bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Habitat suitability modelling and implications for management of roan antelopes in Kenya
Authors: Kimanzi Johnstone K. , Sanderson Roy A. , Rushton Stephen P. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThe roan antelope is locally endangered in Kenya with <50 individuals remaining in Ruma National Park (RNP). An understanding of the habitat requirements is essential to formulate habitat management strategies for species recovery. This study identifies habitat and management features affecting roan distribution in different seasons using information‐theoretic and multimodel inference (MMI) techniques. MMI averaged models were coupled with GIS data to develop habitat suitability maps. Results showed that roan habitat suitability is determined by different factors in different seasons but overall habitat was more important than management. Best predictors of roan incidence were wooded grassland, open grassland and water points. Water was more significant in the dry season whilst vegetation burned status, slope, soil type, distances to snares, park fence and security gates were important predictors at other seasons. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) plots confirmed that the models fitted well to the data (AUC>0.9). Sustainable conservation of roans in RNP can be achieved via long‐term habitat management including prescribed burning and construction of more water points and short‐term urgent solutions to key management issues, especially control of poaching.
Effects of Atrial Natriuretic Peptide After Prolonged Hypothermic Storage of the Isolated Rat Heart
Authors: Kanamitsu Hitoshi , Fujii Yasuhiro , Mitsui Hideya , Sano Shunji 
Published: July 2013

AbstractPrimary graft failure (PGF) caused by ischemia‐reperfusion injury (IRI) is the strongest determinant of perioperative mortality after heart transplantation. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) has been found to reduce the IRI of cardiomyocytes and may be beneficial in alleviating PGF after heart transplantation, although there is a lack of evidence to support this issue. The purpose of this study was to investigate the cardioprotective effects of ANP after prolonged hypothermic storage. For this purpose, an isolated working‐heart rat model was used. After the preparation, the hearts were arrested with and stored in an extracellular‐based cardioplegic solution at 3–4°C for 6 h and followed by 25 min of reperfusion. The hearts were divided into four groups (n = 7 in each group) according to the timing of ANP administration: Group 1 (in perfusate before storage), Group 2 (in cardioplegia), Group 3 (in reperfusate), and control (no administration of ANP). Left ventricular functional recovery and the incidence of ventricular fibrillation (VF) were compared. ANP administration at the time of reperfusion improved the percent recovery of left ventricular developed pressure (control, 45.5 ± 10.2; Group 1, 47.4 ± 8.8; Group 2, 45.3 ± 12 vs. Group 3, 76.3 ± 7; P < 0.05) and maximum first derivative of the left ventricular pressure (control, 47.9 ± 8.7; Group 1, 46.7 ± 8.8; Group 2, 49.6 ± 10.8 vs. Group 3, 76.6 ± 7.5; P < 0.05). The incidence of VF after reperfusion did not differ significantly among these four groups (71.4, 85.7, 57.1, and 85.7% in Groups 1, 2, 3, and control, respectively). This result suggests that the administration of ANP at the time of reperfusion may have the potential to decrease the incidence of PGF after heart transplantation.
Flow patterns on spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography reveal flow directions at retinal vessel bifurcations
Authors: Willerslev Anne , Li Xiao Q. , Munch Inger C. , Larsen Michael 
Published: July 2013

Abstract.Purpose: To study intravascular characteristics of flowing blood in retinal vessels using spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography (SD‐OCT).Methods: Examination of selected arterial bifurcations and venous sites of confluence in 25 healthy 11‐year‐old children recruited as an ad hoc subsample from the population‐based, observational Copenhagen Child Cohort 2000 study.Results: The blood stream in retinal arteries maintains a figure‐of‐8 SD‐OCT profile consistent with a laminar flow in concentric sheets and a parabolic velocity distribution up to the point of divergence at arterial bifurcations. In contrast, the blood stream at the site of confluence of two retinal veins remains divided into two parallel sets of sheets with separate velocity distribution for a downstream distance of at least four trunk vessel diameters. Consequently, retinal trunk vessels near bifurcations/confluences have distinctly different internal SD‐OCT profiles, a figure‐of‐8 pattern in arteries and a figure figure‐of‐88 in veins that can be used to distinguish between the two vessel types.Conclusion: This study verified the hypothesis that directions of blood flow at dichotomous vascular branchings can be determined using SD‐OCT. This feature may assist the identification of flow reversal near sites of vascular occlusion, the analysis of blood flow near vascular malformations and the segmentation of retinal SD‐OCT images.
e‐Leadership of school principals: Increasing school effectiveness by a school data management system
Authors: Blau Ina , Presser Ofer 
Published: July 2013

AbstractIn recent years, school management systems have become an important tool for effective e‐leadership and data‐based decision making. School management systems emphasize information flow and e‐communication between teachers, students and parents. This study examines e‐leadership by secondary‐school principals through the Mashov school management system, implemented in 500 Israeli schools in order to increase school effectiveness. Semistructured interviews were conducted at the end of academic year 2010/2011 with 10 participants: eight secondary‐school principals, a Ministry of Education supervisor, and a director of the school principals' training program. The results indicate that the system provides extensive support for school principals in managing the organization, delegating responsibilities and promoting e‐leadership by teaching staff and, consequently, increases the pedagogical effectiveness of their school. e‐Leadership through the school management system changes the entire school culture. It includes making data‐based decisions; monitoring curriculum implementation and learning performance; interacting with teachers, students and parents; improving the school climate; and raising the level of student and parental involvement. The results are discussed in terms of the islands‐of‐innovation and comprehensive‐innovation models of technology implementation. In order to enhance e‐leadership, we recommend that school principals expand the implementation of school management systems among students and parents, delegate e‐leadership responsibilities and monitor the level of teacher activity within the system.
The novel proteasome inhibitor carfilzomib induces cell cycle arrest, apoptosis and potentiates the anti‐tumour activity of chemotherapy in rituximab‐resistant lymphoma
Authors: Gu Juan J. , Hernandez‐Ilizaliturri Francisco J. , Kaufman Gregory P. , Czuczman Natalie M. , Mavis Cory , Skitzki Joseph J. , Czuczman Myron S. 
Published: July 2013

SummaryTargeting the proteasome system with bortezomib (BTZ) results in anti‐tumour activity and potentiates the effects of chemotherapy/biological agents in multiple myeloma and B‐cell lymphoma. Carfilzomib (CFZ) is a more selective proteasome inhibitor that is structurally distinct from BTZ. In an attempt to characterize its biological activity, we evaluated CFZ in several lymphoma pre‐clinical models. Rituximab‐sensitive cell lines (RSCL), rituximab‐resistant cell lines (RRCL), and primary tumour cells derived from B‐cell lymphoma patients were exposed to CFZ or BTZ. Cell viability and changes in cell cycle were determined. Western blots were performed to detect PARP‐cleavage and/or changes in Bcl‐2 (BCL2) family members. CFZ was 10 times more active than BTZ and exhibited dose‐ and time‐dependent cytotoxicity. CFZ exposure induced apoptosis by upregulation of Bak (BAK1) and subsequent PARP cleavage in RSCL and RRCL; it was also partially caspase‐dependent. CFZ induced G2/M phase cell cycle arrest in RSCL. CFZ demonstrated the ability to overcome resistance to chemotherapy in RRCL and potentiated the anti‐tumour activity of chemotherapy agents. Our data suggest that CFZ is able to overcome resistance to chemotherapeutic agents, upregulate pro‐apoptotic proteins to promote apoptosis, and induce G2/M cell cycle arrest in lymphoma cells. Our pre‐clinical data supports future clinical evaluation of CFZ in B‐cell lymphoma.
Sweet and sour after renal transplantation: A qualitative study about the positive and negative consequences of renal transplantation
Authors: Schipper Karen , Abma Tineke A. , Koops Carina , Bakker Ineke , Sanderman Robbert , Schroevers Maya J. 
Published: July 2013

ObjectivesThis qualitative study investigated the renal patients' experience of positive and negative consequences of transplantation, as well as the strategies they use to adapt to the transplantation.Design and methodsA qualitative design (30 participants in total), using individual interviews (18 participants) and two focus groups (12 participants in total), was used.ResultsThe results showed that patients experienced a wide range of positive and negative emotions, in particular, guilt, gratefulness, and fear, partly as a result of their normative persuasions. Normative persuasions may transform inherent positive emotions into negative emotions and subsequent maladaptive behaviour. Not only physical limitations but also physical improvements were found to be related to the experience of negative emotions. Finally, the results indicated that patients mainly used adaptive coping strategies to adjust to life after transplantation, such as looking for opportunities, setting different priorities, making own choices, trying to maintain control, taking good care of oneself, and appreciating other things in life.ConclusionsThis study offers several new insights regarding the range of experiences of renal patients after transplantation. Health professionals are invited to pay more attention to the full range of positive and negative experiences following transplantation, including the existence of normative persuasions. Health professionals may assist renal patients by helping them to recognize and acknowledge both positive and negative emotions and to encourage the use of more beneficial coping strategies.Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

The quality of life (QoL) of renal patients significantly improves after transplantation but the post‐transplant QoL is lower compared with the QoL in healthy populations.

Patients on dialysis and those who have received a donor kidney tend to use mainly emotion‐focused coping strategies.

What does this study add?

This study offers several new insights regarding experiences of renal patients after transplantation:

Patients experience a range of positive and negative emotions like guilt, gratefulness, and fear.

Emotions are partly a result of normative persuasions.

Persuasions may transform positive emotions into negative emotions and maladaptive behaviour.

Physical limitations and improvements can due to the persuasions lead to negative emotions.

Patients mainly use adaptive coping strategies.
Destruction of the bladder by single dose Mitomycin C for low‐stage transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) – avoidance, recognition, management and consent
Authors: Elmamoun Mamoun H. , Christmas Tim J. , Woodhouse Christopher R.J. 
Published: July 2013

Objectives
To identify a cohort of patients under our care who have had significant and in some cases irreparable damage to their bladders after Mitomycin C (MMC) instillation.
To highlight the importance of avoidance and recognition of bladder perforations during transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) and explore the issue of consent regarding MMC given the serious complications that may occur after its instillation.
Patients and Methods
Patients referred to our tertiary centre for a second opinion to manage their complications after a suspected MMC leak was identified from the departmental database between January 2000 and December 2010.
After collection of all the records, we established a cohort of six patients.
All patients had their initial tumour resection elsewhere and were referred for specialist management thereafter. Details of the operating surgeon and cystoscopic findings were known only in half of the cases.
Retrospective analysis of their notes including documentation from the referring centre was undertaken. This included a review of all the histology and imaging.
Results
All patients had immediate severe pelvic pain on instillation of the MMC. Four of the six continue to have chronic pelvic pain.
Two patients had urinary retention and three had severe lower urinary tract symptoms. One patient developed a frozen pelvis.
Initial treatment was with an indwelling catheter for a period of 2–52 weeks to aid healing.
Two patients had reconstructive surgery, one with success and the other with failure, as an intestinal patch failed to close the fistula and he continues with a catheter. One patient had an ileal conduit.
No patient was warned of such complications.
Conclusions
Although rare, prophylactic MMC can have devastating consequences.
Patients should be aware of such major risks.
Strong emphasis should be placed on the quality of the initial TURBT coupled with the judgement of an experienced surgeon before to MMC instillation. The real clinical benefit could be reviewed and intravesical MMC offered only to patients who have a good chance of benefit.
Nephron‐sparing management vs radical nephroureterectomy for low‐ or moderate‐grade, low‐stage upper tract urothelial carcinoma
Authors: Simhan Jay , Smaldone Marc C. , Egleston Brian L. , Canter Daniel , Sterious Steven N. , Corcoran Anthony T. , Ginzburg Serge , Uzzo Robert G. , Kutikov Alexander 
Published: July 2013

Objective
To compare overall and cancer‐specific outcomes between patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) managed with either radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) or nephron‐sparing measures (NSM) using a large population‐based dataset.
Patients and Methods
Using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data, patients diagnosed with low‐ or moderate‐grade, localised non‐invasive UTUC were stratified into two groups: those treated with RNU or NSM (observation, endoscopic ablation, or segmental ureterectomy).
Cancer‐specific mortality (CSM) and other‐cause mortality (OCM) rates were determined using cumulative incidence estimators. Adjusting for clinical and pathological characteristics, the associations between surgical type, all‐cause mortality and CSM were tested using Cox regressions and Fine and Gray regressions, respectively.
Results
Of 1227 patients [mean (sd) age 70.2 (11.00) years, 63.2% male] meeting inclusion criteria, 907 (73.9%) and 320 (26.1%) patients underwent RNU and NSM for low‐ or moderate‐grade, low‐stage UTUC from 1992 to 2008.
Patients undergoing NSM were older (mean age 71.6 vs 69.7 years, P < 0.01) with a greater proportion of well‐differentiated tumours (26.3% vs 18.0%, P = 0.001).
While there were differences in OCM between the groups (P < 0.01), CSM trends were equivalent. After adjustment, RNU treatment was associated with improved non‐cancer cause survival [hazard ratio (HR) 0.78, confidence interval [CI] 0.64–0.94) while no association with CSM was demonstrable (HR 0.89, CI 0.63–1.26).
Conclusions
Patients with low‐ or moderate‐grade, low‐stage UTUC managed through NSM are older and are more likely to die of other causes, but they have similar CSM rates to those patients managed with RNU.
These data may be useful when counselling patients with UTUC with significant competing comorbidities.
Robot‐assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) with intracorporeal neobladder – what is the effect of the learning curve on outcomes?
Authors: Collins Justin W. , Tyritzis Stavros , Nyberg Tommy , Schumacher Martin C. , Laurin Oscar , Adding Christofer , Jonsson Martin , Khazaeli Dinyar , Steineck Gunnar , Wiklund Peter , Hosseini Abolfazl 
Published: July 2013

Objective
To evaluate the effect of the learning curve on operative, postoperative, and pathological outcomes of the first 67 totally intracorporeal robot‐assisted radical cystectomies (RARCs) with neobladders performed by two lead surgeons at Karolinska University Hospital.
Patients and Methods
Between December 2003 and October 2012, 67 patients (61 men and six women) underwent RARC with orthotopic urinary diversion by two main surgeons.
Data were collected prospectively on patient demographics, peri‐ and postoperative outcomes including operation times, conversion rates, blood loss, complication rates, pathological data and length of stay (LOS) for these 67 consecutive patients.
The two surgeons operated on 47 and 20 patients, respectively. The patients were divided into sequential groups of 10 in each individual surgeon's series and assessed for effect of the learning curve.
Results
Patient demographics and clinical characteristics were similar in both surgeons' groups. The overall total operation times trended down in both surgeons' series from a median time of 565 min in the first group of 10 cases, to a median of 345 min in the last group for surgeon A (P < 0.001) and 413 to 385 min for surgeon B (not statistically significant).
Risk of conversion to open surgery also decreased with a 30% conversion rate in the first group to zero in latter groups (P < 0.01). Overall complications decreased as the learning curve progressed from 70% in the first group to 30% in the later groups (P < 0.05), although major complications were not statistically different when compared between the groups.
Patient demographics did not change over time. The mean estimated blood loss was unchanged across groups with increasing experience. The pathological staging, mean total lymph node yield and number of positive margins were also unchanged across groups.
There was a decrease in LOS from a mean of 19 days in the first group to a mean (range) of 9 (4–78) days in the later groups, although the median LOS was unchanged and therefore not statistically significant.
Conclusions
Totally intracorporeal RARC with intracorporeal neobladder is a complex procedure, but it can be performed safely, with a structured approach, at a high‐volume established robotic surgery centre without compromising perioperative and pathological outcomes during the learning curve for surgeons.
An experienced robotic team and mentor can impact the learning curve of a new surgeon in the same centre resulting in decreased operation times early in their personal series, reducing conversion rates and complication rates.
Electrocautery‐induced cavernous nerve injury in rats that mimics radical prostatectomy in humans
Authors: Song Lu‐Jie , Zhu Jian‐Qiang , Xie Min‐Kai , Wang Yong‐Chuan , Li Hong‐Bin , Cui Zhi‐Qiang , Lu Hong‐Kai , Xu Yue‐Min 
Published: July 2013

Objective
To investigate the early and delayed effects of cavernous nerve electrocautery injury (CNEI) in a rat model, with the expectation that this model could be used to test rehabilitation therapies for erectile dysfunction (ED) after radical prostatectomy (RP).
Materials and Methods
In all, 30 male Sprague‐Dawley rats were randomly divided equally into two groups (15 per group). The control group received CNs exposure surgery only and the experimental group received bilateral CNEI.
At 1, 4 and 16 weeks after surgery (five rats at each time point), the ratio of maximal intracavernosal pressure (ICP) to mean arterial pressure (MAP) was measured in the two groups. Neurofilament expression in the dorsal penile nerves was assessed by immunofluorescent staining and Masson's trichrome staining was used to assess the smooth muscle to collagen ratio in both groups.
Results
At the 1‐week follow‐up, the mean ICP/MAP was significantly lower in the CNEI group compared with the control group, at 9.94% vs 70.06% (P < 0.05).
The mean ICP/MAP in the CNEI group was substantially increased at the 4‐ (35.97%) and 16‐week (37.11%) follow‐ups compared with the 1‐week follow‐up (P < 0.05).
At all three follow‐up time points, the CNEI group had significantly decreased neurofilament staining compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Also, neurofilament expressions in the CNEI group at both 4 and 16 weeks were significantly higher than that at 1 week (P < 0.05), but there was no difference between 4 and 16 weeks (P > 0.05).
The smooth muscle to collagen ratio in the CNEI group was significantly lower than in the control group at the 4‐ and 16‐week follow‐ups (P < 0.05), and the ratio at 16 weeks was further reduced compared with that at 4 weeks (P < 0.05).
Conclusions
In the CNEI rat model, we found the damaging effects of CNEI were accompanied by a decline in ICP, reduced numbers of nerve fibres in the dorsal penile nerve, and exacerbated fibrosis in the corpus cavernosum.
This may provide a basis for studying potential preventative measures or treatment strategies to ameliorate ED caused by CNEI during RP.
Secondary stability of microthickness hydroxyapatite‐coated dental implants installed without primary stability in dogs
Authors: Jung Ui‐Won , Kim Sungtae , Lee In‐Kyeong , Kim Min‐Soo , Lee Jung‐Seok , Kim Hee‐Jin 
Published: July 2013

AbstractObjectivesThe objective of this study was to evaluate the secondary stability of microthickness hydroxyapatite (HA)‐coated implants placed without primary stability in dogs.Materials and methodsA total of 48 implants were placed in six dogs. The groups were divided according to the absence or presence of primary stability and healing periods (4 and 8 weeks). Two implants for histological analysis and removal torque test in experimental group were placed without primary stability, showing rotational movement. The other two implants in control group were placed with primary stability. Mechanical test values and histometric measurements were analyzed.ResultsThe experimental group showed significant increase in a time‐dependent manner, while the mean values of the control group were constant in the mechanical tests. The HA layer remained intact, and substantial bone fragments were attached on the surface of the retrieved implant. All implants appeared to be in intimate contact with the host bone and without any inflammation after both 4 and 8 weeks of healing in histology.ConclusionThe HA‐coated implants exhibited mechanically and histometrically comparable osseointegration after 4 weeks of healing, regardless of primary stability, and the HA‐coating layer demonstrated high resistance to exfoliation.