bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cost‐Effectiveness of Ingunial Hernia Surgery in Northwestern Ecuador
Authors: Shillcutt Samuel D. , Sanders David L. , Teresa Butrón‐Vila M. , Kingsnorth Andrew N. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBackgroundCost‐effectiveness of tension‐free inguinal hernia repair at a private 20‐bed rural hospital in Esmeraldas Province, Ecuador, was calculated relative to no treatment.MethodsLichtenstein repair using mosquito net or polypropylene commercial mesh was provided to patients with inguinal hernia by surgeons from Europe and North America. Prospective data were collected from provider, patient, and societal perspectives, with component costs collected on site and from local supply companies or published literature. Patient outcomes were forecasted using disability adjusted life years (DALYs) averted. Uncertainty in patient‐level data was evaluated with Monte–Carlo simulation.Results:Surgery was provided to 102 patients with inguinal hernias of various sizes. Local anesthesia was used for 80 % of operations during the first mission, and spinal anesthesia was used for 89 % in the second mission. Few complications were observed. An average 6.39 DALYs (3,0) were averted per patient (95 % confidence interval: 6.22–6.84). The average cost per patient was US$499.33 (95 % CI: US$490.19–$526.03) from a provider perspective, US$118.79 (95 % CI: US$110.28–$143.72) from a patient perspective, and US$615.46 (95 % CI: US$603.39–$650.40) from a societal perspective. Mean cost‐effectiveness from a provider perspective was US$78.18/DALY averted (95 % CI: US$75.86–$85.78) according to DALYs (3,0) averted using the West Life Table level 26, well below the Ecuadorian per‐capita Gross National Income (US$3,850). Results were robust to all sensitivity analyses.ConclusionsInguinal hernia repair was cost‐effective in western Ecuador through international collaboration.
Preoperative Prediction of Central Lymph Node Metastasis in Thyroid Papillary Microcarcinoma Using Clinicopathologic and Sonographic Features
Authors: Kim Kyung‐Eun , Kim Eun‐Kyung , Yoon Jung Hyun , Han Kyung Hwa , Moon Hee Jung , Kwak Jin Young 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe purpose of the present study was to evaluate the clinicopathologic factors and ultrasound (US) features predictive of central lymph node metastasis (LNM) in patients diagnosed with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC).MethodsFrom March 2008 to August 2008, the clinicopathologic features and preoperative US features of 483 patients who were diagnosed with conventional PTMC were included. Medical records, US features, and pathology reports of all patients were retrospectively reviewed. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to identify clinicopathological prognostic factors associated with central LNM. Odds ratios (OR) with relative 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CI) were calculated to determine the relevance of all potential predictors of central LNM.ResultsAmong the 483 patients with PTMC, 139 (28.8 %) patients had central LNM. The OR of significant independent factors were 2.055 (95 % CI, 1.137–3.716), 2.075 (95 % CI, 1.27–3.39), 1.71 (95 % CI, 1.073–2.724), and 15.897 (95 % CI, 4.173–60.569), respectively, for bilaterality, larger tumor size (>5 mm), extracapsular invasion, and lateral LNM. No significant association was seen among the US features of PTMC with central LNM.ConclusionsCentral lymph node metastasis in patients with PTMC was significantly associated with various clinicopathological factors, including larger tumor size (>5 mm), bilaterality, extracapsular invasion, and lateral LNM. When these features are detected on preoperative US, selective central compartment dissection may be helpful in patients diagnosed with PTMC.
Electrical stimulation therapy of the lower esophageal sphincter is successful in treating GERD: final results of open-label prospective trial
Authors: Rodríguez Leonardo , Rodriguez Patricia , Gómez Beatriz , Ayala Juan C. , Saba Jorge , Perez-Castilla Alberto , Galvao Neto Manoel , Crowell Michael D. 
Published: October 2012

Abstract

Background
Electrical stimulation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) improves LES pressure without interfering with LES relaxation. The aim of this open-label pilot trial was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of long-term LES stimulation using a permanently implanted LES stimulator in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Methods
GERD patients who were at least partially responsive to proton pump inhibitors (PPI) with abnormal esophageal pH, hiatal hernia ≤3 cm, and esophagitis ≤LA grade C were included. Bipolar stitch electrodes were placed in the LES and an IPG was placed in a subcutaneous pocket. Electrical stimulation was delivered at 20 Hz, 215 μs, 3–8 mA in 30 min sessions. The number and timing of sessions was tailored to each patient’s GERD profile. Patients were evaluated using GERD-HRQL, daily symptom and medication diaries, SF-12, esophageal pH, and high-resolution manometry.

Results
24 patients (mean age = 53 years, SD = 12 years; 14 men) were implanted; 23 completed their 6-month evaluation. Median GERD-HRQL scores at 6 months was 2.0 (IQR = 0–5.5) and was significantly better than both baseline on-PPI [9.0 (range = 6.0–10.0); p < 0.001] and off-PPI [23 (21–25); p < 0.001] GERD-HRQL. Median% 24-h esophageal pH < 4.0 at baseline was 10.1 and improved to 5.1 at 6 months (p < 0.001). At their 6-month follow-up, 91 % (21/23) of the patients were off PPI and had significantly better median GERD-HRQL on LES stimulation compared to their on-PPI GERD-HRQL at baseline (9.0 vs. 2.0; p < 0.001). There were no unanticipated implantation- or stimulation-related adverse events or untoward sensation due to stimulation. There were no reports of treatment-related dysphagia, and manometric swallow was also unaffected.

Conclusions
Electrical stimulation of the LES is safe and effective for treating GERD. There is a significant and sustained improvement in GERD symptoms, esophageal pH, and reduction in PPI usage without any side effects with the therapy. Furthermore, the therapy can be optimized to address an individual patient’s disease.
Bench scale production of benzohydroxamic acid using acyl transfer activity of amidase from Alcaligenes sp. MTCC 10674
Authors: Bhatia Ravi Kant , Bhatia Shashi Kant , Mehta Praveen Kumar , Bhalla Tek Chand 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
The acyl transfer activity of the amidase of Alcaligenes sp. MTCC 10674 has been applied to the conversion of benzamide and hydroxylamine to benzohydroxamic acid. The unique features of the acyl transfer activity of this organism include its optimal activity at 50 °C and very high substrate (100 mM benzamide) and product (90 mM benzohydroxamic acid) tolerance among the hitherto reported enzymes. The bench scale production of benzohydroxamic acid was carried out in a fed-batch reaction (final volume 1 l) by adding 50 mM benzamide and 250 mM of hydroxylamine after every 20 min for 80 min in 0.1 M potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) at 50 °C, using resting cells equal to 4.0 mg dcm/ml of reaction mixture. From 1 l of reaction mixture 33 g of benzohydroxamic acid was recovered with 24.6 g l−1 h−1 productivity. The acyl transfer activity of the amidase of Alcaligenes sp. MTCC 10674 and the process developed in the present study are of industrial significance for the enzyme-mediated production of benzohydroxamic acid.
Using Information-Gap Decision Theory for Water Resources Planning Under Severe Uncertainty
Authors: Korteling Brett , Dessai Suraje , Kapelan Zoran 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Water resource managers are required to develop comprehensive water resources plans based on severely uncertain information of the effects of climate change on local hydrology and future socio-economic changes on localised demand. In England and Wales, current water resources planning methodologies include a headroom estimation process separate from water resource simulation modelling. This process quantifies uncertainty based on only one point of an assumed range of deviations from the expected climate and projected demand 25 years into the future. This paper utilises an integrated method based on Information-Gap decision theory to quantitatively assess the robustness of various supply side and demand side management options over a broad range of plausible futures. Findings show that beyond the uncertainty range explored with the headroom method, a preference reversal can occur, i.e. some management options that underperform at lower uncertainties, outperform at higher levels of uncertainty. This study also shows that when 50 % or more of the population adopts demand side management, efficiency related measures and innovative options such as rainwater collection can perform equally well or better than some supply side options The additional use of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis shifts the focus away from reservoir expansion options, that perform best in regards to water availability, to combined strategies that include innovative demand side management actions of rainwater collection and greywater reuse as well efficiency measures and additional regional transfers. This paper illustrates how an Information-Gap based approach can offer a comprehensive picture of potential supply/demand futures and a rich variety of information to support adaptive management of water systems under severe uncertainty.
Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome by Members of the American Association for Hand Surgery
Authors: Shin Eon K. , Bachoura Abdo , Jacoby Sidney M. , Chen Neal C. , Osterman A. Lee 
Published: October 2012

Background Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common compressive neuropathy affecting the upper extremity, yet evidence-based guidelines for its diagnosis and treatment are lacking. We set out to expose any potential discrepancies in CTS practice attitudes based on surgeon's academic background, residency training, clinical experience, and other factors. Methods This was an online survey-based study. Members of the American Association for Hand Surgery (AAHS) were sent an electronic mail request ( n=817). The online questionnaire consisted of 12 questions that queried surgeons' approaches to the diagnosis as well as operative and non-operative management of carpal tunnel syndrome. Results One hundred twenty-three surgeons responded to the survey (15.1 %). The locations of surgical practices varied within the United States and beyond. Most respondents were either orthopedic or plastic surgeons. With respect to practice duration, 15.4 % had been in practice for 5 years or less, 30.9 % of the respondents had been in practice between 6 and 15 years, 30.9 % had been in practice between 16 and 25 years, and 26.8 % had been in practice for more than 25 years. The most notable interspecialty differences were related to the use of operative antibiotics and the surgical approach. Plastic surgeons were less likely to recommend antibiotic use during surgery and more likely to utilize an open extensile approach during surgical release. Younger surgeons were more likely to employ a mini-open approach for carpal tunnel release. Conclusions We conclude that background training and generational differences contribute to the varied approaches observed in the diagnosis and management of CTS.
Determination of Critical Aggregation Concentration in the Poly‐(vinylpyrrolidone)–Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate System by Capillary Electrophoresis
Authors: Öztekin Nevin , Erim F. Bedia 
Published: October 2012

AbstractWe introduce an alternative separation method, i.e., capillary electrophoresis to examine the polymer/surfactant interaction. The migration behavior of the poly‐(vinylpyrrolidone)–sodium dodecyl sulfate (PVP–SDS) model system was screened under a high electrical field for seven different PVP initial concentrations. From the electrophoretic mobilities of formed polymer–surfactant species, the critical aggregation concentration (CAC) of SDS for PVP was determined. The CAC value in the present study was very well matched with the CAC values of this system reported by alternative methods. A strong interaction between polymer and SDS under CAC concentration was observed and the independence of CAC on polymer concentration was experimentally demonstrated.
Key Fatty Acid Combinations Define Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation and Viability
Authors: St‐Denis Corinne , Cloutier Isabelle , Tanguay Jean‐François 
Published: October 2012

AbstractHigh plasma concentrations of free fatty acids (FFA) and insulin are common features in atherosclerotic patients with type 2 diabetes. FFA, according to their nature, can have various effects on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). These cells play important roles throughout atherosclerosis pathogenesis, from plaque development to plaque instability. Thus, this study aims to assess the impact of two FFA combinations and insulin on murine VSMC viability. The two combinations contain the same FFA but at different ratios, one being richer in saturated fatty acids (SFA) and the other having a higher proportion of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA). Both combinations inhibited VSMC proliferation due to their pro‐apoptotic potential, with SFA being the major inducers of apoptosis. However, the presence of oleic acid (OLA) attenuated this impact in a dose‐dependent manner. OLA had also the capacity to reduce apoptosis rates more strongly when combined with a SFA than when used alone in VSMC treatments. This effect was significant only for specific proportions of these FFA and was even more effective in presence of insulin. These results highlight the presence of a competition between pro‐apoptotic and anti‐apoptotic mechanisms in VSMC that is dependent on FFA ratios (saturated vs. monounsaturated) and on insulinemia. They also underline the importance of the presence of MUFA such as OLA in diets containing high proportions of SFA.
Cytotoxic Petrosiacetylenes from the Marine Sponge Petrosia sp.
Authors: Lee Yeon‐Ju , Yoo Su‐Jung , Kang Jong Soon , Yun Jieun , Shin Hee Jae , Lee Jong Seok , Lee Hyi‐Seung 
Published: October 2012

AbstractA novel petrosiacetylene analog (petrosiacetylene E) has been isolated from the Korean marine sponge Petrosia sp., along with petrosiacetylene A, B and C. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods and the stereochemistry of the new compound was determined by using the modified Mosher's method. Petrosiacetylene E showed higher cytotoxicity against five human cancer cell lines than petrosiacetylene A and B, presumably due to the additional hydroxy group located at C‐16.
The Caspase Pathway of Linoelaidic Acid (9t, 12t‐C18:2)‐Induced Apoptosis in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
Authors: Bin Qiu , Rao Huan , Hu Jiang‐Ning , Liu Rong , Fan Ya‐Wei , Li Jing , Deng Ze‐Yuan , Zhong Xianfeng , Du Fang‐Ling 
Published: October 2012

AbstractTrans fatty acids (TFA) are reported to contribute to inflammation and coronary heart disease. The study aim was to investigate the proapoptotic effects of two double bond TFA (TDTFA) on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). The HUVEC were grown in media supplied with linoelaidic acid (9t,12t‐C18:2) at 50, 100, 200, 400 μmol/l for 24 or 48 h to examine the effects of TDTFA on the viability and apoptosis of these cells. Flow cytometry analysis and confocal scanning were used to measure apoptosis, cell binding of Annexin V and propidium iodide uptake. Colorimetric assay and RT‐PCR were used to analyze enzyme activities and mRNA expression of caspase‐3, ‐8 and ‐9 in HUVEC. Results showed that 9t,12t‐C18:2 inhibited the viability of HUVEC in a dose‐dependent and time‐dependent manner. The percentages of 9t,12t‐C18:2 induced apoptotic and necrotic cells significantly increased compared with that of the control. The activities and mRNA expression of caspase‐8, ‐9 and ‐3 were significantly increased in 9t,12t‐C18:2 treated cells compared to that of the control. Addition of specific inhibitors of caspase‐8 (z‐IETD‐fmk) and caspase‐9 (z‐LEHD‐fmk) to HUVEC was found to completely inhibit 9t,12t‐C18:2‐induced activation of caspase‐3, and z‐IETD‐fmk inhibited the activation of caspase‐9. Meanwhile, it was found that mRNA expression of Bid, Smac/DIABLO and the release of mitochondrial cytochrome c were significantly elevated by 9t,12t‐C18:2 treatment. These results suggest that 9t,12t‐C18:2 may induce apoptosis of HUVEC through activating caspase‐8, ‐9 and ‐3. Both the death receptor pathway and the mitochondrial pathway may be involved in the apoptosis induced by 9t,12t‐C18:2.
Influence of Sociocultural Factors and Acceptance of Creationism in the Comprehension of Evolutionary Biology in Freshman Brazilian Students
Authors: Penteado Pierre R. , Kavalco Karine F. , Pazza Rubens 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
The creationist movements in Brazil, although considered weak, are on the increase. The Brazilian legislation neither imposes any objection in teaching evolution nor obliges the teaching of creationism as an alternative to evolution in science classes. Furthermore, it allows the optional teaching of religion at schools. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the knowledge regarding biological evolution in freshman students from a Brazilian university. Such knowledge was related to sociocultural factors such as their parental education level, the type of high school the student graduated from (private or public school), their philosophical/religious position as well as the acceptance of creationism as an alternative to evolution. Among those factors, the latter two showed significant differences, in which the higher averages belonged both to the atheistic students and to those who do not accept creationism as an alternative to evolution.
Jano: location-privacy enforcement in mobile and pervasive environments through declarative policies
Authors: Simão José , Ribeiro Carlos , Ferreira Paulo , Veiga Luís 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Today there are many location technologies providing people or object location. However, location privacy must be ensured before providing widely disseminated location services. Privacy rules may depend not only on the identity of the requester, but also on past events such as the places visited by the person being located, or previous location queries. Therefore, location systems must support the specification and enforcement of security policies (including history-based) allowing users to specify when, how and whom may know their location. We propose a middleware platform named Jano [Jano (or JANVS in latin) is the god of doors and gates in the roman mythology. He is usually depicted with two or four faces turning in opposite directions.] supporting both pull and push location requests while enforcing configurable security policies. Policies are specified using the Security Policy Language, SPL, facilitating the use of well-known security models. In particular, Jano supports history-based policies applied to person’s or object’s location. Jano implementation integrates several location technologies (e.g. GPS, RFID, etc.) and deals with the related heterogeneity aspects. It provides a web-based interface that facilitates policy specification, and its evaluation shows good performance, embodying a number of optimizations regarding bandwidth, process and storage savings.
How Job Characteristics Affect International Migration: The Role of Informality in Mexico
Authors: Villarreal Andrés , Blanchard Sarah 
Published: October 2012

AbstractDespite the importance given to employment opportunities as a primary motive for migration, previous studies have paid insufficient attention to the kinds of jobs that are more likely to retain workers in their countries of origin. We use information from a panel survey of Mexican adults to examine how job characteristics affect the risk of international migration. The sampling strategy and overall size of the survey allow us to analyze the effect of employment characteristics on migration from urban areas, which have much greater labor market diversity, and to separate our analysis by gender. We also distinguish migrants according to whether they migrate for work or for other reasons. We find informality to be a significant predictor of international migration. Even after controlling for individual factors including workers’ wages, as well as various household- and community-level predictors, we find that workers employed in the informal sector have significantly higher odds of migrating than their counterparts in the formal sector. The pervasive nature of informality in many developing countries from which a high proportion of international migrants originate may therefore create a constant supply of workers who are predisposed to migrate. Our findings thus have important implications for a proper understanding of the effects of economic development on migration.
Effects of dietary interventions on 24‐hour urine parameters in patients with idiopathic recurrent calcium oxalate stones
Authors: Kıraç Mustafa , Küpeli Bora , İrkilata Lokman , Gülbahar Özlem , Aksakal Nur , Karaoğlan Üstünol , Bozkırlı İbrahim 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe aim of this study is to investigate the effects of dietary factors on 24‐hour urine parameters in patients with idiopathic recurrent calcium oxalate stones. A total of 108 of idiopathic recurrent calcium oxalate stones were included in the study. A 24‐hour urinalysis was performed and metabolic abnormalities were measured for all of the patients. All of the patients were given specialized diets for their 24‐hour urine abnormalities. At the end of first month, the same parameters were examined in another 24‐hour urinalysis. Hyperoxaluria, hypernatruria, and hypercalciuria were found in 84 (77%), 43 (39.8%), and 38 (35.5%) of the patients, respectively. The differences between the oxalate, sodium, volume, uric acid, and citrate parameters before and after the dietary intervention were significant (p < 0.05). The calcium parameters were not significantly different before and after the intervention. We found that oxalate, sodium, volume, uric acid, and citrate—but not calcium—abnormalities in patients with recurrent calcium oxalate stones can be corrected by diet. The metabolic profiles of idiopathic calcium oxalate stone patients should be evaluated and the appropriate dietary interventions should be implemented to decrease stone recurrence.
The evolution of rural policy: The Antipodean experience
Authors: Cockfield Geoff , Botterill Linda Courtenay 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
In common with other countries in the developed world, Australia and New Zealand developed an array of institutions and programs from the 1950s to the 1970s to support their agricultural sectors. From the mid-1980s they dismantled these, very rapidly in the case of New Zealand, to leave farmers and rural regions largely to market forces. This article explores the transition in Australia and New Zealand from agricultural policy based on ‘protected development’ to broader rural policy which includes consideration of regional development and environmentalism. We argue that the ideas and values of market liberalism are more apparent in rural policy in Australia and New Zealand than in the EU and US and we propose reasons for that, including differences in economic context, cultural ideas and political institutions.