bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The response of herpetofauna to urbanization: Inferring patterns of persistence from wildlife databases
Authors: HAMER ANDREW J. , MCDONNELL MARK J. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractUrbanization involves the conversion of natural habitats into human‐modified ecosystems and is known to reduce the diversity and abundance of indigenous plant and animal communities. Urbanization may lead to the extinction of indigenous species or facilitate the establishment of non‐indigenous communities in cities and towns. We analysed sighting records held in wildlife databases to infer the probability of persistence of reptiles and amphibians (‘herpetofauna’) within Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Throughout greater Melbourne, 81% (13) of the 16 frog species recorded had ≥95% probability of being extant in 2006, compared with 56% (22) of the 39 species of reptiles recorded. The number of frog species that had ≥95% probability of being extant in inner local government areas (LGAs) within 10 km of the centre of Melbourne was higher (86%) than in the outer LGAs (69%). Conversely, only 46% of reptile species had ≥95% probability of being extant in inner and outer LGAs. The proportion of reptile species with <50% probability of being extant in inner LGAs was higher than for frog species (25% and 7%, respectively), suggesting that reptiles have been negatively affected by urbanization to a much greater extent than frogs. Based on the probability of species being extant, frogs and reptiles exhibited variations in their response to urbanization between species that persisted (urban‐adapters) and species that did not (urban‐sensitive or urban‐avoiders). These differences in response were likely related to individual species' life‐history and their requirements for habitat, space and dispersal. To conserve herpetofauna in urban areas we need to maintain structural complexity in remnant habitat patches, and implement strategic policies and management actions that protect habitat remnants and habitat corridors.
How should the risk associated with the introduction of biological control agents be estimated?
Authors: McCoy Earl D. , Frank J. H. 
Published: November 2009

Florida has an exceptional burden of invasive species. The history of the classical biological control of invasive arthropod pest species in the region largely is one of inadequate pre‐release testing for nontarget effects.
A recent analysis indicated that a substantial risk of nontarget effects may exist in Florida, although the risk appears to be confined to a relatively small group of species within approximately ten families and documented cases of nontarget effects are rare, despite previous risky practices.
Great progress has been made recently in creating an organized framework for dealing with the uncertainty accompanying biological control importations in Florida and elsewhere. We suggest some ways in which balancing the risks and associated costs of releasing a biological control agent against the risks and associated costs of not releasing the agent may be improved.
Ultimately, experts will need to set some level of acceptable risk, and the ‘precautionary principle’ has been advanced to guide this process. As it stands, however, the precautionary principle applied to biological control falls short as a guide because it does not provide a prescription for action.
Florida case histories clearly illustrate both the complexity and urgency related to developing a prescription for action.
Advances in endoscopic visualization of colorectal polyps
Authors: Yeung T. M. , Mortensen N. J. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractAim  Conventional white‐light endoscopy is currently the gold standard for the detection and treatment of colorectal polyps. However, up to a fifth of polyps may be missed on initial examination, especially flat and small mucosal lesions. This study reviews the literature reporting on the use of new advances in endoscopic visualization.Method  Literature searches were performed on PubMed using the terms ‘chromoendoscopy’, ‘narrow‐band imaging’ (NBI), ‘autofluorescence imaging’ (AFI), ‘Fujinon Intelligent Colour Enhancement’ (FICE), ‘i‐Scan colonoscopy’, ‘zoom colonoscopy’ and ‘confocal laser endomicroscopy’ (CLE). We focused on systematic reviews, national guidelines and randomized controlled trials written in English. Studies were assessed for methodological quality using QUADAS. Prospective studies assessing new technology were also reviewed. Further publications were identified from reference lists.Results  Chromoendoscopy increases the detection of neoplastic polyps compared with conventional colonoscopy. NBI avoids the use of additional dyes and enhances the vascular network of capillaries surrounding the crypts, increasing the adenoma detection rate and the ability to distinguish between neoplastic and non‐neoplastic lesions. FICE, AFI and i‐Scan are new developments that improve tissue contrast. Zoom endoscopy may be combined with different modalities to help further characterize colonic lesions. CLE provides live in vivo high‐resolution optical sections of tissue and may be particularly useful in the surveillance of patients with long‐standing ulcerative colitis, reducing the number of random biopsies.Conclusion  Although there is mounting evidence that these new technologies are superior to conventional endoscopy, current guidelines are limited. Further large‐scale randomized controlled trials comparing these modalities in different patient subpopulations are warranted.
A unique approach to quantifying the changing workload and case mix in laparoscopic colorectal surgery
Authors: Shah P. R. , Gupta V. , Haray P. N. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractAim  Laparoscopic colorectal surgery includes a range of operations with differing technical difficulty, and traditional parameters, such as conversion and complication rates, may not be sensitive enough to assess the complexity of these procedures. This study aims to define a reproducible and reliable tool for quantifying the total workload and the complexity of the case mix.Method  This is a review of a single surgeon’s 10‐year experience. The intermediate equivalent value scoring system was used to code complexity of cases. To assess changes in the workload and case mix, the period has been divided into five phases.Results  Three hundred and forty‐nine laparoscopic operations were performed, of which there were 264 (75.6%) resections. The overall conversion rate was 17.8%, with progressive improvement over the phases. Complex major operation (CMO), as defined in the British United Provident Association (BUPA) schedule of procedures, accounted for 35% of the workload. In spite of similar numbers of cases in each phase, there was a steady increase in the workload score, correlating with the increasing complexity of the case mix. There was no significant difference in the conversion and complications rates between CMO and non‐CMO. The paradoxical increase in the mean operating time with increasing experience corresponded to the progressive increase in the workload score, reflecting the increasing complexity of the case mix.Conclusion  This article establishes a reliable and reproducible tool for quantifying the total laparoscopic colorectal workload of an individual surgeon or of an entire department, while at the same time providing a measure of the complexity of the case mix.
Comparison of standard vs high‐definition, wide‐angle colonoscopy for polyp detection: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Tribonias G. , Theodoropoulou A. , Konstantinidis K. , Vardas E. , Karmiris K. , Chroniaris N. , Chlouverakis G. , Paspatis G. A. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractAim  We sought to compare the performance of colonoscopy using a high‐definition, wide‐angle endoscope vs a standard colonoscope for the detection of polyps.Method  A total of 390 patients were prospectively randomized into high‐definition colonoscopy group (HD, n = 193) and standard colonoscopy group (SC, n = 197).Results  Analysis demonstrated that there were significant differences between the two groups, as far as the overall rate of polyps (SC, 1.31 ± 1.90; HD, 1.76 ± 2.31; P = 0.03) and the rate of small hyperplastic polyps (size < 5 mm; SC, 0.10 ± 0.36; HD, 0.25 ± 0.61; P = 0.003) were concerned. No significant differences between the two groups were observed, regarding large polyps (size ≥ 10 mm; SC, 0.39 ± 0.89; HD, 0.48 ± 0.80; P = 0.10), medium polyps (10 mm > size ≥ 5 mm; SC, 0.60 ± 1.46; HD, 0.58 ± 1.25; P = 0.31) and small polyps (size < 5 mm; SC, 0.32 ± 0.86; HD, 0.71 ± 1.65; P = 0.09). Similarly, no significant differences were demonstrated in the detection rate of adenomas and hyperplastic polyps, large adenomas, medium adenomas, small adenomas and large and medium hyperplastic polyps.Conclusion  High‐definition colonoscopy led to a significant increase in the polyp detection.
Endoscopist experience as a risk factor for colonoscopic complications
Authors: Lorenzo‐Zúñiga V. , Moreno de Vega V. , Doménech E. , Mañosa M. , Planas R. , Boix J. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractAim  We aimed to determine the incidence of colonic perforation (CP) following colonoscopy and postpolypectomy bleeding (PPB) in a teaching hospital, assessing the influence of endoscopist experience as a risk factor.Method  All colonoscopies performed between 1995 and 2008 were reviewed. Demographic data, endoscopic procedure information, incidence of CP and PPB, and endoscopist experience were recorded.Results  In the 14‐year period, 25 214 endoscopic colonic procedures were performed, and 3991 patients underwent polypectomy. The overall CP risk was 0.51/1000 procedures; and PPB 14.7/1000. The relative risk (RR) ratio of complications was 2.8/1000 procedures. The RR rate was highest for endoscopists performing less than 591 procedures per year (4.0/1000 [95% CI, 3.7–4.3] vs 2.9/1000 [95% CI, 2.6–3.2]), P < 0.001).Conclusion  The complication rate after colonoscopy was comparable to that previously reported. Colonoscopy carried out by a low‐volume endoscopist was independently associated with bleeding and perforation.
International Evidence for Return Predictability and the Implications for Long-Run Covariation of the G7 Stock Markets
Authors: Nitschka Thomas 
Published: November 2009

AbstractTemporary fluctuations of the US consumption-wealth ratio do not only predict excess returns on the US but also international stock markets at the business cycle frequency. This finding is the reflection of a common, temporary component in national stock markets. Exposure to this common component explains up to 50% of the pairwise covariation among long-horizon returns on the G7 stock markets for the time period from 1970 to 2008. This latter finding is less pronounced in the post-1990s period.
Effect of daytime, weekday and year of admission on outcome in acute ischaemic stroke patients treated with thrombolytic therapy
Authors: Jauss M. , Schütz H.J. , Tanislav C. , Misselwitz B. , Rosenow F. 
Published: November 2009

Background:  Since doubts were raised, if a challenging medical procedure such as acute stroke treatment including thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rTPA) is available with identical standard and outcome 24 h and 7 days a week our aim was to examine if acute stroke patients defined by onset‐admission time (OAT) of ≤ 3 h were treated differently or had distinct outcome when admitted during off duty hours (day versus night and weekend versus weekdays) and if any differences in treatment or outcome were apparent when comparing patients admitted in the year 2003 with patients admitted in the year 2006.Methods:  We analyzed 2003–2006 data of a prospective registry and grouped patients by time, day, and year of admission. The evaluation was limited to patients that were diagnosed with ischaemic stroke and with OAT of ≤ 3 h. Medical and sociodemographic items, use of thrombolytic treatment, complications during clinical course and place of discharge were obtained. Clinical state on admission and discharge was assessed using the modified Rankin scale. Comparison with chi‐square test, t‐test and logistic regression was performed.Results:  Patient’s characteristics, rate of thrombolysis, and outcome were independent from time or day of admission. Proportion of patients with good clinical state at discharge increased significantly from 2003 to 2006 together with a higher rate of rTPA treatment without increase of intracranial hemorrhage. Proportion of patients discharged in good clinical condition after rTPA treatment increased from 34% to 44%.Conclusions:  Stroke treatment in potential candidates for thrombolytic therapy revealed no impairment on weekend or at night already in 2003. During 4 years, it was possible to increase rate of rTPA treatment from 8.9% to 21.8% without increment of complications or death, confirming that rTPA is safe and can be implemented with full daily and weekly coverage.
Paraoxonase gene polymorphisms and stroke severity
Authors: Lazaros L. , Markoula S. , Kyritsis A. , Georgiou I. 
Published: November 2009

Background:  Paraoxonase (PON) is an HDL‐associated enzyme that prevents low‐density lipoprotein oxidation, playing a major role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. PON genes polymorphisms may affect the corresponding enzyme activity. In this study, we examined the association of ischemic stroke with the three PON genes.Methods:  One hundred and seventy‐eight patients hospitalized for ischemic stroke and 181 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls were recruited. PON1(Q/R) 192, PON1(M/L) 55, and PON2(S/C) 311 polymorphisms were analyzed.Results:  The presence of the PON2 311C allele was significantly increased in patients with severe forms of ischemic stroke according to Modified Rankin Scale (P = 0.02, odds ratio = 2.215). No significant differences in genotype and allele distribution were observed between patients and controls.Conclusions:  The PON2 311C allele was suggested as a possible predisposing factor for severe cases of ischemic stroke. Large‐scale multicenter‐controlled prospective studies are warranted to further explore the effects of PON polymorphisms on stroke susceptibility and severity.
EFNS guidelines on the diagnosis and management of European Lyme neuroborreliosis
Authors: Mygland Å. , Ljøstad U. , Fingerle V. , Rupprecht T. , Schmutzhard E. , Steiner I. 
Published: November 2009

Background:  Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB) is a nervous system infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bb).Objectives:  To present evidence‐based recommendations for diagnosis and treatment.Methods:  Data were analysed according to levels of evidence as suggested by EFNS.Recommendations:  The following three criteria should be fulfilled for definite LNB, and two of them for possible LNB: (i) neurological symptoms; (ii) cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pleocytosis; (iii) Bb‐specific antibodies produced intrathecally. PCR and CSF culture may be corroborative if symptom duration is <6 weeks, when Bb antibodies may be absent. PCR is otherwise not recommended. There is also not enough evidence to recommend the following tests for diagnostic purposes: microscope‐based assays, chemokine CXCL13, antigen detection, immune complexes, lymphocyte transformation test, cyst formation, lymphocyte markers. Adult patients with definite or possible acute LNB (symptom duration <6 months) should be offered a single 14‐day course of antibiotic treatment. Oral doxycycline (200 mg daily) and intravenous (IV) ceftriaxone (2 g daily) are equally effective in patients with symptoms confined to the peripheral nervous system, including meningitis (level A). Patients with CNS manifestations should be treated with IV ceftriaxone (2 g daily) for 14 days and late LNB (symptom duration >6 months) for 3 weeks (good practice points). Children should be treated as adults, except that doxycycline is contraindicated under 8 years of age (nine in some countries). If symptoms persist for more than 6 months after standard treatment, the condition is often termed post‐Lyme disease syndrome (PLDS). Antibiotic therapy has no impact on PLDS (level A).
Prevalence of gambling problems among adolescents in the Nordic countries: an overview of national gambling surveys 1997–2009
Authors: Kristiansen Søren , Jensen Sara Marie 
Published: November 2009

Kristiansen S, Jensen SM. Prevalence of gambling problems among adolescents in the Nordic countries: an overview of national gambling surveys 1997–2009Int J Soc Welfare 2011: 20: 75–86 © 2009 The Author(s), Journal compilation © 2009 Blackwell Publishing Ltd and the International Journal of Social Welfare.The study presents an overview of prevalence studies focusing on problem and pathological gambling among adolescent populations in the Nordic countries. Past‐year prevalence of problem gambling among adolescents in the Nordic countries ranges from 0.4 per cent (Denmark) to 4.2 per cent (Sweden). Past‐year prevalence of pathological gambling ranges from 0.1 per cent (Denmark) to 1.76 per cent (Norway). Results from the Nordic countries also show that boys gamble more than girls, older adolescents gamble more than younger adolescents and that, as shown in adult prevalence surveys, problem gambling is more widespread among adolescents than among adults. It is concluded that investigations of gambling problems among adolescents in the Nordic countries differ regarding age groups, sampling procedures, response rates, nomenclature and screening instruments, all of which complicates valid comparisons. More collaboration between researchers from different countries is urged in order to improve comparability between national studies.
Negative encounters with social insurance officers – experiences of women and men on long‐term sick leave
Authors: Upmark Marianne , Hagberg Jan , Alexanderson Kristina 
Published: November 2009

Upmark M, Hagberg J, Alexanderson K. Negative encounters with social insurance officers – experiences of women and men on long‐term sick leaveInt J Soc Welfare 2011: 20: 309–317 © 2009 Karolinska Institutet. International Journal of Social Welfare © 2009 Blackwell Publishing Limited and the International Journal of Social WelfareThis study aimed to gain knowledge about long‐term sickness absentees' experiences of negative encounters with social insurance officers (SIOs). A questionnaire about encounters with SIOs and healthcare professionals was sent to 10,000 long‐term sickness absentees in Sweden (response rate 58 per cent, n= 5,802). Twenty per cent of the respondents had experienced negative encounters with SIOs compared with 27 per cent with healthcare professionals. Response patterns regarding the 23 different types of negative encounters with SIOs were similar for women and men. Slightly more women [odds ratio (OR) 1.2–1.5] agreed to most of the items. When adjusting for age, country of birth, education and self‐rated health gender differences, only two items remained. Foreign‐born had higher ORs even after adjustments. Experiencing negative encounters of different types with SIOs can hardly contribute to empowerment and return to work. Interventions, preferably in terms of randomised controlled studies, are warranted to improve the situation.
A study of serial vertical sectioning of scalp biopsies to increase the histological diagnostic yield in alopecias
Authors: Bathish N , Ben Izhak O , Shemer A , Bergman R 
Published: November 2009

AbstractBackground  This study was performed to determine whether serial vertical sectioning of scalp biopsies increases the histological diagnostic yield in alopecias.Materials and Methods  The study group included 100 consecutively referred patients with scalp alopecias. The formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded specimens of the scalp alopecias were completely serially sectioned in a vertical orientation and stained with haematoxylin and eosin. The histological diagnosis rendered in the initial slide harbouring three to six sections was compared with the diagnosis in the following vertical serial sections (30–116 serial sections per specimen, mean 53).Results  A total of 55 scalp biopsies were classified histologically as non‐cicatricial alopecia, 35 as cicatricial alopecia and 10 as ‘others’. Diagnostic histological findings were present in the initial sections of 50 (50%) cases of alopecia, and only in the following serial sections in 48 (48%) cases. Two cases (2%) lacked differentiating diagnostic histological features in all of the vertical sections. The diagnostic yield of the serial vertical sections compared with the initial sections was higher in the non‐cicatricial alopecias (52.7%) than in the cicatricial alopecias (48.5%) and the ‘others’ category (10%).Conclusions  Serial vertical sectioning of scalp alopecias increases the histological diagnostic yield, substantially.
Oxidative stress in acne vulgaris
Authors: Sarici G , Cinar S , Armutcu F , Altınyazar C , Koca R , Tekin NS 
Published: November 2009

AbstractBackground  Acne vulgaris is one of the common dermatological diseases and its pathogenesis is multifactorial. In this study, we aimed to determine the effects of oxidative stress in acne vulgaris.Materials and methods  The study involved 32 patients with acne vulgaris in the patient group and 34 healthy adults in the control group. The parameters of oxidative stress such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), xanthine oxidase (XO), nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the venous blood of patients were measured spectrophotometrically. The values were compared with those of the control group.Results  The serum levels of MDA and XO activity in the patients with acne vulgaris were significantly higher than those of the controls. A significantly lower SOD and CAT activity was found in the patient group than in the control group. Although the patient group had higher serum levels of NO than the control group, the difference was not statistically significant.Conclusion  These results suggest that oxidative damage may play a role in the pathogenesis of acne; therefore, significant alterations may occur in the antioxidant defence system.
Oppositional defiant behavior toward adults and oppositional defiant behavior toward other children: evidence for two separate constructs with mothers’ and fathers’ ratings of Brazilian children
Authors: de Moura Marcela Alves , Leonard Burns G. 
Published: November 2009

Background:  Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to determine if oppositional defiant behavior (ODB) toward adults and oppositional defiant behavior toward other children were constructs distinct from each other as well as from attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder–hyperactivity/impulsivity (ADHD‐HI), attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder–inattention (ADHD‐IN), and academic competence.Methods:  Mothers and fathers rated the occurrence of the DSM‐IV oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) symptoms where the target was an adult (e.g., argues with adults) and the ODD symptoms where the target was another child (brothers, sisters, or peers) (e.g., argues with other children) along with ADHD‐IN, ADHD‐HI, and academic competence in a sample of 894 Brazilian children on the Portuguese version of the Child and Adolescent Disruptive Behavior Inventory (CADBI).Results:  The ODB‐Adults’ and ODB‐Children’s factors showed invariance (i.e., equality of like item loadings, intercepts, residuals; as well as like factor variances, covariances, and means), convergent validity, and discriminant validity from each other as well as from ADHD‐IN, ADHD‐HI, and academic competence between mothers’ and fathers’ ratings.Conclusions:  With the Portuguese parent version of the CADBI, the evidence indicated that ODB‐Adults and ODB‐Children represent two constructs rather than one. The distinction between ODB‐Adults and ODB‐Children allows for a more specific study of the development of ODB in children.