bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in chronic infection
Authors: Galea F , Abela GP , Felice H 
Published: November 2013

Introduction Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is the acquired, reversible syndrome characterised by apical ballooning and base hypercontractility and probably precipitated by emotional and physical stressors that cause a hyperadrenergic state. It presents as an acute coronary event without there being coronary disease. Case presentation We present a case of a 73-year-old woman who developed takotsubo cardiomyopathy with concomitant septic shock from a chronic hemiarthroplasty site infection. The prosthesis had been removed, the surgical site drained twice and multiple antibiotics prescribed. She also had a previous episode of sepsis from she recovered with vasopressor support. Conclusion To the author’s knowledge, this is the first case of this syndrome occurring in such a prolonged septic process and where the primary focus was a surgical wound. This may indicate continued myocardial injury secondary to a sustained hyperadrenergic state as a possible mechanism for takotsubo cardiomyopathy, rather than a one-time catecholamine surge.
Treating tuberculosis in the elderly population: a lesson in multi-disciplinary care
Authors: Mamo JP , Brij SO 
Published: November 2013

Introduction It is estimated that the risk of reactivation of previously untreated healed or latent tuberculosis is around 0.04 cases per 100 person-years. The incidence of active tuberculosis in Peterborough is 28.0 per 100,000 population compared with 8.3 in the East of England region. 2 The majority of patients are of Indian or Pakistani origin and aged between 15 and 65. Case presentation Here, we present the case of an 88-year-old gentleman who successfully completed anti-tuberculous therapy for smear-negative tuberculosis and discuss some of the issues encountered in his management, with particular emphasis on drug surveillance, tolerance of anti-tuberculous therapy and drug interactions. Conclusion Elderly persons presenting with tuberculosis are more likely to present atypically and may need a staged initiation of therapy with continued pharmacist advice, due to high risk of interactions.
Large solitary fibrous tumour of the retroperitoneum: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Orsaria M , Marzinotto S , Mariuzzi L 
Published: November 2013

Introduction This report describes an unusual case of a large solitary fibrous tumour (SFT) arising in the retroperitoneum. Case presentation A 53-year-old woman presented at the Emergency Department with urinary retention and lumbar pain. The urological examination was negative, whereas a presacral retroperitoneal mass was disclosed on ultrasound. The laboratory studies, including tumour markers, were negative. On laparotomy, it was not possible to remove the mass completely due to the difficulty of dissecting it free of the sacrum. Grossly, the fragment had a yellowish-white surface, with areas of necrosis and haemorrhage. On immunohistochemistry, tumour cells were positive for CD34, CD99 and Bcl-2 and negative for CD45, synaptophysin, chromogranin, S100, neuron-specific enolase, CK AE1-AE3, CK7, Wilms’ tumour 1, smooth muscle actin, factor VIII, myogenin, epithelial membrane antigen, thyroid transcription factor-1 and CD117, leading to a diagnosis of SFT. Molecular investigation ruled out synovial sarcoma. Conclusion Although SFT usually has a favourable prognosis, close follow-up is recommended due to the limited information on its long-term behaviour.
Analysis of the NSQIP Database in 676 Patients Undergoing Laryngopharyngectomy: The Impact of Flap Reconstruction
Authors: Kim Kuylhee , Ibrahim Ahmed M. S. , Koolen Pieter G. L. , Frankenthaler Robert A. , Lin Samuel J. 
Published: November 2013

ObjectiveAssess impact of reconstructive procedures on patients undergoing laryngopharyngectomy and to determine whether 30‐day postoperative morbidity and mortality varied between patients who underwent flap reconstruction and those who did not.Study DesignRetrospective analysis of the prospectively collected American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement (ACS‐NSQIP) database.SettingTertiary medical center.Subjects and MethodsWe reviewed the 2005‐2011 ACS‐NSQIP database to identify patients undergoing laryngectomy and/or pharyngectomy. Bivariate analysis was done to compare preoperative variables and postoperative outcomes between the flap reconstruction group and non‐reconstruction group. Chi‐square tests were used for categorical variables and t‐tests for continuous variables. Logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate odds ratio to account for potential confounders. To create a valid logistic analysis model, F‐test was used to determine whether certain variables should be included in the model.ResultsSix hundred seventy‐six patients were included in our study; 213 patients received concurrent flap reconstruction whereas 463 did not. After risk adjustment, analyses revealed no statistically significant difference in wound complication, minor morbidity, and mortality between the 2 groups. The flap reconstruction cohort showed significantly longer operative times (8.09 ± 3.36 hours vs 5.63 ± 3.47 hours; P =. 001) and higher major morbidity rate (OR = 5.906, 95% CI, 3.131‐11.139, P =. 001).ConclusionsThis is the first comprehensive analysis of flap reconstruction for laryngopharyngeal defects using the ACS‐NSQIP registry. Additional measures involved in flap reconstruction are associated with an increase in major morbidity but not mortality. An understanding of these variables may optimize the decision‐making process for patients undergoing laryngectomy and/or pharyngectomy.
Teachers’ views of constructivist theory: A qualitative study illuminating relationships between epistemological understanding and music teaching practice
Authors: Cleaver David , Ballantyne Julie 
Published: November 2013

While constructivist theory is widely promoted in pre-service music teacher education, there has been a lack of research conducted to reveal the ways in which the theory is individually personalized, then subsumed, translated and adopted into in-service classroom teaching practice. To address this shortfall, this article explores some of the ways that music teachers individually apply their understanding of the philosophically generated ideas and the cognitive concepts and principles that are broadly regarded as “constructivist.” In seeking to contribute to professional dialogue and debate surrounding this matter, this study seeks to illuminate how a small sample of music teachers engages both theoretically and practically with constructivist views of learning. Using a qualitative approach, the researchers incorporated staged, informal interviews with invited teacher participants. Preliminary analyses of interview data were returned to the participants for review and further commentary. This process was designed to contribute to both the trustworthiness of representation and to enhance the transactional process between participants and researchers. The commentaries are designed to problematize issues, raise points for discussion and the article concludes with implications for practice in schools and universities.
Thrombomodulin is a Strong Predictor of Multiorgan Dysfunction Syndrome in Patients With Sepsis
Authors: Mihajlovic Dunja M. , Lendak Dajana F. , Draskovic Biljana G. , Mikic Aleksandra S. Novakov , Mitic Gorana P. , Cebovic Tatjana N. , Brkic Snezana V. 
Published: November 2013

Background: Biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction are not recommended for routine laboratory investigation of the outcome prognosis and prediction of the course of sepsis. Methods: A total of 60 patients who fulfilled the criteria for diagnosis of sepsis were included in our study. Development of multiorgan dysfunction syndrome (MODS) in the first 48 hours was assessed. Differences between groups of patients with sepsis were assessed by Mann-Whitney U test and by Kruskal-Wallis test. Logistic regression analysis was performed to test the joint effect of different predictors. Results: Level of thrombomodulin was significantly higher in group of patients with MODS than without MODS ( P = .015). Levels of antithrombin ( P = .026) and protein C ( P = .035) were significantly lower in patients with MODS. Level of thrombomodulin was the strongest predictor in MODS development in first 48 hours ( P = .028). Conclusion: The level of thrombomodulin not only was able to distinguish the severity of sepsis but also was a significant predictor of MODS development.
Is There Any Association Between Thrombosis and Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor Levels in Patients With Vitamin D Deficiency?
Authors: Topaloglu Oya , Arslan Muyesser Sayki , Karakose Melia , Ucan Bekir , Ginis Zeynep , Cakir Evrim , Akkaymak Esra Tutal , Sahin Mustafa , Ozbek Mustafa , Cakal Erman , Delibasi Tuncay 
Published: November 2013

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between vitamin D levels and hemostatic factors like tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI). Methods: Patients who had 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) levels measured were included. Coagulation and hemostatic parameters were evaluated. Patients were divided into 3 groups based on 25(OH)D3 levels as group 1 (25(OH)D3 < 10 ng/mL, n = 25), group 2 (25(OH)D3 = 10-19.9 ng/mL, n = 22), and group 3 (25(OH)D3 ≥ 20 ng/mL, n = 28). Results: A total of 75 patients with a mean age of 39 (range 18-57) years were included in the study. Prothrombin time was longer in group 3 than in group 2 ( P = .043). The TFPI levels were higher in group 3 than in the other groups ( P < .001). There was a strong positive correlation between 25(OH)D3 and TFPI levels ( r = .47, P < .001). Conclusion: Further studies are needed for evaluation of the role of TFPI in hemostasis and thrombotic process in patients with vitamin D deficiency.
The effect of neurotensin in human keratinocytes – implication on impaired wound healing in diabetes
Authors: Moura Liane IF , Cruz Maria T , Carvalho Eugénia 
Published: November 2013

Diabetic foot ulcers are an important complication of diabetes mellitus characterized by chronic, non-healing ulcers resulting from poor proliferation and migration of fibroblasts and keratinocytes, thus impairing a correct re-epithelialization of wounded tissues. This healing process can be modulated by neuropeptides released from peripheral nerves; however, little is known regarding the role of neurotensin (NT) as a modulator of human keratinocyte function under hyperglycemic conditions. Therefore, this work is focused on the effect of NT in human keratinocytes, under normal and hyperglycemic conditions at different functional levels, namely NT receptors, cytokine, and growth factor expression, as well as proliferation and migration. Human keratinocyte cells were maintained at either 10/30 mM glucose and treated with or without NT (10 nM). The results show that NT did not affect keratinocyte viability. In addition, NT and all NT receptor expression levels were significantly reduced by hyperglycemia; however, NT treatment stimulated expression of NT and neurotensin receptor 2 (NTR2) while neurotensin receptor 1 (NTR1) and neurotensin receptor 3 (NTR3) expression levels were unchanged. Keratinocyte proliferation was not affected by NT and hyperglycemia, while cell migration was reduced by NT treatment. These results demonstrated that hyperglycemic conditions strongly impaired endogenous NT and NTR2 expression in keratinocytes. Despite the addition of exogenous NT to stimulate the endogenous NT and NTR2 expression, these changes do not translate into functional modifications on keratinocytes, particularly in terms of migration, proliferation, and production of cytokines or growth factors. These results suggest that NT production by keratinocytes may exert a paracrine effect on other skin cells, namely fibroblasts, macrophages, and dendritic cells for correct wound healing.
Can a school-based intervention increase children’s fruit and vegetable consumption in the home setting?
Authors: Taylor Charlotte , Darby Helena , Upton Penney , Upton Dominic 
Published: November 2013

Aims Although previous research has shown the Food Dudes programme increases children’s fruit and vegetable consumption at school, the evidence for the effectiveness in the home setting is more equivocal. The school environment is identified as a logical setting for targeting children’s fruit and vegetable consumption; however, to produce sustainable changes in behaviour, it is equally important that interventions target consumption in the home setting. This study aimed to establish whether the Food Dudes intervention can influence home consumption of fruit and vegetables and the extent to which any changes in eating behaviour following the intervention were maintained in the long term. Methods A total of 34 children aged 4–11 years from eight primary schools (four intervention and four control groups) in the West Midlands, United Kingdom, completed a 7-day photographic food diary at baseline (prior to the intervention), a 3-month follow-up (post-intervention) and a 12-month follow-up. Results The Food Dudes programme did not influence either short- or long-term changes in children’s consumption of fruit and vegetables at home during weekdays or at the weekend. Conclusions The Food Dudes programme had no effect on changing children’s fruit and vegetable consumption in the home environment. Further development of the programme could consider how parental and home environmental factors may be combined with the principles of the Food Dudes programme to influence children’s fruit and vegetable consumption in this setting.
Performance and Return to Sport After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in X-Games Skiers and Snowboarders
Authors: Erickson Brandon J. , Harris Joshua D. , Fillingham Yale A. , Cvetanovich Greg L. , Bhatia Sanjeev , Bach Bernard R. , Bush-Joseph Charles A. , Cole Brian J. 
Published: November 2013

Background: Skiing and snowboarding have become increasingly popular since the inception of the winter X-Games in 1997. Purpose: To determine (1) rate of return to sport (RTS) to the winter X-Games following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and (2) performance upon RTS following ACL reconstruction. Hypotheses: There is a high rate of RTS to the winter X-Games in subjects undergoing ACL reconstruction. There is no difference in performance upon RTS following ACL reconstruction versus preinjury. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Skiers and snowboarders competing in the winter X-Games who tore their ACL and underwent ACL reconstruction between 1997 and 2012 were evaluated. Athlete data were extracted from winter X-Games media websites, ESPN, injury reports, player profiles/biographies, and press releases. All athlete, knee, and surgical demographic data were analyzed. RTS and performance as it related to the number of gold, silver, and bronze medals won both pre- and postoperatively in the X-Games were analyzed. Results: Fifteen skiers (19 knees) and 10 snowboarders (10 knees) were analyzed. There were 13 males and 12 females, with a mean subject age of 22.6 ± 4.45 years. The rate of RTS in the X-Games following ACL reconstruction was 80% overall (20/25 subjects). The rate of RTS in winter X-Games following ACL reconstruction in skiers was 87% (13/15 subjects) and in snowboarders was 70% (7/10 subjects). The rate of RTS in winter X-Games following ACL reconstruction in males and females was 85% (11/13 subjects) and 75% (9/12 subjects), respectively. The rate of revision ACL reconstruction due to ACL tear following primary ACL reconstruction was 4% (1/25 subjects). There were more left- than right-sided tears (18 vs 11). Skiers and snowboarders competed in the X-Games for 3.84 ± 2.73 and 3.40 ± 2.84 years prior to ACL reconstruction and 2.56 ± 2.06 and 7.29 ± 3.30 years after ACL reconstruction, respectively. Skiers earned 22 medals prior to ACL reconstruction (9 gold, 5 silver, 8 bronze) and 24 medals after ACL reconstruction (16 gold, 2 silver, 6 bronze). Snowboarders earned 7 medals prior to ACL reconstruction (4 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze) and 19 medals after ACL reconstruction (7 gold, 7 silver, 5 bronze). Conclusion: Winter X-Games skiers and snowboarders have a high rate of RTS after ACL reconstruction. Skiers earned a similar number of medals preinjury and postsurgery, while snowboarders earned more medals following surgery.
The liver: conductor of systemic iron balance
Authors: Meynard Delphine , Babitt Jodie L. , Lin Herbert Y. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractIron is a micronutrient essential for almost all organisms: bacteria, plants, and animals. It is a metal that exists in multiple redox states, including the divalent ferrous (Fe2+) and the trivalent ferric (Fe3+) species. The multiple oxidation states of iron make it excellent for electron transfer, allowing iron to be selected during evolution as a cofactor for many proteins involved in central cellular processes including oxygen transport, mitochondrial respiration, and DNA synthesis. However, the redox cycling of ferrous and ferric iron in the presence of H2O2, which is physiologically present in the cells, also leads to the production of free radicals (Fenton reaction) that can attack and damage lipids, proteins, DNA, and other cellular components. To meet the physiological needs of the body, but to prevent cellular damage by iron, the amount of iron in the body must be tightly regulated. Here we review how the liver is the central conductor of systemic iron balance and show that this central role is related to the secretion of a peptide hormone hepcidin by hepatocytes. We then review how the liver receives and integrates the many signals that report the body’s iron needs to orchestrate hepcidin production and maintain systemic iron homeostasis.
A new approach to G-metric and related fixed point theorems
Authors: Asadi Mehdi , Karapınar Erdal , Salimi Peyman 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
Very recently, Samet et al. and Jleli and Samet reported that most of fixed point results in the context of G-metric space, defined by Sims and Zead, can be derived from the usual fixed point theorems on the usual metric space. In this paper, we state and prove some fixed point theorems in the framework of G-metric space that cannot be obtained from the existence results in the context of associated metric space.
Applications of Kato’s inequality for n-tuples of operators in Hilbert spaces, (II)
Authors: Dragomir Sever S , Cho Yeol Je , Kim Young-Ho 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
In this paper, by the use of famous Kato’s inequality for bounded linear operators, we establish some new inequalities for n-tuples of operators and apply them to functions of normal operators defined by power series as well as to some norms and numerical radii that arise in multivariate operator theory. They provide a natural continuation of the results in previous paper with (I) in the title.

MSC: 47A50, 47A63.
Ordering the oriented unicyclic graphs whose skew-spectral radius is bounded by 2
Authors: Chen Ping-Feng , Xu Guang-Hui , Zhang Li-Pu 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
Let

S
(

G
σ

)

be the skew-adjacency matrix of an oriented graph

G
σ

with n vertices, and let

λ
1

,

λ
2

,
…
,

λ
n

be all eigenvalues of

S
(

G
σ

)

. The skew-spectral radius

ρ
s

(

G
σ

)

of

G
σ

is defined as

max
{
|

λ
1

|
,
|

λ
2

|
,
…
,
|

λ
n

|
}

. A connected graph, in which the number of edges equals the number of vertices, is called a unicyclic graph. In this paper, the structure of oriented unicyclic graphs whose skew-spectral radius does not exceed 2 is investigated. We order all the oriented unicyclic graphs with n vertices whose skew-spectral radius is bounded by 2.

MSC:05C50, 15A18.
Sex-specific aspects of endogenous retroviral insertion and deletion
Authors: Gemmell Patrick , Hein Jotun , Katzourakis Aris 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Background
We wish to understand how sex and recombination affect endogenous retroviral insertion and deletion. While theory suggests that the risk of ectopic recombination will limit the accumulation of repetitive DNA in areas of high meiotic recombination, the experimental evidence so far has been inconsistent. Under the assumption of neutrality, we examine the genomes of eighteen species of animal in order to compute the ratio of solo-LTRs that derive from insertions occurring down the male germ line as opposed to the female one (male bias). We also extend the simple idea of comparing autosome to allosome in order to predict the ratio of full-length proviruses we would expect to see under conditions of recombination linked deletion or otherwise.

Results
Using our model, we predict the ratio of allosomal to autosomal full-length proviruses to lie between

3

2

and

2

3

under increasing male bias in mammals and between 1 and 2 under increasing male bias in birds. In contrast to our expectations, we find that a pattern of male bias is not universal across species and that there is a frequent overabundance of full-length proviruses on the allosome beyond the ratios predicted by our model.

Conclusions
We use our data as a whole to argue that full-length proviruses should be treated as deleterious mutations or as effectively neutral mutations whose persistence in a full-length state is linked to the rate of meiotic recombination and whose origin is not universally male biased. These conclusions suggest that retroviral insertions on the allosome may be more prolific and that it might be possible to identify mechanisms of replication that are enhanced in the female sex.
Dynamic changes of HBV markers and HBV DNA load in infants born to HBsAg(+) mothers: can positivity of HBsAg or HBV DNA at birth be an indicator for HBV infection of infants?
Authors: Chen Tianyan , Wang Jing , Feng Yuling , Yan Zhi , Zhang Tieying , Liu Minghui , Bai Yun , Song Hongxia , Liu Hongli , Yang Yuan , Liu Jinfeng , He Yingli , Chen Yunru , Zhang Shulin , Zhuang Guihua , Liang Xiaofeng , Liu Zongyin , Xu Xiaguang , Chen Wei , Liu Yong , Zhao Yingren 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Background
Neither HBV DNA nor HBsAg positivity at birth is an accurate marker for HBV infection of infants. No data is available for continuous changes of HBV markers in newborns to HBsAg(+) mothers. This prospective, multi-centers study aims at observing the dynamic changes of HBV markers and exploring an early diagnostic marker for mother-infant infection.

Methods
One hundred forty-eight HBsAg(+) mothers and their newborns were enrolled after mothers signed the informed consent forms. Those infants were received combination immunoprophylaxis (hepatitis B immunoglobulin [HBIG] and hepatitis B vaccine) at birth, and then followed up to 12 months. Venous blood of the infants (0, 1, 7, and 12 months of age) was collected to test for HBV DNA and HBV markers.

Results
Of the 148 infants enrolled in our study, 41 and 24 infants were detected as HBsAg(+) and HBV DNA(+) at birth, respectively. Nine were diagnosed with HBV infection after 7 mo follow-up. Dynamic observation of the HBV markers showed that HBV DNA and HBsAg decreased gradually and eventually sero-converted to negativity in the non-infected infants, whereas in the infected infants, HBV DNA and HBsAg were persistently positive, or higher at the end of follow-up. At 1 mo, the infants with anti-HBs(+), despite positivity for HBsAg or HBV DNA at birth, were resolved after 12 mo follow-up, whereas all the nine infants with anti-HBs(−) were diagnosed with HBV infection. Anti-HBs(−) at 1 mo showed a higher positive likelihood ratio for HBV mother-infant infection than HBV DNA and/or HBsAg at birth.

Conclusions
Negativity for anti-HBs at 1 mo can be considered as a sensitive and early diagnostic indictor for HBV infection in the infants with positive HBV DNA and HBsAg at birth, especially for those infants with low levels of HBV DNA load and HBsAg titer.