bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
SUPPORTIVE CARE IN ADVANCED KIDNEY DISEASE: PATIENT ATTITUDES AND EXPECTATIONS
Authors: Da Silva‐Gane Maria , Farrington Ken 
Published: September 2014

SUMMARYTreatment with dialysis has benefitted large numbers of patients with advanced kidney disease. It is though highly intrusive and demanding and some elderly, frail patients may tolerate it poorly. Some of these patients who are either approaching ‘end‐stage’ kidney disease or ‘failing’ despite being on dialysis may choose to pursue supportive or palliative approaches, partially or fully replacing the dialysis option. Here, we describe some of the challenges confronting these patients and present data on the attitudes and perceptions to supportive care and end‐of‐life care planning of patients on haemodialysis including some whose prognosis was poor. The main focus for these patients appeared to be on holding on to what they had, adapting by living ‘from day to day’ in the present, and continuing to hope for the best. Advance care planning was seen as potentially useful by patients, once clarity surrounding its purpose had been established.
Low‐dose propranolol regimen for infantile haemangioma
Authors: Tan Cherise ES , Itinteang Tinte , Leadbitter Philip , Marsh Reginald , Tan Swee T 
Published: September 2014

AimsPropranolol, now the preferred treatment for problematic proliferating infantile haemangioma (IH), at an empirical cardiovascular dosage of 2–3 mg/kg/day is associated with variable complication rates. A meta‐analysis shows complications in 31% of patients at a mean dosage of 2.12 mg/kg/day. This study reports on the minimal dosage and duration of treatment to achieve accelerated involution and side effects using a stepwise escalation regimen.MethodsConsecutive patients with problematic proliferating IH treated with propranolol were identified from our vascular anomalies database. Propranolol was commenced at 0.5 mg/kg/day in two divided doses and increased to 1 mg/kg/day after 24 h. The patients were reviewed after 1 week, and the dosage was increased to 1.5 mg/kg/day. The dosage was further increased by 0.5 mg/kg/day, if necessary, to achieve accelerated involution.ResultsForty‐four patients, aged 3 weeks to 11 months (mean, 3.8 months), received propranolol therapy for problematic proliferating IH. The minimal dosage required to achieve accelerated involution was 1.5–2 mg/kg/day. Treatment was maintained for an average of 9.3 months and discontinued at an average age of 14.2 months. Rebound growth occurred in the first patient of this series when propranolol was withdrawn at 7.5 months of age, requiring reinstitution of treatment. Slight rebound growth following cessation of treatment was observed in four other patients, but reinstitution of propranolol was not required. Minor complications were observed in three (6.8%) patients.ConclusionsPropranolol at 1.5–2 mg/kg/day, administered in divided doses with stepwise escalation, is safe and effective for treating problematic proliferating IH. Treatment is continued to an average age of 14.2 months.
Hyperspectral imaging techniques for the characterization of Haematococcus pluvialis (Chlorophyceae)
Authors: Nogami Satoru , Ohnuki Shinsuke , Ohya Yoshikazu 
Published: September 2014

A hyperspectral imaging camera was combined with a bright‐field microscope to investigate the intracellular distribution of pigments in cells of the green microalga Haematococcus pluvialis, a synonym for H. lacustris (Chlorophyceae). We applied multivariate curve resolution to the hyperspectral image data to estimate the pigment contents in culture and revealed that the predicted values were consistent with actual measurements obtained from extracted pigments. Because it was possible to estimate pigment contents in every pixel, the intracellular distribution of the pigments was investigated during various life‐cycle stages. Astaxanthin was localized specifically at the eyespot of zoospores in early culture stages. Then, it became widely distributed in cells, but subsequently localized differently than the chl. Integrated with our recently developed image‐processing program “HaematoCalMorph,” the hyperspectral imaging system was useful for monitoring intracellular distributions of pigments during culture as well as for studying cellular responses under various conditions.
Circulating CD56dim natural killer cells and CD56+ T cells that produce interferon‐γ or interleukin‐10 are expanded in asymptomatic, E antigen‐negative patients with persistent hepatitis B virus infection
Authors: Conroy M. J. , Mac Nicholas R. , Grealy R. , Taylor M. , Otegbayo J. A. , O'Dea S. , Mulcahy F. , Ryan T. , Norris S. , Doherty D. G. 
Published: September 2014

SummaryInfection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) can result in spontaneous resolution or chronic infection, which can remain asymptomatic or can progress to cirrhosis and/or hepatocellular carcinoma. The host immune response is thought to be a major determinant of the outcome of HBV infection and virus‐specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) can mediate immunity against the virus and cause liver pathology. Antigen‐nonspecific innate lymphocytes may also contribute to HBV infection and liver disease, therefore, we examined the frequencies, phenotypes, cytolytic activities and cytokine profiles of circulating natural killer (NK) cells, CD1d‐restricted invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells and CD56+ T cells in 102 asymptomatic HBV‐infected patients and compared them with those in 66 uninfected control subjects. NK cells expressing low levels of CD56 (CD56dim) and CD56+ T cells were significantly expanded in the circulation of HBV‐infected patients compared with control subjects. CD1d expression and iNKT cell frequencies were similar in both groups. Despite these expansions, we did not detect augmented natural or cytokine‐induced cytotoxicity in the HBV‐infected subjects. All lymphocyte populations studied produced interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) significantly more frequently when taken from HBV‐infected patients compared with when taken from healthy controls. Additionally, NK cells from the patients more frequently produced interleukin‐10. As our HBV‐infected cohort consisted of asymptomatic patients with low viral loads, we propose that CD56dim NK cells and CD56+ T cells control HBV infection by noncytolytic mechanisms.
Mucormycoses caused byLichtheimiaspecies
Authors: Schwartze Volker U. , Jacobsen Ilse D. 
Published: September 2014

SummaryMucormycoses are life‐threatening infections with fungi from the order Mucorales (Mucoromycotina). Although mucormycoses are uncommon compared to other fungal infections, e.g. aspergillosis and candidiasis, the number of cases is increasing especially in immunocompromised patients.Lichtheimia(formerlyAbsidia) species represent the second to third most common cause of mucormycoses in Europe. This mini review presents current knowledge about taxonomy and clinical relevance ofLichtheimiaspecies. In addition, clinical presentation and risk factors will be discussed. Proper animal infection models are essential for the understanding of the pathogenesis and the identification of virulence factors of fungal pathogens. To date, several animal models have been used to studyLichtheimiainfection. A brief overview of the different models and the main conclusions from the infection experiments is summarised in this review.
Rapid screening for human‐pathogenic Mucorales using rolling circle amplification
Authors: Dolatabadi S. , Najafzadeh M. J. , de Hoog G. S. 
Published: September 2014

SummaryMucormycosis has emerged as a relatively common severe mycosis in patients with haematological and allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Source of transmission is from unidentified sources in the environment. Early diagnosis of infection and its source of contamination are paramount for rapid and appropriate therapy. In this study, rolling circle amplification (RCA) is introduced as a sensitive, specific and reproducible isothermal DNA amplification technique for rapid molecular identification of six of the most virulent species (Rhizopus microsporus, R. arrhizus var. arrhizus, R. arrhizus var. delemar, Mucor irregularis, Mucor circinelloides, Lichtheimia ramosa, Lichtheimia corymbifera). DNAs of target species were successfully amplified, with no cross reactivity between species. RCA can be considered as a rapid detection method with high specificity and sensitivity, suitable for large screening.
Toll‐like receptor‐4‐mediated autophagy contributes to microglial activation and inflammatory injury in mouse models of intracerebral haemorrhage
Authors: Yang Zhao , Liu B. , Zhong L. , Shen Hanchao , Lin Chuangan , Lin Li , Zhang Nan , Yuan Bangqing 
Published: September 2014

AimsMuch evidence demonstrates that Toll‐like receptor‐4 (TLR4)‐mediated microglial activation is an important contributor to the inflammatory injury in intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH). However, the exact mechanism of TLR4‐mediated microglial activation induced by ICH is not clear. In addition, microglial autophagy is involved other forms of nervous system injury. To explore the relationship between TLR4 and autophagy, we investigated the role of TLR4‐mediated microglial autophagy and inflammation in ICH.MethodsWe detected TLR4 expression, autophagy and inflammation of microglia treated with lysed erythrocytes in vitro, and observed the cerebral water content and neurological deficit of ICH mice [TLR4−/− and wild type (WT)] in vivo.ResultsWe found that lysed erythrocyte treated microglia (TLR4−/−) had reduced autophagy and inflammation compared with microglia (WT) in vitro. ICH mice (TLR4−/−) had reduced water content and neurological injury compared with ICH mice (WT). The autophagy inhibitor (3‐methyladenine) decreased microglial activation and inflammatory injury due to lysed erythrocyte treatment, and improved the neurological function of ICH mice.ConclusionsTaken together, these data suggested that TLR4 induced autophagy contributed to the microglial activation and inflammatory injury and might provide novel therapeutic interventions for ICH.
Genetic use restriction technologies: a review
Authors: Lombardo Luca 
Published: September 2014

SummaryGenetic use restriction technologies (GURTs), developed to secure return on investments through protection of plant varieties, are among the most controversial and opposed genetic engineering biotechnologies as they are perceived as a tool to force farmers to depend on multinational corporations' seed monopolies. In this work, the currently proposed strategies are described and compared with some of the principal techniques implemented for preventing transgene flow and/or seed saving, with a simultaneous analysis of the future perspectives of GURTs taking into account potential benefits, possible impacts on farmers and local plant genetic resources (PGR), hypothetical negative environmental issues and ethical concerns related to intellectual property that have led to the ban of this technology.
Characterization of Fusarium diseases on commercially grown orchids in Hawaii
Authors: Swett C. S. , Uchida J. Y. 
Published: September 2014

A decline of unknown aetiology has become a major problem for commercial orchid production in Hawaii, one of the primary orchid‐producing states in the USA. The major symptoms of decline include root degradation, foliar blight, pseudobulb rot and sheath rot. It was unclear whether all these symptoms are caused by the same or different pathogens, but preliminary research indicated that Fusarium species may be involved. In this study, the incidence of Fusarium species was examined across 186 plants, from 29 orchid genera and intergeneric hybrids across three islands in the state of Hawaii. The main five species associated with diseased orchids were F. proliferatum (38% of samples), F. solani (16%), F. oxysporum (16%) and two previously undescribed species (8% for both species combined). The two undescribed species were similar in appearance to F. subglutinans, and were designated FS‐A and FS‐B. Pathogenicity tests established that both F. proliferatum and FS‐B caused foliar spots, foliar blight and pseudostem rot on Dendrobium orchids, and that F. proliferatum isolates from diseased tissue of several genera could also induce symptoms on Dendrobium orchids. Although orchids have increasing importance in floriculture, relatively little is known about orchid pathogens, and previous studies focused primarily on Cymbidium and Phalaenopsis. This study provides new information concerning Dendrobium orchid pathogens and suggests a much wider host range than previously recognized for the five Fusarium species recovered from tissue with symptoms. These findings can contribute to better management of Fusarium diseases, which represent a significant challenge to orchid production in Hawaii.
Do you feel alright? Attenuated neural processing of aversive interoceptive stimuli in current stimulant users
Authors: Stewart Jennifer L. , Juavinett Ashley L. , May April C. , Davenport Paul W. , Paulus Martin P. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractInability to appropriately process afferent interoceptive stimuli may contribute to initiation and/or escalation of substance use. An aversive interoceptive stimulus probed neural processing in problem stimulant users (PSU; n = 19), 18 desisted stimulant users (DSU; n = 18), and healthy comparison subjects (CTL; n = 21). Participants completed a continuous performance task while they anticipated and experienced 40 cm H2O/L/sec inspiratory breathing loads during fMRI. PSU exhibited lower left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) activation than DSU and CTL across trials. Greater lifetime drug use due to stimulants was also linked to lower activation in these regions. In addition, PSU displayed lower right IFG and insula activation during breathing load than DSU and CTL. Findings suggest that transition to stimulant use disorders is marked by weakened attentional salience of aversive stimuli.
Egg stickiness in artificial reproduction of sturgeon: an overview
Authors: Siddique Mohammad A. Momin , Psenicka Martin , Cosson Jacky , Dzyuba Borys , Rodina Marek , Golpour Amin , Linhart Otomar 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe egg structure of sturgeon is complex, with multiple micropyles and an envelope structure different from that of teleosts and other fish groups. In the sturgeon, an adhesive layer in the follicular epithelium is responsible for the egg adhesiveness. This is a problem for artificial reproduction of many fish species, including sturgeon, when a large number of eggs are incubated in hatchery conditions. Although several techniques for removing adhesiveness have been developed and successfully applied to eggs of common carp, tench, pikeperch and European catfish, de‐sticking methods for sturgeon are limited. Proteolytic enzymes have been successfully applied to common carp, tench and African catfish eggs, leading to a hatching rate over 80% following 2‐min treatment. In sturgeon, blue clay is the most commonly used de‐sticking substance. The chemical reactions determining egg adhesiveness in sturgeon are poorly studied, and optimum methods for removing stickiness remain to be developed.
Metaphysics, Intuitions and Physics
Authors: Tallant Jonathan 
Published: September 2014

AbstractLadyman and Ross (2007) do not think that contemporary metaphysics is in good standing. However, they do think that there is a version of metaphysics that can be made to work – provided we approach it using appropriate principles. My aim in this paper is to undermine some of their arguments against contemporary metaphysics as it is currently practiced.
Efficacy of azithromycin in the treatment of bronchiectasis
Authors: Lourdesamy Anthony Albert I. , Muthukumaru Umadevi 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackground and objectiveWe evaluated the efficacy of a 12‐week oral treatment with azithromycin in adult patients with bronchiectasis. The objectives were to demonstrate that this treatment reduces sputum volume, improves quality of life and to assess the lengths of effects after cessation of therapy.MethodsSeventy‐eight patients with bronchiectasis confirmed by high‐resolution computed tomography were included in this study. Subjects received oral azithromycin or placebo in a randomized manner for 12 weeks followed by placebo for another 12 weeks. Sputum volume, St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) score and spirometry were recorded at baseline, 12 weeks and 24 weeks, respectively. End‐point measurements were compared from baseline to the end of each study phase.ResultsSixty‐eight subjects were included in the analysis. Mean 24‐h sputum volume significantly decreased (P < 0.01) during the active treatment phase and remained low during the control phase (P < 0.01). The mean SGRQ total score with azithromycin decreased (i.e. improved health status) from baseline by more than the 4 points at the end of 12 and 24 weeks. Lung functions remained stable during oral azithromycin therapy and the subsequent control phase.ConclusionsTwelve weeks administration of azithromycin in bronchiectasis produces significant reductions in mean sputum volume, health status and stabilization of lung function values. Sputum volume reduction and the improvement of quality of life were sustained for 12 weeks after cessation of azithromycin. (Clinicaltrials.gov number NCT02107274).
Partially Supervised Spatiotemporal Clustering for Burglary Crime Series Identification
Authors: Reich Brian J. , Porter Michael D. 
Published: September 2014

SummaryStatistical clustering of criminal events can be used by crime analysts to create lists of potential suspects for an unsolved crime, to identify groups of crimes that may have been committed by the same individuals or group of individuals, for offender profiling and for predicting future events. We propose a Bayesian model-based clustering approach for criminal events. Our approach is semisupervised, because the offender is known for a subset of the events, and utilizes spatiotemporal crime locations as well as crime features describing the offender's modus operandi. The hierarchical model naturally handles complex features that are often seen in crime data, including missing data, interval-censored event times and a mix of discrete and continuous variables. In addition, our Bayesian model produces posterior clustering probabilities which allow analysts to act on model output only as warranted. We illustrate the approach by using a large data set of burglaries in 2009–2010 in Baltimore County, Maryland.
The impact of electronic decision support and electronic remote blood issue on transfusion practice
Authors: Hibbs S. P. , Noel S. , Miles D. , Staves J. , Murphy M. F. 
Published: September 2014

SUMMARYObjectivesTo assess the impact on transfusion practice of a two‐stage electronic intervention: the introduction of a decision support system (DSS) followed by the addition of electronic remote blood issue (ERBI).BackgroundWith increasing evidence to show the benefit of restrictive transfusion policies, it is important to ascertain which interventions can increase clinician compliance with their implementation. A DSS provides patient‐specific recommendations to clinicians. ERBI reduces delays in acquiring blood and may alter the transfusion behaviour of clinicians.MethodsAll electronically requested blood transfusions administered outside of surgical theatres or recovery were identified in an orthopaedic hospital. These were divided into three time periods corresponding to pre‐intervention, the successive introduction of DSS alone and DSS with ERBI. Pre‐ and post‐transfusion haemoglobin (Hb) concentration levels, and the number of units ordered and transfused were recorded.ResultsA total of 204 transfusions for 92 patients were assessed; 38 of 85 (45%) transfusions in the first time period were compliant. This did not significantly change after introduction of the DSS, but with DSS and ERBI together significantly increased to 39 of 60 (65%) (P < 0·05). Mean pre‐transfusion Hb reduced from 8·24 g dl−1 in the first time period to 7·67 g dl−1 in the third (P < 0·0001). There was no significant change in overall blood usage, although ERBI significantly reduced the amount of unused blood orders from 70 to 25%.ConclusionElectronic DSS was not sufficient to change practice in the form implemented in this study. ERBI can contribute to significant improvements in blood usage as well as the efficiency of blood provision.
Evaluation of a transcutaneous blood gas monitoring system in critically ill dogs
Authors: Holowaychuk Marie K. , Fujita Hiroshi , Bersenas Alexa M. E. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractObjectivesTo describe the use of a transcutaneous blood gas monitoring system in critically ill dogs, determine if transcutaneous and arterial blood gas values have good agreement, and verify if clinical or laboratory variables are correlated with differences between transcutaneous and arterial blood gas measurements.DesignProspective observational study.SettingUniversity teaching hospital ICU.AnimalsTwenty‐three client‐owned dogs.InterventionsIn critically ill dogs undergoing arterial blood gas monitoring, a transcutaneous blood gas monitor was used to measure transcutaneous partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PtcCO2) and transcutaneous partial pressure of oxygen (PtcO2) values 30 minutes after sensor placement, which were compared to PaCO2and PaO2values measured simultaneously. Clinical and laboratory variables were concurrently recorded to determine if they were correlated with the difference between transcutaneous and arterial blood gas measurements.Measurements and Main ResultsBland‐Altman analysis revealed a mean bias of 4.6 ± 26.3 mm Hg (limits of agreement [LOA]: −46.9/+56.1 mm Hg) between PtcO2and PaO2and a mean bias of 9.3 ± 8.5 mm Hg (LOA: −7.5/+26.0 mm Hg) between PtcCO2and PaCO2. The difference between PtcCO2–PaCO2was strongly negatively correlated with HCO3−(r2= 0.52,P< 0.001) and PaCO2(r2= 0.58,P< 0.001) and weakly positively correlated with diastolic blood pressure (r2= 0.21,P= 0.044), whereas the difference between PtcCO2–PaCO2was moderately negatively correlated with diastolic blood pressure (r2= 0.33,P= 0.008).ConclusionsAgreement between transcutaneous and arterial PO2and PCO2measurements in these critically ill dogs was inferior to that reported in similar adult and pediatric human studies. The transcutaneous monitor consistently over‐estimated PaO2and PaCO2and should not be used to replace arterial blood gas measurements in critically ill dogs requiring blood gas interpretation.