bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Atrial fibrillation is not associated with rehabilitation outcomes of elderly hip fracture patients
Authors: Adunsky Abraham , Arad Marina , Koren‐Morag Nira , Fleissig Yudit , Mizrahi Eliyahu Haim 
Published: April 2012

Aim:  To study possible differences in rehabilitation outcomes of patients with hip fracture, with and without atrial fibrillation.Methods:  A retrospective cohort study comprising 1114 patients, divided into three groups: patients with sinus rhythm, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation or chronic atrial fibrillation. All patients underwent a standard orthogeriatric care comprising surgical hip repair and a rehabilitation course. Main outcome measures included functional status at discharge by the Functional Independence Measure, post‐fracture functional status category and type of postdischarge living arrangement.Results:  Patients with atrial fibrillation differed from patients in sinus rhythm by female sex (P = 0.018), older age (P = 0.008) and higher rates of heart failure (P < 0.001), ischemic heart disease (P < 0.001), previous stroke (P < 0.001), and American Society of Anesthesiologists score (P < 0.001). No differences were observed among the three groups regarding Functional Independence Measure motor and total scores. In regression analysis, Mini‐Mental State Examination (P < 0.001), prefracture status (P < 0.001), postsurgery motor Functional Independence Measure (P < 0.0001) and Parkinson's disease (P = 0.009) were predictive of higher motor Functional Independence Measure at discharge, whereas atrial fibrillation had no predictive value whatsoever. There were no differences among groups in magnitude of postfracture change of functional status category or type of postdischarge living arrangement.Conclusions:  Discharge motor Functional Independence Measure scores, postfracture changes in functional status and in discharge placement are similar in hip fracture patients with sinus rhythm, compared with those with atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation should not be considered to adversely affect the rehabilitation outcome of these patients. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2012; ••: ••–••.
MUTYH hotspot mutations in unselected colonoscopy patients
Authors: Casper M , Plotz G , Juengling B , Zeuzem S , Lammert F , Raedle J 
Published: April 2012

AbstractAim  Biallelic MutY human homologue (MUTYH) germline mutations predispose to recessively inherited adenomatous polyposis, designated MUTYH‐associated polyposis (MAP), and colorectal cancer (CRC). The hotspot mutations p.Y179C and p.G396D account for the majority of pathogenic variants of MUTYH in Caucasians. Our aim was to evaluate the prevalence of MUTYH mutations in a prospective cohort of unselected patients with different colorectal diseases.Method  The hotspot mutations p.Y179C and p.G396D were genotyped in 352 consecutive patients undergoing colonoscopy at our tertiary referral centre. Exons 2–14 were sequenced in hotspot mutation carriers to exclude additional variants.Results  Overall, we identified five heterozygous p.Y179C mutations and three heterozygous p.G396D mutations in seven hotspot mutation carriers (risk allele frequencies 0.7% and 0.4%, respectively). Two of these hotspot mutation carriers harboured a heterozygous p.Q338H variant, which is of uncertain clinical significance, on the other allele. Three individuals were biallelic MUTYH variant carriers (p.Y179C/p.G382D: typical MAP; p.Y179C/p.Q338H: atypical MAP with late onset and lower polyp burden; p.G382D/p.Q338H: inflammatory bowel disease), and four subjects were monoallelic mutation carriers.Conclusion  MUTYH‐associated disease, and hence genetic counselling and MUTYH genetic testing, should be considered in the clinical routine of an endoscopy unit, but the wide range of phenotypes represents a challenge for patient identification. The clinical significance of p.Q338H should be evaluated in future case–control studies because compound heterozygotes for pathogenic mutations and p.Q338H may be at increased risk for mild polyposis or CRC. In addition, MUTYH should be assessed as a potential susceptibility gene for the development of colitis‐associated CRC in future.
Musosal tumour necrosis factor α in diverticular disease of the colon is overexpressed with disease severity
Authors: Tursi A. , Elisei W. , Brandimarte G. , Giorgetti G. M. , Inchingolo C. D. , Nenna R. , Picchio M. , Giorgio F. , Ierardi E. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractAim  Inflammation occurs in diverticular disease (DD), but there is little information on inflammatory cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor α (TNF‐α). The aim of this study was to assess TNF‐α expression in DD and to see whether it is related to the severity of the disease.Method  Twenty‐four patients with symptomatic DD were divided into those with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis (AUD) (12 patients) and those with symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease (SUDD) (12 patients). Twelve further patients with asymptomatic diverticulosis (AD), six with segmental colitis associated with diverticulosis (SCAD), with ulcerative colitis (UC) and six healthy individuals (HC) were enrolled as controls. TNF‐α expression in the colonic mucosa was assessed by the amount of mRNA codifying for the synthesis of TNF‐α.Results  TNF‐α expression was significantly higher in AUD than in HC (P = 0.0007), in AD (P = 0.0001) and in SUDD (P = 0.0179). It was significantly higher also in SUDD than in HC (P = 0.0007) and in AD (P = 0.0001). TNF‐α expression in AUD did not differ significantly from that in UC (P = 0.0678) and SCAD (P = 0.0610). It was significantly higher in UC, SCAD and AUD than in SUDD (P = 0.0007, P = 0.0001, P = 0.0179).Conclusion  TNF‐α expression in DD seems to be related to the severity of the disease. In particular, it appears to be overexpressed in DD with inflammation (AUD and SUDD) compared with DD without (AD).
Outcome of retinal reattachment surgery in dogs: a retrospective study of 145 cases
Authors: Steele Kirsten A. , Sisler Steve , Gerding Paul A. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractObjective To summarize the clinical outcomes and complications of pars plana vitrectomy with perfluoro‐n‐octane (PFO)‐silicone oil exchange and endolaser retinopexy for treatment of retinal detachment (RD) in dogs, at one surgical center.Procedure Records of 145 dogs (168 eyes) that underwent retinal reattachment surgery (RR) between 2005 and 2009 were reviewed. All surgeries were performed by the same surgeon (SS). Data collected from the medical records included signalment, duration of time from diagnosis of RD to surgical intervention, if prior lensectomy was performed, time from surgery to restoration of vision, and postoperative complications. The data was analyzed to test the effect of breed, prior lensectomy, and time from diagnosis to surgery on visual outcome, tendency for complications, and time of complication onset.Results One hundred thirty pure‐bred dogs (36 breeds) and 15 mixed‐breed dogs were represented. One hundred fifty‐five of 168 eyes (92%) were visual after surgery. Six of 155 eyes (3.8%) were visual before the procedure and retained vision; one hundred forty‐nine of 155 eyes (96%) were nonvisual before and regained vision afterward. Thirteen of 168 eyes (8%) that were nonvisual prior to the procedure did not regain vision. The most common complications in order of occurrence included: cataract development, silicone prolapse into the anterior chamber, corneal ulceration, retinal degeneration, glaucoma, and uveitis.Conclusions Pars plana vitrectomy with PFO‐silicone oil exchange and endolaser retinopexy for treatment of RD in dogs is highly successful and associated with overall good visual outcome.
Comparative study of sperm ultrastructure of Donax hanleyanus and Donax gemmula (Bivalvia: Donacidae)
Authors: Introíni Gisele O. , Passos Flávio D. , Recco‐Pimentel Shirlei M. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe ultrastructure of bivalve spermatozoa can be species‐specific and often provides important taxonomic traits for systematic reviews and phylogenetic reconstructions. Young individuals of the Donacidae species Donax hanleyanus are often identified as samples of Donax gemmula. Hence, the spermatozoa ultrastructure of both species was described in the present work, aiming to identify characters that could be useful for further taxonomic and phylogenetic analyses. D. hanleyanus and D. gemmula spermatozoa were different especially in relation to acrosomal characteristics and chromatin condensation. The spermatozoon produced by D. hanleyanus had a nucleus (exhibiting granular chromatin with a rope‐like appearance) capped by a long and conical acrosomal vesicle, which extended itself outward beyond the anterior nuclear fossa. Otherwise, the nucleus of the sperm cell of D. gemmula showed well‐compacted chromatin, and its acrosome, which was partially inserted into the anterior nuclear fossa, had a bubble‐like tip. In conclusion, the conspicuous ultra‐structural differences found between the spermatozoan morphologies were helpful for the discrimination of the species. In conclusion, our results suggest that analyses of sperm ultrastructure of the bivalves in the family Donacidae can be valuable to investigate their taxonomic relatedness. The present results also contribute to assess the monophyletic status of the family.
Inpatient safety trends in laparoscopic and open nephrectomy for renal tumours
Authors: Stroup Sean P. , Palazzi Kerrin L. , Chang David C. , Ward Nicholas T. , Parsons J. Kellogg 
Published: April 2012

Study Type – Cohort studyLevel of Evidence 2bWhat's known on the subject? and What does the study add?Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy for renal cancer provides equivalent long‐term cancer control with shorter hospital stays, less postoperative pain, and faster resumption of normal activities, but it has diffused slowly into clinical practice, perhaps as a result of perceptions about safety. Patient safety outcomes for laparoscopic and open radical nephrectomy using validated measures remain incompletely characterized.This is the first study to investigate peri‐operative outcomes of radical nephrectomy using validated patient safety measures. We found a 32% decreased probability of adverse patient safety events occurring in laparoscopic compared with open radical nephrectomy. The safety benefits of laparoscopy were attained only after 10% of cases were completed laparoscopically – a proportion some have proposed as the ‘tipping point’ for the adoption of surgical innovations. This observation could have implications for patient safety in the setting of diffusion of new surgical techniques.OBJECTIVE
To compare peri‐operative adverse patient safety events occurring in laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN) with those occurring in open radical nephrectomy (ORN).
METHODS
We used the US Nationwide Inpatient Sample to identify patients undergoing kidney surgery for renal tumours from 1998 to 2008.
We used patient safety indicators (PSIs), which are validated measures of preventable adverse outcomes, and multivariate regression to analyse associations of surgery type with patient safety.
RESULTS
Open radical nephrectomy accounted for 235 098 (89%) cases while 28 609 (11%) cases were LRN.
Compared with ORN, LRN patients were more likely to be male (P= 0.048), have lower Charlson comorbidity scores (P < 0.001), and to undergo surgery at urban (P < 0.001) and teaching (P < 0.001) hospitals.
PSIs occurred in 18 714 (8%) of ORN and 1434 (5%) of LRN cases (P < 0.001).
On multivariate analysis, LRN was associated with a 32% decreased probability of any PSI (adjusted odds ratio 0.68, 95% confidence interval: 0.6 to 0.77, P < 0.001). Stratification by year showed that this difference was initially manifested in 2003, when the proportion of LRN cases first exceeded 10%.
CONCLUSIONS
We found that LRN was associated with substantially superior peri‐operative patient safety outcomes compared with ORN, but only after the national prevalence of LRN exceeded 10%.
Further study is needed to explain these patterns and promote the safe diffusion of novel surgical therapies into broad practice.
Factors associated with difficulty accessing crack cocaine pipes in a Canadian setting
Authors: TI LIANPING , BUXTON JANE , WOOD EVAN , SHANNON KATE , ZHANG RUTH , MONTANER JULIO , KERR THOMAS 
Published: April 2012

AbstractIntroduction and Aims. Crack cocaine pipe sharing is associated with various health‐related harms, including hepatitis C transmission. Although difficulty accessing crack pipes has been found to predict pipe sharing, little is known about the factors that limit pipe access in settings where pipes are provided at no cost, albeit in limited capacity. Therefore, we investigated crack pipe access among people who use drugs in Vancouver, Canada.Design and Methods. Data were collected through two Canadian prospective cohort studies. Generalised estimating equations with logit link for binary outcomes were used to identify factors associated with difficulty accessing crack pipes.Results. Among 914 participants who reported using crack cocaine, 33% reported difficulty accessing crack pipes. In multivariate analyses, factors independently associated with difficulty accessing crack pipes included: sex work involvement [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.57; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03–2.39], having shared a crack pipe (AOR = 1.69; 95% CI: 1.32–2.16), police presence where one buys/uses drugs (AOR = 1.47; 95% CI: 1.10–1.95), difficulty accessing services (AOR = 1.74; 95% CI: 1.31–2.32) and health problems associated with crack use (AOR = 1.37; 95% CI: 1.04–1.79). Reasons given for difficulty accessing pipes included sources being closed (48.2%) and no one around selling pipes (18.1%).Discussion and Conclusions. A substantial proportion of people who smoke crack cocaine report difficulty accessing crack pipes in a setting where pipes are available at no cost but in limited quantity. These findings indicate the need for enhanced efforts to distribute crack pipes and address barriers to pipe access.[Ti L, Buxton J, Wood E, Shannon K, Zhang R, Montaner J, Kerr T. Factors associated with difficulty accessing crack cocaine pipes in a Canadian setting. Drug Alcohol Rev 2012;31:890–896]
BOOTSTRAPPING COVARIATE UNIT ROOT TESTS: AN APPLICATION TO INFLATION RATES
Authors: Lee Cheng‐Feng , Tsong Ching‐Chuan 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTThis paper proposes a bootstrap procedure for the covariate point optimal tests (CPT) of Elliott and Jansson. Although the covariate tests enjoy large power gains over the traditional univariate unit root tests, our simulations show that they still suffer from severe size distortions at finite samples. Through simulations, we demonstrate the superiority of the bootstrap procedure in the sense that it can yield desirable size and power properties for the CPT tests when the Akaike's information criterion is used. Moreover, we show the empirical relevance of the bootstrap tests by applying them to inflation in the G‐10 countries, and then obtain strong evidence against the unit root hypothesis for most countries at the 5% significance level.
The development and validation of the Relational Self‐Esteem Scale
Authors: DU HONGFEI , KING RONNEL B. , CHI PEILIAN 
Published: April 2012

Du, H., King, R.B. & Chi, P. (2012). The development and validation of the Relational Self‐Esteem Scale. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology 53, 258–264.According to the tripartite model of the self (Brewer & Gardner, 1996), the self consists of three aspects: personal, relational, and collective. Correspondingly, individuals can achieve a sense of self‐worth through their personal attributes (personal self‐esteem), relationship with significant others (relational self‐esteem), or social group membership (collective self‐esteem). Existing measures on personal and collective self‐esteem are available in the literature; however, no scale exists that assesses relational self‐esteem. The authors developed a scale to measure individual differences in relational self‐esteem and tested it with two samples of Chinese university students. Between and within‐network approaches to construct validation were used. The scale showed adequate internal consistency reliability and results of the confirmatory factor analysis showed good fit. It also exhibited meaningful correlations with theoretically relevant constructs in the nomological network. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.
Interleukin‐17 regulates visceral obesity in HIV‐1‐infected patients
Authors: Zizza A , Guido M , Grima P 
Published: April 2012

ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to evaluate the interleukin‐17 (IL‐17) plasma level in HIV‐1‐infected patients and its relation to central obesity.MethodsEighty‐four HIV‐1‐infected patients [42 with visceral obesity (group A) and 42 without visceral obesity (group B)] and 46 HIV‐negative subjects [23 with visceral obesity (group C) and 23 without visceral obesity (group D)] were enrolled in the study. Sonographic measurements of perirenal fat diameter/body mass index (PRFD/BMI) were used to assess visceral adipose tissue thickness.ResultsHIV‐1‐infected patients had higher plasma levels of IL‐17 than HIV‐negative subjects [837.8 ± 260 pg/mL (mean ± standard deviation) vs. 395.3 ± 138.6 pg/mL, respectively; P < 0.001]. Furthermore, HIV‐1‐infected patients with a diagnosis of visceral obesity had lower levels of IL‐17 than HIV‐infected lean patients (756.9 ± 282.9 pg/mL vs. 918.7 ± 208.4 pg/mL, respectively; P < 0.01). IL‐17 (r = −0.21; P = 0.03) and waist circumference (r = 0.48; P < 0.001) were significantly associated with visceral adipose tissue thickness. A negative correlation of IL‐17 (r = −0.23; P < 0.001) with PRFD/BMI was found.ConclusionsThis study suggests a linear negative association between IL‐17 and visceral adipose tissue thickness.
Fibroblast growth factor 23 in hypophosphataemic HIV‐positive adults on tenofovir
Authors: Bech A , Van Bentum P , Nabbe K , Gisolf J , Richter C , De Boer H 
Published: April 2012

ObjectivesHypophosphataemia is common in HIV‐positive patients, in particular in those using tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). Its pathogenesis is not well understood. The importance of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF‐23), the most potent phosphaturic hormone known today, has not been studied in these patients. The aim of the study was to investigate whether FGF‐23 might be involved in the aetiology of hypophosphataemia in HIV‐positive patients on tenofovir.MethodsCalcium and phosphate metabolism was studied in 36 HIV‐positive patients on TDF. Hypophosphataemia was defined as a serum phosphate level < 0.75 mmol/L.ResultsFifteen patients (42%) had hypophosphataemia (group 1), and 21 had a normal serum phosphate level (group 2). The renal phosphate reabsorption threshold [tubular maximum phosphate reabsorption per glomerular filtration rate (TmP/gfr)] was significantly lower in group 1 than in group 2 (0.58 ± 0.04 vs. 0.91 ± 0.03 mmol/L, respectively; P < 0.0001). The serum phosphate concentration was strongly correlated with TmP/gfr (R = 0.71; P < 0.0001). Both groups had normal serum FGF‐23 levels, and serum phosphate and TmP/gfr were not related to serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) or FGF‐23 levels.ConclusionFGF‐23 is not involved in the pathogenesis of hypophosphataemia in HIV‐positive patients on TDF. The data suggest that a PTH‐like factor may be involved.
A national epidemiological study of Myasthenia Gravis in Australia
Authors: Gattellari M. , Goumas C. , Worthington J. M. 
Published: April 2012

Background and purpose: Existing epidemiological studies of Myasthenia Gravis have generally examined small populations. Few national studies have been conducted, and published incidence and prevalence rates vary widely. We report one of the largest national studies of Myasthenia Gravis, and the first incidence and prevalence rates for Australia.Methods: Prescriptions for Pyridostigmine Bromide in 2009 were utilized from a national prescribing database to estimate incidence and the prevalence of symptomatic and treated disease. Crude rates were age‐standardized to the WHO world population. We compared standardized rates to recent national studies from Norway and Taiwan.Results: In 2009, there were 2574 prevalent cases of symptomatic and treated Myasthenia Gravis, corresponding to an annual crude prevalence rate of 117.1 per 1 million residents. There were 545 incident cases, yielding a crude incidence rate of 24.9 per 1 million residents. The crude incidence in women and men was estimated to be 27.9 and 21.9 per 1 million, respectively. Prevalence and incidence rates were higher in women than men between the ages of 15 and 64 years, and were higher in men than women in those older than 65 years. Rates peaked between the ages of 74 and 84 years, declining thereafter. Standardized incidence was higher in Australia than Norway, but similar to Taiwan (P‐values = 0.007 and 1.00, respectively).Conclusions: This first Australian epidemiological study of symptomatic Myasthenia Gravis is one of the largest population‐based studies ever reported and supports higher incidence rates for Myasthenia Gravis. Myasthenia Gravis disproportionately affected younger females and older males.
Evaluation of protective and restoring effects of a mixture of silanols on photoaging. Use of a device allowing the quantification of contractile strengths of human fibroblasts after UVA irradiation
Authors: Robin S. , Courderot‐Masuyer C. , Tauzin H. , Guillon S. , Gaborit J. , Harbon S. , Humbert P. 
Published: April 2012

SynopsisChronic sun exposure and especially UVA wavelengths are responsible for long‐term clinical skin changes such as photoageing and photocancers. The objectives of the present study were to analyse the contractile activity of fibroblasts irradiated with several doses of UVA and to evaluate the preventive, protective and restoring effects of a mixture of monomethylsilanetriol mannuronate and dimethylsilanediol salicylate. The forces generated by fibroblasts in tense collagen lattices were quantified using Glasbox device before and after UVA irradiation and the addition of a mixture of monomethylsilanetriol mannuronate and dimethylsilanediol salicylate. The production of collagen was also evaluated before and after irradiation and with and without the presence of a mixture of monomethylsilanetriol mannuronate and dimethylsilanediol salicylate. A dose of 3 J cm−² of UVA showed more than 50% of mortality in fibroblast population after 48 h and significant decreases in contractile forces developed by irradiated fibroblasts and collagen I production. One percentage of a mixture of monomethylsilanetriol mannuronate and dimethylsilanediol salicylate protected fibroblasts from UVA irradiation and made it possible to restore their capacity to the same level as fibroblasts that were not irradiated. It also tended to restore the capacity to synthesize collagen I. These results show that the use of the new device Glasbox makes it possible to evaluate a possible preventive and repairing effect of a cosmetic functional active on photoageing.