bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nosocomial mortality and early prediction of patients with severe acute pancreatitis
Authors: Wang Xin , Cui Zhuang , Li Hechao , Saleen Ali F , Zhang Dapeng , Miao Bin , Cui Yunfeng , Zhao Erpeng , Li Zhonglian , Cui Naiqiang 
Published: May 2010

AbstractBackground and Aims:  The aim of this study is to analyze factors (especially serum total cholesterol) that can enable early prediction of in‐hospital mortality of patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).Methods:  Predictive factors (especially serum total cholesterol) for in‐hospital mortality were evaluated retrospectively from the clinical data obtained from 338 SAP patients in our hospital from January 1999 to January 2008, who underwent intensive care, blood routine, blood biochemical tests and even computed tomography at the time of admission.Results:  This analysis revealed that within 24 h after admission, serum total cholesterol (TC) was a mortality‐reduced factor when it is between 4.37 mmol/L and 5.23 mmol/L (P < 0.05). Evaluated TC was accompanied by decreased C‐reactive protein (CRP). CRP > 170 mg/L and albumin (ALB) < 30 g/L increased the fatal outcome (P < 0.05). Low albumin was a stronger predictor than CRP.Conclusions:  Within 24 h after admission, moderate elevation of TC level seemed to increase the resistance to inflammation and hence improved the survival rate in patients with SAP, and reduced the in‐hospital mortality. Inflammatory reaction (with or without infection), hypoalbuminemia and TC were prognostic factors for in‐hospital mortality; both high levels of CRP and low ALB levels were associated with in‐hospital mortality in patients with SAP.
Tumor necrosis factor‐α‐secreting CD16+ antigen presenting cells are effectively removed by granulocytapheresis in ulcerative colitis patients
Authors: Sanchez‐Garcia Joaquin , Serrano‐López Juana , García‐Sanchez Valle , Alvarez‐Rivas Miguel A , Jimenez‐Moreno Rosario , Pérez‐Seoane Carlos , Herrera‐Arroyo Concepcion , Serrano Josefina , De Dios Juan F , Torres‐Gomez Antonio 
Published: May 2010

AbstractBackground and Aim:  In human blood, two main subsets of antigen‐presenting‐cells (APCs) have been described: plasmocytoid dendritic cells (pDC) and myeloid dendritic cells (mDC) which are further subdivided in CD11c‐mDC and CD16‐mDC DC. In ulcerative colitis patients (UC) peripheral blood APCs express significant levels of the activation and lack immature‐tolerogeneic APCs. Adacolumn selective granulocytapheresis (GCAP) has been associated with clinical efficacy in patients with UC. In the present study we sought the effect of sequential GCAP procedures in peripheral blood APCs in patients with UC and the effect on soluble cytokines.Methods:  We used multiparametric flow cytometry to quantify peripheral blood APCs and serum cytokines in 210 samples obtained from seven patients with steroid‐dependent or steroid resistant UC undergoing GCAP treatment. Samples were drawn before, after 30 and 60 min of each session.Results:  Each GCAP session resulted in a dramatic tenfold reduction of peripheral blood CD16‐mDC (P < 0.01), pDC decreased twofold (P = 0.05) but CD11c‐mDC remained unchanged. This depletion was reached after 30 min and maintained at 60 min. The depletion of CD16‐mDC and monocytes was associated with a reduction of serum tumor necrosis factor levels and a raise in interleukin‐10 levels, although no statistical difference was reached.Conclusion:  The effect of GCAP in peripheral blood APC consisted mainly on a significant depletion of tumor necrosis factor‐α secreting CD16‐mDC. This finding could suggest a potential mechanism of GCAP beneficial effect that must be confirmed in larger series.
Significance of each narrow‐band imaging finding in diagnosing squamous mucosal high‐grade neoplasia of the esophagus
Authors: Ishihara Ryu , Inoue Takuya , Uedo Noriya , Yamamoto Sachiko , Kawada Natsuko , Tsujii Yoshiki , Kanzaki Hiromitu , Hanafusa Masao , Hanaoka Noboru , Takeuchi Yoji , Higashino Koji , Iishi Hiroyasu , Tatsuta Masaharu , Tomita Yasuhiko , Ishiguro Shingo 
Published: May 2010

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Although narrow‐band imaging (NBI) is used increasingly in clinical situations, the significance of each NBI finding has not been investigated. The primary endpoint of the present study was to identify the significant NBI findings to diagnose esophageal mucosal high‐grade neoplasia.Methods:  Between August 2007 and January 2009, we detected 59 new superficial esophageal lesions. The video images of NBI were recorded digitally. NBI findings such as brownish dots (dilated intra‐epithelial papillary capillary loop [IPCL]), tortuous IPCL, elongated IPCL, caliber change in IPCL, variety in IPCL shapes, demarcation line, brownish epithelium, and protrusion or depression were evaluated using the video images. The association between each NBI finding and diagnosis of mucosal high‐grade neoplasia, and intra‐ and interobserver agreement was evaluated.Results:  In univariate analysis, brownish epithelium, brownish dots, tortuous IPCL, variety in IPCL shapes and demarcation line were associated significantly with diagnosis of mucosal high‐grade neoplasia. In multivariate analysis, brownish epithelium and brownish dots were confirmed to be independent factors. Odds ratios were 25.5 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.4–268) for brownish epithelium and 19.3 (95% CI: 1.8–207.7) for brownish dots. Intraobserver agreement was substantial for brownish epithelium and brownish dots. Interobserver agreement was moderate in brownish epithelium and brownish dots.Conclusions:  Brownish epithelium and brownish dots were confirmed to be significant and reproducible NBI findings in the diagnosis of squamous mucosal high‐grade neoplasia of the esophagus. Initial assessment of esophageal lesions should be done based on these findings.
Rescue therapy for lamivudine‐resistant chronic hepatitis B: Comparison between entecavir 1.0 mg monotherapy, adefovir monotherapy and adefovir add‐on lamivudine combination therapy
Authors: Kim Hong Joo , Park Jung Ho , Park Dong Il , Cho Yong Kyun , Sohn Chong Il , Jeon Woo Kyu , Kim Byung Ik 
Published: May 2010

AbstractBackground and Aim:  There have been no reports comparing the therapeutic results of adefovir (ADV) and entecavir (ETV) rescue therapy for patients with lamivudine (LAM)‐resistant chronic hepatitis B (CHB). We aimed to compare the cumulative efficacy and resistance of ETV 1.0 mg monotherapy, ADV monotherapy and ADV add‐on LAM combination therapy in LAM‐refractory patients.Methods:  One hundred and four patients were included in the following three treatment groups; group 1 (n = 24), LAM was switched to ETV (1.0 mg once a day); group 2 (n = 44), LAM was switched to ADV (10 mg once a day); and group 3 (n = 36), ADV was added to LAM (10 mg once a day).Results:  After 6 months of rescue treatment, alanine aminotransferase normalization was observed in 75.0%, 65.9% and 74.3% of patients receiving ETV monotherapy, ADV monotherapy and ADV add‐on therapy, respectively. A significantly higher log10HBV‐DNA drop at 6 months occurred in the ADV add‐on group compared with the ETV group. The rate of HBV‐DNA polymerase chain reaction undetectability (<300 copies/mL) 6 months after initiation of ETV monotherapy, ADV monotherapy and ADV add‐on therapy was 33.3%, 27.3% and 68.6%, respectively (P = 0.003). The cumulative HBeAg seroconversion rate was significantly higher in ADV add‐on/ADV monotherapy groups compared with the ETV monotherapy group (P = 0.022). Viral breakthrough and genotypic resistance were detected in six (25.0%) and six (13.6%) patients in the ETV and ADV monotherapy groups, whereas no cases of genotypic resistance were detected in ADV add‐on group 24 months after initiation of antiviral treatment (P < 0.01).Conclusion:  Adefovir add‐on treatment in patients with LAM‐resistant CHB suppresses HBV replication more effectively than ETV or ADV monotherapy. Additionally, no genotypic resistance was detected in the ADV add‐on group.
Population‐based epidemiology study of autoimmune hepatitis: A disease of older women?
Authors: Ngu Jing H , Bechly Kristen , Chapman Bruce A , Burt Michael J , Barclay Murray L , Gearry Richard B , Stedman Catherine A M 
Published: May 2010

AbstractBackground and Aim:  The etiology of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is unknown, and limited epidemiological data are available. Our aim was to perform a population based epidemiological study of AIH in Canterbury, New Zealand.Methods:  To calculate point prevalence, all adult and pediatric outpatient clinics and hospital discharge summaries were searched to identify all cases of AIH in the Canterbury region. Incident cases were recruited prospectively in 2008. Demographic and clinical data were extracted from case notes. Both the original revised AIH criteria and the simplified criteria were applied and cases were included in the study if they had definite or probable AIH.Results:  When the original revised criteria were used, 138 cases (123 definite and 14 probable AIH), were identified. Prospective incidence in 2008 was 2.0/100 000 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.8–3.3/100 000). Point prevalence on 31 December 2008 was 24.5/100 000 (95% CI 20.1–28.9). Age‐standardized (World Health Organization standard population) incidence and prevalence were 1.7 and 18.9 per 100 000, respectively. Gender‐specific prevalence confirmed a female predominance, while ethnicity‐specific prevalence showed higher prevalence in Caucasians. 72% of cases presented after 40 years of age and the peak age of presentation was in the sixth decade of life.Conclusions:  This is the first and largest population‐based epidemiology study of AIH in a geographically defined region using standardized inclusion criteria. The observed incidence and prevalence rates are among the highest reported. The present study confirms that AIH presents predominantly in older women, with a peak in the sixth decade, contrary to the classical description of the disease.
Oxidation of dimethylsulfide to tetrathionate by Methylophaga thiooxidans sp. nov.: a new link in the sulfur cycle
Authors: Boden Rich , Kelly Donovan P. , Murrell J. Colin , Schäfer Hendrik 
Published: May 2010

SummaryA new pathway of dimethylsulfide (DMS) metabolism was identified in a novel species of Gammaproteobacteria, Methylophaga thiooxidans sp. nov., in which tetrathionate (S4O62−) was the end‐product of DMS oxidation. Inhibitor evidence indicated that DMS degradation was initiated by demethylation, catalysed by a corrinoid demethylase. Thiosulfate was an intermediate, which was oxidized to tetrathionate by a cytochrome‐linked thiosulfate dehydrogenase. Thiosulfate oxidation was coupled to ATP synthesis, and M. thiooxidans could also use exogenous thiosulfate as an energy source during chemolithoheterotrophic growth on DMS or methanol. Cultures grown on a variety of substrates oxidized thiosulfate, indicating that thiosulfate oxidation was constitutive. The observations have relevance to interactions among sulfur‐metabolizing bacteria in the marine environment. The production of tetrathionate from an organosulfur precursor is previously undocumented and represents a potential step in the biogeochemical sulfur cycle, providing a ‘shunt’ across the cycle.
A wide diversity of previously undetected free‐living relatives of diplomonads isolated from marine/saline habitats
Authors: Kolisko Martin , Silberman Jeffrey D. , Cepicka Ivan , Yubuki Naoji , Takishita Kiyotaka , Yabuki Akinori , Leander Brian S. , Inouye Isao , Inagaki Yuji , Roger Andrew J. , Simpson Alastair G. B. 
Published: May 2010

SummaryOver the last 15 years classical culturing and environmental PCR techniques have revealed a modest number of genuinely new major lineages of protists; however, some new groups have greatly influenced our understanding of eukaryote evolution. We used culturing techniques to examine the diversity of free‐living protists that are relatives of diplomonads and retortamonads, a group of evolutionary and parasitological importance. Until recently, a single organism, Carpediemonas membranifera, was the only representative of this region of the tree. We report 18 new isolates of Carpediemonas‐like organisms (CLOs) from anoxic marine sediments. Only one is a previously cultured species. Eleven isolates are conspecific and were classified within a new genus, Kipferlia n. gen. The remaining isolates include representatives of three other lineages that likely represent additional undescribed genera (at least). Small‐subunit ribosomal RNA gene phylogenies show that CLOs form a cloud of six major clades basal to the diplomonad‐retortamonad grouping (i.e. each of the six CLO clades is potentially as phylogenetically distinct as diplomonads and retortamonads). CLOs will be valuable for tracing the evolution of diplomonad cellular features, for example, their extremely reduced mitochondrial organelles. It is striking that the majority of CLO diversity was undetected by previous light microscopy surveys and environmental PCR studies, even though they inhabit a commonly sampled environment. There is no reason to assume this is a unique situation – it is likely that undersampling at the level of major lineages is still widespread for protists.
Molecular evolution ofLegionella pneumophila dotAgene, the contribution of natural environmental strains
Authors: Costa Joana , Tiago Igor , Da Costa Milton S. , Veríssimo António 
Published: May 2010

SummaryGiven the role of DotA protein in establishing successful infections and the diversity of host cells interacting withLegionella pneumophilain nature, it is possible that this gene product is a target for adaptive evolution. We investigated the influence ofL. pneumophilaisolates from natural environments with the molecular evolution of this crucial virulence‐related gene. The population genetic structure ofL. pneumophilawas inferred from the partial sequences ofrpoBanddotAof 303 worldwide strains. The topology of the two inferred trees was not congruent and in the inferreddotAtree the vast majority of the natural environmental isolates were clustered in a discrete group. The Ka/Ks ratio demonstrated that this group, contrary to all others, has been under strong diversifying selection. The alignment of all DotA sequences allowed the identification of several alleles and the amino acid variations were not randomly distributed. Moreover, from these results we can conclude thatdotAfromL. pneumophilaclinical and man‐made environmental strains belong to a sub‐set of all genotypes existing in nature. A split graph analysis showed evidence of a network‐like organization and several intergenic recombination events were detected withinL. pneumophilastrains resulting in mosaic genes in which different gene segments exhibited different evolutionary histories. We have determined that the allelic diversity ofdotAis predominantly found inL. pneumophilaisolates from natural environments, suggesting that niche‐specific selection pressures have been operating on this gene. Indeed, the high level ofdotAallelic diversity may reflect fitness variation in the persistence of those strains in distinct environmental niches and/or tropism to various protozoan hosts.
Binary Shading Using Appearance and Geometry
Authors: Buchholz Bert , Boubekeur Tamy , DeCarlo Doug , Alexa Marc 
Published: May 2010

Abstract In the style of binary shading, shape and illumination are depicted using two colours, typically black and white, which form coherent lines and regions in the image. We formulate the problem of assigning colours in the rendered image as an energy minimization, computed using graph cut on the image grid. The terms of this energy come from two sources: appearance (shading) and geometry (depth and curvature). Our contributions are in the use of geometric information in determining colours, and how this information is incorporated into a graph cut approach. This optimization yields boundaries between black and white regions that tend towards being shorter and to run along geometric features like creases. We show a range of results, and demonstrate that this approach produces more coherent images than simpler approaches that make local decisions when assigning colours, or that do not use geometry.
Estimation and Adjustment of Bias in Randomized Evidence by Using Mixed Treatment Comparison Meta-Analysis
Authors: Dias S. , Welton N. J. , Marinho V. C. C. , Salanti G. , Higgins J. P. T. , Ades A. E. 
Published: May 2010

SummaryThere is good empirical evidence that specific flaws in the conduct of randomized controlled trials are associated with exaggeration of treatment effect estimates. Mixed treatment comparison meta-analysis, which combines data from trials on several treatments that form a network of comparisons, has the potential both to estimate bias parameters within the synthesis and to produce bias-adjusted estimates of treatment effects. We present a hierarchical model for bias with common mean across treatment comparisons of active treatment versus control. It is often unclear, from the information that is reported, whether a study is at risk of bias or not. We extend our model to estimate the probability that a particular study is biased, where the probabilities for the ‘unclear’ studies are drawn from a common beta distribution. We illustrate these methods with a synthesis of 130 trials on four fluoride treatments and two control interventions for the prevention of dental caries in children. Whether there is adequate allocation concealment and/or blinding are considered as indicators of whether a study is at risk of bias. Bias adjustment reduces the estimated relative efficacy of the treatments and the extent of between-trial heterogeneity.
Cultural Imagery and Statistical Models of the Force of Mortality: Addison, Gompertz and Pearson
Authors: Turner Elizabeth L. , Hanley James A. 
Published: May 2010

SummaryWe describe selected artistic and statistical depictions of the force of mortality (hazard or mortality rate), which is a concept that has long preoccupied actuaries, demographers and statisticians. We provide a more graphic form for the force-of-mortality function that makes the relationship between its constituents more explicit. The ‘Bridge of human life’ in Addison’s allegorical essay of 1711 provides a particularly vivid image, with the forces depicted as external. The model that was used by Gompertz in 1825 appears to treat the forces as internal. In his 1897 essay Pearson mathematically modernized ‘the medieval conception of the relation between Death and Chance’ by decomposing the full mortality curve into five distributions along the age axis, the results of five ‘marksmen’ aiming at the human mass crossing this bridge. We describe Addison’s imagery, comment briefly on Gompertz’s law and the origin of the term ‘force of mortality’, describe the background for Pearson’s essay, as well as his imagery and statistical model, and give the bridge of life a modern form, illustrating it via statistical animation.
Predicting Participation in Higher Education: A Comparative Evaluation of the Performance of Geodemographic Classifications
Authors: Brunsdon Chris , Longley Paul , Singleton Alex , Ashby David 
Published: May 2010

SummaryParticipation in UK higher education is modelled by using Poisson regression techniques. Models using geodemographic classifications of neighbourhoods of varying levels of detail are compared with those using variables that are directly derived from the census, using a cross-validation approach. Increasing the detail of geodemographic classifiers appears to be justified in general, although the degree of improvement becomes more marginal as the level of detail is increased. The census variable approach performs comparably, although it is argued that this depends heavily on an appropriate choice of predictors. The paper concludes by discussing these results in a broader practice-oriented and pedagogic context.
Previous adult attention‐deficit and hyperactivity disorder symptoms and risk of dementia with Lewy bodies: a case–control study
Authors: Golimstok A. , Rojas J. I. , Romano M. , Zurru M. C. , Doctorovich D. , Cristiano E. 
Published: May 2010

Introduction:  Previous reports have shown that in Dementia with Lewy body (DLB) and attention‐deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) a hypodopaminergic and noradrenergic substrate seems to play a central role in developing the diseases. We investigated the hypothesis that attention deficit may precede DLB expressed as adult ADHD symptoms long before the clinical onset of dementia.Methods:  Patients with DLB, Alzheimer disease type (ADT) and controls were recruited from the membership of the Italian Hospital Medical Care Program in Argentina from 2000 to 2005. The DSM‐IV criteria adapted for the identification of adult patients with ADHD and validated to Spanish Wender Utah Rating Scale were used to identify individuals with preceding ADHD symptoms during their adult life. Analysis of categorical variables was carried out using chi‐square. Mann–Whitney test was used for continuous variables. Statistical significance was P < 0.05.Results:  A total of 109 patients with DLB and 251 patients with ADT were matched by age, sex and year of education with 149 controls. The frequency of preceding ADHD symptoms in DLB cases was 47.8% in ADT 15.2% and 15.1% in the control group. The prevalence of ADHD symptoms in DLB cases was significantly higher compared with the control group (P ≤ 0.001, OR 5.1 95%CI 2.7–9.6) and also higher when compared with ADT (P ≤ 0.001, OR 4.9, 95%CI 2.8–8.4).Conclusion:  We found a higher risk of DLB in patients with preceding adult ADHD symptoms. To date, there is no clear explanation for the association found; however, further investigation will widen our understanding about both disorders.
Effectiveness of Group Cognitive‐Behavioural Treatment for Men with Intellectual Disabilities at Risk of Sexual Offending
Authors:   Sex Offender Treatment Services Collaborative – Intellectual Disabilities (SOTSEC‐ID)
Published: May 2010

Background  For non‐disabled men, group cognitive‐behaviour therapy is a successful form of treatment when men have committed sexual offences. However, men with intellectual disabilities and sexually abusive behaviour are rarely offered treatment for their sexual behaviour and little research data on the effectiveness of such treatment has been collected.Method  Nine collaborating sites ran 13, 1‐year long cognitive‐behavioural treatment groups for men with intellectual disabilities and sexually abusive behaviour. The men came from both community and secure provision and were assessed for sexual knowledge, victim empathy and cognitive distortions before and after the group treatment. Treatment was guided by a common treatment manual.Results  Forty‐six men consented to take part in the research. Most men (83%) had engaged in more than one incident of sexually abusive behaviour but only 57% of the men who came for treatment were required by law to attend. Almost all the men (92%) who began treatment (and consented to take part in the research) completed treatment 1 year later, indicating considerable motivation amongst the men to get treatment for their difficulties. Over the period of treatment, the men showed statistically significant increases in sexual knowledge and victim empathy, as well as reductions in cognitive distortions. These changes were still significant at 6‐month follow‐up for sexual knowledge and cognitive distortions. Few men showed further sexually abusive behaviour during the 1‐year period when they were attending treatment (three men) or during the 6‐month follow‐up period (four men). Only the presence of autistic spectrum disorders appeared to be related to re‐offending (though this result should be treated with caution, given the small numbers who re‐offended).Conclusions  This large treatment trial provides some evidence of the effectiveness of such treatment for men with intellectual disabilities but there remains a need for a longer follow‐up period and a randomized controlled trial.