bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Risk factors for perioperative adverse events in children with myotonic dystrophy
Authors: SINCLAIR JOANNA L. , REED PETER W. 
Published: July 2009

SummaryBackground:  This study was conducted to identify patient‐related, surgical, and anesthetic factors that would help predict adverse events and allow for better planning of perioperative care in children with myotonic dystrophy.Methods:  This is a retrospective chart review from a large tertiary pediatric hospital. Data were collected on demographics, disease severity, surgical procedure, and anesthetic technique. Perioperative adverse events were recorded.Results:  Records on 27 patients having 78 anesthetics over a 17.5‐year period were reviewed. The overall frequency of postoperative respiratory complications was 10%. Significant risk factors were high muscular impairment rating scale (MIRS) grade (P = 0.007), at least 2300 cytosine, thymine, guanine (CTG) repeats on the protein kinase gene of chromosome 19q (P = 0.009), a longer duration of surgery (RR = 14.0 for surgery lasting at least 1 h; P = 0.002), perioperative morphine use (RR = 7.7, 95% CI 2.2–12.8; P = 0.005), intubation (P = 0.02), and the use of muscle relaxant without reversal (RR = 15.5, P = 0.0002). Using a multivariate risk model, only MIRS grade and the use of muscle relaxant without reversal were shown to be significant independent risk factors (RR = 24.9, P < 0.0001).Conclusions:  The MIRS is a statistically significant and clinically useful tool for predicting high perioperative risk. Patients with a high MIRS grade should therefore be considered for postoperative intensive care. The use of muscle relaxant without reversal was also shown to be a significant risk factor. Patients who require morphine infusions postoperatively might also be most safely managed in a high dependency unit.
Diagnostic accuracy of anesthesiology evaluation timing: the ‘One‐Stop Anesthesia’ in pediatric day‐surgery
Authors: MANGIA GIOVANNI , PRESUTTI PAOLA , ANTONUCCI ADRIANA , BIANCO FRANCESCA , BONOMO ROBERTA , FERRARI PAOLA 
Published: July 2009

SummaryObjective:  Assessing timing efficacy of anesthetic evaluation in pediatric day‐surgery by a diagnostic accuracy study.Aim:  Lowering hospital visits in patients with negative medical history.Background:  Pediatric patients scheduled for day‐surgery procedures can be categorized, according to their history, in two groups. One, the largest, includes healthy patients and the other includes those with medical conditions that necessitate further evaluation.Materials and methods:  Clinical data are collected by the pediatric surgeons of our department and reviewed by an anesthetist who then selects the timing of anesthesiology evaluation, which will take place in the same day of the procedure (One‐Stop Anesthesia), or some days before it, in a dedicated setting (Pre‐Admission Clinic). In 2008, 332 children, older than 12 months, screened by that method, underwent surgical procedures in general anesthesia.Results:  Our data were examined using Bayesian Statistical Analysis. In the ‘One‐Stop Anesthesia’ group, true positive were 290 (87.4%) and false positive 4 (1.2%). Of the 38 patients assessed by our Pre‐Admission Clinic, true negative were 30 (9%) and false negative 8 (2.4%). Sensibility (97.3%), specificity (88.2%), positive predictive value (98.6%), negative predictive value (78.9%), diagnostic accuracy (96.4%), likelihood positive (8.3), and likelihood negative (0.03) were calculated.Conclusions:  Timing the preoperative anesthesiologist’s evaluation avoided 88% of hospital visits, usually to the Pre‐Admission Clinic, and thus, it was cost effective, reducing direct and indirect costs of healthcare providers.
The response of the marine bacterium Sphingopyxis alaskensis to solar radiation assessed by quantitative proteomics
Authors: Matallana‐Surget S. , Joux F. , Raftery M. J. , Cavicchioli R. 
Published: July 2009

SummaryThe adaptive response of the marine bacterium Sphingopyxis alaskensis RB2256 to solar radiation (both visible and ultraviolet) was assessed by a quantitative proteomic approach using iTRAQ (isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification). Both growth phase (mid‐log and stationary phase) and duration (80 min or 8 h) of different light treatments (combinations of visible light, UV‐A and UV‐B) were assessed relative to cultures maintained in the dark. Rates of total protein synthesis and viability were also assessed. Integrating knowledge from the physiological experiments with quantitative proteomics of the 12 conditions tested provided unique insight into the adaptation biology of UV and visible light responses of S. alaskensis. High confidence identifications were obtained for 811 proteins (27% of the genome), 119 of which displayed significant quantitative differences. Mid‐log‐phase cultures produced twice as many proteomic changes as stationary‐phase cultures, while extending the duration of irradiation exposure of stationary‐phase cultures did not increase the total number of quantitative changes. Proteins with significant quantitative differences were identified that were characteristic of growth phase and light treatment, and cellular processes, pathways and interaction networks were determined. Key factors of the solar radiation adaptive response included DNA‐binding proteins implicated in reducing DNA damage, detoxification of toxic compounds such as glyoxal and reactive oxygen species, iron sequestration to minimize oxidative stress, chaperones to control protein re/folding, alterations to nitrogen metabolism, and specific changes to transcriptional and translational processes.
Metal reduction by spores of Desulfotomaculum reducens
Authors: Junier Pilar , Frutschi Manon , Wigginton Nicholas S. , Schofield Eleanor J. , Bargar John R. , Bernier‐Latmani Rizlan 
Published: July 2009

SummaryThe bioremediation of uranium‐contaminated sites is designed to stimulate the activity of microorganisms able to catalyze the reduction of soluble U(VI) to the less soluble mineral UO2. U(VI) reduction does not necessarily support growth in previously studied bacteria, but it typically involves viable vegetative cells and the presence of an appropriate electron donor. We characterized U(VI) reduction by the sulfate‐reducing bacterium Desulfotomaculum reducens strain MI‐1 grown fermentatively on pyruvate and observed that spores were capable of U(VI) reduction. Hydrogen gas – a product of pyruvate fermentation – rather than pyruvate, served as the electron donor. The presence of spent growth medium was required for the process, suggesting that an unknown factor produced by the cells was necessary for reduction. Ultrafiltration of the spent medium followed by U(VI) reduction assays revealed that the factor's molecular size was below 3 kDa. Pre‐reduced spent medium displayed short‐term U(VI) reduction activity, suggesting that the missing factor may be an electron shuttle, but neither anthraquinone‐2,6‐disulfonic acid nor riboflavin rescued spore activity in fresh medium. Spores of D. reducens also reduced Fe(III)‐citrate under experimental conditions similar to those for U(VI) reduction. This is the first report of a bacterium able to reduce metals while in a sporulated state and underscores the novel nature of the mechanism of metal reduction by strain MI‐1.
Current practice in the United Kingdom for the use of diagnostic laparoscopy in suspected acute appendicitis
Authors: Stechman M. J. , Roy D. , Mainprize K. S. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractObjective  Diagnostic laparoscopy is advocated in the management of patients with acute right iliac fossa pain. We asked consultant surgeons in the UK about their current use of this technique.Method  A short anonymous questionnaire was sent to consultant surgeons from the ASGBI database. Information was sought on general surgical specialty, participation in the emergency surgical on‐call rota, current practice regarding the use of diagnostic laparoscopy in patients with suspected acute appendicitis and on the management of an inflamed or noninflamed appendix. Statistical analysis was by means of χ2 test.Results  There were 161 eligible returns from 250 questionnaires (64%) and the proportion of consultants replying from each subspecialty was similar to membership numbers of subspecialty organizations. Most consultants (68%) performed diagnostic laparoscopy in patients with suspected acute appendicitis. The majority (69%) reserved its use for women of reproductive age and 14% of respondents laparoscoped all patients with suspected appendicitis. Compared to nongastrointestinal (GI), GI surgeons were significantly more likely to perform diagnostic laparoscopy (75 vs 52%, P = 0.008). In the case of an overtly inflamed appendix, 81% of respondents would remove it laparoscopically with significantly more GI surgeons following this course than nonGI surgeons (P = 0.04).Conclusion  Despite good evidence on the benefits of diagnostic laparoscopy in certain patients with suspected acute appendicitis, there is significant variation in its use. This difference appears to be based upon subspecialty and may be as a result of increasing subspecialization.
Quality of mesorectum after laparoscopic resection for rectal cancer ‐ Results of an audited teaching programme in Spain
Authors: Biondo S. , Ortiz H. , Lujan J. , Codina‐Cazador A. , Espin E. , Garcia‐Granero E. , Kreisler E. , De Miguel M. , Alos R. , Echeverria A. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractObjective  The aim of this prospective observational study was to compare the quality of total mesorectal excision between laparoscopic and open surgery for rectal cancer.Method  In April 2006, the Spanish Association of Surgeons started an audited teaching programme. The project was similar to the Norwegian one and several training courses were arranged. Patients were classified into two groups: laparoscopic rectal resection (LR) and open rectal resection (OR). The quality of the mesorectum was scored: complete, nearly complete or incomplete. The circumferential margin (CRM) was considered positive, if tumour was located 1 mm or less from the surface of the specimen.Results  Between 2006 and 2008, 604 patients underwent rectal resection with total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer: 209 patients were included in the LR group and 395 patients in the OR group. There were no differences in terms of number of lymph nodes affected, distance of the tumour from CRM. The mesorectum was complete in 464 (76.8%), nearly complete in 91 (15.1%) and incomplete in 49 patients (8.1%). CRM was negative in 534 patients (88.4%). No differences were observed between the two groups. The overall postoperative morbidity rate was 38.8% in LR group and 44.6% in OR group (P = 0.170). Overall postoperative mortality rate was 2.5%. One patient died (0.5%) in the LR group and 14 patients died (3.5%) in the OR group (P = 0.021).Conclusion  Laparoscopic resection for rectal cancer is feasible with the quality of mesorectal excision and postoperative outcomes similar to those of open surgery.
Gulf of Maine cod in 1861: historical analysis of fishery logbooks, with ecosystem implications
Authors: Alexander Karen E. , Leavenworth William B. , Cournane Jamie , Cooper Andrew B. , Claesson Stefan , Brennan Stephen , Smith Gwynna , Rains Lesley , Magness Katherine , Dunn Reneé , Law Tristan K. , Gee Robert , Jeffrey Bolster W. , Rosenberg Andrew A. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractSince 2000, virtually every major assessment of ocean policy has called for implementing an ecosystem approach to managing marine resources, yet crafting such an approach has proved difficult. Ecosystems today exhibit little of the abundance and complexity found in the past, and populations of over‐fished species have declined dramatically world‐wide, yet historical evidence has been difficult to assimilate into complex ecosystem models. Here, we look to the testimony of Gulf of Maine fishermen for insights on the abundance of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and the environment that once supported such large numbers of them. Using logbook data from Frenchman’s Bay, Maine, and other New England communities at the time of the Civil War, we estimate cod landings in the Gulf of Maine in 1861, establish a population structure for cod at that time, and map the geographical distribution of fishing effort of a fleet that minimized risk and cut expenses by fishing inshore where cod and bait species were plentiful. Log entries list the pelagic and bottom‐dwelling invertebrate species these fishermen used for bait, when and how they acquired it, and what species they looked for in the water to signify the presence of cod. Ranked descriptions of both cod and bait abundance were found to be statistically significant indicators of cod catch. Frenchman’s Bay fishermen 140 years ago provided a minimum set of ecosystem requirements for abundant cod, conditions that may inform management plans aimed at restoring both the species and the Gulf of Maine marine ecosystem.
Managing biomedical uncertainty: the technoscientific illness identity
Authors: Sulik Gayle A. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThis paper analyses how the biomedical uncertainty of breast cancer contributes to the development of a new type of illness identity that is grounded in biomedical knowledge, advanced technology, and biomedical health and risk surveillance. The technoscientific identity (TSI) develops through the application of sciences and technologies to one’s sense of self. Analysing narrative data from 60 in‐depth interviews with women diagnosed with breast cancer, this research demonstrates how women diagnosed with breast cancer develop and maintain TSIs through four processes: (1) immersion in professional biomedical knowledge, (2) locating themselves within a technoscientific framework, (3) receiving support for the emerging TSI from the medical system and support networks, and (4) eventually prioritising their biomedical classifications over their suffering. Developing a TSI enables people to make sense of biomedical information, make decisions, and manage medical processes and relationships in the face of biomedical and personal uncertainty even as it extends the reach of technoscience and biomedicalisation.
International Labour Standards and North–South Competition
Authors: Zhao Laixun 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACTThis paper models the economic aspects of labour standards (LS) in an oligopolistic framework of three countries, incorporating labour–management negotiations in the North and monopsonic labour markets in Southern countries. Contrary to the literature, a higher LS not only incurs a higher cost, but also benefits workers and induces them to work harder. Because of these links, Northern intervention, via import taxes or minimum LS regulation, may often have perverse effects on Southern countries. Specifically, imposing an unconditional tariff against a certain Southern country to force up its LS does not work. Further, the unconditional tariff would shift production to another country. These shed light on why developing countries oppose including LS in WTO negotiations. However, a LS‐contingent tariff, or a minimum LS regulation is effective in raising LS in Southern countries, but the utility of the Northern labour union may fall. Incorporating altruism and humanitarian concerns mitigates the effects of unconditional tariff policies. Finally, as the empirical evidence shows, we demonstrate that multinational enterprises choose to locate in those developing countries whose LS is relatively higher.
The Impact of Real Exchange Rate Flexibility on East Asian Exports
Authors: Rahman Mizanur 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACTThis paper estimates the impact of intra‐regional real exchange rate flexibility on East Asian exports. The hypothesis is that the impact would be negative for East Asian countries regardless of their exchange rate regimes. The results validate the hypothesis. The findings show that for Chinese exports the long‐run effect is as much as that of a real appreciation of renminbi. By contrast, for Japanese exports the effect is three times larger than that of a real appreciation of the yen. The findings imply that a regional currency basket mechanism would lessen the adverse effect of exchange rate flexibility and engineer a collective exchange rate adjustment for resolving the global payment imbalance against East Asia.
Comprehensive assessment of gesture production: a new test of upper limb apraxia (TULIA)
Authors: Vanbellingen T. , Kersten B. , Van Hemelrijk B. , Van de Winckel A. , Bertschi M. , Müri R. , De Weerdt W. , Bohlhalter S. 
Published: July 2009

Background:  Only few standardized apraxia scales are available and they do not cover all domains and semantic features of gesture production. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of a newly developed test of upper limb apraxia (TULIA), which is comprehensive and still short to administer.Methods:  The TULIA consists of 48 items including imitation and pantomime domain of non‐symbolic (meaningless), intransitive (communicative) and transitive (tool related) gestures corresponding to 6 subtests. A 6‐point scoring method (0–5) was used (score range 0–240). Performance was assessed by blinded raters based on videos in 133 stroke patients, 84 with left hemisphere damage (LHD) and 49 with right hemisphere damage (RHD), as well as 50 healthy subjects (HS).Results:  The clinimetric findings demonstrated mostly good to excellent internal consistency, inter‐ and intra‐rater (test–retest) reliability, both at the level of the six subtests and at individual item level. Criterion validity was evaluated by confirming hypotheses based on the literature. Construct validity was demonstrated by a high correlation (r = 0.82) with the De Renzi‐test.Conclusion:  These results show that the TULIA is both a reliable and valid test to systematically assess gesture production. The test can be easily applied and is therefore useful for both research purposes and clinical practice.
Voluntary arbitration: the unsung hero
Authors: Gennard John 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACTThis article outlines the main forms of third‐party intervention and their use by the actors in the employee relations system. It also analyses the distinctive features of voluntary arbitration, the issue of disputes of rights and of interests and the differences between last offer arbitration and conventional arbitration. There is also an evaluation of the matters that are the subject of voluntary arbitration and why employers, employees and trade unions are reluctant to use the process except as a last resort. The article also explains the main stages in the collective voluntary arbitration process and concludes that although the process is not widely used, it remains an important tool in the current UK employment relations framework.
Spiders provide important resources for an endangered lizard
Authors: Fellows H. L. , Fenner A. L. , Bull C. M. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractConservation management requires knowledge of how a target species interacts with other species. Some relatively common species can modify the environment to the advantage of rarer, endangered species. Thus, local enhancement of those common species can positively influence remaining populations of the rarer species. The endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard Tiliqua adelaidensis inhabits burrows that are constructed by lycosid and mygalomorph spiders. We recorded 490 burrows in a 1 ha plot at the end of one season, and then observed at regular intervals the formation and loss of burrows, and the changes in occupancy status of each burrow over the next season. We found spiders in 94% of all newly constructed burrows and deduced that they had built the burrows. We found no evidence that lizards dug new burrows or deepened existing burrows. The numbers of both lizards and spiders in the burrows declined over the spring and summer, with lizards moving from their burrows more often early in the season than later. However, there was no strong trend for lizards to replace spiders in burrows. In fact, lizards tended to occupy deeper burrows than spiders, suggesting little negative impact of lizards on spiders. However, spiders had a positive impact on lizards by providing the refuge burrows central for lizard survival. Although lizards readily accept artificial burrows, long‐term conservation for the lizards must include viable spider populations to maintain a supply of suitable burrow refuges.
Resting breathing frequency in aquatic birds: a comparative analysis with terrestrial species
Authors: Mortola J. P. , Seguin J. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractSeveral studies have indicated that in birds breathing frequency (f, breaths min−1) scales to the −1/3 of body weight (W, kg); this is different from the −1/4 of mammals. We wondered if this discrepancy was due to the peculiar scaling pattern of aquatic birds, as is the case of aquatic mammals. In fact, we had noted previously that the allometric scaling of f differs considerably between aquatic and terrestrial mammals, respectively, W−0.42 and W−0.25. Measurements of f were obtained in 48 aquatic birds of 22 species and in 35 terrestrial birds of 27 species, during resting conditions on land. Additional data from 11 aquatic and 14 terrestrial species, different from the ones measured, were obtained from the literature. The allometric curve of all species combined (terrestrial and aquatic, n=74) was f=13.3W−0.36, similar to what is reported in previous studies. However, the allometric curve of the aquatic species (n=33, f=14.5W−0.56) differed greatly (P<0.001) from that of the terrestrial species (n=41, f=13.4W−0.26). On average, f of aquatic birds of the 3–5 kg range was 63%, and that of birds of larger size was 57%, of the values of terrestrial birds of similar W. We conclude that, as in mammals, also in terrestrial birds f scales to the −1/4 exponent of W. The similarity of the scaling patterns of f between aquatic birds and mammals suggests a common breathing adaptation to life in the aquatic environment irrespective of phylogenetic relations.
Cultural resistance to fast‐food consumption? A study of youth in North Eastern Thailand
Authors: Seubsman Sam‐ang , Kelly Matthew , Yuthapornpinit Pataraporn , Sleigh Adrian 
Published: July 2009

AbstractIncreased intake of saturated fat and refined sugars underlies much of the problem of emerging obesity all over the world. This includes middle‐income countries like Thailand, which are subject to successful marketing of Western fast foods especially targeted at adolescents. In this study we explore the socio‐cultural influences on fast‐food intake for non‐metropolitan (rural and urban) adolescents in North East Thailand (Isan). Our questionnaire sample included 634 persons aged 15–19 years who are in and out of formal schooling and who are randomly representing upper, central and lower Isan. All were asked about their knowledge of fast‐food health risks and their attitudes towards, and consumption of, fast food and traditional food. As well, we used several focus groups to obtain qualitative data to complement the information derived from the questionnaire. Some three quarters of sampled youth were aware that fast food causes obesity and half knew of the link to heart disease. About half consumed fast food regularly, induced by the appeal of ‘modern’ lifestyles, social events and marketing, as well as by the convenience, speed and taste. Nearly two‐thirds thought that local foods should be more popular and these beliefs were more likely to be found among children from educated and urban families. Local foods already constitute a cultural resistance to fast‐food uptake. We propose several methods to boost this resistance and protect the youth of Thailand against fast food and its many adverse health consequences.