bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Simeprevir added to peginterferon and ribavirin lessens time with fatigue, depressive symptoms and functional limitations in patients with chronic hepatitis C compared with peginterferon and ribavirin: results from 1161 patients in the QUEST‐1, QUEST‐2 and PROMISE studies
Authors: Scott J. , Gilles L. , Fu M. , Brohan E. , Panter C. , Arbuckle R. , Jessner W. , Beumont M. 
Published: December 2014

SummaryThe value of adding simeprevir (SMV) vs placebo (PBO) to peginterferon and ribavirin (PR) for treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection was examined using patient‐reported outcomes (PROs); further, concordance of PROs with virology endpoints and adverse events (AEs) was explored. Patients (n = 768 SMV/PR, n = 393 PBO/PR) rated fatigue (FSS), depressive symptoms (CES‐D) and functional impairment (WPAI: Hepatitis C Productivity, Daily Activity and Absenteeism) at baseline and throughout treatment in three randomised, double‐blind trials comparing the addition of SMV or PBO during initial 12 weeks of PR. PR was administered for 48 weeks (PBO group) and 24/48 weeks (SMV group) using a response‐guided therapy (RGT) approach. Mean PRO scores (except Absenteeism) worsened from baseline to Week 4 to the same extent in both groups but reverted after Week 24 for SMV/PR and only after Week 48 for PBO/PR. Accordingly, there was a significantly lower area under the curve (baseline–Week 60, AUC60) and fewer weeks with clinically important worsening of scores in the SMV/PR group at any time point. Incidences of patients with fatigue and anaemia AEs were similar in both groups, but FSS scores showed that clinically important increases in fatigue lasted a mean of 6.9 weeks longer with PBO/PR (P < 0.001). PRO score subgroup analysis indicated better outcomes for patients who met the criteria for RGT or achieved sustained virological response 12 weeks post‐treatment (SVR12); differences in mean PRO scores associated with fibrosis level were only observed with PBO/PR. Greater efficacy of SMV/PR enabled reduced treatment duration and reduced time with PR‐related AEs without adding to AE severity.
Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics comparison between subcutaneous and intravenous butorphanol administration in horses
Authors: Chiavaccini L. , Claude A. K. , Lee J. H. , Ross M. K. , Meyer R. E. , Langston V. C. 
Published: December 2014

The study objective was to compare butorphanol pharmacokinetics and physiologic effects following intravenous and subcutaneous administration in horses. Ten adult horses received 0.1 mg/kg butorphanol by either intravenous or subcutaneous injections, in a randomized crossover design. Plasma concentrations of butorphanol were measured at predetermined time points using highly sensitive liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry assay (LC‐MS/MS). Demeanor and physiologic variables were recorded. Data were analyzed with multivariate mixed‐effect model on ranks (P ≤ 0.05). For subcutaneous injection, absorption half‐life and peak plasma concentration of butorphanol were 0.10 ± 0.07 h and 88 ± 37.4 ng/mL (mean ± SD), respectively. Bioavailability was 87%. After intravenous injection, mean ± SDbutorphanol steady‐state volume of distribution and clearance was 1.2 ± 0.96 L/kg and 0.65 ± 0.20 L/kg/h, respectively. Terminal half‐lives for butorphanol were 2.31 ± 1.74 h and 5.29 ± 1.72 h after intravenous and subcutaneous administrations. Subcutaneous butorphanol reached and maintained target plasma concentrations >10 ng/mL for 2 ± 0.87 h (Mean ± SD), with less marked physiologic and behavioral effects compared to intravenous injection. Subcutaneous butorphanol administration is an acceptable alternative to the intravenous route in adult horses.
Pharmacokinetics of tulathromycin in nonpregnant adult ewes
Authors: Washburn K. , Fajt V. R. , Coetzee J. F. , Rice S. , Wulf L. W. , Washburn S. 
Published: December 2014

The objectives of this study were to determine plasma concentrations and pharmacokinetic parameters of tulathromycin after a single subcutaneous administration in the cervical region in sheep using the cattle labeled dose of 2.5 mg/kg. Six adult healthy ewes were administered tulathromycin on day 0. Blood samples were collected just prior to dosing and at selected time points for 360 h. Plasma samples were analyzed to determine tulathromycin concentrations, and noncompartmental analysis was performed for pharmacokinetic parameters. The mean maximum plasma concentration was 3598 ng/mL, the mean time to maximum concentration was 1.6 h, and the apparent elimination half‐life ranged from 68.1 to 233.1 h (mean 118 h). When comparing our results to goats and cattle, it appears sheep are more similar to cattle in regard to the concentrations observed and pharmacokinetic parameters. In summary, the pharmacokinetics of tulathromycin in sheep appear to be similar enough to those in goats and cattle to recommend similar dosing (2.5 mg/kg SC), assuming that the target pathogens have similar inhibitory concentrations.
The effects of hemiparasitic plant removal on community structure and seedling establishment in semi‐natural grasslands
Authors: Demey Andreas , De Frenne Pieter , Baeten Lander , Verstraeten Gorik , Hermy Martin , Boeckx Pascal , Verheyen Kris 
Published: December 2014

AbstractQuestionHemiparasitic plants can profoundly affect the structure of the community in which they occur, mainly due to parasitic suppression of hosts. As a consequence, non‐host species have the opportunity to colonize resulting gaps. In contrast to most grassland species, hemiparasites are generally short‐lived and can reach high densities; as a consequence, vegetation gaps are left after their death. These gaps form microsites more suitable for seed germination and therefore might increase recruitment of other species. Which species suffer or profit from parasitism and is there a positive effect on seedling establishment?LocationSemi‐natural grasslands in northern Belgium.MethodsWe selected two hemiparasitic plant species from contrasting vegetation types: Rhinanthus angustifolius growing in mesotrophic grassland and Pedicularis sylvatica growing in oligotrophic heath‐grassland. A weeding experiment was set up at six sites in which the hemiparasite was repeatedly removed in half of the plots during three growing seasons. The abundance change of individual species was compared between weeded and control plots. After the second growing season, seeds of up to ten species were added. The number of seedlings in the third year was then compared between weeded and control plots.ResultsRhinanthus removal significantly affected the abundance of species relative to control plots, both positively and negatively, and decreased the species evenness. Pedicularis removal only increased the abundance of some species. Only Juncaceae (but no other graminoid families) increased after Rhinanthus and Pedicularis weeding, and there was considerable variation within functional groups. Moreover, based on our observations, we propose as a new hypothesis that species with persistent clonal spread are more vulnerable to parasitism. Once attached, resources are potentially drawn from a whole network of interconnected ramets. Finally, only half of the sown species successfully established seedlings; hemiparasite removal had a significantly negative effect on seedling number for two of these species.ConclusionsEffects of hemiparasites on species differ considerably, also within functional groups. Persistent clonal spread emerges as an important plant trait determining vulnerability to hemiparasites. Finally, our results suggest that hemiparasitic plants might have a limited positive effect on seedling establishment in these semi‐natural grasslands where chances for successful establishment were shown to be low.
Blue whale population structure along the eastern South Pacific Ocean: evidence of more than one population
Authors: Torres‐Florez J. P. , Hucke‐Gaete R. , LeDuc R. , Lang A. , Taylor B. , Pimper L. E. , Bedriñana‐Romano L. , Rosenbaum H. C. , Figueroa C. C. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBlue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) were among the most intensively exploited species of whales in the world. As a consequence of this intense exploitation, blue whale sightings off the coast of Chile were uncommon by the end of the 20th century. In 2004, a feeding and nursing ground was reported in southern Chile (SCh). With the aim to investigate the genetic identity and relationship of these Chilean blue whales to those in other Southern Hemisphere areas, 60 biopsy samples were collected from blue whales in SCh between 2003 and 2009. These samples were genotyped at seven microsatellite loci and the mitochondrial control region was sequenced, allowing us to identify 52 individuals. To investigate the genetic identity of this suspected remnant population, we compared these 52 individuals to blue whales from Antarctica (ANT, n = 96), Northern Chile (NCh, n = 19) and the eastern tropical Pacific (ETP, n = 31). No significant differentiation in haplotype frequencies (mtDNA) or among genotypes (nDNA) was found between SCh, NCh and ETP, while significant differences were found between those three areas and Antarctica for both the mitochondrial and microsatellite analyses. Our results suggest at least two breeding population units or subspecies exist, which is also supported by other lines of evidence such as morphometrics and acoustics. The lack of differences detected between SCh/NCh/ETP areas supports the hypothesis that eastern South Pacific blue whales are using the ETP area as a possible breeding area. Considering the small population sizes previously reported for the SCh area, additional conservation measures and monitoring of this population should be developed and prioritized.
Demographic inferences using short‐read genomic data in an approximate Bayesian computation framework: in silico evaluation of power, biases and proof of concept in Atlantic walrus
Authors: Shafer Aaron B. A. , Gattepaille Lucie M. , Stewart Robert E. A. , Wolf Jochen B. W. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractApproximate Bayesian computation (ABC) is a powerful tool for model‐based inference of demographic histories from large genetic data sets. For most organisms, its implementation has been hampered by the lack of sufficient genetic data. Genotyping‐by‐sequencing (GBS) provides cheap genome‐scale data to fill this gap, but its potential has not fully been exploited. Here, we explored power, precision and biases of a coalescent‐based ABC approach where GBS data were modelled with either a population mutation parameter (θ) or a fixed site (FS) approach, allowing single or several segregating sites per locus. With simulated data ranging from 500 to 50 000 loci, a variety of demographic models could be reliably inferred across a range of timescales and migration scenarios. Posterior estimates were informative with 1000 loci for migration and split time in simple population divergence models. In more complex models, posterior distributions were wide and almost reverted to the uninformative prior even with 50 000 loci. ABC parameter estimates, however, were generally more accurate than an alternative composite‐likelihood method. Bottleneck scenarios proved particularly difficult, and only recent bottlenecks without recovery could be reliably detected and dated. Notably, minor‐allele‐frequency filters – usual practice for GBS data – negatively affected nearly all estimates. With this in mind, we used a combination of FS and θ approaches on empirical GBS data generated from the Atlantic walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus), collectively providing support for a population split before the last glacial maximum followed by asymmetrical migration and a high Arctic bottleneck. Overall, this study evaluates the potential and limitations of GBS data in an ABC‐coalescence framework and proposes a best‐practice approach.
MHC variation reflects the bottleneck histories of New Zealand passerines
Authors: Sutton Jolene T. , Robertson Bruce C. , Jamieson Ian G. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractMost empirical evidence suggests that balancing selection does not counter the effects of genetic drift in shaping postbottleneck major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genetic diversity when population declines are severe or prolonged. However, few studies have been able to include data from historical specimens, or to compare populations/species with different bottleneck histories. In this study, we examined MHC class II B and microsatellite diversity in four New Zealand passerine (songbird) species that experienced moderate to very severe declines. We compared diversity from historical samples (collected c. 1884–1938) to present‐day populations. Using a Bayesian framework, we found that the change in genetic diversity from historical to contemporary samples was affected by three main factors: (i) whether the data were based on MHC or microsatellite markers, (ii) species (as a surrogate for bottleneck severity) and (iii) whether the comparison between historical and contemporary samples was made using historical samples originating from the mainland, or using historical samples originating from islands. The greatest losses in genetic diversity occurred for the most severely bottlenecked species, particularly between historical mainland and contemporary samples. Additionally, where loss of diversity occurred, the change was greater for MHC genes compared to microsatellite loci.
Role of Dickeya dadantii 3937 chemoreceptors in the entry to Arabidopsis leaves through wounds
Authors: Río‐Álvarez Isabel , Muñoz‐Gómez Cristina , Navas‐Vásquez Mariela , Martínez‐García Pedro M. , Antúnez‐Lamas María , Rodríguez‐Palenzuela Pablo , López‐Solanilla Emilia 
Published: December 2014

SummaryChemotaxis enables bacteria to move towards an optimal environment in response to chemical signals. In the case of plant‐pathogenic bacteria, chemotaxis allows pathogens to explore the plant surface for potential entry sites with the ultimate aim to prosper inside plant tissues and to cause disease. Chemoreceptors, which constitute the sensory core of the chemotaxis system, are usually transmembrane proteins which change their conformation when sensing chemicals in the periplasm and transduce the signal through a kinase pathway to the flagellar motor. In the particular case of the soft‐rot pathogen Dickeya dadantii 3937, jasmonic acid released in a plant wound has been found to be a strong chemoattractant which drives pathogen entry into the plant apoplast. In order to identify candidate chemoreceptors sensing wound‐derived plant compounds, we carried out a bioinformatics search of candidate chemoreceptors in the genome of Dickeya dadantii 3937. The study of the chemotactic response to several compounds and the analysis of the entry process to Arabidopsis leaves of 10 selected mutants in chemoreceptors allowed us to determine the implications of at least two of them (ABF‐0020167 and ABF‐0046680) in the chemotaxis‐driven entry process through plant wounds. Our data suggest that ABF‐0020167 and ABF‐0046680 may be candidate receptors of jasmonic acid and xylose, respectively.
Fusarium brain abscess: case report and literature review
Authors: Garcia Raquel Ramos , Min Zaw , Narasimhan Supriya , Bhanot Nitin 
Published: December 2014

SummarySeverely immunocompromised patients such as those with haematological malignancies and haematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients are at an increased risk of acquiring invasive mould infections. Fusarium, a ubiquitous fungus, can cause potentially fatal infections in such hosts. It usually manifests as skin lesions, fevers and sino‐pulmonary infections. Brain abscesses have been reported, but are relatively uncommon. We report a case of a 50‐year‐old patient with acute lymphocytic leukaemia and failed autologous peripheral stem cell transplant that presented with new onset seizures and was found to have Fusarium solani brain abscess. Nasal route was the presumed mode of entry of the fungus into the cerebrum. Treatment comprised surgical excision of the lesion, and antimycotic therapy with liposomal amphotericin B and voriconazole. Despite aggressive therapy, patient succumbed to the disease. We have provided an overview of infections secondary to Fusarium, along with a review of the central nervous system involvement by this pathogenic mould.
Arctic fungal communities associated with roots of Bistorta vivipara do not respond to the same fine‐scale edaphic gradients as the aboveground vegetation
Authors: Mundra Sunil , Halvorsen Rune , Kauserud Håvard , Müller Eike , Vik Unni , Eidesen Pernille B. 
Published: December 2014

Summary

Soil conditions and microclimate are important determinants of the fine‐scale distribution of plant species in the Arctic, creating locally heterogeneous vegetation. We hypothesize that root‐associated fungal (RAF) communities respond to the same fine‐scale environmental gradients as the aboveground vegetation, creating a coherent pattern between aboveground vegetation and RAF.

We explored how RAF communities of the ectomycorrhizal (ECM) plant Bistorta vivipara and aboveground vegetation structure of arctic plants were affected by biotic and abiotic variables at 0.3–3.0‐m scales. RAF communities were determined using pyrosequencing. Composition and spatial structure of RAF and aboveground vegetation in relation to collected biotic and abiotic variables were analysed by ordination and semi‐variance analyses.

The vegetation was spatially structured along soil C and N gradients, whereas RAF lacked significant spatial structure. A weak relationship between RAF community composition and the cover of two ECM plants, B. vivipara and S. polaris, was found, and RAF richness increased with host root length and root weight.

Results suggest that the fine‐scale spatial structure of RAF communities of B. vivipara and the aboveground vegetation are driven by different factors. At fine spatial scales, neighbouring ECM plants may affect RAF community composition, whereas soil nutrients gradients structure the vegetation.
Understanding Price Stickiness: Firm‐level Evidence on Price Adjustment Lags and Their Asymmetries
Authors: Dias Daniel A. , Marques Carlos Robalo , Martins Fernando , Santos Silva J. M. C. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractWe study the speed of price reactions to positive and negative demand and cost shocks. Our findings suggest that price adjustment lags vary in line with the predictions of optimal price setting models. Moreover, we find that the firms' reactions are asymmetric, and that these asymmetries cannot be fully explained by any single theoretical model of asymmetric price adjustment. Overall, these results suggest that the reaction to monetary policy shocks may depend on which firms or sectors are particularly affected by them and, therefore, that richer models are needed to fully understand the effects of monetary policy.
Simulated fluid resuscitation for toddlers and young children: effect of syringe size and hand fatigue
Authors: Toshniwal Gokul , Ahmed Zulfiqar , Sengstock David 
Published: December 2014

SummaryBackgroundIn small children, fluid resuscitation requires rapid administration of a relatively large fluid volume. This is often achieved manually. The optimal syringe size is unknown.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to determine which syringe delivers fluid in the shortest time. The secondary outcome was to determine which syringe was associated with hand fatigue.MethodsParticipants (n = 20) performed a simulated fluid resuscitation using four syringe sizes: 5 ml, 10 ml, 20 ml, and 60 ml. The ‘pull and push’ method was used to transfer 250 ml of lactated Ringer's solution from a bag, through IV tubing, into a container. Fluid transfer time (seconds) and hand fatigue were measured.ResultsA ‘U’‐shaped curve was identified between syringe size and transfer time (P < 0.0001). The 10‐ml and 20‐ml syringes did not differ significantly (231 ± 43 vs 228 ± 45 s, P > 0.2, respectively). The 5‐ml and 60‐ml syringes did not differ significantly (273 ± 69 s vs 295 ± 64, P = 0.2, respectively). However, the 5‐ml syringe required significantly more time than the 10‐ml (by 42 s, P = 0.002) or the 20‐ml (by 45 s, P = 0.001) syringes. The 60‐ml syringe also required significantly more time than the 10‐ml (by 64 s, P < 0.0001) or 20‐ml (by 67 s, P = 0.0001) syringe. Although all participants transferred the 250 ml, hand fatigue increased as syringe size increased: 5 ml (n = 3), 10 ml (n = 4), 20 ml (n = 7), and 60 ml (n = 15). Most participants preferred using the 10‐ml syringe (n = 11/20), followed by 20‐ml (n = 6/20), 5‐ml (n = 3/20), and 60‐ml (n = 0/20) syringes.ConclusionManual fluid resuscitation using the ‘pull and push’ method is most rapidly accomplished with the 10‐ml or 20‐ml syringes. The 60‐ml syringe is associated with the most hand fatigue. Participants most preferred the 10‐ml or 20‐ml syringes.
The Portuguese version of the Outcome Questionnaire (OQ‐45): Normative data, reliability, and clinical significance cut‐offs scores
Authors: Machado Paulo P. P. , Fassnacht Daniel B. 
Published: December 2014

ObjectivesThe Outcome Questionnaire (OQ‐45) is one of the most extensively used standardized self‐report instruments to monitor psychotherapy outcomes. The questionnaire is designed specifically for the assessment of change during psychotherapy treatments. Therefore, it is crucial to provide norms and clinical cut‐off values for clinicians and researchers. The current study aims at providing study provides norms, reliability indices, and clinical cut‐off values for the Portuguese version of the scale.MethodData from two large non‐clinical samples (high school/university, N = 1,669; community, N = 879) and one clinical sample (n = 201) were used to investigate psychometric properties and derive normative data for all OQ‐45 subscales and the total score.ResultsSignificant and substantial differences were found for all subscales between the clinical and non‐clinical sample. The Portuguese version also showed adequate reliabilities (internal consistency, test–retest), which were comparable to the original version. To assess individual clinical change, clinical cut‐off values and reliable change indices were calculated allowing clinicians and researchers to monitor and evaluate clients' individual change.ConclusionThe Portuguese version of the OQ‐45 is a reliable instrument with comparable Portuguese norms and cut‐off scores to those from the original version. This allows clinicians and researchers to use this instrument for evaluating change and outcome in psychotherapy.Practitioner points

This study provides norms for non‐clinical and clinical Portuguese samples and investigates the reliability (internal consistency and test–retest) of the OQ‐45.

Cut‐off values and reliable change index are provided allowing clinicians to evaluate clinical change and clients' response to treatment, monitoring the quality of mental health care services.

These can be used, in routine clinical practice, as benchmarks for treatment progress and to empirically base clinical decisions such as continuation of treatment or considering termination.