bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Non-invasive interactive neurostimulation (InterX ™) reduces acute pain in patients following total knee replacement surgery: a randomised, controlled trial
Authors: Nigam Ashok K , Taylor Drena M , Valeyeva Zulia 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Background

Adequate post-operative pain relief following total knee replacement (TKR) is very important to optimal post-operative recovery. Faster mobilisation and rehabilitation ultimately results in optimum recovery outcomes, but pain is often the limiting factor. This study evaluates the potential clinical benefit of the InterX neurostimulation device on pain reduction and rehabilitative outcome.

Methods
A clinical trial under the Hywel Dda Clinical Audit Committee to validate the clinical benefit of Non-invasive Interactive Neurostimulation (NIN) therapy using the InterX device was performed in patients undergoing TKR. 61 patients were randomised to treatment groups in blocks of two from the Theatre Operation List. The control group received the standard hospital course of pain medication and rehabilitation twice daily for 3 post-op days. The experimental group received 8 sessions of NIN therapy over 3 post-op days in addition to the standard course received by the Control group. Pain and range of motion were collected as the primary study measures.

Results
Sixty one subjects were enrolled and randomised, but 2 subjects (one/group) were excluded due to missing data at Baseline/Final; one subject in the InterX group was excluded due to pre-existing rheumatoid pain conditions confounding the analysis.
The experimental group pre- to post-session Verbal Rating Scale for pain (VRS) showed that NIN therapy consistently reduced the pain scores by a mean of 2.3 points (SE 0.11). The NIN pre-treatment score at Final was used for the primary ANCOVA comparison, demonstrating a significantly greater cumulative treatment effect of a mean 2.2 (SE 0.49) points pain reduction (p = 0.002). Control subjects only experienced a mean 0.34 (SE 0.49) point decrease in pain. Ninety degrees ROM was required to discharge the patient and this was attained as an average despite the greater Baseline deficit in the InterX group. Eight control patients and three experimental patients did not achieve this ROM.

Conclusions
The results clearly demonstrated the clinical benefit of NIN therapy as a supplement to the standard rehabilitation protocol. The subjects receiving InterX fared significantly better clinically. Within a relatively short 3-day period of time, patients in the experimental group obtained the necessary ROM for discharge and did it experiencing lower levels of pain than those in the control group.
Neurogenin2 regulates the initial axon guidance of cortical pyramidal neurons projecting medially to the corpus callosum
Authors: Hand Randal , Polleux Franck 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Background
The formation of the mammalian central nervous system requires the establishment of complex neural circuits between a diverse array of neuronal subtypes. Here we report that the proneural transcription factor Neurogenin2 (Ngn2) is crucial for the proper specification of cortical axon projections.

Results
The genetic loss of Ngn2 in mice results in fewer callosal axons projecting towards the midline as well as abnormal midline crossing. shRNA-mediated knockdown of Ngn2 revealed its cell-autonomous requirement for the proper projection of axons from layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons to the midline in vivo. We found that the acute loss of Ngn2 in vivo induces the axon of superficial layer 2/3 neurons to project laterally towards aberrant cortical and subcortical targets.

Conclusions
These and previous results demonstrate that Ngn2 is required for the coordinated specification of cardinal features defining the phenotype of cortical pyramidal neurons, including their migration properties, dendritic morphology and axonal projection.
Inflammatory pseudotumor of the kidney: a case report
Authors: Khallouk Abdelhak , Ahallal Youness , Tazi Mohammed Fadl , Elfatemi Hinde , Tazi Elmehdi , Elammari Jalaleddine , Elfassi Mohammed Jamal , Farih Moulay Hassan 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Introduction
Inflammatory pseudotumors, also known as inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors, are uncommon benign tumors of unknown etiology which may develop at several anatomical sites. In the urogenital tract, inflammatory pseudotumor usually affects the urinary bladder or the prostate. Inflammatory pseudotumor of the kidney is very rare. It is considered as a reactive inflammatory lesion that features very good prognosis.

Case presentation
We present the case of a 57-year-old Moroccan man who presented with a two-month history of gross hematuria and left lumbar pain. Imaging investigations revealed a left kidney mass and pathological examination of the nephrectomy specimen showed an inflammatory pseudotumor.

Conclusion
As the preoperative definitive diagnosis of such a tumor is not possible, surgery is advised because only pathological examination of the nephrectomy specimen can establish the diagnosis with certainty. From one case report and literature review, the authors suggest a diagnostic and therapeutic strategy for the management of this rare tumor.
Simultaneous utilization of glucose and xylose for lipid production by Trichosporon cutaneum
Authors: Hu Cuimin , Wu Siguo , Wang Qian , Jin Guojie , Shen Hongwei , Zhao Zongbao K 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Background
Biochemical conversion of lignocellulose hydrolysates remains challenging, largely because most microbial processes have markedly reduced efficiency in the presence of both hexoses and pentoses. Thus, identification of microorganisms capable of efficient and simultaneous utilization of both glucose and xylose is pivotal to improving this process.

Results
In this study, we found that the oleaginous yeast strain Trichosporon cutaneum AS 2.571 assimilated glucose and xylose simultaneously, and accumulated intracellular lipid up to 59 wt% with a lipid coefficient up to 0.17 g/g sugar, upon cultivation on a 2:1 glucose/xylose mixture in a 3-liter stirred-tank bioreactor. In addition, no classic pattern of diauxic growth behavior was seen; the microbial cell mass increased during the whole culture process without any lag periods. In shake-flask cultures with different initial glucose:xylose ratios, glucose and xylose were consumed simultaneously at rates roughly proportional to their individual concentrations in the medium, leading to complete utilization of both sugars at the same time. Simultaneous utilization of glucose and xylose was also seen during fermentation of corn-stover hydrolysate with a lipid content and coefficient of 39.2% and 0.15 g/g sugar, respectively. The lipid produced had a fatty-acid compositional profile similar to those of conventional vegetable oil, indicating that it could have potential as a raw material for biodiesel production.

Conclusion
Efficient lipid production with simultaneous consumption of glucose and xylose was achieved in this study. This process provides an exciting opportunity to transform lignocellulosic materials into biofuel molecules, and should also encourage further study to elucidate this unique sugar-assimilation mechanism.
Toxoplasma gondii infection in humans in China
Authors: Zhou Peng , Chen Zhaoguo , Li Hai-Long , Zheng Haihong , He Shenyi , Lin Rui-Qing , Zhu Xing-Quan 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic infection of humans and animals, caused by the opportunistic protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite belonging to the phylum Apicomplexa. Infection in pregnant women may lead to abortion, stillbirth or other serious consequences in newborns. Infection in immunocompromised patients can be fatal if not treated. On average, one third of people are chronically infected worldwide. Although very limited information from China has been published in the English journals, T. gondii infection is actually a significant human health problem in China. In the present article, we reviewed the clinical features, transmission, prevalence of T. gondii infection in humans in China, and summarized genetic characterizations of reported T. gondii isolates. Educating the public about the risks associated with unhealthy food and life style habits, tracking serological examinations to special populations, and measures to strengthen food and occupational safety are discussed.
Regulation of gas exchange and haemolymph pH in the cockroach Nauphoeta cinerea
Authors: Matthews Philip G. D. , White Craig R. 
Published: August 2011

SUMMARY
Ventilatory control of internal CO2 plays an important role in regulating extracellular acid–base balance in terrestrial animals. While this phenomenon is well understood among vertebrates, the role that respiration plays in the acid–base balance of insects is in need of much further study. To measure changes in insect haemolymph pH, we implanted micro pH optodes into the haemocoel of cockroaches (Nauphoeta cinerea). They were then exposed to normoxic, hypoxic, hyperoxic and hypercapnic atmospheres while their haemolymph pH, and abdominal ventilation frequency were measured simultaneously. Intratracheal O2 levels were also measured in separate experiments. It was found that cockroaches breathing continuously control their ventilation to defend a haemolymph pH of 7.3, except under conditions where hypoxia (&lt;10% O2) induces hyperventilation, or where ambient hypercapnia is in excess of haemolymph (&gt;1% CO2). In contrast, intratracheal O2 levels fluctuated widely, but on average remained above 15% in normoxic (21% O2) atmospheres. Decapitation caused the cockroaches to display discontinuous gas exchange cycles (DGCs). The alternating periods of ventilation and apnoea during DGCs caused haemolymph pH to fluctuate by 0.11 units. Exposure to hypoxia caused haemolymph pH to increase and initiated brief bouts of spiracular opening prior to the active ventilation phase. The spontaneous occurrence of DGCs in decapitated cockroaches indicates that central pattern generators in the thoracic and abdominal ganglia generate the periodic gas exchange pattern in the absence of control from the cephalic ganglion. This pattern continues to maintain gas exchange, but with less precision.
Behavioural and kinematic components of the fast-start escape response in fish: individual variation and temporal repeatability
Authors: Marras Stefano , Killen Shaun S. , Claireaux Guy , Domenici Paolo , McKenzie David J. 
Published: August 2011

SUMMARY
Inter-individual variation in physiological performance traits, which is stable over time, can be of potential ecological and evolutionary significance. The fish escape response is interesting in this regard because it is a performance trait for which inter-individual variation may determine individual survival. The temporal stability of such variation is, however, largely unexplored. We quantified individual variation of various components of the escape response in a population of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), considering both non-locomotor (responsiveness and latency) and locomotor (speed, acceleration, turning rate, turning angle and distance travelled in a fixed time, Desc) variables. We assessed whether variation in performance was temporally stable and we searched for any trade-offs among the components of the response that might explain why the variation persisted in the population. The coefficient of variation was high for all components, from 23% for turning rate to 41% for Desc, highlighting the non-stereotypic nature of the response. Individual performance for all variables was significantly repeatable over five sequential responses at 30 min intervals, and also repeatable after a 30 day interval for most of the components. This indicates that the variation is intrinsic to the individuals, but there was no evidence for trade-offs amongst the components of the response, suggesting that, if trade-offs exist, they must be against other ecologically important behavioural or performance traits.
The spatial and temporal patterns of odors sampled by lobsters and crabs in a turbulent plume
Authors: Reidenbach Matthew A. , Koehl M. A. R. 
Published: August 2011

SUMMARYOdors are dispersed across aquatic habitats by turbulent water flow as filamentous, intermittent plumes. Many crustaceans sniff (take discrete samples of ambient water and the odors it carries) by flicking their olfactory antennules. We used planar laser-induced fluorescence to investigate how flicking antennules of different morphologies (long antennules of spiny lobsters, Panulirus argus; short antennules of blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus) sample fluctuating odor signals at different positions in a turbulent odor plume in a flume to determine whether the patterns of concentrations captured can provide information about an animal's position relative to the odor source. Lobster antennules intercept odors during a greater percentage of flicks and encounter higher peak concentrations than do crab antennules, but because crabs flick at higher frequency, the duration of odor-free gaps between encountered odor pulses is similar. For flicking antennules there were longer time gaps between odor encounters as the downstream distance to the odor source decreases, but shorter gaps along the plume centerline than near the edge. In contrast to the case for antennule flicking, almost all odor-free gaps were &lt;500 ms at all positions in the plume if concentration was measured continuously at the same height as the antennules. Variance in concentration is lower and mean concentration is greater near the substratum, where leg chemosensors continuously sample the plume, than in the water where antennules sniff. Concentrations sampled by legs increase as an animal nears an odor source, but decrease for antennules. Both legs and antennules encounter higher concentrations near the centerline than at the edge of the plume.
Developmental expression of calcium transport proteins in extraembryonic membranes of oviparous and viviparous Zootoca vivipara (Lacertilia, Lacertidae)
Authors: Stewart James R. , Ecay Tom W. , Heulin Benoit , Fregoso Santiago P. , Linville Brent J. 
Published: August 2011

SUMMARY
The eggshell of oviparous lizards is a significant source of calcium for embryos, whereas the eggshell of viviparous lizards, when present, contains little calcium. In view of the potential cost to embryonic nutrition occasioned by the loss of eggshell calcium, the large number of independent origins of viviparity among lizards is surprising. Concomitant evolution of viviparity and calcium placentotrophy would ameliorate the loss of eggshell calcium, but a mechanism linking these events has yet to be discovered. Zootoca vivipara, a lizard with geographic variation in its mode of parity, is an excellent model for studying mechanisms of calcium transport to oviparous and viviparous embryos because each is highly dependent on calcium secreted by the uterus (eggshell or placenta) and ontogenetic patterns of embryonic calcium mobilization are similar. We compared developmental expression of the calcium transport protein calbindin-D28K in yolk splanchnopleure and chorioallantoic membranes of oviparous and viviparous embryos to test the hypothesis that the mechanism of calcium transport does not differ between modes of parity. We found that the ontogenetic pattern of protein expression is similar between reproductive modes and is correlated with calcium uptake from yolk and either eggshell or placenta. Calbindin-D28K is localized in the chorionic epithelium of embryos of both reproductive modes. These findings suggest that the embryonic calcium transport machinery is conserved in the transition between reproductive modes and that an adaptation of oviparous embryos for calcium uptake from eggshells functions similarly to transport calcium directly from uterine secretions.
Evolution of limb bone loading and body size in varanid lizards
Authors: Clemente Christofer J. , Withers Philip C. , Thompson Graham , Lloyd David 
Published: August 2011

SUMMARYGeometric scaling predicts that stresses on limb bones and muscles should increase with body size. Mammals counter this size-related increase in stress partially through changes in bone geometry, but largely through changes in posture, with larger species having a more erect stance. However, the ability to counter size-related stresses in this fashion may be limited to those taxa that have a parasagittal gait (such as mammals), where legs are swung underneath the body. We examined locomotor kinematics for 11 species of varanid lizards (from 0.04 to 8 kg body mass) that have a sprawling gait, to determine how they moderate size-related stresses. Posture, as indicated by femur adduction and hip heights, did not change significantly with body size, beyond that expected from geometrical scaling. Instead, lizards mitigated size-related increases in stress by increasing duty factor and possibly reducing femur rotation. Incorporating these factors in biomechanical models predicted that both bending (∝M0.016, where M is mass) and torsional (∝M–0.049) stresses should be nearly independent of body size over the size range examined. However, increasing duty factor and reducing femur rotation probably have deleterious effects on speed, and this difference in kinematics with size may explain why speed scales lower for sprawling lizards than for parasagittal mammals (∝M0.17 and ∝M0.24, respectively). Further, paralleling conclusions for the synapsid lineage, these findings suggest that evolution from sprawling to upright posture did not occur in archosaurs as a response to larger size; rather, these archosaurs likely became upright first and larger later.
Hypoxia-induced mobilization of stored triglycerides in the euryoxic goby Gillichthys mirabilis
Authors: Gracey Andrew Y. , Lee Tsung-Han , Higashi Richard M. , Fan Teresa 
Published: August 2011

SUMMARY
Environmental hypoxia is a common challenge that many aquatic organisms experience in their habitat. Responding to hypoxia requires metabolic reprogramming so that energy-demanding processes are regulated to match available energy reserves. In this study we explored the transcriptional control of metabolic reorganization in the liver of a hypoxia-tolerant burrow-dwelling goby, Gillichthys mirabilis. Gene expression data revealed that pathways associated with triglyceride hydrolysis were upregulated by hypoxia whereas pathways associated with triglyceride synthesis were downregulated. This finding was supported by tissue histology, which showed that the size of hepatic lipid droplets declined visibly during exposure to hypoxia. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance analysis confirmed the mobilization of hepatic triglycerides, which declined 2.7-fold after 5 days of hypoxia. The enzyme, adipose triglyceride lipase, was implicated in the mobilization of triglycerides because its expression increased at the level of both transcript and protein. This observation raises questions regarding the regulation of fat metabolism during hypoxia and the role played by the hypoxia-responsive gene leptin.
Bivalirudin for Anticoagulation During Hypothermic Cardiopulmonary Bypass and Recombinant Factor VIIa for Iatrogenic Coagulopathy
Authors: Nagle Erin L , Tsu Laura V , Dager William E 
Published: August 2011

Objective: To describe management of anticoagulation with a decreased dose requirement of bivalirudin during cardiopulmonary bypass using deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) and the reversal of the ensuing coagulopathy with recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa). Case Summary: A 46-year-old male developed chest pain, hypertension, and an aortic aneurysm requiring urgent surgical repair. At the time of surgery, the patient reported an allergy to heparin, so bivalirudin was used for anticoagulation (1 mg/kg loading dose, followed by intermittent infusions of 1.25-2.5 mg/kgm over the 5 hours of cardiopulmonary bypass). When the cooling process was initiated, bivalirudin was stopped in anticipation of loss of the clotting cascade function and potential slowing of drug elimination. Bivalirudin was restarted for 45 minutes during the rewarming period because of concern for potential clot formation in the bypass circuit with recovery of hemostasis; it was again stopped due to the patient's activated clotting time (ACT) of 504 seconds. Despite this measure, diffuse and severe coagulopathy was observed upon rewarming, with ACTs longer than 999 seconds. Although multiple blood products were administered, visualization of a clot in the surgical field was not notable. A total dose of rFVIIa 20 μg/kg was administered, resulting in visual clot formation within 4 minutes. On postsurgical day 6, bilateral asymptomatic distal deep vein thromboses were noted on imaging; on postsurgical day 8, fondaparinux 2.5 mg subcutaneously was administered daily to prevent clot extension. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 23 with no acute issues and no further anticoagulants. Discussion: Alternative anticoagulation agents such as bivalirudin are used in patients who have an allergy or contraindication to heparin. We propose that prolonged coagulopathy after the induction of hypothermia is due to decreased clotting cascade function as well as stowing of protease activity resulting in decreased bivalirudin elimination. We observed a positive response to low-dose rFVIIa, which could be due to activation of the extrinsic pathway and/or a thrombin burst, resulting in hemostasis. Currently, there is limited evidence supporting reversal of direct thrombin inhibitors with rFVIIa. Conclusions: In the setting of DHCA, bivalirudin should be used cautiously, with frequent monitoring of the ACTs and potential cessation of the infusion in anticipation of prolonged drug effect with subsequent potential coagulopathy. If coagulopathy ensues, use of low-dose rFVIIa may be an option to initiate hemostasis. When using rFVIIa, it is important to consider the risk of thrombosis and monitor patients accordingly.