bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Early experience of tele‐robotic sugery in children
Authors: Najmaldin A. , Antao B. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractBackgroundThe application of robotic technology in paediatric and adult surgery is limited. We report our early experience in children.MethodsSelected children from the age of 3 years who underwent da Vinci© robotic surgery were included. All procedures were carried out by the senior author (A.N.), using three robotic ports and an accessory laparoscopic port if and when necessary. The telescope port was placed using an open technique and all port sites were closed in layers at the end of the procedure. Post‐operatively all patients were offered overnight intravenous morphine. All data was collected prospectively.ResultsDuring March 2006–July 2007 there were 50 procedures in 40 children: fundoplication (5), fundoplication and gastrostomy (6), Heller's myotomy and fundoplication (2), cholecystectomy (1), splenectomy (1), cholecystectomy and splenectomy (1), re‐do rectal mobilization (1), excision of Müllerian remnant and bilateral orchidopexy (1), partial nephroureterectomy (1), nephroureterectomy (4), neprectomy (4) and transperitoneal pyeloplasty (13). The mean age was 10.2 (range 3–17) years. The mean docking time was 11.9 (range 4–20) min. Forty‐seven procedures in 37 children were successfully completed. There were three conversions, one robot‐related (mechanical failure) and two non‐robot‐related (severe adhesions, difficulty with placing a guide wire for nephrostent) but no other operative complications. Post‐operative complications were not robot‐related (one wound infection, one urine extravasation from a displaced ureteric stent). The mean hospital stay was 2.4 (range 1–6) days, and this was affected by the patients' pre‐existing clinical and social conditions.ConclusionsIn children robotic surgery is safe and applicable to a wide range of surgical conditions. Further experience is required in order to establish its full potential. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nash equilibria in random games
Authors: Bárány Imre , Vempala Santosh , Vetta Adrian 
Published: October 2007

AbstractWe consider Nash equilibria in 2‐player random games and analyze a simple Las Vegas algorithm for finding an equilibrium. The algorithm is combinatorial and always finds a Nash equilibrium; onm×npayoff matrices, it runs in timeO(m2nloglogn+n2mloglogm) with high probability. Our result follows from showing that a 2‐player random game has a Nash equilibrium with supports of size two with high probability, at least 1 −O(1/logn). Our main tool is a polytope formulation of equilibria. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 2007
Proteomic Studies of Saliva: A Proposal for a Standardized Handling of Clinical Samples
Authors: Chevalier François , Hirtz Christophe , Chay Sandrine , Cuisinier Frédéric , Sommerer Nicolas , Rossignol Michel , de Périère Dominique Deville 
Published: October 2007

Abstract

Background
In recent years, differential analysis of proteins from human saliva, i.e., proteomic analysis, has received much attention mainly due to its unstressful sampling and its great potential for biomarker research. It is widely considered that saliva is a highly stable medium for proteins thanks to a large amount of antiprotease agents, even at ambient and physiological temperatures.

Objective
To find the best protocol for the handling of samples, we have investigated the stability of saliva proteins stored at different temperatures (from −80 to 20°C) by one- and two-dimensional electrophoresis.

Results
At 20°C, no major changes were observed on protein one-dimensional profiles following 1 day of storage; however, between 7 days and 30 days, the native alpha-amylase band decreased slightly to give several bands with molecular weight between 35 and 25 kDa. The same phenomenon appeared after 30 days of storage at 4°C. Two-dimensional analysis of salivary maps revealed degradation from day 7 of several protein groups for samples stored at 20°C.

Conclusion
All these findings have to be carefully considered when saliva is collected for clinical proteomic analysis. We can conclude that, to maintain the optimum stability of saliva proteins, saliva samples should be collected on ice followed by the addition of protease inhibitor cocktail, centrifuged to remove insoluble material, and stored at −20 or −80°C.
Concurrent folate treatment prevents Na+,K+‐ATPase activity inhibition and memory impairments caused by chronic hyperhomocysteinemia during rat development
Authors: Matté Cristiane , Scherer Emilene B.S. , Stefanello Francieli M. , Barschak Alethéa G. , Vargas Carmen R. , Netto Carlos A. , Wyse Angela T.S. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractWe investigated the hypothesis that folate administration would prevent hyperhomocysteinemia‐induced memory deficits and Na+,K+‐ATPase activity inhibition. Chronic hyperhomocysteinemia was induced from the 6th to the 28th day of life by subcutaneous injection of homocysteine (0.3–0.6 μmol/g), twice a day; control Wistar rats received the same volume of saline solution (0.9% NaCl). Half of the homocysteine‐ and saline‐treated groups also received intraperitoneal administration of folate (0.011 μmol/g) from the 6th to the 28th day of life. A group of animals was killed 12 h after the last injection, plasma and parietal cortex were collected for biochemical analysis. Another group stayed at Central Animal House until 60th day of life, when the rats were submitted to behavioral testing in water maze or were killed for evaluation of cortical Na+,K+‐ATPase activity. Results showed that hyperhomocysteinemia impaired reference memory for platform location, as assessed by fewer crossings to the platform place and increased latency for the first crossing, when compared to controls. In the working memory task homocysteine‐treated animals also needed more time to find the platform. We also observed that Na+,K+‐ATPase activity was reduced in parietal cortex of hyperhomocysteinemic rats sacrificed 12 h after the last injection of homocysteine (29‐day‐old rats). In contrast, this enzyme was not altered when the rats were sacrificed 31 days after the treatment (60‐day‐old rats). Hyperhomocysteinemic rats treated with folate had all those impairments prevented, an effect probably related to folate antioxidant properties.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids in the pathogenesis and treatment of multiple sclerosis
Authors: Harbige Laurence S. , Sharief Mohammad K. 
Published: October 2007

Epidemiological, biochemical, animal model and clinical trial data described in this overview strongly suggest that polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularlyn-6 fatty acids, have a role in the pathogenesis and treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). Data presented provides further evidence for a disturbance inn-6 fatty acid metabolism in MS. Disturbance ofn-6 fatty acid metabolism and dysregulation of cytokines are shown to be linked and a “proof of concept clinical trial” further supports such a hypothesis. In a randomised double-blind, placebo controlled trial of a high dose and low dose selected GLA (18 : 3n-6)-rich oil and placebo control, the high dose had a marked clinical effect in relapsing-remitting MS, significantly decreasing the relapse rate and the progression of disease. Laboratory findings paralleled clinical changes in the placebo group in that production of mononuclear cell pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β) was increased and anti-inflammatory TGF-β markedly decreased with loss of membranen-6 fatty acids linoleic (18 : 2n-6) and arachidonic acids (20 : 4n-6). In contrast there were no such changes in the high dose group. The improvement in disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale) in the high dose suggests there maybe a beneficial effect on neuronal lipids and neural function in MS. Thus disturbedn-6 fatty acid metabolism in MS gives rise to loss of membrane long chainn-6 fatty acids and loss of the anti-inflammatory regulatory cytokine TGF-β, particularly during the relapse phase, as well as loss of these important neural fatty acids for CNS structure and function and consequent long term neurological deficit in MS.
Amino acid uptake from a probiotic milk in lactose intolerant subjects
Authors: Parra Dolores , Alfredo Martínez J. 
Published: October 2007

This trial was designed to assess the effect of live probiotic consumption on leucine assimilation from fresh and pasteurised yoghurt in volunteers with different lactose digestibility. Thirty-three volunteers (mean age 32, s.d. 7 years) participated in this parallel single-blind study (16 of them with moderate lactose intolerance). Breath samples were taken before and at 15 min intervals over 3-h after the ingestion of fresh and pasteurised yoghurt extrinsically labelled with (1-13C)leucine. The 13C enrichment in breath was measured by isotopic rate mass spectrometry and mathematically converted to a percentage of assimilated leucine (100-%13C-dose in breath) and the assimilation kinetic constant (min− 1). The 13C-leucine assimilation was statistically higher after the fresh yoghurt intake than after the pasteurised product intake (P = 0·032) while the kinetic constant of assimilation was slower in intolerance status (P = 0·014) although a product-related effect (P = 0·445) was not found. In conclusion, fresh yoghurt intake resulted in higher short-term leucine assimilation, while lactose intolerance appears to negatively affect the assimilation rate of leucine from dairy products. These findings offer new insight on acute in vivo amino acid assimilation in the presence of probiotics and moderate lactose intolerance.
COPD education and cognitive behavioral therapy group treatment for clinically significant symptoms of depression and anxiety in COPD patients: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Kunik M. E. , Veazey C. , Cully J. A. , Souchek J. , Graham D. P. , Hopko D. , Carter R. , Sharafkhaneh A. , Goepfert E. J. , Wray N. , Stanley M. A. 
Published: October 2007

BackgroundChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects 14 to 20 million Americans and is associated with increased prevalence of affective disorders, contributing significantly to disability. This study compared cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) group treatment for anxiety and depression with COPD education for COPD patients with moderate-to-severe anxiety and/or depressive symptoms.MethodA randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted between 11 July 2002 and 30 April 2005 at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX. Participants were 238 patients treated for COPD the year before, with forced expiratory value in 1 second (FEV)1/forced vital capacity (FVC)<70% and FEV1<70% predicted, and symptoms of moderate anxiety and/or moderate depression, who were being treated by a primary care provider or pulmonologist. Participants attended eight sessions of CBT or COPD education. Assessments were at baseline, at 4 and 8 weeks, and 4, 8 and 12 months. Primary outcomes were disease-specific and generic quality of life (QoL) [Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire (CRQ) and Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form-36 (SF-36) respectively]. Secondary outcomes were anxiety [Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)], depressive symptoms [Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II)], 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) and use of health services.ResultsBoth treatments significantly improved QoL, anxiety and depression (p<0.005) over 8 weeks; the rate of change did not differ between groups. Improvements were maintained with no significant change during follow-up. Ratios of post- to pretreatment use of health services were equal to 1 for both groups.ConclusionsCBT group treatment and COPD education can achieve sustainable improvements in QoL for COPD patients experiencing moderate-to-severe symptoms of depression or anxiety.
Identification of newly recognized serotype 1c as the most prevalentShigella flexneriserotype in northern rural Vietnam
Authors: STAGG R. M. , CAM P. D. , VERMA N. K. 
Published: October 2007

SUMMARYWe investigated the identity of 37Shigella flexneristrains that had previously been isolated from northern rural Vietnam (Son Tay Province) and described as untypable. Twenty-four isolates reacted with MASF 1c, a monoclonal antibody specific forS. flexneriserotype 1c. A further ten untypable isolates were found to be rough mutants (no longer expressing O-antigen) that were derived from serotype 1c strains. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis demonstrated that these strains consisted of many different clones, indicating serotype 1c was well established in this region in the late 1990s. Serotype 1c was the most prevalentS. flexneriserotype isolated in the Son Tay Province, accounting for about 40% ofS. flexneriisolates. Subsequent isolation ofS. flexneriserotype 1c in this region and elsewhere in Vietnam confirmed that serotype 1c is of genuine importance in Vietnam.
Dietary sugars intake and micronutrient adequacy: a systematic review of the evidence
Authors: Gibson Sigrid A. 
Published: October 2007

Guidelines for sugars intake range from a population mean of less than 10 % energy from free sugars, to a maximum for individuals of 25 % energy from added sugars. The aim of the present review was to examine the evidence for micronutrient dilution by sugars and evaluate its nutritional significance. From a web-based search of MEDLINE and hand search of linked papers, forty-eight relevant publications were identified on sugars (total sugars, non-milk extrinsic sugars, or added sugars) or sugar-containing drinks. These included five reports from expert committees, six reviews, thirty-three observational studies and four small-scale interventions. There was inconsistency between studies as to the relationship between sugars intake (however expressed) and micronutrients. The statistical patterns varied between nutrients and population groups. Curvilinear associations were found in some analyses, with lower nutrient intakes at both extremes of sugar intake; however, factors such as dieting and under-reporting may confound the associations observed. Some studies found statistically significant inverse associations but these were weak, with sugars explaining less than 5 % of the variance. Mean intakes of most micronutrients were above the RDA or reference nutrient intake except among very high consumers of sugars. The available evidence does not allow for firm conclusions on an optimal level of added sugars intake for micronutrient adequacy and the trends that exist may have little biological significance except for a few nutrients (for example, Fe). It is established that energy intake is the prime predictor of micronutrient adequacy. A better understanding of valid approaches to energy adjustment, misreporting and the assessment of micronutrient adequacy is crucial to further progress in this area.
The Incidence of Root-Knot Nematodes Meloidogyne arenaria, M. incognita, and M. javanica on Vegetables and Weeds in Montenegro
Authors: Pajovic I. , Širca S. , Stare B. Geric , Urek G. 
Published: October 2007

Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are common pathogens that parasitize vegetables and other crops and cause significant yield reductions worldwide. In the early spring of 2006, severe plant stunting, chlorosis, and extensive root galling were observed on cucumber plants grown in a greenhouse on Zeta plain, Zetska ravnica, Montenegro. In the summer and autumn of 2006, infected roots of different crops were collected from greenhouses and vegetable production fields of Zeta plain, which represents the largest area of Montenegro's vegetable production. Several vegetable crops were found to be infected with root-knot nematodes, including tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), squash (Cucurbita pepo L.), cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), and lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). Symptoms on these crops included root-galling, leaf chlorosis, and stunting. Heavily infected tomato plants growing in two greenhouses also displayed early flower and fruit drop. Nematode species were determined based on characterization of (i) female perineal patterns, (ii) male and second-stage juvenile morphology (2,3), and (iii) esterase and malate dehydrogenase phenotypes (PhastSystem; Amersham Biosciences, Piscataway, NJ) from young egg-laying females (1). The most prevalent species was M. incognita, which was isolated from the roots of tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and lettuce from nine locations. Meloidogyne arenaria was detected at three locations from the roots of tomatoes grown in a greenhouse and the weeds Convolvulus arvensis L. and Solanum nigrum L., which were growing in open fields in separate locations. M. javanica was found on tomato and squash in the same field where M. arenaria was also found on S. nigrum. M. javanica was isolated from tomato and squash. In this study, we found high incidence of Meloidogyne spp. in intensive vegetable production areas of Montenegro. The implementation of an effective integrated pest management program is essential for future use of infested areas. To our knowledge, this is the first report of M. arenaria, M. incognita, and M. javanica from Montenegro. References: (1) P. R. Esbenshade and A. C. Triantaphyllou. J. Nematol. 17:6, 1985. (2) S. B. Jepson. Identification of Root-Knot Nematodes. CAB International, Wallingford, UK, 1987. (3) G. Karssen. The Plant-Parasitic Nematode Genus Meloidogyne Göldi, 1892 (Tylenchida) in Europe. Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, the Netherlands, 2002.
First Report of Iris yellow spot virus in Spiny Sowthistle (Sonchus asper) in the United States
Authors: Nischwitz C. , Gitaitis R. D. , Mullis S. W. , Csinos A. S. , Langston D. B. , Sparks A. N. 
Published: October 2007

Iris yellow spot virus (IYSV) is a member of the genus Tospovirus in the family Bunyaviridae. Its known host range is very limited, and the currently known hosts include onion, leek, lisianthus, and alstroemeria (2). The virus is vectored by onion thrips (Thrips tabaci). Onion (Allium cepa) is grown as a winter crop in Georgia from September to April and is the only known host commercially grown in the region. However, the virus has been found across the onion-growing region in the state every year since its first occurrence during 2003 (3). Consequently, the virus must oversummer in other host(s) or its insect vector. Accordingly, samples of weeds were collected in the vicinity of onion fields and cull piles in the Vidalia region and tested for the presence of IYSV by a double-antibody sandwich (DAS)-ELISA (Agdia, Inc., Elkhart, IN). One of three nonsymptomatic spiny sowthistle samples tested positive by ELISA for IYSV. Total RNA was extracted from the leaf using the RNeasy Plant Mini Kit (Qiagen, Valencia, CA) following the manufacturer's protocol. Two microliters were used for reverse transcription (RT)-PCR with the forward primer (5′-TCAGAAATCGAGAAACTT-3′) and reverse primer (5′-TAATTATATCTATCTTTCTTGG-3′) for the IYSV nucleocapsid gene (1). A band of the expected size (approximately 800 bp) was obtained and sequenced. The sequence from the sowthistle (GenBank Accession No. EU078327) matched IYSV sequences from Georgia and Peru in a BLAST search in GenBank (closest matches with Accession Nos. DQ838584, DQ838592, DQ838593, and DQ658242). This is to our knowledge, the first confirmed report of IYSV infecting spiny sowthistle. The distribution of IYSV in sowthistle and its role as an oversummering host for IYSV is currently an on-going study. References: (1) L. du Toit et al. Plant Dis. 88:222, 2004. (2) D. H. Gent et al. Plant Dis. 90:1468, 2006. (3) S. W. Mullis et al. Plant Dis. 88:1285, 2004.
First Report of Fusarium Wilt of Coreopsis verticillata ‘Moonbeam’ Caused by Fusarium oxysporum in a Midwestern Nursery
Authors: Elmer W. H. , Daughtrey M. , Rane K. , Jimenez-Gasco M. M. 
Published: October 2007

Disease symptoms were observed in a commercial nursery in the midwest on Coreopsis verticillata ‘Moonbeam’ during the summer of 2006. Plants in a roughly circular area in one field showed foliar necrosis, stem basal cankers, root rot, and eventually plant death. Vascular discoloration was noted in stems of affected plants. Sporulation typical of Fusarium oxysporum was observed on the surface of cankers. Five isolates of F. oxysporum (KR1, KR2, KR4, MDU, and MDL) were taxonomically identified from monosporic cultures obtained from surface-disinfested stems and roots. All five isolates were vegetatively compatible with each other. Two methods of inoculation were used. Method one (conidial drench) involved pouring 100 ml of conidial suspension (106 conidia per ml) into 10-cm pots containing one healthy 2-month-old division of the same cultivar that was obtained from a different nursery. Method two (millet infestation) involved mixing autoclaved millet seed that had been colonized by each isolate into potting mix (2.5 g/L of mix) prior to transplanting. Four plants were tested per isolate per method and controls received distilled water or autoclaved millet. After 3 months, only two isolates (KR1 and KR2) inoculated by conidial drench caused root rot, whereas all isolates inoculated by millet infestation caused wilt, root rot, and vascular discoloration, and all inoculated plants died after 3.5 months Controls remained healthy. The fungus was recovered and was vegetatively compatible with the original F. oxysporum isolates. The tef-α gene from two F. oxysporum isolates was sequenced, submitted to the Blast ID search at Pennsylvania State University (1), and found to belong to the F. oxysporum species complex. Two isolates (KR1 and KR 2) have been deposited at the Fusarium Research Center at Pennsylvania State University under deposition numbers O-2437 and O-2438. Because of the popularity of this coreopsis cultivar, this disease has the potential to cause significant economic loss in nurseries and landscape businesses. The affected nursery, however, has taken all precautions to avoid disseminating the pathogen. Reference: (1) D. M. Geiser et al. Eur. J. Plant Pathol. 110:473, 2004.
Beyond the Sovereign Debt Crisis: Alternative Forms of Market‐Based Debt Restructuring Schemes
Authors: Corrado Luisa 
Published: October 2007

Abstract The resolution of the international debt crises has stimulated extensive research onhow to design solutions for countries facing external debt overhang problems. Thispaper analyses the benefits for creditors and debtors of the following `market‐based'debt restructuring schemes: (i) issue of collateralised new assets inexchange for the old debt; (ii) automatic roll‐over of the debt repayment with astate‐contingent penalty rate. The first proposal combines the basic debt conversionscheme proposed by Krugman (1989) with Cline's proposal (1995) of self‐enhancementson the new claims as a form of risk‐compensation for creditors (seealso Williamson, 1988). Under this scheme the debtor country modifies the streamof the debt service payments by voluntarily exchanging the outstanding debt fornew assets with different debt service characteristics where the principal and/or theinterest rate payment can be fully or partially collateralised. The roll‐over schemeentitles illiquid countries to extend the outstanding debt for a specified period at apenalty rate which is contingent on a measure of the country's creditworthiness.This solution has the desirable effect of reducing the future contractual obligationsby lowering the penalty rate on the excess of debt rolled over, thus helping thedebtor country to use additional resources to invest in the economy.