bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Randomised clinical trial: vancomycin or metronidazole in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis ‐ a pilot study
Authors: Tabibian J. H. , Weeding E. , Jorgensen R. A. , Petz J. L. , Keach J. C. , Talwalkar J. A. , Lindor K. D. 
Published: February 2013

SummaryBackgroundEmerging data suggest that oral antibiotics may have therapeutic effects in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), but published studies are limited.AimsTo investigate the safety and efficacy of oral vancomycin and metronidazole in patients with PSC.MethodsThirty‐five patients with PSC were randomised in a double‐blind manner into four groups: vancomycin 125 mg or 250 mg four times/day, or metronidazole 250 mg or 500 mg three times/day for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was decrease in alkaline phosphatase (ALK) at 12 weeks. Secondary end points included serum bilirubin and Mayo PSC risk score; pruritus; and adverse effects (AEs). Nonparametric tests were used for analysis.ResultsThe primary endpoint was reached in the low‐dose (−43% change in ALK, P = 0.03) and high‐dose (−40%, P = 0.02) vancomycin groups, with two patients in the former experiencing ALK normalisation. Bilirubin decreased significantly in the low‐dose metronidazole group (−20%, P = 0.03) and trended towards significance in the low‐dose vancomycin group (−33%, P = 0.06). Mayo PSC risk score decreased significantly in the low‐dose vancomycin (−0.55, P = 0.02) and low‐dose metronidazole group (−0.16, P = 0.03). Pruritus decreased significantly in the high‐dose metronidazole group (−3.4, P = 0.03). AEs led to medication discontinuation in six patients, four of whom were receiving metronidazole.ConclusionsBoth vancomycin and metronidazole demonstrated efficacy; however, only patients in the vancomycin groups reached the primary endpoint, and with less adverse effects. Larger, longer‐term studies are needed to further examine the safety and efficacy of antibiotics as a potential treatment for patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (clinicaltrials.gov NCT01085760).
Randomised clinical trial: a 1‐week, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study of pancreatin 25 000 Ph. Eur. minimicrospheres (Creon 25000 MMS) for pancreatic exocrine insufficiency after pancreatic surgery, with a 1‐year open‐label extension
Authors: Seiler C. M. , Izbicki J. , Varga‐Szabó L. , Czakó L. , Fiók J. , Sperti C. , Lerch M. M. , Pezzilli R. , Vasileva G. , Pap Á. , Varga M. , Friess H. 
Published: February 2013

SummaryBackgroundPancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) often occurs following pancreatic surgery.AimTo demonstrate the superior efficacy of pancreatin 25 000 minimicrospheres (Creon 25000 MMS; 9–15 capsules/day) over placebo in treating PEI after pancreatic resection.MethodsA 1‐week, double‐blind, randomised, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐group, multicentre study with a 1‐year, open‐label extension (OLE). Subjects ≥18 years old with PEI after pancreatic resection, defined as baseline coefficient of fat absorption (CFA) <80%, were randomised to oral pancreatin or placebo (9–15 capsules/day: 3 with main meals, 2 with snacks). In the OLE, all subjects received pancreatin. The primary efficacy measure was least squares mean CFA change from baseline to end of double‐blind treatment (ancova).ResultsAll 58 subjects randomised (32 pancreatin, 26 placebo) completed double‐blind treatment and entered the OLE; 51 completed the OLE. The least squares mean CFA change in the double‐blind phase was significantly greater with pancreatin vs. placebo: 21.4% (95% CI: 13.7, 29.2) vs. −4.2% (−12.8, 4.5); difference 25.6% (13.9, 37.3), P < 0.001. The mean ± s.d. CFA increased from 53.6 ± 20.6% at baseline to 78.4 ± 20.7% at OLE end (P < 0.001). Treatment‐emergent adverse events occurred in 37.5% subjects on pancreatin and 26.9% on placebo during double‐blind treatment, with flatulence being the most common (pancreatin 12.5%, placebo 7.7%). Only two subjects discontinued due to treatment‐emergent adverse events, both during the OLE.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates superior efficacy of pancreatin 25 000 over placebo in patients with PEI after pancreatic surgery, measured by change in CFA. Pancreatin was generally well tolerated at the high dose administered (EudraCT registration number: 2005‐004854‐29).
Combination of pulse methylprednisolone infusions with cyclosporine‐based immunosuppression is safe and effective to treat recurrent focal segmental glomerulosclerosis after pediatric kidney transplantation
Authors: Shishido Seiichiro , Satou Hiroyuki , Muramatsu Masaki , Hamasaki Yuko , Ishikura Kenji , Hataya Hiroshi , Honda Masataka , Asanuma Hiroshi , Aikawa Atsushi 
Published: February 2013

AbstractBackgroundRecurrence of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in pediatric kidney allografts is associated with poor graft survival. Several therapeutic regimens have been proposed, with conflicting results.MethodsTen pediatric patients with recurrent FSGS after kidney transplantation were treated with a protocol of methylprednisolone (MP) infusions in combination with cyclosporine (CsA)‐based immunosuppression. The patients received a drug regimen with infusions of 20 mg/kg MP on three consecutive days at week 1, week 3, and week 5, and then monthly until six months after transplantation. If a complete or partial remission (PR) was obtained, MP pulse continued every three months until 24 months after transplantation. The CsA dose was adjusted according to AUC0–4.ResultsSeven of 10 patients (70%) achieved complete remission (CR) with stable renal function within 18 months of beginning of treatment. One of two patients with PR entered CR 3.5 yr after transplantation. One patient lost her graft due to recurrence four months after transplantation. After observation for 26–119 months, seven patients maintained remission with normal glomerular filtration rate. Few major side effects were observed in association with the high‐dose MP infusion therapy.ConclusionsMP infusion therapy in combination with CsA‐based immunosuppression could be safe and effective in treating recurrent FSGS after kidney transplantation.
Why Developing Countries Have Failed to Increase Their Exports of Agricultural Processed Products
Authors: Mohan Sushil , Khorana Sangeeta , Choudhury Homagni 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThe article uses the case study of coffee, tea and cocoa to analyse whether tariff escalation constitutes a barrier to market access that thwarts diversification efforts of developing countries into exports of value‐added agricultural processed products. It also examines the extent to which non‐tariff barriers act as market access barriers that constrain developing countries from developing their exports of agricultural processed products. Our analysis shows that tariff escalation is not the main barrier; rather it is the prevalence of non‐tariff barriers (including domestic non‐tariff barriers) that limits the ability of developing countries to increase their agricultural processed exports. This has important policy implications in terms of the emphasis that trade negotiators and policy planners should place on addressing non‐tariff barriers.
Friedman Versus Hayek on Private Outside Monies: New Evidence for the Debate
Authors: Luther William J. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractFriedrich Hayek is often credited with the resurgence of interest in alternative monetary systems. His own proposal, however, received sharp criticism from Milton Friedman, Stanley Fischer, and others at the outset, and never gained much support among academic economists or the wider population. According to Friedman, Hayek erred in believing that the mere admission of competing private currencies will spontaneously generate a more stable monetary system. In Friedman's view, network effects and switching costs discourage alternative systems in general from emerging and prevent Hayek's system in particular from functioning as desired. I offer new evidence provided by events in Somalia since the 1990s as support for Friedman's initial doubts.
The Libertarian Character of the Islamic Economy
Authors: Salman Ali 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThis article reviews the shari'a approach to markets and examines its treatment by certain twentieth‐century Islamic economists such as Nejatullah Siddiqui, Nawab Haider Naqvi, Umer Chapra and M.A. Mannan. It characterises the arguments of these economists as largely statist, redistributive and socialist, possibly reflecting post‐colonial intellectual experiences. Yet shari'a endorses negative freedom by proscribing price controls and guaranteeing consumer protection from coercion. Islamic law, this article argues, as evinced in both revealed knowledge and human exegesis, has endorsed a market‐friendly, libertarian and limited‐government philosophy.
Brain networks underlying mental imagery of auditory and visual information
Authors: Zvyagintsev Mikhail , Clemens Benjamin , Chechko Natalya , Mathiak Krystyna A. , Sack Alexander T. , Mathiak Klaus 
Published: February 2013

AbstractMental imagery is a complex cognitive process that resembles the experience of perceiving an object when this object is not physically present to the senses. It has been shown that, depending on the sensory nature of the object, mental imagery also involves correspondent sensory neural mechanisms. However, it remains unclear which areas of the brain subserve supramodal imagery processes that are independent of the object modality, and which brain areas are involved in modality‐specific imagery processes. Here, we conducted a functional magnetic resonance imaging study to reveal supramodal and modality‐specific networks of mental imagery for auditory and visual information. A common supramodal brain network independent of imagery modality, two separate modality‐specific networks for imagery of auditory and visual information, and a common deactivation network were identified. The supramodal network included brain areas related to attention, memory retrieval, motor preparation and semantic processing, as well as areas considered to be part of the default‐mode network and multisensory integration areas. The modality‐specific networks comprised brain areas involved in processing of respective modality‐specific sensory information. Interestingly, we found that imagery of auditory information led to a relative deactivation within the modality‐specific areas for visual imagery, and vice versa. In addition, mental imagery of both auditory and visual information widely suppressed the activity of primary sensory and motor areas, for example deactivation network. These findings have important implications for understanding the mechanisms that are involved in generation of mental imagery.
2. INDIGENOUS POWER IN THE COMANCHE EMPIRE
Authors: REID JOSH 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACTPekka Hämäläinen's The Comanche Empire reflects critical historiographical turns—indigenous power, responses to settler colonialism, and a reorientation of perspective—while uncovering new directions in American Indian history. Moreover, his four‐part framework for understanding power—spatial control, economic control, assimilation, and influence over neighbors—provides a useful model for analyzing indigenous polities in other places and times. However, by not explicitly framing the narrative of the Comanche empire within notions of sovereignty, Hämäläinen leaves open opportunities for other scholars of the Comanche and of Native North America. Future historical studies of Native sovereignty, though, should include tribally specific notions of sovereignty and ways of knowing and remembering the past.
Supporting GP advanced rural skills training
Authors: McKenzie Andrew , Beaton Neil , Hollins Jane , Jukka Clare , Hollins Aaron 
Published: February 2013

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study was to: investigate doctors' experiences of support during GP advanced rural skills training, and identify strategies to improve support.DesignThe qualitative responses from a cross‐sectional, postal survey are reported.SettingRural vocational training sector.ParticipantsSixty‐one doctors who had completed GP advanced rural skills training (procedural or non‐procedural) in Queensland between 1995 and June 2009 participated in the study.Main outcome measureAdvanced trained doctors' experiences of support and their strategy recommendations to improve support.ResultsExperiences and strategies to improve support were developed into a framework of support, consisting of three theme areas. Strategies included: provision of training and career advice to allow immediate use of advanced skills; introduction of rural attachments and rural case studies during training to ensure rural orientation; development of GP mentor and peer networks for clinical and non‐clinical support; advocacy to improve understanding and recognition of advanced rural skills training.ConclusionsExpanded support is required across the pre‐enrolment, training, early practice continuum. A holistic approach to support is required. Training providers, professional bodies, health departments, universities and workforce agencies need to work together to address and resource the support needs of advanced, rural GP trainees before, during and after training.
Predicting progression of bladder urothelial carcinoma using microRNA expression
Authors: Rosenberg Eran , Baniel Jack , Spector Yael , Faerman Alexander , Meiri Eti , Aharonov Ranit , Margel David , Goren Yaron , Nativ Ofer 
Published: February 2013

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?
Recurrence and progression prediction in urothelial cancer is currently based on clinical and pathological factors: tumour grade, tumour stage, number of lesions, tumour size, previous recurrence rate, and presence of concomitant carcinoma in situ. These factors are not specific enough to predict progression and ∼50% of patients diagnosed as high risk in fact do not progress within 3 years. Patient follow‐up is both expensive and unpleasant (frequent invasive cystoscopies). Molecular biomarkers, including microRNAs have been studied to provide additional prognostic information for these patients, but to date no molecular biomarker has become the ‘gold standard’ for patient diagnosis and follow‐up.
We used Rosetta Genomics’ highly specific microRNA expression profiling platforms to study the prognostic role of microRNAs in bladder cancer. Using microdissection we chose specific tumour microRNAs to study in order to avoid background contamination. Tumour progression was associated with altered levels of microRNAs. In particular, high expression levels of miR‐29c* were associated with a good prognosis. The study found that the use of microRNAs for determining progression and invasiveness for patients with urothelial cancer could potentially have a substantial impact on the treatment and follow‐up individual patients.
Objective
To identify microRNAs that could be useful as prognostic markers for non‐muscle‐invasive (NMI) bladder carcinoma.
Patients and Methods
Formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded samples of 108 NMI bladder carcinomas, and 29 carcinomas invading bladder muscle were collected, and microRNA expression levels were measured using microarrays.
For 19 samples, microdissection was performed to compare microRNA expression between the tumour and surrounding tissue.
MicroRNAs that were found to be unrelated to the tumour itself were excluded as potential prognostic markers.
Results
Expression profiles identified microRNAs that were differentially expressed in NMI tumours from patients who later progressed to carcinoma invading bladder muscle compared with NMI tumours from patients that did not progress.
The microRNA profile of tumours invading the bladder muscle was more similar to that of NMI tumours from patients who later progressed, than to that of the same‐stage NMI tumours from patients who did not later progress.
The expression level of one microRNA, miR‐29c*, was significantly under‐expressed in tumours that progressed and could be used to stratify patients with T1 disease into risk groups.
Conclusions
MicroRNAs can be useful biomarkers for prognosis in patients with urothelial carcinoma.
In our study, expression levels of several microRNAs, including miR‐29c* identified high‐ and low‐risk groups. These biomarkers show promise for the stratification of patients with bladder cancer.
Reinforcement Placement in a Concrete Slab Object Using Structural Building Information Modeling
Authors: Cho Young Sang , Lee Seung Il , Bae Jun Seo 
Published: February 2013

AbstractIn recent decades, the use of Reinforced Concrete (RC) structures such as conventional RC structures, flat plate structures, ribbed slabs, waffle slabs, etc. has become common in residential apartment buildings and mixed‐use buildings in the Far East, South East, Middle East, and around the world. Numerous experts work together for the design, construction, and supply of materials. Reinforcement bar configurations are usually designed and specified by structural engineers during the construction document phase without input from the project stakeholders such as rebar detailers, fabricators, and spacers. Rebar detailers use shop drawings to form reinforcement bars for fabrication and placement. The adoption of new technologies such as set‐based design and lean construction can save time and cost and ensure quality and safety during the construction process. This article examines and considers the contribution factors of downstream project stakeholders through their experiences such as rebar detailers, fabricators, and spacers during structural design using the Building Information Modeling (BIM) system. In this article, the novel modeling technology of placing reinforcement bar in the reinforced concrete flat plate floor system has been developed using the parametric design technology of 3D structural BIM, which can be converted into working drawings and shop drawings. The model can also be used for the rebar fabrication with an automatic bar bending and cutting machine. This research examines the interoperability among the structural model, the structural analysis and design results of a concrete flat plate that satisfy minimum thickness requirements and sustained and long‐term deflection criteria. The numerical experiment for the automated concrete flat plate modeling using a 66‐story mixed‐use building in a 3D virtual environment including reinforcement bar modeling using structural BIM has been completed as the part of this study.
Evidence‐Based Practice Process Quality Assessment: EPQA Guidelines
Authors: Lee Mei Ching , Johnson Karen L. , Newhouse Robin P. , Warren Joan I. 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACTBackgroundNurses are increasingly engaged in evidence‐based practice (EBP) processes to answer significant questions and guide nursing practice. However, there are no criteria to evaluate the rigor and quality of EBP projects, making the decision about whether to implement a recommended practice change questionable.AimThe purpose of this study was to achieve consensus among nationally recognized EBP nurse experts on criteria that could be used to appraise the methodological quality of an EBP project as well as to serve as a guideline to plan for an EBP project.MethodsA modified two‐round Delphi method was used. Twenty‐three nationally known EBP experts were invited by e‐mail to participate in completing a web‐based questionnaire.ResultsItems converged after two rounds (response rate [52% (n = 12/23) for Round 1 and 35% (n = 8/23) for Round 2]) and resulted in the development of the EBP Process Quality Assessment (EPQA) guidelines that include 34 items.ImplicationsThe EPQA guidelines can be used to guide and evaluate the methodological quality of EBP projects. They can be used in practice settings to critically appraise an EBP project prior to translating recommendations into practice. Educators can use the EPQA guidelines as a rubric to evaluate student EBP projects. EPQA guidelines can be utilized in research to assess interventions and to build or improve EBP capacity.
Spontaneous melanotic lesions in axillary seabream, Pagellus acarne (Risso)
Authors: Ramos P , Victor P , Branco S 
Published: February 2013

AbstractIn this article, we describe spontaneous melanotic lesions in the skin of axillary seabream, Pagellus acarne (Risso), from a defined area of the Portuguese Coast, located in Cabo da Roca and Foz do Arelho. The lesions corresponded to the black pigmentation spots on the skin of the head, fins, lips and conjunctiva and, additionally, black nodules on the skin of the head and lips. In some specimens, the nodular formations in the head changed their anatomical conformation. Histologically, there were melanophores scattered along the basement membrane or forming aggregates in the dermis, infiltrating the subcutaneous tissue but not invading the adjacent muscle tissue. The aim of this study was to characterize the macroscopic and microscopic features of the pigmented lesions. These fish show sessile hyperpigmented lesions (spots) that correspond to proliferative lesions of melanophores in the dermis and nodular lesions that correspond to neoplastic lesions, melanophoromas. The melanophores in such lesions showed high concentration of melanin in the cytoplasm, moderate pleomorphism and compact distribution throughout all of the dermis.
Evaluation of fixation methods for demonstration of Neoparamoeba perurans infection in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., gills
Authors: Cadoret K , Bridle A R , Leef M J , Nowak B F 
Published: February 2013

AbstractFormaldehyde‐based fixatives are generally employed in histopathology despite some significant disadvantages associated with their usage. Formaldehyde fixes tissue by covalently cross‐linking proteins, a process known to mask epitopes which in turn can reduce the intensity of immunohistochemical stains widely used in disease diagnostics. Additionally, formaldehyde fixation greatly limits the ability to recover DNA and mRNA from fixed specimens to the detriment of further downstream molecular analyses. Amoebic gill disease (AGD) has been reliably diagnosed from histological examination of gills although complementary methods such as in situ hybridization (ISH) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are required to confirm the presence of Neoparamoeba perurans, the causative agent of AGD. As molecular techniques are becoming more prevalent for pathogen identification, there is a need to adapt specimen collection and preservation so that both histology and molecular biology can be used to diagnose the same sample. This study used a general approach to evaluate five different fixatives for Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., gills. Neutral‐buffered formalin and seawater Davidson's, formaldehyde‐based fixatives commonly used in fish histopathology, were compared to formalin‐free commercial fixatives PAXgene®, HistoChoice™MB* and RNAlater™. Each fixative was assessed by a suite of analyses used to demonstrate AGD including routine histochemical stains, immunohistochemical stains, ISH and DNA extraction followed by PCR. All five fixatives were suitable for histological examination of Atlantic salmon gills, with seawater Davidson's providing the best quality histopathology results. Of the fixatives evaluated seawater Davidson's and PAXgene® were shown to be the most compatible with molecular biology techniques. They both provided good DNA recovery, quantity and integrity, from fixed and embedded specimens. The capacity to preserve tissue and cellular morphology in addition to allowing molecular analyses of the same specimens makes seawater Davidson's and PAXgene® appear to be the best fixation methods for diagnosis and research on AGD in Atlantic salmon gills.