bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Comparison of a point of care device against current laboratory methodology using citrated and EDTA samples for the determination of D‐dimers in the exclusion of proximal deep vein thrombosis
Authors: BAKER P. M. , HOWGATE S. J. , ATHERTON J. , KEELING D. M. 
Published: February 2010

SummaryD‐dimer estimation is a routine part of diagnostic algorithms for the exclusion of venous thromboembolism (VTE). We evaluated a point of care device, Biosite Triage (Inverness Medical UK, Cheshire, UK) for the estimation of D‐dimers in both samples taken into citrate and EDTA against our routine laboratory D‐dimer (Liatest D‐dimer, Diagnostica Stago, Reading, UK) performed on the STA‐R Evolution. With informed consent, 102 consecutive patients presenting with possible deep vein thrombosis (DVT) were enrolled and D‐dimers along with Wells scores and compression ultrasonography (CUS) were recorded. Using the manufacturers’ recommended cut offs of 500 μg/l fibrinogen equivalent units and 400 μg/l for the Stago and Triage, respectively, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were calculated. These were 1.00, 0.42, 0.17, and 1.00 for the Triage machine using citrate samples, 1.00, 0.32, 0.14, and 1.00 using EDTA samples and 1.00, 0.29, 0.16, and 1.00 for the Stago Liatest assay, respectively. Three patients had significantly higher results for the Stago Liatest D‐dimer assay compared with the Biosite Triage device although ultrasound scans were negative. Conclusion: The Biosite Triage D‐dimer assay performed on either citrate or EDTA samples is comparable with the Stago Liatest laboratory D‐dimer assay when used in conjunction with clinical pretest probability scoring and CUS for the exclusion of DVT.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Production of Interleukin‐10 in serum and erythropoietin sensitivity in ESRD patients on hemodialysis
Authors: ATTIA F. M. , TAWFIK G. A. , KALIL K. A. , MOSSALAM M. F. 
Published: February 2010

SummaryOne of the clinical consequences of aberrant cytokines production in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) may be impaired erythropoiesis. To determine the interleukin (IL)‐10 levels in ESRD patients on regular hemodialysis (HD) with good and poor response to recombinant human erythropoietin (Epo). Two groups of ESRD‐HD patients were evaluated; 48 high epo HD patients and 32 low epo HD patients were evaluated for some laboratory tests and Interleukin‐10 by ELISA. The production of IL‐10 is decreased in HD with low epo group than high epo group 32.4 ± 7.9 vs. 45 ± 6.9 pg/ml (P < 0.001). IL‐10 level is well correlated with CRP, ESR, Ferritin, Epo dose, and EPO/Hb ratio in ESRD‐HD patients. These findings suggest that IL‐10 is playing a part in affecting the response to EPO, even in the absence of any obvious infection or inflammatory condition.
Indigenous ectosymbiotic bacteria associated with diverse hydrothermal vent invertebrates
Authors: Goffredi Shana K. 
Published: February 2010

SummarySymbioses involving bacteria and invertebrates contribute to the biological diversity and high productivity of both aquatic and terrestrial environments. Well‐known examples from chemosynthetic deep‐sea hydrothermal vent environments involve ectosymbiotic microbes associated with the external surfaces of marine invertebrates. Some of these ectosymbioses confer protection or defence from predators or the environment itself, some are nutritional in nature, and many still are of unknown function. Several recently discovered hydrothermal vent invertebrates, including two populations of yeti crab (Kiwa spp.), a limpet (Symmetromphalus aff. hageni), and the scaly‐foot snail (as yet undescribed), support a consortium of diverse bacteria. Comparisons of these ectosymbioses to those previously described revealed similarities among the associated microorganisms, suggesting that certain microbes are indigenous to the surfaces of marine invertebrates. In particular, members of the Thiovulgaceae (epsilonproteobacteria) and Thiotrichaceae (gammaproteobacteria) appear to preferentially form ectosymbioses with vent crustaceans and gastropods. Interactions between specific Proteobacteria and the surfaces of many marine invertebrates likely have ecological and evolutionary significance at these chemically challenging habitats.
Abundance, spatial distribution and genetic diversity of Ostreococcus tauri viruses in two different environments
Authors: Bellec Laure , Grimsley Nigel , Derelle Evelyne , Moreau Hervé , Desdevises Yves 
Published: February 2010

SummaryAlthough large DNA viruses of eukaryotic algae represent a major force in shaping populations of plankton, knowledge about them is often limited to their overall diversity, abundance, and the flux of their constituent matter between ecosystem compartments. In order to gain insight about the genetics and structure of such populations, we used an easily cultivable model unicellular algal species, Ostreococcus tauri (Prasinophyceae), to monitor and compare populations of viruses in different marine environments. The abundance of O. tauri viruses showed very large temporal fluctuations, but remarkably was more than two orders of magnitude higher in lagoons than in coastal waters. We analysed 161 individual viruses found after plating out for lysis plaques on the host during a time series of water samplings. The haplotypes of viruses infecting our host strain were determined by sequence analysis of the partial DNA polymerase gene, permitting a spatiotemporal analysis of their population structure. We found 48 haplotypes, only the two most abundant ones being shared among all of the three study sites (lagoon, coastal and offshore), supporting the hypothesis that there is great diversity among the viruses infecting one host strain. However, our data suggest that the population structure differ between lagoons and coastal sea.
Return to Work and Driving following Arthroscopic Subacromial Decompression and Acromioclavicular Joint Excision
Authors: Charalambous Charalambos P , Sahu Ajay , Alvi Farhan , Batra Sunil , Gullett Thomas K , Ravenscroft Matt 
Published: February 2010

Background Arthroscopic subacromial decompression and acromio-clavicular joint excision are two of the most commonly performed arthroscopic shoulder procedures. Methods In the present study, we prospectively evaluated the timing of return to work and driving following these procedures in a British population. Results Median time of returning to work was 22 days (range 2 days to 72 days). Median time of returning to driving was 14 days (range 2 days to 70 days). Ninety percent of patients returned to work by 6 weeks and to driving by 4 weeks. Discussion The results obtained suggest that most patients having arthroscopic subacromial decompression or acromio-clavicular joint excision will return to work and driving by 6 weeks post surgery.
Management of pregnancy in women with acquired and congenital heart disease
Authors: Bowater S E , Thorne S A 
Published: February 2010

Abstract
Heart disease is the leading cause of maternal mortality in the UK. Deaths from acquired conditions such as ischaemic heart disease are increasing and often occur in patients with no history of heart disease, thus emphasising the need for vigilance for risk factors in women of childbearing age. All women with known heart disease should have pre-pregnancy counselling to assess for maternal and fetal risk. Women deemed to be at moderate or high risk should be under the care of a specialist antenatal team with experience of managing women with heart disease in pregnancy. Conditions that are considered particularly high risk (mortality &gt;10%) include Marfan syndrome with dilated aortic root, severe left heart obstructive lesions, pulmonary hypertension, and severe left ventricular dysfunction. This article reviews the management of women with heart disease during pregnancy, labour and in the puerperium.
An audit of the effect of oxygen prescription charts on clinical practice
Authors: Wijesinghe Meme , Shirtcliffe Philippa , Perrin Kyle , Healy Bridget , James Kate , Weatherall Mark , Beasley Richard 
Published: February 2010

Abstract

Problem
The need to improve the prescription, administration and monitoring of oxygen therapy.

Design
An interventional, prospective audit.

Background and setting
Wellington Hospital, a teaching and tertiary referral hospital in New Zealand in 2007 and 2008.

Key measures for improvement
Demonstration of adequate oxygen prescribing, administration and monitoring of oxygen therapy.

Strategies for improvement
The introduction of a new drug chart with a specific oxygen prescription section. Targeted educational lectures primarily to medical staff.

Effects of change
610 and 566 patients were reviewed in the first and second audits. After introduction of the new oxygen prescription section on the drug chart the proportion of patients whose oxygen therapy was prescribed increased from 15/85 (17.6%) to 39/98 (39.8%), relative risk 2.3 (95% CI 1.3 to 3.9). The proportion with adequate oxygen prescription, with documentation of device, flow rate or inspired oxygen concentration, and the target oxygen saturation increased from 5/85 (5.9%) to 36/98 (36.7%), relative risk 6.2 (95% CI 2.5 to 15.0). Introduction of the new charts was not associated with changes in clinical practice in terms of assessment of oxygen saturations on room air and commencement if ≤92%, or the titration of oxygen therapy in response to oxygen saturations ≤92%.

Lessons learnt
An oxygen prescription section on hospital drug charts improved the prescription of oxygen but did not improve clinical practice. Additional strategies are required to improve the administration of oxygen therapy in hospitals.
Common Fixed Point of Multivalued Generalized "Equation missing" -Weak Contractive Mappings
Authors: Djafari Rouhani Behzad , Moradi Sirous 
Published: February 2010

AbstractFixed point and coincidence results are presented for multivalued generalized "Equation missing"-weak contractive mappings on complete metric spaces, where "Equation missing" is a lower semicontinuous function with "Equation missing" and "Equation missing" for all "Equation missing". Our results extend previous results by Zhang and Song (2009), as well as by Rhoades (2001), Nadler (1969), and Daffer and Kaneko (1995).
Thrombin receptors in vascular smooth muscle cells – function and regulation by vasodilatory prostaglandins
Authors: Bretschneider Ellen , Fischer Kerstin , Fischer Jens , Pape Robert , Rauch Bernhard , Rosenkranz Anke , Weber Artur-Aron , Schrör Karsten 
Published: February 2010

SummaryThe vast majority of thrombin (>95%) is generated after clotting is completed, suggesting that thrombin formation serves purposes beyond coagulation, such as tissue repair after vessel injury. Two types of vascular thrombin binding sites exist: protease-activated receptors (PARs) and thrombomodulin (TM). Their expression is low in contractile vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC), the dominating subendothelial cell population, but becomes markedly up-regulated upon injury. In human SMC, PAR-1, PAR-3, and PAR-4 mediate thrombin-induced proliferation, migration and matrix biosynthesis as well as generation of inflammatory and growth-promoting mediators. Thrombin-responsive PARs are transcriptionally down-regulated in human vascular SMC by vasodilatory prostaglandins (PGI2/PGE2). For PAR-1 and PAR-3 this mechanism involves cAMP-dependent inactivation of the transcription factor NFAT. The human PAR-4 promoter does not possess NFAT recognition motifs suggesting involvement of other cAMP-regulated effectors. Unlike PARs, TM is induced in SMC exposed to vasodilatory pros-taglandins. Enhanced thrombin binding to TM might ameliorate PAR-mediated SMC stimulation. Also expressed in human SMC is the endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR), which serves as an anchor to facilitate generation of activated protein C (aPC) by TM-bound thrombin. Whether prostaglandins affect aPC-generation is not known. In SMC, thrombin and aPC act synergistically via PAR-1 to modify tissue remodelling, in contrast to their antagonistic interaction in the coagulation pathways. Overall, this will contribute to plaque stability and wound healing. The processes outlined here are likely to become clinically relevant after up-regulation of vascular cyclooxygenase2, the rate limiting step in vascular PGE2/PGI2 biosynthesis, such as in advanced atherosclerosis and acute coronary syndromes.
Reconstruction of Near-Surface Tornado Wind Fields from Forest Damage
Authors: Beck Veronika , Dotzek Nikolai 
Published: February 2010

Abstract
Tornado intensity is usually inferred from the damage produced. To foster postevent tornado intensity assessments, the authors present a model to reconstruct near-surface wind fields from forest damage patterns. By comparing the structure of observed and simulated damage patterns, essential parameters to describe a tornado near-surface wind field are derived, such as the ratio Gmax between circular and translational velocity, and the deflection angle α between peak wind and pressure gradient. The model consists of a wind field module following the Letzmann analytical tornado model and a tree module based on the mechanistic HWIND tree model to assess tree breakage. Using this method, the velocity components of the near-surface wind field, the track of the tornado center, and the spatial distribution of the Fujita scale along and across the damage path can be assessed. Necessary requirements to apply the model are knowledge of the tornado translation speed (e.g., from radar observations) and a detailed analysis of the forest damage patterns. One of the key findings of this analysis is that the maximum intensity of the tornado is determinable with an uncertainty of only (Gmax + 1) times the variability of the usually well-known tornado translation speed. Further, if Letzmann’s model is applied and the translation speed of the tornado is known, the detailed tree model is unnecessary and could be replaced by an average critical velocity for stem breakage υcrit independent of the tree species. Under this framework, the F3 and F2 ratings of the tornadoes in Milosovice, Czech Republic, on 30 May 2001 and Castellcir, Spain, on 18 October 2006, respectively, could be verified. For the Milosovice event, the uncertainty in peak intensity was only ±6.0 m s−1. Additional information about the structure of the near-surface wind field in the tornado and several secondary vortices was also gained. Further, this model allows for distinguishing downburst damage patterns from those of tornadoes.
The Full-Spectrum Correlated-k Method for Longwave Atmospheric Radiative Transfer Using an Effective Planck Function
Authors: Hogan Robin J. 
Published: February 2010

Abstract
The correlated-k-distribution (CKD) method is widely used in the radiative transfer schemes of atmospheric models; it involves dividing the spectrum into a number of bands and then reordering the gaseous absorption coefficients within each one. The fluxes and heating rates for each band may then be computed by discretizing the reordered spectrum into O(10) quadrature points per major gas and performing a pseudomonochromatic radiation calculation for each point. In this paper it is first argued that for clear-sky longwave calculations, sufficient accuracy for most applications can be achieved without the need for bands: reordering may be performed on the entire longwave spectrum. The resulting full-spectrum correlated-k (FSCK) method requires significantly fewer pseudomonochromatic calculations than standard CKD to achieve a given accuracy. The concept is first demonstrated by comparing with line-by-line calculations for an atmosphere containing only water vapor, in which it is shown that the accuracy of heating rate calculations improves approximately in proportion to the square of the number of quadrature points. For more than around 20 points, the root-mean-square error flattens out at around 0.015 K day−1 due to the imperfect rank correlation of absorption spectra at different pressures in the profile. The spectral overlap of m different gases is treated by considering an m-dimensional hypercube where each axis corresponds to the reordered spectrum of one of the gases. This hypercube is then divided up into a number of volumes, each approximated by a single quadrature point, such that the total number of quadrature points is slightly fewer than the sum of the number that would be required to treat each of the gases separately. The gaseous absorptions for each quadrature point are optimized such that they minimize a cost function expressing the deviation of the heating rates and fluxes calculated by the FSCK method from line-by-line calculations for a number of training profiles. This approach is validated for atmospheres containing water vapor, carbon dioxide, and ozone, in which it is found that in the troposphere and most of the stratosphere, heating rate errors of less than 0.2 K day−1 can be achieved using a total of 23 quadrature points, decreasing to less than 0.1 K day−1 for 32 quadrature points. It would be relatively straightforward to extend the method to include other gases.
Failed Cyclogenetic Evolution of a West African Monsoon Perturbation Observed during AMMA SOP-3
Authors: Arnault Joël , Roux Frank 
Published: February 2010

AbstractThe so-called “perturbation D” was a nondeveloping West African disturbance observed near Dakar (Senegal) during special observing period (SOP) 3 of the African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analysis (AMMA) in September 2006. Its mesoscale environment is described with the dropsonde data obtained during flights on three successive days with the Service des Avions Français Instrumentés pour la Recherche en Environnement Falcon-20 aircraft. Processes involved in this evolution are studied qualitatively with ECMWF reanalyses and Meteosat-9 images. The evolution of perturbation D was the result of an interaction between processes at different scales such as the African easterly jet (AEJ), a midtropospheric African easterly wave (AEW), a series of mesoscale convective systems, the monsoon flow, dry low- to midlevel anticyclonic Saharan air, and a midlatitude upper-level trough. The interaction between these processes is further investigated through a numerical simulation conducted with the French nonhydrostatic Méso-NH model with parameterized convection. The growth of the simulated disturbance is quantified with an energy budget including barotropic and baroclinic conversions of eddy kinetic energy, proposed previously by the authors for a limited domain. The development of the simulated system is found to result from barotropic–baroclinic growth over West Africa and baroclinic growth over the tropical eastern Atlantic. It is suggested that these energy conversions were the result of an adjustment of the wind in response to the pressure decrease, presumably caused by convective activity, and other synoptic processes. A comparison with the developing case of Helene (2006) reveals that both perturbations had similar evolutions over the continent but were associated with different synoptic conditions over the ocean. For perturbation D, the anticyclonic curvature of the AEJ, caused by the intensification of the eastern ridge by a strong flow of dry Saharan air, prohibited the formation of a closed and convergent circulation. Moreover, a midlatitude upper-level trough approaching from the northwest contributed to increase the northward stretching and then weakened the perturbation. It is therefore suggested that at least as important as the intensity of the AEW trough and associated convection leaving the West African continent are synoptic conditions associated with the Saharan heat low, the subtropical high pressure zone, and even the midlatitude circulation, all of which are instrumental in the (non)cyclogenetic evolution of AEWs in the Cape Verde Islands region.
An Improved Representation of Rimed Snow and Conversion to Graupel in a Multicomponent Bin Microphysics Scheme
Authors: Morrison Hugh , Grabowski Wojciech W. 
Published: February 2010

Abstract
This paper describes the development of a new multicomponent detailed bin ice microphysics scheme that predicts the number concentration of ice as well as the rime mass mixing ratio in each mass bin. This allows for local prediction of the rime mass fraction. In this approach, the ice particle mass size, projected area size, and terminal velocity–size relationships vary as a function of particle mass and rimed mass fraction, based on a simple conceptual model of rime accumulation in the crystal interstices that leads to an increase in particle mass, but not in its maximum size, until a complete “filling in” with rime and conversion to graupel occurs. This approach allows a natural representation of the gradual transition from unrimed crystals to rimed crystals and graupel during riming. The new ice scheme is coupled with a detailed bin representation of the liquid hydrometeors and applied in an idealized 2D kinematic flow model representing the evolution of a mixed-phase precipitating cumulus. Results using the bin scheme are compared with simulations using a two-moment bulk scheme employing the same approach (i.e., separate prediction of bulk ice mixing ratio from vapor deposition and riming, allowing for local prediction of bulk rime mass fraction). The bin and bulk schemes produce similar results in terms of ice and liquid water paths and optical depths, as well as the timing of the onset and peak surface precipitation rate. However, the peak domain-average surface precipitation rate produced by the bulk scheme is about 4 times that in the bin simulation. The bin scheme is also compared with simulations that assume the ice particles consist entirely of either unrimed snow or graupel. While overall results are fairly similar, the onset and timing of the peak domain-average surface precipitation rate are substantially delayed in the simulations that treat the ice particles as either unrimed snow or graupel. These results suggest the importance of representing different ice types, including partially rimed crystals, for this case.
Midlevel Ventilation’s Constraint on Tropical Cyclone Intensity
Authors: Tang Brian , Emanuel Kerry 
Published: February 2010

Abstract
Midlevel ventilation, or the flux of low-entropy air into the inner core of a tropical cyclone (TC), is a hypothesized mechanism by which environmental vertical wind shear can constrain a tropical cyclone’s intensity. An idealized framework based on steadiness, axisymmetry, and slantwise neutrality is developed to assess how ventilation affects tropical cyclone intensity via two possible pathways: the first through downdrafts outside the eyewall and the second through eddy fluxes directly into the eyewall. For both pathways, ventilation has a detrimental effect on tropical cyclone intensity by decreasing the maximum steady-state intensity significantly below the potential intensity, imposing a minimum intensity below which a TC will unconditionally decay, and providing an upper-ventilation bound beyond which no steady tropical cyclone can exist. Ventilation also decreases the thermodynamic efficiency as the eyewall becomes less buoyant relative to the environment, which compounds the effects of ventilation alone. Finally, the formulation presented in this study is shown to be invariant across a range of thermodynamic environments after a suitable normalization and shows little sensitivity to external parameters.