bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preferential gene transcription of T helper 2 cytokines in peripheral CCR4+CD4+ lymphocytes in dogs
Authors: Iio Aki , Motohashi Tsutomu , Kunisada Takahiro , Yasuhira Yuma , Kamishina Hiroaki , Maeda Sadatoshi 
Published: May 2014

BackgroundPrevious studies reported the involvement of CC chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4)‐positive CD4+ cells in the pathogenesis of canine atopic dermatitis. In humans, CCR4 is selectively expressed on type 2 helper T (Th2) cells; however, a subset of canine CCR4+ helper T cells has not been determined.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo characterize the transcription profile of CCR4+CD4+ lymphocytes isolated from the peripheral blood of healthy dogs.AnimalsThree healthy dogs were used.MethodsThe transcription levels of type 1 helper T (Th1) and Th2 cytokines in CCR4+CD4+ and CCR4−CD4+ lymphocytes isolated from healthy dogs were quantified by real‐time RT‐PCR.ResultsThe CCR4+CD4+ lymphocytes preferentially transcribed Th2 cytokines, such as interleukin‐4 and interleukin‐13, but not Th1 cytokines, such as interferon‐γ.Conclusions and clinical importanceCCR4 can be used as a specific marker of Th2 cells for elucidation of the pathogenesis or the establishment of novel therapeutics in canine Th2‐associated diseases, such as canine atopic dermatitis.
Minocycline pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in dogs: dosage recommendations for treatment of meticillin‐resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius infections
Authors: Maaland Marit G. , Guardabassi Luca , Papich Mark G. 
Published: May 2014

BackgroundAlthough minocycline is not licensed for use in dogs, this tetracycline has therapeutic potential against meticillin‐resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius.Hypothesis/ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to establish rational dosage recommendations for minocycline use in dogs. Specific objectives were to generate and analyse minocycline pharmacokinetic (PK) data on plasma and interstitial fluid (ISF) concentrations, plasma protein binding and pharmacodynamic (PD) data on antimicrobial activity against S. pseudintermedius.AnimalsSix healthy dogs from a research colony were used in this study.MethodsDogs were administered 5 mg/kg intravenously and 10 mg/kg orally (p.o.) of minocycline hydrochloride in separate crossover experiments. In vivo drug concentrations in plasma and in ISF collected by ultrafiltration were measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography. Pharmacokinetic analysis was performed on plasma and ISF concentrations. PK/PD analysis was completed using in vitro data on plasma protein binding and minocycline susceptibility in 168 S. pseudintermedius isolates.ResultsMinocycline distributed to the ISF to a higher degree than predicted by the protein‐unbound fraction in plasma. A large volume of distribution after oral administration, with plasma and ISF elimination half‐lives of 4.1 and 7.4 h, respectively, demonstrated that the ISF serves as a drug reservoir for sustained tissue concentrations. Monte Carlo simulation, used to assess target attainment at different drug dosages, indicated that p.o. administration of 5 mg/kg twice daily is sufficient to inhibit S. pseudintermedius strains with minimal inhibitory concentrations ≤0.25 μg/mL.Conclusions and clinical importanceBesides dosage recommendations for therapy of meticillin‐resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius infections in dogs, the study also provides PK/PD data necessary to consider species‐specific clinical breakpoints for minocycline susceptibility testing.
The ecophysiological determinants of nitrophily in annual weed species
Authors: Moreau D , Busset H , Matejicek A , Munier‐Jolain N 
Published: May 2014

SummaryPlant nitrophily plays a key role in weed community assembly. To date, the determinants of the success of nitrophilic weeds and of the decline of oligotrophic weeds in intensive cropping systems are not fully understood. This study investigated which ecophysiological traits related to carbon and N nutrition explain plant nitrophily in field annual species. Twelve species (consisting of monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous species, as well as crops and weeds) covering the oligotrophic‐nitrophilic continuum were grown in a glasshouse experiment at two contrasted conditions of soil‐nitrogen supply. From measured plant growth variables, ecophysiological traits were calculated to account for plant nutritional strategies. Globally, whatever the soil‐nitrogen supply, increased nitrophily was associated with a decreased allocation of carbon to root vs. shoot. At high soil‐nitrogen only, increased nitrophily was also generally associated with an increased nitrogen uptake activity per unit of root biomass, pointing to a trade‐off between oligotrophic species with a preferential carbon investment in root structure and nitrophilic species with a preferential carbon investment in root activity. Beyond these global trends explaining nitrophily, results also show that different strategies are possible for plant species to be considered as nitrophilic. This study provides evidence on why adjusting N fertilisation in quantity, in space (with nitrogen fertiliser placement on the row) or in time can be useful strategies to manage the most nitrophilic weeds, which are also the most problematic in intensive cropping systems.
A Methodological Quality Synthesis of Systematic Reviews on Computer‐Mediated Continuing Education for Healthcare Providers
Authors: Militello Lisa K. , Gance‐Cleveland Bonnie , Aldrich Heather , Kamal Rabah 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACTBackgroundHealthcare providers use continuing education (CE) to meet professional development requirements and to ensure optimal patient care. There has been a dramatic increase in computer‐mediated CE (CMCE) programs.AimsTo synthesize the literature regarding the current state of the science on the efficacy of CMCE for healthcare professionals, particularly as it relates to provider learning and patient outcomes. Specifically, this review assesses the methodological quality of existing systematic reviews and meta‐analyses.MethodsA literature search was conducted using Cochrane Library, PubMed, and CINAHL. Review articles evaluating the efficacy of CMCE for healthcare providers were included. Publications were searched between 2002 and 2013 and limited to those printed in English. An objective measurement tool, AMSTAR, was used to assess the methodological quality of each review. AMSTAR is an 11‐item instrument, in which individual criteria were evaluated and a composite score of all 11 components was determined for each review. Outcomes of each review were also categorized based on Kirkpatrick's levels for summative evaluation: (i) Learner satisfaction, (ii) Learning outcomes, (iii) Performance improvement, (iv) Patient/health outcomes.ResultsStarting with 231 articles, 11 met the inclusion criteria for this evaluation. AMSTAR quality scores of the reviews ranged from 7 to 11, with 11 indicating the strongest quality. Although weak research design of many studies and heterogeneous topics covered make summative evaluations difficult, there were some common themes covered in the articles reviewed. Healthcare providers were largely satisfied with using CMCE programs. Overall, the studies comparing CMCE to traditional CE methods found the impact on learning outcomes to be comparable, with neither method necessarily superior. Additionally, all reviews lacked evaluation of practice outcomes.Linking Evidence to ActionWhile results of this review show promise for CMCE, further evaluation and more rigorously conducted research is necessary. Particular focus is needed to determine the effects of CMCE on health outcomes.
Is glaucoma comprehension associated with psychological disturbance and vision-related quality of life for patients with glaucoma? A cross-sectional study
Authors: Kong Xiang Mei , Zhu Wen Qing , Hong Jia Xu , Sun Xing Huai 
Published: May 2014

ObjectiveTo investigate whether understanding of glaucoma is associated with psychological disturbance and vision-related quality of life (QoL) in patients with glaucoma.DesignA prospective, hospital-based, cross-sectional study.SettingShanghai, China.ParticipantsFive hundred patients with glaucoma were included in the study. Participants were asked to complete the glaucoma comprehension questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire, and the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25).Outcome measuresSociodemographic data and clinical data were collected. Multivariate adjusted linear regression analyses were performed to examine factors related to psychological disorder and QoL. The relationship between understanding of glaucoma and psychological status or QoL was analysed.ResultsThe mean age of patients was 56.5±17.2 years, and the mean duration of glaucoma was 4.6±6.3 years. About half (54.2%) of the patients had primary open angle glaucoma, 37.2% had primary angle closure glaucoma, and 8.6% had secondary glaucoma. The total score and the subscores of knowledge of glaucoma, compliance and habits were all negatively correlated with the HADS-Depression and HADS scores. For NEI VFQ-25, the total comprehension score was positively related to general vision, near activity, distance activity, social function, colour vision and the composite score. Habits had a significant influence on both HADS-Depression and the composite score of NEI VFQ-25.ConclusionsThe level of understanding about glaucoma is an independent factor negatively associated with psychological disturbance and positively associated with QoL in patients with glaucoma. However, it is a subjective factor which can be regulated, so imparting knowledge about glaucoma and establishing appropriate habits might help patients alleviate psychological disturbance and enhance their QoL.
Greenness and allergies: evidence of differential associations in two areas in Germany
Authors: Fuertes Elaine , Markevych Iana , von Berg Andrea , Bauer Carl-Peter , Berdel Dietrich , Koletzko Sibylle , Sugiri Dorothea , Heinrich Joachim 
Published: May 2014

BackgroundPositive greenness effects on health are increasingly reported, although studies on allergic outcomes remain limited and conflicting. We examined whether residential greenness is associated with childhood doctor diagnosed allergic rhinitis, eyes and nose symptoms and aeroallergen sensitisation using two combined birth cohorts (GINIplus and LISAplus) followed from birth to 10 years in northern and southern Germany (Ntotal=5803).MethodsMean residential greenness in a 500 m buffer around the 10-year home addresses was defined using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, a green biomass density indicator. Longitudinal associations were assessed per study area (GINI/LISA South and GINI/LISA North) using generalised estimation equations adjusted for host and environmental covariates.ResultsDespite identical study designs and statistical modelling, greenness effects differed across the two study areas. Associations were elevated for allergic rhinitis and eyes and nose symptoms in the urban GINI/LISA South area. In contrast, risk estimates were significantly below one for these outcomes and aeroallergen sensitisation in rural GINI/LISA North. Area-specific associations were similar across buffer sizes and addresses (birth and 6 years) and remained heterogeneous after air pollution and population density stratification.ConclusionsExisting and future single-area studies on greenness and green spaces should be interpreted with caution.
Generating Test Cases for Programs that Are Coded against Interfaces and Annotations
Authors: Islam Mainul , Csallner Christoph 
Published: May 2014

Automatic test case generation for software programs is very powerful but suffers from a key limitation. That is, most current test case generation techniques fail to cover testee code when covering that code requires additional pieces of code not yet part of the program under test. To address some of these cases, the Pex state-of-the-art test case generator can generate basic mock code. However, current test case generators cannot handle cases in which the code under test uses multiple interfaces, annotations, or reflection.
To cover such code in an object-oriented setting, we describe a novel technique for generating test cases and mock classes. The technique consists of collecting constraints on interfaces, annotations, and reflection, combining them with program constraints collected during dynamic symbolic execution, encoding them in a constraint system, solving them with an off-the-shelf constraint solver, and mapping constraint solutions to test cases and custom mock classes. We demonstrate the value of this technique on open-source applications. Our approach covered such third-party code with generated mock classes, while competing approaches failed to cover the code and sometimes produced unintended side-effects such as filling the screen with dialog boxes and writing into the file system.
Fast Distributed Transactions and Strongly Consistent Replication for OLTP Database Systems
Authors: Thomson Alexander , Diamond Thaddeus , Weng Shu-Chun , Ren Kun , Shao Philip , Abadi Daniel J. 
Published: May 2014

As more data management software is designed for deployment in public and private clouds, or on a cluster of commodity servers, new distributed storage systems increasingly achieve high data access throughput via partitioning and replication. In order to achieve high scalability, however, today's systems generally reduce transactional support, disallowing single transactions from spanning multiple partitions.
This article describes Calvin, a practical transaction scheduling and data replication layer that uses a deterministic ordering guarantee to significantly reduce the normally prohibitive contention costs associated with distributed transactions. This allows near-linear scalability on a cluster of commodity machines, without eliminating traditional transactional guarantees, introducing a single point of failure, or requiring application developers to reason about data partitioning. By replicating transaction inputs instead of transactional actions, Calvin is able to support multiple consistency levels—including Paxos-based strong consistency across geographically distant replicas—at no cost to transactional throughput.
Furthermore, Calvin introduces a set of tools that will allow application developers to gain the full performance benefit of Calvin's server-side transaction scheduling mechanisms without introducing the additional code complexity and inconvenience normally associated with using DBMS stored procedures in place of ad hoc client-side transactions.
SDP
Authors: Chiang Mung 
Published: May 2014

Fifty years ago, the transition from voice calls to bursty data traffic justified packet switched networks. As data traffic becomes more heterogeneous today, what are the implications to network architecture? Instead of just counting bytes, Smart Data Pricing (SDP) manages traffic by treating different bytes differently.
SDP can refer to (a) usage pricing like $10/GB, with throttling/booster, (b) time/location/app/congestion-dependent dynamic pricing, (c) two-sided 1-800 pricing, (d) WiFi of- oading/proactive caching, (e) quota-aware content distribution, (f) transaction-based pricing... or any of the above. It can help create happier users, less congestion and better QoE, lower CapEx/OpEx, higher revenue/profit margin, less churn, more consumption, and more ad revenue. But it also requires smart interfaces among pipe providers and content/app providers, and a combination of fundamental research, systems implementation, and user trials.
This talk summarizes what we learned about the win-win that awaits the whole ecosystem.
Triggering Deep Convection with a Probabilistic Plume Model
Authors: D’Andrea Fabio , Gentine Pierre , Betts Alan K. , Lintner Benjamin R. 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
A model unifying the representation of the planetary boundary layer and dry, shallow, and deep convection, the probabilistic plume model (PPM), is presented. Its capacity to reproduce the triggering of deep convection over land is analyzed in detail. The model accurately reproduces the timing of shallow convection and of deep convection onset over land, which is a major issue in many current general climate models.
PPM is based on a distribution of plumes with varying thermodynamic states (potential temperature and specific humidity) induced by surface-layer turbulence. Precipitation is computed by a simple ice microphysics, and with the onset of precipitation, downdrafts are initiated and lateral entrainment of environmental air into updrafts is reduced.
The most buoyant updrafts are responsible for the triggering of moist convection, causing the rapid growth of clouds and precipitation. Organization of turbulence in the subcloud layer is induced by unsaturated downdrafts, and the effect of density currents is modeled through a reduction of the lateral entrainment. The reduction of entrainment induces further development from the precipitating congestus phase to full deep cumulonimbus.
Model validation is performed by comparing cloud base, cloud-top heights, timing of precipitation, and environmental profiles against cloud-resolving models and large-eddy simulations for two test cases. These comparisons demonstrate that PPM triggers deep convection at the proper time in the diurnal cycle and produces reasonable precipitation. On the other hand, PPM underestimates cloud-top height.
Twenty-First-Century Projections of Snowfall and Winter Severity across Central-Eastern North America*,+
Authors: Notaro Michael , Lorenz David , Hoving Christopher , Schummer Michael 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
Statistically downscaled climate projections from nine global climate models (GCMs) are used to force a snow accumulation and ablation model (SNOW-17) across the central-eastern North American Landscape Conservation Cooperatives (LCCs) to develop high-resolution projections of snowfall, snow depth, and winter severity index (WSI) by the middle and late twenty-first century. Here, projections of a cumulative WSI (CWSI) known to influence autumn–winter waterfowl migration are used to demonstrate the utility of SNOW-17 results. The application of statistically downscaled climate data and a snow model leads to a better representation of lake processes in the Great Lakes basin, topographic effects in the Appalachian Mountains, and spatial patterns of climatological snowfall, compared to the original GCMs. Annual mean snowfall is simulated to decline across the region, particularly in early winter (December–January), leading to a delay in the mean onset of the snow season. Because of a warming-induced acceleration of snowmelt, the percentage loss in snow depth exceeds that of snowfall. Across the Plains and Prairie Potholes LCC and the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes LCC, daily snowfall events are projected to become less common but more intense. The greatest reductions in the number of days per year with a present snowpack are expected close to the historical position of the −5°C isotherm in December–March, around 44°N. The CWSI is projected to decline substantially during December–January, leading to increased likelihood of delays in timing and intensity of autumn–winter waterfowl migrations.
Implications of off-label use: An example from the final results of an observational cohort study on Intrinsa® (testosterone patch)
Authors: Osborne Vicki , Layton Deborah , Shakir Saad AW 
Published: May 2014

Introduction Off-label use is where a medicinal product is used for a medical purpose not in accordance with the authorised product information. Intrinsa® is a transdermal testosterone patch, which is indicated for use in hypoactive sexual desire disorder in bilaterally oophorectomised and hysterectomised women receiving concomitant estrogen therapy. Objectives To describe the utilization characteristics of patients prescribed testosterone patch (Intrinsa®) and to assess, where possible, if the product is being used according to the authorised product information. Study design Patients identified from dispensed prescriptions issued by general practitioners for Intrinsa® between March 2007 and August 2010. Postal questionnaires were sent to general practitioners six months following the date of the first prescription for Intrinsa® for each patient, requesting information including patient demographics and drug utilization. Main outcome measures Menopausal status and use of concomitant estrogen therapy. Results The final cohort consisted of 3073 patients; the majority were females (3017, 98.2%). The most commonly reported indication was hypoactive sexual desire disorder in 2324 female patients (77.0%). Only 43.5% female patients ( n = 1313) were reported to have been hysterectomised and bilaterally oophorectomised. For 1029 (34.1%) female patients there was no evidence that the patient was using concomitant estrogen therapy. Overall, only 643 patients (20.9%) in the cohort were being prescribed Intrinsa® according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Conclusions Evidence obtained solely from clinical trials might not be generalisable where off-label prescribing occurs in real-life, so evidence from post-marketing observational studies is important to provide complimentary data on a product’s safety and effectiveness.
A study of the use of carbamazepine, pregabalin and alpha lipoic acid in patients of diabetic neuropathy
Authors: Patel Niral , Mishra Vishal , Patel Prakruti , Dikshit Ram K 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
Background
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a common, symptomatic, long-term complication of diabetes mellitus. Many of the agents used to treat DN have not been compared with each other. This study was, therefore, undertaken to compare the efficacy and safety of carbamazepine, pregabalin and alpha-lipoic acid in diabetic neuropathy patients.

Methods
This was a prospective, observational study. The patients were categorized into three groups, Group I included those patients who were prescribed carbamazepine while group II included those on pregabalin and group III patients received alpha-lipoic acid. Each patient was followed up at every month for total duration of 6 months. Demographic details, presenting symptoms, history of diabetes, laboratory values pertaining to diabetes (Fasting blood sugar, Post prandial blood sugar and HbA1c) were recorded. Intensity of pain, using a visual analogue scale (VAS), diabetic neuropathy symptom (DNS) score and diabetic neuropathy examination (DNE) score were assessed at baseline and then at each monthly follow-up. Nerve conduction velocity (NCV) was also measured at baseline and then at the end of 3 and 6 months.

Results
A total of 101 patients were enrolled out of them 96 completed the study. Regarding VAS, the number of patients having pain was reduced substantially however, the speed and the quantum of this reduction were best in group II (pregabalin). Regarding DNS, also group II showed the best response in terms of number of patients as well as the speed of improvement. The results also imply that the relief from diabetic neuropathy (as per DNE score) is superior with pregabalin administration. However, no improvement in NCV was evident in any group.

Conclusion
Results of this study suggest that treatment with pregabalin gives faster and better improvement in diabetic neuropathy.
Fetal outcome in the critically ill
pregnant woman
Authors: Aoyama Kazuyoshi , Seaward P Gareth , Lapinsky Stephen E 
Published: May 2014

AbstractManagement of the critically ill pregnant woman is complicated by potential
adverse effects of both maternal illness and ICU interventions on the fetus. This
paper reviews the potential risks to the fetus of maternal critical illness,
including shock, hypoxemia, and fever, as well as the effects of critical care
management, such as drug therapy and radiological investigations. The authors’
recommended approach to management is provided. Prior publications and new data
presented identify that there is insufficient information to prognosticate
accurately on fetal outcome after maternal critical illness, although maternal
shock, hypoxemia and early gestational age are likely significant risk
factors.