bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Laparoscopic vs open living donor nephrectomy: a contemporary series from one centre
Authors: POWER RICHARD E. , PRESTON JOHN M. , GRIFFIN ANTHONY , MARTIN IAN , WALL DARYL R. , NICOL DAVID L. 
Published: June 2006

Laparoscopic versus open living‐donor nephrectomy has become a frequent debate amongst urologists involved in this area of expertise, with the laparoscopic argument being most popular at present. Authors from Australia describe a prospective comparative trial using both techniques, finding that the laparoscopic approach could be introduced without compromising results.Authors from the USA describe their experience with cystinuria, and suggest measures that might be taken to reduce the number of surgical procedures required in their treatment.OBJECTIVESTo report our experience of laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy (LDN) vs open donor nephrectomy (ODN), as LDN offers potential advantages to the donor and has become a routine procedure for live kidney procurement worldwide.PATIENTS AND METHODSBetween February 2000 and August 2005 we performed 183 donor‐recipient operations at our institution (ODN, 83; LDN, 100). We prospectively collected information on all donors and recipients for the same period to audit our experience with the first 100 LDNs. Patients made their operative choice after discussions that included unit experience and published information. We present our findings with the emphasis on donor operative details and early recipient graft outcome.RESULTSDonor and recipient age, gender, body mass index, human leukocyte antigen mismatches, and vascular anastomotic times did not differ significantly between the groups. There were two conversions to an open operation in the LND group; neither affected recipient‐graft outcome. The mean (sd) operative duration was 178 (38) min for the LDN and 159 (34) min for the ODN (P < 0.05). The mean (sd) hospital stay was 4.7 (1.2) days in the LND group and 6.8 (1.5) days in the ODN group (P < 0.05). There was one case of delayed graft function in both groups. Serum creatinine levels at 1, 6 and 12 months after transplantation did not differ significantly between the groups.CONCLUSIONSOur contemporaneous series shows the safe introduction of a laparoscopic living‐donor programme without compromising donor patient safety or allograft outcome.
Simultaneous pulmonary and cerebral oedema, and multiple CNS infarctions as complications of diabetic ketoacidosis: a case report
Authors: Dixon A. N. , Jude E. B. , Banerjee A. K. , Bain S. C. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractWe present a case of a 29‐year‐old woman with known Type 1 diabetes who presented with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Despite appropriate treatment and initial improvement, 12 h after initiation of treatment she deteriorated rapidly and developed pulmonary oedema, cerebral oedema and multiple infarctions of the brain and cervical spinal cord. This resulted in spastic quadraparesis and she has remained wheelchair‐bound. These complications of DKA are rare and unpredictable. In this case report we discuss the proposed aetiologies of these complications with reference to our case report and highlight the importance of vigilance for early signs of these complications during the treatment of all patients with DKA.
Insulin detemir under steady‐state conditions: no accumulation and constant metabolic effect over time with twice daily administration in subjects with Type 1 diabetes
Authors: Bott S. , Tusek C. , Jacobsen L. V. , Endahl L. , Draeger E. , Kapitza C. , Heise T. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractAims This study investigated the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic characteristics of the novel long‐acting insulin analogue insulin detemir (IDet) under single‐dose and steady‐state conditions in comparison with those of NPH insulin at steady state.Methods Twenty‐five subjects with Type 1 diabetes [seven females, 18 males, mean age (± sd) 39 ± 12 years, body mass index 24 ± 3 kg/m2] participated in three 24‐h glucose clamps. IDet or NPH were given at 12‐h intervals in fixed, individualized doses. The first clamp assessed the metabolic effect of NPH at steady state, the second investigated the effect of two single injections of IDet. Subjects continued IDet treatment for 7–14 days, after which the third clamp was performed to investigate IDet at steady state.Results At steady state, the metabolic effect of IDet was constant over 24 h while a clear peak in the metabolic effect [expressed as glucose infusion rates (GIR)] was observed with NPH after each injection. The fluctuation in the metabolic effect (maximum GIR divided by the average of the GIR values at the interval ends) was significantly lower in the second 12 h of the experiments with IDet under steady‐state conditions compared with NPH (fluctuation12−24 h1.27 ± 0.17 vs. 1.56 ± 0.72,P < 0.05). The overall metabolic effect of IDet at steady state was comparable with that of NPH [GIR‐area under curve (AUC)0−24 h: 5697 ± 1861 vs. 5929 ± 1965 mg/kg] whereas a significantly lower effect (5187 ± 1784 mg/kg,P = 0.01 vs. steady state) was observed following the first two IDet injections. GIR values at the end of clamp day 2 (first doses) and clamp day 3 (steady state) were comparable [GIRtrough 24 h3.7 ± 1.7 vs. 3.8 ± 1.6 mg/(kg × min) NS], indicating that IDet had reached steady state after the first two injections.Conclusions IDet administered twice daily reached steady state after the second injection and showed a constant metabolic effect over time under steady‐state conditions. This should facilitate basal insulin substitution and decrease the risk of hypoglycaemia in insulin‐treated subjects.
Pregnancy in women with diabetes—after the CEMACH report, what now?
Authors: Casson I. F. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe second of three studies being undertaken by the Confidential Enquiry into Maternal and Child Health (CEMACH) has recently reported its findings and recommendations. The standards of diabetes and maternal care and the outcomes of 3808 pregnancies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are described. Pre‐pregnancy planning and care before conception is poor. Stillbirth rate (26.8 per thousand) and perinatal mortality (41.8 per thousand) were 4–5 times higher than the background population, and congenital anomaly (41.8 per thousand) double the background rate. Type 2 diabetes now represents 27.3% of pre‐gestational diabetes and more often of ethnic minority and deprived background than Type 1 diabetes. The ideals of the Diabetes National Service Framework and the target of the Saint Vincent declaration are far from being achieved. Much can be done to improve the outcomes of pregnancy within existing resources with better systems and organization of care. However, if significant progress is to be made, it is incumbent upon health‐care professionals and health‐care commissioners to direct resources specifically at improving pre‐pregnancy and maternity services. Research is needed firstly to analyse in greater detail the wealth of data collected in the CEMACH survey and consider the implications of health‐care costs. Further research to discover ways of reducing the adverse outcomes is urgently required. The need to educate, motivate and bring about improved pre‐pregnancy care in women with diabetes is a priority.
Longitudinal Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study of the Alcohol‐Preferring Rat. Part I: Adult Brain Growth
Authors: Sullivan Edith V. , Adalsteinsson Elfar , Sood Rohit , Mayer Dirk , Bell Richard , McBride William , Li Ting‐Kai , Pfefferbaum Adolf 
Published: June 2006

Background: The alcohol‐preferring (P) rat, a Wistar strain selectively bred to consume large amounts of alcohol voluntarily, has been used as an animal model of human alcoholism for 3 decades. Heretofore, knowledge about brain morphology has been confined to postmortem examination. Quantitative neuroimaging procedures make it feasible to examine the potential longitudinal effects of alcohol exposure in vivo, while controlling modifying factors, such as age, nutrition, and exercise. To date, few imaging studies have considered what morphological changes occur with age in the rodent brain, and none has systematically applied quantitative neuroimaging approaches to measure volume changes in regional brain structures over extended periods in the adult rat.Methods: We used structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a longitudinal design to examine 2 cohorts of adult P rats, never exposed to alcohol: Cohort A included 8 rats, 7 of which survived the entire study (578 days) and 4 MRI sessions; Cohort B included 9 rats, all of which survived the study (452 days) and 5 MRI sessions.Results: Growth in whole‐brain volume reached maximal levels by about 450 days of age, whereas body weight continued its gain without asymptote. Growth was not uniform across the brain structures measured. Over the initial 12 months of the study, the corpus callosum area expanded 36%, cerebellum 17%, and hippocampus 10%, whereas ventricle size was unchanged. Factors affecting growth rate estimates included litter effects, MR image signal‐to‐noise ratio, and measurement error.Conclusion: Unlike longitudinal human reports of regional volume declines in aging brain tissue, several brain structures in adult rats continued growing, and some growth patterns were litter‐dependent. Determining normal regional growth patterns of brain and of the substantial variance exerted by litter differences, even in selectively bred rats, is essential for establishing baselines against which normal and aberrant dynamic changes can be detected in animal models of aging and disease.
A BIOSENSOR METHOD FOR DETECTION OF STAPHYLOCOCCAL ENTEROTOXIN A IN RAW WHOLE EGG*
Authors: MEDINA MARJORIE B. 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACT Staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) is the most commonly recovered staphylococcal enterotoxin in food poisoning outbreaks. Our research objective was to develop a competitive immunoassay using a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor for the detection of SEA in raw eggs. Homogenized raw eggs were spiked with SEA and clarified by centrifugation at 14,989 × g. Anti‐SEA was added to aliquots of the egg supernatants allowing SEA to bind with anti‐SEA. The bound complex was separated from the free immunoglobulin G (IgG) by centrifugation. The supernatant was automatically sampled and injected over the SEA sensor surface of the SPR system. The IgG‐bound response units were plotted against spiked SEA concentration. SEA was detected in whole egg at 1–40 ng/mL (ppb). The biosensor analysis including the sensor regeneration was 15 min per sample in an automated system. This biosensor assay can be utilized for SEA detection in liquid eggs.
Self-Organization of Atmospheric Macroturbulence into Critical States of Weak Nonlinear Eddy–Eddy Interactions
Authors: Schneider Tapio , Walker Christopher C. 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
It is generally held that atmospheric macroturbulence can be strongly nonlinear. Yet weakly nonlinear models successfully account for scales and structures of baroclinic eddies in Earth's atmosphere. Here a theory and simulations with an idealized GCM are presented that suggest weakly nonlinear models are so successful because atmospheric macroturbulence organizes itself into critical states of weak nonlinear eddy–eddy interactions. By modifying the thermal structure of the extratropical atmosphere such that its supercriticality remains limited, macroturbulence inhibits nonlinear eddy–eddy interactions and the concomitant inverse energy cascade from the length scales of baroclinic instability to larger scales. For small meridional surface temperature gradients, the extratropical thermal stratification and tropopause height are set by radiation and convection, and the supercriticality is less than one; for sufficiently large meridional surface temperature gradients, the extratropical thermal stratification and tropopause height are modified by baroclinic eddies such that the supercriticality does not significantly exceed one. In either case, the scale of the energy-containing eddies is similar to the scale of the linearly most unstable baroclinic waves, and eddy kinetic and available potential energies are equipartitioned. The theory and simulations point to fundamental constraints on the thermal structures and global circulations of the atmospheres of Earth and other planets, for example, by providing limits on the tropopause height and estimates for eddy scales, eddy energies, and jet separation scales.
The Growth of Ice Crystals by Molecular Diffusion
Authors: Youk Hyun , List Roland , Ola Theophilus 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
The mass transfer of water molecules by diffusion onto ice particles is best described by their Sherwood number (Sh), a dimensionless quantity, which combines molecular and convective effects and depends on the airflow as represented by the Reynolds number (Re). While Sh (Re &gt; 0) has been previously measured in experiments for typical crystal shapes, the limiting case of pure molecular diffusion (Sh0) for zero flow with Re = 0 is not known well and needs independent determination.
The direct numerical solution of the controlling Laplace equation links diffusion with electric fields through the electrostatic analogy. It will be solved for the electrostatic potential V around a crystal-shaped conductor of capacitance C. The results will then be converted by similarity theory. This led to the first numerical determination of Sh0 for hexagonal plates, hexagonal columns, stellar crystals, capped columns, and broad-branched crystals. The new data represent another necessary step in the formulation of an experiment-based theory of the growth of freely falling ice crystals in the atmosphere.
A discrete version of Gauss's flux law is developed to compute the flux generated by a crystal-shaped conductor in a finite Cartesian grid box, using a Gauss–Seidel iterative scheme. This method is general and can be applied to compute Sh0 for any rectilinear shapes to any degree of accuracy. The dimensionless mass transfer by molecular diffusion, Sh0, is identical to the diffusion of heat characterized by the Nusselt number Nu0.
Constrained Spatial Layout and Simultaneous Production Evaluation for a Production System
Authors: Lan Chun-Hsiung , Kang Chung-Jen 
Published: June 2006

This paper proposes a mathematical model called Multi-objective Production System Design (MOPSD) model and a two-staged solving procedure. The MOPSD model not only considers the two-dimensional layout of a production system under the constrained factory space to achieve the minimal total material transportation flow but also determines the optimal assigned number of workstations and the optimal system cycle time concerning a simultaneous production situation. The first major objective of MOPSD model is regarded as a Quadratic Assignment Problem (QAP), but it considers the size of operation element, the multiple production lines, and the constrained two-dimensional factory space where traditional QAP studies are seldom mentioned. The second objective of the MOPSD model is to determine the optimal system cycle time as well as the optimal assigned number of workstations under the simultaneous production situation for preventing the underestimation of the system production rate. The first-stage solving procedure of the MOPSD model applies the space discrete technique to make the infinite deployable locations become finite, and then one can achieve the major objective through the system layout. In addition, the Four Position Coding Technique (FPCT) is developed to code the nodes in the deployed production system obtaining from the first stage, and therefore those FPCT codes can function as the input parameters in the second-stage solving procedure. These two solving procedures are constructed by the syntax of Lingo 9.0 extended version, and a numerical example is followed to describe the detailed solving procedure. In summary, the repeated characteristic of the MOPSD model and its solving procedure make this study a valuable decision support tool because they are constructed by the packaged software Lingo 9.0. That is, a factory can easily duplicate to solve other cases by changing its input parameters only.
Argument-predicate distance as a filter for enhancing precision in extracting predications on the genetic etiology of disease
Authors: Masseroli Marco , Kilicoglu Halil , Lang François-Michel , Rindflesch Thomas C 
Published: June 2006

AbstractBackgroundGenomic functional information is valuable for biomedical research. However, such information frequently needs to be extracted from the scientific literature and structured in order to be exploited by automatic systems. Natural language processing is increasingly used for this purpose although it inherently involves errors. A postprocessing strategy that selects relations most likely to be correct is proposed and evaluated on the output ofSemGen, a system that extracts semantic predications on the etiology of genetic diseases. Based on the number of intervening phrases between an argument and its predicate, we defined a heuristic strategy to filter the extracted semantic relations according to their likelihood of being correct. We also applied this strategy to relations identified with co-occurrence processing. Finally, we exploited postprocessedSemGenpredications to investigate the genetic basis of Parkinson's disease.ResultsThe filtering procedure for increased precision is based on the intuition that arguments which occur close to their predicate are easier to identify than those at a distance. For example, if gene-gene relations are filtered for arguments at a distance of 1 phrase from the predicate, precision increases from 41.95% (baseline) to 70.75%. Since this proximity filtering is based on syntactic structure, applying it to the results of co-occurrence processing is useful, but not as effective as when applied to the output of natural language processing.In an effort to exploitSemGenpredications on the etiology of disease after increasing precision with postprocessing, a gene list was derived from extracted information enhanced with postprocessing filtering and was automatically annotated withGFINDer, a Web application that dynamically retrieves functional and phenotypic information from structured biomolecular resources. Two of the genes in this list are likely relevant to Parkinson's disease but are not associated with this disease in several important databases on genetic disorders.ConclusionInformation based on the proximity postprocessing method we suggest is of sufficient quality to be profitably used for subsequent applications aimed at uncovering new biomedical knowledge. Although proximity filtering is only marginally effective for enhancing the precision of relations extracted with co-occurrence processing, it is likely to benefit methods based, even partially, on syntactic structure, regardless of the relation.
Epidemiologic profile of otorhinolaryngological, head and neck disorders in a tertiary hospital unit in Greece: a challenge for general practitioners?
Authors: Symvoulakis Emmanouil K , Klinis Spyridon , Alegakis Athanasios , Kyrmizakis Dionysios E , Drivas Emmanouil I , Rachiotis Georgios , Philalithis Anastas , Velegrakis George A 
Published: June 2006

AbstractBackgroundIn Greece, primary care is still developing. The aim of this study was to define the epidemiologic profile of common otorhinolaryngological, head and neck disorders in order to help general practitioners to deal with them in a primary care future.MethodsA total of 6771 patients attended the Otorhinolaryngology emergency department of the University General Hospital of Heraklion (Crete), between January and December 2004. All cases were included in this retrospective study. The registry of the Otorhinolaryngology emergency department was analysed and age, sex, seasonality and clinical diagnosis were tabulated. All patients were evaluated by Otorhinolaryngologists. The classification of the cases was based on the main symptom or clinical sign that conditioned the reason for seeking care. Diagnoses were also coded according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10).ResultsThe male to female ratio was 1:1. The mean age for females was 36.3 years standard deviation (SD): 21.1 and for males was 36.8 years (SD = 22.0). Eight hundred eighty six patients (13.1%) formed the paediatric sub-group. Over 60% of the cases were classified in ten major groups of diagnosis. Acute tonsillitis (12.3%) and acute pharyngitis (9.0%) were the most common causes of all medical visits, followed by otitis media (7.6%) and external ear canal obstruction by ear wax (6.2%). Oedema of the larynx was detected in 0.4%. A negative diagnosis of otorhinolaryngological, head and neck disorder was formulated in 553 patients (8.2%). Hospitalization rate was 5.2%. The highest rate of visits was registered in March.ConclusionMost patients used the facility as a primary care service. Real emergencies were a minority. Recovering data about which areas of Otorhinolaryngology deserve more emphasis might help primary health care providers to diagnose and manage the common otorhinolaryngological, head and neck disorders properly.
Book Reviews
Authors: Lev Benjamin 
Published: June 2006

The range of books reviewed is wide, covering theory and applications in operations research, statistics, management science, econometrics, mathematics, computers, and information systems (no software is reviewed). In addition, we include books in other fields that emphasize technical applications. Publishers who wish to have their books reviewed should send them to Professor Benjamin Lev. We list the books received; not all books received can be reviewed because space is limited. Those who would like to review books are urged to send me their names, addresses, and specific areas of expertise. We commission all reviews and do not accept unsolicited book reviews. Readers are encouraged to suggest books that might be reviewed or to ask publishers to send me copies of such books. The authors or editors of the books reviewed in this issue are Charles A. Ingene, Mark E. Parry, H. S. Kasana, K. D. Kumar, Istvan Maros, Vincent T’kindt, Jean-Charles Billaut, Christoph Weber, Bang Ye Wu, and Kun-Mao Chao.
Heavy-Oil Solution Gas Drive in Consolidated and Unconsolidated Rock
Authors: Tang G.-Q. , Sahni A. , Gadelle F. , Kumar M. , Kovscek A. R. 
Published: June 2006

Summary
Solution gas drive is effective to recover heavy oil from some reservoirs. Characterization of the relevant recovery mechanisms, however, remains an open question. In this work, we present an experimental study of the solution gas drive behavior of a 9°API crude oil with an initial solution gas/oil ratio (GOR) of 105 scf/STB and live-oil viscosity of 258 cp at 178°F.&Constant rate depletions are conducted in a composite core (consolidated) and a sandpack (unconsolidated). The sandpack does not employ a confining pressure, whereas the consolidated core does. The evolution of in-situ gas saturation vs. pressure is monitored in the sandpack using X-ray computed tomography. The two different porous media allow us to develop a mechanistic perspective whereby the effects of depletion rate and overburden pressure on heavy-oil solution gas drive are investigated. The results are striking. They show that the overburden pressure offsets partially the pore-pressure decline. This compaction, in turn, modifies the size and shape of mobile gas bubbles, and as a result the oil and gas relative permeabilies are greater within the confined, consolidated core. Additionally, the supersaturation in the sandpack is markedly larger, but recovery is greatest from the composite core at identical rates as a result of compaction.