bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improvement of liver function parameters in advanced HCV‐associated liver cirrhosis by IFN‐free antiviral therapies
Authors: Deterding K. , Höner zu Siederdissen C. , Port K. , Solbach P. , Sollik L. , Kirschner J. , Mix C. , Cornberg J. , Worzala D. , Mix H. , Manns M. P. , Cornberg M. , Wedemeyer H. 
Published: August 2015

SummaryBackgroundSuccessful antiviral treatment of decompensated hepatitis B with HBV polymerase inhibitors is associated with improvement of liver function. To what extent liver function also improves in cirrhotic patients with chronic hepatitis C receiving novel interferon‐free (IFN‐free) therapies is unknown.AimTo study liver function in cirrhotic HCV patients receiving IFN‐free therapies.MethodsWe here studied 80 consecutive patients with advanced HCV associated liver cirrhosis including 34 patients (43%) with Child B/C cirrhosis and 42 patients (53%) with platelet counts of <90.000/μL receiving different combinations of direct acting antivirals without interferon [sofosbuvir/ribavirin (n = 56), sofosbuvir/simeprevir ± ribavirin (n = 15) and sofosbuvir/daclatasvir ± ribavirin (n = 9)]. The majority of patients was infected with HCV genotype 1 (n = 50); HCV genotypes 2, 3 and 4 were present in 4, 24 and 2 patients, respectively.ResultsLiver function parameters including albumin, bilirubin, cholinesterase and prothrombin time all improved in the majority of patients during antiviral therapy irrespectively of the underlying HCV genotype, however, with different kinetics. MELD scores improved until post‐treatment week 12 in 44% of the patients but worsened in 15%. A sustained virological response was achieved in 63% of the patients. HCV RNA relapse led to moderate ALT increases in 15/23 patients but was not associated with hepatic decompensations.ConclusionThis real‐world single centre study showed that interferon‐free treatment of hepatitis C patients with advanced liver cirrhosis restores liver function, and may thereby reduce the need for liver transplantations.
Preincubation with green tea polyphenol extract is beneficial for attenuating sperm injury caused by freezing‐thawing in swine
Authors: Kitaji Hideki , Ookutsu Shoji , Sato Masahiro , Miyoshi Kazuchika 
Published: August 2015

AbstractPolyphenols (PFs) extracted from green tea, known to be potent anti‐oxidants, have been reported to be effective in increasing the motility and viability of mammalian sperm, preserved in a liquid form. Therefore, we tested whether PFs might also be effective for maintaining the integrity of frozen‐thawed boar spermatozoa. Ejaculates, collected from Clawn miniature pigs, were diluted in a semen extender containing various amounts of PFs (0, 0.01, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2% w/v) and then stored at 15°C overnight. The semen samples were processed, using the straw freezing procedure, and then frozen in liquid nitrogen. After rapid thawing at 40°C, the spermatozoa were subjected to several assays to evaluate semen quality. Spermatozoa frozen in a medium containing 0.01% w/v PFs exhibited significantly (P < 0.05) higher degrees of post‐thawed viability and acrosomal integrity than those stored in the absence of PFs. However, no change in the mitochondrial activity was noted between the two groups. The inclusion of 0.01% PFs in the semen extender was significantly (P < 0.05) effective in increasing both the rates of monospermic oocyte formation and of blastocyst formation. These findings indicate that preincubation with the semen extender, containing 0.01% PFs prior to freezing, exerts a protective effect on boar sperm by preventing injuries associated with freezing‐thawing.
A phase II study of bortezomib added to rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone in patients with previously untreated indolent non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma
Authors: Cohen Jonathon B. , Switchenko Jeffrey M. , Koff Jean L. , Sinha Rajni , Kaufman Jonathan L. , Khoury H. Jean , Bumpers Nassoma , Colbert Amanda , Hutchison‐Rzepka Amanda , Nastoupil Loretta J. , Heffner Leonard T. , Langston Amelia A. , Lechowicz Mary Jo , Lonial Sagar , Flowers Christopher R. 
Published: August 2015

SummaryBortezomib‐containing combinations are active in non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) although peripheral neuropathy can limit their dose intensity. Based on our phase I findings, we conducted a phase II trial of bortezomib in combination with R‐CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) with a modified dose of vincristine. Patients with untreated indolent NHL received bortezomib (1·6 mg/m2) on days 1 and 8 of a 21‐day cycle for up to 8 cycles and R‐CHOP with a 1·5 mg cap of vincristine. Patients achieving a complete response (CR) received maintenance rituximab, and remaining patients received maintenance rituximab and bortezomib. The primary endpoint was CR rate; secondary survival analyses were evaluated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Among 29 eligible patients, NHL morphologies included follicular (n = 20), marginal zone (n = 5) and small lymphocytic lymphoma (n = 4). Nineteen patients had CR (66%) and 10 had partial response (34%), yielding a 100% overall response rate. With a median follow‐up of 48·7 months, the 4‐year progression‐free and overall survivals were 83% and 93%. Twenty‐two patients experienced peripheral neuropathy of any grade, and two had grade 3 neuropathy. The combination of bortezomib with R‐CHOP is effective for indolent NHL, and we plan to evaluate therapies incorporating novel proteasome inhibitors in future studies in NHL.
Kin Recognition and Inbreeding Avoidance in a Butterfly
Authors: Fischer Klaus , Karl Isabell , Heuskin Stéphanie , Janowitz Susann , Dötterl Stefan 
Published: August 2015

AbstractOwing to the risk of inbreeding depression, the evolution of inbreeding avoidance by means of kin recognition is expected for many biological systems. Nevertheless, an ability to distinguish among relatives and non‐relatives has been only rarely demonstrated, especially so in non‐social organisms. We here show that, in the non‐social tropical butterfly Bicyclus anynana, females discriminate against relatives by preferentially mating with non‐relatives. Inbreeding avoidance was more pronounced in inbred as compared with outbred butterflies, suggesting that it is partly condition dependent. We argue that, in our system, the evolution of inbreeding avoidance is related to carrying a high genetic load and thus to being particularly sensitive to inbreeding depression. We suggest that kin recognition might be more widespread than currently thought and that future studies may possibly benefit from considering condition dependence, especially by paying attention to and/or manipulating population history, genetic load, and the risk of inbreeding depression. We further suggest that kin recognition in B. anynana might be based on cuticular hydrocarbons used for self‐referencing.
Is drift the primary process promoting the resilience of river invertebrate communities? A manipulative field experiment in an intermittent alluvial river
Authors: Vander Vorste Ross , Malard Florian , Datry Thibault 
Published: August 2015

Summary

In river systems, aquatic invertebrate communities are surprisingly persistent over time and generally recover quickly from disturbances. Drift has long been viewed as the primary process promoting this resilience, and it plays a important role in predictive models of community composition and concepts in lotic ecology. More recently, other processes such as vertical migration from the hyporheic zone, aerial oviposition from distant refuges and the use of resistance forms (e.g. diapause) have received greater recognition and support for their importance.

In this study, the view that drift is the primary process promoting invertebrate community resilience was challenged in an intermittent alluvial river using reach‐scale flow manipulations. First, six treatment channels were completely dried for 1 week, while three others were left flowing to be used as controls. Second, flow was re‐established in channels and drift was either allowed or blocked for a 4‐week period. Third, during this period the resilience of community structure, composition and function was compared between treatments, and the potential for colonisation from the drift, hyporheic zone, aerial oviposition and resistance forms was measured.

Communities recovered after only 2 weeks in all of the previously dried channels, and contrary to our hypotheses, invertebrate community structure, composition and functional trait composition were not altered by blocking drift, indicating it was not the primary process promoting resilience in this river.

Three lines of evidence suggested colonisation from the hyporheic zone and not aerial oviposition nor resistance forms promoted resilience following rewetting including the following: (i) finding all common benthic taxa in the hyporheic zone during the drying event, (ii) a distinct decrease in invertebrate size upon rewetting in all treatment channels and (iii) a negative correlation between resilience and water table depth.

This experiment highlighted the potential importance of the hyporheic zone as a key source of colonisation in alluvial rivers and emphasises the need for a three‐dimensional perspective when considering community resilience in rivers. Adaptive management approaches are needed to direct attention to sources (e.g. hyporheic zone) that are essential to promoting community resilience in rivers facing increased pressures due to climate change, water abstraction and flow regime alteration.
The effect of two contrasting concentrate allocation strategies on the performance of grazing dairy cows
Authors: Dale A. J. , McGettrick S. , Gordon A. W. , Ferris C. P. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe objective of this study was to examine the performance of grazing Holstein–Friesian dairy cows when equal quantities of concentrates were offered using either a flat‐rate or a feed‐to‐yield allocation strategy. The study involved fifty‐six cows (twenty primiparous and thirty‐six multiparous) and continued for 122 d, with concentrate feed levels adjusted on five occasions during the study (every four weeks approximately). Total concentrate intake over the duration of the study was 463 and 525 kg cow−1 (3·8 and 4·3 kg cow−1 d−1) for multiparous and primiparous animals respectively. Concentrate allocation strategy had no effect on average daily milk yield, milk fat or protein content, milk‐fat‐plus‐protein yield or end‐of‐study live weight and body condition score (P > 0·05). In conclusion, concentrate allocation strategy had minimal impact on the overall performance of these mid/late lactation cows when concentrate feed levels were modest and grass availability was high.
Updated analysis: central venous access device infection rates in an expanded cohort of paediatric patients with severe haemophilia receiving prophylactic recombinant tissue plasminogen activator
Authors: McCarthy C. E. , O'Brien M. , Andrews J. , Zoland J. M. , Macasiray E. , Wong W. , Lo C. , Glader B. , Tamaresis J. , Jeng M. 
Published: August 2015

IntroductionCentral venous access devices (CVADs) are used in the care of paediatric haemophilic patients with difficult peripheral access, but their use is limited by complications such as infection. We previously published our experience with monthly recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (r‐tPA) administration to CVADs of haemophilic patients as an intervention for infection prophylaxis, which suggested a 10‐fold decrease in infection rate compared to published rates without r‐tPA.AimThis study was conducted to assess the CVAD infection rate in an expanded haemophilia cohort receiving r‐tPA over an extended period.MethodsA retrospective review was performed on patients with haemophilia who received monthly r‐tPA to CVADs, with data collected from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2012. The data were merged with the previously reported data set (collected from June 1, 1998 to December 31, 2007).ResultsOver the entire observation period, there were 46 350 CVAD days among 32 patients [26 severe factor VIII (FVIII) deficiency, six severe FIX deficiency]. Eight patients received immune tolerance therapy for inhibitors and 24 patients received prophylactic factor administration. No patients were HIV positive. Three infections were observed, with an overall infection rate of 0.06 infections per 1000 CVAD days.ConclusionsA low CVAD infection rate, similar to that observed in our previous study (0.04 per 1000 CVAD days), was observed in this expanded haemophilia cohort treated with prophylactic r‐tPA, supporting the use of monthly r‐tPA as CVAD infection prophylaxis in haemophilia patients.
Sex-rated Statistics
Authors: Spiegelhalter David 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
David Spiegelhalter's new book explores human sexual activity through numbers. But there is nothing salacious about this extract. Instead, Spiegelhalter shows us how to sort quality stats from tawdry factoids, using a simple classification system
David Spiegelhalter's new book explores human sexual activity through numbers. He explains how to sort quality stats from tawdry factoids, using a simple classification system
Ab initio Molecular Dynamics Simulations of the Hydroxylation of Nanoporous Silica
Authors: Rimsza J.M. , Du Jincheng 
Published: August 2015

Accurate information on the interactions between water and silica is critical to the understanding of its properties including mechanical strength under stress and long‐term chemical durability of silica and silicate glasses. In this study, interactions between water and nanoporous amorphous silica models were investigated using density functional theory (DFT) based ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations which accurately describe bond breakage and formation as well as chemical reactions. AIMD simulations up to 30 ps were performed for systems containing water and nanoporous silica with a wide range of porosities (31%–67%). Partial removal of defects, such as two‐membered rings, was observed during the AIMD runs whereas more reactive coordination defects were removed during the initial geometry optimization. The limited two‐membered ring removal can be attributed to restricted water‐defect movement or the increased stability of rings located on concave surfaces. Two‐membered ring removal mechanisms included the formation of an overcoordinated silicon (Si5) intermediate defect from the dynamic simulations. Si5 defects continued to develop throughout the simulations, indicating a thermodynamic drive for two‐membered ring removal which is kinetically limited. Changes in the electronic structures, such as atomic charges, and bond length‐bond angle correlation functions were monitored during the hydroxylation process.
Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia in Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators: Diagnosis and Troubleshooting
Authors: ENRIQUEZ ANDRES , ELLENBOGEN KENNETH A. , BOLES USAMA , BARANCHUK ADRIAN 
Published: August 2015

AVNRT in ICDsInappropriate therapies are frequent in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) and are associated with adverse outcomes, including increased mortality. Atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) is the most common reentrant supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and a cause of inappropriate therapies in these patients. In the present article we review the problem of AVNRT in ICD patients with a focus on diagnosis and the available algorithms to improve arrhythmia discrimination and prevent inappropriate shocks.
Observations on Attenuation of Local Electrogram Amplitude and Circuit Impedance During Atrial Radiofrequency Ablation: An In vivo Investigation Using a Novel Direct Endocardial Visualization Catheter
Authors: BHASKARAN ABHISHEK , CHIK WILLIAM , NALLIAH CHRISHAN , POULIOPOULOS JIM , BARRY TONY , NGUYEN DOAN TRANG , MIDEKIN CHRISTINE , SAMANTA RAHUL , FARRAHA MELAD , THOMAS STUART , KOVOOR PRAMESH , THIAGALINGAM ARAVINDA 
Published: August 2015

Radiofrequency Ablation with Visual Ablation CatheterAimsTo define the temporal characteristics of atrial lesion growth (lesion surface area), local electrogram amplitude attenuation, and circuit impedance decrement during in vivo radiofrequency (RF) ablation with direct endocardial visualization (DEV).Methods and ResultsA direct endocardial visualization catheter was used for real‐time endoscopic visualization of atrial endocardial surface during RF ablation. Videos of lesion growth (surface area), circuit impedance, and local electrogram amplitude were recorded during ablation in 11 ovine. Fifty‐two atrial ablations at 12 W, 14 W, and 16 W power for 30 seconds were analyzed. During 30‐second RF ablation, the lesion matured (90% of final lesion dimension) in the first 23.0 ± 5.8 seconds. The local electrogram amplitude attenuation (80% decrement) and circuit impedance attenuation (20% decrement from initial) occurred 13.8 ± 8.2 seconds and 13.1 ± 7.9 seconds, respectively, before lesion maturity in a significant proportion of 30 second atrial ablations.ConclusionThe DEV observations suggest that in smooth atrial surface ablations with significant local electrogram and impedance decrement in the first 10 seconds, further extension of ablation for 10–15 seconds could deliver optimal surface dimensions; however, real‐time measurement of depth was not possible.
Closed Claims Analysis of Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Involving Midwives: Lessons Learned Regarding Safe Practices and the Avoidance of Litigation
Authors: McCool William F. , Guidera Mamie , Griffinger Ellie , Sacan Dulcy 
Published: August 2015

IntroductionThe risk of litigation remains of concern to midwives, their practice partners, employers, and malpractice insurance providers. Closed claims analysis is a method of examining risk patterns and behaviors in lawsuits, including those involving health care practices. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate claims brought against midwives, with the intent of developing strategies to decrease the incidence of litigation.MethodsData were collected in joint meetings with members of the American College of Nurse‐Midwives (ACNM); the American Association of Birth Centers; the American International Group (AIG), a major malpractice insurer for certified nurse‐midwives/certified midwives (CNMs/CMs); and Contemporary Insurance Services, an independent insurance agency that has worked with AIG to facilitate the writing of malpractice insurance policies for CNMs/CMs. The purpose of the meetings was to review 162 litigation cases that involved midwives insured by AIG and had been closed between the years 2002 and 2011. Follow‐up analyses of data and reporting of results were performed by the authors, who are members of the Professional Liability Section of the ACNM Division of Standards and Practice.ResultsFindings reflected 7 major categories of liability risk ranging from the most prevalent (ie, fetal/newborn complications or death) to the least prevalent (ie, attending a vaginal birth after cesarean). Data also were examined regarding the highest amounts incurred in court decisions or pretrial settlements because they were related to types of adverse outcomes that occurred.DiscussionRecommendations for improving clinical practice and avoiding litigation based on findings from the closed claims analysis include, but are not limited to, the need for thorough and accurate documentation in practice, appropriate and timely consultation and collaboration, and the presence of practitioners whose clinical skills match the level of care assessed to be necessary for each woman for whom care is offered.
Analysis of the volumetric relationship among human ocular, orbital and fronto‐occipital cortical morphology
Authors: Masters Michael , Bruner Emiliano , Queer Sarah , Traynor Sarah , Senjem Jess 
Published: August 2015

AbstractRecent research on the visual system has focused on investigating the relationship among eye (ocular), orbital, and visual cortical anatomy in humans. This issue is relevant in evolutionary and medical fields. In terms of evolution, only in modern humans and Neandertals are the orbits positioned beneath the frontal lobes, with consequent structural constraints. In terms of medicine, such constraints can be associated with minor deformation of the eye, vision defects, and patterns of integration among these features, and in association with the frontal lobes, are important to consider in reconstructive surgery. Further study is therefore necessary to establish how these variables are related, and to what extent ocular size is associated with orbital and cerebral cortical volumes. Relationships among these anatomical components were investigated using magnetic resonance images from a large sample of 83 individuals, which also included each subject's body height, age, sex, and uncorrected visual acuity score. Occipital and frontal gyri volumes were calculated using two different cortical parcellation tools in order to provide a better understanding of how the eye and orbit vary in relation to visual cortical gyri, and frontal cortical gyri which are not directly related to visual processing. Results indicated that ocular and orbital volumes were weakly correlated, and that eye volume explains only a small proportion of the variance in orbital volume. Ocular and orbital volumes were also found to be equally and, in most cases, more highly correlated with five frontal lobe gyri than with occipital lobe gyri associated with V1, V2, and V3 of the visual cortex. Additionally, after accounting for age and sex variation, the relationship between ocular and total visual cortical volume was no longer statistically significant, but remained significantly related to total frontal lobe volume. The relationship between orbital and visual cortical volumes remained significant for a number of occipital lobe gyri even after accounting for these cofactors, but was again found to be more highly correlated with the frontal cortex than with the occipital cortex. These results indicate that eye volume explains only a small amount of variation in orbital and visual cortical volume, and that the eye and orbit are generally more structurally associated with the frontal lobes than they are functionally associated with the visual cortex of the occipital lobes. Results also demonstrate that these components of the visual system are highly complex and influenced by a multitude of factors in humans.