bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Robotic Colon and Rectal Surgery: A Series of 131 Cases
Authors: Zimmern Andrea , Prasad Leela , deSouza Ashwin , Marecik Slawomir , Park John , Abcarian Herand 
Published: May 2010

AbstractBackgroundLaparoscopic colorectal surgery has become a mainstay in the treatment of benign and malignant colorectal diseases. There are inherent limitations to conventional laparoscopy which can be overcome by the robot. Here we present our experience with 131 cases of robotic and robot‐assisted colon and rectal resections.MethodsThis is a retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database. From August 2005 through June 2009, we performed a total of 131 totally robotic and robot‐assisted colorectal resections. These included 42 right colectomies (RC), 16 anterior resections (AR) for benign disease, 8 AR with rectopexy for prolapse, 7 total proctocolectomies (TPC), 47 low and ultralow anterior resections (LAR) for rectal cancer, and 11 abdominal perineal resections (APR). All LARs were done as a hybrid procedure (laparoscopic splenic flexure mobilization followed by robotic rectal dissection), and all APR specimens were extracted through the perineal incision. All coloanal anastomoses were diverted with a loop ileostomy.ResultsThere were no intraoperative complications in this series. Postoperative complications included 10 patients with ileus or small bowel obstruction (SBO), 2 patients with anastomotic leaks, 1 patient with an abscess, and 3 patients with temporary peripheral neuropathy that resolved spontaneously. Five patients required reoperation and there were a total of 4 conversions (3.7%) across all case types.ConclusionsRobotic colon and rectal resections are safe and feasible options for the treatment of both benign and malignant disease processes. Further studies comparing oncologic and perioperative outcomes of robotic, laparoscopic, and open techniques are needed to determine the utility and efficacy of this technology in the field of colorectal surgery.
The Death of an Indian Rhinoceros
Authors: Felger Erin A. , Zeiger Martha A. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractIn 1834, the London Zoological Society purchased a male Indian Rhinoceros, Rhinoceros unicornis, at the request of the anatomist, Richard Owen. Fifteen years later, the rhinoceros died from traumatic injuries, and the necropsy performed by Owen led to the very first discovery of parathyroid glands. Around this time, Richard Owen and Charles Darwin vehemently disagreed with one another about the theory of natural selection. Their public feud sparked the public’s interest in Darwin and his theory while Owen became less popular despite his many accomplishments in the scientific world. Not until decades after Owen’s death was his contribution to the identification of parathyroid glands discovered. Because his discovery is considered pivotal to the history of endocrine surgery, we sought to investigate the circumstances surrounding the rhinoceros’ death, its dissection, and Owen’s initial discovery.
Risk factors for postoperative pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy: the significance of the ratio of the main pancreatic duct to the pancreas body as a predictor of leakage
Authors: Akamatsu Nobuhisa , Sugawara Yasuhiko , Komagome Masahiko , Shin Nobuhiro , Cho Narihiro , Ishida Takashi , Ozawa Fumiaki , Hashimoto Daijo 
Published: May 2010

AbstractObjectivePostoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is a severe and frequent complication after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). The aim of this study was to identify an independent predictor of POPF and to assess the efficacy of preoperative multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT) images as an indicator for POPF.MethodsA total of 122 patients who underwent PD with an end‐to‐side, duct‐to‐mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy between January 2005 and May 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. The diameter of the main pancreatic duct (MPD), the diameter of the short axis of the pancreas body, and the ratio of the MPD to the pancreas body (MPD index) were digitally measured based on the curved reformatted images of preoperative MDCT.ResultsPostoperative pancreatic fistula occurred in 33 patients (27%). The operative mortality rate was 3.3% (4 patients). All four patients had grade C POPF. Three died because of hemorrhage from a pseudoaneurysm of the gastroduodenal artery stump, and one died because of sepsis due to major leakage from the pancreaticojejunostomy. In a multivariate analysis, the intraoperative blood loss (/100 ml) [odds ratio (OR), 1.1; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.05–1.17] and MPD index (<0.2) (OR 50; 95% CI 6–41) proved to be independent predictors of POPF. In patients with an MPD index of <0.2, the incidence of POPF was 45%, and the mortality rate was 7.5%.ConclusionThe MPD index obtained from preoperative MDCT can be a reliable predictor of POPF after PD.
Muromonab‐CD3 therapy for refractory rejections after liver transplantation: a single‐center experience during two decades in Japan
Authors: Ueda Daisuke , Hori Tomohide , Nguyen Justin H. , Uemoto Shinji 
Published: May 2010

AbstractBackground/purposeRefractory rejections still occur in the liver transplantation (LT) field. The aim of this study was to investigate significant factors for the introduction of therapy with muromonab‐CD3 (MCD3) after LT.MethodsA total of 1415 LT patients were retrospectively evaluated, and 11 of the recipients received MCD3 therapy because of steroid‐resistant rejections. The clinical factors before LT and before MCD3 therapy were investigated.ResultsThe recipients were retrospectively divided into two groups based on responses to MCD3 therapy, including their clinical courses after MCD3 therapy and their outcomes. The MCD3 therapy had positive effects in LT recipients with the following four factors: low score of model for end‐stage liver disease or pediatric end‐stage liver disease; earlier time point of the first incidence of rejection; more frequent steroid pulse therapy (SPT) within 2 weeks after LT; and the expression of CD3 in the peripheral blood before MCD3 introduction.ConclusionOptimal induction of MCD3 triggered recovery from refractory rejections, especially in LT recipients in a stable condition, but not in those in a critical or compromised condition.
Differential foraging in presence of predator and conspecific odors in bank voles: a field enclosure study
Authors: Verplancke Géraldine , Le Boulengé Éric , Diederich Claire 
Published: May 2010

AbstractBank voles detect and discriminate other organisms, e.g., predators versus conspecifics, based on olfactory clues like urine, feces, or scent marks. The present field enclosure experiment was set up to determine whether scented food is sufficient for inducing such differentiated reactions in bank voles. Fourteen different odors were tested, divided into four categories: (1) terrestrial predators, (2) avian predators, (3) conspecifics, and (4) neutral origin (human, dog, solvent‐treated, and unscented). The odors were extracted with methanol from pellets or feces, or were an artificial substitute. To test the influence of odors on the foraging behavior of voles, artificial food patches containing scented feeders were used. The feeders were cleaned and refilled daily with a calibrated amount of food sprayed with 1 ml of a different odor randomly chosen. The patches were also equipped with monochromatic cameras to monitor the occurrences of voles around the feeders. Both the visits at scented feeders and food consumption were analyzed for each odor. The results show that relative to their foraging activity on unscented food, bank voles significantly reduce it on food scented with odors of terrestrial predators, and increase it in the presence of conspecific odors. Their foraging activity was not affected by neutral scent, nor by scents from avian predators. These results prove that bank voles react to scented food in a way that varies according to the source of odor, even in the semi‐natural conditions of an outdoor enclosure.
Early, on‐time, and late behavioural autonomy in adolescence: Psychosocial correlates in young and middle adulthood
Authors: Pavlova Maria K. , Haase Claudia M. , Silbereisen Rainer K. 
Published: May 2010

ABSTRACTDrawing on two nationally representative German studies (N1 = 1744, N2 = 759), we examined correlates of early, on‐time, and late curfew autonomy, a retrospective indicator of behavioural autonomy, in young and middle adulthood (19–37 years of age). Adjustment in four domains was considered: educational attainment, externalizing problem behaviour, subjective well‐being, and interpersonal relationships. The early group showed lower adjustment in multiple domains across young and middle adulthood. The late group reported a mixed pattern of adjustment at younger ages (lower externalizing problems, but lower positive affect, lower importance of peers, and lower likelihood to have a partner) and positive adjustment in all domains at older ages. Timing effects were controlled for sociodemographic characteristics and retrospective measures of early adversities, pubertal timing, disclosure to parents, and peer group affiliation in adolescence. Findings show that late behavioural autonomy in its correlates is not simply the opposite of early behavioural autonomy.
Large deviation principles for non-uniformly hyperbolic rational maps
Authors: COMMAN HENRI , RIVERA-LETELIER JUAN 
Published: May 2010

AbstractWe show some level-2 large deviation principles for rational maps satisfying a strong form of non-uniform hyperbolicity, called ‘Topological Collet–Eckmann’. More precisely, we prove a large deviation principle for the distribution of iterated preimages, periodic points, and Birkhoff averages. For this purpose we show that each Hölder continuous potential admits a unique equilibrium state, and that the pressure function can be characterized in terms of iterated preimages, periodic points, and Birkhoff averages. Then we use a variant of a general result of Kifer.
On Ptolemaic metric simplicial complexes
Authors: BUCKLEY S. M. , WRAITH D. J. , McDOUGALL J. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractWe show that under certain mild conditions, a metric simplicial complex which satisfies the Ptolemy inequality is a CAT(0) space. Ptolemy's inequality is closely related to inversions of metric spaces. For a large class of metric simplicial complexes, we characterize those which are isometric to Euclidean space in terms of metric inversions.
Agricultural practices or game management: which is the key to improve red-legged partridge nesting success in agricultural landscapes?
Authors: CASAS FABIÁN , VIÑUELA JAVIER 
Published: May 2010

SUMMARYEuropean agricultural landscapes hold important endangered and game species, which may add socioeconomical and ecological value to the ecosystem, and thus must be considered priority species in any management programme integrating agriculture, hunting and conservation. Patterns of red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa) nesting habitat selection and nesting success provide information for the implementation of these kinds of programmes in agrarian pseudosteppes. Nests occur mainly in cereal grain fields, although this habitat type was overall negatively selected and had the lowest nesting success. Only lindes (herbaceous strips among fields) were positively selected, and were also the habitat type with the highest nesting success. Nests within cereal grain fields were positively selected close to the field margins (mostly < 5 m). Agricultural practices, particularly harvesting, were the main cause of nest failure. Changes in agricultural practices would be a more effective means of increasing nesting success than predator control. Partridge breeding success may be improved by better management of agricultural areas, increasing the availability of lindes and slightly delaying cereal harvesting. These data may have implications for other endangered steppe-birds with similar nesting habitat, and may provide the basis for effective and successful collaborative programmes between hunters and conservationists.
Binary separation and training support vector machines
Authors: Fletcher Roger , Zanghirati Gaetano 
Published: May 2010

We introduce basic ideas of binary separation by a linear hyperplane, which is a technique exploited in thesupport vector machine(SVM) concept. This is a decision-making tool for pattern recognition and related problems. We describe a fundamentalstandard problem(SP) and show how this is used in most existing research to develop a dual-based algorithm for its solution. This algorithm is shown to be deficient in certain aspects, and we develop a new primal-based SQP-like algorithm, which has some interesting features. Most practical SVM problems are not adequately handled by a linear hyperplane. We describe thenonlinear SVMtechnique, which enables a nonlinear separating surface to be computed, and we propose a new primal algorithm based on the use of low-rank Cholesky factors.It may be, however, that exact separation is not desirable due to the presence of uncertain or mislabelled data. Dealing with this situation is the main challenge in developing suitable algorithms. Existing dual-based algorithms use the idea ofL1penalties, which has merit. We suggest how penalties can be incorporated into a primal-based algorithm. Another aspect of practical SVM problems is often the huge size of the data set, which poses severe challenges both for software package development and for control of ill-conditioning. We illustrate some of these issues with numerical experiments on a range of problems.
Verification methods: Rigorous results using floating-point arithmetic
Authors: Rump Siegfried M. 
Published: May 2010

A classical mathematical proof is constructed using pencil and paper. However, there are many ways in which computers may be used in a mathematical proof. But ‘proof by computer’, or even the use of computers in the course of a proof, is not so readily accepted (the December 2008 issue of the Notices of the American Mathematical Society is devoted to formal proofs by computer).In the following we introduce verification methods and discuss how they can assist in achieving a mathematically rigorous result. In particular we emphasize how floating-point arithmetic is used.
Identification and evaluation of vegetable type pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) in the world germplasm collection at ICRISAT genebank
Authors: Upadhyaya H. D. , Reddy K. N. , Gowda C. L. L. , Singh Sube 
Published: May 2010

Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) seed harvested while it is immature is a nutritious vegetable and forms a substitute for green pea [Pisum sativum (L.)]. Using the characterization data of more than 12,000 accessions conserved at ICRISAT genebank, Patancheru, India, 105 accessions were selected for important traits of vegetable pigeonpea (mature pod length>6 cm, seeds per pod>5 and 100-seed weight>15 g) and evaluated for these traits during 2007–08. From the initial evaluation, 51 accessions were identified as vegetable type and further evaluated for traits of vegetable pigeonpea during 2008–09 to identify most promising accessions. ICP 13831 produced longest immature pods (10.3 cm), ICP 13828 had maximum number of seeds per pod (5.9) and ICP 12746 produced larger seeds (44.8 g/100 seeds). Highest percentage of total soluble sugars (9.7%) was recorded in immature seeds of ICP 13413. ICP 15143 followed by ICP 15186 recorded more dry pods per plant and seed yield per plant. Performance of ICP 12184, ICP 13413, ICP 14085 and ICP 15169 was better than that of the best control for pod length, seeds per pod, soluble sugars and protein content. Cluster analysis based on scores of first five principal components resulted in three clusters that differed significantly for days to 50% flowering, days to 75% maturity, shelling percentage and soluble sugars. Important traits of vegetable pigeonpea such as immature pod length, seeds per pod, seed soluble sugars and protein content had shown strong positive correlation. Caribbean and Eastern Africa were found as the best source regions for vegetable pigeonpea. Evaluation of selected accessions at potential locations in different countries was suggested to identify vegetable pigeonpeas suitable for different regions and for use in crop improvement programs.
Detection systems cross reacting with peptides - Analysis at the amino acid level
Authors: Mahrenholz Carsten , Tapia Victor , Stigler Rolf , Volkmer Rudolf 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThere are several methods commonly used to measure protein-protein interactions and binding affinities. Quite contrary to most of these methods, protein- and peptide arrays on cellulose membranes or glass slides are suitable for high-throughput measurement, as they provide a higher density of probes and a multitude of peptide-protein interactions can be measured in parallel [1]. The most important application of the SPOT synthesis technique is to simultaneously detect a high number of peptides that have a strong binding affinity to defined targets. The validity of the results, however, depends on the ability of the detection system to indicate binding events whilst not interfering with the experiment itself through cross reaction. We tested three common peptide detection systems (TAMRA, FITC, Biotin/ Streptavidine) for their ability to interact with cellulose bound peptides at the amino acid level. Peptides with different amino acid cores were synthesized and tested for interaction with common dyes and detection systems. Our goal was to discover the potential of 5-(and 6)-carboxytetramethylrhodamine [5(6)-TAMRA], fluoresceinisothiocyanate [FITC], biotin and streptavidine to crossreact with individual amino acids. To this end we designed 20 peptides of the sequence XXX[aa]5XXX, where [aa]5 denotes five repeats of one of the 20 amino acids, and prepared them via SPOT synthesis [2]. Glycine was chosen as the flanking residue X to act as a spacer molecule. As analytes small peptides (gly-gly-gly) were solid phase synthesized and afterwards labelled with the detection compound of interest. The resulting amino acid library was then incubated with the glycine labelled detection system and evaluated via optical and fluorescent methods.Our approach identified several amino acids interacting with different detection systems. These results will strengthen the reliability of the analysis of SPOT synthesis generated data in the future.
References
1.Andresen, H. et al. Functional peptide microarrays for specific and sensitive antibody diagnostics. Proteomics, 6(5):1376– 1384, Mar 2006.2.Frank, R. The spot-synthesis technique. Synthetic peptide arrays on membrane supports – principles and applications. J Immunol Methods, 267(1):13–26, 2002.
Epidemics of Meloidogyne brasilensis in Central Brazil on Processing Tomato Hybrids That Have the Root-Knot Nematode Mi Resistance Gene
Authors: Charchar J. M. , Fonseca M. E. N. , Pinheiro J. B. , Boiteux L. S. , Eisenback J. D. 
Published: May 2010

The species Meloidogyne brasilensis Charchar & Eisenback 2002 was described as causing root rot, severe wilt, and numerous galls in pea (Pisum sativum L.) in Brasília-Federal District and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cv. Rossol (known to have the root-knot nematode resistance Mi gene) in Londrina-Paraná State, Brazil. To our knowledge, this current work is the first report of the epidemics on tomato hybrids that have the Mi gene caused by infection of M. brasilensis in central Brazil. Samples were obtained from fields with two commercial hybrids that have the Mi gene (‘Calroma’ and ‘Nemapride’) that were cultivated under center-pivot irrigation in Silvânia, Goiás State. These hybrids exhibited slow vegetative development and malformed roots because of the high number of large galls. Symptomatic plants were collected from a tomato crop area of more than 100 ha. Random sampling indicated field sectors with up to 100% of symptomatic plants. Morphological and morphometric evaluations of this Meloidogyne population were carried out with the female perineal pattern, stylet, and excretory pore and also with the male body traits, labial disc, and stylet. The esterase phenotype was unique for this population with four clear bands (J. M. Charchar, unpublished data). Altogether, the morphological and biochemical characteristics of this population were in agreement with that reported for M. brasilensis (1). Koch's postulates were fulfilled using tomato ‘Rutgers’ (susceptible) and ‘Rossol' (with the Mi resistance locus) under greenhouse conditions. The massive use of tomato hybrids with the Mi gene could be a strong selection factor favoring this pathogen under growing conditions in central Brazil. Germplasm screen searching for sources of resistance specific to this nematode species is advisable. Reference: (1) J. M. Charchar and J. D. Eisenback. Nematology 4:629, 2002.
The Solar Action Spectrum of Photosystem II Damage
Authors: Takahashi Shunichi , Milward Sara E. , Yamori Wataru , Evans John R. , Hillier Warwick , Badger Murray R. 
Published: May 2010

Abstract
The production of oxygen and the supply of energy for life on earth rely on the process of photosynthesis using sunlight. Paradoxically, sunlight damages the photosynthetic machinery, primarily photosystem II (PSII), leading to photoinhibition and loss of plant performance. However, there is uncertainty about which wavelengths are most damaging to PSII under sunlight. In this work we examined this in a simple experiment where Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) leaves were exposed to different wavelengths of sunlight by dispersing the solar radiation across the surface of the leaf via a prism. To isolate only the process of photodamage, the repair of photodamaged PSII was inhibited by infiltration of chloramphenicol into the exposed leaves. The extent of photodamage was then measured as the decrease in the maximum quantum yield of PSII using an imaging pulse amplitude modulation fluorometer. Under the experimental light conditions, photodamage to PSII occurred most strongly in regions exposed to ultraviolet (UV) or yellow light. The extent of UV photodamage under incident sunlight would be greater than we observed when one corrects for the optical efficiency of our system. Our results suggest that photodamage to PSII under sunlight is primarily associated with UV rather than photosynthetically active light wavelengths.
Postoperative analgesia for shoulder surgery: a critical appraisal and review of current techniques
Authors: Fredrickson M. J. , Krishnan S. , Chen C. Y. 
Published: May 2010

SummaryShoulder surgery is well recognised as having the potential to cause severe postoperative pain. The aim of this review is to assess critically the evidence relating to the effectiveness of regional anaesthesia techniques commonly used for postoperative analgesia following shoulder surgery. Subacromial/intra‐articular local anaesthetic infiltration appears to perform only marginally better than placebo, and because the technique has been associated with catastrophic chondrolysis, it can no longer be recommended. All single injection nerve blocks are limited by a short effective duration. Suprascapular nerve block reduces postoperative pain and opioid consumption following arthroscopic surgery, but provides inferior analgesia compared with single injection interscalene block. Continuous interscalene block incorporating a basal local anaesthetic infusion and patient controlled boluses is the most effective analgesic technique following both major and minor shoulder surgery. However, interscalene nerve block is an invasive procedure with potentially serious complications and should therefore only be performed by practitioners with appropriate experience.