bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Water‐perfused manometry vs three‐dimensional high‐resolution manometry: a comparative study on a large patient population with anorectal disorders
Authors: Vitton V. , Ben Hadj Amor W. , Baumstarck K. , Grimaud J.‐C. , Bouvier M. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractAimOur aim was to compare for the first time measurements obtained with water‐perfused catheter anorectal manometry and three‐dimensional (3D) high‐resolution manometry in patients with anorectal disorders.MethodConsecutive patients referred to our centre for anorectal manometry (ARM) were recruited to undergo the two procedures successively. Conventional manometry was carried out using a water‐perfused catheter (WPAM) and high‐resolution manometry was achieved with a 3D probe (3DHRAM). For each procedure, parameters recorded included the following: anal canal length, resting pressure, squeeze pressure and rectal sensitivity.ResultsTwo hundred and one patients were included in this study. The mean values for resting and squeeze pressures were correlated and found to be significantly higher when measured with 3DHRAM than with WPAM. However, the length of the anal canal was not significantly different when measured by the two techniques without correlation between the two mean values obtained. The presence of the rectoanal inhibitory reflex was systematically assessed by both WPAM and 3DHRAM and anismus was also systematically diagnosed by both WPAM and 3DHRAM.ConclusionThe pressure values obtained with 3DHRAM are correlated with those measured with conventional manometry but are systematically higher. 3DHRAM has the advantage of providing a pressure recording over the entire length and circumference of the anal canal, allowing a more useful physiological assessment of anorectal function.
Identifying indicators of colorectal cancer care coordination: a Delphi study
Authors: Young J. M. , Masya L. M. , Solomon M. J. , Shepherd H. L. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractAimCare coordination is an important aspect of the quality of cancer care but is difficult to evaluate due to the lack of valid and reliable measures. This study was conducted to identify a set of objective measures of colorectal cancer care coordination that could be included in a medical record audit tool.MethodA two‐stage Delphi study was conducted to gain consensus among a national panel of experts about the validity of 41 potential indicators of colorectal cancer care coordination that had been identified during a literature review. The expert panel comprised 20 members from the National Health and Medical Research Colorectal Cancer Guidelines Working Party plus representatives from cancer nursing/coordination, general practice and cancer consumers.ResultsConsensus was reached on the validity of 15 of 41 potential indicators, including those that focused on practical aspects of communication (legibility, clarity, content and timeliness of hospital discharge letters, documentation of outcomes of multidisciplinary team meetings) and appropriateness (documentation of preoperative consultation with a stoma therapist, discussions and referrals for adjuvant therapy for appropriate patients, and treatment by an experienced colorectal surgeon). There was lack of consensus on the validity of indicators relating to access to and efficiency of services.ConclusionThe study has identified a core set of measures considered to be valid indicators of colorectal cancer care coordination. A medical record audit based on these measures could be used to monitor adequacy of cancer care coordination and will complement subjective measures based on self‐reported experiences of patients and carers.
The SECCA procedure for faecal incontinence: a review
Authors: Frascio M. , Mandolfino F. , Imperatore M. , Stabilini C. , Fornaro R. , Gianetta E. , Wexner S. D. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractAimThe SECCA system is a treatment option for patients with faecal incontinence and was introduced into clinical practice in 2002. Clinical studies of radiofrequency energy to treat patients with faecal incontinence have been published. This article aimed to review all published series to assess the results of this treatment.MethodTwelve studies were included. Outcomes analysed included quality of life, the Wexner incontinence score, anorectal manometry and endoanal ultrasound findings.ResultsA total of 220 patients from 10 studies were included. In the majority of clinical studies, the SECCA procedure has been shown to be an effective treatment of mild‐to‐moderate faecal incontinence.ConclusionWhen patient selection is appropriate, this treatment has demonstrated clinically significant improvements in symptoms, as demonstrated by statistically significant reductions in the Wexner incontinence and quality of life scores.
Of hissing snakes and angry voices: human infants are differentially responsive to evolutionary fear‐relevant sounds
Authors: Erlich Nicole , Lipp Ottmar V. , Slaughter Virginia 
Published: August 2013

AbstractAdult humans demonstrate differential processing of stimuli that were recurrent threats to safety and survival throughout evolutionary history. Recent studies suggest that differential processing of evolutionarily ancient threats occurs in human infants, leading to the proposal of an inborn mechanism for rapid identification of, and response to, evolutionary fear‐relevant stimuli. The current study provides novel data in support of this proposal, showing for the first time that human infants differentially process evolutionary threats presented in the auditory modality. Sixty‐one 9‐month‐olds listened to evolutionary fear‐relevant, modern fear‐relevant, and pleasant sounds, while their heart rate, startle, and visual orienting behaviours were measured. Infants demonstrated significantly enhanced heart rate deceleration, larger eye‐blinks, and more visual orienting when listening to evolutionary fear‐relevant sounds compared to sounds from the other two categories. These results support the proposal that human infants possess evolved mechanisms for the differential processing of a range of ancient environmental threats.
Minimum income in a transition economy
Authors: Mangiavacchi Lucia , Verme Paolo 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThe AlbanianNdihma Ekonomikeis one of the first poverty reduction programmes launched in transitional economies. Its record has been judged positively during the recession period of the 1990s and negatively during the more recent growth phase. This article reconsiders the programme using a regression‐adjusted local linear matching estimator first suggested by Heckmanet al. (1997, 1998). We find the programme to have a weak targeting capacity and a non‐significant impact on different household outcomes.
Linking the spatio‐temporal distribution of an edaphic crane fly to its heterogeneous soil environment
Authors: PETERSEN MATTHEW J. , SETO MASANORI , PECK DANIEL 
Published: August 2013

The persistence of a species within a habitat patch is determined by the degree to which the habitat meets the species' biotic and abiotic requirements. Local‐scale spatio‐temporal population dynamics should be structured by the heterogeneity of these factors within the habitat patch.
This study relates the abiotic (soil moisture) and biotic (plant community) factors defining a continuous turfgrass environment to the temporal population structure and spatial distribution of Tipula paludosa ontogenetic stages across 3 years of investigation.
Populations declined greatly from first instar to pupa across all sites. Survival was greatest in soils with higher water‐holding capacity. Intra‐patch insect spatial distributions were associated with soil moisture but not with plant community distributions.
A sink–source dynamic was evident. Low quality habitats could have high first instar populations, but these did not survive until pupation. Where high and low quality habitats intersected, there was a tendency for high quality habitats to be sparsely populated.
Tipula paludosa spatio‐temporal distributions are dynamic throughout the life cycle. This work suggests that population persistence within a habitat patch is determined by the quality of the habitat, largely defined by soil moisture, and the juxtaposition of high and low quality habitats within the patch.
SnoworSand, Student Travel Solutions
Authors: Meyer Marc H. , McNett Jeanne 
Published: August 2013

SnoworSand, Student Travel Solutions describes the development of a travel service targeting students abroad for cultural and recreational travel during their foreign sojourns. The case focuses on the decisions needed to transition the venture from a lifestyle hobby into a growing, scalable business. Charlie Bishop, the founder, has created a niche business serving American college students in Europe, providing them with safe, educational, and fun excursions in Europe, Turkey, and North Africa. The venture has significant potential, but to achieve it, Charlie needs to make decisions about marketing strategy, personnel, and logistics, along with the critical issue of how best to finance growth.
Metamorphosis in river ecology: from reaches to macrosystems
Authors: Thorp James H. 
Published: August 2013

Summary

A metamorphic shift in the focus of aquatic ecological research is needed to (i) better understand the functioning of river ecosystems at large spatiotemporal scales; (ii) respond to threats from climate change, species invasions and increased pressure for more river dams and interbasin water transfer; and (iii) meet critical needs for catchment‐level management.

Implementing changes in research and management necessitate new spatiotemporal and research domains and a partial shift from reach‐level studies to macrosystem ecology.

Macroecology, as defined here, and associated processes usually cannot be understood simply by scaling up information from smaller extent and finer grain samples because of problems of connectivity and spatial heterogeneity of crucial system components and entanglements from cross‐scale interactions producing threshold responses and other nonlinear dynamics.

An important driver of macrosystem research in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems is the immediate and long‐term danger from global climate change, which will alter flow regimes, water temperatures and dissolved oxygen in riverine landscapes.

An initial step in implementing metamorphic change in river science is to integrate the newest macroecological perspectives with current large‐scale riverine concepts, especially ones emphasising the importance of tributary patterns and junctions (Network Dynamics Hypothesis) or the hydrogeomorphic patch nature of rivers at multiple scales (Riverine Ecosystem synthesis).

The hierarchical nature, system boundaries and research domains of riverine macrosystem ecology are examined, and twelve sample research questions are provided to help direct future research.

Current research impediments to riverine macroecology are discussed, and a partial solution based on the need for Long‐Term Ecological Research‐like sites (each with a central organisational hub and a diffuse, multi‐institutional network of data collection stations at strategic catchment points) is proposed.
Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke in Octogenarians Compared with Younger Patients: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Duffis E. Jesús , He Wenzhuan , Prestigiacomo Charles J. , Gandhi Chirag D. 
Published: August 2013

Background Little is known about the safety and efficacy of endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke in octogenarians. Aim We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies comparing outcomes of octogenarians and younger patients after endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke. Methods A computerized search of the medical literature from 1990 to 2012 was performed to identify comparative studies of endovascular treatment of ischemic stroke patients 80 years or older and younger patients. Data on clinical outcomes, mortality, symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage, and recanalization were abstracted. Results Data from eight studies with 2729 patients were included in the final analysis. Good functional outcome defined as modified Rankin score 2 or less within 90 days was more common in younger patients compared with octogenarians [odds ratio 2·694; 95% confidence interval 1·941–3·740, P < 0·001). Symptomatic hemorrhage and death were significantly more come in patients 80 years or older (odds ratio 1·604; 95% confidence interval 1·013–2·540, P = 0·04 and odds ratio 3·695; 95% confidence interval 2·517–5·424, P < 0·001, respectively). Successful recanalization defined as Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) 2–3 was seen less frequently in older patients; however, this did not reach statistical significance (odds ratio 0·814; 95% confidence interval 0·522–1·269, P = 0·364). Conclusion Formal meta-analysis showed that octogenarians are less likely to achieve functional independence and have higher rates of mortality and intracerebral hemorrhage following endovascular treatment for ischemic stroke compared with younger patients. Decisions regarding endovascular treatment of elderly patients should be individualized until randomized controlled trials are available.
Ischemic Stroke in Patients with Cancer: Is it Different from Usual Strokes?
Authors: Lee Eun-Jae , Nah Hyun-Wook , Kwon Joo-Young , Kang Dong-Wha , Kwon Sun U. , Kim Jong S. 
Published: August 2013

Background It remains unclear whether the characteristics of ischemic stroke in patients with cancer (ISC) differ from usual ischemic strokes (non-ISC). Although a small number of studies have been conducted to characterize ISC, the status of cancer has rarely been considered seriously. Aims We aimed to investigate the features of ISC according to the status of cancer, and compare their characteristics with those of non-ISC. Methods We assessed and classified 204 ISC patients into two groups: 104 with active (ISC-active) and 100 with inactive (ISC-inactive) cancer. For each ISC patient, two age- and gender-matched ischemic stroke patients without history of cancer were selected as non-ISC control subjects. We compared the clinical/laboratory data, stroke mechanisms, and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) lesion patterns between ISC-active and non-ISC patients, and between ISC-inactive and non-ISC patients. Results ISC-active patients demonstrated higher C-reactive protein (CRP) and D-dimer, more frequent cryptogenic stroke and patterns of multiple DWI lesions (in bilateral anterior or in anterior and posterior circulations), and less prevalent conventional risk factors than non-ISC patients, while ISC-inactive patients revealed no such marked differences. Among ISC-active patients, both elevated CRP and D-dimer levels were associated with cryptogenic mechanism and multiple lesion patterns. Furthermore, ISC-active patients with cryptogenic strokes tended to have multiple lesion patterns and metastasis. Conclusions ISC-active, but not ISC-inactive, is distinct in terms of risk factors, stroke mechanisms, and lesion patterns. Chronic inflammation and an activated coagulation system may contribute to the pathogenic mechanism of strokes, the extent of each depending on the activity and severity of cancer.
N-Terminal Pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide Shows Diagnostic Accuracy for Detecting Atrial Fibrillation in Cryptogenic Stroke Patients
Authors: Fonseca Ana Catarina , Brito Dulce , e Melo Teresa Pinho , Geraldes Ruth , Canhão Patrícia , Caplan Louis R. , Ferro José M. 
Published: August 2013

Background Diagnosing paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in patients with stroke can be difficult. We aimed to determine if N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide can help identify paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in cryptogenic stroke. Methods and results Among 264 ischemic stroke patients, serum levels of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide were measured within 72 h of stroke onset. In cryptogenic stroke patients, 24-h Holter monitoring was used to look for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation within the first week and also three-and six-months after admission. First, patients with a defined etiology were used to construct a receiver operating characteristic curve for the diagnosis of atrial fibrillation. From this curve, the sensitivity and specificity of preestablished cutoff points for the diagnosis of atrial fibrillation were calculated. A logistic regression was performed to assess the independent relationship of the logarithm of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels with atrial fibrillation. The cutoff points were then evaluated in patients with cryptogenic stroke. Results One hundred eighty-four patients had a specific stroke etiology. Fifty-five patients had atrial fibrillation. Using multivariate analysis, the logarithm of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels was independently associated with atrial fibrillation. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide for the diagnosis of atrial fibrillation was 0·91 (95% confidence interval 0·87–0·95). The cutoff point of 265·5 pg/ml had a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 70·5% for the diagnosis of atrial fibrillation. The cutoff point of 912 pg/ml had a sensitivity of 81·8% and a specificity of 87·5%. Eighty patients had a cryptogenic stroke. In 17, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation was found during follow-up. In these patients, the area under the curve for the diagnosis of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation was 0·83. The cutoff point of 265·5 had a sensitivity of 88·2% and a specificity of 61·9%. The cutoff point of 912 pg/ml had a sensitivity of 47·1% and a specificity of 88·9%. Conclusion N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide has good accuracy in predicting the presence of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in patients with cryptogenic stroke and can help to identify these patients.
The Spot Sign and Tranexamic Acid on Preventing ICH Growth – AUStralasia Trial (STOP-AUST): Protocol of a Phase II Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Multicenter Trial
Authors: Meretoja Atte , Churilov Leonid , Campbell Bruce C. V. , Aviv Richard I. , Yassi Nawaf , Barras Christen , Mitchell Peter , Yan Bernard , Nandurkar Harshal , Bladin Christopher , Wijeratne Tissa , Spratt Neil J. , Jannes Jim , Sturm Jonathan , Rupasinghe Jayantha , Zavala Jorge , Lee Andrew , Kleinig Timothy , Markus Romesh , Delcourt Candice , Mahant Neil , Parsons Mark W. , Levi Christopher , Anderson Craig S. , Donnan Geoffrey A. , Davis Stephen M. 
Published: August 2013

Rationale No evidence-based acute therapies exist for intracerebral hemorrhage. Intracerebral hemorrhage growth is an important determinant of patient outcome. Tranexamic acid is known to reduce hemorrhage in other conditions. Aim The study aims to test the hypothesis that intracerebral hemorrhage patients selected with computed tomography angiography contrast extravasation ‘spot sign’ will have lower rates of hematoma growth when treated with intravenous tranexamic acid within 4·5-hours of stroke onset compared with placebo. Design The Spot sign and Tranexamic acid On Preventing ICH growth – AUStralasia Trial is a multicenter, prospective, 1:1 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, investigator-initiated, academic Phase II trial. Intracerebral hemorrhage patients fulfilling clinical criteria (e.g. Glasgow Coma Scale >7, intracerebral hemorrhage volume <70 ml, no identified secondary cause of intracerebral hemorrhage, no thrombotic events within the previous 12 months, no planned surgery) and demonstrating contrast extravasation on computed tomography angiography will receive either intravenous tranexamic acid 1 g 10-min bolus followed by 1 g eight-hour infusion or placebo. A second computed tomography will be performed at 24 ± 3 hours to evaluate intracerebral hemorrhage growth and patients followed up for three-months. Study outcomes The primary outcome measure is presence of intracerebral hemorrhage growth by 24 ± 3 hours, defined as either >33% or >6 ml increase from baseline, and will be adjusted for baseline intracerebral hemorrhage volume. Secondary outcome measures include growth as a continuous measure, thromboembolic events, and the three-month modified Rankin Scale score. Discussion This is the first trial to evaluate the efficacy of tranexamic acid in intracerebral hemorrhage patients selected based on an imaging biomarker of high likelihood of hematoma growth. The trial is registered as NCT01702636.
Silencing ofP‐glycoproteinincreases mortality in temephos‐treatedAedes aegyptilarvae
Authors: Figueira‐Mansur J. , Ferreira‐Pereira A. , Mansur J. F. , Franco T. A. , Alvarenga E. S. L. , Sorgine M. H. F. , Neves B. C. , Melo A. C. A. , Leal W. S. , Masuda H. , Moreira M. F. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractRe‐emergence of vector‐borne diseases such as dengue and yellow fever, which are both transmitted by theAedes aegyptimosquito, has been correlated with insecticide resistance.P‐glycoproteins (P‐gps) areATP‐dependent efflux pumps that are involved in the transport of substrates across membranes. Some of these proteins have been implicated in multidrug resistance (MDR). In this study, we identified a putativeP‐glycoprotein in theAe. aegyptidatabase based on its significantly high identity withAnopheles gambiae,Culex quinquefasciatus,Drosophila melanogasterand humanP‐gps. The basalATPaseactivity ofATP‐binding cassette transporters in larvae was significantly increased in the presence ofMDRmodulators (verapamil and quinidine). An eightfold increase inAe. aegypti P‐gp(AaegP‐gp) gene expression was detected in temephos‐treated larvae as determined by quantitativePCR. To analyse the potential role ofAaegP‐gp in insecticide efflux, a temephos larvicide assay was performed in the presence of verapamil. The results showed an increase of 24% in temephos toxicity, which is in agreement with the efflux reversing effect.RNAinterference (RNAi)‐mediated silencing of theAaegP‐gpgene caused a significant increase in temephos toxicity (57%). In conclusion, we have demonstrated for the first time in insects that insecticide‐inducedP‐gpexpression can be involved in the modulation of insecticide efflux.
Labour Market Behaviours of Back‐and‐Forth Migrants From Poland
Authors: Fihel Agnieszka , Grabowska‐Lusinska Izabela 
Published: August 2013

AbstractAfter the fall of the Iron Curtain, Poland became the main sending country in Central Europe. Despite the lack of institutional barriers to settling in member states of the European Union since 2004, many Polish migrants continued to undertake temporary labour mobility including repetitive, back‐and‐forth moves. This article examines the relationship between migrants' back‐and‐forth international mobility and their activity in the labour market of the sending country. It describes changes in the labour market status of migrants engaging in repetitive migration, based on two surveys conducted in Poland in 2001 and 2007, complemented by qualitative follow‐ups. The results show that migrants deploy various economic strategies: reconcile employment in both countries; abandon jobs in Poland; or only remain economically active abroad. In many cases back‐and‐forth migration led to being unemployed in Poland, which constitutes an important challenge for labour market policy.
Policy Implications

Local Public Employment Services (PES) should be able to distinguish unemployed persons who undertake repetitive, back‐and‐forth migration. Local PES should include profiles of unemployed persons and questions about migration experience and its character: labour/non‐labour migration, short‐/long‐term, single/repetitive, etc.
For each unemployed person, the process of career guidance provided by the local PES should assess the possible impact of back‐and‐forth migration on the labour market situation in Poland.
The back‐and‐forth migration should be taken into account at the level of career guidance supplied by Career Centres at high schools and universities.