bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Body size, carry‐over effects and survival in a seasonal environment: consequences for population dynamics
Authors: Betini Gustavo S. , Griswold Cortland K. , Prodan Livia , Norris D. Ryan 
Published: April 2014

Summary

In seasonal populations, vital rates are not only determined by the direct effects of density at the beginning of each season, but also by density at the beginning of past seasons. Such delayed density dependence can arise via non‐lethal effects on individuals that carry over to influence per capita rates.

In this study, we examine (i) whether parental breeding density influences offspring size, (ii) how this could carry over to affect offspring survival during the subsequent non‐breeding period and (iii) the population consequences of this relationship.

Using Drosophila melanogaster, the common fruit fly, submitted to distinct breeding and non‐breeding seasons, we first used a controlled laboratory experiment to show that high parental breeding density leads to small offspring size, which then affects offspring survival during the non‐breeding period but only at high non‐breeding densities.

We then show that a model with the interaction between parental breeding density and offspring density at the beginning of the non‐breeding season best explained offspring survival over 36 replicated generations.

Finally, we developed a biseasonal model to show that the positive relationship between parental density and offspring survival can dampen fluctuations in population size between breeding and non‐breeding seasons.

These results highlight how variation in parental density can lead to differences in offspring quality which result in important non‐lethal effects that carry over to influence per capita rates the following season, and demonstrate how this phenomenon can have important implications for the long‐term dynamics of seasonal populations.
Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody‐associated vasculitides: a scientometric approach visualizing worldwide research activity
Authors: Gerber Alexander , Klingelhoefer Doris , Groneberg David , Bundschuh Matthias 
Published: April 2014

AbstractAimTo provide a critical evaluation of quality and quantity regarding scientific efforts on antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)‐associated vasculitides (AAV) during the past 20 years.MethodScientometric benchmark procedures, density‐equalizing mapping and large‐scale data analysis were used to visualize bi‐ and multilateral research cooperation and institutional collaborations, and to identify the most successful countries, institutions, authors and journals concerned with AAV.ResultsThe USA are the most productive supplier and have established their position as center of international cooperation with 22.5% of all publications, followed by Germany, the United Kingdom, France and Japan, respectively. The most successful international cooperation proved to be the one between the USA, Germany and the UK. A distinct global pattern of research productivity and citation activity was revealed, with the USA and Germany holding both the highest h‐index and the highest number of total citations, but Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands leading with regards to the citation rate. Some large and productive countries such as Japan, China and Turkey show only a few international cooperations.ConclusionThe present study represents the first detailed scientometric analysis and visualization of research quality and quantity on ‘ANCA‐ associated vasculitides’. It was shown that scientometric indicators such as h‐index, citation rate and impact factor, commonly used for assessment of scientific quality, have to be seen critically due to distortion by self‐citation, co‐authorship and language bias. Countries with considerable numbers of patients should enhance international collaboration behavior for the benefit of international scientific and clinical progress.
Ultrasound assessment of cervical length at 18–21 weeks' gestation in an Australian obstetric population: Comparison of transabdominal and transvaginal approaches
Authors: Marren Anthony J. , Mogra Ritu , Pedersen Lars H. , Walter Mary , Ogle Robert F. , Hyett Jon A. 
Published: April 2014

BackgroundUsing a fixed cut‐off of ≤25 mm, ultrasound assessment of cervical length during the 18–23 week anomaly scan has been shown to identify approximately 50% of pregnancies that would deliver prior to 34 weeks.AimTo determine whether a policy of reverting to transvaginal cervical assessment only if the cervix appears short (≤25 mm) on transabdominal assessment affects the efficiency of screening.MethodsWomen with a singleton pregnancy that presented for a routine anomaly scan had their cervical length assessed transabdominally, initially with the maternal bladder full (TABF) and then empty (TABE). Cervical length was then assessed transvaginally (TV).ResultsOne hundred and ninety‐eight women agreed to participate in the study. Identification of the internal and external cervical os was possible during TABF, TABE and TV sonography in 97.0, 82.8 and 100%, respectively. Compared with TV sonography, TABF overestimates cervical length (6.1 mm difference in median values; P < 0.01). There was no significant difference between TV and TABE. However, TABE assessment was not possible in one in six women. If TABF sonography was to be used as a screening tool and using ≤25 mm as the critical cut‐off, the sensitivity and specificity was 15.4 and 93.2%, respectively.ConclusionThis study has shown that assessment of cervical length using a TA approach is only routinely possible when the bladder is full. However, measurements are significantly overestimated. Therefore, we feel that TV assessment of cervical length is the preferred method of reliable cervical assessment. As such, all women should be offered a TV assessment of cervical length at the time of the fetal anomaly ultrasound as a screening test for preterm birth.
Associations of subjective vitality with DNA damage, cardiovascular risk factors and physical performance
Authors: Maynard S. , Keijzers G. , Hansen Å.‐M. , Osler M. , Molbo D. , Bendix L. , Møller P. , Loft S. , Moreno‐Villanueva M. , Bürkle A. , Hvitby C. P. , Schurman S. H. , Stevnsner T. , Rasmussen L. J. , Avlund K. , Bohr V. A. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractAimTo examine associations of DNA damage, cardiovascular risk factors and physical performance with vitality, in middle‐aged men. We also sought to elucidate underlying factors of physical performance by comparing physical performance parameters to DNA damage parameters and cardiovascular risk factors.MethodsWe studied 2487 participants from the Metropolit cohort of 11 532 men born in 1953 in the Copenhagen Metropolitan area. The vitality level was estimated using the SF‐36 vitality scale. Cardiovascular risk factors were determined by body mass index (BMI), and haematological biochemistry tests obtained from non‐fasting participants. DNA damage parameters were measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from as many participants as possible from a representative subset of 207 participants.ResultsVitality was inversely associated with spontaneous DNA breaks (measured by comet assay) (P = 0.046) and BMI (P = 0.002), and positively associated with all of the physical performance parameters (all P < 0.001). Also, we found several associations between physical performance parameters and cardiovascular risk factors. In addition, the load of short telomeres was inversely associated with maximum jump force (P = 0.018), with lowered significance after exclusion of either arthritis sufferers (P = 0.035) or smokers (P = 0.031).ConclusionHere, we show that self‐reported vitality is associated with DNA breaks, BMI and objective (measured) physical performance in a cohort of middle‐aged men. Several other associations in this study verify clinical observations in medical practice. In addition, the load of short telomeres may be linked to peak performance in certain musculoskeletal activities.
Duodenal intraepithelial lymphocytosis is common in children without coeliac disease, and is not meaningfully influenced by Helicobacter pylori infection
Authors: Guz‐Mark A. , Zevit N. , Morgenstern S. , Shamir R. 
Published: April 2014

SummaryBackgroundIncreased numbers of duodenal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) characterise coeliac disease (CD) but have also been described in noncoeliacs. Controversy exists regarding an association between increased IELs and infection with Helicobacter pylori, which is commonly found in children.AimTo assess the relationship between H. pylori infection and duodenal IELs in a large cohort of children, with and without CD.MethodsWe reviewed gastric and duodenal biopsies of children who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy between January 2006 and February 2013 because of either recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) or suspected CD at Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, a referral centre for Israel's largest Health Maintenance Organization. The duodenal IEL count and H. pylori presence in antral biopsies were determined for each specimen.ResultsChildren with RAP (n = 693) or CD (n = 306) were included. Among children with RAP, H. pylori was present in 33.8%. The mean IEL count in the H. pylori positive RAP group was 17.8(±8.8)/100 enterocytes, vs. 15.8(±8.3) in the H. pylori negative patients (P = 0.004). Increased IEL counts (≥25 IELs/100 enterocytes) were found in 15.7% of H. pylori negative, noncoeliac children. Among children with CD, there was no significant difference in IEL counts according to H. pylori status: 73.1(±26.1) vs. 72.6 (±26.5) in H. pylori positive and negative patients respectively.ConclusionsOur study suggests that slightly elevated duodenal intraepithelial lymphocyte counts are common in the paediatric population. Helicobacter pylori infection has no major influence on the intraepithelial lymphocyte counts in children with recurrent abdominal pain or children with coeliac disease.
Educational and Organizational Interventions to Improve the Usefulness of Clinical Pharmacological Advice for Personalized Drug Dosing Based on Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
Authors: Pea Federico , Dose Lucia , Cojutti Piergiorgio , Baraldo Massimo , Fontana Fabrizio , Favaretti Carlo , Furlanut Mario 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThis study was aimed at increasing the clinical usefulness of clinical pharmacological advice (CPA) for personalized drug dosing based on therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM). Educational and organizational interventions focused on improving the knowledge of clinical pharmacology among hospital healthcare workers and reducing the incidence of errors throughout the process were planned. After a pre‐interventional period of risk assessment, different list forms of the types of error occurring in the various phases of the process (Phase 1, request for CPA and blood sampling for TDM; Phase 2, sample delivery to and check in at the CPU; Phase 3, TDM execution and CPA production) were created. In the interventional period, the errors were collected daily and educational programmes were carried out. The pre‐intervention error rate was 19.5%, and resulted significantly higher for the requests coming from the medical wards compared with those from the surgical wards or the ICUs (26.0% versus 10.5% versus 13.7%, p < 0.001). The educational programme trained 303 nurses and 145 physicians. Afterwards, the error percentage progressively dropped (15.5% in the 2nd trimester; 12.3% in the 3rd one; 10.5% in the 4th one). The adopted strategy resulted in significant improvements which may be useful both to improve quality of patient care and to reduce waste in healthcare costs.
Complexities of Choice after Prior Cesarean: A Narrative Analysis
Authors: Shorten Allison , Shorten Brett , Kennedy Holly Powell 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBackgroundHigh rates of primary cesarean internationally continue to create decision dilemmas for women and practitioners about birth in subsequent pregnancies. This article explores values and expectations that guide women during decision making about the next birth after cesarean and identifies factors that influence consistency between women's choices and actual birth experiences.MethodsNarrative analysis was used to identify key themes in decision‐making experiences of women who were facing a choice about mode of birth after cesarean. A sample of 187 women provided qualitative data about their choices for birth at 36–38 weeks. At 6–8 weeks after the birth, 168 also wrote about their experiences of birth and the process of making the decision.ResultsDecision making about birth after cesarean was complex and difficult for many women; strong emotions were expressed as they weighed birth options. Fear and anxiety were articulated as women explained their choices and expectations. Avoidance of the previous cesarean experience, an expectation of a “better” or “faster” recovery, and issues around “safety” for the baby were common reasons given for wanting either vaginal or cesarean birth. Practitioner preferences were influential and women's need for information about their options underpinned their confidence or certainty about their decision.ConclusionsStrategies are needed to support practitioners to expand discussions beyond clinical algorithms about physical risks and benefits of birth options and to actively integrate women's values and preferences into decisions about birth.
Relationship between cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation, CMV‐driven immunity, overall immune recovery and graft‐versus‐leukaemia effect in children
Authors: Jeljeli Mohamed , Guérin‐El Khourouj Valérie , Porcher Raphael , Fahd Mony , Leveillé Sandrine , Yakouben Karima , Ouachée‐Chardin Marie , LeGoff Jerome , Cordeiro Debora Jorge , Pédron Beatrice , Baruchel Andre , Dalle Jean‐Hugues , Sterkers Ghislaine 
Published: April 2014

SummaryThe interplay between immune recovery, cytomegalovirus (CMV)‐reactivation, CMV‐driven immunity and graft‐versus‐leukaemia effect (GVL) was analysed in 108 children (median age: 8 years) who underwent haematopoietic‐stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for acute leukaemia. Follow‐up was 2 years unless death or relapse occurred. CMV‐polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was programmed weekly until month +3 post‐HSCT. Immunomonitoring consisted of sequential lymphocyte subset enumerations and analyses of T‐cell proliferative and γ‐interferon responses to CMV and to adenovirus. In the 108 recipients, the 2‐year relapse rate (RR) was 25% (median time to onset 4·5 months; range: 24 d–17 months). CMV reactivation occurrence was 31% (median time to onset 26 d). Donor/recipient CMV serostatus did not influence RR. Among the 89 recipients disease‐free after day +120, i) early CMV‐reactivation before day +30 was more frequent (P = 0·01) in the relapse recipient group opposed to the non‐relapse group. ii) CD8+/CD28− and CD4+CD45RA− T‐cell expansions induced by CMV did not influence RR, iii) Recovery of anti‐CMV and also anti‐adenovirus immunity and of naïve CD4+ T‐cells was faster in the non‐relapse group (P = 0·008; 0·009 and 0·002 respectively). In contrast to adult acute myeloid leukaemia, CMV reactivation was associated with increased RR in this paediatric series. Accelerated overall immune recovery rather than CMV‐driven immunity had a favourable impact on RR.
Peripheral blood mitochondrial DNA content, A10398G polymorphism, and risk of breast cancer in a Han Chinese population
Authors: Jiang Huangang , Zhao Hong , Xu Hui , Hu Liu , Wang Wenbo , Wei Yuehua , Wang You , Peng Xiaohong , Zhou Fuxiang 
Published: April 2014

It has been reported that quantitative alterations and sequence variations of mtDNA are associated with the onset and progression of particular types of tumor. However, the relationship between mtDNA content, certain mtDNA polymorphisms in peripheral blood leukocytes and breast cancer risk remain obscure. This study was undertaken to investigate whether mtDNA content and the A10398G polymorphism in peripheral blood leukocytes could be used as risk predictors for breast cancer in Han Chinese women. Blood samples were obtained from a total of 506 breast cancer patients and 520 matched healthy controls. The mtDNA content was measured by using quantitative real‐time PCR assay; A10398G polymorphism was determined by PCR‐RFLP assay. There was no statistically significant difference between cases and controls in terms of peripheral blood mtDNA content or A10398G polymorphism. However, further analysis suggested that the risk of breast cancer was associated with decreased mtDNA content in premenopausal women (P = 0.001; odds ratio = 0.54; 95% confidence interval, 0.38–0.77), with increased mtDNA content in postmenopausal women (P = 0.027; odds ratio = 1.49; 95% confidence interval, 1.05–2.11). In addition, the associations between mtDNA content and several clinicopathological parameters of cases such as age, menopausal status, and number of pregnancies and live births were observed. This case–control study indicated that the peripheral blood mtDNA content might be a potential biomarker to evaluate the risk of breast cancer for selected Chinese women.
Defect healing with various bone substitutes
Authors: Yip Ian , Ma Li , Mattheos Nikos , Dard Michel , Lang Niklaus P. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractObjectiveBiphasic calcium phosphates (BCPs), mixture of hydroxyapatite (HA) and β‐tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP) are synthetic bone substitutes, which are increasingly used in adjunctive implant and periodontal surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the rate and amount of bone regeneration in defects filled with three different BCPs in relation to deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM).MethodTen New Zealand rabbits were used in the experiment. Four defects of 6 mm in diameter were prepared in each rabbit, and they were filled with different biomaterials: BCP with HA/β‐TCP ratio of 60/40 (BCPG1), ratio of 10/90 (BCPG2), a BCP with polylactide incorporated (moldable BCP) and DBBM. Group A (n = 5) rabbits were sacrificed after 3 months, and group B (n = 5) were sacrificed 6 months after surgery. Histological and histomorphometric analyses were performed. Mean percentages of mineralized new bone (%MNB), bone marrow (%BM), residual grafting material (%RG) and soft tissue (%ST) were calculated for each bone substitute.ResultsPercentages of MNB in defects filled with the four bone substitutes were comparable after 3 months and 6 months. Amount of MNB regenerated for moldable BCP and DBBM after 6 months were significantly higher than after 3 months (P < 0.05), whereas those for BCPG1 and BCPG2 did not show significant change. Percentage RG was significantly higher in moldable BCP compared with BCPG1 (P < 0.05) after 3 months.ConclusionAfter 3 months, the granules‐form synthetic materials performed better than DBBM in terms of bone regeneration. The grafting materials performed similarly after 6 months of healing. Addition of polylactide in moldable BCP may slow down osteogenesis in grafted defects.
Surprise! Infants consider possible bases of generalization for a single input example
Authors: Gerken LouAnn , Dawson Colin , Chatila Razanne , Tenenbaum Josh 
Published: April 2014

AbstractInfants have been shown to generalize from a small number of input examples. However, existing studies allow two possible means of generalization. One is via a process of noting similarities shared by several examples. Alternatively, generalization may reflect an implicit desire to explain the input. The latter view suggests that generalization might occur when even a single input example is surprising, given the learner's current model of the domain. To test the possibility that infants are able to generalize based on a single example, we familiarized 9‐month‐olds with a single three‐syllable input example that contained either one surprising feature (syllable repetition, Experiment 1) or two features (repetition and a rare syllable, Experiment 2). In both experiments, infants generalized only to new strings that maintained all of the surprising features from familiarization. This research suggests that surprise can promote very rapid generalization.
High normal albuminuria is independently associated with aortic stiffness in patients with Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Liu J.‐J. , Tavintharan S. , Yeoh L. Y. , Sum C. F. , Ng X. W. , Pek S. L. T. , Lee S. B. M. , Tang W. E. , Lim S. C. ,   the SMART2D study
Published: April 2014

AbstractBackgroundHigh normal albuminuria is associated with higher cardiovascular risk in patients with diabetes. Increased aortic stiffness is an established risk factor of vascular events. However, the relationship between albuminuria within the normal range (0–30 mg/g) and aortic stiffness in patients with Type 2 diabetes is unknown.MethodsA total of 614 normoalbuminuric subjects with Type 2 diabetes with spot urinary albumin:creatinine ratio ≤ 30 mg/g and estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥ 60 ml min−1 1.73 m−2 were included in the study. Aortic stiffness was assessed by carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity.ResultsPulse wave velocity increased progressively with the increase of albumin:creatinine ratio within the normoalbuminuric range (0–30 mg/g). Only 2.6% of the subjects with an albumin:creatinine ratio in the lowest quartile (0.7–3.4 mg/g) were classified as having aortic stiffness (pulse wave velocity ≥12 m/s). In contrast, the proportion of subjects with aortic stiffness increased significantly with the increase of albumin:creatinine ratio level (11.0%, 10.4% and 13.6% in albumin:creatinine ratio quartiles 2, 3 and 4, respectively, P = 0.008). A logistic regression model revealed that the odds of having aortic stiffness were increased by 56% with a 1‐sd increase of log albumin:creatinine ratio after adjustment for age, gender, duration of diabetes, HbA1c, blood pressure, HDL and LDL cholesterol, estimated glomerular filtration rate, BMI, usage of renin–angiotensin system antagonists, statins and insulin.ConclusionsHigh normal albuminuria is associated with aortic stiffness in patients with Type 2 diabetes, which may in part explain their increased cardiovascular risk.
Efficacy and safety of insulin degludec given as part of basal–bolus treatment with mealtime insulin aspart in type 1 diabetes: a 26‐week randomized, open‐label, treat‐to‐target non‐inferiority trial
Authors: Davies M. J. , Gross J. L. , Ono Y. , Sasaki T. , Bantwal G. , Gall M. A. , Niemeyer M. , Seino H. ,   on behalf of the BEGIN BB T1 study group
Published: April 2014

AimsThe efficacy and safety of insulin degludec (IDeg) was compared with insulin detemir (IDet), both administered once daily (OD) as basal treatment in participants with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). The primary outcome was non‐inferiority of IDeg to IDet in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) reduction after 26 weeks.MethodsThis multinational, 26‐week, controlled, open‐label, parallel‐group trial randomized adults with T1DM to IDeg or IDet as OD basal insulin treatment combined with mealtime bolus insulin aspart (IAsp). Participants with T1DM treated with any basal–bolus insulin regimen for ≥12 months prior to the trial, a mean HbA1c ≤ 10.0% (85.8 mmol/mol) and body mass index (BMI) ≤35.0 kg/m2 at screening participated in the trial (IDeg: N = 302; IDet: N = 153).ResultsAfter 26 weeks, HbA1c decreased 0.73% (8.0 mmol/mol) (IDeg) and 0.65% (7.1 mmol/mol) (IDet) [estimated treatment difference (ETD) IDeg–IDet: −0.09% (−0.23; 0.05)95%CI (−10.0 mmol/mol [−2.6; 0.6]95% CI); confirming non‐inferiority]. Mean fasting plasma glucose improved in both groups, and was lower with IDeg than IDet [ETD IDeg–IDet: −1.66 mmol/l (−2.37; −0.95)95% CI, p < 0.0001]. The rate of confirmed hypoglycaemia was similar with IDeg and IDet [45.83 vs. 45.69 episodes per patient‐year of exposure (PYE); estimated rate ratio (RR) IDeg/IDet: 0.98 (0.80; 1.20)95% CI, p = 0.86]. The rate of nocturnal confirmed hypoglycaemia was lower with IDeg than IDet [4.14 vs. 5.93 episodes per PYE; RR IDeg/IDet: 0.66 (0.49; 0.88)95% CI, p = 0.0049]. Adverse event profiles were similar between groups.ConclusionIDeg administered OD in basal–bolus therapy effectively improved long‐term glycaemic control in participants with T1DM with a lower risk of nocturnal confirmed hypoglycaemia than IDet.