bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Is serum cystatin C an early predictor for acute kidney injury following cardiopulmonary bypass surgery in infants and young children?
Authors: Zheng Jian‐Yong , Xiao Yan‐Yan , Yao Yong , Han Ling 
Published: April 2013

AbstractAcute kidney injury (AKI) is a potential complication following cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) surgery in infants and young children with congenital heart disease (CHD). The current pilot study evaluates the predictive value of serum cystatin C (CysC) for AKI after pediatric CPB surgery. We prospectively enrolled 43 children with CHD (30 males and 13 females) who underwent CPB surgery. They were aged 3 years or younger. Serum CysC was measured at baseline and at 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, and 48 hours after initiating CBP. Twenty‐one (48.8%) patients developed AKI after cardiac surgery. Children who developed AKI had more complex cardiac surgical procedures (based on the Risk Adjustment for Congenital Heart Surgery 1 [RACHS‐1] category), a longer CPB duration, and a longer aortic clamping time (ACT). Serum concentrations of CysC postoperatively demonstrated an initial decline at 6 hours, a subsequent increase at 12 hours, and stabilized at 24–48 hours. The best predictive performance was achieved 6 hours after CPB with an area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) value of 0.69. The optimal cut‐off value was 0.47 mg/L (sensitivity, 85.7%; specificity, 50%). By contrast, the RACHS‐1 category, CPB duration, and ACT had higher AUC values at 0.735, 0.791, and 0.731, respectively. In conclusion, serum CysC had limited predictive capacity and was not superior to clinical risk factors for the early detection of AKI after CPB surgery in this pilot study, which focused on infants and young children.
Comparison of the efficacy and safety of selective laser trabeculoplasty in cases with primary open‐angle glaucoma and pseudoexfoliative glaucoma
Authors: Kara Necip , Altan Cigdem , Yuksel Kemal , Tetikoglu Mehmet 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) for patients with primary open‐angle glaucoma (POAG) and pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (PXG). In this retrospective case series, 85 eyes (48 POAG, 37 PXG) of 85 patients were investigated. The medical records of patients who underwent SLT for POAG or PXG were reviewed. The main outcome measures included intraocular pressure (IOP)‐lowering effect and ocular side effects. The mean decrease in IOP differed significantly (p < 0.001) between eyes with POAG (−4.4 ± 2.1 mmHg) and eyes with PXG (−6.1 ± 3.6 mmHg) at a mean follow‐up period of 1 year. The rate of side effects, such as early IOP spike and uveitis, did not significantly differ between the two groups. In conclusion, SLT has a greater IOP‐lowering effect in PXG compared with POAG.
Bicondylar tibial plateau fracture treated by open reduction and fixation with unilateral locked plating
Authors: Lee Tien‐Ching , Huang Hsuan‐Ti , Lin Yu‐Chuan , Chen Chung‐Hwan , Cheng Yuh‐Min , Chen Jian‐Chih 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe management of bicondylar tibial plateau fractures is challenging. A lateral locking plate offers an alternative method to traditional dual plating to avoid further stripping of soft tissue. Nevertheless, the rate of malreduction and fixation loss remains high. From 2007 to 2009, we performed open reduction and fixation with unilateral locked plating to directly reduce the fracture in 15 patients with bicondylar plateau fracture. The average follow‐up duration was 16.2 months (range: 12–30 months), and the average age of the patients was 43 years (range: 19–64 years). All fractures were Orthopaedic Trauma Association type 41‐C. Postoperative radiographic alignment was evaluated immediately and at 2–4 weeks, 8–12 weeks, 5–7 months, and 11–13 months. Both Oxford knee score and Hospital for Special Surgery knee score were used to evaluate functional outcomes. The average duration within which union was achieved was 4.8 months (range: 2–10 months). One patient incurred wound dehiscence; however, there was no case of deep infection. Malreduction occurred in one patient (6.7%) while fixation loss occurred in three patients (20%) with subsidence of the posteromedial fragment and varus malalignment. Despite the malreduction rate being lower in our study than in previous studies involving unilateral locked plating, a high rate of fixation loss was recorded. Per our limited experience, we believe that unilateral locked plating may have limitations in patients with selective patterns of bicondylar tibial plateau fractures.
Primary pulmonary hepatoid carcinoma: Report of a case and review of the literature
Authors: Lin Shiou‐Fu , Hsu Wen‐Hu , Chou Teh‐Ying 
Published: April 2013

AbstractHepatoid carcinoma is a rare malignancy defined as extrahepatic primary alpha‐fetoprotein‐producing carcinoma morphologically resembling hepatocellular carcinoma. It is extremely rare in the lungs, with ambiguous pathological descriptions and variable prognosis. Herein, we present the case of a 66‐year‐old man with a primary pulmonary hepatoid carcinoma in his right upper lung who received complete curative surgical resection and adjuvant chemotherapy. No signs of recurrence or distant metastasis have been observed for 57 months postoperation. In addition, the literature is reviewed and the pathological diagnostic pitfalls are discussed.
In vitro schistosomicidal effects of aqueous and dichloromethane fractions from leaves and stems of Piper species and the isolation of an active amide from P. amalago L. (Piperaceae)
Authors: Carrara V.S. , Vieira S.C.H. , de Paula R.G. , Rodrigues V. , Magalhães L.G. , Cortez D.A.G. , Da Silva Filho A.A. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractDichloromethane and aqueous fractions from leaves and stems of Piper arboreum Aubl., P. aduncum L., P. amalago L., P. crassinervium H.B. & K., P. diospyrifolium Kunth, P. hispidum Sw. and P. xylosteoides (Kunth) Steud. were tested against adult worms of Schistosoma mansoni. The in vitro activity was evaluated in terms of mortality, number of separated worms and number of worms with reduced motor activity. Most dichloromethane fractions from all Piper species showed moderate schistosomicidal activity, but aqueous fractions were not active. The dichloromethane fraction of P. amalago leaves (at 100 μg/ml) showed the highest activity, resulting in worm mortality, the separation of worm pairs and reduced motor activity. Chromatographic fractionation of the dichloromethane fraction of P. amalago leaves led to the isolation of its major compound, which was also tested against adults of S. mansoni. The isolated piperamide N-[7-(3′,4′-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2(Z),4(Z)-heptadienoyl] pyrrolidine, at 100 μm, resulted in the mortality of all adult worms after 24 h of incubation. The findings suggest that species of Piper are potential sources of schistosomicidal compounds.
High-throughput decoding of drug targets and drug resistance mechanisms in African trypanosomes
Authors: HORN DAVID 
Published: April 2013

SUMMARYThe availability of genome sequence data has facilitated the development of high-throughput genetic screening approaches in microbial pathogens. In the African trypanosome, Trypanosoma brucei, genome-scale RNA interference screens have proven particularly effective in this regard. These genetic screens allow for identification of the genes that contribute to a particular pathway or mechanisms of interest. The approach has been used to assess loss-of-fitness, revealing the genes and proteins required for parasite viability and growth. The outputs from these screens predict essential and dispensable genes and facilitate drug target prioritization efforts. The approach has also been used to assess resistance to anti-trypanosomal drugs, revealing the genes and proteins that facilitate drug uptake and action. These outputs also highlight likely mechanisms underlying clinically relevant drug resistance. I first review these findings in the context of what we know about current drugs. I then describe potential contributions that these high-throughput approaches could make to the development and implementation of new drugs.
The importance of artificial habitats to migratory waterbirds within a natural/artificial wetland mosaic, Yellow River Delta, China
Authors: LI DONGLAI , CHEN SIHANG , LLOYD HUW , ZHU SHUYU , SHAN KAI , ZHANG ZHENGWANG 
Published: April 2013

SummaryAnthropogenic conversion of natural wetlands into artificial wetland habitats has produced complex wetland landscapes worldwide. In this study we investigated the responses of migratory and wintering waterbirds to five artificial wetland habitats (aquaculture ponds, paddyfields, irrigation canals, open water reservoirs and saltpans) within a novel natural-artificial wetland landscape, Yellow River Delta (YRD), eastern China from October 2007 to May 2008. The results showed that almost all bird community indicators in the YRD natural wetlands were higher than those in adjacent artificial wetlands. Across the landscape, natural wetlands remained most important for all waterbird guilds, and more than 90% of waterbird populations were dependent on these habitats. Artificial wetlands mainly provided a secondary role, supporting about 70% of waterbird species (including six species that reached 1% of their global or biogeographical flyway populations), but with distinctive functional capacity for specific waterbird guilds in different artificial wetlands. The conservation value of artificial wetlands is often ephemeral, mainly during autumn, for specific migratory waterbirds and complements that of remaining areas of natural wetlands. Therefore, the utilisation patterns of artificial wetlands are highly temporal and the majority of species are dependent on areas of natural wetland. A comprehensive study of the inter-seasonal and inter-annual variations in these different habitats and dependence by the various guilds in the YRD is required to enable the true value of these habitats to be understood. We suggest that the conservation of artificial wetlands should not be at the expense of natural wetlands, which should remain the priority for wetland landscape management. Management to maintain the existing artificial wetlands for migrating and wintering water birds should target habitat features that are absent or limited in natural wetlands thus increasing the carrying capacity of the YRD landscape.
Crop vegetation structure is more important than crop type in determining where Lesser Kestrels forage
Authors: RODRÍGUEZ CARLOS , TAPIA LUIS , RIBEIRO EMANUEL , BUSTAMANTE JAVIER 
Published: April 2013

SummaryWe studied foraging habitat selection by Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni throughout the breeding period in south-west Spain by means of transects on which foraging observations were recorded. We focused on the effects of habitat and crop type, but also on the effect of vegetation structure and the presence of agricultural activities in the field on Lesser Kestrel use. We considered both the accumulated use of the foraging area during the breeding season and the instantaneous foraging habitat selection by kestrels. Foraging habitat selection was highly dynamic following crop development and agricultural activities. Almost all major arable crop types showed positive selection during some part of the breeding cycle. Accumulated use by kestrels demonstrated positive associations with wheat and cotton fields and negative selection of permanent habitat types, such as forested areas, woody crops and built-up areas that have no prey or are not used by the species due to unfavourable structure. Vegetation structure appears to play a major role in instantaneous foraging selection. Lesser Kestrels select fields with short vegetation and intermediate cover. They also forage on field margins and where agricultural activities such as ploughing or harvesting that facilitate access to prey are being conducted. Our results help to clarify apparent controversies among previous studies on the subject, highlighting the importance of the heterogeneity of agricultural landscapes around colonies (crops at different growth stages which provide variable vegetation height and cover during the breeding cycle) and the effect that agricultural activities have on facilitating access to prey. Beyond the species-specific approach, our work encourages further studies on habitat selection by farmland birds to account not only for human-based categorisation of habitats (e.g. crop type) but also on objective measures such as vegetation height and cover that influence access to prey and better reflect the high dynamism of agricultural landscapes.
Molecular phylogeny of the South American sheldgeese with implications for conservation of Falkland Islands (Malvinas) and continental populations of the Ruddy-headed GooseChloephaga rubidicepsand Upland GooseC. picta
Authors: BULGARELLA MARIANA , KOPUCHIAN CECILIA , GIACOMO ADRIÁN S. DI , MATUS RICARDO , BLANK OLIVIA , WILSON ROBERT E. , MCCRACKEN KEVIN G. 
Published: April 2013

SummarySheldgeese of the genusChloephagaare waterfowl (Anatidae) endemic to mainland South America and the Falkland Islands (Malvinas). Continental populations of three speciesC. picta,C. poliocephala, andC. rubidicepsbreed in Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego and migrate northwards to winter in central Argentina and Chile. These continental populations have declined by > 50% in the past 30 years due to direct hunting to control crop damage and by the introduction of the grey foxDusicyon griseusto their breeding grounds in Tierra del Fuego. The continental population ofC. rubidicepsis critically endangered, estimated to be < 1,000 individuals. While no historic population size estimates exist forC. rubidicepsin its wintering grounds, the breeding population in Tierra del Fuego was estimated to number several thousand individuals in the 1950s. In contrast, theC. rubidicepspopulation in the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) is non-migratory and stable with > 42,000 individuals, as is the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) population ofC. picta leucopterawith > 138,000 individuals. Here we use sequence data from the mitochondrial DNA control region to quantify genetic divergence between insular and continental populations of these two species of sheldgeese.Chloephaga rubidicepsandC. pictashowed significant intraspecific differentiation of 1.0% and 0.6%, respectively. In both cases, mainland and insular populations were reciprocally monophyletic and did not share mtDNA haplotypes. These results suggest that the insular and continental populations ofC. rubidicepsandC. pictaare genetically distinct and that female-mediated gene flow is restricted. We recommend a reevaluation of the threat category status of the continentalC. rubidicepspopulation, under IUCN guidelines. It is necessary to implement urgent actions for the conservation of this critically endangered population.
10 best resources on … mixed methods research in health systems
Authors: Ozawa Sachiko , Pongpirul Krit 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
Mixed methods research has become increasingly popular in health systems. Qualitative approaches are often used to explain quantitative results and help to develop interventions or survey instruments. Mixed methods research is especially important in low- and middle-income country (LMIC) settings, where understanding social, economic and cultural contexts are essential to assess health systems performance. To provide researchers and programme managers with a guide to mixed methods research in health systems, we review the best resources with a focus on LMICs. We selected 10 best resources (eight peer-reviewed articles and two textbooks) based on their importance and frequency of use (number of citations), comprehensiveness of content, usefulness to readers and relevance to health systems research in resource-limited contexts. We start with an overview on mixed methods research and discuss resources that are useful for a better understanding of the design and conduct of mixed methods research. To illustrate its practical applications, we provide examples from various countries (China, Vietnam, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia and India) across different health topics (tuberculosis, malaria, HIV testing and healthcare costs). We conclude with some toolkits which suggest what to do when mixed methods findings conflict and provide guidelines for evaluating the quality of mixed methods research.
Simulation of fines migration using a non‐Newtonian lattice Boltzmann‐discrete element model
Authors: Leonardi C.R. , Owen D.R.J. , Feng Y.T. 
Published: April 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a novel computational framework based on the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) and discrete element method (DEM) capable of simulating fines migration in three dimensions. Fines migration occurs in a block cave mine, and is characterised by the faster movement of fine and often low‐grade material towards the draw point in comparison to larger, blocky material.Design/methodology/approachThis study builds on the foundations and applications outlined in a companion paper, in which the non‐Newtonian LBM‐DEM framework is defined and applied in 2D simulations. Issues relevant to the extension to 3D, such as spatial discretisation, fluid boundary conditions and the definition of synthetic bulk material parameters using a power law model, are discussed.FindingsThe results of the 3D DEM percolation replication showed that migration is predominantly limited to within the draw zone, and that the use of a low‐cohesion material model resulted in a greater amount of fines migration. The draw sensitivity investigation undertaken with the two bell partial block cave analysis did not show a significant difference in the amount of migration, despite the two draw strategies being deliberately chosen to result in isolated and interactive draw of material.Originality/valueAlong with the companion paper, this paper presents a novel application of the developed non‐Newtonian LBM‐DEM framework in the investigation of fines migration, which until now has been limited to scale models, cellular automata or pure DEM simulations. The results highlight the potential for this approach to be applied in an industrial context, and indicate a number of potential avenues for further research.
On the use of SEREP for satellite FEM validation
Authors: Aglietti G.S. , Walker S.J.I. , Kiley A. 
Published: April 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess the suitability of various methods for the reduction of a large finite element model (FEM) of satellites to produce models to be used for correlation of the FEM with test results. The robustness of the cross‐orthogonality checks (COC) for the correlation process carried out utilizing the reduced model is investigated, showing its dependence on the number of mode shapes used in the reduction process. Finally the paper investigates the improvement in the robustness of the COC that can be achieved utilizing optimality criteria for the selection of the degrees of freedom (DOF) used for the correlation process.Design/methodology/approachA Monte Carlo approach has been used to simulate inaccuracies in the mode shapes (analysis and experimental) of a satellite FEM that are compared during the COC. The sensitivity of the COC to the parameters utilized during the reduction process, i.e. mode shapes and DOFs, is then assessed for different levels of inaccuracy in the mode shapes.FindingsThe System Equivalent Expansion Reduction Process (SEREP) has been identified as a particularly suitable method, with the advantage that a SEREP reduced model has the same eigenvalues and eigenvector of the whole system therefore automatically meeting the criteria on the quality of the reduced model. The inclusion of a high number of mode shapes in the reduction process makes the check very sensitive to minor experimental or modelling inaccuracies. Finally it was shown that utilizing optimality criteria in the selection of the DOFs to carry out the correlation can significantly improve the probability of meeting the COC criteria.Research limitations/implicationsThis work is based on the FEM of the satellite Aeolus, and therefore the numerical values obtained in this study are specific for this application. However, this model represents a typical satellite FEM and therefore the trends identified in this work are expected to be generally valid for this type of structure.Practical implicationsThe correlation of satellite FEM with test results involves a substantial effort, and it is crucial to avoid failures of the COC due to numerical issues rather than real model inaccuracies. This work shows also how an inappropriate choice of reduction parameters can lead to failure of the COC in cases when there are only very minor differences (e.g. due to minor amount of noise in the results) between analytical and test results. Vice versa, the work also shows how the robustness of the reduced model can be improved.Originality/valueThe paper shows how the robustness of the correlation process for a satellite FEM carried out utilising a SEREP reduced model needed to be investigated, to demonstrate the suitability of this method to reduce large FEM of satellites.
Application of elastic fracture and damage mechanics models for numerical simulation of hydrogen embrittlement in steels
Authors: Palma Carrasco Jorge , Andrade Barbosa José Maria , Almeida Silva Antonio , da Silva Irmão Marcos Antonio 
Published: April 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a numerical simulation of the hydrogen atomic effect on the steels fracture toughness, as well as on crack propagation using fracture mechanics and continuous damage mechanics models.Design/methodology/approachThe simulation was performed in an idealized elastic specimen with an edge crack loaded in the tensile opening mode, in a plane strain state. In order to simulate the effect of hydrogen in the steel, the stress intensity factor ahead of the crack tip in the hydrogenated material was obtained. The damage model was applied to simulate the growth and crack propagation being considered only two damage components: a mechanical damage produced by a static load and a non‐mechanical damage produced by the hydrogen.FindingsThe simulation results showed that the changes in the stress field at the crack tip and the reduction in the time of growth and crack propagation due to hydrogen effect occur. These results showed a good correlation and consistency with macroscopic observations, providing a better understanding of the hydrogen embrittlement phenomenon in steels.Originality/valueThe paper attempts to link the concepts of the continuous damage and fracture mechanics to achieve a better approach in the representation of the physical phenomenon studied, in order to obtain a more accurate simulation of the processes involved.