bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Developmental outcomes in Malawian children with retinopathy‐positive cerebral malaria
Authors: Boivin Michael J. , Gladstone Melissa J. , Vokhiwa Maclean , Birbeck Gretchen L. , Magen Jed G. , Page Connie , Semrud‐Clikeman Margaret , Kauye Felix , Taylor Terrie E. 
Published: December 2010

SummaryObjective  To assess children with retinopathy‐positive cerebral malaria (CM) for neurocognitive sequelae.Methods  Participants were selected from an ongoing exposure–control study. Eighty‐three Malawian children averaging 4.4 years of age and diagnosed with retinopathy‐positive CM were compared to 95 controls. Each child was classified as delayed or not using age‐based norms for the Malawi Developmental Assessment Tool (MDAT) for developmental delay on the total scale and for the domains of gross motor, fine motor, language and social skills. Groups were also compared on the Achenbach Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) (1.5–5 years).Results  Children with retinopathy‐positive CM were delayed, relative to the comparison group, on MDAT total development (P = 0.028; odds ratio or OR = 2.13), with the greatest effects on language development (P = 0.003; OR = 4.93). The two groups did not differ significantly on the Achenbach CBCL internalizing and externalizing symptoms total scores. Stepwise regression demonstrated that coma duration, seizures while in hospital, platelet count and lactate level on admission were predictive of assessment outcomes for the children with retinopathy‐positive CM.Conclusions  Children who suffer retinopathy‐positive CM at preschool age are at greater risk of developmental delay, particularly with respect to language development. This confirms previous retrospective study findings with school‐age children evaluated years after acute illness. The MDAT and the Achenbach CBCL proved sensitive to clinical indicators of severity of malarial illness.
Stratum corneum removal facilitates experimental sensitization to mite allergens in atopic dogs
Authors: Olivry Thierry , Wofford Jessica , Paps Judy S. , Dunston Stanley M. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractIn humans with atopic dermatitis and in mouse models of IgE‐mediated allergic diseases, evidence is mounting that the stratum corneum (SC) provides an important barrier against environmental allergens. At this time, it is not known whether the SC has a similar role in dogs, especially in those with atopic dermatitis. The objectives of this pilot study were to determine whether SC removal led to earlier and stronger sensitization of atopic dogs to Dermatophagoides farinae (Df) house dust mites. Five Maltese‐beagle atopic (MBA) dogs were sensitized epicutaneously after the SC was removed with ten tape strips (TS group), while sensitization was done without tape strips in five other MBA dogs (nontape stripping; NTS group). During this 16 week study, sensitization was assessed with allergen‐specific IgE serology, intradermal testing with Df allergens and determination of stimulation indices of blood mononuclear cells cultured with Df and stained for CD4 and the activation markers CD25 or CD30. Compared with dogs from the NTS group, those of the TS group exhibited earlier rises in Df‐specific IgE serum levels, usually had higher allergen‐specific IgE titres, showed higher intradermal test reactivity and had earlier increases and higher percentages of CD25‐ or CD30‐positive activated allergen‐specific peripheral CD4‐positive T lymphocytes. These observations implicate a role of the SC as a barrier limiting sensitization to exogenous allergens in this experimental atopic dog model.
Prognostic factors of severe foetal megacystis
Authors: Lee Jaime , Kimber Christopher , Shekleton Paul , Cheng Wei 
Published: December 2010

AbstractBackground:  At antenatal ultrasound, severe megacystis implies high foetal mortality rate. Traditionally, many of these foetuses undergo termination of pregnancy. We undertook a study to investigate the prognostic factor(s) for megacystis foetuses.Methods:  61 consecutive cases of antenatally diagnosed severe megacystis between 1988 to 2008 were reviewed from a statewide tertiary referral centre for major foetal abnormalities. The data included the ultrasonic measurements and post‐mortem pathologies.Results:  Mean gestational age (GA) at diagnosis was 17.0 weeks (range 11 to 39). The average bladder diameters for GA 10 to 14 weeks, 15 to 26 weeks, and 27 to 39 weeks were 32.5 mm, 45.7 mm, and 57.2 mm respectively. In males the most common cause of megacystis was posterior urethral valves in 32.6% (n = 17). The most common cause in females was urethral stenosis in 33% (n = 3). We compared the relative bladder size (as a percentage of normal for that gestational age) between the survivor group (n = 14) and the foetal/neonatal death group (n = 17). All terminations (n = 20) were excluded. The bladder sizes of the two groups were almost identical (310.2 ± 108% vs. 309.8 ± 120%). We analysed various prognostic factors. Megacystis foetuses with oligohydramnios had an increased risk of death compared to those who had megacystis without oligohydramnios (OR = 6.0; 95% CI 1.26 − 28.5, Chi‐square: P = 0.019).Conclusion:  Relative bladder size alone does not predict survival. The combination of severe megacystis and oligohydramnios implies complete obstruction of bladder outlet and is associated with high mortality rate. This provides clinicians with measurable evidence to predict survival. It also gives parents the option of avoiding unnecessary termination of pregnancy.
Preoperative factors prolonging the length of stay in elective colorectal surgery
Authors: Ngui Nicholas K. , Hitos Kerry , Ctercteko Grahame 
Published: December 2010

AbstractBackground:  In elective colorectal resections, the patient's preoperative social situation may play a significant role in delaying their discharge from hospital. The aim of this study was to identify which preoperative factors are associated with non‐medical reasons for a delay in discharge and prolonged length of stay (LOS) in hospital after elective colorectal resections.Methods:  A retrospective review of prospectively collected data was performed on all the elective colorectal resections done at Westmead Hospital for over 2 years between 2007 and 2008. LOS, whether there was a delay in discharge because of non‐medical reasons, preoperative factors such as sex, age, marital status, country of birth, use of an interpreter, any children, type of residence, use of community services, American Society of Anaesthesiology (ASA) score, and whether the patient lives on their own, is a sole carer or requires help with activities of daily living were recorded.Results:  Overall median age was 66 years (58–75 years). Median post‐operative LOS for patients not delayed in discharge was 8 days and 15 days for patients with an identifiable non‐medical reason for delay (P < 0.0001). Preoperative factors significantly associated with a delay included advanced age (odds ratio (OR): 10.5; 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.0–37.7; P < 0.0001), being widowed (OR: 3.5; 95% CI: 1.2–10.2; P= 0.02) and living in a retirement village (OR 15.4; 95% CI: 1.6–150.3; P= 0.019). Higher ASA scores strongly correlated with longer LOS.Conclusion:  This study confirms that preoperative factors are important in contributing to non‐medical delays in discharge and longer post‐operative LOS after elective colorectal resections.
On Neighbourhood Matching for Texture‐by‐Numbers
Authors: Sivaks Eliyahu , Lischinski Dani 
Published: December 2010

Abstract Texture‐by‐Numbers is an attractive texture synthesis framework, because it is able to cope with non‐homogeneous texture exemplars, and provides the user with intuitive creative control over the outcome of the synthesis process. Like many other exemplar‐based texture synthesis methods, its basic underlying mechanism is neighbourhood matching. In this paper we review a number of commonly used neighbourhood matching acceleration techniques, compare and analyse their performance in the specific context of Texture‐by‐Numbers (as opposed to ordinary unconstrained texture synthesis). Our study indicates that the standard approaches are not optimally suited for the Texture‐by‐Numbers framework, often producing visually inferior results compared to searching for the exact L2nearest neighbour. We then show that performing Texture‐by‐Number using the Texture Optimization framework in conjunction with an efficient FFT‐based search is able to produce good results in reasonable running times and with a minimal memory overhead.
Participation or exclusion? Perspectives of pupils with autistic spectrum disorders on their participation in leisure activities
Authors: Brewster Stephanie , Coleyshaw Liz 
Published: December 2010

Accessible summary
This article is about research which asked children and young people with autistic spectrum disorder what they like to do in their leisure time. We also asked what activities they would like to do but cannot. The children told us their views using whatever ways to communicate they preferred.
Younger children liked to play with friends, go swimming, bowling and other activities with their parents. Older children liked to stay at home and use the Internet. Joining in with leisure activities seemed to be harder for these children than for those without autism.
The children and young people told us what prevented them from joining in with leisure activities. Children wanted to feel safe and did not like people being unfriendly towards them. This put the older children off going outdoors.
This research is important as children with ASD are often not asked what they think about things especially if the children have difficulties communicating in an ordinary way.
SummaryThe importance of active participation in leisure activities for everybody is identified by Carr (2004) but issues around leisure in the lives of children with disabilities have received little recognition. The experience of children/young people (henceforth referred to simply as children, for brevity) with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) in accessing and engaging in leisure pursuits is particularly lacking in the literature. This article describes a small‐scale investigation of the views of children and young people with ASD around their access to leisure activities. The distinctive range of impairments characteristic of ASD is discussed in terms of their impact on the child’s possibilities for accessing this area of life. Findings indicate the significant challenges these children face in achieving an active and varied life outside of school and home environments. The importance and also the challenge of consulting with children with disabilities are discussed.
Decline in Cognitive Function and Risk of Elder Self‐Neglect: Finding from the Chicago Health Aging Project
Authors: Dong XinQi , Simon Melissa A. , Wilson Robert S. , Mendes de Leon Carlos F. , Rajan K. Bharat , Evans Denis A. 
Published: December 2010

OBJECTIVES: To examine the longitudinal association between decline in cognitive function and risk of elder self‐neglect in a community‐dwelling population.DESIGN: Prospective population‐based study.SETTING: Geographically defined community in Chicago.PARTICIPANTS: Community‐dwelling subjects reported to the social services agency from 1993 to 2005 for self‐neglect who also participated in the Chicago Health Aging Project (CHAP). Of the 5,519 participants in CHAP, 1,017 were reported to social services agency for suspected elder self‐neglect from 1993 to 2005.MEASUREMENTS: Social services agency identified reported elder self‐neglect. The primary predictor was decline in cognitive function assessed using the Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (Executive Function), and immediate and delayed recall of the East Boston Memory Test (Episodic Memory). An index of global cognitive function scores was derived by averaging z‐scores of all tests. Outcome of interest was elder self‐neglect. Logistic and linear regression models were used to assess these longitudinal associations.RESULTS: After adjusting for potential confounding factors, decline in global cognitive function, MMSE score, and episodic memory were not independently associated with greater risk of reported and confirmed elder self‐neglect. Decline in executive function was associated with greater risk of reported and confirmed elder self‐neglect. Decline in global cognitive function was associated with greater risk of greater self‐neglect severity (parameter estimate=0.76, standard error=0.31, P=.01).CONCLUSION: Decline in executive function was associated with risk of reported and confirmed elder self‐neglect. Decline in global cognitive function was associated with risk of greater self‐neglect severity.
Detection and Significance of Incidental Unruptured Cerebral Aneurysms in Patients Undergoing Intravenous Thrombolysis for Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Kim Joon‐Tae , Park Man‐Seok , Yoon Woong , Cho Ki‐Hyun 
Published: December 2010

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDIt is still controversial whether intravenous (IV) thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke increases the risk of aneurysmal bleeding. We sought to find the risk for aneurysmal bleeding after IV thrombolysis in ischemic stroke patients with unruptured cerebral aneurysms.METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke who had received IVT between August 2006 and November 2009. Immediately after IV‐tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) therapy (.9 mg/kg), patients underwent CT angiography, MR angiography. After that, all patients underwent follow‐up angiography within 36 hours of the initiation of IV thrombolysis. Aneurysm‐related hemorrhage was defined as a hemorrhage that was related to the aneurysm site.RESULTSA total of 201 patients were analyzed, and 8 (4.1%) had unruptured cerebral aneurysms. Of the 8 patients, 4 had aneurysms over 5 mm of the longest diameter. Three patients had intracerebral hemorrhage that developed at the site of infarction, which was unrelated to the aneurysms.CONCLUSIONThe results of this study suggest that IV thrombolysis might not increase the risk of aneurysmal bleeding in acute stroke patients with unruptured aneurysm < 10 mm in diameter. Further studies with a larger sample size are needed to confirm our result. J Neuroimaging 2012;22:197‐200
The CO2 GAP Project – CO2 GAP as a prognostic tool in emergency departments
Authors: Shetty Amith L , Lai Kevin H , Byth Karen 
Published: December 2010

AbstractObjective:  To determine whether CO2 GAP [(a‐ET) PCO2] value differs consistently in patients presenting with shortness of breath to the ED requiring ventilatory support. To determine a cut‐off value of CO2 GAP, which is consistently associated with measured outcome and to compare its performance against other derived variables.Methods:  This prospective observational study was conducted in ED on a convenience sample of 412 from 759 patients who underwent concurrent arterial blood gas and ETCO2 (end‐tidal CO2) measurement. They were randomized to test sample of 312 patients and validation set of 100 patients. The primary outcome of interest was the need for ventilatory support and secondary outcomes were admission to high dependency unit or death during stay in ED. The randomly selected training set was used to select cut‐points for the possible predictors; that is, CO2 GAP, CO2 gradient, physiologic dead space and A‐a gradient. The sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of these predictors were validated in the test set of 100 patients.Results:  Analysis of the receiver operating characteristic curves revealed the CO2 GAP performed significantly better than the arterial‐alveolar gradient in patients requiring ventilator support (area under the curve 0.950 vs 0.726). A CO2 GAP ≥10 was associated with assisted ventilation outcomes when applied to the validation test set (100% sensitivity 70% specificity).Conclusions:  The CO2 GAP [(a‐ET) PCO2] differs significantly in patients requiring assisted ventilation when presenting with shortness of breath to EDs and further research addressing the prognostic value of CO2 GAP in this specific aspect is required.
Assessment and feedback in emergency medicine training: Views of Australasian emergency trainees
Authors: Craig Simon , Braitberg George , Nicolas Caroline , White Geoff , Egerton‐Warburton Diana 
Published: December 2010

AbstractThe aim of the present study is to describe ACEM trainees' perspectives on assessment and feedback during their training. From May to July 2009, an anonymous Web‐based survey on training and supervision in emergency medicine was conducted, addressing trainees' perceptions of mandatory assessments (primary examination, fellowship examination and mandatory trainee research requirement) and feedback at work. Qualitative data were analysed using grounded theory methodology – themes were identified by close examination of full text responses. In total, 622 trainees responded to the survey (response rate of 37%). Trainees report that general clinical supervision is adequate; however, direct supervision at the bedside and feedback could be significantly improved. They perceive that the primary examination is necessary, although they feel it is irrelevant to their development as emergency trainees and are keen for more clinically applied knowledge to be tested. They dislike mandatory trainee research, feel inadequately supported and distracted from other aspects of their training. The fellowship examination was overall thought to be fair; however, there were concerns with the time pressures and restrictions to the written component of the examination. Additionally, the structured clinical examination was popular, whereas short cases and long cases were very unpopular. ACEM trainees' views of training may help inform curriculum development, and might assist those providing education to improve local training programs.
Six month outcomes of an innovative weekly intergenerational day program with older adults and school‐aged children in a Japanese urban community
Authors: KAMEI Tomoko , ITOI Waka , KAJII Fumiko , KAWAKAMI Chiharu , HASEGAWA Masumi , SUGIMOTO Tomoko 
Published: December 2010

AbstractAim:  To describe the nature of the progression of intergenerational interactions among and between older people and children in a weekly intergenerational day program (IDP) in an urban community and to evaluate the older people's health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) and depressive symptoms, compared to the program volunteers, as well as the children's perspectives of older people, during the first 6 months of the program's implementation.Methods:  This longitudinal study, with a convenience sample of older people (n = 14), program volunteers (n = 8), and school‐aged children (n = 7), used mixed methods to analyze the results. Participant observations and interviews were used to describe the interactions between the generations over the 6 months. An ANOVA with repeated measures was used to determine the statistical effects over time (initially and at 3 months and 6 months) for HRQOL (Medical Outcomes Study 8‐Item Short‐Form Health Survey) and depression (Geriatric Depression Scale, GDS‐15). Semantic differential scales identified the children's perspectives of older people.Results:  The intergenerational interactions were grouped into thirteen categories; for example, “The IDP provided a meaningful sense of place.” The quality of life in relation to the mental health of the older people's group improved significantly between the first involvement and after 6 months, while the GDS‐15 scores significantly decreased at the three time points in the more depressed older people's subgroup. The children's initial generally positive perspectives of older people showed no statistically significant change over time.Conclusion:  The intergenerational interactions in the IDP yielded a meaningful place for both generations, improved the HRQOL of the older people's group, and decreased the depressive symptoms in the more depressed older people's subgroup.
Mode of synthesis of long‐chain fructan in timothy haplocorm
Authors: Yamamoto Shinro , Lüscher Marcel , Hochstrasse Urs , Boller Thomas , Wiemken Andres 
Published: December 2010

AbstractThe mode responsible for synthesis of long‐chain fructans was investigated using haplocorm of timothy (Phleum pratense L.). Homogenate of timothy haplocorm was incubated with 14C(U)‐sucrose at 15°C. A thin‐layer chromatography of the reaction mixture confirmed that labeled fructose was incorporated into high molecular weight fructans. A gel chromatogram of the reaction mixture revealed that incorporation of labeled fructose into fraction of high molecular weight fructan was much higher than that incorporated into low molecular weight fructan, implying that direct incorporation of fructose into high molecular weight fructan occurred. The mode of fructose incorporation was further explored by degrading the labeled high molecular weight fructan with exo‐hydrolase and measuring the release of labeled fructose. Ninety‐seven percent of the labeled fructose was released by cleavage of only about 2% of high molecular weight fructan, suggesting that the incorporation of fructose into a high molecular weight fructan was confined to the end of the chain. The results obtained indicate that polymerization to long‐chain fructan occurs by attachment of fructosyl residues to the end of fructan chains.
Morphological diversity of chromosomes bearing ribosomal DNA loci in Brachiaria species
Authors: Akiyama Yukio , Yamada‐Akiyama Hitomi , Ebina Masumi 
Published: December 2010

AbstractThe genus Brachiaria comprises approximately 100 species distributed across tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The objective of the present study was to identify and characterize the homo(eo)logous chromosomes bearing rDNA in six Brachiaria accessions including three accessions of B. brizantha, Brachiaria hybrid cv. Mulato, B. humidicola and B. ruziziensis by application of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with 5S and 25S rDNA probes. Results showed that the numbers of 25S rDNA loci, but not 5S rDNA loci, correspond to ploidy levels in all Brachiaria species. The morphological shapes of rDNA chromosomes showed differences not only between species but also within a species. These results indicate co‐existence of different genomes in the species, that is, allopolyploidy. However, there are too many types of rDNA chromosomes in B. brizantha to be explained as solely a consequence of allopolyploidy. Although B. brizantha is known to be an aposporous plant that can produce maternal clone without fertilization, chromosomal rearrangements due to cross‐hybridization with other species were suggested.