bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Autoimmune pancreatitis: Current diagnostic criteria are suboptimal
Authors: Giday Samuel A , Khashab Mouen A , Buscaglia Jonathan M , Krishnamurty Devi Mukkai , Chen Terina , Kalloo Anthony N , Canto Marcia I , Okolo Patrick I , Hruban Ralph H , Jagannath Sanjay B 
Published: February 2011

AbstractBackground and Aims:  The preoperative diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is difficult, given its similar clinical presentation to pancreatic cancer. The aims of the study are to describe our center's experience with AIP and apply the Japanese AIP diagnostic criteria to a cohort of patients with histologically‐proven AIP in order to assess their performance characteristics.Methods:  A prospective pathology database was queried for AIP patients who were evaluated and/or treated at Johns Hopkins Hospital from 2002 to 2009. AIP histology was defined by the presence of lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, periductal inflammation, fibrosis, and periphlebitis. Imaging, clinical, and biochemical data were analyzed.Results:  Thirty patients had pancreatic resection with pathological confirmation of AIP. Imaging revealed pancreatic mass (45%), focal prominence without mass lesion (24%), diffuse enlargement (17%), and normal pancreas (14%). Twenty‐four patients underwent an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and/or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, and 4/24 (17%) had pancreatic ductal narrowing or irregularity. Extrapancreaticobiliary organ involvement was found in 6% (n = 2) of patients. Biliary strictures were present in 87% of patients. Of 16 patients who underwent preoperative tissue biopsy, 10 had non‐diagnostic pathology, five had cellular atypia, and one had AIP. Serum immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) levels were elevated in 12 of 29 (41%) patients. Three (10%) patients had evidence of extrapancreatic manifestations of AIP. When applying the Japanese criteria to the 27 patients who had serum IgG4 measurement, preoperative biopsy, and cross‐sectional abdominal imaging, only 44% of the patients would have been diagnosed accurately.Conclusions:  When applied to a highly‐selected single‐center referral population in the USA, current Japanese guidelines for the diagnosis of AIP are found to have suboptimal sensitivity.
Fungal infections in severe acute pancreatitis
Authors: Kochhar Rakesh , Noor Mohd Talha , Wig Jaidev 
Published: February 2011

AbstractSevere acute pancreatitis (SAP) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The majority of deaths related to SAP are the result of infectious complications. Although bacterial infections are most commonly encountered, fungal infections are increasingly being recognized. Candida is the most common fungal infection. The occurrence of fungal infection in patients with acute pancreatitis adversely affects the clinical course, leading to a higher incidence of systemic complications, and possibly mortality as well. Important risk factors for fungal infection in patients with acute pancreatitis include broad‐spectrum antibiotics, prolonged hospitalization and surgical/endoscopic interventions, use of total parenteral nutrition, and mechanical ventilation. Patients with higher severity of pancreatitis are at a greater risk. The pathogenesis of fungal infection in patients with acute pancreatitis is multifactorial. Translocation of microorganisms across the gut epithelium, lymphocyte dysfunction, and the virulence of the invading microorganisms play important roles. Histological demonstration of fungi remains the gold standard of diagnosis, but a positive biopsy is rarely obtained. The role of biomarkers in the diagnosis is being investigated. As early diagnosis and treatment can lead to improved outcome, a high index of suspicion is required for prompt diagnosis. Limiting the use of broad‐spectrum antibiotics, early introduction of enteral nutrition, and timely change of vascular catheters are important preventive strategies. The role of antifungal prophylaxis remains controversial. Surgical necrosectomy with antifungal therapy is the most widely used treatment approach. Clinical trials on antifungal prophylaxis are needed, and indications for surgical intervention need to be clearly defined.
LMP2/LMP7 gene variant: A risk factor for intestinal Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in the Chinese population
Authors: Lv Yuan , Yan Bo , Yang Hongli , Liu Jian , Zhong Wei , Li Kun , Chen Ziping , Xu Changqing 
Published: February 2011

AbstractBackground and Aims:  Low molecular mass protein‐2 (LMP2) and low molecular mass protein‐7 (LMP7) genes play a critical role in foreign antigen processing on the major histocompatibility complex‐I CD8+ cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte pathway. This study was designed to investigate whether the sequence variants in the LMP2/LMP7 coding region were associated with intestinal Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) infection or with the co‐infection of pulmonary tuberculosis.Methods:  A total of 168 patients with intestinal tuberculosis and 235 normal controls were recruited for this study. Two polymorphisms of LMP2 (Arg60–His) and LMP7 (Gln145–Lys) were identified by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism method. The associations of the LMP2/LMP7 genotype and haplotype with intestinal M. tuberculosis infection were assessed by using logistic regression analysis.Results:  The results revealed that LMP7 position codon 145 Lys/Lys and Gln/Lys alleles in the coding region were associated with the infection of intestinal M. tuberculosis (P = 0.003, odds ratio [OR] = 3.86 and P < 0.001, OR = 2.28, respectively). Meanwhile, the Arg–Lys and Cys–Lys haplotypes exhibited significant relation to the intestinal M. tuberculosis infection (P = 0.006, OR = 1.87; P = 0.021, OR = 1.83, respectively). No significant associations were observed for any of the single‐nucleotide polymorphism genotypes or haplotypes with the co‐infection of pulmonary tuberculosis (P > 0.05).Conclusions:  The results indicated that the genetic variant within the LMP2/LMP7 gene would increase the risk of intestinal M. tuberculosis infection.
Preventing venous thrombosis in critically ill children: what is the right approach?
Authors: Braga Alice J. , Young Amber E.R. 
Published: February 2011

SummaryBackground:  The incidence of venous thromboembolic (VTE) events in children has increased in recent years (J Neurosurg, 101, 2004, 32; J Thromb Haemost, 1, 2003, 1443) yet there is currently no consensus as to what VTE prophylaxis, if any, should be applied to the pediatric population.Objectives/Aims:  Our aim was to audit current practice in pediatric VTE prophylaxis across England and Wales and to advocate simple measures for prevention. We illustrate the importance of the condition with a series of cases from the South West Paediatric Burns and Neurosurgical Services based in Bristol.Methods:  Every pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and burns center admitting children in England and Wales was invited to participate in a structured telephone questionnaire designed to find out how VTE in children were being prevented. We performed a literature review of specific risk factors and management of these factors.Results:  Only one of the 24 units surveyed had written guidelines specific for children. Four other units used modified adult guidelines in older children. In the remaining 19 units that had no written guidelines, decisions regarding prophylaxis were based on individual cases and consultant‐led.Conclusion:  There is no consensus in England and Wales as to which VTE prophylactic measures should be applied in patients <18 years of age. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines apply to adults only. Given the rarity of VTE events in children, it is unlikely that randomized controlled trials will provide the answer. We therefore propose that simple empirical measures be formally implemented in critically ill children to reduce the risk of developing this important but under‐recognized condition.
GOD AND THE EXTERNAL WORLD
Authors: Smith Martin 
Published: February 2011

AbstractThere are a number of apparent parallels between belief in God and belief in the existence of an external world beyond our experiences. Both beliefs would seem to condition one's overall view of reality and one's place within it – and yet it is difficult to see how either can be defended. Neither belief is likely to receive a purely a priori defence and any empirical evidence that one cites either in favour of the existence of God or the existence of the external world would seem to blatantly beg the question against a doubter. I will explore just how far this parallel can be pushed by examining some strategies for resisting external world scepticism1.
Suggested Guidelines for Performing Procedures in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease in Outpatient Centers
Authors: Petrusky Lisa , Friedman Alexander , Miller Gregg , Falk Abigail , Hoggard Jeffrey 
Published: February 2011

AbstractMaintenance of hemodialysis vascular access is increasingly performed on an outpatient basis by physicians trained in interventional techniques. The adoption of guidelines by national reputable organizations will help identify patients eligible for such outpatient treatments and help optimize the safety and efficacy of their procedures in the outpatient setting.
Reducing the Risk of Re‐Fracture in the Dialysis Population: Is it Time to Consider Therapy with PTH Analogues?
Authors: Jamal Sophie A. , Hodsman Anthony B. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractDialysis patients are at high risk for fracture, with published rates in excess of a 20% probability of fracture over the next 10 years of dialysis. Unfortunately, there is no accepted methodology for quantifying this risk in advance of the first fracture; conventional bone densitometry performs unreliably in this role, in contrast to its utility in elderly patients with osteoporosis. The KDIGO clinical guidelines emphasize the importance of bone turnover in the development of renal osteodystrophy with high bone turnover strongly associated with uncontrolled secondary hyperparathyroidism, and adynamic bone disease (ABD) defined as a very low bone turnover state associated with functional hypoparathyroidism. It is likely that fractures occur in association with both extremes of uremic bone turnover, in addition to the known risk factors for developing osteoporosis prior to an individual developing end‐stage renal failure. No systematic evidence has been forthcoming on therapy to reduce the risk of re‐fracture after a dialysis patient presents with a first fracture. Anti‐resorptive therapy might be effective in high turnover uremic bone disease and has been demonstrably effective in reducing fracture risk in osteoporotic patients, but there is only post hoc evidence that cinacalcet might reduce the incidence of fractures, and almost no evidence on outcomes from the use of bisphosphonates in dialysis patients. Fractures associated with ABD present a particular challenge. Although aluminum intoxication has been an important cause of skeletal fracturing in the past, this is a rare event today, when nonaluminum containing dietary phosphate binders are routinely prescribed. We suggest that the use of an anabolic agent would be a more plausible approach to the management of ABD (rather than anti‐resorptive agents) and propose that a “proof‐of‐concept” trial with a PTH analogue such as teriparatide should be considered for these patients.
Enhancing blood donation intentions using multimedia donor education materials
Authors: France Christopher R. , France Janis L. , Wissel Mary Ellen , Kowalsky Jennifer M. , Bolinger Elizabeth M. , Huckins Jamie L. 
Published: February 2011

BACKGROUND: Prior research has shown that education materials that directly address prospective donor concerns and provide specific coping suggestions are particularly effective at enhancing donation attitudes and intentions to give blood. This study compared the effect of donor coping materials, provided in written and audiovisual formats, as potential tools to enhance recruitment of prospective blood donors. The role of initial attitudes toward blood donation on responses to these materials was also considered.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Young adults (62% female; mean [SD] age = 19.1 [1.4]; mean [range] prior blood donations = 1.32 [0‐13]) were randomly assigned to 1) read a brochure addressing common blood donor concerns and suggesting specific coping strategies, 2) view a video addressing blood donor concerns and illustrating coping techniques, 3) read the brochure and view the video, or 4) read a control brochure on healthy eating and exercise. Measures of blood donation attitudes, anxiety, confidence, and intentions to give blood were completed before and after the intervention.RESULTS: Relative to the control brochure, all the intervention groups showed larger reductions in anxiety, more positive changes in attitude, and greater increases in donation confidence and intentions. The combination of the brochure and video outperformed either intervention alone in further improving donation attitudes among participants with high initial donation attitudes.CONCLUSION: Blood donation coping materials, presented in either written or audiovisual formats, significantly enhance willingness to donate blood among young adults regardless of their initial attitudes toward blood donation.
Antibodies to oxaliplatin, a chemotherapeutic, are found in plasma of healthy blood donors
Authors: Leger Regina M. , Garratty George 
Published: February 2011

BACKGROUND: Oxaliplatin is one of the platinum chemotherapeutics that includes cisplatin and carboplatin. Antibodies to all three drugs have caused immune hemolytic anemia (IHA). In an investigation of oxaliplatin‐induced IHA, the negative plasma control agglutinated oxaliplatin‐coated red blood cells (RBCs). Previous preparations of this control had not agglutinated oxaliplatin‐ or cisplatin‐coated RBCs.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Drug‐coated RBCs, prepared by incubating 1/10th volume of RBCs with 1 mg/mL drug in phosphate‐buffered saline for 1 hour at 37°C, were incubated with plasma from random blood donors and patients. Plasma was treated with dithiothreitol to determine the immunoglobulin class. Hapten inhibition was performed by incubating plasma with solutions of oxaliplatin or cisplatin.RESULTS: Nineteen of 121 (16%) donors' plasma samples agglutinated oxaliplatin‐coated RBCs; 7 of 102 (7%) donors' plasma samples agglutinated cisplatin‐coated RBCs. Two of 50 (4%) patients' samples agglutinated oxaliplatin‐coated RBCs. The agglutinin was immunoglobulin M and inhibited by oxaliplatin and cisplatin.CONCLUSION: An agglutinin reactive with oxaliplatin‐coated RBCs was found in 16% of donors' and 4% of patients' samples. Inhibition by oxaliplatin and cisplatin indicates the antibody may be directed to platinum. The presence of this antibody in healthy individuals may be related to the increasing environmental presence of platinum in air and soil as a byproduct of automobile catalytic converters and pharmaceuticals in our water and food chain. This antibody in individuals without IHA suggests that testing untreated and enzyme‐treated RBCs in the presence of a solution of drug may be the best method to investigate IHA caused by drugs in the platinum family.
Two‐Year Clinical Outcomes with Paclitaxel‐Eluting Coronary Stents in Patients with Chronic Total Occlusions: Analysis from the TAXUS ARRIVE Program
Authors: HUANG PEI‐HSIU , YEUNG MICHAEL , LASALA JOHN M. , COX DAVID A. , BOWMAN THOMAS S. , STARZYK RUTH M. , DAWKINS KEITH D. 
Published: February 2011

Aims:To examine the incidence of clinical events after implantation of the TAXUS Express paclitaxel‐eluting stent (PES) in chronic total occlusions (CTO) in an unselected patient population.Methods and Results:The TAXUS ARRIVE registries compiled data on 7,492 patients, including 113 patients with CTO (TIMI flow 0). Patients enrolled at procedure start with no mandated inclusion/exclusion criteria; all cardiac events were monitored with independent end‐point adjudication. Two‐year follow‐up was 89% (101/113) for CTO patients who had significantly more baseline comorbidities/complex disease than simple‐use patients undergoing native coronary intervention (N = 2,698) and significantly longer lesions/smaller vessels than other expanded‐use patients (N = 4,681 without CTO). Among CTO patients the rate of 2‐year major cardiac events (MCE, including cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization) was 22.3%, significantly higher than in simple‐use patients (10.3%, P < 0.001). CTO MCE was similar to that for other expanded‐use patients (16.5%, P = 0.14) but target lesion revascularization was significantly higher in year 2 (6.9% vs. 2.7%, P = 0.02). Academic Research Consortium definite/probable stent thrombosis through 2 years was 5.7%, significantly higher than simple‐use patients but similar to other expanded‐use cases.Conclusion:In a “real‐world” setting, PES use in CTO was associated with increased MCE compared to simple‐ use patients, but achieved long‐term outcomes similar to that observed in other complex patient/lesion cases.(J Interven Cardiol 2011;24:232–240)
CHEMICAL AND ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES OF CULTIVATED AND WILDFRAGARIAANDRUBUSBERRIES
Authors: MILIVOJEVIĆ J. , MAKSIMOVIĆ V. , NIKOLIĆ M. , BOGDANOVIĆ J. , MALETIĆ R. , MILATOVIĆ D. 
Published: February 2011

ABSTRACTContent of individual sugars, organic acids, total phenolics (TPH), some important phenolic compounds (kaempferol, myricetin, quercetin, and ellagic acid) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in the fruits of strawberry, raspberry and blackberry were studied. A comparison was made between cultivars and wild relatives of each species (Fragaria vescaL.,Rubus idaeusL. andRubus fruticosusL.). The main sugars found were fructose and glucose both in the fruits of wild species and the studied cultivars. Citric acid was determined to be the major organic acid in most of tested berries with the exception of blackberry cultivars, where malic acid was dominant. The content of individual phenolic compounds varied among the wild species, as well as among the studied cultivars. Ellagic acid content was higher inF. vesca,R. idaeusandR. fruticosus(122.5 µg/g FW, 12.71 µg/g FW and 61.7 µg/g FW, respectively) than that obtained in analyzed cultivars. Overall, TPH expressed higher values in the wild strawberry and blackberry species in comparison to the studied cultivars, and consequently, the highest levels of TAC were recorded inF. vesca(5.78 mg asc/g FW), followed byR. fruticosus(4.95 mg asc/g FW).PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSIn recent years, both wild and cultivated berries have become very attractive for consumers because of potentially beneficial phytochemicals contained in these fruits. Fruit nutritional quality can be described by standard quality parameters (sugars and organic acids), and the analysis of antioxidant capacity influenced by specific related compounds. The importance of flavonoids and other phenolics have been suggested to play a preventive role in the development of cancer and heart disease. A significant positive correlation observed in this study between total phenolics and total antioxidant capacity indicate the need for the use of wild species in the breeding programs of small fruits, especially strawberry and blackberry, in order to increase their nutritive value and the health benefits.
QUALITY CHANGES IN FRESH‐CUT SPINACH (SPINACIA OLERACEA) UNDER MODIFIED ATMOSPHERES WITH PERFORATIONS
Authors: KAUR PREETINDER , RAI DEEPAK R. , PAUL SHASHI 
Published: February 2011

ABSTRACTFresh‐cut spinach leaves were stored for 4 days at 15C and 75% relative humidity under modified atmosphere packaging to assess the impact of differential in‐pack gas atmospheres generated through different packaging films and variable in‐pack weight on the quality of stored produce. After 4 days of storage, retention of chlorophyll, β‐carotene and ascorbic acid was better in low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) packages than in polypropylene (PP) packages. LDPE film‐packaged samples had higher phenolic content than PP film‐packaged samples. Low in‐pack O2 (1–2 kPa) along with the buildup of CO2 (8–10 kPa) seems to have enhanced the retention of antioxidant components, i.e., β‐carotene and ascorbic acid, in LDPE packages. This helped in chlorophyll retention and also prevented formation of oxidation compounds of phenols that otherwise caused browning of cut surfaces. Thus, O2 and CO2 permeability of packaging film or in‐pack weight of produce might be such that equilibrated O2 partial pressures remain near to 1–2 kPa so as to affect a beneficial increase in the phenolic content along with concomitant retention of chlorophyll.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSFresh‐cut spinach leaves have received an enormous demand due to their utility in various traditional Indian preparations. Shelf life and quality of fresh‐cut produce may be greatly reduced due to high rates of respiration. Traditional packaging and handling techniques reduce the shelf life and sensory quality of fresh‐cut spinach. Temperature control and atmospheric modifications help to maintain produce quality by reducing respiration rate and enhance shelf life by minimizing the adverse effects of cutting. This research focused on evaluation of respiratory behavior of fresh‐cut spinach leaves at a temperature commonly encountered during transportation and retail distribution, i.e., 15C, and the effect of different polymeric films and in‐pack weights on produce quality. The results of the study suggest that packaging of fresh‐cut spinach in polymeric film packages could maintain the sensory quality and reduce degradation of various physicochemical constituents. Utilization of the results for proper design of modified atmosphere packages for this highly perishable produce can prove to be extremely beneficial for safe storage and transportation to urban retail markets.
OPTIMIZATION OF PROCESS VARIABLES FOR ACCELERATED AGING OF BASMATI RICE
Authors: RAYAGURU KALPANA , PANDEY J.P. , ROUTRAY WINNY 
Published: February 2011

ABSTRACTExperiments were conducted to develop a process for accelerated aging of aromatic rice. Freshly harvested clean paddy of “Pusa Basmati” variety was conditioned as per the experimental design. Response surface methodology for three variables at five levels was used. Central composite rotatable design was used to optimize the temperature (30–50C), relative humidity (50–90%) and aging period (3–14 days) to accelerate the aging process for paddy. The optimum levels of process variables were based on the desired milling and cooking quality indices. The quality attributes included milling yield, kernel elongation ratio, volume expansion ratio, solid loss, amylose content, gel consistency and aroma. A complete second‐order polynomial model was fitted to the data and the adequacy of the model was tested. The models were then used to interpret the effect of various input parameters on the response. The total effect of individual input variables and combined effect of all these variables at linear and quadratic level on head yield was significant at 1% level. Similar interpretation of the effect of various input parameters on the responses have been done in details. The common optimum condition for accelerated aging of paddy was found to be 43.4C, 71.0% relative humidity (RH) and 11.4 days.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONFreshly harvested rice is less preferred by consumers because of poor cooking properties like less kernel elongation and volume expansion ratio with more solids loss and softer gel consistency. Aging brings about progressive desirable changes in the grain. The natural aging process is time‐consuming and also requires proper storage. Therefore, the aging process may be accelerated by subjecting the grains to appropriate environmental conditions to bring about the acceptable properties so that the full potential of domestic as well as export market may be explored at the right time with a relatively high price. The information obtained from this study may be used in designing thermal processing to obtain aged rice within a short period.