bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A tailored treatment strategy: a modern approach for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation
Authors: Lip G. Y. H. , Potpara T. , Boriani G. , Blomström‐Lundqvist C. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe main priority in atrial fibrillation (AF) management is stroke prevention, following which decisions about rate or rhythm control are focused on the patient, being primarily for management of symptoms. Given that AF is commonly associated with various comorbidities, risk factors such as hypertension, heart failure, diabetes mellitus and sleep apnoea should be actively looked for and managed in a holistic approach to AF management. The objective of this review is to provide an overview of modern AF stroke prevention with a focus on tailored treatment strategies. Biomarkers and genetic factors have been proposed to help identify ‘high‐risk’ patients to be targeted for oral anticoagulation, but ultimately their use must be balanced against that of more simple and practical considerations for everyday use. Current guidelines have directed focus on initial identification of ‘truly low‐risk’ patients with AF, that is those patients with a CHA2DS2‐VASc [congestive heart failure, hypertension, age ≥75 years (two points), diabetes mellitus, stroke (two points), vascular disease, age 65–74 years, sex category] score of 0 (male) or 1 (female), who do not need any antithrombotic therapy. Subsequently, patients with ≥1 stroke risk factors can be offered effective stroke prevention, that is oral anticoagulation. The SAMe‐TT2R2 [sex female, age <60 years, medical history (>2 comorbidities), treatment (interacting drugs), tobacco use (two points), race non‐Caucasian (two points)] score can help physicians make informed decisions on those patients likely to do well on warfarin (SAMe‐TT2R2 score 0–2) or those who are likely to have a poor time in therapeutic range (SAMe‐TT2R2 score >2). A clinically focused tailored approach to assessment and stroke prevention in AF with the use of the CHA2DS2VASc, HAS‐BLED [hypertension, abnormal renal/liver function (one or two points), stroke, bleeding history or predisposition, labile international normalized ratio, elderly (>65 years) drugs/alcohol concomitantly (one or two points)] and SAMeTT2R2 scores to evaluate stroke risk, bleeding risk and likelihood of successful warfarin therapy, respectively, is discussed.
Modified Activation Technique for Nasal Stent of Nasoalveolar Molding Appliance for Columellar Lengthening in Bilateral Cleft Lip/Palate
Authors: Patil Pravinkumar G. , Nimbalkar‐Patil Smita P. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractBilateral cleft lip/cleft palate is associated with nasal deformities typified by a short columella. The presurgical nasoalveolar molding (NAM) therapy approach includes reduction of the size of the intraoral alveolar cleft as well as positioning of the surrounding deformed soft tissues and cartilages. In a bilateral cleft patient, NAM, along with columellar elongation, eliminates the need for columellar lengthening surgery. Thus the frequent surgical intervention to achieve the desired esthetic results can be avoided. This article proposes a modified activation technique of the nasal stent for a NAM appliance for columellar lengthening in bilateral cleft lip/palate patients. The design highlights relining of the columellar portion of the nasal stent and the wire‐bending of the nasal stent to achieve desirable results within the limited span of plasticity of the nasal cartilages. With this technique the vertical taping of the premaxilla to the oral plate can be avoided.
Measurements of Repeated Tightening and Loosening Torque of Seven Different Implant/Abutment Connection Designs and Their Modifications: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Butkevica Alena , Nathanson Dan , Pober Richard , Strating Herman 
Published: March 2016

AbstractPurposeRepeated tightening and loosening of the abutment screw may alter its mechanical and physical properties affecting the optimal torque and ultimate reliability of an implant/abutment connection. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of repeated tightening and loosening of implant/abutment screws on the loosening torque of implant/abutment connections of commercially available implant systems.Materials and methodsSeven different implant/abutment connections and their modifications were tested. The screws of each system were tightened according to the manufacturer's specifications. After 20 minutes the screws were loosened. This procedure was repeated ten times, and the differences between the 1st and 10th cycle were expressed as a percentage change RTq(%) and correlated with initial torque, the number of threads, the length of shank, and thread surface area employing Spearman's analysis.ResultsAll systems showed significant differences in residual torque (RTq) value (p < 0.05) between the 1st and 10th cycle except groups 6 and 11 (p > 0.05). All connections but group 3 (p = 1.000) showed a significant change from the initial torque (ITq) to the RTq values. The first successive RTq values increased in two connection groups 1 and 2. The remaining connections showed reduced RTq values ranging from –1.2 % (group 5) to –23.5% (group 6). The RTq values declined gradually with every repeated tightening in groups 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 11, 12. In group 2, after the tenth tightening the RTq was still above the ITq value. Only length of shank demonstrated a correlation with the RTq(%) change over the successive tightening loosening cycles (p < 0.05).ConclusionRepeated tightening and loosening of implant/abutment screws caused varying torque level changes among the different systems. These observations can probably be attributed to connection design. Clinical Implications: Limiting the number of tightening/loosening cycles in clinical and laboratory procedures is advisable for most of the implant systems tested.
A Contemporary Framework and Suprastructure Ceramic Design for Posterior Implant Fixed Partial Denture
Authors: Dhima Matilda 
Published: March 2016

AbstractBone and soft tissue deformities in long‐standing partial edentulism are commonly treated with implant therapy. The various ceramic restorative systems available and digital technology allow for customization of design and material selection. A substructure design that mimics tooth preparation in a custom zirconia framework with a lithium disilicate suprastructure is presented as an effort to address the functional and esthetic challenges posed by long‐standing posterior partial edentulism. The aim is to present several contemporary elements of design to address the functional, esthetic, and maintenance needs.
An evaluation of a target‐controlled infusion of propofol or propofol–alfentanil admixture for sedation in dogs
Authors: Montefiori F. , Pawson P. , Auckburally A. , Scott M. , Flaherty D. 
Published: March 2016

OBJECTIVESTo evaluate sedation quality and cardiorespiratory variables in dogs sedated using a target‐controlled infusion of propofol or propofol–alfentanil admixture.METHODSA total of 60 dogs undergoing diagnostic imaging were randomly assigned to one of three sedation protocols: propofol alone; propofol with a low concentration of 12 µg of alfentanil per mL of propofol; or propofol with a higher concentration of 24 µg of alfentanil per mL of propofol. Target‐controlled infusion was initiated at a propofol target concentration of 1·5 µg/mL and increased until lateral recumbency was achieved. Times to adopt lateral recumbency and recover, pulse rate, respiratory rate, oscillometric mean arterial pressure and oxygen saturation were recorded. Quality of sedation onset and recovery were scored.RESULTSPropofol target at lateral recumbency differed significantly (P=0·01) between groups with median (range) values of 3·0 (1·5 to 5·5), 2·0 (2 to 4·5) and 2·25 (1·5 to 3·5) µg/mLfor propofol alone, propofol with the lower concentration of alfentanil and propofol with the higher concentration of alfentanil groups, respectively. Time to lateral recumbency was longer and quality of onset less smooth for the propofol group. Pulse rate change differed significantly (P<0·001) between groups (mean pulse rate change at onset of sedation: propofol group +2 ±24 bpm, low concentration alfentanil group −30 ±24 bpm, higher concentration alfentanil group −26 ±23 bpm). Hypoxaemia (SpO2<90%) occurred in 1, 3 and 13 dogs, in the propofol group, the low concentration alfentanil group and the higher concentration of alfentanil group, respectively (P<0·001).CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCEAddition of alfentanil to propofol target‐controlled infusion did not confer cardiovascular benefits and, at the higher concentration, alfentanil increased the incidence of hypoxaemia.
Hepcidin resistance in dysmetabolic iron overload
Authors: Rametta Raffaela , Dongiovanni Paola , Pelusi Serena , Francione Paolo , Iuculano Federica , Borroni Vittorio , Fatta Erika , Castagna Annalisa , Girelli Domenico , Fargion Silvia , Valenti Luca 
Published: March 2016

AbstractBackground & AimsDysmetabolic iron overload syndrome (DIOS) is a frequent condition predisposing to metabolic, cardiovascular and hepatic damage, whose pathogenesis remains poorly defined. Aim of this study was to characterize iron metabolism in DIOS.MethodsWe evaluated 18 patients with DIOS, compared to 18 with nonalcoholic fatty liver and 23 healthy individuals with normal iron status, and 10 patients with hereditary haemochromatosis by a 24‐h oral iron tolerance test with hepcidin measurement and iron metabolism modelling under normal iron stores.ResultsDysmetabolic iron overload syndrome patients had higher peak transferrin saturation and area under the‐curve of transferrin saturation than subjects with normal iron status, but lower values than haemochromatosis patients (P < 0.05 for all). Conversely, they had higher peak circulating hepcidin levels and area under the curve of hepcidin than the other groups (P < 0.05 for all). This was independent age, sex, haemoglobin, ferritin, and transferrin saturation levels (P = 0.0002). Hepcidin increase in response to the rise in transferrin saturation (hepcidin release index) was not impaired in DIOS patients. Viceversa, the ability of the hepcidin spike to control the rise in transferrin saturation at the beginning of the test (hepcidin resistance index) was impaired in DIOS (P = 0.0002). In DIOS patients, the hepcidin resistance index was correlated with ferritin levels at diagnosis (P = 0.016).ConclusionsDysmetabolic iron overload syndrome is associated with a subtle impairment in the ability of the iron hormone hepcidin to restrain iron absorption following an iron challenge, suggesting a hepcidin resistance state. Further studies are required to better characterize the molecular mechanism underpinning this new iron metabolism alteration.
Plasticity in leaf‐level water relations of tropical rainforest trees in response to experimental drought
Authors: Binks Oliver , Meir Patrick , Rowland Lucy , da Costa Antonio Carlos Lola , Vasconcelos Steel Silva , de Oliveira Alex Antonio Ribeiro , Ferreira Leandro , Christoffersen Bradley , Nardini Andrea , Mencuccini Maurizio 
Published: March 2016

Summary

The tropics are predicted to become warmer and drier, and understanding the sensitivity of tree species to drought is important for characterizing the risk to forests of climate change. This study makes use of a long‐term drought experiment in the Amazon rainforest to evaluate the role of leaf‐level water relations, leaf anatomy and their plasticity in response to drought in six tree genera.

The variables (osmotic potential at full turgor, turgor loss point, capacitance, elastic modulus, relative water content and saturated water content) were compared between seasons and between plots (control and through‐fall exclusion) enabling a comparison between short‐ and long‐term plasticity in traits. Leaf anatomical traits were correlated with water relation parameters to determine whether water relations differed among tissues.

The key findings were: osmotic adjustment occurred in response to the long‐term drought treatment; species resistant to drought stress showed less osmotic adjustment than drought‐sensitive species; and water relation traits were correlated with tissue properties, especially the thickness of the abaxial epidermis and the spongy mesophyll.

These findings demonstrate that cell‐level water relation traits can acclimate to long‐term water stress, and highlight the limitations of extrapolating the results of short‐term studies to temporal scales associated with climate change.
Systems genetics reveals key genetic elements of drought induced gene regulation in diploid potato
Authors: van Muijen Dennis , Anithakumari A.M. , Maliepaard Chris , Visser Richard G. F. , van der Linden C. Gerard 
Published: March 2016

AbstractIn plants, tolerance to drought stress is a result of numerous minor effect loci in which transcriptional regulation contributes significantly to the observed phenotypes. Under severe drought conditions, a major expression quantitative trait loci hotspot was identified on chromosome five in potato. A putative Nuclear factor y subunit C4 was identified as key candidate in the regulatory cascade in response to drought. Further investigation of the eQTL hotspots suggests a role for a putative Homeobox leucine zipper protein 12 in relation to drought in potato. Genes strongly co‐expressed with Homeobox leucine zipper protein 12 were plant growth regulators responsive to water deficit stress in Arabidopsis thaliana, implying a possible conserved mechanism. Integrative analysis of genetic, genomic, phenotypic and transcriptomic data provided insights in the downstream functional components of the drought response. The abscisic acid‐ and environmental stress‐inducible protein TAS14 was highly induced by severe drought in potato and acts as a reliable biomarker for the level of stress perceived by the plant. The systems genetics approach supported a role for multiple genes responsive to severe drought stress of Solanum tuberosum. The combination of gene regulatory networks, expression quantitative trait loci mapping and phenotypic analysis proved useful for candidate gene selection.
Alternating temperature combined with darkness resets base temperature for germination (Tb) in photoblastic seeds of Lippia and Aloysia (Verbenaceae)
Authors: Galíndez G. , Seal C. E. , Daws M. I. , Lindow L. , Ortega‐Baes P. , Pritchard H. W. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThermal time models for seed germination assume a continuum of rate responses in the sub‐optimal temperature range. Generally, the models describe germination performance in non‐dormant seeds at constant temperatures, yet alternating temperature (AT) is a feature of many natural environments. We studied the possible interacting effects of AT on germination progress in photoblastic seeds of three aromatic–medicinal Verbenaceae species in the genera Lippia and Aloysia. For Lippia turbinata f. turbinata and L. turbinata f. magnifolia seed, germination only occurred in light conditions, while for L. integrifolia and Aloysia citriodora it was significantly higher in the light than in darkness. Although relative light germination (RLG) was not different between constant and AT in the sub‐optimal range, AT raised the base temperature for germination progress (Tb) from ca. 3–6 °C in constant temperature to 7–12 °C in AT. Among the species, thermal time for 50% seed germination [θT(50)] was 55–100 °Cd at constant temperature. Although AT resulted in slight modifications to θT(50), the germination rate at comparable average temperatures in the sub‐optimal range was slower than under constant temperatures. For all species, the proportion of germinated seeds was similar for constant and AT. Our results suggest that an interaction between cool temperature and darkness during AT treatment limits the temperature range permissive for germination in these positively photoblastic seed, reflecting both close adaptation to the natural ecology and niche requirements of the species.
Role of the lens in controlling physical dormancy break and germination of Delonix regia (Fabaceae: Caesalpinioideae)
Authors: Jaganathan G. K. , Wu G.‐R. , Han Y.‐Y. , Liu B. L. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractPhysical dormancy occurs in all three subfamilies of Fabaceae, namely Mimosoideae, Papilionoideae and Caesalpinioideae, making it one of the largest plant families in terms of number of species with physical dormancy. However, little is known about the water gap structure and germination ecology of species in Caesalpinioideae. Freshly collected seeds of Delonix regia (Caesalpinioideae) did not imbibe water, thus they had physical dormancy. Both dry heat and wet heat were effective in breaking dormancy, however, longer duration was required at 80 °C and shorter duration at 90 °C. Seeds buried in the field for 2 years germinated to 21% and 42% after the first and second summer, respectively, compared with 3% germination in seeds at the time of maturity. Seeds incubated at 15/60 °C in the laboratory (mimicking summer conditions) for 3 months supported this conclusion, as dormancy was relieved in 18% and 24% of seeds stored dry and watered intermediately, respectively. All the dormancy breaking treatments resulted in lifting of palisade layers in the lens region to form a circular lid‐like opening, i.e. water gap (Type II simple). Blocking experiments confirmed that water entered only through the lens and no secondary water entry point was observed. No apparent changes in morphology/anatomy of the hilum region were noted in dormant and non‐dormant (water permeable) seeds. These results suggest that summer temperatures could open the lens in a proportion of seeds every year and that germination occurs during the subsequent wet season in the tropics.
Programmed cell death pathways induced by early plant‐virus infection are determined by isolate virulence and stage of infection
Authors: Nyalugwe E. P. , Barbetti M. J. , Clode P. L. , Jones R. A. C. 
Published: March 2016

Programmed cell death (PCD) pathways caused by Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) infection before symptom appearance were studied by light microscopy and electrolyte leakage following sap inoculation of Brassica carinata (Ethiopian mustard) TZ‐SMN‐44‐6 plants. Leaf responses to inoculation with avirulent (TuMV‐avir) and virulent (TuMV‐vir) isolates, and mock‐inoculation, were compared at 2, 20 and 52 h after inoculation (hai). The phenotypes induced were localized resistance (TuMV‐avir) and systemic susceptibility (TuMV‐vir). No visible TuMV symptoms were recorded in any inoculated plants during the 2–52 hai sampling period, but appeared as chlorotic spots in inoculated leaves at 5 days after inoculation. With TuMV‐vir alone, they were followed by systemic infection (mosaic). Dead cell number, deformation, percentage area and percentage integrated intensity, and conductivity of electrolyte leakage data, were analysed to examine their possible roles in stimulating cell death pathways. At 2 hai, dead cell number and percentage area were significantly greater for TuMV‐avir than TuMV‐vir infection or mock‐inoculation. Overall, isolate TuMV‐vir caused significantly greater cell deformation than TuMV‐avir, whereas wounding by mock‐inoculation had negligible effects. By 52 hai, isolate TuMV‐avir caused significantly greater electrolyte leakage than isolate TuMV‐vir or mock‐inoculation. This suggests both isolates triggered morphological changes consistent with apoptotic‐like PCD and necrosis‐like PCD that depended upon isolate virulence and stage of infection, respectively. These findings highlight how quantification of dead cell deformation and electrolyte leakage offer a new understanding of compatible and incompatible plant responses to early virus infection in plants.
Approaches to the Estimation of the Local Average Treatment Effect in a Regression Discontinuity Design
Authors: O'Keeffe Aidan G. , Baio Gianluca 
Published: March 2016

AbstractRegression discontinuity designs (RD designs) are used as a method for causal inference from observational data, where the decision to apply an intervention is made according to a ‘decision rule’ that is linked to some continuous variable. Such designs are being increasingly developed in medicine. The local average treatment effect (LATE) has been established as an estimator of the intervention effect in an RD design, particularly where a design's ‘decision rule’ is not adhered to strictly. Estimating the variance of the LATE is not necessarily straightforward. We consider three approaches to the estimation of the LATE: two‐stage least squares, likelihood‐based and a Bayesian approach. We compare these under a variety of simulated RD designs and a real example concerning the prescription of statins based on cardiovascular disease risk score.
The Russian–Dutch Year of Friendship: Lgbti Rights as a Marker of Antagonism?
Authors: Jansen Hanna 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThis paper revisits the much‐reported political confrontations that took place between Russia and the Netherlands during the 2013 Dutch‐Russian ‘year of friendship’. It shows how Dutch media constructed an image of the Netherlands and Russia as representatives of conflicting cultural traditions on account of their different attitudes towards LGBTI (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Intersexual) rights. Advancing from Mouffe's observation that politics is inherently oppositional, this paper aims to nuance such a dichotomous imagery by showing distinct commonalities between Russian and Dutch cultural regimes. In fact, Russian discourses are historically rooted in Soviet conceptions of cultural geography, and appeal to similar associations of anti‐colonial and anti‐elitist resistance. However, Dutch and Russian popularised discourses of cultural difference should be recognised as one of several dualisms that Europe and the Netherlands have inherited from the Cold War.
Anti‐Aspergillus immunoglobulin‐G testing in serum of hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients
Authors: Erdmann J.‐H. , Graf B. , Blau I.W. , Fischer F. , Timm G. , Hemmati P. , Arnold R. , Penack O. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractBackgroundPulmonary invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a major clinical problem in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT). Acquisition of IA during allo‐HSCT by inhalation of spores is the rationale for the widespread use of air filtration systems. Recent data suggest that activation of fungal growth in already colonized patients is a relevant factor, and a recent study found a positive correlation of serum immunoglobulin responses against purified recombinant Aspergillus fumigatus proteins before allo‐HSCT with the incidence of IA after allo‐HSCT.MethodsTo investigate the clinical utility of this approach, we performed a prospective study. We used a commercially available and standardized assay for detection of anti‐Aspergillus immunoglobulin‐G (aA‐IgG) in serum (Platelia™ Aspergillus IgG) that has previously demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity.ResultsIn a cohort of 104 allo‐HSCT recipients, we measured aA‐IgG and Aspergillus antigen serum levels before allo‐HSCT, and weekly during hospital stay. Overall prevalence of possible, probable, and proven IA during hospital stay was 10%, 6%, and 0%. We found no correlation between aA‐IgG levels before allo‐HSCT, or after allo‐HSCT, and the prevalence of IA during hospital stay. Furthermore, median aA‐IgG levels did not differ between patients with history of probable or proven IA, as compared to patients without history of IA.ConclusionsTaken together, our data argue against the clinical utility of measuring aA‐IgG levels for diagnosis or prediction of IA in patients undergoing allo‐HSCT.