bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Our early experience with iliofemoral vein stenting in patients with post-thrombotic syndrome
Authors: Sarici I S , Yanar F , Agcaoglu O , Ucar A , Poyanli A , Cakir S , Aksoy S M , Kurtoglu M 
Published: April 2013

Introduction: Venous balloon dilation and stent therapy have been proposed as effective treatments for chronic iliofemoral thrombosis. In this study, we report our experience and describe the one-year outcome and efficacy of balloon angioplasty and stenting for the treatment of post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) in iliofemoral vein segments. Methods: From June 2011 to June 2012, 52 consecutive patients with chronic PTS (59 limbs; 75% women; median age 58 years; range: 23–76 years) referred to our unit for interventional assessment were included in the study. Treatment effects were assessed using Villalta scale, Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS) and Chronic Venous Insufficiency Questionnaire (CIVIQ)-20 for PTS, CEAP (clinical, aetiological, anatomical and pathological elements) grading and measurement of leg circumference, before and after intervention. Results: Stenting was successfully accomplished in all patients. Coagulation abnormality was identified in 21 subjects (40.3%). CEAP grades were as follows: C3 in 19 patients, C4 in 24 patients, C5 in one patient and C6 in eight patients. According to Villalta scores, three patients were mild, seven patients were moderate and 42 patients were severe PTS. VCSS, Villalta scale and CIVTQ-20 showed a significant decrease in the severity of PTS signs and symptoms ( P < 0.001). The calf and middle thigh circumferences decreased significantly on both sides ( P < 0.001). Conclusion: Treatment of iliac venous obstruction with balloon angioplasty and stenting appears to be a minimally invasive and safe therapeutic approach in patients with PTS offering quick symptomatic relief, good patency and minimal morbidity.
Polidocanol foam stability in terms of its association with glycerin
Authors: Rial R , Hervas L S , Monux G , Galindo A , Martin A , Hernando M , Martinez I , Hernando A , Serrano F J 
Published: April 2013

Objectives: Foam sclerotherapy effectiveness mainly depends on the concentration of the sclerosing agent and foam stability. The objective of this study was to determine if the addition of glycerol at different concentrations contributes to the stability of polidocanol foam. Materials and methods: Control Group: 3% polidocanol. Group 1: polidocanol 3% + glycerin 1.66%. Group 2: polidocanol 3% + glycerin 3.3%. Group 3: polidocanol 3% + Glycerin 5%. Tessari standard method. Five recordings were made for each mixture. Early visual liquefaction time and half liquid time decay were recorded in seconds. Microscopic measurement of the foams. Mixtures surface tension measurement (N/m). Results: Early visual liquefaction: Control Group: 27 (± 3.11); Group 1: 67.8 (± 6.49); Group 2:48.6 (± 8.2); and Group 3: 35.8 (± 4.49). Half-liquid time: Control: 129.2 (± 11.00); Group 1: 260.4 (±18.99); Group 2: 224.6 (±13.03); and Group 3: 189.2 (±8.52). Bubbles/mm2–diameter–wall thickness: Control: 68–98 μm-7 μm; Group 1: 189–60 μm-9 μm; Group 2: 76–92 μm-12 μm; and Group 3: 49–112 μm-20 μm. Surface tension: Control = 5.54 N/m; Group 1 = 5.45 N/m; Group 2 = 5.35 N/m; and Group 3 = 5.21 N/m. Conclusions: Small amounts of glycerin highly increase the stability and quality of polidocanol foam. This simple chemical method is easily reproducible and applicable.
Effect of material and structure of compression bandage on interface pressure variation over time
Authors: Kumar B , Das A , Alagirusamy R 
Published: April 2013

Background Compression bandage consists of fibrous materials which are viscoelastic in nature due to which the internal stress developed in the compression bandage under wrapped position may decay over time. The viscoelastic behaviour of a textile material depends on the fibre type as well as on its structure, and hence these factors could play a prominent role in interface pressure variation over time. Objective To explore the influence of different materials and varying structures on the interface pressure profile generated by the bandages over time during static state of the limb. Method The material and construction of several compression bandages were engineered first and based on that different knitted bandages were prepared using several yarns (cotton, viscose, polyethylene terephthalate [PET], cotton-Lycra and PET-Lycra) and varying thread density in the structure. Three important factors, namely the material type, the applied tension and the tightness of the structure, were selected to examine their influence on interface pressure variation over time. The interface pressure measurement over time was done using a leg-segment prototype, which allows continuous online measurement of interface pressure over a static mannequin leg. Results More than 40% reduction of interface pressure was obtained for bandages made of spun yarns (cotton or viscose) in eight hours. Reduction of interface pressure for these bandages was higher when wrapped at a higher tension level. Lower reduction of interface pressure was obtained for the sample having higher thread density as compared with lower thread density in the structure, for the same applied tension level during wrapping. Bandages containing elastomeric yarn in the structure showed good sustenance of pressure for longer period. Conclusion Bandages made up of elastic core spun yarns are effective for maintaining uniform interface pressure for longer period due to sustained compression developed by the elastic filament and tight structure of these bandages.
Femoroacetabular impingement: presence of FAI-like features on conventional radiography in young patients presenting to primary care with hip pain
Authors: Sullivan Carl , Chakraverty Julian , Foley Kieran , Narayanaswamy Srikanth , Kamath Sridhar 
Published: April 2013

BackgroundFemoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a recognized major cause of early osteoarthritis in the hip and tends to present in young and active patients. The presence of morphological parameters associated with, or predisposing to FAI on radiographs can guide referral to a hip specialist for further assessment.PurposeTo determine the presence of radiographic findings with a known association with FAI in young patients presenting to primary care with hip pain.Material and MethodsRetrospective review of 223 consecutive patients presenting with hip pain (age range, 20–40 years) who underwent a pelvic radiograph in a 6-month period. Patients with pre-existing hip disease and/or technically inadequate radiographs were excluded from the study. Radiographs were analyzed for the presence of radiographic signs associated with FAI: acetabular cross-over sign; prominent posterior wall sign; coxa profunda; protrusio acetabula; acetabular index; lateral center edge angle; pistol grip deformity; and herniation pits.ResultsOf the initial 223 patients, 33 (17 women, 16 men; age range, 21–40 years; mean age, 33 years) were included in the study after strict application of exclusion criteria. Sixty-four of 66 joints (33/34 [97%] female joints and 31/32 [97%] male joints) had at least one abnormal finding associated with FAI. Forty-three of 66 joints (23/34 [68%] female joints and 20/32 [63%] male joints) had two or more parameters associated with FAI. All of these abnormal radiographs had initially been reported as normal.ConclusionOur study demonstrates a high presence of FAI-like radiographic features in a young symptomatic population; these are often not mentioned in the radiology report.
Tolerance analysis of systems in motion taking into account interactions between deviations
Authors: Walter Michael , Sprügel Tobias , Wartzack Sandro 
Published: April 2013

A product’s functionality depends largely on the interaction of its components and their geometries. Hence, tolerance analyses are used to determine the effects of deviations on functional key characteristics of mechanisms. However, possible interactions between the different deviations and the resulting effects on themselves as well as on the functional key characteristics have not yet been considered. This article considers the extension of the existing “integrated tolerance analysis of systems in motion” approach. By means of the methodology, the interactions between appearing deviations can be identified and integrated into a tolerance analysis functional relation. Therefore, the appearing interactions are represented by meta-models that can be easily integrated into the functional relation. Consequently, the product developer is able to gain information about the effects of deviations on functional key characteristics, as well as the effects of the deviations among themselves. In order to show the methodology’s practical use, the interactions between deviations of a nonideal crank mechanism inside a four-stroke combustion engine are considered. For this purpose, two different meta-modeling techniques are used: response surface methodology and artificial neural networks.
Tertiary Education
Authors: Hwa Ang Peng 
Published: April 2013

While the research culture is slowly but surely being strengthened, undergraduate teaching continues to be troubling. Employers said that they would not hire first-degree graduates because of the poor quality of their training. Many Indians therefore go on to obtain a master’s degree.Grinding poverty, corruption, the political culture and the caste system are four critical reasons for the current state of affairs. School fees are kept low as low as US$200 a year so as to be affordable; attempts to raise the fees are met with protests, with support from politicians.  Quoting the BBC broadcaster Mark Tulley, the author concludes that because of the Indian form of bad governance, where ideas sound excellent on paper but fail on implementation, the peculiarly Indian problems faced by the tertiary media education will require a peculiarly Indian solution.
Congenital dyserythropoietic anemia type III (CDA III) is caused by a mutation in kinesin family member, KIF23
Authors: Liljeholm Maria , Irvine Andrew F. , Vikberg Ann-Louise , Norberg Anna , Month Stacy , Sandström Herbert , Wahlin Anders , Mishima Masanori , Golovleva Irina 
Published: April 2013

Key Points
KIF23/MKLP1 mutation found in the CDA III patients causes cytokinesis failure.
Acquired copy-neutral loss of heterozygosity of chromosome 1p as a molecular event associated with marrow fibrosis in MPL-mutated myeloproliferative neoplasms
Authors: Rumi Elisa , Pietra Daniela , Guglielmelli Paola , Bordoni Roberta , Casetti Ilaria , Milanesi Chiara , Sant’Antonio Emanuela , Ferretti Virginia , Pancrazzi Alessandro , Rotunno Giada , Severgnini Marco , Pietrelli Alessandro , Astori Cesare , Fugazza Elena , Pascutto Cristiana , Boveri Emanuela , Passamonti Francesco , De Bellis Gianluca , Vannucchi Alessandro , Cazzola Mario 
Published: April 2013

Key Points
In MPL exon 10–mutated myeloproliferative neoplasms, the MPL-mutant allele burden varies considerably from about 1% to almost 100%. High mutation burdens originate from acquired copy-neutral loss of heterozygosity of chromosome 1p and are associated with marrow fibrosis.
Gene prediction in metagenomic fragments based on the SVM algorithm
Authors: Liu Yongchu , Guo Jiangtao , Hu Gangqing , Zhu Huaiqiu 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
Metagenomic sequencing is becoming a powerful technology for exploring micro-ogranisms from various environments, such as human body, without isolation and cultivation. Accurately identifying genes from metagenomic fragments is one of the most fundamental issues.

Results
In this article, we present a novel gene prediction method named MetaGUN for metagenomic fragments based on a machine learning approach of SVM. It implements in a three-stage strategy to predict genes. Firstly, it classifies input fragments into phylogenetic groups by a k-mer based sequence binning method. Then, protein-coding sequences are identified for each group independently with SVM classifiers that integrate entropy density profiles (EDP) of codon usage, translation initiation site (TIS) scores and open reading frame (ORF) length as input patterns. Finally, the TISs are adjusted by employing a modified version of MetaTISA. To identify protein-coding sequences, MetaGun builds the universal module and the novel module. The former is based on a set of representative species, while the latter is designed to find potential functionary DNA sequences with conserved domains.

Conclusions
Comparisons on artificial shotgun fragments with multiple current metagenomic gene finders show that MetaGUN predicts better results on both 3' and 5' ends of genes with fragments of various lengths. Especially, it makes the most reliable predictions among these methods. As an application, MetaGUN was used to predict genes for two samples of human gut microbiome. It identifies thousands of additional genes with significant evidences. Further analysis indicates that MetaGUN tends to predict more potential novel genes than other current metagenomic gene finders.
Genome-wide identification, classification and expression profiling of nicotianamine synthase (NAS) gene family in maize
Authors: Zhou Xiaojin , Li Suzhen , Zhao Qianqian , Liu Xiaoqing , Zhang Shaojun , Sun Cheng , Fan Yunliu , Zhang Chunyi , Chen Rumei 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
Nicotianamine (NA), a ubiquitous molecule in plants, is an important metal ion chelator and the main precursor for phytosiderophores biosynthesis. Considerable progress has been achieved in cloning and characterizing the functions of nicotianamine synthase (NAS) in plants including barley, Arabidopsis and rice. Maize is not only an important cereal crop, but also a model plant for genetics and evolutionary study. The genome sequencing of maize was completed, and many gene families were identified. Although three NAS genes have been characterized in maize, there is still no systematic identification of maize NAS family by genomic mining.

Results
In this study, nine NAS genes in maize were identified and their expression patterns in different organs including developing seeds were determined. According to the evolutionary relationship and tissue specific expression profiles of ZmNAS genes, they can be subgrouped into two classes. Moreover, the expression patterns of ZmNAS genes in response to fluctuating metal status were analysed. The class I ZmNAS genes were induced under Fe deficiency and were suppressed under Fe excessive conditions, while the expression pattern of class II genes were opposite to class I. The complementary expression patterns of class I and class II ZmNAS genes confirmed the classification of this family. Furthermore, the histochemical localization of ZmNAS1;1/1;2 and ZmNAS3 were determined using in situ hybridization. It was revealed that ZmNAS1;1/1;2, representing the class I genes, mainly expressed in cortex and stele of roots with sufficient Fe, and its expression can expanded in epidermis, as well as shoot apices under Fe deficient conditions. On the contrary, ZmNAS3, one of the class II genes, was accumulated in axillary meristems, leaf primordia and mesophyll cells. These results suggest that the two classes of ZmNAS genes may be regulated on transcriptional level when responds to various demands for iron uptake, translocation and homeostasis.

Conclusion
These results provide significant insights into the molecular bases of ZmNAS in balancing iron uptake, translocation and homeostasis in response to fluctuating environmental Fe status.
Use of electronic health record data to identify skin and soft tissue infections in primary care settings: a validation study
Authors: Levine Pamela J , Elman Miriam R , Kullar Ravina , Townes John M , Bearden David T , Vilches-Tran Rowena , McClellan Ian , McGregor Jessina C 
Published: April 2013

AbstractBackgroundEpidemiologic studies of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) depend upon accurate case identification. Our objective was to evaluate the positive predictive value (PPV) of electronic medical record data for identification of SSTIs in a primary care setting.MethodsA validation study was conducted among primary care outpatients in an academic healthcare system. Encounters during four non-consecutive months in 2010 were included if any of the following were present in the electronic health record: International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) code for an SSTI, Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code for incision and drainage, or a positive wound culture. Detailed chart review was performed to establish presence and type of SSTI. PPVs and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated among all encounters, initial encounters, and cellulitis/abscess cases.ResultsOf the 731 encounters included, 514 (70.3%) were initial encounters and 448 (61.3%) were cellulitis/abscess cases. When the presence of an ICD-9 code, CPT code, or positive culture was used to identify SSTIs, 617 encounters were true positives, yielding a PPV of 84.4% [95% CI: 81.8–87.0%]. The PPV for using ICD-9 codes alone to identify SSTIs was 90.7% [95 % CI: 88.5–92.9%]. For encounters with cellulitis/abscess codes, the PPV was 91.5% [95% CI: 88.9–94.1%].ConclusionsICD-9 codes may be used to retrospectively identify SSTIs with a high PPV. Broadening SSTI case identification with microbiology data and CPT codes attenuates the PPV. Further work is needed to estimate the sensitivity of this method.
Chronic back problems and labor force participation in a national population survey: impact of comorbid arthritis
Authors: Churcher Lauren , Chan Christina H , Badley Elizabeth M 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
Back problems and arthritis are common chronic conditions, while having back problems is a frequent reason for lost work time. The objective of this study was to investigate employment status amongst individuals who report having both back problems and arthritis, compared to having either condition alone.

Methods
We analyzed data from the 2007/2008 Canadian Community Health Survey (ages 25–64, n = 79,719). Respondents who reported neither having worked in the past 12 months nor the past week were coded as not currently employed. Those reported being permanently unable to work were considered to be out of the labor force. Log-Poisson regressions, adjusting for socio-demographic and lifestyle factors, were used to estimate risks for being not currently employed or being out of the labor force for 5 mutually exclusive groups of chronic conditions: arthritis and back problems, back problems, arthritis, any other chronic conditions, and no chronic conditions.

Results
12.7% of respondents reported being not currently employed and 2.9% being out of the labor force. 5.8% of respondents reported both arthritis and back problems, while 16.1% reported back problems and 7.3% arthritis. The back problems and arthritis group had the highest risk of not being currently employed. The risk was higher for men (PR = 1.90; 95% CI = 1.58, 2.29) than for women (PR = 1.31; 95% CI = 1.18, 1.46). Risks of being permanently unable to work were also the greatest for those with comorbid back problems and arthritis.

Conclusions
There is a need for a reappraisal of back problems as a cause of work disability to account for the possibility of co-occurring arthritis.
Microtechnologies to fuel neurobiological research with nanometer precision
Authors: Brunello Cecilia A , Jokinen Ville , Sakha Prasanna , Terazono Hideyuki , Nomura Fumimasa , Kaneko Tomoyuki , Lauri Sari E , Franssila Sami , Rivera Claudio , Yasuda Kenji , Huttunen Henri J 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
The interface between engineering and molecular life sciences has been fertile ground for advancing our understanding of complex biological systems. Engineered microstructures offer a diverse toolbox for cellular and molecular biologists to direct the placement of cells and small organisms, and to recreate biological functions in vitro: cells can be positioned and connected in a designed fashion, and connectivity and community effects of cells studied. Because of the highly polar morphology and finely compartmentalized functions of neurons, microfabricated cell culture systems and related on-chip technologies have become an important enabling platform for studying development, function and degeneration of the nervous system at the molecular and cellular level. Here we review some of the compartmentalization techniques developed so far to highlight how high-precision control of neuronal connectivity allows new approaches for studying axonal and synaptic biology.
Damped wave equation and dissipative wave equation in fractal strings within the local fractional variational iteration method
Authors: Su Wei-Hua , Baleanu Dumitru , Yang Xiao-Jun , Jafari Hossein 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
In this paper, the local fractional variational iteration method is given to handle the damped wave equation and dissipative wave equation in fractal strings. The approximation solutions show that the methodology of local fractional variational iteration method is an efficient and simple tool for solving mathematical problems arising in fractal wave motions.

MSC:74H10, 35L05, 28A80.
Hecke operators type and generalized Apostol-Bernoulli polynomials
Authors: Aygunes Aykut Ahmet , Bayad Abdelmejid , Simsek Yilmaz 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
In this paper, we construct some Hecke-type operators acting on the complex polynomials space, and we prove their commutativity. By means of this commutativity, we find a new approach to establish the generating function of the Apostol-Bernoulli type polynomials which are eigenfunctions of these Hecke-type operators. Moreover, we derive many useful identities related to these operators and polynomials.

MSC:11M35, 30B40, 30B50.
Blood alcohol concentration and self-reported alcohol ingestion in acute poisoned patients who visited an emergency department
Authors: Woo Seon Hee , Lee Woon Jeong , Jeong Won Jung , Kyong Yeon Young , Choi Se Min 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
Many acute poisoned patients have co-ingested alcohol in the emergency department (ED). This study aimed to estimate the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of acute poisoned patients who visited an ED by age and gender distribution and to determine whether it is possible to obtain self-reports of alcohol ingestion among poisoned patients.

Method
A retrospective medical chart review was conducted for all patients who visited the ED with acute poisoning between January 2004 and February 2008. Data regarding the patient’s age, gender, BAC, self-reported alcohol ingestion, poison ingested, time elapsed since poison exposure, presence of suicide attempts, and self-reported alcohol ingestion were collected. Patients were classified into two groups based on serum alcohol levels (≤10 mg/dl, >10 mg/dl).

Results
Of the 255 subjects, 88 subjects (34.5%) were included in the non-alcohol group and 167 subjects (65.5%) were included in the alcohol group. 227 subjects (89.0%) showed suicide intention. Using the 201 subjects who completed the self-report of alcohol ingestion, self-report resulted in 96.6% sensitivity and 86.7% specificity for the assessment of alcohol ingestion. The positive and negative predictive values for self-report were 91.2% and 94.7%, respectively. The median (interquartile range) BAC of the 97 males in the sample was 85.0 (10.0-173.5) mg/dl, and that of the 158 females was 32.0 (4.0-137.5) mg/dl (p = 0.010). The distribution of age in the groups was significantly different between the alcohol and non-alcohol groups (p = 0.035), and there was a significant difference in the mean BAC with respect to age for males (p = 0.003).

Conclusion
This study showed that over two-thirds of patients presenting with acute poisoning had a BAC > 10 mg/dl. Most of patients visited by suicide attempt. Males had a higher BAC than did females. Self-reported alcohol ingestion in acute poisoned patients showed high sensitivity and specificity.