bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of amputation as an outcome measure in cellular therapy for critical limb ischemia: implications for clinical trial design
Authors: Benoit Eric , O'Donnell Thomas F , Iafrati Mark D , Asher Enrico , Bandyk Dennis F , Hallett John W , Lumsden Alan B , Pearl Gregory J , Roddy Sean P , Vijayaraghavan Krishnaswami , Patel Amit N 
Published: September 2011

Abstract

Background
Autologous bone marrow-derived stem cells have been ascribed an important therapeutic role in No-Option Critical limb Ischemia (NO-CLI). One primary endpoint for evaluating NO-CLI therapy is major amputation (AMP), which is usually combined with mortality for AMP-free survival (AFS). Only a trial which is double blinded can eliminate physician and patient bias as to the timing and reason for AMP. We examined factors influencing AMP in a prospective double-blinded pilot RCT (2:1 therapy to control) of 48 patients treated with site of service obtained bone marrow cells (BMAC) as well as a systematic review of the literature.

Methods
Cells were injected intramuscularly in the CLI limbs as either BMAC or placebo (peripheral blood). Six month AMP rates were compared between the two arms. Both patient and treating team were blinded of the assignment in follow-up examinations. A search of the literature identified 9 NO-CLI trials, the control arms of which were used to determine 6 month AMP rates and the influence of tissue loss.

Results
Fifteen amputations occurred during the 6 month period, 86.7% of these during the first 4 months. One amputation occurred in a Rutherford 4 patient. The difference in amputation rate between patients with rest pain (5.6%) and those with tissue loss (46.7%), irrespective of treatment group, was significant (p = 0.0029). In patients with tissue loss, treatment with BMAC demonstrated a lower amputation rate than placebo (39.1% vs. 71.4%, p = 0.1337). The Kaplan-Meier time to amputation was longer in the BMAC group than in the placebo group (p = 0.067). Projecting these results to a pivotal trial, a bootstrap simulation model showed significant difference in AFS between BMAC and placebo with a power of 95% for a sample size of 210 patients. Meta-analysis of the literature confirmed a difference in amputation rate between patients with tissue loss and rest pain.

Conclusions
BMAC shows promise in improving AMP-free survival if the trends in this pilot study are validated in a larger pivotal trial. The difference in amp rate between Rutherford 4 & 5 patients suggests that these patients should be stratified in future RCTs.
Surgical treatment of giant plexiform neurofibroma associated with pectus excavatum
Authors: Ji Yi , Xu Bing , Wang Xuejun , Liu Wenying , Chen Siyuan 
Published: September 2011

Abstract
Plexiform neurofibromas are benign tumors originating from subcutaneous or visceral peripheral nerves, which are usually associated with neurofibromatosis type 1. They are almost always congenital lesions and often cause the surrounding soft tissue and bone to grow aberrantly. We treated a 12-year-old boy who presented with asymmetric pectus excavaum and an anterior chest wall plexiform neurofibroma. The pectus excavaum was corrected by modified Nuss procedure, followed by simultaneous resection of the giant mass. The patient is doing well at the 4 years follow-up visit.
Bilobular calcifying fibrous pseudotumor in soleus muscle: a case report
Authors: Shinohara Naohiro , Nagano Satoshi , Yokouchi Masahiro , Arishima Yoshiya , Tabata Kazuhiro , Higashi Michiyo , Kitajima Shinichi , Yonezawa Suguru , Komiya Setsuro 
Published: September 2011

Abstract

Introduction
Calcifying fibrous pseudotumor is a rare benign soft-tissue lesion composed of fibrous tissue with abundant hyalinized collagen and dystrophic and often psammomatous calcifications. The cause of the disease is unclear but, usually, complete resection of the well-circumscribed tumor is sufficient to avoid recurrence of the disease. Here, we report an unusual case of this rare tumor that presented as two lobulated lesions in the calf muscle.

Case presentation
The patient was a 17-year-old Japanese girl who noted a hard mass in her left calf. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed two well-demarcated lobular masses in the soleus muscle, and the tumor was significantly enhanced by contrast medium. Preoperative differential diagnoses included soft-part tumors composed of fibrous tissue. However, making a definite diagnosis was impossible because a lobulated shape is rare for fibrous tumors. Biopsy demonstrated that the mass was a benign tumor composed of collagen-rich, hyalinized fibrosclerotic tissue. We performed marginal resection of the two nodules, including the fibrous tissue that connected them. Immunohistochemistry was positive for factor XIIIa and negative for anaplastic lymphoma kinase-1. These findings were helpful to distinguish calcifying fibrous pseudotumor from inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor. There was no sign of recurrence at 30 months after surgery.

Conclusion
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of bilobular calcifying fibrous pseudotumor that developed in an extremity. As described in the previous literature, simple excision was sufficient for the treatment of calcifying fibrous pseudotumor with two lobules.
Trends in the clinical characteristics of HIV‐infected patients initiating antiretroviral therapy in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania between 2002 and 2009
Authors: Geng Elvin H , Hunt Peter W , Diero Lameck O , Kimaiyo Sylvester , Somi Geofrey R , Okong Pius , Bangsberg David R , Bwana Mwebesa B , Cohen Craig R , Otieno Juliana A , Wabwire Deo , Elul Batya , Nash Denis , Easterbrook Philippa J , Braitstein Paula , Musick Beverly S , Martin Jeffrey N , Yiannoutsos Constantin T , Wools‐Kaloustian Kara 
Published: September 2011

BackgroundEast Africa has experienced a rapid expansion in access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV‐infected patients. Regionally representative socio‐demographic, laboratory and clinical characteristics of patients accessing ART over time and across sites have not been well described.MethodsWe conducted a cross‐sectional analysis of characteristics of HIV‐infected adults initiating ART between 2002 and 2009 in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania and in the International Epidemiologic Databases to Evaluate AIDS Consortium. Characteristics associated with advanced disease (defined as either a CD4 cell count level of less than 50 cells/mm3 or a WHO Stage 4 condition) at the time of ART initiation and use of stavudine (D4T) or nevirapine (NVP) were identified using a log‐link Poisson model with robust standard errors.ResultsAmong 48, 658 patients (69% from Kenya, 22% from Uganda and 9% from Tanzania) accessing ART at 30 clinic sites, the median age at the time of ART initiation was 37 years (IQR: 31‐43) and 65% were women. Pre‐therapy CD4 counts rose from 87 cells/mm3 (IQR: 26‐161) in 2002‐03 to 154 cells/mm3 (IQR: 71‐233) in 2008‐09 (p < 0.001). Accessing ART at advanced disease peaked at 35% in 2005‐06 and fell to 27% in 2008‐09. D4T use in the initial regimen fell from a peak of 88% in 2004‐05 to 59% in 2008‐09, and a greater extent of decline was observed in Uganda than in Kenya and Tanzania. Self‐pay for ART peaked at 18% in 2003, but fell to less than 1% by 2005. In multivariable analyses, accessing ART at advanced immunosuppression was associated with male sex, women without a history of treatment for prevention of mother to child transmission (both as compared with women with such a history) and younger age after adjusting for year of ART initiation and country of residence. Receipt of D4T in the initial regimen was associated with female sex, earlier year of ART initiation, higher WHO stage, and lower CD4 levels at ART initiation and the absence of co‐prevalent tuberculosis.ConclusionsPublic health ART services in east Africa have improved over time, but the fraction of patients accessing ART with advanced immunosuppression is still high, men consistently access ART with more advanced disease, and D4T continues to be common in most settings. Strategies to facilitate access to ART, overcome barriers among men and reduce D4T use are needed.
From population to HIV: the organizational and structural determinants of HIV outcomes in sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Robinson Rachel Sullivan 
Published: September 2011

BackgroundThere exists no consistent explanation for why some countries are successful in combating HIV/AIDS and others are not, and we need such an explanation in order to design effective policies and programmes. Research evaluating HIV interventions from a biomedical or public health perspective does not always take full account of the historical and organizational characteristics of countries likely to influence HIV outcomes. The analysis in this paper addresses this shortcoming by testing the impact of organizational and structural factors, particularly those resulting from population interventions, on HIV outcomes at the country level in sub‐Saharan Africa.MethodsThe primary independent variables are factors that originated from efforts to slow population growth: whether a country has a long‐time affiliate of the International Planned Parenthood Federation and whether a country has a population policy. Additional structural factors likely to impact HIV outcomes include the level of wealth, the level of cultural fractionalization, and the former colonial power. The present study uses multivariate regression techniques with countries in sub‐Saharan Africa as the unit of analysis, and four measures of success in addressing HIV: the change in prevalence between 2001 and 2009; the change in incidence between 2001 and 2009; the level of overall antiretroviral coverage in 2009; and the level of antiretroviral coverage for prevention of vertical transmission in 2009.ResultsCountries with the greatest declines in HIV prevalence and incidence had older International Planned Parenthood Federation affiliates and had adopted population policies, even after controlling for age of epidemic, level of antiretroviral coverage, and funding for HIV. Population policies are also important predictors of levels of overall antiretroviral coverage and of coverage of HIV‐positive pregnant women to prevent vertical transmission. Structural factors with significant impacts include wealth, cultural fractionalization and former colonial power.ConclusionsThe organizational and structural context of African countries is strongly predictive of HIV outcomes. This finding implies that policy and programmatic efforts should be put towards strengthening existing organizations and perhaps even creating new ones. The fact that cultural fractionalization also influences HIV outcomes suggests that efforts must be put towards identifying ways to reach political consensus in diverse societies.
Comparison of solution-based exome capture methods for next generation sequencing
Authors: Sulonen Anna-Maija , Ellonen Pekka , Almusa Henrikki , Lepistö Maija , Eldfors Samuli , Hannula Sari , Miettinen Timo , Tyynismaa Henna , Salo Perttu , Heckman Caroline , Joensuu Heikki , Raivio Taneli , Suomalainen Anu , Saarela Janna 
Published: September 2011

Abstract
Background
Techniques enabling targeted re-sequencing of the protein coding sequences of the human genome on next generation sequencing instruments are of great interest. We conducted a systematic comparison of the solution-based exome capture kits provided by Agilent and Roche NimbleGen. A control DNA sample was captured with all four capture methods and prepared for Illumina GAII sequencing. Sequence data from additional samples prepared with the same protocols were also used in the comparison.

Results
We developed a bioinformatics pipeline for quality control, short read alignment, variant identification and annotation of the sequence data. In our analysis, a larger percentage of the high quality reads from the NimbleGen captures than from the Agilent captures aligned to the capture target regions. High GC content of the target sequence was associated with poor capture success in all exome enrichment methods. Comparison of mean allele balances for heterozygous variants indicated a tendency to have more reference bases than variant bases in the heterozygous variant positions within the target regions in all methods. There was virtually no difference in the genotype concordance compared to genotypes derived from SNP arrays. A minimum of 11× coverage was required to make a heterozygote genotype call with 99% accuracy when compared to common SNPs on genome-wide association arrays.

Conclusions
Libraries captured with NimbleGen kits aligned more accurately to the target regions. The updated NimbleGen kit most efficiently covered the exome with a minimum coverage of 20×, yet none of the kits captured all the Consensus Coding Sequence annotated exons.
Moment-to-moment flight manoeuvres of the female yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegyptiL.) in response to plumes of carbon dioxide and human skin odour
Authors: Dekker Teun , Cardé Ring T. 
Published: September 2011

SUMMARYOdours are crucial cues enabling female mosquitoes to orient to prospective hosts. However, their in-flight manoeuvres to host odours are virtually unknown. Here we analyzed in 3-D the video records of female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes flying in a wind tunnel in response to host odour plumes that differed in spatial structure and composition. Following a brief (∼0.03 s) encounter with CO2, mosquitoes surged upwind and, in the absence of further encounters, counterturned without displacing upwind. These patterns resemble moth responses to encounter and loss of a filament of pheromone. Moreover, CO2 encounters induced a highly regular pattern of counterturning across the windline in the horizontal (crosswind) and vertical planes, causing the mosquito to transect repeatedly the area where CO2 was previously detected. However, despite the rapid changes across all three axes following an encounter with CO2, the angular velocities remained remarkably constant. This suggests that during these CO2-induced surges mosquitoes stabilize flight through sensors, such as the halteres and Johnston organs, sensitive to Coriolis forces. In contrast to the instantaneous responses of the mosquito CO2, a brief encounter with a filament of human skin odour did not induce a consistent change in mosquito flight. These differential responses were reflected in further experiments with broad plumes. A broad homogeneous plume of skin odour induced rapid upwind flight and source finding, whereas a broad filamentous plume of skin odour lowered activation rates, kinetic responses and source finding compared with homogeneous plumes. Apparently, yellow fever mosquitoes need longer continuous exposure to complex skin-odour blends to induce activation and source finding.
Femoral loading mechanics in the Virginia opossum,Didelphis virginiana: torsion and mediolateral bending in mammalian locomotion
Authors: Gosnell W. Casey , Butcher Michael T. , Maie Takashi , Blob Richard W. 
Published: September 2011

SUMMARYStudies of limb bone loading in terrestrial mammals have typically found anteroposterior bending to be the primary loading regime, with torsion contributing minimally. However, previous studies have focused on large, cursorial eutherian species in which the limbs are held essentially upright. Recent in vivo strain data from the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana), a marsupial that uses a crouched rather than an upright limb posture, have indicated that its femur experiences appreciable torsion during locomotion as well as strong mediolateral bending. The elevated femoral torsion and strong mediolateral bending observed in D. virginiana might result from external forces such as a medial inclination of the ground reaction force (GRF), internal forces deriving from a crouched limb posture, or a combination of these factors. To evaluate the mechanism underlying the loading regime of opossum femora, we filmed D. virginiana running over a force platform, allowing us to measure the magnitude of the GRF and its three-dimensional orientation relative to the limb, facilitating estimates of limb bone stresses. This three-dimensional analysis also allows evaluations of muscular forces, particularly those of hip adductor muscles, in the appropriate anatomical plane to a greater degree than previous two-dimensional analyses. At peak GRF and stress magnitudes, the GRF is oriented nearly vertically, inducing a strong abductor moment at the hip that is countered by adductor muscles on the medial aspect of the femur that place this surface in compression and induce mediolateral bending, corroborating and explaining loading patterns that were identified in strain analyses. The crouched orientation of the femur during stance in opossums also contributes to levels of femoral torsion as high as those seen in many reptilian taxa. Femoral safety factors were as high as those of non-avian reptiles and greater than those of upright, cursorial mammals, primarily because the load magnitudes experienced by opossums are lower than those of most mammals. Thus, the evolutionary transition from crouched to upright posture in mammalian ancestors may have been accompanied by an increase in limb bone load magnitudes.
Electrochemical Control of Threshold Value of Molecular Valve Consisting of Poly(acrylic acid) Gel
Authors: Takada Kazutake , Ohara Tetsuya , Takeue Kouki , Ishikura Natsumi , Kato Chie , Yuchi Akio 
Published: September 2011

Abstract
A molecular valve, consisting of a poly(acrylic acid) gel-coated Au mesh and a Au mesh working electrode, allowed electrochemically control of a concentration where the valve opens. At open circuit and when +0.9 V vs. Ag/AgCl was applied to the Au mesh electrode, the valve opened at concentration higher than 3–4 × 10−4 M. At −0.7 V it increased to 9 × 10−4 M. On the other hand, it remained virtually constant for Ca2+ at those potentials.
Tuning the Nitrogen Content and Porosity of Nanostructured Carbon Nitride Using Aminoclay as a Reactive Template
Authors: Kumar B V V S Pavan , Datta K K R , Eswaramoorthy Muthusamy 
Published: September 2011

Abstract
The use of two-dimensional templates like clay, in the synthesis of graphitic carbon nitrides, make it feasible to form exfoliated layer like structures by polymerization of the precursors in the clay galleries. We have used clay linked with aminopropyl groups, aminoclay, to template the carbon nitride into mesolamellar structures. By virtue of its aminopropyl groups, aminoclay is further capable of reacting along with the intercalated precursors to enrich the carbon content of the resulting carbon nitrides.
Gas-phase Infrared Spectroscopy of Monopeptides from 10 to 3 µm
Authors: Miyazaki Mitsuhiko , Makara Koji , Ishiuchi Shun-ichi , Fujii Masaaki 
Published: September 2011

Abstract
Infrared spectra of protected amino acids, N-benzoxycarbonyl-l-proline and N-benzoxycarbonyl-l-isoleucine were measured in the gas phase from 10 to 3 µm. 4 and 3 conformers were found, respectively. The spectra in the 3 µm region reveal the carboxylic OH and amide NH bonds do not participate in hydrogen bonding with neighboring amide groups despite the highest acidity in the molecule. The spectra in the 10–5 µm region imply the main chain structure is the same among the conformers.
A Highly Selective Fluorescence Turn-on Probe for Zn2+ Based on New Diaryloxadiazole Chelate
Authors: Mashraqui Sabir H , Chandiramani Mukesh A , Ghorpade Sushil S , Estarellas Carolina , Frontera Antonio 
Published: September 2011

Abstract
A new chelating diaryloxadiazole probe, oxazid displayed emission red shift and 16-fold emission enhancement upon binding with Zn2+ in buffered condition, while competing Cd2+, Ca2+, Mg2+, and several potentially quenching metal ions posed no significant optical interferences. Experimental evidences indicated 1:1 complexation, and the computational work revealed formation of a stable octahedral geometry.
Synthesis and Skeletal Transformation of Cyanamido(2–)- and Cyanamido(1–)-Bridged Ruthenium Complexes with Hexamethylbenzene Ligands
Authors: Nogami Tadahiko , Imaji Makoto , Uemura Kaoru , Tanabe Yoshiaki , Mutoh Yuichiro , Ishii Youichi 
Published: September 2011

Abstract
A series of cyanamido-bridged di- and tetraruthenium complexes with η6-C6Me6 ligands have been synthesized, and their interconversion reactions have been investigated. Facile interconversion between the μ2-κN,κN and μ2-κN,κN′ coordination modes of NCNH ligands at a dimetallic core has been observed for the first time.
Highly Dichroic Bisazomethine Dye Films on Friction-transferred Poly(tetrafluoroethylene) Layers
Authors: Tanaka Toshihiko , Satoh Miei , Ishitobi Masamitsu , Aoyama Tetsuya , Matsumoto Shinya 
Published: September 2011

Abstract
Highly anisotropic thin molecular films have been successfully prepared by depositing a bisazomethine dye under vacuum through evaporation on friction-transferred (FT) poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) layers. The layers induce the high orientational degrees showing high dichroic ratios over 20 in their polarized UV–visible absorption spectra. Moreover, by modifying FT layers with the further PTFE evaporated and rubbing, the ratios are improved to remarkable values up to 44.
Do market fees differ from relative value scale fees? Examining surgeon payments in New Zealand
Authors: Panattoni Laura , Brown Paul , Windsor John 
Published: September 2011

Objectives: Health funders face the challenge of determining the appropriate level of surgeon fees in fee-forservice schemes. A resource-based relative value scale (RBRVS) attempts to identify the fees that would exist in a competitive market. Private insurance providers in New Zealand do not use a RBRVS but rather rely on a market. We explore the extent to which private surgeon fees in New Zealand are consistent with fees that would be generated by a RBRVS. Methods: Data on 155,290 surgical procedures from 2004-06 were provided by New Zealand's largest private health insurer. 314 procedure codes were matched to the Australian Ministry of Health and Ageing's RBRVS. A random effects model determined predicted surgeon reimbursements based on the RBRVS, the location and the year. Procedure volume and specialty were explored as potential sources of deviations. Results: The RBRVS, location and year explain 79% of the variation in surgeon fees. After accounting for the RBRVS, location and year, no statistical differences were found between five out of the seven specialties, but higher volume procedures were associated with lower fees. There was some evidence that the model explained less variation in lower volume procedures. Conclusions: Surgical fees were generally consistent with those predicted by the RBRVS. However, the fees for high volume procedures were relatively lower than predicted while the fees for low volume procedures appeared more variable. The findings are consistent with the hypothesis that market forces lowered prices for procedures with higher volumes. This has implications for how health funders might determine private surgical fees, especially in mixed public-private systems.