bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A randomized clinical trial of peginterferon alpha‐2b with or without entecavir in patients with HBeAg‐negative chronic hepatitis B: Role of host and viral factors associated with treatment response
Authors: Tangkijvanich P. , Chittmittraprap S. , Poovorawan K. , Limothai U. , Khlaiphuengsin A. , Chuaypen N. , Wisedopas N. , Poovorawan Y. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryCombining peginterferon (PEG‐IFN) and a potent nucleoside/nucleotide analogue might improve treatment response in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). The aims of this study were to compare the efficacy of PEG‐IFN alpha‐2b with or without entecavir in HBeAg‐negative CHB and to investigate predictors of response. A total of 126 treatment‐naïve patients were randomly assigned to receive monotherapy (n = 63) or combination therapy (n = 63) for 48 weeks. Virological response (VR) was defined as HBV DNA level <2000 IU/mL at week 96. Baseline factors including polymorphisms in the IFNL3 (rs12979860) and HLA‐DPA1 (rs3077) genes and on‐treatment viral kinetics were determined. At week 48, rates of undetectable HBV DNA were lower in the monotherapy than combination groups, but rates of HBsAg clearance and decline were comparable. At week 96, there was no difference between the corresponding groups regarding virological response (41.3% vs 38.1%, P = 0.856), HBsAg clearance (9.5% vs 4.8%, P = 0.491) and HBsAg decline. Baseline HBsAg level [odds ratio (OR): 3.14 (1.34–7.69), P = 0.012] and rs3077 polymorphism [OR: 2.78 (1.27–6.11), P = 0.011] were independent predictors of response. Patients carried GG genotype of rs3077 with low baseline HBV (<1000 IU/mL) had high probability of achieving VR (76.5%) and HBsAg clearance (29.4%). None of the patients without decrease in HBsAg combined with <2 log10 HBV DNA decline at week 12 achieved a virological response. In conclusion, the combination therapy lead to greater on‐treatment HBV DNA suppression but did not improve virological response and HBsAg clearance/decline over monotherapy. Host and viral factors could help optimize decision‐making at baseline and during PEG‐IFN‐based therapy.
Organic and inorganic correlations for Northwest Africa 852 by synchrotron‐based Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy
Authors: Yesiltas Mehmet , Peale Robert E. , Unger Miriam , Sedlmair Julia , Hirschmugl Carol J. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractRelationships between organic molecules and inorganic minerals are investigated in a single 34 μm diameter grain of the CR2 chondrite Northwest Africa 852 (NWA) 852 with submicron spatial resolution using synchrotron‐based imaging micro‐FTIR spectroscopy. Correlations based on absorption strength for the various constituents are determined using statistical correlation analysis. The silicate band is found to be correlated with the hydration band, and the latter is highly correlated with stretching modes of aliphatic hydrocarbons. Spatial distribution maps show that water+organic combination, silicate, OH, and C‐H distributions overlap, suggesting a possible catalytic role of phyllosilicates in the formation of organics. In contrast, the carbonate band is anticorrelated with water+organic combination, however uncorrelated with any other spectral feature. The average ratio of asymmetric CH2 and CH3 band strengths (CH2/CH3 = 2.53) for NWA 852 is similar to the average ratio of interplanetary dust particles (~2.40) and Wild 2 cometary dust particles (2.50), but it significantly exceeds that of interstellar medium objects (~1.00) and several aqueously altered carbonaceous chondrites (~1.40). This suggests organics of similar length/branching, and perhaps similar formation regions, for NWA 852, Wild 2 dust particles, and interplanetary dust particles. The heterogeneous spatial distribution of ratio values indicates the presence of a mixture of aliphatic organic material with different length/branching, and thus a wide range of parent body processes, which occurred before the considered grain was formed.
Influence of redox conditions on the intensity of Mars crustal magnetic anomalies
Authors: Brachfeld Stefanie , Shah Deepa , First Emily , Hammer Julia , Bowles Julie 
Published: September 2015

AbstractWe evaluate the relationship between the intensity of remanent magnetization and fO2 in natural and synthetic Mars meteorites. The olivine‐phyric shergottite meteorite Yamato 980459 (Y‐980459) and a sulfur‐free synthetic analog (Y‐98*) of identical major element composition were analyzed to explore the rock magnetic and remanence properties of a basalt crystallized from a primitive melt, and to explore the role of magmatic and alteration environment fO2 on Mars crustal anomalies. The reducing conditions under which Y‐980459 is estimated to have formed (QFM‐2.5; Shearer et al. 2006) were replicated during the synthesis of Y‐98*. Y‐980459 contains pyrrhotite and chromite. Chromite is the only magnetic phase in Y‐98*. The remanence‐carrying capacity of Y‐980459 is comparable to other shergottites that formed in the fO2 range of QFM‐3 to QFM‐1. The remanence‐carrying capacity of these low fO2 basalts is 1–2 orders of magnitude too weak to account for the intense crustal anomalies observed in Mars's southern cratered highlands. Moderately oxidizing conditions of >QFM‐1, which are more commonly observed in nakhlites and Noachian breccias, are key to generating either a primary igneous assemblage or secondary alteration assemblage capable of acquiring an intense remanent magnetization, regardless of the basalt character or thermal history. This suggests that if igneous rocks are responsible for the intensely magnetized crust, these oxidizing conditions must have existed in the magmatic plumbing systems of early Mars or must have existed in the crust during secondary processes that led to acquisition of a chemical remanent magnetization.
Intraspecific variability in the “vowel”‐like sounds of beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas): Intra‐ and interpopulation comparisons
Authors: Panova Elena M. , Belikov Roman A. , Agafonov Alexandr V. , Kirillova Olga I. , Chernetsky Anton D. , Bel'kovich Vsevolod M. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) has a rich and complicated vocal repertoire. However, different populations use similar and common types of signals. We studied physical features of one of these types, “vowels,” in three Russian populations: the White Sea population (European North), the Chukotka population (the Bering Sea, Chukotka), and the Okhotsk Sea population (Russian Far East) as well as in four summer aggregations of the White Sea belugas over several years in duration. The pulse repetition rate (PRR) at half of the duration of the signal was measured. We found that the PRR of “vowels” collected in the same summer aggregation during different years is stable in time but varies between locations. The degree of variation corresponds with the geographic distance between different locations. Significant differences were discovered between populations separated by thousands of kilometers, and to a lesser extent, between summer aggregations inhabiting different bays of the White Sea. The variation in PRR between the locations can be caused by the divergence of signals owing to the accumulation of random errors during transmission of these signals from generation to generation, which progressed independently in different summer aggregations and populations.
Detecting surface‐feeding behavior by rorqual whales in accelerometer data
Authors: Owen Kylie , Dunlop Rebecca A. , Monty Jason P. , Chung Daniel , Noad Michael J. , Donnelly David , Goldizen Anne W. , Mackenzie Thomas 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe movement of marine animals feeding at the sea surface is restricted by wave drag and a reduction in propulsive efficiency. Many rorqual whale species lunge feed at the surface, yet existing methodologies for detecting lunges in accelerometer data have not been applied to surface‐feeding behavior. Our study aimed to develop a method to detect surface‐feeding behavior in accelerometer data and in doing so, determine whether wave drag influences the detection of surface‐feeding behavior. A new acceleration parameter is described that considers the forward acceleration of the animal relative to its pitch. The new parameter, along with information on the deceleration and pitch angle, was then used in an automatic lunge detecting algorithm followed by a visual classification method that detected approximately 70% of the lunges observed during focal follow sampling. The forward acceleration of lunges decreased significantly with increasing proximity to the surface. This lower acceleration at the surface may influence the ability to detect lunge feeding behavior close to the surface. Future research should attempt to determine the cause of this relationship, which may be the influence of changes in the forces acting on the whale or behavioral flexibility by the whale.
How many individuals must be screened to reduce oral cancer mortality rate in the Western context? A challenge
Authors: Petti S , Scully C 
Published: September 2015

ObjectiveControlling oral cancer (OC) through screening is appealing. Advantages of this are as follows: OC is often preceded by visible premalignant lesions, early‐stage survival is threefold greater than late‐stage survival, and visual screening is inexpensive. Disadvantages of this are as follows: high frequency of false positives, undemonstrated cost‐effectiveness, and irregular screening attendance by high‐risk individuals. Screening effectiveness in Western countries has not been proven, because of low OC prevalence, which disproportionally increases the number of individuals needed to screen (NNS) to decrease mortality. This study estimated the NNS to obtain an evident decrease in OC mortality rate in the UK.MethodsData gathered from reliable databanks were used. NNS to detect one case (NNScase) was estimated using a Bayesian approach. NNS to prevent one death (NNSdeath) was assessed multiplying NNScase by the number of cases that must be screen‐detected to prevent one death. NNS to decrease mortality rate by 1% (NNSmortality) was assessed multiplying NNSdeath by 1% of annual OC deaths.ResultsNNSmortality was overall 1 125 000 (95% confidence interval – 95CI, 690 000–1 870 000), males 551 000 (95CI, 337 000–916 000), and females 571 000 (95CI, 347 000–942 000).ConclusionsAn OC visual screening campaign capable of producing an evident decrease in mortality rate in the UK requires a large number of adults to be annually and regularly screened.
Plant‐produced candidate countermeasures against emerging and reemerging infections and bioterror agents
Authors: Streatfield Stephen J. , Kushnir Natasha , Yusibov Vidadi 
Published: September 2015

SummaryDespite progress in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, they continue to present a major threat to public health. The frequency of emerging and reemerging infections and the risk of bioterrorism warrant significant efforts towards the development of prophylactic and therapeutic countermeasures. Vaccines are the mainstay of infectious disease prophylaxis. Traditional vaccines, however, are failing to satisfy the global demand because of limited scalability of production systems, long production timelines and product safety concerns. Subunit vaccines are a highly promising alternative to traditional vaccines. Subunit vaccines, as well as monoclonal antibodies and other therapeutic proteins, can be produced in heterologous expression systems based on bacteria, yeast, insect cells or mammalian cells, in shorter times and at higher quantities, and are efficacious and safe. However, current recombinant systems have certain limitations associated with production capacity and cost. Plants are emerging as a promising platform for recombinant protein production due to time and cost efficiency, scalability, lack of harboured mammalian pathogens and possession of the machinery for eukaryotic post‐translational protein modification. So far, a variety of subunit vaccines, monoclonal antibodies and therapeutic proteins (antivirals) have been produced in plants as candidate countermeasures against emerging, reemerging and bioterrorism‐related infections. Many of these have been extensively evaluated in animal models and some have shown safety and immunogenicity in clinical trials. Here, we overview ongoing efforts to producing such plant‐based countermeasures.
Chylothorax associated with child abuse
Authors: Ichikawa Yasuhiro , Sato Atsuo , Sato Kodai , Nakamura Kaori , Kitagawa Norihiko , Tanoue Koji , Shiro Hiroyuki 
Published: September 2015

AbstractWe report a case of right chylothorax associated with physical abuse in a 10‐month‐old boy who presented with respiratory decompensation. Chylothorax was improved by thoracic drainage and nutrition management, such as fasting followed by medium‐chain triglyceride milk. Chest computed tomography on admission showed bilateral old rib fractures. Accordingly, physical abuse was suspected. Chylothorax of unknown cause in infancy, especially in those with coexisting rib fractures, must be scrutinized for child abuse.
Tillage effects on soil aggregation, organic carbon fractions and grain yield in Eum‐Orthic Anthrosol of a winter wheat–maize double‐cropping system, Northwest China
Authors: Ji Q. , Wang Y. , Chen X‐N. , Wang X‐D. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractConservation tillage has been applied in vast semi‐arid regions of the Guanzhong Plain, Northwest China. The tillage effects on soil aggregation, organic carbon (OC) stabilization and grain yield on this plain have not been fully elucidated. A 9‐year field experiment was established from 2002 on a silty clay loam soil (Eum‐Orthic Anthrosol) growing winter wheat–maize in a double‐cropping system. Six conservation tillage treatments were applied by different combinations of rotary tillage (RT), subsoiling (SS) and no‐till (NT), with or without finely chopped straw retention. Conventional tillage (CT) acted as the control. Results showed that in the surface (0–10 cm) soil, the proportion of water‐stable aggregates (WSA) <0.05 mm was 18% less while that for WSA >2 mm was 98% more under NT treatments compared with CT. Additionally, the oxidizable OC content in WSA 0.25–2 mm was 27% greater under NT treatments compared with CT. The OC stocks increased under SS by 17%, RT by 16% and NT by 15% relative to CT. Grain yield (wheat + maize) showed similar increasing trends in all the tillage treatments compared with CT. Both OC stocks and grain yield were larger in treatments with than without straw retentions. These results indicate that NT is beneficial for OC accumulation in WSA but is limited in its ability to improve soil structure in this region. SS plus straw retention (fine‐chopped or as a mulch) is an effective practice to improve soil structural stability, OC accumulation and soil productivity of Eum‐Orthic Anthrosols in Northwest China.
Transfusion‐related alloimmune neutropenia with no pulmonary complications: one donor—five cases
Authors: Hauck‐Dlimi Barbara , Ruppel Renate , Zimmermann Robert , Strobel Julian , Reil Angelika , Eckstein Reinhold , Zingsem Juergen 
Published: September 2015

BACKGROUND: Neutrophil alloantibodies are well‐known triggers of transfusion‐related acute lung injury (TRALI) and also cause immune neutropenia. Alloimmune neutropenia due to transfusion is an isolated phenomenon that is only rarely identified. Its incidence is specified in the literature as being less than one in 10,000 transfused plasma‐containing units. We expect that this phenomenon is underreported.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We observed five cases of alloimmune neutropenia with no respiratory complications with only one case initially reported as a suspected transfusion reaction. The other four cases were detected in the course of the subsequent lookback investigation.RESULTS: The first case was reported as a potential transfusion reaction when a female patient showed a decrease in the white blood cell count after a platelet (PLT) transfusion. Examinations of the donor blood revealed an antibody against the human neutrophil antigen HNA‐1b; the recipient was typed HNA‐1b positive and HNA‐1a negative. After examining the blood counts of other patients who previously received PLT concentrates from the same donor, we identified four other patients with an unreported decrease in the leukocyte and/or granulocyte count of more than approximately 50% after transfusion.CONCLUSION: HNA antibodies are generally regarded as potential triggers of TRALI. Here we describe an HNA antibody that reproducibly caused transfusion‐related neutropenia only without pulmonary complications. Factors predisposing patients to TRALI development are widely discussed. Our case suggests that antibody characteristics are also relevant in the development of TRALI. Current measures to prevent TRALI should also prevent transfusion‐related alloimmune neutropenia.
Incidence of hypotension and acute hypotensive transfusion reactions following platelet concentrate transfusions
Authors: Du Pont‐Thibodeau G. , Robitaille N. , Gauvin F. , Thibault L. , Rivard G.‐É. , Lacroix J. , Tucci M. 
Published: September 2015

Background and objectivesPlatelet concentrates (PCs) are associated with transfusion reactions involving hypotension, particularly bradykinin‐mediated acute hypotensive transfusion reactions. This study aims to determine the incidence of hypotensive events and more specifically acute hypotensive transfusion reaction associated with PC transfusions. We also sought to ascertain whether these reactions are associated with elevated bradykinin levels.Materials and MethodsThis is a prospective descriptive study of PCs administered at Sainte‐Justine Hospital over 28 months. All PCs administered during this period were screened for hypotension through review of all transfusion‐associated reaction reports (TARRs) sent to the blood bank. All residual PC bags were returned to the blood bank. TARRs associated with hypotension were reviewed by adjudicators that established the imputability of the PC transfusion to the reaction. Bradykinin levels were sampled in the first 168 PC bags returned to the blood bank. Levels were compared between PCs associated with hypotension and control PCs not associated with hypotension.ResultsA total of 3672 PC bags were returned to the blood bank; 25 PCs were associated with hypotension. Adjudicators ascertained that five hypotensive events were imputable to PCs of which one was an acute hypotensive transfusion reaction (incidence: 0·03%). Bradykinin level in the latter PC was 10 pg/ml, whereas levels were 226·2 ± 1252 pg/ml in the 143 control PCs.ConclusionOur results show a low incidence of hypotension after PC transfusion. We identified only one acute hypotensive transfusion reaction. No correlation between bradykinin level and the occurrence of acute hypotensive reactions could be observed given that only one event was identified.
Single muscle fibre contractile properties differ between body‐builders, power athletes and control subjects
Authors: Meijer J. P. , Jaspers R. T. , Rittweger J. , Seynnes O. R. , Kamandulis S. , Brazaitis M. , Skurvydas A. , Pišot R. , Šimunič B. , Narici M. V. , Degens H. 
Published: September 2015

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?
Do the contractile properties of single muscle fibres differ between body‐builders, power athletes and control subjects?

What is the main finding and its importance?
Peak power normalized for muscle fibre volume in power athletes is higher than in control subjects. Compared with control subjects, maximal isometric tension (normalized for muscle fibre cross‐sectional area) is lower in body‐builders. Although this difference may be caused in part by an apparent negative effect of hypertrophy, these results indicate that the training history of power athletes may increase muscle fibre quality, whereas body‐building may be detrimental.

We compared muscle fibre contractile properties of biopsies taken from the vastus lateralis of 12 body‐builders (BBs; low‐ to moderate‐intensity high‐volume resistance training), six power athletes (PAs; high‐intensity, low‐volume combined with aerobic training) and 14 control subjects (Cs). Maximal isotonic contractions were performed in single muscle fibres, typed with SDS‐PAGE. Fibre cross‐sectional area was 67 and 88% (P < 0.01) larger in BBs than in PAs and Cs, respectively, with no significant difference in fibre cross‐sectional area between PAs and Cs. Fibres of BBs and PAs developed a higher maximal isometric tension (32 and 50%, respectively, P < 0.01) than those of Cs. The specific tension of BB fibres was 62 and 41% lower than that of PA and C fibres (P < 0.05), respectively. Irrespective of fibre type, the peak power (PP) of PA fibres was 58% higher than that of BB fibres (P < 0.05), whereas BB fibres, despite considerable hypertrophy, had similar PP to the C fibres. This work suggests that high‐intensity, low‐volume resistance training with aerobic exercise improves PP, while low‐ to moderate‐intensity high‐volume resistance training does not affect PP and results in a reduction in specific tension. We postulate that the decrease in specific tension is caused by differences in myofibrillar density and/or post‐translational modifications of contractile proteins.
Effects of an Uphill Marathon on Running Mechanics and Lower-Limb Muscle Fatigue
Authors: Giovanelli Nicola , Taboga Paolo , Rejc Enrico , Simunic Bostjan , Antonutto Guglielmo , Lazzer Stefano 
Published: September 2015

Purpose:To investigate the effects of an uphill marathon (43 km, 3063-m elevation gain) on running mechanics and neuromuscular fatigue in lower-limb muscles.Methods:Maximal mechanical power of lower limbs (MMP), temporal tensiomyographic (TMG) parameters, and muscle-belly displacement (Dm) were determined in the vastus lateralis muscle before and after the competition in 18 runners (age 42.8 ± 9.9 y, body mass 70.1 ± 7.3 kg, maximal oxygen uptake 55.5 ± 7.5 mL · kg−1 · min−1). Contact (tc) and aerial (ta) times, step frequency (f), and running velocity (v) were measured at 3, 14, and 30 km and after the finish line (POST). Peak vertical ground-reaction force (Fmax), vertical displacement of the center of mass (Δz), leg-length change (ΔL), and vertical (kvert) and leg (kleg) stiffness were calculated.Results:MMP was inversely related with race time (r = –.56, P = .016), tc (r = –.61, P = .008), and Δz (r = –.57, P = .012) and directly related with Fmax (r = .59, P = .010), ta (r = .48, P = .040), and kvert (r = .51, P = .027). In the fastest subgroup (n = 9) the following parameters were lower in POST (P < .05) than at km 3: ta (–14.1% ± 17.8%), Fmax (–6.2% ± 6.4%), kvert (–17.5% ± 17.2%), and kleg (–11.4% ± 10.9%). The slowest subgroup (n = 9) showed changes (P < .05) at km 30 and POST in Fmax (–5.5% ± 4.9% and –5.3% ± 4.1%), ta (–20.5% ± 16.2% and –21.5% ± 14.4%), tc (5.5% ± 7.5% and 3.2% ± 5.2%), kvert (–14.0% ± 12.8% and –11.8% ± 10.0%), and kleg (–8.9% ± 11.5% and –11.9% ± 12%). TMG temporal parameters decreased in all runners (–27.35% ± 18.0%, P < .001), while Dm increased (24.0% ± 35.0%, P = .005), showing lower-limb stiffness and higher muscle sensibility to the electrical stimulus.Conclusions:Greater MMP was related with smaller changes in running mechanics induced by fatigue. Thus, lower-limb power training could improve running performance in uphill marathons.