bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CT‐guided core biopsy of malignant lung lesions: How many needle passes are needed?
Authors: Lim Chaehun , Lee Kyo Young , Kim Young Kyoon , Ko Jeong Min , Han Dae Hee 
Published: April 2013

AbstractAimThe study aims to determine the number of needle pass in the CT‐guided core needle biopsy (CNB) in making a diagnosis of pulmonary malignancy.Materials and methodsA total of 434 CNB records were retrospectively reviewed. The specimen obtained from each needle pass was put in a formalin container and then labelled for separate histopathological reporting. The patients were divided into five groups according to the total number of needle passes (n = 1, n = 2, n = 3, n = 4 and n ≥ 5). In each of the groups 2–4, it was analysed how many needle passes are required before a plateau in diagnostic yield is achieved.ResultsCNB produced 283 true‐positive and 23 false‐negative diagnosis of malignancy. Cumulative sensitivity significantly (P < 0.05) increased between the first and second as well as the second and the third (if done) needle passes, but not between the third and fourth ones.ConclusionThree coaxial needle passes might be optimal in the diagnosis of lung malignancy.
A typing scheme for the honeybee pathogen Melissococcus plutonius allows detection of disease transmission events and a study of the distribution of variants
Authors: Haynes Edward , Helgason Thorunn , Young J. Peter W. , Thwaites Richard , Budge Giles E. 
Published: April 2013

SummaryMelissococcus plutonius is the bacterial pathogen that causes European Foulbrood of honeybees, a globally important honeybee brood disease. We have used next‐generation sequencing to identify highly polymorphic regions in an otherwise genetically homogenous organism, and used these loci to create a modified MLST scheme. This synthesis of a proven typing scheme format with next‐generation sequencing combines reliability and low costs with insights only available from high‐throughput sequencing technologies. Using this scheme we show that the global distribution of M. plutonius variants is not uniform. We use the scheme in epidemiological studies to trace movements of infective material around England, insights that would have been impossible to confirm without the typing scheme. We also demonstrate the persistence of local variants over time.
Blackbirds Turdus merula as competent reservoirs for Borrelia turdi and Borrelia valaisiana in Portugal: evidence from a xenodiagnostic experiment
Authors: Norte Ana C. , Lopes de Carvalho Isabel , Núncio Maria S. , Ramos Jaime A. , Gern Lise 
Published: April 2013

SummaryTo confirm that thrushes, such as blackbirds Turdus merula, play a role as reservoir for some Borrelia genospecies, we performed a xenodiagnostic experiment with blackbirds captured in a mixed wood located in Western Portugal where Borrelia turdi, an uncommon genospecies in Europe, was the most prevalent genospecies associated with birds. Two out of five birds harboured B. turdi infected Ixodes frontalis at the time of capture. Four out of five birds transmitted spirochaetes to Ixodes ricinus xenodiagnostic ticks: two birds transmitted Borrelia valaisiana to 25.7% and 10.5% of ticks, and two transmitted B. turdi to 6.4% and 5.4% of ticks. Our results showed that blackbirds transmit B. valaisiana and B. turdi to I. ricinus feeding larvae, acting as reservoir hosts for these genospecies in nature.
Apoptosis in the pathogenesis of Nosema ceranae (Microsporidia: Nosematidae) in honey bees (Apis mellifera)
Authors: Higes Mariano , Juarranz Ángeles , Dias‐Almeida Joyce , Lucena Silvia , Botías Cristina , Meana Aránzazu , García‐Palencia Pilar , Martín‐Hernández Raquel 
Published: April 2013

SummaryNosema ceranae is a parasite of the epithelial ventricular cells of the honey bee that belongs to the microsporidian phylum, a biological group of single‐cell, spore‐forming obligate intracellular parasites found in all major animal lineages. The ability of host cells to accommodate a large parasitic burden for several days suggests that these parasites subvert the normal host cells to ensure optimal environmental conditions for growth and development. Once infected, cells can counteract the invasive pathogen by initiating their own death by apoptosis as a defence strategy. To determine whether N. ceranae blocks apoptosis in infected ventricular cells, cell death was assessed in sections of the ventriculum from experimentally infected honey bees using the TUNEL assay and by immunohistochemistry for caspase‐3. Ventricular epithelial cells from infected bees were larger than those in the uninfected control bees, and they contained N. ceranae at both mature and immature stages in the cytoplasm. Apoptotic nuclei were only observed in some restricted areas of the ventriculum, whereas apoptosis was typically observed throughout the epithelium in uninfected bees. Indeed, the apoptotic index was higher in uninfected versus infected ventriculi. Our results suggested that N. ceranae prevents apoptosis in epithelial cells of infected ventriculi, a mechanism possible designed to enhance parasite development.
nupoint: An R package for density estimation from point transects in the presence of nonuniform animal density
Authors: Cox Martin J. , Borchers David L. , Kelly Natalie 
Published: April 2013

Summary

The R package nupoint provides tools for estimating animal density from point transect surveys in which the conventional point transect assumption of uniform animal distribution in the vicinity of the point is violated.

It includes tools for plotting, model selection, goodness‐of‐fit testing and simulation.

This paper describes the main features of the package and illustrates its use by application to two different kinds of survey dataset.
High incidence of post‐injury pneumonia in intensive care‐treated trauma patients
Authors: HYLLIENMARK P. , BRATTSTRÖM O. , LARSSON E. , MARTLING C.‐R. , PETERSSON J. , OLDNER A. 
Published: April 2013

IntroductionTrauma patients are susceptible to post‐injury infections. We investigated the incidence, as well as risk factors for development of pneumonia in intensive care unit (ICU)‐treated trauma patients. In addition, we report pathogens identified in patients that developed pneumonia.MethodsThe study cohort consisted of 322 trauma patients admitted to the ICU at a level‐one trauma centre following initial resuscitation. Patients 15 years or older with an ICU stay of more than 24 h were included. We investigated pre‐hospital and hospital parameters during the first 24 h after admission and their possible association with pneumonia within 10 days of ICU admission.ResultsMajority of the patients were male (78%) and the median age was 41 years. The overall degree of injury was high with a median Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 24. Overall 30‐day mortality was 9%. Eighty‐five (26%) patients developed pneumonia during their first 10 days in the ICU. Univariate logistic regression revealed that intubation in the field, shock, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) 3–8, major surgery within 24 h after admission, massive transfusion and ISS > 24 were all risk factors for subsequent development of pneumonia. In the multivariable model, only GCS 3–8 was identified as an independent risk factor. In 42 out of the 85 cases of pneumonia, the diagnosis was defined by significant growth of at least one pathogen where Enterobacteriaceae and Staphylococcus aureus were the most common.ConclusionsPneumonia is a common complication among ICU‐treated trauma patients. Reduced consciousness is an independent risk factor for development of pneumonia after severe injury.
Factors influencing outcome in patients with cardiac arrest in the ICU
Authors: LEE H.‐K. , LEE H. , NO J.‐M. , JEON Y.‐T. , HWANG J.‐W. , LIM Y.‐J. , PARK H.‐P. 
Published: April 2013

BackgroundPost‐arrest variables associated with long‐term survival after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in intensive care unit (ICU) patients remain unclear. This study was designed to identify pre‐ and intra‐arrest factors associated with survival 3 months after CPR in ICU patients and to identify post‐arrest factors associated with long‐term survival in those who survived 24 h after CPR.MethodsA total of 131 ICU patients undergoing CPR from January 2009 to June 2010 were included. Data were retrospectively analysed and categorized based on the Utstein template.ResultsThe overall survival rate 3 months after CPR was 20.6%. Logistic regression analysis revealed that acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II score (odds ratio, 95% confidence interval, 0.87 [0.83–0.93]; P < 0.001), ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF, 5.55 [1.55–19.83]; P = 0.032), and normoxia during CPR (4.45 [1.34–14.71]; P = 0.045) were significant independent pre‐ and intra‐arrest predictors of 3‐month survival after CPR in ICU patients. Fifty‐seven patients survived 24 h after CPR, and their 3‐month survival rate was 47.4%. Early enteral nutrition (9.94 [1.96–50.43]; P = 0.030) and normoxia after return of spontaneous circulation (10.75 [2.03–55.56]; P = 0.030) were predictive of 3‐month survival in patients who survived 24 h after CPR.ConclusionsNormoxia during CPR and VT/VF were predictors of long‐term survival after CPR in ICU patients. In patients surviving 24 h after CPR, initiation of enteral nutrition within 48 h and maintenance of normoxia were associated with a positive outcome.
Age‐related degeneration of the egg‐laying system promotes matricidal hatching in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Pickett Christopher L. , Kornfeld Kerry 
Published: April 2013

SummaryThe identification and characterization of age‐related degenerative changes is a critical goal because it can elucidate mechanisms of aging biology and contribute to understanding interventions that promote longevity. Here, we document a novel, age‐related degenerative change in C. elegans hermaphrodites, an important model system for the genetic analysis of longevity. Matricidal hatching—intra‐uterine hatching of progeny that causes maternal death—displayed an age‐related increase in frequency and affected ~70% of mated, wild‐type hermaphrodites. The timing and incidence of matricidal hatching were largely independent of the levels of early and total progeny production and the duration of male exposure. Thus, matricidal hatching appears to reflect intrinsic age‐related degeneration of the egg‐laying system rather than use‐dependent damage accumulation. Consistent with this model, mutations that extend longevity by causing dietary restriction significantly delayed matricidal hatching, indicating age‐related degeneration of the egg‐laying system is controlled by nutrient availability. To identify the underlying tissue defect, we analyzed serotonin signaling that triggers vulval muscle contractions. Mated hermaphrodites displayed an age‐related decline in the ability to lay eggs in response to exogenous serotonin, indicating that vulval muscles and/or a further downstream function that is necessary for egg laying degenerate in an age‐related manner. By characterizing a new, age‐related degenerative event displayed by C. elegans hermaphrodites, these studies contribute to understanding a frequent cause of death in mated hermaphrodites and establish a model of age‐related reproductive complications that may be relevant to the birthing process in other animals such as humans.
Sub‐lethal effects of monoterpenes on reproduction by mountain pine beetles
Authors: Manning Clayton G. , Reid Mary L. 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Plant defences may negatively affect the oviposition behaviour of insect herbivores. We exposed adult female mountain pine beetles Dendroctonus ponderosae (Hopkins) to monoterpene vapours and assessed their subsequent oviposition in lodgepole pine Pinus contorta.
Exposure to 31.25 and 125 p.p.m. of α‐pinene and limonene for 24 h did not affect the survival or establishment of oviposition galleries compared with controls. Females had fewer, smaller eggs and therefore lower cumulative reproduction after exposure to 125 p.p.m. compared with the other treatments. Limonene negatively affected oviposition more than did α‐pinene.
Female body condition, a measure of energetic state, influenced the responses (i.e. significant interactions between condition and monoterpene concentration). With exposure to 31.25 p.p.m., females in better condition tended to have fewer, larger eggs, whereas females in poorer condition tended to have more, smaller eggs, compared with controls. Overall, reproductive investment declined with body condition when exposed to monoterpenes. Egg size and number increased with female body size.
The findings of the present study may indicate the toxic effects of monoterpenes or may be a result of females choosing not to invest in adverse environments depending on body condition. In either case, reduced reproduction when exposed to high plant defences may be increasingly important as climate change affects plant defences.
Serum Proinflammatory Cytokine Responses to Influenza Virus Vaccine among Women during Pregnancy versus Non‐Pregnancy
Authors: Christian Lisa M. , Porter Kyle , Karlsson Erik , Schultz‐Cherry Stacey , Iams Jay D. 
Published: April 2013

ObjectiveThis study aimed to comprehensively describe inflammatory responses to trivalent influenza virus vaccine (TIV) among pregnant women and determine whether responses differ compared to non‐pregnancy.MethodsTwenty‐eight pregnant and 28 non‐pregnant women were vaccinated. Serum cytokines were measured at baseline, and 1, 2, and 3 days post‐vaccination. Anti‐influenza antibody titers were measured at baseline and 1 month post‐vaccination.ResultsOverall, following vaccination, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and interleukin(IL)‐6 increased significantly, peaking at 1 day post‐vaccination (P's < 0.001). Pregnant versus non‐pregnant women showed no differences in IL‐6, TNF‐α, or IL‐1β responses. Pregnant women showed no change in IL‐8 and increases in migration inhibitory factor (MIF), while non‐pregnant showed decreases in both. Pregnancy did not significantly alter antibody responses.ConclusionsInflammatory responses to TIV are mild, transient, and generally similar in pregnant and non‐pregnant women. Given the variability evidenced, vaccination may provide a useful model for studying individual differences in inflammatory response propensity.
A randomised, non‐crossover study of the GuardianCPV™ Laryngeal Mask versus the LMA Supreme™ in paralysed, anaesthetised female patients
Authors: Tiefenthaler W. , Eschertzhuber S. , Brimacombe J. , Fricke E. , Keller C. , Kaufmann M. 
Published: April 2013

SummaryWe investigated the hypothesis that the oropharyngeal leak pressure would differ between the GuardianCPV™ and the LMA Supreme™ in anaesthetised patients. We randomly assigned 120 patients to receive either the GuardianCPV or the LMA Supreme for airway management. Oropharyngeal leak pressure was measured during cuff inflation from 0 to 40 ml in 10‐ml steps. In addition, intracuff pressure, fibreoptic position of the airway and drain tube, device insertion success, ventilation success, blood staining and airway morbidity were determined. Mean (SD) oropharyngeal leak pressures for clinically acceptable cuff volumes of 20–40 ml were 31 (7) cmH2O for the GuardianCPV and 27 (7) cmH2O for the LMA Supreme (p < 0.0001); mean (SD) intracuff pressures were 68 (33) cmH2O and 88 (43) cmH2O (p < 0.0001), respectively. We found no differences in device insertion success, ventilation success, fibreoptic position of the airway and drain tube, blood staining or airway morbidity. We conclude that the oropharyngeal leak pressure is better for the GuardianCPV than for the LMA Supreme in anaesthetised patients.
Effect of anaesthetic technique on mortality following major lower extremity amputation: a propensity score‐matched observational study
Authors: Khan S. A. , Qianyi R. L. , Liu C. , Ng E. L. , Fook‐Chong S. , Tan M. G. E. 
Published: April 2013

SummaryWe investigated whether the type of anaesthesia affects mortality and length of stay after non‐traumatic major lower extremity amputations. A total of 1365 eligible patients who were operated on between 2002 and 2010 were included in the final analysis. Propensity score matching was used to produce 475 matched pairs of patients undergoing operation with either general or regional anaesthesia. We found that 30‐day mortality was significantly greater in the general anaesthesia group compared with the regional anaesthesia group, with an odds ratio (95% CI) of 1.5 (1.0–2.3) in the total matched population and 4.2 (1.3–13.4) in a high‐risk subgroup. The median (IQR [range]) length of postoperative hospital stay was significantly less in the patients of the high‐risk subgroup who had general anaesthesia at 15 (7–21 [1–101]) days compared with 25 days (10–37 [0–78]) for those who had regional anaesthesia (p = 0.027). The results of our study suggest that 30‐day mortality is significantly higher in patients undergoing major lower extremity amputations under general anaesthesia compared with regional anaesthesia.
Antipode to Terror: Spaces of Performative Politics
Authors: Mustafa Daanish , Brown Katherine E. , Tillotson Matthew 
Published: April 2013

AbstractFocusing on Pakistan we address the human geography of politics and violence to argue that organized political violence is not only about death and destruction but also, more importantly, about the control of the public sphere, and vitally, the reorganization of space. To make this argument we also extend Arendt's thesis on totalitarianism and the human condition. Our argument is grounded in a review of the activities of Tehrik‐e‐Taliban, Pakistan's (TTP) during their brief control of the Swat valley in Pakistan. We argue that TTP's spectacular violence eliminates “worldliness”, plurality and life, so that spontaneous action is denied and the public sphere is destroyed through the universalization of terror. The practical implication of our argument is that, in significant contrast to state and military actions to date, productive measures to resist violence should protect the performance of politics in an extended public sphere.
Prevalence of pterygium in a population in Northern Japan: the Locomotive Syndrome and Health Outcome in Aizu Cohort Study
Authors: Tano Takatoshi , Ono Koichi , Hiratsuka Yoshimune , Otani Koji , Sekiguchi Miho , Konno Shinichi , Kikuchi Shinichi , Onishi Yoshihiro , Takegami Misa , Yamada Masakazu , Fukuhara Shunichi , Murakami Akira 
Published: April 2013

Abstract.Purpose:  The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for pterygium in a population aged 40–74 years in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan.Methods:  Of 4185 citizens of the towns of Minamiaizu‐machi and Tadami‐machi, 2312 (55.2%) gave consent to an ocular examination during a health examination. Pterygium was diagnosed when a radially oriented fibrovascular lesion growing over the limbus into the cornea was observed. Eyes with a history of pterygium excision were also diagnosed with pterygium. Prevalence and factors associated with pterygium were investigated.Results:  Of the 2312 subjects, 101 (4.4%; 95% confidence interval, 3.6–5.3%) had pterygium in at least 1 eye. The average age (±SD) of the subjects was 64.3 ± 8.0 years. Gender, age, outdoor job history and smoking history were examined as possible associated factors, but only age was found to be significantly associated with pterygium in logistic regression analysis.Conclusion:  The prevalence of pterygium was 4.4% in the study population. This low rate may be due to the northern latitude of these towns. Age was associated with a risk of pterygium, but gender and outdoor job history were not associated with onset of pterygium in this study.
Retinal and choroidal intravascular spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography
Authors: Willerslev Anne , Li Xiao Q. , Cordtz Peter , Munch Inger C. , Larsen Michael 
Published: April 2013

Abstract.Purpose:  To examine retinal and choroidal blood vessels using spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography (SD‐OCT).Methods:  Retrospective case series.Results:  Scans through retinal blood vessels in healthy subjects demonstrated vessel wall reflexes and a tri‐layer profile of the blood column on longitudinal scans and a figure‐of‐eight configuration on cross‐sectional scans. Intravascular reflectivity decreased with increasingly oblique angles of observation and was absent when blood flow was parallel to the line of sight. The high blood flow in the choroidal vessels in healthy subjects and the low flow in the retinal vessels in patients with ocular ischaemic syndrome and central retinal artery occlusion were both associated with lower reflectivity of the blood and an unstructured intravascular SD‐OCT profile.Discussion:  This qualitative in vivo study found a characteristically structured SD‐OCT profile of the blood column in retinal vessels with normal blood flow. Both structure and total reflectivity faded when blood flow was lower or higher than normal or at oblique angles to the line of sight. In conclusion, SD‐OCT scans of the vessels in the posterior pole of the eye may assist the clinical assessment of gross abnormalities of ocular blood flow, e.g. in carotid artery stenosis.
Rates of visual field loss before and after trabeculectomy
Authors: Bertrand Valérie , Fieuws Steffen , Stalmans Ingeborg , Zeyen Thierry 
Published: April 2013

Abstract.Purpose:  To compare the rates of change in the visual field (VF) in patients with glaucoma before and after trabeculectomy.Methods:  Of 52 eyes of 52 patients with different types of chronic glaucoma who underwent first trabeculectomy were evaluated retrospectively. Pre‐ and postoperative‐automated visual fields measured by the same technique were compared to detect differences in rates of change. Rates of VF loss before and after trabeculectomy were calculated using mean deviation (MD). Linear mixed models were used to compare the rates of change in the VF before and after trabeculectomy.Results:  The mean follow‐up period pre‐ and post‐trabeculectomy was 3.9 years (min 0.9, max 10.7) and 3.8 years (min 2.0, max 8.0), respectively. The intraocular pressure (IOP) decreased from 18.1 mmHg (SD = 4.7) before trabeculectomy to 11.1 mmHg (SD = 2.9) at the last follow‐up after trabeculectomy. The rate of MD loss was reduced with 56% on average, from −0.36 dB/year before surgery to −0.16 dB/year after surgery (p = 0.15).Conclusion:  Trabeculectomy considerably decreased the rates of change in the glaucomatous visual field.
The influence of background diabetic retinopathy in the second eye on rates of progression of diabetic retinopathy between 2005 and 2010
Authors: Scanlon Peter H. , Stratton Irene M. , Histed Mark , Chave Steve J. , Aldington Stephen J. 
Published: April 2013

Abstract.Purpose:  The Gloucestershire Diabetic Eye Screening Programme offers annual digital photographic screening for diabetic retinopathy to a countywide population of people with diabetes. This study was designed to investigate progression of diabetic retinopathy in this programme of the English NHS Diabetic Eye Screening Programme.Methods:  Mydriatic digital retinal photographs of people with diabetes screened on at least 2 occasions between 2005 and 2010 were graded and included in this study if the classification at first screening was no DR (R0), background DR in one (R1a) or both eyes (R1b). Times to detection of referable diabetic retinopathy (RDR) comprising maculopathy (M1), preproliferative (R2) or proliferative retinopathy (R3) were analysed using survival models.Results:  Data were available on 19 044 patients, 56% men, age at screening 66 (57–74) years (median, 25th, 75th centile). A total of 8.3% of those with R1a and 28.2% of those with R1b progressed to any RDR, hazard ratios 2.9 [2.5–3.3] and 11.3 [10.0–12.8]. Similarly 7.1% and 0.11% of those with R1a progressed to M1 and R3, hazard ratios 2.7 [2.3–3.2] and 1.6 [0.5–5.0], compared to 21.8% and 1.07% of those with R1b, hazard ratio 9.1 [7.8–10.4] and 15.0 [7.1–31.5].Conclusions:  The risk of progression is significantly higher for those with background DR in both eyes than those with background retinopathy in only one or in neither eye.