bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of enteral protein supplements on nutritional status and clinical outcome in unconscious elderly malnourished patients
Authors: Gülşen Atalay Betül , Yagmur Cahide , Nursal Tarık , Atalay Hakan , Sezgin Nurzen , Giray Semih , Selçuk Haldun 
Published: October 2013

AbstractAimUnconscious malnourished patients have reduced serum proteins. Enteral protein supplements may improve their nutritional status and clinical outcome. Our aim for the present study was to determine the effect on nutritional status and patient prognosis of enteral protein supplementation in tube‐fed hospitalised unconscious elderly malnourished patients.MethodsIn total, 20 patients were fed a standard enteral nutrition formula during the four‐day adaptation period. The study group (n = 10) received an enteral protein supplement (2 g/kg/day protein) and the control group (n = 10) received only standard enteral nutrition (1 g/kg/day protein) during the 12‐day study period. Nutritional status and clinical outcome were assessed.ResultsNo difference was observed between the groups with regard to biochemical, inflammatory parameters, anthropometric measurements or nitrogen balance (P > 0.05). Triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness mean levels were elevated in the study group at the end of the study compared with the beginning of the study (P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed between the groups with regard to complications or mortality rate (P > 0.05).ConclusionsIn the present study, the use of enteral protein support (EPS) in unconscious malnourished patients provided some advantages in the early stages of medical treatment. Triceps skinfold thickness and subscapular skinfold thickness mean levels were increased significantly in our study group. Although there was no significant difference, serum insulin‐growth factor, retinol‐binding protein and prealbumin mean values showed a tendency to increase in the study group at the end of the study. We believe that further research is required to determine the effects of EPS on these values in malnourished elderly patients.
Efficacy of nutrition as medication in malnourished hospitalised patients is strongly influenced by environmental factors
Authors: Lambert Kelly , Potter Jan , Lonergan Maureen , Tapsell Linda , Charlton Karen E. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractAimTo evaluate the use of Nutrition as Medication (NAM) as a dietary intervention strategy in a sample of malnourished renal and geriatric hospital inpatients.MethodsIn the study period of 1 July to 30 August 2009, patients admitted to the acute renal or geriatric wards of a large general hospital and assessed as malnourished or at risk of malnutrition and suitable to commence NAM were eligible for inclusion in this pilot clinical cohort study. Medication charts of the study patients were audited and opportunistic observations of patients receiving NAM were conducted. Comparisons of receival and refusal rates of NAM between chart audits and observations were made. Environmental influences on administration, delivery and consumption were noted.ResultsEighteen patients were included in the study. Audits of their medication charts indicated 943 doses of NAM were prescribed in the study period. The receival rate of NAM was 66.4% and refusal rate was 8.9%. Forty‐eight incident observations of the NAM process were conducted noting a receival rate was 58.3% and refusal rate of 3.6%. Environmental factors such as adequate supplies and location of NAM stock influenced the receival rate of NAM.ConclusionsIn the present study, receival of NAM by renal and geriatric inpatients was suboptimal. The strategy was strongly influenced by environmental factors such as nurse administration of NAM. However, when NAM was received as prescribed, refusal was rare. Further exploration is warranted of NAM receival and consumption in other malnourished groups and of the environmental factors influencing NAM delivery.
Enhancement of Prodigiosin Production by Serratia marcescens TKU011 and Its Insecticidal Activity Relative to Food Colorants
Authors: Liang Tzu‐Wen , Chen Shin‐Yi , Chen Yen‐Chern , Chen Chia‐Hung , Yen Yue‐Horng , Wang San‐Lang 
Published: October 2013

AbstractProdigiosin (PG) has been reported to have various biological activities. With the aim of increasing Serratia marcescens TKU011 PG production on squid pen powder (SPP)‐containing medium, the effects of phosphate and ferrous ion supplementation, autoclave treatment, and aeration were studied. Autoclave treatment showed positive results for PG productivity (2.48 mg/mL), which increased 2.5‐fold when the organism was incubated in 50 mL of 40‐min autoclaved medium in a baffle‐based flask (250 mL) containing 1.5% SPP at 30 °C for 1 day and then at 25 °C for 2 additional days. Furthermore, the use of pigments including PG and the food colorants Allura Red AC (R40) and Tartrazine (Y4) as insecticides was also investigated. The lethal concentrations causing 50% Drosophila larval mortality (LC50) of PG, Y4, and R40 using a 5‐d exposure period were 230, 449, and 30000 ppm, respectively. The results indicated that the biopigment PG and the food colorant Y4 were potentially toxic to Drosophila larvae.
Sustainable remediation: electrochemically assisted microbial dechlorination of tetrachloroethene‐contaminated groundwater
Authors: Patil Sayali S. , Adetutu Eric M. , Rochow Jacqueline , Mitchell James G. , Ball Andrew S. 
Published: October 2013

SummaryMicrobial electric systems (MESs) hold significant promise for the sustainable remediation of chlorinated solvents such as tetrachlorethene (perchloroethylene, PCE). Although the bio‐electrochemical potential of some specific bacterial species such as Dehalcoccoides and Geobacteraceae have been exploited, this ability in other undefined microorganisms has not been extensively assessed. Hence, the focus of this study was to investigate indigenous and potentially bio‐electrochemically active microorganisms in PCE‐contaminated groundwater. Lab‐scale MESs were fed with acetate and carbon electrode/PCE as electron donors and acceptors, respectively, under biostimulation (BS) and BS‐bioaugmentation (BS‐BA) regimes. Molecular analysis of the indigenous groundwater community identified mainly Spirochaetes, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and γ and δ‐Proteobacteria. Environmental scanning electron photomicrographs of the anode surfaces showed extensive indigenous microbial colonization under both regimes. This colonization and BS resulted in 100% dechlorination in both treatments with complete dechlorination occurring 4 weeks earlier in BS‐BA samples and up to 11.5 μA of current being generated. The indigenous non‐Dehalococcoides community was found to contribute significantly to electron transfer with ∼61% of the current generated due to their activities. This study therefore shows the potential of the indigenous non‐Dehalococcoides bacterial community in bio‐electrochemically reducing PCE that could prove to be a cost‐effective and sustainable bioremediation practice.
Faculty of Radiation Oncology 2012 trainee survey
Authors: Leung John , Le Hien , Turner Sandra , Munro Philip , Vukolova Natalia 
Published: October 2013

AbstractIntroductionThis paper reports the key findings of the first Faculty of Radiation Oncology survey of trainees dealing with experiences and perceptions on work practices and choice of specialty.MethodsThe survey was conducted in mid 2012 using a 37‐question instrument. This was distributed by email to 159 current trainees and advertised through the Radiation Oncology Trainees Committee and other channels. There were six email reminders. Respondents were reassured that their responses were anonymous.ResultsThe overall response rate was 82.8%. Gender was balanced among respondents with 67 (51.5%) being male and 63 (48.5%) being female. The most common age bracket was the 31 to 35 years range. There were similar proportions of trainee responders in each of the five years of training. A substantial number of trainees held other degrees besides medical degrees. The large majority were satisfied with radiation oncology as a career choice and with the Training Network within which they were training. Interest in oncology patients, lifestyle after training and work hours were given as the major reasons for choosing radiation oncology as a career. Nearly half of trainees were interested in undertaking some of their training in a part‐time capacity and working part time as a radiation oncologist in the future.Over 70% of trainees stated they were working 36–55 clinical hours per week with additional non‐clinical tasks, after‐hours work and on‐call duties. Nearly half of all trainees reported having one or less hours of protected time per week. Nonetheless, 40% of respondents indicated they had enough time to pursue outside interests. Radiation treatment planning and maintaining currency in general medicine were considered the most difficult aspects of training in radiation oncology. Most respondents were keen on the concept of fostering a research mentor.In terms of views on practice after completion of training, the majority were interested in pursuing a fellowship, and nearly all expressed an interest in maintaining an element of academic practice. The large majority of respondents preferred to work in an urban department as a component of their practice after training and nearly all wanted a component of public sector practice. There were only four per cent who preferred to work only within the private sector. Job availability was a concern for 94% of trainees, which far outweighed any other concerns.ConclusionsTrainees in radiation oncology are generally satisfied with their choice of specialty and their training. Most trainees are interested in fellowship positions, links with academia and largely public sector work in the future. Job availability for the future is their major concern.
Prospective study of exercise intervention in prostate cancer patients on androgen deprivation therapy
Authors: Beydoun Nadine , Bucci Joseph A. , Chin Yaw S. , Spry Nigel , Newton Robert , Galvão Daniel A. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractIntroductionAndrogen deprivation therapy (ADT) is an important component of modern prostate cancer treatment. Survival benefits from neo‐adjuvant and adjuvant hormones may take years to manifest, and balancing this with potential morbidity of therapy can be challenging. This study aimed to assess whether education and short‐term combined aerobic and resistance exercises could help to ameliorate the adverse side effects of ADT.MethodsEight hundred fifty‐nine patients with relapsed or metastatic prostate cancer on leuprorelin acetate were allocated to three interventional streams based on patient preference and medical fitness: supervised group (Face‐to‐Face) exercise sessions, home‐based (At Home) exercise or a support programme for those incapable of exercising (Support). Patients enrolled onto Face to Face underwent measurement of body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness variables at baseline and programme completion. Patients in the exercise streams were surveyed to determine the programme's impact on physical fitness and well‐being.ResultsStatistically significant improvements (p < 0.001) were seen in all measured cardiorespiratory fitness and strength variables. Programme attrition rates were low (75/859; 8.7%), the primary reason for withdrawal being discontinuation of hormones (70%). Programme satisfaction was high, with 98% of surveyed patients reporting a positive impact on fitness and 97% planning to continue exercising after programme completion. At 6 months, improved physical and emotional well‐being was reported by 93 and 79% of patients, respectively.ConclusionsA short‐term structured exercise intervention results in high compliance and significant improvements in muscle strength and cardiorespiratory fitness in prostate cancer patients on ADT.
Next‐Gen phylogeography of rainforest trees: exploring landscape‐level cpDNA variation from whole‐genome sequencing
Authors: van der Merwe M. , McPherson H. , Siow J. , Rossetto M. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractStandardized phylogeographic studies across codistributed taxa can identify important refugia and biogeographic barriers, and potentially uncover how changes in adaptive constraints through space and time impact on the distribution of genetic diversity. The combination of next‐generation sequencing and methodologies that enable uncomplicated analysis of the full chloroplast genome may provide an invaluable resource for such studies. Here, we assess the potential of a shotgun‐based method across twelve nonmodel rainforest trees sampled from two evolutionary distinct regions. Whole genomic shotgun sequencing libraries consisting of pooled individuals were used to assemble species‐specific chloroplast references (in silicio). For each species, the pooled libraries allowed for the detection of variation within and between data sets (each representing a geographic region). The potential use of nuclear rDNA as an additional marker from the NGS libraries was investigated by mapping reads against available references. We successfully obtained phylogeographically informative sequence data from a range of previously unstudied rainforest trees. Greater levels of diversity were found in northern refugial rainforests than in southern expansion areas. The genetic signatures of varying evolutionary histories were detected, and interesting associative patterns between functional characteristics and genetic diversity were identified. This approach can suit a wide range of landscape‐level studies. As the key laboratory‐based steps do not require prior species‐specific knowledge and can be easily outsourced, the techniques described here are even suitable for researchers without access to wet‐laboratory facilities, making evolutionary ecology questions increasingly accessible to the research community.
Reliability assessment of null allele detection: inconsistencies between and within different methods
Authors: Dąbrowski M. J. , Pilot M. , Kruczyk M. , Żmihorski M. , Umer H. M. , Gliwicz J. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractMicrosatellite loci are widely used in population genetic studies, but the presence of null alleles may lead to biased results. Here, we assessed five methods that indirectly detect null alleles and found large inconsistencies among them. Our analysis was based on 20 microsatellite loci genotyped in a natural population of Microtus oeconomus sampled during 8 years, together with 1200 simulated populations without null alleles, but experiencing bottlenecks of varying duration and intensity, and 120 simulated populations with known null alleles. In the natural population, 29% of positive results were consistent between the methods in pairwise comparisons, and in the simulated data set, this proportion was 14%. The positive results were also inconsistent between different years in the natural population. In the null‐allele‐free simulated data set, the number of false positives increased with increased bottleneck intensity and duration. We also found a low concordance in null allele detection between the original simulated populations and their 20% random subsets. In the populations simulated to include null alleles, between 22% and 42% of true null alleles remained undetected, which highlighted that detection errors are not restricted to false positives. None of the evaluated methods clearly outperformed the others when both false‐positive and false‐negative rates were considered. Accepting only the positive results consistent between at least two methods should considerably reduce the false‐positive rate, but this approach may increase the false‐negative rate. Our study demonstrates the need for novel null allele detection methods that could be reliably applied to natural populations.
DNA barcoding reveals a largely unknown fauna of Gracillariidae leaf‐mining moths in the Neotropics
Authors: Lees D. C. , Kawahara A. Y. , Rougerie R. , Ohshima I. , Kawakita A. , Bouteleux O. , De Prins J. , Lopez‐Vaamonde C. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractHigher taxa often show increasing species richness towards tropical low latitudes, a pattern known as the latitudinal biodiversity gradient (LBG). A rare reverse LBG (with greater richness towards temperate high latitudes) is exhibited by Gracillariidae leaf‐mining moths, in which most described species occur in northern temperate areas. We carried out the first assessment of gracillariid species diversity in two Neotropical regions to test whether the relatively low tropical species diversity of this family is genuine or caused by insufficient sampling and a strong taxonomic impediment. Field surveys in six French Guianan and one Ecuadorian site produced 516 gracillariid specimens that were DNA barcoded to facilitate identification and to match larvae inside leaf mines with adults. Species delineation from sequence data was approximated using Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery and Refined Single Linkage Analysis through the Barcode Index Number system, and the proportion of described/undescribed species was estimated after comparison with types of 83% of described species. Locally, alpha‐diversity far exceeds that of any known temperate fauna, with as many as 108 candidate species (59.3% as singletons) collected at one site, and with an estimated species richness lower bound of 240 species. Strikingly, at least 85% of the species collected as adults were found to be undescribed. Our sampling represents the most thorough survey of gracillariid species diversity in the Neotropics to date and the results from both our molecular and morphological analyses indicate that the current reverse LBG seen in this group is an artefact of insufficient sampling and a strong description deficit in the Neotropics.
Species discrimination in Sisyrinchium (Iridaceae): assessment of DNA barcodes in a taxonomically challenging genus
Authors: S. Alves Tiago L. , Chauveau Olivier , Eggers Lilian , de Souza‐Chies Tatiana T. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractDNA barcoding aims to develop an efficient tool for species identification based on short and standardized DNA sequences. In this study, the DNA barcode paradigm was tested among the genera of the tribe Sisyrinchieae (Iridoideae). Sisyrinchium, with more than 77% of the species richness in the tribe, is a taxonomically complex genus. A total of 185 samples belonging to 98 species of Sisyrinchium, Olsynium, Orthrosanthus and Solenomelus were tested using matK, trnH‐psbA and internal transcribed spacer (ITS). Candidate DNA barcodes were analysed either as single markers or in combination. Detection of a barcoding gap, similarity‐based methods and tree‐based analyses were used to assess the discrimination efficiency of DNA barcodes. The levels of species identification obtained from plastid barcodes were low and ranged from 17.35% to 20.41% for matK and 5.11% to 7.14% for trnH‐psbA. The ITS provided better results with 30.61–38.78% of species identified. The analyses of the combined data sets did not result in a significant improvement in the discrimination rate. Among the tree‐based methods, the best taxonomic resolution was obtained with Bayesian inference, particularly when the three data sets were combined. The study illustrates the difficulties for DNA barcoding to identify species in evolutionary complex lineages. Plastid markers are not recommended for barcoding Sisyrinchium due to the low discrimination power observed. ITS gave better results and may be used as a starting point for species identification.
Safety and Feasibility of Levosimendan Administration in Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: A Case Series
Authors: Santoro Francesco , Ieva Riccardo , Ferraretti Armando , Ienco Vincenzo , Carpagnano Giuseppe , Lodispoto Michele , Di Biase Luigi , Di Biase Matteo , Brunetti Natale Daniele 
Published: October 2013

SummaryBackgroundLevosimendan is a noncatecholamine inotrope that does not increase oxygen consumption, utilized for the treatment for acute heart failure with left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction. Its use in takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC), a disease that contraindicates the use of catecholamine inotropes, is not well known.MethodsWe prospectively analyzed 13 consecutive patients with TTC, low ejection fraction (EF) (<35%), and additional Mayo Clinic risk factors who were treated with i.v. infusion of levosimendan. Clinical course of patients, electrocardiogram presentation, LV function, and adverse events at follow‐up were recorded.ResultsAll patients showed an impaired LV function (LVEF at admission 28 ± 5%), which significantly improved at discharge (51 ± 8%, P < 0.001). Mean hospital stay was 10 ± 4 days. Troponin levels at admission were directly related to length of hospitalization (r = 0.6, P < 0.001). Male gender (relative risk (RR) 1.85, P < 0.05), physical stress (RR 1.90, P < 0.05), ST elevation at ECG (RR 1.87, P < 0.05), and absence of chest pain (RR 2.23, P < 0.01) were found to be the predictors of longer hospital stay. Only 15% of subjects had adverse events during hospital stay; two patients incurred noncardiovascular death at follow‐up. Age was the only predictor of adverse event at follow‐up (RR 2.13, P < 0.05).ConclusionsThe use of levosimendan may be safe and feasible in patients with TTC. Randomized studies are warranted to further confirm these preliminary results.
Contemporary epidemiology of gout and hyperuricemia in community elderly in Beijing
Authors: Lu Xiaolan , Li Xiaoxia , Zhao Yi , Zheng Zheng , Guan Shaochen , Chan Piu 
Published: October 2013

AbstractAimTo evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of gout and hyperuricemia in an elderly community cohort in Beijing.MethodA total of 10 039 individuals aged 50 years or older participated in the study, based on the Beijing Longitudinal Study on Aging II (BLSA II) Cohort in 2009. All participants were asked for a Gout Assessment Questionnaire under the guidelines of the American College of Rheumatology. The prevalence of gout and hyperuricemia were evaluated. The potential risk factors for gout and hyperuricemia were analyzed by logistic regression.ResultsIn our BLSA II cohort, the prevalence of gout and hyperuricemia were 2.8% and 18.1%, respectively. The prevalence of gout in the Han population was significantly lower than that in Hui population (2.6% vs. 5.8%). The traditional risk factors (age and body mass index [BMI] and metabolic syndrome [ms]) were significantly associated with the risk of gout and hyperuricemia (age: OR 1.2, 95%CI 1.1–1.5 for gout; OR 1.3, 95%CI 1.1–1.4 for hyperuricemia, respectively; BMI: OR 1.6, 95%CI 1.3–2.0; OR 1.5, 95%CI 1.3–1.8; ms: OR 2.6, 95%CI 2.0–3.3; OR 2.0, 95%CI 1.7–2.2). Family history was strongly associated with an increased risk of gout (OR 6.5, 95%CI 3.9–10.8).ConclusionOur study showed that the prevalence of both gout and hyperuricemia in Beijing remains substantial. The prevalence in the Hui population was higher than other ethnic groups. The traditional risk factors were strong risk factors for gout and hyperuricemia in China.