bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neonatal outcomes after preterm birth by mothers’ health insurance status at birth: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Einarsdóttir Kristjana , Haggar Fatima A , Langridge Amanda T , Gunnell Anthony S , Leonard Helen , Stanley Fiona J 
Published: February 2013

Abstract

Background
Publicly insured women usually have a different demographic background to privately insured women, which is related to poor neonatal outcomes after birth. Given the difference in nature and risk of preterm versus term births, it would be important to compare adverse neonatal outcomes after preterm birth between these groups of women after eliminating the demographic differences between the groups.

Methods
The study population included 3085 publicly insured and 3380 privately insured, singleton, preterm deliveries (32–36 weeks gestation) from Western Australia during 1998–2008. From the study population, 1016 publicly insured women were matched with 1016 privately insured women according to the propensity score of maternal demographic characteristics and pre-existing medical conditions. Neonatal outcomes were compared in the propensity score matched cohorts using conditional log-binomial regression, adjusted for antenatal risk factors. Outcomes included Apgar scores less than 7 at five minutes after birth, time until establishment of unassisted breathing (>1 minute), neonatal resuscitation (endotracheal intubation or external cardiac massage) and admission to a neonatal special care unit.

Results
Compared with infants of privately insured women, infants of publicly insured women were more likely to receive a low Apgar score (ARR = 2.63, 95% CI = 1.06-6.52) and take longer to establish unassisted breathing (ARR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.25-2.07), yet, they were less likely to be admitted to a special care unit (ARR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.80-0.87). No significant differences were evident in neonatal resuscitation between the groups (ARR = 1.20, 95% CI = 0.54-2.67).

Conclusions
The underlying reasons for the lower rate of special care admissions in infants of publicly insured women compared with privately insured women despite the higher rate of low Apgar scores is yet to be determined. Future research is warranted in order to clarify the meaning of our findings for future obstetric care and whether more equitable use of paediatric services should be recommended.
Explaining the amount of care needed by hospitalised surgical patients: a prospective time and motion study
Authors: van Oostveen Catharina J , Vermeulen Hester , Gouma Dirk J , Bakker Piet J , Ubbink Dirk T 
Published: February 2013

Abstract

Background
Hospitals provide care for patients with a variety of diseases, co-morbidities and complications. The actual amount of care these patients need is unclear. Given the recent developments such as ageing, multi-morbidity and budgetary restraints, a practical explanatory model would avail healthcare professionals and managers in determining the demand and costs for clinical care.

Methods
Six surgical wards in a Dutch university hospital participated in this prospective time and motion study. Surgeons, nurses and paramedics recorded the time spent on patient care 24/7 by means of PDAs. The investigators extracted possible determining characteristics from a previous systematic review and expert focus group. Total amount of care needed by the patients was expressed as costs involved in medical and nursing time, surgical interventions and diagnostics. Afterwards the investigators applied linear regression analysis to detect significant independent characteristics.

Results
174 Surgical patients were monitored during their hospital stay. Characteristics significantly influencing the consumed amount of care were: medication during hospitalisation, complications, co-morbidity, medical specialty, age, as well as undergoing surgery and length of stay. Median costs for care were €8.446 per patient admission.

Conclusions
The investigators developed a model that explains the total demand and costs of care needed for surgical patients in a university hospital. The input for this instrument can be derived from readily available data in hospital databases. This makes it a relatively easy instrument to help healthcare professionals and managers appreciate the amount of care needed on (surgical) wards and may be used to appreciate trends in time.
Validation of a new classifier for the automated analysis of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) gene amplification in breast cancer specimens
Authors: Furrer Daniela , Jacob Simon , Caron Chantal , Sanschagrin François , Provencher Louise , Diorio Caroline 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
Amplification of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is a prognostic marker for poor clinical outcome and a predictive marker for therapeutic response to targeted therapies in breast cancer patients. With the introduction of anti-HER2 therapies, accurate assessment of HER2 status has become essential. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is a widely used technique for the determination of HER2 status in breast cancer. However, the manual signal enumeration is time-consuming. Therefore, several companies like MetaSystem have developed automated image analysis software. Some of these signal enumeration software employ the so called “tile-sampling classifier”, a programming algorithm through which the software quantifies fluorescent signals in images on the basis of square tiles of fixed dimensions. Considering that the size of tile does not always correspond to the size of a single tumor cell nucleus, some users argue that this analysis method might not completely reflect the biology of cells. For that reason, MetaSystems has developed a new classifier which is able to recognize nuclei within tissue sections in order to determine the HER2 amplification status on nuclei basis. We call this new programming algorithm “nuclei-sampling classifier”. In this study, we evaluated the accuracy of the “nuclei-sampling classifier” in determining HER2 gene amplification by FISH in nuclei of breast cancer cells. To this aim, we randomly selected from our cohort 64 breast cancer specimens (32 nonamplified and 32 amplified) and we compared results obtained through manual scoring and through this new classifier. The new classifier automatically recognized individual nuclei. The automated analysis was followed by an optional human correction, during which the user interacted with the software in order to improve the selection of cell nuclei automatically selected. Overall concordance between manual scoring and automated nuclei-sampling analysis was 98.4% (100% for nonamplified cases and 96.9% for amplified cases). However, after human correction, concordance between the two methods was 100%. We conclude that the nuclei-based classifier is a new available tool for automated quantitative HER2 FISH signals analysis in nuclei in breast cancer specimen and it can be used for clinical purposes.
In vivo functional brain mapping in a conditional mouse model of human tauopathy (taup301l) reveals reduced neural activity in memory formation structures
Authors: Perez Pablo D , Hall Gabrielle , Kimura Tetsuya , Ren Yan , Bailey Rachel M , Lewis Jada , Febo Marcelo , Sahara Naruhiko 
Published: February 2013

Abstract

Background
Tauopathies are characterized by intracellular deposition of the microtubule-associated protein tau as filamentous aggregates. The rTg4510 mouse conditionally expresses mutant human tau protein in various forebrain areas under the Tet-off expression system. Mice develop neurofibrillary tangles, with significant neuronal loss and cognitive deficits by 6 months of age. Previous behavioral and biochemical work has linked the expression and aggregates of mutant tau to functional impairments. The present work used manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MEMRI) to investigate basal levels of brain activity in the rTg4510 and control mice.

Results
Our results show an unmistakable curtailment of neural activity in the amygdala and hippocampus, two regions known for their role in memory formation, but not the cortex, cerebellum, striatum and hypothalamus in tau expressing mice.

Conclusion
Behavioral impairments associated with changes in activity in these areas may correspond to age progressive mutant tauP301L-induced neurodegeneration.
Suitability of endogenous reference genes for gene expression studies with human intraocular endothelial cells
Authors: Wei Ruoxin , Stewart Elizabeth Anne , Amoaku Winfried M 
Published: February 2013

Abstract

Background
The use of quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) has become widely applied as a method to measure transcript abundance. In order to be reflective of biological processes during health and disease this method is dependent on normalisation of data against stable endogenous controls. However, these genes can vary in their stability in different cell types. The importance of reference gene validation for a particular cell type is now well recognised and is an important step in any gene expression study.

Results
Cultured primary human choroidal and retinal endothelial cells were treated with the immunostimulant polyinosinic: polycytidylic acid or untreated. qRT-PCR was used to quantify the expression levels of 10 commonly used endogenous control genes, TBP, HPRT1, GAPDH, GUSB, PPIA, RPLP0, B2M, 18S rRNA, PGK1 and ACTB. Three different mathematical algorithms, GeNorm, NormFinder, and BestKeeper were used to analyse gene stability to give the most representative validation. In choroidal endothelial cells the most stable genes were ranked as HPRT1 and GUSB by GeNorm and NormFinder and HPRT1 and PPIA by BestKeeper. In retinal endothelial cells the most stable genes ranked were TBP and PGK1 by GeNorm and NormFinder and HPRT1 by BestKeeper. The least stable gene for both cell types was 18S with all 3 algorithms.

Conclusions
We have identified the most stable endogenous control genes in intraocular endothelial cells. It is suggested future qRT-PCR studies using these cells would benefit from adopting the genes identified in this study as the most appropriate endogenous control genes.
Inhibition of endocannabinoid degradation in experimental endotoxemia reduces leukocyte adhesion and improves capillary perfusion in the gut
Authors: Kianian Mandana , Al-Banna Nadia A. , Kelly Melanie E.M. , Lehmann Christian 
Published: February 2013

Abstract

Background: Changes in leukocyte-endothelial and microvascular perfusion are hallmark events in inflammation. Thus, protection of the intestinal microcirculation represents a pivotal therapeutic target in systemic inflammation and sepsis. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) modulates a number of critical homeostatic functions and has been associated with anti-inflammatory responses. Our study aimed to examine intestinal leukocyte adhesion and capillary perfusion following selective inhibition of the endocannabinoid degradation enzyme, fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), in experimental sepsis (endotoxemia).

Methods: Five groups of rats were used: controls, endotoxemia [lipopolysaccharide (LPS)], FAAH inhibitor URB597 (0.3 mg/kg)+LPS, URB597 (0.6 mg/kg)+LPS, and URB597 (0.6 mg/kg)+cannabinoid 2 receptor (CB2R) antagonist (AM630)+LPS. After 2 h, intravital microscopy was performed to quantify intestinal leukocyte recruitment and functional capillary density (FCD), as well as macrohemodynamic monitoring and histological examinations.

Results: LPS induced a significant increase in leukocyte adhesion in collecting and postcapillary submucosal venules and a decrease in intestinal FCD. URB597 pretreatment prevented the LPS-induced increase in leukocyte adhesion in intestinal venules and a decrease in intestinal FCD. The administration of the CB2R inhibitor, AM630, with URB597 reversed the protective effects of URB597 on the LPS-induced increase in leukocyte adhesion in intestinal venules, but not URB597’s effect on the intestinal FCD.

Conclusions: FAAH inhibition prevents the LPS-induced increase in leukocyte adhesion and improves the capillary perfusion of the gut. This might be mediated in part by CB2R activation. Our study encourages further investigation into the therapeutic potential of drugs targeting the ECS in sepsis.
Ear skin optical clearing for improving blood flow imaging/Optisches Clearing der Ohrhaut zur verbesserten Bildgebung des Blutflusses
Authors: Wang Jing , Shi Rui , Zhang Yang , Zhu Dan 
Published: February 2013

AbstractVarious optical imaging techniques have shown a great potential for monitoring angiogenesis, development of blood vessels, and even tumor transfer, but they suffer from the limited imaging depth in tissue. Although the mouse ear provides an available window, the residual scattering of ear skin still influences the imaging quality. The proposed tissue optical clearing technique presents a new opportunity to decrease the scattering of skin, and enhance the imaging contrast or imaging depth of optical methods. The purpose of this study is to develop an innovative ear skin optical clearing agent (ESOCA) for improving the transparency of the mouse ear.The ESOCA was topically applied on the ear skin of BALB/c miceThe transmittance of mice ear was enhanced by 111.0±8.2% at 633 nm after application of ESOCA. The cutaneous blood vessels and blood flow could be distinguished more clearly with LSCI technique. In addition, the calculated CNR values of speckle contrast images showed a great enhancement compared with the initial (control) values.In summary, topical application of an innovative ESOCA permits the vessel structure and flow distribution information of cutaneous blood vessels to be imaged by LSCI with higher contrast, which will be significant for tumor studies in the future.
Occupational Sun Protection: Workplace Culture, Equipment Provision and Outdoor Workers' Characteristics
Authors: Reeder Anthony I. , Gray Andrew , Mccool Judith P. 
Published: February 2013

Occupational Sun Protection: Workplace Culture, Equipment Provision and Outdoor Workers' Characteristics: Anthony I. REEDER, et al. Cancer Society of New Zealand Social and Behavioral Research Unit, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, New Zealand—ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to describe outdoor workers' sun‐protective practices, workplace sun‐safety culture and sun‐protective equipment provision; investigate the association of demographic, personal and occupational factors with sun‐protective practices; and identify potential strategies for improving workers' sun protection.MethodsThe present study used a clustered survey design with randomly identified employers in nine occupations. Employees provided questionnaire measures of demographics, personal characteristics (skin type, skin cancer risk perceptions, tanning attitudes, sun‐exposure knowledge), personal occupational sun protection practices (exposure reduction, use of sun‐protective clothing, sunscreen and shade), workplace sun‐protective equipment provision and perceived workplace sun‐safety culture. Summative scores were calculated for attitudes, knowledge, work place provision and culture. Amultivariable model was built with worker and workplace variables as plausible predictors of personal sun protection.ResultsIn this study, 1,061 workers (69% participation) from 112 workplaces provided sufficient information for analysis. Sex, age, prioritized ethnicity, education and risk perception differed significantly between occupational groups (p<0.001), as did workers' sun‐protective practices and workplace sun‐protection equipment provision and supportive culture. After adjustment, each one‐point increase in Workplace Sun‐safety Culture Score (range 12 points) was associated with a 0.16 higher Personal Sun‐Protection Score (p<0.001), and each one‐point increase in Workplace Provision Score (range 4 points) was associated with a 0.14 higher score (p<0.001). Sun Protection Score was significantly associated with skin response to sun exposure (p<0.001), female sex (p=0.021), tanning attitudes (p=0.022) and occupation (p=0.049), but not ethnicity, age education, knowledge or skin cancer risk perception.ConclusionsProtective equipment provision and sun‐protective workplace culture are promising components for the development of comprehensive programmes to improve outdoor workers' sun‐protective practices.
IT Governance and Process Maturity: A Multinational Field Study
Authors: Debreceny Roger S. , Gray Glen L. 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACTThis study investigates the relationship between key information technology (IT) governance characteristics and IT process maturity, as a measure of IT capability, in a multinational field study of 51 organizations. The study employs the IT processes defined within the COBIT framework as a model of the major processes that comprise IT capability. COBIT framework includes a of set maturity models based on the Capability Maturity Model (CMM) from the Software Engineering Institute (SEI). Data are collected on all aspects of IT governance at each organization as well as the level of process maturity for each process in COBIT. Maturity modeling in COBIT includes six attributes of process maturity. The state of alignment between the IT and non-IT functions at each organization and the level of national development are strongly associated with process maturity. These findings apply whether considering the overall level of process maturity or the level by domain or attribute.
The small Wastewater Treatment Plants – Hydrobotanical Systems in Environmental Protection
Authors: Pawęska Katarzyna , Kuczewski Krzysztof 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
The paper presents results of research concerning operating of five small wastewater treatment plants working in two different technologies: hydrobotanical wastewater treatment plant and constructed wetland. Each object was designed for the treatment of domestic sewage after preliminary mechanical treatment in a septic tank. Hydrobotanical wastewater treatment plants and one of constructed wetland beds were built for treating sewage produced in educational institutions and resort. In the article attention is paid to possibility of exceeding the maximum allowable concentration of pollutants for three main indicators of pollution: BOD5, COD, and total suspension. The reduction of these indices is required by the Regulation of the Minister of Environment [14] for wastewater treatment plants with PE < 2000. In addition, the paper presents the effects of wastewater treatment to reduce biogens. The best quality of outflow was reached by outflows from constructed wetland treatment plants. None of the observed objects fulfilled the requirements in terms of allowable concentrations for total suspension. The most effective were objects operating in technology of “constructed wetland”.
Diagnostic Utility of Adenosine Deaminase in Serum and Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid for Screening Lung Cancer in Western Iran
Authors: Nikkhoo Bahram , Sigari Naseh , Ghaderi Bayazid , Afkhamzadeh Abdolrahim , Azadi Namam-Ali , Mohsenpour Behzad , Fathi Fardin , Abdi Mohammad 
Published: February 2013

Summary
Background: This study aimed to determine adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity as a possible screening tool in lung cancer patients.
Methods: Blood samples were collected from 30 subjects with positive pathological tests and 62 patients with negative pathological tests as a control group. The enzymatic activity of total ADA and its isoenzymes was determined.
Results: tADA and ADA2 isoenzyme activity was significantly higher in cancerous patients compared to benign controls in serum and BAL fluid. Using a cut-off level of respectively 35.22 U/L and 31.80 U/L for BAL total ADA and ADA2, sensitivity and specificity were 100% and 81% for total ADA and 95% and 98% for ADA2.
Conclusions: Adenosine deaminase may play important roles in the pathophysiology of lung cancer and because of its might be considered as a useful screening tool among the other markers in lung cancer diagnosis.
Application of umbelliferone molecularly imprinted polymer in analysis of plant samples
Authors: Hroboňová Katarína , Spevak Andrea , Spišská Ľubica , Lehotay Jozef , Čižmárik Jozef 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThe molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were synthesised and the influence of the type of porogen, the nature of sample solvent, and the binding capacity of material were tested by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Umbelliferone was used as the template for imprint formation. Methacrylic acid was used as the monomer and acetonitrile, ethanol, and chloroform as porogen. Non-imprinted polymers (NIPs) were prepared by the same procedure. The highest value of the specific binding capacity (269 μg of umbelliferone per 100 mg of polymer) was obtained for polymers prepared in chloroform as porogen and methanol/water (φ r = 1: 1) as the sample solvent. The group-selective MIP was used as sorbent for the SPE pre-treatment of umbelliferone from plant extracts prior to HPLC analysis. Analysis of the spiked samples showed good recoveries (> 77 %). The limit of detection, limit of determination, and repeatability of the method were also calculated.
Mechanism of α-acetyl-γ-butyrolactone synthesis
Authors: Wang Wei , Zhang Sheng-Wan , Li Mei-Ping , Ren Ying-Yu 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThe mechanism of α-acetyl-γ-butyrolactone (ABL) synthesis from γ-butyrolactone (GBL) and ethyl acetate (EtOAc) was explored by detecting the material changes involved and the enthalpies of formation of the synthons, products, and possible intermediates were calculated using the density functional theory. GBL forms a carbanion of γ-butyrolactone by losing an α-H under strongly alkaline conditions. ABL is then obtained via two reaction mechanisms. One of the reaction mechanisms involves direct reaction of the carbanion of GBL with EtOAc to produce ABL. The other involves the formation of a carbanion of α-(2-hydroxy-tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)-γ-butyrolactone through the reaction of two molecules of GBL, and the subsequent combination of this anion with EtOAc to produce ABL. ABL is thus formed through the above two kinds of competitive ester condensation reactions. It is unnecessary to take into account synthons’ local thickness, and their self-condensation under these conditions. Both reactions of the carbanion of GBL with EtOAc and GBL are exothermic, so the control of their reaction rate is the key to their security. Considering the reasons above, this work applied synthon as the solvent, and avoided environmental pollution by alkylbenzene; also, accidents such as red material and fire were avoided by specific surface area of sodium metal control. Effective isolation of the organic and aqueous phases was performed using the salting out method. Thus, an environmentally friendly, safe, simple, and efficient new method for the synthesis of ABL with the yield higher than 90 % has been established.
Synthesis of new aryl(hetaryl)-substituted tandospirone analogues with potential anxiolytic activity via reductive Heck type hydroarylations
Authors: Gunkara Omer , Sucu Bilgesu , Ocal Nuket , Kaufmann Dieter 
Published: February 2013

AbstractTandospirone (I), developed as an anxiolytic drug, is an aryl-piperazine compound that binds to both 5-HT1A and dopamine D4 receptors. Palladium-catalysed hydroarylation reactions of tandospirone analogues containing an oxygen bridge and 3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl or 2,3-dichlorophenyl groups were studied in order to find a new stereoselective access to a series of new exo-aryl(hetaryl)-substituted derivatives with potential biological activity.
Formalization of the Data Encryption Standard
Authors: Okazaki Hiroyuki , Shidama Yasunari 
Published: February 2013

Summary
In this article we formalize DES (the Data Encryption Standard), that was the most widely used symmetric cryptosystem in the world. DES is a block cipher which was selected by the National Bureau of Standards as an official Federal Information Processing Standard for the United States in 1976 [15].