bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Is a Mandatory Intensive Care Unit Stay Needed After Liver Transplantation? Feasibility of Fast-Tracking to the Surgical Ward After Liver Transplantation
Authors: Taner Burcin C. , Willingham Darrin L. , Bulatao Ilynn G. , Shine Timothy S. , Peiris Prith , Torp Klaus D. , Canabal Juan , Nguyen Justin H. , Kramer David J. 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
The continuation of hemodynamic, respiratory, and metabolic support for a variable period after liver transplantation (LT) in the intensive care unit (ICU) is considered routine by many transplant programs. However, some LT recipients may be liberated from mechanical ventilation shortly after the discontinuation of anesthesia. These patients might be appropriately discharged from the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) to the surgical ward and bypass the ICU entirely. In 2002, our program started a fast-tracking program: select LT recipients are transferred from the operating room to the PACU for recovery and tracheal extubation with a subsequent transfer to the ward, and the ICU stay is completely eliminated. Between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2007, 1045 patients underwent LT at our transplant program; 175 patients were excluded from the study. Five hundred twenty-three of the remaining 870 patients (60.10%) were fast-tracked to the surgical ward, and 347 (39.90%) were admitted to the ICU after LT. The failure rate after fast-tracking to the surgical ward was 1.90%. The groups were significantly different with respect to the recipient age, the raw Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score at the time of LT, the recipient body mass index (BMI), the retransplantation status, the operative time, the warm ischemia time, and the intraoperative transfusion requirements. A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the raw MELD score at the time of LT, the operative time, the intraoperative transfusion requirements, the recipient age, the recipient BMI, and the absence of hepatocellular cancer/cholangiocarcinoma were significant predictors of ICU admission. In conclusion, we are reporting the largest single-center experience demonstrating the feasibility of bypassing an ICU stay after LT.
Liver Transpl 18:361–369, 2012.
© 2012 AASLD.
Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenges in Pediatric Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
Authors: Shneider Benjamin L. 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
Sclerosing cholangitis, an uncommon disorder in children, is progressive and is, therefore, an important indication for pediatric liver transplantation. This review summarizes current challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of this rare form of pediatric liver disease.
Liver Transpl 18:277–281, 2012.
© 2011 AASLD.
Meeting Report of the 2011 Joint International Congress of the International Liver Transplantation Society, the European Liver and Intestine Transplant Association, and the Liver Intensive Care Group of Europe
Authors: Levitsky Josh , Guckelberger Olaf 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
The International Liver Transplantation Society held its yearly meeting as a joint conference with the European Liver and Intestine Transplant Association and the Liver Intensive Care Group of Europe at the Valencia Congress Center (Valencia, Spain) from June 22 to 25, 2011. Nearly 1500 registrants attended the meeting, which opened with a premeeting conference entitled “Global Challenges and Controversies in Liver Transplantation.” This was followed by numerous oral and poster abstract sessions and topic sessions focused on medical, surgical, and intensive care aspects of liver transplantation (LT). This report summarizes key symposia and oral abstracts delivered at the meeting and is conveniently divided into subsections relevant to LT. It is not meant to be a critical or comprehensive evaluation of all the meeting presentations and is merely intended to highlight presentations and associated published literature dealing with key topics.
Liver Transpl 18:282–289, 2012.
© 2011 AASLD.
Retrospective Review of the Incidence of Cytomegalovirus Infection and Disease After Liver Transplantation in Pediatric Patients: Comparison of Prophylactic Oral Ganciclovir and Oral Valganciclovir
Authors: Bedel Ashley N. , Hemmelgarn Trina S. , Kohli Rohit 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common viral infection after solid organ transplantation (SOT). Safe and effective prophylactic regimens that decrease its incidence after SOT are essential for long-term graft survival. Although valganciclovir is not Food and Drug Administration–approved for CMV prophylaxis in liver transplant recipients, postmarketing studies have shown valganciclovir to be as effective as ganciclovir in high-risk adult patients undergoing SOT. Currently, data are lacking for pediatric liver transplantation. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of valganciclovir and ganciclovir for CMV infection prophylaxis in pediatric liver transplant recipients. This was a retrospective study of 56 pediatric liver transplant recipients who were prescribed either oral ganciclovir (n = 37) or valganciclovir (n = 19). Patients were followed until 200 days after transplantation or death. The primary outcome measure compared the rates of early-onset CMV infection and CMV disease in the 2 medication groups. Secondary outcome measures identified patient-specific factors that contributed to CMV acquisition and the incidence of late-onset CMV infection or disease. The rates of adverse drug effects and discontinuation were also evaluated. Early-onset CMV disease was documented in 0% of valganciclovir patients and in 5.4% of ganciclovir patients (P = 0.54). There were no statistically significant differences in the secondary outcomes. An increased incidence of late-onset CMV disease was seen in the valganciclovir group versus the ganciclovir group (22.2% versus 8.1%, P = 0.23). No differences in adverse events were reported. In conclusion, no statistically significant differences were found in the incidence of CMV infection or disease between patients receiving oral valganciclovir and patients receiving oral ganciclovir.
Liver Transpl 18:347–354, 2012.
© 2012 AASLD.
Development and Validation of a Questionnaire Evaluating the Impact of Hepatitis B Immune Globulin Prophylaxis on the Quality of Life of Liver Transplant Recipients
Authors: Franciosi Monica , Caccamo Lucio , De Simone Paolo , Pinna Antonio Daniele , Di Costanzo Giovanni Giuseppe , Volpes Riccardo , Scuderi Vincenzo , Strignano Paolo , Boccagni Patrizia , Burra Patrizia , Nicolucci Antonio 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
To date, there is still a lack of instruments for specifically assessing the impact of anti–hepatitis B virus prophylaxis after liver transplantation (LT) on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and treatment satisfaction. Focusing on the use of hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG), we developed and validated the Immunoglobulin Therapy After Liver Transplantation Questionnaire (ITaLi-Q), which includes 41 items and covers 5 domains (side effects, positive and negative feelings, impact on the flexibility of daily activities, support, and satisfaction). The questionnaire was tested by 177 consecutive LT patients [71.8% were male, 38.4% were more than 60 years old, 58.8% were on intramuscular (IM) HBIG, and 41.2% were on intravenous (IV) HBIG]. A factor analysis confirmed the hypothesized structure, and a multitrait, multi-item analysis showed favorable psychometric characteristics for ITaLi-Q: item-scale correlations > 0.40 for all items but 1, high scaling success rates (>90% for all scales but 1), excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α ≥ 0.8 for all scales), and good reproducibility (test-retest coefficient > 0.70 for all scales but 2). ITaLi-Q was able to discriminate between subgroups of patients according to their clinical and sociodemographic characteristics. In comparison with patients on IV HBIG, patients on IM HBIG reported significantly better HRQOL scores on the Flexibility (81.5 ± 21.4 versus 73.1 ± 24.2, P = 0.01) and Negative Feelings scales (90.1 ± 17.3 versus 85.4 ± 20.7, P = 0.04), but they reported worse HRQOL scores on the Side Effects scale (81.8 ± 22.8 versus 95.6 ± 7.4, P < 0.001). No differences were found between the route of HBIG administration and the Satisfaction, Positive Feelings, Impact, and Support scales. In conclusion, ITaLi-Q showed adequate psychometric characteristics and revealed that the route of HBIG administration has a significant impact on specific HRQOL domains beyond a patient's satisfaction.
Liver Transpl 18:332–339, 2012.
© 2012 AASLD.
New Index for Assessing the Chronotropic Response in Patients With End-Stage Liver Disease Who Are Undergoing Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography
Authors: Rudzinski Wojciech , Waller Alfonso H. , Prasad Amit , Sood Sunita , Gerula Christine , Samanta Arun , Koneru Baburao , Klapholz Marc 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
The inability to achieve 85% of the maximum predicted heart rate (MPHR) on dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) is defined as chronotropic incompetence and is a predictor of major cardiac events after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). The majority of patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) receive beta-blockers for the prevention of variceal bleeding. In these patients, it is impossible to determine whether chronotropic incompetence is secondary to cirrhosis-related autonomic dysfunction or is merely a beta-blocker effect. We evaluated the usefulness of the maximum achieved heart rate (MAHR) and the heart rate reserve (HRR) in the detection of chronotropic incompetence in ESLD patients on beta-blocker therapy before DSE. We also evaluated the usefulness of a new index, the modified heart rate reserve (MHRR), in diagnosing chronotropic incompetence and predicting major cardiovascular adverse events after OLT. The study population consisted of 284 ESLD patients. The mean values of MAHR (expressed as a percentage of 85% of MPHR) and HRR were significantly lower for patients on beta-blockers versus patients off beta-blockers [97.1% versus 101.6% (t = 5.01, P < 0.001) and 71.7% versus 77.3% (t = 4.03, P < 0.001), respectively], whereas the values of MHRR were similar in patients on beta-blockers and patients off beta-blockers [102.3% versus 102.1% (t = 0.04, P = 0.97)]. A regression analysis showed a significant association of MAHR (P < 0.001) and HRR (P < 0.001) with beta-blockers, whereas MHRR was not associated with beta-blocker treatment (P = 0.92). MAHR and HRR were found to have no value for diagnosing chronotropic incompetence in ESLD patients. MHRR was not affected by beta-blocker therapy. Patients who developed heart failure (HF) and myocardial infarction (MI) after OLT had significantly lower MHRR values according to pretransplant DSE. MHRR was significantly associated with the subsequent development of HF (P = 0.01) and MI (P = 0.01) after OLT. MHRR may be useful for the determination of the target heart rate for stress testing, the diagnosis of chronotropic incompetence, and the prediction of adverse cardiac events after OLT.
Liver Transpl 18:355–360, 2012.
© 2012 AASLD.
Molecular Bottlebrushes with Polypeptide Backbone Prepared via Ring‐Opening Polymerization of NCA and ATRP
Authors: Liu Yu , Chen Ping , Li Zhibo 
Published: December 2011

AbstractA new type of molecular bottlebrush with poly‐L‐lysine (PLL) as backbone was synthesized via ROP followed by ATRP. A Nϵ‐bromoisobutyryl functionalized Nα‐CBZ‐L‐lysine was firstly synthesized and converted in polymerizable α‐amino acid N‐carboxyanhydride (NCA), which was then polymerized using Ni(0) transition metal complex to give well‐defined bromo‐functionalized homopolypeptide (PBrLL), from which we prepared two types of polypeptide bottlebrushes with polystyrene and poly(oligoethylene glycol methacrylate) as side‐chains. PBrLL macroinitiator was demonstrated to have high initiation efficiency for ATRP, which allowed good control over side‐chain length. CD and FTIR characterization revealed that both PBrLL macroinitiator and PLL backbone of bottlebrushes adopted α‐helical conformation in appropriate solvents.
High‐resolution sodium imaging of human brain at 7 T
Authors: Qian Yongxian , Zhao Tiejun , Zheng Hai , Weimer Jonathan , Boada Fernando E. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe feasibility of high‐resolution sodium magnetic resonance imaging on human brain at 7 T was demonstrated in this study. A three‐dimensional anisotropic resolution data acquisition was used to address the challenge of low signal‐to‐noise ratio associated with high resolution. Ultrashort echo‐time sequence was used for the anisotropic data acquisition. Phantoms and healthy human brains were studied on a whole‐body 7‐T magnetic resonance imaging scanner. Sodium images were obtained at two high nominal in‐plane resolutions (1.72 and 0.86 mm) at a slice thickness of 4 mm. Signal‐to‐noise ratio in the brain image (cerebrospinal fluid) was measured as 14.4 and 6.8 at the two high resolutions, respectively. The actual in‐plane resolution was measured as 2.9 and 1.6 mm, 69–86% larger than their nominal values. The quantification of sodium concentration on the phantom and brain images enabled better accuracy at the high nominal resolutions than at the low nominal resolution of 3.44 mm (measured resolution 5.5 mm) due to the improvement of in‐plane resolution. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
RF pulse optimization for Bloch‐Siegert B mapping
Authors: Khalighi Mohammad Mehdi , Rutt Brian K. , Kerr Adam B. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe Bloch–Siegert (B–S) method of B mapping has been shown to be fast and accurate, yet has high SAR and moderately long TE. These limitations can lengthen scan times and incur signal loss due to B0 inhomogeneity, particularly at high field. The B–S method relies on applying a band‐limited off‐resonant B–S radiofrequency pulse to induce a B‐dependent frequency‐shift for resonant spins. A method for optimizing the B–S radiofrequency pulse is presented here, which maximizes B–S B measurement sensitivity for a given SAR and T2. A 4‐ms optimized pulse is shown to have 35% less SAR compared with the conventional 6‐ms Fermi pulse while still improving B map angle‐to‐noise ratio by 22%. The optimized pulse performance is validated both in phantom and in vivo brain imaging at 7 T. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
PAX7+ satellite cells in young and older adults following resistance exercise
Authors: Walker Dillon K. , Fry Christopher S. , Drummond MICAH J. , Dickinson Jared M. , Timmerman Kyle L. , Gundermann David M. , Jennings Kristofer , Volpi Elena , Rasmussen Blake B. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractIntroduction:Resistance exercise (RE) stimulates a muscle protein anabolic response partially through enhanced satellite cell (SC) activity, however, age‐ and gender‐related changes in SC content over a 24‐h time course are not known.Methods:Ten young (27 ± 2 years) men and women and 11 older (70 ± 2 years) men and women performed an acute bout of RE. Myofiber and SC characteristics were determined from muscle biopsies of the vastus lateralis using immunohistochemistry. Immunoblotting was used to determine phosphorylation of cyclin‐dependent kinase‐2 and protein expression of p27Kip1 and cyclin D1.Results:Pax7+ SC were significantly increased in young men 24 h following RE. Percent SC were significantly increased in older women at 6 and 24 h following RE. Aging decreased myonuclear domain and increased protein expression of p27Kip1.Conclusions:An acute bout of RE increases SC content in young men at 24 h and older women at 6 and 24 h. Muscle Nerve 46: 51–59, 2012
Geographical distribution of A seropositive myasthenia gravis population
Authors: Heldal Anne Taraldsen , Eide Geir Egil , Gilhus Nils Erik , Romi Fredrik 
Published: December 2011

AbstractIntroduction:To assess age‐ and sex‐specific myasthenia gravis (MG) occurrence and incidence in the different geographical regions in Norway and thereby to identify factors that may contribute to the development of MG.Methods:Multiple Poisson regression analysis was used to assess variation in incidence dependent on year, gender and onset age in five geographically defined health regions.Results:The study population comprised 419 individuals with first time seropositive tests from 1995 to 2007. Annual MG incidence ranged from < 1 to 14 per million, with an average of 7.04 per million for all five health regions combined.Conclusions:This is the first nation‐wide epidemiological study of seropositive MG that elucidates the geographical differences within a country. The incidence of seropositive MG did not vary significantly between the regions. Mid‐Norway tended to have a higher incidence, and North tended to have a lower incidence. Muscle Nerve 45: 815–819, 2012
Inter‐organ proteomic analysis reveals insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti‐diabetic effects of cis‐9, trans‐11‐conjugated linoleic acid in ob/ob mice
Authors: Rungapamestry Vanessa , McMonagle Jolene , Reynolds Clare , Rucklidge Garry , Reid Martin , Duncan Gary , Ross Karen , Horgan Graham , Toomey Sinead , Moloney Aidan P. , de Roos Baukje , Roche Helen M. 
Published: December 2011

Abstractcis‐9, trans‐11‐Conjugated linoleic acid (c9 t11 CLA) exerts anti‐diabetic effects by improving systemic insulin sensitivity and inflammation. Levels of CLA in beef can be increased by feeding cattle on pasture. This study aimed to explore the efficacy of a CLA‐rich diet (0.6% w/w c9 t11 CLA), presented as beef enriched with CLA or beef supplemented with synthetic CLA (c9 t11 CLA), for 28 days on molecular biomarkers of the metabolic syndrome, and adipose, hepatic, and skeletal muscle proteome in male ob/ob mice. Despite equal weight gain, CLA‐fed mice had lower plasma glucose, insulin, non‐esterified fatty acid, triacylglycerol and interleukin‐6, and higher adiponectin concentrations than controls. c9 t11 CLA induced differential regulation of redox status across all tissues, and decreased hepatic and muscle endoplasmic reticulum stress. CLA also modulated mechanistic links between the actin cytoskeleton, insulin signalling, glucose transport and inflammation in the adipose tissue. In the liver and muscle, c9 t11 CLA improved metabolic flexibility through co‐ordination between carbohydrate and energy metabolism. c9 t11 CLA may ameliorate systemic insulin sensitivity in obesity‐induced diabetes by altering cellular stress and redox status, and modulating nutrient handling in key insulin‐sensitive tissues through complex biochemical interplay among representative proteomic signatures.
Manipulating morphology and orientation in thermally responsive block copolymer thin films
Authors: Kelly Jennifer Y. , Albert Julie N. L. , Howarter John A. , Stafford Christopher M. , Epps Thomas H. , Fasolka Michael J. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractWe demonstrate the use of combined thermal annealing and solvent vapor annealing (SVA) to tune the morphology of thermally responsive block copolymer (BCP) thin films. The BCP, poly(styrene‐b‐tert‐butyl acrylate) (PS‐b‐PtBA), undergoes a chemical deprotection to poly(styrene‐b‐acrylic anhydride) (PS‐b‐PAH) above a temperature threshold, giving rise to a structural and morphological transition. Our experiments systematically examine different thermal annealing and SVA protocols with two solvents (tetrahydrofuran and acetone) and map the resulting morphologies. Assessments of these processing protocols were accelerated using temperature gradients. Our results demonstrate that the final nanoscale morphologies after SVA are determined by the changes in the relative solvent/polymer interactions and surface tensions of the polymer blocks that accompany deprotection. Because of these driving forces, certain processing combinations led to irreversible morphological states, whereas others present opportunities for further manipulation. Accordingly, our study reveals that the morphology of this thermally sensitive BCP can be altered through judicious choice of annealing protocol. The protocols that combine equal numbers of SVA and thermal annealing (TA) steps are not necessarily equivalent, and the order of the SVA relative to TA is a deciding factor in the final morphology. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2011
Determination of the dipole moments of RNAse SA wild type and a basic mutant
Authors: Chari Ravi , Singh Shubhadra N. , Yadav Sandeep , Brems David N. , Kalonia Devendra S. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractIn this study, we report the effects of acidic to basic residue point mutations (5K) on the dipole moment of RNAse SA at different pHs. Dipole moments were determined by measuring solution capacitance of the wild type (WT) and the 5K mutant with an impedance analyzer. The dipole moments were then (1) compared with theoretically calculated dipole moments, (2) analyzed to determine the effect of the point mutations, and (3) analyzed for their contribution to overall protein–protein interactions (PPI) in solution as quantitated by experimentally derived second virial coefficients. We determined that experimental and calculated dipoles were in reasonable agreement. Differences are likely due to local motions of residue side chains, which are not accounted for by the calculated dipole. We observed that the proteins' dipole moments increase as the pH is shifted further from their isoelectric points and that the wild‐type dipole moments were greater than those of the 5K. This is likely due to an increase in the proportion of one charge (either negative or positive) relative to the other. A greater charge disparity corresponded to a larger dipole moment. Finally, the larger dipole moments of the WT resulted in greater attractive overall PPI for that protein as compared to the 5K. Proteins 2011; © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Kondo effect in reduced graphene oxide films
Authors: McIntosh Ross , Bhattacharyya Somnath 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe influence of spin in reduced graphene oxide (RGO) is demonstrated through a temperature dependent metal–insulator transition in resistance (at ∼30 K) as well as high field magneto‐resistance (MR) measurements. RGO samples, prepared using an unconventional organic acid reduction method, showed a quadratic temperature dependence of resistance at low temperatures, which changed to a logarithmic dependence at higher temperatures. Analysis of these features in RGO, combined with negative MR which scales with a Kondo characteristic temperature, establishes the interaction between conduction electrons propagating through intact graphene nano‐islands and localized magnetic moments found in disordered regions. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Middle atmosphere predictability in a numerical weather prediction model: revisiting the inverse error cascade
Authors: Ngan K. , Eperon G. E. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe spectral predictability of the Met Office's Unified Model is examined using identical‐twin experiments and the relative kinetic energy. In the troposphere, previous NWP results are recovered, namely the emergence of distinct regimes and the maximisation of the growth rate on synoptic scales at early times; in the middle atmosphere, the predictability decay is slower. This difference is attributed to the increase in the amplitude of gravity waves. The influence of small‐scale motions is highlighted: improving their numerical representation by decreasing the timestep enhances predictability. Copyright © 2011 British Crown copyright, the MetOffice. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.