bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of flexible ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy for lower pole renal calculi
Authors: Sahai A , Khan F , Anjum F , Dickinson IK , Marsh H , Sriprasad S 
Published: April 2014

Objective: Our aim was to determine whether flexible ureterorenoscopy and laser lithotripsy is efficacious and safe in treating lower pole renal calculi. Materials and methods: Patient, procedure and stone data of patients who underwent flexible ureterorenoscopy and laser lithotripsy at our referral centre were collected prospectively between November 2005 and November 2011 and entered into a designated database. In all, 242 procedures were performed in 198 patients. Results: The mean age was 51.2 years. The mean calculi size was 10.51 mm (range 4–27 mm). Thirty seven patients had more than one stone in the lower pole. An access sheath was used in 19 patients (9.6%), 171 (86.4%) had a ureteric stent inserted after the procedure, and 165 patients had a single procedure. Re-operation rate was 16.7%. Stone-free rates after one procedure were 89%, 80% and 41%, respectively, for calculi measuring 4–10 mm ( n=107), 11–20 mm ( n=76) and > 20 mm ( n=15). The overall stone-free rate was 83%, 91% and 95% after one, two and three procedures, respectively. Conclusion: Flexible ureterorenoscopy and laser lithotripsy is a safe and effective minimally invasive treatment option for patients with 4–20 mm lower pole calculi. Staged procedures, however, become necessary as the size of the stone increases greater than 20 mm, and this should be mentioned when counselling patients for their primary procedure.
The Prevalence and Determinants of Short Stature in HIV-Infected Children
Authors: Joel Dipesalema R. , Mabikwa Vincent , Makhanda Jerry , Tolle Michael A. , Anabwani Gabriel M. , Ahmed Syed Faisal 
Published: April 2014

Background: Children with HIV infection are often reported to be short. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of HIV-associated short stature in HIV endemic setting. Methods: Data were obtained by retrospective review of the electronic medical records. Patients were grouped into various clinical categories. For each category, the proportion of patients with height-for-age Z score of less than −2 standard deviation [SD] and of less than −3 SD was determined. Results: The prevalence of short stature (less than −2 SD) was 28.4%. Severe short stature (less than −3 SD) is more likely with percentage of CD4 <15% (odds ratio [OR]: 3.30, confidence interval [CI]: 1.51-7.09, P = .002) and with males (OR: 1.49, CI: 1.19-1.87, P = .001). Severe short stature is more likely with viral load >400 copies/mL (OR 2.64, CI 1.27-5.38, P = .008) and poor adherence (<95%; OR 1.72, CI 1.03-2.05, P = .037). Conclusion: In Botswana, short stature affects a quarter of HIV-infected children and severe short stature is associated with poor adherence to antiretroviral treatment, severe immunosuppression, and virologic failure.
The Human Rights and Development Impetuses for Tunisia’s Jasmine Revolution
Authors: Alvi Hayat 
Published: April 2014

Economics Nobel laureate Amartya Sen contends that socio-economic progress cannot happen without freedoms. The thesis for this article is that human rights and development variables, which were appalling under the Ben Ali regime, served as primary causal factors for the 2011 Tunisian Revolution. Dismal human development indicators, rampant corruption and severe repression of freedoms and rights led to widespread protests. Other regional actors also felt inspired by the Tunisian Revolution, culminating in uprisings and revolutions in neighboring countries. This analysis examines the human rights and development impetuses for Tunisia’s Jasmine Revolution. The central questions to address are: What are the linkages between human rights, freedoms, and human development in Tunisia? What made Tunisian activists overcome their fear of the regime? And, what are the implications of the post-revolution political, ideological and economic policies and dynamics for the country’s socio-economic progress?
Platelet-TLR7 mediates host survival and platelet count during viral infection in the absence of platelet-dependent thrombosis
Authors: Koupenova Milka , Vitseva Olga , MacKay Christopher R. , Beaulieu Lea M. , Benjamin Emelia J. , Mick Eric , Kurt-Jones Evelyn A. , Ravid Katya , Freedman Jane E. 
Published: April 2014

Key Points
Activation of platelet-TLR7 receptor mediates platelet-viral immune responses with no effect on thrombosis. This is the first study to show that platelets are necessary for survival during viral infection.
Comparison of the vasodilator responses of isolated human and rat middle meningeal arteries to migraine related compounds
Authors: Grände Gustaf , Labruijere Sieneke , Haanes Kristian Agmund , MaassenVanDenBrink Antoinette , Edvinsson Lars 
Published: April 2014

Abstract

Background
Migraine attacks occur spontaneously in those who suffer from the condition, but migraine-like attacks can also be induced artificially by a number of substances. Previously published evidence makes the meninges a likely source of migraine related pain. This article investigates the effect of several vasodilators on meningeal arteries in order to find a connection between the effect of a substance on a meningeal vessel and its ability to artificially induce migraine.

Methods
A myograph setup was used to test the vasodilator properties of the substances acetylcholine (ACh), sodium nitroprusside (SNP), sildenafil, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide-38 (PACAP-38), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and NaCl buffer on meningeal arteries from human and rat. An unpaired t-test was used to statistically compare the mean Emax(%) at the highest concentration of each substance to the Emax(%) of NaCl buffer.

Results
In the human experiments, all substances except PACAP-38 had an Emax (%) higher than the NaCl buffer, but the difference was only significant for SNP and CGRP. For the human samples, clinically tested antimigraine compounds (sumatriptan, telcagepant) were applied to the isolated arteries, and both induced a significant decrease of the effect of exogenously administrated CGRP. In experiments on rat middle meningeal arteries, pre-contracted with PGF2α, similar tendencies were seen. When the pre-contraction was switched to K+ in a separate series of experiments, CGRP and sildenafil significantly relaxed the arteries.

Conclusions
Still no definite answer can be given as to why pain is experienced during an attack of migraine. No clear correlation was found between the efficacy of a substance as a meningeal artery vasodilator in human and the ability to artificially induce migraine or the mechanism of action. Vasodilatation could be an essential trigger, but only in conjunction with other unknown factors. The vasculature of the meninges likely contributes to the propagation of the migrainal cascade of symptoms, but more research is needed before any conclusions can be drawn about the nature of this contribution.
Prognostic value of secreted phosphoprotein-1 in pleural effusion associated with non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Zhang He , Liu Hong-bing , Yuan Dong-mei , Wang Zhao-feng , Wang Yun-fen , Song Yong 
Published: April 2014

Abstract

Background
Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is a common complication of advanced lung cancer. Research has shown that secreted phosphoprotein-1 (SPP1) is essential in MPE associated with lung cancer. This retrospective study was performed to evaluate the prognostic significance of SPP1 in the MPE of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods
MPE specimens were obtained from 85 NSCLC patients (study group), and pleural effusion specimens were obtained from 24 patients with benign lung disease (control group). Specimens were tested for SPP1 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Based on the cutoff value of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, the study patients were divided into a high-SPP1-expression subgroup and a low-expression subgroup. The primary and secondary endpoints of this study were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

Results
The SPP1 levels of the study group were significantly higher compared to those of the controls (Mann–Whitney U test, P = 0.017). The number of extrapulmonary metastases was significantly higher in the high-SPP1-expressing patients than in the low-expressing patients (P = 0.03). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that SPP1 levels were negatively associated with OS and PFS in both subgroups of study patients (P = 0.026; P = 0.039, respectively). Cox regression analysis showed that SPP1 was an independent prognostic factor in patients with NSCLC (HR = 1.832, 95% confidence interval: 1.003–3.345; P = 0.049).

Conclusion
SPP1 in pleural effusion can be used for the auxiliary diagnosis of MPE and used to determine the prognosis of patients with NSCLC.
Hepatitis B spliced protein (HBSP) promotes the carcinogenic effects of benzo [alpha] pyrene by interacting with microsomal epoxide hydrolase and enhancing its hydrolysis activity
Authors: Chen Jin-Yan , Chen Wan-Nan , Jiao Bo-Yan , Lin Wan-Song , Wu Yun-Li , Liu Ling-Ling , Lin Xu 
Published: April 2014

Abstract

Background
The risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) increases in chronic hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers who often have concomitant increase in the levels of benzo[alpha]pyrene-7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide(±) (BPDE)-DNA adduct in liver tissues, suggesting a possible co-carcinogenesis of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and benzo[alpha]pyrene in HCC; however the exact mechanisms involved are unclear.

Methods
The interaction between hepatitis B spliced protein (HBSP) and microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEH) was confirmed using GST pull-down, co-immunoprecipitation and mammalian two-hybrid assay; the effects of HBSP on mEH-mediated B[alpha]P metabolism was examined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC); and the influences of HBSP on B[alpha]P carcinogenicity were evaluated by bromodeoxyuridine cell proliferation, anchorage-independent growth and tumor xenograft.

Results
HBSP could interact with mEH in vitro and in vivo, and this interaction was mediated by the N terminal 47 amino acid residues of HBSP. HBSP could greatly enhance the hydrolysis activity of mEH in cell-free mouse liver microsomes, thus accelerating the metabolism of benzo[alpha]pyrene to produce more ultimate carcinnogen, BPDE, and this effect of HBSP requires the intact HBSP molecule. Expression of HBSP significantly increased the formation of BPDE-DNA adduct in benzo[alpha]pyrene-treated Huh-7 hepatoma cells, and this enhancement was blocked by knockdown of mEH. HBSP could enhance the cell proliferation, accelerate the G1/S transition, and promote cell transformation and tumorigenesis of B[alpha]P-treated Huh-7 hepatoma cells.

Conclusions
Our results demonstrated that HBSP could promote carcinogenic effects of B[alpha]P by interacting with mEH and enhancing its hydrolysis activity.
Asthma prevalence, knowledge, and perceptions among secondary school pupils in rural and urban coastal districts in Tanzania
Authors: Shimwela Meshack , Mwita Julius Chacha , Mwandri Michael , Rwegerera Godfrey Mutashambara , Mashalla Yohana , Mugusi Ferdinand 
Published: April 2014

Abstract

Background
Asthma is a common chronic disease of childhood that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of asthma among secondary school pupils in urban and rural areas of coast districts of Tanzania. The study also aimed to describe pupils’ perception towards asthma, and to assess their knowledge on symptoms, triggers, and treatment of asthma.

Methods
A total of 610 pupils from Ilala district and 619 pupils from Bagamoyo district formed the urban and rural groups, respectively. Using a modified International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire, a history of “diagnosed” asthma or the presence of a wheeze in the previous 12 months was obtained from all the studied pupils, along with documentation of their perceptions regarding asthma. Pupils without asthma or wheeze in the prior 12 months were subsequently selected and underwent a free running exercise testing. A ≥ 20% decrease in the post-exercise Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) values was the criterion for diagnosing exercise-induced asthma.

Results
The mean age of participants was 16.8 (±1.8) years. The prevalence of wheeze in the past 12 months was 12.1% in Bagamoyo district and 23.1% in Ilala district (p < 0.001). Self-reported asthma was found in 17.6% and 6.4% of pupils in Ilala and Bagamoyo districts, respectively (p < 0.001). The prevalence of exercise-induced asthma was 2.4% in Bagamoyo, and 26.3% in Ilala (P < 0.002). In both districts, most information on asthma came from parents, and there was variation in symptoms and triggers of asthma reported by the pupils. Non-asthmatic pupils feared sleeping, playing, and eating with their asthmatic peers.

Conclusion
The prevalence rates of self-reported asthma, wheezing in the past 12 months, and exercise-induced asthma were significantly higher among urban than rural pupils. Although bronchial asthma is a common disease, pupils’ perceptions about asthma were associated with fear of contact with their asthmatic peers in both rural and urban schools.
Morus alba L. suppresses the development of atopic dermatitis induced by the house dust mite in NC/Nga mice
Authors: Lim Hye-Sun , Ha Hyekyung , Lee Hoyoung , Lee Jun Kyung , Lee Mee-Young , Shin Hyeun-Kyoo 
Published: April 2014

Abstract

Background

Morus alba, a medicinal plant in Asia, has been used traditionally to treat diabetes mellitus and hypoglycemia. However, the effects of M. alba extract (MAE) on atopic dermatitis have not been verified scientifically. We investigated the effects of MAE on atopic dermatitis through in vitro and in vivo experiments.

Methods
We evaluated the effects of MAE on the production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in RAW 264.7, as well as thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC/CCL17) in HaCaT cells. In an in vivo experiment, atopic dermatitis was induced by topical application of house dust mites for four weeks, and the protective effects of MAE were investigated by measuring the severity of the skin reaction on the back and ears, the plasma levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE) and histamine, and histopathological changes in the skin on the back and ears.

Results
MAE suppressed the production of NO and PGE2 in RAW 264.7 cells, as well as TARC in HaCaT cells, in a dose-dependent manner. MAE treatment of NC/Nga mice reduced the severity of dermatitis and the plasma levels of IgE and histamine. MAE also reduced the histological manifestations of atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions such as erosion, hyperplasia of the epidermis and dermis, and inflammatory cell infiltration in the skin on the back and ears.

Conclusion
Our results suggest that MAE has potent inhibitory effects on atopic dermatitis-like lesion and may be a beneficial natural resource for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.
Predictors of first-year GPA of medical students: a longitudinal study of 1285 matriculates in China
Authors: Zhou Ying-Xue , Zhao Zhi-Tao , Li Li , Wan Cheng-Song , Peng Cheng-Hua , Yang Jun , Ou Chun-Quan 
Published: April 2014

Abstract

Background
Although medical education has developed rapidly in the last decade, and the National College Entrance Examination (NCEE) is used as the "gold standard" for admission to medical college in mainland China, there is a lack of literature regarding the influence of NCEE score and other factors on the academic performance of medical students. This study aimed to examine potential predictors of first-year grade point average (GPA) for medical students.

Methods
This study included 1,285 students who matriculated at a first-tier medical university in mainland China in 2011. The precollege motivational attitudes for each matriculate were investigated via questionnaire. A hierarchical linear model was fitted to regress first-year GPA on a 100-point scale on NCEE score and other student-level and major-level characteristics.

Results
NCEE score was a significant predictor of both within-major and between-major variation of first-year GPA for medical students. Majors with higher mean NCEE scores had higher mean GPAs, and higher GPAs were observed among those individuals with higher NCEE scores after controlling for major-level characteristics. First-year GPA differed by certain individual socio-demographic variables. Female students had a 2.44-higher GPA on average than did male students. NCEE repeaters had a 1.55-lower GPA than non-repeaters. First-year GPA was associated negatively with parental income but positively with academic self-concept.

Conclusions
NCEE score is an important predictor of the first-year GPA of medical students, but it is not the sole determinant. Individual socio-demographic characteristics and major-level characteristics should be taken into account to understand better and improve the first-year GPA of medical students.
Metastasis of distal esophageal carcinoma to the thyroid with presentation simulating primary thyroid carcinoma: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Chen En-dong , Cheng Pu , Yan Xing-qiang , Ye Yun-liang , Chen Cheng-ze , Ji Xiu-huan , Zhang Xiao-hua 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Metastasis to the thyroid is extremely rare. There is a lack of awareness of and adequate preparation for this situation, especially in an individual without a past history of malignancy. We describe a rare case of a 61-year-old man in whom a primary distal esophageal carcinoma gave rise to a metastatic palpable mass in the thyroid gland. Palliative bilateral near-total thyroidectomy was performed with pathology showing squamous cell carcinoma and tracheostomy was carried out simultaneously due to airway compression with related symptoms. A review of the literature only reveals 4 similar cases. Secondary neoplasm of the thyroid mimicking a primary malignant lesion is seldom encountered, however, in order to make appropriate treatment, the most critical problem is to distinguish the difference between the above two and the final diagnosis can only be confirmed on pathologic examination. Although the prognosis of thyroid metastasis is commonly felt to be poor, improvement of living quality and prolongation of survival may be obtained in such patients through correct diagnosis and treatment.
Postoperative hemorrhage in an elderly patient with a glioblastoma multiform and a calcified chronic subdural hematoma
Authors: Cai Jun , Zhang Yanting , Bai Xiaoxin , Li Shaoxue , Chen Jinhua , Chen Ruicong , Lin Hao , Huang Shengping 
Published: April 2014

Abstract

Background
Cases with brain tumor and subdural hematoma are rare; surgical management of the elderly patients with a glioblastoma multiform (GBM) and a chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) can be intractable.

Case description
We report a 77-year-old patient, who had a left front lobe GBM and a giant, calcified, left frontoparietaloccipitotemporal CSDH. The patient recovered well from anesthesia after removal of the GBM and CSDH. However, the patient developed severe hemiplegia and aphasia because of the in-situ hemorrhage 1 day later. Laboratory tests indicated disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) leading to the postoperative hemorrhage. The patient was left with hemiparesis and alalia after the in-situ hematoma evacuation.

Conclusions
We presume elderly patients have a higher incidence of postoperative hemorrhage in residual intracranial cavity owing to higher possibility to get DIC. A less aggressive surgical management could be a more appropriate choice.
A reliable energy-balancing multi-group (REM) routing protocol for firefighter communication networks
Authors: Atiq Mahin K , Manzoor Kamran , Kim Soomi , Hasan Najam ul , Kim Hyung Seok 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
In a fire rescue operation, a fast, reliable, and robust communication system is needed to quickly take control of the emergent situation. One of the most important issues in firefighter communication networks (FCNs) is the design of a specialized routing protocol that caters to the specific needs of the fire rescue application. This paper proposes a reliable, energy-balancing, multi-group (REM) routing protocol for an FCN. Since firefighters work in groups, a cluster-based hierarchical approach was adopted. REM is intended to achieve reliability and energy balancing in data communication by incorporating metric-based cluster head (CH) selection, CH rotation among cluster members, and a routing algorithm. Within a cluster, the node with highest metric value based on residual energy and number of connections is chosen as the CH. The CH’s responsibilities are rotated periodically among the cluster members. REM chooses nodes with a higher metric based on residual energy, number of connections, and number of hops to the base station (BS) as the next hop for forwarding data to the BS. This helps to achieve reliability, less delay, and energy balancing when compared with other routing schemes, as evident from the simulation results.
Plasma fatty acid changes following consumption of dietary oils containing n-3, n-6, and n-9 fatty acids at different proportions: preliminary findings of the Canola Oil Multicenter Intervention Trial (COMIT)
Authors: Senanayake Vijitha K , Pu Shuaihua , Jenkins David A , Lamarche Benoît , Kris-Etherton Penny M , West Sheila G , Fleming Jennifer A , Liu Xiaoran , McCrea Cindy E , Jones Peter J 
Published: April 2014

Abstract

Background
The Canola Oil Multicenter Intervention Trial (COMIT) was a randomized controlled crossover study designed to evaluate the effects of five diets that provided different oils and/or oil blends on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in individuals with abdominal obesity. The present objective is to report preliminary findings on plasma fatty acid profiles in volunteers with abdominal obesity, following the consumption of diets enriched with n-3, n-6 and n-9 fatty acids.

Methods
COMIT was conducted at three clinical sites, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, Québec City, Québec, Canada and University Park, Pennsylvania, United States. Inclusion criteria were at least one of the followings: waist circumference (≥90 cm for males and ≥84 cm for females), and at least one other criterion: triglycerides ≥1.7 mmol/L, high density lipoprotein cholesterol <1 mmol/L (males) or <1.3 mmol/L (females), blood pressure ≥130 mmHg (systolic) and/or ≥85 mmHg (diastolic), and glucose ≥5.5 mmol/L. Weight-maintaining diets that included shakes with one of the dietary oil blends were provided during each of the five 30-day dietary phases. Dietary phases were separated by four-week washout periods. Treatment oils were canola oil, high oleic canola oil, high oleic canola oil enriched with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), flax oil and safflower oil blend, and corn oil and safflower oil blend. A per protocol approach with a mixed model analysis was decided to be appropriate for data analysis.

Results
One hundred and seventy volunteers were randomized and 130 completed the study with a dropout rate of 23.5%. The mean plasma total DHA concentrations, which were analyzed among all participants as a measure of adherence, increased by more than 100% in the DHA-enriched phase, compared to other phases, demonstrating excellent dietary adherence.

Conclusions
Recruitment and retention strategies were effective in achieving a sufficient number of participants who completed the study protocol to enable sufficient statistical power to resolve small differences in outcome measures. It is expected that the study will generate important data thereby enhancing our understanding of the effects of n-3, n-6, and n-9 fatty acid-containing oils on CVD risks.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01351012.