bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A comparative quality assessment of evidence‐based clinical guidelines in endocrinology
Authors: Hazlehurst Jonathan M. , Armstrong Matthew J. , Sherlock Mark , Rowe Ian A. , O'Reilly Michael W. , Franklyn Jayne A. , Stewart Paul M. , Tomlinson Jeremy W. 
Published: May 2012

SummaryContextEvidence‐based clinical guidelines in endocrinology attempt to improve and standardize patient care. There has been an expansion in guideline production although some of the heterogeneous methods used to assess the quality of the underlying evidence base might limit interpretation and implementation.DesignCurrent and archived guidelines from major endocrine organizations were accessed. The organizations used six different methods to rate underlying evidence, including Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE). To allow direct comparison between guidelines produced by different organizations, the levels of evidence used to generate them were graded according to the standardized system: ‘high’ based on randomized, controlled trials and meta‐analyses, ‘moderate’ based on nonrandomized studies and ‘low’ based on expert opinion.ResultsThere was an increase in guideline production over time (1995–2000 = 9, 2001–2005 = 12, 2006–2011 = 36). Three guidelines were updated with an average delay of 4·3 years and an increase in recommendations per guideline (21·1%). Encouragingly, whilst updates had similar levels of ‘high’‐quality evidence, there was increased reliance on ‘moderate’‐category evidence and less on ‘low’‘‐quality evidence’ (‘high’, 6·3% vs 6·5%; ‘moderate’, 46·1% vs 59·1%; ‘low’, 47·7% vs 34·4%). A high proportion of ‘low’‐category evidence was seen throughout all organizations. Rarer conditions and recommendations concerning treatment efficacy were particularly reliant on ‘low’‐category evidence.ConclusionsThe level of evidence underpinning current guidelines highlights areas in need of well‐designed, collaborative clinical research. Furthermore, criteria to define when guideline updates are necessary are currently lacking. A standardized method of assessment, such as GRADE, would promote understanding and compliance by guideline users with the ultimate aim of enhancing patient care.
Influence of aphid honeydew on the foraging behaviour of Hippodamia convergens larvae
Authors: PURANDARE SWAPNA R. , TENHUMBERG BRIGITTE 
Published: May 2012

1. Environmental cues associated with prey are known to increase predator foraging efficiency. Ladybird larvae are major predators of aphids. The sugary excretion of aphids (honeydew) has been proposed to serve as a prey‐associated cue for ladybird larvae.2. Ladybird larvae are regularly found on the ground moving between plants or after falling off plants. The use of prey‐associated cues would be particularly beneficial for ladybird larvae on the ground in that such cues would help them to decide which plants to climb because aphids are patchily distributed within as well as amongst plants and, as a result, many plants are either not infested with aphids or do not host an aphid species of high nutritional value for ladybird larvae.3. Laboratory experiments with larvae of Hippodamia convergens Guérin‐Méneville (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) were carried out to explore whether honeydew accumulated on the ground is used as a foraging cue. The study also investigated whether, if honeydew is a foraging cue, larvae show differential responses to honeydew of high‐quality prey Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris compared with that of low‐quality prey Aphis fabae Scopoli (both: Homoptera: Aphididae).4. Hippodamia convergens larvae stayed longer in areas containing honeydew but did not engage in longer bouts of searching. Furthermore, larvae did not distinguish between honeydew from high‐ and low‐quality aphid prey.
Seasonal patterns of herbivory, leaf traits and productivity consumption in dry and wet Patagonian forests
Authors: MAZÍA NOEMÍ , CHANETON ENRIQUE J. , DELLACANONICA CRISTINA , DIPAOLO LUCIANO , KITZBERGER THOMAS 
Published: May 2012

1. Endemic herbivory can influence forest ecosystem function, but how annual productivity consumption relates to seasonal resource utilisation by folivore guilds remains poorly understood.2. Monthly changes in leaf damage and foliage traits were monitored in ‘dry’ and ‘wet’Nothofagus pumilio (Fagales: Nothofagaceae) deciduous forests in northern Patagonia, Argentina. Herbivore‐induced leaf abscission was assessed and foliar productivity consumption was measured in the canopy and in litterfall harvests.3. Seasonal damage ranged from 8% to 32% in dry forest, but remained below 5% in wet forest although foliar quality was higher in the latter. In dry forest, dominant guilds were temporally separated; leaf miners consumed younger foliage in spring to early summer, whereas leaf tiers prevailed in late summer to autumn. In wet forest, damage created by external chewers was concentrated in early summer.4. Insect damage induced premature leaf abscission, especially in dry forest. Although foliar production in wet forest doubled that in dry forest, the percentage of productivity lost to folivores was higher in dry (14–20%) than in wet (1.2–1.8%) forest.5. The overall greater impact of herbivory in dry forest canopies countered the expectation that consumption would increase with plant productivity and nutritional quality. Lower temperatures and a shorter growing season are likely to constrain folivory in wet forest stands.
How to exercise people with chronic fatigue syndrome: evidence‐based practice guidelines
Authors: Van Cauwenbergh Deborah , De Kooning Margot , Ickmans Kelly , Nijs Jo 
Published: May 2012

Eur J Clin Invest 2012; 42 (10): 1136–1144AbstractBackground  Despite the large number of studies emphasizing the effectiveness of graded exercise therapy (GET) and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for people with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), clinicians are left wondering how exactly to apply exercise therapy to their patients with CFS. The aim of this literature review is to identify the appropriate exercise modalities (i.e. exercise duration, mode, number of treatment sessions, session length, duration of treatment, exercise intensity and whether or not to apply home exercise program) for people with CFS.Materials and methods  All studies that were identified through electronic databases (PubMed and PEDro) were assessed for methodological quality by using selection criteria (Delphi score).Results  In this literature review, 12 studies fulfilled all study requirements. One study had a low methodological quality. The parameters used in the GET and CBT interventions were divided into subgroups: (i) time or symptom contingent, (ii) exercise frequency and (iii) exercise modality.Conclusion  The lack of uniformity in outcome measures and CFS diagnostic criteria make it difficult to compare the findings across studies. Based on the available evidence, exercise therapy for people with CFS should be aerobic and must comprise of 10–11 sessions spread over a period of 4–5 months. A time‐contingent approach is preferred over a symptom‐contingent way of exercising. In addition, people with CFS can perform home exercises five times a week with an initial duration of 5–15 min per exercise session. The exercise duration can be gradually increased up to 30 min.
Population regulation of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) in Hunt Creek, Michigan: a 50‐year study
Authors: GROSSMAN GARY D. , NUHFER ANDREW , ZORN TROY , SUNDIN GARY , ALEXANDER GAYLORD 
Published: May 2012

Summary1. Fisheries models generally are based on the concept that strong density dependence exists in fish populations. Nonetheless, there are few examples of long‐term density dependence in fish populations.2. Using an information theoretical approach (AIC) with regression analyses, we examined the explanatory power of density dependence, flow and water temperature on theper capitarate of change and growth (annual mean total length) for the whole population, adults, 1+ and young‐of‐the‐year (YOY) brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) in Hunt Creek, Michigan, USA, between 1951 and 2001. This time series represents one of the longest quantitative population data sets for fishes.3. Our analysis included four data sets: (i) Pooled (1951–2001), (ii) Fished (1951–65), (iii) Unfished (1966–2001) and (iv) Temperature (1982–2001).4. Principle component analyses of winter flow data identified a gradient between years with high mean daily winter flows, high daily maximum and minimum flows and frequent high flow events, and years with an opposite set of flow characteristics. Flows were lower during the Fished Period than during the Unfished Period. Winter temperature analyses elucidated a gradient between warm mean, warm minimum and maximum daily stream temperatures and a high number of minimum daily temperatures >6.1 °C, and years with the opposite characteristics. Summer temperature analyses contrasted years with warm summer stream temperatures vs years with cool summer stream temperatures.5. Both YOY and adult densities varied several‐fold during the study. Regression analysis did not detect a significant linear or nonlinear stock–recruitment relationship. AIC analysis indicated that density dependence was present in 15 of 16 cases (four population segments × four data sets) for bothper capitarate of increase (wivalues 0.46–1.00) and growth data (wivalues 0.28–0.99). The almost ubiquitous presence of density dependence in both population and growth data is concordant with results from other trout populations and other studies in Michigan.
Effects of a structured educational programme on patient‐controlled analgesia (PCA) for gynaecological patients in South Korea
Authors: Hong Sung‐Jung , Lee Eunjoo 
Published: May 2012

Aims and objectives.  The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects of a structured educational programme on the patient‐controlled analgesia device in terms of postoperative pain, dose of analgesics used, adverse reactions, patient knowledge and attitudes of patient‐controlled analgesia and patient satisfaction with postoperative pain management among gynaecological patients in South Korea.Background.  Patient‐controlled intravenous analgesia has become the most common method to manage postoperative pain. Although the patient‐controlled analgesia device can be very effective in managing pain, patients using external pump delivery have several problems because of their lack of knowledge of patient‐controlled analgesia. To minimise these problems, nursing interventions that may decrease the number of problems should be developed and adopted into clinical practice.Design.  A non‐equivalent control group, non‐synchronised design.Methods.  The participants were 79 patients who had gynaecological surgery under general anaesthesia. Of the 79 patients, 39 were assigned to the experimental group and 40 to the control group. A day before surgery, 40 minutes of structured education on the patient‐controlled analgesia device was provided individually to the patients in the experimental group using both a CD‐ROM and brochure.Results.  Pain level and adverse reactions were significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group. Furthermore, the analgesic dose administered and the level of patient satisfaction with postoperative pain management increased significantly in the experimental group compared with the control group.Conclusion.  A structured educational programme on the patient‐controlled analgesia can be an effective nursing intervention for pain management in gynaecological patients.Relevance to clinical practice.  Nurses caring for the patients who are using the patient‐controlled analgesia should provide a structured educational programme to increase knowledge of pain management with patient‐controlled analgesia, patient satisfaction with pain management, as well as more effective management of the pain and adverse reaction caused by patient‐controlled analgesia.
Acute experimental stress evokes a differential gender‐determined increase in human intestinal macromolecular permeability
Authors: Alonso C. , Guilarte M. , Vicario M. , Ramos L. , Rezzi S. , Martínez C. , Lobo B. , Martin F.‐P. , Pigrau M. , González‐Castro A. M. , Gallart M. , Malagelada J. R. , Azpiroz F. , Kochhar S. , Santos J. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractBackground  Intestinal epithelial dysfunction is a common pathophysiologic feature in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients and might be the link to its clinical manifestations. We previously showed that chronic psychosocial stress induces jejunal epithelial barrier dysfunction; however, whether this epithelial response is gender‐specific and might thus explain the enhanced female susceptibility to IBS remains unknown.Methods  Intestinal responses to acute stress were compared in age‐matched groups of healthy women and men (n = 10 each) experiencing low background stress. A 20‐cm jejunal segment, was perfused with an isosmotic solution, and intestinal effluents were collected under basal conditions, for 15 min during cold pain stress and for a 45‐min recovery period. Epithelial function (net water flux and albumin output), changes in stress hormones, and cardiovascular and psychologic responses to cold stress were measured.Key Results  Heart rate and blood pressure significantly increased during cold pain stress with no differences between men and women. Adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol levels during cold pain stress were significantly higher in men. Basal net water flux and epithelial permeability were similar in men and women. Cold pain stress increased water flux in both groups (72 ± 23 and 107 ± 18 μL min−1 cm−1, respectively; F(5, 90) = 5.5; P = 0.003 for Time) and, interestingly, this was associated with a marked increase of albumin permeability in women but not in men (0.8 ± 0.2 vs.−0.7 ± 0.2 mg/15 min; P < 0.0001).Conclusions & Inferences  Intestinal macromolecular permeability in response to acute experimental stress is increased in healthy women, a mechanism that may contribute to female oversusceptibility to IBS.
Population structure of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in crop and wild hosts in the UK
Authors: Clarkson J. P. , Coventry E. , Kitchen J. , Carter H. E. , Whipps J. M. 
Published: May 2012

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is an important pathogen of many crop plants which also infects wild hosts. The population structure of this fungus was studied for different crop plants and Ranunculus acris (meadow buttercup) in the UK using eight microsatellite markers and sequenced sections of the intergenic spacer (IGS) region of the rRNA gene and the elongation factor 1‐alpha (EF) gene. A total of 228 microsatellite haplotypes were identified within 384 isolates from 12 S. sclerotiorum populations sampled in England and Wales. One microsatellite haplotype was generally found at high frequency in each population and was distributed widely across different hosts, locations and years. Fourteen IGS and five EF haplotypes were found in the 12 populations, with six IGS haplotypes and one EF haplotype exclusive to buttercup. Analysis of published sequences for S. sclerotiorum populations from the USA, Canada, New Zealand and Norway showed that three of the IGS haplotypes and one EF haplotype were widely distributed, while eight IGS haplotypes were only found in the UK. Although common microsatellite and IGS/EF haplotypes were found on different hosts in the UK, there was evidence of differentiation, particularly for one isolated population on buttercup. However, overall there was no consistent differentiation of S. sclerotiorum populations from buttercup and crop hosts. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum therefore has a multiclonal population structure in the UK and the wide distribution of one microsatellite haplotype suggests spatial mixing at a national scale. The related species S. subarctica was also identified in one buttercup population.
Effect of susceptible and resistant canola plants on Plasmodiophora brassicae resting spore populations in the soil
Authors: Hwang S. F. , Ahmed H. U. , Zhou Q. , Rashid A. , Strelkov S. E. , Gossen B. D. , Peng G. , Turnbull G. D. 
Published: May 2012

Clubroot, caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae, has become a serious threat to canola (Brassica napus) production in western Canada. Experiments were conducted to assess the effect of growing resistant and susceptible canola genotypes on P. brassicae soil resting spore populations under greenhouse, mini‐plot and field conditions. One crop of susceptible canola contributed 1·4 × 108 spores mL−1 soil in mini‐plot experiments, and 1 × 1010 spores g−1 gall under field conditions. Repeated cropping of susceptible canola resulted in greater gall mass compared to resistant canola lines. It also resulted in reduced plant height, increased clubroot severity in susceptible canola, and increased numbers of resting spores in the soil mix.
Characterization of the phosphoproteome of mature Arabidopsis pollen
Authors: Mayank Pururawa , Grossman Jonas , Wuest Samuel , Boisson‐Dernier Aurélien , Roschitzki Bernd , Nanni Paolo , Nühse Thomas , Grossniklaus Ueli 
Published: May 2012

SummarySuccessful pollination depends on cell–cell communication and rapid cellular responses. In Arabidopsis, the pollen grain lands on a dry stigma, where it hydrates, germinates and grows a pollen tube that delivers the sperm cells to the female gametophyte to effect double fertilization. Various studies have emphasized that a mature, dehydrated pollen grain contains all the transcripts and proteins required for germination and initial pollen tube growth. Therefore, it is important to explore the role of post‐translational modifications (here phosphorylation), through which many processes induced by pollination are probably controlled. We report here a phosphoproteomic study conducted on mature Arabidopsis pollen grains with the aim of identifying potential targets of phosphorylation. Using three enrichment chromatographies, a broad coverage of pollen phosphoproteins with 962 phosphorylated peptides corresponding to 598 phosphoproteins was obtained. Additionally, 609 confirmed phosphorylation sites were successfully mapped. Two hundred and seven of 240 phosphoproteins that were absent from the PhosPhAt database containing the empirical Arabidopsis phosphoproteome showed highly enriched expression in pollen. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis of these 240 phosphoproteins shows an over‐representation of GO categories crucial for pollen tube growth, suggesting that phosphorylation regulates later processes of pollen development. Moreover, motif analyses of pollen phosphopeptides showed an over‐representation of motifs specific for Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinases, mitogen‐activated protein kinases, and binding motifs for 14‐3‐3 proteins. Lastly, one tyrosine phosphorylation site was identified, validating the TDY dual phosphorylation motif of mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MPK8/MPK15). This study provides a solid basis to further explore the role of phosphorylation during pollen development.
Exhaled NO is a poor marker of asthma control in children with a reported use of asthma medication: a pharmacy‐based study
Authors: Vijverberg Susanne J. H. , Koster Ellen S. , Koenderman Leo , Arets Hubertus G. M. , van der Ent Cornelis K. , Postma Dirkje S. , Koppelman Gerard H. , Raaijmakers Jan A. M. , Maitland‐van der Zee Anke‐Hilse 
Published: May 2012

To cite this article: Vijverberg SJH, Koster ES, Koenderman L, Arets HGM, van der Ent CK, Postma DS, Koppelman GH, Raaijmakers JAM, Maitland‐van der Zee A‐H. Exhaled NO is a poor marker of asthma control in children with a reported use of asthma medication: a pharmacy‐based study. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2012: 23: 529–536.AbstractBackground:  A high fraction of nitric oxide in exhaled breath (FeNO) has been suggested to be a marker of ongoing airway inflammation and poorly controlled disease in asthma. The usefulness of FeNO to monitor asthma control is still debated today.Aim:  To assess the validity of FeNO as a marker of asthma control in children with reported use of asthma medication.Methods:  Fraction of nitric oxide in exhaled breath was measured in 601 children (aged 4–12 yr) with reported use of asthma medication in the past 6 months and in 63 healthy non‐asthmatic children (aged 5–12). Asthma control was assessed by the Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ). A receiver‐operator characteristics (ROC) curve was generated to assess the accuracy of FeNO as a marker for asthma control. Logistic regression analysis was used to study whether clinical, healthcare, medication, and environmental factors are associated with high FeNO levels (>25 ppb).Results:  Fraction of nitric oxide in exhaled breath had a poor accuracy to discriminate well‐controlled from not well‐controlled asthma [area under the ROC curve: 0.56 (95% CI: 0.52–0.61, p = 0.008)]. In addition, high FeNO (>25 ppb) was associated with lower medication adherence rates (OR: 0.4; 95% CI 0.3–0.6), fewer antibiotic courses in the past year (OR: 0.6; 95% CI: 0.4–0.9), fewer leukotriene antagonists use in the past year (OR: 0.4; 95% CI: 0.2–0.9), and fewer visits to a (pulmonary) pediatrician (OR: 0.6; 95% CI: 0.4–0.9). Children living in a non‐urban environment had more often high FeNO levels (OR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.1–2.6).Conclusion:  High FeNO is a poor marker of asthma control in children with reported use of asthma medication. Various other factors, including medication adherence and medication use, are associated with increased FeNO levels.
Is prevention of atopic eczema with hydrolyzed formulas cost‐effective? A health economic evaluation from Germany
Authors: Mertens Janina , Stock Stephanie , Lüngen Markus , v. Berg Andrea , Krämer Ursula , Filipiak‐Pittroff Birgit , Heinrich Joachim , Koletzko Sibylle , Grübl Armin , Wichmann H.‐Erich , Bauer Carl‐P. , Reinhardt Dietrich , Berdel Dietrich , Gerber Andreas 
Published: May 2012

To cite this article:Mertens J, Stock S, Lüngen M, Berg AV, Krämer U, Filipiak‐Pittroff B, Heinrich J, Koletzko S, Grübl A, Wichmann H‐E, Bauer C‐P, Reinhardt D, Berdel D, Gerber A. Is Prevention of Atopic Eczema with Hydrolyzed Formulas Cost‐Effective? A Health Economic Evaluation from Germany.Pediatr Allergy Immunol2012:23: 597–604.AbstractObjective: The German Infant Nutritional Intervention (GINI) trial, a prospective, randomized, double‐blind intervention, enrolled children with a hereditary risk for atopy. When fed with certain hydrolyzed formulas for the first 4 months of life, the risk was reduced by 26–45% in PP and 8–29% in intention‐to‐treat (ITT) analyses compared with children fed with regular cow’s milk at age 6. The objective was to assess the cost‐effectiveness of feeding hydrolyzed formulas.Patients and Methods: Cost‐effectiveness was assessed with a decision tree model programmed in TreeAge. Costs and effects over a 6‐yr period were analyzed from the perspective of the German statutory health insurance (SHI) and a societal perspective at a 3% effective discount rate followed by sensitivity analyses.Results: The extensively hydrolyzed casein formula would be the most cost‐saving strategy with savings of 478 € per child treated in the ITT analysis (CI95%: 12 €; 852 €) and 979 € in the PP analysis (95%CI: 355 €; 1455 €) from a societal perspective. If prevented cases are considered, the partially whey hydrolyzed formula is cost‐saving (ITT ‐5404 €, PP ‐6358 €). From an SHI perspective, the partially whey hydrolyzed formula is cost‐effective, but may also be cost‐saving depending on the scenario. An extensively hydrolyzed whey formula also included into the analysis was dominated in all analyses.Conclusions: For the prevention of AE, two formulas can be cost‐effective or even cost‐saving. We recommend that SHI should reimburse formula feeding or at least the difference between costs for cow’s milk formula and the most cost‐effective formula.