bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seizure control and treatment changes in pregnancy: Observations from the EURAP epilepsy pregnancy registry
Authors: Battino Dina , Tomson Torbjörn , Bonizzoni Erminio , Craig John , Lindhout Dick , Sabers Anne , Perucca Emilio , Vajda Frank ,   EURAP Study Group
Published: July 2013

SummaryPurposeTo analyze seizure control, dose adjustments, and other changes of antiepileptic drug (AED) treatment during pregnancy in a large cohort of women with epilepsy entering pregnancy on monotherapy with carbamazepine, lamotrigine, phenobarbital, or valproate.MethodsSeizure control and AED treatment were recorded prospectively in 3,806 pregnancies of 3,451 women with epilepsy taking part in European and International Registry of Antiepileptic Drugs and Pregnancy (EURAP), an international AED and pregnancy registry.Key FindingsOf all cases, 66.6% remained seizure‐free throughout pregnancy. Generalized tonic–clonic seizures (GTCS) occurred in 15.2% of the pregnancies. Women with idiopathic generalized epilepsies were more likely to remain seizure‐free (73.6%) than women with localization‐related epilepsy (59.5%; p < 0.0001). Worsening in seizure control from the first to second or third trimesters occurred in 15.8% of pregnancies. The AED dose was increased during pregnancy in 26.0% and a second AED added to the initial monotherapy in 2.6% of all pregnancies. Seizures were more likely to occur in the first trimester in pregnancies with an increased drug load (35%; increased dose and/or addition of another AED) than in pregnancies without an increased drug load (15.3%) (p < 0.0001). Compared with other monotherapies, pregnancies exposed to lamotrigine were less likely to be seizure‐free, 58.2% (p < 0.0001); had more GTCS, 21.1% (p < 0.0001); had a greater likelihood of deterioration in seizure control from first to second or third trimesters, 19.9% (p < 0.01), and were more likely to require an increase in drug load, 47.7% (p < 0.0001). The mean dose increases from the first to third trimesters were 26% for lamotrigine, 5% for carbamazepine, 11% for phenobarbital, and 6% for valproate. There were 21 cases of status epilepticus (10 convulsive): none with maternal mortality and only one with a subsequent stillbirth.SignificanceAlthough the majority of women remain seizure‐free throughout pregnancy, our data suggest that a more proactive approach to adjusting the dose of all AEDs in pregnancy should be considered, in particular for those pregnancies with seizures occurring in the first trimester and those exposed to lamotrigine, to reduce the risk of deterioration in seizure control.
Stiripentol in Dravet syndrome: Results of a retrospective U.S. study
Authors: Wirrell Elaine C. , Laux Linda , Franz David N. , Sullivan Joseph , Saneto Russell P. , Morse Richard P. , Devinsky Orrin , Chugani Harry , Hernandez Angel , Hamiwka Lorie , Mikati Mohamad A. , Valencia Ignacio , Le Guern Marie‐Emmanuelle , Chancharme Laurent , de Menezes Marcio Sotero 
Published: July 2013

SummaryPurposeTo review the efficacy and tolerability of stiripentol in the treatment of U.S. children with Dravet syndrome.MethodsU.S. clinicians who had prescribed stiripentol for two or more children with Dravet syndrome between March 2005 and 2012 were contacted to request participation in this retrospective study. Data collected included overall seizure frequency, frequency of prolonged seizures, and use of rescue medications and emergency room (ER)/hospital visits in the year preceding stiripentol initiation, and with stiripentol therapy. We separately assessed efficacy in the following treatment groups: group A, stiripentol without clobazam or valproate; group B, stiripentol with clobazam but without valproate; group C, stiripentol with valproate but without clobazam; and group D, stiripentol with clobazam and valproate. In addition, adverse effects were recorded.Key FindingsThirteen of 16 clinicians contacted for study participated and provided data on 82 children. Stiripentol was initiated a median of 6.0 years after seizure onset and 1.2 years after diagnosis of Dravet syndrome. Compared to baseline, overall seizure frequency was reduced in 2/6 in group A, 28/35 in group B, 8/14 in group C, and 30/48 in group D. All children with prolonged seizure frequency greater than quarterly during the baseline period experienced a reduction in this frequency on the various treatment arms with stiripentol. Similarly, 2/4 patients in group A, 25/25 in group B, 5/10 in group C, and 26/33 in group D experienced reduction in frequency of rescue medication use and 1/1 in group A, 12/12 in group B, 3/5 in group C, and 18/19 in group D had reduction in frequency of ER/hospital visits. Adverse effects were reported in 38, most commonly sedation and reduced appetite. Four patients (5%) discontinued stiripentol for adverse effects and two (2%) for lack of efficacy.SignificanceStiripentol is an effective and well‐tolerated therapy that markedly reduced frequency of prolonged seizures in Dravet syndrome.
User‐centred design and educational data mining support during the recommendations elicitation process in social online learning environments
Authors: Santos Olga C. , Boticario Jesus G. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractSocial online learning environments provide new recommendation opportunities to meet users' needs. However, current educational recommender systems do not usually take advantage of these opportunities. To progress on this issue, we have proposed a knowledge engineering approach based on human–computer interaction (i.e. user‐centred design as defined by the standard ISO 9241‐210:2010) and artificial intelligence techniques (i.e. data mining) that involve educators in the process of eliciting educational oriented recommendations. To date, this approach differs from most recommenders in education in focusing on identifying relevant actions to be recommended on e‐learning services from a user‐centric perspective, thus widening the range of recommendation types. This approach has been used to identify 32 recommendations that consider several types of actions, which focus on promoting active participation of learners and on strengthening the sharing of experiences among peers through the usage of the social services provided by the learning environment. The paper describes where data mining techniques have been applied to complement the user‐centred design methods to produce social oriented recommendations in online learning environments.
Dynamic regulation of larval fish self‐recruitment in a marine protected area
Authors: Basterretxea Gotzon , Catalán Ignacio A. , Jordi Antoni , Álvarez Itziar , Palmer Miquel , Sabatés Ana 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThe factors that regulate the self‐recruitment of fish larvae were explored in Cabrera National Park (CNP), an insular Marine Protected Area (MPA) located off southern Mallorca (Western Mediterranean). Our study attributes the regulation of larval arrival to the MPA to a combination of retention by topographically generated circulation patterns around the island and shelf break frontal dynamics. Specifically, within the shelf, interaction of the wind‐induced oscillatory flow with the island was shown to generate ephemeral recirculation patterns that, over time, favor larval retention in the proximity of the MPA. According to our measurements, oscillatory flows produced by wind‐forced island‐trapped waves (ITWs) dominate the flow around CNP. ITW‐forced dispersion simulations were in agreement with the observed distributions of several typical fish species that breed in the CNP. A second regulator of environmental variability is the influence of boundary currents and open ocean mesoscale structures at the shelf break. These structures generate frontal zones that are comparatively more long‐lived than inner‐shelf circulation patterns, and they were shown to act as barriers to the offshore dispersion of coastal fish larval assemblages. Finally, inferences from larval size distributions around the MPA together with particle‐tracking model simulations suggested the relevance of behavioral processes for larval recruitment to the MPA. Based on these observations, the waters around the CNP can be viewed as a relatively stable system that allows breeding fish populations to rely on self‐recruitment for their long‐term persistence, independent of other source populations along the coast of Mallorca.
Integration of ecological and socio‐economic factors to assess global vulnerability to wildfire
Authors: Chuvieco Emilio , Martínez Susana , Román María Victoria , Hantson Stijn , Pettinari M. Lucrecia 
Published: July 2013

AbstractAimThis paper presents a map of global fire vulnerability, estimating the potential damage of wildland fires to global ecosystems.LocationGlobal scale at 0.5° grid resolution.MethodsThree vulnerability factors were considered: ecological richness and fragility, provision of ecosystem services and value of houses in the wildland–urban interface. Each of these factors was estimated from existing global databases. Ecological values were estimated from biodiversity relevance, conservation status and fragmentation based on Olson's ecoregions. The ecological regeneration delay was estimated from adaptation to fires and soil erosion potential. The former was assessed by comparing actual land cover with fire‐off simulations based on a dynamic global vegetation model (ORCHIDEE). The annual loss of ecosystem services was estimated with values transferred from other studies and loss coefficients. This was integrated throughout time by considering the regeneration delay. Value of houses was estimated at country level according to the market prices of real‐estate and land, the level of economic development and the population density. Economic and ecological evaluations were merged through cross‐tabulation logic to obtain qualitative ranks of fire vulnerability.ResultsThe most vulnerable areas were found to be the rain forest of the Amazon Basin, Central Africa and Southeast Asia, the temperate forest of Europe, South America and north‐east America, and the ecological corridors of Central America and Southeast Asia. The lowest vulnerability was observed in boreal regions, particularly those already affected by fires or having low biodiversity, agricultural regions of Australia, India, Latin America and Central Asia.Main conclusionsThis is the first attempt to produce a map of global fire vulnerability, based on a wide variety of factors related to the impacts of fire on ecological and socio‐economic values. This product will help current efforts to model future scenarios of the impacts of biomass burning for different climate and land‐use scenarios.
The Association Between Use of Dietary Supplements and Headache or Migraine Complaints
Authors: Chiu Hsiao‐Yean , Tsai Pei‐Shan , Lee Cheng‐Chi , Liu Yu‐Tse , Huang Hui‐Chuan , Chen Pin‐Yuan 
Published: July 2013

PurposeTo examine the prevalence of headache or migraine complaints and the use of dietary supplements, and to determine their correlation according to sex.MethodsThis population‐based cross‐sectional study used data from a 2005 National Health Interview Survey of 15,414 participants (age 18‐65 years) in Taiwan. Prevalence of headache or migraine complaints was accessed by a single question on their occurrence during the previous 3 months. Dietary supplement use was evaluated by another single question. Data were stratified by sex and analyzed using independent t‐test, chi‐square test, and multivariate logistic regression.ResultsThe prevalence of headache or migraine complaints was 17.2% in males and 32.4% in females. The percentage of women taking supplements was 31.8%, which was much higher than the 15.5% of men. In male supplement users, use of isoflavones had a significantly higher odds ratio (OR) of headache or migraine complaint compared with those of male without use of isoflavones (adjusted OR = 3.86, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.68‐8.85). In females, vitamin B complex, vitamin C, and green algae supplement use had higher likelihoods of headache or migraine complaint in comparison to those of female without use of supplements (adjusted OR = 1.28, 1.21, and 1.43; 95% CI = 1.05‐1.57, 1.03‐1.42, and 1.07‐1.90, respectively).ConclusionsThis population‐based study confirmed sex‐specific associations between headache or migraine complaints and the use of dietary supplements, warranting further investigation of the underlying causes.
An experiment using hypothetical patient scenarios in healthy subjects to evaluate the treatment satisfaction and medication adherence intention relationship
Authors: Kucukarslan Suzan N. , Lee Kristin S. , Patel Tejal D. , Ruparelia Beejal 
Published: July 2013

AbstractBackgroundTreatment beliefs and illness consequence have been shown to impact medication adherence in patients with years of asthma experience. These relationships are unknown in patients with early experience.ObjectiveThe purpose was to test the relationship between illness consequence, treatment beliefs, treatment satisfaction and medication adherence intentions in healthy subjects exposed to an asthma scenario.MethodsA 2×2×2 factorial design experiment was conducted in 91 healthy University student subjects. Each student was randomized to receive one scenario with varying levels of illness consequence (high/low), treatment concerns (high/low) and treatment necessity (high/low). After reading the scenarios the students responded to questions about treatment satisfaction and likelihood of using the medication as directed by the physician. A multiple regression model was used to test the impact of factors on treatment satisfaction and medication adherence at the 0.05 level of significance.ResultsTreatment satisfaction was significantly predicted by treatment necessity with a moderating effect by illness consequence. Medication adherence intentions were significantly predicted by treatment satisfaction.ConclusionPatients with early diagnosis of asthma are likely to form treatment satisfaction as a result of illness consequence and treatment necessity. Patients' perceptions of illness consequence are likely to influence (moderate) the impact of treatment necessity on treatment satisfaction; and their intentions to take medication as directed are likely to be influenced by treatment satisfaction rather than treatment beliefs or illness consequence early in the patient illness experience. These results are from an experiment that should be tested in a patient population.
Ex‐military Personnel in the Criminal Justice System: A Cross‐sectional Study
Authors: Bray Isabelle , O'Malley Paula , Ashcroft Sarah , Adedeji Liz , Spriggs Adam 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThe aim of this article is to estimate the proportion of Regular veterans in England and Wales who are in prison or supervised by a Probation Trust. A cross‐sectional data linkage approach was taken, matching a database of Service leavers with prison and probation data. The proportion of those in the criminal justice system who are veterans was estimated to be 3.4%. For men aged 18–54 years, the proportion of the general population in prison was 43% (95% CI: 37%–49%) higher than the proportion of veterans in prison. There is no evidence that veterans are over‐represented in the criminal justice system.
Randomized in vivo trial evaluating plaque inhibition benefits of an advanced stannous‐containing sodium fluoride dentifrice used in conjunction with power brush technology
Authors: Bellamy PG , Boulding A , Farmer S , Day TN , Barker ML , Harris R , Mussett AJ 
Published: July 2013

AbstractObjectiveTo compare the plaque inhibition efficacy of a novel stannous‐containing sodium fluoride test dentifrice to a standard anticavity negative control dentifrice, when both were used in conjunction with an advanced oscillating–rotating (O/R) power toothbrush.MethodsThis was a randomized, two‐treatment, three‐period, double‐blind crossover study conducted in a population using an O/R power brush. Subjects brushed twice per day with their assigned dentifrice during the three‐treatment periods, each lasting for 17 consecutive days. Each period was separated by a 4‐day washout period during which subjects continued to use their O/R power toothbrush. Plaque levels were assessed and averaged amongst three assessments taken on days 15, 16 and 17 at the end of each treatment period using digital plaque imaging analysis. Assessments were carried out on the facial anterior tooth surfaces in the morning before brushing (A.M. prebrush) following whole‐mouth brushing (30 s per quadrant) with the assigned dentifrice (A.M. post‐brush) and in the afternoon (P.M.).ResultsTwenty‐seven subjects were randomized and completed the study. During the 17‐day usage period, the stannous‐containing test NaF dentifrice demonstrated a statistically significant lower mean plaque area versus the negative control dentifrice at each assessment timepoint; overnight A.M. prebrush was 33.8% lower (P < 0.0001), A.M. post‐brush was 21.8% lower (P < 0.01), and P.M. was 29.2% lower (P < 0.0001).ConclusionA population of O/R power toothbrush users had significantly less plaque coverage for all three measurements when using a stannous‐containing NaF dentifrice than when using a negative control (fluoride) dentifrice.
The impact of loupes and microscopes on vision in endodontics
Authors: Perrin P. , Neuhaus K. W. , Lussi A. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractAimTo report on an intraradicular visual test in a simulated clinical setting under different optical conditions.MethodologyMiniaturized visual tests with E‐optotypes (bar distance from 0.01 to 0.05 mm) were fixed inside the root canal system of an extracted maxillary molar at different locations: at the orifice, a depth of 5 mm and the apex. The tooth was mounted in a phantom head for a simulated clinical setting. Unaided vision was compared with Galilean loupes (2.5× magnification) with integrated light source and an operating microscope (6× magnification). The influence of the dentists' age within two groups was evaluated: <40 years (n = 9) and ≥40 years (n = 15).ResultsSome younger dentists were able to identify the E‐optotypes at the orifice, but otherwise, natural vision did not reveal any measurable result. With Galilean loupes, the younger dentists <40 years could see a 0.05 mm structure at the root canal orifice, in contrast to the older group ≥40 years. Only the microscope allowed the observation of structures inside the root canal, independent of age.ConclusionUnaided vision and Galilean loupes with an integrated light source could not provide any measurable vision inside the root canal, but younger dentists <40 years could detect with Galilean loupes a canal orifice corresponding to the tip of the smallest endodontic instruments. Dentists over 40 years of age were dependent on the microscope to inspect the root canal system.
Dough rheological properties in relation to cracker‐making performance of organically grown spelt cultivars
Authors: Filipčev Bojana , Šimurina Olivera , Bodroža‐Solarov Marija , Brkljača Jovana 
Published: July 2013

SummaryCracker quality is highly influenced by the quality of flour. In this study, two spelt cultivars were analysed and evaluated in relation to cracker‐making performance and factors that influence cracker quality. For comparison, conventional commercial wheat flour was used. Results showed that the tested cultivars differed in their rheological properties. The obtained crackers were also of different qualities. The highest proportion in total variance of cracker quality (>45%) was due to geometric characteristics. The most significant parameter in cracker quality classification was the modified cookie factor. The tested spelt cultivars were able to produce crackers of acceptable quality characterised with lower snap back, higher cookie factor and lower hardness in comparison with control. But, spelt crackers developed less oven spring which negatively reflected to cracker texture. Among the flour and dough quality parameters, gluten quality parameters and zero shear viscosity were significantly correlated with most of the cracker quality attributes.
Activities and sequences of the angiotensin I‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptides obtained from the digested lentil (Lens culinaris) globulins
Authors: Jakubczyk Anna , Baraniak Barbara 
Published: July 2013

SummaryThe aim of this study was the identification of potentially bioaccessible ACE‐inhibitory peptides obtained by in vitro gastrointestinal digestion of lentil globulins. ACE‐inhibitory peptides were purified by ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration. After the first step of purification, three peptide fractions with potential antihypertensive properties were obtained and the highest inhibitory activity was determined for the fraction 5 (IC50 = 0.02 mg mL−1). This fraction was separated on Sephadex G10, and six peptide fractions were obtained. The peptides of fraction (5‐F) with the highest potential antihypertensive activity (IC50 = 0.13 mg mL−1) were identified using ESI‐MS/MS. The sequences of peptides were KLRT, TLHGMV and VNRLM. Based on Lineweaver–Burk plots for the fraction 5‐F, the kinetic parameters as Km (1.24 mm), Vmax (0.012 U min−1), Ki (0.12 mg mL−1) and mode of inhibition were determined.
Effects of catechin on the phenolic content and antioxidant properties of low‐fat cheese
Authors: Rashidinejad Ali , Birch E. John , Sun‐Waterhouse Dongxiao , Everett David W. 
Published: July 2013

SummaryThe effect of (+)‐catechin on total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant properties in low‐fat hard cheese were examined over a 90‐day ripening period at 8 °C. Antioxidant activity (AA) in cheese was measured by ferric reducing antioxidant power, oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl assays and compared with TPC. Catechin retention coefficients in cheese curds were in the range of 0.63–0.75 and decreased the pH of cheese without affecting protein, fat or moisture content. Both TPC and AA increased during the 90‐day ripening period. Oxygen radical absorbance capacity was the most suitable technique for evaluating AA in cheese due to the high correlation with TPC and suitability in both lipophilic and hydrophilic systems.
Bioactive action of β‐glucosidase enzyme of Bifidobacterium longum upon isoflavone glucosides present in soymilk
Authors: Marazza José A. , Nazareno Mónica A. , Savoy de Giori Graciela , Garro Marisa S. 
Published: July 2013

SummaryBioconversion of isoflavone glucosides and antioxidant activity by probiotic strain (Bifidobacterium longum) during soymilk fermentation was investigated, as well as partial characterisation of the produced enzyme β‐glucosidase. The enzyme has higher affinity for genistin than for other substrates assayed. Maximum activity occurred at 42 °C and at pH 6.0; keeping 70–80% of activity for 60 days stored at low temperatures. Bifidobacterium longum grew well in soymilk (8.26 log CFU mL−1 and pH of 3.9 at 24 h) and were produced in good quantities of organic acids. High hydrolysis degree of isoflavone glucosides (81.2%) was observed at 24 h. Enhancements in bioactivity were assessed in fermented soymilk by monitoring the radical‐scavenging activity, antioxidant activity and DNA protective action. The use of probiotic Bifidobacterium strain as β‐glucosidase producer increased bioactive isoflavone content and demonstrated that this enzyme plays a key role in the bioavailability of soymilk isoflavones, reducing the bioconversion time compared to other studies.
Les effets de la crise économique sur les marchés du travail européens
Authors: TRIDICO Pasquale 
Published: July 2013

Résumé.L'auteur évalue le comportement des vingt‐sept Etats membres de l'Union européenne face à la crise au moyen d'un indice de gestion de la crise qui combine leurs résultats en matière de PIB et de marché du travail. Il conclut que ceux qui ont le mieux réussi partagent un modèle d'économie de marché coordonné associant des politiques économiques et des institutions sociales qui les ont aidés à stabiliser leurs niveaux de consommation et de demande globales. En outre, leurs marchés du travail ne sont pas flexibilisés, ce qui a permis de maintenir un certain niveau d'emploi.