bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The attitude of Czech dental patients to the use of rubber dam
Authors: Kapitan Martin , Hodacova Lenka , Jagelska Julie , Kaplan Jiri , Ivancakova Romana , Sustova Zdenka 
Published: June 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe most frequent arguments against rubber dam are that patients generally do not like it and the prolonged time of treatment. However, according to several studies, the attitude of patients towards rubber dam is rather positive.ObjectiveTo find out the attitudes of patients to treatment with rubber dam; to determine influence of the circumstances of treatment or factors about patients; and to establish a mean time needed for rubber dam placement.DesignA questionnaire survey.Setting and participantsPatients of general dental practitioners, university clinical specialists and undergraduate dental students.ResultsA total of 179 questionnaires were distributed, from which 150 were returned. The mean time needed for rubber dam placement was 4 min for students and < 2 min for dentists. For 56% of patients, this had been their first experience with rubber dam. A total of 77% of patients indicated a higher level of comfort during treatment with rubber dam. A preference to the future rubber dam usage was indicated by 86% of patients. The preference to the further rubber dam usage was statistically significantly affected by the level of comfort during the treatment with rubber dam (P < 0.001) and by the sufficiency of explanation of reasons for rubber dam usage (P < 0.05). The other factors presented no statistically significant influence on patients' attitude to rubber dam usage.ConclusionsThe attitude of patients to rubber dam was rather positive in our study. The time needed for rubber dam application was rather short.
An approach for efficient ship routing
Authors: Romero Gonzalo , Durán Guillermo , Marenco Javier , Weintraub Andrés 
Published: June 2013

AbstractShip routing problems are a particular kind of routing problems where the vehicles to be routed are vessels or ships, usually in maritime environments. In contrast to land routing, ship routing has unique features, including overnight trips, disjoint time windows, not necessarily prespecified routes, and a great uncertainty derived from weather conditions. In this work we present a special ship routing problem, which incorporates many features present in general ship routing settings. We discuss aspects related with data gathering and updating, which are particularly difficult in the context of ship routing. Additionally, we present a GRASP algorithm to solve this problem. We apply our solution approach to a salmon feed supplier based in southern Chile, and present computational results on real data.
Cutaneous leishmaniasis: new dermoscopic findings
Authors: Yücel Aydın , Günaşti Suhan , Denli Yasargül , Uzun Soner 
Published: June 2013

AbstractBackgroundCutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) has a worldwide distribution. Delayed and incorrect diagnosis may cause the significant spread of this disease and consequent increases in morbidity and drug resistance.ObjectivesWe aimed to determine dermoscopic features of CL that may help to improve the accuracy of clinical diagnosis of the disease.MethodsA total of 145 lesions in 102 patients were evaluated dermoscopically. Following the diagnosis of CL, all lesions were evaluated by experienced dermoscopists.ResultsA total of 51 papules, 40 nodulo‐ulcerative lesions, 31 plaques, and 23 nodules were evaluated by dermoscopy. Generalized erythema appeared in all lesions (100%), yellow tears in 58 lesions, both crust and ulcer in 51 lesions, white starburst‐like patterns in 27 lesions, ovoid salmon‐colored structures in 19 lesions, and a perilesional hypopigmented halo pattern in four lesions. Various vascular structures were present in 126 lesions. The most common vascular structure observed was an irregular linear pattern in 78 lesions, followed by a tree‐like pattern in 53 lesions. The rest of the vascular structures included hairpin vessels in 25 lesions, glomerulus‐like vessels in 24 lesions, dotted vessels in 23 lesions, comma‐shaped vessels in six lesions, and polymorphous/atypical vessels in four lesions. We did not identify the types of parasite involved.ConclusionsYellow tears, white starburst‐like patterns and salmon‐colored ovoid structures seem to appear specifically in CL lesions. In geographical areas in which CL is common, dermoscopy may be utilized as a useful diagnostic tool that is practical and non‐invasive.
Brain Structural Change and Gait Decline: A Longitudinal Population‐Based Study
Authors: Callisaya Michele L. , Beare Richard , Phan Thanh G. , Blizzard Leigh , Thrift Amanda G. , Chen Jian , Srikanth Velandai K. 
Published: June 2013

ObjectivesTo investigate longitudinal associations between changes in brain structure and gait decline.DesignLongitudinal.SettingPopulation‐based Tasmanian Study of Cognition and Gait.ParticipantsTwo hundred twenty‐five individuals aged 60 to 86 (mean age 71.4 ± 6.8) randomly selected from the electoral roll with baseline and follow‐up data.MeasurementsVolumes of gray matter, white matter, hippocampi, and white matter lesions (WML) were estimated using automated segmentation from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Gait variables were measured using a computerized walkway. Linear regression was used to estimate the association between change in brain MRI measures and change in gait. Time between measurements, age, sex, BMI, education level, total intracranial volume, baseline infarcts, and medical history were used as baseline covariates.ResultsMean follow‐up was 30.6 months. White matter atrophy was associated with a decline in gait speed (P = .001), step length (P = .005), and cadence (P = .001). WML progression was associated with a decline in gait speed (P = .04), and its association with decline in step length was stronger with greater baseline age (P for interaction = .04). Hippocampal atrophy was associated with a decline in gait speed (P = .006) and step length (P = .001). Total gray matter atrophy was associated with decline in cadence in those with cerebral infarcts (P for interaction = .02).ConclusionThese are the first longitudinal data demonstrating the relative contributions of brain atrophy and WML progression to gait decline in older people. Effect modification according to age and infarcts suggests a contribution of reduced physiological and brain reserve. Interventions targeting brain health may be important in preventing mobility decline in older people.
Paradoxical oncogenesis: are all BRAF inhibitors equal?
Authors: Menzies Alexander M. , Kefford Richard F. , Long Georgina V. 
Published: June 2013

SummaryCutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is a concerning toxicity with BRAF inhibitors in the treatment for melanoma. While the two drugs shown to improve survival, vemurafenib, and dabrafenib, have similar efficacy, the reported rates of cSCC are quite different. Drawing upon preclinical and clinical trial data, this article discusses the potential factors behind the different cSCC incidences reported with the two BRAF inhibitors and provides a strategic approach to understand this issue further.
Rheumatic silent carditis: Echocardiographic diagnosis and prognosis of long‐term follow up
Authors: Pekpak Esra , Atalay Semra , Karadeniz Cem , Demir Fikri , Tutar Ercan , Uçar Tayfun 
Published: June 2013

AbstractBackgroundRheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease continue to be an important public health problem in developing countries. Doppler echocardiography is now widely used for early detection and recurrence of clinical evident carditis (CC) and silent (subclinical) carditis (SC). The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of SC and to compare clinical and echocardiographic features of CC and SC.MethodsA total of 156 consecutive patients diagnosed with acute rheumatic fever were included in the study. The patients without clinical evidence but with echocardiographic findings of carditis were diagnosed as having SC.ResultsAcute rheumatic fever was diagnosed in 156 patients, and 103 of these (66%) had carditis. The prevalence of SC was 28.2% among these 103 patients. Seventy‐four of the patients with carditis were followed up for >1 year, and 20 of those had SC. Valvular regurgitation disappeared completely in 18.5% and improved in 45.5% of the CC patients. The recovery and improvement rates in the SC group were 15% and 30%, respectively.ConclusionIt is suggested that Doppler echocardiography be performed in all patients with suspected acute rheumatic fever for early detection of SC. Echocardiography should be used as a diagnostic criterion in order not to miss a diagnosis of SC.
Neural correlates of impaired volitional action control in schizophrenia patients
Authors: Bender Julia , Reuter Benedikt , Möllers David , Kaufmann Christian , Gallinat Jürgen , Kathmann Norbert 
Published: June 2013

AbstractSlowed initiation of volitional but not visually guided saccades indicates impaired volitional action control in schizophrenia patients (SZ). The present study aimed at identifying neural correlates of this specific deficit. Fourteen SZ and 13 healthy control participants (HC) underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging while performing volitional and visually guided saccades. SZ showed increased latencies in volitional but not in visually guided saccades. Brain activation during volitional saccades compared to visually guided saccades was increased in SZ compared to HC in several areas: the supplementary eye fields, suggesting inefficient production of volitional saccades; the prefrontal cortex, pointing to altered top down control on complex eye movements; and the left middle temporal area, suggesting changes in early sensory and attention processing during the volitional control of saccades in SZ.
Evaluation of a point‐of‐care coagulation analyzer (Abaxis VSPro) for identification of coagulopathies in dogs
Authors: Dixon‐Jimenez Amy C. , Brainard Benjamin M. , Cathcart Curtis J. , Koenig Amie 
Published: June 2013

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the ability of the Abaxis VSPro, a point‐of‐care analyzer that measures prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), to identify dogs with coagulopathies caused by administration of anticoagulants.SettingVeterinary teaching hospital.AnimalsSix healthy adult dogs that are part of a preexisting research colony. One dog was not included in the warfarin portion of the study.Measurements and Main ResultsUnfractionated heparin (UFH, 50 U/kg IV once then 300 U/kg SQ q 8 h) was administered to prolong aPTT. Citrated whole blood was used for PT and aPTT analyses with the VSPro and were run in duplicate. The VSPro results were compared to PT and aPTT measured in plasma with a standard benchtop coagulometer (AMAX Destiny). A washout period of at least 24 hours followed. Once dogs had normal PT and aPTT values, warfarin was administered (0.25–0.30 mg/kg PO) once then (0.15 mg/kg PO) as needed up to every 12 hours to prolong PT values. Seventy separate samples were evaluated for PT and 73 samples for aPTT. Pearson correlation coefficients (PCC) for replicate VSPro measures of PT and aPTT were 0.941 and 0.891, respectively (P < 0.001). The PCC between VSPro and AMAX was 0.578 for PT and of 0.865 for PTT (P < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis indicated a maximum sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis of coagulopathy (by AMAX) at VSPro PT value of 21.6 seconds (sensitivity 72%, specificity 86%) and a maximum sensitivity and specificity at VSPro aPTT of 105.3 seconds (sensitivity 93%, specificity 89%). The positive predictive value for PT and aPTT were 84% and 89%, respectively.ConclusionsThe Abaxis VSPro showed acceptable correlation with clinical laboratory tests, and is a useful POC device for identification of animals with abnormalities in PT or aPTT.
The Vale House Flints Member, a flint-rich unit of the Burnham Chalk Formation of the Northern Province, East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, UK
Authors: Hildreth P. N. 
Published: June 2013

Summary:

Many flint bands represent significant correlation markers in the lithostratigraphy of the Chalk Group. In the Chalk Group of the English Northern Province (Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, north Norfolk), such bands can be traced with certainty from Flamborough Head in East Yorkshire southwards across the Humber estuary into south Lincolnshire; some have also been recognized in the Trunch Borehole in north Norfolk. Many have been formally named. A unit of flint-rich chalk containing bands with varied and distinctive features is described from the Burnham Chalk Formation (
Plesiocorys
(
Sternotaxis
)
plana
Zone) of North Lincolnshire and traced to other sites in Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire. Although very distinctive and a potentially mappable unit, no formal name has previously been attributed to it. It is here named the Vale House Flints Member.

Correlation with beds in north Norfolk, including the relevant section from the Trunch Borehole, and beyond is postulated. It appears that though conditions were different in widely separate areas and gave rise to regionally distinct lithostratigraphical sequences, some elements persist across Province boundaries and can be traced from one into another. In particular, the relationships between this flint-rich unit of the Northern Province and those of the Turonian Flint Maximum and the Chalk Rock Member of more southerly areas are discussed.
Mini-invasive diagnosis and synchronous treatment of solitary pulmonary nodule
Authors: Lin Yidan , Liu Lunxu , Pu Qiang 
Published: June 2013

Aim: to develop a simplified method to make a rapid, cost-effective, and precise diagnosis of solitary pulmonary nodules, and to perform synchronous treatment of solitary pulmonary nodules. Methods: the solitary pulmonary nodule was located by digital palpation, and tissue was acquired with a core biopsy gun. In the presence of primary lung cancer, the intervention proceeded to lobectomy. In the case of a benign assessment, the whole nodule was wedged out and sent for a frozen-section double check: if the benign assessment was confirmed, the patient was excluded from further surgery; if the assessment was revised to malignant, the intervention proceeded to lobectomy as well as lymphadenectomy. Results: 76 patients were enrolled. The mean nodule diameter was 1.8 ± 0.6 cm, the mean distance between the visceral pleural and the nodule was 2.4 ± 1.4 cm, and the mean number of punctures was 2.5. The mean time for the phase of intraoperative core biopsy was 10 ± 2 min, and the related blood loss was approximately 5 mL. Fifty-six malignant nodules and 20 benign nodules were confirmed. Both the sensitivity and accuracy were 100%. Conclusion: our results indicate that the simplified mini-invasive diagnosis and treatment is an accurate, safe, rapid, and cost-saving method, which may translate into fundamentally reducing the medical cost and time for lung cancer patients.
Analysis of the sternum for sternal closure with bioabsorbable sternal pins
Authors: Kawamura Masashi , Masai Takafumi , Matsue Hajime , Yoshikawa Yasushi , Sawa Yoshiki 
Published: June 2013

Purpose: Poly-L-lactide sternal pins have been reported to be beneficial for sternal closure. However, we sometimes experience a small sternum, and the size characteristics of the sternum have not been fully investigated. We analyzed size features of the sternum to determine the optimal size of sternal pin for sternal closure. Methods: Chest computed tomography scans were preoperatively obtained in 144 patients undergoing major cardiovascular surgery. We reviewed all scans at the level of the sternum, and measured the width of the bone marrow of the sternum on each computed tomography slice. Results: The mean values of bone marrow width of the sternal manubrium and body of male patients were significantly higher than those of females (manubrium: 38.6 ± 3.9 mm in males, 34.5 ± 3.3 mm in females, p < 0.0001; body: 23.4 ± 3.7 mm in males, 20.8 ± 2.8 mm in females, p < 0.0001). There was no correlation between the bone marrow width of the sternal body and body surface area in either males or females (males: r = 0.08, p = 0.45, females: r = 0.08, p = 0.58). Conclusion: To select the appropriate size of sternal pin, preoperative measurement of the bone marrow width of the sternum is recommended because it cannot be predicted from body size.
Prevalence and risk factors of Helicobacter pylori infection in Korea: Nationwide multicenter study over 13 years
Authors: Lim Seon Hee , Kwon Jin-Won , Kim Nayoung , Kim Gwang Ha , Kang Jung Mook , Park Min Jung , Yim Jeong Yoon , Kim Heung Up , Baik Gwang Ho , Seo Geom Seog , Shin Jeong Eun , Joo Young-Eun , Kim Joo Sung , Jung Hyun Chae 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Background
The aim of this study was to evaluate the time trend of seropositivity of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) over the period of 13 years in an asymptomatic Korean population, and investigate associated risk factors.

Methods
This cross-sectional nationwide multicentre study surveyed anti-H. pylori IgG antibodies in 19,272 health check-up subjects (aged [greater than and equal to]16 years) in 2011. Risk factors for H. pylori infection were investigated using logistic regression. Seropositivity in asymptomatic subjects without H. pylori eradication was compared between the years 1998 and 2005. Birth cohort effects were also evaluated.

Results
After exclusion of subjects with a history of H. pylori eradication therapy (n = 3,712, 19.3%) and gastric symptoms (n = 4,764, 24.7%), the seroprevalence of H. pylori infection was 54.4% in 10,796 subjects. This was significantly lower than the seroprevalence of 59.6% in 2005 and that of 66.9% in 1998, and this decrease of seropositivity of H. pylori became widespread across all ages and in most areas of the country. This decreasing trend could be explained by cohort analysis. All younger birth cohorts had a lower seroprevalence of H. pylori than older birth cohorts at the same age. Decreased seroprevalence within the same birth cohorts also accounted for this phenomenon. Clinical risk factors of H. pylori infection were higher cholesterol level ([greater than and equal to] 240 mg/dl) (OR = 1.33; 95% CI = 1.14-1.54), male gender, older age, low income, and residence in a rural area.

Conclusions
A decreasing trend of H. pylori seroprevalence due to a birth cohort effect requires further studies on its related human host factors as well as socio-economic and hygienic factors. In addition, the relationship between H. pylori infection and high cholesterol level needs more investigation regarding underlying pathogenesis.
Atypical hand-foot-mouth disease in children: a hospital-based prospective cohort study
Authors: Huang Wen-Chan , Huang Li-Min , Lu Chun-Yi , Cheng Ai-Ling , Chang Luan-Yin 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Background
In 2010, we observed children with atypical presentations of hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD), such as rashes on earlobes and faces, or bullae on trunks and bilateral limbs. Hyperpigmentation later developed as the bullous lesions crusted. Thus, we intended to study the etiology of the illness and the phylogeny of the pathogens.

Method
Patients were prospectively enrolled in a tertiary medical center in Taipei, Taiwan. The definition of atypical HFMD includes symptoms of acute viral infection with either of the following presentations: (1) maculopapular rashes presenting on the trunks, buttocks or facial areas, or (2) large vesicles or bullae on any sites of the body. Patients were classified into two groups according to vesicle sizes by two pediatricians at different points in time. The large vesicle group was defined as having vesciculobullous lesions ≥ 1 cm in diameter; the small rashes group had maculopapular rashes < 1cm in diameter. Two throat swabs were collected from each patient for virus isolation and reverse transcription polymerase chain reactions.

Results
We enrolled 101 patients between March and December 2010. The mean age of the participants was 3.3 ± 3.0 years (median age: 2.5 years, range: 21 days-13.5 years). The ratio of males to females was 1.8 to 1. All samples were enterovirus-positive, including coxsackievirus A6 (80%), coxsackievirus A16 (6%), enterovirus 71 (1%), coxsackievirus A5 (1%) and 12 non-typable enterovirus (12%). Bullous fluid aspirated from 2 patients also grew coxsackievirus A6. Among the patients infected with coxsackievirus A6, 54% (45/81) had bullae, compared to 25% (5/20) of those having non-coxsackievirus A6 infections (P=0.02). Fourteen cases had myoclonic jerks and one boy was diagnosed with febrile convulsions. None had complications or sequelae. Phylogenetic analysis showed the strains in Taiwan in 2010 shared more commonality with strains from Finland in 2009 (GenBank: FJ870502-FJ870508), and were close to those circulating in Japan in 2011 (GenBank: AB649286-AB649291).

Conclusions
Coxsackievirus A6 infections may cause atypical manifestations of HFMD, including vesicles or papules on faces or bullae on trunks. These features could provide valuable information to distinguish this versatile enterovirus infection from other virus-induced vesiculobullous diseases.
Statistical aspects of omics data analysis using the random compound covariate
Authors: Su Pei-Fang , Chen Xi , Chen Heidi , Shyr Yu 
Published: June 2013

AbstractBackgroundDealing with high dimensional markers, such as gene expression data obtained using microarray chip technology or genomics studies, is a key challenge because the numbers of features greatly exceeds the number of biological samples. After selecting biologically relevant genes, how to summarize the expression of selected genes and then further build predicted model is an important issue in medical applications. One intuitive method of addressing this challenge assigns different weights to different features, subsequently combining this information into a single score, named the compound covariate. Investigators commonly employ this score to assess whether an association exists between the compound covariate and clinical outcomes adjusted for baseline covariates. However, we found that some clinical papers concerned with such analysis report bias p-values based on flawed compound covariate in their training data set.ResultsWe correct this flaw in the analysis and we also propose treating the compound score as a random covariate, to achieve more appropriate results and significantly improve study power for survival outcomes. With this proposed method, we thoroughly assess the performance of two commonly used estimated gene weights through simulation studies. When the sample size is 100, and censoring rates are 50%, 30%, and 10%, power is increased by 10.6%, 3.5%, and 0.4%, respectively, by treating the compound score as a random covariate rather than a fixed covariate. Finally, we assess our proposed method using two publicly available microarray data sets.ConclusionIn this article, we correct this flaw in the analysis and the propose method, treating the compound score as a random covariate, can achieve more appropriate results and improve study power for survival outcomes.