bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Maternal occupational exposure to solvents and congenital malformations: a prospective study in the general population
Authors: Garlantézec R , Monfort C , Rouget F , Cordier S 
Published: June 2009

Objective:To study the relations between maternal occupational exposure to solvents during pregnancy and the risk of congenital malformations.Methods:A prospective population-based cohort, specifically designed to study the impact of maternal exposure to solvents on the risk of congenital malformations, began in 2002 in three districts of Brittany (France). 3421 pregnant women were recruited until the end of 2005 by physicians before 19 weeks of gestation and followed through birth. Information on pregnancy outcomes was obtained from the hospital. Occupational exposure to solvents at the beginning of pregnancy was assessed from the women’s self-reported occupational exposures at inclusion and from a job-exposure matrix (JEM). Sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, medical history, diseases during pregnancy were obtained at inclusion and from hospital records. Analyses were restricted to working women (n = 3005). Logistic regressions were used to adjust for potential confounders.Results:30.2% of the working women declared regular exposure to at least one product that may contain solvents. 21.3% of them were classified at least in the medium exposure category using the JEM. Occupations mainly classified as exposed by both assessment methods were hairdressers, nurses’ aides, nurses and chemists/biologists. Significant associations were found between major congenital malformations and maternal occupational exposure to solvents, assessed by both self-report odds ratio (OR = 2.48, 95% CI 1.4 to 4.4 for regular exposure vs no exposure) and the JEM (OR = 3.48, 95% CI 1.4 to 8.4 for highest level of exposure vs no exposure). A significant dose–response trend was observed with both assessment methods. Several subgroups of major malformations were associated with maternal exposure to solvents (oral clefts, urinary malformations and male genital malformations).Conclusion:This study provides further evidence of an association between exposure to solvents during pregnancy and the risk of major malformations.
East Coast Cool-Weather Storms in the New York Metropolitan Region
Authors: Salmun H. , Molod A. , Buonaiuto F. S. , Wisniewska K. , Clarke K. C. 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
New York coastal regions are frequently exposed to winter extratropical storm systems that exhibit a wide range of local impacts. Studies of these systems either have used localized water-level or beach erosion data to identify and characterize the storms or have used meteorological conditions from reanalysis data to provide a general regional “climatology” of storms. The use of meteorological conditions to identify these storms allows an independent assessment of impacts on the coastal environment and therefore can be used to predict the impacts. However, the intensity of these storms can exhibit substantial spatial variability that may not be captured by the relatively large scales of the studies using reanalysis data, and this fact may affect the localized assessment of storm impact on the coastal communities. A method that uses data from National Data Buoy Center stations in the New York metropolitan area to identify East Coast cool-weather storms (ECCSs) and to describe their climatological characteristics is presented. An assessment of the presence of storm conditions and a three-level intensity scale was developed using surface pressure data as measured at the buoys. This study identified ECCSs during the period from 1977 through 2007 and developed storm climatologies for each level of storm intensity. General agreement with established climatologies demonstrated the robustness of the method. The impact of the storms on the coastal environment was assessed by computing “storm average” values of storm-surge data and by examining beach erosion along the south shore of Long Island, New York. A regression analysis demonstrated that the best storm-surge predictor is based on measurements of significant wave height at a nearby buoy.
Observed Synoptic-Scale Variability during the Developing Phase of an ISO over the Indian Ocean during MISMO
Authors: Katsumata Masaki , Johnson Richard H. , Ciesielski Paul E. 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
A case study of an intraseasonal oscillation (ISO) is investigated in the period leading up to its convectively active phase during the Mirai Indian Ocean Cruise for the Study of the MJO-Convection Onset (MISMO), which was conducted during boreal autumn 2006. Detailed observations, including apparent heat and moisture analyses, reveal that synoptic-scale variability of heat and moisture sources and sinks associated with the passage of three eastward-propagating cloud systems (EPCSs) was prominent during this period. These systems with periods of ∼6 days propagated through the MISMO domain, priming the atmosphere for a convectively active phase of the ISO. The prominent shallow heating during this period may explain the rather slow (8 m s−1) propagation speed for EPCSs. The zonal structure and sign of the frictional convergence show that these EPCSs have common characteristics to the frictional Kelvin mode studied by Ohuchi and Yamasaki. With the analyses of the period-averaged vertical profiles, the EPCSs were identified as the principal mechanism to moisten the atmosphere prior to the ISO convectively active phase.
Atmosphere Feedbacks during ENSO in a Coupled GCM with a Modified Atmospheric Convection Scheme
Authors: Guilyardi Eric , Braconnot Pascale , Jin Fei-Fei , Kim Seon Tae , Kolasinski Michel , Li Tim , Musat Ionela 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThe too diverse representation of ENSO in a coupled GCM limits one’s ability to describe future change of its properties. Several studies pointed to the key role of atmosphere feedbacks in contributing to this diversity. These feedbacks are analyzed here in two simulations of a coupled GCM that differ only by the parameterization of deep atmospheric convection and the associated clouds. Using the Kerry–Emanuel (KE) scheme in the L’Institut Pierre-Simon Laplace Coupled Model, version 4 (IPSL CM4; KE simulation), ENSO has about the right amplitude, whereas it is almost suppressed when using the Tiedke (TI) scheme. Quantifying both the dynamical Bjerknes feedback and the heat flux feedback in KE, TI, and the corresponding Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project (AMIP) atmosphere-only simulations, it is shown that the suppression of ENSO in TI is due to a doubling of the damping via heat flux feedback. Because the Bjerknes positive feedback is weak in both simulations, the KE simulation exhibits the right ENSO amplitude owing to an error compensation between a too weak heat flux feedback and a too weak Bjerknes feedback. In TI, the heat flux feedback strength is closer to estimates from observations and reanalysis, leading to ENSO suppression. The shortwave heat flux and, to a lesser extent, the latent heat flux feedbacks are the dominant contributors to the change between TI and KE. The shortwave heat flux feedback differences are traced back to a modified distribution of the large-scale regimes of deep convection (negative feedback) and subsidence (positive feedback) in the east Pacific. These are further associated with the model systematic errors. It is argued that a systematic and detailed evaluation of atmosphere feedbacks during ENSO is a necessary step to fully understand its simulation in coupled GCMs.
Global Financial Turmoil and Emerging Market Economies
Authors: Loser Claudio M. 
Published: June 2009

A year ago, the prospects for Emerging Economies (EE) looked very promising. There were concerns about the effect of a shallow recession in the US, but the general perception was that Asia and, to a large extent, Latin America and other regions were doing well. Most thought they had ‘decoupled’ from the advanced economies, and the emerging markets would grow with few restrictions. Since then, the financial crisis has become the worst in the last fifty years. The complex and wide-ranging interaction between the financial world and the real economy already has begun to have serious consequences for the emerging economies. Whereas the conditions in the financial markets have tended to stabilise from the unsustainable position of September–October of 2008, the real economy is weakening and the prospects for an early recovery are remote. Commodity prices have declined by about one half from their peak; demand for manufactured goods is declining sharply all over the world; stock market valuations have declined by about one half or more; and currencies in many emerging countries have depreciated, as capital flows reversed seeking to find a safe heaven. The loss of financial wealth is enormous. The authorities and economic agents were initially taken by surprise by the collapse. Now they are responding to the challenges caused by the rapidly deteriorating external environment. However, there are serious economic and political stumbling blocks that may well cause the recovery to be costly and slow to consolidate. This article reviews the origins of the current crisis in emerging market economies, mainly in Asia and Latin America in the context of the global crisis. It reviews the recent developments on a worldwide basis and how they affected them, even after the process of consolidation observed over the last 10 years or so, including the integration with the rest of the world. The article also discusses what can be realistically expected as financial volatility and recessionary forces may continue to prevail for a while.
Demographics Matter
Authors: Contrino Heather , McGuckin Nancy 
Published: June 2009

The United States is in a significant period of change. The significant growth in travel that the US has experienced since the 1960's is a product of demographic and economic changes including increases in vehicle ownership, baby boomers and women entering the workforce, and dramatic growth in personal income. More recently however, data are painting a different picture. The economic slowdown, vehicle saturation, climate change, new immigrant population growth, and the aging population may be contributing to a slowing growth of travel demand in the US (3). Race and ethnicity do matter in terms of travel choices, needs, and options. Many factors contribute to the differences we see in patterns of travel within population segments. Using data from the US Census Bureau and the National Household Travel Survey Program, this paper examines the demographic characteristics of minority populations and the resulting differences in their travel behavior.
Foxl2functions in sex determination and histogenesis throughout mouse ovary development
Authors: Garcia-Ortiz José Elias , Pelosi Emanuele , Omari Shakib , Nedorezov Timur , Piao Yulan , Karmazin Jesse , Uda Manuela , Cao Antonio , Cole Steve W , Forabosco Antonino , Schlessinger David , Ottolenghi Chris 
Published: June 2009

Abstract

Background
Partial loss of function of the transcription factor FOXL2 leads to premature ovarian failure in women. In animal models, Foxl2 is required for maintenance, and possibly induction, of female sex determination independently of other critical genes, e.g., Rspo1. Here we report expression profiling of mouse ovaries that lack Foxl2 alone or in combination with Wnt4 or Kit/c-Kit.

Results
Following Foxl2 loss, early testis genes (including Inhbb, Dhh, and Sox9) and several novel ovarian genes were consistently dysregulated during embryonic development. In the absence of Foxl2, expression changes affecting a large fraction of pathways were opposite those observed in Wnt4-null ovaries, reinforcing the notion that these genes have complementary actions in ovary development. Loss of one copy of Foxl2 revealed strong gene dosage sensitivity, with molecular anomalies that were milder but resembled ovaries lacking both Foxl2 alleles. Furthermore, a Foxl2 transgene disrupted embryonic testis differentiation and increased the levels of key female markers.

Conclusion
The results, including a comprehensive principal component analysis, 1) support the proposal of dose-dependent Foxl2 function and anti-testis action throughout ovary differentiation; and 2) identify candidate genes for roles in sex determination independent of FOXL2 (e.g., the transcription factors IRX3 and ZBTB7C) and in the generation of the ovarian reserve downstream of FOXL2 (e.g., the cadherin-domain protein CLSTN2 and the sphingomyelin synthase SGMS2). The gene inventory is a first step toward the identification of the full range of pathways with partly autonomous roles in ovary development, and thus provides a framework to analyze the genetic bases of female fertility.
Procalcitonin to guide duration of antibiotic therapy in intensive care patients: a randomized prospective controlled trial
Authors: Hochreiter Marcel , Köhler Thomas , Schweiger Anna Maria , Keck Fritz Sixtus , Bein Berthold , von Spiegel Tilman , Schroeder Stefan 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
Introduction
The development of resistance by bacterial species is a compelling issue to reconsider indications and administration of antibiotic treatment. Adequate indications and duration of therapy are particularly important for the use of highly potent substances in the intensive care setting. Until recently, no laboratory marker has been available to differentiate bacterial infection from viral or non-infectious inflammatory reaction; however, over the past years, procalcitonin (PCT) is the first among a large array of inflammatory variables that offers this possibility. The present study aimed to investigate the clinical usefulness of PCT for guiding antibiotic therapy in surgical intensive care patients.

Methods
All patients requiring antibiotic therapy based on confirmed or highly suspected bacterial infections and at least two concomitant systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria were eligible. Patients were randomly assigned to either a PCT-guided (study group) or a standard (control group) antibiotic regimen. Antibiotic therapy in the PCT-guided group was discontinued, if clinical signs and symptoms of infection improved and PCT decreased to <1 ng/ml or the PCT value was >1 ng/ml, but had dropped to 25 to 35% of the initial value over three days. In the control group antibiotic treatment was applied as standard regimen over eight days.

Results
A total of 110 surgical intensive care patients receiving antibiotic therapy after confirmed or high-grade suspected infections were enrolled in this study. In 57 patients antibiotic therapy was guided by daily PCT and clinical assessment and adjusted accordingly. The control group comprised 53 patients with a standardized duration of antibiotic therapy over eight days. Demographic and clinical data were comparable in both groups. However, in the PCT group the duration of antibiotic therapy was significantly shorter than compared to controls (5.9 +/- 1.7 versus 7.9 +/- 0.5 days, P < 0.001) without negative effects on clinical outcome.

Conclusions
Monitoring of PCT is a helpful tool for guiding antibiotic treatment in surgical intensive care patients. This may contribute to an optimized antibiotic regimen with beneficial effects on microbial resistance and costs in intensive care medicine.

Annotation
Results were previously published in German in Anaesthesist 2008; 57: 571–577 (PMID: 18463831).

Trial registration
ISRCTN10288268
Cs2.5H0.5PW12O40 Nanoparticles Fixed on Silica Encapsulating Magnetic Iron Oxide as a Magnetically Separable Water-tolerant Solid Acid
Authors: Goto Toshimitsu , Sakamoto Yoshinori , Kamiya Yuichi 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
Cs2.5H0.5PW12O40 fixed on silica encapsulating iron oxide nanoparticles through (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane could magnetically be separated from an aqueous solution. The catalyst showed activity for the hydrolysis of ethyl acetate in the presence of excess water and was reusable without significant loss of its inherent activity.
What is the Relationship Between Patients’ And Clinicians’ Reports of the Outcomes of Elective Surgery?
Authors: Bream Elizabeth , Black Nick 
Published: June 2009

Objectives To identify studies in which patients’ and clinicians’ reports of health status and complications of one of four elective operations - hip and knee replacement, varicose vein surgery and groin hernia repair - are reported, and to describe the associations that have been reported between clinicians’ and patients’ reports. Methods Systematic search of several bibliographic databases and review of citations of articles meeting inclusion criteria. A narrative summary of the findings was conducted. Results Most of the 62 studies of health status identified were for hip (23) or knee (33) disease. The literature on complications was even more limited with 12 studies of surgical site infection, one for urinary tract infection and none for lower respiratory tract infections. Procedure-specific complications were restricted to one for arthroplasties and three for hernia repair. Despite considerable variation in the findings of studies, some clear patterns emerge, albeit they are largely based on arthroplasty. Patients’ and clinicians’ views of health status generally correlate moderately (0.5-0.6) when both are reporting on the same dimension of health status. Inevitably this is confined to disability, though patients’ and clinicians’ reports of symptoms are also moderately correlated. In contrast, comparisons of different dimensions, such as patients’ reports of disability and clinicians’ reports of impairment, result in poor correlation (0.3). There is huge variation in the way postoperative complications are measured which limits the extent to which an overview can be undertaken. Despite that, moderate to strong correlations have been reported between patients’ and clinicians’ views of complications. Conclusions Patients’ views of their level of disability reflect clinicians’ views and can be relied upon to assess this dimension of health status. In addition, patients are the ‘gold standard’ judges of symptoms and quality of life. Given these findings, clinicians, provider managers, commissioners and politicians can be confident that patients’ reports provide an accurate indication of the outcome of elective surgery.
Repeated Molecular Testing in Gliomas
Authors: Mahajan Dipti , Prayson Richard A. 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
The value of repeated molecular testing in patients with multiple resections of gliomas is unclear. The purpose of this study was to assess for evidence of molecular changes for chromosome 1p/19q deletions and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) amplification by fluorescence in situ hybridization in 53 glioma cases in which repeated testing was done. Paired results for 1p evaluation demonstrated a change in the profile from intact to loss in 1 (2%) of 50 cases; 19q evaluation demonstrated a change in profile in 4 (10%) of 41 cases. There was no change in the EGFR expression in any of the cases tested. There was no change in the clinical management based on the repeated molecular tests in patients with discrepant repeated results. Hence, there seems to be no indication for reflex repeated 1p/19q or EGFR testing in gliomas at the time of repeated biopsy or resection.
Acute Fungal Sinusitis
Authors: Taxy Jerome B. , El-Zayaty Shady , Langerman Alexander 
Published: June 2009

AbstractAcute fungal sinusitis is a life-threatening infection affecting immunocompromised patients. Historically, the most commonly recovered fungi are Aspergillus and Mucor. The extent of potentially disfiguring debridement surgery is grossly determined by the appearance of bleeding at the margins, signifying viable tissue and the absence of fungus. Requests for frozen section may concern the initial diagnosis and the intraoperative verification of margin status. In 12 patients with acute fungal sinusitis, frozen section was used in 8. Routine H&E stains demonstrated fungal hyphae in necrotic debris in 5 cases, often associated with vascular and perineural invasion. All patients underwent extensive sinus debridement, including orbital exenteration in 2 cases. All 12 patients died, 9 of fungal sepsis. Autopsy in 3 patients showed pulmonary involvement (2 cases), intracranial spread (1 case), and no residual fungus (1 case). Inexperience with organism recognition is surmountable. Frozen section has a role in the management of this devastating disease.
Justification of the Change From 10% to 30% for the Immunohistochemical HER2 Scoring Criterion in Breast Cancer
Authors: Liu Yan-Hui , Xu Fang-Ping , Rao Jian-Yu , Zhuang Heng-Guo , Luo Xin-Lan , Li Li , Luo Dong-Lan , Zhang Fen , Xu Jie 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
We compared the American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists (ASCO/CAP) immunohistochemical scoring criterion (30%) for determining HER2 status and the Food and Drug Administration criterion (10%) with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), the HER2 gene amplification method in 328 cases of breast cancer. Of 294 tumor samples successfully analyzed simultaneously by FISH and immunohistochemically, 178 of 196 cases scored 3+ using the 10% and the 30% criteria. Using FISH as the reference, the number of false-positives was reduced from 24 to 9 after application of the 30% criterion. The specificity of immunohistochemical analysis was higher with the 30% (92.0%) vs the 10% (78.8%) criterion. The κ coefficient between FISH and immunohistochemical analysis was increased to 0.850 (almost perfect agreement; P &lt; .001) after application of the 30% criterion vs 0.757 (substantial agreement) for the 10% criterion; the false-positive rate decreased to 5.1% from 12.2%. The χ2 test showed that immunohistochemical analysis had significantly higher accuracy with the 30% (94.9%) vs the 10% (87.8%; P = .014) criterion. Our results from a large series of Chinese patients with breast cancer support that the ASCO/CAP 30% criterion may offer better results for assessing HER2 status.
Immunoarchitectural Patterns in Nodal Marginal Zone B-Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Salama Mohamed E. , Lossos Izidore S. , Warnke Roger A. , Natkunam Yasodha 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
Nodal marginal zone lymphoma (NMZL) represents a rare and heterogeneous group that lacks markers specific for the diagnosis. We evaluated morphologic and immunoarchitectural features of 51 NMZLs, and the following immunostains were performed: CD20, CD21, CD23, CD5, CD3, CD43, CD10, Ki-67, BCL1, BCL2, BCL6, HGAL, and LMO2. Four immunoarchitectural patterns were evident: diffuse (38 [75%]), well-formed nodular/follicular (5 [10%]), interfollicular (7 [14%]), and perifollicular (1 [2%]). Additional features included a monocytoid component (36 [71%]), admixed large cells (20 [39%]), plasma cells (24 [47%]), compartmentalizing stromal sclerosis (13 [25%]), and prominent blood vessel sclerosis (10 [20%]). CD21 highlighted disrupted follicular dendritic cell meshwork in 35 (71%) of 49 cases, and CD43 coexpression was present in 10 (24%) of 42 cases. A panel of germinal center–associated markers was helpful in eliminating cases of diffuse follicle center lymphoma. Our results highlight the histologic and immunoarchitectural spectrum of NMZL and the usefulness of immunohistochemical analysis for CD43, CD23, CD21, BCL6, HGAL, and LMO2 in the diagnosis of NMZL.