bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Measurement by an Ultrasensitive Assay during Thyroxine Replacement: Comparison with other Tests of Thyroid Function
Authors: Wheatley T , Clark P M S , Clark J D A , Raggatt P R , Edwards O M 
Published: February 2014

Serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) was measured using a highly sensitive enzyme-amplified immunoassay in 37 clinically euthyroid patients receiving thyroxine replacement therapy and compared with other biochemical tests of thyroid function. A highly significant correlation ( P<0·001) was found between the basal serum TSH and the increase in serum TSH concentration 20 min after the administration of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH). The basal serum TSH was negatively correlated with the serum total thyroxine ( P=0·05). When patients results were classified as abnormal or normal many discrepancies were noted between the various thyroid tests. A suppressed serum TSH was found in 65% of patients with a normal serum total thyroxine. However, in patients on thyroxine replacement therapy a basal TSH measured by enzyme-amplified immunoassay provides the same information as a TRH test.
Clinical Significance of Phosphate in Calcium Oxalate Renal Stones
Authors: Öhman Sten , Larsson Lasse , Tiselius Hans-Göran 
Published: February 2014

We analysed calcium, magnesium, oxalate, citrate, urate and creatinine in urine and calculated risk factors in patients who had formed stones composed of calcium oxalate, and calcium phosphate, alone or as a mixture. Patients producing pure calcium oxalate stones (< 0·1% phosphate) had a higher oxalate, and lower calcium excretion than stone-free subjects and patients forming other stone types. In contrast, patients producing calcium oxalate stones containing phosphate, even in trace amounts (> 0·1%) had no increase in oxalate excretion, but a higher calcium excretion than stone-free subjects. We could not correlate any computed variable (e.g. AP(CaOx) index) to stone composition. We conclude that pure CaOx stones may be the result of a high oxalate excretion, and that other calcium containing stones may have another and probably more complex aetiology, including primary precipitation of calcium phosphates.
Improved Method for Analysis of Glycated Haemoglobin by Ion Exchange Chromatography
Authors: Eckerbom Solveig , Bergqvist Yngve , Jeppsson Jan-Olof 
Published: February 2014

The Pharmacia Mono S column for glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) was compared with Mono S HR 5/5 and three other cation exchange columns to optimize analysis of HbA1c. This column allows a significant decrease in separation time, resulting in a sample throughput of 12 samples per hour. The choice of parameters for integration of peak areas in the chromatograms is very important for reproducible results. Since pure calibrators of HbA1c are not available, the relative contribution of HbA1c to the total amount of haemoglobin is calculated. We have compared valley-to-valley integration with baseline integration to assess reproducibility. Valley-to-valley integration significantly enhances the reproducibility of the method and is therefore preferable for routine analyses of HbA1c.
Pleural Fluid Pseudouridine in Malignant and Benign Pleural Effusions
Authors: Mak T W L , Ho S S , Ho C S , Jones M G , Lai C K W , Lam C W K 
Published: February 2014

Pseudouridine in urine and plasma has been proved to be a useful tumour marker in many malignant conditions. We studied its usefulness in pleural fluid for distinguishing malignant from non-malignant pleural effusions. Pleural fluid pseudouridine concentrations in different groups of patients with pleural effusion (31 malignant, 29 benign, 16 unknown, 1 double pathology) was measured and compared. Its usefulness in distinguishing malignant from non-malignant pleural effusions was analysed by receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Pseudouridine concentrations in the malignant group were significantly higher than the non-malignant group ( P < 0.017, Bonferroni adjustment) with values overlapping extensively at the lower end. The area-under-the curve (AUC) value in the ROC curve analysis was 0.675 ( P < 0.05). We conclude that the pleural fluid pseudouridine is of limited clinical value in distinguishing malignant from non-malignant pleural effusion due to its extensive overlap. However, it is useful when the concentration is higher than 65 μmol/L, which indicates malignancy.
Recommended Approaches for the Laboratory Measurement of Homocysteine in the Diagnosis and Monitoring of Patients with Hyperhomocysteinaemia
Authors: Moat S J , Bonham J R , Tanner M S , Allen J C , Powers H J 
Published: February 2014

Several recent studies have indicated that an increased concentration of plasma homocysteine is an independent risk factor for the premature development of vascular disease. These important findings emphasize the need for careful selection of an appropriate analytical approach to diagnose and treat individuals who may be at risk. We compared the results obtained from the measurement of plasma total homocysteine (free + protein-bound fractions) by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with the measurement of plasma free homocystine (free fraction) by conventional ion-exchange chromatography in 10 patients with inherited defects of homocysteine metabolism and 13 obligate heterozygote individuals. This study can be used to formulate recommendations on the appropriate use of these assays in different clinical circumstances. Our results show that the concentration of total plasma homocysteine must exceed 60 μmol/L before plasma free homocystine becomes detectable by conventional ion-exchange chromatography. Similarly, assessment of the urinary excretion of homocysteine in these patients indicates that it may not become consistently detectable by conventional ion-exchange chromatography or HPLC until plasma total homocysteine exceeds 150 μmol/L. On this basis, while most patients with classical homocystinuria would be detected by analysis of plasma using conventional ion-exchange chromatography or by measurement of of the urinary homocysteine excretion, occasional patients would be missed. When monitoring patients receiving treatment for classical homocystinuria, in whom metabolic control is good, and when investigating individuals with a suspected inherited defect of cobalamin or folate metabolism, a method which measures plasma total homocysteine should be used. The identification of moderate hyperhomocysteinaemia of undefined cause investigated in relation to a history of early vacsular disease can only be identified by this approach.
Comparison of Tolerance and Cost‐Effectiveness of Two Nasal Anesthesia Techniques for Transnasal Flexible Laryngoscopy
Authors: Young VyVy N. , Smith Libby J. , Rosen Clark A. 
Published: February 2014

Objective(1) Compare tolerance of aerosolized spray versus syringe administration of topical anesthesia for transnasal flexible laryngoscopy (TFL), (2) analyze cost‐effectiveness of both techniques.Study DesignProspective, blinded, randomized trial.SettingTertiary academic laryngology practice.MethodsOne hundred and eight patients underwent TFL over 3 months. Patients were randomized to receive equivalent dose 1:1 neosynephrine/4% plain lidocaine mixture via aerosolized spray (“spray”) or application with 1‐cc syringe (“syringe”). Patients and physicians independently rated comfort of TFL on 5‐point scale (1 = not at all comfortable to 5 = very comfortable). Data were collected on patient and endoscopist experience with TFL and reasons for poor tolerance of laryngoscopy. Cost analyses of disposable spray tips and syringes were calculated.ResultsBoth patients and physicians reported very high tolerance of TFL. Patient tolerance appears to be similar between spray‐ versus syringe‐administered anesthesia, although study limitations preclude definitive analysis. Poor tolerance of laryngoscopy was reported in 6.5% with comparable distribution between anesthetic delivery methods. There was no impact of patient prior experience with TFL, and there was no difference between anesthetic methods for TFL performed by resident, fellow, or attending. The difference between costs of the disposable spray tip versus syringe was $1.32 per unit.ConclusionsUse of a 1‐cc syringe is an effective method to provide topical nasal anesthesia for TFL and saves $1.32 per unit compared to disposable spray tips. In our practice, transition to syringe‐administered nasal anesthesia is projected to save $1300 per 1000 patients, or an anticipated $1000 per year per physician, with excellent patient tolerance of TFL.
Costs of Outpatient Thyroid Surgery from the University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC) Database
Authors: Marino Matthew , Spencer Horace , Hohmann Sam , Bodenner Donald , Stack Brendan C. 
Published: February 2014

ObjectiveTo compare the cost of same‐day vs 23‐hour observation outpatient thyroidectomy at US academic medical centers.Study DesignCross‐sectional analysis of a national database.SettingThe University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC) data collected from discharge summaries.Subjects and MethodsDischarge data were collected from the first quarter of 2009 through the second quarter of 2013. The UHC database, compiled from more than 200 affiliated hospitals, was searched based on diagnosis codes for outpatient thyroid procedures. Cost data, calculated based on reported charges, were collected in addition to demographics. Comparisons were made between same‐day vs 23‐hour observation based on cost. Additional stratification was performed based on the extent of thyroidectomy.ResultsDuring the study period, 49,936 outpatient thyroidectomies were performed. Overnight observation (63%) was more common than same‐day discharge (37%). The overall mean cost of outpatient thyroidectomy was $5617, with a mean cost of same‐day surgery of $4642 compared with $6101 for overnight observation (P <. 0001). When stratifying by extent of thyroidectomy, the cost of same‐day surgery was consistently lower than that for overnight observation.ConclusionOutpatient thyroidectomy is commonly performed in the United States. It is most commonly performed on a 23‐hour overnight observation basis. Overnight stay and complications were chief among other factors associated with higher cost, independent of the type of thyroid procedure performed. In appropriately selected patients, same‐day thyroidectomy is a safe and cost‐effective alternative to overnight observation or inpatient thyroid procedures.
One-Step Repair for Cartilage Defects in a Rabbit Model
Authors: Dai Linghui , He Zhenming , Zhang Xin , Hu Xiaoqing , Yuan Lan , Qiang Ming , Zhu Jingxian , Shao Zhenxing , Zhou Chunyan , Ao Yingfang 
Published: February 2014

Background: Cartilage repair still presents a challenge to clinicians and researchers alike. A more effective, simpler procedure that can produce hyaline-like cartilage is needed for articular cartilage repair. Hypothesis: A technique combining microfracture with a biomaterial scaffold of perforated decalcified cortical-cancellous bone matrix (DCCBM; composed of cortical and cancellous parts) would create a 1-step procedure for hyaline-like cartilage repair. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: For the in vitro portion of this study, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were isolated from bone marrow aspirates of New Zealand White rabbits. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), confocal microscopy, and 1,9-dimethylmethylene blue assay were used to assess the attachment, proliferation, and cartilage matrix production of MSCs grown on a DCCBM scaffold. For the in vivo experiment, full-thickness defects were produced in the articular cartilage of the trochlear groove of 45 New Zealand White rabbits, and the rabbits were then assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups: perforated DCCBM combined with microfracture (DCCBM+M group), perforated DCCBM alone (DCCBM group), and microfracture alone (M group). Five rabbits in each group were sacrificed at 6, 12, or 24 weeks after the operation, and the repair tissues were analyzed by histological examination, assessment of matrix staining, SEM, and nanoindentation of biomechanical properties. Results: The DCCBM+M group showed hyaline-like articular cartilage repair, and the repair tissues appeared to have better matrix staining and revealed biomechanical properties close to those of the normal cartilage. Compared with the DCCBM+M group, there was unsatisfactory repair tissues with less matrix staining in the DCCBM group and no matrix staining in the M group, as well as poor integration with normal cartilage and poor biomechanical properties. Conclusion: The DCCBM scaffold is suitable for MSC growth and hyaline-like cartilage repair induction when combined with microfracture. Clinical Relevance: Microfracture combined with a DCCBM scaffold is a promising method that can be performed and adopted into clinical treatment for articular cartilage injuries.
Enhancement of CRF-PEEK osseointegration by plasma-sprayed hydroxyapatite: A rabbit model
Authors: Suska Felicia , Omar Omar , Emanuelsson Lena , Taylor Mark , Gruner Philipp , Kinbrum Amy , Hunt Duncan , Hunt Trevor , Taylor Andy , Palmquist Anders 
Published: February 2014

Carbon-fibre-reinforced polyether ether ketone (CFR-PEEK) exhibits excellent biomechanical properties as it has an elastic modulus similar to bone. However, CFR-PEEK displays inferior biocompatibility compared with titanium alloy and coating techniques are therefore of interest in order to improve integration. In this paper, the early biological response to CFR-PEEK implants, with and without hydroxyapatite coating, was investigated. Furthermore, a hydroxyapatite-coated titanium alloy reference served as a clinically relevant control. The study was conducted in a rabbit model, both in femur trabecular bone as well as in tibia cortical bone. The results demonstrated that an hydroxyapatite coating significantly enhances the bone response to PEEK implants in vivo. Moreover, in cortical bone, hydroxyapatite-coated PEEK implants induced superior bone response compared with hydroxyapatite-coated Ti ones. These results suggest that hydroxyapatite-coated CFR-PEEK is a suitable material for in vivo implantation.
Peptide inhibitors of C3 activation as a novel strategy of complement inhibition for the treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria
Authors: Risitano Antonio M. , Ricklin Daniel , Huang Yijun , Reis Edimara S. , Chen Hui , Ricci Patrizia , Lin Zhuoer , Pascariello Caterina , Raia Maddalena , Sica Michela , Del Vecchio Luigi , Pane Fabrizio , Lupu Florea , Notaro Rosario , Resuello Ranillo R. G. , DeAngelis Robert A. , Lambris John D. 
Published: February 2014

Key PointsPeptidic C3 inhibitors of the compstatin family (Cp40) efficiently prevent hemolysis and opsonization of PNH erythrocytes in vitro. Pharmacokinetic studies show that sustained therapeutic concentrations can be achieved with both Cp40 and its PEGylated derivative, PEG-Cp40.
SInC: an accurate and fast error-model based simulator for SNPs, Indels and CNVs coupled with a read generator for short-read sequence data
Authors: Pattnaik Swetansu , Gupta Saurabh , Rao Arjun A , Panda Binay 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Background
The rapid advancements in the field of genome sequencing are aiding our understanding on many biological systems. In the last five years, computational biologists and bioinformatics specialists have come up with newer, better and more efficient tools towards the discovery, analysis and interpretation of different genomic variants from high-throughput sequencing data. Availability of reliable simulated dataset is essential and is the first step towards testing any newly developed analytical tools for variant discovery. Although there are tools currently available that can simulate variants, none present the possibility of simulating all the three major types of variations (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms, Insertions and Deletions and Copy Number Variations) and can generate reads taking a realistic error-model into consideration. Therefore, an efficient simulator and read generator is needed that can simulate variants taking the error rates of true biological samples into consideration.

Results
We report SInC (Snp, Indel and Cnv) an open-source variant simulator and read generator capable of simulating all the three common types of biological variants taking into account a distribution of base quality score from a most commonly used next-generation sequencing instrument from Illumina. SInC is capable of generating single- and paired-end reads with user-defined insert size and with high efficiency compared to the other existing tools. SInC, due to its multi-threaded capability during read generation, has a low time footprint. SInC is currently optimised to work in limited infrastructure setup and can efficiently exploit the commonly used quad-core desktop architecture to simulate short sequence reads with deep coverage for large genomes.

Conclusions
We have come up with a user-friendly multi-variant simulator and read-generator tools called SInC. SInC can be downloaded from http://sourceforge.net/projects/sincsimulator.
A shotgun antisense approach to the identification of novel essential genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Rusmini Ruggero , Vecchietti Davide , Macchi Raffaella , Vidal-Aroca Faustino , Bertoni Giovanni 
Published: February 2014

AbstractBackgroundAntibiotics in current use target a surprisingly small number of cellular functions: cell wall, DNA, RNA, and protein biosynthesis. Targeting of novel essential pathways is expected to play an important role in the discovery of new antibacterial agents against bacterial pathogens, such asPseudomonas aeruginosa, that are difficult to control because of their ability to develop resistance, often multiple, to all current classes of clinical antibiotics.ResultsWe aimed to identify novel essential genes inP. aeruginosaby shotgun antisense screening. This technique was developed inStaphylococcus aureusand, following a period of limited success in Gram-negative bacteria, has recently been used effectively inEscherichia coli. To also target low expressed essential genes, we included some variant steps that were expected to overcome the non-stringent regulation of the promoter carried by the expression vector used for the shotgun antisense libraries. Our antisense screenings identified 33 growth-impairing single-locus genomic inserts that allowed us to generate a list of 28 “essential-for-growth” genes: five were “classical” essential genes involved in DNA replication, transcription, translation, and cell division; seven were already reported as essential in other bacteria; and 16 were “novel” essential genes with no homologs reported to have an essential role in other bacterial species. Interestingly, the essential genes in our panel were suggested to take part in a broader range of cellular functions than those currently targeted by extant antibiotics, namely protein secretion, biosynthesis of cofactors, prosthetic groups and carriers, energy metabolism, central intermediary metabolism, transport of small molecules, translation, post-translational modification, non-ribosomal peptide synthesis, lipopolysaccharide synthesis/modification, and transcription regulation. This study also identified 43 growth-impairing inserts carrying multiple loci targeting 105 genes, of which 25 have homologs reported as essential in other bacteria. Finally, four multigenic growth-impairing inserts belonged to operons that have never been reported to play an essential role.ConclusionsFor the first time inP. aeruginosa, we applied regulated antisense RNA expression and showed the feasibility of this technology for the identification of novel essential genes.
Restraint use in home care: a qualitative study from a nursing perspective
Authors: Scheepmans Kristien , Dierckx de Casterlé Bernadette , Paquay Louis , Van Gansbeke Hendrik , Boonen Steven , Milisen Koen 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Background
Despite the growing demand for home care and preliminary evidence suggesting that the use of restraint is common practice in home care, research about restraint use in this setting is scarce.

Methods
To gain insight into the use of restraints in home care from the perspective of nurses, we conducted a qualitative explorative study. We conducted semi-structured face-to-face interviews of 14 nurses from Wit-Gele Kruis, a home-care organization in Flanders, Belgium. Interview transcripts were analyzed using the Qualitative Analysis Guide of Leuven.

Results
Our findings revealed a lack of clarity among nurses about the concept of restraint in home care. Nurses reported that cognitively impaired older persons, who sometimes lived alone, were restrained or locked up without continuous follow-up. The interviews indicated that the patient’s family played a dominant role in the decision to use restraints. Reasons for using restraints included “providing relief to the family” and “keeping the patient at home as long as possible to avoid admission to a nursing home.” The nurses stated that general practitioners had no clear role in deciding whether to use restraints.

Conclusions
These findings suggest that the issue of restraint use in home care is even more complex than in long-term residential care settings and acute hospital settings. They raise questions about the ethical and legal responsibilities of home-care providers, nurses, and general practitioners. There is an urgent need for further research to carefully document the use of restraints in home care and to better understand it so that appropriate guidance can be provided to healthcare workers.
Kaposi`s sarcoma associated herpesvirus infection among female sex workers and general population women in Shanghai, China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Zhang Tiejun , Yang Ying , Yu Feng , Zhao Yanping , Lin Feifei , Minhas Veenu , Wood Charles , He Na 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Background
Limited information on epidemiologic patterns of KSHV, with none focusing on heterosexual transmission, is available in mainland China. To clarify this, a cross-sectional study was conducted among a group of female sex workers (FSW) and general population women (GW) in Shanghai, China.

Methods
An anonymous questionnaire interview was administrated among 600 FSW and 600 GW. Blood samples were collected and tested for antibodies to KSHV, HSV-2, HIV, syphilis and HBsAg. Correlates of KSHV and HSV-2 were examined using multiple logistic regression analysis.

Results
None of the study participants were tested positive for HIV. The seroprevalence of KSHV, HSV-2 , HBV and syphilis was 10.0%, 52.2%, 12.3% and 10.5%, respectively for FSW, and was 11.0%, 15.3%, 9.8% and 2.8%, respectively for GW. KSHV seropositivity was not associated with syphilis and HSV-2 infection as well as sexual practices among either FSW or GW. Nevertheless, HSV-2 infection among FSW was independently associated with being ever married (OR = 1.59; 95%CI: 1.04-2.45), >5 years of prostitution (OR = 2.06; 95%CI: 1.16-3.68) and being syphilis positive (OR = 2.65; 95%CI: 1.43-4.93). HSV-2 infection among GW was independently associated with an age of >35 years (OR = 2.29; 95%CI: 1.07-4.93), having had more than 2 sex partners in the prior 12 months (OR = 6.44; 95%CI: 1.67-24.93) and being syphilis positive (OR = 3.94; 95%CI: 1.38-11.23). A gradual increase of prevalence with the prostitution time group was also detected for HSV-2 and syphilis, but not for KSHV.

Conclusions
KSHV is moderately and equivalently prevalent among FSW and GW. Heterosexual contact is not a predominant route for KSHV transmission among Chinese women.