bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Revival of Continuous Suture Technique in Aortic Valve Replacement in Patient with Aortic Valve Stenosis a Novel Modified Technique
Authors: Watanabe Go , Ushijima Teruaki , Tomita Shigeyuki , Yamaguchi Shojiro , Koshida Yoshinao , Iino Kenji 
Published: October 2011

Objective The continuous suture technique has numerous advantages as simple, quick, and effective for aortic valve replacement; however, it is technically difficult. We have modified the continuous suture technique and evaluated our new technique in patients with aortic stenosis. Methods Between July 2007 and May 2010, 86 patients with aortic valve stenosis underwent aortic valve replacement alone or with other concomitant cardiac procedures including mitral valve surgery in our hospital. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: group A (n = 43) in which the continuous suture technique with some modifications was used and group B (n = 43) in which the conventional interrupted suture technique was used. There were no statistical differences between two groups in age, sex, body surface area, concomitant cardiac procedures, blood loss, and postoperative extubation time. Results The aortic cross-clamp time, cardiopulmonary bypass time, operation time, and hospital stay were significantly shorter in group A than that in group B, and the valve size was significantly larger in group A. No perivalvular leak was detected in postoperative echocardiograms. All patients recovered satisfactorily without complications associated with suture technique or prosthesis. During follow-up of 4 to 38 months, there were no clinically significant complications in group A, while one patient in group B developed perivalvular leakage requiring reoperation 3 months after surgery. Conclusions Our modified continuous suture method is useful for aortic valve replacement in patients with aortic stenosis and beneficial for the patients because the procedure is less invasive and a larger valve can be implanted.
The Off-Pump Implantation of an Apicoaortic Valved Graft is Safe and Has No Negative Impact on Coronary Flow and Hemodynamics
Authors: Karapanos Nikolaos Tsirikos , Suddendorf Scott H. , Li Zhuo , Huebner Marianne , Park Soon J. , Joyce Lyle D. , Daly Richard C. 
Published: October 2011

Objective To determine the hemodynamic effect of an off-pump Apicoaortic valved graft (AAVG) implantation, we performed a quantitative coronary flow analysis in a swine model of severe aortic stenosis. Methods In 10 swine, cardiac output, coronary flow, right common carotid artery flow, and internal mammary artery flow were measured along with left and right ventricular pressures and aortic and pulmonary artery pressures. A novel AAVG was implanted off-pump on the left ventricular (LV) apex using a specially designed implantation tool and anastomosed to the descending thoracic aorta. Aortic flow was measured proximally and distally of the AAVG-to-descending thoracic aorta anastomosis. After AAVG implantation, epicardial echo confirmed occlusion of the LV outflow tract by a valvuloplasty balloon. Baseline simultaneous measurements of all parameters were repeated after AAVG implantation and intravenous Dobutamine administration. Results The AAVG was implanted without any blood loss. After AAVG implantation and LV outflow tract occlusion, the aortic flow proximal to the AAVG-to-descending thoracic aorta anastomosis changed from antegrade (1508 ± 435 mL/min) to retrograde (–529 ± 241 mL/min, P < 0.001). All other measured parameters remained unchanged compared with baseline. After intravenous Dobutamine administration, LV pressure increased from 88 ± 20 to 184 ± 36 mm Hg (+209%, P < 0.0001) and coronary flow increased from 75 ± 34 to 193 ± 90 mL/min (+257%, P = 0.001). Conclusions The off-pump implantation of an AAVG is bloodless, safe, reproducible and has no negative impact on coronary flow and hemodynamics. In addition, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first study where blood flow in all coronary arteries was measured simultaneously during an AAVG implantation.
Comparison of the Early Robot-Assisted Lobectomy Experience to Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery Lobectomy for Lung Cancer a Single-Institution Case Series Matching Study
Authors: Jang Hee-Jin , Lee Hyun-Sung , Park Seong Yong , Zo Jae Ill 
Published: October 2011

Objective Robotic surgery has evolved in urology, gynecology, and general surgery and seems to be an oncologically sound surgical approach. Robotic surgery has been infrequently reported for pulmonary lobectomy. The aim of this study is to compare the outcomes of our early experience in performing robot-assisted lobectomy (RAL) with video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. Methods Between February and October 2009, 40 patients underwent RAL for resectable non-small cell lung cancer. The dissection and anatomic isolation of the hilar structures were performed using two arms of the da Vinci S system. A retrospective comparison with two VATS groups was performed, our initial 40 VATS patients (between January 2006 and February 2007) and our most recent 40 VATS patients (between June 2008 and September 2009). The entire experience with VATS lobectomy is 163 cases. Results In the RAL group, the mean age was 64 years, and there were 23 male patients. Adenocarcinoma was diagnosed in 29 patients with a mean tumor size of 3.5 cm. There were no conversions to open thoracotomy. Among the patients in our initial and recent VATS lobectomy groups, the conversion rate was 3 (8%) and 2 (5%) patients, respectively. The operative time for the RAL (240 ± 62 minutes) and the initial VATS lobectomy groups (257 ± 57 minutes) were similar but was longer than the recent VATS lobectomy group (161 ± 39 minutes, P < 0.001). However, the rate of postoperative complications in the RAL group (n = 4, 10%) was significantly lower than that of the initial VATS group (n = 13, 32.5%, P = 0.027) and similar to that of the recent VATS group (n = 7, 17.5%, P = 0.755). Intraoperative bleeding was reduced in the RAL group compared with the initial VATS group (219 mL vs 374 mL P = 0.017), and the median length of postoperative stay was significantly shorter for the RAL group compared with the initial VATS group (6 vs 9 days, P < 0.001). Conclusions The outcomes of our early RAL experience was comparable to the our outcomes achieved with VATS lobectomy, whether performed early or late.
Conservation of Plastid Sequences in the Plant Nuclear Genome for Millions of Years Facilitates Endosymbiotic Evolution
Authors: Rousseau-Gueutin Mathieu , Ayliffe Michael A. , Timmis Jeremy N. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractThe nuclear genome of eukaryotes contains large amounts of cytoplasmic organelle DNA (nuclear integrants of organelle DNA [norgs]). The recent sequencing of many mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes has enabled investigation of the potential role of norgs in endosymbiotic evolution. In this article, we describe a new polymerase chain reaction-based method that allows the identification and evolutionary study of recent and older norgs in a range of eukaryotes. We tested this method in the genus Nicotiana and obtained sequences from seven nuclear integrants of plastid DNA (nupts) totaling 25 kb in length. These nupts were estimated to have been transferred 0.033 to 5.81 million years ago. The spectrum of mutations present in the potential protein-coding sequences compared with the noncoding sequences of each nupt revealed that nupts evolve in a nuclear-specific manner and are under neutral evolution. Indels were more frequent in noncoding regions than in potential coding sequences of former chloroplastic DNA, most probably due to the presence of a higher number of homopolymeric sequences. Unexpectedly, some potential protein-coding sequences within the nupts still contained intact open reading frames for up to 5.81 million years. These results suggest that chloroplast genes transferred to the nucleus have in some cases several millions of years to acquire nuclear regulatory elements and become functional. The different factors influencing this time frame and the potential role of nupts in endosymbiotic gene transfer are discussed.
Comparison of three algorithms of non‐invasive markers of fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Sebastiani G. , Halfon P. , Castera L. , Mangia A. , Di Marco V. , Pirisi M. , Voiculescu M. , Bourliere M. , Alberti A. 
Published: October 2011

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2012; 35: 92–104SummaryBackground  Preliminary data suggest that performance of non‐invasive markers for liver fibrosis in hepatitis C may improve when combined. Three algorithms based on the combination of Fibrotest, Forns’ index and AST‐to‐platelet ratio (APRI) have been proposed: Sequential Algorithm for Fibrosis Evaluation (SAFE biopsy); Fibropaca algorithm; Leroy algorithm.Aim  To compare three algorithms to diagnose significant fibrosis (≥F2 by METAVIR) and cirrhosis (F4).Methods  A total of 1013 HCV monoinfected cases undergoing liver biopsy were consecutively enrolled in seven centres. Fibrotest, APRI and Forns’ index were measured at the time of liver biopsy, considered the reference standard.Results  Overall, performance of combination algorithms was significantly higher than the single non‐invasive methods (P < 0.0001). SAFE biopsy and Fibropaca algorithm saved a significantly higher number of liver biopsies than the single methods (P < 0.0001). For ≥F2, Fibropaca algorithm saved more biopsies than SAFE biopsy (51.7% vs. 43.8%, P = 0.0003), but with lower accuracy (87.6% vs. 90.3%, P = 0.05). Regarding F4, the number of saved liver biopsies did not differ between SAFE biopsy and Fibropaca algorithm (79.1% vs. 76.2%, P = 0.12). However, SAFE biopsy showed a lower accuracy when compared with Fibropaca algorithm (91.2% vs. 94%, P = 0.02). As to Leroy algorithm, although it showed a good performance for ≥F2 (93.5% accuracy), it saved less liver biopsies than SAFE biopsy and Fibropaca algorithm (29.2% vs. 43.8% and 51.7% respectively, P < 0.0001).Conclusions  SAFE biopsy and the Fibropaca algorithm have excellent performance for liver fibrosis in hepatitis C, allowing a significant reduction in the need for liver biopsies. They can be useful in clinical practice and for large‐scale screening.
Genetic variation in eggshell crystal size and orientation is large and these traits are correlated with shell thickness and are associated with eggshell matrix protein markers
Authors: Dunn I. C. , Rodríguez‐Navarro A. B. , Mcdade K. , Schmutz M. , Preisinger R. , Waddington D. , Wilson P. W. , Bain M. M. 
Published: October 2011

SummaryThe size and orientation of calcium carbonate crystals influence the structure and strength of the eggshells of chickens. In this study, estimates of heritability were found to be high (0.6) for crystal size and moderate (0.3) for crystal orientation. There was a strong positive correlation (0.65) for crystal size and orientation with the thickness of the shell and, in particular, with the thickness of the mammillary layer. Correlations with shell breaking strength were positive but with a high standard error. This was contrary to expectations, as in man‐made materials smaller crystals would be stronger. We believe the results of this study support the hypothesis that the structural organization of shell, and in particular the mammillary layer, is influenced by crystal size and orientation, especially during the initial phase of calcification. Genetic associations for crystal measurements were observed between haplotype blocks or individual markers for a number of eggshell matrix proteins. Ovalbumin and ovotransferrin (LTF) markers for example were associated with crystal size, while ovocleidin‐116 and ovocalyxin‐32 (RARRES1) markers were associated with crystal orientation. The location of these proteins in the eggshell is consistent with different phases of the shell‐formation process. In conclusion, the variability of crystal size, and to a lesser extent orientation, appears to have a large genetic component, and the formation of calcite crystals are intimately related to the ultrastructure of the eggshell. Moreover, this study also provides evidence that proteins in the shell influence the variability of crystal traits and, in turn, the shell’s thickness profile. The crystal measurements and/or the associated genetic markers may therefore prove to be useful in selection programs to improve eggshell quality.
M-ficolin levels are associated with the occurrence of severe infections in patients with haematological cancer undergoing chemotherapy
Authors: Ameye L , Paesmans M , Thiel S , Jensenius J C , Aoun M 
Published: October 2011

Summary
The pattern recognition molecules H-ficolin, L-ficolin and M-ficolin bind to micro-organisms. They activate the lectin pathway of complement through mannan-binding lectin (MBL)-associated serine proteases (MASPs). Association between low MBL levels and infections in patients undergoing chemotherapy for haematological diseases has been observed previously. We now examine for MASP-2, MASP-3 and ficolin levels. We assessed the concentration of lectin pathway molecules as risk factors for infection in patients with haematological malignancy undergoing chemotherapy. Samples taken before the initiation of chemotherapy covering 117 chemotherapy cycles in 105 patients were available. MASPs and ficolins were measured by time-resolved immunoflourometric assays and the levels related to parameters of infections. End-points included febrile neutropenia, documented infections, bacteraemia or severe infections. Lower M-ficolin concentrations were found in patients who developed a severe infection: median 0·27 µg/ml compared to 0·47 µg/ml in patients who did not develop a severe infection (P = 0·01). Conversely, MASP-2 was higher in these patients: median 0·53 µg/ml compared to 0·37 µg/ml, respectively (P = 0·008). When considering M-ficolin levels below 0·36 µg/ml as deficient, the time to development of severe infection was shorter in the M-ficolin deficient group: the hazard ratio was 2·60 (95% confidence interval: 1·23–5·49). No associations were revealed between infections and H-ficolin, L-ficolin or MASP-3. Patients with low M-ficolin are more likely to develop severe infections, whereas MASP-2 showed the opposite.
Transcription of detoxification genes after permethrin selection in the mosquito Aedes aegypti
Authors: Saavedra‐Rodriguez K. , Suarez A. F. , Salas I. F. , Strode C. , Ranson H. , Hemingway J. , Black IV W. C. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractChanges in gene expression before, during and after five generations of permethrin laboratory selection were monitored in six strains of Aedes aegypti: five F2–F3 collections from the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico and one F2 from Iquitos, Peru. Three biological replicate lines were generated for each strain. The response to selection was measured as changes in the lethal and knockdown permethrin concentrations (LC50, KC50) and in the frequency of the Ile1,016 substitution in the voltage‐gated sodium channel (para) gene. Changes in expression of 290 metabolic detoxification genes were measured using the ‘Aedes Detox’ microarray. Selection simultaneously increased the LC50, KC50 and Ile1,016 frequency. There was an inverse relationship between Ile1,016 frequency and the numbers of differentially transcribed genes. The Iquitos strain lacked the Ile1,016 allele and 51 genes were differentially transcribed after selection as compared with 10–18 genes in the Mexican strains. Very few of the same genes were differentially transcribed among field strains but 10 cytochrome P450 genes were upregulated in more than one strain. Laboratory adaptation to permethrin in Ae. aegypti is genetically complex and largely conditioned by geographic origin and pre‐existing target site insensitivity in the para gene. The lack of uniformity in the genes that responded to artificial selection as well as differences in the direction of their responses challenges the assumption that one or a few genes control permethrin metabolic resistance. Attempts to identify one or a few metabolic genes that are predictably associated with permethrin adaptation may be futile.
Doppler ultrasound to detect pulpal blood flow changes during local anaesthesia
Authors: Yoon M. J. , Lee S. J. , Kim E. , Park S. H. 
Published: October 2011

Yoon MJ, Lee SJ, Kim E, Park SH. Doppler ultrasound to detect pulpal blood flow changes during local anaesthesia. International Endodontic Journal, 45, 83–87, 2012.AbstractAim  To examine whether Doppler ultrasound can detect changes in pulpal blood flow after infiltration anaesthesia.Methodology  Changes in pulpal blood flow in maxillary central incisor teeth of 18 patients (mean age 26.7 years, 13 men, five women) after infiltration anaesthesia were examined. Before infiltration anaesthesia, the pulpal blood flow was measured using Doppler ultrasound. A local anaesthetic solution containing 2% lidocaine with 1 : 80 000 epinephrine was injected into the submucosa above the experimental tooth. The Doppler ultrasound test was carried out at 5, 10, 20, 30, 45 and 60 min after infiltration. The parameters were Vas (maximum linear velocity, cm s−1), Vam (average linear velocity, cm s−1) and Vakd (minimum linear velocity, cm s−1), which are indicators of the level of blood flow. The mixed procedure at the 95% confidence interval was used to examine the changes in pulpal blood flow after the injection.Results  The linear velocity profiles (Vas, Vam, and Vakd) decreased sharply 5 min after anaesthesia and then reduced continuously for 30 min. The maximum degree of blood flow reduction in Vas, Vam and Vakd was 58%, 83% and 82%, respectively. After 30 min, the linear velocities increased gradually. The Vam returned to the pre‐anaesthesia state at 60 minutes but the Vas and Vakd did not recover completely.Conclusions  Doppler ultrasound can detect changes in pulpal blood flow after infiltration anaesthesia. In the future, Doppler ultrasound can be used as a tool for measuring pulpal blood flow.
The transplant team’s role with regard to establishing contact between an organ recipient and the family of a cadaver organ donor
Authors: Azuri Pazit , Tabak Nili 
Published: October 2011

Aims and objectives.  To understand how the recipients of cadaver‐harvested organs and donor families perceive the role of the transplant team and transplant coordinator in bringing them into contact.Background.  Studies dispute the benefits and disbenefits of contact and their differential weights with the two parties. For the donor family, contact with the recipient after a successful transplant renders positive meaning to the tragedy of the family’s loss, but expectations of the recipient can also be disappointed. For recipients, contact with the donor family lets them express gratitude and shake off the guilt of having their life saved by a death but can also draw them into the family’s mourning and into feeling the family are owed a ‘return’ for their life‐saving gift. The transplant team have to weigh these potential benefits and disbenefits. If the answer is positive, what should they do to bring the contact about?Design.  A sample of 135 donor family members and organ recipients (representing all successful transplants in Israel from 1998–2007) were interviewed by structured questionnaire. Some had made contact, some not.Method.  Data were analysed by means, frequencies and correlation coefficients.Results.  Far more ‘contacters’ than ‘non‐contacters’ wanted the transplant coordinator to take an active role in establishing contact. No less than 60% of non‐contacters wanted contact in the future, and 50% were dissatisfied with the absence of contact.Conclusions.  This is the first study to investigate the benefits and disbenefits of not making contact. Both donor families and organ recipients would respond positively to the coordinator taking the initiative in establishing mutual contact.Relevance to clinical practice.  Transplant coordinators are given convincing backing for taking the initiative in promoting contact between donor families and organ recipients. The coordinator’s intervention, information and guidance are needed to make a success of such contact.
Expression of glia maturation factor in neuropathological lesions of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Thangavel R. , Stolmeier D. , Yang X. , Anantharam P. , Zaheer A. 
Published: October 2011

R. Thangavel, D. Stolmeier, X. Yang, P. Anantharam and A. Zaheer (2012) Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology38, 572–581Expression of glia maturation factor in neuropathological lesions of Alzheimer's diseaseAims: The pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the presence of amyloid plaques (APs), neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), degenerating neurones, and an abundance of reactive astrocytes and microglia. We aim to examine the association between glia maturation factor (GMF) expression, activated astrocytes/microglia, APs and NFTs in AD‐affected brain regions. Methods: Brain sections were stained with Thioflavin‐S to study AD pathology and sequentially immunolabeled with antibodies against GMF, glial fibrillary acidic protein (marker for reactive astrocytes), and Ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba‐1, marker for activated microglia) followed by visualization with avidin‐biotin peroxidase complex. Results: Our double immunofluorescence labelling with cell‐specific markers demonstrated the glial localization of GMF. The immunohistochemical data showed that APs and NFTs are associated with increased expression of GMF in reactive glia of AD brains compared with non‐AD controls. Conclusions: This is the first report that shows GMF, a mediator of central nervous system inflammation, is expressed in the brain regions affected in AD and that GMF is mainly localized in reactive astrocytes surrounding APs/NFTs. The distribution of GMF‐immunoreactive cells in and around Thioflavin‐S stained APs and NFTs suggests involvement of GMF in inflammatory responses through reactive glia and a role of GMF in AD pathology.
Automated washing of human progenitor cells: evaluation of apoptosis and cell necrosis
Authors: Scerpa M. C. , Daniele N. , Landi F. , Caniglia M. , Cometa A. M. , Ciammetti C. , Rossi C. , Locatelli F. , Isacchi G. , Zinno F. 
Published: October 2011

Background: High‐dose chemotherapy followed by reinfusion of autologous stem cells harvested from peripheral blood has been increasingly applied for a variety of disorders.The critical importance of cell dose in the clinical outcome, after transplant, has motivated the need to develop techniques aimed at reducing cell losses and increasing reproducibility.Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of the Sepax S‐100 device to process thawed HPC‐A products in comparison with manual procedure.Methods/Materials: We have analysed viability, total nucleated cells (TNC), haematopoietic progenitors and CD34+ cells recovery.Results: The TNC and CD34+ cells recovery in the automatic procedure was of 91·9% (73–100; SD ± 12·60) and 86·7% (69–100; SD ± 10·21), respectively. Instead the recovery of TNC and CD34+ cells using the manual method was of 84·7% (47–100; SD ± 22·9) and 80·29% (23–100; SD ± 25·96).The results, obtained from the assessment of viability of CD34+ both 7‐AAD)+ and AnnV+ showed a high percentage of necrosis and apoptosis in this cell subset by using the manual procedure in respect to the Sepax automated system.Conclusion: Overall, our data suggest that the automated washing procedure is safe and suitable for processing of thawed HPC‐A products and can be daily used in clinical routine.