bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Incidental renal stones in potential live kidney donors: prevalence, assessment and donation, including role of ex vivo ureteroscopy
Authors: Olsburgh Jonathon , Thomas Kay , Wong Kathie , Bultitude Matthew , Glass Jonathan , Rottenberg Giles , Silas Lisa , Hilton Rachel , Koffman Geoff 
Published: October 2012

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?
Previously, donors with asymptomatic stones found incidentally on CT were not considered ideal donor candidates because of the presumed risk of morbidity to both the donor and recipient. Increasingly, studies show that these risks are low.
This study aims to evaluate the long‐term safety of using ex vivo ureteroscopy to remove the stones from the donor kidney on the bench before donation. Outcomes so far suggest that this technique can safely render a kidney stone‐free before transplantation. This has led to 20 more transplants in our institution than would otherwise be possible.
Objectives
To evaluate the prevalence of asymptomatic renal stones in our potential donor population.
To assess the safety and success of ex vivo ureteroscopy (ExURS) to remove stones from explanted donor kidneys before transplantation.
Patients and Methods
We conducted a retrospective analysis of 377 computed tomography (CT) angiograms of potential kidney donors between October 2004 and May 2007 to assess the prevalence of asymptomatic renal stones in our donor population.
Between October 2005 and October 2011, kidneys from suitable donors underwent ExURS. Stones were removed using basket extraction or were fragmented with holmium laser on bench before transplantation.
Immediate and long‐term complications of the transplanted recipients were recorded.
Donors were followed with yearly ultrasonography of the remaining kidney in addition to standard follow‐up protocol.
Results
Review of 377 CT angiograms between October 2004 to May 2007 showed a 5% prevalence of asymptomatic renal stones.
Out of 55 potential donors (19 identified between October 2004 to May 2007 and a further 36 identified since May 2007), 20 donors with stones proceeded to donation, with stone size ranging from 2 to 12 mm.
Of the patients, 17 proceeded to ExURS. Stones were removed in 10 patients; five with basket retrieval, four with laser fragmentation and one with both laser fragmentation and basket retrieval.
There were no early or late allograft stone‐related complications and no evidence of stones on follow‐up imaging at a mean (range) of 10 (1–24) months.
There has been no reported stone recurrence in any of the donors to date and no stone on ultrasonography of eight donors with >1‐year follow‐up (mean 26 months, range 12–49 months).
Conclusions
Asymptomatic renal stones are present in 5% of our donors.
ExURS can be safely used to remove stones in these kidneys before transplantation, without the risk of subjecting the donor to an additional stone‐removing procedure.
Continued long‐term follow‐up of donors and recipients is still required to ensure the safety of this approach.
Thermotherapy to the facial region in and around the eyelids altered prefrontal hemodynamic responses and autonomic nervous activity during mental arithmetic
Authors: Takamoto Kouich , Hori Etsuro , Urakawa Susumu , Katayama Miho , Nagashima Yoshinao , Yada Yukihiro , Ono Taketoshi , Nishijo Hisao 
Published: October 2012

AbstractTo investigate neural mechanisms of local thermotherapy to reduce mental stress, participants were required to perform mental arithmetic after treatment by a heat‐ and steam‐generating sheet on the facial eyelid region while hemodynamic activity and ECGs were monitored. The results indicated that thermotherapy decreased hemodynamic activity in the anterior dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (aDMPFC) involved in sympathetic activity. Consistently, thermotherapy increased parasympathetic activity while it decreased sympathetic activity. Furthermore, thermotherapy increased hemodynamic activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) during mental arithmetic. These hemodynamic responses in the DLPFC during mental arithmetic were negatively correlated with that in the aDMPFC during thermotherapy. The results suggest that thermotherapy in the facial eyelid region is useful to ameliorate mental fatigue through its effects on the prefrontal cortex.
A method for modelling peat depth in blanket peatlands
Authors: Parry L. E. , Charman D. J. , Noades J. P. W. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractInventories of peat volume and carbon storage often include general values for peat depth, but more spatially explicit and accurate estimates are required if carbon management strategies are to be developed at scales appropriate for the management. This article presents a methodology for estimating peat depth for large blanket peat areas using field sampling and GIS modelling to map peat depth on Dartmoor in south‐west England. The study area was divided into carbon unit areas (CUAs) based on soil and vegetation. Approximately 1000 peat depth measurements were taken, each consisting of a mean (n = 5) from depths within a 32 m2 area. Sampling points were stratified according to CUA area and proportional extent of slope and elevation classes. Regression analyses were used to determine the relationships between slope, elevation and peat depth within each CUA. The strongest relationship was for blanket peat (r2 = 0.53), with weaker ones for areas where peat was shallow and depth was less variable. A digital elevation model was used in a GIS to model peat depths for the whole of Dartmoor. Results were tested against a data set of 200 peat depths on a 250 m grid covering 1325 ha. We conclude that peat depth can be modelled using easily available topographic data combined with well‐designed field sampling over larger spatial scales. The approach can result in accurate mapping of peat depth and carbon storage for blanket peatlands in the United Kingdom and perhaps also elsewhere.
Metabolic and hormonal responses to subcutaneous glucagon in healthy beagles
Authors: Zeugswetter Florian K. , Schornsteiner Elisa , Haimel Georg , Schwendenwein Ilse 
Published: October 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo compare the effects of subcutaneous (SC) and intravenous (IV) glucagon on glucose concentrations, and insulin and cortisol secretion.DesignProspective randomized 3‐way crossover study.SettingUniversity teaching hospital.AnimalsFive healthy beagles.InterventionsDiabetes mellitus and adrenal insufficiency were excluded by repeated glucose and fructosamine measurements, urinalysis, abdominal ultrasonography, and ACTH stimulation tests. Blood samples were collected before and after the SC and IV injection of 1 milligram (1 mg = 1 mL) commercially available synthetic glucagon and analyzed for insulin‐like immunoreactivity (insulin‐imr), glucose, ACTH and cortisol concentrations. The results were compared with those obtained after the SC injection of 1 mL saline (placebo). Measurements were performed over a period of up to 3 hours.Measurements and Main ResultsSC glucagon significantly increased glucose and insulin‐imr (P < 0.001 and 0.043, respectively). Peak glucose concentrations were observed after 20 minutes and were lower than after IV injection (mean ± SD: 6.5 ± 1.1 mmol/L versus 9.3 ± 0.8 mmol/L [117.1 ± 19.8 mg/dL versus 167.6 ± 14.4 mg/dL]; P = 0.001). The route of application had no significant effect on insulin‐imr (peak concentration: median [range]: 83.3 [13.9–312.5] pmol/L versus 194.5 [118.1–284.7] pmol/L [12 [2–45] μU/mL versus 28 [17–41] μU/mL; P = 0.151). SC glucagon did not increase cortisol or ACTH concentrations at any time point of observation (P > 0.05). Aside from somnolence, no adverse events were recorded.ConclusionsSC glucagon has the potential to be used as a simple and safe test in diabetic animals, but is of little use in animals with suspected corticotrophic insufficiency. The hyperglycemic effects are significant, implying that the commercially available human emergency kit could be useful in the home treatment of canine hypoglycemic emergencies.
Serum protein concentrations as predictors of serum immunoglobulinGconcentration in neonatal foals
Authors: Hurcombe Samuel D. A. , Matthews Adriel L. , Scott Victoria H. L. , Williams Jarred M. , Kohn Catherine W. , Toribio Ramiro E. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the predictive value of serum concentrations of total protein (sTP), albumin (sAlb), and globulin (sGlob) measured by automated calorimetric assays to estimate serum immunoglobulin G (sIgG) concentrations in neonatal foals and identify failure of transfer of passive immunity when compared to turbidoimmunometric assay determinations of sIgG.DesignRetrospective and prospective analysis of laboratory data.SettingUniversity tertiary care facility.AnimalsGroup 1 (retrospective): foals (n= 45) ≤7 days of age in which sIgG, sGlob, sAlb, and sTPconcentrations were measured on an automated chemistry analyzer.Group 2 (prospective): foals (n= 31) ≤7 days of age with same laboratory data collected used to validate equations generated from group 1 foals.InterventionsSpearman rank correlations between measured sIgGand serum protein concentrations were performed. When significant correlation was found, sIgGwas estimated using an sGlob simple linear regression and estimated using a sGlob, sTP, and sAlb multiple linear regression. Comparisons between estimated and measured sIgGwas performed usingKruskal‐Wallis testing. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were calculated to identify foals with sIgG< 8.0 g/L [<800 mg/dL].Measurements and Main ResultssIgGwas correlated with sGlob, sTP, and sAlb (ρ = 0.8, 0.6, and –0.3, respectively;P< 0.05). Estimated sIgGand measured sIgGwere not different (P> 0.9). In group 1 foals, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 73%, 76%, 73%, and 83%, respectively, for sGlob, and 90%, 76%, 75%, and 90%, respectively, for multiple proteins estimated sIgGidentification of failure of transfer of passive immunity. Test qualities were improved in group 2 foals.ConclusionsSerum protein concentrations may be used to estimate sIgGconcentrations in newborn foals. Further investigation using a larger sample size is needed to validate this methodology of assessing humoral immunity in neonatal foals.
Australian and U.S. News Media Portrayal of Sharks and Their Conservation
Authors: Muter Bret A. , Gore Meredith L. , Gledhill Katie S. , Lamont Christopher , Huveneers Charlie 
Published: October 2012

AbstractInvestigation of the social framing of human–shark interactions may provide useful strategies for integrating social, biological, and ecological knowledge into national and international policy discussions about shark conservation. One way to investigate social opinion and forces related to sharks and their conservation is through the media's coverage of sharks. We conducted a content analysis of 300 shark‐related articles published in 20 major Australian and U.S. newspapers from 2000 to 2010. Shark attacks were the emphasis of over half the articles analyzed, and shark conservation was the primary topic of 11% of articles. Significantly more Australian articles than U.S. articles treated shark attacks (χ2 = 3.862; Australian 58% vs. U.S. 47%) and shark conservation issues (χ2 = 6.856; Australian 15% vs. U.S. 11%) as the primary article topic and used politicians as the primary risk messenger (i.e., primary person or authority sourced in the article) (χ2 = 7.493; Australian 8% vs. U.S. 1%). However, significantly more U.S. articles than Australian articles discussed sharks as entertainment (e.g., subjects in movies, books, and television; χ2 = 15.130; U.S. 6% vs. Australian 1%) and used scientists as the primary risk messenger (χ2 = 5.333; U.S. 25% vs. Australian 15%). Despite evidence that many shark species are at risk of extinction, we found that most media coverage emphasized the risks sharks pose to people. To the extent that media reflects social opinion, our results highlight problems for shark conservation. We suggest that conservation professionals purposefully and frequently engage with the media to highlight the rarity of shark attacks, discuss preventative measures water users can take to reduce their vulnerability to shark encounters, and discuss conservation issues related to local and threatened species of sharks. When integrated with biological and ecological data, social‐science data may help generate a more comprehensive perspective and inform conservation practice.Descripción de Tiburones y su Conservación por Medios Informativos Australianos y Norteamericanos
Diffuse near‐infrared spectroscopy prediction of healing in diabetic foot ulcers: A human study and cost analysis
Authors: Weingarten Michael S. , Samuels Joshua A. , Neidrauer Michael , Mao Xiang , Diaz David , McGuire James , McDaniel Jane , Jenkins Lori , Zubkov Leonid , Papazoglou Elisabeth S. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractWound size reduction has been the standard benchmark for determination of efficacy for diabetic ulcer treatments but due to interclinician error and difficulty measuring irregular wound shapes, this method is unreliable with a positive predictive value of less than 60%. Diffuse near‐infrared spectroscopy (DNIRS) uses 70‐MHz modulated light in the diagnostic window (650–900 nm) noninvasively to quantify levels of oxy‐ and deoxy‐hemoglobin in the wound bed, which when measured over time, can show a trend toward or away from healing based on the changes in oxy‐hemoglobin concentration from week to week. In this study, DNIRS was used to monitor 24 human diabetic foot ulcers longitudinally over the course of 20 weekly or biweekly measurement sessions. In just 4 weeks, the DNIRS system has an 82% positive predictive value (sensitivity of 0.9 and specificity of 0.86; p < 0.002). These data indicate that it could be possible to predict healing in 4 weeks using DNIRS, which can provide objective guidance toward the continuation of costly treatments. Discontinuing ineffective treatments after 4 weeks could have potentially saved over $12,600 per patient, based on the treatment regimen of patients in this study.
Maggot excretions affect the human complement system
Authors: Cazander Gwendolyn , Schreurs Marco W. J. , Renwarin Lennaert , Dorresteijn Corry , Hamann Dörte , Jukema Gerrolt. N. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe complement system plays an important role in the activation of the inflammatory response to injury, although inappropriate complement activation (CA) can lead to severe tissue damage. Maggot therapy is successfully used to treat infected wounds. In this study, we hypothesized that maggot excretions/secretions influence CA in order to modulate the host's inflammatory response. Therefore, the effect of maggot excretions on CA was investigated in preoperatively and postoperatively obtained sera from patients. Our results show that maggot excretions reduce CA in healthy and postoperatively immune‐activated human sera up to 99.9%, via all pathways. Maggot excretions do not specifically initiate or inhibit CA, but break down complement proteins C3 and C4 in a cation‐independent manner and this effect proves to be temperature tolerant. This study indicates a CA‐reducing substrate that is already successfully used in clinical practice and may explain part of the improved wound healing caused by maggot therapy. Furthermore, the complement activation‐reducing substance present in maggot excretions could provide a novel treatment modality for several diseases, resulting from an (over)active complement system.
Estimation of Protein Requirements According to Nitrogen Balance for Older Hospitalized Adults with Pressure Ulcers According to Wound Severity in Japan
Authors: Iizaka Shinji , Matsuo Junko , Konya Chizuko , Sekine Rie , Sugama Junko , Sanada Hiromi 
Published: October 2012

ObjectivesTo estimate protein requirements in older hospitalized adults with pressure ulcers (PrU) according to systemic conditions and wound severity.DesignSecondary nitrogen balance study over 3 days.SettingLong‐term care facility.ParticipantsTwenty‐eight older adults with PrU using a urinary catheter.MeasurementsNitrogen balance over 3 days was evaluated from habitual nitrogen intake measured using a food weighing record and nitrogen excretion from urine, feces and wound exudate. Nitrogen intake required to maintain nitrogen equilibrium was estimated as an average protein requirement using a linear mixed model.ResultsNitrogen intake at nitrogen equilibrium was 0.151 gN/kg per day (95% confidence interval = 0.127–0.175 gN/kg per day) for all participants. The amount of protein loss from wound exudate contributed little to total nitrogen excretion. A Charlson comorbidity index of 4 or greater (the median value) was related to lower nitrogen intake at nitrogen equilibrium (P = .005). Severe PrU with heavy exudate amounts and measured wound areas of 7.9 cm2 or greater (the median value) were related to higher nitrogen intake at nitrogen equilibrium in individuals with a Charlson comorbidity index of 3 or less (both P = .04). Larger wound area (correlation coefficient (r) = 0.55, P = .003) and heavier exudate volume (r = 0.53, P = .004) were associated with muscle protein hypercatabolism measured according to 3‐methylhistidine/creatinine ratio.ConclusionThe average protein requirement is 0.95 g/kg per day for older hospitalized Japanese adults with PrU, but protein requirements depend on an individual's condition and wound severity and range from 0.75 to 1.30 g/kg per day. Severe PrU can require higher protein intakes because of muscle protein hypercatabolism rather than direct loss of protein from wound exudate.
Influence of Hospice on Nursing Home Residents with Advanced Dementia Who Received Medicare‐Skilled Nursing Facility Care Near the End of Life
Authors: Miller Susan C. , Lima Julie C. , Mitchell Susan L. 
Published: October 2012

ObjectivesTo examine differences in outcomes according to hospice status of skilled nursing facility (SNF) care recipients.DesignRetrospective cohort.SettingThree thousand three hundred fifty‐three U.S. nursing homes (NHs).ParticipantsFour thousand three hundred forty‐four persons with advanced dementia who died in NHs in 2006 and received SNF care within 90 days of death were studied, 1,086 of these also received hospice before death: 705 after SNF care, and 381 concurrent with SNF care.MeasurementsTreatments, persistent pain and dyspnea, and hospital death.ResultsDecedents with any hospice received fewer medications, injections, feeding tubes, intravenous fluids, and therapy services and more hypnotics than those without hospice (all P < .001). Decedents with hospice after SNF care received fewer antipsychotics and those with hospice concurrent with SNF care received more antipsychotics than those without (all P < .001). Multivariate logistic regressions showed that decedents with hospice after SNF had lower likelihood of persistent dyspnea (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.63, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.45–0.87) and hospital death (AOR = 0.02, 95% = CI 0.01, 0.07) than those without hospice. Decedents with hospice concurrent with SNF care had a higher likelihood of persistent pain (AOR = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.23, 2.19) and a lower likelihood of hospital death (AOR = 0.13, 95% CI = 0.07, 0.26) than those without hospice.ConclusionResidents dying with advanced dementia who received SNF care in the last 90 days of life had fewer aggressive treatments and lower odds of hospital death if they also received hospice care at any point during that time. Associations between hospice and persistent pain or dyspnea differed according to whether hospice care was received concurrent with or after SNF care.
Myocardial Infarction After Hip Fracture Repair: A Population‐Based Study
Authors: Huddleston Jeanne M. , Gullerud Rachel E. , Smither Fantley , Huddleston Paul M. , Larson Dirk R. , Phy Michael P. , Melton L. Joseph , Roger Veronique L. 
Published: October 2012

ObjectivesTo quantify the occurrence of myocardial infarction (MI) occurring in the early postoperative period after surgical hip fracture repair and estimate the effect on 1‐year mortality.DesignA population‐based, historical cohort study of individuals who underwent surgical repair of a hip fracture that used the computerized medical record linkage system of the Rochester Epidemiology Project.SettingAcademic and community hospitals, outpatient offices, and nursing homes in Olmsted County, Minnesota.ParticipantsOver the 15‐year study period (1988–2002), 1,116 elderly adults underwent surgical repair of a hip fracture.MeasurementsAt the end of the first 7 days after hip fracture repair, participants were classified into one of three groups: clinically verified MI (cv‐MI), subclinical myocardial ischemia, and no myocardial ischemia. One‐year mortality was compared between these groups. Multivariate models assessed risk factors for early postoperative cv‐MI and 1‐year mortality.ResultsWithin the first 7 days after hip fracture repair, 116 (10.4%) participants experienced cv‐MI and 41 (3.7%) subclinical myocardial ischemia. Overall 1‐year mortality was 22%, with no difference between those with subclinical myocardial ischemia and those with no myocardial ischemia. One‐year mortality for those with cv‐MI (35.8%) was significantly higher than for the other two groups. Occurrence of early postoperative cv‐MI, male sex, and history of heart failure or dementia were independently associated with greater 1‐year mortality, whereas prefracture home residence and preoperative higher hemoglobin were protective.ConclusionRates of early postoperative, cv‐MI after hip fracture repair exceed rates after other major orthopedic surgeries and are independently associated with greater 1‐year mortality.
Palliative and Therapeutic Harmonization: A Model for Appropriate Decision‐Making in Frail Older Adults
Authors: Moorhouse Paige , Mallery Laurie H. 
Published: October 2012

Frail older adults face increasingly complex decisions regarding medical care. The Palliative and Therapeutic Harmonization (PATH) model provides a structured approach that places frailty at the forefront of medical and surgical decision‐making in older adults. Preliminary data from the first 150 individuals completing the PATH program shows that the population served is frail (mean Clinical Frailty Score = 6.3), has multiple comorbidities (mean 8), and takes many medications (mean = 9). Ninety‐two percent of participants were able to complete decision‐making for an average of three current or projected health issues, most often (76.7%) with the help of a substitute decision‐maker (SDM). Decisions to proceed with scheduled medical or surgical interventions correlated with baseline frailty level and dementia stage, with participants with a greater degree of frailty (odds ratio (OR) = 3.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.39–8.38) or more‐advanced stage of dementia (OR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.06–2.65) being more likely to choose less‐aggressive treatment options. Although the PATH model is in the development stage, further evaluation is ongoing, including a qualitative analysis of the SDM experience of PATH and an assessment of the effectiveness of PATH in long‐term care. The results of these studies will inform the design of a larger randomized controlled trial.