bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hand‐assisted versus conventional laparoscopic splenectomy: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Qian Daohai , He Zhigang , Hua Jie , Gong Jian , Lin Shengping , Song Zhenshun 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBackgroundHand‐assisted laparoscopic splenectomy (HALS) has been widely applied for the resection of larger spleens. We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis to evaluate the safety and feasibility of HALS compared with conventional laparoscopic splenectomy (CLS).MethodsA comprehensive literature search in MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases was performed to compare clinical outcomes of CLS and HALS. Data were extracted by two independent reviewers. Pooled odds ratios and weighted mean differences with 95% confidence intervals were calculated by meta‐analytic software.ResultsNine non‐randomized controlled studies for a total of 463 patients were selected to satisfy the inclusion criteria (HALS versus CLS: 170 versus 293, respectively). The groups were similar in operative time, estimated operative blood loss, length of hospital stay, mortality and intraoperative and post‐operative complications. There was a significantly reduced conversion rate in the HALS versus CLS group (odds ratio: 2.98; 95% confidence interval 1.28 to 6.93; P = 0.01). Splenic weights in the HALS group were higher than in the CLS group (weighted mean differences: −0.93; 95% confidence interval −1.74 to −0.11; P = 0.03).ConclusionHALS may be preferable to CLS for the treatment of patients with enlarged spleens. The result needs to be certified by further random controlled trials.
Platelet Adhesion to Polyurethane Urea Under Pulsatile Flow Conditions
Authors: Navitsky Michael A. , Taylor Joshua O. , Smith Alexander B. , Slattery Margaret J. , Deutsch Steven , Siedlecki Christopher A. , Manning Keefe B. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractPlatelet adhesion to a polyurethane urea surface is a precursor to thrombus formation within blood‐contacting cardiovascular devices, and platelets have been found to adhere strongly to polyurethane surfaces below a shear rate of approximately 500 s−1. The aim of the current work is to determine the properties of platelet adhesion to the polyurethane urea surface as a function of time‐varying shear exposure. A rotating disk system was used to study the influence of steady and pulsatile flow conditions (e.g., cardiac inflow and sawtooth waveforms) for platelet adhesion to the biomaterial surface. All experiments were conducted with the same root mean square angular rotation velocity (29.63 rad/s) and waveform period. The disk was rotated in platelet‐rich bovine plasma for 2 h, with adhesion quantified by confocal microscopy measurements of immunofluorescently labeled bovine platelets. Platelet adhesion under pulsating flow was found to decay exponentially with increasing shear rate. Adhesion levels were found to depend upon peak platelet flux and shear rate, regardless of rotational waveform. In combination with flow measurements, these results may be useful for predicting regions susceptible to thrombus formation within ventricular assist devices.
Comparison of the prognostic utility of the revised International Prognostic Scoring System and the French Prognostic Scoring System in azacitidine‐treated patients with myelodysplastic syndromes
Authors: Zeidan Amer M. , Lee Ju‐Whei , Prebet Thomas , Greenberg Peter , Sun Zhuoxin , Juckett Mark , Smith Mitchell R. , Paietta Elisabeth , Gabrilove Janice , Erba Harry P. , Tallman Martin S. , Gore Steven D. ,   the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) and North American Leukemia intergroup
Published: April 2014

SummaryThe revised International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS‐R) was developed in a cohort of untreated myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) patients. A French Prognostic Scoring System (FPSS) was recently reported to identify differential survival among azacitidine‐treated patients with high‐risk MDS. We applied the FPSS and IPSS‐R to 150 patients previously randomized to azacitidine monotherapy or a combination of azacitidine with entinostat (a histone deacetylase inhibitor). Neither score predicted response but both discriminated patients with different overall survival (OS; median OS, FPSS: 9·7, 14·7, and 25·3 months, P = 0·018; IPSS‐R: 12·5, 11·3, 20·8, and 36 months, P = 0·005). Statistical analysis suggested no improvement in OS prediction for the FPSS over the IPSS‐R in azacitidine‐treated patients.
Chemical modification of peanut conglutin reduces IgE reactivity but not T cell reactivity in peanut‐allergic patients
Authors: van Hoffen E. , van der Kleij H. P. M. , den Hartog Jager C. F. , van Doorn W. A. , Knol E. F. , Opstelten D.‐J. , Koppelman S. J. , Knulst A. C. 
Published: April 2014

SummaryBackgroundSpecific immunotherapy for peanut allergy is associated with significant side‐effects. Chemically modified allergens may provide a safer alternative.ObjectiveThis study aimed to analyse the immunogenicity and allergenicity of modified peanut conglutin.MethodsNative peanut conglutin and two modifications thereof were generated (RA and RAGA). Conglutin‐specific T cell lines from 11 peanut‐allergic patients were analysed for proliferation and cytokine production. Sera from 14 patients were analysed for IgE/IgG1/IgG4 binding by immunoblot and ELISA. IgE reactivity was analysed by direct and indirect basophil activation test (BAT), in presence and absence of patient plasma or CD32‐blocking antibodies.ResultsT cell proliferation to RA was unchanged, and proliferation to RAGA was reduced compared to native conglutin. Cytokine profiles remained unchanged. IgE, IgG1 and IgG4 binding to RA and RAGA was significantly reduced. In the direct BAT, the relative potency of modified conglutin was decreased in 67% and increased/similar in 33% of the patients. In the indirect BAT, RA and RAGA were 10–100 times less potent than native conglutin. Addition of plasma to the indirect BAT increased the relative potency of modified conglutin in patients with high peanut‐specific IgG levels. This was mediated via blocking of the response to native conglutin, most likely by soluble IgG, and not via CD32.Conclusion and Clinical RelevanceChemical modification of peanut conglutin by RA retains immunogenicity and reduces allergenicity and may be a promising approach for development of a curative treatment for peanut allergy. In a subgroup of patients, where the reactivity of native conglutin is already partially blocked by IgG, the effect of the modification of conglutin is less pronounced.
A validation study on the use of intra‐operative video recording as an objective assessment tool for core ENT surgery
Authors: Bowles P.F.D. , Harries M. , Young P. , Das P. , Saunders N. , Fleming J.C. 
Published: April 2014

ObjectivesTo investigate the reliability and validity of remote scoring a video assessment of a core ENT surgical procedure (myringotomy and grommet insertion) and its suitability as an objective tool for assessing the technical skills of ENT surgeons.DesignSingle‐blinded (raters) video assessment.SettingTertiary Care University Hospital.ParticipantsConsultant and trainee [Specialty Registrar (StR) and Core Trainee (CT)] ENT surgeons performing a total of 30 consecutive index procedures.Main outcome measuresTo determine the construct validity and the reliability of video assessment scoring of myringotomy and grommet insertion by two raters at ENT Consultant level with a subspecialty interest in Otology. To measure the performance (by rating) of participants compared to operative time.ResultsA strong correlation between scores by the two blinded raters was demonstrated (ρ = 0.748; P < 0.001). Median scores (/45) for each group were as follows: CT 25.5 (IQR 21.13–31.25), StR 33 (IQR 24.88–35) and Consultant 40 (IQR 35.38–42.63). Kruskal–Wallis test analysis showed statistically significant mean rank scores between the three different levels of experience (H = 12.77, P = 0.002). Multiple group comparisons indicated a significant difference between CT and Consultant groups (P < 0.001) and StR and Consultant groups (P = 0.007). Analysis of the time taken between the experience groups demonstrated a difference (H = 8.689, P = 0.013) although individual intergroup comparisons indicated this was only significant between CT and Consultant groups (P = 0.004). There was a significant negative correlation (ρ = −0.842; P < 0.001) between time taken for procedure and score achieved.ConclusionsVideo assessment of myringotomy and ventilation tube insertion may represent a valid, feasible tool for use in summative and formative assessments of trainee ENT surgeons. Remote scoring of assessment procedures minimises bias and enables blinding of raters. ENT is well positioned to benefit from video assessment due to the high number of surgical procedures within the specialty that are performed utilising digital technology.
Patch testing with methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone 200 ppm aq. detects significantly more contact allergy than 100 ppm. A multicentre study within the European Environmental and Contact Dermatitis Research Group
Authors: Bruze Magnus , Isaksson Marléne , Gruvberger Birgitta , Andersen Klaus E. , Gonçalo Margarida , Goossens An , Johansen Jeanne D. , Maibach Howard I. , Rustemeyer Thomas , Le Coz Christophe‐J. , White Ian R. 
Published: April 2014

SummaryBackgroundMethylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI) and methylisothiazolinone (MI) are the active ingredients in commonly used preservative systems (e.g. Kathon CG®). MCI/MI is present in the European baseline patch test series at 100 ppm aq. Since 1986, 200 ppm (dose 0.006 mg/cm2) has been used in Sweden without causing skin irritation. Centres in Spain, the United Kingdom and Ireland have also used 200 ppm in their baseline series.ObjectivesTo find the optimal patch test concentration for MCI/MI.Materials and methodsMCI/MI 100 ppm aq. and MCI/MI 200 ppm aq. were simultaneously patch tested in 3300 consecutively tested dermatitis patients at eight European patch test clinics and one US patch test clinic. With the Finn Chambers® technique (diameter 8 mm), 15 µl was micropipetted on to the filter paper in the chamber. The corresponding volume for Van der Bend® chambers was 20 µl, and that for IQ Chambers® was 25 µl.ResultsContact allergy to MCI/MI at 100 and 200 ppm was found in 1.2% and 2.1% of patients, respectively (p < 0.001).ConclusionsMCI/MI 200 ppm aq. (dose 0.006 mg/cm2) diagnoses significantly more contact allergy than the presently used concentration of 100 ppm (dose 0.003 mg/cm2), without resulting in more adverse reactions. MCI/MI at 200 ppm should therefore be considered for inclusion in the European baseline test series.
Degree of blood loss during surgery for rectal cancer: a population‐based epidemiologic study of surgical complications and survival
Authors: Egenvall M. , Mörner M. , Påhlman L. , Gunnarsson U. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractAimThe hypothesis tested in this study was that major blood loss during surgery for rectal cancer increases the risk for surgical complications and for small bowel obstruction (SBO) as a result of adhesions or tumour recurrence, and reduces overall survival.MethodData were retrieved from the Uppsala/Örebro Regional Rectal Cancer Registry for all patients undergoing radical resection for rectal cancer during 1997–2003 (n = 1843) and were matched against the Swedish National Patient Registry regarding surgery and admission for SBO. These patient records were scrutinized to determine the etiology of surgery for SBO. The registry was scrutinized for blood loss and other surgical complications associated with surgery. Uni‐ and multivariate Cox analysis and logistic regression were used.ResultsNinety‐four (5.1%) patients underwent surgery for SBO > 30 days after the index operation: 82 for adhesions and 12 for tumour recurrence. The volume of blood lost did not influence the risk of surgery for SBO as a result of adhesions, but blood loss above the median (≥ 800 ml) increased the risk for surgery for SBO caused by tumour recurrence (hazard ratio = 10.52; 95% CI: 1.36–81.51). Increased blood loss increased the risk of surgical complications (OR = 1.78; 95% CI: 1.35–2.35 with blood loss of ≥ 450 ml) but did not reduce overall survival. Irradiation before surgery increased blood loss, complications and admission for SBO.ConclusionMajor blood loss during surgery for rectal cancer increases the risk of later surgery for SBO caused by tumour recurrence and surgical complications, but overall survival is not affected.
Vessel Strikes to Large Whales Before and After the 2008 Ship Strike Rule
Authors: van der Hoop Julie M. , Vanderlaan Angelia S. M. , Cole Timothy V. N. , Henry Allison G. , Hall Lanni , Mase‐Guthrie Blair , Wimmer Tonya , Moore Michael J. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractTo determine effectiveness of Seasonal Management Areas (SMAs), introduced in 2008 on the U.S. East Coast to reduce lethal vessel strikes to North Atlantic right whales, we analyzed observed large whale mortality events from 1990–2012 in the geographic region of the “Ship Strike Rule” to identify changes in frequency, spatial distribution, and spatiotemporal interaction since implementation. Though not directly coincident with SMA implementation, right whale vessel‐strike mortalities significantly declined from 2.0 (2000–2006) to 0.33 per year (2007–2012). Large whale vessel‐strike mortalities have decreased inside active SMAs, and increased outside inactive SMAs. We detected no significant spatiotemporal interaction in the 4‐year pre‐ or post‐Rule periods, although a longer time series is needed to detect these changes. As designed, SMAs encompass only 36% of historical right whale vessel‐strike mortalities, and 32% are outside managed space but within managed timeframes. We suggest increasing spatial coverage to improve the Rule's effectiveness.
Science Cafés: Engaging Scientists and Community through Health and Science Dialogue
Authors: Ahmed Syed , DeFino Mia C. , Connors Emily R. , Kissack Anne , Franco Zeno 
Published: April 2014

AbstractEngagement of the community through informal dialogue with researchers and physicians around health and science topics is an important avenue to build understanding and affect health and science literacy. Science Cafés are one model for this casual interchange; however the impact of this approach remains under researched. The Community Engagement Key Function of the Clinical and Translational Science Institute of Southeast Wisconsin hosted a series of Science Cafés in which topics were collaboratively decided upon by input from the community. Topics ranged from Personalized Medicine to Alzheimer's and Dementia to BioMedical Innovation. A systematic evaluation of the impact of Science Cafés on attendees' self‐confidence related to five health and scientific literacy concepts showed statistically significant increases across all items (Mean differences between mean retrospective pre‐scores and post‐scores, one tailed, paired samples t‐test, n = 141, p < .0001 for all items). The internal consistency of the five health and scientific literacy items was excellent (n = 126, α = 0.87). Thematic analysis of attendees' comments provides more nuance about positive experience and suggestions for possible improvements. The evaluation provides important evidence supporting the effectiveness of brief, casual dialogue as a way to increase the public's self‐rated confidence in health and science topics.
Development of the swimming acorn worm Glandiceps hacksi: similarity to holothuroids
Authors: Urata Makoto , Iwasaki Sadaharu , Ohtsuka Susumu , Yamaguchi Masaaki 
Published: April 2014

SUMMARYSpawnings of Glandiceps hacksi (Hemichordata: Enteropneusta) were stimulated in the laboratory by a brief increase in temperature, and the development from fertilization through metamorphosis is described for the first time for a member of the family Spengelidae. When fertilized, the spawned female gametes, which are primary oocytes, rapidly raise a fertilization membrane and undergo two maturation divisions. Holoblastic, radial cleavage produces a blastula; a gastrula then forms by invagination from the vegetal pole, and the blastopore closes soon thereafter. In previously described enteropneust embryos, the archenteron buds off the protocoel before the latter connects to the exterior via the proboscis pore. By contrast, in G. hacksi the archenteron precociously connects with the exterior before the protocoel forms. Soon thereafter, the embryo becomes uniformly ciliated and then hatches from the fertilization envelope at approximately 32 h (15°C culture temperature). At day 3 of development, the protocoel separates from the gut, which establishes a mouth opening to the exterior; by this time, the gut has differentiated into an esophagus, a stomach, and an intestine that opens posteriorly as an anus. The larva grows to form a tornaria with distinctive pigment patches along its ciliary bands.
Learning to See with Different Eyes: A Nietzschean Challenge to Multicultural Dialogue
Authors: Yacek Douglas W. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractEmpathy is a necessity in our multicultural world. Modern democratic societies are home to communities with the most diverse religious, political, and moral convictions, and these convictions often directly, even perilously, contradict one another. Educational theorists differ on how empathy can be taught in the face of these contradictions. Does proper pedagogical action entail an attempt to teach students to understand the other, to see their world through the eyes of the other? Or is such an attempt doomed to fail, a vain and presumptuous striving to surpass the epistemologically preordained limits of subjectivity? While theorists who promote mutual understanding traditionally look to some form of dialogue to establish their empathic pedagogies, those who doubt the possibility of mutual understanding formulate critical, often monological pedagogies in which students are encouraged to “talk back” to their others about their idiosyncratic perspectives. Theorists have thus had choose: dialogue or relativism? Using the robust educational philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche, Douglas Yacek demonstrates that this is a most unsatisfactory choice, one that ignores the pedagogical complexity needed to teach students genuine empathy. He argues that Nietzsche's educational writings yield a tripartite empathic pedagogy founded on self‐knowledge, foreign language learning, and experimentalism. Upon these three pedagogical pillars, Yacek problematizes Megan Laverty's recent attempt to formulate an empathic pedagogy as dialogical philosophical inquiry. Although Nietzsche would endorse much of Laverty's pedagogy, Yacek concludes that Nietzsche's pedagogy requires engagement with perspectives across the democratic curriculum and, indeed, beyond.
On the Need for Dionysian Education in Schools Today
Authors: Steel Sean 
Published: April 2014

AbstractAlthough much has been written about Friedrich Nietzsche's views on education over the years, and much has also been written about Dionysus, god of wine and ecstasy, very little attention has been given to the meaning of, and need for, Dionysian education. In this article, Sean Steel attempts to begin that project. Drawing Nietzsche's articulation of the Dionysian, Apollonian, and anti‐Dionysian into the orbit of broader scholarship on Dionysus, Steel invites readers to think about what a Dionysian education might look like in a modern‐day school setting, as well as to consider what challenges exist for the implementation of such a vision of education.
BDNF contributes to both rapid and homeostatic alterations in AMPA receptor surface expression in nucleus accumbens medium spiny neurons
Authors: Reimers Jeremy M. , Loweth Jessica A. , Wolf Marina E. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBrain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a critical role in plasticity at glutamate synapses and in the effects of repeated cocaine exposure. We recently showed that intracranial injection of BDNF into the rat nucleus accumbens (NAc), a key region for cocaine addiction, rapidly increases α‐amino‐3‐hyroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazole‐propionic acid receptor (AMPAR) surface expression. To further characterize BDNF's role in both rapid AMPAR trafficking and slower, homeostatic changes in AMPAR surface expression, we investigated the effects of acute (30 min) and long‐term (24 h) treatment with BDNF on AMPAR distribution in NAc medium spiny neurons from postnatal rats co‐cultured with mouse prefrontal cortex neurons to restore excitatory inputs. Immunocytochemical studies showed that acute BDNF treatment increased cell surface GluA1 and GluA2 levels, as well as their co‐localization, on NAc neurons. This effect of BDNF, confirmed using a protein crosslinking assay, was dependent on ERK but not AKT signaling. In contrast, long‐term BDNF treatment decreased AMPAR surface expression on NAc neurons. Based on this latter result, we tested the hypothesis that BDNF plays a role in AMPAR ‘scaling down’ in response to a prolonged increase in neuronal activity produced by bicuculline (24 h). Supporting this hypothesis, decreasing BDNF signaling with the extracellular BDNF scavenger TrkB‐Fc prevented the scaling down of GluA1 and GluA2 surface levels in NAc neurons normally produced by bicuculline. In conclusion, BDNF exerts bidirectional effects on NAc AMPAR surface expression, depending on duration of exposure. Furthermore, BDNF's involvement in synaptic scaling in the NAc differs from its previously described role in the visual cortex.
Synapto‐depressive effects of amyloid beta require PICK1
Authors: Alfonso Stephanie , Kessels Helmut W. , Banos Charles C. , Chan Timothy R. , Lin Edward T. , Kumaravel Gnanasambandam , Scannevin Robert H. , Rhodes Kenneth J. , Huganir Richard , Guckian Kevin M. , Dunah Anthone W. , Malinow Roberto 
Published: April 2014

AbstractAmyloid beta (Aβ), a key component in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease, is thought to target excitatory synapses early in the disease. However, the mechanism by which Aβ weakens synapses is not well understood. Here we showed that the PDZ domain protein, protein interacting with C kinase 1 (PICK1), was required for Aβ to weaken synapses. In mice lacking PICK1, elevations of Aβ failed to depress synaptic transmission in cultured brain slices. In dissociated cultured neurons, Aβ failed to reduce surface α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid receptor subunit 2, a subunit of α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid receptors that binds with PICK1 through a PDZ ligand–domain interaction. Lastly, a novel small molecule (BIO922) discovered through structure‐based drug design that targets the specific interactions between GluA2 and PICK1 blocked the effects of Aβ on synapses and surface receptors. We concluded that GluA2–PICK1 interactions are a key component of the effects of Aβ on synapses.