bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relationship between hospital volume and operative mortality for liver resection: Data from the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination database
Authors: Yasunaga Hideo , Horiguchi Hiromasa , Matsuda Shinya , Fushimi Kiyohide , Hashimoto Hideki , Ohe Kazuhiko , Kokudo Norihiro 
Published: April 2012

Aim:  The present study aimed to conduct a nationwide investigation on the relationship between hospital volume and outcomes following liver resection in Japan. We also discuss health policy implications of the results.Methods:  Using the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination database, we identified 18 046 patients who underwent hepatic resection between July and December 2007–2009. Patients were subdivided into hospital‐volume quartiles: very low‐ (<18/year), low‐ (18–35), high‐ (36–70) and very high‐volume groups (>70). Multivariate logistic regression analysis for in‐hospital mortality within 30 days of surgery was performed to analyze adjusted effects of various factors.Results:  Patients in the very high‐volume group had a higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (P < 0.001) than those in the very low‐volume group. Very low‐volume hospitals were significantly less likely to perform extended lobectomy than very high‐volume hospitals (5.4% vs 17.6%, P < 0.001). Crude in‐hospital mortality within 30 days of surgery was 1.1% (0.6%, 0.8%, 1.9% and 3.0% for limited resection, segmentectomy, lobectomy and extended lobectomy, respectively). With reference to the very low‐volume group, risk‐adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of low‐, high‐ and very high‐volume groups for overall mortality were 0.70 (0.48–1.02; P = 0.060), 0.52 (0.34–0.81; P = 0.004) and 0.16 (0.09–0.30; P < 0.001), respectively.Conclusion:  There is a linear trend between higher hospital volume and lower in‐hospital mortality of liver resection in Japan, particularly for lobectomy and extended lobectomy. Based on these results, regionalization of lobectomy and extended lobectomy in high‐volume centers could be effective for reducing postoperative mortality.
Complications of radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma in a multicenter study: An analysis of 16 346 treated nodules in 13 283 patients
Authors: Koda Masahiko , Murawaki Yoshikazu , Hirooka Yasuaki , Kitamoto Mikiya , Ono Masafumi , Sakaeda Hiroshi , Joko Kouji , Sato Shuichi , Tamaki Katsuyoshi , Yamasaki Takahiro , Shibata Hiroshi , Shimoe Toshinari , Matsuda Tadakazu , Toshikuni Nobuyuki , Fujioka Shin‐ichi , Ohmoto Kenji , Nakamura Shinichiro , Kariyama Kazuya , Aikata Hiroshi , Kobayashi Yoshiyuki , Tsutsui Akemi 
Published: April 2012

Aim:  We surveyed multiple centers to identify types and frequency of complications and mortality rate associated with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:  We distributed a questionnaire developed by members of the Chugoku‐Shikoku Society for the Local Ablation Therapy of Hepatocellular Carcinoma to 20 centers and analyzed types and frequency of complications and mortality rate.Results:  In total, 16 346 nodules were treated in 13 283 patients between January 1999 and November 2010. Five patients (0.038%) died: two from intraperitoneal hemorrhage, and one each from hemothorax, severe acute pancreatitis and perforation of the colon. In 16 346 treated nodules, 579 complications (3.54%) were observed, including 78 hemorrhages (0.477%), 276 hepatic injuries (1.69%), 113 extrahepatic organ injuries (0.691%) and 27 tumor progressions (0.17%). The centers that treated a large number of nodules and performed RFA modifications, such as use of artificial ascites, artificial pleural effusion and bile duct cooling, had low complication rates.Conclusion:  This study confirmed that RFA is a low‐risk treatment for HCC and that sufficient experience and technical skill can reduce complications.
Atrial‐Based Pacing for Sinus Node Dysfunction in Dogs: Initial Results
Authors: Estrada A.H. , Pariaut R. , Hemsley S. , Gatson B.H. , Moïse N.S. 
Published: April 2012

BackgroundAn important consideration for the treatment of sick sinus syndrome (SSS) lies in the function of the atrioventricular (AV) node because most patients with SSS retain the ability to conduct atrial impulses.Hypothesis/ObjectivesThis retrospective study examined the feasibility of atrial pacing (AAI) in dogs with sinus node dysfunction (SND).AnimalsSixteen dogs with SND and AAI pacing were identified.MethodsRetrospective review of medical records.ResultsFollow‐up time ranged from 45 to 1,227 days (mean: 292 days). Only 1 dog developed AV block 3 days postoperatively. Complete lead dislodgment occurred in 3/16 dogs 1, 19, and 27 days postoperatively. Lead perforation into the pericardial space occurred in 2/16 dogs. Rising thresholds for pacing with possible lead microdislodgment or fibrosis were suspected in another 3/16 dogs 57, 192, and 1,016 days after implantation. None of these dogs had complete loss of capture but all required higher thresholds for pacing.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceBased on this small group of dogs, clinically important AV block does not appear to occur in the long‐term for dogs with SND. Risks of lead perforation, complete dislodgment, and rising thresholds for pacing, possibly because of microdislodgment, may be related to the initial skill level of the operator or the leads that were used. Use of leads with reduced torque at the lead tip, higher flexibility, increased lead‐tip surface of contact with the endocardium or, more likely, use of alternate locations for pacing in the small right atrium of dogs with SND may decrease the frequency of these complications.
How to measure and test phylogenetic signal
Authors: Münkemüller Tamara , Lavergne Sébastien , Bzeznik Bruno , Dray Stéphane , Jombart Thibaut , Schiffers Katja , Thuiller Wilfried 
Published: April 2012

Summary1. Phylogenetic signal is the tendency of related species to resemble each other more than species drawn at random from the same tree. This pattern is of considerable interest in a range of ecological and evolutionary research areas, and various indices have been proposed for quantifying it. Unfortunately, these indices often lead to contrasting results, and guidelines for choosing the most appropriate index are lacking.2. Here, we compare the performance of four commonly used indices using simulated data. Data were generated with numerical simulations of trait evolution along phylogenetic trees under a variety of evolutionary models. We investigated the sensitivity of the approaches to the size of phylogenies, the resolution of tree structure and the availability of branch length information, examining both the response of the selected indices and the power of the associated statistical tests.3. We found that under a Brownian motion (BM) model of trait evolution, Abouheif’sCmeanand Pagel’s λ performed well and substantially better than Moran’sIand Blomberg’sK. Pagel’sλprovided a reliable effect size measure and performed better for discriminating between more complex models of trait evolution, but was computationally more demanding than Abouheif’sCmean. Blomberg’sKwas most suitable to capture the effects of changing evolutionary rates in simulation experiments.4. Interestingly, sample size influenced not only the uncertainty but also the expected values of most indices, while polytomies and missing branch length information had only negligible impacts.5. We propose guidelines for choosing among indices, depending on (a) their sensitivity to true underlying patterns of phylogenetic signal, (b) whether a test or a quantitative measure is required and (c) their sensitivities to different topologies of phylogenies.6. These guidelines aim to better assess phylogenetic signal and distinguish it from random trait distributions. They were developed under the assumption of BM, and additional simulations with more complex trait evolution models show that they are to a certain degree generalizable. They are particularly useful in comparative analyses, when requiring a proxy for niche similarity, and in conservation studies that explore phylogenetic loss associated with extinction risks of specific clades.
A two‐phase sampling design for increasing detections of rare species in occupancy surveys
Authors: Pacifici Krishna , Dorazio Robert M. , Conroy Michael J. 
Published: April 2012

Summary1. Occupancy estimation is a commonly used tool in ecological studies owing to the ease at which data can be collected and the large spatial extent that can be covered. One major obstacle to using an occupancy‐based approach is the complications associated with designing and implementing an efficient survey. These logistical challenges become magnified when working with rare species when effort can be wasted in areas with none or very few individuals.2. Here, we develop a two‐phase sampling approach that mitigates these problems by using a design that places more effort in areas with higher predicted probability of occurrence. We compare our new sampling design to traditional single‐season occupancy estimation under a range of conditions and population characteristics. We develop an intuitive measure of predictive error to compare the two approaches and use simulations to assess the relative accuracy of each approach.3. Our two‐phase approach exhibited lower predictive error rates compared to the traditional single‐season approach in highly spatially correlated environments. The difference was greatest when detection probability was high (0·75) regardless of the habitat or sample size. When the true occupancy rate was below 0·4 (0·05–0·4), we found that allocating 25% of the sample to the first phase resulted in the lowest error rates.4. In the majority of scenarios, the two‐phase approach showed lower error rates compared to the traditional single‐season approach suggesting our new approach is fairly robust to a broad range of conditions and design factors and merits use under a wide variety of settings.5. Synthesis and applications. Conservation and management of rare species are a challenging task facing natural resource managers. It is critical for studies involving rare species to efficiently allocate effort and resources as they are usually of a finite nature. We believe our approach provides a framework for optimal allocation of effort while maximizing the information content of the data in an attempt to provide the highest conservation value per unit of effort.
Treatment of an 18‐year‐old mare for bilateral, branchial remnant cysts
Authors: de Estrada J. , Schumacher J. 
Published: April 2012

SummaryThis report describes the treatment of an aged mare for bilateral, branchial remnant cysts by marsupialisation and sclerotherapy the cysts. Treatment to resolve the cysts was prolonged, but the mare had no long‐term complications.
Family–health professional relations in pediatric weight management: an integrative review
Authors: Farnesi B.‐C. , Ball G. D. C. , Newton A. S. 
Published: April 2012

SummaryIn this integrative review, we examined contemporary literature in pediatric weight management to identify characteristics that contribute to the relationship between families and health professionals and describe how these qualities can inform healthcare practices for obese children and families receiving weight management care. We searched literature published from 1980 to 2010 in three electronic databases (MEDLINE, PsycINFO and CINAHL). Twenty‐four articles identified family–health professional relationships were influenced by the following: health professionals' weight‐related discussions and approaches to care; and parents' preferences regarding weight‐related terminology and expectations of healthcare delivery. There was considerable methodological heterogeneity in the types of reports (i.e. qualitative studies, review articles, commentaries) included in this review. Overall, the findings have implications for establishing a positive clinical relationship between families and health professionals, which include being sensitive when discussing weight‐related issues, using euphemisms when talking about obesity, demonstrating a non‐judgmental and supportive attitude and including the family (children and parents) in healthcare interactions. Experimental research, clinical interventions and longitudinal studies are needed to build on the current evidence to determine how best to establish a collaborative partnership between families and health professionals and whether such a partnership improves treatment adherence, reduces intervention attrition and enhances pediatric weight management success.
The effect of a short message service maintenance treatment on body mass index and psychological well‐being in overweight and obese children: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: de Niet J. , Timman R. , Bauer S. , van den Akker E. , Buijks H. , de Klerk C. , Kordy H. , Passchier J. 
Published: April 2012

SummaryObjectiveMaintaining weight loss results in childhood obesity treatment is difficult to achieve. Self‐management techniques such as self‐monitoring are associated with increased weight loss and maintenance. This study analyzes whether self‐monitoring of lifestyle behaviours through a short message service maintenance treatment (SMSMT) via mobile phones with personalized feedback positively effects weight, lifestyle behaviours and psychological well‐being in obese children.MethodsAfter 3 months of behavioural lifestyle treatment, 141 overweight and obese children (7–12 years) were randomly assigned to an intervention group receiving SMSMT for 9 months (n = 73) or to the control group (n = 68). The intervention group sent weekly self‐monitoring data on exercise and eating behaviour and their mood via mobile phones. In return, they received tailored feedback messages. Primary treatment outcomes were weight, eating behaviour and psychological well‐being, i.e. competence, self‐esteem and quality of life. Secondary outcome was adherence to the SMSMT. Data were analyzed with mixed modelling.ResultsSMSMT did not improve treatment outcomes. Controls gained temporarily in physical health scores (P = 0.01). SMSMT completers sent on average every 2 weeks an SMS. Children who had greater weight loss during the first 3 months of lifestyle treatment sent more SMSs (P = 0.04).ConclusionsWe did not find a positive effect of SMSMT on weight, eating behaviour or psychological well‐being in obese children. SMSMT seems to be a feasible method of treatment delivery. Future research should study variations of SMSMT to investigate how SMSMT can be more effective.
Alanyl-Phosphatidylglycerol and Lysyl-Phosphatidylglycerol Are Translocated by the Same MprF Flippases and Have Similar Capacities To Protect against the Antibiotic Daptomycin in Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Slavetinsky Christoph J. , Peschel Andreas , Ernst Christoph M. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT

The lysinylation of negatively charged phosphatidylglycerol by MprF proteins reduces the affinity of cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs) for bacterial cytoplasmic membranes and reduces the susceptibility of several Gram-positive bacterial pathogens to CAMPs. MprF of
Staphylococcus aureus
encompasses a lysyl-phosphatidylglycerol (Lys-PG) synthase and a Lys-PG flippase domain. In contrast,
Clostridium perfringens
encodes two MprF homologs which specifically synthesize alanyl-phosphatidylglycerol (Ala-PG) or Lys-PG, while only the Lys-PG synthase is fused to a putative flippase domain. It remains unknown whether cationic Lys-PG and zwitterionic Ala-PG differ in their capacities to be translocated by MprF flippases and if both can reduce CAMP susceptibility in Gram-positive bacteria. By expressing the MprF proteins of
C. perfringens
in an
S. aureus mprF
deletion mutant, we found that both lipids can be efficiently produced in
S. aureus
. Simultaneous expression of the Lys-PG and Ala-PG synthases led to the production of both lipids and slightly increased the overall amounts of aminoacyl phospholipids. Ala-PG production by the corresponding
C. perfringens
enzyme did not affect susceptibility to CAMPs such as nisin and gallidermin or to the CAMP-like antibiotic daptomycin. However, coexpression of the Ala-PG synthase with flippase domains of Lys-PG synthesizing MprF proteins led to a wild-type level of daptomycin susceptibility, indicating that Ala-PG can also protect bacterial membranes against daptomycin and suggesting that Lys-PG flippases can also translocate the related lipid Ala-PG. Thus, bacterial aminoacyl phospholipid flippases exhibit more relaxed substrate specificity and Ala-PG and Lys-PG are more similar in their capacities to modulate membrane functions than anticipated.
Transferable Plasmid-Mediated Resistance to Linezolid Due to
cfr
in a Human Clinical Isolate of Enterococcus faecalis
Authors: Diaz Lorena , Kiratisin Pattarachai , Mendes Rodrigo E. , Panesso Diana , Singh Kavindra V. , Arias Cesar A. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT

Nonmutational resistance to linezolid is due to the presence of
cfr
, which encodes a methyltransferase responsible for methylation of A2503 in the 23S rRNA. The
cfr
gene was first described in animal isolates of staphylococci, and more recently, it has been identified in
Staphylococcus aureus
from human clinical infections, including in an outbreak of methicillin-resistant
S. aureus
. In enterococci,
cfr
has been described in an animal isolate of
Enterococcus faecalis
from China. Here, we report an isolate of linezolid-resistant
E. faecalis
(603-50427X) recovered from a patient in Thailand who received prolonged therapy with the antibiotic for the treatment of atypical mycobacterial disease. The isolate lacked mutations in the genes coding for 23S rRNA and L3 and L4 ribosomal proteins and belonged to the multilocus sequence type (MLST) 16 (ST16), which is commonly found in enterococcal isolates from animal sources. Resistance to linezolid was associated with the presence of
cfr
on an ∼97-kb transferable plasmid. The
cfr
gene environment exhibited DNA sequences similar to those of other
cfr
-carrying plasmids previously identified in staphylococci (nucleotide identity, 99 to 100%). The
cfr
-carrying plasmid was transferable by conjugation to a laboratory strain of
E. faecalis
(OG1RF) but not to
Enterococcus faecium
or
S. aureus
. The
cfr
gene was flanked by IS
256
-like sequences both upstream and downstream. This is the first characterization of the potential horizontal transferability of the
cfr
gene from a human linezolid-resistant isolate of
E. faecalis
.
Characterization of Globally Spread Escherichia coli ST131 Isolates (1991 to 2010)
Authors: Novais Ângela , Pires João , Ferreira Helena , Costa Luísa , Montenegro Carolina , Vuotto Claudia , Donelli Gianfranco , Coque Teresa M. , Peixe Luísa 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT

The characterization of a broad representative sample of ST131
Escherichia coli
isolates from different origins and settings (1991 to 2010) revealed that this clonal group has likely diversified recently and that the expansion of particular variants has probably been favored by the capture of diverse, multidrug-resistant IncFII plasmids (pC15-1a, pEK499, pKF3-140-like). The low ability to adhere and to grow as biofilm that was detected in this study suggests unknown mechanisms for the persistence of this clonal group which need to be further explored.
Efficacy of Bacteriophage Therapy in Experimental Sepsis and Meningitis Caused by a Clone O25b:H4-ST131 Escherichia coli Strain Producing CTX-M-15
Authors: Pouillot Flavie , Chomton Maryline , Blois Hélène , Courroux Celine , Noelig Julien , Bidet Philippe , Bingen Edouard , Bonacorsi Stéphane 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT

We evaluated phage therapy in experimental infections due to S242, a fatal neonatal meningitis
Escherichia coli
strain belonging to the worldwide-distributed O25b:H4-ST131 clone that produces extended-spectrum beta-lactamase CTX-M-15. A lytic phage, EC200
PP
, active against S242, was isolated from environmental water. After determining
in vitro
and
ex vivo
stabilities and pharmacokinetic properties of EC200
PP
in rat pups, we assessed the therapeutic efficacy of a single dose of 10
8
PFU using models of sepsis and meningitis in which fatality was 100%. EC200
PP
was partially neutralized by human serum. In contrast to the high concentration of phage in the spleen and the kidney, low titers in urine and the central nervous system were observed. Nevertheless, in the sepsis model, EC200
PP
administered 7 h or 24 h postinfection resulted in 100% and 50% pup survival, respectively. In the meningitis model, EC200
PP
administered 1 h or 7 h postinfection rescued 100% of the animals. The most delayed treatments were associated with the selection of phage-resistant S242 mutants. However, a representative mutant was highly sensitive to killing serum activity and avirulent in an animal model. EC200
PP
is a potential therapeutic agent for sepsis and meningitis caused by the widespread
E. coli
O25:H4-ST131 multidrug-resistant clone.
Spanish Multicenter Study of the Epidemiology and Mechanisms of Amoxicillin-Clavulanate Resistance in Escherichia coli
Authors: Ortega Adriana , Oteo Jesús , Aranzamendi-Zaldumbide Maitane , Bartolomé Rosa M. , Bou Germán , Cercenado Emilia , Conejo M. Carmen , González-López Juan José , Marín Mercedes , Martínez-Martínez Luis , Merino María , Navarro Ferran , Oliver Antonio , Pascual Álvaro , Rivera Alba , Rodríguez-Baño Jesús , Weber Irene , Aracil Belén , Campos José 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT

We conducted a prospective multicenter study in Spain to characterize the mechanisms of resistance to amoxicillin-clavulanate (AMC) in
Escherichia coli
. Up to 44 AMC-resistant
E. coli
isolates (MIC ≥ 32/16 μg/ml) were collected at each of the seven participant hospitals. Resistance mechanisms were characterized by PCR and sequencing. Molecular epidemiology was studied by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and by multilocus sequence typing. Overall AMC resistance was 9.3%. The resistance mechanisms detected in the 257 AMC-resistant isolates were OXA-1 production (26.1%), hyperproduction of penicillinase (22.6%), production of plasmidic AmpC (19.5%), hyperproduction of chromosomic AmpC (18.3%), and production of inhibitor-resistant TEM (IRT) (17.5%). The IRTs identified were TEM-40 (33.3%), TEM-30 (28.9%), TEM-33 (11.1%), TEM-32 (4.4%), TEM-34 (4.4%), TEM-35 (2.2%), TEM-54 (2.2%), TEM-76 (2.2%), TEM-79 (2.2%), and the new TEM-185 (8.8%). By PFGE, a high degree of genetic diversity was observed although two well-defined clusters were detected in the OXA-1-producing isolates: the C1 cluster consisting of 19 phylogroup A/sequence type 88 [ST88] isolates and the C2 cluster consisting of 19 phylogroup B2/ST131 isolates (16 of them producing CTX-M-15). Each of the clusters was detected in six different hospitals. In total, 21.8% of the isolates were serotype O25b/phylogroup B2 (O25b/B2). AMC resistance in
E. coli
is widespread in Spain at the hospital and community levels. A high prevalence of OXA-1 was found. Although resistant isolates were genetically diverse, clonality was linked to OXA-1-producing isolates of the STs 88 and 131. Dissemination of IRTs was frequent, and the epidemic O25b/B2/ST131 clone carried many different mechanisms of AMC resistance.