bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
E‐genetics: exploring the acceptability and feasibility of using technology in cancer genetics services
Authors: Hilgart J , Hayward JA , Iredale R 
Published: November 2011

Hilgart J, Hayward JA, Iredale R. E‐genetics: exploring the acceptability and feasibility of using technology in cancer genetics services.The use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in the delivery of cancer genetics services could improve equality of access in rural areas and help meet the increasing demand for specialist genetics services. An online patient survey and focus groups with patients and staff from the Cancer Genetics Service for Wales (CGSW) were used to explore the acceptability and feasibility of utilizing ICTs within genetics services, which we have termed e‐genetics. A total of 225 patients completed the online survey. Many aspects of e‐genetics proposed in the survey were highly acceptable to patients, including an electronic version of the family history questionnaire, an email facility for cancer genetic queries, and a computerized decision‐aid. Participants in the focus groups emphasized the importance of patient choice when developing new models of service delivery. For example, the use of genetic counselling via telemedicine was not considered to be preferable to face‐to‐face clinic appointments but could benefit those unable to travel. This article highlights the fact that e‐genetics initiatives may not be appropriate for all cancer genetics service users. However, user‐friendly developments that can be easily implemented and attend to individual needs could improve efficiency and cost‐effectiveness, whilst providing high‐quality services to remote areas.
Complement‐fixing donor‐specific antibodies identified by a novel C1q assay are associated with allograft loss
Authors: Sutherland Scott M. , Chen Ge , Sequeira Flavia A. , Lou Calvin D. , Alexander Steven R. , Tyan Dolly B. 
Published: November 2011

Sutherland SM, Chen G, Sequeira FA, Lou CD, Alexander SR, Tyan DB. Complement‐fixing donor‐specific antibodies identified by a novel C1q assay are associated with allograft loss.  Pediatr Transplantation 2012: 16: 12–17. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  Long‐term outcomes following renal transplantation remain disappointing. Recently, interest has focused on the antibody‐mediated component of allograft injury and the deleterious effects of DSA. We applied a novel C1q solid‐phase assay in parallel with the standard IgG SAB assay to identify DSA with the potential to activate complement by binding C1q. Among 193 consecutive renal transplants at our center, 19.2% developed de novo DSA following transplantation. Of the patients with DSA, 43% had antibodies that bound C1q in vitro [C1q(+) DSA]. Patients with C1q(+) DSA were more likely to develop allograft loss than patients with DSA that did not bind C1q (46.7% vs. 15%; p = 0.04); patients with C1q(+) DSA were nearly six times more likely to lose their transplant than those with C1q(−) DSA. Additionally, patients with C1q(+) DSA who underwent allograft biopsy were more likely to demonstrate C4d deposition (50% vs. 8%; p = 0.03) and meet criteria for acute rejection (60% vs. 17%; p = 0.02) when compared with patients with DSA that did not bind C1q. These data suggest that DSA with the ability to activate complement, as determined by this novel C1q assay, are associated with greater risk of acute rejection and allograft loss.
Successful liver transplantation following veno‐arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in a child with fulminant Wilson disease and severe pulmonary hemorrhage: A case report
Authors: Son Seung Kook , Oh Seak Hee , Kim Kyung Mo , Lee Yeoun Joo , Jhang Won Kyoung , Park Seong Jong , Shin Hong Ju , Park Jeong‐Jun , Kim Tae Hoon , Kim Dae Yeon , Hwang Shin , Park Kwang‐Min , Lee Young‐Joo , Lee Sung‐Gyu 
Published: November 2011

Son SK, Oh SH, Kim KM, Lee YJ, Jhang WK, Park SJ, Shin HJ, Park J‐J, Kim TH, Kim DY, Hwang S, Park K‐M, Lee Y‐J, Lee S‐G. Successful liver transplantation following veno‐arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in a child with fulminant Wilson disease and severe pulmonary hemorrhage: A case report.  Pediatr Transplantation 2011. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  Massive pulmonary hemorrhage and other serious cardiopulmonary diseases in patients with fulminant hepatitis result not only in graft failure but also mortality after LT. ECMO is used to treat children with cardiorespiratory failure refractory to conventional intensive care. We describe a five‐yr‐old girl with genetically confirmed fulminant Wilson disease and severe pulmonary hemorrhage who underwent successful primary LT following veno‐arterial ECMO. To our knowledge, this is the first report of successful primary LT in a patient using veno‐arterial ECMO. The present case demonstrates that ECMO, as a bridging modality to LT, may be necessary to manage both massive pulmonary hemorrhage and possible graft loss because of hypoxemia.
Abiotic heterogeneity drives parasite local adaptation in coevolving bacteria and phages
Authors: LOPEZ PASCUA L. , GANDON S. , BUCKLING A. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractSpatial abiotic heterogeneity can result in divergent selection, hence might increase the magnitude of host–parasite local adaptation (the mean difference in fitness of sympatric vs. allopatric host–parasite combinations). We explicitly tested this hypothesis by measuring local adaptation in experimentally coevolved populations of bacteria and viruses evolved in the same or different nutrient media. Consistent with previous work, we found that mean levels of evolved phage infectivity and bacteria resistance varied with nutrient concentration, with maximal levels at nutrient concentrations that supported the greatest densities of bacteria. Despite this variation in evolved mean infectivity and resistance between treatments, we found that parasite local adaptation was greatly increased when measured between populations evolved in different, compared with the same, media. This pattern is likely to have resulted from different media imposing divergent selection on bacterial hosts, and phages in turn adapting to their local hosts. These results demonstrate that the abiotic environment can play a strong and predictable role in driving patterns of local adaptation.
Impact of solvent/detergent treatment of plasma on transfusion‐relevant bacteria
Authors: Chou M.‐L. , Wu Y.‐W. , Su C.‐Y. , Lee L.‐W. , Burnouf T. 
Published: November 2011

Background  A solvent/detergent (S/D) treatment in a medical device has been developed for pathogen reduction of plasma for transfusion. Impact of S/D on bacterial growth and on the capacity of complement to kill bacteria has been investigated in this study.Study design and methods  A pool of apheresis plasma from four donors was spiked with eight transfusion‐relevant bacteria. Plasma was treated with 1% tri(n‐butyl) phosphate and 1% Triton X‐45 at 31°C for 90 min and then extracted by oil at 31°C for 70 min. Decomplemented plasma and Phosphate Buffer Saline were used as controls. Bacterial count was determined in samples taken immediately after spiking, or after S/D and oil treatment. Similar experiments were conducted using three individual recovered plasma donations. Bacteria growth inhibition tests were performed using discs soaked with plasma samples whether containing the S/D agents or not.Results  The mean reduction factors of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae due to complement during S/D treatment were >8·75, 4·71, and 4·18 log in pooled plasma and >7·42, 2·24 and >6·08 log in individual plasmas, respectively. Bacillus cereus and Bacillus subtilis were inactivated by S/D (>7·04 and 1·60 log in pooled, and >6·06 and 2·39 in individual plasmas, respectively). Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Enterobacter cloacae did not multiply during S/D treatment of plasma. Growth inhibition tests revealed an inhibition of three Gram‐negative bacteria by complement and all Gram‐positive by S/D.Conclusion  The S/D treatment of plasma does not alter the bactericidal activity of complement, and inactivates some Gram‐positive bacteria.
Genetic Variation for Maize Epicuticular Wax Response to Drought Stress at Flowering
Authors: Meeks M. , Murray S. C. , Hague S. , Hays D. , Ibrahim A. M. H. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractDrought stress is thought to promote epicuticular wax accumulation on maize leaves, which reduces plant water loss. We evaluated 62 maize inbred lines and their hybrid testcross progeny for epicuticular wax accumulation on flag leaves at flowering under full and limited irrigation regimes. Extracted wax was measured as a percentage of wax weight to leaf weight (WLW) and leaf area (WLA). Eleven genotypes had above average WLW as both inbred lines and hybrid testcrosses. Thirteen genotypes had above average WLA as either inbred lines or hybrid testcrosses. The drought treatment did not significantly alter WLW or WLA. Heritability of WLW was 0.17 (inbred lines) and 0.58 (hybrid testcrosses). Heritability of WLA was 0.41 (inbred lines) and 0.59 (hybrid testcrosses), suggesting it is a better trait than WLW for epicuticular wax screening. Correlations (r) between inbred lines and their testcross progeny were 0.44 and 0.18, for WLW and WLA, respectively. Heritability of grain weight per ear and plot yield was highest in hybrid testcrosses, with no correlation between inbred and hybrid germplasm. It is not warranted to evaluate epicuticular wax accumulation as the sole drought tolerance mechanism. However, it may be a good secondary trait to observe in relation to grain yield production in hybrids tested under water‐limiting conditions.
Risk factors for community‐acquired pneumonia in pre‐school‐aged children
Authors: Grant Cameron C , Emery Diane , Milne Tania , Coster Gregor , Forrest Christopher B , Wall Clare R , Scragg Robert , Aickin Richard , Crengle Sue , Leversha Alison , Tukuitonga Colin , Robinson Elizabeth M 
Published: November 2011

Aim:  To identify risk factors for children developing and being hospitalised with community‐acquired pneumonia.Methods:  Children <5 years old residing in urban Auckland, New Zealand were enrolled from 2002 to 2004. To assess the risk of developing pneumonia, children hospitalised with pneumonia (n= 289) plus children with pneumonia discharged from the Emergency Department (n= 139) were compared with a random community sample of children without pneumonia (n= 351). To assess risk of hospitalisation, children hospitalised with pneumonia were compared with the children discharged from the Emergency Department. Adjusted odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to estimate the risk of pneumonia and hospitalisation with pneumonia.Results:  After adjustment for season, age and ethnicity there was an increased risk of pneumonia associated with lower weight for height (OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.10–1.51), spending less time outside (1.96, 1.11–3.47), previous chest infections (2.31, 1.55–3.43) and mould in the child's bedroom (1.93, 1.24–3.02). There was an increased risk of pneumonia hospitalisation associated with maternal history of pneumonia (4.03, 1.25–16.18), living in a more crowded household (2.87, 1.33–6.41) and one with cigarette smokers (1.99, 1.05–3.81), and mould in the child's bedroom (2.39, 1.25–4.72).Conclusions:  Lower quality living environments increase the risk of pneumonia and hospitalisation with pneumonia in New Zealand. Poorer nutritional status may also increase the risk of pneumonia. Improving housing quality, decreased cigarette smoke exposure and early childhood nutrition may reduce pneumonia disease burden in New Zealand.
A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial on the effect of long‐acting testosterone treatment as assessed by the Aging Male Symptoms scale
Authors: Ho Christopher C.K. , Tong Seng Fah , Low Wah Yun , Ng Chirk Jenn , Khoo Ee Ming , Lee Verna K.M. , Zainuddin Zulkifli Md , Tan Hui Meng 
Published: November 2011

Study Type – Therapy (RCT)Level of Evidence 1bWhat's known on the subject? and What does the study add?Testosterone deficiency syndrome can be treated with testosterone replacement in the form of injectable, transdermal, buccal and oral preparations. Long‐acting i.m. testosterone undecanoate 1000 mg, which is given at 10−14 week intervals, has been shown to be adequate for sustaining normal testosterone levels in hypogonadal men.This study confirms that long‐acting i.m. testosterone undecanoate is effective in improving the health‐related quality of life in men with testosterone deficiency syndrome as assessed by the improvement in the Aging Male Symptoms scale. Testosterone treatment can be indicated in men who have poor health‐related quality of life resulting from testosterone deficiency syndrome.OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of i.m. injection of testosterone undecanoate 1000 mg over 12 months on the Aging Male Symptom (AMS) scale scores in men with testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS).
PATIENTS AND METHODS
A total of 120 men >40 years old with TDS (total testosterone < 12 nmol/L and total AMS scores ≥ 27) were randomized into i.m. injection of either placebo or testosterone undecanoate 1000 mg.
In all, 56 and 58 participants from the active treatment and placebo groups, respectively completed the study.
An i.m. injection of either placebo or testosterone undecanoate 1000 mg was given at weeks 0, 6, 18, 30 and 48.
Self‐administered AMS questionnaires were completed at weeks 0, week 18 and week 48.
RESULTS
Improvement in the total AMS score was significantly greater in the treatment group than in the placebo group (F: 4.576, P= 0.017) over the 48‐week period.
The mean (sd) total AMS score was 38.46 (11.85) at baseline and 33.59 (1.69) at 48 weeks for the placebo group, and 41.73 (12.73) at baseline and 32.61 (9.67) at 48 weeks for the treatment group.
The mean change in the total AMS score was −12.6% in the placebo group and −21.9% in the treatment group.
The mean psychological and somatovegetative domain scores decreased significantly more in the treatment group than in the placebo group (−2.8 vs −1.2, P= 0.03; and −3.2 vs −1.8, P= 0.016).
The difference in change between the randomized groups for the sexual domain scores followed the same trend, though the difference was not significant.
CONCLUSION
Long‐acting testosterone is effective in improving health‐related quality of life as assessed by the AMS scale in men with TDS.
PRODUCT LINE RIVALRY
Authors: Chisholm Darlene C. , Norman George 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACTWe analyse how product line rivalry by multi‐product oligopolists is affected by market size and product substitutability. We show that the width and degree of overlap in competing product lines is determined by the tension between two effects: the drive to ‘be where the demand is’ and the desire to weaken competition and intra‐firm product cannibalization. Product lines are shown to be wider and more overlapped in large markets and when product substitutability is weak. Our analysis suggests that firms can increase their profits by agreeing not to overlap their product lines.
‘Let’s have it tested first’: choice and circumstances in decision‐making following positive antenatal screening in Hong Kong
Authors: Pilnick Alison , Zayts Olga 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThere now exists a considerable body of sociological work examining antenatal screening for fetal abnormalities. A common theme emerging from this literature is that pregnant women report not feeling able to exercise choice freely, experiencing constraints both from medical professionals and their perceived expectations of the sociocultures in which they live. This study adds to existing literature in three ways. Firstly, in contrast to the existing body of interview‐based research, the study uses video recordings of actual consultations, in order to capture the interactional processes through which choice and constraints are established, negotiated and contested. Secondly, it explores the next stage in the process of antenatal screening, by focusing on women who are offered invasive diagnostic testing as a result of ‘high risk’ screening results, and who have been the subject of little research. Thirdly, the study site in Hong Kong provides a particularly interesting location, given limited research on antenatal screening in that part of the world, and Hong Kong’s cosmopolitan environment that is reflected in the diversity of client population undergoing antenatal screening. Using conversation analysis we examine how aspects of the clients’ diverse socioeconomic backgrounds and circumstances are interactionally managed in this setting, and how this might impact on decision‐making.
GOODWIN CYCLES, DISTRIBUTIONAL CONFLICT AND PRODUCTIVITY GROWTH
Authors: Rezai Armon 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACTA combination of an investment‐driven macroeconomy and a conflict‐determined income distribution gives cyclical behavior. Models of wage–price inflation can be nested in the Goodwinian tradition. Endogenous technical change has ambiguous effects on equilibrium: Kaldor–Verdoorn effects increase the wage share's responsiveness to changes in output, while labor‐saving technical change reduces it.
Comparison of the efficacies of lamivudine versus entecavir in patients with hepatitis B virus‐related decompensated cirrhosis
Authors: Hyun Jong Jin , Seo Yeon Seok , Yoon Eileen , Kim Tae Hyung , Kim Dong Jin , Kang Hyun Seok , Jung Eun Suk , Kim Jeong Han , An Hyonggin , Kim Ji Hoon , Yim Hyung Joon , Yeon Jong Eun , Lee Hong Sik , Byun Kwan Soo , Um Soon Ho , Kim Chang Duck , Ryu Ho Sang 
Published: November 2011

AbstractBackgroundSuppression of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA is more potent, and occurrence of resistant strain is rare with entecavir than lamivudine, but whether these merits result in a more favourable outcome in HBV‐related decompensated cirrhosis patients is unclear.AimsTo compare virologic response, changes in liver function, clinical course and predictive factors for early mortality after treatment between patients treated with lamivudine and those with entecavir in HBV‐related decompensated cirrhosis patients.MethodsHBV‐related decompensated cirrhosis patients [Child‐Turcotte‐Pugh (CTP) score ≥ 7] treated with either lamivudine or entecavir were enrolled. Serum HBV DNA levels, CTP score and Model for End‐stage Liver Disease (MELD) score were monitored every 3 months.ResultsEighty‐six patients were enrolled; mean age was 54 ± 11 years, and 63 (73.3%) patients were men; 41 (47.7%) and 45 (52.3%) patients were assigned to the lamivudine group and entecavir group respectively. Although suppression of serum HBV DNA level was more potent in the entecavir group, CTP or MELD scores during the course of treatment did not differ between the two groups. Similarly, 6‐month survival rates did not differ between the two groups (95.1 vs 93.2%, P = 0.684). Baseline CTP score and MELD score at 3 months of treatment were significantly associated with 6‐month mortality. The 6‐ and 12‐month mortality rates for patients with baseline CTP score ≥11 and MELD score ≥17.5 after 3 months of treatment were 42.9 and 61.9% respectively.ConclusionsAlthough HBV DNA suppression was more potent in the entecavir group than the lamivudine group, early mortality rates did not differ between the two groups. The baseline CTP score and MELD score 3 months after initiating antiviral treatment were significant predictors of early mortality.
Overexpression of ADK in human astrocytic tumors and peritumoral tissue is related to tumor‐associated epilepsy
Authors: de Groot Marjolein , Iyer Anand , Zurolo Emanuele , Anink Jasper , Heimans Jan J. , Boison Detlev , Reijneveld Jaap C. , Aronica Eleonora 
Published: November 2011

SummaryPurpose:  Adenosine kinase (ADK), a largely astrocyte‐based metabolic enzyme, regulates adenosine homeostasis in the brain. Overexpression of ADK decreases extracellular adenosine and consequently leads to seizures. We hypothesized that dysfunction in the metabolism of tumor astrocytes is related to changes in ADK expression and that those changes might be associated with the development of epilepsy in patients with tumors.Methods:  We compared ADK expression and cellular distribution in surgically removed tumor tissue (n = 45) and peritumoral cortex (n = 20) of patients with glial and glioneuronal tumors to normal control tissue obtained at autopsy (n = 11). In addition, we compared ADK expression in tumor patients with and without epilepsy. To investigate ADK expression, we used immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. ADK activity measurement was performed in surgical specimens of astrocytomas World Health Organization (WHO) grade III (n = 3), peritumoral cortex (n = 3), and nonepileptic cortex (n = 3).Key Findings:  Immunohistochemistry predominantly showed cytoplasmic labeling in tumors and peritumoral tissue containing infiltrating tumor cells. ADK immunoreactivity was significantly stronger in tumor and peritumoral tissue compared to normal white matter and normal cortex, especially in astrocytoma WHO grade III, as confirmed by Western blot analysis and ADK activity measurements. Importantly, we found a significantly higher expression of ADK in the peritumoral infiltrated tissue of patients with epilepsy than in patients without epilepsy.Significance:  These results suggest a dysregulation of ADK in astrocytic brain tumors. Moreover, the upregulation of ADK observed in peritumoral infiltrated tissue of glioma patients with epilepsy supports the role of this enzyme in tumor‐associated epilepsy.
Efficacy, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of oxcarbazepine oral loading in patients with epilepsy
Authors: Kim Dong Wook , Gu Nami , Jang In‐Jin , Chu Kon , Yu Kyung‐Sang , Cho Joo‐Youn , Yoon Seo Hyun , Kim Hwa Suk , Oh Jeeyoung , Lee Sang Kun 
Published: November 2011

SummaryThe rapid achievement of effective levels of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) is required in patients with epilepsy who have a higher risk of seizures, and oral loading of AEDs may be an important consideration in these patients. We performed the present study to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of oral loading of oxcarbazepine in patients with recurrent seizures, or after temporary discontinuation of AEDs for diagnostic or presurgical evaluation of epilepsy. Forty adult patients were studied and oxcarbazepine was administered orally at a single loading dosage of 30 mg/kg. The plasma levels of oxcarbazepine and its active metabolite, 10,11‐dihydro‐10‐hydroxy‐carbazepine (monohydroxy derivative, MHD), were measured, and clinical assessment of adverse events was performed at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, and 24 h after oral loading of oxcarbazepine. Approximately two‐thirds of patients reached effective levels of MHD 2 h after receiving the oral loading, and all patients reached effective levels 4 h after oxcarbazepine administration. Most patients maintained therapeutic MHD levels for at least 16 h. Almost half of the patients experienced adverse events, but all were mild to moderate in severity and resolved spontaneously within 24 h. Our study shows that oral loading of oxcarbazepine is an effective and well‐tolerated method for rapidly achieving therapeutic levels of MHD in patients with epilepsy, and is a useful option in selected patients with recurrent seizures, or after temporary discontinuation of AEDs.