bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimal therapy in hepatitis C virus liver transplant patients with direct acting antivirals
Authors: Coilly Audrey , Roche Bruno , Duclos‐Vallée Jean‐Charles , Samuel Didier 
Published: November 2014

AbstractHepatitis C virus (HCV) end stage liver disease is a main indication for liver transplantation (LT). Recurrent HCV always occurs when patients are transplanted with a detectable viral load, leading to cirrhosis in 20–30% of patients within 5 years. Achieving a sustained virological response (SVR) with antiviral treatment is the only way to improve patient and graft survival. Dual therapy based on pegylated interferon and ribavirin (PEG‐IFN/RBV) was the standard of care for many years with limited efficacy and a poor safety profile. The addition of first generation NS3/4 protease inhibitors (PI) improved SVR rates from 30 to 50–60%. But the occurrence of serious adverse events and drug–drug interactions with calcineurin inhibitors have both been limiting factors for their use during LT. The preliminary results of the use of second generation direct acting antivirals (DAA) in transplant patients showed better efficacy with an SVR rate >70%. The pre‐ and post‐transplantation safety profile is good. Although fewer drug–drug interactions are expected, some new DAA still interact with immunosuppressive drugs. Certain questions such as the use of RBV or the optimal duration of therapy have still not been resolved but should be answered by the many ongoing studies in the coming year.
The Role of Income Distribution in the Diffusion of Corporate Social Responsibility
Authors: D'Alessandro Simone , Fanelli Domenico 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the link between corporate social responsibility (CSR) growth and income distribution. We present a general equilibrium model where social responsibility enters both firms' and consumers' decisions. At equilibrium, different degrees of CSR diffusion may arise. We study the conditions under which there exists a virtuous circle which ties increases in the diffusion of CSR to reductions in income inequality. Under certain circumstances, any policy which promotes CSR diffusion induces a reduction in income inequality. By contrast, when such conditions are not satisfied, only redistributive policies may generate the virtuous circle.
Mesoporosity changes from cambium to mature tension wood: a new step toward the understanding of maturation stress generation in trees
Authors: Chang Shan‐Shan , Quignard Françoise , Alméras Tancrède , Clair Bruno 
Published: November 2014

Summary

In order to progress in the understanding of mechanical stress generation, the mesoporosity of the cell wall and its changes during maturation of poplar (Populus deltoides × P. nigra) tension wood (TW) and opposite wood (OW) were measured by nitrogen adsorption–desorption.

Variations in the thickness of the gelatinous layer (G‐layer) were also measured to clarify whether the mesoporosity change simultaneously with the deposition of the G‐layer in TW.

Results show that mesoporous structures of TW and OW were very similar in early development stages before the deposition of G‐layers. With the formation of the S2 layer in OW and the G‐layer in TW, the mesopore volume decreased steeply before lignification. However, in TW only, the decrease in mesopore volume occurred together with the pore shape change and a progressive increase in pore size.

The different patterns observed in TW revealed that pores from G‐layers appear with a different shape compared to those of the compound middle lamella, and their size increases during the maturation process until stabilising in mature wood. This observation strongly supports the hypothesis of the swelling of the G‐layer matrix during maturation as the origin of maturation stress in poplar tension wood.
Photodynamic therapy in the treatment of basal cell carcinoma: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Wang Hongfei , Xu Yuanyuan , Shi Jingpu , Gao Xinghua , Geng Long 
Published: November 2014

SummaryBackground/PurposeThis meta‐analysis was designed to compare the efficacy, cosmetic outcome and safety of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with other procedures for the treatment of primary basal cell carcinoma (BCC).MethodsA computerized search through electronic databases was performed to search for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published before October 2013. Only RCTs that compared PDT to non‐PDT for patients with BCC were selected. The risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.ResultsEight studies with a total of 1583 patients met the inclusion criteria. PDT was associated with lower complete clearance rate (RR: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.89–0.98), higher 1‐year recurrence rate (RR: 12.42, 95% CI: 2.34–66.02) and 5‐year recurrence rate (RR: 6.79, 95% CI: 2.43–18.96) when compared with surgical excision. There was no statistically significant difference in complete clearance rate (RR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.85–1.00), 1‐year recurrence rate (RR: 1.04, 95% CI: 0.46 to 2.39) or 5‐year recurrence rate (RR: 1.08, 95% CI: 0.62–1.86) when PDT was compared with cryotherapy. PDT had higher complete clearance rate compared with placebo but no statistically significant difference in complete clearance rate and 1‐year recurrence rate when compared with pharmacologic treatment (topical imiquimod and 5‐fluorouracil). PDT had a significantly better cosmetic outcome than surgery and cryotherapy.ConclusionsPDT is a useful method for the treatment of BCC, more efficient than placebo and with a similar efficiency to cryosurgery and pharmacologic treatment. Even though it is less effective than surgical excision, PDT has cosmetic advantages over surgery and cryosurgery.
Characterization of microRNA expression profiles in Leishmania‐infected human phagocytes
Authors: Geraci N. S. , Tan J. C. , McDowell M. A. 
Published: November 2014

SummaryLeishmania are intracellular protozoa that influence host immune responses eliciting parasite species‐specific pathologies. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short single‐stranded ribonucleic acids that complement gene transcripts to block protein translation and have been shown to regulate immune system molecular mechanisms. Human monocyte‐derived dendritic cells (DC) and macrophages (MP) were infected in vitro with Leishmania major or Leishmania donovani parasites. Small RNAs were isolated from total RNA and sequenced to identify mature miRNAs associated with leishmanial infections. Normalized sequence read count profiles revealed a global downregulation in miRNA expression among host cells following infection. Most identified miRNAs were expressed at higher levels in L. donovani‐infected cells relative to L. major‐infected cells. Pathway enrichments using in silico‐predicted gene targets of differentially expressed miRNAs showed evidence of potentially universal MAP kinase signalling pathway effects. Whereas JAK‐STAT and TGF‐β signalling pathways were more highly enriched using targets of miRNAs upregulated in L. donovani‐infected cells, these data provide evidence in support of a selective influence on host cell miRNA expression and regulation in response to differential Leishmania infections.
Comparative study on the acrosin activity in sperm of the marine crab Charybdis japonica (A. Milne-Edwards, 1861) (Brachyura, Portunidae) under different environmental conditions
Authors: Xu X. H. , Xu X. H. , Yan B. L. , Xu X. H. , Yan B. L. , Peng D. S. 
Published: November 2014

The optimal environmental conditions for acrosin activity in sperm ofCharybdis japonicawere assessed by orthogonal experiments, and the variation of the acrosin activity in sperm was analysed under hypothermic preservation at 4°C and cryopreservation in liquid nitrogen at −196°C, respectively. The acrosin activity and protein component in sperm from the female spermatheca and from the male seminal receptacle, were also compared. The highest acrosin activity was obtained at pH 8, 25°C and 30‰ salinity. The acrosin activity and viability rates of sperm decreased with the preservation time elapsed at 4°C, and a positive correlation between acrosin activity and viability rates (; ) was recorded. These two indices decreased significantly before and after cryopreservation at −196°C, and subsequently changed slowly in the liquid nitrogen. The cryoprotectant had a significant effect on the viability rates of sperm, but not much on the acrosin activity. The acrosin activity of sperm from the male seminal receptacle was (122.53 ± 1.66) × 10−6 μIU under optimal environmental conditions, which was significantly higher than that of the sperm from the female spermatheca (105.65 ± 2.91) × 10−6 μIU (). Three kinds of protein subunits in sperm acrosin from the male seminal receptacle were observed by dissociating SDS-PAGE (71.7, 69.2 and 67.3 kDa), which were degraded to some degree in the female spermatheca (70.4, 66.7 and 64.9 kDa). Several special components were noted in the female spermatheca, with one of higher molecular mass and five of lower molecular mass, which may play an important role in preserving the sperm in the female spermatheca.
Nonlinear Ensemble Parameter Perturbation for Climate Models
Authors: Yin Xudong , Liu Juanjuan , Wang Bin 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Model parameters can introduce significant uncertainties in climate simulations. Sensitivity analysis provides a way to quantify such uncertainties. Existing sensitivity analysis methods, however, cannot estimate the maximum sensitivity of the simulated climate to perturbations in multiple parameters. This study proposes the concept of nonlinear ensemble parameter perturbation (NEPP), which is independent of model initial conditions, to estimate the maximum effect of parameter perturbations on simulating Earth’s climate. The NEPP is obtained by solving a maximization problem, whose cost function is defined by the maximum deviation of a unique ensemble of short-term predictions with large enough members caused by parameter perturbations and whose optimal solution is obtained by an ensemble-based gradient approach. This method is used to investigate the effects of NEPP on the climate of the Lorenz-63 model and a complex climate model, the Grid-Point Atmospheric Model of IAP LASG, version 2 (GAMIL2). It is found that the NEPP is capable of estimating the maximum change in climate simulation caused by perturbations in multiple parameters when the Lorenz-63 model is used. With a low computational cost, the NEPP can cause remarkable changes in the climatology of GAMIL2. The results also illustrate that the effects of parameter perturbations on short-term weather predictions and those on long-term climate simulations are correlated.
Taurine is absent from amino components in fruits of Opuntia ficus-indica
Authors: Ali Hatem Salama Mohamed , Al-Khalifa Abdulrahman Saleh , Brückner Hans 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Juices of edible fruits from Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller, commonly named prickly pears or Indian figs, were analysed for amino acids using an automated amino acid analyser run in the high-resolution physiological mode. Emphasis was put on the detection of free taurine (Tau), but Tau could be detected neither in different cultivars of prickly pears from Italy, South Africa and the Near East nor in commercially available prickly pear juices from the market.
Excess Mortality and Morbidity in Patients with Craniopharyngioma, Especially in Patients with Childhood Onset: A Population-Based Study in Sweden
Authors: Olsson Daniel S. , Andersson Eva , Bryngelsson Ing-Liss , Nilsson Anna G. , Johannsson Gudmundur 
Published: November 2014

AbstractContext:Craniopharyngiomas (CPs) in adults have been associated with excess mortality.Objective:The aim of the study was to investigate mortality and morbidity in patients with childhood-onset and adult-onset CP.Methods:Patients with CP were identified and followed in Swedish national health registries, 1987 through 2011. The inclusion criteria for the CP diagnosis were internally validated against patient records in 28% of the study population.Settings:This was a nationwide population-based study.Patients:A total of 307 patients (151 men and 156 women) were identified and included (mean follow-up, 9 years; range, 0–25 years). The inclusion criteria had a positive predictive value of 97% and a sensitivity of 92%.Intervention:There were no interventions.Main Outcome Measures:Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) with 95% confidence intervals were calculated using the Swedish population as the reference.Results:During the study, 54 patients died compared with the expected number of 14.1, resulting in an SMR of 3.2 (2.2–4.7) for men and 4.9 (3.2–7.2) for women. Patients with childhood-onset (n = 106) and adult-onset (n = 201) CP had SMRs of 17 (6.3–37) and 3.5 (2.6–4.6), respectively. Patients with hypopituitarism (n = 250), diabetes insipidus (n = 110), and neither of these (n = 54) had SMRs of 4.3 (3.1–5.8), 6.1 (3.5–9.7), and 2.7 (1.4–4.6), respectively. The SMR due to cerebrovascular diseases was 5.1 (1.7–12). SIRs were 5.6 (3.8–8.0) for type 2 diabetes mellitus, 7.1 (5.0–9.9) for cerebral infarction, 0.7 (0.2–1.7) for myocardial infarction, 2.1 (1.4–3.0) for fracture, and 5.9 (3.4–9.4) for severe infection. The SIR for all malignant tumors was 1.3 (0.8–2.1).Conclusions:This first nationwide population-based study of patients with CP demonstrated excess mortality that was especially marked in patients with childhood-onset disease and among women. Death due to cerebrovascular diseases was increased 5-fold. Hypopituitarism and diabetes insipidus were negative prognostic factors for mortality and morbidity. Patients with CP had increased disease burden related to type 2 diabetes mellitus, cerebral infarction, fracture, and severe infection.
How does semi-automated computer-derived CT measure of breast density compare with subjective assessments to assess mean glandular breast density, in patients with breast cancer?
Authors: Bansal G J , Kotugodella S 
Published: November 2014

Objectives:
(a) To compare radiologists' breast mammographic density readings with CT subjective measures. (b) To correlate computer-derived measurement of CT density with subjective assessments. (c) To evaluate density distributions in this cohort of patients with breast cancer.

Methods:
A retrospective review of mammograms and CT scans in 77 patients with breast cancer obtained within 1 year of each other was performed. Two radiologists independently reviewed both CT and mammograms and classified each case into four categories as defined by the breast imaging-reporting and data system of the American College of Radiology. Inter-reader agreements were obtained for both mammographic and CT density subjective evaluations by using the Cohen-weighted kappa statistic and Spearman correlation. The semi-automated computer-derived measurement of breast density was correlated with visual measurements.

Results:
Inter-reader agreements were lower for subjective CT density grades than those for mammographic readings 0.428 [confidence interval (CI), 0.24–0.89] vs 0.571 (CI, 0.35–0.76). There was moderately good correlation between subjective CT density grades and the mammographic density grades for both readers (0.760 for Reader 1 and 0.913 for Reader 2). The semi-automated CT density measurement correlated well with the subjective assessments, with complete agreement of the density grades in 84.9% of patients and only one level difference in the rest.

Conclusions:
Semi-automated CT density measurements in the evaluation of breast density correlated well with subjective mammographic density measurement.

Advances in knowledge:
There is good correlation between CT and mammographic density, but further studies are needed on how to incorporate semi-automated CT breast density measurement in the risk stratification of patients.
Randomised controlled clinical trial for autologous fibroblast-hyaluronic acid complex in treating diabetic foot ulcers
Authors: You H.J. , Han S.K. , Rhie J.W. 
Published: November 2014

Objective:Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) often pose a treatment problem. Bioengineered skin substitutes have been reported to result in accelerated diabetic wound healing. The purpose of this clinical trial was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the autologous fibroblast-hyaluronic acid complex for treating DFUs.Method:A stratified, randomised, controlled, multicentre study was carried out. Patients with DFUs were allocated to either a treatment group with grafting of an autologous fibroblast-hyaluronic acid complex or a control group with non-adherent foam dressing. Except for application of the fibroblast complex, treatment of the study ulcers was identical for patients in both groups. The maximum follow-up period for each patient was 12 weeks.Results:Complete ulcer healing was achieved in 84% (26/31 patients) of the treatment group and 34% (11/32 patients) of the control group (p<0.05). The times required for complete healing were 36.4±17.6 and 48.4±13.1 days in the treatment and control groups, respectively (p<0.05). No adverse events related to treatment occurred.Conclusion:These results indicate that autologous fibroblast-hyaluronic acid complex may offer a safe and effective treatment for DFUs.Declaration of interest:This study was supported by grants from ChaBio & Diostech (Seoul, Korea). This clinical trial was approved by the FDA of Korea. None of the authors have any conflicts of interest.
An estimate of the potential budget impact of using prophylactic dressings to prevent hospital-acquired PUs in Australia
Authors: Santamaria N. , Santamaria H. 
Published: November 2014

Objective: To estimate the potential cost saving to the Australian health-care system of introducing the use of prophylactic dressings to prevent hospital-acquired pressure ulcers (PUs) for patients with a high-risk developing a PU. Method: We estimated the costs of pressure ulceration based on conservative estimates of an incidence rate of 13% within 10% of the total admitted Australian patient population. Results from a recent large randomised control trial of prophylactic dressing used to prevent PUs in high-risk patients were then extrapolated to this population to derive a potential national cost/benefit calculation. Results: Our estimate revealed that within the high-risk population of acute hospitals, more than 71,000 patients could be expected to develop a PU annually costing AU$77,800,000 (£43,000,000). Whereas by implementing a national PU prevention initiative based on the use of prophylactic multilayer silicone foam dressings for high-risk patients, an annual saving of AU$34,800,000 (£19,700,000) could be achieved, which represents a cost benefit of 55% to the Australian health-care system. Conclusion: Our estimate of the potential cost benefit of implementing the use of prophylactic dressings to prevent hospital acquired PUs in high-risk patients uses conservative estimates of both the incidence rates of ulceration and of treatment costs. However, this is also based on one of the largest reported randomised control trials of this technique to prevent PUs. We believe that our modelling is robust yet requires replication in other countries with different health-care systems and costing structures. Declaration of interest: There was no sponsorship of this study. The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.
The combined use of NPWT and instillation using an octenidine based wound rinsing solution: a case study
Authors: Matiasek J. , Djedovic G. , Mattesich M. , Morandi E. , Pauzenberger R. , Pikula R. , Verstappen R. , Pierer G. , Koller R. , Rieger U.M. 
Published: November 2014

Effective wound bed preparation is an essential element in the healing of chronic wounds, including pressure ulcers (PUs). Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) reduces oedema, stimulates the formation of granulation tissue and helps remove wound exudate. This helps prepare the wound bed for secondary healing, skin grafting or coverage with flaps. Combining NPWT with an instillation phase using an antiseptic (octenidine based) irrigation solution is a novel approach to PU management. Three patients with Category 4 gluteal PUs were treated with NPWT and instillation fluid, following surgical debridement of necrotic tissue. The aim was to achieve optimal wound bed preparation prior to wound closure by local fasciocutaneous flap. The antiseptic efficacy of octenilin wound irrigation solution in microorganism eradication was quantified by in vitro tests simulating real conditions using leg ulcer vacuum exudates. All wounds completely healed after four weeks, and no adverse incidents occurred due to instillation of octenidine. No recurrence of the PU occurred during a one year follow-up. Declaration of interest: The study was performed independently with no external financial support. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare with regards to the article or its content.
Sorting out the signal: Do multiple measures of teachers’ effectiveness provide consistent information to teachers and principals?
Authors: Strunk Katharine O. , Weinsten Tracey L. , Makkonen Reino 
Published: November 2014

There is increasing policy interest in the use of standards-based multiple measure teacher evaluation systems that include both observational and value-added measures of teacher effectiveness. The growing literature that assesses the relationships between these measures does so mainly in academic settings using a validity lens. While valuable in their own right, this evidence from research-based settings provides little evidence about how teachers and principals receive the different signals from multiple measures of effectiveness when implemented in district contexts. Using pairwise correlations and a series of ordinary least squares regressions, this study assesses the relationships between value-added measures of teacher effectiveness and an observational measure of teacher practice as implemented in a district's pilot of a new standards-based multiple-measure teacher evaluation system. We find moderate correlations between value-added and observation-based measures, indicating that teachers will receive similar but not entirely consistent signals from each performance measure. We conclude by highlighting considerations for districts working to develop and implement standards-based multiple-measure teacher evaluation systems.
Effects of cigarette smoking on circulating leukocytes and plasma cytokines in monozygotic twins
Authors: Andreoli Cristina , Bassi Antonella , Gregg Evan O. , Nunziata Alfredo , Puntoni Riccardo , Corsini Emanuela 
Published: November 2014

AbstractDespite the well-documented role of cigarette smoke in the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer and cardiovascular disease, biomarkers for screening or monitoring disease progression and outcome remain elusive, particularly for COPD and lung cancer. Inflammatory cells and mediators are likely to be involved in the disease processes, but their importance is still poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate early changes in immunological markers associated with smoking in healthy monozygotic twins without a detectable disease discordant for smoking, thereby minimising data variability due to genetic background.: Twenty-two monozygotic twin pairs, aged 31.5±6.3 years, entered the study. One of each twin pair was a smoker and the other a non-smoker. None of the subjects reported any diseases or clinically defined respiratory symptoms or airflow limitation. Each subject donated blood samples for determination of total leukocytes and subpopulations, lymphocyte subpopulation plus pro-inflammatory mediators (interleukin-8, tumour necrosis factor-α, soluble tumour necrosis factor-α receptors and C-reactive protein).: We observed a significant increase in the number of circulating leukocytes and neutrophils in smokers compared to non-smokers. Smokers also had significantly higher numbers of B cells and CD4While the prognostic significance of these changes is uncertain, results suggest that smoking is associated with immune changes, independent of genetic background and environmental conditions.