bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inter-Relationship of Procedural Mortality Rates in Vascular Surgery in England
Authors: Sinha S. , Karthikesalingam A. , Poloniecki J.D. , Thompson M.M. , Holt P.J. 
Published: January 2014

Background—
Wide variations in vascular surgical outcomes have been demonstrated in England. The objective of this study was to determine whether risk-adjusted postoperative mortality rates for elective and emergency vascular surgical procedures were inter-related.

Methods and Results—
A retrospective observational study using National Health Service administrative data on adult patients undergoing elective or emergency vascular surgery from 2005 to 2010. The 10 procedures covered the broad spectrum of workload for a vascular surgical service. The primary outcome measure was in-hospital mortality, and secondary outcomes were 30-day and 1-year mortality. Data were risk-adjusted using multilevel modeling. Analyses comprised a 2-level basket designed to evaluate variations in outcome and whether the outcome of each procedure could be predicted by the composite outcome of all other procedures. A total of 116 596 vascular surgical procedures were performed across 166 providers. For 9 of 10 procedures, there were hospitals lying outside 95% control limits for ≥1 mortality outcome. The key finding was that ≥1 risk-adjusted mortality outcome for any 1 of the 9 vascular surgical procedures could be predicted by the aggregated within provider performance of the other vascular surgical procedures combined.

Conclusions—
Hospital-level risk-adjusted mortality for both elective and emergency vascular procedures in England varies considerably, and providers were globally high or low performers. The data should be made available to patients, relatives, and the purchasers of services to drive improvements in the provision of vascular surgical services.
Increased Risk of Acute Myocardial Infarction and Stroke During Hemorrhagic Fever With Renal Syndrome
Authors: Connolly-Andersen Anne-Marie , Hammargren Edvin , Whitaker Heather , Eliasson Mats , Holmgren Lars , Klingström Jonas , Ahlm Clas 
Published: January 2014

Background—
We recently observed that cardiovascular causes of death are common in patients with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), which is caused by hantaviruses. However, it is not known whether HFRS is a risk factor for the acute cardiovascular events of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and stroke.

Methods and Results—
Personal identification numbers from the Swedish HFRS patient database (1997–2012; n=6643) were cross-linked with the National Patient Register from 1987 to 2011. Using the self-controlled case series method, we calculated the incidence rate ratio of AMI/stroke in the 21 days after HFRS against 2 different control periods either excluding (analysis 1) or including (analysis 2) fatal AMI/stroke events. The incidence rate ratios for analyses 1 and 2 for all AMI events were 5.53 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.6–11.8) and 6.02 (95% CI, 2.95–12.3) and for first AMI events were 3.53 (95% CI, 1.25–9.96) and 4.64 (95% CI, 1.83–11.77). The incidence rate ratios for analyses 1 and 2 for all stroke events were 12.93 (95% CI, 5.62–29.74) and 15.16 (95% CI, 7.21–31.87) and for first stroke events were 14.54 (95% CI, 5.87–36.04) and 17.09 (95% CI, 7.49–38.96). The majority of stroke events occurred in the first week after HFRS. Seasonal effects were not observed, and apart from 1 study, neither sex nor age interacted with the associations observed in this study.

Conclusions—
There is a significantly increased risk for AMI and stroke in the immediate time period after HFRS. Therefore, HFRS patients should be carefully monitored during the acute phase of disease to ensure early recognition of symptoms of impending AMI or stroke.
Global versus Local MJO Forecast Skill of the ECMWF Model during DYNAMO
Authors: Ling Jian , Bauer Peter , Bechtold Peter , Beljaars Anton , Forbes Richard , Vitart Frederic , Ulate Marcela , Zhang Chidong 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
This study introduces a concept of global versus local forecast skill of the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO). The global skill, measured by a commonly used MJO index [the Real-time Multivariate MJO (RMM)], evaluates the model’s capability of forecasting global patterns of the MJO, with an emphasis on the zonal wind fields. The local skill is measured by a method of tracking the eastward propagation of MJO precipitation. It provides quantitative information of the strength, propagation speed, and timing of MJO precipitation in a given region, such as the Indian Ocean. Both global and local MJO forecast skills are assessed for ECMWF forecasts of three MJO events during the 2011–12 Dynamics of the MJO (DYNAMO) field campaign. Characteristics of error growth differ substantially between global and local MJO forecast skills, and between the three MJO quantities (strength, speed, and timing) of the local skill measure. They all vary considerably among the three MJO events. Deterioration in global forecast skill for these three events appears to be related to poor local skill in forecasting the propagation speed of MJO precipitation. The global and local MJO forecast skill measures are also applied to evaluate numerical experiments of observation denial, humidity relaxation, and forcing by daily perturbations in sea surface temperature (SST). The results suggest that forecast skill or errors of convective initiation of the three MJO events have global origins. Effects of local (Indian Ocean) factors, such as enhanced observations in the initial conditions, variability of tropospheric humidity and tropical SST, on forecasts of MJO initiation and propagation are limited.
Tornado Climatology of Turkey
Authors: Kahraman Abdullah , Markowski Paul M. 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
A climatology of tornadoes in Turkey is presented using records from a wide variety of sources (e.g., the Turkish State Meteorological Service, European Severe Weather Database, newspaper archives, Internet searches, etc.). The climatology includes the annual, diurnal, geographical, and intensity distributions of both mesocyclonic and nonmesocyclonic tornadoes. From 1818 to 2013, 385 tornado cases were obtained. The tornadoes range from F0 to F3, with F1 being the most frequently reported or inferred intensity. Mesocyclonic tornadoes are most likely in May and June, and a secondary maximum in frequency is present in October and November. Nonmesocyclonic tornadoes (waterspouts) are most common in the winter along the (southern) Mediterranean coast and in the fall along the Black Sea (northern) coast. Tornadoes (both mesocyclonic and nonmesocyclonic) are most likely in the afternoon and early evening hours.
The value of repeat kidney biopsy in quiescent Argentinian lupus nephritis patients
Authors: Alvarado AS , Malvar A , Lococo B , Alberton V , Toniolo F , Nagaraja HN , Rovin BH 
Published: January 2014

Background The duration of maintenance therapy after induction therapy for lupus nephritis has not been rigorously established. A common practice is to maintain immunosuppression for 1–2 years after complete remission, and longer for partial remission. The present work addresses whether a repeat kidney biopsy might be informative in deciding who should continue immunosuppression after complete or partial remission. Methods The practice in a large Buenos Aires nephrology unit is to repeat a kidney biopsy before finalizing the decision to withdraw or continue immunosuppression. This work reports on a cohort of 25 Hispanic patients that had two or more kidney biopsies, the last occurring after at least 24 months of clinically quiescent disease. Results Despite normalization of serum creatinine and reduction of proteinuria to <500 mg/d, 30% of patients still had significant activity at the last biopsy. Conversely, 60% of patients with ongoing proteinuria (500–1000 mg/d), or stable but abnormal serum creatinine, had no activity by biopsy. Univariate association analyses demonstrated that improvement in the activity index (AI) of the last biopsy was associated with choice of induction therapy (cyclophosphamide or mycophenolate), improvement in serum creatinine over the first six months of treatment, and improvement in complement component C4. By multivariate regression analyses, two AI prediction models emerged. Cyclophosphamide plus change in serum creatinine or cyclophosphamide plus change in C4 accounted for 50% of the improvement in AI. Conclusion These data suggest that a repeat biopsy may be useful in making the decision to withdraw or continue maintenance immunosuppression.
Cunnington's Interpretation of Dress
Authors: Tozer Jane 
Published: January 2014

The theme of the 1984 Costume Society Symposium was The Meaning of Dress, and I was asked to give a lecture with the working title Interpreting Dress: Cunnington and After. Cunnington's output is so prodigious, and parts are so little discussed, that there was no time to cover later writers in any depth, and I concentrated on three aspects of Cunnington's work: the methods and philosophy behind the collection, his methods of recording that collection, and finally some parts of his theoretical writings which, though dated, still exert a pervasive influence on costume studies. This article is revised and expanded from that lecture. C. W. and P. Cunnington were fortunate in their collaborators, Alan and Valerie Mansfield, Catherine Lucas, and the illustrators Barbara Phillipson and Mary Gardiner, and their contribution to the standard works should be acknowledged. In discussing work on the psychology of dress, I have concentrated almost entirely on C. Willett Cunnington, to the exclusion of his wife Phillis. The building of the collection and the historical research were a harmonious and fruitful collaboration, but the theories appear to have originated in C. W. Cunnington alone. The major historical works, the twin volumes on English Women's Clothing, the Dictionary and the Handbooks are a great, enduring achievement, to which we are all indebted, and they play little part in my critique of the theoretical writings. Neither have I touched on the pioneering work on men's tailoring, which post-dates the sale of the collection to Platt H all, and the formulation of his psycho-sexual theories.
La Chronologie Des Haches Polies Dites De Prestige Dans La Moitié Ouest De La France
Authors: Cassen Serge , Pétrequin Pierre 
Published: January 2014

RésuméDans le cadre de programmes de recherches portant, d'une part, sur le processus d'apparition du Néolithique dans l'Quest de la France, et, d'autre part, sur les échanges de lames polies alpines, une réflexion particulière s'attache actuellement aux biens de prestige qui semblent accompagner l'accroissement des échanges économiques et sans doute matrimoniaux entre sociétés d'agriculteurs et sociétés sédentaires ‘Mésolithiques’ des régions cotières de l'Armorique. Les lames de haches polies non fonctionnelles, concernées par cette étude, sont un des éléments participant de cette nouvelle compétition sociale située dans la première moltié du Vème millénaire av. J.-C.
Genome-wide analysis of DNA methylation in bovine placentas
Authors: Su Jianmin , Wang Yongsheng , Xing Xupeng , Liu Jun , Zhang Yong 
Published: January 2014

Abstract

Background
DNA methylation is an important epigenetic modification that is essential for epigenetic gene regulation in development and disease. To date, the genome-wide DNA methylation maps of many organisms have been reported, but the methylation pattern of cattle remains unknown.

Results
We showed the genome-wide DNA methylation map in placental tissues using methylated DNA immunoprecipitation combined with high-throughput sequencing (MeDIP-seq). In cattle, the methylation levels in the gene body are relatively high, whereas the promoter remains hypomethylated. We obtained thousands of highly methylated regions (HMRs), methylated CpG islands, and methylated genes from bovine placenta. DNA methylation levels around the transcription start sites of genes are negatively correlated with the gene expression level. However, the relationship between gene-body DNA methylation and gene expression is non-monotonic. Moderately expressed genes generally have the highest levels of gene-body DNA methylation, whereas the highly, and lowly expressed genes, as well as silent genes, show moderate DNA methylation levels. Genes with the highest expression show the lowest DNA methylation levels.

Conclusions
We have generated the genome-wide mapping of DNA methylation in cattle for the first time, and our results can be used for future studies on epigenetic gene regulation in cattle. This study contributes to the knowledge on epigenetics in cattle.
Differential transcriptional profile of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis in response to abiotic stresses
Authors: Pinto Anne Cybelle , de Sá Pablo Henrique Caracciolo Gomes , Ramos Rommel T J , Barbosa Silvanira , Barbosa Hivana P Melo , Ribeiro Adriana Carneiro , Silva Wanderson Marques , Rocha Flávia Souza , Santana Mariana Passos , de Paula Castro Thiago Luiz , Miyoshi Anderson , Schneider Maria P C , Silva Artur , Azevedo Vasco 
Published: January 2014

Abstract

Background
The completion of whole-genome sequencing for Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis strain 1002 has contributed to major advances in research aimed at understanding the biology of this microorganism. This bacterium causes significant loss to goat and sheep farmers because it is the causal agent of the infectious disease caseous lymphadenitis, which may lead to outcomes ranging from skin injury to animal death. In the current study, we simulated the conditions experienced by the bacteria during host infection. By sequencing transcripts using the SOLiDTM 3 Plus platform, we identified new targets expected to potentiate the survival and replication of the pathogen in adverse environments. These results may also identify possible candidates useful for the development of vaccines, diagnostic kits or therapies aimed at the reduction of losses in agribusiness.

Results
Under the 3 simulated conditions (acid, osmotic and thermal shock stresses), 474 differentially expressed genes exhibiting at least a 2-fold change in expression levels were identified. Important genes to the infection process were induced, such as those involved in virulence, defence against oxidative stress, adhesion and regulation, and many genes encoded hypothetical proteins, indicating that further investigation of the bacterium is necessary. The data will contribute to a better understanding of the biology of C. pseudotuberculosis and to studies investigating strategies to control the disease.

Conclusions
Despite the veterinary importance of C. pseudotuberculosis, the bacterium is poorly characterised; therefore, effective treatments for caseous lymphadenitis have been difficult to establish. Through the use of RNAseq, these results provide a better biological understanding of this bacterium, shed light on the most likely survival mechanisms used by this microorganism in adverse environments and identify candidates that may help reduce or even eradicate the problems caused by this disease.
Tissue specific analysis reveals a differential organization and regulation of both ethylene biosynthesis and E8 during climacteric ripening of tomato
Authors: Van de Poel Bram , Vandenzavel Nick , Smet Cindy , Nicolay Toon , Bulens Inge , Mellidou Ifigeneia , Vandoninck Sandy , Hertog Maarten LATM , Derua Rita , Spaepen Stijn , Vanderleyden Jos , Waelkens Etienne , De Proft Maurice P , Nicolai Bart M , Geeraerd Annemie H 
Published: January 2014

AbstractBackgroundSolanum lycopersicumor tomato is extensively studied with respect to the ethylene metabolism during climacteric ripening, focusing almost exclusively on fruit pericarp. In this work the ethylene biosynthesis pathway was examined in all major tomato fruit tissues: pericarp, septa, columella, placenta, locular gel and seeds. The tissue specific ethylene production rate was measured throughout fruit development, climacteric ripening and postharvest storage. All ethylene intermediate metabolites (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC), malonyl-ACC (MACC) andS-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM)) and enzyme activities (ACC-oxidase (ACO) and ACC-synthase (ACS)) were assessed.ResultsAll tissues showed a similar climacteric pattern in ethylene productions, but with a different amplitude. Profound differences were found between tissue types at the metabolic and enzymatic level. The pericarp tissue produced the highest amount of ethylene, but showed only a low ACC content and limited ACS activity, while the locular gel accumulated a lot of ACC, MACC and SAM and showed only limited ACO and ACS activity. Central tissues (septa, columella and placenta) showed a strong accumulation of ACC and MACC. These differences indicate that the ethylene biosynthesis pathway is organized and regulated in a tissue specific way. The possible role of inter- and intra-tissue transport is discussed to explain these discrepancies. Furthermore, the antagonistic relation between ACO and E8, an ethylene biosynthesis inhibiting protein, was shown to be tissue specific and developmentally regulated. In addition, ethylene inhibition by E8 is not achieved by a direct interaction between ACO and E8, as previously suggested in literature.ConclusionsThe Ethylene biosynthesis pathway and E8 show a tissue specific and developmental differentiation throughout tomato fruit development and ripening.
Association of epicardial fat with left ventricular diastolic function in subjects with metabolic syndrome: assessment using 2-dimensional echocardiography
Authors: Park Hyo Eun , Choi Su-Yeon , Kim Minkyung 
Published: January 2014

Abstract

Background
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is related with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) and poor cardiovascular outcome. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness, measured by echocardiography, is increased in subjects with MetS. However, the association of EAT with LV diastolic function has not been evaluated in subjects with MetS.

Methods
In this retrospective study, EAT thickness was measured in 1,486 consecutive asymptomatic patients with no known heart disease who had transthoracic echocardiography during a self-referred healthcare exam. Subjects with a history of ischemic heart disease, cardiomyopathy or significant valvular heart disease were excluded. LVDD was defined as E/e’ ratio ≥ 15. Subjects were grouped into two groups, those with MetS and those without.

Results
MetS was present in 346 subjects. There was no difference in LV systolic function between the two groups. However compared to patients without MetS, patients with MetS had larger left atrium (LA) size and higher E/e’ ratio (38 ± 5 versus 35 ± 5 mm for LA and 10.0 ± 3.3 versus 8.7 ± 2.7 for E/e’ ratio in subjects with versus without MetS both p < 0.001). LVDD was found in 27 (7.8%) subjects with MetS, compared to 30 (2.6%) subjects without MetS (p < 0.001). In subjects with MetS, EAT was significantly correlated with LVDD, even after adjusting for other cardiometabolic risk factors such as age, systolic blood pressure, BMI, blood glucose and LDL cholesterol (OR 1.845, 95% CI 1.153-2.951, p = 0.011).

Conclusion
Greater EAT is found in subjects with MetS. EAT is significantly associated with LVDD in subjects with MetS, even after adjusting for other risk factors.
Developing and validating risk prediction models in an individual participant data meta-analysis
Authors: Ahmed Ikhlaaq , Debray Thomas PA , Moons Karel GM , Riley Richard D 
Published: January 2014

Abstract

Background
Risk prediction models estimate the risk of developing future outcomes for individuals based on one or more underlying characteristics (predictors). We review how researchers develop and validate risk prediction models within an individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis, in order to assess the feasibility and conduct of the approach.

Methods
A qualitative review of the aims, methodology, and reporting in 15 articles that developed a risk prediction model using IPD from multiple studies.

Results
The IPD approach offers many opportunities but methodological challenges exist, including: unavailability of requested IPD, missing patient data and predictors, and between-study heterogeneity in methods of measurement, outcome definitions and predictor effects. Most articles develop their model using IPD from all available studies and perform only an internal validation (on the same set of data). Ten of the 15 articles did not allow for any study differences in baseline risk (intercepts), potentially limiting their model’s applicability and performance in some populations. Only two articles used external validation (on different data), including a novel method which develops the model on all but one of the IPD studies, tests performance in the excluded study, and repeats by rotating the omitted study.

Conclusions
An IPD meta-analysis offers unique opportunities for risk prediction research. Researchers can make more of this by allowing separate model intercept terms for each study (population) to improve generalisability, and by using ‘internal-external cross-validation’ to simultaneously develop and validate their model. Methodological challenges can be reduced by prospectively planned collaborations that share IPD for risk prediction.
Age-dependent ferritin elevations and HFE C282Y mutation as risk factors for symptomatic knee osteoarthritis in males: a longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Kennish Lauren , Attur Mukundan , Oh Cheongeun , Krasnokutsky Svetlana , Samuels Jonathan , Greenberg Jeffrey D , Huang Xi , Abramson Steven B 
Published: January 2014

Abstract

Background
Age, gender and genetic predisposition are major intrinsic risk factors for osteoarthritis (OA). Iron increases are associated with age and gene mutation. In the present study, we examined whether serum ferritin, an indicator of total body iron stores, correlates with clinical features in patients with OA, and whether the hemochromatosis Fe (HFE) gene mutation plays a role.

Methods
In a 2-year longitudinal observational study, 127 patients with knee OA and 20 healthy individuals (controls) were enrolled. All patients underwent standardized weight-bearing fixed-flexion posteroanterior knee radiographs. Peripheral blood samples were analyzed for serum ferritin, and genotyped for HFE using allelic discrimination methods.

Results
Higher levels of serum ferritin were found in patients older than 56 years (P =0.0186) and males (P =0.0006), with a trend toward higher ferritin in patients with OA. HFE gene mutation carriers were more prevalent among patients with OA than among healthy controls. When stratified further by gender, we found that male patients with OA had higher levels of serum ferritin than male control subjects [odds ratio = 4.18 (limits of 95% confidence interval: 0.86–27.69, P = 0.048)]. Analyses of radiographic data indicated that higher ferritin was associated with narrower joint space width at baseline (P = 0.032) in male patients. Additionally, among men, risk prediction of radiographic severity [Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grade >2)] in the higher ferritin group was almost five times that of the lower ferritin group (odds ratio = 4.74, P = 0.023).

Conclusion
Our data suggest that increased ferritin levels are associated with symptomatic knee OA in males. This finding needs to be validated in a larger cohort of patients.