julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Determination of Procalcitonin Levels in Patients with Nephropathia Epidemica - A Useful Tool or an Unnecessary Diagnostic Procedure?
2015-01-01

&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Background/Aims: &lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;Puumala virus causes nephropathia epidemica (NE), a milder form of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome that occurs in Central and Northern Europe. Several studies have sought to identify risk factors for severe NE. However, elevated procalcitonin (PCT) levels have not previously been investigated as a predictive marker for a severe course of NE. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Methods: &lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;A cross-sectional prospective survey of 456 adults with serologically confirmed NE was performed. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Results: &lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;PCT levels at the time of diagnosis were available for 43 out of 456 patients, and in 24 of these patients (56%) PCT levels were elevated (“PCT positive”). C-reactive protein (CRP) levels at admission to hospital and peak CRP levels during the acute course of the disease were higher in the PCT-positive compared with the PCT-negative group (p&lt;0.05). Severe acute kidney injury (AKI) (RIFLE I and F) was present in similar numbers of PCT-positive and -negative patients (p=0.7), but antibiotics were more frequently used in the PCT-positive than the PCT-negative group (p&lt;0.05). Within the PCT-positive group, PCT levels were similar among those receiving and not receiving antibiotics (p=0.13), and neither the duration of hospital stay nor CRP peak levels were lower in those treated with antibiotics (p=0.12 and p=0.13, respectively). &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Conclusions: &lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;Elevated PCT levels are common in patients with acute NE. There was no association between PCT levels and severity of disease, including AKI or thrombocytopenia. It is important to distinguish Puumala virus infection from other causes of AKI with thrombocytopenia. However, PCT might not be useful in differentiating hantavirus infection from bacterial infection.
Ketogenic Diet Attenuates NMDA-Induced Damage to Rat's Retinal Ganglion Cells in an Age-Dependent Manner
2015-01-01

&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Objective:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; This study was conducted to investigate neuroprotective effects of a high fat/low carbohydrate and protein diet (ketogenic diet, KD) in a model of N-methyl &lt;smlcap&gt;D&lt;/smlcap&gt;-aspartate (NMDA)-induced retinal ganglion cell (RGC) damage in juvenile and young adult rats. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Methods:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; Juvenile (30-35 days old) and young adult (56-70 days old) female Brown Norway rats were fed the KD for 21 days; rats exposed to a standard rodent diet (SRD) served as controls. The main constituents of the KD used in the present study were approximately 80% fats, 8% proteins, and less than 1% carbohydrates. On day 14 of exposure to the KD (or the SRD in the control group), each rat received a single intravitreal injection of NMDA; RGCs were then retrogradely labelled by hydroxystilbamidine on day 19 and collected on day 21 to assess the degree of damage induced by NMDA. Blood biomarkers to confirm the expected metabolic response to the KD (i.e. ketosis and hypoglycaemia) were also assessed. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Results:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; Although both the juvenile and young adult rats developed comparable ketosis and hypoglycaemia when fed the KD, NMDA-induced loss in RGCs was significantly attenuated only in juvenile rats exposed to the KD in comparison with those fed the SRD; exposure to the KD had no protective effect in young adult rats. In summary, exposure to the KD had a neuroprotective effect in NMDA-induced RGC damage in juvenile rats, but not in young adult rats. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; These results support further exploration of metabolic interventions to treat optic neuropathies associated with neurodegeneration.
Diagnostic Value of Subjective Memory Complaints Assessed with a Single Item in Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer’s Disease: Results of the DIAN Study
2015-01-01

Objective . We examined the diagnostic value of subjective memory complaints (SMCs) assessed with a single item in a large cross-sectional cohort consisting of families with autosomal dominant Alzheimer’s disease (ADAD) participating in the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network (DIAN). Methods . The baseline sample of 183 mutation carriers (MCs) and 117 noncarriers (NCs) was divided according to Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale into preclinical (CDR 0; MCs:<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" id="M1"><mml:mi>n</mml:mi><mml:mo>=</mml:mo><mml:mn>107</mml:mn></mml:math>; NCs:<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" id="M2"><mml:mi>n</mml:mi><mml:mo>=</mml:mo><mml:mn>109</mml:mn></mml:math>), early symptomatic (CDR 0.5; MCs:<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" id="M3"><mml:mi>n</mml:mi><mml:mo>=</mml:mo><mml:mn>48</mml:mn></mml:math>; NCs:<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" id="M4"><mml:mi>n</mml:mi><mml:mo>=</mml:mo><mml:mn>8</mml:mn></mml:math>), and dementia stage (CDR ≥ 1; MCs:<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" id="M5"><mml:mi>n</mml:mi><mml:mo>=</mml:mo><mml:mn>28</mml:mn></mml:math>; NCs:<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" id="M6"><mml:mi>n</mml:mi><mml:mo>=</mml:mo><mml:mn>0</mml:mn></mml:math>). These groups were subdivided by the presence or absence of SMCs. Results . At CDR 0, SMCs were present in 12.1% of MCs and 9.2% of NCs<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" id="M7"><mml:mo stretchy="false">(</mml:mo><mml:mi>P</mml:mi><mml:mo>=</mml:mo><mml:mn>0.6</mml:mn><mml:mo stretchy="false">)</mml:mo></mml:math>. At CDR 0.5, SMCs were present in 66.7% of MCs and 62.5% of NCs<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" id="M8"><mml:mo stretchy="false">(</mml:mo><mml:mi>P</mml:mi><mml:mo>=</mml:mo><mml:mn>1.0</mml:mn><mml:mo stretchy="false">)</mml:mo></mml:math>. At CDR ≥ 1, SMCs were present in 96.4% of MCs. SMCs in MCs were significantly associated with CDR, logical memory scores, Geriatric Depression Scale, education, and estimated years to onset. Conclusions . The present study shows that SMCs assessed by a single-item scale have no diagnostic value to identify preclinical ADAD in asymptomatic individuals. These results demonstrate the need of further improvement of SMC measures that should be examined in large clinical trials.
Emotional Dimensions of Music and Painting and their Interaction
2015-01-01

Abstract Usually it is accepted that human manifestations such as music or painting share a common artistic trait. However, very little is known about the genetic, behavioral, developmental and neurobiological basis of such a musical-pictorial “universal”. In an attempt to approach commonalities and differences between the psychology of music and pictorial art in Experiment 1 we investigated the emotional dimensions valence and arousal in a large sample ( N =156, M age = 21,44 years, SD = 3,89 years, range = 16–35 years) using a representative selection of musical and pictorial artistic stimuli. We found a stronger variability of valence and arousal with paintings and stronger effects of music on valence. In Experiment 2 ( N =202, M age = 21,35 years, SD = 3,57 years, range = 16–35 years) we present first quantitative data on the interaction between the two artistic categories of stimuli on a behavioral level, again observing effects of pictorial art and music on valence and arousal. Furthermore in Experiment 2 we replicated a more pronounced effect of music on the valence of pictures, particularly on positive valence the results of the ANOVA showed an increase in group A2: F (1, 120) = 6.23, p &lt; .05, in group C2: F (1, 120) = 89.03, p &lt; .001, and a surprisingly emotionally negative influence of pleasant paintings on the positive valence of music, group A1: F (1, 127) = 19.69, p &lt; .001. Despite the unresolved problem of non-representativeness of the stimuli and the sample selected these results may suggest superior emotional “power” of music over painting.
Extraocular Surgical Approach for Placement of Subretinal Implants in Blind Patients: Lessons from Cochlear-Implants
2015-01-01

In hereditary retinal diseases photoreceptors progressively degenerate, often causing blindness without therapy being available. Newly developed subretinal implants can substitute functions of photoreceptors. Retina implant extraocular surgical technique relies strongly on cochlear-implant know-how. However, a completely new surgical approach providing safe handling of the photosensor array had to be developed. The Retina Implant Alpha IMS consisting of a subretinal microphotodiode array and cable linked to a cochlear-implant-like ceramic housing was introduced via a retroauricular incision through a subperiosteal tunnel above the zygoma into the orbit using a specially designed trocar. Implant housing was fixed in a bony bed within a tight subperiosteal pocket in all patients. Primary outcomes were patient short term safety as well as effectiveness. Nine patients participated in the first part of the multicenter trial and received the subretinal visual implant in one eye. In all cases microphotodiode array pull-through procedure and stable positioning were possible without affecting the device function. No intraoperative complications were encountered. The minimally invasive suprazygomatic tunneling technique for the sensor unit as well as a subperiosteal pocket fixation of the implant housing provides a safe extraocular implantation approach of a subretinal device with a transcutaneous extracorporeal power supply.
Did You Sleep Well, Darling?—Link between Sleep Quality and Relationship Quality
2015-01-01

Background: Relationship quality and sleep quality influenced physiological and psychological health. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine a possible connection between relationship satisfaction and sleep quality and to test a theoretical model of sleep quality as related to relationship and psychological well-being. Methods: Fifty-one heterosexual, cohabitating couples between 24 and 70 years old participated. The relationship quality was measured by the German short version of relationship questionnaire. To determine the sleep quality, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and a two-week sleep diary were implemented. To gather information about psychological well-being, especially depression and anxiety, the German Symptom Checklist was used. Results: Sleep quality was measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and relationship quality correlated significantly negative. In addition, the study found a positive correlation between sleep duration and relationship quality. In a multiple regression model, fighting and mental strain explained 38% of variance of sleep quality. Depression, anxiety and relationship quality showed no further improvement of the model. These findings suggested that relationship quality, constructive partnership behavior and mental strain played an essential role in sleep quality.
GLP-1 Receptor Agonists in Type 2 Diabetes and Beyond – New Insights 2015
2015-01-01

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) were introduced for type 2 diabetes therapy nearly 10 years ago, among them short-acting compounds on the basis of the GLP-1-like peptide exendin-4 (exenatide and lixisenatide) and a long-acting GLP-1 RA based on the human GLP-1 sequence (liraglutide). Recently, two novel long-acting GLP-1 RAs on the basis of human GLP-1 sequence, for onceweekly application, have been approved for therapy of type 2 diabetes. Additionally, liraglutide has been approved for treatment of obesity at a higher dose than that used for diabetes therapy. This mini-review gives a short overview of the novel long-acting GLP-1 RAs albiglutide and dulaglutide and also reviews the studies of liraglutide in treatment of obesity leading to its approval for this use. These studies were largely presented at the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in fall 2014.
Prostate-specific antigen density as a parameter for the prediction of positive lymph nodes at radical prostatectomy
2015-01-01

The most widely used nomogram is of high value in therapy decision-making, although it remains an auxiliary means. Considering the performance of lymph node dissection, surgeons should be aware of the specifics of the applied nomogram. PSAD appears as a useful adjunctive parameter for preoperative prostate risk estimation and warrants further evaluation.
Ion Mobility Spectrometry To Monitor Trichloramine in Indoor Pool Air
2015-01-01

Trichloramine (TCA) is a volatile, irritant disinfection by-product formed by reactions of nitrogenous compounds with chlorine. TCA analysis was performed by a hand-held ion mobility spectrometer (IMS) with direct intake of gas samples from indoor air environments. Ionization with a 63Ni beta emitter produced chloride ions with a characteristic ion mobility which are completely separated from bromide and other ions by IMS. The limit of quantification for TCA is 0.1 mg/m3, sufficient for the TCA guideline value of 0.2 mg/m3 and therefore to use IMS for monitoring in indoor pool air. The contribution of further interfering chlorinated disinfection by-products (DBPs) to the chloride signal from TCA has been estimated to be less than 15 %. The mobility, the short measurement times of about 20 s and the stability of the calibration curve of the instrument qualify IMS to determine the spatial and temporal variability of TCA in indoor pool air. This was demonstrated for the increase of TCA concentrations dependent on the number and activity of swimmers. An immediate increase of TCA was detected after a school class entered the pool, which can be explained by the sudden increase of the mass transfer coefficient of TCA from water to air. A further example shows the acquisition of a spatial profile and the increase of TCA from the inlet to the outlet region of a non-swimmer area.
Role of Oculoproprioception in Coding the Locus of Attention
2015-01-01

Abstract The most common neural representations for spatial attention encode locations retinotopically, relative to center of gaze. To keep track of visual objects across saccades or to orient toward sounds, retinotopic representations must be combined with information about the rotation of one's own eyes in the orbits. Although gaze input is critical for a correct allocation of attention, the source of this input has so far remained unidentified. Two main signals are available: corollary discharge (copy of oculomotor command) and oculoproprioception (feedback from extraocular muscles). Here we asked whether the oculoproprioceptive signal relayed from the somatosensory cortex contributes to coding the locus of attention. We used continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) over a human oculoproprioceptive area in the postcentral gyrus (S1EYE). S1EYE-cTBS reduces proprioceptive processing, causing ∼1° underestimation of gaze angle. Participants discriminated visual targets whose location was cued in a nonvisual modality. Throughout the visual space, S1EYE-cTBS shifted the locus of attention away from the cue by ∼1°, in the same direction and by the same magnitude as the oculoproprioceptive bias. This systematic shift cannot be attributed to visual mislocalization. Accuracy of open-loop pointing to the same visual targets, a function thought to rely mainly on the corollary discharge, was unchanged. We argue that oculoproprioception is selective for attention maps. By identifying a potential substrate for the coupling between eye and attention, this study contributes to the theoretical models for spatial attention.
Expression Profile of Sonic Hedgehog Pathway Members in the Developing Human Fetal Brain
2015-01-01

The Sonic Hedgehog ( SHH ) pathway plays a central role in the developing mammalian CNS. In our study, we aimed to investigate the spatiotemporal SHH pathway expression pattern in human fetal brains. We analyzed 22 normal fetal brains for Shh, Patched, Smoothened, and Gli1-3 expression by immunohistochemistry. In the telencephalon, strongest expression of Shh, Smoothened, and Gli2 was found in the cortical plate (CP) and ventricular zone. Patched was strongly upregulated in the ventricular zone and Gli1 in the CP. In the cerebellum, SHH pathway members were strongly expressed in the external granular layer (EGL). SHH pathway members significantly decreased over time in the ventricular and subventricular zone and in the cerebellar EGL, while increasing levels were found in more superficial telencephalic layers. Our findings show that SHH pathway members are strongly expressed in areas important for proliferation and differentiation and indicate a temporal expression gradient in telencephalic and cerebellar layers probably due to decreased proliferation of progenitor cells and increased differentiation. Our data about the spatiotemporal expression of SHH pathway members in the developing human brain serves as a base for the understanding of both normal and pathological CNS development.
Short-Term Effects of Blood Transfusions on Hepcidin in Preterm Infants
2015-01-01

&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Background:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; Hepcidin, a key regulatory peptide hormone in iron homeostasis, may in future serve as a non-invasive iron status parameter for monitoring iron supplementation in preterm infants. For this, coexisting influencing factors should be taken into account. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Objectives:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; To evaluate the short-term effects of red blood cell (RBC) transfusions on hepcidin concentrations in serum (Hep&lt;sub&gt;S&lt;/sub&gt;) and urine (Hep&lt;sub&gt;U&lt;/sub&gt;) of preterm infants. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Methods:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; This was a prospective, observational study conducted between May 2009 and September 2010 at a single neonatal unit (Tübingen University Hospital, Tübingen, Germany) in very preterm infants, i.e. with a gestational age (GA) of &lt;32 weeks, who received clinically indicated RBC transfusions. The concentration of the mature, 25 amino-acid form of hepcidin was determined in serum und urine by competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay together with cellular indices before and after transfusion. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Results:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; Twenty preterm infants born at a median GA of 26 + 0/7 (interquartile range: 24 + 6/7 to 27 + 3/7) weeks received 27 RBC transfusions at a median corrected age of 31 + 3/7 (29 + 6/7 to 34 + 5/7) weeks. When measured shortly after transfusion (mean time: 10 h), haematocrit values increased from a mean of 26.6% (SD 2.8) to 40.9% (SD 3.2); p &lt; 0.0001. Hep&lt;sub&gt;S&lt;/sub&gt; also increased [geometric mean: 44.3 (95% confidence interval 30.8-63.8) ng/ml vs. 58.0 (35.7-94.3) ng/ml; p &lt; 0.05] but Hep&lt;sub&gt;U&lt;/sub&gt; remained unaffected. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; The data indicate that Hep&lt;sub&gt;S&lt;/sub&gt; concentrations increase shortly after RBC transfusion in preterm infants. Long-term observational studies are needed to understand the dynamics of hepcidin regulation in preterm infants.
Cytotoxic Effect of Voriconazole on Human Corneal Epithelial Cells
2015-01-01

&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Background:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; To assess the cytotoxic properties of voriconazole and sulfobutylether-β-cyclodextrin (SBECD) on cultured primary human corneal epithelial cells. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Methods:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; Human corneal epithelial cells were cultured and exposed to various concentrations of SBECD (0.016-32 mg/ml) and voriconazole (0.001-2 mg/ml). Cellular cytotoxicity of SBECD and voriconazole on human corneal epithelial cells was evaluated using the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide test and the LIVE/DEAD Viability/Cytotoxicity Assay with fluorescence microscopy analysis. Cell damage was assessed with phase-contrast microscopy after 24 h of exposure to SBECD and voriconazole. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Results:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; The cytotoxicity tests and the morphological characteristic demonstrated the dose-dependent toxic effect of SBECD and voriconazole on human corneal epithelial cells. No corneal epithelial cytotoxicity was observed below the concentration of 0.08 and 0.025 mg/ml after 24-hour exposure to SBECD and voriconazole, respectively. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; The results of the study reveal the dose-dependent cytotoxic effect of SBECD and voriconazole on cultured human corneal epithelial cells. Therefore, voriconazole eye drops should be used cautiously in the treatment of fungal corneal ulcers.
Reactivity of halfsandwich rare-earth metal methylaluminates toward potassium (2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl)amide and 1-adamantylamine
2015-01-01

Donor functionalities drastically affect salt-metathetical methylaluminato–amido exchange reactions in Cp<sup>R</sup>Ln(AlMe<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub> by triggering methylaluminate cleavage and C–H bond activation of proximal aliphatic groups.
Tendinopathy of the Achilles Tendon
2015-01-01

Tendon volume and size are adequate surrogate parameters to differentiate patients with chronic TEN from healthy subjects, and may discriminate symptomatic TEN from asymptomatic "silent" TEN in patients with unilateral symptoms.
Taphonomy of a clypeasteroid echinoid using a new quasimetric approach
2015-01-01

Grun, Tobias B., Nebelsick, James H. (2016): Taphonomy of a clypeasteroid echinoid using a new quasimetric approach. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 61 (3): 689-699, DOI: 10.4202/app.00200.2015, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.4202/app.00200.2015
Changing maladaptive memories through reconsolidation: A role for sleep in psychotherapy?
2015-01-01

Abstract Like Lane et al., we believe that change in psychotherapy comes about by updating dysfunctional memories with new adaptive experiences. We suggest that sleep is essential to (re-)consolidate such corrective experiences. Sleep is well-known to strengthen and integrate new memories into pre-existing networks. Targeted sleep interventions might be promising tools to boost this process and thereby increase therapy effectiveness.
Robust Visual Terrain Classification with Recurrent Neural Networks
2015-01-01

A novel approach for robust visual terrain classification by generating feature sequences on repeatedly mutated image patches is pre- sented. These sequences providing the feature vector progress under a cer- tain image operation are learned with Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs). The approach is studied for image patch based terrain classification for wheeled robots. Thereby, various RNN architectures, namely, standard RNNs, Long Short Term Memory networks (LSTMs), Dynamic Cortex Memory networks (DCMs) as well as bidirectional variants of the men- tioned architecture are investigated and compared to recently used state- of-the-art methods for real-time terrain classification. The results show that the presented approach outperforms previous methods significantly.
Combining SAR and Optical Data for Environmental Assessments Around Refugee Camps
2015-01-01

This study investigates the combination of images by both radar and optical sensors for environmental modelling in dynamic landscapes. The study area is located in Eastern Kenya and contains three of the largest refugee camps in the world. The fast provision of reliable information about the environmental conditions is needed by humanitarian organizations in order to coordinate their work and help the displaced people. We conducted a land cover classification based on RapidEye, Sentinel-1 and SRTM data using a Random Forest approach. Different combinations of input data were compared in order to achieve best results. The output accuracy was 84 % based on 17 predictor layers. These were generated using second order SAR texture filters and multi-scale topographic indices. Especially a combination of all three input types led to promising results.