bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Risk factors for postoperative infectious complications after hepatectomy
Authors: Uchiyama Kazuhisa , Ueno Masaki , Ozawa Satoru , Kiriyama Shigehisa , Kawai Manabu , Hirono Seiko , Tani Masaji , Yamaue Hiroki 
Published: July 2010

AbstractBackground/purposeThis study aimed to clarify the incidence of surgical site infections (SSIs) after hepatectomy.MethodsThe database records of three hundred and eight patients who underwent elective surgical treatment for hepatolithiasis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and metastatic carcinoma were retrospectively analyzed to determine the occurrence of postoperative infectious complications. The incidences of SSIs, classified as superficial or deep incisional SSIs and organ or space SSIs, and all other infectious complications within 30 days after hepatectomy were evaluated.ResultsThe incidences of SSIs after a hepatectomy for hepatolithiasis (23.8%) were higher than those after a hepatectomy for HCC (11.3%) (p = 0.034) and after a hepatectomy for metastatic carcinoma (2.7%) (p < 0.001), and the incidence of SSIs after a hepatectomy for HCC was higher than that after a hepatectomy for metastatic carcinoma (p = 0.028). However, there was no significant difference in the incidence of remote site infections between the three groups. The incidence of superficial or deep incisional SSIs after a hepatectomy for hepatolithiasis (11.9%) was higher than that after a hepatectomy for metastatic carcinoma (1.4%) (p < 0.001) and the incidence of superficial or deep incisional SSIs after a hepatectomy for HCC (7.8%) was higher than that after a hepatectomy for metastatic carcinoma (1.4%) (p = 0.050). There was a significant difference in the incidence of space/organ SSIs between the patients with hepatolithiasis (11.9%) and HCC patients (3.6%) (p = 0.029), and between the patients with hepatolithiasis and metastatic carcinoma patients (1.4%) (p < 0.001). The rate of positive bile culture was 36.2% in all patients in this study, and the rates were 83.3, 7.8, and 10.0% for patients with hepatolithiasis, HCC, and metastatic carcinoma, respectively. A significantly higher (p < 0.001) positive bile culture rate was observed in patients with hepatolithiasis as compared with HCC or metastatic carcinoma patients.ConclusionsOur study suggests the existence of a relationship between postoperative SSIs and bile infection, thus supporting the proposed relationship between post‐hepatectomy infection and such variables as liver function, blood sugar control, and nutritional status.
Minimally invasive (laparoscopic and robot‐assisted) approach for solid pseudopapillary tumor of the distal pancreas: a single‐center experience
Authors: Kang Chang Moo , Choi Sung Hoon , Hwang Ho Kyoung , Lee Woo Jung , Chi Hoon Sang 
Published: July 2010

AbstractBackground/purposeA single‐institutional experiences of solid pseudopapillary tumor (SPT) in the distal pancreas were retrospectively reviewed with special reference to a minimally invasive approach.MethodsThirty‐five patients with SPT of the distal pancreas treated during the past 20 years were retrospectively evaluated. We divided the patients into 2 groups based on the surgical approach: the laparoscopic/robot‐assisted surgery (LR) group and the conventional open surgery (O) group. We reviewed the chronological changes and characteristics of SPT. A comparative analysis of the two groups (LR vs. O) was conducted in terms of perioperative surgical outcomes.ResultsThe discovery of relatively small SPTs without symptoms seemed to be increasing (p < 0.05). Eleven of the 35 patients were assigned to the LR group. Ten patients were female and 1 was male, and they had a median age of 32 years (range 24–62 years) and a median tumor size of 3.6 cm (range 1–8.5 cm). Eight patients underwent laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy with or without splenectomy, and the remaining 3 underwent robot‐assisted central pancreatectomy with pancreaticogastrostomy. In the comparative analysis of the LR and O groups, smaller tumor size, earlier oral intake, and shorter hospital stay, without increasing morbidity, were noted in the LR group (p < 0.05).ConclusionsA minimally invasive (laparoscopic/robot‐assisted) approach for SPT of the distal pancreas is thought to be more appropriate than and preferable to conventional open surgery in well‐selected patients.
Fixation of subtrochanteric extending/derotational femoral osteotomies with the Locking Compression Plate in ambulatory neuro-orthopaedic patients
Authors: Haefeli Mathias , Huber Hanspeter , Dierauer Stefan , Ramseier Leonhard E. 
Published: July 2010

Purpose Patients with neuro-orthopaedic disorders often develop hip flexion contractures or rotational hip deformities. Increasing deformities impair the already diminished walking abilities and proximal femoral osteotomies are often performed to maintain/improve walking abilities. Fixation of the osteotomies with condylar plates has been successfully used but does often not allow immediate postoperative full weight bearing. To avoid a substantial postoperative rehabilitation deficit and additional bone loss due to inactivity, a postoperative treatment with full weight bearing is, therefore, wishful. Newer fixed-angled implants with stronger anchoring in osteopenic bone might fit these demands. The objective of this study was to evaluate bone healing and the complication rate after proximal extending and/or derotational femoral osteotomy fixed with 3.5/4.5 Locking Compression Plate (LCP; Synthes®) and postoperative full weight bearing in ambulatory neuro-orthopaedic patients. Methods Fifteen ambulatory neuro-orthopaedic patients (12 cerebral palsy [CP], 1 trisomy 21, 2 hemiparesis) with a mean age of 13.7 years (range 7–22) with hip flexion contractures and/or rotational deformities underwent subtrochanteric ( n = 26) osteotomy between July 2004 and October 2007. All patients were allowed to bear their full weight postoperatively. We investigated the fusion rate, implant failure, and general complication rate until union had occurred. Results Fourteen patients (mean weight 42.0 kg [range 21.8–59]) uneventfully achieved solid fusion. One patient (19 years of age, 73 kg) needed revision surgery due to implant failure with consecutive varus deformity and achieved solid fusion after the second intervention. Besides one superficial wound infection, no other complications occurred. Conclusions Subtrochanteric extending and/or derotational osteotomies fixed with an LCP are a reliable procedure in neuro-orthopaedic patients. Most patients can be treated with early postoperative full weight bearing. However, in heavier patients, possible implant failure must be considered.
Assessing the Extent of Substitution Rate Variation of Retrotransposon Long Terminal Repeat Sequences in Oryza sativa and Oryza glaberrima
Authors: Zuccolo Andrea , Sebastian Aswathy , Yu Yeisoo , Jackson Scott , Rounsley Steve , Billheimer Dean , Wing Rod A. 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
Long Terminal Repeat retrotransposons (LTR-RTs) are a major component of several plant genomes. Important insights into the evolutionary dynamics of these elements in a genome are provided by the comparative study of their insertion times. These can be inferred by the comparison of pairs of LTRs flanking intact LTR-RTs in combination with an estimated substitution rate. Over the past several years, different substitution rates have been proposed for LTRs in crop plants. However, very little is known about the extent of substitution rate variation and the factors contributing to this variation, so the rates currently used are generally considered rough estimators of actual rates. To evaluate the extent of substitution rate variation in LTRs, we identified 70 orthologous LTRs on the short arms of chromosome 3 of both Oryza sativa and Oryza glaberrima, species that diverged ∼0.64 Ma. Since these orthologous sequences were present in a common ancestor prior to species divergence, nucleotide differences identified in comparing these regions must correspond to mutations accumulated post-speciation, thereby giving us the opportunity to study LTR substitution rate variation in different elements across these short arms. As a control, we analyzed a similar amount of non-repeat-related sequences collected near the orthologous LTRs. Our analysis showed that substitution rate variation in LTRs is greater than 5-fold, is positively correlated with G+C content, and tends to increase near centromeric regions. We confirmed that in the vast majority of cases, LTRs mutate faster than their corresponding non-repeat-related neighboring sequences.
Ribosomal protein L7Ae is a subunit of archaeal RNase P
Authors: Cho I-Ming , Lai Lien B. , Susanti Dwi , Mukhopadhyay Biswarup , Gopalan Venkat 
Published: July 2010

To the mounting evidence of nonribosomal functions for ribosomal proteins, we now add L7Ae as a subunit of archaeal RNase P, a ribonucleoprotein (RNP) that catalyzes 5′-maturation of precursor tRNAs (pre-tRNAs). We first demonstrate that L7Ae coelutes with partially purified
Methanococcus maripaludis
(
Mma
) RNase P activity. After establishing in vitro reconstitution of the single RNA with four previously known protein subunits (POP5, RPP21, RPP29, and RPP30), we show that addition of L7Ae to this RNase P complex increases the optimal reaction temperature and
k
cat
/
K

m

(by ∼360-fold) for pre-tRNA cleavage to those observed with partially purified native
Mma
RNase P. We identify in the
Mma
RNase P RNA a putative kink-turn (K-turn), the structural motif recognized by L7Ae. The large stimulatory effect of
Mma
L7Ae on RNase P activity decreases to ≤ 4% of wild type upon mutating either the conserved nucleotides in this K-turn or amino acids in L7Ae shown to be essential for K-turn binding. The critical, multifunctional role of archaeal L7Ae in RNPs acting in tRNA processing (RNase P), RNA modification (H/ACA, C/D snoRNPs), and translation (ribosomes), especially by employing the same RNA-recognition surface, suggests coevolution of various translation-related functions, presumably to facilitate their coordinate regulation.
When the collective acts on its components: economic crisis autocatalytic percolation
Authors: Cantono S , Solomon S 
Published: July 2010

Agent-based models have improved the standards for empirical support and validation criteria in social, biological, cognitive and human sciences. Yet, the inclusion, in these models, of vertical interactions between various aggregation levels remains a challenge. We study analytically, numerically and by simulation the generic consequences of interactions between the collective and its individual components: the appearance of an autocatalytic loop between the dynamics of the collective and its components; the system, which is dominated by a limited number of factors amplified by this collective↔individuals autocatalytic loop; the microscopic features, which are not involved in the autocatalytic loop and are irrelevant at the systemic level; and how the above clarify the interplay between macroscopic predictable features and the ones dependent on random unpredictable individual events.Using the social and market percolation framework, we study the dramatic effects of the collective↔individuals autocatalytic loop on economic crisis propagation:  the percolation transition becomes discontinuous; there are a few relevant regions and regimes corresponding to a quite diverse range of response policy options; there are stability ranges where appropriate policies can help to avoid macroscopic crisis percolation; and  beyond those regions the systemic crisis might become unstoppable.
Relations of serum phosphorus levels to echocardiographic left ventricular mass and incidence of heart failure in the community
Authors: Dhingra Ravi , Gona Philimon , Benjamin Emelia J. , Wang Thomas J. , Aragam Jayashri , D'Agostino Ralph B. , Kannel William B. , Vasan Ramachandran S. 
Published: July 2010

AimsTo evaluate the association of serum phosphorus with cardiac structure/function and incident heart failure.Methods and resultsWe related serum phosphorus to echocardiographic left ventricular (LV) measurements cross‐sectionally, and to incident heart failure prospectively in 3300 participants (mean age 44 years, 51% women) free of heart failure, myocardial infarction, and chronic kidney disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR]<60 mL/min/1.73 m2). Cross‐sectionally, serum phosphorus was related positively to LV mass, internal dimensions, and systolic dysfunction. On follow‐up (mean 17.4 years), 157 individuals developed heart failure. In models adjusting for established risk factors as time‐varying covariates, each mg/dL increment in serum phosphorus was associated with a 1.74‐fold risk of heart failure [95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.17–2.59]. Individuals in the highest serum phosphorus quartile experienced a two‐fold (95% CI 1.28–3.40) risk of heart failure compared with participants in the lowest quartile. These relations were maintained upon additional adjustment for LV mass/dimensions and systolic dysfunction. In analyses restricted to individuals with eGFR >90 mL/min/1.73 m2, no proteinuria and serum phosphorus <4.5 mg/dL, the association of serum phosphorus with heart failure remained robust.ConclusionIn our community‐based sample, higher serum phosphorus was associated with greater LV mass cross‐sectionally, and with an increased risk of heart failure prospectively.
A randomized trial of the effects of exercise training in Chagas cardiomyopathy
Authors: Lima Márcia M.O. , Rocha Manoel Otávio C. , Nunes Maria Carmo P. , Sousa Lidiane , Costa Henrique S. , Alencar Maria Clara N. , Britto Raquel R. , Ribeiro Antonio Luiz P. 
Published: July 2010

AimsThe effects of exercise training in chronic heart failure are well established, however, they have not been evaluated in Chagas cardiomyopathy (ChC). We sought to determine the effects of exercise training on functional capacity, health‐related quality of life (HQoL), and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in patients with ChC.Methods and resultsThis randomized, controlled, single‐blind trial included 40 patients with ChC (age 49.5 ± 7.8 years, 57.5% male) who did not practice regular exercise. All patients were assessed, at baseline and at the end of the study, by exercise test (VO2 and exercise time), six‐minute walk test (6MWT), Goldman Specific Activity Scale (SAS), HQoL, and BNP levels. Patients were randomized to inactive control group (ICG = 19) or exercise training group (ETG = 21). Exercise training group patients underwent 12 weeks of exercise training: walking for up to 30 min (intensity 50–70% HR reserve + HR at rest) and warm‐up and cooling‐down exercising, three times a week. The data were analysed for delta values (Δ= end − baseline). After intervention, compared with the ICG, the ETG had significant increases in functional parameters including, ΔVO2 (6.5 vs. 2.8 mL/kg/min, P = 0.001), Δ exercise time (2.9 vs.1.1 min, P < 0.001), Δ6MWT distance (83.5 vs. 2.0 m, P = 0.001) improved ΔSAS (8 vs. 1 patient, P = 0.008), and HQoL: Δ domains vitality (7.5 vs. 0 points, P = 0.013), Δ emotional aspects (16.7 vs. 0 points, P = 0.012), and Δ mental health (16.1 vs. 0 points, P = 0.031). There was no difference in BNP levels.ConclusionIn patients with ChC, exercise training was associated with a major improvement in functional capacity and HQoL without any adverse effects.
The bHLH Transcription Factor POPEYE Regulates Response to Iron Deficiency inArabidopsisRoots
Authors: Long Terri A. , Tsukagoshi Hironaka , Busch Wolfgang , Lahner Brett , Salt David E. , Benfey Philip N. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractGlobal population increases and climate change underscore the need for better comprehension of how plants acquire and process nutrients such as iron. Using cell type–specific transcriptional profiling, we identified a pericycle-specific iron deficiency response and a bHLH transcription factor, POPEYE (PYE), that may play an important role in this response. Functional analysis of PYE suggests that it positively regulates growth and development under iron-deficient conditions. Chromatin immunoprecipitation-on-chip analysis and transcriptional profiling reveal that PYE helps maintain iron homeostasis by regulating the expression of known iron homeostasis genes and other genes involved in transcription, development, and stress response. PYE interacts with PYE homologs, including IAA–Leu Resistant3 (ILR3), another bHLH transcription factor that is involved in metal ion homeostasis. Moreover, ILR3 interacts with a third protein, BRUTUS (BTS), a putative E3 ligase protein, with metal ion binding and DNA binding domains, which negatively regulates the response to iron deficiency. PYE and BTS expression is also tightly coregulated. We propose that interactions among PYE, PYE homologs, and BTS are important for maintaining iron homeostasis under low iron conditions.
Identification of Novel Methane-, Ethane-, and Propane-Oxidizing Bacteria at Marine Hydrocarbon Seeps by Stable Isotope Probing
Authors: Redmond Molly C. , Valentine David L. , Sessions Alex L. 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACT

Marine hydrocarbon seeps supply oil and gas to microorganisms in sediments and overlying water. We used stable isotope probing (SIP) to identify aerobic bacteria oxidizing gaseous hydrocarbons in surface sediment from the Coal Oil Point seep field located offshore of Santa Barbara, California. After incubating sediment with
13
C-labeled methane, ethane, or propane, we confirmed the incorporation of
13
C into fatty acids and DNA. Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis and sequencing of the 16S rRNA and particulate methane monooxygenase (
pmoA
) genes in
13
C-DNA revealed groups of microbes not previously thought to contribute to methane, ethane, or propane oxidation. First,
13
C methane was primarily assimilated by
Gammaproteobacteria
species from the family
Methylococcaceae
,
Gammaproteobacteria
related to
Methylophaga
, and
Betaproteobacteria
from the family
Methylophilaceae
. Species of the latter two genera have not been previously shown to oxidize methane and may have been cross-feeding on methanol, but species of both genera were heavily labeled after just 3 days.
pmoA
sequences were affiliated with species of
Methylococcaceae
, but most were not closely related to cultured methanotrophs. Second,
13
C ethane was consumed by members of a novel group of
Methylococcaceae
. Growth with ethane as the major carbon source has not previously been observed in members of the
Methylococcaceae
; a highly divergent
pmoA
-like gene detected in the
13
C-labeled DNA may encode an ethane monooxygenase. Third,
13
C propane was consumed by members of a group of unclassified
Gammaproteobacteria
species not previously linked to propane oxidation. This study identifies several bacterial lineages as participants in the oxidation of gaseous hydrocarbons in marine seeps and supports the idea of an alternate function for some
pmoA
-like genes.
The Chitinolytic Activity ofListeria monocytogenesEGD Is Regulated by Carbohydrates but Also by the Virulence Regulator PrfA
Authors: Larsen M. H. , Leisner J. J. , Ingmer H. 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACTChitin, an insoluble polymer ofN-acetyl-d-glucosamine (GlcNAc), is one of the most abundant carbohydrate polymers in marine and terrestrial environments. Chitin hydrolysis byListeria monocytogenesdepends on two chitinase-encoding genes,chiAandchiB, and the aim of this study was to investigate their regulation. Chitin induces the expression of both chitinases in late exponential growth phase, andchiAbut notchiBis furthermore induced by the monomer GlcNAc. Furthermore, their expression is subjected to catabolite control. Chitinases expressed by bacterial pathogens have proven to be important not only for nutrient acquisition and environmental survival but also for infecting animals and humans. Interestingly, the centralL. monocytogenesvirulence gene regulator, PrfA, is required for the chitinolytic phenotype, as chitinase activity was significantly reduced inprfAmutant cells compared to its level in wild-type cells. In agreement with this, Northern blot analysis showed that the amounts ofchiAandchiBtranscripts upon induction by chitin were significantly lower in theprfAmutant than in the wild type. The chitinolytic activity andchiAandchiBexpression were reduced in the absence of thesigBgene, indicating that σBis also important for the production of chitinases. ThechiA,chiB, andchiA chiBmutants were not impaired forin vitroadhesion and invasion in epithelial cell lines, but thechiA chiBdouble mutant showed less survival ability in a chitin-enriched medium. The regulation of chitinolytic activity inL. monocytogenesis complex, and taken together, the results indicate that the biological role of this activity may not be limited to the external environment.
Interaction of
Mycobacterium ulcerans
with Mosquito Species: Implications for Transmission and Trophic Relationships
Authors: Wallace John R. , Gordon Matthew C. , Hartsell Lindsey , Mosi Lydia , Benbow M. Eric , Merritt Richard W. , Small Pamela L. C. 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACT

Mycobacterium ulcerans
is the causative agent of Buruli ulcer, a severe necrotizing skin disease that causes significant morbidity in Africa and Australia. Person-to-person transmission of Buruli ulcer is rare. Throughout Africa and Australia infection is associated with residence near slow-moving or stagnant water bodies. Although
M. ulcerans
DNA has been detected in over 30 taxa of invertebrates, fish, water filtrate, and plant materials and one environmental isolate cultured from a water strider (Gerridae), the invertebrate taxa identified are not adapted to feed on humans, and the mode of transmission for Buruli ulcer remains an enigma. Recent epidemiological reports from Australia describing the presence of
M. ulcerans
DNA in adult mosquitoes have led to the hypothesis that mosquitoes play an important role in the transmission of
M. ulcerans.
In this study we have investigated the potential of mosquitoes to serve as biological or mechanical vectors or as environmental reservoirs for
M. ulcerans
. Here we show that
Aedes aegypti
,
A. albopictus
,
Ochlerotatus triseriatus
, and
Culex restuans
larvae readily ingest wild-type
M. ulcerans
, isogenic toxin-negative mutants, and
Mycobacterium marinum
isolates and remain infected throughout larval development. However, the infections are not carried over into the pupae or adult mosquitoes, suggesting an unlikely role for mosquitoes as biological vectors. By following
M. ulcerans
through a food chain consisting of primary (mosquito larvae), secondary (predatory mosquito larva from
Toxorhynchites rutilus septentrionalis
), and tertiary (
Belostoma
species) consumers, we have shown that
M. ulcerans
can be productively maintained in an aquatic food web.