bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modified Atkins diet is an effective treatment for children with Doose syndrome
Authors: Wiemer‐Kruel Adelheid , Haberlandt Edda , Hartmann Hans , Wohlrab Gabriele , Bast Thomas 
Published: February 2017

SummaryObjectiveChildren with myoclonic astatic epilepsy (MAE; Doose syndrome) whose seizures do not respond immediately to standard antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are at high risk of developing an epileptic encephalopathy with cognitive decline. A classic ketogenic diet (KD) is a highly effective alternative to AEDs. To date, there are only limited data on the effectiveness of the modified Atkins diet (MAD), which is less restrictive and more compatible with daily life. We report findings from a retrospective study on 30 MAE patients treated with MAD.MethodsFour participating centers retrospectively identified all patients with MAE in whom a MAD had been started before June 2015. Seven children were recruited from a cohort included in an open prospective controlled trial. A retrospective review of all available charts was performed in the other patients.ResultsThirty patients (24 boys) were included. Mean age at epilepsy onset was 3.1 years (range 1.5–5.6). MAD was started at a mean age of 4.5 years (range 2.2–9.1) after the children had received an average of six different AEDs (range 2–15). Mean MAD observation time was 18.7 months (range 1.5–61.5). Twenty of 30 patients were still on MAD at the end of study (duration range 1.5–61.5, mean 18.5 months). MAD was stopped without relapse in three patients after sustained seizure freedom for >2 years. For the other seven cases, ineffectiveness (three patients), loss of efficacy (two), or noncompliance (two) led to termination. No severe adverse effects were noted. By the end of the observation period, 25 (83%) of 30 patients experienced a seizure reduction by ≥50% and 14 (47%) of 30 were seizure‐free. None of the evaluated factors differed significantly between the groups of seizure‐free and non–seizure‐free children.SignificanceMAD is an effective treatment for MAE. It should be considered as an alternative to AEDs or the more restrictive classic ketogenic diet.
From endogenous to exogenous pattern formation: Invasive plant species changes the spatial distribution of a native ant
Authors: Li Kevin , He Yifan , Campbell Susanna K. , Colborn A. Shawn , Jackson Eliot L. , Martin Austin , Monagan Ivan V. , Ong Theresa Wei Ying , Perfecto Ivette 
Published: February 2017

AbstractInvasive species are a significant threat to global biodiversity, but our understanding of how invasive species impact native communities across space and time remains limited. Based on observations in an old field in Southeast Michigan spanning 35 years, our study documents significant impacts of habitat change, likely driven by the invasion of the shrub, Elaeagnus umbellata, on the nest distribution patterns and population demographics of a native ant species, Formica obscuripes. Landcover change in aerial photographs indicates that E. umbellata expanded aggressively, transforming a large proportion of the original open field into dense shrubland. By comparing the ant's landcover preferences before and after the invasion, we demonstrate that this species experienced a significant unfavorable change in its foraging areas. We also find that shrub landcover significantly moderates aggression between nests, suggesting nests are more related where there is more E. umbellata. This may represent a shift in reproductive strategy from queen flights, reported in the past, to asexual nest budding. Our results suggest that E. umbellata may affect the spatial distribution of F. obscuripes by shifting the drivers of nest pattern formation from an endogenous process (queen flights), which led to a uniform pattern, to a process that is both endogenous (nest budding) and exogenous (loss of preferred habitat), resulting in a significantly different clustered pattern. The number and sizes of F. obscuripes nests in our study site are projected to decrease in the next 40 years, although further study of this population's colony structures is needed to understand the extent of this decrease. Elaeagnus umbellata is a common invasive shrub, and similar impacts on native species might occur in its invasive range, or in areas with similar shrub invasions.
Social participation among older adults not engaged in full‐ or part‐time work is associated with more physical activity and less sedentary time
Authors: Kikuchi Hiroyuki , Inoue Shigeru , Fukushima Noritoshi , Takamiya Tomoko , Odagiri Yuko , Ohya Yumiko , Amagasa Shiho , Oka Koichiro , Owen Neville 
Published: February 2017

AbstractAimSocial participation provides health benefits for older adults. However, there is the need to identify whether higher social participation is associated with older adults being more physically active and less sedentary (sitting time). We examined the associations of social participation with physical activity, and sedentary time, in a population‐based sample of older Japanese adults.MethodsA population‐based, cross‐sectional mail survey carried out in 2010 was used to collect data on social participation, physical activity, sedentary time and sociodemographic characteristics. Data were examined from 1146 community‐dwelling, unemployed older adults (mean age 70.1 years, 43% men). Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to calculate odds ratios (OR) for associations of social participation with physical activity and total sedentary time; and, for associations with passive and mentally‐active sedentary (sitting) time.ResultsFor both men and women, those with higher social participation were more physically active (OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.44–3.06 among men; OR 1.93, 95% CI 1.39–2.68 among women). Total sedentary time had significant associations among men (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.42–0.90), but not among women (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.58–1.11). Social participation was associated with less passive sedentary time (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.38–0.81 for men; OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.51–0.99 for women).ConclusionsPromoting social participation among older adults could contribute to increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary time, with potential benefits for chronic disease. Further research is required to elucidate the deleterious and beneficial roles of passive and mentally‐active sedentary time for older adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 1921–1927.
Excretion of necrotic hepatocellular carcinoma tissues into the biliary system after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization
Authors: Miyayama Shiro , Yamashiro Masashi , Nagai Keiichi , Yokka Akira , Yoshida Miki , Sakuragawa Naoko , Sanada Taku , Notsumata Kazuo 
Published: February 2017

AimTo evaluate the incidence and condition of necrotic tumor excretion into the biliary system in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) >5 cm treated with conventional transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE).MethodsEighty‐three patients who underwent TACE for newly developed HCC >5 cm without an intraductal tumor thrombus and were followed‐up by computed tomography for longer than 6 months were eligible. According to the location, the maximum tumors were divided into central (in contact with the left or right hepatic duct, n = 39) or peripheral (not in contact with them, n = 44). When high‐density material in the biliary system that was not seen on pretreatment computed tomography was identified, it was determined as excreted necrotic tumor tissue containing iodized oil. The incidence, interval between TACE and occurrence of the necrotic tumor excretion, and clinical course were evaluated.ResultsTumor excretion into the biliary system was identified in nine (10.8%) patients with a central tumor (mean diameter, 85.0 ± 29.6 mm) 28–433 days (mean, 219.3 ± 128.2) after the initial TACE. In one patient, the necrotic tumor cast caused cholangitis 1203 days after the initial TACE, and was endoscopically removed. Infection of the embolized tumor developed in two cases and percutaneous drainage was carried out 105 and 158 days later, respectively.ConclusionsExcretion of necrotic tumors into the biliary system after TACE was not rare in patients with centrally located HCC >5 cm. The detached tumor rarely caused symptoms and the communication between the tumor and bile duct caused the infection of tumors.
Reappraisal of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) in diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL): comparative analysis between EBV‐positive and EBV‐negative DLBCL with EBV‐positive bystander cells
Authors: Ohashi Akiko , Kato Seiichi , Okamoto Akinao , Inaguma Yoko , Satou Akira , Tsuzuki Toyonori , Emi Nobuhiko , Okamoto Masataka , Nakamura Shigeo 
Published: February 2017

AimsEpstein–Barr virus (EBV)‐positive diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified is defined as monoclonal EBV+ B‐cell proliferation affecting patients without any known immunosuppression. Non‐neoplastic EBV+ cells proliferating in or adjacent to EBV− DLBCL were reported recently, but their clinical significance is unclear. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic impact of EBV+ cells in DLBCL.Methods and resultsWe compared the clinicopathological characteristics of 30 EBV+ DLBCL patients and 29 and 604 EBV− DLBCL patients with and without EBV+ bystander cells (median age of onset 71, 67 and 62 years, respectively). Both EBV+ DLBCL patients and EBV− DLBCL patients with EBV+ bystander cells tended to have high and high–intermediate International Prognostic Index scores (60% and 59%, respectively), as compared with only 46% of EBV− DLBCL patients without EBV+ bystander cells. EBV− DLBCL patients with EBV+ bystander cells showed a significantly higher incidence of lung involvement than those without EBV+ bystander cells (10% versus 2%, P < 0.05). Furthermore, EBV+ DLBCL patients and EBV− DLBCL patients with EBV+ bystander cells had a poorer prognosis than patients without any detectable EBV+ cells [median overall survival (OS) of 100 months and 40 months versus not reached, P < 0.01]. Notably, EBV+ DLBCL patients and EBV− DLBCL patients with EBV+ bystander cells treated with rituximab showed overlapping survival curves (OS, P = 0.77; progression‐free survival, P = 1.0).ConclusionsEBV− DLBCL with bystander EBV+ cells has similar clinical characteristics to EBV+ DLBCL. DLBCL with EBV+ bystander cells may be related to both age‐related and microenvironment‐related immunological deterioration.
Prevalence of and factors associated with unprotected anal intercourse with regular and nonregular male sexual partners among newly diagnosed HIV‐positive men who have sex with men in China
Authors: Wang Z , Wu X , Lau JTF , Mo PKH , Mak WWS , Wang X , Yang X , Gross D , Jiang H 
Published: February 2017

ObjectivesThis study investigated the prevalence of, and multi‐dimensional factors associated with, unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) with regular male sexual partners (‘regular partners’) and nonregular male sexual partners (‘nonregular partners’) among newly diagnosed HIV‐positive men who have sex with men (MSM) in Chengdu, China.MethodsA total of 225 newly diagnosed HIV‐positive MSM were interviewed using a combined interviewer−computer‐assisted method in Chengdu, China.ResultsThe prevalence of UAI with regular and nonregular partners since diagnosis was 27.7% and 33.8% among participants reporting having sex with regular and nonregular partners (n = 159 and 133), respectively. Adjusted analysis showed that: (1) cognitive variables based on the Health Belief Model (perceived susceptibility to HIV transmission and perceived severity of the consequences of HIV transmission, perceived barriers and perceived self‐efficacy related to consistent condom use), (2) emotion‐related variables (worry about transmitting HIV to others), (3) psychological factors (post‐traumatic growth) and (4) socio‐structural factors (perceived partners’ responsibility for condom use) were significantly associated with UAI with regular and/or nonregular partners.ConclusionsInterventions are warranted, and should be designed with consideration of multi‐dimensional factors and be partner type‐specific.
Liver‐related mortality and hospitalizations attributable to chronic hepatitis C virus coinfection in persons living with HIV
Authors: Mena A , Meijide H , Rodríguez‐Osorio I , Castro A , Poveda E 
Published: February 2017

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to compare liver‐related mortality and liver‐related hospitalizations for persons living with HIV (PLWH) with and without hepatitis C virus (HCV) exposure, and to estimate the fraction of liver disease attributable to chronic HCV coinfection.MethodsAn ambispective cohort study followed PLWH between 1993 and 2014. PLWH were classified into three groups: those who were HIV‐monoinfected, those who cleared HCV spontaneously and those with chronic HCV coinfection. Liver‐related mortality was estimated for the three groups and compared with the adjusted standardized mortality ratio.ResultsData for 2379 PLWH were included in the study (1390 monoinfected individuals, 146 spontaneous HCV resolvers and 843 with chronic HCV coinfection). Global mortality was 33.8%, 21.4% of which was liver‐related. Patients who died from liver‐related causes were mostly on antiretroviral therapy and had an undetectable HIV viral load when they died. The liver‐related mortality rate in those with chronic HCV coinfection was 10.01 per 1000 patient‐years vs. 3.84 per 1000 patient‐years in the HIV‐monoinfected group (P < 0.001). The adjusted standardized mortality ratio in the chronically HCV‐coinfected group was 4.52 (95% confidence interval 2.98–5.86). The fractions of liver‐related mortality and liver‐related hospitalizations attributable to chronic HCV coinfection were 0.61 and 0.74, respectively. There were no differences in liver‐related events between HIV‐monoinfected individuals and those who spontaneously cleared HCV.ConclusionsChronic HCV infection increases the risk of liver‐related mortality and liver‐related hospitalizations in PLWH, despite good control of HIV infection. Sixty per cent of liver‐related mortality in chronically HCV‐coinfected PLWH could be attributable to chronic HCV infection. The effect of mass HCV eradication with new therapies should be evaluated.
From dendritic cells to B cells dysfunctions during HIV‐1 infection: T follicular helper cells at the crossroads
Authors: Ruffin Nicolas , Hani Lylia , Seddiki Nabila 
Published: February 2017

SummaryT follicular helper (Tfh) cells are essential for B‐cell differentiation and the subsequent antibody responses. Their numbers and functions are altered during human and simian immunodeficiency virus (HIV/SIV) infections. In lymphoid tissues, Tfh cells are present in germinal centre, where they are the main source of replicative HIV‐1 and represent a major reservoir. Paradoxically, Tfh cell numbers are increased in chronically infected individuals. Understanding the fate of Tfh cells in the course of HIV‐1 infection is essential for the design of efficient strategies toward a protective HIV vaccine or a cure. The purpose of this review is to summarize the recent advance in our understanding of Tfh cell dynamics during HIV/SIV infection. In particular, to explore the possible causes of their expansion in lymphoid tissues by discussing the impact of HIV‐1 infection on dendritic cells, to identify the molecular players rendering Tfh cells highly susceptible to HIV‐1 infection, and to consider the contribution of regulatory follicular T cells in shaping Tfh cell functions.
Lessons from the past: Family involvement in patient admission and discharge, Beechworth Lunatic Asylum, 1900–1912
Authors: Clark Eileen 
Published: February 2017

AbstractIn this study, document analysis is used to examine case books from the Beechworth Lunatic Asylum with the aim of determining the extent of family involvement in patients’ admission and discharge. There were 420 male and 278 female patients admitted in the study period, with over half transferred from other Victorian asylums. Next of kin were identified for 64% of male and 84% of female patients. Families were involved in the admission of 52 (12%) male and 50 (18%) female patients, usually by bringing patients to the asylum or providing evidence of behavioural changes. Approximately 25% of patients were discharged (101 men and 62 women) and of these, families were involved in discharge for 26% of male and 71% of female patients, mainly by taking responsibility for them during trial discharge. Occasionally families refused to do this, or sought to have patients detained because of fears of violence. The relevance of the study to contemporary practice is explored, particularly the need for dialogue between clinicians and families who identify behavioural changes in family members, appropriate support for family carers, and timely provision of community care following discharge from inpatient facilities.
High‐pressure behavior and P‐induced phase transition of CaB3O4(OH)3·H2O (colemanite)
Authors: Lotti Paolo , Gatta Giacomo Diego , Comboni Davide , Guastella Giorgio , Merlini Marco , Guastoni Alessandro , Liermann Hanns‐Peter 
Published: February 2017

AbstractColemanite (ideally CaB3O4(OH)3·H2O, space group P21/a, unit‐cell parameters: a ~ 8.74, b ~ 11.26, c ~ 6.10 Å, β ~ 110.1°) is one of the principal mineralogical components of borate deposits and the most important mineral commodity of boron. Its high‐pressure behavior is here described, for the first time, by means of in situ single‐crystal synchrotron X‐ray diffraction with a diamond anvil cell up to 24 GPa (and 293 K). Colemanite is stable, in its ambient‐conditions polymorph, up to 13.95 GPa. Between 13.95 and 14.91 GPa, an iso‐symmetric first‐order single‐crystal to single‐crystal phase transition (reconstructive in character) toward a denser polymorph (colemanite‐II) occurs, with: aCOL‐II=3·aCOL, bCOL‐II=bCOL, and cCOL‐II=2·cCOL. Up to 13.95 GPa, the bulk compression of colemanite is accommodated by the Ca‐polyhedron compression and the tilting of the rigid three‐membered rings of boron polyhedra. The phase transition leads to an increase in the average coordination number of both the B and Ca sites. A detailed description of the crystal structure of the high‐P polymorph, compared to the ambient‐conditions colemanite, is given. The elastic behaviors of colemanite and of its high‐P polymorph are described by means of III‐ and II‐order Birch‐Murnaghan equations of state, respectively, yielding the following refined parameters: KV0=67(4) GPa and KV′=5.5(7) [βV0=0.0149(9) GPa−1] for colemanite; KV0=50(8) GPa [βV0=0.020(3) GPa−1] for its high‐P polymorph.
Beyond Tax Avoidance: Offshore Firms’ Institutional Environment and Financial Reporting Quality*
Authors: Durnev Artem , Li Tiemei , Magnan Michel 
Published: February 2017

AbstractWe explore how firms’ operations in Offshore Financial Centers (OFCs) through subsidiaries or affiliates affect the quality of financial reporting. Using a unique and large sample of firms that have headquarters in the 15 countries with the strictest legal regimes and have subsidiaries or affiliates in OFCs, we find that such firms exhibit lower financial reporting quality than comparable firms without OFC operations. We also find that as OFC characteristics become more prevalent, firms are more likely to engage in both accrual‐based and real earnings management. More importantly, after disentangling OFC characteristics into the opportunity for tax avoidance, regulation arbitrage and secrecy policies, we find that beyond tax avoidance, regulation arbitrage and the secrecy policies of OFCs significantly affect financial reporting quality. The causal effect of OFC operations is supported by the analysis of financial reporting quality when firms set up OFC operations. Our findings are robust to various additional tests addressing potential endogeneity issues. We conclude that the assessment of a firm's institutional environment must encompass the registration status of its subsidiaries or affiliates as well as its own.
Assembly patterns of soil‐dwelling lichens after glacier retreat in the European Alps
Authors: Nascimbene Juri , Mayrhofer Helmut , Dainese Matteo , Bilovitz Peter Othmar 
Published: February 2017

AbstractAimTo assess the spatial‐temporal dynamics of primary succession following deglaciation in soil‐dwelling lichen communities.LocationEuropean Alps (Austria, Switzerland and Italy).MethodsFive glacier forelands subjected to relevant glacier retreat during the last century were investigated. In each glacier foreland, three successional stages were selected at increasing distance from the glacier, corresponding to a gradient of time since deglaciation between 25 and 160 years. In each successional stage, soil‐dwelling lichens were surveyed within five 1 × 1 m plots. In addition to a classical ecological framework, based on species richness and composition, we applied a functional approach to better elucidate community assembly mechanisms.ResultsA positive relationship was found between species richness and time since deglaciation indicating that richer lichen communities can be found at increasing terrain ageing. This pattern was associated with compositional shifts, suggesting that different community assemblages can be found along the successional stages. The analysis of β‐diversity revealed a significant nested pattern of species assemblages along the gradient (i.e. earlier successional stages hosted a subset of the species already established in older successional stages), while the turnover component was less relevant. Considering functional groups, we found contrasting patterns in relation to time since deglaciation: the incidence of species with a cyanobacterial photobiont and those reproducing by spores decreased, while that of species reproducing by vegetative propagules increased.Main conclusionsThis study reveals that community assembly patterns of soil‐dwelling lichens in alpine glacier forelands are ruled by mechanisms of directional species accumulation and trait selection that involve a trade‐off between different functional strategies. Functional traits that reflect the dispersal and adaptation capability of the species underpin the colonization success of soil‐dwelling lichens in glacier forelands.