bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fasting times and gastric contents volume in children undergoing deep propofol sedation – an assessment using magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Schmitz Achim , Kellenberger Christian J. , Neuhaus Diego , Schroeter Elke , Deanovic Dubravka , Prüfer Friederike , Studhalter Martina , Völlmer Lieselore , Weiss Markus 
Published: March 2011

SummaryAim:  To investigate the effect of fasting times for clear fluids and solids/non‐clear fluids on gastric content volume using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Methods:  Pediatric patients undergoing diagnostic MRI under deep propofol sedation, with the stomach located within the area of diagnostic study, were included in this clinical observational study. According to standard institutional guidelines, children were allowed to eat/drink until 4 h and to drink clear fluids until 2 h before scheduled induction time of anesthesia. Gastric content volume per kg body weight (GCVw) was determined using MRI and compared with actual fasting times prior to induction.Results:  Overall 68 patients aged from 0.3 to 19.6 (2.8) years were investigated. Fasting time for clear fluids ranged from 1.1 to 15.5 (5.5) h, for non‐clear fluids/solids from 4.0 to 20.2 (6.7) h. GCVw ranged from 0.2 to 6.3 (0.75) ml·kg−1 and showed no significant negative correlation to fasting times for clear fluids (r = −0.07, P = 0.60) and non‐clear fluids/solids (r = −0.08, P = 0.51).Conclusions:  Based on this preliminary data, GCVw showed considerable variation but did not correlate with fasting times in children and adolescent patients. Recommended fasting times were often exceeded.
Do type 2 diabetes patients without diabetic retinopathy or subjects with impaired fasting glucose have impaired colour vision? The Okubo Color Study Report
Authors: Shoji T. , Sakurai Y. , Sato H. , Chihara E. , Takeuchi M. 
Published: March 2011

Diabet. Med. 28, 865–871 (2011)AbstractAims  To investigate associations between fasting plasma glucose level and the prevalence of acquired colour vision impairment in type 2 diabetes patients without diabetic retinopathy.Methods  Participants in this cross‐sectional study of male officials aged 20‐60 yr in the Japanese Self Defence Force, underwent colour vision testing, ophthalmic examination, a standardized interview and examination of venous blood samples. Ishihara plates, a Lanthony 15‐hue desaturated panel and Standard Pseudoisochromatic Plates Part 2 were used to examine colour vision. The Farnsworth–Munsell 100‐hue test was performed to define acquired colour vision impairment. Cardiovascular disease risk factors were determined from serum blood samples, physical records and an interview. We performed logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, diagnosed hypertension, dyslipidaemia, cataract, glaucoma, being overweight, smoking status and alcohol intake. Crude and adjusted odds ratios were calculated for three glucose levels, which included normal fasting glucose, impaired fasting glucose and diabetes.Results  Out of a total of 1042 men enrolled, 872 were eligible for the study, and 31 were diagnosed with acquired colour vision impairment. As compared with the subjects with normal fasting glucose (< 5.6 mmol/l), the crude odds ratio for acquired colour vision impairment was 0.93 (95% CI 0.32–2.74) for the subjects with impaired fasting glucose (5.6–6.9 mmol/l) and 8.07 (95% CI 2.48–26.22) for the patients with type 2 diabetes. The multiple‐adjusted odds ratios were 0.77 (95% CI 0.25–2.34) for the subjects with impaired fasting glucose and 5.89 (95% CI 1.55–22.40) for the patients with type 2 diabetes.Conclusions  Our findings suggest that there is a dramatically increased prevalence of acquired colour vision impairment in type 2 diabetes patients without diabetic retinopathy which might be attributable to another pathogenesis associated with diabetic retinopathy.
A meta‐analysis of the association between pre‐eclampsia and childhood‐onset Type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Henry E. B. , Patterson C. C. , Cardwell C. R. 
Published: March 2011

Diabet. Med. 28, 900–905 (2011)AbstractAims  To review and synthesize the evidence for an increased risk of childhood Type 1 diabetes mellitus in children born to mothers diagnosed with pre‐eclampsia during pregnancy.Methods  A comprehensive search of the published literature was performed in MEDLINE, Web of Science and EMBASE limited to studies published before August 2010. Crude odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated from the data reported in each study. Meta‐analysis techniques were then used to derive a combined odds ratio and investigate heterogeneity. Sensitivity analyses were conducted by study design, ascertainment of pre‐eclampsia and study quality.Results  Data were available from 16 studies including 8315 children with Type 1 diabetes. Overall, there was little evidence of an increase in the risk of Type 1 diabetes in children born to mothers who had pre‐eclampsia during pregnancy (OR = 1.10, 95% CI 0.96–1.27; P = 0.17). This association did not vary much between studies (I2 = 28%, P for heterogeneity = 0.14). The association was similar in three cohort studies (OR = 1.05, 95% CI 0.77–1.44; P = 0.75) and in seven studies with a low risk of bias (OR = 1.13, 95% CI 0.91–1.40; P = 0.27), but was more marked in 13 studies which ascertained pre‐eclampsia from obstetrical records or birth registry data (OR = 1.18, 95% CI 1.03–1.36; P = 0.02).Conclusions  This analysis demonstrates little evidence of any substantial increase in childhood Type 1 diabetes risk after pregnancy complicated by pre‐eclampsia.
The cost of universal screening for gestational diabetes mellitus in Ireland
Authors: Gillespie P. , O’Neill C. , Avalos G. , O’Reilly M. , Dunne F. ,   for the ATLANTIC DIP Collaborators
Published: March 2011

Diabet. Med. 28, 912–918 (2011)AbstractAims To estimate the costs associated with universal screening for gestational diabetes mellitus in Ireland.Methods Bottom‐up, prevalence‐based cost analysis. Healthcare activity identified using the Atlantic Diabetes in Pregnancy (ATLANTIC DIP) database was grouped into five categories: screening and testing, gestational diabetes treatment, prenatal care, delivery care and neonatal care. A vector of unit cost data (euros in 2008 prices) was applied to specified resource use and the total healthcare cost calculated. A series of one‐way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were undertaken to explore the uncertainty in the analysis.Results When individual resource components were valued and aggregated, the total healthcare cost of gestational diabetes in Ireland was estimated at €12 433 320 (95% CI €9 298 228–16 778 193). The average cost per case detected was €1621 (95% CI €524–2603) and the average total cost per case detected and treated was €11 903 (95% CI €7645–16 121).Conclusions This research provides the first estimates of the healthcare costs associated with gestational diabetes mellitus in Ireland. Further research is required to determine the cost‐effectiveness of gestational diabetes screening in the region with a view to improving resource allocation in this area in the future.
Percentile-Based Empirical Distribution Function Estimates for Performance Evaluation of Healthcare Providers
Authors: Paddock Susan M. , Louis Thomas A. 
Published: March 2011

SummaryHierarchical models are widely used to characterize the performance of individual healthcare providers. However, little attention has been devoted to systemwide performance evaluations, the goals of which include identifying extreme (e.g. the top 10%) provider performance and developing statistical benchmarks to define high quality care. Obtaining optimal estimates of these quantities requires estimating the empirical distribution function (EDF) of provider-specific parameters that generate the data set under consideration. However, the difficulty of obtaining uncertainty bounds for a squared error loss minimizing EDF estimate has hindered its use in systemwide performance evaluations. We therefore develop and study a percentile-based EDF estimate for univariate provider-specific parameters. We compute order statistics of samples drawn from the posterior distribution of provider-specific parameters to obtain relevant assessments of uncertainty of an EDF estimate and its features, such as thresholds and percentiles. We apply our method to data from the Medicare end stage renal disease programme, which is a health insurance programme for people with irreversible kidney failure. We highlight the risk of misclassifying providers as exceptionally good or poor performers when uncertainty in statistical benchmark estimates is ignored. Given the high stakes of performance evaluations, statistical benchmarks should be accompanied by precision estimates.
Open label randomized study comparing 3 months vs. 6 months treatment of actinic keratoses with 3% diclofenac in 2.5% hyaluronic acid gel: a trial of the German Dermatologic Cooperative Oncology Group
Authors: Pflugfelder A. , Welter A.‐K. , Leiter U. , Weide B. , Held L. , Eigentler T.K. , Dirschka T. , Stockfleth E. , Nashan D. , Garbe C. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractBackground Actinic keratoses (AK) are carcinomata in situ with the potential to develop into invasive carcinoma. Several studies have demonstrated that 3% diclofenac in 2.5% hyaluronic acid gel (HA) is effective and well tolerated in the treatment of AK. To date there are no large randomized multicentre trials with treatment durations longer than 90 days and histopathological control of treatment outcome.Objective The aim of this study was to investigate whether a prolonged treatment with diclofenac in HA of 6 vs. 3 months adds to the efficacy in treatment for AK and if this will influence tolerability and quality of life (QoL).Methods This was a multicentre, randomized open‐label study in which 418 patients with mild to moderate AKs were randomized into two treatment groups. Group A received diclofenac in HA for 3 months and group B for 6 months. Treatment efficacy was assessed by size measurement and a final biopsy of a defined marker AK. Quality of life was measured using the Dermatology Life Quality Index questionnaire.Results Clinical complete clearance was observed in 40% in group A and in 45% in group B (P = 0.38). Histopathological clearance was confirmed in 30% in group A and in 40% in group B (P = 0.16). Treatment was well tolerated and QoL was significantly improved after treatment in both treatment groups.Conclusion Treatment with diclofenac in HA is effective and well tolerated during a treatment period of 3 months as well as 6 months. Prolongation of the treatment duration did not significantly affect treatment outcome.
Reliability and cost‐effectiveness of complete lymph node dissection under tumescent local anaesthesia vs. general anaesthesia: a retrospective analysis in patients with malignant melanoma AJCC stage III
Authors: Stoffels I. , Dissemond J. , Schulz A. , Hillen U. , Schadendorf D. , Klode J. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractBackground  Complete lymph node dissection (CLND) in melanoma patients with a positive sentinel lymph node (SLN) is currently being debated, as it is a cost‐intensive surgical intervention with potentially high morbidity.Objective  This clinical study seeks to clarify the effectiveness, reliability and cost‐effectiveness of CLND performed under tumescent local anaesthesia (TLA) compared with procedures under general anaesthesia (GA).Methods  We retrospectively analysed the data from 60 patients with primary malignant melanoma American Joint Committee on Cancer stage III who underwent CLND.Results  Altogether 26 (43.3%) patients underwent CLND under TLA and 34 (56.7%) patients underwent CLND under GA. Fifteen of 43 (34.9%) patients had a complication, such as development of seromas and/or wound infections. The rate of complications was 25.0% (3/12) in the axilla subgroup and 28.6% (4/14) in the groin subgroup of the TLA group. In the GA group, the complication rate was 31.3% (5/16) in the axilla subgroup and 44.4% (8/18) in the groin subgroup. The costs for CLND were significantly less for the CLND in a procedure room performed under TLA (mean €67.26) compared with CLND in an operating room under GA (mean €676.20, P < 0.0001).Conclusions  In conclusion, this study confirms that TLA is an excellent, safe, effective and cost‐efficient alternative to GA for CLND in melanoma patients.
Cord blood stem cell banking: a snapshot of the Italian situation
Authors: Capone Francesca , Lombardini Letizia , Pupella Simonetta , Grazzini Giuliano , Costa Alessandro Nanni , Migliaccio Giovanni 
Published: March 2011

BACKGROUND: In Italy, the law does not permit the setting up of private banks to preserve cord blood (CB) stem cells for personal use. However, since 2007 the right to export and preserve them in private laboratories located outside Italy has existed, and an increasing number of women are requesting this collection of umbilical CB at delivery to enable storage of stem cells for autologous use.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Since private banks recruit clients mainly via the Internet, we examined the content of 24 Italian‐language websites that offer stem cells storage (from CB or amniotic fluid), to assess what information is available.RESULTS: We found that the majority of private banks give no clear information about the procedures of collection, processing, and banking of CB units and that the standards offered by private CB banks strongly differ in terms of exclusion or acceptance criteria from the public banks. These factors may well influence the overall quality of the CB units stored in private CB banks. Of note, during the period 2007 to 2009, the number collected for autologous use did not create a downward trend on the number of units stored in public CB banks for allogeneic use.CONCLUSION: CB is a valuable community resource but expectant parents should be better informed as to the quality variables necessary for its storage, both by institutions and by professionals. Currently, most of the advertising is insufficient to justify the expense and the hopes pinned on autologous use of CB stem cells.
Selective Cerebellar and Basal Ganglia Injury in Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
Authors: Lyons Jennifer L. , Cohen Adam B. 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND AND PURPOSEHigh core body temperatures have been shown to selectively damage the cerebellum and basal ganglia in malignant hyperthermia, but involvement of both areas in neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) has not been described.METHODSHere, we report a case of acute cerebellar and basal ganglia injury by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the setting of NMS. We discuss the pathophysiology, both of NMS and hyperthermic brain injury.RESULTSMRI showed new restricted diffusion in cerebellar hemispheres bilaterally and right basal ganglia when compared with brain MRI obtained 1 month prior. T2 FLAIR hyperintensities corresponding to diffusion restriction were also seen in the cerebellum.CONCLUSIONSBoth the basal ganglia and cerebellum can be injured selectively in NMS.
Monitoring a Puma (Puma concolor) Population in a Fragmented Landscape in Southeast Brazil
Authors: Miotto Renata A. , Cervini Marcelo , Begotti Rodrigo A. , Galetti Jr. Pedro M. 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTThe northeast area of São Paulo state has been intensively deforested, resulting in a highly fragmented landscape composed of a few large patches and several small patches of natural vegetation surrounded by sugarcane, eucalyptus, and citrus plantations. In this scenario, we investigated the puma (Puma concolor) population size, sex ratio, and relatedness in two of the last, and largest, natural refuges in the area using a noninvasive method during 2004–2008. By collecting and individualizing fecal samples by microsatellites, we identified 17 individuals, 13 females (76.4%) and 4 males (23.6%) in these areas. Five females were sampled in distinct years and over an extended time and probably represented resident adults. By investigating the relatedness among individual pumas inhabiting the area, we found that only three animals were not related to each other. We also found evidence that young females might establish an adjacent or overlapping territory to their mothers (phylopatry). Moreover, we registered 11 road‐killed individuals nearby the study area, ten males and one female, and six human–puma conflicts. The study area may act as a source of individuals that disperse across the matrix to occupy new home ranges, maintaining some degree of gene flow in a source–sink metapopulation structure. Finally, we recommend that puma management should be conducted at the landscape level to provide effective puma conservation in northeastern São Paulo state.Abstract in Portuguese is available in the online version of this article.
PREVALENCE AND ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE OF SALMONELLA SEROVARS FROM CHICKEN CARCASSES IN NORTHERN GREECE
Authors: SAKARIDIS I. , SOULTOS N. , IOSSIFIDOU E. , KOIDIS P. , AMBROSIADIS I. 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTThis study was conducted to determine the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella isolates recovered from chicken carcasses in slaughterhouses in Northern Greece. A total of 150 broiler samples were examined for Salmonella spp. and the results were reported as presence or absence of Salmonella spp. The samples were neck‐skin taken from 450 poultry carcasses at four slaughterhouses in Northern Greece. Salmonella was present in 56 (37%) of the samples tested. A total of 142 isolates belonging to six serovars were detected. The most common serotype identified was Salmonella blockley (73.2%), followed by Salmonella paratyphi B (16.9%), Salmonella bredeney (6.3%), Salmonella neftenbach (1.4%), Salmonella hadar (1.4%) and Salmonella thompson (0.7%). Salmonella spp. isolated from chicken carcasses was also examined for antibiotic resistance. Fifty‐six isolates of Salmonella (one strain from each positive sample) were tested for susceptibility to 20 antibiotics using the disk diffusion method. All isolates were resistant to four antimicrobials (penicillin, erythromycin, vancomycin and clindamycin) and the mass majority of them (more than 90%) to another three antimicrobials (tetracycline, oxytetracycline and streptomycin).The results of this study demonstrate a high prevalence of Salmonella spp. contamination in chicken carcasses and a large percentage of antimicrobial resistant strains.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThis study complements the limited and out‐of‐date research performed in Greece about the prevalence and the antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella isolated from chicken carcasses. There is a high prevalence of Salmonella contamination in chicken carcasses in Northern Greece. Poultry meat must be considered as a possible cause of Salmonella poisoning and therefore it should be handled with care during its preparation, especially from the consumers. The Salmonella strains isolated from chicken carcasses are resistant to a significant percentage of the most commonly used antibiotics which confirm that poultry is a major reservoir of multiresistant Salmonella.
Growth and Renewal in the United States: Retooling America's Economic Engine*
Authors: Manyika James , Hunt David , Nyquist Scott , Remes Jaana , Malhotra Vikram , Medonca Lenny , Auguste Byron , Test Samantha 
Published: March 2011

New research by the McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) examines the growth challenge facing the United States and explores how U.S. business and government can contribute to the economy's renewal by reinvigorating their drive toward higher productivity.As baby boomers retire and the female participation rate plateaus, the U.S. economy will receive significantly less lift from increases in the labor force and will have to rely increasingly on productivity gains to fuel growth. The report finds that the United States needs a 34% acceleration in productivity growth if it is to match the GDP growth rates of the past 20 years—and that this is possible.Three‐quarters of the necessary productivity growth acceleration can come from the efforts of private‐sector companies operating within the current regulatory and business environment. Even the best‐performing companies and sectors still have headroom to boost productivity by emulating the best practice of others and tapping into new innovations, and coming up with new innovations of their own. The remaining one‐quarter—and more—can come from government and business working together to address barriers that now limit growth.MGI lays out a seven‐point agenda for action to spur productivity.
Current Accounts and Global Adjustment: The Long and Short of It
Authors: Pradhan Manoj , Taylor Alan M. 
Published: March 2011

Global rebalancing is underway, but still quite a distance from being done. Current account imbalances have been a persistent feature of the global economy for over 100 years, especially during the two eras of globalization—the period 1870 to 1914 and the present. Such imbalances have reflected underlying imbalances between savings and investment as well as the prevailing international monetary regime.One important lesson from the past 150 years is that capital flows play an important role in funding global investment opportunities—a role that would be harmed if policy makers responded to the perceived threat of global imbalances by imposing any sort of cap. During those periods when capital flows have been relatively unhindered, investment opportunities around the world have been financed by capital flows. Such flows have financed the growth of many erstwhile “emerging market” economies, including the U.S. in the early part of this century. And global capital flows are doing much the same for many emerging markets today, even though purchases of reserves by some countries have been offsetting inbound private capital flows in the aggregate.The other main lesson of history is that imbalances do not last forever, and tend to lead to adjustments and reversals. Experience shows that such adjustments are much easier for surplus countries than for deficit countries.
What Drives CEOs to Take on More Risk? Some Evidence from the Laboratory of REITs
Authors: Füss Roland , Rottke Nico , Zietz Joachim 
Published: March 2011

Many have pointed to excessive risk‐taking by the CEOs of financial firms as a contributor to the recent worldwide economic crisis. The same observers often blame questionable corporate governance structures and compensation practices for that risk‐taking. But is this perception correct? And what is the relationship between CEO incentives and risk‐taking outside of the financial industry, where the government guarantees provided by deposit insurance could have distorted incentives?In an attempt to answer these questions, the authors analyze the relationship between CEO incentives and corporate risk‐taking by 101 U.S. REITs during the period 2003 to 2007. Their main finding is that corporate risk‐taking, as measured by the growth rate in corporate debt (the only measure of risk that is completely under the control of the CEO), is inversely related to CEO stock ownership—that is, the larger the CEO's equity ownership stake, the slower the growth in debt financing and financial risk‐taking. At the same time, the authors find that financial risk‐taking is positively related to large cash bonuses for the CEOs and to situations in which the CEO is also chairman of the board of directors. Finally, the authors also report that CEOs who are relatively new to the job grow more slowly and borrow less, suggesting that boards of directors can temporarily contain risky expansion plans by the CEO. These results provide support for those corporate governance reformers who wish to cut cash bonus payments for CEOs in favor of long‐term stock ownership.