bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Upregulation of Stromal Cell–Derived Factor By IL‐17 and IL‐18 Via a Phosphatidylinositol 3‐Kinase‐Dependent Pathway
Authors: Ahn I. E. , Ju J. H. , Lee S. Y. , Park J. S. , Oh H. J. , Kim H. R. , Lee S. H. , Park S. H. , Kim H. Y. , Cho M. L. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractTh17 cells that produce interleukin (IL)‐17 play a key role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune inflammation. Among the various cytokines that are involved in the IL‐17 pathway, members of the IL‐1β family, including IL‐18, have recently gained attention. In this study, we stimulated synovial fibroblasts with a combination of IL‐17 and IL‐18 and quantified their stromal cell–derived factor‐1 (SDF‐1) production by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and their transcript levels by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. Both IL‐17 and IL‐18 significantly increased the level of SDF‐1, not only individually but also synergistically (P < 0.05). The synergism was effectively suppressed by anti‐IL‐17 and ‐IL‐18 antibodies, and a PI3K inhibitor. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of PI3K‐dependent synergism between IL‐18 and IL‐17, and this work adds a novel perspective of the role of IL‐18 in immune regulation. The individual effects of these two cytokines, and their interactions, suggest an interrelationship between the IL‐1 family and IL‐17.
Growth patterns and anaemia status of HIV‐infected children living in an institutional facility in India
Authors: Kapavarapu Prasanna K. , Bari Omar , Perumpil Mathew , Duggan Christopher , Dinakar Chitra , Krishnamurthy Shubha , Arumugam Karthika , Shet Anita 
Published: June 2012

AbstractObjective To understand the health status of HIV orphans in a well‐structured institutional facility in India.Method Prospective longitudinal analysis of growth and anaemia prevalence among these children, between June 2008 and May 2011.Results A total of 85 HIV‐infected orphan children residing at Sneha Care Home, Bangalore, for at least 1 year, were included in the analysis. Prevalence of anaemia at entry into the home was 40%, with the cumulative incidence of anaemia during the study period being 85%. At baseline, 79% were underweight and 72% were stunted. All children, irrespective of their antiretroviral therapy (ART) status, showed an improvement in nutritional status over time as demonstrated by a significant increase in weight (median weight‐for‐age Z‐score: −2.75 to −1.74, P < 0.001) and height Z‐scores (median height‐for‐age Z‐score: −2.69 to −1.63, P < 0.001).Conclusion These findings suggest that good nutrition even in the absence of ART can bring about improvement in growth. The Sneha Care Home model indicates that the holistic approach used in the Home may have been helpful in combating HIV and poor nutritional status in severely malnourished orphaned children.
Seed losses at harvest and seed persistence of oilseed rape (Brassica napus) in different cultural conditions in Chinese farming systems
Authors: ZHU Y M , LI Y D , COLBACH N , MA K P , WEI W , MI X C 
Published: June 2012

Zhu YM, Li YD, Colbach N, Ma KP, Wei W & Mi XC (2012). Seed losses at harvest and seed persistence of oilseed rape (Brassica napus) in different cultural conditions in Chinese farming systems. Weed Research52, 317–326.SummaryThis article reports experiments that explore the critical factors for gene flow in oilseed rape (Brassica napus) via the soil seedbank under Chinese farming systems. Research was carried out on 16 farmer’s fields to estimate harvest seed losses after different planting methods and harvest timings, during the four components of the harvest operations. An additional field experiment was set up to estimate the potential germination proportion of seeds in flood‐irrigated and un‐irrigated fields, as a function of seed burial depth over time. Seed losses were largest during the sun‐drying of harvested plants in the field, accounting for about three quarters of the total seed losses. The number of intact seeds declined quickly after they entered the soil, particularly in un‐irrigated fields, and no volunteers germinated in the irrigated field after 3 months. Burial depth did not affect the potential for germination and emergence of volunteers in the flood‐irrigated field. However, the potential germination declined with increasing burial depth in the un‐irrigated field. No viable seeds remained in the soil after 16 months. Seed losses during harvest could be limited to 0.7–1.1% by weight of total seed production by placing a plastic membrane under the cut plants during drying and no rape seeds could germinate after 3 months in water‐logged condition. Thus, the risk of gene flow via the soil seedbank is probably small in Chinese oilseed rape farming systems.
Icatibant treatment for acquired C1‐inhibitor deficiency: a real‐world observational study
Authors: Zanichelli A. , Bova M. , Coerezza A. , Petraroli A. , Triggiani M. , Cicardi M. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractIcatibant, a bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist, is an established treatment for acute attacks of hereditary angioedema (HAE) with C1‐inhibitor (C1‐INH) deficiency. We describe our experience with icatibant in eight patients with angioedema because of acquired C1‐INH deficiency (AAE). Forty‐eight moderate‐to‐severe attacks were treated with subcutaneous icatibant 30 mg; two moderate attacks resolved without treatment. The median (range) duration of treated attacks (onset to complete resolution) was 9.33 (1.67–39.00) h; durations of the untreated attacks were 72 and 96 h. Symptom improvement following icatibant treatment occurred in 0.5 (0.25–2.10) h and complete resolution in 6.75 (0.50–30.75) h. A single icatibant injection achieved complete symptom resolution in 47 attacks; one facial attack required a second injection. One peripheral attack responded less quickly than other treated attacks. Five patients reported transient injection site reactions. Icatibant appeared to provide effective symptom relief and was generally well tolerated.
Modifiable patient factors are associated with the late decline in renal function following liver transplantation
Authors: Leithead Joanna A. , Ferguson James W. , Hayes Peter C. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractStrategies to delay or avoid the long‐term decline in renal function and progression to chronic kidney disease (CKD) in liver transplant recipients remain unclear. Our aim was to examine the change in estimated GFR (eGFR) from six months after liver transplantation, and to identify modifiable factors associated with a faster rate of decline. This was a single‐center retrospective study of 97 patients who underwent elective liver transplantation and survived ≥5 yr. eGFR was estimated using the MDRD6‐variable equation, and the annualized change in eGFR was determined using simple linear regression. The baseline eGFR was 75 mL/min/1.73 m2. Thereafter, eGFR declined at a mean rate of 1.08 mL/min/1.73 m2 per year. 49% had a decline in renal function greater than the rate expected with aging. Decline in eGFR was an independent predictor of CKD by five yr post‐transplant (p = 0.001). Multivariate modeling found a higher baseline eGFR (p < 0.001), female gender (p = 0.006), hypertension (p = 0.019), and dyslipidemia (p = 0.034) to be associated with a faster rate of decline in renal function. In conclusion, liver transplant recipients have a clinically relevant decline in eGFR from six months post‐transplant. Prospective studies are required to examine the effects of aggressive blood pressure and lipid control on the development of CKD in this setting.
Low‐molecular weight carbohydrates modulate dormancy and are required for post‐germination growth in turions of Spirodela polyrhiza
Authors: Appenroth K.‐J. , Palharini L. , Ziegler P. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThe aquatic duckweed Spirodela polyrhiza propagates itself vegetatively by forming turions – bud‐like perennation organs – in the autumn, which spend the winter on the bottom of ponds and then germinate in the following spring and proliferate on the water surface. Newly formed turions usually require a period of cold after‐ripening and light to germinate effectively, but an ample supply of exogenous sugar can lead to germination even in the dark and independent of after‐ripening. The results of the present study indicate that the availability of readily metabolised carbohydrates is a determining factor for turion germination. Freshly harvested turions do not contain soluble, low‐molecular weight carbohydrates at a level sufficient to allow germination to take place, but after‐ripened turions do. Augmentation of the soluble carbohydrate content during after‐ripening derives from gradual breakdown of reserve starch of the turions. The long time required for any germination to be observed in turions incubated in darkness and the limited frequency of germination in the dark (about 50% of turion population), even with an ample external sugar, supply emphasise that both after‐ripening and light are essential for ensuring rapid germination and subsequent frond proliferation at an ecologically appropriate time. The carbohydrate supply required for rapid proliferation of the fronds produced at germination is provided by the rapid light‐induced breakdown of turion reserve starch.
Community‐based exercise program reduces chronic knee pain in elderly Japanese women at high risk of requiring long‐term care: A non‐randomized controlled trial
Authors: Hasegawa Minori , Yamazaki Sachiko , Kimura Midori , Nakano Kyoko , Yasumura Seiji 
Published: June 2012

Aim:  To estimate the prevalence of low back pain and/or knee pain among the elderly at high risk of requiring long‐term care, and to determine the effectiveness of a community‐based exercise program provided in accordance with the Motor Function Improvement Program for improving low back and/or knee pain.Methods:  The target population of this study was 320 residents aged ≥65 years who were eligible for the exercise program. For the intervention group, weekly exercise classes of 120 min duration were held 12 times over 3 months. The main outcome measures were changes between the baseline and 3‐month follow up in visual analog scale (VAS) scores for pain and in the Western Ontario McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain for severity of knee pain.Results:  The number of participants reporting chronic low back and/or knee pain was 252 with a prevalence of 78.8%. Among them, 68 who were allocated to the intervention group and 125 to the control group completed the study, and were stratified by sex. In women, change in the VAS scores of low back pain was −17.5 ± 23.2 for the intervention group and −7.2 ± 23.4 for the control group (between‐group differences P = 0.03). For knee pain, significant changes in the VAS scores (between‐group differences P = 0.04) and WOMAC pain (P < 0.001) were observed; −14.9 ± 24.9 and −0.6 ± 3.1 for the intervention group, and −0.2 ± 28.5 and 2.2 ± 3.2 for the control group, respectively. No significant difference was observed in men.Conclusion:  Community‐based exercise programs might reduce prevalent knee pain in elderly women at high risk of requiring long‐term care. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2013; 13: 167–174.
Spatially tripartite interactions of denitrifiers in arctic ecosystems: activities, functional groups and soil resources
Authors: Banerjee Samiran , Siciliano Steven D. 
Published: June 2012

SummarySoil denitrification is one of the most significant contributors to global nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, and spatial patterns of denitrifying communities and their functions may reveal the factors that drive denitrification potential and functional consortia. Although denitrifier spatial patterns have been studied extensively in most soil ecosystems, little is known about these processes in arctic soils. This study aimed to unravel the spatial relationships among denitrifier abundance, denitrification potential and soil resources in 279 soil samples collected from three Canadian arctic ecosystems encompassing 7° in latitude and 27° in longitude. The abundance of nirS (106–108 copies g−1 dry soil), nirK (103‐107 copies g−1 dry soil) and nosZ (106–107 copies g−1 dry soil) genes in these soils is in the similar range as non‐arctic soil ecosystems. Potential denitrification in Organic Cryosols (1034 ng N2O‐N g−1 soil) was 5–11 times higher than Static/Turbic Cryosols and the overall denitrification potential in Cryosols was also comparable to other ecosystems. We found denitrifier functional groups and potential denitrification were highly spatially dependent within a scale of 5 m. Functional groups and soil resources were significantly (P < 0.01) correlated to potential denitrifier activities and the correlations were stronger in Organic Cryosols. Soil moisture, organic carbon and nitrogen content were the predominant controls with nirK abundance also linked to potential denitrification. This study suggests that the dominant control on arctic ecosystem‐level denitrification potential is moisture and organic carbon. Further, microbial abundance controls on ecosystem level activity while undoubtedly present, are masked in the nutrient‐poor arctic environment by soil resource control on denitrifier ecosystem level activity.
THOMAS CARLYLE'S GOETHE MASK REVISITED
Authors: Joshua Eleoma 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACT Thomas Carlyle's copy of a life mask of Goethe is one of the most significant Goethe masks outside Germany, particularly because it is a testimony to Carlyle's role in developing strong cultural relations between Scotland and Germany in the nineteenth century, and because of his close connections with Goethe and Weimar. However, Carlyle scholars have always thought his Goethe mask was a death mask, since he states this in his letters, despite the fact that no death mask of Goethe was ever made. This essay documents the wider context of the making of the original life mask of Goethe in Weimar, and its links to Franz Joseph Gall's popularisation of the science of cranioscopy in Germany, 1805–7. It also gives an account of how Carlyle acquired the mask, and what happened to it after his death. Earlier research on Carlyle's Goethe mask maintained that it had been lost and rediscovered in the 1980s; this article offers new evidence that its whereabouts have always been known. It also reveals that, after Carlyle, it was owned by the Scottish professors David Masson and Peter Hume Brown, both of whom contributed to the transfer of knowledge of Goethe's life and works to Britain.Eine der wichtigsten Kopien der Lebendmaske von Goethe außerhalb Deutschlands gehörte Thomas Carlyle. Sie ist ein Zeugnis der bedeutenden Rolle Carlyles in der Entwicklung des kulturellen Austausches zwischen Schottland und Deutschland im neunzehnten Jahrhundert. Obwohl es nie eine Todesmaske von Goethe gegeben hat, haben Carlyle‐Forscher jedoch immer behauptet, sie sei eine Todesmaske, hauptsächlich weil sie Carlyle in seinen Briefen so beschrieben hat. In diesem Aufsatz wird der historische Kontext um die Herstellung der ursprünglichen Lebendmaske Goethes in Weimar besprochen und ihre Verbindung zu Franz Joseph Galls Popularisierung der Wissenschaft der Kranioskopie in Deutschland zwischen 1805 und 1807 erläutert. Im Folgenden wird darüber berichtet, wie Carlyle zu der Maske gekommen und was nach seinem Tod genau mit ihr passiert ist, da man bis zu den 1980‐ern Carlyles Goethe‐Maske für verschollen hielt. Neue Beweismittel belegen, dass der Aufenthaltsort der Maske bis heute immer bekannt war und dass sie nach Carlyles Ableben von den schottischen Professoren David Masson und Peter Hume Brown geerbt wurde. Sowohl Masson als auch Hume Brown trugen entscheidend zum Wissenstransfer über Goethes Leben und Werke nach Großbritannien bei.
KARL WICHMANN (1868–1948): A RESEARCH NOTE
Authors: Husbands Christopher T. 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACT This article is a research note that updates an earlier article published by the author concerning the circumstances and fate of Karl Wichmann (1868–1948). It provides information on several issues that was not known when the earlier article was prepared. Wichmann was Professor of German at the University of Birmingham from 1907 till his resignation in 1917. The article particularises how their British nationality was withdrawn from Wichmann and his wife and gives some further details about their life after Wichmann's return to Germany in the early 1920s. An appendix updates some biographical details about two other cases mentioned in the earlier article, those of Charles Frederick Herdener and Julius Freund.Dieser Beitrag ist eine Forschungsnotiz, die einen früheren vom Verfasser veröffentlichten Artikel bezüglich der Umstände und des Schicksals von Karl Wichmann (1868–1948) aktualisiert. Er stellt zur Verfügung über mehrere Angelegenheiten Informationen, die nicht bekannt waren, als der frühere Artikel vorbereitet wurde. Wichmann war ab 1907 bis zu seinem Rücktritt im Jahre 1917 Professor für Deutsch an der Universität Birmingham. Es wird ausgeführt, wie Wichmann und seiner Frau die britische Staatsangehörigkeit entzogen wurde, und der Artikel liefert weitere Details über ihr Leben nach Wichmanns Rückkehr in den frühen Zwanzigerjahren nach Deutschland. Ein Anhang aktualisiert einige biografische Einzelheiten über zwei weitere im früheren Artikel erwähnte Fälle, jene von Charles Frederick Herdener und Julius Freund.
Can postictal memory predict postoperative memory in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy?
Authors: Vulliemoz Serge , Prilipko Olga , Herrmann François R. , Pollo Claudio , Landis Theodor , Pegna Alan J. , Seeck Margitta 
Published: June 2012

SummaryWe investigated the contribution of postictal memory testing for lateralizing the epileptic focus and predicting memory outcome after surgery for temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Forty‐five patients with TLE underwent interictal, postictal, and postoperative assessment of verbal and nonverbal memory. Surgery consisted of anterior temporal lobectomy (36), selective isolated amygdalohippocampectomy (6), or amygdalohippocampectomy coupled to lesionectomy (3). Postictal and postoperative but not interictal memory were significantly lower in left TLE than in right TLE. Nonverbal memory showed no significant difference in left TLE versus right TLE in all conditions. Postictal memory was significantly correlated with postoperative memory, but the effect disappeared when the lateralization of the focus was considered. Postictal verbal memory is a useful bedside tool that can help lateralize the epileptic focus. Larger studies are needed to further estimate its predictive value of the postoperative outcome.
Intractable epilepsy of infancy due to homozygous mutation in the EFHC1 gene
Authors: Berger Itai , Dor Talya , Halvardson Jonatan , Edvardson Simon , Shaag Avraham , Feuk Lars , Elpeleg Orly 
Published: June 2012

SummaryPurpose:  The molecular etiology of primary intractable epilepsy in infancy is largely unknown. We studied a nonconsanguineous Moroccan‐Jewish family, where three of their seven children presented with intractable seizures and died at 18–36 months.Methods:  Homozygous regions were searched using 250 K DNA single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array. The sequence of 50 Mb exome of a single patient was determined using SOLiD 5500XL deep sequencing analyzer.Key Findings:  A single homozygous 11.3 Mb genomic region on chromosome 6 was linked to the disease in this family. This region contained 110 genes encoding a total of 1,000 exons. Whole exome sequencing revealed a single pathogenic homozygous variant within the critical region. The mutation, Phe229Leu in the EFHC1 gene was previously shown, in a carrier state, to be associated with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy.Significance:  Although heterozygosity for the Phe229Leu mutation is known to be associated with a relatively benign form of epilepsy in adolescence; homozygosity for the same mutation is associated with lethal epilepsy of infancy. Given the considerable carrier rate of this mutation worldwide, the sequence of the EFHC1 gene should be determined in all patients with primary intractable epilepsy in infancy.
Gait and Balance Deficits in Chronic Alcoholics: No Improvement from 10 Weeks Through 1 Year Abstinence
Authors: Fein George , Greenstein David 
Published: June 2012

BackgroundDisturbed gait and balance are common and important sequelae of chronic alcoholism. We present longitudinal data on recovery of gait and balance in alcoholics 6 to 15 weeks abstinent at baseline assessment through follow‐up assessment 4 to 16 months after baseline.MethodsWe performed a follow‐up assessment (4 to 16 months after baseline) of gait and balance functioning in 37 short‐term (6 to 15 weeks) abstinent alcoholics (STAA), 25 of whom remained abstinent through the follow‐up period. Fourteen non‐substance‐abusing controls (NSAC) were also brought back for a follow‐up assessment to examine practice effects.ResultsAlcoholics showed gait and balance impairment versus controls at both the initial and follow‐up assessments, showing no improvement in gait and balance measures over the follow‐up period. At follow‐up, NSAC showed improvement on the Walk on Floor eyes closed measure, possibly representing a practice effect not present in STAA.ConclusionsThis study finds no improvement from about 10 weeks to about 1 year of abstinence in chronic alcoholics. The study is silent with regard to gait and balance recovery that occurs prior to 10 weeks abstinence, and after the first year of abstinence. Other studies suggest some recovery of gait and balance prior to 10 weeks abstinence, and our recent cross‐sectional study (Smith and Fein, 2011, Alcohol Clin Exp Res 35:2184–2192) suggests that significant additional recovery occurs in the ensuing years.
Identifying Indicators of Important Diagnostic Features of Delirium
Authors: Huang Li‐Wen , Inouye Sharon K. , Jones Richard N. , Fong Tamara G. , Rudolph James L. , O'Connor Margaret G. , Metzger Eran D. , Crane Paul K. , Marcantonio Edward R. 
Published: June 2012

ObjectivesTo use an expert consensus process to identify indicators of delirium features to help enhance bedside recognition of delirium.DesignModified Delphi consensus process to assign existing cognitive and delirium assessment items to delirium features in the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) diagnostic algorithm.SettingMeetings of expert panel.ParticipantsPanel of seven interdisciplinary clinical experts.MeasurementsPanelists' assignments of each assessment item to indicate CAM features.ResultsFrom an initial pool of 119 assessment items, the panel assigned 66 items to at least one CAM feature, and many items were assigned to more than one feature. Experts achieved a high level of consensus, with a postmeeting kappa for agreement of 0.98. The study staff compiled the assignment results to create a comprehensive list of CAM feature indicators, consisting of 107 patient interview questions, cognitive tasks, and interviewer observations, with some items assigned to multiple features. A subpanel shortened this list to 28 indicators of important delirium features.ConclusionA systematic, well‐described qualitative methodology was used to create a list of indicators for delirium based on the features of the CAM diagnostic algorithm. This indicator list may be useful as a clinical tool for enhancing delirium recognition at the bedside and for aiding in the development of a brief delirium screening instrument.
Friendship, Anthropology
Authors: GAY Y BLASCO PALOMA , DE LA CRUZ HERNÁNDEZ LIRIA 
Published: June 2012

SUMMARYIn this article we, as informant and anthropologist, attempt to write ethnography together and to propose a collaborative and egalitarian anthropology. We start from the awareness that ethnographic knowledge is made by ethnographers and informants, and should be owned by both. We write together and separately, about each other and about ourselves, and describe a friendship that started 20 years ago, when Liria, a Spanish Gitana (Gypsy/Roma) first opened her home to Paloma, a non‐Gitana anthropologist. We reflect on our relationship and what it tells us about life in contemporary Spain, and about anthropology and its future.