bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identifying postoperative atrial fibrillation in cardiac surgical patients posthospital discharge, using iPhone ECG: a study protocol
Authors: Lowres Nicole , Freedman S Ben , Gallagher Robyn , Kirkness Ann , Marshman David , Orchard Jessica , Neubeck Lis 
Published: January 2015

IntroductionPostoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) occurs in 30–40% of patients after cardiac surgery. Identification of recurrent postoperative AF is required to initiate evidence-based management to reduce the risk of subsequent stroke. However, as AF is often asymptomatic, recurrences may not be detected after discharge. This study determines feasibility and impact of a self-surveillance programme to identify recurrence of postoperative AF in the month of posthospital discharge.Methods and analysisThis is a feasibility study, using a cross-sectional study design, of self-screening for AF using a hand-held single-lead iPhone electrocardiograph device (iECG). Participants will be recruited from the cardiothoracic surgery wards of the Royal North Shore Hospital and North Shore Private Hospital, Sydney, Australia. Cardiac surgery patients admitted in sinus rhythm and experiencing a transient episode of postoperative AF will be eligible for recruitment. Participants will be taught to take daily ECG recordings for 1 month posthospital discharge using the iECG and will be provided education regarding AF, including symptoms and health risks. The primary outcome is the feasibility of patient self-monitoring for AF recurrence using an iECG. Secondary outcomes include proportion of patients identified with recurrent AF; estimation of stroke risk and patient knowledge. Process outcomes and qualitative data related to acceptability of patient's use of the iECG and sustainability of the screening programme beyond the trial setting will also be collected.Ethics and disseminationPrimary ethics approval was received on 25 February 2014 from Northern Sydney Local Health District Human Resource Ethics Committee, and on 17 July 2014 from North Shore Private Hospital Ethics Committee. Results will be disseminated via forums including, but not limited to, peer-reviewed publications and presentation at national and international conferences.Trial registration numberACTRN12614000383662.
Herpesvirus in the oral cavity of children with leukaemia and its impact on the oral bacterial community profile
Authors: Bezerra Tacíria M , Ferreira Dennis C , Carmo Flávia L , Pinheiro Raquel , Leite Deborah C A , Cavalcante Fernanda S , Belinho Raquel A , Peixoto Raquel S , Rosado Alexandre S , dos Santos Kátia R N , Castro Gloria F B A 
Published: January 2015

AimsThis cross-sectional study investigated the association between eight herpesviruses and the bacterial community profiles from the oral cavity of children with and without leukaemia.MethodsSixty participants (aged 3–13), divided into the leukaemia group (LG) and healthy group (HG), were evaluated. Collection of medical data, intraoral examination and collection of clinical specimens were carried out. Single PCR and nested-PCR techniques were used to identify the viral types; denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and real-time PCR techniques were used to evaluate the profile and abundance of bacterial communities.ResultsAll the children with leukaemia were positive for at least one type of herpesvirus, compared with healthy participants (33.3%; p<0.000). Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV; 46.7%), human herpesvirus-7 (HHV-7; 20%) and HHV-8 (77.3%) were in higher prevalence in the LG (p≤0.01). Children with leukaemia had positive associations with the presence of HCMV, HHV-7 and HHV-8 in the oral cavity when under chemotherapy (p<0.05). There was a qualitative (means of DGGE bands) and quantitative (means of 16S rRNA gene abundance) difference in relation to the bacterial community between the two groups (p<0.05).ConclusionsBased on the results, the prevalence of herpesviruses and the qualitative bacterial profiles was higher in children with leukaemia and HCMV, HHV-7 and HHV-8 were related to the use of chemotherapy. Moreover, HHV-6 was correlated with an increased bacterial community profile in patients with leukaemia (p<0.05). More attention should be paid to the oral health of these individuals, mainly those under chemotherapy, in order to prevent infections by opportunistic pathogens.
Alternative food and external source of infection stabilize predator–prey oscillations — A conclusion drawn from an eco-epidemiological model
Authors: Das Krishna Pada 
Published: January 2015

Das et al. [Effect of disease-selective predation on prey infected by contact and external sources, Biosystems 95(3) (2009) 188–199] proposed an eco-epidemiological model where the prey species is infected through the external source of infection and contact of the species. In this present study we have modified their model by assuming that the predator consumes both the susceptible as well as the infected prey following the modified Holling type-II functional response. Our main focusing points of this study are the role of infection rate (both internal and external), alternative food, and half-saturation constant in the predator–prey dynamics with disease in the prey population. We have shown the local stability of the boundary as well as the interior equilibrium point under certain conditions. We have also worked out the permanence of the system. Our simulation results show that the system enters into limit cycle oscillations from stable position for higher values of the contact rate. But it is also shown that the external infection rate, enrichment of the alternative food of the predator population and the half-saturation constant can prevent limit cycle oscillations and stabilize the system. Thus external disease propagation, enrichment of the alternative food resource, and the half-saturation constant are the key factors for preventing the oscillatory behavior of the species.
Existence Results for the Periodic Thomas-Fermi-Dirac-von Weizsäcker Equations
Authors: Chen Shaowei , Lin Lishan , Xiao Liqin 
Published: January 2015

We consider the Thomas-Fermi-Dirac-von Weizsäcker equation-Δu+Vxu+u2⋆(1/x)u=λup-2u-uq-2u,u∈H1R3, whereλ>0is a parameter,2<p<q<6,V∈L∞(R3)is 1-periodic inxj, forj=1, 2, 3, and 0 is in a spectral gap of the operator-Δ+V. Using a new infinite-dimensional linking theorem, we prove that, for sufficiently smallλ>0, this equation has a nontrivial solution.
Efficacy of Hedgehog Pathway Inhibitors in Basal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Basset-Seguin Nicole , Sharpe Hayley J. , de Sauvage Frederic J. 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer. While most BCCs are amenable to surgery, some tumors can reach a more advanced stage or metastasize, and become ineligible for surgical resection or radiotherapy. Abnormal activation of the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway is a key driver in BCC pathophysiology. Consequently, inhibitors of the Hh pathway have been developed. Molecules that inhibit the receptor protein Smoothened (SMO) are the most advanced in clinical development. Vismodegib is the first-in-class SMO inhibitor and has been approved in a number of countries for the treatment of metastatic or locally advanced BCC. Several molecules have demonstrated antitumoral activity, but treatment may be limited in duration by a number of side effects, and it is not yet established whether these agents are truly curative or whether continued treatment will be required. Resistance to SMO inhibition has been reported in the clinic for which incidence and mechanisms must be elucidated to inform future therapeutic strategies. Intermittent dosing regimens to improve tolerability, as well as neoadjuvant use of Hh pathway inhibitors, are currently under investigation. Here, we review the most recent outcomes obtained with Hh inhibitors under clinical investigation in BCC. Mol Cancer Ther; 14(3); 633–41. ©2015 AACR.
Can a Novel Clinical Risk Score Improve Pneumonia Prediction in Acute Stroke Care? A UK Multicenter Cohort Study
Authors: Smith Craig J. , Bray Benjamin D. , Hoffman Alex , Meisel Andreas , Heuschmann Peter U. , Wolfe Charles D. A. , Tyrrell Pippa J. , Rudd Anthony G. ,   the Intercollegiate Stroke Working Party Group
Published: January 2015

Background

Pneumonia frequently complicates stroke and has a major impact on outcome. We derived and internally validated a simple clinical risk score for predicting stroke‐associated pneumonia (SAP), and compared the performance with an existing score (A
2
DS
2
).

Methods and Results

We extracted data for patients with ischemic stroke or intracerebral hemorrhage from the Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme multicenter UK registry. The data were randomly allocated into derivation (n=11 551) and validation (n=11 648) samples. A multivariable logistic regression model was fitted to the derivation data to predict SAP in the first 7 days of admission. The characteristics of the score were evaluated using receiver operating characteristics (discrimination) and by plotting predicted versus observed SAP frequency in deciles of risk (calibration). Prevalence of SAP was 6.7% overall. The final 22‐point score (
ISAN
: prestroke
I
ndependence [modified Rankin scale],
S
ex,
A
ge,
N
ational Institutes of Health Stroke Scale) exhibited good discrimination in the ischemic stroke derivation (C‐statistic 0.79; 95% CI 0.77 to 0.81) and validation (C‐statistic 0.78; 95% CI 0.76 to 0.80) samples. It was well calibrated in ischemic stroke and was further classified into meaningful risk groups (low 0 to 5, medium 6 to 10, high 11 to 14, and very high ≥15) associated with SAP frequencies of 1.6%, 4.9%, 12.6%, and 26.4%, respectively, in the validation sample. Discrimination for both scores was similar, although they performed less well in the intracerebral hemorrhage patients with an apparent ceiling effect.

Conclusions
The ISAN score is a simple tool for predicting SAP in clinical practice. External validation is required in ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke cohorts.
A New Metric for Indian Monsoon Rainfall Extremes*
Authors: Jun Tackseung , Munasinghe Lalith , Rind David H. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractExtreme monsoon rainfall in India has disastrous consequences, including significant socioeconomic impacts. However, little is known about the overall trends and climate factors associated with extreme rainfall because rainfall greatly varies across India and because few appropriate methods are available to measure extreme rainfall in the context of such heterogeneity. To provide a comprehensive assessment of extreme monsoon rainfall, the authors developed a metric using record rainfall data to measure the changes in the likelihood of extreme high and extreme low rainfall over time; this metric is independent of the characteristics of the underlying rainfall distributions. Hence, the metric is ideally suited to aggregate extreme rainfall information across heterogeneous regions covering India. The authors found that from 1930 to 2013, the likelihood of extreme high and extreme low rainfall increases 2-fold and 4-fold, respectively. These overall trend increases are driven by anomalous increases, particularly in the early 2000s; the likelihood of extreme high and extreme low rainfall increases 5-fold and 18-fold in 2005 and 2002, respectively. These findings imply a broadening of the underlying monsoon rainfall distribution over the past century. The authors also show that the time patterns of the likelihood of extreme rainfall in recent decades are correlated with El Niño–Southern Oscillation, especially when it is in the same phase with the Pacific decadal oscillation and Indian Ocean dipole.
Understanding the Contrast of Australian Springtime Rainfall of 1997 and 2002 in the Frame of Two Flavors of El Niño
Authors: Lim Eun-Pa , Hendon Harry H. 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
This study investigates the causes and predictability of the different springtime rainfall responses over Australia for El Niño in 1997 and 2002. The rainfall deficit over Australia is generally assumed to be linearly related to the strength of El Niño. However, Australia received near-normal springtime rainfall during the record strong El Niño in 1997, whereas it suffered from severe drought, especially in the east, during the weak El Niño of 2002.
Statistical reconstruction of the rainfall anomalies and forecasts produced from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology’s dynamical seasonal forecast system [Predictive Ocean and Atmosphere Model for Australia (POAMA)] demonstrated that the eastward and westward shifts of the maximum SST warming of El Niño contributed to the near-normal and dry responses of Australian spring rainfall in 1997 and 2002, respectively. Hence, the contrasting rainfall responses were largely predictable. However, the dry conditions in 2002 were significantly amplified by the occurrence of the record strength negative phase of the southern annular mode (SAM), which could only be predicted with the use of realistic atmospheric initial conditions in the atmosphere–ocean coupled configuration of POAMA. Therefore, predictability of the severity of the 2002 drought over Australia was strongly constrained by the predictability of the SAM, despite the high predictability of the drier than normal condition of 2002 spring that stems from the anomalous central Pacific warming of 2002 El Niño.
Assimilation of Cloud-Top Temperature and Radar Observations of an Idealized Splitting Supercell Using an Observing System Simulation Experiment
Authors: Kerr Christopher A. , Stensrud David J. , Wang Xuguang 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-R Series will provide cloud-top observations on the convective scale at roughly the same frequency as Doppler radar observations. To evaluate the potential value of cloud-top temperature observations for data assimilation, an imperfect-model observing system simulation experiment is used. Synthetic cloud-top temperature observations from an idealized splitting supercell created using the Weather Research and Forecasting Model are assimilated along with synthetic radar reflectivity and radial velocity using an ensemble Kalman filter. Observations are assimilated every 5 min for 2.5 h with additive noise used to maintain ensemble spread.
Four experiments are conducted to explore the relative value of cloud-top temperature and radar observations. One experiment only assimilates satellite data, another only assimilates radar data, and two more experiments assimilate both radar and satellite observations, but with the observation types assimilated in different order. Results show a rather weak correlation between cloud-top temperature and horizontal winds, whereas larger correlations are found between cloud-top temperature and microphysics variables. However, the assimilation of cloud-top temperature data alone produces a supercell storm in the ensemble, although the resulting ensemble has much larger spread compared to the ensembles of radar inclusive experiments. The addition of radar observations greatly improves the storm structure and reduces the overprediction of storm extent. Results further show that assimilating cloud-top temperature observations in addition to radar data does not lead to an improved forecast. However, assimilating cloud-top temperature can produce reasonable forecasts for areas lacking radar coverage.
A Composite Perspective of the Extratropical Flow Response to Recurving Western North Pacific Tropical Cyclones
Authors: Archambault Heather M. , Keyser Daniel , Bosart Lance F. , Davis Christopher A. , Cordeira Jason M. 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
This study investigates the composite extratropical flow response to recurving western North Pacific tropical cyclones (WNP TCs), and the dependence of this response on the strength of the TC–extratropical flow interaction as defined by the negative potential vorticity advection (PV) by the irrotational wind associated with the TC. The 2.5° NCEP–NCAR reanalysis is used to construct composite analyses of all 1979–2009 recurving WNP TCs and of subsets that undergo strong and weak TC–extratropical flow interactions.
Findings indicate that recurving WNP TCs are associated with the amplification of a preexisting Rossby wave train (RWT) that disperses downstream and modifies the large-scale flow pattern over North America. This RWT affects approximately 240° of longitude and persists for approximately 10 days. Recurving TCs associated with strong TC–extratropical flow interactions are associated with a stronger extratropical flow response than those associated with weak TC–extratropical flow interactions. Compared with weak interactions, strong interactions feature a more distinct upstream trough, stronger and broader divergent outflow associated with stronger midlevel frontogenesis and forcing for ascent over and northeast of the TC, and stronger upper-level PV frontogenesis that promotes more pronounced jet streak intensification. During strong interactions, divergent outflow helps anchor and amplify a downstream ridge, thereby amplifying a preexisting RWT from Asia that disperses downstream to North America. In contrast, during weak interactions, divergent outflow weakly amplifies a downstream ridge, such that a RWT briefly amplifies in situ before dissipating over the western-central North Pacific.
The association between use of antidepressants and bone quality using quantitative heel ultrasound
Authors: Rauma Päivi H , Pasco Julie A , Berk Michael , Stuart Amanda L , Koivumaa-Honkanen Heli , Honkanen Risto J , Hodge Jason M , Williams Lana J 
Published: January 2015

Objective: Osteoporosis and depression are major public health problems worldwide. Studies have reported an association between antidepressant use, mainly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and bone mineral density (BMD), but the issue remains unclear. Methods: This study examined data collected from 849 Australian men (aged 24–98 years) participating in the Geelong Osteoporosis Study (GOS). Bone quality was determined using quantitative ultrasound (QUS) and included the following parameters: Broadband Ultrasound Attenuation (BUA), Speed of Sound (SOS) and Stiffness Index (SI). Anthropometry, socio-economic status (SES), medication use and lifestyle factors were determined. The cross-sectional associations between bone quality and use of antidepressants were studied using multivariate linear regression adjusted for potential confounders. Results: At the time of assessment, 61 (7.2%) men were using antidepressants, of which 44 (72.1%) used SSRIs. Antidepressant use was associated with lower SI ( p = .002), SOS ( p = .010) and BUA ( p = .053). However, body weight was identified as an effect modifier; QUS values were lower for antidepressant users with lower weight (< 90 kg) only. Conclusions: Use of antidepressants was associated with lower QUS values for men with low body weights. Thus, the risk of osteoporosis should be taken into account when prescribing antidepressants, in particular among men who are in this weight category.
Migrant Worker Activism in Singapore and Malaysia: Freedom of Association and the Role of the State
Authors: Piper Nicola 
Published: January 2015

The political space given to non-governmental organizations to respond to the economic and legal problems experienced by migrant workers is heavily restricted in Malaysia and Singapore. The relative political weakness of their respective civil societies has been the focus of some research, albeit to a lesser extent with specific reference to their labor sectors, raising questions on what this implies for migrant labor activism. By exploring the differences and similarities across the various organizations involved in migrant worker issues in-country as well as across countries, this paper investigates the role of state authoritarianism in shaping the landscape of migrant labor activism in Malaysia and Singapore. It assesses the pressure non-union civil society organizations can bring to bear on both the state-sponsored and traditional labor movement organizations which have been co-opted by the state to a greater or lesser extent in both Malaysia and Singapore. It is argued that it is in fact migrant labor and the growing political activism, especially transnational activism, which contributes or may contribute to the reinvigoration of labor activism in general by highlighting the many-folded problems of foreign workers.
Featured Article: Deficiency of G-protein coupled receptor 40, a lipid-activated receptor, heightens in vitro- and in vivo-induced murine osteoarthritis
Authors: Monfoulet Laurent-Emmanuel , Philippe Claire , Mercier Sylvie , Coxam Véronique , Wittrant Yohann 
Published: January 2015

Osteoarthritis (OA) is an age-related degenerative joint disease. To date, its management is focused on symptoms (pain and inflammation). Studies suggest that fatty acids can reduce the expression of inflammatory and catalytic mediators, and improve in vivo joint function. Free fatty acid receptors (FFARs) such as G-protein coupled receptor 40 (GPR40) are proposed as attractive therapeutic targets to counteract inflammation and cartilage degradation observed in OA. This study aims to elucidate the involvement of GPR40 in OA. In this study, we used an in vitro model of OA, and surgically induced OA by ligament transection and partial meniscectomy in wild-type and GPR40 deficient mice. OA phenotype was investigated in vivo by histology and genes expression. We demonstrate that IL-1β-treated GPR40−/− chondrocytes secret more inflammatory mediators (nitric oxide, interleukin-6, prostaglandin E2) and active catabolic enzymes (metalloproteinase-2, -9 [MMP-2, MMP-9]), and show decreased anabolism (glycoaminoglycan) compared to GPR40+/+ cells. In accordance with these results, we show that GPR40−/− mice exhibit an aggravated OA-induced phenotype characterized by higher tidemark exposure, frequency of osteophyte formation and subchondral bone sclerosis. Altogether our results demonstrate that GPR40 deficiency leads to an extended OA phenotype, providing evidence that increasing GPR40 activity, by natural or synthetic ligands, could be a new strategy in the management of OA.
Role of allogeneic stem cell transplantation in adult patients with Ph-negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Dhédin Nathalie , Huynh Anne , Maury Sébastien , Tabrizi Reza , Beldjord Kheira , Asnafi Vahid , Thomas Xavier , Chevallier Patrice , Nguyen Stéphanie , Coiteux Valérie , Bourhis Jean-Henri , Hichri Yosr , Escoffre-Barbe Martine , Reman Oumedaly , Graux Carlos , Chalandon Yves , Blaise Didier , Schanz Urs , Lhéritier Véronique , Cahn Jean-Yves , Dombret Hervé , Ifrah Norbert 
Published: January 2015

Key PointsSCT in first complete remission is associated with 69.5% 3-year overall survival in high-risk ALL adult patients treated with intensified pediatric-like protocol. Poor early MRD response is a powerful tool to select patients who may benefit from SCT in first complete remission.