bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Obstetric ultrasound scanning by local health workers in a refugee camp on the Thai–Burmese border
Authors: Rijken M. J. , Lee S. J. , Boel M. E. , Papageorghiou A. T. , Visser G. H. A. , Dwell S. L. M. , Kennedy S. H. , Singhasivanon P. , White N. J. , Nosten F. , McGready R. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractObjectivesUltrasound examination of the fetus is a powerful tool for assessing gestational age and detecting obstetric problems but is rarely available in developing countries. The aim of this study was to assess the intraobserver and interobserver agreement of fetal biometry by locally trained health workers in a refugee camp on the Thai–Burmese border.MethodsOne expatriate doctor and four local health workers participated in the study, which included examinations performed on every fifth pregnant woman with a singleton pregnancy between 16 and 40 weeks' gestation, and who had undergone an early dating ultrasound scan, attending the antenatal clinic in Maela refugee camp. At each examination, two examiners independently measured biparietal diameter (BPD), head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC) and femur length (FL), with one of the examiners obtaining duplicate measurements of each parameter. Intraobserver measurement error was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and interobserver error was assessed by the Bland and Altman 95% limits of agreement method.ResultsA total of 4188 ultrasound measurements (12 per woman) were obtained in 349 pregnancies at a median gestational age of 27 (range, 16–40) weeks in 2008. The ICC for BPD, HC, AC and FL was greater than 0.99 for all four trainees and the doctor (range, 0.996–0.998). For gestational ages between 18 and 24 weeks, interobserver 95% limits of agreement corresponding to differences in estimated gestational age of less than ± 1 week were calculated for BPD, HC, AC and FL. Measurements by local health workers showed high levels of agreement with those of the expatriate doctor.ConclusionsLocally trained health workers working in a well organized unit with ongoing quality control can obtain accurate fetal biometry measurements for gestational age estimation. This experience suggests that training of local health workers in developing countries is possible and could allow effective use of obstetric ultrasound imaging. Copyright © 2009 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Genome‐wide DNA methylation profiling
Authors: Bibikova Marina , Fan Jian‐Bing 
Published: September 2009

AbstractDNA methylation plays a critical role in the regulation of gene expression. The ability to access the methylation status for a large number of genes or the entire genome should greatly facilitate the understanding of the nature of gene regulation in cells, and epigenetic mechanism of interactions between cells and environment. Microarray and sequencing‐based DNA methylation profiling technologies have been developed to meet this goal. These methods can be categorized into three main classes based on how the methylation status is interrogated: discrimination of bisulfite induced C to T transition; cleavage of genomic DNA by methylation‐sensitive restriction enzymes; and immunoprecipitation with methyl‐binding protein or antibodies against methylated cytosines. With the development of next‐generation sequencing technologies, genome‐wide bisulfite sequencing has become a reality. Either whole‐ or reduced‐genome approaches have been used to get the most comprehensive DNA methylation profiles in organisms of various genome sizes. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.This article is categorized under:

Laboratory Methods and Technologies > Genetic/Genomic Methods
Toward a VPH/Physiome ToolKit
Authors: Garny Alan , Cooper Jonathan , Hunter Peter J. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThe Physiome Project was officially launched in 1997 and has since brought together teams from around the world to work on the development of a computational framework for the modeling of the human body. At the European level, this effort is focused around patient‐specific solutions and is known as the Virtual Physiological Human (VPH) Initiative.Such modeling is both multiscale (in space and time) and multiphysics. This, therefore, requires careful interaction and collaboration between the teams involved in the VPH/Physiome effort, if we are to produce computer models that are not only quantitative, but also integrative and predictive.In that context, several technologies and solutions are already available, developed both by groups involved in the VPH/Physiome effort, and by others. They address areas such as data handling/fusion, markup languages, model repositories, ontologies, tools (for simulation, imaging, data fitting, etc.), as well as grid, middleware, and workflow.Here, we provide an overview of resources that should be considered for inclusion in the VPH/Physiome ToolKit (i.e., the set of tools that addresses the needs and requirements of the Physiome Project and VPH Initiative) and discuss some of the challenges that we are still facing. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.This article is categorized under:

Analytical and Computational Methods > Dynamical Methods
Models of Systems Properties and Processes > Organismal Models
Physiology > Physiology of Model Organisms
Translational, Genomic, and Systems Medicine > Translational Medicine
Complement and Neutrophil Function Changes After Liver Resection in Humans
Authors: Strey Christoph Werner , Siegmund Britta , Rosenblum Saskia , Marquez‐Pinilla Rosa Maria , Oppermann Elsie , Huber‐Lang Markus , Lambris John D. , Bechstein Wolf O. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractBackgroundComplement activation contributes to the regulation of liver regeneration after liver resection (LR) in mice.MethodsWe hypothesized that complement activation and changes in C5a‐receptors (C5aR, C5L2) on polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) and monocytes are important in clinical LR. Anaphylatoxin and C5b9 plasma levels were measured (bead‐array, ELISA) (25 patients) and receptor expression was assessed after LR (19 patients) (FACS). In vitro PMN C5a‐dependent chemotactic response (7 patients) as well as l‐selectin shedding and Mac‐1 expression (3 patients) was determined.ResultsC3a increased after LR (31.1 ± 4 before LR vs. 41.6 ± 5 ng/ml, 30 min after LR, P < 0.01), as did C5b9 (12.7 ± 1 before LR vs. 26.9 ± 3 ng/ml, 60 min after LR, P < 0.001). C4a and C5a decreased after LR, by 25% 24 h after LR and 30% 2 h after LR, respectively (P < 0.01). C5L2 expression decreased at 4 h, rising at 24 h after LR (PMN: 6.3 ± 1 before LR, 3.1 ± 1, 4 h, 8.3 ± 2, 24 h; P < 0.01). The receptor‐related changes accompanied a diminished C5a‐dependent chemotactic response by PMN (42.1 ± 17 before LR vs. 2.1 ± 3 4 h after LR; P < 0.01) and a reduction of activation upon C5a‐R stimulation as measured by l‐selectin shedding and Mac‐1 expression on PMN. Changes in C5L2 expression on monocytes paralleled postoperative impairment of liver function.ConclusionsThese results indicate that complement components are released after clinical LR and subsequently PMN display altered C5a‐dependent functional responses.
Assessment of Frey procedures: Japanese experience
Authors: Egawa Shinichi , Motoi Fuyuhiko , Sakata Naoaki , Kitamura Yo , Nakagawa Kei , Ohtsuka Hideo , Hayashi Hiroki , Morikawa Takanori , Omura Noriyuki , Ottomo Shigeru , Yoshida Hiroshi , Onogawa Toru , Yamamoto Kuniharu , Akada Masanori , Rikiyama Toshiki , Katayose Yu , Matsuno Seiki , Unno Michiaki 
Published: September 2009

AbstractBackground/PurposeThe Frey procedure, the coring out of the pancreatic head and longitudinal pancreaticojejunostomy, is a safe, easy, and reliable method to solve most of the problems associated with chronic pancreatitis. During long‐term follow up, unexpected relapse in the pancreatic tail was encountered. The pattern of failure and the rationale for a new procedure to treat or prevent such relapse were investigated.MethodsFrom 1992 to 2008, 71 patients with chronic pancreatitis underwent the Frey procedure at Tohoku University Hospital. The etiology was alcoholic in 92.6% of them, followed in incidence by idiopathic and hereditary chronic pancreatitis. In the primary operation, besides the Frey procedure, combined resection of the pancreatic tail was performed in three patients, and choledochoduodenostomy was performed in one patient. The follow‐up rate was 92.9%, with a median period of 46 months.ResultsThe incidence of early postoperative complications was 18.4%, with one reoperation for gastrointestinal bleeding from the splenic artery. Pain control was achieved in all patients and there was no operative mortality. During the long‐term follow up of 62 patients with the Frey procedure, eight patients had relapse of inflammation and required reoperation. Five of these eight patients had a pseudocyst in the pancreatic tail and underwent distal pancreatectomy (DP).ConclusionsRelapse occurred in alcoholic middle‐aged male patients, and in the patients with hereditary and idiopathic pancreatitis. Frey‐DP and Frey‐spleen‐preserving DP (SPDP) procedures can be performed safely and effectively to treat the relapse and to prevent relapse in the pancreatic tail.
Lymph node navigation for pancreatic and biliary malignancy by NOTES
Authors: Yasuda Kazuhiro , Kitano Seigo 
Published: September 2009

AbstractBackgroundLymph node navigation and accurate staging of liver or peritoneal metastasis leads to better selection of the optimal treatment for patients with pancreatic and biliary malignancy. Less invasive techniques of detecting lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis would be valuable. Natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is a new, evolving concept of minimally invasive surgery that may be useful for the staging of intraabdominal cancers.MethodsReview of the literature regarding peritoneoscopy and lymph node mapping and biopsy by NOTES.ResultsNOTES peritoneoscopy for accurate diagnosis and staging of intraabdominal cancers is already in clinical use, and two case reports have shown the safety and feasibility of this technique. Previous experimental studies have also shown that lymph node mapping by NOTES is technically feasible with the currently available devices.ConclusionsWith the continued development of the techniques and technology of NOTES, peritoneoscopy and lymph node mapping by NOTES may become an alternative method for preoperative staging for patients with pancreatic and biliary malignancy.
Responses to precipitation treatment for Haloxylon ammodendron growing on contrasting textured soils
Authors: Zou Ting , Li Yan , Xu Hao , Xu Gui‐Qing 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThe responses to precipitation of Haloxylon ammodendron (C.A. Mey.) Bunge (Chenopodiaceae), a small xerophilous tree growing on contrasting textured soils, were evaluated under no, natural, and double precipitation treatments during the entire growing season of 2006. The contrasting textured soils are sandy and heavy textured, and both are the original habitat of H. ammodendron at the south edge of Gubantonggute Desert, Central Asia. Photosynthesis, leaf water potential, transpiration, water use efficiency and leaf biomass production were monitored throughout the growing season. Root distribution of H. ammodendron was evaluated at the end of the experiment. Overall, this small tree did not show significant response to a large summer precipitation pulse or precipitation treatments, in terms of photosynthetic carbon assimilation on either soil. The leaf water potential, transpiration, and water use efficiency appeared to be highly sensitive to a large precipitation pulse and precipitation treatments in sandy soil; and leaf biomass production was also much higher for plants in sandy than that of heavy‐textured soil. In sandy soil, defoliation occurred when pre‐dawn leaf water potential dropped below −3.0 MPa, while in heavy‐textured soil, defoliation occurred when pre‐dawn leaf water potential dropped below −3.75 MPa. For similar above‐ground parts, the small trees at the sandy site developed much deeper root systems and had nearly double the surface area of feeder roots compared to those at the heavy‐textured site. Partially owning to the deeper and larger root system, H. ammodendron growing at coarse‐textured site was in better water conditions than those at heavy‐textured site under the same climatic conditions.
Total Synthesis and Antileishmanial Activity of the Natural Occurring Acetylenic Fatty Acids 6‐Heptadecynoic Acid and 6‐Icosynoic Acid
Authors: Carballeira Néstor M. , Cartagena Michelle M. , Prada Christopher Fernández , Rubio Celia Fernández , Balaña‐Fouce Rafael 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThe first total syntheses of the naturally occurring acetylenic fatty acids—6‐heptadecynoic acid (59% overall yield) and 6‐icosynoic acid (34% overall yield)—was accomplished in four steps. Using the same synthetic sequence the naturally occurring fatty acids (6Z)‐heptadecenoic acid (46% overall yield) and (6Z)‐icosenoic acid (27% overall yield) were also synthesized. The Δ6 acetylenic fatty acids displayed good antiprotozoal activity towards Leishmania donovani promastigotes (EC50 = 1–6 µg/mL), but the 6‐icosynoic acid was the most effective in the series. In addition, the (6Z)‐icosenoic acid was a much better antiprotozoal compound (EC50 = 5–6 µg/mL) than the (6Z)‐heptadecenoic acid (EC50 > 25 µg/mL). The saturated fatty acids n‐heptadecanoic acid and n‐eicosanoic acid were not effective towards L. donovani, indicating that the Δ6 unsaturation in these fatty acids is necessary for leishmanicidal activity. In addition, both the 6‐icosynoic acid and the (6Z)‐icosenoic acid were inhibitors of the Leishmania DNA topoisomerase IB enzyme (EC50's = 36–49 µM), a possible intracellular target for these compounds. This is the first study assessing fatty acids as inhibitors of the Leishmania DNA topoisomerase IB enzyme.
Hearing loss in patients with Behçet's disease: an audiological and transient evoked otoacoustic emission study
Authors: Aslan S , Serarslan G , Savas N , Teksoz E , Dagli S 
Published: September 2009

AbstractObjective:To investigate hearing loss in patients with Behçet's disease.Materials and methods:Twenty-four consecutive cases of Behçet's disease and 24 sex- and age-matched controls were included in this study. Pure tone and high frequency audiometric tests were performed and pure tone average hearing thresholds calculated for both groups. Transient evoked otoacoustic emission testing was also performed.Results:Pure tone audiometry showed a sensorineural hearing loss in 15 of the Behçet's disease ears. Hearing thresholds were significantly higher in the study group than in the control group, on both pure tone frequency (except 0.5 kHz) and high frequency audiometry. Significant reductions in transient evoked otoacoustic emission amplitude were found at 1.4 and 2 kHz in the Behçet's disease patients. There were no significant differences in reproducibility, stimulus intensity or stability, comparing the Behçet's disease patients and controls.Conclusion:Significantly lower mid-frequency amplitudes were found in Behçet's patients on transient evoked otoacoustic emission testing.
The Kiwi hoop for Boyle–Davies gag suspension during tonsillectomy
Authors: Ahsan F , Stevenson S 
Published: September 2009

AbstractWe describe an alternative method of suspending the Boyle–Davis gag during tonsillectomy. Use of the traditional Draffin's bipod for positioning patients during tonsillectomy is associated with a number of difficulties. These include limited height adjustment and problems with slipping during operation. We describe an alternative arrangement for suspension of the Boyle-Davis gag. This arrangement has been successfully used for many years, and offers advantages because of its stability and adjustability.
Internal carotid artery dissection following canalith repositioning procedure
Authors: Bergin M , Bird P , Wright A 
Published: September 2009

AbstractObjective:To highlight the possibility of internal carotid artery dissection following canalith repositioning procedures.Case report:A 52-year-old woman with right posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo sustained a right carotid artery dissection following a canalith repositioning procedure. The patient also had profound mixed hearing loss associated with otosclerosis, so underwent simultaneous cochlear implantation and occlusion of her posterior semicircular canal, following completion of anticoagulation therapy for her dissection.Conclusion:While internal carotid artery trauma is a rare adverse outcome following canalith repositioning procedures, clinicians should be aware of this possibility if patients report unusual symptoms following such procedures.
Externalizing disorders: Cluster 5 of the proposed meta-structure for DSM-V and ICD-11
Authors: Krueger R. F. , South S. C. 
Published: October 2009

BackgroundThe extant major psychiatric classifications DSM-IV and ICD-10 are purportedly atheoretical and largely descriptive. Although this achieves good reliability, the validity of a medical diagnosis is greatly enhanced by an understanding of the etiology. In an attempt to group mental disorders on the basis of etiology, five clusters have been proposed. We consider the validity of the fifth cluster, externalizing disorders, within this proposal.MethodWe reviewed the literature in relation to 11 validating criteria proposed by the Study Group of the DSM-V Task Force, in terms of the extent to which these criteria support the idea of a coherent externalizing spectrum of disorders.ResultsThis cluster distinguishes itself by the central role of disinhibitory personality in mental disorders spread throughout sections of the current classifications, including substance dependence, antisocial personality disorder and conduct disorder. Shared biomarkers, co-morbidity and course offer additional evidence for a valid cluster of externalizing disorders.ConclusionExternalizing disorders meet many of the salient criteria proposed by the Study Group of the DSM-V Task Force to suggest a classification cluster.
‘Work and Don't Lose Hope’: Republican Forced Labour Camps during the Spanish Civil War
Authors: RUIZ JULIUS 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThis article examines the use of forced labour in Republican Spain during the civil war. Although much has recently been written on Francoist camps, very little research has been undertaken on their Republican counterparts. As a consequence the significance of Republican camps has not been recognised. Although some historians argue that the Republicans used forced labour only in a desperate attempt to avoid military defeat, this article demonstrates that labour camps were an integral aspect of Republican ‘popular justice’. Work, it was argued, would redeem ‘fascists’ by allowing them to contribute to the economic reconstruction and transformation of Spain.
Risk and Protective Factors Associated With Speech and Language Impairment in a Nationally Representative Sample of 4- to 5-Year-Old Children
Authors: Harrison Linda J. , McLeod Sharynne 
Published: September 2009

PurposeTo determine risk and protective factors for speech and language impairment in early childhood.MethodData are presented for a nationally representative sample of 4,983 children participating in the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (described in McLeod & Harrison, 2009). Thirty-one child, parent, family, and community factors previously reported as being predictors of speech and language impairment were tested as predictors of (a) parent-rated expressive speech/language concern and (b) receptive language concern, (c) use of speech-language pathology services, and (d) low receptive vocabulary.ResultsBivariate logistic regression analyses confirmed 29 of the identified factors. However, when tested concurrently with other predictors in multivariate analyses, only 19 remained significant: 9 for 2–4 outcomes and 10 for 1 outcome. Consistent risk factors were being male, having ongoing hearing problems, and having a more reactive temperament. Protective factors were having a more persistent and sociable temperament and higher levels of maternal well-being. Results differed by outcome for having an older sibling, parents speaking a language other than English, and parental support for children’s learning at home.ConclusionIdentification of children requiring speech and language assessment requires consideration of the context of family life as well as biological and psychosocial factors intrinsic to the child.
Judgments of Omitted BE and DO in Questions as Extended Finiteness Clinical Markers of Specific Language Impairment (SLI) to 15 Years: A Study of Growth and Asymptote
Authors: Rice Mabel L. , Hoffman Lesa , Wexler Ken 
Published: September 2009

Purpose
Clinical grammar markers are needed for children with SLI older than 8 years. This study followed children who were previously studied on sentences with omitted finiteness to determine if affected children continue to perform at low levels and to examine possible predictors of low performance. This is the first longitudinal report of grammaticality judgments of questions.

Method

Three groups of children participated: 20 SLI, 20 age controls, and 18 language-matched controls, followed from ages 6–15 years. An experimental grammaticality judgment task was administered with BE copula/auxiliary and DO auxiliary in
wh-
and yes/no questions for 9 times of measurement. Predictors were indices of vocabulary, nonverbal intelligence, and maternal education.

Results
Growth curve analyses show that the affected group performed below the younger controls at each time of measurement, for each variable. Growth analyses show linear and quadratic effects for both groups across variables, with the exception of BE acquisition, which was flat for both groups. The control children reached ceiling levels; the affected children reached a lower asymptote.

Conclusion
The results suggest an ongoing maturational lag in finiteness marking for affected children with promise as a clinical marker for language impairment in school-aged and adolescent children and probably adults as well.