bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predictive Factors for Bile Leakage After Hepatectomy: Analysis of 505 Consecutive Patients
Authors: Yoshioka Ryuji , Saiura Akio , Koga Rintaro , Seki Makoto , Kishi Yoji , Yamamoto Junji 
Published: April 2011

AbstractBackgroundBile leakage is the most common complication after hepatectomy and its incidence is not declining. The aim of the present study was to identify predictive factors for bile leakage.MethodsClinical data from 505 consecutive patients who underwent hepatectomy without extrahepatic bile duct resection in our department between January 2006 and December 2009 were reviewed retrospectively.ResultsThe incidence of bile leakage was found to be 6.7%. Multivariate analysis identified three independent factors that were significantly correlated with the occurrence of bile leakage: (1) repeat hepatectomy (P = 0.002; odds ratio [OR] 3.439; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.552–7.618), (2) a cut surface area ≥57.5 cm2 (P = 0.004; OR 5.296; 95% CI 1.721–16.302), and (3) intraoperative blood loss ≥775 ml (P = 0.01; OR 2.808; 95% CI 1.280–6.160).ConclusionMore meticulous management is needed to prevent bile leakage in high‐risk patients.
Twenty Years of Experience in the Treatment of Spontaneous Aorto‐venous Fistulas in a Developing Country
Authors: Davidovic Lazar , Dragas Marko , Cvetkovic Slobodan , Kostic Dusan , Cinara Ilijas , Banzic Igor 
Published: April 2011

AbstractBackgroundOne of the rare forms of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) rupture is the rupture into great abdominal veins such as the inferior vein cava (IVC), the iliac veins, or the left renal vein, with the formation of direct or indirect aorto‐caval fistula (ACF). The purpose of the present study was to summarize 20 years of experience at a single referral center for vascular surgery in a developing country, and to discuss the clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment options, and outcome of patients with spontaneous aorto‐venous fistulas (AVF) caused by ruptured aortic aneurysms.Materials and methodsRetrospective database review identified 50 patients treated in our institution for aorto‐venous fistulas (AVF) caused by spontaneous AAA rupture in the 20 years 1991–2010. Pulsating abdominal mass and low back pain were the leading symptoms on admission in our patients. Signs of shock, congestive heart failure, or pelvic and lower extremity venous hypertension were present in 48%, 26%, and 75% of the patients, respectively. Diagnosis of AVF was based on physical examination, duplex ultrasonography, conventional angiography, or multislice computed tomography (MSCT). In 40% of the patients the presence of AVF has not been recognized before surgery. All patients were treated with open surgery.ResultsAfter proximal and distal bleeding control the fistula was closed with direct suture (92%) or patch angioplasty (8%). Aortic reconstruction followed with tubular (22%) or bifurcated (78%) synthetic graft. Six (12%) patients died. The causes of death were excessive intraoperative blood loss, myocardial infarction, left colon gangrene and multiple organ failure.ConclusionsSpontaneous AVFs caused by aneurysmal rupture are not uncommon, and they require prompt surgical or endovascular treatment. Routine use of multislice CT in patients with acute aortic syndrome is probably the best way to the correct diagnosis of aorto‐venous fistulas and planning of the optimal treatment.
Religiosity and Adolescent Substance Use in Central Mexico: Exploring the Influence of Internal and External Religiosity on Cigarette and Alcohol Use
Authors: Marsiglia Flavio Francisco , Ayers Stephanie L. , Hoffman Steven 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThis study explores the multidimensional nature of religiosity on substance use among adolescents living in central Mexico. From a social capital perspective, this article investigates how external church attendance and internal religious importance interact to create differential pathways for adolescents, and how these pathways exert both risk and protective influences on Mexican youth. The data come from 506 self‐identified Roman Catholic youth (ages 14–17) living in a semi‐rural area in the central state of Guanajuato, Mexico, and attending alternative secondary schools. Findings indicate that adolescents who have higher church attendance coupled with higher religious importance have lower odds of using alcohol, while cigarette use is lower among adolescents who have lower church attendance and lower religious importance. Adolescents are most at risk using alcohol and cigarettes when church attendance is higher but religious importance is lower. In conclusion, incongruence between internal religious beliefs and external church attendance places Mexican youth at greater risk of alcohol and cigarette use. This study not only contributes to understandings of the impact of religiosity on substance use in Mexico, but highlights the importance of understanding religiosity as a multidimensional phenomenon which can lead to differential substance use patterns.
Preparation of Deoiled Soy Lecithin by Ultrafiltration
Authors: Liu Fangbo , Liu Yuanfa , Liu Xiaojun , Shan Liang , Wang Xingguo 
Published: April 2011

AbstractDeoiling of soy lecithin through ultrafiltration (UF) using an inorganic ceramic membrane was examined in a favorable solvent medium (hexane). Phospholipid (PL) reverse micelles with an average particle size of 9.8 nm were prepared in a 1:3 soy lecithin/hexane system (m/m) with 9% water added at a temperature of 25 °C. Consequently, an inorganic ceramic membrane with a pore size of 5 nm was selected. UF was employed in continuous diafiltration mode at transmembrane pressure (TMP) of 0.25 MPa, and a final deoiled lecithin product with a high acetone insoluble (AI) content of 96.32% was obtained at a yield of around 84%.
Simulating the Effects of Acculturation and Return Migration on the Maternal and Infant Health of Mexican Immigrants in the United States: A Research Note
Authors: Ceballos Miguel 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
A significant body of research on minority health shows that although Latino immigrants experience unexpectedly favorable outcomes in maternal and infant health, this advantage deteriorates with increased time of residence in the United States. This study evaluates the underlying assumptions of two competing hypotheses that explain this paradox. The first hypothesis attributes this deterioration to possible negative effects of acculturation and behavioral adjustments made by immigrants while living in the United States, and the second hypothesis attributes this deterioration to the mechanism of selective return migration. Hypothetical probabilistic models are simulated for assessing the relationship between duration and birth outcomes based on the assumptions of these two hypotheses. The results are compared with the empirical research on the maternal and infant health of first-generation, Mexican-origin immigrant women in the United States. The analysis provides evidence that a curvilinear pattern of duration and birth outcomes can be explained by the joint effects of both acculturation and selective return migration in which the former affects health status over the longer durations, and the latter affects health status at shorter durations.
Estimating the Effect of Smoking on Slowdowns in Mortality Declines in Developed Countries
Authors: Rostron Brian L. , Wilmoth John R. 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
Declines in mortality rates for females at older ages in some developed countries, including the United States, have slowed in recent decades even as decreases have steadily continued in some other countries. This study presents a modified version of the indirect Peto-Lopez method, which uses lung cancer mortality rates as a proxy for smoking exposure, to analyze this trend. The modified method estimates smoking-attributable mortality for more-specific age groups than does the Peto-Lopez method. An adjustment factor is also introduced to account for low mortality in the indirect method’s study population. These modifications are shown to be useful specifically in the estimation of deaths attributable to smoking for females at older ages, and in the estimation of smoking-attributable mortality more generally. In a comparison made between the United States and France with the modified method, smoking is found to be responsible for approximately one-half the difference in life expectancy for females at age 65.
The influence of different excipients and storage procedures on hCG (human Corionic Gonadotropin) as evidenced by spectrophotometry
Authors: Belluscio Daniel Oscar , Vaney Sergio Ariel 
Published: April 2011

AbstractOur studies concluded that changes in either PH, temperature, electrolytes, excipients, alcohol or silver modify the chemical structure of hCG as evidenced by UV-Spectrophotometry.
A CHANDRA ACIS STUDY OF THE YOUNG STAR CLUSTER
TRUMPLER 15 IN CARINA AND CORRELATION WITH NEAR-INFRARED SOURCES
Authors: Wang Junfeng , Feigelson Eric D. , Townsley Leisa K. , Broos Patrick S. , Getman Konstantin V. , Wolk Scott J. , Preibisch Thomas , Stassun Keivan G. , Moffat Anthony F. J. , Garmire Gordon , King Robert R. , McCaughrean Mark J. , Zinnecker Hans 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACT
Using the highest-resolution X-ray observation of the Trumpler 15 star cluster
taken by the Chandra X-ray Observatory, we estimate the total
size of its stellar population by comparing the X-ray luminosity function (XLF)
of the detected sources to a calibrator cluster and identify for the first time
a significant fraction (∼14%) of its individual members. The highest-resolution
near-IR observation of Trumpler 15 (taken by the HAWK-I instrument on the Very
Large Telescope) was found to detect most of our X-ray selected sample of
cluster members, with a K-excess disk frequency of 3.8% ± 0.7%.
The near-IR data, XLF, and published spectral types of the brightest members
support a cluster age estimate (5–10 Myr) that is older than those for the
nearby Trumpler 14 and Trumpler 16 clusters, and suggest that high-mass members
may have already exploded as supernovae. The morphology of the inner ∼0.7 pc
core of the cluster is found to be spherical. However, the outer regions (beyond
∼2 pc) are elongated, forming an “envelope” of stars that, in projection,
appears to connect Trumpler 15 to Trumpler 14; this morphology supports the view
that these clusters are physically associated. Clear evidence of mass
segregation is seen. This study appears in this special issue devoted to the
Chandra Carina Complex Project, a 1.42 deg2
Chandra X-ray survey of the Great Nebula in Carina.
Maximum smoothed likelihood for multivariate mixtures
Authors: Levine M. , Hunter D. R. , Chauveau D. 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
We introduce an algorithm for estimating the parameters in a finite mixture of completely unspecified multivariate components in at least three dimensions under the assumption of conditionally independent coordinate dimensions. We prove that this algorithm, based on a majorization-minimization idea, possesses a desirable descent property just as any em algorithm does. We discuss the similarities between our algorithm and a related one, the so-called nonlinearly smoothed em algorithm for the non-mixture setting. We also demonstrate via simulation studies that the new algorithm gives very similar results to another algorithm that has been shown empirically to be effective but that does not satisfy any descent property. We provide code for implementing the new algorithm in a publicly available R package.
Carbon and Nitrogen Metabolism in Mycorrhizal Networks and Mycoheterotrophic Plants of Tropical Forests: A Stable Isotope Analysis
Authors: Courty Pierre-Emmanuel , Walder Florian , Boller Thomas , Ineichen Kurt , Wiemken Andres , Rousteau Alain , Selosse Marc-André 
Published: April 2011

AbstractMost achlorophyllous mycoheterotrophic (MH) plants obtain carbon (C) from mycorrhizal networks and indirectly exploit nearby autotrophic plants. We compared overlooked tropical rainforest MH plants associating with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to well-reported temperate MH plants associating with ectomycorrhizal basidiomycetes. We investigated 13C and 15N abundances of MH plants, green plants, and AMF spores in Caribbean rainforests. Whereas temperate MH plants and fungi have higher δ13C than canopy trees, these organisms displayed similar δ13C values in rainforests, suggesting differences in C exchanges. Although temperate green and MH plants differ in δ15N, they display similar 15N abundances, and likely nitrogen (N) sources, in rainforests. Contrasting with the high N concentrations shared by temperate MH plants and their fungi, rainforest MH plants had lower N concentrations than AMF, suggesting differences in C/N of exchanged nutrients. We provide a framework for isotopic studies on AMF networks and suggest that MH plants in tropical and temperate regions evolved different physiologies to adapt in diverging environments.
Comparison of five malnutrition screening tools in one hospital inpatient sample
Authors: Neelemaat Floor , Meijers Judith , Kruizenga Hinke , van Ballegooijen Hanne , van Bokhorst‐de van der Schueren Marian 
Published: April 2011

Aims and objectives.  The purpose of this study is to compare five commonly used malnutrition screening tools against an acknowledged definition of malnutrition in one hospital inpatient sample.Background.  Early identification and intervention of malnutrition in hospital patients may prevent later complications. Several screening tools have reported their diagnostic accuracy, but the criterion validity of these tools is unknown.Design.  A cross sectional study.Methods.  We compared quick‐and easy screening tools [Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST), Short Nutritional Assessment Questionnaire (SNAQ) and Mini‐Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA‐SF)] and more comprehensive malnutrition screening tools [Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) and Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS‐2002)] to an acknowledged definition of malnutrition (including low Body Mass Index and unintentional weight loss) in one sample of 275 adult hospital inpatients. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were determined. A sensitivity and specificity of ≥70% was set as a prerequisite for adequate performance of a screening tool.Results.  According to the acknowledged definition of malnutrition 5% of patients were at moderate risk of malnutrition and 25% were at severe risk. The comprehensive malnutrition screening tools (MUST, NRS‐2002) and the quick‐and‐easy malnutrition screening tools (MST and SNAQ) showed sensitivities and specificities of ≥70%. However, 47% of data were missing on the MUST questionnaire and 41% were missing on MNA‐SF. The MNA‐SF showed excellent sensitivity, but poor specificity for the older subpopulation.Conclusions.  The quick‐and‐easy malnutrition screening tools (MST and SNAQ) are suitable for use in an hospital inpatient setting. They performed as well as the comprehensive malnutrition screening tools (MUST and NRS‐2002) on criterion validity. However, MUST was found to be less applicable due to the high rate of missing values. The MNA‐SF appeared to be not useful because of it low specificity.Relevance to clinical practice.  Insight in what is the most valid and practical nutritional screening tool to use in hospital practice will increase effective recognition and treatment of malnutrition.
Clinical and molecular findings of 13 families from Saudi Arabia and a family from Sudan with homocystinuria
Authors: Zaidi SHE , Faiyaz‐Ul‐Haque M , Shuaib T , Balobaid A , Rahbeeni Z , Abalkhail H , Al‐Abdullatif A , Al‐Hassnan Z , Peltekova I , Al‐Owain M 
Published: April 2011

Zaidi SHE, Faiyaz‐Ul‐Haque M, Shuaib T, Balobaid A, Rahbeeni Z, Abalkhail H, Al‐Abdullatif A, Al‐Hassnan Z, Peltekova I and Al‐Owain M. Clinical and molecular findings of 13 families from Saudi Arabia and a family from Sudan with homocystinuria.Homocystinuria due to cystathionine beta synthase (CBS) deficiency results in elevated plasma homocysteine and methionine levels, which are associated with multiple organ pathologies, including vascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, nervous, and ocular tissues. This autosomal recessive disorder is caused by homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations in the CBS gene encoding for the CBS. Although homocystinuria is observed in Arab and North African patients, their clinical presentations have not been described and molecular causes remained largely uninvestigated. In this study, we describe the clinical presentations of 22 homocystinuria patients from 13 Saudi Arabian families and 1 North African Sudanese family. Cardinal biochemical features of homocystinuria manifested in all patients, but heterogeneity of expression was observed for other associated phenotypes. One patient developed Legg–Calvé–Perthes disease that has not been previously described in homocystinuria. In the Saudi families, a novel nonsense mutation, p.Trp323X, and recurrent p.Arg336Cys and p.Gly153Arg mutations were identified in the CBS gene. The p.Trp323X mutation was found in 10 of the 13 unrelated Saudi families. In the Sudanese family, the p.Thr257Met mutation in the CBS gene, previously described in Italian and Spanish patients, was found. This study shows that the spectrum of CBS gene mutations in Saudi homocystinuria patients is quite different than the Arab patients from Qatar and Israel. This study is the only detailed phenotypic and genetic depiction of homocystinuria patients from Saudi Arabia and Sudan. The data are useful for diagnosis and management of Saudi patients.
Novel TMPRSS3 variants in Pakistani families with autosomal recessive non‐syndromic hearing impairment
Authors: Lee K , Khan S , Islam A , Ansar M , Andrade P B , Kim S , Santos‐Cortez R L P , Ahmad W , Leal S M 
Published: April 2011

Lee K, Khan S, Islam A, Ansar M, Andrade PB, Kim S, Santos‐Cortez RLP, Ahmad W, Leal SM. Novel TMPRSS3 variants in Pakistani families with autosomal recessive non‐syndromic hearing impairment.Mutations in the TMPRSS3 gene are known to cause autosomal recessive non‐syndromic hearing impairment (ARNSHI). After undergoing a genome scan, 10 consanguineous Pakistani families with ARNSHI were found to have significant or suggestive evidence of linkage to the TMPRSS3 region. In order to elucidate if the TMPRSS3 gene is responsible for ARNSHI in these families, the gene was sequenced using DNA samples from these families. Six TMPRSS3 variants were found to cosegregate in 10 families. None of these variants were detected in 500 control chromosomes. Four novel variants, three of which are missense [c.310G>A (p.Glu104Lys), c.767C>T (p.Ala256Val) and c.1273T>C (p.Cys425Arg)] and one nonsense [c.310G>T (p.Glu104Stop)], were identified. The pathogenicity of novel missense variants was investigated through bioinformatics analyses. Additionally, the previously reported deletion c.208delC (p.His70ThrfsX19) was identified in one family and the known mutation c.1219T>C (p.Cys407Arg) was found in five families, which makes c.1219T>C (p.Cys407Arg) as the most common TMPRSS3 mutation within the Pakistani population. Identification of these novel variants lends support to the importance of elements within the low‐density lipoprotein receptor A (LDLRA) and serine protease domains in structural stability, ligand binding and proteolytic activity for proper TMPRSS3 function within the inner ear.
Current issues in the clinical management of invasive aspergillosis – the AGIHO, DMykG, ÖGMM and PEG web‐based survey and expert consensus conference 2009
Authors: Rüping M. J. G. T. , Vehreschild J. J. , Groll A. , Lass‐Flörl C. , Ostermann H. , Ruhnke M. , Cornely O. A. 
Published: April 2011

SummaryThe objectives of this study were to identify unsolved issues in the management of invasive aspergillosis, identify controversies and achieve consensus. The German Speaking Mycological Society (Deutschsprachige Mykologische Gesellschaft, DMykG) invited other German infectious diseases (ID) and mycological societies to submit unsolved issues concerning the diagnosis and treatment of invasive aspergillosis. Based on these contributions, a digital web‐based questionnaire of 12 questions on Aspergillus spp. was designed to be completed by experts of the participating societies. Controversial results were identified by a mathematical model and were discussed at a consensus conference during the 43rd Annual Meeting of the DMykG in Cologne, Germany. Forty‐two individuals completed the questionnaire. Analysis showed a strong consensus on effective preventive measures, choice of antifungal agents for pre‐emptive, empiric and targeted treatment, as well as the evaluation of early chest CT control scans as a measure of treatment response assessment. Opinions on the indication for a pulmonary biopsy of a halo sign in high‐risk neutropenic patients and on the role of Aspergillus spp. PCR as well as galactomannan from serum in the assessment of treatment duration diverged in spite of discussion such that a consensus could not be reached. Using a recently published two‐step approach – web‐based survey plus classical panel discussion – expert consensus was achieved on 10 of 12 questions concerning the diagnosis and treatment of invasive aspergillosis.
Sources of resistance to Fusarium head blight within Syrian durum wheat landraces
Authors: Talas Firas , Longin Friedrich , Miedaner Thomas 
Published: April 2011

With 1 figure and 1 table AbstractFusarium head blight (FHB) is a destructive disease of wheat all over the world. FHB causes high economic losses for durum wheat because of the lack of resistance sources. Initially, sixty‐eight Syrian landraces were tested in field conditions after inoculation to discriminate the most resistant and environmentally stable landraces. Further tests across a total of four environments revealed four landraces with a low mean FHB rating (19–25%) compared to common German durum varieties (56–60%) and an environmentally stable resistance. They are considered as promising resistance sources to FHB for introgression in the adapted durum wheat gene pool.
Snoring is not associated with adverse effects on blood pressure, arterial structure or function in 8‐year‐old children: The Childhood Asthma Prevention Study (CAPS)
Authors: Marshall Nathaniel S , Ayer Julian G , Toelle Brett G , Harmer Jason A , Phillips Craig L , Grunstein Ronald R , Celermajer David S , Marks Guy B 
Published: April 2011

Aims:  To study the association between childhood snoring and cardiovascular risk factors.Methods:  Cross‐sectional analyses of a population‐based birth cohort, who had been participants in a randomised controlled trial of interventions to prevent asthma and who were assessed at age 8 years. The presence and frequency of snoring were assessed by parent‐completed questionnaire. We measured a wide range of cardiovascular function markers including non‐fasting serum lipoproteins, blood pressure, high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein, carotid artery intima media thickness (by ultrasound), brachial pulse wave velocity and augmentation index (by applanation tonometry).Results:  Of 409 children whose snoring status was assessed at age 8 years, 321 had lipid and 386 had arterial structure and function measurements. Snoring was not independently associated with blood pressure, carotid artery intima media thickness or measures of arterial stiffness (all P > 0.05). Increasing snoring frequency was independently associated with lower high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (−0.032 g/dL per step, 95% confidence interval −0.060 to −0.003), although the difference in high‐density lipoprotein between snorers and non‐snorers was not significant (P = 0.052). An association of snoring frequency with brachial pulse wave velocity differed according to body mass index (P = 0.03) and was the reverse of that expected.Conclusions:  Parentally reported snoring was not independently associated with adverse measurements of metabolic markers, vascular structure or function in 8‐year‐old children. Parental reports of snoring may be below the treatment threshold without additional diagnosis via sleep studies.