bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Block & replace regime versus titration regime of antithyroid drugs for the treatment of Graves’ disease: a retrospective observational study
Authors: Vaidya Bijay , Wright Ailsa , Shuttleworth Joanna , Donohoe Mollie , Warren Roderick , Brooke Antonia , Gericke Christian A. , Ukoumunne Obioha C 
Published: May 2014

SummaryContextTwo widely used antithyroid drug (ATD) regimes for Graves’ disease (GD) include the ‘block & replace’ (B&R) regime (a fixed high‐dose of ATD combined with levothyroxine) and the ‘titration’ regime (a titrating dose of ATD). Anecdotally, it is believed that B&R is less prone to fluctuating thyroid function.ObjectiveTo study whether, in routine clinical practice, the B&R regime, compared with the titration regime, is associated with more stable thyroid function.MethodsWe retrospectively analysed case‐records for 450 patients treated with ATDs for GD at a secondary care hospital. Exclusion criteria included treatment with ATDs for <6 months, thyrotoxicosis due to other causes, treatment with radioiodine or thyroidectomy and pregnancy.ResultsTwo hundred and twenty three patients were treated with the B&R regime (‘B&R group’), 149 with the titration regime (‘titration group’) and 78 with both regimes. The number of thyroid function tests (TFTs) performed per year (mean(SD): 3·2(1·2) vs 3·4(1·5); adjusted mean difference = −0·4; 95% CI: −0·7 to −0·1; and P = 0·008) and the number of hospital clinic visits per year (mean (SD): 2·9 (1·0) vs 3·2 (1·3); adjusted mean difference = −0·4; 95% CI: −0·7 to −0·2; and P = 0·002) were lower in the B&R group than the titration group. The number of abnormal TFT results per year was similar in the two groups (mean(SD): 1·8(1·3) vs 1·8(1·4); adjusted mean difference = 0·05; 95%CI: −0·3 to 0·4; and P = 0·74).ConclusionsIn this retrospective study, there was little evidence that patients under B&R have more stable thyroid function. Further data from prospective studies, however, are needed to confirm this finding.
Urinary biomarkers of acute kidney injury in deceased organ donors – kidney injury molecule‐1 as an adjunct to predicting outcome
Authors: Field Melanie , Dronavalli Vamsi , Mistry Punam , Drayson Mark , Ready Andrew , Cobbold Mark , Inston Nicholas 
Published: May 2014

AbstractBackgroundDeceased kidney donors are increasingly “marginal,” and many have risk factors for acute kidney injury (AKI) that may impact on subsequent renal transplant outcome. Despite this, determining the presence of AKI at the time of deceased organ donation remains difficult.MethodsUrine samples from 182 brainstem dead multi‐organ donors (all of whom donated hearts that were transplanted) were analyzed for a Luminex™ panel of biomarkers linked with AKI. This included KIM‐1, NGAL, IFN‐γ, TNF‐α, cystatin C, Fractalkine and vascular endothelial growth factor. Levels were correlated to early renal transplant outcomes, most specifically delayed graft function.ResultsDonor urinary KIM‐1 levels were significantly higher in donors whose kidneys displayed aberrant early function (p = 0.011). Fractalkine levels showed a trend toward elevation in such donors but uncorrected this did not attain significance. No correlation occurred with the remaining biomarkers.ConclusionsKIM‐1 appears to show promise as a marker for AKI in deceased cardiac organ donors. The availability of a lateral flow device (Renastick™) for KIM‐1 that also demonstrates higher urinary KIM‐1 levels in donors whose kidneys show aberrant initial function (p = 0.03), makes KIM‐1 a potential indicator of AKI that may merit further evaluation for its application at the donor bedside.
Epicardial fat thickness: threshold values and lifestyle association in male adolescents
Authors: Cena H. , Fonte M. L. , Casali P. M. , Maffoni S. , Roggi C. , Biino G. 
Published: May 2014

SummaryBackgroundObese adolescents with high proportion of visceral fat are at higher risk of developing the metabolic syndrome.ObjectivesThe study aims to investigate if echocardiographic epicardial fat thickness (EF) could be predictive of visceral obesity (VO) early in life and to provide EF threshold values specific for male adolescents. Further aim was to investigate the association between EF, lifestyle and metabolic disease familiarity.MethodsAnthropometric data were collected from 102 normal weight and overweight, healthy male adolescents (mean age: 14.91 ±  1.98 years); bioelectrical impedance analysis and transthoracic echocardiogram were performed in the same sample. Each participant fulfilled a validated self‐administered lifestyle questionnaire.ResultsWe found higher EF values in sedentary adolescents (P < 0.05), in those who never eat fruit and vegetables (P < 0.05), and in those with overweight mothers (P < 0.05). The strongest independent predictor of EF was waist circumference (P < 0.0001). Using the waist to height ratio as a marker of VO, logistic regression analysis revealed that 1 mm EF gain is responsible for seven times higher VO risk (P < 0.0001). Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that the optimal cut‐off for EF thickness associated to youth VO is 3.2 mm.ConclusionUltrasonography EF measurement might be a second‐level assessment tool, useful to detect early cardiometabolic damage stage.
Anti‐Toll‐like receptor 2 and 4 antibodies suppress inflammatory response in mice
Authors: Komai‐Koma Mousa , Li Dong , Wang Eryi , Vaughan Diane , Xu Damo 
Published: May 2014

SummaryToll‐like receptors (TLRs) 2 and 4 recognize different endogenous and exogenous agonists and play a distinct role in infection and inflammation. However, their ultimate effect in a given infectious and inflammatory disease is less understood. We produced polyclonal anti‐murine TLR2 and TLR4 antibodies and investigated their effect on cutaneous leishmaniasis and inflammatory arthritis. Administration of these antibodies to susceptible BALB/c mice, infected in the footpad with Leishmania major, reduced footpad swelling but not the parasite load compared with mice treated with control IgG. The antibodies synergistically reduced leishmanial‐specific T‐cell proliferation, T helper type 1 and type 2 cytokine production, specific IgG1 and IgG2a antibody synthesis, and T‐cell receptor and co‐stimulatory molecule expression on dendritic cells in infected mice. We then tested the effect of these antibodies on collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA) in DBA/1 mice, a classic model of chronic inflammation. Both antibodies markedly suppressed the development of clinical parameters with concomitant reduction of pro‐inflammatory cytokine production. These data therefore suggest that anti‐TLR2 and 4 antibodies may have a synergistic therapeutic effect on inflammatory disease in vivo.
Analysis and design of peer‐assisted video‐on‐demand services
Authors: Romero Pablo , Robledo Franco , Rodríguez‐Bocca Pablo , Rostagnol Claudia 
Published: May 2014

AbstractWe propose a deterministic fluid model to understand the trade‐offs in the design of peer‐assisted video‐on‐demand (VoD) services. There are three entities in this model: peers (or end users), seeders (altruistic users that own one or several complete video items), and cache servers that store and forward videos with a limited capacity. Peers join the network, download one or multiple concurrent video streams (possibly different video items), and abort the system when they wish. Peers are assumed to cooperate in a BitTorrent‐based fashion, governed by tit‐for‐tat and fair availability. The issue is to minimize the expected downloading times, choosing the set of video items that should be stored in each cache server. We first prove that the deterministic model is globally stable, and find closed expressions for the expected waiting times. Then, we introduce a combinatorial optimization problem (COP), whose nature is similar to the multiknapsack problem (where the items are videos, and knapsacks are related with the storage of cache servers). The problem turns out to be NP‐complete. Therefore, we heuristically address the problem following a GRASP (greedy randomized adaptive search procedure) methodology. Finally, we simulate the new caching methodology with real‐life traces taken from YouTube logs. The results suggest that the peer‐to‐peer philosophy is both stable and cost‐effective for on‐demand streaming purposes.
Migrate small, sound big: functional constraints on body size promote tracheal elongation in cranes
Authors: Jones M. R. , Witt C. C. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractOrganismal traits often represent the outcome of opposing selection pressures. Although social or sexual selection can cause the evolution of traits that constrain function or survival (e.g. ornamental feathers), it is unclear how the strength and direction of selection respond to ecological shifts that increase the severity of the constraint. For example, reduced body size might evolve by natural selection to enhance flight performance in migratory birds, but social or sexual selection favouring large body size may provide a countervailing force. Tracheal elongation is a potential outcome of these opposing pressures because it allows birds to convey an auditory signal of exaggerated body size. We predicted that the evolution of migration in cranes has coincided with a reduction in body size and a concomitant intensification of social or sexual selection for apparent large body size via tracheal elongation. We used a phylogenetic comparative approach to examine the relationships among migration distance, body mass and trachea length in cranes. As predicted, we found that migration distance correlated negatively with body size and positively with proportional trachea length. This result was consistent with our hypothesis that evolutionary reductions in body size led to intensified selection for trachea length. The most likely ultimate causes of intensified positive selection on trachea length are the direct benefits of conveying a large body size in intraspecific contests for mates and territories. We conclude that the strength of social or sexual selection on crane body size is linked to the degree of functional constraint.
‘Prudent habitat choice’: a novel mechanism of size‐assortative mating
Authors: Taborsky B. , Guyer L. , Demus P. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractAssortative mating, an ubiquitous form of nonrandom mating, strongly impacts Darwinian fitness and can drive biological diversification. Despite its ecological and evolutionary importance, the behavioural processes underlying assortative mating are often unknown, and in particular, mechanisms not involving mate choice have been largely ignored so far. Here, we propose that assortative mating can arise from ‘prudent habitat choice’, a general mechanism that acts under natural selection, and that it can occur despite a complete mixing of phenotypes. We show that in the cichlid Eretmodus cyanostictus size‐assortative mating ensues, because individuals of weaker competitive ability ignore high‐quality but strongly competed habitat patches. Previous studies showed that in E. cyanostictus, size‐based mate preferences are absent. By field and laboratory experiments, here we showed that (i) habitat quality and body size are correlated in this species; (ii) territories with more stone cover are preferred by both sexes in the absence of competition; and (iii) smaller fish prudently occupy vacant territories of worse quality than do larger fish. Prudent habitat choice is likely to be a widespread mechanism of assortative mating, as both preferences for and dominance‐based access to high‐quality habitats are generic phenomena in animals.
Three‐dimensional cellular distribution in polymeric scaffolds for bone regeneration: a microCT analysis compared to SEM, CLSM and DNA content
Authors: PARRILLI A. , PAGANI S. , MALTARELLO M. C. , SANTI S. , SALERNO A. , NETTI P. A. , GIARDINO R. , RIMONDINI L. , FINI M. 
Published: May 2014

SummaryIn orthopaedic surgery the tissues damaged by injury or disease could be replaced using constructs based on biocompatible materials, cells and growth factors. Scaffold design, porosity and early colonization are key components for the implant success. From biological point of view, attention may be also given to the number, type and size of seeded cells, as well as the seeding technique and cell morphological and volumetric alterations. This paper describes the use of the microCT approach (to date used principally for mineralized matrix quantification) to observe construct colonization in terms of cell localization, and make a direct comparison of the microtomographic sections with scanning electron microscopy images and confocal laser scanning microscope analysis. Briefly, polycaprolactone scaffolds were seeded at different cell densities with MG63 osteoblastic‐like cells. Two different endpoints, 1 and 2 weeks, were selected for the three‐dimensional colonization and proliferation analysis of the cells. By observing all images obtained, in addition to a more extensive distribution of cells on scaffolds surfaces than in the deeper layers, cell volume increased at 2 weeks compared to 1 week after seeding. Combining the cell number quantification by deoxyribonucleic acid analysis and the single cell volume changes by confocal laser scanning microscope, we validated the microCT segmentation method by finding no statistical differences in the evaluation of the cell volume fraction of the scaffold. Furthermore, the morphological results of this study suggest that an effective scaffold colonization requires a precise balance between different factors, such as number, type and size of seeded cells in addition to scaffold porosity.
Seascape continuity plays an important role in determining patterns of spatial genetic structure in a coral reef fish
Authors: D'Aloia C. C. , Bogdanowicz S. M. , Harrison R. G. , Buston P. M. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractDetecting patterns of spatial genetic structure (SGS) can help identify intrinsic and extrinsic barriers to gene flow within metapopulations. For marine organisms such as coral reef fishes, identifying these barriers is critical to predicting evolutionary dynamics and demarcating evolutionarily significant units for conservation. In this study, we adopted an alternative hypothesis‐testing framework to identify the patterns and predictors of SGS in the Caribbean reef fish Elacatinus lori. First, genetic structure was estimated using nuclear microsatellites and mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences. Next, clustering and network analyses were applied to visualize patterns of SGS. Finally, logistic regressions and linear mixed models were used to identify the predictors of SGS. Both sets of markers revealed low global structure: mitochondrial ΦST = 0.12, microsatellite FST = 0.0056. However, there was high variability among pairwise estimates, ranging from no differentiation between sites on contiguous reef (ΦST = 0) to strong differentiation between sites separated by ocean expanses ≥ 20 km (maximum ΦST = 0.65). Genetic clustering and statistical analyses provided additional support for the hypothesis that seascape discontinuity, represented by oceanic breaks between patches of reef habitat, is a key predictor of SGS in E. lori. Notably, the estimated patterns and predictors of SGS were consistent between both sets of markers. Combined with previous studies of dispersal in E. lori, these results suggest that the interaction between seascape continuity and the dispersal kernel plays an important role in determining genetic connectivity within metapopulations.
Assessing the efficacy of candidate mosquito repellents against the background of an attractive source that mimics a human host
Authors: MENGER D. J. , VAN LOON J. J. A. , TAKKEN W. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractMosquito repellents are used around the globe to protect against nuisance biting and disease‐transmitting mosquitoes. Recently, there has been renewed interest in the development of repellents as tools to control the transmission of mosquito‐borne diseases. We present a new bioassay for the accurate assessment of candidate repellent compounds, using a synthetic odour that mimics the odour blend released by human skin. Using DEET (N,N‐diethyl‐meta‐toluamide) and PMD (p‐menthane‐3,8‐diol) as reference compounds, nine candidate repellents were tested, of which five showed significant repellency to the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto (Diptera: Culicidae). These included: 2‐nonanone; 6‐methyl‐5‐hepten‐2‐one; linalool; δ‐decalactone, and δ‐undecalactone. The lactones were also tested on the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti (Stegomyia aegypti) (Diptera: Culicidae), against which they showed similar degrees of repellency. We conclude that the lactones are highly promising repellents, particularly because these compounds are pleasant‐smelling, natural products that are also present in human food sources.
Using plants to elucidate the mechanisms of cytonuclear co‐evolution
Authors: Sloan Daniel B. 
Published: May 2014

SummaryThe presence of both cytoplasmic and nuclear genomes within eukaryotic cells raises fascinating questions about co‐evolution between genomic compartments that experience fundamentally different mutation rates and modes of inheritance. The highly mutagenic environments found in the mitochondria of some eukaryotes have generated interest in the role that mitochondrial mutation accumulation plays in phenomena such as intracellular gene transfer, compensatory evolution in the nucleus and the evolution of reproductive isolation. Although plant systems have played an important historical role in the study of cytonuclear co‐evolution, they remain underutilized in many respects. In particular, the enormous natural variation in DNA substitution rates, gene content and genome architecture in plant mitochondria – much of which has even been found within a single genus – provides opportunities to resolve longstanding evolutionary questions about the consequences of mitochondrial mutation accumulation. This review summarizes some of the classic questions about cytonuclear co‐evolution that could be addressed by taking advantage of the variation in plants and highlights a recent analysis of the effect of mitochondrial mutation accumulation on rates of molecular evolution in the nucleus.
Mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos)‐mediated dispersal of Lemnaceae: a contributing factor in the spread of invasive Lemna minuta?
Authors: Coughlan N. E. , Kelly T. C. , Jansen M. A. K. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractOur ability to predict and manage the spread of alien, invasive plants is limited by a lack of understanding of dispersal potential. Invasive Lemna minuta has spread within a few decennia throughout Europe. However, the mechanism by which the species continues to spread remains a matter of speculation. In this study, hypothesised epizoochorous transport of L. minuta propagules by mallard ducks was investigated. Landolt (Biosystematic investigations in the family of duckweeds (Lemnaceae) (Vol. 2), The family of Lemnaceae – a monographic study (Vol. 1), 1986, Veröffentlichungen des Geobotanischen Institutes Der Eidg. Techniasche Hochschule, Stiftung Rübel, Zürich, Switzerland) referred to desiccation as the key limitation of the “colonization capability” of Lemnaceae. Therefore, we analysed retention of viability in L. minuta kept outside the liquid growth medium. Our data show prolonged viability of L. minuta fronds inserted between the feathers of a mallard duck. Consistently, the relative humidity between feathers ranged between 65% and 90%. Taking together evidence of entanglement and retention of L. minuta between the feathers of live ducks, with retention of viability, we consider it likely that mallards contribute to L. minuta dispersal. These data have implications for the management strategy of this invasive species.
A retrospective study of volume doubling time in surgically resected non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Mackintosh John A. , Marshall Henry M. , Yang Ian A. , Bowman Rayleen V. , Fong Kwun M. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractBackground and objectiveVolume doubling time (VDT) contributes to the evaluation of the indeterminate pulmonary nodule, an increasingly frequent problem given the rising use of computed tomography (CT). We aimed to correlate patient and tumour characteristics with VDT and growth rates of primary non‐small cell lung cancers (NSCLC).MethodsSurgically treated NSCLC, which underwent two or more CT scans separated by 25 or more days were studied. Tumour volume was measured using semi‐automated volumetric software. VDT and growth rate (1/VDT) were correlated with patient and tumour characteristics.ResultsThirty‐six adenocarcinomas (AC), six squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), two large cell and two carcinoids in 46 patients had 109 eligible scans. Median VDT was 191 days (range −9435 to 2256 days); median growth rate was 0.0038 (range −0.0086 to 0.0186). Median growth rate of AC was significantly slower than SCC (0.0034 vs 0.0103, P = 0.037). Nine AC had VDT >400 days, three of which developed distant metastases. Median growth rate of AC was faster in smokers compared with never‐smokers (0.0052 vs 0.0014, P = 0.02). Growth rate was not related to symptoms at diagnosis (P = 0.16). Less differentiated tumours tended to grow faster than more differentiated (P = 0.0038). Growth curves of 12 multi‐imaged tumours conformed best with the exponential model of growth.ConclusionsNSCLC growth rate appears to be highly variable and related to histological subtype and smoking history, but not the presence of symptoms at diagnosis. Significant growth may be detected in as little as 2 months in NSCLC in smokers. Relatively slow‐growing AC can metastasize.
An open, self‐controlled study on the efficacy of topical indoxacarb for eliminating fleas and clinical signs of flea‐allergy dermatitis in client‐owned dogs in Queensland, Australia
Authors: Fisara Petr , Sargent Roger M. , Shipstone Michael , von Berky Andrew , von Berky Janet 
Published: May 2014

BackgroundCanine flea‐allergy dermatitis (FAD), a hypersensitivity response to antigenic material in the saliva of feeding fleas, occurs worldwide and remains a common presentation in companion animal veterinary practice despite widespread availability of effective systemic and topical flea‐control products.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo evaluate the clinical response in dogs with FAD treated topically with indoxacarb, a novel oxadiazine insecticide.AnimalsTwenty‐five client‐owned dogs in Queensland, Australia diagnosed with pre‐existing FAD on the basis of clinical signs, flea‐antigen intradermal and serological tests.MethodsAn open‐label, noncontrolled study, in which all dogs were treated with topical indoxacarb at 4 week intervals, three times over 12 weeks.ResultsTwenty‐four dogs completed the study. Complete resolution of clinical signs of FAD was observed in 21 cases (87.5%), with nearly complete resolution or marked improvement in the remaining three cases. Mean clinical scores (Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index‐03) were reduced by 93.3% at week 12. Mean owner‐assessed pruritus scores were reduced by 88% by week 12. Mean flea counts reduced by 98.7 and 100% in weeks 8 and 12, respectively.Conclusions and clinical importanceTopical indoxacarb treatment applied every 4 weeks for 12 weeks, without concomitant antipruritic or ectoparasiticide therapy, completely alleviated flea infestations in all dogs and associated clinical signs of FAD in a high proportion of this population of dogs in a challenging flea‐infestation environment.