bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Survival of patients with alcoholic and cryptogenic cirrhosis without liver transplantation: a single center retrospective study
Authors: Senanayake Sudul Mananjala , Niriella Madunil Anuk , Weerasinghe Sanjaya Kumara , Kasturiratne Anuradhani , de Alwis Jerome Praneeth , de Silva Arjuna Priyadarsin , Dassanayake Anuradha Supun , de Silva Hithanadura Janaka 
Published: December 2012

Abstract

Background
There is no recent data addressing the long term survival of cirrhosis patients without transplantation, but with the availability of optimal pharmacological and endoscopic therapies. We compared the long term transplant free survival of alcoholic (AC) and cryptogenic (CC) cirrhosis patients in a setting where liver transplantation was, until very recently, not available. AC and CC patient details were extracted from our database, maintained since 1995. For those who had not attended clinics within the past 4 weeks, the patient or families were contacted to obtain survival status. If deceased, cause of death was ascertained from death certificates and patient records. Survival was compared using Kaplan-Meier curves.

Results
Complete details were available in 549/651 (84.3%) patients (AC 306, CC 243). Mean follow up duration (SD) (months) was 29.9 (32.6). 82/96 deaths (85.4%) among AC and 80/94 deaths (85.1%) among CC were liver related. Multivariate analysis showed age at diagnosis and Child’s class predicted overall survival among all groups. The median survival in Child’s class B and C were 53.5 and 25.3 months respectively. Survival was similar among AC and CC. Among AC survival was improved by abstinence [HR = 0.63 (95% CI: 0.40-1.00)] and was worse with diabetes [HR=1.59 (95% CI: 1.02- 2.48)] irrespective of alcohol status.

Conclusions
The overall survival of AC was similar to CC. Death in both groups were predominantly liver related, and was predicated by age at diagnosis and Child class. Among AC, presence of diabetes and non-abstinence from alcohol were independent predictors for poor survival.
Endosperm-specific expression of human acid beta-glucosidase in a waxy rice
Authors: Patti Tamara , Bembi Bruno , Cristin Piero , Mazzarol Flavia , Secco Erika , Pappalardo Carla , Musetti Rita , Martinuzzi Maurizio , Versolatto Serena , Cariati Roberta , Dardis Andrea , Marchetti Stefano 
Published: December 2012

Abstract

Background
The deficiency of human acid beta-glucosidase (hGCase) causes Gaucher disease, a rare genetically-inherited disorder currently treated by enzyme replacement therapy using recombinant CHO-derived GCase. In an attempt to provide an alternative and more efficient production system, a chimeric cDNA coding for hGCase operatively linked to the signal peptide of rice glutelin 4 (GluB4) was put under the control of the GluB4 endosperm-specific promoter and inserted into the genome of a waxy rice.

Results
Molecular, immunological and biochemical analyses showed that recombinant hGCase, targeted to the protein storage vacuoles of rice endosperm cells, is equivalent to the native protein and has a glycosylation pattern compatible with direct therapeutic use. Compared to a previous study carried out on transgenic tobacco seeds, enzyme contents per unit of biomass were drastically increased; in addition, differently from what observed in tobacco, rice seed viability was unaffected by hGCase even at the highest production level. Transgenic seed polishing combined with a pretreatment of seed flour greatly facilitated hGCase extraction and purification with an industrially-scalable procedure.

Conclusions
This study opens up the possibility to efficiently produce in the rice seed pharmaceutical compounds which are available in limited amounts or completely excluded from clinical practice due to the inadequacy of their production systems.
CRIg mediates early Kupffer cell responses to adenovirus
Authors: He Jeannie Q , Katschke Kenneth J , Gribling Peter , Suto Eric , Lee Wyne P , Diehl Lauri , Eastham-Anderson Jeffrey , Ponakala Anusha , Komuves Laszlo , Egen Jackson G , van Lookeren Campagne Menno 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
CRIg plays a critical role in regulating Kupffer cell function and survival in response to adenovirus infection.
Whereas adenoviral vectors are known to activate the complement cascade, leading to fixation of C3 proteins to the viral capsid, the consequences of this activation for viral clearance from the circulation are not known. Liver KCs, the macrophage population responsible for early uptake and elimination of many blood-borne pathogens, express CRIg, a complement receptor for C3 proteins. Here, we find that CRIg is important for the early elimination of C3-coated adenoviral vectors from the sinusoidal bloodstream by KCs. We further demonstrate that by acting as a critical receptor for adenovirus phagocytosis, CRIg plays an important role in regulating virus-induced KC death and depletion of these cells from the liver sinusoidal lumen. Our study thus identifies a critical pathway regulating KC function and survival in response to systemic viral infection.
Gel Formation and Characterization of Clay–[Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)] Nanocomposites with Some Clay Minerals Prepared by Photopolymerization
Authors: Sato Kana , Yamamoto Shota , Ishimaru Shin’ichi 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
Nanocomposites consisting of clay and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) were synthesized by photopolymerization using several clay minerals. Uniform hydrogels were obtained by adding saponite-, hectorite-, and fluorohectorite-type synthetic clays to whole clay/NIPAAm with weight-ratios ranging from 0.2 to 1.0. No gels or very brittle gels were produced when synthetic mica and natural montmorillonite were used. The appearance of the obtained hydrogel for the composite of saponite was translucent and relatively stiff, whereas that for fluorohectorite was highly transparent and soft. DSC measurements showed an endothermic anomaly at the volume phase transition in each hydrogel upon increasing temperature. The transition heat decreased with increasing clay content. Swelling behaviors were significantly different between the composites of saponite and fluorohectorite. The amount of absorbed water in the fluorohectorite-composite containing 60 wt % of clay versus NIPAAm was 3 times greater than that in the saponite-composite with the same clay content. The equilibrium water content in the hydrogel decreased with increasing amount of saponite; however, an inverse tendency in the composite of fluorohectorite was observed.
Orphans Deserve Attention: Financial Reporting in the Missing Months When Corporations Change Fiscal Year
Authors: Du Kai , Zhang X. Frank 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACT
We examine firms' financial reporting practices during the missing months that are induced by fiscal year changes and not covered by regular quarters. We find that firms tend to report much lower income for the missing months than for adjacent quarters, mainly by recording higher operating expenses. We also find that managers have various incentives to manage earnings. Executive compensation is not tied to firm performance in the transition period as it is in adjacent fiscal years. Growth firms, firms with poor stock returns, and firms with weak external and internal monitoring tend to manage earnings more. Finally, we find that firms are more likely to meet or beat earnings targets in the subsequent quarter by reporting lower income in the missing months. Investors and analysts perceive the earnings surprise to be less persistent in the quarter after than in the quarter before the missing months.
Data Availability: Data are available from sources identified in the paper.
Chronic Idiopathic Axonal Polyneuropathy Is Associated With the Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Visser Nora A. , Vrancken Alexander F.J.E. , van der Schouw Yvonne T. , van den Berg Leonard H. , Notermans Nicolette C. 
Published: December 2012

OBJECTIVE
This study aims to investigate the association between chronic idiopathic axonal polyneuropathy (CIAP) and the metabolic syndrome or its individual components.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
A total of 249 patients with CIAP and 709 controls underwent fasting laboratory studies, and blood pressure and waist circumference were measured. The metabolic syndrome was diagnosed if three or more of the following Adult Treatment Panel III criteria were present: impaired fasting glucose, hypertension, abdominal obesity, reduced HDL cholesterol, and hypertriglyceridemia. Subgroup analysis was performed for patients with a painful predominantly sensory CIAP, because this phenotype is most similar to diabetic polyneuropathy. Statistical analysis was performed with adjustment for age and gender.

RESULTS
Fifty-five percent of all patients fulfilled the metabolic syndrome criteria compared with 34% of controls (odds ratio 2.2 [95% CI 1.7–3.0]). Multivariate analysis shows hypertension (2.9 [1.7–4.9]) and abdominal obesity (3.3 [2.4–4.6]) to be significantly more prevalent in patients than in controls. Of the patients classified as having a painful predominantly sensory CIAP, 62% fulfilled the metabolic syndrome criteria (3.1 [2.0–4.8]). In this subgroup, hypertension and abdominal obesity also were significantly more prevalent compared with controls.

CONCLUSIONS
Abdominal obesity and hypertension seem to be the most consistent contributing components of the metabolic syndrome in patients with CIAP. Evaluation and appropriate treatment of these risk factors in patients with CIAP would be advocated.
Relationship Between Retinal Blood Flow and Renal Function in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Nagaoka Taiji , Yoshida Akitoshi 
Published: December 2012

OBJECTIVE
To study the relationship between retinal microcirculation and renal function in patients with type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Using a laser Doppler velocimetry system, we obtained the retinal blood flow (RBF) values by simultaneously measuring the retinal vessel diameter and blood velocity. To determine if the RBF is affected in the presence of renal dysfunction, we also evaluated the renal function using the estimated glomerular filtration rate calculated by age and serum creatinine level.

RESULTS
We recruited 169 eyes of 169 consecutive Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes, no or minimal diabetic retinopathy, and normo/microalbuminuria (mean age ± SD, 59.0 ± 11.1 years). We divided the patients into four groups based on the stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD) (non-CKD, n = 99; CKD stage 1, n = 22; stage 2, n = 27; stage 3, n = 21). We found significant (P = 0.035) decreases in RBF with decreased vessel diameter (P = 0.017) but no difference in blood velocity (P = 0.54) in stage 3 CKD compared with the non-CKD group. Multiple regression analysis showed that the CKD stage was significantly (P = 0.02) and independently associated with decreased RBF.

CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicated that the vessel diameter and RBF in the retinal arterioles decrease in patients with type 2 diabetes with stage 3 CKD, suggesting that impaired renal function might be associated with decreased RBF, probably via constriction of the retinal arterioles, in early-phase diabetic retinopathy.
C-Peptide Levels Are Associated With Mortality and Cardiovascular Mortality in Patients Undergoing Angiography
Authors: Marx Nikolaus , Silbernagel Guenther , Brandenburg Vincent , Burgmaier Mathias , Kleber Marcus E. , Grammer Tanja B. , Winkelmann Bernhard R. , Boehm Bernhard O. , März Winfried 
Published: December 2012

OBJECTIVE
C-peptide is a proinsulin cleavage product released from the pancreas in amounts equimolar to insulin, and elevated levels of C-peptide have been found in patients with insulin resistance and early type 2 diabetes mellitus. Recent data suggest that C-peptide could play a causal role in the pathophysiology of vascular disease, but nothing is known about the prognostic value of C-peptide concentrations in the circulation.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
We examined whether C-peptide is associated with cardiovascular and total mortality in 2,306 patients from the Ludwigshafen Risk and Cardiovascular Health Study who underwent coronary angiography at baseline (1997–2000).

RESULTS
During a mean follow-up of 7.6 years, 440 deaths (19.1%) occurred, 252 (10.9%) of which were due to cardiovascular causes. Age- and sex-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) in the third compared with the first tertile of C-peptide were 1.46 (95% CI 1.15–1.85; P = 0.002) for all cause and 1.58 (1.15–2.18; P = 0.005) for cardiovascular mortality. After further adjustment for common risk factors as well as markers of glucose metabolism, these HRs remained significant at 1.46 (1.10–1.93; P = 0.008) and 1.55 (1.07–2.24; P = 0.022), respectively. Moreover, patients in higher tertiles of C-peptide exhibited higher levels of markers of endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis as well as a more severe extent of coronary lesions.

CONCLUSIONS
In patients undergoing coronary angiography, C-peptide levels are independently associated with all cause and cardiovascular mortality as well as presence and severity of coronary artery disease. Further studies are needed to examine a potential causal role of C-peptide in atherogenesis in humans.
Microaneurysm Turnover at the Macula Predicts Risk of Development of Clinically Significant Macular Edema in Persons With Mild Nonproliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Ribeiro Maria Luisa , Nunes Sandrina G. , Cunha-Vaz José G. 
Published: December 2012

OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship between microaneurysm (MA) turnover using automated analysis of fundus photographs (RetmarkerDR; Critical Health SA) and development of clinically significant macular edema (CSME) in nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
A prospective, monocenter, observational study was designed to follow eyes/patients with type 2 diabetes and NPDR (Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study levels 20 and 35) with no prior laser treatment for 2 years or until development of CSME. A total of 410 patients, one eye per patient, fulfilled the inclusion/exclusion criteria and were included in the study. Ophthalmologic examinations including best corrected visual acuity, fundus photography, and optical coherence tomography were performed at baseline, 6 months, and at the last study visit (24 months or before laser treatment).

RESULTS
A total of 348 eyes/patients performed the 24-month visit or developed CSME. Of these 348 eyes/patients, 26 developed CSME. HbA1c levels at baseline and MA turnover (i.e., the sum of the MA formation and disappearance rates) computed during the first 6 months of follow-up were found to be independently predictive factors for development of CSME. MA turnover was 11.2 ± 11.2 in the 26 eyes/patients that developed CSME and 5.0 ± 5.2 in the remaining 322 (P &lt; 0.001). Higher MA turnover values correlated with earlier development of CSME. MA turnover predictive values for CSME development were, for the positive predictive value, 20% and for the negative predictive value, 96%.

CONCLUSIONS
MA turnover calculated with the RetmarkerDR predicts development of CSME in eyes with NPDR. Low MA turnover values identify well the eyes that are less likely to develop CSME in a 2-year period.
A Five-Year Clinical Evaluation of Direct Nanofilled and Indirect Composite Resin Restorations in Posterior Teeth
Authors: Cetin AR , Unlu N , Cobanoglu N 
Published: December 2012

SUMMARY

Aim:
To assess the clinical efficacy of posterior composite resin restorations placed directly and indirectly in posterior teeth after five years.

Materials and Methods:
A total of 108 cavities in 54 patients were restored with three direct composite resins (Filtek SupremeXT [FSXT], Tetric Evo Ceram [TEC], AELITE Aesthetic [AA]) and two indirect composite resins (Estenia [E] and Tescera ATL [TATL]). All restorations were evaluated by two examiners using the United States Public Health Service criteria at baseline and five years after placement. Statistical analysis was completed with Fisher exact and McNemar χ2 tests.

Results:
At baseline, 4% (five) of the restored teeth presented postoperative sensitivity; however, only one of them (a member of the E group) required canal treatment and replacement after two years. At the five-year evaluation, all restorations were retained, with Alpha ratings at 100%. Only one tooth (in the TEC group) required replacement after three years due to secondary caries. Color match, surface texture, and marginal integrity were predominantly scored as Alpha after five years for all groups. After that time, marginal discoloration was scored as Alpha in 64% of AE restorations, 70% of TATL restorations, 73% of E restorations, and 87% of FSXT restorations. There were no Charlie scores recorded for any of the restorative systems.

Conclusions:
Under controlled clinical conditions, indirect composite resin inlays and direct composite resin restorations exhibited an annual failure rate of 2.5% and 1.6%, respectively, after five years. Therefore, the investigated materials showed acceptable clinical performance, and no significant differences were found among them.
Outcome of urethral stent placement for management of urethral obstruction secondary to transitional cell carcinoma in dogs: 19 cases (2007–2010)
Authors: McMillan Sarah K. , Knapp Deborah W. , Ramos-Vara José A. , Bonney Patty L. , Adams Larry G. 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
Objective—To determine the outcome in dogs undergoing urethral stent placement for management of urethral obstruction secondary to transitional cell carcinoma (TCC).
Design—Retrospective case series.
Animals—19 dogs with histopathologically confirmed TCC.
Procedures—Information regarding urethral stent placement and follow-up treatment was obtained from review of medical records. Quality of life assessment was performed with an owner questionnaire.
Results—Self-expanding nitinol stents were successfully placed in 17 of 19 dogs; stent placement was not possible in one dog, and another dog was euthanatized 2 days after stent placement, but before discharge from the hospital. Median survival time in 17 dogs following successful long-term stent placement was 78 days (range, 2 to 366 days). Complications following stent placement in 18 dogs included incontinence (n = 7), reobstruction from continued growth of urethral TCC (3), acute reobstruction shortly after the procedure (1), and stent migration (2). Of the 17 owners surveyed, 16 were satisfied with the outcome and would recommend urethral stent placement.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The placement of self-expanding nitinol urethral stents was successful in alleviating TCC-induced urethral obstruction and providing good quality of life for most dogs.
Dysgalactia associated with Mycoplasma suis infection in a sow herd
Authors: Strait Erin L. , Hawkins Peggy Anne , Wilson Warren D. 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
Case Description—A sudden onset of extreme dysgalactia in gilts and sows in a 1,000-head farrow-to-wean herd was observed in December 2009. Signs of dysgalactia were identified in sows beginning 1 day after parturition and lasted 4 to 6 days. This resulted in a mean piglet preweaning mortality rate of 18% because of starvation.
Clinical Findings—Sows were neither off feed nor febrile. Udders were not inflamed or congested. Feed sample analysis did not find ergotamine, mycotoxin contamination, or ration formulation errors. Management practices were acceptable. Piglets attempted to stimulate milk production but none was elicited. Oxytocin (20 U) caused milk ejection but the effect was short-lived. Blood samples from sows with affected litters were positive for Mycoplasma suis (formerly Eperythrozoon suis) by PCR assay, and blood samples from sows with unaffected litters were negative.
Treatment and Outcome—Chlortetracycline fed to the entire sow herd at 22 mg/kg/d (10 mg/lb/d) for 2 weeks resulted in a near complete absence of dysgalactia in sows farrowing within 5 weeks after the start of treatment. Dysgalactia did occur in sows that received chlortetracycline > 5 weeks prior to farrowing. Currently, gestating sows and gilts receive chlortetracycline in feed at a dosage of 22 mg/kg/d for 2 weeks beginning 3 weeks prior to farrowing.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—M suis is spread primarily by blood contact from animal to animal, and diagnosis of infection with this organism can be easily missed by means of standard diagnostic protocols unless PCR assays or specific stains are used. Therefore, its current prevalence and impact are likely to be greatly underestimated.
Event-by-event hadron ratio fluctuations from Au+Au collisions at RHIC-STAR
Authors: Tian Jian 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
We present measurements of event-by-event fluctuations on hadron multiplicity ratios (K/π, p/π, K/p) in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt {s_{NN} } $ and 200 GeV using the STAR detector at RHIC. The magnitude of dynamical fluctuations σ
dyn for p/π and K/p ratios change smoothly from a large negative value at 7.7 GeV to a smaller negative value at 200 GeV while that for the K/π ratios exhibits no significant beam energy dependence. The dynamical fluctuations related to pair production σ
dynpair dyn for the p/K, K/p, K
−/K
+ and p/p ratios at 200 GeV all exhibit a maximum at the mid-central collisions and decrease at the most peripheral and most central collisions.
The horn, kink and step, dale: from few GeV to few TeV
Authors: Rustamov Anar 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
Rich experimental data have been collected in heavy-ion collisions at high energies to study the properties of strongly interacting matter. As the theory of strong interactions, QCD, predicts asymptotic freedom, the created matter at sufficiently high temperature and density will be dominated by a state of quasi-free quarks and gluons referred to as the Quark-Qluon Plasma (QGP). Experimental signals for the onset of the QGP creation (the onset of the deconfinement) have been predicted within the statistical model for the early stage of nucleus-nucleus collisions. In this model the existence of two different phases is assumed: confined mater and the QGP, as well as a first order phase transition between them. Until recently, these predictions were confirmed only by the NA49 experiment at the CERN SPS. In this report recent results from STAR at RHIC/BNL and from ALICE at LHC/CERN, related to the onset of deconfinement, will be compared to published results from NA49.
Highlights of the beam energy scan from STAR
Authors: Schmah Alexander 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
The first part of the beam energy scan (BES) program at RHIC was successfully completed in the years 2010 and 2011. First STAR results from particle yield measurements are in good agreement with previously published data from SPS and AGS experiments whereas other results like azimuthal HBT and K/π event-by-event fluctuations differ at some energies. In addition, new observations like the centrality dependence of chemical freeze-out parameters (T
ch and µB) or the smoothly increasing difference with decreasing energy in the elliptic flow v
2 between particles and corresponding anti-particles, are discussed.