bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Laparoscopic fellowship training can deliver a competent laparoscopic surgeon and trainer
Authors: McArthur D. R. , Sharples A. , Ghallab M. , Dawson R. , Lengyel A. J. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractAim  The study investigated whether experience gained during a UK laparoscopic colorectal fellowship enabled the fellow subsequently to train consultant colleagues in laparoscopic surgery.Method  In one unit a newly appointed post‐laparoscopic fellowship consultant (PFC) mentored his other two colleagues. Prospectively collected data regarding surgical outcome were compared with those of the year preceding the PFC appointment.Results  In the preceding year 18.5% of 260 resections were attempted laparoscopically. This increased to 92.6% (of 270) in the year after (P < 0.0001). Respective conversion rates were 4.2% and 8.4% (P = 0.5524). In the first 6 months after PFC appointment, mentored consultants performed 23 supervised cases. In the second 6 months they carried out 58 procedures independently and trainees performed 38 supervised cases. There was no significant difference in anastomotic leakage and readmission and 30‐day mortality rates between the pre‐ and post‐PFC periods.Conclusion  A laparoscopic fellowship enables the PFC to mentor consultant colleagues safely and effectively.
MARRIAGE, BMI, AND WAGES: A DOUBLE SELECTION APPROACH
Authors: Brown Heather 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTObesity rates have been rising over the past decade. As more people become obese, the social stigma of obesity may be reduced. Marriage has typically been used as a positive signal to employers. If obese individuals possess other characteristics that are valued in the labour market they may no longer face a wage penalty for their physical appearance. This paper investigates the relationship between marital status, body mass index (BMI), and wages by estimating a double selection model that controls for selection into the labour and marriage markets using waves 14 and 16 (2004 and 2006) of the British Household Panel Survey. Results suggest that unobserved characteristics related to marriage and labour market participation are causing an upward bias on the BMI coefficients. The BMI coefficient is positive and significant for married men only in the double selection model. The findings provide evidence that unobserved characteristics related to success in the marriage and labour market may influence the relationship between BMI and wages.
‘Composing withIntervals’: IntervallicSyntax andSerialTechnique inLateStravinsky
Authors: LOCANTO MASSIMILIANO 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTIn Stravinsky's final serial works, the intervallic component assumed a more decisive role than in his in earlier compositions, becoming the foundational aspect of a ‘motivic’ technique, the specific aspects of which are illustrated here through several sketch‐based analyses. In Stravinsky's case, motivic‐intervallic syntax and serial procedures operate according to slightly but significantly different criteria: the first on the level of single intervals, the second on the level of pitch‐class sets. Using several specific examples drawn from compositions ranging fromAgonto theRequiem Canticles, this article demonstrates that the discrepancy provided Stravinsky with a stimulus, rather than an obstacle, to composition, and provides a guide to the interpretation of certain well‐known characteristics both of his creative process and of his serial technique. The music‐theoretical aspects of Stravinsky's intervallic syntax are illustrated, and its interaction with serial technique is observed from two conceptually different directions: from intervallic motives to rows (the initial definition of a row of pitches), and from the row to intervallic motives (the transformation of the ‘abstract’ row into concrete musical contexts).
Pro‐oxidant effects of Ecstasy and its metabolites in mouse brain synaptosomes
Authors: Barbosa Daniel José , Capela João Paulo , Oliveira Jorge MA , Silva Renata , Ferreira Luísa Maria , Siopa Filipa , Branco Paula Sério , Fernandes Eduarda , Duarte José Alberto , de Lourdes Bastos Maria , Carvalho Félix 
Published: April 2011

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE3,4‐Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or ‘Ecstasy’) is a worldwide major drug of abuse known to elicit neurotoxic effects. The mechanisms underlying the neurotoxic effects of MDMA are not clear at present, but the metabolism of dopamine and 5‐HT by monoamine oxidase (MAO), as well as the hepatic biotransformation of MDMA into pro‐oxidant reactive metabolites is thought to contribute to its adverse effects.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHUsing mouse brain synaptosomes, we evaluated the pro‐oxidant effects of MDMA and its metabolites, α‐methyldopamine (α‐MeDA), N‐methyl‐α‐methyldopamine (N‐Me‐α‐MeDA) and 5‐(glutathion‐S‐yl)‐α‐methyldopamine [5‐(GSH)‐α‐MeDA], as well as those of 5‐HT, dopamine, l‐DOPA and 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC).KEY RESULTS5‐HT, dopamine, l‐DOPA, DOPAC and MDMA metabolites α‐MeDA, N‐Me‐α‐MeDA and 5‐(GSH)‐α‐MeDA, concentration‐ and time‐dependently increased H2O2 production, which was significantly reduced by the antioxidants N‐acetyl‐l‐cysteine (NAC), ascorbic acid and melatonin. From experiments with MAO inhibitors, it was observed that H2O2 generation induced by 5‐HT was totally dependent on MAO‐related metabolism, while for dopamine, it was a minor pathway. The MDMA metabolites, dopamine, l‐DOPA and DOPAC concentration‐dependently increased quinoproteins formation and, like 5‐HT, altered the synaptosomal glutathione status. Finally, none of the compounds modified the number of polarized mitochondria in the synaptosomal preparations, and the compounds’ pro‐oxidant effects were unaffected by prior mitochondrial depolarization, excluding a significant role for mitochondrial‐dependent mechanisms of toxicity in this experimental model.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONSMDMA metabolites along with high levels of monoamine neurotransmitters can be major effectors of neurotoxicity induced by Ecstasy.
Quantitative analysis of the cellular inflammatory response against biofilm bacteria in chronic wounds
Authors: Fazli Mustafa , Bjarnsholt Thomas , Kirketerp‐Møller Klaus , Jørgensen Anne , Andersen Claus Bøgelund , Givskov Michael , Tolker‐Nielsen Tim 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTChronic wounds are an important problem worldwide. These wounds are characterized by a persistent inflammatory stage associated with excessive accumulation and elevated cell activity of neutrophils, suggesting that there must be a persistent stimulus that attracts and recruits neutrophils to the wound. One such stimulus might be the presence of bacterial biofilms in chronic wounds. In the present study, biopsy specimens from chronic venous leg ulcers were investigated for the detection of bacteria using peptide nucleic acid‐based fluorescence in situ hybridization (PNA‐FISH) and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The bacteria in the wounds were often situated in large aggregates. To obtain a measure of the cellular inflammatory response against the bacteria in the chronic wounds, the amount of neutrophils accumulated at the site of infection was evaluated through differential neutrophil counting on the tissue sections from wounds containing either Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus. The P. aeruginosa‐containing wounds had significantly higher numbers of neutrophils accumulated compared with the S. aureus‐containing wounds. These results are discussed in relation to the hypothesis that the presence of P. aeruginosa biofilms in chronic wounds may be one of the main factors leading to a persistent inflammatory response and impaired wound healing.
Particulate β‐glucan induces TNF‐α production in wound macrophages via a redox‐sensitive NF‐κβ‐dependent pathway
Authors: Roy Sashwati , Dickerson Ryan , Khanna Savita , Collard Eric , Gnyawali Urmila , Gordillo Gayle M. , Sen Chandan K. 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTGlucans are known to promote wound repair. Noncellulosic β‐glucans are recognized as potent immunological activators. β‐Glucans are generally safe and are known to attenuate the rate of postoperative infection. Glyc101 is a particulate β‐glucan isolated from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In this study, the hypothesis that Glyc101 regulates wound macrophage function was tested. Glyc101 induced tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α transcription in macrophages isolated from murine wound site. Multiplex assay identified interleukin (IL)‐10 and TNFα as two cytokines that are induced by Glyc101 in human blood monocyte‐derived macrophages. Glyc101‐induced TNFα production was observed to be mediated via the TLR‐2 and dectin‐1 receptors, receptor tyrosine kinases and NFκB activation. In murine wound macrophages, Glyc101 potentiated phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate‐induced respiratory burst. In vivo, implantation of Glyc101‐enriched polyvinyl alcohol‐sponges at the wound‐site induced TNFα expression in macrophages. Consistently, Glyc101 induced TNFα expression in wound‐site macrophages isolated from two patients with chronic wounds. These observations establish the translational significance of the net findings of this study. Activation of wound macrophages by Glyc101 represents one of the potential mechanisms by which this β‐glucan may benefit chronic wounds where inefficient inflammatory response is one of the underlying causes of impaired healing.
Development of a novel, highly quantitative in vivo model for the study of biofilm‐impaired cutaneous wound healing
Authors: Gurjala Anandev N. , Geringer Matthew R. , Seth Akhil K. , Hong Seok J. , Smeltzer Mark S. , Galiano Robert D. , Leung Kai P. , Mustoe Thomas A. 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTA growing body of evidence suggests that in addition to hypoxia, ischemia‐reperfusion injury, and intrinsic host factors, bacterial biofilms represent a fourth major pillar in chronic wound pathogenesis. Given that most studies to date rely on in vitro or observational clinical data, our aim was to develop a novel, quantitative animal model enabling further investigation of the biofilm hypothesis in vivo. Dermal punch wounds were created in New Zealand rabbit ears, and used as uninfected controls, or inoculated with green fluorescent protein‐labeled Staphylococcus aureus to form wounds with bacteria predominantly in the planktonic or biofilm phase. Epifluorescence and scanning electron microscopy revealed that S. aureus rapidly forms mature biofilm in wounds within 24 hours of inoculation, with persistence of biofilm viability over time seen through serial bacterial count measurement and laser scanning confocal imaging at different time points postwounding and inoculation. Inflammatory markers confirmed that the biofilm phenotype creates a characteristic, sustained, low‐grade inflammatory response, and that over time biofilm impairs epithelial migration and granulation tissue in‐growth, as shown histologically. We have established and validated a highly quantitative, reproducible in vivo biofilm model, while providing evidence that the biofilm phenotype specifically contributes to profound cutaneous wound healing impairment. Our model highlights the importance of bacterial biofilms in chronic wound pathogenesis, providing an in vivo platform for further inquiry into the basic biology of bacterial biofilm–host interaction and high‐throughput testing of antibiofilm therapeutics.
The accretion-heated crust of the transiently accreting 11-Hz X-ray pulsar in the globular cluster Terzan 5
Authors: Degenaar N. , Wijnands R. 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
We report on a Chandra Director’s Discretionary Time observation of the globular cluster Terzan 5, carried out ∼7 weeks after the cessation of the 2010 outburst of the newly discovered transiently accreting 11-Hz X-ray pulsar. We detect a thermal spectrum that can be fitted with a neutron star atmosphere model with a temperature for an observer at infinity of kT∞∼ 100 eV and a quiescent thermal bolometric luminosity of Lq∼ 2 × 1033 erg s-1 for an assumed distance of 5.5 kpc. The thermal emission is elevated above the quiescent base level measured in 2003 and 2009, i.e. prior to the recent accretion outburst. A likely explanation is that the neutron star crust was significantly heated during the recent accretion episode and needs to cool until it restores thermal equilibrium with the core. Although this has been observed for neutron star low-mass X-ray binaries that undergo accretion episodes of years to decades, it is the first time that evidence for crustal heating is detected for a transient system with a regular outburst duration of weeks. This opens up a new window to study heating and cooling of transiently accreting neutron stars.
Leptospirosis and Tularaemia in Raccoons (Procyon lotor) of Larimer Country, Colorado
Authors: Duncan C. , Krafsur G. , Podell B. , Baeten L. A. , LeVan I. , Charles B. , Ehrhart E. J. 
Published: April 2011

SummaryRaccoons (Procyon lotor) are commonly implicated as carriers of many zoonotic pathogens. The purpose of this cross‐sectional study was to look for Leptospira interrogans and Francisella tularensis in opportunistically sampled, free‐ranging raccoons of Larimer Country, Colorado, USA. Sixty‐five animals were included in the study and testing consisted of gross post‐mortem examination, histopathology, and both immunohistochemistry and PCR for L. interrogans and F. tularensis. No significant gross lesions were identified and the most common histological lesions were lymphoplasmacytic interstitial nephritis and pulmonary silicosis; rare periportal hepatitis, splenic lymphoid hyperplasia and small pulmonary granulomas were also identified. Of 65 animals, 20 (30%) were positive for Leptospira on IHC but only one by PCR. Animals with inflammation in their kidneys were seven times more likely to be positive for Leptospira than animals without inflammation. The severity of inflammation was variable but often mild with minimal associated renal pathology. One animal was positive for Francisella on both IHC and PCR; IHC staining was localized to histiocytic cells within a pulmonary granuloma. In Colorado the significance and epidemiology of Leptospira is poorly understood. The high prevalence of infection in raccoons in this study population suggests that this species may be important in the regional epidemiology or could be used to estimate risk to domestic animals and humans. Identification of a single Francisella positive animal is significant as this is an uncommon disease in terrestrial animals within the state; the apparently higher prevalence in this peridomestic species implies that raccoons may be good indicators of the pathogen in the region. The results of this study suggest that raccoons may serve as effective sentinels for both Leptospira and Francisella in the state of Colorado. Further studies are needed to better characterize the prevalence and epidemiology of both organisms within the region.
Inflammatory Profile and Response to Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor Therapy in Patients with Chronic Pulmonary Sarcoidosis
Authors: Loza Matthew J. , Brodmerkel Carrie , Du Bois Roland M. , Judson Marc A. , Costabel Ulrich , Drent Marjolein , Kavuru Mani , Flavin Susan , Lo Kim Hung , Barnathan Elliot S. , Baughman Robert P. 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACT
Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory, granulomatous disease of unknown etiology that most commonly afflicts the lungs. Despite aggressive immunosuppressive therapies, many sarcoidosis patients still chronically present significant symptoms. Infliximab, a therapeutic tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) monoclonal antibody (MAb), produced a small but significant improvement in forced vital capacity (FVC) in sarcoidosis patients in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase II clinical trial. In the current study, serum samples from this clinical trial were assessed to evaluate the underlying hypothesis that treatment with infliximab would reduce systemic inflammation associated with sarcoidosis, correlating with the extent of clinical response. A 92-analyte multiplex panel was used to assess the expression of serum proteins in 134 sarcoidosis patients compared with sera from 50 healthy controls. A strong systemic inflammatory profile was associated with sarcoidosis, with 29 analytes significantly elevated in sarcoidosis (false-discovery rate, <0.05 and >50% higher than controls). The associated analytes included chemokines, neutrophil-associated proteins, acute-phase proteins, and metabolism-associated proteins. This profile was evident despite patients receiving corticosteroids and immunosuppressive therapies. Following infliximab treatment, sarcoidosis patients expressing the highest levels of TNF-α, who had more severe disease, had the greatest improvement in FVC and reduction in serum levels of the inflammatory proteins MIP-1β and TNF-RII. This study supports the need for further exploration of anti-TNF therapy for chronic sarcoidosis patients, particularly for those expressing the highest serum levels of TNF-α.
Preliminary experience with the percutaneous embolization of paragangliomas at the carotid bifurcation using only ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) Onyx
Authors: Shah Hriday M , Gemmete Joseph J , Chaudhary Neeraj , Pandey Aditya S , Ansari Sameer A 
Published: April 2011

Background/purposeCarotid body paragangliomas are rare hypervascular lesions which may benefit from preoperative devascularization to reduce intraoperative blood loss. The optimal method for devascularization of these tumors is not known. Our purpose was to evaluate the extent of angiographic devascularization and intraoperative blood loss using only ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) for percutaneous glomus tumor embolization.MethodsA consecutive series of seven paragangliomas located at the carotid bifurcation were treated with percutaneous embolization with EVOH as the sole embolic agent.ResultsComplete devascularization of seven paragangliomas was achieved in all cases percutaneously with only EVOH. There were no complications. The average intraoperative blood loss was 55 ml (range 15–80 ml).ConclusionsOur preliminary experience suggests that EVOH may offer a higher degree of devascularization when compared with other embolic agents. This may facilitate easier surgical resection with lower blood loss. EVOH seems to be safe when percutaneously injected as the sole embolic agent.
High prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in young healthy adults from the western part of India
Authors: Shivane Vyankatesh K , Sarathi Vijaya , Bandgar Tushar , Menon Padmavathy , Shah Nalini S 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACT

Objective
Data on the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in Indians living in the western part of the country are limited. The authors aimed to study the vitamin D status and dietary intake of calcium and phytates in healthy adult volunteers from a city in the western part of India.

Methods
This cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care centre in western India. A total of 1137 young (age: 25–35 years), healthy volunteers of both sexes were included in the study. All subjects were assessed for sun exposure, dietary intake of energy, protein, fat, calcium and phytates. Biochemical investigations included calcium, inorganic phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), total proteins, albumin and creatinine in serum and spot urinary calcium to creatinine ratio.

Results
The serum 25(OH)D concentration for the whole study population was low (17.4±9.1 ng/ml), and that for men and women were 18.9±8.9 ng/ml and 15.8±9.1 ng/ml, respectively. Seventy per cent of the study population had hypovitaminosis D (25(OH)D &lt;20 ng/ml) with a slightly higher prevalence in women (76%). Mean dietary calcium intake of the study population was 322.92±135.17 mg/day and was very low when compared with the recommended dietary allowance (400 mg/day for adults of both sexes) issued by the Indian Council of Medical Research. Dietary phytate was much higher than calcium intake with a dietary phytate to calcium ratio of 2.25±0.76. Serum iPTH had significant negative correlation with 25(OH)D (r=−0.23, p&lt;0.001).

Conclusion
Hypovitaminosis D, low dietary calcium and high phytate consumption are highly prevalent among young healthy adults in the western part of India.
Proangiogenic Factor PlGF Programs CD11b+ Myelomonocytes in Breast Cancer during Differentiation of Their Hematopoietic Progenitors
Authors: Laurent Julien , Hull Eveline Faes-van't , Touvrey Cedric , Kuonen François , Lan Qiang , Lorusso Girieca , Doucey Marie-Agnès , Ciarloni Laura , Imaizumi Natsuko , Alghisi Gian Carlo , Fagiani Ernesta , Zaman Khalil , Stupp Roger , Shibuya Masabumi , Delaloye Jean-François , Christofori Gerhard , Ruegg Curzio 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
Tumor-mobilized bone marrow–derived CD11b+ myeloid cells promote tumor angiogenesis, but how and when these cells acquire proangiogenic properties is not fully elucidated. Here, we show that CD11b+ myelomonocytic cells develop proangiogenic properties during their differentiation from CD34+ hematopoietic progenitors and that placenta growth factor (PlGF) is critical in promoting this education. Cultures of human CD34+ progenitors supplemented with conditioned medium from breast cancer cell lines or PlGF, but not from nontumorigenic breast epithelial lines, generate CD11b+ cells capable of inducing endothelial cell sprouting in vitro and angiogenesis in vivo. An anti–Flt-1 mAb or soluble Flt-1 abolished the generation of proangiogenic activity during differentiation from progenitor cells. Moreover, inhibition of metalloproteinase activity, but not VEGF, during the endothelial sprouting assay blocked sprouting induced by these proangiogenic CD11b+ myelomonocytes. In a mouse model of breast cancer, circulating CD11b+ cells were proangiogenic in the sprouting assays. Silencing of PlGF in tumor cells prevented the generation of proangiogenic activity in circulating CD11b+ cells, inhibited tumor blood flow, and slowed tumor growth. Peripheral blood of breast cancer patients at diagnosis, but not of healthy individuals, contained elevated levels of PlGF and circulating proangiogenic CD11b+ myelomonocytes. Taken together, our results show that cancer cells can program proangiogenic activity in CD11b+ myelomonocytes during differentiation of their progenitor cells in a PlGF-dependent manner. These findings impact breast cancer biology, detection, and treatment. Cancer Res; 71(11); 3781–91. ©2011 AACR.