bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Markers of collagen synthesis and degradation are increased in serum in severe sepsis: a longitudinal study of 44 patients
Authors: Gäddnäs Fiia , Koskela Marjo , Koivukangas Vesa , Risteli Juha , Oikarinen Aarne , Laurila Jouko , Saarnio Juha , Ala-Kokko Tero 
Published: April 2009

Abstract
Introduction
Sepsis-related multiple organ dysfunction is a common cause of death in the intensive care unit. The effect of sepsis on markers of tissue repair is only partly understood. The aim of this study was to measure markers of collagen synthesis and degradation during sepsis and investigate the association with disease severity and outcome.

Methods
Forty-four patients with severe sepsis participated in the study and 15 volunteers acted as controls. Blood samples were collected for 10 days after the first sepsis-induced organ dysfunction and after three and six months. Procollagen type I and III aminoterminal propeptides (PINP and PIIINP) and cross-linked telopeptides of type I collagen (ICTP) were measured.

Results
The PIIINP concentration was elevated in the septic patients (8.8 ug/L, 25th to 75th percentile = 6.8 to 26.0) when compared with controls (3.0 ug/L, 25th to 75th percentile = 2.7 to 3.3; P < 0.001) on day one. Maximum serum PIIINP concentrations during sepsis were higher in non-survivors compared with survivors (26.1 ug/L, 25th to 75th percentile = 18.7 to 84.3; vs. 15.1 ug/L, 25th to 75th percentile = 9.6 to 25.5; P = 0.033) and in multiple organ failure (MOF) compared with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) (24.2 ug/L, 25th to 75th percentile = 13.4 to 48.2; vs. 8.9 ug/L, 25th to 75th percentile = 7.4 to 19.4; P = 0.002). Although the PINP values of the septic patients remained within the laboratory reference values, patients with MOF had higher values than patients with MODS (79.8, 25th to 75th percentile = 44.1 to 150.0; vs.40.4, 25th to 75th percentile = 23.6 to 99.3; P = 0.007). Day one ICTP levels were elevated in septic patients compared with the controls (19.4 ug/L, 25th to 75th percentile = 12.0 to 29.8; vs. 4.1 ug/L, 25th to 75th percentile = 3.4 to 5.0; P < 0.001).

Conclusions
Markers of collagen metabolism are increased in patients with severe sepsis and can be investigated further as markers of disease severity and outcome.
Risk stratification of early admission to the intensive care unit of patients with no major criteria of severe community-acquired pneumonia: development of an international prediction rule
Authors: Renaud Bertrand , Labarère José , Coma Eva , Santin Aline , Hayon Jan , Gurgui Mercé , Camus Nicolas , Roupie Eric , Hémery François , Hervé Jérôme , Salloum Mirna , Fine Michael J , Brun-Buisson Christian 
Published: April 2009

Abstract
Introduction
To identify risk factors for early (< three days) intensive care unit (ICU) admission of patients hospitalised with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and not requiring immediate ICU admission, and to stratify the risk of ICU admission on days 1 to 3.

Methods
Using the original data from four North American and European prospective multicentre cohort studies of patients with CAP, we derived and validated a prediction rule for ICU admission on days 1 to 3 of emergency department (ED) presentation, for patients presenting with no obvious reason for immediate ICU admission (not requiring immediate respiratory or circulatory support).

Results
A total of 6560 patients were included (4593 and 1967 in the derivation and validation cohort, respectively), 303 (4.6%) of whom were admitted to an ICU on days 1 to 3. The Risk of Early Admission to ICU index (REA-ICU index) comprised 11 criteria independently associated with ICU admission: male gender, age younger than 80 years, comorbid conditions, respiratory rate of 30 breaths/minute or higher, heart rate of 125 beats/minute or higher, multilobar infiltrate or pleural effusion, white blood cell count less than 3 or 20 G/L or above, hypoxaemia (oxygen saturation < 90% or arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) < 60 mmHg), blood urea nitrogen of 11 mmol/L or higher, pH less than 7.35 and sodium less than 130 mEq/L. The REA-ICU index stratified patients into four risk classes with a risk of ICU admission on days 1 to 3 ranging from 0.7 to 31%. The area under the curve was 0.81 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.78 to 0.83) in the overall population.

Conclusions
The REA-ICU index accurately stratifies the risk of ICU admission on days 1 to 3 for patients presenting to the ED with CAP and no obvious indication for immediate ICU admission and therefore may assist orientation decisions.
Evolutionary rates and centrality in the yeast gene regulatory network
Authors: Jovelin Richard , Phillips Patrick C 
Published: April 2009

Abstract
Background
Transcription factors play a fundamental role in regulating physiological responses and developmental processes. Here we examine the evolution of the yeast transcription factors in the context of the structure of the gene regulatory network.

Results
In contrast to previous results for the protein-protein interaction and metabolic networks, we find that the position of a gene within the transcription network affects the rate of protein evolution such that more central transcription factors tend to evolve faster. Centrality is also positively correlated with expression variability, suggesting that the higher rate of divergence among central transcription factors may be due to their role in controlling information flow and may be the result of adaptation to changing environmental conditions. Alternatively, more central transcription factors could be more buffered against environmental perturbations and, therefore, less subject to strong purifying selection. Importantly, the relationship between centrality and evolutionary rates is independent of expression level, expression variability and gene essentiality.

Conclusions
Our analysis of the transcription network highlights the role of network structure on protein evolutionary rate. Further, the effect of network centrality on nucleotide divergence is different among the metabolic, protein-protein and transcriptional networks, suggesting that the effect of gene position is dependant on the function of the specific network under study. A better understanding of how these three cellular networks interact with one another may be needed to fully examine the impact of network structure on the function and evolution of biological systems.
A Dynamic Model of Consumer Replacement Cycles in the PC Processor Industry
Authors: Gordon Brett R. 
Published: April 2009

As high-tech markets mature, replacement purchases inevitably become the dominant proportion of sales. Despite the clear importance of product replacement, little empirical work examines the separate roles of adoption and replacement. A consumer's replacement decision is dynamic and driven by product obsolescence because these markets frequently undergo rapid improvements in quality and falling prices. The goal of this paper is to construct a model of consumer product replacement and to investigate the implications of replacement cycles for firms. To this end, I develop and estimate a dynamic model of consumer demand that explicitly accounts for the replacement decision when consumers are uncertain about future price and quality. Using a unique data set from the PC processor industry, I show how to combine aggregate data on sales and product ownership to infer replacement behavior. The results reveal substantial variation in replacement behavior over time, and this heterogeneity provides an opportunity for managers to tailor their product introduction and pricing strategies to target the consumers of a particular segment that are most likely to replace in the near future.
Practice Prize Paper—PIN Optimal Distribution of Auction Vehicles System: Applying Price Forecasting, Elasticity Estimation, and Genetic Algorithms to Used-Vehicle Distribution
Authors: Du Jie , Xie Lili , Schroeder Stephan 
Published: April 2009

In addition to retailing new vehicles, automotive manufacturers in the United States sell millions of vehicles through leasing and to fleet customers every year. The majority of these vehicles are returned to the automotive manufacturers at the end of the contracted term and must be “remarketed.” In 2007, about 10 million used vehicles were sold at more than 400 auctions in the United States. Large consigners face decisions every day about when, where, and at what price to offer these vehicles, which has significant financial implications for their profitability. To address the challenges of the distribution process, Power Information Network (PIN), a division of J.D. Power and Associates, developed the PIN Optimal Distribution of Auction Vehicles System (ODAV), an automated decision optimization system that helps remarketers maximize profits through the most advantageous distribution of their auction vehicles. At the core of the system is a combination of three models that determine the distribution of the vehicles on a daily basis: a nearest neighbor linear regression model for short-term auction price forecasting; an autoregressive integrated moving average time-series analysis model for volume-price elasticity; and a genetic algorithm optimizer for vehicle distribution. Since its launch in 2003, PIN has been providing ODAV services on a daily basis, and to date, more than two million vehicles have been distributed through this system. In this paper, we will describe the PIN ODAV System, its implementation, and the business impact by using as an example the experience with our largest client, Chrysler Group LLC.
Circulating Calcitriol Concentrations and Total Mortality
Authors: Zittermann Armin , Schleithoff Stefanie S , Frisch Sabine , Götting Christian , Kuhn Joachim , Koertke Heinrich , Kleesiek Knut , Tenderich Gero , Koerfer Reiner 
Published: April 2009

Abstract
Background: Evidence is accumulating that vitamin D supplementation of patients with low 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations is associated with lower cardiovascular morbidity and total mortality during long-term follow-up. Little is known, however, about the effect of low concentrations of the vitamin D hormone calcitriol on total mortality. We therefore evaluated the predictive value of circulating calcitriol for midterm mortality in patients of a specialized heart center.
Methods: This prospective cohort study included 510 patients, 67.7% with heart failure (two-thirds in end stage), 64.3% hypertension, 33.7% coronary heart disease, 20.2% diabetes, and 17.3% renal failure. We followed the patients for up to 1 year after blood collection. For data analysis, the study cohort was stratified into quintiles of circulating calcitriol concentrations.
Results: Patients in the lowest calcitriol quintile were more likely to have coronary heart disease, heart failure, hypertension, diabetes, and renal failure compared to other patients. They also had low 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations and high concentrations of creatinine, C-reactive protein, and tumor necrosis factor α. Eighty-two patients (16.0%) died during follow-up. Probability of 1-year survival was 66.7% in the lowest calcitriol quintile, 82.2% in the second quintile, 86.7% in the intermediate quintile, 88.8% in the fourth quintile, and 96.1% in the highest quintile (P &lt; 0.001). Discrimination between survivors and nonsurvivors was best when a cutoff value of 25 ng/L was applied (area under the ROC curve 0.72; 95% CI 0.66–0.78).
Conclusions: Decreased calcitriol levels are linked to excess midterm mortality in patients of a specialized heart center. .
The Effect of Food Deprivation on the Cortisol Response to Crowding in Juvenile Steelhead
Authors: Ramsay Jennifer M , Feist Grant W , Schreck Carl B , Couture Ryan , O'Neil Joseph , Noakes David L G 
Published: April 2009

Abstract
Routine salmonid hatchery procedures include food deprivation, handling, and crowding of fish before sorting, transporting, or stocking. Although several studies have examined the effects of food deprivation or husbandry stressors on salmonid physiology, few have examined the effects of food deprivation and standard hatchery procedures, such as handling and crowding. The objective of this study was to determine whether food deprivation of juvenile steelhead (anadromous rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss) affects the cortisol response to stress from low-water crowding. Plasma cortisol levels of fish held in circular fiberglass tanks at 8°C under normal daily feeding conditions were compared with levels in fish subjected to 3 d of food deprivation; both groups were held at 3.8 kg/m3 (control density). Additionally, these groups were compared with fed and food-deprived fish held at a density of 12.8 kg/m3 for 3 h (low-water crowding stressor). There was a significant increase in plasma cortisol levels of fish subjected to low-water crowding (129.9 ng/mL) relative to fish held at the control density (14.7 ng/mL), regardless of previous feeding treatment. However, for fish at a given density (control or crowded), there was no difference in cortisol levels between fed and food-deprived groups. We conclude that depriving juvenile steelhead of food does not significantly alter their cortisol response to low-water crowding. Consequently, the standard hatchery practice of withholding food before performing stressful husbandry procedures does not appear to cause additional stress or exacerbate physiological responses typically observed in steelhead after they are subjected to physical stressors.
Evaluation of Commercial Diets for First-Feeding Spring Chinook Salmon
Authors: Twibell Ronald G , Gannam Ann L , Ostrand Susan L , Holmes John S A , Poole Jeff B 
Published: April 2009

Abstract
In 2006, Bio-Oregon, Inc., the only commercial producer of cold-extruded moist diets (∼20–27% moisture) formulated for salmonids, announced that it would discontinue production of this diet line. One of these diets, BioDiet starter (19.5–21.5% moisture) was the primary feed used in many hatcheries that produce Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha. Thus, a feeding trial was conducted to identify an alternative starter diet for spring Chinook salmon. Five commercial diets were evaluated: Skretting BioVita (&lt;10% moisture), EWOS Micro (&lt;10% moisture), Rangen Starter (&lt;10% moisture), Rangen Soft-Moist (14–17% moisture), and Silver Cup Soft-Moist (&lt;13% moisture). Each dietary treatment was fed to quadruplicate groups of 200 randomly selected first-feeding fry reared in fiberglass tanks. Initial weight of the fish averaged 0.34 g/fish. The flow-through water supply was 12°C throughout the 8-week feeding trial. At the end of the study, fish fed Skretting BioVita exhibited significantly higher (P &lt; 0.05) weight gain (3.4 g/fish) and feed efficiency (1.9 g gain/g feed) than fish fed the other diets. Fish fed Rangen Soft-Moist exhibited significantly lower (P &lt; 0.05) weight gain (1.6 g/fish) and feed efficiency (1.2 g gain/g feed) than fish fed the other commercial diets. Survival rates were high (97–99%) and not significantly (P &gt; 0.05) affected by dietary treatment. Carcass moisture and fat concentrations were significantly (P &lt; 0.05) affected by the various diets. Carcass fat concentrations were significantly higher and carcass moisture concentrations were significantly lower in fish fed Skretting BioVita than in fish fed Rangen Starter, Rangen Soft-Moist, or Silver Cup Soft-Moist. Results of this study indicate that a moist starter diet is not required for rapid weight gain and high survival rates of first-feeding spring Chinook salmon.
Evaluation of Walleye Embryo Survival and Larval Viability after Iodine Treatment
Authors: Dabrowski Konrad , Ware Kyle , Jaroszewska Marta , Kwasek Karolina 
Published: April 2009

Abstract
Securing health and avoiding viral disease transmission are of paramount importance for stocking and management of walleyes Sander vitreus. Iodine compounds are widely used as nonselective antiviral substances; however, their adverse effects on embryo survival are less known. Our experiments investigated how maternal attributes influence the relationship between toxicity of iodine (expressed as concentrations and duration of treatment) and survival of walleyes after fertilization and during early larval growth. Eleven female and four male walleyes were collected in April 2007 from the Maumee River, Perrysburg, Ohio, and the gametes were transported unfertilized (2 h) to the laboratory. After fertilization and tannic acid treatment, embryos were exposed for 15, 30, and 180 min to iodine concentrations of 0 (control), 50, 100, 200, 400, and 800 mg/L. The calculated survival of 50% of the embryos at the eyed stage corresponded to an iodine concentration of 380 mg/L for the exposure duration of 15 min (i.e., the LD50; linear relationship). An increase in exposure time (to 30 or 180 min) significantly decreased embryo survival. Progeny from individual females varied in sensitivity to iodine treatment, particularly with respect to the high concentration (800 mg/L), but high survival in controls did not correspond to better resistance to iodine treatments. No significant differences were observed in larval walleye size or swim bladder inflation rates among various iodine exposure groups within 15 d after treatment.
Culture of Pacific White Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei in a Mixed-Ion Solution
Authors: Parmenter K J , Bisesi J H , Young S P , Klaine S J , Atwood H L , Browdy C L , Tomasso J R 
Published: April 2009

Abstract
A non-sea-salt ionic solution that supports the culture of Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei is described. Each 1-g/L solution consists of sodium chloride at a concentration of 754 mg/L, magnesium chloride at 57 mg/L, magnesium sulfate at 122 mg/L, potassium chloride at 16 mg/L, calcium chloride at 46 mg/L, and sodium bicarbonate at 6 mg/L. Shrimp cultured in a 15-g/L concentration of this solution for 42 d demonstrated survival, growth, total harvest weight, and feed conversion ratios similar to those of shrimp cultured in 15-g/L seawater. The results of this study may be useful for the development of marine shrimp culture in inland facilities.
The Baroque as a Problem of Thought
Authors: Egginton William 
Published: April 2009

We're an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality. And while you're studying that reality—judiciously, if you will—we'll act again, creating other new realities, which you can study too, and that's how things will sort out. We're history's actors… and you, all of you, will be left to just study what we do.—Aide to George W. Bush, quoted by Ronald SuskindWhy the Baroque? Why now? As many have argued, the general aesthetic trend of the late twentieth to early twenty-first centuries, often called postmodern, can perhaps more usefully be labeled neobaroque. Is the neobaroque turn of the twentieth century something akin to the neoclassicism of the sixteenth century, or the neo-Gothicism of the nineteenth? Or, on an even more condensed scale, is it similar to the rapid returns of previously dismissed fashion decades, as evidenced by the proliferation in the early years of this century of those beads and bellbottoms associated with flower children and the age of Aquarius?
What Can Literature Do? Simone de Beauvoir as a Literary Theorist
Authors: Moi Toril 
Published: April 2009

The past twenty years have seen a beauvoir revival in feminist theory. Feminist philosophers, political scientists, and historians of ideas have all made powerful contributions to our understanding of her philosophy, above allThe Second Sex.Literary studies have lagged somewhat behind. Given that Beauvoir always defined herself as a writer rather than as a philosopher (Moi,Simone de Beauvoir52–57), this is an unexpected state of affairs. Ursula Tidd's explanation is that Beauvoir's existentialism is theoretically incompatible with the poststructuralist trends that have dominated feminist criticism:Viewed as unsympathetic to “écriture féminine” and to feminist differentialist critiques of language, Beauvoir's broadly realist and “committed” approach to literature has been deemed less technically challenging than experimental women's writing exploring the feminine, read through the lens of feminist psychoanalytic theory.(“État Présent”205)
Combined Inhibition of the VEGFR and EGFR Signaling Pathways in the Treatment of NSCLC
Authors: Pennell Nathan A. , Lynch Thomas J. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractMultitargeted agents represent the next generation of targeted therapies in solid tumors. The benefits of individually targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathways have been clinically validated in recent years in a number of solid tumor types including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Given the heterogeneity of this tumor type and potential crosstalk between these key signaling pathways (which are known to play a critical role in tumor growth, metastasis, and angiogenesis), dual inhibition of the VEGFR and EGFR signaling pathways has the potential to offer additional clinical benefits in NSCLC. A number of approaches to inhibiting both VEGFR and EGFR signaling are currently under investigation, including monotherapy with a multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor (e.g., vandetanib, AEE788, XL647, BMS-690514) or a combination of single-targeted therapies (e.g., bevacizumab, cetuximab, erlotinib, gefitinib). Preclinical and early clinical data (phase I and II trials) support combined inhibition of the VEGFR and EGFR pathways in NSCLC. Overall, combined inhibition strategies are well tolerated and have shown promise in early clinical studies. Ongoing phase II and phase III trials will determine the clinical potential of a number of dual inhibition strategies in the treatment of advanced NSCLC.
Distribution of perfluorocarboxylate isomers in select samples from the north american environment
Authors: De Silva Amila O. , Muir Derek C. G. , Mabury Scott A. 
Published: April 2009

Abstract
Perfluorinated acids are anthropogenic pollutants with primarily two industrial synthetic routes: electrochemical fluorination (ECF) and telomerization. A mixture of structural isomers is produced by ECF, while telomerization conserves the geometry of its starting materials, which are typically linear. To contribute to a discussion on sources of perfluorinated acid pollution, isomer profiles of perfluorinated carboxylates (PFCAs) were determined in a diverse set of environmental and biotic samples from remote to urban locations. Analysis was conducted on the derivatized extracts using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) isomer profile in most samples contained linear and branched isomers congruent with an ECF input, but linear PFOA (n-PFOA) predominated (&gt;90%) greater than in the ECF technical product (78%). The perfluorononanoate (PFNA) isomer pattern varied from only n-PFNA, n- and iso-PFNA (isopropyl isomer), or n-PFNA and multiple branched isomers. At midlatitudes, PFNA isomer profiles containing multiple branched isomers are attributed to ECF sources such as impurities in ECF PFOA. In surface water from Lake Ontario (Canada) and an Arctic lake, only n- and iso-PFNA were observed. Human and dolphin blood contained multiple branched PFNA, consistent with an ECF signature albeit n-isomer enriched. Both n- and isopropyl isomers of longer-chain PFCAs were observed with a distinct pattern for dolphin and Arctic samples compared to those from the Lake Ontario ecosystem. These results support the hypothesis that long-range atmospheric transport of linear volatile precursors, subsequent degradation, and deposition contribute to the presence of n-PFCAs in the Arctic freshwater environment. The presence of longer-chain isopropyl isomers may be preliminary evidence of isopropyl fluorinated organic precursors.