bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Precision of jaw‐closing movements for different jaw gaps
Authors: Hellmann Daniel , Becker Georg , Giannakopoulos Nikolaos N. , Eberhard Lydia , Fingerhut Christopher , Rammelsberg Peter , Schindler Hans J. 
Published: November 2013

Jaw‐closing movements are basic components of physiological motor actions precisely achieving intercuspation without significant interference. The main purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that, despite an imperfect intercuspal position, the precision of jaw‐closing movements fluctuates within the range of physiological closing movements indispensable for meeting intercuspation without significant interference. For 35 healthy subjects, condylar and incisal point positions for fast and slow jaw‐closing, interrupted at different jaw gaps by the use of frontal occlusal plateaus, were compared with uninterrupted physiological jaw closing, with identical jaw gaps, using a telemetric system for measuring jaw position. Examiner‐guided centric relation served as a clinically relevant reference position. For jaw gaps ≤4 mm, no significant horizontal or vertical displacement differences were observed for the incisal or condylar points among physiological, fast, and slow jaw‐closing. However, the jaw positions under these three closing conditions differed significantly from guided centric relation for nearly all experimental jaw gaps. The findings provide evidence of stringent neuromuscular control of jaw‐closing movements in the vicinity of intercuspation. These results might be of clinical relevance to occlusal intervention with different objectives.
Characterization of associations and development of atazanavir resistance after unplanned treatment interruptions
Authors: Tinago W , O'Halloran JA , O'Halloran RM , Macken A , Lambert JS , Sheehan GJ , Mallon PWG 
Published: November 2013

ObjectivesAlthough current guidelines recommend resistance testing prior to antiretroviral therapy (ART) reinitiation after treatment interruptions, virological failure of first‐line ritonavir‐boosted, protease‐inhibitor (PI/r)‐containing ART is associated with low emergent PI resistance. In patients experiencing unscheduled treatment interruptions (UTrIs) on ritonavir‐boosted atazanavir (ATV/r) ART regimens, we hypothesized low emergence of PI mutations conferring resistance to ATV/r.MethodsIn a retrospective assessment of HIV‐infected patients initiating ATV/r‐containing ART, using logistic regression we determined factors associated with UTrI, the prevalence of emergent resistance mutations and virological response after ART reinitiation.ResultsA total of 202 patients [median age 33 years (interquartile range (IQR) 29–40 years); 52% female; median CD4 count 184 cells/μL (IQR 107–280 cells/μL); median HIV RNA 4.6 log10 HIV‐1 RNA copies/mL (IQR 3.2–5.1 copies/mL)] initiated ATV/r between 2004 and 2009; 80 (43%) were ART naïve. One hundred and ten patients (55%) underwent 195 UTrIs after a median (IQR) 25 (10–52) weeks on ART, with a median (IQR) UTrI duration of 10 (3–31) weeks. Fifty‐four of 110 patients (49%) underwent more than one UTrI. The commonest reasons for UTrI were nonadherence (52.7%) and drug intolerance (20%). Baseline HIV RNA > 100 000 copies\mL [odds ratio (OR) 3.6; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3–9.95] and being HCV positive, an injecting drug user or on methadone (OR 2.4; 95% CI 1.3–4.4) were independently associated with UTrI. In 39 patients with at least two resistance assays during UTrIs, 72 new mutations emerged; four nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI), two nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) and 66 protease inhibitor (PI) resistance mutations. All emergent PI resistance mutations were minor mutations. At least 65% of patients were re‐suppressed on ATV/r reinitiation.ConclusionsIn this PI‐treated cohort, UTrIs are common. All emergent PI resistance mutations were minor and ATV/r retained activity and efficacy when reintroduced, even after several UTrIs, raising questions regarding the need for routine genotypic resistance assays in PI/r‐treated patients prior to ART reinitiation after UTrI.
A simplified combination antiretroviral therapy regimen enhances adherence, treatment satisfaction and quality of life: results of a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Langebeek N , Sprenger HG , Gisolf EH , Reiss P , Sprangers MAG , Legrand JC , Richter C , Nieuwkerk PT 
Published: November 2013

ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to investigate the effect of a simplified regimen, in terms of reducing pill burden, dietary requirements and possible adverse effects, on patients' adherence, treatment satisfaction and quality of life (QoL).MethodsAntiretroviral‐naïve patients who achieved a viral load < 50 HIV‐1 RNA copies/ml after induction therapy with twice‐daily (bid) lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) and fixed‐dose zidovudine (ZDV)/lamivudine (3TC) (CBV) were randomly assigned to continue CBV/LPV/r or switch to fixed‐dose ZDV/3TC/abacavir (TZV). Patients completed standardized questionnaires on adherence, treatment satisfaction and QoL at randomization (between weeks 12 and 24) and at weeks 48, 72 and 96.ResultsPatients on CBV/LPV/r were more likely to have skipped medicines in the last week (P = 0.035) and during the preceding weekend (P = 0.027) than patients on TZV. Patients on CBV/LPV/r were significantly less satisfied with the convenience of their treatment (P = 0.004) and tended to be less satisfied with the side effects of their treatment (P = 0.091) and continuation of their present treatment (P = 0.056) than patients on TZV. Patients on CBV/LPV/r reported significantly lower levels of role functioning (P = 0.013) than patients on TZV.ConclusionsIn this randomized controlled trial, simplification of therapy to fixed‐dose TZV among patients with suppressed HIV RNA was perceived to be more convenient, and resulted in improved adherence and better role functioning, than continuing treatment with CBV/LPV/r.
Discovery of protective B‐cell epitopes for development of antimicrobial vaccines and antibody therapeutics
Authors: Sharon Jacqueline , Rynkiewicz Michael J. , Lu Zhaohua , Yang Chiou‐Ying 
Published: November 2013

SummaryProtective antibodies play an essential role in immunity to infection by neutralizing microbes or their toxins and recruiting microbicidal effector functions. Identification of the protective B‐cell epitopes, those parts of microbial antigens that contact the variable regions of the protective antibodies, can lead to development of antibody therapeutics, guide vaccine design, enable assessment of protective antibody responses in infected or vaccinated individuals, and uncover or localize pathogenic microbial functions that could be targeted by novel antimicrobials. Monoclonal antibodies are required to link in vivo or in vitro protective effects to specific epitopes and may be obtained from experimental animals or from humans, and their binding can be localized to specific regions of antigens by immunochemical assays. The epitopes are then identified with mapping methods such as X‐ray crystallography of antigen–antibody complexes, antibody inhibition of hydrogen–deuterium exchange in the antigen, antibody‐induced alteration of the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum of the antigen, and experimentally validated computational docking of antigen–antibody complexes. The diversity in shape, size and structure of protective B‐cell epitopes, and the increasing importance of protective B‐cell epitope discovery to development of vaccines and antibody therapeutics are illustrated through examples from different microbe categories, with emphasis on epitopes targeted by broadly neutralizing antibodies to pathogens of high antigenic variation. Examples include the V‐shaped Ab52 glycan epitope in the O‐antigen of Francisella tularensis, the concave CR6261 peptidic epitope in the haemagglutinin stem of influenza virus H1N1, and the convex/concave PG16 glycopeptidic epitope in the gp120 V1/V2 loop of HIV type 1.
Adjunctive therapies and immunomodulating agents for severe influenza
Authors: Hui David S. C. , Lee Nelson 
Published: November 2013

The value of adjunctive immunomodulatory therapies in treating severe influenza and other respiratory viral infections remains uncertain. Although often used, systemic corticosteroids may increase the risk of mortality and morbidity (e.g. secondary infections) in severe influenza and other viral infections, especially if there is delay or lack of effective antiviral therapy. Non‐randomized studies suggest that convalescent plasma appears useful as add‐on therapy for patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome, avian influenza A(H5N1), and influenza A (H1N1) 2009 pandemic [A(H1N1)pdm09), but it is limited by its availability. A recent randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing hyperimmune globulin prepared from convalescent plasma against normal intravenous gammaglobulin (IVIG) manufactured before 2009 as control in patients with severe A(H1N1)pdm09 infection on standard antiviral treatment has shown that the hyperimmune globulin group who received treatment within 5 days of symptom onset had a lower viral load and reduced mortality compared with the controls. A number of agents with immunomodulatory effects (e.g. acute use of statins, N‐acetylcysteine, macrolides, PPAR agonists, IVIG, celecoxib, mesalazine) have been proposed for influenza management. However, more animal and detailed human observational studies and preferably RCTs controlling for the effects of antiviral therapy and disease severity are needed for evaluating these agents. The role of plasmapheresis and hemoperfusion as rescue therapy also merits more investigation.
Antivirals in the 2009 pandemic – lessons and implications for future strategies
Authors: Berera Deeva , Zambon Maria 
Published: November 2013

The World Health Organization's declaration of an imminent swine‐origin influenza A pandemic in April 2009 triggered the global launch of national pandemic preparedness plans. An integral component of pandemic preparedness in many countries was the targeted use of antiviral therapy for containment, disease mitigation, and treatment. The 2009 pandemic marked the first pandemic during which influenza antivirals were available for global use. Although most national pandemic plans included provisions for antiviral treatment, these pre‐determined protocols required frequent updating as more information became available about the virus, and its susceptibility to antiviral agents, the epidemiology of infection, and the population groups that were most susceptible to severe disease. National public health agencies in countries with both plans for use of antivirals and pre‐existing stockpiles, including those in Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, operated distinctly different antiviral distribution and treatment programs from one another. In the 3 years following the pandemic, there is still little comparison of the diversity of national antiviral treatment policies and drug distribution mechanisms that were implemented, whether they had any mitigating effects and which might be most efficient. The purpose of this study is to outline roles of antiviral medicines in a pandemic period, provide insights into the diversity of antiviral treatment and distribution policies applied by selected countries between April 2009–July 2010, and to stimulate discussion on whether these policies remain appropriate for implementation in future pandemics.
Ventilatory strategies and supportive care in acute respiratory distress syndrome
Authors: Luks Andrew M. 
Published: November 2013

While antiviral therapy is an important component of care in patients with the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) following influenza infection, it is not sufficient to ensure good outcomes, and additional measures are usually necessary. Patients usually receive high levels of supplemental oxygen to counteract the hypoxemia resulting from severe gas exchange abnormalities. Many patients also receive invasive mechanical ventilation for support for oxygenation, while in resource‐poor settings, supplemental oxygen via face mask may be the only available intervention. Patients with ARDS receiving mechanical ventilation should receive lung‐protective ventilation, whereby tidal volume is decreased to 6 ml/kg of their predicted weight and distending pressures are maintained ≤30 cm H2O, as well as increased inspired oxygen concentrations and positive end‐expiratory pressure (PEEP) to prevent atelectasis and support oxygenation. While these measures are sufficient in most patients, a minority develop refractory hypoxemia and may receive additional therapies, including prone positioning, inhaled vasodilators, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, recruitment maneuvers followed by high PEEP, and neuromuscular blockade, although recent data suggest that this last option may be warranted earlier in the clinical course before development of refractory hypoxemia. Application of these “rescue strategies” is complicated by the lack of guidance in the literature regarding implementation. While much attention is devoted to these strategies, clinicians must not lose sight of simple interventions that affect patient outcomes including head of bed elevation, prophylaxis against venous thromboembolism and gastrointestinal bleeding, judicious use of fluids in the post‐resuscitative phase, and a protocol‐based approach to sedation and spontaneous breathing trials.
Inferring temporal shifts in landuse intensity from functional response traits and functional diversity patterns: a study of Scotland's machair grassland
Authors: Lewis Rob J. , Marrs Rob H. , Pakeman Robin J. 
Published: November 2013

Plant functional response traits, which consistently respond to the environment, are useful for identifying drivers of vegetation change, particularly in response to disturbance gradients. Similarly, functional diversity indices have proven useful for investigating processes governing community assembly, particularly patterns of functional convergence/divergence.This study investigated the functional ecology of biodiverse, seminatural coastal grasslands (Scottish machair) at the national scale. We examined temporal shifts in functional response traits and functional diversity metrics using a series of null model, multivariate and regression analyses. The aim was to link temporal shifts in traits and diversity metrics to environmental variables in which to gauge the contribution of landuse change to plant functional composition and processes governing plant assembly.We observed significant shifts in the composition of 8 out of 12 functional response traits at the national scale, whereas at the regional scale all traits displayed at least one significant shift. Ordination of response traits found PC axis 1 (accounting for 39% of the variation) to be positively correlated to vegetation height and negatively correlated to specific leaf area, similar to that expected along a disturbance gradient. Significant changes in functional diversity indices were also observed at both national and regional scales, with varying convergence/divergence patterns observed across individual regions. We found functional richness (t = 4.87, p < 0.001) and divergence (t = 9.3, p < 0.001) to increase along PC axis 1, suggesting greater convergence and lower divergence along a disturbance gradient.This study demonstrates the potential for using functional diversity indices in combination with response traits as a sensitive method for detecting landuse change and its impacts on biodiversity. We conclude that landuse change, particularly management declines and intensification is a major driver governing change among the functional composition and functional diversity for machair grasslands, influencing convergence/divergence patterns, and subsequently community assembly processes.
Optimization of a Process and Development of a Shelf Life Prediction Model for Instant Multigrain Dalia Mix
Authors: Singh Bhanu Pratap , Jha Alok , Sharma Nitya , Rasane Prasad 
Published: November 2013

AbstractInstant multigrain dalia mix based on sorghum, pearlmillet and maize was developed. Physicochemical changes in the dalia mix stored at 10, 25, 37 and 45C for 180 days were monitored. Hydroxy methyl furfural (HMF), free fatty acids (FFA) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) value for the product increased significantly with increase in temperature and progression of storage period. The correlation between chemical reactions with the sensory properties of the product was determined to predict the shelf life. The activation energy (Ea), Arrhenius constant (A0), Q10 value and other parameters like enthalpy, entropy and free energy of activation were determined. The reaction kinetics of HMF formation followed the first order reaction while change in TBA and formation of FFA followed the zero order reaction kinetics. The Ea, A0 and Q10 value for the change in TBA were 65.46 kJ/mol, 1.22 × 1011 M/week and 1.30, respectively. The potential shelf life of instant multigrain dalia mix was 71 weeks at 10C.Practical ApplicationsDalia is a traditional cereal and milk‐based porridge, popularly consumed in the Indian subcontinent. It is commonly prepared using wheat, milk and sugar and has a poor shelf life. Coarse cereals such as sorghum, pearl millet and maize, offers nutritional advantages over wheat and rice. Development of a process for manufacture of multigrain dalia mix containing these coarse cereals, with a extended shelf life of more than 71 weeks at 10C could result in product diversification, value addition and export promotion of the product in the form of convenience food.
Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Veterans Residing in Community Living Centers: Have We Gotten Better?
Authors: Dosa David , Cai Shubing , Gidmark Stefanie , Thomas Kali , Intrator Orna 
Published: November 2013

ObjectivesTo evaluate the use of medications classified as inappropriate according to the Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set (HEDIS) in elderly veterans residing in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) nursing homes from 2004 to 2009 and to identify participant‐specific correlates of use.DesignRetrospective, cross‐sectional study using VA administrative data merged with participant‐specific data from the Minimum Data Set.SettingVA nursing homes (community living centers (CLCs)).ParticipantsVeterans aged 65 and older residing in CLCs at the time of the prescribed medication use (N = 176,168).MeasurementsThe number of exposed veterans aged 65 and older per facility receiving at least one HEDIS high‐risk medication was determined.ResultsBetween 2004 and 2009, 28,970 of 176,168 (mean 16.4 ± 9.5%) veterans received at least one HEDIS high‐risk medication. Over the period, the number of veterans receiving high‐risk medications decreased steadily from 23.9 ± 10.0% in 2004 to 10.0 ± 6.6% in 2009. Nevertheless, large facility variations remained in 2009, with rates from 0% to 44.4%. Certain characteristics were also associated with HEDIS high‐risk medication use, including female sex (odds ratio (OR) = 1.6; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.25–2.04), cancer (OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.08–1.32), renal disease (OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.01–1.33), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.05–1.28), and diabetes mellitus (OR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.02–1.22). Protective characteristics included age 75 and older (OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.73–0.90) and having a diagnosis of moderate (OR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.64–0.82) or severe (OR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.61–0.85) cognitive impairment.ConclusionThe use of HEDIS medications among elderly veterans residing in VA nursing homes has markedly improved. Nevertheless, significant variations between facilities and certain subpopulations remain. A low percentage of women at VA CLCs make comparisons with community nursing homes difficult.
Evaluation of Macroscopic and Microscopic Components of Partial Resistance to Leaf Rust in Durum Wheat
Authors: Soleiman Nour H. , Solis Ignacio , Sillero Josefa C. , Herrera‐Foessel Sybil A. , Ammar Karim , Martinez Fernando 
Published: November 2013

AbstractLeaf rust, caused by the fungus Puccinia triticina, is considered one of the most important foliar diseases in durum wheat. Hypersensitive resistance (HR) may be rapidly overcome by the pathogen when resistant cultivars are grown on a large acreage or following changes in virulence in the pathogen population. Prolonging the durability of the resistance requires uses of other types of resistance such as partial resistance (PR). In this study, six durum wheat lines provided by the International Center for Corn and Wheat Improvement (CIMMYT) with a high level of PR to leaf rust were studied in monocyclic tests in a growth chamber. Inoculations were performed on both primary and fifth leaves using the Spanish race DGB/BN. UV fluorescence microscopy was employed to determine microscopic components of the resistance, such as the number of early aborted infection units not associated with plant cell necrosis (EA−) and relative colony size (RCS) of the established infection units. Macroscopic components of PR such as latency period, infection frequency and uredinium size were measured as well. All six resistant lines were characterized by a higher EA− and smaller RCS respect to the susceptible control ‘Don Rafael’. Line 3 showed the highest level of PR. It had 22% of EA− compared with 4% in the susceptible control, and the smallest RCS (17% respect to RCS of ‘Don Rafael’) at adult plant stage. Both EA− and RCS had a high heritability (more than 97%) and the correlation with macroscopic parameters (latency period and uredinium size) was also high (significant at 0.001 level). Hence, PR to leaf rust in these durum wheat genotypes has been revealed at microscopic level (higher EA− and smaller RCS).
Refugia, colonization and diversification of an arid‐adapted bird: coincident patterns between genetic data and ecological niche modelling
Authors: Barrientos Rafael , Kvist Laura , Barbosa Andrés , Valera Francisco , Khoury Fares , Varela Sara , Moreno Eulalia 
Published: November 2013

AbstractPhylogeographical studies are common in boreal and temperate species from the Palaearctic, but scarce in arid‐adapted species. We used nuclear and mitochondrial markers to investigate phylogeography and to estimate chronology of colonization events of the trumpeter finch Bucanetes githagineus, an arid‐adapted bird. We used 271 samples from 16 populations, most of which were fresh samples but including some museum specimens. Microsatellite data showed no clear grouping according to the sampling locations. Microsatellite and mitochondrial data showed the clearest differentiation between Maghreb and Canary Islands and between Maghreb and Western Sahara. Mitochondrial data suggest differentiation between different Maghreb populations and among Maghreb and Near East populations, between Iberian Peninsula and Canary Islands, as well as between Western Sahara and Maghreb. Our coalescence analyses indicate that the trumpeter finch colonized North Africa during the humid Marine Isotope Stage 5 (MIS5) period of the Sahara region 125 000 years ago. We constructed an ecological niche model (ENM) to estimate the geographical distribution of climatically suitable habitats for the trumpeter finch. We tested whether changes in the species range in relation to glacial–interglacial cycles could be responsible for observed patterns of genetic diversity and structure. Modelling results matched with those from genetic data as the species' potential range increases in interglacial scenarios (in the present climatic scenario and during MIS5) and decreases in glacial climates (during the last glacial maximum, LGM, 21 000 years ago). Our results suggest that the trumpeter finch responded to Pleistocene climatic changes by expanding and contracting its range.