Relevant Literature References Research Articles

Clinical Pharmacokinetic Monitoring of Leflunomide in Renal Transplant Recipients with BK Virus Reactivation: A Review of the Literature.

Leflunomide is an immunosuppressive drug with in vitro and initial observational evidence of antiviral activity against BK virus (BKV), a pathogen that causes opportunistic infection upon reactivation in renal transplant recipients. Leflunomide is considered an ancillary option to immunosuppression reduction in the management of BKV reactivation. Plasma or blood concentrations of teriflunomide, the active metabolite of leflunomide, are commonly monitored because of high leflunomide doses being used, known inter-individual variability in pharmacokinetics, and hepatotoxicity risk. However, the utility of clinical pharmacokinetic monitoring for leflunomide is as yet unclear. A literature search of MEDLINE (1946-December 2016), EMBASE (1974-December 2016), the CENTRAL database, and Google Scholar was performed to identify relevant English-language articles. Further articles were identified from references in relevant literature. A previously published 9-step decision-making algorithm was used to assess the available literature and determine the utility of clinical pharmacokinetic monitoring for leflunomide. Teriflunomide is readily measurable in the plasma or blood, but a clear relationship between concentration and efficacy or toxicity is lacking, and its therapeutic range is not well-established. Efficacy and toxicity endpoints such as renal function and BKV clearance can be readily assessed without measuring teriflunomide concentrations. Pharmacokinetic parameters are affected by genetic polymorphisms in cytochrome P450 CYP2C19 and ABCG2 genes. Therefore, routine clinical pharmacokinetic monitoring of leflunomide cannot be recommended based on current available evidence. However, it may provide clinical benefit in difficult situations when patients demonstrate a lack of therapeutic response or exhibit signs of drug toxicity.

Meta-analysis on effect of compound Danshen injection in treating neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy

To systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of compound Danshen injection in treating hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) of newborns. Computer retrievals were made in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CBM, CNKI, VIP and China info (before May 2014) and relevant literature references, and manual retrievals were made for journals and conference papers, in order to collect randomized or semi-randomized controlled trials concerning compound Danshen injection in the treatment of neonatal HIE. The quality of included references was evaluated according to literatures recommended by Cochrane Handbook. RevMan 5. 3 software was applied in the statistical treatment. Finally, a total of 13 randomized controlled trials were included, covering 1,211 patients (including 639 patients in the compound Danshen injection-treated group and 572 patients in the control group). Meta-analysis results showed that the routine treatment combined with compound Danshen injection can improve the treatment efficiency of neonatal HIE [RR = 1.28; 95% CI (1.21-1.36)], reduce the mortality rate [RR = 0.42; 95% CI (0.23-0.75)] and the incidence of long-term neurological sequelae [RR = 0.48; 95% CI (0.35-0.65)], with statistical differences. No fatal side effect was observed in all of included trials. So far, limited evidences in this study proved that the application of compound Danshen injection in the treatment of neonatal HIE can enhance the clinical efficiency. However, because of the low quality of the included trials, more well-designed and large-scale multi-center randomized controlled trials shall be made in the future.

FELASA recommendations for the health monitoring of mouse, rat, hamster, guinea pig and rabbit colonies in breeding and experimental units

The microbiological quality of experimental animals can critically influence animal welfare and the validity and reproducibility of research data. It is therefore important for breeding and experimental facilities to establish a laboratory animal health monitoring (HM) programme as an integrated part of any quality assurance system. FELASA has published recommendations for the HM of rodent and rabbit colonies in breeding and experimental units (Nicklas etal. Laboratory Animals, 2002), with the intention of harmonizing HM programmes. As stated in the preamble, these recommendations need to be adapted periodically to meet current developments in laboratory animal medicine. Accordingly, previous recommendations have been revised and shall be replaced by the present recommendations. These recommendations are aimed at all breeders and users of laboratory mice, rats, Syrian hamsters, guinea pigs and rabbits as well as diagnostic laboratories. They describe essential aspects of HM, such as the choice of agents, selection of animals and tissues for testing, frequency of sampling, commonly used test methods, interpretation of results and HM reporting. Compared with previous recommendations, more emphasis is put on the role of a person with sufficient understanding of the principles of HM, opportunistic agents, the use of sentinel animals (particularly under conditions of cage-level containment) and the interpretation and reporting of HM results. Relevant agents, testing frequencies and literature references are updated. Supplementary information on specific agents and the number of animals to be monitored and an example of a HM programme description is provided in the appendices.

An annotated checklist of parasitic lice (Insecta: Phthiraptera) from the Galápagos Islands.

We list all described species and subspecies of parasitic lice from the Galápagos Islands, based on literature and specimen records. A total of eight families, 47 genera, and 104 species and subspecies of parasitic lice are listed, of which 26 are new species records and eight are new genus records. Also, we report 17 new host-louse associations. The checklist includes 17 endemic species (16 from birds, one from a mammal), 79 native species and subspecies (78 from birds, one from a mammal), and eight species and subspecies (five from birds, three from mammals) introduced by human agency. Nine species assigned in error to the Galápagos Islands in the literature are discussed and deleted from the fauna. For each valid species and subspecies we give information on its taxonomic history, type material, host associations, geographic distribution, biogeographical status, systematic relationships, and relevant literature references. We also give a brief summary of louse biology, and an account of the history of louse collecting, expeditions, collections, and research relating to Galápagos Islands lice. We include a host-parasite list, and a list of hosts which breed in the Galápagos Islands but without lice recorded from them. Also, we formally designate four lectotypes from the Kellogg Collection.

Overview and performance assessment of the clustering methods for electrical load pattern grouping

In the current structure of the electricity business, distribution and supply services have been unbundled in many jurisdictions. As a consequence of unbundling, electricity supply to customers is now provided on a competitive basis. In this context, the electricity suppliers need to get accurate information on the actual behaviour of their customers for setting up dedicated commercial offers. Customer grouping on the basis of consumption pattern similarity is likely to provide effective results. This paper provides an overview of the clustering techniques used to establish suitable customer grouping, included in a general scheme for analysing electrical load pattern data. The characteristics of the various stages of the customer grouping procedure are illustrated and discussed, providing links to relevant literature references. The specific aspect of assessing the performance of the clustering algorithms for load pattern grouping is then addressed, showing how the parameters used to formulate different clustering methods impact on the clustering validity indicators. It emerges that the clustering methods able to isolate the outliers exhibit the best performance. The implications of this result on the use of the clustering methods for electrical load pattern grouping from the operator’s point of view are discussed.

How to Write a Research Paper

Writing a scientific manuscript can be broken down into readily achievable defined steps. Authors should first select a topic and perform a literature search. When the topic of the manuscript is selected, authors should define specific topics to discuss in the manuscript, define the authors and authorship order involved and be aware of any regulatory issues with the study. Authors select a target journal for publication and after familiarizing themselves with the journal format and requirements, write the article from the topics defined earlier, incorporating relevant literature references and finalizing conclusions and interpretative findings. This manuscript also provides a general overview of the publication process for potential authors of scientific research papers.

Duplex Ultrasound Investigation of the Veins of the Lower Limbs after Treatment for Varicose Veins – UIP Consensus Document

Objectives Duplex ultrasound has become the reference standard in assessing the morphology and haemodynamics of the lower limb veins. The project described in this article was an initiative of the Union Internationale de Phlébologie (UIP). The aim was to obtain a consensus of international experts on the methodology and terminology to be used for assessment after treatment of incompetent superficial and perforating veins in the lower limb by ultrasound imaging. Design The study design was consensus meetings leading to a consensus document. Methods The UIP invited group submitted relevant literature references and written contributions concerning the methodology, terminology and value of duplex imaging after treatment. The authors prepared a draft document that was circulated to a larger group of experts and revised according to the comments received. Eventually, all participants agreed upon the final version of the article. Results Formal analysis of the results of interventions for varicose veins relies on adequate preoperative assessment and a careful description of the procedure employed. The timing of investigations of outcome should be classified as immediate (1–4 weeks), short-term (1 year), midterm (2–3 years) and long-term (5 years or more). The examination should employ standard methodology and formally described variables, which can be tailored to the intervention that was undertaken. The experts have made detailed recommendations concerning the methods to be used for duplex ultrasound examination and reporting after various treatments for varicose veins, including novel treatments under scientific study. Conclusions Duplex ultrasonography is a fundamental component of the investigation of the lower limb venous system after treatment for varicose veins.

Additions to the Mecoptera of Mexico

Abstract Three new Mexican species of Panorpidae, Panorpa accola, Panorpa michoacana, Panorpa teziutlana, and one bittacid, Eremobittacus sodalium, are described, illustrated and compared to previously named species. Distributional notes are added for some other species from Mexico. An alphabetical list is included of described Mexican Mecoptera, the states in which they have been recorded and relevant literature references.

Rejection of some original materiał of Juncus kochii (Juncaceae) as useless for typification

The identity of the potential original material of <em>Juncus kochii</em> is discussed. The taxon at present is best regarded as <em>Juncus bulbosus</em> L. subsp. <em>kochii</em> (F.W. Schultz) Reichg. The relevant literature (protologue and references therein) was searched and details of all residual original elements were compiled. Taxonomic remarks are given. The herbarium material from the environs of Bitche (Moselle, Lorraine) and Gérardmer (Vosges, Lorraine) – both in France, has been rejected as useless for typification of <em>J. kochii</em> (because of taxonomic reasons), though it was listed both in the protologue and also as indirect references therein Schultz’s earlier publications.

How really extensive is the original material of Juncus kochii (Juncaceae)? - A taxonomic and nomenclatural revision

The identity of the original material of <em>Juncus kochii</em> F. W. Schultz (<em>Juncaceae</em>) is discussed. The taxon at present is best regarded as <em>Juncus bulbosus</em> L. subsp. <em>kochii</em> (F. W. Schultz) Reichg. The relevant literature (protologue and references therein) was searched and details of all original elements were compiled. Nomenclatural and taxonomic remarks are given. <em>Juncus welwitschii</em> Hochst. ex Steud. is here excluded as a synonym of <em>Juncus bulbosus</em> subsp. <em>kochii</em>.

Executive summary: The International Consultation on Incontinence 2008—committee on: “Dynamic Testing”; for urinary or fecal incontinence. Part 2: Urodynamic Testing in male patients with symptoms of urinary incontinence, in patients with relevant neurological abnormalities, and in children and in frail elderly with symptoms of urinary incontinence

The members of 'The International Consultation on Incontinence 2008 (Paris) Committee on Dynamic Testing' provide an executive summary of the chapter 'Dynamic Testing' that discusses (urodynamic) testing methods for patients with signs and or symptoms of urinary incontinence. Testing of patients with signs and or symptoms of fecal incontinence is also discussed. Evidence based and consensus committee report. The chapter 'Dynamic Testing' is a continuation of previous Consultation reports added with a new systematic literature search and expert discussion. Conclusions, based on the published evidence and recommendations, based on the integration of evidence with expert experience and discussion are provided separately, for transparency. This second part of a series of three articles summarizes the committee's recommendations about: 'Urodynamic testing of male patients with symptoms of incontinence, of patients with relevant neurological abnormalities, testing of children and of frail elderly with symptoms of incontinence' and includes only the most recent and relevant literature references.

Executive summary: The International Consultation on incontinence 2008—committee on: “Dynamic Testing”; for Urinary or fecal incontinence. Part 3: Anorectal physiology studies

The members of 'The International Consultation on Incontinence 2008 (Paris) Committee on Dynamic Testing' provide an executive summary of the chapter 'Dynamic Testing' that discusses testing methods for patients with signs and or symptoms of incontinence. Testing of patients with signs and or symptoms of urinary as well as testing of patients with fecal incontinence is discussed. Evidence based and consensus committee report. The chapter 'Dynamic Testing' is a continuation of previous Consultation-reports added with a new systematic literature search and expert discussion. Conclusions, based on the published evidence and recommendations, based on the integration of evidence with expert experience and discussion are provided separately, for transparency. This third part of a series of three articles summarizes the recommendations given in the paragraph: 'Anorectal physiology studies' with regard to fecal incontinence (whether or not in combination with urinary incontinence) and includes only the most recent and relevant literature references.

Executive Summary: The International Consultation on Incontinence 2008—Committee on: “Dynamic Testing”; for urinary incontinence and for fecal incontinence. part 1: Innovations in Urodynamic Techniques and Urodynamic Testing for signs and symptoms of urinary incontinence in female patients

The members of The International Consultation on Incontinence 2008 (Paris) Committee on Dynamic Testing' provide an executive summary of the chapter 'Dynamic Testing' that discusses (urodynamic) testing methods for patients with signs and or symptoms of urinary incontinence. Testing of patients with signs and or symptoms of faecal incontinence is also discussed. Evidence based and consensus committee report. The chapter 'Dynamic Testing' is a continuation of previous Consultation-reports added with a new systematic literature search and expert discussion. Conclusions, based on the published evidence and recommendations, based on the integration of evidence with expert experience and discussion are provided separately, for transparency. This first part of a series of three articles summarizes the committees recommendations about the innovations in urodynamic study techniques 'in general', about the test characteristics and normal values of urodynamic studies as well as the assessment of female with signs and or symptoms of incontinence and includes only the most recent and relevant literature references.

High‐Performance Liquid and Ion Chromatography: Separation and Quantification Analytical Techniques for Rare Earth Elements

High‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and ion chromatography (HPIC) have been widely used as cheap, relatively rapid, precise and accurate separation and quantification analytical techniques for the rare earth elements (REE). In this “Back to Basics” review, a general description of the basic components of instrumentation and the most common detectors is presented, with special attention to separation conditions and chromatographic quality parameters for the REEs. Also included is a brief survey of the literature on the use of HPLC and HPIC in the determination of REEs in synthetic solutions as well as other matrices such as nuclear fuels and geochemical reference materials. For a proper evaluation of HPLC and HPIC applications, and use of these techniques by other researchers it is recommended that parameters such as the amount and uncertainty estimates of an element injected, eluents and post‐column reagents and information on linear or complex gradients and detector system set‐up, should always be reported or relevant literature references provided. Finally, a brief account is also presented on state‐of‐the‐art liquid chromatography known as ultra high‐ or extremely high‐performance liquid chromatography, which has high potential for a diversity of applications in all scientific and engineering fields including the Earth Sciences.

Yao & Artusio’s Anesthesiology: Problem-oriented Patient Management, 5th Edition for PDA.

Yao & Artusio’s Anesthesiology: Problem-oriented Patient Management, 5th Edition for PDA.

Restless Legs Syndrome, Periodic Limb Movements in Sleep, and Depression

To review the literature on restless legs syndrome (RLS), periodic limb movements in sleep, and depression. Literature review. SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, AND INTERVENTIONS: N/A. We conducted a comprehensive review of the literature searching for publications that included data on depression or antidepressants and RLS or periodic limb movements in sleep. Sixty-two relevant literature references were found and reviewed. Four population-based studies and 9 clinical studies reported significantly higher rates of depression symptoms in individuals with RLS than in controls. Conversely, the prevalence of RLS in patients presenting with depression was reported as elevated in 2 studies. Conflicting data were found regarding the effect of antidepressants on the sensory symptoms of RLS. In contrast, several studies have found that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressant use is associated with increased periodic limb movements in sleep. Depression symptoms are common in adults with RLS. However, the relationship appears complex, with overlap between RLS- and depression-related symptoms confounding the issue. Given what is known at this time, we propose a specific treatment approach to patients with RLS and depression symptoms.

Expert system for determination of fumonisins in corn samples

An expert system (ES) to solve the problem of choosing an optimal procedure for the determination of fumonisins in corn samples was developed, having in mind that these toxins most frequently contaminate this particular cereal. In constructing the ES use was made of the deterministic approach starting from the assumption that the experts in the field have a profound knowledge about the problem in question. The ES knowledge base contains the solutions that have been published in the pertinent literature, as well as some solutions and recommendations, which we have developed and introduced. On the basis of this information, as well as on the basis of the demanded method detection limit, available equipment, chemicals, as well as the time the experimenter has at his disposal for the determination, the ES proposes a procedure for solving the given analytical problem, starting from sampling, preparation of all the necessary solutions, the appropriate apparatus, probe preparation, the mode of determining results, calculation of the results, and provides a survey of all the relevant literature references. The base of ES is a shell, which can work under a variety of Microsoft Windows operating systems. In the development of ES and its adaptation for users who are not familiar with computer techniques, different tools, which operate with Microsoft Windows operating systems, as well as the tools within Microsoft Office are used.

PhosphoSite: A bioinformatics resource dedicated to physiological protein phosphorylation.

PhosphoSite is a curated, web-based bioinformatics resource dedicated to physiologic sites of protein phosphorylation in human and mouse. PhosphoSite is populated with information derived from published literature as well as high-throughput discovery programs. PhosphoSite provides information about the phosphorylated residue and its surrounding sequence, orthologous sites in other species, location of the site within known domains and motifs, and relevant literature references. Links are also provided to a number of external resources for protein sequences, structure, post-translational modifications and signaling pathways, as well as sources of phospho-specific antibodies and probes. As the amount of information in the underlying knowledgebase expands, users will be able to systematically search for the kinases, phosphatases, ligands, treatments, and receptors that have been shown to regulate the phosphorylation status of the sites, and pathways in which the phosphorylation sites function. As it develops into a comprehensive resource of known in vivo phosphorylation sites, we expect that PhosphoSite will be a valuable tool for researchers seeking to understand the role of intracellular signaling pathways in a wide variety of biological processes.

Intolerance to dietary biogenic amines: a review.

To evaluate the scientific evidence for purported intolerance to dietary biogenic amines. MEDLINE was searched for articles in the English language published between January 1966 and August 2001. The keyword biogenic amin* was combined with hypersens*, allerg*, intoler*, and adverse. Additionally, the keywords histamine, tyramine, and phenylethylamine were combined with headache, migraine, urticaria, oral challenge, and oral provocation. Articles were also selected from references in relevant literature. Only oral challenge studies in susceptible patients were considered. Studies with positive results (ie, studies in which an effect was reported) were only eligible when a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design was used. Eligible positive result studies were further evaluated according to a number of scientific criteria. Studies with negative results (ie, studies in which no effect was reported) were examined for factors in their design or methods that could be responsible for a false-negative outcome. Results of methodologically weak or flawed studies were considered inconclusive. A total of 13 oral challenge studies (5 with positive results and 8 with negative results) were found. Three of them (all with positive results) were considered ineligible. By further evaluation of the 10 eligible studies, 6 were considered inconclusive. The 4 conclusive studies all reported negative results. One conclusive study showed no relation between biogenic amines in red wine and wine intolerance. Two conclusive studies found no effect of tyramine on migraine. One conclusive study demonstrated no relation between the amount of phenylethylamine in chocolate and headache attacks in individuals with headache. The current scientific literature shows no relation between the oral ingestion of biogenic amines and food intolerance reactions. There is therefore no scientific basis for dietary recommendations concerning biogenic amines in such patients.

PGDB: a curated and integrated database of genes related to the prostate.

The Prostate Gene Database (PGDB: http://www.ucsf.edu/pgdb) is a curated and integrated database of genes or genomic loci related to the human prostate and prostatic diseases. Currently, PGDB covers genes involved in a number of molecular and genetic events of the prostate including gene amplification, mutation, gross deletion, methylation, polymorphism, linkage and over-expression, as published in the literature. Genes that are specifically expressed in prostate, as evidenced by analysis of data from expressed sequence tags (ESTs) and serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE), are also included. There are a total of 165 unique entries in the database. Users can either browse or query the PGDB through a web interface. For each gene, in addition to basic gene information and rich cross-references to other databases, inclusive and relevant literature references are provided to support the inclusion of the gene in the database. Detailed expression data calculated from the UniGene and SAGEmap databases are also presented.