bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Saving a river: a joint management approach to the Mekong River Basin
Authors: Houba Harold , Pham Do Kim Hang , Zhu Xueqin 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe Mekong River Basin (MRB) is a trans-boundary river shared by six countries. The governance by the Mekong River Commission (MRC) of the Lower Mekong Basin (LMB) is weak. This study investigates the welfare effects in the year 2030 arising from strengthening the MRC's governance versus joint management of the entire MRB. Without joint management, strengthening the MRC's governance has a huge potential to achieve welfare gains and it requires that the interests of all stakeholders be equally balanced. A bargaining approach shows that the LMB has no incentive to negotiate with China and is better off strengthening the MRC's governance instead. If such strengthening could be realized, further welfare gains of joint management by a wider and stronger MRC, including China, would be very small.
Identifying the Risk Factors for Hospital-Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Infection among Patients Colonized with MRSA on Admission
Authors: Fukuta Yuriko , Cunningham Candace A. , Harris Patricia L. , Wagener Marilyn M. , Muder Robert R. 
Published: October 2012

Background.Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major pathogen in hospital-acquired infections. MRSA-colonized inpatients who may benefit from undergoing decolonization have not been identified.Objective.To identify risk factors for MRSA infection among patients who are colonized with MRSA at hospital admission.Design.A case-control study.Setting.A 146-bed Veterans Affairs hospital.Participants.Case patients were those patients admitted from January 2003 to August 2011 who were found to be colonized with MRSA on admission and then developed MRSA infection. Control subjects were those patients admitted during the same period who were found to be colonized with MRSA on admission but who did not develop MRSA infection.Methods.A retrospective review.Results.A total of 75 case patients and 150 control subjects were identified. A stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) was the significant risk factor in univariate analysis (P<.001). Prior history of MRSA (P = .03), transfer from a nursing home (P = .002), experiencing respiratory failure (P<.001), and receipt of transfusion (P = .001) remained significant variables in multivariate analysis. Prior history of MRSA colonization or infection (P = .02), difficulty swallowing (P = .04), presence of an open wound (P = .002), and placement of a central line (P = .02) were identified as risk factors for developing MRSA infection for patients in the ICU. Duration of hospitalization, readmission rate, and mortality rate were significantly higher in case patients than in control subjects (P< .001, .001, and <.001, respectively).Conclusions.MRSA-colonized patients admitted to the ICU or admitted from nursing homes have a high risk of developing MRSA infection. These patients may benefit from undergoing decolonization.
A thermo-chemical model of liquid iron oxidation during plasma arc or laser cutting
Authors: Nemchinsky Valerian 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
It is suggested that if liquid iron is in contact with an atmosphere of gaseous oxygen, the chemical reaction of oxidation inside the liquid metal is of a homogeneous type, as opposed to the heterogeneous reaction of oxidation which takes place in a solid metal. A system of equations describing the inter-related chemical and heat processes is formulated and solved numerically. The obtained solution demonstrated the existence of a relatively narrow reaction zone that moves inwards through the metal. It was shown that the temperature in the reaction zone could be rather high as a result of the following sequence of events: a chemical reaction heats the metal, which boosts the oxygen diffusion and the oxygen supply to the reaction zone, which in turn increases the rate of oxidation. Thermal conductivity and depletion of the reagents stop this explosive-like process. Calculations showed that after some initial period, the reaction zone motion follows the parabolic law.
Residual Neuromuscular Blockade Affects Postoperative Pulmonary Function
Authors: Kumar Gopalaiah Venkatesh , Nair Anita Pramod , Murthy Hanuman Srinivasa , Jalaja Koppa Ramegowda , Ramachandra Karnate , Parameshwara Gundappa 
Published: October 2012

Abstract

Background
Residual neuromuscular blockade (RNMB) is known to be associated with respiratory complications in the postoperative period after muscle relaxant usage. The authors hypothesized that RNMB causes reductions in pulmonary function test (PFT) parameters in the immediate postoperative period.

Methods
An open-label prospective randomized cohort study was conducted comparing reductions in PFT parameters due to RNMB among different neuromuscular blocking agents. One hundred and fifty patients were randomized to receive vecuronium, atracurium, or rocuronium. After reversal of neuromuscular blockade and extubation, train-of-four ratio was measured every 5 min until the train-of-four ratio of 0.9 or greater was attained. PFTs were performed preoperatively and postoperatively when the patients were willing and fit. The train-of-four ratio, measured at PFT, was used to classify patients into “RNMB absent” and “RNMB present.” RNMB was defined as a train-of-four ratio less than 0.9.

Results
Thirty-nine patients had RNMB at the time of performing PFT. There was no statistically significant difference in the postoperative reductions in PFT parameters in patients with RNMB among different neuromuscular blocking agents. Patients were regrouped as RNMB absent and RNMB present, irrespective of neuromuscular blocking agents. Postoperative PFT values for the RNMB-absent and RNMB-present groups were 62% and 49% of baseline forced vital capacity and 47% and 38% of baseline peak expiratory flow of the baseline, respectively. Postoperative forced vital capacity and peak expiratory flow values of RNMB-present patients were lower by 13% and 9% in absolute terms (P < 0.008) and 21% and 19% in relative terms, respectively, compared with RNMB-absent patients.

Conclusion
RNMB results in reductions in forced vital capacity and peak expiratory flow in the immediate postoperative period indicating impaired respiratory muscle function.
Relationship of Erythrocyte Transfusion with Short- and Long-term Mortality in a Population-based Surgical Cohort
Authors: Karkouti Keyvan , Stukel Thérèse A. , Beattie W. Scott , Elsaadany Susie , Li Ping , Berger Rachel , Wijeysundera Duminda N. 
Published: October 2012

Background
When comparing transfused versus nontransfused patients, erythrocyte transfusion is consistently associated with increased mortality. Nonetheless, unmeasured confounding may unduly influence this comparison. This unmeasured risk may have less influence on comparisons of patients undergoing surgery at hospitals with differing transfusion rates.

Methods
Administrative databases were used to conduct a population-based cohort study of patients who underwent elective hip- or knee-replacement surgery from 1999 to 2008 in Ontario, Canada. The authors used Cox proportional-hazards models to determine the adjusted association of hospital-specific erythrocyte transfusion rates (i.e., comparing hospitals with differing transfusion rates) with postoperative mortality. For comparison, they also determined the adjusted association of patient receipt of transfusion (i.e., comparing transfused vs. nontransfused patients) with mortality.

Results
Of 162,190 patients, 23% (n=37,015) were transfused. Hospital-specific transfusion rates at the 66 included hospitals ranged from 10.3 to 57.9%. Compared with nontransfused patients, transfused patients experienced increased adjusted 30-day (hazard ratio 2.32; 95% CI, 1.91-2.83) and 1-yr mortality (hazard ratio 1.75; 95% CI, 1.60-1.91). However, when hospitals were categorized into quartiles based on hospital-specific transfusion rates, mortality rates were similar (highest transfusion quartile vs. lowest transfusion quartile: 30-day mortality, hazard ratio 1.11, 95% CI 0.82-1.50; 1-yr mortality, hazard ratio 1.02, 95% CI 0.82-1.26).

Conclusions
The association of transfusion with postoperative mortality differed significantly when comparing transfused versus nontransfused patients, as opposed to comparing hospitals with differing transfusion rates. This discrepancy raises questions about the true relationship between transfusion and mortality.
Differences in microRNA Changes of Healthy Rat Liver between Sevoflurane and Propofol Anesthesia
Authors: Ishikawa Masashi , Tanaka Shunsuke , Arai Masae , Genda Yuuki , Sakamoto Atsuhiro 
Published: October 2012

Background
In previous studies, the authors showed that anesthetics affect the expression ratios of many genes in rat liver. microRNAs (miRNA) negatively regulate more than 30% of genes in cells, and control cell proliferation, inflammation, and metabolism. The authors hypothesized that anesthetics influence miRNA expression in the liver, and performed miRNA screening tests using TaqMan low-density arrays.

Methods
Rats were randomly assigned to the 2.4% sevoflurane group, the 600 µg·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹ propofol group, and the control group without anesthetics. Rats were allowed to breathe spontaneously under anesthesia for 6 h. The miRNA expression profile of the liver was analyzed, and 15 representative miRNAs were validated by quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.

Results
TaqMan low-density arrays analysis showed 46 miRNAs that were differentially expressed by anesthetics. After sevoflurane treatment, 16 miRNAs were significantly increased and 11 were significantly decreased compared with controls, whereas after propofol treatment, 31 miRNAs were increased and 8 were decreased. Twenty expressed miRNAs were common to both anesthetics, whereas three miRNAs were differentially expressed. Bland-Altman analysis was performed across the validations to compare the fold changes measured by both methods, and they were equivalent (mean difference=0.01, 95% CI=-0.26 to 0.27). This showed that the TaqMan low-density arrays results are accurate and can be confirmed using an independent experimental approach.

Conclusion
The results showed that anesthetics cause many miRNA expression changes, and the miRNA expression pattern was particular for each anesthetic. Further studies are needed to determine the functional consequence of miRNA modulation by anesthetics.
LCAA, a Novel Factor Required for Magnesium Protoporphyrin Monomethylester Cyclase Accumulation and Feedback Control of Aminolevulinic Acid Biosynthesis in Tobacco
Authors: Albus Christin Anne , Salinas Annabel , Czarnecki Olaf , Kahlau Sabine , Rothbart Maxi , Thiele Wolfram , Lein Wolfgang , Bock Ralph , Grimm Bernhard , Schöttler Mark Aurel 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Low Chlorophyll Accumulation A (LCAA) antisense plants were obtained from a screen for genes whose partial down-regulation results in a strong chlorophyll deficiency in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum). The LCAA mutants are affected in a plastid-localized protein of unknown function, which is conserved in cyanobacteria and all photosynthetic eukaryotes. They suffer from drastically reduced light-harvesting complex (LHC) contents, while the accumulation of all other photosynthetic complexes per leaf area is less affected. As the disturbed accumulation of LHC proteins could be either attributable to a defect in LHC biogenesis itself or to a bottleneck in chlorophyll biosynthesis, chlorophyll synthesis rates and chlorophyll synthesis intermediates were measured. LCAA antisense plants accumulate magnesium (Mg) protoporphyrin monomethylester and contain reduced protochlorophyllide levels and a reduced content of CHL27, a subunit of the Mg protoporphyrin monomethylester cyclase. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays confirm a direct interaction between LCAA and CHL27. 5-Aminolevulinic acid synthesis rates are increased and correlate with an increased content of glutamyl-transfer RNA reductase. We suggest that LCAA encodes an additional subunit of the Mg protoporphyrin monomethylester cyclase, is required for the stability of CHL27, and contributes to feedback-control of 5-aminolevulinic acid biosynthesis, the rate-limiting step of chlorophyll biosynthesis.
Obstructive sleep apnoea and cardiovascular complications: perception versus knowledge
Authors: Thomas Joi J , Ren Jun 
Published: October 2012

Summary

Epidemiological evidence has confirmed that obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) significantly promotes cardiovascular risk, independent of age, sex, race and other common risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, such as smoking, drinking, obesity, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia and hypertension.

Patients with severe OSA exhibit a higher prevalence of coronary artery disease, heart failure and stroke. Despite the tight correlation between sleep apnoea and these comorbidities, the mechanisms behind increased cardiovascular risk in OSA remain elusive. Several theories have been postulated, including sympathetic activation, endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress and inflammation.

The association between OSA and cardiovascular diseases may be rather complicated and compounded by the presence of components of metabolic syndrome, such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidaemia. The present minireview updates current knowledge with regard to the cardiovascular sequelae of OSA and the mechanisms involved.
Review and synthesis of the effects of climate change on amphibians
Authors: LI Yiming , COHEN Jeremy M. , ROHR Jason R. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractConsiderable progress has been made in understanding the responses of amphibians to climate change, with successful research carried out on climate change‐associated shifts in amphibian phenology, elevational distributions and amphibian–parasite interactions. We review and synthesize the literature on this topic, emphasizing acutely lethal, sublethal, indirect and positive effects of climate change on amphibians, and major research gaps. For instance, evidence is lacking on poleward shifts in amphibian distributions and on changes in body sizes and morphologies of amphibians in response to climate change. We have limited information on amphibian thermal tolerances, thermal preferences, dehydration breaths, opportunity costs of water conserving behaviors and actual temperature and moisture ranges amphibians experience. Even when much of this information is available, there remains little evidence that climate change is acutely lethal to amphibians. This suggests that if climate change is contributing to declines, it might be through effects that are not acutely lethal, indirect, or both, but evidence in support of this suggestion is necessary. In fact, evidence that climate change is directly contributing to amphibian declines is weak, partly because researchers have not often ruled out alternative hypotheses, such as chytrid fungus or climate–fungus interactions. Consequently, we recommend that amphibian–climate research shift from primarily inductive, correlational approach as to studies that evaluate alternative hypotheses for declines. This additional rigor will require interdisciplinary collaborations, estimates of costs and benefits of climate change to amphibian fitness and populations, and the integration of correlative field studies, experiments on ‘model’ amphibian species, and mathematical and functional, physiological models.
A preliminary assessment of the effectiveness of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor for protecting potential Baird's tapir (Tapirus bairdii) habitat in southern Mexico
Authors: MENDOZA Eduardo , FULLER Trevon L. , THOMASSEN Henri A. , BUERMANN Wolfgang , RAMÍREZ‐MEJÍA Diana , SMITH Thomas B. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBaird's tapir (Tapirus bairdii) is one of the most emblematic mammals of Mesoamerica, but like other large‐bodied animals, it is facing an increasing risk of extinction due primarily to habitat loss. Mexico's ‘ortion of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor (MBC‐M) is located in one of the main strongholds for Bairds tapir. To assess the MBC‐M's effectiveness for tapir conservation, we estimated the distribution of the species’ potential habitat by applying 2 modelling approaches (random forest and Maxent) to a set of uncorrelated environmental variables and a 157‐point presence dataset. We calculated the extent of tapir habitat in within the MBC‐M and modelled new corridors and conservation areas, which we compared to the MBC‐M. Moreover, we assessed deforestation patterns in the region. Twenty‐seven percent of highly suitable tapir habitat occurred in protected areas, 15% in corridors and 58.3% was outside the MBC‐M and associated reserves. The spatial configuration of the MBC‐M was partially concordant with the modelled set of conservation areas and corridors. The main dissimilarity was that the modelled corridors traversed forests in Belize and Guatemala to connect conservation areas. Analyses of deforestation since 1993 and human population density in the vicinity of the MBC‐M indicated that future conservation efforts should give particular attention to the Montes Azules‐El Triunfo Corridor due to greater habitat threat. The MBC‐M has a great potential to play a prominent role in the conservation of tapir habitat but there is an urgent need to implement management plans that reinforce and complement this conservation initiative.
Updating the Relationship between Hyperhomocysteinemia Lowering Therapy and Cardiovascular Events
Authors: Cheng Xiaoshu 
Published: October 2012

SummaryHyperhomocysteinemia (Hhcy) was defined as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events. A number of clinical trials had investigated the relationship between Hhcy lowering treatment and cardiovascular diseases, however, the results of these studies remain controversial. This review article gave an over view of the homocysteine metabolisms and updated the recently published results in the role of Hhcy lowering therapy on cardiovascular events.
Androgen receptor genetic variants in male patients with ankylosing spondylitis in Taiwan
Authors: Yu Shan‐Fu , Hsu Yi‐Hsiang , Cheng Tien‐Tsai , Lai Han‐Ming , Chen Chung‐Jen , Kang Hong‐Yo 
Published: October 2012

AbstractAimAnkylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic rheumatic disorder with gender differences. The aim of study was to investigate the association between polymorphisms of the androgen receptor (AR) gene and the susceptibility to AS in Taiwanese men of Han Chinese descent.MethodsWe conducted a case‐control study with 92 male AS patients and 108 healthy controls. Trinucleotide (CAG and GGC) repeats and seven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs962458, rs6152, rs1204038, rs5918757, rs2361634, rs6624304 and rs1337080 in the AR gene were genotyped.ResultsWe found that only one patient had polymorphic SNPs of the AR gene. None of the genotyped SNPs in the AR gene, originally found in Caucasians, was polymorphic in the Taiwanese men. Neither CAG nor GGC repeat lengths in the AR gene had a significant relationship with human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐B27 positivity or disease severity in AS.ConclusionThere were no differences in CAG and GGC lengths in the AR gene between AS and the controls. None of the genotyped SNPs in AR gene are detected to be polymorphic in male Taiwanese, which indicates that the effect of AR gene on AS may be ethnic‐specific and may be conserved in East Asians compared to Caucasian populations. Still, additional studies using large sets of subjects deserve further attention, since our sample size was small with limited statistical power and supporting evidence for association between the AR gene and AS risk in the Japanese population exists.
Adult onset Still's disease: experience from a tertiary care rheumatology unit
Authors: Reddy Munagala Vishnu V. , Misra Ramnath , Agarwal Vikas , Lawrence Able , Aggarwal Amita 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBackgroundAdult‐onset Still's disease (AOSD) is a rare chronic inflammatory disorder presenting with prolonged fever and polyarthritis.MethodsRetrospective study of patients with AOSD, seen between 1992 and 2009 at a large tertiary care hospital.ResultsTwenty‐nine patients (18 female) with median age at onset of 28 (17–58) years were seen. The clinical features included fever in 29, inflammatory polyarthritis in 26, sore throat in eight and typical rash in 13. Lymphadenopathy was present in 15, hepatomegaly in 15, splenomegaly in 13 and serositis in five patients. Anemia was present in 22, neutrophilic leukocytosis in 28 and thrombocytosis in 13 patients. Acute phase reactants were elevated in all. Fifteen patients had transaminitis. Low titer antinuclear antibodies were present in 6/28 patients. On median follow‐up (25 patients) of 23.7 months (range: 3–84) one patient had self‐limited or monocyclic pattern, eight had polycyclic and 16 had chronic articular pattern. All patients received non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs and 25 received methotrexate and/or prednisolone. During the course 14 patients had remission and of these six were in remission on drugs at last follow‐up. One patient received tociliziumab and was in clinical remission. One patient developed macrophage activation syndrome and one had atlanto‐axial dislocation. Three patients developed tuberculosis and two died of infection associated with immunosuppression.ConclusionAOSD is an uncommon disorder with 1–2 patients seen at a large tertiary care rheumatology unit. Overall AOSD has a fair outcome with significant morbidity and most needing long‐term therapy with steroids and methotrexate.
Continuous use of oral contraceptives: an overview of effects and side‐effects
Authors: HEE LENE , KETTNER LAURA OZER , VEJTORP MOGENS 
Published: October 2012

AbstractObjective. To describe the effects and side‐effects of the continuous use of oral contraceptives. Design. A review of articles concerning oral contraceptives taken continuously or in cycles with hormones taken for more than 21 days per cycle. Methods. We searched publications in PubMed and Embase. Randomized controlled trials were selected if possible, otherwise case–control studies or cohort studies with controls were chosen. A level of evidence as described by the Centre for Evidence Based Medicine (Oxford University, Oxford, UK) was assigned to all selected studies. Main outcome measures. Clinical and paraclinical effects and side‐effects of oral contraceptives administered continuously. Results. The studies suggest that the endometrium is inactive during continuous use of oral contraceptives and the risk of endometrial hyperplasia is not increased. Numbers of bleeding days are halved with continuous use; however, spotting and irregular bleeding are more often seen in the beginning of use, decreasing with time. Hemostatic parameters and serum lipid and carbohydrate profiles in continuous and conventional users do not differ. Menstrual cycle‐related symptoms are relieved better by continuous treatment. After surgery for endometriosis, the effect of continuously used oral contraceptives on the risk of recurrence of pain has been found to be less than that of gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues, but better than the rate seen during conventional cyclic use. Conclusion. Oral contraceptives taken continuously or in long cycles seem to offer benefits with regard to menstrual symptoms and the recurrence of symptoms related to endometriosis. Long‐term studies, comprising large groups of women, are lacking.