bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of epilepsy—An unknown quantity
Authors: Beghi Ettore , Hesdorffer Dale 
Published: June 2014

SummaryThe incidence, prevalence, and mortality of epilepsy vary across countries with different economies. Differences can be explained by methodological problems, premature mortality, seizure remission, socioeconomic factors, and stigma. Diagnostic misclassification—one possible explanation—may result from inclusion of patients with acute symptomatic or isolated unprovoked seizures. Other sources of bias include age and ethnic origin of the target population, definitions of epilepsy, retrospective versus prospective ascertainment, sources of cases, and experienced and perceived stigma. Premature mortality is an issue in low‐income countries (LICs), where treatment gap, brain infections, and traumatic brain injuries are more common than in high‐income countries (HICs). Death rates may reflect untreated continued seizures or inclusion of acute symptomatic seizures. Lack of compliance with antiepileptic drugs has been associated with increased risk for death, increased hospital admissions, motor vehicle accidents, and fractures in poor communities. Epilepsy is a self‐remitting clinical condition in up to 50% of cases. Studies in untreated individuals from LICs have shown that the proportion of remissions overlaps that of countries where patients receive treatment. When the identification of patients is based on spontaneous reports (e.g., door‐to‐door surveys), patients in remission may be less likely to disclose the disease for fear of stigmatization with no concurrent benefits. This might lead to underascertainment of cases when assessing the lifetime prevalence of epilepsy. In LICs, the proportion of people living in poverty is greater than in HICs. Poverty is associated with risk factors for epilepsy, risk for developing epilepsy, and increased mortality. The high incidence and prevalence of epilepsy found in LICs is also observed in low income individuals from HICs. Epileptogenic conditions are associated with an increased mortality. This may partly explain the difference between incidence and lifetime prevalence of epilepsy in LICs. Poverty within LICs and HICs could be a preventable cause of mortality in epilepsy.A PowerPoint slide summarizing this article is available for download in the Supporting Information section here.
Size‐Dependent Male Mate Preference and its Association with Size‐Assortative Mating in a Mangrove Snail, Littoraria ardouiniana
Authors: Ng Terence P. T. , Williams Gray A. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractIn many animals, body size plays a crucial role in mating success in the context of competition and preference for mates. Increasing evidence has shown that male mate preference can be size‐dependent and, therefore, an important driver of size‐assortative mating. To test this theory, mate choice experiments were performed during the three consecutive stages of mating behaviour, namely trail following, shell mounting and copulation, in the dioecious mangrove snail, Littoraria ardouiniana. These experiments identified two possible forms of size‐dependent male mate preference which could contribute to the formation of size‐assortative mating in these snails. Firstly, whereas small males were unselective, large males were selective and preferred to follow mucus trails laid by large females. Alternatively, the results can also be interpreted as all males were selective and adopted a mating strategy of selecting females similar to, or larger than, their own sizes. Both small and large males also copulated for longer with large than with small females, and this was more pronounced in large males. When two males encountered a female, they engaged in physical aggression, with the larger male excluding the smaller male from copulating with the female. This study, therefore, demonstrated that size‐dependent male mate preference may, along with male–male competition, play an important role in driving size‐assortative mating in these mangrove snails, and this may also be the case in other species that exhibit male mate choice.
EU Citizenship without Duties
Authors: Kochenov Dimitry 
Published: June 2014

AbstractMany believe that duties should be at the essence of citizenship. This paper dismisses this view, using EU law as the main context of analysis, by making five interrelated claims. (1) There are no empirically observable duties of EU citizenship; (2) such duties would lack any legal‐theoretical foundation, if the contrary were true; (3) legal‐theoretical foundations of the duties of citizenship are lacking also at the Member State level; (4) EU law plays an important role in undermining the ability of the Member States where residual duties remain to enforce them; (5) this development is part of a greater EU input into the strengthening of democracy, the rule of law and human rights in the Member States and reflects a general trend of de‐dutification of citizenship around the democratic world. If these conclusions are correct, it is time to stop categorising EU citizenship duties among the desiderata of EU law.
Laminar inflammatory events in lean and obese ponies subjected to high carbohydrate feeding: Implications for pasture‐associated laminitis
Authors: Burns T. A. , Watts M. R. , Weber P. S. , McCutcheon L. J. , Geor R. J. , Belknap J. K. 
Published: June 2014

SummaryReasons for performing studyAcute, massive enteral carbohydrate overload is associated with laminar inflammation in equids; it is unclear if the same is true for a more prolonged period of moderate dietary carbohydrate intake.ObjectivesTo characterise laminar inflammation in ponies exposed to a dietary carbohydrate challenge meant to mimic acute pasture exposure.Study designIn vivo experiment.MethodsMixed‐breed ponies (n = 22) received a diet of hay chop (nonstructural carbohydrate [NSC] ∼7% on a dry matter [DM] basis) for 4 weeks prior to initiation of the experimental feeding protocol. Following dietary acclimation, ponies were stratified into either Lean (n = 11, body condition score [BCS] ≤4) or Obese (n = 11, BCS ≥7) groups and each group further stratified to either remain on the control, low NSC diet (n = 5 each for Obese and Lean) or receive a high NSC diet (hay chop supplemented with sweet feed and oligofructose, total diet ∼42% NSC; n = 6 each for Obese and Lean) for a period of 7 days. Laminar samples were collected following euthanasia and sections stained immunohistochemically for CD163, MAC387/calprotectin and cyclo‐oxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) using commercially available antibodies. The number of CD163 (+) and MAC387(+) cells was quantified for each section; the distribution of COX‐2 expression was qualitatively assessed. Laminar mRNA concentrations of several proinflammatory molecules (interleukin‐1β [IL‐1β], IL‐6, tumour necrosis factor‐α [TNFα], IL‐8, IL‐10, monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 [MCP‐1], MCP‐2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1), E‐selectin, plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 (PAI‐1) and COX‐2 were evaluated using real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).ResultsHigh carbohydrate feeding resulted in no increase in laminar proinflammatory cytokine expression; laminar COX‐2 expression was increased by high carbohydrate feeding. No laminar leucocyte infiltration was observed in response to high carbohydrate feeding.ConclusionsThese results suggest that the marked laminar inflammation observed in models of sepsis‐associated laminitis may not play a central role in the pathophysiology of pasture‐associated laminitis.
Ribosomal mutations affecting the translation of genes that use non‐optimal codons
Authors: Pelchovich Gidi , Nadejda Sigal , Dana Alexandra , Tuller Tamir , Bravo Ignacio G. , Gophna Uri 
Published: June 2014

Genes that are laterally acquired by a new host species often contain codons that are non‐optimal to the tRNA repertoire of the new host, which may lead to insufficient translational levels. Inefficient translation can be overcome by different mechanisms, such as incremental amelioration of the coding sequence, compensatory mutations in the regulatory sequences leading to increased transcription or increase in gene copy number. However, there is also a possibility that ribosomal mutations can improve the expression of such genes. To test this hypothesis, we examined the effects of point mutations in the endogenous ribosomal proteins S12 and S5 in Escherichia coli, which are known to be involved in the decoding of the mRNA, on the efficiency of translation of exogenous genes that use non‐optimal codons, in vivo. We show that an S12 mutant in E. coli is able to express exogenous genes, with non‐optimal codons, to higher levels than the wild‐type, and explore the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon in this mutant. Our results suggest that the transient emergence of mutants that allow efficient expression of exogenous genes with non‐optimal codons could also increase the chances of fixation of laterally transferred genes.
Coral–algal phase shifts alter fish communities and reduce fisheries production
Authors: Ainsworth Cameron H. , Mumby Peter. J. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractAnthropogenic stress has been shown to reduce coral coverage in ecosystems all over the world. A phase shift towards an algae‐dominated system may accompany coral loss. In this case, the composition of the reef‐associated fish assemblage will change and human communities relying on reef fisheries for income and food security may be negatively impacted. We present a case study based on the Raja Ampat Archipelago in Eastern Indonesia. Using a dynamic food web model, we simulate the loss of coral reefs with accompanied transition towards an algae‐dominated state and quantify the likely change in fish populations and fisheries productivity. One set of simulations represents extreme scenarios, including 100% loss of coral. In this experiment, ecosystem changes are driven by coral loss itself and a degree of habitat dependency by reef fish is assumed. An alternative simulation is presented without assumed habitat dependency, where changes to the ecosystem are driven by historical observations of reef fish communities when coral is lost. The coral–algal phase shift results in reduced biodiversity and ecosystem maturity. Relative increases in the biomass of small‐bodied fish species mean higher productivity on reefs overall, but much reduced landings of traditionally targeted species.
Festulolium fibre characteristics and digestibility as affected by maturity
Authors: Østrem L. , Volden B. , Steinshamn H. , Volden H. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThis study compared the forage quality ofFestulolium entries of festucoid (Hykor) and loloid attributes (Felopa andNorwegian candivars) with major cultivars of the parent species perennial ryegrass and meadow fescue, and with timothy. ForageNDF, iNDF, kdNDFandDDMwere analysed at vegetative stage, early heading, heading and anthesis during spring growth (SG) and two subsequent regrowths over two production years at two locations in Norway.NDFand iNDFincreased and kdNDFandDDMdecreased with advancing maturity, mostly expressed inSG, with negative correlations betweenDDMandNDFand iNDFandADL, and strong positive correlations with kdNDF. InSG, across years and locations, the content of NDF at heading stage was 30% higher and iNDF400% higher in stems than in leaves, while stem kdNDFwas about 50% of that in leaves. In general, timothy cv.Grindstad andFestulolium cv.Hykor had the highestNDFandiNDFand the lowest kdNDFvalues.Loloid entries ofFestulolium were quite similar to perennial ryegrass, although the tetraploid entry proved better than the others with respect to forage quality. Regarding nutritive value, the festucoid and loloid types ofFestulolium should be considered separate groups. The effect of year was more pronounced than that of location, for which the ranking of entries was quite similar. LoloidFestulolium is prone to winter damage, and, although it has higher nutritive value than the parent species, its use will depend on the conditions for winter survival.
Genetic factors influencing inhibitor development in a cohort of South African haemophilia A patients
Authors: Lochan A. , Macaulay S. , Chen W. C. , Mahlangu J. N. , Krause A. 
Published: June 2014

SummaryA critical complication of factor VIII (FVIII) replacement therapy in Haemophilia A (HA) treatment is inhibitor development. Known genetic factors predisposing to inhibitor development include FVIII (F8) gene mutations, ethnicity, a family history of inhibitors and FVIII haplotype mismatch. The aim of this study was to characterize and correlate these genetic factors in a cohort of South African HA patients. This was a retrospective study that included 229 patients and involved the analysis of patient files, HA molecular and clinical databases and molecular analysis of the F8 gene haplotype. Of the 229 patients, 51% were of black ethnicity, 49% were white, 5% had mild HA, 4% were moderate and 91% were severe, 36% were int22 positive and 13% were inhibitor positive. Of the inhibitor positive patients, 72% were black patients. Inhibitors were reported in 27% of black int22 positive patients, 13% of black int22 negative patients, 9% of white int22 positive patients and 7% of white int22 negative. The H1 haplotype was more common in whites (75%) and H2 was more common in blacks (74%). H3 and H5 were only found in black patients and had a higher frequency of inhibitor development than H1 and H2. In this small HA cohort, black patients had a significantly higher frequency of inhibitor development and the results were indicative of an association between inhibitor development, ethnicity and haplotype.
A prospective study of the incidence of asymptomatic pulp necrosis following crown preparation
Authors: Kontakiotis E. G. , Filippatos C. G. , Stefopoulos S. , Tzanetakis G. N. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractAimTo determine the incidence of asymptomatic pulp necrosis following crown preparation as well as the positive predictive value of the electric pulp testing.MethodologyA total of 120 teeth with healthy pulps scheduled to receive fixed crowns (experimental teeth) were included. Teeth were divided into two groups according to the preoperative crown condition (intact teeth and teeth with preoperative caries, restorations or crowns) and into four groups according to tooth type (maxillary anterior teeth, maxillary posterior teeth, mandibular anterior teeth and mandibular posterior teeth). Experimental and control teeth were submitted to electric pulp testing on three different occasions before treatment commencement (stage 0), at the impression making session (stage 1) and just before the final cementation of the crown (stage 2). Teeth that were considered to contain necrotic pulps were submitted to root canal treatment. Upon access, absence of bleeding was considered as a confirmation of pulp necrosis. Data were analysed using bivariate (chi‐square) and multivariate analysis (logistic regression). All reported probability values (P‐values) were based on two‐sided tests and compared to a significance level of 5%.ResultsThe overall incidence of pulp necrosis was 9%. Intact teeth had a significantly lower incidence of pulp necrosis (5%) compared with preoperatively structurally compromised teeth (13%) [(OR: 9.113, P = 0.035)]. No significant differences were found amongst the four groups with regard to tooth type (P = 0.923). The positive predictive value of the electric pulp testing was 1.00.ConclusionsThe incidence of asymptomatic pulp necrosis of teeth following crown preparation is noteworthy. The presence of preoperative caries, restorations or crowns of experimental teeth correlated with a significantly higher incidence of pulp necrosis. Electric pulp testing remains a useful diagnostic instrument for determining the pulp condition.
Adult pityriasis lichenoides‐like mycosis fungoides: a clinical variant of mycosis fungoides
Authors: de Unamuno Bustos Blanca , Ferriols Amparo P. , Sánchez Rosa B. , Rabasco Ana G. , Vela Carmen G. , Piris Miguel A. , Alegre de Míquel Víctor 
Published: June 2014

AbstractBackgroundMycosis fungoides (MF) is the most frequent type of cutaneous T cell lymphoma. Its clinicopathological spectrum is wide, and the resulting diversity makes it difficult to establish a differential diagnosis among pityriasis lichenoides (PL), lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP), and atypical MF.ObjectivesThis study describes four patients with longstanding PL‐like lesions, in whom clinicopathological correlations contributed towards the establishment of definitive diagnoses of MF.MethodsThe clinical histories of the four patients were reviewed. Skin biopsies were processed by hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemical techniques. Disease spread was studied according to laboratory tests, complete blood counts, biochemical parameters, lactate dehydrogenase, lymphocyte populations, and Sézary cells. Thoracoabdominopelvic computed tomography was performed.ResultsThe four patients included two women and two men, aged 35–70 years, all of whom had chronic skin lesions located mainly on the trunk and extremities. In three patients, initial clinicopathological correlations led to the diagnosis of PL; further biopsies were required to diagnose MF. In all patients, the atypical lymphocytic infiltrate showed a lichenoid or perivascular distribution with focal epidermotropism and parakeratosis. All cases proved positive for CD4 and CD3, and negative for CD20, CD8, and CD30. Polymerase chain reaction showed monoclonal‐type T cells in one and polyclonal infiltrates in three patients. All patients were initially treated with topical corticosteroids and photochemotherapy. None of the treatments proved completely successful, but subsequent tests have yielded no evidence of disease progression in any patient.ConclusionsIn patients with clinical features of longstanding PL and histological findings consistent with MF, differential diagnosis must include PL, LyP, and papular MF. As some forms of PL evolve towards MF and PL‐like forms of MF, these patients should undergo regular follow‐up and repeated biopsies in order to discard diagnoses of atypical forms of MF.
Human papillomavirus vaccine acceptance among young men in Bangalore, India
Authors: Belani Hrishikesh Kumar , Sekar Poorani , Guhaniyogi Rajarshi , Abraham Anil , Bohjanen Paul R. , Bohjanen Kim 
Published: June 2014

AbstractBackgroundHuman papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world. It can lead to anogenital, cervical, and head and neck cancer, with higher risk of malignant disease in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients. In India, 73,000 of the 130,000 women diagnosed with cervical cancer die annually. Gardasil®, a vaccine available against HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18, is approved for use in women in India but not men. A backlash to post‐licensure trials has created a negative public opinion of the vaccine for women. Vaccinating boys and men is an alternate approach to prevent cervical cancer in women. This study gauges facilitators and barriers to vaccination acceptance among men in Bangalore, India.Materials and methodsYoung men presenting to a dermatology clinic or an ART center in Bangalore, India, answered a seven‐point survey assessing acceptance of the HPV vaccine, perceived barriers to vaccination, and acceptance of vaccination for their children. Ninety‐three general dermatology patients and 85 patients with HIV/AIDS participated.ResultsThere was a high degree of vaccine acceptance for both groups, 83 and 98%, respectively. Vaccine side effects and cost were cited as key barriers to vaccination, and doctor recommendation and government approval were the main facilitators.ConclusionThere is potential for high acceptability of the HPV vaccine among men in India. These results can facilitate further study of vaccine acceptance among males and physician opinion and knowledge about HPV vaccine use. Vaccination of males is a hopeful strategy to protect men and women from HPV‐related malignancies.
Evaluation of nasal and oropharyngeal flora in patients with acne vulgaris according to treatment options
Authors: Ozuguz Pınar , Callioglu Elif E. , Tulaci Kamil G. , Kacar Seval D. , Balta Ilknur , Asik Gulsah , Karatas Serap , Karaca Semsettin 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate changes in nasal and oropharyngeal flora in patients with acne during treatments with tetracycline and isotretinoin. Swab specimens were taken from the right and left nasal cavities and oropharynx of 55 patients with acne and 20 healthy volunteers who were admitted to the dermatology department (Etlik Educational and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey) before the administration of treatment and in the third month of treatment. Study participants were divided into four groups as follows: patients with acne on topical treatment only, systemic isotretinoin, and systemic tetracycline, and the control group. Of 55 patients with acne, 18 were male and 37 were female. The mean age of the patients and the control group was 22.21 ± 4.22 and 21.95 ± 7.64, respectively. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from the nasal flora of five patients, normal flora was suppressed in the oropharyngeal cultures of seven patients, and normal flora grew in the cultures of the other 20 patients who were on tetracycline treatment. On the other hand, normal flora grew in the nasal and oropharyngeal cultures of all the patients who were on isotretinoin treatment. Treatment options and follow‐up procedures for acne vulgaris may lead to the development of bacterial resistance and damage to flora. In particular, systemic tetracycline treatment leads to changes in flora of the nose and throat in patients with acne with an increased carriage of S. aureus. Therefore, careful attention should be paid to the duration of tetracycline treatment in order to not increase the risk of disturbance of microbial flora.
Incomplete penetrance of GLMN gene c.395–1G>C mutation in a family with glomuvenous malformations
Authors: Borroni Riccardo G. , Grassi Sara , Diegoli Marta , Grasso Maurizia , Arbustini Eloisa 
Published: June 2014

AbstractGlomuvenous malformations (GVMs, OMIM 138000) are hamartomas presenting in childhood as multiple, bluish, soft papules and nodules that tend to grow slowly in size and number with age. They are caused by autosomal dominant mutations in glomulin (GLMN) gene; penetrance varies from 80% at 20 to about 100% at age 30 years. We report on the c.395–1G>C mutation of GLMN gene in two siblings showing variable penetrance.
Analysis of the influence of dabigatran on coagulation factors and inhibitors
Authors: Tsutsumi Y. , Shimono J. , Ohhigashi H. , Ito S. , Shiratori S. , Teshima T. 
Published: June 2014

SummaryIntroductionDabigatran is an oral intake thrombin inhibitor for preventive administration against stroke accompanied by atrial fibrillation. Although dabigatran causes prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), the effect of dabigatran on each coagulation factor and coagulation factor inhibitor remains to be investigated. Our aim was to analyze the influence of dabigatran on coagulation factors and coagulation factor inhibitors.MethodsWe administered dabigatran to 40 patients. In 26 of these 40, we analyzed the activity of several coagulation factors and their inhibitors. We used Fisher's exact test to determine statistical significance.ResultsThe activities of many coagulation factors changed during the dabigatran therapy. Factor II levels decreased in all patients showing prolongation of partial thromboplastin (PT) and APTT. The antifactor VIII inhibitor was positive in the majority of patients with prolonged PT and APTT, while activities of protein C, protein S, and antifactor IX inhibitor were not associated with PT and APTT prolongation.ConclusionDabigatran affects the activities of many coagulation factors, including factors II, V, VIII, and IX, as well as the antifactor VIII inhibitor.