bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Environmental variables associated with the distribution and occupancy of habitat specialist tadpoles in naturally acidic, oligotrophic waterbodies
Authors: Simpkins Clay Alan , Shuker Jonathan D. , Lollback Gregory W. , Castley J. Guy , Hero Jean‐Marc 
Published: April 2013

AbstractEnvironmental factors play an integral role, either directly or indirectly, in structuring faunal assemblages. Water chemistry, predation, hydroperiod and competition influence tadpole assemblages within waterbodies. We surveyed aquatic predators, habitat refugia, water height and water chemistry variables (pH, salinity and turbidity) at 37 waterbodies over an intensive 22‐day field survey to determine which environmental factors influence the relative abundance and occupancy of two habitat specialist anuran tadpole species in naturally acidic, oligotrophic waterbodies within eastern Australian wallum communities. The majority of tadpoles found were of Litoria olongburensis (wallum sedge frog) and Crinia tinnula (wallum froglet) species, both habitat specialists that are associated with wallum waterbodies and listed as Vulnerable under the IUCN Red List. Tadpoles of two other species (Litoria fallax (eastern sedge frog), and Litoria cooloolensis (cooloola sedge frog)) were recorded from two waterbodies. Tadpoles of Litoria gracilenta (graceful treefrog) were recorded from one waterbody. Relative abundance and occupancy of L. olongburensis tadpoles were associated with pH and water depth. Additionally, L. olongburensis tadpole relative abundance was negatively associated with turbidity. Waterbody occupancy by C. tinnula tadpoles was negatively associated with predatory fish and water depth and positively associated with turbidity. Variables associated with relative abundance of C. tinnula tadpoles were inconclusive and further survey work is required to identify these environmental factors. Our results show that the ecology of specialist and non‐specialist tadpole species associated with ‘unique’ (e.g. wallum) waterbodies is complex and species specific, with specialist species likely dominating unique habitats.
Density, nest site characteristics and breeding rates of the osprey (Pandion haliaetus) in the southern limit of its range in the Western Palearctic (Boa Vista, Cape Verde Islands)
Authors: Siverio Manuel , López‐Suárez Pedro , Siverio Felipe , Rodríguez Beneharo , Varo‐Cruz Nuria , López‐Jurado Luis F. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractBetween 2004 and 2007, we studied density, habitat features and breeding parameters of the osprey (Pandion haliaetus) population in Boa Vista Island (Cape Verde). A total of 79 nest structures were identified, 37 of which were occupied for at least 1 year during the study period. The osprey population ranged between 14 and 18 pairs, and the mean density and distance between neighbouring occupied nests were 2.58 pairs per 100 km2 and 3089 m, respectively. Occupied nests were found to be significantly further from the coastline and roads than unoccupied nests, but the distances from villages were similar. The majority (81.1%) of the 37 occupied nests were easily accessible to humans. Mean clutch size was 2.59, average productivity was 0.76 young/active nest, and breeding success was 58.8% [Correction added on 13 May 2013, after first online publication: the average productivity was changed from 0.72 to 0.76]. Density in Boa Vista was higher than that in other sedentary island populations in the Western Palearctic, whereas the productivity was the lowest of this region. Clutch size did not vary among Western Palearctic populations, but the differences observed in productivity were likely influenced by local factors that in Boa Vista are attributed to nest depredation by the brown‐necked raven (Corvus ruficollis) and to direct human persecution.
Tracheal repair in children: reduction of mortality with advent of slide tracheoplasty
Authors: Yong Matthew S. , d'Udekem Yves , Robertson Colin F. , Butt Warwick , Brizard Christian P. , Konstantinov Igor E. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractBackgroundSevere tracheal stenosis is a rare life‐threatening condition that often requires early surgical intervention. The management of this anomaly has been associated with significant mortality and morbidity. We describe our experience with repair of this condition.MethodsFrom 1986 to 2011, 20 patients underwent repair of tracheal stenosis at the Royal Children's Hospital (median age 4.9 months) and were retrospectively reviewed.ResultsTracheal repair techniques used were as follows: patch tracheoplasty (n = 8; 40%, 8 out of 20), slide tracheoplasty (n = 7; 35%, 7 out of 20), end‐to‐end anastomosis (n = 5; 25%, 5 out of 20). Six patients (30%, 6 out of 20) had coexisting congenital intracardiac anomalies. There were 12 pulmonary artery sling (60%, 12 out of 20) patients. Overall operative mortality was 15% (n = 3; 3 out of 20). Operative mortality was 20% (n = 2; 2 out of 10) from 1986 to 2001 and decreased to 10% (n = 1; 1 out of 10) from 2002 to 2011. All early deaths occurred in patients who had undergone patch tracheoplasty. Since 2004, there were no operative deaths. Seven patients (35%, 7 out of 20) required tracheal reintervention postoperatively. There were three late deaths (17.6%, 3 out of 17) at 8, 9 and 22 months after surgery. At last follow‐up (mean 5.3 ± 6.6 years; range 1 month to 18 years), all 14 survivors remained asymptomatic.ConclusionsRepair of tracheal stenosis in children has been associated with high morbidity and mortality. Since the introduction of slide tracheoplasty, a multidisciplinary team approach and abandonment of patch tracheoplasty, the mortality has been reduced. Survival beyond 2 years after surgery is associated with an excellent outcome.
Surgical safety checklists: a review
Authors: Tang Reuben , Ranmuthugala Geetha , Cunningham Frances 
Published: April 2013

AbstractBackgroundSurgical checklists are designed to improve patient outcomes following surgery. While such checklists have been widely implemented worldwide, few studies examine surgical checklists within an Australian context. For this purpose, we have performed a literature review using data from OECD member nations to determine the effectiveness of surgical checklists in improving patient outcomes and factors that contribute to their successful implementation.MethodThe databases, Pubmed, Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane and CINAHL were searched using the keywords (‘surgical’ AND ‘checklist’) and ( (surgical) AND checklist) AND ( (implementation) OR (utilization) OR (usage) ). Studies were limited to those written in the English language, peer‐reviewed, published between January 2000 and December 2012, and including an abstract.ResultsOur search yielded 2242 papers, of which 72 papers were identified for their potential relevance and selected for full text review. Of these, nine papers met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed in detail. Evidence that supports the use of surgical checklists in countries with a large number of protocols already in place is limited. Adequate checklist implementation plays a central role in checklist effectiveness, which in turn is dependent on multiple factors.ConclusionAlthough evidence from OECD member countries is non‐conclusive, it does suggest that surgical checklists, when effectively implemented, have the potential to be effective at reducing complication and mortality rates following surgery. Within an Australian context, more studies are needed to fully establish the potential effectiveness of surgical checklists and to monitor checklist use compliance in order to ensure greater patient safety.
Perioperative management of anticoagulation in elective surgery
Authors: McKenzie Jo‐Lyn , Douglas Genevieve , Bazargan Ali 
Published: April 2013

AbstractSurgeons commonly need to treat patients receiving anticoagulant and anti‐platelet therapy. This requires risk assessment and management to balance minimization of bleeding complications and avoidance of further ischaemic or thrombotic events. This review considers the evidence available to guide management of patients on anti‐platelet and anticoagulant therapy, including some of the new classes of anti‐platelets and anticoagulants which clinicians may be less familiar with.
Evolution of diagnostic criteria for gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Houshmand Azadeh , Jensen Dorte Møller , Mathiesen Elisabeth R. , Damm Peter 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe establishment of universal diagnostic guidelines for gestational diabetes mellitus has been a long time coming. The lack of consensus and uniformity in procedures for diagnosing this disease has been a problem ever since its existence was recognized. The USA, European countries, and Australia have each developed their own guidelines through the years, all based either on the maternal risk of subsequent diabetes, on arbitrary statistics, or on studies conducted on non‐pregnant women. None of these guidelines have been based on risk for perinatal complications. Recently, the Hyperglycemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes study demonstrated that maternal hyperglycemia is associated with perinatal risk in a linear way with no obvious threshold. The International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Group has translated these results into clinical practice by proposing new diagnostic criteria for gestational diabetes mellitus, based for the first time on perinatal outcome.
Characteristics of Wenchuan earthquake victims who remained in a government‐supported transitional community
Authors: Ma Ning , Ma Hong , He Hua , Yu Xin , Caine Eric D. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractIntroductionThe Chinese government and provincial authorities built a large number of temporary communities to shelter survivors after the May 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. Most residents left within a few months but others remained. This study describes the characteristics and psychological status of those victims who remained in a government‐supported transitional community 12 months post‐earthquake compared to residents who departed prior to that time.MethodsTwo groups of survivors of Wenchuan earthquake who resided in a transitional community were enrolled: 86 in December 2008 and 151 in February 2009. We assessed their mental distress, symptoms of depression and post‐traumatic stress disorder and suicide risk. Forty‐three and 46 members of the two groups, respectively, had departed the transitional community at 1 year post‐earthquake.ResultsIn both groups, most of the survivors who remained in the community 1 year post‐earthquake were older, female, with a lower education level and more serious personal losses. They had scored higher on self‐report measures reflecting distressing symptoms and impairment as compared with their departed neighbors, and had a higher prevalence of depression and suicide risk at the time of enrollment.DiscussionSurvivors who come to live in a transitional community following a disaster are heterogeneous. Remaining survivors were apparently more vulnerable and had a lower capacity to seek work and return to a more self‐sustaining life outside the transitional community. Such vulnerable survivors require distinctive strategies for making a successful return to independent living.
Peripheral selectivity of the novel cannabinoid receptor antagonist TM38837 in healthy subjects
Authors: Klumpers Linda E. , Fridberg Marianne , de Kam Marieke L. , Little Paul B. , Jensen Niels Ole , Kleinloog Hendrik D. , Elling Christian E. , van Gerven Joop M. A. 
Published: April 2013

AimCannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) antagonists show central side effects, whereas beneficial effects are most likely peripherally mediated. In this study, the peripherally selective CB1 antagonist TM38837 was studied in humans.MethodsThis was a double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled, crossover study. On occasions 1–4, 24 healthy subjects received 5 × 4 mg THC with TM38837 100 mg, 500 mg or placebo, or placebos only. During occasion 5, subjects received placebo TM38837 + THC with rimonabant 60 mg or placebo in parallel groups. Blood collections and pharmacodynamic (PD) effects were assessed frequently. Pharmacokinetics (PK) and PD were quantified using population PK−PD modelling.ResultsThe TM38837 plasma concentration profile was relatively flat compared with rimonabant. TM38837 showed an estimated terminal half‐life of 771 h. THC induced effects on VAS feeling high, body sway and heart rate were partly antagonized by rimonabant 60 mg [−26.70% [90% confidence interval (CI) −40.9, −12.6%]; −7.10%, (90%CI −18.1, 5.3%); −7.30%, (90% CI −11.5%, −3.0%) respectively] and TM38837 500 mg [−22.10% (90% CI −34.9, −9.4%); −12.20% (90% CI −21.6%, −1.7%); −8.90% (90% CI −12.8%, −5.1%) respectively]. TM38837 100 mg had no measurable feeling high or body sway effects and limited heart rate effects.ConclusionsRimonabant showed larger effects than TM38837, but the heart rate effects were similar. TM38837 100 mg had no impact on CNS effects, suggesting that this dose does not penetrate the brain. This TM38837 dose is predicted to be at least equipotent to rimonabant with regard to metabolic disorders in rodent models. These results provide support for further development of TM38837 as a peripherally selective CB1 antagonist for indications such as metabolic disorders, with a reduced propensity for psychiatric side effects.
The combined use of disease activity and infliximab serum trough concentrations for early prediction of (non‐)response to infliximab in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: van den Bemt Bart J. F. , den Broeder Alfons A. , Wolbink Gert‐Jan , van den Maas Aatke , Hekster Yechiel A. , van Riel Piet L. C. M. , Benraad H. Bart , van den Hoogen Frank H. J. 
Published: April 2013

AimEarly prediction of (non‐)response to infliximab therapy can improve therapeutic benefit by avoiding unnecessary periods of high disease activity during ineffective therapy. This prospective cohort study therefore aimed to study the predictive value of (1) disease activity alone and (2) infliximab serum trough concentrations in addition to disease activity 6 weeks after start of treatment for achieving low disease activity after 6 months.MethodsDisease activity and infliximab serum trough concentrations were assessed in all rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients at 2, 6 and 26 weeks after initiation of infliximab therapy. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and Youden indices were used to calculate specificity for prediction of good response after 6 months while aiming for maximum sensitivity.ResultsFifty‐seven consecutive RA patients starting with infliximab therapy were included. After 6 months, 15 (26%, 95 % CI 15, 38%) patients reached good European League against Rheumatism (EULAR) response. A disease activity score <4.2 at 6 weeks after initiation of therapy was a moderate predictor for reaching EULAR response after 6 months (sensitivity 100%, specificity 49%). Infliximab serum trough concentrations (>2.5 mg l−1) as predictor complimentary to disease activity (<4.2) slightly increased the specificity from 49% to 54% without changing the sensitivity (100%). As 39% of the patients did not fulfill at least one of these criteria at week 6, these patients could already be switched to another therapy after 6 weeks.ConclusionsThe combination of disease activity and infliximab serum trough concentrations could be a fair predictor to identify early (after 6 weeks) patients who have insufficient response after 6 months of therapy.
Population pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic analysis for eribulin mesilate‐associated neutropenia
Authors: van Hasselt J. G. Coen , Gupta Anubha , Hussein Ziad , Beijnen Jos H. , Schellens Jan H. M. , Huitema Alwin D. R. 
Published: April 2013

AimsEribulin mesilate is an inhibitor of microtubule dynamics that is approved for the treatment of late‐stage metastatic breast cancer. Neutropenia is one of the major dose‐limiting adverse effects of eribulin. The objective of this analysis was to develop a population pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic model for eribulin‐associated neutropenia.MethodsA combined data set of 12 phase I, II and III studies for eribulin mesilate was analysed. The population pharmacokinetics of eribulin was described using a previously developed model. The relationship between eribulin pharmacokinetic and neutropenia was described using a semi‐physiological lifespan model for haematological toxicity. Patient characteristics predictive of increased sensitivity to develop neutropenia were evaluated using a simulation framework.ResultsAbsolute neutrophil counts were available from 1579 patients. In the final covariate model, the baseline neutrophil count (ANC0) was estimated to be 4.03 × 109 neutrophils l−1 [relative standard error (RSE) 1.2%], with interindividual variability (IIV, 37.3 coefficient of variation % [CV%]). The mean transition time was estimated to be 109 h (RSE 1.8%, IIV 13.9CV%), the feedback constant (γ) was estimated to be 0.216 (RSE 1.4%, IIV 12.2CV%), and the linear drug effect coefficient (SLOPE) was estimated to be 0.0451 μg l−1 (RSE 3.2%, IIV 54CV%). Albumin, aspartate transaminase and receival of granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) were identified as significant covariates on SLOPE, and albumin, bilirubin, G‐CSF, alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase were identified as significant covariates on mean transition time.ConclusionsThe developed model can be applied to investigate optimal treatment strategies quantitatively across different patient groups with respect to neutropenia. Albumin was identified as the most clinically important covariate predictive of interindividual variability in the neutropenia time course.
Proposal of a method to assess and report the extent of residual neurovascular tissue present in radical prostatectomy specimens
Authors: Schatloff Oscar , Kameh Darian , Giedelman Camilo , Samavedi Srinivas , Abdul‐Muhsin Haidar , Coelho Rafael F. , Kang Sung Gu , Palmer Kenneth J. , Patel Vipul R. 
Published: April 2013

Objective
To propose a method to assess and report the amount of neurovascular tissue present in radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens.
Patients and Methods
The data of 133 consecutive patients who underwent robot‐assisted RP by a single surgeon (V.R.P.) were prospectively collected.
Degree of nerve sparing (NS) was graded intraoperatively by the surgeon independently at either side as complete, partial or none.
A pathologist who was ‘blinded’ to the surgeon's classification measured the following parameters at the posterolateral aspect of the apex, base and mid prostate at either side of the RP specimen: length, width and area of neural tissue, number of nerves per high‐power field and number of total slides containing neural tissue.
Measurements were correlated to the surgeon's intraoperative perception.
Results
All measurements correlated significantly with surgeon's intent of NS at all locations (P = 0.001).
Among them, the cross‐sectional area had the highest correlation coefficient (–0.550 at apex, –0.604 at mid prostate and –0.606 at the base).
Conclusions
The cross‐sectional area of nerve tissue showed the highest correlation with surgeon's intent of NS at all locations.
Having a standardised method of assessing and reporting residual nerve tissue allows the surgeon to objectively evaluate the quality of nerve preservation and to compare the progress of his NS technique over time.
Midterm oncological outcomes of laparoscopic vs open radical prostatectomy (RP)
Authors: Wirth Gregory J. , Psutka Sarah P. , Chapin Brian F. , Wu Shulin , Wu Chin‐Lee , Dahl Douglas M. 
Published: April 2013

Objective
To compare the midterm risks of biochemical recurrence (BCR) and salvage radiation therapy (SRT) after laparoscopic (LRP) and open retropubic radical prostatectomy (RRP). Strong evidence that these techniques are comparable to the ‘gold standard’ of open RRP is lacking, as most comparative studies are limited by short follow‐up or rely on historical controls.
Patients and Methods
We studied 1000 consecutive patients concurrently treated by either LRP or RRP between 2001 and 2005.
LRPs were performed by a single surgeon and RRP by four surgeons.
Primary outcomes were BCR and SRT. Survival analysis included relevant clinical and pathological variables.
Results
Of 844 included patients, 244 underwent LRP and 600 RRP. Clinical and pathological characteristics were similar in both groups. Most patients had Gleason 6 tumours (68%) and pT2 disease (86%). The median follow‐up was 6.1 years and median time to recurrence 3.4 years.
Overall, BCR occurred in 14% of patients: 13.1% after LRP and 14.7% after RRP.
SRT was performed in 10.7% of patients both after LRP and RRP. In uni‐ and multivariate Cox regression models, surgical technique was not a significant predictor of BCR or SRT.
Conclusion
Our results suggest that in high‐volume centres, LRP provides equivalent oncological control to RRP.
Five years in care: documented lives and time trajectories in child welfare
Authors: Pösö Tarja , Eronen Tuija 
Published: April 2013

AbstractChild welfare practice is temporally structured and includes a variety of follow‐up activities. Practice‐based follow‐up has not, however, been much explored when studying children's paths in the child welfare system. This paper is based on a study of children (103) who were taken into care in 2006 in 10 Finnish municipalities and their paths in care until 2011. The social workers' institutional knowledge of their ‘own’ clients comprises the core of the research design. The paper reflects on the nature of this data from the point of view of the notions of temporality.The analysis highlights four temporal trajectories used in retrospective analysis of children's paths in care: the linear time trajectory of the decisions and changes in the institutional positions, the temporally fragmentary trajectory of childhood and youth, the circular time trajectory of professional understanding of the child's path and the silent time trajectory. Each one documents the children's paths differently; the linear one tends to be the ‘natural’ and most easily available trajectory and consequently, the children's paths are documented via decisions and institutional positions. The analysis suggests that more attention should be given to the complexity of time and temporality when studying children's paths in child welfare.