bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
BRAF V600E and loss of heterozygosity assessment in benign oralneural tumours
Authors: Rodrigues Leonardo Nogueira , Correa GefterThiago Batista , Diniz Marina Gonçalves , Galvão Clarice Ferreira , Gomes Carolina Cavaliéri , Gomez Ricardo Santiago 
Published: June 2015

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to evaluate loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and to assess BRAF V600E mutation in oral neurofibromas, palisaded encapsulated neuromas (PEN) and schwannomas.MethodsSix oral neurofibroma, 5 PEN and 3 schwannoma samples were included in the study. LOH was assessed using polymorphic microsatellite markers at chromosome regions 3p (marker D3S1029), 9p (markers D9S171, D9S162, D9S157), 11q (marker D11S1369), and 17p (markers AFM238WF2 and P53), and results were evaluated after capillary electrophoresis. BRAF mutation encoding V600E was assessed by real‐time PCR with a specific TaqMan probe to detect the T>A transversion at position c.1799.ResultsLOH occurred at chromosomes 3p (marker D3S1029), 11q (D11S1369) and 17p (AFM238WF2 and P53). LOH occurred in 2/6 neurofibromas, 2/5 PEN and in none of the 3 schwannoma samples. The 6 neurofibromas, 2/2 PEN evaluated and the 3 schwannomas were BRAF wild type.ConclusionAccording to our results, oral benign peripheral nerve sheath tumours have a low LOH rate, but P53 locus alteration is occasionally found. Additionally, BRAF V600E mutation is either not relevant to the molecular pathogenesis of this group of lesions of the oral cavity, or may occur at very low rates.
Effect of periodontal surgery on oral health‐related quality of life in patients who have completed initial periodontal therapy
Authors: Makino‐Oi A. , Ishii Y. , Hoshino T. , Okubo N. , Sugito H. , Hosaka Y. , Fukaya C. , Nakagawa T. , Saito A. 
Published: June 2015

Background and ObjectivePatient‐centered assessments are particularly important in periodontal treatment in which their concerns may differ from the traditional clinical endpoints. However, information is limited regarding the influence of periodontal surgery on patients' quality of life (QoL). The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of surgical periodontal therapy on the oral health‐related QoL of patients who have received initial periodontal therapy.MethodsA three‐center prospective clinical study design was used, with the study participants comprising patients with moderate to severe periodontitis. Following initial periodontal therapy, the participants received either surgical or non‐surgical periodontal treatment. The Oral Health‐related Quality of Life Model for Dental Hygiene (OHRQL instrument), was used to assess participants' oral health‐related QoL at each periodontal assessment interval: baseline (phase I), after initial therapy (phase II) and after surgery or during supportive periodontal therapy (phase III).ResultsSeventy‐six patients (26 non‐surgery, 50 surgery) completed the third phase of OHRQL assessment and were subjected to data analysis. From phase II to III, an improvement was achieved in all clinical parameters (p < 0.05–0.001) in the surgery group, whereas no such improvement was observed in the non‐surgery group. In both groups, a significant difference in total OHRQL score was noted between phases I and III (p < 0.001 for surgery and p < 0.05 for non‐surgery). The OHRQL domain scores for pain and eating/chewing function showed a significant improvement between these time points. However, no further significant improvement in OHRQL scores was achieved from phase II to III.ConclusionA significant improvement in oral health‐related QoL was noted between phases I and III in the surgery and non‐surgery groups. Such improvement was less pronounced in the non‐surgery vs. the surgery group. From phase II to III, neither surgery nor non‐surgical treatment yielded significant improvement in oral health‐related QoL.
Effectiveness of triple therapy with simeprevir for chronic hepatitis C genotype 1b patients with prior telaprevir failure
Authors: Ogawa E. , Furusyo N. , Dohmen K. , Kajiwara E. , Kawano A. , Nomura H. , Takahashi K. , Satoh T. , Azuma K. , Nakamuta M. , Koyanagi T. , Kotoh K. , Shimoda S. , Hayashi J. ,   The Kyushu University Liver Disease Study (KULDS) Group
Published: June 2015

SummaryFavourable efficacy and safety profiles for simeprevir in combination with pegylated interferon alpha (PEG‐IFNα) and ribavirin (triple therapy) have been shown in clinical trials. This study was carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of simeprevir‐based triple therapy for patients with prior telaprevir treatment failure. This multicentre, observational cohort consisted of 345 consecutive Japanese patients infected with HCV genotype 1b, including 20 who had experienced telaprevir‐based triple therapy. Amino acid substitutions in the NS3/4A region were identified by direct sequencing at the time of relapse or breakthrough in treatment with telaprevir and at the initiation of treatment with simeprevir. Patients were stratified according to prior response to PEG‐IFNα and ribavirin. Of the 20 patients with telaprevir treatment failure, 10 (50.0%) achieved sustained virological response at week 12 after the end of treatment (SVR12). For patients treatment naïve [3/4 (75.0%)] or with prior relapse [1/1 (100%)] or partial response [5/6 (83.3%)] to PEG‐IFNα and ribavirin, almost all achieved SVR12, mainly because of the improvement of treatment adherence, especially to direct‐acting antiviral agent and ribavirin. However, of the nine patients with prior null response to PEG‐IFNα and ribavirin, only one (11.1%) achieved SVR12, despite all having received an adequate treatment dosage, and five (55.6%) achieved rapid virological response. The treatment outcome of simeprevir‐based triple therapy for HCV genotype 1b patients with prior telaprevir failure depended on the prior response to PEG‐IFNα and ribavirin. For patients with prior null response to PEG‐IFNα and ribavirin, retreatment with simeprevir‐based triple therapy is not a useful option.
What the Humean Should Say About Entanglement
Authors: Bhogal Harjit , Perry Zee 
Published: June 2015

AbstractTim Maudlin has influentially argued that Humeanism about laws of nature stands in conflict with quantum mechanics. Specifically Humeanism implies the principle Separability: the complete physical state of a world is determined by the intrinsic physical state of each space‐time point. Maudlin argues Separability is violated by the entangled states posited by QM. We argue that Maudlin only establishes that a stronger principle, which we call Strong Separability, is in tension with QM. Separability is not in tension with QM. Moreover, while the Humean requires Separability to capture the core tenets of her view, there's no Humean‐specific motivation for accepting Strong Separability. We go on to give a Humean account of entangled states which satisfies Separability. The core idea is that certain quantum states depend upon the Humean mosaic in much the same way as the laws do. In fact, we offer a variant of the Best System account on which the systemization procedure that generates the laws also serves to ground these states. We show how this account works by applying it to the example of Bohmian Mechanics. The 3N‐dimensional configuration space, the world particle in it and the wave function on it are part of the best system of the Humean mosaic, which consists of N particles moving in 3‐dimensional space. We argue that this account is superior to the Humean account of Bohmian Mechanics defended by Loewer and Albert, which takes the 3N‐dimensional space, and its inhabitants, as fundamental.
Leadership and the psychosocial work environment in old age care
Authors: Lundgren Dan , Ernsth‐Bravell Marie , Kåreholt Ingemar 
Published: June 2015

Aims and objectivesTo study leadership factors and their associations with psychosocial work environmental among nursing assistants who are engaged in old age care and to analyse (i) differences in the assessment of leadership factors and the assessment of psychosocial work environmental in nursing homes and home help services and (ii) the association between the psychosocial work environment and factors that are related to leadership in nursing homes and home help services.BackgroundLeadership factors are an important element of the psychosocial work environment in old age care. The physical distance between leaders and nursing assistants is larger in home help services than in nursing homes. Therefore, it is important to study leadership separately in nursing homes and home help services.DesignAssessments from 844 nursing assistants in nursing homes and 288 in home help services (45 nursing homes and 21 home help service units) were analysed.MethodsThe data were analysed using linear regression. Age, gender, number of staff at the unit, number of years at the current working unit and educational level were controlled in Model 1. Summarised indexes that were based on all independent variables except the main independent variable were additionally controlled in Model 2.ResultsPsychosocial work environment was related to leadership factors, but stronger associations occurred more frequently in nursing homes than in home help services. Empowering leadership, support from superiors, the primacy of human resources and control over decisions were associated with higher assessments on all the variables that were related to the psychosocial work environment in both the nursing homes and home help services.ConclusionsOrganisational differences in conducting leadership in old age care must be considered. Some leadership characteristics are better prerequisites for creating and maintaining a positive psychosocial work environment for nursing assistants in nursing homes and home help services.Implications for practiceDue to the differences in organisational settings, it is important to consider the differences in prerequisites in conducting leadership. To influence nursing assistants' performance and to increase quality in old age care in the long term, appropriate leadership is necessary.
IFN‐γ mediates early B‐cell loss in experimental African trypanosomosis
Authors: Cnops J. , De Trez C. , Bulte D. , Radwanska M. , Ryffel B. , Magez S. 
Published: June 2015

SummaryAfrican trypanosomes infect humans and animals throughout the African continent. These parasites maintain chronic infections by various immune evasion strategies. While antigenic variation of their surface coat is the most studied strategy linked to evading the host humoral response, African trypanosomes also induce impaired B‐cell lymphopoiesis, the destruction of the splenic B‐cell compartment and abrogation of protective memory responses. Here we investigate the mechanism of follicular B‐cell destruction. We show that during infection follicular B cells undergo apoptosis, correlating to enhanced Fas death receptor surface expression. Investigation of various type 1 cytokine knockout mice indicates a crucial role of IFN‐γ in the early onset of FoB cell destruction. Indeed, both IFN‐γ−/− and IFN‐γR−/− mice are protected from trypanosomosis‐associated FoB cell depletion, exhibiting an inhibition of B‐cell apoptosis as well as a reduced activation of FoB cells during the first week post‐infection. The data presented herein offer new insights into B‐cell dysfunctioning during experimental African trypanosome infections.
Identification of new morphological differences between Chinese and Caucasian faces and influence of BMI on these characteristics
Authors: Machard A. , Jomier M. , Hottelart D. , Vié K. 
Published: June 2015

BackgroundConcepts of beauty are more and more globalised leading to the homogenisation of the physical appearance. It is therefore important to identify morphological characteristics of ethnic groups. We compare faces from Chinese and Caucasian women, identify morphological differences that were not documented yet and study the influence of BMI on these differences.MethodsThe study was carried on groups of 60 women: a Chinese and a Caucasian group. Both included two equal sub‐groups: normal BMI and higher BMI. Face widths were measured from individual pictures and from reconstructed average faces obtained using a new reconstruction algorithm. Cheek/chin and neck/chin angles were determined from individual pictures. Topography of the cheekbone and temple face was determined by fringe projection technique. Ultrasound analysis allows measurements of hypodermis thickness.ResultsOur innovative average face reconstruction algorithm produced images of a yet unequalled quality with width characteristics similar to those of individual pictures. Analysis shows that faces of Chinese women are larger and rounder. They present other differences that were so far unidentified. Finally, overweight impacts differently Chinese and Caucasian women faces and has greater influence on Chinese women faces.
Rare cause of jaundice in a post liver transplant patient
Authors: She W.H. , Chok K.S.H. , Lo R.C.L. , Chan S.C. , Lo C.M. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractA hepatitis B virus carrier suffering from acute flare of chronic hepatitis B infection underwent deceased‐donor liver transplantation. He was put on the immunosuppressive agent tacrolimus. On routine follow‐up, he was found to have abnormal liver function. Computed tomography scan of the abdomen did not show any dilatation of the biliary system. Liver biopsy showed scattered microabscesses, and a microgranuloma was detected. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography was performed and a biliary anastomotic stricture (BAS) was noted. In addition, the Chinese liver fluke, Clonorchis sinensis, was discovered. Balloon dilatation and stenting were performed. The patient was given a course of praziquantel. His liver function improved and normalized. We present the case of a liver transplant recipient with cholangitis caused by C. sinensis infestation and infection and biliary obstruction resulting from BAS.
Improvement of plateletpheresis via technical modification on the MCS+
Authors: Zhou Q. , Yu X. , Liu L. , Cai Y. 
Published: June 2015

SUMMARYBackgroundWith the advantage of easy operation and high reliability, Haemonetics multicomponent collection system (MCS+) is widely used as a blood cell separator in clinical application.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of technical parameter modification as utilised on the MCS+ to improve the quality of platelet yielded as well as donor comfort.MethodsAfter informed consent, a total of 118 donors, well matched for baseline parameters, were included in the study from December 2012 to April 2013. Sixty‐one donors underwent single‐dose plateletpheresis (SDP), and the other 57 donors underwent double‐dose plateletpheresis (DDP) before and after technical modification on the MCS+, respectively, according to the manufacturer's instructions. The procedures were evaluated, focusing on whole blood processed (WBP), processing time (PT) and number of cycles were measured, as well as the quality of products.ResultsNo severe adverse reaction was found during donation. WBP, PT and number of cycles after modification were all reduced significantly in both SDP and DDP groups (P < 0·01). In addition, 80·51 % (95 in 118) of the total post‐modification products were qualified, presenting with high quality. Besides, the comfort of donors was also improved probably because of the reduced PT.ConclusionAdjustment of the relevant technical parameters on MCS+ could produce a beneficial effect on the procedure measures and ensure a high‐quality platelet production.
Treatment of corneal squamous cell carcinoma using topical 1% 5‐fluorouracil as monotherapy
Authors: Dorbandt Daniel M. , Driskell Elizabeth A. , Hamor Ralph E. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThe purpose of this report is to discuss the use of topical 1% 5‐fluorouracil as a sole therapy for canine corneal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). A 12‐year‐old castrated male pug was evaluated for a well‐demarcated, central, 3 mm in diameter, pale pink, raised, right corneal mass. An incisional biopsy was obtained using a #64 beaver blade after topical anesthesia and without sedation. A definitive diagnosis of corneal SCC was obtained after histopathologic evaluation of the biopsy. Topical 1% 5‐fluorouracil ointment was applied to the right eye four times daily for 2 weeks followed by no treatment for 2 weeks, then treatment again twice daily for 2 weeks. The cornea remained free of recurrence 10 months after cessation of treatment. In dogs affected with corneal SCC, topical 1% 5‐fluorouracil monotherapy may be a viable and cost‐effective treatment option with minimal side effects. This chemotherapy agent may also have an effect on corneal pigmentation. Chronic cyclosporine therapy did not contribute to the pathogenesis of corneal SCC in the case described.
A case study of evidence for showing ‘no net loss’ of bird biodiversity in a development project
Authors: Murata Natsuki , Feest Alan 
Published: June 2015

AbstractGiven the development of global pressures on habitats and biodiversity, it is important that developments are accompanied with a compensation element leading to ‘no net loss’. We show how (using a standardised sampling process) a statistical assessment of the biodiversity quality of the target organisms (birds) in a compensatory provision can be shown to be a compensation or not. We used the example of the Cardiff Bay Barrage (Wales) where a bay was inundated and compensation site at Newport Gwent Levels (Wales) created. Bird data for the Cardiff Bay prior to the inundation and for Newport following inundation of Cardiff Bay were analysed to create a series of biodiversity quality indices and these were compared statistically. The analysis showed the compensation habitat was better than the original. Results were poor for Dunlin and Redshank, already subject to regional decline in the Severn Estuary and estuaries in NW Europe.
Optical cone beam tomography of Cherenkov‐mediated signals for fast 3D dosimetry of x‐ray photon beams in water
Authors: Glaser Adam K. , Andreozzi Jacqueline M. , Zhang Rongxiao , Pogue Brian W. , Gladstone David J. 
Published: June 2015

Purpose:To test the use of a three‐dimensional (3D) optical cone beam computed tomography reconstruction algorithm, for estimation of the imparted 3D dose distribution from megavoltage photon beams in a water tank for quality assurance, by imaging the induced Cherenkov‐excited fluorescence (CEF).Methods:An intensified charge‐coupled device coupled to a standard nontelecentric camera lens was used to tomographically acquire two‐dimensional (2D) projection images of CEF from a complex multileaf collimator (MLC) shaped 6 MV linear accelerator x‐ray photon beam operating at a dose rate of 600 MU/min. The resulting projections were used to reconstruct the 3D CEF light distribution, a potential surrogate of imparted dose, using a Feldkamp–Davis–Kress cone beam back reconstruction algorithm. Finally, the reconstructed light distributions were compared to the expected dose values from one‐dimensional diode scans, 2D film measurements, and the 3D distribution generated from the clinical Varian ECLIPSE treatment planning system using a gamma index analysis. A Monte Carlo derived correction was applied to the Cherenkov reconstructions to account for beam hardening artifacts.Results:3D light volumes were successfully reconstructed over a 400 × 400 × 350 mm3 volume at a resolution of 1 mm. The Cherenkov reconstructions showed agreement with all comparative methods and were also able to recover both inter‐ and intra‐MLC leaf leakage. Based upon a 3%/3 mm criterion, the experimental Cherenkov light measurements showed an 83%–99% pass fraction depending on the chosen threshold dose.Conclusions:The results from this study demonstrate the use of optical cone beam computed tomography using CEF for the profiling of the imparted dose distribution from large area megavoltage photon beams in water.
Validation of a New Counter for Direct Observation of Physical Activity in Parks
Authors: Han Bing , Cohen Deborah A. , Derose Kathryn Pitkin , Marsh Terence , Williamson Stephanie , Raaen Laura 
Published: June 2015

Purpose:This study aims to examine the reliability of a 12-button counter to simultaneously assess physical activity (PA) by age and gender subgroups in park settings.Methods:A total of 1,160 pairs of observations were conducted in 481 target areas of 19 neighborhood parks in the great Los Angeles, California, area between June 2013 and March 2014. Interrater reliability was assessed by Pearson’s correlation, intra-class correlation (ICC), and agreement probability in metabolic equivalents (METs). Cosine similarity was used to check the resemblance of distributions among age and gender categories. Pictures taken in a total of 112 target areas at the beginning of the observations were used as a second reliability check.Results:Interrater reliability was high for the total METs and METs in all age and gender categories (between 0.82 and 0.97), except for male seniors (correlations and ICC between 0.64 and 0.77, agreement probability 0.85 to 0.86). Reliability was higher for total METs than for METs spent in moderate-to-vigorous PA. Correlation and ICC between observers’ measurement and picture-based counts are also high (between 0.79 and 0.94).Conclusion:Trained observers can reliably use the 12-button counter to accurately assess PA distribution and disparities by age and gender.
Elmohardyia Rafael (Diptera, Pipunculidae) from northeastern Brazil: new records and description of new species
Authors: MARQUES DAYSE W.A. , RAFAEL JOSÉ A. 
Published: June 2015

Eleven species of Elmohardyia are recorded for the first time in northeastern Brazil, the most arid Brazilian region. There are two new records, E. lindneri (Collin) and E. trinidadensis (Hardy), and nine new species, which are here described and illustrated: Elmohardyia cearensis sp. nov.; E. cheliformis sp. nov.; E. distincta sp. nov.; E. formosa sp. nov.; E. limeirai sp. nov.; E. martae sp. nov.; E. potiguar sp. nov.; E. quadricornis sp. nov. and E. rosalinae sp. nov.
Diagnosing Isopycnal Diffusivity in an Eddying, Idealized Midlatitude Ocean Basin via Lagrangian, in Situ, Global, High-Performance Particle Tracking (LIGHT)
Authors: Wolfram Phillip J. , Ringler Todd D. , Maltrud Mathew E. , Jacobsen Douglas W. , Petersen Mark R. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractIsopycnal diffusivity due to stirring by mesoscale eddies in an idealized, wind-forced, eddying, midlatitude ocean basin is computed using Lagrangian, in Situ, Global, High-Performance Particle Tracking (LIGHT). Simulation is performed via LIGHT within the Model for Prediction across Scales Ocean (MPAS-O). Simulations are performed at 4-, 8-, 16-, and 32-km resolution, where the first Rossby radius of deformation (RRD) is approximately 30 km. Scalar and tensor diffusivities are estimated at each resolution based on 30 ensemble members using particle cluster statistics. Each ensemble member is composed of 303 665 particles distributed across five potential density surfaces. Diffusivity dependence upon model resolution, velocity spatial scale, and buoyancy surface is quantified and compared with mixing length theory. The spatial structure of diffusivity ranges over approximately two orders of magnitude with values of O(105) m2 s−1 in the region of western boundary current separation to O(103) m2 s−1 in the eastern region of the basin. Dominant mixing occurs at scales twice the size of the first RRD. Model resolution at scales finer than the RRD is necessary to obtain sufficient model fidelity at scales between one and four RRD to accurately represent mixing. Mixing length scaling with eddy kinetic energy and the Lagrangian time scale yield mixing efficiencies that typically range between 0.4 and 0.8. A reduced mixing length in the eastern region of the domain relative to the west suggests there are different mixing regimes outside the baroclinic jet region.