bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Outdoor Air Pollution and Incidence of Ischemic and Hemorrhagic Stroke
Authors: Maheswaran Ravi , Pearson Tim , Smeeton Nigel C. , Beevers Sean D. , Campbell Michael J. , Wolfe Charles D. 
Published: October 2011

Background and Purpose—
Evidence linking outdoor air pollution and incidence of stroke is limited. We examined effects of outdoor air pollution on the incidence of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke at the population level focusing on middle-aged and older people.

Methods—

We used a small-area level ecological study design and a stroke register set up to capture all incident cases of first-ever stroke occurring in a defined geographical area in south London (948 census output areas) where road traffic contributes to spatial variation in air pollution. Population-weighted averages were calculated for output areas using outdoor nitrogen dioxide and PM
10
concentrations modeled at a 20-m resolution.

Results—

There were 1832 ischemic and 348 hemorrhagic strokes in 1995 to 2004 occurring among a resident population of 267 839. Mean (SD) concentration was 25.1 (1.2) μg/m
3
(range, 23.3–36.4 μg/m
3
) for PM
10
and 41.4 (3.0) μg/m
3
(range, 35.4–68.0 μg/m
3
) for nitrogen dioxide. For ischemic stroke, adjusted rate ratios per 10-μg/m
3
increase, for all ages, 40 to 64 and 65 to 79 years, respectively, were 1.22 (0.77–1.93), 1.12 (0.55–2.28), and 1.86 (1.10–3.13) for PM
10
and 1.11 (0.93–1.32), 1.13 (0.86–1.50), and 1.23 (0.99–1.53) for nitrogen dioxide. For hemorrhagic stroke, the corresponding rate ratios were 0.52 (0.20–1.37), 0.78 (0.17–3.51), and 0.51 (0.12–2.22) for PM
10
and 0.86 (0.60–1.24), 1.12 (0.66–1.90), and 0.78 (0.44–1.39) for nitrogen dioxide.

Conclusions—
Although there was no significant association between outdoor air pollutants and ischemic stroke incidence for all ages combined, there was a suggestion of increased risk among people aged 65 to 79 years. There was no evidence of increased incidence in hemorrhagic stroke.
Restricted Diffusion in Spinal Cord Infarction Demonstrated by Magnetic Resonance Line Scan Diffusion Imaging
Authors: Nogueira Raul G. , Ferreira Rafael , Grant P. Ellen , Maier Stephan E. , Koroshetz Walter J. , Gonzalez Ramon G. , Sheth Kevin N. 
Published: October 2011

Background and Purpose—
We report on the use of line scan diffusion magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of spinal cord infarctions.

Methods—
Data on 19 patients with clinical findings consistent with spinal cord infarctions and abnormal findings on line scan diffusion imaging were reviewed. The Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) measurements for the normal spinal cord and for the areas of abnormality were calculated from trace ADC maps.

Results—

Restricted diffusion was found in all 19 patients. Absolute ADC values in the ischemic area ranged between 395.4 and 575.8×10
−6
mm
2
/s, with ADC ratios ranging between 39.4% and 57.4%.

Conclusions—
Line scan diffusion imaging is technically feasible and appears to be a reliable method to diagnose spinal cord infarction in the acute setting.
Fasudil Decreases Lesion Burden in a Murine Model of Cerebral Cavernous Malformation Disease
Authors: McDonald David A. , Shi Changbin , Shenkar Robert , Stockton Rebecca A. , Liu Feifei , Ginsberg Mark H. , Marchuk Douglas A. , Awad Issam A. 
Published: October 2011

Background and Purpose—
Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are characterized by grossly dilated capillaries, associated with vascular leak and hemorrhage, and occur in sporadic or inherited (autosomal-dominant) forms with mutations in 1 of 3 gene loci (CCM 1, 2 or 3). We previously reported that the CCM1 protein (KRIT1) localizes to endothelial cell–cell junctions and loss of KRIT1 leads to junctional instability associated with activation of RhoA and its effector Rho kinase. Although Rho kinase inhibition has been proposed as potential therapy for CCM, there has been no demonstration of a therapeutic effect on CCM lesion genesis in vivo.

Methods—

Our recently generated a model of CCM1 disease (
Ccm1
+/−
Msh2
−/−
) was treated with the Rho kinase inhibitor fasudil (100 mg/kg/day administered in drinking water from weaning to 5 months of age), or placebo, and blindly assessed CCM lesion burden by systematic survey of animals' brains. For comparison, we also assessed therapeutic effect in previously described
Ccm2
+/−
Trp53
−/−
mice treated with the same dose and duration of fasudil and placebo.

Results—

Fasudil-treated
Ccm1
+/−
Msh2
−/−
mice had a significantly decreased prevalence of CCM lesions compared with placebo controls. Lesions in treated animals were smaller and less likely associated with hemorrhage, inflammation, and endothelial proliferation and exhibited decreased expression of Rho kinase activation biomarkers. A therapeutic effect was also documented in
Ccm2
+/−
Trp53
−/−
mice.

Conclusions—
This represents the first report of therapeutic benefit of pharmacological therapy in development and progression of CCMs and indicates that Rho kinase activation is a critical step in CCM lesion genesis and maturation.
Carotid Arterial Wall Characteristics Are Associated With Incident Ischemic Stroke But Not Coronary Heart Disease in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study
Authors: Yang Eric Y. , Chambless Lloyd , Sharrett A. Richey , Virani Salim S. , Liu Xiaoxi , Tang Zhengzheng , Boerwinkle Eric , Ballantyne Christie M. , Nambi Vijay 
Published: October 2011

Background and Purpose—
Ultrasound measurements of arterial stiffness are associated with atherosclerosis risk factors, but limited data exist on their association with incident cardiovascular events. We evaluated the association of carotid ultrasound-derived arterial stiffness measures with incident coronary heart disease (CHD) and ischemic stroke in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study.

Methods—
Carotid arterial strain and compliance, distensibility and stiffness indices, pressure–strain, and Young elastic moduli were measured in 10 407 individuals using ultrasound. Hazard ratios for incident CHD (myocardial infarction, fatal CHD, coronary revascularization) and stroke in minimally adjusted (age, sex, center, race) and fully adjusted models (minimally adjusted model+diabetes, height, weight, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, tobacco use, systolic blood pressure, antihypertensive medication use, and carotid intima-media thickness) were calculated.

Results—
The mean age was 55.3 years. Over a mean follow-up of 13.8 years, 1267 incident CHD and 383 ischemic stroke events occurred. After full adjustment for risk factors and carotid intima-media thickness, all arterial stiffness parameters (carotid arterial strain hazard ratio [HR], 1.14 [95% CI, 1.02–1.28]; arterial distensibility HR, 1.19 [1.02–1.39]; stiffness indices HR, 1.14 [1.04–1.25]; pressure–strain HR, 1.17 [1.06–1.28]; Young elastic moduli HR, 1.13 [1.03–1.24]), except arterial compliance (HR, 1.02 [0.90–1.16], were significantly associated with incident stroke but not with CHD.

Conclusions—
After adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors, ultrasound measures of carotid arterial stiffness are associated with incident ischemic stroke but not incident CHD events despite that the 2 outcomes sharing similar risk factors.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00005131.
Pilot Safety Trial of Deferiprone in 10 Subjects With Superficial Siderosis
Authors: Levy Michael , Llinas Rafael 
Published: October 2011

Background and Purpose—
Superficial siderosis is a neurodegenerative disease caused by toxic accumulation of hemosiderin on the surface of the brain and spinal cord for which there is no known effective treatment.

Methods—
Oral deferiprone, a lipid-soluble iron chelator with ability to cross the blood–brain barrier, at a dose of 30 mg/kg per day was tested for safety in an open pilot study in 10 subjects with superficial siderosis.

Results—
Over a 90-day period, deferiprone had no significant adverse effects on hematologic, liver, or neurological function. Ad hoc MRI assessments of the brain indicated a reduction in hemosiderin deposition in some subjects.

Conclusions—
Deferiprone proved safe in this small population of superficial siderosis subjects. There was MRI evidence of reduced hemosiderin deposition with deferiprone. Prospectively designed efficacy studies are necessary to determine the clinical efficacy of deferiprone in superficial siderosis.
Effects of Gender on the Phenotype of CADASIL
Authors: Gunda Bence , Hervé Dominique , Godin Ophelia , Bruno Martina , Reyes Sonia , Alili Nassira , Opherk Christian , Jouvent Eric , Düring Marco , Bousser Marie-Germaine , Dichgans Martin , Chabriat Hugues 
Published: October 2011

Background and Purpose—
In the general population, migraine, cerebrovascular diseases, and vascular dementia differ in many aspects between men and women. CADASIL is considered a unique model to investigate migraine with aura, stroke, and dementia related to ischemic small vessel disease. This study aims to evaluate the effect of gender on the main clinical and neuroimaging characteristics of CADASIL.

Methods—
Cross-sectional data from 313 CADASIL patients including various clinical and cognitive scores and MRI parameters were compared between men and women, and between those younger and older than the median age of the population corresponding to the usual age of menopause (51 years).

Results—
At younger than 51 years, migraine with aura was 50% more prevalent in women and stroke was 75% more prevalent in men. After the fifth decade, men had higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and Rankin scores than women and more severe executive dysfunction, although global cognitive scores were similar. Age at first stroke, the number of stroke events, and the prevalence of dementia and psychiatric symptoms did not differ between men and women. Brain volume was lower in men with a trend for a larger volume of lacunar infarcts.

Conclusions—
In CADASIL, migraine with aura is more frequent in women and stroke is more frequent in men before the age of menopause. This difference seems to vanish after this age limit but may result in a higher degree of cognitive impairment and cerebral atrophy in men at the late stage of the disease. The presumable role of ovarian hormones in these gender-related differences remains to be explored.
Gross Domestic Product and Health Expenditure Associated With Incidence, 30-Day Fatality, and Age at Stroke Onset
Authors: Sposato Luciano A. , Saposnik Gustavo 
Published: October 2011

Background and Purpose—
Differences in definitions of socioeconomic status and between study designs hinder their comparability across countries. We aimed to analyze the correlation between 3 widely used macrosocioeconomic status indicators and clinical outcomes.

Methods—
We selected population-based studies reporting incident stroke risk and/or 30-day case-fatality according to prespecified criteria. We used 3 macrosocioeconomic status indicators that are consistently defined by international agencies: per capita gross domestic product adjusted for purchasing power parity, total health expenditures per capita at purchasing power parity, and unemployment rate. We examined the correlation of each macrosocioeconomic status indicator with incident risk of stroke, 30-day case-fatality, proportion of hemorrhagic strokes, and age at stroke onset.

Results—

Twenty-three articles comprising 30 population-based studies fulfilled the eligibility criteria. Age-adjusted incident risk of stroke using the standardized World Health Organization World population was associated to lower per capita gross domestic product adjusted for purchasing power parity (ρ=−0.661,
P
=0.027,
R
2
=0.32) and total health expenditures per capita at purchasing power parity (ρ=−0.623,
P
=0.040,
R
2
=0.26). Thirty-day case-fatality rates and proportion of hemorrhagic strokes were also related to lower per capita gross domestic product adjusted for purchasing power parity and total health expenditures per capita at purchasing power parity. Moreover, stroke occurred at a younger age in populations with low per capita gross domestic product adjusted for purchasing power parity and total health expenditures per capita at purchasing power parity. There was no correlation between unemployment rates and outcome measures.

Conclusions—
Lower per capita gross domestic product adjusted for purchasing power parity and total health expenditures per capita at purchasing power parity were associated with higher incident risk of stroke, higher case-fatality, a greater proportion of hemorrhagic strokes, and lower age at stroke onset. As a result, these macrosocioeconomic status indicators may be used as proxy measures of quality of primary prevention and acute care and considered as important factors for developing strategies aimed at improving worldwide stroke care.
Mutation Rate Matters Even When Optimizing Monotonic Functions
Authors: Doerr Benjamin , Jansen Thomas , Sudholt Dirk , Winzen Carola , Zarges Christine 
Published: October 2011

Extending previous analyses on function classes like linear functions, we analyze how the simple (1+1) evolutionary algorithm optimizes pseudo-Boolean functions that are strictly monotonic. These functions have the property that whenever only 0-bits are changed to 1, then the objective value strictly increases. Contrary to what one would expect, not all of these functions are easy to optimize. The choice of the constant c in the mutation probability p(n)=c/n can make a decisive difference. We show that if c<1, then the (1+1) EA finds the optimum of every such function in [Formula: see text] iterations. For c=1, we can still prove an upper bound of O(n3/2). However, for [Formula: see text], we present a strictly monotonic function such that the (1+1) EA with overwhelming probability needs [Formula: see text] iterations to find the optimum. This is the first time that we observe that a constant factor change of the mutation probability changes the runtime by more than a constant factor.
Reversed Spatial Asymmetries between El Niño and La Niña and Their Linkage to Decadal ENSO Modulation in CMIP3 Models
Authors: Yu Jin-Yi , Kim Seon Tae 
Published: October 2011

Abstract
This study examines preindustrial simulations from Coupled Model Intercomparison Project, phase 3 (CMIP3), models to show that a tendency exists for El Niño sea surface temperature anomalies to be located farther eastward than La Niña anomalies during strong El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events but farther westward than La Niña anomalies during weak ENSO events. Such reversed spatial asymmetries are shown to force a slow change in the tropical Pacific Ocean mean state that in return modulates ENSO amplitude. CMIP3 models that produce strong reversed asymmetries experience cyclic modulations of ENSO intensity, in which strong and weak events occur during opposite phases of a decadal variability mode associated with the residual effects of the reversed asymmetries. It is concluded that the reversed spatial asymmetries enable an ENSO–tropical Pacific mean state interaction mechanism that gives rise to a decadal modulation of ENSO intensity and that at least three CMIP3 models realistically simulate this interaction mechanism.
Therapeutic Factors in Patient Groups with Psychosis
Authors: García-Cabeza Ignacio , Ducajú Mauricio , Chapela Esther , González de Chávez Manuel 
Published: October 2011

Therapeutic factors in group therapy are a series of action mechanisms that contribute to change in therapeutic processes. They are inherent to group dynamics and interaction, yet are not necessarily associated with a therapist’s intervention. These factors are elemental components of a therapeutic change phenomenon derived from the group matrix. We present five studies that thoroughly evaluate these therapy factors within groups of patients diagnosed with psychosis. All factors are measured with the Yalom Q-sort questionnaire that defines factors based on their value given by the patients. We evaluate and report these value differences between group context, patient diagnosis, and therapeutic orientation. Therapeutic factors act independently of diagnoses, theoretical framework, and classification; they are intrinsic components of unique group dynamics. In general, the factor claimed to be most important in patients with severe mental disorders was the instillation of hope.
RETRACTED: Ameliorative effect of vitamin C on hexavalent chromium-induced delay in sexual maturation and oxidative stress in developing Wistar rat ovary and uterus
Authors: Samuel Jawahar B , Stanley Jone A , Vengatesh Ganapathy , Princess Rajendran A , Muthusami Sridhar , Roopha Dailiah P , Suthagar Esakky , Kumar Kathiresh M , Sebastian Maria S , Aruldhas Michael M 
Published: October 2011

At the request of the Editor and the Publisher, the following article: Samuel JB, Stanley JA, Vengatesh G, Princess RA, Muthusami S, Roopha DP, Suthagar E, Kumar KM, Sebastian MS, Aruldhas MM. (2012) Ameliorative effect of vitamin C on hexavalent chromium-induced delay in sexual maturation and oxidative stress in developing Wistar rat ovary and uterus, Toxicology and Industrial Health 28(8): 720-733. DOI: 10.1177/0748233711422728 http://tih.sagepub.com/content/28/8/720.abstract has been retracted from Toxicology and Industrial Health due to redundant publication by the same group of authors in another journal: Samuel JB, Stanley JA, Roopha DP, Vengatesh G, Anbalagan J, Banu SK, Aruldhas MM. (2011) Lactational hexavalent chromium exposure-induced oxidative stress in rat uterus is associated with delayed puberty and impaired gonadotropin levels, Human & Experimental Toxicology 30(2):91-101. DOI: 10.1177/0960327110364638 http://het.sagepub.com/content/30/2/91.abstract The two papers have used the same data and reporting with the Toxicology and Industrial Health manuscript inserting Vitamin C to differ the reporting. Additionally, the Toxicology and Industrial Health manuscript does not provide citations to original work by another author.
The redox-sensitive transcription factor Nrf2 regulates murine hematopoietic stem cell survival independently of ROS levels
Authors: Merchant Akil A. , Singh Anju , Matsui William , Biswal Shyam 
Published: October 2011

Abstract
Several studies have found that high levels of reactive oxidative species (ROS) are associated with stem cell dysfunction. In the present study, we investigated the role of nuclear factor erythroid-2–related factor 2 (Nrf2), a master regulator of the antioxidant response, and found that it is required for hematopoietic stem progenitor cell (HSPC) survival and myeloid development. Although the loss of Nrf2 leads to increased ROS in most tissues, basal ROS levels in Nrf2-deficient (Nrf2−/−) BM were not elevated compared with wild-type. Nrf2−/− HSPCs, however, had increased rates of spontaneous apoptosis and showed decreased survival when exposed to oxidative stress. Nrf2−/− BM demonstrated defective stem cell function, as evidenced by reduced chimerism after transplantation that was not rescued by treatment with the antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine. Gene-expression profiling revealed that the levels of prosurvival cytokines were reduced in Nrf2−/− HSPCs. Treatment with the cytokine G-CSF improved HSPC survival after exposure to oxidative stress and rescued the transplantation defect in Nrf2−/− cells despite increases in ROS induced by cytokine signaling. These findings demonstrate a critical role for Nrf2 in hematopoiesis and stem cell survival that is independent of ROS levels.
Engineering pro-angiogenic peptides using stable, disulfide-rich cyclic scaffolds
Authors: Chan Lai Y. , Gunasekera Sunithi , Henriques Sonia T. , Worth Nathalie F. , Le Sarah-Jane , Clark Richard J. , Campbell Julie H. , Craik David J. , Daly Norelle L. 
Published: October 2011

Abstract
Fragments from the extracellular matrix proteins laminin and osteopontin and a sequence from VEGF have potent proangiogenic activity despite their small size (< 10 residues). However, these linear peptides have limited potential as drug candidates for therapeutic angiogenesis because of their poor stability. In the present study, we show that the therapeutic potential of these peptides can be significantly improved by “grafting” them into cyclic peptide scaffolds. Momordica cochinchinensis trypsin inhibitor-II (MCoTI-II) and sunflower trypsin inhibitor-1 (SFTI-1), naturally occurring, plant-derived cyclic peptides of 34 and 14 residues, respectively, were used as scaffolds in this study. Using this approach, we have designed a peptide that, in contrast to the small peptide fragments, is stable in human serum and at nanomolar concentration induces angiogenesis in vivo. This is the first report of using these scaffolds to improve the activity and stability of angiogenic peptide sequences and is a promising approach for promoting angiogenesis for therapeutic uses.
Publication bias is present in blood and marrow transplantation: an analysis of abstracts at an international meeting
Authors: Paulson Kristjan , Saeed Mahwash , Mills Jennifer , Cuvelier Geoff D. E. , Kumar Rajat , Raymond Colette , Robinson Tracy , Szwajcer David , Wall Donna , Seftel Matthew D. 
Published: October 2011

Abstract
Publication bias is the preferential publication of research with positive results, and is a threat to the validity of medical literature. Preliminary evidence suggests that research in blood and marrow transplantation (BMT) lacks publication bias. We evaluated publication bias at an international conference, the 2006 Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR)/American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (ASBMT) “tandem” meeting. All abstracts were categorized by type of research, funding status, number of centers, sample size, and direction of the results. Publication status was then determined for the abstracts by searching PubMed. Of 501 abstracts, 217 (43%) were later published as complete manuscripts. Abstracts with positive results were more likely to be published than those with negative or unstated results (P = .001). Furthermore, positive studies were published in journals with a mean impact factor of 6.92, whereas journals in which negative/unstated studies were published had an impact factor of only 4.30 (P = .02). We conclude that publication bias exists in the BMT literature. Full publication of research, regardless of direction of results, should be encouraged and the BMT community should be aware of the existence of publication bias.
Mast cells in COPD airways: relationship to bronchodilator responsiveness and angiogenesis
Authors: Soltani Amir , Ewe Yean Pin , Lim Zhen Sheng , Sohal Sukhwinder S. , Reid David , Weston Steve , Wood-Baker Richard , Walters E. Haydn 
Published: October 2011

We have investigated whether mast cells are associated with bronchodilator responsiveness and airway vascular changes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) airways. We have previously shown that the reticular basement membrane is hypervascular and the lamina propria is hypovascular in COPD.Bronchial biopsies from 32 COPD subjects, 15 smokers with normal lung function and 17 controls, were immunostained for factor VIII, mast cell tryptase and chymase antibodies. Mast cells in the airway smooth muscle, the reticular basement membrane and the underlying lamina propria were quantitated.41% of COPD subjects had significant bronchodilator responsiveness, but this was not related to smooth muscle mast cell numbers. The reticular basement membrane had greater mast cell density in all groups compared with controls (p<0.01). In this compartment, perivascular mast cell density was related to hypervascularity. Lamina propria mast cell density was increased only in COPD (p<0.05). Perivascular mast cell density in the lamina propria was not related to its decreased vessel density.Bronchodilator responsiveness in COPD is not related to large airway smooth muscle mast cells of either type; both reticular basement membrane and lamina propria mast cells are increased in COPD patients, and perivascular mast cells may be involved in increased angiogenesis in the reticular basement membrane.