bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Electrophoretic Serum Protein Fraction Profile During the Different Physiological Phases in Comisana Ewes
Authors: Piccione G , Alberghina D , Marafioti S , Giannetto C , Casella S , Assenza A , Fazio F 
Published: October 2011

ContentsThe aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different physiological phases on serum total proteins and their fractions of ten Comisana ewes housed in Mediterranean area. From each animal, blood samples were collected at different physiological phases: late pregnancy, post‐partum, early, mid‐, end lactation and dry period. On all samples serum total proteins were determined by the biuret method, and albumin, α‐globulins, β1‐globulins, β2‐globulins and γ‐globulins concentrations were assessed using an automated system. One‐way repeated measures analysis of variance was applied to determine the significant effect of different physiological phases on the parameters studied. During the late pregnancy and post‐partum, total proteins, β1‐ and β2‐globulins and γ‐globulins showed the highest values. Starting from post‐partum, α‐globulins increased to reach their peaks in mid‐lactation. Early lactation was characterized by low γ‐globulins values. The increase in serum albumin concentration and the drop in some globulin fractions determined the significant increase in albumin/globulin ratio. The obtained results contributed to improve the knowledge on electrophoretic profile during the different physiological phases in ewes, confirming that pregnancy and lactation periods affect the protein metabolism. Particularly, serum protein fractions pattern could give information about dehydration, plasma volume expansion and hepatic function, which occur during the different physiological phases. Dynamics of the protein profile – from pregnancy to dry period – which are provided by our results, could be considered as guidelines for the management strategies to guarantee the nutritional needs of these animals during the different physiological phases and to avoid a decline of productive performance and consequently an economic loss.
Socio‐economic, familial and perinatal factors associated with obesity in Sydney schoolchildren
Authors: Gopinath Bamini , Baur Louise A , Burlutsky George , Robaei Dana , Mitchell Paul 
Published: October 2011

Aim:  To examine associations between socio‐economic, familial and perinatal factors with overweight/obesity in 6‐ and 12‐year‐old schoolchildren.Methods:  Eligible year‐1 (1765/2238, mean age 6.7 years) and year‐7 students (2353/3144, mean age, 12.7 years) from a random cluster sample of 55 Sydney schools were examined during 2003–2005. Height, weight and body mass index were measured. Overweight or obesity was classified using International Obesity Task Force cut points. Information about each child's socio‐demographic status, familial and perinatal information was sought in parental questionnaires.Results:  After multivariate adjustment, lower parental education was significantly associated with prevalent overweight and obesity in 6‐year‐old children, odds ratio (OR) 1.52 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15–2.01) and OR 2.16 (CI 1.34–4.13), respectively. Smoking during pregnancy was associated with a higher likelihood of being obese among both 6‐ and 12‐year‐old children, OR 1.90 (CI 1.05–3.46) and OR 1.78 (CI 1.22–2.61). Population attributable risk estimates indicate that 14.9% and 10.1% of prevalent cases of obesity in 12‐year‐old children may be attributable to being: an only child or a heavy newborn, respectively.Conclusions:  We show interdependent relationships between socio‐economic, familial and perinatal factors and childhood weight status. Improved understanding of these pathways may help in developing childhood obesity prevention strategies.
Leaving the paediatric emergency department without being seen: Understanding the patient and the risks
Authors: Ng Yvonne , Lewena Stuart 
Published: October 2011

Aim:  The aim of this study is to examine the left‐without‐being‐seen (LWBS) patient population of a tertiary paediatric emergency department (ED) to provide quality assurance and risk management data.Methods:  This is a prospective observational study of patients who LWBS after presenting to the Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne ED between July and November 2005. Information was collected from electronic databases and follow‐up telephone interviews performed by the principal investigator 3–5 days after the presentation.Results:  Over the 17‐week study period, 7.6% of attendances were recorded as having LWBS. These patients and their presentations resembled the general ED population in many respects. However, there were several significant differences, particularly in relation to age, insurance status, mode of arrival, referral status, arrival time and illness severity. Most families (74%) indicated they would have been equally happy to visit a general practitioner instead had one been available. Prolonged waiting times and recognition that their child's illness was not severe were the most frequent reasons for leaving. Most parents subsequently accessed alternate health care or were planning to do so, and the majority stated their child's illness was improving. Parents maintained a surprisingly positive attitude to their ED presentation.Conclusion:  The individual risks associated with leaving the ED before a child has been medically assessed are small. However, when multiplied several thousandfold as a function of the frequency of LWBS patients, the chance of serious adverse events becomes real. Potential risk management strategies include decreasing absolute LWBS numbers by addressing ED overcrowding and providing alternate sources for non‐urgent care.
Galactans from Gracilaria millardetii and G textorii (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta) of Indian waters
Authors: Oza Mihir D. , Mehta Gaurav K. , Kumar Sanjay , Meena Ramavatar , Siddhanta Arup K. 
Published: October 2011

SUMMARYGalactans containing methylated galactan moieties were extracted from Indian agarophytes, namely, Gracilaria millardetii and Gracilaria textorii growing naturally along the west coast of India. The galactans were treated with α‐amylase to remove floridean starch. These were characterized by Fourier Transform‐Infrared (FT IR), 13C‐Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (C NMR), Gas Chromatography‐Mass Spectrometry (GC MS), Inductively Coupled Plasma spectroscopy (ICP) and Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) and were found to be composed of d‐galactose, 6‐O‐methyl‐D‐galactose and 3,6‐anhydro‐L‐galactose. Methylation analyses revealed that both the polysaccharides consisted of 3‐, 2,3‐, 4,6‐linked galactose as well as four‐linked 3,6‐anhydro galactose residues. Both the Gracilaria species produced low gelling (<100 g cm−2) and highly sulfated (2.1% to 4.8%) galactans containing very low heavy metal contents (ICP). These galactans may be of potential utility in food and biological applications.
Ochtodes searlesii sp. nov. (Gigartinales, Rhodophyta), from the Pacific tropical coast of Mexico, based on morphological and molecular evidence
Authors: Mendoza‐González A. Catalina , Sentíes Abel , Mateo‐Cid Luz Elena , Díaz‐Larrea Jhoana , Pedroche Francisco F. , Villanueva Reyna Alvarado 
Published: October 2011

SUMMARYOchtodes searlesii Mendoza‐González, Mateo‐Cid et Sentíes sp. nov. is described from Michoacán, tropical Mexican Pacific, on the basis of comparative morphology and rbcL sequence analysis. It is distinguished from other Ochtodes species by its erect axes arising from an encrusting base, its small terete fronds, regularly dichotomously branched axes, and obliquely divided zonate tetrasporangia. Phylogenetic analyses showed that three Pacific Mexican samples, from Caletilla, Zapote and La Majahuita (Michoacán), were identical and formed a distinctive and well supported Clade segregated from other species of Ochtodes from Brazil, Cuba, Ecuador, Guadeloupe and Mexico. The Mexican entity is morphologically distinct from other Ochtodes species as well. On this basis we propose a new Ochtodes species.
Determination of some cyanopeptides synthesized by Woronichinia naegeliana (Chroococcales, Cyanophyceae)
Authors: Bober Beata , Lechowski Zbigniew , Bialczyk Jan 
Published: October 2011

SUMMARYNineteen compounds isolated from field samples of cyanobacteria Woronichinia naegeliana (Unger) Elenkin were identified. They fell into four classes of peptides: cyanopeptolins (cyanopeptolin B, cyanopeptolin C, cyanopeptolin D, cyanopeptolin 880, micropeptin 88D, micropeptin 478‐B, micropeptin SD999, micropeptin T2, planktopeptin BL1061), microginins (microginin 478, microginin 757, microginin 51A, microginin 91E, microginin FR3, microginin FR4), anabaenopeptins (oscillamide B) and possibly microcystins (trace amounts of microcystin‐LR) showing respectively fragment patterns in their electrospray ion source‐MS spectra. The molecular masses of the determined peptides range from 700 to 1100 Da. These results confirm the remarkable ability of cyanobacteria to synthesize a wide array of peptides.
Asthma and obesity: A known association but unknown mechanism
Authors: FARAH CLAUDE S. , SALOME CHERYL M. 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACTThe obese asthma phenotype is an increasingly common encounter in our clinical practice. Epidemiological data indicate that obesity increases the prevalence and incidence of asthma, and evidence that obesity precedes the development of asthma raises the possibility of a causal association. Obese patients with asthma experience more symptoms and increased morbidity compared with non‐obese asthma patients. Despite more than a decade of research into this association, the exact mechanisms that underlie the interaction of obesity with asthma remain unclear. It is unlikely that the asthma–obesity association is simply due to comorbidities such as obstructive sleep apnoea or gastroesophageal reflux disease. Although inflammatory pathways are purported to play a role, there is scant direct evidence in humans that systemic inflammation modulates the behaviour of the asthmatic airway or the expression of symptoms in the obese. The role of non‐eosinophilic airway inflammation also requires further study. Obesity results in important changes to the mechanical properties of the respiratory system, and these obesity‐related factors appear to exert an additive effect to the asthma‐related changes seen in the airways. An understanding of the various physiological perturbations that might be contributing to symptoms in obese patients with asthma will allow for a more targeted and rational treatment approach for these patients.
Angiotensin II receptor blocker partially ameliorated intrarenal hypoxia in chronic kidney disease patients: a pre‐/post‐study
Authors: Manotham K. , Ongvilawan B. , Urusopone P. , Chetsurakarn S. , Tanamai J. , Limkuansuwan P. , Tungsanga K. , Eiam‐Ong S. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractChronic intrarenal hypoxia has been regarded as a pathogenic factor of progressive renal damage. However, the lack of available human data has impeded the progress in this field. In this work, blood oxygen level‐dependent magnetic resonance imaging was used to determine intrarenal oxygen status pre‐ and post‐angiotensin receptor blockade (olmesartan) treatment in normal subjects, diabetic chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients and non‐diabetic CKD patients. The mean R2*, which represents intrarenal oxygenation, was significantly lower in the control group than in the CKD group (12.42 ± 0.53 /s vs 18.89 ± 3.15 /s, P < 0.01), indicating the presence of intrarenal hypoxia in the CKD patients. The olmesartan treatment induced a 16.2 ± 7.7% decrement of the mean R2* in CKD patients, suggesting that this drug had an intrarenal hypoxia ameliorating effect.
Clinical evaluation of a novel method for the measurement of prostate‐specific antigen, AccuPSATM, as a predictor of 5‐year biochemical recurrence‐free survival after radical prostatectomy: results of a pilot study
Authors: Lepor Herbert , Cheli Carol D. , Thiel Robert P. , Taneja Samir S. , Laze Juliana , Chan Dan W. , Sokoll Lori J. , Mangold Leslie , Partin Alan W. 
Published: October 2011

Study Type – Diagnostic (validating cohort)Level of Evidence 1bWhat's known on the subject? and What does the study add?Nadir Ultrasensitive PSA levels has some value for predicting BCR following RD.AccuPSA assays lower limit of PSA quantification of <0.01 pg/ml greatly enhances sensitivity and specificity of nadir PSA to predict BCR following RP. Our pilot study shows an AccuPSA of 3 pg/ml has a sensitory and specificity of 100% and 75% respectively for predicting 5 year BCR following RP.OBJECTIVES
To conduct a proof of concept study to evaluate a novel digital single molecule immunoassay (AccuPSATM) that detects prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) a thousandfold more sensitively than current PSA detection methods.
To determine the ability of the AccuPSATM assay to predict 5‐year biochemical recurrence (BCR)‐free survival after radical prostatectomy (RP).
PATIENTS AND METHODS
A total of 31 frozen serum specimens were obtained from specimen logs maintained at New York University Langone Medical Center and the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine on men who had undergone RP. Those men without evidence of BCR had a minimum of 5 years' PSA follow‐up.
In all cases, preoperative and pathological information were available, as was a serum specimen 3–6 months after RP, with a PSA level of <0.1 ng/mL measured by conventional PSA methods at the time of serum collection.
Specimens were tested using the AccuPSATM method.
A Cox proportional hazard model and Kaplan–Meier analysis were used to determine whether AccuPSATM predicted the risk of BCR.
RESULTS
Overall, 11/31 (35.5%) men developed BCR.
Mean AccuPSATM nadir levels were significantly different (P < 0.001) between the non‐BCR group (2.27 pg/mL) and the BCR group (46.99 pg/mL).
Using a multivariate Cox proportional hazard model, AccuPSATM nadir level was a significant predictor of BCR‐free survival (P < 0.01).
Kaplan–Meier analysis of up to 5 years follow‐up showed that 100% of men with AccuPSATM nadir values <3 pg/mL did not develop BCR, whereas 62.5% of men with values >3 pg/mL developed BCR (P= 0.00024).
The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the AccuPSATM method was 100%, 75%, 69% and 100%, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
AccuPSATM assay predicts 5‐year BCR‐ free survival after RP.
Identifying a reliable predictor of BCR soon after RP has important implications for frequency of PSA testing, selection of candidates for adjuvant therapy, and reassuring a large subset of men that they are not at risk of recurrence.
Larger studies are needed to validate these findings.
Off‐clamp versus complete hilar control laparoscopic partial nephrectomy: comparison by clinical stage
Authors: Rais‐Bahrami Soroush , George Arvin K. , Herati Amin S. , Srinivasan Arun K. , Richstone Lee , Kavoussi Louis R. 
Published: October 2011

Study Type – Therapy (case series)Level of Evidence 4What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?Minimizing renal ischemia and reperfusion injury is an area of active investigation and is particularly significant in cases of laparoscopic renal surgery where the kidney experiences warm ischemia. Reports of partial clamping, early unclamping, and off‐clamp laparoscopic partial nephrectomy have demonstrated potential technical modifications that can offer a protective role in preserving renal function.We investigated off‐clamp laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for tumours with varying clinical stage to determine feasibility, perioperative outcomes, and renal functional changes when compared to a contemporary cohort of standard laparoscopic partial nephrectomy with complete hilar clamping performed by a single surgeon.OBJECTIVE
To compare the operative outcomes and oncological efficacy of off‐clamp (OC) laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) vs complete hilar control (HC) LPN for stage T1a–T2 renal cell carcinoma.
METHODS
Retrospective review of all LPNs between June 2006 and March 2010 was performed, stratifying 390 patients by clinical T stage (cT1a = 313, cT1b = 62, cT2 = 15).
Perioperative and postoperative parameters were analysed comparing patients who underwent OC LPN (n= 126) with those who had HC LPN (n= 264) collectively and within each clinical stage cohort.
RESULTS
There was no significant difference in the proportion of OC LPN for cT1a tumours compared with cT1b and cT2, P= 0.21.
OC vs HC LPN patients had a greater estimated blood loss (EBL) but with no significant difference in perioperative blood transfusion rates.
When compared by clinical stage, EBL was greater only for clinical stage T1a disease (P= 0.02) but not cT1b (P= 0.91) or cT2 (P= 0.42) tumours.
There was no difference in the operative time or length of hospitalization between OC and HC LPN by stage: cT1a (P= 0.77 and P= 0.17), cT1b (P= 0.77 and P= 0.07) and cT2 (P= 0.42 and P= 0.66), respectively.
In our series, one case (0.3%) of HC LPN had a positive margin on final pathology, one case was converted to open partial nephrectomy (0.3%), and two cases of OC LPN (1.6%) were intraoperatively converted to HC LPN.
CONCLUSIONS
OC LPN is a feasible surgical option for patients with cT1–T2 renal cell carcinoma that completely avoids renal ischaemic injury with the benefits of minimally invasive surgery.
LPN can be performed OC in patients with larger, more complex renal tumours without compromising the operative time, blood loss requiring transfusions, length of hospitalization, complication rates, or positive surgical margin rates compared with HC LPN.
Nodal counts during pelvic lymph node dissection for prostate cancer: an objective indicator of quality under the influence of very subjective factors
Authors: Mazzola Clarisse , Savage Caroline , Ahallal Youness , Reuter Victor E. , Eastham James A. , Scardino Peter T. , Guillonneau Bertrand , Touijer Karim A. 
Published: October 2011

Study Type – Therapy (case series)Level of Evidence 4What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?In lymph node dissections for cancer, the more extended the dissection, the higher the number of lymph nodes removed. In addition, the higher the number of nodes retrieved, the better the staging. This leads many investigators to set a threshold of a minimal number of nodes below which the dissection is considered inadequate.Although the minimal threshold concept is generally good, it is not based on very objective data. a number of factors might influence the final number of nodes removed: (i) the surgeon and the surgical technique; (ii) the pathologists and tissue processing technique; (iii) the patient; and (iv) the audit effect and feedback to the surgeons about the number of nodes removed.OBJECTIVE
To examine the number of lymph nodes removed over time for men undergoing a standard pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) during radical prostatectomy.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
In total, 2119 consecutive patients with clinically localized prostate cancer were scheduled for non‐salvage radical prostatectomy between February 2005 and September 2009.
All patients underwent PLND, including the external iliac, hypogastric and obturator fossa nodal groups.
We tested whether the number of lymph nodes increased over time by including the date of each patient's surgery into a linear regression model using nonlinear terms.
RESULTS
From 2008 onward, there appears to be a large increase in the number of nodes removed.
Date of surgery was a significant predictor of the number of nodes removed (P < 0.001).
The anatomical template of dissection, the specimen submission and pathological assessment were reportedly unchanged.
The nodal yield increase in the later part of the study coincides with an increase in the academic interest in PLND and nodal metastasis in prostate cancer at the institutional level and worldwide.
CONCLUSIONS
Without any intentional change in surgical technique or pathological processing, the number of lymph nodes removed in our radical prostatectomy experience increased.
This change coincided with an increased academic interest in the subject and highlights the positive feedback effect.
The change also raises concerns about unaccounted for confounding factors that could affect multi‐institutional datasets and surgical clinical trials.
Gunshot wounds to the scrotum: a large single‐institutional 20‐year experience
Authors: Simhan Jay , Rothman Jason , Canter Daniel , Reyes Jose M. , Jaffe William I. , Pontari Michel A. , Doumanian Leo R. , Mydlo Jack H. 
Published: October 2011

Study Type – Therapy (case series)Level of Evidence 4What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?Penetrating trauma to the scrotum often requires operative intervention, with testicular salvage only possible when enough testicular tissue can be re‐approximated in the traumatic setting.The present report represents the largest series of gunshot wound trauma to the scrotum in the literature. Further, it validates recommendations of the European Association of Urology guidelines on urological trauma that advocate operative intervention due to minimal rates of patient morbidity and the inherent limitations of scrotal ultrasonography in discerning testicular compromise.OBJECTIVE
To report our 20‐year experience of gunshot wounds (GSWs) to the scrotum and outline the management of this traumatic injury.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
We queried our institutional database for patients presenting with GSWs to the scrotum between 1985 and 2006.
All patients underwent the standard trauma evaluation upon presentation, including physical examination of the external genitalia. Management was dictated by the presence or absence of a penetrating injury to the scrotum and associated traumatic injuries.
Nonoperative and operative management of traumatic injury to the scrotum were used. Testicular salvage was performed when anatomically feasible. If testicular salvage was not feasible, an orchiectomy was performed.
RESULTS
Scrotal exploration was performed in 91 (94%) patients while six (6%) patients were treated nonoperatively.
Testicular injury was found in 44 (48%) patients undergoing exploration, six (7%) of whom had bilateral testicular injuries, which gave a total of 50 injured testicles.
Of the injured testicles, 24 (48%) could not be salvaged and required orchiectomy, while 26 (52%) were debrided and repaired.
The most common associated genitourinary (GU) injuries were to the corpora cavernosum (n= 20 [21%]) and urethra (n= 10 [10%]). Soft tissue injury of the extremities occurred in 54 patients (56%), representing the most common non‐GU‐associated injury.
Postoperative complications occurred infrequently: one patient (1%) returned for abscess drainage and one (1%) for haematoma evacuation.
CONCLUSIONS
The present report confirms that any patient with a penetrating injury to the scrotum should undergo immediate scrotal exploration.
A low clinical suspicion for performing additional studies to rule out associated urethral and/or penile injury is clinically warranted.
Testicular loss occurs in ≈50% of injured testicles.
The European Union at Work? The European Employment Strategy from Crisis to Crisis*
Authors: VAN RIE TIM , MARX IVE 
Published: October 2011

AbstractThe European Employment Strategy (EES) emerged in the early 1990s under the influence of an acute rise in unemployment and the introduction of economic and monetary union (EMU). Its purpose is to foster convergence towards lower unemployment and higher employment. This article considers these outcomes over a longer time frame and in a broader geographical context than previous studies have done. Overall, outcomes in the EU‐15 improved and converged since the introduction of EES. Comparisons suggest that these developments do not merely reflect long‐term or international trends. The recent crisis, with deteriorating and divergent outcomes, might signal the start of a new EES cycle.