bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Incidence, mortality rates and causes of deaths in haemophilia patients in Sweden
Authors: Lövdahl S. , Henriksson K. M. , Baghaei F. , Holmström M. , Nilsson J.‐Å. , Berntorp E. , Astermark J. 
Published: February 2013

SummarySweden has been a pioneer in the treatment of haemophilia, with the first concentrate available in the 1950s. Treatment has improved over the years to its current state‐of‐the art. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the long‐term outcome of haemophilia in terms of incidence, morbidity and mortality. Patients diagnosed with haemophilia A or B registered at the national haemophilia centres and/or the Patient Registry and born before 2009 and alive in 1968 were enrolled and linked to the Cause of Death‐, Migration‐ and Medical Birth registries. Five age‐ and sex‐matched controls were selected for each patient. A total of 1431 patients with haemophilia A or B were compared with 7150 controls. The 3‐year moving average incidence rate per 100 000 population varied between 21 and 36. The hazard ratio for all‐cause mortality compared with controls was 2.2, 95% CI: [1.8; 2.7], P < 0.001 for the entire group of patients and 1.7, 95% CI: [1.3; 2.2], P < 0.001 when patients with HIV and/or viral hepatitis were excluded. The corresponding figures for the severe haemophilia subgroup were 6.6, 95% CI: [4.5; 10.0], P < 0.001 and 8.2, 95% CI [3.2; 20.8], P < 0.001 respectively. The most common causes of death were related to malignancies and the haemostatic defect. People with haemophilia were 57% less likely to die from ischaemic heart disease than controls. People with haemophilia in Sweden demonstrate higher mortality over time, independent of HIV and viral hepatitis, despite relatively advantageous access to clotting factor concentrates.
The Effect of Phase Composition on the Mechanical Properties ofLTCCMaterial
Authors: Makarovič Kostja , Bermejo Raul , Kraleva Irina , Benčan Andreja , Hrovat Marko , Holc Janez , Malič Barbara , Kosec Marija 
Published: February 2013

For the fabrication of complex, micro‐electromechanical systems (MEMS) devices based on low‐temperature co‐fired ceramic (LTCC), higher firing temperatures and longer times than those proposed by theLTCCproducer are needed. These changes to the thermal budget may influence the material properties and consequently its functional properties. The effect of the firing conditions on theLTCCDuPont 951 and thus on the phase composition, that is, the alumina/anorthite ratio and porosity, on the mechanical properties is presented. The samples fired at low temperatures (800°C) had a high porosity (7%), which significantly contributed to the low elastic modulus (100 GPa) and the low mechanical strength of theLTCC(140 MPa). The samples fired at 850°C, which had only 1% of porosity, resulted in an elastic modulus of 122 GPa and a flexural strength of 224 MPa. A further increase in the temperature contributed to a slight decrease in the elastic modulus, while no significant difference in the flexural strength could be observed. The enhancement of the flexural strength with an increasing firing temperature was mainly related to a decrease in the porosity and to a lesser extent to the different ratio of the alumina/anorthite phases. The effect of firing time on the phase composition at selected temperatures (i.e., 100 h at 700 and 800°C) is also discussed.
Dendritic cell activation, phagocytosis and CD69 expression on cognate T cells are suppressed by n‐3 long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids
Authors: Teague Heather , Rockett Benjamin Drew , Harris Mitchel , Brown David A. , Shaikh Saame Raza 
Published: February 2013

AbstractDocosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are bioactive n‐3 long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) in fish oil that exert immunosuppressive effects. A significant amount of literature shows that n‐3 LCPUFAs suppress dendritic cell (DC) function in vitro; however, few studies have determined if the effects are emulated at the animal level. In this study, we first focused on the functional consequences of 5% (weight/weight) fish oil on splenic CD11c+ DCs. Administration of n‐3 LCPUFAs, modelling human pharmacological intake (2% of total kcal from EPA,1·3% from DHA), to C57BL/6 mice for 3 weeks reduced DC surface expression of CD80 by 14% and tumour necrosis factor‐α secretion by 29% upon lipopolysaccharide stimulation relative to a control diet. The n‐3 LCPUFAs also significantly decreased CD11c+ surface expression and phagocytosis by 12% compared with the control diet. Antigen presentation studies revealed a 22% decrease in CD69 surface expression on transgenic CD4+ T lymphocytes activated by DCs from mice fed fish oil. We then determined if the functional changes were mechanistically associated with changes in lipid microdomain clustering or plasma membrane microviscosity with n‐3 LCPUFAs, as reported for B and T lymphocytes. Fish oil administration to mice did not influence cholera‐toxin induced lipid microdomain clustering or microviscosity, even though EPA and DHA levels were significantly elevated relative to the control diet. Overall, our data show that n‐3 LCPUFAs exert immunosuppressive effects on DCs, validating in vitro studies. The results also show that DC microdomain clustering and microviscosity were not changed by the n‐3 LCPUFA intervention used in this study.
Blogging for ICT4D: reflecting and engaging with peers to build development discourse
Authors: Ferguson Julie , Soekijad Maura , Huysman Marleen , Vaast Emmanuelle 
Published: February 2013

AbstractInformation and Communication Technology‐enabled Development (ICT4D) discourse relies upon the idea that ICTs can foster development in particular by encouraging wider participation in development initiatives. In this paper, we question how the blogging practices of development professionals shape such ICT4D discourse. Through a combination of interviews and analyses of blog contents, we examine two major purposes of blogging: reflecting upon development practices and engaging with a self‐selected audience. Our analyses reveal that these two purposes were interwoven in ways that contributed to making bloggers' ICT4D discourse innovative but oriented towards a small community of peers rather than a larger audience. Through blogging, development professionals refined their expertise on ICT4D. As they did so, they also generated a personal speaker's corner that primarily attracted like‐minded peers rather than promoting larger participation in ICT4D discourse. This research contributes to the emerging literature on social media practices by showing how blogging practices enable the formation of what a discourse is about, and by highlighting differences between perceived and actual levels of interactions between bloggers and their audience. The paper also adds to the ICT and development literatures by revealing that blogging practices can deepen ICT4D discourse, but that they do not necessarily enhance participation in development. Such insight is crucial for development professionals to develop realistic expectations of blogging for ICT4D.
Clinical efficacy of a silver‐releasing foam dressing in venous leg ulcer healing: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Senet Patricia , Bause Renzo , Jørgensen Bo , Fogh Karsten 
Published: February 2013

AbstractBiatain and Biatain‐Ag are two identical wound dressings except the fact that Biatain‐Ag releases silver. In the present multinational double‐blinded randomised controlled trial the effect of the two dressings were compared for treatment of venous leg ulcers. A total of 181 patients were treated for 6 weeks with either Biatain or Biatain‐Ag followed by 4 weeks treatment with Biatain. Biatain‐Ag showed superior performance in relative wound area reduction after 6 weeks treatment and the estimated treatment difference increased after 10 weeks indicating that the effect of silver continues at least for 4 weeks after treatment. A subgroup of the patients differed significantly from the others with respect to parameters associated with a poor healing prognosis; patients were older, had significant history of venous thrombosis, larger ulcers with longer duration and more often recurrent. For this subgroup of patients Biatain‐Ag showed significant (P < 0·05) better performance in terms of relative ulcer area reduction and healing rate. In conclusion, this study suggests the superior performance of Biatain‐Ag compared with the non silver‐releasing dressing Biatain in particular for patients having ulcers associated with a poor healing prognosis.
Thrombolysis for Suspected Intrapump Thrombosis in Patients With Continuous Flow Centrifugal Left Ventricular Assist Device
Authors: Muthiah Kavitha , Robson Desiree , Macdonald Peter S. , Keogh Anne M. , Kotlyar Eugene , Granger Emily , Dhital Kumud , Spratt Phillip , Jansz Paul , Hayward Christopher S. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThe current recommended anticoagulation regimen during continuous flow centrifugal left ventricular device support is a combination of antiplatelet therapy as well as oral anticoagulation. Despite this, pump thrombosis occurs in rare situations. We report the risk factors and nonsurgical management and outcomes of five patients implanted with continuous flow centrifugal left ventricular assist devices who displayed clinical, hemodynamic, and laboratory features of intrapump thrombosis. This information may support the use of intravenous thrombolytics for suspected pump thrombus in these newer generation devices.
Equivalence of MAXENT and Poisson Point Process Models for Species Distribution Modeling in Ecology
Authors: Renner Ian W. , Warton David I. 
Published: February 2013

SummaryModeling the spatial distribution of a species is a fundamental problem in ecology. A number of modeling methods have been developed, an extremely popular one being MAXENT, a maximum entropy modeling approach. In this article, we show that MAXENT is equivalent to a Poisson regression model and hence is related to a Poisson point process model, differing only in the intercept term, which is scale‐dependent in MAXENT. We illustrate a number of improvements to MAXENT that follow from these relations. In particular, a point process model approach facilitates methods for choosing the appropriate spatial resolution, assessing model adequacy, and choosing the LASSO penalty parameter, all currently unavailable to MAXENT. The equivalence result represents a significant step in the unification of the species distribution modeling literature.
Wavelet‐Based Clustering for Mixed‐Effects Functional Models in High Dimension
Authors: Giacofci M. , Lambert‐Lacroix S. , Marot G. , Picard F. 
Published: February 2013

SummaryWe propose a method for high‐dimensional curve clustering in the presence of interindividual variability. Curve clustering has longly been studied especially using splines to account for functional random effects. However, splines are not appropriate when dealing with high‐dimensional data and can not be used to model irregular curves such as peak‐like data. Our method is based on a wavelet decomposition of the signal for both fixed and random effects. We propose an efficient dimension reduction step based on wavelet thresholding adapted to multiple curves and using an appropriate structure for the random effect variance, we ensure that both fixed and random effects lie in the same functional space even when dealing with irregular functions that belong to Besov spaces. In the wavelet domain our model resumes to a linear mixed‐effects model that can be used for a model‐based clustering algorithm and for which we develop an EM‐algorithm for maximum likelihood estimation. The properties of the overall procedure are validated by an extensive simulation study. Then, we illustrate our method on mass spectrometry data and we propose an original application of functional data analysis on microarray comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) data. Our procedure is available through the R package curvclust which is the first publicly available package that performs curve clustering with random effects in the high dimensional framework (available on the CRAN).
Model Feedback in Bayesian Propensity Score Estimation
Authors: Zigler Corwin M. , Watts Krista , Yeh Robert W. , Wang Yun , Coull Brent A. , Dominici Francesca 
Published: February 2013

SummaryMethods based on the propensity score comprise one set of valuable tools for comparative effectiveness research and for estimating causal effects more generally. These methods typically consist of two distinct stages: (1) a propensity score stage where a model is fit to predict the propensity to receive treatment (the propensity score), and (2) an outcome stage where responses are compared in treated and untreated units having similar values of the estimated propensity score. Traditional techniques conduct estimation in these two stages separately; estimates from the first stage are treated as fixed and known for use in the second stage. Bayesian methods have natural appeal in these settings because separate likelihoods for the two stages can be combined into a single joint likelihood, with estimation of the two stages carried out simultaneously. One key feature of joint estimation in this context is “feedback” between the outcome stage and the propensity score stage, meaning that quantities in a model for the outcome contribute information to posterior distributions of quantities in the model for the propensity score. We provide a rigorous assessment of Bayesian propensity score estimation to show that model feedback can produce poor estimates of causal effects absent strategies that augment propensity score adjustment with adjustment for individual covariates. We illustrate this phenomenon with a simulation study and with a comparative effectiveness investigation of carotid artery stenting versus carotid endarterectomy among 123,286 Medicare beneficiaries hospitlized for stroke in 2006 and 2007.
Subgingival microbiome in smokers and non‐smokers in periodontitis: an exploratory study using traditional targeted techniques and a next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Bizzarro Sergio , Loos Bruno G. , Laine Marja L. , Crielaard Wim , Zaura Egija 
Published: February 2013

AbstractAimTo compare the results of two targeted techniques to an open‐ended technique in periodontitis patients, differentiated on the basis of smoking habit.Materials & MethodsThirty periodontitis patients (15 smokers and 15 non‐smokers) provided subgingival plaque samples for 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, culturing and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).ResultsNo differences were found in the composition of the subgingival microbiome between smokers and non‐smokers with culture and qPCR. With pyrosequencing, operational taxonomic units (OTUs) classified to genera Fusobacterium, Prevotella and Selenomonas were more abundant in smokers, while OTUs belonging to the genera Peptococcus and Capnocytophaga were more abundant in non‐smokers. Principal coordinate analysis identified two clusters; one was composed mainly of smokers (80%) and revealed significantly lower taxonomic diversity, higher attachment loss and higher proportion of the genera Fusobacterium, Paludibacter and Desulfobubus.ConclusionIn periodontitis, there is a difference in the composition of the subgingival microbiome between smokers and non‐smokers, as revealed by pyrosequencing. This difference was not identified by the targeted techniques. Low taxonomic diversity was associated with higher disease severity, especially in smokers. This supports the hypothesis of the ecological microbial–host interaction in the severity of periodontal disease.
Validation of reported genetic risk factors for periodontitis in a large‐scale replication study
Authors: Schaefer Arne S. , Bochenek Gregor , Manke Thomas , Nothnagel Michael , Graetz Christian , Thien Anneke , Jockel‐Schneider Yvonne , Harks Inga , Staufenbiel Ingmar , Wijmenga Cisca , Eberhard Jörg , Guzeldemir‐Akcakanat Esra , Cine Naci , Folwaczny Mathias , Noack Barbara , Meyle Joerg , Eickholz Peter , Trombelli Leonardo , Scapoli Chiara , Nohutcu Rahime , Bruckmann Corinna , Doerfer Christof , Jepsen Søren , Loos Bruno G. , Schreiber Stefan 
Published: February 2013

AbstractAimMany studies investigated the role of genetic variants in periodontitis, but few were established as risk factors. We aimed to validate the associations of recent candidate genes in aggressive periodontitis (AgP).Material and MethodsWe analysed 23 genes in 600 German AgP patients and 1441 controls on the Illumina custom genotyping array Immunochip. We tested a suggestive association in a Dutch and German/Austrian AgP case‐control sample, and a German chronic periodontitis (CP) case‐control sample using Sequenom iPlex assays. We additionally tested the common known risk variant rs1333048 of the gene ANRIL for its association in a Turkish and Italian population.ResultsNone of the analysed genes gave statistical evidence for association. Upon covariate adjustment for smoking and gender, in the pooled German‐Austrian AgP sample, IL10 SNP rs6667202 was associated with p = 0.016, OR = 0.77 (95% CI = 0.6–0.95), and in the Dutch AgP sample, adjacent IL10 SNP rs61815643 was associated with p = 0.0009, OR = 2.31 (95% CI = 1.4‐3.8). At rs61815643, binding of the transcription factor PPARG was predicted. ANRIL rs1333048 was associated in the Turkish sample (pallelic = 0.026, OR = 1.67 [95% CI = 1.11–2.60]).ConclusionsPrevious candidate genes carry no susceptibility factors for AgP. Association of IL‐10 rs61815643 with AgP is suggested. ANRIL is associated with periodontitis across different populations.
Reconstructing the fall: individual, behavioural and contextual factors associated with falls in individuals with intellectual disability
Authors: Cahill S. , Stancliffe R. J. , Clemson L. , Durvasula S. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractBackgroundFalls are a significant and recurrent problem for individuals with intellectual disability (ID). There has been little exploration of the fall event from the perspective of the individual who falls or their carers. Research has focused predominantly on personal risk factors, leaving the behavioural and contextual analysis of falls much less understood. This study aimed to identify these additional factors as well as briefly explore the fall experience for individuals and their carers.MethodA qualitative design was used incorporating fall reconstructions and ethnographic‐style interviews conducted in the home setting. Nine people withIDand their carers/family member participated: five pairs were living at home and four were in out‐of‐family‐home settings. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and major themes identified via thematic analysis.ResultsWe identified 17 themes that contributed to falls and fell under the three headings of individual, behavioural or contextual factors. Themes include decreased physical capacity, unsafe behaviours, limited hazard awareness and the impact of others in the home on an individual's fall behaviours. Additionally, families and individuals identified a number of consequences and adaptations which they implemented to alleviate possible fall impact.ConclusionsQualitative interviews, observational methods and carer assistance are valuable in offering insight into understanding the individual, behavioural and contextual factors associated with falls in people withID. The fall reconstruction technique may be a useful supplement when evaluating intrinsic risk in programmes designed to reduce falls.
Broccoli Stunt, a New Disease in Broccoli Plants Associated with Three Distinct Phytoplasma Groups in Brazil
Authors: Eckstein Bárbara , Barbosa Júlio César , Kreyci Patrícia Fabretti , Canale Maria Cristina , Brunelli Kátia Regiane , Bedendo Ivan Paulo 
Published: February 2013

AbstractSince 2007, a new disease in broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica Plenck) has been observed in the São Paulo state, Brazil. The characteristic symptoms of the disease are plant stunting, inflorescence malformation, reddening of the leaves and phloem necrosis. Nested polymerase chain reaction with P1/Tint and F2n/R2 primer pairs revealed the presence of phytoplasmas in diseased broccoli plants. Restriction fragment length polymorphism and phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rDNA gene showed that phytoplasmas belonging to 16SrI, III and XIII groups were associated with the plants. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of phytoplasmas in this Brassica species in Brazil, as well the first time phytoplasmas of 16SrIII and XIII groups have been associated with broccoli plants.
Partitioning phylogenetic and functional diversity into alpha and beta components along an environmental gradient in aMediterranean rangeland
Authors: Bernard‐Verdier Maud , Flores Olivier , Navas Marie‐Laure , Garnier Eric 
Published: February 2013

AbstractQuestionsTo what extent is the functional structure of plant communities captured by phylogenetic structure? Are some functional dimensions better represented by phylogenetic relationships? In an empirical study, we propose to test the congruence between phylogenetic and functional structure at the alpha and the beta scale along an environmental gradient.LocationCausse duLarzac, southernFrance.MethodsWe measured species abundances and eight key functional traits in 12 plant communities distributed along a gradient of soil depth and resource availability in aMediterranean rangeland. A phylogenetic super‐tree of the species was assembled, and after quantifying the degree of phylogenetic signal present in each trait, we quantified taxonomic (TD), phylogenetic (PD) and functional (FD) diversity both within (alpha scale) and among (beta scale) communities, taking species abundances into account. We tested for trends in diversity along the environmental gradient, and looked for congruence among different facets of diversity, both at the alpha and the beta scale.ResultsWe found a significant phylogenetic signal for seven out of eight traits. However, when accounting for trends in taxonomic diversity (i.e. richness and evenness),PDdid not capture the strong functional structure observed within and among the communities. At the alpha scale, we found an overall pattern of phylogenetic convergence of abundant species, which did not reflect the observed functional divergence. At the beta scale, despite some congruence between betaPDand betaFDfor three individual traits, phylogenetic dissimilarities did not capture the overall environmental and functional sorting of species according to habitats.ConclusionsWe show that even when traits display a significant phylogenetic signal,PDdoes not capture the complex functional structure of communities in response to environmental gradients. Nevertheless, results suggest that phylogenetic relationships may partially capture differences in the beta niche of species and provide additional insights on assembly processes not captured by the set of measured functional traits. Only by accounting for patterns in taxonomic diversity were we able to disentangle the functional and evolutionary determinants of species assembly along the gradient.