bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the esophagogastric junction using high resolution manometry and esophageal pressure topography
Authors: Kahrilas P. J. , Peters J. H. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackground  The assessment of the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) is the most challenging aspect of clinical esophageal manometry. Although conventional manometric systems can be optimized toward interrogating specific aspects of the EGJ, they are too limited in recording channels and/or fidelity for a comprehensive assessment. The technological advantages inherent in high resolution manometry (HRM) with esophageal pressure topography (EPT) analysis substantially change this equation providing a technology sufficiently robust to dynamically record the contractile activity within the EGJ with both good fidelity and good spatial resolution.Purpose  This review is an update on our understanding of the application of HRM and EPT to the analysis of EGJ function. With respect to sphincter relaxation, the integrated relaxation pressure (IRP) has proven to be a robust metric in differentiating intact from impaired EGJ relaxation. In the process, it revealed that impaired EGJ relaxation could occur not only in the setting of achalasia but also with other causes of EGJ outflow obstruction including hiatus hernia. The morphological description of the EGJ by EPT has also revealed not only a spectrum of abnormality ranging from an intact sphincter to overt herniation, but also the surprise finding of spontaneous conversion among sphincter configurations, emphasizing its dynamic nature. With respect to barrier function, preliminary data have refocused on the crural diaphragm as a key‐differentiating feature between preserved and compromised function. Finally, although the accomplishments summarized above are substantial, much work remains to fully exploit the potential of EPT in the clinical characterization of the EGJ.
Mitochondrial electron transport chain deficiency, cardiomyopathy, and long‐term cardiac transplant outcome
Authors: Golden Alana S. , Law Yuk M. , Shurtleff Hillary , Warner Molly , Saneto Russell P. 
Published: January 2012

Golden AS, Law YM, Shurtleff H, Warner M, Saneto RP. Mitochondrial electron transport chain deficiency, cardiomyopathy, and long‐term cardiac transplant outcome.Abstract:  Organ transplantation in multisystemic mitochondrial cytopathies is usually not performed because of perceived untoward complications. We report three patients with demonstrated oxidative phosphorylation defects and dilated cardiomyopathy who underwent cardiac transplant. All three patients tolerated immunosuppression medications and have had an excellent long‐term outcome. Our results suggest that with proper patient selection in this population, cardiac transplantation is feasible and can have good outcomes.
The role of surgery in the treatment of colorectal metastases from primary skin melanoma
Authors: Szynglarewicz B. , Ekiert M. , Forgacz J. , Halon A. , Skalik R. , Matkowski R. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractAim  The study assessed the role of colorectal surgery in the treatment of metastatic melanoma and identified patients who can most benefit from surgical resection.Method  A retrospective analysis was made of 34 consecutive patients with skin melanoma who underwent surgical resection of large bowel metastasis.Results  The median disease‐free interval between diagnosis of the primary and metastatic melanoma was 24 (7–98) months. Nine (27%) patients underwent emergency surgery for obstruction and 25 (73%) had an elective procedure. Resection with curative intent was performed in 14 (41%) and palliative resection in 20 (59%) patients. There was no postoperative mortality and morbidity occurred in 9%. The median survival following surgery was 11.5 (4–68) months. The 1‐, 2‐ and 5‐year survival rates were 50%, 32% and 17% respectively. Median survival was significantly increased in patients without extra‐abdominal metastases, with no evidence of non‐large‐bowel metastases, if the disease‐free interval was longer than 24 months and when curative resection was performed. In multivariate analysis, an apparently complete or palliative resection and the absence or presence of extra‐abdominal metastases were the most important prognostic factors.Conclusion  An aggressive surgical approach to large bowel metastatic melanoma results in good palliation and effective relief of symptoms with acceptable morbidity and mortality.
Preoperative MRI sphincter morphology and anal manometry: can they be markers of functional outcome following anterior resection for rectal cancer?
Authors: How P. , Evans J. , Moran B. , Swift I. , Brown G. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractAim  Good functional outcome following anterior resection (AR) for rectal cancer is an important clinical goal, but its prediction has proven difficult. Assessments such as anal manometry have been advocated as a potential tool but functional anatomy as depicted on MRI has not been investigated. This study looked at whether sphincter complex measurements recorded from preoperative staging MRIs and preoperative anal manometry have any correlation with functional outcome.Method  Consecutive patients with rectal adenocarcinoma underwent preoperative manometric assessment and MRI staging. MRIs were assessed with regard to anorectal angle, puborectalis thickness, canal length and external and internal anal sphincter thickness. Functional outcome was categorized into three groups according to the number of adverse postoperative symptoms (frequency, urgency, leakage, diarrhoea, use of pads, use of antidiarrhoeal medication): 0, 1 and ≥2. This was evaluated 1 year following surgery and 6 months following stoma reversal where applicable. Univariate analysis of an ordinal regression model was performed with significance at the 5% level.Results  Thirty patients were assessed. No single preoperative manometric parameter proved significant (P > 0.05). Only puborectalis thickness showed a significant (P = 0.01) relationship with the number of adverse symptoms suffered postoperatively. On receiver operating characteristics analysis, a cut‐off value of 3.5 mm gave an optimal sensitivity of 0.5 (95% CI, 0.17–0.83) and specificity of 0.86 (95% CI, 0.64–0.96).Conclusions  Measurements of the puborectalis thickness on preoperative staging MRIs for rectal cancer may help predict functional outcome following AR. Prospective assessment of larger numbers with a fully validated continence score are required to evaluate these findings further.
The contribution of mindfulness‐based therapies for children and families and proposed conceptual integration
Authors: Harnett Paul H. , Dawe Sharon 
Published: January 2012

Background:  Mindfulness is the development of a nonjudgmental accepting awareness of moment‐by‐moment experience. Intentionally attending to one’s ongoing stream of sensations, thoughts, and emotions as they arise has a number of benefits, including the ability to react with greater flexibility to events and sustain attention. Thus the teaching of mindfulness‐based skills to children and their carers is a potential means of improving family relationships and helping children achieve more positive developmental outcomes through increased ability to sustain attention and manage emotions. We provide a review of recent studies evaluating mindfulness‐based interventions targeting children, adolescents, and families in educational and clinical settings.Method:  Searches were conducted of several databases (including Medline, PsychINFO and Cochrane Reviews) to identify studies that have evaluated mindfulness‐based interventions targeting children, adolescents or families published since 2009.Results:  Twenty‐four studies were identified. We conclude that mindfulness‐based interventions are an important addition to the repertoire of existing therapeutic techniques. However, large‐scale, methodologically rigorous studies are lacking. The interventions used in treatment evaluations vary in both content and dose, the outcomes targeted have varied, and no studies have employed methodology to investigate mechanisms of change.Conclusions:  There is increasing evidence that mindfulness‐based therapeutic techniques can have a positive impact on a range of outcome variables. A greater understanding of the mechanisms of change is an important future direction of research. We argue that locating mindfulness‐based therapies targeting children and families within the broader child and family field has greater promise in improving child and family functioning than viewing mindful parenting as an independent endeavor.
Inhibition of P‐glycoprotein enhances transport of imipramine across the blood–brain barrier: microdialysis studies in conscious freely moving rats
Authors: O'Brien FE , Clarke G , Fitzgerald P , Dinan TG , Griffin BT , Cryan JF 
Published: January 2012

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSERecent studies indicate that efflux of antidepressants by the multidrug resistance transporter P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp) at the blood–brain barrier (BBB) may contribute to treatment‐resistant depression (TRD) by limiting intracerebral antidepressant concentrations. In addition, clinical experience shows that adjunctive treatment with the P‐gp inhibitor verapamil may improve the clinical outcome in TRD. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of P‐gp inhibition on the transport of the tricyclic antidepressant imipramine and its active metabolite desipramine across the BBB.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHIntracerebral microdialysis in rats was used to monitor brain levels of imipramine and desipramine following i.v. imipramine administration, with or without pretreatment with one of the P‐gp inhibitors verapamil or cyclosporin A (CsA). Plasma drug levels were also determined at regular intervals.KEY RESULTSPretreatment with either verapamil or CsA resulted in significant increases in imipramine concentrations in the microdialysis samples, without altering imipramine plasma pharmacokinetics. Furthermore, pretreatment with verapamil, but not CsA, led to a significant elevation in plasma and brain levels of desipramine.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONSThe present study demonstrated that P‐gp inhibition enhanced the intracerebral concentration of imipramine , thus supporting the hypothesis that P‐gp activity restricts brain levels of certain antidepressants, including imipramine. These findings may help to explain reports of a beneficial response to adjunctive therapy with verapamil in TRD.
Hospitalized Patients’ Acceptability of Nurse‐Delivered Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment
Authors: Broyles Lauren M. , Rosenberger Emily , Hanusa Barbara H. , Kraemer Kevin L. , Gordon Adam J. 
Published: January 2012

Background:  Inpatient healthcare providers in the United States may soon be required to offer alcohol screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) for hospital accreditation, but little is known about inpatient acceptability for SBIRT, particularly when performed by nonphysician providers such as nurses. The purpose of this study was to assess patient acceptability for and comfort with nurse‐delivered SBIRT care among hospitalized patients and to identify factors associated with SBIRT acceptability.Methods:  We conducted a cross‐sectional survey of 370 hospitalized medical–surgical patients at a large university‐affiliated medical center, which is part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.Results:  Patient acceptability for 8 of 10 individual nurse‐delivered SBIRT tasks was >84%. Patients were more accepting of SBIRT tasks if they felt able to determine their alcohol risk, able to reduce alcohol‐related health risks, and expressed some degree of concern about their own use of alcohol. Approximately 20% of patients reported some degree of personal discomfort with alcohol‐related discussions. Patients who were less comfortable with these discussions had lower perceived ability to reduce alcohol‐related health risk, were >60 years old, had a positive AUDIT‐C screening, and were of nonblack race.Conclusions:  Among hospitalized patients, patient acceptability for nurse‐delivered SBIRT is high, and alcohol‐related risk perceptions appear to be important factors associated with acceptability for SBIRT tasks. Providers can proceed with greater confidence in SBIRT‐related discussions with most hospitalized patients but may need particular sensitivity and skill addressing alcohol with patient subgroups such as older patients and those with positive alcohol screenings.
Information Disclosure and Corporate Governance
Authors: HERMALIN BENJAMIN E. , WEISBACH MICHAEL S. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTPublic policy discussions typically favor greater corporate disclosure as a way to reduce firms' agency problems. This argument is incomplete because it overlooks that better disclosure regimes can also aggravate agency problems and related costs, including executive compensation. Consequently, a point can exist beyond which additional disclosure decreases firm value. Holding all else equal, we further show that larger firms will adopt stricter disclosure rules than smaller firms and firms with better disclosure will employ more able management. We show that mandated increases in disclosure could, in part, explain recent increases in both CEO compensation and CEO turnover rates.
When It Pays to Pay Your Investment Banker: New Evidence on the Role of Financial Advisors in M&As
Authors: GOLUBOV ANDREY , PETMEZAS DIMITRIS , TRAVLOS NICKOLAOS G. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTWe provide new evidence on the role of financial advisors in M&As. Contrary to prior studies, top‐tier advisors deliver higher bidder returns than their non‐top‐tier counterparts but in public acquisitions only, where the advisor reputational exposure and required skills set are relatively larger. This translates into a $65.83 million shareholder gain for an average bidder. The improvement comes from top‐tier advisors' ability to identify more synergistic combinations and to get a larger share of synergies to accrue to bidders. Consistent with the premium price–premium quality equilibrium, top‐tier advisors charge premium fees in these transactions.
Reoxidation Effects of Ba‐Excessive Barium Titanate Ceramics for Laminated Positive Temperature Coefficient Thermistors
Authors: Liu Jianqiao , Gong Shuping , Quan Lin , Chen Binbin , Zhou Dongxiang 
Published: January 2012

Using tape casting technique Ba‐excessive BaTiO3 ceramics were prepared, and their reoxidation effects for laminated positive temperature coefficient thermistors are investigated. These ceramics exhibit fine grains of size ~1.15 μm. A resistivity of 727 Ω·cm and a PTCR jump about 3.3 orders of magnitude can be observed when the sample was sintered in reducing atmosphere at 1150°C and successively reoxidized at 850°C for 15 min. The influences of reoxidation on ceramic characteristics are discussed. The correlation of room temperature resistivity against reoxidation temperature showed an anomalous trend. This anomaly can be explained by the enhancement of ferroelectricity led by annihilation of oxygen vacancies. The influences of reoxidation time on ceramic characteristics were found to be limited. The impedance analysis revealed that the resistance of grain boundary is more likely to be influenced during reoxidation compared to that of grain bulk. The low acceptor‐state densities of 2 × 1012–6 × 1012 cm−2 at grain boundaries were also estimated.
Intranasal Fentanyl and High‐concentration Inhaled Nitrous Oxide for Procedural Sedation: A Prospective Observational Pilot Study of Adverse Events and Depth of Sedation
Authors: Seith Robert W. , Theophilos Theane , Babl Franz E. 
Published: January 2012

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2012; 19:31–36 © 2012 by the Society for Academic Emergency MedicineAbstractObjectives: Nitrous oxide (N2O) is an attractive agent for pediatric procedural sedation and analgesia (PSA) with rapid onset and offset of sedation. However, it has limited analgesic efficacy. Intranasal fentanyl (INF) provides nonparenteral analgesia. There are currently no data on the combined use of N2O and INF for PSA in children. The authors set out to prospectively assess the depth of sedation and incidence of adverse events when N2O and INF are used in combination in pediatric patients.Methods: This was a prospective observational pilot study of combined N2O and INF for PSA at a tertiary children’s hospital emergency department (ED). INF was administered at a precalculated dose of 1.5 μg/kg for preascertained weight ranges. N2O concentration, dose, timing of INF, adverse events, and sedation depth were recorded. Sedation depth was recorded using the University of Michigan Sedation Scale (UMSS).Results: A total of 41 patients, aged 1 to 14 years, received INF within 2 hours prior to N2O. N2O was administered at a maximal concentration of 70% in 40 patients, and at 50% in one patient. Most patients (80%) were minimally to moderately sedated (sedation score 1 or 2). Deep sedation (sedation score 3) was recorded in 14.6% of patients (95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.4% to 24.6%). No patients had serious adverse events; vomiting was recorded in 19.5% (95% CI = 7.4% to 31.6%). There were two patients (4.9%) who were deeply sedated and vomited during the procedure.Conclusions: There were no serious adverse events identified in this pilot study of combined N2O and INF. However, there was an increased incidence of vomiting and deeper levels of sedation when compared to published data of single‐agent use of N2O, which could lead to more serious adverse events. Further investigation is needed to establish the analgesic efficacy of combining N2O and INF and to clarify the safety profile before this combination can be recommended for PSA in children.
Computer-assisted cognitive remediation in adolescents with psychosis or at risk for psychosis: a 6-month follow-up
Authors: Urben Sébastien , Pihet Sandrine , Jaugey Laure , Halfon Olivier , Holzer Laurent 
Published: January 2012

Urben S, Pihet S, Jaugey L, Halfon O, Holzer L. Computer-assisted cognitive remediation in adolescents with psychosis or at risk for psychosis: a 6-month follow-up.Objective: To investigate short-term outcomes of a computer-assisted cognitive remediation (CACR) for adolescents with psychotic disorders or at high risk for psychosis.Method: Cognitive abilities and clinical status were assessed at baseline (N = 32) and at 6-month follow-up (N = 22) after enrolment in either a CACR (treatment group) or a computer games (control group) program (8 weeks).Results: With regard to the cognitive abilities, no amelioration was found in the control group while, in the CACR group, significant improvements in inhibition (p = 0.040) and reasoning (p = 0.005) were observed. Furthermore, symptom severity decreased significantly in the control group (p = 0.046) and marginally in the CACR group (p = 0.088). Improvements in cognitive abilities were not associated with symptoms' amelioration. Finally, increase in reasoning abilities was related to the median effective work time in sessions of CACR (R = 0.64, p = 0.024).Conclusion: At follow-up, enhanced cognitive abilities (reasoning and inhibition), which are necessary for executing higher-order goals or adapting behaviour to the ever-changing environment, were reported in adolescents participants of the CACR. Thus, further studies are needed to confirm and extend these interesting results.
Polyphenol Compounds in Artichoke Plant Tissues and Varieties
Authors: Negro Donatella , Montesano Vincenzo , Grieco Sabrina , Crupi Pasquale , Sarli Giulio , De Lisi Antonino , Sonnante Gabriella 
Published: January 2012

Abstract:  Polyphenol compounds, particularly caffeoylquinic acids and flavonoids, were measured in different tissues and developmental stages of  6 artichoke varietal types diffused in the Mediterranean region. Flower heads were subdivided into external, intermediate, internal bracts, and receptacle, while leaves were collected at the vegetative and productive stages. The main polyphenols detected were chlorogenic acid, cynarin, luteolin 7‐O‐rutinoside, and luteolin 7‐O‐glucoside. “Violet de Provence” artichoke proved to retain the highest content of total phenols. Single polyphenols accumulated preferentially in specific parts of capitula. In leaves, most polyphenols were detected in the productive stage of the plant. Altogether, results provide useful indications for the promotion of artichoke as nutraceutical food and for the extraction of health‐promoting substances in particular tissues/stages of the artichoke plant.Practical Application:  We describe the content of phenolic compounds in various artichoke tissues, developmental stages, and varieties. Results indicate that artichoke leaves represent an important source of these health‐promoting compounds, also useful for phytopharmaceutical applications. A wider utilization of specific artichoke types should be strongly encouraged not only as a food for the fresh market, as they are now used, but also for the pharmaceutical industry, since the content of phenolic compounds is abundant both in the heads and in the leaves.
Autolytic Degradation of Skipjack Tuna during Heating As Affected by Initial Quality and Processing Conditions
Authors: Stagg Nicola J. , Amato Penny M. , Giesbrecht Francis , Lanier Tyre C. 
Published: January 2012

Abstract:  Several factors were studied as affecting protein degradation and texture of skipjack tuna muscle following ambient pressure thermal processing (precooking). These included degree of mushy tuna syndrome (MTS) evidenced in the raw meat, raw meat pH, abusive thawing/holding, and precooking temperature/time. Slurries and intact pieces from frozen skipjack tuna, either tempered for 2 h or thawed and held at 25 °C for 22 h (abusive treatment) were heated at temperatures ranging from 40 to 80 °C for up to 2 h, and also at 90 °C for 1 h, with or without prior adjustment of pH to 5 or 7 to favor cathepsin or calpain activity, respectively. Proteolysis of precooked samples was monitored by Lowry assay and SDS–PAGE; cooked texture of intact meat was measured using a Kramer shear press and by sensory profile analysis. Proteolysis maximally occurred in slurries of skipjack tuna muscle that had been abusively stored (22 h at 25 °C) and adjusted to pH 5 prior to heating at 55 °C. Intact pieces of tuna abusively thawed/held for 22 h with subsequent heating at 55 °C also evidenced the most proteolysis and were the least firm in texture. Raw fish that evidenced higher severity of MTS when raw displayed higher levels of proteolysis prior to cooking, which were further increased after cooking at 55 °C.Practical Application:  The kinetic data presented here can be used to optimize processing conditions for skipjack tuna canning to minimize textural degradation and optimize quality.