bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Motor dysfunction and behavioural problems frequently coexist with congenital heart disease in school‐age children
Authors: Liamlahi R , von Rhein M , Bührer S , Valsangiacomo Buechel E R , Knirsch W , Landolt M A , Latal B 
Published: March 2014

AbstractAimPatients with congenital heart disease are at risk of neurodevelopmental deficits. Impairments in motor and behavioural function occur frequently, but no information is available concerning the coexistence of deficits in these two developmental domains. This study explored the occurrence of motor and behavioural deficits and their coexistence in children with surgically corrected congenital heart disease.MethodsOutcome was assessed in 95 children with congenital heart disease who had undergone cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. Their mean age was 9.6 years (SD 2.5). Motor function was assessed with the Zurich Neuromotor Assessment and behaviour with the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire.ResultsChildren with congenital heart disease performed poorer in all motor domains compared with the reference population (all p ≤ 0.001). Behaviour was affected in the domains ‘emotional symptoms’ and ‘hyperactivity/inattention’ (both p < 0.01), and 54% of the children with motor abnormalities showed behavioural deficits. Children with coexistent abnormalities in behaviour and motor function had higher rates of remedial school services and therapeutic support.ConclusionChildren with congenital heart disease are at risk of long‐term motor and behavioural problems, and there is a high rate of coexistence of problems in both domains. Early and longitudinal assessment of all developmental domains is necessary to provide adequate early support.
Single‐access laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery using the glove technique
Authors: Sirikurnpiboon Siripong 
Published: March 2014

AbstractIntroductionSingle‐access laparoscopic surgery has been widely adopted in many kinds of surgery including laparoscopic cholecystectomy and laparoscopic colectomy. Performing single‐access rectal surgery, however, has technical drawbacks such as instrument collision and endostaple application issues. The glove technique is likely to mitigate these problems.MethodsFourteen patients with anal canal to mid‐rectum cancers were recruited and underwent single‐access laparoscopic surgery via the glove technique. An incision was made at the paraumbilicus to insert a wound protector with surgical gloves. The operation was medial to lateral and inferior mesenteric artery and inferior mesenteric vein were identified and controlled. Total mesorectal excision was performed while keeping traction and countertraction down to the pelvic floor.ResultsAverage operative time was 251.66 min (range, 180–300 min). Hospital stay ranged from 5 to 8 days (median, 7 days). No serious early postoperative surgical problems related to complications were observed. The pathologic results showed good mesorectal capsule grading. The mean lymph node harvest was 14 nodes (range, 7–26 nodes), and the mean wound length was 5 cm (range, 4–6 cm).ConclusionsIn rectal surgery, the glove technique for single‐access laparoscopic surgery is feasible and is comparable to commercial single‐port techniques in terms of oncologic results.
Twitter response to the United States Preventive Services Task Force recommendations against screening with prostate‐specific antigen
Authors: Prabhu Vinay , Lee Ted , Loeb Stacy , Holmes John H. , Gold Heather T. , Lepor Herbert , Penson David F. , Makarov Danil V. 
Published: March 2014

ObjectiveTo examine public and media response to the draft (October 2011) and finalised (May 2012) recommendations of the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) against prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) testing via Twitter, a popular social network with over 200 million active users.Materials and MethodsWe used a mixed‐methods design to analyse posts on Twitter, known as ‘tweets’. Using the search term ‘prostate cancer’, we archived tweets in the 24‐h periods following the release of both the draft and the finalised USPSTF recommendations. We recorded tweet rate per h and developed a coding system to assess the type of user and sentiment expressed in tweets and linked articles.ResultsAfter the draft and finalised USPSTF recommendations were released, 2042 and 5357 tweets focused on the USPSTF report, respectively. The tweet rate nearly doubled within 2 h of both announcements. Fewer than 10% of tweets expressed an opinion about screening, and the majority of these were pro‐screening during both periods. By contrast, anti‐screening articles were tweeted more frequently in both the draft and finalised study periods. Between the draft and the finalised recommendations, the proportion of anti‐screening tweets and anti‐screening article links increased (P = 0.03 and P < 0.01, respectively).ConclusionsThere was increased Twitter activity surrounding the USPSTF draft and finalised recommendations. The percentage of anti‐screening tweets and articles appeared to increase, perhaps due to the interval public comment period. Despite this, most tweets did not express an opinion, suggesting a missed opportunity in this important arena for advocacy.
Animal reactions to oncoming vehicles: a conceptual review
Authors: Lima Steven L. , Blackwell Bradley F. , DeVault Travis L. , Fernández‐Juricic Esteban 
Published: March 2014

ABSTRACTAnimal–vehicle collisions (AVCs) are a substantial problem in a human‐dominated world, but little is known about what goes wrong, from the animal's perspective, when a collision occurs with an automobile, boat, or aircraft. Our goal is to provide insight into reactions of animals to oncoming vehicles when collisions might be imminent. Avoiding a collision requires successful vehicle detection, threat assessment, and evasive behaviour; failures can occur at any of these stages. Vehicle detection seems fairly straightforward in many cases, but depends critically on the sensory capabilities of a given species. Sensory mechanisms for detection of collisions (looming detectors) may be overwhelmed by vehicle speed. Distractions are a likely problem in vehicle detection, but have not been clearly demonstrated in any system beyond human pedestrians. Many animals likely perceive moving vehicles as non‐threatening, and may generally be habituated to their presence. Slow or minimal threat assessment is thus a likely failure point in manyAVCs, but this is not uniformly evident. Animals generally initiate evasive behaviour when a collision appears imminent, usually employing some aspect of native antipredator behaviour. Across taxa, animals exhibit a variety of behaviours when confronted with oncoming vehicles. Among marine mammals, right whalesEubalaenaspp., manateesTrichechusspp., and dugongsDugong dugonare fairly unresponsive to approaching vehicles, suggesting a problem in threat assessment. Others, such as dolphins Delphinidae, assess vehicle approach at distance. Little work has been conducted on the behavioural aspects ofAVCs involving large mammals and automobiles, despite their prevalence. Available observations suggest that birds do not usually treat flying aircraft as a major threat, often allowing close approach before taking evasive action, as they might in response to natural predators. Inappropriate antipredator behaviour (often involving immobility) is a major source ofAVCs in amphibians and terrestrial reptiles. Much behavioural work onAVCs remains to be done across a wide variety of taxa. Such work should provide broad phylogenetic generalizations regardingAVCs and insights into managingAVCs.
Assessing severity of illness and outcomes of treatment in children with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME): a systematic review of patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs)
Authors: Haywood K. L. , Collin S. M. , Crawley E. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractChronic Fatigue Syndrome or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) in children is characterized by persistent or recurrent debilitating fatigue which results in a substantial reduction in activity. There is a growing interest in the use of questionnaires, or patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs), to assess how patients function and feel in relation to their health and associated healthcare. However, guidance for PROM selection for children with CFS/ME does not exist. We reviewed the quality and acceptability of PROMs used with children with CFS/ME to inform recommendations for practice. We conducted a systematic review of PROMs completed by children with CFS/ME. The quality of the evaluative studies and the reviewed measures were assessed against recommended criteria using an appraisal framework and the COnsensus‐based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) checklist. We sought evidence of measurement (reliability, validity, responsiveness, interpretability, data quality) and practical properties (acceptability, relevance, feasibility). Sixteen articles were included in the review, providing evidence of reliability and/or validity for 13 PROMs. Of these, five were child‐specific (one health‐related quality‐of‐life; four emotional well‐being) and eight were not (four emotional well‐being, three fatigue‐specific; and one generic). All measures had limited evidence of measurement properties and no evidence of practical properties. Recommendations for patient‐reported assessment are difficult to make because of limited evidence of the quality and acceptability of PROMs for children with CFS/ME. The appraisal method highlighted significant methodological and quality issues which must be addressed in future research. There is a lack of qualitative evidence describing the outcomes of healthcare that are important to children with CFS/ME, and the relevance or appropriateness of available measures. Future PROM development and evaluation in this group must seek to involve children collaboratively to ensure that the outcomes that children care about are assessed in an acceptable way.
Alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone ameliorates disease activity in an induced murine lupus-like model
Authors: Botte D A C , Noronha I L , Malheiros D M A C , Peixoto T V , de Mello S B V 
Published: March 2014

SummaryAlpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) is a neuropeptide exhibiting anti-inflammatory activity in experimental models of autoimmune diseases. However, no studies thus far have examined the effects of α-MSH on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study aimed to determine the effects of an α-MSH agonist in induced murine lupus. Here we employed female Balb/cAn mice in which lupus was induced by pristane. Groups of lupus animals were treated daily with the α-MSH analogue [Nle4, DPhe7]-α-MSH (NDP–MSH) (1·25 mg/kg) injected intraperitoneally or saline for 180 days. Normal animals comprised the control group. Arthritis incidence, plasma immunoglobulin (Ig)G isotypes, anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) and plasma cytokines were evaluated. Renal function was assessed by proteinuria and histopathological lesion. Glomerular levels of IgG, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), C3, CD3, melanocortin receptors (MCR)1, corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) and α-MSH was estimated by immunohistochemistry. When compared with normal controls, lupus animals exhibited increased arthritis, IgG levels, ANA, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, proteinuria and mesangial cell proliferation together with glomerular expression of α-SMA and iNOS. Glomerular expression of MCR1 was reduced in lupus animals. NDP-MSH treatment reduced arthritis scores by 70% and also diminished IgG1 and IgG2a levels and ANA incidence. In the glomerulus, NDP–MSH treatment reduced cellularity by 50% together with reducing IgG deposits, and expression levels of α-SMA, iNOS and CRF were also all decreased. Taken together, our results suggest for the first time that α-MSH treatment improves several parameters of SLE disease activity in mice, and indicate that this hormone is an interesting potential future treatment option.
Unintended Cultivation, Shifting Baselines, and Conflict between Objectives for Fisheries and Conservation
Authors: BROWN CHRISTOPHER J. , TREBILCO ROWAN 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThe effects of fisheries on marine ecosystems, and their capacity to drive shifts in ecosystem states, have been widely documented. Less well appreciated is that some commercially valuable species respond positively to fishing‐induced ecosystem change and can become important fisheries resources in modified ecosystems. Thus, the ecological effects of one fishery can unintentionally increase the abundance and productivity of other fished species (i.e., cultivate). We reviewed examples of this effect in the peer‐reviewed literature. We found 2 underlying ecosystem drivers of the effect: trophic release of prey species when predators are overfished and habitat change. Key ecological, social, and economic conditions required for one fishery to unintentionally cultivate another include strong top–down control of prey by predators, the value of the new fishery, and the capacity of fishers to adapt to a new fishery. These unintended cultivation effects imply strong trade‐offs between short‐term fishery success and conservation efforts to restore ecosystems toward baseline conditions because goals for fisheries and conservation may be incompatible. Conflicts are likely to be exacerbated if fisheries baselines shift relative to conservation baselines and there is investment in the new fishery. However, in the long‐term, restoration toward ecosystem baselines may often benefit both fishery and conservation goals. Unintended cultivation can be identified and predicted using a combination of time‐series data, dietary studies, models of food webs, and socioeconomic data. Identifying unintended cultivation is necessary for management to set compatible goals for fisheries and conservation.Cultivo Accidental, Líneas de Base Cambiantes y el Conflicto entre los Objetivos para las Pesquerías y la Conservación
Adapting Conservation Easements to Climate Change
Authors: Rissman Adena R. , Owley Jessica , Shaw M. Rebecca , Thompson Barton (Buzz) 
Published: March 2014

AbstractPerpetual conservation easements (CEs) are popular for restricting development and land use, but their fixed terms create challenges for adaptation to climate change. The increasing pace of environmental and social change demands adaptive conservation instruments. To examine the adaptive potential of CEs, we surveyed 269 CEs and interviewed 73 conservation organization employees. Although only 2% of CEs mentioned climate change, the majority of employees were concerned about climate change impacts. CEs share the fixed‐boundary limits typical of protected areas with additional adaptation constraints due to permanent terms on private lands. CEs often have multiple, potentially conflicting purposes that protect against termination but complicate decisions about principled, conservation‐oriented adaptation. Monitoring is critical for shaping adaptive responses, but only 35% of CEs allowed organizations to conduct ecological monitoring. In addition, CEs provided few requirements or incentives for active stewardship of private lands. We found four primary options for changing land use restrictions, each with advantages and risks: CE amendment, management plan revisions, approval of changes through discretionary consent, and updating laws or policies codified in the CE. Conservation organizations, funders, and the Internal Revenue Service should promote processes for principled adaptation in CE terms, provide more active stewardship of CE lands, and consider alternatives to the CE tool.
Expression of lymphatic markers in angiokeratomas
Authors: Wang Lei , Yuan Wei , Geng Songmei , Xiong Ya , Zhang Dezhi , Zhao Xiaoqing , Li Shenqiu , Bi Xinling , Gao Tianwen , Wang Gang 
Published: March 2014

BackgroundThe term angiokeratoma refers to a group of unrelated diseases with similar histopathologic features. Four clinical variants of angiokeratoma have been described. However, it is not known whether some variants of angiokeratoma are of lymphatic origin, and an immunohistochemical study of lymphatic markers has not been previously performed.MethodsWe performed an immunohistochemical study of angiokeratomas using lymphatic markers. Fifteen cases of angiokeratoma corporis diffusum, 10 cases of Fordyce angiokeratoma, 10 cases of Mibelli angiokeratoma and 10 cases of solitary angiokeratoma were examined by immunohistochemical analysis using CD31, D2‐40, Prox1 and Wilms' tumor 1 (WT‐1).ResultsThe vessels of angiokeratoma corporis diffusum, Fordyce angiokeratoma and solitary angiokeratoma were usually focally positive for D2‐40 and positive for Prox1, whereas the vessels of Mibelli angiokeratoma were negative for D2‐40 and positive for Prox1.ConclusionsThe results suggest lymphatic derivation of angiokeratoma corporis diffusum, Fordyce angiokeratoma and solitary angiokeratoma. However, the derivation of Mibelli angiokeratoma could not be determined based on the present immunohistochemical results.
Extraocular sebaceous carcinoma in situ: report of three cases and review of the literature
Authors: Aung Phyu P. , Batrani Meenakshi , Mirzabeigi Marjan , Goldberg Lynne J. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractExtraocular sebaceous carcinoma is a rare neoplasm. Purely in situ extraocular sebaceous carcinoma is extremely rare and somewhat controversial. Review of the literature reveals only three reported cases, two of which involved the head and neck and one the arm. The ones on the head and neck arose in association with an actinic keratosis. We report three cases of extraocular sebaceous carcinoma in situ and describe the first report of immunoperoxidase screening for mismatch repair proteins in such tumors.
Left Atrial Phasic Function and Mechanics in Women with Subclinical Hypothyroidism: The Effects of Levothyroxine Therapy
Authors: Tadic Marijana , Ilic Sanja , Ivanovic Branislava , Celic Vera 
Published: March 2014

BackgroundLeft atrial (LA) mechanics has been poorly investigated in women with subclinical hypothyroidism (SHT), and the effect of levothyroxine therapy on LA deformation and function is unknown.AimTo investigate LA phasic function and mechanics assessed by two‐dimensional echocardiography (2DE) and speckle tracking in women with SHT, and to estimate the influence of levothyroxine therapy on LA remodeling.MethodsWe included 48 untreated women with SHT and 38 healthy control women of the same age. All the SHT patients received levothyroxine therapy and were followed for 1 year after euthyroid status was achieved. All the participants underwent laboratory analyses and complete 2DE examination.ResultsLeft atrial total emptying fraction was significantly lower in the SHT patients at the baseline in comparison with the controls. LA passive emptying fraction gradually decreased from the controls, throughout the treated SHT patients, to the untreated SHT patients. LA active emptying fraction was lower in the controls than in the untreated and the treated SHT participants. 2DE LA longitudinal strain and systolic strain rate gradually decreased from the controls to the untreated SHT patients, whereas LA early diastolic strain rate significantly increased in the same direction. Late diastolic LA strain was lower in the controls than in the untreated and the treated SHT patients.ConclusionSubclinical hypothyroidism significantly affects LA mechanics. Reservoir, conduit, and booster pump LA functions are all impacted by SHT. A 1‐year levothyroxine therapy significantly improves, but does not completely restore LA phasic function and mechanics in the SHT patients.
Echocardiography‐Based Hemodynamic Management of Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction: A Feasibility and Safety Study
Authors: Shillcutt Sasha K. , Montzingo Candice R. , Agrawal Ankit , Khaleel Maseeha S. , Therrien Stacey L. , Thomas Walker R. , Porter Thomas R. , Brakke Tara R. 
Published: March 2014

BackgroundPatients with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) are at increased risk of postoperative adverse events. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of using echocardiography‐guided hemodynamic management (EGHEM) during surgery in subjects with LVDD compared to conventional management. The feasibility of using echocardiography to direct a treatment algorithm and clinical outcomes were compared for safety between groups.MethodsSubjects were screened for LVDD by preoperative transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and randomized to the conventional or EGHEM group. Subjects in EGHEM received hemodynamic management based on left ventricular filling patterns on transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Primary outcomes measured were the feasibility to obtain TEE images and follow a TEE‐based treatment algorithm. Safety outcomes also compared the following clinical differences between groups: length of hospitalization, incidence of atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure (CHF), myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident, transient ischemic attack and renal failure measured 30 days postoperatively.ResultsPopulation consisted of 28 surgical subjects (14 in conventional group and 14 in EGHEM group). Mean subject age was 73.4 ± 6.7 years (36% male) in conventional group and 65.9 ± 14.4 years (36% male) in EGHEM group. Procedures included orthopedic (conventional = 29%, EGHEM 36%), general (conventional = 50%, EGHEM = 36%), vascular (conventional = 7%, EGHEM = 21%), and thoracic (conventional = 14%, EGHEM = 7%). There was no statistically significant difference in adverse clinical events between the 2 groups. The EGHEM group had less CHF, atrial fibrillation, and shorter length of stay.ConclusionsEchocardiography‐guided hemodynamic management of patients with LVDD during surgery is feasible and may be a safe alternative to conventional management.
Relationship of Epicardial Fat Thickness with Endothelial and Cardiac Functions in Children with Family History of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Mahfouz Ragab A. , Alzaiat Ahmad , Yousry Ahmad 
Published: March 2014

ObjectiveWe hypothesized that many of the pathophysiological mechanisms that cause atherosclerotic disease may be present in early childhood in children with family history of type 2 diabetes. We aimed to investigate the relation of epicardial fat thickness (EFT) with flow‐mediated dilatation (FMD) and diastolic function in children with family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus.MethodsWe measured EFT, FMD, in 209 children (mean age 8.6 + 3.2 years). Children were classified into 2 groups: 109 children with a family history of type 2 diabetes (group at risk) and 100 healthy children with age and body mass index matched and without parental history of diabetes constituted the control group.ResultsEpicardial fat thickness was significantly increased in group at risk compared with control children (P < 0.001), while FMD was significantly lower in group at risk versus controls (P < 0.001). EFT was inversely correlated with FMD (r = −0.46; P < 0.001), while it was positively correlated with E/E′ (r = 0.48; P < 0.001) and hsCRP (r = 0.39; P < 0.001). Receiver‐operating characteristic curve analysis revealed a cutoff value of 5 mm for EFT can predict endothelial dysfunction in children with family history of DM area under the curve (AUC = 0.852) with a specificity of 92.2% and a sensitivity of 77.4%.ConclusionOur results suggest that children with family history of type 2 diabetes bear considerably impaired FMD% and diastolic dysfunction associated with increased EFT, that reflecting process that promote the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD).