bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Perioperative complications in patients on low‐molecular‐weight heparin bridging therapy
Authors: Breen Daniel T. , Chavalertsakul Nuttaya , Paul Eldho , Gruen Russell L. , Serpell Jonathan 
Published: January 2013

AbstractBackgroundPatients taking warfarin are often given interim anticoagulation in the perioperative period. Institutional guidelines that use low‐molecular‐weight heparin (LMWH) ‘bridging’ while the international normalized ratio (INR) is sub‐therapeutic are often based on the American College of Chest Physicians Anticoagulation Guidelines.PurposeThis study aims to identify if patients at a tertiary referral hospital were anticoagulated in line with these guidelines, and the incidence and nature of bleeding and thromboembolic complications.MethodsA retrospective review of the Alfred Hospital General Surgical and ‘Hospital at Home’ databases was conducted, identifying patients who underwent elective general surgical procedures and received bridging anticoagulation with enoxaparin. Demographics, indication for anticoagulation, bleeding and thromboembolism rates were recorded. Thromboembolic risk was estimated.ResultsThe study identified 108 patients. Three‐quarters of all patients were anticoagulated with LMWH doses in accordance with the guidelines. Thirty of the 108 patients suffered bleeding complications. This group was younger, weighed less, received higher doses of enoxaparin and were at higher predicted risk of thromboembolism than non‐bleeding patients. Wound haematoma, rectal bleeding and intra‐abdominal bleeding were the most frequent complications. The peak time of bleeding was 3.5 days after surgery. Twelve patients returned to theatre, 13 were readmitted and 3 received blood transfusion. One patient suffered pulmonary emboli on the first post‐operative day.ConclusionLMWH bridging therapy when prescribed appropriately is associated with low rates of inpatient thromboembolism in elective general surgical patients within our institution, but an unexpectedly high rate of bleeding complications.
Using Predictive Risk for Process Control
Authors: Plante Jean‐François , Windfeldt Gitte Bjørg 
Published: January 2013

SummaryWhen monitoring highly capable processes, it is often desirable to tolerate small instabilities in order to avoid tempering. One approach in this setting is to monitor the capability of the process dynamically and signal if the estimated capability reaches an unacceptably low level. We suggest that monitoring the probability of the next item not falling between the specification limits is a more natural scale to evaluate risk, and offers appreciable flexibility. We use a statistical model and a window of data to evaluate this probability and decide if the process should be halted immediately based on that estimate. The properties of this method are explored numerically and a case study is provided.
A molecular and genetic outline of cardiac morphogenesis
Authors: Rana M. S. , Christoffels V. M. , Moorman A. F. M. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractPerturbations in cardiac development result in congenital heart disease, the leading cause of birth defect–related infant morbidity and mortality. Advances in cardiac developmental biology have significantly augmented our understanding of signalling pathways and transcriptional networks underlying heart formation. Cardiogenesis is initiated with the formation of mesodermal multipotent cardiac progenitor cells and is governed by cross‐talk between developmental cues emanating from endodermal, mesodermal and ectodermal cells. The molecular and transcriptional machineries that direct the specification and differentiation of these cardiac precursors are part of an evolutionarily conserved programme that includes the Nkx‐, Gata‐, Hand‐, T‐box‐ and Mef2 family of transcription factors. Unravelling the hierarchical networks governing the fate and differentiation of cardiac precursors is crucial for our understanding of congenital heart disease and future stem cell–based and gene therapies. Recent molecular and genetic lineage analyses have revealed that subpopulations of cardiac progenitor cells follow distinctive specification and differentiation paths, which determine their final contribution to the heart. In the last decade, progenitor cells that contribute to the arterial pole and right ventricle have received much attention, as abnormal development of these cells frequently results in congenital defects of the aortic and pulmonary outlets, representing the most commonly occurring congenital cardiac defects. In this review, we provide an overview of the building plan of the vertebrate four‐chambered heart, with a special focus on cardiac progenitor cell specification, differentiation and deployment during arterial pole development.
Calprotectin and neutrophil gelatinase–associated lipocalin in the differentiation of pre‐renal and intrinsic acute kidney injury
Authors: Seibert F. S. , Pagonas N. , Arndt R. , Heller F. , Dragun D. , Persson P. , Schmidt‐Ott K. , Zidek W. , Westhoff T. H. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractBackgroundUrinary calprotectin has recently been identified as a promising biomarker for the differentiation of pre‐renal and intrinsic acute kidney injury (AKI). This study compares the diagnostic performance of calprotectin and neutrophil gelatinase–associated lipocalin (NGAL) in this differential diagnosis.MethodsUrinary calprotectin and NGAL concentrations were assessed in a study population of 87 subjects including 38 cases of intrinsic AKI, 24 cases of pre‐renal AKI and 25 healthy controls. Urinary tract obstruction, renal transplantation and metastatic cancer were defined as exclusion criteria.ResultsMean calprotectin concentrations were significantly lower in pre‐renal (190.2 ± 205.7 ng mL−1) than in intrinsic AKI (6250.1 ± 7167.2 ng mL−1, P < 0.001). Receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) analysis provided an AUC of 0.99. Mean NGAL concentrations were significantly higher in intrinsic than in pre‐renal AKI as well (458.1 ± 695.3 vs. 64.8 ± 62.1 ng mL−1, P = 0.001) providing an AUC of 0.82. A combination of the present study population with the cohort of the proof of concept study led to a population of 188 subjects (58 pre‐renal AKI, 90 intrinsic AKI, 40 healthy controls). ROC analyses provided an AUC of 0.97 for calprotectin and 0.76 for NGAL yielding sensitivity and specificity values of 93.3 and 94.8% (calprotectin) vs. 75.3 and 72.4% (NGAL). Optimal cut‐off values were 440 ng mL−1 (calprotectin) and 52 ng mL−1 (NGAL). Pyuria increased calprotectin concentrations independent of renal failure.ConclusionThis study shows that both calprotectin and NGAL are able to differentiate between pre‐renal and intrinsic AKI after exclusion of pyuria. In the present population, calprotectin presents a higher sensitivity and specificity than NGAL.
Linking non‐invasive parametric MRI with invasive physiological measurements (MR‐PHYSIOL): towards a hybrid and integrated approach for investigation of acute kidney injury in rats
Authors: Pohlmann A. , Cantow K. , Hentschel J. , Arakelyan K. , Ladwig M. , Flemming B. , Hoff U. , Persson P. B. , Seeliger E. , Niendorf T. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractAcute kidney injury of various origins shares a common link in the pathophysiological chain of events: imbalance between renal medullary oxygen delivery and oxygen demand. For in vivo assessment of kidney haemodynamics and oxygenation in animals, quantitative but invasive physiological methods are established. A very limited number of studies attempted to link these invasive methods with parametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the kidney. Moreover, the validity of parametric MRI (pMRI) as a surrogate marker for renal tissue perfusion and renal oxygenation has not been systematically examined yet. For this reason, we set out to combine invasive techniques and non‐invasive MRI in an integrated hybrid setup (MR‐PHYSIOL) with the ultimate goal to calibrate, monitor and interpret parametric MR and physiological parameters by means of standardized interventions. Here we present a first report on the current status of this multi‐modality approach. For this purpose, we first highlight key characteristics of renal perfusion and oxygenation. Second, concepts for in vivo characterization of renal perfusion and oxygenation are surveyed together with the capabilities of MRI for probing blood oxygenation‐dependent tissue stages. Practical concerns evoked by the use of strong magnetic fields in MRI and interferences between MRI and invasive physiological probes are discussed. Technical solutions that balance the needs of in vivo physiological measurements together with the constraints dictated by small bore MR scanners are presented. An early implementation of the integrated MR‐PHYSIOL approach is demonstrated including brief interventions of hypoxia and hyperoxia.
Modulation of neutrophil oxidative burst via histamine receptors
Authors: Číž M , Lojek A 
Published: January 2013

Histamine has the ability to influence the activity of immune cells including neutrophils and plays a pivotal role in inflammatory processes, which are a complex network of cellular and humoral events. One of the main functions manifested by activated neutrophils is oxidative burst, which is linked to the production of reactive oxygen species; therefore, the effects of histamine receptor agonists and antagonists on the oxidative burst of neutrophils is reviewed. A role for the well‐characterized histamine H1 and H2 receptors in this process is discussed and compared to that of the recently discovered H4 receptor.Linked ArticlesThis article is part of a themed issue on Histamine Pharmacology Update. To view the other articles in this issue visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2013.170.issue‐1
The prevalence and socio‐demographic risk factors of clinical eczema in infancy: a population‐based observational study
Authors: Martin P. E. , Koplin J. J. , Eckert J. K. , Lowe A. J. , Ponsonby A.‐L. , Osborne N. J. , Gurrin L. C. , Robinson M. N. , Hill D. J. , Tang M. L. K. , Dharmage S. C. , Allen K. J. ,   for the HealthNuts Study Investigators
Published: January 2013

SummaryBackgroundSocio‐demographic predictors for the development of clinically observed, infantile eczema have not been formally examined in a large population‐based study. Few studies of eczema risk factors have included current, objective eczema outcomes as well as parent‐reported history.ObjectivesWe aimed to measure the population prevalence of infantile eczema using novel sampling methodology, and identify socio‐demographic risk factors for eczema in the first year of life.MethodsA population‐based cross‐sectional study of infantile allergy (the HealthNuts study, n = 4972, response rate 74.1%) was conducted from 2008‐2011 in Melbourne, Australia. Infants were examined for current eczema at age 12 months (mean 12.7, SD 0.7). Parents provided information about the infants’ history of eczema and demographic factors. Factors associated with eczema were modelled using multinomial logistic regression.ResultsThe population prevalence of observed eczema at 12 months was 20.3% (95% CI 19.0, 21.5), while cumulative prevalence for parent‐reported eczema was 28.0% (95% CI 26.7, 29.4). The strongest predictors of eczema were maternal eczema and asthma (multinomial (M)‐OR 1.7, P < 0.001, and M‐OR 1.4, P = 0.007), male sex (M‐OR 1.4, P < 0.001), and East Asian ethnicity (M‐OR 1.6, P < 0.001) with over 80% of infants with all risk factors exhibiting eczema. East Asian parents, particularly recent migrants, reported fewer allergies than other parents.Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceApproximately, one in three infants developed eczema by 12 months of age. East Asian infants are at increased risk of eczema despite their parents having lower rates of allergy than non‐Asian parents. Gene‐environment interactions may explain the differential effect seen in this minority group.
Fast Insertion‐Based Optimization of Bounding Volume Hierarchies
Authors: Bittner Jiří , Hapala Michal , Havran Vlastimil 
Published: January 2013

AbstractWe present an algorithm for fast optimization of bounding volume hierarchies (BVH) for efficient ray tracing. We perform selective updates of the hierarchy driven by the cost model derived from the surface area heuristic. In each step, the algorithm updates a fraction of the hierarchy nodes to minimize the overall hierarchy cost. The updates are realized by simple operations on the tree nodes: removal, search and insertion. Our method can quickly reduce the cost of the hierarchy constructed by the traditional techniques, such as the surface area heuristic. We evaluate the properties of the proposed method on fourteen test scenes of different complexity including individual objects and architectural scenes. The results show that our method can improve a BVH initially constructed with the surface area heuristic by up to 27% and a BVH constructed with the spatial median split by up to 88%.
Right Atrial Indexed Volume in Healthy Adult Population: Reference Values for Two‐Dimensional and Three‐Dimensional Echocardiographic Measurements
Authors: Moreno Joel , de Isla Leopoldo Pérez , Campos Nellys , Guinea Juan , Domínguez‐Perez Laura , Saltijeral Adriana , Lennie Vera , Quezada Maribel , de Agustín Alberto , Marcos‐Alberca Pedro , Mahía Patricia , García‐Fernández Miguel Ángel , Macaya Carlos 
Published: January 2013

BackgroundCurrent guidelines do not recommend routine assessment of right atrial volume due to the lack of standardized data. Three‐dimensional wall‐motion tracking (3D‐WMT) is a new technology that allows us to calculate volumes without any geometric assumptions. The aim of this study was to define the indexed reference values for two‐dimensional echocardiography (2D‐echo) and 3D‐WMT in adult healthy population and to assess the intermethod, intra‐ and interobserver agreement.MethodsProspective study. Nonselected healthy subjects were enrolled. Every patient underwent a 2D‐echo and a 3D‐WMT examination. 2D‐echo right atrial volume was obtained by using the area‐length method (A‐L) from four‐ and two‐chamber view. 3D‐echo volumes were assessed by 3D‐WMT. Values were indexed by the patient's body surface area.ResultsSixty consecutive healthy subjects were enrolled. Mean age was 57 ± 12‐years old and 27 patients (45%) were male. Average indexed right atrial volume obtained by 2D‐echo and 3D‐echo was 16.76 ± 8.15 mL/m2 and 19.05 ± 6.87 mL/m2, respectively. Univariate linear regression analysis between 2D‐echo and 3D‐echo right atrial volumes shows a weak correlation between right atrial volume obtained with 2D‐echo compared with 3D‐WMT (r = 0.29, CI 95% 0.029–0.66, P = 0.033). The agreement analysis shows a similar result (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.28). The intra‐ and interobserver agreement analysis showed a better agreement when using 3D‐WMT.ConclusionsThis is the first study that reports the reference indexed right atrial volume values by means of 2D‐echo and 3D‐echo in healthy population. 3D‐WMT is a feasible and reproducible method to determine right atrial volume.
i.lect®, a pre‐graduate education model of implantology
Authors: Möst T. , Eitner S. , Neukam F. W. , Wichmann M. , Nonhof J. , Kreuzwieser T. , Vollmer A. , Schlegel K. A. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractObjectiveIn 2008, a consensus meeting of the Association for Dental Education in Europe stated that dental implant treatment represents a popular treatment alternative and, therefore, it should be an integral part of dental student pre‐graduate education. In 2009, the Friedrich‐Alexander University, Erlangen‐Nuremberg implemented a voluntary, structured, education program for pre‐graduate dental students, called ‘i.lect®’. The present study evaluated the effectiveness of the i.lect® program.MethodsConcurrent to the dental curriculum, the i.lect® program provides 200 hours in 3 years of theoretical and practical education on all aspects of modern dental implantology. We recruited dental students in the i.lect® program and additionally students from 15 other universities that voluntarily participated in a single, 3‐day implantology camp (R = 58). To demonstrate their knowledge on dental implant issues, both student groups completed a written examination that covered ‘Basic information and materials of implantology’, ‘Implant planning’ and ‘Soft tissue management’.ResultsThe students in the i.lect® program achieved higher scores than students from the implantology camp on questions concerning ‘basic implantology’ and ‘implant planning’.ConclusionThe results indicated that the structured i.lect® undergraduate curriculum enhanced individual knowledge in the specific field of implantology. This program could have pilot character for use in other universities.
Evolutionary foundations for cancer biology
Authors: Aktipis C. Athena , Nesse Randolph M. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractNew applications of evolutionary biology are transforming our understanding of cancer. The articles in this special issue provide many specific examples, such as microorganisms inducing cancers, the significance of within‐tumor heterogeneity, and the possibility that lower dose chemotherapy may sometimes promote longer survival. Underlying these specific advances is a large‐scale transformation, as cancer research incorporates evolutionary methods into its toolkit, and asks new evolutionary questions about why we are vulnerable to cancer. Evolution explains why cancer exists at all, how neoplasms grow, why cancer is remarkably rare, and why it occurs despite powerful cancer suppression mechanisms. Cancer exists because of somatic selection; mutations in somatic cells result in some dividing faster than others, in some cases generating neoplasms. Neoplasms grow, or do not, in complex cellular ecosystems. Cancer is relatively rare because of natural selection; our genomes were derived disproportionally from individuals with effective mechanisms for suppressing cancer. Cancer occurs nonetheless for the same six evolutionary reasons that explain why we remain vulnerable to other diseases. These four principles—cancers evolve by somatic selection, neoplasms grow in complex ecosystems, natural selection has shaped powerful cancer defenses, and the limitations of those defenses have evolutionary explanations—provide a foundation for understanding, preventing, and treating cancer.
Mapping the biodiversity of tropical insects: species richness and inventory completeness of African sphingid moths
Authors: Ballesteros‐Mejia Liliana , Kitching Ian J. , Jetz Walter , Nagel Peter , Beck Jan 
Published: January 2013

AbstractAimMany taxa, especially invertebrates, remain biogeographically highly understudied and even baseline assessments are missing, with too limited and heterogeneous sampling being key reasons. Here we set out to assess the human geographic and associated environmental factors behind inventory completeness for the hawkmoths of Africa. We aim to separate the causes of differential sampling from those affecting gradients of species richness to illustrate a potential general avenue for advancing knowledge about diversity in understudied groups.LocationSub‐Saharan Africa.MethodsUsing a database of distributional records of hawkmoths, we computed rarefaction curves and estimated total species richness across 200 km × 200 km grid cells. We fitted multivariate models to identify environmental predictors of species richness and used environmental co‐kriging to map region‐wide diversity patterns. We estimated cell‐wide inventory completeness from observed and estimated data, and related these to human geographic factors.ResultsObserved patterns of hawkmoths species richness are strongly determined by the number of available records in grid cells. Both show spatially structured distributions. Variables describing vegetation type, emerge as important predictors of estimated total richness, and variables capturing heat, energy availability and topographic heterogeneity all show a strong positive relationship. Patterns of interpolated richness identify three centres of diversity: Cameroon coastal mountains, and the northern and southern East African montane areas. Inventory completeness is positively influenced by population density, accessibility, protected areas and colonial history. Species richness is still under‐recorded in the western Congo Basin and southern Tanzania/Mozambique.Main conclusionsSampling effort is highly biased and controlling for it in large‐scale compilations of presence‐only data is critical for drawing inferences from our still limited knowledge of invertebrate distributions. Our study shows that a baseline of estimate of broad‐scale diversity patterns in understudied taxa can be derived from combining numerical estimators of richness, models of main environmental effects and spatial interpolation. Inventory completeness can be partly predicted from human geographic features and such models may offer fruitful guidance for prioritization of future sampling to further refine and validate estimated patterns of species richness.
Antimicrobial Surveillance in Idiopathic Parkinsonism: Indication‐Specific Improvement in Hypokinesia Following Helicobacter pylori Eradication and Non‐Specific Effect of Antimicrobials for Other Indications in Worsening Rigidity
Authors: Dobbs Sylvia M. , Charlett André , John Dobbs R. , Weller Clive , Iguodala Owens , Smee Cori , Lawson Andrew J. , Taylor David , Bjarnason Ingvar 
Published: January 2013

BackgroundFollowing Helicobacter pylori eradication in a placebo‐controlled trial, the hypokinesia of idiopathic parkinsonism improved but flexor rigidity worsened.MethodsWe surveyed the effect of all antimicrobial prescriptions in 66 patients with idiopathic parkinsonism over a median of 1.9 (interquartile range 0.4, 3.5) years. Initial Helicobacter screening was followed (where positive) by gastric biopsy. Serial lactulose hydrogen breath tests (364 tests) for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth monitored the need to encourage fluid intake and bulk/osmotic laxatives. We measured hypokinesia (401 assessments of mean stride length at free walking speed in 58 patients) and upper limb flexor rigidity (396 assessments in 49).ResultsFollowing successful H. pylori eradication (12 cases) but not failed (2), stride increased in entire group (including those receiving levodopa), core group (those receiving only longer‐t½ antiparkinsonian medication or untreated) and untreated (p = .001 each case). The effect was greater with less antiparkinsonian medication (19 (95% CI, 14, 25) cm/year in untreated). Flexor rigidity was unchanged. Following antimicrobials for other indications (75 courses), hypokinesia was unchanged. However, flexor rigidity increased cumulatively. It increased in core group only after a first course (by (10 (0, 20)%/year, p = .05)), but then in entire, core and untreated after a second course (18 (6, 31), 33 (19, 48) and 29 (12, 48)%/year respectively; p = .002, .001 and .001) and further still after a third (17 (2, 34), 23 (8, 41) and 38 (15, 65)%/year; p = .02, .003 and .001). Initially, 40/66 were lactulose hydrogen breath test positive. Odds for positivity fell with time (by 59 (46, 75)%/year, p = .001) and tended to be lower with Helicobacter positivity (28 (8, 104)%, p = .06), but were unrelated to other antimicrobial interventions.ConclusionsImproved hypokinesia following antimicrobials appeared unique to Helicobacter eradication. Rigidity increased following successive antimicrobial exposures for other indications, despite diminishing lactulose hydrogen breath test positivity.