bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Combination Application of Space Filling and Closed Irrigation Suction in Reconstruction of Sacral Decubitus Ulcer
Authors: Weizhong Liang , Zuojun Zhao , Junling Wu , Hongmei Ai 
Published: December 2014

Abstract
Dead space and poor drainage are the main reasons for intractable sacral decubitus ulcers. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of treatment for sacral decubitus ulcer using space filling through muscle flap and closed irrigation. A total of 22 patients with serious sacral decubitus ulcer were treated with space filling through muscle flap and closed irrigation. After debridement of the decubitus ulcer, the infected areas over the bony prominence and osseous prominences were debrided. We elevated biceps femoris long head or semitendinosus and semimembranosus muscle. Pedicled by proximal part of muscle, the muscle flap was elevated to cover the ischial tuberosity. Transfusion systems of inflow and outflow drainage were placed between the muscle flap and ischial tuberosity. Wound healing and complications were observed. One wound dehiscence healed after secondary suturing. One wound gradually healed by dressing change after 3 weeks. The other cases had good results. Space filling and closed irrigation were complementary. The use of these two methods simultaneously is useful for the management of sacral decubitus ulcers.
Simple Diversion by Duodenojejunostomy for a Retroperitoneal Perforation of the Second Portion of the Duodenal Diverticulum
Authors: Fujisaki Shigeru , Takashina Motoi , Sakurai Kenichi , Tomita Rhyouichi , Takayama Tadatoshi 
Published: December 2014

Abstract
We herein describe that a Roux-en-Y duodenojejunostomy is a simple and secure procedure for perforated diverticulum in the second portion of the duodenum. The surgical technique for perforated duodenal diverticulum can be adaptable when it is difficult to achieve closure of the perforated site easily. Patients who undergo the operation may be able to eat meals, even if duodenal fistula occurs in the postoperative course.
The Use of Collatamp G, Local Gentamicin-Collagen Sponge, in Reducing Wound Infection
Authors: Chia Clement L. K. , Shelat Vishal G. , Low Wilson , George Sheena , Rao Jaideepraj 
Published: December 2014

AbstractWe conducted a retrospective study to examine the role of Collatamp G in reducing postoperative surgical site infection (SSI) in patients with different wound classes. Ninety-two patients (62 men and 30 women; mean age, 58 years; range, 29–88 years) who had undergone surgery between December 2009 and November 2011 in Tan Tock Seng Hospital and who had application of Collatamp G in their wound before closure were included in the study. The primary endpoint was the development of any superficial wound infection within 1 month postoperatively. Of 92 patients studied, 9 (10%) developed a superficial wound infection. Two of 43 patients with clean-contaminated wounds (5%), 2 of 19 with contaminated wounds (11%), and 5 of 30 with dirty-infected wounds (16%) developed infection. Use of the larger size Collatamp G (10 × 10 cm) also appears to have a lower incidence of SSI compared with the smaller Collatamp G (5 × 5 cm); 4% and 12%, respectively. Our data suggest that postoperative SSI was reduced in the group of patients with dirty-infected wound class. SSI appears to be decreased with use of the larger size Collatamp G.
Thyroid Surgery in the Elderly: A Comparative Experience of 400 Patients From an Italian University Hospital
Authors: Canonico Silvestro , Pellino Gianluca , Pameggiani Domenico , Sciaudone Guido , Candilio Giuseppe , De Fatico G Serena , Landino Isabella , Marcellinaro Rosa , Rocco Federica , Selvaggi Lucio , Parmeggiani Umberto , Selvaggi Francesco 
Published: December 2014

Abstract
The aim of this study was to compare disease features and surgical complications of patients undergoing surgery under or over 65 years of age. We performed a retrospective review of patients undergoing thyroidectomy or lobectomy from January 1990 through January 2012 in our Institution. Patients aged over 65 years of age were compared with younger patients on a 1:1 ratio.
A total of 2012 patients were operated on during the study period. Two-hundred patients aged &gt; 65 years were compared with 200 patients &lt; 65 years old. In this series, no significant differences were observed concerning surgical complications between groups. At multivariate analysis, masses causing compression, extended approaches and malignant lesions were significant predictors of complications, irrespective of age. Due to longer life expectancy, elderly patients are being operated on more frequently. Safety of thyroid surgery in this population is still debated. We observed no difference in surgical outcomes between elderly and younger patients; however, some features of the diseases impair survival in the former. Age did not increase likeliness of worse outcomes in patients receiving thyroid surgery.
Use of Stapling Devices for Safe Cholecystectomy in Acute Cholecystitis
Authors: Odabasi Mehmet , Muftuoglu M. A. Tolga , Ozkan Erkan , Eris Cengiz , Yildiz Mehmet Kamil , Gunay Emre , Abuoglu Haci Hasan , Tekesin Kemal , Akbulut Sami 
Published: December 2014

AbstractMany techniques are described for the ligation of a difficult cystic duct (CD). The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness and safety of stapling of a difficult CD in acute cholecystitis using Endo-GIA. From January 2008 to June 2012, 1441 patients with cholelithiasis underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) at the Department of General Surgery, Haydarpasa Numune Education and Research Hospital. Of these, 19 (0.62%) were identified as having a difficult CD and were ligated using an Endo-GIA stapler. All patients were successfully treated with a laparoscopic approach. The length of hospital stay was 3.4 days. There were umbilical wound infections in 4 patients (21%). The length of follow-up ranged from 1.0 to 50.4 months. In conclusion, Endo-GIA is a safe and easy treatment method for patients with a dilated and difficult CD. The cystic artery should be isolated and ligated if possible before firing the Endo-GIA stapler. If isolation and stapling are not possible, fibrin sealant can be applied to avoid bleeding. The vascular Endo-GIA can be applied in a large CD, but for acute cholecystitis with an edematous CD, the Endo-GIA roticulator 4.8 or 3.5 stapler is preferred.
Global warming and changes in risk of concurrent climate extremes: Insights from the 2014 California drought
Authors: AghaKouchak Amir , Cheng Linyin , Mazdiyasni Omid , Farahmand Alireza 
Published: December 2014

AbstractGlobal warming and the associated rise in extreme temperatures substantially increase the chance of concurrent droughts and heat waves. The 2014 California drought is an archetype of an event characterized by not only low precipitation but also extreme high temperatures. From the raging wildfires, to record low storage levels and snowpack conditions, the impacts of this event can be felt throughout California. Wintertime water shortages worry decision‐makers the most because it is the season to build up water supplies for the rest of the year. Here we show that the traditional univariate risk assessment methods based on precipitation condition may substantially underestimate the risk of extreme events such as the 2014 California drought because of ignoring the effects of temperature. We argue that a multivariate viewpoint is necessary for assessing risk of extreme events, especially in a warming climate. This study discusses a methodology for assessing the risk of concurrent extremes such as droughts and extreme temperatures.
Differentiating flavors of the Indian Ocean Dipole using dominant modes in tropical Indian Ocean rainfall
Authors: Weller Evan , Cai Wenju , Du Yan , Min Seung‐Ki 
Published: December 2014

AbstractPhase locked to austral winter and spring, canonical positive Indian Ocean Dipoles (pIODs) generally peak in spring. In recent decades, there has been an increase in unseasonable pIODs which, different from canonical pIODs, peak and decay by September. Distinguishing unseasonable pIODs from canonical pIODs is important, as conditions leading to more frequent unseasonable events are projected to persist in a warming climate. Here using superimposition of the first two seasonally evolving dominant modes of tropical Indian Ocean rainfall variability, we differentiate these types of pIODs. The first mode reflects characteristics of canonical pIODs, in which anomalies intensify with seasonal evolution. However, the second mode, with cool and dry anomalies extending from the eastern pole, reverses from winter to spring, signifying the demise of unseasonable pIODs. Processes embedded in the second mode reflect timing of propagation in equatorial Kelvin waves and their relative importance to the first mode, in generating different pIODs.
Thermal, mechanical properties, and low‐temperature performance of fibrous nanoclay‐reinforced epoxy asphalt composites and their concretes
Authors: Sun Yifan , Zhang Yuge , Xu Ke , Xu Wei , Yu Dier , Zhu Lei , Xie Hongfeng , Cheng Rongshi 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTEpoxy asphalt (EA) concretes have been widely used in the pavement of orthotropic steel bridge decks. The objective of this study was to figure out the enhanced effects of natural fibrous attapulgite (ATT) as a reinforced nanofiller in ATT/EA nanocomposites through a comparison of the properties of the composites with a series of various nanoclay loadings. The rheological properties, glass transition, thermal stability, mechanical properties, and morphology of the ATT/EA composites were characterized. Furthermore, the low‐temperature flexibility of the ATT/EA concretes was investigated. The test results show that the addition of ATT had no significant effect on the rotational viscosity of EA in the initial stage of the curing reaction. In addition, the ATT/EA composites showed better performance than the neat one in thermal stability with a higher glass‐transformation temperature. The tensile strength and elongation at break of the ATT/EA composites at a loading of 0.5 wt % ATT were 21 and 22% higher than those of the neat EA. The addition of ATTs also enhanced the low‐temperature flexibility of the EA concretes. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41694.
Increase in body size is correlated to warmer winters in a passerine bird as inferred from time series data
Authors: Björklund Mats , Borras Antoni , Cabrera Josep , Senar Juan Carlos 
Published: December 2014

AbstractClimate change is expected to affect natural populations in many ways. One way of getting an understanding of the effects of a changing climate is to analyze time series of natural populations. Therefore, we analyzed time series of 25 and 20 years, respectively, in two populations of the citril finch (Carduelis citrinella) to understand the background of a dramatic increase in wing length in this species over this period, ranging between 1.3 and 2.9 phenotypic standard deviations. We found that the increase in wing length is closely correlated to warmer winters and in one case to rain in relation to temperature in the summer. In order to understand the process of change, we implemented seven simulation models, ranging from two nonadaptive models (drift and sampling), and five adaptive models with selection and/or phenotypic plasticity involved and tested these models against the time series of males and females from the two population separately. The nonadaptive models were rejected in each case, but the results were mixed when it comes to the adaptive models. The difference in fit of the models was sometimes not significant indicating that the models were not different enough. In conclusion, the dramatic change in mean wing length can best be explained as an adaptive response to a changing climate.
The relative influence of habitat amount and configuration on genetic structure across multiple spatial scales
Authors: Millette Katie L. , Keyghobadi Nusha 
Published: December 2014

AbstractDespite strong interest in understanding how habitat spatial structure shapes the genetics of populations, the relative importance of habitat amount and configuration for patterns of genetic differentiation remains largely unexplored in empirical systems. In this study, we evaluate the relative influence of, and interactions among, the amount of habitat and aspects of its spatial configuration on genetic differentiation in the pitcher plant midge, Metriocnemus knabi. Larvae of this species are found exclusively within the water‐filled leaves of pitcher plants (Sarracenia purpurea) in a system that is naturally patchy at multiple spatial scales (i.e., leaf, plant, cluster, peatland). Using generalized linear mixed models and multimodel inference, we estimated effects of the amount of habitat, patch size, interpatch distance, and patch isolation, measured at different spatial scales, on genetic differentiation (FST) among larval samples from leaves within plants, plants within clusters, and clusters within peatlands. Among leaves and plants, genetic differentiation appears to be driven by female oviposition behaviors and is influenced by habitat isolation at a broad (peatland) scale. Among clusters, gene flow is spatially restricted and aspects of both the amount of habitat and configuration at the focal scale are important, as is their interaction. Our results suggest that both habitat amount and configuration can be important determinants of genetic structure and that their relative influence is scale dependent.
Recent insertion/deletion (reINDEL) mutations: increasing awareness to boost molecular‐based research in ecology and evolution
Authors: Schlick‐Steiner Birgit C. , Arthofer Wolfgang , Moder Karl , Steiner Florian M. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractToday, the comparative analysis of DNA molecules mainly uses information inferred from nucleotide substitutions. Insertion/deletion (INDEL) mutations, in contrast, are largely considered uninformative and discarded, due to our lacking knowledge on their evolution. However, including rather than discarding INDELs would be relevant to any research area in ecology and evolution that uses molecular data. As a practical approach to better understanding INDEL evolution in general, we propose the study of recent INDEL (reINDEL) mutations – mutations where both ancestral and derived state are seen in the sample. The precondition for reINDEL identification is knowledge about the pedigree of the individuals sampled. Sound reINDEL knowledge will allow the improved modeling needed for including INDELs in the downstream analysis of molecular data. Both microsatellites, currently still the predominant marker system in the analysis of populations, and sequences generated by next‐generation sequencing, a promising and rapidly developing range of technologies, offer the opportunity for reINDEL identification. However, a 2013 sample of animal microsatellite studies contained unexpectedly few reINDELs identified. As most likely explanation, we hypothesize that reINDELs are underreported rather than absent and that this underreporting stems from common reINDEL unawareness. If our hypothesis applies, increased reINDEL awareness should allow gathering data rapidly. We recommend the routine reporting of either the absence or presence of reINDELs together with standardized key information on the nature of mutations when they are detected and the use of the keyword “reINDEL” to increase visibility in both instances of successful and unsuccessful search.
Patterns of shrub expansion in Alaskan arctic river corridors suggest phase transition
Authors: Naito Adam T. , Cairns David M. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractRecent increases in deciduous shrub cover are a primary focus of terrestrial Arctic research. This study examined the historic spatial patterns of shrub expansion on the North Slope of Alaska to determine the potential for a phase transition from tundra to shrubland. We examined the historic variability of landscape‐scale tall shrub expansion patterns on nine sites within river valleys in the Brooks Range and North Slope uplands (BRNS) between the 1950s and circa 2010 by calculating percent cover (PCTCOV), patch density (PADENS), patch size variability (CVSIZE), mean nearest neighbor distance (MEDIST) and the multi‐scale information fractal dimension (dI) to assess spatial homogeneity for shrub cover. We also devised conceptual models for trends in these metrics before, during, and after a phase transition, and compared these to our results. By developing a regression equation between PCTCOV and dI and using universal critical dI values, we derived the PCTCOV required for a phase transition to occur. All nine sites exhibited increases in PCTCOV. Five of the nine sites exhibited an increase in PADENS, seven exhibited an increase in CVSIZE, and five exhibited a decrease in MEDIST. The dI values for each site exceeded the requirements necessary for a phase transition. Although fine‐scale heterogeneity is still present, landscape‐scale patterns suggest our study areas are either currently in a state of phase transition from tundra to shrubland or are progressing towards spatial homogeneity for shrubland. Our results indicate that the shrub tundra in the river valleys of the north slope of Alaska has reached a tipping point. If climate trends observed in recent decades continue, the shrub tundra will continue towards homogeneity with regard to the cover of tall shrubs.
Differential item functioning due to cognitive status does not impact depressive symptom measures in four heterogeneous samples of older adults
Authors: Fieo Robert , Mukherjee Shubhabrata , Dmitrieva Natalia O. , Fyffe Denise C. , Gross Alden L. , Sanders Elizabeth R. , Romero Heather R. , Potter Guy G. , Manly Jennifer J. , Mungas Dan M. , Gibbons Laura E. 
Published: December 2014

ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to determine whether differential item functioning (DIF) due to cognitive status impacted three depressive symptoms measures commonly used with older adults.MethodsDifferential item functioning in depressive symptoms was assessed among participants (N = 3558) taking part in four longitudinal studies of cognitive aging, using the Geriatric Depression Scale, the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale, and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Participants were grouped by cognitive status using a general cognitive performance score derived from each study's neuropsychological battery and linked to a national average using a population‐based survey representative of the US population. The Clinical Dementia Rating score was used as an alternate grouping variable in three of the studies.ResultsAlthough statistically significant DIF based on cognitive status was found for some depressive symptom items (e.g., items related to memory complaints, appetite loss, lack of energy, and mood), the effect of item bias on the total score for each scale was negligible.ConclusionsThe depressive symptoms scales in these four studies measured depression in the same way, regardless of cognitive status. This may reduce concerns about using these depression measures in cognitive aging research, as relationships between depression and cognitive decline are unlikely to have been due to item bias, at least in the ways that were measured in the datasets we considered. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Posterior compensatory network in cognitively intact elders with hippocampal atrophy
Authors: Valenzuela Michael J. , Turner Andrew J.F. , Kochan Nicole A. , Wen Wei , Suo Chao , Hallock Harry , McIntosh Randy A. , Sachdev Perminder , Breakspear Michael 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTFunctional compensation in late life is poorly understood but may be vital to understanding long‐term cognitive trajectories. To study this we first established an empirically derived threshold to distinguish hippocampal atrophy in those with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI n = 34) from those with proficient cognition (PRO n = 22), using data from a population‐based cohort. Next, to identify compensatory networks we compared cortical activity patterns during a graded spatial working memory (SWM) task in only cognitively proficient individuals, either with (PROATR) or without hippocampal atrophy (PRONIL). Multivariate Partial Least Squares analyses revealed that these groups engaged spatially distinct SWM‐related networks. In those with hippocampal atrophy and under conditions of basic‐SWM demand, expression of a posterior compensatory network (PCN) comprised calcarine and posterior parietal cortex strongly correlated with superior SWM performance (r = −0.96). In these individuals, basic level SWM response times were faster and no less accurate than in those with no hippocampal atrophy. Cognitively proficient older individuals with hippocampal atrophy may, therefore, uniquely engage posterior brain areas when performing simple spatial working memory tasks. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Carbon isotope ratios of selected volatiles in Citrus sinensis and in orange‐flavoured food
Authors: Schipilliti Luisa , Bonaccorsi Ivana , Cotroneo Antonella , Dugo Paola , Mondello Luigi 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBACKGROUNDTwenty genuine samples of industrially cold‐pressed sweet orange essential oils, were analysed by gas chromatography–combustion‐isotope ratio mass spectrometry to determine the values of the carbon isotope ratios (δ13CVPDB) of selected volatiles and assess the corresponding range of authenticity. Successively, four commercial orange‐flavoured products were analysed under identical conditions to evaluate the authenticity of the orange flavour. The samples were extracted by solid‐phase microextraction under optimised conditions. The evaluation was performed by using an internal standard procedure to neglect the contribution due to the original environment to the isotopic abundance of 13C. The composition of the volatile fraction of the essential oils and of the flavoured products was determined by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry with linear retention indices, and by gas chromatography with a flame ionisation detector.RESULTSThe δ13CVPDB values of seven secondary metabolites determined here were successfully used to characterise genuine orange essential oil. These values were used to evaluate the quality of orange‐flavoured products, revealing the presence of compounds of different origin, not compatible with the values of genuine orange secondary metabolites.CONCLUSIONSThis study provides the range of authenticity of δ13CVPDB of seven different secondary metabolites in sweet orange genuine essential oil, useful for evaluating the genuineness of orange flavour. In accord with a previous study on different essential oils, the values determined here can be successfully applied for the evaluation of a large number of flavoured food stuffs and correlated with their origins. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry