bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and safety of rituximab therapy in patients with pemphigus vulgaris: first report from Turkey
Authors: Uzun Soner , Bilgiç Temel Aslı , Akman Karakaş Ayşe , Ergün Erkan , Özkesici Birgül , Eskiocak Ali Haydar , Erat Ayşegül , Uğurlu Nilay , Nazlım Berna , Koç Saliha , Bozkurt Selen , Dicle Özlem , Alpsoy Erkan , Yılmaz Ertan 
Published: September 2016

AbstractBackgroundPemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a severe, chronic, and potentially life‐threatening autoimmune blistering disease that affects the skin and mucous membranes. Rituximab is a monoclonal anti‐CD20 antibody which has been used increasingly in the therapy of PV.MethodsThe present study sought to test the efficacy and safety of rituximab as an adjuvant therapy by retrospective analysis of clinical and immunological data for 29 patients with PV who were treated with rituximab between 2010 and 2015. Response to therapy, duration of clinical remission, serology of the response, and adverse effects of rituximab were evaluated.ResultsThe mean ± standard deviation (SD) follow‐up time was 17.48 ± 13.18 months. In all patients, findings showed either a decrease in antibody titers or that antibodies were completely undetectable after therapy. Rituximab use resulted in a significant reduction in steroid dosage during follow‐up. At the end of the follow‐up period, 26 patients (96.2%) had achieved complete remission with or without therapy (one patient had no follow‐up and one patient had died, most probably as the result of a thromboembolic event). In 44.4% of patients, a clinical relapse occurred after a mean ± SD period of 13.1 ± 4.7 months after the initiation of rituximab therapy. Relapses were managed with additional infusions of rituximab.ConclusionsRituximab is a beneficial and relatively safe adjuvant treatment for PV that facilitates prolonged clinical remission and has a significant steroid‐sparing effect.
Filaggrin gene loss‐of‐function mutations explain discordance of atopic dermatitis within dizygotic twin pairs
Authors: Thomsen Simon Francis , Elmose Camilla , Szecsi Pal Bela , Stender Steen , Kyvik Kirsten Ohm , Backer Vibeke , Thyssen Jacob Pontoppidan 
Published: September 2016

AbstractObjectivesThis study was designed to examine the association between loss‐of‐function mutations in the filaggrin gene (FLG) and atopic dermatitis (AD) and asthma in adult twins.MethodsA previously well‐characterized cohort of 575 adult twins were genotyped for the loss‐of‐function mutations in FLG (R501X, 2282del4 and R2447X) most common among northern Europeans. Subjects were examined for symptoms of atopic diseases as well as for lung function, airway responsiveness, and atopy.ResultsIn the whole population of twins, the risk for AD was significantly increased in individuals with FLG mutations in comparison with wild‐type carriers (34.3% vs. 21.8%) after adjustment for possible confounders (odds ratio [OR] 1.92, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07–3.41; P = 0.028). A significant association was also observed for persistent AD (OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.02–4.36; P = 0.046). There were no significant differences in risk for asthma by FLG mutation status in individuals with and without AD, respectively (P‐value for interaction, 0.595). In 11 dizygotic twin pairs discordant for FLG mutation status, risk for AD was higher in the twin carrying the FLG mutation (five of 11 [45.5%] twins had developed AD) than in the non‐carrier co‐twin (two of 11 [18.2%] twins had developed AD) (OR 2.50, 95% CI 0.45–13.85; P = 0.293). FLG status did not explain a significant proportion of the variation in AD (P = 0.328) or asthma (P = 0.321).ConclusionsFilaggrin gene mutations are risk factors for the presence and persistence of AD and explain the discordance of AD within dizygotic twin pairs.
The mediating effect of emotional intelligence between emotional labour, job stress, burnout and nurses' turnover intention
Authors: Hong Eunyoung , Lee Young Sook 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThis study was designed to construct and test the structural equation modelling on nurses' turnover intention including emotional labour, job stress, emotional intelligence and burnout in order to identify the mediating effect of emotional intelligence between those variables. Emotional labour, job stress and burnout increase turnover intention of nurses. However, emotional intelligence is negatively correlated with emotional labour and reduces job stress, burnout and turnover intention. Structural equation modelling was used to analyse the goodness of fit of the hypothetical model of nurses' turnover intention. Research data were collected via questionnaires from 4 to 22 August 2014 and analysed using SPSS version 18.0 and AMOS version 20.0. The model fit indices for the hypothetical model were suitable for recommended. Emotional intelligence has decreasing effect on turnover intention through burnout, although its direct effect on turnover intention is not significant. Emotional intelligence has mediation effect between emotional labour and burnout. This study's results suggest that increasing emotional intelligence might critically decrease nurses' turnover intention by reducing the effect of emotional labour on burnout.
Responding to Non‐Linear Internationalisation of Public Policy: The World Trade Organization and Reform of the CAP 1992–2013
Authors: Daugbjerg Carsten 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe transfer of regulatory authority to international organisations can initiate domestic policy reform. The internationalisation process can be a one‐off transfer of authority to international institutions or an ongoing process. In the latter situation, the level of internationalisation may be gradually increased by expanding the regulatory scope of the regime or by deepening it. However, internationalisation processes may also involve stalemate or even reversal. How do domestic policy makers respond to such non‐linear internationalisation? To answer this question, this paper analyzes the relationship between developments in the GATT and WTO farm trade negotiations and the reform trajectory of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) from the early 1990s to 2013. Until 2008, the EU gradually changed the support instruments of the CAP to limit their trade distorting impact. After the Doha Round stalled in 2008, international trade policy concerns were downgraded and domestic concerns took priority in the 2013 reform.
Treatment of sporadic port‐wine stains: a retrospective review of 17 cases consecutively treated by pulsed sequential dual wavelength 595 and 1064 nm laser
Authors: Perruchoud D.L. , Cazzaniga S. , Heidemeyer K. , Weber B. , Dietrich N. , Borradori L. , Adatto M.A. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractBackgroundPort‐wine stains (PWS) are relatively common and often cause cosmetic and psychological concerns. The pulsed dye laser is currently the treatment of choice for PWS.ObjectiveTo assess the effectiveness of the pulsed sequential dual wavelength 595 and 1064 nm laser as first‐line treatment for PWS and to identify prognostic factors for treatment outcome in a retrospective series of 17 consecutive previously untreated patients.MethodsThe response to treatment was evaluated 2 months after treatment utilizing comparative photographs and a standard physician global assessment (PGA) grading system. Furthermore, measurement of the normalized erythema index (NEI) reduction (ΔNEI%) was carried out using an image analysis system. The subjective improvement was assessed using a patient's satisfaction questionnaire. Multiple linear regression models were finally used to identify factors associated with ΔNEI% and patients’ satisfaction.ResultsSeventeen patients, with PWS, including 12 children were included. The average PGA assessment was 2.5 ± 1.3 corresponding to an amelioration of 50% with a high intraclass correlation coefficient among the experts. The before–after NEI showed a statistically significant mean reduction of 3.5 ± 2.6 units, corresponding to a relative reduction of 31%. Questionnaires showed that the satisfaction was very good with an average score of 6.1 points on a scale ranging from −10 to 10 points. Multiple regression analysis revealed that location in the frontotemporal area was associated with a significant reduction in ΔNEI% (38.4%; 95% CI 4.3, 72.6). Presence of PWS on the neck was associated with a lower patient satisfaction (−3.7 points; 95% CI −6.5, −0.9). There were no significant side‐effects, except for transient discomfort and purpura.ConclusionsBased on the results obtained in the largest reported series so far, the pulsed sequential dual wavelength 595 and 1064 nm laser represents an effective and safe first‐line therapeutic option for the treatment of PWS.
Carbon Emission Performance of China's Power Industry: Regional Disparity and Spatial Analysis
Authors: Wang Xiping , Du Lei 
Published: September 2016

SummaryThis study employs an undesirable‐output–oriented data envelopment analysis model to measure the carbon emission performance of the power industry throughout China's 30 administrative regions during the period of 2003–2012. Also, it further studies the regional disparity and spatial correlation of the carbon emission performance of China's power industry. The main findings are as follows: (1) The carbon emission performance of China's power industry is at a relatively low level, but shows a rising trend. (2) The regional carbon emission performance of China's power industry is extremely unbalanced: The eastern area ranks first, with the highest performance of 0.851, followed by the central area, whereas the western area falls behind, with the lowest performance of 0.760. Provinces in the eastern area generally perform better than those in other areas. (3) According to spatial analysis, the global Moran's I values of carbon emission performance are significantly positive during the sample period, which indicates that the carbon emission performance is a positive spatial correlation and has an obvious clustering effect. The estimate of the local spatial autocorrelation index confirms the imbalance of spatial distribution of the power sector's carbon emission performance. Based on the above findings, several policy suggestions are presented in this article.
IL‐1β maintains the redox balance by regulating glutaredoxin 1 expression during oral carcinogenesis
Authors: Chen Xijuan , Lv Qianshu , Hong Yun , Chen Xiaobing , Cheng Bin , Wu Tong 
Published: September 2016

BackgroundInterleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1β) is a pleiotropic cancer–inflammation‐linked cytokine which has been reported upregulated in many cancers. In our previous study, IL‐1β was found to be one of the key node genes during oral malignant transformation, and glutaredoxin 1 (Grx1) was identified as one of the downstream genes of IL‐1β in tumor microenvironment. Grx1 is ubiquitous oxidoreductase which is necessary for scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the intracellular redox balance maintenance.MethodsTissues from different stages of mucosal malignant transformation were obtained from 4NQO‐induced rat oral carcinogenesis model and human mucosa for Grx1 expression detection by immunohistochemical staining. The intracellular ROS levels and Grx1 mRNA level of oral squamous carcinoma cell CAL27 were detected after IL‐1β treatment with or without pretreatment of IL‐1Ra or NAC, respectively. The ROS levels were detected in Leti‐si‐IL‐1β and Leti‐si‐NC CAL27 cells after IL‐1β stimulation. The invasion and migration abilities of CAL27 cells were tested by transwell assay after IL‐1β stimulation with or without pretreatment of IL‐1Ra.ResultsGrx1 expression was associated with the malignant transformation process in vivo. Exogenous IL‐1β upregulated the intracellular ROS level and the expression of Grx1 in CAL27 cells, which could be counteracted by IL‐1Ra. The intracellular ROS accumulation induced by exogenous IL‐1β was responsible for the Grx1 upregulation. Endogenous IL‐1β acted as a switch in regulating the ROS level by modulating Grx1 expression, which was involved in the invasion and migration of OSCC cells.ConclusionsIL‐1β finely orchestrated the redox balance during carcinogenesis by modulating Grx1 expression.
Characterization and bake stability of dry fruit fillings in dehydrated chiku (Manilkara zapota L. P. Royen) incorporated biscuits
Authors: Aditi Mahapatra , Shashirekha M. N. , Sudha M. L. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractExpanding the range of bakery products in terms of producing supplemented or dietetic products has been an increasingly important trend in contemporary baking. Value added products, especially products rich in fiber and phytochemicals are getting popular. Among the dry fruits used for filling, Figs were rich in ash and protein and Dates were rich in dietary fiber. Gallic acid was the dominant free phenolic acid in Fig whereas chlorogenic acid and procatechuic acid were dominant in Dates in the bound form. Farinograph water absorption, dough development time, maximum pressure (P), and extensibility (L) decreased on increase in the replacement of wheat flour with chiku powder from 0 to 30%. The dry fruit fillings in the pH range of 3.3–3.5 with 75–80°Bx showed better bake stability with respect to spreadability and breaking strength. Biscuits topped with higher °Bx fillings had higher breaking strength values even during storage. Among the gelling agents used, addition of sodium alginate stabilized and further improved the bake stability of the fillings. The chiku incorporated biscuits sandwiched with fruit filling were rich in dietary fiber. Also significant amounts of gallic acid and chlorogenic acid in free and bound form were present in the biscuit.Practical applicationsBakery products can act as a vehicle for supplementation of vitamins, minerals, protein, dietary fiber, and so on, to prevent nutritive deficiencies. Among the bakery products, biscuits are shelf stable and have better consumer acceptability by all age groups. To incorporate fruits which are rich in many bioactive principles, and to add on to variety, fruit sandwiched biscuits with fruit powder in the casing too. Fillings mainly from dry fruits were prepared at varying degree brix and with different gelling agents. Biscuit sheets containing chiku powder in the formulation was topped with the fillings and looked for the bake stability with respect to texture and spreadability. Addition of fruit powder in the shells and fruit filling in between helped to increase the nutritional characteristics of the product.
The Need for a Lengthier Cryolesion Can Predict a Worse Outcome in 3D Cryoablation of AV Nodal Slow Pathway in Children
Authors: DRAGO FABRIZIO , RUSSO MARIO SALVATORE , BATTIPAGLIA IRMA , GRIFONI GINO , SILVETTI MASSIMO STEFANO , REMOLI ROMOLO , PAZZANO VINCENZO , SAPUTO FABIO ANSELMO , CIANI MICHELE 
Published: September 2016

BackgroundTranscatheter cryoablation is a well‐established technique for the treatment of atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia (AVNRT) in children. Nevertheless, atrioventricular nodal slow‐pathway conduction may recur after an acutely successful procedure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long‐term outcome of acutely successful AVNRT cryoablations in pediatric patients in case of focal cryolesion and in case of need for High‐Density Linear Lesion (HDLL) cryoablation due to focal failure.MethodsSixty‐nine consecutive pediatric patients (30 males, mean age 12.4 ± 3.2 years; range: 5.4–18.0 years) underwent 3D‐guided cryoablation for AVNRT at our institution from July 2013 to November 2014. When a focal cryoablation was acutely unsuccessful, a 3D‐guided HDLL was created delivering multiple overlapping cryolesions/cryoenergy applications from the ventricular side of the tricuspid annulus to the atrial side, including the site of focal cryoablation if transiently successful.ResultsNo permanent cryoablation‐related complications occurred. Acute success rate was 98.5% (68 out of 69): in 55.9% (38 out of 68) with focal‐lesion and in 44.1% (30 out of 68) with HDLL. Mean follow‐up was 25.3 months and AVNRT recurrence rate was 13.2% (nine out of 68): 5.2% (two out of 38) with focal lesion and 23.3% (seven out of 30) with HDLL (P = 0.036).ConclusionsIn cryoablation of AVNRT in children, the need for a more aggressive protocol (HDLL), due to the failure of focal ablation, is strictly related to higher recurrence rates. Indeed, AVNRT recurrences after cryoablation in children seem to be due to a larger and deeper substrate rather than due to the type of energy used.
Genetic Testing in Dermatology: A Survey Analyzing Obstacles to Appropriate Care
Authors: Shagalov Devorah R. , Ferzli Georgina M. , Wildman Temima , Glick Sharon A. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractBackground/ObjectivesThe past several decades have witnessed unprecedented advances in genomic technology, bringing genetic testing to the forefront of medical practice and moving us towards the practice of personalized medicine. Genetic testing has become an important aspect in preempting and successfully treating diseases in dermatology, yet difficulty remains in regards to obtaining genetic testing for patients. We conducted a survey for pediatric dermatologists in order to try to gauge and understand where difficulties lie in obtaining genetic testing and to analyze how best these issues can be resolved.MethodsAn 18‐question survey was emailed to 480 dermatologists who have attended at least one of the last three annual Society for Pediatric Dermatology (SPD) meetings.ResultsVirtually all providers encountered at least one situation in which they required genetic testing for a patient (97.3% [n = 108]) and 37.4% indicated needing genetic testing more than six times per year. Of the respondents who had attempted to obtain genetic testing, half were unsuccessful in obtaining coverage more than 75% of the time (45% [n = 32]) and only 7.0% (n = 5) achieved success 75% to 100% of the time. The most common reasons for obtaining genetic testing included the need to provide an accurate diagnosis, followed by the need to provide prognostic information and appropriate medical management.ConclusionThe role of genetic testing in the practice of dermatology is expanding, yet obtaining coverage for genetic testing remains a challenge. We propose several solutions as to how this can be remedied.
THE STUDY OF OPTICAL GAIN FOR TERAHERTZ QUANTUM CASCADE LASER USING DENSITY MATRIX METHOD
Authors: Mohd Akil Mohd Asmu'i , Akabli Khalid , Shaari Amiruddin , Kasmin Mohd Khalid , Othaman Zulkafli 
Published: September 2016

Terahertz (THz) quantum cascade lasers (QCL) are currently increasing in popularity. It is expected to become the main source of emerging terahertz radiation technology and applications. However to produce the device within the application specification is costly and time consuming. This is because the manufacturing process of the superlattice growth and the device processing and testing are long and expensive processes. Thus a prediction tool is needed to overcome the problems in designing and producing THz QCL within the needed optical expectation. The density matrix method is used to calculate the performance of this device electronically and optically. The result obtained was compared to the experimental result conducted by previous researchers. The calculation result showed that the gain is 20 when the population inversion occurs at threshold current density of 400 A cm-2. Meanwhile a negative gain or loss occurs below 350 A cm-2. As a conclusion, it is demonstrated that this method has a capability to explain the transport phenomena as well as to predict the performance of the THz QCL device design.
Flat-Plate Boundary Layers in Accelerated Flow
Authors: Bader Pascal , Pschernig Manuel , Sanz Wolfgang , Woisetschläger Jakob , Heitmeir Franz , Meile Walter , Brenn Günter 
Published: September 2016

Flow in turbomachines is generally highly turbulent. The boundary layers, however, often exhibit laminar-to-turbulent transition. But also relaminarization of the turbulent flow may occur. The state of the boundary layer is important, since it strongly influences transport phenomena like skin friction and heat transfer.
It is therefore vitally important for the designer to understand the process of boundary layer transition and to determine the position of transition onset and the length of the transitional region. In order to get into the details of transition and relaminarization it is helpful to study simplified test cases first. Therefore, in this paper a relaminarization test case for a simple geometry is investigated: The boundary layer flow along a flat plate is exposed to acceleration with three different acceleration parameters, which is known as a crucial parameter for relaminarization.
Measurements were performed for the inlet free-stream velocities of 5 m/s and 9 m/s. Several experimental techniques for detecting transition were tested at the institute before their application. In this work, Laser-Doppler anemometry (LDA) measurements were performed, since this optical technique is non-intrusive and does not disturb the flow. Therefore it can also be used in narrow flow passages where probe blockage can be crucial.
As an outcome of this study, an insight into the process of relaminarization is presented.
Although the key onset values for relaminarization stated in literature are fulfilled with the test setup, full relaminarization over the whole boundary layer has not been achieved. It seems, that using only the skin friction as indicator for relaminarization is not sufficient.
Short Helical Combustor: Dynamic Flow Analysis in a Combustion System With Angular Air Supply
Authors: Ariatabar Behdad , Koch Rainer , Bauer Hans-Jörg 
Published: September 2016

A novel gas turbine combustor which features a helical arrangement of the burners around the turbine shaft has been subject of a detailed flow analysis. A fundamental investigation of the combustor concept has been conducted in the authors previous work [1]. The main design parameters for such a combustor were identified based on kinematic assessments of the flow fields predicted by CFD.
In particular, it has been shown in the previous work that the swirl rotational direction of adjacent burners determines the overall flow pattern in such a staggered design of the combustor dome. However, for the optimal configuration the exit mean flow angle was lower than the half of its initial value at the combustor inlet. The reason for this unwanted decay of the initial high angular momentum flux was not clear.
In the present work a comprehensive global flow analysis of such a short helical combustor is performed. The underlying physics of large changes of the flow pattern and exit flow angle are elucidated by the analysis of the different terms (momentum, pressure and friction) in the integral balance equation of angular momentum. The term “dynamic flow analysis” is used in contrast to the “kinematic flow analysis” in our previous work and does not refer to transient flow phenomena.
It is shown that the flow in the vicinity of the burners is governed by inertial forces associated to an asymmetric pressure distribution on the sidewall and the combustor dome. Downstream the sidewalls, the swirl rotational direction of circumferentially adjacent burners determines the structure of vortex-breakdown and the flow pattern in the primary combustion zone. It is shown that the turbulent mixing phenomena have minor effects on the flow structure at the combustor exit.
To compare mean flow quantities of different combustor designs, a consistent averaging method is introduced which is based on the work of the Pinako and Wazelt [2].
This analysis can also be applied to conventional combustors to assess different swirl configurations regarding the resulting flow pattern, mixing performance and total pressure loss.