bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Butyrylcholinesterase Activity Predicts Long-Term Survival in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Goliasch Georg , Haschemi Arvand , Marculescu Rodrig , Endler Georg , Maurer Gerald , Wagner Oswald , Huber Kurt , Mannhalter Christine , Niessner Alexander 
Published: February 2012

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Low serum butyrylcholinesterase activity was associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in a community-based study; however, there are no data from investigations of the long-term effects of butyrylcholinesterase on mortality in patients with diagnosed coronary artery disease (CAD). We therefore assessed the effect of butyrylcholinesterase activity on the outcomes of patients with CAD.

METHODS AND RESULTS
We prospectively included 720 patients in our study: 293 patients with stable CAD and 427 patients with acute coronary syndrome. During a median follow-up of 11.3 years corresponding to 6469 overall person-years, 278 deaths (38.6%) were recorded. We detected a significant and independent protective effect of butyrylcholinesterase on all-cause mortality [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for a 1-SD increase, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.54–0.71; P &lt; 0.001] and cardiovascular mortality (adjusted HR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.54–0.76; P &lt; 0.001) in a Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. The 10-year survival rates were 42%, 74%, and 87% in the first, second, and third tertiles of butyrylcholinesterase activity. The presentation of CAD affected the effect of butyrylcholinesterase on mortality (P for interaction = 0.012), with a stronger association found in patients with stable CAD (adjusted HR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.45–0.70; P &lt; 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS
Our study demonstrates a strong inverse association between butyrylcholinesterase activity and long-term outcome in patients with known CAD. Because butyrylcholinesterase added predictive information after adjustment for established cardiovascular risk factors, additional underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and the potential applicability of butyrylcholinesterase activity for secondary risk prediction needs to be addressed in future studies.
Understanding and Predicting the Fitness Decline of Shrunk Populations: Inbreeding, Purging, Mutation, and Standard Selection
Authors: García-Dorado Aurora 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe joint consequences of inbreeding, natural selection, and deleterious mutation on mean fitness after population shrinkage are of great importance in evolution and can be critical to the conservation of endangered populations. I present simple analytical equations that predict these consequences, improving and extending a previous heuristic treatment. Purge is defined as the “extra” selection induced by inbreeding, due to the “extra” fitness disadvantage (2d) of homozygotes for (partially) recessive deleterious alleles. Its effect is accounted for by using, instead of the classical inbreeding coefficient f, a purged inbreeding coefficient g that is weighed by the reduction of the frequency of deleterious alleles caused by purging. When the effective size of a large population is reduced to a smaller stable value N (with Nd ≥ 1), the purged inbreeding coefficient after t generations can be predicted as gt ≈ [(1 – 1/2N) gt-1 + 1/2N](1 – 2d ft-1), showing how purging acts upon previously accumulated inbreeding and how its efficiency increases with N. This implies an early fitness decay, followed by some recovery. During this process, the inbreeding depression rate shifts from its ancestral value (δ) to that of the mutation–selection–drift balance corresponding to N (δ*), and standard selection cancels out the inbreeding depression ascribed to δ*. Therefore, purge and inbreeding operate only upon the remaining δ − δ*. The method is applied to the conservation strategy in which family contributions to the breeding pool are equal and is extended to make use of genealogical information. All these predictions are checked using computer simulation.
Neural Maintenance Roles for the Matrix Receptor Dystroglycan and the Nuclear Anchorage Complex in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Johnson Robert P , Kramer James M 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
Recent studies in Caenorhabditis elegans have revealed specific neural maintenance mechanisms that protect soma and neurites against mispositioning due to displacement stresses, such as muscle contraction. We report that C. elegans dystroglycan (DG) DGN-1 functions to maintain the position of lumbar neurons during late embryonic and larval development. In the absence of DGN-1 the cell bodies of multiple lumbar neuron classes are frequently displaced anterior of their normal positions. Early but not later embryonic panneural expression of DGN-1 rescues positional maintenance, suggesting that dystroglycan is required for establishment of a critical maintenance pathway that persists throughout later developmental stages. Lumbar neural maintenance requires only a membrane-tethered N-terminal domain of DGN-1 and may involve a novel extracellular partner for dystroglycan. A genetic screen for similar lumbar maintenance mutants revealed a role for the nesprin/SYNE family protein ANC-1 as well as for the extracellular protein DIG-1, previously implicated in lumbar neuron maintenance. The involvement of ANC-1 reveals a previously unknown role for nucleus–cytoskeleton interactions in neural maintenance. Genetic analysis indicates that lumbar neuron position is maintained in late embryos by parallel DGN-1/DIG-1 and ANC-1–dependent pathways, and in larvae by separate DGN-1 and ANC-1 pathways. The effect of muscle paralysis on late embryonic- or larval-stage maintenance defects in mutants indicates that lumbar neurons are subject to both muscle contraction-dependent and contraction-independent displacement stresses, and that different maintenance pathways may protect against specific types of displacement stress.
A Test for Selection Employing Quantitative Trait Locus and Mutation Accumulation Data
Authors: Rice Daniel P , Townsend Jeffrey P 
Published: February 2012

AbstractEvolutionary biologists attribute much of the phenotypic diversity observed in nature to the action of natural selection. However, for many phenotypic traits, especially quantitative phenotypic traits, it has been challenging to test for the historical action of selection. An important challenge for biologists studying quantitative traits, therefore, is to distinguish between traits that have evolved under the influence of strong selection and those that have evolved neutrally. Most existing tests for selection employ molecular data, but selection also leaves a mark on the genetic architecture underlying a trait. In particular, the distribution of quantitative trait locus (QTL) effect sizes and the distribution of mutational effects together provide information regarding the history of selection. Despite the increasing availability of QTL and mutation accumulation data, such data have not yet been effectively exploited for this purpose. We present a model of the evolution of QTL and employ it to formulate a test for historical selection. To provide a baseline for neutral evolution of the trait, we estimate the distribution of mutational effects from mutation accumulation experiments. We then apply a maximum-likelihood-based method of inference to estimate the range of selection strengths under which such a distribution of mutations could generate the observed QTL. Our test thus represents the first integration of population genetic theory and QTL data to measure the historical influence of selection.
TORC2 Signaling Is Antagonized by Protein Phosphatase 2A and the Far Complex in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Pracheil Tammy , Thornton Janet , Liu Zhengchang 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
The target of rapamycin (TOR) kinase, a central regulator of eukaryotic cell growth, exists in two essential, yet distinct, TOR kinase complexes in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae: rapamycin-sensitive TORC1 and rapamycin-insensitive TORC2. Lst8, a component of both TOR complexes, is essential for cell viability. However, it is unclear whether the essential function of Lst8 is linked to TORC1, TORC2, or both. To that end, we carried out a genetic screen to isolate lst8 deletion suppressor mutants. Here we report that mutations in SAC7 and FAR11 suppress lethality of lst8Δ and TORC2-deficient (tor2-21) mutations but not TORC1 inactivation, suggesting that the essential function of Lst8 is linked only to TORC2. More importantly, characterization of lst8Δ bypass mutants reveals a role for protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) in the regulation of TORC2 signaling. We show that Far11, a member of the Far3-7-8-9-10-11 complex involved in pheromone-induced cell cycle arrest, interacts with Tpd3 and Pph21, conserved components of PP2A, and deletions of components of the Far3-7-8-9-10-11 complex and PP2A rescue growth defects in lst8Δ and tor2-21 mutants. In addition, loss of the regulatory B′ subunit of PP2A Rts1 or Far11 restores phosphorylation to the TORC2 substrate Slm1 in a tor2-21 mutant. Mammalian Far11 orthologs FAM40A/B exist in a complex with PP2A known as STRIPAK, suggesting a conserved functional association of PP2A and Far11. Antagonism of TORC2 signaling by PP2A-Far11 represents a novel regulatory mechanism for controlling spatial cell growth of yeast.
Thermal Regeneration Model for Spent Montmorillonite Sorbent
Authors: Kostjukovs J. , Sarceviča I. , Actiņš A. 
Published: February 2012

Thermal Regeneration Model for Spent Montmorillonite Sorbent
The regeneration possibilities of montmorillonite after repeated heating in the temperature range of 300 °C - 450 °C were investigated. A simple technique for thermal regeneration of spent montmorillonite sorbent was developed. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), thermogravimetry/differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA), wavelength dispersion X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (WDXRF) and visible light spectrometry were employed for sample characterization. Heating at 300 °C allowed successful repeating of regeneration, at which the montmorillonite structure could be restored after several heating cycles. However, regeneration at about 450 °C resulted only in partial regeneration of montmorillonite structure. After three regeneration cycles at 450 °C the pseudo-illitization was irreversible.
Effects of intrathecal baclofen therapy on motor and cognitive functions in a rat model of cerebral palsy
Authors: Nomura Sadahiro , Kagawa Yoshiteru , Kida Hiroyuki , Maruta Yuichi , Imoto Hirochika , Fujii Masami , Suzuki Michiyasu 
Published: February 2012

Object
Cerebral palsy (CP) arises in the early stages of brain development and manifests as spastic paresis that is often associated with cognitive dysfunction. Available CP treatments are aimed at the management of spasticity and include botulinum toxin administration, selective dorsal rhizotomy, and intrathecal baclofen (ITB). In this study, the authors investigated whether the management of spasticity with ITB therapy affected motor function and whether the release of spasticity was associated with an improvement in intellectual function.

Methods
Newborn Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the following groups: control, CP model, and CP model with ITB therapy. For the CP model, postnatal Day 7 (P7) rats were exposed to hypoxic conditions (8% O2) for 150 minutes after ligation of the right common carotid artery. In the groups receiving ITB therapy, a spinal catheter was connected to an osmotic pump filled with baclofen and placed in the spinal subarachnoid space on P21 in the early group and on P35 in the late group. A daily dose of 12 μg of baclofen was continuously administered until P49, resulting in 28 days of therapy in the early group and 14 days in the late group. Changes in spasticity in the CP and CP with ITB treatment groups were confirmed by assessing the motor evoked potential in the plantar muscle.

Results
In the CP group, the time required to complete a beam-walking test on P49 was significantly longer than that in the control and ITB treatment groups (4.15 ± 0.60 vs 2.10 ± 0.18 and 2.22 ± 0.22 seconds, respectively). Results of the beam-walking test are expressed as the mean ± SD. Radial arm maze performance on P49 indicated that spatial reference memory had significantly deteriorated in the CP group compared with controls (2.33 ± 0.87 vs 0.86 ± 0.90 points); moreover, working memory was also negatively affected by CP (0.78 ± 1.09 vs 0.14 ± 0.38 points). Results of the memory tests are expressed as the mean ± SE. These memory functions did not recover after ITB treatment.

Conclusions
Management of spasticity with ITB therapy improved the walking ability in the rat CP model. Intrathecal baclofen therapy—which reduces harmful sensory and motor stimulations caused by spasticity to more optimal levels—contributed to motor function recovery; however, it had no effect on intellectual recovery as assessed by memory performance in the rat CP model.
Comparison of outcomes following decompressive craniectomy in children with accidental and nonaccidental blunt cranial trauma
Authors: Oluigbo Chima O. , Wilkinson C. Corbett , Stence Nicholas V. , Fenton Laura Z. , McNatt Sean A. , Handler Michael H. 
Published: February 2012

Object
The goal of this study was to compare clinical outcomes following decompressive craniectomy performed for intracranial hypertension in children with nonaccidental, blunt cranial trauma with outcomes of decompressive craniectomy in children injured by other mechanisms.

Methods
All children in a prospectively acquired database of trauma admissions who underwent decompressive craniectomy over a 9-year span, beginning January 1, 2000, are the basis for this study. Clinical records and neuroimaging studies were systematically reviewed.

Results
Thirty-seven children met the inclusion criteria. Nonaccidental head trauma was the most common mechanism of injury (38%). The mortality rate in patients with abusive brain injury (35.7%) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in patients with other causes of traumatic brain injury (4.3%). Children with inflicted head injuries had a 12-fold increase in the odds of death and 3-fold increase in the odds of a poor outcome (King's Outcome Scale for Closed Head Injury score of 1, 2, or 3).

Conclusions
Children with nonaccidental blunt cranial trauma have significantly higher mortality following decompressive craniectomy than do children with other mechanisms of injury. This understanding can be interpreted to mean either that the threshold for decompression should be lower in children with nonaccidental closed head injury or that decompression is unlikely to alter the path to a fatal outcome. If decompressive craniectomy is to be effective in reducing mortality in the setting of nonaccidental blunt cranial trauma, it should be done quite early.
Performance analysis of winter activity protection headgear for young children
Authors: Hoshizaki Blaine , Vassilyadi Michael , Post Andrew , Oeur Anna 
Published: February 2012

Object
The purpose of this study was to evaluate how currently used helmets would perform for winter play activities, such as tobogganing. In Canada and northern parts of the US, the advent of winter is followed by an increase in visits to hospital emergency departments by young children presenting with head injuries resulting from winter activities. Sliding, skating, skiing, and snowboarding all involve risks of head injury from situations such as falling on ice or sliding into stationary objects. This study compared the protective characteristics of helmets used by young children (< 7 years of age) participating in winter recreational activities.

Methods
Ice hockey, alpine ski, and bicycling helmets were impacted at 2.0, 4.0, 6.0, and 8.0 m/second at the front and side impact location by using a monorail drop rig.

Results
The results for the front impact showed that the ice hockey helmet protected the child significantly better at 2 and 4 m/second when considering both linear and angular peak acceleration. The bicycle helmet performed significantly better than the other 2 helmets at 8 m/second for the front location and only angularly for the side impacts.

Conclusions
Depending on the impact velocity of the hazard, the type of helmet significantly affected the risk of brain injury.
Development of secondary unilateral coronal suture synostosis with a sagittal suture synostosis in a nonsyndromic patient
Authors: Rangel-Castilla Leonardo , Hwang Steven W. , Jea Andrew , Whitehead William E. , Curry Daniel J. , Luerssen Thomas G. , Dauser Robert C. 
Published: February 2012

Multiple-suture synostosis is typically associated with syndromic craniosynostosis but has been occasionally reported in large series of nonsyndromic children. The diagnosis of multiple fused sutures usually occurs at the same time, but rarely has the chronological development of a secondary suture synostosis been noted. The development of secondary bicoronal suture synostosis requiring surgical intervention has only been reported, to date, after surgical intervention and is hypothesized to arise from a disruption of inhibitory factors from the dura. The disinhibition of these factors permits the sutures to then fuse at an early stage. The authors report on a patient who developed secondary unilateral coronal synostosis after the diagnosis of an isolated sagittal synostosis. The secondary synostosis was identified at the time of the initial surgical intervention and ultimately required a second procedure of a frontoorbital advancement.
The clinical appearance of this phenomenon may be subtle, and surgeons should monitor for the presence of secondary synostosis during surgery as it may require intervention. Failure to identify the secondary synostosis may necessitate another surgery or result in a poor cosmetic outcome. The authors recommend close clinical follow-up for the short term in patients with isolated sagittal synostosis.
Application of neuromuscular blockade and intraoperative 3D imaging in the reduction of basilar invagination
Authors: Dahdaleh Nader S. , Dlouhy Brian J. , Menezes Arnold H. 
Published: February 2012

Object
The treatment of basilar invagination in the pediatric age group is dependent on the possibility of preoperative reduction. Reducible lesions obviate a ventral decompression and require a dorsal-only approach for stabilization with or without a suboccipital decompression.

Methods
The authors describe a technique of intraoperative reduction of basilar invagination with the use of general anesthesia and neuromuscular blockade in the presence of crown halo traction. Using the O-arm device, a 3D CT scan is generated in the sagittal plane to demonstrate the reduction intraoperatively. This technique was successful in 6 pediatric patients with basilar invagination.

Results
The average age of the patients was 10.8 years, and they were followed for a mean period of 8.5 months. The patients had mild basilar invagination or partial reduction in extension on preoperative MR imaging. Intraoperative reduction was demonstrated in all patients by using the reported technique with intraoperative CT. All patients underwent occipitocervical fusion, and all but one underwent a suboccipital decompression. There were no complications related to the operation, and all but one reported improvement of symptoms on the last postoperative visit.

Conclusions
Intraoperative reduction performed using neuromuscular blockade and intraoperative traction is an effective method for further reduction of basilar invagination in the pediatric age group. This is the first reported application of intraoperative CT imaging performed using the O-arm device in craniocervical surgery in which successful reduction is demonstrated in detail.
Bienvenue dans la « gigantesque base de données »
Authors: Amar Muriel , Menon Bruno 
Published: February 2012

Résumé Si le Web est devenu un « gigantesque livre », en partie produit, annoté – et donc lu – en commun par la grâce du Web 2.0, on est en droit d’attendre de la prochaine étape qu’elle se concrétise par une « gigantesque base de données » permise par les technologies du web sémantique. À condition que les utilisateurs, au premier rang desquels figurent les professionnels de l’information, se considèrent comme partie prenante de cette aventure.
Continuité documentaire « lycée-université » dans l'académie de Lille : un dispositif expérimental généralisable ?
Authors: Billaut Ronald , Bruckert Renaud , Dome Philippe , Dooghe Emilie , Dupret Emmanuelle , Farvacque Brigitte , Feyler François , Gelles Jacinthe , Laneres Jérôme , Leblond Corinne , Papy Fabrice , Poullain Bénédicte , Van Ommeslaeghe Sophie , Verebes Sylvie 
Published: February 2012

Résumé Mis en place lors de l’année scolaire et universitaire 2009-2010 dans l’académie de Lille, un dispositif expérimental de continuité documentaire lycée-université a rassemblé différents partenaires autour d’un objectif commun : relier les enseignements documentaires destinés aux lycéens et aux étudiants dans le but d’augmenter l’efficacité des formations à l’information. Le Visual Catalog, un nouvel Opac conçu par l’Université d’Artois, a joué le rôle du maillon manquant entre les apprentissages documentaires du collège et ceux du lycée.
Négociations commerciales multilatérales et cycle de Doha : les leçons d'un échec annoncé
Authors: Siroën Jean-Marc 
Published: February 2012

Résumé Le nouveau cycle de négociations multilatérales (« Round ») ouvert à Doha (« Programme de Développement de Doha », PDD) en 2001 sous l’égide de l’Organisation Mondiale du Commerce (OMC) s’est enlisé et aucun délai n’est fixé pour son achèvement. La négociation repose sur des mécanismes qui visent à simplifier une négociation complexe faisant intervenir une multitude d’acteurs sur de nombreux sujets. L’article montre que le processus en place n’a ni permis de simplifier la négociation ni, surtout, d’élargir un espace de négociation trop étroit qui, dès l’origine rendait le succès d’autant plus incertain que les contraintes institutionnelles internes qui pesaient sur des pays leaders, comme les États-Unis, se durcissaient. Dans ces conditions, les principes de négociation comme l’engagement unique ou la règle du consensus se sont révélés trop exigeants. L’article conclut en proposant certaines pistes susceptibles d’améliorer les règles de cette négociation.