bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of periodontal treatment on Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans colonization and serum IgG levels against A. actinomycetemcomitans serotypes and Omp29 of aggressive periodontitis patients
Authors: Rebeis Estela Sanches , Albuquerque‐Souza Emmanuel , Paulino da Silva Maike , Giudicissi Marcela , Mayer Marcia P. A. , Saraiva Luciana 
Published: December 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of the periodontal treatment on Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans JP2 clone, and the IgG serum levels against its outer membrane protein (Omp29) and A. actinomycetemcomitans serotypes in aggressive periodontitis (AgP).Subjects and MethodsSeventeen patients with generalized (GAgP), 10 with localized (LAgP), and 10 healthy controls were included. AgP participants were submitted to periodontal treatment—scaling and root planing plus antibiotics (SRP+A). Periodontal parameters, for example, probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment loss (CAL), were evaluated at baseline and at 1‐year. Serum IgG against Omp29 and serotypes a, b, and c were determined by ELISA. The levels of A. actinomycetemcomitans JP2 clone were determined in subgingival biofilm samples by qPCR.ResultsPeriodontal treatment resulted in significant reductions of PD, CAL, and IgG levels against Omp29, serotypes b, and c. After therapy, IgG levels against A. actinomycetemcomitans serotypes, as well as the levels of the JP2 clone in AgP, became similar to controls. The reduction in JP2 clone count was correlated with a reduction of PD and IgG response against Omp29.ConclusionScaling and root planing plus antibiotics decreased IgG levels response against Omp29 and A. actinomycetemcomitans serotypes involved in the disease (b and c), while the serum response increased against tne commensal serotype (a), similar to what occurs in periodontally healthy individuals.
In vivo multiphoton microscopy of melasma
Authors: Lentsch Griffin , Balu Mihaela , Williams Joshua , Lee Sanghoon , Harris Ronald M. , König Karsten , Ganesan Anand , Tromberg Bruce J. , Nair Nirmala , Santhanam Uma , Misra Manoj 
Published: December 2018

AbstractMelasma is a skin disorder characterized by hyperpigmented patches due to increased melanin production and deposition. In this pilot study, we evaluate the potential of multiphoton microscopy (MPM) to characterize non‐invasively the melanin content, location, and distribution in melasma and assess the elastosis severity. We employed a clinical MPM tomograph to image in vivo morphological features in melasma lesions and adjacent normal skin in 12 patients. We imaged dermal melanophages in most dermal melasma lesions and occasionally in epidermal melasma. The melanin volume fraction values measured in epidermal melasma (14% ± 4%) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the values measured in perilesional skin (11% ± 3%). The basal keratinocytes of melasma and perilesions showed different melanin distribution. Elastosis was predominantly more severe in lesions than in perilesions and was associated with changes in melanin distribution of the basal keratinocytes. These results demonstrate that MPM may be a non‐invasive imaging tool for characterizing melasma.
Long‐term surveillance biopsy: Is it necessary after pediatric heart transplant?
Authors: Peng David M. , Ding Victoria Y. , Hollander Seth A. , Khalapyan Tigran , Dykes John C. , Rosenthal David N. , Almond Christopher S. , Sakarovitch Charlotte , Desai Manisha , McElhinney Doff B. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractDue to limited and conflicting data in pediatric patients, long‐term routine surveillance endomyocardial biopsy (RSB) in pediatric heart transplant (HT) remains controversial. We sought to characterize the rate of positive RSB and determine factors associated with RSB‐detected rejection. Records of patients transplanted at a single institution from 1995 to 2015 with >2 year of post‐HT biopsy data were reviewed for RSB‐detected rejections occurring >2 year post‐HT. We illustrated the trajectory of significant rejections (ISHLT Grade ≥3A/2R) among total RSB performed over time and used multivariable logistic regression to model the association between time and risk of rejection. We estimated Kaplan‐Meier freedom from rejection rates by patient characteristics and used the log‐rank test to assess differences in rejection probabilities. We identified the best‐fitting Cox proportional hazards regression model. In 140 patients, 86% did not have any episodes of significant RSB‐detected rejection >2 year post‐HT. The overall empirical rate of RSB‐detected rejection >2 year post‐HT was 2.9/100 patient‐years. The percentage of rejection among 815 RSB was 2.6% and remained stable over time. Years since transplant remained unassociated with rejection risk after adjusting for patient characteristics (OR = 0.98; 95% CI 0.78‐1.23; P = 0.86). Older age at HT was the only factor that remained significantly associated with risk of RSB‐detected rejection under multivariable Cox analysis (P = 0.008). Most pediatric patients did not have RSB‐detected rejection beyond 2 years post‐HT, and the majority of those who did were older at time of HT. Indiscriminate long‐term RSB in pediatric heart transplant should be reconsidered given the low rate of detected rejection.
Increased virulence of Globodera pallida during repeated rearing on different resistant potato cultivars explained by a simple model
Authors: Beniers J. E. , Nöllen Y. , van Eck H. J. , Schouten H. J. 
Published: December 2018

Selection for virulence of Globodera pallida on potato cultivars was studied for four generations under controlled conditions. The reproduction rate (Pf/Pi) of a mixed Pa2/3 population increased by a factor of 61 during rearing on the partially resistant potato cv. Darwina compared to rearing on the susceptible cv. Irene. This was a result of selection for virulence on cv. Darwina, and achieving the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium on cv. Irene. Increased virulence also significantly raised the reproduction rate on several other Solanum genotypes. These changes could be explained reasonably well by the monogenic inheritance of a virulence factor breaking the Grp1 locus. The virulence changes were probably mainly evoked by this gene only, inherited from S. vernei 1‐3 or S. vernei 24/20. The Grp1 locus has probably provided the differential S. vernei hybrid (VTn)2 62‐33‐3 with its resistance to the Pa2 group and not to the Pa3 group. Alternation of cultivars did not halt selection if the cultivars highly differentiated between the Pa2 and Pa3 populations. Only when alternation was with cultivars that harboured a different resistance gene against Pa3 was selection for virulence delayed. Differences in virulence levels (i.e. reproduction rates) within the nematode population determined the rate of selection, not the resistance level itself. Selection of a Pa3 population for three generations on cv. Karakter not only increased the reproduction rate on cv. Karakter itself by a factor 4.2, but also raised the reproduction on other potato genotypes. A simple monogenic model could explain these changes in virulence.
Chronic granulamatous disease: Two decades of experience from a paediatric immunology unit in a country with high rate of consangineous marriages
Authors: Kutukculer Necil , Aykut Ayca , Karaca Neslihan E. , Durmaz Asude , Aksu Guzide , Genel Ferah , Pariltay Erhan , Cogulu Özgür , Azarsız Elif 
Published: December 2018

AbstractChronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a primary immunodeficiency characterized by susceptibility to bacterial and fungal infections resulting from the inadequacy of phagocytic leucocytes to produce reactive oxygen radicals. CGD is a genetically heterogeneous disease with an X‐linked recessive (XR‐CGD) form caused by mutations in the CYBB (OMIM #300481) gene encoding the gp91(phox) protein, and an autosomal recessive (AR‐CGD) form caused by mutations in the CYBA (OMIM #608508), NCF1 (OMIM #608512), NCF2 (OMIM #608515) and NCF4 (OMIM #601488) genes encoding p22(phox), p47(phox), p67(phox) and p40(phox), respectively. The genetic mutation of one of the cytosolic p47phox/p67phox proteins and membrane‐bound gp91phox/p22phox proteins, which constitutes the NADPH oxidase enzyme complex, causes the disease. In this study, we evaluated the clinical, laboratory and genetic findings and the prognostic effects of molecular inheritance of our 24 CGD cases (14 XR, 10 autosomal recessive‐AR). Consanguinity (three XR and all AR cases) showed statistically significant relationship with the type of hereditary inheritance (P < 0.001). 83% patients had an infection since early infancy. The mean age of initiation of symptoms was earlier in XR cases, and 78% patients had respiratory tract infections. Bone marrow transplantation was performed in five XR cases (two ex) and four AR (one ex) cases. Three of nine XR and two of six AR cases deceased on medical follow‐up. In countries especially with high consanguinity rates, the early diagnosis for appropriate prophylactic treatment of CGD is quietly important to avoid from recurrent severe infections, early death and fatal complications of late transplantation.
Monoclonal antibody against human Tim‐3 enhances antiviral immune response
Authors: Li Ge , Hou Chunmei , Dou Shuaijie , Zhang Jiacheng , Zhang Yanling , Liu Yiqiong , Wang Zhiding , Xiao He , Wang Renxi , Chen Guojiang , Li Yan , Feng Jiannan , Shen Beifen , Han Gencheng 
Published: December 2018

AbstractT cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain protein 3 (Tim‐3) is an immune checkpoint inhibitor in T cells and innate immune cells. The deregulated upregulation of Tim‐3 is related to immune exhaustion in tumour and viral infection. To overcome Tim‐3‐mediated immune tolerance, we developed a novel monoclonal antibody against human Tim‐3 (L3G) and investigated its roles in inhibiting Tim‐3 signalling and overcoming immune tolerance in T cells and monocytes/macrophages. The administration of L3G to cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) significantly increased the production of IFN‐γ and IL‐2 and the expression of type I interferon. The administration of L3G also increased the production of IFN‐γ, IL‐8 and type I interferon in U937 cells and primary monocytes. We investigated the mechanisms by which L3G enhances pro‐inflammatory cytokine expression, and our data show that L3G enhances STAT1 phosphorylation in both monocytes/macrophages and T cells. Finally, in an H1N1 infection model of PBMCs and U937 cells, L3G decreased the viral load and enhanced the expression of interferon. Thus, we developed a functional antibody with therapeutic potential against Tim‐3‐mediated infection tolerance.
Emerging role of stem cell memory‐like T cell in immune thrombocytopenia
Authors: Cao Jiang , Zhang Changxiao , Han Xiao , Cheng Hai , Chen Wei , Qi Kunming , Qiao Jianlin , Sun Zengtian , Wu Qingyun , Zeng Lingyu , Niu Mingshan , Li Li , Xu Kailin 
Published: December 2018

AbstractImmune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an acquired autoimmune disease characterized by autoantibody‐mediated platelet destruction. Multiple factors have been implicated in ITP pathogenesis, including T‐lymphocyte dysfunctions. Increasing studies have indicated that stem cell memory‐like T cell (TSCM) plays an important role in the development of multiple autoimmune diseases. This study aimed to explore the clinical correlation between the TSCM subset and ITP. The percentages of peripheral blood naïve T cells (TNs), TSCMs, central memory T cells (TCMs), effector memory T cells (TEMs) and effector T cells (TEs) among CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in 20 ITP patients before and after treatment were detected using flow cytometry. Our results showed that the percentages of peripheral blood CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in ITP patients were imbalanced. The percentage of CD8+ TSCMs in peripheral blood before treatment in ITP patients was significantly higher than that in healthy controls, whereas the percentages of the other T cell subsets did not exhibit significant differences. Our study further analysed the correlation between the change in the percentage of CD8+ TSCMs and the treatment efficacy. The results showed that the percentage of peripheral blood CD8+ TSCMs in ITP patients after glucocorticoid treatment significantly decreased and the changes of the percentages of CD8+ TSCMs before and after treatment in complete response (CR) and response (R) patients were obvious. Our finding showed that the imbalance of the percentage of CD8+ TSCMs might be involved in the development of ITP and might serve as a novel indicator of efficacy.
Oil Discovery, Political Institutions and Economic Diversification
Authors: Alsharif Nouf , Bhattacharyya Sambit 
Published: December 2018

AbstractDiversification is touted as a desirable policy objective for oil‐rich nations because it reduces exposure to volatility. However, the empirical relationship between petroleum and diversification is not well understood. Here, we test the effect of giant oil discoveries on diversification using a panel dataset of 136 countries observed over the period from 1962 to 2012. We notice non‐oil sector export concentration 8 years after a discovery. However, we do not observe any effect on the structure of employment in non‐resource and manufacturing sectors. Democratic political institutions moderate the export and employment concentration effects of petroleum discovery.
HIV, HCMV and mycobacterial antibody levels: a cross‐sectional study in a rural Ugandan cohort
Authors: Stockdale Lisa , Nash Stephen , Nalwoga Angela , Gibson Lorna , Painter Hannah , Raynes John , Asiki Gershim , Newton Robert , Fletcher Helen 
Published: December 2018

AbstractObjectivesA growing evidence base implicates human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) as a risk factor for TB disease. We investigated total IgG and mycobacteria‐specific antibodies in a cross‐sectional study nested within a rural Ugandan General Population Cohort (GPC), in relation to HIV infection and the magnitude of HCMV IgG response.MethodsSera from 2189 individuals (including 27 sputum‐positive TB cases) were analysed for antibodies against mycobacteria (Ag85A, PPD, LAM, ESAT6/CFP10) and HCMV, tetanus toxoid (TT) and total IgG.ResultsAnti‐mycobacterial antibodies increased with age until approximately 20 years, when they plateaued. Higher HCMV exposure (measured by IgG) was associated with lower levels of some anti‐mycobacterial antibodies, but no increase in total IgG. HIV infection was associated with a decrease in all anti‐mycobacterial antibodies measured and with an increase in total IgG.ConclusionsThe increase in anti‐mycobacterial antibodies with age suggests increasing exposure to non‐tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), and to M.tb itself. HIV infection is associated with decreased levels of all mycobacterial antibodies studied here, and high levels of HCMV IgG are associated with decreased levels of some mycobacterial antibodies. These findings point towards the importance of humoral immune responses in HIV/TB co‐infection and highlight a possible role of HCMV as a risk factor for TB disease.
Longitudinal changes in measles antibody titers in plasma donors and minimum antibody levels of immunoglobulin products for treatment of primary immunodeficiency
Authors: Simon Toby L. , FitzGerald Peter , Kühne Mirjam , Farrar Connie , Knowles Jonathan , Bycholski Keith , Zenker Othmar 
Published: December 2018

BACKGROUNDTo ensure that immunoglobulin (Ig) products have adequate functional antibody, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that Ig lots contain minimum levels of measles neutralizing antibody; the current minimum is 0.48 x US Reference Ig 176.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSIn the first part of the study, measles antibody titers were measured in donor plasma samples collected in 2007, 2011, and 2017. In the second part, trough or steady‐state serum levels of measles neutralizing antibody were measured in two studies of patients with primary immunodeficiency (PID) who were treated with intravenous (Study 1; N = 46) or subcutaneous (Study 2; N = 18) Ig replacement therapy, meeting previous requirements for lot potency (≥0.6 x US Reference Ig 176). Serum measles neutralizing antibody titers were then estimated for conditions in which the potency of the Ig replacement product was 0.48 or 0.30 x US Reference Ig 176.RESULTSMeasles antibody titers in donated plasma samples declined in donors born after 1963. In the two studies of patients with PID who were treated with intravenous or subcutaneous Ig replacement therapy, all patients exhibited trough (intravenous Ig) or steady‐state (subcutaneous Ig) measles neutralizing antibody titers above 0.12 IU/mL, which has been shown to protect against clinical measles in the general population. Estimates suggest that all patients except one would have continued to meet this standard if the Ig lot potency had been 0.48 or 0.30 x US Reference Ig 176.CONCLUSIONThese studies provide supporting evidence that the lot release specification can be safely lowered from 0.48 to 0.30 x US Reference Ig 176, which will accommodate declining measles neutralizing antibody levels in donor plasma.
Estimating the revenue costs of tax treaties in developing countries
Authors: Janský Petr , Šedivý Marek 
Published: December 2018

Abstract(12764) Petr Janský Marek Šedivý Tax treaties between countries influence how much tax revenues governments receive from multinational enterprises. These treaties often reduce the withholding tax rates on outgoing dividend and interest payments. We provide illustrative estimates of costs for these two taxes for 14 developing countries in sub‐Saharan Africa and Asia in a first multi‐country comparison of this kind. These might be overestimates because we assume that foreign direct investments are not influenced by the tax treaties. We estimate that the highest potential tax revenue losses are within hundreds of millionsUS$and around 0.1% ofGDP, with Philippines incurring the highest losses both inUS$and relative toGDP. We also find that around 95% of the losses is due to dividends and that only four investor countries—Japan, Netherlands, Switzerland and Singapore—are together responsible for more than half of the losses. We discuss the limitations of these estimates and how future research could improve their quality as well as coverage.
Competitive pressure, innovation and trade protection: Evidence from US patent data
Authors: Liebman Benjamin H. , Reynolds Kara M. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractRecent theoretical models have suggested that the relationship between competition and innovation may best be characterised as an inverted‐U shape: firms in industries with low levels of competition are more likely to innovate in the wake of increased competition as they attempt to escape competition, while those in highly competitive industries will decrease innovation in the wake of increased competition as the profit incentive to innovate dissipates. Results from other studies have found positive as well as negative relationships between innovation and competition. In a parallel literature, trade economists have produced conflicting results regarding the impact of trade liberalisation on innovation. One stream of research has shown that increased access to imported intermediate goods increases productivity, suggesting a positive relationship between imports and innovation. Others have hypothesised that firms may use the technology embodied in intermediate inputs as a substitute for domestic innovation. In this paper, we merge these divergent literatures and investigate whether innovation, as measured by the production of patents by US manufacturers, has been impacted by market competition and tariff reductions. Our empirical findings indicate that insulation from imports in the form of higher tariffs on final goods was associated with innovation until the late 1980s, while falling tariffs on intermediate goods appear to have facilitated innovation during the 1990s. We also find evidence of the inverted U‐shaped relationship between market competition and innovation.
Examining the Sport Daily Deal: An Assessment Across Industry Segments
Authors: Cianfrone Beth A. , Braunstein-Minkove Jessica R. , Tavormina Alyssa L. 
Published: December 2018

Sport executives concerned with maximizing ticket sales often explore different communication channels to reach potential consumers. Advertising and selling discounted tickets through daily deals (e.g., Groupon and Living Social) is an increasingly popular method, yet there is little research on the extent to which sport organizations are using daily deals. A mixed-method design was employed to examine sport organizations’ use of daily deals, including how sport daily deals are most commonly used and the rationale for their use. In Phase 1, a content analysis of Groupon and LivingSocial daily deals e-mailed over 31 days in 11 U.S. cities provided a framework for exploring the types, frequency, and characteristics of sport ticketing deals. In Phase 2, the perspectives of 7 sport-organization executives served as guiding metrics in developing a deeper understanding of daily-deal usage. Findings can inform sport marketers’ ticketing and promotional strategies and provide a basis for theoretical daily-deal application.
Appraisal of a scoring instrument for training and testing neonatal intubation skills
Authors: Bouwmeester Romy N , Binkhorst Mathijs , Yamada Nicole K , Geurtzen Rosa , van Heijst Arno F J , Halamek Louis P , Draaisma Jos M T , Hogeveen Marije 
Published: December 2018

ObjectiveTo determine the validity, reliability, feasibility and applicability of a neonatal intubation scoring instrument.DesignProspective observational study.SettingSimulation-based research and training centre (Center for Advanced Pediatric and Perinatal Education), California, USA.SubjectsForty clinicians qualified for neonatal intubation.InterventionsVideotaped elective intubations on a neonatal patient simulator were scored by two independent raters. One rater scored the intubations twice. We scored the preparation of equipment and premedication, intubation performance, tube position/fixation, communication, number of attempts, duration and successfulness of the procedure.Main outcome measuresIntraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated for intrarater and inter-rater reliability. Kappa coefficients for individual items and mean kappa coefficients for all items combined were calculated. Construct validity was assessed with one-way analysis of variance using the hypothesis that experienced clinicians score higher than less experienced clinicians. The approximate time to score one intubation and the instrument’s applicability in another setting were evaluated.ResultsICCs for intrarater and inter-rater reliability were 0.99 (95% CI 0.98 to 0.99) and 0.89 (95% CI 0.35 to 0.96), and mean kappa coefficients were 0.93 (95% CI 0.85 to 1.01) and 0.71 (95% CI 0.56 to 0.92), respectively. There were no differences between the more and less experienced clinicians regarding preparation, performance, communication and total scores. The experienced group scored higher only on tube position/fixation (p=0.02). Scoring one intubation took approximately 15 min. Our instrument, developed in The Netherlands, could be readily applied in the USA.ConclusionsOur scoring instrument for simulated neonatal intubations appears to be reliable, feasible and applicable in another centre. Construct validity could not be established.