bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predictors of Nosocomial Bloodstream Infections in Older Adults
Authors: Kaye Keith S. , Marchaim Dror , Chen Ting‐Yi , Chopra Teena , Anderson Deverick J. , Choi Yong , Sloane Richard , Schmader Kenneth E. 
Published: March 2011

OBJECTIVES: To identify predictors and construct a prediction model for nosocomial bloodstream infection (BSI) in older adults.DESIGN: Retrospective case–control study.SETTING: Hospitals belonging to the Duke Infection Control Outreach Network.PARTICIPANTS: Patients age 65 and older with a nosocomial BSI and matched uninfected controls.MEASUREMENT: Multiple variables were captured and compared between groups. Independent predictors were identified using conditional logistic regression. A prediction model and score was constructed.RESULTS: Eight hundred thirty cases were compared with 830 controls. Eighty‐one percent of nosocomial BSIs were catheter related (CRBSI). Methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was the most common pathogen isolated (23%). Independent predictors of nosocomial BSI in older adults were male sex, obesity, low McCabe score on admission, presence of a central line at admission, gastrostomy at admission, recent surgery, and urinary incontinence. A prediction model score greater than 11 (total possible score 23) was predictive of infection.CONCLUSION: MRSA is a common cause of CRBSI in older adults. Male sex, obesity, the presence of a central line, a gastrostomy tube, and urinary incontinence at the time of admission were independent predictors of BSI in hospitalized older adults. The prediction model constructed in this study should be validated prospectively in a different cohort.
Optimal Capital Allocation Principles
Authors: Dhaene Jan , Tsanakas Andreas , Valdez Emiliano A. , Vanduffel Steven 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThis article develops a unifying framework for allocating the aggregate capital of a financial firm to its business units. The approach relies on an optimization argument, requiring that the weighted sum of measures for the deviations of the business unit's losses from their respective allocated capitals be minimized. The approach is fair insofar as it requires capital to be close to the risk that necessitates holding it. The approach is additionally very flexible in the sense that different forms of the objective function can reflect alternative definitions of corporate risk tolerance. Owing to this flexibility, the general framework reproduces several capital allocation methods that appear in the literature and allows for alternative interpretations and possible extensions.
Automatic measurement of epidermal thickness from optical coherence tomography images using a new algorithm
Authors: Josse G. , George J. , Black D. 
Published: March 2011

Background/purpose: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an imaging system that enables in vivo epidermal thickness (ET) measurement. In order to use OCT in large‐scale clinical studies, automatic algorithm detection of the dermo‐epidermal junction (DEJ) is needed. This may be difficult due to image noise from optical speckle, which requires specific image treatment procedures to reduce this. In the present work, a description of the position of the DEJ is given, and an algorithm for boundary detection is presented.Methods: Twenty‐nine images were taken from the skin of normal healthy subjects, from five different body sites. Seven expert assessors were asked to trace the DEJ for ET measurement on each of the images. The variability between experts was compared with a new image processing method.Results: Between‐expert variability was relatively low with a mean standard deviation of 3.4 μm. However, local positioning of the DEJ between experts was often different.The described algorithm performed adequately on all images. ET was automatically measured with a precision of <5 μm compared with the experts on all sites studied except that of the back. Moreover, the local algorithm positioning was verified.Conclusion: The new image processing method for measuring ET from OCT images significantly reduces calculation time for this parameter, and avoids user intervention. The main advantages of this are that data can be analyzed more rapidly and reproducibly in clinical trials.
Msx‐1 is suppressed in bisphosphonate‐exposed jaw bone analysis of bone turnover‐related cell signalling after bisphosphonate treatment
Authors: Wehrhan F , Hyckel P , Amann K , Ries J , Stockmann P , Schlegel KA , Neukam FW , Nkenke E 
Published: March 2011

Oral Diseases (2011) 17, 433–442Objectives:  Bone‐destructive disease treatments include bisphosphonates and antibodies against receptor activator for nuclear factor κB ligand (aRANKL). Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is a side‐effect. Aetiopathology models failed to explain their restriction to the jaw. The osteoproliferative transcription factor Msx‐1 is expressed constitutively only in mature jaw bone. Msx‐1 expression might be impaired in bisphosphonate‐related ONJ. This study compared the expression of Msx‐1, Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP)‐2 and RANKL, in ONJ‐affected and healthy jaw bone.Material and methods:  An automated immunohistochemistry‐based alkaline phosphatase‐anti‐alkaline phosphatase method was used on ONJ‐affected and healthy jaw bone samples (n = 20 each): cell‐number ratio (labelling index, Bonferroni adjustment). Real‐time RT‐PCR was performed to quantitatively compare Msx‐1, BMP‐2, RANKL and GAPDH mRNA levels.Results:  Labelling indices were significantly lower for Msx‐1 (P < 0.03) and RANKL (P < 0.003) and significantly higher (P < 0.02) for BMP‐2 in ONJ compared with healthy bone. Expression was sevenfold lower (P < 0.03) for Msx‐1, 22‐fold lower (P < 0.001) for RANKL and eightfold higher (P < 0.02) for BMP‐2 in ONJ bone.Conclusions:  Msx‐1, RANKL suppression and BMP‐2 induction were consistent with the bisphosphonate‐associated osteopetrosis and impaired bone remodelling in BP‐ and aRANKL‐induced ONJ. Msx‐1 suppression suggested a possible explanation of the exclusivity of ONJ in jaw bone. Functional analyses of Msx‐1‐ RANKL interaction during bone remodelling should be performed in the future.
Characterization and partial purification of a bacteriocin‐like substance produced by thermophilic Bacillus licheniformis H1 isolated from cow manure compost
Authors: ABDEL‐MOHSEIN Hosnia S , SASAKI Takako , TADA Chika , NAKAI Yutaka 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTThe production and partial characterization of bacteriocin‐like substances (BLSs) produced by bacteria isolated from cow manure compost were investigated. Eight BLS producers, which exhibited inhibitory activity against pathogenic bacteria, were isolated from cow manure compost at different stages of the composting process. The pile temperature ranged from 9.1°C to 73.2°C. The BLSs showed thermostability, but the BLS producers were not thermostable except for the H1 producer. Thermophilic Bacillus licheniformis H1 was further characterized. The culture supernatant of B. licheniformis H1 exhibited antagonistic activity against various species of Gram‐positive bacteria such as Listeria monocytogenes ATCC19111 but not against Gram‐negative bacteria except Pseudomonas fluorescens ATCC11251. Inactivation of bacteriocin‐like activity by α‐chymotrypsin, trypsin, and papain was highly significant (P < 0.001). The BLS was found to be stable under a pH range from 3 to 9 and at temperatures up to 75°C for 60 min, but it lost activity after being autoclaved at 121°C for 15 min. The optimum production of BLS by B. licheniformis H1 was obtained at a temperature of 55°C. Sodium dodecyl sulfate – polyacrylamide electrophoresis analysis of concentrated partially purified supernatants collected after resting the bacterial cells at 55°C revealed a bacteriocin‐like protein with a molecular mass of approximately 3.5 kDa. This study is the first report of a BLS from thermophilic B. licheniformis with an animal compost origin.
Fermentation characteristics and microorganism composition of total mixed ration silage with local food by‐products in different seasons
Authors: CAO Yang , CAI Yimin , HIRAKUBO Tomomi , FUKUI Hiroyuki , MATSUYAMA Hiroki 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTTotal mixed ration (TMR) silage in different seasons was prepared with apple refuse, orchardgrass hay, orchardgrass silage, corn silage and a commercial compound feed in Tohoku, Japan, and with tofu cake, brewers' grains, tall fescue hay, Sudangrass hay, timothy hay, alfalfa hay and a commercial compound feed in Shikoku, Japan, respectively, and their fermentation quality and microorganism composition were evaluated. In Tohoku, the TMR silage in spring, autumn and winter displayed poor quality, with pH value above 4.7, and the harmful microorganisms such as escherichia, yeasts and molds were detected even after 60 days of ensiling; but the TMR silage in summer was well preserved and the escherichia were too few to count after 7 days of ensiling. In Shikoku, the TMR silage in all seasons was well preserved, with low pH, high lactic acid contents, and escherichia, yeasts and molds were consistently at or below the detectable numbers after 7 days of ensiling. The results showed that the TMR silage could not produce sufficient lactic acid to improve silage quality under low‐temperature conditions. Therefore, it is necessary to develop preparation techniques of promoting the lactic acid fermentation for TMR silage in cold seasons.
Survival of embryos and calves derived from somatic cell nuclear transfer in cattle: a nationwide survey in Japan
Authors: WATANABE Shinya , NAGAI Takashi 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTTo obtain data concerning the survival of embryos and calves derived from somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) in Japan, a nationwide survey was carried out in April, 2009. As a result, data concerning 3264 embryo transfers (ETs) with SCNT embryos which produced 301 calves were accumulated and their survival was analyzed. The present survey revealed that survival rates of transferred bovine embryos and produced calves derived from SCNT had not improved over a decade (1998–2007). A remarkable feature of the pregnancies with SCNT embryos was a high incidence of spontaneous abortions. When the decade was divided by the occurrence of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in 2001, significant decreases in the ‘after BSE’ period (2002–2007) were observed in the percentages of calves born (P < 0.01), calves living at birth (P < 0.05), calves living for 24 h (P < 0.05) and 6 months (P < 0.01). Abortions that occurred during 61–99 days after ETs were significantly increased (P < 0.01) in the ‘after BSE’ period. Certain kinds of regeneration that occurred in oocytes during the 15–20 h of storage of bovine ovaries at 10–15°C as a part of BSE inspection might have had some negative effects on SCNT embryos when these oocytes were used as recipients of SCNT.
Economic effects of using sexed semen in Japanese dairy herds
Authors: SASAKI Osamu , KIMURA Hirohisa , ISHII Kazuo , SATOH Masahiro , NAGAMINE Yoshitaka , YOKOUCHI Kunio 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTDairy farm agricultural income should increase when sexed semen is used instead of unsexed semen. This study simulated three scenarios: using unsexed semen (N), using X sperm of Holstein and unsexed semen of Japanese Black (H), and using X sperm of Holstein and Y sperm of Japanese Black (HJ). Two management scenarios were considered: conventional management (CONV); and the use of Japanese Black semen with surplus cows to produce F1s where sufficient replacement female Holstein calves were obtained for maintenance (MAINT). In CONV, the agricultural incomes of H and HJ were 610 000–2 400 000 yen higher than that of N. The agricultural income increased when the difference in the prices between Holstein males and average F1 male/female calves was 34 000–50 000 yen, that between Holstein male and female calves was 80 000–110 000 yen, and that between F1 male and female calves was 50 000–90 000 yen. Therefore, the agricultural income can be increased by using sexed semen to select calves of a more valued breed and sex.
Menopausal Status in Breast Cancer Patients with Past Chemotherapy Determines Long-Term Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder
Authors: Ochsenkühn Robert , Hermelink Kerstin , Clayton Anita H. , von Schönfeldt Viktoria , Gallwas Julia , Ditsch Nina , Rogenhofer Nina , Kahlert Steffen 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Chemotherapy and endocrine treatment in young breast cancer patients are frequently associated with abrupt menopause. Little is known about the long-term prevalence of hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in these patients.

Aims
To examine the effects of adjuvant endocrine therapy on sexual desire in premenopausal patients with breast cancer and past chemotherapy.

Methods
A controlled, cross-sectional study enrolled 47 women with breast cancer or benign breast disease at a tertiary care center. A standardized questionnaire (Sexual Interest and Desire Inventory-Female; SIDI-F) on HSDD was utilized. Serum concentrations for estradiol were measured by a specific assay.

Main Outcome Measures
The SIDI-F interview was applied in 35 women with breast cancer (mean age: 42.3 years) with eventual adjuvant endocrine therapy, 2–8 years after chemotherapy, and 13 women with benign breast tumors (mean age: 39.8 years), 2–5 years after diagnosis.

Results
Mean SIDI-F scores were similar in the breast cancer group (32.9) and the benign breast disease group (34.0). Subgroup analysis revealed no statistical differences in the mean SIDI-F scores with respect to the actual endocrine therapy. However, in breast cancer patients with menopause induced by chemotherapy or gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists, the SIDI-F scores were significantly lower (30.7) compared to breast cancer patients with menorrhea (40.4). In breast cancer patients, amenorrhea was associated with significantly lower estradiol levels compared to menorrhea (24 pg/mL vs. 91 pg/mL; P  = 0.02).

Conclusions
Cancer treatment that leads to long-term ovarian failure in breast cancer patients has a negative impact on sexual desire. Patients with menopause induced by chemotherapy or GnRH agonists show significantly reduced sexual desire as compared to menstruating patients with past chemotherapy.
An Innovative Piezoelectric‐Based Method for Measuring Pulse Wave Velocity in Patients With Hypertension
Authors: Murphy John C. , Morrison Katherine , McLaughlin James , Manoharan Ganesh , Adgey AA Jennifer 
Published: March 2011

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2011;13:497–505.©2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is an accepted surrogate marker of arterial stiffness and may be a useful tool for assessing cardiovascular risk in hypertensive patients. The authors sought to compare a novel polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) piezoelectric–based sensing device for measuring PWV in the arm with a validated SphygmoCor device (AtCor Medical, West Ryde, Australia) in normal and hypertensive patients. They also sought to compare measured PWV in the forearm (brachial‐radial PWV [BRPWV]) with values obtained in the carotid‐radial segment (carotid‐radial PWV [CRPWV]). Under standardized conditions, CRPWV in 108 normotensive patients with both devices was measured. BRPWV was measured with the PVDF device. Identical measurements were made in a group of 82 hypertensive patients before and after optimization of blood pressure control. Mean CRPWV was 8.7 m/s in the normotensive group and 9.4 m/s in the hypertensive group. Mean BRPWV was 9.2 m/s in the normotensive group and 10.3 m/s in the hypertensive group. There was excellent correlation between the 2 devices when comparing individual CRPWV values (normotensive group,R2=0.92; mean bias 0.04 m/s; hypertensive group,R2=0.89, mean bias 0.08 m/s). Correlation was also favorable when measuring changes in CRPWV in hypertensive patients undergoing pharmacotherapy (PVDF −0.52±0.90 m/s vs SphygmoCor −0.53±1.01 m/s;R2=0.81). Measured values for BRPWV were significantly higher than CRPWV values, and this discrepancy was more marked in the hypertensive group. The PVDF piezoelectric device has excellent correlation with the validated SphygmoCor device when measuring PWV. This novel device may have an important role in patients with conditions such as hypertension.
Gas market developments and their effect on relations between Russia and the EU
Authors: Boussena Sadek , Locatelli Catherine 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThe changes on the European Union (EU) gas market are likely to affect Europe's relations with its natural gas suppliers who are facing increasing competition. Heading this list of producing countries is Russia. Gas relations between Russia and the EU are characterised by strong interdependence. But these relations are currently being hampered by serious lack of understanding, making it difficult for the two parties to reach agreement on a new energy partnership. The aim of this article is to analyse the effects of this new European gas context on Gazprom's strategy and how the issues of energy security and cooperation between Russia and the EU will be affected by this new order.
Discovery of single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the uncharacterized genome of the ascomycete Ophiognomonia clavigignenti‐juglandacearum from 454 sequence data
Authors: BRODERS K. D. , WOESTE K. E. , SanMIGUEL P. J. , WESTERMAN R. P. , BOLAND G. J. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThe benefits from recent improvement in sequencing technologies, such as the Roche GS FLX (454) pyrosequencing, may be even more valuable in non‐model organisms, such as many plant pathogenic fungi of economic importance. One application of this new sequencing technology is the rapid generation of genomic information to identify putative single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to be used for population genetic, evolutionary, and phylogeographic studies on non‐model organisms. The focus of this research was to sequence, assemble, discover and validate SNPs in a fungal genome using 454 pyrosequencing when no reference sequence is available. Genomic DNA from eight isolates of Ophiognomonia clavigignenti‐juglandacearum was pooled in one region of a four‐region sequencing run on a Roche 454 GS FLX. This yielded 71 million total bases comprising 217 000 reads, 80% of which collapsed into 16 125 754 bases in 30 339 contigs upon assembly. By aligning reads from multiple isolates, we detected 298 SNPs using Roche’s GS Mapper. With no reference sequence available, however, it was difficult to distinguish true polymorphisms from sequencing error. Eagleview software was used to manually examine each contig that contained one or more putative SNPs, enabling us to discard all but 45 of the original 298 putative SNPs. Of those 45 SNPs, 13 were validated using standard Sanger sequencing. This research provides a valuable genetic resource for research into the genus Ophiognomonia, demonstrates a framework for the rapid and cost‐effective discovery of SNP markers in non‐model organisms and should prove especially useful in the case of asexual or clonal fungi with limited genetic variability.
Nordisk ophthalmologisk tidsskrift 1889–1892
Authors: Ehlers Niels 
Published: March 2011

Abstract.In the second half of the nineteenth century several ophthalmological journals appeared (Germany, England, France, United States). In the northern countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden) an initiative lead to ‘Nordisk ophthalmologisk Tidsskrift’ published in the scandinavian languages in the years 1889–92. The ‘driving force’ behind the journal was the first professor in Ophthalmology in Copenhagen, Dr. Edmund Hansen Grut. The purpose with this presentation is to give the background for the rise and fall of the journal which was an attempt to promote Nordic Ophthalmology. The authors turned out, however, to be mainly those involved as editors. The journal never gained broad acceptance and it simply stopped in 1892, without any closing remarks. In spite of its short life the journal should be remembered for the very first publication on the arcuate scotoma, the Bjerrum scotoma from 1889. Although shortlived the initiative was not in vain, as can be read in the preface to the very first volume of Acta ophthalmologica.
Factors influencing long‐term survival and surgical indications for pulmonary metastasectomy for metastases from colorectal cancer
Authors: Yamato Yasushi , Koike Teruaki , Yoshiya Katsuo , Fukui Mariko , Kitahara Akihiko , Toyabe Shin‐ichi 
Published: March 2011

AbstractBackground:  This study examined the prognostic factors and surgical indications for pulmonary metastasectomy for metastases from colorectal cancer.Methods:  We retrospectively reviewed 142 patients treated between 1985 and 2005 who had undergone complete resections of pulmonary metastases from colorectal cancer.Results:  Overall 5‐year and 10‐year survival rates were 42.4% and 32.0%, respectively. The 5‐year survival rate for patients with a solitary metastasis was 55.1%, compared with 24.0% for patients with multiple metastases (P= 0.013). The 5‐year survival rate for patients with a disease‐free interval (DFI) ≥ 1000 days was 55.1%, compared with 31.6% for patients with a DFI < 1000 days (P= 0.008). No significant differences in survival rate according to the location of the primary lesion, maximum tumor size, preoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen level, or surgical procedure were observed. Prior resection for liver metastases and repeated resection for recurrent pulmonary metastases did not influence the survival rate. A multivariate analysis demonstrated that the number of metastases was an independent, significant prognostic factor for survival. The survival rate of patients with three or more metastases was significantly lower than that of patients with two or fewer metastases.Conclusions:  The number of metastases is an independent prognostic factor after pulmonary metastasectomy for metastases from colorectal cancer. Patients with a solitary pulmonary metastasis benefit the most from pulmonary metastasectomy. The pulmonary resection of three or more metastases is associated with a reduced survival rate. Pulmonary metastasectomy is recommended even for patients with a prior hepatic metastasectomy or patients with recurrent pulmonary metastases.