bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ex vivo Biomechanical Comparison of V‐Loc 180® Absorbable Wound Closure Device and Standard Polyglyconate Suture for Diaphragmatic Herniorrhaphy in a Canine Model
Authors: Templeton Megan M. , Krebs Alexander I. , Kraus Karl H. , Hedlund Cheryl S. 
Published: June 2014

ObjectiveTo compare 2‐0 polyglyconate barbed suture (V‐LOC™ 180 Absorbable Wound Closure Device, Covidien, Mansfield, MA) to standard 2‐0 monofilament absorbable polyglyconate suture (Maxon™, Covidien) for maximum load to failure and failure mode when used to appose standardized defects in canine diaphragm muscle.Study DesignRandomized, cadaveric ex vivo mechanical testing.Sample PopulationCanine cadaveric hemi‐diaphragmatic specimens (n = 32 pairs).MethodsThirty‐two cadaveric diaphragm specimens were collected and divided to obtain 64 muscle specimens (9 cm × 4 cm). Paired specimens were bisected in the midpoint of their 9 cm length in the direction of the muscle fibers and apposed using either 2‐0 polyglyconate or 2‐0 barbed polyglyconate (V‐LOC™ 180 Absorbable Wound Closure Device) in a simple continuous pattern. Increasing tension was applied perpendicular to the suture line until specimen failure. Failure mode and maximum load to failure were recorded for each specimen.ResultsMean ± SD failure load of simulated herniorrhaphies performed with barbed polyglyconate suture (54.5 ± 10.27 N) was not significantly different than repair with polyglyconate (56.9 ± 10.87 N). Failure mode for both construct types was suture tear out rather than suture failure.ConclusionsClinical application of 2‐0 barbed polyglyconate suture can be considered as an alternative to the use of 2‐0 polyglyconate for diaphragmatic herniorrhaphy.
Retrospective Analysis of the Learning Curve Associated With Laparoscopic Ovariectomy in Dogs and Associated Perioperative Complication Rates
Authors: Pope Juliet Frances Anne , Knowles Toby Grahame 
Published: June 2014

ObjectiveTo assess the learning curve associated with laparoscopic ovariectomy (LOE) in 618 dogs and to report perioperative complication rates.Study DesignCase series.AnimalsDogs (n = 618).MethodsData retrieved from the medical records of bitches admitted for LOE over 42 months included date of surgery, breed, weight (kg), age (months), surgeon, suture material used, intraoperative complications and postoperative complications. Each LOE was defined as “successful” or “unsuccessful” by the absence or presence of an intraoperative complication and “failure” rate described using a CUSUM technique.ResultsFollow‐up time ranged from 152 to 1,435 days (median, 737 days). Intraoperative complications occurred in 10 dogs (1.6%) and included: splenic laceration (6 dogs; 1%), urinary bladder perforation (3 dogs; 0.5%), and subcutaneous emphysema (1 dog; 0.2%). Postoperative complications occurred in 99 dogs (16%) and included: incisional inflammation treated with antibiotics (87 dogs [14%]; 96/1,854 incisions; 5.1%), incisional seroma (5 dogs [0.8%]; 5/1,854 incisions, 0.3%), incisional hernia (4 dogs [0.6%]; 4/1,854 incisions, 0.2%), and ovarian remnant syndrome (3 dogs; 0.5%). CUSUM charts indicated an initial “learning curve” of ∼80 LOE.ConclusionsLOE is a technique with an initial learning curve but once surgical proficiency is reached after ∼80 procedures then intraoperative complication rates associated with the procedure can be low.
Relationship Between Axial Radioulnar Incongruence With Cartilage Damage in Dogs With Medial Coronoid Disease
Authors: Eljack Hamdi , Böttcher Peter 
Published: June 2014

ObjectiveTo quantify axial radioulnar incongruence (aRUI) in dogs with simple fragmented medial coronoid process (FCP) and those with advanced medial coronoid disease (MCD).Study DesignRetrospective clinical study.Sample PopulationGroup 1: 54 elbow joints (54 dogs) with FCP, but no other visible cartilage damage. Group 2: 32 elbows (32 dogs) with Outerbridge grade 3–4 cartilage pathology of the medial coronoid ± FCP.MethodsaRUI was quantified using CT based 3D models of the radioulnar joint cup. A sphere was fitted to the trochlear notch of each of the 3D models and aRUI estimated in millimeters based on the relation of the sphere and the radial joint surface. Coronoid disease was diagnosed, classified, and graded using arthroscopy.ResultsMean (±SD) aRUI for group 1 (0.2 ± 0.8 mm) was significantly less than in group 2 (0.8 ± 0.9 mm; P = .001). Overall, 14% had negative aRUI whereas 40% were congruent. Stepwise logistic regression analysis identified age and aRUI, but not body weight as significant covariates. The corresponding odds ratios for advanced MCD were 1.6 for age and 6.4 for RUI, respectively.ConclusionAxial RUI is greater and more prevalent in elbows with severe cartilage disease, and consists most commonly of a short radius.
Norms or Interests? Explaining Instrumental Variation in EU Democracy Promotion in Africa
Authors: Del Biondo Karen 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThis article investigates the causes for instrumental variation in EU democracy promotion in Africa. Can instrumental variation better be explained from a realist or from an idealist perspective? Realism would predict that sanctions are more likely in the absence of historical, security or commercial interests. Idealism would suggest that sanctions are more likely in the case of grave violations of democracy and human rights, in countries that are unstable and economically underperforming, and when there is pressure from regional organizations and domestic actors. Empirically, the article compares two cases (Guinea and Niger) where the EU imposed sanctions and two non‐cases (Ethiopia and Rwanda) where the EU was reluctant to do so. Contrary to the prevalent thesis in the literature, the article finds stronger evidence for idealism (which is confirmed in all the cases) than for realism (which is only confirmed in the cases of Guinea and Ethiopia).
Longitudinal study of symptom severity and language in minimally verbal children with autism
Authors: Thurm Audrey , Manwaring Stacy S. , Swineford Lauren , Farmer Cristan 
Published: June 2014

BackgroundA significant minority of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are considered ‘minimally verbal’ due to language development stagnating at a few words. Recent developments allow for the severity of ASD symptoms to be examined using Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) Social Affect (SA) and Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors (RRB) domain severity scores. The aim of the current study was to explore language outcomes in a cohort of minimally verbal children with autism evaluated through the preschool years and determine if and how ASD symptom severity in core domains predicts the development of spoken language by age 5.MethodsThe sample consisted of 70 children with autism aged 1–5 years at the first evaluation who were examined at least 1 year later, during their fifth year of age. The ADOS overall level of language item was used to categorize children as minimally verbal or having phrase speech, and the Mullen Scales of Early Learning was used as a continuous measure of expressive language.ResultsAt Time 1, 65% (n = 47) of children in the sample were minimally verbal and by Time 2, 36% (n = 17 of 47) of them had developed phrase speech. While the Time 1 ADOS calibrated severity scores did not predict whether or not a child remained minimally verbal at Time 2, change in the SA calibrated severity score (but not RRB) was predictive of the continuous measure of expressive language. However, change in SA severity no longer predicted continuous expressive language when nonverbal cognitive ability was added to the model.ConclusionsFindings indicate that the severity of SA symptoms has some relationship with continuous language outcome, but not categorical. However, the omnipresent influence of nonverbal cognitive ability was confirmed in the current study, as the addition of it to the model rendered null the predictive utility of SA severity.
Additive genetic variance and developmental plasticity in growth trajectories in a wild cooperative mammal
Authors: Huchard E. , Charmantier A. , English S. , Bateman A. , Nielsen J. F. , Clutton‐Brock T. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractIndividual variation in growth is high in cooperative breeders and may reflect plastic divergence in developmental trajectories leading to breeding vs. helping phenotypes. However, the relative importance of additive genetic variance and developmental plasticity in shaping growth trajectories is largely unknown in cooperative vertebrates. This study exploits weekly sequences of body mass from birth to adulthood to investigate sources of variance in, and covariance between, early and later growth in wild meerkats (Suricata suricatta), a cooperative mongoose. Our results indicate that (i) the correlation between early growth (prior to nutritional independence) and adult mass is positive but weak, and there are frequent changes (compensatory growth) in post‐independence growth trajectories; (ii) among parameters describing growth trajectories, those describing growth rate (prior to and at nutritional independence) show undetectable heritability while associated size parameters (mass at nutritional independence and asymptotic mass) are moderately heritable (0.09 ≤ h2 < 0.3); and (iii) additive genetic effects, rather than early environmental effects, mediate the covariance between early growth and adult mass. These results reveal that meerkat growth trajectories remain plastic throughout development, rather than showing early and irreversible divergence, and that the weak effects of early growth on adult mass, an important determinant of breeding success, are partly genetic. In contrast to most cooperative invertebrates, the acquisition of breeding status is often determined after sexual maturity and strongly impacted by chance in many cooperative vertebrates, who may therefore retain the ability to adjust their morphology to environmental changes and social opportunities arising throughout their development, rather than specializing early.
Use of permanent marker to deposit a protection layer against FIB damage in TEM specimen preparation
Authors: PARK Y.C. , PARK B.C. , ROMANKOV S. , PARK K.J. , YOO J.H. , LEE Y.B. , YANG J.‐M. 
Published: June 2014

SummaryPermanent marker deposition (PMD), which creates permanent writing on an object with a permanent marker, was investigated as a method to deposit a protection layer against focused ion beam damage. PMD is a simple, fast and cheap process. Further, PMD is excellent in filling in narrow and deep trenches, enabling damage‐free observation of high aspect ratio structures with atomic resolution in transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The microstructure, composition, gap filling ability and planarization of the PMD layer were studied using dual beam focused ion beam, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy. It was found that a PMD layer is basically an amorphous carbon structure, and that such a layer should be at least 65 nm thick to protect a surface against 30 keV focused ion beam damage. We suggest that such a PMD layer can be an excellent protection layer to maintain a pristine sample structure against focused ion beam damage during transmission electron microscopy specimen preparation.
Ozone dosing alters the biological potential and therapeutic outcomes of plasma rich in growth factors
Authors: Anitua E. , Zalduendo M. M. , Troya M. , Orive G. 
Published: June 2014

Background and ObjectiveUntil now, ozone has been used in a rather empirical way. This in‐vitro study investigates, for the first time, whether different ozone treatments of plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) alter the biological properties and outcomes of this autologous platelet‐rich plasma.Material and MethodsHuman plasma rich in growth factors was treated with ozone using one of the following protocols: a continuous‐flow method; or a syringe method in which constant volumes of ozone and PRGF were mixed. In both cases, ozone was added before, during and after the addition of calcium chloride. Three ozone concentrations, of the therapeutic range 20, 40 and 80 μg/mL, were tested. Fibrin clot properties, growth factor content and the proliferative effect on primary osteoblasts and gingival fibroblasts were evaluated.ResultsOzone treatment of PRGF using the continuous flow protocol impaired formation of the fibrin scaffold, drastically reduced the levels of growth factors and significantly decreased the proliferative potential of PRGF on primary osteoblasts and gingival fibroblasts. In contrast, treatment of PRGF with ozone using the syringe method, before, during and after the coagulation process, did not alter the biological outcomes of the autologous therapy.ConclusionThese findings suggest that ozone dose and the way that ozone combines with PRGF may alter the biological potential and therapeutic outcomes of PRGF.
Natural History of Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy in the Boxer Dog: A Prospective Study
Authors: Meurs K.M. , Stern J.A. , Reina‐Doreste Y. , Spier A.W. , Koplitz S.L. , Baumwart R.D. 
Published: June 2014

BackgroundBoxer arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a disease that may result in sudden death or heart failure.Hypothesis/objectivesTo prospectively study the natural history of Boxer ARVC.Animals72 dogs (49 ARVC, 23 controls).MethodsBoxers >1 year of age were recruited for annual reevaluation. Controls were defined as being ≥6 years of age and having <50 ventricular premature complex (VPCs)/24 h. ARVC was defined as ≥300 VPCs/24 h in the absence of other disease. Dogs were genotyped for the striatin deletion when possible. Descriptive statistics were determined for age; VPC number; annual change in VPC number; and left ventricular (LV) echocardiographic dimensions. Survival time was calculated.ResultsControls: median age of 7 years (range, 6–10); number of VPCs 12 (range, 4–32). Median time in study of 6 years (range, 2–9). Seventeen of 23 were genotyped (5 positive, 12 negative).ARVC: median age of diagnosis of 6 (range, 1–11). Median time in study 5 years (range, 3–8). A total of 33% were syncopal and 43/49 were genotyped (36 positive, 7 negative). Yearly change in VPCs was 46 (range, −7,699 to 33,524). Annual percentage change in LV dimensions was 0, and change in fractional shortening (FS%) was 2%. Two dogs had FS% <20%. Although ARVC dogs died suddenly, there was no difference in survival time between groups. ARVC median age of survival was 11 years, and for controls was 10 years.Conclusions/Clinical ImportanceArrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy is a disease of middle age and frequently is associated with the striatin deletion. Syncope occurs in approximately 1/3 of affected dogs; systolic dysfunction is uncommon. The prognosis in many affected dogs is good.
Why some parasites are widespread and abundant while others are local and rare?
Authors: Robalinho Lima Marcos , Bensch Staffan 
Published: June 2014

Abundances and distributions of species are usually associated. This implies that as a species declines in abundance so does the number of sites it occupies. Conversely, when there is an increase in a species' range size, it is usually followed by an increase in population size (Gaston et al. ). This ecological phenomenon, also known as the abundance–occupancy relationship (AOR), is well documented in several species of animals and plants (Gaston et al. ) but has been little investigated in parasites. In this issue of Molecular Ecology, Drovetski et al. () investigated the AOR in avian haemosporidians (vector‐borne blood parasites) using data from four well‐sampled bird communities. In support of the AOR, the research group found that the abundance of parasite cytochrome b lineages (a commonly used proxy for species identification within this group of parasites) was positively linked with the abundance of susceptible avian host species and that the most abundant haemospordian lineages were those with larger ranges. Drovetski et al. () also found evidence for both hypotheses proposed to explain the AOR in parasites: the trade‐off hypothesis (TOH) and the niche‐breadth hypothesis (NBH). Interestingly, the main predictor of the AOR was the number of susceptible hosts (i.e. number of infected birds) and not the number of host species the parasites were able to exploit.
Human papillomavirus and cancerous diseases of the head and neck: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Saulle R , Semyonov L , Mannocci A , Careri A , Saburri F , Ottolenghi L , Guerra F , La Torre G 
Published: June 2014

The increasing incidence of head and neck cancer (HNSCC) highlights the need to better understand the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in the development of these cancers. The aims of this study were to conduct a systematic review and a meta‐analysis concerning observational studies on the association between HPV infection and HNSCC and to quantify this association, thereby obtaining a reliable estimation of the risk of HPV infection in the development of head and neck cancer. Literature searches were performed using PubMed and Scopus databases. StatsDirect 2.7.8 program was used for the analysis. We found 15 case–control studies, 63 prevalence studies, and no cohort studies. The pooled odds ratio (OR) for all the included case–control studies resulted in a value of 1.63 (95% CI 1.27–2.09; P < 0.0001). The highest pooled OR resulted from the analysis of all the studies that examined HPV 16 genotype in association oral cavity (OR 5.36; 95% CI 1.4–20). The strong evidence of association between HPV infection and HNSCC highlights the importance of the introduction of specific tests in the cancer prevention practices to evaluate the presence of the virus, especially in the oral cavity, and the possibility of an extension of the vaccine anti‐HPV in the male population too.
Inhibitory effect of Lactobacillus salivarius on Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation
Authors: Wu C.‐C. , Lin C.‐T. , Wu C.‐Y. , Peng W.‐S. , Lee M.‐J. , Tsai Y.‐C. 
Published: June 2014

SummaryDental caries arises from an imbalance of metabolic activities in dental biofilms developed primarily by Streptococcus mutans. This study was conducted to isolate potential oral probiotics with antagonistic activities against S. mutans biofilm formation from Lactobacillus salivarius, frequently found in human saliva. We analysed 64 L. salivarius strains and found that two, K35 and K43, significantly inhibited S. mutans biofilm formation with inhibitory activities more pronounced than those of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG), a prototypical probiotic that shows anti‐caries activity. Scanning electron microscopy showed that co‐culture of S. mutans with K35 or K43 resulted in significantly reduced amounts of attached bacteria and network‐like structures, typically comprising exopolysaccharides. Spot assay for S. mutans indicated that K35 and K43 strains possessed a stronger bactericidal activity against S. mutans than LGG. Moreover, quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction showed that the expression of genes encoding glucosyltransferases, gtfB, gtfC, and gtfD was reduced when S. mutans were co‐cultured with K35 or K43. However, LGG activated the expression of gtfB and gtfC, but did not influence the expression of gtfD in the co‐culture. A transwell‐based biofilm assay indicated that these lactobacilli inhibited S. mutans biofilm formation in a contact‐independent manner. In conclusion, we identified two L. salivarius strains with inhibitory activities on the growth and expression of S. mutans virulence genes to reduce its biofilm formation. This is not a general characteristic of the species, so presents a potential strategy for in vivo alteration of plaque biofilm and caries.
Three‐finger tracheal palpation to guide endotracheal tube depth in children
Authors: Gamble Jonathan J. , McKay William P. , Wang Andrew F. , Yip Kinsha A. , O'Brien Jennifer M. , Plewes Christopher E. 
Published: June 2014

SummaryBackgroundAccurate endotracheal tube (ETT) depth is critical, especially in children. The current tools used to guide appropriate ETT depth have significant limitations.ObjectivesTo evaluate the utility of tracheal palpation in the neck to guide appropriate ETT placement in children.MethodsA prospective observational study with a convenience sample of 50 children was conducted. During intubation, an investigator palpated the trachea with three fingertips side‐by‐side extending upward from the suprasternal notch. The anesthesiologist advanced the ETT slowly until palpated at the sternal notch. The investigator stated ETT palpation certainty as ‘strongly felt’, ‘weakly felt’, or ‘not felt.’ Final ETT position was determined by bronchoscopy and categorized as ‘ETT too shallow’ (tip in proximal ¼ of trachea), ‘ETT too deep’ (tip in distal ¼ of trachea), or ‘ETT placement satisfactory’ (between those extremes).ResultsThirty boys and 20 girls undergoing dental surgery with nasal intubation were recruited (median age 4.4 years; range 2.0–10.8). The ETT (all ≥4 mm ID) was palpable at the sternal notch in all patients: 46 of 50 strongly palpable and 4 of 50 weakly palpable. The experimental methods led to satisfactory ETT placement in 49 of 50 patients, too deep in 1 of 50 patients. Compared with the Pediatrics Advanced Life Support (PALS) predictive formula, satisfactory placement would have been 41 of 50 patients (P < 0.008). Number needed to treat is 6.3 for improvement over the PALS method.ConclusionsThe use of tracheal palpation to guide ETT placement has excellent clinical performance and better guides appropriate ETT depth than the PALS formula in our study population.
The impact of clonidine on sedation after adenotonsillectomy: a prospective audit
Authors: Blackburn Lee , Ottaway Kaye , Anderson Brian J 
Published: June 2014

SummaryAimsClonidine may be used intraoperatively to decrease emergence delirium in children, but the drug's impact on postoperative sedation is poorly quantified.MethodsA prospective audit of children (≤15 years) undergoing (adeno) tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy over a period of 4 months was carried out. All children received sevoflurane for induction and maintenance of anesthesia. The use of clonidine as an adjunct was left to the discretion of the anesthesiologist. Postoperative sedation was assessed using the University of Michigan Sedation Scale (UMSS) at 30 min intervals until discharge. Arousal was characterized using a zero asymptote model. The impact of clonidine dose on half‐time to an awake state after anesthesia was investigated using nonlinear mixed effects models. Survival analysis was used to explore the effect of clonidine dose on discharge time.ResultsThe mean age of children (n = 177) was 5.4 sd 3.3 years, range 0.8–15.0 years and weight was 23.8 sd 11.4 kg, range 10.0–76.4 kg. There were 73 children given clonidine 0.29–4.80 mcg·kg−1 after induction. The half‐time to emergence was 10.8 (95% CI 8.5, 13.2) min. Emergence half‐time was increased to 15 min with clonidine 0.5 mcg·kg−1, 20 min with clonidine 1.5 mcg·kg−1, 25 min with clonidine 2 mcg·kg−1 and 65 min with clonidine 4 mcg·kg−1. Clonidine doses 0.5–3 mcg·kg−1 did not affect hospital discharge time.ConclusionsClonidine administered intraoperatively for (adeno) tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy prolonged emergence from anesthesia. Doses of 0.5–3 mcg·kg−1 caused greater sedation in the postanesthesia care unit but did not impact on hospital discharge times.