bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pancreatitis of biliary origin, optimal timing of cholecystectomy (PONCHO trial): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Bouwense Stefan A , Besselink Marc G , van Brunschot Sandra , Bakker Olaf J , van Santvoort Hjalmar C , Schepers Nicolien J , Boermeester Marja A , Bollen Thomas L , Bosscha Koop , Brink Menno A , Bruno Marco J , Consten Esther C , Dejong Cornelis H , van Duijvendijk Peter , van Eijck Casper H , Gerritsen Jos J , van Goor Harry , Heisterkamp Joos , de Hingh Ignace H , Kruyt Philip M , Molenaar I Quintus , Nieuwenhuijs Vincent B , Rosman Camiel , Schaapherder Alexander F , Scheepers Joris J , Spanier Marcel BW , Timmer Robin , Weusten Bas L , Witteman Ben J , van Ramshorst Bert , Gooszen Hein G , Boerma Djamila ,   for the Dutch Pancreatitis Study Group
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Background
After an initial attack of biliary pancreatitis, cholecystectomy minimizes the risk of recurrent biliary pancreatitis and other gallstone-related complications. Guidelines advocate performing cholecystectomy within 2 to 4 weeks after discharge for mild biliary pancreatitis. During this waiting period, the patient is at risk of recurrent biliary events. In current clinical practice, surgeons usually postpone cholecystectomy for 6 weeks due to a perceived risk of a more difficult dissection in the early days following pancreatitis and for logistical reasons. We hypothesize that early laparoscopic cholecystectomy minimizes the risk of recurrent biliary pancreatitis or other complications of gallstone disease in patients with mild biliary pancreatitis without increasing the difficulty of dissection and the surgical complication rate compared with interval laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Methods/Design
PONCHO is a randomized controlled, parallel-group, assessor-blinded, superiority multicenter trial. Patients are randomly allocated to undergo early laparoscopic cholecystectomy, within 72 hours after randomization, or interval laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 25 to 30 days after randomization. During a 30-month period, 266 patients will be enrolled from 18 hospitals of the Dutch Pancreatitis Study Group. The primary endpoint is a composite endpoint of mortality and acute re-admissions for biliary events (that is, recurrent biliary pancreatitis, acute cholecystitis, symptomatic/obstructive choledocholithiasis requiring endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography including cholangitis (with/without endoscopic sphincterotomy), and uncomplicated biliary colics) occurring within 6 months following randomization. Secondary endpoints include the individual endpoints of the composite endpoint, surgical and other complications, technical difficulty of cholecystectomy and costs.

Discussion
The PONCHO trial is designed to show that early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (within 72 hours) reduces the combined endpoint of mortality and re-admissions for biliary events as compared with interval laparoscopic cholecystectomy (between 25 and 30 days) after recovery of a first episode of mild biliary pancreatitis.

Trial registration
Current Controlled Trials: ISRCTN72764151
Carbon catabolite repression in Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum
Authors: Tsakraklides Vasiliki , Shaw A Joe , Miller Bethany B , Hogsett David A , Herring Christopher D 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Background
The thermophilic anaerobe Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum is capable of directly fermenting xylan and the biomass-derived sugars glucose, cellobiose, xylose, mannose, galactose and arabinose. It has been metabolically engineered and developed as a biocatalyst for the production of ethanol.

Results
We report the initial characterization of the carbon catabolite repression system in this organism. We find that sugar metabolism in T. saccharolyticum is regulated by histidine-containing protein HPr. We describe a mutation in HPr, His15Asp, that leads to derepression of less-favored carbon source utilization.

Conclusion
Co-utilization of sugars can be achieved by mutation of HPr in T. saccharolyticum. Further manipulation of CCR in this organism will be instrumental in achieving complete and rapid conversion of all available sugars to ethanol.
Bronchiectasis and hoarseness of voice in takayasu arteritis: a rare presentation
Authors: ND Perera Gamage , C Jayasinghe Anusha , D Dias Lalindra , Kulatunga Aruna 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Background
Takayasu arteritis is a large vessel vasculitis occurring in young females. We report a rare presentation of Takayasu arteritis in a Sri Lankan woman. She presented with bronchiectasis and left recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy prior to the onset of vascular symptoms. This case illustrates an atypical presentation of this disease and the diagnostic dilemma that the physician may be faced with.

Case presentation
A 39-year-old woman presented with chronic cough, haemoptysis and hoarseness of voice. She had left recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy and high inflammatory markers on investigation. CT thorax revealed aortic wall thickening and traction bronchiectasis. 2 D echocardiogram revealed grade 1 aortic regurgitation compatible with aortitis. She did not have weak peripheral pulses or a blood pressure discrepancy and did not meet American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for diagnosis of Takayasu arteritis at this stage. Tuberculosis, syphilis and sarcoidosis was excluded. While awaiting angiography, she developed left arm claudication and a pericardial effusion. Angiography revealed evidence of Takayasu arteritis and absence of flow in the left subclavian artery. Takayasu arteritis was diagnosed at this stage after a period of eight months from the onset of initial symptoms. She is currently on prednisolone, azathioprine and aspirin.

Conclusion
Bronchiectasis and recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy is a rare presentation of Takayasu arteritis. Atypical presentations can occur in Takayasu arteritis prior to the onset of vascular symptoms. Elevation of inflammatory markers are an early finding. A high degree of suspicion is needed to identify these patients in the early course of the disease.
Evaluation of protective immune responses induced by DNA vaccines encoding Toxoplasma gondii surface antigen 1 (SAG1) and 14-3-3 protein in BALB/c mice
Authors: Meng Min , He Shenyi , Zhao Guanghui , Bai Yang , Zhou Huaiyu , Cong Hua , Lu Gang , Zhao Qunli , Zhu Xing-Quan 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Background
Toxoplasmosis, caused by an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii, has been a serious clinical and veterinary problem. Effective DNA vaccines against T. gondii can prevent and control the spread of toxoplasmosis, which is important for both human health and the farming industry. The T. gondii 14-3-3 protein has been proved to be antigenic and immunogenic and was a potential vaccine candidate against toxoplasmosis. In this study, we evaluated the immune responses induced by recombinant plasmids encoding T. gondii surface antigen 1 (SAG1) and 14-3-3 protein by immunizing BALB/c mice intramuscularly.

Methods
In the present study, BALB/c mice were randomly divided into five groups, including three experimental groups (pSAG1, p14-3-3 and pSAG1/14-3-3) and two control groups (PBS and pBudCE4.1), and were immunized intramuscularly three times. The levels of IgG antibodies and cytokine production in mouse sera were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Two weeks after the last immunization, all mice were challenged intraperitoneally (i.p.) with 1×104 tachyzoites of T. gondii and the survival time of mice was observed and recorded every day.

Results
Mice vaccinated with pSAG1, p14-3-3 or pSAG1/14-3-3 developed high levels of IgG2a and gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and low levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) compared to control groups (PBS or pBudCE4.1), which suggested a modulated Th1 type immune response (P<0.05). After intraperitoneal challenge with 1×104 tachyzoites of T. gondii (RH strain), the survival time of mice in experimental groups was longer than control groups (P<0.05). Mouse immunized with pSAG1/14-3-3 induced a higher level of IgG antibody response and significantly prolonged the survival time when compared with pSAG1 or p14-3-3 (P<0.05).

Conclusions
The study suggested that T. gondii 14-3-3 protein can induce effective immune responses in BALB/c mice and was a novel DNA vaccine candidate against toxoplasmosis, and the immune protective efficacy elicited by SAG1 gene was also demonstrated. Our results also showed multi-gene vaccine significantly enhanced immune responses and protective efficacy and was superior to the single-gene vaccine.
Pleurodesis by erythromycin, tetracycline, Aerosil™ 200, and erythromycin plus Aerosil™ 200 in a rat model: a preliminary study
Authors: Hashemzadeh Shahryar , Hashemzadeh Khosrow , Mamaghani Kamran , Ansari Elnaz , Aligholipour Raheleh , Golzari Samad EJ , Ghabili Kamyar 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Background
None of the current pleurodesing agents fulfil all the criteria for best pleural sclerosant. Therefore, the search for the ideal agent for chemical pleurodesis still continues. The aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of erythromycin, tetracycline, Aerosil™ 200 (hydrophilic fumed amorphous silica), and erythromycin plus Aerosil™ 200 in producing pleurodesis in rats. In the present study, talc was not used as a pleurodesing agent due to an unavailability of its sterile and pure form in Iran.

Methods
Overall, 75 adult male Spraque-Dawley rats were randomized to 5 treatment groups. Each group received an intrapleural injection via 5 Fr Silastic tubes of one of the following sterile agents: 35mg/kg erythromycin in 2 ml of saline, 35mg/kg tetracycline in 2 ml of saline, 35mg/kg Aerosil™ 200 in 2ml of saline, erythromycin (35mg/kg in 2 ml of saline) plus Aerosil™ 200 (35mg/kg in 2 ml of saline), or 2 ml of saline as a control. The animals were euthanized and necropsied 30 days after injection. The pleurae were assessed for macroscopic and microscopic evidence of surrounding inflammation and fibrosis.

Results
The median macroscopic score in the Aerosil™ 200 group was significantly higher than that in the erythromycin group (P < 0.005). The median microscopic score in the erythromycin group was significantly lower than that in the Aerosil™ 200 and erythromycin plus Aerosil™ 200 groups (P < 0.005). Furthermore, maximum and minimum pleural fibrosis was observed in the erythromycin plus Aerosil™ 200 and erythromycin groups, respectively (P < 0.05).

Conclusion
This study suggests that Aerosil™ 200 with or without erythromycin may be more potent pleurodesis agent than erythromycin and tetracycline.
Cognitive impairment and the associated risk factors among the elderly in the Shanghai urban area: a pilot study from China
Authors: Zhuang Jun-Peng , Wang Gang , Cheng Qi , Wang Li-Ling , Fang Rong , Liu Li-Hua , Xiong Ran , Zhang Yu , Gui Ya-Xing , Kang Wen-Yan , Tang Hui-Dong , Chen Sheng-Di 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Objectives
Our study aimed to investigate the prevalence of cognitive impairment(CI) and the associated risk factors among elderly people in Shanghai urban area, China.

Methods
A population-based survey was conducted among people aged 55 years or older in urban areas of Shanghai. Face-to-face interviews were carried out to collect information including demographic characteristics, medical history, and medication use, etc. The validated Chinese version of the Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE) was used to screen subjects with CI, and the criteria of CI were adjusted for education levels.

Results
A total of 3,176 home-living residents (≥55 years old) were included in the study. Among them, 266 people (102 men and 164 women) were identified as cognition impaired, with a prevalence of 8.38% (266/3,176, 95% CI: (8.26, 8.49)) for both genders, 9.21% (102/1,107,95% CI: (9.18, 9.33)) for men and 7.93% (164/2,069, 95% CI: (7.80, 8.09)) for women, respectively. Furthermore, we found that several significant risk factors, including social factors(education, number of children, marriage status, and family structure), physiological factors (age, blood glucose level, and obesity), factors on living styles(physical exercise, diet & chronic diseases), and genetic factor(ApoE), associated with CI onset.

Conclusions
This study confirms the high prevalence of CI among the elderly population in the Shanghai urban in China, similar to previous epidemiologic studies in Western countries. The putative risk factors associated with CI merit further investigated.
Transposable elements reveal a stem cell-specific class of long noncoding RNAs
Authors: Kelley David , Rinn John 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
Background
Numerous studies over the past decade have elucidated a large set of long intergenic noncoding RNAs (lincRNAs) in the human genome. Research since has shown that lincRNAs constitute an important layer of genome regulation across a wide spectrum of species. However, the factors governing their evolution and origins remain relatively unexplored. One possible factor driving lincRNA evolution and biological function is transposable element (TE) insertions. Here, we comprehensively characterize the TE content of lincRNAs relative to genomic averages and protein coding transcripts.

Results
Our analysis of the TE composition of 9,241 human lincRNAs revealed that, in sharp contrast to protein coding genes, 83% of lincRNAs contain a TE, and TEs comprise 42% of lincRNA sequence. lincRNA TE composition varies significantly from genomic averages - L1 and Alu elements are depleted and broad classes of endogenous retroviruses are enriched. TEs occur in biased positions and orientations within lincRNAs, particularly at their transcription start sites, suggesting a role in lincRNA transcriptional regulation. Accordingly, we observed a dramatic example of HERVH transcriptional regulatory signals correlating strongly with stem cell-specific expression of lincRNAs. Conversely, lincRNAs devoid of TEs are expressed at greater levels than lincRNAs with TEs in all tissues and cell lines, particularly in the testis.

Conclusions
TEs pervade lincRNAs, dividing them into classes, and may have shaped lincRNA evolution and function by conferring tissue-specific expression from extant transcriptional regulatory signals.
The effect of acoustic field on the particle concentration profiles in fluidized bed
Authors: Si Chongdian , Zhou Jing , Guo Qingjie , Liu Guangjun 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
The particle concentration profiles were investigated using an optical fiber probe in a fluidized bed with acoustic assistance. The effects of sound frequency, sound pressure level, and sound wave forms on the particle concentration profiles were researched. Experimental results indicated that the application of an acoustic field could remarkably influence the particle concentration profiles in a fluidized bed. The particle concentration increased with increasing sound pressure level. However, the particle concentration was highest at sound frequency of 150 Hz, and decreased towards both low and high frequency. Compared with Square wave, both Sine wave and Triangle wave can enhance particle concentration in radial and axial profiles.
The Process of Phenol Hydroxylation in the Water Solution and over the Ti-MWW Catalyst
Authors: Wróblewska Agnieszka 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
This work presents the studies on the optimization of the process of phenol hydroxylation over the Ti-MWW catalyst. The medium of the reaction was only water introduced into the rector with the 30 wt% hydrogen peroxide (oxidizing agent) and formed during the reaction from the hydrogen peroxide. For the mathematical optimization the rotatable-uniform design was used. The main investigated technological parameters were: the temperature, the molar ratio of phenol/hydrogen peroxide, the catalyst content and the reaction time. The course of the main functions describing the process were presented in the form of layer drawings. The analysis of the layer drawings allowed to establish the most beneficial parameters for this process. Studies have shown that in water solution it is best to conduct phenol hydroxylation process at: the temperature of 93-100oC, phenol/hydrogen peroxide molar ratio 0.9-1, catalyst concentration 3-3.5 wt% and during the reaction time of 55-60 minutes. Under these conditions, it is possible to achieve phenol conversion of 85 mol%, selectivity of transformation to organic compounds in relation to phenol consumed 50 mol% and the yield of hydroquinone about 19 mol%. The phenol hydroxylation method, presented in this article, is a preferred alternative to conventional solutions, as it is more environmentally and cost-effective, taking into account consumption of raw materials and energy.
Formal and Informal Care: An Empirical Bayesian Analysis Using the Two-part Model
Authors: Du Juan 
Published: November 2012

AbstractInformal care provided to the elderly by their children is proposed as a less expensive alternative to institutional long-term care. This paper explores how the elderly's consumption of medical care changes in response to changes in the informal care they receive from their children. Many earlier studies have ignored both the endogeneity of informal care and the complicated nature of health care utilization data. This paper develops a two-part model with informal care treated as an endogenous regressor and imposes exclusion restrictions on the selection process. The model is fitted using the Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods, in particular the Gibbs sampler and the Metropolis-Hasting algorithm. The average treatment effects and the distributions of the treatment effects are obtained via posterior simulation. The results indicate that informal care provides a substitute for nursing home care and hospital inpatient care, but it does not affect paid home health care on average. The treatment effects are heterogeneous. The largest substitution effects occur for nursing home and hospital inpatient care at the intensive margin. The policy analysis suggests that informal care policies targeting the group that incurs the largest substitution effect may help to reduce government spending on Medicaid and Medicare.
The Distributional Effects of Health Reform Limits on Flexible Spending Accounts
Authors: Cardon James H. , Moore Joel , Showalter Mark H. 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) are a widely used arrangement that allow employees to pay for qualified out-of-pocket health expenses with pre-tax dollars. The tax preference given to FSAs has been controversial and recent health care law (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act) limits the tax exclusion to an inflation-adjusted value of $2,500 (2013 $s). The limit is estimated to increase federal payroll and income tax receipts by $13 billion between 2013 and 2019. But the welfare implications of this change are unclear.This paper uses a unique panel dataset to explore the demographic profile of households likely to be affected by the tax increase. We use a sample of 19,322 households observed over the period 1998–2008. The data include FSA expenditures, insurance claim information for covered medical and dental expenditures, and household demographic information. We explore patterns of FSA usage by income and health status.We find that households likely to be affected by the tax increase disproportionately tend to be households experiencing one or more chronic health conditions. The existence of chronic illness is associated with relatively high and persistent medical expenses and also with relatively older and wealthier households. We estimate an average tax increase of $101 in 2013 for 13.9 million households with an FSA.
Doctors' Remuneration Schemes and Hospital Competition in a Two-Sided Market
Authors: Bardey David , Cremer Helmuth , Lozachmeur Jean-Marie 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
This paper studies the design of doctors' remuneration schemes. Two for-profit hospitals compete to attract patients and to affiliate doctors. The numbers of patients and doctors determine an hospital's quality level which is valued on both sides. Quality can be enhanced by doctors through a (costly) effort. We first consider pure salary, case payment or fee-for-service schemes on the doctors' side. Then, we study schemes that mix fee-for-service with either salary or case payments. We show that case payment schemes (either pure or in combination with fee-for-service) are more patient friendly than (pure or mixed) salary schemes. This comparison is exactly reversed on the doctors' side. Quite surprisingly, patients always lose when a fee-for-service scheme is introduced (pure or mixed). This is true even though the fee-for-service is the only way to induce the doctors to exert effort, and whatever the patients' valuation of this effort. In other words, the increase in doctors' effort brought about by the fee-for-service is more than compensated by the increase in fees faced by patients.
Test Measurement Error and Inference from Value-Added Models
Authors: Koedel Cory , Leatherman Rebecca , Parsons Eric 
Published: November 2012

AbstractIt is widely known that standardized tests are noisy measures of student learning, but value added models (VAMs) rarely account for test measurement error (TME). We incorporate information about TME directly into VAMs, focusing on TME that derives from the testing instrument itself. Our analysis is divided into two parts – one based on simulated data and the other based on administrative micro data from Missouri. In the simulations we control the data generating process, which ensures that we obtain accurate TME metrics. In the real-data portion of our analysis we use estimates of TME provided by a major test publisher. In both the simulations and real-data analyses, we find that inference from VAMs is improved by making simple TME adjustments to the models. The improvement is larger in the simulations, but even in the real-data analysis the improvement is on the order of what one could expect if teacher-level sample sizes were increased by 11 to 17 percent.
Identity and origin of a slender Caulerpa taxifolia strain introduced into the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Jongma Dorris N. , Campo Davide , Dattolo Emanuela , D’Esposito Daniela , Duchi Antonino , Grewe Peter , Huisman John , Verlaque Marc , Yokes Mehmet B. , Procaccini Gabriele 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
On the basis of morphological and molecular studies, we identified the Australian endemic green alga known as Caulerpa distichophylla along the coasts of Sicily (Italy, Mediterranean Sea). The slender Caulerpa previously reported as C. taxifolia from southeastern Turkey (Gulf of Iskenderun) also belongs to C. distichophylla. Morphologically, C. distichophylla clearly differs from C. taxifolia in its slender thallus and the lack of large rhizoidal pillars. However, genetic data do not provide undisputed evidence that the species are distinct. Sequences of the tufA cpDNA gene and of the cp 16S rDNA intron-2 sequences separated the two taxa by only one single nucleotide mutation, whereas ITS rDNA sequences did not clearly distinguish them. The new combination Caulerpa taxifolia var. distichophylla is therefore proposed. Western and eastern Mediterranean populations of C. taxifolia var. distichophylla are probably the result of introduction events from southwestern Australia. Although the vector of primary introductions remains unknown (aquarium trade or shipping), maritime traffic appears to be the most likely vector of secondary dispersal. C. taxifolia var. distichophylla is closely related to C. taxifolia, hence interbreeding with the other C. taxifolia strains in the Mediterranean Sea might be expected to occur.