bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Low-dose azathioprine is effective in maintaining remission among Chinese patients with Crohn’s disease
Authors: Wu Jianghong , Gao Yan , Yang Chuanhua , Yang Xueqing , Li Xuhang , Xiao Shudong 
Published: September 2013

Abstract

Background
Azathiopurine (AZA) is efficacious for maintenance remission of Crohn’s disease (CD) at the standard dose of 2.0-2.5 mg/kg for Caucasian. It has been reported that the lower dose (1.0-2.0 mg/kg) in some Asian countries was as effective as the standard dose. In the present study we analyzed the efficacy of <1.0 mg/kg AZA in maintaining remission for Chinese patients.

Methods
The clinical data of all CD patients were reviewed from 1993 to December 2012. The patients who initiated AZA treatment and were followed for ≥ 2 years with complete medical data were included. We divided the patients into two groups according to their initial dose: <1.0 mg/kg group and 1.0-2.0 mg/kg group.

Results
Among 77 patients, 39 (50.6%) started treatment with <1.0 mg/kg AZA and 38 (49.4%) with 1.0-2.0 mg/kg. The mean dose of <1.0 mg/kg group remained under 1.0 mg/kg at 6, 12 and 24 months, even if the doses were adjusted according to efficacy and tolerance. The remission rate in patients of <1.0 mg/kg group was significantly higher than that in those of 1.0-2.0 mg/kg group (P = 0.025). A dose of <1.0 mg/kg AZA was more commonly associated with male gender, older age, heavier body weight and L1 location. Adverse events were observed in 21 of 77 patients (27.3%) and no significant difference in occurrence of adverse events or leucopenia between two groups.

Conclusions
<1.0 mg/kg AZA was effective as 1.0-2.0 mg/kg in maintaining remission among Chinese patients with CD.
Impact of repeated ivermectin treatments against onchocerciasis on the transmission of loiasis: an entomologic evaluation in central Cameroon
Authors: Kouam Marc K , Tchatchueng-Mbougua Jules B , Demanou Maurice , Boussinesq Michel , Pion Sébastien DS , Kamgno Joseph 
Published: September 2013

Abstract

Background
Annual community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI) have been carried out since 1999 in the Lekie division (central region of Cameroon where most cases of Loa-related post ivermectin severe adverse events were reported) as part of the joined activities of the African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control (APOC) and Mectizan® Donation Program (MDP). As large-scale administration of ivermetine was demonstrated to be an efficient means to control loiasis transmission, it was hypothesized that CDTI would have lowered or halted the transmission of Loa loa in the Lekie division after 13 years of annual drug administration, indicating a possible reduction in the occurrence of Loa-related post-ivermectin severe adverse events.

Methods
A 4-month entomologic study was carried out from March to June 2012 in the Lekie division to evaluate the impact of 13 years of CDTI on the transmission of L. loa whose baseline data were recorded in 1999–2000.

Results
There was a significant reduction in the infection rate for Chrysops silacea and C. dimidiata from 6.8 and 9% in 1999–2000 to 3 and 3.6% in 2012, respectively. The differences in the infective rate (IR) (percentage of flies harboring head L3 larvae), potential infective rate (PIR) (percentage of flies bearing L3 larvae), mean head L3 larvae load (MHL3) (average L3 per infective fly) and mean fly L3 larvae load (MFL3) (average L3 per potentially infective fly) for both C. silacea and C. dimidiata were not significantly different between the two investigation periods. The biting density (BD) was almost three-fold higher in 2012 for C. silacea but not for C. dimidiata. The transmission potential (TP) which is a function of the BD, was higher in the present study than in the baseline investigation for each species.

Conclusion
The infection rate remaining high, the high TP and the stability observed in the IR, PIR, MHL3 and MFL3 after 13 years of CDTI suggest that transmission of L. loa is still active. This is an indication that the risk of occurrence of severe adverse events such as fatal encephalopathies is still present, especially for heavily microfilaria-loaded people taken ivermectin for the first time.
A novel method for efficient delivery of stem cells to the ischemic brain
Authors: Guo Ling , Ge Jianfeng , Wang Shan , Zhou Ying , Wang Xiaoxiao , Wu Yaojiong 
Published: September 2013

Abstract
Introduction
Rat middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model is the most commonly used animal model in ischemic stroke studies. In the model, to increase the amount of stem cells or drugs to enter the brain after delivery into the internal carotid artery (ICA), the pterygopalatine artery (PPA) is occluded. However, PPA occlusion is a technically demanding procedure which often causes complications.

Methods
In this study, we developed an ICA injection needle to facilitate easy and efficient delivery of stem cells to the ischemic brain through the ICA without the need of PPA occlusion. We injected methylene blue and fluorescence dye DiI-labeled human mesenchymal stem cells (DiI-hMSCs) into the ICA in rats with the ICA injection needle (without PPA ligation) or the conventional micro-injection needle (with PPA ligation) and assessed their distributions.

Results
When methylene blue was injected, evident blue stains were found in the brain of the injection side particularly the middle cerebral artery (MCA)-supplied areas but not in the PPA supplied areas. Similarly, when DiI-hMSCs were injected, the cells largely appeared in the MCA-supplied tissues, which were similar in quantity compared to conventional micro-injection needle injection with PPA occlusion. Moreover, hMSCs injected with the ICA needle or the micro-injection needle similarly improved the functional recovery of the infarcted brain.

Conclusions
Our results indicate that the ICA injection needle is easy to use and efficient in delivering cells to the ischemic brain tissue in rat MCAO model.
Alcohol assessment and feedback by email for university students: main findings from a randomised controlled trial
Authors: McCambridge Jim , Bendtsen Marcus , Karlsson Nadine , White Ian R. , Nilsen Per , Bendtsen Preben 
Published: September 2013

BackgroundBrief interventions can be efficacious in changing alcohol consumption and increasingly take advantage of the internet to reach high-risk populations such as students.AimsTo evaluate the effectiveness of a brief online intervention, controlling for the possible effects of the research process.MethodA three-arm parallel groups design was used to explore the magnitude of the feedback and assessment component effects. The three groups were: alcohol assessment and feedback (group 1); alcohol assessment only without feedback (group 2); and no contact, and thus neither assessment nor feedback (group 3). Outcomes were evaluated after 3 months via an invitation to participate in a brief cross-sectional lifestyle survey. The study was undertaken in two universities randomising the email addresses of all 14910 students (the AMADEUS-1 study, trial registration: ISRCTN28328154).ResultsOverall, 52% (n= 7809) of students completed follow-up, with small differences in attrition between the three groups. For each of the two primary outcomes, there was one statistically significant difference between groups, with group 1 having 3.7% fewer risky drinkers at follow-up than group 3 (P= 0.006) and group 2 scoring 0.16 points lower than group 3 on the three alcohol consumption questions from the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C) (P = 0.039).ConclusionsThis study provides some evidence of population-level benefit attained through intervening with individual students.
Stress-induced plastic responses inDrosophila simulansfollowing exposure to combinations of temperature and humidity levels
Authors: Bubliy Oleg A. , Kristensen Torsten N. , Loeschcke Volker 
Published: September 2013

SummaryPlastic responses to heat and desiccation stress in insects have been studied in many laboratory experiments on Drosophila. However, in these studies the possible interaction between the corresponding stress factors in natural environments has not been taken into consideration. We investigated changes in heat and desiccation resistance of adult Drosophila simulans after short-term exposures to different temperatures (35ºC, 31ºC, 18ºC) in combination with high and low relative humidity (RH, ca. 90% and 20%, respectively). Hardening under extreme conditions (35ºC or 31ºC and low RH) commonly resulted in higher resistance to heat and desiccation as compared to other less stressful combinations of temperature and humidity levels. The concentration of the heat-shock protein Hsp70 in the experimental flies increased following almost all applied treatments. Life span of the hardened flies under non-stressful conditions was reduced irrespective of the stress dose indicating a fitness cost for the plastic responses. The results of the study show that hardening using combined heat-desiccation stress can be very efficient with regard to induction of plastic responses improving tolerance to both types of stress. This may favour adaptation to hot and dry climatic conditions, though the negative effects on fitness are likely to constrain evolution of such plastic responses.
Lectotypification of Linnaean names in the Italian endemic flora
Authors: Peruzzi Lorenzo , Santangelo Annalisa , Jarvis Charlie E. 
Published: September 2013

AbstractThe typification of four Linnaean names (Asperula crassifolia L., Hesperis dentata L., Pancratium illyricum L., Scrophularia trifoliata L.), applicable to species endemic to the Italian flora, is discussed. Specimens from L (Herb. Van Royen) and LINN (Herb. Linnaeus) are designated as lectotypes. For Asperula crassifolia, an interpretative epitype is also designated, which coincides with the lectotype (also proposed here) of A. tomentosa Ten.
Does Pseudobombax have prickles? Assessing the enigmatic species Pseudobombaxendecaphyllum (Malvaceae: Bombacoideae)
Authors: de Carvalho-Sobrinho Jefferson G. , de Queiroz Luciano P. , Dorr Laurence J. 
Published: September 2013

AbstractIn order to better understand the taxonomy of the enigmatic Pseudobombax endecaphyllum (Vell.) A. Robyns (Malv aceae: Bombacoideae), the only species in this genus thought to have aculeate branches, we reexamined the protologues of B. endecaphyllum and Pachira decaphylla A. St.–Hil. & Naudin, the latter a name long considered to be a synonym of the former, and discovered a great deal of taxonomic confusion. We conclude that B. endecaphyllum does not belong in Pseudobombax, Pachira decaphylla was based on a mixture of elements from two plant families, and the relationship between B. endecaphyllum and Pachira decaphylla is specious. It becomes evident that B. endecaphyllum is the earliest name available for Pachira stenopetala Casar. and the new combination Pachira endecaphylla (Vell.) Carv.–Sobr. is effected. An epitype is designated for B. endecaphyllum and a lectotype is designated for Pachira decaphylla, which becomes a synonym of Pseudobombax grandiflorum var. majus A. Robyns. Most importantly, we now consider that all species of Pseudobombax are unarmed.
Type specimens online: What is available, what is not, and how to proceed; Reflections based on an analysis of the images of type specimens of southern African Polygala (Polygalaceae) accessible on the worldwide web
Authors: Smith Gideon F. , Figueiredo Estrela 
Published: September 2013

AbstractThe results of a gap analysis of the availability of internet–hosted images of the types of names of Polygala L. (Polygalaceae) in southern Africa accessible at JSTOR Global Plants (JGP) and on other sites in the worldwide web, are presented. The type information for names associated with this genus was recorded and analyzed with a view to suggest ways in which JGP and other internet resources that host specimen images might further expand and enrich their e–holdings, and to identify which non–partner institutions should be approached to collaborate in the Global Plants Initiative (GPI), the most successful specimen imaging thrust ever. Our analysis shows that images of 52% of the types of southern African Polygala names (208 names assessed) are accessible at JGP. Of these images, 74% have incorrect metadata or no information on what sort of type it depicts. For 25% of the accepted taxa of Polygala, no images of the types of their names are available online. This gap can mostly be filled by GPI partners who hold the majority of the types not yet imaged, most of which are likely not in type folders or do not carry annotations indicating their type status. JGP would significantly benefit from directly contracting taxonomic services to improve the quality of its data on types, thus enabling information to be fed back to partner institutions.
Unicompartmental knee replacement after high tibial osteotomy
Authors: Valenzuela G. A. , Jacobson N. A. , Buzas D. , Korecki T. D. , Valenzuela R. G. , Teitge R. A. 
Published: September 2013

The outcome of high tibial osteotomy (HTO) deteriorates with time, and additional procedures may be required. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes between unicompartmental knee replacement (UKR) and total knee replacement (TKR) after HTO as well as after primary UKR. A total of 63 patients (63 knees) were studied retrospectively and divided into three groups: UKR after HTO (group A; n = 22), TKR after HTO (group B; n = 18) and primary UKR (group C; n = 22). The Oxford knee score (OKS), Knee Society score (KSS), hip–knee–ankle angles, mechanical axis and patellar height were evaluated pre- and post-operatively. At a mean of 64 months (19 to 180) post-operatively the mean OKS was 43.8 (33 to 49), 43.3 (30 to 48) and 42.5 (29 to 48) for groups A, B and C, respectively (p = 0.73). The mean KSS knee score was 88.8 (54 to 100), 88.11 (51 to 100) and 85.3 (45 to 100) for groups A, B and C, respectively (p = 0.65), and the mean KSS function score was 85.0 (50 to 100) in group A, 85.8 (20 to 100) in group B and 79.3 (50 to 100) in group C (p = 0.48). Radiologically the results were comparable for all groups except for patellar height, with a higher incidence of patella infra following a previous HTO (p = 0.02).Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:1348–53.
Pelvic reconstruction with compound osteosynthesis following hemipelvectomy
Authors: Gebert C. , Wessling M. , Gosheger G. , Aach M. , Streitbürger A. , Henrichs M. P. , Dirksen U. , Hardes J. 
Published: September 2013

To date, all surgical techniques used for reconstruction of the pelvic ring following supra-acetabular tumour resection produce high complication rates. We evaluated the clinical, oncological and functional outcomes of a cohort of 35 patients (15 men and 20 women), including 21 Ewing’s sarcomas, six chondrosarcomas, three sarcomas not otherwise specified, one osteosarcoma, two osseous malignant fibrous histiocytomas, one synovial cell sarcoma and one metastasis. The mean age of the patients was 31 years (8 to 79) and the latest follow-up was carried out at a mean of 46 months (1.9 to 139.5) post-operatively.We undertook a functional reconstruction of the pelvic ring using polyaxial screws and titanium rods. In 31 patients (89%) the construct was encased in antibiotic-impregnated polymethylmethacrylate. Preservation of the extremities was possible for all patients. The survival rate at three years was 93.9% (95% confidence interval (CI) 77.9 to 98.4), at five years it was 82.4% (95% CI 57.6 to 93.4). For the 21 patients with Ewing’s sarcoma it was 95.2% (95% CI 70.7 to 99.3) and 81.5% (95% CI 52.0 to 93.8), respectively. Wound healing problems were observed in eight patients, deep infection in five and clinically asymptomatic breakage of the screws in six. The five-year implant survival was 93.3% (95% CI 57.8 to 95.7). Patients were mobilised at a mean of 3.5 weeks (1 to 7) post-operatively. A post-operative neurological defect occurred in 12 patients. The mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score at last available follow-up was 21.2 (10 to 27).This reconstruction technique is characterised by simple and oncologically appropriate applicability, achieving high primary stability that allows early mobilisation, good functional results and relatively low complication rates.Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:1410–16.
Use of the radial groove view intra-operatively to prevent damage to the extensor pollicis longus tendon by protruding screws during volar plating of a distal radial fracture
Authors: Lee S. K. , Bae K. W. , Choy W. S. 
Published: September 2013

The aims of this study were to assess the efficacy of a newly designed radiological technique (the radial groove view) for the detection of protrusion of screws in the groove for the extensor pollicis longus tendon (EPL) during plating of distal radial fractures. We also aimed to determine the optimum position of the forearm to obtain this view. We initially analysed the anatomy of the EPL groove by performing three-dimensional CT on 51 normal forearms. The mean horizontal angle of the groove was 17.8° (14° to 23°). We found that the ideal position of the fluoroscopic beam to obtain this view was 20° in the horizontal plane and 5° in the sagittal plane. We then intra-operatively assessed the use of the radial groove view for detecting protrusion of screws in the EPL groove in 93 fractures that were treated by volar plating. A total of 13 protruding screws were detected. They were changed to shorter screws and these patients underwent CT scans of the wrist immediately post-operatively. There remained one screw that was protruding. These findings suggest that the use of the radial groove view intra-operatively is a good method of assessing the possible protrusion of screws into the groove of EPL when plating a fracture of the distal radius. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:1372–6.
The current status of bracing for patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
Authors: Stokes O. M. , Luk K. D. K. 
Published: September 2013

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis affects about 3% of children. Non-operative measures are aimed at altering the natural history to maintain the size of the curve below 40° at skeletal maturity. The application of braces to treat spinal deformity pre-dates the era of evidence-based medicine, and there is a paucity of irrefutable prospective evidence in the literature to support their use and their effectiveness has been questioned. This review considers this evidence. The weight of the evidence is in favour of bracing over observation. The most recent literature has moved away from addressing this question, and instead focuses on developments in the design of braces and ways to improve compliance. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:1308–16.
Endoprosthetic replacement after extra-articular resection of bone and soft-tissue tumours around the knee
Authors: Hardes J. , Henrichs M. P. , Gosheger G. , Gebert C. , Höll S. , Dieckmann R. , Hauschild G. , Streitbürger A. 
Published: September 2013

We evaluated the clinical results and complications after extra-articular resection of the distal femur and/or proximal tibia and reconstruction with a tumour endoprosthesis (MUTARS) in 59 patients (mean age 33 years (11 to 74)) with malignant bone or soft-tissue tumours. According to a Kaplan–Meier analysis, limb survival was 76% (95% confidence interval (CI) 64.1 to 88.5) after a mean follow-up of 4.7 years (one month to 17 years). Peri-prosthetic infection was the most common indication for subsequent amputation (eight patients). Survival of the prosthesis without revision was 48% (95% CI 34.8 to 62.0) at two years and 25% (95% CI 11.1 to 39.9) at five years post-operatively. Failure of the prosthesis was due to deep infection in 22 patients (37%), aseptic loosening in ten patients (17%), and peri-prosthetic fracture in six patients (10%). Wear of the bearings made a minor revision necessary in 12 patients (20%). The mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score was 23 (10 to 29). An extensor lag > 10° was noted in ten patients (17%).These results suggest that limb salvage after extra-articular resection with a tumour prosthesis can achieve good functional results in most patients, although the rates of complications and subsequent amputation are higher than in patients treated with intra-articular resection.Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:1425–31.
Pointwise Error Estimates for the LDG Method Applied to 1-d Singularly Perturbed Reaction-Diffusion Problems
Authors: Zhu Huiqing , Zhang Zhimin 
Published: September 2013

Abstract.

The local discontinuous Galerkin method (LDG) is considered for
solving one-dimensional singularly perturbed two-point boundary
value problems of reaction-diffusion type. Pointwise error
estimates for the LDG approximation to the solution and its
derivative are established on a Shishkin-type mesh. Numerical
experiments are presented. Moreover, a superconvergence of order of the numerical traces is observed numerically.
Stability and Regularization of Difference Schemes in Banach and Hilbert Spaces
Authors: Gavrilyuk Ivan P. , Makarov Volodymyr L. 
Published: September 2013

Abstract.
The necessary and sufficient conditions for stability of abstract difference schemes in Hilbert and Banach spaces are formulated. Contrary to known stability results we give stability conditions for schemes with non-self-adjoint operator coefficients in a Hilbert space and with strongly positive operator coefficients in a Banach space. It is shown that the parameters of the sectorial spectral domain play the crucial role. As an application we consider the Richardson iteration scheme for an operator equation in a Banach space, in particulary the Richardson iteration with precondition for a finite element scheme for a non-selfadjoint operator. The theoretical results are also the basis when using the regularization principle to construct stable difference schemes. For this aim we start from some simple scheme (even unstable) and derive stable schemes by perturbing the initial operator coefficients and by taking into account the stability conditions. Our approach is also valid for schemes with unbounded operator coefficients.
Symmetry-Free, p-Robust Equilibrated Error Indication for the hp-Version of the FEM in Nearly Incompressible Linear Elasticity
Authors: Dörsek Philipp , Melenk Jens M. 
Published: September 2013

Abstract.
We consider the extension of the p-robust equilibrated error estimator due to Braess, Pillwein and Schöberl to linear elasticity.
We derive a formulation where the local mixed auxiliary problems do not require symmetry of the stresses.
The resulting error estimator is p-robust, and the reliability estimate is also robust in the incompressible limit if quadratics are included in the approximation space.
Extensions to other systems of linear second-order partial differential equations are discussed.
Numerical simulations show only moderate deterioration of the effectivity index for a Poisson ratio close to .