bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of biologics in the treatment of moderate‐to‐severe plaque psoriasis: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials with different time points
Authors: Puig L. , López A. , Vilarrasa E. , García I. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractBackgroundDifferences in response rates of biologics for the treatment of moderate‐to‐severe plaque psoriasis have been reported in several meta‐analyses published to date. However, the usefulness of these meta‐analyses is limited as they do not reflect currently approved recommendations in the Summaries of Product Characteristics (SmPCs) and clinical practice.ObjectiveTo estimate the efficacy of biologics in the treatment of moderate‐to‐severe plaque psoriasis in the currently approved conditions of use in the European Union (EU) at relevant time points for evaluation of response in clinical practice (failure assessment as recommended in the SmPCs and/or at the end of the induction phase).MethodsRandomized placebo‐controlled studies of biologics currently authorized in the EU in adult patients with a diagnosis of moderate‐to‐severe plaque psoriasis were searched in several databases. A meta‐analysis using fixed or random‐effects model depending on heterogeneity across and within studies was performed. The efficacy was estimated using risk difference (RD) of Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) 50, PASI 75 and PASI 90 response rates at the endpoint in clinical trials, at the end of the induction phase (week 24) and at the time points recommended for evaluation of primary failure in the approved SmPCs. Several sensitivity analyses were performed to assess for robustness.ResultsSixteen publications met the defined inclusion criteria. According to this meta‐analysis at the primary endpoint times, infliximab (at week 10) has the greatest probability of response with respect to placebo for all PASI‐based efficacy measures (PASI 50, PASI 75 and PASI 90). At the end of the induction phase (week 24), ustekinumab 45 mg has the greatest probability of achieving PASI 75 response (RD 75.5%, 95%CI 71.5–79.4%], followed by ustekinumab 90 mg, infliximab, adalimumab and etanercept. At the time points recommended for primary failure assessment according to the approved SmPCs, ustekinumab 45 mg (at week 28) also has the greatest probability of achieving PASI 50 response [RD 80.7%, 95%CI 77.2–84.2%], followed by ustekinumab 90 mg, infliximab, adalimumab and etanercept.ConclusionFrom a clinical practice perspective, and in terms of the most relevant efficacy measures (PASI 50 and PASI 75) and time points (end of induction phase [week 24] and time to assess primary failure as per the SmPCs), in the currently approved conditions of use ustekinumab is the most efficacious therapeutic alternative for moderate‐to‐severe plaque psoriasis, followed by infliximab, adalimumab and etanercept.
Development of a selective and differential medium for capsulated Lactococcus garvieae
Authors: Chang C‐I , Lee C‐F , Tsai J‐M , Wu C‐C , Chen L‐H , Chen S‐C , Lin K‐J 
Published: August 2013

AbstractA selective and differential medium termed ‘LG agar’ was developed for the isolation and presumptive identification of Lactococcus garvieae that results in black colonies with red halos. In this study, all 14 strains of L. garvieae and only 9 of the 148 strains representing 38 other species were able to grow on the LG agar. The nine viable strains on LG agar plates (including Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, Lactococcus lactis, Vibrio fluvialis, Vibrio furnissii, Vibrio mimicus and Vibrio salmonicida) were further differentiated from L. garvieae by various colours or colony features. Colonies isolated from the mixing culture and the infected giant sea perch using LG agar plates were all positively identified as L. garvieae by conventional tests and 16S rDNA sequencing. Furthermore, LG agar discriminated capsulated strains of L. garvieae, which were believed to be correlated with pathogens of fish and shellfish, from non‐capsulated ones by colony appearances. The specificity and differentiating ability of LG agar suggest that this medium displays considerable potential for primary isolation and presumptive identification of L. garvieae from pathological and environmental samples.
Hypothalamic Agouti‐Related Protein Expression Is Affected by Both Acute and Chronic Experience of Food Restriction and Re‐Feeding in Chickens
Authors: Dunn I. C. , Wilson P. W. , Smulders T. V. , Sandilands V. , D'Eath R. B. , Boswell T. 
Published: August 2013

The central melanocortin system is conserved across vertebrates. However, in birds, little is known about how energy balance influences orexigenic agouti‐related protein (AGRP) and anorexigenic pro‐opiomelanocortin (POMC) expression, despite the fact that commercial food restriction is critical to the efficient production of poultry meat. To enable contrasts to be made, in broiler‐breeder chickens, between levels of food restriction, between birds with the same body weight but different feeding experience, and between birds moved from restricted feeding to ad lib. feeding for different periods, five groups of hens were established between 6 and 12 weeks of age with different combinations of food restriction and release from restriction. AGRP and neuropeptide Y expression in the basal hypothalamus was significantly increased by chronic restriction but only AGRP mRNA levels reflected recent feeding experience: hens at the same body weight that had recently been on ad lib. feeding showed lower expression than restricted birds. AGRP expression also distinguished between hens released from restriction to ad lib. feeding for different periods. By contrast, POMC and cocaine‐ and amphetamine‐regulated transcript mRNA levels were not different. These results showed that AGRP mRNA not only reflected differences between a bird's weight and its potential weight or set point, but also discriminated between differing feeding histories of birds at the same body weight. Therefore, AGRP expression potentially provides an integrated measure of food intake experience and an objective tool to assess a bird's perception of satiety in feeding regimes for improved poultry welfare.
Comparison of a Safety Strategy Using Transradial Access and Dual‐Axis Rotational Coronary Angiography with Transfemoral Access and Standard Coronary Angiography
Authors: YASAR AYSE S. , PERINO ALEXANDER C. , DATTILO PHILIP B. , CASSERLY IVAN P. , CARROLL JOHN D. , MESSENGER JOHN C. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractObjectivesWe sought to investigate the radiation exposure and contrast utilization associated with using a strategy of transradial access and rotational angiography (radial‐DARCA) compared to the traditional approach of transfemoral access and standard angiography (femoral‐SA).BackgroundThere is an increased focus on optimizing patient safety during cardiac catheterization procedures. Professional guidelines have highlighted physician responsibility to minimize radiation doses and contrast volume. Dual axis rotational coronary angiography (DARCA) is the most recently investigated type of rotational angiography. This new technique permits complete visualization of the left or right coronary tree with a single injection, and is felt to reduce contrast and radiation exposure.MethodsA total of 56 consecutive patients who underwent radial‐DARCA were identified. From the same time period, an age‐ and gender‐matched group of 61 patients who had femoral‐SA were selected for comparison. Total volume of contrast agent used, fluoroscopy time, and 2 measures of radiation dose (dose area product and air kerma) were recorded for each group.ResultsMean contrast agent use and patient radiation exposure of the radial‐DARCA group were significantly less than that of the femoral‐SA group. There was no significant difference in fluoroscopy time between the 2 groups.ConclusionsPhysicians can successfully employ an innovative safety strategy of transradial access combined with DARCA that is feasible and is associated with lower radiation doses and contrast volume than femoral artery access and traditional coronary angiography approach. (J Interven Cardiol 2013;26:524‐529)
Influence of Renal Sympathetic Denervation on Quality of Life
Authors: DÖRR OLIVER , LIEBETRAU CHRISTOPH , MÖLLMANN HELGE , RIXE JOHANNES , HECKER FRANZISKA , SZARDIEN SEBASTIAN , WILLMER MATTHIAS , HAMM CHRISTIAN , NEF HOLGER M. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractBackgroundTherapy‐resistant arterial hypertension causing psychosocial stress and is associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect on quality of life (QoL) in patients with resistant hypertension undergoing renal sympathetic denervation (RSD).Methods and ResultsWe analyzed responses to the SF‐36 Quality of Life Questionnaire provided by patients with resistant arterial hypertension after RSD. Thirty consecutive patients from 2 centers were included in this study, from October 2011 until February 2012. The phone interview was performed after the 3‐month follow‐up. A significant reduction (26 ± 13.5 mmHg) in systolic blood pressure (BP) was detected at the 3‐month follow‐up (142.0 ± 15.1 mmHg vs 168.0 ± 13.7 mmHg; P < 0.001). Seventy‐five percent of the patients indicated that their health situation was a lot better (better, 21%; equal to, 4%) 3 months after RSD compared to the time before the therapeutic procedure. Furthermore, the majority of patients felt full of pep (always, 29%; mostly, 58%; quite often, 8%; sometimes, 4%), and full of energy (always, 25%; mostly, 54%; quite often, 16.7%; sometimes, 4.2%) after the procedure. Recipients of RSD indicated that they felt more light and healthy, and nearly all recipients (93%) described a loss of anxiety and indisposition.ConclusionsThis investigation revealed that sufficient BP reduction by RSD and time following therapeutic success lead to significant improvements in patient QoL. (J Interven Cardiol 2013;26:536‐541)
A Comparative Study of Bivalirudin Plus Clopidogrel versus Bivalirudin Plus Prasugrel in Primary Angioplasty Using Propensity Score Matching
Authors: DÍAZ DE LA LLERA LUIS S. , CUBERO GÓMEZ JOSÉ‐M. , RANGEL DIEGO , PAREJO JUAN , ACOSTA JUAN , FERNÁNDEZ‐CISNAL AGUSTÍN , ZAFRA FRANCISCO , BENEZET JAVIER 
Published: August 2013

AbstractIntroduction and ObjectivesIn primary angioplasty, bivalirudin is superior to treatment with heparin plus glycoprotein inhibitors for reducing cardiovascular events, although bivalirudin increases the risk of stent thrombosis. Our hypothesis is that the use of prasugrel plus bivalirudin in primary angioplasty would reduce stent thrombosis and cardiovascular events.MethodConsecutive patients with acute ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction who were treated by primary angioplasty within 12 hours of the onset of symptoms received bivalirudin plus clopidogrel (Group A) or bivalirudin plus prasugrel (Group B). We compared the groups using propensity score matching. The combined end‐point was cardiac death, thrombosis, acute myocardial infarction, and cerebrovascular accident at 30 days.ResultsWe assessed 168 patients. The approach was preferentially radial (95.7%). No differences in baseline characteristics were observed between Groups A (n = 70) and B (n = 70). The total mortality and rate of major bleeding complications at 30 days were 0% for both of the groups. The rate of acute and subacute thrombosis was 4.3% in Group A and 0% in Group B (P = 0.08). We observed an increased rate of events in Group A (5.7%) versus Group B (0%) (P = 0.042).ConclusionsThe administration of bivalirudin plus prasugrel in primary percutaneous coronary intervention reduces cardiovascular effects compared to bivalirudin plus clopidogrel without increasing major bleeding complications during the first 30 days following primary angioplasty performed with a preferentially radial approach. (J Interven Cardiol 2013;26:463‐469)
Electronic health records: new opportunities for clinical research
Authors: Coorevits P. , Sundgren M. , Klein G. O. , Bahr A. , Claerhout B. , Daniel C. , Dugas M. , Dupont D. , Schmidt A. , Singleton P. , De Moor G. , Kalra D. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractClinical research is on the threshold of a new era in which electronic health records (EHRs) are gaining an important novel supporting role. Whilst EHRs used for routine clinical care have some limitations at present, as discussed in this review, new improved systems and emerging research infrastructures are being developed to ensure that EHRs can be used for secondary purposes such as clinical research, including the design and execution of clinical trials for new medicines. EHR systems should be able to exchange information through the use of recently published international standards for their interoperability and clinically validated information structures (such as archetypes and international health terminologies), to ensure consistent and more complete recording and sharing of data for various patient groups. Such systems will counteract the obstacles of differing clinical languages and styles of documentation as well as the recognized incompleteness of routine records. Here, we discuss some of the legal and ethical concerns of clinical research data reuse and technical security measures that can enable such research while protecting privacy. In the emerging research landscape, cooperation infrastructures are being built where research projects can utilize the availability of patient data from federated EHR systems from many different sites, as well as in international multilingual settings. Amongst several initiatives described, the EHR4CR project offers a promising method for clinical research. One of the first achievements of this project was the development of a protocol feasibility prototype which is used for finding patients eligible for clinical trials from multiple sources.
Core Dimensions of Personality Broadly Account for the Link from Perceived Social Support to Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety
Authors: Lewis Gary J. , Bates Timothy C. , Posthuma Danielle , Polderman Tinca J. C. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractSpecific personality traits and poor social support are risk factors for anxiety and depression. Little work, however, has considered the effects of social support and personality on these aspects of psychopathology simultaneously. We examined whether perceived social support mediates the effects of core personality domains on symptoms of anxiety and depression. Measures of personality (based on the Five‐Factor Model [FFM]), perceived social support, and symptoms of depression and anxiety were collected in a large Dutch adult population‐based sample (n = 555), and, except for depression symptoms, in an independent U.S. adult population‐based sample (n = 511). Path modeling was used to test the effects of FFM traits on symptoms of depression and anxiety, with and without the mediation of perceived social support. Social support showed no link to symptoms of anxiety and only modest links to symptoms of depression when controlling for the FFM traits. Neuroticism had the strongest effect on symptoms of both depression and anxiety, with Extraversion also showing links to symptoms of depression. Social support has limited influence on symptoms of depression, and no effects on anxiety, over and above the effects of personality. Links between social support and anxiety/depression may largely reflect influences of Neuroticism and Extraversion.
Selecting and Retaining Friends on the Basis of Cigarette Smoking Similarity
Authors: DeLay Dawn , Laursen Brett , Kiuru Noona , Salmela‐Aro Katariina , Nurmi Jari‐Erik 
Published: August 2013

This study examines whether friend selection, deselection, and socialization differ as a function of the level of cigarette smoking in the friendship group. A total of 1419 students (median age = 16) from upper secondary and vocational schools in Finland were included as targets in the peer network. Targets in the peer network were asked to nominate friends and describe their own cigarette smoking at two time points one year apart. Network analyses revealed similarity arising from selection and deselection on the basis of smoking. Selection effects (i.e., selecting new friends based on similarity) were stronger for adolescents in low‐smoking groups. Deselection effects (i.e., dropping friends based on dissimilarity) were stronger for adolescents in high‐smoking groups.
Selection and Influence Mechanisms Associated With Marijuana Initiation and Use in Adolescent Friendship Networks
Authors: de la Haye Kayla , Green Harold D. , Kennedy David P. , Pollard Michael S. , Tucker Joan S. 
Published: August 2013

Friends are thought to influence adolescent drug use. However, few studies have examined the role of drugs in friendship selection, which is necessary to draw sound conclusions about influence. This study applied statistical models for social networks to test the contribution of selection and influence to associations in marijuana use among friends in two large high schools (N = 1,612; M age = 16.4). There was evidence for friend selection based on similar lifetime and current marijuana use at both schools, but friends were found to influence the initiation and frequency of adolescent marijuana use in just one of these schools. There was minimal evidence that peer effects were moderated by personal, school, or family risk factors.
Onset to First Alcohol Use in Early Adolescence: A Network Diffusion Model
Authors: Light John M. , Greenan Charlotte C. , Rusby Julie C. , Nies Kimberley M. , Snijders Tom A. B. 
Published: August 2013

A novel version of Snijders's stochastic actor‐based modeling (SABM) framework is applied to model the diffusion of first alcohol use through middle school–wide longitudinal networks of early adolescents, aged approximately 11–14 years. Models couple a standardSABMfor friendship network evolution with a proportional hazard model for first alcohol use. Meta‐analysis of individual models for 12 schools found significant effects for friendship selection based on the same alcohol use status and for an increased rate of onset to first use based on exposure to already‐onset peers. Onset rate was greater at higher grades and among participants who spent more unsupervised time with friends. Neither selection nor exposure effects interacted with grade, adult supervision, or gender.
A NOTE ON THE DIFFERENTIAL REGIONAL EFFECTS OF INCOME INEQUALITY: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE USING U.S. COUNTY‐LEVEL DATA
Authors: Atems Bebonchu 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTThis note examines the correlation between income inequality and economic growth using a panel of income distribution data for 3,109 counties of the U.S. Using the System Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) approach, we find that for the entire sample of 3,109 counties, an increase in a county's level of inequality has a significant negative relationship with future economic growth. In reality, however, the magnitude, sign, and significance of this relationship is not necessarily uniform across all regions of the U.S., motivating the need to examine regional differentials in the relationship between inequality and growth. Consequently, we split our dataset into metropolitan and nonmetropolitan counties, into the eight Bureau of Economic Analysis regions, and into regions of different political affiliation and economic‐dependence typology. Our results show considerable heterogeneity in the relationship between inequality and growth across these regions.
HLA‐DQ polymorphisms with HBV infection: different outcomes upon infection and prognosis to lamivudine therapy
Authors: Zhang X. , Jia J. , Dong J. , Yu F. , Ma N. , Li M. , Liu X. , Liu W. , Li T. , Liu D. 
Published: August 2013

SummaryTwo recent genome‐wide studies showed that the single‐nucleotide polymorphisms in the HLA‐DQ region (rs2856718 and rs9275572) were associated with chronic hepatitis B virus infection and chronic hepatitis C virus‐associated hepatocellular carcinoma in Japanese patients. We tested the effects of the two single‐nucleotide polymorphisms for all major HBV outcomes and lamivudine treatment in Han Chinese. A total of 1649 samples were enrolled, and peripheral blood samples were collected in this study. The single‐nucleotide polymorphisms in the HLA‐DQ region were genotyped using matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry. Our study demonstrated the clear relevance of HLA‐DQ rs2856718 and rs9275572 with HBV susceptibility, natural clearance and HBV‐associated HCC. HLA‐DQ rs2856718G and rs9275572A were strongly associated with decreased risk of chronic HBV infection (odds ratio = 0.641; P = 2.64 × 10−4; odds ratio = 0.627, P = 7.22 × 10−5) and HBV natural clearance (odds ratio = 0.610; P = 4.80 × 10−4; odds ratio = 0.714, P = 0.013). Moreover, rs9275572A was also associated with development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (odds ratio = 0.632, P = 0.008). In addition, we showed for the first time to our knowledge that rs9275572 was a predictor for lamivudine therapy (viral response: odds ratio = 2.599, P = 4.43 × 10−4; biochemical response: odds ratio = 2.279, P = 4.23 × 10−4). Our study suggested that HLA‐DQ loci were associated with both HBV clearance and HBV‐related diseases and outcomes of lamivudine treatment in Han Chinese.
Pharmacodynamic Evaluation of 4 Angiotensin‐Converting Enzyme Inhibitors in Healthy Adult Horses
Authors: Afonso T. , Giguère S. , Rapoport G. , Berghaus L.J. , Barton M.H. , Coleman A.E. 
Published: August 2013

BackgroundAngiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are used in horses with cardiovascular disorders despite the paucity of available data regarding their efficacy.HypothesisThe degree of serumACEinhibition varies considerably between drugs.AnimalsEight healthy adult horses.MethodsRandomized prospective study. Horses were fasted overnight prior to receiving one of 4ACEinhibitors intragastrically, administered at one of 2 dosages, using a randomized Latin square design (benazepril: 0.5 and 0.25 mg/kg; ramipril: 0.3 and 0.1 mg/kg; quinapril: 0.25 and 0.125 mg/kg; perindopril: 0.1 and 0.05 mg/kg). SerumACEactivity was measured using a kinetic spectrophotometric method.ResultsThere was a significant effect of drug and dosage on maximumACEinhibition (Imax),ACEinhibition 24 hours after administration (I24h), and area under the curve (AUC0–48h). Benazepril at 0.5 mg/kg resulted in significantly higherImax(86.9 ± 7.0%) andI24h(60.3 ± 7.9%) compared to the other drugs. There was a significant decrease in indirect blood pressure (BP) over time after administration of each drug, but differences inBPwere not significantly different between drugs. Pharmacodynamic variables measured after administration of benazepril to horses with free access to hay were not significantly different from those obtained after fasting. Administration of benazepril orally once daily for 7 days did not result in a cumulative effect onACEinhibition.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceOf theACEinhibitors tested, oral benazepril (0.5 mg/kg) is the most effective at inhibiting serumACEactivity in healthy horses.