bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Generic Levothyroxine Compared With Synthroid in Young Children With Congenital Hypothyroidism
Authors: Lomenick Jefferson P. , Wang Lulu , Ampah Steve B. , Saville Benjamin R. , Greenwald Fayrisa I. 
Published: January 2013

Abstract

Context:
Clinicians who prescribe levothyroxine (LT4) for hypothyroidism often feel strongly about using a brand-name drug instead of a generic.

Objective:
The objective of the study was to determine whether Synthroid resulted in better control of congenital hypothyroidism than generic LT4.

Design:
This was a 5-year retrospective study.

Setting:
The study was conducted at 1 tertiary care center.

Patients:
Children who were 0–36 months old with congenital hypothyroidism followed up at our center from 2006 to 2011 were treated with either Synthroid exclusively (35 subjects) or generic LT4 exclusively (27 subjects).

Interventions:
We recorded the subjects' TSH and free T4 measurements, how often their LT4 dose was adjusted, and the duration of follow-up.

Main Outcome Measure:
TSH variance between the groups was measured. Secondary end points were the frequency of LT4 dose changes and the variance in free T4.

Results:
Using the Wilcoxon rank sum test, there was no difference in TSH SD in the Synthroid group compared with the generic group (median 3.0 vs 2.2, P = .27). Using a linear mixed model, children treated with the generic LT4 had lower TSH estimated SD [1.35 with 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.194, 1.526)] than the Synthroid group [1.66 with 95% CI (1.536, 1.803)]. Similarly, no difference was observed in free T4 SD between the groups using the Wilcoxon rank sum test (median 0.29 generic vs 0.36 Synthroid, P = .11), but the generic group had lower free T4 estimated SD than the Synthroid group using the linear mixed model [0.216 with 95% CI (0.187, 0.249) vs 0.298 with 95% CI (0.273,0.326)]. Frequency of LT4 dosing adjustments was similar between the groups, both in total (median 2.0 for generic vs 3.0 for Synthroid, P = .097) and when adjusted for number of TSH checks (ratio 0.25 generic vs 0.31 Synthroid, P = .45).

Conclusions:
In our study of congenital hypothyroidism, generic LT4 treatment resulted in similar or better control of hypothyroidism compared with Synthroid, as assessed by the clinical outcomes of TSH variance and the frequency of LT4 dosing adjustments.
The Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility on Firm Value: The Role of Customer Awareness
Authors: Servaes Henri , Tamayo Ane 
Published: January 2013

This paper shows that corporate social responsibility (CSR) and firm value are positively related for firms with high customer awareness, as proxied by advertising expenditures. For firms with low customer awareness, the relation is either negative or insignificant. In addition, we find that the effect of awareness on the CSR–value relation is reversed for firms with a poor prior reputation as corporate citizens. This evidence is consistent with the view that CSR activities can add value to the firm but only under certain conditions. This paper was accepted by Bruno Cassiman, business strategy.
Teams Make You Smarter: How Exposure to Teams Improves Individual Decisions in Probability and Reasoning Tasks
Authors: Maciejovsky Boris , Sutter Matthias , Budescu David V. , Bernau Patrick 
Published: January 2013

Many important decisions are routinely made by transient and temporary teams, which perform their duty and disperse. Team members often continue making similar decisions as individuals. We study how the experience of team decision making affects subsequent individual decisions in two seminal probability and reasoning tasks, the Monty Hall problem and the Wason selection task. Both tasks are hard and involve a general rule, thus allowing for knowledge transfers, and can be embedded in the context of markets that offer identical incentives to teams and individuals. Our results show that teams trade closer to the rational level, learn the solution faster, and achieve this with weaker, less specific performance feedback than individuals. Most importantly, we observe significant knowledge transfers from team decision making to subsequent individual performances that take place up to five weeks later, indicating that exposure to team decision making has strong positive spillovers on the quality of individual decisions. This paper was accepted by Uri Gneezy, behavioral economics.
Entrepreneurs Under Uncertainty: An Economic Experiment in China
Authors: Holm Hakan J. , Opper Sonja , Nee Victor 
Published: January 2013

This study reports findings from the first large-scale experiment investigating whether entrepreneurs differ from other people in their willingness to expose themselves to various forms of uncertainty. A stratified random sample of 700 chief executive officers from the Yangzi delta region in China is compared to 200 control group members. Our findings suggest that in economic decisions, entrepreneurs are more willing to accept strategic uncertainty related to multilateral competition and trust. However, entrepreneurs do not differ from ordinary people when it comes to nonstrategic forms of uncertainty, such as risk and ambiguity. This paper was accepted by John List, behavioral economics.
Solid State NMR Characterization of Nano-crystalline hydroxy-carbonate Apatite Using 1H-31P-13C Triple Resonance Experiments
Authors: Babonneau Florence , Babonneau Florence , Bonhomme Christian , Hayakawa Satoshi , Osaka Akiyoshi 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThe local structure around hydrogen atoms, phosphate ions and carbonate ions in nano crystalline nonstoichiometric hydroxy-carbonate apatite was investigated in this study. The use of 13C enriched precursors allowed to perform 1D and 2D CP MAS HETCOR (HETeronuclear CORrelation) experiments with 13C as a target spin. 2D triple resonance experiments involving the 1H/13C/31P spins were also performed. All these experiments led to the partial editing of the corresponding projection spectra and revealed fine structural details for the corresponding material. At least four 13C peaks, corresponding to carbonate ions in A sites (OH-) and B-sites (PO43-) were evidenced.
Relative Effectiveness and Safety of Chemotherapy in Elderly and Nonelderly Patients With Stage III Colon Cancer: A Systematic Review
Authors: Hung Anna , Mullins C. Daniel 
Published: January 2013

Abstract

CME Learning Objectives
Describe evidence of differential treatment response of chemotherapy in elderly versus nonelderly stage III colon cancer patients. Synthesize differences in evidence of effectiveness and safety of chemotherapy between elderly and nonelderly stage III colon cancer patients to inform patient decision making and physician prescribing practices.

Background.
Chemotherapy effectiveness in clinical practice may differ from the efficacy demonstrated in clinical trials, particularly among populations underrepresented in clinical trials, such as elderly patients with cancer. This review aims to examine the relative effectiveness of chemotherapy for stage III colon cancer in elderly versus nonelderly patients.

Methods.
A systematic literature review was conducted using the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality approach. Literature searches were performed in Medline and Evidence-Based Medicine Reviews databases. Chemotherapy regimens approved for stage III colon cancer were reviewed. Four effectiveness and 15 safety outcomes were extracted.

Results.
From 708 identified articles, 25 articles provided data on the relative effectiveness and safety of chemotherapy among elderly versus nonelderly patients. Four of 14 studies showed lower overall survival treatment effects, whereas one of five and one of four studies indicated more favorable treatment effects for time to progression and overall response rate. Grade 3 or 4 adverse events were higher among elderly patients for cardiac disorder (2/5 studies), leukopenia (1/5), neutropenia (4/16), thrombocytopenia (2/13), febrile neutropenia (1/4), infection (2/10), dehydration (2/6), diarrhea (6/20), and fatigue (6/13). Grade 3 or 4 adverse events were lower for neutropenia (2/16 studies), nausea/vomiting (1/16), and neuropathy (1/9).

Conclusion.
The majority of the evidence suggests that chemotherapy has similar relative effectiveness and safety for patients &gt;65 years of age versus younger patients with stage III colon cancer. When differences are reported, treatment effects are more often worse among the elderly. This review suggests that without other reasons for withholding treatment, elderly patients should receive chemotherapy as often as nonelderly patients.
Periodontitis as a Novel Contributor of Adipose Tissue Inflammation Promotes Insulin Resistance in a Rat Model
Authors: Su Yuan , Wang Dan , Xuan Dongying , Ni Jia , Luo Shigao , Xie Baoyi , Zhang Jincai 
Published: January 2013

Background: Recent studies have indicated that the chronic low‐grade inflammation induced by periodontitis is related to obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of periodontitis on obesity‐related adipose tissue inflammation and subsequent systemic insulin resistance in a rat model.Methods: Thirty‐two rats were divided into four groups of eight: 1) obese rats with periodontitis (combination group); 2) obese rats without periodontitis (obesity group); 3) normal rats with periodontitis (periodontitis group); and 4) normal rats without periodontitis (control group). Monosodium glutamate was used to induce obesity during the early postnatal period. Periodontitis was induced by ligatures for 8 weeks. Morphologic features of white adipose tissue (WAT) and islets were observed, and fasting plasma glucose and insulin concentrations and homeostasis model assessment for insulin (HOMA‐IR) were measured at 5 months. Differences among groups were compared with the Fisher post hoc least significant difference test.Results: A slight increase of stromal vascular fractions (SVFs) and macrophage infiltration in the WAT of the periodontitis group was observed. Significant proliferation of SVFs and macrophage infiltration were induced in the combination group. HOMA‐IR scores in the combination and periodontitis groups were higher than in the obesity and control groups, respectively. The disturbance of islet architecture was consistent with a high HOMA‐IR score in the combination group.Conclusions: Periodontitis induced initial stages of WAT inflammation and acted as a contributing factor to exacerbate proinflammatory phenotype of WAT and promote the development of insulin resistance in the obese rat model.
Effects of Tacrolimus and Nifedipine, Alone or in Combination, on Gingival Tissues
Authors: Pamuk Ferda , Cetinkaya Burcu Ozkan , Gulbahar Mustafa Yavuz , Gacar Ayhan , Cayır Keles Gonca , Erisgin Zuleyha , Arik Nurol 
Published: January 2013

Background: The aim of this study is to compare gingival changes induced by short‐ and long‐term tacrolimus and nifedipine administration, alone or in combination, and evaluate the expression levels of tumor suppressor phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) in drug‐induced gingival overgrowth.Methods: Eighty rats were equally divided into eight groups: 1) tacrolimus for 8 weeks; 2) nifedipine for 8 weeks; 3) tacrolimus and nifedipine for 8 weeks; 4) 8‐week control; 5) tacrolimus for 24 weeks; 6) nifedipine for 24 weeks; 7) tacrolimus and nifedipine for 24 weeks; and 8) 24‐week control. Histomorphometric analyses included measurements of epithelial thickness, connective tissue thickness, and height. Stereologic analyses included measurements of volumetric densities of fibroblasts (Vf), collagen fibers (Vcf), and blood vessels (Vbv). In addition, PTEN expression was analyzed using immunohistochemistry.Results: Epithelial thickness and connective tissue thickness were significantly increased in groups 5, 6, and 7 compared to group 8 (P <0.05), whereas connective tissue height was significantly increased in groups 5 and 7 (P <0.001). Vf and Vcf were significantly increased in group 7 compared to group 8 (P <0.001). PTEN immunoreactivity was significantly decreased in all experimental groups compared to the control groups (P <0.05).Conclusions: Results suggest that duration of drug administration is a more important risk factor than drug combination. The results include a potentially new insight about PTEN's role in the etiology of drug‐induced gingival overgrowth.
An Autologous Platelet‐Rich Plasma Stimulates Periodontal Ligament Regeneration
Authors: Anitua Eduardo , Troya María , Orive Gorka 
Published: January 2013

Background: Regeneration of periodontal tissues is one of the most important goals for the treatment of periodontal disease. The technology of plasma rich in growth factors provides a biologic approach for the stimulation and acceleration of tissue healing. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the biologic effects of this technology on primary human periodontal ligament fibroblasts.Methods: The authors studied the response of periodontal ligament cells to this pool of growth factors on cell proliferation, cell migration, secretion of several biomolecules, cell adhesion, and expression of α2 integrin. Cell proliferation and adhesion were evaluated by means of a fluorescence‐based method. Cell migration was performed on culture inserts. The release of different biomolecules by periodontal ligament fibroblasts was quantified through enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The α2 integrin expression was assessed through Western blot.Results: This autologous technology significantly stimulated cell proliferation, migration, adhesion, and synthesis of many growth factors from cells including vascular endothelial growth factor, thrombospondin 1, connective tissue growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor, and procollagen type I. The α2 integrin expression was lower in plasma rich in growth factor–treated cells compared to non‐stimulated cells, although no statistically significant differences were observed.Conclusion: This plasma rich in growth factors exerts positive effects on periodontal ligament fibroblasts, which could be positive for periodontal regeneration.
A new lizard skull from the Purbeck Limestone Group (Lower Cretaceous) of England
Authors: Evans Susan E. , Jones Marc E. H. , Matsumoto Ryoko 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
The Purbeck Limestone Group of England has yielded a rich assemblage of Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous (Berriasian) vertebrate fossils, including one of the most diverse Early Cretaceous lizard assemblages on record. Here we describe the first articulated lizard skull from Purbeck. The specimen was rediscovered in the collections of the British Geological Survey, having been excavated at least a century ago. Although originally assigned to the Purbeck genus Paramacellodus, with which it shares maxillary and some dental characters, the new Purbeck skull differs from other Purbeck genera, including Paramacellodus, in frontal, pterygoid and maxillary morphology. It is here assigned to a new genus and species. Cladistic analysis groups it with Lacertoidea, unlike Paramacellodus, Becklesius and Parasaurillus which group with scincids and cordyliforms.
Addition to the Late Cretaceous Laño mammal faunule (Spain) and to the knowledge of European “Zhelestidae” (Lainodontinae nov.)
Authors: Gheerbrant Emmanuel , Astibia Humberto 
Published: January 2013

AbstractNew mammal material from the Campano-Maastrichtian locality of Laño, Spanish Basque Country documents two new zhelestid eutherian species referred to the genus Lainodon. This material enlightens the upper molar pattern of the European zhelestids and confirms their originality and homogeneity. The European zhelestids are included in the new subfamily Lainodontinae, which is distinct and characterized by a mosaic of primitive and specialized features. The Lainodontinae clade adds to other endemic vertebrate taxa (among multituberculates, flightless birds, dinosaurs, and turtles) that typify the Late Cretaceous fauna of the European Archipelago. The material from Laño provides further evidence of a modest but significant lainodontine radiation known by five or six species belonging to two or three genera (Lainodon, Labes, ? Valentinella), which is currently restricted to western Europe, i.e. to the Ibero-Armorican Island. The plesiomorph features of the Lainodontinae (lower molar trigonid poorly compressed, upper molar without lingual cingulum) recall the earliest known zhelestids, and suggest an Asian origin from a Sheikhdzheilia-like stem lineage at the beginning of the Late Cretaceous. This dispersal event from Asia probably involved other vertebrate taxa, such as the multituberculate stem group of the kogaionid mammals and the hadrosaurid dinosaurs. The zhelestid subfamily Lainodontinae represents the most diverse and dominant taxon in the western European Late Cretaceous mammal fauna, which is eutherian-dominated, by contrast to the eastern European Late Cretaceous mammal fauna which is dominated by an original and at that time exclusive radiation of kogaionid multituberculates.
Organic Management Practices on Athletic Fields. Part 2: The Effects on Playing Surface Characteristics and Soil Physical Properties
Authors: Miller Nathaniel A. , Henderson Jason J. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACTMany organic products have been used effectively in turfgrass management programs, but their exclusive use in athletic field maintenance and effect on playing surface characteristics and soil physical properties have not been extensively researched. The objectives were to determine the effects of management regimes and overseeding perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) into an existing Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) stand during simulated traffic on (i) rotational traction and surface hardness and (ii) soil physical properties. Treatments were arranged as a 2 × 6 factorial in a randomized complete block design with two overseeding levels (overseeded and not overseeded) of a perennial ryegrass blend during traffic and six management regimes (fertility and pest management): (i) conventional, (ii) organic manure (OMan), (iii) organic protein (OPro), (iv) organic manure plus compost tea (OMan+CT), (v) organic protein plus compost tea (OPro+CT), and (vi) a control. This research was conducted over 2 yr on a mature stand of ‘Langara’ Kentucky bluegrass on a Paxton fine sandy loam. Fall traffic was simulated with a Cady Traffic Simulator. There were no consistent effects on rotational traction or surface hardness as a result of management regimes or overseeding. Management regimes did not affect soil physical properties, but overseeding increased total porosity by 2.2% and increased aeration porosity by 12.4% in 2008. In 2009, overseeding increased capillary porosity by 2.2% but had no affect on total and aeration porosity values. Overseeding minimally decreased particle and bulk density values during both years. Overseeding also increased soil organic matter by 5.7% in 2009 when accompanied by organic fertilizers but not with compost tea applications. Using organic fertilizers or compost tea showed no enhancement or deterioration of soil physical properties over this two year study.
Diallel Analysis of Diverse Maize Germplasm Lines for Resistance to Aflatoxin Accumulation
Authors: Henry W. Brien , Windham Gary L. , Rowe Dennis E. , Blanco Michael H. , Murray Seth C. , Williams W. Paul 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACTIn this study, diverse, novel maize (Zea mays L.) germplasm from the Germplasm Enhancement of Maize (GEM) Project was screened to determine the combining ability and inheritance of ear rot resistance and resistance to aflatoxin accumulation in hybrid combinations. Nine GEM germplasm lines and six known resistant and susceptible inbred lines were selected as parents of a diallel cross that was evaluated over 2 yr at Mississippi State, MS, and 1 yr at College Station, TX. Resistant lines Mp717 and Mp494 each had negative and significant general combining ability effects, and were frequently present as parents in the hybrid combinations with the lowest aflatoxin accumulation. Of the GEM germplasm lines evaluated, GEMN‐0130 was the best source of aflatoxin resistance, with significant and negative GCA values at all three site years. The GEM lines exhibiting significant and negative GCA effects for aflatoxin accumulation in at least one site year include two GEM germplasm lines, GEMS‐0030 (2 yr) and GEMS‐0074 (1 yr), and a nonreleased GEM source derived from the tropical Cuban accession, CUBA117 (1 yr). The GEM germplasm lines significantly contributing to reduced ear rot in at least two out of three environments included CUBA117, GEMS‐0030, GEMS‐0002, and GEMN‐0130. These results demonstrate the GEM Project is a useful and untapped source of diverse germplasm for resistance to Aspergillus flavus ear rot and aflatoxin accumulation.
Seed Set in Prairie Cordgrass
Authors: Boe Arvid , Owens Vance , Gonzalez‐Hernandez Jose , Lee D. K. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACTPrairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata Link) has potential for biofuel production in soils too wet for switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.). However, poor seed set is a major impediment to seed production in this species. Our objectives were to (i) estimate frequency of seed set (i.e., normal caryopsis in spikelet) and seed predation by insects and (ii) partition variance for seed set into environmental and morphological sources for a population of prairie cordgrass selected for biofuel production. During 2005 through 2011, panicles were collected from nurseries of the selected population in South Dakota and Illinois. Seed set was 79% for 1‐ and 2‐yr‐old stands indicating neither poor seed set or seed predation, which ranged from 0 to 15%, by Aethes spartinana (Barnes & McDunnough) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) seriously limited seed production. Most of the variation in seed set could be accounted for by variation among and within panicles within nurseries. Spikes in the distal two‐thirds of the panicle had higher seed set and lower seed predation than those in the proximal one‐third. However, variance between spikes from similar panicle positions accounted for more of the variation in seed set than any other spatial or morphological source. Therefore, increased understanding of seed set, which is subject to environmental vagaries from heading through seed development, will require sampling emphasis at the spikes within panicles and spikelets within spikes levels.