bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Peritoneal Lavage for Severe Acute Pancreatitis: A Systematic Review of Randomised Trials
Authors: Dong Zhiyong , Petrov Maxim S. , Xu Jing , Shanbhag Satyanarayan , Windsor John A. , Pang Shijiang 
Published: June 2010

AbstractBackgroundThe use of peritoneal lavage in patients with acute pancreatitis remains controversial. While recent guidelines do not make a positive recommendation for its use, there continues to be reports of clinical benefits from peritoneal lavage in this setting. The aim of this study was to systematically review the available randomized controlled trials of peritoneal lavage in patients with severe acute pancreatitis.MethodsThe Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and four major Chinese biomedical databases were searched. A random effects model was used in meta‐analysis. The summary estimates were reported as risk ratios (RR) with corresponding 95% confidence interval.ResultsTen randomized controlled trials, encompassing a total of 469 patients, were included. When compared with conservative treatment, the use of peritoneal lavage did not result in a statistically significant difference in the risk of mortality (RR = 0.82; 95% CI 0.32–1.79; p = 0.69) and complications (RR = 1.33; 95% CI 0.99–2.12; p = 0.06). The use of peritoneal lavage with antiproteases, in comparison with peritoneal lavage only, also did not result in a statistically significant difference in the risk of mortality and complications.ConclusionThe lavage of the peritoneal cavity in patients with severe acute pancreatitis does not appear to confer a clinical benefit. Whether lavage of the pancreatic bed after necrosectomy is beneficial has yet to be determined.
Children as Research Collaborators: Issues and Reflections from a Mobility Study in Sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Porter Gina , Hampshire Kate , Bourdillon Michael , Robson Elsbeth , Munthali Alister , Abane Albert , Mashiri Mac 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThis paper reflects on issues raised by work with children in an ongoing child mobility study in three sub‐Saharan African countries: Ghana, Malawi and South Africa. There are now 70 school pupils of varying ages involved in the project, but the paper is particularly concerned with the participation of those children 14 years and under. We examine the significant ethical issues associated with working with younger child researchers, and linked questions concerning the spaces open to them in African contexts where local cultural constructions of childhood and associated economic imperatives (which commonly drive family and household endeavour) help shape the attitudes of adults to children's rights and responsibilities and inter‐generational power relations.
Child Wellness and Social Inclusion: Values for Action
Authors: Prilleltensky Isaac 
Published: June 2010

AbstractParticipatory Action Research (PAR) with children and youth is at the intersection of child wellness and social inclusion. Exclusion and marginalization detract from personal and collective health. Inclusion, on the contrary, contributes to wellness. Hence, we should study inclusion and exclusion in the overall context of child wellness. This special issue offers a wealth of methodologies and lessons for fostering inclusion of young people through PAR. In an effort to synthesize my concerns with child wellness, inclusion, and the scholarly work of this special issue, this paper will (a) articulate the values underpinning the philosophy of social inclusion and child wellness, (b) suggest roles and responsibilities for putting these values into action, and (c) integrate the contributions of this special issue into the emerging framework for social inclusion and child wellness.
Mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation disorders: pathophysiological studies in mouse models
Authors: Spiekerkoetter Ute , Wood Philip A. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractMouse models have been designed for a number of fatty acid oxidation defects. Studies in these mouse models have demonstrated that different pathogenetic mechanisms play a role in the pathophysiology of defects of fatty acid oxidation. Supplementation with L‐carnitine does not prevent low tissue carnitine levels and induces acylcarnitine production having potentially toxic effects, as presented in very‐long‐chain acyl‐CoA dehydrogenase (VLCAD)‐deficient mice. Energy deficiency appears to be an important mechanism in the development of cardiomyopathy and skeletal myopathy in fatty acid oxidation defects and is also the underlying mechanism of cold intolerance. Hypoglycemia as one major clinical sign in all fatty acid oxidation defects occurs due to a reduced hepatic glucose output and an enhanced peripheral glucose uptake rather than to transcriptional changes that are also observed simultaneously, as presented in medium‐chain acyl‐CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD)‐deficient mice. There are reports that an impaired fatty acid oxidation also plays a role in intrauterine life. The embryonic loss demonstrated for some enzyme defects in the mouse supports this hypothesis. However, the exact mechanisms are unknown. This observation correlates to maternal hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets (HELLP) syndrome, as observed in pregnancies carrying a long‐chain 3‐hydroxyacyl‐CoA dehydrogenase (LCHAD)‐deficient fetus. Synergistic heterozygosity has been shown in isolated patients and in mouse models to be associated with clinical phenotypes common to fatty acid oxidation disorders. Synergistic mutations may also modulate severity of the clinical phenotype and explain in part clinical heterogeneity of fatty acid oxidation defects. In summary, knowledge about the different pathogenetic mechanisms and the resulting pathophysiology allows the development of specific new therapies.
Complete deficiency of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase in mice is associated with impaired retinal function and variable mortality, hematological profiles, and reproductive outcomes
Authors: Lawrance Andrea K. , Racine Julie , Deng Liyuan , Wang Xiaoling , Lachapelle Pierre , Rozen Rima 
Published: June 2010

AbstractSevere deficiency of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) with homocystinuria can result in early demise or later‐onset neurological impairment, including developmental delay, motor dysfunction, and seizures. We previously characterized BALB/c Mthfr−/−mice as a model for this disorder and have recently backcrossed the disrupted allele onto the C57Bl/6 background to examine the variable phenotypes in MTHFR deficiency. Compared with BALB/c Mthfr−/−mice, C57Bl/6 Mthfr−/−mice have enhanced survival rates (81% vs 26.5%). Four‐day‐old BALB/c mutant pups had lower body, brain, and spleen weights relative to their wild‐type counterparts compared with C57Bl/6 mutants. Pregnant BALB/c Mthfr+/−mice had increased resorptions and embryonic delays compared with wild‐type littermates, whereas these outcomes in C57Bl/6 c Mthfr+/−mice were similar to those of wild‐type C57Bl/6 mice. BALB/c‐mutant pups had altered hematological profiles (higher hematocrit, hemoglobin, and white blood cell counts, with lower platelet counts) compared with C57Bl/6 mutants. Mutants of both strains had similar degrees of hepatic steatosis, hepatic activity of betaine:homocysteine methyltransferase, and altered cerebellar histology. Electroretinograms (ERG) in C57Bl/6 Mthfr−/−mice revealed decreased amplitude of scotopic and photopic waves in 6‐week‐old mice, with normalized ERGs at 13 weeks. Plasma homocysteine was modestly higher in C57Bl/6 compared with BALB/c mice. Our results emphasize the variable presentation of MTHFR deficiency in different genetic backgrounds and suggest that plasma homocysteine is not a predictor of severity. In addition, our novel findings of decreased spleen weights, thrombocytopenia, and impaired retinal function warrant investigation in patients with severe MTHFR deficiency or other forms of homocystinuria.
Anti‐Mϋllerian hormone and 3D‐power Doppler histogram: markers of ovarian function with in vitro fertilization treatment
Authors: Murai Masatoshi , Takatori Eriko , Omi Hideo , Isurugi Chizuko , Honda Tatsuya , Kumagai Seisuke , Shoji Tadahiro , Oyama Rie , Yoshisaki Akira , Sugiyama Toru 
Published: June 2010

AbstractPurposeTo investigate the ability of three‐dimensional (3D) ultrasonography and anti‐Mϋllerian hormone (AMH) to predict successful embryo development in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment.MethodsWe prospectively studied 28 patients undergoing IVF treatment, using 3D ultrasound Sono automatic volume calculation (AVC) and a 3D‐power Doppler volume histogram. Sono AVC was used to automatically measure the number and volume of follicles. The volume histogram was used to measure the vascularization index (VI), flow index, and vascularization flow index in the ovaries. Serum AMH (S‐AMH) was determined by enzyme immunoassay (ng/ml).ResultsThe number of embryos isolated was 3.3 ± 2.8. The S‐AMH of the patients who were under 35 years of age (0.570 ± 0.216 ng/ml) was higher than that in the patients over 40 years of age (0.377 ± 0.071 ng/ml; p = 0.0003). Principal component analyses determined that the quality of the embryo depended on the patients's age, S‐AMH, and VI of the ovary. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that the cutoff for the S‐AMH was 0.2855 ng/ml, and the optimal age of the patient was 32.5 years, when implanted with an embryo on day 16.ConclusionsWe demonstrated that investigating the relationships between the number of the embryo and ovarian function, using a combination of AMH with a volume histogram, might be useful to predict the response to IVF treatment.
Woman with abdominal distention
Authors: Chilstrom Mikaela , Elavunkal Jyoti , Stone Michael B. 
Published: June 2010

Abstract

Introduction
An 86-year-old woman presented to the Emergency Department after falling and being unable to get up. Her physical exam revealed massive abdominal distention and spider angiomata suspicious for possible ascites.

Materials and methods
The treating physician performed a bedside ultrasound that showed a discrete echogenic mass without evidence of ascites that was subsequently confirmed on computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis.

Conclusion
The utility of bedside ultrasound in the diagnostic evaluation of abdominal distention and possible ascites is discussed.
Magnetic resonance arthrography of the hip: technique and spectrum of findings in younger patients
Authors: Aubry Sébastien , Bélanger Danny , Giguère Caroline , Lavigne Martin 
Published: June 2010

AbstractMagnetic resonance(MR) imaging is the reference imaging technique in the evaluation of hip abnormalities. However, in some pathological conditions—such as lesions of the labrum, cartilaginous lesions, femoroacetabular impingement, intra-articular foreign bodies, or in the pre-operative work-up of developmental dysplasia of the hip—intra-articular injection of a contrast medium is required to obtain a precise diagnosis. This article reviews the technical aspects, contraindications, normal appearance and potential pitfalls of MR arthrography, and illustrates the radiological appearance of commonly encountered conditions.
Synergies between the mitigation of, and adaptation to, climate change in agriculture
Authors: SMITH P. , OLESEN J. E. 
Published: June 2010

SUMMARYThere is a very significant, cost effective greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation potential in agriculture. The annual mitigation potential in agriculture is estimated to be 4200, 2600 and 1600 Mt CO2 equiv/yr at C prices of 100, 50 and 20 US$/t CO2 equiv, respectively. The value of GHG mitigated each year is equivalent to 420 000, 130 000 and 32 000 million US$/yr for C prices of 100, 50 and 20 US$/t CO2 equiv, respectively. From both the mitigation and economic perspectives, we cannot afford to miss out on this mitigation potential.The challenge of agriculture within the climate change context is two-fold, both to reduce emissions and to adapt to a changing and more variable climate. The primary aim of the mitigation options is to reduce emissions of methane or nitrous oxide or to increase soil carbon storage. All the mitigation options, therefore, affect the carbon and/or nitrogen cycle of the agroecosystem in some way. This often not only affects the GHG emissions but also the soil properties and nutrient cycling. Adaptation to increased variability of temperature and rainfall involves increasing the resilience of the production systems. This may be done by improving soil water holding capacities through adding crop residues and manure to arable soils or by adding diversity to the crop rotations.Though some mitigation measures may have negative impacts on the adaptive capacity of farming systems, most categories of adaptation options for climate change have positive impacts on mitigation. These include: (1) measures that reduce soil erosion, (2) measures that reduce leaching of nitrogen and phosphorus, (3) measures for conserving soil moisture, (4) increasing the diversity of crop rotations by choices of species or varieties, (5) modification of microclimate to reduce temperature extremes and provide shelter, (6) land use change involving abandonment or extensification of existing agricultural land, or avoidance of the cultivation of new land. These adaptation measures will in general, if properly applied, reduce GHG emissions, by improving nitrogen use efficiencies and improving soil carbon storage.There appears to be a large potential for synergies between mitigation and adaptation within agriculture. This needs to be incorporated into economic analyses of the mitigation costs. The inter-linkages between mitigation and adaptation are, however, not very well explored and further studies are warranted to better quantify short- and long-term effects on suitability for mitigation and adaptation to climate change. In order to realize the full potential for agriculture in a climate change context, new agricultural production systems need to be developed that integrate bioenergy and food and feed production systems. This may possibly be obtained with perennial crops having low-environmental impacts, and deliver feedstocks for biorefineries for the production of biofuels, biomaterials and feed for livestock.
Marching cohort ofHelicobacter pyloriinfection over two decades (1988–2007): combined effects of secular trend and population migration
Authors: MIENDJE DEYI V. Y. , VANDERPAS J. , BONTEMS P. , VAN DEN BORRE C. , De KOSTER E. , CADRANEL S. , BURETTE A. 
Published: June 2010

SUMMARYThe prevalence ofHelicobacter pyloriinfection is decreasing in developed countries. In this study we included 22 612 patients in whom a first culture of gastric biopsy (routinely performed in our medical centres) yielded an interpretable result over a 20-year period (1988–2007) in Brussels. The effects of patients' age, gender and ethnic background were analysed. The overall proportion ofH. pylori-infected patients was 37·7%, with a progressive decline over time (P<10−5). A gender effect was observed in adults. The lowest infection rate was observed in Western European patients (n=11 238) with respectively 36·2% and 15·2% infected subjects in 1988 and 2007, compared to 71·7% and 40% in North African patients (n=3200) (P<10−5). However, no trend of decline was observed over time in North African children aged ⩽9 years. These data show the effects of time, age and ethnicity on the prevalence ofH. pyloriinfection, and its complex heterogeneity in the same cosmopolitan urban area.
Risk factors associated withHelicobacter pyloriinfection treatment failure in a high prevalence area
Authors: YAKOOB J. , JAFRI W. , ABBAS Z. , ABID S. , NAZ S. , KHAN R. , KHALID A. 
Published: June 2010

SUMMARYTriple therapy is commonly used for the treatment ofHelicobacter pyloriinfection. We determined risk factors associated with its failure in compliant patients focusing onH. pyloridensity, virulence marker and 23S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) point mutations associated with clarithromycin resistance.H. pyloriinfection was diagnosed by14C urea breath test (14C UBT) and rapid urease test or histology. Triple therapy with esomeprazole 20 mg b.i.d., amoxicillin 1 g b.i.d. and clarithromycin 500 mg b.i.d. was prescribed for 10 days.14C UBT was repeated 4 weeks after treatment. In total, 111 patients [69 (62%) males] with a mean age of 46±16 years were enrolled. The mean age of treatment failure was 39±14 years compared to 48±16 years with eradication (P=0·002). Treatment failure was associated with younger mean age, point mutations in the23S rRNAgene ofH. pyloriandvacA s1aandm1when associated withcagAnegativity.
Evaluating surveillance in wild birds by the application of risk assessment of avian influenza introduction into Spain
Authors: MARTINEZ M. , PEREZ A. M. , DE LA TORRE A. , IGLESIAS I. , SÁNCHEZ-VIZCAÍNO J. M. , MUÑOZ M. J. 
Published: June 2010

SUMMARYEarly detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in its natural reservoirs is a prerequisite for preventing disease spread to humans. The risk of introduction of H5N1 HPAI was assessed in order to design a risk-based surveillance system in Spain. Areas at highest risk for H5N1 HPAI followed a northeast–southwest direction, with two significant clusters located in the north and the southwest of the country. Most (83%) of the veterinary units (VUs) obtained fewer samples than would have been expected if samples had been collected using a risk-based design. In October 2009, a HPAI outbreak was reported for the first time in a Spanish layer farm located in a VU at high risk for HPAI, but no samples were collected. This risk-based surveillance approach will increase the cost-effectiveness of HPAI surveillance in Spain and can be easily extended to and adopted by other countries and regions throughout the world.
Modelling the first dose of measles vaccination: the role of maternal immunity, demographic factors, and delivery systems
Authors: METCALF C. J. E. , KLEPAC P. , FERRARI M. , GRAIS R. F. , DJIBO A. , GRENFELL B. T. 
Published: June 2010

SUMMARYMeasles vaccine efficacy is higher at 12 months than 9 months because of maternal immunity, but delaying vaccination exposes the children most vulnerable to measles mortality to infection. We explored how this trade-off changes as a function of regionally varying epidemiological drivers, e.g. demography, transmission seasonality, and vaccination coverage. High birth rates and low coverage both favour early vaccination, and initiating vaccination at 9–11 months, then switching to 12–14 months can reduce case numbers. Overall however, increasing the age-window of vaccination decreases case numbers relative to vaccinating within a narrow age-window (e.g. 9–11 months). The width of the age-window that minimizes mortality varies as a function of birth rate, vaccination coverage and patterns of access to care. Our results suggest that locally age-targeted strategies, at both national and sub-national scales, tuned to local variation in birth rate, seasonality, and access to care may substantially decrease case numbers and fatalities for routine vaccination.
Institutions, taxation, and market relationships in ancient Athens
Authors: LYTTKENS CARL HAMPUS 
Published: June 2010

Abstract:This paper explores the institutional and economic development in ancient Athens from around 600 BC into the fourth century, a period during which the Athenians experienced oligarchy, tyranny, a gradually evolving but eventually far-reaching male democracy, followed by a return to more influence for the elite. Concomitantly, economic life changed qualitatively and quantitatively. Self-sufficient farming gradually gave way to market relationships and there was substantial economic growth. This analysis of institutional changes in Athens emphasizes the importance of credible commitments from those in power to other groups in society. It is furthermore likely that the increasing reliance on market relationships gradually transformed individual behaviour and individual beliefs, leading to changes in the formal and informal rules in society. Taxation played an important role: it pushed people into market relationships, illustrated the need for credible commitments, and helps to explain why foreigners were so prominent in trade in ancient Athens.
Routines as multilevel mechanisms
Authors: VROMEN JACK J. 
Published: June 2010

Abstract:It is argued that routines can be fruitfully conceived of as multilevel mechanisms. The merits of viewing routines as multilevel mechanisms are that it helps in putting together a coherent picture of what routines are, what routines do, and how they do it. In particular, it helps in getting a clearer picture of how skills and routines are ontologically (rather than metaphorically) related to each other. It allows us to see that while routines aregenerativemechanisms producing recurrent patterns of firm behavior, asmultilevelmechanisms they themselves are at the same time recurrent patterns of interaction within firms. Because of its ‘behavioral’ spirit, viewing routines as multilevel mechanisms (rather than as, for example, unobservable dispositions of firms to energize patterns of behavior in firms) greatly facilitates further empirical research on crucial, as yet unresolved issues, such as how stable and robust routines are and to what extent firm behavior is routine.
Different contracts in the Civil Code for different organizations in the market: comparing co-operative and stock banks using a cost frontier approach
Authors: TURATI GILBERTO 
Published: June 2010

Abstract:In this paper, I propose an empirical test of the main prediction of the theoretical literature on the firm as an incentive structure using data on the Italian markets, where two types of co-operative banks co-exist together with stock banks. I estimate a standard translog cost frontier and I derive cost efficiency scores. Kruskall–Wallis tests indicate that mean efficiency scores are statistically different among the three types of banks, providing empirical support to the theoretical prediction that different organizations represent different incentive structures. Moreover, co-operatives banks appear more efficient than stock banks. These results are robust also after controlling for the size of banks and the quality of their credit policies in a second-stage analysis. Hence, the efficiency gains stemming from the presence of scale economies seem to be dominated by the efficiency losses caused by the agency relationships within the bank in a more complex organization.
Development blocks, malinvestment and structural tensions – the Åkerman–Dahmén theory of the business cycle
Authors: ERIXON LENNART 
Published: June 2010

Abstract:Johan Åkerman and Erik Dahmén's institutional theory of economic fluctuations is a constructive alternative to traditional macroeconomic approaches and also to modern business-cycle analysis based on microeconomic optimization models. By its integration of a business-cycle and growth perspective, Åkerman and Dahmén's analysis was similar to that of Schumpeter inBusiness Cycles. But their notions of malinvestment, structural tensions, and development blocks provided an original explanation of the turning points in the business cycle. The Åkerman–Dahmén approach is more valid for innovation-driven cycles such as the ICT boom in the late 1990s and the subsequent crisis than for cycles with an independent role of financial-market conditions.