bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Recurrent miscarriage is associated with a decline of decidual natural killer cells expressing killer cell immunoglobulin‐like receptors specific for human leukocyte antigen C
Authors: Wang Shan , Li Yan‐Ping , Ding Bo , Zhao Yue‐Ran , Chen Zi‐Jiang , Xu Cheng‐Yan , Fu Yi‐Bing , Wang Xie‐Tong 
Published: April 2014

AbstractAimTo investigate the relationship between natural killer (NK) cell phenotype and recurrent miscarriage (RM).MethodsWe studied killer cell immunoglobulin‐like receptor (KIR) expression on decidual NK cells in women with RM.ResultsThe expression of KIR2DL1/S1 on CD56+CD16− NK cells in the deciduas of these women was significantly lower than in that of control subjects (P = 0.026). There was a significant decline in the frequency of CD56+CD16− NK cells staining for KIR2DL1/S1 and KIR2DL2/S2/L3 throughout the first trimester in patients (P < 0.05). Furthermore, by stratification of the women in three groups according to gestational stage, it was found that KIR2DL1/S1 expressing NK cells were significantly decreased in all groups, especially around gestational days 50–70 (P = 0.010).ConclusionThis is the first report to demonstrate that RM is associated with a decline in the frequency of decidual NK cells expressing KIR specific for human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐C, and in which gestational stage was considered. The results suggest that KIR phenotype contributes to the pathogenesis of the disease, and that assessment of KIR may serve as a diagnostic tool.
Women's knowledge and attitude towards mode of delivery and frequency of cesarean section on mother's request in six public and private hospitals in Tehran, Iran, 2012
Authors: Ghotbi Fatemeh , Akbari Sene Azadeh , Azargashb Eznollah , Shiva Farideh , Mohtadi Mina , Zadehmodares Shahrzad , Farzaneh Farah , Yasai Fakhr‐al‐molouk 
Published: April 2014

AbstractAimThe rate of cesarean section (CS) has been reported to be as high as 40% among Iranian women in the year 2009. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of cesarean delivery on mother's request (CDMR) and to determine maternal attitude and knowledge about various modes of delivery in private and public (university) hospitals in Tehran.Material and MethodsAll primiparous mothers delivering in six selected hospitals between April 2010 and March 2011 were included. Trained investigators handed a predesigned questionnaire to mothers 1 day after delivery to be filled out in the presence of the investigator.ResultsFrom 600 deliveries, 501 (83.5%) were CS and 99 (16.5%) were normal vaginal delivery. The CS rates in university hospitals versus private hospitals were 78.5% and 91.9%, respectively. In total, mothers' knowledge scores were poor, intermediate, and good in 55.6%, 37.9%, and 6.5% of cases, respectively, and no significant difference in knowledge was observed between mothers attending private or public hospitals. The overall rate of CDMR was 20.8%; and the most frequent reason was fear of pain. Women with CDMR were at higher marital age, education, insurance coverage, and socioeconomic status compared with the women with vaginal delivery.ConclusionPrompt action is needed to reduce the unacceptably high rate of unwarranted cesarean deliveries. Improving women's knowledge about the risks and benefits of different modes of delivery can lead to a positive maternal attitude towards vaginal delivery.
Evaluation of gingival crevicular fluid levels of tissue plasminogen activator, plasminogen activator inhibitor 2, matrix metalloproteinase‐3 and interleukin 1‐β in patients with different periodontal diseases
Authors: Toyman U. , Tüter G. , Kurtiş B. , Kıvrak E. , Bozkurt Ş. , Yücel A. A. , Serdar M. 
Published: April 2014

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the gingival crevicular fluid levels of interleukin‐1beta (IL‐1β), matrix metalloproteinases‐3 (MMP‐3), tissue type plasminogen activator (t‐PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor 2 (PAI‐2) in patients with chronic periodontitis, aggressive periodontitis (AgP) and healthy individuals (controls).Material and MethodsSystemically healthy (21 chronic periodontitis, 23 AgP and 20 controls) subjects were included in this study. Plaque index, gingival index, probing pocket depth and clinical attachment level were recorded and gingival crevicular fluid samples were collected. Assays for IL‐1β, MMP‐3, t‐PA and PAI‐2 levels in gingival crevicular fluid were carried out by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The one‐sample Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, Mann–Whitney U test and Spearman correlation coefficient were used for data analyses.ResultsGingival crevicular fluid levels of t‐PA and IL‐1β were significantly higher in chronic periodontitis and AgP groups than in the control group (p < 0.001). MMP‐3 levels in gingival crevicular fluid were detected as significantly higher in the chronic periodontitis and AgP groups compared with the control group (p < 0.05). The t‐PA/PAI‐2 rate of patients with chronic periodontitis and AgP were significantly higher than the control group (p < 0.05). The positive correlations were found among the PAI‐2, t‐PA, IL‐1β and MMP‐3 levels in gingival crevicular fluid. The volume of the gingival crevicular fluid correlated with all of the clinical parameters (p < 0.001). There were positive correlations between the gingival crevicular fluid levels of PAI‐2 and the probing pocket depth and between gingival crevicular fluid levels of PAI‐2 and the clinical attachment level (p < 0.01). Similarly, significant correlations were found between t‐PA levels and probing pocket depth and between t‐PA levels and clinical attachment level measurements (p < 0.001).ConclusionThe present data showed that gingival crevicular fluid levels of IL‐1 β, MMP‐3 and t‐PA increased in periodontal disease regardless of the periodontitis type and played a part in tissue destruction.
Postgraduates performing powerfully in a changing academic environment
Authors:   NZGS‐PG Network
Published: April 2014

AbstractOver the last 20 years, there has been considerable discussion around the changing nature of tertiary education. Much of this work has described how tertiary institutions and academic staff are forced to compete, account for and justify their work within a narrowing neoliberal discourse characterised by competition and entrepreneurialism, the privileging of certain forms of knowledge above others and the monetisation of academic labour. Following from the postgraduate workshop at the New Zealand Geographical Society 2012 conference, we, as postgraduate students, provide a contribution to this discussion that explores how postgraduate students might ‘perform powerfully’ through collective action to enact a different university in an increasingly uncertain and entrepreneurial academic climate. We outline various forms of collective action to maximise postgraduate students' sense of agency and seek to highlight possibilities in an increasingly uncertain and entrepreneurial academic climate.
New Zealand's ‘wild and scenic rivers’: Geographical aspects of 30 years of water conservation orders
Authors: Hughey Kenneth F. D. , Rennie Hamish G. , Williams Nick J. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractAttempts to protect and preserve New Zealand's wild and scenic rivers received statutory support in 1981 through amendments to the Water and Soil Conservation Act 1967. These legislative provisions, Water Conservation Orders, were retained in the Resource Management Act 1991, although there was a broadening of the type of waters and range of values that could be protected. An analysis of the 15 water conservation orders granted enabled the identification of a typology that reveals some distinctive geographic and temporal patterns.
Update on pediatric neurocritical care
Authors: Tasker Robert C. 
Published: April 2014

SummaryParalytic poliomyelitis, Reye syndrome, Hemophilus Influenzae type B epiglottitis, bacterial meningitis, and meningococcal septic shock are catastrophic illnesses that in the last 60 years have shaped the development of pediatric intensive care. Neurocritical care has been at the forefront of our thinking and, more latterly, as a specialty we have had the technology and means to develop this focus, educate the next generation and show that outcomes can be improved—first in adult critical care and now the task is to translate these benefits to critically ill children. In our future we will need to advance interventions in patient care with clinical trials.MeSH terms: Neurocritical care; child; traumatic brain injury; status epilepticus; cerebrovascular
Expanding knowledge of the Rubisco kinetics variability in plant species: environmental and evolutionary trends
Authors: GALMÉS JERONI , KAPRALOV MAXIM V. , ANDRALOJC P. JOHN , CONESA MIQUEL À. , KEYS ALFRED J. , PARRY MARTIN A. J. , FLEXAS JAUME 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThe present study characterizes the kinetic properties of ribulose‐1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) from 28 terrestrial plant species, representing different phylogenetic lineages, environmental adaptations and photosynthetic mechanisms. Our findings confirm that past atmospheric CO2/O2 ratio changes and present environmental pressures have influenced Rubisco kinetics. One evolutionary adaptation to a decreasing atmospheric CO2/O2 ratio has been an increase in the affinity of Rubisco for CO2 (Kc falling), and a consequent decrease in the velocity of carboxylation (kcatc), which in turn has been ameliorated by an increase in the proportion of leaf protein accounted by Rubisco. The trade‐off between Kc and kcatc was not universal among the species studied and deviations from this relationship occur in extant forms of Rubisco. In species adapted to particular environments, including carnivorous plants, crassulacean acid metabolism species and C3 plants from aquatic and arid habitats, Rubisco has evolved towards increased efficiency, as demonstrated by a higher kcatc/Kc ratio. This variability in kinetics was related to the amino acid sequence of the Rubisco large subunit. Phylogenetic analysis identified 13 residues under positive selection during evolution towards specific Rubisco kinetic parameters. This crucial information provides candidate amino acid replacements, which could be implemented to optimize crop photosynthesis under a range of environmental conditions.
Critical hepatic hemangioma in infants: Recent nationwide survey in Japan
Authors: Kuroda Tatsuo , Hoshino Ken , Nosaka Shunsuke , Shiota Yohko , Nakazawa Atsuko , Takimoto Tetsuya 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThe International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies (ISSVA) classification divides vascular lesions into two major entities: neoplasms originating from the vascular endothelium and vascular malformations. Although this concept has been widely accepted, little has been established regarding vascular lesions in deep organs, such as infantile hepatic hemangioma (IHH). The current nationwide survey identified 19 critical infantile hemangiomas during the most recent 5 years. On histopathology all the lesions examined were neoplastic, but portovenos shunt was found histologically or clinically in some cases. High‐output cardiac failure, consumption coagulopathy, and respiratory distress were the major symptoms, and treatment‐resistant coagulopathy seemed to be the most reliable predictor of fatal outcome. Although steroid has been the gold standard treatment for these lesions, 25% of the patients were totally insensitive to steroids, whereas propranolol had a prompt effect in one case. For critical IHH with steroid‐insensitive thrombocytopenia and prothrombin time prolongation, novel therapeutic options including beta‐blocker therapy, surgery, and liver transplantation should be urgently considered as alterative treatment. The present review summarizes the results of the survey.
Estimation of muscle strength from actigraph data in Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Kimura Shigemi , Ozasa Shiro , Nomura Keiko , Yoshioka Kowashi , Endo Fumio 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of a wrist actigraph for estimating muscle strength in Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients.MethodsTwenty‐two patients aged 4–19 years wore a wrist actigraph to monitor activities of daily living, and underwent a test of knee extension strength and the 6 min walk test. These measures were made at baseline and at 1 year later. The actigraph data were quantified using the zero crossing mode (ZCM), which indicates the frequency of movement, and the proportional integration mode (PIM), which indicates activity level or vigor of motion.ResultsThe ZCM and PIM scores of ambulatory patients were higher than those of non‐ambulatory patients (P < 0.001). The correlation coefficient between ZCM score and 6 min walk distance, ZCM score and knee extension strength, PIM score and 6 minute walk distance, and PIM score and knee extension strength was –0.44, 0.25, 0.58, and 0.63, respectively. This indicates that the PIM score had a moderate–good association with 6 min walk distance and knee extension strength.ConclusionMuscle strength can be estimated using the PIM score calculated from actigraph data. The PIM score is a good tool for the estimation of muscle strength.
Elevated plasma YKL‐40 as a prognostic indicator in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Chen Guo , Yang Tao , Gu Qing , Ni Xin‐Hai , Zhao Zhi‐Hui , Ye Jue , Meng Xian‐Min , Liu Zhi‐Hong , He Jian‐Guo , Xiong Chang‐Ming 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBackground and objectivePulmonary vascular remodelling and inflammation have been implicated in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). YKL‐40, a marker of tissue remodelling and inflammation, has recently been recognized as a risk predictor of cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases. The study aimed to investigate a potential role of YKL‐40 in predicting prognosis in idiopathic PAH (IPAH).MethodsPlasma YKL‐40 levels were measured in 82 IPAH patients without current or previous PAH‐specific treatment during right heart catheterization and in 54 healthy volunteers. Concurrent data included clinical, haemodynamic and biochemical variables.ResultsPlasma YKL‐40 levels were increased in IPAH patients compared with control subjects (median, interquartile range: IPAH: 24.90, 17.68–39.78 ng/mL; controls: 16.58, 14.20–19.64 ng/mL; P < 0.001). YKL‐40 levels correlated with cardiac index (r = −0.244, P = 0.027) and N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP, r = 0.263, P = 0.017). After a median follow‐up of 578 days, YKL‐40 outperformed NT‐proBNP, uric acid, and 6‐min walk distance in receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses in predicting both clinical worsening (area under the curve (AUC) 0.681) and death (AUC 0.717). Compared with patients with YKL‐40 below the ROC‐derived cut‐off point (24.5 ng/mL), the high YKL‐40 group showed higher pulmonary vascular resistance and serum uric acid levels, and showed more clinical worsening events and deaths in Kaplan–Meier analyses. Plasma YKL‐40 was independently associated with clinical worsening in univariate and multivariate Cox analyses (all P < 0.05).ConclusionsPlasma YKL‐40 might serve as a promising indicator of disease severity and prognosis in patients with IPAH.
Characteristics of Triassic epithermal Au mineralization at the Q prospect, Chatree mining area, Central Thailand
Authors: Tangwattananukul Ladda , Ishiyama Daizo , Matsubaya Osamu , Mizuta Toshio , Charusiri Punya , Sato Hinako , Sera Koichiro 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThe Chatree deposit is located in the Loei‐Phetchabun‐Nakhon Nayok volcanic belt that extends from Laos in the north through central and eastern Thailand into Cambodia. Gold‐bearing quartz veins at the Q prospect of the Chatree deposit are hosted within polymictic andesitic breccia and volcanic sedimentary breccia. The orebodies of the Chatree deposit consist of veins, veinlets and stockwork. Gold‐bearing quartz veins are composed mainly of quartz, calcite and illite with small amounts of adularia, chlorite and sulfide minerals. The gold‐bearing quartz veins were divided into five stages based on the cross‐cutting relationship and mineral assemblage. Intense gold mineralization occurred in Stages I and IV. The mineral assemblage of Stages I and IV is characterized by quartz–calcite–illite–laumontite–adularia–chlorite–sulfide minerals and electrum. Quartz textures of Stages I and IV are also characterized by microcrystalline and flamboyant textures, respectively. Coexistence of laumontite, illite and chlorite in the gold‐bearing quartz vein of Stage IV suggests that the gold‐bearing quartz veins were formed at approximately 200°C. The flamboyant and brecciated textures of the gold‐bearing quartz vein of Stage IV suggest that gold precipitated with silica minerals from a hydrothermal solution that was supersaturated by boiling. The δ18O values of quartz in Stages I to V range from +10.4 to +11.6‰ except for the δ18O value of quartz in Stage IV (+15.0‰). The increase in δ18O values of quartz at Stage IV is explained by boiling. PH2O is estimated to be 16 bars at 200°C. The fCO2 value is estimated to be 1 bar based on the presence of calcite in the mineral assemblage of Stage IV. The total pressure of the hydrothermal solution is approximately 20 bars at 200°C, suggesting that the gold‐bearing quartz veins of the Q prospect formed about 200 m below the paleosurface.
Volatility Contagion in the Asian Crisis: New Evidence of Volatility Tail Dependence
Authors: Karmann Alexander , Herrera Rodrigo 
Published: April 2014

AbstractWe analyze empirically the existence and the extent of financial contagion by means of extreme value theory in the Asian crisis. We consider two key markets, the stock exchange and the foreign exchange using daily data in the period 1992–2001. We present several notions of financial contagion as a significant change in volatility tail dependence (VTD) among different assets. To this end, we introduce a semiparametric VTD estimator in the framework of regularly varying strictly stationary time series. Our analysis provides mixed evidence with respect to the “interdependence vs contagion” dispute. Within‐country contagion is more likely to hold than across‐country contagion. Because the latter is typically symmetric, contagion in stocks and foreign exchange coincide, in line with “portfolio rebalancing” arguments. Across‐market contagion supports the “wake up call” argument of loss of confidence, as small countries' currency markets affect contagiously the stock markets of the larger economies.
The Impact of Measurement Error on Principal Component Analysis
Authors: Hellton Kristoffer Herland , Thoresen Magne 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACTWe investigate the effect of measurement error on principal component analysis in the high‐dimensional setting. The effects of random, additive errors are characterized by the expectation and variance of the changes in the eigenvalues and eigenvectors. The results show that the impact of uncorrelated measurement error on the principal component scores is mainly in terms of increased variability and not bias. In practice, the error‐induced increase in variability is small compared with the original variability for the components corresponding to the largest eigenvalues. This suggests that the impact will be negligible when these component scores are used in classification and regression or for visualizing data. However, the measurement error will contribute to a large variability in component loadings, relative to the loading values, such that interpretation based on the loadings can be difficult. The results are illustrated by simulating additive Gaussian measurement error in microarray expression data from cancer tumours and control tissues.
The double loop mattress suture
Authors: Biddlestone John , Samuel Madan , Creagh Terry , Ahmad Tariq 
Published: April 2014

AbstractAn interrupted stitch type with favorable tissue characteristics will reduce local wound complications. We describe a novel high‐strength, low‐tension repair for the interrupted closure of skin, cartilage, and muscle, the double loop mattress stitch, and compare it experimentally with other interrupted closure methods. The performance of the double loop mattress technique in porcine cartilage and skeletal muscle is compared with the simple, mattress, and loop mattress interrupted sutures in both a novel porcine loading chamber and mechanical model. Wound apposition is assessed by electron microscopy. The performance of the double loop mattress in vivo was confirmed using a series of 805 pediatric laparotomies/laparoscopies. The double loop mattress suture is 3.5 times stronger than the loop mattress in muscle and 1.6 times stronger in cartilage (p ≤ 0.001). Additionally, the double loop mattress reduces tissue tension by 66% compared with just 53% for the loop mattress (p ≤ 0.001). Wound gapping is equal, and wound eversion appears significantly improved (p ≤ 0.001) compared with the loop mattress in vitro. In vivo, the double loop mattress performs as well as the loop mattress and significantly better than the mattress stitch in assessments of wound eversion and dehiscence. There were no episodes of stitch extrusion in our series of patients. The mechanical advantage of its intrinsic pulley arrangement gives the double loop mattress its favorable properties. Wound dehiscence is reduced because this stitch type is stronger and exerts less tension on the tissue than the mattress stitch. We advocate the use of this novel stitch wherever a high‐strength, low‐tension repair is required. These properties will enhance wound repair, and its application will be useful to surgeons of all disciplines.