bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Warming climate advances breeding and improves synchrony of food demand and food availability in a boreal passerine
Authors: VATKA EMMA , ORELL MARKKU , RYTKÖNEN SEPPO 
Published: March 2011

AbstractGlobal climate change affects ecosystems via several trophic levels. We investigated changes in the timing of breeding in the willow tit (Poecile montanus) and timing of its caterpillar food resource in relation to warming springs in a boreal forest. We used generalized linear mixed effect models to study the importance of synchrony between the timing of breeding in willow tits and the caterpillar food availability on the breeding success, measured as nestling survival rate and mean nestling weight. Both the timing of breeding and the timing of the caterpillar peak advanced during the last decades, and were well explained by spring temperatures. Unlike in most passerine populations studied, synchrony has improved with rising spring temperatures. However, it had only a modest although statistically significant positive influence on breeding success. Spring temperatures do not seem to be used as cues for the timing of caterpillar food availability by willow tits. We conclude that responses to climatic warming seem to be population, species and habitat specific, necessitating research in a wide range of taxa in different climatic zones.
Insights into the climate of safety towards the prevention of falls among hospital staff
Authors: Black Alex A , Brauer Sandra G , Bell Rebecca AR , Economidis Alyssia J , Haines Terry P 
Published: March 2011

Aims and objectives.  To explore the climate of safety towards falls prevention among frontline hospital staff.Background.  Falls represent a serious threat to patient safety in hospitals. A positive safety climate is vital in healthcare organisations to promote safe care and reduce patient harm, yet little is known about the safety climate towards falls prevention among frontline staff in the hospital setting.Design.  An observational descriptive study.Methods.  Frontline staff working in five acute and subacute wards at two metropolitan hospitals in Australia were sampled. Safety climate towards falls prevention was measured using the Patient Safety Climate in Healthcare Organizations survey. The item‐specific, dimension‐specific and overall percentage of problematic responses were calculated, based on the frequency of responses inconsistent with a positive safety climate. Higher percentage of problematic responses values reflects a weaker safety climate.Results.  The overall percentage of problematic responses towards falls prevention was 15%. Dimensions that were most inconsistent with a positive safety climate included ‘provision of safe care’ (percentage of problematic responses 42·1%) and ‘unit recognition and support for safety efforts’ (percentage of problematic responses 26·9%). The overall and dimension‐specific percentage of problematic responses scores did not vary by hospital, or between nursing and allied health disciplines.Conclusions.  The study provides important insights into the safety climate towards falls prevention among frontline hospital staff. Further research is required to improve the problematic areas of safety climate towards falls prevention, to promote and deliver safe patient care by hospital healthcare teams.Relevance to clinical practice.  Identifying problematic areas in the safety climate towards falls prevention is a first step in guiding the development of targeted strategies to promote a positive atmosphere towards preventing falls and reducing patient harm in the hospital setting.
‘We’re just not getting it right’– how should we provide care to the older person with multi‐morbid chronic conditions?
Authors: Lupari Marina , Coates Vivien , Adamson Gary , Crealey Grainne E 
Published: March 2011

Aims and objectives.  The aim was to review available literature on research and service evaluation evidence of nurse‐led case management services targeting older people with multiple chronic conditions in their own homes. This was anticipated to highlight important issues for nursing practice, healthcare policy, service provision and health service research.Background.  Enhanced roles for nurses have developed in response to demands for increased efficiency in the provision of healthcare especially in the area of chronic disease management. It is apparent that the evidence to support nurses providing a case management approach for patients with multimorbid chronic conditions in their home environment is ambiguous.Design.  A systematic review of the literature.Methods.  The review was carried out across multiple sources including search and alert engines, electronic databases, relevant journal websites and grey literature. The inclusion criteria applied concentrated on articles in the English language, case management intervention involving nurses providing care in the patients’ own home and older people (aged over 65 years) with multiple chronic illnesses. Of a total of 568 papers identified, eight were of relevance and included in the review.Results.  The qualitative data derived from this systematic review suggests that access to case management services had a positive impact on the patient, the carer and the healthcare staff particularly the General Practitioner. In contrast the more robust quantitative data does not demonstrate a significant impact on emergency admissions, bed days, nor costs.Conclusions.  Further research is needed to understand how case management can most effectively improve service effectiveness for patients and their carers and reduce cost of care.Relevance to clinical practice.  A new emphasis on comparative effectiveness research is required which has the potential to reshape the whole system of healthcare provision for patients with complex needs.
Integrating stress‐related ventricular functional and angiographic data in preventive cardiology: a unified approach implementing a Bayesian network
Authors: Berchialla Paola , Foltran Francesca , Bigi Riccardo , Gregori Dario 
Published: March 2011

AbstractBackground  Identification of key factors associated with the risk of adverse cardiovascular events and quantification of this risk using multivariable prediction algorithms are among the major advances made in preventive cardiology and cardiovascular epidemiology.Methods  In the present paper, we examined clinical predictors of adverse cardiovascular events among 228 individuals with symptoms suggestive of coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing functional (stress echocardiography) and anatomical (coronary angiography) assessment of CAD. Particularly, we evaluate the possibility to integrate simple measures that have known prognostic value and more recently discovered predictors of risk, such as stress‐related ventricular function data and angiographic data, in a unique model implementing a Bayesian network (BN). Moreover, we compared the performance of BN and the covariates hierarchy with those obtained from logistic regression model and from a set of alternative tools becoming popular in various clinical settings, including random forest classification tree analysis, artificial neural networks and support vector machine.Results  Network graph and results coming from sensitivity analysis, where variables are ranked according to the gain they provided in variance reduction, seem have an easily intuitive lecture: variables that are measure of ventricular disfunction or of the extent of CAD show a greater impact in predicting event. On the other hand, anamnestic data such as diabetes, dyslipidaemia, hypertension, smoke habits, which are related to the outcome throughout a process of intermediate variables, per se have a small role in outcome prediction. BNs are able to explain a relevant part of variance (70%) and have discrimination ability superior or comparable with those to random forest classification tree analysis, artificial neural networks and support vector machine.Discussion  Despite the complexity of interactions, model obtained implementing a BN seems to be able to adequately describe the relationships existing among the analysed variables. BN, being able to predict scenarios in which new variables can be incorporated as health process evolves, can measure individual's risks for adverse cardiovascular events, providing a permanent second opinion to the medical practitioner and assisting diagnostic and therapeutic process.
Loss of neurofilaments in the neuromuscular junction in a rat model of proximal axonopathy
Authors: Soler‐Martín C. , Vilardosa Ú. , Saldaña‐Ruíz S. , Garcia N. , Llorens J. 
Published: March 2011

C. Soler‐Martín, Ú. Vilardosa, S. Saldaña‐Ruíz, N. Garcia and J. Llorens (2012) Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology38, 61–71Loss of neurofilaments in the neuromuscular junction in a rat model of proximal axonopathyAims: Rodents exposed to 3,3′‐iminodipropionitrile (IDPN) develop an axonopathy similar to that observed in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis motor neurones, in which neurofilaments accumulate in swollen proximal axon segments. This study addressed the hypotheses that this proximal axonopathy is associated with loss of neurofilament proteins in the neuromuscular junctions and a progressive loss of neurofilaments advancing in a distal‐proximal direction from the distal motor nerve. Methods: Adult male Long‐Evans rats were exposed to 0 or 15 mM of IDPN in drinking water for 1, 3 or 5 weeks, and their distal axons and neuromuscular junction organization studied by immunohistochemistry. Quantitative data were obtained by confocal microscopy on whole mounts of the Levator auris longus. Results: Muscles showed no change in the distribution of acetylcholine receptor labelling in the neuromuscular junctions after IDPN. In contrast, the amount of neurofilament labelling in the junctions was significantly reduced by IDPN, assessed with two different anti‐neurofilament antibodies. In preterminal axons and in more proximal axon levels, no statistically significant reductions in neurofilament content were observed. Conclusions: The proximal neurofilamentous axonopathy induced by IDPN is associated with an abnormally low content of neurofilaments in the motor terminals, with a potential impact in the function or stability of the neuromuscular junction. In contrast, neurofilaments are significantly maintained in the distal axon.
Clinical characteristics of pediatric patients evaluated for primary immunodeficiency
Authors: MacGinnitie Andrew , Aloi Frank , Mishra Seema 
Published: March 2011

To cite this article: MacGinnitie A, Aloi F, Mishra S. Clinical characteristics of pediatric patients evaluated for primary immunodeficiency. Pediatric Allergy Immunology 2011; 22: 671–675.AbstractObjective:  When to evaluate a child for possible immune deficiency is a challenge, as many children have frequent infections for which they are treated with antibiotics. We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of children evaluated for possible primary immunodeficiency in a specialist clinic. We specifically aimed to evaluate widely promulgated ‘warning signs of primary immunodeficiency’ and to evaluate the relationship between primary immunodeficiency and atopy.Methods:  A retrospective analysis of 141 children who underwent testing for possible primary immunodeficiency was undertaken.Results:  Thirty‐two (23%) children were diagnosed with an underlying primary immunodeficiency, and published warning signs were neither sensitive nor specific for primary immunodeficiency. Patients with allergy as determined by the presence of antigen‐specific IgE were more likely to be diagnosed with immunodeficiency.Conclusions:  Widely promulgated warning signs did not distinguish between patients with and without primary immunodeficiency. Likewise, primary immunodeficiency and allergy may coexist.
HLA antibodies in pediatric heart transplantation
Authors: Ho Eric K. , Vasilescu Elena R. , Vlad George , Marboe Charles C. , Addonizio Linda J. , Suciu‐Foca Nicole 
Published: March 2011

Ho EK, Vasilescu ER, Vlad G, Marboe CC, Addonizio LJ, Suciu‐Foca N. HLA antibodies in pediatric heart transplantation. Pediatr Transplantation 2011: 15: 458–464. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  We have analyzed the impact of anti‐HLA antibodies present in the patients’ circulation prior and/or following heart transplantation in a population of 108 pediatric recipients. Anti‐HLA class I and class II antibodies were monitored by traditional CDC using donor and panel T and B lymphocytes and by SPA for detection of DSA. There was a highly significant correlation between the development of AMR and presence of CDC‐ or SPA‐detected DSA. However, the fraction of the transplant population which remained AMR‐free was much higher among patients with SPA‐detected compared to CDC‐detected DSA. Furthermore, long‐term graft survival was negatively affected only by cytotoxic, complement‐fixing anti‐HLA class I antibodies developing following transplantation. Anti‐HLA class I or class II antibodies detected by SPA had no effect on long‐term survival rates.
Effects of rural status on health outcomes in pediatric liver transplantation: A single center analysis of 388 patients
Authors: Park K. T. , Nanda Pranav , Bensen Rachel , Strichartz Debra , Esquivel Carlos , Cox Kenneth 
Published: March 2011

Park KT, Nanda P, Bensen R, Strichartz D, Esquivel C, Cox K. Effects of rural status on health outcomes in pediatric liver transplantation: A single center analysis of 388 patients. Pediatr Transplantation 2011: 15: 300–305. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  Rural status of patients may impact health before and after pediatric LT. We used UI codes published by the USDA to stratify patients as urban or rural depending county residence. A total of 388 patients who had LT and who met criteria were included. Rejection, PTLD, and survival were used as primary outcome measures of post‐LT health. UNOS Status 1 and PELD/MELD scores >20 were used as secondary outcome measures of poorer pre‐LT health. Logistic regression models were run to determine associations. We did not find any statistically significant differences in pre‐ or post‐LT outcomes with respect to rurality. Among rural patients, there was a general trend for decreased incidence of rejection (25.0% vs. 33.4%; OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.29–1.44), increased risk of PTLD (5.6% vs. 3.4%; OR 1.86, 95% CI 0.36–3.31), and decreased survival (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.34–2.13) after LT. Rural patients also tended to be sicker at the time of LT than patients from urban areas, with increased proportion of Status 1 (OR 1.17, 95% CI 0.51–2.70) and PELD/MELD scores >20 (OR 1.20, 95% CI 0.59–2.45). From a single center experience, we conclude that rurality did not significantly affect health outcomes after LT, although a larger study may validate the general trends that rural patients may have decreased rejection, increased PTLD, and mortality, and be in poorer health at the time of LT.
Unrelated cord blood transplantation can restore hematologic and immunologic functions in patients with Chediak–Higashi syndrome
Authors: Rihani Rawad , Barbar Maha , Faqih Nesreen , Halalsheh Hadeel , Hussein Ayad Ahmad , Al‐Zaben Abdul Hadi , Rahman Fawzi Abdel , Sarhan Mahmoud 
Published: March 2011

Rihani R, Barbar M, Faqih N, Halalsheh H, Hussein A, Al‐Zaben AH, Rahman FA, Sarhan M. Unrelated cord blood transplantation can restore hematologic and immunologic functions in patients with Chediak–Higashi syndrome.Abstract:  CHS is a rare hereditary fatal disease, if not treated. APs occur in 85% of patients and are usually the main cause of mortality, and HSCT from HLA‐matched related and unrelated donors is the only effective treatment for CHS and prevents recurrences of APs. We reviewed the records of three patients with CHS who underwent UCBT at KHCC. Records were examined for clinical features at the time of UCBT, conditioning regimens, morbidities, and outcomes. Conditioning comprised BU, cyclophosphamide, horse ATG, and etoposide. All patients tolerated the conditioning well. Two patients are alive, one with mixed and the other with full donor chimerism; hematologic and immunologic defects of CHS have been corrected in both patients. They show no evidence of recurrences of APs and have normal growth and development. In patients with CHS who lack HLA‐matched related and unrelated donors, UCBT is a suitable alternative source of stem cells to restore immunologic and hematologic functions and prevent AP relapses, even in mixed chimeric states. Long follow‐up and close monitoring are essential to evaluate the long‐term benefits of using UCBT in patients with CHS.
Studies on the Transmission of Theileria annulata to Cattle by the Tick Hyalomma lusitanicum
Authors: Viseras J. , Hueli L. E. , Adroher F. J. , García‐Fernández P. 
Published: March 2011

SummaryThe role of the ixodid tick Hyalomma lusitanicum Koch 1844 as a vector of Mediterranean or tropical theileriosis (caused by the protozoan parasite Theileria annulata Dschunkowsky et Luhs 1904) in southern Spain was studied. Hyalomma lusitanicum was the most common tick, and the only species of the genus Hyalomma L., found on T. annulata‐infected cattle from the theileriosis enzootic area studied (province of Cádiz, southern Spain). Likewise, we found that all sera of the cattle previously considered as suspected of theileriosis by clinical signs, tested for T. annulata antibodies, were positive and all blood samples of these suspected cattle examined had infected erythrocytes. Partially fed H. lusitanicum adults were collected in the field on T. annulata‐infected cattle in this enzootic area and fed on an uninfected calf in an experimental farm free of theileriosis and ticks. At approximately 3 weeks post‐tick feeding on the calf, this became positive for T. annulata antibodies and T. annulata merozoites were found in erythrocytes from blood smears. These results show the ability of H. lusitanicum to transmit the protozoan parasite T. annulata to susceptible cattle and indicate that H. lusitanicum is probably an important vector of T. annulata in the enzootic area surveyed.
A Case of an Embryo Transfer Calf Infected with Bovine Leukemia Virus from the Recipient Cow
Authors: Fukai K. , Sato M. , Kawara M. , Hoshi Z. , Ueno S. , Chyou N. , Akashi H. 
Published: March 2011

SummaryA case was discovered where the embryo transfer (ET) calf had been infected with bovine leukemia virus (BLV) from the recipient cow. The embryo was transferred from the BLV‐uninfected donor cow to the recipient cow. However, the BLV test had not been performed to the recipient cow before ET was performed. The ET calf was raised in a calf hatch from birth to 1‐month old and was given the recipient cow's colostrum and milk artificially. The ET calf was raised with the two other calves from a 1‐month old to a 6‐month old. The BLV test was performed to the ET calf by agar gel precipitation (AGP) and passive haemagglutination (PHA) assay when the ET calf was 6 months old. Because the ET calf was positive, the BLV test was performed to the recipient cow, the two other calves raised with the ET calf and the two dams of the two other calves. Because the recipient cow only was positive at the time of the first test, we judged that the ET calf had been infected with BLV from the recipient cow. The importance of the BLV test being carried out on the recipient cow for the prevention of enzootic bovine leukemia in a case of ET was recognised.
Serological Survey for Antibodies against Selected Infectious Agents among Fallow Deer (Dama dama) in Central Italy
Authors: Cuteri V. , Diverio S. , Carnieletto P. , Turilli C. , Valente C. 
Published: March 2011

SummarySera were collected from 224 fallow deer (Dama dama) in reserves in central Italy. Samples were tested for antibodies against Chlamydia spp., Brucella spp. and Coxiella spp. with the complement fixation (CF) test. Indirect immunofluorescence was used to test for antibodies against Borrelia spp. and agglutination tests were conducted for Leptospira interrogans antibodies. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests were used to detect antibodies against bovine herpesvirus‐1 (BHV‐1) and bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV). All samples were negative for antibodies against Brucella spp., L. interrogans, Coxiella spp. and BHV‐1. Four samples (1.8%) had antibodies against Chlamydia spp., nine (4%) against Borrelia spp. and 10 (4.5%) against BVDV. These results indicate that fallow deer in central Italy have a low rate of exposure to pathogens typical of domestic livestock.
Benign mucinous cystadenoma with stromal luteinization responsible for maternal virilization and fetal intrauterine growth restriction
Authors: Bolat Filiz , Parlakgumus Ayse , Canpolat Tuba , Tuncer Ilhan 
Published: March 2011

AbstractVirilization caused by ovarian tumors with functioning stroma during pregnancy is extremely rare and has been reported to be due to different types of ovarian tumors. In mucinous cystadenomas with maternal virilization during pregnancy, the stromal cells responsible for hormone secretion resemble lutein or Leydig cells and have been referred to as luteinized stromal cells.Here we present a rare case of mucinous cystadenoma accompanied by virilization, which was also the cause of fetal intrauterine growth restriction during pregnancy and discuss the mechanisms of hormone production in these tumors in the light of the literature.
Torsion of a rudimentary uterine horn at 22 weeks of gestation
Authors: Wang Bo , Zhou Jian‐hong , Jin Hang‐mei 
Published: March 2011

AbstractRudimentary uterine horn is an uncommon abnormality of the female reproductive tract. Torsion of rudimentary uterine horn in pregnancy is even rarer. A case of successful excision of distorted rudimentary uterine horn in the second trimester, which caused severe abdominal pain, is described. A congenital absence of the right kidney was discovered simultaneously. The pregnancy continued uneventfully until term delivery.
Growing teratoma syndrome of the Ovary: A case report with FDG ‐PET findings
Authors: Kikawa Satomi , Todo Yukiharu , Minobe Shinichiro , Yamashiro Katsushige , Kato Hidenori , Sakuragi Noriaki 
Published: March 2011

AbstractGrowing teratoma syndrome (GTS) is defined as enlarging masses during or after chemotherapy for germ cell tumors, and containing only mature teratoma components. A surgical resection is important to confirm a diagnosis and thereby result in the resection of the most appropriate therapeutic management. GTS is a rare event in association with ovarian germ cell tumors. This report presents a case of a 36‐year‐old female treated surgically for GTS found during the follow‐up after chemotherapy and the primary surgical resection of a malignant immature teratoma. Those masses showed fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography positivity and elevated serum CA19‐9 prior to the second operation. The histology revealed a mature teratoma. The patient has been disease free for 6 months after the second operation.