bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analytical imprecision of lactate dehydrogenase in primary serum tubes
Authors: Buonocore Ruggero , Avanzini Paola , Aloe Rosalia , Lippi Giuseppe 
Published: June 2015

Background Previous studies showed high frequency of duplicate errors of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) measurement in primary lithium-heparin blood tubes. We hence evaluated imprecision of LDH testing and frequency of replicate errors in primary serum samples centrifuged at two different speeds. Methods Serum samples were collected from 15 healthy subjects and centrifuged at either 1300  g or 2000  g. Serum LDH was then measured on Beckman Coulter AU5800 using the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry-recommended procedure. Complete blood cell count of top layer of serum supernatant was also performed using Advia 2120. Imprecision was calculated as coefficient of variation of 10 replicates of each serum tube, whereas the frequency of replicate errors was compared to the desirable specifications for imprecision. Results Mean LDH values were slightly but significantly higher in serum samples centrifuged at 2000  g rather than 1300  g, whereas blood cell counts were similar. The mean imprecision of LDH was more than double in samples centrifuged at 2000  g than in those centrifuged at 1300  g (8% versus 3%). The percentage of replicate measurements exceeding the desirable specifications was more than threefold higher in samples centrifuged at 2000  g than in those centrifuged at 1300  g (30% versus 9%; P < .001). Conclusions The lower frequency of replicated errors in LDH measurement observed using serum samples centrifuged according to manufacturer’s instruction suggests that assay precision in serum is better if samples are centrifuged at 1300  g rather than 2000  g when the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry-recommended procedure is used.
Cell proliferation is reduced in the hippocampus in schizophrenia
Authors: Allen Katherine M , Fung Samantha J , Shannon Weickert Cynthia 
Published: June 2015

Objective: The molecular and cellular basis of structural and functional abnormalities of the hippocampus found in schizophrenia is currently unclear. Postnatal neurogenesis contributes to hippocampal function in animal models and is correlated with hippocampal volume in primates. Reduced hippocampal cell proliferation has been previously reported in schizophrenia, which may contribute to hippocampal dysfunction. Method: We measured the cell proliferation marker, Ki67, in post-mortem hippocampal tissue from patients with schizophrenia ( n = 10) and matched controls ( n = 16). Ki67-labelled cells were counted within the dentate gyrus and hilus on sections taken from the anterior hippocampus. Results: We replicated the finding of a significant reduction in Ki67+ cells/mm2 in schizophrenia cases compared to controls ( t24 = 2.1, p = 0.023). In our relatively small sample, we did not find a relationship between Ki67+ cells and age overall, or between Ki67 + cells and duration of illness or antipsychotic treatment in people with schizophrenia. Conclusion: Our results confirm that reduced hippocampal cell proliferation may be present in schizophrenia. Restoring hippocampal neurogenesis may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of hippocampal dysfunction in schizophrenia.
Plans for pavement or for people? The politics of bike lanes on the ‘Paseo Boricua’ in Chicago, Illinois
Authors: Lubitow Amy , Zinschlag Bryan , Rochester Nathan 
Published: June 2015

Over the course of the past two decades, bicycling has become increasingly popular in the USA. Although the rate of bike trips made in the USA has more than tripled since 1977, it is relatively low compared with many European cities (Pucher et al., 2011a). In urban areas throughout the USA, bicycling is increasingly being touted as an environmentally friendly way to enhance transit choice as public transportation budgets are slashed and automobile infrastructures remain congested. Discourse around the proliferation of bicycling infrastructure development in American cities often obscures complex aspects of community-level choice regarding transit, including the placement and implementation of bike lanes. This paper seeks to explore the dynamic ways that community members and city planners make sense of bike infrastructure development in Chicago, Illinois. Qualitative interviews and participant observation were employed to clarify the community context of bike lane development in a gentrifying area of the city. We find that community engagement is a critical component of promoting the acceptance and use of bike infrastructure and discuss the role of a community bike shop in facilitating community engagement around bicycling in the neighbourhood of Humboldt Park, home to the second largest Puerto Rican community in the USA.
Cell salvage during coronary artery bypass surgery and allogenic blood exposure
Authors: Al-Mandhari Said , Maddali Madan Mohan , Al-Bahrani Maher Jaffer 
Published: June 2015

Aim Our primary aim was to assess the impact of intraoperative cell saver usage on patient exposure to allogenic blood transfusion during elective coronary artery bypass. The secondary endpoint was the impact of cell savage on the units of blood and blood products transfused perioperatively. Methods A prospective observational cohort study with a historical cohort as a control group was performed in a single tertiary care center. One hundred and twenty-four patients undergoing primary on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting were included. Intraoperative cell salvage was performed in 60 patients (study group) but not in the control group ( n = 64). Transfusion data, intensive care unit stay, hospital stay, and postoperative complications were evaluated in the cell saver and control groups. Results The number of patients exposed to allogenic red blood cell transfusion was significantly less in the study group (55% vs. 82.8%; p = 0.001) and the units per patient was also less in the study group (1.10 ± 1.7 vs. 2.25 ± 2.289 units; p = 0.002). However, there was no significant difference in terms of units of purified plasma fraction, platelets, or cryoprecipitate transfused. Intensive care unit stay, total hospital stay, number of reexplorations, complications, readmissions, and 28-day mortality were similar in both groups. Conclusions Intraoperative cell salvage with a cell saver in patients undergoing primary elective coronary artery bypass decreases the proportion of patients exposed to allogenic red cell transfusions and the number of units of red blood cells transfused.
Percutaneous transhepatic portal embolization using foam ethanolamine oleate and carbon dioxide (CO2): a pilot study
Authors: Inoue Seijiro , Ikeda Osamu , Nakasone Yutaka , Beppu Toru , Masuda Toshiro , Yokoyama Koichi , Utsunomiya Daisuke , Baba Hideo , Yamashita Yasuyuki 
Published: June 2015

Background Percutaneous transhepatic portal embolization (PTPE) can induce atrophy of the embolized- and hypertrophy of the residual area. These effects are advantageous in patients scheduled for extended hepatectomy. Purpose To evaluate the clinical safety and effectiveness of foam sclerotherapy with foam ethanolamine oleate (EO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) for PTPE before hepatectomy. Material and Methods We performed sclerotherapy for PTPE in 15 patients with: hepatocellular carcinoma (HHC; n = 9), bile duct carcinoma ( n = 5), or metastatic liver tumor from colon cancer ( n = 1). The foam contained 5% EO iopamidol (EOI) and CO2 at a 1:2 ratio. We compared the percentage of the pre- and post-PTPE future liver remnant (FLR) volumes and calculated the percent FLR volume (%FLR) increase after PTPE. Results The amount of EOI used (range, 14–20 mL; median, 16.8 mL) was based on the volume of the target portal vein. Technical success was achieved in 14 of 15 patients (93%); the other patient presented with computed tomography evidence of recanalization 1 week after PTPE. The FLR volume before and after portal vein embolization was 599 ± 342 and 691 ± 318 cm3, respectively ( P < 0.01); the mean %FLR volume increase was 29.5%. There was no significant difference in the mean platelet count, total bilirubin, total aspartate aminotransferase, and total creatinine before and after PTPE. One patient suffered intra-abdominal bleeding that required transcatheter arterial embolization. No other patients developed major complications higher than grade 3. Conclusion Sclerotherapy using foam EOI and CO2 is clinically safe and effective for PTPE before hepatectomy.
Does pectoralis major flap harvesting induce upper extremity dysfunction?
Authors: Sun Qiang , Guo Shu , Wang Di , Xu Nan , Jin Shi-Feng , Wang Chen-Chao 
Published: June 2015

Objective To evaluate the effect of pectoralis major myocutaneous (PMM) flap reconstruction on upper extremity dysfunction. Methods Patients undergoing PMM flap reconstruction following head and neck cancer resection were enrolled. The control group comprised age-, sex- and clinical characteristic-matched patients undergoing non-PMM flap reconstruction. All patients completed the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire preoperatively and >1 year postoperatively. Results There was no significant difference between pre- and postoperative DASH scores in the control group ( n = 46; 2.38 ± 3.33 and 2.99 ± 4.21, respectively). In the PMM flap group ( n = 46), the postoperative DASH score was significantly higher than the preoperative score (7.00 ± 9.13 and 2.44 ± 3.50, respectively). In the PMM flap group, flap size was significantly associated with postoperative DASH score. Conclusion PMM flap reconstruction has a small but significant negative effect on upper extremity dysfunction.
“#discrimination”
Authors: Grant Aimee 
Published: June 2015

Background: Stigma is a significant barrier to breastfeeding. Internationally, mothers have reported stigma surrounding public breastfeeding. In the United Kingdom, the Equality Act 2010 gives women the right to breastfeed in public, including within private businesses. In April 2014, a woman who was breastfeeding in a UK sports shop was asked to leave, resulting in a localized protest by breastfeeding mothers. This resulted in the issue of public breastfeeding being highlighted in local, national, and social media. Objective: To examine online opinion regarding breastfeeding in public and protesting about the right to breastfeed in public within the context of a single case. Methods: Online user-generated content relating to the case of Wioletta Komar was downloaded from Twitter and the comments section of a UK online news source, Mail Online. Data comprised 884 comments and 1210 tweets, collected within 24 hours of the incident. Semiotic and thematic analysis was facilitated by NVivo 10. Results: Comments from Twitter were supportive (76%) or neutral (22%) regarding the protesting women and public breastfeeding. Conversely, Mail Online comments were mostly negative (85%). Mail Online posters questioned the legality of public breastfeeding, while Twitter comments acknowledged and supported women’s legal right to breastfeed publicly. Many Mail Online commenters stated that they found it uncomfortable to watch breastfeeding or thought it was unnecessary to breastfeed in public. Conclusion: If the UK government is serious about increasing breastfeeding, interventions to promote public support for public breastfeeding are urgently required.
Influence of noncondensible gas on flowing characteristics of multiple nozzle oil jet pump for lubrication system in steam turbine
Authors: Zhang Jun , Mao Jing-ru , Wang Shun-sen , Zhang Jun-jie , Sun Peng 
Published: June 2015

The full cavitation model introduced by Singhal et al. was partly improved based on experimental results. The improved cavitation model is used to simulate cavitating flow in multiple nozzle oil jet pump for lubrication system in steam turbine. The influence of noncondensible gas on flowing characteristics of multiple nozzle oil jet pump was studied with noncondensible gas content in the range of 0.01–500 ppm. Results show that noncondensible gas has little influence on nonchoking flow while imminent choking flow and deep choking flow are greatly affected. With the increase of noncondensible gas, multiple nozzle oil jet pump enters choking flow earlier. The maximum suction flow rate per unit throat area of multiple nozzle oil jet pump remains constant with varying pressure ratios and area ratios under choking flow, which is only determined by the noncondensible gas content. It is suggested that the maximum suction flow rate per unit throat area is used for the prediction of choking flow in multiple nozzle oil jet pump. This study also provides qualitative criteria for the upper limit of water content in lubrication oil, which avoids multiple nozzle oil jet pump working under choking flow.
Ro/SSA autoantibody-positive pregnancy: reactions to serial fetal Doppler echocardiographic surveillance
Authors: Tingström J , Hjelmstedt A , Welin Henriksson E , Sonesson S-E , Wahren-Herlenius M 
Published: June 2015

Objective The risk for congenital heart block (CHB) associated with maternal Ro/SSA autoantibodies is low, but the possibility of treating early stages of disease has seen the introduction of Doppler echocardiographic surveillance programs with serial examinations during the CHB susceptibility weeks of pregnancy. The aim of the present study was to understand how Ro/SSA autoantibody-positive women having undergone Doppler echocardiographic surveillance programs and giving birth to children without CHB experienced their pregnancy and frequent ultrasound examinations. Methods A validated questionnaire based on data from an interview-study was distributed to Ro/SSA-positive women supervised with Doppler examinations during their pregnancy ( n = 100). Results The response rate was 79%. The majority of the women (61%) reported that the increased number of ultrasound examinations influenced their pregnancy, but in a positive way, with qualified information and additional support from health care personnel in conjunction with the examinations. Further, the visits to the clinic provided opportunities to see the ultrasound picture of the expected infant. However, one-third of the women also reported stress in relation to the examinations. Conclusions Fetal echocardiographic surveillance holds many and predominantly positive effects for Ro/SSA-positive women during pregnancy in addition to the medical advantages.
Realistic Survival Outcomes After Vasopressor Use in the Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Farkas Daniel T. , Rahnemai-Azar Amir A. , Kunhammed Shameem Shah , Greenbaum Arieh , Bibi Shahida , John Mohan Mathew 
Published: June 2015

Aim: Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) have significantly increased mortality rates. Frequently, clinicians are called upon to help families make decisions regarding aggressiveness of care. Having a realistic expectation of outcome is critical for these discussions. This article looked at survival and outcomes following initiation of vasopressors. Methods: All patients admitted to the ICU between January and June 2011were included. Patients were classified into those who had been started on vasopressors (VP+) and those who had not (VP−). Outcomes of these groups including survival were calculated and compared. Results: A total of 1023 patients were included: 169 in the VP+ group and 854 in the VP− group. The survival rate in the VP+ group was 29.6% compared to 92.0% in the VP− group. This was both clinically and statistically significant ( P < .001). Conclusion: Patients started on vasopressors in the ICU have very poor outcomes. Being able to quantify this accurately is important to clinicians having discussions with family members.
Minimal Invasive Suture-Tape Augmentation for Chronic Ankle Instability
Authors: Cho Byung-Ki , Park Kyoung-Jin , Kim Seok-Won , Lee Hyung-Joon , Choi Seung-Myung 
Published: June 2015

Background: Although the modified Brostrom procedure has had excellent clinical results, postoperative complications such as skin irritation by suture material and problematic scar formation occur. This prospective study was performed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of mini-open ligament augmentation (internal brace technique) using suture tape for chronic ankle instability in a select cohort of patients. Methods: Thirty-four young female patients with less than 70 kg of body weight were followed for more than 2 years after suture tape augmentation for lateral ankle instability. The clinical evaluation consisted of the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS), Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) score, Sefton grading system, and the period to return to various activities. Measurement of talar tilt angle and anterior talar translation was obtained from stress radiographs to evaluate the longevity of mechanical ankle stability. Results: FAOS and FAAM scores had significantly improved to 92.5 points at final follow-up ( P < .001). According to the Sefton grading, 31 cases (91.2%) achieved satisfactory functional results. The period to return to exercise was on average 10.2 weeks for jogging and 9.6 weeks for walking on uneven ground. The average subjective satisfaction score of patients was 93.8 points, and satisfaction with the scar was 98.5 points. Talar tilt angle and anterior talar translation had significantly improved to an average of 4.5 degrees and 4.1 mm, respectively, at final follow-up ( P < .001). There were no complications such as skin irritation and wound infection, except for 1 case of chronic inflammation. Conclusions: Minimally invasive suture tape augmentation seems to be an effective alternative for young women with chronic ankle instability. Because there is a possibility of progressive elongation over time, the longevity of mechanical ankle stability and the proper indication for using the internal brace technique should be addressed in future studies. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series study.
Exploring the social meaning of contemporary urban vernaculars: Perceptions and attitudes about Citétaal in Flanders
Authors: Marzo Stefania 
Published: June 2015

This paper aims to provide a more nuanced understanding of the social meaning of a contemporary urban vernacular called Citétaal (Citélanguage). While most studies on the perception of urban vernaculars have applied qualitative discursive methods, we investigate the perception of and attitudes towards Citétaal by combining a qualitative and quantitative approach. In a discursive analysis of online surveys and social media networks, we analyze how this variety is perceived and represented on a collective level, and in comparison to other varieties, such as standard Dutch and regional Limburg Flemish. These insights are used to organize a speaker evaluation experiment ( n=95) in which we verify to what extent the various meanings in the indexical field of Citétaal occur on the individual level of the listener’s mind and how they are structured. We will also measure the listener’s ability to guess the speaker’s ethnic and regional origin. The qualitative data will be further used to interpret the results of the experiment. It will be shown that although social meanings of Citétaal strongly vary within the community, they are clearly regimented by prevailing standard language ideologies. Citétaal is still perceived as a vernacular spoken by foreign speakers, and its social meanings fluctuate between values of low social status and high attractiveness. The opposition (considered as distance) between speaker attractiveness and status is the highest for Citétaal and the lowest for standard Dutch, which suggests that social meanings of standard Dutch are more stable and widely accepted throughout the Flemish community. The conclusions highlight the importance of combining qualitative and quantitative methods when studying perceptions and attitudes in order to provide a fuller understanding of the social meaning of urban vernaculars in the larger community.
Endovascular treatment of bifurcation intracranial aneurysms with the WEB SL/SLS: 6-month clinical and angiographic results
Authors: Bozzetto Ambrosi Patricia , Gory Benjamin , Sivan-Hoffmann Rotem , Riva Roberto , Signorelli Francesco , Labeyrie Paul-Emile , Eldesouky Islam , Sadeh-Gonike Udi , Armoiry Xavier , Turjman Francis 
Published: June 2015

Background The WEB device is a recent intrasaccular flow disruption technique developed for the treatment of wide-necked intracranial aneurysms. To date, a single report on the WEB Single-Layer (SL) treatment of intracranial aneurysms has been published with 1-months' safety results. The aim of this study is to report our experience and 6-month clinical and angiographic follow-up of endovascular treatment of wide-neck aneurysm with the WEB SL. Methods Ten patients with 10 unruptured wide-necked aneurysms were prospectively enrolled in this study. Feasibility, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and outcomes were recorded. Immediate and 6-month clinical and angiographic results were evaluated. Results Failure of WEB SL placement occurred in two cases. Eight aneurysms were successfully treated using one WEB SL without additional treatment. Three middle cerebral artery, four anterior communicating artery, and one basilar artery aneurysms were treated. Average dome width was 7.5 mm (range 5.4–10.7 mm), and average neck size was 4.9 mm (range 2.6–6.5 mm). No periprocedural complication was observed, and morbi-mortality at discharge and 6 months was 0.0%. Angiographic follow-up at 6 months demonstrated complete aneurysm occlusion in 2/8 aneurysms, neck remnant in 5/8 aneurysms, and aneurysm remnant in 1/8 aneurysm. Conclusions From this preliminary study, treatment of bifurcation intracranial aneurysms using WEB SL is feasible. WEB SL treatment seems safe at 6 months; however, the rate of neck remnants is not negligible due to compression of the WEB SL. Further technical improvements may be needed in order to ameliorate the occlusion in the WEB SL treatment.