bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analysis of mortality in colorectal surgery in the Bi‐National Colorectal Cancer Audit
Authors: Teloken Patrick Ely , Spilsbury Katrina , Platell Cameron ,   BCCA Operations Committee
Published: April 2016

BackgroundIn the last decade, there has been a significant increase in interest for public reporting of outcome data and performance comparison across institutions and surgeons. This study aims at comparing postoperative mortality after colorectal cancer surgery across units and individual consultants in Australia and New Zealand using funnel plots.MethodsThe Bi‐National Colorectal Cancer Audit database was used. Unadjusted and adjusted funnel plots of inpatient mortality were constructed. Risk adjustment was based upon multivariable logistic regression models using purposeful covariate selection.ResultsA total of 10 008 patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer from 56 surgical units and 90 consultants were identified. Overall inpatient mortality was 1.51%, corresponding to 1.1% for elective and 3.9% for urgent cases. Logistic regression identified age, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, urgent surgery and open surgery to be independently associated with inpatient mortality. Unadjusted and adjusted funnel plot analysis identified three (5.3%) units exceeding the inner limit and none exceeding the outer limit. Six (6.6%) consultants had inpatient mortality between the upper inner and outer limits and one (1.1%) between the inferior inner and outer limits. Upon adjustment, seven (7.7%) consultants had inpatient mortality between the inner and outer limit. Potential limitations of this study include: residual confounding being responsible for the association of open surgery and mortality; incomplete case‐mix adjustment resulting in outlier identification; and bias towards inclusion of larger institutions.ConclusionMortality figures in Australia and New Zealand are comparable to recently reported international data. The vast majority of units and consultants are performing within the expected boundaries.
Evaluation of Four Veterinary Hematology Analyzers for Bovine and Ovine Blood Counts for In Vitro Testing of Medical Devices
Authors: Pieper Ina Laura , Friedmann Yasmin , Jones Alyssa , Thornton Catherine 
Published: April 2016

AbstractSmall affordable automated hematology analyzers that produce rapid and accurate complete blood cell counts are a valuable tool to researchers developing blood‐handling medical devices, such as ventricular assist devices, for in vitro safety assessments. In such studies, it is common to use the blood of large animals such as cattle and sheep. However, the commercially available instruments have not been evaluated for their ability to measure the blood counts of these animals. In this study, we compare, for the first time, four veterinary analyzers for blood counts on bovine and ovine blood samples. We look at ease of use, repeatability and agreement with a view to inform researchers of the benefits of these instruments in routine measurement of ovine and bovine bloods during in vitro testing. Complete blood cell counts and a three‐part differential (granulocytes, monocytes, and lymphocytes) were measured by each of the instruments, and the results compared to those obtained from two additional analyzers used in a reference laboratory. Repeatability and agreement were evaluated using the Bland–Altman method; bias and 95% limits of agreement between the instruments, and between the instruments and two reference instruments, were used to evaluate instrument performance. In summary, there are advantages and disadvantages with all instruments. Of the four instruments tested, the repeatability and agreement was fairly similar for all instruments except one instrument which cannot be recommended for bovine or ovine blood counts.
The role of the seed bank in recovery of temperate heath and blanket bog following wildfires
Authors: Kelly Ruth , Boston Emma , Montgomery William Ian , Reid Neil 
Published: April 2016

AbstractQuestionsAre the germinable seed banks of upland heath and blanket bog reduced following wildfires? Are some species at particular risk? Do the impacts of wildfires on seed banks differ between heathlands and blanket bog?LocationNorthern Ireland, United Kingdom.MethodsVegetation surveys and seed bank sampling were conducted in 2012 at burned and unburned areas within six upland sites where large wildfires had occurred during spring 2011. Differences in seedling abundance, species richness and Jaccard similarity indices between burned and unburned areas were compared using GLMMs. Differences in the community composition were examined using pRDA.ResultsIn total, 24 of the 51 species in the vegetation were detected in the germinable seed bank. Species richness and the abundance of seedlings other than Calluna vulgaris were lower in areas where wildfires had occurred. Species composition of both germinable seed banks and vegetation differed between burned and unburned areas within sites; with negative associations between burned areas and some key indicator species including Drosera rotundifolia, Eriophorum vaginatum, Empetrum nigrum, Narthecium ossifragum and Trichophorum germanicum. We did not find any evidence of significant interactions between burning and habitat, suggesting that wildfires had similar impacts on each species regardless of the habitat in which they occurred.ConclusionsThis study differs from other UK studies in that it examines impacts of wildfires at sites that have not been previously intensively managed by burning. In particular, we highlight potential impacts on N. ossifragum and D. rotundifolia, which are key components of the upland flora and, to our knowledge, were not present in previous UK studies.
Results of a randomized, double‐blind, active‐controlled clinical trial with propiverine extended release 30 mg in patients with overactive bladder
Authors: Leng Jing , Liao Limin , Wan Ben , Du Chuanjun , Li Wei , Xie Keji , Shen Zhoujun , Xu Zhuoqun , Wu Shiliang , Fang Zujun , Ma Lulin , Han Shaomei , Feustel Cornelia , Yang Yong , Madersbacher Helmut 
Published: April 2016

ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy and safety of the 30 mg extended release (ER) formulation of propiverine hydrochloride with the 4 mg ER formulation of tolterodine tartrate in patients with overactive bladder (OAB) in a non‐inferiority trial.Patients and MethodsEligible patients, aged 18–75 years and with symptoms of OAB, were enrolled in this multicentre, randomized, double‐blind, parallel‐group, active‐controlled study. After a 2‐week screening period, patients were randomized at a 1:1 ratio to receive either propiverine ER 30 mg or tolterodine ER 4 mg daily during the 8‐week treatment period. Efficacy was assessed using a 3‐day voiding diary and patient's self‐reported assessment of treatment effect. Safety assessment included recording of adverse events, laboratory test results, measurement of post‐void residual urine and electrocardiograms.ResultsA total of 324 patients (244 female and 80 male) were included in the study. Both active treatments improved the variables included in the voiding diary and in the patient's self‐reported assessment. The change from baseline in the number of voidings per 24 h was significantly greater in the propiverine ER 30 mg group compared with the tolterodine ER 4 mg group after 8 weeks of treatment (full analysis set [FAS] −4.6 ± 4.1 vs −3.8 ± 5.1; P = 0.005). Significant improvements were also observed for the change of urgency incontinence episodes after 2 weeks (P = 0.026) and 8 weeks (P = 0.028) of treatment when comparing propiverine ER 30 mg with tolterodine ER 4 mg. Both treatments were well tolerated, with a similar frequency of adverse drug reactions in both the propiverine ER 30 mg and tolterodine ER 4 mg groups (FAS 40.7 vs 39.5%; P = 0.8). More patients treated with tolterodine ER 4 mg discontinued the treatment because of adverse drug reactions compared with propiverine ER 30 mg (7.4 vs 3.1%).ConclusionsPropiverine ER 30 mg was confirmed to be an effective and well‐tolerated treatment option for patients with OAB symptoms. This first head‐to‐head study showed non‐inferiority of propiverine ER 30 mg compared with tolterodine ER 4 mg.
Identifying at diagnosis the vestibular schwannomas at low risk of growth in a long‐term retrospective cohort
Authors: Wolbers J.G. , Dallenga A.H.G. , van Linge A. , te West M. , Kummer E.E. , Méndez Romero A. , Pauw B.K.H. , Wieringa M.H. 
Published: April 2016

ObjectivesIdentification at time of diagnosis of those vestibular schwannomas that will not grow.DesignRetrospective cohort study of consecutive patients diagnosed with a sporadic vestibular schwannoma that were entered in the wait‐and‐scan protocol.SettingAcademic referral centre.ParticipantsThe study group contained 155 patients with a sporadic vestibular schwannoma first seen in the full 8‐year period 2000–2007: continual wait‐and‐scan (n = 89) and initial wait‐and‐scan until intervention (n = 66).Main outcome measuresTumour growth, defined as more than 2 mm linear difference in any plane between the diagnostic MRI‐scan and the last available scan, was related to clinical parameters at diagnosis: localisation of the tumour (solely intracanalicular versus cisternal extension), sudden sensorineural hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss longer than 2 years and vertigo/instability.ResultsHearing loss longer than 2 years and an entirely intracanalicular localisation were associated with no tumour growth by univariate and multivariate Cox analysis. Combining both factors at time of diagnosis resulted in a group with low risk of growth (n = 36, median follow‐up of 6.2 years) with a Hazard Ratio for growth of 0.37 (95% CI, 0.19–0.69). This subgroup is about 25% of the wait‐and‐scan population. Thirty‐one percent showed growth, while in the remaining higher risk group of 119 patients 62% showed growth. For the growing schwannomas, the median time for growth becoming manifest is 1.9 years after diagnostic MRI.ConclusionsIn this study on vestibular schwannoma patients that start in a wait‐and‐scan protocol, about a quarter may be set apart having a low risk for growth. These patients at diagnosis combine a history of hearing loss longer than 2 years and a fully intracanalicular schwannoma. They seem to be not needed yearly MRI checks.
To trust or not to trust: social decision‐making in post‐institutionalized, internationally adopted youth
Authors: Pitula Clio E. , Wenner Jennifer A. , Gunnar Megan R. , Thomas Kathleen M. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractChronic parental maltreatment has been associated with lower levels of interpersonal trust, and depriving environments have been shown to predict short‐sighted, risk‐averse decision‐making. The present study examined whether a circumscribed period of adverse care occurring only early in life was associated with biases in trust behavior. Fifty‐three post‐institutionalized (PI) youth, adopted internationally on average by 1 year of age, and 33 never‐institutionalized, non‐adopted youth (Mage = 12.9 years) played a trust game. Participants decided whether or not to share coins with a different anonymous peer in each trial with the potential to receive a larger number of coins in return. Trials were presented in blocks that varied in the degree to which the peers behaved in a trustworthy (reciprocal) or untrustworthy (non‐reciprocal) manner. A comparison condition consisted of a computerized lottery with the same choices and probabilistic risk as the peer trials. Non‐adopted comparison youth showed a tendency to share more with peers than to invest in the lottery and tended to maintain their level of sharing across trials despite experiencing trials in which peers failed to reciprocate. In contrast, PI children, particularly those who were adopted over 1 year of age, shared less with peers than they invested in the lottery and quickly adapted their sharing behavior to peers’ responses. These results suggest that PI youth were more mistrusting, more sensitive to both defection and reciprocation, and potentially more accurate in their trusting decisions than comparison youth. Results support the presence of a sensitive period for the development of trust in others, whereby conditions early in life may set long‐term biases in decision‐making.
Psychiatric morbidity in children with KCNJ11 neonatal diabetes
Authors: Bowman P. , Broadbridge E. , Knight B. A. , Pettit L. , Flanagan S. E. , Reville M. , Tonks J. , Shepherd M. H. , Ford T. J. , Hattersley A. T. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractAimsMutations in the KCNJ11 gene, which encodes the Kir6.2 subunit of the pancreatic KATP channel, cause neonatal diabetes. KCNJ11 is also expressed in the brain, and ~ 20% of those affected have neurological features, which may include features suggestive of psychiatric disorder. No previous studies have systematically characterized the psychiatric morbidity in people with KCNJ11 neonatal diabetes. We aimed to characterize the types of psychiatric disorders present in children with KCNJ11 mutations, and explore their impact on families.MethodsThe parents and teachers of 10 children with neonatal diabetes due to KCNJ11 mutations completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and the Development and Wellbeing Assessment. Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire scores were compared with normative data. Diagnoses from the Development and Wellbeing Assessment were compared with known clinical diagnoses.ResultsStrengths and Difficulties Questionnaire scores indicated high levels of psychopathology and impact. Psychiatric disorder(s) were present in all six children with the V59M or R201C mutation, and the presence of more than one psychiatric disorder was common. Only two children had received a formal clinical diagnosis, with a further one awaiting assessment, and the coexistence of more than one psychiatric disorder had been missed. Neurodevelopmental (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism) and anxiety disorders predominated.ConclusionsSystematic assessment using standardized validated questionnaires reveals a range of psychiatric morbidity in children with KCNJ11 neonatal diabetes. This is under‐recognized clinically and has a significant impact on affected children and their families. An integrated collaborative approach to clinical care is needed to manage the complex needs of people with KCNJ11 neonatal diabetes.
A large‐scale latitudinal pattern of life‐history traits in a strictly univoltine damselfly
Authors: SNIEGULA SZYMON , GOLAB MARIA J. , JOHANSSON FRANK 
Published: April 2016

1. Variation in thermal conditions and season length along latitudinal gradients affect body size‐related traits over different life stages. Selection is expected to optimise these size traits in response to the costs and benefits.2. Egg, hatchling, larval and adult size in males and females were estimated along a latitudinal gradient of 2730 km across Europe in the univoltine damselfly Lestes sponsa, using a combination of field‐collection and laboratory‐rearing experiments. In the laboratory, individuals were grown in temperatures and photoperiod simulating those at the latitude of origin, and in common‐garden conditions.3. The size of adults sampled in nature was negatively correlated with latitude. In all populations the females were larger than the males. Results from simulated and common‐garden rearing experiments supported this pattern of size difference across latitudes and between sexes, suggesting a genetic component for the latitudinal size trend and female‐biased size dimorphism. In contrast, hatchling size showed a positive relationship with latitude, but egg size, although differing between latitudes, showed no such relationship.4. The results support a converse Bergmann cline, i.e. a negative body size cline towards the north. This negative cline in body size is probably driven by progressively stronger seasonal time and temperature constraints towards the higher latitudes and by the obligate univoltine life cycle of L. sponsa. As egg size showed no relationship with latitude, other environmental factors besides temperature, such as desiccation risk, probably affect this trait.
Survey of Australasian geriatricians’ satisfaction with, and preferences for, continuing professional development
Authors: Etherton‐Beer C. , Katz B. , Naganathan V. ,   for the Geriatric Medicine Education and Training Committee of the Australian and New Zealand Society for Geriatric Medicine
Published: April 2016

BackgroundContinuing professional development (CPD) is an obligation for all Australasian geriatricians; however, there are no systematic data regarding Australian and New Zealand geriatricians’ satisfaction with, and preferences for, CPD.AimsTo inform understanding of Australasian geriatricians’ satisfaction with, and preferences for, CPD.MethodsAn electronic survey to collect data relating to demographics, current CPD activities, preferred CPD activities and perceived major barriers to CPD was distributed to 706 geriatricians in Australia and New Zealand.ResultsTwo hundred and thirteen (30%) responses were received. Respondents commonly reported CPD through participation in conferences (n = 205 (96%)) and research/educational activity (n = 146 (70%)). Most respondents agreed that the annual scientific meeting (n = 168 (79%)) and state‐based meetings (n = 135 (63%)) are valuable for their CPD. Respondents perceived their professional (n = 155 (73%)) and non‐professional (n = 21 (57%)) commitments as the major barriers to quality CPD. Respondents supported additional electronic CPD resources being made available, improved integration of assessment in CPD activities and flexible methods of CPD participation to meet the diverse needs of geriatricians.ConclusionsRespondents perceived the face–to‐face CPD opportunities currently available to them as valuable for their CPD but seek additional, flexible products to enable CPD participation based on individual needs and preferences.
Peyer's patches: organizing B‐cell responses at the intestinal frontier
Authors: Reboldi Andrea , Cyster Jason G. 
Published: April 2016

SummarySecondary lymphoid tissues share the important function of bringing together antigens and rare antigen‐specific lymphocytes to foster induction of adaptive immune responses. Peyer's patches (PPs) are unique compared to other secondary lymphoid tissues in their continual exposure to an enormous diversity of microbiome‐ and food‐derived antigens and in the types of pathogens they encounter. Antigens are delivered to PPs by specialized microfold (M) epithelial cells and they may be captured and presented by resident dendritic cells (DCs). In accord with their state of chronic microbial antigen exposure, PPs exhibit continual germinal center (GC) activity. These GCs not only contribute to the generation of B cells and plasma cells producing somatically mutated gut antigen‐specific IgA antibodies but have also been suggested to support non‐specific antigen diversification of the B‐cell repertoire. Here, we review current understanding of how PPs foster B‐cell encounters with antigen, how they favor isotype switching to the secretory IgA isotype, and how their GC responses may uniquely contribute to mucosal immunity.
Views on helper/cytotoxic lineage choice from a bottom‐up approach
Authors: Taniuchi Ichiro 
Published: April 2016

SummaryThere has been speculation as to how bi‐potent CD4+ CD8+ double‐positive precursor thymocytes choose their distinct developmental fate, becoming either CD4+ helper or CD8+ cytotoxic T cells. Based on the clear correlation of αβT cell receptor (TCR) specificity to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) classes with this lineage choice, various studies have attempted to resolve this question by examining the cellular signaling events initiated by TCR engagements, a strategy referred to as a ‘top‐down’ approach. On the other hand, based on the other correlation of CD4/CD8 co‐receptor expression with its selected fate, other studies have addressed this question by gradually unraveling the sequential mechanisms that control the phenotypic outcome of this fate decision, a method known as the ‘bottom‐up’ approach. Bridging these two approaches will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of how TCR signals are coupled with developmental programs in the nucleus. Advances made during the last two decades seemed to make these two approaches more closely linked. For instance, identification of two transcription factors, ThPOK and Runx3, which play central roles in the development of helper and cytotoxic lineages, respectively, provided significant insights into the transcriptional network that controls a CD4/CD8 lineage choice. This review summarizes achievements made using the ‘bottom‐up’ approach, followed by a perspective on future pathways toward coupling TCR signaling with nuclear programs.
Acanthamoeba culbertsoni: Electron‐Dense Granules in a Highly Virulent Clinical Isolate
Authors: Chávez‐Munguía Bibiana , Salazar‐Villatoro Lizbeth , Omaña‐Molina Maritza , Espinosa‐Cantellano Martha , Ramírez‐Flores Elizabeth , Lorenzo‐Morales Jacob , Martínez‐Palomo Adolfo 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe virulence of various amoebic parasites has been correlated with the presence of electron‐dense granules (EDGs) in the cytoplasm of trophozoites. Here, we report the finding by transmission electron microscopy of a large number of EDGs in a recent culture of Acanthamoeba culbertsoni, isolated from a severe case of human keratitis. When this isolate was maintained in culture for 6 mo, the granules almost disappeared. However, after induction of mice brain lesions with the long‐term cultured isolate, recovered amoebas had abundant EDGs. Trophozoites of the original isolate, or those recovered from experimental lesions, secreted EDGs into the medium when incubated with MDCK cells. To analyze a possible cytotoxic effect the conditioned medium was incubated with MDCK monolayers. After 5 h, the media containing EDGs produced opening of the tight junctions; at 24 h, cell viability was compromised, and at 48 h most of the cells were detached from the monolayer. In contrast, trophozoites in long‐term cultures did not release EDGs to the medium during incubation with MDCK cells, and the corresponding conditioned medium did not have any effect on MDCK monolayers. Our observations further support the hypothesis that EDGs play a role in the cytopathogenic mechanisms of A. culbertsoni.
Resolution enhancement by extrapolation of coherent diffraction images: a quantitative study on the limits and a numerical study of nonbinary and phase objects
Authors: LATYCHEVSKAIA T. , CHUSHKIN Y. , FINK H.‐W. 
Published: April 2016

SummaryIn coherent diffractive imaging, the resolution of the reconstructed object is limited by the numerical aperture of the experimental setup. We present here a theoretical and numerical study for achieving super‐resolution by postextrapolation of coherent diffraction images, such as diffraction patterns or holograms. We demonstrate that a diffraction pattern can unambiguously be extrapolated from only a fraction of the entire pattern and that the ratio of the extrapolated signal to the originally available signal is linearly proportional to the oversampling ratio. Although there could be in principle other methods to achieve extrapolation, we devote our discussion to employing iterative phase retrieval methods and demonstrate their limits. We present two numerical studies; namely, the extrapolation of diffraction patterns of nonbinary and that of phase objects together with a discussion of the optimal extrapolation procedure.