bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Contribution of Unstable Employment to Mortality in Posttransition Russia: Prospective Individual-Level Analyses From the Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Survey
Authors: Perlman Francesca , Bobak Martin 
Published: August 2009

Objectives. We used the Russia Longitudinal Monitoring Survey (RLMS) to investigate associations between employment, socioeconomic position, and mortality.Methods. Data were from working-age respondents in 8 rounds (1994–2003) of the RLMS. We measured associations between education, occupation, unemployment, and insecure employment and mortality with Cox proportional hazards analyses.Results. Of 4465 men and 4158 women who were currently employed, 251 men and 34 women died. A third of employed respondents experienced wage arrears, and 10% experienced compulsory leave and payment in consumer goods. Insecure employment, more common among the less-educated and manual workers, fluctuated with macroeconomic measures. Mortality was significantly associated with payment in consumer goods among men (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.46; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03, 2.07), compulsory unpaid leave among women (HR = 3.79; 95% CI = 1.82, 7.88), and male unemployment (HR = 1.88; 95% CI = 1.38, 2.55). Associations with death within 1 year of entry were generally somewhat stronger than the association with mortality over the whole study period.Conclusions. Unemployment and job insecurity predicted mortality, suggesting that they contributed to Russia's high mortality during the transition from communism.
English Proficiency and Language Preference: Testing the Equivalence of Two Measures
Authors: Gee Gilbert C. , Walsemann Katrina M. , Takeuchi David T. 
Published: August 2009

Objectives. We examined the association of language proficiency vs language preference with self-rated health among Asian American immigrants. We also examined whether modeling preference or proficiency as continuous or categorical variables changed our inferences. Methods. Data came from the 2002–2003 National Latino and Asian American Study (n = 1639). We focused on participants' proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing English and on their language preference when thinking or speaking with family or friends. We examined the relation between language measures and self-rated health with ordered and binary logistic regression. Results. All English proficiency measures were associated with self-rated health across all models. By contrast, associations between language preference and self-rated health varied by the model considered. Conclusions. Although many studies create composite scores aggregated across measures of English proficiency and language preference, this practice may not always be conceptually or empirically warranted.
Gasoline Prices and Their Relationship to Rising Motorcycle Fatalities, 1990–2007
Authors: Wilson Fernando A. , Stimpson Jim P. , Hilsenrath Peter E. 
Published: August 2009

Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death among young adults. Although automobile fatalities have declined in recent years, motorcycle fatalities are rapidly increasing. The purpose of our research was to quantify the relationship between changing fuel prices and motorcycle fatalities. Our findings suggest that people increasingly rely on motorcycles to reduce their fuel costs in response to rising gasoline prices. We estimate that use of motorcycles and scooters instead of 4-wheeled vehicles results in over 1500 additional motorcycle fatalities annually for each dollar increase in gas prices. Motorcycle safety should receive more attention as a leading public health issue.
Expression of the NH2-Terminal Fragment of RasGAP in Pancreatic β-Cells Increases Their Resistance to Stresses and Protects Mice From Diabetes
Authors: Yang Jiang-Yan , Walicki Jöel , Jaccard Evrim , Dubuis Gilles , Bulat Natasa , Hornung Jean-Pierre , Thorens Bernard , Widmann Christian 
Published: August 2009

OBJECTIVE
Our laboratory has previously established in vitro that a caspase-generated RasGAP NH2-terminal moiety, called fragment N, potently protects cells, including insulinomas, from apoptotic stress. We aimed to determine whether fragment N can increase the resistance of pancreatic β-cells in a physiological setting.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
A mouse line, called rat insulin promoter (RIP)-N, was generated that bears a transgene containing the rat insulin promoter followed by the cDNA-encoding fragment N. The histology, functionality, and resistance to stress of RIP-N islets were then assessed.

RESULTS
Pancreatic β-cells of RIP-N mice express fragment N, activate Akt, and block nuclear factor κB activity without affecting islet cell proliferation or the morphology and cellular composition of islets. Intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests revealed that RIP-N mice control their glycemia similarly as wild-type mice throughout their lifespan. Moreover, islets isolated from RIP-N mice showed normal glucose-induced insulin secretory capacities. They, however, displayed increased resistance to apoptosis induced by a series of stresses including inflammatory cytokines, fatty acids, and hyperglycemia. RIP-N mice were also protected from multiple low-dose streptozotocin-induced diabetes, and this was associated with reduced in vivo β-cell apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS
Fragment N efficiently increases the overall resistance of β-cells to noxious stimuli without interfering with the physiological functions of the cells. Fragment N and the pathway it regulates represent, therefore, a potential target for the development of antidiabetes tools.
Endoscopic endonasal transclival resection of chordomas: operative technique, clinical outcome, and review of the literature
Authors: Fraser Justin F. , Nyquist Gurston G. , Moore Nicholas , Anand Vijay K. , Schwartz Theodore H. 
Published: August 2009

Object
Transcranial approaches to clival chordomas provide a circuitous route to the site of origin of the tumor often involving extensive bone drilling and brain retraction, which places critical neurovascular structures between the surgeon and pathology. For certain chordomas, the endonasal endoscopic transclival approach is a novel minimal access, but it is an equally aggressive alternative providing the most direct route to the tumor epicenter.

Methods
The authors present a consecutive series of patients undergoing endonasal endoscopic resection of clival chordomas. Extent of resection was determined by postoperative volumetric MR imaging and divided into > 95% and < 95%.

Results
Seven patients underwent 10 operations. Preoperative cranial neuropathies were present in 4. The mean patient age was 52.0 years. The mean tumor volume was 34.9 cm3. Intraoperative lumbar drainage was used in 1 patient, and the tumors extended intradurally in 3. One patient underwent 2 intentionally palliative procedures for subtotal debulking. Greater than 95% resection was achieved in 7 of 8 operations in which radical resection was the goal (87%). All tumors with volumes < 50 cm3 had > 95% resection (p = 0.05). The overall mean follow-up was 18.0 months. Cranial neuropathies resolved in all 3 patients with cranial nerve VI palsies. One patient with recurrent nasopharyngeal chordoma died of disease progression; another experienced 2 recurrences before receiving radiation therapy. All surviving patients remain progression free. There were no intraoperative complications; however, 1 patient developed a pulmonary embolus postoperatively. There were no postoperative CSF leaks.

Conclusions
The endonasal endoscopic transclival approach represents a less invasive and more direct approach than a transcranial approach to treat certain moderate-sized midline skull base chordomas. Longer follow-up is necessary to determine comparability to transcranial approaches for long-term control. Large tumors with significant extension lateral to the carotid artery may not be suitable for this approach.
Usefulness of composite methionine–positron emission tomography/3.0-tesla magnetic resonance imaging to detect the localization and extent of early-stage Cushing adenoma
Authors: Ikeda Hidetoshi , Abe Takehiko , Watanabe Kazuo 
Published: August 2009

Object
Fifty to eighty percent of Cushing disease is diagnosed by typical endocrine responses. Recently, the number of diagnoses of Cushing disease without typical Cushing syndrome has been increasing; therefore, improving ways to determine the localization of the adenoma and making an early diagnosis is important. This study was undertaken to determine the present diagnostic accuracy for Cushing microadenoma and to compare the differences in diagnostic accuracy between MR imaging and PET/MR imaging.

Methods
During the past 3 years the authors analyzed the diagnostic accuracy in a series of 35 patients with Cushing adenoma that was verified by surgical pituitary exploration. All 35 cases of Cushing disease, including 20 cases of “overt” and 15 cases of “preclinical” Cushing disease, were studied. Superconductive MR images (1.5 or 3.0 T) and composite images from FDG-PET or methionine (MET)–PET and 3.0-T MR imaging were compared with the localization of adenomas verified by surgery.

Results
The diagnostic accuracy of superconductive MR imaging for detecting the localization of Cushing microadenoma was only 40%. The causes of unsatisfactory results for superconductive MR imaging were false-negative results (10 cases), false-positive results (6 cases), and instances of double pituitary adenomas (3 cases). In contrast, the accuracy of microadenoma localization using MET-PET/3.0-T MR imaging was 100% and that of FDG-PET/3.0-T MR imaging was 73%. Moreover, the adenoma location was better delineated on MET-PET/MR images than on FDG-PET/MR images. There was no significant difference in maximum standard uptake value of adenomas evaluated by MET-PET between preclinical Cushing disease and overt Cushing disease.

Conclusions
Composite MET-PET/3.0-T MR imaging is useful for the improvement of the delineation of Cushing microadenoma and offers high-quality detectability for early-stage Cushing adenoma.
Endoscopic repair of cerebrospinal fluid leaks in the lateral sphenoid sinus recess
Authors: Forer Boaz , Sethi Dharmbir S. 
Published: August 2009

Object
Cerebrospinal fluid leaks may occur as a result of trauma or following surgery, and occasionally may also be spontaneous. Leakage of CSF from the lateral sphenoid recess is rare and challenging to treat. The authors present their experience with repairs of 10 CSF leaks that were confined to the lateral sphenoid recess and were treated at the Singapore General Hospital.

Methods
A retrospective chart review was conducted for all patients who underwent operations for lateral sphenoid recess CSF leaks between 2001 and 2008.

Results
Ten repairs were performed in 8 patients by using a transpterygoid approach, with a 90% success rate. In 3 cases the transcranial approach had failed prior to endoscopic repair. “Sandwich reconstruction” under direct vision was performed in all cases, and was completed using cartilage or bone as a rigid support.

Conclusions
This series demonstrates that CSF leakage can be managed safely and effectively by using an endoscopic transpterygoid approach in patients in whom both external and endoscopic attempts have failed. The transpterygoid approach used in all of the cases in this series provides wide exposure around the skull base defect, which is crucial for successful repair.
Safety and efficacy of vascular tumor embolization using Onyx: is angiographic devascularization sufficient?
Authors: Elhammady Mohamed Samy , Wolfe Stacey Quintero , Ashour Ramsey , Farhat Hamad , Moftakhar Roham , Lieber Baruch B. , Aziz-Sultan Mohammad Ali 
Published: August 2009

Object
The authors assessed the safety and efficacy of embolization of head, neck, and spinal tumors with Onyx and determined the correlation between tumor embolization and intraoperative blood loss.

Methods
The authors prospectively collected all head, neck, and spinal tumors embolized with Onyx at their institution over a 28-month period. Information on tumor type, location, extent of tumor devascularization, endovascular and surgical complications, and intraoperative estimated blood loss (EBL) was evaluated.

Results
Forty-three patients with various head, neck, and spinal lesions underwent vascular tumor embolization with Onyx. Indications for embolization included uncontrolled tumor bleeding in 8 cases, elective preoperative devascularization in 34, and tumor-induced consumptive thrombocytopenia in 1 case. Embolization was performed via direct tumoral puncture in 14 cases and through the traditional transarterial route in the remaining lesions. Embolization was successful in ending uncontrolled tumor bleeding in all 8 cases and in reversing the consumptive coagulopathy in 1 case. Intraparenchymal penetration of embolic material was possible in all percutaneously embolized tumors and in 4 of the 20 tumors embolized preoperatively via the transarterial route. The mean percentage of devascularization in tumors with intraparenchymal penetration of Onyx was 90.3% compared with 83.7% in tumors without intraparenchymal penetration. The mean EBL with intraparenchymal penetration of Onyx was significantly lower than when there was no intraparenchymal penetration (459 vs 2698 ml; p = 0.0067). There were no neurological complications related to the embolization procedures.

Conclusions
Embolization of vascular tumors with Onyx can be performed safely but may not reach optimal effectiveness in reducing intraoperative EBL if the embolic material does not penetrate the tumor vasculature. In the authors' experience, the best method of intraparenchymal penetration is achieved with direct tumor puncture. Transarterial embolization may not result in tumor penetration, particularly when injected from a long distance through small caliber or slow flow vessels.
Seizures after evacuation of subdural hematomas: incidence, risk factors, and functional impact
Authors: Rabinstein Alejandro A. , Chung Seung Young , Rudzinski Leslie A. , Lanzino Giuseppe 
Published: August 2009

Object
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of seizures or epileptiform abnormalities on electroencephalography (EEG) studies in patients undergoing surgical treatment for acute subdural hematoma (SDH).

Methods
This was a retrospective study of 134 consecutive patients with acute or acute-on-chronic SDH who underwent surgical treatment at the authors' institution between January 2004 and July 2008. Detailed information was collected regarding baseline clinical data (including preexistent functional impairment); Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) sum scores before and 24 hours after surgery; presence of clinical seizures; EEG findings; and functional outcome on discharge and up to the 6-month follow-up. All brain CT scans were reviewed to calculate SDH volume and midline shift. The Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score was used for functional assessment, and GOS scores of 1–3 were considered indicative of poor outcome. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify statistical associations.

Results
Clinical seizures or epileptiform changes on EEG were observed during the acute postoperative period in 33 patients (25%). Preexistent functional impairment and seizures/epileptiform EEG findings after surgery were independently associated with poor functional outcome upon hospital discharge (p < 0.001 for both). Preexistent functional impairment (p < 0.001), lower GCS score before surgery (p = 0.04), and lower GCS score 24 hours after surgery (p = 0.007), but not seizures/epileptiform EEG findings, were independently associated with poor functional recovery at 1- to 6-month follow-up evaluations. Seizures/epileptiform EEG findings had a strong association with lower GCS scores after surgery (p = 0.01), and they were more common in patients who underwent evacuation by craniotomy (p = 0.02).

Conclusions
Epileptic complications are common after acute SDH evacuation, and should be suspected in patients with an unanticipated depressed level of consciousness after surgery. Seizures worsen early functional outcome, but delayed favorable recovery is possible. Therefore, one should be cautious when discussing prognosis in the early postoperative period of patients with epileptic complications.
Evaluation of ventriculomegaly using diffusion tensor imaging: correlations with chronic hydrocephalus and atrophy
Authors: Osuka Satoru , Matsushita Akira , Yamamoto Tetsuya , Saotome Kousaku , Isobe Tomonori , Nagatomo Yasushi , Masumoto Tomohiko , Komatsu Yoji , Ishikawa Eiichi , Matsumura Akira 
Published: August 2009

Object
Ventriculomegaly is a common imaging finding in many types of conditions. It is difficult to determine whether it is related to true hydrocephalus or to an atrophic process by using only imaging procedures such as MR imaging after traumatic injury, stroke, or infectious disease. Diffusion tensor (DT) imaging can distinguish the compression characteristics of white matter, indicating that increased diffusion anisotropy may be related to white matter compression. In this preliminary study, the authors compared the DT imaging findings of ventriculomegaly with those of chronic hydrocephalus or atrophy to clarify the potential of diffusion anisotropy in the identification of hydrocephalus.

Methods
Ten patients with chronic hydrocephalus, 8 patients with atrophy (defined by conventional devices and surgical outcome), and 14 healthy volunteers underwent DT imaging. Images were acquired before and after shunting or once in cases without shunting. The fractional anisotropy (FA) values at many points around the lateral ventricle were evaluated.

Results
The FA patterns around the lateral ventricle in the chronic hydrocephalus and atrophy groups were different. Especially in the caudate nucleus, FA was increased in the chronic hydrocephalus group compared with the atrophy group. Furthermore, the FA values returned to normal levels after shunt placement.

Conclusions
Assessment of the FA value of the caudate nucleus may be an important, less invasive method for distinguishing true hydrocephalus from ventriculomegaly. Further research in a large number of patients is needed to verify the diagnostic ability of this method.
Evaluation of Record Linkage Methods for Iterative Insertions
Authors: Borg A. , Pommerening K. , Sariyar M. 
Published: August 2009

Summary
Objectives: There have been many developments and applications of mathematical methods in the context of record linkage as one area of interdisciplinary research efforts. However, comparative evaluations of record linkage methods are still underrepresented. In this paper improvements of the Fellegi-Sunter model are compared with other elaborated classification methods in order to direct further research endeavors to the most promising methodologies.
Methods: The task of linking records can be viewed as a special form of object identification. We consider several non-stochastic methods and procedures for the record linkage task in addition to the Fellegi-Sunter model and perform an empirical evaluation on artificial and real data in the context of iterative insertions. This evaluation provides a deeper insight into empirical similarities and differences between different modelling frames of the record linkage problem. In addition, the effects of using string comparators on the performance of different matching algorithms are evaluated.
Results: Our central results show that stochastic record linkage based on the principle of the EM algorithm exhibits best classification results when calibrating data are structurally different to validation data. Bagging, boosting together with support vector machines are best classification methods when calibrating and validation data have no major structural differences.
Conclusions: The most promising methodologies for record linkage in environments similar to the one considered in this paper seem to be stochastic ones.
A Comparative Study of Water Movement in Leaf Scorch Decline Affected and Healthy Coconut Palms using Lithium as a Non-Radioactive Tracer
Authors: Madurapperuma WS , Mendis H , Ranasinghe CS , Premasiri N , Gunawardena M 
Published: August 2009

Obstructions to the movement of water, by physical blockages in the vascular system, are a possible cause of the Leaf Scorch Decline (LSD) disorder of coconut palms. This hypothesis was tested by comparing the pattern of water movement in healthy and LSD-affected coconut palms, using Lithium, a non-radioactive tracer, as an indicator. Pattern of water transport in the leaf canopy of healthy and LSD-affected palms was similar but the quantities transported were different. Less water movement in moderate-LSD palms than in healthy and mild-LSD palms suggest the development of obstructions to water movement when the disorder increases in severity. Uptake of water into the root system was not affected by the LSD disorder. However, in moderate-LSD palms more water was retained in the roots than in healthy and mild-LSD palms. This also points to restrictions to water movement in the moderate-LSD palms. The relatively high amounts of Li retained in the roots of healthy and mild-LSD palms need further investigation. Key words: Leaf Scorch Decline, visible symptoms, pattern of water movement, non-radioactive tracer doi: 10.4038/cocos.v18i0.986 COCOS (2007), 18
Photosynthetic Assimilation, Carbohydrates in Vegetative Organs and Carbon Removal in Nut-Producing and Sap-Producing Coconut Palms
Authors: Ranasinghe CS , Silva LRS 
Published: August 2009

The net assimilation rate, carbohydrate content in leaf and trunk tissues and quantum of carbon removed in sap-producing (SP) and nut-producing (NP) coconut palms were compared. The correlations between sap (toddy) yields of SP palms, and their leaf and trunk carbohydrate content; net assimilation rate; and the pre-tapping phase nut yields, were investigated as possible criteria for selecting coconut palms with potential for high toddy yields. Thirty-five-year-old coconut palms of the Tall variety (Cocos nucifera L., var. typica), at Bandirippuwa Estate, Lunuwila, Sri Lanka were used for the study. Total soluble sugar content (TSS) in leaf and trunk tissues was higher (62-73 mg g dw-1) than their starch content (24-41 mg g dw-1) in both SP and NP palms. In SP palms, TSS of leaf tissue was higher, and trunk tissue was lower, than in NP palms. The total carbohydrate (TC) content in the trunk was generally higher than in leaves of both SP and NP palms. In SP palms, the ratio of TSS : starch was higher in leaves, and lower in the trunk, than in NP palms. Net assimilation rates and carbon removal by the produce (nut or sap) was similar in NP and SP palms. There was no significant correlation between sap yields and TSS and starch contents of leaf or trunk tissues of palms, before and during tapping; and the nut yields before; and the NAR during tapping. These parameters are therefore not of predictive value for selecting coconut palms for high sap yield. Key words: Cocos nucifera L., coconut, inflorescence sap, toddy, soluble sugars, starch, physiology, assimilate storage doi: 10.4038/cocos.v18i0.988 COCOS (2007), 18