bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Angiomyolipoma of the liver: a reappraisal of morphological features and delineation of new characteristic histological features from the clinicopathological findings of 55 tumours in 47 patients
Authors: Nonomura Akitaka , Enomoto Yasunori , Takeda Maiko , Takano Masato , Morita Kohei , Kasai Takahiko 
Published: April 2012

Nonomura A, Enomoto Y, Takeda M, Takano M, Morita K & Kasai T  (2012) Histopathology 61, 863–880Angiomyolipoma of the liver: a reappraisal of morphological features and delineation of new characteristic histological features from the clinicopathological findings of 55 tumours in 47 patientsAims:  The aim of this study was to characterize and delineate the broad histological spectrum of hepatic angiomyolipoma (AML) and to obtain a better understanding of its clinicopathological diagnosis by reviewing a large series of AMLs.Methods and results:  According to the proportions of three histological components, AML could be classified into 10 types; 36 of 55 tumours (65%) were classified as myomatous, eight as myoangiomatous, six as mixed (conventional), two as lipomatous, two as myolipomatous, and one as lipomyomatous. The morphology of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in AML was quite variable, giving a wide variety of growth patterns. Fourteen (25%) of 55 tumours showed severe cellular atypia, and invasive growth of tumour cells was found in 69% of the tumours. However, except for two autopsy cases, all of the patients were in good health at follow‐up, without metastases. Immunostaining for HMB‐45 was positive in all cases. We found frequent lymphocyte infiltration, and the occasional presence of abnormally large blood vessels around the tumour at the tumour–background liver interface, features which have not been reported previously.Conclusions:  The majority of hepatic AMLs were myomatous in type, showing variable cellular morphology and growth patterns. Cellular atypia and invasive growth were frequent, indicating that hepatic AMLs often show malignancy‐like histological features. Although the majority of cases behave as benign tumours, AML should be considered to have uncertain malignant potential, and careful follow‐up of patients is recommended. Immunostaining for HMB‐45 is specific for AML, and establishes the diagnosis. The occasional presence of abnormally large blood vessels around the tumour may give new insights into the evaluation of findings from imaging.
VEGF‐C, VEGF‐D and VEGFR‐3 expression in peripheral neuroblastic tumours
Authors: Ramani Pramila , Nash Rachel , Radevsky Lucy , Patel Ameesh , Luckett Michael , Rogers Chris 
Published: April 2012

Ramani P, Nash R, Radevsky L, Patel A, Luckett M & Rogers C  (2012) Histopathology VEGF‐C, VEGF‐D and VEGFR‐3 expression in peripheral neuroblastic tumoursAims:  More than 50% of neuroblastomas (NBs) present with haematogenous and/or lymphatic metastasis; however, little is known about the clinicopathological significance in NBs of the key lymphangiogenesis growth factors vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)‐C and VEGF‐D and the receptor VEGFR‐3.Methods and results:  Ninety‐three NBs and nine ganglioneuromas (GNs) were immunostained for VEGF‐C, VEGF‐D and VEGFR‐3. VEGF‐C and VEGF‐D were present in 76% and 82% of the NBs, respectively. There was no significant difference in VEGF‐C expression between NBs and GNs. VEGF‐D expression was significantly higher in NBs compared with GNs and in MYCN‐amplified NBs. VEGFR‐3 tumoral cell expression (VEGFR‐3c), present in 48% of the NBs, was significantly higher in NBs from children ≥18 months at presentation and those belonging to a high‐risk group. VEGFR‐3 lymphovascular density was increased significantly in NBs compared with GNs and in NBs associated with adverse clinicopathological and biological factors. Lymphovascular invasion, assessed in VEGFR‐3‐stained vessels, was present in ∼50% of NBs. Cox regression analyses demonstrated that VEGFR‐3c expression was associated with a significantly shorter event‐free survival and that its effect was independent of the important pathological variable, mitosis–karyorrhexis index.Conclusions:  VEGF‐D and VEGFR‐3 up‐regulation support tumour progression in NB and VEGFR‐3c may provide a useful prognostic marker in NBs.
Vasectomy reversal using a microsurgical three‐layer technique: one surgeon’s experience over 18 years with 1300 patients
Authors: Schwarzer J. U. 
Published: April 2012

SummaryThe technique and the results of microsurgical vasectomy reversal in a single‐centre study over 18 years are presented. Both vasovasostomy (VV) and epididymovasostomy (EV) were carried out in a three‐layer technique. With strict adherence to the strategy, end‐to‐end VV was only performed if spermatozoa had been demonstrated at the epididymal stump of the vas. In all other cases, EV was carried out in a preocclusive region of the epididymal tubule. The outpatient procedure of refertilization was associated with a very low complication rate, which underlines its minimal‐invasive character. The follow‐up rate was 71%, the overall patency rate was 89% and the pregnancy rate was 59%. Secondary azoospermia was only observed in 1% of the patients. In relation to the intervals of obstruction, the patency and pregnancy rates were higher after short‐term obstruction than after long‐term obstruction. Correspondingly, higher success rates were found after VV than after EV. This is understandable because the probability for indication of EV increases with longer periods of obstruction. There is a significant discrepancy between patency and pregnancy rates that is likely to be caused by a relevant number of patients with post‐operative asthenozoospermia. The duration of obstruction is an important factor concerning epididymal damage, but it only disproportionately affects the results of refertilization if the technology of EV is implemented consistently in case of an epididymal granuloma. Good clinical results are achieved with this strategy, as evidenced by pregnancy rates and semen analyses.
Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) and L‐arginine in patients with arteriogenic and non‐arteriogenic erectile dysfunction
Authors: Paroni R. , Barassi A. , Ciociola F. , Dozio E. , Finati E. , Fermo I. , Ghilardi F. , Colpi G. M. , Corsi M. M. , Melzi d’Eril G. V. 
Published: April 2012

SummaryThe plasma concentration of asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, has been linked to endothelial dysfunction. We investigated the relation between ADMA, symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) and L‐arginine concentrations and erectile dysfunction. We compared plasma levels of ADMA, SDMA and L‐arginine in 61 men in good health with erectile dysfunction of arteriogenic and non‐arteriogenic origin. Diagnosis of erectile dysfunction was based on the International Index of Erectile Function Score and its aetiology was classified with penile echo‐colour‐Doppler in basal condition and after intracavernous injection of prostaglandin E1. The ADMA and SDMA concentrations were significantly higher in men with arteriogenic erectile dysfunction compared with those with erectile dysfunction of non‐arteriogenic origin (p < 0.05) and the concentrations in both subgroups were significantly higher than in controls (p < 0.001). There was a negative correlation between ADMA and International Index of Erectile Function Score only in arteriogenic erectile dysfunction subgroup. L‐arginine did not differ significantly neither between the two erectile dysfunction subgroups (p > 0.05) nor between each of the two erectile dysfunction subgroups and controls (p > 0.05). The L‐arginine/ADMA and the L‐arginine/SDMA ratios in arteriogenic erectile dysfunction subgroups were significantly lower than both in controls (p < 0.05) and in non‐arteriogenic erectile dysfunction patients (p < 0.05); the two ratios in non‐arteriogenic erectile dysfunction patients did not differ from those in the controls (p > 0.05). We conclude that ADMA and SDMA concentrations are significantly higher and L‐arginine/ADMA ratio lower in patients who have arteriogenic erectile dysfunction compared with both patients with non‐arteriogenic erectile dysfunction and controls. The negative correlation between ADMA and severity of erectile dysfunction is present only in patients with arteriogenic erectile dysfunction. This study supports the importance to always distinguish arteriogenic from non‐arteriogenic erectile dysfunction patients to study the complicate erectogenic mechanisms that lead to erectile dysfunction and also to provide potential therapeutic agents for patients with arteriogenic erectile dysfunction.
Pilot scale inulin extraction from chicory roots assisted by pulsed electric fields
Authors: Zhu Zhenzhou , Bals Olivier , Grimi Nabil , Vorobiev Eugene 
Published: April 2012

SummaryA pilot study for the pulsed electric fields (PEF) assisted countercurrent diffusion of inulin from chicory roots is presented. The influence of PEF parameters (electric field intensity E = 600 V cm−1, treatment duration tPEF = 10–50 ms) and diffusion temperature (varied between 30 and 80 °C) on soluble matter extraction kinetics, inulin content of juice, and pulp exhaustion are investigated. The draft (liquid to solid mass ratio) was fixed at 140%, similar to the industrial conditions. PEF treatment facilitates extraction of inulin at conventional diffusion temperature (70–80 °C), and diffusion temperature can even be reduced by 10–15 °C with comparable juice inulin concentration. Less energy consumption can be achieved by reducing PEF treatment duration to 10 ms, which is observed sufficient for effective extraction.
Stability of polyhydroxylated 1,4‐naphthoquinone pigment recovered from spines of sea urchin Strongylocentrotus nudus
Authors: Zhou Da‐Yong , Zhu Bei‐Wei , Wang Xiao‐Dong , Qin Lei , Li Dong‐Mei , Miao Li , Murata Yoshiyuki 
Published: April 2012

SummaryThe stability of polyhydroxylated 1,4‐naphthoquinone pigment recovered from sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus nudus) spines was observed by spectrophotometer. When pH values changed from 2.0 to 10.0, the pigment showed colour variations. Meanwhile, pH values affected the stability of the pigment. After 24 h of storage, the pigment remained 95.64%, 79.68% and 46.15% of the initial absorbance at pH 3.0, 7.0 and 10.0, respectively. The pigment was prone to degrade on exposure to light. It remained 40.11% of the initial absorbance under natural light after 14 days of storage. Whereas the corresponding value in the dark was 65.14%. Degradation rate of the pigment increased with increasing temperature. The pigment remained 90.49% of the initial absorbance at 20 °C after 24 h of storage. However, the corresponding value decreased to 66.61% at 80 °C. Additives, including antioxidant, oxidising and reducing agents, and some metal ions all affected the stability of the pigment.
Tackling perinatal loss, a participatory action research approach: research protocol
Authors: Pastor‐Montero Sonia María , Romero‐Sánchez José Manuel , Paramio‐Cuevas Juan Carlos , Hueso‐Montoro César , Paloma‐Castro Olga , Lillo‐Crespo Manuel , Castro‐Yuste Cristina , Toledano‐Losa Ana Cristina , Carnicer‐Fuentes Concepción , Ortegón‐Gallego José Alejo , Frandsen Anna J 
Published: April 2012

pastor‐montero s.m., romero‐sánchez j.m., paramio‐cuevas j.c., hueso‐montoro c., paloma‐castro o., lillo‐crespo m., castro‐yuste c., toledano‐losa a.c., carnicer‐fuentes c., ortegón‐gallego j.a. & frandsen a.j. (2012) Tackling perinatal loss, a participatory action research approach: research protocol. Journal of Advanced Nursing68(11), 2578–2585.AbstractAim.  The aim of this study was to promote changes to improve the care provided to parents who have experienced a perinatal loss through participatory action research.Background.  The birth of a child is a joyful event for most families, however, unfortunately some pregnancies end in loss. Perinatal loss creates a heavy emotional impact not only on parents but also on health professionals, where in most cases there is an evident lack of skills, strategies and resources to cope with these kinds of situations.Design.  Participatory action research is the methodology proposed to achieve the purpose of this study.Methods.  Participatory action research consists of five stages: outreach and awareness, induction, interaction, implementation and systematization. The working group will include professionals from the Mother and Child Unit for patients at a tertiary level public hospital in Spain. The duration of the study will be 3 years since the approval of the protocol in January 2011. The qualitative techniques used will include group dynamics such as the SWOT analysis the nominal group technique, focus groups and brainstorming, among others that will be recorded and transcribed, generating reports throughout the evolution of the group sessions and about the consensus reached. Content analysis will be conducted on the field diaries kept by the participants and researchers. This project has been funded by the Andalusian Regional Ministry of Health.Discussion.  Participatory action research is a methodological strategy that allows changes in clinical practice to conduct a comprehensive transformative action in the care process for perinatal loss.
Association between fatigue and Internet addiction in female hospital nurses
Authors: Lin Shih‐Chun , Tsai Kun‐Wei , Chen Miao‐Wen , Koo Malcolm 
Published: April 2012

lin s.‐c., tsai k.‐w., chen m.‐w. & koo m. (2012) Association between fatigue and Internet addiction in female hospital nurses. Journal of Advanced Nursing69(2), 374–383. doi: 10.1111/j.1365‐2648.2012.06016.xAbstractAims.  To report a study conducted to examine the association between fatigue and Internet addiction among female hospital nurses.Background.  The Internet provides unprecedented convenience for social interaction and information retrieval. Although excessive Internet use has been demonstrated to correlate with fatigue in adolescents, no studies have examined whether it is associated with fatigue in nurses.Design.  Cross‐sectional survey.Methods.  The study was conducted in August 2010. Female Registered Nurses working in a regional teaching hospital in southern Taiwan were asked to complete a paper‐based questionnaire. The questionnaire included questions on demographics, the Chen Internet Addiction Scale and the Chalder Fatigue Scale. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed using Chalder fatigue scale as the dependent variable.Results.  Of the 564 (79% response) valid questionnaires returned, 6 and 10% of the participants were classified as diagnostic cases and possible cases of Internet addiction, respectively. Fatigue levels, adjusting for other potential confounders including work unit, shift work, regular self‐medication, and self‐perceived health status, was significantly associated with both possible cases of Internet addiction and diagnostic cases of Internet addiction.Conclusion.  This study is the first in reporting a statistically significant association between fatigue levels and Internet addiction in female hospital nurses.Relevance to clinical practice.  Nurses should pay attention to their Internet activity and whether it adds to their fatigue levels. Addictive behaviour should promptly be dealt with to ensure that the best care is provided to patients.
Environmental conditions associated with bat white‐nose syndrome mortality in the north‐eastern United States
Authors: Flory Abigail R. , Kumar Sunil , Stohlgren Thomas J. , Cryan Paul M. 
Published: April 2012

Summary1. White‐nose syndrome (WNS) is an emerging disease of hibernating North American bats that is caused by the cold‐growing fungus Geomyces destructans. Since first observed in the winter of 2007, WNS has led to unprecedented mortality in several species of bats and may threaten more than 15 additional hibernating bat species if it continues across the continent. Although the exact means by which fungal infection causes mortality are undetermined, available evidence suggests a strong role of winter environmental conditions in disease mortality.2. By 2010, the fungus G. destructans was detected in new areas of North America far from the area it was first observed, as well as in eight European bat species in different countries, yet mortality was not observed in many of these new areas of North America or in any part of Europe. This could be because of the differences in the fungus, rates of disease progression and/or in life‐history or physiological traits of the affected bat species between different regions. Infection of bats by G. destructans without associated mortality might also suggest that certain environmental conditions might have to co‐occur with fungal infection to cause mortality.3. We tested the environmental conditions hypothesis using Maxent to map and model landscape surface conditions associated with WNS mortality. This approach was unique in that we modelled possible requisite environmental conditions for disease mortality and not simply the presence of the causative agent.4. The top predictors of WNS mortality were land use/land cover types, mean air temperature of wettest quarter, elevation, frequency of precipitation and annual temperature range. Model results suggest that WNS mortality is most likely to occur in landscapes that are higher in elevation and topographically heterogeneous, drier and colder during winter, and more seasonally variable than surrounding landscapes.5. Synthesis and applications. This study mapped the most likely environmental surface conditions associated with bat mortality owing to WNS in the north‐eastern United Sates; maps can be used for selection of priority monitoring sites. Our results provide a starting point from which to investigate and predict the potential spread and population impacts of this catastrophic emerging disease.
Which factors predict unsuccessful outcome in a weight management intervention for obese children?
Authors: Fassihi M. , McElhone S. , Feltbower R. , Rudolf M 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackground:  Many obese children attending weight management interventions experience positive changes; however, not all are successful and little is known about what factors influence treatment outcome. The present study aimed to assess which baseline characteristics may predict unsuccessful treatment outcome in a weight management intervention for obese children.Methods:  WATCH IT is a community weight management intervention for obese children and their families. Data collected during the pilot phase were visited retrospectively and secondary analysis was performed on the dataset. Inclusion criterion prioritised independent variables for the statistical model aiming to detect those that were exerting a significant effect. Logistic regression was used to assess the ability of these independent variables to predict unsuccessful treatment outcome.Results:  Seventy‐eight children (mean age 11.9 years) who attended the WATCH IT weight management intervention for at least 6 months were included in the analysis. Multivariable regression analysis showed that children from families where both parents reported having a weight problem were six times more likely to be unsuccessful compared to children from families where neither parent reported weight problems (odds ratio = 6.1; 95% confidence interval = 1.2–32.0; P = 0.032). Age, gender, severity of obesity and duration of previous weight management attempts were not predictive of treatment outcome.Conclusions:  To increase the overall success rate of children’s weight management interventions such as WATCH IT, current approaches to behaviour change may need to be adapted or tailored for those families who are less likely to be successful. Supporting overweight parents to make their own successful lifestyle changes may be one way of improving the child’s likelihood of weight management success.
Clinical trial: efficacy of a low or modified fat diet for the prevention of gastrointestinal toxicity in patients receiving radiotherapy treatment for pelvic malignancies
Authors: Wedlake L. J. , McGough C. , Shaw C. , Klopper T. , Thomas K. , Lalji A. , Dearnaley D. P. , Blake P. , Tait D. , Khoo V. S. , Andreyev H. J. N. 
Published: April 2012

How to cite this article: Wedlake L.J., McGough C., Shaw C., Klopper T., Thomas K., Lalji A., Dearnaley D.P., Blake P., Tait D., Khoo V.S. & Andreyev H.J.N. (2012) Clinical trial: efficacy of a low or modified fat diet for the prevention of gastrointestinal toxicity in patients receiving radiotherapy treatment for pelvic malignancies. J Hum Nutr Diet.25, 247–259AbstractBackground:  Inflammatory responses to pelvic radiotherapy can result in severe changes to normal gastrointestinal function with potentially severe long‐term effects. Reduced or modified fat diets may confer benefit.Methods:  This randomised controlled trial recruited patients with gynaecological, urological or lower gastrointestinal malignancy due to receive radical radiotherapy. Patients were randomised to a low fat (20% total energy from long chain triglycerides), modified fat (20% from long chain triglycerides and 20% from medium chain triglycerides) or normal fat diet (40% total energy from long chain triglycerides). The primary outcome was a difference in change in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire – Bowel (IBDQ‐B) score, from the start to end of radiotherapy.Results:  A total of 117 patients with pelvic tumours (48% urological; 32% gastrointestinal; 20% gynaecological), with mean (SD) age: 65 (11.0) years, male : female ratio: 79 : 38, were randomised. The mean (SE) fall in paired IBDQ‐B score was −7.3 (0.9) points, indicating a worsening toxicity. Differences between groups were not significant: P = 0.914 (low versus modified fat), P = 0.793 (low versus normal fat) and P = 0.890 (modified versus normal fat). The difference in fat intake between low and normal fat groups was 29.5 g [1109 kJ (265 kcal)] amounting to 11% (of total energy intake) compared to the planned 20% differential. Full compliance with fat prescription was only 9% in the normal fat group compared to 93% in the low fat group.Conclusions:  A low or modified fat diet during pelvic radiotherapy did not improve gastrointestinal symptom scores compared to a normal fat intake. An inadequate differential in fat intake between the groups may have confounded the results.
Faking good: self‐enhancement in medical school applicants
Authors: Griffin Barbara , Wilson Ian G 
Published: April 2012

Medical Education 2012: 46: 485–490Objectives  The problem of dissimulation by applicants when self‐report tests of personality are used for job selection has received considerable attention in non‐medical contexts. Personality testing is not yet widely used in medical student selection, but this may change in the light of recent research demonstrating significant relationships between personality and performance in medical school. This study therefore aimed to assess the extent of self‐enhancement in a sample of medical school applicants.Methods  A within‐subjects design compared personality test scores collected in 2007 for 83 newly enrolled medical students with scores for the same students obtained on the same personality test administered during the selection process 4 months previously. Five factors of personality were measured using the International Personality Item Pool and mean differences in scores were assessed using paired t‐tests.Results  At the time of selection, the personality scores of successful applicants were similar to those of candidates who were not accepted (n = 271). Once selected, the medical students achieved significantly lower scores on four of the five personality factors (conscientiousness, extroversion, openness to experience, agreeableness) and higher scores on the fifth factor (neuroticism). Of the selected students, 62.7% appeared to have ‘faked good’ on at least one of the five factors measured.Conclusions  Applicants to medical school are likely to dissimulate when completing self‐report tests of personality used for selection. The authors review the evidence as to whether such dissimulation reduces construct and predictive validity and summarise methods used to reduce self‐enhancement in applicant samples.