bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A short proof of an inequality of Littlewood and Paley
Authors: Pavlović Miroslav 
Published: August 2006

A very short proof is given of the inequality

∫

|

z

|

>
1

|

∇
u
(
z
)

|

p

(
1
−

|

z

|

)

p
−
1

d
x
d
y

≤

C
p

(

1

2
π

∫
0

2
π

|

f
(

e

i
t

)

|

p

d
t
−

|

u
(
0
)

|

p

)

,

\begin{equation*} \int _{|z|>1}|\nabla u(z)|^p (1-|z|)^{p-1}\, dxdy \, \le C_p\left (\frac 1{2\pi }\int _0^{2\pi } |f(e^{it})|^p\,dt -|u(0)|^p\right ), \end{equation*}

where

p
>
2
,

p>2,

and

u
u

is the Poisson integral of

f
∈

L
p

(
∂

D

)
,

f\in L^p(\partial \mathbb D),

D

=
{
z
:

|

z

|

>
1
}
.

\mathbb D=\{z: |z|>1\}.
On the poles of topological zeta functions
Authors: Lemahieu Ann , Segers Dirk , Veys Willem 
Published: August 2006

We study the topological zeta function

Z

t
o
p
,
f

(
s
)

Z_{top,f}(s)

associated to a polynomial

f
f

with complex coefficients. This is a rational function in one variable, and we want to determine the numbers that can occur as a pole of some topological zeta function; by definition these poles are negative rational numbers. We deal with this question in any dimension. Denote

P

n

:=
{

s
0

∣
∃
f
∈

C

[

x
1

,
…
,

x
n

]

:

Z

t
o
p
,
f

(
s
)

\mathcal {P}_n := \{ s_0 \mid \exists f \in \mathbb {C}[x_1,\ldots , x_n] \, : \, Z_{top,f}(s)

has a pole in

s
0

}

s_0 \}

. We show that

{
−
(
n
−
1
)

/

2
−
1

/

i
∣
i
∈

Z

>
1

}

\{-(n-1)/2-1/i \mid i \in \mathbb {Z}_{>1}\}

is a subset of

P

n

\mathcal {P}_n

; for

n
=
2

n=2

and

n
=
3

n=3

, the last two authors proved before that these are exactly the poles less than

−
(
n
−
1
)

/

2

-(n-1)/2

. As the main result we prove that each rational number in the interval

[
−
(
n
−
1
)

/

2
,
0
)

[-(n-1)/2,0)

is contained in

P

n

\mathcal {P}_n

.
Rate of convergence of finite difference approximations for degenerate ordinary differential equations
Authors: Zhang Jianfeng 
Published: August 2006

In this paper we study finite difference approximations for the following linear stationary convection-diffusion equations:
\[

1
2

σ
2

(
x
)
u
(
x
)
+
b
(
x
)

u
′

(
x
)
−
u
(
x
)
=
−
f
(
x
)
,

x
∈

R

,

{1\over 2}\sigma ^2(x)u(x) + b(x)u’(x) - u(x) =-f(x),\quad x\in \mathbb {R},

\]
where

σ
\sigma

is allowed to be degenerate. We first propose a new weighted finite difference scheme, motivated by approximating the diffusion process associated with the equation in the strong sense. We show that, under certain conditions, this scheme converges with the first order rate and that such a rate is sharp. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first sharp result in the literature. Moreover, by using the connection between our scheme and the standard upwind finite difference scheme, we get the rate of convergence of the latter, which is also new.
Systematic review: are antibiotics detrimental or beneficial for the treatment of patients with Escherichia coli O157:H7 infection?
Authors: PANOS G. Z. , BETSI G. I. , FALAGAS M. E. 
Published: August 2006

SummaryBackground Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a foodborne pathogen causing haemorrhagic colitis, which is sometimes complicated by haemolytic uraemic syndrome or thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.AimTo review the available evidence regarding the question of whether antibiotics are effective or harmful for the treatment of patients infected with E. coli O157:H7 infection.MethodsWe searched in the PubMed for relevant laboratory and clinical studies published between 1982 and 2005.Results In vitro studies have shown that most E. coli O157:H7 isolates are susceptible to various antibiotics, although certain antibiotics, especially at sublethal concentrations, have been found to increase the release of Shiga‐like toxins, which have been associated with the development of haemolytic uraemic syndrome/thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in humans. No clinical studies have indicated that antibiotics are effective in reducing the duration of E. coli O157:H7 infection or the duration of diarrhoea or bloody diarrhoea specifically, while a few studies have supported that some antibiotics, especially quinolones and fosfomycin, may prevent the development of haemolytic uraemic syndrome or thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. On the other hand, there are some clinical studies that associate antibiotics with a higher risk for haemolytic uraemic syndrome and/or longer duration of diarrhoea, even with high mortality.ConclusionsMore randomized controlled trials are necessary in order to elucidate whether antibiotics are effective in reducing the morbidity and mortality of E. coli O157:H7 infection, rather than having a detrimental effect.
Meta‐analysis: anti‐viral therapy of hepatitis B virus‐associated glomerulonephritis
Authors: FABRIZI F. , DIXIT V. , MARTIN P. 
Published: August 2006

SummaryBackgroundHepatitis B virus‐associated glomerulonephritis is an infrequent complication of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) with significant morbidity. A causal association between hepatitis B virus infection and the development of glomerulonephritis remains controversial. Also, the optimal therapy is undefined although several approaches have been made.AimTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of anti‐viral therapy (interferon or lamivudine) in HBV‐associated glomerulonephritis by a systematic review and meta‐analysis of clinical trials.MethodsThe primary outcome was clinical response (as a measure of efficacy); the secondary outcomes were drop‐out rate (as a measure of tolerability), and virological response. We used the random effects model of DerSimonian and Laird, with heterogeneity, sensitivity and meta‐regression analyses.ResultsWe identified six clinical trials (84 unique patients); three had controlled design. The overall estimate for proteinuria remission was 65.2% (95% confidence intervals: 52.7–75.9%), Q‐test for heterogeneity = 7.731, P = 0.172, I2 = 35.327. The overall estimate for hepatitis B e antigen clearance was 62.0% (95% confidence intervals: 50.5–72.2%). The overall estimate for drop‐out rate was 12.7% (95% confidence intervals: 6.4–23.6%). Meta‐regression analysis showed a significant link between hepatitis B e antigen clearance and logit rate of proteinuria remission after interferon therapy [coefficient –2.585 (S.E. 1.089), P = 0.017].ConclusionRemission of the nephrotic syndrome is accompanied by clearance of HBV replication, supporting the role of the virus in the pathogenesis of the disease.
Review article: prebiotics in the gastrointestinal tract
Authors: MACFARLANE S. , MACFARLANE G. T. , CUMMINGS J. H. 
Published: August 2006

SummaryBackgroundPrebiotics are short‐chain carbohydrates that alter the composition, or metabolism, of the gut microbiota in a beneficial manner. It is therefore expected that prebiotics will improve health in a way similar to probiotics, whilst at the same time being cheaper, and carrying less risk and being easier to incorporate into the diet than probiotics.AimTo review published evidence for prebiotic effects on gut function and human health.MethodsWe searched the Science Citation Index with the terms prebiotic, microbiota, gut bacteria, large intestine, mucosa, bowel habit, constipation, diarrhoea, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, pouchitis, calcium and cancer, focussing principally on studies in humans and reports in the English language. Search of the Cochrane Library did not identify any clinical study or meta‐analysis on this topic.ResultsThree prebiotics, oligofructose, galacto‐oligosaccharides and lactulose, clearly alter the balance of the large bowel microbiota by increasing bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus numbers. These carbohydrates are fermented and give rise to short‐chain fatty acid and intestinal gas; however, effects on bowel habit are relatively small. Randomized‐controlled trials of their effect in a clinical context are few, although animal studies show anti‐inflammatory effects in inflammatory bowel disease, while calcium absorption is increased.ConclusionsIt is still early days for prebiotics, but they offer the potential to modify the gut microbial balance in such a way as to bring direct health benefits cheaply and safely.
Systematic review: the lower gastrointestinal adverse effects of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs
Authors: LAINE L. , SMITH R. , MIN K. , CHEN C. , DUBOIS R. W. 
Published: August 2006

SummaryBackgroundLower gastrointestinal effects of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are much more poorly characterized than upper gastrointestinal effects.AimTo determine if NSAIDs increase lower gastrointestinal adverse effects and if the risk with non‐selective NSAIDs is greater than with cyclooxygenase‐2‐selective inhibitors (coxibs).MethodsComputerized databases were searched to identify studies of NSAID use reporting on lower gastrointestinal integrity (e.g. permeability), visualization (e.g. erosions, ulcers) and clinical events.ResultsDesigns in 47 studies were randomized (18), case–control (14), cohort (eight) and before‐after (seven). Non‐selective‐NSAIDs had significantly more adverse effects vs. no NSAIDs in 20 of 22 lower gastrointestinal integrity studies, five of seven visualization studies, seven of 11 bleeding studies (OR: 1.9–18.4 in case–control studies), two of two perforation studies (OR: 2.5–8.1) and five of seven diverticular disease studies (OR: 1.5–11.2). Coxibs had significantly less effect vs. non‐selective‐NSAIDs in three of four integrity studies, one endoscopic study (RR mucosal breaks: 0.3), and two randomized studies (RR lower gastrointestinal clinical events: 0.5; haematochezia: 0.4).ConclusionsAn increase in lower gastrointestinal injury and clinical events with non‐selective‐NSAIDs appears relatively consistent across the heterogeneous collection of trials. Coxibs are associated with lower rates of lower gastrointestinal injury than non‐selective‐NSAIDs. More high‐quality trials are warranted to more precisely estimate the effects of non‐selective‐NSAIDs and coxibs on the lower gastrointestinal tract.
Liver injury in long‐term methotrexate treatment in psoriasis is relatively infrequent
Authors: BERENDS M. A. M. , SNOEK J. , DE JONG E. M. G. J. , VAN DE KERKHOF P. C. M. , VAN OIJEN M. G. H. , VAN KRIEKEN J. H. , DRENTH J. P. H. 
Published: August 2006

SummaryBackgroundMethotrexate‐induced liver damage in psoriasis has led to dermatologic guidelines that stipulate monitoring of liver injury by means of serial liver biopsies. Recent literature data suggest that methotrexate may be considerably less hepatotoxic than previously assumed.AimTo evaluate prevalence and development of liver injury in methotrexate treated psoriasis.MethodsRetrospective chart review (1976–2005).ResultsHundred and twenty‐five patients (F58/M67; mean age 45.0, SD 12.7 years) received a median cumulative methotrexate dose of 2113 mg (range 180–20 235) over a median period of 228 weeks (range 16–1763). Two hundred and seventy eight liver biopsies were analysed and 71% were classified as Roenigk grade I, 14% as Roenigk II, 14% grade IIIa, 2% grade IIIB and 2% grade IV. Liver injury was not associated with cumulative dose, weekly prescribed dose, age or duration of treatment. Obesity and diabetes were significant risk factors for liver injury. A total of 68 patients had multiple biopsies, 3% improved, 72% did not change and in 25% liver histology deteriorated. The majority of cases (84%) that progressed to Roenigk 2 had a cumulative dose of 1500–6000 mg.ConclusionsMethotrexate‐related liver injury is less frequent than previously thought and mostly occurred at cumulative dose of <6000 mg. Diabetes and being overweight are significantly correlated with liver injury.
Sequential therapy using high‐dose esomeprazole‐amoxicillin followed by gatifloxacin for Helicobacter pylori infection
Authors: GRAHAM D. Y. , ABUDAYYEH S. , EL‐ZIMAITY H. M. T. , HOFFMAN J. , REDDY R. , OPEKUN A. R. 
Published: August 2006

SummaryBackgroundThe success rate of current anti‐Helicobacter pylori triple therapies in now generally 80% or less. Sequential therapy has proved superior.AimTo test a new sequential therapy for H. pylori eradication.MethodsThis was a pilot study of a sequential therapy consisting of 40 mg of esomeprazole and 1 g amoxicillin t.d.s., for 12 days. On days 6 through 12 gatifloxacin (400 mg in the morning) was added. Outcome was accessed 4 or more weeks after ending antibiotic therapy. Both naive and treatment failures were eligible.ResultsThirty patients were entered in the study. One was lost to follow‐up and one stopped early because of side effects. The success rate intention‐to‐treat was 80% (95% CI: 61–92%). The per‐protocol eradication rate was 85.7% (95% CI: 67–95%); two of the four failures had pre‐treatment gatifloxacin‐resistant H. pylori. Side effects were reported by 13 patients (46%) and were generally mild with diarrhoea being most common (n = 6). Only one patient stopped medicine because of side effects of dizziness (severe) and diarrhoea (mild).ConclusionsSequential therapy using the combination of a high dose of proton‐pump inhibitor and amoxicillin followed gatifloxacin was effective, but pre‐treatment susceptibility testing may become necessary as fluoroquinolone resistance increases.
A cross‐sectional study evaluating the relationship between cortisol suppression and asthma control in patients with difficult asthma
Authors: AbuRuz S. , Heaney L. G. , Millership J. , Gamble J. , McElnay J. 
Published: August 2006

AimTo examine the relationship between cortisol suppression and asthma symptoms in patients with difficult asthma.MethodsPatients, referred to a specialist difficult asthma service and who fulfilled the criteria for difficult asthma, were recruited to the study in a sequential, unselected manner. At each clinic visit, all patients completed a validated asthma control questionnaire. For measuring cortisol suppression, early morning urinary cortisol [corrected for creatinine to give urinary cortisol creatinine ratio (UCC ratio)] was used. The urine samples were collected and stored at − 70 °C until ready for analysis. Urinary cortisol was extracted (solid‐phase extraction) and analysed using high‐performance liquid chromatography. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used for correlation analysis while t‐tests were used for between‐group differences for normally distributed data. If the data were not normally distributed, nonparametric statistics were used. A P‐value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsDuring the study period all the patients who attended the difficult asthma clinic and fulfilled the criteria for difficult asthma (n = 66) agreed to take part in the study. There were moderate to strong and significant associations between several measures of asthma control and UCC ratio. The correlation coefficient with five indicators of asthma control ranged between 0.3 and 0.5 (P < 0.05).ConclusionsWe have demonstrated a relationship between cortisol suppression and asthma control in difficult asthmatics on high‐dose steroid therapy. We have proposed a model based on the relationship between symptom control and cortisol suppression, whereby both adherence and therapeutic adjustments could potentially be made. A properly controlled prospective clinical trial should examine the utility of this approach in clinical practice.
Patterns of re‐referral to social services: a study of 400 closed cases
Authors: Forrester Donald 
Published: August 2006

ABSTRACTThe last 10 years have seen considerable government focus on effective initial assessment processes in the UK. This has been given added impetus by research that found that more than 97% of referrals are closed without allocation for long‐term work. Yet there is little research on referrals that are closed and no British study of patterns of re‐referral for such children. The current study looks at 400 consecutive referrals to three local authority Social Services Departments in London that were closed rather than being allocated for long‐term work. It investigates how many children were re‐referred in the 27 months after closure and identifies factors statistically associated with re‐referrals. The study found that a third of closed cases were re‐referred (36.5%), with most re‐referrals happening relatively rapidly. A small proportion of families accounted for most re‐referrals: 8.5% of families had 52% of subsequent referrals. There was very wide variation between local authorities in the number of referrals and re‐referrals received. Other factors associated with increased likelihood of a re‐referral were: previous referrals, neglect, parental capacity issues (particularly drug misuse) and parent/child relationship problems. The implications of the findings for practitioners, policy‐makers and researchers are discussed.
ChronicChlamydia pneumoniaeinfection may promote coronary artery disease in humans through enhancing secretion of interleukin-4
Authors: Clancy R , Ren Z , Pang G , Fletcher P , D'Este C 
Published: August 2006

SummaryAtherosclerosis is an inflammatory response, probably to a range of initiating causes. Chronic infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae (C.pn) has been suggested as one cause, but the nature of the association is controversial, in large part due to lack of an identified mechanism to link infection with the atherosclerotic process in man. This study examined 139 consecutive subjects with stable chest pain, with the aim of correlating the serological status of C.pn infection with the pattern of secretion of cytokines from CD4+ T lymphocytes. C.pn seropositive subjects secreted significantly more interleukin (IL)-4 than did those who were C.pn seronegative (P = 0·02). No significant difference was noted for secreted interferon (IFN)-γ. The amount of secreted IL-4, but not of secreted IFN-γ, correlated positively with the extent of coronary artery disease (P = 0·006). A similar correlation with secreted IL-4 was not identified with Helicobacter pylori infection. These results support the hypothesis that C.pn infection contributes to the inflammatory process responsible for coronary artery atherosclerosis. The method used to detect cytokine secretion involves ligation of CD40L on blood CD4+ T cells, which may have relevance to tissue events.
R1 Effect of brushing on dental erosion
Authors: ABDULLAH A. Z. , STRAFFORD S. M. , BROOKES S. J. , TOUMBA K. J. , BARLOW A. P. , SMITH S. R. , DUGGAL M. S. 
Published: August 2006

Objectives:  To compare the effect of brushing versus dipping using three different concentrations of fluoridated toothpastes on enamel erosion in vitro using surface profilometry.Methods:  In a randomised, blinded experiment six groups of seven enamel slabs each were cut and mounted into resin blocks, ground and checked for surface flatness using a scanning profilometer (Scantron Proscan 2000). Each slabs’ surface was covered with nail varnish except for a small window (1 x 2 mm). Each group was immersed under static conditions for 2 minutes, five times daily in fresh 200 ml aliquots of citric acid 0.3% (pH = 3.6). In addition, three groups were immersed in three different fluoridated toothpastes (0 ppm F, 1100 ppm F, or 1450 ppm F) twice daily morning and evening for 2 minutes each time. The other three groups were brushed using the same toothpastes twice daily for 2 minutes each time. The total cycling period lasted 16 days during which the slabs were incubated overnight and between erosive challenges in artificial saliva at 37oC. A 60‐minute gap was left between daytime immersions. Before and after dipping in the erosive solutions the slabs were rinsed with de‐ionised water. After the cycling period, the slabs were analysed with the scanning profilometer to measure the amount of surface loss at day 4, 8, 12, and 16.Results:  Surface loss ± SD of enamel at day 16 caused by citric acid combined with dipping using non‐fluoridated toothpaste was 61.19 ± 8.50 μm, 1100 ppm F was 43.44 ± 10.94 μm or 1450 ppm F was 34.98 ± 4.29 μm. Surface Loss ± SD of enamel at day 16 caused by citric acid combined with brushing using 0 ppm F, 1100 ppm F, or 1450 ppm F toothpastes was 75.62 ±10.64, 63.51 ± 5.27 and 48.94 ± 13.67 μm, respectively.Conclusion:  Enamel erosion was increased significantly (CI 95%) using brushing with toothpastes compared to dipping. In addition, enamel erosion showed a dose‐response to fluoridated toothpastes.Acknowledgment:  This project was supported by GlaxoSmithKline.
R2 The pattern of extraction of first permanent molars: results from three dental hospitals
Authors: ALBADRI S. S. , MCDONNELL S. , ZAITOUN H. , NORTH S. , DAVIDSON L. E. , LLEWELYN R. , BLINKHORN A. S. , MACKIE I. C. 
Published: August 2006

Objective:  To determine and compare the reasons and pattern of extraction of first permanent molars (FPM) in 3 UK dental hospitals.Design:  Data were collected prospectively from 300 children attending Manchester Dental Hospital (MDH), Liverpool Dental Hospital (LDH) and Charles Clifford Dental Hospital, Sheffield (CCDH) who required extractions of at least one FPM. Information recorded included age, FPM extracted, reason for extractions, previous treatment, method of extraction, and whether patients had previous extractions.Result:  The mean age in months was 129 (Std 22.7), 139 (Std 29.4), and 133 (Std 26.8) for MDH, LDH, CCDH respectively. 45% and 48% of children had four FPM extracted at MDH & CCDH, respectively, compared to 25% in LDH. The main reason for extraction (70%) was caries with poor prognosis, followed by caries and compensating extraction (14%). Molar Incisal Hypoplasia was the reason for extraction in 11% of cases. General anaesthesia was the main anaesthetic method used with 77%, 55%, and 47% in MDH, LDH and CCDH, respectively. Local anaesthesia was used in 43% of cases in LDH in comparison to 12% and 22% in MDH and CCDH, respectively. 68% of children had received no previous treatment to the FPM and only 5% had fissure sealants placed. 40% of children had previous extractions.Conclusion:  The children who are attending our hospitals for extractions of FPM tend to be older than the recommended age for achieving maximum space closure. This study highlights the need for extensive prevention programs targeted at those children with high caries risk.
R4 Dental age assessment in 15–17 year old young people
Authors: MITCHELL* J. C. , ROBERTS G. J. , LUCAS V. S. 
Published: August 2006

Objectives:  To determine reference intervals for Dental Age Assessment (DAA) for the 16 year threshold.Design:  Descriptive study from a convenience sample of radiographic archives.Sample and methods:  Dental Panoramic Tomographs of 15–17 year patients treated at King's College Dental Hospital. Tooth Development Stages (TDS) for the 12 stage (Haavikko 1970), and the 8 stage (Demirjian 1971), will be recorded on specially prepared forms. The computer database is designed to return the age of attainment for each of the TDS's. Each TDS provides a set of statistical information viz. the mean, standard deviation, standard error and confidence intervals. In addition a probability distribution function is produced for each TDS. Only teeth that are still developing are included in the assessment. The ages for still developing teeth are ‘averaged’ using meta‐analysis to provide an estimate of age for an individual. This will be tested by taking a separate sample of 50 children with the gold standard of Chronological Age and comparing this with the Dental Age Assessment for these subjects.Results:  To date, a small number of assessments show that the individual Dental Age Assessments are within 6 months of the chronological age.Conclusion:  Dental Age assessment derived by age calculation of tooth development stages and meta‐analysis provides, improved estimates of age.