bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Etiological Factors of Non Alcohol Non Gallstone Related Acute Pancreatitis: A Cross sectional hospital based study from Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal
Authors: Banerjee Indraneel , Banerjee Indrajit , Das K N , Sathian Brijesh , Pugazhandhi Bakthavatchalam , Roy Bedanta , Banerjee Shantimoy , Khadka Shovit 
Published: June 2014

Background Gall stone diseases and alcohol are the two most common causes of acute pancreatitis. The present work was undertaken to identify the various etiological factors in acute pancreatitis after excluding alcoholism and gall stone diseases. The etiology of an attack of non alcohol non gall stone acute pancreatitis is highly variable. The main objective was to identify the causing factor, because it can have an effect on the specific treatment of acute pancreatitis. . This is a rare cross- sectional study of its kind which is the first one to be reported from India. Materials and Methods A cross-sectional community based study was designed and conducted in Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India from July 2009 to June 2011. Z test and Chi square test were used to observe the variation between different variables and strength of the relationship with logistic regression. Odd ratios were calculated and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). p < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results CMV was the commonest etiology of non alcohol and non gallstone acute pancreatitis 26.7% followed by HEV 6.7% and Pancreas Divisum 6.7%%, SOD 3.3%, EBV 3.3%, Mumps 3.3%, Hepatitis 3.3%, Tumour 3.3%, Choledochal cyst 3.3%,Drugs 3.3% and Gallstone 3.3%. Logistic regression analysis finding indicates that acute pancreatitis was found more prevalent in < 40 yrs [OR 2.076,95%(CI 0.339, 12.716)] and among patients having monthly income of <5000 rs/month yrs [OR 1.4,95%(CI 0.224, 8.768)] . According to the severity of CT grading, Patients had Grade D severity [OR 2.667,95%(CI 0.158, 45.141)], Grade C[OR 1.333,95%(CI 0.104, 17.098)] and Grade E [OR 1.333,95%(CI 0.88, 20.108)]as compared to Grade B severity of CT. Conclusion In the study an etiological factor was evident among almost 3/4th of the patients of non-alcoholic and non-gallstone pancreatitis. The most common etiological factors were CMV followed by HEV. These results rather suggests that the most diligent workup including a biliary microcrystal analysis, a sphincter of Oddi manometry and possible gene analysis for hereditary disorders may further reduce the apparently idiopathic group in the analysis of such patients. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nje.v4i3.10663 Nepal Journal of Epidemiology 2014; 4(3): 351-62
Fault‐tolerant control of distributed systems by information pattern reconfiguration
Authors: Staroswiecki M. , Amani A. Moradi 
Published: June 2014

SummaryGiven a fault‐tolerance strategy and a distributed control system, the set of recoverable faults depends on the information pattern that is implemented. This paper shows that fault‐tolerance can be achieved, when possible, by the reconfiguration of the information pattern. A necessary and sufficient recoverability condition is provided, and sub‐optimal solutions are developed for actuator and sensor faults under system reconfiguration. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Association of microcephalin 1, syntrophin‐beta 1, and other genes with automatic thoughts in the Japanese population
Authors: Ishitobi Yoshinobu , Inoue Ayako , Aizawa Saeko , Masuda Koji , Ando Tomoko , Kawano Aimi , Ikeda Rie , Maruyama Yoshihiro , Kanehisa Masayuki , Ninomiya Taiga , Tanaka Yoshihiro , Tsuru Jusen , Akiyoshi Jotaro 
Published: June 2014

AbstractAutomatic thoughts may be risk factors for depression and anxiety, and should be detected early. However, the genetic basis of automatic thoughts remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the genetic association of automatic thoughts with SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) involved in cognition, neurogenesis, neuronal cell structure, neurotransmitters, hypothalamus–pituitary adrenal axis and psychiatric illness. The study included 610 healthy participants. We used the Depression and Anxiety Cognition Scale (DACS), a Japanese psychological questionnaire, to assess automatic thoughts. Twenty‐five SNPs including COMT, BDNF, FKBP5, SNTB1 (syntrophin‐beta 1, rs4512418), and MCPH1 (microcephalin 1, rs2911968) were selected according to their minor allele frequency. Linear regression models were used to test association of mean DACS scores with each allele (major‐allele homozygote, heterozygote, and minor‐allele homozygote). The significant α‐value was set at α < 0.002. Statistical analysis was conducted using SNPStats. Call rates for all genotypes were >98%. Eighteen SNPs did not deviate from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, and 7 were excluded from statistical analysis. Significant associations of SNTB1 with interpersonal threat and MCPH1 with future denial were observed only in females. SNTB1 and MCPH1 are located on chromosome 8, which may be involved in neuroticism, avoidant personality and depression. Our results demonstrated that DACS scores showing significant interaction with the 2 SNPs may be regarded as appropriate traits to detect the diathesis of automatic thoughts. The 2 SNPs may be important loci in research on cognitive vulnerability to depression and anxiety. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Prognostic significance of the intratumoral heterogeneity of 18F‐FDG uptake in oral cavity cancer
Authors: Kwon Soo Hyun , Yoon Joon‐Kee , An Young‐Sil , Shin Yoo Seob , Kim Chul‐Ho , Lee Dong Hyun , Jo Kyung Sook , Lee Su Jin 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACTBackgroundsWe evaluated the prognostic value of the intratumoral heterogeneity of 18F‐FDG uptake in oral cavity cancer.Materials and MethodsWe enrolled 45 patients who underwent pretreatment 18F‐FDG PET/CT. The intratumoral heterogeneity of 18F‐FDG uptake was represented as the heterogeneity factor (HF), defined as the derivative (dV/dT) of a volume‐threshold function for a primary tumor. We measured the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and volumetric PET parameters. The relationship between HF and clinical parameters, as well as other PET parameters, was evaluated.ResultsThe HF was significantly correlated with SUVmax (r = −0.353, P = 0.017), metabolic tumor volume (r = −0.708, P < 0.0001), and total lesion glycolysis (r = −0.709, P < 0.0001). A multivariate analysis revealed not only cervical lymph node metastasis (hazard ratio = 5.983; P = 0.022) but also HF (hazard ratio = 2.49 × 10−4; P = 0.002) to be independent predictors of overall survival. Those patients with HF < −0.13 showed a worse prognosis than those with HF ≥ −0.13 (P = 0.005).ConclusionsThe intratumoral heterogeneity of 18F‐FDG uptake may be a significant prognostic factor for overall survival in addition to cervical lymph node metastasis in oral cavity cancer. J. Surg. Oncol. 2014 110:702–706. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The influence of elevated levels of C‐reactive protein and hypoalbuminemia on survival in patients with advanced inoperable esophageal cancer undergoing palliative treatment
Authors: Lindenmann Joerg , Fink‐Neuboeck Nicole , Koesslbacher Mario , Pichler Martin , Stojakovic Tatjana , Roller Regina Elisabeth , Maier Alfred , Anegg Udo , Smolle Josef , Smolle‐Juettner Freyja Maria 
Published: June 2014

Background and ObjectivesInflammation perpetuates individual tumor progression resulting in decreased survival in cancer patients. The aim of our study was to evaluate the influence of elevated levels of C‐reactive protein (CRP) as well as low levels of albumin on patients with inoperable esophageal carcinoma.MethodsThe data of 218 patients with advanced esophageal cancer, who were treated at a single center within 12 years, were evaluated retrospectively. Patient's age, gender, body weight, dysphagia, plasma levels of CRP and albumin, the Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS) combining both indicators, and survival were assessed for statistical evaluation.ResultsThirty‐nine (18.2%) had hypoalbuminemia and 161 (73.9%) had elevated CRP levels. Patients with hypoalbuminemia (P = 0.001) as well as patients with increased CRP levels (P = 0.001) showed a significantly shorter survival. Weight loss was correlated to elevated plasma CRP (P = 0.022), to diarrhea (P = 0.021), and to dysphagia (P = 0.008). Increasing GPS was significantly associated with poor survival (P = 0.001).ConclusionsElevated CRP levels and hypoalbuminemia are significantly associated with reduced survival and are considered to be an appropriate predictor for poor outcome in advanced esophageal carcinoma. The GPS provides additional detailed prognostication and should be therefore taken into consideration when the individual palliative strategy has to be scheduled. J. Surg. Oncol. 2014 110:645–650. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Misidentification of sex among harvested bobcats
Authors: Hiller Tim L. , Reding Dawn M. , Clark William R. , Green Richard L. 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACTSex and age data are fundamental vital statistics used to characterize wildlife populations, often integral to models used to assess population responses to harvest or make other management decisions. Misidentification errors could ultimately result in poor management decisions by misrepresenting harvest or population structure. We compared field examination and genetic identification of sex of bobcats (Lynx rufus; n = 248) collected during the 2009–2010 harvest season in Oregon, USA. Furtaker‐reported sex assignment and genetics analysis mismatched for 51 (20.6%) cases. In 31 (12.5%) cases, bobcats reported as females were classified as males by genetic analysis, and vice versa for the remaining 20 individuals. Quantification of errors in sex assignment allows for acknowledgment of technique and data limitations and may allow for adjustments to be considered during decision‐making processes. State agencies may consider providing formal training in field identification techniques and subsampling harvested bobcats for genetic sex assignment in an effort to more accurately reflect sex ratios in the harvest. © 2014 The Wildlife Society.
Learning protein–DNA interaction landscapes by integrating experimental data through computational models
Authors: Zhong Jianling , Wasson Todd , Hartemink Alexander J. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Motivation: Transcriptional regulation is directly enacted by the interactions between DNA and many proteins, including transcription factors (TFs), nucleosomes and polymerases. A critical step in deciphering transcriptional regulation is to infer, and eventually predict, the precise locations of these interactions, along with their strength and frequency. While recent datasets yield great insight into these interactions, individual data sources often provide only partial information regarding one aspect of the complete interaction landscape. For example, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) reveals the binding positions of a protein, but only for one protein at a time. In contrast, nucleases like MNase and DNase can be used to reveal binding positions for many different proteins at once, but cannot easily determine the identities of those proteins. Currently, few statistical frameworks jointly model these different data sources to reveal an accurate, holistic view of the in vivo protein–DNA interaction landscape.
Results: Here, we develop a novel statistical framework that integrates different sources of experimental information within a thermodynamic model of competitive binding to jointly learn a holistic view of the in vivo protein–DNA interaction landscape. We show that our framework learns an interaction landscape with increased accuracy, explaining multiple sets of data in accordance with thermodynamic principles of competitive DNA binding. The resulting model of genomic occupancy provides a precise mechanistic vantage point from which to explore the role of protein–DNA interactions in transcriptional regulation.
Availability and implementation: The C source code for compete and Python source code for MCMC-based inference are available at http://www.cs.duke.edu/∼amink .
Contact: amink@cs.duke.edu
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
TPpred2: improving the prediction of mitochondrial targeting peptide cleavage sites by exploiting sequence motifs
Authors: Savojardo Castrense , Martelli Pier Luigi , Fariselli Piero , Casadio Rita 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Summary: Targeting peptides are N-terminal sorting signals in proteins that promote their translocation to mitochondria through the interaction with different protein machineries. We recently developed TPpred, a machine learning-based method scoring among the best ones available to predict the presence of a targeting peptide into a protein sequence and its cleavage site. Here we introduce TPpred2 that improves TPpred performances in the task of identifying the cleavage site of the targeting peptides. TPpred2 is now available as a web interface and as a stand-alone version for users who can freely download and adopt it for processing large volumes of sequences.
Availability and implementaion : TPpred2 is available both as web server and stand-alone version at http://tppred2.biocomp.unibo.it .
Contact: gigi@biocomp.unibo.it
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
A national survey (NAP5‐Ireland baseline) to estimate an annual incidence of accidental awareness during general anaesthesia in Ireland
Authors: Jonker W. R. , Hanumanthiah D. , O'Sullivan E. P. , Cook T. M. , Pandit J. J. ,   the 5th National Audit Project (NAP5) of the Royal College of Anaesthetists and the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland, and the College of Anaesthetists of Ireland
Published: June 2014

SummaryAs part of the 5th National Audit Project of the Royal College of Anaesthetists and the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland concerning accidental awareness during general anaesthesia, we issued a questionnaire to every consultant anaesthetist in each of 46 public hospitals in Ireland, represented by 41 local co‐ordinators. The survey ascertained the number of new cases of accidental awareness becoming known to them for patients under their care or supervision for a calendar year, as well as their career experience. Consultants from all hospitals responded, with an individual response rate of 87% (299 anaesthetists). There were eight new cases of accidental awareness that became known to consultants in 2011; an estimated incidence of 1:23 366. Two out of the eight cases (25%) occurred at or after induction of anaesthesia, but before surgery; four cases (50%) occurred during surgery; and two cases (25%) occurred after surgery was complete, but before full emergence. Four cases were associated with pain or distress (50%), one after an experience at induction and three after experiences during surgery. There were no formal complaints or legal actions that arose in 2011 related to awareness. Depth of anaesthesia monitoring was reported to be available in 33 (80%) departments, and was used by 184 consultants (62%), 18 (6%) routinely. None of the 46 hospitals had a policy to prevent or manage awareness. Similar to the results of a larger survey in the UK, the disparity between the incidence of awareness as known to anaesthetists and that reported in trials warrants explanation. Compared with UK practice, there appears to be greater use of depth of anaesthesia monitoring in Ireland, although this is still infrequent.
Null Association between Vitamin D and PSA Levels among Black Men in a Vitamin D Supplementation Trial
Authors: Chandler Paulette D. , Giovannucci Edward L. , Scott Jamil B. , Bennett Gary G. , Ng Kimmie , Chan Andrew T. , Hollis Bruce W. , Emmons Karen M. , Fuchs Charles S. , Drake Bettina F. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Background: Black men exhibit a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency as well as a higher incidence of prostate cancer and higher mortality rates from prostate cancer than Whites. There are few data about the effect of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) supplementation on prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in healthy Black men.
Methods: During three winters from 2007 to 2010, 105 Black men (median age, 48.9 years) of Boston, MA were randomized into a four-arm, double-blind trial for 3 months of placebo, 1,000, 2,000, or 4,000 U of vitamin D3. At baseline and 3 months, free and total PSA was measured.
Results: With vitamin D supplementation, no significant differences in free and total PSA were observed; free PSA, −0.0004 ng/mL (P = 0.94) and total PSA, −0.004 ng/mL (P = 0.92) for each additional 1,000 U/d of vitamin D3.
Conclusion: Within an unselected population of healthy Black men without a cancer diagnosis, we found no effect of vitamin D supplementation on free or total PSA.
Impact: These findings support prior findings of no change in PSA with vitamin D supplementation and emphasize the need for new methods to assess the influence of vitamin D supplementation on prostate cancer prevention. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 23(9); 1944–7. ©2014 AACR.
What do patients know about their joint replacement implants?
Authors: Abu Al-Rub Zaid , Hussaini Muhammad , Gerrand Craig H 
Published: June 2014

Background and aims Following a hip or knee replacement, patients may have little information about their prosthesis. This can lead to anxiety in the face of media reports about failing implants or misconceptions about how to live with a joint replacement. The aim of this study was to determine the level of understanding amongst patients who had undergone joint replacement in order to inform the development of an educational intervention. Methods and results A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey. The survey was administered to patients attending an orthopaedic arthroplasty follow up clinic between June 2012 and October 2012. Patients were selected in a convenience sampling manner and had all undergone joint replacement at least three months prior to the survey. Responses were available from 52 patients; 49/52 (94%) of patients did not know what model of joint replacement they had and 44/52 (85%) did not know what materials the implant was made from. There was wide variation in recall of advice about activity restrictions. Conclusion Whilst patients used the internet and other sources to look for advice, this survey suggests the most appropriate educational intervention for this population would involve written information including advice about type of implant, activity restrictions, dental treatment and airport security detectors.
Influence of patients’ age and sex and the mode of administration on results from the NHS Friends and Family Test of patient experience
Authors: Sizmur Steve , Graham Chris , Walsh Joan 
Published: June 2014

Objective To investigate the impact of demographic factors (patients’ age and sex) and of the mode of administration of a national patient experience questionnaire in England: the NHS Friends and Family Test. Methods Secondary analysis of April–August 2013 data collected using a mixed mode approach from 38,998 inpatients and 29,610 emergency department attendees at 429 wards or units in 32 hospitals. Multilevel models were applied with responses from wards nested within hospitals and trusts. Age, sex and mode of administration were entered as main effects. Results There were consistent differences in response for patients and emergency department attendees related to their age and sex. Women gave less positive ratings than men, whilst the likelihood of positive responses increased with age except among the oldest age group (75 years and above). As regards mode of administration, online responses were significantly less positive than postcard responses: the mean differences in score were 22.0 points for inpatients (95% confidence interval 27.3 to 16.7) and 18.0 points for emergency department attendees (29.0 to 7.0). Telephone responses were significantly more positive than postcard responses, with a mean difference of 9.2 (1.6–16.8) in the emergency department setting. Conclusions Data from the Friends and Family Test are vulnerable to bias from demographic factors and from the mode of administration. Comparisons between organisations should be avoided. Scores may be useful at a local level where the test is implemented consistently and patients’ demographic characteristics remain stable. Improving the utility of the Friends and Family Test nationally requires a standardised method for administration and adjustment of results for demographic characteristics.
Patient experience in cystic fibrosis care: Development of a disease-specific questionnaire
Authors: Stahl Katja , Steinkamp Gratiana , Ullrich Gerald , Schulz Wolfgang , van Koningsbruggen-Rietschel Silke , Heuer Hans-Eberhard , Ellemunter Helmut , Schwarz Carsten 
Published: June 2014

Objectives The aim of this study was to develop valid and reliable disease-specific questionnaires for adult patients with cystic fibrosis and for parents of minors with cystic fibrosis for assessing patient experience with cystic fibrosis care. Methods The pilot versions of the questionnaires were developed based on a literature review, interviews with health professionals and focus groups. A postal survey with two reminders was conducted in 56 German cystic fibrosis centres recruiting 2874 participants. Psychometric evaluation was done via exploratory factor analysis and reliability and regression analysis. The questionnaires’ ability to differentiate between subgroups and between cystic fibrosis centres was evaluated. Results Response rates were 74% for both adult patients and parents. Ten factors were extracted for both the adult and the parents’ models (Cronbach’s alpha between 0.6 and 0.9), explaining 50% and 48% of the variance, respectively. The factors organisation & access and the doctor–patient/parent-interaction had the highest relevance for a good overall care experience. The questionnaires were able to distinguish between different cystic fibrosis centres. Discussion The questionnaires are well suited for use in internal and external quality management of cystic fibrosis care due to their good psychometric properties, the ability to differentiate between centres and its practicability.
Photocatalytic reduction synthesis of SrTiO3-graphene nanocomposites and their enhanced photocatalytic activity
Authors: Xian Tao , Yang Hua , Di Lijing , Ma Jinyuan , Zhang Haimin , Dai Jianfeng 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
SrTiO3-graphene nanocomposites were prepared via photocatalytic reduction of graphene oxide by UV light-irradiated SrTiO3 nanoparticles. Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy analysis indicates that graphene oxide is reduced into graphene. Transmission electron microscope observation shows that SrTiO3 nanoparticles are well assembled onto graphene sheets. The photocatalytic activity of as-prepared SrTiO3-graphene composites was evaluated by the degradation of acid orange 7 (AO7) under a 254-nm UV irradiation, revealing that the composites exhibit significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity compared to the bare SrTiO3 nanoparticles. This can be explained by the fact that photogenerated electrons are captured by graphene, leading to an increased separation and availability of electrons and holes for the photocatalytic reaction. Hydroxyl (·OH) radicals were detected by the photoluminescence technique using terephthalic acid as a probe molecule and were found to be produced over the irradiated SrTiO3 nanoparticles and SrTiO3-graphene composites; especially, an enhanced yield is observed for the latter. The influence of ethanol, KI, and N2 on the photocatalytic efficiency was also investigated. Based on the experimental results, ·OH, h+, and H2O2 are suggested to be the main active species in the photocatalytic degradation of AO7 by SrTiO3-graphene composites.

PACS

61.46. + w; 78.67.Bf; 78.66.Sq