bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
THE SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT OF INDIA
Authors: Desmet Klaus , Ghani Ejaz , O'Connell Stephen , Rossi‐Hansberg Esteban 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTThis paper studies the recent spatial development of India. Services, and to a lesser extent manufacturing, are increasingly concentrating in high‐density clusters. This stands in contrast with the United States, where in the last decades services have tended to grow fastest in medium‐density locations, such as Silicon Valley. India's experience is not common to all fast‐growing developing economies. The spatial growth pattern of China looks more similar to that in the United States than to that of India. Our findings suggest that certain frictions are keeping medium‐density places in India from growing faster.
Cholangitis in children with biliary atresia: Health‐care resource utilisation
Authors: Lee Jie Ying , Lim Leon Tak Keet , Quak Seng Hock , Prabhakaran Krishnan , Aw Marion 
Published: December 2013

AimCholangitis is a well‐known complication that contributes to morbidity, mortality, as well as health‐care utilisation in children with biliary atresia who have undergone the Kasai portoenterostomy. The aim of the study was to determine the common causative organisms for cholangitis and characterise its burden, health‐care resource and service utilisation and cost.MethodsThis was a retrospective chart review of children who underwent Kasai portoenterostomy in our institution from 1988 to 2011. The causative organisms were identified based on culture reports. The burden of the disease was estimated based on the number of patients experiencing one or more episodes of cholangitis. Health‐care resource and service utilisation were based on different categories, and cost was computed based on the charges at the institution.ResultsTwenty‐seven (64.3%) out of 42 children included in the analysis experienced at least one episode of cholangitis. There were a total of 97 episodes of cholangitis, with an average of 3.6 (1–15) episodes per patient. The average length of stay per episode of cholangitis was 14.8 (2–64) days. Common organisms isolated during blood cultures were Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterococcus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The estimated cost per in‐patient admission of 15 days (rounded off) for a single episode of cholangitis was $SG 8986.61 ($US 7369.02).ConclusionThe knowledge about the incidence and cost of cholangitis will allow physicians to counsel parents of children newly diagnosed with biliary atresia and to better prepare them both emotionally and financially for what to expect.
Epidemiology of enteroviral meningoencephalitis in neonates and young infants
Authors: March Brayden , Eastwood Keith , Wright Ian M , Tilbrook Lynelle , Durrheim David N 
Published: December 2013

AimTo describe the epidemiology of enteroviral meningoencephalitis in northern New South Wales, Australia, with a specific focus on neonatal and young infant cases.MethodsA retrospective review of PCR‐confirmed enteroviral meningoencephalitis cases in the Hunter New England Local Health District of northern NSW was conducted for the period 2008–2012.ResultsOne hundred nine patients met the case definition. There was summer seasonality, with 50% (55/109) of cases occurring between December and February. Neonates and young infants (<3 months of age) accounted for 42% (46/109) of cases, with 20% (9/46) being premature births. Fever (83%) was the most common presentation in this age group, followed by irritability (40%), feeding difficulties (40%) and rash (17%). All received at least one antibiotic during their admission, with 26% (12/46) also treated empirically with acyclovir. There was one death. Where testing was undertaken, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein levels were high in 90% (28/31) of neonates and young infants, but the CSF white cell count was variable, with 57% <10/mm3 and 21% >100/mm3.ConclusionEarly diagnosis of enteroviral meningoencephalitis could alter management, potentially reducing the period of treatment with empirical antimicrobials and permitting earlier discharge.
Management of duplex‐system ureterocele
Authors: Mariyappa Bhanu , Barker Andrew , Samnakay Naeem , Khosa Japinder 
Published: December 2013

AimTo analyse different treatment modalities, functional outcome and continence in children treated for duplex‐system ureterocele and to review the relevant literature.MethodsThe medical records of patients with duplex‐system ureterocele treated between 2001 and 2011 were reviewed retrospectively.ResultsTwenty‐two cases were identified. Five patients underwent incision of the ureterocele as initial procedure. It was curative in only one patient. Seven patients underwent upper‐pole nephroureterectomy. It was curative in 4 cases. Five patients underwent excision of ureterocele and common‐sheath reimplant, and the remaining 5 patients had upper‐pole nephroureterectomy and simultaneous excision of ureterocele with lower‐moiety ureteric reimplantation. These surgeries were curative in all patients. Follow‐up ranged from 4 to 84 months. Functional outcome was good in all patients. Fourteen patients were continent at follow‐up, and continence was not assessed in the other 8 because of young age.ConclusionsOur data suggest a higher rate of secondary procedures if there is retained ureterocele. Data also suggest that complete reconstruction can be safely performed in a young infant without any adverse effect on continence.
‘Beyond Milestones’: A randomised controlled trial evaluating an innovative digital resource teaching quality observation of normal child development
Authors: Connolly Anne M , Cunningham Clare , Sinclair Adriane J , Rao Arjun , Lonergan Amy , Bye Ann ME 
Published: December 2013

AimsThe study aimed to create and evaluate the educational effectiveness of a digital resource instructing paediatric trainees in a systematic approach to critical and quality observation of normal child development.MethodsA digital educational resource was developed utilising the skills of an expert developmental paediatrician who was videoed assessing normal early child development at a series of critical stages. Videos illustrated aspects of language, sophistication of play and socialisation, cognition, and motor progress. Expert commentary, teaching text and summaries were used. A randomised controlled trial evaluated the resource. Paediatric trainees were recruited from The Sydney Children's Hospitals Network. Outcome measures were repeated at three time points (pre‐teaching, immediate‐post and 1 month) and included self‐rated attitudes, knowledge of markers of development and observational expertise. Qualitative data on teaching usefulness were obtained through open‐ended questions.ResultsFifty‐six paediatric trainees (registrar 79%, women 82%; mean age 31 years) completed the pre‐assessment, 46 the immediate‐post and 45 the 1‐month follow‐up (20% attrition). Compared with the Control group, the Teaching group scored higher over time on markers of development (P = 0.006), observational expertise (P < 0.0001), confidence (P = 0.035) and satisfaction (P < 0.0001). Teaching participants valued the video and expert commentary and reported improvement in confidence and understanding and acquiring a more structured approach.ConclusionsThe ‘Beyond Milestones’ free online resource for medical professionals <http://learnpaediatrics.org/beyondmilestones/ password=cunningham> improves knowledge, increases confidence and is useful, providing a structured approach to developmental assessment. The techniques taught can be applied to every paediatric consultation.
HBeAg‐positive chronic hepatitis B: Why do I treat my patients with Nucleos(t)ide Analogs?
Authors: Buti Maria 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThe ultimate goal of therapy for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is to obtain a clinical benefit for the patient by reducing infection‐related complications, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Two main types of antiviral agents have been approved to treat patients in the immune clearance phase: interferon (IFN) and nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs). NAs are used in most HBeAg‐positive chronic hepatitis B patients for several reasons. They are oral drugs that are taken once a day and can be prescribed to all chronic hepatitis B patients, even those with contraindications for IFN. The current first‐line NA options, entecavir (ETV) and tenofovir (TDF), have minimal or no risk of long‐term resistance, and the sustained virological response is achieved in almost 100% of adherent HBeAg‐positive patients. Tolerance is excellent and the safety profile is good, whereas IFN can be associated with adverse events that affect the patients’ quality of life. There is considerable evidence to show that NAs modify the natural history of chronic hepatitis B, and increasing evidence that they reduce the risk of developing HCC. The need for long‐term, perhaps indefinite treatment in patients who do not achieve anti‐HBe seroconversion is the main limitation of NAs, but this is offset by their excellent tolerance and safety profile.
Hepatitis B: are non‐invasive markers of liver fibrosis reliable?
Authors: Castera Laurent 
Published: December 2013

AbstractLiver biopsy, which was traditionally considered to be the gold standard for the staging of fibrosis, has been challenged in the past decade by non‐invasive techniques. These techniques rely on two distinct but complementary approaches: a ‘biological’ approach, based on the quantification of biomarkers of fibrosis in serum, and a ‘physical’ approach, based on the measurement of liver stiffness using elastography‐based technologies. Advantages of serum biomarkers include their high applicability (>95%) and good reproducibility. However, as none are liver specific their results can be influenced by comorbid conditions (risk of false positive results with FibroTest® in patients with Gilbert's syndrome or with APRI in case of acute hepatitis). Transient elastograpy has the advantages of being a user's friendly procedure that can be performed at the bedside or in an outpatient clinic with high performance for detecting cirrhosis. However, its applicability is lower (80%) than that of serum biomarker (particularly in case of ascites, obesity and limited operator experience) with the risk of false positive results in case of ALT flares. Although these non‐invasive methods were initially developed and validated in patients with chronic hepatitis C, they are now increasingly used in patients with hepatitis B, reducing the need for liver biopsy.
HBsAg quantification: useful for monitoring natural history and treatment outcome
Authors: Martinot‐Peignoux Michelle , Lapalus Martine , Asselah Tarik , Marcellin Patrick 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThe template of hepatitis B virus transcription, the covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), plays a key role in the life cycle of the virus and permits the persistence of infection. It has been suggested that hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) quantification reflects the concentration of cccDNA in the liver. In hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positive chronic hepatitis B, HBsAg levels are higherduring the immune tolerance phase than during the immune clearance phase. During the natural history of chronic hepatitis B, serum HBsAg declines progressively from the immune‐tolerant to the low replicative phase. In HBeAg negative patients, the combination of low hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA (<2000 IU/ml) and low HBsAg levels (<1000 IU/ml) can predict inactive carrier status, low risk of hepatocellular carcinoma, and the probability of HBsAg loss. HBsAg in combination with HBV DNA predicts the outcome of Peg‐Interferon therapy: An absence of decline at week 12 is a good predictor of non‐response and to stop therapy. Any decline at week 24, suggests that therapy should be continued to 48 weeks. Although the decrease in HBsAg decline slow with nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy, a rapid decline can predict future HBsAg seroclearance. A level <100 IU/ml during six consecutive months could be a marker of a sustained response after treatment cessation.
HBeAg‐negative chronic hepatitis B: why do I treat my patients with pegylated interferon‐alfa?
Authors: Vlachogiannakos Jiannis , Papatheodoridis George V. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractHBeAg‐negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is the most frequent and aggressive type of CHB. The current therapeutic options for CHB include pegylated‐interferon‐alfa (PEG‐IFNα) and nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs). NAs are well‐tolerated and safe agents that effectively inhibit viral replication, but they should be given as long‐term, probably lifelong therapy, in particular in HBeAg‐negative CHB. Thus, the finite, usually 48‐week, duration is the main advantage of PEG‐IFNα, providing sustained virological responses (SVR) off‐therapy in approximately one‐fourth of patients with HBeAg‐negative CHB and often leading to HBsAg loss. However, the limited efficacy is the main factor restricting the use of PEG‐IFNα in CHB and therefore identifying the predictors of response is of great clinical importance. No reliable baseline predictors of response to PEG‐IFNα have been identified to date, but certain studies have identified satisfactory predictors of post‐PEG‐IFNα response using on‐treatment serological markers, mostly HBsAg levels. In particular, in HBeAg‐negative CHB patients mostly with genotype D a lack of decline in HBsAg levels and a lack of decrease in HBV DNA levels ≥2 log10 copies/ml at week‐12 has a nearly 100% negative predictive value for SVR off‐treatment and is now recommended as a stopping rule for early discontinuation of ineffective PEG‐IFNα. Prolonging PEG‐IFNα therapy to 96 weeks seems to provide higher SVR rates but the application and efficacy of this approach requires further study. The combination of PEG‐IFNα with NAs, mostly lamivudine, has not resulted in any therapeutic benefit so far, but newer combined approaches with PEG‐IFNα and NA(s) are currently under study.
Management of HCV transplant patients with triple therapy
Authors: Coilly Audrey , Roche Bruno , Duclos‐Vallée Jean‐Charles , Samuel Didier 
Published: December 2013

AbstractHepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the leading causes of end‐stage liver disease and the main indication for liver transplantation (LT) in most countries. All patients who undergo LT with detectable serum HCV RNA experience graft reinfection. Between 20 and 30% of patients have developed cirrhosis at 5 years post‐LT. The outcome of transplant patients with cirrhosis on the graft is severe, with a rate of decompensation at 1 year of approximately 40%. To date, retransplantation is the only option in patients with decompensated liver disease. Until 2011, standard antiviral therapy with pegylated interferon (PEG‐IFN) and ribavirin (RBV), was the only effective therapy. Obtaining a sustained virological response (SVR) in patients with LT greatly improves overall and graft survival but this only occurs in 30% of transplanted patients. Direct acting antivirals (DAAs) such as protease inhibitors (PI), polymerase or other non‐structural proteins inhibitors represent a new era in HCV associated liver disease. Although their use in the field of LT will certainly be essential there are some limitations because of safety and tolerance. One limitation is the potential interaction with calcineurin inhibitors. We describe the results of triple therapy with boceprevir (BOC) or telaprevir (TVR) for efficacy and safety and comment on future therapeutic strategies in liver transplant recipients.
Dynamic imaging of cytosolic zinc in Arabidopsis roots combining FRET sensors and RootChip technology
Authors: Lanquar Viviane , Grossmann Guido , Vinkenborg Jan L. , Merkx Maarten , Thomine Sébastien , Frommer Wolf B. 
Published: December 2013

Summary

Zinc plays a central role in all living cells as a cofactor for enzymes and as a structural element enabling the adequate folding of proteins. In eukaryotic cells, metals are highly compartmentalized and chelated. Although essential to characterize the mechanisms of Zn2+ homeostasis, the measurement of free metal concentrations in living cells has proved challenging and the dynamics are difficult to determine.

Our work combines the use of genetically encoded Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) sensors and a novel microfluidic technology, the RootChip, to monitor the dynamics of cytosolic Zn2+ concentrations in Arabidopsis root cells.

Our experiments provide estimates of cytosolic free Zn2+ concentrations in Arabidopsis root cells grown under sufficient (0.4 nM) and excess (2 nM) Zn2+ supply. In addition, monitoring the dynamics of cytosolic [Zn2+] in response to external supply suggests the involvement of high‐ and low‐affinity uptake systems as well as release from internal stores.

In this study, we demonstrate that the combination of genetically encoded FRET sensors and microfluidics provides an attractive tool to monitor the dynamics of cellular metal ion concentrations over a wide concentration range in root cells.
Elevated [CO2] does not ameliorate the negative effects of elevated temperature on drought‐induced mortality in Eucalyptus radiata seedlings
Authors: DUAN HONGLANG , DUURSMA REMKO A. , HUANG GUOMIN , SMITH RENEE A. , CHOAT BRENDAN , O'GRADY ANTHONY P. , TISSUE DAVID T. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractIt has been reported that elevated temperature accelerates the time‐to‐mortality in plants exposed to prolonged drought, while elevated [CO2] acts as a mitigating factor because it can reduce stomatal conductance and thereby reduce water loss. We examined the interactive effects of elevated [CO2] and temperature on the inter‐dependent carbon and hydraulic characteristics associated with drought‐induced mortality in Eucalyptus radiata seedlings grown in two [CO2] (400 and 640 μL L−1) and two temperature (ambient and ambient +4 °C) treatments. Seedlings were exposed to two controlled drying and rewatering cycles, and then water was withheld until plants died. The extent of xylem cavitation was assessed as loss of stem hydraulic conductivity. Elevated temperature triggered more rapid mortality than ambient temperature through hydraulic failure, and was associated with larger water use, increased drought sensitivities of gas exchange traits and earlier occurrence of xylem cavitation. Elevated [CO2] had a negligible effect on seedling response to drought, and did not ameliorate the negative effects of elevated temperature on drought. Our findings suggest that elevated temperature and consequent higher vapour pressure deficit, but not elevated [CO2], may be the primary contributors to drought‐induced seedling mortality under future climates.
Interpretation of commonly used statistical regression models
Authors: Kasza Jessica , Wolfe Rory 
Published: December 2013

AbstractA review of some regression models commonly used in respiratory health applications is provided in this article. Simple linear regression, multiple linear regression, logistic regression and ordinal logistic regression are considered. The focus of this article is on the interpretation of the regression coefficients of each model, which are illustrated through the application of these models to a respiratory health research study.
Modern statistical methods in respiratory medicine
Authors: Wolfe Rory , Abramson Michael J 
Published: December 2013

AbstractStatistics sits right at the heart of scientific endeavour in respiratory medicine and many other disciplines. In this introductory article, some key epidemiological concepts such as representativeness, random sampling, association and causation, and confounding are reviewed. A brief introduction to basic statistics covering topics such as frequentist methods, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, P values and Type II error is provided. Subsequent articles in this series will cover some modern statistical methods including regression models, analysis of repeated measures, causal diagrams, propensity scores, multiple imputation, accounting for measurement error, survival analysis, risk prediction, latent class analysis and meta‐analysis.
Combined Associations of Sitting Time and Physical Activity With Obesity in Young Adults
Authors: Cleland Verity , Schmidt Michael , Salmon Jo , Dywer Terry , Venn Alison 
Published: December 2013

Background:We investigated associations of total sedentary behavior (SB) and objectively-measured and self-reported physical activity (PA) with obesity.Methods:Data from 1662 adults (26–36 years) included daily steps, self-reported PA, sitting, and waist circumference. SB and PA were dichotomized at the median, then 2 variables created (SB/self-reported PA; SB/objectively-measured PA) each with 4 categories: low SB/high PA (reference group), high SB/high PA, low SB/low PA, high SB/low PA.Results:Overall, high SB/low PA was associated with 95 –168% increased obesity odds. Associations were stronger and more consistent for steps than self-reported PA for men (OR 2.68, 95% CI 1.36–5.32 and OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.01–3.79, respectively) and women (OR 2.66, 95% CI 1.58–4.49 and OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.21–3.31, respectively). Among men, obesity was higher when daily steps were low, irrespective of sitting (low SB/low steps OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.03–4.17; high SB/low steps OR 2.68, 95% CI 1.36–5.32).Conclusions:High sitting and low activity increased obesity odds among adults. Irrespective of sitting, men with low step counts had increased odds of obesity. The findings highlight the importance of engaging in physical activity and limiting sitting.
Children’s Enjoyment of Play During School Lunchtime Breaks: An Examination of Intraday and Interday Reliability
Authors: Hyndman Brendon P. , Benson Amanda C. , Ullah Shahid , Finch Caroline F. , Telford Amanda 
Published: December 2013

Background:Enjoyment and play during school lunchtime are correlated with children’s physical activity. Despite this, there is an absence of studies reporting children’s enjoyment of play during school lunchtime breaks. The purpose of this study was to examine the intraday and interday reliability of children’s enjoyment of school lunchtime play.Methods:Surveys used to assess children’s enjoyment of lunchtime play were distributed to and completed by 197 children (112 males, 85 females), aged 8–12 years attending an elementary school in Victoria, Australia. Children completed the surveys during class before lunch (expected enjoyment) and after lunch (actual enjoyment) for 5 days. The intra- and interday enjoyment of school lunchtime play reliability were determined using a weighted kappa.Results:Intraday kappa values ranged from fair (0.31) to substantial (0.75) within each of the 5 days (median kappa = 0.41). In comparison, “expected” (0.09–0.40; median 0.30) and “actual” (0.05–0.46; median 0.28) interday enjoyment of lunchtime play displayed low reliability.Conclusions:Children’s enjoyment of lunchtime play appears to be more consistent within days than across days. The findings suggest that assessment of children’s enjoyment of lunchtime play once on a single day would be representative of a particular day but not necessarily that particular school week.