bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
mRNA expression of T‐helper 1, T‐helper 2 cytokines in autoimmune hepatitis in childhood
Authors: Kawashima Hisashi , Kato Naoki , Ioi Hiroaki , Nishimata Shigeo , Watanabe Chiako , Kashiwagi Yasuyo , Takekuma Kouji , Hoshika Akinori , Szenborn Leszek , Bergman Kacprzak 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBackground: In the pathology of autoimmune hepatitis the immunity mechanism of T‐helper 1 (Th1) and Th2 cells was recently evaluated. The purpose of the present study was to measure the mRNA levels in peripheral mononuclear cells and serum cytokines obtained from children with autoimmune hepatitis for a better understanding of the mechanism.Methods: Twenty‐five patients with autoimmune hepatitis and seven controls were enrolled. mRNA levels in peripheral mononuclear cells and serum cytokines were measured using real‐time polymerase chain reaction and immunoassay.Results: Serum interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) and interleukin‐4 (IL‐4) were rarely detected. In contrast the IFN‐γ/β‐actin mRNA levels were high.Conclusion: Autoimmune hepatitis is a Th1‐predominant state, therefore immune modulation therapies that target the control of Th1 cytokines should be used.
Changes in the presence of urine Helicobacter pylori antibody in Japanese children in three different age groups
Authors: Naito Yukiko , Shimizu Toshiaki , Haruna Hidenori , Fujii Tohru , Kudo Takahiro , Shoji Hiromichi , Suzuki Ken 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBackground: The rates of acquisition and spontaneous eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection in children has yet to be established. To determine these rates in children living in an urban region of Japan, the levels of urine H. pylori antibodies in children of three different age groups were measured.Methods: A urine‐based enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect H. pylori antibodies twice within a 12 month interval over 2 years in 452 healthy children living in Tokyo. The subjects were divided into three groups: ages 4, 7, and 10 years.Results: The prevalence of H. pylori infection was not different among the groups, being between 4.0% and 6.7%. The rate of turn to positivity for H. pylori infection was 1.5% per year and the rate of turn to negativity was 1.1%, but in the 10 year age group the rates were markedly lower than in the younger children.Conclusion: The prevalence of H. pylori infection in Tokyo was 4.0–6.7% and was not different among 4, 7, and 10 year age groups.
Clinical predictors of respiratory syncytial virus infection in children
Authors: Durani Yamini , Friedman Marla J. , Attia Magdy W. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractAim: The aim of this study was to develop a clinical prediction model that identifies respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in infants and young children.Methods: Children ≤ 36 months of age with respiratory illness, who were suspected of having RSV infection, were enrolled in this prospective cohort study during the study period between January and February 2002. RSV testing was performed on all patients.Results: Of the 197 patients enrolled in the study, 126 (64%) were positive for RSV and 71 (36%) patients were either negative for RSV or had a positive culture for viruses other than RSV. The mean age of patients was 5 months and 57% were male. Backwards stepwise logistic regression analysis identified cough (p = 0.000), wheezing (p = 0.002), and retractions (p = 0.008) as independent variables predictive of RSV infection. The prediction model had a sensitivity of 80% (95% CI, 71–87%), specificity of 68% (95% CI, 54–79%), positive predictive value 82% (95% CI, 74–89%), negative predictive value 66% (95% CI, 52–77), positive likelihood ratio 2.5 (95% CI, 1.8–3.7) and post‐test probability of 82%.Conclusion: The combination of cough, wheezing and retractions predicts RSV infection in infants and young children.
Clinical significance of reduced systemic Windkessel size in severe ventricular septal defect patients
Authors: Kamisaka Keiko , Awa Shoichi , Akagi Michio , Watanabe Naoyuki , Kato Kaoru , Waragai Tadashi 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBackground: Large‐shunt ventricular septal defect (VSD) infants manifest varied serious symptoms resulting from peripheral arterial constriction to compensate for increased pulmonary blood flow (Qp) and concomitantly decreased systemic blood flow (Qs). The aim of the present paper was therefore to estimate the whole arterial space proximal to arterioles as the systemic Windkessel size (WS) in these infants and compare it with aortic volume (AV) estimated angiographically.Method: Subjects were divided into three groups. Group 1a consisted of the so‐called balanced‐pressure VSD infants; group 1b consisted of those with normal or moderately increased pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and highly augmented Qp; and group 2 consisted of those with a history of mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome as controls for Qp and pulmonary artery pressure. WS was computed from the Windkessel model, while the AV was calculated from the angiogram. Maximal systolic (WSs), mean (WSm), and minimum diastolic (WSd) WS were defined, computed, and compared.Result: All WS were significantly smaller in group 1a; those of group 1b were between group 1a and group 2, with Qs‐dependent reduction of WS throughout all these three groups. WSs, WSm, and WSd had negative correlations with right ventricular systolic pressure/left ventricular systolic pressure in group 1a and group 1b. WSm, or the time averaged size, proved to be larger than the corresponding AV in all patients. The ratio of WSm/AV was significantly reduced in group 1a compared to group 1b and group 2, indicating that systemic arterial Windkessel space in severe VSD infants is significantly small, especially so in terms of space distal to aortic valve and proximal to arterioles.Conclusion: In severe VSD infants the whole systemic arterial space proximal to arterioles (WS) is reduced in size according to severity.
EVALUATION OF COLONOSCOPIC FINDINGS IN PATIENTS WITH DIARRHEAGENIC ESCHERICHIA COLI‐INDUCED HEMORRHAGIC COLITIS
Authors: Shigeno Takashi , Akamatsu Taiji , Fujimori Kazuya , Nakatsuji Yoshiyuki , Nakamura Yoshiyuki 
Published: May 2008

Background:  We evaluated the clinical significance of colonoscopic findings in the acute infectious phase of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (E. coli)‐induced hemorrhagic colitis.Methods:  According to the strain of cultured pathogen, 38 patients with diarrheagenic E. coli‐induced hemorrhagic colitis were divided into an enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) group consisting of 20 patients and a non‐EHEC group consisting of 18 patients. The inflammatory findings were classified into five grades primarily according to the severity of the edema, and attendant on the degree of erythema. The inflammatory grade was determined for each part of the colon, rectum, and terminal ileum.Results:  In the EHEC group, colonoscopy manifested characteristic findings of an inflammatory gradient in most patients. Additionally, in approximately half of the patients, longitudinal ulcers were observed in part of the transverse colon and/or the descending colon. In the non‐EHEC group, inflammatory findings were milder than those of EHEC‐induced colitis, and were restricted to the left‐side colon in most patients. In five of 18 patients, colonoscopic findings closely resembled those of transient ischemic colitis. In two of 18 patients, geographic ulcerations were seen in the left‐side colon. In 11 of 18 patients, only mild inflammations were observed in restricted segments of the colon.Conclusions:  In the EHEC group, colonoscopy manifested characteristic findings not seen in other colonic diseases, and which are useful in predicting the probability of EHEC as the causative pathogen in patients with hemorrhagic colitis. In the non‐EHEC group, colonoscopic findings did not demonstrate the common inflammatory findings seen in the EHEC group.
SMALL SPHINCTEROTOMY COMBINED WITH ENDOSCOPIC PAPILLARY LARGE BALLOON DILATION IN PATIENTS WITH BILLROTH II GASTRECTOMY
Authors: Minami Atsushi 
Published: May 2008

Background:  The difficulty in orienting a duodenoscope or sphincterotome in Billroth II gastrectomy patients with an afferent loop is well known to experienced biliary endoscopists. In patients who have large biliary stones, stone retrieval is technically difficult, particularly when a mechanical lithotriptor is required. To address this issue a new technique was developed to gain greater access to the common bile duct.Methods:  This new technique, small endoscopic sphincterotomy combined with endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation (SES + EPLD), was carried out in eight cases with Billroth II reconstruction. First, endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) with a small incision was performed with a capped forward‐viewing endoscope. Then, endoscopic papillary dilation was performed with a large balloon to slowly match the size of the bile duct. Stones were then retrieved from the biliary duct with a balloon and a basket.Results:  Stone retrieval was successful in all cases. Dilating the papillary orifice with a large balloon made it possible to remove large stones smoothly without crushing them. After dilation with the large balloon, there were some instances of oozing, but no perforations near the papilla.Conclusions:  SES + EPLD was effective for the retrieval of large biliary stones without the use of mechanical lithotripsy for B‐II reconstruction cases. This new method, incorporating a slow dilation of the papilla up to a large diameter, could provide a larger opening than a large ES. This method of stone retrieval is easy to perform and may be able to play a role in the treatment of large and multiple bile duct stones with B‐II gastrectomy.
RISK FACTORS IN SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF THORACIC EMPYEMA IN ELDERLY PATIENTS
Authors: Hsieh Ming‐Ju , Liu Yun‐Hen , Chao Yin‐Kai , Lu Ming‐Shian , Liu Hui‐Ping , Wu Yi‐Cheng , Lu Hung‐I , Chu Yen 
Published: May 2008

Background:  Although elderly patients with thoracic disease were considered to be poor candidates for thoracotomy before, recent advances in preoperative and postoperative care as well as surgical techniques have improved outcomes of thoracotomies in this patient group. The aim of this study was to investigate surgical risk factors and results in elderly patients (aged ≥70 years) with thoracic empyema.Methods:  Seventy‐one elderly patients with empyema thoracis were enrolled and evaluated from July 2000 to April 2003. The following characteristics and clinical data were analysed: age, sex, aetiology of empyema, comorbid diseases, preoperative conditions, postoperative days of intubation, length of hospital stay after surgery, complications and mortality.Results:  Surgical intervention, including total pneumonolysis and evacuation of the pleura empyema cavity, was carried out in all patients. Possible influent risk factors on the outcome were analysed. The sample group included 54 men and 17 women with an average age of 76.8 years. The causes of empyema included parapneumonic effusion (n = 43), lung abscess (n = 8), necrotizing pneumonitis (n = 8), malignancy (n = 5), cirrhosis (n = 2), oesophageal perforation (n = 2), post‐traumatic empyema (n = 2) and post‐thoracotomy complication (n = 1). The 30‐day mortality rate was 11.3% and the in‐hospital mortality rate was 18.3% (13 of 71). Mean follow up was 9.4 months and mean duration of postoperative hospitalization was 35.8 days. Analysis of risk factors showed that patients with necrotizing pneumonitis or abscess had the highest mortality rate (10 of 18, 62.6%). The second highest risk factor was preoperative intubation or ventilator‐dependency (8 of 18, 44.4%).Conclusion:  This study presents the clinical features and outcomes of 71 elderly patients with empyema thoracis who underwent surgical treatment. The 30‐day surgical mortality rate was 11.3%. Significant risk factors in elderly patients with empyema thoracis were necrotizing pneumonitis, abscess and preoperative intubation/ventilation. This study also suggested that surgical treatment of empyema thoracic in elderly patients is recommended after failed conservative treatment because of the acceptably postoperative complication and mortality rate.
PELVIC DRAINAGE FOR ANTERIOR RESECTION REVISITED: USE OF DRAINS IN ANASTOMOTIC LEAKS
Authors: Tsujinaka Shingo , Kawamura Yutaka J. , Konishi Fumio , Maeda Takafumi , Mizokami Ken 
Published: May 2008

Background:  Although routine pelvic drainage in colorectal surgery has not been justified in randomized controlled trials, nevertheless, many surgical institutes routinely use pelvic drains after anterior resection. Some reports have focused mainly on the effect of a pelvic drain on anastomotic complications. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of pelvic drainage in the management of anastomotic leak following anterior resection.Methods:  One hundred and ninety‐six patients who underwent elective anterior resection for rectal cancer between April 2001 and June 2006 were included. Surgery was carried out with total or tumour‐specific mesorectal excision depending on the anastomotic level. Pelvic drainage was established in all patients using a silastic drain in a closed, gravitational method.Results:  Anastomotic leaks occurred in 21 (10.7%) patients. Changes in drain content suggesting an anastomotic leak were observed in 15 (71.4%) patients, 11 of whom remained asymptomatic. Anastomotic leaks were resolved by conservative treatment with the existing drain in 10 (47.6%) patients and the other 11 (52.4%) required further surgical interventions. In patients who developed anastomotic leaks, the pelvic drain was kept in place for a median duration of 52 days (range 32–169 days). Complications related to the drain included stitch abscess in five patients, herniation of the omentum in two and bowel perforation due to the drain in one patient.Conclusion:  Pelvic drainage may act as an early detector of anastomotic leaks and reduce the need for reoperation in selected patients undergoing rectal cancer surgery.
COLORECTAL CANCER IN THE ELDERLY. IS THERE A ROLE FOR SAFE AND CURATIVE SURGERY?
Authors: Basili Giancarlo , Lorenzetti Luca , Biondi Graziano , Preziuso Enrico , Angrisano Claudio , Carnesecchi Paolo , Roberto Eugenia , Goletti Orlando 
Published: May 2008

Background:  Recent reports place colorectal cancer (CRC) as the third most common cancer for both sexes. Elderly patients are often viewed as high‐risk surgical candidates with high rates of emergency presentations and perioperative mortality. The aim of our study was to examine the characteristics and perioperative morbidity and mortality rates of elderly patients presented to CRC surgery.Methods:  We retrospectively studied 248 patients who underwent surgery for CRC at our institution between July 2003 and December 2005. Risk factors included sex, age, cancer localization, Dukes’ and TNM classification, blood transfusion, preoperative Physiologic and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and Morbidity score and mode of presentation. Primary outcome was perioperative death.Results:  The study consisted of 143 men and 105 women. One hundred and thirty‐four (54%) patients were more than 75 years of age. In the two older groups, cancer was more common in the proximal colon than in the youngest age group (P = 0.001). Of the 25 resections carried out as emergency, 20 were in those who were more than 75 years of age (P < 0.001). In elective procedure, perioperative mortality scores were 3.1% in those who were more than 75 years of age versus 0% in those less than 75 years, meanwhile in emergency, rates of 24 versus 0% (P = not significant) were registered. In Cox multivariate regression analysis, age and mode of presentation reached statistical significance.Conclusion:  Old age itself is not an independent negative prognostic factor for CRC surgery. Although emergency operations were associated with poor outcome, most patients survived and left the hospital. This study suggests that, whenever possible, curative intent should be applied in patients with CRC, irrespective of the age.
Toward a better understanding of the regional causes of local community richness
Authors: Harrison Susan , Cornell Howard 
Published: May 2008

AbstractDespite widespread acknowledgement that local ecological communities are profoundly shaped by regional‐scale influences, including evolutionary and biogeographic processes, this perspective has yet to be widely incorporated into ecological research. Drawing on recent research, we propose four steps towards making regional influences a stronger part of research on the richness of local communities: (1) identifying the regional‐scale causes of variation in species richness in the systems ecologists study; (2) testing for effects of regional richness on local richness, using improved observational and experimental analyses to overcome earlier problems; (3) simultaneously analysing environmental influences on regional and local species richness as well as the influence of regional richness on local richness and (4) considering the potential reciprocal effects of local processes on regional richness. In conclusion, we suggest some ways that similar approaches could be applied to other aspects of community structure beyond species richness.
Necessity and Language: The Gap Is Still Very Real
Authors: Kalhat Javier 
Published: May 2008

AbstractIn my previous paper “Has the later Wittgenstein accounted for necessity?” I argued against the conventionalist account of necessity proposed by Wittgenstein and his followers. Glock has addressed some of my objections in his paper “Necessity and Language: In Defence of Conventionalism”. This brief rejoinder considers Glock's replies to three of those objections. In the course of doing so, I revisit Wittgenstein's explanation of the special status of necessary propositions, the supposedly arbitrary nature of colour‐grammatical propositions, and the relation between rules and modality.
Phillips and Eternal Life: A Response to Haldane
Authors: Burley Mikel 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThis paper responds to John Haldane's recent criticisms of D. Z. Phillips’ treatment of the Christian belief in eternal life. I argue that Haldane's attempt to show that Phillips only partially elucidates, and hence misrepresents, this belief is unsuccessful, the biblical and theological passages cited by Haldane being amenable to elucidation in terms of which Phillips would have approved. Haldane makes three points to support his main claim, and I argue that none of these has significant force against Phillips’ position unless we presuppose the truth of some realist account of meaning, which Phillips would, of course, reject.
Reduced MHC variation in a threatened tuatara species
Authors: Miller H. C. , Miller K. A. , Daugherty C. H. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe relationship between neutral and adaptive genetic diversity is important to understand in assessing the implications of a population bottleneck. Fitness‐related genes, such as those of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), may be influenced by selection, and so retain diversity even when it is lost at neutral markers. We measured MHC class I variation in an archaic reptile species Sphenodon guntheri [North Brother Island (NBI) tuatara], which naturally occurs on one 4 ha island in Cook Strait, New Zealand, and has low levels of microsatellite diversity. MHC variation in S. guntheri was compared with microsatellite DNA variation, and with MHC variation in a large population of Sphenodon punctatus (Cook Strait tuatara) on Stephens Island. The NBI population shows significantly decreased levels of genetic diversity compared with the Stephens Island population. Only three different MHC sequences and three genotypes were found on NBI, compared with 15 sequences and 21 genotypes in a similar sample size from Stephens Island. Two sequences appear to be unique to the NBI population. The assortment of sequence variants into genotypes suggests strong gametic disequilibrium between two MHC class I loci in S. guntheri, and only two haplotypes that were present in Hardy–Weinberg proportions were identified. MHC diversity in NBI tuatara appears to be largely influenced by genetic drift, consistent with a recent population bottleneck. This may compromise the ability of this population to respond to novel disease threats.
Using Population Mixtures to Optimize the Utility of Genomic Databases: Linkage Disequilibrium and Association Study Design in India
Authors: Pemberton T. J. , Jakobsson M. , Conrad D. F. , Coop G. , Wall J. D. , Pritchard J. K. , Patel P. I. , Rosenberg N. A. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryWhen performing association studies in populations that have not been the focus of large‐scale investigations of haplotype variation, it is often helpful to rely on genomic databases in other populations for study design and analysis – such as in the selection of tag SNPs and in the imputation of missing genotypes. One way of improving the use of these databases is to rely on a mixture of database samples that is similar to the population of interest, rather than using the single most similar database sample. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the mixture approach in the application of African, European, and East Asian HapMap samples for tag SNP selection in populations from India, a genetically intermediate region underrepresented in genomic studies of haplotype variation.
A simple morphological predictor of bite force in rodents
Authors: Freeman P. W. , Lemen C. A. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBite force was quantified for 13 species of North American rodents using a piezo‐resistive sensor. Most of the species measured (11) formed a tight relationship between body mass and bite force (log 10(bite force)=0.43(log 10(body mass))+0.416; R2>0.98). This high correlation exists despite the ecological (omnivores, grazers and more carnivorous) and taxonomic (Cricetidae, Heteromyidae, Sciuridae and Zapodidae) diversity of species. Two additional species, Geomys bursarius (Geomyidae) and a Sciurus niger (Sciuridae), bit much harder for their size. We found a simple index of strength based on two measurements of the incisor at the level of the alveolus (Zi=((anterior‐posterior length)2× (medial‐lateral width))/6) that is highly predictive of bite force in these rodents (R2>0.96). Zi may be useful for prediction of bite force (log10 (Bite Force)=0.566log10 (Zi)+1.432) when direct measurements are not available.
The feedback correct‐related positivity: Sensitivity of the event‐related brain potential to unexpected positive feedback
Authors: Holroyd Clay B. , Pakzad‐Vaezi Kaivon L. , Krigolson Olave E. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe N200 and the feedback error‐related negativity (fERN) are two components of the event‐related brain potential (ERP) that share similar scalp distributions, time courses, morphologies, and functional dependencies, which raises the question as to whether they are actually the same phenomenon. To investigate this issue, we recorded the ERP from participants engaged in two tasks that independently elicited the N200 and fERN. Our results indicate that they are, in fact, the same ERP component and further suggest that positive feedback elicits a positive‐going deflection in the time range of the fERN. Taken together, these results indicate that negative feedback elicits a common N200 and that modulation of fERN amplitude results from the superposition on correct trials of a positive‐going deflection that we term the feedback correct‐related positivity.