bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alignment efficiency of coaxial tubular superelastic nickel‐titanium vs single‐stranded superelastic nickel‐titanium in relieving mandibular anterior crowding in extraction cases: A single‐centre randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Sebastian Biju , Abraham Merin Elsa , Sarma Prabhakaran Sankara , Cherian Karun Koshy 
Published: January 2019

Structured AbstractObjectivesTo compare the alignment efficiency of coaxial tubular and single‐stranded 0.016” superelastic NiTi archwires in relieving mandibular anterior crowding in extraction cases and to evaluate whether alignment efficiency differed as the initial irregularity increased.Setting and Sample PopulationForty female patients aged between twelve and twenty years from the postgraduate orthodontic clinic at the authors’ centre.Materials and MethodsAll patients in this single‐centre, 2‐arm parallel trial were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio and the mandibular anterior irregularity was measured from the mandibular cast at 0‐, 4‐, 8‐ and 12‐week intervals using a digital calliper.ResultsAll forty patients (mean age, 15.08 ± 2.11) completed the study with either coaxial tubular superelastic NiTi (mean age, 15.30 ± 2.36) or single‐stranded superelastic NiTi (mean age, 14.85 ± 1.84). The largest mean irregularity index reduction of −4.88 ± 2.74 and −6.17 ± 2.38 in the single‐stranded superelastic NiTi and the coaxial tubular superelastic NiTi groups, respectively (P = 0.122) was at 4 weeks. Student's t test and repeated measures ANOVA indicated that none of the mean comparisons were statistically significant at a 5% level. Pearson's correlation value (r) indicated no statistically significant influence of initial crowding on alignment efficiency.ConclusionsThere was no statistically significant difference between the alignment efficiency of coaxial tubular superelastic NiTi and single‐stranded superelastic NiTi in extraction cases, and the degree of initial crowding had no influence on the alignment efficiency.
Caffeine affects children’s ERPs and performance in an equiprobable go/no‐go task: Testing a processing schema
Authors: Barry Robert J. , De Blasio Frances M. , Fogarty Jack S. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractCaffeine’s stimulant properties were used to test a proposed processing schema for children’s processing stages in the equiprobable auditory go/no‐go task. Active control‐related ERP components were hypothesized to be differentially enhanced by caffeine. Caffeine (80 mg) was administered in a counterbalanced, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, cross‐over study of 24 children, aged 8–12 years. Four blocks of an equiprobable auditory go/no‐go task were completed on each of two occasions, while on or off caffeine. ERP data sets from each condition (caffeine/go, placebo/go, caffeine/no‐go, placebo/no‐go) were subjected to separate temporal PCAs with extraction and varimax rotation of all components. Caffeine significantly reduced reaction time and go omission errors, and enhanced go PN, N2c, and P3b, and no‐go N1‐1 and N2b. This selective enhancement of different go/no‐go components by caffeine matched the predicted amplification of biomarkers of children’s active control processing in this task. Some unexpected findings also support further refinements in the child processing schema.
Out and about: Subsequent memory effect captured in a natural outdoor environment with smartphone EEG
Authors: Piñeyro Salvidegoitia Maria , Jacobsen Nadine , Bauer Anna‐Katharina R. , Griffiths Benjamin , Hanslmayr Simon , Debener Stefan 
Published: January 2019

AbstractSpatiotemporal context plays an important role in episodic memory. While temporal context effects have been frequently studied in the laboratory, ecologically valid spatial context manipulations are difficult to implement in stationary conditions. We investigated whether the neural correlates of successful encoding (subsequent memory effect) can be captured in a real‐world environment. An off‐the‐shelf Android smartphone was used for wireless mobile EEG acquisition and stimulus presentation. Participants encoded single words, each of which was presented at a different location on a university campus. Locations were approximately 10–12 m away from each other, half of them with striking features (landmarks) nearby. We predicted landmarks would improve recall performance. After a first free recall task of verbal stimuli indoors, participants performed a subsequent recall outdoors, in which words and locations were recalled. As predicted, significantly more words presented at landmark locations as well as significantly more landmark than nonlandmark locations were recalled. ERP analysis yielded a larger posterior positive deflection during encoding for hits compared to misses in the 400–800 ms interval. Likewise, time‐frequency analysis revealed a significant difference during encoding for hits compared to misses in the form of stronger alpha (200–300 ms) and theta (300–400 ms) power increases. Our results confirm that a vibrant spatial context is beneficial in episodic memory processing and that the underlying neural correlates can be captured with unobtrusive smartphone EEG technology. The advent of mobile EEG technology promises to unveil the relevance of natural physical activity and natural environments on memory.
Differences in embryonic gene expression and quality indicate the benefit of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor during prematuration to improve competence in bovine oocytes
Authors: Chediek Dall’Acqua Priscila , Barros Nunes Giovana , Rodrigues da Silva Cíntia , Fontes Patrícia Kubo , Fábio Gouveia Nogueira Marcelo , Lombardi Lopes Flávia , Marinho Márcia , Zoccal Mingoti Gisele 
Published: January 2019

ContentsThe epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway is directly involved in oocyte meiotic resumption induced by a gonadotropic stimulus. Here, we used an EGFR inhibitor (AG1478) to inhibit spontaneous meiosis resumption in bovine oocytes (EGFR− group) during 8 hr prematuration and assessed the competence of such oocytes for embryonic development, apoptosis and gene expression in comparison with Control group which was not prematured. Data are presented as mean ± SEM. Blastocysts rate on day 7 (40.81%, averaged) and hatching rate on day 9 (77.35%, averaged) were unaffected by treatment (p > 0.05). Similarly, treatment did not affect (p > 0.05) the total cell number on day 7 (119.05, averaged) and on day 9 (189.5, averaged). Apoptosis was reduced (p < 0.05) in EGFR− group day 7‐embryos compared to Control group (3.7% ± 1.0 vs. 5.2% ± 0.8). Abundance of several transcripts was upregulated (p < 0.05) in EGFR− group, including genes related to embryo development and quality (NANOG and RPLP0), epigenetic regulation (H2AFZ), apoptosis (BID) and stress response (GPX4 and HIF1A). Taken together, the results presented here demonstrated a reduction in the apoptosis index and upregulation of NANOG, H2AFZ and RPLP0 mRNA levels, which are related to embryonic development. Our data suggest that temporary meiosis blockage with EGFR inhibitor during prematuration culture of bovine oocytes may be an interesting strategy to improve embryo quality.
Edge detector‐based automatic segmentation of the skin layers and application to moisturization in high‐resolution 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Ognard Julien , Mesrar Jawad , Benhoumich Younes , Misery Laurent , Burdin Valerie , Ben Salem Douraied 
Published: January 2019

AbstractIntroductionPrevious studies have demonstrated the feasibility to explore moisturization with quantification imaging based on T2 mapping. The aim of this study was to describe and validate the first robust automated method to segment the first layers of the skin.Materials and MethodsData were picked from a previous study that included 35 healthy subjects who underwent a 3T MRI (multi spin echo calculation T2‐weighted sequence) with a microscopic coil on the left heel before and one hour after moisturization. The automatic algorithm was composed of the T2 map generation, a Canny filter, a selection of boundaries, and a local regression to delimitate stratum corneum, epidermis, and dermis. An automated affine registration was applied between the exams before and after moisturization.ResultsThe failure rate of the algorithm was below 5%. Mean computation time was 139.12s. There was a significant and strong correlation between the automatic measurements and the manual ones for the T2 values (ρ: 0.905, P < 0.001) and for the thickness measurements (ρ: 0.8663; P < 0.001). For registration, mean of the Dice index was 0.64 [0.47; 0.80] and of the Hausdorff distance was 0.29 mm 95% CI: [0.28; 0.30].ConclusionThe proposed automatic method to study the first skin layers in 3T MRI using micro‐coils was robust and described T2 values and thickness measurements with a strong correlation to manual measurements. The use of an automated affine registration could also permit the generation of a mapping for a visual assessment of moisturization.
Impact of cumulative steroid dose on infectious diseases after allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Watanabe Mizuki , Kanda Junya , Hishizawa Masakatsu , Kondo Tadakazu , Yamashita Kouhei , Takaori‐Kondo Akifumi 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBackgroundSystemic steroid is used to treat various transplant‐related complications after allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT). However, measures to evaluate its impact on infections are still limited. Hence, we examined the cumulative steroid dose used within 30 days after transplant as a predictor of future risk of infections.MethodsThis study included 226 patients who underwent their first allo‐HSCT at Kyoto University Hospital between 2005 and 2015.ResultsSixty‐one patients received transplantation from related donors, 106 received unrelated BMT and 59 received unrelated single‐unit CBT. Patients were categorized into three groups according to the cumulative steroid dose in terms of prednisolone: no‐steroid group (n = 174), low‐dose group (≤7 mg/kg) (n = 22) and high‐dose group (>7 mg/kg) (n = 30). In a multivariate analysis, high‐dose steroid administration was associated with cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigenemia (HR 1.91, P = 0.037) and bacteremia (HR 2.59, P = 0.053). No impact was found on the occurrence of invasive fungal infection.ConclusionHigh‐dose cumulative steroid could predict high risks of bacteremia and CMV antigenemia. Additional anti‐bacterial agents for fever and regular measurement of CMV antigen are recommended for whom with systemic steroid administration even after neutrophil engraftment.
A multi‐level response to DNA damage induced by aluminium
Authors: Chen Poyu , Sjogren Caroline A. , Larsen Paul B. , Schnittger Arp 
Published: January 2019

SummaryAluminium (Al) ions are one of the primary growth‐limiting factors for plants on acid soils, globally restricting agriculture. Despite its impact, little is known about Al action in planta. Earlier work has indicated that, among other effects, Al induces DNA damage. However, the loss of major DNA damage response regulators, such SOG1, partially suppressed the growth reduction in plants seen on Al‐containing media. This raised the question whether Al actually causes DNA damage and, if so, how. Here, we provide cytological and genetic data corroborating that exposure to Al leads to DNA double‐strand breaks. We find that the Al‐induced damage specifically involves homology‐dependent (HR) recombination repair. Using an Al toxicity assay that delivers higher Al concentrations than used in previous tests, we find that sog1 mutants become highly sensitive to Al. This indicates a multi‐level response to Al‐induced DNA damage in plants.
Consensus on the Rational Use of Antithrombotics in Veterinary Critical Care (CURATIVE): Domain 5—Discontinuation of anticoagulant therapy in small animals
Authors: Brainard Benjamin M. , Buriko Yekaterina , Good Jennifer , Ralph Alan G. , Rozanski Elizabeth A. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractObjectivesTo systematically evaluate the evidence supporting the timing and mechanisms of permanent or temporary discontinuation of antiplatelet or anticoagulant medications in small animalsDesignStandardized, systematic evaluation of the literature, categorization of relevant articles according to level of evidence and quality (poor, fair, or good), and development of consensus on conclusions via a Delphi‐style survey for application of the concepts to clinical practice.SettingsAcademic and referral veterinary medical centers.ResultsDatabases searched included Medline via PubMed and CAB abstracts. Two specific courses of inquiry were pursued, one focused on appropriate approaches to use for small animal patients receiving antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs and requiring temporary discontinuation of this therapy for the purposes of invasive procedures (eg, surgery), and the other aimed at decision‐making for the complete discontinuation of anticoagulant medications. In addition, the most appropriate methodology for discontinuation of heparins was addressed.ConclusionsTo better define specific patient groups, a risk stratification characterization was developed. It is recommended to continue anticoagulant therapy through invasive procedures in patients at high risk for thrombosis that are receiving anticoagulant therapy, while consideration for discontinuation in patients with low to moderate risk of thrombosis is reasonable. In patients with thrombosis in whom the underlying cause for thrombosis has resolved, indefinite treatment with anticoagulant medication is not recommended. If the underlying cause is unknown or untreatable, anticoagulant medication should be continued indefinitely. Unfractionated heparin therapy should be slowly tapered rather than discontinued abruptly.
Improved visualization of the lumbar spine nerve roots in dogs using water excitation (ProSet) as opposed to short tau inversion recovery: A retrospective study of two fat suppression MRI sequences
Authors: Bergamino Chiara , Hoey Séamus E. , de Swarte Marie , Skelly Cliona 
Published: January 2019

AbstractMagnetic resonance imaging fat suppression techniques are commonly used for diagnosis of canine spinal disease, however, studies comparing different techniques are currently lacking. This retrospective, methods comparison study aimed to evaluate water excitation and STIR MRI pulse sequences for visualization of canine lumbar spinal nerve roots. For inclusion, all dogs had to have dorsal planar MRI studies of the lumbar spine using both sequences. Visual grading analysis was used for scoring the following five criteria: degree of fat suppression; nerve root visualization; subjective tissue contrast; presence of noise; and overall better image quality. Scores were independently recorded by three board‐certified veterinary radiologists on two separate occasions, 3‐6 weeks apart. A total of 90 dogs were sampled. A two‐tailedt‐test showed that there were significant differences in all scored parameters (P < 0.00001), with the exception of noise (P = 0.47343), and that the water excitation sequence scored higher in all cases excluding noise. A Gwets AC kappa for intraobserver and interobserver reliability showed “almost perfect” agreement for the nerve roots in both tests (intra:k = 0.88; inter:k = 0.90). Intraobserver agreement was “substantial” for the degree of fat suppression (k = 0.68), subjective tissue contrast (k = 0.75), and overall better image quality (k = 0.76) and it was “fair” for the noise (k = 0.46). Interobserver agreement was “moderate” for the degree of fat suppression (k = 0.53), subjective tissue contrast (k = 0.63), and overall better image quality (k = 0.66) and “slight” for noise (k = 0.25). These findings supported using the water excitation pulse sequence for fat‐suppressed MRI of canine lumbar spinal nerve roots.
ARE WE CLOSER TO FREE MARKET EUGENICS? THE CRISPR CONTROVERSY
Authors: Peters Ted 
Published: January 2019

AbstractMight the 2018 birth of two designer babies in China write the opening paragraph for the next chapter in the history of eugenics? The worldwide scientific community has tacitly put a moratorium on human clinical application of CRISPR gene editing, waiting until unknown risks can become known. But this ethical agreement has been breached, and calls are now being heard for more rigorous regulations. Perhaps religious and spiritual leaders can join the bioethical chant: the yellow light of caution is flashing.
18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography is useful for the diagnosis of intraocular sarcoidosis in patients with a normal CT scan
Authors: Chauvelot Pierre , Skanjeti Andrea , Jamilloux Yvan , de Parisot Audrey , Broussolle Christiane , Denis Philippe , Ramackers Jean Marie , Giammarile Francesco , Kodjikian Laurent , Seve Pascal 
Published: January 2019

AimTo assess the usefulness of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) and the predictive factors for the diagnosis of sarcoidosis in patients with uveitis who have normal thoracic tomography.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 67 consecutive patients with uveitis of unknown aetiology or a suspected sarcoidosis. All patients with normal thoracic tomography underwent an 18F-FDG PET/CT, which was blindly reinterpreted. We then assessed the proportion of positive 18F-FDG PET/CT and the impact on the final aetiology, using Abad’s criteria for the diagnosis of intraocular sarcoidosis.Results19 of the 67 patients (28.4%) had mediastinal hypermetabolic foci on their 18F-FDG PET/CT consistent with sarcoidosis. It identified a biopsy site in two cases, which were consistent with sarcoidosis. At the end of the study, six patients (10%) had a proven sarcoidosis, six patients (9%) were considered as having a presumed sarcoidosis and 18 patients (26.9%) as having indeterminate sarcoidosis. 18F-FDG PET/CT enabled the diagnosis of presumed sarcoidosis in these six patients. An older age at diagnosis (p=0.004) and the presence of synechiae (p=0.02) were significantly related to an abnormal 18F-FDG PET/CT, with a trend for an elevated ACE (p=0.0993). We established a nomogram to estimate the probability of having positive findings on the 18F-FDG PET/CT according to different predictive factors.Conclusion18F-FDG PET/CT enabled the diagnosis of intraocular sarcoidosis even in patients with a normal CT scan. Older age at diagnosis, presence of synechiae and elevated ACE are associated with positive findings on 18F-FDG PET/CT consistent with sarcoidosis.
Realist evaluation of the role of the Universal Health Coverage Partnership in strengthening policy dialogue for health planning and financing: a protocol
Authors: Robert Emilie , Ridde Valery , Rajan Dheepa , Sam Omar , Dravé Mamadou , Porignon Denis 
Published: January 2019

IntroductionIn 2011, WHO, the European Union and Luxembourg entered into a collaborative agreement to support policy dialogue for health planning and financing; these were acknowledged as core areas in need of targeted support in countries’ quest towards universal health coverage (UHC). Entitled ‘Universal Health Coverage Partnership’, this intervention is intended to strengthen countries’ capacity to develop, negotiate, implement, monitor and evaluate robust and integrated national health policies oriented towards UHC. It is a complex intervention involving a multitude of actors working on a significant number of remarkably diverse activities in different countries.Methods and analysisThe researchers will conduct a realist evaluation to answer the following question: How, in what contexts, and triggering what mechanisms, does the Partnership support policy dialogue for health planning and financing towards UHC? A qualitative multiple case study will be undertaken in Togo, Liberia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cape Verde, Burkina Faso and Niger. Three steps will be implemented: (1) formulating context–mechanism–outcome explanatory propositions to guide data collection, based on expert knowledge and theoretical literature; (2) collecting empirical data through semistructured interviews with key informants and observations of key events, and analysing data; (3) specifying the intervention theory.Ethics and disseminationThe primary target audiences are WHO and its partner countries; international and national stakeholders involved in or supporting policy dialogues in the health sector, especially in low-income countries; and researchers with interest in UHC, policy dialogue, evaluation research and/or realist evaluation.
Cross-sectional study on medicinal products without commercial interest (MPWCI) in the Spanish market
Authors: Esteve Sala Emili , Montes Barroso Fátima , Bel Prieto Elvira , Suñé Negre Josep María 
Published: January 2019

ObjectiveTo confirm that there is a defined group of products to be protected in the Spanish therapeutic arsenal known as ‘medicinal products without commercial interest’ (MPWCI) and propose the adoption of legal measures aimed at avoiding, or reducing, the lack of supply of said products.DesignA cross-sectional study of proposed MPWCI based on a survey. The Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS) was asked for a list of presentations of medicines in order to identify those whose lack could have an impact on welfare.SettingA search on the AEMPS website and a survey conducted among 44 companies belonging to Farmaindustria has allowed for the development of a proposal list of presentations that should continue to be marketed in Spain.ResultsProducts proposed as MPWCI are old (50% of them have an authorisation of more than 50 years) and are developed by active substances of chemical origin, parenterally administered much more frequently than the rest of the general market (44%vs6.6%, respectively). Unlike oral forms, injectable forms require adequate manufacturing facilities to guarantee the quality and sterility of the product, which naturally increases the cost of the product whose price is low or obsolete. The company experts have not valued the current price revisions as a sufficient enough mechanism to change the consideration of these medicines with respect to the interest on the part of some Marketing Authorisation Holders to maintain their commercialisation.ConclusionsAs shown in the results, an upward revision of prices is necessary to contribute to the permanence of these presentations in the market, although some experts do not consider the current price revisions satisfactory enough to maintain these presentations in the market. Therefore, a specific regulation seems necessary to ensure the continuity on the market of these proposed products.