bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The long‐term efficacy of sacral neuromodulation in the management of intractable cases of bladder pain syndrome: 14 years of experience in one centre
Authors: Gajewski Jerzy B. , Al‐Zahrani Ali A. 
Published: September 2010

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4 What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add? Bladder pain syndrome (BPS) is a chronic debilitating disease. A recently done survey estimates the prevalence of the BPS symptoms among adult females in the U.S. to be 7%. Conservative management is the first line of therapy but at least 10% of the patients show poor response.Sacral neuromodulation is a minimal invasive technique with good long‐term outcomes in these patients. It should be considered before any invasive surgical intervention is planned. However, the revision rate is high and patients need lifelong follow‐up.OBJECTIVE• To evaluate the long‐term success and tolerability of sacral neuromodulation (SNM) in the control of the symptoms of bladder pain syndrome (BPS).METHODS• This was a retrospective study of all patients with BPS who underwent peripheral nerve evaluation and then SNM in our department of urology by a single surgeon from 1994 till 2008. The global response assessment scale was used to evaluate the outcome of the SNM.RESULTS• A total of 78 patients fulfilled the International Consultation on Incontinence clinical criteria for BPS and showed cystoscopic evidence of glomerulation or ulcer as recommended by the European Society for the Study of Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome. All patients failed conservative management before considering SNM.• Permanent SNM implant was performed in patients who showed at least 50% improvement in their symptoms with a temporary peripheral nerve evaluation test. Median follow up was 61.5 months (sd± 27.7). Good long‐term success of the SNM was seen in 72% of the patients.• Presence of urgency was a positive predictor of the long‐term success of the implant. The explantation rate was 28%. The commonest reason for explantation was poor outcome (54% of the failed patients). The revision rate was 50%.• The most common indication for revision was lack of stimulation sensation and worsening of symptoms. The average durability of the pulse generator battery was 93 months.CONCLUSION• SNM is an effective treatment to control the symptoms of BPS. It should be considered before any major invasive surgical intervention if conservative measures have failed. It is a minimally invasive, safe procedure with good long‐term outcome. However, the revision rate is high and patients require lifelong follow‐up.
Contrasting Patterns of Nuclear and mtDNA Diversity in Native American Populations
Authors: Yang Ning Ning , Mazières Stephane , Bravi Claudio , Ray Nicolas , Wang Sijia , Burley Mari‐Wyn , Bedoya Gabriel , Rojas Winston , Parra Maria V. , Molina Julio A. , Gallo Carla , Poletti Giovanni , Hill Kim , Hurtado Ana M. , Petzl‐Erler Maria L. , Tsuneto Luiza T. , Klitz William , Barrantes Ramiro , Llop Elena , Rothhammer Francisco , Labuda Damian , Salzano Francisco M. , Bortolini Maria‐Cátira , Excoffier Laurent , Dugoujon Jean Michel , Ruiz‐Linares Andrés 
Published: October 2010

SummaryWe report an integrated analysis of nuclear (autosomal, X‐ and Y‐chromosome) short tandem repeat (STR) data and mtDNA D‐loop sequences obtained in the same set of 22 Native populations from across the Americas. A north to south gradient of decreasing population diversity was observed, in agreement with a settlement of the Americas from the extreme northwest of the continent. This correlation is stronger with “least cost distances,” which consider the coasts as facilitators of migration. Continent‐wide estimates of population structure are highest for the Y‐chromosome and lowest for the autosomes, consistent with the effective size of the different marker systems examined. Population differentiation is highest in East South America and lowest in Meso America and the Andean region. Regional analyses suggest a deviation from mutation–drift equilibrium consistent with population expansion in Meso America and the Andes and population contraction in Northwest and East South America. These data hint at an early divergence of Andean and non‐Andean South Americans and at a contrasting demographic history for populations from these regions.
Can out‐of‐context musical sounds convey meaning? An ERP study on the processing of meaning in music
Authors: Painter Julia Grieser , Koelsch Stefan 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThere has been much debate over whether music can convey extra‐musical meaning. The experiments presented here investigated whether low level musical features, specifically the timbre of a sound, have a direct access route to meaningful representations. Short musical sounds with varying timbres were investigated with regard to their ability to elicit meaningful associations, and the neural mechanisms underlying the meaningful processing of sounds were compared to those underlying the semantic processing of words. Two EEG experiments were carried out, and N400 effects were found for sound and word targets following sound and word primes in a semantic relatedness judgment task. No N400 effects were found in a memory task. The results show that even short musical sounds outside of a musical context are capable of conveying meaning information, but that sounds require more elaborate processing than other kinds of meaningful stimuli.
Reflections on efforts to improve medical publishing in Africa
Authors: Gondwe Mzamose 
Published: October 2010

AbstractOver the last five years several scholarly publishing associations have been launched in Africa ‐ the Forum for African Medical Editors (FAME), the Society of African Journals (SAJE), the Consortium of African Scholarly Publishers (CASP), the Africa Journals Partnership Project and the African Association of Science Editors (AASE). What, if any, has been the impact of these initiatives? This paper reviews the most notable of these associations, FAME, which was established in 2003 with the support of the World Association of Medical Editors, the Council of Science Editors and the Special Program for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR). FAME is evaluated in relation to two other international scholarly publishing associations ‐ the Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) in South America and the Eastern Mediterranean Association of Medical Editors (EMAME). The article also discusses the future of FAME with regards to new developments in open access publishing through African Journals Online. JM
Domestic exotics and the perception of invasibility
Authors: Guo Qinfeng , Ricklefs Robert E. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractSusceptibility of an area to invasion by exotic species is often judged by the fraction of introduced species in the local biota. However, the degree of invasion, particularly in mainland areas, has often been underestimated because of the exclusion of ‘domestic exotics’ (those introduced to internal units from within the national border) in calculations. Because all introduced species on islands are considered as exotics, this contributes to the perception that islands are more susceptible to invasion than are continental regions. Here, we determine the contribution of domestic exotic species to the degree of invasion (exotic fraction) in mainland areas. We quantify the relationships of exotic fraction to the area, human population density and land use within each of the 48 conterminous US states to identify mechanisms that potentially influence the degree of invasion. For each of the 48 conterminous US states, we compiled the number of species introduced from outside the United States (‘foreign exotics’) and the number of exotics introduced from other conterminous US states (‘domestic exotics’). The status of each species as foreign or domestic was determined for each state by researching its precise origins through vouchered herbarium records, supplemented by literature (Kartesz, 2010). We found that (1) the exotic fraction inevitably decreases with increasing area as the pool of potential exotic species decreases; (2) exotic richness of areas within large mainland regions is underestimated to the extent that species introduced among areas within a region are considered as natives; and (3) human activities contribute disproportionately more exotics to smaller than to larger administrative areas. How we define ‘exotic’ influences how we count non‐native species and perceive invasibility. Excluding domestic exotics in mainland regions leads to a biased perception of increased invasibility on islands, where all introduced species are considered exotic. Thus, future documentation and interpretation of invasion patterns and management of exotics should account for these biases in quantifying the exotic fraction.
Delayed transplantation of human neural precursor cells improves outcome from focal cerebral ischemia in aged rats
Authors: Jin Kunlin , Mao XiaoOu , Xie Lin , Greenberg Rose B. , Peng Botao , Moore Alexander , Greenberg Maeve B. , Greenberg David A. 
Published: September 2010

SummaryNeural precursor cell (NPC) transplantation may have a role in restoring brain function after stroke, but how aging might affect the brain’s receptivity to such transplants is unknown. We reported previously that transplantation of human embryonic stem cell (hESC)‐derived NPCs together with biomaterial (Matrigel) scaffolding into the brains of young adult Sprague–Dawley rats 3 weeks after distal middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) reduced infarct volume and improved neurobehavioral performance. In this study, we compared the effect of NPC and Matrigel transplants in young adult (3‐month‐old) and aged (24‐month‐old) Fisher 344 rats from the National Institute on Aging’s aged rodent colony. Distal MCAO was induced by electrocoagulation, and hESC‐derived NPCs were transplanted into the infarct cavity 3 weeks later. Aged rats developed larger infarcts, but infarct volume and performance on the cylinder and elevated body swing tests, measured 6–8 weeks post‐transplant, were improved by transplantation. We conclude that advanced age does not preclude a beneficial response to NPC transplantation following experimental stroke.
The metamorphic history of rocks buried, accreted and exhumed in an accretionary prism: an example from the Otago Schist, New Zealand
Authors: FAGERENG Å. , COOPER A. F. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractAlthough subgreenschist facies metamorphic rocks are widespread in the upper crust, mineralogical processes affecting these rocks are poorly understood. Subgreenschist mineralogical transitions have been invoked as critical controls on the mechanical behaviour of rocks within the crustal seismogenic zone, calling for further study of very low‐grade metamorphic assemblages. In this study a multi‐technique thermobarometric study of the Chrystalls Beach Complex mélange, which is located within the Otago Schist accretion‐collision assemblage of the South Island of New Zealand, is presented. The Chrystalls Beach Complex comprises highly sheared trench‐fill sedimentary rocks and scattered pillow basalts, and is inferred to have formed during Jurassic subduction under the paleo‐Pacific Gondwana margin. Equilibrium mineral assemblages indicate peak P–T conditions in the range 400–550 MPa and 250–300 °C, which is supported by chlorite thermometry. Relatively high pressures of burial and accretion during foliation development are inferred from phengite content and b0 spacing analyses of white mica. Rare lawsonite occurs in a post‐foliation vein, and illite ‘crystallinity’ measurements indicate a thermal overprint during exhumation. These P–T estimates and their relative chronology indicate that the mineral assemblages developed along a clockwise P–T path. Based on variability in P–T estimates from different techniques, mineral assemblages developed during burial are largely overprinted during exhumation at similar or higher‐T than experienced along the prograde path. Observed subduction‐related subgreenschist assemblages are therefore likely to indicate lower‐P than experienced during subduction, as higher‐P mineral compositions re‐equilibrate during exhumation. The P–T path inferred in this study is similar in shape to P–T paths for higher grade parts of the Otago Schist, and other exhumed accretionary prisms around the world, and is therefore probably common for rocks buried, accreted and exhumed in accretionary prisms.
Prolonged EEG depression in term and near‐term infants with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy and later development of West syndrome
Authors: Kato Toru , Okumura Akihisa , Hayakawa Fumio , Tsuji Takeshi , Hayashi Seiji , Kubota Tetsuo , Fukasawa Tatsuya , Suzuki Motomasa , Maruyama Koichi , Oshiro Makoto , Hattori Tetsuo , Kidokoro Hiroyuki , Natsume Jun , Hayakawa Masahiro , Watanabe Kazuyoshi 
Published: September 2010

SummaryPurpose:  This study was performed to clarify the relationship between prolonged depression of electroencephalography (EEG) in term and near‐term infants with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and the later development of West syndrome (WS).Methods:  We investigated 17 term and near‐term infants with HIE. Inclusion criteria were as follows: ≥35 weeks of gestation, clinical signs of HIE, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesions corresponding to HIE, assessment of outcome at >18 months of age, depression of EEG, and serial EEG examinations. The 17 infants were divided into the following two groups: Group A (n = 4) with prolonged EEG depression over 21 days of age, and group B (n = 13) with disappearance of EEG depression by 21 days of age.Results:  WS developed in all four infants in group A, but in only one of 13 infants in group B. WS occurred significantly more frequently in group A than in group B. For the prediction of subsequent development of WS, prolonged EEG depression over 21 days of age showed sensitivity of 0.80 and specificity of 1.0. In both groups, abnormal irregular faster waves with or without EEG depression were seen in 11 infants between 2 and 28 days of age. They had no significant relationship with WS, but were significantly related to an adverse developmental outcome.Conclusions:  Prolonged depression of EEG over 21 days of age in term or near‐term infants with HIE is a valuable predictor of the later development of WS.
Effect of Pacing‐Induced Ventricular Dyssynchrony on Right Ventricular Function
Authors: NUNES MARIA CARMO P. , ABREU CLÁUDIA DRUMOND G. , RIBEIRO ANTÔNIO LUIZ P. , BARBOSA MARCIA M. , RINCON LEONOR G. , REIS RODRIGO CITTON P. , ROCHA MANOEL OTÁVIO C. 
Published: October 2010

Background: Asynchronous electrical activation induced by right ventricular (RV) pacing can cause several abnormalities in left ventricular (LV) function. However, the effect of ventricular pacing on RV function has not been well established. We evaluated RV function in patients undergoing long‐term RV pacing.
Methods: Eighty‐five patients and 24 healthy controls were included. After pacemaker implantation, conventional echocardiography and strain imaging were used to analyze RV function. Strain imaging measurements included peak systolic strain and strain rate. LV function and ventricular dyssynchrony by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) were assessed. Intra‐ and interobserver variabilities of TDI parameters were tested on 15 randomly selected cases.
Results: All patients were in New York Heart Association functional class I or II and percentage of ventricular pacing was 96 ± 4%. RV apical induced interventricular dyssynchrony in 49 patients (60%). LV dyssynchrony was found in 51 patients (60%), when the parameter examined was the standard deviation of the time to peak myocardial systolic velocity of all 12 segments greater than 34 ms. Likewise, septal‐to‐lateral delay ≥65 ms was found in 31 patients (36%). All echocardiographic indexes of RV function were similar between patients and controls (strain: −22.8 ± 5.8% vs −22.1 ± 5.6%, P = 0.630; strain rate: −1.47 ± 0.91 s−1 vs −1.42 ± 0.39 s−1, P = 0.702). Intra‐ and interobserver variability for RV strain was 3.1% and 5.3%, and strain rate was 1.3% and 2.1%, respectively.
Conclusions: In patients with standard pacing indications, RV apical pacing did not seem to affect RV systolic function, despite induction of electromechanical dyssynchrony. (PACE 2011; 34:155–162)
Individualized medicine 2010
Authors: Blum Hubert E. 
Published: October 2010

Abstract

Molecular analyses
Mutations – polymorphisms – HapMap
Signature analyses – omics

Molecular and cell biology have revolutionized not only diagnosis, therapy and prevention of human diseases but also greatly contributed to the understanding of their pathogenesis. Based on modern molecular and biochemical methods it is possible to identify on the one hand point mutations and single nucleotide polymorphisms. On the other hand, using high throughput array technologies, it is possible to analyse thousands of genes or gene products simultaneously, resulting in an individual gene or gene expression profile (signature). These data increasingly allow to define the individual risk for a given disease and to predict the individual prognosis of a disease as well as the efficacy of therapeutic strategies (individualized medicine). In the following sections some of the recent advances of predictive medicine and their clinical relevance will be addressed.
The Lyman α emission of high-z damped Lyman α systems
Authors: Rahmani H. , Srianand R. , Noterdaeme P. , Petitjean P. 
Published: October 2010

Abstract
Using a spectral stacking technique we searched for the average Lyman α (Lyα) emission from high-z damped Lyα (DLA) galaxies detected in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey quasi-stellar object (QSO) spectra. We used a sample of 341 DLA galaxies of mean redshift 〈z〉= 2.86 and log N(H i) ≥ 20.62 to place a 3σ upper limit of 3.0 × 10−18 erg s−1 cm−2 on the Lyα flux emitted within ∼1.5 arcsec (or 12 kpc) from the QSO line of sight. This corresponds to an average Lyα luminosity of ≤2 × 1041 erg s−1 or 0.03L★(Lyα). This limit is deeper than the limit of most surveys for faint Lyα emitters. The lack of Lyα emission in DLA galaxies is consistent with the in situ star formation, for a given N(H i), being less efficient than what is seen in local galaxies. Thus, the overall DLA population seems to originate from the low-luminosity end of the high-redshift Lyα-emitting galaxies and/or to be located far away from the star-forming regions. The latter may well be true since we detect strong O vi absorption in the stacked spectrum, indicating that DLA galaxies are associated with a highly ionized phase, possibly the relics of galactic winds and/or originating from cold accretion flows. We find the contribution of DLA galaxies to the global star formation rate density to be comparatively lower than that of Lyman break galaxies.
US Trends in Glycemic Control, Treatment, and Comorbidity Burden in Patients With Diabetes
Authors: Shaya Fadia T. , Yan Xia , Lin Pei‐Jung , Simoni‐Wastila Linda , Bron Morgan , Baran Robert , Donner Thomas W. 
Published: October 2010

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2010;12:826‐832. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.This study explored trends over time in diabetes prevalence, glycemic control, and antidiabetic therapy choices among adults (18–64 years) and older adults (≥65 years). Factors that predict diabetes outcomes were explored. The study was cross‐sectional, with data from the 1999 to 2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The study group consisted of 1211 persons with self‐reported diabetes. Other information obtained from the study included self‐reported medication for diabetes, hypertension, stroke, heart failure, and health status. The survey also provided examination or laboratory tests of obesity, nephropathy, and glycosylated hemoglobin level. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were used in the study. The study showed that the proportion of diabetics with good glycemic control increased during the period from 1999 to 2004. However, nearly half of the adults and one third of older adults with diabetes did not reach glycemic control in 2003–2004. Overall, 59% of adults and 46% of older adults were obese. There was a high prevalence of hypertension, heart failure, stroke, and nephropathy among patients with diabetes, especially in older adults. The results indicate a high percentage of poor glycemic control among persons with diabetes. There were also a substantial number of comorbid conditions associated with diabetes.
River flood vulnerability in Norway through the pressure and release model
Authors: Rauken T. , Kelman I. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractRiver floods in Norway have proven devastating for communities and individuals for centuries. Although usually incurring few flood fatalities, the Norwegian population is still vulnerable to river floods in that important infrastructure and other economic assets are located in flood zones. In trying to explain this vulnerability, this paper applies the Pressure and Release model. Two main root causes are identified: Norway's political and economic systems. The political system creates dynamic pressures in terms of governance issues permitting decision making that increases river flood vulnerability. The economic system creates a different dynamic pressure through the insurance system that leaves Norwegian municipalities with few economic incentives to leave flood zones undeveloped.
Post‐transcriptional regulation controlled by E‐cadherin is important for c‐Jun activity in melanoma
Authors: Spangler B. , Vardimon L. , Bosserhoff A. K. , Kuphal S. 
Published: October 2010

SummaryA central event in the development of malignant melanoma is the loss of the tumor‐suppressor protein E‐cadherin. Here, we report that this loss is linked to the activation of the proto‐oncogene c‐Jun, a key player in tumorigenesis. In vivo, malignant melanomas show strong expression of the c‐Jun protein in contrast to melanocytes. Interestingly, c‐Jun mRNA levels did not differ in the melanoma cell lines when compared to melanocytes, suggesting that c‐Jun could be regulated at the post‐transcriptional level. To uncover the link between E‐cadherin and c‐Jun, we re‐expressed E‐cadherin in melanoma cells and detected decreased protein expression and activity of c‐Jun. Furthermore, c‐Jun accumulation is dependent on active E‐cadherin‐mediated cell–cell adhesion and regulated via the cytoskeleton. Additionally, we determined that, with respect to c‐Jun regulation, there are two melanoma subgroups. One subgroup regulates c‐Jun expression via the newly discovered E‐cadherin‐dependent signaling pathway, whereas the other subgroup uses the MAPKinases to regulate its expression. In summary, our data provide novel insights into the tumor‐suppressor function of E‐cadherin, which contributes to the suppression of c‐Jun protein translation and transcriptional activity independent of MAPKinases.
Perioperative optimization of oxygen delivery
Authors: CONTE BENJAMIN , L'HERMITE JOËL , RIPART JACQUES , LEFRANT JEAN‐YVES 
Published: October 2010

SUMMARYThe concept of perioperative hemodynamic optimization was developed by Shoemaker in the early 1980s. The controversy concerning optimization of oxygen delivery persists as recent studies show that the timing of this optimization appears to be an essential factor. At the initial stage of aggression (operative period, initial phase of septic shock), optimization of volume replacement decreases morbidity and mortality, while at a later period excess volume replacement can be harmful for the patient. The aim of this article is to review the physiological methods and indications for optimization of oxygen delivery.