bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hand‐assisted and pure laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy: a matched‐cohort comparison over 10 yr at a single institute
Authors: Choi Sae Woong , Kim Kang Sup , Kim Seol , Choi Yong Sun , Bae Woong Jin , Hong Sung‐Hoo , Lee Ji Youl , Kim Sae Woong , Hwang Tae‐Kon , Cho Hyuk Jin 
Published: September 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo compare outcomes between matched patients who underwent hand‐assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (HALDN) and pure laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (PLDN) from living donors.MethodBetween February 2000 and July 2012, 608 consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy at a single center. In September 2003, we began to perform the PLDN for the first time. A matched‐pair cohort of 80 patients who underwent PLDN and 80 patients who underwent HALDN was selected for retrospective comparison.ResultNo significant differences in operative time, warm ischemia time, estimated blood loss, transfusion rate, analgesic requirement, or hospital stay were observed between the HALDN and PLDN groups. No differences were found in the recipient serum creatinine values (mg/dL) and estimated glomerular filtration rate by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD‐eGFR; mL/min/1.73 m2).ConclusionNo significant differences were observed in surgical outcomes, complication rates, and postoperative parameters between the HALDN and PLDN groups. Moreover, recipient graft function and morbidity between both groups were comparable. Therefore, we believe that PLDN may be a good alternative technique to HALDN.
Multiple sources of uncertainty affect metrics for ranking conservation risk under climate change
Authors: Wright Amber N. , Hijmans Robert J. , Schwartz Mark W. , Shaffer H. Bradley 
Published: September 2014

AbstractAimEcological niche modelling is one of the main tools that allows for the incorporation of climate change effects into conservation planning. For example, ecological niche model predictions can be used to rank species by degree of predicted future habitat loss. While many studies have considered how different modelling decisions contribute to uncertainty in niche model outputs, here we evaluate how metrics used to rank species by conservation risk respond to the choice of global climate models, greenhouse gas emission scenarios, suitable versus unsuitable threshold values, and the degree of model complexity.LocationCalifornia, USA.MethodsWe built ecological niche models for 153 species of reptiles and amphibians. Reduced complexity models were compared to default complexity models using AICc to select climate variables and tune Maxent' s built‐in regularization parameter. We predicted the distribution of climatically suitable habitat under future (2041–2060) climate conditions according to 11 global climate models, four representative concentration pathways, and three threshold values. Two metrics to rank species by predicted future loss of climatically suitable habitat were calculated for each set of modelling decisions. To determine the effects of modelling decisions on rankings, we used mixed models.ResultsOur results indicate that while individual modelling decisions had relatively small effects on species ranks alone, in combination, they lead to very different conservation assessments.Main conclusionsWe recommend that a wide range of modelling decisions be explored and that variation in ranks across runs be reported as a first step in identifying the uncertainty in rank metrics used for assessing conservation risk under changing, but uncertain climate predictions.
Value of Certain Echocardiographic Findings in the Initial Suspicion of Behçet's Disease
Authors: Farouk Heba , Chilali Karim El , Said Karim , Sakr Basma , Salah Hania , Mahmoud Geilan , Sorour Khaled 
Published: September 2014

PurposeTo describe the echocardiographic findings detected as first manifestations of Behçet's disease (BD) and compare these findings with those detected in established cases of BD receiving regular medical treatment.MethodsTwo groups of patients were studied. Group 1 comprised 41 patients with BD on regular medical treatment. Group 2 comprised 5 previously healthy patients who presented to the cardiology department because of cardiac symptoms and were diagnosed in retrospect during hospitalization as BD. Thirty‐two age‐ and sex‐matched individuals served as control subjects (control group). All patients and controls underwent complete M‐mode, two‐dimensional, and Doppler transthoracic echocardiographic examinations.ResultsOf the 41 treated patients with BD (mean age: 32 ± 8 years, 90% males, mean duration since diagnosis: 14.5 years), only 1 patient was found to have severe aortic regurgitation secondary to aortic root dilation. On the other hand, the 5 previously healthy patients who presented with cardiac symptoms (mean age: 24 ± 6 years, all males) had significant cardiac involvement and evident echocardiographic findings (P < 0.001). Four cases had intracardiac masses: 3 in the right atrium (RA), 1 in the right ventricle (RV), while the last patient had pericardial effusion (PE). All these patients were diagnosed in retrospect as BD. The RA masses disappeared on medical therapy, while the RV mass was surgically excised and proved to be multiple thrombi histopathologically. The patient with PE had recurrent attacks of massive effusion so a pericardial window was performed surgically.ConclusionDiagnosis of BD might be initially suspected by the cardiologists based on certain echocardiographic findings, namely the presence of right‐sided masses. Diagnosis of BD in such patients has important therapeutic implications and accordingly prognostic value.
Echocardiographic Analysis of an Extracellular Matrix Tricuspid Valve
Authors: Cua Clifford L. , Kollins Kevin , McConnell Patrick I. 
Published: September 2014

Mini‐AbstractTricuspid valve construction using extracellular matrix (ECM) is a relatively new procedure. In this case, a 26‐year‐old woman with a history of severe tricuspid valve regurgitation secondary to congenital valve dysplasia underwent tricuspid valve surgery. Tricuspid valve repair was unsuccessful and thus a 34‐mm extracellular matrix cylinder valve (ECM‐CV) was constructed for valve replacement. The ECM‐CV is clearly imaged using echocardiography, especially three‐dimensional imaging that can help define valve function. As the use of ECM for valve construction increases, echocardiography will play an essential role in evaluating the function and mechanics of these novel valves.
Support for Wellness Achievement Programme (SWAP): clinical and demographic characteristics of young people with at‐risk mental state in Singapore
Authors: Tay Sarah Ann , Yuen Spencer , Lim Lay Keow , Pariyasami Santhathevi , Rao Sujatha , Poon Lye Yin , Verma Swapna 
Published: September 2014

AbstractAimIndividuals with at‐risk mental state (ARMS) experience subtle changes in thinking, behaviour and emotion before their first psychotic episode. Research has shown intervention provided during this period could delay, reduce, or even prevent the conversion to psychosis. In March 2008, the Support for Wellness Achievement Programme (SWAP) was launched for the assessment and treatment of patients with ARMS in Singapore. This paper examines the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients at baseline.MethodsIn total, 384 patients were screened and 155 were accepted into the service. All patients were evaluated using the Comprehensive Assessment of At‐Risk Mental State (CAARMS). Severity of psychopathology was assessed by Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale for Schizophrenia (PANSS) and levels of functioning were assessed using the Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS).ResultsThe mean age of the patients was 21.0 years (standard deviation (SD) = 3.5) and 69.7% were men, 42.6% had a relative with a mental health problem and 69.8% met the criterion solely for the attenuated symptoms group. The mean PANSS total score was 48.9 (SD = 10.8). There was also a high rate of comorbidity with 34.8% having depression and 20.0% had anxiety disorders. The mean baseline SOFAS score was 51.5 (SD = 9.8), indicating moderate impairment in their functioning.ConclusionThese preliminary findings have highlighted that our data are similar to other ARMS programmes, and in addition to the management of ARMS, there is a need to treat both the comorbidities and impairment in social occupational functioning.
Striatal firing rate reflects head movement velocity
Authors: Kim Namsoo , Barter Joseph W. , Sukharnikova Tatyana , Yin Henry H. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractAlthough the basal ganglia have long been implicated in the initiation of actions, their contribution to movement remains a matter of dispute. Using wireless multi‐electrode recording and motion tracking, we examined the relationship between single‐unit activity in the sensorimotor striatum and movement kinematics. We recorded single‐unit activity from medium spiny projection neurons and fast‐spiking interneurons while monitoring the movements of mice using motion tracking. In Experiment 1, we trained mice to generate movements reliably by water‐depriving them and giving them periodic cued sucrose rewards. We found high correlations between single‐unit activity and movement velocity in particular directions. This correlation was found in both putative medium spiny projection neurons and fast‐spiking interneurons. In Experiment 2, to rule out the possibility that the observed correlations were due to reward expectancy, we repeated the same procedure but added trials in which sucrose delivery was replaced by an aversive air puff stimulus. The air puff generated avoidance movements that were clearly different from movements on rewarded trials, but the same neurons that showed velocity correlation on reward trials exhibited a similar correlation on air puff trials. These experiments show for the first time that the firing rate of striatal neurons reflects movement velocity for different types of movements, whether to seek rewards or to avoid harm.
Burst‐firing patterns in the prefrontal cortex underlying the neuronal mechanisms of depression probed by antidepressants
Authors: Guo Fei , Zhang Qi , Zhang Bing , Fu Zhiwen , Wu Bin , Huang Chenggang , Li Yang 
Published: September 2014

AbstractMajor depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the leading causes of morbidity worldwide. Several antidepressants have been widely prescribed to treat patients with MDD. However, neuronal changes in brain function remain poorly understood. Based on the standard chronic mild stress (CMS) model of depression in mice, we investigated the neuronal mechanisms of the classic antidepressant, fluoxetine, and a new compound (termed YY‐23 in this study) derived from furostanol saponin. The results showed that both fluoxetine and YY‐23 normalized CMS‐induced depressive‐like behaviors. YY‐23 caused antidepressant‐like behaviors with a faster action than fluoxetine. In terms of in vivo neuronal activities, a CMS‐induced decrease in spontaneous firing in burst of medial prefrontal cortex pyramidal neurons rather than ventral tegmental area (VTA) was reversed by the chronic administration of fluoxetine and YY‐23. We also found that CMS‐induced deficits in the expression of prefrontal brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were also restored by chronically administering YY‐23 and fluoxetine. In addition, chronic administration of fluoxetine rather than YY‐23 resulted in an improvement of antidepressive‐like behavior and a change of burst firing of VTA in control‐housed animals, indicating that the pharmacological effects of YY‐23 were specific to CMS‐treated animals. Together, these data suggest that the burst‐firing patterns of pyramidal cells may be a neural biomarker of depressive‐like mice and antidepressant action. Furthermore, synaptic transmission and BDNF may contribute to the rapid antidepressant‐like effects on depression.
Sperm traits of masculinized fish relative to wild‐type males: a systematic review and meta‐analyses
Authors: Senior Alistair M , Johnson Sheri L , Nakagawa Shinichi 
Published: September 2014

AbstractEnvironmental sex reversal (ESR), whereby environmental effects (e.g. exogenous chemicals) override genetic sex determination, is a commonly used technique in aquaculture and physiology research. We performed a systematic review and meta‐analyses of the literature that compares the sperm characteristics of masculinized genotypic females to wild‐type males. We detected no mean differences between the ejaculate volume, sperm motility, duration or linearity of each type of male. We found some large mean differences in sperm concentration (d = 2.541, CI = −0.004 to 5.086), reproductive success (d = −1.400, CI = −2.943 to 0.142), semen osmolality (d = 1.850, CI = 0.622 to 3.077) and sperm velocity (d = −0.933, CI=−1.426 to −0.441); in the case of the latter two traits, the mean effect was statistically significant. However, any significance did not stand up to a more conservative analysis. Additionally, heterogeneity was high and we found that where large differences between the sperm of sex‐reversed and wild‐type males are reported, these effects are attributable to sperm sampling methodology. Overall, we found little evidence for large systematic differences between the sperm produced by masculinized and wild‐type male fish. Thus, masculinized genotypic females may enjoy reproductive success comparable to genotypic males. This conclusion leads to two potential implications: (i) sex‐reversed fish may influence the dynamics of wild populations and (ii) aquaculture practices may use ESR to produce males with sperm quality similar to that of genotypic males. Most studies appear to have been performed in aquaculture species (i.e. Salmonidae); thus future experiments in non‐model organisms may provide important insights in to the uniformity of the effects described.
Oral healthcare education of future nursing personnel and auxiliary nurses
Authors: Mehl Astrid E. , Ellingsen Øivind G. , Kjeksrud Joakim , Willumsen Tiril 
Published: September 2014

ObjectiveTo investigate the oral healthcare training in the education of auxiliary nurses in Norway.BackgroundMany elderly residents need assistance in every aspect of daily living, including help with oral care. Auxiliary nurses are the professional group who most often provide this help.Materials and methodsAn e‐mail administered questionnaire was sent to all 164 high schools in Norway offering basic education for auxiliary nurse.ResultsOf the 114 high schools responding to the survey (69.5% response rate), 83.3% reported mandatory courses, 49.1% offered three or more hours of teaching in oral health care. 89.5% offered both lectures and practical training, 93.9% had training in tooth cleaning, 37.7% lectured about different dental restorations, 50% lectured on ergonomic working positions, 12.3% on the working lights, 16.7% on inspection techniques, 25.4% on interdental brushes and 6.1% on electrical powered toothbrushes. Additionally, 45.6% assessed that their students are prepared for later work with oral health care. More lessons led to better quality of education.ConclusionAlmost all of the high schools had mandatory education in oral care in the auxiliary nurse programme. Increasing the number of lessons may improve the quality of knowledge, but the teaching programmes for a number of topics seem insufficient. There is a need to strengthen the position of oral health in the education of auxiliary nurses. To meet the future challenges in oral health, international or national expert‐developed guidelines for oral care training programmes would be useful for the education of auxiliary nurses.
Communicative characteristics of interactions between surgeons and Chinese women with breast cancer in oncology consultation: a conversation analysis
Authors: Yoon Sungwon , Chan Miranda , Hung Wai Ka , Ying Marcus , Or Amy , Lam Wendy WT 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackgroundWhile previous studies have analysed features of interaction in cancer consultations using observational coding frames, relatively little attention is being given to how actual interactions are sequentially organized and achieved by participants in the course of talk‐in‐interaction. Research into the interactional practices in consultations, which involves Chinese patients, is largely absent.ObjectiveTo provide insight into the talk‐in‐interaction in surgical‐oncology consultations in the context of a Chinese medical setting.MethodsThirty‐one consultations involving 31 patients with breast cancer and eight surgeons were videotaped. The recordings were transcribed verbatim and analysed using conversation analysis.ResultsThe manner in which surgeons delivered the diagnostic results was fairly similar across all the consultations. Most surgeons gave the diagnosis in a very straightforward and abrupt manner at the outset of the consultation with no mitigation. While patients in our study conformed to the traditional information giving and receiving roles, how information was presented by surgeons shaped the subsequent sequential organization of surgeon‐patient interaction and turn‐taking patterns. More importantly, there was a tendency by the surgeons to move from issues of psychosocial nature to clinical matters regardless of the topics taken up in the specific encounter.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated the potential of conversation analysis as a context‐sensitive method that enabled researchers to gain a more thorough understanding of dynamics of interaction in cancer consultations, thereby informing training interventions for surgeons. Our findings underscore the importance of discursive practices in shaping and encouraging (or discouraging) patient participation in oncology consultation.
Chronic idiopathic angioedema: a single center experience
Authors: Eli Magen , Joseph Mishal , Kuznik Boris , Menachem Schlesinger 
Published: September 2014

AbstractObjectiveChronic idiopathic angioedema (CIA) is defined as three or more episodes of angioedema in a period of > 6 months without a clear etiology. In the study, we tried to explore clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients with CIA unaccompanied by urticaria.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed clinical and laboratory characteristics of 1238 patients with chronic urticaria and/or angioedema referred to our allergy clinic.ResultsEight hundred and forty‐one (67.9%) subjects had chronic urticaria without angioedema (CU Group), 323 (26.1%) had both urticaria and angioedema (CU + CA group), and 74 (5.9%) had chronic angioedema without urticaria (CA). In 29 (39.2%) cases of CA, no etiologic factor of angioedema was discovered, thus the patients were defined as having chronic idiopathic angioedema (CIA Group). Twenty‐two (75.8%) subjects had antihistamine‐responsive CIA and seven (24.1%) had antihistamine‐unresponsive CIA. There were no statistically significant differences in clinical (except of urticarial eruptions) and laboratory characteristics between CU, CA + CU, and CIA groups. Antihistamine responsive and antihistamine‐unresponsive CIA groups had no distinguishable clinical or laboratory features.ConclusionsWe suppose that CIA, at least its antihistamine‐responsive form, represents a rare form of chronic spontaneous urticaria. The reasons why in CIA there are no other clinical signs of mast cell/basophil activation, such as pruritus, urticarial, and dermatographism, are largely unknown and have to be elucidated in future studies.
Compound heterozygous PLEC mutations in a patient of consanguineous parentage with epidermolysis bullosa simplex with muscular dystrophy and diffuse alopecia
Authors: Yin Jinghua , Ren Yali , Lin Zhimiao , Wang Huijun , Zhou Yun , Yang Yong 
Published: September 2014

AbstractEpidermolysis bullosa simplex with muscular dystrophy (EBS‐MD; OMIM 226670) is an autosomal recessive form of EBS, characterized by skin blistering at birth and delayed onset of muscle dystrophy. Mutations in PLEC, the gene encoding plectin, have been identified to be causal for EBS‐MD. We report a case of EBS‐MD with diffuse alopecia. Genetic study revealed the patient carrying compound heterozygous mutations in PLEC despite the consanguineous parentage.
Do normal Egyptians possess anti‐desmoglein 3 antibodies?
Authors: Saleh Marwah A. , El‐Bahy Mohamed M. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackgroundPemphigus is a group of autoimmune blistering diseases targeting the cell–cell adhesion molecules, desmogleins (Dsgs). Anti‐Dsg antibodies, the hallmark of the disease, were not detected in normal individuals in many populations. In spite of the rarity of pemphigus vulgaris (PV) disease in many parts of the world, PV is not rare in Egypt. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the presence of anti‐Dsg3 antibodies in normal Egyptians aiming to determine the reason for the increase in number of patients in Egypt with pemphigus.MethodsAnti‐Dsg3 antibodies were evaluated in 200 normal human sera, 20 first‐degree relatives with PV in comparison with 10 patients with PV as controls using the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay technique.ResultsFourteen of 200 (7%) normal individuals and two of 20 (10%) first‐degree relatives with PV had anti‐Dsg3 antibodies using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay technique, and 11 of 16 were still positive after confirmation by indirect immunofluorescence. The sera were positive for IgG1, IgG3, and IgG4 subclasses. The presence of IgG4 subclass in normal individuals is suggestive that they may be in the preclinical stage and therefore are at higher risk to develop the PV disease.ConclusionThe study proved the presence of anti‐Dsg3 antibodies in normal Egyptians with significant relation to some environmental factors. Follow‐up of those individuals is necessary to determine who will develop the disease and the triggering factors.
Tracheal Resection and Anastomosis After Traumatic Tracheal Stenosis in a Horse
Authors: Barnett Timothy P. , Hawkes Claire S. , Dixon Padraic M. 
Published: September 2014

ObjectivesTo report a resection and anastomosis technique to treat trauma‐induced tracheal stenosis.Study DesignCase report.AnimalsA 9‐year‐old Warmblood gelding.MethodsEndoscopy, radiography, and ultrasonography were used to diagnose a single ring tracheal stenosis; the stenotic region was resected and adjacent tracheal rings anastomosed with an end‐to‐end technique.ResultsThe anastomosis healed completely despite formation of a unilateral partial mucosal stenosis “web,” which was subsequently removed by transendoscopic laser surgery. During tracheal anastomosis, the left recurrent laryngeal nerve was damaged, causing laryngeal hemiplegia, later treated successfully by laryngoplasty. The horse returned to its previous level of work.ConclusionsThis tracheal resection and anastomosis technique successfully provided the horse with a large tracheal lumen, and despite major complications, allowed a return to full athletic work.