bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pediatric refractory epilepsy: A decision analysis comparing medical versus surgical treatment
Authors: Sánchez Fernández Iván , An Sookee , Loddenkemper Tobias 
Published: January 2015

SummaryObjectivesTo quantify the life expectancy of surgically eligible children with refractory epilepsy comparing two treatment strategies: medical treatment only versus epilepsy surgery.MethodsDecision analysis model populated with available parameters from the literature. One‐ and two‐way sensitivity analyses and second‐order Monte Carlo simulations evaluated the robustness of the results across wide variations of the input parameters. The time horizon was lifetime and the main outcome was life expectancy.ResultsAcross the range of pediatric ages, epilepsy surgery yielded a higher life expectancy. For a cohort of 10‐year‐old children with refractory epilepsy, the gain in life expectancy with epilepsy surgery (compared to medical treatment only) was 5.9 years for temporal epilepsy and 5.6 years for extratemporal epilepsy. One‐ and two‐way sensitivity analyses and second‐order Monte Carlo simulations demonstrated the robustness of results across a wide variation of input parameters. There was no adjustment for quality of life, but we estimated the percentage of life expectancy spent in seizure freedom. For a cohort of 10‐year‐old patients with refractory epilepsy: (1) in temporal lobe epilepsy, epilepsy surgery yielded 48.9% of life expectancy years in seizure freedom while medical treatment yielded 14.3%; and (2) in extratemporal epilepsy, epilepsy surgery yielded 43.0% of life expectancy years in seizure freedom while medical treatment yielded 14.3%.SignificanceEpilepsy surgery yields a substantially higher life expectancy than continued medical treatment for surgically eligible children with refractory epilepsy. This conclusion remains robust across a wide range of parameter variations.
Lysosomes and unfolded protein response, determinants of differential resistance of melanoma cells to vinca alkaloids
Authors: Vincent Laure‐Anais , Attaoua Chaker , Bellis Michel , Rozkydalova Lucie , Hadj‐Kaddour Kamel , Vian Laurence , Cuq Pierre 
Published: January 2015

AbstractOn account of its strong ability to become chemoresistant after a primary response to drugs, malignant melanoma (MM) remains a therapeutic challenge. This study focuses on acquired resistance to vinca alkaloids (VAs) using VA‐resistant MM cell lines (CAL1R‐VCR, CAL1R‐VDS, and CAL1R‐VRB), established by long‐term continuous exposure of parental CAL1‐wt cells to vincristine (VCR), vindesine (VDS), or vinorelbine (VRB), respectively. Transcriptomic profiling using rma and rdam methods led to distinguish two cell groups: CAL1R‐VCR and CAL1R‐VDS, CAL1R‐VRB, and CAL1‐wt. mgsa of the specifically altered genes in the first group evidenced the GO terms ‘lysosomal lumen’ and ‘vacuolar lumen’ linked to underexpressed genes, and ‘endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response’ associated with overexpressed genes. A specific reduction of lysosomal enzymes, independent of acidic vacuole organelle (AVO) turnover, was observed (LTG probe) in CAL1R‐VCR and CAL1R‐VDS cells. It was associated with the specific lowering of cathepsin B and L, known to be involved in the lysosomal pathway of apoptosis. Confirming gene profiling, the same groups (CAL1R‐VCR and CAL1R‐VDS, CAL1‐wt and CAL1R‐VRB) could be distinguished regarding the VA‐mediated changes on mean size areas and on acidic compartment volumes. These two parameters were reduced in CAL1R‐VCR and CAL1R‐VDS cells, suggesting a smaller AVO accumulation and thus a reduced sensitivity to lysosomal membrane permeabilization‐mediated apoptosis. In addition, ‘ER stress response’ inhibition by tauroursodeoxycholic acid induced a higher VA sensitization of the first cell group. In conclusion, lysosomes and unfolded protein response could be key determinants of the differential resistance of MM to VAs.
Cyclic fracture behaviour of 20MnMoNi55 steel at room and elevated temperatures
Authors: Chowdhury T. , Sivaprasad S. , Bar H. N. , Tarafder S. , Bandyopadhyay N. R. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractCyclic fracture behaviour of 20MnMoNi55 steel has been evaluated at room temperature and elevated temperature of 300 °C. Fracture resistance at elevated temperature was found to be lower than that at room temperature. The deterioration in fracture resistance was due to dynamic strain ageing. Cyclic loading amplitude and frequency were also found to have an influence on fracture resistance. The features of the stretch zone during cyclic fracture were different from those at monotonic fracture. Stretch zone dimensions were found to be insensitive to cyclic load amplitudes whereas marginally affected by frequency of load cycles under dynamic strain ageing conditions.
Enhancing the TurtleWatch product for leatherback sea turtles, a dynamic habitat model for ecosystem‐based management
Authors: Howell Evan A. , Hoover Aimee , Benson Scott R. , Bailey Helen , Polovina Jeffrey J. , Seminoff Jeffrey A. , Dutton Peter H. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractFishery management measures to reduce interactions between fisheries and endangered or threatened species have typically relied on static time‐area closures. While these efforts have reduced interactions, they can be costly and inefficient for managing highly migratory species such as sea turtles. The NOAA TurtleWatch product was created in 2006 as a tool to reduce the rates of interactions of loggerhead sea turtles with shallow‐set longline gear deployed by the Hawaii‐based pelagic longline fishery targeting swordfish. TurtleWatch provides information on loggerhead habitat and can be used by managers and industry to make dynamic management decisions to potentially reduce incidentally capturing turtles during fishing operations. TurtleWatch is expanded here to include information on endangered leatherback turtles to help reduce incidental capture rates in the central North Pacific. Fishery‐dependent data were combined with fishing effort, bycatch and satellite tracking data of leatherbacks to characterize sea surface temperature (SST) relationships that identify habitat or interaction ‘hotspots’. Analysis of SST identified two zones, centered at 17.2° and 22.9°C, occupied by leatherbacks on fishing grounds of the Hawaii‐based swordfish fishery. This new information was used to expand the TurtleWatch product to provide managers and industry near real‐time habitat information for both loggerheads and leatherbacks. The updated TurtleWatch product provides a tool for dynamic management of the Hawaii‐based shallow‐set fishery to aid in the bycatch reduction of both species. Updating the management strategy to dynamically adapt to shifts in multi‐species habitat use through time is a step towards an ecosystem‐based approach to fisheries management in pelagic ecosystems.
Re‐evaluating the effect of wind on recruitment inGulf ofMaineAtlanticCod (Gadus morhua) using an environmentally‐explicit stock recruitment model
Authors: Hare Jonathan A. , Brooks Elizabeth N. , Palmer Michael C. , Churchill James H. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractA previous study documented a correlation betweenAtlanticCod (Gadus morhua) recruitment in theGulf ofMaine and an annual index of the north component ofMay winds. This correlation was supported by modeling studies that indicated strong recruitment ofGulf ofMaineAtlanticCod results from high retention of spring‐spawned larvae in years when winds were predominately out of the north, which favor downwelling. We re‐evaluated this relationship using updated recruitment estimates and found that the correlation decreased between recruitment and wind. The original relationship was largely driven by two recruitment estimates, one of which (2005 year‐class) was highly uncertain because it was near the terminal year of the assessment. With additional data, the updated assessment estimated lower recruitment for the 2005 year‐class, which consequently lowered the correlation between recruitment and wind. We then investigated whether an environmentally‐explicit stock recruit function that incorporated an annual wind index was supported by either the original or updated assessment output. Although incorporation of the annual wind index produced a better fitting model, the uncertainty in the estimated parameters and the implied unexploited conditions were not appropriate for providing management advice. These results suggest the need for caution in the development of environmentally‐explicit stock recruitment relationships, in particular when basing relationships and hypotheses on recruitment estimates from the terminal years of stock assessment models. More broadly, this study highlights a number of sources of uncertainty that should be considered when analyzes are performed on the output of stock assessment models.
Global warming potentials of stemwood used for energy and materials in Southern Finland: differentiation of impacts based on type of harvest and product lifetime
Authors: Helin Tuomas , Salminen Hannu , Hynynen Jari , Soimakallio Sampo , Huuskonen Saija , Pingoud Kim 
Published: January 2015

AbstractWood harvesting in boreal forests typically consists of sequential harvesting operations within a rotation: a few thinnings and a final felling. The aim of this paper is to model differentiated relative global warming potential (GWP) coefficients for stemwood use from different thinnings and final fellings, and correction factors for long‐lived wood products, potentially applicable in life cycle assessment studies. All thinnings and final fellings influence the development of forest carbon stocks. The climate impact of a single harvesting operation is generated in comparison with no harvesting, thus encountering a methodological problem on how to handle the subsequent operations. The dynamic forest stand simulator MOTTI was applied in the modelling of evolution of forest carbon stocks at landscape level in Southern Finland. The landscape‐level approach for climate impact assessment gave results similar to some stand‐level approaches presented in previous literature that included the same forest C pools and also studied the impacts relative to the no‐harvest situation. The climate impacts of stemwood use decreased over time. For energy use, the impacts were higher or similar in the short term and 0–50% lower in the midterm in comparison with an identical amount of fossil CO2. The impacts were to some extent (approximately 20–40%) lower for wood from intermediate thinnings than for wood from final fellings or first thinnings. However, the study reveals that product lifetime has higher relative influence on the climate impacts of wood‐based value chains than whether the stemwood originates from thinnings or final fellings. Although the evolution of future C stocks in unmanaged boreal forests is uncertain, a sensitivity analysis suggests that landscape‐level model results for climate impacts would not be sensitive to the assumptions made on the future evolution of C stocks in unmanaged forest. Energy use of boreal stemwood seems to be far from climate neutral.
Evaluation of seedling emergence and relative DNA content under dry soil conditions of wild Festuca arundinacea populations collected in Iran
Authors: Rohollahi Iman , Khoshkholghsima Nayer Azam , Yamada Toshihiko , Kafi Mohsen , Hoshino Yoichiro , Liaghat Abdolmajid , Jafari Ali Ashraf 
Published: January 2015

AbstractTall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) is an important forage and turf grass species adapted to cold, arid and semiarid environments. Germination and seedling establishment of F. arundinacea cultivars is constrained by the low soil moisture found in these regions. Genome size was found to positively correlate with latitude of origin, suggesting that structural changes in DNA may play a role in environmental adaptation. We investigated the effects of low soil moisture on the germination and early establishment and their correlation with relative DNA content using 14 wild F. arundinacea populations collected from various regions in Iran and two commercial turf cultivars. The populations were evaluated under 100% (−0.03 matric potential [MPa]), 80% (−0.2), 60% (−0.6) and 40% (−1.4) field capacity (FC) conditions. Seed germination and root and leaf growth decreased under reduced soil water content. Cluster analysis revealed that the populations fell into four groups. Populations in cluster I showed the greatest tolerance to low soil moisture and cluster IV was the least tolerant. ‘Isfahan’ and ‘Gonabad’ populations had the best final germination and longer leaf and root length at 40% FC. Studies to identify indices that were involved in drought resistance revealed that final germination, leaf length and seedling vigor index were most important evaluating indicators for F. arundinacea populations. Flow cytometric relative DNA content of the wild populations was negatively correlated with germination, leaf length and seedling vigor index. The drought tolerance populations in cluster I could be potentially useful germplasm for a breeding program to develop superior cultivars for arid and semiarid regions.
Seeing it through their eyes: a qualitative study of the pregnancy experiences of women with a body mass index of 30 or more
Authors: Lavender Tina , Smith Debbie M. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractBackgroundMaternal obesity [body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2] is associated with numerous complications, but currently, little is known about the pregnancy experiences of these women.ObjectiveTo gain insight into the experience of pregnant women with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2, when accessing maternity services and attending a community lifestyle programme.DesignQualitative methodology, utilizing focus groups and semi‐structured interviews with post‐natal women who had an antenatal BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2. The sample was obtained from a larger study.ResultsThirty‐four women participated. Three main themes were identified using thematic analysis. Women described disappointment with their pregnancy. In particular, their informational expectations were not met; some health professionals appeared uninterested, insensitive or unconfident. Women described readiness to make a lifestyle change, but this was not encouraged during routine care. Attending the programme began the process of behavioural change. Women's beliefs that small changes make a big difference led to them being spurred on by success; driven by a desire to improve the health of their family.Discussion and ConclusionPregnant women who are obese know this is the case and expect to be provided with information to assist them in making lifestyle changes. Health professionals should be aware of women's readiness for change and view pregnancy as an ideal time to communicate. Pregnant women with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 should contribute to health professional training, to highlight the reality of the maternity system journey; first‐hand accounts may improve the way health professionals' approach these women. Lifestyle interventions should be developed with input from the intended target group.
Success of a smoking cessation programme in smoking behaviour of chronic periodontitis patients and identification of predictors of motivation for smoking cessation – a pilot study
Authors: Kropff B , Petersilka G , Flemmig T , Ehmke B , Heuft G , Schneider G 
Published: January 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe primary goal of this pilot study was to evaluate the success of a smoking cessation programme on smoking behaviour of patients with chronic periodontitis. Secondary goals were to identify the prevalence of smoking among them, predictors of motivation for smoking cessation and for successful nicotine abstinence.MethodsSmokers suffering from chronic periodontitis were offered cognitive behavioural group therapy of 10 once‐weekly sessions. Smoking is reduced stepwise and complete cessation is to be achieved by the sixth session. Sociodemographic data, history of smoking and motivation for smoking cessation, subjective health status, and questionnaires on anxiety, depression, control beliefs and coping with stress were completed at study entry. Smoking behaviour was assessed at the end of the group programme and 3 months thereafter.ResultsOf 469 patients with periodontitis, 59 (12.6%) were smokers; 30 (50.6%) patients participated in the smoking cessation programme. Participants smoked more cigarettes/day (P = 0.03, 95% CI: −17.9/−0.89) and subjectively assessed their health as being worse than non‐participants (P = 0.09, 95% CI: −0.16/2.15). In SPQ, non‐participants showed more trivialization (P = 0.014, 95% CI: 0.59/4.94). Complete data were available for 15 group participants: six patients were smoke‐free after 10 weeks and five after 18 weeks (33.3%); two patients had reduced their cigarette consumption by half. At the start of the programme, less successful participants showed a tendency to higher depression in HADS (P = 0.085, 95% CI: −5.25/5.76) and were more inclined to seek substitute satisfaction (P = 0.034, 95% CI: 3.24/11.23).ConclusionThe rate of success in this study was comparable with other studies. More research with larger samples is needed for confirming these observations.
Efficiency of professional tooth brushing before ultrasonic scaling
Authors: Kim MJ , Noh H , Oh HY 
Published: January 2015

AbstractObjectivesThis study aimed to examine the effect of dental plaque biofilm removal with a toothbrush, an interdental brush and dental floss by a dental hygienist prior to ultrasonic scaling on treatment times and client satisfaction.MethodsThis study was conducted among adults who received scaling after agreeing to participate in this study at a dental clinic in Seoul, Korea, from July to September 2012. Thirty‐seven subjects received modified scaling (M‐scaling) which is ultrasonic scaling after plaque control with a toothbrush and dental floss by a dental hygienist, and 37 subjects received routine ultrasonic scaling (R‐scaling). Univariate and multivariate analyses and chi‐squared and t‐tests were conducted using SAS. This study was approved by the Kangwon Institutional Review Board.ResultsSignificant differences were found between the outcomes of M‐ and R‐scaling for both the ultrasonic scaling time (M‐scaling, 7.41 ± 6.18 min; R‐scaling, 23.22 ± 6.92 min) and the total tooth cleaning time (M‐scaling, 15.92 ± 7.70 min; R‐scaling, 23.22 ± 6.92 min) (P < 0.001). Subject satisfaction with the scaling process was not significantly different between M‐scaling (4.54 ± 0.80) and R‐scaling (4.84 ± 0.44).ConclusionsThese findings indicated that removing the dental plaque biofilm with a toothbrush and dental floss by a hygienist before scaling with an ultrasonic device was more effective in reducing the working time of the dental hygienist.
Randomized, double‐blind, controlled, comparative study on intralesional 10% and 15% hypertonic saline versus intralesional sodium stibogluconate in Leishmania donovani cutaneous leishmaniasis
Authors: Ranawaka Ranthilaka R. , Weerakoon Hema S. , de Silva S. H. Padmal 
Published: January 2015

AbstractBackgroundIntralesional 7% hypertonic saline (HS) has been shown to be effective and safe against Leishmania donovani and Leishmania major cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), with cure rates of 92% and 96%, respectively. This study was designed to assess the efficacy and safety of 10% and 15% HS in CL.MethodsA total of 444 patients (643 lesions) were randomly allocated to sodium stibogluconate (SSG), 10% HS and 15% HS at a ratio of 2 : 2 : 1, taking into consideration any unwanted side effects that might arise with 15% HS. The follow‐up period was 18 months. Survival analysis using Cox proportional hazard regression was performed to assess the effectiveness of the three treatment modalities. The clinical trial was registered at the Sri Lanka Clinical Trial Registry (SLCTR/2013/024).ResultsTreatment with SSG resulted in a cure rate of 96.3% within one to seven injections (mean: 3.6 injections); the mean (median) duration of treatment was six weeks (6 weeks) per lesion. Treatment with 10% HS showed a cure rate of 93.0% within one to 10 injections (mean: 5.28 injections); the mean (median) duration of treatment was 9.3 weeks (9 weeks) per lesion. Treatment with 15% HS showed a cure rate of 93.6% within two to 10 injections (mean: 5.3 injections); the mean (median) duration of treatment was 11.3 weeks (10.0 weeks) per lesion. Treatment with 10% HS and 15% HS caused cutaneous necrosis in 3.1% and 30.6% of lesions, respectively. Despite continuous data collection for 14 months, we were unable to recruit a sample of sufficient size. Seventeen (3.8%) patients were lost to follow‐up, and 24 (5.4%) were partial or non‐responders.ConclusionsThis study found 10% HS to be an effective and safe alternative to SSG. Treatment with HS at concentrations of 15% or above was not safe as a result of cutaneous necrosis. Safety was not studied for concentrations of 11–14%, and these concentrations should be avoided pending further evidence. Hypertonic saline is very cheap (< US$1 per 100 ml, whereas SSG is priced at US$160 per 100 ml), is prepared locally and has no systemic side effects and minimal local side effects.
A retrospective audit of skin biopsies done in a tertiary care center in India
Authors: Balasubramanian Pradeep , Chandrashekar Laxmisha , Thappa Devinder Mohan , Jaisankar Telanseri Jayakar , Malathi Munisamy , Ganesh Rajesh Nachiappa , Singh Nidhi 
Published: January 2015

AbstractBackgroundSkin biopsies are an invaluable tool in the diagnostic armamentarium of a dermatologist and have several factors that determine outcome.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to retrospectively assess the quality of data included in the pathology request forms and reports and to assess the level of clinicopathological correlation in the reported biopsy specimens.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed 3006 histopathology request forms and reports of skin, mucosal, and nail biopsies to assess the quality of data included in them and assessed the level of clinicopathological correlation in these biopsies. Two hundred discordant histopathology slides were randomly reviewed by a pathologist in the presence of a dermatologist to analyze the causes for discordance.ResultsThe pathological diagnosis was concordant with clinical diagnosis in 1798 (59.8%) biopsies, partially concordant in 228 (7.6%) biopsies, and discordant in 929 (30.9%) biopsies. In a clinicopathologically concordant category, the duration for reporting the biopsies was significantly shorter, and the definitive pathologist's diagnosis was frequently mentioned. Of the 200 discordant slides reviewed randomly by a pathologist in the presence of a dermatologist, 7.5% slides afterward turned out to be consistent and 15% partially consistent with the diseases in doubt.ConclusionSeveral deficits were identified that need to be rectified to improve the diagnostic accuracy of skin biopsy. A portion of discordant slides showing features compatible with the disease when reviewed by a pathologist and dermatologist together emphasizes the importance of a joint review by both in doubtful cases.