bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dexamethasone and postoperative bleeding after tonsillectomy and adenotonsillectomy in children: A meta‐analysis of prospective studies
Authors: Shargorodsky Josef , Hartnick Christopher J. , Lee Gi Soo 
Published: March 2012

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:Tonsillectomy and adenotonsillectomy are common pediatric surgical procedures. Although perioperative administration of dexamethasone is common, recent data indicate a possible association between dexamethasone and increased risk of postoperative hemorrhage.Study Design:Meta‐analysis of prospective studies.Methods:Meta‐analysis using MEDLINE and EMBASE, including all placebo‐controlled prospective studies with perioperative dexamethasone as the intervention and postoperative bleeding as the outcome, in children age <18 years undergoing tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy. The association between any dexamethasone dose and bleeding outcomes was quantified. Dexamethasone dose analyses were performed using meta‐regression and stratified dose analysis models. Individuals were pooled using the random effects model, and Mantel Haenszel odds ratios (OR) were used to assess the associations. All P values were two‐sided.Results:Twelve studies with 1,180 total participants were included in the meta‐analysis. There was no significant association between dexamethasone at any dose and odds of bleeding compared to placebo (OR = 1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.58‐1.98; P = .82). There was no significant association between increasing dexamethasone dose and bleeding (regression slope = −1.47, P = .10). Stratifying by dose ranges, studies comparing dexamethasone doses in 0.4 to 0.6 mg/kg range to placebo showed significantly increased odds of bleeding (OR = 3.14; 95% CI, 1.14‐8.65; P = .03). Higher or lower doses were not associated with a difference in bleeding.Conclusions:There was no overall association between dexamethasone administration and postoperative bleeding in children undergoing tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy. However, this study cannot exclude the possibility of an association between specific dexamethasone doses and increased odds of bleeding. The results underscore the need for more dedicated prospective studies of this very common intervention.
Efficacy of intratympanic steroid administration on idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss in comparison with hyperbaric oxygen therapy
Authors: Suzuki Hideaki , Hashida Koichi , Nguyen Khac‐Hung , Hohchi Nobusuke , Katoh Akiko , Koizumi Hiroki , Ohbuchi Toyoaki 
Published: March 2012

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:The efficacy of intratympanic steroid administration was examined in comparison with hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL).Study Design:Retrospective study.Methods:Two hundred seventy‐six consecutive patients with ISSNHL (average hearing levels at 250, 500, 1,000, 2,000, and 4,000 Hz ≥ 40 dB; time from onset to treatment ≤30 days) were enrolled. All the patients were given intravenous hydrocortisone (400 mg/day) followed by tapered doses. In addition, 174 patients underwent HBO therapy (HBO group), and 102 patients received intratympanic dexamethasone injection (IT group). The hearing outcomes were evaluated by six indices; the cure rate, marked‐recovery rate (percent of patients with hearing gains ≥30 dB), recovery rate (percent of patients with hearing gains ≥10 dB), hearing gain, hearing level after treatment, and hearing improvement rate compared to the unaffected contralateral ear.Results:There was no significant difference in the cure rate, marked‐recovery rate, hearing gain, hearing level after treatment, or hearing improvement rate between the two groups; however, the recovery rate was significantly higher in the IT group than in the HBO group (79.4% vs. 68.4%; P = .048). Multiple logistic regression analysis also showed that patients in the IT group were significantly more likely to recover than those in the HBO group (odds ratio: 2.045; 95% confidence interval: 1.097‐3.812; P = .024).Conclusions:Systemic plus intratympanic steroid administration is more effective than systemic steroids plus HBO therapy, and can be a useful first‐choice treatment for ISSNHL.
Miller fisher variant of guillain‐barré syndrome masquerading as acute sphenoid sinusitis with orbital apex syndrome
Authors: Chaudhary Amit , Ramchand Tekchand , Frohman Larry P. , Liu James K. , Eloy Jean Anderson 
Published: March 2012

AbstractMiller Fisher syndrome (MFS), a variant of Guillain‐Barré syndrome, is a rare disorder typically characterized by a triad of ataxia, areflexia, and ophthalmoplegia, which may have a highly variable clinical presentation. We report a case of MFS in a 45‐year‐old female presenting with sphenoid sinusitis and sixth nerve palsy. She underwent endoscopic sphenoid sinusotomy without improvement, had postoperative deterioration, was diagnosed with MFS, and was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin with complete response. Because of the potential severity of Guillain‐Barré syndrome, great vigilance should be taken when examining sixth nerve palsies to prevent misdiagnosis and delay in treatment of the MFS variant of this disease.
Crystallization, morphology, and mechanical properties of poly(butylene succinate)/poly(ethylene oxide)‐polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane nanocomposites
Authors: Zhou Weihua , Yuan Shuaishuai , Tan Licheng , Chen Yiwang , Huang Yulan 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe biodegradable poly(butylene succinate) (PBS)/poly(ethylene oxide)‐polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (PEO‐POSS) nanocomposites were prepared by the solution blending and melt‐injection methods. The effect of PEO‐POSS on the non‐isothermal and isothermal crystallization, morphology, as well as mechanical properties of PBS was carefully investigated. The PEO‐POSS nanoparticles dispersed well in the PBS matrix, with the diameters around 30 nm. From isothermal crystallization analysis, the incorporation of PEO‐POSS enhanced the crystallization of PBS due to the heterogeneous nucleation effect while the crystal structure of PBS remained. PBS/PEO‐POSS nanocomposites showed of higher glass transition temperatures than that of neat PBS, attributing to the existence of PEO‐POSS decreasing the flexibility of PBS chains. The elongation at break of the PBS/PEO‐POSS nanocomposites reached the maximum value with PEO‐POSS content of 5 wt%. However, the elastic modulus of PBS decreased after the incorporation of PEO‐POSS. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Novel‐modified kaolin for enhancing the mechanical and thermal properties of poly(vinyl chloride)
Authors: Liu Hai , Dong Lijie , Xie Haian , Xiong Chuanxi 
Published: March 2012

AbstractNovel surface‐modified kaolin with liquid‐like behavior was prepared. The characteristics of the solvent‐free kaolin fluid were evaluated by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, WAXD, thermogravimetric analysis, and transmission electron microscopy. The polyvinyl chloride (PVC)/solvent‐free kaolin fluid composites were also fabricated via melt mixing. Owing to the novel surface modification, the hydrophilic kaolin surface grafted long organic chains, which made that the solvent‐free kaolin fluid could be well dispersed in PVC matrix and firmly integrated with the PVC matrix. The resulted composites exhibited better heat resistance and mechanical properties than neat PVC resins. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Molecular level differentiation between end‐capped and intramolecular azofunctional oligo(ε‐caprolactone) positional isomers through liquid chromatography multistage mass spectrometry
Authors: Peptu Cristian , van den Brink Oscar F. , Harabagiu Valeria , Simionescu Bogdan C. , Kowalczuk Marek , Silberring Jerzy 
Published: March 2012

AbstractEnd‐capped and intramolecular azofunctional oligocaprolactones were characterized at molecular level by liquid chromatography electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI MS) and NMR spectroscopy. The Disperse Red 19 (DR19) azofunctional oligomers, DC, were synthesized by ring‐opening oligomerization of ε‐caprolactone (ε‐CL) initiated by the hydroxyl groups of DR19 azo dye. The reaction products consist of a minor fraction of end‐capped azo functional oligocaprolactone (α‐DC), that is, a single CL arm oligomer, and a major fraction of intramolecular azo functional oligocaprolactone (β‐DC), that is, a two CL arms oligomer. The chromatographic separation was used to discriminate between α‐DC and β‐DC, and the results were confirmed by MS/MS performed on an ESI ion trap instrument. The results supported by accurate mass data obtained for product ions using an ESI quadrupole time of flight instrument demonstrate the qualitative discrimination at the molecular level between intramolecular and end‐capped azofunctional oligoesters isomers through a relatively simple multistage mass spectrometry experiment. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
Facile and versatile synthesis of rod‐coil poly(3‐hexylthiophene)‐based block copolymers by nitroxide‐mediated radical polymerization
Authors: Mougnier Sébastien‐Jun , Brochon Cyril , Cloutet Eric , Magnet Stéphanie , Navarro Christophe , Hadziioannou Georges 
Published: March 2012

AbstractA well‐defined and monofunctional poly(3‐hexylthiophene)‐based (P3HT) macroinitiator has been obtained through a clean, simple, and an efficient multistep synthesis process. The macroinitiator is obtained via intermolecular radical 1,2‐addition onto an ω‐acrylate‐terminated P3HT macromonomer. In a second step, well‐defined rod‐coil block copolymers were obtained by nitroxide‐mediated radical polymerization (NMRP) using the so‐called Blocbuilder®. The polymerization was found to be controlled with various monomers such as styrene, isoprene, 4‐vinylpyridine, or methyl acrylate. This process constitutes a very promising way to obtain versatile and clean materials for organic electronics. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
Syndiotactic‐ and heterotactic‐specific radical polymerizations of N‐n‐propyl‐α‐fluoroacrylamide and phase‐transition behaviors of aqueous solutions of poly(N‐n‐propyl‐α‐fluoroacrylamide)
Authors: Hirano Tomohiro , Furutani Takahiro , Oshimura Miyuki , Ute Koichi 
Published: March 2012

AbstractRadical polymerization of N‐n‐propyl‐α‐fluoroacrylamide (NNPFAAm) was investigated in several solvents at low temperatures in the presence or absence of Lewis bases, Lewis acids, alkyl alcohols, silyl alcohols, or fluorinated alcohols. Different effects of solvents and additives on stereospecificity were observed in the radical polymerizations of NNPFAAm and its hydrocarbon analogs such as N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) and N‐n‐propylacrylamide (NNPAAm); for instance, syndiotactic (and heterotactic) specificities were induced in radical polymerization of NNPFAAm in polar solvents (and in toluene in the presence of alkyl and silyl alcohols), whereas isotactic (and syndiotactic) specificities were induced in radical polymerizations of the hydrocarbon analogs under the corresponding conditions. In contrast, heterotactic specificity induced by fluorinated alcohols was further enhanced in radical polymerization of NNPFAAm. The effects of stereoregularity on the phase‐transition behaviors of aqueous solutions of poly(NNPFAAm) were also investigated. Different tendencies in stereoregularity were observed in aqueous solutions of poly(NNPFAAm)s from those in solutions of the hydrocarbon analogs such as poly(NIPAAm) and poly (NNPAAm). The polymerization behavior of NNPFAAm and the phase‐transition behavior of aqueous poly(NNPFAAm) are discussed based on possible fluorine–fluorine repulsion between the monomer and propagating chain‐end, and neighboring monomeric units. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
Dynamic proteome in enigmatic preeclampsia: An account of molecular mechanisms and biomarker discovery
Authors: Mary Sheon , Patil Gouri V. , Kulkarni Asmita V. , Kulkarni Mahesh J. , Joshi Sadhana R. , Mehendale Savita S. , Giri Ashok P. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe coevolution of genomics and proteomics has led to advancements in the field of diagnosis and molecular mechanisms of disease. Proteomics is now stepping into the field of obstetrics, where early diagnosis of pregnancy complication such as preeclampsia (PE) is imperative. PE is a multifactorial disease characterized by hypertension with proteinuria, which is a leading cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality occurring in 5‐7% of pregnancies worldwide. This review discusses the probable molecular mechanisms that lead to PE and summarizes the proteomics research carried out in understanding the pathogenicity of PE, and for identifying the candidate biomarker for diagnosis of the disease.
Statistical Methodological Issues in Handling of Fatty Acid Data: Percentage or Concentration, Imputation and Indices
Authors: Mocking Roel J. T. , Assies Johanna , Lok Anja , Ruhé Henricus G. , Koeter Maarten W. J. , Visser Ieke , Bockting Claudi L. H. , Schene Aart H. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractBasic aspects in the handling of fatty acid‐data have remained largely underexposed. Of these, we aimed to address three statistical methodological issues, by quantitatively exemplifying their imminent confounding impact on analytical outcomes: (1) presenting results as relative percentages or absolute concentrations, (2) handling of missing/non‐detectable values, and (3) using structural indices for data‐reduction. Therefore, we reanalyzed an example dataset containing erythrocyte fatty acid‐concentrations of 137 recurrently depressed patients and 73 controls. First, correlations between data presented as percentages and concentrations varied for different fatty acids, depending on their correlation with the total fatty acid‐concentration. Second, multiple imputation of non‐detects resulted in differences in significance compared to zero‐substitution or omission of non‐detects. Third, patients' chain length‐, unsaturation‐, and peroxidation‐indices were significantly lower compared to controls, which corresponded with patterns interpreted from individual fatty acid tests. In conclusion, results from our example dataset show that statistical methodological choices can have a significant influence on outcomes of fatty acid analysis, which emphasizes the relevance of: (1) hypothesis‐based fatty acid‐presentation (percentages or concentrations), (2) multiple imputation, preventing bias introduced by non‐detects; and (3) the possibility of using (structural) indices, to delineate fatty acid‐patterns thereby preventing multiple testing.
Feasibility of training Zambian nurse–midwives to perform postplacental and postpartum insertions of intrauterine devices
Authors: Prager Sarah , Gupta Pratima , Chilambwe Jully , Vwalika Bellington , Neukom Josselyn , Siamwanza Nomsa , Eber Maxine , Blumenthal Paul D. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo explore the feasibility of competency‐based training of Zambian nurse–midwives in postplacental and postpartum intrauterine device (PPIUD) insertion and to estimate learning curves for this procedure.MethodsA pilot service‐delivery project was conducted, involving 9 nurse–midwives who participated in a 10‐day PPIUD insertion training course at the University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia. US and Zambian clinicians taught the didactic and practical curriculum. Checklists were used for standardization and a pelvic model was developed to achieve PPIUD insertion competency in the classroom before moving to clinical practice. Patients were recruited during prenatal visits, in early labor, and postpartum. Informed, voluntary consent was obtained. All clinical PPIUD insertions were supervised or performed by experienced trainers.ResultsAll 9 nurse–midwives achieved competency on the pelvic model after 3 attempts. During the training period, 38 PPIUDs were inserted in postpartum women; no complications occurred. By the end of training, 4 of the nurse–midwives were deemed competent to independently insert PPIUDs. On average, 4 PPIUD insertions were needed to achieve clinical competency.ConclusionsConcentrated, competency‐based training in PPIUD insertion is feasible in an African setting. Replication of such training could increase the popularity and prevalence of PPIUD use among African women.
Preliminary Assessment of Dietary Mannanoligosaccharides on Growth Performance and Health Status of Gilthead Seabream Sparus auratus
Authors: Gültepe Nejdet , Hisar Olcay , Salnur Semih , Hoşsu Belgin , Tanrikul T. Tansel , Aydın Seyit 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
A feeding trial was performed to assess the potential beneficial effect of two levels of mannanoligosaccarides (MOS) on the growth performance, feed utilization, hematological parameters, and liver histopathology of gilthead seabream Sparus auratus (also known as gilthead bream). Mannanoligosaccarides were added at the rates of 2 and 4 g/kg to a fish-meal-based control diet, and each diet was given (twice daily [midmorning and midafternoon] to apparent satiation) to triplicate groups of gilthead seabream growers (mean weight = approximately 170 g) in sea cages. The trial lasted 12 weeks, and the average ambient water temperature ranged from 19.6°C to 24.7°C during the experimental period. At the end of the experiment, fish attained market size (350–450 g) and their health status was evaluated by blood analysis and liver histology. There were no differences in survival rates among fish fed experimental diets. However, there were significant improvements in both growth and feed utilization among fish fed diets supplemented with MOS. Hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Ht) levels and erythrocyte, leukocyte, and thrombocyte (Thr) counts were unaffected by any dietary MOS. The levels of Hb (g/dL; mean ± SD) and Ht (%; mean ± SD) were 11.0 ± 2.5 and 45.6 ± 6.7 for the control group, 11.1 ± 1.7 and 39.3 ± 8.0 for the 2-g/kg group, and 11.2 ± 1.9 and 40.2 ± 8.4 for the 4-g/kg group. The mean Thr count ranged from 47.6 to 53.8 × 103/mm3. Despite the apparently higher Thr counts for fish fed diets supplemented with MOS, these differences were not significant. Moreover, no histopathological differences were observed in liver tissue cross sections between control and treatment groups. These results suggest that supplementation of diets with MOS had no significant effects on general fish health.
Received February 20, 2011; accepted September 12, 2011
Correlation of antioxidant activity and phytochemical profile in native plants
Authors: Srivastava Jyoti , Kumar Sarvesh , Vankar Padma S. 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the structure‐activity correlation of four medicinal plants – Ocimum basilicum L., Piper betle L., Grewia asiatica L., Lantana camara L. in crude methanolic extract. These plants have been used in Ayurvedic preparation as alternative medicine. The contents of phenolic compounds (flavonoids, anthocyanin) and antioxidant capacities were evaluated.Design/methodology/approachFolin‐Ciocalteu method was used for the analysis of the phenolic compounds. Total flavonoids were also evaluated. DPPH, ABTS+, FRAP and H2O2 assays were used to evaluate antioxidant activity. Most of the assays were determined spectrometrically.FindingsO. basilicum L. had the highest of total phenolics content (305.11 mg GAE/g), highest content of anthocyanins (15.427 mg/Kg) and total flavonoids (9.692 QE mg/g). The DPPH, ABTS+, FRAP and H2O2 assay indicated that these plants possessed considerable antioxidant activities.Originality/valueThe results also showed that O. basilicum and L. camara from red colored cultivars possessed high contents of phenolic compounds. FRAP assay showed AOA in the following sequence – Lantana camara>Ocimum basilicum>Piper betle>Grewia asiatica. Since L. camara showed highest antioxidant capacity thus it can be a potential resource for commercial antioxidant.
An agency theory perspective on supply chain quality management
Authors: Zu Xingxing , Kaynak Hale 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is two‐fold: to examine two approaches buying firms can utilize to manage supplier quality; and to investigate the ways in which factors inherent in supply chain relationships affect the use of these approaches in supply chain quality management.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on agency theory, this paper proposes a conceptual framework that relates the underlying factors of a supply chain relationship to the use of quality management approaches. Two types of approaches, outcome‐based and behavior‐based, are discussed in terms of their focuses, purposes, and methods. Propositions are developed about the effects of these factors on the decisions buying firms make about supply chain quality management.FindingsThis study suggests that rather than relying on one generic supply chain quality management approach for all suppliers, firms need to choose different management mechanisms for different suppliers based on the salient attributes of individual suppliers and their relationships with the buyers. Five types of agency‐based factors are discussed. These factors – information asymmetry, goal conflict, risk aversion of suppliers, length of relationship, and task characteristics – can be expected to influence how firms design and manage their quality management systems for supply chains.Practical implicationsA better understanding of the distinction between outcome‐based and behavior‐based approaches helps managers evaluate which approach is best suited to managing the quality of their suppliers. The propositions pertaining to the key factors provide managers with some guidelines about the critical conditions they should consider when building their firm's supply chain quality management system.Originality/valueHaving an effective quality management system of a supply chain is essential for maintaining a smooth supply of high quality products and services to customers. However, little is known about how a firm should design this supply chain quality management system. The paper addresses this gap by applying agency theory to examine the two essential approaches to managing supplier quality and to explore the critical factors that should be taken into account when considering the appropriate approaches for different suppliers.
Local binary patterns versus signal processing texture analysis: a study from a performance evaluation perspective
Authors: Ghita Ovidiu , Ilea Dana , Fernandez Antonio , Whelan Paul 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review and provide a detailed performance evaluation of a number of texture descriptors that analyse texture at micro‐level such as local binary patterns (LBP) and a number of standard filtering techniques that sample the texture information using either a bank of isotropic filters or Gabor filters.Design/methodology/approachThe experimental tests were conducted on standard databases where the classification results are obtained for single and multiple texture orientations. The authors also analysed the performance of standard filtering texture analysis techniques (such as those based of LM and MR8 filter banks) when applied to the classification of texture images contained in standard Outex and Brodatz databases.FindingsThe most important finding resulting from this study is that although the LBP/C and the multi‐channel Gabor filtering techniques approach texture analysis from a different theoretical perspective, in this paper the authors have experimentally demonstrated that they share some common properties in regard to the way they sample the macro and micro properties of the texture.Practical implicationsTexture is a fundamental property of digital images and the development of robust image descriptors plays a crucial role in the process of image segmentation and scene understanding.Originality/valueThis paper contrast, from a practical and theoretical standpoint, the LBP and representative multi‐channel texture analysis approaches and a substantial number of experimental results were provided to evaluate their performance when applied to standard texture databases.