bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The adverse event profile of lacosamide: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Zaccara Gaetano , Perucca Piero , Loiacono Giulia , Giovannelli Fabio , Verrotti Alberto 
Published: July 2012

SummaryPurpose: Defining the tolerability and safety profile of recently marketed antiepileptic drugs, such as lacosamide (LCM), is a prerequisite for their optimal utilization in clinical practice. We aimed to identify any adverse event (AE) associated with LCM treatment by conducting a systematic review and meta‐analysis of all available randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We also evaluated the association of serious AEs with LCM, the proportion of study withdrawals due to intolerable AEs at different LCM doses, and whether the tolerability profile of LCM differs according to the disorder in which it was investigated.Methods: We searched MEDLINE and Cochrane CENTRAL to May 2011 for LCM RCTs. Additional studies were identified from reference lists of retrieved papers and from online clinical databases. We selected placebo‐controlled, double‐blind RCTs and investigated the therapeutic effects of oral LCM in adults with any condition. AEs were assessed for their association with LCM after identification/exclusion of synonyms, rare AEs, and non‐assessable AEs. We used risk differences to evaluate the association of any (99% confidence intervals [CIs]) or serious AEs (95% CIs) with LCM and to investigate dose–response relationships of identified AEs.Key Findings: Ten RCTs (three in pharmacoresistant epilepsy, four in neuropathic pain, one in migraine, one in fibromyalgia, and one in knee osteoarthritis) were included in our study. Their duration varied from 12–18 weeks. The total number of patients included was 3,148. No serious AE was significantly associated with LCM treatment. Of 21 identified AEs, 11 (52%) were found to be significantly associated with LCM. The number of AEs significantly associated with LCM increased with increasing dose: one at 200 mg/day (dizziness); six at 400 mg/day (dizziness, vertigo, abnormal coordination, abnormal vision, nausea, and vomiting); nine at 600 mg/day (dizziness, vertigo, ataxia, balance disorder, diplopia, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and tremor). The proportion of AE‐related study withdrawals also significantly increased with increasing dose. LCM AEs tended to occur more frequently in patients with drug‐resistant epilepsy compared with patients with other disorders.Significance: A range of AEs suggestive of vestibulocerebellar dysfunction is significantly associated with LCM treatment and their incidence increases with increasing doses.
Estimation of Lipid Hydroperoxide Levels in Tropical Marine Macroalgae
Authors: Kumari Puja , Singh Ravindra Pal , Bijo A. J. , Reddy C. R. K. , Jha Bhavanath 
Published: July 2012

The incipient levels of lipid hydroperoxides (LHPOs) were determined in selected green, brown, and red macroalgae by the FOX assay using hydroperoxy HPLC mix. The LHPOs contents varied between the investigated species and showed relatively low values in this study. Among the greens, it varied from 12 ± 6.2 μg · g−1 (Codium sursum) to 31.5 ± 2.8 μg · g−1 (Ulva lactuca), whereas in reds, from 5.7 ± 1.6 μg · g−1 (Gracilaria corticata) to 46.2 ± 6 μg · g−1 (Sarconema filiforme), and in browns, from 4.6 ± 4.4 μg · g−1 (Dictyota bartayresiana) to 79 ± 5.0 μg · g−1 (Sargassum tenerrimum), on fresh weight basis. These hydroperoxides represented a minor fraction of total lipids and ranged from 0.04% (S. swartzii) to 1.1% (S. tenerrimum) despite being a rich source of highly unsaturated fatty acids. The susceptibility of peroxidation was assessed by specific lipid peroxidazibility (SLP) values for macroalgal tissues. The LHPO values were found to be independent of both the PUFAs contents and their degree of unsaturation (DBI), as evident from the PCA analysis. SLP values were positively correlated with the LHPOs and negatively with DBI. The FOX assay gave ≥20‐fold higher values for LHPOs as compared to the TBARS method for all the samples investigated in this study. Furthermore, U. lactuca cultured in artificial seawater (ASW) enriched with nutrients (N, P, and NP) showed a sharp decline in LHPOs contents relative to those cultured in ASW alone P ≤ 0.05. It is inferred from this study that the FOX assay is an efficient, rapid, sensitive, and inexpensive technique for detecting the incipient lipid peroxidation in macroalgal tissues.
Methodological Challenges in Volumetric and Impact‐Oriented Water Footprints
Authors: Berger Markus , Finkbeiner Matthias 
Published: July 2012

SummaryThis work identifies shortcomings in water footprinting and discusses whether the water footprint should be a volumetric or impact‐oriented index. A key challenge is the current definition of water consumption according to which evaporated water is regarded as lost for the originating watershed per se. Continental evaporation recycling rates of up to 100% within short time and length scales show that this definition is not generally valid. Also, the inclusion of land use effects on the hydrological balance is questionable, as land transformation often leads to higher water availability due to locally increased runoff. Unless potentially negative consequences, such as flooding or waterlogging, and adverse effects on the global water cycle are considered, water credits from land transformation seem unjustified. Most impact assessment methods use ratios of annual withdrawal or consumption to renewability rates to denote local water scarcity. As these ratios are influenced by two metrics—withdrawal and availability—arid regions can be regarded as uncritical if only small fractions of the limited renewable supplies are used. Besides neglecting sensitivities to additional water uses, such indicators consider neither ground nor surface water stocks, which can buffer water shortages temporally. Authors favoring volumetric indicators claim that global freshwater appropriation is more important than local impacts, easier to determine, and less error prone than putting complex ecological interaction into mathematical models. As shown in an example, volumetric water footprints can be misleading without additional interpretation because numerically smaller footprints can cause higher impacts.
Reasons for blood donation deferral in sub‐Saharan Africa: experience in Ivory Coast
Authors: Kouao Maxime Diane , Dembelé Bamory , N'Goran Landry Kouassi , Konaté Seidou , Bloch Evan , Murphy Edward L. , Lefrère Jean‐Jacques 
Published: July 2012

INTRODUCTION: Blood donor selection is important to ensure the safety of both donors and recipients. There is a paucity of data on reasons for blood donor deferral in Ivory Coast. The aim of this study was to identify the reasons for predonation deferral at a blood collection site at General Hospital, Yopougon Attié in Abidjan.MATERIALS AND METHODS: The investigators conducted a retrospective audit of data pertaining to donor deferral for blood donors that presented to the general hospital of Yopugon Attié from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2008.RESULTS: A total of 10,694 prospective blood donors, presented over the study period, and 24,363 attempts to donate were registered. The majority were repeat blood donors (77.4%). A total of 2618 (10.8%) donors were deferred. The most frequent reason for deferral was a low hemoglobin level (42.5%), with females constituting the majority of those deferred. The second most frequent reason for deferral was a reported change of or new sexual partner (34.3%); male donors were predominant in this group. Additional reasons for deferral included short interdonation interval (4.6%) and reactivity for a screened biomarker (2.3%).CONCLUSION: Although the rates for permanent and temporary deferral rates are similar between the Ivory Coast and high‐middle income countries, the causes and demographics differ. The reasons for exclusion are preventable through awareness and education of prospective blood donors.
Health care utilization of patients diagnosed with idiopathic thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in a commercially insured population in the United States
Authors: Wahl Peter M. , Bohn Rhonda L. , Terrell Deirdra R. , George James N. , Ewenstein Bruce 
Published: July 2012

BACKGROUND: Incident idiopathic thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is an uncommon, potentially fatal blood disorder for which there are little or no data on health care costs.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Patients satisfying a validated claims‐based algorithm including an inpatient diagnosis of TTP and plasma exchange (PE) procedure during the period January 1, 2001 to May 31, 2008 were identified in the HealthCore Integrated Research Database. To characterize patterns of treatment and payments, a quantitative evaluation of comorbidities and treatments, health care utilization, and payments among this population of patients was conducted. All patients were followed until death, end of health plan enrollment, or 365 days after the TTP hospitalization, whichever occurred first.RESULTS: One hundred fifty‐one patients met the claims coding algorithm. Mean total health care payments for the TTP hospitalization were $56,347 (standard deviation [SD] $80,230). Ten patients (6.6%) died during the hospitalization for TTP. Mean payments for PE services in the month following discharge were $9127 (SD $20,840). Several patients required prolonged PE during the acute TTP phase (up to 116 separate exchanges over a period of 365 days), prolonging required treatment and skewing payments and resource utilization during the 365‐day period following discharge from the index TTP hospitalization.CONCLUSION: These data document the health care resource utilization by patients with idiopathic TTP, demonstrating that management of these patients is not only expensive but also skewed, with some patients requiring prolonged treatment. These data can contribute to cost‐effectiveness models when new treatments for TTP become available.
Behaviour of soft tissues healing around single bone‐level‐implants placed immediately after tooth extraction A 1 year prospective cohort study
Authors: Lops Diego , Romeo Eugenio , Chiapasco Matteo , Procopio Rosa M. , Oteri Giacomo 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to verify if the three‐dimensional implant position in fresh alveolar socket may influence the maintenance of stable gingival margins around single premolar restorations with immediate implant placement.MethodsAfter 16 weeks of healing, implants were loaded with single crowns. Documentation consisted in peri‐apical radiographs taken: before treatment; at the time of implant placement; at the time of prosthetic rehabilitation and 12 months after the start of prosthetic function. Parameters assessed were: the presence/absence of inter‐proximal papilla; the inter‐implant–tooth distance (ITD); the distance from the base of the crown contact‐point to the inter‐dental bone crest (CPB); and the buccal‐gingival tissue modifications. ITD, CPB values and the modification of buccal‐gingival tissue were determined using an image processing software.ResultsTwenty‐one healthy patients with thick gingival biotype, with a total of 21 maxillary premolars scheduled for extractions were enrolled. Following extraction, implants were immediately positioned. A 100% of implant survival rate was observed after 12 months of function. The presence of the mesial papilla was significantly correlated with the mean mesial CPB value (P = 0.0519 by means of two‐tailed Mann–Whitney U‐test). No significant correlation was found between the mesial papilla presence and the mean mesial ITD score (P = 0.7722 by means of two‐tailed Mann–Whitney U‐test). Furthermore, the presence of the distal papilla was not significantly correlated with the mean distal ITD and CPB values: scores of 0.7195 and 0.8225 were calculated respectively.ConclusionIn the premolar area, the relationship between the presence of a complete inter‐proximal papilla and ITD parameter was not significant (P > 0.05). The relationship between the presence of a complete inter‐proximal papilla and CPB parameter still remain unclear. Nevertheless, a more large sample size is required to confirm this trend. Moreover, it was observed that the buccal‐gingival tissue withdrew in the range 0–1 mm after 1 year of prosthetic function.
Late‐onset focal dermal elastosis: an uncommon mimicker of pseudoxanthoma elasticum
Authors: Wang Annie R. , Fonder Margaret A. , Telang Gladys H. , Bercovitch Lionel , Robinson‐Bostom Leslie 
Published: July 2012

AbstractLate‐onset focal dermal elastosis is a rare disorder that presents clinically with the development of small white‐to‐yellow papules simulating pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) in otherwise healthy adults in the seventh through ninth decades. It is characterized histopathologically by foci of increased normal‐appearing elastic tissue in the reticular dermis. The disorder lacks any of the systemic complications of PXE and clinically resembles several other elastic tissue disorders that mimic PXE. We report two cases of late‐onset focal dermal elastosis. The first is of a 75‐year‐old female who presented with symmetrically distributed, 2–5 mm white‐to‐yellow, discrete and coalescing, non‐follicular papules on the posterolateral neck, anterior chest and axillae. The second case involves a 39‐year‐old female who presented with asymptomatic flesh‐colored lesions on the posterior neck, back, antecubital and popliteal fossae, thighs, forearms and wrists. Skin biopsies in each case revealed aggregates of elastic fibers in the reticular dermis without calcification. The differential diagnosis of clinical and histopathologic imitators of PXE is discussed.
Predator density and competition modify the benefits of group formation in a shoaling reef fish
Authors: Stier Adrian C. , Geange Shane W. , Bolker Benjamin M. 
Published: July 2012

SynthesisPredation risk experienced by individuals living in groups depends on the balance between predator dilution, competition for refuges, and predator interference or synergy. These interactions operate between prey species as well: the benefits of group living decline in the presence of an alternative prey species. We apply a novel model‐fitting approach to data from field experiments to distinguish among competing hypotheses about shifts in predator foraging behavior across a range of predator and prey densities. Our study provides novel analytical tools for analyzing predator foraging behavior and offers insight into the processes driving the dynamics of coral reef fish.Studies of predator foraging behavior typically focus on single prey species and fixed predator densities, ignoring the potential importance of complexities such as predator dilution; predator‐mediated effects of alternative prey; heterospecific competition; or predator–predator interactions. Neglecting the effects of prey density is particularly problematic for prey species that live in mixed species groups, where the beneficial effects of predator dilution may swamp the negative effects of heterospecific competition. Here we use field experiments to investigate how the mortality rates of a shoaling coral reef fish (a wrasse: Thalassoma amblycephalum), change as a result of variation in: 1) conspecific density, 2) density of a predator (a hawkfish: Paracirrhites arcatus), and 3) presence of an alternative prey species that competes for space (a damselfish: Pomacentrus pavo). We quantify changes in prey mortality rates from the predator's perspective, examining the effects of added predators or a second prey species on the predator's functional response. Our analysis highlights a model‐fitting approach that discriminates amongst multiple hypotheses about predator foraging in a community context. Wrasse mortality decreased with increasing conspecific density (i.e. mortality was inversely density‐dependent). The addition of a second predator doubled prey mortality rates, without significantly changing attack rate or handling time – i.e. there was no evidence for predator interference. The presence of a second prey species increased wrasse mortality by 95%; we attribute this increase either to short‐term apparent competition (predator aggregation) or to a decrease in handling time of the predator (e.g. through decreased wrasse vigilance). In this system, 1) prey benefit from intraspecific group living though a reduced predation risk, and 2) the benefit of group living is reduced in the presence of an alternative prey species.
In vitro synergistic effects of zoledronic acid and calcium on viability of human epithelial cells
Authors: Arai N , Inoue S , Tomihara K , Tsuno H , Noguchi M 
Published: July 2012

ObjectiveBisphosphonate‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw is a common complication with defective wound healing of oral mucosa and frequently occurs in patients receiving zoledronic acid (ZA). The aim of this in vitro study was to investigate whether ZA has a cytotoxic effect at clinically relevant concentrations on epithelial cells when calcium conditions are altered.MethodsHaCaT human keratinocyte cells were treated with ZA in the presence of various concentrations of calcium. The concentrations of ZA included submicromolar ones, which are comparable with those found in the plasma of patients. Cell viability and apoptosis were assessed using MTT assay and annexin V flow cytometry.ResultsUnder standard culture conditions, cell growth was inhibited at 1 μM of ZA or above, but was unaffected by lower concentrations. However, when calcium concentrations were moderately increased, cell viability was decreased and apoptosis was induced at 0.2–0.3 μM of ZA. Moreover, a 50% reduction in serum in the hypercalcemic medium resulted in a significant decrease in cell viability at a much lower concentration (0.05 μM).ConclusionThese results suggest that clinically relevant concentrations of ZA, which alone have little effects, can be toxic to the epithelial cells depending on the conditions of extracellular calcium.
Lower Anterior Crowding Correction by a Convenient Lingual Method
Authors: Gkantidis Nikolaos , Sanoudos Matthaios 
Published: July 2012

ABSTRACTIn recent years, the increased esthetic demands of patients seeking orthodontic treatment have led to the development of various esthetic appliances and techniques. Lingual orthodontics is a major expression of this necessity. Several techniques and appliances have been introduced during the years, but they usually require special equipment and manipulation to be applied to patients. In this report, we present an easy, convenient, and effective lingual method for the management of specific simple cases with mild‐to‐moderate lower anterior crowding using conventional orthodontic means.CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCEIn selected cases, the presented method may provide a viable simple solution for correcting a common orthodontic problem, the lower anterior crowding, while satisfying patients' increased esthetic requirements.(J Esthet Restor Dent ••:••–••, 2012)
Japanese consumer preferences for milk certified as good agricultural practice
Authors: AIZAKI Hideo , NANSEKI Teruaki , ZHOU Hui 
Published: July 2012

ABSTRACTThis study examined Japanese consumers' valuation of a good agricultural practice (GAP) label on packaged milk and investigated the effect of detailed GAP information on valuation. A total of 624 Japanese consumers were asked to select their most preferred milk through an online survey. The milk was assumed to have three attributes: the GAP label, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points certification, and price. The results showed that consumers' valuation of GAP was significantly positive. Although providing additional GAP information to a respondent who was aware of GAP and what it means had a positive effect on the consumers' valuation of GAP, provision of this information had no effect if the respondent knew about GAP either moderately or slightly, and had a negative effect if the respondent did not know about GAP at all. To increase broad consumer awareness and valuation of GAP, it is important to provide GAP information according to the requirements of consumers.
“Thus Beholde the Fall of Sinne”: Punishing Helen of Troy in Elizabethan Verse
Authors: Heavey Katherine 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThis paper discusses the use of Helen of Troy in three Elizabethan works that approach her story in an unusual way, by placing their emphases not simply on her beauty or her notorious faithlessness, but on her punishment. In Richard Robinson’s Rewarde of Wickednesse (1574), and Thomas Proctor’s A Gorgeous Gallery of Gallant Inventions (1578) and The Triumph of Trueth (?1585–1595), a new authorial desire not merely to criticise Helen, but to punish her for her sins, may be discerned. I suggest that this interest in expanding on the classical and medieval Helen’s story can be linked to a growing Renaissance inventiveness with regards to the classics, but may also be related to Elizabethan Protestantism, and a desire to celebrate the chastity of the queen.
Clinical and laboratory features of adult biphenotypic acute leukemia
Authors: Tong Haixia , Liu Zhuogang , Lu Chunwei , Wang Qiushi 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAimTo analyze the clinical and biological characteristics of adult BAL.MethodsWe identified 22 cases (4.4%) of BAL from 496 newly diagnosed acute leukemia patients and compared them with patients with acute myloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).ResultsCD34 positivity was higher in BAL (87%) than in ALL (60%, P = 0.04) and AML patients (63%, P = 0.05). The median age in the BAL group was greater than in ALL (43 vs 31 years, P = 0.04). Enlargement of liver, spleen and lymphonodes was more common in BAL (81.8%) than AML (46%, P = 0.003). Cytogenetic analysis revealed abnormal karyotypes in 56% of BAL patients. The overall completed remission rate in the BAL group (65%) was lower than in ALL (86%, P = 0.04).ConclusionBAL patients showed a much higher incidence of older age, CD34 antigen expression, presence of Philadelphia chromosome, liver, spleen and lymphonodes infiltration and resistance to therapy.
Malignant calcification is an important unfavorable prognostic factor in primary invasive breast cancer
Authors: Ling Hong , Liu Zhe‐Bin , Xu Ling‐Hui , Xu Xiao‐Li , Liu Guang‐Yu , Shao Zhi‐Min 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAimsTo explore the clinical characteristics and prognostic value of malignant calcification in operable breast cancer.MethodsA total of 721 patients with invasive ductal carcinoma were divided into two groups based on whether malignant calcifications were observed on mammograms. The association of calcification with pathological features and survival were evaluated. The relative importance of each of the potential prognostic variables was tested using a Cox regression analysis.ResultsCompared with tumors without calcification, those with calcification had a larger tumor size, more lymph node involvement, lower estrogen and progesterone receptor expression and higher human epithelial growth factor receptor 2 expression. The 8‐year relapse‐free survival was lower for patients with calcifications than for those without (77.5 vs 89.2%, P < 0.01). The 8‐year overall survival for patients with calcifications was 82.2% compared with 91.9% for those without (P < 0.01). In multivariate analysis, node status, existence of calcification and tumor size were demonstrated to have a prognostic value for relapse‐free survival. The node status, existence of calcifications and estrogen receptor status were also prognostic factors for overall survival.ConclusionMammographic calcification is a poor prognostic factor for patients with invasive ductal carcinoma. Its prognostic value is second only to axillary node status and greater than the other factors evaluated. Thus, breast cancers with calcifications should be regarded as high risk when determining adjuvant treatment.