bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vocal Cord Paralysis and Dysphagia after Aortic Arch Reconstruction and Norwood Procedure
Authors: Pham Vinh , Connelly Diana , Wei Julie L. , Sykes Kevin J. , O'Brien Jim 
Published: February 2014

ObjectivesTo determine the incidence of vocal cord (VC) paralysis and dysphagia after aortic arch reconstruction, including the Norwood procedure.SettingTertiary children's hospital.Study DesignRetrospective cohort.MethodsDatabase/chart review of neonates requiring Norwood or arch surgery between January 2005 and December 2012. Demographics, postoperative VC function, dysphagia, need for gastrostomy tube and/or tracheotomy, and long‐term follow‐up were reviewed.ResultsOne hundred fifty‐one consecutive subjects (96 Norwood, 55 aortic arch) were reviewed. Median age at repair was 9 days (interquartile range [IQR], 7‐13) for Norwood and 24 days (IQR, 12‐49) for arch reconstruction (P <. 001). Documentation of VC motion abnormality was found in 60 of 104 (57.6%) subjects and unavailable in 47 (16 without documentation and 31 who died prior to extubation). There were no significant differences in proportions of documented VC motion (P =. 337), dysphagia (P =. 987), and VC paralysis (P =. 706) between the arch and Norwood groups. Dysphagia was found in 73.5% of Norwood and 69.2% of arch subjects who had documented VC paralysis. Even without unilateral VC paralysis (UVCP), dysphagia was present (56% Norwood, 61% arch). Overall, 120 of 151 (79.5%) required feeding evaluation and a modified feeding regimen. Gastrostomy was required in 31% of Norwood and 23.6% of arch reconstruction overall. To date, mortality in this series is 55 of 151 (36.4%) patients. Of those with VC paralysis, only 23 (22%) had any otolaryngology follow‐up after discharge from surgery. More than 75% with VC paralysis with follow‐up after hospital discharge had persistent VC paralysis 11.5 months after diagnosis.ConclusionThere is high incidence of UVCP and dysphagia after Norwood and arch reconstruction. Dysphagia was highly prevalent in both groups even without UVCP. Preoperative discussion on vocal cord function and dysphagia should be considered.
No Evidence for Distinguishing Bacterial from Viral Acute Rhinosinusitis Using Symptom Duration and Purulent Rhinorrhea: A Systematic Review of the Evidence Base
Authors: van den Broek Medard F. M. , Gudden Corien , Kluijfhout Wouter P. , Stam‐Slob Manon C. , Aarts Mark C. J. , Kaper Nina M. , van der Heijden Geert J. M. G. 
Published: February 2014

ObjectiveTo evaluate the diagnostic value of symptom duration and purulent rhinorrhea in adults suspected of having acute bacterial rhinosinusitis.Data SourcesPubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library.Review MethodsWe performed a comprehensive systematic search on March 28, 2013. We included studies on the diagnostic value of duration of symptoms and purulent rhinorrhea in patients suspected of having acute bacterial rhinosinusitis. We assessed study design of included articles for directness of evidence and risk of bias. We extracted prevalence and positive and negative predictive values.ResultsOf 4173 unique publications, we included 1 study with high directness of evidence and moderate risk of bias. The prior probability of bacterial rhinosinusitis was 0.29 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.24‐0.35); we could not extract posterior probabilities. Odds ratios (95% CI) from univariate analysis were 1.03 (0.78‐1.36) for duration of symptoms and 2.69 (1.39‐5.18) for colored discharge on the floor of the nasal cavity.Conclusion and RecommendationWe included 1 study with moderate risk of bias, reporting data in such a manner that we could not assess the value of symptom duration and purulent rhinorrhea in adults suspected of having acute bacterial rhinosinusitis. Recommendations to distinguish between a viral and a bacterial source based on purulent rhinorrhea are not supported by evidence, and the decision to prescribe antibiotic treatment should not depend on its presence. Based on judgment driven by theory and subsidiary evidence of a greater likelihood of bacterial rhinosinusitis after 10 days, antibiotic therapy may seem a reasonable empirical option.
Bacterial Biofilms and Increased Bacterial Counts Are Associated with Airway Stenosis
Authors: Mazhar Kashif , Gunawardana Manjula , Webster Paul , Hochstim Christian , Koempel Jeffery , Kokot Niels , Sinha Uttam , Rice Dale , Baum Marc 
Published: February 2014

ObjectivesMost airway stenoses are acquired secondary to the use of prolonged endotracheal intubation. Antibiotics have been shown to decrease local inflammation and granulation tissue formation in the trachea. However, antibiotic therapy is not 100% effective in preventing or treating granulation tissue formation. Development of bacterial biofilms may explain this finding. This study evaluates the difference between tracheal stenotic segments and normal trachea in terms of (1) presence of bacterial biofilms, (2) quantitative bacterial counts, and (3) inflammatory markers.Study DesignCross‐sectional study.SettingTertiary care academic medical center.SubjectsA total of 12 patients were included in the study. Tissue from stenotic segments from 6 patients with airway stenosis undergoing open airway procedures were compared with tracheal tissue from 6 patients without airway stenosis undergoing tracheostomy.MethodsScanning electron microscopy for biofilm detection, quantitative polymerase chain reaction for quantitative analysis of bacterial count, and immunohistochemistry were performed for inflammatory markers transforming growth factor β1 (TGF‐β1) and SMAD3.ResultsCompared with the patients without airway stenosis, patients in the airway stenosis group showed presence of bacterial biofilms, a significantly higher expression of 16S rRNA gene copies per microgram of tissue (187.5 vs 7.33, P =. 01), and higher expression of TGF‐β1 (91% vs 8%, P <. 001) and SMAD3 (83.5% vs 17.8%, P <. 001).ConclusionBacterial biofilms, increased bacterial counts, and higher expression of TGF‐β1 and SMAD3 are associated with airway stenosis.
Dexmedetomidine versus midazolam for sedation in upper gastrointestinal endoscopy
Authors: Wu Wei , Chen Qiang , Zhang Liang-cheng , Chen Wen-hua 
Published: February 2014

Objectives To investigate the efficacy and safety of sedation with dexmedetomidine in upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Methods Patients with ASA physical status I–II undergoing elective upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were randomly allocated to receive dexmedetomidine or midazolam for conscious sedation. Continuous peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), heart rate, mean arterial pressure (MAP), Ramsay Sedation Scale (RSS) and numeric rating scale pain scores were recorded before, during and after the procedure. Patients completed a post-procedure satisfaction questionnaire. Results Patients in the midazolam group ( n = 30) experienced a significant decrease in MAP during sedation compared with pre-sedation values. Patients in the dexmedetomidine group ( n = 30) had significantly higher SpO2 and RSS scores during sedation than those in the midazolam group. Overall satisfaction was higher in the dexmedetomidine group than the midazolam group. There were no clinically significant complications in either group. Conclusion Dexmedetomidine has a good safety profile and is an effective sedative for use in upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.
Electrical Integration of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes in a Guinea Pig Chronic Infarct Model
Authors: Shiba Yuji , Filice Dominic , Fernandes Sarah , Minami Elina , Dupras Sarah K. , Biber Benjamin Van , Trinh Peter , Hirota Yusuke , Gold Joseph D. , Viswanathan Mohan , Laflamme Michael A. 
Published: February 2014

Background: Human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hESC-CMs) were recently shown to be capable of electromechanical integration following direct injection into intact or recently injured guinea pig hearts, and hESC-CM transplantation in recently injured hearts correlated with improvements in contractile function and a reduction in the incidence of arrhythmias. The present study was aimed at determining the ability of hESC-CMs to integrate and modulate electrical stability following transplantation in a chronic model of cardiac injury. Methods and Results: At 28 days following cardiac cryoinjury, guinea pigs underwent intracardiac injection of hESC-CMs, noncardiac hESC derivatives (non-CMs), or vehicle. Histology confirmed partial remuscularization of the infarct zone in hESC-CM recipients while non-CM recipients showed heterogeneous xenografts. The 3 experimental groups showed no significant difference in the left ventricular dimensions or fractional shortening by echocardiography or in the incidence of spontaneous arrhythmias by telemetric monitoring. Although recipients of hESC-CMs and vehicle showed a similar incidence of arrhythmias induced by programmed electrical stimulation at 4 weeks posttransplantation, non-CM recipients proved to be highly inducible, with a ∼3-fold greater incidence of induced arrhythmias. In parallel studies, we investigated the ability of hESC-CMs to couple with host myocardium in chronically injured hearts by the intravital imaging of hESC-CM grafts that stably expressed a fluorescent reporter of graft activation, the genetically encoded calcium sensor GCaMP3. In this work, we found that only ∼38% (5 of 13) of recipients of GCaMP3+ hESC-CMs showed fluorescent transients that were coupled to the host electrocardiogram. Conclusions: Human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes engraft in chronically injured hearts without increasing the incidence of arrhythmias, but their electromechanical integration is more limited than previously reported following their transplantation in a subacute injury model. Moreover, non-CM grafts may promote arrhythmias under certain conditions, a finding that underscores the need for input preparations of high cardiac purity.
The UVA/PADOVA Type 1 Diabetes Simulator
Authors: Man Chiara Dalla , Micheletto Francesco , Lv Dayu , Breton Marc , Kovatchev Boris , Cobelli Claudio 
Published: February 2014

Objective: Recent studies have provided new insights into nonlinearities of insulin action in the hypoglycemic range and into glucagon kinetics as it relates to response to hypoglycemia. Based on these data, we developed a new version of the UVA/PADOVA Type 1 Diabetes Simulator, which was submitted to FDA in 2013 (S2013). Methods: The model of glucose kinetics in hypoglycemia has been improved, implementing the notion that insulin-dependent utilization increases nonlinearly when glucose decreases below a certain threshold. In addition, glucagon kinetics and secretion and action models have been incorporated into the simulator: glucagon kinetics is a single compartment; glucagon secretion is controlled by plasma insulin, plasma glucose below a certain threshold, and glucose rate of change; and plasma glucagon stimulates with some delay endogenous glucose production. A refined statistical strategy for virtual patient generation has been adopted as well. Finally, new rules for determining insulin to carbs ratio (CR) and correction factor (CF) of the virtual patients have been implemented to better comply with clinical definitions. Results: S2013 shows a better performance in describing hypoglycemic events. In addition, the new virtual subjects span well the real type 1 diabetes mellitus population as demonstrated by good agreement between real and simulated distribution of patient-specific parameters, such as CR and CF. Conclusions: S2013 provides a more reliable framework for in silico trials, for testing glucose sensors and insulin augmented pump prediction methods, and for closed-loop single/dual hormone controller design, testing, and validation.
Entire solutions of certain type of difference equations
Authors: Liu Nana , Lü Weiran , Shen Tiantian , Yang Chungchun 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
In this paper, we shall study the conditions regarding the existence of transcendental entire solutions of certain type of difference equations. Our results are either supplements to some results obtained recently, or are relating to the conjecture raised in Yang and Laine (Proc. Jpn. Acad., Ser. A, Math. Sci. 86:10-14, 2010). Finally, two relevant conjectures are posed for further studies.

MSC:39B32, 34M05, 30D35.
Hepatic progenitor cells express SerpinB3
Authors: Villano Gianmarco , Turato Cristian , Quarta Santina , Ruvoletto Mariagrazia , Ciscato Francesco , Terrin Liliana , Semeraro Rossella , Paternostro Claudia , Parola Maurizio , Alvaro Domenico , Bernardi Paolo , Gatta Angelo , Pontisso Patrizia 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Background
In the setting of liver injury hepatic progenitor cells are activated, counterbalancing the inhibited regenerative capacity of mature hepatocytes. Chronic activation of this compartment may give rise to a subset of liver tumours with poor prognosis. SerpinB3, a serpin over-expressed in injured liver and in primary liver cancer, has been shown to induce apoptosis resistance, epithelial to mesenchymal transition and to increase TGF-beta and Myc expression. Aim of the present study was to explore the presence of SerpinB3 in hepatic progenitor cells in human livers and in a mouse model of liver stem/progenitor cell activation.
Hepatic progenitor cells were analysed in foetal and adult livers at protein and transcriptional levels. To induce experimental activation of the liver stem/progenitor compartment, C57BL/6J mice were injected with lipopolysaccharide plus D-galactosamine and were sacrificed at different time points. Liver cDNA was amplified using specific primers for mouse-homologous SerpinB3 isoforms and automatically sequenced.

Results
The presence of SerpinB3 in the progenitor cell compartment was detected in sorted human foetal and adult epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) positive liver cells. By immunohistochemistry SerpinB3 was found in human cirrhotic livers in portal areas with progenitor cell activation showing ductular proliferation. CK-7, CK-19, EpCAM and CD-90 positive cell were also positive for SerpinB3. In the animal model, time course analysis in liver specimens revealed a progressive increase of SerpinB3 and a parallel decrease of activated caspase 3, which was barely detectable at 20 hours. Transcription analysis confirmed the presence of SerpinB3-homologous only in the liver of injured mice and sequence analysis proved its belonging to mouse Serpinb3b.

Conclusion
SerpinB3 is highly expressed in hepatic stem/progenitor cell compartment of both foetal and adult livers.
Analysis of EST data of the marine protist Oxyrrhis marina, an emerging model for alveolate biology and evolution
Authors: Lee Renny , Lai Hugo , Malik Shehre Banoo , Saldarriaga Juan F , Keeling Patrick J , Slamovits Claudio H 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Background
The alveolates include a large number of important lineages of protists and algae, among which are three major eukaryotic groups: ciliates, apicomplexans and dinoflagellates. Collectively alveolates are present in virtually every environment and include a vast diversity of cell shapes, molecular and cellular features and feeding modes including lifestyles such as phototrophy, phagotrophy/predation and intracellular parasitism, in addition to a variety of symbiotic associations. Oxyrrhis marina is a well-known model for heterotrophic protist biology, and is now emerging as a useful organism to explore the many changes that occurred during the origin and diversification of dinoflagellates by virtue of its phylogenetic position at the base of the dinoflagellate tree.

Results
We have generated and analysed expressed sequence tag (EST) sequences from the alveolate Oxyrrhis marina in order to shed light on the evolution of a number of dinoflagellate characteristics, especially regarding the emergence of highly unusual genomic features. We found that O. marina harbours extensive gene redundancy, indicating high rates of gene duplication and transcription from multiple genomic loci. In addition, we observed a correlation between expression level and copy number in several genes, suggesting that copy number may contribute to determining transcript levels for some genes. Finally, we analyze the genes and predicted products of the recently discovered Dinoflagellate Viral Nuclear Protein, and several cases of horizontally acquired genes.

Conclusion
The dataset presented here has proven very valuable for studying this important group of protists. Our analysis indicates that gene redundancy is a pervasive feature of dinoflagellate genomes, thus the mechanisms involved in its generation must have arisen early in the evolution of the group.
Using vignettes in qualitative research to explore barriers and facilitating factors to the uptake of prevention of mother-to-child transmission services in rural Tanzania: a critical analysis
Authors: Gourlay Annabelle , Mshana Gerry , Birdthistle Isolde , Bulugu Grace , Zaba Basia , Urassa Mark 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Background
Vignettes are short stories about a hypothetical person, traditionally used within research (quantitative or qualitative) on sensitive topics in the developed world. Studies using vignettes in the developing world are emerging, but with no critical examination of their usefulness in such settings. We describe the development and application of vignettes to a qualitative investigation of barriers to uptake of prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) HIV services in rural Tanzania in 2012, and critique the successes and challenges of using the technique in this setting.

Methods
Participatory Learning and Action (PLA) group activities (3 male; 3 female groups from Kisesa, north-west Tanzania) were used to develop a vignette representing realistic experiences of an HIV-infected pregnant woman in the community. The vignette was discussed during in-depth interviews with 16 HIV-positive women, 3 partners/relatives, and 5 HIV-negative women who had given birth recently. A critical analysis was applied to assess the development, implementation and usefulness of the vignette.

Results
The majority of in-depth interviewees understood the concept of the vignette and felt the story was realistic, although the story or questions needed repeating in some cases. In-depth interviewers generally applied the vignette as intended, though occasionally were unsure whether to steer the conversation back to the vignette character when participants segued into personal experiences. Interviewees were occasionally confused by questions and responded with what the character should do rather than would do; also confusing fieldworkers and presenting difficulties for researchers in interpretation. Use of the vignette achieved the main objectives, putting most participants at ease and generating data on barriers to PMTCT service uptake. Participants’ responses to the vignette often reflected their own experience (revealed later in the interviews).

Conclusions
Participatory group research is an effective method for developing vignettes. A vignette was incorporated into qualitative interview discussion guides and used successfully in rural Africa to draw out barriers to PMTCT service use; vignettes may also be valuable in HIV, health service use and drug adherence research in this setting. Application of this technique can prove challenging for fieldworkers, so thorough training should be provided prior to its use.
Celiac disease in the Mediterranean area
Authors: Tucci Francesca , Astarita Luca , Abkari Abdelhak , Abu-Zekry Mona , Attard Thomas , Ben Hariz Mongi , Bilbao José Ramon , Boudraa Ghazalia , Boukthir Samir , Costa Stefano , Djurisic Veselinka , Hugot Jean-Pierre , Irastorza Iñaki , Kansu Aydan , Kolaček Sanja , Magazzù Giuseppe , Mičetić-Turk Dušanka , Misak Zrinjka , Roma Eleftheria , Rossi Pasqualino , Terzic Selma , Velmishi Virtut , Arcidiaco Carmela , Auricchio Renata , Greco Luigi 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Background
The World Gastroenterology Organization recommends developing national guidelines for the diagnosis of Celiac Disease (CD): hence a profile of the diagnosis of CD in each country is required. We aim to describe a cross-sectional picture of the clinical features and diagnostic facilities in 16 countries of the Mediterranean basin. Since a new ESPGHAN diagnostic protocol was recently published, our secondary aim is to estimate how many cases in the same area could be identified without a small intestinal biopsy.

Methods
By a stratified cross-sectional retrospective study design, we examined clinical, histological and laboratory data from 749 consecutive unselected CD children diagnosed by national referral centers.

Results
The vast majority of cases were diagnosed before the age of 10 (median: 5 years), affected by diarrhea, weight loss and food refusal, as expected. Only 59 cases (7.8%) did not suffer of major complaints. Tissue transglutaminase (tTG) assay was available, but one-third of centers reported financial constraints in the regular purchase of the assay kits. 252 cases (33.6%) showed tTG values over 10 times the local normal limit. Endomysial antibodies and HLA typing were routinely available in only half of the centers. CD was mainly diagnosed from small intestinal biopsy, available in all centers. Based on these data, only 154/749 cases (20.5%) would have qualified for a diagnosis of CD without a small intestinal biopsy, according to the new ESPGHAN protocol.

Conclusions
This cross-sectional study of CD in the Mediterranean referral centers offers a puzzling picture of the capacities to deal with the emerging epidemic of CD in the area, giving a substantive support to the World Gastroenterology Organization guidelines.