bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Coronary Interventions in Congenital Heart Diseases: From Preterm to Young Adult Patients
Authors: SCHNEIDER M. , WIEBE W. , HRAŠKA V. , ZARTNER P. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe small vessel size of infants and children makes interventional treatment of impaired coronary perfusion, such as stenoses, complete occlusions, and fistulae, demanding. Materials and techniques appropriate for this young age group have to demonstrate their ability to effectively treat these lesions.Methods and ResultsBetween 2004 and 2011, 14 patients with an age of 9 days to 25 years (median 4.6 years) and a bodyweight of 1.7–65 kg (median 14 kg) underwent coronary intervention. In 3 cases, emergency revascularization of the left coronary artery (CA) was performed successfully, followed by stent implantation in 1 patient. Embolization of coronary arterial fistulae with coils and vascular plugs was effective in 10 patients. An antegrade, retrograde or combined approach to achieve the most distal device placement preserved all side branches. One infant with pulmonary atresia and an intact ventricular septum was prepared for biventricular repair by step‐by‐step closure of the right ventricular to the CA connections. No procedure‐related deaths occurred.ConclusionCongenital and post‐procedural coronary obstructive lesions can be considered for effective treatment with balloon dilation at any age as a salvage procedure. In coronaries impaired by external compression, stent implantation can restore perfusion, but long‐term results are missing. Interventional closure of coronary fistulae has shown improvement of coronary arterial perfusion. The latter techniques can be used to close right ventricular to CA connections in patients with pulmonary atresia to prepare for biventricular repair, but bail‐out strategies should be planned in all coronary interventions. (J Interven Cardiol 2013;26:287–294)
A New Reconstructive Technique for Posterior Vaginal Wall Defects, a Case Report
Authors: Zetlitz Elisabeth , Manook Miriam , MacLeod Alison , Hamilton Stuart 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Post-partum vaginal laxity is a problem encountered by many women. More uncommon is a resulting vaginal defect. In most cases of laxity, a period of extensive physiotherapy can strengthen the pelvic muscles enough for symptoms to be minimized. However, this is not the case once there is a tissue defect.

Aim
To present a new reconstructive method for patients with posterior vaginal wall defects.

Methods
We present a case of a 38-year-old female who, 12 years prior to presentation, had a vaginal delivery. Due to complications during the delivery, she sustained pelvic trauma and developed a posterior vaginal wall defect. She had a sizable soft tissue defect, causing sexual, urinary, and confidence problems. Fat was harvested from the patient's abdomen and injected into the defect after more conservative treatment options were exhausted.

Results
The defect was corrected successfully using the minimally invasive Coleman fat grafting technique.

Discussion/Conclusion
This is to our knowledge the first case in the literature where a posterior vaginal defect has been corrected using Coleman fat grafting, and we believe that this treatment method may be of benefit to more patients.
From the Cradle to the Grave: Funeral Welfare from an International Perspective
Authors: Valentine Christine , Woodthorpe Kate 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThis article reports on a pilot study examining funeral welfare for citizens from low income backgrounds. Through a review of funeral welfare provision in 12 capitalist democratic countries it seeks to inform the current system of state support in Britain, arguing that insufficient attention has been given to funeral costs as a policy issue. Mindful of the British welfare state's original ‘cradle to grave’ ethos, such attention is ever more pressing in light of rising funeral costs, an ageing population and projected increases in the death rate. Arguing that funeral costs are an issue of income support, the article draws on Esping‐Andersen's threefold welfare‐regime typology to situate the British system within a comparative study of funeral welfare that identifies similarities and differences both within and between the three welfare‐regime types. On the basis of an empirical example, the article further argues that systems of funeral welfare reflect the relationship between culture, politics and local practice. The findings indicate that the British system is hampered by a discourse of welfare dependency rather than entitlement, which stigmatises those who need support with funeral costs at a time when they are under pressure to ensure that the deceased person receives a ‘dignified’ send‐off.
Culture-Based Method with Performance Comparable to That of PCR-Based Methods for Detection of Group B Streptococcus in Screening Samples from Pregnant Women
Authors: Berg Benjamin R. , Houseman Jeana L. , Garrasi Michelle A. , Young Carol L. , Newton Duane W. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT
We compared five approaches for group B streptococcus (GBS) detection: three culture-based methods and two methods using broth-enhanced real-time PCR. Carrot broth-enhanced subculture to GBS Detect (Hardy Diagnostics, Santa Maria, CA) exhibited sensitivity and specificity comparable to carrot broth- and LIM broth-enhanced real-time PCRs.
Increase of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition with celecoxib combined with 5-FU enhances tumor cell apoptosis and antitumor efficacy in a subcutaneous implantation tumor model of human colon cancer
Authors: Zhang De-Qing , Guo Qiang , Zhu Jian-Hong , Chen Wei-Chang 
Published: January 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-tumor effect and explore the mechanisms of celecoxib (a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor) combined with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on the treatment of human colorectal cancer in a BALB/C nude mouse subcutaneous xenograft model.MethodsEffects of celecoxib combined with 5-FU on the proliferation of xenograft carcinoma induced by HT-29 were investigated. The apoptotic cells were detected by electron microscope and TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling) assay. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to estimate the expression of cytochrome C, caspase-3 and caspase-9.ResultsCompared with the control group, treatment groups showed significant inhibition of tumor growth. More apoptotic cells existed after treatment with celecoxib combined with 5-FU. Cytochrome C, caspase-3 and caspase-9 were increased in treated groups, and more obviously in the drug combination group. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were decreased after treatment with celecoxib only or combined with 5-FU. And the combined group showed a greater decrease.ConclusionsCelecoxib combined with 5-FU could inhibit the growth of tumorsin vivoby inducing apoptosis and activation of the cytochrome C dependency apoptosis signal pathway. A decrease of COX-2 and an increase of cytochrome C, caspase-3 and caspase-9 may be involved in this process.
Targeting phosphodiesterase 3B enhances cisplatin sensitivity in human cancer cells
Authors: Uzawa Katsuhiro , Kasamatsu Atsushi , Baba Takao , Usukura Katsuya , Saito Yasuhiro , Sakuma Kentaro , Iyoda Manabu , Sakamoto Yosuke , Ogawara Katsunori , Shiiba Masashi , Tanzawa Hideki 
Published: January 2013

AbstractWe previously reported that human squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cell lines refractory to cis‐diaminedichloro‐platinum II (cisplatin [CDDP]) had significant upregulation of the phosphodiesterase 3B gene (PDE3B), suggesting that inhibiting PDE3B suppresses CDDP resistance. shRNA‐mediated PDE3B depletion in CDDP‐resistant cells derived from SCC cells and Hela cells and induced CDDP sensitivity and inhibited tumor growth with elevated cyclic GMP induction resulting in upregulation of the multidrug‐resistant molecule, but this did not occur in the 5‐fluorouracil‐resistant hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines. Furthermore, the antitumor growth effect of the combination of a PDE3B inhibitor (cilostazol) and CDDP in vivo was also greater than with either cilostazol or CDDP alone, with a significant increase in the number of apoptotic and cell growth‐suppressive cancer cells in CDDP‐resistance cell lines. Our results provided novel information on which to base further mechanistic studies of CDDP sensitization by inhibiting PDE3B in human cancer cells and for developing strategies to improve outcomes with concurrent chemotherapy.
Activated carbon prepared from Canadian oil sands coke by Co2 activation: II. Adsorption of metallic ions and organic constituents from oil sands tailings water
Authors: Karimi Arash , Thinon Olivier , Fournier Joseph , Hill Josephine M. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractOil sands coke was activated with CO2 at 900°C in a tubular fixed bed reactor. Samples activated in a CO2 stream with 50% air contained a significant number of functional groups. Some activated samples were post‐oxidised in air at 350°C to increase their surface functionality. Post‐oxidation was necessary for the adsorption of ferric cations by the coke samples activated, except for the sample activated with 50% air. However, non‐oxidised samples were also able to adsorb molybdate anions. Both organic and inorganic constituents of oil sands tailings water were successfully removed, but some inorganic species leached into water.
CIRCUMSTANCES AND EFFORTS: HOW IMPORTANT IS THEIR CORRELATION FOR THE MEASUREMENT OF INEQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY IN HEALTH?
Authors: Jusot Florence , Tubeuf Sandy , Trannoy Alain 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACTThe way to treat the correlation between circumstances and effort is a central, yet largely neglected issue in the applied literature on inequality of opportunity. This paper adopts three alternative normative ways of treating this correlation championed by Roemer, Barry and Swift and assesses their empirical relevance using survey data. We combine regression analysis with the natural decomposition of the variance to compare the relative contributions of circumstances and efforts to overall health inequality according to the different normative principles. Our results suggest that, in practice, the normative principle on the way to treat the correlation between circumstances and effort makes little difference on the relative contributions of circumstances and efforts to explained health inequality. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Role of Serum VCAM‐1 and TNF‐α as Predictors of Mortality and Morbidity in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure
Authors: Savic‐Radojevic Ana , Radovanovic Slavica , Pekmezovic Tatjana , Pljesa‐Ercegovac Marija , Simic Dragan , Djukic Tatjana , Matic Marija , Simic Tatjana 
Published: January 2013

BackgroundTo assess the prognostic significance of four inflammatory markers (TNF‐α, high sensitive C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP), intercellular cell adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1), vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 (VCAM‐1)) in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients with respect to individual outcomes, especially disease exacerbation and mortality.MethodsPlasma adhesion molecules, ICAM‐1, and VCAM‐1, together with TNF‐α and hs‐CRP were determined in 120 CHF patients and 69 healthy controls. Endothelial function was also estimated by flow‐mediated brachial artery dilatation.ResultsIncreased levels of all investigated inflammatory markers were found in CHF patients compared to controls, with the rise more pronounced in New York Heart association (NYHA) functional IV class. Significant correlations were obtained for VCAM‐1 and brain natriuretic peptide (r = 0.191; P = 0.038), as well as, ICAM‐1 and endothelium‐dependent vasodilatation (r = −0.235; P = 0.01). Kaplan–Meier analysis showed disease exacerbation in patients with TNF‐α levels >2.78 pg/ml significantly shorter compared to those with TNF‐α levels <2.78 pg/ml (log‐rank test = 8.270; P = 0.004), while similar association was observed for patients with hs‐CRP levels >4.76 mg/l (log‐rank test = 5.052; P = 0.025) and VCAM‐1 levels >1200 ng/l (log‐rank test = 5.45; P = 0.020) with respect to mortality. Cox regression analysis demonstrated only VCAM‐1 (HR = 4.7; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1–18.7; P = 0.030) as independent death predictor, while TNF‐α was associated with disease exacerbation (HR = 8.2; 95%CI: 1.1–23.0; P = 0.045).ConclusionsVCAM‐1 appears to be useful in risk stratification of CHF patients and in screening, to identify subjects at risk for heart failure related events. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 27:105–112, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Spleen size measured on enhanced mri for quantitatively staging liver fibrosis in minipigs
Authors: Chen Xiao‐li , Chen Tian‐wu , Li Zhen‐lin , Zhang Xiao‐ming , Chen Nan , Zeng Nan‐lin , Li Hang , Tang Hong‐jie , Pu Yu , Li Chun‐ping 
Published: January 2013

Purpose:To investigate whether and how spleen size measured on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could be used to stage liver fibrosis.Materials and Methods:Sixteen minipigs were used to prospectively model liver fibrosis staged by biopsy. Abdominal gadolinium‐enhanced MRI was performed on the 0, 5th, 9th, 16th, and 21st weekend after beginning of the modeling. Splenic maximal width (W), thickness (T), length (L), and area (S) together with spleen volume (SV) and liver volume (LV) were measured on enhanced MRI and the ratio of SV to LV (SV/LV) was calculated. Spleen multidimensional indexes 1 and 2 were obtained by W × T × L and S × L, respectively. Statistical analyses were performed to determine which parameter could best stage the fibrosis.Results:W, T, L, S, SV, index 1 and 2, and SV/LV tended to increase with increasing stages of fibrosis (r = 0.46–0.796, all P < 0.001), and might predict liver fibrosis stage ≥1, ≥2, ≥3, and 4 (area under receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC] = 0.697–1.0, all P < 0.05). Among the parameters, splenic index 1, SV, and SV/LV might be best for predicting stage ≥1 (AUC = 0.941), ≥2 or ≥3 (AUC = 0.875 or 0.978, respectively), and 4 (AUC = 1.0), respectively.Conclusion:Spleen size measured on MRI could be used for staging liver fibrosis. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;38:540–547. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Bismuth(III) Alkoxide Catalysts for Ring‐Opening Polymerization of Lactides and ϵ‐Caprolactone
Authors: Vuorinen Sirpa , Lahcini Mohammed , Hatanpää Timo , Sundberg Markku , Leskelä Markku , Repo Timo 
Published: January 2013

AbstractHomoleptic bismuth alkoxide complexes, Bi(OR)3 [R = iPr (1), tBu (2), and CMe2iPr (3)], are used as catalysts in the ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of lactides. In contrast to 1, two bulkier bismuth alkoxides, 2 and 3, show high activity in the ROP of lactides in toluene at 75 °C. Notably, BiIII alkoxides 2 and 3 are more active in lactide ROP than SnII octoate activated with n‐butanol under identical reaction conditions. Bismuth alkoxides 2 and 3 exhibit a living behavior in the ROP of lactides that is demonstrated both in homopolymerization and in a polymerization resumption experiment. Polymerization of rac‐lactide using 2 and 3 yields polylactide with a slight heterotactic bias. In addition, 2 is an efficient initiator for the ROP of ϵ‐caprolactone in bulk at 120 °C. Variation of the monomer‐to‐catalyst ratio yielded poly(ϵ‐caprolactone) with Mns up to 120 000 g mol−1 in corrected gel‐permeation chromatography (GPC) data.
Almighty Twitter, what are people asking for?
Authors: Liu Zhe , Jansen Bernard J. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractWith the advance of modern technology, social networking sites, such as Twitter, are becoming increasingly important information sources for people to find answers to their questions. Given such trend, in this project, we report results from our analysis of 10,000 English‐written question tweets with expectations of helpful answers (which we call “information seeking tweets” in the following paper) collected in one week period. We explore the topical characteristics and patterns demonstrated in people's information seeking behaviors under online social contexts. In particular, through our topical comparisons between social search, traditional search and real time search, we find that social information seekers show more personalized requirements and more timely needs. Technology, healthcare and education related questions appeared extremely frequent among questions asked on Twitter, along with a desire to pursue help from experts in these areas. In addition to our findings on the topical domains, we also observe that social search contains a significantly less proportion of direct communication than general tweets, showing user's relatively higher openness to diversified answers. Our results also indicate the important role that time and location play in social information seeking context. Based on these findings, implications for future design of social search systems or tools are discussed at the end.
The Bifactor Model of the Maslach Burnout Inventory–Human Services Survey (MBI‐HSS)—An Alternative Measurement Model of Burnout
Authors: Mészáros V. , Ádám Sz. , Szabó M. , Szigeti R. , Urbán R. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThe purpose of the present study was to examine the construct validity of the Hungarian language version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory–Human Services Survey (MBI‐HSS). A sample of 653 healthcare professionals (420 physicians and 233 nurses and nursing assistants) completed the MBI‐HSS. A series of confirmatory factor analyses showed that a hierarchical bifactor model including a global burnout factor and three specific factors of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and reduced personal accomplishment had the closest fit to the data, compared with an alternative second‐order three‐factor hierarchical model as well as to non‐hierarchical one‐factor, two‐factor, three‐factor, four‐factor and five‐factor models. However, only the global burnout factor and the specific personal accomplishment factor explained a considerable unique proportion of variance in observed scores. Our study confirms the validity of the MBI‐HSS and suggests an alternative structural model, which may contribute to further understanding of the burnout construct. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Benefits of fidelity: does host specialization impact nematode parasite life history and fecundity?
Authors: KOPRIVNIKAR J. , RANDHAWA H. S. 
Published: January 2013

SUMMARYThe range of hosts used by a parasite is influenced by macro-evolutionary processes (host switching, host–parasite co-evolution), as well as ‘encounter filters’ and ‘compatibility filters’ at the micro-evolutionary level driven by host/parasite ecology and physiology. Host specialization is hypothesized to result in trade-offs with aspects of parasite life history (e.g. reproductive output), but these have not been well studied. We used previously published data to create models examining general relationships among host specificity and important aspects of life history and reproduction for nematodes parasitizing animals. Our results indicate no general trade-off between host specificity and the average pre-patent period (time to first reproduction), female size, egg size, or fecundity of these nematodes. However, female size was positively related to egg size, fecundity, and pre-patent period. Host compatibility may thus not be the primary determinant of specificity in these parasitic nematodes if there are few apparent trade-offs with reproduction, but rather, the encounter opportunities for new host species at the micro-evolutionary level, and other processes at the macro-evolutionary level (i.e. phylogeny). Because host specificity is recognized as a key factor determining the spread of parasitic diseases understanding factors limiting host use are essential to predict future changes in parasite range and occurrence.
Grey theory based MCDM procedure for sniper selection problem
Authors: Kose Erkan , Kabak Mehmet , Aplak Hakan 
Published: January 2013

PurposePersonnel selection is an important process in management due to the high cost of unfavorable employee procurement. The multi criteria nature and the presence of both qualitative and quantitative factors make it considerably more complex. The purpose of this paper is to propose a grey theory‐based hybrid approach to solve personnel selection problems in uncertain environments.Design/methodology/approachThe work procedure is as follows: first, grey analytic network process (GANP) is applied to calculate selection criteria weights and then candidates are ranked by using grey possibility degrees. Finally, an example of a selection problem of sniper for a military unit was used to illustrate the proposed approach.FindingsThe analyses of the results show that grey theory‐based methods have enormous chance of success for personnel selection problems in uncertain situations.Originality/valueAlthough there are some applications for personnel selection problems that used grey system theory in the literature, the combination of GANP and grey possibility degrees is used for personnel selection problem in this study.
Singlet molecular oxygen quenching by the antioxidant dimethylmethoxy chromanol in solution and in ex vivo porcine skin
Authors: Nonell S. , García‐Díaz M. , Viladot J. L. , Delgado R. 
Published: January 2013

SynopsisSinglet‐oxygen is a non‐radical reactive oxygen species believed to play a major role in many photooxidation processes in connection with diverse photo‐biological processes such as skin ageing or photocarcinogenesis. Dimethylmethoxy chromanol (3,4‐dihydro‐6‐hydroxy‐2,2‐dimethyl‐7‐methoxy‐1(2H)‐benzopyran) is a potent antioxidant used in cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations. We have assessed the singlet oxygen quenching ability of dimethylmethoxy chromanol, by monitoring the near‐IR phosphorescence of singlet‐oxygen in solution and in ex vivo porcine skin samples. Dimethylmethoxy chromanol quenches singlet oxygen with a rate constant of (1.3 ± 0.1) × 108 M−1 s−1 in solution. Consistent with this, a clear reduction in the singlet oxygen lifetime and emission intensity was observed when ex vivo porcine skin samples were treated with dimethylmethoxy chromanol.
Analysis of nursing education in Ghana: Priorities for scaling‐up the nursing workforce
Authors: Bell Sue Anne , Rominski Sarah , Bam Victoria , Donkor Ernestina , Lori Jody 
Published: January 2013

AbstractIn this cross‐sectional study, the strengths, challenges and current status of baccalaureate nursing education in Ghana were described using a descriptive design. The World Health Organization Global Standards for the Initial Education of Nurses and Midwives were used as the organizing framework, with baseline data on the status of nursing education from two state‐funded universities in Ghana presented. A serious shortage of qualified faculty was identified, along with the need for significant upgrading to the existing infrastructure. Additionally, the number of qualified applicants far exceeds the available training slots. Faculty and infrastructure shortages are common issues in nursing education and workforce expansion; however, in low‐resource countries, such as Ghana, these issues are compounded by high rates of preventable disease and injury. An understanding of the strengths and challenges of nursing education in Ghana can inform the development of strategies for nursing workforce expansion for other low‐resource countries.