bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Copepod feeding in a coastal area of active tidal mixing: diel and monthly variations of grazing impacts on phytoplankton biomass
Authors: Lee Doo B. , Song Hye Y. , Park Chul , Choi Keun H. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThis study examined monthly feeding rates and grazing impact on phytoplankton biomass, as well as diel feeding rhythms of four key copepod species in a tidally well mixed estuary (Asan Bay, Korean Peninsula). Monthly ingestion rates estimated based on gut pigment analysis were closely associated with their peak densities, but not with phytoplankton biomass, implying high ingestion may be related to reproductive output for population growth. The three smaller copepods, Acartia hongi, Acartia pacifica and Paracalanus parvus, showed feeding preference for smaller phytoplankton (<20 μm) with higher clearance rates, whereas the larger Calanus sinicus preferred larger phytoplankton. Acartia pacifica and P. parvus showed distinct increased nocturnal feeding rates as measured with gut fluorescence, whereas A. hongi showed no significant day–night differences. Copepod diel feeding patterns were not associated with food quantity, and endogenous physiological rhythm might be hypothesized as responsible for the observed diel feeding patterns. Grazing impact on phytoplankton biomass by the four copepods in the estuary was on average 8% (range 0.2–29.8%) of the phytoplankton standing stock, similar to values reported in other coastal waters. Very high copepod abundances but low daily carbon ration (<20% for all copepods) provided by feeding on phytoplankton indicate that copepods also grazed on other non‐phytoplankton foods in Asan Bay.
The Effect of Systemic Administration of Cloprostenol on Ovulation in Mares Treated with a Prostaglandin Synthetase Inhibitor
Authors: Cuervo‐Arango J 
Published: April 2011

ContentsProstaglandins (PGs) are essential to trigger the cascade of events that degrade the extracellular matrix of follicles leading to follicular rupture and ovulation. In mares, systemic administration of flunixin meglumine (FM), a PG synthetase inhibitor, blocks ovulation by inducing luteinized unruptured follicles (LUF). In the rat, the administration of PGF2α (PGF) and PGE restored ovulation in indomethacin treated animals. The mares were treated with FM 0, 12, 24 and 36 h after human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) administration to induce experimentally LUF (n = 15) or were left untreated (controls, n = 5). In addition, 250 μg of cloprostenol were administered intravenously to the mares 33, 35 and 36 h (CLO 33, n = 5) or 48, 49 and 50 h (CLO 48, n = 5) after hCG. One group was treated with FM but not with cloprostenol (FM‐control, n = 5). The ovulation rate, follicular diameter and progesterone concentration were compared amongst groups. The ovulation rate at 48 h was higher (p < 0.05) in the controls (100%) than in the FM‐control (0%), CLO 33 (0%) or CLO 48 (20%) mares. All but one FM treated mares developed LUF by 48 h after hCG administration. Two LUF collapsed between 48 and 60 h and 72 and 84 h in one mare from FM‐control and from the CLO 33 group each, respectively. Progesterone concentration was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the control mares than in any of the FM treated mares 5, 9 and 13 days after hCG. In conclusion, FM administered during the periovulatory period blocked ovulation in the mares. In contrast, the administration of cloprostenol, a PGF analogue, in the previously FM treated mares failed to restore ovulation.
Nominal association between a polymorphism in DGKH and bipolar disorder detected in a meta‐analysis of East Asian case–control samples
Authors: Takata Atsushi , Kawasaki Hiroaki , Iwayama Yoshimi , Yamada Kazuo , Gotoh Leo , Mitsuyasu Hiroshi , Miura Tomofumi , Kato Tadafumi , Yoshikawa Takeo , Kanba Shigenobu 
Published: April 2011

Aim:  Recent genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) of bipolar disorder (BD) have detected new candidate genes, including DGKH, DFNB31 and SORCS2. However, the results of these GWAS were not necessarily consistent, indicating the importance of replication studies. In this study, we tested the genetic association of DGKH, DFNB31 and SORCS2 with BD.Methods:  We genotyped 18 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in DGKH, DFNB31 and SORCS2 using Japanese samples (366 cases and 370 controls). We also performed a meta‐analysis of four SNP in DGKH, using the previously published allele frequency data of Han‐Chinese case–control samples (1139 cases and 1138 controls).Results:  In the association analysis using Japanese samples, a SNP in SORCS2 (rs10937823) showed nominal genotypic association. However, we could not find any association in an additional analysis of tag SNP around rs10937823. In the meta‐analysis of SNP in DGKH, rs9315897, which was not significantly associated with BD in the previous Chinese study, showed nominal association.Conclusion:  Although the association was not strong, the result of this study would support the association between DGKH and BD.
Reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Caregiver Reaction Assessment
Authors: Ge Cuixia , Yang Xiaoshi , Fu Jialiang , Chang Ying , Wei Jiansi , Zhang Fengjiao , Nutifafa Attah Ellis , Wang Lie 
Published: April 2011

Aims:  The aim of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Caregiver Reaction Assessment, as part of a psychosocial study among family caregivers of cancer patients.Methods:  Participants were derived from the Second Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University in Shenyang, China. The research established the internal consistent reliability, test–retest reliability and construct validity.Results:  The research comprised 400 family caregivers. The Chinese version of the Caregiver Reaction Assessment showed adequate internal consistency reliability, test–retest reliability and appropriate construct validity. After adjusting items 4, 8, 15 and 18, confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the five new factors of the Chinese version of the Caregiver Reaction Assessment had goodness of fit.Conclusions:  These findings suggest that the Chinese version of the Caregiver Reaction Assessment is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring specific aspects of the caregiving experience in the Chinese population.
Mental health status of Japanese‐Brazilian children in Japan and Brazil
Authors: Kondo Shu , Otsuka Koichiro , Sawaguchi Glaucia Tiyomi , Miyasaka Lincoln Sakiara , Honda Elisa Tatsuko , Nakamura Yosikazu , Kato Satoshi 
Published: April 2011

Aims:  This study aimed to make a comparison of the mental health status between Japanese‐Brazilian children in Japan and in Brazil.Methods:  A total of 331 Japanese‐Brazilian children at five Brazilian schools in Japan (Japanese Group), and 172 Japanese‐Brazilian children at one private school in São Paulo (Brazilian Group) were enrolled in statistical analyses. The Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire was applied for parents, teachers, and students who were aged over 11 years old.Results:  The total comparison of the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire scores between the two groups demonstrated that all the average symptom scores except prosocial behavior were significantly higher in the Japanese Group by parent report. By teacher report, the average symptom scores of conduct problems, hyperactivity, peer problems and total difficulties were significantly higher in the Japanese Group, while that of the prosocial behavior was significantly higher in the Brazilian Group. Dividing parent and teacher reports into two age ranges, similar results to the total comparison were seen in the parent report in the age range of 4–10‐year‐olds and both parent and teacher reports in that of 11–16‐year‐olds, while in the teacher report for 4–10‐year‐olds, only conduct problems and total difficulties score showed significantly higher average scores in the Japanese Group. By self‐report, the average symptom scores of emotional symptoms, peer problems and total difficulties score were significantly higher in the Japanese Group.Conclusion:  The results indicate poorer mental health status in the Japanese Group than the Brazilian Group, and suggest the adverse circumstances of the former group both at their homes and schools.
Suicide‐related events among child and adolescent patients during short‐term antidepressant therapy
Authors: Kuba Teizo , Yakushi Takashi , Fukuhara Hiroshi , Nakamoto Yuzuru , Singeo Jr Singeru Travis , Tanaka Osamu , Kondo Tsuyoshi 
Published: April 2011

Aims:  Antidepressants have been of limited use for adolescent subjects with depression because of drug‐induced suicide‐related events (SRE). Therefore, we investigated actual suicidality and its risk factors during antidepressant therapy among child and adolescent patients in clinical settings.Methods:  The risks of SRE, consisting of suicidal ideation, self‐mutilation and suicide attempt, were prospectively monitored among 70 child and adolescent patients (15.4 ± 2.8 years) during the first 3 months of antidepressant therapy.Results:  The proportion of SRE decreased from 47.1% to 22.9% after the treatment. Subjects with persistent risks of SRE were significantly characterized by female sex (P < 0.05), psychotic features (P < 0.001), borderline personality disorder (P < 0.01), previous SRE (P < 0.001), and such baseline psychopathology as anhedonia (P < 0.005), irritability (P < 0.005) and hopelessness (P < 0.001). Discriminant analysis showed that baseline severity of SRE, borderline personality disorder and psychotic features were closely associated with SRE during antidepressant therapy. Total scoring using those three pretreatment factors predicted risks of SRE with sufficient sensitivity (81%)/specificity (98%) as well as high positive likelihood ratio (43.9).Conclusions:  These findings suggest that deteriorated risk of SRE in child and adolescent patients receiving antidepressants should not be overestimated while some pretreatment characteristics may be useful to predict the outcome of SRE after antidepressant therapy.
Procalcitonin guidance for reduction of antibiotic use in low‐risk outpatients with community‐acquired pneumonia
Authors: LONG WEI , DENG XINGQI , ZHANG YU , LU GANG , XIE JUAN , TANG JIANGUO 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  Use of antibiotics in outpatients with community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP) is empirical, which may lead to overuse and selection pressure for resistance. Procalcitonin (PCT) levels may predict the severity of CAP and may be used to guide antibiotic use in hospitalized patients. This study evaluated the value of PCT measurements for guiding antibiotic use in low‐risk outpatients with CAP.Methods:  This was a randomized intervention trial conducted between February 2005 and December 2008 that included 172 consecutive patients with suspected CAP, of whom 156 completed the study. The control group received antibiotics according to current guidelines. In the PCT group, antibiotic treatment was based on PCT levels as follows: <0.1 µg/L, strongly discouraged; ≤0.25 µg/L, discouraged; >0.25 µg/L, encouraged. The primary end‐points were total antibiotic use and duration of antibiotic treatment; laboratory and clinical outcomes were measured.Results:  Prescription of antibiotics on admission (84.4% vs 97.5%; P = 0.004), total antibiotic exposure (relative risk 0.55, 95% CI: 0.51–0.60; P = 0.003) and duration of antibiotic treatment (median 5 days vs 7 days; P < 0.001) were reduced in the PCT guidance group, compared with patients treated according to current guidelines. At 4‐week follow up, all patients had survived and laboratory and clinical outcomes were similar in the two groups.Conclusions:  Under PCT guidance, antibiotic use was reduced and duration of antibiotic treatment was shortened in low‐risk outpatients with CAP, without apparent harm.
Development of the Affordances in the Home Environment for Motor Development–Infant Scale
Authors: Caçola Priscila , Gabbard Carl , Santos Denise C.C. , Batistela Ana Carolina T. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractBackground:  The present study reports the development and application of the Affordances in the Home Environment for Motor Development–Infant Scale (AHEMD‐IS), a parental self‐report designed to assess the quantity and quality of affordances in the home environment that are conducive to motor development for infants aged 3–18 months.Methods:  Steps in its development included use of expert feedback, establishment of construct validity, interrater and intrarater reliability, and predictive validity. With all phases of the project, 113 homes were involved.Results:  Intraclass correlation coefficients for interrater and intrarater reliability for the total score were 1 and 0.94, respectively. In addition, results indicate that the test has the characteristic of differentiating a wide range of scores. Regression analysis for the AHEMD‐IS and motor development using the Alberta Infant Motor Scale supports preliminary evidence for predictive validity.Conclusion:  Our findings suggest that the AHEMD‐IS has sufficient reliability and validity as an instrument for assessing affordances in the home environment, with clinical and research applications.
Functional and behavioral outcome of bacterial meningitis in school‐aged survivors
Authors: Vartzelis George , Vasilopoulou Vasiliki , Katsioulis Antonios , Hadjichristodoulou Christos , Theodoridou Maria 
Published: April 2011

AbstractBackground:  Bacterial meningitis is a serious infection with high morbidity and a significant risk for neurological and functional sequelae. The purpose of this study was to assess children and teenagers with a history of bacterial meningitis for functional and behavioral problems.Methods:  Thirty children and teenagers who suffered bacterial meningitis beyond the age of 6 months were compared against 30 healthy controls for functional and behavioral problems. Both groups were assessed using the Child Behavior Checklist by Achenbach for abilities and behavioral problems.Results:  No significant difference was found between the two groups.Conclusion:  School‐aged survivors of bacterial meningitis beyond the first 6 months of life have a very good prognosis with regards to competence and behavior.
Multiple myeloma presenting with a fever of unknown origin and development of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura post‐bortezomib
Authors: Moore H. , Romeril K. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractMultiple myeloma rarely presents with a fever of unknown origin and diagnosis may be delayed. We describe a case of myeloma presenting in this way with raised serum‐free light chains and TP53 deletion on cytogenetics. The patient developed thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura (TTP) following bortezomib therapy but recovered spontaneously and was successfully re‐challenged. We believe this is only the second case to describe this phenomenon post‐bortezomib and the first to rechallenge the patient successfully without further recurrence of TTP. Possible mechanisms for this successful rechallenge are discussed.
The role of the PCA3 assay in predicting prostate biopsy outcome in a South African setting
Authors: Adam Ahmed , Engelbrecht Matthys J. , Bornman Maria S. , Manda Samuel O. , Moshokoa Evelyn , Feilat Rasmi A. 
Published: April 2011

Study Type – Diagnostic (exploratory cohort)Level of Evidence 2bWhat’s known on the subject? and What does the study add?The PCA3 assay has shown significant potential amongst the initial studies carried out in Western countries.This assay performed in line with previous studies. We have shown this marker to perform independent of prostatic volume and have identified potential indications for its use in our setting. However, we have not observed the PCA3 assay to outperform the PSA level across the risk spectrum.OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the investigational role, ideal threshold and indications of the Prostate CAncer gene 3 (PCA3) assay in a South African context.
To better define the universality of the above marker since this is the pioneer study on the continent of Africa.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
We prospectively evaluated 105 consecutive South African men referred for a prostate biopsy at two tertiary centres in the capital city, Pretoria.
Sequentially, PSA levels and post DRE urine samples were taken within 24 h before prostate biopsy.
The urine specimen was tested using the PROGENSATM PCA3 assay and a score was generated as (PCA3 mRNA/PSA mRNA) × 1000.
The performance of this assay in predicting biopsy outcome was assessed, and compared with that of serum PSA.
RESULTS
Median patient age was 67 years with a positive biopsy incidence of 42.9%.
The higher the PCA3 score the greater the probability of a positive biopsy (P = 0.003).
This score performed independently of prostatic volume (P = 0.3889) or the presence of a concurrent primary malignancy (P = 0.804).
A threshold of 60 revealed a positive predictive value of 60% with an odds ratio of 4, whereas setting a limit of 35 revealed a positive predictive value of 54% and odds ratio of 3.5.
Using receiver operating characteristics for overall performance comparison, the PSA level (area under the curve 0.844) performed better than the PCA3 score (area under the curve 0.705).
CONCLUSION
PCA3 assay has shown consistency and performed in line with previous studies but it did not surpass serum PSA in this population.
A PCA3 assay threshold of 60 performed better than the conventional limit of 35.
This assay may have a potential niche in a certain subset of South African men that includes patients with larger glands, previous negative biopsies and altered baseline PSA levels.
Critical assessment of the European Association of Urology guideline indications for pelvic lymph node dissection at radical prostatectomy
Authors: Abdollah Firas , Sun Maxine , Briganti Alberto , Thuret Rodolphe , Schmitges Jan , Gallina Andrea , Suardi Nazareno , Capitanio Umberto , Salonia Andrea , Shariat Shahrokh F. , Perrotte Paul , Rigatti Patrizio , Montorsi Francesco , Karakiewicz Pierre I. 
Published: April 2011

Study Type – Prognosis (retrospective cohort)Level of Evidence 2bWhat’s known on the subject? and What does the study add?Lymphadenectomy is the most accurate lymph node staging procedure in patients with prostate cancer. We presented the first formal validation of the 2010 European Association of Urology guidelines for lymphadenectomy in prostate cancer patients.OBJECTIVE• To assess the 2010 European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines for prostate cancer, which recommend a pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) at radical prostatectomy in all individuals with a nomogram‐predicted lymph node invasion (LNI) risk of >7%.PATIENTS and methods• We focused on 1520 patients treated with radical prostatectomy and PLND, between 2006 and 2010, at a single European institution. We examined the ability of the EAU proposed threshold to correctly predict histologically confirmed LNI. Moreover, we tested the ability of a range of nomogram thresholds between 1 and 14% to correctly predict histologically confirmed LNI. Finally, we externally validated the EAU PLND guideline nomogram.RESULTS• Overall, 10.6% of patients had LNI. The use of the 7% limit would have allowed the avoidance of 49% of PLNDs, at the cost of missing 11% of patients with LNI. The use of thresholds of 6% and 8% would have allowed the avoidance of respectively 46% and 52% of PLNDs, at the cost of missing respectively 9% and 11% of patients with LNI. Overall, the accuracy of the EAU guideline nomogram according to the receiver operating characteristics derived area under curve was 81%CONCLUSION• Our observations indicate that the EAU guideline nomogram is highly accurate. The recommended threshold of 7%, above which a PLND should be performed, is associated with a favourable compromise between avoidable PLNDs and potentially missed LNI cases.
The illusion of prostate‐specific antigen decline in patients with metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance
Authors: Choi Ho‐Chun , Park Jin‐Ho , Cho Be‐Long , Son Ki‐Young , Yoo Youk‐Jin , Kwon Hyuk‐Tae 
Published: April 2011

Study Type – Symptom prevalence (prospective cohort)Level of Evidence 1bWhat’s known on the subject? and What does the study add?Studies have shown that PSA is negatively associated with obesity as a result of hemodilution or metabolic effect. Hemodilution could be the main reason for low PSA levels in obese men. However, the intrinsic metabolic effects such as insulin resistance (IR) or metabolic syndrome (MS) on PSA level have not been clearly evaluated although obesity is closely tied to MS and IR.We regarded MS and IR as the pathophysiological cornerstone of metabolic disorder in obesity and analyzed the relationships among MS, IR, and PSA levels, and plasma volume by using the concept of PSA mass, the total circulating PSA protein. PSA mass did not change depending on the severity of the obesity, MS or IR. Even the group with both MS and IR, which could be the most metabolically disturbed in this study, did not have different PSA mass, comparing with the group without any MS or IR. Thus, the decline in PSA level in men with MS or IR can be also explained by increased plasma volume other than any intrinsic metabolic effects.OBJECTIVE• To investigate the detailed mechanism of prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) decline in metabolic syndrome (MS) and insulin resistance (IR), which lowers the predictive value of the PSA test, we examined the effect of haemodilution and the possibility of an intrinsic metabolic effect.PATIENTS AND METHODS• We analysed 28 315 men who underwent routine check‐ups. We compared the age‐adjusted mean PSA levels in subjects with and without MS before and after adjusting or stratifying the plasma volume. We analysed changes in PSA level, plasma volume and PSA mass according to obesity grade, number of MS components, IR severity and diagnosis of MS, IR or both using an analysis of covariance.RESULTS• The PSA levels were lower in the group with MS than in the group without MS (P= 0.001), but this difference disappeared after adjusting or stratifying the plasma volume (P > 0.05 for all). The PSA levels decreased, plasma volume increased, and PSA mass did not change as the number of MS components increased (P= 0.002, P < 0.001, P= 0.55, respectively) or the IR severity increased (P= 0.001, P < 0.001, P= 0.34, respectively).• Similarly, PSA levels were lower, plasma volumes were higher and PSA masses were the same in subjects with MS (P= 0.002, P < 0.001, P= 0.10, respectively), IR (P= 0.018, P < 0.001, P= 0.94, respectively), or both (P= 0.003, P < 0.001, P= 0.86, respectively) than in subjects without those conditions.CONCLUSION• The PSA decline in MS and IR may result simply from a haemodilution effect and be unrelated to intrinsic metabolic disturbances. For this reason, PSA levels could be underestimated in patients with MS or IR because of haemodilution.