bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intensive Hemodialysis in the (Nursing) Home: the Bright Side of Geriatric ESRD Care?
Authors: Cornelis Tom , Kotanko Peter , Goffin Eric , van der Sande Frank M. , Kooman Jeroen P. , Chan Christopher T. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractElderly ESRD patients often lose functionality when they start dialysis, which may be due to a variety of clinical problems. We recently postulated that intensive (longer and/or more frequent) hemodialysis (HD) may be the ideal strategy to try to prevent these ESRD‐ and dialysis‐related complications, including dialysis‐induced hypotension, cardiac and cerebral events, malnutrition, infections, sleep problems, and psychological issues. The feasibility of home dialysis therapies has been demonstrated in observational studies. As self‐care dialysis is often a challenge in the elderly patient, assisted intensive home HD may facilitate the long‐term continuation of this modality. Intensive nursing home HD seems to be an attractive goal for the future because many elderly ESRD patients reside in an extended care facility. Combination with rehabilitation and support by social worker and psychologist remains crucial in the holistic approach toward the elderly ESRD patient. Further studies are required to test the potential protective effects of intensive HD on functionality and quality of life in elderly ESRD patients, and to elucidate the mechanisms underlying frailty and other geriatric syndromes in this highly vulnerable patient population.
The Economic Burden of Geriatric ESRD
Authors: Parker Tom F. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe elderly represent the fastest growing segment of incident patients entering end‐stage renal disease (ESRD). Increasingly, social scientists and caregivers are faced with changing models of care, which will challenge traditional patterns of patient acceptance into costly medical therapies. This paper analyzes the outcomes and cost of taking care of patients over the age of 65, and compares these costs and outcomes with other age groups. The results are somewhat unexpected, in that the incremental costs are not appreciably higher, although the outcomes are considerably worse compared with that in younger age groups. Proposals are made for addressing these issues.
Age Should Not Be Considered in the Allocation of Deceased Donor Kidneys
Authors: Ross Lainie Friedman , Thistlethwaite J. Richard 
Published: October 2012

AbstractIn this manuscript, we examine what role age can morally play in the allocation of deceased donor kidneys for transplantation into adult candidates. Our focus is on the equity concerns raised by recent proposals that give younger adults in end‐stage renal disease priority to more and better deceased donor kidneys. We begin with a description of four models: the current allocation method (“baseline proposal”), the two models offered by the Kidney Transplant Committee in February 2011: a pure ±15 years age‐matching model and a 20/80 proposal (http://optn.transplant.hrsa.gov/SharedContentDocuments/KidneyConceptDocument.PDF), and a new model entitled Equal Opportunity supplemented by Fair Innings (EOFI) described by Ross et al. earlier this year. We then consider the requirement of the National Organ Transplantation Act (NOTA) of 1984 that allocation policies balance efficiency and equity. The models all define efficiency as promoting graft and patient survival but use various conceptions of equity. We discuss the various conceptions of equity employed in the various models. We show that only the new proposal, EOFI, can meet the NOTA requirements using a multiprincipled equity approach to kidney allocation.
The end of continental growth by TTG magmatism
Authors: Laurie Angelique , Stevens Gary , van Hunen Jeroen 
Published: October 2012

Terra Nova, 25, 130–136, 2013AbstractHigh‐Al2O3 tonalite, trondhjemite and granodiorite (TTG) magmas characterise felsic Archaean crust, yet are uncommon in the post‐Archaean rock record. Consequently, understanding the petrogenesis of these rocks provides valuable insights into early Earth processes. Fluid‐absent slab melting represents the dominant hypothesis for the origin of these rocks; however, the absence of voluminous magmas of intermediate composition formed concurrently with these TTGs is incompatible with expectations of slab water loss prior to slab melting. This study demonstrates that for reasonable Archaean mantle temperatures, slab‐derived water is captured by an anatectic zone near the slab surface, which melts via reactions that consume quartz, clinopyroxene and water to produce high‐Al2O3 Archaean trondhjemite. Late in the Archaean, the mantle cooled sufficiently to prevent wet melting of the slab, allowing slab water to migrate into the wedge and produce intermediate composition magmatism, which has since been associated with subduction zones.
The holocentric species Luzula elegans shows interplay between centromere and large‐scale genome organization
Authors: Heckmann Stefan , Macas Jiri , Kumke Katrin , Fuchs Jörg , Schubert Veit , Ma Lu , Novák Petr , Neumann Pavel , Taudien Stefan , Platzer Matthias , Houben Andreas 
Published: October 2012

SummaryIn higher plants, the large‐scale structure of monocentric chromosomes consists of distinguishable eu‐ and heterochromatic regions, the proportions and organization of which depend on a species' genome size. To determine whether the same interplay is maintained for holocentric chromosomes, we investigated the distribution of repetitive sequences and epigenetic marks in the woodrush Luzula elegans (3.81 Gbp/1C). Sixty‐one per cent of the L. elegans genome is characterized by highly repetitive DNA, with over 30 distinct sequence families encoding an exceptionally high diversity of satellite repeats. Over 33% of the genome is composed of the Angela clade of Ty1/copia LTR retrotransposons, which are uniformly dispersed along the chromosomes, while the satellite repeats occur as bands whose distribution appears to be biased towards the chromosome termini. No satellite showed an almost chromosome‐wide distribution pattern as expected for a holocentric chromosome and no typical centromere‐associated LTR retrotransposons were found either. No distinguishable large‐scale patterns of eu‐ and heterochromatin‐typical epigenetic marks or early/late DNA replicating domains were found along mitotic chromosomes, although super‐high‐resolution light microscopy revealed distinguishable interspersed units of various chromatin types. Our data suggest a correlation between the centromere and overall genome organization in species with holocentric chromosomes.
Graphical representation of the effects on tumor and OAR for determining the appropriate fractionation regimen in radiation therapy planning
Authors: Mizuta Masahiro , Date Hiroyuki , Takao Seishin , Kishimoto Naoki , Sutherland Kenneth L. , Onimaru Rikiya , Shirato Hiroki 
Published: October 2012

Purpose:The authors propose a graphical representation of the relation between the effect on the tumor and the damage effect on an organ at risk (OAR) against the irradiation dose, as an aid for choosing an appropriate fractionation regimen.Methods:The graphical relation is depicted by the radiation effect on the tumorE1 versus that on an OAR E0. By observing the features of the E1 vs E0 relation curve, i.e., convex or concave shape, one can judge whether multifractionation is better or not. This method is applied to the linear‐quadratic model (with α and β parameters) as an example. Further, the method is extended to the general case for nonuniform dose distribution to the OAR, which is frequently seen in clinical situations.Results:The criterion for selecting multi‐ or hypofractionation is based on the relation between the dose for the OAR and theα/β ratio of the OAR to the tumor. It is also shown that the graphical relation enables us to estimate the final effect after multifractionated treatment by plotting a tangent line on the curve.Conclusions:The graphical representation method is of use for improving planning in radiotherapy by determining the effective fractionation scheme.
Improving the homogeneity of tissue‐mimicking cryogel phantoms for medical imaging
Authors: Minton Joshua A. , Iravani Amin , Azizeh‐Mitra Yousefi  
Published: October 2012

Purpose:Tissue‐mimicking phantoms can help in uncovering potential weaknesses in medical imaging systems. This work presents a new approach to developing phantoms for magnetic resonance elastography (MRE). Elastography requires sufficiently large and well‐characterized phantoms to accurately validate motion estimation methods and to provide accurate stiffness measurements. Physically crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol hydrogels, prepared by the freeze‐thaw technique, have been extensively used as MRE phantoms. However, the large cryogels developed by this technique usually exhibit variations in properties due to the low thermal conductivity of the polymeric solution. This leads to variations in freezing‐thawing rates across the gels. Therefore, designing homogeneous large cryogels with tissue‐mimicking mechanical properties poses a challenge to medical imaging researchers.Methods:Unlike conventional freeze‐thaw techniques that use either sudden freezing or ramp freezing, the authors have developed a modified freeze‐thaw process featuring a combination of multiple ramps and isotherms within a single freeze‐thaw cycle. Aiming to develop brain‐mimicking phantoms, they have blended three different water‐soluble polymers (polyvinyl pyrrolidone, agarose, and polyacrylic acid) with polyvinyl alcohol and produced cryogels with a wide range of mechanical properties and swelling characteristics. The effect of the modified process on mechanical properties, swelling, and melting enthalpy of the produced gels has been investigated in this study.Results:It was demonstrated that imposing additional isotherms at the vicinity of phase change temperatures could effectively reduce the variations in properties within a typical large phantom (diameter vs height: 100 mm × 100 mm). While the conventional freeze‐thaw process resulted in ∼16% variation in the enthalpy of fusion across the produced gels, the modified process reduced this variation to below 8%. The homogeneity in mechanical properties was also improved by over 50% compared to the conventional process. Upon comparing the mechanical properties of the gels with those of brain white matter, the authors have shown that a blend of polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl pyrrolidone can provide brain‐mimicking properties, while leading to stable gels.Conclusions:The modified freeze‐thaw process enabled to minimize the temperature gradient within the large cryogel phantoms during the freeze‐thaw cycle. The results of this study can help to fill the gaps in the scientific literature with regard to developing homogeneous phantoms for medical imaging. This work also provides a solid foundation for future studies in this field and could facilitate formulating new hydrogels to replicate the viscoelastic properties of soft tissues.
An analytical method for computing voxel S values for electrons and photons
Authors: Amato Ernesto , Minutoli Fabio , Pacilio Massimiliano , Campennì Alfredo , Baldari Sergio 
Published: October 2012

Purpose:The use of voxel S values (VSVs) is perhaps the most common approach to radiation dosimetry for nonuniform distributions of activity within organs or tumors. However, VSVs are currently available only for a limited number of voxel sizes and radionuclides. The objective of this study was to develop a general method to evaluate them for any spectrum of electrons and photons in any cubic voxel dimension of practical interest for clinical dosimetry in targeted radionuclide therapy.Methods:The authors developed a Monte Carlo simulation in Geant4 in order to evaluate the energy deposited per disintegration (Edep) in a voxelized region of soft tissue from monoenergetic electrons (10–2000 keV) or photons (10–1000 keV) homogeneously distributed in the central voxel, considering voxel dimensions ranging from 3 mm to 10 mm. Edep was represented as a function of a dimensionless quantity termed the “normalized radius,” Rn = R/l, where l is the voxel size and R is the distance from the origin. The authors introduced two parametric functions in order to fit the electron and photon results, and they interpolated the parameters to derive VSVs for any energy and voxel side within the ranges mentioned above. In order to validate the results, the authors determined VSV for two radionuclides (131I and 89Sr) and two voxel dimensions and they compared them with reference data. A validation study in a simple sphere model, accounting for tissue inhomogeneities, is presented.Results:TheEdep(Rn) for both monoenergetic electrons and photons exhibit a smooth variation with energy and voxel size, implying that VSVs for monoenergetic electrons or photons may be derived by interpolation over the range of energies and dimensions considered. By integration, S values for continuous emission spectra from β− decay may be derived as well.Conclusions:The approach allows the determination of VSVs for monoenergetic (Auger or conversion) electrons and (x‐ray or gamma‐ray) photons by means of two functions whose parameters can be interpolated from tabular data provided. Through integration, it is possible to generalize the method to any continuous (beta) spectrum, allowing to calculate VSVs for any electron and photon emitter in a voxelized structure.
Effect of Heat-Killed Escherichia coli, Lipopolysaccharide, and Muramyl Dipeptide Treatments on the Immune Response Phenotype and Allergy in Neonatal Pigs Sensitized to the Egg White Protein Ovomucoid
Authors: Schmied Julie , Rupa Prithy , Garvie Sarah , Wilkie Bruce 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACT

Predisposition to food allergies may reflect a type 2 immune response (IR) bias in neonates due to the intrauterine environment required to maintain pregnancy. The hygiene hypothesis states that lack of early environmental stimulus leading to inappropriate development and bias in IR may also contribute. Here, the ability of heat-killed
Escherichia coli
, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), or muramyl dipeptide (MDP) to alter IR bias and subsequent allergic response in neonatal pigs was investigated. Three groups of three litters of pigs (12 pigs/litter) were given intramuscular injections of
E. coli
, LPS, MDP, or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) (control) and subsequently sensitized to the egg white allergen ovomucoid using an established protocol. To evaluate change in IR bias, immunoglobulin isotype-associated antibody activity (AbA), concentrations of type 1 and 2 and proinflammatory cytokines released from mitogen-stimulated blood mononuclear cells, and the percentage of T-regulatory cells (T-regs) in blood were measured. Clinical signs of allergy were assessed after oral challenge with egg white. The greatest effect on IR bias was observed in MDP-treated pigs, which had a type 2-biased phenotype by isotype-specific AbA, cytokine production, and a low proportion of T-regs. LPS-treated pigs had decreased type 1- and type 2-associated AbA.
E. coli
-treated pigs displayed increased response to Ovm as AbA and had more balanced cytokine profiles, as well as the highest proportion of T-regs. Accordingly, pigs treated with MDP were more susceptible to allergy than PBS controls, while pigs treated with LPS were less susceptible. Treatment with
E. coli
did not significantly alter the frequency of clinical signs.
The Genome Sequence of an Isolate of Indian Citrus Ringspot Virus Infecting the Sweet Orange in India
Authors: K Prabha , Baranwal V. K. 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACT

Whole-genome sequencing of an isolate of
Mandarivirus
infecting the sweet orange [
Citrus sinensis
(L) Blanco] in the western part of India (Pune) was done. The single-stranded positive-sense RNA genome of
Indian citrus ringspot virus
(ICRSV) Pune has 7,560 nucleotides (nt), excluding a poly(A) tail, comprised of 27.98% (2,115 nt) A, 32.12% (2,428 nt) C, 19.68% (1,488 nt) G, and 20.22% (1,529 nt) T residues. The genome, organized into six open reading frames (ORFs), shares 97.7% sequence identity with the complete genome of the ICRSV K1 isolate (AF406744.1) infecting the kinnow (
Citrus reticulate
Blanco, a hybrid between King and Willow mandarins) in north India. The ICRSV Pune genome formed a complex secondary structure with a large number of unpaired cytosine-rich regions, and recombination analysis highlighted potential recombination in the ICRSV genome.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Mammalian Species-Infectious and -Pathogenic H6N5 Avian Influenza Virus without Evidence of Adaptation
Authors: Park Seong-Jun , Park Bong-Kyun , Song Dae-Sub , Poo Haryoung 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACT
An H6N5 avian influenza virus (AIV) strain, designated A/aquatic bird/Korea/CN5/2009 (H6N5), was isolated from fecal swabs of aquatic birds in 2009, and surprisingly, it showed infectivity and pathogenicity in mammalian species without evidence of adaptation. In this study, we report the first complete genome sequence containing 3′ and 5′ noncoding regions (NCRs) of a mammalian species-infectious and pathogenic H6N5 AIV, which will help provide important insights into the molecular basis of pathogenesis, transmission, and evolution of AIV.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Newcastle Disease Virus Strain Isolated from Broiler Breeder Flocks in China
Authors: Chen Feng , Liu Jiajia , Liu Di , Yan Zhuanqiang , Ji Jun , Qin Jianping , Li Haiyan , Ma Jingyun , Bi Yingzuo , Xie Qingmei 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACT
In 2010 and 2011, several devastating Newcastle disease (ND) outbreaks occurred in China, affecting broilers, layers, and breeders. The CK-JSX1-201005 virus was isolated from broiler breeder flocks vaccinated with the classical ND virus (NDV) vaccine program, but laying rate decreased from 80% to 30 to 40% in the clinic. Here, we report the complete genome sequence and molecular characteristic of the CK-JSX1-201005 NDV. These findings provide additional insights into the genetic variation of NDV circulating in China and are useful for vaccine development for NDV.
Genome Sequence of a Natural Reassortant H5N2 Avian Influenza Virus from Domestic Mallard Ducks in Eastern China
Authors: Gu Min , Huang Junqing , Chen Yuxin , Chen Jian , Wang Xiaoquan , Liu Xiaowen , Liu Xiufan 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACT
Here, we report the genomic sequence of a Chinese reassortant H5N2 avian influenza virus which possessed the polybasic motif PLREKRRK-R/GL at the hemagglutinin cleavage site. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all eight genes were of the Eurasian lineage, five of which were highly homologous to the endemic clade 2.3.4 H5N1 viruses and their H5N5 reassortant descendants. These data suggested that novel multisubtypic NA reassortants bearing the H5N1 backbone could be generated through genetic reassortment in H5N1 circulating regions, which will help in understanding the evolution and segment reassortment mechanism of H5 subtype avian influenza viruses.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Reovirus Isolated from Grass Carp, Indicating Different Genotypes of GCRV in China
Authors: Wang Qing , Zeng Weiwei , Liu Chun , Zhang Chao , Wang Yingying , Shi Cunbin , Wu Shuqin 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACT
A widespread grass carp hemorrhagic disease (GCHD) caused by grass carp reovirus (GCRV) has been known in China since 1983. A virulent reovirus strain, HZ08, was isolated from diseased grass carp in Zhejiang Province, China. We sequenced and analyzed the complete genome of strain HZ08 and compared it with published GCRV genome sequences, contributing to the evidence of several genotypes of GCRV in China.
Genomic Sequence of
Heliothis virescens Ascovirus 3g
Isolated from Spodoptera exigua
Authors: Huang Guo-Hua , Wang Yun-Sheng , Wang Xing , Garretson Tyler A. , Dai Liang-Ying , Zhang Chuan-Xi , Cheng Xiao-Wen 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACT

Heliothis virescens ascovirus 3a
(HvAV-3a), a member of the family
Ascoviridae
, has the highest diversity among ascovirus species that have been reported in Australia, Indonesia, China, and the United States. To understand the diversity and origin of this important ascovirus, the complete genome of the HvAV Indonesia strain (HvAV-3g), isolated from
Spodoptera exigua
, was determined to be 199,721 bp, with a G+C content of 45.9%. Therefore, HvAV-3g has the largest genome among the reported ascovirus genomes to date. There are 194 predicted open reading frames (ORFs) encoding proteins of 50 or more amino acid residues. In comparison to HvAV-3e reported from Australia, HvAV-3g has all the ORFs in HvAV-3e with 6 additional ORFs unique to HvAV-3g, including 1 peptidase C26 gene with the highest identity to
Drosophila
spp. and 2 gas vesicle protein U (GvpU) genes with identities to
Bacillus megaterium
. The five unique homologous regions (hrs) and 25 baculovirus repeat ORFs (bro) of HvAV-3g are highly variable.
Significantly increasing hospital admissions for acute throat infections among children in England: is this related to tonsillectomy rates?
Authors: Koshy Elizabeth , Murray Joanna , Bottle Alex , Aylin Paul , Sharland Mike , Majeed Azeem , Saxena Sonia 
Published: October 2012

ObjectiveTo examine trends in hospital admissions for acute throat infection (ATI) and peritonsillar abscess (PTA) alongside tonsillectomy trends in children.DesignWe analysed Hospital Episode Statistics data to calculate annual age-standardised and age-sex specific rates for ATI, PTA and tonsillectomies in children aged 0–17 years who were admitted to hospital in England between 1 April 1999 and 31 March 2010.ResultsAge-standardised admission rates for ATI increased by 76% from 107.3 (95% CI 105.3 to 109.2) to 188.4 (95% CI 185.9 to 191.0) admissions per 100 000 children. Median length of stay for ATI admissions decreased from 1 to 0 days. Admission rates for PTA remained stable at between 9.6 (95% CI 9.0 to 10.2) and 8.7 (95% CI 8.1 to 9.2) per 100 000 children in 1999/2000 and 2009/2010, respectively. Age-standardised tonsillectomy rates declined from 367.4 (95% CI 363.8 to 371.0) to 278.0 (95% CI 274.9 to 281.1) per 100 000 children between 1999/2000 and 2000/2001, respectively, increased to 322.4 (95% CI 319.0 to 325.7) in 2002/2003 and then gradually declined again to 293.6 (95% CI 290.4 to 296.8) in 2009/2010.ConclusionsATI admission rates have increased substantially in the past decade, but the majority of children are discharged after a short stay. PTA admission rates have remained stable. This suggests the severity of throat infection has not increased. Tonsillectomy rates in England have been declining overall but do not appear to be associated with this increasing trend in ATI admissions. The increase most likely reflects changes in primary care and hospital service provision.
Microstructural characterization of a Canadian oil sand
Authors: Doan Dinh Hong , Delage Pierre , Nauroy Jean François , Tang Anh Minh , Youssef Souhail 
Published: October 2012

The microstructure of oil sand samples extracted at a depth of 75 m from the estuarine Middle McMurray Formation (Alberta, Canada) has been investigated using high resolution three-dimensional (3D) X-ray microtomography (µCT) and cryo scanning electron microscopy (CryoSEM). µCT images evidenced some dense areas composed of highly angular grains surrounded by fluids, which are separated by larger pores full of gas. In dense areas, 3D image analysis provided porosity values comparable with in situ log data and macroscopic laboratory determinations, showing that they are representative of intact states. µCT hence provided some information on the morphology of the cracks and disturbance created by gas expansion. The CryoSEM technique, in which the sample is freeze fractured within the SEM chamber prior to observation, provided pictures in which the (frozen) bitumen clearly appears between the sand grains. No evidence of the existence of a thin connate water layer between grains and the bitumen, frequently mentioned in the literature, has been obtained. Bitumen appears to strongly adhere to the grains, with some grains being completely coated. The curved shape of some bitumen menisci suggests a bitumen wet behaviour.