bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Risk Factors and Outcome of Intra‐abdominal Hypertension in Patients with Severe Acute Pancreatitis
Authors: Ke Lu , Ni Hai‐bin , Sun Jia‐kui , Tong Zhi‐hui , Li Wei‐qin , Li Ning , Li Jie‐shou 
Published: September 2011

AbstractBackgroundIntra‐abdominal hypertension (IAH) is common in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). The aim of the present study was to investigate the risk factors of IAH in SAP patients and assess the prognosis of SAP combined with IAH.MethodsTo analyze the data from patients with SAP, both univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were applied, using 16 indices, including age, gender, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores (APACHE II), 24 h fluid balance, hematocrit, serum calcium level, and so on. Clinical prognosis such as mortality, hospital duration, of SAP patients with or without IAH was also compared.ResultsFirst 24 h fluid balance (Odds Ratio [OR], 1.003; 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 1.001–1.006), number of fluid collections (OR, 1.652; 95% CI, 1.023–2.956), and serum calcium level (OR, 0.132; 95% CI, 0.012–0.775) were found to be independent risk factors for IAH in patients with SAP. Moreover, patients with SAP and IAH had significantly longer average length of stay, both in the hospital and in the intensive care unit, higher rates of systemic and local complications, and more invasive treatments.ConclusionsThe significant risk factors for IAH in patients with SAP include 24 h fluid balance (first day), number of fluid collections, and serum calcium level. Additionally, IAH is associated with extremely poor prognosis, evidenced by high rates of mortality, morbidity, and the need for invasive interventions.
Surgery, Public Health, and Pakistan
Authors: Zafar Syed Nabeel , McQueen K. A. Kelly 
Published: September 2011

AbstractBackgroundSurgical healthcare is rapidly gaining recognition as a major public health issue. Surgical disparities are large, with poorest populations receiving the least amount of emergency and essential surgical care. In light of recent evidence, developing countries, such as Pakistan, must acknowledge surgical disease as a major public health issue and prioritize research and intervention accordingly.MethodsWe review information from various sources and describe the current situation of surgical health care in Pakistan and highlight areas of neglect.ResultsPakistan suffers an annual deficit of 17 million surgeries. Surgical disease kills more people than infectious diseases inclusive of tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, diarrheal disease, and childhood infections. The incidence of trauma and maternal mortality ratio are staggeringly high. There is a severe dearth of surgical and anesthesia‐related epidemiological data. Important information that would help to drive policy and planning is not available. Corruption and neglect have led to a dilapidated health care infrastructure. Surgical care is largely inaccessible to the poor, especially those living in rural areas. The country faces a dearth of healthcare professionals, especially paramedics, anesthetists, and surgeons. Unsafe surgery and anesthesia poses a significant risk to patients. There is no national policy on surgical illness and the preventive aspects of surgery are nonexistent.ConclusionsConsistent with other underdeveloped countries, surgical care in Pakistan is dismal. Neglecting surgery and safe anesthesia has led to countless deaths and disability. Physicians, researchers, policy makers, and the government health care system must engage and commit to provide access to emergency, essential, and safe surgical care.
Pore-scale mass and reactant transport in multiphase porous media flows
Authors: Parmigiani A. , Huber C. , Bachmann O. , Chopard B. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractReactive processes associated with multiphase flows play a significant role in mass transport in unsaturated porous media. For example, the effect of reactions on the solid matrix can affect the formation and stability of fingering instabilities associated with the invasion of a buoyant non-wetting fluid. In this study, we focus on the formation and stability of capillary channels of a buoyant non-wetting fluid (developed because of capillary instabilities) and their impact on the transport and distribution of a reactant in the porous medium. We use a combination of pore-scale numerical calculations based on a multiphase reactive lattice Boltzmann model (LBM) and scaling laws to quantify (i) the effect of dissolution on the preservation of capillary instabilities, (ii) the penetration depth of reaction beyond the dissolution/melting front, and (iii) the temporal and spatial distribution of dissolution/melting under different conditions (concentration of reactant in the non-wetting fluid, injection rate). Our results show that, even for tortuous non-wetting fluid channels, simple scaling laws assuming an axisymmetrical annular flow can explain (i) the exponential decay of reactant along capillary channels, (ii) the dependence of the penetration depth of reactant on a local Péclet number (using the non-wetting fluid velocity in the channel) and more qualitatively (iii) the importance of the melting/reaction efficiency on the stability of non-wetting fluid channels. Our numerical method allows us to study the feedbacks between the immiscible multiphase fluid flow and a dynamically evolving porous matrix (dissolution or melting) which is an essential component of reactive transport in porous media.
Oral inoculation of probioticsLactobacillus acidophilusNCFM suppresses tumour growth both in segmental orthotopic colon cancer and extra-intestinal tissue
Authors: Chen Chien-Chang , Lin Wei-Chuan , Kong Man-Shan , Shi Hai Ning , Walker W. Allan , Lin Chun-Yen , Huang Ching-Tai , Lin Yung-Chang , Jung Shih-Ming , Lin Tzou-Yien 
Published: September 2011

Modulation of the cellular response by the administration of probiotic bacteria may be an effective strategy for preventing or inhibiting tumour growth. We orally pre-inoculated mice with probioticsLactobacillus acidophilusNCFM (La) for 14 d. Subcutaneous dorsal-flank tumours and segmental orthotopic colon cancers were implanted into mice using CT-26 murine colon adenocarcinoma cells. On day 28 after tumour initiation, the lamina propria of the colon, mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) and spleen were harvested and purified for flow cytometry and mRNA analyses. We demonstrated thatLapre-inoculation reduced tumour volume growth by 50·3 %, compared with untreated mice at 28 d after tumour implants (2465·5 (sem1290·4)v. 4950·9 (sem1689·3) mm3,P < 0·001). Inoculation withLareduced the severity of colonic carcinogenesis caused by CT-26 cells, such as level of colonic involvement and structural abnormality of epithelial/crypt damage. Moreover,Laenhanced apoptosis of CT-26 cells both in dorsal-flank tumour and segmental orthotopic colon cancer, and the mean counts of apoptotic body were higher in mice pre-inoculated withLa(P < 0·05) compared with untreated mice.Lapre-inoculation down-regulated the CXCR4 mRNA expressions in the colon, MLN and extra-intestinal tissue, compared with untreated mice (P < 0·05). In addition,Lapre-inoculation reduced the mean fluorescence index of MHC class I (H-2Dd, -Kd and -Ld) in flow cytometry analysis. Taken together, these findings suggest that probioticsLamay play a role in attenuating tumour growth during CT-26 cell carcinogenesis. The down-regulated expression of CXCR4 mRNA and MHC class I, as well as increasing apoptosis in tumour tissue, indicated thatLamay be associated with modulating the cellular response triggered by colon carcinogenesis.
Influence of cow or goat milk consumption on antioxidant defence and lipid peroxidation during chronic iron repletion
Authors: Díaz-Castro Javier , Pérez-Sánchez Luis J. , Ramírez López-Frías Mercedes , López-Aliaga Inmaculada , Nestares Teresa , Alférez María J. M. , Ojeda M. Luisa , Campos Margarita S. 
Published: September 2011

Despite Fe deficiency and overload having been widely studied, no studies are available about the influence of milk consumption on antioxidant defence and lipid peroxidation during the course of these highly prevalent cases. The objective of the present study was to assess the influence of cow or goat milk-based diets, either with normal or Fe-overload, on antioxidant defence and lipid peroxidation in the liver, brain and erythrocytes of control and anaemic rats after chronic Fe repletion. Weanling male rats were randomly divided into two groups: a control group receiving a normal-Fe diet (45 mg/kg) and an anaemic group receiving a low-Fe diet (5 mg/kg) for 40 d. Control and anaemic rats were fed goat or cow milk-based diets, either with normal Fe or Fe-overload (450 mg/kg), for 30 or 50 d. Fe-deficiency anaemia did not have any effect on antioxidant enzymes or lipid peroxidation in the organs studied. During chronic Fe repletion, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was higher in the group of animals fed the cow milk diet compared with the group consuming goat milk. The slight modification of catalase and glutathione peroxidise activities in animals fed the cow milk-based diet reveals that these enzymes are unable to neutralise and scavenge the high generation of free radicals produced. The animals fed the cow milk diet showed higher rates of lipid peroxidation compared with those receiving the goat milk diet, which directly correlated with the increase in SOD activity. It was concluded that goat milk has positive effects on antioxidant defence, even in a situation of Fe overload, limiting lipid peroxidation.
A magnetically tapered plasma density for overcoming electron dephasing
Authors: WANG C. M. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractOne of the main limitations of energy gain in laser wakefield accelerators is the electron dephasing, In order to resolve the dephasing problem, a tapered plasma channel is proposed and tested numerically. The tapered density is created by means of a laser heating, combining an axially increased external magnetic field. The locally strong magnetic field prevents the thermal energy transport crossing the field lines, and leads to a pressure buildup. The pressure gradient expels the plasma radially and tapers the density axially. A tapered plasma with a density contrast of 2.2 within a 6-cm channel is established. Propagating in the tapered plasma channel, the energy of an accelerated electron is expected to be enhanced greatly.
Cost-effectiveness of a lifestyle intervention in preventing Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Irvine Lisa , Barton Garry R. , Gasper Amy V. , Murray Nikki , Clark Allan , Scarpello Tracey , Sampson Mike 
Published: September 2011

Objectives: Previous research has suggested people with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) are less likely to develop Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) if they receive prolonged structured diet and exercise advice. This study examined the within-trial cost-effectiveness of such lifestyle interventions.Methods: Screen-detected participants with either newly diagnosed T2DM or IFG were randomized 2:1 to intervention versus control (usual care) between February and December 2009, in Norfolk (UK). The intervention consisted of group based education, physiotherapy and peer support sessions, plus telephone contacts from T2DM volunteers. We monitored healthcare resource use, intervention costs, and quality of life (EQ-5D). The incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gain (incremental cost effectiveness ratio [ICER]), and cost effectiveness acceptability curves (CEAC) were estimated.Results: In total, 177 participants were recruited (118 intervention, 59 controls), with a mean follow-up of 7 months. Excluding screening and recruitment costs, the mean cost was estimated to be £551 per participant in the intervention arm, compared with £325 in the control arm. The QALY gains were –0.001 and –0.004, respectively. The intervention was estimated to have an ICER of £67,184 per QALY (16 percent probability of being cost-effective at the £20,000/QALY threshold). Cost-effectiveness estimates were more favorable for IFG participants and those with longer follow-up (≥4 months) (ICERs of £20,620 and £17,075 per QALY, respectively).Conclusions: Group sessions to prevent T2DM were not estimated to be within current limits of cost-effectiveness. However, there was a large degree of uncertainty surrounding these estimates, suggesting the need for further research.
Measuring compliance with the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative
Authors: Haiek Laura N 
Published: September 2011

AbstractObjectiveThe WHO/UNICEF Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is an effective strategy to increase breast-feeding exclusivity and duration but many countries have been slow to implement it. The present paper describes the development of a computer-based instrument that measures policies and practices outlined in the BFHI.DesignThe tool uses clinical staff/managers’ and pregnant women/mothers’ opinions as well as maternity unit observations to assess compliance with the BFHI's Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding (Ten Steps) and the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes (Code) by measuring the extent of implementation of two to fourteen indicators for each step and the Code. Composite scores are used to summarize results.SettingExamples of results from a 2007 assessment performed in nine hospitals in the province of Québec are presented to illustrate the type of information returned to individual hospitals and health authorities.SubjectsParticipants included nine to fifteen staff/managers per hospital randomly selected among those present during the interviewer-observer's 12 h hospital visit and nine to forty-five breast-feeding mothers per hospital telephoned at home after being randomly selected from birth certificates.ResultsThe Ten Steps Global Compliance Score for the nine hospitals varied between 2·87 and 6·51 (range 0–10, mean 5·06) whereas the Code Global Compliance Score varied between 0·58 and 1 (range 0–1, mean 0·83). Instrument development, examples of assessment results and potential applications are discussed.ConclusionsA methodology to measure BFHI compliance may help support the implementation of this effective intervention and contribute to improved maternal and child health.
Gender differences in public beliefs and attitudes about mental disorder in western countries: A systematic review of population studies
Authors: Holzinger A. , Floris F. , Schomerus G. , Carta M. G. , Angermeyer M. C. 
Published: September 2011

Aims.While quite a number of theories and hypotheses about gender differences in public beliefs and attitudes about mental illness have been proposed, the empirical evidence, particularly evidence based on population studies, is rather scarce.Methods.A systematic review of population-based studies providing information on gender differences in beliefs about mental disorders and attitudes towards the mentally ill was carried out.Results.While both genders are no different in their willingness to seek informal help for mental illness, women seem more ready to recommend professional help than men. They also evaluate treatment outcomes more favourably. Women are more likely to endorse psychosocial conceptualizations of mental illness than men, and, in consequence, are more in favour of psychotherapy. With a few exceptions, women do not seem to display more favourable attitudes than men towards people with mental disorder. Female patients seem to be rejected by the public less than male patients.Conclusions.Our review suggests that gender matters in public beliefs and attitudes about mental illness. Some theoretical assumptions are supported by empirical findings, others not. However, as evidence is rather scarce, further studies testing theory-driven hypotheses are needed.
Historical Obstacles to the Development of a Bourgeoisie in Iran
Authors: Ashraf Ahmad 
Published: September 2011

The processes of development in the “Third World” are of great concern to historical sociologists and economic historians. However, despite the great interest displayed by the founding fathers of sociology in the nineteenth century in similar questions, and despite their historical orientation and liking of historical periodization, present day sociologists tend to be uninterested in both this subject matter and this orientation. In this respect they have lagged behind economists interested in questions of development and economic historians.Following in Marx & Weber's tradition of social-economic science the objective of this paper is to demonstrate the importance of historical analysis for a deeper understanding of the problem of economic development. From the outset tha basic question will be the proper use of history to construct the historical processes of development both in the past and the future.
Efficiency of diversion of the first aliquot of blood and prestorage leukoreduction for preventing bacterial contamination in red blood cell concentrates assessed using a rapid polymerase chain reaction‐based bacterial detection system
Authors: Nakamura A. , Abe K. , Masuya M. , Imai S. , Ohishi K. , Mori Y. , Kojima T. , Wada H. , Katayama N. , Nobori T. 
Published: September 2011

Objectives: Sepsis caused by the bacterial contamination of blood products is a major infection risk associated with blood transfusion. Diversion of the initial 25 mL of blood and prestorage leukoreduction were implemented in Japan in 2007 for all donated blood products. We assessed the efficacy of these new collection procedures in preventing bacterial contamination of red blood cell (RBC) concentrates.Methods: Broad‐range 16S ribosomal RNA polymerase chain reaction was used to determine bacterial contamination in segment samples of RBCs before and after implementation of the new collection procedures. To evaluate whether these new procedures reduced bacterial contamination, we compared bacterial contamination rates of blood samples from diversion pouches with those of segment samples from the same donor's RBCs.Results: The rate of bacterial contamination of RBCs before implementation of the new collection procedures was 1·27%. Most of the isolated bacteria were Staphylococcus epidermidis or Propionibacterium acnes. After implementation, this rate was significantly reduced to 0·10%. Of the 233 whole blood samples obtained from the Mie Red Cross Blood Center, 1·72% of blood samples from diversion pouches were contaminated, but no bacterial contamination was detected in segment samples from the same donor's RBCs after prestorage leukoreduction.Conclusions: The new collection procedure significantly reduced bacterial contamination of RBC concentrates.
A case of erythema elevatum diutinum associated with peripheral ulcerative keratitis
Authors: Jiao Ting , Wang Mingyue , Zhu Xuejun 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACTA young woman with recurrent painful lesions on the dorsal aspects of her hands associated with arthralgia presented with pain and redness of both eyes. After extensive investigations, a diagnosis of erythema elevatum diutinum accompanied by peripheral ulcerative keratitis was made. The patient was treated with dapsone 50 mg, t.i.d., and responded well.
A retrospective study of the clinical, histological, and immunohistochemical manifestations of 5 dogs originally diagnosed histologically as necrotizing scleritis
Authors: Denk Nora , Sandmeyer Lynne S. , Lim Christine C. , Bauer Bianca S. , Grahn Bruce H. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractPurpose  To describe the clinical, histological, and immunohistochemical manifestations of canine necrotizing scleritis.Methods  A retrospective examination of the clinical records and samples of ocular tissues from five dogs with a histological diagnosis ‘necrotizing scleritis’ was completed. Archived, formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded samples and two control globes were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, Gram, periodic acid–Schiff (PAS) and Masson trichrome stains, and they were immunohistochemically labeled for CD3, CD18, and CD20.Results  Of the five cases reviewed, only two could be confirmed as idiopathic necrotizing scleritis. The other three cases were retrospectively diagnosed as unilateral focal, non‐necrotizing scleritis, one as episcleritis and the third was scleritis secondary to a proptosed globe based on our retrospective clinical, histological, and immunohistochemical evaluations. In these two cases, idiopathic necrotizing scleritis manifested as a bilateral, progressive, inflammatory disease of the sclera and cornea that induces significant uveitis. Light microscopic examination confirmed collagen degeneration and granulomatous inflammation. There was no evidence for an infectious etiology based on Gram’s and PAS stainings. Immunohistochemical labeling revealed a predominance of B cells in idiopathic, bilateral necrotizing scleritis. Tinctorial staining abnormalities with Masson’s trichrome stain were present in scleral collagen of the two cases with idiopathic necrotizing scleritis as well as a case of secondary traumatic scleritis.Conclusions  Based on a limited number of cases, idiopathic canine necrotizing scleritis shares similar histopathological features with non‐necrotizing scleritis and episcleritis; however, necrotizing scleritis is B‐cell‐dominated and bilateral, and significant collagen alterations manifest with Masson’s trichrome stain.
Immunohistochemical evaluation of fibrovascular and cellular pre‐iridal membranes in dogs
Authors: Bauer Bianca S. , Sandmeyer Lynne S. , Hall Riley B. , Grahn Bruce H. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractObjective  Histologically, two morphologically distinct types of pre‐iridal membranes appear to occur in diseased canine globes: fibrovascular and cellular. Cellular pre‐iridal membranes of corneal endothelial origin exist in iridocorneal endothelial (ICE) syndrome in humans and arise through metaplastic transformation of corneal endothelial cells into epithelial‐like cells.1 The purpose of this study was to (i) evaluate immunohistochemical staining of these two types of membranes in diseased canine globes, (ii) determine whether endothelial cell metaplasia or iridal vascular budding plays a role in cellular membrane formation and (iii) compare the primary histopathologic diagnosis between the two groups.Procedures  Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)‐stained slides of 28 enucleated canine specimens with pre‐iridal membranes were randomly selected and examined with light microscopy. The globes were divided into two groups based on the appearance of the membrane: fibrovascular or cellular, and the histopathologic diagnoses were recorded. Immunohistochemical staining for vimentin, cytokeratin AE1/AE3, and Von Willebrand’s factor (Factor VIII) was completed on the slides of each globe. The histopathologic diagnoses were compared between the two groups.Results  The fibrovascular and cellular membranes stained positive for vimentin and negative for cytokeratin AE1/AE3. All fibrovascular membranes stained positive for Factor VIII compared with the cellular membranes which stained negative. In the cellular membrane group, primary glaucoma was a common histologic diagnosis.Conclusions  Immunohistochemical evaluation in this study does not support the hypothesis of metaplastic transformation of endothelial cells into epithelial‐like cells in the canine globes with cellular membranes. The cellular membranes in this study do not represent a canine version of ICE syndrome and are not of vascular endothelial origin.
A STEINDLIAN MODEL OF CONCENTRATION, DEBT AND GROWTH
Authors: Azad Rohit 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACTIncome distribution plays a crucial role in the Kaleckian models of growth. The recent US experience has seemingly turned the Kaleckian argument on stagnationism on its head. Does it, therefore, render the Kaleckian growth framework redundant? We argue that while there is a tendency towards underconsumption, there could be other counteracting tendencies like the wealth effect of the capitalists or the possibility of debt for the workers. But such a growth process, which is primarily driven by the asset price markets, is, by its very nature, iniquitous and extremely volatile and the downturn is far more severe than the normal business cycles.