bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quantitative Nucleic Acid Amplification Methods for Viral Infections
Authors: Gullett Jonathan C , Nolte Frederick S 
Published: November 2014

AbstractBACKGROUNDOver the past 2 decades there have been substantial improvements in the methods used to quantify viral nucleic acid in body fluids and in our understanding of how to use viral load measurements in the diagnosis and management of patients with a number of viral infections. These methods are now integrated into a wide range of diagnostic and treatment guidelines and commonly deployed in a variety of clinical settings.CONTENTQuantitative nucleic acid amplification methods that are used to measure viral load are described along with key issues and important variables that affect their performance. Particular emphasis is placed on those methods used in clinical laboratories as US Food and Drug Administration–cleared or laboratory-developed tests. We discuss the clinical applications of these methods in patients with HIV-1, hepatitis C virus, hepatitis B virus, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and BK polyomavirus infections. Finally, the current challenges and future directions of viral load testing are examined.SUMMARYQuantitative nucleic acid amplification tests provide important information that can be used to predict disease progression, distinguish symptomatic from asymptomatic infection, and assess the efficacy of antiviral therapy. Despite the advances in technology, large challenges remain for viral testing related to accuracy, precision, and standardization. Digital PCR, a direct method of quantification of nucleic acids that does not rely on rate-based measurements or calibration curves, may address many of the current challenges.
A note on the Dancer–Fučík spectra of the fractional p-Laplacian and Laplacian operators
Authors: Perera Kanishka , Squassina Marco , Yang Yang 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
We study the Dancer–Fučík spectrum of the fractional p-Laplacian operator. We construct an unbounded sequence of decreasing curves in the spectrum using a suitable minimax scheme. For p = 2, we present a very accurate local analysis. We construct the minimal and maximal curves of the spectrum locally near the points where it intersects the main diagonal of the plane. We give a sufficient condition for the region between them to be nonempty and show that it is free of the spectrum in the case of a simple eigenvalue. Finally, we compute the critical groups in various regions separated by these curves. We compute them precisely in certain regions and prove a shifting theorem that gives a finite-dimensional reduction in certain other regions. This allows us to obtain nontrivial solutions of perturbed problems with nonlinearities crossing a curve of the spectrum via a comparison of the critical groups at zero and infinity.
Deposition of Zn-containing films using atmospheric pressure plasma jet
Authors: Galmiz Oleksandr , Stupavska Monika , Wulff Harm , Kersten Holger , Brablec Antonin , Cernak Mirko 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
The purpose of this work was to deposit
Zn-containing films on Si substrates using the commercial atmospheric pressure plasma jet “kINPen’09.” In preliminary experiments Zn-containing films were deposited on the silicon substrates immersed in water solutions of Zn(NO3)2•6H2O salt. The surface composition of deposited films was analyzed by the XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) technique while the bulk composition was studied by means of XRD (X-ray diffraction) mesurements. The film thickness was measured by a profilometer. We have determined that the concentration of the zinc nitrate solution as well as changes in the deposition time resulted in a large fluctuation of the deposited film thickness. However, the successful deposition of the Zn-containing films on the Si substrate was definitely confirmed.
Conversion of tetrachloromethane
in large scale gliding discharge reactor
Authors: Młotek Michał , Reda Ewelina , Krawczyk Krzysztof 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Gliding discharge plasma in a large scale reactor was used for decomposition of tetrachloromethane. The new power supply system based on a power inverter was used. The conversion of CCl4 was investigated in air at normal pressure. The reactor was made of a quartz-glass tube 60 mm in diameter and contained three converging electrodes 140 mm long. Effects of the initial CCl4 concentration, gas flow rate and discharge power on CCl4 conversion have been studied. The conversion of CCl4 was high in all cases reaching a maximum of 90%. The conversion of tetrachloromethane decreased with increasing initial concentration of CCl4 in the reaction mixture. Changing the gas flow rate from 1000 Nl h-1 to 1400 Nl h-1 decreased the conversion of tetrachloromethane.
Derived Reid's recipe for abelian subgroups of SL3(ℂ)
Authors: Cautis Sabin , Craw Alastair , Logvinenko Timothy 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
For any finite subgroup

G
⊂

SL
3

⁡

(
ℂ
)

{G\subset\operatorname{SL}_{3}(\mathbb{C})}

,
work of Bridgeland–King–Reid constructs an equivalence
between the G-equivariant derived category of

ℂ
3

{\mathbb{C}^{3}}

and the derived category of the crepant resolution

Y
=

G
⁢
-
⁢
Hilb

ℂ
3

{Y=\mathop{{G}\hbox{-}\mathrm{Hilb}}\mathbb{C}^{3}}

of

ℂ
3

/
G

{\mathbb{C}^{3}/G}

. When G is abelian, we show that this equivalence gives a natural correspondence
between irreducible representations of G and exceptional subvarieties
of Y, thereby extending the McKay correspondence from two
to three dimensions. This categorifies Reid’s
recipe and extends earlier work from [3] and [14] which dealt only
with the case when

ℂ
3

/
G

{\mathbb{C}^{3}/G}

has one isolated singularity.
On Commitments and Other Uncertainty Reduction Tools in Joint Action
Authors: Michael John , Pacherie Elisabeth 
Published: November 2014

AbstractIn this paper, we evaluate the proposal that a central function of commitments within joint action is to reduce various kinds of uncertainty, and that this accounts for the prevalence of commitments in joint action. While this idea is prima facie attractive, we argue that it faces two serious problems. First, commitments can only reduce uncertainty if they are credible, and accounting for the credibility of commitments proves not to be straightforward. Second, there are many other ways in which uncertainty is commonly reduced within joint actions, which raises the possibility that commitments may be superfluous. Nevertheless, we argue that the existence of these alternative uncertainty reduction processes does not make commitments superfluous after all but, rather, helps to explain how commitments may contribute in various ways to uncertainty reduction.
Duration of Rhinovirus Shedding in the Upper Respiratory Tract in the First Year of Life
Authors: Loeffelholz Michael J. , Trujillo Rocio , Pyles Richard B. , Miller Aaron L. , Alvarez-Fernandez Pedro , Pong Dan L. , Chonmaitree Tasnee 
Published: November 2014

BACKGROUND:
Current molecular diagnostic methods have detected rhinovirus RNA in a high proportion of asymptomatic infants and children, raising the question of the clinical significance of these findings. This study investigates the prevalence of prolonged rhinovirus RNA presence in the upper respiratory tract of infants during the first year of life.

METHODS:
In a longitudinal study, infants were followed from birth up to 12 months. Nasopharyngeal specimens were collected monthly (months 1–6 and month 9) and during an upper respiratory infection. Rhinoviruses were detected by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Presence of repeated rhinovirus RNA was evaluated by nucleotide sequence analysis.

RESULTS:
A total of 2153 specimens from 362 infants were studied; 341 distinct rhinovirus infections in 216 infants were identified. Follow-up specimens were available within 30 days for 179 infections, creating the sample set to assess prolonged rhinovirus presence. Of the 179 infections, 46 involved the detection of the same rhinovirus strain in repeated specimens, including 8 events of prolonged presence of the same strain (detected in specimens collected &gt;30 days apart), representing 4.5% of the evaluable rhinovirus infections. There were 26 events in which a rhinovirus strain was replaced by a different strain within a 30-day interval, representing 14.5% of the 179 infections.

CONCLUSIONS:
Although rhinovirus infections are common in healthy infants, prolonged presence of rhinovirus RNA in the respiratory tract after an upper respiratory infection was uncommon (&lt;5%). Detection of rhinovirus RNA in an infant most likely represents an infection within a 30-day period.
Evaluation of endometrial echotexture and cervical cytology in cows during and after treatment of endometritis
Authors: Kaya D. , Emre B. , Bollwein H. , Özyurtlu N. , Mülazımoğlu S. B. , Aslan S. , Küçükaslan I. 
Published: November 2014

SummaryObjective: The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the endometrium by using echotexture parameters during and after treatment of endometritis with intrauterine administration of an intra ute rine antiseptic solution (Lotagen®, 3% metacresolsulphonic acid and formaldehyde) in cows which became pregnant after treatment. Material and methods: According to the severity of endometritis 21 cows were divided into three groups: E1 (slight, n = 7), E2 (moderate, n = 8), E3 (severe, n = 6). The control group (C, n = 11) consisted of cows without endometritis that did not receive an intrauterine medication. A software (Bs200 Pro®) was used to evaluate echotexture parameters Contrast (CON), Gradient (GR), Homogeneity (HOM), Mean Gray Level (MGL) of images taken during the examinations at hours (h) 0, 1 and 6 and days (d) 2, 3, 5 and 10. Results: At 0 h, GR was significantly lower in group E2 than in groups E1 and C (p < 0.05). There was an increase in GR values between 0 h and 10 d in group E2 and E3, but a decrease during the same time interval in group C (p < 0.05). In contrast, CON values of group E2 were lower (p < 0.05) at 0 h compared to other timepoints of examination and lower than in group C. HOM values were lower (p < 0.05) in groups E1, E2 and E3 than in group C on d 5 and d 10. HOM values were higher at 1 h compared to 6 h, d 2 and d 10 in group E3 (p < 0.05). By contrast to GR values, HOM values were higher in group C at 6 h and d 10 than they were in group E3. MGL values of group E2 were higher (p < 0.05) than in group C until d 10 and higher (p < 0.05) in group E3 than in group C at 6 h after treatment. In group E2 an increase of MGL values until d 2 was followed by a decrease (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Echotexture parameters determined by the evaluation of sonographic B-mode images reflect changes in the endometrium and could be used for the evaluation of the recovery period after treatment of endometritis.
High Calorie Intake Is Associated With Worsening Insulin Resistance and β-Cell Function in Hispanic Women After Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Chen Zhanghua , Watanabe Richard M. , Stram Daniel O. , Buchanan Thomas A. , Xiang Anny H. 
Published: November 2014

OBJECTIVETo assess associations between dietary intake and rates of change in insulin resistance and β-cell function in Hispanic women with prior gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSSixty-two nondiabetic Hispanic women with pregnancies complicated by GDM completed oral and intravenous glucose tolerance tests and bioelectrical impedance measurements of body fat every 12–15 months postpartum for up to 12 years. Self-reported dietary intake was collected at all visits by structured food frequency questionnaires developed for Hispanics. Mixed-effects models were used to assess the relationship between dietary intake and rates of change in metabolic outcomes during follow-up.RESULTSThe median length of follow-up from the first postpartum evaluation was 8.0 years (interquartile range 4.5–10.8 years). At baseline, women were 32 ± 5.7 years old and had a median calorie intake of 2,091 kcal/day. Over the course of follow-up, dietary intake did not change significantly. Higher baseline calorie intake was associated with a faster decline in insulin sensitivity, measured by the insulin sensitivity index (SI) (P = 0.029), and β-cell compensation, measured by the disposition index (DI) (P = 0.027), over time. These associations remained after adjustment for baseline characteristics; changes in BMI, calorie intake, levels of physical activity; and additional pregnancies during the follow-up period. The median rates were −0.06 vs. −0.02 units/year for SI and −810 vs. −692 units/year for DI for women with baseline calorie intake above versus below the cohort median.CONCLUSIONSHigh calorie intake is associated with a faster decline in insulin sensitivity and β-cell compensation in Hispanic women who are at high risk for type 2 diabetes, independent of adiposity.
Inlays Made From a Hybrid Material: Adaptation and Bond Strengths
Authors: Bottino MA , Campos F , Ramos NC , Rippe MP , Valandro LF , Melo RM 
Published: November 2014

SUMMARY
The aim of this study was to evaluate the internal fit, marginal adaptation, and bond strengths of inlays made of computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing feldspathic ceramic and polymer-infiltrated ceramic. Twenty molars were randomly selected and prepared to receive inlays that were milled from both materials. Before cementation, internal fit was achieved using the replica technique by molding the internal surface with addition silicone and measuring the cement thicknesses of the pulpal and axial walls. Marginal adaptation was measured on the occlusal and proximal margins of the replica. The inlays were then cemented using resin cement (Panavia F2.0) and subjected to two million thermomechanical cycles in water (200 N load and 3.8-Hz frequency). The restored teeth were then cut into beams, using a lathe, for microtensile testing. The contact angles, marginal integrity, and surface patterns after etching were also observed. Statistical analysis was performed using two-way repeated measures analysis of variance (p&lt;0.05), the Tukey test for internal fit and marginal adaptation, and the Student t-test for bond strength. The failure types (adhesive or cohesive) were classified on each fractured beam. The results showed that the misfit of the pulpal walls (p=0.0002) and the marginal adaptation (p=0.0001) of the feldspathic ceramic were significantly higher when compared to those of the polymer-infiltrated ceramic, while the bond strength values of the former were higher when compared to those of the latter. The contact angle of the polymer-infiltrated ceramic was also higher. In the present study, the hybrid ceramic presented improved internal and marginal adaptation, but the bond strengths were higher for the feldspathic ceramic.
In Vitro Longevity of Bonding Properties of Universal Adhesives to Dentin
Authors: Muñoz MA , Luque-Martinez I , Malaquias P , Hass V , Reis A , Campanha NH , Loguercio AD 
Published: November 2014

SUMMARY

Purpose
To evaluate the immediate and 6-month resin-dentin bond strength (μTBS) and nanoleakage (NL) of universal adhesives that contain or do not contain methacryloyloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate (MDP) and are used in the etch-and-rinse and self-etch strategies.

Methods and Materials
Forty caries-free extracted third molars were divided into eight groups for μTBS (n=5). The groups were bonded with the Clearfil SE Bond (CSE) and Adper Single Bond 2 (SB) as controls; Peak Universal, self-etch (PkSe) and etch-and rinse (PkEr); Scotchbond Universal Adhesive, self-etch (ScSe) and etch-and-rinse (ScEr); and All Bond Universal, self-etch (AlSe) and etch-and-rinse (AlEr). After composite restorations, specimens were longitudinally sectioned to obtain resin-dentin bonded sticks (0.8 mm2). The μTBS of the specimens was tested immediately (IM) or after 6 months of water storage (6M) at 0.5 mm/min. Some sticks at each storage period were immersed in silver nitrate and photo developed, and the NL was evaluated with scanning electron microscopy. Data were analyzed with two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance and Tukey test (α=0.05).

Results
At the IM period, PkSe and PkEr showed μTBS similar to the control adhesives (p&gt;0.05) but increased NL pattern and lower μTBS after 6M (p&lt;0.05). ScSe and ScEr showed intermediary μTBS values at the IM period but remained stable after 6 months (p&gt;0.05). AlSe showed the lowest μTBS (p&lt;0.05), but μTBS and NL remained stable after 6M (p&gt;0.05). AlEr showed higher IM μTBS but showed higher degradation after 6M (p&lt;0.05).

Conclusions
Universal adhesives that contain MDP showed higher and more stable μTBS with reduced NL at the interfaces after 6 months of water storage.
Formal protocol for emergency treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms to reduce in-hospital rebleeding and improve clinical outcomes
Authors: Park Jaechan , Woo Hyunjin , Kang Dong-Hun , Kim Yong-Sun , Kim Min Young , Shin Im Hee , Kwak Sang Gyu 
Published: November 2014

OBJECT
While the incidence of a recurrent hemorrhage is highest within 24 hours of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and increases with the severity of the clinical grade, a recurrent hemorrhage can occur anytime after the initial SAH in patients with both good and poor clinical grades. Therefore, the authors adopted a 24-hour-a-day, formal protocol, emergency treatment strategy for patients with ruptured aneurysms to secure the aneurysms as early as possible. The incidences of in-hospital rebleeding and clinical outcomes were investigated and compared with those from previous years when broadly defined early treatment was used (< 3 days of SAH).

METHODS
During an 11-year period, a total of 1224 patients with a ruptured aneurysm were managed using a strategy of broadly defined early treatment between 2001 and 2004 (Period B, n = 423), a mixture of early or emergency treatment between 2005 and 2007, and a formal emergency treatment protocol between 2008 and 2011 (Period A, n = 442). Propensity score matching was used to adjust the differences in age, sex, modified Fisher grade, World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) clinical grade at admission, size and location of a ruptured aneurysm, treatment modality (clip placement vs coil embolization), and time interval from SAH to admission between the two time periods. The matched cases were allotted to Group A (n = 280) in Period A and Group B (n = 296) in Period B and then compared.

RESULTS
During Period A under the formal emergency treatment protocol strategy, the catheter angiogram, endovascular coiling, and surgical clip placement were started at a median time from admission of 2.0 hours, 2.9 hours, and 3.1 hours, respectively. After propensity score matching, Group A showed a significantly reduced incidence of in-hospital rebleeding (2.1% vs 7.4%, p = 0.003) and a higher proportion of patients with a favorable clinical outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 0–3) at 1 month (87.9% vs 79.7%, respectively; p = 0.008). In particular, the patients with good WFNS grades in Group A experienced significantly less in-hospital rebleeding (1.7% vs 5.7%, respectively; p = 0.018) and better clinical outcomes (1-month mRS score of 0–3: 93.8% vs 87.7%, respectively; p = 0.021) than the patients with good WFNS grades in Group B.

CONCLUSIONS
Patients with ruptured aneurysms may benefit from a strategy of emergency application of surgical clip placement or endovascular coiling due to the reduced incidence of recurrent bleeding and improved clinical outcomes.
Association of Streptococcus with Guttate Psoriasis: An Observational Study at Two Tertiary Care Hospitals in Dhaka
Authors: Hossain Md Akram , Ali Md. Eakub , Bhuiyan Ishrat , Hossain Md. Shahadat , Shahin Biswas 
Published: November 2014

Background: Psoriasis is multifactorial in origin. Streptococcal infection, sore throat has been claimed to be an infectious cause.Objective: The purpose of the present study was to observe the association of Streptococcus with guttate psoriasis.Methodology: This was an observational case-control study which was conducted in the Department of Dermatology & Venereology at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), & Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College hospital (ShSMCH) in Dhaka city of Bangladesh during the period of February 2012 to October 2012. Patients clinically and histopathologically diagnosed as psoriasis were selected as case group and patients with skin diseases other than psoriasis were selected as control group.Results: A total of 115 patients were included in this study of which 64 patients were in case group and the rest 51 patients were designated as control group. The mean age was 30.73±14.69 years and 26.47±12.64 years in cases and control groups respectively (p>0.05). About 66.6% patients gave a positive history of sore throat. ASO titer was raised (>200 IU/ml) in 25(83.3%) patients of guttate psoriasis and 5(23.8%) in patients of their non-psoriatic controls (p<0.05). Streptococcus pyogenes was found in 9(30.0%) patients of case group and only 2(9.5%) patients were found in their control group.Conclusion: Streptococcal throat infections are associated with guttate psoriasis patients.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jssmc.v5i2.20763J Shaheed Suhrawardy Med Coll, 2013;5(2):91-94
Prognostic Value of Biochemical and Hematological Parameters in Children with Nephrotic Syndrome
Authors: Roy Ranjit Ranjan , Islam Md. Rafiqul , Jesmin Tahmina , Matin Abdul , Islam Md. Reazul 
Published: November 2014

Background: Nephrotic syndrome causes a great morbidity and mortality among the children.Objective: The purpose of the present study was to compare the biochemical and hematological parameters and their prognostic value in steroid resistant (SRNS), frequent relapse and steroid dependent (FRNS+SDNS) and infrequent relapse (IFRNS) groups.Methodology: A prospective study of 43 children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) selected randomly out of 480 children admitted with the disease at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka from January 2003 to January 2005. There were 24 steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) and 19 steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS), of SSNS group 13 were infrequent relapse (IFRNS) and 11 were frequent relapse steroid dependent (FRNS+SDNS).Result: SRNS has low serum total protein (STP), albumin and hemoglobin compared to SSNS (P<0.01, P<0.001). SRNS also has high cholesterol, creatinine and urinary total protein (UTP) than SSNS (P<0.01, P<0.001). Higher difference was observed between SRNS and IFRNS (P<0.001). High serum cholesterol, UTP and low hemoglobin were found in FRNS+SDNS compared to IFRNS (P<0.01, P<0.05).Conclusion: STP, albumin, creatinine were equally low in SRNS and FRNS+SDNS.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jssmc.v5i2.20764J Shaheed Suhrawardy Med Coll 2013;5(2):95-98