bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cytokine, chemokine, and toll‐like receptor expression in middle ear fluids of children with acute otitis media
Authors: Kaur Ravinder , Casey Janet , Pichichero Michael 
Published: September 2014

Objectives/HypothesisAcute otitis media (AOM) is a common bacterial infection in childhood that causes an inflammatory response in the middle ear. Leukocytes produce different inflammatory molecules in vitro when stimulated with Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria. The major causes of AOM are Streptococcus pneumoniae, nontypeable Haemophilus influenza, and Moraxella catarrhalis. We sought to assess differences in cytokines, chemokines, and expression of Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) at onset of AOM based on bacterial culture results.Study DesignMiddle ear fluid (MEF) from 66 children with AOM was studied.MethodsInnate immune genes, cytokines (interleukin [IL]‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, IL1‐β; tumor necrosis factor‐α), chemokines (CCL2, CCL3, CCL4, CCR5, CXCR3), and Toll‐like receptors (TLR2, TLR4, TLR9) expression was measured using real‐time reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) from MEF collected in vivo by tympanocentesis.ResultsCulture‐positive MEF had higher levels of all cytokines and chemokines (9–300‐fold) as compared to MEF that was culture negative. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐positive/culture‐negative MEF for otopathogens showed significant differences (P < .01) in TLR2, TLR4, and TLR9 expression (6–31‐fold), but cytokine and chemokine levels were similar compared to PCR‐negative/culture‐negative MEF. No significant differences were found in the cytokine/chemokine/TLR levels among the bacterial otopathogen species. However, higher levels of TLRs, and all the cytokine and chemokines were detected when more than one bacterial species was present compared to single otopathogens.ConclusionsExpression levels of proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines and TLRs are elevated in AOM children with a bacterial otopathogen, and are dependent on the number of bacterial species identified.Level of EvidenceNA Laryngoscope, 125:E39–E44, 2015
Comprehensive management of patients presenting to the otolaryngologist for Sinus pressure, pain, or headache
Authors: Lal Devyani , Rounds Alexis , Dodick David W. 
Published: September 2014

Objectives/HypothesisTo study differential diagnosis and efficacy of management strategies in patients presenting to an otolaryngologist for sinus pressure, pain, or headache.Study DesignRetrospective analysis at an academic medical center.MethodsPatients were seen in the clinic (2010–2012) for sinus‐related headache, pressure, pain or fullness (study symptoms) by a rhinologist. A retrospective chart review of patients with study symptoms was conducted.ResultsOf 211 patients with study symptoms, 70.62% met American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery criteria for sinusitis or had rhinologic disease. Otolaryngic therapy alone (medical or surgical) relieved study symptoms in 51.66%; combined neurology intervention helped another 15.17%. Nearly half of the patients (48.82%) were diagnosed with primary headache disorders. Comorbid rhinologic‐neurologic disease was present in 27.96% and odontogenic disease in 7%. Initial otolaryngology referral was likely unnecessary for 36.49% of the study patients. Sinus computed tomography (CT) was available for 91% of 211 patients, and 80% of scans were positive. Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) was used in only 80/211 patients (37.69%) and was effective in 66/211 (31.28%). ESS was most successful in patients receiving concurrent neurological intervention. The Lund‐Mackay CT score did not predict outcomes from ESS. Interdisciplinary otolaryngology‐neurology efforts resulted in a positive outcome for 92.4% of patients.ConclusionsWe present the first series detailing management of patients with sinus‐headache pain in an otolaryngology practice. Such symptoms have multifactorial etiologies. Positive sinus CT results require cautious interpretation. ESS should be judiciously used. Interdisciplinary care is critical for success: approximately 50% of patients benefited from otolaryngic management, 50% needed neurological treatment, and 7% required dental disease management.Level of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 125:303–310, 2015
Animal models of Huntington's disease for translation to the clinic: Best practices
Authors: Menalled Liliana , Brunner Daniela 
Published: September 2014

AbstractMouse models of Huntington's disease (HD) recapitulate many aspects of the human disease. These genetically modified mice are powerful tools that are used not only to examine the pathogenesis of the disease, but also to assess the efficacy of potential new treatments. Disappointingly, in the past few years we have seen the success of potential therapies in animal studies, subsequently followed by failure in clinical trials. We discuss here a number of factors that influence the translatability of findings from the preclinical to the clinical realm. In particular, we discuss issues related to sample size, reporting of information regarding experimental protocols and mouse models, assignment to experimental groups, incorporation of cognitive measures for early phases of the disease, environmental enrichment, surrogate measures for survival, and the use of more than one HD mouse model. Although it is reasonable to question the appropriateness of the animal models used, we argue that it is more parsimonious to assume that improvements in experimental design and publication of negative results will lead to improved translatability to the clinic and insights about HD pathophysiology. © 2014 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Ion beam analysis of Heusler alloy Fe3Si epitaxially grown on Si(111)
Authors: Maeda Yoshihito , Kawakubo Yuki , Noguchi Yuya , Narumi Kazumasa , Sakai Seiji 
Published: September 2014

AbstractWe have investigated atomic ordering of Heusler alloy Fe3Si(111) epitaxially grown on Si(111) by using ion beam analysis. The total atomic displacement along Si<111> directions was deduced from the minimum yield χmin and the critical angle Ψ1/2 for channeling. The total displacement consists of both one‐dimensional thermal vibrations computed by the Debye theory and static displacements due to imperfections, lattice mismatch, thermal expansion etc. The atomic displacement increased as the annealing temperature increased from 373 to 573 K. We found that this static displacement came from a difference in thermal expansion between the Fe3Si film and Si substrates at the anneal temperature and was quenched into room temperature as a remnant displacement. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Leveraging for big data regression
Authors: Ma Ping , Sun Xiaoxiao 
Published: September 2014

Rapid advance in science and technology in the past decade brings an extraordinary amount of data, offering researchers an unprecedented opportunity to tackle complex research challenges. The opportunity, however, has not yet been fully utilized, because effective and efficient statistical tools for analyzing super‐large dataset are still lacking. One major challenge is that the advance of computing resources still lags far behind the exponential growth of database. To facilitate scientific discoveries using current computing resources, one may use an emerging family of statistical methods, called leveraging. Leveraging methods are designed under a subsampling framework, in which one samples a small proportion of the data (subsample) from the full sample, and then performs intended computations for the full sample using the small subsample as a surrogate. The key of the success of the leveraging methods is to construct nonuniform sampling probabilities so that influential data points are sampled with high probabilities. These methods stand as the very unique development of their type in big data analytics and allow pervasive access to massive amounts of information without resorting to high performance computing and cloud computing. WIREs Comput Stat 2015, 7:70–76. doi: 10.1002/wics.1324This article is categorized under:

Statistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > Dimension Reduction
Statistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > Sampling
Frameworks for prior‐free posterior probabilistic inference
Authors: Liu Chuanhai , Martin Ryan 
Published: September 2014

The development of statistical methods for valid and efficient probabilistic inference without prior distributions has a long history. Fisher's fiducial inference is perhaps the most famous of these attempts. We argue that, despite its seemingly prior‐free formulation, fiducial and its various extensions are not prior‐free and, therefore, do not meet the requirements for prior‐free probabilistic inference. In contrast, the inferential model (IM) framework is genuinely prior‐free and is shown to be a promising new method for generating both valid and efficient probabilistic inference. With a brief introduction to the two fundamental principles, namely, the validity and efficiency principles, the three‐step construction of the basicIMframework is discussed in the context of the validity principle. EfficientIMmethods, based on conditioning and marginalization are illustrated with two benchmark examples, namely, the bivariate normal with unknown correlation coefficient and the Behrens–Fisher problem.WIREs Comput Stat2015, 7:77–85. doi: 10.1002/wics.1329This article is categorized under:Statistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > Bayesian Methods and Theory
Tethered Bis(amidate) and Bis(ureate) Supported Zirconium Precatalysts for the Intramolecular Hydroamination of Aminoalkenes
Authors: Lauzon Jean Michel P. , Schafer Laurel L. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractTethered bis(amide) and bis(urea) proligands featuring a neutral chalcogen donor (O or S) in the backbone were synthesized and installed on zirconium via protonolysis. The bis(amidate) zirconium complexes adopt a κ4(N,N,O,O) binding motif and were characterized in the solid state with a pyridine donor. Likewise, the bis(ureate)‐supported complexes are also found to have a κ4(N,N,O,O) binding motif in the solid state however no additional donor ligand is required for discrete complex formation. No evidence for interaction between the neutral chalcogen donor and the zirconium atom is found for any of the transition metal species. All complexes were screened as precatalysts for the intramolecular hydroamination reaction with both primary and secondary aminoalkene substrates. Interestingly, the bis(ureate) species show similar reactivity to the bis(amidate) species, in contrast to a recently reported alkyl‐bridged bis(ureate) complex, which readily cyclizes secondary aminoalkenes.
RE6Pd13Zn4 (RE = La‐Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb) – New Palladium‐rich Phases with Pd@RE6 Octahedra in bcc Packing
Authors: Gerke Birgit , Janka Oliver , Pöttgen Rainer 
Published: September 2014

Abstract The intermetallic zinc compounds RE6Pd13Zn4 (RE = La – Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb) were synthesized from the elements in sealed niobium ampoules. They crystallize with the cubic Na16Ba6N (Dy6Fe16O) type structure, space group Im$\bar{3}$m. The samples were investigated by powder X‐ray diffraction and four structures were refined on the basis of single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction data. The striking structural motifs are palladium centered RE6 octahedra in a bcc arrangement. These octahedra are surrounded by a [Pd12Zn4] network. Magnetic susceptibility studies of Gd6Pd13Zn4 show Curie‐Weiss behavior and an experimental magnetic moment of 7.75(2) μB per Gd atom. Gd6Pd13Zn4 orders antiferromagnetically at TN = 10.5(1) K.
Sutured Repair of Primary Small Umbilical and Epigastric Hernias: Concomitant Rectus Diastasis Is a Significant Risk Factor for Recurrence
Authors: Köhler Gernot , Luketina Ruzica‐Rosalia , Emmanuel Klaus 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackground
Umbilical and epigastric hernias are common in the adult population and prompt repair is advised. We aimed to evaluate the impact of concomitant rectus diastasis on the outcome of patients who underwent primary sutured fascia closure of a hernia without mesh.MethodsWe performed a retrospective analysis of 231 consecutive adult patients who had undergone elective suture‐based repair of small (<2 cm) and primary umbilical or epigastric hernias with respect to complications, recurrence, and chronic pain.ResultsPatients with rectus diastasis suffered from a significantly increased rate of hernia recurrence (29/93 vs. 9/108; p < 0.001). The use of absorbable sutures also had a negative influence on the recurrence rate (26/90 vs. 12/111; p = 0.001). Obesity (body mass index > 35 kg/m2) was associated with more complications (p = 0.02). Wound infections following hernia repair also were associated with a higher rate of recurrence (p = 0.08) and chronic pain (p = 0.02). The mean follow‐up via a structured questionnaire was 31 months (range 3–59) and data were available for 201 of 231 patients (87 %).ConclusionWe strongly recommend preoperatively checking for rectus diastasis and using nonabsorbable sutures as an alternative to mesh repair only when repairing small umbilical or epigastric hernias (<2 cm) and there is no concomitant rectus diastasis. Patients with coexistent rectus diastasis definitely benefit from mesh‐based repair of the midline to decrease the recurrence rate.
Maintaining a Surgery Service for Local Hospitals Under the Situation of a Decreasing Number of Surgeons in a Region of Japan
Authors: Watanabe Joji , Saito Hiroaki , Otani Shinji , Ikeguchi Masahide 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe number of surgeons is decreasing in Japan, leading to the problem of how to maintain a surgery service in local hospitals. We introduce our strategy for supporting ongoing surgical services in regional hospitals by dispatching surgeons temporarily to assist in operations.MethodsWe conducted a questionnaire‐based survey at three local hospitals in Tottori and a neighboring prefecture to which surgeons from our department were temporarily dispatched over 5 years from January 2008 to March 2013.ResultsWe supported 686 operations at three hospitals over 5 years. The average age of the patients was 72.4 years. Of the diseases treated, 45.1 % were malignant, and 54.9 % were benign. The emergency operation rate was 17.3 %.ConclusionsOur strategy has produced a continuous surgical service at local hospitals in the face of diminishing numbers of surgeons. We recommend that such a strategy be adopted in other regions in which there are a decreasing number of surgeons and where it is not easy to move patients elsewhere for care.
Safe Hepatectomy Selection Criteria for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients: A Validation of 336 Consecutive Hepatectomies. The BILCHE Score
Authors: Donadon Matteo , Costa Guido , Cimino Matteo , Procopio Fabio , Fabbro Daniele Del , Palmisano Angela , Torzilli Guido 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackgroundSelection criteria for hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are object of debate. We presented our criteria for safe hepatectomy for HCC, and we compared the results with those obtainable using the most common scores for HCC.MethodsAll patients submitted to hepatectomy for HCC based on the same criteria were reviewed from our prospectively maintained database. Such criteria included bilirubin (BIL), cholinesterases (CHE), ascites, esophageal varices, and residual liver volume.ResultsA total of 336 patients were analyzed. One hundred fifteen patients (33 %) had thoracoabdominal approach, but only 39 (12 %) had major or extended resections. The median tumor number was 1 (range 1–33), while the median tumor size was 3.6 cm (range 1.1–28). Of those, 94 (29 %) had postoperative complications, of which 6 % were graded as major (Dindo III–IV). The 90‐days mortality was 2 %. The MELD, APRI, and CPT scores were not found to be statistically significant for complications, while combining BIL and CHE we defined four classes of risk. The association of BIL >1 mg/dl (>17.1 µmol/l) and CHE ≤5,900 U/l was the best to detect complications (OR = 4.45; P = 0.007).ConclusionsThis study shows that our selection criteria that count mainly on two commonly available, and inexpensive parameters, BIL and CHE, lead to identify patients potentially at risk of postoperative complications after hepatic resection for HCC. Registration number: NCT02056041 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).
Response of Sesame (Sesamum indicumL.) Plants to Foliar Spray with Different Concentrations of Boron
Authors: Hamideldin N. , Hussein O. S. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractSesame plants were sprayed with different concentrations of boron solution at 20, 30 and 40 ppm at different stages of plant growth (1, 2 and 3 months). Comparing the treated plants with untreated controls, the obtained results showed that spraying sesame plants with boron (B) solutions improves their growth and yields. Treating plants with boron solution at 20 ppm gave the highest results in growth criteria as compared with corresponding control or plants treated with higher boron solutions (30 and 40 ppm). Moisture and oil percentages were nonsignificantly changed by the different boron concentrations. The highest oil viscosity was recorded at a boron concentration of 30 ppm. Fatty acids were decreased by the effect of boron spray. A remarkable increase in the amino acid content of the plants was observed as a result of treatments with boron solutions, especially in the plants treated at 40 ppm. Spraying sesame plants with boron decreased the Fe, K, Mg and P contents, whereas the lowest concentration of boron (20 ppm) increased Ca and the highest concentration (40 ppm) increased Cl and Na.
Analysing the Spatio-temporal Evolution of an Active Debris Slide in Eastern Himalaya, India
Authors: Ghosh Saibal , Bora Anjan , Nath Sudipta , Kumar Ashok 
Published: September 2014

Abstract:
Landslide is one of the prominent geohazards in the Himalayas where loss of lives and property are common. Owing to the complicated geomorphic and tectono-stratigraphic setting of this active Fold-thrust belt (FTB), landsliding of all possible types and spatial scales observed exhibit conspicuous spatio-temporal signatures and evolution. This evolution of landslides is commonly studied by regional assessment and by examining the multi-temporal landslide inventories of a particular area. The success of creating such multi-temporal landslide inventory depends on (i) the availability of relevant past source data (e.g., images, post event maps, air photos etc.) of suitable resolution, scale and quality, (ii) time of generation of source data with respect to the time of landsliding event, (iii) skill of the investigators in interpreting the old images, air photos etc. However, this method is of restricted use in studying the spatio-temporal evolution of a single landslide which is perennially active in the Himalayan terrain, where rapid changes in land use and land cover patterns readily obliterate the signatures of past landsliding. Moreover because of scale constraints, subtle and frequent changes in the spatial dimensions of these individual landslides, and their temporal activity become difficult to identify in such regional assessment carried out over a larger area. In this study therefore, a different approach is adopted whereby the spatio-temporal activity and style of Lanta Khola landslide, a perennially active and large (0.25 km2) debris flow in the Eastern Himalayas, has been studied in detail through detailed scale (1:1000) site-specific geological mapping in phases during the last 28 years (1983-2011). Such site-specific geological observations coupled with numerical slope stability analysis utilising the limit equilibrium method facilitate in detailed understanding of the temporal and spatial evolution and inherent mechanism of this perennial landslide.
Estimation of Uranium from Multichannel Spectra in Airborne Gamma Ray Spectrometry using 1.12 MeV and 1.76 MeV Photopeaks of 214Bi – An Application to Cuddapah Basin
Authors: Ramayya M. S. , Chaturvedi A. K. , Patra I. , Srinivas D. , Reddy P. Yadagiri 
Published: September 2014

Abstract:
Present study examines the utility of gamma rays of energies 1.12 MeV and 1.76 MeV of uranium in estimation of uranium in airborne gamma ray spectrometric survey (AGRS) in comparison to the conventional 1.76 MeV alone used world wide. As a case study, the AGRS data of northern part of Cuddapah Basin is considered. Multi-channel processing is applied on this dataset to reduce the spectral noise and use of combined 1.12 MeV and 1.76 MeV has reduced the Poisson’s related statistical error. Uranium is estimated using above two energies individually and in combination, using multi-channel processing followed by standard corrections procedure. Result indicates that a combination of both energies has given best estimation due to a reduction in overall noise which helped in demarcating geological entities and litho-contacts. This indicates the efficacy of this technique which improved the radio-geochemistry of study area in understanding the radio-elemental variation.
ON SI-GROUPS
Authors: ANDRUSZKIEWICZ R. R. , WORONOWICZ M. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThis paper presents new results concerning the structure of $\text{SI}$-groups and refines and purifies the results obtained in this field by Shalom Feigelstock [‘Additive groups of rings whose subrings are ideals’, Bull. Aust. Math. Soc.55 (1997), 477–481]. The structure theorem describing torsion-free $\text{SI}$-groups is proved in the associative case. Numerous examples of $\text{SI}$-groups are given. Some inconsistencies in Feigelstock’s article are noted and corrected.