bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ammonia clearance with haemofiltration in adults with liver disease
Authors: Slack Andrew J. , Auzinger Georg , Willars Chris , Dew Tracy , Musto Rebecca , Corsilli Daniel , Sherwood Roy , Wendon Julia A. , Bernal William 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBackground & AimsAmmonia is recognized as a toxin central to complications of liver failure. Hyperammonaemia has important clinical consequences, but optimal means to reduce circulating levels are uncertain. In patients with liver disease, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) with haemofiltration (HF) is often required to treat concurrent kidney injury, but its effects upon ammonia levels are poorly characterized. To evaluate the effect of HF at different treatment intensities on ammonia clearance (AC) and arterial ammonia concentration.MethodsProspective study of adult patients with liver failure and arterial ammonia >100 μmol/L requiring CRRT using veno‐venous HF. Arterial ammonia concentration and AC measured at 1 and 24 h after initiation of low (35 ml/kg/h) or high (90 ml/kg/h) filtration volume.ResultsTwenty‐four patients (10 acute liver failure, 10 chronic liver disease and 4 following liver resection) were studied. Clearance of urea and ammonia solutes correlated closely (r = 0.819, P = 0.007). Ammonia clearance correlated closely with ultrafiltration rate (r = 0.86, P < 0.001). At 1 h, AC was 39 (34–54) ml/min (low volume) vs 85 (62–105) ml/min (high volume) CRRT, (P < 0.001) and at 24 h 44 (34–63) vs 105 (82–109) ml/min, (P = 0.01). Overall, a 22% reduction in median arterial ammonia concentration was observed over 24 h of HF from 156 (137–176) to 122 (85–133) μmol/L, (P ≤ 0.0001).ConclusionClinically significant ammonia clearance can be achieved in adult patients with hyperammonaemia utilizing continuous VVHF. Ammonia clearance is closely correlated with ultrafiltration rate. HF was associated with a fall in arterial ammonia concentration.
Chromatic‐Third Relations in the Music ofBruckner: a Neo‐Riemannian Perspective
Authors: Ramirez Miguel 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThe present study offers an extended neo‐Riemannian examination of chromatic‐third relations in selectedBruckner compositions of the 1880s, and it constitutes the first such examination of the composer's music. Owing to its inherent indifference towards the notions of tonal centre and conventional harmonic syntax, a neo‐Riemannian transformational model seems particularly apt for the analysis of the music selected – music in which non‐functional chord progressions, symmetrical divisions of the octave and the temporary suspension of tonic centricity are featured. The characteristics of the works analysed here suggest an evolution inBruckner's handling of chromaticism, from the seeminglysui generismixture of plagal and chromatic‐third relations in the coda of the opening movement of the SixthSymphony, to a more methodical use of hexatonic‐polar transformations in the motetEcce sacerdos magnus, to the exhaustive, almost systematic exploration of hexatonic cycles in the finale of the EighthSymphony.
Peripheral and total parenteral nutrition as the strongest risk factors for nosocomial candidemia in elderly patients: a matched case–control study
Authors: Luzzati Roberto , Cavinato Silvia , Giangreco Manuela , Granà Gianluca , Centonze Sandro , Deiana Maria L. , Biolo Gianni , Barbone Fabio 
Published: May 2013

SummaryCandidemia is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the healthcare setting. However, there is limited information about risk factors for such infection among elderly patients. A case–control study was conducted during the period 2008–2011. For each case, two controls were selected among patients admitted to the same hospital, and individually matched by sex, age, time of admission, hospital ward and hospitalisation duration. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) was calculated using multiple conditional logistic regression. We identified 145 episodes of candidemia occurring in 140 patients with a median age of 80 years. Candida albicans caused 55% of all candidemia episodes. After adjustment, candidemia was strongly associated with duration of total [duration > 7 days: OR = 20.09; 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.44–117.52] and peripheral parenteral nutrition (duration > 7 days: OR = 26.83; 95% CI: 6.54–110.17), other central vascular catheters (OR = 5.17; 95% CI: 1.24–23.54) and glycopeptide antibiotics (OR = 6.45; 95% CI: 1.90–21.91). Duration of peripheral and total parenteral nutrition and antibiotics predicted over 50% of all candidemias. Intervention studies should be planned to evaluate effectiveness of candidemia prevention by restricting parenteral nutrition, prompting earlier enteral feeding, and reducing use of antibiotics, especially glycopeptides, in elderly patients.
Micronutrient supplements: Who needs them? A personal view
Authors: Shenkin A. 
Published: May 2013

SummarySupplements of vitamins and trace elements are consumed widely in the UK, yet there is little evidence that their ingestion is beneficial to health or wellbeing. This review summarises the evidence for health benefits or harm in the situations where supplements are taken.In only a few cases does the Department of Health recommend supplements in the otherwise healthy population – folic acid before and in the early stages of pregnancy, as requirements are higher, and vitamin D in infants under 5 for example, as their diet is inadequate and they are unlikely to get enough from exposure to sunlight.Deficiency of individual micronutrients leading to signs of clinical deficiency is fairly common in clinical practice (e.g. anaemia due to iron deficiency, or folate or vitamin B12 deficiency) and it is clear that the relevant nutrient must be provided to correct the deficiency state. Subclinical deficiency is more common, where the deficit in a nutrient is not sufficiently severe to cause clinical signs, but there may be metabolic or non‐specific clinical effects. Benefits of supplements on immune function or cognition in these situations have been difficult to prove. In particular, concern about the adequacy of the antioxidant defences has led to several studies of high‐dose antioxidants in an attempt to reduce mortality from cardiovascular disease or cancer. These have been found to lead to an increase, rather than a decrease, in mortality.There is good evidence that benefit is obtained from ingestion of micronutrients as part of a varied, balanced diet, including at least five portions of fruits and vegetables per day. Purified supplements may be of value in certain at‐risk groups who are known to have a poor or inadequate diet. In such cases, supplements should be limited to provision of no more than the Reference Nutrient Intake to minimise the risk of excess.
Evaluation of Linear Lesions in the Left and Right Atrium in Ablation of Long‐standing Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: WANG YUAN‐LONG , LIU XU , TAN HONG‐WEI , ZHOU LI , JIANG WEI‐FENG , GU JUN , LIU YU‐GANG 
Published: May 2013

BackgroundThis randomized prospective study compared three ablation strategies in patients with long‐standing persistent atrial fibrillation (LPeAF). It also explored the best procedural endpoint from among the following: circumferential pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) + left atrial (LA) linear lesions (roofline, mitral isthmus) + complex fractionated atrial electrogram (CFAE) ablation, PVI + LA linear lesions + cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) ablation + CFAE ablation, and PVI + CFAE ablation.Methods and ResultsA total of 210 patients with LPeAF referred for catheter ablation were enrolled and randomized into three ablation groups. The patients in group A (n = 70) underwent PVI followed by LA linear and CFAE ablation; in 93% of patients the primary endpoint was achieved (five patients with incomplete linear lesions). Of the 70 patients in group B who were subjected to PVI followed by LA linear, CFAE, and CTI ablations, in 94% of patients the primary endpoint was achieved (four patients with incomplete linear lesions). All patients in group C (n = 70) successfully underwent PVI and CFAE ablation. Direct current cardioversion was performed upon PVI, CFAE elimination, and completion of linear lesions. Patients were followed‐up for atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence for at least 24 months. After a single ablation procedure, group C (36%) exhibited the lowest success compared with group A (54%) and group B (51%) (P = 0.06). At the mean follow‐up of 32 ± 9 months after the final ablation procedure, 53 patients (76%) in group A, 53 (76%) in group B, and 41 (59%) in group C were in sinus rhythm without antiarrhythmic drugs (P = 0.03).ConclusionsIn LPeAF, linear lesions in the LA help improve outcome of ablation, additional CTI ablation does not.
A Case Report on Autosomal Recessive Total Congenital Anonychia
Authors: Balta Ilknur , Kalkan Goknur 
Published: May 2013

AbstractA 21‐year‐old woman presented with a history of the absence of the nails of all her fingers and toes since birth. Her grandfathers were first degree relatives. Her two brothers (26 and 28 years old) had the same anomalies. Autosomal recessive inheritance of this disease was supported in our cases because the parents were consanguineous and the disease occurred in two brothers and a sister.
Epidemiology of Ophthalmologic Disease Associated with Erythema Multiforme, Stevens‐Johnson Syndrome, and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis in Hospitalized Children in the United States
Authors: Moreau Jacqueline F. , Watson Robert S. , Hartman Mary E. , Linde‐Zwirble Walter T. , Ferris Laura K. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThe objective of the current study was to characterize the epidemiology and resource use of U.S. children hospitalized with ophthalmologic disease secondary to erythema multiforme (EM), Stevens‐Johnson syndrome (SJS), and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). We studied children ages 5 to 19 years hospitalized in 2005 in 11 states, encompassing 38% of the U.S. pediatric population. Using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes, we identified admissions of children with EM, SJS, or TEN and the presence of concurrent ophthalmologic disease, analyzed patient and hospitalization characteristics, and generated age‐ and sex‐adjusted national estimates. We identified 460 children admitted with EM, SJS, or TEN, corresponding to 1,229 U.S. hospitalizations in 2005. Of the children with EM, SJS, or TEN, 60 (13.0%) had ophthalmologic disease, primarily (90.0%) disorders of the conjunctiva. Children with the highest proportions of ophthalmologic disease included those with mycoplasma pneumonia (26.7%), herpes simplex virus (15.6%), upper respiratory infection (13.9%), and lower respiratory infection (13.7%). Individuals with EM, SJS, or TEN and ophthalmologic disease were more likely than those without ophthalmologic disease to receive intensive care unit care (28.3% vs 17.0%, p = 0.03) and to be admitted to a children's hospital (63.3% vs 48.8%, p = 0.03). Ophthalmologic disease was also associated with a significantly longer median length of stay (6.0 days, interquartile range [IQR] 3–9 days vs 3.0 days, IQR 2–6 days, p < 0.001) and median hospital cost ($7,868, IQR $3,539–$17,440 vs $2,969, IQR $1,603–$8,656, p < 0.001). In children with EM, SJS, or TEN, ophthalmologic disease was most common in those with concurrent Mycoplasma pneumoniae and herpes simplex virus infections. Ophthalmologic disease was associated with considerably higher inpatient resource use in this population. Children with EM, SJS, or TEN should be screened and treated early for ophthalmologic disease to prevent morbidity and minimize long‐term sequellae.
Generation of Soluble NKG2D Ligands: Proteolytic Cleavage, Exosome Secretion and Functional Implications
Authors: Chitadze G. , Bhat J. , Lettau M. , Janssen O. , Kabelitz D. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThe activating natural killer group 2 member D (NKG2D) receptor is expressed on NK cells, cytotoxic T cells and additional T cell subsets. Ligands for human NKG2D comprise two groups of MHC class I‐related molecules, the MHC class I chain‐related proteins A and B (MICA/B) and 6 UL16‐binding proteins (ULBP1‐6). While NKG2D ligands are absent from most normal cells, expression is induced upon stress and malignant transformation. In fact, most solid tumours and leukaemia/lymphomas constitutively express at least one NKG2D ligand and thereby are susceptible to NKG2D‐dependent immunosurveillance. However, soluble NKG2D ligands are released from tumour cells and can down‐modulate NKG2D activation as a means of tumour immune escape. In some tumour entities, levels of soluble NKG2D ligands in the serum correlate with tumour progression. NKG2D ligands can be proteolytically shed from the cell surface or liberated from the membrane by phospholipase C in the case of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)‐anchored molecules. Moreover, NKG2D ligands can be secreted in exosomal microvesicles together with other tumour‐derived molecules. Depending on the specific tumour/immune cell setting, these various forms of soluble and/or exosome‐bound NKG2D ligands can exert multiple effects on NKG2D/NKG2D ligand interactions. In this review, we focus on the role of various proteases in the shedding of human NKG2D ligands from tumour cells and discuss the not completely unanimous reported functional implications of soluble and exosome‐secreted NKG2D ligands for immunosurveillance.
ESAT‐6‐gpi DNA Vaccine Augmented the Specific Antitumour Efficacy Induced by the Tumour Vaccine B16F10‐ESAT‐6‐gpi/IL‐21 in a Mouse Model
Authors: He X. , Wang J. , Zhao F. , Chen D. , Chen J. , Zhang H. , Yang C. , Liu Y. , Dou J. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractIn this study, we hypothesized that the mice immunized with the glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchored 6‐kDa early‐secreted antigenic target (ESAT‐6) DNA vaccine (ESAT‐6‐gpi) and the tumour vaccine B16F10‐ESAT‐6‐gpi/IL‐21 might significantly enhance immune responses and antimelanoma efficacy. Our experimental results indicated that the anti‐ESAT‐6 antibody induced by the DNA vaccine ESAT‐6‐gpi bound ESAT‐6 to the surface of tumour vaccine to activate a complement classical pathway and resulted in the B16F10 tumour cell lysis and apoptosis, which served as a potential trigger for breaking melanomatous immune tolerance to elicit an initiation of natural antimelanoma immunity. Our innovative approach of using the DNA vaccine ESAT‐6‐gpi priming and the tumour vaccine B16F10‐ESAT‐6‐gpi/IL‐21 boosting induced strong antimelanoma immunity that inhibited melanomatous growth. These findings highlighted the DNA vaccine ESAT‐6‐gpi as an immune enhancer to augment the immune efficacy of the tumour vaccine B16F10‐ESAT ‐6‐gpi/IL‐21 against melanoma in a mouse model.
The Nonequivalent Health of High School Equivalents
Authors: Zajacova Anna , Everett Bethany G. 
Published: May 2013

ObjectivesMillions of U.S. adults are recipients of the high school (HS) equivalency (General Education Development [GED]) diploma. Virtually nothing is known about the health of this large group, although literature suggests GED recipients are considerably worse off than HS graduates in numerous economic and social outcomes. We analyze general health among working‐age adults with a HS diploma, GED recipients, and HS dropouts.MethodsOrdered and binary logistic models of self‐rated health and activity limitations were estimated using data from the 1997–2009 National Health Interview Surveys (N = 76,703).ResultsGED recipients have significantly and substantially worse health than HS graduates, among both sexes. In fact, the GED recipients’ health is generally comparable to that of HS dropouts. Health behaviors and economic factors explain a large proportion of the difference but the gap remains significant.ConclusionsIn terms of health, adults with a terminal GED are not equivalent to HS graduates. GED recipients report considerably worse general health and activity limitations. The disadvantage is only partly due to the worse economic outcomes and health behaviors; a significant difference remains unexplained and may be due to other, unobserved pathways, or to selection mechanisms.
Do Social Ties Encourage Immigrant Voters to Participate in Other Campaign Activities?
Authors: Klofstad Casey A. , Bishin Benjamin G. 
Published: May 2013

ObjectiveHow do immigrants become politically active? While this process has been extensively studied, the role of ties to formal and informal institutions of society has been understudied. We test whether informal (political discussion) and formal (connections to community organizations) ties encourage immigrant voters to participate in other campaign activities.MethodsData were collected through a 2008 exit poll of Miami‐Dade County, Florida, USA voters. Along with assessing the bivariate relationship between social ties and campaign participation, we use a Poisson event count regression model to control for alternative explanations.ResultsThe positive relationship between social ties and campaign participation among immigrant voters disappears once we control for alternative explanations. There is, however, a positive relationship among the native born (including second‐generation immigrants).ConclusionVoters need to acquire personal resources, and become assimilated into American political culture, before social ties have an effect on campaign participation.
The President on Spanish‐Language Television News
Authors: Eshbaugh‐Soha Matthew , Balarezo Christine 
Published: May 2013

ObjectivesDifferent audience demographics and preferences should produce significant descriptive differences in the content of presidential news, with Noticiero Telemundo (Telemundo) newscasts offering more treatment of presidential news concerning issues pertinent to Latinos than NBC Nightly News (NBC). In addition, presidents can influence Spanish‐language news by targeting policy issues and locations most relevant to Latinos.MethodsWe offer a basic descriptive comparison of news features and also use probit methodology to predict the conditions that contribute to Spanish‐language presidential news coverage over 85 days in early 2011.ResultsAlthough Telemundo and NBC devote a similar amount of coverage to the president, Telemundo appeals to its Latino audience by reporting on issues relevant to Latinos. In addition, presidents increase the likelihood of Spanish‐language news coverage by visiting border states.ConclusionsPresidential influence of the news extends to Spanish‐language television, even though Spanish‐language news covers different topics in comparison with English‐language news coverage.
A Morphological Approach to Predicting Urban Expansion
Authors: Arsanjani Jamal Jokar , Helbich Marco , Mousivand Ali Jafar 
Published: May 2013

AbstractMany methods for modeling urban expansion are available. Most of these computational models demand a variety of large‐scale environmental and socio‐economic data to investigate the relationship between urban expansion and its driving forces. These requirements are not always fulfilled, particularly in developing countries due to a lack of data availability. This necessitates methods not suffering from data limitations to ease their application. Consequently, this research presents a morphological approach for predicting urban expansion on the basis of spatiotemporal dynamics of urban margins by investigating the interior metropolitan area of Tehran, Iran as a case study. To assess the model's performance, urban expansion is monitored from 1976 to 2012. The proposed model is evaluated to ensure that the prediction performance for the year 2012 is acceptable. For the year 2024, the model predicts Tehran's urban expansion at an overall R2 of 88%. Accordingly, it is concluded that: (1) although this approach only inputs urban margins, it represents a suitable and easy‐to‐use urban expansion model; and (2) urban planners are faced with continuing urban expansion.
Aspergillosis after liver transplantation in the context of common variable immunodeficiency: case report
Authors: Chen Y. , Cameron A. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractCommon variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is the most common primary immune defect, resulting in hypogammaglobulinemia as well as deficits in cell‐mediated immunity. Although it mainly manifests in immunodeficiency and related infection, CVID can also be associated with autoimmune phenomena such as immune thrombocytopenic purpura, hemolytic anemia, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, primary biliary cirrhosis, and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). AIH is a less common but serious complication of CVID, which can result in early cirrhosis, ascites, and even hepatocellular carcinoma. Here, we discuss a recent case of transplantation for cirrhosis secondary to AIH in the context of CVID. Although the patient's surgery occurred without complication, he rapidly developed fulminant alveolar hemorrhage and seizures, and died secondary to disseminated neuroaspergillosis.
A Framework for Modeling the Interaction of Syntactic Processing and Eye Movement Control
Authors: Engelmann Felix , Vasishth Shravan , Engbert Ralf , Kliegl Reinhold 
Published: May 2013

AbstractWe explore the interaction between oculomotor control and language comprehension on the sentence level using two well‐tested computational accounts of parsing difficulty. Previous work (Boston, Hale, Vasishth, & Kliegl, 2011) has shown that surprisal (Hale, 2001; Levy, 2008) and cue‐based memory retrieval (Lewis & Vasishth, 2005) are significant and complementary predictors of reading time in an eyetracking corpus. It remains an open question how the sentence processor interacts with oculomotor control. Using a simple linking hypothesis proposed in Reichle, Warren, and McConnell (2009), we integrated both measures with the eye movement model EMMA (Salvucci, 2001) inside the cognitive architecture ACT‐R (Anderson et al., 2004). We built a reading model that could initiate short “Time Out regressions” (Mitchell, Shen, Green, & Hodgson, 2008) that compensate for slow postlexical processing. This simple interaction enabled the model to predict the re‐reading of words based on parsing difficulty. The model was evaluated in different configurations on the prediction of frequency effects on the Potsdam Sentence Corpus. The extension of EMMA with postlexical processing improved its predictions and reproduced re‐reading rates and durations with a reasonable fit to the data. This demonstration, based on simple and independently motivated assumptions, serves as a foundational step toward a precise investigation of the interaction between high‐level language processing and eye movement control.
Periorbital adenocarcinoma in a bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps)
Authors: Darrow Brett G. , Johnstone McLean Nancy S. , Russman Shirley E. , Schiller Chris A. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractA 4.5‐year‐old female bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) presented for periorbital swelling affecting the left eye. A well‐organized, hypoechoic mass was noted ventral and medial to the globe on ocular ultrasound. The mass continued to grow despite antibiotic therapy, and an exenteration was performed. The mass was diagnosed via histopathology and immunohistochemical staining as a probable lacrimal gland carcinoma, although a Harderian gland origin could not definitively be ruled out. The tumor recurred following removal, and the lizard died 2 months postoperatively.