bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical review of Hendra virus infection in 11 horses in New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Ball MC , Dewberry TD , Freeman PG , Kemsley PD , Poe I 
Published: April 2014

Case seriesBetween 2006 and 2012, there were 11 horses diagnosed with Hendra virus (HeV) on 9 independent premises in New South Wales (NSW). We defined a case of HeV as premises where one or more horses were confirmed to be infected with HeV by PCR. All the cases occurred in the north‐eastern region of NSW. In 8 of the 9 cases, infection occurred within 2 months over the winter of 2011. With no exception, the affected horses were kept at pasture on properties visited by flying foxes. Of the 11 horses testing positive for HeV, 5 had an association with a fence, with the horses dead or dying on a fence line. In the majority of cases, disease was an acute illness leading to death within 48 h. When signs of disease were observed, neurological signs predominated. There was limited spread to in‐contact horses, with only two properties having more than one horse affected. There was significant variation in the sampling strategies undertaken by veterinarians.ConclusionCaution is needed to interpret a negative diagnosis when only swabs have been collected.
Effect of β‐blockers on platelet aggregation: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Bonten Tobias N. , Plaizier Chiara E. I. , Snoep Jaap‐Jan D. , Stijnen Theo , Dekkers Olaf M. , van der Bom Johanna G. 
Published: April 2014

AimsPlatelets play an important role in cardiovascular disease, and β‐blockers are often prescribed for cardiovascular disease prevention. β‐Blockers may directly affect platelet aggregation, because β‐adrenergic receptors are present on platelets. There is uncertainty about the existence and magnitude of an effect of β‐blockers on platelet aggregation. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta‐analysis of the effect of β‐blockers on platelet aggregation.MethodsMEDLINEandEMBASEwere searched untilApril 2014. Two reviewers independently performed data extraction and risk of bias assessment. Type of β‐blocker, population, treatment duration and platelet aggregation were extracted. Standardized mean differences were calculated for each study and pooled in a random‐effects meta‐analysis.ResultsWe retrieved 31 studies (28 clinical trials and three observational studies). β‐Blockers decreased platelet aggregation (standardized mean difference −0.54, 95% confidence interval −0.85 to −0.24,P< 0.0001). This corresponds to a reduction of 13% (95% confidence interval 8–17%). Nonselective lipophilic β‐blockers decreased platelet aggregation more than selective nonlipophilic β‐blockers.ConclusionsClinically used β‐blockers significantly reduce platelet aggregation. Nonselective lipophilic β‐blockers seem to reduce platelet aggregation more effectively than selective nonlipophilic β‐blockers. These findings may help to explain why some β‐blockers are more effective than others in preventing cardiovascular disease.
A comparative study of the effects of cultural differences on the adoption of mobile learning
Authors: Arpaci Ibrahim 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThe objective of this paper is to understand the impact of cultural differences on mobile learning adoption through identifying key adoption characteristics in Canada and Turkey, which have markedly different cultural backgrounds. A multi‐group analysis was employed to test the hypothesised relationships based on the data collected by means of survey questionnaires from 190 and 163 undergraduate students in Turkey and Canada respectively. The results indicated that there is a strong relationship between culture and adoption behaviour, and there are major differences in patterns between the adoption behaviours of the two countries. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Development and internal validation of a nomogram for predicting stone‐free status after flexible ureteroscopy for renal stones
Authors: Ito Hiroki , Sakamaki Kentaro , Kawahara Takashi , Terao Hideyuki , Yasuda Kengo , Kuroda Shinnosuke , Yao Masahiro , Kubota Yoshinobu , Matsuzaki Junichi 
Published: April 2014

ObjectiveTo develop and internally validate a preoperative nomogram for predicting stone‐free status (SF) after flexible ureteroscopy (fURS) for renal stones, as there is a need to predict the outcome of fURS for the treatment of renal stone disease.Patients and MethodsWe retrospectively analysed 310 fURS procedures for renal stone removal performed between December 2009 and April 2013. Final outcome of fURS was determined by computed tomography 3 months after the last fURS session. Assessed preoperative factors included stone volume and number, age, sex, presence of hydronephrosis and lower pole calculi, and ureteric stent placement. Multivariate logistic regression analysis with backward selection was used to model the relationship between preoperative factors and SF after fURS. Bootstrapping was used to internally validate the nomogram.ResultsFive independent predictors of SF after fURS were identified: stone volume (P < 0.001), presence of lower pole calculi (P = 0.001), operator with experience of >50 fURS (P = 0.026), stone number (P = 0.075), and presence of hydronephrosis (P = 0.047). We developed a nomogram to predict SF after fURS using these five preoperative characteristics. Total nomogram score (maximum 25) was derived from summing individual scores of each predictive variable; a high total score was predictive of successful fURS outcome, whereas a low total score was predictive of unsuccessful outcome. The area under the receiver operating characteristics for nomogram predictions was 0.87.ConclusionThe nomogram can be used to reliably predict SF based on patient characteristics after fURS treatment of renal stone disease.
A novel prognostic model for patients with sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Ben Y. , Thompson R. Houston , Lohse Christine M. , Leibovich Bradley C. , Boorjian Stephen A. , Cheville John C. , Costello Brian A. 
Published: April 2014

ObjectiveTo demonstrate sarcomatoid differentiation is an independent prognostic feature for patients with grade 4 renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with or without distant metastases. To identify independent predictors of survival, evaluate the correlation between the amount of sarcomatoid differentiation and cancer‐specific survival (CSS), and to design a multivariate prognostic model for patients with sarcomatoid RCC.Patients and MethodsWe used the Mayo Clinic Nephrectomy Registry to identify 204 post‐nephrectomy patients with sarcomatoid‐variant RCC, as well as 207 patients with unilateral grade 4 RCC without sarcomatoid features for comparison. All slides were reviewed by one pathologist. CSS was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method. The associations of clinical and pathological features with death from RCC were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards regression models.ResultsFor all patients with grade 4 RCC, the presence of sarcomatoid differentiation was associated with a 58% increased risk of death from RCC (P < 0.001). For patients with grade 4 non‐metastatic (M0) RCC, the presence of sarcomatoid differentiation was associated with an 82% increased risk of death from RCC (P < 0.001). For patients with sarcomatoid RCC, the 2009 primary tumour classifications, presence of regional lymph nodes and distant metastases, coagulative tumour necrosis, and the amount of sarcomatoid differentiation were each significantly associated with death from RCC in a multivariate setting. After adjusting for other prognostic variables, each 10% increase in the amount of sarcomatoid differentiation was associated with a 6% increased risk of death from RCC (P = 0.028). Patients whose tumours contained ≥30% (median amount) sarcomatoid differentiation were 52% more likely to die from RCC compared with patients whose tumours contained <30% sarcomatoid differentiation (hazard ratio 1.52; P = 0.018).ConclusionsAmong patients with grade 4 RCC, either with or without distant metastases at surgery, sarcomatoid differentiation is significantly associated with adverse survival in a multivariate setting. We also suggest for the first time that the percentage of sarcomatoid differentiation is an independent prognostic feature in a multivariate setting. The 2009 primary tumour classifications, regional lymph node status, the presence of distant metastases classifications, coagulative tumour necrosis, and the amount of sarcomatoid differentiation are independent predictors of survival for patients with sarcomatoid RCC.
Casuarina Invasion Alters Primary Succession on Lava Flows on La Réunion Island
Authors: Potgieter Luke J. , Wilson John. R. U. , Strasberg Dominique , Richardson David M. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractInvasive plants can alter community dynamics and the successional trajectories of ecosystems they colonize. We explore how interactions between disturbance and invasion govern successional trajectories in the case of Casuarina equisetifolia invading lava flows on La Réunion Island. Surveys from 1972 and 1990 were compared with results of a survey in 2012 to detail progression of the invasion over time. General additive models were used to estimate the influence of altitude, distance to putative source of introduction, and lava flow age on the abundance of C. equisetifolia. Based on the predictions, we estimated the likely rate and eventual extent of spread of the species in the area through time. We placed our findings in the context of a conceptual model of successional processes in the area to highlight how the invasion of C. equisetifolia and natural and human‐mediated disturbances are changing natural vegetation dynamics. The extent of invasion by C. equisetifolia has increased twentyfold over the past 40 yr from 110 ha in 1972 to 2373 ha in 2012. Lava flows have facilitated this spread, and in turn C. equisetifolia has started to radically change successional trajectories, increasing the rate of succession sevenfold. The continued spread of this species poses a major threat to the small area of remaining native lowland rain forests on La Réunion Island, which cover <2 percent of their original extent.
A Host Creates an Enemy‐free Space for Mistletoes by Reducing Seed Predation Caused by a Woodboring Beetle: A Hypothesis
Authors: Fadini Rodrigo F. , Mellado Ana , Ghizoni Leidielly P. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractParasitic plants rely on host plants for nutrition. The number of host species varies largely between groups, from single species or genus to hundreds of species. Relative abundance of the host and evolutionary history are the main requisites for parasitic plants to develop specificity to abundant hosts. In the present study, we suggest a novel mechanism by which a hemiparasitic mistletoe can develop local specificity mediated by its host. First, we describe a novel interaction in which a woodboring beetle (Hypothenemus obscurus) preys on mistletoe seeds (Psittacanthus plagiophyllus) attached to tree branches. This beetle preys more frequently on seeds deposited on branches of non‐host species than on branches of its unique local host species (53 percent on average vs. 26 percent respectively). We hypothesize that local host specificity for this mistletoe could be partly mediated by beetle‐host incompatibility, since the host offers a predation‐free space in which mistletoes have better chances to grow. Furthermore, that the exceptional gum exudates produced by this unique host species minimize beetle attacks on branches, thus reducing predation of mistletoe seeds. This novel tritrophic interaction opens an avenue for research on macroscopic host‐specificity mechanisms that occur at the level of the host bark and that have been poorly studied by plant ecologists.
Human epidermal growth factor receptor‐2 expression in locally advanced rectal cancer: Association with response to neoadjuvant therapy and prognosis
Authors: Meng Xiangjiao , Wang Renben , Huang Zhaoqin , Zhang Jianbo , Feng Rui , Xu Xiaoqing , Zhu Kunli , Dou Xue , Chen Dong , Yu Jinming 
Published: April 2014

The aim of this study was to determine whether pretreatment status of human epidermal growth factor receptor‐2 (HER‐2) could predict pathologic response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) and outcomes for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). A total of 119 patients diagnosed with LARC received standardized multimodal treatment. Their HER‐2 status was determined in pretreatment biopsies by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and FISH. Tumor response was assessed in resected regimens using the tumor regression grade system and TNM staging system. Twenty‐two cases in 119 patients assessed as IHC3+ or IHC2+ plus gene‐amplified were determined as HER‐2 positive. Positive HER‐2 status was not associated with any pretreatment clinicopathologic parameters (P > 0.05). HER‐2 status could not predict pathologic response to nCRT based on downstaging (P = 0.210) and tumor regression grade (P = 0.085) but it provides us with a trend that HER‐2‐positive tumors may be resistant to nCRT. Positive HER‐2 status was significantly associated with poor 5‐year disease‐free survival (P = 0.015) and 5‐year overall survival (P = 0.026). It can act as a worse prognostic factor for LARC patients.
Distinguishing immunorelated haemocytopenia from idiopathic cytopenia of undetermined significance (ICUS): a bone marrow abnormality mediated by autoantibodies
Authors: Fu R , Liu H , Wang Y , Liu H , He H , Chen J , Wang H , Yu H , Ding K , Huang L , Wang H , Xing L , Song J , Li L , Shao Z 
Published: April 2014

Summary
In recent years we have observed that some patients with idiopathic cytopenia of undetermined significance (ICUS) responded well to corticosteroid and high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin treatment, indicating that some cytopenia in ICUS might be mediated by autoantibodies. In this study, we analysed 166 ICUS cases retrospectively, some of which were autoantibodies detected on haemopoietic cells in bone marrow (BM) by BM mononuclear cell (BMMNC)-Coombs test, flow cytometry (FCM), Western blot and immunofluorescence (IF). We found that 25·9% (43 of 166) of the cases had autoantibodies positive verified with BMMNC-Coombs test or FCM analysis, 72·1% (31 of 43) of whom had immunoglobulin (Ig)G autoantibody positive by Western blot. IgG could be detected in the erythroblastic islands on the BM smear of nine (32·1%, nine of 28) ICUS patients with autoantibodies by IF. Of these 43 patients, the median percentage of reticulocytes was 1·79%. More than half the patients had hyper-BM cellularity with a higher percentage of nucleated erythroid cells in the sternum. Total response rates to immunosuppressive therapy at 6, 12, 24 and &gt; 36 months were 46·5% (20 of 43), 75% (30 of 40), 77·4% (24 of 31) and 66·7% (16 of 24), respectively. We termed this group of ICUS cases with autoantibodies as immunorelated haemocytopenia (or BMMNC-Coombs test-positive haemocytopenia).
Fasting and post‐prandial glucagon like peptide 1 and oral contraception in polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Aydin Kadriye , Arusoglu Gulcan , Koksal Gulden , Cinar Nese , Yazgan Aksoy Duygu , Yildiz Bulent O. 
Published: April 2014

SummaryObjectiveWe aimed to investigate whether fasting and meal regulated glucagon like peptide 1 (GLP‐1) secretion are altered in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) compared to healty women and whether oral contraceptive use influence GLP‐1 secretion dynamics in the syndrome.DesignProspective observational study.PatientsFourteen lean normal glucose tolerant patients with PCOS and 11 age‐ and body mass index (BMI)‐matched healthy women.MeasurementsGlucagon like peptide 1, glucose and insulin levels were measured during a standardized meal tolerance test and area under the curves (AUCs) were calculated. Whereas healthy controls were assessed at baseline, all tests were repeated in women with PCOS after treatment with ethinyl estradiol 30 μg/drospirenone 3 mg (EE/DRSP) for 3 months.ResultsBoth fasting and post‐meal levels of GLP‐1 were significantly reduced in women with PCOS compared to controls (P = 0·022 and P = 0·028, respectively). AUC for GLP‐1 was also lower in PCOS (P = 0·012). Glucose and insulin measurements did not show a significant change between the groups. In the PCOS group, GLP‐1, glucose and insulin levels did not show any change after 3 months of EE/DRSP use.ConclusionGLP‐1 levels both at fasting and in response to a meal are blunted in lean women with PCOS compared to healthy women. Short term oral contraception do not alter GLP‐1 secretion in PCOS. Disturbance in incretin secretion dynamics might contribute to the risk of impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes in PCOS.
Lateral forces exerted through ball or bar attachments in relation to the inclination of mini‐implant underneath overdentures: in vitro study
Authors: Takagaki Kyozo , Gonda Tomoya , Maeda Yoshinobu 
Published: April 2014

AbstractObjectiveLateral force to mini‐implants should be avoided because mini‐implants are weak mechanically because of its small diameter. Overdentures retained by mini‐implants are usually formed using ball attachments. However, bar attachments can offer the advantage of splinting the mini‐implants. This study examined the effect of attachments in withstanding these lateral forces in tilted mini‐implants of overdentures.Materials and methodsStrain gauges were attached to the mini‐implants (2.5 × 18 mm) embedded in an acrylic resin block. Two mini‐implants were inserted vertically (Control) or with one mini‐implant inclined at 10° or 20° (10‐inclined and 20‐inclined, respectively). The female portions of the attachments were secured to the denture base. A prefabricated ball attachment and CAD/CAM‐fabricated bar attachment were compared. A vertical load of 49 N was applied to the occlusal surface at a distance 10 mm away from the center of two mini‐implants. The lateral force borne by the mini‐implants was measured via the attached strain gauge. Mann–Whitney U‐test and an analysis of Bonferroni correction were used to compare differences between the two attachments and among the three models (P < 0.05).ResultsThe lateral force exerted to the inclined mini‐implant was significantly greater than that borne by a vertical mini‐implant for both attachment types. The lateral force on the 20° inclined mini‐implants with bar attachments was smaller than that on mini‐implants with ball attachments.ConclusionInclined mini‐implants are subjected to greater stresses than vertical ones, and a bar attachment can reduce the lateral forces borne by the mini‐implant when one mini‐implant inclined at 20°.
Early loading of 6‐mm‐short implants with a moderately rough surface supporting single crowns – a prospective 5‐year cohort study
Authors: Rossi Fabio , Lang Niklaus P. , Ricci Emanuele , Ferraioli Lorenzo , Marchetti Claudio , Botticelli Daniele 
Published: April 2014

AbstractAimTo evaluate prospectively the clinical and radiographic outcomes after 5 years of early loading of 6‐mm implants with a moderately rough (SLActive®) surface supporting single crowns in the posterior regions.Material and methodsThirty‐five consecutive patients received 40 SLActive® (Straumann) 6‐mm implants with a diameter of 4.1 mm (n = 19) or 4.8 mm (n = 21). Insertion torque and resonance frequency analysis (RFA) were measured at implant installation. RFA was also measured at abutment connection. SynOcta abutments were tightened with 35 Ncm after 6 weeks of healing, and single porcelain fuse to metal crowns was cemented within 1 week. Implant survival rate and marginal bone loss were evaluated at various time intervals until 5 years after loading. The clinical crown/implant ratio was calculated as well.ResultsTwo of 40 implants were lost before loading (incorporation rate 95%), and no further implant loss or technical complications were encountered during the 5‐year follow‐up period. A mean marginal bone loss of 0.7 ± 0.6 mm was found after 5 years of function. The clinical crown/implant ratio increased with time from 1.6 at the delivery of the prosthesis to 2 after 5 years of loading.ConclusionSix millimeter implants with a SLActive® moderately rough surface supporting single crowns in the posterior region and loaded after 6–7 weeks maintained full function for at least 5 year with low marginal bone resorption.
Baseline series fragrance markers fail to predict contact allergy
Authors: Mann Jack , McFadden John P. , White Jonathan M. L. , White Ian R. , Banerjee Piu 
Published: April 2014

SummaryBackgroundNegative patch test results with fragrance allergy markers in the European baseline series do not always predict a negative reaction to individual fragrance substances.ObjectivesTo determine the frequencies of positive test reactions to the 26 fragrance substances for which labelling is mandatory in the EU, and how effectively reactions to fragrance markers in the baseline series predict positive reactions to the fragrance substances that are labelled.MethodsThe records of 1951 eczema patients, routinely tested with the labelled fragrance substances and with an extended European baseline series in 2011 and 2012, were retrospectively reviewed.ResultsTwo hundred and eighty‐one (14.4%) (71.2% females) reacted to one or more allergens from the labelled‐fragrance substance series and/or a fragrance marker from the European baseline series. The allergens that were positive with the greatest frequencies were cinnamyl alcohol (48; 2.46%), Evernia furfuracea (44; 2.26%), and isoeugenol (40; 2.05%). Of the 203 patients who reacted to any of the 26 fragrances in the labelled‐fragrance substance series, only 117 (57.6%) also reacted to a fragrance marker in the baseline series. One hundred and seven (52.7%) reacted to either fragrance mix I or fragrance mix II, 28 (13.8%) reacted to Myroxylon pereirae, and 13 (6.4%) reacted to hydroxyisohexyl 3‐cyclohexene carboxaldehyde.ConclusionsThese findings confirm that the standard fragrance markers fail to identify patients with contact allergies to the 26 fragrances.