bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of photodynamic therapy in Bowen's disease: a retrospective observational study in 423 lesions
Authors: Zaar O. , Fougelberg J. , Hermansson A. , Gillstedt M. , Wennberg‐Larkö A.‐M. , Paoli J. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractBackgroundPhotodynamic therapy (PDT) is a well‐known technique that is often used for treating superficial precancerous and cancerous skin lesions. However, only a handful of studies, with a relatively small number of treated lesions, have been carried out on the effectiveness of PDT for Bowen's disease (BD).ObjectivesThis study aimed to assess the effectiveness and recurrence risk of PDT in the treatment of BD. The secondary objectives were to determine what factors affected the response rates and the cosmetic result of the treatment.MethodIn this retrospective observational study, the electronic patient charts at Sahlgrenska University Hospital (SUH) in Gothenburg, Sweden, were searched to find all patients diagnosed with BD who were treated with PDT between 1 January 2002 and 31 December 2014. Data were collected regarding clinical response at the first follow‐up visit, recurrences during later follow‐up visits and other relevant patient and tumour characteristics.ResultsIn total, 423 BD lesions in 335 patients were included in the study. The mean FU duration was 11.2 months (range 0.2–151 months). The complete response rate at the first FU visit was 77.5% for all BD lesions. During later FU visits, another 60 recurrences were observed, which resulted in a recurrence rate of 18.3%. Thus, the overall clearance rate after FU was 63.4% for all BD lesions. Significant risk factors for unsuccessful treatment in this study were large lesion size (>2 cm) and a single PDT session.ConclusionThis study shows that PDT is a relatively effective treatment modality for BD.
Expression of programmed death‐1 in cutaneous extranodal natural killer/T‐cell lymphoma and its effect on clinical findings and biological behaviour
Authors: Kim Y.J. , Won C.H. , Chang S.E. , Lee M.W. , Choi J.H. , Lee W.J. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractBackgroundRecent studies have evaluated the expression of programmed death‐1 (PD‐1) and its prognostic value in malignant T‐cell lymphomas.ObjectivesThis study investigated whether the positivity of PD‐1 was associated with the clinical characteristics of cutaneous extranodal NK/T‐cell lymphoma (ENKTL) and evaluated its effects on survival outcomes.MethodsForty‐one patients with cutaneous ENKTL were included. Clinical features and survival outcomes were analysed according to the positivity of PD‐1.ResultsThere was no significant difference between primary cutaneous ENKTL and secondary cutaneous ENKTL in the expression of PD‐1. The degree of disease dissemination was not affected by the positivity of PD‐1. Higher positivity for PD‐1 was associated with lesions presenting erythematous to purpuric patches that are mainly composed of small tumour cells. Cutaneous ENKTL presenting nodular lesions had a significantly lower number of PD‐1‐positive infiltrating cells than those with other clinical morphologies. There was no significant effect of PD‐1 expression on outcomes such as overall and progression‐free survival.LimitationsThis study used a retrospective design and had a small sample size.ConclusionHigher PD‐1 positivity is associated with small‐cell‐predominant cutaneous ENKTL. However, PD‐1 expression has no prognostic value in cutaneous ENKTL.
Intrinsic reproductive isolating mechanisms in the maintenance of a hybrid zone between ecologically divergent subspecies
Authors: McKenzie J. L. , Bucking C. , Moreira A. , Schulte P. M. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractUnderstanding factors involved in maintaining stable hybrid zones is important for predicting the ultimate fate of the interacting taxa, but the relative importance of mechanisms such as ecological selection and intrinsic reproductive isolation remains unclear. Most studies of reproductive isolation in hybrid zones have focused either on zones with strongly bimodal patterns in genotype or phenotype frequencies, with relatively strong isolation, or unimodal zones with relatively weak isolation, whereas less is known about more intermediate classes of hybrid zone. Here, we utilize a hybrid zone of this intermediate type occurring between northern and southern subspecies of Atlantic killifish, Fundulus heteroclitus, to identify isolating mechanisms playing a role in maintaining this type of zone. The two subspecies differ in environmental tolerance, and we found some evidence of microhabitat preference between subspecies within a small tidal creek at the centre of the hybrid zone. There was also an association between sex, mitochondrial genotype and habitat within this creek. Fertilization success did not differ between consubspecific and heterosubspecific crosses, but hatching success was significantly lower for crosses involving southern males and northern females, and crosses between southern females and northern males had altered developmental rates. Southern females and northern males showed patterns consistent with positive assortative mating. Together, these results indicate a role for a combination of factors including assortative mating and/or early hybrid inviability in the maintenance of this hybrid zone and suggest that hybrid zones with intermediate levels of reproductive isolation are likely to be maintained by multiple interacting isolating mechanisms.
Management of cardiovascular risk factors in patients with ANCA‐associated vasculitis
Authors: Bramlage Carsten Paul , Kröplin Juliane , Wallbach Manuel , Minguet Joan , Smith Katherine Helen , Lüders Stephan , Schrader Joachim , Patschan Susan , Gross Oliver , Deutsch Cornelia , Bramlage Peter , Müller Gerhard Anton , Koziolek Michael 
Published: February 2017

AbstractObjectivesAnti‐neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)‐associated vasculitis (AAV) is accompanied by increased cardiovascular (CV) risk. Treatment of AAV patients includes the management of conventional CV risk factors, primarily hypertension and hypercholesterolemia, while lipoprotein(a) (LP(a)) is an emerging potential target.MethodsWe performed a multicenter, retrospective study in Germany. Patients were considered if they were between 18 and 90 years old and presented with AAV. Patients with arterial hypertension but no autoimmune disease were used as a control group (HTN reference group).ResultsCompared to the reference group (n = 52), CV disease burden was significantly greater in patients with AAV (n = 53). Hypercholesterolemia was also more common in the AAV patients (71.7% vs 46.2% for the HTN; P = .008). Lipoprotein(a) levels were elevated in both groups, with 11.3% and 17.3% of the AAV and HTN groups, respectively, displaying a level above 0.6 g/l (P = .083).Guideline‐recommended targets for low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and blood pressure levels were rarely met. According to Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes guidelines, 72.5% of the patients with AAV should have been taking statins and/or ezetimibe for treatment of hyperlipidemia; however, only 24.3% of them were receiving such treatment. Blood pressure below ≤140/90 mmHg was reached in 78.6% of the patients with chronic kidney disease. However, for patients with chronic kidney disease and an albumin excretion rate of >30 mg/day, the recommended blood pressure is ≤130/80 mmHg, a value that was not reached in 65% of the AAV patients.ConclusionPatients with AAV are at high CV risk, but management of the associated risk factors is poor. In addition to improving the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and hypertension, lipoprotein(a) is a further potential target for reducing CV risk in individuals with AAV.
An evaluation of the costs and consequences of Children Community Nursing teams
Authors: Hinde Sebastian , Allgar Victoria , Richardson Gerry , Spiers Gemma , Parker Gillian , Birks Yvonne 
Published: February 2017

AbstractAimsRecent years have seen an increasing shift towards providing care in the community, epitomised by the role of Children's Community Nursing (CCN) teams. However, there have been few attempts to use robust evaluative methods to interrogate the impact of such services. This study sought to evaluate whether reduction in secondary care costs, resulting from the introduction of 2 CCN teams, was sufficient to offset the additional cost of commissioning.MethodsAmong the potential benefits of the CCN teams is a reduction in the burden placed on secondary care through the delivery of care at home; it is this potential reduction which is evaluated in this study via a 2‐part analytical method. Firstly, an interrupted time series analysis used Hospital Episode Statistics data to interrogate any change in total paediatric bed days as a result of the introduction of 2 teams. Secondly, a costing analysis compared the cost savings from any reduction in total bed days with the cost of commissioning the teams. This study used a retrospective longitudinal study design as part of the transforming children's community services trial, which was conducted between June 2012 and June 2015.ResultsA reduction in hospital activity after introduction of the 2 nursing teams was found, (9634 and 8969 fewer bed days), but this did not reach statistical significance. The resultant cost saving to the National Health Service was less than the cost of employing the teams.ConclusionThe study represents an important first step in understanding the role of such teams as a means of providing a high quality of paediatric care in an era of limited resource. While the cost saving from released paediatric bed days was not sufficient to demonstrate cost‐effectiveness, the analysis does not incorporate wider measures of health care utilisation and nonmonetary benefits resulting from the CCN teams.
Characterization of Chitosan/TiO2 Nano‐Powder Modified Glass‐Ionomer Cement for Restorative Dental Applications
Authors: Ibrahim Marrwa A. , Meera Priyadarshini Balasankar , Neo Jennifer , Fawzy Amr S. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractObjectivesWe are introducing novel glass‐ionomer cement (GIC) dually‐modified with chitosan (CH) in the liquid phase and titanium‐dioxide nano‐powder (TiO2/NP) in the powder phase. The aim was to investigate the effect of this dual‐modification on the antibacterial properties against S. mutans biofilms and on the bulk and surface mechanical properties.MethodsCommercially available powder/liquid restorative GIC was used in this study. The GIC specimens were modified with 3% (w/w) TiO2/NP, 10% (v/v) CH solution, or dually‐modified with TiO2/CH. The non‐modified GIC was used as a control. The biofilms formations were characterized by SEM, live/dead assay using confocal‐microscopy, colony‐forming unit counts, and MTS assay. The bulk and surface mechanical properties were characterized in terms of flexural and compressive strengths and surface hardness, respectively.ResultsWith the dual‐modification, a significant improvement in the antibacterial properties was found both qualitatively and quantitatively. The synergetic effect of the dual‐modification was also reflected on the enhancement of the flexural and compressive strengths. However, no difference was found in surface hardness.ConclusionsThe modification of GIC powder with TiO2/NP showed to be more effective in enhancing the mechanical properties. However, the enhancement in the antibacterial properties was more evident with CH incorporation in GIC liquid.Clinical SignificanceThis study introduced novel glass ionomer cement dually‐modified with TiO2 NP and chitosan with superior mechanical and antibacterial properties for potential applications in restorative and preventive dentistry. The modification of GIC powder with TiO2 NP showed to be more effective in enhancing the mechanical properties. However, the enhancement in the antibacterial properties was more evident with CH incorporation in GIC liquid. Although of the promising synergetic effect of the dual‐modification of GIC with TiO2 NP/CH, further clinically‐related studies are recommended. (J Esthet Restor Dent 29:146–156, 2017)
The use of a contextual, modal and psychological classification of medication errors in the emergency department: a retrospective descriptive study
Authors: Cabilan CJ , Hughes James A , Shannon Carl 
Published: February 2017

Aims and objectivesTo describe the contextual, modal and psychological classification of medication errors in the emergency department to know the factors associated with the reported medication errors.BackgroundThe causes of medication errors are unique in every clinical setting; hence, error minimisation strategies are not always effective. For this reason, it is fundamental to understand the causes specific to the emergency department so that targeted strategies can be implemented.DesignRetrospective analysis of reported medication errors in the emergency department.MethodsAll voluntarily staff‐reported medication‐related incidents from 2010–2015 from the hospital's electronic incident management system were retrieved for analysis. Contextual classification involved the time, place and the type of medications involved. Modal classification pertained to the stage and issue (e.g. wrong medication, wrong patient). Psychological classification categorised the errors in planning (knowledge‐based and rule‐based errors) and skill (slips and lapses).ResultsThere were 405 errors reported. Most errors occurred in the acute care area, short‐stay unit and resuscitation area, during the busiest shifts (0800–1559, 1600–2259). Half of the errors involved high‐alert medications. Many of the errors occurred during administration (62·7%), prescribing (28·6%) and commonly during both stages (18·5%). Wrong dose, wrong medication and omission were the issues that dominated. Knowledge‐based errors characterised the errors that occurred in prescribing and administration. The highest proportion of slips (79·5%) and lapses (76·1%) occurred during medication administration. It is likely that some of the errors occurred due to the lack of adherence to safety protocols.ConclusionTechnology such as computerised prescribing, barcode medication administration and reminder systems could potentially decrease the medication errors in the emergency department. There was a possibility that some of the errors could be prevented if safety protocols were adhered to, which highlights the need to also address clinicians’ attitudes towards safety.Relevance to clinical practiceTechnology can be implemented to help minimise errors in the ED, but this must be coupled with efforts to enhance the culture of safety.
Chronic Kidney Disease in Cats and the Risk of Total Hypercalcemia
Authors: van den Broek D.H.N. , Chang Y.‐M. , Elliott J. , Jepson R.E. 
Published: February 2017

BackgroundChronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common comorbidity in cats with hypercalcemia, but whether CKD is a risk factor for hypercalcemia is unclear. Hypercalcemia often is diagnosed based on total calcium concentration (tCa), which tends to underestimate the ionized calcium concentration (iCa) in cats.ObjectivesAssessment of the performance of tCa for the diagnosis of ionized hypercalcemia, and exploration of factors influencing the relationship between iCa and tCa. Determination of risk factors for incident total hypercalcemia (ie, the development of hypercalcemia based on tCa during follow‐up).AnimalsRecords of a cross‐section (n = 477) and observational cohort (n = 367) of client‐owned cats with and without azotemic CKD from first opinion practice.MethodsRetrospective cross‐sectional and retrospective cohort study. The diagnostic accuracy of tCa as an index test for ionized hypercalcemia was evaluated, and risk factors for underestimation were explored by binary logistic and linear regression in a cross‐section of cats with and without azotemic CKD. Chronic kidney disease and clinicopathological variables were assessed as predictors of incident total hypercalcemia by both time‐invariant and time‐dependent Cox regression in a cohort of cats.ResultsSpecificity of tCa for identification of ionized hypercalcemia was high (100%), but sensitivity was low. Underestimation was associated with lower venous bicarbonate concentrations. Cats with CKD had increased risk for incident total hypercalcemia (hazard ratio, 4.29; 95% confidence interval, 1.96–9.37; P < .001). Higher tCa predicted incident total hypercalcemia in both azotemic and nonazotemic cats (P < .001).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceChronic kidney disease is a risk factor for incident total hypercalcemia, and most cats with increased tCa had concurrent ionized hypercalcemia. Higher baseline tCa predicts incident total hypercalcemia. Prospective studies assessing changes in iCa are warranted.
Comparative pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin in healthy and Aeromonas hydrophila‐infected crucian carp (Carassius auratus gibelio)
Authors: Fan J. , Shan Q. , Wang J. , Liu S. , Li L. , Zheng G. 
Published: February 2017

The comparative pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin (ENR) and its metabolite ciprofloxacin (CIP) were investigated in healthy and Aeromonas hydrophila‐infected crucian carp after a single oral (p.o.) administration at a dose of 10 mg/kg at 25 °C. The plasma concentrations of ENR and of CIP were determined by HPLC. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated based on mean ENR concentrations by noncompartmental modeling. In healthy fish, the elimination half‐life (T1/2λz), maximum plasma concentration (Cmax), time to peak (Tmax), and area under the concentration–time curve (AUC) values were 64.66 h, 3.55 μg/mL, 0.5 h, and 163.04 μg·h/mL, respectively. In infected carp, by contrast, the corresponding values were 73.70 h, 2.66 μg/mL, 0.75 h, and 137.43 μg·h/mL, and the absorption and elimination of ENR were slower following oral administration. Very low levels of CIP were detected, which indicates a low extent of deethylation of ENR in crucian carp.
Sensitivity analysis of effective population size to demographic parameters in house sparrow populations
Authors: Stubberud Marlene Wæge , Myhre Ane Marlene , Holand Håkon , Kvalnes Thomas , Ringsby Thor Harald , Sæther Bernt‐Erik , Jensen Henrik 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe ratio between the effective and the census population size, , is an important measure of the long‐term viability and sustainability of a population. Understanding which demographic processes that affect most will improve our understanding of how genetic drift and the probability of fixation of alleles is affected by demography. This knowledge may also be of vital importance in management of endangered populations and species. Here, we use data from 13 natural populations of house sparrow (Passer domesticus) in Norway to calculate the demographic parameters that determine . Using the global variance‐based Sobol’ method for the sensitivity analyses, we found that was most sensitive to demographic variance, especially among older individuals. Furthermore, the individual reproductive values (that determine the demographic variance) were most sensitive to variation in fecundity. Our results draw attention to the applicability of sensitivity analyses in population management and conservation. For population management aiming to reduce the loss of genetic variation, a sensitivity analysis may indicate the demographic parameters towards which resources should be focused. The result of such an analysis may depend on the life history and mating system of the population or species under consideration, because the vital rates and sex–age classes that is most sensitive to may change accordingly.
Application of network methods for understanding evolutionary dynamics in discrete habitats
Authors: Greenbaum Gili , Fefferman Nina H. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractIn populations occupying discrete habitat patches, gene flow between habitat patches may form an intricate population structure. In such structures, the evolutionary dynamics resulting from interaction of gene‐flow patterns with other evolutionary forces may be exceedingly complex. Several models describing gene flow between discrete habitat patches have been presented in the population‐genetics literature; however, these models have usually addressed relatively simple settings of habitable patches and have stopped short of providing general methodologies for addressing nontrivial gene‐flow patterns. In the last decades, network theory – a branch of discrete mathematics concerned with complex interactions between discrete elements – has been applied to address several problems in population genetics by modelling gene flow between habitat patches using networks. Here, we present the idea and concepts of modelling complex gene flows in discrete habitats using networks. Our goal is to raise awareness to existing network theory applications in molecular ecology studies, as well as to outline the current and potential contribution of network methods to the understanding of evolutionary dynamics in discrete habitats. We review the main branches of network theory that have been, or that we believe potentially could be, applied to population genetics and molecular ecology research. We address applications to theoretical modelling and to empirical population‐genetic studies, and we highlight future directions for extending the integration of network science with molecular ecology.
Long‐term tag retention on two species of small cetaceans
Authors: Heide‐Jørgensen Mads Peter , Nielsen Nynne H. , Teilmann Jonas , Leifsson Páll S. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe effects of tagging on small cetaceans are difficult to assess due to logistical difficulties in recapturing the whales. In this study two narwhals, Monodon monoceros, and five harbor porpoises, Phocoena phocoena, were recaptured between 297 and 767 days after instrumentation with satellite transmitters. The transmitters were mounted by pins that were pushed through the fins of the porpoises or the backs of the narwhals. Overall body condition seemed unaffected by the instrumentations. Macroscopical examination revealed that umbilicalization of the tissue surrounding the pins was almost complete. On one of the narwhals the reepithelialization created a closed tunnel where the pins were isolated from the subdermal tissue, however the reepithelialization was incomplete around the middle of the pin and a low‐grade inflammation increased with decreasing thickness of epidermis. The inflammation consisted of mononuclear cells, mainly lymphocytes. With increasing inflammation the number of neutrophils and macrophages increased. In the lymphoid follicular hyperplasia macrophages and a few neutrophils were found, in one case accompanied by Splendore‐Hoeppli material with radiating eosinophilic clubs and Gram‐positive cocci. Immunohistochemical staining of the cocci for Staphylococcus aureus was positive. The observations from the recaptured cetaceans suggest that the instrumentations caused only temporary and low‐grade inflammatory responses.