bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of an adjustable anchored single‐incision mini‐sling, Ajust®, with a standard mid‐urethral sling, TVT‐OTM: a health economic evaluation
Authors: Boyers Dwayne , Kilonzo Mary , Mostafa Alyaa , Abdel‐Fattah Mohamed 
Published: July 2013

Objectives
To assess the cost, quality of life (QoL) and cost‐effectiveness of a single‐incision mini‐sling (SIMS; Ajust®, C. R. Bard Inc., New Providence, NJ, USA) compared with a standard mid‐urethral sling (SMUS; TVT‐O™, Ethicon Inc., Somerville, NJ, USA) in the surgical management of female stress urinary incontinence.
Patients and Methods
A total of 137 women, in a secondary care setting, were randomized between October 2009 and October 2011 to undergo SIMS placement (n = 69) under local anaesthesia as an opt‐out policy or SMUS placement (n = 68) under general anaesthesia.
Clinical outcome measures included the patient‐reported success rate (Patient Global Impression of Improvement [PGI‐I]) and the impact on the patients’ QoL (King's Health Questionnaire [KHQ]).
Health economic data (cost and quality‐adjusted life year [QALY] data) were compared using linear regression models to generate an incremental cost per QALY estimate, in order to determine a measure of cost‐effectiveness.
Deterministic sensitivity analyses investigated uncertainty in the results, and non‐parametric bootstrapping techniques were used to estimate a probability of cost‐effectiveness.
Results
There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of the KHQ total score (P = 0.27) or the patient‐reported success rate (P = 1.00, odds ratio: 0.895; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.344 to 2.330).
There was no significant difference in QALYs for the SIMS group compared with the SMUS group (mean difference: −0.003; 95% CI: −0.008 to +0.002).
The SIMS was on average less costly, −£142.41 95% CI: (−316.99 to 32.17) and generated cost savings of £48 419 per QALY loss with 94% probability of cost savings to the health services.
Taking a wider perspective on the costing analysis by including the wider community benefit associated with the significantly earlier return to work observed in the SIMS group (P = 0.006, 95% CI: 11.756 to 17.217), there was an increase in cost savings to −£477, (95% CI: −823.65 to −129.63), with a probability of 100% of cost savings to the wider economy.
Conclusions
The adjustable anchored SIMS (Ajust), performed under local anaesthesia as an opt‐out policy, delivers cost savings to the health service provider when compared with the SMUS (TVT‐O), and is likely to be cost‐effective up to 1 year after placement.
Further research should be undertaken to confirm the results of our study over longer follow‐up and should explore patient preferences alongside an adequately powered non‐inferiority randomized controlled trial.
Impact of pneumonia on hospitalizations due to acute exacerbations of COPD
Authors: Andreassen Siw Lillevik , Liaaen Erik Dyb , Stenfors Nikolai , Henriksen Anne H. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractBackground and AimsPneumonia is often diagnosed among patients hospitalized with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). The aims of this study were to find the proportion of patients with pneumonia among admissions due to AECOPD and whether pneumonia has impact on the length of stay (LOS), usage of non‐invasive ventilation (NIV) or the in‐hospital mortality.MethodsRetrospectively, all hospitalizations in 2005 due to AECOPD in the Departments of Internal and Respiratory Medicine in one Swedish and two Norwegian hospitals were analyzed. A total of 1144 admittances (731 patients) were identified from patient administrative systems. Pneumonic AECOPD (pAECOPD) was defined as pneumonic infiltrates on chest X‐ray and C‐reactive protein (CRP) value of ≥40 mg/L, and non‐pneumonic AECOPD (npAECOPD) was defined as no pneumonic infiltrate on X‐ray and CRP value of <40 at admittance.ResultsIn admissions with pAECOPD (n = 237), LOS was increased (median 9 days vs 5 days, P < 0.001) and usage of NIV was more frequent (18.1% vs 12.5%, P = 0.04), but no significant increase in the in‐hospital mortality (3.8% vs 3.6%) was found compared to admissions with npAECOPD. A higher proportion of those with COPD GOLD stage I–II had pAECOPD compared to those with COPD GOLD stage III–IV (28.2% vs 18.7%, P = 0.001).ConclusionsIn‐hospital morbidity, but not mortality, was increased among admissions with pAECOPD compared to npAECOPD. This may, in part, be explained by the extensive treatment with antibiotics and NIV in patients with pAECOPD.
Combined blue nevus‐smooth muscle hamartoma: a series of 12 cases
Authors: Tzu Julia , Goldman Chloe , Perry Ann E. , Meehan Shane A. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractBackgroundOne of the most common types of combined melanocytic nevus is that of a blue nevus with ordinary melanocytic nevus. Blue nevi have also been described in association with non‐melanocytic cell types, such as those of neural or mesenchymal derivation. Although there are rare descriptions in the literature of blue nevi with myomatous structures, the specific association of combined blue nevi with smooth muscle hyperplasia has not been reportedMethodsWe review the clinicopathological features of 12 cases of combined blue nevi with smooth muscle hyperplasia.ResultsThe majority of these lesions occurred on the back of middle‐aged patients and were clinically interpreted as melanocytic nevi or melanoma. Histopathologic examination revealed a combined population of ‘common’ and blue nevus melanocytes with accompanying smooth muscle hyperplasia. In addition to a lentiginous proliferation of melanocytes at the dermal‐epidermal junction with variable basilar hyperpigmentation, there were varying degrees of epidermal acanthosis and follicular induction (three cases).ConclusionWe present an unusual hamartoma with features of combined blue nevus and smooth muscle hyperplasia, which has not been previously described.
Pesticide tolerance in amphibians: induced tolerance in susceptible populations, constitutive tolerance in tolerant populations
Authors: Hua Jessica , Morehouse Nathan I. , Relyea Rick 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThe role of plasticity in shaping adaptations is important to understanding the expression of traits within individuals and the evolution of populations. With increasing human impacts on the environment, one challenge is to consider how plasticity shapes responses to anthropogenic stressors such as contaminants. To our knowledge, only one study (using mosquitoes) has considered the possibility of induced insecticide tolerance. Using populations of wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) located close to and far from agricultural fields, we discovered that exposing some populations of embryos and hatchlings to sublethal concentrations of the insecticide carbaryl induced higher tolerance to a subsequent lethal concentration later in life. Interestingly, the inducible populations were located >800 m from agricultural areas and were the most susceptible to the insecticide. In contrast, the noninducible populations were located close to agricultural areas and were the least susceptible. We also found that sublethal concentrations of carbaryl induced higher tadpole AChE concentrations in several cases. This is the first study to demonstrate inducible tolerance in a vertebrate species and the pattern of inducible and constitutive tolerance among populations suggests the process of genetic assimilation.
Climate change in tropical fresh waters (comment on the paper ‘Plankton dynamics under different climatic conditions in space and time’ by de Senerpont Domis et al., )
Authors: Sarmento Hugo , Amado André M. , Descy Jean‐Pierre 
Published: July 2013

Summary

de Senerpont Domis et al. (2013, Freshwater Biology, 58, 463–482) forecasted changes in plankton dynamics in temperate, polar and tropical regions resulting from climate change. For tropical regions, they predicted an increase in precipitation intensity that would increase nutrient loading, increasing phytoplankton biomass and select for plankton adapted to flushing.

We do not agree with these predictions, as regional projections from the IPCC did not forecast a major increase in precipitation in tropical regions. The only regions where a slight increase in precipitation was projected were eastern Africa and South‐East Asia. In eastern Africa, the major freshwater bodies are large, deep lakes that have very long residence times and are unlikely to be affected by flushing. Moreover, nutrient inputs from their catchment represent a small fraction of their total nutrient loading.

Several independent studies carried out in this region have provided evidence of a decrease in primary productivity in some of these large tropical lakes due to climate change. The major process providing nutrients to the euphotic layer is internal loading, which has been reduced as warming of the surface waters has increased the temperature gradient and the water column stability. Moreover, reduced velocity of trade winds during the dry season has affected the mixed layer depth and decreased internal nutrient fluxes. Therefore, the trend for large tropical lakes in a warming climate is oligotrophication, not eutrophication.

In tropical South America, the rainfall increase is not the dominant scenario; thus, the predicted changes in plankton dynamics do not stand.

Therefore, we believe that the predictions presented in the paper for tropical systems under a changing climate are invalid for most tropical systems.
Sponge biomass and bioerosion rates increase under ocean warming and acidification
Authors: Fang James K. H. , Mello‐Athayde Matheus A. , Schönberg Christine H. L. , Kline David I. , Hoegh‐Guldberg Ove , Dove Sophie 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThe combination of ocean warming and acidification as a result of increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) is considered to be a significant threat to calcifying organisms and their activities on coral reefs. How these global changes impact the important roles of decalcifying organisms (bioeroders) in the regulation of carbonate budgets, however, is less understood. To address this important question, the effects of a range of past, present and future CO2 emission scenarios (temperature + acidification) on the excavating sponge Cliona orientalis Thiele, 1900 were explored over 12 weeks in early summer on the southern Great Barrier Reef. C. orientalis is a widely distributed bioeroder on many reefs, and hosts symbiotic dinoflagellates of the genus Symbiodinium. Our results showed that biomass production and bioerosion rates of C. orientalis were similar under a pre‐industrial scenario and a present day (control) scenario. Symbiodinium population density in the sponge tissue was the highest under the pre‐industrial scenario, and decreased towards the two future scenarios with sponge replicates under the ‘business‐as‐usual’ CO2 emission scenario exhibiting strong bleaching. Despite these changes, biomass production and the ability of the sponge to erode coral carbonate materials both increased under the future scenarios. Our study suggests that C. orientalis will likely grow faster and have higher bioerosion rates in a high CO2 future than at present, even with significant bleaching. Assuming that our findings hold for excavating sponges in general, increased sponge biomass coupled with accelerated bioerosion may push coral reefs towards net erosion and negative carbonate budgets in the future.
Are neighborhood conditions associated with HIV management?
Authors: Shacham E , Lian M , Önen NF , Donovan M , Overton ET 
Published: July 2013

ObjectivesHIV infection has become a manageable chronic disease as a result of treatment advances. Secondary prevention efforts have proved inadequate to reduce the estimated incidence of new HIV infections. Epidemiological data suggest that geographical clustering of new HIV infections is a common phenomenon, particularly in urban areas among populations of low socioeconomic status. This study aimed to assess the relationship between neighbourhood conditions and HIV management and engagement in high‐risk behaviours.MethodsDuring routine out‐patient HIV clinic visits, 762 individuals from the St Louis metropolitan area completed behavioural assessments in 2008. Biomedical markers were abstracted from their medical records. Multi‐level analyses were conducted based on individuals' census tracts.ResultsThe majority of the sample were male and African American. In the adjusted models, individuals residing in neighbourhoods with higher poverty rates were more likely to have lower CD4 cell counts and be current smokers. In neighbourhoods with higher rates of unemployment, individuals were less likely to have a current antiretroviral prescription. In more racially segregated neighbourhoods, individuals reported more depressive symptoms.ConclusionsDespite the advances in HIV disease management, neighbourhood characteristics contribute to disparities in HIV care. Interventions that address neighbourhood conditions as barriers to HIV management may provide improved health outcomes.
Clinical and molecular characterization of Hb Hofu in eastern India
Authors: Purohit P. , Mashon R. S. , Patel S. , Dehury S. , Pattanayak C. , Das K. , Nair S. , Italia K. , Bag S. , Colah R. , Patel D. K. 
Published: July 2013

SummaryIntroductionHb Hofu (HBB:c. 380T>A) is a rare inherited hemoglobin abnormality with few case reports in the world literature.MethodsScreening for the sickle cell gene mutation and other hemoglobinopathies was carried out using the sickle slide test, Hb electrophoresis, and HPLC under an ongoing central government project.ResultsWe detected twelve Hb Hofu heterozygotes and three sickle Hb Hofu compound heterozygotes. The heterozygotes were asymptomatic except for one individual who had chronic kidney disease and moderate anemia. Only one HbS‐Hofu case was symptomatic and presented with intermittent attacks of painful crisis. In the carrier state, the Hb Hofu eluted as a hump at the beginning of the HbA0 window. But in HbS‐Hofu cases, Hb Hofu eluted as a single peak in the HbA0 window, with the HbA2 levels being >4% consistently.ConclusionHbS‐Hofu has a variable clinical presentation. The retention time of Hb Hofu on HPLC is very close to that of HbA0 and often elutes in the A0 window. Thus, there is every possibility of the HbS‐Hofu chromatogram to be misinterpreted as that of a sickle cell trait/transfused sickle cell‐beta‐thalassemia case. This is the first time where Hb Hofu has been detected by HPLC, which is the widely accepted screening technique for hemoglobinopathies around the world.
Testing the Effectiveness of Market‐Based Controls: Evidence From the Experience of Japan With Short‐Term Capital Flows in the 1970s
Authors: Esaka Taro , Takagi Shinji 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThis paper tests the effectiveness of marginal reserve requirements employed by Japan in the 1970s to influence short‐term capital flows. We thereby contribute to the ongoing debate on the use of capital controls—market‐based ones in particular. While the case for using market‐based controls relies on the mixed evidence from the experience of Chile with unremunerated reserve requirements, testing for their effectiveness is hampered by the endogeneity of such a measure, which is typically imposed or intensified when inflows surge. We address this problem in the Japanese context by applying the method of propensity score matching, and find that an increase in marginal reserve requirements modestly reduced short‐term capital inflows through non‐resident free‐yen accounts. The impact was not statistically significant, however, implying that the price elasticity of short‐term capital flows was likely small. We conclude that market‐based controls must be nearly prohibitive, perhaps combined with administrative measures, to be effective in a meaningful way.
Taylor's Rule Versus Taylor Rules
Authors: Nikolsko‐Rzhevskyy Alex , Papell David H. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractDoes the Taylor rule prescribe negative interest rates for 2009–11? This question is important because negative prescribed interest rates provide a justification for quantitative easing once actual policy rates hit the zero lower bound. We answer the question by analyzing Fed policy following the recessions of the early‐to‐mid‐1970s, the early 1990s and the early 2000s, in the context of both Taylor's original rule and latter variants of Taylor rules. While Taylor's original rule, which can be justified by historical experience during and following the recessions, does not produce negative prescribed interest rates for 2009–11, variants of Taylor rules with larger output gap coefficients, which do produce negative interest rates, cannot be justified by the same historical experience. We conclude that the Taylor rule does not provide a rationale for quantitative easing.
Structural Reforms and Macroeconomic Performance in the Euro Area Countries: A Model‐Based Assessment
Authors: Gomes Sandra , Jacquinot Pascal , Mohr Matthias , Pisani Massimiliano 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThe recent financial crisis is likely to have damaged the potential output of many countries belonging to the euro area. Moreover, the heterogeneity in long‐run macroeconomic performance among Member States may not be sustainable in the presence of strong monetary and financial integration, thus suggesting the need for coordinating structural reforms. Using a multi‐country dynamic general equilibrium model of the euro area, we assess the macroeconomic effects of increasing competition in the labour and services markets in Germany and the rest of the euro area and, in an alternative scenario, Portugal and the rest of the euro area. Our main results suggest that (i) a unilateral increase in competition in the labour and services markets would increase long‐run output; and that (ii) cross‐country coordination would make the macroeconomic performance of the different regions more homogeneous, in terms of both price competitiveness and of real activity.
Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics and Local Tolerance at Injection Site of Marbofloxacin Administered by Regional Intravenous Limb Perfusion in Standing Horses
Authors: Lallemand Elodie , Trencart Pierre , Tahier Carine , Dron Frederic , Paulin Angelique , Tessier Caroline 
Published: July 2013

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic variables and local tolerance at injection‐site of marbofloxacin administered via regional intravenous limb perfusion (RIVLP) in standing horses.AnimalsAdult horses (n = 6).MethodsRIVLP were performed with rubber tourniquets applied to the forelimbs of standing sedated horses. Marbofloxacin (0.67 mg/kg) was randomly injected in 1 forelimb, with the contralateral limb serving as a control (0.9% NaCl solution). Samples of jugular blood and synovial fluid from the radiocarpal joint of the marbofloxacin‐perfused limb were collected before and at intervals after RIVLP for determination of drug concentrations. All injection sites were evaluated before, 24 and 48 hours after RIVLP by means of ultrasonographic examination, circumferential measurements and subjective visible inflammation scores by veterinarians unaware of treatment received.ResultsNo adverse effects associated with the technique or antibiotic were observed. High marbofloxacin concentrations were obtained in the synovial fluid, AUCINFwas significantly higher in synovial fluid than in plasma (78.64 ± 49.41 and 2.85 ± 0.60 µg h/mL respectively,P = .028). The efficacy indices, AUC0–24/MIC90and/MIC90, predicted a favorable outcome in the treatment of synovial fluid infections caused by enterobacteriaceae andStaphylococcus aureus. After RIVLP, there was no statistically significant difference between marbofloxacin‐injected and control limbs for lameness, visual inflammation score, limb circumference, and ultrasonographic appearance of the veins. Marbofloxacin injected limbs had a significantly greater subcutaneous thickness, compared with control limbs.ConclusionsThese data suggest that RIVLP of marbofloxacin (0.67 mg/kg) could be a safe and effective method for treatment of infections of the distal portion of the limb for susceptible organisms.
Long‐Term Effect of Cervical Distraction and Stabilization on Neurological Status and Imaging Findings in Giant Breed Dogs With Cervical Stenotic Myelopathy
Authors: Lewis Melissa , Olby Natasha J , Sharp Nick JH. , Early Peter 
Published: July 2013

AbstractObjectivesTo assess long‐term clinical and imaging outcomes in giant breed dogs with cervical stenotic myelopathy treated surgically.Study DesignRetrospective case series.AnimalsDogs (n = 7).MethodsAll dogs had lateral or dorsolateral cord compression at 1 or more sites and were treated with cervical distraction and stabilization using PMMA plugs. Four dogs had follow‐up CT or CT/myelography performed at least 6 months postoperatively. Spinal canal stenosis measurements were compared between pre‐ and postoperative CT images. Long‐term clinical neurologic re‐evaluation ranged from 4 to 7 years. Outcome was considered positive, satisfactory, or negative. Recurrence was defined as signs of a cervical myelopathy in dogs that initially improved or had stable disease postoperatively.ResultsAll dogs had immediate postoperative improvement. Recurrence (4 months to 4 years postoperatively) occurred in 3 dogs that had multiple sites of compression. Long‐term outcome was positive in 4 of 7 dogs. Postoperative imaging revealed subjective regression of bony proliferation at surgical sites in 2 of 4 dogs that improved clinically but morphometric data showed no change in canal measurements. An adjacent site lesion was confirmed in 1 dog.ConclusionsDistraction and stabilization with PMMA plugs and bone grafts is a safe surgical option for giant breed dogs with CSM with a single site of lateral or dorsolateral compression. Long‐term recurrence was common among dogs with multiple sites of compression. Follow‐up of 4 years or more among a larger population is indicated to fully assess implications of surgical intervention and determine recurrence rates.
Magnetic Field‐Induced Ferroelectric Switching in Multiferroic Aurivillius Phase Thin Films at Room Temperature
Authors: Keeney Lynette , Maity Tuhin , Schmidt Michael , Amann Andreas , Deepak Nitin , Petkov Nikolay , Roy Saibal , Pemble Martyn E. , Whatmore Roger W. 
Published: July 2013

Single‐phase multiferroic materials are of considerable interest for future memory and sensing applications. Thin films of Aurivillius phase Bi7Ti3Fe3O21 and Bi6Ti2.8Fe1.52Mn0.68O18 (possessing six and five perovskite units per half‐cell, respectively) have been prepared by chemical solution deposition on c‐plane sapphire. Superconducting quantum interference device magnetometry reveal Bi7Ti3Fe3O21 to be antiferromagnetic (TN = 190 K) and weakly ferromagnetic below 35 K, however, Bi6Ti2.8Fe1.52Mn0.68O18 gives a distinct room‐temperature in‐plane ferromagnetic signature (Ms = 0.74 emu/g, μ0Hc =7 mT). Microstructural analysis, coupled with the use of a statistical analysis of the data, allows us to conclude that ferromagnetism does not originate from second phase inclusions, with a confidence level of 99.5%. Piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) demonstrates room‐temperature ferroelectricity in both films, whereas PFM observations on Bi6Ti2.8Fe1.52Mn0.68O18 show Aurivillius grains undergo ferroelectric domain polarization switching induced by an applied magnetic field. Here, we show for the first time that Bi6Ti2.8Fe1.52Mn0.68O18 thin films are both ferroelectric and ferromagnetic and, demonstrate magnetic field‐induced switching of ferroelectric polarization in individual Aurivillius phase grains at room temperature.