bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validation of a Short Questionnaire in English and French for Use in Patients with Persistent Upper Gastrointestinal Symptoms Despite Proton Pump Inhibitor Therapy: The Pass (Proton Pump Inhibitor Acid Suppression Symptom) Test
Authors: Armstrong David , van Zanten Sander JO Veldhuyzen , Chung Sharon A , Shapiro Colin M , Dhillon Sukhjeet , Escobedo Sergio , Chakraborty Bijan K , Mann Vijay , Tanser Lisa , Nevin Krista
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUND: The management of persistent symptoms during acid suppression therapy in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease or dyspepsia might be improved if patient-physician communication regarding the presence and character of these persistent symptoms were facilitated.

AIM: To validate a short, simple questionnaire (the Proton pump inhibitor [PPI] Acid Suppression Symptom [PASS] test), in English and French, to identify patients with persistent acid-related symptoms during PPI therapy and document their response to a change in therapy.

METHODS: Patients with persistent acid-related symptoms on PPI therapy were interviewed to produce a draft, five-item questionnaire; content validity was evaluated by focus groups comprising English- and French-speaking patients. Psychometric validity was subsequently evaluated in a multicentre, family practice-based study of English- and French-speaking patients with persistent acid-related upper gastrointestinal symptoms despite PPI therapy. The PASS test, Global Overall Symptom scale, Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), Quality of Life in Reflux and Dyspepsia questionnaire and Reflux Disease Questionnaire were completed at baseline and repeated after one week while patients continued their original PPI therapy. All patients then received esomeprazole 40 mg once daily for four weeks, after which all questionnaires and an evaluation of overall treatment effect were completed.

RESULTS: Content validity was established in 20 English- and 16 French-speaking patients. Psychometric validation in 158 English- and 113 French-speaking patients revealed good-to-excellent test-retest reliability coefficients: 0.76 for English; 0.68 for French. For construct validity, the PASS test showed moderate-to-high correlation with the GSRS scale (0.51 for English; 0.43 for French). After four weeks of therapy, the PASS test score fell to zero in 30% of English- and 33% of French-speaking patients, while the Global Overall Symptom score fell to one (no symptoms) in 32% of patients (English- and French-speaking); the PASS test demonstrated good responsiveness in comparison with the GSRS, Reflux Disease Questionnaire and Quality of Life in Reflux and Dyspepsia questionnaire.

CONCLUSION: The five-item PASS test is a valid tool for the evaluation of persistent acid-related symptoms in patients receiving PPI therapy. It demonstrates good content validity, test-retest reliability, responsiveness and construct validity in both English and French forms. The PASS test is a simple, clinically applicable tool for the identification of patients with persistent acid-related symptoms during therapy and the assessment of their responses to a change in therapy.
Evidence-Based Recommendations for Short- and Long-Term Management of Uninvestigated Dyspepsia in Primary Care: An Update of the Canadian Dyspepsia Working Group (CanDys) Clinical Management Tool
Authors: van Zanten Sander JO Veldhuyzen , Bradette Marc , Chiba Naoki , Armstrong David , Barkun Alan , Flook Nigel , Thomson Alan , Bursey Ford
Published: March 2016

The present paper is an update to and extension of the previous systematic review on the primary care management of patients with uninvestigated dyspepsia (UD). The original publication of the clinical management tool focused on the initial four- to eight-week assessment of UD. This update is based on new data from systematic reviews and clinical trials relevant to UD. There is now direct clinical evidence supporting a test-and-treat approach in patients with nondominant heartburn dyspepsia symptoms, and head-to-head comparisons show that use of a proton pump inhibitor is superior to the use of H2-receptor antagonists (H2RAs) in the initial treatment of Helicobacter pylori-negative dyspepsia patients. Cisapride is no longer available as a treatment option and evidence for other prokinetic agents is lacking. In patients with long-standing heartburn-dominant (ie, gastroesophageal reflux disease) and nonheartburn-dominant dyspepsia, a once-in-a-lifetime endoscopy is recommended. Endoscopy should also be considered in patients with new-onset dyspepsia that develops after the age of 50 years. Conventional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, acetylsalicylic acid and cyclooxygenase-2-selective inhibitors can all cause dyspepsia. If their use cannot be discontinued, cotherapy with either a proton pump inhibitor, misoprostol or high-dose H2RAs is recommended, although the evidence is based on ulcer data and not dyspepsia data. In patients with nonheartburn-dominant dyspepsia, noninvasive testing for H pylori should be performed and treatment given if positive. When starting nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for a prolonged course, testing and treatment with H2RAs are advised if patients have a history of previous ulcers or ulcer bleeding.
Pegylated-Interferon Alpha 2b and Ribavirin for Recurrent Hepatitis C after Liver Transplantation: From a Canadian Experience to Recommendations for Therapy
Authors: Babatin Mohamed , Schindel Lynn , Burak Kelly W
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUND: Recurrent hepatitis C (HCV) after liver transplantation (LT) is often more aggressive and treatments tend to be less successful. Pegylated-interferon and ribavirin are the standard of care for the treatment of HCV; however, there is limited published experience of its use after LT.

OBJECTIVE: To report the results of pegylated-interferon alpha 2b (PEG-IFN) plus ribavirin for the treatment of recurrent HCV after LT and compare the results with published data.

METHODS: Thirteen patients with recurrent HCV were treated with PEG-IFN plus ribavirin. Liver biopsies demonstrated early-stage disease in eight patients and advanced fibrosis in five patients. The average starting dose of PEG-IFN was 0.91 µg/kg (range 0.5 µg/kg to 1.1 µg/kg) per week and ribavirin was started at 662 mg (range 0 mg to 1200 mg) per day. PEG-IFN treatment began an average of 24 months after LT (range six to 73 months). The dose of PEG-IFN was increased in four patients but only two reached 1.5 µg/kg. The ribavirin dose was increased in four, reduced in six and only seven patients reached a ribavirin dose greater than 10.6 mg/kg.

RESULTS: A sustained virological response was seen in four of 13 (30.7%) patients and in four of eight (50%) patients with early-stage disease compared with zero of five patients with advanced fibrosis (P=0.1). Cytopenias were common and therapy was poorly tolerated in four of five patients with advanced fibrosis, including acute cellular rejection in three, renal failure in two, liver decompensation in four and death in three.

CONCLUSIONS: Although a reasonable sustained virological response can be achieved with the use of PEG-IFN and ribavirin, the treatment is very poorly tolerated by patients with advanced-stage recurrent HCV. Treatment should be instituted before the development of significant fibrosis after LT.
Antimicrobial Therapy in Patients with Acute Variceal Hemorrhage
Authors: Wilbur Kerry , Sidhu Kiran
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUND: Acute variceal hemorrhage is a serious complication of liver disease and hospital outcome is closely related to infection. Patients with cirrhosis are at greater risk for developing bacterial infection, which is associated with failure to control bleeding and higher rates of hospital mortality. Many clinical practice guidelines endorse antimicrobial prophylaxis as standard of care for cirrhotic patients.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was performed to characterize the use of antimicrobial therapy for patients hospitalized with acute variceal hemorrhage.

METHODS: Medical records of 98 patients hospitalized with suspected variceal hemorrhage were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS: One-half of the patients received antimicrobials at any time during their hospital admission, and in very few (24%) could prescribed therapy be considered prophylactic. Seventy-seven per cent of patients undergoing endoscopy did not receive an antimicrobial within 24 h of the procedure. Those who received antimicrobial therapy had more severe liver disease (model for end-stage liver disease scores of 19.5±10 versus 12.9±8, P<0.05; Child-Pugh class C 78% versus 65%, not significant) and worse in-hospital outcome (length of stay 17 versus 6.5 days, P<0.05; mortality 15 versus two, P<0.05). Cephalosporins were the most widely prescribed agents (45%), followed by fluoroquinolone (40%). Regimens ranged in length from single-dose administration to two weeks.

CONCLUSIONS: Patients with liver disease admitted with variceal hemorrhage were often not prescribed antimicrobial therapy to reduce the risk of bacterial infection. These results imply that published practice guidelines are not being consistently observed. A large, well-designed study with mortality outcome may be required for clinical guidelines to be successfully implemented in practice.
Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C in Canadian Prison Inmates
Authors: Farley John D , Wong Victor K , Chung Henry V , Lim Elizabeth , Walters Gavin , Farley Theresa A , Yoshida Eric M
Published: March 2016

PURPOSE: To assess sustained viral response rate and adherence to standard interferon alpha-2b and ribavirin therapy in inmates with chronic hepatitis C (HCV) in Canadian penitentiaries in the Pacific region.

OBJECTIVE: A retrospective chart review of all inmates with chronic HCV who were treated with standard interferon alpha-2b and ribavirin therapy between March 2001 and October 2002.

RESULTS: A total of 90 male inmates were treated. The mean age at time of treatment was 40 years. There were 49 inmates with HCV genotype 1, 11 with HCV genotype 2 and 30 with HCV genotype 3. Eight inmates discontinued treatment because of intolerance to side effects. Nine inmates were stopped by the physician because of nonresponse at an average of 27 weeks. All inmates achieved at least 80% adherence of interferon and ribavirin therapy. The overall sustained virological response (SVR) was 55.9%. SVR was 31.6% for genotype 1, 100% for genotype 2 and 71.4% for genotype 3.

CONCLUSION: There was excellent SVR and adherence to treatment with interferon and ribavirin. This experience highlights an important opportunity to treat a population with a high prevalence of HCV-positive persons who may otherwise not seek treatment.
The Changing Prevalence of Helicobacter Pylori Infection in Canadian Children: Should Screening Be Performed in High-Risk Children?
Authors: Jacobson Kevan
Published: March 2016

While several studies have demonstrated a decline in the overall prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in developed countries, there is variability in the burden of infection linked to socioeconomic status and living conditions. Improved socioeconomic status, living conditions and the availability of H pylori-eradication therapy have been associated with a lower prevalence of infection in First World populations, yet immigrants and indigenous people continue to have a high burden of H pylori infection and disease. Although the changing prevalence of H pylori infection in children has been recognized in a few reports, further studies are required to determine the impact of H pylori infection in this population. Moreover, additional studies are required for those populations at risk.
Semiadaptive Fault Diagnosis via Variational Bayesian Mixture Factor Analysis with Application to Wastewater Treatment
Authors: Xiao Hongjun , Liu Yiqi , Huang Daoping
Published: March 2016

Mainly due to the hostile environment in wastewater plants (WWTPs), the reliability of sensors with respect to important qualities is often poor. In this work, we present the design of a semiadaptive fault diagnosis method based on the variational Bayesian mixture factor analysis (VBMFA) to support process monitoring. The proposed method is capable of capturing strong nonlinearity and the significant dynamic feature of WWTPs that seriously limit the application of conventional multivariate statistical methods for fault diagnosis implementation. The performance of proposed method is validated through a simulation study of a wastewater plant. Results have demonstrated that the proposed strategy can significantly improve the ability of fault diagnosis under fault-free scenario, accurately detect the abrupt change and drift fault, and even localize the root cause of corresponding fault properly.
Nonlinearity and Fractal Properties of Climate Change during the Past 500 Years in Northwestern China
Authors: Wan Shiquan , Liu Qunqun , Zou Jianxin , He Wenping
Published: March 2016

By using detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA), the present paper analyzed the nonlinearity and fractal properties of tree-ring records from two types of trees in northwestern China, and then we disclosed climate change characteristics during the past 500 years in this area. The results indicate that climate change in northwestern China displayed a long-range correlation (LRC), which can exist over time span of 100 years or longer. This conclusion provides a theoretical basis for long-term climate predictions. Combining the DFA results obtained from daily temperatures records at the Xi’an meteorological observation station, which is near the southern peak of the Huashan Mountains, self-similarities widely existed in climate change on monthly, seasonal, annual, and decadal timescales during the past 500 years in northwestern China, and this change was a typical nonlinear process.
Development of an Optical Fiber Sensor Interrogation System for Vibration Analysis
Authors: Lamberti Alfredo , De Pauw Ben , Vanlanduit Steve
Published: March 2016

Since the introduction of dynamic optical fiber sensor interrogation systems on the market it has become possible to perform vibration measurements at frequencies up to a few kHz. Nevertheless, the use of these sensors in vibration analysis has not become a standard practice yet. This is mainly caused by the fact that interrogators are stand-alone systems which focus on strain measurements while other types of signals are also required for vibration analysis (e.g., force signals). In this paper, we present a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) interrogation system that enables accurate strain measurement simultaneously with other signals (e.g., excitation forces). The system is based on a Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) and can easily be assembled with relatively low-cost off-the-shelf components. Dynamic measurements up to a few tens of kHz with a dynamic precision of around 3 nanostrain per square-root Hz can be performed. We evaluate the proposed system on two measurement examples: a steel beam with FBG sensors glued on top and a composite test specimen with a fiber sensor integrated within the material. We show that in the latter case the results of the interrogation system are superior in quality compared to a state-of-the-art commercially available interrogation system.
Idiopathic Thoracic Spontaneous Spinal Epidural Hematoma
Authors: Aycan Abdurrahman , Ozdemir Seymen , Arslan Harun , Gonullu Edip , Bozkına Cemal
Published: March 2016

A 33-year-old male patient experienced temporary sensory loss and weakness in the right lower extremity one month prior to admission. The patient was admitted to a private clinic with a three-day history of acute onset of sensory loss and weakness in both lower extremities and was treated and followed up with a prediagnosis of transverse myelitis and the Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). The patient was subsequently transferred to our clinic and the neurologic examination revealed paraplegia in both lower extremities, positive bilateral Babinski signs, and hypesthesia below the T10 dermatome with saddle anesthesia. The patient had urinary incontinence and thoracic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an image of a mass compressing the medulla.
Characterization and Enumeration of Good Punctured Polynomials over Finite Fields
Authors: Jitman Somphong , Bunyawat Aunyarut , Meesawat Supanut , Thanakulitthirat Arithat , Thumwanit Napat
Published: March 2016

A family of good punctured polynomials is introduced. The complete characterization and enumeration of such polynomials are given over the binary fieldF2. Over a nonbinary finite fieldFq, the set of good punctured polynomials of degree less than or equal to2are completely determined. Forn≥3, constructive lower bounds of the number of good punctured polynomials of degreenoverFqare given.
Anatomical Study of the Clavicles in a Chinese Population
Authors: Qiu Xu-sheng , Wang Xiao-bo , Zhang Yan , Zhu Yan-Cheng , Guo Xia , Chen Yi-xin
Published: March 2016

Background. A reemergence of interest in clavicle anatomy was prompted because of the advocacy for operative treatment of midshaft clavicle fractures. Several anatomical studies of the clavicle have been performed in western population. However, there was no anatomical study of clavicle in Chinese population.Patients and Methods. 52 patients were included in the present study. Three-dimensional reconstructions of the clavicles were generated. The length of the clavicle, the widths and thicknesses of the clavicle, curvatures of the clavicle, the areas of the intramedullary canal, and sectional areas of the clavicle were measured. All the measurements were compared between genders and two sides.Results. The mean length of the clavicles was144.2±12.0 mm. Clavicles in males were longer, wider, and thicker than in females; also males have different curvatures in both planes compared with females. The men’s intramedullary canals and sectional areas of the clavicle were larger than those of women. No significant difference between the sides was found for all the measurements.Conclusion. This study provided an anatomical data of the clavicle in a Chinese population. These clavicle dimensions can be applied to the modifications of the contemporary clavicle plate or a new development for the Chinese population.
A Histomorphological Pattern Analysis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Lung Autopsy and Surgically Resected Specimens
Authors: Gupta Mamta , Lobo Flora D. , Adiga Deepa Sowkur Anandarama , Gupta Abhishek
Published: March 2016

Background. Tuberculosis (TB) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Many cases are diagnosed on autopsy and a subset of patients may require surgical intervention either due to the complication or sequelae of TB.Materials and Methods. 40 cases of resected lung specimens following surgery or autopsy in which a diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis was made were included. Histopathological pattern analysis of pulmonary tuberculosis along with associated nonneoplastic changes and identification ofMycobacterium tuberculosisbacilli was done.Results. The mean age of diagnosis was 41 years with male predominance (92.5%). Tuberculosis was suspected in only 12.1% of cases before death. Seven cases were operated upon due to associated complications or suspicion of malignancy. Tubercular consolidation was the most frequent pattern followed by miliary tuberculosis. The presence of necrotizing granulomas was seen in 33 cases (82.5%). Acid fast bacilli were seen in 57.5% cases on Ziehl-Neelsen stain.Conclusion. Histopathology remains one of the most important methods for diagnosing tuberculosis, especially in TB prevalent areas. It should be considered in the differential diagnosis of all respiratory diseases because of its varied clinical presentations and manifestations.
Evaluation of Serum Leptin Levels and Growth in Patients withβ-Thalassaemia Major
Authors: Al-Naama Lamia Mustafa , Hassan Meaad Kadum , Abdul Karim Muhannad Maki
Published: March 2016

Background. Iron deposition in the body can damage the endocrine glands of patients withβ-thalassaemia major (β-TM). Leptin plays a key role in the regulation of appetite, body fat mass, and endocrine function.Objectives. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between serum leptin and growth and pubertal development in patients withβ-TM, as well as whether serum leptin can predict growth retardation and delayed puberty in these patients.Methods. Fiftyβ-TM patients (aged 8–20 years) and 75 age-matched healthy controls were recruited. Anthropometric data and sexual maturity ratings were assessed. Serum leptin was measured by ELISA.Results. Serum leptin levels were significantly lower in patients withβ-TM than in healthy individuals (P<0.001). Leptin levels were also significantly reduced in female patients with short stature (P<0.002) and in patients who displayed delayed puberty (P=0.032) compared to those with normal stature who had reached puberty. The sensitivity of leptin for predicting short stature and delayed puberty among patients was 84.6% and 92.3%, respectively.Conclusion. Low serum leptin is sensitive to predict short stature and significant inβ-TM females only. This link could thus be used as a guide for further therapeutic or hormonal modulation.
Lipoma of the Thumb: Spindle Cell Subtype
Authors: El Rayes Johnny , Bou Sader Roula , Saliba Elie
Published: March 2016

We report hereby the case of a 61-year-old man who presented with a soft-tissue swelling on the palmar aspect of the thumb. A detailed clinical examination followed by ultrasonography and excisional biopsy confirmed a spindle cell lipoma. Lipomas are rare in the hand and exceptional in the fingers, and we report, to our knowledge, the first spindle cell lipoma in the thumb to help in the differential diagnosis of a similar swelling.
Identification of Risk Factors for Cervical Spine Injury from Pediatric Trauma Registry
Authors: Chaudhry Aisha S. , Prince Jose , Sorrentino Christopher , Fasanya Charles , McGinn Joseph , Atanassov Krassimir D. , Bloom Scott , Price Mitchell
Published: March 2016

Background: Cervical spine injuries are rare in children. Our goal is to establish guidelines for cervical spine clearance that are practical for our pediatric population, and, in the process, to reduce the risk of radiation exposure from unnecessary advanced imaging. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records from the registries of two pediatric trauma centers from the past 11 years (January 2002 to June 2013). Patients aged 1 month to 17 years, who had a CT scan of the cervical spine due to trauma indication for possible cervical spine injury, were evaluated. Results: Three risk factors were identified as being significant for the presence of a cervical spine injury. Patients who sustained a cervical spine injury were more likely to be male (p = 0.0261), were more severely injured with a higher injury severity score (ISS 16.39 ± 15.79 injured vs. 8.7 ± 9.4 uninjured), and presented with neck tenderness (p = 0.0001). Conclusion: In our study, significant cervical spine injury is related to male gender, higher ISS and neck tenderness.
Frequency of Fluoride Dentifrice Use and Caries Lesions Inhibition and Repair
Authors: Nóbrega Diego Figueiredo , Fernández Constanza Estefany , Del Bel Cury Altair Antoninha , Tenuta Livia Maria Andaló , Cury Jaime Aparecido
Published: March 2016

The clinical relevance of the frequency of fluoride dentifrice (FD) use on enamel caries is based on evidence. However, the relative effect of FD on reduction of demineralization or enhancement of remineralization is unknown and the effect of frequency on root dentine caries has not been explored. The aim of this double-blind, crossover, in situ study, which was conducted in 4 phases of 14 days each, was to evaluate the relationship between the frequency of FD use and enamel and root dentine de- and remineralization. Eighteen volunteers wore palatal appliances containing enamel and root dentine slabs, either sound or carious. Biofilm accumulation on the slab surface was allowed, and 20% sucrose solution was dripped 3 or 8 times per day on the carious and sound slabs, respectively. Volunteers used FD (1,100 μg F/g) in the frequencies 0 (fluoride-placebo dentifrice), 1, 2 and 3 times per day. The demineralization and remineralization that occurred in sound or carious slabs was estimated by the percentage of surface hardness loss (%SHL) or recovery (%SHR). Loosely (CaF2) and firmly (FAp) bound fluoride concentrations were also determined. The relationship between the variables was analyzed by linear regression. The %SHL, CaF2 and FAp concentrations were a function of the frequency of FD use for enamel and dentine, but the %SHR was a function of the frequency of FD use only for enamel (p < 0.05). The results suggest that demineralization in enamel and root dentine is reduced in proportion to the frequency of FD use, but for remineralization the effect of the frequency of FD use was relevant only to enamel.
A Family with Craniofrontonasal Syndrome and a Mutation (p.G151S) in the EFNB1 Gene: Expanding the Phenotype
Authors: Toral-López Jaime , González-Huerta Luz M. , Messina Baas Olga , Cuevas-Covarrubias Sergio A.
Published: March 2016

Craniofrontonasal syndrome (CFNS) is a rare genetic entity with X-linked dominant inheritance. CFNS is due to mutations in the Ephrin-B1 (EFNB1) gene. It is characterized by brachycephaly, frontonasal dysplasia, palate/lip defects, dental malocclusion, short neck, split nails, syndactyly, toe and finger defects, and minor skeletal defects. Intelligence is usually unaffected. CFNS exhibits unexpected manifestations between males and females as the latter are more affected. Cellular or metabolic interference due to X inactivation explains the more severe phenotype in heterozygous females. One family with several members affected with CFNS and 100 healthy controls were examined. DNA from leukocytes was isolated to analyze the EFNB1 gene. We did molecular modeling to assess the impact of the mutation on the EFNB1-encoded protein. DNA sequencing analysis of the EFNB1 gene of the affected members showed the heterozygous missense mutation c.451G>A in the EFNB1 gene (GRcH38, chrX: 68,839,708; GERP score in hg38 of 9.961). This transition mutation resulted in the substitution of Gly at position 151 by Ser. Analysis of the healthy members of the family and 100 unrelated controls showed a normal sequence of the EFNB1 gene. Phenotypes of the patients in this family differ from the classical CFNS due to the decreased size of sulci and fissures, subarachnoid space and ventricles, and the absence of a cleft lip/palate.
The Value of Monitoring the Serum Concentration of Mycophenolate Mofetil in Children with Steroid-Dependent/Frequent Relapsing Nephrotic Syndrome
Authors: Tong Kezhen , Mao Jianhua , Fu Haidong , Shen Huijun , Liu Aimin , Shu Qiang , Du Lizhong
Published: March 2016

Background: Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is an alternative treatment strategy in children with steroid sensitivity who have frequent relapses or steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (FRNS/SDNS). Methods: From January 2009 to January 2015, 31 cases of children with FRNS/SDNS were prospectively recruited and administered MMF and prednisone; then, serum samples were collected, and the area under the curve (AUC) of mycophenolic acid (MPA-AUC) was calculated. Results: A MPA-AUC of 27.99 μg·h/ml had a diagnostic sensitivity of 65.2% and a specificity of 87.5% in discriminating relapsing from non-relapsing patients (receiver operating characteristic-AUC 0.848). The 31 patients were then grouped according to the results of the MPA-AUC as follows: low-AUC group, <30 μg·h/ml and high-AUC group, ≥30 μg·h/ml. The results indicated that there was a significant difference in the remission rate between the groups (χ2 = 6.645, p = 0.01) during the 6 months of follow-up. Compared with the results before MMF therapy, the steroid dosage in both groups was significantly reduced at the 6- and 12-month follow-ups. Furthermore, the steroid dose was reduced more significantly in the high-AUC group than in the low-AUC group (0.447 ± 0.254 vs. 0.219 ± 0.161 mg/kg/day, p = 0.006) at the 6-month follow-up. Compared with the low-AUC group at the 6-month follow-up, the number of patients with relapse and relapse episodes in the high-AUC group were also significantly reduced (7/16 vs. 1/15, p = 0.037, and 15/27 vs. 1/29, p = 0.014, respectively). Conclusions: MMF is a reasonable treatment choice to reduce the number of relapse episodes and steroid administration in children with FRNS/SDNS. Moreover, children in the high-AUC group (MPA-AUC ≥30 μg·h/ml) tended to require lower steroid doses and had greater remission rates than the patients in the low-AUC group (<30 μg·h/ml) at the 6-month follow-up.
Questões metodológicas em Guerra e paz: causação, agência e refiguração
Authors: Nunes Jordão Horta
Published: March 2016

Guerra e Paz, obra magna de Tolstói, transcende o âmbito literário e suscita questões filosóficas e metodológicas. O objetivo aqui é tomá-la como ponto de partida para a discussão de questões como as da causalidade e da agência e de questões contemporâneas como as da linguagem e da escrita, na metodologia das ciências sociais. Numa primeira parte, procura-se mostrar como a discussão sobre as causas da invasão napoleônica elaborada por Tolstói em seu romance histórico traz elementos que prefiguram o debate sobre explicação e compreensão na filosofia analítica a partir de meados do sec. XX.  A seguir discute-se, sob influência das práticas composicionais de Tolstói e da ideia de circularidade tempo-narrativa de Ricoeur, o potencial metodológico da refiguração narrativa para interpretar as relações entre arte, sociedade e história.
Capitalismo, Confucionismo e Teoria Weberiana: Reflexões empíricas sobre o caso sul-coreano
Authors: Medeiros da Silva Rodrigo Luiz
Published: March 2016

Nas últimas décadas, a Coréia do Sul vivenciou notável crescimento econômico. No início do século XX, porém, era difícil projetar a integração dessa região à civilização capitalista. Max Weber, pioneiro na análise das obstruções ao desenvolvimento capitalista da “Ásia confucionista”, duvidou do florescimento endógeno do capitalismo naquelas longitudes. Mais recentemente, sob circunstâncias históricas muito distintas, seus comentários seriam rediscutidos, culminando com a emergência de uma nova agenda weberiana sobre a difusão do capitalismo para o Levante. Por isso, esse artigo busca: (a) retomar os comentários de Weber, (b) visitar a proposta de análise neo-weberiana sobre a “nova ética confucionista”, (c) ilustrar a viabilidade dessa agenda com dois casos observados na Coréia do Sul.
Unveiling Athenocentrism
Authors: Francisco Gilberto Da Silva , Morales Fábio Morales
Published: March 2016

Este artigo discute um tema central na escrita e no ensino da história antiga: o atenocentrismo, tanto antigo quanto contemporâneo. Essa discussão foi a base do curso de extensão intitulado História e Arqueologia de Atenas: dos princípios ao Império Romano, oferecido pelos autores do presente artigo em duas edições ao longo de 2013, na Faculdade de Filosofia, Letras e Ciências Humanas da Universidade de São Paulo (FFLCH-USP)
Transmission of Knowledge and Book Preservation in the Ṭayyibī Ismāʿīlī Tradition
Authors: Traboulsi Samer
Published: March 2016

The transmission and preservation of knowledge in Ṭayyibī Ismāʿīlism are constrained by the restrictions imposed by the state of satr (concealment) of the imam. During this period, until the return of the concealed imam, it is the duty of daʿwa officials to preserve the esoteric knowledge known as the bāṭin. As a result, only initiated believers are granted access to religious literature, and then, only to what is appropriate for the degree of knowledge they have reached. The preservation and dissemination of the religious heritage of the Ṭayyibī Ismāʿīlis is therefore intertwined with and determined by access to the literature as granted to students of the faith, depending on the student’s level of religious education.
Making Quires Speak: An Analysis of Arabic Multi-Block Bibles and the Quest for a Canon
Authors: Vollandt Ronny
Published: March 2016

The present investigation aims at a reconstruction of the mise-en-livre of four Arabic manuscript Bibles, each of them containing a complete set of biblical books, and the workshop that crafted them. Collecting the relevant codicological details—as, for example, the dates given in the colophons, the names of scribes and their characteristic traits, and references to the place of production—makes it possible to distinguish the various steps in production. The combined evidence allows for a surprisingly detailed glimpse into the work methods of the scribes and especially the liberties they took with regard to some aspects of transcribing. In concluding remarks, the question is addressed as to how to explain the practice, which is uncommon in the Christian Arabic context, of binding all biblical books together into one manuscript.
Were the Moriscos in Touch with Contemporary Ottoman Developments? Twin Qurʾānic Copies from the End of the Sixteenth Century
Authors: Martínez-de-Castilla-Muñoz Nuria
Published: March 2016

Among the diverse and usually rather carelessly produced Morisco handwritten manuscripts we find twin copies of the “Morisco Qurʾān”, dating from the end of the sixteenth century. Each is made up of a series of gatherings, the remains of two larger yet unbound codices, which contained the usual Morisco selection of Qurʾānic extracts. To date, these are the only examples from the Morisco period of two exactly similar copies of a text. Although this fact might seem exceptional in the Iberian Peninsular Islamic context, it is by no means isolated: the beginning of the seventeenth century witnessed the development of what has come to be called the “standard Ottoman Qurʾān”, with fifteen lines of text to the page. Are these parallel developments or resulting from the influence of one production on the other?
Five new southeastern Brazilian Myrtaceae
Authors: SOBRAL MARCOS , MAZINE FIORELLA F. , LEONI LÚCIO , SOUZA MARCELO C. , MELO EUGÊNIO A.D.
Published: March 2016

We describe, illustrate and compare with related species the southeastern Brazilian Calyptranthes arachnicola, C. biconvexa, C. carangola, Eugenia grandissima and Plinia longa. Calyptranthes arachnicola, from the state of Rio de Janeiro, is apparently related to Calyptranthes ursina, differing by its larger blades and pendulous inflorescences; Calyptranthes biconvexa, also from Rio de Janeiro, is apparently related to C. lanceolata, being distinguished by its blades with adaxially biconvex midvein and shorter inflorescences; Calyptranthes carangola, from the state of Minas Gerais, is apparently close to C. curta, differing by its narrower blades, longer inflorescences and narrower bracts; Eugenia grandissima, also from Minas Gerais, is apparently close to E. umbrosa, but has larger leaves and petioles, blades with midvein adaxially raised and larger bracteoles; and Plinia longa, from the state of Espírito Santo, is related to Plinia edulis, differing by its narrowly oblong leaves. Additionally, species are evaluated for their conservation status according to the information available.
Poaceascoma aquaticum sp. nov. (Lentitheciaceae), a new species from submerged bamboo in freshwater
Authors: LUO ZONG-LONG , BAHKALI ALI H. , LIU XIAO-YING , PHOOKAMSAK RUNGTIWA , ZHAO YONG-CHANG , ZHOU DE-QUN , SU HONG-YAN , HYDE KEVIN D.
Published: March 2016

Poaceascoma aquaticum sp. nov. (Lentitheciaceae) was found on decaying bamboo submerged in a freshwater stream in northern Thailand. The new species is introduced based on its unique morphology and phylogeny. Poaceascoma aquaticum is characterized by black, semi-immersed or erumpent, papillate ascomata, bitunicate, cylindrical to cylindric-clavate, short pedicellate asci and filiform, pale brown to brown ascospores. Phylogenetic analyses of combined LSU, SSU and RPB2 sequence data shows that Poaceascoma aquaticum forms a robust clade with P. helicoides in the family Lentitheciaceae (Pleosporales). Poaceascoma aquaticum is described, illustrated and compared with related taxa.
A new species of Letheobia (Serpentes: Typhlopidae) from central Kenya
Authors: MALONZA PATRICK K. , BAUER AARON M. , NGWAVA JACOB M.
Published: March 2016

A new species of blind snake in the genus Letheobia (L. mbeerensis sp. nov.) is described from the Mbeere area on the extreme lower slopes of southeastern Mt. Kenya. It is an attenuate blind snake, superficially similar to Letheobia lumbriciformis but with 20 midbody scale rows and 670 middorsal scales. It has a total length of 280 mm with the proportionally longest tail in the genus (2.9% of total length), a broad rostral, eyes barely visible and in life it is pink in color. The new species is known from only a single specimen collected at Siakago, in Mbeere-Embu, which lies at an elevation of about 1200m. It is a burrowing species and like many other blind snakes it is likely to be nocturnal and rarely encountered on the soil surface. The new species is incorporated into a key to the scolecophidian snakes of Kenya.
A new species of the genus Microgecko Nikolsky, 1907 (Sauria: Gekkonidae) from southern Iran
Authors: GHOLAMIFARD ALI , RASTEGAR-POUYANI NASRULLAH , RASTEGAR-POUYANI ESKANDAR , KHOSRAVANI AZAR , YOUSEFKHANI SEYYED SAEED HOSSEINIAN , ORAEI HAMZEH
Published: March 2016

The dwarf geckos of the recently revived genus Microgecko Nikolsky, 1907 comprise four species, ranging from western Iran to northwestern India. Iran hosts three species of the four recognized species of the genus Microgecko. Here, we describe a new species of this genus based on two and single specimens from southeastern and southern Iran, respectively. Combinations of scalation characters and distinct morphology, coloration and habitat peculiarities in calcareous mountains distinguish Microgecko chabaharensis sp. nov. from its congeners. Detailed information and an updated identification key for the genus Microgecko are also presented.
Three new species and one new record of Tullbergiidae (Collembola: Onychiuroidea) from Tierra del Fuego
Authors: ARBEA JAVIER I.
Published: March 2016

Three new species, Tullbergia rapoporti sp. nov., Dinaphorura nerudai sp. nov. and Dinaphorura najtae sp. nov., and one new record, Tullbergia meridionalis Cassagnau & Rapoport, 1962 are described based on specimens from Tierra del Fuego. Tullbergia rapoporti sp. nov. is similar to T. crozetensis, but can be distinguished from it by the presence of an empodial appendage and the chaetotaxy of Abd VI. Dinaphorura nerudai sp. nov. is diagnosed by the dorsal pso formula, the seven spiniform processes on Abd VI, an elongate PAO, the absence of vesicle on Ant IV and the dorsal chaetotaxy. Dinaphorura najtae sp. nov. is characterised by the dorsal pso formula, the seven spiniform processes on Abd VI, a triangular PAO, the absence of vesicle on Ant IV and the dorsal chaetotaxy.
The genus Cixius Latreille, 1804 (Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha, Cixiidae) in Lebanon with the description of two new species
Authors: PICCIAU LUCA , HOCH HANNELORE , TEDESCHI ROSEMARIE , ALMA ALBERTO
Published: March 2016

A first list of Cixius fauna of Lebanon is here provided with the description of two new species: one within the subgenus Acanthocixius, Cixius bifidispinus sp. nov. and one within the subgenus Ceratocixius Cixius superremotus sp. nov. The standard morphological description is supplemented by sequence data of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene fragment. Some notes on their distribution and economic importance are also reported.
A review of the baconii species group of the termitophilous genus Orthogonius Macleay (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Orthogoniini)
Authors: TIAN MINGYI , DEUVE THIERRY
Published: March 2016

The baconii species group of the termitophilous carabid genus Orthogonius Macleay, 1825, is defined and reviewed. This group is known only from southern Asia and so far recorded by two species: Orthogonius baconii Chaudoir, 1871, from India and O. nepalensis Habu, 1979, from Nepal. Two new species are described and illustrated: O. rogueti n. sp. from southern India and O. ceylanicus n. sp. from Sri Lanka. In addition, a key to all species of this species group is provided.
Microscopic Hair Comparison and the Sociology of Science
Authors: Cole Simon A. , Duster Troy
Published: March 2016

Flawed forensics and overstated claims make scientific evidence tricky at trial.
New approaches of 3D nuclear magnetic resonance inversion for improving fluid typing
Authors: Chen Songhua , Shao Wei , Balliet Ron
Published: March 2016

We have developed two new approaches for improving the efficiency and robostness of 2D and 3D inversion processing and interpretation from nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) logging data. The first improved method consists of a dual-step inversion method to obtain [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] maps independently, rather than deriving one from the other. The second approach is an inversion-forward modeling-inversion technique for obtaining [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] maps using the same acquired data used for deriving [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] maps. Simulation results were evaluated to determine the improvement of the fluid typing interpretation and the robustness of the processing methods. Three actual wells of NMR logging data processing examples were also included to illustrate the utility of these methods for improving fluid typing involving various different combinations of reservoir fluids and mud filtrates.
Target-oriented data conditioning for prestack inversion in an unconventional reservoir: A Canadian case study
Authors: Estrada Jorge , Aaron Peter , Eden Richard
Published: March 2016

Target-oriented data conditioning is a key part of any reservoir characterization workflow. Data conditioning is used to optimize the match between the synthetic data, used in the prestack inversion, and the real data. When this is done correctly, the accuracy and confidence of inversion results may be greatly improved. This is proved on prestack seismic inversion results from a resource play in Canada. The flow is broken down into prestack gather conditioning, which improves the signal-to-noise and gather flatness, and poststack conditioning, which further improves the coherency prior to applying spectral balancing. As a final key step, spatially variant amplitude balancing is used to calibrate the angle stacks to the expected background trend from the well synthetics. The combination of all steps is demonstrated via [Formula: see text] and mu-rho versus lambda-rho crossplots, between the inverted results and the well measurements, to provide a significant improvement on the resolution and accuracy of the final prestack inversion.
pyGeno: A Python package for precision medicine and proteogenomics
Authors: Daouda Tariq , Perreault Claude , Lemieux Sébastien
Published: March 2016

pyGeno is a python package mainly intended for precision medicine applications that revolve around genomics and proteomics. It integrates reference sequences and annotations from Ensembl, genomic polymorphisms from the dbSNP database and data from next-gen sequencing into an easy to use, memory-efficient and fast framework, therefore allowing the user to easily explore subject-specific genomes and proteomes. Compared to a standalone program, pyGeno gives the user access to the complete expressivity of python, a general programming language. Its range of application therefore encompasses both short scripts and large scale genome-wide studies.
Supplementary Artistic Education Centers Development Drawing on the Example of «Sergei Andriaka’s Moscow Academy of Watercolour Painting and Fine Art»
Authors: Быкова  , Bykova Elena
Published: March 2016

This article considers the development of one of the centers of continuous further education in the field of fine art, intended for primary

school children. Today supplementary education centers in Russian in legal and organizational conditions due to the relative freedom of the

implementation of educational programs can successfully coordinate the educational work, solve the problem of perfection of modern art

education in the framework of the territorial units.
Earnings Pressure and Long-Term Corporate Governance: Can Long-Term-Oriented Investors and Managers Reduce the Quarterly Earnings Obsession?
Authors: Zhang Yu , Gimeno Javier
Published: March 2016

Recent research has shown that managers in publicly traded companies facing earnings pressure—the pressure to meet or beat securities analysts’ earnings forecasts—may make business decisions to improve short-term earnings. Analysts’ forward-looking performance forecasts can serve as powerful motivation for managers, but may also encourage them to undertake short-term actions detrimental to future competitiveness and performance. To identify whether managerial reactions to earnings pressure suggest evidence of intertemporal trade-offs, we explored how companies respond to earnings pressure under different conditions of corporate governance that shape the temporal orientations of managers. Using data on competitive decisions made by U.S. airlines under quarterly earnings pressure, we examined the effect of earnings pressure on competitive behavior under different ownership structures (ownership by long-term dedicated investors versus transient investors) and CEO incentives (unvested incentives that are restricted or unexercisable in the short term, versus vested incentives). The results suggest that companies with more long-term-oriented investors and long-term-aligned CEOs with unvested incentives are less likely to soften competitive behavior in response to earnings pressure, relative to companies with transient investors and CEOs with vested, immediately exercisable stock-based incentives. Using a difference-in-differences (DiD) specification for stronger identification, we also found that firms respond to their rivals’ earnings pressure shocks by increasing capacity and prices, particularly when those rivals do not have long-term-oriented investors and CEO incentives. The evidence is more aligned with the view that the pursuit of short-term earnings as a result of earnings pressure may be detrimental to long-term competitiveness.
Preventative medicine and health schemes for beef farmers
Authors: Henry Joseph
Published: March 2016

Suckler cow farms' output in the UK has not increased in the last 10 years and there is a big opportunity for the veterinary profession to do more to help beef farms be more efficient. To increase cow output requires veterinary surgeons to be proactive with suckler farmers. Jobs that should be done to increase fertility include helping select heifers for the bull, preparing the cows for the bull, evaluating the bull's breeding soundness including looking at his estimated breeding values (EBVs), discussing nutrition and monitoring trace element levels. Farmers should be encouraged to measure output by weighing calves and benchmarking performance annually. Weaning the calf in terms of when, how and where together with housing environment and nutrition evaluation should be discussed when putting in place pertinent pneumonia reduction plans. Cows should be body condition scored at pregnancy diagnosis time and fed accordingly to hit target score for calving. Pre-calving vaccinations and nutrition must be correct. At all stages of production disease should be monitored and effects minimised by vaccination or eradication, and joining a Cattle Health Certification Standards (CHeCS) health scheme helps greatly with this.
CattleReview
Authors: Barrett David C
Published: March 2016

Introduction:

This Cattle Review we consider two topical papers, both from the Journal of Dairy Science.