bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Risk factors for perinatal deaths in Pakistan
Authors: Perveen Fouzia , Tayyab Subhana , Zuberi Bader Faiyaz 
Published: May 2011

AbstractAim:  The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for perinatal deaths in Pakistan, where perinatal mortality is still very high.Materials and Methods:  This prospective cohort study was conducted in Sindh Government Lyari General Hospital, Karachi from 1 May 2006 to 30 April 2008. During this period, all perinatal deaths and each live infant delivered following every perinatal death (which were taken as controls) were enrolled. Demographic information, birthweight, booking status, associated obstetric risk factors, stillbirth or neonatal death and the cause of death were recorded. Univariate logistic regression was used to determine the effect of categorized weight, booking status, sex and the obstetric risk factors on perinatal death.Results:  A total of 1103 deliveries were conducted during this period with 119 perinatal deaths. Stillbirths constituted 68.9% while there were early neonatal deaths in 31.1% cases. Booking status, gestational age, weight of fetus and the presence of obstetric risk factors were found to have significant (P‐value < 0.05) association with perinatal deaths. Among the obstetric risk factors, abruptio placentae was the commonest (13.4%) and the commonest cause of death was identified as birth asphyxia (44.5%). There was a strong association between birthweight and perinatal death.Conclusions:  The high perinatal death rate in this study is comparable to other hospital‐based studies and indicates the poor health status, inadequate prenatal and intranatal care and lack of services in our setup. In order to achieve the Millennium Development Goals‐4, much work is needed to improve the quality of care, to identify high‐risk cases and to carry out their proper management.
Stable‐isotope probing of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon‐degrading bacterial guild in a contaminated soil
Authors: Jones Maiysha D. , Crandell Douglas W. , Singleton David R. , Aitken Michael D. 
Published: May 2011

SummaryThe bacteria responsible for the degradation of naphthalene, phenanthrene, pyrene, fluoranthene or benz[a]anthracene in a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)‐contaminated soil were investigated by DNA‐based stable‐isotope probing (SIP). Clone libraries of 16S rRNA genes were generated from the 13C‐enriched (‘heavy’) DNA recovered from each SIP experiment, and quantitative PCR primers targeting the 16S rRNA gene were developed to measure the abundances of many of the SIP‐identified sequences. Clone libraries from the SIP experiments with naphthalene, phenanthrene and fluoranthene primarily contained sequences related to bacteria previously associated with the degradation of those compounds. However, Pigmentiphaga‐related sequences were newly associated with naphthalene and phenanthrene degradation, and sequences from a group of uncultivated γ‐Proteobacteria known as Pyrene Group 2 were newly associated with fluoranthene and benz[a]anthracene degradation. Pyrene Group 2‐related sequences were the only sequences recovered from the clone library generated from SIP with pyrene, and they were 82% of the sequences recovered from the clone library generated from SIP with benz[a]anthracene. In time‐course experiments with each substrate in unlabelled form, the abundance of each of the measured groups increased in response to the corresponding substrate. These results provide a comprehensive description of the microbial ecology of a PAH‐contaminated soil as it relates to the biodegradation of PAHs from two to four rings, and they underscore that bacteria in Pyrene Group 2 are well‐suited for the degradation of four‐ring PAHs.
Diagnostic yield of colonoscopy for constipation as the sole indication
Authors: Obusez E. C. , Lian L. , Kariv R. , Burke C. A. , Shen B. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractAim  There is controversy over whether constipation as the only symptom should be an indication for routine diagnostic colonoscopy. The study was carried out to assess the prevalence of abnormal pathology on colonoscopy and to assess the risk factors for colonic neoplasia in patients with constipation but without ‘high risk symptoms’.Method  A cross‐sectional, single‐centre study was conducted on individuals who underwent colonoscopy for constipation as the sole indication between 2005 and 2008. Standardized endoscopic and pathology reports were reviewed. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed.Results  A total of 786 patients (595 women, 75.7%; mean age, 57.4 ± 13.5 years) underwent diagnostic colonoscopy for constipation. Forty‐three (5.5%) had polyps, of whom 19 (2.4%) had hyperplastic polyps and 19 (2.4%) adenomas. No cancers were found. In patients with adenoma, the detection rate was 2.9% for patients below age 40 years and 1.7% for patients below age 50 years. Older age was associated with a polyp in both univariate and multivariate analysis. Gender, ethnicity and smoking were not associated with polyp or adenoma.Conclusion  Colonoscopy for patients with constipation as the sole indication had a lower yield of neoplastic lesions than that for patients undergoing routine screening colonoscopy. Colonoscopy in constipation may only be warranted in patients who are over 50 years of age.
Corneal sensitivity in healthy, immature, and adult alpacas
Authors: Rankin Amy J. , Hosking Kimberley G. , Roush James K. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractObjective To determine the corneal sensitivity of healthy, immature, and adult alpacas to establish normal reference values for this species.Animals studied Six normal crias and 18 normal adult alpacas.Procedures Corneal sensitivity was determined by evaluating the corneal touch threshold (CTT) in five regions of the cornea using a Cochet–Bonnet aesthesiometer. The nylon filament length in cm was then converted to applied pressure values in mg/0.0113 mm2and g/mm2using a conversion chart.Results The central region of the cornea was the most sensitive, and the dorsal and temporal regions were the least sensitive in alpacas. There were no significant differences between the right and left eyes or between values in males and females at any site. Crias had significantly greater corneal sensitivity compared with adult alpacas in all five regions of the cornea that were evaluated.Conclusions Normal reference values for CTT in alpacas were established using a Cochet–Bonnet aesthesiometer. The central region of the cornea is the most sensitive in alpacas, and crias have higher corneal sensitivity than adult alpacas.
Linguistic Objectivity in Norm Sentences: Alternatives in Literal Meaning
Authors: DUARTE DAVID 
Published: May 2011

AbstractAssuming that legal science, specifically with regard to interpretation, has to provide the tools to reduce the uncertainty of legal solutions arising from the use of natural languages by legal orders, it becomes a central matter to identify, in this limited domain, the spectrum of semantic variation (and its boundaries) that language brings to the definition of a norm expressed by a norm sentence. It is in this framework that the present paper, analyzing norm sentences as a specific kind of speech act, examines the relation of the legal order to natural language rules, the limits of linguistic uncertainty, and alternatives of meaning as distinct possibilities of norms covered by the text (that are, because of this, still within whatliteral meaningis). Considering interpretation just as the linguistic decoding process, the reverse of the process of creating norm sentences, the paper also argues that subjects not connected with the relation between norm sentences and norms (mainly, normative defeasibility) are analytically distinct and should be removed from the field of language.
Young people’s risk of suicide attempts after contact with a psychiatric department – a nested case‐control design using Danish register data
Authors: Christiansen Erik , Larsen Kim Juul 
Published: May 2011

Background:  There seems to be an increased risk of children and adolescents committing or attempting suicide after contact with a psychiatric department. Children and adolescents living in families with low socio‐economic status (SES) might have an especially increased suicide attempt risk.Methods:  A complete extraction of Danish register data for every individual born in the period 1983–1989 was made. Of these 403,431 individuals, 3,465 had attempted suicide. In order to control for confounder effects from gender, age and calendar‐time, a nested case–control study was designed. A total population of 72,765 individuals was used to analyze the risk of suicide attempts after contact with a psychiatric department. The case–control data were analyzed using conditional logistic regression.Results:  This study shows that a child/adolescent’s risk of suicide attempt peaks immediately after discharge from last contact with a psychiatric department. The risk of suicide attempt is highest for children and adolescents suffering from personality disorders, depression and substance use disorders. Children and adolescents with previous contact with a psychiatric department and parental income in the lowest third have a significantly higher risk of suicide attempt. Suicide attempters were more likely to have been given several different diagnoses and several different psychopharmacological drugs prior to their attempted suicide.Conclusions:  The findings in this study highlight the need for psychopathology assessment in every case of attempted suicide. This study also shows that well‐known risk factors such as contact with a psychiatric department do not affect all individuals in the same way. Individuals from families with low SES had the highest risk. This suggests that the presence of factors influencing both vulnerability and resiliency, e.g., family level of SES, needs to be included in the assessment.
A subtle threat cue, heart rate variability, and cognitive performance
Authors: Elliot Andrew J. , Payen Vincent , Brisswalter Jeanick , Cury Francois , Thayer Julian F. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThis research was designed to extend the literature on heart rate variability (HRV) in cognitive performance contexts by examining whether a subtle threat cue (the color red) in a test environment influences HRV reactivity and whether HRV reactivity is associated with change in cognitive performance. Thirty‐three participants took an IQ test, briefly viewed red or a chromatic or achromatic control color, and then took a parallel form of the IQ test. High frequency (HF)‐HRV (often referred to as respiratory sinus arrhythmia), was assessed before and after the color manipulation. Results indicated that participants who viewed red (relative to a control color) exhibited a decrease in HF‐HRV and that decreased HF‐HRV was associated with worse IQ performance. These findings demonstrate the sensitivity of HRV as an index of effective and efficient emotion regulation in an achievement context.
A specific miRNA signature in the peripheral blood of glioblastoma patients
Authors: Roth Patrick , Wischhusen Jörg , Happold Caroline , Chandran P. Anoop , Hofer Silvia , Eisele Günter , Weller Michael , Keller Andreas 
Published: May 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 118, 449–457.AbstractThe prognosis of patients afflicted by glioblastoma remains poor. Biomarkers for the disease would be desirable in order to allow for an early detection of tumor progression or to indicate rapidly growing tumor subtypes requiring more intensive therapy. In this study, we investigated whether a blood‐derived specific miRNA fingerprint can be defined in patients with glioblastoma. To this end, miRNA profiles from the blood of 20 patients with glioblastoma and 20 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls were compared. Of 1158 tested miRNAs, 52 were significantly deregulated, as assessed by unadjusted Student′s t‐test at an alpha level of 0.05. Of these, two candidates, miR‐128 (up‐regulated) and miR‐342‐3p (down‐regulated), remained significant after correcting for multiple testing by Benjamini–Hochberg adjustment with a p‐value of 0.025. The altered expression of these two biomarkers was confirmed in a second cohort of glioblastoma patients and healthy controls by real‐time PCR and validated for patients who had received neither radio‐ nor chemotherapy and for patients who had their glioblastomas resected more than 6 months ago. Moreover, using machine learning, a comprehensive miRNA signature was obtained that allowed for the discrimination between blood samples of glioblastoma patients and healthy controls with an accuracy of 81% [95% confidence interval (CI) 78–84%], specificity of 79% (95% CI 75–83%) and sensitivity of 83% (95% CI 71–85%). In summary, our proof‐of‐concept study demonstrates that blood‐derived glioblastoma‐associated characteristic miRNA fingerprints may be suitable biomarkers and warrant further exploration.
The long and the short of it: Electoral institutions and the dynamics of party system size, 1950–2005
Authors: BEST ROBIN E. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractWhile institutional theories of party system size are usually examined cross‐nationally, there is ample reason to expect that changes in electoral institutions will affect party system size within countries as well. Although some of this effect may occur immediately, most of the effects are likely to be realised over time and across subsequent elections. A series of error‐correction models examine the short‐ and long‐term effects of changes in electoral institutions on party system size. The results indicate that changes in electoral institutions do produce the expected effects on party system size, and that these effects occur mostly over the long term.
Genetic variation of the HNA‐3a encoding gene
Authors: Flesch Brigitte K. , Reil Angelika , Bux Jürgen 
Published: May 2011

BACKGROUND: Antibodies against the human neutrophil alloantigen‐3a (HNA‐3a) play an important role in transfusion‐related acute lung injury. The HNA‐3a and ‐3b alloantigens result from a single‐nucleotide exchange in the choline transporter‐like protein 2 gene (CTL2). We sought for additional polymorphisms that might impair antibody binding to or genotyping of the HNA‐3a or ‐3b antigens.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: CTL2‐specific complementary DNA (cDNA) fragments were generated from 67 unrelated blood donors followed by DNA sequencing. Polymerase chain reaction with sequence‐specific primers (PCR‐SSP) was used to test a higher number of donors for relevant new single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The granulocyte agglutination test recommended for HNA‐3a antibody detection was performed to check HNA‐3a antibody binding to the products of the CTL‐2 gene variants.RESULTS: Two new missense mutations were demonstrated in the CTL2 cDNA: a 537C>T* exchange leading to a Leu153Phe amino acid substitution and 988C>T variation predicting Thr301Met change. The inherited 537T variant is located in HNA‐3a allele results impaired granulocyte agglutination by four of 14 antibodies tested while 988T remains nearly unaffected.CONCLUSIONS: The Leu153Phe exchange next to the HNA‐3a/b defining amino acid position can impede the binding of HNA‐3a alloantibodies. The HNA‐3a genotyping by PCR‐SSP might produce misleading results in HNA‐3ab heterozygous individuals with the additional CTL2‐537T variation of the HNA‐3a antigen. These findings must account for the development of new screening assays.
Understanding the plasmapheresis donor in a voluntary, nonremunerated environment
Authors: Bove Liliana L. , Bednall Tim , Masser Barbara , Buzza Mark 
Published: May 2011

BACKGROUND: Increasing demand for plasma‐derived products presents a major recruitment and retention challenge for blood collection agencies; however, little is known about what motivates individuals to become committed plasmapheresis donors. This study explored triggers for individuals' first plasma donation and factors associated with continuing donations.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 103 plasma donors were recruited into 11 focus groups. Reasons for donating were discussed using a semistructured questioning approach. Transcripts were analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Categories of perceptions, beliefs, and attitudes were developed from the data, cross‐validated, and when relevant, assigned to higher‐order themes.RESULTS: Awareness of plasmapheresis was most often gained when donors were unable to donate whole blood. Accordingly, the main trigger for conversion to plasma donation was a personal request by collection staff. A key benefit of plasma donation was its increased frequency, which facilitated the establishment of a routine and relationship development with staff and donors, whereas the key reported sacrifice was the greater donation time. Disappointment was the main response to an inability to donate. Functional tokens and refreshments were valued by donors, although it was felt that money spent on tokens would be better invested in making operations more efficient.CONCLUSION: Suitable whole blood donors should be made aware of plasmapheresis and its associated benefits through collection staff. Sustained donation can be encouraged by the establishment of a regular schedule and positive interactions with collection staff and other donors to enhance the donors' subjective well‐being.
Impact of 13.56‐MHz radiofrequency identification systems on the quality of stored red blood cells
Authors: Kozma Noemi , Speletz Harald , Reiter Ursula , Lanzer Gerhard , Wagner Thomas 
Published: May 2011

BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency identification (RFID) technology is emerging as one of the most pervasive computing technologies due to its broad applicability. Storage of red blood cells (RBCs) is a routine procedure worldwide. Depending on the additive solution, RBCs can be stored at 4 ± 2°C up to 49 days. To support the decision of discarding or further using a blood product, temperature measurement of each unit could be provided by RFID application. The safety evaluation of RFID devices was demonstrated in a regulatory agency required study. It has been concluded in limit tests that high frequency–based RFID technology performed safely for blood products; therefore, a longer exposure of radiofrequency (RF) energy on blood units was performed in this study to detect any biologic effects in RBC samples.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Buffy coat–depleted, in line–filtered RBCs were used as standard products in all tests. Various variables like pH, potassium, glucose, lactate, hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit, free Hb, and hemolysis rate were measured in a test group with RFID tags placed on their surface and continuously radiated with 13.56‐MHz RFID reader radiation for 42 days while stored at 4 ± 2°C and compared to a control group by two‐sample t test.RESULTS: In both groups glucose and pH levels decreased while lactate, free Hb, and potassium increased within the expected levels. The hemolysis rate showed increase after the 25th day but remained below the maximum acceptable threshold of 0.8%.CONCLUSION: It is feasible to implement RFID‐enabled processes, without detecting any known biologic effects of longer exposure of RF energy on the quality of RBCs.
Prior Divergence: Do Researchers and Participants Share the Same Prior Probability Distributions?
Authors: Fang Christina , Carp Sari , Shapira Zur 
Published: May 2011

AbstractDo participants bring their own priors to an experiment? If so, do they share the same priors as the researchers who design the experiment? In this article, we examine the extent to which self‐generated priors conform to experimenters’ expectations by explicitly asking participants to indicate their own priors in estimating the probability of a variety of events. We find in Study 1 that despite being instructed to follow a uniform distribution, participants appear to have used their own priors, which deviated from the given instructions. Using subjects’ own priors allows us to account better for their responses rather than merely to test the accuracy of their estimates. Implications for the study of judgment and decision making are discussed.
Subspecialist training in surgical gynecologic oncology in the Nordic countries
Authors: ANTONSEN SOFIE L. , ÅVALL‐LUNDQVIST ELISABETH , SALVESEN HELGA B. , AURANEN ANNIKA , SALVARSDOTTIR ANNA , HØGDALL CLAUS ,   on behalf of the Nordic Society of Gynaecological Oncology
Published: May 2011

AbstractTo survey the centers that can provide subspecialty surgical training and education in gynecological oncology in the Nordic countries, we developed an online questionnaire in co‐operation with the Nordic Society of Gynecological Oncology. The link to the survey was mailed to 22 Scandinavian gynecological centers in charge of surgical treatment of cancer patients. Twenty (91%) centers participated. Four centers reported to be accredited European subspecialty training centers, a further six were interested in being accredited, and 11 centers were accredited by the respective National Board. Fourteen (74%) centers were interested in being listed for exchange of fellows. Our data show a large Nordic potential and interest in improving the gynecologic oncology standards and can be used to enhance the awareness of gynecologic oncology training in Scandinavia and to facilitate the exchange of fellows between Nordic countries.
Comprehensive counseling about combined hormonal contraceptives changes the choice of contraceptive methods: results of the CHOICE program in Sweden
Authors: GEMZELL‐DANIELSSON KRISTINA , THUNELL LOUISE , LINDEBERG MIA , TYDÉN TANJA , MARINTCHEVA‐PETROVA MAYA , ODDENS BJÖRN J. 
Published: May 2011

Abstract Objective. To study the influence of counseling on women's contraceptive decisions. Design. A cross‐sectional multicenter study. Setting. Seventy Swedish family planning clinics. Population. Women aged 15–40 years attending for a contraceptive consultation who expressed interest in a combined hormonal contraceptive (CHC) method. Methods. Structured counseling about three CHCs and questionnaires completed after counseling from the healthcare professional. Main Outcome Measures. Method originally requested, perceptions of CHC attributes, method chosen and reasons for the choice. Results. In all, 173 healthcare professionals and 1 944 women participated. The mean standard deviation (SD) age of the women was 22.6(6.1) years. After structured counseling, a majority of women (56.0%; n=1 069; 95% confidence interval (CI) 53.1–58.9) chose the daily pill, 6.2% (n=118; 95% CI 4.9–7.8) chose the weekly patch, and 22.5% (n=430; 95% CI 20.2–25.1) chose the monthly ring. The weekly patch was chosen more often after counseling (6.2 vs 2.4% before counseling; p<0.0001). The greatest change was in the proportion of women who chose the contraceptive ring after counseling (22.5% vs. 8.5% before counseling; p<0.0001). The proportion of undecided women after counseling was reduced considerably (3.9% vs. 27.8% before counseling). Among the 523 women who were undecided before counseling, 50.6% chose the pill, 10.2% the patch and 24.6% the ring, while 20.9% of women who initially requested the pill changed to another method. Conclusions. Structured counseling facilitated choice of contraceptive method for most women, leading to changes in women's selection of a CHC method.