bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Deterioration of intraoral recognition of shapes after treatment of oral and pharyngeal cancer
Authors: Bodin Ingrid , Lind Magnus , Henningsson Gunilla , Isberg Annika 
Published: May 2013

Thirty patients with diagnosed malignant tumors of the oral cavity or pharynx were tested in regards to intraoral shape recognition at 4 test occasions: before all treatment, after radiotherapy, 6 months after surgery, and 1 year after surgery. They were compared within groups as well as with a group of healthy reference individuals of the same age who underwent the same test procedure at a 2‐month interval. The tumor itself did not influence the capability of shape recognition. The reference individuals demonstrated significantly better results on the second test occasion, which is known as a learning effect. Learning improvement was not seen in the patients whose second test occasions were after radiotherapy, implying an impediment amounting to the magnitude of the learning effect. At 6 months after surgery the patients' capabilities of shape recognition had deteriorated significantly with no difference between the oral cancer group and the pharyngeal cancer group. No spontaneous rehabilitation had taken place 1 year after surgery. The presence or absence of surgical lingual nerve damage did not influence the results. The nonoperated side does not compensate for the operated one. It is plausible that decreased oral sensory acuity in recognizing the shape of the bolus contributes to postoperative swallowing problems.
Benefits of cochlear implantation in elderly patients
Authors: Shin Young‐Je , Fraysse Bernard , Deguine Olivier , Valès Olivier , Laborde Marie‐Laurence , Bouccara Didier , Sterkers Olivier , Uziel Alain 
Published: May 2013

Cochlear implantation in elderly patients is a questionable subject. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the procedure and its outcome, the postoperative course, and the audiologic and social benefits of cochlear implantation in this population. Twenty‐seven patients older than 60 years were compared with a control group of 15 adult patients. This retrospective study analyzed data concerning the outcome of the procedure, postoperative course, postoperative orthophonic test results, and answers of a questionnaire assessing the changes in communication, perception, and social outcomes. The procedure was uneventful in both groups. Minor complications were not more frequent in elderly patients. Orthophonic test results were comparable in both groups. At 12 months, 83% of the elderly patients had an open‐set speech discrimination score above 60%. The benefits of cochlear implantation in terms of the quality of life are not statistically different with younger patients. Cost‐utility analysis might support these findings.
Clinical effects of stereotactic radiation surgery in patients with metastatic melanoma
Authors: Mikoshiba Asuka , Uhara Hisashi , Murata Hiroshi , Okuyama Ryuhei 
Published: May 2013

AbstractWe examined the effectiveness of stereotactic radiation surgery (SRS) in 14 patients with brain metastasis in our hospital. The age of the patients ranged 45–85 years old (mean, 65). Brain metastasis was detected by neurological symptoms in seven patients and by regular imaging examination in the remaining patients. The number of metastatic lesions in the brain before SRS ranged 1–11 (median, 2). The treatment number of SRS was 1–4 times (median, 2). Six of 14 patients had neurological symptoms before SRS. Overall survival (OS) after SRS was 1.7–21.2 months (median, 8.2). The progression‐free survival (PFS) after SRS was 0.9–10.5 months (median, 2.2). The result of univariate analysis showed that the application of two or more courses of SRS was significantly related to OS (P = 0.005). Single metastatic lesion (P = 0.051) and no extracranial lesion (P = 0.055) showed a slight tendency to be related to disease‐free survival (DFS). Neither lactate dehydrogenase nor neurological symptoms were significantly related to OS or DFS. Although OS and DFS after SRS were not very long, the treatment of brain metastases has the potential to prevent neurological events. Repeating SRS may be accepted as a local therapy in the multimodal approach including new molecular targeting drugs for metastatic melanoma.
Prevalence and viral DNA loads of three novel human polyomaviruses in skin cancers from Japanese patients
Authors: Imajoh Masayuki , Hashida Yumiko , Nakajima Hideki , Sano Shigetoshi , Daibata Masanori 
Published: May 2013

AbstractMerkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), human polyomaviruses 6 (HPyV6) and 7 (HPyV7) are novel human polyomaviruses. This study investigated their detection rates and DNA loads in various skin cancers from Japanese patients. MCPyV, HPyV6 and HPyV7 were detected in 22.2%, 3.2% and 1.6% of squamous cell carcinomas, 18.0%, 2.0% and 4.0% of basal cell carcinomas, and 19.1%, 4.3% and 4.3% of melanomas, respectively. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction showed that their DNA loads were low. These findings provide the first evidence of the prevalence of HPyV6 and HPyV7 in skin cancers in Asia. Nucleotide differences were found in the large T‐sequenced region between Japanese and North American isolates: a nucleotide substitution of A to G for HPyV6; and a nucleotide substitution of T to C and the insertion of a gap for HPyV7. This suggested that two genotypes of HPyV6 and HPyV7 would be present and associated with geographical origin.
Physiological mechanisms for the increase in renal solute‐free water clearance by a glucagon‐like peptide‐1 mimetic
Authors: Kutina Anna V , Marina Anna S , Shakhmatova Elena I , Natochin Yury V 
Published: May 2013

Summary

The aim of the present study was to clarify the mechanisms mediating the effect of a glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) mimetic on solute‐free water excretion in rats.

The GLP‐1 mimetic exenatide (0.05–5.0 nmol/kg, i.m.), alone and in combination with either a vasopressin V2 receptor antagonist (15 nmol/kg, i.p.) or vasopressin (0.01 nmol/kg, i.m.), was injected into control and water‐loaded (water 10–50 mL/kg, p.o., or 50 mL/kg of 0.6% NaCl, i.p.) rats to evaluate the role of collecting duct water permeability in the hydrouretic effect. Urinary prostaglandin (PG) E2 excretion and the effects of diclofenac (5 mg/kg, i.m.) and GLP‐1 receptor antagonist (0.15 μmol/kg, i.p.) on exenatide action were assessed.

The hydrouretic effect of exenatide was equivalent following oral or intraperitoneal water loading, and was proportional to the volume of water administered. Injection of exenatide, under conditions of a maximal decrease in collecting duct water permeability (V2 receptor antagonist administration in water‐loaded rats), additionally stimulated solute‐free water formation. The GLP‐1 receptor antagonist weakened the hydrouretic action of exenatide. Urinary PGE2 excretion increased following water loading (47 ± 6 vs 24 ± 4 ng/kg over a 30 min period) and was enhanced as a result of additional exenatide injection (69 ± 10 ng/kg). Diclofenac and vasopressin delayed the hydrouretic effect of exenatide.

The effect of exenatide on solute‐free water clearance in water‐loaded rats is presumably mediated by stimulation of PGE2 secretion and reinforcement of tubular fluid influx from the proximal tubule to the distal segment of the nephron and collecting duct.
What is the mechanism of flow‐mediated arterial dilatation
Authors: Markos Farouk , Ruane O'Hora Therese , Noble Mark IM 
Published: May 2013

Summary

The present review attempts to explain the controversies concerning the mechanism of shear stress‐mediated arterial dilatation, commonly called flow‐mediated arterial dilatation (FMD). Flow‐mediated dilatation occurs in an artery when the blood flow to the organ supplied by the artery is increased.

There are two hypotheses regarding the stimulus for FMD: (i) a wave of endothelial and smooth muscle hyperpolarization, conducted in a retrograde fashion from the vasodilated peripheral vascular bed towards the relevant conduit artery; and (ii) an increase in shear stress sensed by the endothelial cells.

The latter hypothesis is associated with two further postulates concerning the method of mechanotransduction of the shear stress stimulus: (i) direct transmission from endothelial cell cytoskeleton to the vascular smooth muscle to induce dilatation; and (ii) indirect transmission to the endothelial cell cytoskeleton via the glycocalyx. The virtues and inconsistencies of these hypotheses are discussed.

The first hypothesis is excluded because a vasodilated peripheral vascular bed does not cause dilation of the upstream conduit artery if an increase in flow within the conduit artery is prevented and because FMD is completely blocked by inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS).

It is probable that the stimulus is an increase in shear stress between the blood and the adjacent layer of the arterial wall, the glycocalyx. Ultimately, a change in the endothelial cell cytoskeleton is the likely event that leads to activation of NOS and this activation does not occur without a functioning glycocalyx.
Risk factors for obstetric anal sphincter injury after a successful multicentre interventional programme
Authors: Stedenfeldt M , Øian P , Gissler M , Blix E , Pirhonen J 
Published: May 2013

ObjectiveTo evaluate and compare the risk profile of sustaining obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) and associated risks in five risk groups (low to high), after the OASIS rate was reduced from 4.6% to 2.0% following an interventional programme. The main focus of the intervention was on manual assistance during the final part of second stage of labour.DesignA multicentre interventional cohort study with before and after comparison.SettingFour Norwegian obstetric departments.SampleA total of 40 154 vaginal deliveries in 2003–09.MethodsPre‐intervention and postintervention analyses. The associations of OASIS with possible risk factors were estimated using odds ratios obtained by logistic regression.Main outcome measureRisk factors of OASIS.ResultsThe risk of sustaining OASIS decreased by 59% (odds ratio [OR] 0.41; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.36–0.46) after the intervention. Associations with obstetric risks for OASIS were largely unchanged after the intervention, including first vaginal delivery (OR 3.84; 95% CI 2.90–5.07), birthweight ≥4500 g (OR 4.42; 95% CI 2.68–7.27), forceps delivery (OR 3.54; 95% CI 1.99–6.29) and mediolateral episiotomy (OR 0.89; 95% CI 0.70–1.12). However, the highest reduction of OASIS, (65%), was observed in group 0 (low‐risk) (OR 0.35; 95% CI 0.24–0.51), and a 57% (OR 0.43; 95% CI 0.35–0.52), 61% (OR 0.39; 95% CI 0.31–0.48), and 58% (OR 0.42; 95% CI 0.30–0.60) reduction in groups with one, two and three risk factors, respectively. No change was observed in the group with four risk factors.ConclusionAfter the intervention the most significant decrease of OASIS was observed in low‐risk births, although the main risk factors for OASIS remained unchanged.
Elective caesarean section at 38 weeks versus 39 weeks: neonatal and maternal outcomes in a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Glavind J , Kindberg SF , Uldbjerg N , Khalil M , Møller AM , Mortensen BB , Rasmussen OB , Christensen JT , Jørgensen JS , Henriksen TB 
Published: May 2013

ObjectivesTo investigate whether elective caesarean section before 39 completed weeks of gestation increases the risk of adverse neonatal or maternal outcomes.DesignRandomised controlled multicentre open‐label trial.SettingSeven Danish tertiary hospitals from March 2009 to June 2011.PopulationWomen with uncomplicated pregnancies, a single fetus, and a date of delivery estimated by ultrasound scheduled for delivery by elective caesarean section.MethodsPerinatal outcomes after elective caesarean section scheduled at a gestational age of 38 weeks and 3 days versus 39 weeks and 3 days (in both groups ±2 days).Main outcome measuresThe primary outcome was neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission within 48 hours of birth. Secondary outcomes were neonatal depression, NICU admission within 7 days, NICU length of stay, neonatal treatment, and maternal surgical or postpartum adverse events.ResultsAmong women scheduled for elective caesarean section at 38+3 weeks 88/635 neonates (13.9%) were admitted to the NICU, whereas in the 39+3 weeks group 76/637 neonates (11.9%) were admitted (relative risk [RR] 0.86, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.65–1.15). Neonatal treatment with continuous oxygen for more than 1 day (RR 0.31; 95% CI 0.10–0.94) and maternal bleeding of more than 500 ml (RR 0.79; 95% CI 0.63–0.99) were less frequent in the 39 weeks group, but these findings were insignificant after adjustment for multiple comparisons. The risk of adverse neonatal or maternal outcomes, or a maternal composite outcome (RR 1.1; 95% CI 0.79–1.53) was similar in the two intervention groups.ConclusionsThis study found no significant reduction in neonatal admission rate after ECS scheduled at 39 weeks compared with 38 weeks of gestation.
Amplicon pyrosequencing late Pleistocene permafrost: the removal of putative contaminant sequences and small‐scale reproducibility
Authors: Porter Teresita M. , Golding G. Brian , King Christine , Froese Duane , Zazula Grant , Poinar Hendrik N. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractDNA sequencing of ancient permafrost samples can be used to reconstruct past plant, animal and bacterial communities. In this study, we assess the small‐scale reproducibility of taxonomic composition obtained from sequencing four molecular markers (mitochondrial 12S ribosomal DNA (rDNA), prokaryote 16S rDNA, mitochondrial cox1 and chloroplast trnL intron) from two soil cores sampled 10 cm apart. In addition, sequenced control reactions were used to produce a contaminant library that was used to filter similar sequences from sample libraries. Contaminant filtering resulted in the removal of 1% of reads or 0.3% of operational taxonomic units. We found similar richness, overlap, abundance and taxonomic diversity from the 12S, 16S and trnL markers from each soil core. Jaccard dissimilarity across the two soil cores was highest for metazoan taxa detected by the 12S and cox1 markers. Taxonomic community distances were similar for each marker across the two soil cores when the chi‐squared metric was used; however, the 12S and cox1 markers did not cluster well when the Goodall similarity metric was used. A comparison of plant macrofossil vs. read abundance corroborates previous work that suggests eastern Beringia was dominated by grasses and forbs during cold stages of the Pleistocene, a habitat that is restricted to isolated sites in the present‐day Yukon.
The Political Economy of Global Business: the Case of the BRICs
Authors: Goldstein Andrea 
Published: May 2013

AbstractGaining greater knowledge of the characteristics of large firms that dominate the global economy is an inherently important endeavour. Brazil, Russia, India and China (the BRIC economies) have gained influence in the global economy and this is reflected in the increasing weight of their companies in Fortune Global 500 rankings. Uneven access to data and information makes understanding the strategy, structure, ownership and performance of large business an ambitious programme of research. The BRIC economies are different from each other and this is also true as far as the heights of their respective business worlds are considered. But they also share some crucial features: concentrated ownership, with governments and families at the helm, diversification and internationalisation.
Program SimAssem: software for simulating species assemblages and estimating species richness
Authors: Reese Gordon C. , Wilson Kenneth R. , Flather Curtis H. 
Published: May 2013

Summary

Species richness, the number of species in a defined area, is the most frequently used biodiversity measure. Despite its intuitive appeal and conceptual simplicity, species richness is often difficult to quantify, even in well‐surveyed areas, because of sampling limitations such as survey effort and species detection probability. Nonparametric estimators have generally performed better than other options, but no particular estimator has consistently performed best across variation in assemblage and survey parameters.

In order to evaluate estimator performances, we developed the program SimAssem. SimAssem can: (i) simulate assemblages and surveys with user‐specified parameters, (ii) process existing species encounter history files, (iii) generate species richness estimates not available in other programs and (iv) format encounter history data for several other programs.

SimAssem can help elucidate relationships between assemblage and survey parameters and the performance of species richness estimators, thereby increasing our understanding of estimator sensitivity, improving estimator development and defining the bounds for appropriate application.
Non‐medical use of prescription opioids and prescription opioid‐related harms: why so markedly higher in North America compared to the rest of the world?
Authors: Fischer Benedikt , Keates Annette , Bühringer Gerhard , Reimer Jens , Rehm Jürgen 
Published: May 2013

AbstractAimsThis paper aims to identify possible system‐level factors contributing to the marked differences in the levels of non‐medical prescription opioid use (NMPOU) and prescription opioid (PO)‐related harms in North America (i.e. the United States and Canada) compared to other global regions.MethodsScientific literature and information related to relevant areas of health systems, policy and practice were reviewed and integrated.ResultsWe identified several but different factors contributing to the observed differences. First, North American health‐care systems consume substantially more Pos—even when compared to other high‐income countries—than any other global region, with dispensing levels associated strongly with levels of NMPOU and PO‐related harms. Secondly, North American health‐care systems, compared to other systems, appear to have lesser regulatory access restrictions for, and rely more upon, community‐based dispensing mechanisms of POs, facilitating higher dissemination level and availability (e.g. through diversion) of POs implicated in NMPOU and harms. Thirdly, we note that the generally high levels of psychotrophic drug use, dynamics of medical–professional culture (including patient expectations for ‘effective treatment’), as well as the more pronounced ‘for‐profit’ orientation of key elements of health care (including pharmaceutical advertising), may have boosted the PO‐related problems observed in North America.ConclusionsDifferences in the organization of health systems, prescription practices, dispensing and medical cultures and patient expectations appear to contribute to the observed inter‐regional differences in non‐medical prescription opioid use and prescription opioid‐related harms, although consistent evidence and causal analyses are limited. Further comparative examination of these and other potential drivers is needed, and also for evidence‐based intervention and policy development.
Canopy openness in gaps determines the influence of herbaceous climbers and insect folivory on the survival of a tropical pioneer tree, Neoboutonia macrocalyx Pax
Authors: Piiroinen Tiina , Nyeko Philip , Roininen Heikki 
Published: May 2013

AbstractGaps created 10 years ago by clearing of conifer plantations in Kibale National Park, Uganda, still experience very little tree regeneration. We studied the arrested succession by examining the survival of Neoboutonia macrocalyx Pax in different sized canopy gaps. We examined whether Neoboutonia seedlings can survive in gaps, which the tree rarely colonizes naturally and whether survival is limited by the size of the canopy opening, herbaceous climbers or insect folivory. A total of 384 seedlings were planted in 24 gaps, and survival was monitored for 19 months. Survival was dependent on canopy openness, being lowest in small gaps and highest in large gaps. We found a significant negative relationship between survival and folivory and a positive relationship between survival and climber infestation. Because 53% of the seedlings survived, regeneration could be limited by seed dispersal, rather than high seedling mortality. However, considering its high survival rate in arrested succession gaps, Neoboutonia seems to have good potential for forest restoration.
Women with anorexia nervosa should not be treated with estrogen or birth control pills in a bone‐sparing effect
Authors: Bergström Ingrid , Crisby Milita , Engström Anne‐May , Hölcke Mats , Fored Monika , Jakobsson Kruse Pia , of Sandberg Ann‐Marie 
Published: May 2013

AbstractEating disorders are prevalent, serious conditions that affect mainly young women. An early and enduring sign of anorexia is amenorrhea. There is no evidence for benefits of hormone therapy in patients with anorexia; however, hormone medication and oral contraceptives are frequently prescribed for young women with anorexia as a prevention against and treatment for low bone mineral density. The use of estrogens may create a false picture indicating that the skeleton is being protected against osteoporosis. Thus the motivation to regain weight, and adhere to treatment of the eating disorder in itself, may be reduced. The most important intervention is to restore the menstrual periods through increased nutrition. Hormone and oral contraceptive therapy should not be prescribed for young women with amenorrhea and concurrent eating disorders.
Single‐incision laparoscopic stoma creation: Experience with 31 consecutive cases
Authors: Hasegawa Junichi , Hirota Masaki , Kim Ho Min , Mikata Shoki , Shimizu Junzo , Soma Yoshihito , Nezu Riichiro 
Published: May 2013

AbstractIntroductionFecal diversion may be performed using various techniques. Each technique has advantages that affect patient selection. In this report, we report our experience with 31 patients who underwent single‐incision laparoscopic stoma creation using only a pre‐selected stoma site as the point of port access.MethodsA 2.5‐cm skin incision was made at a previously marked stoma site, and two 5‐mm trocars were placed into the abdomen through the stoma site. An optional third trocar was inserted at the stoma site only if the bowel needed to be mobilized or if adhesions needed to be divided. After full intra‐abdominal exploration, a selected intestinal loop was brought up to the stoma site, and the ostomy was then matured using standard techniques.ResultsBetween April 2009 and March 2012, 31 patients (19 men) with a mean age of 68 years (range, 46–87 years) underwent single‐incision laparoscopic stoma creation. Fecal diversion included ileostomy (n = 18) and colostomy (n = 13). There were no intraoperative complications. Two patients (6.5%) required additional port placement in the midline suprapubic area. Conversion to open laparotomy was required in two patients (6.5%) because of the presence of extensive adhesions. Postoperative complications were observed in two patients and included peristomal ileus and dehydration due to high ileostomy output.ConclusionsSingle‐incision laparoscopic stoma creation is an effective technique that allows full intra‐abdominal visualization and bowel mobilization, while reducing the need for additional skin incisions beyond that of the stoma site.