bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reticulohistiocytosis: different dermatoscopic faces and a good response to methotrexate treatment
Authors: Kaçar N. , Tasli L. , Argenziano G. , Demirkan N. 
Published: November 2009

Summary
The reticulohistiocytoses are a rare group of non-Langerhans cell histiocytic disorders. Recently, dermatoscopic features have been reported for some of the xanthomatous disorders. We report a case of diffuse cutaneous reticulohistiocytosis with 29 reticulohistiocytomas. On dermatoscopy of these lesions, we saw three typical features: a homogeneous pattern with various shades of yellow (defined previously as a ‘setting-sun’ pattern), brown reticular structures, and central white scar-like patches and streaks. The setting-sun pattern was most commonly seen in combination with brown reticular structures. In four lesions, brown reticular structures surrounded a central white scar-like patch resembling that of a dermatofibroma. However, the presence of the setting-sun pattern in the background gave a different hue to that of the peripheral network seen in a dermatofibroma. A marked clinical improvement was associated with 6 months of systemic methotrexate treatment. Dermatoscopy may aid in the diagnosis of xanthomatous diseases. For this patient, methotrexate was beneficial.
Vessel density assessed by endoglin expression in breast carcinomas with different expression profiles
Authors: Lopes Nair , Sousa Bárbara , Vieira Daniella , Milanezi Fernanda , Schmitt Fernando 
Published: November 2009

Aims:  To evaluate the relationship between microvessel density assessed by endoglin expression and the molecular subtypes of human invasive breast carcinomas and whether there is evidence to indicate that angiogenesis could be a putative target for therapy in specific subsets of breast cancer.Methods and results:  We studied a series of 161 breast carcinomas, but information was available on only 142 tumours. We correlated endoglin expression with distinct breast carcinoma subgroups classified according to immunohistochemical profiling. Additionally, we compared it with other biomarkers for the aggressive basal‐like subset and with available histopathological data. Although the basal‐like subtype has higher microvessel density, there are no significant differences with the other molecular subtypes of breast cancer.Conclusions:  This study found no significant differences in tumour vascularity in different molecular subtypes of breast cancer.
Renal epithelioid angiomyolipoma: a study of six cases and a meta‐analytic study. Development of criteria for screening the entity with prognostic significance
Authors: Faraji Hamidreza , Nguyen Bich N , Mai Kien T 
Published: November 2009

Aims:  Renal epithelioid angiomyolipoma (EAML) is only described in case reports or in multi‐institutional small series. The aim was to report cases seen at our institution and to perform a meta‐analysis based on a literature review.Methods and results:  Six EAML cases seen at our institution were reviewed and a meta‐analysis performed using cases retrieved from a literature review. There were a total of 69 cases for review. The male:female ratio was 1:3. In the absence of areas of typical AML, useful features in distinguishing EAML from epithelial renal neoplasms include: extreme degree of cytological atypia, histiocytoid appearance, presence of melanocytic pigments, solid architecture with the absence of frequent areas of alveolar pattern, tubulo‐papillary formation and scarring. A fatal outcome, distant or lymph node metastasis, venous invasion and local recurrence were considered as adverse events and occurred in 40% of cases over a period of follow‐up of 3–60 months (mean 22.5 ± 18 months). Tumours with an unfavourable outcome showing marked cytological atypia and extensive tumour necrosis were larger (135 ± 43 mm) than those with a favourable outcome (79 ± 50 mm) (P < 0.002), and predominantly occurred in men.Conclusions:  Renal neoplasms with certain unusual features should be investigated immunohistochemically to rule out the possibility of EAML. The frequency of adverse outcome is lower in EAML than in renal cell carcinoma.
Systematic assessment of the prognostic impact of membranous CD44v6 protein expression in colorectal cancer
Authors: Zlobec Inti , Günthert Ursula , Tornillo Luigi , Iezzi Giandomenica , Baumhoer Daniel , Terracciano Luigi , Lugli Alessandro 
Published: November 2009

Aims:  To assess systematically the membranous expression of CD44v6 in colorectal cancer by immunohistochemistry to determine its prognostic impact, the differential expression between primary and metastatic tumours and expression differences between the tumour centre and invasive front.Methods and results:  Immunohistochemistry was performed for CD44v6 on two tissue microarrays. The first included 1279 colorectal tumours with full clinicopathological data. The second consisted of 50 matched primary and metastatic tumours sampled from the tumour centre and the invasive margin. A scoring system was tested by multiple observers. Receiver–operating characteristic curve analysis was used for cut‐off point determination. Loss of membranous CD44v6 was associated with pT stage (P = 0.016; sensitivity 85.8%, specificity 20.1%), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.015; sensitivity 52.8%, specificity 55%), an infiltrating tumour margin (P < 0.001; sensitivity 71.4%, specificity 40%) and adverse prognosis (P = 0.011; hazard ratio 0.79, 95% confidence interval 0.7, 0.9), but was not an independent prognostic factor on multivariable analysis. Loss of expression occurred at the invasive front in both primary and metastatic lesions (P < 0.001).Conclusions:  This study outlines an approach to help standardize the immunohistochemical evaluation of CD44v6 and similar markers in colorectal cancer and highlights a significant role for loss of membranous CD44v6 expression in colorectal cancer progression and prognosis.
Hierarchical modelling and estimation of abundance and population trends in metapopulation designs
Authors: Kéry Marc , Andrew Royle J. 
Published: November 2009

Summary1. Population assessment in changing environments is challenging because factors governing abundance may also affect detectability and thus bias observed counts. We describe a hierarchical modelling framework for estimating abundance corrected for detectability in metapopulation designs, where observations of ’individuals’ (e.g. territories) are replicated in spaceandtime. We consider two classes of models; first, we regard the data as independent binomial counts and model abundance and detectability based on a product‐binomial likelihood. Secondly, we use the more complex detection–non‐detection data for each territory to form encounter history frequencies, and analyse the resulting multinomial/Poisson hierarchical model. Importantly, we extend both models to directly estimate population trends over multiple years. Our models correct for any time trends in detectability when assessing population trends in abundance.2. We illustrate both models for a farmland and a woodland bird species, skylarkAlauda arvensisand willow titParus montanus, by applying them to Swiss BBS data, where 268 1 km2quadrats were surveyed two to three times during 1999–2003. We fit binomial and multinomial mixture models where log(abundance) depended on year, elevation, forest cover and transect route length, and logit(detection) on year, season and search effort.3. Parameter estimates were very similar between models with confidence intervals overlapping for most parameters. Trend estimates were similar for skylark (−0.074 ± 0.041 vs. −0.047 ± 0.019) and willow tit (0.044 ± 0.046 vs. 0.047 ± 0.018). As expected, the multinomial model gave more precise estimates, but also yielded lower abundance estimates for the skylark. This may be due to effects of territory misclassification (lumping error), which do not affect the binomial model.4. Both models appear useful for estimating abundance and population trends free from distortions by detectability in metapopulation designs with temporally replicated observations. The ability to obtain estimates of abundance and population trends that are unbiased with respect to any time trends in detectability ought to be a strong motivation for the collection of replicate observation data.
Managing wildlife populations with uncertainty: cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo
Authors: Smith G. C. , Parrott D. , Robertson P. A. 
Published: November 2009

Summary

Managing wildlife populations for conservation, control or harvesting involves uncertainty. Nevertheless, decisions need to be made based on the available evidence. The two main sources of uncertainty in population modelling are parameter estimates and structural uncertainty. Structural uncertainty in models is not included as often as parameter uncertainty.
We present an approach where parameter and structural uncertainty (strength of density dependence) is included within a model, using the over‐wintering English population of cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo L. Because of the damage caused to inland fishery interests by cormorants, there was a change in UK government policy in autumn 2004, increasing the numbers of birds that can be shot under licence.
A stochastic Monte Carlo annual population model was produced to examine the effect of changes to the numbers of birds shot each year. Indices of annual population size were converted to population estimates and used to determine annual growth rates and strength of density dependence.
There is strong evidence for density dependence in the data, which suggests the population is currently slightly above carrying capacity, with a mean growth rate of 4–6% per annum. The 1300 birds shot under licence in 2004/05 represent about 4·5% of the English population, and if this level of culling continues, the population would be expected to decline by 9% by 2007, compared to the long‐term average. The a priori preferred model, which included all uncertainty, gave predictions for 2004/05 and 2005/06 in close agreement with field data.
The model was used to produce short‐term population projections, with the understanding that Adaptive Resource Management (ARM) will be adopted to iteratively update the parameters and model each year, feeding back into the numbers of available licences.
Synthesis and applications. We recommend the approach used in this study of including parameter and structural uncertainty within a single model, where possible, with the proportion of iterations that utilize a particular structure dependent on the weight of evidence for that structure. This will produce results with wider confidence intervals, but ensures that the evidence for any particular model is not over‐interpreted.
Assessing the impact of culling on population size in the presence of uncertain density dependence: lessons from a great cormorant population
Authors: Green Rhys E. 
Published: November 2009

SummaryIn applied population ecology, simulation models are often used to predict the likely consequences of different management options and to inform policy. This study examines a recent population modelling study used to support a decision by the UK Government to increase the legal cull of great cormorantsPhalacrocorax carboin England.The main models used in the study rely heavily upon estimates of the strength of density dependence obtained solely from analysis of a time series of population counts. Previous literature has questioned the validity of estimates of density dependence based upon time‐series population data.It is shown, by means of simulations, that an important component of the cormorant population models, the strength of density dependence, cannot be estimated reliably from the available time series without allowing for count error. Proper allowance for the effect of count error is not thought to be feasible in this case.It is further shown, by means of simulations, that projections from population models which assume density independence lead to considerably larger uncertainty in the future population trajectory than was recognized in the cormorant study. This is because of failure to allow for the possibility of density‐independent trends over time in population growth rate.Synthesis and applications. The study examined did not provide a sound basis for decisions about population management. Negative density dependence tends to reduce the impact upon population size of a given culling regime, and because its strength is usually overestimated by the methods used, culled populations will tend to decline more rapidly than expected and possibly continue to decline without stabilizing at a lower level.
Adapting landscapes to climate change: examples of climate‐proof ecosystem networks and priority adaptation zones
Authors: Vos Claire C. , Berry Pam , Opdam Paul , Baveco Hans , Nijhof Bianca , O’Hanley Jesse , Bell Claire , Kuipers H. 
Published: November 2009

SummaryClimate change has been inducing range shifts for many species as they follow their suitable climate space and further shifts are projected. Whether species will be able to colonize regions where climate conditions become suitable, so‐called ‘new climate space’, depends on species traits and habitat fragmentation.By combining bioclimate envelope models with dispersal models, we identified areas where the spatial cohesion of the ecosystem pattern is expected to be insufficient to allow colonization of new climate space.For each of three ecosystem types, three species were selected that showed a shift in suitable climate space and differed in habitat fragmentation sensitivity.For the 2020 and 2050 time slices, the amount of climatically suitable habitat in northwest Europe diminished for all studied species. Additionally, significant portions of new suitable habitat could not be colonized because of isolation. Together, this will result in a decline in the amount of suitable habitat protected in Natura 2000 sites.We develop several adaptation strategies to combat this problem: (i) link isolated habitat that is within a new suitable climate zone to the nearest climate‐proof network; (ii) increase colonizing capacity in the overlap zone, the part of a network that remains suitable in successive time frames; (iii) optimize sustainable networks in climate refugia, the part of a species’ range where the climate remains stable.Synthesis and applications. Following the method described in this study, we can identify those sites across Europe where ecosystem patterns are not cohesive enough to accommodate species’ responses to climate change. The best locations for climate corridors where improving connectivity is most urgent and potential gain is highest can then be pinpointed.
Functional microbial diversity in regenerating cutover peatlands responds to vegetation succession
Authors: Artz Rebekka R. E. , Chapman Stephen J. , Siegenthaler Andy , Mitchell Edward A. D. , Buttler Alexandre , Bortoluzzi Estelle , Gilbert Daniel , Yli‐Petays Mika , Vasander Harri , Francez André‐Jean 
Published: November 2009

Summary

While establishment of vegetation is the most visual indicator of regeneration on cutover peatland, the reinstatement of belowground functions is less well understood. Vegetation succession results in differences in peat quality in terms of C availability. The respiratory response of the soil microbial community to ecologically relevant substrates (community‐level physiological profile, CLPP) such as those found in rhizosphere exudates and litter hydrolysates, is thought to reflect the activity and functional diversity of the soil microbial community, especially those involved in turnover of soluble photosynthate‐derived C.
The relationship between CLPP and typical regeneration stages was investigated at five European peatlands, each with up to five sites representing a gradient of natural regeneration stages. We aimed to determine whether unaided revegetation consistently affected soil microbial CLPP, which environmental factors explained variation in CLPP on the scale of individual peatlands, and if these factors were consistent across different peatlands.
Within each peatland, a decomposition index based on diagnostic bands in Fourier transform‐infrared spectra indicated that regeneration had generally started from a common base and that the influence of vegetation on the decomposition index declined with depth. In parallel, differences in vegetation cover between regeneration stages resulted in significantly different CLPP, but this effect decreased rapidly with soil depth. The magnitudes of the effect of vegetation succession versus soil depth appeared to be linked with the age range of the regeneration gradients. Hence, the effect of vegetation on CLPP is effectively diluted due to the remaining organic matter. Specific plant species described significant proportions of CLPP variability but these species were not consistent across peatland types. The effects of soil depth appeared to be peatland‐specific.
Synthesis and applications. Together, the results indicate significant responses of the microbial community to vegetation succession, with the strength of the effect probably dependent on quantities of labile C allocation to the soil microbial community. Therefore, particularly in the early stages of regeneration of cutover peatlands, CLPP could provide vital information about the relative importance of different plant functional types on potential rates of labile C turnover.
Historical changes in the distributions of invasive and endemic marine invertebrates are contrary to global warming predictions: the effects of decadal climate oscillations
Authors: Hilbish Thomas J. , Brannock Pamela M. , Jones Karlie R. , Smith Allison B. , Bullock Brooke N. , Wethey David S. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractAim  We tested whether a hybrid zone that has formed between an endemic and an invasive species of marine mussel has shifted poleward as expected under a general hypothesis of global warming or has responded instead to decadal climate oscillations.Location  We sampled 15 locations on the coast of California, USA, that span the distributions of the two species of marine mussels and their hybrids.Methods  Mussels were sampled in 2005–08 and analysed at three nuclear gene loci using methods identical to those used in a study a decade earlier in order to document the genetic architecture of this system. Change in the system was determined by comparing the frequency of species‐specific alleles and multi‐locus genotypes over the intervening decade. Climate variation over the same period was examined by comparing the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO), upwelling indices and sea surface temperature (SST) during and prior to the study period.Results  Contrary to the general expectations of global warming we show that the highly invasive warm‐water mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis and the hybrid zone formed with the endemic species Mytilus trossulus has rapidly contracted southwards. Mytilus galloprovincialis declined in abundance over the northern third of its geographic range (c. 540 km) and has become rare or absent across the northern 200 km of the range it previously colonized during its initial invasion. The distribution of the native species M. trossulus has remained unchanged over the same time period.Main conclusions  The large‐scale range shift in the warm‐water invasive species M. galloprovincialis and the hybrid zone it forms with M. trossulus has been exceptionally rapid and is in the opposite direction to that predicted by the global warming hypotheses. This shift, however, is consistent with decadal climate variation associated with the ENSO and the PDO. Since the biogeography of this system was first described in 1999, the PDO has shifted from a warm phase, dominated by frequent and large El Niño events, to a cold‐phase period, with minimal ENSO activity. Thus recent decadal climate variation can oppose global trends in average temperature and this study illustrates the need to integrate the effects of climate change across multiple time‐scales.
Factors of importance to the development of pressure ulcers in the care trajectory: perceptions of hospital and community care nurses
Authors: Athlin Elsy , Idvall Ewa , Jernfält Margareth , Johansson Inger 
Published: November 2009

Aim.  The study aimed at describing contributing factors for the progression or regression of pressure ulcers in the care trajectory as they were understood by nurses working in hospitals or community care.Background.  The development of pressure ulcers is considered to be connected with early prevention and awareness among nurses and some studies have indicated that the care trajectory may be a weak point.Design.  The study was carried out with a qualitative design.Method.  Fifteen nurses from two Swedish hospitals and 15 nurses from community care were interviewed during 2005. Qualitative content analysis was used to make an understanding of patterns possible.Findings.  Three main categories arose, showing that pressure ulcers were considered to be affected in the care trajectory by factors related to the individual patient, to the healthcare personnel and to the healthcare structure. Hospital and community care nurses mostly had corresponding perceptions of these factors.Conclusion.  The study both confirmed previous findings and added new knowledge about factors that may affect pressure ulcer in the trajectory of care. The informants’ views of nurses’ responsibilities and their attitudes towards the care of pressure ulcers could, along with their views on the organisation of care, increase the understanding of the occurrence of pressure ulcers. The need for development and clarification of the organisation and responsibility of pressure ulcer care in the care trajectory was stressed.Relevance to clinical practice.  The study highlighted attitudes and values among registered nurses, as well as to how to preserve their commitment and increase their knowledge concerning prevention of pressure ulcers.
What are the career planning and development practices for nurses in hospitals? Is there a difference between private and public hospitals?
Authors: Sonmez Betul , Yildirim Aytolan 
Published: November 2009

Aim.  The aim was to determine the opinions of nurse managers about career planning and development for nurses in hospitals.Background.  Career planning and development are defined as an important and necessary tool in the development of nurses as professionals and in retaining nurses in a facility.Design.  A descriptive survey.Method.  The research population comprised nurse managers in 200+ bed hospitals on the European side of Istanbul province (n = 668). The entire population was targeted and 373 nurse managers were included in the study (55·8% return rate). Data were collected with a 32‐item survey form that had three sections to determine the nurse managers’ demographic characteristics, the career development practices at the facility where they worked, the nurse managers’ responsibilities for career development and their expected competencies and recommendations.Findings.  The findings of this study suggest that the most common technique used for nurses for career development was education programs, the career development practices of private hospitals were more developed than public hospitals and the nurse managers’ perceptions about career development were different according to their management level, age group and educational level (p < 0·05).Result.  Although different practices were found in public and private hospitals in Turkey there were no effective career development practices identified and the nurse managers did not have agreement on the subject of career development.Relevance to clinical practice.  Hospitals which provide opportunity for horizontal and vertical promotion and have clear development policies will be successful hospitals which are prefered by high quality nurses. This study draws attention to the importance of career planning in nursing and the need for nurse managers to take an active role in career planning and development.