bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prescribing of Sick Leave by Surgeons: A Survey Based on Hypothetical Patient Cases
Authors: Kankaanpää Anni T. , Laato Matti K. , Tuominen Risto J. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBackgroundPhysicians regard the tasks of sick‐listing and work ability assessments problematic and among the most challenging duties in their practice. Few studies have analyzed sick leave prescribing practices, and the practices have been shown to vary among physicians. The aim of this study was to examine the prescribing of sick leave by surgeons and factors that affect these prescribing practices.MethodsA questionnaire study with 19 hypothetical patient cases was conducted among 338 Finnish surgeons. The effects of both physician‐related and local structural background variables on sick leave prescribing were studied using univariate and multiple linear regression models. The economic consequences of the variation in sick leave prescribing were estimated.ResultsThe overall number of days of sick leave prescribed for the entire group of 19 patient cases averaged 281.4 days (range = 134–490 days). With the same diagnosis, surgeons prescribed more days of sick leave for patients who do physical work than for those who work in an office. Older surgeons with more working experience and those working in smaller municipalities or in smaller hospitals prescribed longer sick leave than others. Clinical specialists tended to prescribe longer sick leave than those still in specialty training.ConclusionStructured education for surgeons on prescribing sick leave, together with defined guidelines, could produce more uniform practices and improve equality among patients.
Gene replacement and elimination using λRed- and FLP-based tool to re-direct carbon flux in acetogen biocatalyst during continuous CO2/H2 blend fermentation
Authors: Tyurin Michael 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
A time- and cost-efficient two-step gene elimination procedure was used for acetogen Clostridium sp. MT1834 capable of fermenting CO2/H2 blend to 245 mM acetate (p &lt; 0.005). The first step rendered the targeted gene replacement without affecting the total genome size. We replaced the acetate pta-ack cluster with synthetic bi-functional acetaldehyde-alcohol dehydrogenase (al-adh). Replacement of pta-ack with al-adh rendered initiation of 243 mM ethanol accumulation at the expense of acetate production during CO2/H2 blend continuous fermentation (p &lt; 0.005). At the second step, al-adh was eliminated to reduce the genome size. Resulting recombinants accumulated 25 mM mevalonate in fermentation broth (p &lt; 0.005). Cell duplication time for recombinants with reduced genome size decreased by 9.5 % compared to Clostridium sp. MT1834 strain under the same fermentation conditions suggesting better cell energy pool management in the absence of the ack-pta gene cluster in the engineered biocatalyst. If the first gene elimination step was used alone for spo0A gene replacement with two copies of synthetic formate dehydrogenase in recombinants with a shortened genome, mevalonate production was replaced with 76.5 mM formate production in a single step continuous CO2/H2 blend fermentation (p &lt; 0.005) with cell duplication time almost nearing that of the wild strain.
Effect of Low‐Dose Electron Beam Irradiation on Quality of Ground Beef Patties and Raw, Intact Carcass Muscle Pieces
Authors: Kundu Devapriya , Holley Richard 
Published: May 2013

Abstract The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of a low‐dose (≤1 kGy), low‐penetration electron beam on the sensory qualities of (1) raw muscle pieces of beef and (2) cooked ground beef patties. Outside flat, inside round, brisket and sirloin muscle pieces were used as models to demonstrate the effect of irradiation on raw beef odor and color, as evaluated by a trained panel. Ground beef patties were also evaluated by a trained panel for tenderness, juiciness, beef flavor, and aroma at 10%, 20%, and 30% levels of fat, containing 0% (control), 10%, 20%, 50%, and 100% irradiated meat. With whole muscle pieces, the color of controls appeared more red (P < 0.05) than irradiated muscles, however, both control and treatments showed a gradual deterioration in color over 14 d aerobic storage at 4 °C. Off‐aroma intensity of both control and treatments increased with storage time, but by day 14, the treated muscles showed significantly (P < 0.05) less off‐aroma than the controls, presumably as a result of a lower microbial load. It was found that a 1 kGy absorbed dose had minimal effects on the sensory properties of intact beef muscle pieces. Irradiation did not have a significant effect (P > 0.05) on any of the sensory attributes of the patties. Low‐dose irradiation of beef trim to formulate ground beef appears to be a viable alternative processing approach that does not affect product quality.
Quality Change of Apple Slices Coated withAloe veraGel during Storage
Authors: Song Hye‐Yeon , Jo Wan‐Shin , Song Nak‐Bum , Min Sea C. , Song Kyung Bin 
Published: May 2013

Abstract Fresh‐cut apples are easily susceptible to browning and microbial spoilage. In this study, an edible coating prepared fromAloe veragel containing antibrowning solution was applied to preserve the quality of fresh‐cut apples during storage. Fresh‐cut apples were treated with both anAloe veragel and anAloe veragel containing 0.5% cysteine and then stored at 4 °C for 16 d. The color, firmness, weight loss, soluble solid content, titratable acidity, microbial analysis, and sensory evaluation were analyzed during storage. Fresh‐cut apples coated with theAloe veragel showed delayed browning and reduced weight loss and softening compared to the control. TheAloe veragel coating was also effective in reducing the populations of the total aerobic bacteria and yeast and molds. In particular,Aloe veragel containing 0.5% cysteine was most effective in delaying browning and the reduction of microbial populations among the treatments. These results suggest that anAloe veragel coating can be used for maintaining the quality of fresh‐cut apples.
False Positive Detection of Peanut Residue in Liquid Caramel Coloring Using Commercial ELISA Kits
Authors: Stelk T. , Niemann L. , Lambrecht D. M. , Baumert J. L. , Taylor S. L. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractInitial food industry testing in our laboratory using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods indicated that the darkest caramel color (class IV) unexpectedly contained traces of peanut protein, a potential undeclared allergen issue. Caramel production centers on the heating of sugars, often glucose, under controlled heat and chemical processing conditions with other ingredients including ammonia, sulfite, and/or alkali salts. These ingredients should not contain any traces of peanut residue. We sought to determine the reliability of commercially available peanut allergen ELISA methods for detection of apparent peanut residue in caramel coloring. Caramel color samples of classes I, II, III, and IV were obtained from 2 commercial suppliers and tested using 6 commercially available quantitative and qualitative peanut ELISA kits. Five lots of class IV caramel color were spiked with a known concentration of peanut protein from light roasted peanut flour to assess recovery of peanut residue using a spike and recovery protocol with either 15 ppm or 100 ppm peanut protein on a kit‐specific basis. A false positive detection of peanut protein was found in class IV caramel colors with a range of 1.2 to 17.6 parts per million recovered in both spiked and unspiked liquid caramel color samples. ELISA kit spike/recovery results indicate that false negative results might also be obtained if peanut contamination were ever to actually exist in class IV caramel color. Manufacturers of peanut‐free products often test all ingredients for peanut allergen residues using commercial ELISA kits. ELISA methods are not reliable for the detection of peanut in class IV caramel ingredients and their use is not recommended with this matrix.
What is health?
Authors: Brüssow Harald 
Published: May 2013

SummaryClassical medical research is disease focused and still defines health as absence of disease. Languages, however, associate a positive concept of wholeness with health as does the WHO health definition. Newer medical health definitions emphasize the capacity to adapt to changing external and internal circumstances. The results of the 2010 Global Burden of Disease study provides keys for a quantifiable health metrics by developing statistical tools calculating healthy life expectancy. Of central social and economic importance is the question whether healthy ageing can be achieved. This concept hinges on theories on the biological basis of lifespan determination and whether negligible senescence and the compression of morbidity can be achieved in human societies. Since the health impact of the human gut microbiome is currently a topical research area, microbiologists should be aware of the problems in defining health.
Antiarrhythmic Effect of Ranolazine in Combination with Class III Drugs in an Experimental Whole‐Heart Model of Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Frommeyer Gerrit , Milberg Peter , Uphaus Timo , Kaiser Dennis , Kaese Sven , Breithardt Günter , Eckardt Lars 
Published: May 2013

SummaryBackgroundRanolazine is evaluated for antiarrhythmic therapy of atrial fibrillation (AF). The electrophysiologic mechanisms of ranolazine in combination with class III drugs were studied in an isolated whole‐heart model of stretch‐related AF.Methods and ResultsThirty rabbits were fed with amiodarone (50 mg/kg/day, n = 10), dronedarone (50 mg/kg/day, n = 10), or placebo (n = 10) for 6 weeks. Subsequently, in isolated hearts, AF was induced by high‐rate atrial pacing and acute atrial dilatation. In placebo‐treated hearts, d,l‐sotalol (50 μM) was acutely administered. Ranolazine (10 μM) was additionally infused in all groups. Chronic amiodarone (+26 ± 7 ms, P < 0.05) or dronedarone (+22 ± 4 ms, P < 0.05) as well as acute application of d,l‐sotalol (+20 ± 3 ms, P < 0.05) increased atrial action potential duration (aAPD90). Additional treatment with ranolazine did not significantly change aAPD90 (P = ns). Class III drugs did not affect interatrial conduction time, while ranolazine significantly increased it (amiodarone group: +15 ± 3 ms, dronedarone group: +11 ± 3 ms, sotalol group: +15 ± 6 ms; P < 0.05 each). Ranolazine led to an additional increase in atrial effective refractory period (aERP), thus leading to an enhanced atrial postrepolarization refractoriness (aPRR, +17 ± 6 ms, +21 ± 4 ms and +16 ± 8 ms, P < 0.05, respectively). Acute atrial dilatation increased AF incidence compared with baseline. Amiodarone‐pretreated hearts showed a lower incidence of AF. Additional infusion of ranolazine further diminished AF. Dronedarone or acute infusion of sotalol did not significantly suppress AF, while additional treatment with ranolazine in these groups also reduced AF incidence.ConclusionIn this study, ranolazine on top of class III antiarrhythmic therapy had a beneficial effect. The increase in interatrial conduction time and marked atrial aPRR suppressed AF. These results shed further light on a potential therapeutic benefit of ranolazine on top of conventional antiarrhythmic therapy for rhythm control in AF.
Oral health and oral diseases in pregnancy: a multicentre survey of Italian postpartum women
Authors: Villa A , Abati S , Pileri P , Calabrese S , Capobianco G , Strohmenger L , Ottolenghi L , Cetin I , Campus GG 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study was to explore the oral hygiene practices and oral health status of Italian postpartum women.MethodsA self‐administered questionnaire assessed socio‐demographic information, oral hygiene habits and frequency of dental visits. All women received a thorough oral examination within five days after delivery. Logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for exposures of interest and the presence of ‘severe’ periodontitis.ResultsSeven hundred and fifty women participated in the study; 99.1% brushed their teeth everyday and 59.9% visited the dentist annually. The mean frequency of sites with bleeding on probing was 16.1% and the median clinical attachment level was 2.1 mm. The mean caries experience score (DMFT) was 8. Severe periodontal disease was present in 21.9% of individuals. Patients who reported visiting a dentist only when in pain and women with three dental caries or more were significantly more likely to have periodontitis (OR: 1.6; 95% CI: 1.1–2.2; p < 0.05 and OR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.5–3.5; p < 0.01, respectively).ConclusionsGiven the possible association between maternal and infant oral health, and between periodontal infection and general health, antenatal care providers should collaborate with dentists to encourage all pregnant women to comply with the oral health professionals' recommendations regarding appropriate dental brushing techniques and the importance of dental visits.
Increased rainfall frequency triggers an increase in litter fall rates of reproductive structures in an arid eucalypt woodland
Authors: Travers Samantha K. , Eldridge David J. 
Published: May 2013

Abstract The diversity of responses to episodic rainfall events among perennial plant species is critical for the maintenance of ecosystem functions in arid systems. We use a litter fall study to capture the responses of three species to shifts in environmental conditions. We examined the effects of landform, rainfall and other meteorological variables (temperature, evaporation, relative humidity, solar exposure, wind speed and cloud cover) on the mass of reproductive structures falling from two shrubs (Senna artemisioides ssp. filifolia, Acacia burkittii) and one tree (Eucalyptus gracilis) species in a eucalypt mallee woodland in semi‐arid eastern Australia. Data were collected over three years. The first year received below‐average rainfall and the following years received about twice the average annual rainfall. We assessed the relative importance of our explanatory variables, for each species separately, comparing the results using two methods: (1) multi‐model inference of a zero‐inflated negative binomial generalized linear model, and (2) structural equation modelling. Multi‐model inference showed rainfall frequency, at species‐specific lag intervals, to be of highest relative importance for all three species. Wind speed was also relatively important for all three species. Structural equation modelling supported these results, with strong, direct path coefficients for the number of days of rainfall in the past 12 months. There was, however, no strong effect of the average rainfall event size. Our analyses demonstrate the strong, direct and positive effect of rainfall, and highlight the importance of rainfall frequency rather than rainfall event size. Furthermore, we found species‐specific responses to environmental variables associated with wind, solar exposure and landform, further driving the litter fall of reproductive structures in perennial plants in semi‐arid environments. Understanding how different species respond to rainfall and other meteorological conditions can give us greater insights into the capacity of these systems to adapt, which will be important in a changing climate.
Detection of signatures of selective sweeps in the Blonde d'Aquitaine cattle breed
Authors: Boitard S. , Rocha D. 
Published: May 2013

SummaryIdentifying recent positive selection signatures in domesticated animals could provide information on genome response to strong directional selection from domestication and artificial selection and therefore could help in identifying mutations responsible for improved traits. We used genotyping data generated using Illumina's BovineSNP50 Genotyping BeadChips to identify selection signatures in the Blonde d'Aquitaine breed, a well‐muscled French beef breed. For this purpose, we employed a hidden Markov model‐based test, which detects selection by studying local variations in the allele frequency spectrum along the genome, within a single population. Three regions containing selective sweeps were identified. Annotation of genes located within these regions revealed interesting candidate genes. For example, myostatin (also known as GDF8), a known muscle growth factor inhibitor, is located within the selection signature region found on chromosome 2. In addition, we have identified chromosomal regions that show some evidence of selection within QTL regions for economically important traits. The results of this study could help to better understand the mechanisms related to the selection of the Blonde d'Aquitaine breed.
Predictors of mortality in cirrhotic patients undergoing extrahepatic surgery: comparison of Child–Turcotte–Pugh and model for end‐stage liver disease‐based indices
Authors: Kim Dong Hyun , Kim Sung Hoon , Kim Kyung Sik , Lee Woo Jung , Kim Nam Kyu , Noh Sung Hoon , Kim Choong Bai 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBackgroundUnderlying liver cirrhosis is associated with high morbidity and mortality after surgery. Previous studies have reported conflicting results about the value of Child–Turcotte–Pugh (CTP) and model for end‐stage liver disease (MELD) scores as predictors of post‐operative mortality. This study was designed to compare the capacities of CTP, MELD and MELD‐based indices in predicting mortality for patients with liver cirrhosis who underwent elective extrahepatic surgery.MethodsThe medical records of 79 patients with liver cirrhosis who underwent elective extrahepatic surgery under general anaesthesia from December 2000 to December 2009 were reviewed retrospectively.ResultsThe median follow‐up period was 21 months, and the mortality rate was 24.1% (n = 19). Among the 19 mortalities, nine (11.4%) occurred while the patient was hospitalized after surgery. Intraoperative transfusion amount (≥700 mL; odds ratio 6.294, P = 0.004) and the integrated MELD score (≥34; odds ratio 6.654, P = 0.007) were significantly correlated with post‐operative mortality. CTP score (hazard ratio 1.575, P = 0.012) was significantly correlated with overall mortality.ConclusionsIntegrated MELD may be a more accurate predictor of operative mortality in cirrhotic patients undergoing extrahepatic surgery than CTP and other MELD‐Na based indices. However, overall mortality may be reflected more accurately by CTP score. Further large‐scale study will be needed to validate this result.
Liposome‐Encapsulated Hemoglobin Ameliorates Ischemic Stroke in Nonhuman Primates: Longitudinal Observation
Authors: Kawaguchi Akira T. , Haida Munetaka , Ohba Hiroyuki , Yamano Mariko , Fukumoto Dai , Tsukada Hideo 
Published: May 2013

AbstractLiposome‐encapsulated hemoglobin (LEH) is protective early after brain ischemia in rats and nonhuman primates, but it remains unclear whether the protection persists and confers any benefits beyond the acute phase of brain ischemia and reperfusion. Ten monkeys underwent middle cerebral artery occlusion, received LEH (2 mL/kg, n = 5) or saline (2 mL/kg, n = 5) 5 min later, and reperfusion 3 h later. Positron emission tomography studies were repeated for the cerebral metabolic rate of O2 (CMRO2) as well as glucose (CMRglc) up to 8 days after reperfusion, when the animals were euthanized for morphological studies. There was no difference in O2 metabolism until 3 h after reperfusion, when CMRO2 was significantly better preserved in the cortex, but not in basal ganglia, on Day 0 in LEH‐treated monkeys. The extent of cortical infarction (saline 68 ± 10% vs. LEH 38 ± 9%, P < 0.05) and CMRO2 (mild suppression: saline 34 ± 10% vs. LEH 14 ± 4%, P < 0.05) remained significantly better preserved 8 days later, when CMRglc showed a similar pattern of cortical protection (mild suppression: saline 49 ± 15% vs. LEH 37 ± 4%, P < 0.05) in LEH‐treated monkeys, together with regained body weight. Somatic weight control, morphological integrity, CMRO2, and CMRglc were better preserved immediately, as well as 8 days after occlusion and reperfusion of the middle cerebral artery in monkeys receiving LEH early after onset of ischemia.
Evolving neonatal steroid prescription habits and patient outcomes
Authors: Fortin‐Pellerin Étienne , Petersen Claire , Lefebvre Francine , Barrington Keith J , Janvier Annie 
Published: May 2013

AbstractAimIndications for post‐natal steroids among preterm infants are evolving. The objective of this study was to compare steroid use in 2 cohorts 5 years apart and to document the short‐ and long‐term outcomes of our most recent cohort.MethodsRetrospective chart review of infants born under 28 weeks of gestational age for two cohorts (January 2002‐August 2003 and July 2008‐March 2010).ResultsTwo hundred and fourteen infants were included. More infants received steroids in the later cohort (20% vs 35%, p = 0.021) but survival rates did not improve. There was a shift towards hydrocortisone use (<7% vs 76%) and pulmonary indications (36% vs 61% of courses; p = 0.021). Patients died later (8 days vs 30 days; p = 0.02), with a strong correlation between time of death and total dose of steroids (r = 0.91; p = 0.01). Neurodevelopmental outcomes for patients who received steroids for pulmonary indications were inferior to those for the rest of the cohort (severe adverse outcome 26% vs 4.8%, p = 0.03).ConclusionThe improvement in short‐term respiratory status of ill preterm patients was offset by a disturbing increase in age at death and no improvement in survival rates.
Stylized and Performative Gaze for Character Animation
Authors: Pejsa Tomislav , Mutlu Bilge , Gleicher Michael 
Published: May 2013

AbstractExisting models of gaze motion for character animation simulate human movements, incorporating anatomical, neurophysiological, and functional constraints. While these models enable the synthesis of humanlike gaze motion, they only do so in characters that conform to human anatomical proportions, causing undesirable artifacts such as cross‐eyedness in characters with non‐human or exaggerated human geometry. In this paper, we extend a state‐of‐the‐art parametric model of human gaze motion with control parameters for specifying character geometry, gaze dynamics, and performative characteristics in order to create an enhanced model that supports gaze motion in characters with a wide range of geometric properties that is free of these artifacts. The model also affords “staging effects” by offering softer functional constraints and more control over the appearance of the character's gaze movements. An evaluation study showed that the model, compared with the state‐of‐the‐art model, creates gaze motion with fewer artifacts in characters with non‐human or exaggerated human geometry while retaining their naturalness and communicative accuracy.
Animal Locomotion Controllers From Scratch
Authors: Wampler Kevin , Popović Jovan , Popović Zoran 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThere exists a large body of research devoted to creating real time interactive locomotion controllers which are targeted at some specific class of character, most often humanoid bipeds. Relatively little work, however, has been done on approaches which are applicable to creatures with a wide range of different forms – partially due to the lack of easily obtainable motion‐capture data for animals and fictional creatures. We show how a locomotion controller can be created despite this dearth of data by synthesizing it from scratch. Our method only requires as input a description of the shape of the animal, the gaits which it can perform, and a model of the task or tasks for which the controller will be used. From this a sequence of motion clips are automatically synthesized and assembled into a motion graph which defines a physically realistic controller capable of performing the specified tasks. The method attempts to minimize the computational time required to generate this controller and we show its effectiveness at creating interactive controllers for a range of tasks for bipeds, tripeds, and quadrupeds.