bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Feasibility and validity of International Classification of Diseases based case mix indices
Authors: Yang Che-Ming , Reinke William 
Published: October 2006

AbstractBackgroundSeverity of illness is an omnipresent confounder in health services research. Resource consumption can be applied as a proxy of severity. The most commonly cited hospital resource consumption measure is the case mix index (CMI) and the best-known illustration of the CMI is the Diagnosis Related Group (DRG) CMI used by Medicare in the U.S. For countries that do not have DRG type CMIs, the adjustment for severity has been troublesome for either reimbursement or research purposes. The research objective of this study is to ascertain the construct validity of CMIs derived from International Classification of Diseases (ICD) in comparison with DRG CMI.MethodsThe study population included 551 acute care hospitals in Taiwan and 2,462,006 inpatient reimbursement claims. The 18thversion of GROUPER, the Medicare DRG classification software, was applied to Taiwan's 1998 National Health Insurance (NHI) inpatient claim data to derive the Medicare DRG CMI. The same weighting principles were then applied to determine the ICD principal diagnoses and procedures based costliness and length of stay (LOS) CMIs. Further analyses were conducted based on stratifications according to teaching status, accreditation levels, and ownership categories.ResultsThe best ICD-based substitute for the DRG costliness CMI (DRGCMI) is the ICD principal diagnosis costliness CMI (ICDCMI-DC) in general and in most categories with Spearman's correlation coefficients ranging from 0.938-0.462. The highest correlation appeared in the non-profit sector. ICD procedure costliness CMI (ICDCMI-PC) outperformed ICDCMI-DC only at the medical center level, which consists of tertiary care hospitals and is more procedure intensive.ConclusionThe results of our study indicate that an ICD-based CMI can quite fairly approximate the DRGCMI, especially ICDCMI-DC. Therefore, substituting ICDs for DRGs in computing the CMI ought to be feasible and valid in countries that have not implemented DRGs.
In the absence of cancer registry data, is it sensible to assess incidence using hospital separation records?
Authors: Brackley Moyra E , Penning Margaret J , Lesperance Mary L 
Published: October 2006

Abstract

Background
Within the health literature, a major goal is to understand distribution of service utilisation by social location. Given equivalent access, differential incidence leads to an expectation of differential service utilisation. Cancer incidence is differentially distributed with respect to socioeconomic status. However, not all jurisdictions have incidence registries, and not all registries allow linkage with utilisation records. The British Columbia Linked Health Data resource allows such linkage. Consequently, we examine whether, in the absence of registry data, first hospitalisation can act as a proxy measure for incidence, and therefore as a measure of need for service.

Methods
Data are drawn from the British Columbia Linked Health Data resource, and represent 100% of Vancouver Island Health Authority cancer registry and hospital records, 1990–1999. Hospital separations (discharges) with principal diagnosis ICD-9 codes 140–208 are included, as are registry records with ICDO-2 codes C00-C97. Non-melanoma skin cancer (173/C44) is excluded. Lung, colorectal, female breast, and prostate cancers are examined separately. We compare registry and hospital annual counts and age-sex distributions, and whether the same individuals are represented in both datasets. Sensitivity, specificity and predictive values are calculated, as is the kappa statistic for agreement. The registry is designated the gold standard.

Results
For all cancers combined, first hospitalisation counts consistently overestimate registry incidence counts. From 1995–1999, there is no significant difference between registry and hospital counts for lung and colorectal cancer (p = 0.42 and p = 0.56, respectively). Age-sex distribution does not differ for colorectal cancer. Ten-year period sensitivity ranges from 73.0% for prostate cancer to 84.2% for colorectal cancer; ten-year positive predictive values range from 89.5% for female breast cancer to 79.35% for prostate cancer. Kappa values are consistently high.

Conclusion
Claims and registry databases overlap with an appreciable proportion of the same individuals. First hospital separation may be considered a proxy for incidence with reference to colorectal cancer since 1995. However, to examine equity across cancer health services utilisation, it is optimal to have access to both hospital and registry files.
fMRI-compatible rehabilitation hand device
Authors: Khanicheh Azadeh , Muto Andrew , Triantafyllou Christina , Weinberg Brian , Astrakas Loukas , Tzika Aria , Mavroidis Constantinos 
Published: October 2006

Abstract

Background
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has been widely used in studying human brain functions and neurorehabilitation. In order to develop complex and well-controlled fMRI paradigms, interfaces that can precisely control and measure output force and kinematics of the movements in human subjects are needed. Optimized state-of-the-art fMRI methods, combined with magnetic resonance (MR) compatible robotic devices for rehabilitation, can assist therapists to quantify, monitor, and improve physical rehabilitation. To achieve this goal, robotic or mechatronic devices with actuators and sensors need to be introduced into an MR environment. The common standard mechanical parts can not be used in MR environment and MR compatibility has been a tough hurdle for device developers.

Methods
This paper presents the design, fabrication and preliminary testing of a novel, one degree of freedom, MR compatible, computer controlled, variable resistance hand device that may be used in brain MR imaging during hand grip rehabilitation. We named the device MR_CHIROD (
M
agnetic
R
esonance
C
ompatible Smart
H
and
I
nterfaced
R
ehabilitation
D
evice). A novel feature of the device is the use of Electro-Rheological Fluids (ERFs) to achieve tunable and controllable resistive force generation. ERFs are fluids that experience dramatic changes in rheological properties, such as viscosity or yield stress, in the presence of an electric field. The device consists of four major subsystems: a) an ERF based resistive element; b) a gearbox; c) two handles and d) two sensors, one optical encoder and one force sensor, to measure the patient induced motion and force. The smart hand device is designed to resist up to 50% of the maximum level of gripping force of a human hand and be controlled in real time.

Results
Laboratory tests of the device indicate that it was able to meet its design objective to resist up to approximately 50% of the maximum handgrip force. The detailed compatibility tests demonstrated that there is neither an effect from the MR environment on the ERF properties and performance of the sensors, nor significant degradation on MR images by the introduction of the MR_CHIROD in the MR scanner.

Conclusion
The MR compatible hand device was built to aid in the study of brain function during generation of controllable and tunable force during handgrip exercising. The device was shown to be MR compatible. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first system that utilizes ERF in MR environment.
S100B binding to RAGE in microglia stimulates COX-2 expression
Authors: Bianchi Roberta , Adami Cecilia , Giambanco Ileana , Donato Rosario 
Published: October 2006

AbstractBesides exerting regulatory roles within astrocytes, the Ca2+-modulated protein of the EF-hand type S100B is released into the brain extracellular space, thereby affecting astrocytes, neurons, and microglia. However, extracellular effects of S100B vary, depending on the concentration attained and the protein being trophic to neurons up to nanomolar concentrations and causing neuronal apoptosis at micromolar concentrations. Effects of S100B on neurons are transduced by receptor for advanced glycation end produts (RAGE). At high concentrations, S100B also up-regulates inducible NO synthase in and stimulates NO release by microglia by synergizing with bacterial endotoxin and IFN-γ, thereby participating in microglia activation. We show here that S100B up-regulates cyclo-oxygenase-2 expression in microglia in a RAGE-dependent manner in the absence of cofactors through independent stimulation of a Cdc42-Rac1-JNK pathway and a Ras-Rac1-NF-κB pathway. Thus, S100B can be viewed as an astrocytic endokine, which might participate in the inflammatory response in the course of brain insults, once liberated into the brain extracellular space.
Surgical management of previously untreated glomus jugulare tumors
Authors: Douglas J. Green , Brackmann Derald E. , De La Cruz Antonio , Nguyen Chi D. , Arriaga Moises A. , Telischi Fred F. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe treatment of glomus jugulare tumors is controversial. Changes in the surgical treatment of glomus jugulare tumors at The House Ear Clinic have allowed complete resection in 85% of patients with minimal morbidity and no surgical mortalities. Our experience with 52 previously untreated patients with glomus jugulare tumors is reviewed.Two primary surgical techniques were used. The mastoid/neck approach was used in 9 patients with small tumors limited to the jugular bulb. The infratemporal fossa approach was used in the remaining 43 tumors. Lower cranial nerve preservation was possible in the majority of patients with normal preoperative function. Modifications in the management of the facial nerve during the infratemporal fossa approach have resulted in good recovery of facial function (House grade I/VI or II/VI) in 95% of patients. Most patients (85%) were able to fully resume all preoperative activities. Our results suggest that surgical management is the treatment of choice in younger patients with glomus jugulare tumors.
Particle repositioning maneuver for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
Authors: Welling D. Bradley , Barnes Douglas E. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe recent demonstration of free‐floating particles in the endolymph of the posterior semicircular canal in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)1 has renewed interest in the physiology and treatment of this entity. The particle repositioning maneuver (PRM) relocates the free‐floating particles from the posterior semicircular canal back into the utricle, relieving the patient of bothersome, often long‐standing vertigo.This report represents a prospective study of 27 consecutive patients seen with a diagnosis of BPPV. Eighty‐four percent of the patients treated with the particle repositioning maneuver who had no other associated pathology were cured or significantly improved with this new technique. Two patients who failed conservative management went on to surgical intervention with the posterior semicircular canal occlusion.The authors find the particle repositioning maneuver effective for many patients with benign positional vertigo and recommend it as the first‐line treatment modality for BPPV.
Interleukin‐8 expression in otitis media
Authors: Maxwell Kenneth S. , Leonard Gerald , Carpenter Robert , Kreutzer Donald L. , Fitzgerald John E. , Burleson Joseph A. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractBased on recent studies in the authors' laboratory on the correlation of cytokines and inflammation in otitis media (OM), the authors hypothesized that in chronic otitis media with effusion (COME) interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) is responsible for 1. the accumulation of leukocytes in the middle ear cleft and 2. in situ leukocyte activation with subsequent tissue damage. Additionally, the authors hypothesized that IL‐8 expression is at least in part under the control of interleukin‐1 (IL‐1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). To begin to test this hypothesis, middle ear effusions (MEE) obtained from children ages 2 to 90 months (mean age, 29 months) undergoing tympanostomy tube placement for the presence of these inflammatory cytokines were analyzed. For these studies, IL‐8, interleukin‐1 β (IL‐1β), tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), and tumor necrosis factor‐β (TNF‐β) were measured in MEE by radioimmunoassay (RIA) or enzyme‐linked immunoassay (ELISA). IL‐8, IL‐1β, TNF‐α, and TNF‐β were present in 92%, 67%, 77%, and 0% of effusions, respectively. The mean (± SEM) values for IL‐8, IL‐1β, and TNF‐α were 4805 (± 913) pg/mg, 4076 (± 1510) pg/mg, and 163 (± 90) pg/mg. Further analysis indicated that levels of IL‐8 correlated with IL‐1β (R2 = .500, P = .000) and TNF‐α (R2 = .387, P = .023). Thus the authors' studies clearly demonstrate that IL‐8 is consistently present in the MEE of children with COME and is strongly correlated with levels of IL‐1β and TNF‐α, both known inducers of IL‐8 production. These results support the authors' hypothesis that IL‐1β, TNF‐α, and IL‐8 are intimately involved in the inflammatory cascade in the middle ear and suggest regulation of these cytokines as possible sites of future therapeutic intervention in otitis media with effusion (OME).
Neonatal nasal deformities secondary to nasal continuous positive airway pressure
Authors: Loftus Bernadette C. , Ahn Jeffrey , Haddad Joseph 
Published: October 2006

AbstractNasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is being used more frequently in neonatal intensive care units to avoid endotracheal intubation and its attendant complications. Nasal deformities secondary to the nares‐occluding prongs employed to deliver the CPAP in former preterm infants have been recognized, and prevention and surgical treatment of these deformities are discussed. An awareness of the potential for these deformities is important to all pediatric otolaryngologists as nasal CPAP is gaining increasing favor as a primary treatment for respiratory disease of the newborn.
Evaluation of maxillary sinus aspiration in patients with fever of unknown origin
Authors: Lebeda Mark D. , Haller Jeffrey R. , Graham Scott M. , Hoffman Henry T. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe value of diagnostic maxillary sinus aspiration in patients with abnormal findings on sinus radiographs and fever of unknown origin is unclear. To better define indications for this procedure, the results of 51 sinus aspirations in 34 patients with fevers of unknown origin and abnormal findings on sinus radiographs were analyzed retrospectively. Results of aerobic and anaerobic cultures were evaluated in the context of clinical signs and symptoms at the time of the maxillary sinus puncture. Typical symptoms of paranasal sinus disease were found to be the best predictor of a positive culture. Of patients with sinusitis complaints, 86.4% had culture‐positive aspirations, whereas only 8.3% of patients without clinical symptoms of sinusitis had culture‐positive aspirations. This study indicates that symptoms of sinus disease play an important role in determining the benefit of sinus aspiration in this group of patients.
Heat shock proteins in acute otitis media
Authors: Egusa Kentaro , Huang Cheng‐Chun , Haddad Joseph 
Published: October 2006

AbstractHeat shock proteins (hsps) are essential for the survival of cells under an environmental insult. To elucidate the relationship between these intracellular proteins and acute otitis media (AOM), the authors studied hsp production in guinea pigs with AOM induced by inoculation of Streptococcus pneumoniae into the middle ear. Animals were sacrificed 1,3, or 5 days after inoculation. Immunocytochemical study showed localization of hsp70 within the epithelium of infected ears, while the normal control epithelium showed very light staining. Western blot tests of the mucosal extraction confirmed the presence of hsp70 in otitis media. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed that hsp levels were higher in the infected mucosa than in the normal control mucosa. In contrast, hsp60 was not stimulated in infected ears. This study showed that hsp70, and not hsp60, was produced in the AOM model.
Longitudinal gains in self‐regulation from regular physical exercise
Authors: Oaten Megan , Cheng Ken 
Published: October 2006

Objectives. The purpose of the present study was to test whether the repeated practice of self‐regulation could improve regulatory strength over time.Method. Regulatory performance was assessed at baseline, then at monthly intervals for a period of 4 months using a visual tracking task. Perceived stress, emotional distress, self‐efficacy and general regulatory behaviour were assessed by questionnaire. Following a 2‐month control phase, participants entered a 2‐month self‐regulation programme designed to increase regulatory strength: a programme of regular physical exercise.Results. Relative to the control phase, participants who exercised showed significant improvement in self‐regulatory capacity as measured by an enhanced performance on the visual tracking task following a thought‐suppression task. During the regulatory exercise phase, participants also reported significant decreases in perceived stress, emotional distress, smoking, alcohol and caffeine consumption, and an increase in healthy eating, emotional control, maintenance of household chores, attendance to commitments, monitoring of spending and an improvement in study habits. The control phase showed no systematic changes in performance on the visual tracking task across sessions. Reports of perceived stress, emotional distress and regulatory behaviours were also stable across sessions.Conclusions. The uptake and maintenance of an exercise programme over a 2‐month period produced significant improvements in a wide range of regulatory behaviours. Nearly every major personal and social problem has some degree of regulatory failure. The idea that the capacity for self‐regulation can be improved is therefore of vast practical importance.
Representative Elementary Volume Analysis of Sands Using X-Ray Computed Tomography
Authors: Razavi MR , Muhunthan B , Al Hattamleh O 
Published: October 2006

Abstract
The concept of a representative elementary volume (REV) provides an effective means of developing macroscopic measures in the description of granular materials. However, due to the difficulties associated with the measurement and characterization of granular microstructure the existence and size of an REV has remained largely conjectural. This study presents a systematic method to examine the characteristics of the REV using X-ray computed tomography images. The 3-D images of spherical glass beads, Silica sand, and Ottawa sand have been characterized using advanced image processing techniques. An interactive computer program is developed to study porosity variation within a sphere with increasing radius from the images of these materials. The porosity variation of Silica sand and Ottawa sand showed three characteristic regions: an initial fluctuation region due to microscopic variations, a constant plateau region, and a region with a monotonic increase/decrease due to heterogeneity. The homogenous medium of glass beads did not show the last region. The results show that for a random packing of spherical glass beads the REV is about two to three times of the identical average diameter. The radius for Silica sand composed mainly of elongated particles is between 5 to 11 times of d50 and for Ottawa sand composed mainly of subrounded particles is between 9 to 16 times of d50.
Regional brittle extension in Quaternary sediments of Lanslebourg (Haute-Maurienne valley, western Alps)
Authors: Champagnac Jean-Daniel , Delacou Bastien , Tricart Pierre , Sue* Christian , Burkhard Martin , Allanic Cécile 
Published: October 2006

AbstractBrittle tectonics of the internal zones of the Western Alps is characterized by important normal faulting and minor transcurent faulting. Two different directions of extension occur through time, but the age of transition remains unconstrained. In order to fill this gap, and to provide new neotectonic data, we studied faulted Quaternary peri-glacial deposits in the core of the W-Alpine belt (Contamines Quarry, Lanslebourg, Haute-Maurienne/Vanoise area). These glaciolacustrine and fluvio-glacial sediments are capped by a ground moraine, which is related to a small glacier advance that occurred during the latest deglaciation of the Arc Valley (Pleistocene-Holocene transition). The faults cross-cut the moraine and are younger than this latest glacier advance. They are not affected by ice-related loading and movement. These faults show normal components with moderate to high dips (50° to 80°) and small to medium vertical offsets (mm- to m- scale). Offsets are visible due to contrasted lithologies of the sediments. Conjugated dihedra with two fault orientations are recognized, namely N-S and NW-SE. These fault orientations are consistent with an E-W to ENE-WSW direction of extension, and an unknown (but possibly minor) part of transcurrence. This direction of extension is parallel to the Arc Valley, and to the downstream direction of the paleo-glacier, as well as to the shear direction of the loadcast structures created by the ice weight and flow. The different possible origins of the faults are discussed, but their orientation is likely to be tectonically driven. The directions of faulting are consistent with N-S and NW-SE regional faulting within the Cretaceous Schistes lustrés inferred by in situ analyses and remote sensing measurements. The distribution of faults in the quarry near a km-scale fault, as well as their cross-cutting relationships to the moraine and the shear figures, suggest that the faulting of the Quaternary sediments is guided by a regional (i.e. tectonic) stress field. Since the faulting is younger than the latest glacier advance (ca. 10 to 15 ky) and is consistent with the current orogen-perpendicular extension, we propose that the seismogenic extension occurred from (at least) the latest Pleistocene onward.
Cd(II) extraction in PEG-based two-phase aqueous systems in the presence of iodide ions. Analysis of PEG-rich solid phases
Authors: Bulgariu Laura , Bulgariu Dumitru , Sârghie Ioan , Măluṭan Theodor 
Published: October 2006

AbstractCd(II) plus iodide species were extracted into PEG-rich phases in the aqueous PEG(1550)-(NH4)2SO4 system at pH 2.05–7.12. IR spectra show that increasing (NH4)2SO4 solution acidity does not protonate PEG ether oxygen atoms, but decreases water content in the PEG-rich phases. Metallic species’ extraction into the PEG predominantly alters how water molecules bind to polymer chains; the changes in their absorption bands depend on pH. Microscopy shows that “fixation” of the extracted metal in the PEG-rich phase occurs by specific interactions which depend on the species. These also determine changes in the polymer chains’ conformation.
Composition and variability of soil solutions as a measure of human impact on protected woodland areas
Authors: Walna Barbara 
Published: October 2006

AbstractA study was made of the sandy and loamy soils of the woodland areas of the Wielkopolski National Park (Poland) affected by acid rain. The basic properties of the soils were determined, revealing their strong acidification, poor buffering power, and the possibility of aluminium release. An analysis was made of the content of soluble, exchangeable, organic, amorphous, and free forms of aluminium. The concentration of exchangeable aluminium exceeded that of the form dissolved in soil water several times to tens of times.In soil solutions Ca/Al ratios in some horizons show very low values that could induce a nutrient deficit. In the sandy profiles the ratio even drops below the critical level of 0.1. In the surface horizon the dominant cation at all the sites is the aluminium ion.An analysis of anions shows a dominance of sulphate and chloride ions. In autumn nitrites were recorded at all depth levels, while in spring only in the surface layers. The highest fluoride concentrations were found to occur in profiles situated the closest to the emission source of fluorine compounds. The markedly higher concentrations of ammonium than nitrate ions can lead to increased acidification and eutrophication of the soil.