bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
JC virus load in cerebrospinal fluid and transcriptional control region rearrangements may predict the clinical course of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
Authors: Delbue Serena , Elia Francesca , Carloni Camilla , Tavazzi Eleonora , Marchioni Enrico , Carluccio Silvia , Signorini Lucia , Novati Stefano , Maserati Renato , Ferrante Pasquale 
Published: January 2012

AbstractProgressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a severe disease of the central nervous system (CNS), caused by infection with the Polyomavirus JC virus (JCV). Because there are no known treatments or prognostic factors, we performed a long‐term study focusing mainly on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from PML patients to describe the virological features akin to the different forms of the disease. Twenty‐eight PML patients were enrolled: 10 HIV‐1+ patients with classical PML (CPML), 9 HIV‐1+ patients with slowly progressing or stable neurological symptoms (benign PML), 3 HIV‐1+ asymptomatic patients, and 6 HIV‐1‐negative patients. CSF, urine, and blood samples were collected at the enrollment (baseline) and every 6 months afterwards when possible. The JCV DNA and HIV‐1 RNA loads were determined, and the JCV strains were characterized. At baseline, the mean CSF JCV load was log 6.0 ± 1.2 copies/ml for CPML patients, log 4.0 ± 1.0 copies/ml for benign PML patients, log 4.2 ± 0.5 copies/ml for asymptomatic PML patients, and log 5.8 ± 1.3 copies/ml for HIV‐1‐negative PML patients (CPML vs. benign: P < 0.01; CPML vs. asymptomatic: P < 0.05; HIV‐1 negative vs. benign: P < 0.01). Organization of the JCV transcriptional control region (TCR) showed unusual archetype structures in two long‐term survival patients; the NF1 sequence was found most commonly, whereas the Sp1 binding site was the most common for both CPML patients and HIV‐1 negative patients. Our results suggest that the JCV load in the CSF and the organization of the TCR should be considered as indicators of PML clinical outcome. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 3511–3517, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
“Onion skin” sign in an ovarian mucinous cyst
Authors: Perlman Sharon , Hazan Yenon , Hagay Zion , Appelman Zvi , Caspi Benjamin 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe sonographic “onion skin” sign was initially described as concentric echogenic layers in mucinous tumors unrelated to the female reproductive system. Typically, the sonographic appearance of ovarian mucinous cystadenoma includes numerous septa and fine, gravity‐dependent echoes. We present a case of the “onion skin” sign in a mucinous ovarian tumor. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 2013
Vacuum‐assisted closure for managing neck abscesses involving the mediastinum
Authors: Gallo Oreste , Deganello Alberto , Meccariello Giuseppe , Spina Rosario , Peris Adriano 
Published: January 2012

AbstractA 57‐year‐old immunocompetent male patient with a deep neck abscess involving the mediastinum was referred to us following unsuccessful treatment at his local hospital with medical therapy and ultrasound‐guided aspiration. After initial evaluation and resuscitation, a contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan was performed, and the patient was transferred for surgical drainage. A vacuum‐assisted closure (VAC) device was used as a surgical drain to help prevent reaccumulation of the purulent collections. A repeat CT scan on day 3 confirmed the absence of residual pus in the mediastinum and in the neck spaces, and the VAC device was removed. Perfect healing of the deep tissues with successful mediastinal toilette was observed. The patient resumed oral meals on postoperative day 10, and 2 days later he was discharged. A 1‐month follow‐up CT again demonstrated the complete healing and absence of the neck abscess. This case illustrates the possibility of avoiding more extensive and life‐threatening procedures, such as open thoracotomy, in the treatment of neck abscesses extending into the mediastinum, and highlights the utility of VAC in the management of deep neck abscesses. Laryngoscope, 2012
Magnetic resonance imaging surveillance following vestibular schwannoma resection
Authors: Carlson Matthew L. , Van Abel Kathryn M. , Driscoll Colin L. , Neff Brian A. , Beatty Charles W. , Lane John I. , Castner Marina L. , Lohse Christine M. , Link Michael J. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:To describe the incidence, pattern, and course of postoperative enhancement within the operative bed using serial gadolinium‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) following vestibular schwannoma (VS) resection and to identify clinical and radiologic variables associated with recurrence.Study Design:Retrospective cohort study.Methods:All patients who underwent microsurgical resection of VS between January 2000 and January 2010 at a single tertiary referral center were reviewed. Postoperative enhancement patterns were characterized on serial MRI studies. Clinical follow‐up and outcomes were recorded.Results:During the last 10 years, 350 patients underwent microsurgical VS resection, and of these, 203 patients met study criteria (mean radiologic follow‐up, 3.5 years). A total of 144 patients underwent gross total resection (GTR), 32 received near‐total resection (NTR), and the remaining 27 underwent subtotal resection (STR); 98.5% of patients demonstrated enhancement within the operative bed following resection (58.5% linear, 41.5% nodular). Stable enhancement patterns were seen in 24.5% of patients, regression in 66.0%, and resolution in only 3.5% of patients on the most recent postoperative MRI. Twelve patients recurred a mean of 3.0 years following surgery. The average maximum linear diameter growth rate among recurrent tumors was 2.3 mm per year. Those receiving STR were more than nine times more likely to experience recurrence compared to those undergoing NTR or GTR (P < .001). Nodular enhancement on the initial postoperative MRI was associated with a 16‐fold increased risk for future recurrence compared to those with linear patterns (P = .008). Among those with nodular enhancement on baseline postoperative MRI, a maximum linear diameter of ≥15 mm or volume of ≥0.4 cm3 was associated with an approximate five‐fold increased risk for future growth (P < .02).Conclusions:Persistent nonspecific radiologic enhancement within the postoperative field is common, making the diagnosis of tumor recurrence challenging. Factors including completeness of resection and baseline postoperative MRI findings provide valuable information regarding risk for recurrence, which may assist the clinician in determining an appropriate postoperative MRI surveillance schedule. Future studies using standardized terminology and consistent study metrics are needed to further refine surveillance recommendations.
Feasibility and acute healing of vocal fold microflap incisions in a rabbit model
Authors: Suehiro Atsushi , Bock Jonathan M. , Hall Joseph E. , Garrett C. Gaelyn , Rousseau Bernard 
Published: January 2012

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of performing mucosal elevation of a vocal fold microflap in a rabbit model and to measure the acute healing of rabbit microflap incisions compared to control vocal folds.Study Design:Prospective animal study.Methods:Ten New Zealand white rabbits were used in this study. All rabbits received a 3‐mm incision through the epithelium of one vocal fold using a sickle knife and mucosal elevation through this incision using a microlaryngeal fine‐angled spatula. The contralateral vocal fold was left intact to serve as an internal control. Student t tests were used to investigate differences in epithelial thickness, immunohistochemical staining of CD45, and inflammatory and profibrotic gene expression between vocal folds undergoing microflap and control.Results:Exposure of the rabbit larynx was achieved, allowing for the identification of a surgical plane and the creation of a microflap and elevation of the vocal fold mucosa. Hematoxylin‐and‐eosin staining revealed no significant differences in epithelial thickness, immunohistochemistry for CD45 showed no significant differences in CD45‐positive cells, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction revealed no significant differences in interleukin‐1β, transforming growth factor β‐1, or cyclooxygenase‐2 gene expression between vocal folds undergoing microflap and control.Conclusions:We demonstrate the feasibility of vocal fold microflap surgery in a rabbit model. With the advantage of greater access to primers and antibodies for molecular biologic studies, the application of the microflap technique in a small‐animal model such as rabbit has broad implications for future experimental investigations in laryngology.
K3NiO2 Revisited, Phase Transition and Crystal Structure Refinement
Authors: Đuriš Katarina , Müller Ulrich , Jansen Martin 
Published: January 2012

AbstractSingle crystals as well as microcrystalline powders of K3NiO2 were obtained via the azide/nitrate route, starting from stoichiometric mixtures of KN3, KNO3 and NiO, at 923 K. According to temperature dependent X‐ray investigations, K3NiO2 exhibits a phase transition at approx. 423 K. Single crystal X‐ray analysis at 500 K has shown that the high temperature modification (β‐K3NiO2, tP12) crystallizes in P42/mnm (Z = 2, a = 6.0310(9), c = 7.156(1) Å, R1 = 0.037, R2 = 0.105). The ambient temperature modification (α‐K3NiO2, tP24) was refined as a racemic twin (P41212/P43212; a = 6.012(4), c = 13.843(8) Å, R1 = 0.029, R2 = 0.070 at 100 K; a = 6.0300(9), c = 14.065(3) Å, R1 = 0.032, R2 = 0.082 at 298 K) yielding nearly equal volumes for both enantiomorphs. The structural relationship within the A3MX2 family is analyzed and displayed as a Bärnighausen tree. The essential feature of the low and high temperature phases are isolated NiO23–dumbbells, which are linked by potassium atoms to infinite chains.
Minimal polyketide pathway expression in an actinorhodin cluster-deleted and regulation-stimulatedStreptomyces coelicolor
Authors: Lee Han-Na , Kim Hye-Jin , Kim Pil , Lee Heung-Shick , Kim Eung-Soo 
Published: January 2012

AbstractAlong with traditional random mutagenesis-driven strain improvement, cloning and heterologous expression of Streptomyces secondary metabolite gene clusters have become an attractive complementary approach to increase its production titer, of which regulation is typically under tight control via complex multiple regulatory networks present in a metabolite low-producing wild-type strain. In this study, we generated a polyketide non-producing strain by deleting the entire actinorhodin cluster from the chromosome of a previously generated S. coelicolor mutant strain, which was shown to stimulate actinorhodin biosynthesis through deletion of two antibiotic downregulators as well as a polyketide precursor flux downregulator (Kim et al. in Appl Environ Microbiol 77:1872–1877, 2011). Using this engineered S. coelicolor mutant strain as a surrogate host, a model minimal polyketide pathway for aloesaponarin II, an actinorhodin shunt product, was cloned in a high-copy conjugative plasmid, followed by functional pathway expression and quantitative metabolite analysis. Aloesaponarin II production was detected only in the presence of a pathway-specific regulatory gene, actII-ORF4, and its production level was the highest in the actinorhodin cluster-deleted and downregulator-deleted mutant strain, implying that this engineered polyketide pathway-free and regulation-optimized S. coelicolor mutant strain could be used as a general surrogate host for efficient expression of indigenous or foreign polyketide pathways derived from diverse actinomycetes in nature.
Discriminant Analysis of Sunflower Seeds for Fatty Acid Composition Using NIR Spectroscopy
Authors: Grunvald Anna Karolina , de Carvalho Claudio Guilherme Portela , Leite Rodrigo Santos , Mandarino José Marcos Gontijo , Gonçalves Juliana Leite , de Bastos Andrade Carlos Alberto , Scapim Carlos Alberto 
Published: January 2012

AbstractNear‐infrared reflectance (NIR) spectroscopy data from sunflower seeds of genotypes differing in oleic and linoleic fatty acid contents were evaluated by discriminant analysis. A single husked seed was used for spectral analysis of each genotype. We applied two clustering strategies to discriminate the genotypes. First, we fit three calibration curves for high oleic × low oleic, high oleic × mid‐oleic and mid‐oleic × low oleic genotype‐derived fatty acids. Next, we fit just one curve to all these three groups. All these curves were established using principal component analysis. The clustering precision was determined by d, the Mahalanobis distance between the genotype and the closest group, and D, the distance up to the next group. The spectral range used for calibration was 1,651–1,952 nm. The genotypes were well classified when d was close to one and the ratio D/d was close to or higher than two. The discriminant analysis allowed the classification of the high oleic and mid‐oleic genotypes even though they had similar signals in gas chromatography (GC). Although both clustering strategies were similar, the first one allowed a better discrimination between the mid‐oleic and low oleic genotypes.
Simple shear is not so simple! Kinematics and shear senses in Newtonian viscous simple shear zones
Authors: MUKHERJEE SOUMYAJIT 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThis work develops an analytical model of shear senses within an inclined ductile simple shear zone with parallel rigid boundaries and incompressible Newtonian viscous rheology. Taking account of gravity that tends to drive the material downdip and a possible pressure gradient that drives it upward along the shear zone, it is shown that (i) contradictory shear senses develop within two sub-zones even as a result of a single simple shear deformation; (ii) the highest velocity and least shear strain develop along the contact between the two sub-zones of reverse shear; (iii) for a uniform shear sense of the boundaries, a zone of reverse shear may develop within the top of the shear zone if the pressure gradient dominates the gravity component; otherwise it forms near the bottom boundary; (iv-a) a ‘pivot’ defined by the intersection between the velocity profile and the initial marker position distinguishes two sub-zones of opposite movement directions (not shear sense); (iv-b) a pivot inside any non-horizontal shear zone indicates a part of the zone that extrudes while the other subducts simultaneously; (v) the same shear sense develops: (v-a) when under a uniform shear of the boundaries, the shear zone remains horizontal and the pressure gradient vanishes; or alternatively (v-b) if the shear zone is inclined but the gravity component counterbalances the pressure gradient. Zones with shear sense reversal need to be reinterpreted since a pro-sheared sub-zone can retro-shear if the flow parameters change their magnitudes even though the same shear sense along the boundaries is maintained.
Severe food insecurity is associated with obesity among Brazilian adolescent females
Authors: Kac Gilberto , Velásquez-Melendez Gustavo , Schlüssel Michael M , Segall-Côrrea Ana Maria , Silva Antônio AM , Pérez-Escamilla Rafael 
Published: January 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo determine whether household food insecurity (HFI) is associated with a higher prevalence of excessive weight (EW) in a large random sample of Brazilian female adolescents.DesignNationally representative cross-sectional study. EW was the outcome variable (BMI ≥ 85th percentile of WHO reference for adolescents aged 15–18 years and BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 for those aged 19 years). HFI was measured with the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale. Associations were measured using crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) with 95 % confidence intervals through Poisson regression models taking into account the complex sampling design.SettingData were derived from the third wave of the Demographic and Health Survey conducted in 2006–2007, in Brazil.SubjectsThe sample included 1529 female adolescents aged 15–19 years.ResultsThe prevalence of any level of HFI was 40·8 %, with 26·6 % of households experiencing mild, 9·4 % moderate and 4·8 % severe food insecurity. The overall prevalence of EW was 21·9 % (12·9 % were overweight and 9·0 % obese). EW prevalence among those living in severely, moderately and mildly food-insecure households was 36·8 %, 14·9 % and 16·5 %, respectively (P for the overall association = 0·036). Women living in severely food-insecure households had an increased prevalence of EW compared with their food-secure counterparts (PR = 1·96; 95 % CI 1·18, 3·27; P = 0·007), after adjusting for important confounders.ConclusionsThe study suggests that severe but not mild or moderate HFI is independently associated with EW among adolescents residing in Brazil, a middle-income country undergoing the nutrition transition.
Detecting inactivated endospores in fluorescence microscopy using propidium monoazide
Authors: Probst Alexander , Mahnert Alexander , Weber Christina , Haberer Klaus , Moissl-Eichinger Christine 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe differentiation between living and dead bacterial endospores is crucial in many research areas of microbiology. The identification of inactivated, non-pathogenicBacillus anthracisspores is one reason why improvement of decontamination protocols is so desirable. Another field interested in spore viability is planetary protection, a sub-discipline of astrobiology that estimates the bioburden of spacecraft prior to launch in order to avoid interplanetary cross-contamination. We developed a dedicated, rapid and cost-effective method for identifying bacterial endospores that have been inactivated and consequently show a compromised spore wall. This novel protocol is culture-independent and is based on fluorescence microscopy and propidium monoazide (PMA) as a fluorescent marker, which is suggested to bind to DNA of spores with compromised spore coat, cortex and membranes based on our results. Inactivated preparations (treated with wet heat, irradiation, ultracentrifugation) showed a significant increase in spores that were PMA stained in their core; moreover,Bacillus atrophaeus, Bacillus safensisandGeobacillus stearothermophilusseemed to be best suited for this technique, as the spore cores of all these endospores could be positively stained after inactivation. Lastly, we describe an additional counter-staining protocol and provide an example of the application of the coupled staining methods for planetary protection purposes. The introduction of this novel protocol is expected to provide an initial insight into the various possible future applications of PMA as a non-viability marker for spores in, for example,B. anthracis-related studies, food microbiology and astrobiology.
The influence of surgery on the onset of symptomatic coronary artery disease
Authors: McFarlane H. J. , Girdwood L. , Bhaskar A. , Clark D. , Webster N. R. 
Published: January 2012

SummaryWe speculated that asymptomatic patients undergoing routine surgery might be at higher risk of subsequent cardiac events. We studied 183 534 patients with no prior admission for heart disease, aged 50–75 years, admitted electively for one of five operations considered medium to low risk of peri‐operative cardiac morbidity, between January 1997 and December 2005. Controls were generated from linked records. Within 3 years 3444 (1.9%) patients undergoing operations had subsequent myocardial infarction/acute coronary syndrome (MI/ACS) compared with 3708 (2.0%) controls (p < 0.001). Overall 8406 (4.6%) patients undergoing surgery had MI/ACS compared with 9306 (5.1%) controls (p < 0.001). Of patients undergoing surgery, 20.2% died compared with 25.7% of controls (p < 0.001). Patients undergoing certain surgical procedures did not have a higher incidence of readmission for cardiac events, but had a general survival benefit compared with other elective hospital admissions. Assessment for surgery may represent a health benefit beyond the original surgery.
Why does a rural background make medical students more likely to intend to work in rural areas and how consistent is the effect? A study of the rural background effect
Authors: Jones Michael , Humphreys John S. , McGrail Matthew R. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractObjective:  Evidence indicates that medical graduates with a rural background are more likely to become rural doctors than those with an urban background (the rural background effect (RBE)). Exactly why this is so has rarely been studied. This study sought to identify the role of social, environmental and economic factors in addition to isolation characterising rural environments that either explain or modify the association between rural background and becoming a rural doctorrural practice intention.Design and setting:  Secondary analysis of linked databases from the Medical Schools Outcomes Database (MSOD), Australian Bureau of Statistics and other government sources.Participants:  Seven thousand four hundred twenty‐two commencing medical students who took part in the MSOD survey and for whom external data could be linked.Results:  No social, environmental or economic factor studied or isolation significantly contributed to explaining the RBE, although there is some evidence that areas of more attractive climate strengthen the RBE. However, even when the RBE is at its weakest, it remains a strong, positive predictor of attraction to rural practice.Conclusion:  Why the RBE occurs remains unexplained. Evidence was found of a reduced RBE under certain climatic conditions and personal circumstances, but further work is required to better understand why rural background is so strongly related with rural medical intention and practice.
Posterior musculofascial plate reconstruction promotes early restoration of continence and prevents severe incontinence in patients undergoing laparoscopic radical prostatectomy
Authors: Sano Takeshi , Nakashima Masakazu , Haitani Takao , Kajita Yoichiro , Shichiri Yasumasa 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe objective of the present study was to assess the efficacy of posterior reconstruction of Denonvilliers' musculofascial plate for restoring urinary continence after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. A total of 48 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy were retrospectively reviewed. Of them, 23 underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy without posterior reconstruction of Denonvilliers' musculofascial plate (group 1) and 25 underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy with posterior reconstruction of Denonvilliers' musculofascial plate (group 2). Patients' demographics were analyzed and continence rates between the two groups at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery were compared. Patients in group 2 had significantly larger prostates than in group 1. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of the other patient characteristics. The urinary continence rates were significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1 at 1, 3 and 12 months after surgery, and the rates of severe incontinence were significantly lower in group 2 at all time‐points considered. These findings suggest that posterior reconstruction of Denonvilliers' musculofascial plate helps in restoring early continence and decreasing severe incontinence in patients undergoing laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.