bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sofosbuvir plus ribavirin for the treatment of patients with chronic genotype 1 or 6 hepatitis C virus infection in Hong Kong
Authors: Lai C. L. , Wong V. W.‐S. , Yuen M. F. , Yang J. C. , Knox S. J. , Mo H. , Han L. L. , Brainard D. M. , Chan H. L. Y. 
Published: October 2015

SummaryBackgroundIn Hong Kong, most patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) have either genotype 6a or 1b infection.AimTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir with ribavirin in treatment‐naïve patients in Hong Kong with HCV genotype 1 or 6.MethodsIn an open‐label study, patients were randomised to sofosbuvir 400 mg once daily plus ribavirin 1000–1200 divided twice daily for 12 (n = 10), 16 (n = 11) or 24 (n = 10) weeks. The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients with HCV RNA < LLOQ (lower limit of quantification, 25 IU/mL) 12 weeks after cessation of therapy (SVR12).ResultsAll 31 patients (20 HCV genotype 1 and 11 genotype 6) had HCV RNA < LLOQ by Week 4 of treatment and at their last on‐treatment visit. SVR12 rates were high in all treatment groups: 100% (10/10) for 12 weeks, 100% (11/11) for 16 weeks and 90% (9/10) for 24 weeks of therapy. The only patient who did not reach SVR12 had genotype 1 HCV and relapsed at post‐treatment Week 4. Sofosbuvir with ribavirin was generally well tolerated. The most common adverse events were malaise (13%) and upper respiratory tract infection (13%), followed by anaemia (10%). No patients experienced serious adverse events. One patient discontinued treatment at Week 16 because of an adverse event. The event, upper respiratory tract infection, was not considered treatment related by the investigator. This subject achieved SVR12.ConclusionsThe all‐oral regimen sofosbuvir plus ribavirin is effective in treatment‐naïve patients in Hong Kong with genotype 1 or 6 HCV. Trial registration number: NCT02021643.
Effects of a high milk intake during the pre‐weaning period on nutrient metabolism and growth rate in Japanese Black cattle
Authors: Matsubara Atsuko , Takahashi Hideyuki , Saito Akira , Nomura Aoi , Sithyphone Khounsaknalath , Mcmahon Christopher D. , Fujino Ryoichi , Shiotsuka Yuji , Etoh Tetsuji , Furuse Mitsuhiro , Gotoh Takafumi 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThis study aimed to determine the effects of feeding an increased volume of high‐fat milk during the early post‐natal life on metabolite concentrations in the blood, the expression of key genes regulating intermediary metabolism in the skeletal muscles, and the rate of growth of Japanese Black cattle. All calves were fed a high‐fat milk replacer (crude protein, 26%; crude fat, 25.5%; total dissolved nitrogen, 116%). Control calves (n = 4) were nursed with 500 g milk replacer until 3 months of age, whereas calves in the experimental group (n = 4) were nursed with 1800 g milk replacer until 3 months, and then the volume was gradually reduced until 5 months. Body weight was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group at 7 months. Plasma glucose concentrations were significantly lower in the experimental group. Expression of glucose‐transporter‐4 messenger RNA (mRNA) was lower, whereas that of glucose transporter 1, cluster of differentiation 36, and carnitine palmitoyltransferase‐1b mRNA was significantly higher in the Longissimus thoracis of the experimental group. Nutritional status during early post‐natal life appears to strongly influence the growth rate and glucose and lipid metabolism in Japanese Black cattle.
Adverse reactions in a population of Sydney pet rabbits vaccinated against rabbit calicivirus
Authors: Tung T , Phalen D , Toribio J‐ALML 
Published: October 2015

ObjectiveTo determine the general clinical presentation and incidence of adverse reactions to Cylap® RCD vaccinations, of a nature serious enough for veterinary attention, in a Sydney population of pet rabbits.DesignA retrospective survey using hospital databases.MethodsNine veterinary hospitals in Sydney participated in a database search for the number of rabbits vaccinated within a 2‐year period. The hospitals involved had an identified interest in rabbit medicine and included general, specialist and teaching hospitals. Details of the rabbit, vaccination event and any possible reaction were collected and analysed.ResultsOf 933 events recorded in 705 rabbits, 17 (1.8%) adverse reactions were observed. Of the adverse events, local injection site reactions (alopecia, abrasions and scabbing) were most common. Other reactions, including systemic signs of gastrointestinal tract stasis, lethargy and forelimb lameness, were also documented. Overall, rabbits presented for vaccination were mostly male (57.7%) and desexed (71.3%), with an average age of 28.1 months (median 19.0, range 1.4–149.8 months) and an average weight at first vaccination of 2.12 kg (median 2.08 kg, range 0.18–5.6 kg). A significant association between increasing age and decreased incidence of adverse events was demonstrated (P value, 0.038).ConclusionsThe benefits of vaccination against RCV outweigh the risks of an adverse reaction occurring. Data from this study show that adverse reactions occur infrequently, are generally mild and self‐resolving, and decrease in incidence with increasing age. These results are similar to previous field research on wild rabbit colonies and reports from government and industry.
Tiotropium Respimat®vs. HandiHaler®: real‐life usage and TIOSPIR trial generalizability
Authors: Schmiedl Sven , Fischer Rainald , Ibanez Luisa , Fortuny Joan , Thürmann Petra , Ballarin Elena , Ferrer Pili , Sabaté Monica , Rottenkolber Dominik , Gerlach Roman , Tauscher Martin , Reynolds Robert , Hasford Joerg , Rottenkolber Marietta 
Published: October 2015

AimTwo inhaler devices (Respimat® and HandiHaler®) are available for tiotropium, a long acting anticholinergic agent. We aimed to analyze drug utilization, off‐label usage and generalizability of the TIOSPIR trial results for both devices.MethodsPatients aged ≥18 years exhibiting at least one documented prescription of tiotropium in the database of the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, Bavaria, Germany, were included (years 2004–2008). Annual period prevalence rates (PPRs) were calculated stratified by age, gender and inhaler devices. Off‐label usage (patients lacking a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) diagnosis) and the proportion of patients meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the TIOSPIR trial were analyzed.ResultsBetween 2004 and 2008, PPRs increased and varied between 49.2 and 74.5 per 10 000 persons for HandiHaler® and between 1.5 and 9.3 per 10 000 persons for Respimat®. Small differences regarding patient characteristics existed between the two inhaler devices. Only about 30% (HandiHaler® 32.1%, Respimat® 30.0%) of the database patients receiving tiotropium could be theoretically included in the TIOSPIR trial.ConclusionsComparing the two tiotropium devices, no clinically relevant differences regarding patient and prescribing characteristics were revealed. Results of the TIOSPIR trial were generalizable only to a minority of our study patients, underlining the need for real‐life data.
Elderly Patients Require Higher Doses of Sugammadex for Rapid Recovery from Deep Neuromuscular Block
Authors: Shin Seokyung , Han Dong Woo , Lee Hye Sun , Song Mi Kyung , Jun Eun‐kyung , Kim So Yeon 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThis study compared the doses of sugammadex needed for rapid recovery from deep neuromuscular blockade (NMB) between young and elderly adults. Twenty‐two young (20–40 yrs) and 22 elderly (≥70 yrs) adults were enrolled, and deep NMB of 1–2 post‐tetanic counts was maintained with rocuronium intraoperatively. Predetermined doses of sugammadex were given at the end of surgery starting at 4.0 mg/kg for the first patient of each group. Doses were decreased or increased in following patients by 0.5 mg/kg, depending on the ‘success’ or ‘failure’ of rapid recovery in the preceding patient. ‘Success’ was defined as adequate recovery (train‐of‐four ratio 0.9) within 2 min. after sugammadex administration. The median (range) of ages was 29 (20–40) and 73 (70–84) yrs for the young and elderly adults, respectively. Doses of sugammadex facilitating adequate recovery from deep NMB within 2 min. in each patient population with 50% and 95% probability were defined as ED50 and ED95, respectively. The ED50 estimated by the Dixon's method was significantly higher in the elderly compared to young adults [4.2 ± 0.4 mg/kg versus 3.3 ± 0.3 mg/kg, p < 0.001]. The ED50 (83% CI) estimated by isotonic regression was 4.5 (4.2–5.0) mg/kg in elderly adults and 3.3 (3.2–3.4) mg/kg in young adults. The ED95 (95% CI) estimated by isotonic regression was 5.4 (4.9–5.5) mg/kg and 4.4 (3.9–4.5) mg/kg in the elderly and young adults, respectively. In conclusion, dose adjustments of sugammadex should be considered when rapid recovery from deep NMB is needed in elderly adults.
What Should Junior Doctors Know about the Drugs they Frequently Prescribe? A Delphi Study among Physicians in the Netherlands
Authors: Brinkman David , Disselhorst Guus , Jansen Bernard , Tichelaar Jelle , van Agtmael Michiel , de Vries Theo , Richir Milan 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThe aim of this study was to identify the information about commonly prescribed drugs that junior doctors should know in order to prescribe rationally in daily practice, defined as essential drug knowledge (EDK). A two‐round Internet Delphi study was carried out involving general practitioners from one practice cluster, and registrars and consultants from two Dutch academic and eight teaching hospitals. A preliminary list of 377 potential EDK items for three commonly prescribed drugs was assessed on a dichotomous scale; an item was considered EDK if at least 80% consensus was reached. The consensus list of EDK items was discussed by the research team to identify similarities between the three drugs, with a view to forming a list of general EDK items applicable to other commonly prescribed drugs. Sixty experts considered 93 of the 377 items (25%) as EDK. These items were then used to form a list of 10 general EDK items. The list of EDK items identified by primary and secondary care doctors could be used in medical curricula and training programmes and for assessing the prescribing competence of future junior doctors. Further research is needed to evaluate the generalizability of this list for other commonly prescribed drugs.
Comparing geographical distribution of community‐based physiotherapists and family physicians across Saskatchewan
Authors: Shah Tayyab I. , Bath Brenna , Milosavljevic Stephan 
Published: October 2015

Key Messages

This comparative analysis between the spatial accessibility to physiotherapists (PTs) and family physicians (FPs) highlights poorly served municipalities through mapping.
A large volume of population age 65 and over, low‐income individuals, recent immigrants, and those of aboriginal status/ethnicity have reduced access to PT services particularly in rural and remote municipalities.
Effects of conventional tobacco smoke and nicotine‐free cigarette smoke on airway inflammation, airway remodelling and lung function in a triple allergen model of severe asthma
Authors: Tilp C. , Bucher H. , Haas H. , Duechs M. J. , Wex E. , Erb K. J. 
Published: October 2015

SummaryBackgroundPatients with asthma who smoke have reduced lung function, increased exacerbation rates and increased steroid resistance compared to non‐smoking asthmatics. In mice, cigarette smoke has been reported to have both pro‐ and anti‐Th2 response effects.ObjectiveWe hypothesized that combining tobacco cigarette smoke (tCS) with allergen exposure increases inflammation, airway remodelling and lung function in mice. To test this hypothesis, we combined a severe triple allergen model with tCS exposure and investigated whether effects were due to Toll‐like receptor 4 signalling and/or nicotine and also observed when nicotine‐free cigarettes were used.MethodsMice were sensitized with ovalbumin, cockroach and house dust mite allergen in alum followed by intratracheal challenges with allergen twice a week for 6 weeks or additionally exposed to tCS during the allergen challenge period. Nicotine or nicotine‐free herbal cigarette smoke was also applied to allergen challenged mice.ResultstCS significantly reduced eosinophil numbers, IL‐4 and IL‐5 concentrations in the lung, total and allergen‐specific IgE in serum, improved lung function and reduced collagen I levels. With the exception of collagen I all parameters reduced by tobacco cigarette smoke were also reduced in Toll‐like receptor 4‐deficient mice. Nicotine‐free cigarette smoke also had significant anti‐inflammatory effects on eosinophils, IL‐4 and IL‐5 concentrations in the lung and reduced airway hyperreactivity, albeit weaker than tobacco smoke. Applying nicotine alone also reduced Th2 cytokine levels and eosinophil numbers in the airways.ConclusionOur experiments show that tCS exposure reduces allergen‐induced Th2 response in the lung and associated collagen I production and development of airway hyperreactivity. With the exception on collagen I formation, these effects were not dependent on Toll‐like receptor 4. The observed anti‐Th2 effects of both nicotine and nicotine‐free herbal cigarette smoke together suggests that tCS reduces the Th2 responses through nicotine and other products released by burning tobacco.
Olfactory and cochleovestibular dysfunction after head injury in the workplace: an updated series
Authors: Ilan O. , Syed M.I. , Aziza E. , Pothier D.D. , Rutka J.A. 
Published: October 2015

ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to determine the incidence of olfactory dysfunction in workers following head injury in the work place, to define its relationship to the site, severity of injury and direction of force. The demographics of head injured workers were also assessed to determine whether those with olfactory loss were more likely to have sustained a cochleovestibular injury.DesignRetrospective case analysis.SettingTertiary referral university hospital in Toronto, Ontario.ParticipantsA total of 3438 consecutive patients referred from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) in the province of Ontario who sustained a work‐related head injury were assessed between 1987 and 2014.Main outcome measuresOlfactory and cochleovestibular dysfunction assessed by history, clinical examination and subjective and objective tests.ResultsOlfactory dysfunction (OD) was identified in 413 of 3438 patients (12.0%) of which 321 were diagnosed with anosmia and 92 with hyposmia. In our series, injuries from a fall were the commonest cause for OD and a frontal or mid‐face impact was more likely to result in OD than other regions (P = 0.0002). A loss of consciousness (LOC) of any duration correlated with OD. In those with olfactory dysfunction, an associated skull fracture occurred in 37.1% of patients and a CSF leak in 4.1%, which was significantly higher compared with those without OD(<0.0001). Patients with OD had a higher incidence of cochlear and vestibular loss (19.9% and 20.6%, respectively) compared with those without OD (14.3% and 17.1%, respectively).ConclusionsPost‐traumatic olfactory dysfunction is more likely to occur in patients who experienced a moderate to severe head injury, LOC and more likely to result from a frontal or mid‐face blow to the skull. Cochleovestibular dysfunction is likely to occur concurrently with olfactory dysfunction.
An assessment of adherence to basic ecological principles by payments for ecosystem service projects
Authors: Prager C.M. , Varga A. , Olmsted P. , Ingram J.C. , Cattau M. , Freund C. , Wynn‐Grant R. , Naeem S. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractPrograms and projects employing payments for ecosystem service (PES) interventions achieve their objectives by linking buyers and sellers of ecosystem services. Although PES projects are popular conservation and development interventions, little is known about their adherence to basic ecological principles. We conducted a quantitative assessment of the degree to which a global set of PES projects adhered to four ecological principles that are basic scientific considerations for any project focused on ecosystem management: collection of baseline data, identification of threats to an ecosystem service, monitoring, and attention to ecosystem dynamics or the formation of an adaptive management plan. We evaluated 118 PES projects in three markets—biodiversity, carbon, and water—compiled using websites of major conservation organizations; ecology, economic, and climate‐change databases; and three scholarly databases (ISI Web of Knowledge, Web of Science, and Google Scholar). To assess adherence to ecological principles, we constructed two scientific indices (one additive [ASI] and one multiplicative [MSI]) based on our four ecological criteria and analyzed index scores by relevant project characteristics (e.g., sector, buyer, seller). Carbon‐sector projects had higher ASI values (P < 0.05) than water‐sector projects and marginally higher ASI scores (P < 0.1) than biodiversity‐sector projects, demonstrating their greater adherence to ecological principles. Projects financed by public–private partnerships had significantly higher ASI values than projects financed by governments (P < 0.05) and marginally higher ASI values than those funded by private entities (P < 0.1). We did not detect differences in adherence to ecological principles based on the inclusion of cobenefits, the spatial extent of a project, or the size of a project's budget. These findings suggest, at this critical phase in the rapid growth of PES projects, that fundamental ecological principles should be considered more carefully in PES project design and implementation in an effort to ensure PES project viability and sustainability.
Determinants of UAE Voters’ Preferences for Federal National Council Candidates
Authors: Yaghi Abdulfattah , Antwi‐Boateng Osman 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to explore the voting behavior in United Arab Emirates by asking 1,800 citizens about which criteria they used to vote for a particular candidate in the past Federal National Council elections. Using descriptive statistics, the study showed that although patron‐client networks played a role in voter's preferences — as existing literature about Middle East voters’ behavior has established — they were superseded by personal attributes and the impact of candidates’ campaigns. Emiratis voted for candidates based on three groups of factors, namely: 1) personal characteristics of the candidate including: public speaking skills, political experience, age, gender and educational level; 2) impact of a candidate's campaign including electoral promises and content of the campaign; and 3) patron‐client networks including having personal and kinship relationship with candidate. The study showed that religious, political, and personal appearance factors were insignificant.
Why Is Italy Doing So Badly?
Authors: Pelloni Gianluigi , Savioli Marco 
Published: October 2015

AbstractWe analyse the current Italian economic crisis as a phase of a major systemic decline. We argue that ‘Italy's system’ has forced the country to abandon a dynamic view of comparative advantage, crucial for sustained economic growth, in favour of a static view of specialisation. Creative destruction has been hampered and sectoral restructuring has not occurred, resulting in stagnation. The roots of this decline lie in collective action issues and an implicit contract between elites and civil society. We suggest that these issues must be resolved if the Italian economy and society are to revive.
Defining Capitalism
Authors: Sternberg Elaine 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThis article aims to incorporate the essential features of capitalism in an operational definition that identifies capitalism per se (pure laissez‐faire capitalism), and clearly excludes variations such as welfare capitalism and crony capitalism. By concisely highlighting the fundamental structures and mechanisms of capitalism, this essential definition facilitates defences of it that are more robust than those ordinarily offered. It also clarifies the relation between capitalism and phenomena with which it is frequently associated, and suggests a straightforward way of identifying and measuring the extent of capitalism in mixed economies.
What is Climate Change Policy Now Trying to Achieve?
Authors: Campbell David 
Published: October 2015

AbstractAlmost all advocates of international climate change policy hope and expect that the Climate Change Conference to be held in Paris in November–December 2015 will reach an agreement to reduce global anthropomorphic greenhouse gas emissions. Yet more than 25 years of international climate change policy has failed to reach such an agreement; emissions, far from having been reduced, have greatly increased. In the author's view, no such agreement will be reached in Paris. Anticipating this, Lord Stern, a highly influential figure in international climate change policy, has restated the case for continuing with this policy while relinquishing the objective of reaching such an agreement, though it had previously been claimed that this was essential to ‘save the world’. Advocating the continuation of climate change policy while disavowing a formerly acknowledged condition of its success seems to represent a further stage in the abandonment of rationality in climate change policy formulation.
Brown trout spawning habitat selection and its effects on egg survival
Authors: Gauthey Zoé , Lang Margaret , Elosegi Arturo , Tentelier Cédric , Rives Jacques , Labonne Jacques 
Published: October 2015

AbstractSalmonid females invest heavily in reproduction, through gamete production, habitat selection and maternal care. Habitat selection and maternal care are expected to provide shelter for eggs against scouring and predators. However, females also tend to produce variable egg sizes, and this trait may interact with habitat quality to influence the survival of offspring. In this study, we aimed at evaluating the role of female habitat selection on egg survival conditional on individual egg size and female body size. We monitored female reproductive activity in two natural rivers for 3 years, in order to relate nest characteristics to female body size. Bigger females dug deeper nests at lower shear stress force. Right after the end of nest construction, we sampled a part of the eggs laid by each female, measured them individually, and placed them back using capsules within their original position in the nest. At time of hatching, the capsules within the nest were collected and individual egg mortality was assessed. Our results indicate that scouring was the main driver for mortality (75%) and that nest burial depth and shear stress force above the nest both influenced scouring. However, subsequent survival was influenced by neither nest characteristics, individual egg size, nor the interaction between both. It is therefore expected that traits or tactics that reduce nest scouring probability should be under strong selection.