bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effectiveness and safety of adalimumab in the treatment of non‐reimbursed patients with mild‐to‐moderate psoriasis
Authors: Chiu H.‐Y. , Wang T.‐S. , Chang C.‐Y. , Tsai T.‐F. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractBackground  Few reports exist on the use of biologics for treating patients with mild‐to‐moderate psoriasis, especially for non‐reimbursed patients.Objectives  This study aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of adalimumab in non‐reimbursed patients with mild‐to‐moderate psoriasis.Methods  Fifty one patients with mild‐to‐moderate psoriasis treated with adalimumab 40 mg every other week (eow) in a tertiary referral hospital in Taiwan between 2007 and 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical effectiveness of adalimumab was assessed using Subject’s Global assessment (SGA) and Physician’s Global Assessment (PGA), and the reasons for discontinuation were evaluated.Results  After 12 weeks of adalimumab (40 mg subcutaneously eow without a loading dose) treatment, 66% and 74% of patients had SGA and PGA scores of at least marked improvement (greater than 50% improvement compared with baseline psoriasis), respectively, with 60% and 53% of patients achieving SGA and PGA scores of at least marked improvement after 24 weeks. Ten (71%) of 14 previous non‐responders to etanercept achieved a SGA or PGA score of at least marked improvement after adalimumab treatment. Adalimumab was generally well tolerated, but four patients (7.8%) discontinued adalimumab due to adverse events. The mean time required for resumption of systemic anti‐psoriatic therapy was 6 months (range, 1–12 months). Apart from financial limitations, the most common reasons for discontinuation were primary (23.5%) and secondary (13.7%) lack of efficacy.Conclusion  In non‐reimbursed mild‐to‐moderate psoriasis patients, SGA and PGA remained high for adalimumab. Effectiveness and remission duration were key factors affecting patients’ willingness to pay for prolonged adalimumab treatment.
Peritoneal and Plasma d‐lactate Concentrations in Horses with Colic
Authors: Yamout Sawsan Z. , Nieto Jorge E. , Beldomenico Pablo M. , Dechant Julie E. , leJeune Sarah , Snyder Jack R. 
Published: August 2011

ObjectiveTo evaluate the association between peritoneal fluid and plasma d‐lactate concentration with variables used in the diagnosis and prognosis of horses with colic.AnimalsClinically healthy horses (n=6) and 90 horses with colic.Study DesignProspective cross‐sectional study.Methodsd‐lactate concentration was determined in peritoneal fluid and plasma of all horses. Information on other blood and peritoneal fluid variables, signalment, results from the physical examination, outcome, need for surgery, lesion location, and type was retrieved from medical records.ResultsPeritoneal d‐lactate concentration was strongly correlated with plasma d‐lactate concentration (r=0.71; P<.001). Peritoneal and plasma d‐lactate concentrations were positively correlated with peritoneal (r=0.8; P<.001) and plasma l‐lactate (r=0.33; P=.001) concentrations, respectively. Peritoneal d‐lactate concentration was negatively correlated with survival to discharge (U=430.5; P<.001). Median peritoneal d‐lactate concentration of horses with septic peritonitis (455.2 μmol/L) and horses with gastrointestinal rupture (599.5 μmol/L) were higher compared with horses with nonstrangulating obstructions (77.7 μmol/L). A cut‐off concentration of peritoneal d‐lactate of 116.6 μmol/L had a sensitivity of 0.813 and a specificity of 0.651 to differentiate between nonstrangulating and strangulating obstructions.ConclusionsPeritoneal d‐lactate concentration may be more useful for identifying horses with strangulating obstructions (high sensitivity, low probability of a false negative) than to ruling out strangulating obstruction (moderate specificity, high probability of a false positive).
Fracture load of tooth–implant‐retained zirconia ceramic fixed dental prostheses: effect of span length and preparation design
Authors: Gabbert Olaf , Karatzogiannis Efstathios , Ohlmann Brigitte , Schmitter Marc , Karl Jochen , Rammelsberg Peter 
Published: August 2011

AbstractObjectives: Evaluation of the effect of different span length and preparation designs on the fracture load of tooth–implant‐supported fixed dental prostheses (TIFDPs) manufactured from yttrium‐stabilized zirconia frameworks.Material and methods: Forty‐eight TIFDPs were manufactured using a CAD/CAM system and veneered with a press ceramic. Rigidly mounted implants (SLA, diameter 4.1 mm, length 10 mm) in the molar region with a titanium abutment were embedded in PMMA bases pairwise with premolars. All premolars were covered with heat‐shrink tubing to simulate physiological tooth mobility. Six different test groups were prepared (a) differing in the preparation design of the premolar (inlay [i]; crown [c]), (b) the material of the premolar (metal [m]; natural human [h]) and (c) the length of the TIFDPs (3‐unit [3]; 4‐unit [4]). All TIFDPs underwent thermomechanical loading (TCML) (10,000 × 6.5°/60°; 6 × 105× 50 N). The load to fracture (N) was measured and fracture sites were evaluated macroscopically.Results: None of the restorations failed during TCML. The mean fracture loads (standard deviations) were 1,522 N (249) for the 3‐unit, inlay‐retained TIFDPs on a metal abutment tooth (3‐im), 1,910 N (165) for the 3‐cm group, 1,049 N (183) for group 4‐im, 1,274 N (282) for group 4‐cm, 1,229 N (174) for group 4‐ih and 911 N (205) for group 4‐ch. Initial damages within the veneering ceramic occurred before the final failure of the restoration. The corresponding loads were 24–52% lower than the fracture load values.Conclusions: All restorations tested could withstand the mastication forces expected. Fracture‐load values for 3‐ and 4‐unit inlay–crown and crown–crown‐retained TIFDPs should spur further clinical investigation.
Bone‐anchored hearing aids for people with bilateral hearing impairment: a systematic review
Authors: Colquitt J.L. , Loveman E. , Baguley D.M. , Mitchell T.E. , Sheehan P.Z. , Harris P. , Proops D.W. , Jones J. , Clegg A.J. , Welch K. 
Published: August 2011

Clin. Otolaryngol. 2011, 36, 419–441Background:  Bone‐anchored hearing aids (BAHAs) are indicated for people with conductive or mixed hearing loss who can benefit from amplification of sound. In resource limited health care systems, it is important that evidence regarding the benefit of BAHAs is critically appraised to aid decision‐making.Objective of review:  To assess the clinical effectiveness of BAHAs for people with bilateral hearing impairment.Type of review:  Systematic review.Search strategy:  Nineteen electronic resources were searched from inception to November 2009. Additional studies were sought from reference lists, clinical experts and BAHA manufacturers.Evaluation method:  Inclusion criteria were applied by two reviewers independently. Data extraction and quality assessment of full papers were undertaken by one reviewer and checked by a second. Studies were synthesised through narrative review with tabulation of results.Results:  Twelve studies were included. Studies suggested audiological benefits of BAHAs when compared with bone‐conduction hearing aids or no aiding. A mixed pattern of results was seen when BAHAs were compared to air‐conduction hearing aids. Improvements in quality of life with BAHAs were found by a hearing‐specific instrument but not generic quality of life measures. Issues such as improvement of discharging ears and length of time the aid can be worn were not adequately addressed by the studies. Studies demonstrated some benefits of bilateral BAHAs. Adverse events data were limited. The quality of the studies was low.Conclusions:  The available evidence is weak. As such, caution is indicated in the interpretation of presently available data. However, based on the available evidence, BAHAs appear to be a reasonable treatment option for people with bilateral conductive or mixed hearing loss. Further research into the benefits of BAHAs, including quality of life, is required to reduce the uncertainty.
The evidence base to select a method for assessing glaucomatous visual field progression
Authors: Ernest Paul J. G. , Schouten Jan S. A. G. , Beckers Henny J. M. , Hendrikse Fred , Prins Martin H. , Webers Carroll A. B. 
Published: August 2011

Abstract.A large number of methods have been developed for assessing glaucomatous visual field progression, but their properties have not yet been systematically evaluated. In this systematic literature review, we summarize the evidence base for selecting a method by providing answers to ten relevant questions on the variety, validity and reproducibility of methods. In total, we found 301 different methods in 412 articles. The majority of studies (54%) used the Humphrey Field Analyzer. No data have been published about the reproducibility of methods. Although there is no gold standard to assess glaucomatous visual field progression, we found evidence on validity for 48 different methods. Some methods were less capable of distinguishing between progressive and nonprogressive patients. Choosing among twelve methods is supported by some evidence of their validity. These methods still differ in sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of test results within studies comparing several methods. In conclusion, the current evidence base is not perfect. A selection should be made from a limited number of methods, according to the clinical purpose of progression assessment. Methods that quantify the rate of visual field progression seem to be the most appropriate for guiding subsequent medical actions in individual patients. Future studies should investigate whether using one method to monitor patients is superior to another method in preventing loss of quality of life.
Augmenting Cognitive Architectures to Support Diagrammatic Imagination
Authors: Chandrasekaran Balakrishnan , Banerjee Bonny , Kurup Unmesh , Lele Omkar 
Published: August 2011

AbstractDiagrams are a form of spatial representation that supports reasoning and problem solving. Even when diagrams are external, not to mention when there are no external representations, problem solving often calls for internal representations, that is, representations in cognition, of diagrammatic elements and internal perceptions on them. General cognitive architectures—Soar and ACT‐R, to name the most prominent—do not have representations and operations to support diagrammatic reasoning. In this article, we examine some requirements for such internal representations and processes in cognitive architectures. We discuss the degree to which DRS, our earlier proposal for such an internal representation for diagrams, meets these requirements. In DRS, the diagrams are not raw images, but a composition of objects that can be individuated and thus symbolized, while, unlike traditional symbols, the referent of the symbol is an object that retains its perceptual essence, namely, its spatiality. This duality provides a way to resolve what anti‐imagists thought was a contradiction in mental imagery: the compositionality of mental images that seemed to be unique to symbol systems, and their support of a perceptual experience of images and some types of perception on them. We briefly review the use of DRS to augment Soar and ACT‐R with a diagrammatic representation component. We identify issues for further research.
Ultrasonographic examination of the palmar/plantar aspect of the fetlock in the horse: Technique and normal images
Authors: Seignour M. , Coudry V. , Norris R. , Denoix J‐M. 
Published: August 2011

SummaryThe purpose of this paper is to present a comprehensive ultrasonographic technique to image the palmar/plantar aspect of the fetlock in the horse, from themanica flexoria(MF) down to the base of the proximal sesamoid bones (PSBs) and to describe the normal images. Ultrasonography, in combination with radiography, is the technique of choice to identify and document tendon and ligament injuries in routine practice and has been shown adequate for evaluating the palmar/plantar aspect of the fetlock. Detailed descriptions of transverse and longitudinal sections performed on the weightbearing or flexed limb are provided, as well as the technique for dynamic examination of the area. A thorough knowledge of detailed ultrasonographic anatomy is critical to identify abnormal images and establish an accurate diagnosis of palmar/plantar fetlock injuries.
Tests and intervals in multiple choice tests: A modification of the simplest classical model
Authors: Andrés A. Martín , del Castillo J. D. Luna 
Published: August 2011

When a multiple choice test is carried out, each student is set the same series of questions composed of two or more alternatives, only one of which is correct, and from which he or she must choose only one. The simplest and most common criterion for deciding what a student knows is based on a sole and minimum quota for all the students of the total number of right answers; this criterion derives from the assumption that the student, when he or she does not know the correct answer to a question, answers any of the possible alternatives with equal probability.In this paper, the authors show that this method may be unsatisfactory if the student is unable to imitate random selection, and they put forward an alternative model which allows one to find an estimator for the student's level of knowledge that depends on the sum of the proportions of correct answers of each type and on the total number of each type which the student gives. Likewise, they give a hypothesis test for verifying the model, two methods for finding confidence intervals for the student's level of knowledge, and three hypothesis tests for awarding a mark for it.Numerical calculations show how inefficient the usual multiple choice tests are (100 or 150 questions with five alternative answers each) for ascertaining the student's level of knowledge.
A survey of theory and methods of invariant item ordering
Authors: Sijtsma Klaas , Junker Brian W. 
Published: August 2011

In many testing situations, ordering the items by difficulty is helpful in analysing the testing data; examples include intelligence testing, analysis of differential item functioning, person‐fit analysis, and exploring hypotheses about the order in which cognitive operations are acquired by children. In each situation, interpretation and analysis are made easier if the items are ordered by difficulty in the same way for every individual taking the test, i.e. the item response functions do not cross. This is an invariant item ordering.In this paper we review a class of non‐parametric unidimensional item response models in which the ordinal properties of items (and persons) can be studied, and survey both old and new methods for the investigation of invariant item ordering in empirical data sets. Our model formulation derives in particular fiom the work of Holland & Rosenbaum (1986), Junker (1993) and Mokken (1971). We survey methods based on the work of Mokken (1 97 I), Rosenbaum (1 987a, b), and Sijtsma & Meijer (1992), and we also discuss some new proposals for checking invariant item ordering. When violations are detected, these methods allow a rough assessment of where on the latent scale the item response functions cross.We also study similarities and differences between these various methods and provide guidelines for their use. Finally, the methods are illustrated with data from a developmental psychology experiment in which the ability to draw inferences about transitive relations is explored.
A Conformational Change of C Fragment of Tetanus Neurotoxin Reduces Its Ganglioside-Binding Activity but Does Not Destroy Its Immunogenicity
Authors: Yu Rui , Yi Shaoqiong , Yu Changming , Fang Ting , Liu Shuling , Yu Ting , Song Xiaohong , Fu Ling , Hou Lihua , Chen Wei 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACTThe C fragment of tetanus neurotoxin (TeNT-Hc) with different conformations was observed due to the four cysteine residues within it which could form different intramolecular disulfide bonds. In this study, we prepared and compared three types of monomeric TeNT-Hc with different conformational components: free sulfhydryls (50 kDa), bound sulfhydryls (44 kDa), and a mixture of the two conformational proteins (half 50 kDa and half 44 kDa). TeNT-Hc with bound sulfhydryls reduced its binding activity to ganglioside GT1band neuronal PC-12 cells compared to what was seen for TeNT-Hc with free sulfhydryls. However, there was no significant difference among their immunogenicities in mice, including induction of antitetanus toxoid IgG titers, antibody types, and protective capacities against tetanus neurotoxin challenge. Our results showed that the conformational changes of TeNT-Hc resulting from disulfide bond formation reduced its ganglioside-binding activity but did not destroy its immunogenicity, and the protein still retained continuous B cell and T cell epitopes; that is, the presence of the ganglioside-binding site within TeNT-Hc may be not essential for the induction of a fully protective antitetanus response. TeNT-Hc with bound sulfhydryls may be developed into an ideal human vaccine with a lower potential for side effects.
Evaluation of a Novel Multiplex Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Genotyping Assay for HPV Types in Skin Warts
Authors: Schmitt Markus , de Koning Maurits N. C. , Eekhof Just A. H. , Quint Wim G. V. , Pawlita Michael 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACT
Human papillomaviruses (HPV) of the genera alpha, mu, and nu induce benign tumors of the cutaneous epithelia that constitute a significant burden for immunocompromised adults. Currently, no gold standard for genotyping of these HPV types exists. In this study, we describe the prevalence of genus alpha, mu, and nu HPV types in cutaneous warts. We developed a novel multiplex HPV genotyping assay, BSwart-PCR/MPG (BSwart), to type sensitively and specifically 19 cutaneous HPV types frequently found in warts. BSwart-PCR/MPG is based on a multiplex PCR using broad-spectrum primers and subsequent multiplex hybridization to type-specific probes coupled to Luminex beads. In a first application comprising 100 cutaneous warts, the assay was compared to another, recently described genotyping assay, the HSL-PCR/MPG. When a 10-fold dilution series was used, the detection limit was between 10 and 100 HPV genomes per PCR. When comparing the two assays, there was an excellent agreement in detecting dominant HPV types; however, we also obtained evidence for a higher sensitivity of the BSwart assay for multiple infections in these cutaneous warts. Using BSwart, HPV was found in 95% of wart preparations, with HPV1 being most prevalent, followed by types 27, 57, and 2. Both novel BSwart and HSL-PCR/MPG HPV genotyping assays are powerful high-throughput tools that could be used to learn more about the natural history of cutaneous HPV. They would be advantageous to monitor the efficacy of future skin HPV vaccines and to identify novel HPV vaccine candidates.
Alaska Sentinel Surveillance Study of Helicobacter pylori Isolates from Alaska Native Persons from 2000 to 2008
Authors: Tveit Adrienne H. , Bruce Michael G. , Bruden Dana L. , Morris Julie , Reasonover Alisa , Hurlburt Debby A. , Hennessy Thomas W. , McMahon Brian 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACT

Helicobacter pylori
infection is more common in Alaska Native persons than in the general U.S. population, with seroprevalence to
H. pylori
approaching 75%. Previous studies in Alaska have demonstrated elevated proportions of antimicrobial resistance among
H. pylori
isolates. We analyzed
H. pylori
data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's sentinel surveillance in Alaska from January 2000 to December 2008 to determine the proportion of culture-positive biopsy specimens with antimicrobial resistance from Alaska Native persons undergoing endoscopy. The aim of the present study was to monitor antimicrobial resistance of
H. pylori
isolates over time and by region in Alaska Native persons. Susceptibility testing of
H. pylori
isolates to metronidazole, clarithromycin, amoxicillin, and tetracycline was performed using agar dilution. Susceptibility testing for levofloxacin was performed by Etest. Overall, 45% (532/1,181) of persons undergoing upper endoscopy were culture positive for
H. pylori
. Metronidazole resistance was demonstrated in isolates from 222/531 (42%) persons, clarithromycin resistance in 159/531 (30%) persons, amoxicillin resistance in 10/531 (2%) persons, and levofloxacin resistance in 30/155 (19%) persons; no tetracycline resistance was documented. The prevalence of metronidazole, clarithromycin, and levofloxacin resistance varied by region. Female patients were more likely than male patients to demonstrate metronidazole (
P
< 0.05) and clarithromycin (
P
< 0.05) resistance. No substantial change in the proportion of persons with resistant isolates was observed over time. Resistance to metronidazole, clarithromycin, and levofloxacin is more common among
H. pylori
isolates from Alaska Native persons than those from elsewhere in the United States.
Role of the Endocytic Pathway in the Counteraction of BST-2 by Human Lentiviral Pathogens
Authors: Lau David , Kwan Wilson , Guatelli John 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACT

The interferon-inducible transmembrane protein BST-2 (CD317, tetherin) restricts the release of several enveloped viruses from infected cells. BST-2 is broadly active against retroviruses, including HIV-1 and HIV-2. To counteract this host defense, HIV-1 uses the accessory protein Vpu, whereas HIV-2 uses its envelope glycoprotein (Env). In both cases, viral antagonism is associated with decreased expression of BST-2 at the cell surface. Here, we provide evidence supporting a role for the clathrin-mediated endocytic pathway in the downregulation of BST-2 from the cell surface and the counteraction of restricted virion release. A catalytically inactive, dominant negative version of the vesicle “pinch-ase” dynamin 2 (dyn2K44A) inhibited the downregulation of BST-2 by Vpu, and it inhibited the release of wild-type (Vpu-expressing) HIV-1 virions. Similarly, dyn2K44A inhibited the downregulation of BST-2 by HIV-2 Env, and it inhibited the release of
vpu
-negative HIV-1 virions when HIV-2 Env was provided in
trans
. dyn2K44A inhibited Env more robustly than Vpu, suggesting that dynamin 2, while a cofactor for both Env and Vpu, might support just one of several pathways though which Vpu counteracts BST-2. In support of a role for clathrin in these effects, the C-terminal domain of the clathrin assembly protein AP180 also inhibited the downregulation of BST-2 by either Vpu or HIV-2 Env. Consistent with modulation of the postendocytic itinerary of BST-2, Vpu enhanced the accumulation of cell surface-derived BST-2 in transferrin-containing endosomes. Vpu also inhibited the transport of BST-2 from a brefeldin A-insensitive compartment to the cell surface, consistent with a block to endosomal recycling. We propose that HIV-1 Vpu, and probably HIV-2 Env, traps BST-2 in an endosomal compartment following endocytosis, reducing its level at the cell surface to counteract restricted viral release.