bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Australian laparoscopic non robotic radical prostatectomy experience – analysis of 2943 cases (USANZ supplement)
Authors: Louie‐Johnsun Mark William , Handmer Marcus M. , Calopedos Ross John Spero , Chabert Charles , Cohen Ronald J. , Gianduzzo Troy R. J. , Kearns Paul A. , Moon Daniel A. , Ooi Jason , Shannon Tom , Sofield David , Tan Andrew H. H. 
Published: September 2016

ObjectivesTo analyse the Australian experience of high‐volume Fellowship‐trained Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy (LRP) surgeons.Materials and Methods2943 LRP cases were performed by nine Australian surgeons. The inclusion criteria were a prospectively collected database with a minimum of 100 consecutive LRP cases. The surgeons’ LRP experience commenced at various times from July 2003 to September 2009. Data were analysed for demographic, peri‐operative, oncological and functional outcomes.ResultsThe mean age of patients were 61.5 years and mean preoperative PSA 7.4 ng/ml. Mean operating time was 168 minutes with conversion to open surgery in 0.5% and a blood transfusion rate of 1.1%. Overall mean length of stay was 2.5 days. 73.6% of pathological specimens were pT2 and 86.3% had Gleason Score >7. Overall positive surgical margins (PSM) occurred in 15.9% with pT2 PSM 9.8%, pT3a PSM 30.8% and pT3b PSM 39.2%. Mean urinary continence at 12 months was 91.4% (data available from five surgeons). Mean 12 months potency after bilateral nerve spare was 47.2% (data available from four surgeons). Biochemical recurrence occurred in 10.6% (mean follow up 17 months).ConclusionThe Australian experience of Fellowship trained surgeons performing LRP demonstrates favourable peri‐operative, oncological and functional outcomes in comparison to published data for open, laparoscopic and robotic assisted radical prostatectomy. In our Australian centres, LRP remains an acceptable minimally invasive surgical treatment for prostate cancer despite the increasing use of robotic assisted surgery.
The use of 68 Ga‐PSMA PET CT in men with biochemical recurrence after definitive treatment of acinar prostate cancer
Authors: Meredith Greta , Wong David , Yaxley John , Coughlin Geoff , Thompson Les , Kua Boon , Gianduzzo Troy 
Published: September 2016

IntroductionEarly localisation of disease recurrence after definitive treatment of prostate cancer is vital to determine suitability for salvage treatment. Our aim was to further investigate the relationship between prostate specific antigen (PSA) level and detection of suspected cancer recurrence using 68 Ga‐PSMA PET/CT in patients with biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy (RP) or radiotherapy, particularly at low PSA levels.MethodsThis retrospective single tertiary referral institution cohort study of men reviewed the results of 68 Ga‐PSMA PET/CT scans for investigation of post RP and post radiotherapy PSA recurrence following primary treatment of prostate cancer. We included men with suspected recurrent prostate cancer based on an elevated post treatment PSA level. The data collected analyzed the relationship of the pre‐scan PSA level to the probability of a positive scan finding for recurrent prostate cancer.ResultsOf the cohort of 532 men, 425 had a previous RP and 107 had prior radiotherapy. The median PSA of the RP group was 0.59 ng/mL and 5.8 ng/mL in the radiotherapy group. In the post RP cohort, the detection rate of 68 Ga‐PSMA PET/CT was 11.3% for PSA 0.01 to <0.2 ng/mL, 26.6% for PSA 0.2 to <0.5 ng/mL, 53.3% for PSA 0.5 to <1 ng/mL, 79.1% for PSA 1 to <2 ng/mL and 95.5% for PSA ≥2. Lymph node metastasis post RP was identified in 68% of men with suspected disease recurrence. In the post radiotherapy cohort the detection rate was 33.3% for PSA 0.01 to <0.5 ng/mL, 71.4% for PSA 0.5 to <1 ng/mL, 93.3% for PSA 1 to <2 ng/mL and 100% for PSA ≥2. Local recurrence after radiotherapy was suspected in 71% of the cohort and 40% had suspected lymph node metastasis.ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this is largest cohort study of detection rates of 68 Ga‐PSMA PET/CT in patients with biochemical recurrence after definitive treatment of prostate cancer, including patients with PSA <0.5 and in a post radiotherapy cohort. Detection of suspected recurrent disease outside the pelvis at low PSA levels will influence the decision for salvage treatment options.
Mucosal and lacrimal flaps for endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy: a systematic review
Authors: Green R. , Gohil R. , Ross P. 
Published: September 2016

BackgroundHistorically dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) has been performed externally with very good outcomes. Current literature shows comparable success rates between endonasal and external approaches. A common reason for the failure of a DCR is the reclosure of the nasolacrimal stoma by granulation tissue and synechiae.Objective of reviewA systematic review and critical evaluation of the evidence relating to the preservation of nasal mucosal flaps in DCR surgery.Type of review and evaluation methodA systematic review using the consort guidance for review of randomised control trials.Search strategyA search of the following evidence‐based medicine databases was performed: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effectiveness, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Ovid, Medline, EMBASE and PubMed. The search was limited to English language articles, and the following key words were used: Endonasal, Endoscopic, Dacryocystorhinostomy, DCR, Mucosal Flaps, between years 1970 and 2015.ResultsThe best available evidence was level 1B, comprising two randomised control trials and three comparative studies included in the review. The main outcome measures used were lacrimal irrigation and absence of epiphora. Two of the studies demonstrated a statistically significant benefit of mucosal sparing either with nasal mucosal flaps or with lacrimal flaps. More debridement was needed, and granulation tissue was also seen in the groups without mucosal preservation. There was no difference in surgical complications between a mucosal and non‐mucosal‐sparing technique.ConclusionsThe overall quality of current evidence is poor, and there does however appear to be a trend towards improved outcomes and reduced granulation in groups where nasal mucosal and lacrimal flaps were preserved, but this is not clear‐cut. There was no evidence of increased complication rates with mucosal‐sparing techniques. We recommend that until further good quality research is available we should be performing a mucosal‐sparing technique when performing DCR routinely.
Iatrogenic facial nerve injuries during chronic otitis media surgery: a multicentre retrospective study
Authors: Linder T. , Mulazimoglu S. , El Hadi T. , Darrouzet V. , Ayache D. , Somers T. , Schmerber S. , Vincent C. , Mondain M. , Lescanne E. , Bonnard D. 
Published: September 2016

ObjectivesTo give an insight into why, when and where iatrogenic facial nerve (FN) injuries may occur and to explain how to deal with them in an emergency setting.Design and settingMulticentre retrospective study in eight tertiary referral hospitals over 17 years.ParticipantsTwenty patients with partial or total FN injury during surgery for chronic otitis media (COM) were revised.Main outcome measuresIndication and type of surgery, experience of the surgeon, intra‐ and postoperative findings, value of CT scanning, patient management and final FN outcome were recorded.ResultsIn 12 cases, the nerve was completely transected, but the surgeon was unaware in 11 cases. A minority of cases occurred in academic teaching hospitals. Tympanic segment, second genu and proximal mastoid segments were the sites involved during injury. The FN was not deliberately identified in 18 patients at the time of injury, and nerve monitoring was only applied in one patient. Before revision surgery, CT scanning correctly identified the lesion site in 11 of 12 cases and depicted additional lesions such as damage to the lateral semicircular canal.A greater auricular nerve graft was interposed in 10 cases of total transection and in one partially lesioned nerve: seven of them resulted in an HB III functional outcome. In two of the transected nerves, rerouting and direct end‐to‐end anastomosis was applied. A simple FN decompression was used in four cases of superficially traumatised nerves.ConclusionsWe suggest checklists for preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative management to prevent and treat iatrogenic FN injury during COM surgery.
Individual and combined effects of the generalist Forficula auricularia and the specialist Episyrphus balteatus on Dysaphis plantaginea – are two predators better than one?
Authors: Dib Hazem , Jamont Marie , Sauphanor Benoît , Capowiez Yvan 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe interactions between specialist and generalist natural enemies could affect the success of biological pest control, especially in augmentation programmes. The aim of this laboratory study was to quantitate the individual and combined effects of the generalist predator Forficula auricularia L. (Dermaptera: Forficulidae) and the specialist Episyrphus balteatus De Geer (Diptera: Syrphidae) on the population growth of the rosy apple aphid (RAA), Dysaphis plantaginea Passerini (Hemiptera: Aphididae). The experiment was carried out using apple seedlings with five levels of initial RAA infestation. In most cases, both predator species (alone and in combination) were able to reduce RAA densities or to keep them at their initial level. This suppression effect was greater when RAA densities were low and resulted in near‐complete mortality of the RAA colony after 4–6 days. Without predators, RAA population size almost doubled within 10 days, whereas with predators, RAA population size was reduced by about 20 (alone) and 50% (in combination). Although RAA numbers in the two‐predators treatment were ca. 81% of RAA numbers in the one‐predator treatment for pooled numbers across dates and densities, the difference between the two treatments was not significant. Some predator mortality occurred with first and second instars of the syrphid larvae and only at the two lowest initial RAA infestation levels. This mortality may be explained by inadequate food supply, intraguild predation (IGP) (in 13.3% of the possible cases), or both. However, the incidence of IGP under natural conditions could be even less frequent, as both predators were never observed on the same leaf.
Effect of fertilized, unfertilized, and UV‐irradiated hosts on parasitism and suitability for Trichogramma parasitoids
Authors: Xu Jing , Yang Xiangbing , Lin Ying , Zang Lian‐Sheng , Tian Chun‐Yu , Ruan Chang‐Chun 
Published: September 2016

AbstractTrichogramma spp. (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) parasitoids have been commonly used as biological control agents in insect pest management. Host quality is believed to influence parasitism, host preference, and suitability for parasitoids. To date, limited studies have compared the parasitism of Trichogramma parasitoids on fertilized, unfertilized, and sterilized host eggs. Hence, we studied the performance of three Trichogramma egg parasitoids, Trichogramma japonicum Ashmead, Trichogramma chilonis Ishii, and Trichogramma leucaniae Pang & Chen, on fertilized, unfertilized, and ultraviolet (UV)‐irradiated fertilized (UVF) eggs of rice moth, Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). In a no‐choice test, T. japonicum and T. leucaniae parasitized significantly more fertilized or UVF than unfertilized hosts, and T. chilonis parasitized significantly more UVF than either fertilized or unfertilized hosts. In a choice test, all three Trichogramma parasitoids parasitized UVF hosts the most, and unfertilized hosts the least. There were similar percentages of adult emergence and female progeny among fertilized, unfertilized, and UVF hosts for all three Trichogramma parasitoids, except that T. japonicum had significantly lower adult emergence on fertilized hosts. We also found that all three Trichogramma parasitoids developed slower on unfertilized hosts. Regardless of host treatments, T. leucaniae had the longest developmental time and T. chilonis had the shortest. We conclude that Trichogramma parasitoids prefer parasitizing UVF eggs of C. cephalonica without negative effects on their emergence and sex allocation.
A dirty job: manure removal by dung beetles in both a cattle ranch and laboratory setting
Authors: Ortega‐Martínez I.J. , Moreno C.E. , Escobar F. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractDung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae, Scarabaeinae) play a crucial role in natural ecosystems and grazing areas because they are actively involved in dung removal and other ecosystem processes such as nutrient cycling. We assess the manure removal process performed by dung beetles on a cattle ranch with temperate forest remnants in the Mexican Transition Zone of central Mexico. Despite having similar species richness, the amount of dung removed by the beetle community on pastures was higher than in forest remnants, but there were no significant differences between dung types (cow and sheep). Using field mesocosms, we found differences in the amount of dung removed by eight of the most abundant species in the study area. As in the field, in the laboratory large species (Deltochilum scabriusculum Bates, Dichotomius colonicus Say, and Phanaeus adonis Harold) removed larger amounts of dung during the first days of the process. We found positive and significant relationships between species biomass and the amount of dung removed, both in mesocosms and in the laboratory. Our results suggest that in spite of habitat type, dung beetle biomass is one of the main factors driving the process of dung removal. A better understanding of the dynamics of ecosystem processes where dung beetles participate will improve the design of management plans to promote sustainability and ecosystems integrity in livestock areas.
Potential vectors of Xylella fastidiosa: a study of leafhoppers and treehoppers in citrus agroecosystems affected by Citrus Variegated Chlorosis
Authors: Dellapé G. , Paradell S. , Semorile L. , Delfederico L. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThis study investigated the predominant leafhopper and treehopper (Hemiptera, Auchenorrhyncha) species in Citrus Variegated Chlorosis (CVC)‐affected citrus agroecosystems in Argentina, their seasonal fluctuation, and their potential role as vectors of Xylella fastidiosa Wells et al., using molecular methods for detection. More than 6 000 Auchenorrhyncha were collected from three citrus agroecosystems over a period of 3 years using yellow sticky traps and entomological nets. Cicadellidae and Membracidae were the most abundant families. Of the 43 species identified, five were predominant in citrus orchards, and three were predominant in weeds surrounding citrus plants. All predominant species and another four non‐predominant species tested positive for X. fastidiosa in PCR and real‐time PCR assays. In a transmission assay, Dechacona missionum (Berg), Tapajosa rubromarginata (Signoret), and Cyphonia clavigera (Fabricius) transmitted X. fastidiosa successfully. Scaphytopius bolivianus Oman and Frequenamia spiniventris (Linnavuori) populations increased once (during the summer), possibly due to favorable weather conditions, and Bucephalogonia xanthophis (Berg), Molomea lineiceps Young, and T. rubromarginata populations increased twice a year: once in summer and once in winter, coinciding with the increase in early citrus shoots (flush). Among the X. fastidiosa‐positive species, those with the higher population densities during the sprouting period, where trees are highly susceptible to infection, must be considered as most relevant vectors of CVC in the citrus‐growing areas in Argentina.
Financial Flexibility and Investment Ability Across the Euro Area and the UK
Authors: Ferrando Annalisa , Marchica Maria‐Teresa , Mura Roberto 
Published: September 2016

AbstractWe use a very large sample of European private and public firms to show that financial flexibility attained through a conservative leverage policy is more important for private, small‐medium‐sized, and young firms and for firms in countries with less access to credit and weaker investor protection. Further, using the 2007 financial crisis as a natural experiment, we show that a higher degree of financial flexibility allows firms to reduce the negative impact of liquidity shocks on investment. Our findings support the hypothesis that financial flexibility improves companies' ability to undertake future investment, despite market frictions hampering possible growth opportunities.
Ectomycorrhizal fungal response to warming is linked to poor host performance at the boreal‐temperate ecotone
Authors: Fernandez Christopher W. , Nguyen Nhu H. , Stefanski Artur , Han Ying , Hobbie Sarah E. , Montgomery Rebecca A. , Reich Peter B. , Kennedy Peter G. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractRising temperatures associated with climate change have been shown to negatively affect the photosynthetic rates of boreal forest tree saplings at their southern range limits. To quantify the responses of ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungal communities associated with poorly performing hosts, we sampled the roots of Betula papyrifera and Abies balsamea saplings growing in the B4Warmed (Boreal Forest Warming at an Ecotone in Danger) experiment. EM fungi on the root systems of both hosts were compared from ambient and +3.4 °C air and soil warmed plots at two sites in northern Minnesota. EM fungal communities were assessed with high‐throughput sequencing along with measures of plant photosynthesis, soil temperature, moisture, and nitrogen. Warming selectively altered EM fungal community composition at both the phylum and genus levels, but had no significant effect on EM fungal operational taxonomic unit (OTU) diversity. Notably, warming strongly favored EM Ascomycetes and EM fungi with short‐contact hyphal exploration types. Declining host photosynthetic rates were also significantly inversely correlated with EM Ascomycete and EM short‐contact exploration type abundance, which may reflect a shift to less carbon demanding fungi due to lower photosynthetic capacity. Given the variation in EM host responses to warming, both within and between ecosystems, better understanding the link between host performance and EM fungal community structure will to clarify how climate change effects cascade belowground.
Highly multiplexed CRISPR‐Cas9‐nuclease and Cas9‐nickase vectors for inactivation of hepatitis B virus
Authors: Sakuma Tetsushi , Masaki Keiichi , Abe‐Chayama Hiromi , Mochida Keiji , Yamamoto Takashi , Chayama Kazuaki 
Published: September 2016

CRISPR‐Cas9‐mediated genome‐editing technology contributes not only to basic genomic studies but also to clinical studies such as genetic correction and virus inactivation. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major target for potential application of CRISPR‐Cas9 in eliminating viral DNA from human cells. However, the high stability of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) makes it difficult to completely clear HBV infection. Here, we report highly multiplexed CRISPR‐Cas9‐nuclease and Cas9‐nickase vector systems that simultaneously target three critical domains of the HBV genome. Co‐transfection of an HBV‐expressing plasmid and all‐in‐one CRISPR‐Cas9 vectors resulted in significant reduction in viral replicative intermediates and extracellular hepatitis B surface and envelope antigens. In addition, successful fragmentation of the HBV genome was confirmed by DNA sequencing. Despite its high efficacy in suppressing HBV, no apparent off‐target mutations were detected by genomic cleavage detection assay and the small number of observed mutations was extremely rare and could only be detected by deep sequencing analysis. Thus, our all‐in‐one CRISPR‐Cas9‐nuclease and Cas9‐nickase vectors present a model for simultaneous targeting of multiple HBV domains, potentially contributing to a well‐designed therapeutic approach for curing HBV patients.
TIC y crecimiento de la productividad del trabajo en el África Subsahariana
Authors: WAMBOYE Evelyn , ADEKOLA Abel , SERGI Bruno 
Published: September 2016

ResumenSe investigan los efectos de las TIC en la productividad del trabajo en 43 países subsaharianos. Se observa que el desarrollo de la telefonía fija y móvil celular estimula el crecimiento de la productividad en forma de retornos crecientes, lo cual confirma la presencia de efectos de red: cuando se duplica la tasa de penetración de la telefonía fija y de la móvil, el crecimiento de la productividad del trabajo aumenta en alrededor de 0,12–0,15 por ciento y 0,05 por ciento, respectivamente. La inclusión financiera aparece como uno de los posibles vectores de los efectos de la telefonía móvil en la productividad en los países estudiados.
Actitudes de los empleadores hacia los inmigrantes refugiados según una encuesta sueca
Authors: LUNDBORG Per , SKEDINGER Per 
Published: September 2016

ResumenSobre la base de una encuesta a gran escala de empresas suecas, los autores identifican una heterogeneidad significativa en las actitudes de los empleadores hacia los refugiados, su contratación, la fijación de sus salarios y la discriminación, aunque la experiencia de tener refugiados en plantilla reduce las actitudes negativas. Las razones de las empresas para dejar de contratar refugiados no tienen que ver con la discriminación por parte del personal nativo o los clientes, sino con su rendimiento. Si bien la mayoría de las empresas no considera el salario mínimo estipulado por convenio como un obstáculo importante a la contratación de refugiados, las empresas con un gran porcentaje de refugiados en plantilla declaran que reducirlo mejoraría sustancialmente el empleo.
Disaster nursing experiences of Chinese nurses responding to the Sichuan Ya'an earthquake
Authors: Li Y.H. , Li S.J. , Chen S.H. , Xie X.P. , Song Y.Q. , Jin Z.H. , Zheng X.Y. 
Published: September 2016

AimThe aim of this study was to investigate the disaster experiences of nurses called to assist survivors one month after the 2013 Ya'an earthquake.BackgroundChina has experienced an increasing number of earthquake disasters in the past four decades. Although a health and disaster management system was initiated after the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, nurses' roles and experiences in a disaster have been overlooked.MethodsThe researchers used qualitative descriptive design that included 16 participants. Data were collected using semi‐structured interviews and observation notes, after which a qualitative content analysis was conducted.FindingsThree major themes emerged: the process of being dispatched from hospitals to the disaster zone, the effort involved in getting to and working in the affected site and reflecting on the challenges they encountered.DiscussionAbout half of the participants had received disaster nursing training before deploying to the disaster site, but they consistently expressed a lack of physical and psychological preparedness regarding the process of being dispatched from their hospitals to the disaster zone.LimitationsThis was a single‐incident experience. Caution should be taken when trying to extend the findings to other parts of China.ConclusionThese findings highlighted the need for disaster in‐service training as well as for having disaster plans in place.Implications for nursing and health policyHospital and nursing leaders should provide disaster training opportunities that included topics such as compiling resource inventories, formulating disaster drills and simulations, managing emergencies, and using emergency communication methods. Health policy‐makers should be required to prioritize capacity‐building training for front‐line nurses as well as to develop and implement disaster management plans to better prepare nurses for future disasters.