bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Patients’ experiences of health transitions in pulmonary rehabilitation
Authors: Halding Anne‐Grethe , Heggdal Kristin 
Published: August 2011

HLDING A‐G and HEGGDAL K. Nursing Inquiry 2012; 19: 345–356  Patients’ experiences of health transitions in pulmonary rehabilitationPeople who live with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experience major changes in health. Coping with the illness and caring for themselves places extensive demands on them. Thus, pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is recommended as a means to facilitate healthy transitions in everyday life with COPD. This study explores the experience of patients with COPD in terms of their transitions in health during and after PR. The research was inspired by interpretive phenomenology. Thirty‐three individual qualitative interviews were conducted with eighteen patients recruited from Norwegian PR units. A thematic analysis of the interviews was performed. The interviewees described participation in PR as a time of increasing awareness of opportunities for health and well‐being with strengthened hope. The year following PR was dominated by their ongoing challenge to acknowledge limitations and explore opportunities in everyday life. Continuation of healthy transitions was facilitated by peer and professional support. The study highlights the personal resources that patients with COPD have access to in order to promote their own health. The study also highlights their vulnerability during illness and rehabilitation. The findings critique time‐limited PR and support the current trends towards patient‐centred rehabilitation efforts that incorporate user involvement and self‐management education.
Phylogeography and systematics of Acanthogammarus s. str., giant amphipod crustaceans from Lake Baikal
Authors: Daneliya Mikhail E. , Kamaltynov Ravil M. , Väinölä Risto 
Published: August 2011

Daneliya, M. E., Kamaltynov, R. M. & Väinölä, R. (2011). Phylogeography and systematics of Acanthogammarus s. str., giant amphipod crustaceans from Lake Baikal. —Zoologica Scripta, 40, 623–637.To illustrate the dynamics of evolution of the rich endemic crustacean diversity in the ancient Siberian Lake Baikal, we explored the phylogenetic relationships and intralake phylogeographic structure in members of the genus Acanthogammarus Stebbing (Amphipoda, Gammaridea, Acanthogammaridae), which involves some of the most spectacular gigantic freshwater amphipods in the world. Mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene sequence data gave only partial support to either of the recent competing views of systematic diversity. The three species Acanthogammarus victorii, Acanthogammarus maculosus and Acanthogammarus lappaceus along with a fourth, undescribed taxon endemic to the Ushkanii archipelago, made a monophyletic group corresponding to the subgenus Ancyracanthus. A sister relationship of the vicarious ‘subspecies’A. victorii and A. maculosus was not supported, rather the southerly A. victorii was basal to the cluster of the three other northerly, overlapping species. The data generally supported full species rank for the previously debated subspecies taxa, apart from the purported distinction between ‘Acanthogammarus longispinus’ and Acanthogammarus lappaceus, which seems to represent intraspecies morphological variation, partly related to sexual dimorphism. The sister status of Acanthogammarus godlewskii and A. gracilispinus (and thus subgenus Acanthogammarus) had weak support; reassessment of museum collections showed that they both are widespread and sympatric throughout the lake. The observed interspecies sequence differences were 13–22% (23–64% in terms of model‐based distance), suggesting divergence times of several million years under conventional calibrations, calling the applicability of external clocks into question. Strong patterns of intraspecific, intralake phylogeographic subdivision were found in A. lappaceus, A. maculosus and A. gracilispinus, each comprising several disjunct lineages with 1–5% divergence. Other species showed only slight differentiation. In all, the patterns of geographical differentiation were unique for each species, varying from moderate allele frequency differentiation to well‐established geographically segregated lineages, presumably of Early and Middle Pleistocene age. The patterns of differentiation in Acanthogammarus support an important role of allopatric diversification in the evolution of Lake Baikal fauna.
Outcomes of long‐term follow‐up of patients with conservative management of asymptomatic renal calculi
Authors: Koh Li‐Tsa , Ng Foo‐Cheong , Ng Kok‐Kit 
Published: August 2011

Study Type – Prognosis (cohort)Level of Evidence 4What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add?Several small series studies have looked at the natural history of asymptomatic renal stones. The number of subjects in these studies ranged from 24 to 300 and duration of follow‐up ranged from 19.4 to 52.3 months. The reported incidences of spontaneous passage, progression and intervention were 3 to 15%, 33 to 77% and 7 to 26%.This study reports on the natural history of asymptomatic stones with an average size of 5.7 mm which were smaller in size than those reviewed in other series. The findings were that the incidence of spontaneous passage was higher than in other series at 20% and that the incidence of intervention was low at 7.1%. This study found that stones that were less than 5 mm in diameter were significantly more likely to pass spontaneously than stones that were larger and there were no other significant differences in the outcomes when stratified according to the initial size and location of stones.OBJECTIVE• To evaluate the long‐term outcomes of patients undergoing observation of asymptomatic renal calculi.PATIENTS AND METHODS• This is a retrospective review of 50 patients with 85 stones undergoing observation with annual imaging from January 2005 to December 2009.• The incidences of spontaneous stone passage, stone progression and intervention were evaluated and assessed for statistical difference according to initial size and location of stone.• Percutaneous nephrolithotomy, shock wave lithotripsy and ureteroscopy were performed when patients developed complications from the stones.RESULTS• Patients were followed up for a mean of 46 months. Sixteen percent had bilateral stones and 38% had multiple stones.• The average stone size was 5.7 mm and 31%, 26% and 43% of the stones were located in the upper, middle and lower pole respectively.• Overall incidences of spontaneous passage, progression and intervention were 20%, 45.9% and 7.1% respectively.• Stones measuring 5 mm or less were significantly more likely to pass (P= 0.006).• There was no significant difference in the incidence of passage according to the initial location of the stone (P= 0.092). There was no significant difference in intervention or progression according to the initial size (P= 0.477 and 0.282 respectively) or location of stone (P= 0.068 and 0.787 respectively).CONCLUSIONS• Patients with asymptomatic renal stones may be managed conservatively in view of low risk of intervention (7.1%).• Annual imaging should be performed as half of these stones will progress in size.
Development of male genital lichen sclerosus in penile reconstruction skin grafts after cancer surgery: an unreported complication
Authors: Abdelbaky Ather M. , Aluru Pavan , Keegan Philip , Greene Damien R. 
Published: August 2011

Study Type – Therapy (case series)Level of Evidence 4What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?Male genital lichen sclerosis is a disease of unknown aetiology which is believed to be a risk factor for penile cancer.This study reports that the disease can develop in non‐genital skin grafts used for reconstruction following penile cancer surgery.OBJECTIVE• To describe the incidence of the development of male genital lichen sclerosus (LS) in non‐genital skin grafts used in penile reconstruction after cancer surgery.PATIENTS AND METHODS• Between 1997 and 2009, 177 patients received surgical treatment for penile cancer in the Urology Department at Sunderland Royal Hospital, the regional penile cancer centre for the north‐east of England.• Patients who had organ‐sparing surgery and non‐genital penile graft reconstructions were identified.• Histology reports for specimens obtained from those grafts were reviewed to identify the presence of male genital LS and the incidence of recurrence of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).RESULTS• The mean (range) age of patients at diagnosis was 61.8 (32–89) years. Of the 177 patients, 139 had SCC, 32 had carcinoma in situ and six had verrucous carcinoma.• In total, 56 penile reconstructive procedures were performed using split‐thickness skin grafts obtained from the inner thigh.• From those grafts, 18 specimens were obtained later for cosmetic, diagnostic or curative purposes.• Male genital LS was found in six of the 18 specimens, and one of them was associated with recurrent verrucous carcinoma.CONCLUSIONS• This is the first published series to describe the incidence of male genital LS in penile skin grafts taken from a remote site after penile cancer surgery.• These results represent new information that might help explain the aetiology of male genital LS.
Amelioration of diabetes‐induced cavernosal fibrosis by antioxidant and anti‐transforming growth factor‐β1 therapies in inducible nitric oxide synthase‐deficient mice
Authors: Ferrini Monica G. , Moon Joanne , Rivera Steve , Rajfer Jacob , Gonzalez‐Cadavid Nestor F. 
Published: August 2011

Study Type – Aetiology (case control)Level of Evidence 1bWhat's known on the subject? and What does the study add?The development of penile fibrosis in diabetes is associated with an increase in oxidative stress and the key pro‐fibrotic factor. TGFβ1 within the corpora. As a consequence, a putative compensatory expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) cause a steady output of nitric oxide and cGMP which act as endogenous antifibrotic agents by quenching oxidative stress and inhibiting collagen synthesis and myofibroblast formation.This study adds to the growing body of evidence that the use of antioxidant or antifibrotic therapies may be effective in preventing and possibly ameliorating penile corporal fibrosis and therefore improving erectile function in diabetes, by targeting different pathways involved in the chronic histological damage that underlies erectile dysfunction.OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether sustained long‐term separate treatments of diabetic inducible nitric oxide synthase knockout (iNOSKo) mice with allopurinol, an antioxidant inhibiting xanthine oxidoreductase, decorin, a transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGFβ1) ‐binding antagonist, and molsidomine, a long‐life nitric oxide donor, prevent the processes of diabetes‐induced cavernosal fibrosis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Eight week old male iNOS knock out (iNOSKo) mice were made diabetic by injecting 150 mg/kg B.W Streptozotocin (1P) with were either left untreated or treated with the oral antioxidant allopurinol (40 mg/kg/day), or decoin (50 mg, 1P, twice), as an anti‐TGFβ1 agent (n = 8/group).
Glycemia and oxidative stress markers were determined in blood and urine.
Paraffin‐embedded tissue sections from the penile shaft were subjected to Masson trichrome staining for the smooth muscle (smc)/collagen ratio, and imunostaining for smc content, profibrotic factors, oxidative stress, cell replication and cell death markers followed by quantitative image analysis.
RESULTS
Eight‐week treatment with either allopurinol or decorin counteracted the decrease in smooth muscle cells and the increase in apoptosis and local oxidative stress within the corpora tissue.
Decorin but not allopurinol increased the smooth muscle cell/collagen ratio, whereas allopurinol but not decorin inhibited systemic oxidative stress.
Molsidomine was effective in reducing both local and systemic oxidative stress, but did not prevent corporal fibrosis.
CONCLUSION
Both allopurinol and decorin appear as promising approaches either as a single or a combined pharmacological modality for protecting the diabetic corpora from undergoing apoptosis and fibrosis although their functional effects still need to be defined.
Measuring erectile function after radical prostatectomy: comparing a single question with the International Index of Erectile Function
Authors: Tal Raanan , Rabbani Farhang , Scardino Peter T. , Mulhall John P. 
Published: August 2011

Study Type – Harm (individual cohort)Level of Evidence 2bWhat's known on the subject? and What does the study add?Measuring erectile function after radical prostatectomy is challenging: While lengthy questionnaires may be more comprehensive and accurate, a single question tool may be more easily administered, for clinical and research purpose.The present study compares the performance of a single question and the widely used International Index of Erectile Function (TIEF) in assessment of post radical prostatectomy erectile function.OBJECTIVE
To present a single‐question institutional erectile function scale, which was developed at Memorial Sloan‐Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) before the availability of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), and to compare its performance with the IIEF. Erectile function status assessment after radical prostatectomy is a significant challenge both for research purposes and in clinical practice. Recently, there has been a shift away from complex questionnaire use such as the IIEF and regression to single‐item assessment of erectile function.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Our erectile function score, a single question 5‐point score based on physician–patient interview, was applied to 276 patients with prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy. Based on the erectile function score, patients were grouped into five groups. The mean IIEF score and the mean score of questions 3 and 4 of the IIEF were calculated and compared across the groups.
Each score group was compared with the preceding group and tested for significant difference. The erectile function domain of the IIEF and the institutional score were tested for correlation.
RESULTS
The complete erectile function domain score from the IIEF was available for 170 patients and scores from questions 3 and 4 were available for 220 patients. The institutional erectile function score categorized the subjects into distinct groups based on erectile function status.
The institutional erectile function score was highly correlated with the IIEF erectile function domain score (r=−0.692, P < 0.001) and with the questions 3 and 4 combined score (r=−0.678, P < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
The MSKCC erectile function scale is a practical, readily administered method to assess erectile function in patients with prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy.
The erectile function score, as determined by this scale, is highly correlated with the IIEF erectile function domain score.
Inhibition of bladder overactivity by stimulation of feline pudendal nerve using transdermal amplitude‐modulated signal (TAMS)
Authors: Tai Changfeng , Shen Bing , Wang Jicheng , Liu Hailong , Subbaroyan Jeyakumar , Roppolo James R. , de Groat William C. 
Published: August 2011

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?It is known that direct stimulation of pudenal nerve using a cuff electrode can inhibit normal bladder activity. This study further indicates that overactive bladder activity can be inhibited using non‐invasive skin surface electrodes and a transdermal amplitude‐modulated signal (TAMS).OBJECTIVE
To develop a non‐invasive neuromodulation method targeting the pudendal nerve.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Bladder overactivity induced by acetic acid (AA) irritation was partially suppressed by electrical stimulation of the pudendal nerve in α‐chloralose anaesthetized cats using a transdermal amplitude‐modulated signal (TAMS).
RESULTS
During cystometrography (CMG), intravesical infusion of 0.25% AA significantly decreased the mean (se) bladder capacity to 28.8 (5.9)% of the capacity measured during saline infusion.
The TAMS stimulation inhibited AA‐induced bladder overactivity at 5, 7 and 10 Hz, and significantly increased the mean (se) bladder capacity to 61.8 (9.9)%, 51.3 (14.5)%, 53.6 (14.9)%, respectively, of the control capacity during saline infusion, whereas stimulation at 20–40 Hz had no effect.
Under isovolumetric conditions at a bladder volume ranging between 130 to 160% of the bladder capacity measured during AA infusion, TAMS stimulation at all frequencies (5–40 Hz) significantly suppressed the irritation‐induced rhythmic bladder contractions, reduced the area under the bladder pressure curve, and decreased the frequency of bladder contractions. However, the amplitude of rhythmic bladder contractions was only significantly decreased at stimulation frequencies of 5–20 Hz.
At bladder volumes above the AA control capacity, TAMS stimulation with frequencies of 20–30 Hz had an excitatory effect, resulting in large amplitude (>25 cmH2O) bladder contractions.
CONCLUSIONS
TAMS stimulation targeting the cat pudendal nerve can inhibit C‐fibre afferent‐mediated bladder overactivity.
Thus, clinical research seems warranted to explore the usefulness of this technology for patients with overactive bladder symptoms.
Significance of histological prostatitis in patients with urinary retention and underlying benign prostatic hyperplasia or adenocarcinoma of the prostate
Authors: van Vuuren Stephan P.J. , Heyns Chris F. , Zarrabi Amir D. 
Published: August 2011

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?It is known that histological prostatitis is associated with a significantly higher risk for acute urinary retention in men with BPH. This study showed that, in men with BPH, histological prostatitis was associated with urinary retention at a significantly younger age and with higher serum PSA levels. In men with ACP, histological prostatitis was associated with urinary retention at an earlier stage of cancer.Study Type – Prognosis (individual cohort)Level of Evidence 2bOBJECTIVE
To compare the clinical features of patients having urinary retention and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with those having adenocarcinoma of the prostate (ACP) and to evaluate the significance of histological prostatitis.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
The clinical data and histopathology reports of patients with retention admitted to Tygerberg Hospital between September 1998 and June 2007 were evaluated.
Statistical analysis was performed with Student's t‐test, Mann–Whitney test and Fisher's exact test where appropriate and P < 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance.
RESULTS
Prostatic histology was available in 405 patients, 204 with BPH and 201 with ACP.
Comparing those with BPH and those with ACP showed statistically significant differences in mean age (69.5 vs 71.9 years), serum prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level (18.6 vs 899.5 ng/mL) and histological prostatitis (48 vs 25%) but not duration of catheterization, prostate volume or urinary tract infection (UTI).
Comparing those with BPH only and those with BPH plus prostatitis showed significant differences in mean age (71.9 vs 67.1 year) and PSA level (14.6 vs 22.8 ng/mL) but not prostate volume, UTI or duration of catheterization.
Comparing those with ACP only and those with ACP plus prostatitis showed significant differences in stage T4 cancer (68.1 vs 35.4%) and PSA level (1123.4 vs 232.4 ng/mL) but not age, prostate volume, UTI or duration of catheterization.
CONCLUSIONS
Histological prostatitis was almost twice as common in patients with urinary retention associated with underlying BPH than in patients with ACP, but there was no significant difference in the duration of catheterization, prostatic volume or presence of UTI, suggesting that histological prostatitis more often contributes to the development of retention in patients with underlying BPH than in those with ACP.
In patients with BPH, histological prostatitis was associated with urinary retention at a significantly younger age and with higher serum PSA levels.
In patients with ACP, histological prostatitis was associated with urinary retention at an earlier stage of cancer.
Auditors’ going‐concern‐modified opinions after 2001: measuring reporting accuracy
Authors: Carey Peter , Kortum Stuart , Moroney Robyn 
Published: August 2011

AbstractAn important change in auditors’ reporting behaviour in the period after the high‐profile corporate collapses in 2001 is that auditors were more likely to issue going‐concern (GC)‐modified audit opinions. Comparing company failure rates subsequent to receiving a first‐time going‐concern (FTGC)‐modified audit opinion in the pre‐ and post‐2001 periods, we find a consistent type 1 error (misclassification) rate (the rate of survival among companies issued an FTGC opinion). Results are indicative of auditors maintaining GC reporting accuracy when comparing the 1995–1996 and 2004–2005 periods. This conclusion is supported after considering the impact of mitigating circumstances surrounding companies that received an FTGC‐modified audit report and survived.
Example‐Driven Deformations Based on Discrete Shells
Authors: Fröhlich Stefan , Botsch Mario 
Published: August 2011

AbstractDespite the huge progress made in interactive physics‐based mesh deformation, manipulating a geometrically complex mesh or posing a detailed character is still a tedious and time‐consuming task. Example‐driven methods significantly simplify the modelling process by incorporating structural or anatomical knowledge learned from example poses. However, these approaches yield counter‐intuitive, non‐physical results as soon as the shape space spanned by the example poses is left. In this paper, we propose a modelling framework that is both example‐driven and physics‐based and thereby overcomes the limitations of both approaches. Based on an extension of the discrete shell energy we derive mesh deformation and mesh interpolation techniques that can be seamlessly combined into a simple and flexible mesh‐based inverse kinematics system.
Prevalence and correlation of conventional and lupus‐specific risk factors for cardiovascular disease in Chinese systemic lupus erythematosus patients
Authors: Yang L. , Tao J. , Tang X. , Wang Y. , He X. , Xu G. , Ren Y. , Tu Y. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractBackground  It has become clear that the morbidity and mortality of patients with lupus and cardiovascular disease (CVD) have substantially increased. Therefore, we designed a retrospective case–control study to assess the prevalence of traditional and lupus‐specific risk factors for CVD in Chinese systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients.Objective  To identify the prevalence and correlation of conventional and lupus‐specific risk factors for CVD in Chinese SLE patients.Methods  One hundred and thirty‐nine patients with SLE were enrolled in the study. They were compared with 139 age and gender‐matched controls, who had no history of SLE or CVD. Among 139 SLE patients, there were 38 with CVD. We compared them with 38 SLE patients without CVD, matching for disease duration and age. Data regarding classic and lupus‐specific risk factors were assessed between the two groups.Results  Hypertension, serum creatinine and diabetes mellitus were more prevalent among SLE than the controls (P < 0.05). The patients with SLE were more likely to have elevated total, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels than the controls (P < 0.001). However, high‐density lipoprotein levels in SLE patients were lower than that in controls (P = 0.019). After being compared with SLE patients without CVD, the patients with both SLE and CVD were more likely to have elevated serum creatinine, proteinuria, the presence of anti‐Sm antibody and decreased complement 4 (C4) levels (P < 0.05). Moreover, the patients with both diseases were less likely to be treated with hydroxychloroquine (P < 0.05). In multivariable analysis, elevated serum creatinine, proteinuria, decreased C4 levels, the presence of anti‐Sm antibody and the lack of using hydroxychloroquine were independent risk factors for CVD (P < 0.05).Conclusions  We are able to identify some conventional and lupus‐specific risk factors for CVD in Chinese SLE patients.