bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Safety and short‐term effectiveness of EEA stapler vs PPH stapler in the treatment of degree III haemorrhoids: prospective randomized controlled trial
Authors: Giuratrabocchetta S. , Pecorella G. , Stazi A. , Tegon G. , De Fazio M. , Altomare D. F. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAim  Stapled haemorrhoidopexy has gained wide acceptance due to less postoperative pain although postoperative bleeding and prolapse recurrence are among the major drawbacks of this technique compared with the standard Milligan–Morgan hemorrhoidectomy. The aim was to investigate a new stapler device designed to overcome these side effects.Method  In all, 135 patients (71 men, mean age 42 years) with degree III haemorrhoids were randomly allotted to stapled haemorrhoidopexy with PPH® staplers (Ethicon EndoSurgery) (63 patients) or with an EEA® stapler (Covidien) (72 patients) in four referral colorectal centres. The number of haemostatic overstitches apposed on the stapled suture, the area of the resected mucosa (in square centimetres) and any postoperative bleeding within 30 days were recorded.Results  The mean area of the resected mucosa was significantly wider in EEA than PPH patients (35.75± 17.51 vs 28.05 ± 10.23 cm2, P = 0.002). The median number of haemostatic stitches apposed in the EEA group was significantly lower than in the PPH groups (median value 1, vs 3, interquartile range 0–2, vs 2–5, P < 0.0001). Intraoperative haemostasis was better in the EEA group compared with the PPH01 and PPH03 groups. Postoperative bleeding occurred only in two PPH patients.Conclusion  Data suggest that the EEA stapler has better haemostatic properties than the PPH stapler and allows resection of a larger area of mucosal prolapse with potential benefits over the recurrence rate of haemorrhoid prolapse.
Repeat 2‐week wait referrals for colorectal cancer
Authors: Vaughan‐Shaw P. G. , Cutting J. E. , Borley N. R. , Wheeler J. M. D. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAim  The inappropriate use of the ‘2‐week wait’ pathway for suspected colorectal cancer (CRC2ww) may overload urgent clinics and delay the assessment and investigation of other patients. Those who have been previously referred and investigated for suspected colorectal cancer may present one group that does not warrant repeat urgent referral. This paper aims to identify the incidence and diagnostic yield of repeat CRC2ww referrals.Method  All CRC2ww patients referred to our unit over a 4‐year period were identified retrospectively. Referral indication, outcome and instances of repeat referral were identified from multidisciplinary team, endoscopy and imaging databases.Results  In all, 2735 CRC2ww referrals were made over the study period. Of these, 122 were repeated CRC2ww referrals, with the incidence increasing from 2% in 2008 to 6% in 2010 (P = 0.0006). The median time to repeat referral was 1070 days. After initial referral 267 cancers were detected, including 212 colorectal cancers. The diagnostic yield was lower but not significantly so after repeated referral (six cancers) compared with initial referral (5%vs 10%, P = 0.07).Conclusion  The incidence of repeat referral is low but the diagnostic yield is not insignificant. Exclusion of these patients from urgent assessment and investigation will not significantly reduce workload and may risk missing some patients with cancer.
Single‐incision right hemicolectomy for malignancy: a feasible technique with standard laparoscopic instrumentation
Authors: Mufty H. , Hillewaere S. , Appeltans B. , Houben B. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAim  Single‐incision laparoscopy is a rapidly evolving technique in the spectrum ‘standard laparoscopy‐natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES)’. From a commercial perspective, purchase of articulating instruments is advised. However, here we present our early experience with single‐incision laparoscopy for right hemicolectomy with standard laparoscopic instrumentation.Method  Between June 2010 and December 2011, 25 patients presenting with malignant disease underwent single‐incision laparoscopy for right hemicolectomy. Four different ports (SILS™ port, Covidien; SSL® Access system, Ethicon; X‐Cone/S‐Portal®, Storz; and OCTO™ port, AFS Medical) were used. Patients were recruited prospectively and all data were processed retrospectively.Results  Twenty‐five patients were included in our study (and their characteristics, described later in this paragraph, are expressed as median (range)). Four conversions to standard laparoscopy were performed. The age of patients was 69 (36–89) years, and they had a body mass index (BMI) of 24.5 (19.1–34.2). The duration of surgery was 110 (70–148) min with a healed skin incision length of 35 (20–60) mm. Hospital stay was 5 (2–15) days. In four patients discharge was delayed because of comorbidity. One patient suffered an overwhelming pneumonia.Conclusion  Single‐incision laparoscopy using standard laparoscopic instruments appears to be a safe and feasible technique for malignant disease requiring right hemicolectomy. Randomized, prospective trials are ongoing to prove the benefits of this technique and to compare its oncological outcome measures with those of conventional laparoscopy. In our experience, a low‐profile port with a wide intra‐abdominal range of motion is most preferable.
Gene‐by‐preschool interaction on the development of early externalizing problems
Authors: Tucker‐Drob Elliot M. , Harden K. Paige 
Published: July 2012

Background:  Preschool involves an array of new social experiences that may impact the development of early externalizing behavior problems over the transition to grade school.Methods:  Using longitudinal data from a nationally representative sample of over 600 pairs of US twins, we tested whether the genetic and environmental influences on externalizing problems differed between children who did versus did not attend preschool.Results:  At age 4, the genetic and environmental etiology of externalizing did not differ by preschool attendance. In contrast, by age 5 years (kindergarten age), the genetic and environmental etiology of externalizing significantly differed by preschool attendance. Among children who did not attend preschool, externalizing at age 5 was predominantly due to environmental influences (52% shared environment, 34% non‐shared environment) rather than genetic differences (13%), whereas among children who had attended preschool, externalizing at age 5 was primarily due to genes (67%), and shared environmental influences were negligible (0%). These interactions represented the differential longitudinal persistence of genes and environments that contributed to externalizing at age 4. Sensitivity analyses ruled out confounding due to early mental ability, socioeconomic status, minority status, child age, and prior history of childcare.Conclusions:  These results indicate that preschool enrollment is associated with increased genetic and decreased shared environmental influences on the development of early externalizing behavior problems.
Novel Mouth‐Exercising Device for Oral Submucous Fibrosis
Authors: Patil Pravinkumar G. , Patil Smita P. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractOral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a chronic inflammatory disease resulting in progressive juxtaepithelial fibrosis of the oral soft tissues and can cause increasing difficulty in mastication, swallowing, speaking, and mouth opening. The treatment of severe trismus requires a combination of surgical release and physiotherapy. Often physiotherapy alone can modify tissue remodeling in OSMF to increase oral opening. This article describes the fabrication and use of a new mouth‐exercising device that helps the patient to squeeze/stretch the cheek mucosa to increase elasticity. The device can be used as a sole treatment modality or can be used in association with pharmacological and surgical treatment modalities for OSMF. Improvement in mouth opening was observed in four OSMF patients treated with a mouth‐exercising device for 6 months as a sole treatment modality.
Amelogenin splice isoforms stimulate chondrogenic differentiation of ATDC5 cells
Authors: Mitani K , Haruyama N , Hatakeyama J , Igarashi K 
Published: July 2012

ObjectiveAmelogenins are the most abundant matrix proteins in enamel. Among the amelogenin isoforms, full‐length amelogenin (M180) and leucine‐rich amelogenin peptide (LRAP) are expressed in various tissues and are implicated as signalling molecules in mesenchymal cells. Here, we examined the effects of M180 and LRAP on a chondrogenic cell line, ATDC5, to investigate the role of amelogenins in chondrogenesis.Materials and MethodsRecombinant mouse M180‐ or LRAP‐protein‐containing medium or control medium was mixed with a chondrogenesis‐stimulating medium, and changes in the phenotype, gene expression levels and cell proliferation of cultured ATDC5 cells were analysed.ResultsThe addition of amelogenins increased alkaline phosphatase activity and glycosaminoglycan secretion at 14 and 21 days of culture, respectively, as compared with the control. Quantitative PCR (Q‐PCR) analysis revealed that LRAP increased the gene expression levels of Runx2, Col2a1 and Aggrecan at 7 days of differentiation. Moreover, both M180 and LRAP significantly increased the gene expression levels of ALP, Aggrecan, Col10a1 and osteopontin at 28 days of culture. Bromodeoxyuridine assay and Q‐PCR analysis for Wnt signalling indicated that both M180 and LRAP reduced proliferation, but induced the cell differentiation possibly through altered non‐canonical Wnt signalling.ConclusionM180 and LRAP accelerate chondrogenic differentiation and maturation of ATDC5 cells.
Salivary high‐sensitivity cardiac troponin T levels in patients with acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Mirzaii‐Dizgah I , Riahi E 
Published: July 2012

ObjectiveAccurate and rapid diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (MI) is of major medical and economic importance. The objective of this study was to identify whole saliva high‐sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs‐cTnT) in patients with acute MI.Subjects and MethodsA case–control study was carried out in 30 normal healthy individuals, and 30 patients with acute MI were hospitalized in CCU of Imam Hossein hospital, Tehran, Iran. The hs‐cTnT levels were assayed in serum and whole saliva in the first and second morning following the MI by ELISA method. Statistical analysis of the Student's t‐test and Pearson correlation coefficient was performed.ResultsThe mean stimulated and unstimulated saliva and serum levels of hs‐cTnT at both the first and the second morning following the acute MI were significantly higher in patients with acute MI compared with healthy individuals. Furthermore, stimulated and unstimulated saliva hs‐TnT levels correlated significantly with serum hs‐TnT level (r = 0.415, P < 0.023; r = 0.466, P < 0.021, respectively).ConclusionResults suggest that salivary hs‐cTnT can be used as an alternative to serum hs‐cTnT for diagnosis and monitoring of myocardial infarction.
Parents' perspectives on centralized cleft services for children: the development of a DCE questionnaire
Authors: Ke KM , Mackichan F , Sandy JR , Ness AR , Hollingworth W 
Published: July 2012

ObjectiveIncorporating user's perspectives in healthcare delivery is important. Simple questionnaires may not capture these as well as a discrete choice experiment (DCE) which enables the exploration of users' trade‐offs between different service attributes. Qualitative methods are increasingly used to improve a DCE's face validity, but few studies adequately describe them. This paper describes the qualitative investigations in the development of a DCE questionnaire to elicit parents' perspectives on centralized services for children with cleft lip and palate.MethodsSemi‐structured telephone interviews were conducted with 16 parents from across the UK, except Wales. Data analysis was carried out by the constant comparative method.ResultsFive attributes and their levels were inductively identified: usefulness and amount of information (four levels); staff attitude at cleft centres (two levels); continuity of care (two levels); personal costs of attending appointments (four levels); and cleft centres facilities (two levels). An unexpected finding was that parents' sense of responsibility towards their child made a ‘willingness‐to‐travel’ attribute unacceptable to them, but they were receptive to a ‘willingness‐to‐pay’ attribute.ConclusionUsing qualitative methods with service users in attribute development for a DCE helps to uncover issues that may not be apparent to researchers or health service staff.
Anti‐inflammatory effect of pachymic acid promotes odontoblastic differentiation via HO‐1 in dental pulp cells
Authors: Lee Y‐H , Lee N‐H , Bhattarai G , Kim G‐E , Lee I‐K , Yun B‐S , Hwang P‐H , Yi H‐K 
Published: July 2012

ObjectivesHeme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) is contributed to odontoblast differentiation in human dental pulp cells (HDPCs). In this study, pachymic acid from mushroom Formitopsis niagra is examined to determine whether it affects pulpal inflammation and promotes odontogenesis via HO‐1 gene expression.Materials and MethodsThe HDPCs were given H2O2 for inflammation. The anti‐inflammatory character and odontoblast differentiation by pachymic acid were analyzed by Western blotting, alkaline phosphatase activity, and alizarin red S staining. To understand the mechanism of pachymic acid via HO‐1 induction, the cells were treated with zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP: HO‐1 inhibitor).ResultsH2O2 induced pulp inflammation and disturbed odontoblast differentiation. However, the HDPCs treated with pachymic acid affected anti‐inflammatory effect and induction of odontoblast differentiation through increasing HO‐1 expression. In addition, pachymic acid has potent cytoprotection and mineralization under H2O2 treatment. Furthermore, pachymic acid significantly suppressed nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB) translocation into nucleus and induced NE‐E2‐related factor‐2 (Nrf2) translocation into nucleus. Overall, NF‐κB and Nrf2 translocation were regulated by the HO‐1 pathway.ConclusionsThe pachymic acid showed anti‐inflammatory function and odontoblast differentiation via HO‐1 pathway. These results suggested that pachymic acid may be applicable for prevention of oral inflammation or to improve dentin mineralization against several stresses.
Lactate dehydrogenase in hypothermia‐treated newborn infants with hypoxic‐ischaemic encephalopathy
Authors: Thoresen Marianne , Liu Xun , Jary Sally , Brown Emma , Sabir Hemmen , Stone Janet , Cowan Frances , Karlsson Mathias 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAims:  We investigated whether plasma lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) predicts outcome in hypothermia (HT)‐treated term infants with moderate/severe hypoxic‐ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) and additionally whether LDH differs between infants with evidence for acute and nonacute perinatal insults and postnatal collapse (PNC).Methods:  Data from HT‐treated infants with HIE (n = 39) were analysed retrospectively. Adverse outcome was defined as a Mental and/or Psychomotor Developmental Index (Bayley Scales of Infant Development II), at 18 months <70. The likely timing of insult onset was assessed in infants with an LDH sample obtained within 6 h of birth or PNC (n = 20).Results:  LDH differed between the favourable/adverse outcome groups at the end of HT treatment (median (IQR) 1540 (1400–1950)U/L vs. 3555 (3003–8705)U/L, (p < 0.01)). All infants (n = 22) with LDH <2085U/L had a favourable outcome while 6 of 11 infants with LDH ≥ 2085U/L had an adverse outcome. LDH in those who died (n = 4) was higher than the favourable outcome group (5090 (2915–12222)U/L, (p < 0.01)) but sampled earlier. Early LDH differed significantly (p < 0.01) between infants with evidence for acute or nonacute insults or PNC.Conclusion:  These results offer a biomarker, with high negative predictive value in the assessment of outcome in HT‐treated term infants, needing prospective validation.
Long‐term clinical consequences of urinary tract infections during childhood: a review
Authors: Toffolo Antonella , Ammenti Anita , Montini Giovanni 
Published: July 2012

AbstractKidney scarring related to urinary tract infection in childhood has been considered the cause of serious long‐term clinical consequences. This assumption is now debated, as the advent of routine antenatal ultrasound in the 1980s has shown that a consistent part of the changes previously attributed to postinfectious scarring is mainly due to congenital malformations. With the aim of determining what is presently known on the long‐term clinical consequences of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in childhood, we performed a review of the literature on the relation between UTIs and blood pressure, renal function, growth and pregnancy‐related complications. By searching Medline/PubMed and Embase from 1980 to 2011, we identified 20 cohorts of children from 23 papers.Conclusions:  Renal function: there are no clear data to establish long‐term consequences following UTIs during childhood. Most data seem to show that the outcome of renal function can already be delineated at first presentation or in the initial years of follow‐up; only 0.4% of children with normal renal function at start presented a decrease during follow‐up. Hypertension: there is a low risk, associated with renal damage. Growth and pregnancy‐related complications: the few available data seem to exclude a major influence of UTIs.
Heavily obscured quasar host galaxies at z ∼ 2 are discs, not major mergers
Authors: Schawinski Kevin , Simmons Brooke D. , Urry C. Megan , Treister Ezequiel , Glikman Eilat 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
We explore the nature of heavily obscured quasar host galaxies at z ∼ 2 using deep Hubble Space Telescope Wide Field Camera 3/infrared imaging of 28 dust-obscured galaxies (DOGs) to investigate the role of major mergers in driving black hole growth. The high levels of obscuration of the quasars selected for this study act as a natural coronagraph, blocking the quasar light and allowing a clear view of the underlying host galaxy. The sample of heavily obscured quasars represents a significant fraction of the cosmic mass accretion on supermassive black holes as the quasars have inferred bolometric luminosities around the break of the quasar luminosity function. We find that only a small fraction (4 per cent, at most 11–25 per cent) of the quasar host galaxies are major mergers. Fits to their surface brightness profiles indicate that 90 per cent of the host galaxies are either disc dominated, or have a significant disc. This disc-like host morphology, and the corresponding weakness of bulges, is evidence against major mergers and suggests that secular processes are the predominant driver of massive black hole growth. Finally, we suggest that the coincidence of mergers and active galactic nucleus activity is luminosity dependent, with only the most luminous quasars being triggered mostly by major mergers.
Photodynamic Inactivation of Planktonic Cultures and Biofilms of Candida albicans Mediated by Aluminum‐Chloride‐Phthalocyanine Entrapped in Nanoemulsions
Authors: Ribeiro Ana Paula Dias , Andrade Mariana Carvalho , de Fátima da Silva Julhiany , Jorge Janaina Habib , Primo Fernando Lucas , Tedesco Antonio Cláudio , Pavarina Ana Cláudia 
Published: July 2012

AbstractNew drug delivery systems, such as nanoemulsions (NE), have been developed to allow the use of hydrophobic drugs on the antimicrobial photodynamic therapy. This study evaluated the photodynamic potential of aluminum‐chloride‐phthalocyanine (ClAlPc) entrapped in cationic and anionic NE to inactivate Candida albicans planktonic cultures and biofilm compared with free ClAlPc. Fungal suspensions were treated with different delivery systems containing ClAlPc and light emitting diode. For planktonic suspensions, colonies were counted and cell metabolism was evaluated by XTT assay. Flow cytometry evaluated cell membrane damage. For biofilms, the metabolic activity was evaluated by XTT and ClAlPc distribution through biofilms was analyzed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Fungal viability was dependent on the delivery system, superficial charge and light dose. Free ClAlPc caused photokilling of the yeast when combined with 100 J cm−2. Cationic NE‐ClAlPc reduced significantly both colony counts and cell metabolism (P < 0.05). In addition, cationic NE‐ClAlPc and free ClAlPc caused significant damage to the cell membrane (P < 0.05). For the biofilms, cationic NE‐ClAlPc reduced cell metabolism by 70%. Anionic NE‐ClAlPc did not present antifungal activity. CLSM showed different accumulation on biofilms between the delivery systems. Although NE system showed a lower activity for planktonic culture, cationic NE‐ClAlPc showed better results for Candida biofilms.
Greenhouse gas balance due to the conversion of sugarcane areas from burned to green harvest, considering other conservationist management practices
Authors: de Oliveira Bordonal Ricardo , de Figueiredo Eduardo Barretto , La Scala Newton 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThere is a growing need for all productive sectors to develop greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation techniques to reduce the enhanced greenhouse effect. However, the challenge to the agricultural sector is reducing net emissions while increasing production to meet growing demands for food, fiber, and biofuel. This study focuses on the changes in the GHG balance when sugarcane areas are converted from burned harvest (BH) to green harvest (GH, mechanized harvest), including the changes caused by the adoption of conservationist practices such as reduced tillage and a 4‐month crop rotation with Crotalaria juncea L. during sugarcane replanting. Based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) (2006) methodologies, the annual emission balance includes both agricultural and mobile sources of GHG, according to the mean annual consumption of supplies per hectare. The potential soil carbon accumulation was also considered in the GH plot. The total amounts of GHG were 2651.9 and 2316.4 kg CO2eq ha−1 yr−1 for BH and GH, respectively. Factoring in a mean annual soil carbon accumulation rate of 888.1 kg CO2 ha−1 yr−1 due to the input from long‐term crop residues associated with the conversion from BH to GH, the emission balance in GH decreased to 1428.3 kg CO2eq ha−1 yr−1. A second decrease occurs when a reduced tillage strategy is adopted instead of conventional tillage during the replanting season in the GH plot, which helps reduce the total emission balance to 1180.3 kg CO2eq ha−1 yr−1. Moreover, the conversion of sugarcane from BH to GH, with the adoption of a crop rotation with Crotalaria juncea L. as well as reduced tillage during sugarcane replanting, would result in a smaller GHG balance of 1064.6 kg CO2eq ha−1 yr−1, providing an effect strategy for GHG mitigation while still providing cleaner sugar and ethanol production in southern Brazil.