bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Parents and children's perceptions of distress related to oral mucositis during haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Kamsvåg‐Magnusson Tove , Thorsell‐Cederberg Jenny , Svanberg Anncarin , von Essen Louise , Arvidson Johan , Mellgren Karin , Toporski Jacek , Ljungman Gustaf 
Published: March 2014

AbstractAimOral mucositis is a common and debilitating side effect of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Our study investigated parents' and children's experiences of oral mucositis treatment and whether the parents' perceptions accurately reflected the children's views.MethodsWe analysed 71 questionnaires completed by the parents of children who had undergone haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, together with 38 questionnaires completed by children who were 7 years of age or over.ResultsThe parent proxy and child self‐reports showed good to excellent agreement. For example, 86% of the parents and 83% of the children reported oral pain and 44% of the parents and 47% of the children reported difficulty swallowing often or very often. The majority of the parents (61%) were satisfied with the pain treatment that had been given to their child. However, the treatment provided for oral mucositis was not altogether consistent.ConclusionOral mucositis affected the majority of the children undergoing haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, causing considerable pain and discomfort. The parent proxy reports proved to be reliable and are an important supplement to child self‐reports on symptoms related to oral mucositis. But there is a clear need to establish more evidence‐based care for children suffering from oral mucositis.
The use of pharmacological prophylaxis against venous thromboembolism in hospitalised patients with severe active ulcerative colitis
Authors: Pleet J. L. , Vaughn B. P. , Morris J. A. , Moss A. C. , Cheifetz A. S. 
Published: March 2014

SummaryBackgroundHospitalised patients with inflammatory bowel disease are 1.5‐ to 3.5‐fold more likely to develop venous thromboembolism compared to controls. Clinical guidelines recommend pharmacological prophylaxis.AimTo determine the rate of pharmacological venous thromboembolism prophylaxis prescription and administration in a cohort of hospitalised patients with severe active ulcerative colitis and to assess predictors of failure to order pharmacological prophylaxis at 24 h.MethodsThis is a retrospective review of hospitalised patients with severe active ulcerative colitis, identified by ICD‐9‐CM discharge code 556.x, admitted to a single tertiary care hospital from 1 January 2005 to 31 August 2012. Adequate thromboembolism prophylaxis was defined as an order for low‐dose unfractionated heparin two to three times daily, low‐molecular weight heparin 40 mg daily or fondaparinux 2.5 mg daily ordered and administered for >80% of the admission. Patient related factors associated with failure to order prophylaxis at 24 h were accessed as secondary outcomes.ResultsThree hundred and thirty‐six patients were hospitalised with severe active ulcerative colitis. Hospitalists had prescribed appropriate pharmacological prophylaxis by 48 h in only 37% of cases. Of these, nurses administered all prescribed doses in 18% of cases. Only 7% of patients (22/304, 95% CI: 5–11%) received adequate pharmacological prophylaxis for >80% of their hospitalisation. Hematochezia (P = 0.002), elevated platelets (P = 0.008), male gender coupled with younger age (P = 0.005) and admission on a biologic (P = 0.03) were associated with failure to order prophylaxis.ConclusionHospitalised patients admitted with severe active ulcerative colitis are not receiving appropriate pharmacological venous thromboembolism prophylaxis.
Recruitment of HP1β to UVA‐induced DNA lesions is independent of radiation‐induced changes in A‐type lamins
Authors: Sehnalová Petra , Legartová Soňa , Cmarko Dušan , Kozubek Stanislav , Bártová Eva 
Published: March 2014

Background InformationThe optimal repair of DNA lesions is fundamental for physiological processes. We asked whether the recruitment of HP1β, 53BP1 and BMI1 proteins to ultraviolet (UVA)‐induced DNA lesions requires functional A‐type lamins.ResultsWe found that UVA irradiation of nuclear lamina abolished the fluorescence of mCherry‐tagged A‐type lamins and destroyed the nuclear lamina as also observed by electron microscopy studies. Similarly, an absence of endogenous A‐ and B‐type lamins was found in irradiated regions by UVA. However, irradiation did not affect the recruitment of HP1β, 53BP1 and BMI1 to DNA lesions. The UVA‐induced shrinkage of the nuclear lamina, which anchors chromatin, explains why UVA‐micro‐irradiated chromatin is relaxed. Conversely, additional experiments with γ‐irradiation showed that the nuclear lamina remained intact and the genome‐wide level of HP1β was stable. Fluorescence intensity of HP1β and BMI1 in UVA‐induced DNA lesions and level of HP1β after γ‐irradiation were unaffected by deficiency in A‐type lamins, whereas those parameters of 53BP1 were changed.ConclusionsWe conclude that only the 53BP1 status in DNA lesions, induced by UVA or γ‐rays, is affected by A‐type lamin deficiency, which was not observed for heterochromatin‐related proteins HP1β and BMI1.
Nitric oxide production by polymorphonuclear leucocytes in infected cystic fibrosis sputum consumes oxygen
Authors: Kolpen M , Bjarnsholt T , Moser C , Hansen C R , Rickelt L F , Kühl M , Hempel C , Pressler T , Høiby N , Jensen P Ø 
Published: March 2014

Summary
Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients is characterized by persisting mucoid biofilms in hypoxic endobronchial mucus. These biofilms are surrounded by numerous polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNs), which consume a major part of present molecular oxygen (O2) due to production of superoxide (O2−). In this study, we show that the PMNs also consume O2 for production of nitric oxide (NO) by the nitric oxide synthases (NOS) in the infected endobronchial mucus. Fresh expectorated sputum samples (n = 28) from chronically infected CF patients (n = 22) were analysed by quantifying and visualizing the NO production. NO production was detected by optode measurements combined with fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry and spectrophotometry. Inhibition of nitric oxide synthases (NOS) with NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) resulted in reduced O2 consumption (P &lt; 0·0008, n = 8) and a lower fraction of cells with fluorescence from the NO-indicator 4-amino-5-methylamino-2′,7′-difluorofluorescein diacetate (DAF-FM) (P &lt; 0·002, n = 8). PMNs stained with DAF-FM and the superoxide indicator hydroethidine (HE) and host cells with inducible NOS (iNOS) were identified in the sputum. In addition, the production of the stable end-products of NO in CF sputum was correlated with the concentration of PMNs; NO3− (P &lt; 0·04, r = 0·66, n = 10) and NO2− (P&lt; 0·006, r = 0·78, n = 11). The present study suggests that besides consumption of O2 for production of reactive oxygen species, the PMNs in CF sputum also consume O2 for production of NO.
Pathological vitreous causes cell line‐derived (but not donor‐derived) retinal pigment epithelial cells to display proliferative vitreoretinopathy‐like features in culture
Authors: Sharma Maryada , Tiwari Anil , Sharma Shweta , Bansal Reema , Gupta Vishali , Gupta Amod , Luthra‐Guptasarma Manni 
Published: March 2014

AbstractBackgroundIt is well understood that epithelial mesenchymal transformation occurs when retinal pigment epithelial cells, sourced from either a cell line or cadaver eye, are cultured in the presence of cadaver‐derived vitreous. We sought to study the changes in retinal pigment epithelial cells when cell line‐derived retinal pigment epithelial cells are cultured in the presence of pathological vitreous.DesignProspective study.Samples42 patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachments.MethodsD407 retinal pigment epithelial cells were cultured in the presence of cadaver‐derived vitreous or vitreous/subretinal fluid derived from patients undergoing retinal reattachment surgeries. Besides the changes in phenotypic characteristics, the viability, proliferation, migration, mesenchymal marker expression and changes in the extracellular matrix components were also evaluated.Main Outcome MeasuresFibrotic phenotype in cell culture.ResultsOur study clearly demonstrates that cell line‐derived retinal pigment epithelial cells (unlike donor‐derived retinal pigment epithelial cells) cultured in the presence of patient‐derived vitreous/subretinal fluid, exhibit characteristic features of proliferative vitreoretinopathy.ConclusionsWe propose that it is the synergistic effect of the combined use of (i) pathological vitreous, rather than cadaver‐derived vitreous (since rhegmatogenous retinal detachment‐derived pathological vitreous and subretinal fluid contain exaggerated amounts of growth factors, which could predispose to proliferative vitreoretinopathy development) and (ii) cells from an immortal cell culture (cell line), rather than from primary cell cultures (since cells subjected to continuous serial passaging acquire some mesenchymal characteristics), which together result in not only a unique phenotype, but also prime these cells towards display of features associated with proliferative vitreoretinopathy.
Dexamethasone intravitreous implant versus bevacizumab for central retinal vein occlusion‐related macular oedema: a prospective randomized comparison
Authors: Gado Ahmed S , Macky Tamer A 
Published: March 2014

AbstractBackgroundTo compare the efficiency of dexamethasone implants to bevacizumab injections in macular oedema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion.DesignRandomized clinical trial at Cairo University Hospitals.ParticipantsSixty eyes of 60 newly diagnosed patients with macular oedema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion with best corrected visual acuity 0.3 logMAR (6/12) to counting fingers, no evidence of retinal ischaemia and/or neovascularization on fluorescein angiography and central subfield thickness ≥300 μm on ocular coherence tomography.MethodsPatients were randomly assigned (30 eyes each group) to either intravitreal dexamethasone implant or bevacizumab injections repeated whenever needed. Best corrected visual acuity and ocular coherence tomography were done at baseline and monthly for 6 months.Main Outcome MeasuresComparing best corrected visual acuity and central foveal subfield thickness between both groups during the 6‐month period.ResultsThere was no significant difference in best corrected visual acuity between the two groups during the 6 months (P‐values > 0.05). The bevacizumab group had a statistically significant thinner central subfield thickness at 1 month (P‐value 0.006) and no statistically significant difference for the rest of the 6 months (P‐values > 0.05). There was a statistically significant higher intraocular pressure for dexamethasone implant group (compared with bevacizumab) at 3–6 months (P‐values < 0.05), respectively.ConclusionBoth drugs provided effective best corrected visual acuity improvements and central subfield thickness reductions that showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups.
Incidence and impact outcome of pulmonary embolism in critically ill patients with severe exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases
Authors: Bahloul Mabrouk , Chaari Anis , Tounsi Ahmed , Baccouche Najeh , Abid Hanen , Chtara Kamilia , Ben Hamida Chokri , Ghadhoune Hatem , Dammak Hassen , Chelly Hedi , Bouaziz Mounir 
Published: March 2014

AbstractPurposeWe aimed to determine the incidence and the prognostic impact [mortality and length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay (LOS)] of pulmonary embolism (PE) in critically ill patients with severe acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).MethodsThis is a retrospective study performed during a 5‐year period in the ICU of Habib Bourguiba University Hospital (Sfax, Tunisia). All patients with severe acute exacerbation of COPD were included. The diagnosis of PE is confirmed by spiral computed tomography scan showing one or more filling defects or obstruction in the pulmonary artery or its branches.ResultsDuring the study period, 131 patients with acute exacerbation of COPD were admitted in our ICU. The mean age (±standard deviation) was 68.6 ± 9.2 years, ranging from 39 to 99 years (median: 70 years). During their ICU stay, 23 patients (17.5%) developed PE. The diagnosis was confirmed within 48 h from ICU admission in all cases but one. The comparison between the two groups (with and without PE) showed that they had the same baseline characteristics. However, all PE group developed shock on ICU admission or during ICU stay. Signs of right heart failure were more observed in the PE group. ICU mortality was significantly higher in the PE group (69.5% vs 44%; P = 0.029). In addition, the ICU LOS was significantly higher in the PE group than the PE‐free group (P = 0.007). Finally, PE was identified as an independent factor predicting poor outcome [odds ratio = 3.49, 95% CI (1.01–11.1); P = 0.035].ConclusionOur study showed that PE is common in patients with severe COPD exacerbation requiring ICU admission. Moreover, PE was significantly associated with higher mortality and ICU LOS in critically ill patients with severe COPD exacerbation.
Modelling species distributional shifts across broad spatial extents by linking dynamic occupancy models with public‐based surveys
Authors: Santika Truly , McAlpine Clive A. , Lunney Daniel , Wilson Kerrie A. , Rhodes Jonathan R. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractAimTo understand climate and landscape drivers of species distributional shifts across broad spatial extents by integrating dynamic occupancy models with distribution data collected from the public.LocationNew South Wales (NSW), Australia.MethodsWe used data on koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) presence and absence collected across the state of NSW from public surveys between 1987 and 2011. A dynamic occupancy model was built to quantify the role of climate and land use change on koala extinction risk and occupancy. We contrasted the model results against the more usual static occupancy model approach. We then developed scenarios of future climate, land clearing and urbanization and predicted the distribution of the koalas over the next 20 years based on the dynamic occupancy model.ResultsThe static model indicates koala occupancy in 1987 and in 2011 depended most strongly on annual rainfall and distance to water features. Housing density and its interaction with Eucalyptus forest cover only minimally affected koala occupancy. However, for the dynamic occupancy model, extinction risk (the metric of dominant concern for species conservation) depended most strongly on Eucalyptus forest cover and its interaction with housing density, while annual rainfall only minimally affected extinction risk. We predicted extinction risk to be higher in western NSW than in the east and that extinction risk may increase under future scenarios of climate and land use change.Main conclusionsThis study underlines the importance of incorporating extinction dynamics when modelling species distributional shifts under climate and land use change and we provide an approach for doing so using public‐based surveys. As conservation objectives usually aim to maximize persistence, this is likely to lead to more reliable identification of conservation priorities than using static species distribution models. Combining public‐based surveys and dynamic occupancy models provides a powerful approach for achieving this across broad spatial extents, thus providing an alternative approach when field‐based data collection is impractical.
Termites like it hot and humid: the ability of arboreal tropical termites to mediate their nest environment against ambient conditions
Authors: FULLER CLAIRE A. , POSTAVA‐DAVIGNON MARIELLE 
Published: March 2014

Tropical termites are physiologically adapted to a narrow range of climatic conditions, and as a result may be particularly impacted by global climate change. Because of their key roles as decomposers and ecosystem engineers, any climatic impact on termites could have serious ramifications for tropical ecosystems. The ability of termites to mediate their nest environment could allow them to cope with these changes.
The temperature and RH in nests of the tropical termite Nasutitermes acajutlae were compared with ambient conditions on the island of St John, U.S. Virgin Islands, over a 5‐year period using data loggers inserted into nest cartons.
Nest conditions were found to be significantly warmer, more humid, and less variable than ambient conditions with respect to both temperature and RH.
A comparison of dead nests, live non‐reproductive nests, and live reproductive nests revealed that temperature mediation appears to be primarily the result of the presence of termites, with reproductive nests producing the highest temperatures, while high RH is maintained by the insulating effects of the nest material.
Environmental variability across the years of this study had a significant influence on nest temperature and RH, suggesting that if tropical conditions become warmer and drier as predicted, N. acajutlae may have difficulty adapting over the long term.
A new method to quantify how water repellency compromises soils' filtering function
Authors: Müller K. , Deurer M. , Kawamoto K. , Kuroda T. , Subedi S. , Hiradate S. , Komatsu T. , Clothier B. E. 
Published: March 2014

SummarySoil water repellency (SWR) is known to lead to preferential flow and to degrade the soil's filtering efficiency. However, no method is available to quantify directly how SWR affects the transport of reactive solutes. We propose a new method for conducting solute transport experiments in water‐repellent soils. It involves sequentially applying two liquids, one water, the other a reference fully wetting liquid, namely aqueous ethanol, to the same intact soil core with air‐drying between liquids. We applied this approach to quantify the impact of SWR on the filtering of the herbicide 2,4‐Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4‐D) in two Andosols. In batch experiments conducted prior to the transport experiments, 2,4‐D sorption was not influenced by aqueous ethanol for one soil. However, sorption in the second soil followed the co‐solvency theory, which predicts decreasing sorption with increasing solvent fractions. Thus, sorption experiments are necessary to complement our new method. Breakthrough curves were characterized by preferential flow with large initial concentrations, tailing and a long prevalence of solutes remaining in the soil. In the soil in which 2,4‐D sorption was unaffected by aqueous ethanol, SWR increased 2,4‐D losses by four and 50 times in the first 5‐mm outflow compared with the 2,4‐D losses with water. After 50‐mm outflow, the 2,4‐D losses were similar for one core, but in the other core they were still about four times greater with water than with aqueous ethanol. This method to quantify the reduction of the soil's filtering efficiency by SWR is needed for assessing the increased risk of groundwater contamination by solutes exogenously applied to water‐repellent soils.
In vivodiffusion characteristics following perineural injection of the deep branch of the lateral plantar nerve with mepivacaine or iohexol in horses
Authors: Contino E. K. , King M. R. , Valdés‐Martínez A. , McIlwraith C. W. 
Published: March 2014

SummaryReasons for performing studyHindlimb proximal suspensory desmopathy is a common injury of sport horses but diagnosis can be difficult because diagnostic analgesia of the region lacks specificity. Perineural analgesia of the deep branch of the lateral plantar nerve (DBLPN) has been proposed as a more specific method of isolating pain of the proximal aspect of the suspensory ligament but the technique has not been evaluatedin vivo.ObjectivesTo determine the extent of diffusion of contrast medium and mepivacaine followingDBLPNanalgesia using a single‐needle injection technique and to determine if there is inadvertent involvement of the tarsal sheath and/or tarsometatarsal (TMT) joint using this technique.Study designIn vivoexperimental study.MethodsPerineural injection of theDBLPNwas performed in 16 limbs with 3 ml of either mepivacaine hydrochloride or positive contrast medium. Contrast medium‐injected limbs were radiographed 5, 15, and 30 min post injection and diffusion characteristics were described. In mepivacaine‐injected limbs, synovial fluid from theTMTjoint was obtained 10 and 20 min post injection and mepivacaine concentrations were analysed.ResultsAt 5, 15 and 30 min post injection, the contrast medium extended, on average, 19.6, 20.6 and 21.0 mm proximal and 38.0, 43.5 and 51.9 mm distal to the injection site, respectively. Three of 8 (37.5%) limbs had evidence of contrast medium in the tarsal sheath. Two of 8 (25%) limbs had mepivacaine concentrations within theTMTjoint sufficient to produce analgesia (>300 mg/l) at 10 min post injection.ConclusionsContrast medium diffused further in a distal direction than in a proximal direction. Analgesia of theDBLPNcan result in inadvertent involvement of the tarsal sheath and/orTMTjoint.
Outcome of palmar/plantar digital neurectomy in horses with foot pain evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging: 50 cases (2005–2011)
Authors: Gutierrez‐Nibeyro S. D. , Werpy N. M. , White N. A. , Mitchell M. A. , Edwards R. B. , Mitchell R. D. , Gold S. J. , Allen A. K. 
Published: March 2014

SummaryReasons for performing studyThere is limited knowledge of the foot lesions that influence the outcome of palmar/plantar digital neurectomy (PDN).Objectives1) To report the short‐ and long‐term outcomes of horses that underwent PDN to alleviate chronic foot pain due to lesions diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 2) factors that may influence the outcome of PDN.Study designMulticentre retrospective study.MethodsMedical records of 50 horses subjected to PDN due to chronic foot pain were reviewed. Age, breed, sex, athletic activity, duration of lameness, affected limb(s), response to anaesthesia of the palmar/plantar digital nerves, MRI findings and surgical technique were analysed together with follow‐up data to identify factors that influenced the long‐term outcomes.ResultsForty‐six of 50 horses (92%) responded positively to surgery; 40 (80%) were able to return to their previous athletic use for a median time of 20 months (range: 12–72 months). Eighteen (36%) horses developed post operative complications including residual lameness, painful neuromas, or early recurrence of lameness. Horses with pre‐existing core or linear lesions of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) had significantly shorter periods of lameness resolution after surgery than horses with dorsal border lesions of the DDFT or other foot lesions.ConclusionsPalmar/plantar digital neurectomy can improve or resolve lameness in horses with foot pain unresponsive to medical therapy without serious post operative complications. However, horses with core or linear lesions of the DDFT should not be subjected to PDN as these horses experience residual lameness or early recurrent lameness after surgery. Magnetic resonance imaging can be used to identify these horses.