bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prehospital management of supraventricular tachycardia in Victoria, Australia: Epidemiology and effectiveness of therapies
Authors: Smith Gavin , McD Taylor David , Morgans Amee , Cameron Peter 
Published: June 2014

AbstractObjectiveThe present study examined patient demographics, characteristics and the effectiveness of current prehospital supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) management by ambulance paramedics in Victoria, Australia.MethodWe conducted a retrospective study of all Victorian patients attended by paramedics between 14 February 2012 and 13 February 2013, where SVT was the initial or final diagnosis. Patients were excluded if SVT was not captured on ECG, incomplete data were recorded, or SVT began after initial assessment. Data were extracted from the VACIS® clinical data warehouse. Accuracy of paramedic SVT diagnosis was examined.ResultsNine hundred and thirty‐three patients were enrolled, including 882 (94.5%) adults and 564 (60.5%) women. Mean adult and paediatric (<18 years) patient ages were 57.5 (SD 18.1) and 10.0 (SD 4.5) years, respectively. Median ambulance response time was 11.0 (IQR 8.0) min. Paramedics correctly identified SVT in 119/123 (96.7%, 95% CI: 91.5, 99.0) of adult ECG strips examined. There were 273/882 (31.0%) patients who spontaneously reverted while in paramedic care. Valsalva manoeuvre was undertaken by 212/882 (24.0%) patients and reverted the SVT in 99/358 (27.7%) attempts. Verapamil was administered to 38/882 (4.3%) patients and reverted 33 (86.8%). Aramine was administered to 43/882 (4.9%) patients and 35 reverted following administration (81.4%). Synchronised cardioversion (70 J) reverted four patients at first attempt. Ultimately, 438 (49.7%) patients remained in SVT on arrival at hospital.ConclusionPatient characteristics associated with SVT are more likely to be middle‐aged women with a history of hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia. Therapies were underutilised leading to reduced clinical guideline effectiveness. Where therapies were instigated, reversion rates are greater than previously reported.
Mild traumatic brain injury in children: Management practices in the acute care setting
Authors: Kool Bridget , King Vivienne , Chelimo Carol , Dalziel Stuart , Shepherd Michael , Neutze Jocelyn , Chambers Nikki , Wells Susan 
Published: June 2014

AbstractObjectiveAccurate diagnosis, treatment and follow up of children suffering mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) is important as post‐concussive symptoms and long‐term disability might occur. This research explored the decisions clinicians make in their assessment and management of children with MTBI in acute care settings, and identified barriers and enablers to the delivery of best‐practice care.MethodsA purposeful sample of 29 clinicians employed in two metropolitan paediatric EDs and one Urgent Care clinic was surveyed using a vignette‐based questionnaire that also included domains of guideline awareness, attitudes to MTBI care, use of clinical decision support systems, and knowledge and skills for practising evidence‐based healthcare.ResultsOverall, the evaluation and management of children presenting acutely with MTBI generally followed best‐practice guidelines, particularly in relation to identifying intracranial injuries that might require surgical intervention, observation for potential deterioration, adequate pain management and the provision of written head injury advice on discharge. Larger variation emerged in regard to follow‐up care and referral pathways. Potential barriers to best‐ practice were lack of guideline awareness, attitudes to MTBI, and lack of time or other priorities.ConclusionsOpportunities exist to improve care for children who present in acute care settings following mild traumatic brain injury. These include having up‐to‐date guidelines that are consistent across acute care settings; providing clearer pathways for referral and follow up; targeting continuing medical education towards potential complications; and providing computerised decision support so that assessment and management are conducted systematically.
Including community composition in biodiversity–productivity models
Authors: Sandau Nadine , Rohr Rudolf P. , Naisbit Russell E. , Fabian Yvonne , Bruggisser Odile T. , Kehrli Patrik , Aebi Alexandre , Bersier Louis‐Félix 
Published: June 2014

SummaryStudies on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning (BEF) have elicited debate over the interpretation of the positive relationship between species richness and plant productivity. Manipulating richness cannot be achieved without affecting composition; it is thus essential to consider the latter in statistical models.We firstly review existing approaches that use species richness as an explanatory variable and propose modifications to improve their performance. We use an original data set to illustrate the analyses. The classical method where composition is coded as a factor with a level for each different species mixture can be improved by defining the levels using clustering. Methods based on ordinations reduce the dimensionality of plant composition and use the new coordinates as fixed effects; they provide a much better fit to our observations.Secondly, we develop a new method where composition is included as a similarity matrix affecting the residual variance–covariance. Similarity in composition between plots is treated in the same way as shared evolutionary history between species in phylogenetic regression. We find that it outperforms the other models.We discuss the different approaches and suggest that our method is particularly suited for observational studies or for manipulative studies where plant diversity is not kept constant by weeding. By treating species composition in an intuitive and sensible way, it offers a valuable and powerful complement to existing models.
Socioeconomic evaluation of well‐characterized allergy to staple foods in adults
Authors: Jansson S.‐A. , Protudjer J. L. P. , Arnlind Heibert M. , Bengtsson U. , Kallström‐Bengtsson I. , Marklund B. , Middelveld R. J. M. , Rentzos G. , Sundqvist A. C. , Åkerström J. , Östblom E. , Dahlén S.‐E. , Ahlstedt S. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of the present study was to evaluate if total, direct, indirect, and intangible costs differ between a cohort of adults with well‐characterized allergy to staple foods (‘cases’) and controls.MethodsSwedish adults with objectively diagnosed food allergy to cow′s milk, hen′s egg, and/or wheat were recruited at an outpatient allergy clinic. Controls age‐ and sex‐matched to cases were recruited from the same geographic area. For assessing the household costs of food allergy, a disease‐specific socioeconomic questionnaire, developed within EuroPrevall, was utilized.ResultsOverall annual total costs at the household level were significantly higher among adults with food allergy compared with controls (the difference amounted to 8164 €), whereas direct costs did not differ between cases and controls. However, household healthcare costs and costs for medicines were significantly higher for cases vs controls. Furthermore, indirect costs were significantly higher for households with food‐allergic adults vs households without food‐allergic adults. Specifically, more time was spent on performing domestic tasks due to a family member's food‐allergy‐related illness, as well as shopping and preparing food, and seeking food‐allergy‐related information. Presence of food allergy also affected intangible costs. Adults with food allergy experienced overall lower health status compared with controls.ConclusionsSwedish adults with allergy to staple foods have higher total costs determined as direct, indirect, and intangible costs using the disease‐specific socioeconomic questionnaire. Thus, total costs were 8164 € higher per year in households with at least one adult allergic to staple foods compared with controls.
CCL2 release by airway smooth muscle is increased in asthma and promotes fibrocyte migration
Authors: Singh S. R. , Sutcliffe A. , Kaur D. , Gupta S. , Desai D. , Saunders R. , Brightling C. E. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractBackgroundAsthma is characterized by variable airflow obstruction, airway inflammation, airway hyper‐responsiveness and airway remodelling. Airway smooth muscle (ASM) hyperplasia is a feature of airway remodelling and contributes to bronchial wall thickening. We sought to investigate the expression levels of chemokines in primary cultures of ASM cells from asthmatics vs healthy controls and to assess whether differentially expressed chemokines (i) promote fibrocyte (FC) migration towards ASM and (ii) are increased in blood from subjects with asthma and in sputum samples from those asthmatics with bronchial wall thickening.MethodsChemokine concentrations released by primary ASM were measured by MesoScale Discovery platform. The chemokine most highly expressed by ASM from asthmatics compared with healthy controls was confirmed by ELISA, and expression of its cognate chemokine receptor by FCs was examined by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. The role of this chemokine in FC migration towards ASM was investigated by chemotaxis assays.ResultsChemokine (C‐C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) levels were increased in primary ASM supernatants from asthmatics compared with healthy controls. CCR2 was expressed on FCs. Fibrocytes migrated towards recombinant CCL2 and ASM supernatants. These effects were inhibited by CCL2 neutralization. CCL2 levels were increased in blood from asthmatics compared with healthy controls, and sputum CCL2 was increased in asthmatics with bronchial wall thickening.ConclusionsAirway smooth muscle‐derived CCL2 mediates FC migration and potentially contributes to the development of ASM hyperplasia in asthma.
Supplementation of standard pre‐oxygenation with nasal prong oxygen or machine oxygen flush during a simulated leak scenario
Authors: Russell T. , Ng L. , Nathan E. , Debenham E. 
Published: June 2014

SummaryThe presence of a facemask leak significantly reduces the effectiveness of pre‐oxygenation and increases the risk of post‐induction hypoxia. We randomly assigned 24 healthy volunteers to a six‐period crossover trial with and without a simulated facemask leak. Pre‐oxygenation was performed using a standard anaesthesia machine circuit supplemented either by nasal prong oxygen or by anaesthesia machine flush oxygen. Each intervention was completed with both 3‐min tidal breathing and 8 deep breath techniques: end‐tidal oxygen fraction was used as the measure of pre‐oxygenation effectiveness. The presence of a stimulated mask leak significantly reduced the effectiveness of pre‐oxygenation regardless of the breathing method used. With a simulated facemask leak introduced, the mean (SD) end‐tidal oxygen fraction with the 3‐min tidal breath technique was 74.7 (9.3)% compared with 57.5 (6.2%) for the 8 deep breath technique with 3‐min tidal breathing and a leak. End‐tidal oxygen fractions increased by 11.0% (95% CI 7.8–14.3%) (p < 0.0001) with the addition of nasal prong oxygenation and 16.8% (13.6–20.0%) (p < 0.0001) with machine oxygen flush compared with standard pre‐oxygenation. When a leak is present, 3‐min tidal breathing with either nasal prong or anaesthesia machine flush oxygenation is an effective pre‐oxygenation method, and preferable to the 8 deep breath method.
Periocular sebaceous gland carcinoma: do androgen receptor (NR3C4) and nuclear survivin (BIRC5) have a prognostic significance?
Authors: Mulay Kaustubh , Shah Sneha J. , Aggarwal Ekta , White Valerie A. , Honavar Santosh G. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractPurposeThe study aimed at evaluating the expression of androgen receptor (AR) and nuclear survivin (NS) in periocular sebaceous gland carcinoma (SGC) and to determine whether this expression is associated with histopathological features, markers of apoptosis and proliferation and with clinical outcomes.MethodsThis was a retrospective, comparative case series which included 56 patients with a biopsy‐proven periocular SGC. Immunohistochemical staining for AR, survivin, p53 and Ki‐67 was analysed in all cases.ResultsAll patients expressed AR, p53 and Ki‐67 in the nucleus of tumour cells. Twenty‐four patients (42.8%) had a high AR score, and 32 patients (57.2%) had a low AR score. Twenty‐four (42.8%) patients expressed survivin in the nucleus of tumour cells. Nine (37.5%) had a high NS score, and 15 (62.5%) had a low NS score. Patients with a high AR score had a greater recurrence (p < 0.005), higher expression of Ki‐67 (p < 0.0001) and a lower p53 expression (p < 0.005). Nuclear expression of survivin correlated with a high Ki‐67 labelling index (0.0001) and low p53 expression (<0.005). Neither nuclear expression of survivin nor the NS score correlated with any clinicopathological features.ConclusionExpression of AR significantly impacts prognosis and is thus promising prognostic marker in periocular SGC.
Gender differences in biometry prediction error and intra‐ocular lens power calculation formula
Authors: Behndig Anders , Montan Per , Lundström Mats , Zetterström Charlotta , Kugelberg Maria 
Published: June 2014

AbstractPurposeTo analyze changes over time in biometry prediction error (BPE) after cataract surgery with special reference to the impact of gender and the intra‐ocular lens (IOL) calculation formula.MethodsAbout 65% of Swedish cataract surgery units participating in the outcome registration of the National Cataract Register (NCR) were included in this prospective register study. Data for planned and postoperative refraction and keratometry during the month of March 2004–2013 were analyzed, divided by gender. The newly introduced variables axial length and IOL calculation formula were analyzed for March 2013. Gender differences in BPE with correct sign (BPESign) and absolute biometry prediction error (BPEAbs) were compared for the Haigis' and Sanders‐Retzlaff‐Kraff T (SRK/T) formulas.ResultsThe BPEAbs decreased throughout the study period. In 2004–2006, the BPEAbs was larger in women than in men (p < 0.05), but this difference disappeared from 2007. For 2004 through 2009, the mean BPESign was −0.105 ± 0.79D for women, but −0.003 ± 0.73D for men. After 2009, this myopic error for women gradually diminished. The Haigis' formula performed better in women than the SRK/T formula (p < 0.001); the SRK/T formula rendered a BPESign similar to that from 2004 to 2009 in women. Women had steeper corneas and shorter axial lengths than men (p < 0.001).ConclusionThe myopic BPE in women – associated with steeper corneas and shorter axial lengths – is decreasing, possibly owing to an increased use of the Haigis' formula. Using the Haigis' formula to a higher extent can potentially further reduce the BPEs after cataract surgery.
Comprehending Comprehensive Income
Authors: Hodgson Allan , Russell Mark 
Published: June 2014

Comprehensive income (CI) contains a mixture of realised, unrealised, temporary, persistent and recyclable elements. How, when and where these elements should be reported in income and equity have been issues intensively debated (and changed) by international regulators over the last 20 years. This article traces the major threads of the debate and places changes within the context of empirical academic research. Our contention is that the recent IAS 1 (AASB 101) Presentation of Financial Statements, effective 1 July 2012, has benefited from past academic research that focused on the value relevance from disaggregation and presentation of unrealised other comprehensive income (OCI). We conclude by outlining the equity posting and recycling to profit or loss (P&L) issues and assert that, because of the inconsistent nature and complexity of OCI, it would benefit from further research.
First report of exocrine epithelial glands in oestroid flies: the tachinid sexual patches (Diptera: Oestroidea: Tachinidae)
Authors: Cerretti Pierfilippo , Di Giulio Andrea , Romani Roberto , Inclan Diego J. , Whitmore Daniel , Di Giovanni Filippo , Scalici Massimiliano , Minelli Alessandro 
Published: June 2014

AbstractSexual patches are abdominal areas identifiable by modified setation, present in the males of several groups of Tachinidae (Diptera). We comparatively studied more than 40 species belonging to 24 genera representative of subfamilies known to bear these organs, using light microscopy and scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy. We provide a detailed characterization of the fine structure of the setae and microtrichia composing these sexual patches and of the underlying epithelium. Study of abdominal sections showed that, close to the patch area, the epidermis forms a thick layer composed of numerous secretory units of strictly associated cells, ending at the level of cuticular pores at the base of the setae. We hypothesize a secretory function of these structures. The segmental pattern of the sexual patches across the Tachinidae is defined and predictable. We note that almost all the segmental patterns share the presence of sexual patches on abdominal tergite 4, underscoring the diversity of male sexual specializations that occur on the fourth abdominal segment of muscomorph flies.
Soluble CD40-ligand (sCD40L, sCD154) plays an immunosuppressive role via regulatory T cell expansion in HIV infection
Authors: Jenabian M-A , Patel M , Kema I , Vyboh K , Kanagaratham C , Radzioch D , Thébault P , Lapointe R , Gilmore N , Ancuta P , Tremblay C , Routy J-P 
Published: June 2014

SummaryCD40/CD40-ligand (CD40L) signalling is a key stimulatory pathway which triggers the tryptophan (Trp) catabolizing enzyme IDO in dendritic cells and is immunosuppressive in cancer. We reported IDO-induced Trp catabolism results in a T helper type 17 (Th17)/regulatory T cell (Treg) imbalance, and favours microbial translocation in HIV chronic infection. Here we assessed the link between sCD40L, Tregs and IDO activity in HIV-infected patients with different clinical outcomes. Plasmatic sCD40L and inflammatory cytokines were assessed in anti-retroviral therapy (ART)-naive, ART-successfully treated (ST), elite controllers (EC) and healthy subjects (HS). Plasma levels of Trp and its metabolite Kynurenine (Kyn) were measured by isotope dilution tandem mass spectrometry and sCD14 was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). IDO-mRNA expression was quantified by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR). The in-vitro functional assay of sCD40L on Treg induction and T cell activation were assessed on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from HS. sCD40L levels in ART-naive subjects were significantly higher compared to ST and HS, whereas EC showed only a minor increase. In ART-naive alone, sCD40L was correlated with T cell activation, IDO-mRNA expression and CD4 T cell depletion but not with viral load. sCD40L was correlated positively with IDO enzymatic activity (Kyn/Trp ratio), Treg frequency, plasma sCD14 and inflammatory soluble factors in all HIV-infected patients. In-vitro functional sCD40L stimulation induced Treg expansion and favoured Treg differentiation by reducing central memory and increasing terminal effector Treg proportion. sCD40L also increased T cell activation measured by co-expression of CD38/human leucocyte antigen D-related (HLA-DR). These results indicate that elevated sCD40L induces immunosuppression in HIV infection by mediating IDO-induced Trp catabolism and Treg expansion.
Electrical Stimulation of Cerebellar Fastigial Nucleus: Mechanism of Neuroprotection and Prospects for Clinical Application against Cerebral Ischemia
Authors: Wang Jian , Dong Wei‐Wei , Zhang Wen‐Hua , Zheng Jian , Wang Xin 
Published: June 2014

SummaryFor around two decades, electrical fastigial nucleus stimulation (FNS) has been demonstrated to induce neuroprotection involving multiple mechanisms. In this review, we summarize the protective effects of FNS against cerebral ischemia through the inhibition of electrical activity around the lesion, excitotoxic damage on neurons, and brain inflammatory response, as well as apoptosis. Moreover, FNS has been reported to promote nerve tissue repair, reconstruction, and neurological rehabilitation and improve stroke‐related complications including poststroke cognitive dysfunction, depression, and abnormal heart rate variability. We thus further discuss the potential of FNS for clinical applications. Given the absence of any risk of inducing sublethal damage, FNS may offer a new approach to preconditioned neuroprotection against cerebral ischemia.
Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia: Where We have been and Where We are Heading
Authors: Azorin Jean‐Michel , Belzeaux Raoul , Adida Marc 
Published: June 2014

SummaryThis review traces the history of negative symptom profiles in neuropsychiatry from their earliest emergence in the 19th century to the current psychiatric concepts and therapeutic approaches. Recent investigations performing exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis have suggested that negative symptoms are multidimensional, including evidence for at least two distinct negative symptom subdomains: diminished expression and amotivation. Preliminary studies have demonstrated the clinical validity of this distinction. Several potential pathophysiological validating factors based on brain imaging analysis of emotional experiences and expressions in individuals with schizophrenia are examined. Finally, the potential of different treatment strategies, including medications and various psychotherapeutic techniques, to most favorably treat each of these subdomains is discussed.
Resource implications of running a sacral neuromodulation service: a 10‐year experience
Authors: McMullin C. M. , Jadav A. M. , Hanwell C. , Brown S. R. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractAimIn this study we reviewed our 10‐year experience of the medium‐ to long‐term success of sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) for faecal incontinence, with particular reference to the resource implications of running such a service.MethodAll patients treated with permanent SNS implants for faecal incontinence from 2001 to 2012 were identified from a prospective database. The patients underwent follow up at 3 and 6 months, with annual review thereafter. They were divided into four groups: group 1, patients optimized after two reviews; group 2, patients optimized after further review; group 3, patients who failed to reach a satisfactory state; and group 4, patients who had a good initial result with subsequent failure.ResultsEighty‐five patients underwent permanent SNS with a median follow up of 24 (range: 3–108) months. Group 1 included 30 (35%) patients; group 2 included 27 (32%) patients [median of two (range: 2–6) additional visits]; group 3 included 18 (21%) patients [median of six (range: 3–10) additional visits]; and group 4 included 10 (12%) patients [median interval to failure was 54 (range: 24–84) months]. Twenty‐seven per cent of our patients had an unsatisfactory outcome and the cost of follow up for these patients was £36 854 (48.7% of the total follow‐up costs).ConclusionThe study highlights the significant resource implications of running an SNS service with a large proportion of patients requiring prolonged review, with more than one‐quarter having an unsatisfactory outcome at a substantial cost.