bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fusarium onychomycosis: prevalence, clinical presentations, response to itraconazole and terbinafine pulse therapy, and 1‐year follow‐up in nine cases
Authors: Ranawaka Ranthilaka R. , Nagahawatte Ajith , Gunasekara Thusitha Aravinda 
Published: July 2015

AbstractBackgroundInvasive fusariosis is an infection with Fusarium spp. that primarily affects patients with hematologic malignancies and hematopoietic cell transplant recipients. Wounds, digital ulcers, onychomycosis, and paronychia are the typical cutaneous portals of entry. Early management of mycotic nails in immunocompromised and diabetic hosts is crucial to prevent life‐threatening disease.ObjectivesWe report nine cases of Fusarium onychomycosis (F. dimerum, n = 5; F. oxysporum, n = 3; Fusarium spp., n = 1) in immunocompetent hosts and their response to itraconazole and terbinafine pulse therapy.MethodsThe patients received either itraconazole 400 mg daily or terbinafine 500 mg daily for 7 d/month; two pulses for fingernails and three pulses for toenails.ResultsOf the 68 confirmed cases of onychomycosis, eight (11.7%) were Fusarium spp.; the ninth patient was culture positive but microscopy negative and responded well to itraconazole. Distal subungual onychomycosis was the commonest clinical manifestation (seven of nine), one had proximal subungual onychomycosis, and total onychodystrophy was noted on four patients. Associated paronychia was marked on 66.7% (six of eight) patients. Itraconazole was given to six patients/25 nails and terbinafine to three patients/20 nails. All nine patients completed treatments, but one defaulted at 12 months follow‐up. The efficacy parameters were clinical cure (CC) and mycological cure (MC). At month 12 after the start of treatment, the response was itraconazole CC 13 of 25 (52%)/MC four of six (66.6%) and terbinafine CC four of eight (50%)/MC one of two (50%). Recurrence was noted in four of 13 (30.7%) and eight of 13 (61.5%) cured nails in the itraconazole group within 3 and 12 months, respectively.ConclusionsFusarium onychomycosis was clinically indistinguishable from other onychomycosis. Both itraconazole and terbinafine pulse therapy were only partially effective on Fusarium onychomycosis. Antifungals that are more effective should be sought.
The bidirectional interactions between psoriasis and obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Hirotsu Camila , Nogueira Heloisa , Albuquerque Rachel G. , Tomimori Jane , Tufik Sergio , Andersen Monica L. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractPsoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder which can impair general routine activities and has been closely related to poor quality of life. Pruritus and scratching are frequently observed, occurring mainly during sleep and precipitating nighttime arousals. Indeed, sleep quality has been shown to be negatively affected in psoriatic patients, in a close relationship with stress exposure and immune response. Although psoriasis is known to impair sleep, leading to insomnia, its association with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is controversial. Similarly, OSA is considered a multifactorial inflammatory disease, characterized by intermittent hypoxia, sleep fragmentation and autonomic dysfunction, with important outcomes on the cardiovascular and metabolic systems. Importantly, immunological activities and pro‐inflammatory cytokines play a prominent role in both OSA and psoriasis. Currently it is not clear whether OSA is a risk factor for psoriasis development or if psoriasis is a possible predictor of OSA. Thus, our main purpose is to provide an overview of this intriguing relationship and show the current link between psoriasis and OSA in a bidirectional relationship.
Monetary policy, foreign welfare, and international firm mobility
Authors: Johdo Wataru 
Published: July 2015

AbstractIn this paper, we develop a new open economy macroeconomics model that incorporates international relocation of firms. A novel feature of our model is that the international distribution of firms responds to exchange rate movements caused by monetary shocks. This implies that our model generates an international transmission effect that operates through the international relocation of firms. We conclude that when the degree of flexibility in relocation between the two countries is sufficiently high, an expansionary monetary policy can be a “beggar‐thy‐neighbor” policy.
Development of postgraduate research supervisors within a teaching hospital setting
Authors: Scott K. M. , Caldwell P. H. Y. , Oldmeadow W. , Dale R. C. , Jones C. A. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe recent trend to embed medical research at point of care has created a need for postgraduate research supervisors in hospitals who are practising clinicians and lab‐based researchers. We explored the training needs of supervisors to inform the design and evaluation of a hospital‐based development programme. We found that if hospital‐based supervisors are to improve their practice, the programme needs to be on‐site to ensure access and relevance to local issues.
Scoping review of research in Australia on the co‐occurrence of physical and serious mental illness and integrated care
Authors: Happell Brenda , Galletly Cherrie , Castle David , Platania‐Phung Chris , Stanton Robert , Scott David , McKenna Brian , Millar Freyja , Liu Dennis , Browne Matthew , Furness Trentham 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe physical health of people with serious mental illness (SMI) has become a focal area of research. The aim of the present study was to ascertain the attention and distribution of research from within Australia on physical illness and SMI co‐occurrence, and to identify gaps. A scoping review of peer‐reviewed research literature from Australia, published between January 2000 and March 2014, was undertaken through an electronic literature search and coding of papers to chart trends. Four trends are highlighted: (i) an almost threefold increase in publications per year from 2000–2006 to 2007–2013; (ii) a steady release of literature reviews, especially from 2010; (iii) health‐related behaviours, smoking, integrated‐care programmes, and antipsychotic side‐effects as the most common topics presented; and (iv) paucity of randomized, controlled trials on integrated‐care models. Despite a marked increase in research attention to poorer physical health, there remains a large gap between research and the scale of the problem previously identified. More papers were descriptive or reviews, rather than evaluations of interventions. To foster more research, 12 research gaps are outlined. Addressing these gaps will facilitate the reduction of inequalities in physical health for people with SMI. Mental health nurses are well placed to lead multidisciplinary, consumer‐informed research in this area.
Una herramienta de diagnóstico y un instrumento de política para lograr el trabajo decente
Authors: WEBSTER Edward , BUDLENDER Deborah , ORKIN Mark 
Published: July 2015

ResumenA partir de nueve de los indicadores establecidos en 2008 por la Reunión tripartita de expertos sobre la medición del trabajo decente de la OIT, los autores realizan una encuesta, complementada con entrevistas en profundidad, para evaluar la calidad del empleo en los sectores de la seguridad privada, la agricultura y la hotelería y restauración en la provincia sudafricana de Gauteng. Su herramienta de diagnóstico se centra en el plano individual y sectorial, a diferencia de la de la OIT, de ámbito nacional. Según los autores, este método permite evaluar los progresos hacia el trabajo decente y desarrollar estrategias sectoriales empíricamente sustentadas para superar los déficits al respecto.
Efectos en el empleo del comercio de bienes intermedios y finales. Una evaluación empírica
Authors: JIANG Xiao 
Published: July 2015

ResumenEl aumento del comercio internacional de bienes y servicios intermedios hace más compleja la relación entre comercio y empleo. Mediante un modelo de contenido factorial insumo‐producto aplicado a 39 países, el autor calcula el empleo (nacional y extranjero) generado por las exportaciones, las importaciones, el contenido en importaciones de las exportaciones, el contenido en exportaciones de las importaciones y el contenido en importaciones de terceros países de las importaciones. En 2009 el intercambio de bienes intermedios implicó 88 millones de empleos (el 14 por ciento del total de empleo generado por el comercio internacional), y el contenido en importaciones de las exportaciones, 44 millones.
Calidad del empleo en América Latina. Teoría y datos empíricos
Authors: RAMOS Joseph , SEHNBRUCH Kirsten , WELLER Jürgen 
Published: July 2015

ResumenLos estudios sobre desarrollo dedicados al empleo en América Latina se han centrado en la cantidad de empleos y en la productividad, pero dada la persistencia de grandes bolsas de empleo informal y precario, los autores mantienen que es necesario considerar la situación laboral y contractual dentro de la calidad del empleo. Sobre la base de datos empíricos de las últimas décadas, concluyen que casi todas las dimensiones de este concepto, incluida la protección social, dependen de la firma de un contrato. Esta conclusión les lleva a defender políticas que estabilicen el empleo formal y garanticen una financiación adecuada de la protección social.
¿Más trabajo pero no mejor en Chile? La importancia capital del contrato indefinido
Authors: RUIZ‐TAGLE Jaime , SEHNBRUCH Kirsten 
Published: July 2015

ResumenLos gobiernos chilenos desde 1990 han confado en el crecimiento económico para generar empleo, salarios más altos y mejores condiciones de trabajo, obteniendo resultados cuantitativos, pero no de la calidad del empleo. Revelando el contraste entre una legislación aparentemente rígida y la flexibilidad real del mercado laboral, los autores resaltan la importancia de las condiciones de trabajo para evaluar el comportamiento del mercado. Exploran empíricamente los efectos de las características individuales y laborales en la capacidad para encontrar empleo y generar ingresos, cuyo determinante más importante, según sus resultados, es el contrato indefinido. Concluyen con sugerencias para la elaboración de políticas.
Association of Heart Rate Turbulence With Arrhythmia Susceptibility and Heart Disease in Mice
Authors: STÖCKIGT FLORIAN , JÜNGST PHILIPP , LINHART MARKUS , NICKENIG GEORG , ANDRIÉ RENÉ , BEIERT THOMAS , SCHRICKEL JAN WILKO 
Published: July 2015

Heart Rate Turbulence in MiceIntroductionRecent studies have demonstrated the feasibility of measuring heart rate turbulence (HRT) as a marker of baroreflex function in healthy mice. The aim of this investigation was to measure HRT in a mouse model with induced structural heart defects and to determine if there were threshold values of HRT for inducible ventricular tachycardias (VTs).Methods and ResultsHRT was measured during electrophysiological investigations 2 weeks after transverse aortic constriction (TAC, n = 13) or myocardial cryoinfarction (MCI, n = 14). Sham‐operated mice served as controls (n = 8 for TAC controls and n = 9 for MCI controls). Mice with heart disease lacked an early acceleration (turbulence onset [TO]) in heart rate after extrastimulus pacing (heart disease: 0.39% [0.19%–0.59%] vs. all controls: –0.04% [–0.25—0.19%]; P < 0.01). At a cutoff value of >0.25%, TO could be used to classify mice with induced heart disease with a sensitivity of 64.0% and specificity of 88.2% (P < 0.01) but did not identify mice at higher risk of induced VTs. Animals that were susceptible to VTs (n = 8) had lower values for turbulence slope (TS) compared with noninducible mice (6.2 milliseconds/beat [3.1–9.5 milliseconds/beat] vs. 10.1 milliseconds/beat [7.2–14.2 milliseconds/beat]; P = 0.03). TS <7.8 milliseconds/beat identified mice with inducible VTs with a sensitivity of 75.0% and specificity of 75.8% (P = 0.02).ConclusionMeasurement of HRT is feasible in mouse models with induced structural heart disease. More abnormal values for TO were found in the presence of structural heart disease but did not predict susceptibility to VTs. Decreased TS was associated with VTs induced by programmed stimulation.
Efficacy of a Bio‐Absorbable Antibacterial Envelope to Prevent Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Infections in High‐Risk Subjects
Authors: KOLEK MATTHEW J. , PATEL NEEL J. , CLAIR WALTER K. , WHALEN S. PATRICK , ROTTMAN JEFFREY N. , KANAGASUNDRAM ARVINDH , SHEN SHARON T. , SAAVEDRA PABLO J. , ESTRADA JUAN C. , ABRAHAM ROBERT L. , ELLIS CHRISTOPHER R. 
Published: July 2015

Efficacy of Bio‐Absorbable Antibacterial EnvelopeIntroductionCardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) infections are potentially preventable complications associated with high morbidity, mortality, and cost. A recently developed bio‐absorbable antibacterial envelope (TYRX™‐A) might prevent CIED infections in high‐risk subjects. However, data regarding safety and efficacy have not been published.Methods and ResultsIn a single‐center retrospective cohort study, we compared the prevalence of CIED infections among subjects with ≥2 risk factors treated with the TYRX™‐A envelope (N = 135), the nonabsorbable TYRX™ envelope (N = 353), and controls who did not receive an envelope (N = 636). Infection was ascertained by individual chart review. The mean (95% confidence interval) number of risk factors was 3.08 (2.84–3.32) for TYRX™‐A, 3.20 (3.07–3.34) for TYRX™, and 3.09 (2.99–3.20) for controls, P = 0.3. After a minimum 300 days follow‐up, the prevalence of CIED infection was 0 (0%) for TYRX™‐A, 1 (0.3%) for TYRX™, and 20 (3.1%) for controls (P = 1 for TYRX™‐A vs. TYRX™, P = 0.03 for TYRX™‐A vs. controls, and P = 0.002 for TYRX™ vs. controls). In a propensity score‐matched cohort of 316 recipients of either envelope and 316 controls, the prevalence of infection was 0 (0%) and 9 (2.8%), respectively, P = 0.004. When limited to 122 TYRX™‐A recipients and 122 propensity‐matched controls, the prevalence of CIED infections was 0 (0%) and 5 (4.1%), respectively, P = 0.024.ConclusionsAmong high‐risk subjects, the TYRX™‐A bio‐absorbable envelope was associated with a very low prevalence of CIED related infections that was comparable to that seen with the nonabsorbable envelope.
Never underestimate inflammatory bowel disease: High prevalence rates and confirmation of high incidence rates in Australia
Authors: Studd Corrie , Cameron Georgina , Beswick Lauren , Knight Ross , Hair Christopher , McNeil John , Desmond Paul , Wilson Jarrad , Connell Wiliam , Bell Sally 
Published: July 2015

AbstractBackground and Aims:Regional variations in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) rates have been observed. Limited epidemiological data are available from Australasia. IBD prevalence rates have never been assessed in an Australian population‐based setting. In addition, there are few historical IBD incidence data to allow assessment of rate changes. The aims were to calculate Australia's first population‐based IBD prevalence rates, to reassess local IBD incidence rates, and to establish a population‐based inception cohort.Methods:An observational, prospective population‐based epidemiological study was performed to assess IBD prevalence and incidence rates from July 2010 to June 2011 in a geographically defined Australian population (Barwon, Victoria).Results:There were 1011 prevalent IBD cases identified, representing a crude point prevalence rate of 344.6 per 100 000 on June 30, 2011. Crohn's disease was the most common prevalent subtype. Seventy‐one incident cases of IBD were identified, with a crude incidence rate of 24.2 per 100 000. Crohn's disease was again more common. Local incidence rates have not changed between 2007 and the present study. All incident cases were successfully incorporated into an inception cohort.Conclusion:The burden of IBD in our local region is high. Demographic similarities allow these results to be applied to the broader Australian community. We propose that the number of existing and new cases each year in Australia has been previously underestimated. These revised figures will be important when planning the provision of health resources for these patients in the future and when assessing need for research funding priorities.
Prognostic value of CA 19‐9 kinetics during gemcitabine‐based chemotherapy in patients with advanced cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Lee Ban Seok , Lee Sang Hyub , Son Jun Hyuk , Jang Dong Kee , Chung Kwang Hyun , Paik Woo Hyun , Ryu Ji Kon , Kim Yong‐Tae 
Published: July 2015

AbstractBackground:Little is known of the prognostic value of CEA/CA 19‐9 kinetics during chemotherapy in patients with advanced cholangiocarcinoma (CCA).Methods:A total of 236 patients with pathologically confirmed advanced CCA received gemcitabine‐based chemotherapy were reviewed, and 179 were eligible for analysis. Baseline, pre‐, and post‐treatment (after two cycles of chemotherapy) CEA and CA 19‐9 values were checked, and survival was compared according to various cutting points of baseline measurement or extent of change of tumor marker level.Results:Patients with a ≥ 50% decline in CA 19‐9 level had better survival than the others (16.0 vs 9.0 months). However, CEA decline did not predict survival gain. Significant favorable prognostic factors of survival in multivariable analysis included initial treatment response (HR 0.61), distal location of tumor (HR 0.46), baseline CA 19‐9 level ≤ 1000 U/mL (HR 0.58), and ≥ 50% decline in CA 19‐9 level (HR 0.50). Subgroup analysis was conducted in 114 patients with pre‐treatment CA 19‐9 > 37 U/mL and bilirubin ≤ 2 mg/dL. Decline ≥ 50% in CA 19‐9 level still showed an independent prognostic significance (HR 0.45).Conclusion:CA 19‐9 but not CEA kinetics serves as a predictor of better survival in patients with advanced CCA on gemcitabine‐based chemotherapy. A ≥ 50% decline in CA 19‐9 level after two cycles of chemotherapy may have clinical utility as an early indicator of better response to gemcitabine‐based chemotherapy.
Human chemerin correlation in gingival crevicular fluid and tear fluid as markers of inflammation in chronic periodontitis and type‐2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Patnaik Kaushik , Pradeep A. R. , Nagpal Kanika , Karvekar Shruti , Singh Priyanka , Raju Arjun 
Published: July 2015

AbstractAimThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the levels and correlation of human chemerin in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and tear fluid in chronic periodontitis (CP) subjects with and without type‐2 diabetes mellitus (DM).Materials and methodsA total of 40 subjects were divided into three groups: group 1 had 10 periodontally healthy subjects; group 2 consisted of 15 CP subjects and group 3 had 15 type‐2 DM subjects with CP. The GCF and tear fluid levels of human chemerin were quantified using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Systemic parameters such as body mass index, glycated hemoglobin levels and fasting plasma glucose levels were evaluated. The clinical outcomes evaluated were gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment level (CAL), and the correlations of the two inflammatory mediators with clinical parameters were evaluated.ResultsHuman chemerin levels increased from group 1 to group 2 to group 3. The GCF and tear‐fluid values of the inflammatory mediators correlated positively with each other and with the evaluated periodontal parameters (P < 0.05).ConclusionHuman chemerin can be considered as possible GCF and tear‐fluid markers of inflammatory activity in CP and DM.
A putative 6‐transmembrane nitrate transporter OsNRT1.1b plays a key role in rice under low nitrogen
Authors: Fan Xiaorong , Feng Huimin , Tan Yawen , Xu Yanling , Miao Qisong , Xu Guohua 
Published: July 2015

AbstractOsNRT1.1a is a low‐affinity nitrate (NO3−) transporter gene. In this study, another mRNA splicing product, OsNRT1.1b, putatively encoding a protein with six transmembrane domains, was identified based on the rice genomic database and bioinformatics analysis. OsNRT1.1a/OsNRT1.1b expression in Xenopus oocytes showed OsNRT1.1a‐expressing oocytes accumulated 15N levels to about half as compared to OsNRT1.1b‐expressing oocytes. The electrophysiological recording of OsNRT1.1b‐expressing oocytes treated with 0.25 mM NO3− confirmed 15N accumulation data. More functional assays were performed to examine the function of OsNRT1.1b in rice. The expression of both OsNRT1.1a and OsNRT1.1b was abundant in roots and downregulated by nitrogen (N) deficiency. The shoot biomass of transgenic rice plants with OsNRT1.1a or OsNRT1.1b overexpression increased under various N supplies under hydroponic conditions compared to wild‐type (WT). The OsNRT1.1a overexpression lines showed increased plant N accumulation compared to the WT in 1.25 mM NH4NO3 and 2.5 mM NO3– or NH4+ treatments, but not in 0.125 mM NH4NO3. However, OsNRT1.1b overexpression lines increased total N accumulation in all N treatments, including 0.125 mM NH4NO3, suggesting that under low N condition, OsNRT1.1b would accumulate more N in plants and improve rice growth, but also that OsNRT1.1a had no such function in rice plants.
A Model‐based approach for microvasculature structure distortion correction in two‐photon fluorescence microscopy images
Authors: DAO LAM , GLANCY BRIAN , LUCOTTE BERTRAND , CHANG LIN‐CHING , BALABAN ROBERT S. , HSU LI‐YUEH 
Published: July 2015

SummaryThis paper investigates a postprocessing approach to correct spatial distortion in two‐photon fluorescence microscopy images for vascular network reconstruction. It is aimed at in vivo imaging of large field‐of‐view, deep‐tissue studies of vascular structures. Based on simple geometric modelling of the object‐of‐interest, a distortion function is directly estimated from the image volume by deconvolution analysis. Such distortion function is then applied to subvolumes of the image stack to adaptively adjust for spatially varying distortion and reduce the image blurring through blind deconvolution. The proposed technique was first evaluated in phantom imaging of fluorescent microspheres that are comparable in size to the underlying capillary vascular structures. The effectiveness of restoring three‐dimensional (3D) spherical geometry of the microspheres using the estimated distortion function was compared with empirically measured point‐spread function. Next, the proposed approach was applied to in vivo vascular imaging of mouse skeletal muscle to reduce the image distortion of the capillary structures. We show that the proposed method effectively improve the image quality and reduce spatially varying distortion that occurs in large field‐of‐view deep‐tissue vascular dataset. The proposed method will help in qualitative interpretation and quantitative analysis of vascular structures from fluorescence microscopy images.