bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long‐term adherence to sublingual therapy: literature review and suggestions for management strategies based on patients’ needs and preferences
Authors: Antico A. 
Published: June 2014

SummarySublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is an at‐home, self‐administered, long‐term therapy. As with other chronic diseases, patient adherence is a prerequisite for the success of SLIT. Its ease of intake and convenience should ensure adequate patient compliance; however, a recent post‐marketing manufacturers’ survey has shown a very high rate of discontinuation. The available literature on patient adherence to SLIT is reviewed in the present article. Great differences exist between controlled studies, which show a satisfactory adherence rate, and long‐term real‐life studies, which show poor compliance with SLIT. Remarkable divergence in the weight placed on different reasons for SLIT discontinuation is reported in the various studies. The main reasons for withdrawal are analysed and discussed. Data from placebo‐controlled studies demonstrate that adherence depends less on the patient's perception of the inefficacy of therapy or other causes than on the patient's motivation, that is the patient's decision to participate in the trial and to meet the researcher's expectations. The enrolment of patients who agree to enter a blind, placebo‐controlled trial is conceptually similar to a concordance process. Concordance is a consultation process that aims to establish a therapeutic alliance between the physician and patient and to bring about agreement on a therapeutic programme. Concordance is based on the patient's beliefs and needs and implies actions that support the patient's adherence. Suggestions are given for a SLIT management strategy based on the concordance process and designed to integrate the patient's viewpoints into treatment‐related decisions and to meet patients’ preferences and their health‐system‐related needs.
The Evaluation of Preoperative Right Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction on Coronary Artery Disease Patients with Left Ventricular Dysfunction
Authors: Jin Yan , Wang Huishan , Wang Zengwei , Jiang Hui , Tao Dengshun , Wu Haibo 
Published: June 2014

ObjectiveEarly death following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery tends to occur in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients with significantly decreased left ventricular function.MethodsThe clinical data of 231 patients with preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤35% who underwent CABG were retrospectively analyzed from June 2007 to October 2012. The patients were divided into 2 groups: group A contained 39 patients who suffered early postoperative death and group B contained 192 patients who had a successful CABG outcome.ResultsMultivariate analysis demonstrated that only significantly decreased preoperative right ventricular (RV) diastolic function (increase in Et/Et′) and lack of suitable target bypass vessels were independent risk factors for early death after CABG surgery in patients with severely impaired left ventricular function (P = 0.003 and 0.002, respectively). Other factors, including age, intra‐aortic balloon pump (IABP) implantation, ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) treatment, left atrial internal diameter, and end‐diastolic left ventricular internal diameter, were not associated with early death following CABG. Preoperative Et/Et′ ≥10 was significantly associated with early death after CABG in patients with severely impaired left ventricular function (χ2 = 11.55, P < 0.001, odds ratio [OR] = 17.54, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.12–383.16).ConclusionDecreased preoperative RV diastolic function and lack of suitable target bypass vessels are independent risk factors for early death following CABG in patients with severely impaired left ventricular function. Therefore, assessment of preoperative RV diastolic function will be helpful in predicting early death after CABG in these patients. Additionally, Et/Et′ ≥10 is significantly associated with early death after CABG.
Usefulness of the Parameters of Quantitative Myocardial Perfusion Contrast Echocardiography in Patients with Chronic Total Occlusion and Collateral Flow
Authors: Cho Jung Sun , Her Sung‐Ho , Youn Ho‐Joong , Kim Chan Joon , Park Mahn‐Won , Kim Gee Hee , Chung Woo‐Baek , Park Chan Seok , Cho Eun‐Joo , Kim Mi‐Jeong , Jung Hae‐Ok , Jeon Hui‐Kyung 
Published: June 2014

BackgroundMicrovascular obstruction becomes more severe with longer duration of ischemia, such as chronic total occlusion (CTO) which used to have collateral flow. In this study, we explored the correlation between parameters measured using quantitative myocardial perfusion contrast echocardiography (MCE) and the angiographic collateral flow grades in patients with CTO. Furthermore, we investigated the usefulness of the parameters of quantitative MCE for the measurement of microvasculature changes after revascularization of CTO lesions.MethodsBetween January 2011 and January 2013, 44 patients who had undergone coronary angiography (CAG) due to chest pain and had confirmed CTO lesions were enrolled in this prospective observational study. All patients had baseline MCE within 24 hours after diagnostic CAG. Patients were then assigned to one of two groups: a medical therapy group (Group I, n = 20) or a reperfusion group with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (Group II, n = 24). All patients had follow‐up MCE 3 months later.ResultsConsistent with the CAG results in both groups, on baseline MCE, the myocardial blood flow (AI × β) values were higher in Grade III collateral flow than in Grade I or II collateral flow (AI of collateral flow Grade I vs. Grade II vs. Grade III: 2.34 ± 2.65 vs. 2.52 ± 2.67 vs. 3.87 ± 4.57, P = 0.038). The plateau acoustic intensity (AI) and wall‐motion score index (WMSI) were significantly improved at the 3‐month follow‐up after successful reperfusion with PCI (5.75 ± 3.52 before vs. 8.11 ± 6.02 after, P = 0.004) and (1.76 ± 0.83 before vs. 1.43 ± 0.64 after, P ≤ 0.001), respectively. However, the AI and WMSI values were not improved in the medical treatment group, (6.04 ± 4.64 before vs. 6.01 ± 5.52 after, P = 0.966) and (1.61 ± 0.82 before vs. 1.66 ± 0.67 after, P = 0.616), respectively.ConclusionsMCE is a useful tool for estimating microvascularity in patients with CTO lesions and correlates well with angiographic collateral flow.
A Case of a Fistula between Myxoma and a Branch of Right Coronary Artery
Authors: D'Aloia Antonio , Bonadei Ivano , Vizzardi Enrico , Rovetta Riccardo , Sciatti Edoardo , Metra Marco 
Published: June 2014

Mini‐AbstractAtrial myxoma is a benign cardiac mass often seen during echocardiographic examinations. These masses often may present communication with coronary arteries due to the rupture of their vessel wall. We show the images of an incidental finding of two atrial myxomas with a fistula communication between them and a branch of right coronary artery.
Repeatability and Agreement of Real Time Three‐dimensional Echocardiography Measurements of Left Ventricular Mass and Synchrony in Young Patients
Authors: Ojala Tiina , Mathur Sujeev , Vatanen Anu , Sinha Manish D. , Jahnukainen Kirsi , Simpson John 
Published: June 2014

BackgroundLeft ventricular mass (LVM) and synchrony have prognostic value for many cardiovascular disease states. We report the agreement and repeatability of LVM estimation by three‐dimensional (3D) versus M‐mode and repeatability of 3D estimation of systolic dyssynchrony.Methods3DLVM was computed by subtraction of endocardial from epicardial volume X1.05 both at end‐diastole and end‐systole. M‐mode measurements were made at end‐diastole. This prospective study comprised 40 subjects, 20 patients with chronic kidney disease or treated neuroblastoma and 20 healthy individuals. The median age was 17 (range 6–29 years).ResultsIntra‐ and inter‐observer intraclass correlation was excellent for 3D systolic LVM (0.99, 0.87), 3D diastolic LVM (0.99, 0.93), M‐mode LVM (0.88, 0.93), moderate for 16‐segment SDI (0.77, 062), moderate to low for 12‐segment SDI (0.48, 0.73), and 6‐segment SDI (0.37, 0.69). The median (range) LVM measurement for 3D diastolic LVM was 125 g (50–253), 3D systolic LVM 109 g (40–195), and M‐mode LVM 115 g (range 40–207). There was a significant bias for diastolic 3DLVM to be higher than systolic 3D or M‐mode. Limits of agreement between methods were wide. The median (range) systolic dyssynchrony measurements were 2.0 (0.4–7.0), 1.5 (0.3–4.3), and 1.4 (0.3–4.5) for 16‐segment, 12‐segment, and 6‐segment models, respectively.Conclusion3D and M‐mode measurement of LVM are highly repeatable. Measurement bias and wide limits of agreement mean that the same echocardiographic technique should be used during follow‐up. Measurement of 3D systolic dyssynchrony is most repeatable using a 16‐segment model.
GWAS‐based pathway analysis differentiates between fluid and crystallized intelligence
Authors: Christoforou A. , Espeseth T. , Davies G. , Fernandes C. P. D. , Giddaluru S. , Mattheisen M. , Tenesa A. , Harris S. E. , Liewald D. C. , Payton A. , Ollier W. , Horan M. , Pendleton N. , Haggarty P. , Djurovic S. , Herms S. , Hoffman P. , Cichon S. , Starr J. M. , Lundervold A. , Reinvang I. , Steen V. M. , Deary I. J. , Le Hellard S. 
Published: June 2014

Cognitive abilities vary among people. About 40–50% of this variability is due to general intelligence (g), which reflects the positive correlation among individuals' scores on diverse cognitive ability tests. g is positively correlated with many life outcomes, such as education, occupational status and health, motivating the investigation of its underlying biology. In psychometric research, a distinction is made between general fluid intelligence (gF) – the ability to reason in novel situations – and general crystallized intelligence (gC) – the ability to apply acquired knowledge. This distinction is supported by developmental and cognitive neuroscience studies. Classical epidemiological studies and recent genome‐wide association studies (GWASs) have established that these cognitive traits have a large genetic component. However, no robust genetic associations have been published thus far due largely to the known polygenic nature of these traits and insufficient sample sizes. Here, using two GWAS datasets, in which the polygenicity of gF and gC traits was previously confirmed, a gene‐ and pathway‐based approach was undertaken with the aim of characterizing and differentiating their genetic architecture. Pathway analysis, using genes selected on the basis of relaxed criteria, revealed notable differences between these two traits. gF appeared to be characterized by genes affecting the quantity and quality of neurons and therefore neuronal efficiency, whereas long‐term depression (LTD) seemed to underlie gC. Thus, this study supports the gF–gC distinction at the genetic level and identifies functional annotations and pathways worthy of further investigation.
Clinical and radiographic outcomes of the use of Low‐Level Laser Therapy in vital pulp of primary teeth
Authors: Fernandes Ana Paula , Lourenço Neto Natalino , Teixeira Marques Nádia Carolina , Silveira Moretti Ana Beatriz , Sakai Vivien Thiemy , Cruvinel Silva Thiago , Andrade Moreira Machado Maria Aparecida , Marchini Oliveira Thais 
Published: June 2014

AimThis study aimed to compare the clinical and radiographic effectiveness of Low Level Laser Therapy in vital pulp of human primary teeth.MethodsSixty mandibular primary molars of children aged between 5–9 years were assigned into four groups: Diluted Formocresol (FC), Calcium Hydroxide (CH), Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) and Calcium Hydroxide preceded by Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT + CH). The clinical and radiographic evaluations were performed at 6, 12 and 18 post‐operative months.ResultsAll the groups studied were successful in the clinical evaluation over the follow‐up period. At 6 months, the radiographic success rate for FC group was 100%, 60% for CH group, 80% for LLLT group and 85.7% for LLLT + CH group. After 12 months, the radiographic success rate was 100% for FC group, 50% for CH group, 80% for LLLT group and 78.6% for LLLT + CH group. At the 18 months follow‐up, 100% of the FC group, 66.7% of CH group, 73.3% of the LLLT group and 75% of the LLLT + CH group.ConclusionThese findings suggest that Low Level Laser Therapy may be considered as an adjuvant alternative for vital pulp therapy on human primary teeth. Low Level Laser Therapy preceding the use of calcium hydroxide showed satisfactory results.
A Novel Route to Greatly Enhanced Dielectric Permittivity with Reduce Loss Tangent in CaCu3−xZnxTi4O12/CaTiO3 Composites
Authors: Jumpatam Jutapol , Putasaeng Bundit , Yamwong Teerapon , Thongbai Prasit , Maensiri Santi 
Published: June 2014

Dielectric and nonlinear properties of a binary compound derived from Ca2Cu2Ti4O12 were greatly improved by doping with Zn2+ to deliberately create CaCu3–xZnxTi4O12/CaTiO3 composites. Ca2Cu1.8Zn0.2Ti4O12 composition can exhibit an enhanced ε′, ~6,513, with a strong reduction in tanδ to ~0.015 (at 1 kHz). The nonlinear coefficient and breakdown field strength were significantly enhanced. The dielectric and nonlinear properties were described based on the effect of Zn2+ substitution on electrical response of internal interfaces.
Electrical Behavior of Nonstoichiometric TiN1+x Nanofibers by Electrospinning
Authors: Cheng Jing , Li Heping , Huang Siya , Pan Wei 
Published: June 2014

Nonstoichiometric TiN1+x(x = 0–0.26) nanofibers have been successfully fabricated by electrospinning versus ammonification process. Electrical properties of TiN1+x nanofibers were investigated with respect to the stoichiometric deviation degree x. The electric conductivity of the TiN1+x nanofiber reached as high as 121.1 S/cm with x = 0.03. When stoichiometric deviation degree increased, the electric conductivity decreased and nonlinear I–V character was shown in these TiN1+x nanofibers. The nonohmic electric characters of the nonstoichiometric TiN1+x nanofiber prepared by electrospinning combined with ammoniation demonstrated a promising candidate of one‐dimensional material applied in electric devices such as varistors or microswitch.
Specific serum microRNA profile in the molecular diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease
Authors: Tang Weibing , Li Hongxing , Tang Junwei , Wu Wei , Qin Jingjing , Lei Hao , Cai Peng , Huo Weiwei , Li Bo , Rehan Virender , Xu Xiaoqun , Geng Qiming , Zhang Hongwei , Xia Yankai 
Published: June 2014

AbstractHirschsprung's disease (HSCR), a congenital gastrointestinal disorder, is one of the most common causes of neonatal bowel obstruction. Without an early screening and diagnosis, some patients develop serious complications, such as toxic megacolon or acute enterocolitis. We sought to identify specific serum microRNAs (miRNAs) that can serve as novel early, non‐invasive screening signature and then to test their specificity and sensitivity in diagnosing Hirschsprung's disease. We obtained serum samples from 95 HSCR cases and 104 matched controls. An initial screening of miRNA expression was performed through TaqMan Low Density Array. The candidate miRNAs were validated by individual reverse transcription quantitative real‐time PCR arranged in the training and a two‐stage validation set. Additional double‐blind testing was performed in 23 patients with clinically suspected HSCR to evaluate the diagnostic value and accuracy of the serum miRNA profile in predicting HSCR. Following a multi‐stage evaluation approach, five miRNAs were significantly increased in HSCR cases compared with controls. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of this five‐serum miRNA signature were 0.895, 0.893 and 0.925 in training set and two validation sets, respectively. The accuracy rate of the five‐miRNA profile as HSCR signature was 82.6%, which, in the double‐blind testing set, was markedly higher than that of contrast enema (70%), the most commonly used test performed to diagnose HSCR. Our results indicate that a five‐serum miRNA signature may be linked to HSCR, representing a potential, novel, non‐invasive diagnostic approach for early screening of HSCR.
Controlled ventilation or spontaneous respiration in anesthesia for tracheobronchial foreign body removal: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Liu Yuqi , Chen Lianhua , Li Shitong 
Published: June 2014

SummaryBackgroundEither controlled ventilation or spontaneous respiration is commonly used in general anesthesia for inhaled foreign body removal via rigid bronchoscopy. Controversy in the literature exists concerning which form of ventilation is optimally suited for bronchoscopy. We performed a meta‐analysis to compare controlled ventilation and spontaneous respiration with respect to complications, operation time, and anesthesia recovery time.MethodsWe searched MEDLINE (1946–2013) and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE. The articles were evaluated for validity, and the data on complications, including desaturation, laryngospasm, laryngeal edema, bucking and coughing, body movement, breath holding, operation time, and anesthesia recovery time, were extracted by the authors and summarized using odds ratios, mean differences, and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).ResultsFrom the included studies, 423 subjects received controlled ventilation, whereas 441 subjects received spontaneous respiration. There was no significant difference in the incidence of desaturation between controlled ventilation and spontaneous respiration (odds ratio, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.30–1.63). However, the incidence of laryngospasm was lower when controlled ventilation was performed (OR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.10–0.76). The operation time (mean difference, −9.07 min; 95% CI, −14.03 to −4.12) was shorter in the controlled ventilation group.ConclusionsCurrent evidence does not show a preference for either controlled ventilation or spontaneous respiration, although laryngospasm has a lower incidence when controlled ventilation is performed. Additional clinical studies are required to substantiate this issue.
Development of a CAPS marker for the badh2.7 allele in Sri Lankan fragrant rice (Oryza sativa)
Authors: Dissanayaka Shachinthaka , Kottearachchi Nisha Sulari , Weerasena Jagathpriya , Peiris Milani 
Published: June 2014

AbstractFragrance in rice is caused by mutations in the badh2 (betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase) gene. It was previously reported that exons 1, 2, 7, 10, 13 and 14 of badh2 are hot spots for various mutations leading to fragrance in most aromatic rice. This study was carried out to sequence the 14th exon of badh2 gene of Sri Lankan aromatic rice varieties that lack the badh2.1 allele. The aims of the study were to predict the aberrant protein structure and to develop a functional DNA marker. In view of this, we sequenced the 14th exon of four traditional aromatic accessions and compared with a published sequence. Four accessions contained a nucleotide ‘G’ insertion in the 14th exon. This novel mutation can be classified as the badh2.7 allele. The predicted three‐dimensional protein structure of the mutant shows loss of part of the oligomerization and coenzyme binding domains, a change that is predicted to result in fragrance. A CAPS‐based novel marker, Bad2.7CAPS, was developed to identify varieties possessing this badh2.7 allele, and it can be utilized in rice breeding programmes.
Indigenous Bacteria and Fungi Drive Traditional Kimoto Sake Fermentations
Authors: Bokulich Nicholas A. , Ohta Moe , Lee Morgan , Mills David A. 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACT

Sake (Japanese rice wine) production is a complex, multistage process in which fermentation is performed by a succession of mixed fungi and bacteria. This study employed high-throughput rRNA marker gene sequencing, quantitative PCR, and terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism to characterize the bacterial and fungal communities of spontaneous sake production from koji to product as well as brewery equipment surfaces. Results demonstrate a dynamic microbial succession, with koji and early moto fermentations dominated by
Bacillus
,
Staphylococcus
, and
Aspergillus flavus
var. oryzae, succeeded by
Lactobacillus
spp. and
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
later in the fermentations. The microbiota driving these fermentations were also prevalent in the production environment, illustrating the reservoirs and routes for microbial contact in this traditional food fermentation. Interrogating the microbial consortia of production environments in parallel with food products is a valuable approach for understanding the complete ecology of food production systems and can be applied to any food system, leading to enlightened perspectives for process control and food safety.
Wild Bird Surveillance for Avian Paramyxoviruses in the Azov-Black Sea Region of Ukraine (2006 to 2011) Reveals Epidemiological Connections with Europe and Africa
Authors: Muzyka Denys , Pantin-Jackwood Mary , Stegniy Borys , Rula Oleksandr , Bolotin Vitaliy , Stegniy Anton , Gerilovych Anton , Shutchenko Pavlo , Stegniy Maryna , Koshelev Vasyl , Maiorova Klavdii , Tkachenko Semen , Muzyka Nataliia , Usova Larysa , Afonso Claudio L. 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACTDespite the existence of 10 avian paramyxovirus (APMV) serotypes, very little is known about the distribution, host species, and ecological factors affecting virus transmission. To better understand the relationship among these factors, we conducted APMV wild bird surveillance in regions of Ukraine suspected of being intercontinental (north to south and east to west) flyways. Surveillance for APMV was conducted in 6,735 wild birds representing 86 species and 8 different orders during 2006 to 2011 through different seasons. Twenty viruses were isolated and subsequently identified as APMV-1 (n= 9), APMV-4 (n= 4), APMV-6 (n= 3), and APMV-7 (n= 4). The highest isolation rate occurred during the autumn migration (0.61%), with viruses isolated from mallards, teals, dunlins, and a wigeon. The rate of isolation was lower during winter (December to March) (0.32%), with viruses isolated from ruddy shelducks, mallards, white-fronted geese, and a starling. During spring migration, nesting, and postnesting (April to August) no APMV strains were isolated out of 1,984 samples tested. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of four APMV-1 and two APMV-4 viruses showed that one APMV-1 virus belonging to class 1 was epidemiologically linked to viruses from China, three class II APMV-1 viruses were epidemiologically connected with viruses from Nigeria and Luxembourg, and one APMV-4 virus was related to goose viruses from Egypt. In summary, we have identified the wild bird species most likely to be infected with APMV, and our data support possible intercontinental transmission of APMVs by wild birds.