bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Computed tomography findings of human polyomavirus bk (bkv)-associated cystitis in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients
Authors: Schulze M. , Beck R. , Igney A. , Vogel M. , Maksimovic O. , Claussen C. D. , Faul C. , Horger M. 
Published: October 2008

Background: Over 70% of the general population worldwide is positive for antibodies against polyomavirus hominis type 1 (BKV). Polyomavirus can be reactivated in immunocompromised patients and thereby induce urogenital tract infection, including cystitis. Purpose: To describe the computed tomography (CT) findings of human polyomavirus-induced cystitis in adult patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allogeneic HCT). Material and Methods: The study population was a retrospective cohort of 11 consecutive adult patients (eight men, three women; age range 22–59 years, mean 42.9 years) who received allogeneic HCT between December 2003 and December 2007 and were tested positive for urinary BKV infection. All CT scans were evaluated with regard to bladder wall thickness, mucosal enhancement, distinct layering of thickened bladder wall, and presence of intravesical clots, perivesical stranding as well as attenuation values of intravesical urine. Clinical data concerning transplant and conditioning regimen variables and laboratory parameters were correlated with degree and extent of imaging findings. Results: All patients had clinical signs of cystitis with different degrees of thickening of the urinary bladder wall. Well-delineated urinary bladder layers were present in six patients. Thickening of the urinary bladder wall was continuous in nine of 11 patients. Increased attenuation of intravesical urine was found in seven patients with hemorrhagic cystitis. Four patients had intraluminal clots. Perivesical stranding was not a major CT finding, occurring in a mild fashion in three of 11 patients. The clinical classification of hemorrhagic cystitis did not correlate with the analyzed imaging parameters. Patient outcome was not influenced by this infectious complication. Conclusion: CT findings in patients with polyomavirus BK cystitis consist of different degrees of bladder wall thickening usually with good delineation of all mural layers and increased mucosal enhancement. These findings are not specific for BKV cystitis, but awareness of this differential diagnosis should help in the early diagnosis and correct management of this infectious complication.
Role of Long‐chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in the First Year of Life
Authors: Agostoni Carlo 
Published: October 2008

ABSTRACTThe 2 most abundant long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) in the brain are docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA), where they have a functional and structural role in infant development. DHA is concentrated in the prefrontal cortex, which is important for association and short‐term memory, and in some retinal cells. Concentrations of PUFAs in human breast milk are relatively consistent during the first year of life, and studies have shown that breast‐fed infants have a greater mean weight percentage of DHA and a greater proportion of DHA in their red blood cells and brain cortex than formula‐fed infants. Furthermore, cortex DHA in breast‐fed infants increases with age, probably due to the length of feeding. Maternal supplementation with cod liver oil, which is rich in DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid, improved children's intelligence quotient compared with corn‐oil supplementation by 4 years of age. The LCPUFA content of human breast milk is affected by a number of factors, including diet, gestational age, parity, and smoking. Supplementation of formula feed with DHA and ARA results in infant development that is similar to breast‐feeding, and may have benefits on blood pressure in later childhood. The beneficial effects of LCPUFA supplementation on visual acuity continue after weaning irrespective of the type of diet. The long‐term effects and duration of supplementation of breast‐ and formula‐fed infants requires further investigation.
Immunological Basis and Management of Food Allergy
Authors: Herz Udo 
Published: October 2008

ABSTRACTOne of the most common allergies in children involves cow's milk, which contains approximately 20 different proteins that can cause allergic reactions. It is well known that children exhibiting signs of cow's milk allergy early in life often go on to develop allergy‐related respiratory diseases; thus, management of early sensitisations and symptoms of food allergies is crucial to preventing subsequent allergic complications. Constant allergen exposure and other environmental factors determine whether a sensitised individual will become chronically allergic and experience persistent symptoms. Management of food allergies in children focuses on minimising sensitisation and encouraging immune system maturation through the exposure of children to exogenous stimuli known to prime the immune system. Hypoallergenic molecules or allergen avoidance can also be used to induce tolerance in allergy‐prone children. Available evidence suggests that the onset of the sensitisation phase and the degree of inflammation can be modulated by external factors such as nutrition, and guidelines outlining the most effective dietary regimen for the prevention of allergic disease have been published. The underlying mechanisms of tolerance induction and the potential benefits of prophylactic treatment for food allergies remain to be determined.
Hypoallergenicity and Effects on Growth and Tolerance of a New Amino Acid–based Formula with DHA and ARA
Authors: Vanderhoof Jon A 
Published: October 2008

ABSTRACTNutramigen AA is an amino acid‐based formula for infants with multiple food protein intolerance or severe cow's milk allergy. Similar growth, tolerance, and safety profiles were found in a study comparing Nutramigen AA with a control formula (Nutramigen LIPIL) in healthy, term, formula‐fed infants in a randomised study. Moreover, no allergic reactions were observed in a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled food challenge in infants or children randomised to receive Nutramigen AA or placebo (Neocate). In conclusion, Nutramigen AA sustains growth and is well tolerated in babies with cow's milk allergy.
Ground‐roll attenuation using a 2D time‐derivative filter
Authors: Melo Paulo E. M. , Porsani Milton J. , Silva Michelângelo G. 
Published: October 2008

ABSTRACTWe present a new filtering method for the attenuation of ground‐roll. The method is based on the application of a bi‐dimensional filter for obtaining the time‐derivative of the seismograms. Before convolving the filter with the input data matrix, the normal moveout correction is applied to the seismograms with the purpose of flattening the reflections. The method can locally attenuate the amplitude of data of low frequency (in the ground‐roll and stretch normal moveout region) and enhance flat events (reflections). The filtered seismograms can reveal horizontal or sub‐horizontal reflections while vertical or sub‐vertical events, associated with ground‐roll, are attenuated. A regular set of samples around each neighbourhood data sample of the seismogram is used to estimate the time‐derivative. A numerical approximation of the derivative is computed by taking the difference between the interpolated values calculated in both the positive and the negative neighbourhood of the desired position. The coefficients of the 2D time‐derivative filter are obtained by taking the difference between two filters that interpolate at positive and negative times. Numerical results that use real seismic data show that the proposed method is effective and can reveal reflections masked by the ground‐roll. Another benefit of the method is that the stretch mute, normally applied after the normal moveout correction, is unnecessary. The new filtering approach provides results of outstanding quality when compared to results obtained from the conventional FK filtering method.
Validation of elastic wave measurements of rock fracture compliance using numerical discrete particle simulations
Authors: Möllhoff M. , Bean C.J. 
Published: October 2008

ABSTRACTWe test various methods of quantifying the compliance of single and multiple rock fractures from synthetic ultrasonic data. The data are generated with a 2D discrete particle scheme which has previously been shown to treat fractures in agreement with linear‐slip theory. Studying single fractures, we find that delays derived from peak amplitudes do not correspond to group delays, as might be expected. This is due to waveform distortion caused by the frequency‐dependent transmission across the fracture. Instead the delays correspond to an expression for phase delays, which we derive from linear‐slip theory. Phase delays are a unique function of compliance, whereas group delays are non‐uniquely related to compliance. We believe that this property of group delays has hindered the wider application of deriving fracture compliances from traveltimes. We further show that transmission coefficients derived from waveform spectra yield more accurate fracture compliances than those obtained from ratios of signal peak amplitudes. We also investigate the compliance of a set of parallel fractures. Fracture compliance can only be determined from transmission coefficients if the fracture spacing is so large that the first arriving pulse is not contaminated by reverberations. In the case of contamination the direct measurement of group or phase delays is not practical. However, we demonstrate that in such cases of strong waveform distortion the coda wave interferometry method is very effective for determining relative fracture compliance. First break delays in the fracture set data are related to those observed in single fracture simulations. This means that fracture set compliance can be estimated from first break data if used together with numerical simulations.
The club‐shaped gland of amphioxus: export of secretion to the pharynx in pre‐metamorphic larvae and apoptosis during metamorphosis
Authors: Holland Nicholas D. , Paris Mathilde , Koop Demian 
Published: October 2008

AbstractIn amphioxus larvae, the club‐shaped gland is a tube connecting the pharyngeal lumen with the external environment. The functions of the gland and its fate during the larva‐to‐juvenile metamorphosis have long been controversial. Here we use a fixative including ruthenium red to preserve extracellular secretions (presumably glycoproteins) in late pre‐metamorphic larvae. This procedure reveals reddish, fibrogranular material in the lumen of the club‐shaped gland and in the pharynx adjacent to the gland's inner opening. This finding strengthens the idea that secretions of the club‐shaped gland are exported to the pharyngeal lumen to help form a mucous trap for capturing food particles entering the mouth. We also use the terminal desoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) assay to study apoptosis in the tissues of metamorphosing larvae. One of the earliest events of metamorphosis is the massive apoptotic destruction of the club‐shaped gland. Therefore, despite some previous opinions to the contrary, the cells of the gland do not survive to participate in the genesis of the definitive endostyle or any other post‐larval structures.
Neurocognitive development of relational reasoning
Authors: Crone Eveline A. , Wendelken Carter , Van Leijenhorst Linda , Honomichl Ryan D. , Christoff Kalina , Bunge Silvia A. 
Published: October 2008

Abstract Relational reasoning is an essential component of fluid intelligence, and is known to have a protracted developmental trajectory. To date, little is known about the neural changes that underlie improvements in reasoning ability over development. In this event‐related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study, children aged 8–12 and adults aged 18–25 performed a relational reasoning task adapted from Raven's Progressive Matrices. The task included three levels of relational reasoning demands: REL‐0, REL‐1, and REL‐2. Children exhibited disproportionately lower accuracy than adults on trials that required integration of two relations (REL‐2). Like adults, children engaged lateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) and parietal cortex during task performance; however, they exhibited different time courses and activation profiles, providing insight into their approach to the problems. As in prior studies, adults exhibited increased rostrolateral PFC (RLPFC) activation when relational integration was required (REL‐2 > REL‐1, REL‐0). Children also engaged RLPFC most strongly for REL‐2 problems at early stages of processing, but this differential activation relative to REL‐1 trials was not sustained throughout the trial. These results suggest that the children recruited RLPFC while processing relations, but failed to use it to integrate across two relations. Relational integration is critical for solving a variety of problems, and for appreciating analogies; the current findings suggest that developmental improvements in this function rely on changes in the profile of engagement of RLPFC, as well as dorsolateral PFC and parietal cortex.
The NOS3 G894T (Glu298Asp) polymorphism is a risk factor for frontotemporal lobar degeneration
Authors: Venturelli E. , Villa C. , Fenoglio C. , Clerici F. , Marcone A. , Ghidoni R. , Cortini F. , Scalabrini D. , Gallone S. , Rainero I. , Mandelli A. , Restelli I. , Binetti G. , Cappa S. , Mariani C. , Giordana M. T. , Bresolin N. , Scarpini E. , Galimberti D. 
Published: October 2008

Background and aims:  Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS)1 C276T polymorphism was shown to increase the risk for frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). In the brain, both NOS1 and NOS3 (endothelial isoform) have been detected. The distribution of NOS3 G894T (Glu298Asp) and T‐786C single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was analyzed in a population of 222 patients with FTLD compared with 218 age‐matched controls to determine whether they could influence the susceptibility to develop the disease.Results:  A statistically significant increased frequency of the NOS3 G894T SNP was observed in patients as compared with controls (40.0 vs. 31.4%, P = 0.011, OR: 1.65, CI: 1.13–2.42). Conversely, the distribution of the T‐786C SNP was similar in patients and controls. No differences were observed stratifying according to gender.Discussion:  The NOS3 G894T polymorphism likely acts as risk factor for sporadic FTLD, but studies in larger populations are needed to confirm these preliminary findings.
Isolated Polyarteritis Nodosa of the Genitourinary Tract Presenting with Severe Erectile Dysfunction: A Case Report with Long-Term Follow-Up
Authors: Giannarini Gianluca , Pomara Giorgio , Moro Umberto , Mogorovich Andrea , Fabris Filippo Menchini , Morelli Girolamo , Scott Cathryn Anne , Selli Cesare 
Published: October 2008

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a rare necrotizing vasculitis affecting small- and medium-sized arteries of multiple organs. Spreading to the genitourinary tract is very common, with invariable involvement of kidneys or testes, but its impact on erectile function remains undetermined.

Aim
We describe a case of isolated PAN of the genitourinary tract diagnosed in a young man presenting with severe erectile dysfunction (ED), debate the critical issues of the differential diagnosis, and provide the long-term follow-up outcome.

Methods
The case report profiled a 36-year-old man who presented with progressively worsening erectile function and was incidentally found to suffer from genitourinary PAN. Extensive clinical, laboratory, and instrumental investigations, including brachial artery dilation test, suggested an arteriogenic etiology for ED and excluded a systemic involvement by PAN. Management featured use of a long-term, on-demand phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor regimen for ED, and close surveillance with no immunosuppressive therapy for PAN.

Main Outcome Measures
Clinical history data, brachial artery dilation test, response to PDE5 inhibitor therapy.

Results
After 12 months of PDE5 inhibitor therapy, the patient recovered a normal erectile function, paralleled by restored endothelial function as assessed with brachial artery dilation test. At a 5-year clinical follow-up, he continued to have full erectile ability with only occasional use of PDE5 inhibitor, and no evidence of progressive PAN was documented.

Conclusions
We propose PAN as a novel cause of arteriogenic ED, report the effective therapy with PDE5 inhibitor, and confirm the good long-term prognosis of isolated genitourinary PAN without immunosuppressive treatment.
Circulating CD34+KDR+ Endothelial Progenitor Cells Correlate with Erectile Function and Endothelial Function in Overweight Men
Authors: Esposito Katherine , Ciotola Miryam , Maiorino Maria Ida , Giugliano Francesco , Autorino Riccardo , De Sio Marco , Jannini Emmanuele , Lenzi Andrea , Giugliano Dario 
Published: October 2008

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) circulate in the peripheral blood and are involved in endothelial homeostasis and repair.

Aim
The aim of this study was to assess the circulating levels of different EPC phenotypes in overweight men with or without erectile dysfunction (ED). As endothelial dysfunction is considered a necessary link with ED, endothelium-dependent vasodilation and its relation with EPCs were also investigated.

Methods
We studied 30, otherwise healthy, overweight subjects with symptomatic ED for at least 6 months, and 30 age- and weight-matched subjects without ED. Erectile function was assessed by completing the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5), which consists of items 5, 15, 4, 2, and 7 from the full-scale IIEF-15.

Main Outcome Measures
Seven subpopulations of EPCs were determined by flow cytometry on the basis of the surface expression of CD34, CD133, and KDR antigens: CD34+, CD133+, KDR+, CD34+CD133+, CD34+KDR+, CD133+KDR+, and CD34+CD133+KDR+. Endothelium-dependent flow-mediated dilation (FMD) was evaluated in the right brachial artery with a high-resolution ultrasound machine following reactive hyperemia.

Results
CD34+KDR+ cell count was significantly lower in men with ED as compared with men without ED (63.1 ± 4 vs. 92.4 ± 6 cells/106 events, mean ± standard error, P &lt; 0.01). There was a significant direct correlation between circulating CD34+KDR+ cells and the IIEF score (r = 0.44; P = 0.01): men with the severe form of ED presented the lowest level of circulating EPC CD34+KDR+ cells. No significant correlation was found between the circulating levels of the other EPC phenotypes and the IIEF score. There was a significant correlation between CD34+KDR+ cell count and FMD (r = 0.45; P = 0.01), but not between FMD and the other phenotypes.

Conclusions
Circulating levels of CD34+KDR+ EPC are reduced in overweight subjects with ED and correlate with the severity of ED. Other EPC phenotypes are not related to ED, suggesting that the CD34+KDR+ phenotype of EPCs may be preferred in future studies.
Star cluster survival and compressive tides in Antennae-like mergers
Authors: Renaud F. , Boily C. M. , Fleck J.-J. , Naab T. , Theis Ch. 
Published: October 2008

Abstract
Gravitational tides are widely understood to strip and destroy galactic substructures. In the course of a galaxy merger, however, transient totally compressive tides may develop and prevent star-forming regions from dissolving after they condensed to form clusters of stars. We study the statistics of such compressive modes in an N-body model of the galaxy merger NGC 4038/39 (the Antennae) and show that ≃15 per cent of the disc material undergoes compressive tides at pericentre. The spatial distribution of observed young clusters in the overlap and nuclear regions of the Antennae matches surprisingly well the location of compressive tides obtained from simulation data. Furthermore, the statistics of time intervals spent by individual particles embedded in a compressive tide yields a log-normal distribution of characteristic time τ∼ 10 Myr, comparable to star cluster formation time-scales. We argue that this generic process is operative in galaxy mergers at all redshifts and possibly enhances the formation of star clusters. We show with a model calculation that this process will prevent the dissolution of a star cluster during the formation phase, even for a star formation efficiency ε as low as ∼10 per cent. The transient nature of compressive tides implies that clusters may dissolve rapidly once the tidal field switches to the usual disruptive mode.
Efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin®) therapy for early and advanced neovascular age‐related macular degeneration
Authors: Krebs Ilse , Lie Shilla , Stolba Ulrike , Zeiler Florian , Felke Stefan , Binder Susanne 
Published: October 2008

Abstract.Purpose:  To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab therapy for early and advanced neovascular age‐related macular degeneration (ARMD).Methods:  A consecutive series of eyes with neovascular ARMD treated with monthly intravitreal injections of bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.05 ml) as long as there was evidence of activity on fluorescein angiography (FA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) was included and observed for 6 months. For further analysis they were assigned to either an early (untreated/newly diagnosed) or an advanced (predominantly fibrotic/pre‐treated) ARMD group. We examined distance visual acuity (VA) with Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) charts and central retinal thickness with OCT, as well as lesion size and safety aspects.Results:  Forty‐four patients (44 eyes) were enrolled (21 early lesions, 23 advanced lesions). Mean VA changed from 0.74 logMAR at baseline to 0.68 logMAR at month 6 (P = 0.01). Improvement in VA was statistically significant only in eyes with early lesions (n = 21) from month 1 (P = 0.015) up to month 6 (P = 0.03). The changes in central retinal thickness (CRT) (P < 0.001) and total lesion size (P < 0.001) were significant in both groups (early and advanced) at all time‐points during follow‐up. No significant ocular or systemic adverse effects were observed.Conclusion:  Intravitreal bevacizumab was tolerated well by our patients and we did not identify any apparent short‐term safety concerns. We observed stabilization in VA overall, with significant improvement in the early lesion group.