesenchymal stem cells (DP‐MSCs).Methodology  Dental pulp mesenchymal stem cells were derived from dental pulps of ten donors. After in vitro isolation, dental pulp stem cells were analysed using flow cytometry. The immunophenotype of DP‐MSCs disclosed the homogeneous expression of the mesenchymal‐related antigens CD29, CD44, CD73, CD90, CD105, CD166. DP‐MSCs were exposed to four different commercially available bonding systems (CMF Bond, Prime&Bond NT, Clearfil S3 Bond, XP Bond), and after 24, 48 and 72 h of incubation the morphological features and the cell growth were analysed. Moreover, the cell viability was evaluated at the same times by MTT assay. Data were statistically analysed using a two‐way anova and Holm–Sidak method (α set at 0.05).Results  Significant differences were observed between the four groups when comparing DP‐MSCs appearance. DP‐MSCs survived and proliferated without inhibition in the presence of CMF Bond adhesive. On the contrary, microscopic evaluation of the other three groups revealed extensive cytotoxic effects from the dentine bonding agents. The MTT assay revealed no statistically significant differences in cell viability after 72 h between the control group and CMF Bond group. All the other experimental groups had statistically lower optical density values.Conclusions  CMF Bond adhesive allowed human dental pulp stem cells to survive and proliferate. All of the other dentine bonding agents had extensive cytotoxic effects.
The effect of past changes in inter‐annual temperature variability on tree distribution limits
Authors: Giesecke Thomas , Miller Paul A. , Sykes Martin T. , Ojala Antti E. K. , Seppä Heikki , Bradshaw Richard H. W. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractAim  The northern limits of temperate broadleaved species in Fennoscanndia are controlled by their requirements for summer warmth for successful regeneration and growth as well as by the detrimental effects of winter cold on plant tissue. However, occurrences of meteorological conditions with detrimental effects on individual species are rare events rather than a reflection of average conditions. We explore the effect of changes in inter‐annual temperature variability on the abundances of the tree species Tilia cordata, Quercus robur and Ulmus glabra near their distribution limits using a process‐based model of ecosystem dynamics.Location  A site in central Sweden and a site in southern Finland were used as examples for the ecotone between boreal and temperate forests in Fennoscandia. The Finnish site was selected because of the availability of varve‐thickness data.Methods  The dynamic vegetation model LPJ‐GUESS was run with four scenarios of inter‐annual temperature forcing for the last 10,000 years. In one scenario the variability in the thickness of summer and winter varves from the annually laminated lake in Finland was used as a proxy for past inter‐annual temperature variability. Two scenarios were devised to explore systematically the effect of stepwise changes in the variance and shape parameter of a probability distribution. All variability scenarios were run both with and without the long‐term trend in Holocene temperature change predicted by an atmospheric general circulation model.Results  Directional changes in inter‐annual temperature variability have significant effects on simulated tree distribution limits through time. Variations in inter‐annual temperature variability alone are shown to alter vegetation composition by magnitudes similar to the magnitude of changes driven by variation in mean temperatures.Main conclusions  The varve data indicate that inter‐annual climate variability has changed in the past. The model results show that past changes in species abundance can be explained by changes in the inter‐annual variability of climate parameters as well as by mean climate. Because inter‐annual climatic variability is predicted to change in the future, this component of climate change should be taken into account both when making projections of future plant distributions and when interpreting vegetation history.
The fellowship of the hobbit: the fauna surroundingHomo floresiensis
Authors: Meijer Hanneke J. M. , van den Hoek Ostende Lars W. , van den Bergh Gert D. , de Vos John 
Published: April 2010

AbstractThe Late Pleistocene Flores fauna shows a pattern observed on many other islands. It is neither aberrant nor exclusive, but the result of non‐random selective forces acting upon an impoverished and disharmonic insular fauna. By comparing the Flores vertebrate fauna with other fossil insular biotas, it is apparent that the evolution ofHomo floresiensisis part of a general pattern affecting all the inhabitants of Pleistocene Flores. Vertebrate evolution on Flores appears to have been characterized by phylogenetic continuity, low species richness and a disharmonic fauna. All three aspects stem from the isolated position of the island and have resulted in the distinct morphological characteristics of the Flores fauna. Evidence reviewed herein shows that features exhibited byH. floresiensis, such as small stature, a small brain, relatively long arms, robust lower limbs and long feet, are not unique, but are shared by other insular taxa. Therefore, the evolution ofH. floresiensiscan be explained by existing models of insular evolution and followed evolutionary pathways similar to those of the other terrestrial vertebrates inhabiting Pleistocene Flores.
A link between plant traits and abundance: evidence from coastal California woody plants
Authors: Cornwell William K. , Ackerly David D. 
Published: April 2010

Summary 1. A number of recent studies have demonstrated that plant traits play a crucial role in determining the success or failure of species in a given environment. However, whether traits play a role in determining species’ abundance and rarity among the co‐occurring species within a community remains an unresolved question. 2. To address this, we analysed the abundance of California coastal woody plant species at landscape and local scales in relation to 11 leaf, wood and seed traits. 3. At the landscape scale, we found no significant relationship between traits and abundance. In contrast, at the local scale we found significant relationships between abundance and four traits: specific leaf area (SLA), height, lumen fraction and wood density. For SLA and height, the relationship was linear; for lumen fraction, it was quadratic. For wood density, the direction of the trait–abundance relationship was dependant on the abiotic context, that is, it shifted across a gradient in soil water content. 4. Synthesis. Understanding the connections between traits and abundance is important for two reasons. First, there is an ongoing debate about the degree to which commonness and rarity are the result of drift among ecologically equivalent species or niche processes. These results suggest that there are non‐random, trait‐based processes affecting abundance and rarity. Secondly, species’ traits have been shown to have a strong effect on photosynthesis and decomposition rates, mediated by the abundance of the species. The connections between traits and abundance presented here are crucial for scaling from measurements of species’ traits to ecosystem‐level processes.
Effects of resource availability and climate on the diversity of wood‐decaying fungi
Authors: Bässler Claus , Müller Jörg , Dziock Frank , Brandl Roland 
Published: April 2010

Summary 1. Wood‐decaying fungi are crucial for the functioning of forest ecosystems. We tested the hypotheses that on coarse woody debris (CWD), the abundance, diversity and composition of fungi depend more on the amount of available resource than on macro‐ or microclimate, and that on fine woody debris (FWD) more on the microclimate because of the rapid desiccation of thin woody debris. 2. We sampled 7183 dead wood objects with 10 818 fungal samples on 290 plots along four transects, from 650 to 1450 m a.s.l., in the Bavarian Forest National Park, Germany, Overall, we recorded 263 species (54 only on FWD and 71 only on CWD). 3. For each plot, we characterized the macroclimate using field data and a terrain model. Microclimate variables were extracted from remote‐sensing and ground surveys. Resource availability was characterized by measuring the amount, tree species composition, diameter and rotting stage of all dead wood objects. We extracted principal components from each of the three data sets for further analyses. 4. The number of species found per sampled surface area of woody debris indicated that the fungal community on FWD needs a much lower surface area than that on CWD; FWD probably provides more niches per unit surface area than CWD. The abundance of fungi (and therefore also species density) living on FWD and CWD as well as the fungal community composition on CWD were clearly driven by variables characterizing the amount and diversity of the resource. In general, the surface area was the most important factor for abundance of species. In contrast, the community composition on FWD was better predicted by variables characterizing the microclimate. 5. Synthesis. Our results supported the hypotheses that the amount of available resources is more important than macroclimate for fungi living on CWD, and microclimate is more important for fungi living on FWD. Therefore, both dead wood removal and silviculture, which, like logging, open the canopy and increases sunlight exposure, will strongly affect the diversity of wood‐decaying fungi in forests. For the conservation of this important group of organisms in forests, silvicultural strategies are more important than climate.
Endoplasmic reticulum is a major target of cadmium toxicity in yeast
Authors: Gardarin Aurélie , Chédin Stéphane , Lagniel Gilles , Aude Jean‐Christophe , Godat Emmanuel , Catty Patrice , Labarre Jean 
Published: April 2010

SummaryCadmium (Cd2+) is a very toxic metal that causes DNA damage, oxidative stress and apoptosis. Despite many studies, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying its high toxicity are not clearly understood. We show here that very low doses of Cd2+ cause ER stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae as evidenced by the induction of the unfolded protein response (UPR) and the splicing of HAC1 mRNA. Furthermore, mutant strains (Δire1 and Δhac1) unable to induce the UPR are hypersensitive to Cd2+, but not to arsenite and mercury. The full functionality of the pathways involved in ER stress response is required for Cd2+ tolerance. The data also suggest that Cd2+‐induced ER stress and Cd2+ toxicity are a direct consequence of Cd2+ accumulation in the ER. Cd2+ does not inhibit disulfide bond formation but perturbs calcium metabolism. In particular, Cd2+ activates the calcium channel Cch1/Mid1, which also contributes to Cd2+ entry into the cell. The results reinforce the interest of using yeast as a cellular model to study toxicity mechanisms in eukaryotic cells.
Conjunctival effects of a selective nasal pollen provocation
Authors: Callebaut I. , Spielberg L. , Hox V. , Bobic S. , Jorissen M. , Stalmans I. , Scadding G. , Ceuppens J. L. , Hellings P. W. 
Published: April 2010

To cite this article: Callebaut I, Spielberg L, Hox V, Bobic S, Jorissen M, Stalmans I, Scadding G, Ceuppens JL, Hellings PW. Conjunctival effects of a selective nasal pollen provocation. Allergy 2010; 65: 1173–1181.AbstractBackground:  Several clinical and experimental observations suggest that allergen deposition in the nose may partially be responsible for the induction of conjunctival symptoms in allergic rhinitis. The aims of this study were to evaluate the induction of conjunctival symptoms by selective nasal allergen provocation and to assess the feasibility of the different tools for evaluation of conjunctival allergic inflammation.Methods:  Grass pollen allergic subjects with rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms during the pollen season (n = 12) underwent a nasal sham and grass pollen provocation extra‐seasonally. Nasal and conjunctival symptoms were scored using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) system at baseline, 15 min, 1 h and 24 h after provocation. In addition to Peak Nasal Inspiratory flow (PNIF) measurements, conjunctival inflammation and vascular congestion were evaluated and histamine and substance P levels in tear fluid were measured.Results:  Selective nasal grass pollen provocation induced ocular pruritus, lacrimation and conjunctival vascular congestion. PNIF values correlated inversely with lacrimation (r = −0.71, P < 0.001) and ocular pruritus (r = −0.41, P < 0.05). Four out of 11 patients showed a conjunctival eosinophilic inflammation and levels of histamine (r = 0.73, P < 0.05) and substance P (r = 0.67, P = 0.05) in tear fluid correlated with conjunctival symptoms.Conclusion:  Selective nasal grass pollen provocation induced conjunctival inflammation, ocular pruritus and lacrimation, which correlated with histamine and substance P levels in tear fluid and inversely with the PNIF values. These data show a naso‐ocular interaction in allergic rhinitis and offer objective tools for evaluation of conjunctival inflammation in allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.