bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Meta‐analysis: the impact of oral anti‐viral agents on the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Singal A. K. , Salameh H. , Kuo Y.‐F. , Fontana R. J. 
Published: May 2013

SUMMARYBackgroundFive oral nucleos(t)ide analogues are available to treat chronic hepatitis B (CHB). With the availability of newer agents, their efficacy on incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is not well described.AimTo determine the efficacy of oral anti‐viral agents in reducing HCC risk in relationship with other known factors.MethodsPublished studies of at least 20 CHB patients treated with an oral anti‐viral agent and followed for >2 years were analysed for incidence of HCC per 100 person years follow‐up.ResultsPooled homogeneous data from six studies showed lamivudine (LAM) treatment (n = 3306) to reduce HCC risk by 51% compared with no treatment (n = 3585) (3.3 vs. 9.7 per 100 person years, P < 0.0001). Pooled data from 49 studies (23 with LAM; 16 with adefovir; and 10 with entecavir, tenofovir or telbivudine) of 10 025 treated patients showed HCC incidence of 1.3 per 100 person years, independent of the agent used. Patient age >50 years and hepatitis B virus‐DNA detectability at HCC diagnosis increased risk of HCC by twofold with a 10‐fold higher risk among patients with cirrhosis compared with chronic hepatitis. Meta‐regression showed patient age, study location (Eastern vs. Western) and type of study (randomised or not) contributed to heterogeneity.ConclusionsLamivudine treatment significantly reduces the incidence of HCC compared with no treatment. However, HCC still develops at a rate of 1.3 per 100 patient years in CHB patients receiving an oral anti‐viral agent. This finding highlights the need for continued HCC surveillance, particularly in CHB patients with inadequate viral suppression, older age and cirrhosis.
Assessing vegetation change using vegetation‐plot databases: a risky business
Authors: Chytrý Milan , Tichý Lubomír , Hennekens Stephan M. , Schaminée Joop H.J. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractAimData from vegetation plots can be used for the assessment of past vegetation change in three ways: (1) comparison of old and new records from permanent plots established for vegetation monitoring; (2) revisiting historical phytosociological plots and subsequent comparison of old and new records; (3) comparison of large sets of old and new phytosociological records from the same area but different plots. Option (3) would be the cheapest in regions where large vegetation‐plot databases are available, but there is a risk of incorrect results due to a spatial mismatch of old and new plots. Here we assess the accuracy of such analyses.MethodsWe used three data sets of permanent plots from Czech mountain bogs and Dutch oak forests and heathlands to quantify vegetation change. We selected subsets to simulate analyses based on (1) data from permanent plots or revisited phytosociological plots, i.e. containing old and new records from the same plots, (2) vegetation‐plot databases with old and new records from different, randomly selected sites, and (3) vegetation‐plot databases with old and new records from different but close sites. We repeated each subset selection 1000 times and analysed vegetation change in each of the three data sets and each variant of subset selection using permutational multivariate analysis of variance.ResultsFor data sets with no actual vegetation change, analyses of some subsets simulating vegetation‐plot databases incorrectly suggested significant changes. For a data set with real change, a change was detected in analyses of simulated vegetation‐plot databases, but in several cases it had a different direction or magnitude to the real change.ConclusionsThe assessment of vegetation change using vegetation‐plot databases should be either avoided or interpreted with extreme caution because of the risk of incorrect results. Analyses such as these may be used to propose hypotheses about past vegetation change, but their results should not be considered valid unless confirmed using more reliable data. In many contexts, re‐visitation studies of historical phytosociological plots may be the best strategy to assess past vegetation change, while new networks of carefully stratified permanent plots are preferable for monitoring future change.
Beta‐Amyloid, Phospho‐Tau and Alpha‐Synuclein Deposits Similar to Those in the Brain Are Not Identified in the Eyes of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease Patients
Authors: Ho Cheng‐Ying , Troncoso Juan C. , Knox David , Stark Walter , Eberhart Charles G. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractAlzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) are the two most common neurodegenerative disorders, and are characterized by deposition of specific proteins in the brain. If similar abnormal protein deposits are present in the eye, it would facilitate noninvasive diagnosis and monitoring of disease progression. We therefore evaluated expression of proteins associated with AD and PD pathology in postmortem eyes and brains in a case‐control study. Eyes from 11 cases of AD, 6 cases of PD or PD with dementia, and 6 age‐matched controls were retrieved from the autopsy archives of The Johns Hopkins Hospital. Immunostains for β‐amyloid, phospho‐tau and α‐synuclein and Congo red stains were performed in the same laboratory in both brains and eyes. No amyloid deposits or abnormal tau accumulations were detected in the lens, retina or other structures in the eyes of AD patients. Eyes also lacked definite Lewy bodies or Lewy neurites in either PD or AD cases. Patchy cytoplasmic α‐synuclein positivity was seen in the retina of AD, PD and control cases, but did not correlate with the presence or extent of Lewy body pathology in the brain. Abnormal protein aggregations characteristic of AD and PD are thus not commonly present in the retinas or lens of affected patients when assayed using the same protocols as in the brain. This suggests that β‐amyloid, phospho‐tau and α‐synuclein either do not deposit in the eye in a manner analogous to brain, or are present at lower levels or in different forms.
Spatial and Temporal Variation of Seed Rain in the Canopy and on the Ground of a Tropical Cloud Forest
Authors: Sheldon Kimberly S. , Nadkarni Nalini M. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractSpatial and temporal patterns of seed rain impact plant fitness, genetic and demographic structure of plant populations, and species' interactions. Because plants are sessile, they rely on biotic and abiotic dispersal agents to move their seeds. The relative importance of these dispersal agents may shift throughout the year. In tropical forests, seed dispersal of epiphytes constitutes a major but hitherto unknown portion of seed rain ecology. For the first time, we report on patterns of seed rain for both epiphytic and terrestrial plants across an entire year in a Neotropical montane forest. To examine seed rain, we placed traps in the canopy and on the ground. We analyzed seed dispersal syndrome (bird, mammal, wind) and plant habit (epiphyte, liana, shrub, small tree, large tree) across all seasons of the year (dry, misty, wet). We found that the community of species collected in canopy traps was significantly different from the community in ground traps. Epiphytes were the most common plant habit found in canopy traps, while large trees were most common in ground traps. Species with bird‐dispersed seeds dominated all traps. Species richness was significantly higher during the dry season in ground traps, but did not vary across seasons in canopy traps. Our results highlight the distinct seed rain found in the canopy and on the ground and underscore the importance of frugivores for dispersing both arboreal and terrestrial plants in tropical ecosystems.
Spider peptide Phα1β induces analgesic effect in a model of cancer pain
Authors: Rigo Flavia Karine , Trevisan Gabriela , Rosa Fernanda , Dalmolin Gerusa D. , Otuki Michel Fleith , Cueto Ana Paula , de Castro Junior Célio José , Romano‐Silva Marco Aurelio , Cordeiro Marta do N. , Richardson Michael , Ferreira Juliano , Gomez Marcus V. 
Published: May 2013

The marine snail peptide ziconotide (ω‐conotoxin MVIIA) is used as an analgesic in cancer patients refractory to opioids, but may induce severe adverse effects. Animal venoms represent a rich source of novel drugs, so we investigated the analgesic effects and the side‐effects of spider peptide Phα1β in a model of cancer pain in mice with or without tolerance to morphine analgesia. Cancer pain was induced by the inoculation of melanoma B16‐F10 cells into the hind paw of C57BL/6 mice. After 14 days, painful hypersensitivity was detected and Phα1β or ω‐conotoxin MVIIA (10–100 pmol/site) was intrathecally injected to evaluate the development of antinociception and side‐effects in control and morphine‐tolerant mice. The treatment with Phα1β or ω‐conotoxin MVIIA fully reversed cancer‐related painful hypersensitivity, with long‐lasting results, at effective doses 50% of 48 (32–72) or 33 (21–53) pmol/site, respectively. Phα1β produced only mild adverse effects, whereas ω‐conotoxin MVIIA induced dose‐related side‐effects in mice at analgesic doses (estimated toxic dose 50% of 30 pmol/site). In addition, we observed that Phα1β was capable of controlling cancer‐related pain even in mice tolerant to morphine antinociception (100% of inhibition) and was able to partially restore morphine analgesia in such animals (56 ± 5% of inhibition). In this study, Phα1β was as efficacious as ω‐conotoxin MVIIA in inducing analgesia in a model of cancer pain without producing severe adverse effects or losing efficacy in opioid‐tolerant mice, indicating that Phα1β has a good profile for the treatment of cancer pain in patients.
Inconsistent immunohistochemical expression of lymphatic and blood endothelial cell markers in cutaneous lymphangiomas
Authors: Bhawan Jag , Silva Claudine , Taungjaruwinai Wirach Matt 
Published: May 2013

PurposeWe sought to describe expression of the immunohistochemical markers, CD31, D2‐40 and LYVE‐1 (lymphatic vessel hyaluronan receptor‐1), that may assist in differentiating cutaneous lymphangioma and cutaneous hemangioma.MethodsImmunohistochemical staining of lymphangioma and hemangioma specimens was completed with CD31, D2‐40 and LYVE‐1 antibodies.ResultsThirty‐three examples of lymphangioma and 13 examples of hemangioma were evaluated. CD31 was positive in 91% of lymphangioma and 100% of hemangioma (sensitivity 0.91, 95% confidence interval 0.75‐0.98; specificity 0, 95% confidence interval 0‐0.28). D2‐40 was positive in 54% of lymphangioma and 23% in hemangioma (sensitivity 0.50 95% confidence interval 0.32‐0.68; specificity 0.50 95% confidence interval 0.28‐0.72). LYVE‐1 was positive in 6% in lymphangioma and 15% hemangioma (sensitivity 0.06 95% confidence interval 0.01‐0.22, specificity 0.85 95% confidence interval 0.54‐0.97).ConclusionsDue to the similar embryonic origins, it is unlikely that a single marker may accurately differentiate the lymphangioma from hemangioma. A combination of immunohistochemical stains such CD31, D2‐40 and LYVE‐1 testing may potentially increase the diagnostic accuracy in differentiating lymphangioma from hemangioma. However, our findings suggest that there is no advantage in performing immunohistochemical staining to differentiate lymphangioma from hemangioma.
Secondary prevention of occupational dermatoses: first systematic evaluation of optimized dermatologist's procedure and hierarchical multi‐step intervention
Authors: Voß Heike , Gediga Günther , Gediga Kathrin , Maier Björn , Mentzel Franziska , Skudlik Christoph , Zagrodnik Fred‐Dieter , John Swen Malte 
Published: May 2013

SummaryBackgroundIn 2011, 25,056 notifications of suspected occupational dermatitis (OD) were submitted to the statutory accident insurance (UVT), predominant by dermatologist's reports. Parallel to the introduction of the improved dermatologist's procedure, the hierarchical multi‐step intervention approach to OD was launched within the UVT. It is aimed at ensuring that patients with OD can be allocated to preventive dermatological interventions quickly and appropriately according to the severity of their OD. From 2007–2010, the quality of dermatological interventions as well as the corresponding administrative procedures were evaluated in a unique research project supported by the German Social Accident Insurance.Patients and methodsAbout 10 % (n = 1 600) of notified cases with suspected OD in 2007 in Germany were analyzed in a random quota sample by occupational dermatologists and administrations. Follow‐up was 12 months. If a dermatologist's procedure was initiated after the initial notification, patients’ and dermatologists’ opinions were obtained by questionnaires.ResultsMore than 85 % of the OD notifications were submitted by dermatologists and only 1.6 % by occupational physicians. In 88 %, the dermatologist's report was used. Yet, there is room for optimizing procedures: e.g., the clinical and/or occupational relevance of type IV allergies was assessed only in 36.5 % of patients. Job loss due to OD occurred less often if suitable preventive and/or therapeutic strategies (e.g., skin protection seminars) were implemented by the UVT (p = 0.001). Preventive and therapeutic strategies were initiated more often when the dermatologist's report was conclusive, a central element is the outpatient care by a dermatologist.ConclusionsThe research project shows that the quality of dermatological intervention, as well as administrative procedures, can be optimized. Early intervention with suitable preventive and therapeutic strategies in patients with OD should be aimed at, as this is crucial for the outcome of OD.
Fear extinction deficits following acute stress associate with increased spine density and dendritic retraction in basolateral amygdala neurons
Authors: Maroun Mouna , Ioannides Pericles J. , Bergman Krista L. , Kavushansky Alexandra , Holmes Andrew , Wellman Cara L. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractStress‐sensitive psychopathologies such as post‐traumatic stress disorder are characterized by deficits in fear extinction and dysfunction of corticolimbic circuits mediating extinction. Chronic stress facilitates fear conditioning, impairs extinction, and produces dendritic proliferation in the basolateral amygdala (BLA), a critical site of plasticity for extinction. Acute stress impairs extinction, alters plasticity in the medial prefrontal cortex‐to‐BLA circuit, and causes dendritic retraction in the medial prefrontal cortex. Here, we examined extinction learning and basolateral amygdala pyramidal neuron morphology in adult male rats following a single elevated platform stress. Acute stress impaired extinction acquisition and memory, and produced dendritic retraction and increased mushroom spine density in basolateral amygdala neurons in the right hemisphere. Unexpectedly, irrespective of stress, rats that underwent fear and extinction testing showed basolateral amygdala dendritic retraction and altered spine density relative to non‐conditioned rats, particularly in the left hemisphere. Thus, extinction deficits produced by acute stress are associated with increased spine density and dendritic retraction in basolateral amygdala pyramidal neurons. Furthermore, the finding that conditioning and extinction as such was sufficient to alter basolateral amygdala morphology and spine density illustrates the sensitivity of basolateral amygdala morphology to behavioral manipulation. These findings may have implications for elucidating the role of the amygdala in the pathophysiology of stress‐related disorders.
Contrasting effects of the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa on the growth and physiology of two green algae, Oocystis marsonii and Scenedesmus obliquus, revealed by flow cytometry
Authors: Dunker Susanne , Jakob Torsten , Wilhelm Christian 
Published: May 2013

Summary

Aquatic photosynthetic productivity is influenced by resource availability, resource use efficiency and interspecific interactions. In hypertrophic environments, interspecific interference is known to influence species succession. The effect of interference by phytoplankton on biomass production is very poorly understood. One hypothesis is that the development of cyanobacterial blooms is triggered by the excretion of allelopathic substances that inhibit the growth of other phytoplankton species.

In this study, we analysed how the co‐cultivation of the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa with two green algae (Oocystis marsonii and Scenedesmus obliquus) influences the resource use efficiency of each partner under nutrient‐replete conditions. Using single‐cell technologies, it was possible to quantify the efficiency of light use and the biomass gain for all three species under hypertrophic (non‐limiting nutrient) conditions.

The presence of M. aeruginosa resulted in growth inhibition, reduced metabolic activity and an increased quantum requirement for biomass assimilation in O. marsonii, whereas no changes were observed in S. obliquus. M. aeruginosa, on the other hand, showed an increased cell size in mixed cultures with O. marsonii. However, with respect to biomass production, M. aeruginosa did not profit from the growth inhibition of O. marsonii in the experimental period of 8 days. By contrast, the co‐cultivation of M. aeruginosa with S. obliquus did not affect the physiological activity of either species.

This study highlights the potential of flow cytometry to determine species‐specific basic growth parameters, light‐use efficiency and biomass gain during co‐cultivation of different algal strains. It is further demonstrated that sorted cells can be used to analyse their macromolecular composition. The results of this study reveal very different species‐specific patterns of growth kinetics and light‐use‐efficiency of green algae in co‐cultivation experiments with a cyanobacterium.
Rift‐related origin of the Paleoproterozoic Kuncha Formation, and cooling history of the Kuncha nappe and Taplejung granites, eastern Nepal Lesser Himalaya: a multichronological approach
Authors: Sakai Harutaka , Iwano Hideki , Danhara Tohru , Takigami Yutaka , Rai Santa Man , Upreti Bishal Nath , Hirata Takafumi 
Published: May 2013

AbstractIn order to decipher the origin and tectonothermal history of the Kuncha nappe, we undertook a geological investigation in the Taplejung window in eastern Nepal, and carried out multichronological analyses of zircon, apatite, and mica of the Kuncha Formation and Taplejung granites. Three granite bodies that intrude into the Kuncha Formation show fission‐track (FT) ages of 6.2 to 4.8 Ma for zircon and 2.9 to 2.1 Ma for apatite, although the granites yielded zircon U–Pb ages of 1852 ± 24 Ma and 1877 ± 21 Ma, and muscovite 40Ar–39Ar ages of ca 1650 Ma. The U–Pb intercept age of detrital zircons from the Kuncha schist is 1888 ± 16 Ma, and this age represents a probable depositional age of the lower part of the Kuncha Formation. The FT ages of zircon and apatite from the same schist are found to be 5.4 and 2.5 Ma, respectively. No zircon younger than 1.6 Ga was identified from any of these samples. It means that the Kuncha nappe has never undergone thermal events after 1.6 Ga until the Himalayan orogeny in Miocene. The Kuncha Formation and overlying Kali Gandaki Supergroup as well as the Taplejung granites can be correlated with the Coronation Supergroup and the Hepburn intrusives in the Wopmay orogen, northwest Canada. They are interpreted to be deposits in the basins of continental rift system and subsequent passive‐margin settings. All the FT age data of zircon and apatite provide evidence that both the Kuncha nappe and overlying Crystalline nappe seem to have cooled laterally from the nappe front to the north. The FT ages from the front to central part of the nappe in Taplejung suggest that isotherm of 240°C, closure temperature of zircon FT, retreated toward north at about 10 mm/y during the middle to late Miocene and Pliocene.
Skin physiology in men and women: in vivo evaluation of 300 people including TEWL, SC hydration, sebum content and skin surface pH
Authors: Luebberding S. , Krueger N. , Kerscher M. 
Published: May 2013

SynopsisObjectivesEvidence is given that differences in skin physiological properties exist between men and women. However, despite an assessable number of available publications, the results are still inconsistent. Therefore, the aim of this clinical study is the first systematic assessment of gender‐related differences in skin physiology in men and women, with a special focus on changes over lifetime.MethodsA total of 300 healthy male and female subjects (20–74 years) were selected following strict criteria including age, sun behaviour or smoking habits. TEWL, hydration level, sebum production and pH value were measured with worldwide‐acknowledged biophysical measuring methods at forehead, cheek, neck, volar forearm and dorsum of hand.ResultsUntil the age of 50 men's TEWL is significantly lower than the water loss of women of the same age, regardless of the location. With ageing gender‐related differences in TEWL assimilate. Young men show higher SC hydration in comparison with women. But, whereas SC hydration is stable or even increasing in women over lifetime, the skin hydration in men is progressively decreasing, beginning at the age of 40. Sebum production in male skin is always higher and stays stable with increasing age, whereas sebum production in women progressively decreases over lifetime. Across all localizations and age groups, the pH value in men is below 5, the pH value of female subjects is, aside from limited expectations, higher than 5.ConclusionSkin physiological distinctions between the sexes exist and are particularly remarkable with regard to sebum production and pH value.
A New and Economic Approach to Synthesize and Fabricate Bioactive Diopside Ceramics Using a Modified Domestic Microwave Oven. Part 1: Study of Sintering and Bioactivity
Authors: Harabi Abdelhamid , Zouai Souheila 
Published: May 2013

Diopside (CaMgSi2O6) ceramics was synthesized and fabricated by a simple solid‐state reaction rather than other used processes. This new and economic approach for diopside fabrication consists mainly of replacing the usually used starting materials by other more economic (activated CaO·MgO powders), using conventional sintering and microwave sintering. The P2O5 addition (0.5–5.0 wt%) promotes sintering, crystallization, and bioactivity. Additionally, a considerably low weight loss ratio (0.21%) was also obtained for these samples, after 2 days of soaking in lactic acid. Carbonated hydroxyapatite (CHA) formation in simulated body fluid was confirmed for all sintered samples. Both sintering and CHA formation mechanisms were proposed.
Directors' Dealing and Post‐IPO Performance
Authors: Hoque Hafiz , Lasfer Meziane 
Published: May 2013

AbstractWe use a unique mainly hand‐collected dataset to assess the impact of directors' trades on IPOs' long‐term returns. We find that IPOs where directors are net sellers are more likely to generate positive long‐run returns which occur mostly before the sell trades, suggesting that directors sell when their IPOs reach their optimal values. Conversely, IPOs where directors are net buyers underperform significantly. Our results are not consistent with insider trading in seasoned firms, partly because the valuation uncertainty of IPOs and the specific motivations to trade weaken the precision of the trades' informativeness.