bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Unemployment Compensation and the Allocation of Labor in Developing Countries
Authors: CHARLOT OLIVIER , MALHERBET FRANCK , ULUS MUSTAFA 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThis paper studies the effects of the introduction of unemployment compensation (UC) in countries characterized by pervasive informality. We provide a simple framework to analyze the impact of UC on the allocation of workers between formal and informal activities, as well as the allocation of workers between sectors featuring different incentives to go informal. We show that a reasonable amount of UC may reduce informality, while larger amounts of UC induce large disincentives to go formal because of the level of taxation involved. We also argue that the financing of UC should be part and parcel of a well‐conceived UC system. We show that UC finance based on payroll taxes is likely to entail an excess level of informality resulting from cross‐subsidies between heterogenous sectors. The introduction of a simple layoff tax meant to finance the UC system is then shown to reduce informality, hence highlighting how a well‐designed financing scheme may be used as a supplementary instrument to curb informality.
Bodyweight and body condition score in rabbits on four different feeding regimes
Authors: Prebble J. L. , Shaw D. J. , Meredith A. L. 
Published: December 2014

OBJECTIVESThe aim of this study was to assess the effects of four diet regimes (extruded diet with ad lib hay, muesli with ad lib hay, ad lib hay only, ad lib muesli only) on bodyweight and body condition score in rabbits.METHODSThirty‐two Dutch rabbits were studied over 9 months. Bodyweight and body condition score were recorded weekly.RESULTSAll groups gained weight with age, but relative to the ad lib hay only group (mean, 1 · 77 ± 0 · 13 kg), after 9 months rabbits in the ad lib muesli only group were 146% heavier (2 · 59 ± 0 · 32 kg); extruded diet with ad lib hay group 125% heavier (2 · 21 ± 0 · 10 kg); and muesli with ad lib hay group 123% heavier (2 · 18 ± 0 · 13 kg). Median body condition score of the ad lib muesli only group was obese (4 · 5) and was higher than that in both the extruded diet with ad lib hay and muesli with ad lib hay (median = 3 · 5) groups (P < 0 · 001). Both the extruded diet with ad lib hay and muesli with ad lib hay groups had above‐ideal body condition score despite having bodyweights within the breed standard range. The ad lib hay only group had a median body condition score of 3 (ideal). There was an overall positive correlation between body condition score and weight (qs = 0 · 814, P < 0 · 001).CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCEThe feeding of muesli without hay should be avoided, to prevent obesity.
Nitrergic Function is Lost but Endothelial Function Is Preserved in the Corpus Cavernosum and Penile Resistance Arteries of Men After Radical Prostatectomy
Authors: Martínez-Salamanca Juan I. , La Fuente José M. , Fernández Argentina , Martínez-Salamanca Eduardo , Pepe-Cardoso Augusto J. , Carballido Joaquín , Angulo Javier 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTIntroductionRadical prostatectomy (RP) frequently results in erectile dysfunction (ED). It has been hypothesized that alterations of cavernosal tissue subsequent to RP contribute to ED but functional evaluation of the impact of RP on human erectile structures is lacking.AimThis study aims to evaluate endothelial function of human corpus cavernosum (HCC) and human penile resistance arteries (HPRA) and neurogenic responses of HCC from patients with ED secondary to RP (ED-RP).MethodsHCC strips and HPRA were obtained from organ donors without history of ED (No-ED) and patients with ED who were segregated depending on ED etiology: ED-RP or vasculogenic (ED-VASC). Functional evaluation of HCC and HPRA was performed in organ chambers and wire myographs, respectively. Histological evaluation of cavernosal tissue consisted of trichrome staining for fibrosis quantification and TUNEL assay for determination of apoptosis.Main Outcome MeasuresEndothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent relaxation, electrical field stimulation (EFS)-induced neurogenic contraction and relaxation, and cavernosal fibrosis and apoptosis.ResultsEndothelium-dependent relaxations were significantly impaired in HCC and HPRA from ED-VASC patients while these responses in ED-PR patients were not different to No-ED. Similarly, sildenafil-induced relaxations were reduced in HCC and HPRA from ED-VASC but were preserved in ED-RP. Adrenergic contractions induced by EFS in HCC were potentiated in both ED-RP and ED-VASC. EFS-induced nitrergic relaxation was significantly reduced in HCC from ED-VASC but was almost abolished in ED-RP. Fibrous tissue content and cavernosal apoptosis in HCC from ED-RP were not significantly different from No-ED.ConclusionsEndothelial function and cavernosal sensitivity to phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors are preserved in erectile tissue from ED-RP while a marked imbalance in neurogenic modulation of cavernosal tone favoring adrenergic contractile responses over nitrergic relaxation is manifested. Fibrotic and apoptotic processes in cavernosal tissue are not specifically associated to ED-RP. These evidences could help to retarget therapeutic strategies in the management of ED after RP.
Effects of 8 weeks of CPAP on lipid‐based oxidative markers in obstructive sleep apnea: a randomized trial
Authors: Sivam Sheila , Witting Paul K. , Hoyos Camilla M. , Maw Aung M. , Yee Brendon J. , Grunstein Ronald R. , Phillips Craig L. 
Published: December 2014

SummaryDyslipidaemia and increased oxidative stress have been reported in severe obstructive sleep apnea, and both may be related to the development of cardiovascular disease. We have previously shown in a randomized crossover study in patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea that therapeutic continuous positive airway pressure treatment for 8 weeks improved postprandial triglycerides and total cholesterol when compared with sham continuous positive airway pressure. From this study we have now compared the effect of 8 weeks of therapeutic continuous positive airway pressure and sham continuous positive airway pressure on oxidative lipid damage and plasma lipophilic antioxidant levels. Unesterified cholesterol, esterified unsaturated fatty acids (cholesteryl linoleate: C18:2; and cholesteryl arachidonate: C20:4; the major unsaturated and oxidizable lipids in low‐density lipoproteins), their corresponding oxidized products [cholesteryl ester‐derived lipid hydroperoxides and hydroxides (CE‐O(O)H)] and antioxidant vitamin E were assessed at 20:30 hours before sleep, and at 06:00 and 08:30 hours after sleep. Amongst the 29 patients completing the study, three had incomplete or missing [CE‐O(O)H] data. The mean apnea –hypopnoea index, age and body mass index were 38 per hour, 49 years and 32 kg m−2, respectively. No differences in lipid‐based oxidative markers or lipophilic antioxidant levels were observed between the continuous positive airway pressure and sham continuous positive airway pressure arms at any of the three time‐points [unesterified cholesterol 0.01 mm, P > 0.05; cholesteryl linoleate: C18:2 0.05 mm, P > 0.05; cholesteryl arachidonate: C20:4 0.02 mm, P = 0.05; CE‐O(O)H 2.5 nm, P > 0.05; and lipid‐soluble antioxidant vitamin E 0.03 μm, P > 0.05]. In this study, accumulating CE‐O(O)H, a marker of lipid oxidation, does not appear to play a role in oxidative stress in obstructive sleep apnea.
Optimal management of patients with chronic hepatitis C and comorbidities
Authors: Boccaccio Vincenzo , Bruno Savino 
Published: December 2014

AbstractAlthough HCV infection mainly induces liver injury, chronic disease is systemic. Moreover, host and viral factors, as well as comorbidities, may influence the chance of achieving a sustained virological response or disease outcome. Although there are sufficient data on the use of peg‐interferon and ribavirin in patients with comorbidities, there is very little data on first generation protease inhibitors, which include significant drug–drug interactions and have therefore been administered with caution in these patients. The availability of new, more effective direct acting antivirals should significantly change this scenario. All these issues are discussed in this review.
Treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: beyond international guidelines
Authors: Colombo Massimo , Sangiovanni Angelo 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is decided according to evidence‐based recommendations generated by international societies: according to these recommendations, the tumour stage, as determined by the Barcelona clinical liver cancer (BCLC) score, divides patients into five prognostic categories, each with a distinct treatment indication. Radical therapies such as hepatic resection, orthotopic liver transplantation and percutaneous local ablation are strongly indicated in patients with very early and early stage tumours (BCLC O and A), a choice which mainly depends on a combination of tumour volume, status of underlying liver disease, the presence of comorbidities and the patient's age. Although radical therapies provide a survival rate of between 50% and 75% at year five in well selected patients, tumour recurrence is frequent following resection and ablation compared to transplantation (70% vs. 10% respectively), which has the additional advantage of preventing morbidity and mortality from portal hypertension. Generally, while radical therapies are contraindicated in patients with a large tumour burden, such as those with intermediate stage BCLC B, survival in the subset of these patients with well compensated cirrhosis may improve from 16 to 20 months, on average, following repeated treatments with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). Survival may also improve in patients who are in poor condition or who do not respond to TACE and in those with an advanced HCC (BCLC C) following oral therapy with the multikinase inhibitor sorafenib. However, because most recommendations are based on uncontrolled studies and expert opinions rather than well designed, high powered randomized controlled trials, treatment criteria need to be adapted to special groups because real life cohorts do not match the selection criteria suggested by the guidelines. Indeed, up to one‐third of patients with early stage tumours who are unfit for radical therapy because of advanced age, the presence of significant comorbidities or a strategic location of the nodule, are forced to receive palliative care. BCLC A patients with moderate portal hypertension and certain BCLC B patients could still be eligible for hepatic resection if a chance for 50% survival at 5 years is still perceived as being cost‐effective by both the patient and caregivers.
Current and future HCV therapy: do we still need other anti‐HCV drugs?
Authors: Petta Salvatore , Craxì Antonio 
Published: December 2014

AbstractEradication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, at least in compensated patients, can help improve the outcomes of liver disease such as cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver transplantation, as well as perhaps extra‐hepatic complications such as diabetes and cardiovascular risk. In the past few years, the landscape of antiviral therapy has evolved at a breathtaking pace from pegylated interferon (PEG‐IFN) plus ribavirin (RBV) (PEG‐IFN/RBV) to IFN‐based strategies combining direct acting antivirals (DDAs) with PEG‐IFN/RBV and finally IFN‐free combinations of DAAs. In particular with these most recent developments, treatment regimens have become shorter, safer and even more effective, with a wide range of indications. Nevertheless, research continues and newer antiviral drugs are still under development. At a point when a >90% sustained virological response (SVR) is being claimed with all new available regimens, pharmacological and clinical research should be addressing unresolved areas, such as cases of suboptimal SVR or to increase effectiveness rather than pursuing the development of new ‘me‐too’ drugs. The issues which should be given priority for further development include the following:

Improving the results of IFN‐free regimens in patients with genotype 3 (HCV‐3) infection.
Identifying the indications for the treatment in patients with compensated and decompensated cirrhosis.
Identifying standardized or personalized backup strategies in patients who do not respond to IFN‐free regimens.
Finally, because of financial constraints, the high cost of IFN‐free strategies prevents their universal use in CHC patients and coverage by national healthcare systems. Thus, efforts must be made to document cost‐effectiveness in all clinical scenarios and to develop more affordable IFN‐free regimens.
Pegylated interferon based therapy with second‐wave direct‐acting antivirals in genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Welch Nicole M. , Jensen Donald M. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractWithin the last few years, treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection has progressed beyond regimens containing the first‐wave direct‐acting antiviral agents (DAAs) boceprevir and telaprevir, which had high pill burdens as well as low efficacy and safety in treatment‐experienced patients. Triple therapy regimens with newer second‐wave DAAs combined with pegylated interferon (PEG‐IFN) and ribavirin (RBV), have shown rates of sustained virological response never before achieved with previous regimens in treatment‐naïve genotype 1 (HCV‐1) patients. Additionally, increased response rates have been found with quadruple agent therapy in prior non‐responders, partial‐responders, and relapsers, including those with cirrhosis. This review will focus on the second‐wave DAAs including protease inhibitors (PI), nucleotide inhibitors, and NS5B inhibitors combined with PEG‐IFN and RBV for both treatment‐naïve and treatment‐experienced genotype 1 hepatitis C virus (HCV‐1) infected patients. The current standard of care for treatment‐naïve HCV‐1 is the second‐wave PI, sofosbuvir, plus PEG‐IFN/RBV and sofosbuvir plus the second‐wave nucleotide inhibitor simeprevir with or without RBV in treatment‐experienced HCV‐1 patients. These recommendations could change, especially for treatment‐experienced patients based on the positive results obtained with the newest quadruple therapy studies.
Optimal interferon‐free therapy in treatment‐experienced chronic hepatitis C patients
Authors: Peter Joy , Nelson David R. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractOver the past year, interferon (IFN) free dosing regimens have become available to treat chronic hepatitis C. Offering high rates of sustained virological response (SVR), short treatment and improved tolerability, IFN‐free treatment now represents the paradigm for both treatment‐naïve and ‐experienced patients. Patients with prior treatment failure, in particular those with cirrhosis, still represent some of the most difficult to treat, but the availability of multiple agents that can interrupt several steps of the HCV lifecycle affords providers and patients with options that can be combined and individually tailored to each patient's unique needs to obtain high rates of SVR.
Optimal therapy of chronic hepatitis B: how do I treat HBeAg‐positive patients?
Authors: Vlachogiannakos Jiannis , Papatheodoridis George V. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractCurrent agents for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) can be classified into interferon‐α (standard or pegylated) (IFN) and nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs). IFN therapy has the advantage of a finite duration (48 weeks) with a chance for durable sustained off‐treatment response in HBeAg positive CHB patients. However, these benefits are limited to approximately 30% of HBeAg positive patients, while parenteral administration and potential side effects are common patient concerns. Thus, patients who can benefit from IFN therapy must be carefully selected and monitored. Recently, stopping rules for IFN non‐responders were developed based on 12‐week HBsAg levels. NAs are currently used in most CHB patients. They are administered in one tablet daily and can be used in all patients with excellent tolerability and a good safety profile. The current first‐line options, entecavir (ETV) and tenofovir (TDF), are highly potent with a minimal risk of resistance during long‐term monotherapy. Prolongation of entecavir or tenofovir maintains the initially high virological remission rates in adherent HBeAg positive patients and modifies the long‐term outcomes. The need for a long‐term, perhaps indefinite, treatment duration is the main limitation of ETV or TDF, which may sometimes be safely discontinued in HBeAg positive patients who achieve stable HBeAg seroconversion. Since there will always be safety concerns and family planning issues with long‐term therapy, NAs should be used carefully particularly in young HBeAg positive patients with minimal‐mild liver disease.
How to optimize current therapy in hepatitis C virus genotype 1 patients. Predictors of response to interferon‐based therapy with second wave direct acting antivirals
Authors: Serfaty Lawrence 
Published: December 2014

AbstractSecond wave direct acting antivirals such as sofosbuvir, simeprevir and daclatasvir can be combined with pegylated interferon alpha and ribavirin (PEG‐IFN/RBV) as triple therapy in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. In patients with HCV genotype 1 (HCV‐1), a PEG‐IFN/RBV‐based regimen with sofosbuvir is highly effective but the presence of cirrhosis and the non‐CC IFNL3 genotype have been associated with a poorer response. A PEG‐IFN/RBV‐based regimen with simeprevir or daclatasvir is based on response‐guided therapy and its efficacy depends on predictors of response to IFN. HCV‐1 subtype is also a major predictor of response. In HCV‐1a infected patients, the K80Q mutation in NS3 or the presence of NS5A variants at baseline are associated with poor response with simeprevir‐ or daclatasvir‐containing regimens respectively. Thus, these regimens should be only used in HCV‐1b patients with good predictors of response to IFN.
Cure of HCV related liver disease
Authors: Shiffman Mitchell L , Benhamou Yves 
Published: December 2014

AbstractChronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes chronic liver injury and can lead to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCV can also interact with the immune system to cause several HCV related disorders including essential mixed cryoglobulinemia, vasculitis, dermatitis, glomerulonephritis and lymphoma. A strong association between HCV and diabetes mellitus also exists. These extrahepatic features may lead to increased fatigue and a reduced quality of life. It is now possible to cure most patients with chronic HCV using oral antiviral therapy. Many of these HCV‐related disorders and symptoms can be cured when HCV is eradicated. However, some patients may have irreversible injury to extrahepatic sites, cirrhosis that cannot resolve, an increased risk for HCC, persistent fatigue and a reduced quality of life, despite achieving sustained virological response.
HBsAg quantification to optimize treatment monitoring in chronic hepatitis B patients
Authors: Martinot‐Peignoux Michelle , Asselah Tarik , Marcellin Patrick 
Published: December 2014

AbstractHepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels in serum have been shown to reflect active intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) and to have additional value as a marker of on‐treatment efficacy. In the past few years, immunoassays to quantify HBsAg have been developed to monitor HBsAg kinetics during treatment. Although HBsAg quantification cannot replace HBV DNA measurement in clinical practice, the combined use of HBsAg quantification and HBV DNA measurements could help predict treatment outcome. One of the most important results of the studies in this new marker is that a decline in HBsAg titres during pegylated‐interferon (PEG‐IFN) treatment is a strong predictor of response so that a ‘week 12 stopping rule’ could be established for both Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)‐positive and HBeAg‐negative patients. However, the positive predictive value (PPV) for a sustained viral response (SVR) remains low. The role of HBsAg measurements during nucloes(t)ides analogue (NAs) treatment is unclear. It may be a useful marker for stopping NAs by limiting the chance of relapse or for add‐on strategies. Monitoring serum HBsAg levels in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients during treatment may provide significant complementary information to HBV DNA measurements.
Ketone body production is differentially altered in steatosis and non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis in obese humans
Authors: Männistö Ville T. , Simonen Marko , Hyysalo Jenni , Soininen Pasi , Kangas Antti J. , Kaminska Dorota , Matte Ananda K. , Venesmaa Sari , Käkelä Pirjo , Kärjä Vesa , Arola Johanna , Gylling Helena , Cederberg Henna , Kuusisto Johanna , Laakso Markku , Yki‐Järvinen Hannele , Ala‐Korpela Mika , Pihlajamäki Jussi 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBackground & AimsLevels of ketone bodies have been reported to be both increased and decreased in individuals with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease. We investigated whether the metabolism of ketone bodies is different in simple steatosis and in non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).MethodsSerum low molecular weight molecules including ketone bodies were measured using high‐throughput proton (1H) nuclear magnetic resonance in 116 (76 categorized unequivocally to those with normal liver, simple steatosis or NASH) morbidly obese individuals [age 47.3 ± 8.7 (mean ± SD) years, body mass index 45.1 ± 6.1 kg/m2, 39 men and 77 women] with histological assessment of NASH and analysis of gene expression in the liver. Finally, we correlated β‐hydroxybutyrate (β‐OHB) levels with NASH predicting score in Metabolic Syndrome in Men Study (METSIM) population study (n = 8749 non‐diabetic men).ResultsLevels of ketone bodies were lower in individuals with NASH compared to individuals with simple steatosis (P = 0.004 and P = 0.018 for β‐OHB and acetoacetate respectively). Lower levels of β‐OHB were associated with the NASH predicting score in the METSIM study (P = 0.001). Liver inflammation correlated with mRNA expression of genes regulating ketolysis in the liver (Spearman correlation 0.379–0.388, P < 0.0006 for ACAT1, ACSS2 and BDH1).ConclusionLower levels of ketone bodies in individuals with NASH compared to individuals with simple steatosis suggest a decrease in ketone body metabolism in NASH.
Sex‐related differences in size, function and regeneration of the major cheliped in the hermit crab Pagurus filholi
Authors: Matsuo Kento , Tanikawa Daisuke , Yasuda Chiaki I. , Wada Satoshi 
Published: December 2014

AbstractPagurus hermit crabs have a well‐developed right cheliped (major cheliped) and in some species the major cheliped of males is longer than that of females. This paper describes sex‐related differences in major cheliped length and regeneration pattern of the major cheliped in the hermit crab Pagurus filholi. We also examined the function of the major cheliped in male–male competition. Major cheliped length of males was longer than that of females in P. filholi. Males regenerated larger chelipeds than females at the first molt after experimentally induced autotomy. Body size growth in males of the regeneration group was less than that in intact males of the control group while there was no significant difference in body size growth of females between regeneration and control groups. Major cheliped length was included in the best model to explain the outcome of male–male competition and thus sexual selection appears to be a causative factor in the sex‐related difference of the major cheliped length. Sex‐related differences in the regeneration pattern may reflect differences in evolutionary pressures on males for large major chelipeds and females for large body size.