bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Primary Laparotomy is Effective and Safe in the Treatment of Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Authors: Gfroerer Stefan , Fiegel Henning , Schloesser Rolf L. , Rolle Udo 
Published: April 2014

AbstractIntroductionThere is ongoing controversy regarding the surgical treatment of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in infants with extremely low birth weight (ELBW). We hypothesize that primary laparotomy is a safe and effective treatment for all infants with surgical NEC.
MethodsWe retrospectively compared a group of ELBW infants (<1,000 g, group A, n = 39) with preterm infants (≥1,000 g, group B, n = 18) with surgical NEC during a 4‐year period (10/2008–09/2012). Indications for emergency operation were Bell stages IIIa or IIIb. The main outcome measure was survival. Data were analyzed using Chi squared test and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient.
ResultsFifty‐seven patients were included with a gestational age from 24 to 30 weeks in group A and 27–38 weeks in group B. There were no significant differences in Bell stage (IIIa; IIIb) and NEC type (focal; segmental; pannecrosis). The operative techniques were not significantly different between the groups and included resection and stoma formation in 44 of 57 (77 %) patients; resection and anastomosis in 6 of 57 (11 %); and inspection only, followed by withdrawal of care, in 7 of 57 (12 %). Overall mortality was 10 of 57 (17 %) with no significant difference between the groups. The only significant correlation was observed between the length of necrotic bowel and mortality. In total, 7 of 57 infants required repeated surgery after initial treatment. We observed stoma complications in 36 % of the patients in group A and 21 % in group B without the need of stoma revision. All stomas were successfully closed at the time of the study. One of 44 patients with stoma closure required a relaparotomy due to bowel obstruction.ConclusionsEarly primary laparotomy is safe and effective for the management of surgical NEC in ELBW infants. Outcome of affected infants is not influenced by age or weight at surgery but by the length of necrotic bowel.
Characterising and developing vocational mathematical knowledge
Authors: Bakker A. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractIn this introductory article, I argue why this special issue focuses on the question of how the mathematical knowledge required at work can be characterised and developed in vocational education and workplace training. After some words on the importance of this subfield of mathematics education and the need to rethink metaphors of learning in this area, I summarise the structure of the special issue and highlight a few main points raised in the various contributions.
Cardiac thin filament regulation and the Frank–Starling mechanism
Authors: Kobirumaki-Shimozawa Fuyu , Inoue Takahiro , Shintani Seine A. , Oyama Kotaro , Terui Takako , Minamisawa Susumu , Ishiwata Shin’ichi , Fukuda Norio 
Published: April 2014

Abstract

The heart has an intrinsic ability to increase systolic force in response to a rise in ventricular filling (the Frank–Starling law of the heart). It is widely accepted that the length dependence of myocardial activation underlies the Frank–Starling law of the heart. Recent advances in muscle physiology have enabled the identification of the factors involved in length-dependent activation, viz., titin (connectin)-based interfilament lattice spacing reduction and thin filament “on–off” regulation, with the former triggering length-dependent activation and the latter determining the number of myosin molecules recruited to thin filaments. Patients with a failing heart have demonstrated reduced exercise tolerance at least in part via depression of the Frank–Starling mechanism. Recent studies revealed that various mutations occur in the thin filament regulatory proteins, such as troponin, in the ventricular muscle of failing hearts, which consequently alter the Frank–Starling mechanism. In this article, we review the molecular mechanisms of length-dependent activation, and the influence of troponin mutations on the phenomenon.
Obstetric care in a migrant population with free access to health care
Authors: Almeida Lígia M. , Santos Cristina C. , Caldas José P. , Ayres‐de‐Campos Diogo , Dias Sónia 
Published: May 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate differences in obstetric care between immigrant and native women in a country with free access to health care.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was carried out of immigrant mothers delivering in one of the four public hospitals in the Porto, Portugal, metropolitan area between February and December 2012. The comparison group included native Portuguese mothers who delivered in the same institutions. The participants (89 immigrant mothers and 188 Portuguese mothers) were recruited by telephone and completed a written questionnaire during a home visit.ResultsImmigrant women were more likely to have their first pregnancy appointment after 12 weeks of pregnancy (27.0% vs 14.4%, P = 0.011) and to have fewer than three prenatal visits (2.2% vs 0.0%, P < 0.001). They were also more likely to have had a cesarean delivery (48.3% vs 31.4%, P = 0.023), perineal laceration (48.8% vs 11.6%, P < 0.001), or postpartum hemorrhage (33.5% vs 12.3%, P < 0.001).ConclusionMigrants were more prone to late prenatal care and to intrapartum complications. Unsatisfactory interactions with healthcare staff may play an important role in these findings.
Relationship Between the Type and Amount of Physical Activity and Low Back Pain in Koreans Aged 50 Years and Older
Authors: Kim Won , Jin Young Soo , Lee Choon Sung , Hwang Chang Ju , Lee Sang Yoon , Chung Sun G. , Choi Kyoung Hyo 
Published: April 2014

ObjectivesTo examine the association between the type and amount of physical activity (PA) and low back pain (LBP) in people aged ≥50 years.DesignCross‐sectional study.SettingA nationwide survey.ParticipantsData were obtained from the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which was conducted in 2010 and 2011. Overall, 1796 men and 2198 women aged ≥50 years were included.MethodsPA was categorized as vigorous, moderate, walking, strength exercises, or flexibility exercises. The total amount of PA was presented as quartiles of the total metabolic equivalent (MET)‐minutes/week based on the PA questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to examine associations between LBP and the type and amount of PA.Main Outcome MeasurementsOdds ratio for LBP according to the type of PA and the quartiles of the total MET‐minutes/week.ResultsAfter adjusting for age and body mass index, vigorous and moderate PA were associated with an increased risk of LBP in both men and women, whereas strength exercises were associated with a reduced risk of LBP. These associations were maintained after adjusting for all potential confounders. Subgroup analysis according to age revealed that these trends were most significantly demonstrated in women aged ≥65 years. The PA quartiles for total MET‐minutes/week for men showed a U‐shaped association with LBP, whereas only the fourth PA quartile for women showed an increased risk of LBP compared with the second quartile.ConclusionsThese results suggest that both the type and amount of PA affect the development of LBP in people aged ≥50 years and thus activity modification might be helpful for prevention and management of LBP.
Elevated brain lesion volumes in older adults who use calcium supplements: a cross-sectional clinical observational study
Authors: Payne Martha E. , McQuoid Douglas R. , Steffens David C. , Anderson John J. B. 
Published: April 2014

Recent studies have implicated Ca supplements in vascular risk elevation, and therefore these supplements may also be associated with the occurrence of brain lesions (or hyperintensities) in older adults. These lesions represent damage to brain tissue that is caused by ischaemia. In the present cross-sectional clinical observational study, the association between Ca-containing dietary supplement use and lesion volumes was investigated in a sample of 227 older adults (60 years and above). Food and supplemental Ca intakes were assessed with the Block 1998 FFQ; participants with supplemental Ca intake above zero were categorised as supplement users. Lesion volumes were determined from cranial MRI (1·5 tesla) scans using a semi-automated technique; volumes were log-transformed because they were non-normal. ANCOVA models revealed that supplement users had greater lesion volumes than non-users, even after controlling for food Ca intake, age, sex, race, years of education, energy intake, depression and hypertension (Ca supplement use: β = 0·34, se 0·10, F1,217= 10·98, P= 0·0011). The influence of supplemental Ca use on lesion volume was of a magnitude similar to that of the influence of hypertension, a well-established risk factor for lesions. Among the supplement users, the amount of supplemental Ca was not associated with lesion volume (β = − 0·000035, se 0·00 015, F1,139= 0·06, P= 0·81). The present study demonstrates that the use of Ca-containing dietary supplements, even low-dose supplements, by older adults may be associated with greater lesion volumes. Evaluation of randomised controlled trials is warranted to determine whether this relationship is a causal one.
Middle class construction: domestic architecture, aesthetics and anxieties in Tanzania
Authors: Mercer Claire 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACTThis paper examines the new styles of houses under construction in contemporary Tanzania and suggests that they can be understood as the material manifestation of middle class growth. Through an examination of the architecture, interior decor and compound space in a sample of these new houses in urban Dar es Salaam and rural Kilimanjaro, the paper identifies four domestic aesthetics: the respectable house, the locally aspirant house, the globally aspirant house and the minimalist house, each of which map on to ideas aboutujamaa, liberalisation and the consumption of global consumer goods in distinct ways. The paper argues that these different domestic aesthetics demonstrate intra-class differences, and in particular the emergence of a new middle class.
Environmental transmission of violent criminal behavior in siblings: a Swedish national study
Authors: Kendler K. S. , Morris N. A. , Lönn S. L. , Sundquist J. , Sundquist K. 
Published: April 2014

Background.Violent criminal behaviour (VCB) runs strongly in families partly because of shared environmental factors. Can we clarify the environmental processes that contribute to similarity of risk for VCB in siblings?Method.We assessed VCB from the Swedish National Crime Register for the years 1973–2011 in siblings born 1950–1991. We examined by conditional logistic and Cox proportional hazard regression, respectively, whether resemblance for VCB in sibling pairs was influenced by their age difference and whether VCB was more strongly ‘transmitted’ from older→younger versus younger→older siblings.Results.In our best-fit logistic model, for each year of age difference in full sibling pairs, the risk for VCB in the sibling of a case versus control proband declined by 2.6% [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.2–3.0]. In our best-fit Cox model, the hazard rate for VCB in a sibling when the affected proband was older versus younger was 1.4, 2.1 and 2.9 respectively for a 1-, 5- and 10-year difference in siblings.Conclusions.Controlling for genetic effects by examining only full siblings, sibling resemblance for risk for VCB was significantly greater in pairs closer versus more distant in age. Older siblings more strongly transmitted risk for VCB to their younger siblings than vice versa. These results strongly support the importance of familial–environmental influences on VCB and provide some insight into the possible mechanisms at work.
In utero exposure to the endocrine disruptor di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate promotes local adipose and systemic inflammation in adult male offspring
Authors: Campioli E , Martinez-Arguelles D B , Papadopoulos V 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
Background:
Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a plasticizer used to increase the flexibility of polyvinyl chloride. DEHP and its active metabolite mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate are detected in many biological fluids during fetal and postnatal life. In rodent models, in utero DEHP exposure has been shown to alter sexual organ development, decrease testosterone and aldosterone production, increase body and epididymal adipose tissue weight, and raise serum lipids and glucose levels in male offspring.

Objectives:
The objective of this study is to characterize the effects of in utero DEHP exposure on adipose tissue development and function in male offspring.

Methods:
Sprague–Dawley pregnant dams were gavaged 1, 20, 50 or 300 mg DEHP per kg per day from gestational day 14 until birth.

Results:
Global gene expression analyses of postnatal day 60 male offspring that were exposed in utero to 300 mg DEHP per kg per day revealed increased expression of immune response and inflammation markers, and increased expression of differentiation pathway genes in the epididymal whole-adipose tissue and isolated stromal vascular fraction. C-reactive protein and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) serum levels were increased in the 300 mg DEHP in utero-exposed offspring. TNF levels in adipose tissue homogenates were increased in the 50 and 300 mg DEHP in utero-exposed offspring. Immunofluorescence studies revealed focal macrophage infiltration in whole-adipose tissue confirmed by increased CD163 tissue content.

Conclusions:
In utero DEHP exposure promotes local adipose tissue inflammation and chronic low-grade systemic inflammation. Moreover, evidence is presented, suggesting that DEHP increases the differentiation capacity of the pre-adipocytes of male offspring without affecting total body weight.
WebProtégé: a collaborative Web-based platform for editing biomedical ontologies
Authors: Horridge Matthew , Tudorache Tania , Nuylas Csongor , Vendetti Jennifer , Noy Natalya F. , Musen Mark A. 
Published: April 2014

Summary: WebProtégé is an open-source Web application for editing OWL 2 ontologies. It contains several features to aid collaboration, including support for the discussion of issues, change notification and revision-based change tracking. WebProtégé also features a simple user interface, which is geared towards editing the kinds of class descriptions and annotations that are prevalent throughout biomedical ontologies. Moreover, it is possible to configure the user interface using views that are optimized for editing Open Biomedical Ontology (OBO) class descriptions and metadata. Some of these views are shown in the Supplementary Data and can be seen in WebProtégé itself by configuring the project as an OBO project.
Availability and implementation: WebProtégé is freely available for use on the Web at http://webprotege.stanford.edu. It is implemented in Java and JavaScript using the OWL API and the Google Web Toolkit. All major browsers are supported. For users who do not wish to host their ontologies on the Stanford servers, WebProtégé is available as a Web app that can be run locally using a Servlet container such as Tomcat. Binaries, source code and documentation are available under an open-source license at http://protegewiki.stanford.edu/wiki/WebProtege.
Contact: matthew.horridge@stanford.edu
Supplementary information: Supplementary Data are available at Bioinformatics online.
EnsembleGASVR: a novel ensemble method for classifying missense single nucleotide polymorphisms
Authors: Rapakoulia Trisevgeni , Theofilatos Konstantinos , Kleftogiannis Dimitrios , Likothanasis Spiros , Tsakalidis Athanasios , Mavroudi Seferina 
Published: April 2014

Motivation: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are considered the most frequently occurring DNA sequence variations. Several computational methods have been proposed for the classification of missense SNPs to neutral and disease associated. However, existing computational approaches fail to select relevant features by choosing them arbitrarily without sufficient documentation. Moreover, they are limited to the problem of missing values, imbalance between the learning datasets and most of them do not support their predictions with confidence scores.
Results: To overcome these limitations, a novel ensemble computational methodology is proposed. EnsembleGASVR facilitates a two-step algorithm, which in its first step applies a novel evolutionary embedded algorithm to locate close to optimal Support Vector Regression models. In its second step, these models are combined to extract a universal predictor, which is less prone to overfitting issues, systematizes the rebalancing of the learning sets and uses an internal approach for solving the missing values problem without loss of information. Confidence scores support all the predictions and the model becomes tunable by modifying the classification thresholds. An extensive study was performed for collecting the most relevant features for the problem of classifying SNPs, and a superset of 88 features was constructed. Experimental results show that the proposed framework outperforms well-known algorithms in terms of classification performance in the examined datasets. Finally, the proposed algorithmic framework was able to uncover the significant role of certain features such as the solvent accessibility feature, and the top-scored predictions were further validated by linking them with disease phenotypes.
Availability and implementation: Datasets and codes are freely available on the Web at http://prlab.ceid.upatras.gr/EnsembleGASVR/dataset-codes.zip. All the required information about the article is available through http://prlab.ceid.upatras.gr/EnsembleGASVR/site.html
Contact: mavroudi@ceid.upatras.gr
Supplementary information: Supplementary Data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Impact of Human Immunodeficiency Virus on the Severity of Buruli Ulcer Disease: Results of a Retrospective Study in Cameroon
Authors: Christinet Vanessa , Comte Eric , Ciaffi Laura , Odermatt Peter , Serafini Micaela , Antierens Annick , Rossel Ludovic , Nomo Alain-Bertrand , Nkemenang Patrick , Tsoungui Akoa , Delhumeau Cecile , Calmy Alexandra 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Background.  Buruli ulcer is the third most common mycobacterial disease after tuberculosis and leprosy and is particularly frequent in rural West and Central Africa. However, the impact of HIV infection on BU severity and prevalence remains unclear.
Methods.  This was a retrospective study of data collected at the Akonolinga District Hospital, Cameroon, from January 1, 2002 to March 27, 2013. Human immunodeficiency virus prevalence among BU patients was compared with regional HIV prevalence. Baseline characteristics of BU patients were compared between HIV-negative and HIV-positive patients and according to CD4 cell count strata in the latter group. Buruli ulcer time-to-healing was assessed in different CD4 count strata, and factors associated with BU main lesion size at baseline were ide.jpegied.
Results.  Human immunodeficiency virus prevalence among BU patients was significantly higher than the regional estimated prevalence in each group (children, 4.00% vs 0.68% [P &lt; .001]; men, 17.0% vs 4.7% [P &lt; .001]; women, 36.0% vs 8.0% [P &lt; .001]). Individuals who were HIV positive had a more severe form of BU, with an increased severity in those with a higher level of immunosuppression. Low CD4 cell count was significantly associated with a larger main lesion size (β-coefficient, −0.50; P = .015; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.91–0.10). Buruli ulcer time-to-healing was more than double in patients with a CD4 cell count below 500 cell/mm3 (hazard ratio, 2.39; P = .001; 95% CI, 1.44–3.98).
Conclusion.  Patients who are HIV positive are at higher risk for BU. Human immunodeficiency virus-induced immunosuppression seems to have an impact on BU clinical presentation and disease evolution.
Diagnostic Value of Histamine and Tryptase Concentrations in Severe Anaphylaxis with Shock or Cardiac Arrest during Anesthesia
Authors: Laroche Dominique , Gomis Philippe , Gallimidi Emmanuel , Malinovsky Jean-Marc , Mertes Paul Michel 
Published: April 2014

Abstract

Background:
The diagnosis of acute life-threatening allergic reactions during anesthesia relies on clinical signs, histamine and/or tryptase measurements, and allergic testing. In patients who die after the reaction, skin tests cannot be performed, and the effect of resuscitation manoeuvres on mediator concentrations is unknown. The authors compared plasma histamine and tryptase concentrations in patients with severe allergic reactions during anesthesia with those measured in patients with shock due to other causes.

Methods:
Patients with life-threatening allergic reactions were retrieved from a previous database (Group ALLERGY). All had positive allergy tests to administered agents. Patients with severe septic/cardiogenic shock or cardiac arrest (Group CONTROL) had histamine and tryptase measurements during resuscitation manoeuvres. Receiver operating characteristics curves were built to calculate the optimal mediator thresholds differentiating allergic reactions from others.

Results:
One hundred patients were included, 75 in Group ALLERGY (cardiovascular collapse, 67; cardiac arrest, 8) and 25 in Group CONTROL (shock, 11; cardiac arrest, 14). Mean histamine and tryptase concentrations remained unchanged throughout resuscitation in Group CONTROL and were significantly higher in Group ALLERGY. The optimal thresholds indicating an allergic mechanism were determined as 6.35 nmol/l for histamine (sensitivity: 90.7% [95% CI, 81.7 to 96.1]; specificity: 91.7% [73.0 to 98.9]) and 7.35 μg/l for tryptase (sensitivity: 92% [83.4 to 97.0]; specificity: 92% [73.9 to 99.0]).

Conclusions:
Resuscitation manoeuvres by themselves did not modify mediator concentrations. Virtually all life-threatening reactions during anesthesia associated with mediator concentrations exceeding the thresholds were allergic events. These findings have potential forensic interest when a patient dies during anesthesia.
Glucan, Water Dikinase Exerts Little Control over Starch Degradation in Arabidopsis Leaves at Night
Authors: Skeffington Alastair W. , Graf Alexander , Duxbury Zane , Gruissem Wilhelm , Smith Alison M. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThe first step on the pathway of starch degradation in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) leaves at night is the phosphorylation of starch polymers, catalyzed by glucan, water dikinase (GWD). It has been suggested that GWD is important for the control of starch degradation, because its transcript levels undergo strong diel fluctuations, its activity is subject to redox regulation in vitro, and starch degradation is strongly decreased in gwd mutant plants. To test this suggestion, we analyzed changes in GWD protein abundance in relation to starch levels in wild-type plants, in transgenic plants in which GWD transcripts were strongly reduced by induction of RNA interference, and in transgenic plants overexpressing GWD. We found that GWD protein levels do not vary over the diel cycle and that the protein has a half-life of 2 d. Overexpression of GWD does not accelerate starch degradation in leaves, and starch degradation is not inhibited until GWD levels are reduced by 70%. Surprisingly, this degree of reduction also inhibits starch synthesis in the light. To discover the importance of redox regulation, we generated transgenic plants expressing constitutively active GWD. These plants retained normal control of degradation. We conclude that GWD exerts only a low level of control over starch degradation in Arabidopsis leaves.