bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preparation and drug release properties of lignin–starch biodegradable films
Authors: Çalgeris İlker , Çakmakçı Emrah , Ogan Ayşe , Kahraman M. Vezir , Kayaman‐Apohan Nilhan 
Published: January 2012

AbstractStarch is one of the most commonly available natural polymers which are obtained from agro‐sources. It is renewable and abundant in nature. Unfortunately due to its poor mechanical properties and hygroscopic nature, there are some strong limitations to the development of starch‐based products. Usually blends of starch are prepared and plasticized with glycerol to improve some of its properties. In this study, lignin was extracted from hazelnut shells and investigated as a potential additive for starch biofilms. The structural characterization of hazelnut lignin was performed by employing UV spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Lignin was blended with corn starch in different ratios to obtain biofilms. Mechanical and thermal properties of the biofilms were enhanced as the lignin amount was increased in the formulations. Water absorption tests were performed at pH 2.0, 4.0, and 6.0. The percent swelling values of the starch/lignin films increased as pH increased. Also, the biofilm exhibiting the best properties was chosen for the drug release studies. Biofilms showed a fast ciprofloxacin (CPF) release within an hour and then the drug release rate decreased. A pH dependent drug release mechanism was also observed according to Koshner–Peppas model. The drug release increased with a decrease in pH.
Modeling seasonal detection patterns for burrowing owl surveys
Authors: Latif Quresh S. , Fleming Kathleen D. , Barrows Cameron , Rotenberry John T. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractTo guide monitoring of burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia) in the Coachella Valley, California, USA, we analyzed survey‐method‐specific seasonal variation in detectability. Point‐based call‐broadcast surveys yielded high early season detectability that then declined through time, whereas detectability on driving surveys increased through the season. Point surveys without call‐broadcasts yielded the lowest detectability rates overall. To maximize detectability, we recommend coupling early season point‐based call‐broadcast surveys with late‐season driving surveys. Occupancy models proved useful for integrating data from multiple methods to analyze distributional patterns while accounting for variation in detectability. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.
Morbidity and Mortality Results From a Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Billroth I and Roux‐en‐Y Reconstructive Procedures After Distal Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer
Authors: Imamura Hiroshi , Takiguchi Shuji , Yamamoto Kazuyoshi , Hirao Motohiro , Fujita Junya , Miyashiro Isao , Kurokawa Yukinori , Fujiwara Yoshiyuki , Mori Masaki , Doki Yuichiro 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackgroundBillroth I (B‐I) and Roux‐en‐Y (R‐Y) reconstructions are commonly performed after distal gastrectomy. Which reconstruction procedure is superior remains controversial. We conducted a randomized controlled trial to compare the clinical efficacy of B‐I and R‐Y.MethodsBetween August 2005 and December 2008, a total of 332 patients with potentially curable gastric cancer enrolled from 18 institutions were intraoperatively randomized to either the B‐I group or the R‐Y group. Postoperative morbidity and hospital mortality were recorded prospectively in a fixed format and were compared between these two groups.ResultsThe operating time was significantly longer in the R‐Y group than in the B‐I group (214 vs. 180 minutes, P < 0.0001). Regarding clinical symptoms during the postoperative hospital stay, the incidence of nausea, vomiting, and discontinuance of food intake was significantly higher in the R‐Y group than in the B‐I group (12.4% vs. 3.7%, P = 0.0027; 8.9% vs. 3.1%, P = 0.022; and 12.4% vs. 4.3%, P = 0.0064, respectively). There was no significant difference in the overall operative morbidity rate between the R‐Y and B‐I groups (13.6% vs. 8.6%, respectively, P = 0.14). Anastomotic leakage occurred in two patients (1.2%) in the B‐I group and in none in the R‐Y group; the difference did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.09). Postoperative hospital stay was significantly longer in the R‐Y group than in the B‐I group (16.4 vs. 14.1 days, P = 0.019).ConclusionsWe concluded that B‐I reconstruction was superior to R‐Y reconstruction in terms of perioperative complications.
Log Odds of Positive Lymph Nodes in Colon Cancer: A Meaningful Ratio‐based Lymph Node Classification System
Authors: Persiani Roberto , Cananzi Ferdinando C. M. , Biondi Alberto , Paliani Giuseppe , Tufo Andrea , Ferrara Francesco , Vigorita Vincenzo , D’Ugo Domenico 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe log odds of positive lymph nodes (LODDS), defined as the log of the ratio between the numbers of positive and negative lymph nodes, has recently been proposed as a new prognostic index in surgical oncology. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the LODDS system of lymph node classification was a more accurate prognostic tool than the tumor node metastasis (TNM) and lymph node ratio (LNR) classifications in colon cancer patients.Materials and methodsClinicopathologic data from 258 colon cancer patients who had undergone surgical resection were reviewed. Lymph node parameters were categorized according to the Internation Union Against Cancer/American Joint Cancer Commission (UICC/AJCC) TNM staging system, the LNR (LNR0 with ratio ≤ 0.05, LNR1 with 0.05 < ratio ≤ 0.20, LNR2 with ratio > 0.20), and the log odds ratio (LODDS0 ≤ –1.36, –1.36 < LODDS1 ≤ –0.53, and LODDS2 > –0.53).ResultsThe LODDS was able to identify patients who would have been included in different prognostic categories, according to both the TNM and LNR. In addition, LODDS was significantly related to the number of positive and negative lymph nodes, as well as the number of examined lymph nodes. In multivariate analysis, LODDS classification (LODDS0: HR 1; LODDS1: HR 3.687, p = 0.003; LODDS2: HR 9.440, p < 0.001) was identified as an independent prognostic factor.DiscussionThe LODDS system is a highly reliable staging system with strong predictive ability for patient outcome. Compared with other nodal staging systems, the prognostic power of LODDS is less influenced by the number of lymph nodes dissected and examined.
Comparison of Outcomes of Laparoscopic Versus Open Appendectomy in Children: Data from The Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), 2006–2008
Authors: Masoomi Hossein , Mills Steven , Dolich Matthew O. , Ketana Noor , Carmichael Joseph C. , Nguyen Ninh T. , Stamos Michael J. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe benefits of laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) remain undefined as compared to open appendectomy (OA) in children, particularly in cases of perforated appendicitis. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the outcomes of LA versus OA in perforated and nonperforated appendicitis in children.MethodsUsing the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database, we evaluated the clinical data of children (<18 years old) who underwent LA and OA from 2006 to 2008. Incidental and elective appendectomies were excluded.ResultsA total of 212,958 children underwent urgent appendectomy in the United States during these years.The overall rate of perforated appendicitis was 27.7, and 56.9% of all cases were performed laparoscopically. In nonperforated cases, LA was associated with comparable overall complication rate (LA: 2.56 vs. OA: 2.66%; p = 0.26), shorter length of hospital stay (LOS, LA: 1.6 vs. OA: 2.0 days; p < 0.01), comparable mortality (LA: 0.01 vs. OA: 0.02%; p = 0.25); and higher hospital charges (LA: $20,328 vs. OA: $16,830; p < 0.01) compared to OA. In perforated cases, LA had a lower overall complication rate (LA: 16.03 vs. OA: 18.07%; p < 0.01), shorter LOS (LA: 5.1 vs. OA: 5.8 days; p < 0.01), lower mortality (LA: 0.0% versus OA: 0.06%; p < 0.01), and similar hospital charges (LA: $33,361 versus OA: $33, 662; p = 0.71) compared to OA.ConclusionsLA is safe in children with acute perforated and nonperforated appendicitis, and is associated with shorter hospital stay than OA. The laparoscopic approach is associated with lower morbidity and mortality in perforated cases. However, in nonperforated cases, these benefits are modest and are associated with higher hospital charges.
No Impact of Perioperative Blood Transfusion on Recurrence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Hepatectomy
Authors: Kuroda Shintaro , Tashiro Hirotaka , Kobayashi Tsuyoshi , Oshita Akihiko , Amano Hironobu , Ohdan Hideki 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackgroundAlthough several studies have shown that perioperative blood transfusion is a poor prognostic factor of outcome after hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the impact of perioperative blood transfusion on the prognosis of HCC remains unknown.MethodsData from 835 patients (76 transfused patients and 759 nontransfused patients) who underwent curative hepatectomy for HCC were retrospectively collected and analyzed. To overcome bias due to the different distribution of covariates for the two groups, a one‐to‐one match was created using propensity score analysis. After matching, patient outcomes were analyzed.ResultsAfter one‐to‐one matching, 60 transfused patients and 60 nontransfused patients had the same preoperative and operative characteristics (excluding operative blood loss). Although the morbidity rate of hepatectomy was significantly higher in the transfused group than in the nontransfused group (P = 0.016), there was no significant difference in mortality rate (P = 0.242). Additionally, the overall survival rate of transfused patients was similar to that of nontransfused patients (P = 0.466), and the difference in disease‐free survival rate between the two groups was insignificant (P = 0.621).ConclusionsPerioperative blood transfusion did not influence the overall and disease‐free survival rate in the HCC patients studied. Perioperative blood transfusion may not be considered a poor prognostic factor for patients with HCC.
Adjuvant chemotherapy for resectable biliary tract cancer: current status and future direction
Authors: Konishi Masaru 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe prognosis of patients with biliary tract cancer remains unsatisfactory even with surgery owing to the high recurrence rate. Therefore, an effective adjuvant chemotherapy is required to prolong survival. A few randomized controlled trials in patients with limited biliary tract cancer have been reported, but the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy could not be clarified. To date, effective adjuvant chemotherapy with evidence has not been established, and the standard therapy for patients with resectable biliary tract cancer has only been surgical treatment. Recently, a number of newer toxic agents have been shown to induce response in patients with advanced biliary tract cancer. Moreover, the morbi‐mortality rate of operation for this cancer has been decreasing owing to advances in operative techniques and perioperative management. Given this background, a number of adjuvant chemotherapy trials have been started using gemcitabine, capecitabine, S‐1, and combination chemotherapy with platinum. The results of these trials will be reported in the near future. Overall, the important aspects of adjuvant chemotherapy for biliary tract cancer are to establish well‐organized and active clinical trial study groups, to conduct well‐designed multicenter randomized controlled trials, and to continue such trials without interruption in the future.
Testicular volume discrepancy is associated with decreased semen quality in infertile Japanese males with varicoceles
Authors: Komiya Akira , Watanabe Akihiko , Kawauchi Yoko , Fuse Hideki 
Published: January 2012

AbstractPurposeWe retrospectively reviewed infertile Japanese males for testicular volume discrepancies (D) and semen parameters to evaluate whether left grade II–III varicoceles (V) cause testicular damage.MethodsSeventy‐seven patients who had idiopathic male infertility and 88 who had V without other causes of infertility were examined. We excluded cases of azoospermia. Testicular volume was measured using a punched‐out orchidometer. D was defined as a size difference of at least 3 ml. The frequency of D was compared between the patients with and without V. The semen parameters were reviewed in association with D and V.ResultsThe mean left and right testicular volumes were 19.4 and 20.1 ml, respectively (p < 0.001). D with a smaller left testis was more common in V+ cases than in V− cases (26.1 vs. 13.0%, p = 0.0351). The sperm count and motility were also significantly lower (p = 0.0213 and p = 0.0217, respectively) in the D+ patients with a smaller left testicular volume.ConclusionsIn the patients with V, D was more common than in those without V. The semen parameters were worse if D was present in the patients with V. These results indicated that V could induce testicular atrophy and negatively affect semen quality. Therefore, the ipsilateral reduced testicular volume is considered to be a sign of persisting testicular damage by V.
National Institute on Aging–Alzheimer's Association guidelines for the neuropathologic assessment of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Hyman Bradley T. , Phelps Creighton H. , Beach Thomas G. , Bigio Eileen H. , Cairns Nigel J. , Carrillo Maria C. , Dickson Dennis W. , Duyckaerts Charles , Frosch Matthew P. , Masliah Eliezer , Mirra Suzanne S. , Nelson Peter T. , Schneider Julie A. , Thal Dietmar Rudolf , Thies Bill , Trojanowski John Q. , Vinters Harry V. , Montine Thomas J. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractA consensus panel from the United States and Europe was convened recently to update and revise the 1997 consensus guidelines for the neuropathologic evaluation of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other diseases of brain that are common in the elderly. The new guidelines recognize the pre‐clinical stage of AD, enhance the assessment of AD to include amyloid accumulation as well as neurofibrillary change and neuritic plaques, establish protocols for the neuropathologic assessment of Lewy body disease, vascular brain injury, hippocampal sclerosis, and TDP‐43 inclusions, and recommend standard approaches for the workup of cases and their clinico‐pathologic correlation.
MAKING MUSIC, MAKING MONEY: INFORMAL MUSICAL PRODUCTION AND PERFORMANCE IN VENDA, SOUTH AFRICA
Authors: McNeill Fraser G. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTThis article presents an ethnographic analysis of the popular economy of informal musical production in the Venda region of South Africa. It focuses on the activities surrounding the Burnin' Shak Studio, a recording house that specializes in reggae music. Reliant on second-hand computers, pirated software, borrowed instruments, networks of trust and cycles of debt, musicians and producers in the Burnin' Shak occupy a distinctly peripheral position in South Africa's music industry. Unlike artists in the formal sphere of musical production, who sign deals with specific record labels, musicians in the informal sector seek out sponsors – usually young local businessmen – to fund their recordings with local producers. Marketing and distribution is the sole responsibility of the artist and the sponsor, who often develop a ‘patron–client’ relationship. And yet whilst the artists' entrepreneurial activity often earns them significant airplay on local radio stations, and associated cultural capital, the financial benefits are slim. In order to convert their cultural capital into cash, musicians in the informal sector must compete in the market for performances at government-sponsored shows. These shows are well funded by lucrative tenders, but they present musicians with a double-edged sword. To secure a contract with tender holders – or to entertain hopes of regular paid performances – musicians must ensure that these performances do not express critical political sentiment. As purveyors of a genre renowned for its critical social commentary, reggae musicians are particularly affected by this expectation of self-censorship. Informal musical production in the post-apartheid era thus affords musicians little artistic freedom. Rather, whilst the products of this culture industry may appear to be part of a ‘secondary’ economy, removed from the spheres of formalized production and control, they are in fact regulated and standardized through the process of tender allocation.
Temperature responses of carbon monoxide and hydrogen uptake by vegetated and unvegetated volcanic cinders
Authors: King Caitlin E , King Gary M 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
Ecosystem succession on a large deposit of volcanic cinders emplaced on Kilauea Volcano in 1959 has resulted in a mosaic of closed-canopy forested patches and contiguous unvegetated patches. Unvegetated and unshaded surface cinders (Bare) experience substantial diurnal temperature oscillations ranging from moderate (16 °C) to extreme (55 °C) conditions. The surface material of adjacent vegetated patches (Canopy) experiences much smaller fluctuations (14–25 °C) due to shading. To determine whether surface material from these sites showed adaptations by carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H2) consumption to changes in ambient temperature regimes accompanying succession, we measured responses of CO and H2 uptake to short-term variations in temperature and long-term incubations at elevated temperature. Based on its broader temperature optimum and lower activation energy, Canopy H2 uptake was less sensitive than Bare H2 uptake to temperature changes. In contrast, Bare and Canopy CO uptake responded similarly to temperature during short-term incubations, indicating no differences in temperature sensitivity. However, during extended incubations at 55 °C, CO uptake increased for Canopy but not Bare material, which indicated that the former was capable of thermal adaptation. H2 uptake for material from both sites was completely inhibited at 55 °C throughout extended incubations. These results indicated that plant development during succession did not elicit differences in short-term temperature responses for Bare and Canopy CO uptake, in spite of previously reported differences in CO oxidizer community composition, and differences in average daily and extreme temperatures. Differences associated with vegetation due to succession did, however, lead to a notable capacity for thermophilic CO uptake by Canopy but not Bare material.
Ferromagnetic Heusler alloy Co2FeSi films on GaAs(1 1 0) grown by molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Hentschel T , Jenichen B , Trampert A , Herfort J 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
Epitaxial layers of the Heusler alloy Co2FeSi were grown by molecular beam epitaxy on GaAs(1 1 0) at different growth temperatures T
G. Below a transition temperature T
trans = 200 °C samples with high interfacial perfection and crystal quality were obtained, whereas above T
trans a strong surface and interface roughening sets in. All samples are ferromagnetic and reveal a uniaxial magnetic anisotropy with the easy axis along the

direction.
Characterization of a periodic instability in filamentary surface wave discharge at atmospheric pressure in argon
Authors: Hnilica J , Kudrle V , Vašina P , Schäfer J , Aubrecht V 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
This study reports on a periodic instability in a microwave atmospheric pressure surface wave plasma. Time-resolved observation by means of a high-speed camera reveals that the discharge can operate in two different regimes. The discharge operates either in a static mode of a controlled number of filaments propagating alongside the wall of the fused silica tube or in a dynamic mode of one or more straight filaments together with one revolving filament. Microwave power and argon flow rate are interpreted as the scaling parameters that govern the self-organization in the discharge. The operating diagram is formed by alternating stripes of static and dynamic mode with well-defined borders.
Predictors of successful short‐term tobacco cessation in UK resident female Bangladeshi tobacco chewers
Authors: Croucher Ray , Shanbhag Siddharth , Dahiya Manu , Kassim Saba , McNeill Ann 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTAim  To identify predictors of short‐term smokeless tobacco cessation in Bangladeshi women resident in the United Kingdom.Design  Prospective cohort study.Setting  A tobacco cessation service offering culturally tailored smokeless tobacco cessation support.Participants  A total of 419 Bangladeshi women chewing paan with tobacco.Measurements  Demographics, tobacco use and dependence and cessation attempt process and outcomes.Findings  Client mean age was 48.92 [95% confidence interval (CI) 47.5, 50.34] years and the mean area social deprivation score was 3.65 (95% CI 3.33, 3.97). Mean daily smokeless tobacco intakes, as paan, was 9.96 (95% CI 9.22, 10.7); 69.8% were recruited from primary care, 78.8% received behavioural support and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and the remainder behavioural support alone. Self‐reported 4‐week continuous abstinence was 58.3%, predicted by NRT use [odds ratio (OR) = 4.93, 95% CI 2.02, 12.00], community recruitment (OR = 1.84, 95% CI 1.01, 3.35) and relatively lower social deprivation (IMD) score (OR = 1.98, 95% CI 1.18, 3.33).Conclusion  Bangladeshi women in the UK attending clinics to help cessation of paan with tobacco appear to be more likely to be successful in the short term if they use nicotine replacement therapy, are recruited via the community and have relatively lower levels of social deprivation.
Very long diapause and extreme resistance to population disturbance in a galling insect
Authors: SOLBRECK CHRISTER , WIDENFALK OLOF 
Published: January 2012

1. Some insects have a prolonged diapause – a dormancy that extends over more than 1 year. In most species prolonged diapause involves one or a few extra years, but in extreme cases diapause may surpass 10 years. Few cases of very long diapause have been described, and very little is known about the population consequences of the temporal refuge formed by the diapausing individuals.2. The gall midge Contarinia vincetoxici Kieffer galls the flowers of a long‐lived herb Vincetoxicum hirundinaria Med. After completing development, larvae leave the galls for the ground where they enter diapause. Extending an earlier published inoculation experiment, we show that the diapause may last up to at least 13 years, with a median duration of at least 6 years.3. The gall midge is attacked by two parasitoid species. Dissections of gall midge larvae for presence of parasitoids revealed that Omphale salicis Haliday had a maximum 2 year diapause and Synopeas acuminatus Kieffer a maximum 4 years. The very long diapause of the gall midge may thus provide a temporal refuge from these enemies.4. In a 15‐year field experiment all galls were removed every year from six isolated habitat patches. Density changes in experimental populations were not statistically different from control populations for over a decade. After 14–15 years a modest decline could be observed. This slow response illustrates that prolonged diapause in C. vincetoxici provides a very strong population buffer against mortality during the galling stage.