bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Should epileptiform discharges be treated?
Authors: Sánchez Fernández Iván , Loddenkemper Tobias , Galanopoulou Aristea S. , Moshé Solomon L. 
Published: August 2015

SummaryTo evaluate the impact of epileptiform discharges (EDs) that do not occur within seizure patterns – such as spikes, sharp waves or spike waves – on cognitive function and to discuss the circumstances under which treatment of EDs might be considered. Methods used in this article is “Review of the literature”. EDs may disrupt short‐term cognition in humans. Frequent EDs for a prolonged period can potentially impair long‐term cognitive function in humans. However, there is conflicting evidence on the impact of EDs on long‐term cognitive outcome because this relationship may be confounded by multiple factors such as underlying etiology, seizures, and medication effects. Limitations of existing studies include the lack of standardized ED quantification methods and of widely accepted automated spike quantification methods. Although there is no solid evidence for or against treatment of EDs, a non–evidence‐based practical approach is suggested. EDs in otherwise asymptomatic individuals should not be treated because the risks of treatment probably outweigh its dubious benefits. A treatment trial for EDs may be considered when there is cognitive dysfunction or regression or neurologic symptoms that are unexplained by the underlying etiology, comorbid conditions, or seizure severity. In patients with cognitive or neurologic dysfunction with epilepsy or EDs, treatment may be warranted to control the underlying epileptic syndrome. EDs may cause cognitive or neurologic dysfunction in humans in the short term. There is conflicting evidence on the impact of EDs on long‐term cognitive outcome. There is no evidence for or against treatment of asymptomatic ED.
Ictal onset on intracranial EEG: Do we know it when we see it? State of the evidence
Authors: Singh Shaily , Sandy Sherry , Wiebe Samuel 
Published: August 2015

SummaryObjectiveA major limitation of intracranial electroencephalography (iEEG) is recording from a confined region. This may falsely localize seizure onset if the distinction between ictal onset zone, proximity, and spread is unclear, or if the ictal rhythm is not clearly identified. Delineation of the ictal onset zone is crucial for surgical success. We appraised the evidence to determine whether specific iEEG ictal patterns are associated with the ictal onset zone.MethodsWe searched Embase for articles in English until September 30, 2014, with MeSH keywords related to intracranially implanted electrodes and seizures. Two authors independently screened abstracts, reviewed full text articles, and abstracted data. The association between seizure outcome and type of ictal onset pattern (IOP), and its extent, location, and spread were explored visually or by univariate analysis when sufficient data were provided. Methodologic quality of each study was assessed.ResultsWe reviewed 1,987 abstracts from which 21 articles were analyzed. Fifteen IOPs were reported. Low frequency high amplitude repetitive spiking (LFRS) was the most frequently reported IOP by studies that dealt with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE) and investigated with depth electrodes. In neocortical epilepsy, low voltage fast activity (LVFA) was the most commonly described IOP. Delta activity was an infrequently reported IOP and was described mostly as a spread pattern.SignificanceLFRS is associated with good surgical outcome in mTLE and has a strong relation with mesial temporal pathology and its severity. LVFA is associated with neocortical temporal epilepsy and focal LVFA is associated with better surgical outcome. Electrodecrement may be associated with regional or widespread onsets. Rhythmic delta is a propagation rhythm rather than an IOP. Focal IOPs and slower propagation times are associated with better outcomes. The quality of the studies is suboptimal and there are methodological problems. Interobserver agreement is poorly documented.
Formation of fine grained area in martensitic steel during very high cycle fatigue
Authors: Chai G. , Forsman T. , Gustavsson F. , Wang C. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractA fine grained area around a subsurface fatigue crack origin can usually be observed on fracture surface of a metallic material after very high cycle fatigue. This paper provides a fundamental study on the mechanisms to form this fine grained area using a martensitic stainless steel and advanced analysis instruments. The results show that the formation of a fine grained zone is a local behaviour. It is only a few micrometres in the transversal direction (cross section) and one micrometre in the longitudinal direction (crack propagation direction). High plastic deformation such as localized dislocation slip bands can be observed in this fine grained area. They interact with grain boundaries and cause the formation of damage by impingement cracking. The results indicate that occurrence of cyclic localized plastic deformation during very high cycle fatigue near the subsurface defect leads to the formation of fine grained area.
Long‐term healthy lifestyle patterns and tooth loss studied in a Swedish cohort of middle‐aged and older people
Authors: Åstrøm AN , Gülcan F , Ekbäck G , Ordell S 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe promotion of a healthy lifestyle has become an issue of public health importance in the context of ageing populations and increasing prevalence of chronic diseases.Objective(i) To estimate changes in use of fluoridated tooth paste, use of tooth picks, smoking and alcohol consumption and (ii) to examine whether experience with incident or prevalent tooth loss predict healthy lifestyle transitions from age 50 to 70.MethodIn 1992, 6346 individuals born in 1942 agreed to participate in a prospective cohort study and 3585 completed follow‐up questionnaires in 1997, 2002, 2007 and 2012. Statistical analyses were conducted by chi‐square statistics, Cochran's Q and logistic regression.ResultsIn total, 15.7% and 74.0% reported incident (tooth loss only in 2012) and prevalent tooth loss (tooth loss in 1992 and 2012). Significant differences occurred between the 1992 and 2012 prevalence of using toothpicks (from 48.3% to 69.1%), smoking (from 26.9% to 10.1%) and alcohol consumption (from 41.5% to 50.5%), 29% and 15.6% increased use of toothpicks and alcohol consumption, whereas 15.5% stopped daily smoking. Increased use of fluoridated tooth paste, smoking cessation and failure to increase use of toothpicks was associated with prevalent tooth loss between age 50 and 70.ConclusionThis study revealed positive and negative trends in oral health behaviours over a 20‐year period in persons aged 50 at baseline. Mixed support was obtained for the assumption that oral health promoting lifestyle transitions follow experience with tooth loss. Older people with tooth loss experience could benefit from targeted counselling aimed at coping with oral diseases.
Service user and clinical perspectives of psychiatric advance directives in New Zealand
Authors: Thom Katey , O'Brien Anthony John , Tellez Juan Jose 
Published: August 2015

AbstractAdvance care planning is becoming an increasingly important feature of health service provision. Although the New Zealand Mental Health Commission has advocated strongly for the provision of advance directives in mental health services, little is known about clinician or service user views on advance directives. The aim of the study was to survey the perspectives of service users and clinicians on the use of psychiatric advance directives. The study used an anonymous online survey to collect data from 110 mental health service users and 175 clinicians. Survey items included existing knowledge, preferred content and potential benefits of advance directives. Descriptive statistics and intergroup comparisons were conducted. Over 90% of service users and clinicians agreed that they support advance directives in mental health. There were similarities in the preferred content of an advance directive across the two groups, particularly regarding the notification of support persons, cultural support and preferred methods of de‐escalation. Significant differences in opinion were found regarding the use of coercive measures and the ability of mental health legislation to override advance directives. The results indicate strong support for the use of advance directives within New Zealand mental health services, as well as for further research in the area.
Legal Inequality and Federalism: Domestic Violence Laws in the Argentine Provinces
Authors: Smulovitz Catalina 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThis article shows that the institutional design of Argentine federalism allows for differences in the protective scope of the provincial domestic violence laws. It holds that the broad legislative capacities of subnational districts enable the working of political and social local factors, which, in turn, determine heterogeneity in these laws’ protective scope. It analyzes, compares, and measures 37 laws on domestic violence sanctioned between 1992 and 2009. It advances a methodology to measure their differences and it evaluates the impact local factors have on legal variations across jurisdictions. The article shows that the protective scope of these laws is determined by the intensity of the local electoral competition and by the strength of women's organizational capacity. Results also show that time matters insofar as it allows for the diffusion of more protective laws.
Spectroscopic Investigation of the Coloration and Fabrication Conditions of Medieval Blue Glasses
Authors: Hunault Myrtille , Bauchau Fanny , Loisel Claudine , Hérold Michel , Galoisy Laurence , Newville Matthew , Calas Georges 
Published: August 2015

Potash‐ and soda‐lime‐stained glasses from the 12th–13th centuries, blue‐colored by cobalt, have been investigated by Mn, Fe, and Cu K‐edge X‐ray and optical absorption spectroscopies in order to determine the oxidation state of these elements and their impact on the blue color. Remelting these historical glasses in air at 1200°C, the estimated temperature of medieval furnaces, revealed that these four glasses are more reduced before remelting. This favors Mn as weakly absorbing Mn2+, Fe as Fe2+ and Cu as colorless Cu+. Therefore Fe2+ is the second blue chromophore and copper was not intentionally used by glassmakers to obtain a blue color. A colorimetric analysis indicates that these specific melting conditions have a limited effect on the blue color of these glasses. Based on the spectroscopic determination of the redox state of Fe, Mn, and Cu, we estimate the oxygen partial pressure in medieval furnaces to be 10−7–10−9 and 10−5 bar for the potash‐ and soda‐lime samples, respectively. The comparison with previous results enables to prove the evolution of furnace technology over centuries.
Gene‐expression analysis of matrix metalloproteinases 1 and 2 and their tissue inhibitors in chronic periapical inflammatory lesions
Authors: Hadziabdic Naida , Kurtovic‐Kozaric Amina , Pojskic Naris , Sulejmanagic Nedim , Todorovic Ljubomir 
Published: August 2015

BackgroundPeriapical inflammatory lesions have been investigated previously, but understanding of pathogenesis of these lesions (granulomas and radicular cysts) at the molecular level is still questionable. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are enzymes involved in the development of periapical pathology, specifically inflammation and tissue destruction. To elucidate pathogenesis of periapical granulomas and radicular cysts, we undertook a detailed analysis of gene expression of MMP‐1, MMP‐2 and their tissue inhibitors, TIMP‐1 and TIMP‐2.MethodsA total of 149 samples were analyzed using real‐time PCR (59 radicular cysts, 50 periapical granulomas and 40 healthy gingiva samples as controls) for expression of MMP‐1, MMP‐2, TIMP‐1 and TIMP‐2 genes. The determination of best reference gene for expression analysis of periapical lesions was done using a panel of 12 genes.ResultsWe have shown that β‐actin and GAPDH are not the most stable reference controls for gene expression analysis of inflammatory periapical tissues and healthy gingiva. The most suitable reference gene was determined to be SDHA (a succinate dehydrogenase complex, subunit A, flavoprotein [Fp]). We found that granulomas (n = 50) and radicular cysts (n = 59) exhibited significantly higher expression of all four examined genes, MMP‐1, MMP‐2, TIMP‐1, and TIMP‐2, when compared to healthy gingiva (n = 40; P < 0.05).ConclusionThis study has confirmed that the expression of MMP‐1, MMP‐2, TIMP‐1, and TIMP‐2 genes is important for the pathogenesis of periapical inflammatory lesions. Since the abovementioned markers were not differentially expressed in periapical granulomas and radicular cysts, the challenge of finding the genetic differences between the two lesions still remains.
Characteristic changes of saliva and taste in burning mouth syndrome patients
Authors: Imura Hiroko , Shimada Masahiko , Yamazaki Yoko , Sugimoto Kumiko 
Published: August 2015

BackgroundBurning mouth syndrome (BMS) is characterized by chronic pain with a burning sensation of the tongue and oral mucosa and reported to be often accompanied by subjective xerostomia and dysgeusia. Since the etiology of BMS has not been elucidated, to understand the characteristics of BMS, we measured some components of saliva and taste sensitivity and compared the measured values between BMS and healthy subjects.MethodsUnstimulated saliva was collected from 15 female BMS patients and 30 healthy women. The flow rate, viscosity (spinnability) and concentration of secretory IgA (SIgA) of saliva and serum antioxidant capacity were measured. The recognition thresholds for sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami tastes were measured by whole‐mouth method. The statistical analyses were performed using Student's t‐test, and P < 0.05 was considered to be significant.ResultsIn BMS group, the flow rate of saliva was significantly lower and the spinnability was significantly higher compared with healthy group. The secreted amount of SIgA per min and serum antioxidant capacity was significantly lower in the patients. The threshold for sourness in patients was significantly higher, while those for other tastes did not differ from healthy group.ConclusionsBMS patients showed lower salivary flow and higher salivary spinnability. These results together with decreased SIgA amount, suggest that BMS may be relevant to the deterioration of salivary condition, which could in turn affect taste function. Furthermore, the lower antioxidant capacity in patient's serum suggests that it can serve as a diagnostic tool for BMS.
Plant community mycorrhization in temperate forests and grasslands: relations with edaphic properties and plant diversity
Authors: Gerz Maret , Bueno Carlos Guillermo , Zobel Martin , Moora Mari 
Published: August 2015

AbstractQuestionsMycorrhizal symbiosis plays a key role in plant communities. Its prevalence in plant communities (mycorrhization) at larger spatial scales has so far been mostly qualitative, while quantitative studies incorporating the mycorrhizal traits of plant species are scarce. This study aims to: (1) determine the variation in general and arbuscular mycorrhization in temperate forests and grasslands, (2) study the effects of soil N, pH and moisture on mycorrhization, and (3) determine the relationships between mycorrhization and plant diversity.LocationTemperate forests and grasslands in Estonia, Northern Europe.MethodsTo quantify mycorrhization we used a plant community mycorrhization index – community mean of mycorrhizal status weighted by plant species abundances. The effects of edaphic factors characterized by cumulative Ellenberg values on mycorrhization were analysed using linear mixed models, and the relationship between mycorrhization and diversity was evaluated with partial correlation and variance partitioning.ResultsGeneral mycorrhization was higher in forests and lower in grasslands, opposite to arbuscular mycorrhization. Soil N, pH and moisture negatively impacted general mycorrhization, whereas arbuscular mycorrhization was positively affected by soil pH and negatively by soil N and moisture. Plant species richness was negatively correlated with general mycorrhization in forests, whereas arbuscular mycorrhization was positively associated with plant species richness, Shannon and Simpson indices in forests and across ecosystems.ConclusionsMycorrhization is highly dependent on soil conditions and related to plant diversity, showing its importance for vegetation science. The plant community mycorrhization index used in this study is a promising tool for quantifying the prevalence of mycorrhizal symbiosis along environmental gradients.
Genetic analysis and detection of new QTL alleles for Septoria tritici blotch resistance using two advanced backcross wheat populations
Authors: Naz Ali Ahmad , Klaus Marius , Pillen Klaus , Léon Jens 
Published: August 2015

AbstractSeptoria tritici blotch (STB) is the most aggressive disease that plagues wheat production across the world. In this study, we utilized two advanced backcross populations designated as B22 and Z86 to quest new genetic resources for STB field resistance. The populations B22 and Z86 were derived by crossing winter wheat cultivars ‘Batis’ and ‘Zentos’ with unique primary (exotic) hexaploid wheat accessions Syn022L and Syn086L, respectively. QTL analysis revealed ten QTL in the population B22 of which at five loci the introgression of exotic alleles resulted in an increase in STB resistance. The strongest exotic QTL allele was detected on chromosome 2D which decreases disease severity by 20.8%. In population Z86, five QTL were identified of which three resulted in decreasing STB severity due to the introgression of exotic alleles. Here, the strongest QTL QStb.Z86.3A was found on chromosome 3A which decreases disease severity by 19.7%. In both populations, 53% of the exotic alleles were associated to decrease STB severity suggesting the utility of primary wheat gene pool in questing new resistance resources in wheat.
Association between inhaler use and risk of haemoptysis in patients with non‐cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis
Authors: Jang Eun Jin , Lee Chang‐Hoon , Yoon Ho Il , Kim Yun Jung , Kim Ji Min , Choi Seong Mi , Yim Jae‐Joon , Kim Deog Kyeom 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBackground and objectiveInhaled medications have been widely applied to patients with airflow limiting non‐cystic fibrosis (non‐CF) bronchiectasis. However, the association between the use of inhalers and the development of haemoptysis has rarely been explored. The objective of this study was to assess the association between the risk of haemoptysis and the use of inhalers in patients with non‐CF bronchiectasis.MethodsA nested case–control study was performed using a national claims database from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2011. Inhalers including inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), long‐acting β2 agonists (LABA), long‐acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA), short‐acting β2 agonists (SABA), short‐acting muscarinic antagonists (SAMA) and their combinations were tested for the risk of clinically significant haemoptysis events.ResultsAmong the 62 530 eligible new users of inhalers with non‐CF bronchiectasis, 6180 patients with haemoptysis and 27 486 strictly matched controls were selected. In the unadjusted analyses, SAMA, LAMA, SABA and ICS/LABA significantly increased the risk of haemoptysis. After adjustment for other inhaled respiratory medications, comorbidities, health‐care utilization and concomitant medications, SAMA, SABA and LAMA consistently increased the risk of haemoptysis (SAMA: odds ratio (OR), 1.6; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.1–1.4; LAMA: OR, 1.2; 95% CI: 1.1–1.2; SABA: OR, 1.2; 95% CI: 1.1–1.2). The association between anticholinergics (SAMA and LAMA) and risk of haemoptysis showed a dose‐dependent trend (P for trend, <0.001).ConclusionsThe use of SABA and inhaled anticholinergics in patients with non‐CF bronchiectasis increased the risk of haemoptysis. The risk–benefit ratio of inhaled bronchodilators should be considered in the haemoptysis‐susceptible population.
Use of a bibliometric literature review to assess medical research capacity in post‐conflict and developing countries: Somaliland 1991–2013
Authors: Boyce Ross , Rosch Richard , Finlayson Alexander , Handuleh Djibril , Walhad Said Ahmed , Whitwell Susannah , Leather Andy 
Published: August 2015

AbstractObjectivesEffective healthcare systems require high‐quality research to guide evidence‐based interventions and strategic planning. In low‐ and middle‐income countries, especially those emerging from violent conflict, research capacity often lags behind other aspects of health system development. Here, we sought to bibliometrically review health‐related research output in Somaliland, a post‐conflict self‐declared, autonomous nation on the Horn of Africa, as a means of assessing research capacity.MethodsWe reviewed articles on health‐related research conducted in Somaliland between 1991 and 2013 that included a description of the experimental design, and articles were published in either a peer‐reviewed journal or as part of a scholarly programme receiving formal review. We did not include policy or social science research that did not enrol or interact with subjects from Somaliland. Using online databases, all studies meeting minimum eligibility criteria were reviewed in regard to Somaliland‐based co‐authorship, topic of research and specific measures of quality.ResultsA total of 37 studies were included in this review. Of these, only 19 (51%) included co‐authorship by Somaliland‐based researchers. Of the 21 studies reporting ethical approval, 16 (64%) received approval from the Somalia or Somaliland Ministry of Health, while five received approval from a university or national commission. More than two‐thirds of published research was limited to a few areas of investigation with most (19, 51%) following basic cross‐sectional study designs. The number of articles published per year increased from 0 to 1 in the years 1991–2007 to a maximum of 8 in 2013.ConclusionsResearch activity in Somaliland is extremely limited. Investigators from high‐income countries have largely directed the research agenda in Somaliland; only half of the included studies list co‐authors from institutions in Somaliland. Leadership and governance of health research in Somaliland is required to define national priorities, promote scholarly activity and guide the responsible conduct of research. The methods used here to assess research capacity may be generalisable to other low‐ and middle‐income countries and post‐conflict settings to measure the impact of research capacity‐building efforts.