bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Molecular and morphological identification of an uncommon centrolophid fish
Authors: Milana Valentina , Fusari Andrea , Rossi Anna , Sola Luciana 
Published: March 2011

Abstract
The use of both morphological and molecular methods has allowed a fast and reliable species assignment of a fish that local fishermen with over thirty years of experience had never seen before. The identified species, Schedophilus medusophagus, is rare along Italian coasts, and this is the first documented record in the Central Tyrrhenian Sea for over 35 years. Its abundance should be evaluated on a continuous basis, as it might reflect biological consequences of environmental and climatic change. The mitochondrial sequences obtained in this study constitute a useful molecular tag for future research and may contribute to the phylogenetic debate on the status of the genus Schedophilus, of which S. medusophagus is the type species. Based on the existing literature, these preliminary molecular data support the hypothesis that the genus is not monophyletic.
Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament in non-Asians: demographic, clinical, and radiographic findings in 43 patients
Authors: Wang Michael Y. , Thambuswamy Michael 
Published: March 2011

Object
Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is a disorder afflicting as many as 2% of East Asians. However, reports of OPLL in non-Asians have been sporadic in the medical literature. This study describes clinical and radiographic findings with OPLL in non-Asians at a tertiary care center treating a diverse multiethnic population.

Methods
Over a 6-year period, 43 patients not of East Asian descent presented to an urban tertiary medical center with OPLL. Patient data, including ethnicity, spinal cord function, Nurick grade, radiographic findings, OPLL subtype, and degree of cervical stenosis, were recorded.

Results
The average patient age was 59 years (range 32–92 years) with 18 women and 25 men. There were 22 Caucasian patients, 17 Hispanic patients, and 4 Black patients. With respect to the radiographic findings, OPLL morphology was continuous in 19, segmental in 17, mixed in 6, and other in 1. Average canal diameter was 7.6 mm (range 4.2–9.0 mm) at the most stenotic points. The mean Nurick grade was 2.95 at presentation, but 7 of the patients had OPLL identified incidentally and with early or minimal symptoms and signs of myelopathy.

Conclusions
Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament in non-Asians demonstrates similar demographic and radiographic characteristics as in East Asians. The representation of different ethnic groups mirrors the demographics of the medical center population in general, showing no specific predilection for particular ethnic groups. Surgical decompression in appropriately selected patients results in similar rates of improvement when compared with the Japanese literature.
Fractures of the clivus and traumatic diastasis of the central skull base in the pediatric population
Authors: Ochalski Pawel G. , Adamo Matthew A. , Adelson P. David , Okonkwo David O. , Pollack Ian F. 
Published: March 2011

Object
Fractures of the clivus and traumatic diastases of the clival synchondroses are rare in the pediatric population. The incidence, outcome, and biomechanics associated with these fractures have been difficult to ascertain secondary to the lack of literature pertaining to their occurrence.

Methods
A Boolean search of the electronic medical record database at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, was performed to identify patients with fractures of the clivus that were diagnosed using CT of the head. A retrospective review of the chart and radiographic imaging was then performed to assess data regarding patient demographics, mechanism of injury, and skull and brain parenchymal injuries, as well as outcomes.

Results
Between May 2002 and November 2007, 16 patients with fractures of the clivus were identified. The mean age of these patients was 9 years (range 1–16 years). Eleven (68.8%) of the 16 patients had an associated traumatic diastasis of the central skull base. Five (31.3%) of the 16 patients died. However, of the 11 patients who survived, all had a good outcome with a Glasgow Outcome Scale score of 4 or 5 at the time of discharge. The incidence of clival fractures among patients with head injuries was 0.33%.

Conclusions
Clival fractures occur with a similar incidence in both the pediatric and adult trauma population. Outcome is not correlated directly with the extent of clival fracture, but rather with the presenting Glasgow Coma Scale score and concomitant brain parenchymal injuries. The identification of traumatic diastases in patients with clival fractures suggests that static loading forces are a significant factor in the biomechanics producing these types of fractures.
Involvement of the brachial plexus and its branches by cystic hygromas
Authors: Tubbs R. Shane , Bradley Nadine , Harmon Daniel , Hankinson Todd C. , Kelly David R. , Wellons John C. 
Published: March 2011

Lymphatic malformations that involve the nervous system are uncommon. The authors review their experience with involvement of the brachial plexus and its branches by cystic hygromas.
A retrospective review of the authors' experience with pathology of the pediatric brachial plexus revealed 4 cases involving patients with compression of this structure and its branches due to cystic hygroma. Although such cases are apparently rare, the neurosurgeon should consider malformations of the lymphatic system in the differential diagnosis of masses involving the brachial plexus and its branches.
Epilepsy surgery following brain tumor resection in children
Authors: Tian Ashley G. , Edwards Michael S. B. , Williams Nicole J. , Olson Donald M. 
Published: March 2011

Object
Intractable epilepsy following successful brain tumor surgery in children may have several underlying causes such as residual tumor, cortical dysplasia, and gliosis. The authors reviewed the cases of children who had previously undergone resection of a brain tumor only to have medically refractory seizures postoperatively.

Methods
The authors performed a retrospective case review of 9 children who underwent brain tumor surgery 2–13 years before undergoing a second surgery to try and control their seizures.

Results
Eight of 9 children had seizures at the time of tumor presentation. Tumor types included ganglioglioma, dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor, pilocytic astrocytoma, oligodendroglioma, ependymoma, and choroid plexus papilloma. All patients achieved a seizure-free interval before intractable seizures recurred. After the second operation, 3 children were seizure free, 1 only had auras, 2 had rare complex partial seizures, and 3 continued to have relatively frequent seizures, although the frequency and severity were reduced. Seven of 9 patients had pathology showing residual tumor.

Conclusions
Epilepsy surgery following earlier brain tumor surgery can provide substantial benefit with reduced seizure number and severity. Despite reassuring brain imaging results, residual tumor was present more often than expected in pathological specimens.
Surgical treatment of trigonocephaly: technique and long-term results in 48 cases
Authors: Ozlen Fatma , Kafadar Ali Metin , Abuzayed Bashar , Ulu Mustafa Onur , Isler Cihan , Dashti Reza , Erdincler Pamir 
Published: March 2011

Object
The authors present their experience in the surgical treatment of metopic synostosis by orbital bandeau remodeling and frontal bone rotation. The pitfalls and advantages of the surgical technique are discussed, along with the long-term clinical results in 48 consecutive cases.

Methods
Forty-eight consecutive patients in whom trigonocephaly was diagnosed between 1990 and 2009 were treated with frontal bone rotation and frontoorbital bandeau remodeling. Of these patients, 38 (79%) were boys and 10 (21%) were girls. The age at the time of surgical treatment ranged between 4 and 42 months (mean ± SD 11.4 ± 8.7 months). The average follow-up period was 5.5 ± 4.2 years (range 5 months–19 years). The preoperative and latest postoperative photographs of the patients were evaluated for the following features: 1) shape of the forehead; 2) hypotelorism; and 3) temporal depression. Scores of 0, 1, or 2 were assigned for each item: 0 was normal, 1 meant moderate deformity, and 2 denoted severe deformity.

Results
In the early postoperative period, no complications were documented. The average hospitalization period was 4 days. Follow-up radiographs or 3D CT scans were obtained at regular intervals. The mean preoperative scores for the evaluated items were 1.38 ± 0.49 for the shape of the forehead, 1.33 ± 0.48 for hypotelorism, and 1.7 ± 0.46 for the temporal depression. The mean postoperative scores were 0.06 ± 0.24 for the shape of the forehead, 0.21 ± 0.4 for hypotelorism, and 0.67 ± 0.48 for the temporal depression. Overall, the total preoperative score dropped from 4.4 to 0.93 postoperatively (p < 0.05). All the patients were contented with the cosmetic results.

Conclusions
Early detection and treatment of metopic suture synostosis has a significant, favorable influence on the outcomes. Good understanding of the structural abnormality and the pathophysiological mechanisms of the possible complications is very important for performing proper surgical reconstruction.
Circulating Dickkopf-1 Is Correlated with Bone Erosion and Inflammation in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: WANG SHI-YAO , LIU YAN-YING , YE HUA , GUO JIAN-PING , LI RU , LIU XIA , LI ZHAN-GUO 
Published: March 2011

Objective.To explore the potential role of Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to evaluate the effect of a tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibitor (infliximab) and an interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra; anakinra) on DKK-1 secretion in patients with RA.Methods.Serum samples were collected from 100 patients with RA, 100 patients with other rheumatic diseases (e.g., osteoarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis), and 40 healthy controls. DKK-1 and osteoprotegerin (OPG) levels in serum were detected by ELISA. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR), rheumatoid factor (RF) titers, and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody were also measured in patients with RA.Results.The serum level of DKK-1 was significantly higher in patients with RA than in healthy controls and those with other rheumatic diseases (p < 0.01); the serum DKK-1 level was correlated with levels of CRP (r = 0.488, p = 0.003) and ESR (r = 0.458, p = 2.4 x 10−4) and the Sharp score of radiologic change (r = 0.449, p = 0.001) in RA. In contrast to the increasing level of OPG, DKK-1 was significantly decreased in RA patients treated with TNF-α inhibitor (p < 0.01). DKK-1 was significantly decreased in RA patients treated with IL-1Ra (p < 0.01).Conclusion.DKK-1, as an important mediator, was correlated with bone erosion and inflammation in RA. The change of DKK-1 level may serve as a biomarker of disease activity and bone erosion.
Classification of Odontoid Destruction in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis Using Reconstructed Computed Tomography: Reference to Vertical Migration
Authors: SHIMADA HIROFUMI , ABEMATSU MASAHIKO , ISHIDO YASUHIRO , KAWAMURA ICHIRO , TOMINAGA HIROYUKI , ZENMYO MICHIHISA , YAMAMOTO TAKUYA , TAKETOMI EIJI , KOMIYA SETSURO , IJIRI KOSEI 
Published: March 2011

Objective.To reveal the factors that determine the natural course of subluxation of occipital-cervical lesions in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The atlanto-axial region is one of the most common locations for lesions in RA. Some cases progress from reducible atlanto-axial subluxation (AAS) to irreducible vertical migration, while others continue to exhibit reducible AAS. No study has revealed the factors that determine the natural course of subluxation. We focus on the odontoid as a key structure of the progression of occipito-cervical lesions and investigated this region in patients with RA using reconstructive computed tomography (CT) images, and analyzed factors in association with CT findings.Methods.Fifty-eight patients with RA and 40 age-matched controls, all women, were studied. Associated factors, including C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, steroid usage, and the severity of local osteoporosis, were analyzed as measurements in association with odontoid destruction.Results.The destruction of odontoid and atlanto-odontoid joint were common in patients with RA. The more destruction observed in the odontoid process, the greater is the degree of progression of vertical migration. Local osteoporosis is a significant factor in odontoid destruction, based on a cortico-cancellous index of 42% in cases of grade III odontoid destruction.Conclusion.The odontoid process is a key structure in the progression of occipito-cervical lesions in patients with RA.
Thrombovascular Events Affect Quality of Life in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: BALITSKY AMARIS K. , PEEVA VALENTINA , SU JIANDONG , AGHDASSI ELAHEH , YEO ERIC , GLADMAN DAFNA D. , UROWITZ MURRAY B. , FORTIN PAUL R. 
Published: March 2011

Objective.To compare health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with and without previous thrombovascular events (TE).Methods.The Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 (SF-36) was used to assess HRQOL in 5 patient groups: (1) primary APS (PAPS; n = 35); (2) APS associated to SLE (SAPS; n = 37); (3) SLE+TE without persistent positive antiphospholipid antibody (SLE+TE–aPL; n = 75); (4) SLE–TE+aPL (n = 71); and (5) SLE–TE–aPL (n = 608).Results.The data on both mental component summary and physical component summary (PCS) scores showed an impaired quality of life in all patient groups. Patients in the SLE+TE–aPL group had a lower PCS score compared to patients in the SLE–TE+aPL group.Conclusion.The combination of SLE and TE has a more negative influence on reported HRQOL, compared to having SLE or APS alone.
Healthcare Costs of Inflammatory Myopathies
Authors: BERNATSKY SASHA , PANOPALIS PANTELIS , PINEAU CHRISTIAN A. , HUDSON MARIE , ST. PIERRE YVAN , CLARKE ANN E. 
Published: March 2011

Objective.Little information exists regarding the economic burden related to inflammatory myopathies. Our objective was to estimate health services costs in a large, unselected, population-based sample of patients with inflammatory myopathies.Methods.We identified subjects with polymyositis and dermatomyositis from administrative healthcare databases (covering all beneficiaries, about 7.5 million) in Quebec province, Canada. Average estimates of health services costs (physician visits, diagnostic tests and procedures, outpatient surgeries and procedures, acute care hospitalizations) for 2003 were calculated by multiplying health service use levels by the appropriate unit prices, determined from government fee schedules and other sources. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to establish whether specific factors (age, sex, disease duration, region of residence, socioeconomic status, type of myositis, disease severity) were associated with cost.Results.We identified 1102 subjects with inflammatory myopathy from January 1, 1989, to January 1, 2003. About two-thirds were women (68.9%); average age at case ascertainment was 57.4 years (SD 18.4). The average cost of all reimbursed health services, in 2008 Canadian dollars, was $4099 per patient (SD $9639). Costs increased with age, and were highest early in the disease course. Greater disease severity (defined as the need for prior hospitalization for myositis) was also a strong predictor of both physician costs and total costs.Conclusion.These results indicate significant economic burden related to inflammatory myopathies, with important demographic predictors. Our estimates suggest that the health services costs in inflammatory myopathies may equal, or exceed, those of other serious diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic sclerosis.
Comparison of transmissivities from MRS and pumping tests in Denmark
Authors: Ryom Nielsen M. , Hagensen T.F. , Chalikakis K. , Legchenko A. 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTIn Denmark, hydrogeophysical mapping is performed intensively in accordance with the Danish Government’s environmental plans of ensuring a high quality drinking water supply. Previously the magnetic resonance sounding (MRS) method has been proven to improve the hydrogeological characterization from geophysical surface measurements in Denmark. In order to implement hydraulic parameters estimated from MRS together with hydraulic parameters obtained from pumping tests, it is necessary to analyse and compare the hydraulic parameters from the two data sources. These parameters are determined very differently with uncertainties arising from very different sources and the comparison requires an analysis in each specific case with attention on the investigated volumes.Several comparisons of transmissivities from MRS and pumping tests in Denmark show that the pumping test transmissivity value corresponds to the MRS transmissivity accumulated over depth intervals determined by the screen position depth interval in the borehole. When specific determinations of these depth intervals are performed, very good correlation is obtained between transmissivities from MRS and pumping tests.Comparisons of transmissivities from MRS and pumping tests will also lead to the determination of MRS calibration coefficients. MRS calibration is essential for quantitative use of MRS transmissivities. Sixteen calibration coefficients in different survey areas have been calculated. If these calibration coefficients can be categorized according to the different Danish survey locations and hydrogeological conditions in which they are obtained, these categorized calibration coefficients could be used in future MRS surveys without the need of calibrating with pumping tests in each survey. However, only a slight tendency of increasing calibration coefficient with increasing transmissivity and increasing grain size is observed. The present study shows that in general only little dispersion is observed around an average calibration coefficient for the different Danish survey locations and hydrogeological conditions.
Development of field techniques for improving MRS quality in shallow investigations
Authors: Díaz‐Curiel Jesús , Biosca Bárbara , Arévalo Lucía , Plata Juan L. 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTThe application of magnetic resonance sounding (MRS) to near‐surface studies, especially in the vadose zone, requires a significant improvement in the signal‐to‐noise ratio. Small dimension loops with several turns must be used in order to achieve a high vertical and lateral resolution. This increases the loop impedance, limiting the current intensity and increasing the criticalness in the requirement to produce excitation pulses with a good shape.Due to the high current intensity required to create the excitation field, the tuning system used in MRS equipment is achieved selecting the capacitance values amongst several fixed configurations in discrete steps that depend on the loop characteristics and the emission frequency. When the equipment works with high inductances, this procedure implies a wide range in the tuning frequency that corresponds to a given value of capacitance. For this reason, it is necessary to change other system characteristics in order to achieve an optimal resonance fitting to the Larmor frequency.Moreover, a way to improve the excitation field in the very shallow zone of the subsurface and to achieve the dipolar approximation of the electromagnetic field of the loop in this zone, would be to increase the distance from the plane of the antenna to the surface of the ground.In this paper, several processes that have been developed as an aid to optimize the recording parameters for shallow MRS investigations are presented: 1) a methodology to improve the tuning through an optimized configuration of the transmitter antenna is proposed, 2) a quantitative index has been derived to evaluate the quality of the excitation pulse, as an aid to decide whether the design of the antenna should be modified and 3) a portable and low‐cost device to lift the antenna above the ground has been designed and constructed in order to increase the excitation of shallower water.These developments have been carried out using a NumisLITE Iris Instrument. Field experiments have shown the validity of the proposed theoretical and field techniques.
CC and CXC Chemokines Induce Airway Smooth Muscle Proliferation and Survival
Authors: Halwani Rabih , Al-Abri Jehan , Beland Marianne , Al-Jahdali Hamdan , Halayko Andrew J. , Lee Tak H. , Al-Muhsen Saleh , Hamid Qutayba 
Published: March 2011

Abstract
The increase in airway smooth muscle (ASM) mass is a major structural change in asthma. This increase has been attributed to ASM cell (ASMC) hyperplasia and hypertrophy. The distance between ASMC and the epithelium is reduced, suggesting migration of smooth muscle cells toward the epithelium. Recent studies have suggested a role of chemokines in ASMC migration toward the epithelium; however, chemokines have other biological effects. The objective of the current study is to test the hypothesis that chemokines (eotaxin, RANTES, IL-8, and MIP-1α) can directly influence ASMC mass by increasing the rate of proliferation or enhancing the survival of these cells. Human ASMCs were exposed to different concentrations of eotaxin, RANTES, IL-8, or MIP-1α. To test for proliferation, matched control and stimulated ASMC were pulsed with [3H]thymidine, or ASMCs were stained with BrdU and then analyzed with flow cytometry. Apoptosis was measured using Annexin V staining and flow cytometry. Expression of phosphorylated p42/p44 and MAPKs was assessed by Western blot. In a concentration-dependent manner, chemokines including eotaxin, RANTES, IL-8, and MIP-1α increased ASMC’s [3H]thymidine incorporation and DNA synthesis. IL-8, eotaxin, and MIP-1α decreased the rate of apoptosis of ASMCs compared with the matched controls. A significant increase in phosphorylated p42/p44 MAPKs was seen after treating ASMCs with RANTES and eotaxin. Moreover, inhibition of p42/p44 MAPK phosphorylation reduced the level of chemokine-induced ASM proliferation. We conclude that chemokines might contribute to airway remodeling seen in asthma by enhancing the number and survival of ASMCs.
Sphingosylphosphorylcholine Stimulates CCL2 Production from Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
Authors: Lee Ha Young , Lee Sun Young , Kim Sang Doo , Shim Jae Woong , Kim Hak Jung , Jung Young Su , Kwon Jae Young , Baek Suk-Hwan , Chung Junho , Bae Yoe-Sik 
Published: March 2011

Abstract
Sphingosylphosphorylcholine (SPC) is a component of high-density lipoprotein particles. We investigated the functional role of SPC in HUVECs. SPC stimulation induced production of the CCL2 chemokine in a PTX-sensitive G-protein–dependent manner. SPC treatment caused the activation of NF-κB and AP-1, which are essential for SPC-induced CCL2 production, and induced the activation of three MAPKs, ERK, p38 MAPK, and JNK. Inhibition of p38 MAPK or JNK by specific inhibitors caused a dramatic decrease in SPC-induced CCL2 production. The Jak/STAT3 pathway was also activated upon SPC stimulation of HUVECs. Pretreatment with a Jak inhibitor blocked not only SPC-induced p38 MAPK and JNK activation, but also NF-κB and AP-1 activation. Our results suggest that SPC stimulates HUVECs, resulting in Jak/STAT3–, NF-κB–, and AP-1–mediated CCL2 production. We also observed that SPC stimulated expression of the adhesion molecule ICAM-1 in HUVECs. Our results suggest that SPC may contribute to atherosclerosis; therefore, SPC and its unidentified target receptor offer a starting point for the development of a treatment for atherosclerosis.