bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical features of hepatic myelopathy in patients with chronic liver disease
Authors: Yin Y H , Ma Z J , Guan Y H , Ren Y D , Zhang Z L 
Published: March 2009

Abstract

Aim
To determine the clinical features of hepatic myelopathy (HM), a rare condition associated with chronic liver disease (CLD), in patients in the city of Harbin, China.

Methods
The medical files of 13 patients with HM were selected from 500 randomly chosen files of CLD patients registered in four Harbin hospitals. General information on all cases was summarised and clinical features were compared between HM positive patients (HM group) and HM negative CLD patients (control group). Detailed analysis of the clinical characteristics of HM positive patients was undertaken.

Results
The patients in the HM group ranged in age from 41–50 years, which did not differ significantly from the control group. However, the sex ratio in the HM group (12 males/1 female) was significantly higher (p&lt;0.05) than in the control group (342 males/145 females).The most frequent underlying aetiology was post type B hepatitis (12 cases). All cases in the HM group had a history of relapsing hepatic encephalopathy (HE) before or after HM onset, and showed electroencephalographic (EEG) abnormalities; however, the results of spinal cord magnetic resonance imaging were negative, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis findings were normal. Except for clinical manifestations of bilateral lower limb spastic paralysis, the two groups did not differ significantly in regard to other symptoms or signs. Hypoproteinaemia (positive predictive value (PPV) 5.69%, negative predictive value (NPV) 99.65%), blood ammonia elevation (PPV 5.29%, NPV, 99.32%) and abnormal EEG (PPV 5.00%, NPV 100.00%) were sensitive and specific for HM diagnosis.

Conclusion
In Harbin, HM is found mainly among middle aged men with CLD caused by viral hepatitis and accompanied by relapsing onset of HE. Bilateral lower limb spastic paralysis with hypoproteinaemia, blood ammonia elevation and/or abnormal EEG are significant diagnostic indicators of HM.
Conditional Promises and Threats in Germany, China, and Tonga: Cognition and Emotion
Authors: Beller Sieghard , Bender Andrea , Song Jie 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
Conditional promises and threats are speech acts that aim at changing another person's behavior according to one's own goals. They combine several components on different levels: goals and incentives/penalties on the motivational level, formulations on the linguistic level, obligations on the deontic level, action sequences on the behavioral level, and affective responses on the emotional level. In a cross-cultural study – comparing Germany, China, and the Kingdom of Tonga – we examined the extent to which the cognitive understanding of conditional promises and threats on the various levels is shared across cultures. The results support conceptual universality, but also show that the different components are specifically affected by cultural conventions and values that shape communication styles, moral rules, and attribution tendencies.
Evolution of the class C GPCR Venus flytrap modules involved positive selected functional divergence
Authors: Cao Jianhua , Huang Siluo , Qian Ji , Huang Jinlin , Jin Li , Su Zhixi , Yang Ji , Liu Jianfeng 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackgroundClass C G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) represent a distinct group of the GPCR family, which structurally possess a characteristically distinct extracellular domain inclusive of the Venus flytrap module (VFTM). The VFTMs of the class C GPCRs is responsible for ligand recognition and binding, and share sequence similarity with bacterial periplasmic amino acid binding proteins (PBPs). An extensive phylogenetic investigation of the VFTMs was conducted by analyzing for functional divergence and testing for positive selection for five typical groups of the class C GPCRs. The altered selective constraints were determined to identify the sites that had undergone functional divergence via positive selection. In order to structurally demonstrate the pattern changes during the evolutionary process, three-dimensional (3D) structures of the GPCR VFTMs were modelled and reconstructed from ancestral VFTMs.ResultsOur results show that the altered selective constraints in the VFTMs of class C GPCRs are statistically significant. This implies that functional divergence played a key role in characterizing the functions of the VFTMs after gene duplication events. Meanwhile, positive selection is involved in the evolutionary process and drove the functional divergence of the VFTMs. Our results also reveal that three continuous duplication events occurred in order to shape the evolutionary topology of class C GPCRs. The five groups of the class C GPCRs have essentially different sites involved in functional divergence, which would have shaped the specific structures and functions of the VFTMs.ConclusionTaken together, our results show that functional divergence involved positive selection and is partially responsible for the evolutionary patterns of the class C GPCR VFTMs. The sites involved in functional divergence will provide more clues and candidates for further research on structural-function relationships of these modules as well as shedding light on the activation mechanism of the class C GPCRs.
Patterns of Respiratory Disease During the First 2 Postnatal Weeks in Extremely Premature Infants
Authors: Laughon Matthew , Allred Elizabeth N. , Bose Carl , O'Shea T. Michael , Van Marter Linda J. , Ehrenkranz Richard A. , Leviton Alan ,   for the ELGAN Study Investigators
Published: March 2009

BACKGROUND. Pulmonary disease among infants of &lt;28 weeks' gestation (extremely low gestational age newborns) often has the following pattern: the infant starts out with little need for supplemental oxygen and ventilatory support in the first postnatal week but then has pulmonary deterioration in the second postnatal week, with an increased need for supplemental oxygen and respiratory support. We evaluated the antecedents and correlates of patterns of early lung disease, with particular emphasis on pulmonary deterioration, in a large cohort study (the Extremely Low Gestational Age Newborn [ELGAN] study).
PATIENTS AND METHODS. We examined data collected prospectively on 1340 infants born between 2002 and 2004 at 23 to 27 completed weeks of gestation and who survived to 14 days. Pulmonary deterioration was defined as receipt of fraction of inspired oxygen &lt; 0.23 on any day between days 3 and 7 and receipt of fraction of inspired oxygen ≥ 0.25 on day 14.
RESULTS. One fifth (20%) of the infants had consistently low fraction of inspired oxygen, approximately two fifths (38%) had pulmonary deterioration, and the remaining approximately two fifths (43%) had consistently high fraction of inspired oxygen (early and persistent lung dysfunction). Compared with infants who had consistently low fraction of inspired oxygen, infants who experienced pulmonary deterioration had lower gestational ages and lower birth weights, had higher scores for neonatal acute physiology, and received more intensive modes of respiratory support. Gender, multifetal pregnancy, cesarean delivery, antenatal steroids, chorioamnionitis, and funisitis were not associated with pulmonary deterioration. The incidence of chronic lung disease, defined as oxygen therapy at 36 weeks' postmenstrual age, was 17% in the consistently low fraction of inspired oxygen group, 51% in the pulmonary deterioration group, and 67% in the early and persistent pulmonary dysfunction group. The incidence of death in these 3 groups before 36 weeks' postmenstrual age was 1%, 3%, and 5%, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS. Nearly 40% of extremely low gestational age newborns experience pulmonary deterioration in the first 2 postnatal weeks, and half of these infants develop chronic lung disease. Indicators of developmental immaturity and illness severity were associated with both pulmonary deterioration and chronic lung disease. Studying the antecedents of pulmonary deterioration might provide new insights about chronic lung disease pathogenesis.
Follow-up Outcomes at 1 and 2 Years of Infants Born Less Than 32 Weeks After Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program
Authors: Maguire Celeste M. , Walther Frans J. , van Zwieten Paul H. T. , Le Cessie Saskia , Wit Jan M. , Veen Sylvia ,   on behalf of the Leiden Developmental Care Project
Published: March 2009

OBJECTIVE. This was a randomized, controlled trial to investigate the effect of Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program on growth, cognitive, psychomotor, and neuromotor development at 1 and 2 years in infants born at &lt;32 weeks’ gestational age.METHODS. Infants were randomly assigned within 48 hours of birth to the newborn individualized developmental care and assessment program group (intervention) or basic developmental care group (control group [ie, incubator covers and nests]). At 1 and 2 years’ corrected age, growth was measured and standardized neurologic examinations were administered. Mental and psychomotor development was assessed by using the Dutch version of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II. Neurologic outcome, Psychomotor Developmental Index, and Mental Developmental Index scores were combined a total outcome measure.RESULTS. One hundred sixty-eight infants were recruited (intervention: 84; control: 84). Four infants (newborn intervention: 3; control: 1) were excluded because they were admitted less than or died within the first 5 days, leaving a total of 164 infants who met inclusion criteria. In-hospital mortality was 8 of 81 in the intervention group and 3 of 83 in the control group. At 1 year of age 148 children (intervention: 70; control: 78) and at 2 years of age 146 children (intervention: 68; control: 78) were assessed. There was no significant difference in growth at 1 and 2 years of age. There was no significant difference found in neurologic outcomes or mental and psychomotor development at 1 and 2 years of age. When neurologic outcome, Mental Developmental Index and Psychomotor Developmental Index scores were combined, there still remained no significant difference.CONCLUSIONS. Newborn individualized developmental care and assessment program developmental care showed no effect on growth or neurologic, mental, or psychomotor development at 1 and 2 years of age in infants born at &lt;32 weeks. Duration of the intervention was not associated with neurologic and developmental outcome.
Trematode Centrocestus formosanus Infection and Distribution in Ornamental Fishes in Mexico
Authors: Ortega César , Fajardo Raúl , Enríquez Ricardo 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the ornamental fish species affected by the metacercariae of the digenean trematode Centrocestus formosanus and its distribution in 48 fish farms in Morelos, central Mexico. The parasite was found to form various numbers of branchial cysts in 11 of the 25 species analyzed. Goldfish Carassius auratus was the most commonly affected species; 20 of 30 farms were positive for this parasite, the fish showing severe clinical signs and having a high mortality rate. For the first time in the region, koi (a variant of common carp Cyprinus carpio), zebrafish Danio rerio, suckermouth catfish Hypostomus plecostomus and blue gourami Trichogaster trichopterus (also known as the threespot gourami) were positive; meanwhile, Mexican tetra Astyanax mexicanus, which had previously been reported positive in other studies in this region, was found to be negative. The parasite was observed in fish from 27 of the 48 farms studied. Ten of 15 municipalities had farms that were positive for the parasite. These results suggest that the distribution of C. formosanus is closely related to the use of water that had been contaminated with the parasite and to the presence of a snail, the red-rimmed melania Melanoides tuberculata.
Summer Ozone Concentrations in Zagreb Area
Authors: Pehnec Gordana , Vađić Vladimira , Bešlić Ivan , Žužul Silva 
Published: March 2009

Summer Ozone Concentrations in Zagreb Area
Ozone concentrations were measured at three sites in Zagreb (Croatia) in the summer of 2005. Two measuring sites were in urban areas, while the third site was in a rural area about 30 km to the south from the centre of Zagreb. Hourly ozone averages varied between 1 μg m-3 and 209 μg m-3. Average concentrations were the lowest in the rural area, even though elevated concentrations were recorded occasionally. However, the weather conditions during measurements were untypical for that time of the year; over the summer of 2005 there were many rainy and cloudy days. Ozone concentrations at all three sites were the highest on Saturdays and Sundays, and the lowest on Thursdays. All the results were analysed with regard to the meteorological conditions (wind velocity and direction, temperature, relative humidity).
Disturbance of Cell Proliferation in Response to Mobile Phone Frequency Radiation
Authors: Trošić Ivančica , Pavičić Ivan 
Published: March 2009

Disturbance of Cell Proliferation in Response to Mobile Phone Frequency Radiation
The aim of study was to determine the influence of mobile phone frequency radiation on the proliferation, cytoskeleton structure, and mitotic index of V79 cells after 1 h, 2 h, and 3 h of exposure. V79 cells were cultured in standard laboratory conditions and exposed to continuous-wave (CW) RF/MW radiation of 935 MHz, electric field strength of (8.2±0.3) V m-1, and specific absorption rate (SAR) of 0.12 W kg-1. To identify proliferation kinetics, the cells were counted for each hour of exposure 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, and 96 h after respective exposures. Microtubule proteins were determined using specific immunocytochemical methods. Cell smears were analysed under a fluorescent microscope. The study included negative and positive controls. Mitotic index was determined by estimating the number of dividing cells 24 h after exposure and dividing it with the total number of cells. In comparison to the controls, cell proliferation declined in cells exposed for three hours 72 h after irradiation (p<0.05). Microtubule structure was clearly altered immediately after three hours of irradiation (p<0.05). The mitotic index in RF/MW-exposed cells did not differ from negative controls. However, even if exposure did not affect the number of dividing cells, it may have slowed down cell division kinetics as a consequence of microtubule impairment immediately after exposure.
Optimal Methods of Antigen Retrieval for Organic Anion Transporters in Cryosections of the Rat Kidney
Authors: Brzica Hrvoje , Breljak Davorka , Ljubojević Marija , Balen Daniela , Micek Vedran , Anzai Naohiko , Sabolić Ivan 
Published: March 2009

Optimal Methods of Antigen Retrieval for Organic Anion Transporters in Cryosections of the Rat Kidney
To localise antigens by immunocytochemistry (IC), the samples of tissues or cells are usually denatured by fixation, and either frozen and cryosectioned, or embedded in paraffin before sectioning. p-Formaldehyde (PFA; formalin) is a common fixative, which preserves antigenicity of proteins, but damages the tissue/cell morphology and "masks" the antibody binding sites (epitopes). In order to "unmask" epitopes, some kind of antigen retrieval (AR) is used. The aim of this study was: a) to find an optimal AR method in cryosections of in vivo PFA-fixed kidneys for organic anion transporters (Oat) that reside in the basolateral (Oat1, Oat3) and brush-border membrane (Oat2, Oat5) of the rat renal proximal tubules, and b) using optimal method, to compare IC staining of Oats in kidneys that had been PFA-fixed in vivo or in vitro. IC staining in untreated cryosections was compared with that following detergent treatment or microwave heating in citrate buffer of pH 3, pH 6, or pH 8, with or without alcohol pre-treatment. The preferred AR method for Oat1, Oat2, and Oat5 was heating of cryosections at pH 6, and for Oat3 heating at pH 3, without alcohol pre-treatment. Compared with tissue fixed in vivo, tissue fixed in vitro exhibited damaged tubule morphology, similar staining intensity of Oat1 and Oat3, and higher staining intensity of Oat2 and Oat5. We conclude that for optimal IC presentation, each Oat in the rat kidney has to be treated individually, with different fixation and AR approach.
Is Atopy Related to Neuroticism, Stress, and Subjective Quality of Life?
Authors: Radošević-Vidaček Biserka , Košćec Adrijana , Bakotić Marija , Macan Jelena , Bobić Jasminka 
Published: March 2009

Is Atopy Related to Neuroticism, Stress, and Subjective Quality of Life?
Different psychosocial characteristics have been associated with allergic disorders. The aim of this study was to examine whether atopic constitution and reports of allergic symptoms were related to personality trait of neuroticism, exposure to stressful life events and estimates of quality of life. Atopy was determined by skin prick test and reports of nasal and pulmonary allergy-related symptoms. Actively working individuals of both genders took part in the study (n=145, age range: 20 to 66 years). The participants were divided in three groups. The first group was composed of those with negative skin prick test and without symptoms (n=57), the second of those with positive skin prick test but without symptoms (n=28), and the third of those with positive skin prick test and symptoms (n=60). The groups did not differ significantly in neuroticism, exposure to stressful life events, or quality of life. Women reported more pronounced neuroticism and anxiety, higher exposure to stressful life events, and were less satisfied with their environment than men. In our sample of active workers we found no association of neuroticism, exposure to stressful life events, and quality of life with atopy and allergic symptoms.
Frontotemporal Dementias: Update on Recent Developments in Molecular Genetics and Neuropathology
Authors: Liščić Rajka 
Published: March 2009

Frontotemporal Dementias: Update on Recent Developments in Molecular Genetics and Neuropathology
Frontotemporal dementias (FTD) are the second most common type of presenile dementias, considered to be clinically and pathologically different from Alzheimer's dementia (AD). FTD differs clinically from AD because memory loss is rarely an early symptom. Instead, FTD is usually denoted by behavioural and language difficulties, and may co-occur with motor neuron disease (MND). Frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) with ubiquitin-positive, tau-negative inclusions (FTLD-U) is the most common underlying pathology with and without MND. TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43), encoded by the TARDBP gene, has been identified as the major pathological protein of FTLD-U with or without MND, demonstrating that abnormal TDP-43 alone is sufficient to cause neurodegeneration. FTLD is a genetically complex disorder. A proportion of cases of FTLD-U have various pathogenic mutations in the progranulin (GRN) gene. Other FTLD-U entities with TDP-43 proteinopathy include FTLD-U with valosin-containing protein (VCP) gene mutation and FTLD with MND linked to chromosome 9p. In contrast, chromosome 3-linked dementia, a FTLD-U with chromatic modifying protein 2B (CHMP2B) mutation, has TDP-43 negative inclusions. Thus, TDP-43 defines a novel class of neurodegenerative diseases called TDP-43 proteinopathies. These recent discoveries will contribute to an accurate diagnosis, and facilitate the development of diagnosis and therapy.
Clinical dental examinations of 357 donkeys in the UK. Part 1: Prevalence of dental disorders
Authors: du TOIT N. , BURDEN F. A. , DIXON P. M. 
Published: March 2009

Summary Reasons for performing study: Dental disorders have a high prevalence in older donkeys and horses, but the nature and pathogenesis of many of these disorders have yet to be established. Objectives: The identification and determination of the prevalence of important dental disorders in different age groups in a large single population of donkeys, to establish a better understanding of the nature and pathogenesis of these disorders. Methods: A prospective cross‐sectional study was performed on the donkey population at The Donkey Sanctuary with detailed oral examinations of 357 donkeys within 7 different age groups (age range 2–53 years) recorded. Results: The prevalence of dental disease in all donkeys was 73%, increasing in prevalence from 28% in the youngest to 98% in the oldest age group. There was an increase in prevalence of commonly recognised dental disorders with increasing age, such as: diastemata (3.8% in youngest to 86% in oldest group); missing teeth (0–56%); overgrown teeth (15–86%); worn teeth (8–84%); displaced teeth (0–38%); and periodontal disease (0–28%). Conclusions: There was a significant increase in the prevalence of dental disorders with increasing age with the largest significant increase for most dental disorders occurring in the 15–20 year age group. Potential significance: Most dental disorders significantly increase in prevalence in the 15–20 year age group and, therefore, prophylactic geriatric dental treatment in donkeys should be commenced from age 15 years.
Diffusion of contrast medium after perineural injection of the palmar nerves: Anin vivoandin vitrostudy
Authors: NAGY A. , BODO G. , DYSON S. J. , SZABO F. , BARR A. R. S. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryReasons for performing study: Proximal diffusion of local anaesthetic solution after perineural anaesthesia may lead to the desensitisation of structures other than those intended. However, there is no evidence‐based study demonstrating the potential distribution and diffusion of local anaesthetic solution after perineural analgesia in the distal limb.Objective: To document the potential diffusion of local anaesthetic solution using a radiopaque contrast model and to evaluate the influence of walking compared with confinement in a stable after injection.Methods: Radiopaque contrast medium was injected subcutaneously over one palmar nerve at the base of the proximal sesamoid bones in 6 nonlame mature horses. Horses were assigned randomly to stand still or walk after injection. Radiographs were obtained 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 min after injection and were analysed to determine the distribution and diffusion of the contrast medium.Results: In 89% of injections an elongated pattern of the contrast medium was observed suggesting distribution along the neurovascular bundle. After 49% of injections a fine radiopaque line extended proximally from the contrast ‘patch’, and in 25% of injections a line extended distally. There was significant proximal and distal diffusion with time when sequential radiographs of each limb were compared. The greatest diffusion occurred in the first 10 min. Walking did not significantly influence the extent of either proximal or distal diffusion.Conclusions and potential relevance: Significant proximal diffusion occurs in the first 10 min after perineural injection in the distal aspect of the limb and should be considered when interpreting nerve blocks. Distribution of local anaesthetic solution outside the fascia surrounding the neurovascular bundle or in lymphatic vessels may explain delayed or decreased effects.
Bone biomarkers and risk of fracture in two‐ and three‐year‐old Thoroughbreds
Authors: JACKSON B. F. , DYSON P. K. , LONNELL C. , VERHEYEN K. L. P. , PFEIFFER D. U. , PRICE J. S. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryThe aim of this study was to determine whether bone biomarkers (osteocalcin, PICP, ICTP and CTX‐I) could be used to identify 2‐ and 3‐year‐olds at increased risk of fracture in the subsequent flat racing season. It was concluded that these bone biomarkers cannot be used to identify 2‐ and 3‐year‐olds that sustain a fracture. Whether bone biomarkers have better predictive value in older horses or when measured serially in the same animal remains to be determined.