bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Periodontitis and chronic kidney disease: a systematic review of the association of diseases and the effect of periodontal treatment on estimated glomerular filtration rate
Authors: Chambrone Leandro , Foz Adriana M. , Guglielmetti Mariana R. , Pannuti Cláudio M. , Artese Hilana P. C. , Feres Magda , Romito Giuseppe A. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractAimThe aim of this systematic review (SR) was to evaluate the association between periodontitis and chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the effect of periodontal treatment (PT) on the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).MethodsMEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases were searched up to and including September 30, 2012 to observational (S1) and interventional (S2) studies on the association of periodontitis with CKD. Studies were considered eligible for inclusion if they reported the eGFR. Search was conducted by two independent reviewers. The methodological quality of the observational studies was assessed using the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale (NOS) adapted for this review, and the Cochrane's Collaboration risk of bias assessment tool. A random‐effects odds‐ratio meta‐analysis was conducted to estimate the degree of association between periodontitis and CKD.ResultsSearch strategy identified 2456 potentially eligible articles, of which four cross‐sectional, one retrospective, and three interventional studies were included. Four S1, 80.0% reported some degree of association between periodontitis and CKD. Similarly, such an outcome was supported by pooled estimates (OR: 1.65, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.35, 2.01, p < 0.00001, χ2 = 1.70, I2 = 0%). All interventional studies found positive outcomes related to treatment.ConclusionThere is quite consistent evidence to support the positive association between periodontitis and CKD, as well as the positive effect of PT on eGFR.
A pragmatic strategy for the review of clinical evidence
Authors: Sagliocca Luciano , De Masi Salvatore , Ferrigno Luigina , Mele Alfonso , Traversa Giuseppe 
Published: January 2013

AbstractBackgroundSystematic reviews (SR) of clinical evidence are rightfully considered the basis for developing recommendations to support decisions in current practice. To avoid bias, SRs are expected to be systematic in their research strategy and are exhaustive. The drawback of the latter criteria relies in the substantial work needed to conduct and keep SRs updated. The objective of this paper is to compare a research strategy based on the review of a selected number of core journals, which we consider a ‘pragmatic review’ (PR), with that derived by an SR in estimating the efficacy of treatments.MethodsFive clinical areas were considered for the comparison between the two strategies: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, dermatology, heart failure, renal diseases and stroke. We extracted a systematic sample from all the Cochrane SRs pertaining to each area and were published before April 2010. Two groups of journals were considered in the PR: six general journals that commonly published research for the five clinical areas, and five specialist journals with the highest impact factor in each area. To assess the agreement in the findings of SRs and PRs, we considered both the direction of the estimates and P‐values.ResultsA sample of 27 SRs included 171 overall analyses and 259 subgroup analyses related to primary outcomes. The PR captured one or more clinical trials in 24 of the 27 SRs (89%), and 118 of the 171 overall analyses (69%) were replicated. The PR supported the recommendations to use (or not) the study treatment in 11 of the 13 SRs (85%), which ended with a clinical recommendation.ConclusionsWe verified in a sample of SRs that the conclusion of a research strategy based on a pre‐defined set of general and specialist medical journals is able to replicate almost all the clinical recommendations of a formal SR.
Attentional control in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Hudson John M. , Flowers Kenneth A. , Walster Kerri L. 
Published: January 2013

Across different studies, patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) demonstrate impairments on numerous measures of attentional control that are classically associated with frontal lobe functioning. One aspect of attentional control that has not been examined in TLE is the ability to execute two modality‐specific tasks concurrently. We sought to examine the status of dual‐task coordination in TLE. We further examined the cohorts' performance on a range of traditional measures of attentional control. Eighteen TLE patients and 22 healthy controls participated in the study. Dual‐task performance involved comparing the capacity to execute a tracking and a digit recall task simultaneously with the capacity to execute the tasks separately. We also administered measures of: set shifting (odd‐man‐out test), sustained attention (elevator counting), selective attention (elevator counting with distraction), and divided attention (trail making test). We found that the proportional decrement in dual‐task performance relative to single‐task performance did not vary between the groups (TLE = 92.48%; controls = 93.70%), nor was there a significant difference in sustained attention (p > .10). Patients with TLE did demonstrate marked deficits in selective attention (p < .0001), divided attention (p < .01), and set shifting (p < .01). These findings add to the knowledge about cognitive dysfunction in TLE, indicating that impairments in attentional control in TLE tend to be selective. The greatest deficits appear to be on tasks that invoke a high level of processing resources. In contrast, sustained attention is less compromised and the capacity to allocate cognitive resources appears to be normal in patients with TLE.
How Do Ex Ante Severance Pay Contracts Fit into Optimal Executive Incentive Schemes?
Authors: RAU P. RAGHAVENDRA , XU JIN 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACTWe analyze a sample of over 3,600 ex ante explicit severance pay agreements in place at 808 firms and show that firms set ex ante explicit severance pay agreements as one component in managing the optimal level of equity incentives. Younger executives are more likely to receive explicit contracts and better terms. Firms with high distress risk, high takeover probability, and high return volatility are significantly more likely to enter into new or revised severance contracts. Finally, ex post payouts to managers are largely determined by the ex ante contract terms.
Early Changes in Brain FDG Metabolism during Anticancer Therapy in Patients with Pharyngeal Cancer
Authors: Hsieh Te‐Chun , Wu Yu‐Chin , Yen Kuo‐Yang , Chen Shan‐Wen , Kao Chia‐Hung 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDThe current study aimed to evaluate whether therapy‐related changes occurred in brain metabolism at an earlier stage during the course of anticancer therapy.METHODSWe recruited 14 non‐diabetic male patients with newly diagnosed pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. We analyzed the patients’ serial brain FDG PET/CT scans by SPM8 to establish whether any therapy‐related changes had occurred in brain FDG metabolism, either during or after the course of therapy.RESULTSDecreased metabolism was noted during the anticancer therapy, displaying a symmetric pattern involving bilateral basal ganglia and bilateral occipital lobes. The decrease in FDG metabolism in these regions persisted after the anticancer therapy had terminated. However, relative recovery of the metabolism was noted in the bilateral occipital lobes, whereas further deterioration was noted in bilateral basal ganglia.CONCLUSIONSThe current study revealed that unappreciable changes in brain metabolism can occur during the early course of anticancer therapy, and persist even after therapy has terminated. Although the exact mechanism remains unclear, these changes may be related to the systemic effects of chemotherapy or radiotherapy as well as subclinical cancer‐related depressive or adjustment mood disorder.
Two Different Morphologies of Chronic Unilateral Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion: Evaluation using High‐Resolution MRI
Authors: Kim Sun Mi , Ryu Chang‐Woo , Jahng Geon‐Ho , Kim Eui Jong , Choi Woo Suk 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACTINTRODUCTIONCharacterizing the morphologies of occluded artery segments may help elucidate the etiology of chronic intracranial artery occlusion. We acquired high‐resolution MRI (HR‐MRI) of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) in patients with chronic unilateral MCA occlusion and evaluated the MRI and clinical findings.METHODSWe selected 20 consecutive patients who presented with unilateral MCA occlusion. Proton‐density weighted HR‐MRI of the occluded MCA was acquired using a 3.0 Tesla MRI. We surveyed the morphology of the MCA at the occluded segment. Symptoms, the presence of other stenotic arteries, and atherosclerosis risk factors were compared for patients grouped by different findings on HR‐MRI.RESULTSMCA occlusions were classified into the following two groups: plugged MCA (13/20) with a clear view of the MCA trunk or vanishing MCA (7/20) with no MCA trunk visible in the Sylvian cistern. The presence of other stenotic arteries was more frequent in the plugged MCA group than in the vanishing MCA group.CONCLUSIONSHR‐MRI can characterize the morphology of pathologic segments of chronic unilateral MCA occlusions in vivo. In chronic MCA occlusion, morphological analysis using HR‐MRI may enhance the effort to assess the etiology in company with the angiographic finding.
Doppler and Volumetric Echocardiographic Methods for Cardiac Output Measurement in Standing Adult Horses
Authors: McConachie E. , Barton M.H. , Rapoport G. , Giguère S. 
Published: January 2013

BackgroundCardiac output (CO) is not routinely measured in critically ill adult horses because of invasiveness of currently validated methods. NoninvasiveCOmonitoring would complement clinical assessment of hemodynamic status in adult horses.HypothesisVolumetric methods for measuringCOwill have better agreement with lithium dilution than Doppler‐based methods.AnimalsEight healthy adult horses.MethodsProspective study.COwas manipulated with continuous rate infusions of dobutamine and romifidine to achieve high and lowCOstates, respectively. At each level,COwas measured by lithium dilution and various echocardiographic methods. Images stored as video loops were reviewed by an individual blinded to the lithium dilution results.ResultsLithium dilution determinations ofCOranged between 16.6 and 63.0 L/min. There was a significant effect of method ofCOmeasurement (P < .001), but no significant effect ofCOlevel (P = .089) or interaction between level and method (P = .607) on the absolute value of the bias. The absolute values of the bias of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) Doppler, Simpson, 4‐chamber area‐length, and bullet methods [5.5, 6.1, 6.5, 8.8 L/min, respectively] were significantly lower than that of the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) Doppler or cubic methods [14.8, 24.3 L/min, respectively].Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceThe 4‐chamber area‐length, Simpson, bullet, andRVOTDoppler provided better agreement with lithium dilution than the other methods evaluated. These methods warrant further investigation for use in critically ill adult horses.
Symbiotic formulation in experimentally induced liver fibrosis in rats: intestinal microbiota as a key point to treat liver damage?
Authors: D'Argenio Giuseppe , Cariello Rita , Tuccillo Concetta , Mazzone Giovanna , Federico Alessandro , Funaro Annalisa , De Magistris Laura , Grossi Enzo , Callegari Maria L. , Chirico Marilena , Caporaso Nicola , Romano Marco , Morelli Lorenzo , Loguercio Carmela 
Published: January 2013

AbstractAimEvidence indicates that intestinal microbiota may participate in both the induction and the progression of liver damage. The aim of our research was the detection and evaluation of the effects of chronic treatment with a symbiotic formulation on CCl4‐induced rat liver fibrosis.ResultsCCl4 significantly increased gastric permeability in respect to basal values, and the treatment with symbiotic significantly decreased it. CCl4 per se induced a decrease in intestinal permeability. This effect was also seen in fibrotic rats treated with symbiotic and was still evident when normal rats were treated with symbiotic alone (P < 0.001 in all cases). Circulating levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokine TNF‐α were significantly increased in rats with liver fibrosis as compared with normal rats, while symbiotic treatment normalized the plasma levels of TNF‐α and significantly enhanced anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL 10. TNF‐α, TGF‐β, TLR4, TLR2, iNOS and α‐SMA mRNA expression in the liver were up‐regulated in rats with CCl4‐induced liver fibrosis and down‐regulated by symbiotic treatment. Moreover, IL‐10 and eNOS mRNA levels were increased in the CCL4+symbiotic group. Symbiotic treatment of fibrotic rats normalized serum ALT, AST and improved histology and liver collagen deposition. DGGE analysis of faecal samples revealed that CCl4 administration and symbiotic treatment either alone or in combination produced modifications in faecal profiles vs controls.ConclusionsOur results provide evidence that in CCl4‐induced liver fibrosis, significant changes in gastro‐intestinal permeability and in faecal flora occur. Treatment with a specific symbiotic formulation significantly affects these changes, leading to improvement in both liver inflammation and fibrosis.
Decomposition of childhood malnutrition in Cambodia
Authors: Sunil Thankam S. , Sagna Marguerite 
Published: January 2013

AbstractChildhood malnutrition is a major problem in developing countries, and in Cambodia, it is estimated that approximately 42% of the children are stunted, which is considered to be very high. In the present study, we examined the effects of proximate and socio‐economic determinants on childhood malnutrition in Cambodia. In addition, we examined the effects of the changes in these proximate determinants on childhood malnutrition between 2000 and 2005. Our analytical approach included descriptive, logistic regression and decomposition analyses. Separate analyses are estimated for 2000 and 2005 survey. The primary component of the difference in stunting is attributable to the rates component, indicating that the decrease of stunting is due mainly to the decrease in stunting rates between 2000 and 2005. While majority of the differences in childhood malnutrition between 2000 and 2005 can be attributed to differences in the distribution of malnutrition determinants between 2000 and 2005, differences in their effects also showed some significance.
Reinforcement in plants
Authors: Hopkins Robin 
Published: January 2013

SummaryA major goal of evolutionary biology is to understand how diverging populations become species. The evolution of reproductive isolation (RI) halts the genomic homogenization caused by gene flow and recombination, and enables differentiation and local adaptations to become fixed between newly forming species. Selection can favor the strengthening ofRIthrough a process termed reinforcement. Reinforcement occurs when selection favors traits that decrease mating between two incipient species in response to costly mating or the production of maladapted hybrids. Although this process has been investigated more frequently in animals, there is also evidence of reinforcement in plants. There are three strategies for the investigation of the process of reinforcement: case studies of species or diverging taxa; experimental evolution studies; and comparative studies. Here,Idiscuss how all three strategies find evidence consistent with reinforcement occurring in plants.Ifocus largely on case studies, and use research onPhlox drummondiito illustrate the importance of testing alternative hypotheses. Although the existing evidence suggests that reinforcement can occur, further investigations, particularly using large‐scale comparative studies, are needed to determine the importance of reinforcement in plant speciation.
Effect of Different Extenders onIn VitroCharacteristics of Feline Epididymal Sperm During Cryopreservation
Authors: Jiménez E , Pérez‐Marín CC , Vizuete G , Millán Y , Agüera EI 
Published: January 2013

ContentsTo evaluate and compare the efficacy of various extenders for the cryopreservation of epididymal cat spermatozoa, two experiments were planned. Bovine and equine commercial extenders in the experiment 1 and TRIS–egg yolk–based extenders in experiment 2 were separately studied since the number of sperm collected per cat is reduced. Epididymal sperm samples were packaged into 0.25‐ml straws and frozen. Vigour, motility, morphology, acrosome status, sperm viability and functional membrane integrity were assessed at collection, after cooling and after thawing, while DNA integrity was evaluated at 0‐ and 6‐h post‐thaw. Experiment 1 compared the effect of three non‐feline commercial extenders – based on TRIS–egg yolk (Triladyl), egg‐yolk‐free medium (AndroMed) and skimmed milk‐egg yolk (Gent) – on the quality of frozen‐thawed epididymal cat sperm. Values for sperm motility and functional membrane integrity in cooled sperm diluted in Triladyl were higher (p < 0.001) than those recorded for Andromed and Gent. Except sperm morphology, the other assessed characteristics showed significant higher values in frozen‐thawed sperm diluted in Triladyl than in Andromed and Gent extenders. Experiment 2 analysed the effects of three TRIS–egg yolk–based extenders, one non‐feline commercial (Triladyl) and the other two prepared using different monosaccharides (glucose and fructose), on freezing‐thawed sperm. Results showed that specifically prepared extenders for cryopreservation of feline spermatozoa performed better than the commercial extender Triladyl, although sperm quality during the freezing‐thawing process did not significantly differ associated with the type of monosaccharide (glucose vs fructose) added to the mentioned extenders. Although TRIS–egg yolk–based extenders prepared in experiment 2 improved sperm cryoprotection, Triladyl remains a good option for practitioners who, for ease of use and availability, prefer to work with commercial extenders.
Associative learning measured with ERP predicts deferred imitation using a strict observation only design in 14 to15 month old children
Authors: HEIMANN MIKAEL , NORDQVIST EMELIE , RUDNER MARY , JOHANSSON MIKAEL , LINDGREN MAGNUS 
Published: January 2013

Heimann, M., Nordqvist, E., Rudner, M., Johansson, M. & Lindgren M. (2013). Associative learning measured with ERP predicts deferred imitation using a strict observation only design in 14 to15 month old children.Scandinavian Journal of Psychology54, 33–40.Deferred imitation (DI) is an established procedure for behavioral measurement of early declarative‐like memories in infancy and previous work has indicated a link between this type of memory and brain potentials in infants. The present study compared infants’ memory performance in this paradigm with electrophysiological indices of associative learning. Thirty children (M = 14.5 months) participated, of which 15 (8 boys) had acceptable event‐related potentials (ERP) recordings that could be included in the final analysis. Deferred imitation was measured with an observation‐only procedure using three actions and a 30 min delay. ERP was recorded with a high‐density electrode net (128 electrodes) during associative learning. Change scores based on Nc, a middle latency component associated with attentional processes, predicted deferred imitation performance. Thus, associative learning measured with ERP predicts deferred imitation using a strict observation only design in 14 to15 month old children.
Learning new faces in typical and atypical populations of children
Authors: JONES REBECCA R. , BLADES MARK , COLEMAN MIKE , PASCALIS OLIVIER 
Published: January 2013

Jones, R. R., Blades, M., Coleman, M. & Pascalis O. (2013). Learning new faces in typical and atypical populations of children. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology 54, 10–13.Recognizing an individual as familiar is an important aspect of our social cognition, which requires both learning a face and recalling it. It has been suggested that children with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) have deficits and abnormalities in face processing. We investigated whether the process by which unfamiliar faces become familiar differs in typically developing (TD) children, children with ASD, and children with developmental delay. Children were familiarized with a set of moving novel faces presented over a three‐day period. Recognition of the learned faces was assessed at five time points during the three‐day period. Both immediate and delayed recall of faces was tested. All groups showed improvements in face recognition at immediate recall, which indicated that learning had occurred. The TD population showed slightly better performance than the two other groups, however no difference was specific to the ASD group. All groups showed similar levels of improvements with time. Our results are discussed in terms of learning in ASD.
Systematic review of current and emerging strategies for reducing morbidity from malaria in sickle cell disease
Authors: Aneni Ehimen C. , Hamer Davidson H. , Gill Christopher J. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractSickle cell disease (SCD) is a chronic debilitating disorder affecting erythrocytes, which is especially prevalent throughout Sub‐Saharan Africa and among individuals of African descent. Because malaria is thought to be a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with SCD, malaria chemoprophylaxis is often recommended for these patients. In SCD, malaria chemoprophylaxis reduces malaria parasite count, anaemia and the need for blood transfusion, and improves clinical outcomes. However, the effectiveness of malaria chemoprophylaxis in the setting of SCD is based on a few studies conducted prior to the emergence of widespread antimalarial drug resistance. Consequently, it is uncertain what the optimal strategy for managing patients with SCD in malarious areas should be. Despite the widespread use of hydroxyurea in non‐malarious regions, little is known about its effect in malaria‐endemic areas or on malaria‐related outcomes. On the one hand, hydroxyurea upregulates intercellular cell adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM‐1), the cell surface receptor for adhesion of Plasmodium falciparum‐infected erythrocytes, and theoretically, it could enhance parasite replication. On the other hand, hydroxyurea increases levels of foetal haemoglobin, which is protective against malaria. We explore what is currently known about the interactions between SCD and malaria and review the published literature on the efficacy of malaria chemoprophylaxis in SCD. We also consider alternative strategies, including hydroxyurea, in the reduction of malaria‐associated morbidity and mortality in patients with SCD.