bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microarray kit analysis of cytokines in blood product units and segments
Authors: Weiskopf Richard B. , Yau Rebecca , Sanchez Rosa , Lowell Clifford , Toy Pearl 
Published: June 2009

BACKGROUND: Cytokine concentrations in transfused blood components are of interest for some clinical trials. It is not always possible to process samples of transfused components quickly after their administration. Additionally, it is not practical to sample material in an acceptable manner from many bags of components before transfusion, and after transfusion, the only representative remaining fluid of the component may be that in the “segment,” because the bag may have been completely transfused. Multiplex array technology allows rapid simultaneous testing of multiple analytes in small‐volume samples. This technology was used to measure white blood cell (WBC) cytokine levels in blood products to determine 1) whether concentrations in segments correlate with those in the main bag and, thus, whether segments could be used for estimation of the concentrations in the transfused component and 2) whether concentrations after sample storage at 4°C for 24 hours do not differ from concentrations before storage, thus allowing for processing within 24 hours, rather than immediately after transfusion.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: WBC cytokines were measured in the supernatant from bags and segments of leukoreduced red blood cells (RBCs), nonleukoreduced whole blood, and leukoreduced plateletphereses using a human cytokine array kit (ProteoPlex, Novagen).RESULTS: Cytokine concentrations in RBCs and whole blood or plateletphereses stored at 4°C did not differ between bag and segment samples (all p > 0.05). There was no evidence of systematic differences between segment and bag concentrations. Cytokine concentrations in samples from plateletphereses did not change within 24 hours storage at 4°C.CONCLUSION: Samples from either bag or segment can be used to study cytokine concentrations in groups of blood products. Cytokine concentrations in plateletphereses appear to be stable for at least 24 hours of storage at 4°C and, thus, samples stored with those conditions may be used to estimate the cytokine concentrations of the component at the time of transfusion.
Quantification of Left Ventricular Asynchrony Throughout the Whole Cardiac Cycle with a Computed Algorithm: Application for Optimizing Resynchronization Therapy
Authors: SILVA E. , SITGES M. , MONT L. , DELGADO V. , TAMBORERO D. , VIDAL B. , GODOY M. , POYATOS S. , PARE C. , AZQUETA M. , BRUGADA J. 
Published: June 2009

Introduction:
Measurement of left ventricular (LV) asynchrony is usually determined on single time points from spectral tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) scans that are frequently difficult to identify or not representative of the whole cardiac cycle. Our aim was to validate a new asynchrony index that evaluates the motion of the LV walls throughout the whole cardiac cycle.
Methods and Results:
Ten healthy volunteers and 50 patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) were studied with TDI. Wall displacement tracings from the septal and lateral LV walls were analyzed. Cross‐correlation was calculated and 2 indices were obtained to assess LV asynchrony: the time delay and the superposition index (SI) between wall displacements. These results were compared between healthy volunteers and CRT patients, and between responders and nonresponders to CRT. Also, the optimal interventricular (VV) interval was based upon the best matching level. Volunteers showed lower asynchrony indices (83 ± 2% SI, 17 ± 8 ms time delay) as compared with CRT patients (63 ± 15% SI, 73 ± 60 ms time delay, P < 0.05). Responders also had more LV dyssynchrony than nonresponders (58 ± 15% SI and 92 ± 66 ms vs 68 ± 12% and 48 ± 34 ms, P < 0.05). The optimum VV interval selected by the computed algorithm showed an excellent concordance (Kappa = 0.90, P < 0.05) with that determined by other validated methods for optimizing the programming of CRT devices.
Conclusions:
This approach allows measurement of LV intraventricular asynchrony throughout the cardiac cycle, being useful to determine the optimum VV interval and to select candidates for CRT.
Decision Making for Extreme Events: Modeling Critical Infrastructure Interdependencies to Aid Mitigation and Response Planning
Authors: Santella Nicholas , Steinberg Laura J. , Parks Kyle 
Published: June 2009

AbstractRecent tragedies such as Hurricane Katrina, 9/11, and the 2008 Sichuan Earthquake have revealed a need for methods to evaluate and plan for the impact of extreme events on critical infrastructure. In particular, awareness has been raised of the threat that a major disruption will lead to cascading failures that cross boundaries between interdependent infrastructure sectors, greatly magnifying human and economic impacts. To assist in planning for such extreme events, researchers are developing modeling tools to aid in making decisions about how best to protect critical infrastructures. We present some of the capabilities of this modeling approach as well as some of the challenges faced in developing such applications based on our experience with the Critical Infrastructure Protection Decision Support System (CIPDSS) model, developed for use by the Department of Homeland Security. A set of disruptions to road and telecommunication infrastructures is implemented in CIPDSS and the modeled disruptions to the original infrastructure as well as cascading effects on other infrastructure sectors are discussed. These simulations provide insights into the potential of this approach.
The Association between Emergency Department Crowding and Analgesia Administration in Acute Abdominal Pain Patients
Authors: Mills Angela M. , Shofer Frances S. , Chen Esther H. , Hollander Judd E. , Pines Jesse M. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractObjectives:  The authors assessed the effect of emergency department (ED) crowding on the nontreatment and delay in treatment for analgesia in patients who had acute abdominal pain.Methods:  This was a secondary analysis of prospectively enrolled nonpregnant adult patients presenting to an urban teaching ED with abdominal pain during a 9‐month period. Each patient had four validated crowding measures assigned at triage. Main outcomes were the administration of and delays in time to analgesia. A delay was defined as waiting more than 1 hour for analgesia. Relative risk (RR) regression was used to test the effects of crowding on outcomes.Results:  A total of 976 abdominal pain patients (mean [±standard deviation] age = 41 [±16.6] years; 65% female, 62% black) were enrolled, of whom 649 (67%) received any analgesia. Of those treated, 457 (70%) experienced a delay in analgesia from triage, and 320 (49%) experienced a delay in analgesia after room placement. After adjusting for possible confounders of the ED administration of analgesia (age, sex, race, triage class, severe pain, final diagnosis of either abdominal pain not otherwise specified or gastroenteritis), increasing delays in time to analgesia from triage were independently associated with all four crowding measures, comparing the lowest to the highest quartile of crowding (total patient‐care hours RR = 1.54, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.32 to 1.80; occupancy rate RR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.42 to 1.91; inpatient number RR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.36 to 1.81; and waiting room number RR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.31 to 1.77). Crowding measures were not associated with the failure to treat with analgesia.Conclusions:  Emergency department crowding is associated with delays in analgesic treatment from the time of triage in patients presenting with acute abdominal pain.
The Impact of Injury Coding Schemes on Predicting Hospital Mortality After Pediatric Injury
Authors: Burd Randall S. , Madigan David 
Published: June 2009

AbstractObjectives:  Accurate adjustment for injury severity is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of trauma management. While the choice of injury coding scheme used for modeling affects performance, the impact of combining coding schemes on performance has not been evaluated. The purpose of this study was to use Bayesian logistic regression to develop models predicting hospital mortality in injured children and to compare the performance of models developed using different injury coding schemes.Methods:  Records of children (age < 15 years) admitted after injury were obtained from the National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) and the National Pediatric Trauma Registry (NPTR) and used to train Bayesian logistic regression models predicting mortality using three injury coding schemes (International Classification of Disease‐9th revision [ICD‐9] injury codes, the Abbreviated Injury Scale [AIS] severity scores, and the Barell matrix) and their combinations. Model performance was evaluated using independent data from the NTDB and the Kids’ Inpatient Database 2003 (KID).Results:  Discrimination was optimal when modeling both ICD‐9 and AIS severity codes (area under the receiver operating curve [AUC] = 0.921 [NTDB] and 0.967 [KID], Hosmer‐Lemeshow [HL] h‐statistic = 115 [NTDB] and 147 [KID]), while calibration was optimal when modeling coding based on the Barell matrix (AUC = 0.882 [NTDB] and 0.936 [KID], HL h‐statistic = 19 [NTDB] and 69 [KID]). When compared to models based on ICD‐9 codes alone, models that also included AIS severity scores and coding from the Barell matrix showed improved discrimination and calibration.Conclusions:  Mortality models that incorporate additional injury coding schemes perform better than those based on ICD‐9 codes alone in the setting of pediatric trauma. Combining injury coding schemes may be an effective approach for improving the predictive performance of empirically derived estimates of injury mortality.
The economic potential of precision nitrogen application with wheat based on plant sensing
Authors: Biermacher Jon T. , Brorsen B. Wade , Epplin Francis M. , Solie John B. , Raun William R. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractPlant‐based precision nitrogen fertilizer application technologies have been developed as a way to predict and precisely meet nitrogen needs. Equipment necessary for precision application of nitrogen, based on sensing of growing wheat plants in late winter, is available commercially, but adoption has been slow. This article determines the expected profit from using a plant‐sensing system to determine winter wheat nitrogen requirements. We find that plant‐sensing systems have the potential to be more profitable than traditional nonprecise systems, but the existing system simulated was roughly breakeven with a traditional system.
Immediate implants at fresh extraction sockets: bone healing in four different implant systems
Authors: De Sanctis Massimo , Vignoletti Fabio , Discepoli Nicola , Zucchelli Giovanni , Sanz Mariano 
Published: June 2009

AbstractObjectives: To describe the differences in bone healing, when placing four different implant systems in fresh extraction sockets.Material and Methods: Eight beagle dogs received implants randomly installed into the distal socket of three P3 and four P4. Four‐implant systems were evaluated. Each animal provided four test implant sites. All animals were sacrificed at 6 weeks after implant placement, providing specimens for histo‐morphometric analysis of bone to implant contact (BIC), bone area, new bone formation, as well as histometric measurements of the ridge alterations.Results: No statistically significant difference was observed among the four‐implant systems. The mean BIC % ranged between 58.5% and 72.1%. Bone modelling of the buccal plate was marked and amounted approximately to 2.5 mm, independently of the system used.Conclusion: This study failed to demonstrate differences in the healing pattern after 6 weeks when placing four different implant systems in fresh extraction sockets. In spite of achieving predictable osteointegration with the four implants studied, the occurrence of buccal bone resorption may limit the use of this surgical approach.
Differential expression of p63 isoforms in normal skin and hyperproliferative conditions
Authors: Kim So‐Young , Cho Hyun‐Joo , Kim Dong‐Seok , Choi Hae‐Ryung , Kwon Sun‐Bang , Na Jung‐Im , Jeon Hye‐Chan , Huh Chang‐Hoon , Youn Sang‐Woong , Cho Kwang‐Hyun , Park Kyoung‐Chan 
Published: June 2009

Background:  The p63 is regarded as a potential stem cell marker.Methods:  Expression of p63 isoforms was examined in normal skin and hyperproliferative conditions including psoriasis and artificial skin equivalents (SEs). Rapidly adhering (RA) and slowly adhering (SA) cells were isolated, and Western blotting was performed.Results:  Expression of p63 (4A4) and p63 (H‐137) is similar in all conditions, although there is some variation in psoriasis. However, expression of p63α (C‐12) is markedly different. In normal skin, p63α (C‐12)‐positive cells were scattered in whole epidermis. But in psoriasis, p63α (C‐12)‐positive cells were observed at the tips of rete ridges. In SEs, p63α (C‐12)‐positive cells were not well observed. Western blot results showed that the RA cells express p63 (4A4) and p63 (H‐137) strongly compared with SA or nonadhering (NA) cells. In contrast, SA or NA cells strongly express p63α (C‐12).Conclusions:  Results suggest that both p63 (4A4) and p63 (H‐137) can detect epidermal stem cells. But, p63 (H‐137) seemed to be a better marker because p63 (H‐137)‐positive cells were more localized at basal layer. In addition, it can be said that p63α (C‐12) can detect TAp63, which is important in differentiation of epidermis. Furthermore, it is concluded that molecular control of TAp63 is especially disorganized in hyperproliferative condition including psoriasis and SEs.
Fulminant and accelerated presentation of dermatomyositis in two previously healthy young adult males: a potential role for endotheliotropic viral infection
Authors: Magro Cynthia M. , Iwenofu Obiajulu H. , Kearns Mary J. , Nuovo Gerard J. , Dyrsen Molly E. , Segal Jeremy P. 
Published: June 2009

Background:  Dermatomyositis (DM) is a prototypic autoimmune syndrome, whereby immune‐based microvascular injury is critical in the pathogenesis of skin lesions and the myopathy. Although not widely recognized or accepted as a pathogenetic trigger, endotheliotropic viral triggers including parvovirus B19 and cytomegalovirus have been linked to DM. At times, the clinical manifestations in DM can be fulminant with acute renal failure because of rhabdomyolysis, respiratory failure and gastrointestinal infarcts.Methods:  Skin and lung tissues were processed for hematoxylin and eosin, immunohistochemical, immunofluorescent and reverse transcriptase in situ polymerase chain reaction studies.Case presentation:  We present two cases of fatal DM in previously healthy immunocompetent males. One case had fatal catastrophic respiratory failure from diffuse alveolar damage; herpes simplex virus‐2 RNA was uncovered in lung and skin biopsies during autopsy in the absence of classic cytopathic changes of herpes virus infection. The other case showed a Degos‐like syndrome; parvovirus B19 RNA transcripts were found in cutaneous endothelium of affected skin.Conclusion:  An accelerated clinical course can occur in the setting of DM in previously healthy patients. A viral‐based etiology should be explored because antiviral therapy may define a critical and potentially lifesaving therapeutic endeavor.
Microbial community analysis of rectal methanogens and sulfate reducing bacteria in two non‐human primate species
Authors: Nakamura Noriko , Leigh Steven R. , Mackie Roderick I. , Gaskins HR 
Published: June 2009

AbstractBackground  Methanogenesis by methanogenic Archaea and sulfate reduction by sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) are the major hydrogenotrophic pathways in the human colon. Methanogenic status of mammals is suggested to be under evolutionary rather than dietary control. However, information is lacking regarding the dynamics of hydrogenotrophic microbial communities among different primate species.Methods  Rectal swabs were collected from 10 sooty mangabeys (Cercocebus atys) and 10 baboons (Papio hamadryas). The diversity and abundance of methanogens and SRB were examined using PCR‐denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and real‐time quantitative PCR (qPCR).Results  The DGGE results revealed that intestinal Archaea and SRB communities differ between mangabeys and baboons. Phylogenetic analyses of Archaea DGGE bands revealed two distinct clusters with one representing a putative novel order of methanogenic Archaea. The qPCR detected a similar abundance of methanogens and SRB.Conclusions  Intestinal Archaea and SRB coexist in these primates, and the community patterns are host species‐specific.
Understory vegetation response to thinning disturbance of varying complexity in coniferous stands
Authors: Ares Adrian , Berryman Shanti D. , Puettmann Klaus J. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractQuestion: Can augmented forest stand complexity increase understory vegetation richness and cover and accelerate the development of late‐successional features? Does within‐stand understory vegetation variability increase after imposing treatments that increase stand structural complexity of the overstory? What is the relative contribution of individual stand structural components (i.e. forest matrix, gaps, and leave island reserves) to changes in understory vegetation richness?Location: Seven study sites in the Coastal Range and Cascades regions of Oregon, USA.Methods: We examined the effects of thinning six years after harvest on understory plant vascular richness and cover in 40‐ to 60‐year‐old forest stands dominated by Douglas‐fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). At each site, one unthinned control was preserved and three thinning treatments were implemented: low complexity (LC, 300 trees ha−1), moderate complexity (MC, 200 trees ha−1), and high complexity (HC, variable densities from 100 to 300 trees ha−1). Gaps openings and leave island reserves were established in MC and HC.Results: Richness of all herbs, forest herbs, early seral herbs and shrubs, and introduced species increased in all thinning treatments, although early seral herbs and introduced species remained a small component. Only cover of early seral herbs and shrubs increased in all thinning treatments whereas forest shrub cover increased in MC and HC. In the understory, we found 284 vascular plant species. After accounting for site‐level differences, the richness of understory communities in thinned stands differed from those in control stands. Within‐treatment variability of herb and shrub richness was reduced by thinning. Matrix areas and gap openings in thinned treatments appeared to contribute to the recruitment of early seral herbs and shrubs.Conclusions: Understory vegetation richness increased 6 years after imposing treatments, with increasing stand complexity mainly because of the recruitment of early seral and forest herbs, and both low and tall shrubs. Changes in stand density did not likely lead to competitive species exclusion. The abundance of potentially invasive introduced species was much lower compared to other plant groups. Post‐thinning reductions in within‐treatment variability was caused by greater abundance of early seral herbs and shrubs in thinned stands compared with the control. Gaps and low‐density forest matrix areas created as part of spatially variably thinning had greater overall species richness. Increased overstory variability encouraged development of multiple layers of understory vegetation.
Species constancy depends on plot size – a problem for vegetation classification and how it can be solved
Authors: Dengler Jürgen , Löbel Swantje , Dolnik Christian 
Published: June 2009

AbstractQuestion: While it is well known that species richness depends on plot size, it is not generally recognised that the same must be true for constancy. Accordingly, many authors use varying plot sizes when classifying vegetation based on the comparison of constancies between groups of plots. We ask whether the constancy‐area relationship follows a general rule, how strong the effect of plot sizes is on constancies, and if it is possible to correct constancies for area.Location: For empirical evaluation, we use data from plant communities in the Czech Republic, Sweden and Russia.Methods: To assess the potential influence of differences in plot size on constancies, we develop a mathematical model. Then, we use series of nested plot species richness data from a wide range of community types (herbaceous and forest) to determine the parameters of the derived function and to test how much the shape of the constancy‐area relationship depends on taxa or vegetation types.Results: Generally, the constancy‐area relationship can be described by C (A)=1−(1−C0)(A/A0)^d, with C being constancy, A area, C0 known constancy on a specific area A0, and d a damping parameter accounting for spatial autocorrelation. As predicted by this function, constancies in plant communities always varied from values near 0% to near 100% if plot sizes were changed sufficiently. For the studied vegetation types, a two‐ to fourfold increase in plot size resulted in a change of conventional constancy classes, i.e. an increase of constancy by 20% or more.Conclusions: Vegetation classification, which largely relies on constancy values, irrespective of whether traditional or modern fidelity definitions are used, is strongly prone to distorting scale effects when relevés of different plot sizes are combined in studies. The constancy‐area functions presented allow an approximate transformation of constancies to other plot sizes but are flawed by idiosyncrasies in taxa and vegetation types. Thus, we conclude that the best solution for future surveys is to apply uniform plot sizes within a few a priori delimited formations and to determine diagnostic species only within these formations. Finally, we suggest that more detailed analyses of constancy‐area relationships can contribute to a better understanding of species‐area relationships because the latter are the summation of the first for all species.
Trends in NHS primary dental care for older people in England: implications for the future
Authors: Kleinman Eleanor R. , Harper Paul R. , Gallagher Jennifer E. 
Published: June 2009

Objective:  To examine trends over time in the National Health Service (NHS) dental service provision for older people in England and consider the implications for future care.Background:  The number and proportion of older people in the population nationally are increasing and their oral health needs are changing as more people retain teeth into older age.Materials and methods:  Descriptive analysis of routinely collected activity data for primary dental care in England was undertaken over the 6‐year period, 1999/2000–2004/05. Data were cleaned, grouped into age bands for analysis. Activity rates per head of population were calculated for key aspects of care. Population forecasts and national survey data were used to inform future predictions of care required.Results:  There was an increase in absolute terms of total items (14.4%) and items per capita (10.7%) between 1999/2000 and 2004/05, with a peak of 15.7 million items claimed in 2003/04. Over the 6‐year period, increases per capita were seen for dental examinations (11.3%), periodontal treatments (8.9%), fillings (1.9%), crowns (14.3%) and extractions (4.9%) amongst older people as a group. In contrast, there was a marked decrease in the episodes of care involving domiciliary care (−46.4%) and upper complete dentures (−32.9%) per capita over this period, items that were most commonly provided for the oldest age‐band (85 years and over). Apart from complete dentures, the demand for care is predicted to increase.Conclusion:  The volume of primary dental care provided for older people has been increasing at a rate which exceeds population growth, but remains low. Planners and commissioners should urgently review the provision of dental care of older people to ensure that their oral health needs are being met particularly in relation to dentures and domiciliary care.