bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Risk factors associated with the longevity of multi‐rooted teeth. Long‐term outcomes after active and supportive periodontal therapy
Authors: Salvi Giovanni E. , Mischler Daniel C. , Schmidlin Kurt , Matuliene Giedre , Pjetursson Bjarni E. , Brägger Urs , Lang Niklaus P. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractAimTo investigate risk factors for the loss of multi‐rooted teeth (MRT) in subjects treated for periodontitis and enrolled in supportive periodontal therapy (SPT).Material and MethodsA total of 172 subjects were examined before (T0) and after active periodontal therapy (APT)(T1) and following a mean of 11.5 ± 5.2 (SD) years of SPT (T2). The association of risk factors with loss of MRT was analysed with multilevel logistic regression. The tooth was the unit of analysis.ResultsFurcation involvement (FI) = 1 before APT was not a risk factor for tooth loss compared with FI = 0 (p = 0.37). Between T0 and T2, MRT with FI = 2 (OR: 2.92, 95% CI: 1.68, 5.06, p = 0.0001) and FI = 3 (OR: 6.85, 95% CI: 3.40, 13.83, p < 0.0001) were at a significantly higher risk to be lost compared with those with FI = 0. During SPT, smokers lost significantly more MRT compared with non‐smokers (OR: 2.37, 95% CI: 1.05, 5.35, p = 0.04). Non‐smoking and compliant subjects with FI = 0/1 at T1 lost significantly less MRT during SPT compared with non‐compliant smokers with FI = 2 (OR: 10.11, 95% CI: 2.91, 35.11, p < 0.0001) and FI = 3 (OR: 17.18, 95% CI: 4.98, 59.28, p < 0.0001) respectively.ConclusionsFI = 1 was not a risk factor for tooth loss compared with FI = 0. FI = 2/3, smoking and lack of compliance with regular SPT represented risk factors for the loss of MRT in subjects treated for periodontitis.
Evolved variation in cold tolerance among populations of Eldana saccharina (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in South Africa
Authors: Kleynhans E. , Mitchell K. A. , Conlong D. E. , Terblanche J. S. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractAmong‐population variation in chill‐coma onset temperature (CTmin) is thought to reflect natural selection for local microclimatic conditions. However, few studies have investigated the evolutionary importance of cold tolerance limits in natural populations. Here, using a common‐environment approach, we show pronounced variation in CTmin (± 4 °C) across the geographic range of a nonoverwintering crop pest, Eldana saccharina. The outcomes of this study provide two notable results in the context of evolved chill‐coma variation: (1) CTmin differs significantly between geographic lines and is significantly positively correlated with local climates, and (2) there is a stable genetic architecture underlying CTmin trait variation, likely representing four key genes. Crosses between the most and least cold‐tolerant geographic lines confirmed a genetic component to CTmin trait variation. Slower developmental time in the most cold‐tolerant population suggests that local adaptation involves fitness costs; however, it confers fitness benefits in that environment. A significant reduction in phenotypic plasticity in the laboratory population suggests that plasticity of this trait is costly to maintain but also likely necessary for field survival. These results are significant for understanding field population adaption to novel environments, whereas further work is needed to dissect the underlying mechanism and gene(s) responsible.
Divorce in the barn owl: securing a compatible or better mate entails the cost of re‐pairing with a less ornamented female mate
Authors: Dreiss A. N. , Roulin A. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractTwo nonmutually exclusive hypotheses can explain why divorce is an adaptive strategy to improve reproductive success. Under the ‘better option hypothesis’, only one of the two partners initiates divorce to secure a higher‐quality partner and increases reproductive success after divorce. Under the ‘incompatibility hypothesis’, partners are incompatible and hence they may both increase reproductive success after divorce. In a long‐term study of the barn owl (Tyto alba), we address the question of whether one or the two partners derive fitness benefits by divorcing. Our results support the hypothesis that divorce is adaptive: after a poor reproductive season, at least one of the two divorcees increase breeding success up to the level of faithful pairs. By breeding more often together, faithful pairs improve coordination and thereby gain in their efficiency to produce successful fledglings. Males would divorce to obtain a compatible mate rather than a mate of higher quality: a heritable melanin‐based signal of female quality did not predict divorce (indicating that female absolute quality may not be the cause of divorce), but the new mate of divorced males was less melanic than their previous mate. This suggests that, at least for males, a cost of divorce may be to secure a lower‐quality but compatible mate. The better option hypothesis could not be formally rejected, as only one of the two divorcing partners commonly succeeded in obtaining a higher reproductive success after divorce. In conclusion, incompatible partners divorce to restore reproductive success, and by breeding more often together, faithful partners improve coordination.
Antiviral effect of entecavir in nucleos(t)ide analogue‐naïve and nucleos(t)ide analogue‐experienced chronic hepatitis B patients without virological response at week 24 or 48 of therapy
Authors: Chen Chien‐Hung , Hu Tsung‐Hui , Hung Chao‐Hung , Wang Jing‐Houng , Lu Sheng‐Nan , Lee Chuan‐Mo 
Published: April 2014

SummaryWe investigated the antiviral effect of entecavir in nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA)‐naïve and NA‐experienced chronic hepatitis B patients without virological response (VR, HBV DNA < 300 copies/mL) at week 24 or 48. A total of 369 NA‐naïve and 181 NA‐experienced patients treated with entecavir monotherapy were analysed. Of the 369 NA‐naïve patients, 34 did not achieve VR at week 48. Of them, patients with HBV DNA ≤2000 copies/mL at week 48 achieved a higher VR rate than those with HBV DNA >2000 copies/mL (18/23 vs 3/11, P = 0.004). Two naïve patients with HBV DNA >2000 copies/mL developed entecavir‐ or lamivudine‐resistant mutants. In 98 lamivudine‐experienced patients without ever having lamivudine resistance, most patients with VR (72/72) and partial VR (300–104 copies/mL; 20/23) at week 24 or VR at week 48 (89/91) could maintain or achieve VR after prolonged therapy. In 75 patients with prior resistance to lamivudine, prolonged entecavir therapy led to low VR rate in those without VR at week 24 (13/45) or 48 (4/34) and high entecavir‐resistance rate in those with or without VR at week 24 (6/30 with and 23/45 without) and 48 (8/41 with and 21/34 without). VR at week 48 was an independent predictor (HR 0.14, 95% CI 0.06–0.33) for entecavir‐resistant mutant development among the 75 patients with prior lamivudine‐resistant mutants. In conclusion, prolonged entecavir treatment resulted in a poor response in naïve patients with HBV DNA >2000 copies/mL at week 48 and patients with prior lamivudine‐resistant mutants without VR at week 24 or 48.
Spatial patterns with memory: tree regeneration after stand‐replacing disturbance in Picea abies mountain forests
Authors: Wild Jan , Kopecký Martin , Svoboda Miroslav , Zenáhlíková Jitka , Edwards‐Jonášová Magda , Herben Tomáš 
Published: April 2014

AbstractQuestionsWhat are the spatial patterns of adult trees and recruits in natural Picea abies forests? How are these patterns related to each other? Does the relationship differ before and after stand‐replacing disturbance? What are the ecological processes behind these spatial patterns?LocationMountain Picea abies forests in the Šumava Mts. (Bohemian Forest), Czech Republic, affected by a high‐severity outbreak of bark beetle (Ips typographus) that caused large‐scale dieback of the forest canopy.MethodsWe measured the spatial coordinates and heights of all recruits and the coordinates and DBH of all adult trees in nine plots across a wide range of recruit densities. We distinguished pre‐ and post‐disturbance recruits, trees killed by the disturbance and trees already dead before it. To analyse spatial relationship among these groups, we used univariate and bivariate pair‐correlation functions. To provide further insight into the mechanisms behind the observed patterns, we fitted Thomas and Matérn point processes to the observed data.ResultsRecruits formed tight clusters (2–9 m), whereas trees were distributed randomly or weakly clustered at short distances (1–2 m). Both pre‐disturbance and post‐disturbance recruits were highly clustered (cluster radii < 2 m) around trees before and after the stand–replacing disturbance. This fine‐scale pattern was likely driven by a combination of: (1) seed accumulation in tree wells during winter; (2) nurse effects of tree trunks extending the vegetation period, suppressing competitive vegetation and enhancing nutrient supply from decomposed litter; and (3) suitable seedbeds on some decaying wood. The Thomas point process fitted the observed pattern of decreasing recruit density with increasing distance from mature trees better than the Matérn process.ConclusionsTree spatial pattern in mountain P. abies forests showed high resilience to stand‐replacing disturbance. After a self‐thinning of recruits tightly clustered around parental trees, their spatial pattern will mirror the pattern of trees that formed the stand before the disturbance. This ‘memory’ of tree spatial patterns is an important biological legacy and should be viewed as a fundamental property of natural P. abies forests.
Unearthing the impact of human disturbance on a notorious weed
Authors: Hodgins Kathryn 
Published: April 2014

Large‐scale anthropogenic changes in the environment are reshaping global biodiversity and the evolutionary trajectory of many species. Evolutionary mechanisms that allow organisms to thrive in this rapidly changing environment are just beginning to be investigated (Hoffmann & Sgrò ; Colautti & Barrett ). Weedy and invasive species represent ‘success stories’ for how species can cope with human modified environments. As introduced species have spread within recent times, they provide the unique opportunity to track the genetic consequences of rapid range expansion through time and space using historic DNA samples. Using modern collections and herbarium specimens dating back to 1873, Martin et al. () have provided a more complete understanding of the population history of the invasive, agricultural weed, common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia; Fig. ) in its native range with surprising results. They find that the recent population explosion of common ragweed in North America coincided with substantial shifts in population genetic structure with implications for invasion.
Fitness landscape of sympatric pupfishes a useful tool for visualizing speciation
Authors: Keepers Kyle G. , Martin Andrew P. 
Published: April 2014

Arguably the most useful model of evolution emerged from the mind of Sewall Wright when he invented the fitness landscape (Wright ). In a recent issue of Molecular Ecology, Martin & Feinstein () investigate the genetics and demographic history of an adaptive radiation of pupfish on San Salvador Island. Since the founder species colonized the island 10 000 years ago, two descendent species have appeared and in several lakes all three species (a durophage, a scale‐eater, and the generalist ancestral form) coexist. The three species are thought to occupy three distinct fitness peaks. The durophage and generalists' peaks are close, whereas the scale‐eater's peak is predicted to be distant and separated from the other two by a deep valley. Consistent with this view, gene flow between the two species on close fitness peaks is greater than the gene flow between these two species and the third species on a more distant peak. Correspondingly, the inferred fitness landscape predicts progress towards speciation, with more limited separation of species on close peaks, and that speciation is more complete for the scale‐eater. The article provides an illustrative example of the power afforded by analysis of large numbers of SNPs for estimating key parameters underlying evolutionary divergence.
A 19‐Year Study on Pacemaker‐Related Infections: A Claim for Using Postoperative Antibiotics
Authors: SENARATNE JANEK M. , JAYASURIYA ANUSHKA , IRWIN MARLEEN , GULAMHUSEIN SAJAD , SENARATNE MANOHARA P.J. 
Published: April 2014

BackgroundAlthough the incidence of pacemaker‐related infection (PMINF) is low, it necessitates removal of the pacing system. There is currently no consensus on antibiotics during implantation.MethodsA prospective database on patients undergoing pacemaker surgery from 1991 to 2009 was reviewed to determine factors associated with PMINF. Specifically, three eras of antibiotic use were compared to elucidate the effect of antibiotics on PMINF: no antibiotics, perioperative antibiotics, and peri‐ plus postoperative antibiotics.ResultsThere were 3,253 procedures with PMINF identified in 46 (1.4%) patients. Over 19 years, PMINF incidence fell from 3.6% (no antibiotics) to 2.9% (perioperative antibiotics), to 0.4% (peri‐ plus postoperative antibiotics). On univariate analysis, the following were associated with PMINF: nonuse of postoperative antibiotics (3.0% vs 0.4%, P < 0.001), year of implant (P < 0.001), repeat procedures (2.3% vs 1%, P = 0.006), nonuse of perioperative antibiotics (3.6% vs 1.3%, P = 0.027). With postoperative antibiotics, rates were significantly reduced in new implants (1/1,289 = 0.1% vs 22/967 = 2.3%, P < 0.001) and repeat procedures (7/692 = 1.0% vs 16/305 = 5.2%, P < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, the following were significant (standardized coefficients denote relative importance): postoperative antibiotics (0.776), repeat procedures (0.508), year of implant (0.142), perioperative antibiotics (0.088).ConclusionsThe PMINF rate is reduced significantly by perioperative antibiotics with a further significant reduction with postoperative antibiotics. However, the reduction in PMINF rate could be a result of changes in practice in the different time eras. This study suggests consideration of perioperative followed by postoperative antibiotics to minimize pacemaker infections.
Impact of ICD Artifact Burden on Late Gadolinium Enhancement Cardiac MR Imaging in Patients Undergoing Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation
Authors: MESUBI OLUROTIMI , AHMAD GHADA , JEUDY JEAN , JIMENEZ ALEJANDRO , KUK RICHARD , SALIARIS ANASTASIOS , SEE VINCENT , SHOROFSKY STEPHEN , DICKFELD TIMM 
Published: April 2014

BackgroundCardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) is the gold standard for myocardial scar evaluation. Although ideal for substrate assessment in ventricular tachycardia (VT), most patients have an implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD) at presentation for ablation. This study evaluates the ICD artifact burden during standard late gadolinium enhancement CMRI (LGE‐CMRI) evaluation of myocardial scar in VT patients with ICDs.MethodsThirty‐one patients with ICD and cardiomyopathy underwent LGE‐CMRI using 1.5‐T magnetic resonance scanner before VT ablation. Using the American Heart Association (AHA) 17‐segment model, short‐axis LGE series were analyzed for artifact burden localization and assessment.ResultsPreablation CMRI was performed in 31 patients with single chamber (n = 13), dual chamber (n = 11), and biventricular (n = 7) ICDs. Pre‐ and post‐MRI ICD parameters were unchanged. All patients had susceptibility artifact and 51.6% (256 of 496) of segments were affected by artifact. The artifact area (178 ± 136 cm2) resulted in an artifact burden of 54 ± 21% of the LV myocardial area (327 ± 15 cm2). The anterior wall was most affected by artifact (89%) compared with 52%, 49%, and 23% in the lateral, septal, and inferior walls, respectively (P < 0.0001). The apical segments had more artifact burden (66%) than the mid (49%) and basal (44%) segments (P = 0.0005). Artifact area correlated with ICD‐heart distance on anteroposterior chest radiograph (r = 0.42, P = 0.021) and body mass index (r = –0.48, P = 0.008).ConclusionsCurrent clinical LGE‐CMRI scar imaging protocols produce ICD artifacts that affect >50% of the LV myocardium and correlate with the ICD‐heart distance. This significantly limits the application of CMRI for image‐guided VT ablation.
Rate of Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Device (CIED) Re‐Extraction after Recurrent Infection
Authors: SAEED OMAR , GUPTA ANUPAM , GROSS JAY N. , PALMA EUGEN C. 
Published: April 2014

BackgroundPatients who develop a cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) infection requiring extraction may have risk factors that make them prone to developing another infection of the reimplanted CIED. However, the rate of a second infection requiring repeat extraction in such patients is unknown and may have important clinical implications.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed all patients at our institution from January 2001 to October 2012 who underwent a CIED extraction for an infection and then required reimplantation. We then reviewed the incidence of a repeat extraction due to a second infection. Clinical and device parameters at the time of the second infection were retrieved.ResultsThere were 168 patients who underwent a CIED extraction because of infection and were subsequently reimplanted. The median time to reimplantation was 3 [1st quartile: 1, 3rd quartile: 10] days. After a mean follow‐up of 4.4 ± 2.7 years, nine (5.4%) patients underwent a repeat CIED extraction due to a second infection. Six repeat extractions (67%) occurred in the first year, leading to an event rate of 3.9% within 1 year of reimplantation. Patients with a second infection requiring a repeat CIED extraction were younger (57 ± 20 vs 68 ± 16, P = 0.046). Pocket infection was the most common presentation of a second infection, occurring in eight of the nine patients.ConclusionThe rate of a second infection leading to a CIED repeat extraction is elevated within the first year after reimplantation. To determine predictors of recurring infection, analysis of a larger multicenter series is warranted.
Successful Treatment of Macroreentrant Atrial Tachycardia by Radiofrequency Ablation Targeting Channels with Continuous Activation
Authors: WO HUNG‐TA , WEN MING‐SHIEN , CHANG PO‐CHENG , CHOU CHUNG‐CHUAN , WANG CHUN‐CHIEH , YEH SAN‐JOU , WU DELON 
Published: April 2014

BackgroundMacroreentrant atrial tachycardia (MRAT) is frequently unresponsive to antiarrhythmic drugs. The application of three‐dimensional (3D) mapping and entrainment pacing contributes to a high success rate for radiofrequency ablation, but programmed electrical pacing may either terminate or transform clinical tachyarrhythmias. On the basis of clinical experiences of the use of ventricular tachycardia ablation, channels with continuous activation are suitable for reentrant circuits, and ablation at these channels can lead to noninducibility of ventricular tachycardias. We reviewed patients referred for symptomatic MRAT with identified channels with continuous activation and evaluated the efficacy of MRAT ablation by targeting these channels.MethodsFifteen consecutive patients (10 men, 49 ± 14 years) with MRAT illustrated by endocardial activation maps using a 3D electroanatomical mapping system (CARTO™, Biosense Webster, Diamond Bar, CA, USA) were included in this study. Continuous activation was defined as double or continuous potentials without an isoelectric interval, and sites with continuous activation were tagged for measurements of channel properties. Radiofrequency ablation was performed at those targeted sites located within the reentrant circuit.ResultsRadiofrequency ablation successfully eliminated MRAT in all patients. The mean cycle length was 283 ± 60 ms, and the longest activation duration was 112 ± 38 ms. The minimal and maximal bipolar voltage amplitudes were 0.13 ± 0.1 mV and 0.7 ± 0.6 mV, respectively. The targeted ablation length and width were 28.9 ± 15.3 mm and 9.4 ± 3.3 mm, respectively.ConclusionRadiofrequency ablation of MRAT targeting channels with continuous activation using a 3D electroanatomical mapping system yields a high success rate.
Volunteers in Palliative Care – A Comparison of Seven European Countries: A Descriptive Study
Authors: Woitha Kathrin , Hasselaar Jeroen , van Beek Karen , Radbruch Lukas , Jaspers Birgit , Engels Yvonne , Vissers Kris 
Published: April 2014

AbstractObjectiveIn Europe, volunteers have an important role in the delivery of palliative care. As part of the EU co‐funded Europall project, 4 aspects of volunteering in palliative care were studied for 7 European countries (Belgium, England, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, and Spain). These included (1) involvement of volunteers in palliative care, (2) organization of palliative care volunteering, (3) legal regulations concerning volunteering, and (4) education and training of palliative care volunteering.Design/Setting/MethodsA literature search combined with an interview study. Information from the scientific literature, and country‐specific policy documents were obtained and completed, along with data of consecutive semi‐structured interviews with experts in the field of palliative care in the participating countries.ResultsIn all countries, volunteers appeared to be involved in palliative care, yet their involvement across health care settings differed per country. England, for example, has the highest number of volunteers whereas Spain has the lowest number. Volunteering is embedded in law and regulations in all participating countries except for England and the Netherlands. In all participating countries, training programs are available and volunteers are organized, both on a national and a regional level.ConclusionThis study provides a descriptive overview of volunteer work in palliative care in 7 European countries, with a focus on the organizational aspects. Further research should concentrate on the roles and responsibilities of volunteers in the care for the terminally ill in different European health systems.
Distinct microRNA expression signatures are associated with melanoma subtypes and are regulated by HIF1A
Authors: Hwang Hun‐Way , Baxter Laura L. , Loftus Stacie K. , Cronin Julia C. , Trivedi Niraj S. , Borate Bhavesh , Pavan William J. 
Published: April 2014

SummaryThe complex genetic changes underlying metastatic melanoma need to be deciphered to develop new and effective therapeutics. Previously, genome‐wide microarray analyses of human melanoma identified two reciprocal gene expression programs, including transcripts regulated by either transforming growth factor, beta 1 (TGFβ1) pathways, or microphthalmia‐associated transcription factor (MITF)/SRY‐box containing gene 10 (SOX10) pathways. We extended this knowledge by discovering that melanoma cell lines with these two expression programs exhibit distinctive microRNA (miRNA) expression patterns. We also demonstrated that hypoxia‐inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF1A) is increased in TGFβ1 pathway‐expressing melanoma cells and that HIF1A upregulates miR‐210, miR‐218, miR‐224, and miR‐452. Reduced expression of these four miRNAs in TGFβ1 pathway‐expressing melanoma cells arrests the cell cycle, while their overexpression in mouse melanoma cells increases the expression of the hypoxic response gene Bnip3. Taken together, these data suggest that HIF1A may regulate some of the gene expression and biological behavior of TGFβ1 pathway‐expressing melanoma cells, in part via alterations in these four miRNAs.