bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Problems and Outcome of Hirschsprung’s Disease Presenting after 1 Year of Age in a Developing Country
Authors: Ekenze S. O. , Ngaikedi C. , Obasi A. A. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractBackgroundThe purpose of the present study was to evaluate the problems, treatment outcome, and contributory factors to delayed presentation in Hirschsprung’s disease (HD) after 1 year of age in a resource‐limited setting.MethodsThis retrospective study included 41 children aged >1 year with HD managed at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, in south eastern Nigeria, between January 2000 and June 2009.ResultsComplications of HD were evident at presentation in 38 (92.7%) of the 41 children. Late presentation was due to delayed referral in 27 cases (65.9%), parental ignorance in 11 (26.8%), and poverty in 3 (7.3%). The HD was rectosigmoid in 33 patients (80.5%) and was of ultra‐short length variety in 8 patients (19.5%). Thirty‐five patients (85.4%) required colostomy for decompression, and colostomy‐related complications occurred in 24 of them (68.6%). The definitive surgical procedure was a Swenson pullthrough in 34 cases (82.9%) and posterior myectomy in 7 others (17.1%). Twenty patients (48.8%) experienced at least one postoperative complication. After follow‐up of 7–64 months (mean: 31 months), 31 (75.6%) patients had a good outcome, 6 (14.6%) had persistent constipation, 3 had (7.3%) incontinence, and one child (2.4%) died from overwhelming infection.ConclusionsHirschprung’s disease presenting after 1 year of age may be associated with high colostomy rates and increased morbidity. Continued dissemination of updated information on HD to medical practitioners and a public awareness campaign may improve time to diagnosis.
Micellar and Surface Properties of Some Monomeric Surfactants and a Gemini Cationic Surfactant
Authors: Verma Santosh Kumar , Ghosh Kallol K. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractThe physicochemical and interfacial properties of the monomeric surfactants cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), cetyltriphenyl phosphonium bromide (CTPB), tetradecyl triphenyl phosphonium bromide (TTPB), cetyldiethylethanol ammonium bromide (CDEEAB), cetyltrimethyl ammonium chloride (CTACl), tetradecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (TTAB), and a gemini surfactant (C16‐3‐C16, 2Br−) at different pH (3.1, 7.0, and 7.75) have been investigated by conductivity and surface tension measurements at 300 K. The critical micellar concentration (CMC), degree of micellar ionization (α), surface excess concentration (Гmax), minimum surface area per molecule of surfactant (Amin), Gibbs free energy of micellization (∆Gm0), surface pressure at the CMC (πCMC), and the Gibbs energy of adsorption (∆Gads0) of the monomeric surfactants have also been determined. The CMC, α and Гmax, increase with increasing pH whereas Amin decreases.
Cachexia as a major underestimated and unmet medical need: facts and numbers
Authors: von Haehling Stephan , Anker Stefan D. 
Published: October 2010

Cachexia is a serious, however underestimated and underrecognised medical consequence of malignant cancer, chronic heart failure (CHF), chronic kidney disease (CKD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, infectious diseases, and many other chronic illnesses. The prevalence of cachexia is high, ranging from 5% to 15% in CHF or COPD to 60% to 80% in advanced cancer. By population prevalence, the most frequent cachexia subtypes are in order: COPD cachexia, cardiac cachexia (in CHF), cancer cachexia, and CKD cachexia. In industrialized countries (North America, Europe, Japan), the overall prevalence of cachexia (due to any disease) is growing and currently about 1%, i.e., about nine million patients. The relative prevalence of cachexia is somewhat less in Asia, but is a growing problem there as well. In absolute terms, cachexia is, in Asia (due to the larger population), as least as big a problem as in the Western world. Cachexia is also a big medical problem in South America and Africa, but data are scarce. A consensus statement recently proposed to diagnose cachexia in chronic diseases when there is weight loss exceeding 5% within the previous 3–12 months combined with symptoms characteristic for cachexia (e.g., fatigue), loss of skeletal muscle and biochemical abnormalities (e.g., anemia or inflammation). Treatment approaches using anabolics, anti‐catabolic therapies, appetite stimulants, and nutritional interventions are under development. A more thorough understanding of the pathophysiology of cachexia development and progression is needed that likely will lead to combination therapies being developed. These efforts are greatly needed as presence of cachexia is always associated with high‐mortality and poor‐symptom status and dismal quality of life. It is thought that in cancer, more than 30% of patients die due to cachexia and more than 50% of patients with cancer die with cachexia being present. In other chronic illnesses, one can estimate that up to 30% of patients die with some degree of cachexia being present. Mortality rates of patients with cachexia range from 10% to 15% per year (COPD), to 20% to 30% per year (CHF, CKD) to 80% in cancer.
The effects of a high‐caloric protein‐rich oral nutritional supplement in patients with chronic heart failure and cachexia on quality of life, body composition, and inflammation markers: a randomized, double‐blind pilot study
Authors: Rozentryt Piotr , von Haehling Stephan , Lainscak Mitja , Nowak Jolanta U. , Kalantar-Zadeh Kamyar , Polonski Lech , Anker Stefan D. 
Published: October 2010

The prevalence of cardiac cachexia in chronic heart failure is approximately 5% to 15% and 18‐month mortality rates can reach 50%. Treatment with angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors and beta‐blockers may confer some benefit but no proven therapy exists. We tested the effects of an oral nutritional supplement in cachectic patients with heart failure. This was a prospective, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled pilot study which randomized 29 patients to a high‐caloric (600 kcal) high‐protein (20 g) oral nutritional supplement or placebo for a duration of 6 weeks in addition to the patients’ usual food intake. At baseline, 6 weeks, and 18 weeks, we measured body weight, quality of life, body composition, heart function, laboratory parameters, and exercise performance. Edema‐free body weight increased in 19 of 20 patients receiving intervention at 6 weeks and in 17 of 19 patients at 18 weeks with an average weight gain of 2.0 ± 1.7 kg (3.1 ± 2.4%, p = 0.0001) and 2.3 ± 3.1 kg (3.6 ± 4.7%, p = 0.007) at 6 and 18 weeks, respectively. Most of the weight gain was fat tissue with an absolute gain of 1.5 ± 1.7 kg (p = 0.003) and 1.6 ± 2.7 kg (p = 0.008). A significant improvement in quality of life and decrease in serum levels of tumor necrosis factor‐α were observed (p < 0.05 for both). We demonstrated the feasibility of oral nutritional supplement in cachectic patients with heart failure and significant clinical benefit in terms of body size and body composition, laboratory parameters, and quality of life (www.clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT00654719).
Business model innovation and sources of value creation in low‐income markets
Authors: Sánchez Pablo , Ricart Joan E. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractWe explore different business ventures in low‐income markets in order to understand the factors influencing business model innovation in this context. Grounded in the rich data obtained from multiple case study analyses and in the received theory in strategy in low‐income markets and business models, we identified a set of contingency factors that permitted us to distinguish between isolated and interactive business models.Isolated business modelswiden its entrance into new markets by leveraging firm's current resources and capabilities for taking advantage of existing opportunities.Interactive business modelsrequire a firm to combine, integrate and leverage both internal resources with ecosystem's capabilities to create new business opportunities. Finally, we discuss the main implications on value creation from these business models.
Chronic fatigue is associated with impaired health‐related quality of life in inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Jelsness‐Jørgensen L.‐P. , Bernklev T. , Henriksen M. , Torp R. , Moum B. A. 
Published: October 2010

Aliment Pharmacol Ther2011;33:106–114SummaryBackground Fatigue is reported to reduce health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) in chronic diseases. Studies on the importance of fatigue and its implications for the patient’s HRQOL in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remain scarce and need to be explored.Aim To investigate the influence of chronic fatigue on both generic and disease‐specific HRQOL in IBD.Methods Patients in remission, with mild and moderate IBD completed the Fatigue Questionnaire, the Short‐Form 36 (SF‐36) and the Norwegian version of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (N‐IBDQ). In addition, demographic and clinical variables were obtained.Results In total, 140 patients were included; the mean age of patients with chronic fatigue was 44.2 years (s.d. = 15.8), that of nonfatigued was 44.7 years (s.d. = 16.0). Ulcerative colitis (UC)/Crohn’s disease (CD) = 92/48. Chronic fatigue was associated, after controlling for covariates, with a reduction of HRQOL scores in 6/8 SF‐36 dimensions in UC and 5/8 dimensions in CD. In N‐IBDQ, chronic fatigue was associated with a reduction of HRQOL in four subdimensions and total score in CD and all dimensions in UC.Conclusions Fatigue is associated with reduction of HRQOL scores in IBD. The physical HRQOL domains are particularly affected. The impact of fatigue on disability, sick leave, school and work attendance has to be studied further.
Emerging sex allocation research in mammals: marsupials and the pouch advantage
Authors: ROBERT Kylie A. , SCHWANZ Lisa E. 
Published: October 2010

ABSTRACT

Adaptive adjustments in offspring sex ratios in mammals have long been reported, but the conditions and mechanisms that prompt shifts in the proportion of sons and daughters born are still unclear.
Empirical evidence indicates that offspring sex in mammals can be related to a diversity of environmental and maternal traits. However, the underlying assumptions regarding offspring and maternal fitness are rarely tested.
Physiological mechanisms of maternal selection of offspring sex may occur at many stages during the prolonged maternal investment stage, and a pluralistic approach to studying mechanisms might prove fruitful.
This review highlights the apparent frequency, in marsupial mammals, of sex ratio bias, which has largely been recorded as conforming to one of a few hypotheses.
Marsupials are ideally suited to experiments involving cross‐fostering of offspring, which can allow rigorous tests of the fitness consequences of rearing one sex vs. the other. The reproductive biology of marsupials lends the group to detailed studies of the timing and physiological correlates of offspring sex biases.
Many components of metatherian biology may prove advantageous in experimental studies of sex allocation in mammals, and together may provide a prosperous avenue for examining adaptive and mechanistic hypotheses in mammalian sex allocation.
Duration of breast feeding and language ability in middle childhood
Authors: Whitehouse Andrew J. O. , Robinson Monique , Li Jianghong , Oddy Wendy H. 
Published: October 2010

SummaryWhitehouse AJO, Robinson M, Li J, Oddy WH. Duration of Breast feeding and language ability in middle childhood. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology 2010.There is controversy over whether increased breast‐feeding duration has long‐term benefits for language development. The current study examined whether the positive associations of breast feeding on language ability at age 5 years in the Western Australian Pregnancy (Raine) Cohort, were still present at age 10 years. The Raine Study is a longitudinal study of 2868 liveborn children recruited at approximately 18 weeks gestation. Breast‐feeding data were based upon information prospectively collected during infancy, and were summarised according to four categories of breast‐feeding duration: (1) never breast‐fed, (2) breast‐fed predominantly for <4 months, (3) breast‐fed predominantly for 4–6 months, and (4) breast‐fed predominantly for >6 months. Language ability was assessed in 1195 children at the 10 year follow‐up (mean age = 10.58 years; standard deviation = 0.19) using the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test – Revised (PPVT‐R), which is based around a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 15. Associations between breast‐feeding duration and PPVT‐R scores were assessed before and after adjustment for a range of sociodemographic, obstetric and psychosocial covariates. Analysis of variance revealed a strong positive association between the duration of predominant breast feeding and PPVT‐R at age 10 years. A multivariable linear regression analysis adjusted for covariates and found that children who were predominantly breast‐fed for >6 months had a mean PPVT‐R score that was 4.04 points higher than children who were never breast‐fed. This compared with an increase of 3.56 points at age 5 years. Breast feeding for longer periods in early life has a positive and statistically‐independent effect on language development in middle childhood.
Post‐rift uplift of the Dhofar margin (Gulf of Aden)
Authors: Bache François , Leroy Sylvie , Baurion Céline , Robinet Jérémy , Gorini Christian , Lucazeau Francis , Razin Philippe , d'Acremont Elia , Al‐Toubi Khalfan 
Published: October 2010

Terra Nova, 23, 11–18, 2011AbstractAn investigation into the sedimentation pattern along the Dhofar margin allows us to describe its late‐stage evolution. After the accumulation of a thick post‐rift sedimentary succession, two units characterized by mass transport deposits (MTD) mark a major change in sedimentation. The first MTD occurrence could be the result of a climatic change. The second MTD occurrence is associated with a shift of sedimentation from the slope towards the basin. An uplift phase, characterized by two distinct deformational styles in the eastern and western parts of the Dhofar margin, can be highlighted. Both events occurred very late in the history of the margin, at least 7.6 Ma after the end of the rifting phase (35–17.6 Ma). The evolution of this basin stresses the importance of post‐rift deformation in the Dhofar margin.
The most important contact sensitizers in Polish children and adolescents with atopy and chronic recurrent eczema as detected with the extended European Baseline Series
Authors: Czarnobilska Ewa , Obtulowicz Krystyna , Dyga Wojciech , Spiewak Radoslaw 
Published: October 2010

To cite this article: Czarnobilska E, Obtulowicz K, Dyga W, Spiewak R. The most important contact sensitizers in Polish children and adolescents with atopy and chronic recurrent eczema as detected with the extended European Baseline Series. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2011; 22:252–256.AbstractThe differential diagnostic work‐up of children with chronic eczema should involve patch testing, also in cases with confirmed atopy. In our previous study, contact allergy was detected in every second child with chronic eczema. The aim of the present study was to identify the most important sensitizers in atopic children with eczema. During an allergy screening program, 103 consecutive children aged 7–8 and 93 adolescents aged 16–17 were enrolled. The inclusion criterion was chronic recurrent eczema as detected with the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire and atopy, defined as positive skin prick test to one or more common airborne or food allergens. The children were patch‐tested with the newly extended European Baseline Series (EBS, 28 test substances) supplemented with propolis, thimerosal, benzalkonium chloride, and 2‐phenoxyethanol. In total, 67.0% children and 58.1% adolescents were found patch test positive. Among children, 35.9% reacted to nickel, 16.5% propolis, 11.7% thimerosal, 9.7% cobalt, each 6.8% fragrance mix (FM) I and chromium, and 5.8% to FM II. Among adolescents, 37.6% reacted to thimerosal, 19.4% to nickel, 6.5% to cobalt, and 5.4% to propolis. We demonstrate the advantage of using FM II – a new addition to the EBS that detects a relatively high proportion of contact hypersensitivity among children. An important sensitizer from outside EBS is propolis, which according to the frequency of sensitization occupies rank 2 in children and rank 4 in adolescents. These data show that propolis should be included into routine patch testing in children.
A direct hybridization approach to gene transfer from Aegilops tauschii Coss. to Triticum aestivum L
Authors: Sehgal S. K. , Kaur S. , Gupta S. , Sharma A. , Kaur R. , Bains N. S. 
Published: October 2010

With 2 tables Abstract Aegilops tauschii Coss., the D‐genome donor of bread wheat, represents a rich source of resistance and productivity traits for wheat improvement. In this study, a direct hybridization approach using Ae. tauschii as the female in crosses with Triticum aestivum resulted in about 50 times more F1 plants than the reciprocal cross. In a set of five Ae. tauschii × T. aestivum crosses, an average of 35% of the pollinated florets resulted in embryo formation. Following embryo rescue on artificial medium, an average of 6.8 F1 plants could be obtained for every 100 florets pollinated. Colchicine treatment of the F1 plants greatly enhanced backcross seed formation (14.9 backcross seeds compared to an average of 0.47 seeds per 100 florets for untreated tillers). The efficacy of this gene transfer system was demonstrated by improved cell membrane stability and chlorophyll retention in BC1F4 lines derived from the crosses of three heat‐tolerant accessions of Ae. tauschii with bread wheat cultivar ‘PBW 550’.
Immunohistochemical staining for transcription factor MafB in alveolar macrophages is correlated with spirometric measures of airflow limitation in smokers
Authors: SATO Michiko , SHIBATA Yoko , KIMURA Tomomi , YAMAUCHI Keiko , ABE Shuichi , INOUE Sumito , KISHI Hiroyuki , OIZUMI Hiroyuki , KUBOTA Isao 
Published: October 2010

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  Alveolar macrophages (AM) play an important role in the pathogenesis of COPD, and their numbers are significantly increased in patients with COPD. We previously demonstrated that expression of the transcription factor, MafB, was upregulated in AM of mice exposed to cigarette smoke. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the expression of MafB is associated with the degree of airflow limitation (AFL) in smokers.Methods:  Lung tissue specimens were obtained from male patients undergoing resection of small peripheral lung tumours. The patients were classified into three groups according to smoking index and FEV1/FVC: (i) non‐smokers or non‐heavy ex‐smokers without AFL (FEV1/FVC ≥0.7, smoking index ≤400) (n = 8); (ii) heavy current smokers without AFL (FEV1/FVC ≥0.7, smoking index ≥800) (n = 8); and (iii) heavy current smokers with AFL (FEV1/FVC <0.6, smoking index ≥800) (n = 8). The intensity of immunostaining for MafB in AM was quantified by image analysis.Results:  Immunostaining for MafB was significantly enhanced in AM of smokers with AFL compared with AM of subjects without AFL. Smoking index, FEV1/FVC and FEF25–75% (% predicted) were significantly correlated with the intensity of MafB immunostaining. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that FEV1% was also an independent negative predictor of the intensity of MafB immunostaining.Conclusions:  The degree of immunostaining for MafB in AM was correlated with the degree of AFL in smokers. MafB may be involved in the pathophysiology of COPD.
Management of neovascular glaucoma with transscleral cyclophotocoagulation with diode laser alone versus combination transscleral cyclophotocoagulation with diode laser and intravitreal bevacizumab
Authors: Fong Anthony W , Lee Graham A , O'Rourke Peter , Thomas Ravi 
Published: October 2010

AbstractBackground:  Trans‐scleral cyclophotocoagulation with diode laser has been well documented in the management of neovascular glaucoma. More recently, intravitreal bevacizumab has been increasingly employed to treat neovascular diseases of the eye. This study reports our initial experience with trans‐scleral cyclophotocoagulation alone versus the combination of trans‐scleral cyclophotocoagulation and intravitreal bevacizumab for management of neovascular glaucoma.Design:  Retrospective uncontrolled comparative case seriesParticipants:  A total of 31 eyes of 30 consecutive patients were included – 11 eyes in the trans‐scleral cyclophotocoagulation alone group and 20 in the combination trans‐scleral cyclophotocoagulation and intravitreal bevacizumab group.Methods:  The records of all patients diagnosed with neovascular glaucoma undergoing trans‐scleral cyclophotocoagulation with or without intravitreal bevacizumab performed by a single ophthalmic surgeon in a glaucoma specialist centre were reviewed.Main Outcome Measures:  Data collected included intraocular pressure, anterior segment neovascularisation, best‐corrected visual acuity, use of medications and complications.Results:  Mean reduction in intraocular pressure was 33.5 mmHg in the trans‐scleral cyclophotocoagulation group and 23.7 mmHg in the combination group, a difference of 9.8 mmHg (95% CI −1.5, 21.1). Complications included hypotony in three (27%) eyes in the trans‐scleral cyclophotocoagulation group and two (10%) eyes in the combination group. Three eyes required evisceration.Conclusions:  Trans‐scleral cyclophotocoagulation alone is effective in lowering intraocular pressure in neovascular glaucoma. In this study, the addition of intravitreal bevacizumab to trans‐scleral cyclophotocoagulation did not statistically advantage treatment outcomes.
Primary closure or rhomboid excision and Limberg flap for the management of primary sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease? A meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Horwood J. , Hanratty D. , Chandran P. , Billings P. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractAim  Sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease is a common condition afflicting the young male working and student population, resulting in considerable pain, embarrassment and loss of work days. Controversy surrounds the most appropriate surgical approach to achieve low recurrence rates whilst minimizing morbidity and permitting an early return to work. This study aims to review the published literature comparing excision followed by either primary suture or rhomboid flap repair.Methods  PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE and The Cochrane Library were systematically reviewed, by two independent investigators, for relevant randomized controlled trials. Keywords and MeSH terms included ‘pilonidal disease’, ‘primary suture/repair’, ‘rhomboid flap’ and ‘limberg/modified Limberg flap’. ‘Related study’ function and manuscript bibliographies were searched for further relevant studies. Study quality was assessed using the Jadad score. Meta‐analysis was performed on pooled data, utilizing a random effects model when heterogeneity was high and a fixed effects model when heterogeneity was low. The primary end‐point assessed was disease recurrence. Secondary end‐points included wound dehiscence, pain scores, hospital stay and return to work.Results  Six studies were eventually included for pooled analysis following exclusion of randomized controlled trials with poor methodology. Two studies compared ‘off‐midline’ (Karydakis) primary suture with the Limberg flap repair. Six hundred and forty‐one patients were included (331 flap repairs). Rhomboid flap excision demonstrated a trend towards less disease recurrence (P = 0.07), lower wound infection (P = 0.001) and dehiscence (P = 0.01). However, no significant difference was found for pain scores, hospital stay or return to work.Conclusion  The current published literature supports the use of the rhomboid flap excision and the Limberg flap‐repair procedures over primary midline suture techniques for the elective management of primary pilonidal disease. Further high‐quality studies are necessary to compare flap with off‐midline repairs.