bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Statins for Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Events in Diabetic Patients without Established Cardiovascular Diseases: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Chen Y.-H. , Feng B. , Chen Z.-W. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractLipid-lowering medications could lead to a significant reduction in major cardiovascular events in patients with diabetes. However, there was still controversy regarding the use of statins in patients with diabetes for primary prevention. The meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the outcomes of statin-therapy in diabetic patients without established cardiovascular diseases.7 randomized controlled trials of statin- vs. control-therapy in patients with diabetes were included. A total number of 12 711 patients were involved. The outcomes of interest were major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), including myocardial infarction, stroke, all-cause mortality and coronary revascularization.A total of 1 376 MACCE occurred during follow-up, with 9.54% (605 patients) in the statin therapy group and 12.10% (771 patients) in control group. Statin therapy was associated with a significant reduction in the incidence of MACCE (0.79, 95%CI 0.66–0.95; P=0.01). Meanwhile, the risk of stroke and coronary revascularization were reduced 29 and 26% in statin therapy group. However, there was no statistical difference of all-cause mortality between statin- and control-therapy group (3.73 vs. 4.65%, P=0.13).For primary prevention in patients with diabetes without established cardiovascular disease, statin therapy could reduce the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, but not all-cause mortality.
From Mediterranean shores to central Saharan mountains: key phylogeographical insights from the genus Myrtus
Authors: Migliore Jérémy , Baumel Alex , Juin Marianick , Médail Frédéric 
Published: December 2011

AbstractAim  The Mediterranean region is often regarded as a crossroads where species of various origins meet. However, the biogeographical relationships between this region and contiguous Saharan, Macaronesian and Irano‐Turanian regions have not been investigated in detail. The aim of this study was to characterize the phylogeography of the circum‐Mediterranean species Myrtus communis and to investigate the origin of isolated central Saharan populations of Myrtus nivellei.Location  The distribution ranges of M. communis from Macaronesia to the Irano‐Turanian region (173 sampled populations) and of M. nivellei in the mountains (Hoggar, Tassili n’Ajjer, Immidir, Tibesti) of the central Sahara (23 populations).Methods  Nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) sequences of Myrtaceae were used to root the phylogeny of Myrtus, and to date its crown node, according to a detailed review of the palaeobotanical records used for multiple fossil calibration. Chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) sequences were analysed through the determination of genetic diversity indices and by statistical phylogeography.Results  Both cpDNA and nrDNA markers indicated east–west genetic differentiation within M. communis. During the late Miocene, a key vicariance event affected the previous circum‐Mediterranean distribution of Myrtus, leading to the isolation of eastern populations. During the late Miocene or early Pliocene, two clades diverged: one is now scattered in the Mediterranean Basin and adjacent regions, whereas the other evolved in the western Mediterranean region. The differentiation of lineages during the Plio‐Pleistocene occurred mainly in the western part of the Mediterranean Basin, which has been at the origin of migrations towards Macaronesian islands and Saharan mountains. This is one of the first plant phylogeographical studies to report migrations from the Mediterranean to the Sahara.Main conclusions  The genus Myrtus has persisted in the Mediterranean region since at least the Neogene and its biogeography reflects the cumulation of the species’ responses to successive palaeoenvironmental changes. The current distribution of the genus Myrtus in the Mediterranean Basin and in isolated areas, such as the Macaronesian islands and Saharan mountains, can be explained by the striking ability of this plant not only to persist locally in various refugia, but also to migrate.
Characterization of the canine skin barrier restoration following acute disruption by tape stripping
Authors: Vidémont Emilie , Mariani Claire , Vidal Stéphanie , Pin Didier 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe stratum corneum (SC) forms the main part of the permeability barrier of the skin. In mice and in humans, cutaneous barrier disruption can be generated by removing the SC with tape stripping (TS) and the skin barrier function can be assessed by measurement of transepidermal water loss (TEWL). The aim of the present study was to characterize the skin barrier restoration in the dog following mechanical disruption and to analyse the correlation between the skin barrier recovery and TEWL measurement. Thirty sequential TS were performed on 12 sites on four healthy beagle dogs. The number of TS was chosen to ensure a sufficient barrier disruption with a slow recovery. Skin repair was assessed for 72 h by clinical and histological examinations, and TEWL measurements. The results showed that performing 30 TS was adequate to disrupt the skin barrier in the dog. The homeostatic repair response, initiated in the skin, was rapid and characterized by complete restoration of the SC within 72 h, accompanied by greater basal cell proliferation, and dermal eosinophilic inflammation. TEWL was significantly increased by complete removal of the SC but recovered along with restoration of the SC (Scheffe test, P ≤ 0.05). Characterization of a canine model of barrier disruption and restoration and assessment of the skin barrier function by TEWL measurements could help better understand the events implied in skin barrier function. Development of this canine model is also necessary for future studies on the effects of treatments aimed at restoring the skin barrier.
Mediastinal staging of non‐small‐cell lung cancer among Australasian thoracic physicians: clinical practice and constraints on minimally invasive techniques
Authors: Dabscheck E. J. , Steinfort D. P. , Irving L. B. , Hew M. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackground/Aim:  We determined current practice among Australasian thoracic physicians in the mediastinal staging of non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We focused on the availability of endobronchial ultrasound‐transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS‐TBNA) and constraints to its use, as there has been no systematic analysis regarding the availability and uptake of this new technology among thoracic physicians.Methods:  Physician members of the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand were emailed a survey seeking their current approach to three scenarios requiring mediastinal staging of NSCLC. Respondents were also asked for their preferred investigation for each scenario if any current constraints were removed. Relevant demographic information was sought.Results:  We received 164 responses from 512 Australasian physicians (34%). Without constraints, EBUS‐TBNA was the preferred investigation for all three clinical scenarios, but only 33% of respondents had access to EBUS‐TBNA. Constraints included lack of availability and lack of expertise. Reduced EBUS‐TBNA access was associated with a number of clinician factors.Conclusions:  Australasian thoracic physicians prefer EBUS‐TBNA for the mediastinal staging of NSCLC, but access to EBUS‐TBNA services is limited. We recommend targeted measures to improve access to EBUS‐TBNA use and optimise mediastinal staging of NSCLC.
The selective use of splenic flexure mobilization is safe in both laparoscopic and open anterior resections
Authors: Marsden M. R. , Conti J. A. , Zeidan S. , Flashman K. G. , Khan J. S. , O’Leary D. P. , Parvaiz A. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractAim  Splenic flexure mobilization (SFM) is standard practice in anterior resections. No previous studies have compared outcomes with and without SFM in laparoscopic and open colorectal cancer surgery. This study aimed to determine whether routine or selective SFM should be advised.Method  Data were collected prospectively on all elective anterior resections for cancer in our unit between October 2006 and November 2009.Results  Of 263 resections, SFM data were recorded in 216; 138 were laparoscopic (32% with SFM, 3.6% converted) and 78 open (68% with SFM). Eighty‐eight were low anterior resections (LARs) for mid‐low rectal cancers, with 54 laparoscopic (50% with SFM) and 34 open (91% with SFM). Comparing laparoscopic with SFM to without, differences were found in the proportion of LARs (61%vs 29%, P < 0.001), defunctioning ileostomy rates (75%vs 46%, P = 0.001) and operative time (median 255 vs 185 min, P < 0.001), with no differences in age, gender, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiology score, preoperative treatment, length of stay, lymph node yield, conversion rate, mortality, anastomotic leakage, reoperation, readmission and R0 resection. No differences in outcomes were seen between laparoscopic LARs with and without SFM or between open resections with and without SFM.Conclusion  Our results show no disadvantage in short‐term clinical or oncological outcomes when SFM was avoided. Laparoscopic anterior resections with SFM take longer. A selective approach to SFM is safe during anterior resection (open or laparoscopic), including mid‐low rectal cancers.
Why the Distilled Spirits Industry Council of Australia is not a credible partner for the Australian government in making alcohol policy
Authors: MUNRO GEOFFREY 
Published: December 2011

AbstractIn 2008 the Australian government increased the excise rate on ready‐to‐drink premixed spirits or ‘alcopops’ by 70% to reduce their attraction to young people. A campaign against the decision was led by the Distilled Spirits Industry Council of Australia, whose members include representatives of the world's largest spirits producers and which aspires to partner the government in making alcohol policy. Distilled Spirits Industry Council of Australia's central thesis appeared to lack substance and sincerity: first, it promoted industry data that were evidently premature and misleading; second, it claimed ready‐to‐drinks were a safer alternative to the consumption of full‐strength spirits because spirits pose a threat to drinkers due to their higher alcoholic content. For spirits producers to concede that drinking spirits is generically hazardous may be unprecedented and contradicts the spirits industry's long‐standing opposition to the introduction of health warnings on product labels. Although that admission did not survive the resolution of the case, the effect may be profound, as it might justify the demand for greater control of the labelling and marketing of spirits, and reduce the credibility of spirits producers, and the broader alcohol industry, on matters of policy.[Munro G. Why the Distilled Spirits Industry Council of Australia is not a credible partner for the Australian government in making alcohol policy. Drug Alcohol Rev 2012;31:365–369]
Trade, Technology and the Labour Market: The Case of South Africa*
Authors: Fedderke Johannes , Shin Yongcheol , Vaze Prabhat 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThis study advances previous work on the effects of trade and technological change on labour markets within the framework of Heckscher–Ohlin trade theory. We provide evidence for an unskilled labour abundant developing country by employing dynamic heterogeneous panel estimation techniques. For South African manufacturing, trade‐mandated increases in earnings are positive for labour and negative for capital whilst technology‐mandated increases are negative for both factors. We also find it important to take account of endogeneity issues in analysing the impact of technology and price changes on factor returns and in isolating factor‐ and sector‐bias of technological changes.
Identification of infants with major cognitive delay using parental report
Authors: MARTIN ANDREW J , DARLOW BRIAN A , SALT ALISON , HAGUE WENDY , SEBASTIAN LUCILLE , MANN KRISTY , TARNOW‐MORDI WILLIAM ,   ON BEHALF OF THE INIS TRIAL COLLABORATIVE GROUP
Published: December 2011

Aim  The collection of data on longer‐term neurodevelopmental outcomes within large neonatal randomized controlled trials by trained assessors can greatly increase costs and present many operational difficulties. The aim of this study was to develop a more practical alternative for identifying major cognitive delay in infants at the age of 24 months, based on parental reports.Method  A sample of 476 infants (206 female, 270 male) previously diagnosed with neonatal sepsis (mean birthweight 1329g [SD 865g], mean gestational age at birth 28.7wks [SD 4.5wks]) from the International Neonatal Immunotherapy Study were assessed using the Parent Report of Children’s Abilities – Revised and the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, 2nd edition. Logistic regression was used to model the association between the risk of major cognitive delay (i.e. Bayley Scales of Infant Development Mental Development Index <55) and the Parent Report of Children’s Abilities – Revised data.Results  The receiver operating characteristic curves for a number of predictive models were constructed – each achieved an area under the curve of at least 90%. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of a number of points on the receiver operating characteristic curves are presented.Interpretation  The Parent Report of Children’s Abilities – Revised is a practical tool for identifying major cognitive delay in infants at 24 months.
Prediction of cognitive abilities at the age of 5 years using developmental follow‐up assessments at the age of 2 and 3 years in very preterm children
Authors: POTHARST EVA S , HOUTZAGER BREGJE A , van SONDEREN LOEKIE , TAMMINGA PIETER , KOK JOKE H , LAST BOB F , van WASSENAER ALEID G 
Published: December 2011

Aim  This study investigated prediction of separate cognitive abilities at the age of 5 years by cognitive development at the ages of both 2 and 3 years, and the agreement between these measurements, in very preterm children.Methods  Preterm children (n=102; 44 males; 58 females) with a gestational age less than 30 weeks and/or birthweight less than 1000g were assessed at the ages of 2 and 3 years using the second edition of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, the Child Behaviour Checklist, and a neurological examination, and at the age of 5 years using the third edition of the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence.Results  Cognitive development at ages 2 and 3 years explained 44% and 57% respectively of full‐scale intelligence at the age of 5 years. Adding psychomotor, neurological, and behavioural outcomes to the regression model could not or only marginally improve the prediction; adding perinatal and sociodemographic characteristics to the regression model increased the explained variance to 57% and 64% respectively. These percentages were comparable for verbal intelligence. Processing speed quotient and especially performance intelligence were predicted less accurately.Interpretation  Not all aspects of intelligence are predicted sufficiently by the Mental Development Index at ages 2 and 3 years. Follow‐up of very preterm children until at least the age of 5 years is needed to distinguish between different aspects of cognitive development.
Strategic adaptation to new electoral systems
Authors: SELB PETER 
Published: December 2011

AbstractHow quickly, to what extent and under what conditions do voters and elites adapt to new electoral institutions in order to not waste their votes and effort on hopeless competitors? A latent‐curve model of strategic adaptation is developed and fitted to district‐level election data from Spain. The extent of strategic adaptation is generally found to vary with the strength of the electoral system. However, grave ethnic tensions are demonstrated to seriously retard adaptation even under favourable institutional conditions.
A New Bioreactor Adapts to Materials State and Builds a Growth Model for Vascular Tissue Engineering
Authors: Couet Frédéric , Mantovani Diego 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBioreactors are a promising enabling technology for vascular tissue engineering. Beyond their value for the scale‐up and manufacturing of tissue‐engineered blood vessels, bioreactors represent a potential path toward the understanding of the regeneration process of tissues in vitro, toward the development of mathematical models for growth and remodeling in tissue engineering, and toward the study of pathological conditions. To achieve these promises, bioreactors must overcome the paradigm of a black box for the growth of tissues and become a tool for the study of growth in tissue engineering. An advanced control strategy was developed to study and maximize growth in bioreactors. The aim of this paper is to validate experimentally the ability of this controller to build knowledge during the culture of a tissue‐engineered blood vessel. During the experiments, the controller proposed linear regression models, therefore making hypotheses on the parameters that influence growth; then, it chose experiments to refine these models, therefore verifying these hypotheses. These results show that tissue maturation in bioreactors can become more efficient by acquiring information about the process, and by dynamically adapting culture conditions according to this information input.
An Experimental, Simplified Method for Intradialytic Cardiac Output Measurement
Authors: Cordtz Joakim , Sternby Jan 
Published: December 2011

AbstractHypotension during hemodialysis (HD) is a frequent and troublesome treatment complication. A decrease in the cardiac output (CO) due to an imbalance in the rates of fluid ultrafiltration vs. tissue reabsorption is a major cause of such episodes; thus, routine repeated measurements of CO during HD sessions could be of use in preventing its occurrence. We tested an experimental method (EXP) for measuring CO during HD using hardware already supplied with current Gambro dialysis machines. In 12 HD patients, CO was measured twice during dialysis by injecting a small (2 mL) bolus of highly concentrated saline into the patient's bloodstream and measuring the subsequent increase in dialysate conductivity using the Diascan technology. CO was calculated with the Stewart–Hamilton method using the area under the conductivity curve, measured dialysate flow rate, and dialyzer clearance. Compared with ultrasound hemodilution measurements, the EXP showed no bias and limits of agreement of ±34.6%. The intradialytic trend correlated well between the two methods (r2 = 0.63, concordance rate 100%). We propose that with further development and refining, reliable measurements of CO could be performed easily during routine HD treatment using this new methodology.
Transfusion of older stored blood and risk of death: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Wang Dong , Sun Junfeng , Solomon Steven B. , Klein Harvey G. , Natanson Charles 
Published: December 2011

BACKGROUND: Blood for transfusion is stored for up to 42 days. Older blood develops lesions and accumulates potentially injurious substances. Some studies report increasing toxicity as blood ages. We assessed the safety of transfused older versus newer stored blood.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: PubMed, Scopus, and Embase were searched using terms new and old and red blood cell and storage through May 6, 2011, for observational and randomized controlled studies comparing outcomes using transfused blood having longer and shorter storage times. Death was the outcome of interest.RESULTS: Twenty‐one studies were identified, predominantly in cardiac surgery (n = 6) and trauma (n = 6) patients, including 409,966 patients. A test for heterogeneity of these studies' results was not significant for mortality (I2 = 3.7%, p = 0.41). Older blood was associated with a significantly increased risk of death (odds ratio, 1.16; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07‐1.24). Using available mortality data, 97 (95% CI, 63‐199) patients need to be treated with only new blood to save one life. Subgroup analysis of these trials indicated that the increased risk was not restricted to a particular type of patient, size of trial, or amount of blood transfused.CONCLUSION: Based on available data, use of older stored blood is associated with a significantly increased risk of death.
Right here, right now: the impact of the blood donation context on anxiety, attitudes, subjective norms, self‐efficacy, and intention to donate blood
Authors: Clowes Rebekah , Masser Barbara M. 
Published: December 2011

BACKGROUND: While research has established the role of anticipated emotions in augmented Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) models of donor behavior, research has yet to consider the impact of immediate emotions that may be triggered by the blood donor context on respondents' intentions to donate blood. This study explored the impact of blood donor paraphernalia on respondents' positivity toward blood donation and on the interrelationships typically observed in TPB blood donation studies.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Seventy‐six participants were randomly allocated to complete TPB questionnaires assessing attitudes, subjective norm, and self‐efficacy along with intention to donate blood in either an affectively “hot” (blood donation paraphernalia) or a cold (control) condition. Anxiety about donating blood was also assessed.RESULTS: Respondents in the affectively hot condition reported significantly greater anxiety about donating blood along with less positive attitudes, weaker subjective norms, lower self‐efficacy, and lower intention to donate than respondents in the cold control condition. In support of extant TPB research, correlational analyses indicated that the relationships between attitudes, self‐efficacy, and intention were not impacted upon by condition.CONCLUSION: Blood donation paraphernalia induces anxiety in donors and results in diminished positivity toward donating. An awareness of what donors experience as a function of the context of blood donation may allow blood services to effectively intervene to bolster donors' positivity toward blood donation at the point where donation can take place.