bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Weight-bearing-induced displacement and migration over time of fracture fragments following split depression fractures of the lateral tibial plateau
Authors: Solomon L. B. , Callary S. A. , Stevenson A. W. , McGee M. A. , Chehade M. J. , Howie D. W. 
Published: May 2011

We investigated the stability of seven Schatzker type II fractures of the lateral tibial plateau treated by subchondral screws and a buttress plate followed by immediate partial weight-bearing. In order to assess the stability of the fracture, weight-bearing inducible displacements of the fracture fragments and their migration over a one-year period were measured by differentially loaded radiostereometric analysis and standard radiostereometric analysis, respectively. The mean inducible craniocaudal fracture fragment displacements measured −0.30 mm (−0.73 to 0.02) at two weeks and 0.00 mm (−0.12 to 0.15) at 52 weeks. All inducible displacements were elastic in nature under all loads at each examination during follow-up. At one year, the mean craniocaudal migration of the fracture fragments was −0.34 mm (−1.64 to 1.51). Using radiostereometric methods, this case series has shown that in the Schatzker type II fractures investigated, internal fixation with subchondral screws and a buttress plate provided adequate stability to allow immediate post-operative partial weight-bearing, without harmful consequences.
The Chiari pelvic osteotomy for patients with dysplastic hips and poor joint congruency
Authors: Ito H. , Tanino H. , Yamanaka Y. , Nakamura T. , Minami A. , Matsuno T. 
Published: May 2011

We report the mid- to long-term (mean 20.3 years, 10 to 32.5) results of the Chiari pelvic osteotomy in patients with pre- to advanced stage osteoarthritis in dysplastic hips. We followed 163 Japanese patients (173 hips) with a mean age at surgery of 20 years (9 to 54). Overall, 124 hips (72%) had satisfactory results, with Harris hip scores ≥ 80. Satisfactory results were seen in 105 of 134 hips with pre- or early osteoarthritis (78%) and 19 of 39 hips with advanced osteoarthritis (49%). A total of 15 hips (9%) underwent a total hip replacement (THR) with a mean interval between osteotomy and THR of 16.4 years. With conversion to THR as the endpoint, the 30-year survival rate was 85.9% (95% confidence interval 82.3 to 89.5). It was 91.8% for patients with pre- or early osteoarthritis and 43.6% for those with advanced osteoarthritis (p < 0.001). We now perform the Chiari osteotomy for patients with dysplastic hips showing poor joint congruency and who prefer a joint-conserving procedure to THR.
Adult presentation of congenital muscular torticollis
Authors: Patwardhan S. , Shyam A. K. , Sancheti P. , Arora P. , Nagda T. , Naik P. 
Published: May 2011

Adult presentation of neglected congenital muscular torticollis is rare. We report 12 patients with this condition who underwent a modified Ferkel’s release comprising a bipolar release of sternocleidomastoid with Z-lengthening. They had a mean age of 24 years (17 to 31) and were followed up for a minimum of two years. Post-operatively a cervical collar was applied for three weeks with intermittent supervised active assisted exercises for six weeks. Outcome was assessed using a modified Lee score and a Cheng and Tang score. The mean pre-operative rotational deficit was 8.25° (0° to 15°) and mean lateral flexion deficit was 20.42° (15° to 30°), which improved after treatment to a mean of 1.67° (0° to 5°) and 7.0° (4° to 14°) after treatment, respectively. According to the modified Lee scoring system, six patients had excellent results, two had good results and four had fair results, and using the Cheng and Tang score, eight patients had excellent results and four had good results. Surgical management of adult patients with neglected congenital muscular torticollis using a modified Ferkel’s bipolar release gives excellent results. The range of neck movement and head tilt improved in all 12 patients and cosmesis improved in 11, despite the long-standing nature of the deformity.
Assessment of the suspected fracture of the scaphoid
Authors: Duckworth A. D. , Ring D. , McQueen M. M. 
Published: May 2011

A suspected fracture of the scaphoid remains difficult to manage despite advances in knowledge and imaging methods. Immobilisation and restriction of activities in a young and active patient must be balanced against the risks of nonunion associated with an undiagnosed and undertreated fracture of the scaphoid. The assessment of diagnostic tests for a suspected fracture of the scaphoid must take into account two important factors. First, the prevalence of true fractures among suspected fractures is low, which greatly reduces the probability that a positive test will correspond with a true fracture, as false positives are nearly as common as true positives. This situation is accounted for by Bayesian statistics. Secondly, there is no agreed reference standard for a true fracture, which necessitates the need for an alternative method of calculating diagnostic performance characteristics, based upon a statistical method which identifies clinical factors tending to associate (latent classes) in patients with a high probability of fracture. The most successful diagnostic test to date is MRI, but in low-prevalence situations the positive predictive value of MRI is only 88%, and new data have documented the potential for false positive scans. The best strategy for improving the diagnosis of true fractures among suspected fractures of the scaphoid may well be to develop a clinical prediction rule incorporating a set of demographic and clinical factors which together increase the pre-test probability of a fracture of the scaphoid, in addition to developing increasingly sophisticated radiological tests.
Social Sources of Women's Emotional Difficulty After Abortion: Lessons from Women's Abortion Narratives
Authors: Kimport Katrina , Foster Kira , Weitz Tracy A. 
Published: May 2011

CONTEXT:The experiences of women who have negative emotional outcomes, including regret, following an abortion have received little research attention. Qualitative research can elucidate these women’s experiences and ways their needs can be met and emotional distress reduced.METHODS:Twenty‐one women who had emotional difficulties related to an abortion participated in semi‐structured, in‐depth telephone interviews in 2009. Of these, 14 women were recruited from abortion support talklines; seven were recruited from a separate research project on women’s experience of abortion. Transcripts were analyzed using the principles of grounded theory to identify key themes.RESULTS:Two social aspects of the abortion experience produced, exacerbated or mitigated respondents’ negative emotional experience. Negative outcomes were experienced when the woman did not feel that the abortion was primarily her decision (e.g., because her partner abdicated responsibility for the pregnancy, leaving her feeling as though she had no other choice) or did not feel that she had clear emotional support after the abortion. Evidence also points to a division of labor between women and men regarding pregnancy prevention, abortion and childrearing; as a result, the majority of abortion‐related emotional burdens fall on women. Experiencing decisional autonomy or social support reduced respondents’ emotional distress.CONCLUSIONS:Supporting a woman’s abortion decision‐making process, addressing the division of labor between women and men regarding pregnancy prevention, abortion and childrearing, and offering nonjudgmental support may guide interventions designed to reduce emotional distress after abortion.
Modified phosphatidylserine-dependent antithrombin ELISA enables identification of patients negative for other antiphospholipid antibodies and also detects low avidity antibodies
Authors: Žigon Polona , Ambrožič Aleš , Čučnik Saša , Kveder Tanja , Rozman Blaž , Božič Borut 
Published: May 2011

Abstract

Background: Two approaches for detecting anti-prothrombin antibodies have been described. The first detects antibodies against prothrombin alone and the second, phos-phatidylserine-dependent antiprothrombin antibodies. The latter more often correlate with clinical manifestations of antiphospholipid syndrome and with lupus anticoagulant activity.

Methods: In order to increase the capacity of antibody binding, we modified the previously described phosphatidylser-ine-dependent antiprothrombin ELISA and determined their avidity. We examined 203 patients with systemic autoimmune diseases and 222 blood donors.

Results: Our modification resulted in a greater intensity of antibody binding to prothrombin on phosphatidylserine-coated plate surfaces compared to the previously described method. By changing ELISA conditions, we were able to detect with one assay the two, presumably different, populations of antiprothrombin antibodies. Diagnostic specificities of both ELISAs for antiphospholipid syndrome were similar (92.5% vs. 93.1%), while the sensitivity of the modified phosphatidylserine-dependent antiprothrombin ELISA was significantly higher than the anti-prothrombin alone ELISA (59% vs. 25%). Low avidity antiprothrombin antibodies were only detected in the modified phosphatidylserine-dependent antiprothrombin ELISA. Four percent of patients with positive phosphatidylserine-dependent antiprothrombin antibodies, showing clinical manifestations of antiphospholipid syndrome, were negative for all other antiphospholipid antibodies. The risk for antiphospholipid syndrome increased with the number of antiphospholipid antibody positivity.

Conclusions: We conclude that antibodies detected with a modified phosphatidylserine-dependent antiprothrombin ELISA could improve the diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome by offering additional information on the risk for thrombosis, especially in patients negative for other antiphospholipid antibodies.
High-sensitivity troponin T improves the prognostic value of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide in patients with stable coronary artery disease: results from the LURIC Study
Authors: Ivandic Boris T. , Spanuth Eberhard , Kleber Marcus , Grammer Tanja B. , März Winfried 
Published: May 2011

Abstract

Background: Cardiac troponin T is an established prognostic marker in patients with acute coronary syndromes, but not in stable coronary artery disease (CAD) like N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). We examined the additive prognostic value of a high-sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT) assay to predict adverse clinical outcomes in stable CAD.

Methods: A retrospective nested case-control analysis of 256 patients with stable CAD who participated in the LURIC study: 128 cases who died from cardiovascular causes during a median follow-up of 7.5 years and 128 survivors (controls) matched for age and gender, were included. hsTnT and NT-proBNP were determined in baseline samples using immunoassays (Roche Diagnostics, Germany).

Results: Sixty-two percent of the 256 subjects exhibited concentrations of hsTnT≥14 ng/L, the manufacturer recommended cut-off to diagnose myocardial infarction in patients with acute chest pain. hsTnT, NT-proBNP, diabetes mellitus and fasting glucose were associated with cardiovascular mortality in univariate analysis. Logistic regression identified hsTnT and NT-proBNP as independent risk markers. Receiver operator characterisitc (ROC) curves analysis identified optimal cut-offs at 15 ng/L and 352 μg/L for hsTnT (AUC 0.728, p<0.05) and NT-proBNP (AUC 0.751, p=0.07), respectively. Patients with one or two positive markers exhibited 5-year cardiovascular mortalities of 40% and 60%, respectively, compared to 10% in patients with negative markers. The addition of hsTnT to NT-proBNP significantly increased c-statistics of proportional hazards calculated from survival times as well as net reclassification indexes.

Conclusions: Many patients with stable CAD exhibited increased concentrations of hsTnT. The combined determination of NT-proBNP and hsTnT was superior for risk stratification compared to determining either marker alone.
Adaptation of the Diazyme Direct Enzymatic HbA1c Assay for a microplate reader at room temperature
Authors: Penttilä Ilkka , Penttilä Karri , Halonen Toivo , Pulkki Kari , Törrönen Jukka , Rauramaa Rainer 
Published: May 2011

Abstract

Background: Measurement of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is a key diagnostic criterion and a key parameter for the follow-up of the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Typically, immunochemical assays of HbA1c are performed in clinical chemistry analyzers. In this study, we applied the HbA1c assay on a microplate reader at room temperature.

Methods: HbA1c samples were measured using the Direct Enzymatic HbA1c Assay™ from Diazyme Laboratories (Poway, CA, USA) using a Plate Chameleon™ Microplate Reader (Hidex Co., Turku, Finland) according to the manufacturer's protocol and a modification of the method to room temperature. The Tosoh G7 HPLC method for HbA1c (Tosoh Co., Tokyo, Japan) was used as a comparative method.

Results: There was good correlation of HbA1c results when the assay was performed at room temperature (+22°C) compared with that at +37°C (r=0.987). The modified method was linear over the HbA1c range 4%–14%. Analysis of HbA1c results from 50 blood samples by the modified method showed good agreement with the HPLC method (r=0.990).

Conclusions: The modified Diazyme Direct Enzymatic HbA1c Assay™ appears to work as good at +22°C as that performed according to manufacturer's protocol at +37°C.
Granularity Index of the SYSMEX XE-5000 hematology analyzer as a replacement for manual microscopy of toxic granulation neutrophils in patients with inflammatory diseases
Authors: Zimmermann Mathias , Cremer Malte , Hoffmann Christina , Weimann Karin , Weimann Andreas 
Published: May 2011

Abstract

Background: When certain inflammatory processes occur, toxic granulation neutrophils (TGNs) appear in the blood showing prominent cytoplasmic granules. Currently, the granularity of TGNs is analyzed by manual microscopy of blood smears. The SYSMEX XE-5000 is an automated hematology analyzer, which can measure toxic granulation of TGNs by calculating the Granularity (GI) Index. In this study we investigated if the GI-Index is suitable as a parameter for the TGN granularity in inflammatory diseases.

Methods: An evaluation of the toxic granulation neutrophil (TGN) granularity by manual microscopy, the GI-Index and the C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations of 158 patients were determined. Blood samples from 40 healthy individuals were incubated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for in vitro kinetic measurements of the GI-Index. Furthermore, time course measurements of the GI-Index and CRP concentrations of 100 intensive care unit patients were performed.

Results: The GI-Index correlated with the microscopic rating of TGNs (n=158; rs=0.839; p<0.0001). When incubating the blood samples with LPS, the neutrophils displayed hypogranulation 30 min after incubation and a hypergranulation after 90 min. In vivo, the GI-Index indicated changes of the bacterial infection status 1 day earlier than the CRP concentration. The correlation of CRP and GI-Index varied between the patient cohorts (n=158; rs=0.836) (n=100; r=0.177), depending on the cause and extent of inflammation.

Conclusions: The GI-Index is suited to quantify the granularity of TGNs. The GI-Index is an automated, standardized parameter available on a 24 h basis. We suggest that it replace the time-consuming, subjective and semiquantitative microscopic procedure.
Monoclonal gammopathy missed by capillary zone electrophoresis
Authors: Schild Christof , Egger Florence , Kaelin-Lang Alain , Nuoffer Jean-Marc 
Published: May 2011

Abstract

Background: Serum protein electrophoresis is used as a screening test for monoclonal gammopathies. Here, we present a case of a high-concentration monoclonal immunoglobulin (M-protein) that was missed by serum protein electrophoresis on a Capillarys 2 capillary zone electrophoresis system. The aim of our study was to identify the reason for the failure of the system to detect the M-protein.

Methods: M-protein solubility was examined in response to temperature, pH, ionic strength, the chaotropic agent urea and the reducing agent 2-mercaptoethanol.

Results: Precipitation of the M-protein was not cold-induced, but solubility decreased at pH 8.5 or higher, when the pH approached the apparent isoelectric point. The M-protein also precipitated in alkaline Capillarys 2 electrophoresis buffer (pH 10), which was the reason for the false-negative electrophoresis result. Precipitation of the M-protein was not related to the ionic strength of the buffer. Solubility improved in presence of urea. Pre-treatment of serum with 2-mercaptoethanol revealed the missing M-protein peak of 36 g/L on the electropherogram.

Conclusions: This case shows that insolubility of M-proteins in alkaline buffer is one possible cause of false-negative results on capillary zone electrophoresis systems. False-negative results should be considered, especially when accompanying laboratory results are inconsistent with the electropherogram.
No evidence for an association between the rs2824292 variant at chromosome 21q21 and ventricular fibrillation during acute myocardial infarction in a German population
Authors: Bugert Peter , Elmas Elif , Stach Ksenija , Weiss Christel , Kälsch Thorsten , Dobrev Dobromir , Borggrefe Martin 
Published: May 2011

Abstract

Background: In a recently published genome-wide association study (GWAS), three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs2824292, rs1353342, rs12090554) were significantly associated with increased susceptibility for ventricular fibrillation (VF) during acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The association of rs2824292 could be confirmed in a second cohort. Both cohorts were from the Netherlands. We aimed to replicate this association in a German cohort of AMI patients with or without VF.

Methods: We included a German cohort of 90 individuals with AMI and VF (cases) and 167 AMI individuals without VF and used Taqman assays for SNP typing.

Results: None of the loci showed evidence for a statistically significant association with VF. The observed genotype frequencies of the three loci were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, which essentially excludes genotyping errors.

Conclusions: In contrast to the data from the Netherlands, we could not detect a significant association of the rs2824292 locus and risk of VF during AMI in our German cohort. Differences in recruitment and clinical phenotypes between the Dutch and German cohorts may underlie different genotype associations.
Comparison of the results from two different External Quality Assessment Schemes supports the utility of robust quality specifications
Authors: Carobene Anna , Franzini Carlo , Ceriotti Ferruccio 
Published: May 2011

Abstract

Background: The definition of quality goals to evaluate the performance of laboratories participating in External Quality Assessment Schemes (EQAS) is currently not homogeneous. The aim of the work was to verify the applicability of quality goals based on biological variation comparing the results from two different EQAS.

Methods: We evaluated the performance of the laboratories participating in two Italian EQAS, presenting similar characteristics in terms of number of participants, type of EQA-samples, and program organization. The results were obtained during 2007 for 27 components in the regional scheme of Lombardy (RGL) and in the national scheme of Prolarit (PRL). The percentage total error of single measurements was calculated for each reported EQA value. The total error values at the 68th percentile, at selected critical concentration values, were compared with maximum tolerable error derived from biological variation.

Results: The performance of laboratories participating in the RGL scheme was significantly better. The frequency of satisfactory performance at, respectively, minimum, desirable and optimum levels was 98%, 80% and 59% in the RGL scheme, and 73%, 56% and 22% in the PRL scheme.

Conclusions: Due to the different performance shown in the two programs, objective analytical goals based on biological variability constitute the optimal solution.
The status of frequency, schemas, and identity in Cognitive Sociolinguistics: A case study on definite article reduction
Authors: Hollmann Willem B. , Siewierska Anna 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
This article contributes to the nascent field of Cognitive Sociolinguistics. In particular, we are interested in how usage-based cognitive linguistics and variationist sociolinguistics may enrich each other. We first discuss some of the ways in which variationist insights have led cognitive linguists such as Gries (e.g. Multifactorial analysis in corpus linguistics: A study of particle placement, Continuum, 2003) and Grondelaers et al. (e.g. National variation in the use of er “there”. Regional and diachronic constraints on cognitive explanations, Mouton de Gruyter, 2008) to pay attention to language-external factors (such as medium, region, and register), thereby greatly enhancing the description and understanding of certain grammatical phenomena. The focus then shifts to cognitive linguistic work (by Hollmann and Siewierska, English Language and Linguistics 11: 407–424, 2007 and Clark and Trousdale, English Language and Linguistics 13: 33–55, 2009) which has implications for sociolinguistic theory. The two usage-based concepts that have proved especially relevant in this connection are frequency effects and schemas. The article explores and illustrates the role of these two factors in relation to linguistic variation by means of a new case study on definite article reduction (DAR) in Lancashire dialect, a variety spoken in the North West of England. A twofold conclusion is drawn: first, a symbiotic relation between cognitive and sociolinguistics seems possible, but second, in order for this relation to be truly mutually beneficial variationists should get involved in the Cognitive Sociolinguistic enterprise much more than is currently the case.
Non-coordination-based ellipsis from a Construction Grammar perspective: The case of the coffee construction
Authors: Heine Lena 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
This paper focuses on English yes-no interrogatives of the type Would you like/Do you want [NP]? and their elliptical variants You like/You want [NP]?, Like/Want [NP]? and [NP]?. The central question is what type of theoretical relationship can be assumed between the different forms. A theoretical discussion of different traditional approaches and their limitations is followed by the presentation of an explorative corpus search in the BNC, which can reveal interesting differences between the different stages of initial reduction, in particular regarding the semantic class of the NP head nouns: While the possible lexemes found in the full forms and intermediate reductions seem only restricted by pragmatic constraints, the highly reduced [NP]? question displays only lexemes related to the semantic class of consumption goods.
Construction Grammar (CxG) is suggested as a useful approach to explain the internal relationships between the different forms, especially because it offers the option of lexically open idiomatic structures, assumes a usage-based, hierarchical network with different degrees of independence between single constructions, and allows for an integration of pragmatic features into a grammatical model.