bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Incidence of Surgical Site Infection Associated with Robotic Surgery
Authors: Hermsen Elizabeth D. , Hinze Tim , Sayles Harlan , Sholtz Lee , Rupp Mark E. 
Published: June 2010

Objective.Robot-assisted surgery is minimally invasive and associated with less blood loss and shorter recovery time than open surgery. We aimed to determine the duration of robot-assisted surgical procedures and the incidence of postoperative surgical site infection (SSI) and to compare our data with the SSI incidence for open procedures according to national data.Design.Retrospective cohort study.Setting.A 689-bed academic medical center.Patients.All patients who underwent a surgical procedure with use of a robotic surgical system during the period from 2000-2007.Methods.SSIs were defined and procedure types were classified according to National Healthcare Safety Network criteria. National data for comparison were from 1992-2004. Because of small sample size, procedures were grouped according to surgical site or wound classification.Results.Sixteen SSIs developed after 273 robot-assisted procedures (5.9%). The mean surgical duration was 333.6 minutes. Patients who developed SSI had longer mean surgical duration than did patients who did not (558 vs 318 minutes; P<.001). The prostate and genitourinary group had 5.74 SSIs per 100 robot-assisted procedures (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.81–11.37), compared with 0.85 SSIs per 100 open procedures from national data. The gynecologic group had 10.00 SSIs per 100 procedures (95% CI, 2.79–30.10), compared with 1.72 SSIs per 100 open procedures. The colon and herniorrhaphy groups had 33.33 SSIs per 100 procedures (95% CI, 9.68–70.00) and 37.50 SSIs per 100 procedures (95% CI, 13.68–69.43), respectively, compared with 5.88 and 1.62 SSIs per 100 open procedures from national data. Patients with a clean-contaminated wound developed 6.1 SSIs per 100 procedures (95% CI, 3.5–10.3), compared with 2.59 SSIs per 100 open procedures. No significant differences in SSI rates were found for other groups.Conclusions.Increased incidence of SSI after some types of robot-assisted surgery compared with traditional open surgery may be related to the learning curve associated with use of the robot.
Predicting Bacteremia among Patients Hospitalized for Skin and Skin-Structure Infections: Derivation and Validation of a Risk Score
Authors: Lipsky Benjamin A. , Kollef Marin H. , Miller Loren G. , Sun Xiaowu , Johannes Richard S. , Tabak Ying P. 
Published: June 2010

Objective.Bacteremia is relatively common in patients with skin and skin-structure infection (SSSI) severe enough to require hospitalization. We used selected demographic and clinical characteristics easily assessable at initial evaluation to develop a model for the early identification of patients with SSSI who are at higher risk for bacteremia.Participants.A large database of adults hospitalized with SSSI at 97 hospitals in the United States during the period from 2003 through 2007 and from whom blood samples were obtained for culture at admission.Methods.We compared selected candidate predictor variables for patients shown to have bacteremia and patients with no demonstrated bacteremia. Using stepwise logistic regression to identify independent risk factors for bacteremia, we derived a model by using 75% of a randomly split cohort, converted the model coefficients into a risk score system, and then we validated it by using the remaining 25% of the cohort.Results.Bacteremia was documented in 1,021 (11.7%) of the 8,747 eligible patients. Independent predictors of bacteremia (P<.001) were infected device or prosthesis, respiratory rate less than 10 or more than 29 breaths per minute, pulse rate less than 49 or more than 125 beats per minute, temperature less than 35.6°C or at least 38.0°C, white blood cell band percentage of 7% or more, white blood cell count greater than 11 x 109/L, healthcare-associated infection, male sex, and older age. The bacteremia rates ranged from 3.7% (lowest decile) to 30.6% (highest decile) (P< .001). The model C statistic was 0.71; the Hosmer-Lemeshow testPvalue was .36, indicating excellent model calibration.Conclusions.Using data available at hospital admission, we developed a risk score that differentiated SSSI patients at low risk for bacteremia from patients at high risk. This score may help clinicians identify patients who require more intensive monitoring or antimicrobial regimens appropriate for treating bacteremia.
THEORY OF DISPERSED FIXED-DELAY INTERFEROMETRY FOR RADIAL VELOCITY
EXOPLANET SEARCHES
Authors: van Eyken Julian C. , Ge Jian , Mahadevan Suvrath 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACT
The dispersed fixed-delay interferometer (DFDI) represents a new instrument
concept for high-precision radial velocity (RV) surveys for extrasolar planets.
A combination of a Michelson interferometer and a medium-resolution
spectrograph, it has the potential for performing multi-object surveys, where
most previous RV techniques have been limited to observing only one target at a
time. Because of the large sample of extrasolar planets needed to better
understand planetary formation, evolution, and prevalence, this new technique
represents a logical next step in instrumentation for RV extrasolar planet
searches, and has been proven with the single-object Exoplanet Tracker (ET) at
Kitt Peak National Observatory, and the multi-object W. M. Keck/MARVELS
Exoplanet Tracker at Apache Point Observatory. The development of the ET
instruments has necessitated fleshing out a detailed understanding of the
physical principles of the DFDI technique. Here we summarize the fundamental
theoretical material needed to understand the technique and provide an overview
of the physics underlying the instrument's working. We also derive some useful
analytical formulae that can be used to estimate the level of various sources of
error generic to the technique, such as photon shot noise when using a fiducial
reference spectrum, contamination by secondary spectra (e.g., crowded sources,
spectroscopic binaries, or moonlight contamination), residual interferometer
comb, and reference cross-talk error. Following this, we show that the use of a
traditional gas absorption fiducial reference with a DFDI can incur significant
systematic errors that must be taken into account at the precision levels
required to detect extrasolar planets.
RTM3, Which Controls Long-Distance Movement of Potyviruses, Is a Member of a New Plant Gene Family Encoding a Meprin and TRAF Homology Domain-Containing Protein
Authors: Cosson Patrick , Sofer Luc , Hien Le Quang , Léger Valérie , Schurdi-Levraud Valérie , Whitham Steven A. , Yamamoto Miki L. , Gopalan Suresh , Le Gall Olivier , Candresse Thierry , Carrington James C. , Revers Frédéric 
Published: June 2010

Abstract
Restriction of long-distance movement of several potyviruses in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) is controlled by at least three dominant restricted TEV movement (RTM) genes, named RTM1, RTM2, and RTM3. RTM1 encodes a protein belonging to the jacalin family, and RTM2 encodes a protein that has similarities to small heat shock proteins. In this article, we describe the positional cloning of RTM3, which encodes a protein belonging to an undescribed protein family of 29 members that has a meprin and TRAF homology (MATH) domain in its amino-terminal region and a coiled-coil domain at its carboxy-terminal end. Involvement in the RTM resistance system is the first biological function experimentally identified for a member of this new gene family in plants. Our analyses showed that the coiled-coil domain is not only highly conserved between RTM3-homologous MATH-containing proteins but also in proteins lacking a MATH domain. The cluster organization of the RTM3 homologs in the Arabidopsis genome suggests the role of duplication events in shaping the evolutionary history of this gene family, including the possibility of deletion or duplication of one or the other domain. Protein-protein interaction experiments revealed RTM3 self-interaction as well as an RTM1-RTM3 interaction. However, no interaction has been detected involving RTM2 or the potyviral coat protein previously shown to be the determinant necessary to overcome the RTM resistance. Taken together, these observations strongly suggest the RTM proteins might form a multiprotein complex in the resistance mechanism to block the long-distance movement of potyviruses.
Topical 5‐aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy for recalcitrant facial flat wart in Chinese subjects
Authors: LIN Mao‐Ying , XIANG Lei‐Hong 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACTThe facial flat wart (verruca plana) is not only a contagious viral disease, but also causes a disturbing cosmetic problem. Because 5‐aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy has successfully treated human papilloma virus‐related diseases, we employed 20% 5‐aminolevulinic acid and a light emitting diode on three recalcitrant facial flat wart patients. Most lesions achieved complete remission after three or four sessions. However, a few non‐elevated lesions did not respond to this method. An ablative therapeutic mode is required in addition to 5‐aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy in such lesions. Therefore, we utilized an Er:YAG laser and 20% 5‐aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy for one session and achieved an excellent result. Patients should be informed of the possible side‐effects of this treatment, such as erythema, exfoliation and post‐inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and the requirement for sun protection.
Carotid artery intima media thickness associates with skin autofluoresence in non‐diabetic subjects without clinically manifest cardiovascular disease
Authors: Lutgers Helen L. , Graaff Reindert , De Vries Rindert , Smit Andries J. , Dullaart Robin P. F. 
Published: June 2010

Eur J Clin Invest 2010; 40 (9): 812–817AbstractBackground  Skin autofluorescence (skin AF) is determined in part by accumulation of advanced glycation end products. Increased skin AF was shown previously to predict cardiovascular events independently of conventional risk factors. We determined the association of carotid artery intima media thickness (IMT), a marker of subclinical cardiovascular disease, with skin AF in subjects without diabetes or clinically manifest cardiovascular disease.Methods  In a cross‐sectional observational study, IMT, skin AF, lipids and apolipoproteins, C‐reactive protein (CRP), insulin resistance and paraoxonase‐1 activity were measured in 59 non‐smoking, non‐obese subjects without diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease (32 women; 12 subjects with metabolic syndrome (MetS)).Results  In univariate analyses, skin AF was correlated with IMT (r = 0·265, P = 0·042), but not significantly with clinical factors, (apo)lipoproteins, CRP, insulin resistance and paraoxonase‐1. In multiple linear regression analyses, IMT was determined independently by age (β = 0·549, P < 0·001), apo B (β = 0·236, P = 0·022) and skin AF (β = 0·216, P = 0·035). IMT was also associated with skin AF (β = 0·213, P = 0·046) in a model which included the presence of MetS.Conclusions  IMT is positively related to skin AF, independently of clinical factors, (apo)lipoproteins and MetS, suggesting that skin AF represents a determinant of subclinical atherosclerosis. Increased skin AF may reflect early abnormalities in processes involved in atherosclerosis development.
Associated costs and benefits of a defended phenotype across multiple environments
Authors: Moran Daniel T. , Dias Gustavo M. , Marshall Dustin J. 
Published: June 2010

Summary 1. Many organisms respond to threats such as stress and predation by expressing a defended phenotype (phenotypic plasticity) or inducing the expression of a defended phenotype in offspring (transgenerational phenotypic plasticity). While defended phenotypes can increase resistance to a predator or stress, in the absence of the inducing agent defended phenotypes often have poorer performance. Producing a defended phenotype unnecessarily has been termed a phenotype‐environment mismatch. 2. Most studies have focused on the benefits of a defended phenotype along a single environmental gradient (i.e. the presence/absence of the inducing agent) but in nature, organisms must face conditions that vary across a number of environmental gradients simultaneously. By focusing on the costs and benefits of a defended phenotype in a single dimension alone we risk underestimating the strength and likelihood of phenotype‐environment mismatches. 3. For the marine bryozoan Bugula neritina, we examined the performance of individuals with an induced, defended phenotype (pollution resistance) relative to individuals with an undefended phenotype across a number of different environments. We found that individuals with the defended phenotype were more sensitive to osmotic stress, but surprisingly, were less susceptible to predation than individuals with the undefended phenotype. 4. Our findings suggest that the costs and benefits associated with expressing a defended phenotype are more complex than previously realized because the full consequences of induced phenotypes are only unmasked when performance in multiple environments is examined.
Can selection on nest size from nest predation explain the latitudinal gradient in clutch size?
Authors: Biancucci Luis , Martin Thomas E. 
Published: June 2010

Summary 1. Latitudinal variation in clutch sizes of birds is a well described, but poorly understood pattern. Many hypotheses have been proposed, but few have been experimentally tested, and none have been universally accepted by researchers. 2. The nest size hypothesis posits that higher nest predation in the tropics favours selection for smaller nests and thereby constrains clutch size by shrinking available space for eggs and/or nestlings in the nest. We tested this hypothesis with an experiment in a tropical forest and a comparative study between temperate and tropical field sites. 3. Specifically, we tested if: (i) predation increased with nest size; (ii) tropical birds had smaller nests controlled for body size; and (iii) clutch size was explained by nest size controlled for body size. 4. Experimental swapping of nests of different sizes showed that nest predation increased with nest size in the tropical site. Moreover, nest predation rates were higher in species with larger nests in both sites. However, nest size, corrected for body mass and phylogeny, did not differ between sites and was not related to clutch size between sites. 5. Hence, nest predation can exert selection on nest size as predicted by the hypothesis. Nest size increased with adult body mass, such that adult size might indirectly influence reproductive success through effects on nest size and nest predation risk. Ultimately, however, selection from nest predation on nest size does not explain the smaller clutch sizes typical of the tropics.
Use of itraconazole and either lime sulphur or Malaseb Concentrate Rinse®to treat shelter cats naturally infected withMicrosporum canis: an open field trial
Authors: Newbury Sandra , Moriello Karen A. , Kwochka Kenneth W. , Verbrugge Maria , Thomas Chester 
Published: June 2010

AbstractIn an open non‐randomized study, 90 cats with severe dermatophytosis were treated with 21 days of oral itraconazole at 10 mg/kg and one of three topical antifungal rinses applied twice weekly: lime sulphur (LSO); reformulated lime sulphur with an odour‐masking agent (LSR); or a 0.2% miconazole nitrate and 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate rinse (MC). Weekly examinations and fungal cultures were used to monitor the cats’ response to therapy. If at day 42 of treatment cats were still strongly fungal culture positive and/or developing new lesions, they were retreated with oral itraconazole and LSO. Cats were not prevented from licking the solutions and none developed oral ulcerations. Thirty‐one cats were treated with LSO, 27 with LSR and 32 with MC. The median number of days to cure was 30 (range 10–69 days) and 34 (range 23–80 days) for LSO and LSR, respectively. Thirty‐two cats were treated with MC, and 13 of 32 cats required repeat treatment because of persistent culture‐positive status and development of new lesions. Median number of days of treatment for the 19 cats that cured with MC was 48 (range 14–93 days). When the number of days to cure was compared between the groups, there was a significant difference between cats treated with LSO and LSR (P = 0.029) and cats treated with LSO and MC (P = 0.031), but no significant difference between the number of days to cure for cats treated with LSR and MC (P = 0.91).
Candida invasion and influences in smoking patients with multiple oral leucoplakias – a retrospective study
Authors: Chiu Chang‐Ta , Li Chien‐Feng , Li Jau‐Rong , Wang Johnny , Chuang Ching‐Ya , Chiang Wei‐Fan , Huang Shan‐Chen , Chang Sung‐Wen 
Published: June 2010

SummaryTreating patients with multiple oral leucoplakias (MOLs) who smoke is more difficult and complicated than treating those with single oral leucoplakia (SOL). Removing the aetiological factors causing MOL can effectively prevent its recurrence. The aim was to study the infection by and influences of Candida in smoking patients with MOLs. A retrospective study was conducted on 136 smoking patients who had clinicopathological OLs. Among these patients, 73 lesions in 31 patients were MOLs, while 105 patients had SOLs. All patients were treated by complete resection. All specimens were tested for epithelial dysplasia, and stained with periodic acid–Schiff reagent. The rate of MOL concurrence with candidal infection was higher than that of SOLs. The incidence of Candida associated with MOLs was higher for recurrent than for non‐recurrent lesions. The disease‐free time was shorter in MOL patients with candidal infection. Moreover, MOLs with candidal infection were more likely to have an increasing ratio to combine with epithelial dysplasia. Candida is an important risk factor in smoking patients with MOLs. Microscopic and fungal examinations of those lesions should permit a detailed diagnosis in such patients and for long‐term predictive assessments.
Neuromodulative treatment with percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation for intractable detrusor instability: outcomes following a shortened 6‐week protocol
Authors: Yoong Wai , Ridout Alexandra E. , Damodaram Mellisa , Dadswell Rosemary 
Published: June 2010

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4OBJECTIVE To describe our initial outcome data following a shortened 6‐week treatment protocol with percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) in women with overactive bladder syndrome (OABS) unresponsive to bladder retraining and anticholinergic therapy.PATIENTS AND METHODS This was a prospective observational study over a 6‐month period. In all, 43 women with OABS refractory to medical therapy were treated with a shortened PTNS protocol that consisted of 6 weekly 30 min sessions. Bladder symptom diaries and health‐related quality of life (HRQL) assessed using the short‐form seven‐item self‐report. Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ‐7) were completed before and after treatment. A positive response was defined as: (i) OAB symptoms no longer being bothersome; (ii) reduction by half in frequency episodes and (iii) reduction by 25% in IIQ‐7 outcomes.RESULTS All 43 women (median age 55.3 years) completed six treatments with a positive response rate of 69.7%. In the positive responders, the median daytime and nocturnal frequency was reduced by half after 6 weeks of treatment (11.8 vs 6.9 and 3.5 vs 1.8, respectively, P < 0.05) and the patients reported fewer urge leak episodes per 24 h (median 3.5 vs 2.4, P < 0.05). The median IIQ‐7 scores improved by 25% (30.4 vs 24.3, P < 0.05) in responders, while the median number of pads changed in 24 h also decreased by 34% (3.8 vs 2.5, P < 0.05). The median acceptability of the technique when scored by Visual Analogue Score was 9.6/10 and no side‐effects were reported.CONCLUSION A shortened 6‐week treatment with PTNS appears to be successful, with a significant reduction in symptoms and improvement in HRQL. This early data suggest that the duration of treatment for peripheral neuromodulation can be halved compared with the conventional 12 weeks, which would make it more acceptable and cost effective for patients. A randomised controlled trial of 6 weeks vs 12 weeks of PTNS therapy would be useful in determining the optimal duration of treatment.
Documenting the location of prostate biopsies with image fusion
Authors: Turkbey Baris , Xu Sheng , Kruecker Jochen , Locklin Julia , Pang Yuxi , Bernardo Marcelino , Merino Maria J. , Wood Bradford J. , Choyke Peter L. , Pinto Peter A. 
Published: June 2010

Study Type – Diagnostic (exploratory cohort) Level of Evidence 2b What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add? Currently, systematic prostate biopsies are obtained with minimal information about their actual location.This study demonstrates that a electromagnetically tracked ultrasound probe can be used to guide biopsies into specific areas of the prostate. By registering the ultrasound to an MRI scan of the prostate, obtained prior to biopsy, it is possible to accurately map the location of biopsies. Thus, if a patient requires a repeat biopsy, or there is a question about whether a specific area of the prostate was sampled, this system can be used to more accurately guide biopsies in the future.OBJECTIVE To develop a system that documents the location of transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)‐guided prostate biopsies by fusing them to MRI scans obtained prior to biopsy, as the actual location of prostate biopsies is rarely known.PATIENTS AND METHODS Fifty patients (median age 61) with a median prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) of 5.8 ng/ml underwent 3T endorectal coil MRI prior to biopsy. 3D TRUS images were obtained just prior to standard TRUS‐guided 12‐core sextant biopsies wherein an electromagnetic positioning device was attached to the needle guide and TRUS probe in order to track the position of each needle pass. The 3D‐TRUS image documenting the location of each biopsy was fused electronically to the T2‐weighted MRI. Each biopsy needle track was marked on the TRUS images and these were then transposed onto the MRI. Each biopsy site was classified pathologically as positive or negative for cancer and the Gleason score was determined.RESULTS The location of all (n= 605) needle biopsy tracks was successfully documented on the T2‐weighted (T2W) MRI. Among 50 patients, 20 had 56 positive cores. At the sites of biopsy, T2W signal was considered ‘positive’ for cancer (i.e. low in signal intensity) in 34 of 56 sites.CONCLUSION It is feasible to document the location of TRUS‐guided prostate biopsies on pre‐procedure MRI by fusing the pre‐procedure TRUS to an endorectal coil MRI using electromagnetic needle tracking. This procedure may be useful in documenting the location of prior biopsies, improving quality control and thereby avoiding under‐sampling of the prostate as well as directing subsequent biopsies to regions of the prostate not previously sampled.