bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inhaled mannitol in the treatment of non‐cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis in adults
Authors: GJOERUP JULIANA , HILBERG OLE , BENDSTRUP ELISABETH 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACTBronchiectasis is a chronic disorder characterized by impaired mucociliary clearance and a relentless cycle of infection, inflammation and bronchial wall injury, which has a debilitating impact on the patient's quality of life and results in increased morbidity and mortality. It is a disease for which there are no currently registered therapeutic products, limited epidemiological data and no validated endpoints that have been accepted by the majority of regulatory authorities. This article reviews the evidence base for the efficacy of inhaled dry powder mannitol in patients with non‐cystic fibrosis (CF) bronchiectasis. The few published papers on this topic concluded that mannitol, when inhaled as a dry powder, is a promising treatment for bronchiectasis. It is designed to hydrate the lungs and restore normal mucociliary clearance mechanisms in the lungs. Based on the available evidence, mannitol inhalation is well tolerated and improves the quality of life of patients with non‐CF bronchiectasis. There is a need for well designed and adequately powered multicentre trials to establish the potential usefulness of mannitol as a treatment for non‐CF bronchiectasis.
At what spatial scales does resource selection vary? A case study of koalas in a semi‐arid region
Authors: SMITH ANDREW G. , MCALPINE CLIVE , RHODES JONATHAN R. , SEABROOK LEONIE , BAXTER GREG , LUNNEY DANIEL , BRADLEY ADRIAN 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThe conservation of any species requires understanding and predicting the distribution of its habitat and resource use, including the effects of scale‐dependent variation in habitat and resource quality. Consequently, testing for resource selection at the appropriate scales is critical. We investigated how the resource selection process varies across scales, using koalas in a semi‐arid landscape of eastern Australia as a case study. We asked: at what scales does tree selection by koalas vary across regions? We tested the importance of the variation of our ecological predictors at the following scales: (i) the site‐scale (a stand of trees representing an individual koala's perception of local habitat); (ii) the landscape‐scale (10 × 10 km area representing a space within which a population of koalas exists); and (iii) a combination of these scales. We used a mixed‐modelling approach to quantify variation in selection of individual trees by koalas among sites and landscapes within a 1600 km2 study area. We found that tree species, and tree height, were the most important factors influencing tree selection, and that their effect did not vary across scales. In contrast, preferences for trees of different condition, which is the state of tree canopy health, did vary across landscapes, indicating spatial variation in the selection of trees with respect to tree condition at the landscape‐scale, but not at the site‐scale. We conclude that resource selection processes can depend on the quality of those resources at different scales and their heterogeneous nature across landscapes, highlighting the consequence of scale‐dependent ecological processes. Designing studies that capture the heterogeneity in habitat and resources used by species that have an extensive distribution is an important prerequisite for effective conservation planning and management.
Meta‐analysis of the effects of small mammal disturbances on species diversity, richness and plant biomass
Authors: ROOT‐BERNSTEIN MEREDITH , EBENSPERGER LUIS A. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThe disturbance activities of many small mammals, including building burrows, mounds, trails and tunnels, and herbivory, can have significant impacts on their ecosystems, both through trophic and non‐trophic interactions. Some species have large enough impacts through their disturbances to be classed as ecosystem engineers and/or keystone species. Others have negative or null effects. However, at present it is difficult to predict whether the disturbances created by a given species will have significant effects on common measures of ecosystem response such as species richness, diversity and biomass. We ask whether variables characterizing disturbance type, responding species, disturbance‐making species and the environment can predict changes in magnitude and direction of effects on biomass, richness and diversity. We test these predictions with a meta‐analysis of 106 data entries in a database derived from 63 papers, representing 40 small mammal species. We find that small mammal disturbances in general increase biomass, and both increase and decrease richness and diversity. We also identify individual environmental, disturbance‐related, and species‐related variables associated with these changes in magnitude and direction. We discuss the likely interactions between these variables, and how current proxy measures of disturbance impact could be replaced by more accurate direct measures. We recommend that future studies focus on conditions characterized by combinations of variables we identify as significant, in order to understand how these variable interactions (which cannot be analysed through meta‐analysis) affect disturbance outcomes. Based on the gaps in our database and results, we also recommend that future studies directly measure disturbance impact, measure disturbance effects on animal and well as plant taxa, and take measurements on multiple scales.
Genes encoding putative DEAD‐box RNA helicases in Listeria monocytogenes EGD‐e are needed for growth and motility at 3°C
Authors: Markkula Annukka , Mattila Mirjami , Lindström Miia , Korkeala Hannu 
Published: May 2012

SummaryQuantitative RT‐PCR revealed that transcripts of all four putative DEAD‐box RNA helicase genes of the psychrotrophic pathogen Listeria monocytogenes EGD‐e are found at higher levels in organisms grown at 3°C than at 37°C. At 3°C, growth of the three corresponding gene deletion mutants Δlmo0866, Δlmo1450 and Δlmo1722 was clearly restricted. The minimum growth temperatures of the three mutants were also higher than that of the wild‐type EGD‐e. In addition to inability to grow at 3°C, growth of Δlmo0866 and Δlmo1722 was reduced at 25°C, suggesting special roles of Lmo0866 and Lmo1722 in growth at suboptimal temperatures. Growth of Δlmo1450 was restricted not only at 3°C and 25°C, but also at 37°C, suggesting that Lmo1450 plays a universal role in growth of L. monocytogenes EGD‐e. Moreover, cold‐sensitive Δlmo0866, Δlmo1450 and Δlmo1722 were impaired in motility. The Δlmo0866 and Δlmo1450 strains were non‐motile, while Δlmo1722 showed reduced motility. This study shows that the putative DEAD‐box RNA helicase genes lmo0866, lmo1450 and lmo1722 are necessary for cold tolerance and motility of L. monocytogenes EGD‐e.
Identification of naphthalene carboxylase as a prototype for the anaerobic activation of non‐substituted aromatic hydrocarbons
Authors: Mouttaki Housna , Johannes Jörg , Meckenstock Rainer U. 
Published: May 2012

SummaryPolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as naphthalene are recalcitrant environmental pollutants that are only slowly metabolized by bacteria under anoxic conditions. Based on metabolite analyses of culture supernatants, carboxylation or methylation of naphthalene have been proposed as initial enzymatic activation reactions in the pathway. However, the extremely slow growth of anaerobic naphthalene degraders with doubling times of weeks and the little biomass obtained from such cultures hindered the biochemical elucidation of the initial activation reaction, so far. Here, we provide biochemical evidence that anaerobic naphthalene degradation is initiated via carboxylation. Crude cell extracts of the sulfate‐reducing enrichment culture N47 converted naphthalene and 13C‐labelled bicarbonate to 2‐[carboxyl‐13C]naphthoic acid at a rate of 0.12 nmol min−1 mg protein−1. The enzyme, namely naphthalene carboxylase, catalysed a much faster exchange of 13C‐labelled bicarbonate with the carboxyl group of 2‐[carboxyl‐12C]naphthoic acid at a rate of 3.2 nmol min−1 mg protein−1, indicating that the rate limiting step of the carboxylation reaction is the activation of the naphthalene molecule rather than the carboxylation itself. Neither the carboxylation nor the exchange reaction activities necessitate the presence of ATP or divalent metal ions and they were not inhibited by avidin or EDTA. The new carboxylation reaction is unprecedented in biochemistry and opens the door to understand the anaerobic degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons which are among the most hazardous environmental contaminants.
Gender differences in mortality, quality of life and function after restorative procedures for rectal cancer
Authors: Zutshi M. , Hull T. , Shedda S. , Lavery I. , Hammel J. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractAim  Studies investigating the functional outcome after restorative surgery for rectal cancer have mainly focused on the effect of different surgical techniques on bowel habit or sexual activity at a single time‐point. The aim of this study was to assess, longitudinally, the effect of rectal cancer treatment on bowel function, quality of life and sexual activity.Method  The study parameters were assessed using self‐administered questionnaires, including the Short Form 36 (SF‐36), repeatedly, over a 5‐year period. Patient details were obtained from the Cleveland Clinic prospective database.Results  There were 260 (186 male) patients. The mean ages of male and female patients at the time of surgery were 60.5 and 57.5 years, respectively. There was no significant difference in comorbidity or stage between the groups. Women had a better overall survival. More women than men had postoperative radiation and perioperative blood transfusions. Men had a higher percentage of hand‐sewn anastomoses (23.9%vs 10.8%, P = 0.018), but there was no overall difference in the mean level of anastomosis (2.3 cm vs 1.9 cm, P = 0.38). Men had worse nocturnal bowel function, more incontinence and a poorer mental component score on the SF‐36. Pad use increased over time to a greater degree in women. Sexual activity, which was similar in men and women at baseline, had fallen at 5 years in both genders.Conclusion  After restorative resection for rectal cancer, bowel function is worse in men than in women, especially night evacuation at 3 and 5 years postoperatively. Sexual function in both genders declines sharply initially within 1 year postoperatively and more gradually over 5 years.
Case‐matched comparison of perioperative outcomes after surgical treatment of sigmoid diverticulitis in solid organ transplant recipients versus immunocompetent patients
Authors: Reshef A. , Stocchi L. , Kiran R. P. , Flechner S. , Budev M. , Quintini C. , Remzi F. H. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractAim  To compare the perioperative outcomes following surgery for sigmoid diverticulitis in transplant recipients and immunocompetent patients.Method  Solid organ transplant recipients operated on for sigmoid diverticulitis from 1995 to 2010 were case‐matched to immunocompetent patients based on surgical procedure, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, Hinchey score, elective vs urgent surgery, age ± 10  years and year of surgery ± 5 years. Demographics, clinical presentation and perioperative outcomes were assessed.Results  Of 5329 consecutive patients undergoing heart, lung, kidney and liver transplantation since 1995, 51 (0.6%) underwent surgery for diverticulitis between 1995 and 2010 with 14% mortality and 45% morbidity. Urgent surgery in 37/51 patients [Hartmann’s procedure 28, sigmoidectomy with diverting ileostomy 8, loop ileostomy 1 (9 cases within 2 months after transplantation)] was associated with significantly increased postoperative mortality (19%vs 0%, P = 0.01), increased morbidity (51%vs 24%, P = 0.03) and longer mean hospital stay (19 vs 13 days, P = 0.1) when compared with immunocompetent patients. Four patients undergoing urgent surgery had suffered previous episodes of diverticulitis treated nonoperatively. Elective surgery was associated with no mortality in 14 transplant recipients (nine sigmoidectomy with diverting ileostomy, five sigmoidectomy without diversion) or in immunocompetent controls. Following elective procedures, transplant recipients had similar morbidity and increased hospital stay (29% and 9.6 vs 6.5 days, P = 0.2, respectively). Permanent stoma rates and postoperative morbidity after stoma takedown were comparable in the two groups. All living patients except one (kidney) retained their graft function.Conclusions  Urgent surgery for sigmoid diverticulitis in transplant recipients is associated with worse postoperative outcomes when compared with immunocompetent patients, unlike elective surgery. Future studies will need to clarify the role of early surgery after the first diverticulitis episode.
A review of outcomes of an intracavernosal injection therapy programme
Authors: Coombs Peter G. , Heck Mathias , Guhring Patricia , Narus Joseph , Mulhall John P. 
Published: May 2012

Study Type – Therapy (outcomes research)Level of Evidence 2bWhat's known on the subject? and What does the study add?Intracavernosal injection (ICI) therapy is an important treatment option for erectile dysfunction. However, high discontinuation rates have been reported for ICI therapy, and a risk of priapism has long been a concern. There has never been a large sample study performed with multivariate analysis to characterise outcomes of ICI therapy.The present paper reviews ICI therapy outcomes in a very large population of men at a tertiary care Sexual Medicine Clinic over 5 years. Multivariate analysis was used to further characterise these outcomes. The present study shows that for a large percentage of our sample of patients, ICI therapy is a successful treatment strategy. And, while discontinuation rates are still high, many of those not continuing ICI therapy achieved success with phosphodiesterase inhibitors. Also, the incidence of priapism was less in the present study than previously reported.OBJECTIVES
To review the outcomes, adverse events and discontinuation rates of intracavernosal injection (ICI) therapy in men with erectile dysfunction (ED) in a sexual medicine practice over a 5‐year period at a tertiary referral centre.
Since 1983, ICI has become a staple therapeutic option and high success rates have been reported. However, priapism is a significant concern and discontinuation rates are estimated to be >50%.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Men presenting with ED who were enrolled in our ICI programme between September 2002 and August 2006 were followed at least annually.
Patient demographic information, agents used, erectile function outcomes and adverse events were recorded.
Failure was defined as the inability to have penetrative sex. Discontinuation was defined as patient declaration of such, failure to attend an annual follow‐up visit or failure to call for a repeat prescription.
Multivariable analysis was used to define predictors of failure to respond to ICI therapy, as well as predictors of discontinuation within 36 months of starting ICI in those patients responding.
RESULTS
In all, 1412 patients had complete data and constituted the study population. Most patients were using Trimix and 89% of Trimix users were capable of having sexual intercourse.
Response rates were lower in pelvic radiation and diabetic patients.
However, the discontinuation rate was significant; it was lower in men who had not undergone radical prostatectomy (RP). Of note, many RP patients discontinued ICI because of recovery of natural or phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor‐assisted erections.
CONCLUSIONS
ICI therapy is associated with very high success rates even in men with high comorbidity profiles; however, the discontinuation rates, even in men who had not undergone RP, by the end of the third year are significant.
Of note, the recorded priapism rate was extremely low (0.5%).
The relationship of postoperative complications with in‐hospital outcomes and costs after renal surgery for kidney cancer
Authors: Kim Simon P. , Leibovich Bradley C. , Shah Nilay D. , Weight Christopher J. , Borah Bijan J. , Han Leona C. , Boorjian Stephen A. , Thompson R. Houston 
Published: May 2012

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?
Postoperative complications for open radical nephrectomy (ORN), laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN), and open partial nephrectomy (OPN) and its relationship with hospitalisation costs and mortality remain poorly described.
The present population‐based study suggests modest differences in postoperative complications estimated at 27%, 23%, and 24% among patients with kidney cancer undergoing ORN, LRN, and OPN, respectively. Moreover, postoperative complications were associated with higher mortality, length of stay and total costs of hospitalisation.
Objectives
The association of complications after renal surgery for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with in‐hospital mortality and costs remains to be defined.
To describe the incidence of complications after open radical nephrectomy (ORN), laparoscopic RN (LRN), and open partial nephrectomy (OPN); and to evaluate its relationship with in‐hospital mortality and total costs.
Patients and Methods
We identified 49 983 individuals who underwent ORN (35 712), LRN (5327), or OPN (8944) for RCC at 2037 hospitals from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample 2001–2008.
The outcomes assessed were in‐hospital mortality and total hospitalisation costs.
Multivariable logistic regression and generalised estimating equations were used to test the associations between complications and in‐hospital mortality and total costs.
Results
With 26.0% of patients experiencing postoperative complications, there were modest differences in the proportion of patients with complications after ORN, LRN, and OPN at 27.0%, 22.6%, and 24.0%, respectively (P < 0.001).
After adjusting for patient and hospital variables, postoperative complications resulted in higher odds of in‐hospital death for ORN (odds ratio [OR] 7.20; P < 0.001), LRN (OR 12.04; P < 0.001), and OPN (OR 7.82; P < 0.001).
Adjusted total costs also rose significantly with the presence of any postoperative complications compared with those without any complications for ORN ($21 242 vs $13 183; P < 0.001), LRN ($19 548 vs $12 555; P < 0.001), and OPN ($18 883 vs $12 098; P < 0.001).
Conclusions
With about a quarter of patients experiencing postoperative complications, adverse events for ORN, LRN, and OPN carry a significant risk of in‐hospital death and higher total costs.
Efforts to reduce postoperative complications may correlate with substantial reductions in hospital mortality and total costs.
Supine percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL): ‘in vogue’ but in which position?
Authors: Kumar Priyadarshi , Bach Christian , Kachrilas Stephanos , Papatsoris Athanasios G. , Buchholz Noor , Masood Junaid 
Published: May 2012

Study Type – Therapy (case series)Level of Evidence 4What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?Supine percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) has been described for over a decade and has equivalent success rates when compared with the more widely used prone position. The supine position offers a shorter operative duration with better access to the airway for the anaesthetist and also allows for simultaneous retrograde intra‐renal surgery (RIRS). Various supine positions have been described but there is little data regarding their differing benefits and disadvantages.The present study looks at the different supine PCNL positions and compares the strengths and weaknesses of each. Each of the previously described supine PCNL positions have some limitations, e.g. ease of puncture under image guidance, the ability and ease of making and dilating multiple tracts, and allowing simultaneous RIRS. The new ‘Barts flank‐free modified supine position’ is described, which seems to offer a good compromise and addresses some of these issues. It is important to highlight that one supine position does not fit all and the endourologist should familiarise themselves with these positions so the appropriate position can be used for the right patient and stone burden.OBJECTIVE
To discuss the relative merits of the different described supine positions for percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and highlight the new ‘Barts flank‐free modified supine position’, as the last decade has seen the emergence of various supine positions for PCNL.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We reviewed English publications on supine PCNL to look at the different positions being used to carry out PCNL and their relative merits.
We describe the new ‘Barts flank‐free modified supine position’, which we think will add significantly to the armamentarium of the endourologist.
RESULTS
Five different supine positions are discussed.
These include the complete supine, the Valdivia, the Galdakao modified Valdivia, the Barts modified Valdivia and the herein described Barts flank‐free modified supine position
These positions all differ in regard to ease of puncture under image guidance, operative field availability, ability to make multiple tracts and the ease of combining retrograde intra‐renal surgery.
CONCLUSIONS
All of the supine positions decrease operative duration, as there is no need for repositioning and allow quick access to the airway for the anaesthetist.
However, one supine position does not fit all and the right one must be chosen for the right patient with the right stone burden. It is important for endourologists of today to familiarise themselves with these positions to be able to make these judgements.
Close association between metal allergy and nail lichen planus: detection of causative metals in nail lesions
Authors: Nishizawa A. , Satoh T. , Yokozeki H. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractBackground  Lichen planus (LP) is a common skin disorder of unknown aetiology that affects the skin, mucous membranes and nails. Although metal allergies have been implicated in the development of oral LP (OLP), the contribution of these allergies to nail LP (NLP) has yet to be studied in detail.Objective  To elucidate the link between metal allergy and NLP.Methods  We retrospectively analysed 115 LP patients with respect to the contribution of metals to either NLP or OLP. We also attempted to detect the specific metals involved in these nail lesions.Results  Of the 79 patients that received a metal patch test (PT), 24 (30%) were positive for at least one of the metal compounds tested. Notably, the prevalence of positive reactions to metals in the NLP patients was significantly higher as compared with the OLP patients (59% vs. 27%, P < 0.05). Among the 10 PT‐positive patients with NLP, improvement of the skin lesions was seen in six of the patients after removal of dental materials containing causative metals or systemic disodium cromoglycate therapy. On the other hand, only 3 of 16 PT‐positive patients with OLP exhibited improvement after the removal of dental materials. Causative metals in the dental fillings/braces were detected in the involved nail tissues.Conclusion  This study suggests that metal allergies are more closely associated with NLP vs. OLP, and that deposited metals in the nail apparatus contribute to the development of lichenoid tissue reactions in the nail bed and matrix.