bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Natural Hirudin on Random Pattern Skin Flap Survival in a Porcine Model
Authors: Zhao H , Shi Q , Sun ZY , Yin GQ , Yang HL 
Published: February 2013

Objective: The effect of local administration of hirudin on random pattern skin flap survival was investigated in a porcine model. Methods: Three random pattern skin flaps (4 × 14 cm) were created on each flank of five Chinese minipigs. The experimental group (10 flaps) received 20 antithrombin units of hirudin, injected subdermally into the distal half immediately after surgery and on days 1 and 2; a control group (10 flaps) was injected with saline and a sham group (10 flaps) was not injected. All flaps were followed for 10 days postoperatively. Results: Macroscopically, the congested/necrotic length in the experimental group was significantly decreased compared with the other two groups by day 3. Histopathological evaluation revealed venous congestion and inflammation in the control and sham groups from day 1, but minimal changes in the experimental group. By day 10, the mean ± SD surviving area was significantly greater in the experimental group (67.6 ± 2.1%) than in the control (45.2 ± 1.4%) or sham (48.3 ± 1.1%) groups. Conclusions: Local administration of hirudin can significantly increase the surviving area in overdimensioned random pattern skin flaps, in a porcine model.
Impact of Chromosomal Translocations on Male Infertility, Semen Quality, Testicular Volume and Reproductive Hormone Levels
Authors: Dong Y , Du R-C , Jiang Y-T , Wu J , Li L-L , Liu R-Z 
Published: February 2013

Objective: To analyse the relationship between male infertility and chromosomal translocations, and the influence of different types of chromosomal translocations on semen quality, testicular volume and hormone levels. Methods: A retrospective cohort of infertile men was recruited for chromosomal analysis using standard Giemsa stain banding. Physical examinations, semen analysis, hormonal analysis and the detection of azoospermia factor (AZF) microdeletions were carried out. Men with normal fertility were used as controls. Results: Among the 1056 infertile men, 22 had chromosomal translocations (2.1%), including seven with Robertsonian translocations (0.7%), 11 with autosome- autosome reciprocal translocations (1.0%) and four with gonosome-autosome reciprocal translocations (0.4%). Left and right testicular volumes of patients with chromosomal translocations were significantly smaller than those in the fertile control group. There were no significant differences in hormone levels between patients with chromosomal translocations and fertile controls, except for significantly lower testosterone levels in patients with Robertsonian and gonosome- autosome reciprocal translocations compared with the controls. All AZF microdeletion analyses showed normal results. Conclusions: Chromosomal translocations may cause reductions in testicular volume and testosterone level, which may impact spermatogenesis, resulting in azoospermia or oligozoospermia and male infertility.
Effect of Intrafix® SafeSet Infusion Apparatus on Phlebitis in a Neurological Intensive Care Unit: A Case-control Study
Authors: Liu F , Chen D , Liao Y , Diao L , Liu Y , Wu M , Xue X , You C , Kang Y 
Published: February 2013

Objective: To investigate the effect of the Intrafix® SafeSet infusion apparatus on the incidence of phlebitis in patients being intravenously infused in a neurological intensive care unit (ICU). Methods: Patients aged > 12 years, with no history of diabetes mellitus and no existing phlebitis, requiring a daily peripheral intravenous infusion of ≥ 8 h with the total period lasting ≥ 3 days, were enrolled. Infusions were performed using the Intrafix® SafeSet or normal infusion apparatus. Incidence of phlebitis (scored according to the Infusion Nursing Standards of Practice of the American Infusion Nurses Society) was analysed. Results: Patients (n = 1545) were allocated to Intrafix® SafeSet (n = 709) or normal infusion (n = 836) groups, matched for age, gender and preliminary diagnosis. Incidence of phlebitis was significantly higher using normal infusion apparatus compared with the Intrafix® SafeSet (23.4% versus 17.9%, respectively). Conclusion: Intrafix® SafeSet infusion apparatus significantly reduced the incidence of phlebitis in patients in the neurological ICU, compared with normal infusion apparatus, and may be suitable for use in routine clinical practice.
The Effects of Smoking and Alcohol Intake on Sperm Quality: Light and Transmission Electron Microscopy Findings
Authors: Joo Kj , Kwon Yw , Myung Sc , Kim Th 
Published: February 2013

Objective: To evaluate the effects of alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking on sperm quality using transmission electron microscopy and light microscopy. Methods: Semen samples were collected from 62 healthy men. The subjects were classified according to alcohol consumption and smoking status. Semen analysis was performed according to World Health Organization criteria. Transmission electron microscopy was used to examine sperm ultrastructure. Results: Heavy smoking (> 20 cigarettes/day) was associated with a decreased sperm count. Moderate/high alcohol consumption (≥15.4 g/day) was associated with an increase in morphologically abnormal sperm. Transmission electron microscopy revealed no effect of smoking on sperm ultrastructure. Alcohol consumption resulted in significant increases in morphologically abnormal nuclei and plasma membranes. Conclusions: Heavy smoking was associated with decreased sperm counts and alcohol consumption was associated with increased numbers of morphologically abnormal sperm.
Intraoperative Electron Beam Radiotherapy for Primary Treatment of Stage IIB Cervical Cancer: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Liu Z , Gao Y , Soong Yl , Chen X , Gao F , Luo W , Sheng W , Ren J , Zhang L , Wang J 
Published: February 2013

Objective: A retrospective study to evaluate intraoperative electron beam radiotherapy (IOERT) as a primary treatment modality for stage IIB cervical squamous cell carcinoma. Methods: Patients underwent treatment with IOERT (n = 78) or radical radiotherapy (RT; n = 89). Patients in the IOERT group received 20 Gy external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) in 10 fractions, intracavitary brachy -therapy (7 - 14 Gy, in patients with tumours ≥ 4 cm in diameter) and simple hysterectomy/selective lymphadenectomy with 18 - 20 Gy IOERT. Patients in the RT group received 50 Gy EBRT in 25 fractions followed by intracavitary brachytherapy (35 - 40 Gy). Results: Median duration of follow-up was 92 months. IOERT resulted in significantly better 5- and 10-year overall survival, disease-free survival and local control rates, as well as fewer rectal and bladder complications, compared with RT. Conclusion: IOERT is an effective primary treatment for stage IIB cervical squamous cell carcinoma.
Long-term Clinical Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Lumbar Discectomy by Fenestration
Authors: Shi J , Wang Y , Zhou F , Zhang H , Yang H 
Published: February 2013

Objective: To investigate the long-term outcome of discectomy and relevant factors associated with clinical outcome. Methods: Patients who underwent lumbar discectomy by fenestration were evaluated retrospectively, using the Oswestry disability index (ODI; 0 - 20 minimal, 21 - 40 moderate, > 41 severe disability) and the Stauffer-Coventry criteria (‘excellent’, ‘good’, ‘fair’, ‘poor’) to measure clinical and radiographic outcomes. Results: Sixty patients (mean follow-up, 214 months) were included in the analysis. At final follow-up, patients were rated as ‘excellent’ (n = 31), ‘good’ (n = 13), ‘fair’ (n = 5) and ‘poor’ (n = 11) using the Stauffer-Coventry criteria; the latter group included six patients who underwent reoperations. The mean ODI score was 11.2. The height of the operative intervertebral space was significantly inversely correlated with the follow-up ODI value. Heavy manual work, smoking and a long duration of aggressive preoperative symptoms were significantly associated with unsatisfactory outcomes. Conclusions: The long-term outcome of lumbar discectomy by fenestration was satisfactory in the majority of patients. Heavy manual work, smoking and the duration of aggressive preoperative symptoms were negative predictors of a good clinical outcome.
The Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Tolvaptan in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis with Insufficient Response to Conventional Diuretics: a Multicentre, Double-blind, Parallel-group, Phase III Study
Authors: Sakaida I , Yanase M , Kobayashi Y , Yasutake T , Okada M , Okita K ,   For Ascites Clinical Pharmacology Group, Kageyama Fujito , Miyaoka Hiroaki , Nakamura Hiroki , Sakaeda Hiroshi , Kariyama Kazuya , Takaishi Kenji , Joukou Kouji , Nakamuta Makoto , Oshita Masahide , Arai Masahiro , Mita Masaki , Omoto Masaki , Shibatouge Mitsushige , Tajiri Nobuyoshi , Tanaka Nobuyoshi , Mochida Satoshi , Sakisaka Syotaro , Ichida Takafumi , Inokuma Tetsuro , Takayanagi Toshiaki , Saibara Toshiji , Kimura Toshiyuki , Aihara Tsukasa , Tokumoto Yoshio 
Published: February 2013

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the pharmacokinetic and pharmaco -dynamic profile of tolvaptan, and verified its efficacy and safety in patients with liver cirrhosis-associated ascites, with insufficient response to conventional diuretic treatment. Methods: This multicentre, doubleblind, parallel-group study allocated patients with cirrhosis to receive either 3.75 or 7.5 mg/day tolvaptan orally, once daily, for 7 days. Pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and efficacy variables were measured. Results: Tolvaptan was shown to have high plasma concentrations, and prolonged duration of maximum concentration and half life, in these patients with impaired hepatic function. Tolvaptan resulted in dose-dependent decreases in body weight and ascites volume, and increases in urine output. There were no effects on urinary or serum electrolytes. Tolvaptan was well tolerated, with a good safety profile. Conclusions: Tolvaptan at 3.75 mg/day exerts some effects due to the pharmacokinetic profile in patients with liver cirrhosis. Tolvaptan at 7.5 mg/day is a clinically useful option for treating patients who do not respond well to conventional diuretics.
Low concentrations of lidocaine for inguinal hernia repair under local infiltration anaesthesia
Authors: Song Yinghan , Han Bing , Lei Wenzhang , Kou Yingli , Liu Yang , Gong Yanping , Ma Dongyang 
Published: February 2013

Objective A randomized, double-blind, prospective, controlled study to determine the lowest concentration of lidocaine that provides satisfactory anaesthesia and analgesia for inguinal hernia repair. Methods Patients with inguinal hernia undergoing tension-free mesh repair under local infiltration anaesthesia were randomized to receive 0.25% (Group A), 0.33% (Group B) or 0.5% (Group C) lidocaine. Total dose and volume of lidocaine consumed and intraoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores were recorded for each patient. Each patient’s degree of satisfaction and the incidence of anaesthesia- and procedure-related complications were recorded and assessed. Results A total of 120 patients were randomized. There were no between-group differences in median VAS scores, degree of satisfaction, volume of lidocaine consumed or incidence of complications. Patients in group A consumed significantly lower doses of lidocaine than those in both other groups. Conclusions The mean dose of lidocaine consumed in group A was significantly lower but exerted similar efficacy to that in the other groups, and may lead to a lower risk of local anaesthetic toxicity.
‘All of us are Presidents’: Radical democracy and citizenship in the Chapare Province, Bolivia1
Authors: Grisaffi Thomas 
Published: February 2013

“All of us are presidents” examines the promise and disappointments of direct democracy that followed Evo Morales’ election as president of Bolivia. Working with the literature on politics, the state, and social movements in Latin America, the author contrasts ideas of normative democracy with radical democracy. The article pursues two ideas. First, in the wake of Morales’ election his core political base in the Chapare region perceived and engaged in politics as if they exercised direct, structural authority over the president’s policies. Second, while Morales initially embraced direct democracy he quickly distanced himself from this practice. As the coca growers observe, Morales abandon their political practices they have ceased to refer to themselves as presidents. Therefore, the author suggest that the model of direct democracy that Morales and his aides have promoted is in fact nothing more than a stark utopian claim designed to ensure the legitimacy of the MAS party.
Antimicrobial activity of essential oils from mediterranean aromatic plants against several foodborne and spoilage bacteria
Authors: Silva Nuno , Alves Sofia , Gonçalves Alexandre , Amaral Joana S. , Poeta Patrícia 
Published: February 2013

The antimicrobial activity of essential oils extracted from a variety of aromatic plants, often used in the Portuguese gastronomy was studied in vitro by the agar diffusion method. The essential oils of thyme, oregano, rosemary, verbena, basil, peppermint, pennyroyal and mint were tested against Gram-positive ( Listeria monocytogenes, Clostridium perfringens, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus faecalis, and Staphylococcus epidermidis) and Gram-negative strains ( Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). For most essential oils examined, S. aureus, was the most susceptible bacteria, while P. aeruginosa showed, in general, least susceptibility. Among the eight essential oils evaluated, thyme, oregano and pennyroyal oils showed the greatest antimicrobial activity, followed by rosemary, peppermint and verbena, while basil and mint showed the weakest antimicrobial activity. Most of the essential oils considered in this study exhibited a significant inhibitory effect. Thyme oil showed a promising inhibitory activity even at low concentration, thus revealing its potential as a natural preservative in food products against several causal agents of foodborne diseases and food spoilage. In general, the results demonstrate that, besides flavoring the food, the use of aromatic herbs in gastronomy can also contribute to a bacteriostatic effect against pathogens.
Improvement in Gastric Histology following Helicobacter Pylori Eradication Therapy in Japanese Peptic Ulcer Patients
Authors: Watanabe H , Yamaguchi N , Kuwayama H , Sekine C , Uemura N , Kaise M , Nakamura T , Kubo M , Yoshida S , Haruma K , Inoue M , Shimatani T , Sanuki E , Mieno H , Kawanishi M , Nakazawa S , Tanaka T 
Published: February 2013

We aimed to determine if successful or failed eradication of Helicobacter pylori with triple therapy causes any difference in gastric mucosal histology. Japanese H. pylori-positive patients with a healed peptic ulcer received high ( n = 112) or low ( n = 113) doses of triple therapy (omeprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin) for 1 week. Biopsies from the greater curvature of the central antrum and upper corpus were taken 6 weeks and 30 weeks after treatment completion, and gastric mucosal histology compared between successful ( n = 171) and failed (n = 34) eradication groups. Morphological variables of gastritis were graded according to the updated Sydney System. Successful eradication therapy was defined as improvement in inflammation, neutrophil activity and atrophy; failed eradication therapy as improvement in inflammation and neutrophil activity only. Gastric mucosal atrophy gradually improved (in addition to improvements in inflammation and neutrophil activity) with successful eradication of H. pylori infection. Conclusions: Improvements in atrophy, inflammation and neutrophil activity were confirmed histopathologically following successful H. pylori eradication therapy, but improvements in inflammation and neutrophil activity were also seen after failed eradication therapy. No improvement in metaplasia was observed, irrespective of the success or failure of treatment. Since atrophy is known to be involved in the aetiology of gastric cancer, H. pylori eradication might prevent development of gastric cancer.
Surgical Management of Giant Aneurysms Complicating Arteriovenous Fistulae
Authors: Karabay Ö , Yetkin U , Silistreli E , Uskent H , Önol H , Açikel Ü 
Published: February 2013

The creation of an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is frequently used to achieve easier access for haemodialysis in patients with chronic renal insufficiency. The most frequent late complication of AVFs is aneurysm formation, which carries the risk of spontaneous rupture. This study reports on 18 patients with giant aneurysms that developed on antebrachial AVFs who were operated on over a period of 6 years. Colour duplex ultrasonographic examination of the upper extremity was performed in all but one patient in the preoperative period. Surgical management included resection of the aneurysm and re-establishment of arterial continuity. There were no complications such as infection, ischaemic extremity loss, neurological sequelae or mortality. Colour duplex ultrasonographic examinations after 6 months were all normal. The mean follow-up period was 29.1 months (range 7 − 50 months). There were no additional vascular complications observed during follow-up. Early surgical intervention is the recommended treatment of choice for giant aneurysm complicating antebrachial AVF.
Maternal Cytokine Balance on the Third Postpartum Day is Not Affected by the Mode of Delivery after Healthy Pregnancies
Authors: Gyarmati B , Bekö G , Szalay B , Cseh Á , Vásárhelyi B , Treszl A 
Published: February 2013

Previous reports have suggested that delivery is associated with the induction of inflammatory cytokines. The present study was designed to investigate whether increased cytokine production was present on postpartum day 3 after a normal pregnancy and whether any changes were associated with the mode of delivery. In total, 33 pregnant women were enrolled; 18 delivered vaginally and 15 underwent an elective caesarean section (C-section). The levels of 17 cytokines and growth hormones were measured at the beginning of delivery or before anaesthesia and on postpartum day 3. While interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 levels decreased significantly postpartum, other cytokine concentrations were comparable before and after delivery. Only IL-7 levels were significantly increased in the C-section patients compared with the vaginal birth patients postpartum. In conclusion, there was no risk of a prolonged maternal inflammatory reaction after an uncomplicated vaginal birth or elective C-section, so it is probably not necessary to consider this as an issue when making a decision on the mode of delivery following uncomplicated pregnancy.
Health resource utilization and multidisciplinary impact of endoscopic ultrasonography in a tertiary referral medical center
Authors: Sodikoff Jamie B. , Garud Sagar S. , Keilin Steven A. , Bharmal Sheila J. , Lewis Melinda M. , Cai Qiang , Willingham Field F. 
Published: February 2013

Background: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is a resource-intensive endoscopic procedure, but may result in high downstream health resource utilization and multispecialty impact. Our aim was to examine the downstream impact of EUS by specialty and by indication. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed at an academic medical center for patients for whom EUS represented the first point of contact at the study institution within a 20-month period. Results: A total of 552 EUS procedures were reviewed and 208 represented the first point of contact. The most common principle indication involved the pancreas ( n = 117, 56%). Downstream health utilization was calculated for an average of 313 days postprocedure (range: 35–632 days). Following unique referral for endoscopic ultrasound, 52% of the patients in the study were retained within the institution for further management and, of these, 34% had a major intervention in the form of surgery or chemoradiotherapy. Compared with other indications, patients presenting with a pancreatic mass were significantly more likely to remain in the study institution for further management (62% versus 39%, p = 0.005), were more likely to have a downstream surgery (29% versus 14%, p = 0.020) and were more likely to have downstream chemo-radiotherapy (11% versus 3%, p = 0.012). Conclusions: EUS represents a unique portal of entry into tertiary referral medical centers. First point of contact EUS referrals are associated with major downstream health resource utilization and significantly increased utilization for mass lesions of the pancreas.
Murine dendritic cell rapamycin-resistant and rictor-independent mTOR controls IL-10, B7-H1, and regulatory T-cell induction
Authors: Rosborough Brian R. , Raïch-Regué Dàlia , Matta Benjamin M. , Lee Keunwook , Gan Boyi , DePinho Ronald A. , Hackstein Holger , Boothby Mark , Turnquist Hēth R. , Thomson Angus W. 
Published: February 2013

Key Points
RAPA-resistant mTOR negatively regulates DC B7-H1 expression through signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3. Adenosine triphosphate–competitive mTOR inhibition promotes B7-H1–dependent DC induction of Tregs.
Genome-wide detection of copy number variations using high-density SNP genotyping platforms in Holsteins
Authors: Jiang Li , Jiang Jicai , Yang Jie , Liu Xuan , Wang Jiying , Wang Haifei , Ding Xiangdong , Liu Jianfeng , Zhang Qin 
Published: February 2013

Abstract

Background
Copy number variations (CNVs) are widespread in the human or animal genome and are a significant source of genetic variation, which has been demonstrated to play an important role in phenotypic diversity. Advances in technology have allowed for identification of a large number of CNVs in cattle. Comprehensive explore novel CNVs in the bovine genome would provide valuable information for functional analyses of genome structural variation and facilitating follow-up association studies between complex traits and genetic variants.

Results
In this study, we performed a genome-wide CNV detection based on high-density SNP genotyping data of 96 Chinese Holstein cattle. A total of 367 CNV regions (CNVRs) across the genome were identified, which cover 42.74Mb of the cattle genome and correspond to 1.61% of the genome sequence. The length of the CNVRs on autosomes range from 10.76 to 2,806.42 Kb with an average of 96.23 Kb. 218 out of these CNVRs contain 610 annotated genes, which possess a wide spectrum of molecular functions. To confirm these findings, quantitative PCR (qPCR) was performed for 17 CNVRs and 13(76.5%) of them were successfully validated.

Conclusions
Our study demonstrates the high density SNP array can significantly improve the accuracy and sensitivity of CNV calling. Integration of different platforms can enhance the detection of genomic structure variants. Our results provide a significant replenishment for the high resolution map of copy number variation in the bovine genome and valuable information for investigation of genomic structural variation underlying traits of interest in cattle.