bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chronologic changes in serum hepatitis B virus DNA, genotypes, surface antigen mutants and reverse transcriptase mutants during 25‐year nationwide immunization in Taiwan
Authors: Hsu H.‐Y. , Chang M.‐H. , Ni Y.‐H. , Chiang C.‐L. , Wu J.‐F. , Chen H.‐L. , Chen P.‐J. , Chen D.‐S. 
Published: February 2017

SummaryWe investigated breakthrough infection and hepatitis B virus (HBV) genetic changes in immunized subjects after 25 years of a universal infant immunization. Specifically, serum HBV DNA, genotypes, surface antigen mutants and nucleoside analog‐resistant (NAr) mutants were assessed in 2853 subjects (<25 years old) surveyed in 2009, and these data were compared with the data from previous serosurveys. A comparison across different age‐stratified groups using the 2009 data revealed a significant increase in the seropositive rate of anti‐HBc (5.51% vs 12.38%, P=.001) and HBV DNA (1.13% vs 3.96%, P=.007) between those 17‐22 and 23‐24 years of age, possibly due to selective infant immunization in 1984‐1986. Well‐characterized NAr mutants, potential NAr mutants and surface “a” determinant mutants were detected in none, 15 (45.5%) and nine (27.3%) of 33 HBV DNA‐positive subjects, respectively. Of 15 immunized, HBV DNA‐positive young adults (18‐24 years), three (20%) carried “a” determinant mutants. Amongst 1176 HBsAg‐negative subjects evaluated for occult HBV infection, those seropositive for anti‐HBc had a higher seropositive rate for HBV DNA (10/110, 9.1% vs 7/1066, 0.66%; P<.001) and “a” determinant mutants (4/110, 3.6% vs 0/1066; P<.001) than those seronegative for anti‐HBc. Overall, the HBsAg‐positive subjects in six serosurveys showed no significant increase in genotype C frequency in the comparison between the vaccinated and unvaccinated cohorts (25/98, 25.5% versus 14/79, 17.7%, P=.188). Over the 25‐year programme, there was no increase in the prevalence of genotype C in HBsAg carriers and no increase in breakthrough HBV infection or surface mutant prevalence beyond adolescence. Nucleic acid amplification should still be considered the primary screening method for occult hepatitis B detection in high‐risk recipients.
Health and nutrition claims – guidance, regulation and self‐regulation
Authors: Walker M. J. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe law on nutrition and, especially, health claims on food is complex and evolving. There is a widely felt need for guidance and dialogue between stakeholders. A well‐attended seminar was organised in September 2016 that brought together regulators, enforcement practitioners and the trade and appeared to go some way to addressing this need. It was generally agreed that several next steps are desirable: to run the seminar again (e.g. in the north of England); to develop a multiple stakeholder forum in order to arrive at correct interpretation and shorten the decision‐making process in difficult cases; to introduce an ‘improvement notice’ option for UK implementation of Regulation 1924/2006; and to develop a checklist for use in examining labels and advertisements. This paper offers an illustration of how this might be commenced; readers are invited to comment. More guidance on priorities and analytical methods is needed for food and food supplements for which health claims are made. The US and European Union regulatory and enforcement attitudes to health claims have developed in quite different directions. With the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union, it will be interesting to see what challenges there are ahead for the protection of consumers and responsible businesses from food health fraud.
Gene–nutrient interactions on metabolic diseases: Findings from the GeNuIne Collaboration
Authors: Vimaleswaran K. S. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThis article describes how the British Nutrition Foundation Drummond Pump Priming award was used to initiate a large scale collaborative project called the Gene‐Nutrient Interactions (GeNuIne) Collaboration, the main objective of which is to investigate the effect of gene‐nutrient interactions (nutrigenetics) on metabolic disease outcomes using population based studies from various ethnic groups. The article also provides a summary of gene–diet interaction studies, performed in developing countries as part of this collaborative project, and gives an overview of how nutrigenetic findings can be translated into personalised and public health initiatives for the prevention of metabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Impact of probiotics on the immune response to influenza vaccination is strongly influenced by ageing
Authors: Yaqoob P. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractInfluenza vaccination in the over 65s suffers from low success rates because of the age‐associated decline in immunity. Strategies for improving the response to vaccination are therefore urgently needed. Emerging evidence suggests that alteration of the gut microbiota could potentially influence antiviral defences and modulate the outcome of viral infections. Research conducted as part of a Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) Diet and Health Research Industry Club (DRINC)‐funded project identified immunoregulatory properties of a novel probiotic (B. longum infantis CCUG 52486) and demonstrated that the immune response to this and other probiotics was highly dependent on the age of the donor. Older subjects had a markedly poorer response to influenza vaccination than young subjects and, although a pre‐ and probiotic combination (synbiotic) did not improve the response, there were trends for differential effects of the probiotic in young and older subjects. However, further interrogation revealed that the older subjects on the synbiotic were already at a significant disadvantage in terms of likely ability to respond to the vaccine compared with those randomised to the placebo because of differences in immunosenescence between the randomised groups at baseline. This may have influenced the outcome of the intervention and the implications of this observation are far reaching as it suggests that failure to fully understand subject phenotype could lead to incorrect interpretation of data. The work therefore provides valuable insight into the influence of baseline subject characteristics – particularly immune phenotype – on the outcome of the intervention and highlights the need for more detailed immunological markers for prospective randomisation of subjects.
Absence of the frequently reported PIK3CA,CASP8, and NOTCH1 mutations in South Indian oral cancers
Authors: Arunkumar G , Murugan AK , Nagarajan M , Ajay C , Rajaraman R , Munirajan AK 
Published: February 2017

ObjectivesSomatic mutations of the PIK3CA, CASP8, and NOTCH1 have been frequently detected in various human cancers. Our study aimed to analyze the mutational status of these genes in South Indian oral cancers.Subjects and methodsWe performed mutational analysis of the PIK3CA (exons 9 and 20), CASP8 (exon 9), and NOTCH1 (exons 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9) genes in 96, 48, and 44 oral cancer samples, respectively. All the specified exons were PCR (polymerase chain reaction)‐amplified and directly sequenced by Sanger sequencing.ResultsPIK3CA gene mutations were not found; however, a synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) [rs17849079] was observed frequently [35/96 (36.4%)] in oral cancer samples. Further, no mutations were detected in the CASP8 gene, but observed a frequent [32/48 (66.6%)] SNP [rs1045487] in the oral cancer samples. We did not detect any mutation in the NOTCH1 gene (exons 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9) in all the [0/44] analyzed oral cancer samples.ConclusionsThis is the first study that reports the status of the PIK3CA, CASP8, and NOTCH1 mutations in South Indian oral cancer samples. Our study suggests that either mutations in these genes are uncommon in South Indian oral cancer samples or likely other genes in this pathway might be mutated.
SCALE AND POLICY IMPACT IN PARTICIPATORY‐DELIBERATIVE DEMOCRACY: LESSONS FROM A MULTI‐LEVEL PROCESS
Authors: BUA ADRIAN 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThis article addresses two interrelated critiques of participatory‐deliberative democratic institutions: that they are beset by problems of scale and that they achieve weak policy impact. This article tests these criticisms through the case of the UK Sustainable Communities Act (SCA), a multi‐level process that is relatively strongly institutionalized. The evidence lends qualified support to these critiques. The article differentiates between contextual factors, related to the attempt to institutionalize participatory‐deliberative processes within existing socioeconomic and political structures, and design factors to do with institutional and process design. The case of the SCA calls for caution about the claim that multi‐level participatory‐deliberative processes can overcome problems of scale and policy impact, but the question remains open. The article ends by suggesting that expectations of direct policy impact might be too high. Rather than determinants of policy, multi‐level participatory‐deliberative processes might function best as agenda‐setters.
Impact of high concentrations of sevoflurane on laryngeal reflex responses
Authors: Erb Thomas O. , von Ungern‐Sternberg Britta S. , Moll Jens , Frei Franz J. 
Published: February 2017

SummaryBackgroundExaggerated defensive upper airway reflexes, particularly laryngospasm, may cause hypoxemic damage, especially in children. General clinical experience suggests that laryngeal reflex responses are more common under light levels of anesthesia, and previous clinical studies have shown an inverse correlation between laryngeal responsiveness and depth of hypnosis. However, this seems to be less obvious in children anesthetized with sevoflurane. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of high concentrations of sevoflurane on laryngeal and respiratory reflex responses in spontaneously breathing children. Accordingly, we tested the hypothesis that laryngeal and respiratory reflex responses were completely suppressed in spontaneously breathing children when anesthetized with sevoflurane 4.7% (=MACED95Intubation) as compared with sevoflurane 2.5% (=1 MAC).MethodsIn this prospective observational study, we tested the hypothesis that the incidence of laryngospasm evoked by laryngeal stimulation is diminished under high concentrations of sevoflurane. Following Ethics approval, trial registration, and informed consent, 40 children (3–7 years) scheduled for elective surgery participated in the trial. All children received sevoflurane 2.5% (1 MAC) and 4.7% (ED95Intubation) in random order with 5‐min equilibration between the states. Under both conditions, distilled water was sprayed under bronchoscopic view onto the larynx. Potential laryngeal and respiratory reflex responses were assessed offline by a blinded reviewer.ResultsLaryngospasm (episodes lasting >10 s) occurred in 12/38 (32%) of the patients anesthetized with sevoflurane 2.5%, vs 7/38 (18%) in those anesthetized with sevoflurane 4.7% (difference: OR 3.5; 95% CI [0.72–16.84], P = 0.18). All other reflex responses (coughing, expiration reflexes, and spasmodic panting) were infrequent and were similar among the examined concentrations.ConclusionAgainst our hypothesis, laryngospasm could still be observed in 18% of children under the higher concentration of sevoflurane (4.7%, ED95Intubation).
Overexpression of the leucine‐rich receptor‐like kinase gene LRK2 increases drought tolerance and tiller number in rice
Authors: Kang Junfang , Li Jianmin , Gao Shuang , Tian Chao , Zha Xiaojun 
Published: February 2017

SummaryDrought represents a key limiting factor of global crop distribution. Receptor‐like kinases play major roles in plant development and defence responses against stresses such as drought. In this study, LRK2, which encodes a leucine‐rich receptor‐like kinase, was cloned and characterized and found to be localized on the plasma membrane in rice. Promoter–GUS analysis revealed strong expression in tiller buds, roots, nodes and anthers. Transgenic plants overexpressing LRK2 exhibited enhanced tolerance to drought stress due to an increased number of lateral roots compared with the wild type at the vegetative stage. Moreover, ectopic expression of LRK2 seedlings resulted in increased tiller development. Yeast two‐hybrid screening and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) indicated a possible interaction between LRK2 and elongation factor 1 alpha (OsEF1A) in vitro. These results suggest that LRK2 functions as a positive regulator of the drought stress response and tiller development via increased branch development in rice. These findings will aid our understanding of branch regulation in other grasses and support improvements in rice genetics.
New age‐based weight estimation formulae for Japanese children
Authors: Nosaka Nobuyuki , Yorifuji Takashi , Knaup Emily , Tsukahara Kohei , Muguruma Takashi , Okada Ayumi , Tsukahara Hirokazu , Doi Hiroyuki 
Published: February 2017

AbstractBackgroundAlthough dosing and sizing of resuscitation drugs and equipment are mostly weight based, time is usually insufficient to weigh critically ill children. Many age‐based weight estimation formulae for emergency use have been developed worldwide, but there is no specific formula for Japanese children. The aim of this study was therefore to develop and validate age‐based formulae for estimating the bodyweight of children living in Japan.MethodsA total of 370 980 measurements of bodyweight were obtained from 39 547 participants aged 12–155 months. They participated in a national survey, called the Longitudinal Survey of Babies in the 21st Century, which started in 2001. We created the new original weight estimation formulae for children living in Japan, called the Japanese Pediatric Assessment of Normal weight (JAPAN) formulae, using 75% of measurements that were randomly selected from the total measurements. To check the validity of the formulae, we applied the JAPAN formulae, the Park et al. formula for Korean children, and the commonly used Nelson formula for the remaining 25% of measurements. The mean absolute error and the root mean square error (RMSE) were calculated for each scale.ResultsThe JAPAN formulae performed better than the two other formulae among Japanese children, with a mean absolute error and RMSE of 0.83 and 1.08 (kg), respectively. The performance of the Park et al. formulae for Korean children was poor for children living in Japan.ConclusionsThe newly developed JAPAN formulae for age‐based weight estimation are appropriate for children living in Japan.
Dental implants and bone augmentation in HIV‐infected patients under HAART: Case report and review of the literature
Authors: Vidal Fábio , Vidal Rafael , Bochnia Jeter , de Souza Rodrigo Carvalho , Gonçalves Lucio Souza 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACTThe present study reviewed the literature regarding dental implants in HIV‐infected patients and reports the long‐term follow‐up of three clinical cases of patients under HAART that received bone augmentation and dental implants. The first case presents a young patient with a large defect in the mandible, as a consequence of a longitudinal fracture, that was treated with guided bone regeneration (GBR) previously to implant placement. The second case reported is middle‐aged man with a fractured upper lateral incisor treated with immediate placement and simultaneous GBR to repair the dehiscence due to the buccal bone resorption. The third case shows an elderly patient that underwent sinus lifting with the simultaneous placement of two implants. All cases were treated after patients were medically controlled and followed for at least 10 years. Controlled HIV‐infected patients undergoing HAART may be candidates to implant rehabilitation, as long as their plasmatic HIV viral load and CD4+ T lymphocytes count are within the parameters that indicate immune stability. Long‐term stability of soft and hard tissues can be obtained maintaining function and esthetics. However, stronger evidence, based on prospective, controlled clinical trials is needed to provide the dental and medical teams with conclusive data.
Oral health needs, dental care utilization, and quality of life perceptions among Oregonian seniors
Authors: Kohli Richie , Sehgal Harjit S. , Nelson Sandra , Schwarz Eli 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACTBackgroundFor a relevant planning process and advocate for improvement in oral health conditions of the senior population up‐to‐date data are necessary. The objective of this study was to assess the oral health status, dental care utilization and quality of life perceptions of seniors in Clackamas County in Oregon.MethodsData were collected in a cross‐sectional study on institutionalized and community dwelling older adults where participants completed a self‐reported oral health survey, the short‐form Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP‐14 questionnaire) and had clinical screenings.ResultsOverall, the participants (n = 177) reported mean OHIP‐14 score of 0.6 ± 1.1, with “physical pain” as the highest scored domain. Seniors who were white, had teeth, dental insurance, were having a regular dentist and living in the community were 4.2 to 33.1 times more likely to visit the dentist in the previous 12 months compared to those respondents who were nonwhite, edentulous, uninsured, not having a regular dentist and living in long‐term care facility (r2 = 0.67, p < 0.05).ConclusionClackamas county senior population has considerable oral health needs, dental utilization, and quality of life issues. Better dental insurance plans, health literacy opportunities and culturally competent dental providers may help to improve the oral health situation and reduce barriers.
Descriptive characteristics and in‐hospital mortality of critically bleeding patients requiring massive transfusion: results from the Australian and New Zealand Massive Transfusion Registry
Authors: Ruseckaite R. , McQuilten Z. K. , Oldroyd J. C. , Richter T. H. , Cameron P. A. , Isbister J. P. , Wood E. M 
Published: February 2017

Background and ObjectivesCritically bleeding patients requiring massive transfusion (MT) are clinically challenging, and limited data exist to support management decisions. This study describes patient characteristics, transfusion support and clinical outcomes from the Australian and New Zealand (NZ) Massive Transfusion Registry (ANZ‐MTR).Materials and MethodsRetrospective, cohort study of all adult patients receiving MT (≥5 units red blood cells [RBC] in 4 h) at participating ANZ‐MTR hospitals, 2011–2015. Mortality information was collected from the Australian National Death Index and NZ Ministry of Health. Associations between patient characteristics and outcomes were modelled using logistic regression.ResultsA total of 3560 MT cases were identified. For in‐hospital deaths, cardiothoracic surgery was the most frequent bleeding context (24·5%) followed by trauma (18·3%). Age (OR = 1·03; 95% CI: 1·02–1·04), more comorbidities (OR = 1·14; 95% CI: 1·09–1·21), larger volume of RBC in first 24 h from MT onset (OR = 1·04; 95% CI: 1·02–1·06), higher platelet to RBC ratio at 4 h (OR = 2·76; 95% CI: 1·14–6·65) and higher activated partial thromboplastin time (OR = 1·02; 95% CI: 1·01–1·03) were associated with in‐hospital mortality.ConclusionPatients with more comorbidities, older age, traumatic or surgical bleeding or requiring more blood components had higher in‐hospital mortality. These findings provide a basis to evaluate and monitor practice relating to optimal use of blood products, variation in transfusion practices and patient outcomes, and also enable benchmarking of hospital performance for management of MT in specific patient groups.
The Effect of Plyometric Training Volume on Athletic Performance in Prepubertal Male Soccer Players
Authors: Chaabene Helmi , Negra Yassine 
Published: February 2017

Purpose:To assess and compare the effects of 8 wk of in-season (2 sessions/wk) low- and high-volume plyometric training (PT) on measures of physical fitness in prepubertal male soccer players.
Methods:A total of 25 soccer players were randomly assigned to a low-volume PT group (LPT; n = 13, age 12.68 ± 0.23 y, age at peak height velocity [APHV] 14.25 ± 0.29 y, maturity offset –1.57 ± 0.29 y) or a high-volume PT group (HPT; n = 12, age 12.72 ± 0.27 y, APHV 14.33 ± 0.77 y, maturity offset –1.61 ± 0.76 y). A linear-sprint test (5-m, 10-m, 20-m, and 30-m), change-of-direction (CoD) test, and vertical- (squat-jump [SJ]), countermovement- (CMJ), and horizontal-jump (standing long jump [SLJ]) test were carried out before and after 8 wk of PT.
Results:There was a significant main effect of time for sprint outcomes (5-m, P = .005, ES = 0.86; 10-m, P = .006, ES = 0.85; 20-m, P = .03, ES = 0.64, and 30-m, P = .05, ES = 0.57), CoD (P = .002, ES = 0.96), SJ (P = .008, ES = 0.81; CMJ, P = .01, ES = 0.73), and SLJ ability (P = .007, ES = 0.83). There were no significant training group × time interactions in any measured outcomes.
Conclusions:After 8 wk of training, results showed similar performance improvement on measures of sprint time, CoD, and jumping ability between LPT and HPT groups. From a time-efficiency perspective, it is recommended to use LPT in prepubertal male soccer players to improve their proxies of athletic performance.
The Player Load Associated With Typical Activities in Elite Netball
Authors: Bailey Jared A. , Gastin Paul B. , Mackey Luke , Dwyer Dan B. 
Published: February 2017

Context:Most previous investigations of player load in netball have used subjective methodologies, with few using objective methodologies. While all studies report differences in player activities or total load between playing positions, it is unclear how the differences in player activity explain differences in positional load.
Purpose:To objectively quantify the load associated with typical activities for all positions in elite netball.
Methods:The player load of all playing positions in an elite netball team was measured during matches using wearable accelerometers. Video recordings of the matches were also analyzed to record the start time and duration of 13 commonly reported netball activities. The load associated with each activity was determined by time-aligning both data sets (load and activity).
Results:Off-ball guarding produced the highest player load per instance, while jogging produced the greatest player load per match. Nonlocomotor activities contributed least to total match load for attacking positions (goal shooter [GS], goal attack [GA], and wing attack [WA]) and most for defending positions (goalkeeper [GK], goal defense [GD], and wing defense [WD]). Specifically, centers (Cs) produced the greatest jogging load, WA and WD accumulated the greatest running load, and GS and WA accumulated the greatest shuffling load. WD and Cs accumulated the greatest guarding load, while WD and GK accumulated the greatest off-ball guarding load.
Conclusions:All positions exhibited different contributions from locomotor and nonlocomotor activities toward total match load. In addition, the same activity can have different contributions toward total match load, depending on the position. This has implications for future design and implementation of position-specific training programs.