bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Bioaccumulation and Physiological Effects of Heavy Metals in Carrots, Onions, and Potatoes and Dietary Implications for Cr and Ni: A Review
Authors: Stasinos Sotiris , Nasopoulou Constantina , Tsikrika Constantina , Zabetakis Ioannis 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThe bioaccumulation of heavy metals in food tubers (carrots, onions, and potatoes) as a result of polluted irrigation water has been studied in this review paper. Given that heavy metals can cause a considerable oxidative stress, the impact of these metals to the physiology of the plants has also been assessed. The consumption of vegetables cross‐contaminated with heavy metals carries a considerable risk for humans (especially for children and pregnant women) and these dietary implications are discussed while European Food Safety Authority has been urged to look into this matter of concern.
Effects of Chitosan‐Essential Oil Coatings on Safety and Quality of Fresh Blueberries
Authors: Sun Xiuxiu , Narciso Jan , Wang Zhe , Ference Christopher , Bai Jinhe , Zhou Kequan 
Published: April 2014

AbstractChitosan coating plus different essential oils was developed and applied to fresh blueberries in order to find more natural treatments to preserve fresh fruit quality and safety during postharvest storage. Studies were 1st performed in vitro where wild‐type Escherichia coli and Penicillium digitatum were grown in suitable media, and then subjected to 6 essential oils. Three compounds, carvacrol (CAR), cinnamaldehyde (CIN), and trans‐cinnamaldehyde (ECIN) had high antimicrobial capacity and were selected for an in vivo study for postharvest storage of blueberries. The selected essential oils, 0.5% each, were added into a chitosan solution and coated on fresh blueberries. After storage at 5, 10, and 20 °C for various days, fruit firmness and microbial populations were evaluated. The chitosan coating substantially decreased bacteria and yeasts/molds on the fruit, and all 3 essential oils added to the antimicrobial activities. Further dosage experiments showed that the antimicrobial activity remained even when lowering CAR concentration to 0.1% and ECIN to 0.2%. Chitosan, CAR, and ECIN also maintained fruit firmness. Our results suggest that chitosan coatings containing essential oils are effective in extending the shelf life of fresh blueberries.Practical ApplicationBlueberries are high‐value fruit with strong antioxidant capacity and other health‐promoting benefits. However, microbial food safety is an increasing concern, and decay and softening limits their storability. A combination of ≥0.1% CAR or ≥0.2% ECIN with a chitosan coating effectively reduced softening of fresh berries and decay by inhibiting microbial growth.
Biologic agents therapy for Saudi children with rheumatic diseases: indications and safety
Authors: Al‐Mayouf Sulaiman M. , Alenazi Abdullatif , AlJasser Hind 
Published: April 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo report the indications and safety of biologic agents in childhood rheumatic diseases at a tertiary hospital.MethodsChildren with rheumatic diseases treated with biologic agents at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from January 2001 to December 2011 were included. All patients were reviewed for: demographic characteristics, diagnosis, concomitant treatment and indications of using biologic agents, age at start of therapy and side effects during the treatment period.ResultsIn all, 134 children (89 female) with various rheumatic diseases were treated with biologic agents. Mean age at starting biologic treatment was 9.3 (4.25–14) years and mean therapy duration was 14.7 (3–88) months. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) was the most frequent diagnosis (70.1%) followed by systemic lupus erythematosus (12.7%) and vasculitis (4.5%). All patients received concomitant therapy (corticosteroids and disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs). In total, 273 treatments with biologic agents were used, (95 etanercept, 52 rituximab, 47 adalimumab, 37 infliximab, 23 anakinra, 10 tocilizumab and nine abatacept). Therapy was switched to another agent in 57 (42.5%) patients, mainly because of inefficacy (89.4%) or adverse event (10.6%). A total of 95 (34.8%) adverse events were notified; of these, the most frequent were infusion‐related reactions (33.7%) followed by infections (24.2%) and autoantibody positivity (10.6%). One patient developed macrophage activation syndrome.ConclusionBiologic agents were used in children with a range of rheumatic diseases. Of these, the most frequent was JIA. Off‐label use of biologic agents in our cohort is common. These agents seem safe. However, they may associated with various adverse events. Sequential therapy seems well tolerated. However, this should be carefully balanced and considered on an individual basis.
Financial costs for teaching in rural and urban Australian general practices: Is there a difference?
Authors: Laurence Caroline O. , Coombs Maryanne , Bell Janice , Black Linda 
Published: April 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo determine if the financial costs of teaching GP registrars differs between rural and urban practices.DesignCost‐benefit analysis of teaching activities in private GP for GP vocational training. Data were obtained from a survey of general practitioners in South Australia and Western Australia.Setting and participantsGeneral practitioners and practices teaching in association with the Adelaide to Outback General Practice Training Program or the Western Australian General Practice Training.Main outcome measuresNet financial effect per week per practice.ResultsAt all the training levels, rural practices experienced a financial loss for teaching GP registrars, while urban practices made a small financial gain. The differences in net benefit between rural and urban teaching practices was significant at the GPT2/PRRT2 (−$515 per week 95% CI −$1578, −$266) and GPT3/PRRT3 training levels (−$396 per week, 95% CI (−$2568, −$175). The variables contributing greatest to the difference were the higher infrastructure costs for a rural practice and higher income to the practice from the GP registrars in urban practices.ConclusionThere were significant differences in the financial costs and benefits for a teaching rural practice compared with an urban teaching practice. With infrastructure costs which include accommodation, being a key contributor to the difference found, it might be time to review the level of incentives paid to practices in this area. If not addressed, this cost difference might be a disincentive for rural practices to participate in teaching.
Clinical scholarship among preceptors supervising longitudinal integrated medical clerkships in regional and rural communities of practice
Authors: Weston Kathryn M. , Hudson Judith N. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractObjectiveAll senior medical students at the University of Wollongong undertake a longitudinal integrated community‐based clerkship, supervised by experienced general practitioners in a regional or rural community. This study investigates the influence of the longitudinal integrated clerkship model of medical education on scholarship among preceptors in these practice communities.DesignGeneral practitioner preceptors were interviewed after the first student cohort had completed their 38‐week placements. Analysis of transcripts identified themes supporting clinical scholarship among preceptors. The entire transcript for each preceptor was analysed, permitting a quantitative determination of each theme. Quotations supporting the themes were selected.SettingThe setting was the primary health care practices supervising the longitudinal integrated clerkship medical students.ParticipantsTwenty‐six preceptors who supervised longitudinal integrated clerkship medical students in rural and regional New South Wales participated. None had previously been involved in this model of medical education.Main outcome measureThe study looked for evidence of clinical scholarship among preceptors supervising students in the longitudinal medical student clerkship.ResultsThematic analysis of interview transcripts revealed evidence of clinical scholarship in regional/rural clinical medicine. The ‘practice’ was validated as a place where scholarship occurs, an ‘academy of learning’ and part of the university. About half of the preceptors believed the longitudinal integrated clerkship gave students a deeper link with the community. Two thirds of participants perceived an improved quality of care in their practice.ConclusionLongitudinal integrated clerkships in teaching communities of practice provide the opportunity for emergence of clinical scholarship among preceptors supporting the learning needs of medical students.
Laparoscopic versus robotic‐assisted radical prostatectomy: an Australian single‐surgeon series
Authors: Papachristos Alexander , Basto Marnique , te Marvelde Luc , Moon Daniel 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBackgroundIn Australia, robotic‐assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) has steadily replaced open and laparoscopic surgery in the management of localized prostate cancer. Given the increased cost of this technology, we aimed to compare the perioperative, pathological, oncological and functional outcomes as well as short‐term complications of laparoscopic and RARP.MethodsWe performed a retrospective review of prospectively collected data on 200 consecutive patients during the transition of a single surgeon (DM) from pure laparoscopic (n = 100) to RARP (n = 100) between September 2007 and March 2011.ResultsMedian operative time and estimated blood loss were the same for both surgical approaches, 195 min (P = 0.29) and 300 mL (P = 0.88) respectively. Median length of hospital stay was shorter for RARP (P = 0.003). Complication rates were not statistically different between groups. There was no significant difference in positive surgical margin rates in pT2 (P = 0.36) or pT3 disease (0.99) or biochemical recurrence rate between groups (P = 0.14). The 12 months continence rate was improved with RARP compared with laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (93% versus 82%; P = 0.025). The potency rate was 56% and 74% at 12 months after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and RARP respectively (P = 0.12) for a bilateral nerve sparing procedure.ConclusionWe conclude from our single‐surgeon comparative series that the robotic approach results in a significantly shorter length of hospital stay and improved 12 months continence rates and demonstrated a trend towards better potency rates. Complications, positive surgical margin rates and the requirement for adjuvant therapy are all improved with the robotic approach but did not show statistically significant differences.
High concentrate: Forage ratio diet inhibiting omasal epithelium growth is associated with decreased cyclin D1 and CDK4 expression in growing goats
Authors: Zhao Huaibao , Lu Jinye , Huang Zhinan , Yan Lei , Holger Martens , Shen Zanming 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThe hypothesis that different concentrate : forage ratio diets alter omasal epithelium proliferation of growing goats via cyclins and regulation of the cell cycle was tested. Growing goats were fed with a high concentrate (HC, n = 8) or a low concentrate (LC, n = 8) diet for 42 days. The concentrate : forage ratio was 40:60 in the HC group and 0:100 in the LC group. In the HC group, the relative weight and DNA content of the omasal epithelium were lower, but the protein : DNA ratio was higher. Flow cytometry revealed that HC omasal cell numbers were smaller in S‐ and G2/M‐phases of the cell cycle and higher in the G0/G1‐phases and were accompanied by reduced expression of cyclin D1 and CDK4 mRNA and protein. These data are consistent with morphologic observations in the HC that cell density decreased in the stratum spinosum (SS) plus stratum granulosum (SG) and stratum basale, and that cell density was lower in the SS plus SG. Thus, high‐concentrate : forage ratio diet retards omasal epithelial growth by slowing the G1 to S phase transition of the cell cycle and is associated with decreased cyclin D1 and CDK4 expression in growing goats.
Propensity‐score matched analysis comparing robot‐assisted with laparoscopic partial nephrectomy
Authors: Wu Zhenjie , Li Mingmin , Song Shangqing , Ye Huamao , Yang Qing , Liu Bing , Cai Chen , Yang Bo , Xiao Liang , Chen Qi , Lü Chen , Gao Xu , Xu Chuanliang , Gao Xiaofeng , Hou Jianguo , Wang Linhui , Sun Yinghao 
Published: April 2014

ObjectivesTo compare the peri‐operative and early renal functional outcomes of robot‐assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) and laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) for kidney tumours.Materials and MethodsA total of 237 patients fulfilling the selection criteria were included, of whom 146 and 91 patients were treated with LPN and RAPN, respectively. To adjust for potential baseline confounders, propensity‐score matching was performed. A favourable outcome was defined as a warm ischaemia time (WIT) of ≤20 min, negative surgical margins, no surgical conversion, no Clavien ≥3 complications and no postoperative chronic kidney disease (CKD) upstaging. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed before and after propensity‐score matching.ResultsWithin the propensity‐score‐matched cohort, the RAPN group was associated with significantly lower estimated blood loss (EBL; 156 vs 198 mL, mean difference [MD] = −42; P = 0.025), a shorter WIT (22.8 vs 31 min, MD = −8.2; P < 0.001) and a higher proportion of malignant lesions (88.4 vs 67.5%; odds ratio [OR]: 2.6; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2–5.67; P = 0.023). With regard to early renal functional outcomes, the mean last estimated glomerular filtration rate was 95.8 and 89.4 mL/min per 1.73 m2 (MD = 6.4; P = 0.01), with a mean ± sd percentage change of −4.8 ± 17.9 and −12.2 ± 16.6 (MD = 7.4; P = 0.018) in the RAPN and LPN groups, respectively. The intra‐operative complication rate was significantly lower in the RAPN group (1.3 vs 11.7%; OR 0.1, 95% CI 0.01–0.81; P = 0.018). On multivariable analysis, surgical approach (RAPN vs LPN, OR 5.457, 95% CI 2.075–14.346; P = 0.001), Charlson Comorbidity Index (OR 0.223; 95% CI 0.062–0.811; P = 0.023), diameter‐axial‐polar score (OR 0.488, 95% CI 0.329–0.723; P < 0.001) and preoperative CKD stage (OR 3.189, 95% CI 1.204–8.446; P = 0.020) were found to be independent predictors of obtaining a favourable outcome.ConclusionsAfter adjusting for potential treatment selection biases, RAPN was found to be superior to LPN for peri‐operative outcomes (EBL, WIT and intra‐operative complications) and early renal functional preservation.
Complications after artificial urinary sphincter implantation in patients with or without prior radiotherapy
Authors: Ravier Emmanuel , Fassi‐Fehri Hakim , Crouzet Sébastien , Gelet Albert , Abid Nadia , Martin Xavier 
Published: April 2014

ObjectiveTo compare complications after implantation of an artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) in patients with or without prior radiotherapy (RT).Patients and MethodsBetween January 2000 and December 2011, 160 patients underwent AMS 800 AUS implantation in our institution. We excluded neurological and traumatic causes, implantation on ileal conduit diversion, penoscrotal urethral cuff position and those lost to follow‐up. In all, 122 patients were included in the study, 61 with prior RT and 61 without prior RT. All patients underwent the same surgical technique by two different surgeons. All AUS were implanted with a bulbar urethral cuff position. The mean (range) follow‐up was 37.25 (1–126) months.ResultsIn the patients without prior RT and those with prior RT, revision rates were 32.8% vs 29.5%, respectively (P = 0.59). The median time to first revision was 11.7 months. Early complications were similar in the two groups (4.9% vs 6.5%, P = 1). Erosion rates were not significantly different (4.9% vs 13.1%, P = 0.13). However, infection and explantation were more prevalent in patients with prior RT [two (3.2%) vs 10 (16.3%), P = 0.018 and three (4.9%) vs 12 (19.6%), P = 0.016, respectively]. Finally, continence rates were not significantly different [75.4% (without prior RT) vs 63.9% (with prior RT), P = 0.23].ConclusionAUS is the ‘gold standard’ treatment of male urinary incontinence after re‐education failure in patients with or without prior RT. Our experience showed similar functional outcomes in both groups but a higher rate of major complications in the group with prior RT.
Local and Regional Variation in Local Frequency of Multiple Coffee Pests Across a Mosaic Landscape in Coffea arabica's Native Range
Authors: Samnegård Ulrika , Hambäck Peter A. , Nemomissa Sileshi , Hylander Kristoffer 
Published: April 2014

AbstractShaded coffee has been highlighted for its potential to conserve biodiversity, and thus perhaps also a diversity of natural enemies that could control pest organisms. In southwestern Ethiopia, coffee is grown in shade both in contiguous forests and in forest patches with native trees surrounded by open fields. We hypothesized that coffee grown in contiguous forests, which is the natural habitat for coffee (Coffea arabica) and its interacting organisms, would have less pest damage due to high protection by natural enemies. We surveyed pests on coffee plants in plots within contiguous forests (10 sites) and in forest patches (21 sites). In general, the variation in number of damaged or attacked leaves by individual insect or fungal pests was larger between plants than between plots, which suggests that very local conditions or processes are important. The spatial signals were generally weak. Coffee rust and coffee blotch miner tended to have lower infestation rates in accordance with our hypothesis, while fruit flies in ripe berries were more abundant in forest patches closer to contiguous forest. Based on interviews, olive baboons showed a clear dependency on contiguous forest habitat and were regarded as a problem only in contiguous forests and forest patches close to contiguous forests. In conclusion, we found no support for a generally stronger top‐down control on coffee pests in sites within, or with connectivity to, contiguous moist afromontane forests in the native range of coffee.
Resource Partitioning by Mangrove Bird Communities in North Australia
Authors: Mohd‐Azlan Jayasilan , Noske Richard A. , Lawes Michael J. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractMangrove bird communities in northAustralia comprise relatively few passerine species compared with other arboreal habitats in the region. Mangroves are dominated by a few tree species and there are potentially few resource axes available for partitioning by terrestrial birds. Competition for limited resources is predicted to cause strong niche differentiation and a highly structured, but low diversity, bird assemblage. Using multivariate and bipartite network analyses based on 1771 foraging observations (33% of 5320 behavioral observations), we examined resource partitioning by 20 terrestrial bird species in mangroves of northAustralia. The mangrove bird community largely comprised generalist insectivores that partitioned insects by size with moderate‐to‐high interspecific overlap in diet. Gleaning for insects was the most common foraging mode. Few species specialized on nectar. Flowers of one or more mangrove species were available in every month of the year and insect abundance was correlated with flowering peaks. Niche differentiation by birds was determined by food type and foraging mode more than by broad spatial (mangrove zones) or temporal (seasonal) segregation of the use of resources. There was little evidence of bird species saturation or species sorting, suggesting loose species packing and a lesser role than expected for species interactions and interference competition in structuring the bird assemblage in mangroves.
Harvesting Increases Reproductive Activity in Himatanthus drasticus (Mart.) Plumel (Apocynaceae), a Non‐Timber Forest Product of the Brazilian Savanna
Authors: Baldauf Cristina , da Silva Alexsandra Salvador , Sfair Julia C. , Ferreira Rosijânia , dos Santos Flavio Antonio Maës 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThe harvesting of non‐timber forest products (NTFP) can influence the pattern of resource allocation in plants, affecting their growth, survival, and reproduction. However, only a small number of studies have addressed the impacts of NTFP harvesting on the reproductive phenology of the exploited species. The aim of this observational study was to assess the effects of harvesting and climatic variables on the reproductive phenology of Himatanthus drasticus, a highly exploited medicinal tree from the Brazilian savanna (Cerrado). We evaluated the effects of two different debarking levels (50 and 100%) in comparison to a control (no harvesting). We performed monthly counts of the number of buds, flowers in anthesis, unripe and ripe fruits in each sampled tree (intensity index), as well as the number of trees in each phenophase (activity index), over 2 yr. We used circular statistics tools to compare the effects of each treatment on flower and fruit production and to test whether the reproductive peaks were related to climatic variables. Both the activity and intensity indexes exhibited the same patterns; flower and fruit production were lower in the control, intermediate in the 50 percent debarking group and higher in the 100 percent debarking group. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study of NTFP to demonstrate an increase in reproductive activity after several years of harvesting. All phenophases were positively correlated with higher temperature and precipitation, as it is common in the Cerrado.
The Interplay of Habitat and Seed Type on Scatterhoarding Behavior in a Fragmented Afromontane Forest Landscape
Authors: Aliyu Babale , Adamu Hammadu , Moltchanova Elena , Forget Pierre Michel , Chapman Hazel 
Published: April 2014

AbstractScatterhoarding by rodents, whereby seeds are collected and stored for later consumption, can result in seed dispersal. Seeds may be covered in litter on the forest floor (cached) or buried. This is particularly so in the Neotropics for large, nutritious seeds, and where primary dispersers are rare or missing. In African forests, contemporary anthropogenic pressures such as hunting, forest degradation, and fragmentation are contributing toward major declines in large frugivores, yet the potential for scatterhoarding to mitigate this loss is largely unknown. In this study, we used thread‐marked seed to explore the balance between seed predation and dispersal by rodents in Afromontane forest. We studied two tree species in three habitats: (1) continuous forest; (2) continuous forest edge, and (3) small, degraded riparian forest patches. We found that seed removal rates were high and almost the same in all three habitats for both tree species, but that the predation/dispersal balance differed among habitats. In continuous forest, more seeds of each species were scatterhoarded than depredated, and rates of scatterhoarding differed between the two species. In all habitats, burying seeds up to 2 cm belowground was more common than caching. Distances seeds were moved was approximately five times greater in continuous forest than in forest edge or riparian patches. We found strong evidence to suggest that the African pouched rat, Cricetomys sp. nov was responsible for the scatterhoarding.