bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cojedes: a leprosy hyperendemic state
Authors: Aranzazu Nacarid , Parra Juan J. , Cardenas Maritza , Rada Elsa , Zerpa Olga , Rivera Teresa , Borges Rafael , Gonzalez Pablo , Morales José , Sosa Ramon , Sanchez Forquis , Convit Jacinto 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackground  Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease produced by Mycobacterium leprae. In 1997 Venezuela reached the goal of elimination of leprosy as a public health problem (according to the World Health Organization a prevalence rate of ≤1/10,000 inhabitants), but five states still had prevalence rates over that goal. For this study we selected Cojedes State, where prevalence rates remain over the elimination goal.Objective  Evaluate the real leprosy situation in high‐prevalence areas of Cojedes State.Materials and methods  Seven communities of Cojedes State were selected because they had the highest historic prevalence, as well as the highest prevalence in the year to be studied (1997).Results  A rank correlation using Spearman’s test comparing historical prevalence rates (1946–1996) and detection rates (1998–2004) gave a statistically significant P < 0.05 value. Diagnosed leprosy cases were as follows: age: 3.2% under 15 years old; sex: male/female rates between 60% and 91.66% males. The highest number of cases were paucibacillary forms: indeterminate leprosy (33.07%) and borderline tuberculoid leprosy (32.28%); tuberculoid leprosy (7.00%); and multibacillary cases (lepromatous leprosy, LL) were only 2.36%. Bacteriologically, 18.52 patients were M. leprae positive. At the moment of diagnosis, 96.6% showed no disabilities, 3.4% showed grade I disabilities, and there were no grade II or III disabilities.Conclusion  This study confirms that several communities in Cojedes State have extremely high leprosy rates.
The management of EGFR inhibitor adverse events: a case series and treatment paradigm
Authors: Wnorowski Amelia M. , de Souza Aieska , Chachoua Abraham , Cohen David E. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackground  Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors are widely used medications in the treatment of cancers.Objective  To review the cutaneous adverse events related to EGFR inhibitors.Methods  A retrospective chart review of all cases referred for the management of cutaneous adverse events after the initiation of EGFR inhibitor therapy between the years of 2006 and 2009 was performed. The study was approved by the institutional review board.Results  Four men and 11 women had cutaneous adverse events while receiving erlotinib (mean dose: 112.5 mg) for lung and pancreatic cancer. The most common cutaneous adverse reaction observed was a papulopustular rash in 12 cases (80%). Eczema and xerosis were the only findings in three patients, alopecia in one case, and nail changes in three cases. The treatment modalities prescribed were doxycycline and topical antibiotics for the papulopustular rash; topical high potency steroids, tacrolimus, pimecrolimus, and moisturizers for xerosis and eczema; and cetirizine for the pruritus. The paronychia was treated with warm soaks, topical steroids, and podiatry referral. The majority of patients improved with symptomatic therapy, with the exception of one patient who experienced herpes zoster super infection and Stevens‐Johnson syndrome. The patient was hospitalized and required discontinuation of the erlotinib therapy.Conclusion  The most common cutaneous adverse event in our cohort was papulopustular rash, followed by eczema and xerosis. Patients were managed with symptom target therapy, and suspension of the EGFR inhibitor was rarely required. As the use of EGFR inhibitors increases, it is important to promptly identify and treat adverse events. Further studies are necessary to develop targeted therapeutic and preventative measures.
Idiopathic granulomatous lobular mastitis
Authors: Pereira Frederick A. , Mudgil Adarsh V. , Macias Edgar S. , Karsif Karen 
Published: January 2012

AbstractIdiopathic granulomatous lobular mastitis (IGLM) is a rare breast condition with prominent skin findings. It is typically seen in young parous women. Painful breast masses, draining sinuses, scarring, and breast atrophy are the main clinical manifestations. IGLM can resemble a variety of other inflammatory and neoplastic processes of the breast. It is thought to result from obstruction and rupture of breast lobules. Extravasated breast secretions then induce an inflammatory reaction. Corynebacteria have also been implicated in the pathogenesis. Treatment is surgical, but systemic corticosteroids, methotrexate, and antibiotics also play a role.
Dermatologic infestations
Authors: Shmidt Eugenia , Levitt Jacob 
Published: January 2012

AbstractHead lice are transmitted by head to head contact. Optimal therapy includes malathion lotion 0.5% repeated in one week left on for 30 minutes to 8 hours. Spinosad topical suspension 0.9% repeated in one week left on for 10 minutes is another option. Scabies is transmitted mainly by direct contact but also via heavily infested fomites due to crusted scabies. Permethrin 5% cream to the body repeated in four days is often sufficient; however, scalp treatment with malathion lotion 0.5% is helpful in crusted scabies and in infested children. Oral ivermectin 200 mcg/kg is another option, repeated in four days. For scabies more than lice, fomites should be placed in a drier at 60 °C for 10 minutes to kill the arthropods. Treatment of close contacts in both cases will control outbreaks and repeated infestations. Both have been associated with methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection. Bed bugs are a common cause for papular urticaria. Identification of the insect in the mattress or bedding confirms the diagnosis. Prevention involves encasing the mattress in a sealed plastic cover and extermination. Delusions of parasitosis is a diagnosis of exclusion that is best treated with an antipsychotic.
The successful treatment of flat warts with auricular acupuncture
Authors: Ning Suli , Li Fajie , Qian Lijie , Xu Dong , Huang Yi , Xiao Ming , Duan Gengli , Li Yan 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackground  Flat warts are a common presenting complaint in adolescents and adults and may be a cosmetic problem as well. Patients suffering from flat warts are often unsatisfied with conventional medical care because of adverse effects such as intolerable pain, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, or occasionally allergic contact dermatitis. To offset the possibilities of hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, and scar formation, the method of auricular acupuncture was used.Methods  Single‐blind method adopted, 60 subjects with flat warts were all outpatients and randomly allocated to a treatment group or a control group, with 30 patients in each group. Thirty subjects in the treatment group were treated with weekly auricular acupuncture for 10 weeks while the other subjects in the control group were treated with 0.1% of tretinoin ointment topically for 10 weeks.Results  Sixteen subjects in the treatment group (53.33%) recovered fully from flat warts without recurrence during the ensuing six months’ follow‐up after 10 weeks’ surgery compared with only one subject in the control group (3.33%). The therapeutic effect of the treatment group was statistically better than that of the control group by Mann–Whitney U‐test with SPSS software (P < 0.01). During the treatment period and the ensuing six months’ follow‐up, no adverse effects were observed by the investigators or reported by patients.Conclusions  Our findings suggest that auricular acupuncture may be a viable alternative for the treatment of flat warts. Larger randomized studies are needed to fully evaluate auricular acupuncture against more conventional treatments, and these are planned.
Should we retransplant a patient who is non‐adherent? A literature review and critical reflection
Authors: Dobbels F. , Hames A. , Aujoulat I. , Heaton N. , Samyn M. 
Published: January 2012

Dobbels F, Hames A, Aujoulat I, Heaton N, Samyn M. Should we retransplant a patient who is non‐adherent? A literature review and critical reflection.  Pediatr Transplantation 2012: 16: 4–11. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  The majority of transplant centers around the world face an ethical debate whether to retransplant a young non‐adherent patient. Non‐adherence to lifelong immunosuppressants presents a significant risk for graft loss, yet rates remain consistently high. Despite a number of these patients presenting for retransplantation, there is little evidence to guide professionals in their decision‐making. This paper aims to provide such guidance, by systematically reviewing the existing outcome data for retransplantation in patients who are known to be non‐adherent to their immunosuppressants. This review searched for original papers that addressed retransplantation of a solid organ and included quantitative data on adherence or graft function. Only one original research paper was found to meet the inclusion criteria. This paper is reviewed, and details of the protocol to determine eligibility for retransplantation are summarized. The findings are discussed within the ethical context that transplant professionals work within, and the arguments for and against retransplantation are considered. The need for effective integration of adherence management into routine practice is highlighted, with an emphasis on reliable measurement of adherence throughout the patient’s life. Examples of good practice are discussed, favoring prevention over cure.
Design, implementation and initial assessment of the Northern Territory Point‐of‐Care Testing Program
Authors: Shephard Mark D.S. , Spaeth Brooke , Mazzachi Beryl C. , Auld Malcolm , Schatz Steven , Loudon John , Rigby Janet , Daniel Vinod 
Published: January 2012

AbstractObjective:  The objective of the study was to improve pathology services in selected remote health centres from the Northern Territory (NT) through the implementation of a quality managed point‐of‐care pathology testing (POCT) service.Design:  Study of the efficacy of the POCT service after 1 year and qualitative survey of POCT device operators.Setting:  The study was set in thirty‐three remote health centres in the NT administered by the NT Department of Health.Participants:  Remote health centre staff at participating remote health centres participated in the study.Interventions:  The introduction of the i‐STAT device to perform on‐site POCT.Main outcome measures:  The main outcome measures used in the study were the number of remote staff trained, volume of testing performed and satisfaction of POCT device operators.Results:  One hundred and sixty‐four health professional staff were trained to perform i‐STAT POCT during the first year of the program. A total of 2290 POCT tests were performed on the i‐STAT. The volume of testing consistently increased across the year. Tests for international normalised ratio were the most frequently performed (averaging 70 tests per month). Stakeholder satisfaction with the i‐STAT device was high, with a statistically significant improvement in satisfaction levels with pathology service provision being reported after the introduction of POCT. Greater than 80% of respondents stated POCT was more convenient than the laboratory service and assisted in the stabilisation of acutely ill patients.Conclusions:  The NT POCT Program has been operationally effective and well received by staff working as i‐STAT POCT operators in remote health centres. Retention of remote health centre staff is the most significant challenge to ensuring the program's long‐term viability.
Farming suicides during the Victorian drought: 2001–2007
Authors: Guiney Robyn 
Published: January 2012

AbstractObjective:  The objective of this study was to determine whether farming suicides increased in Victoria during the prolonged drought in south eastern Australia and gain an understanding of Victorian farming suicides during the period.Method:  Intentional self‐harm deaths of farmers and primary producers notified to the Victorian State Coroner from 2001 to 2007 were examined to identify characteristics and determine whether the annual number of farming suicides increased.Results:  Farming suicides accounted for just over 3% of Victorian suicides. The total number of farming suicides was 110 for the period and ranged between 11 and 19 deaths per year, rising and falling inconsistently from year to year. Males accounted for nearly 95% of farming suicides, with firearms and hanging the most frequently used methods, and most deaths occurring between 30 and 59 years of age.Conclusions:  The small number of relevant cases and fluctuations in the annual number of deaths provides no evidence of a pattern of increasing farming suicides during the drought years, when there was approximately one suicide every 3 weeks. Given the elevated suicide risk in male farmers and association with multiple psychosocial and environmental factors, it cannot be concluded, however, that suicide risk itself did not increase during this period of heightened uncertainty and stress. Drought should not be dismissed among the many risk factors, and it is possible that increased mental health awareness and community support programs targeting drought‐affected areas contributed to improved management of stress and suicide risk in regional and rural Victoria over the past decade.
Communicating about breast cancer: Rural women's experience of interacting with their surgeon
Authors: Ristevski Eli , Regan Melanie , Birks David , Steers Nicole , Byrne Anny , McGrail Matthew R. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractObjective:  This study examined rural women's satisfaction with the interaction and communication with their surgeon during diagnosis and treatment planning for early breast cancer. Differences in satisfaction were investigated between treatment groups (mastectomy and breast conservation surgery) and demographic variables (age, marital status, education level, employment status and place of residence). Practice was compared with clinical practice guidelines.Design:  The study was designed as a cross‐sectional survey.Setting:  The study was set in Eastern regional Victoria, Australia.Participants:  Seventy women diagnosed with early breast cancer participated in the study.Main outcome measures:  The main outcome measures used by the study were satisfaction in three areas of practice: (i) telling a woman she has breast cancer; (ii) providing information and involving the woman in the decision‐making; and (iii) preparing the woman for specific management.Results:  No differences in satisfaction were found between treatment groups and demographic variables. Overall, women in this study were highly satisfied (>93%) with the interaction and communication with their surgeon. Women reported that the surgeon created a supportive environment for discussion, that they were provided with adequate information and referrals, and that they were actively involved in the decision‐making. Practice could have been improved for women who were alone at diagnosis as women without a partner made a quicker decision about treatment.Conclusion:  Rural women in Victoria Australia were largely satisfied with the interaction and communication with their surgeon during diagnosis and treatment planning for early breast cancer. Current practice was predominately in line with clinical practice guidelines.
Personal–professional boundary issues in the satisfaction of rural clinicians recruited from within the community: Findings from an exploratory study
Authors: Gillespie Judy , Redivo Rhea 
Published: January 2012

AbstractObjective:  The objective of this paper is to highlight, from within a broad study of recruitment/retention, findings that identify personal–professional boundaries as key challenges for rural child and youth mental health clinicians recruited from within the community.Design:  Two mixed methods online questionnaires followed by semistructured telephone interviews with a small subset of respondents were administered to clinicians, team leaders, supervisors and managers whose practice responsibilities encompass rural settings in three regions of British Columbia, Canada.Participants:  Forty‐four clinicians and 27 team leaders/managers participated in the survey while eight clinicians and one team leader/manager participated in the semistructured interviews. Half the clinician respondents were recruited from within the community. Of those recruited from outside the community, half had prior experience living or working in a rural community.Main outcome measures:  Levels of satisfaction with lifestyle, practice and preparation for practice were compared across categories of respondents identified earlier. Open‐ended comments were coded by theme and also compared across categories of respondents.Results:  While expressing their higher levels of satisfaction with rural lifestyle and professional practice, clinicians recruited from within rural communities report significant initial and ongoing stress related to personal–professional boundaries and dual relationships. They also report lower levels of satisfaction with orientation and preparation for practice relevant to dealing with these stressors.Conclusion:  Prior attachment to rural communities, increasingly viewed as an effective recruitment and retention strategy, requires better preparation and ongoing supports to enable practitioners to deal with dual relationships and the personal–professional boundary issues that are a direct consequence of their attachments.
Reproductive bet‐hedging in a rare yet widespread rainforest tree, Syzygium paniculatum (Myrtaceae)
Authors: THURLBY KATIE A. G. , WILSON PETER G. , SHERWIN WILLIAM B. , CONNELLY CAROLYN , ROSSETTO MAURIZIO 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe rare rainforest tree species, Syzygium paniculatum, is the only known Australian species of the genus to produce seeds that regularly have multiple embryos. Evidence from other species suggests that this is a case of adventitious polyembryony, with the embryos arising from maternal nucellar tissue. In the present study we use microsatellite data to determine whether sexual reproduction does occur and, if it does, to investigate the relative fitness of asexual versus sexual seedlings. Genotyping suggested that the species is a polyploid and our results found very little genetic diversity within and among populations (with a total of nine genotypic combinations across the entire species). The only significant variation was between the three northernmost populations and the other eight populations sampled. Analysis of individual embryos showed that sexually derived embryos did occur in some seeds but that these were not necessarily the fittest. In general, the seedling from the largest embryo is the first to emerge and maintains a competitive advantage over the other seedlings from the same seed. We discuss the ramifications of the low levels of genetic diversity and consider whether there is a direct relationship between polyembryony and the inferred polyploidy of the species. We consider the possible advantages of reproductive bet‐hedging but also highlight the susceptibility of a species with low genetic diversity to extreme stochastic events. Syzygium paniculatum occurs in areas heavily impacted by human activity and these findings should contribute to improved management of this threatened species.
Trends in colorectal cancer incidence rates in New Zealand, 1981–2004
Authors: Shah Ankit B. , Sarfati Diana , Blakely Tony , Atkinson June , Dennett Elizabeth R. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackground:  Incidence rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) in New Zealand rank among the highest worldwide. Internationally, there has been evidence of a shift in colon cancer from left‐ to right‐sided. The objective of this study was to determine trends in left‐ and right‐sided colon and rectal cancers incidence by sex, age and ethnicity.Methods:  Using datasets created by linking data from the New Zealand Cancer Registry to the census data, we analysed a total of 47 694 CRCs from 1981 to 2004. Cancers were divided into right‐sided colon (cecum to the splenic flexure); left‐sided colon (descending and sigmoid colon); and rectal (rectosigmoid junction and rectum).Results:  Left‐ and right‐sided colon, and rectal cancer incidence rates increased by 13–20% among men. In women, colon cancer rates increased by 25% for right‐sided cancers, decreased by 8% for left‐sided cancers and remained unchanged for rectal cancers. This corresponds with an increase in right‐sided cancers from 57% to 65% of total colon cancers in women. The incidence of all CRCs increased at a faster rate among Māori than non‐Māori.Conclusion:  We identified a left‐ to right‐sided shift in colon cancer limited to women over the age of 65. While Māori trends in site distribution parallel those of their non‐Māori counterparts, the rapid increase in Māori incidence rates is noteworthy. It is unclear why such shifts in CRC site distribution are occurring.
Dispositional empathy modulates vicarious effects of dynamic pain expressions on spinal nociception, facial responses and acute pain
Authors: Mailhot Jean‐Philippe , Vachon‐Presseau Etienne , Jackson Philip L. , Rainville Pierre 
Published: January 2012

AbstractPain communication is thought to promote automatic vicarious self‐protective responses as well as empathic concern towards others’ suffering. This duality was recently highlighted in a study showing that highly empathic individuals display increased vicarious facilitation of low‐level pain processing (nociceptive flexion reflex, NFR) combined with an unexpected reduced facilitation of self‐pain perception (pain ratings) while viewing static pictures evoking pain in others. The present study sought to test further the moderating effects of dispositional empathy on vicarious responses induced by viewing dynamic pain expressions. Twenty‐four healthy volunteers viewed 1‐s videos showing different levels of pain expression before noxious electric shocks were delivered to the sural nerve. Viewing stronger pain expressions generally increased shock–pain unpleasantness ratings, the amplitude of the NFR, and facial responses (corrugator muscle) to the noxious stimulation. However, self‐pain ratings (intensity and unpleasantness) increased less or were reduced following clips of pain expression in individuals scoring higher on the Empathy Quotient. These results suggest that vicarious processes facilitate low‐level defensive responses, while the experience of self‐pain and the associated negative affect may be partly tuned‐down by higher‐order empathic processes.
Directional biases and resource‐dependence in dispersal generate spatial patterning in a consumer–producer model
Authors: Anderson Kurt E. , Hilker Frank M. , Nisbet Roger M. 
Published: January 2012

Ecology Letters (2012)AbstractDirectional dispersal plays a large role in shaping ecological processes in diverse systems such as rivers, coastlines and vegetation communities. We describe an instability driven by directional dispersal in a spatially explicit consumer–producer model where spatial patterns emerge in the absence of external environmental variation. Dispersal of the consumer has both undirected and directed components that are functions of producer biomass. We demonstrate that directional dispersal is required for the instability, while undirected diffusive dispersal sets a lower bound to the spatial scale of emerging patterns. Furthermore, instability requires indirect feedbacks affecting consumer per capita dispersal rates, and not activator–inhibitor dynamics affecting production and mortality as is described in previous theory. This novel and less‐restrictive mechanism for generating spatial patterns can arise over realistic parameter values, which we explore using an empirically inspired model and data on stream macroinvertebrates.