bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Children&s views on microneedle use as an alternative to blood sampling for patient monitoring
Authors: Mooney Karen , McElnay James C , Donnelly Ryan F 
Published: December 2013

AbstractObjectivesTo explore children's views on microneedle use for this population, particularly as an alternative approach to blood sampling, in monitoring applications, and so, examine the acceptability of this approach to children.MethodsFocus groups were conducted with children (aged 10–14 years) in a range of schools across Northern Ireland. Convenience sampling was employed, i.e. children involved in a university-directed community-outreach project (Pharmacists in Schools) were recruited.Key findingsA total of 86 children participated in 13 focus groups across seven schools in Northern Ireland. A widespread disapproval for blood sampling was evident, with pain, blood and traditional needle visualisation particularly unpopular aspects. In general, microneedles had greater visual acceptability and caused less fear. A patch-based design enabled minimal patient awareness of the monitoring procedure, with personalised designs, e.g. cartoon themes, favoured. Children's concerns included possible allergy and potential inaccuracies with this novel approach; however, many had confidence in the judgement of healthcare professionals if deeming this technique appropriate. They considered paediatric patient education critical for acceptance of this new approach and called for an alternative name, without any reference to ‘needles’.ConclusionsThe findings presented here support the development of blood-free, minimally invasive techniques and provide an initial indication of microneedle acceptability in children, particularly for monitoring purposes. A proactive response to these unique insights should enable microneedle array design to better meet the needs of this end-user group. Further work in this area is recommended to ascertain the perspectives of a purposive sample of children with chronic conditions who require regular monitoring.
Comparison of 90‐day complications between ileal conduit and neobladder reconstruction after radical cystectomy: A retrospective multi‐institutional study in Japan
Authors: Abe Takashige , Takada Norikata , Shinohara Nobuo , Matsumoto Ryuji , Murai Sachiyo , Sazawa Ataru , Maruyama Satoru , Tsuchiya Kunihiko , Kanzaki Shino , Nonomura Katsuya 
Published: December 2013

ObjectiveTo determine the differences in the type, incidence, and severity of 90‐day morbidity after radical cystectomy between two different methods of urinary diversion, ileal conduit and neobladder.MethodsWe carried out a retrospective multi‐institutional study by reviewing the records of 668 patients treated with open radical cystectomy, and ileal conduit (n = 493) or neobladder substitution (n = 175) between 1997 and 2010. All complications within 90 days after surgery were divided into 11 specific categories as reported by the Memorial‐Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and graded according to the modified Clavien system. Type, incidence and severity of the 90‐day morbidity between the two different types of urinary diversions were compared.ResultsThere was no significant difference in the overall complication rates between the two groups (ileal conduit: 72% [353/493], neobladder: 74% [129/175], P = 0.5909), whereas the neobladder group had fewer major (grade 3 or more) complications (13 vs 20%, respectively, P = 0.0271). The neobladder group had more infectious complications (43 vs 31%, respectively, P = 0.0037), mainly as a result of urinary tract infection, whereas the ileal conduit group had more wound‐related complications (24 vs 14%, respectively, P = 0.0068), mainly as a result of surgical site infection. The 90‐day mortality rates were 1.1% (2/175) in the neobladder group and 1.6% (8/493) in the ileal conduit group (P = 0.6441).ConclusionsThere was no significant difference in the overall complication rates between the two methods, and patients with neobladder had fewer major complications. The neobladder group had more infectious complications, whereas the ileal conduit group had more wound‐related complications.
dsRNA uptake and persistence account for tissue‐dependent susceptibility to RNA interference in the migratory locust, Locusta migratoria
Authors: Ren D. , Cai Z. , Song J. , Wu Z. , Zhou S. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractRNA interference (RNAi) by introducing double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) is a powerful approach to the analysis of gene function in insects; however, RNAi responses vary dramatically in different insect species and tissues, and the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. The migratory locust, a destructive insect pest and a hemimetabolic insect with panoistic ovaries, is considered to be a highly susceptible species to RNAi via dsRNA injection, but its ovary appears to be completely insensitive. In the present study, we showed that dsRNA persisted only briefly in locust haemolymph. The ovariole sheath was permeable to dsRNA, but injected dsRNA was not present in the follicle cells and oocytes. The lack of dsRNA uptake into the follicle cells and oocytes is likely to be the primary factor that contributes to the ineffective RNAi response in locust ovaries. These observations provide insights into tissue‐dependent variability of RNAi and help in achieving successful gene silencing in insensitive tissues.
Comparing nursing handover and documentation: forming one set of patient information
Authors: Johnson M. , Sanchez P. , Suominen H. , Basilakis J. , Dawson L. , Kelly B. , Hanlen L. 
Published: December 2013

AimThe aim of this study was to explore the potential for one set of patient information for nursing handover and documentation.BackgroundCommunication of patient information requires two processes in nursing: a verbal summary of the patients' care and another report within the nursing notes, creating duplication.IntroductionAdvances in speech recognition technology have provided an opportunity to consider the practicality of one set of information at the nursing end‐of‐shift.MethodsWe used content analysis to compare transcripts from 162 digitally recorded handovers and written nursing notes for similar patients within general medical‐surgical wards from two metropolitan hospitals in Sydney Australia.FindingsUsing the Nursing Handover Minimum Dataset analysis framework similar content [n = 2109 (handover) n = 1902 (nursing notes)] was found within the handovers and notes at the end‐of‐shift (7:00 am and 2:00 pm). Analysis of the overarching categories demonstrated the emphasis within the differing data sources as: patient identification (31%), care planning or interventions (25%), clinical history (13%), and clinical status (13%) for handover, vs. care planning (47%), clinical status (24%), and outcomes or goals of care (12%) for nursing notes.DiscussionThis study has demonstrated that similar patient information is presented at handover and within documentation. Major categories are consistent with international nursing minimum datasets in use.ConclusionWe can use one set of patient information (within some limitations) for two purposes with system design, practice change and education. Experiments are currently being conducted trialling speech recognition within laboratory and clinical settings.Implications for Nursing and Health PolicyOne set of patient information, verbally generated at handover delivering electronic documentation within one process, will transform international nursing policy for nursing handover and documentation.
The reproductive system of Osedax (Annelida, Siboglinidae): ovary structure, sperm ultrastructure, and fertilization mode
Authors: Katz Sigrid , Rouse Greg W. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractOsedax is a genus of siboglinid annelids in which the females live on dead vertebrate bones on the seafloor. These females have a posterior end that lies within the bone and contains the ovarian tissue, as well as the “roots” involved with bone degradation and nutrition. The males are microscopic and live as “harems” in the lumen of the gelatinous tube that surrounds the female trunk, well away from the ovary. Females are known to spawn fertilized primary oocytes, suggesting internal fertilization. However, little is known about sperm transfer, sperm storage, or the location of fertilization, and the morphology of the female reproductive system has not been described and compared with the reproductive systems of other siboglinids. A 3D‐reconstruction of the ovisac of Osedax showed ovarian tissue with multiple lobes and mature oocytes stored in a “uterus” before being released through the single oviduct. The oviduct emerges as a gonopore on the trunk and travels along the trunk to finally open to the seawater as a thin cylindrical tube among the crown of palps. Light and transmission electron microscopy of mature Osedax sperm revealed elongate heads consisting of a nucleus with helical grooves occupied by mitochondria. In contrast to other Siboglinidae, Osedax sperm are not packaged into spermatophores or spermatozeugmata, and Osedax females lack a discrete region for sperm storage. Transmission electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy allowed detection of sperm associated with ovarian tissue of the female ovisac of four different Osedax species. This provides the first evidence for the site of internal fertilization in Osedax. A heart body was found in the circulatory system, as seen in other siboglinids and some other annelids. The possible presence of nephridia in the anterior ovisac region was also documented. These morphological features provide new insights for comparing the regionalization of Osedax females in relation to other siboglinids.
Insulin‐Like Growth Factor (IGF) System Components in Human Prostatic Cancer Cell‐Lines: LNCaP, DU145, and PC‐3 Cells
Authors: Kimura Go , Kasuya Junko , Giannini Stefano , Honda Yoko , Mohan Subburaman , Kawachi Mark H. , Akimoto Masato , Fujita‐Yamaguchi Yoko 
Published: December 2013

Background: Evidence has been accumulating that in many tumors, insulin‐like growth factors (ICFs) promote cancer cell growth in an autocrine/paracrine manner via the IGF‐1 receptor. In an effort to understand the role of ICFs in prostate cancer cell growth, we characterized the IGF system components produced by human prostatic cancer cell‐lines, LNCaP, DU145, and PC‐3, grown in serum‐free medium.Methods: IGFs, their receptors, and IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) produced by the three human prostate cell lines were characterized by reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), radioimmunoassay (RIA), Western ligand blot, Western immunoblot, and Northern blot analyses.Results: mRNA for IGF‐II and receptors for IGF‐I and IGF‐II were detected in all three cell‐lines by RT‐PCR. In contrast to the published study, only LNCaP cells expressed a trace amount of IGF‐I mRNA. RIA on conditioned media collected from these cells revealed that all three cell‐lines produced measurable IGF‐II but not IGF‐I. Western ligand blot, Western immunoblot, and Northern blot analyses revealed that LNCaP, DU145, and PC‐3 cells expressed IGFBP‐2, IGFBP‐2/‐3/‐4/‐6, and IGFBP‐2/‐3/‐4/‐5/‐6, respectively. IGF‐II stimulated [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA in DU145 and PC‐3 cells significantly although the effect was small. DNA synthesis in PC‐3 cells but not in LNCaP and DU145 cells was significantly inhibited by the IGF‐I receptor‐specific monoclonal antibody.Conclusion: These results suggest potentially important roles of IGFs and IGFBPs in prostate cancer cell growth, and that in particular, IGF‐II may play a critical role in prostate cancer cell growth.
Assessing the implementation of Ontario's Nutrient Management decision support system
Authors: Walters Daniel F. , Shrubsole Dan 
Published: December 2013

AbstractWhile land use planners increasingly rely on information technology to assist decision making, there are few empirical studies that assess the actual implementation of decision support systems. This article assesses the implementation of Ontario's Nutrient Management (NMAN) computer program using a case study of the livestock building permitting procedures in East Perth Township. In the 1970s, some townships in Ontario required livestock operators to obtain a Certificate of Compliance prior to receiving a building permit. Applicants were required to satisfy minimum distance separation criteria, ratio of animals to land area, and manure storage requirements. In the 1990s, the process changed when many townships enacted Nutrient Management By‐laws, requiring applicants to prepare a nutrient management plan, in addition to the minimum distance separation criteria and manure storage requirements. The NMAN software fulfills a dual role. Livestock operators use the NMAN to prepare a nutrient management plan, whereas review agency officials use the NMAN software to ensure the nutrient management plans meet provincial requirements. We conduct a review of 122 livestock building permit applications in East Perth Township to compare performance measures pre‐ and post‐use of the NMAN software. We frame the assessment around contextual, process, and outcome criteria from decision support system (DSS) and policy‐oriented implementation studies. The findings indicate that with the NMAN the review agency officials receive more information concerning the physical properties of fields that receive manure, soil nutrient levels, crop rotation patterns, manure application method and timing, among other farming practices. The review agencies have more knowledge about the operators' capacity to safely dispose of manure generated at the proposed and expanding facility. While the process continues to be fair, the overall length of time to process a building permit application was longer. This was often a result of the time needed to gather the information to input into the NMAN software. However, the length of time required by the review agencies was significantly shorter. Opportunities for future research include applying the field‐based nutrient application rates on a watershed scale, and assessing farmers' use and user satisfaction with the NMAN software.
Making better Maxent models of species distributions: complexity, overfitting and evaluation
Authors: Radosavljevic Aleksandar , Anderson Robert P. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractAimModels of species niches and distributions have become invaluable to biogeographers over the past decade, yet several outstanding methodological issues remain. Here we address three critical ones: selecting appropriate evaluation data, detecting overfitting, and tuning program settings to approximate optimal model complexity. We integrate solutions to these issues for Maxent models, using the Caribbean spiny pocket mouse, Heteromys anomalus, as an example.LocationNorth‐western South America.MethodsWe partitioned data into calibration and evaluation datasets via three variations of k‐fold cross‐validation: randomly partitioned, geographically structured and masked geographically structured (which restricts background data to regions corresponding to calibration localities). Then, we carried out tuning experiments by varying the level of regularization, which controls model complexity. Finally, we gauged performance by quantifying discriminatory ability and overfitting, as well as via visual inspections of maps of the predictions in geography.ResultsPerformance varied among data‐partitioning approaches and among regularization multipliers. The randomly partitioned approach inflated estimates of model performance and the geographically structured approach showed high overfitting. In contrast, the masked geographically structured approach allowed selection of high‐performing models based on all criteria. Discriminatory ability showed a slight peak in performance around the default regularization multiplier. However, regularization levels two to four times higher than the default yielded substantially lower overfitting. Visual inspection of maps of model predictions coincided with the quantitative evaluations.Main conclusionsSpecies‐specific tuning of model parameters can improve the performance of Maxent models. Further, accurate estimates of model performance and overfitting depend on using independent evaluation data. These strategies for model evaluation may be useful for other modelling methods as well.
Global and regional nested patterns of non‐native invasive floras on tropical islands
Authors: Traveset Anna , Kueffer Christoph , Daehler Curtis C. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractAimNon‐native species are being distributed globally as a result of human actions, but we still know little about emerging biogeographical patterns. We tested whether the distribution of plant invaders across tropical oceanic islands has a nested structure, and identified mechanisms to explain nestedness among invaders and islands.LocationTropical islands world‐wide.MethodsWe analysed two datasets: a global one (350 spermatophyte species invading natural areas within 25 archipelagos) and a regional one (145 species within 12 Pacific archipelagos). We quantified island and species nestedness using the NODF metric and evaluated the contributions of each island and species to nestedness.ResultsGlobally, the distribution of invaders across islands showed a nested pattern related to island area, elevation (a proxy of habitat diversity) and invasive species richness; the pattern was weakly associated with human population density and independent of isolation from the nearest continent. Invader prevalence among islands was the best predictor of species nestedness. Nestedness was more pronounced at a regional than a global scale.Main conclusionsWe found novel biogeographical patterns interconnecting non‐native invasive floras at a global scale. Both localized and widespread species are important components of island invasive floras. Invader‐rich islands host many rare invaders, and many species are invaders in only one island group, suggesting that prevention efforts should pay attention to rare invaders. We have developed a conceptual model to facilitate understanding of nestedness in island invasion. Both habitat and dispersal filtering are potential mechanisms underlying nestedness, whereas idiosyncratic factors of particular islands (e.g. habitat diversity and socio‐economic history) or time‐lags may explain ‘invader endemicity'. Nested regional patterns may be explained by ‘hub' islands that serve as early sites of introduction for many invaders, some of which subsequently spread across the region.
Comparative analysis of gingival tissue antigen presentation pathways in ageing and periodontitis
Authors: Gonzalez Octavio A. , Novak Michael J. , Kirakodu Sreenatha , Orraca Luis , Chen Kuey‐Chu , Stromberg Arny , Gonzalez‐Martinez Janis , Ebersole Jeffrey L. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractAimGingival tissues of periodontitis lesions contribute to local elevations in mediators, including both specific T cell and antibody immune responses to oral bacterial antigens. Thus, antigen processing and presentation activities must exist in these tissues to link antigen‐presenting cells with adaptive immunity. We hypothesized that alterations in the transcriptome of antigen processing and presentation genes occur in ageing gingival tissues and that periodontitis enhances these differences reflecting tissues less capable of immune resistance to oral pathogens.Materials and methodsRhesus monkeys (n = 34) from 3 to 23 years of age were examined. A buccal gingival sample from healthy or periodontitis sites was obtained, total RNA isolated, and microarray analysis was used to describe the transcriptome.ResultsThe results demonstrated increased transcription of genes related to the MHC class II and negative regulation of NK cells with ageing in healthy gingival tissues. In contrast, both adult and ageing periodontitis tissues showed decreased transcription of genes for MHC class II antigens, coincident with up‐regulation of MHC class I‐associated genes.ConclusionThese transcriptional changes suggest a response of healthy ageing tissues through the class II pathway (i.e. endocytosed antigens) and altered responses in periodontitis that could reflect host‐associated self‐antigens or targeting cytosolic intracellular microbial pathogens.
Essential oils as spatial repellents for the brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)
Authors: Zhang Q.‐H. , Schneidmiller R. G. , Hoover D. R. , Zhou G. , Margaryan A. , Bryant P. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThe brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), Halyomorpha halys (Stål), native to Northeastern Asia, is a serious invasive pest in the United States, Canada, Switzerland, Germany and France. Several common essential oils and their compositions were tested against BMSBs as potential repellents. All the tested individual essential oils and a ternary oil blend showed significant repellency to both BMSB nymphs and adults. Clove oil, lemongrass oil, spearmint oil, ylang‐ylang oil, and the ternary oil mixture (clove, lemongrass and spearmint) almost completely blocked attraction of BMSBs to the stink bug attractant‐baited traps; whereas wintergreen oil, geranium oil, pennyroyal oil and rosemary oil resulted in 60–85% trap catch reductions. Over 20 BMSB antennally active compounds were identified from SPME headspace samples of the eight repellent essential oils using GC‐EAD and GC‐MS techniques. Among the synthetic EAD‐active compounds tested in the field, eugenol, l‐carvone, p/l‐menthone, pulegone, methyl salicylate, trans/cis‐citral, methyl benzoate and β‐caryophyllene significantly reduced trap catches of BMSBs by 72–99%; these compounds are likely responsible for the repellency of their corresponding essential oils. Surprisingly, a synthetic mixture of the predacious spined soldier bug (SSB) [Podisus maculiventris (Say)] aggregation pheromone (trans‐2‐hexenal, α‐terpineol and benzyl alcohol) also showed a significant inhibition of BMSB response to its attractants. These repellent essential oils and their active compounds, as well as the synthetic SSB pheromone, are potentially useful as part of an efficient, environmentally sound semiochemical‐based IPM programme to combat this serious invasive stink bug.
Quality of life in postmenopausal women: translation and validation of MSkinQOL questionnaire to measure the effect of a skincare product in USA
Authors: Segot‐Chicq Evelyne , Fanchon Chantal 
Published: December 2013

SummaryObjectivesThe 28‐item Menopausal Skin Quality Of Life (MSkinQOL), a previously validated French questionnaire, developed to assess psychological features of menopausal women and to measure the benefits of using cosmetic skincare products was translated and validated to assess a skincare product in the USA.MethodsConstruct validity, reliability, reproducibility, and responsiveness were assessed with two groups of 100 nonmenopausal (NM) and 100 postmenopausal (PM) women. The group of PM women applied a specially developed skincare product twice daily for 1 month and filled in the same questionnaire after 1 month as well as a general self‐assessment questionnaire about the efficacy and cosmetic properties of the product.ResultsNo ceiling or floor effects were identified. Construct and internal validity was assessed using a multitrait analysis: questionnaire items proved closely correlated, and each dimension covers a different aspect of women answers profile. The three dimensions showed good reliability and stability. Baseline values for social effects of skin appearance, health status, and self‐esteem were significantly different between PM and NM volunteers. Values of these three dimensions were significantly improved after 2 weeks of product application, and further improved after 4 weeks.ConclusionThis study shows that a careful translation and a rigorous process of validation lead to a reliable tool adapted to each country to explore and measure quality of life in healthy PM women.