bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Data‐analytic strategies for examining the effectiveness of daily interventions
Authors: Lischetzke Tanja , Reis Dorota , Arndt Charlotte 
Published: February 2015

Interest in the use of ecological momentary interventions – that is, interventions that are implemented in participants' everyday lives – to change experiences and behaviours has grown rapidly in recent years. In particular, EMIs in which the intervention is delivered on a daily basis (daily interventions) can be easily combined with daily diary studies to analyse intervention effects on dependent variables (DVs) that fluctuate over time. This article first provides a typology of research designs to classify daily intervention studies according to (1) the type of assessment of the DV (global assessment on a small number of fixed occasions, daily assessment, and repeated assessment within days) and (2) the type of control (within‐subjects vs. between‐subjects designs) used in the studies. We then demonstrate how multilevel models can be used to examine the effects of a daily intervention on the mean levels of the DV. We differentiate between general effectiveness, differential effectiveness, and conditional effectiveness and show how these effects are represented in the models. As an illustration, we apply some of the models to data from a daily intervention workplace study (N = 51 full‐time employees) that focused on the effects of savouring exercises on calm mood and vigour.Practitioner points

In work and organizational psychology, a recent trend in intervention study designs is to implement an intervention on a daily basis and incorporate a daily diary assessment approach.

To examine intervention effectiveness in pre‐/post‐designs, multilevel models are the method of choice because they circumvent the shortcomings of ANOVA approaches.

In intervention studies with daily assessments, multilevel models can be applied to examine the intervention's general effectiveness and differential effectiveness (i.e., Who benefits more from the intervention?).

Daily intervention studies with repeated assessments within days allow researchers to examine conditional effectiveness (i.e., On which days is the intervention more effective?).
Lacosamide as adjunctive therapy in treatment‐resistant epilepsy in childhood
Authors: Gulati Pratima , Cannell Patricia , Ghia Twinkle , Bint Lewis , Walsh Peter , Ghosh Soumya , Nagarajan Lakshmi 
Published: February 2015

AimsLacosamide (LCM) is a novel anti‐epileptic drug (AED) that enhances the slow inactivation of voltage‐gated sodium channels. Its efficacy as adjunctive therapy for focal seizures is confirmed in adult placebo controlled trials with >50% reduction in seizure frequency in up to 50% patients. There is paucity of data on its efficacy and tolerance in treatment‐resistant epilepsy in childhood (TREC). This study aims to assess efficacy and tolerance of LCM as adjunct therapy in TREC.MethodsAudit of medical records and seizure diaries in children with TREC on LCM. A response (RR) was defined as ≥50% reduction in seizure frequency.ResultsForty children (age range: 2–19 years) with TREC received LCM as add‐on therapy. All had abnormal electroencephalograms, and 36 had abnormal neuroimaging. All children failed >2 AED trials, nine had trialled the ketogenic diet, five had failed the vagal nerve stimulator and 11 had failed resective epilepsy surgery. Median dose and duration of LCM therapy were 5.7 mg/kg/day and 10.5 months, respectively. RR was seen in 20% with persistence of RR in 8/36, 8/30 and 8/26 children on LCM at 3‐, 6‐ and 9‐month follow‐up. Two children became seizure free. Retention on LCM was 65% at 9 months. LCM was well tolerated with minor side effects in seven children; no child discontinued LCM because of side effects.ConclusionLCM is a well‐tolerated AED with RR in 20%: in 5%, it resulted in seizure freedom. LCM may be useful even in TREC when seizures have not responded to intervention with multiple modalities.
Correlating liposomal adjuvant characteristics to in-vivo cell-mediated immunity using a novel M
ycobacterium tuberculosis fusion protein: a multivariate analysis study
Authors: Kastner Elisabeth , Hussain M Jubair , Bramwell Vincent W , Christensen Dennis , Perrie Yvonne 
Published: February 2015

Abstract

Objective
In this study, we have used a chemometrics-based method to correlate key liposomal adjuvant attributes with in-vivo immune responses based on multivariate analysis.

Methods
The liposomal adjuvant composed of the cationic lipid dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide (DDA) and trehalose 6,6-dibehenate (TDB) was modified with 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine at a range of mol% ratios, and the main liposomal characteristics (liposome size and zeta potential) was measured along with their immunological performance as an adjuvant for the novel, postexposure fusion tuberculosis vaccine, Ag85B–ESAT-6-Rv2660c (H56 vaccine). Partial least square regression analysis was applied to correlate and cluster liposomal adjuvants particle characteristics with in-vivo derived immunological performances (IgG, IgG1, IgG2b, spleen proliferation, IL-2, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ).

Key findings
While a range of factors varied in the formulations, decreasing the 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine content (and subsequent zeta potential) together built the strongest variables in the model. Enhanced DDA and TDB content (and subsequent zeta potential) stimulated a response skewed towards a cell mediated immunity, with the model identifying correlations with IFN-γ, IL-2 and IL-6.

Conclusion
This study demonstrates the application of chemometrics-based correlations and clustering, which can inform liposomal adjuvant design.
Magnetic resonance imaging of the lentiform nuclei in dogs with portosystemic shunts
Authors: Mortera‐Balsa V. , Penderis J. , Wessmann A. , Gonçalves R. , Lowrie M. , Gutierrez‐Quintana R. 
Published: February 2015

OBJECTIVESTo develop and evaluate a method to quantify the T1‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging signal intensity of the lentiform nuclei in dogs, and to determine if there is any significant difference in this signal intensity between dogs with portosystemic shunts and a control group.MATERIALS AND METHODSA retrospective blinded study was performed to investigate the reliability and use of a quantitative method for assessing the T1‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging signal intensity of the lentiform nuclei in dogs with and without portosystemic shunts. The lentiform nuclei index (mean lentiform nucleus signal intensity/mean white matter signal intensity) was calculated for nine dogs with portosystemic shunts and a control group of 14 dogs.RESULTSThe intra‐ and inter‐observer intraclass correlation coefficients were considered excellent (>0 · 75), suggesting that the lentiform nuclei index is a reliable method. The dogs with portosystemic shunts had a higher lentiform nuclei index than the control group (P = 0 · 0127).CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCEThis method of quantifying the T1‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging signal intensity of the lentiform nuclei was reliable and showed that dogs with portosystemic shunts tend to have increased signal intensity. Further prospective studies are necessary to investigate the clinical significance and applications of these findings.
A Comprehensive Review of Metabolic Syndrome Affecting Erectile Dysfunction
Authors: Kaya Ecem , Sikka Suresh C. , Gur Serap 
Published: February 2015

Abstract

Introduction
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is the most important public health issue threatening the health of men and women all over the world. Its current prevalence (i.e., approximately 30%) is continuously increasing. MetS by itself is considered a risk factor for erectile dysfunction (ED).

Aim
To focus on the definition epidemiology, pathogenesis, and possible mechanistic links between MetS and ED in order to provide guidelines for treating such individuals.

Methods
The search strategies yielded total records screened from PubMed.

Main Outcome Measures
Regardless of the definition, MetS consists of insulin resistance, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obesity. MetS is not an end disease but is a disorder of energy utilization and storage.

Results
The prevalence of ED in patients with MetS is almost twice than in those without MetS, and about 40% of patients with ED have MetS. An important mechanism linking MetS and ED is hypogonadism.

Conclusions
Recognizing through ED, underlying conditions such as hypogonadism, diabetes and MetS might be a useful motivation for men to improve their health-related choices. The clinical management of MetS can be done by therapeutic interventions that include lifestyle modifications, hormone replacement alone or in combination with phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors, and other pharmacological treatments.
Trait Sexual Motivation Questionnaire: Concept and Validation
Authors: Stark Rudolf , Kagerer Sabine , Walter Bertram , Vaitl Dieter , Klucken Tim , Wehrum-Osinsky Sina 
Published: February 2015

Abstract

Introduction
Trait sexual motivation defines a psychological construct that reflects the long-lasting degree of motivation for sexual activities, which is assumed to be the result of biological and sociocultural influences. With this definition, it shares commonalities with other sexuality-related constructs like sexual desire, sexual drive, sexual needs, and sexual compulsivity.

Aim
The Trait Sexual Motivation Questionnaire (TSMQ) was developed in order to measure trait sexual motivation with its different facets.

Methods
Several steps were conducted: First, items were composed assessing sexual desire, the effort made to gain sex, as well as specific sexual behaviors. Factor analysis of the data of a first sample (n = 256) was conducted. Second, the factor solution was verified by a confirmatory factor analysis in a second sample (n = 498) and construct validity was demonstrated. Third, the temporal stability of the TSMQ was tested in a third study (n = 59).

Main Outcome Measure
Questionnaire data.

Results
The exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed that trait sexual motivation is best characterized by four subscales: Solitary Sexuality, Importance of Sex, Seeking Sexual Encounters, and Comparison with Others. It could be shown that the test quality of the questionnaire is high. Most importantly for the trait concept, the retest reliability after 1 year was r = 0.87.

Conclusion
Our results indicate that the TSMQ is indeed a suitable tool for measuring long-lasting sexual motivation with high test quality and high construct validity. A future differentiation between trait and state sexual motivation might be helpful for clinical as well as forensic research.
Drill, baby, drill: the influence of woodpeckers on post‐fire vertebrate communities through cavity excavation
Authors: Tarbill G. L. , Manley P. N. , White A. M. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractSeveral studies have addressed the importance of woodpeckers as ecological engineers in forests due to their excavation of cavities. Although research in green, unburned forests has identified the influence of different excavators on secondary use by cavity‐dependent species, little is known about the relative importance of cavities created by woodpeckers in recently burned forests. By excavating cavities, woodpeckers create habitat for secondary cavity users that can facilitate post‐fire regeneration through seed dispersal, seed germination and regulation of insect populations that affect vegetative growth. In this study, we monitored 77 cavities created by three species of Picoides woodpeckers for use by secondary cavity species in a fire that burned in the Sierra Nevada, California. At each cavity we measured nest tree and site‐specific parameters to determine if these characteristics could explain differential use by secondary cavity users. We found substantial overlap in cavity characteristics between woodpecker species, with the white‐headed woodpecker differing most notably in their placement of cavities in larger diameter, shorter and more decayed trees in less dense stands than either hairy or black‐backed woodpeckers. These differences in cavity placement may have resulted in the high diversity and large number of detections of secondary cavity species in white‐headed woodpecker cavities. Black‐backed and hairy woodpeckers were similar in the number of detections of secondary cavity use, although black‐backed woodpecker cavities were used by more species than hairy woodpecker cavities. Secondary cavity use was high (86%) suggesting these woodpeckers, and the white‐headed woodpecker in particular, can have an accelerating affect effect on ecological succession by providing valuable habitat features for seed dispersing birds and mammals, insectivorous birds, and small predators, thereby impacting ecological processes and functions.
A high baseline HBV load and antiviral therapy affect the survival of patients with advanced HBV‐related HCC treated with sorafenib
Authors: Yang Yu , Wen Feng , Li Jianliang , Zhang Pengfei , Yan Wenhui , Hao Ping , Xia Feng , Bi Feng , Li Qiu 
Published: February 2015

AbstractBackground and AimsAlthough a high viral load is an independent risk factor for recurrence of hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after surgery, the prognostic impact of viral load on advanced HCC is unclear. This study investigated the impact of baseline HBV load and antiviral therapy on survival of patients with advanced HCC treated with sorafenib.MethodsOf 130 patients with advanced HBV‐related HCC received first‐line sorafenib therapy were evaluated in a multicenter, retrospective study.ResultsNo patients experienced severe hepatic impairment because of HBV reactivation during sorafenib therapy. The median progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of all patients were 5.7 and 9.6 months respectively. Patients with a baseline HBV DNA ≤104 copies/ml had significantly better OS than those with >104 copies/ml (10.4 vs 6.6 months; P = 0.002), but PFS showed an increasing trend (5.8 vs 4.8 months; P = 0.068). Patients who received antiviral therapy had a better trend in OS than those who did not (12.0 vs 8.3 months; P = 0.058), but there was no difference in PFS (6.4 vs 4.1 months; P = 0.280). In a multivariate analysis, the baseline HBV DNA level >104 copies/ml (P = 0.001; hazard ration [HR] = 2.294; 95% CI 1.429–3.676) and antiviral therapy (P = 0.038; HR 0.617; 95% CI 0.390–0.975) were independent predictors of OS.ConclusionIn patients with advanced HBV‐related HCC treated with sorafenib, a high baseline HBV load was an adverse prognostic factor for survival. However, survival was significantly improved with the use of antiviral therapy.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA integration in patients with occult HBV infection and hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Saitta Carlo , Tripodi Gianluca , Barbera Adalberto , Bertuccio Antonio , Smedile Antonina , Ciancio Alessia , Raffa Giuseppina , Sangiovanni Angelo , Navarra Giuseppe , Raimondo Giovanni , Pollicino Teresa 
Published: February 2015

AbstractBackground & AimsHepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA integration in the host genome is a major mechanism responsible for the etiopathogenetic role exerted by HBV in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. Extensive analyses evaluating viral integration in HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) negative patients with occult HBV infection (OBI) have not yet been performed. The aim of this study was to investigate and characterize HBV DNA integration in HCC tissues from OBI patients.MethodsTumour DNA extracts from 69 HCC patients (49 HBsAg‐negative with occult infection diagnosed by HBV DNA detection in tumour tissues; 10 HBsAg‐positive and 10 HBsAg‐negative/OBI‐negative as control groups) were examined by Alu‐PCR technique to reveal HBV DNA integration into the host genome. The molecular characterization of the virus‐genome junctions was performed by cloning and sequencing analyses.ResultsIntegrated HBV DNA was detected in 37/49 (75.5%) OBI‐positive HCC samples, in 8/10 (80%) HBsAg‐positive and in 0/10 OBI‐negative HCC samples. Nine of 37 (24.3%) integrated viral sequences from OBI‐positive cases were inside human genome coding regions and in the remaining cases the localization at intergenic level was frequently adjacent to coding genes. Concerning viral integrants in OBI cases, X gene sequences were found in 14 cases, preS/S sequences in 13, Core sequences in 7, and Polymerase gene sequences in three cases.ConclusionsIn analogy to what occurs in HBsAg‐positive cases, HBV DNA integration is highly prevalent in OBI‐related HCCs, it mainly involves X and preS/S viral genomic regions and it frequently occurs at the level of regulatory and functional genes.
Mental Health Mediating the Relationship Between Symptom Severity and Health‐Related Quality of Life in Patients with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms
Authors: CHOI Edmond P. H. , LAM Cindy L. K. , CHIN Weng Yee 
Published: February 2015

ObjectivesLower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) can impact both mental health and health‐related quality of life (HRQOL). To date, however, their associations with outcomes have only been examined in isolation and the interactive relationship between LUTS, mental health and HRQOL remains poorly understood. The aim of this study was to determine whether mental health mediates the relationship between LUTS severity and HRQOL.MethodsFive hundred and nineteen primary care subjects with LUTS completed a structured questionnaire including the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), the adapted Incontinence Impact Questionnaire‐7 (IIQ‐7), the Chinese (HK) SF‐12 Health Survey Version 2 (SF‐12 v2) and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale‐21 (DASS‐21). Mediation modeling was tested using Baron and Kenney's multistage regression approach and bootstrapping method.ResultsOverall, mental health partially mediated the association between LUTS severity and HRQOL as measured by the SF‐12 v2 physical component summary (PCS) and the IIQ‐7. The depression, anxiety and stress scores all have similar mediation effects in the relationship between LUTS severity and HRQOL. Subgroup analysis by gender showed that anxiety fully mediated the relationship between LUTS severity and HRQOL as measured by the SF‐12 v2 PCS in males whilst the mediation effects of mental health in the relationship between LUTS severity and HRQOL as measured by the SF‐12 v2 PCS could not be found in females.ConclusionsIn order to enhance HRQOL, LUTS interventions should address the mental health of patients in addition to providing physical relief of symptoms.
Recurrent adaptation in a low‐dispersal trait
Authors: Raeymaekers Joost A. M. , Backeljau Thierry 
Published: February 2015

The study of natural populations from contrasting environments has greatly enhanced our understanding of ecological‐dependent selection, adaptation and speciation. Cases of parallel evolution in particular have facilitated the study of the molecular and genetic basis of adaptive variation. This includes the type and number of genes underlying adaptive traits, as well as the extent to which these genes are exchanged among populations and contribute repeatedly to parallel evolution. Yet, surprisingly few studies provide a comprehensive view on the evolutionary history of adaptive traits from mutation to widespread adaptation. When did key mutations arise, how did they increase in frequency, and how did they spread? In this issue of Molecular Ecology, Van Belleghem et al. () reconstruct the evolutionary history of a gene associated with wing size in the salt marsh beetle Pogonus chalceus. Screening the entire distribution range of this species, they found a single origin for the allele associated with the short‐winged ecotype. This allele seemingly evolved in an isolated population and rapidly introgressed into other populations. These findings suggest that the adaptive genetic variation found in sympatric short‐ and long‐winged populations has an allopatric origin, confirming that allopatric phases may be important at early stages of speciation.
Play Hysteresis in Supply or in Demand as Part of a Market Model
Authors: Göcke Matthias , Werner Laura 
Published: February 2015

AbstractConsequences of economic hysteresis are illustrated based on a standard market model which is extended by hysteresis dynamics. Hysteresis is implemented in a simple linearized way, similar to ‘mechanical play’. As a novelty, both cases, hysteresis in supply and demand, are analysed separately as an explicit part of a supply and demand model. Explicitly modelling supply versus demand side hysteresis has two advantages. (1) Since (hysteretic) supply or demand is only a subsystem of the entire market, persistent endogenous feedback effects on price and quantity are addressed. (2) Differences in the remanent effects of transient shocks between demand and supply hysteresis become obvious.
Yet another way that phage λ manipulates its Escherichia coli host: λrexB is involved in the lysogenic–lytic switch
Authors: Engelberg‐Kulka Hanna , Kumar Sathish 
Published: February 2015

SummaryThe life cycle of phage λ has been studied extensively. Of particular interest has been the process leading to the decision of the phage to switch from lysogenic to lytic cycle. The principal participant in this process is the λcI repressor, which is cleaved under conditions of DNA damage. Cleaved λcI no longer acts as a repressor, allowing phage λ to switch from its lysogenic to lytic cycle. The well‐known mechanism responsible for λcI cleavage is the SOS response. We have recently reported that the Escherichia coli toxin‐antitoxin mazEF pathway inhibits the SOS response; in fact, the SOS response is permitted only in E. coli strains deficient in the expression of the mazEF pathway. Moreover, in strains lysogenic for prophage λ, the SOS response is enabled by the presence of λrexB. λRexB had previously been found to inhibit the degradation of the antitoxin MazE, thereby preventing the toxic action of MazF. Thus, phage λ rexB gene not only safeguards the prophage state by preventing death of its E. coli host but is also indirectly involved in the lysogenic–lytic switch.
Stakeholder engagement in food and health innovation research programming – key learnings and policy recommendations from the INPROFOOD project
Authors: Gemen R. , Breda J. , Coutinho D. , Fernández Celemín L. , Khan S. , Kugelberg S. , Newton R. , Rowe G. , Strähle M. , Timotijevic L. , Urban C. , Zolotonosa M. , Hadwiger K. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractEurope recognises the need for technological innovation along with the importance of bridging the gap between science and society. The European Commission has developed a strategy to foster public engagement and a sustained two‐way dialogue between science and civil society, and has set up a framework for Responsible Research and Innovation. The EU‐funded project INPROFOOD aimed to find new ways to establish dialogue and mutual learning among stakeholders meant to inform subsequent work and future initiatives towards Responsible Research and Innovation. More specifically, INPROFOOD aimed to: (1) increase understanding of the landscapes of food and health innovation research programming; (2) adapt, test and evaluate the application of different stakeholder engagement methods to the area of food and health innovation research programming, which included European Awareness Scenario Workshops, PlayDecide games and an Open Space conference; and (3) to develop an action plan to progress towards Responsible Research and Innovation in this domain. The latter entailed a so‐called Mobilisation and Mutual Learning Action Plan, which lays down a concrete framework for inclusive stakeholder involvement at different stages of the research and innovation process, with tangible key actions in five priority areas.