bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The spotted ghost: Density and distribution of serval Leptailurus serval in Namibia
Authors: Edwards Sarah , Portas Ruben , Hanssen Lise , Beytell Piet , Melzheimer Joerg , Stratford Ken 
Published: August 2018

AbstractDespite its IUCN Red List status as “least concern,” relatively few studies have been conducted on serval Leptailurus serval. Within Namibia, serval are detected infrequently, even during prolonged camera trapping surveys, which has been suggested as indicative of low density. Such populations are vulnerable to habitat loss and degradation; therefore, quantifying serval population density and distribution within Namibia is an important first step in establishing conservation needs. We present the first density estimates of serval for Namibia, from Khaudum National Park and the Mudumu North Complex (MNC). Using Bayesian spatial capture–recapture models, density was estimated at 1.28 serval/100 km2 (± 0.23, 0.82–1.56) for Khaudum and 0.63 serval/100 km2 (± 0.51, 0.38–0.90) for the MNC; the lowest serval densities published to date. Photographic records from the two surveys, along with an additional 10 records from MNC captured outside of the survey period and two new records from north‐central Namibia were used to update the Namibian distribution map. This resulted in the highest probability of occurrence along the north‐eastern borders. Such results imply Namibia hosts a low‐density, geographically limited population, potentially vulnerable to habitat fragmentation and other environmental impacts, and therefore requires careful management to ensure its persistence.
Antenatal vitamin D exposure and childhood eczema, food allergy, asthma and allergic rhinitis at 2 and 5 years of age in the atopic disease‐specific Cork BASELINE Birth Cohort Study
Authors: Hennessy Áine , Hourihane Jonathan O'B , Malvisi Lucio , Irvine Alan D. , Kenny Louise C. , Murray Deirdre M. , Kiely Mairead E. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBackgroundProspective studies of antenatal and infant vitamin D exposure and atopic disease from extensively characterised, disease‐specific, maternal‐infant cohorts with gold standard analysis of vitamin D status and clinically validated atopic outcomes are lacking. This study aimed to investigate associations between intrauterine vitamin D status and atopic outcomes in an extensively characterised, disease‐specific, maternal‐infant cohort.MethodsCirculating 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) was measured in maternal sera at 15 weeks of gestation (n = 1537) and umbilical cord blood (n = 1050) using a CDC‐accredited LC‐MS/MS platform, and the association with clinically validated atopic disease outcomes (eczema, food allergy, asthma, allergic rhinitis) at 2 and 5 years was explored using multivariable logistic regression.ResultsPersistent eczema in the first 2 years of life was present in 5% of infants. Food allergy at 2 years was confirmed in 4%. The prevalence of aeroallergen sensitisation at 2 years was 8%. Asthma at 5 years was reported in 15% and allergic rhinitis in 5% of 5‐year‐olds. There were no significant differences in the distributions of maternal 25(OH)D at 15 weeks of gestation (mean [SD] 58.4 [26.2] and 58.5 [26.1] nmol/L) and cord 25(OH)D concentrations (mean [SD] 35.2 [17.8] and 35.4 [18.3] nmol/L) between children with and without atopic disease. Neither maternal (aOR [95% CI]: 1.02 [0.97, 1.08], P = 0.450) nor cord 25(OH)D (aOR [95% CI]: 1.00 [0.91, 1.09], P = 0.991) were significant predictors of atopic disease outcomes in fully adjusted models.ConclusionThese data in a disease‐specific cohort with prospectively collected, validated atopic outcomes do not support an association between antenatal exposure to vitamin D and atopic disease outcomes in childhood.
Validation of the cognitive recovery assessments with the Postoperative Quality of Recovery Scale in patients with low‐baseline cognition
Authors: Bowyer A. J. , Heiberg J. , Sessler D. I. , Newman S. , Royse A. G. , Royse C. F. 
Published: August 2018

SummaryPatients with pre‐surgery cognitive impairment cannot currently be assessed for cognitive recovery after surgery using the Postoperative Quality of Recovery Scale (PostopQRS), as they would mathematically be scored as recovered. We aimed to validate a novel method to score cognitive recovery in patients with low‐baseline cognition, using the number of low‐score tests rather than their numerical values. Face validity was demonstrated in 86 participants in whom both the Postoperative Quality of Recovery Scale and an 11‐item neuropsychological battery were performed. The Postoperative Quality of Recovery Scale agreed with neuropsychological categorisation of low vs. normal cognition 74% of the time, with all but five incorrectly coded participants deviating by only one neurocognitive test. Cognitive recovery over time was comparable for groups with differing baseline cognitive function, irrespective of whether the Postoperative Quality of Recovery Scale or neuropsychological methods were used. Discriminant validation was demonstrated in a post‐hoc analysis of the steroids in cardiac surgery substudy by allocating groups to normal (n = 246) or low‐baseline cognition (n = 231) stratified by cognitive recovery on day 1. Recovery was similar for participants with low and normal baseline cognition. Postoperative length of stay was longer in patients with failed cognitive recovery whether they had normal mean (SD) (10.4 (10.0) vs. 8.0 (5.9) days, p = 0.02) or low‐baseline cognition (12.0 (11.1) vs. 8.2 (4.7) days, p < 0.01). Overall quality, as well as cognitive, emotive and physiological recovery was independent of baseline cognition. The modified scoring method for the Postoperative Quality of Recovery Scale cognitive domain demonstrates acceptable face and discriminant validity.
Penile lengthening with porcine small intestinal submucosa grafting in Peyronie's disease treatment: long‐term surgical outcomes, patients’ satisfaction and dissatisfaction predictors
Authors: Morgado A. , Morgado M. R. , Tomada N. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBackgroundPeyronie's Disease (PD) is an acquired connective tissue disorder that often leads to penile curvature (PC) and sexual dysfunction. Penile lengthening procedures (PLP) with four‐layered porcine small intestinal submucosa graft (Surgisis®ES; Cook) have been widely used in patients with severe PC when erectile function is preserved. However, complications such as erectile dysfunction (ED) may limit treatment satisfaction.ObjectivesFocusing on patients perspective, our study aims to evaluate longterm patient‐reported outcomes, satisfaction, and dissatisfaction predictors after PLP.Material and MethodsThis prospective study included 32 patients affected by PD with severe PC submitted to PLP with Surgisis®ES between 2011 and 2014. All patients were submitted to a standardized protocol with regular clinical evaluation at 3, 6 and 12 months, and yearly thereafter. After the third year follow‐up, IIEF‐5, modified EDITS and an additional non‐validated questionnaire were completed.ResultsConcerning the surgical procedure, the mean tunical defect area (TDA) was 15.9 ± 6.9 cm2. The mean follow‐up time were 49.6 ± 12.7 months and there was a significant increase in stretched penile length (p = 0.01). Postoperative erectile function as assessed by IIEF‐5 was positively correlated with overall treatment satisfaction evaluated through EDITS (p = 0.01). TDA was negatively correlated with postoperative IIEF‐5 (R = ‐0.56, p < 0.001). TDA ≥ 14.375 cm2 can predict ED with 76.9% sensibility and 58.3% specificity. Moreover, TDA ≥ 21.875 cm2 can predict clinically significant ED (IIEF‐5 score ≤17) with 80% sensibility and 95.2% specificity. Patient‐reported longterm complications were 65.6% decreased penile length, 56.5% diminished rigidity and 25% curvature recurrence.ConclusionPLP using a Surgisis® ES is a valuable surgical option for the treatment of PD with severe PC. Although it results in high rates of long‐term patient‐reported overall satisfaction, possible outcomes such as postoperative ED must be acknowledged. TDA is a strong predictor for postoperative ED and should be considered in clinical practice to classify patients in low‐ or high‐risk for postoperative ED.
Accuracy of administrative coding data in colorectal cancer resections and short‐term outcomes
Authors: MacCallum Caroline , Da Silva Nigel , Gibbs Peter , Thomson Benjamin N. J. , Skandarajah Anita , Hayes Ian 
Published: August 2018

BackgroundAdministrative data are routinely captured for each hospital admission and may serve as an alternative source for populating databases. This study aims to determine the accuracy of administrative data to provide tumour characteristics and short‐term post‐operative outcomes, after a colorectal cancer (CRC) resection, compared with clinical data.MethodsA retrospective study of all CRC resections at a single hospital from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2013 was conducted. Local administrative data were coded as per ICD‐10‐AM (International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Australian Modification) and Australian Classification of Health Interventions. Clinical data for all patients were extracted from the medical charts and compared with administrative data. Code combinations and algorithms were used to improve the accuracy of administrative data.ResultsA total of 436 patients were identified. The accuracy of algorithms combining tumour location and type of operation for right colon, left colon and rectum were 93, 89 and 88%, respectively. The accuracy of histological type was 89%, lymph node status 92% and metastasis status 88%. The accuracy of return to theatre and in‐hospital mortality was 100%.ConclusionAdministrative data can provide reliable information on tumour details and short‐term post‐operative outcomes. The potential for administrative data to validate data captured in registries and be used independently for audit and research should be further explored.
Pain and fertility outcomes of nerve‐sparing, full‐thickness disk or segmental bowel resection for deep infiltrating endometriosis—A prospective cohort study
Authors: Hudelist Gernot , Aas‐Eng Mee Kristine , Birsan Tudor , Berger Franz , Sevelda Ursula , Kirchner Lisa , Salama Mohamad , Dauser Bernhard 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIntoductionChoosing the optimal treatment for bowel endometriosis, ie, conservative vs radical surgery, is under debate. We aimed to evaluate the surgical outcomes of segmental resection and disk resection regarding fertility, pain symptoms, and quality of life score of women with colorectal deep infiltrating endometriosis.Material and methodsFrom March 2011 to December 2016, 134 consecutive patients with symptomatic deep infiltrating endometriosis of the rectosigmoid up to 25 cm from the anal verge undergoing segmental resection or disk resection were prospectively evaluated regarding reduction in pain symptoms, fertility outcomes, and complication rates according to Clavien‐Dindo classification.ResultsOf the 134 women included, segmental resection was performed in 102 (76.1%) women and disk resection was performed in 32 (23.9%) women. There was no difference in duration of surgery, complication rates, mean hospital stay, or discrepancy in hemoglobin level comparing the two groups. There was no significant difference regarding reduction of pain symptoms, fertility, and functional outcomes. One hundred and twelve (83.6%) women were followed up long‐term. In both cohorts, there was a significant reported decrease in pain symptoms and increase in quality of life scores. Of all the 61 infertile women, 26 (42.6%) became pregnant spontaneously, and 13 (21.3%) by in vitro fertilization with an overall pregnancy rate of 63.4%. The overall complication rate (Clavien‐Dindo III‐IV) was 8 of 134 (5.9%) without statistically significant difference between the cohorts.ConclusionsBoth conservative surgery with disk resection, and nerve‐ and vessel‐sparing segmental resection reduce pain symptoms with equal morbidity. Fertility is improved with surgery with both techniques.
Positive excessive drinker prototypes predict greater drinking and alcohol problems
Authors: Dillard Amanda J. , Ferrer Rebecca A. , Bulthuis Katherine R. K. , Klein William M. P. 
Published: August 2018

ObjectivesAccording to the prototype willingness model, risky behaviours such as heavy drinking may be influenced by images of others who engage in this behaviour. In this study, we examined whether college students’ prototypes of an individual who frequently drinks “over the limit” were associated with their own alcohol consumption and experience of alcohol‐related problems during their first 2 years in college.MethodsWe assessed students’ (N = 340) prototypes of excessive drinkers and their own alcohol consumption and problems at four time points, across their first 2 years in college. Along with examining the trajectory of prototypes, consumption, and problems, we tested whether prototypes significantly predicted consumption and problems across the 2 years. Additional analyses examined whether the predictive value of prototypes was unique from related variables including perceived descriptive norms, perceived injunctive norms, and peer pressure to drink alcohol.ResultsPrimary analyses indicated that more positive prototypes of an excessive drinker were significantly associated with greater alcohol consumption in both year 1 and year 2. More positive prototypes were also significantly associated with experiencing more alcohol‐related problems in year 2. These findings held when controlling for perceived descriptive and injunctive norms, and peer pressure.ConclusionsFindings further support the importance of drinker prototypes to one's own drinking behaviour. By examining prototypes over time and their relationship to alcohol‐related problems, this study makes a novel contribution to the existing research.
Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Perceived norms (beliefs about how much others drink and what they approve of) are associated with own drinking.

Individuals construct “risk prototypes,” or images of people who engage in risky behaviours like drinking alcohol.

Positive risk prototypes of drinkers have been associated with own willingness to drink and subsequent drinking.

What does this study add?

This study shows the trajectory of drinker prototypes across the first 2 years of college.

Findings highlight consistent patterns of positive associations between drinker prototypes and own drinking.

More positive drinker prototypes are associated with a greater number of problems with alcohol.
How collective action produces psychological change and how that change endures over time: A case study of an environmental campaign
Authors: Vestergren Sara , Drury John , Chiriac Eva Hammar 
Published: August 2018

Previous research on collective action has suggested that both intra‐ and intergroup interactions are important in producing psychological change. In this study, we examine how these two forms of interaction relate to each other over time. We present results from a longitudinal ethnographic study of participation in an environmental campaign, documenting endurance and prevalence of psychological change. Participants, locals (n = 14) and self‐defined activists (n = 14), connected enduring psychological changes, such as changes in consumer behaviour and attitudes to their involvement in the environmental campaign. Thematic analysis of interviews suggested that participants linked the process of change to categorizing themselves in a new environmental‐activist way that influenced their everyday lives beyond the immediate campaign. This recategorization was a result of a conflictual intergroup relationship with the police. The intergroup interaction produced supportive within‐group relationships that facilitated the feasibility and sustainability of new world views that were maintained by staying active in the campaign. The data from the study support and extend previous research on collective action and are the basis of a model, suggesting that intragroup processes condition the effects of intergroup dynamics on sustained psychological change.
Narrating hope and resistance: A critical analysis of sources of agency among Palestinian children living under military violence
Authors: Veronese Guido , Cavazzoni Federica , Antenucci Silvia 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBackgroundIn light of critical and socioconstructionist theories, the aim of our research was to analyze source of agency, psychological adjustment to trauma as protective factors against political violence in children living in three different refugee camps in Palestine, as well as exploring the risks to which these children are exposed.MethodsThematic content analysis was applied to children's written and drawn productions in order to extract the main categories and themes.ResultsFour main domains of agency emerged from the analysis: personal growth, political well‐being, social relationships, and geographical context. For each domain, specific dimensions are discussed.ConclusionsThe results of this preliminary exploration of children's agency suggest that the children's living environment plays a key role in shaping their suffering and reactions to war and ongoing violence. Furthermore, the social nature of the children affected by war‐related suffering forces practitioners and policymakers to question the effectiveness of intervention programs that are predominantly focused on symptoms.
Altered CD4+ T cell immunity in nurses occupationally exposed to viral pathogens
Authors: Elias G , Souquette A , Heynderickx S , De Meester I , Jansens H , Beutels P , Van Damme P , Smits E , Thomas P G , Van Tendeloo V , Ogunjimi B 
Published: August 2018

Summary
Pathogen exposure, including but not limited to herpesviruses, moulds the shape of the immune system, both at a basal state and in response to immune challenge. However, little is known about the impact of high exposure to other viruses on baseline immune signatures and how the immune system copes with repetitive exposures to maintain a balanced functionality. Here we investigated baseline immune signatures, including detailed T cell phenotyping, antigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses and cytokine profile in paediatric (PED) nurses, who have high occupational exposure to viral pathogens including varicella zoster virus (VZV) and respiratory viruses, and in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurses, as a control group with infrequent occupational exposure. Our results show a lower CD4+ T cell response to two VZV proteins (IE62 and gE) and to tetanus toxoid (TT) in PED nurses who are cytomegalovirus (CMV)-seronegative, compared to CMV-seronegative NICU nurses, and that the decline might be more pronounced the more sustained the exposure. This decline might be due to an attrition of VZV- and TT-specific T cells as a result of the continuous pressure on the CD4+ T cell compartment. Moreover, our data suggest that the distinct T cell phenotypes known to be associated with CMV-seropositivity might be less prominent in PED nurses compared to NICU nurses, implying a plausible attenuating effect of occupational exposure on CMV-associated immunosenescence. Overall, this pilot study reveals an impact of occupational exposure to viral pathogens on CD4+ T cell immunity and supports further investigation in a larger cohort.
Facilitated expansion of Th17 cells in lupus nephritis patients
Authors: Jakiela B , Kosałka J , Plutecka H , Bazan-Socha S , Sanak M , Musiał J 
Published: August 2018

Summary
The objective of this study was to investigate the mechanisms of T helper type 17 (Th17) expansion in lupus nephritis (LN) patients, and to determine whether or not it is associated with impaired function of regulatory T cells (Treg). Major effector subsets of peripheral blood CD4+ T cells were assessed by flow cytometry in 33 LN patients with different activity of the disease and 19 healthy controls. The percentage of circulating Th17 cells was increased in LN (median = 1·2% of CD4+ compared to 0·6% in the control group, P &lt; 0·01), while Treg cells remained unchanged (12·3 versus 12·1% in controls), resulting in a significantly lower Treg/Th17 ratio. Th17 expansion in the patient group was not related to LN activity, renal histology or blood and urine inflammatory biomarkers, but has been associated with a higher cumulative dose of cyclophosphamide. Treg cells in LN displayed mainly effector memory phenotype and expressed higher levels of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β; however, their suppressant activity in lymphocyte proliferation assay was diminished compared to controls (~fourfold, P &lt; 0·05). Co-culture of Treg and conventional CD4+ T cells resulted in marked suppression of the Th1 subset in both of the groups studied, but also in a potent expansion of Th17 cells, which in LN was twofold higher, as in controls (P &lt; 0·05). In conclusion, our results demonstrate that Th17 expansion in LN is not increased during disease exacerbation, but is related to chronic immunosuppressive therapy. This immune signature is probably linked to the abnormal function of Treg cells, which were less suppressive in LN patients and even facilitated differentiation of Th17 cells.
Precipitating anti-dsDNA peptide repertoires in lupus
Authors: Wang J J , Colella A D , Beroukas D , Chataway T K , Gordon T P 
Published: August 2018

SummaryAnti-double-stranded (ds)DNA autoantibodies are prototypical serological markers of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but little is known about their immunoglobulin variable (IgV) region composition at the level of the secreted (serum) proteome. Here, we use a novel proteomic workflow based on de novo mass spectrometric sequencing of anti-dsDNA precipitins to analyse IgV subfamily expression and mutational signatures of high-affinity, precipitating anti-dsDNA responses. Serum anti-dsDNA proteomes were oligoclonal with shared (public) expression of immunoglobulin (Ig)G heavy chain variable region (IGHV) and kappa chain variable region (IGKV) subfamilies. IgV peptide maps from eight subjects showed extensive public and random (private) amino acid replacement mutations with prominent arginine substitutions across heavy (H)- and light (L)-chains. Shared sets of L-chain complementarity determining region 3 (CDR3) peptides specified by arginine substitutions were sequenced from the dominantly expressed IGKV3-20 subfamily, with changes in expression levels of a clonal L-chain CDR3 peptide by quantitative multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) paralleling the rise and fall of anti-dsDNA levels by Farr radioimmunoassays (RIA). The heavily mutated IgV peptide signatures of precipitating anti-dsDNA autoantibody proteomes reflect the strong selective forces that shape humoral anti-dsDNA responses in germinal centres. Direct sequencing of agarose gel precipitins using microlitre volumes of stored sera streamlines the antibody sequencing workflow and is generalizable to other precipitating serum antibodies.