bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
INTRAVITREOUS RANIBIZUMAB FOR PERSISTENT MACULAR EDEMA IN RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION UNRESPONSIVE TO BEVACIZUMAB
Authors: De Niro Jennifer E. , Fu Arthur D. , Johnson Robert N. , McDonald H. Richard , Jumper J. Michael , Cunningham Emmett , Lujan Brandon J. 
Published: March 2013

Purpose:
To report successful treatment of persistent retinal edema associated with retinal vascular occlusion with ranibizumab after initial failure with bevacizumab intravitreal injections.

Methods:
A retrospective chart review of all patients undergoing treatment with intravitreal bevacizumab for retinal vascular occlusion was undertaken. Clinical features of patients who were switched to monthly ranibizumab because of persistent and/or worsening retinal edema despite multiple (six or more) monthly intravitreal bevacizumab injections were selected for review. The type of retinal vascular occlusion, age of the patient, visual acuity at each visit, number of intravitreal bevacizumab injections, optical coherence tomography findings at each visit, fluorescein angiography, and number of intravitreal ranibizumab injections with optical coherence tomography findings at each subsequent visit were recorded.

Results:
Six patients (five women and one man) were identified. Age ranged from 56 years to 74 years. Five had central retinal vein occlusion and one a branch retinal vein occlusion. All were treated with at least 6 sequential intravitreal bevacizumab injections (range, 6–13) before treatment with ranibizumab. All demonstrated an immediate and marked reduction in retinal edema that had not occurred with any of the previous treatments. The average central foveal thickness on optical coherence tomography was 592 µm before ranibizumab injection and 346 µm after the injection. Visual acuity improved in four of the six patients and was stable in the remaining two patients.

Conclusion:
Eyes of patients with persistent macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion despite bevacizumab may experience prompt improvement after initiation of intravitreal ranibizumab injections.
Oral Prucalopride in Children With Functional Constipation
Authors: Winter Harland S. , Di Lorenzo Carlo , Benninga Marc A. , Gilger Mark A. , Kearns Gregory L. , Hyman Paul E. , Vandeplassche Lieve , Ausma Jannie , Hoppenbrouwers Mieke 
Published: March 2013

ABSTRACTBackground and Objectives:Prucalopride is a selective, high‐affinity 5‐HT4 receptor agonist with gastrointestinal prokinetic activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics, efficacy, safety, and tolerability of prucalopride oral solution in children, ages 4 years or older to 12 years or younger, with functional constipation.Methods:A single oral dose of 0.03 mg/kg prucalopride was administered to 38 children to characterize prucalopride pharmacokinetics (NCT01674166). Thereafter, 37 children entered an open‐label extension period in which 0.01 to 0.03 mg/kg of prucalopride was administered once per day for 8 weeks to investigate efficacy, safety, and tolerability (NCT01670669).Results:Mean (standard deviation [SD]) Cmax, tmax, and AUC∞ (area under the plasma concentration‐time curve from time 0 to infinity) were 3.8 (0.6) ng/mL, 1.8 (0.9) hour, and 65.3 (10.6) ng · h−1 · mL−1, respectively, with limited (16%) variability in Cmax and AUC∞. Mean (SD) t1/2 was 19.0 (3.1) hours. On average, mean (SD) renal clearance (0.25 [0.08] L · h−1 · kg−1) accounted for 54% of the apparent total plasma clearance (0.46 [0.07] L · h−1 · kg−1). The apparent volume of distribution was 12.6 (2.6) L/kg. Prucalopride treatment resulted in a mean bowel movement frequency of 6.8/week, normal stool consistency, and reduced frequency of fecal incontinence. During the 8‐week extension, 70% of study participants had at least 1 adverse event (all but 1 of mild/moderate intensity, 19% considered related to prucalopride). No children discontinued prucalopride because of adverse events.Conclusions:The pharmacokinetic profile of a single dose of prucalopride oral solution (0.03 mg · kg−1 · day−1) generally resembled the profile in adults (2‐mg tablet) but reflected lower systemic exposure in children. Prucalopride treatment for 8 weeks demonstrated an apparent favorable efficacy and tolerability profile in children with functional constipation.
Identifying effective water‐management strategies in variable climates using population dynamics models
Authors: Yen Jian D. L. , Bond Nick R. , Shenton Will , Spring Daniel A. , Mac Nally Ralph 
Published: March 2013

Summary

Water‐resource management should maintain ecological condition, including population viabilities of aquatic taxa. Many arid and semi‐arid regions have experienced elevated water regulation and face drying and warming climates.

We combined stochastic, population dynamics models for four fish species with differing life histories with simulated regulated and unregulated flow regimes to assess the relative robustness of fish population persistence to different scenarios of climate change and water management.

Water regulation had a larger effect than differences in climate, negatively affecting one species through increased summer flows, and stabilizing population trajectories for two species that were sensitive to cease‐to‐flow events; the other species was insensitive to regulation or climate.

The greater importance of water regulation suggests that management of water regulation and human use can be used to insulate fish, to some degree, from the effects of future climate change.

General deductions from our results, such as the importance of inter‐annual variability and the application of demographic modelling tools, are readily transferable to other systems.

Synthesis and applications. Our scenario‐based approach was able to assess the population‐level effects of multiple concurrent stressors and represents an effective framework for identifying management strategies that are robust to uncertainty in future environments.
A practical, clinical approach to the assessment and management of suspected insulin allergy
Authors: Jacquier J. , Chik C. L. , Senior P. A. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractBackgroundAlthough allergic reactions to insulin are uncommon, they can be difficult to diagnose and management may be very difficult in subjects with Type 1 diabetes with severe allergy. Access to allergists and specialist diagnostic tests is limited and few diabetes specialists are familiar with desensitization as a means of treating allergy. People with diabetes may develop symptoms which mimic insulin allergy but are attributable to other conditions.Case reportsHere we describe three cases of insulin allergy. One patient presented with severe, albeit localized, urticarial reactions at injection sites. The most severe case was a woman with recent‐onset Type 1 diabetes who presented with grade 2 anaphylaxis. The third patient presented with generalized urticaria and angioedema. Insulin allergy was confirmed in all three cases.MethodsAssessment involved measurement of immunoglobulin and anti‐insulin antibody levels. Skin testing was performed in two cases. Treatments included desensitization in one case, alternative insulin preparations, antihistamines and continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion. In all three cases of insulin allergy there has been successful resolution of symptoms.ConclusionsThe clinical assessment and investigation in cases of suspected insulin allergy is described, along with detailed algorithms for skin testing and desensitization. This case series demonstrates an approach to challenging cases of suspected insulin allergy which will be helpful for diabetes specialists.
A risk‐adjusted economic evaluation of alternative models of involvement of practice nurses in management of type 2 diabetes
Authors: Haji Ali Afzali H. , Gray J. , Beilby J. , Holton C. , Banham D. , Karnon J. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractAimsTo determine the cost‐effectiveness of alternative models of practice nurse involvement in the management of type 2 diabetes within the primary care setting.MethodsLinked routinely collected clinical data and resource use (general practitioner visits, hospital services and pharmaceuticals) were used to undertake a risk‐adjusted cost‐effectiveness analysis of alternative models of care for the management of diabetes patients. These models were based on the reported level of involvement of practice nurses in the provision of clinical‐based activities. Potential confounders were controlled for by using propensity score‐weighted regression analyses. The impact of alternative models of care on outcomes and costs was measured and incremental cost‐effectiveness estimated. The uncertainty around the estimates of cost‐effectiveness was illustrated through bootstrapping.ResultsAlthough the difference in total cost between two models of care was not statistically significant, the high‐level model was associated with better outcomes (larger mean reductions in HbA1c). The upper 95% confidence intervals showed that the incremental cost per 1% decrease in HbA1c is only $454, and per one additional patient to achieve an HbA1c value of less than 53 mmol/mol (7.0%) is $323. Further analyses showed little uncertainty surrounding the decision to adopt the high‐level model.ConclusionsThe results provide a strong indication that the high‐level model is a cost‐effective way of managing diabetes patients. Our findings highlight the need for effective incentives to encourage general practices to better integrate practice nurses in the provision of clinical services.
Essential tremor 10, 20, 30, 40: clinical snapshots of the disease by decade of duration
Authors: Louis E. D. , Gerbin M. , Galecki M. 
Published: March 2013

Background and purposeEssential tremor (ET) is a chronic, progressive neurological disorder in which disease burden may slowly accrue. There are few long‐term studies, and the clinical and functional status of patients, with each decade of disease duration, has not been documented in detail. We used cross‐sectional data on 335 patients with ET (disease duration 1–81 years) to produce clinical snapshots of the disease at each 10‐year milestone (i.e. < 10, 10–19, 20–29, 30–39, ≥ 40 years). We hope these data will be of value in clinical‐prognostic settings both to patients and their treating physicians.MethodsIn this cross‐sectional, clinical‐epidemiological study at Columbia‐University Medical Center, each patient underwent a single evaluation, including self‐reported measures of tremor‐related disability, performance‐based measures of function, and neurologist‐assessments of tremor type, location and severity.ResultsA variety of metrics of tremor severity increased across the 10‐year time intervals. By ≥ 40 years duration, one‐third of patients had tremor in at least two cranial locations (neck, voice, jaw), and the proportion with high‐amplitude tremor reached 20.3% (while drawing spirals), 33.8% (spilling while drinking) and 60.8% (spilling while using a spoon). Yet even in the longest tremor duration group, very few (< 10%) were incapacitated (i.e. completely unable to perform the above‐mentioned tasks), and one‐third continued to exhibit no cranial tremor.ConclusionsThese data paint a picture of progressive decade‐by‐decade decline in ET. Yet patients with long disease duration did not relentlessly converge at the same end‐stage of severe, functionally incapacitating, diffuse tremor. In this respect, long‐duration ET patients presented a heterogeneous picture.
Telomere length and ischaemic stroke in women: a nested case–control study
Authors: Schürks M. , Prescott J. , Dushkes R. , De Vivo I. , Rexrode K. M. 
Published: March 2013

Background and purposeTelomere shortening has been implicated in cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, prospective data on the association between relative telomere length (RTL) and ischaemic stroke are scarce and inconclusive.MethodsWe used a nested case–control design among women participating in the prospective Nurses' Health Study. Participants provided blood samples in 1990 and were followed till 2006. Women with confirmed incident ischaemic stroke were matched to controls by age, smoking, postmenopausal status and postmenopausal hormone use. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to determine RTL in genomic DNA extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes. Conditional logistic regression was used to determine the risk of ischaemic stroke associated with RTL, using RTL quartiles and as dichotomous according to the median.ResultsData on RTL were available from 504 case–control pairs. Results did not suggest an association between RTL and ischaemic stroke. The odds ratio (OR) for ischaemic stroke was 0.82 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.52–1.32] comparing lowest with the highest RTL quartile and 0.90 (95% CI 0.65–1.24) comparing RTL below the median with RTL above the median. Associations were unchanged after additional adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors. Further analyses suggested an association between RTL and fatal ischaemic stroke (54 case–control pairs; lowest versus highest quartile OR = 1.99, 95%CI 0.26–14.9); however, results were statistically insignificant.ConclusionIn this large nested case–control study among women RTL was not associated with ischaemic stroke. In light of the varying study results in the literature on the association between telomere length and stroke, additional research is warranted.
Changes in Affective Profiles of Postsecondary Students in Lower‐Level Foreign Language Classes
Authors: Kondo‐Brown Kimi 
Published: March 2013

AbstractRecent surveys and research on second language (L2)/foreign language acquisition help explain the challenges that postsecondary students in lower‐level foreign language (FL) courses may experience. The present study extends this line of research by examining changes in students' affective profiles in a two‐year Japanese program (n = 382) at an American university. The results indicated that students who reached the end of the program perceived more social, economical, integrative, and other value in learning Japanese than those at the beginning of the program. Results also showed that students appeared to expend significantly less effort in learning the language at the end of the program than at the beginning. This article urges FL instructors, especially those in lower‐level courses, to carefully consider issues of motivation in these and other courses.
Autobiographical memory in Parkinson's disease: A retrieval deficit
Authors: Souchay Celine , Smith Sarah Jane 
Published: March 2013

This study examined the effects of providing cues to facilitate autobiographical memory retrieval in Parkinson's disease. Previous findings have shown that individuals with Parkinson's disease retrieve fewer specific autobiographical memories than older adult controls. These findings are clinically significant since the quality of autobiographical memory is linked to identity and sense of self. In the current study, 16 older adults with Parkinson's disease without dementia and 16 matched older adult controls were given 3 min in which to recall autobiographical memories associated with five different time periods and to give each memory a short title. Participants were later asked to retrieve the memories in three phases: firstly in a free recall phase; secondly in response to general cues (time periods) and finally in response to specific cues (the short titles previously given). The number of memories and the quality of the memory (general or specific) was recorded in each condition. Compared with matched older adult controls, the Parkinson's disease group was impaired in retrieving the memories that they had previously given in the free recall phase and in response to general cues. The performance of the group with Parkinson's disease was only equivalent to the older adults when they retrieved memories in response to self‐generated cues. The findings are discussed in relation to theories of autobiographical memory and the neuropsychology of Parkinson's disease.
Refractory metal nuggets within presolar graphite: First condensates from a circumstellar environment
Authors: Croat T. K. , Berg T. , Bernatowicz T. , Groopman E. , Jadhav M. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractTransmission electron microscope (TEM) investigations have revealed Os, Ru, Mo‐rich refractory metal nuggets within four different presolar graphites, from both the high‐density (HD) Murchison (MUR) and low‐density (LD) Orgueil (ORG) fractions. Microstructural and chemical data suggest that these are direct condensates from the gas, rather than forming later by exsolution. The presolar refractory metal nugget (pRMN) compositions are variable (e.g., from 8 < Os atom% < 77), but follow the same chemical fractionation trends as isolated refractory metal nuggets (mRMNs) previously found in meteorites (Berg et al. 2009). From these compositions one can infer a temperature of last equilibration with the gas of 1405–1810 K (e.g., Berg et al. 2009 at approximately 100 dyne cm−2 pressure), which implies that the host graphites form over roughly the same range (in agreement with predictions) and that the pRMNs are chemically isolated from the gas when captured by graphite. Further, the pRMN compositions give evidence that HD graphites form at a higher T than LD ones. Chemical and phase similarities with the isolated mRMNs suggest that the mRMNs also condense directly from a gas, although from the early solar nebula rather than a presolar environment. Although the pRMNs themselves are too small for detection of isotopic anomalies, NanoSIMS isotopic measurements of their host graphites confirm a presolar origin for the assemblages. The two pRMN‐containing LD graphites show evidence of a supernova (SN) origin, whereas the stellar origins of the pRMNs in HD graphite are unclear, because only less‐diagnostic 12C enrichments are detectable (as is commonly true for HD graphites).
Direct Left Ventricular Endocardial Pacing: An Alternative When Traditional Resynchronization Via Coronary Sinus Is Not Feasible or Effective
Authors: MORIÑA‐VÁZQUEZ PABLO , ROA‐GARRIDO JESSICA , FERNÁNDEZ‐GÓMEZ JUAN M. , VENEGAS‐GAMERO JOSÉ , PICHARDO RAFAEL B. , CARRANZA MANUEL H. 
Published: March 2013

BackgroundBiventricular pacing through the coronary sinus (CS) is effective for the treatment of patients with heart failure and left bundle‐branch block. However, this approach is not always feasible. Although surgical epicardial lead implantation is an alternative, the technique may be deleterious in some patients. Thus, direct left ventricular (LV) endocardial pacing under local anesthesia may be an option.ObjectiveWe describe our technique and analyze the results of direct LV endocardial pacing.MethodFourteen patients with failed resynchronization via CS (April 2006–September 2011) were selected. Using a femoral approach, we performed transseptal puncture and LV mapping, then fixed the active lead where the longest electrical delay was observed; the generator was placed in the anterior thigh. For resynchronization, eight patients with a device previously implanted through the upper veins received a single‐chamber generator that was set to the VVT mode to sense the subclavian pacing spike. Six patients received a complete femoral resynchronization system with either a defibrillator or pacemaker. Patients were followed for 6–54 months.ResultsThe LV lead was successfully implanted in all cases. Two patients experienced excessive bleeding and two died during follow‐up. All except one improved at least one New York Heart Association class and experienced improved left ventricle ejection fraction. One patient with recurrent episodes of ventricular fibrillation was asymptomatic.ConclusionDirect LV endocardial pacing is safe and may be a less risky, more efficient alternative than surgical epicardial lead implantation for resynchronization via CS.
Finite-Temperature Quasi-Continuum
Authors: Tadmor E. B. , Legoll F. , Kim W. K. , Dupuy L. M. , Miller R. E. 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
A generalization of the quasi-continuum (QC) method to finite temperature is presented. The resulting "hot-QC" formulation is a partitioned domain multiscale method in which atomistic regions modeled via molecular dynamics coexist with surrounding continuum regions. Hot-QC can be used to study equilibrium properties of systems under constant or quasistatic loading conditions. Two variants of the method are presented which differ in how continuum regions are evolved. In "hot-QC-static" the free energy of the continuum is minimized at each step as the atomistic region evolves dynamically. In "hot-QC-dynamic" both the atomistic and continuum regions evolve dynamically in tandem. The latter approach is computationally more efficient, but introduces an anomalous “mesh entropy" which must be corrected. Following a brief review of related finite-temperature methods, this review article provides the theoretical background for hot-QC (including new results), discusses the implementational details, and demonstrates the utility of the method via example test cases including nanoindentation at finite temperature.
Complete Genome Sequence of the 936-Type Lactococcal Bacteriophage
Caseus
JM1
Authors: Murphy James , Mahony Jennifer , van Sinderen Douwe 
Published: March 2013

ABSTRACT

The 936-type lytic bacteriophages are the most frequently encountered species infecting lactococcal dairy starters. Infection by members belonging to this species has a significant negative impact on the cheese production process. Here we report the complete genome sequence of the bacteriophage
Caseus
JM1, a 936-type phage isolated from an Irish dairy plant.
Draft Genome Sequence of an Actinobacterium, Brachybacterium muris Strain UCD-AY4
Authors: Lo Jonathon R. , Lang Jenna M. , Darling Aaron E. , Eisen Jonathan A. , Coil David A. 
Published: March 2013

ABSTRACT

Here we present the draft genome of an actinobacterium,
Brachybacterium muris
UCD-AY4. The assembly contains 3,257,338 bp and has a GC content of 70%. This strain was isolated from a residential bath towel and has a 16S rRNA gene 99.7% identical to that of the original
B. muris
strain, C3H-21.
Metagenome Sequencing of Prokaryotic Microbiota Collected from Byron Glacier, Alaska
Authors: Choudhari Sulbha , Smith Sean , Owens Sarah , Gilbert Jack A. , Shain Daniel H. , Dial Roman J. , Grigoriev Andrey 
Published: March 2013

ABSTRACT
Cold environments, such as glaciers, are large reservoirs of microbial life. The present study employed 16S rRNA gene amplicon metagenomic sequencing to survey the prokaryotic microbiota on Alaskan glacial ice, revealing a rich and diverse microbial community of some 2,500 species of bacteria and archaea.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Frankia
sp. Strain QA3, a Nitrogen-Fixing Actinobacterium Isolated from the Root Nodule of
Alnus nitida
Authors: Sen Arnab , Beauchemin Nicholas , Bruce David , Chain Patrick , Chen Amy , Walston Davenport Karen , Deshpande Shweta , Detter Chris , Furnholm Teal , Ghodbhane-Gtari Faten , Goodwin Lynne , Gtari Maher , Han Cliff , Han James , Huntemann Marcel , Ivanova Natalia , Kyrpides Nikos , Land Miriam L. , Markowitz Victor , Mavrommatis Kostas , Nolan Matt , Nouioui Imen , Pagani Ioanna , Pati Amrita , Pitluck Sam , Santos Catarina L. , Sur Saubashya , Szeto Ernest , Tavares Fernando , Teshima Hazuki , Thakur Subarna , Wall Luis , Woyke Tanja , Wishart Jessie , Tisa Louis S. 
Published: March 2013

ABSTRACT

Members of the actinomycete genus
Frankia
form a nitrogen-fixing symbiosis with 8 different families of actinorhizal plants. We report a high-quality draft genome sequence for
Frankia
sp. strain QA3, a nitrogen-fixing actinobacterium isolated from root nodules of
Alnus nitida.