bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Baseline specific IgE levels are useful to predict safety of oral immunotherapy in egg‐allergic children
Authors: Vazquez‐Ortiz M. , Alvaro M. , Piquer M. , Dominguez O. , Machinena A. , Martín‐Mateos M. A. , Plaza A. M. 
Published: November 2013

SummaryBackgroundOral immunotherapy (OIT) is a promising treatment for food allergy but dose‐related reactions are common.ObjectiveTo evaluate safety of egg‐OIT. To identify predictors of dose‐related reactions.MethodsFifty children aged 5‐18 underwent egg‐OIT after confirming IgE‐mediated egg allergy by double‐blind placebo‐controlled challenge (DBPCFC). All dose‐related reactions over a median period of 18 months on‐OIT (range: 12–28) were registered. Children were retrospectively divided into three subgroups: (1) children who stopped reacting to OIT‐doses over time (RR, Resolved Reactions); (2) children with ongoing dose‐related reactions over the whole period on‐OIT (PR, Persistent Reactions); (3) children who discontinued OIT within induction phase due to frequent reactions not improved by protocol re‐adaptation and medication (ED, Early Discontinuation). Baseline clinical/immunological parameters associated with subgroups were investigated.ResultsReactions occurred in 7.6% of doses. Adrenaline was required in 26% of children. The three subgroups corresponded to three different safety phenotypes: (1) twenty‐four children (48%, RR) experienced infrequent and mainly mild reactions that resolved over time. None required adrenaline; (2) seventeen children (34%, PR) experienced more frequent and severe ongoing reactions over time; (3) nine children (18%, ED) discontinued OIT due to very frequent and mainly moderate reactions. Early discontinuation was associated with underlying asthma, higher specific IgE (sIgE) and lower threshold at DBPCFC. In contrast, lower sIgE and less severe reactions at DBPCFC were associated with subgroup RR. sIgE showed excellent performance in predicting belonging to subgroup RR. Levels below the optimal cut‐off (ovomucoid‐sIgE 8.85 kU/L) indicated 77% probability of belonging to subgroup RR, whereas levels above it indicated 95% probability of early discontinuation or ongoing reactions over time.Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceEgg‐OIT involves substantial risks. However, baseline parameters, particularly sIgE, may help identify children in whom the procedure is more likely to be safe. Egg‐OIT safety needs improvement in children with more severe and persistent egg allergy.
Strong correlations between circulating chemerin levels and lipoprotein subfractions in nondiabetic obese and nonobese subjects
Authors: Lőrincz Hajnalka , Katkó Mónika , Harangi Mariann , Somodi Sándor , Gaál Krisztina , Fülöp Péter , Paragh György , Seres Ildikó 
Published: November 2013

SummaryObjectiveChemerin is a recently described adipokine expressed primarily in the white adipose tissue. Compared with lean subjects, circulating chemerin levels are significantly elevated in obese individuals and correlate positively with the prevalence of various cardiovascular risk factors including altered lipoprotein levels. To date, the impact of chemerin on lipoprotein subfractions and its role in atherosclerotic processes are still unclear.Patients and MethodsFifty nondiabetic obese (NDO) patients and 38 lean controls matched in age and gender were enrolled. Chemerin level was measured by ELISA. Low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) and high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) subfractions were detected by nongradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (Lipoprint).ResultsWe detected significantly higher serum chemerin levels in NDO patients compared with healthy controls (590·1 ± 190·3 ng/ml vs 405 ± 127·1 ng/ml, P < 0·001). A significant positive correlation was found between chemerin and LDL cholesterol levels, while chemerin showed a significant negative correlation with the level of HDL cholesterol. Significant positive correlation was detected between chemerin and the ratio of small dense LDL, while chemerin correlated negatively with the mean LDL size. Also, a significant negative correlation was found between serum chemerin and the ratio of large HDL subfraction, while there were significant positive correlations between chemerin levels and intermediate and small HDL subfraction ratios, respectively.ConclusionChemerin may be involved in the regulation of lipoprotein metabolism in obese patients who do not show apparent abnormalities of glucose metabolism. Early changes in the distribution of the lipoprotein subfractions may contribute to the progression of atherosclerosis, leading to increased cardiovascular risk.
Brånemark Novum® immediate loading rehabilitation of edentulous mandibles: 11‐year retrospective study
Authors: Tealdo Tiziano , Menini Maria , Bevilacqua Marco , Pera Francesco , Capalbo Vanessa , Pera Paolo 
Published: November 2013

AbstractObjectivesShort‐term results indicated that the Brånemark Novum® protocol (Nobel Biocare AB, Goteborg, Sweden) allowed successful rehabilitation of mandibular edentulism with immediately loaded implants. Yet, long‐term studies are lacking. The aim of the present retrospective study was to report the 11‐year outcomes for patients treated according to this protocol.Material and methodsFour patients treated according to the Brånemark Novum protocol (Nobel Biocare AB) were followed‐up to evaluate implant and prosthesis cumulative survival rate (CSR), implant stability (RFA), marginal bone loss by periapical radiographs, probing depth (PD), and possible complications. Clinical and radiographic parameters were evaluated immediately after completion of the treatment and 1, 5, and 11 years after loading.ResultsThe 11‐year implant and prosthesis CSRs were 100%. Implant stability (RFA values) remained stable over the 11‐year follow‐up. Small bone resorption was found next to distal implants (median 1 mm) after 11 years, while central implants showed greater bone resorption (median 4.5 mm). The PD (mean 3.75 mm at 11 years) grew together with marginal bone loss. One implant complication was detected on a central implant (crater‐form bone destruction), and 10 prosthetic complications (fractures of resin or teeth), 80% of which registered on the same parafunctional patient.ConclusionsThe 11‐year results demonstrated that the Brånemark Novum protocol (Nobel Biocare AB) is a predictable technique with favorable long‐term outcomes. This was a rigid protocol, which could be applied only in patients with specific anatomical characteristics of the lower jaw, but it had the merit of indicating the key factors for full‐arch immediate loading rehabilitations.
The CTSA Mentored Career Development Program: Supporting the Careers of Child Health Investigators
Authors: Byington Carrie L. , Higgins Sarah , Kaskel Fredrick J. , Purucker Mary , Davis Jonathan M. , Smoyer William E. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractTraining translational scientists is a priority of the Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) consortium. Objectives: 1) Describe the landscape of CTSA Mentored Research Career Development Awards (CDA) and 2) evaluate participation and outcomes of child health investigators in these programs. Design: Survey of the CTSA Child Health Oversight Committee (CC‐CHOC) and review of nonresponders' CTSA Websites. Results: Thirty‐two of 53 CC‐CHOC members (60%) responded and all nonresponder Websites were reviewed. Institutions supported 1,166 CDA positions from 2006 to 2011, with 134 awarded to child health investigators (11.5%). Respondents reported a mean of 29.8 KL2 positions (95% CI 17.5–42.2) during their award period, with a mean of 2.8 (95% CI 1.8–3.8) awarded to child health investigators. The proportion of child health awardees varied from 0% to 50% across institutions. We identified 45 subsequent National Institutes of Health (NIH) awards to the 134 child health investigators (34%). Conclusions: The CTSA program contributes substantially to training the next generation of translational investigators. One‐third of child health investigators obtained subsequent NIH awards in the short follow‐up period demonstrating success of the CTSA CDA programs. Child health investigators are represented variably across the consortium. Pediatric institutions can partner with the CTSA program to further support training child health investigators.
Not Fit for Purpose: The Ethical Guidelines of the Indian Council of Medical Research
Authors: Satalkar Priya , Shaw David 
Published: November 2013

AbstractIn 2006, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) published its ‘Ethical guidelines for Biomedical Research on human participants’. The intention was to translate international ethical standards into locally and culturally appropriate norms and values to help biomedical researchers in India to conduct ethical research and thereby safeguard the interest of human subjects. Unfortunately, it is apparent that the guideline is not fit for purpose. In addition to problems with the structure and clarity of the guidelines, there are several serious omissions and contradictions in the recommendations. In this paper, we take a close look at the two key chapters and highlight some of the striking flaws in this important document. We conclude that ethics committees and national authorities should not lose sight of international ethical standards while incorporating local reality and cultural and social values, as focusing too much on the local context could compromise the safety of human subjects in biomedical research, particularly in India.
The Effects of Industrial Clusters on the Poverty Rate
Authors: Fowler Christopher S. , Kleit Rachel Garshick 
Published: November 2013

AbstractIndustrial clusters are widely understood as a worthwhile target of local economic development resources. Nevertheless, most of the work on cluster development has asserted benefits that accrue to a regional economy as a whole, with little or no focus on specific links between clusters and poverty alleviation. This article seeks to understand the degree to which economic clusters are associated with lower poverty rates. Specifically, using spatial regression analysis techniques, we examine patterns that link clusters to poverty rates while controlling for the presence of other factors that shape the distribution of poverty in the United States. When controlling for other economic and demographic factors in a multivariate framework, the presence of industrial clusters is associated with lower poverty rates. Moreover, regions with a higher share of employment in clusters, and with that employment dispersed across many industries within the same cluster, fare even better than those where employment is concentrated in a single industry. Furthermore, while there is evidence that particular clusters are associated with significantly altered poverty rates, not all of these associations are beneficial.
Neurobehavioral comorbidities of pediatric epilepsies are linked to thalamic structural abnormalities
Authors: Lin Jack J. , Siddarth Prabha , Riley Jeffrey D. , Gurbani Suresh G. , Ly Ronald , Yee Victor W. , Levitt Jennifer G. , Toga Arthur W. , Caplan Rochelle 
Published: November 2013

SummaryPurposeNeurobehavioral comorbidities are common in pediatric epilepsy with enduring adverse effects on functioning, but their neuroanatomic underpinning is unclear. Striatal and thalamic abnormalities have been associated with childhood‐onset epilepsies, suggesting that epilepsy‐related changes in the subcortical circuit might be associated with the comorbidities of children with epilepsy. We aimed to compare subcortical volumes and their relationship with age in children with complex partial seizures (CPS), childhood absence epilepsy (CAE), and healthy controls (HC). We examined the shared versus unique structural–functional relationships of these volumes with behavior problems, intelligence, language, peer interaction, and epilepsy variables in these two epilepsy syndromes.MethodsWe investigated volumetric differences of caudate, putamen, pallidum, and thalamus in children with CPS (N = 21), CAE (N = 20), and HC (N = 27). Study subjects underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), intelligence, and language testing. Parent‐completed Child Behavior Checklists provided behavior problem and peer interaction scores. We examined the association of age, intelligence quotient (IQ), language, behavioral problems, and epilepsy variables with subcortical volumes that were significantly different between the children with epilepsy and HC.Key FindingsBoth children with CPS and CAE exhibited significantly smaller left thalamic volume compared to HC. In terms of developmental trajectory, greater thalamic volume was significantly correlated with increasing age in children with CPS and CAE but not in HC. With regard to the comorbidities, reduced left thalamic volumes were related to more social problems in children with CPS and CAE. Smaller left thalamic volumes in children with CPS were also associated with poor attention, lower IQ and language scores, and impaired peer interaction.SignificanceOur study is the first to directly compare and detect shared thalamic structural abnormalities in children with CPS and CAE. These findings highlight the vulnerability of the thalamus and provide important new insights on its possible role in the neurobehavioral comorbidities of childhood‐onset epilepsy.
Prognostic factors for subsequent epilepsy in children with febrile seizures
Authors: Pavlidou Efterpi , Panteliadis Christos 
Published: November 2013

SummaryObjectiveEpilepsy following febrile seizures (FS) has been estimated between 2% and 7%. It concerns a prospective study in a large sample of children with a long‐term follow‐up. The aim of this study is to identify the prognostic factors that can lead children with FS to epilepsy.MethodsChildren with a first episode of FS were included. We gathered information about prenatal and perinatal history, family history of FS and epilepsy in first‐ and second degree relatives, age at the time of the initial FS, dates of FS recurrences, focality, duration of the FS and recurrent episodes within the same febrile illness, height and duration of fever prior to the seizure, cause of the fever, and frequency of febrile illnesses. Patients were seen every 4–6 months and also at each recurrence.Key FindingsA group of 560 children with a first FS met all entry criteria. Epilepsy was recorded at 5.4%. Statistical analysis was performed between children with epilepsy and those with no afebrile seizure. We analyzed FS recurrences in accordance with the occurrence of epilepsy. From the third FS recurrence and beyond, only focality continued to have prognostic value.SignificanceMain prognostic factors for the development of epilepsy after FS are: (1) complex FS that increased the risk for epilepsy 3.6 times, (2) age at onset of FS beyond the third year of life that raised the risk 3.8 times, (3) positive family history of epilepsy 7.3 times, and (4) multiple episodes of FS about 10 times. Focality at the first and the second FS recurrence increased the risk of epilepsy about 9.7 and 11.7 times, respectively. Focality was the only factor that continued to be significant in further FS recurrences. A prognostic profile of each child with FS would be very useful for the follow‐up of these children.
Epilepsy in TSC: Certain etiology does not mean certain prognosis
Authors: Vignoli Aglaia , Briola Francesca La , Turner Katherine , Scornavacca Giulia , Chiesa Valentina , Zambrelli Elena , Piazzini Ada , Savini Miriam Nella , Alfano Rosa Maria , Canevini Maria Paola 
Published: November 2013

SummaryPurposePrevalence and long‐term outcome of epilepsy in tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is reported to be variable, and the reasons for this variability are still controversial.MethodsWe reviewed the clinical characteristics of patients with TSC who were regularly followed since 2000 at the San Paolo Multidisciplinary Tuberous Sclerosis Centre in Milan, Italy. From patient charts we collected data about age at epilepsy onset, seizure frequency and seizure type, history of infantile spasms (IS), epileptic syndrome, evolution to refractory epilepsy or to seizure freedom and/or medication freedom, electroencephalography (EEG) features, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, cognitive outcome, and genetic background.Key FindingsAmong the 160 subjects (120 adults and 40 children), 116 (72.5%) had epilepsy: 57 (35.6%) were seizure‐free, and 59 (36.9%) had drug‐resistant epilepsy. Most seizure‐free patients had a focal epilepsy (89.5%), with 54.4% of them drug resistant for a period of their lives. Epilepsy onset in the first year of life with IS and/or focal seizures was characteristic of the drug‐resistant group of patients, as well as cognitive impairment and TSC2 mutation (p < 0.05). A small group of patients (7 patients, 4.4%) experienced a seizure only once; all of them had normal cognition.SignificanceAlthough epilepsy management can be challenging in TSC, more than one third of patients had their seizures controlled: through monotherapy in 56% and by polytherapy in 32%. Moreover, 12% of the patients became seizure‐free and were off medication. Identifying predictive features of epilepsy and cognitive outcome can ensure better management for patients with TSC and delineate genotype–phenotype correlations.
Electroencephalography/functional magnetic resonance imaging responses help predict surgical outcome in focal epilepsy
Authors: An Dongmei , Fahoum Firas , Hall Jeffery , Olivier André , Gotman Jean , Dubeau François 
Published: November 2013

SummaryPurposeSimultaneous electroencephalography/functional magnetic resonance imaging (EEG/fMRI) recording can noninvasively map in the whole brain the hemodynamic response following an interictal epileptic discharge. EEG/fMRI is gaining interest as a presurgical evaluation tool. This study aims to determine how hemodynamic responses related to epileptic activity can help predict surgical outcome in patients considered for epilepsy surgery.MethodsThirty‐five consecutive patients with focal epilepsy who had significant hemodynamic responses and eventually surgical resection, were studied. The statistical map of hemodynamic responses were generated and coregistered to postoperative anatomic imaging. Patients were classified into four groups defined by the relative relationship between the location of the maximum hemodynamic response and the resection: group 1, fully concordant; group 2, partially concordant; group 3, partially discordant; and group 4, fully discordant. These findings were correlated with surgical outcome with at least 12‐month follow‐up.Key FindingsTen patients in group 1 had the maximum t value (t‐max) inside the resection; nine in group 2 had the t‐max outside but close to the resection and the cluster with t‐max overlapped the resection; five in group 3 had the t‐max remote from resection, but with another less significant cluster in the resection; and 11 in group 4 had no response in the resection. The degree of concordance correlated largely with surgical outcome: a good surgical outcome (Engel's class I) was found in 7 of 10 patients of group 1, 4 of 9 of group 2, 3 of 5 of group 3, and only 1 of 11 of group 4. These results indicate that the partially concordant and partially discordant groups are best considered as inconclusive. In contrast, in the fully concordant and fully discordant groups, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were high, 87.5%, 76.9%, 70%, and 90.9%, respectively.SignificanceThis study demonstrates that hemodynamic responses related to epileptic activity can help delineate the epileptogenic region. Full concordance between maximum response and surgical resection is indicative of seizure freedom, whereas a resection leaving the maximum response intact is likely to lead to a poor outcome. EEG/fMRI is noninvasive but is limited to patients in whom interictal epileptic discharges can be recorded during the 60–90 min scan.
Treatment of infantile spasms with very high dose prednisolone before high dose adrenocorticotropic hormone
Authors: Hussain Shaun A. , Shinnar Shlomo , Kwong Grace , Lerner Jason T. , Matsumoto Joyce H. , Wu Joyce Y. , Shields W. Donald , Sankar Raman 
Published: November 2013

SummaryPurposeThis study investigated the short‐term response to a standardized hormonal therapy protocol for treatment of infantile spasms.MethodsTwenty‐seven children with video electroencephalography (EEG)–confirmed infantile spasms received very high dose (8 mg/kg/day, max 60 mg/day) oral prednisolone for 2 weeks. Response (absence of both hypsarrhythmia and spasms) to prednisolone was ascertained by repeat overnight video‐EEG. Responders were tapered over 2 weeks and nonresponders were immediately transitioned to high dose (150 IU/m2/day) intramuscular adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) for two additional weeks. Response was again determined by overnight video‐EEG after ACTH therapy.Key FindingsSixty‐three percent (17/27) of patients responded completely to prednisolone. Subsequently, 40% (4/10) of prednisolone nonresponders exhibited a complete response after an additional 2‐week course with ACTH. Among 27 subjects with median follow‐up of 13.5 months (interquartile range [IQR] 4.8–25.9), 12% (2/17) of prednisolone responders and 50% (2/4) of ACTH responders experienced a relapse between 2 and 9 months after initial response.SignificanceVery high dose prednisolone demonstrated significantly higher efficacy than previously reported for lower doses in prior studies. High dose ACTH may be superior to very high dose prednisolone, and in lieu of a definitive clinical trial, the choice between prednisolone and ACTH for initial treatment of infantile spasms remains controversial.
Temperature effects on the fidelity of a thermostable HIV‐1 reverse transcriptase
Authors: Álvarez Mar , Menéndez‐Arias Luis 
Published: November 2013

Transcriptomics and gene expression analysis are largely dependent of the availability of efficient thermostable reverse transcriptases (RTs). However, the intrinsic fidelity of DNA synthesis catalyzed by retroviral RTs is low. Reported error rates are in the range 1.2 × 10−5–6.7 × 10−4, with oncoretroviral RTs being the most faithful enzymes. Wild‐type HIV‐1 group O (HIV‐1O) RT is a thermostable polymerase that is able to synthesize cDNA at temperatures as high as 70 °C. At 37 °C, its error rate has been estimated at 5.8 × 10−5 in M13mp2 lacZ‐based forward mutation assays. However, at higher temperatures (e.g. 50 and 55 °C), the accuracy of HIV‐1O RT is increased by approximately two‐ to five‐fold. At 55 °C, the HIV‐1O RT error rate (1.3 × 10−5) was similar to that shown by the AffinityScript (Agilent Technologies Inc., La Jolla, CA, USA) RT, a commercially available thermostable murine leukaemia virus RT. At higher temperatures, the increased accuracy of the HIV‐1 enzyme results from a lower base substitution error rate, although it shows a higher tendency to introduce frameshifts. Kinetic studies carried out with model template‐primers suggest minor differences in nucleotide discrimination, although, at higher temperatures, HIV‐1O RT showed a reduced ability to extend mispaired template‐primers.