bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Our initial experience with robotic hepato‐biliary‐pancreatic surgery
Authors: Wakabayashi Go , Sasaki Akira , Nishizuka Satoshi , Furukawa Toshiharu , Kitajima Masaki 
Published: April 2011

AbstractBackgroundThe authors performed Asia's first robotic surgery in March 2000 and a clinical trial was launched in the following year in order to obtain governmental approval for the da Vinci® Surgical System.MethodsFifty‐two robotic surgeries were performed at Keio University Hospital, of which the authors performed 28 hepato‐biliary‐pancreatic surgeries.ResultsIn robotic laparoscopic cholecystectomy, articulated monopolar electrocautery scalpels are flexible, enabling precise dissection around the gall bladder and clipless ligation of the cystic artery and cystic ducts. For laparoscopic hepatectomy, hepatic parenchyma was safely resected without hemorrhage by Glisson's pedicles ligation and bipolar hemostatic forceps.ConclusionsWe review robotic laparoscopic cholecystectomy and hepatectomy and discuss the potential and future outlook for robotic hepato‐biliary‐pancreatic surgery.
Complex III staining in blue native polyacrylamide gels
Authors: Smet Joél , De Paepe Boel , Seneca Sara , Lissens Willy , Kotarsky Heike , De Meirleir Linda , Fellman Vineta , Van Coster Rudy 
Published: April 2011

AbstractFor more than a decade now blue native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (BN‐PAGE) has been used for the study of the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) complexes. Catalytic activities of complexes I, II, IV and V can be assessed, after separation by gel electroforesis, by incubation of the BN‐PAGE gel in specific staining solutions. However, until now, a reliable staining method for testing ubiquinol cytochrome c oxidoreductase (complex III) activity by BN‐PAGE gel techniques was not available. In addition, spectrophotometric methods currently in use for detection of complex III deficiency in patients are not very sensitive. Here, we describe a newly developed diagnostic method for visualization of complex III activity by direct in‐gel evaluation of ubiquinol cytochrome oxidoreductase activity. We validated the method by reporting the results in six patients with previously characterised complex III defects.
Salivary biomarkers of HPA axis and autonomic activity in adults with intellectual disability with and without stereotyped and self-injurious behavior disorders
Authors: Symons Frank J. , Wolff Jason J. , Stone Laura S. , Lim Tony K. Y. , Bodfish James W. 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
Salivary levels of biomarkers for the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA; cortisol) and sympatho-adreno-medullary system (SAM; α-amylase) were measured in 51 adults (57% male) with neurodevelopmental disorders associated with intellectual disability (i.e., mental retardation) and chronic self-injurious behavior (SIB) and compared with matched controls without SIB. Cortisol levels differed significantly (p < 0.01) between the SIB and control group (SIB > control). Within-group analyses showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in levels of salivary α-amylase between individuals with SIB and those with SIB meeting criteria for stereotyped movement disorder (SMD; SIB + SMD > SIB). Salivary α-amylase was significantly correlated with frequency of stereotypy among the SIB group (r = 0.36, p < 0.05). These preliminary findings warrant further exploration into the role of the SAM system in the pathophysiology of SIB and related repetitive behaviors among individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders associated with intellectual disability.
Characteristics of Fatty Acid Composition of the Deep‐Sea Vent Crab, Shinkaia crosnieri Baba and Williams
Authors: Saito Hiroaki 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThe neutral and polar lipids of the Galatheidae vent crab, Shinkaia crosnieri, with its eggs were studied to assess its lipid physiology and trophic relationship at hydrothermal vents. The vent crab obtained many of its lipids from Bathymodiolus mussels and chemosynthetic microorganisms which live on a mat of long, silky setae on the crab body as exosymbionts. In all lipid classes, the major monounsaturated fatty acids were 16:1n‐7 and 18:1n‐7, which originate from bacteria. The major polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the triacylglycerols were 16:2n‐4, 18:2n‐4, 18:2n‐7, 18:3n‐4,7,10, and 16:2n‐3, while those of the crab polar lipids were 16:2n‐4, 18:2n‐4, 18:3n‐4,7,10, 20:4n‐6 (arachidonic acid), 20:5n‐3 (icosapentaenoic acid), and 22:6n‐3 (docosahexaenoic acid) in the phosphatidylethanolamine, and 16:2n‐4, 18:2n‐4, and 18:3n‐4,7,10, with noticeable levels of 20:4n‐6, 20:5n‐3, and 22:6n‐3 in the phosphatidylcholine. In the crab and its eggs, TAG and phospholipid PUFA consisted primarily of n‐4 family (n‐4 and n‐7) methylene‐interrupted PUFA with n‐3 and n‐6 PUFA. The unique fatty acid composition mix of n‐3, n‐4, and n‐6 PUFA in S. crosnieri lipids suggests the vent crab utilizing chemosynthetic bacteria, which produce both unusual n‐4 and normal n‐3 and n‐6 PUFA. Such unique fatty acid composition differs from that reported for other common marine animals, which depend on organic matter derived from phytoplankton lipids.
Estimation of the intake of anthocyanidins and their food sources in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study
Authors: Zamora-Ros Raul , Knaze Viktoria , Luján-Barroso Leila , Slimani Nadia , Romieu Isabelle , Touillaud Marina , Kaaks Rudolf , Teucher Birgit , Mattiello Amalia , Grioni Sara , Crowe Francesca , Boeing Heiner , Förster Jana , Quirós J. Ramón , Molina Esther , Huerta José María , Engeset Dagrun , Skeie Guri , Trichopoulou Antonia , Dilis Vardis , Tsiotas Konstantinos , Peeters Petra H. M. , Khaw Kay-Thee , Wareham Nicholas , Bueno-de-Mesquita Bas , Ocké Marga C. , Olsen Anja , Tjønneland Anne , Tumino Rosario , Johansson Gerd , Johansson Ingegerd , Ardanaz Eva , Sacerdote Carlotta , Sonestedt Emily , Ericson Ulrika , Clavel-Chapelon Françoise , Boutron-Ruault Marie-Christine , Fagherazzi Guy , Salvini Simonetta , Amiano Pilar , Riboli Elio , González Carlos A. 
Published: April 2011

Anthocyanidins are bioactive flavonoids with potential health-promoting effects. These may vary among single anthocyanidins considering differences in their bioavailability and some of the mechanisms involved. The aim of the present study was to estimate the dietary intake of anthocyanidins, their food sources and the lifestyle factors (sex, age, BMI, smoking status, educational level and physisical activity) involved among twenty-seven centres in ten European countries participating in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study. Anthocyanidin intake and their food sources for 36 037 subjects, aged between 35 and 74 years, in twenty-seven redefined centres were obtained using standardised 24 h dietary recall software (EPIC-SOFT). An ad hoc food composition database on anthocyanidins (cyanidin, delphinidin, malvidin, pelargonidin, peonidin, petunidin) was compiled using data from the US Department of Agriculture and Phenol-Explorer databases and was expanded by adding recipes, estimated values and cooking factors. For men, the total anthocyanidin mean intake ranged from 19·83 (se 1·53) mg/d (Bilthoven, The Netherlands) to 64·88 (se 1·86) mg/d (Turin, Italy), whereas for women the range was 18·73 (se 2·80) mg/d (Granada, Spain) to 44·08 (se 2·45) mg/d (Turin, Italy). A clear south to north gradient intake was observed. Cyanidins and malvidins were the main anthocynidin contributors depending on the region and sex. Anthocyanidin intake was higher in non-obese older females, non-smokers, and increased with educational level and physical activity. The major food sources were fruits, wine, non-alcoholic beverages and some vegetables. The present study shows differences in both total and individual anthocyanidin intakes and various lifestyle factors throughout Europe, with some geographical variability in their food sources.
Primary nasopharyngeal tuberculosis mimicking exacerbation of chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: Prstačić R , Jurlina M , Žižić-Mitrečić M , Janjanin S 
Published: April 2011

AbstractObjective:Nasopharyngeal tuberculosis is a rare condition, even in endemic tuberculosis areas. We report a case of primary nasopharyngeal tuberculosis from a non-endemic area, which presented with symptoms resembling exacerbation of previously diagnosed chronic rhinosinusitis.Case report:A 48-year-old man presented with extreme postnasal drip and an unpleasant nasal odour. Endoscopic examination revealed irregular thickening of the left lateral and posterior wall of the nasopharynx, partially covered with crusts and necrotic tissue. Histopathological study showed typical giant cell epithelioid granulomas with caseous necrosis. Direct examination after Ziehl–Neelsen staining was positive for tuberculosis. After six months of antituberculous triple therapy, endoscopic examination revealed a completely normal nasopharynx.Conclusion:To our best knowledge, this is the first published report of primary nasopharyngeal tuberculosis in a patient previously diagnosed with chronic rhinosinusitis. The difficulties in obtaining a proper diagnosis in such a case are discussed.
Evaluation of voice and quality of life after transoral endoscopic laser resection of early glottic carcinoma
Authors: Bajaj Y , Uppal S , Sharma R K , Grace A R H , Howard D M , Nicolaides A R , Coatesworth A P 
Published: April 2011

AbstractObjective:This study aimed to evaluate voice and quality of life after transoral laser resection of early glottic carcinoma.Methods:We studied 19 patients undergoing transoral laser resection of tumour stage (T) one or T2 glottic carcinoma. Laryngeal function was evaluated by video-stroboscopy, vocal function by the Voice Symptom Scale, the grade-roughness-breathiness-asthenia-strain scale and objective phoniatric assessment, and quality of life by the University of Washington Quality of Life questionnaire.Results:Patients’ glottic carcinoma tumour-node-metastasis (TNM) staging was T1 N0 M0 in 14 patients and T2 N0 M0 in five. Overall voice grade, roughness and breathiness were mild to moderate in 84 per cent; asthenia and voice strain were more uniformly distributed, with 15 per cent of patients having normal voice quality. Eight patients developed a glottic web post-operatively; anterior commissure web was significantly associated with worse voice grade (p = 0.05). Seven patients (47 per cent) had a ‘mucosal wave’ on the operated vocal fold; this was significantly associated with less strain on phonation (p = 0.05). Voice Symptom Scale score was low overall (15 patients (78.9 per cent) scored less than 30). The fundamental frequency and frequency irregularity were normal in nine patients (47.3 per cent); the closed quotient was normal in six (31.5 per cent). The averaged quality of life score was ≥90 in 14 patients (73.7 per cent); 18 (94.7 per cent) felt their health-related quality of life was either the same or better post-operatively; and overall quality of life was positive in all.Conclusion:Transoral laser resection of T1 and T2 glottic carcinoma enables adequate tumour tissue excision with preservation of acceptable vocal function. Most patients’ post-operative quality of life is very good. Anterior commissure web formation is associated with poorer vocal function.
The association between the food environment and weight status among eastern North Carolina youth
Authors: Jilcott Stephanie B , Wade Scott , McGuirt Jared T , Wu Qiang , Lazorick Suzanne , Moore Justin B 
Published: April 2011

AbstractObjectiveTo examine associations between various measures of the food environment and BMI percentile among youth.DesignCross-sectional, observational.SettingPitt County, eastern North Carolina.SubjectsWe extracted the electronic medical records for youth receiving well child check-ups from January 2007 to June 2008. We obtained addresses for food venues from two secondary sources and ground-truthing. A geographic information systems database was constructed by geocoding home addresses of 744 youth and food venues. We quantified participants’ accessibility to food venues by calculating ‘coverage’, number of food venues in buffers of 0·25, 0·5, 1 and 5 miles (0·4, 0·8, 1·6 and 8·0 km) and by calculating ‘proximity’ or distance to the closest food venue. We examined associations between BMI percentile and food venue accessibility using correlation and regression analyses.ResultsThere were negative associations between BMI percentile and coverage of farmers’ markets/produce markets in 0·25 and 0·5 mile Euclidean and 0·25, 0·5 and 1 mile road network buffers. There were positive associations between BMI percentile and coverage of fast-food and pizza places in the 0·25 mile Euclidean and network buffers. In multivariate analyses adjusted for race, insurance status and rural/urban residence, proximity (network distance) to convenience stores was negatively associated with BMI percentile and proximity to farmers’ markets was positively associated with BMI percentile.ConclusionsAccessibility to various types of food venues is associated with BMI percentile in eastern North Carolina youth. Future longitudinal work should examine correlations between accessibility to and use of traditional and non-traditional food venues.
Labor market aspects of state and local retirement plans: a review of evidence and a blueprint for future research
Authors: FRIEDBERG LEORA 
Published: April 2011

AbstractTraditional defined benefit (DB) pension plans remain the overwhelming norm for teachers, policemen and other employees of state and local governments. The incentives for workers with DB pension plans to stay in their jobs shift dramatically over the course of their careers. Moreover, limited transferability of pension wealth across states and between public and private jobs impedes mobility in the labor market. Yet, little is known about the labor market effects of pensions on state and local government workers. The literature on private-employer pensions has made contributions on some of these fronts in recent years that can shed light on policy concerns raised by the possibility that pension plans will be modified in coming years. Moreover, some of the limitations constraining research on pensions may be overcome by focusing on government workers, with recent work on public school teachers pointing the way. Very recent studies are finding strong retirement responses to age- and tenure-related incentives built into state pension plans.
Should public retirement plans be fully funded?
Authors: BOHN HENNING 
Published: April 2011

AbstractMost state and local retirement plans strive for full funding, at least by actuarial standards. Funding measured at market values fluctuates and often falls short. In a model where most taxpayers hold debt and face intermediation costs, returns on pension assets are less than taxpayers’ costs of borrowing. Hence, zero pension funding is optimal. Also, unfunded pension promises are properly discounted at a rate strictly greater than the government's borrowing rate. Funding can still be in taxpayers’ interests if legal enforcement problems make unfunded pensions risky for employees, but except in special cases, the optimal funding ratio is less than 100%.‘Neither a borrower nor a lender be’ (Shakespeare)
The economics of state and local pensions
Authors: BROWN JEFFREY R. , CLARK ROBERT , RAUH JOSHUA 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThis paper provides an overview of an economics-based perspective on the financial aspects of state and local public pensions in the U.S. Drawing on the research commissioned for an NBER research program on this topic, we discuss the large degree to which public pension liabilities exceed the assets set aside to fund them. We summarize issues related to the optimality of pre-funding, portfolio allocation, the discounting of liabilities, as well as how plans operate in practice. We also lay out an agenda for future research related to financial aspects of public pensions, retiree health plans for public employees, as well as issues related to plan design and labor market outcomes.
Impact of Climate Change on Northeast Monsoon System of India - Role of Siberian Teleconnection
Authors: Jha Somnath , Sehgal Vinay Kumar , Raghava Ramesh 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThe Northeast monsoon (NEM) precipitation has undergone a significant change in pattern over the last half century. The changing pattern of climatic variables over the moisture source (i.e. west Pacific High) and the heat sink (Siberian High) of the winter monsoon dynamics over time has caused a shift in the pattern of NEM precipitation over the southern peninsular region of India. There is no significant trend in NEM precipitation in the Indian region whereas the surface temperature has a significantly increasing trend over India during the NEM season. There is no significant trend in outgoing long wave radiation (OLR) of Siberian High (SH) while the west Pacific High (WPH) has a significantly increasing trend in OLR. Surface pressure of both the SH & WPH has no significant trend for the last 59 years (1948-2006). Surface temperature over SH & WPH has a significantly increasing trend for the last 59 years (1948-2006).There is a high correlation of NEM precipitation with El Nino & Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Indian Ocean Dipole(IOD) and OLR of WPH during the period 1970-2000. It signifies that convectional activity in the moisture source region of the NEM, warm SST in the western Indian Ocean and the ENSO have a deep bearing on the NEM precipitation during the three decades 1970-2000. The correlation of NEM precipitation with ENSO, IOD during the last period 2000-2006 has undergone changes where the NEM precipitation has shown a shift that is negatively correlated with ENSO & IOD. The change is much more in IOD than ENSO which signifies that the conventional trend of bearing of warm or cold SST of West Indian ocean on NEM precipitation has decreased during this period of 2000-2006. The correlation of NEM precipitation with the convectional activity of the moisture sink region of the NEM has been gradually decreasing since the 1970s and the moisture source of NEM has a significantly decreasing convectional activity trend. The correlation of NEM precipitation with all three variables (OLR, surface pressure & surface temperature) has shown a comparatively higher value for the heat sink regions (Siberian High) than for the moisture source region (West Pacific High) during the period 2000-2006. Thus the NEM precipitation over India has faced a deep bearing by the role of Siberian High interference.
The Validity of Composite Photographs for Assessing Masculinity Preferences
Authors: Scott Isabel M , Penton-Voak Ian S 
Published: April 2011

Among non-human animals, exaggerated male traits may signal immunocompetence and are often attractive to females. This finding has not been reliably replicated in human populations, however, where preferences for feminised male faces are often observed in experiments. Some authors have suggested that certain experimental approaches, and in particular the use of ‘composite’, or averaged, photographs, may lack ecological validity and elicit misleading responses. This may account for reports of preferences for femininity. To date, however, experiments have varied on numerous, often confounded, methodological dimensions, making the contribution of different factors difficult to assess. To address this, we conducted an experiment to examine the influence of stimulus type on participant responses. Masculinity preferences were measured using both composite photographs and the photographs from which they were composed, while all other methodological variables were held constant. In contrast to predictions by previous authors, composites elicited significantly stronger overall preferences for masculinity, especially when textural information was reduced during the averaging process. The existence of preferences for feminised male faces is unlikely to be explained by the use of composite photographs alone.
MEME-ChIP: motif analysis of large DNA datasets
Authors: Machanick Philip , Bailey Timothy L. 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
Motivation: Advances in high-throughput sequencing have resulted in rapid growth in large, high-quality datasets including those arising from transcription factor (TF) ChIP-seq experiments. While there are many existing tools for discovering TF binding site motifs in such datasets, most web-based tools cannot directly process such large datasets.
Results: The MEME-ChIP web service is designed to analyze ChIP-seq ‘peak regions’—short genomic regions surrounding declared ChIP-seq ‘peaks’. Given a set of genomic regions, it performs (i) ab initio motif discovery, (ii) motif enrichment analysis, (iii) motif visualization, (iv) binding affinity analysis and (v) motif identification. It runs two complementary motif discovery algorithms on the input data—MEME and DREME—and uses the motifs they discover in subsequent visualization, binding affinity and identification steps. MEME-ChIP also performs motif enrichment analysis using the AME algorithm, which can detect very low levels of enrichment of binding sites for TFs with known DNA-binding motifs. Importantly, unlike with the MEME web service, there is no restriction on the size or number of uploaded sequences, allowing very large ChIP-seq datasets to be analyzed. The analyses performed by MEME-ChIP provide the user with a varied view of the binding and regulatory activity of the ChIP-ed TF, as well as the possible involvement of other DNA-binding TFs.
Availability: MEME-ChIP is available as part of the MEME Suite at http://meme.nbcr.net.
Contact: t.bailey@uq.edu.au
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Searching for Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) spawning sites in the northwest Gulf of St Lawrence (Canada) using molecular techniques
Authors: Bui Alice O. V. , Castonguay Martin , Ouellet Patrick , Sévigny Jean-Marie 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
Bui, A. O. V., Castonguay, M., Ouellet, P., and Sévigny, J-M. 2011. Searching for Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) spawning sites in the northwest Gulf of St Lawrence (Canada) using molecular techniques. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 68: 911–918. The overexploitation of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) in the Northwest Atlantic led to the collapse of most stocks and the demise of spawning components in the early 1990s. In the northern Gulf of St Lawrence, the spawning component of Northwest Atlantic Fishery Organization Division 4S was believed no longer to exist after the collapse. To verify this hypothesis, we used molecular techniques to identify cod, haddock, and witch flounder (CHW) eggs precisely, in an attempt to locate the potential remaining spawning sites for cod in the northwest Gulf. Ichthyoplankton surveys were conducted in spring from 2005 to 2008. Results were compared with those of surveys that took place in spring in the same area 20 years earlier to determine if there had been any changes in spawning location and egg abundance. Atlantic cod made up the majority (97%) of CHW eggs identified. The presence of stage I cod eggs proved that there is still a cod spawning component in the northwest Gulf of St Lawrence, but egg abundance has declined by about an order of magnitude compared with the 1980s. There was no obvious difference in the location of cod spawning grounds between the two decades.