Showing papers by "University of Bern published in 2011"
TL;DR: The Cochrane Collaboration’s tool for assessing risk of bias aims to make the process clearer and more accurate.
Abstract: Flaws in the design, conduct, analysis, and reporting of randomised trials can cause the effect of an intervention to be underestimated or overestimated. The Cochrane Collaboration’s tool for assessing risk of bias aims to make the process clearer and more accurate
22,227 citations
University of Colorado Boulder1, Earth System Research Laboratory2, Met Office3, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration4, ETH Zurich5, University of Bern6, Rovira i Virgili University7, University of East Anglia8, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research9, South African Weather Service10, British Antarctic Survey11, University of Milan12, Norwegian Meteorological Institute13, University of Lisbon14, Environment Canada15, National Center for Atmospheric Research16
TL;DR: The Twentieth Century Reanalysis (20CR) dataset as discussed by the authors provides the first estimates of global tropospheric variability, and of the dataset's time-varying quality, from 1871 to the present at 6-hourly temporal and 2° spatial resolutions.
Abstract: The Twentieth Century Reanalysis (20CR) project is an international effort to produce a comprehensive global atmospheric circulation dataset spanning the twentieth century, assimilating only surface pressure reports and using observed monthly sea-surface temperature and sea-ice distributions as boundary conditions. It is chiefly motivated by a need to provide an observational dataset with quantified uncertainties for validations of climate model simulations of the twentieth century on all time-scales, with emphasis on the statistics of daily weather. It uses an Ensemble Kalman Filter data assimilation method with background ‘first guess’ fields supplied by an ensemble of forecasts from a global numerical weather prediction model. This directly yields a global analysis every 6 hours as the most likely state of the atmosphere, and also an uncertainty estimate of that analysis.
The 20CR dataset provides the first estimates of global tropospheric variability, and of the dataset's time-varying quality, from 1871 to the present at 6-hourly temporal and 2° spatial resolutions. Intercomparisons with independent radiosonde data indicate that the reanalyses are generally of high quality. The quality in the extratropical Northern Hemisphere throughout the century is similar to that of current three-day operational NWP forecasts. Intercomparisons over the second half-century of these surface-based reanalyses with other reanalyses that also make use of upper-air and satellite data are equally encouraging.
It is anticipated that the 20CR dataset will be a valuable resource to the climate research community for both model validations and diagnostic studies. Some surprising results are already evident. For instance, the long-term trends of indices representing the North Atlantic Oscillation, the tropical Pacific Walker Circulation, and the Pacific–North American pattern are weak or non-existent over the full period of record. The long-term trends of zonally averaged precipitation minus evaporation also differ in character from those in climate model simulations of the twentieth century. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society and Crown Copyright.
3,043 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a global meta-analysis of 199 articles reporting 1041 field studies that in total describe the impacts of 135 alien plant taxa on resident species, communities and ecosystems.
Abstract: Biological invasions cause ecological and economic impacts across the globe. However, it is unclear whether there are strong patterns in terms of their major effects, how the vulnerability of different ecosystems varies and which ecosystem services are at greatest risk. We present a global meta-analysis of 199 articles reporting 1041 field studies that in total describe the impacts of 135 alien plant taxa on resident species, communities and ecosystems. Across studies, alien plants had a significant effect in 11 of 24 different types of impact assessed. The magnitude and direction of the impact varied both within and between different types of impact. On average, abundance and diversity of the resident species decreased in invaded sites, whereas primary production and several ecosystem processes were enhanced. While alien N-fixing species had greater impacts on N-cycling variables, they did not consistently affect other impact types. The magnitude of the impacts was not significantly different between island and mainland ecosystems. Overall, alien species impacts are heterogeneous and not unidirectional even within particular impact types. Our analysis also reveals that by the time changes in nutrient cycling are detected, major impacts on plant species and communities are likely to have already occurred.
2,293 citations
TL;DR: A research synthesis of the relation between alliance and the outcomes of individual psychotherapy covered over 200 research reports based on 190 independent data sources, covering more than 14,000 treatments.
Abstract: This article reports on a research synthesis of the relation between alliance and the outcomes of individual psychotherapy. Included were over 200 research reports based on 190 independent data sources, covering more than 14,000 treatments. Research involving 5 or more adult participants receiving genuine (as opposed to analogue) treatments, where the author(s) referred to one of the independent variables as “alliance,” “therapeutic alliance,” “helping alliance,” or “working alliance” were the inclusion criteria. All analyses were done using the assumptions of a random model. The overall aggregate relation between the alliance and treatment outcome (adjusted for sample size and non independence of outcome measures) was r .275 (k 190); the 95% confidence interval for this value was .25–.30. The statistical probability associated with the aggregated relation between alliance and outcome is p .0001. The data collected for this meta-analysis were quite variable (heterogeneous). Potential variables such as assessment perspectives (client, therapist, observer), publication source, types of assessment methods and time of assessment were explored.
1,717 citations
TL;DR: The T2K experiment observes indications of ν (μ) → ν(e) appearance in data accumulated with 1.43×10(20) protons on target, and under this hypothesis, the probability to observe six or more candidate events is 7×10(-3), equivalent to 2.5σ significance.
Abstract: The T2K experiment observes indications of nu(mu) -> nu(mu) e appearance in data accumulated with 1.43 x 10(20) protons on target. Six events pass all selection criteria at the far detector. In a three-flavor neutrino oscillation scenario with |Delta m(23)(2)| = 2.4 x 10(-3) eV(2), sin(2)2 theta(23) = 1 and sin(2)2 theta(13) = 0, the expected number of such events is 1.5 +/- 0.3(syst). Under this hypothesis, the probability to observe six or more candidate events is 7 x 10(-3), equivalent to 2.5 sigma significance. At 90% C.L., the data are consistent with 0.03(0.04) < sin(2)2 theta(13) < 0.28(0.34) for delta(CP) = 0 and a normal (inverted) hierarchy.
1,361 citations
Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute1, Université de Montréal2, University of Edinburgh3, University of Kiel4, Karolinska Institutet5, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center6, University of Cambridge7, University of Pennsylvania8, Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza9, University of Pittsburgh10, Université libre de Bruxelles11, University of Otago12, Johns Hopkins University13, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich14, Charité15, Lille University of Science and Technology16, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center17, Ghent University18, Torbay Hospital19, University of Groningen20, Mater Health Services21, University of Liège22, University of Washington23, University of Utah24, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute25, University of Paris26, University of Western Australia27, Tel Aviv University28, University of Dundee29, Harvard University30, University of Manchester31, Utrecht University32, University of Florence33, King's College London34, Yale University35, Royal Hospital for Sick Children36, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven37, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust38, University of Barcelona39, University of Chicago40, University of Bern41, University of California, San Francisco42, Agency for Science, Technology and Research43, University of Toronto44, University of Oslo45, Leiden University46, University of Amsterdam47, Aarhus University48, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens49, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences50, Newcastle University51, Emory University52, Örebro University53, French Institute of Health and Medical Research54, Center for Applied Genomics55
TL;DR: A meta-analysis of six ulcerative colitis genome-wide association study datasets found many candidate genes that provide potentially important insights into disease pathogenesis, including IL1R2, IL8RA-IL8RB, IL7R, IL12B, DAP, PRDM1, JAK2, IRF5, GNA12 and LSP1.
Abstract: Genome-wide association studies and candidate gene studies in ulcerative colitis have identified 18 susceptibility loci. We conducted a meta-analysis of six ulcerative colitis genome-wide association study datasets, comprising 6,687 cases and 19,718 controls, and followed up the top association signals in 9,628 cases and 12,917 controls. We identified 29 additional risk loci (P < 5 × 10(-8)), increasing the number of ulcerative colitis-associated loci to 47. After annotating associated regions using GRAIL, expression quantitative trait loci data and correlations with non-synonymous SNPs, we identified many candidate genes that provide potentially important insights into disease pathogenesis, including IL1R2, IL8RA-IL8RB, IL7R, IL12B, DAP, PRDM1, JAK2, IRF5, GNA12 and LSP1. The total number of confirmed inflammatory bowel disease risk loci is now 99, including a minimum of 28 shared association signals between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
1,291 citations
TL;DR: Work-family conflict was analyzed bidirectionally in terms of work interference with family (WIF) and family interference with work (FIW), and it was shown that WIF and FIW are consistently related to all 3 types of outcomes.
Abstract: A literature review of studies analyzing work-family conflict and its consequences was conducted, and 427 effect sizes were analyzed meta-analytically. Work-family conflict was analyzed bidirectionally in terms of work interference with family (WIF) and family interference with work (FIW). We assessed 3 categories of potential outcomes: work-related outcomes, family-related outcomes, and domain-unspecific outcomes. Results show that WIF and FIW are consistently related to all 3 types of outcomes. Both types of interrole conflict showed stronger relationships to same-domain outcomes than to cross-domain outcomes. Thus, WIF was more strongly associated with work-related than with family-related outcomes, and FIW was more strongly associated with family-related than with work-related outcomes. In moderator analyses, parenthood could not explain variability in effect sizes. However, time spent at work did moderate the relationships between WIF and family-related outcomes, as well as FIW and domain-unspecific outcomes.
1,224 citations
TL;DR: The mechanism of contact killing is understood since it may bear on central issues, such as the possibility of the emergence and spread of resistant organisms, cleaning procedures, and questions of material and object engineering.
Abstract: Bacteria, yeasts, and viruses are rapidly killed on metallic copper surfaces, and the term “contact killing” has been coined for this process. While the phenomenon was already known in ancient times, it is currently receiving renewed attention. This is due to the potential use of copper as an antibacterial material in health care settings. Contact killing was observed to take place at a rate of at least 7 to 8 logs per hour, and no live microorganisms were generally recovered from copper surfaces after prolonged incubation. The antimicrobial activity of copper and copper alloys is now well established, and copper has recently been registered at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as the first solid antimicrobial material. In several clinical studies, copper has been evaluated for use on touch surfaces, such as door handles, bathroom fixtures, or bed rails, in attempts to curb nosocomial infections. In connection to these new applications of copper, it is important to understand the mechanism of contact killing since it may bear on central issues, such as the possibility of the emergence and spread of resistant organisms, cleaning procedures, and questions of material and object engineering. Recent work has shed light on mechanistic aspects of contact killing. These findings will be reviewed here and juxtaposed with the toxicity mechanisms of ionic copper. The merit of copper as a hygienic material in hospitals and related settings will also be discussed.
1,183 citations
TL;DR: The current “state of the art” of carbapenem antibiotics and their role in the antimicrobial armamentarium are summarized and the medicinal chemist is urged to continue development of these versatile and potent compounds.
Abstract: In this review, we summarize the current "state of the art" of carbapenem antibiotics and their role in our antimicrobial armamentarium. Among the β-lactams currently available, carbapenems are unique because they are relatively resistant to hydrolysis by most β-lactamases, in some cases act as "slow substrates" or inhibitors of β-lactamases, and still target penicillin binding proteins. This "value-added feature" of inhibiting β-lactamases serves as a major rationale for expansion of this class of β-lactams. We describe the initial discovery and development of the carbapenem family of β-lactams. Of the early carbapenems evaluated, thienamycin demonstrated the greatest antimicrobial activity and became the parent compound for all subsequent carbapenems. To date, more than 80 compounds with mostly improved antimicrobial properties, compared to those of thienamycin, are described in the literature. We also highlight important features of the carbapenems that are presently in clinical use: imipenem-cilastatin, meropenem, ertapenem, doripenem, panipenem-betamipron, and biapenem. In closing, we emphasize some major challenges and urge the medicinal chemist to continue development of these versatile and potent compounds, as they have served us well for more than 3 decades.
1,056 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors show that the implications of self-congruence for consumers' emotional brand attachment are complex and differ by consumers' product involvement, consumers' individual difference variables, and the type of selfcongruence (fit of the brand's personality with the consumer's actual self versus with the consumers' ideal self).
Abstract: Creating emotional brand attachment is a key branding issue in today's marketing world. One way to accomplish this is to match the brand's personality with the consumer's self. A key question, however, is whether the brand's personality should match the consumer's actual self or the consumer's ideal self. On the basis of two empirical studies of 167 brands (evaluated by 1329 and 980 consumers), the authors show that the implications of self-congruence for consumers' emotional brand attachment are complex and differ by consumers' product involvement, consumers' individual difference variables, and the type of self-congruence (fit of the brand's personality with the consumer's actual self versus with the consumer's ideal self). On a general level, actual self-congruence has the greatest impact on emotional brand attachment. Product involvement, self-esteem, and public self-consciousness increase the positive impact of actual self-congruence but decrease the impact of ideal self-congruence on emotio...
974 citations
TL;DR: Although uncertainty remains, little evidence exists to suggest that any of the investigated drugs are safe in cardiovascular terms, and Naproxen seemed least harmful.
Abstract: Objective To analyse the available evidence on cardiovascular safety of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Design Network meta-analysis. Data sources Bibliographic databases, conference proceedings, study registers, the Food and Drug Administration website, reference lists of relevant articles, and reports citing relevant articles through the Science Citation Index (last update July 2009). Manufacturers of celecoxib and lumiracoxib provided additional data. Study selection All large scale randomised controlled trials comparing any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or placebo. Two investigators independently assessed eligibility. Data extraction The primary outcome was myocardial infarction. Secondary outcomes included stroke, death from cardiovascular disease, and death from any cause. Two investigators independently extracted data. Data synthesis 31 trials in 116 429 patients with more than 115 000 patient years of follow-up were included. Patients were allocated to naproxen, ibuprofen, diclofenac, celecoxib, etoricoxib, rofecoxib, lumiracoxib, or placebo. Compared with placebo, rofecoxib was associated with the highest risk of myocardial infarction (rate ratio 2.12, 95% credibility interval 1.26 to 3.56), followed by lumiracoxib (2.00, 0.71 to 6.21). Ibuprofen was associated with the highest risk of stroke (3.36, 1.00 to 11.6), followed by diclofenac (2.86, 1.09 to 8.36). Etoricoxib (4.07, 1.23 to 15.7) and diclofenac (3.98, 1.48 to 12.7) were associated with the highest risk of cardiovascular death. Conclusions Although uncertainty remains, little evidence exists to suggest that any of the investigated drugs are safe in cardiovascular terms. Naproxen seemed least harmful. Cardiovascular risk needs to be taken into account when prescribing any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
TL;DR: Clinical evidence shows that filgrastim, lenograstim and pegfilgrastIM have clinical efficacy and the use of any of these agents to prevent FN and FN-related complications where indicated and prophylactic G-CSF support is recommended.
Kyoto University1, Nagoya University2, KEK3, Brookhaven National Laboratory4, Université Paris-Saclay5, University of Washington6, University of Connecticut7, University of Bern8, Spanish National Research Council9, University of Southern Denmark10, University of Rome Tor Vergata11, Forschungszentrum Jülich12, University of Wuppertal13, Osaka University14, San Francisco State University15, Indiana University16, Graduate University for Advanced Studies17, American Physical Society18, University of Edinburgh19, University of Southampton20, Aix-Marseille University21, National Chiao Tung University22, Roma Tre University23, Columbia University24, Autonomous University of Madrid25, University of Mainz26
TL;DR: The determination of the light-quark masses, the form factor, and the decay-constant ratio arising in semileptonic $$K \rightarrow \pi $$K→π transition at zero momentum transfer are reported on.
Abstract: We review lattice results related to pion, kaon, D- and B-meson physics with the aim of making them easily accessible to the particle physics community. More specifically, we report on the determination of the light-quark masses, the form factor f+(0), arising in semileptonic K -> pi transition at zero momentum transfer, as well as the decay constant ratio fK/fpi of decay constants and its consequences for the CKM matrix elements Vus and Vud. Furthermore, we describe the results obtained on the lattice for some of the low-energy constants of SU(2)LxSU(2)R and SU(3)LxSU(3)R Chiral Perturbation Theory and review the determination of the BK parameter of neutral kaon mixing. The inclusion of heavy-quark quantities significantly expands the FLAG scope with respect to the previous review. Therefore, for this review, we focus on D- and B-meson decay constants, form factors, and mixing parameters, since these are most relevant for the determination of CKM matrix elements and the global CKM unitarity-triangle fit. In addition we review the status of lattice determinations of the strong coupling constant alpha_s.
TL;DR: It is shown how application of fluorination is used to enable a number of reactions, to improve materials properties and even open up new fields of research.
Abstract: Interactions of “organic fluorine” have gained great interest not only in the context of crystal engineering, but also in the systematic design of functional materials. The first part of this tutorial review presents an overview on interactions known by organic fluorine. This involves π–πF, C–F⋯H, F⋯F, C–F⋯πF, C–F⋯π, C–F⋯M+, C–F⋯CO and anion–πF interactions, as well as other halogen bonds. The effect of the exchange of H vs. F is discussed by means of several examples and a short introduction to the young field of “fluorous” chemistry is given. The second part is dedicated to numerous applications of fluorine and fluorous interactions. It is shown how application of fluorination is used to enable a number of reactions, to improve materials properties and even open up new fields of research.
TL;DR: The presence of the HLA-A*3101 allele was associated with carbamazepine-induced hypersensitivity reactions among subjects of Northern European ancestry.
Abstract: Background Carbamazepine causes various forms of hypersensitivity reactions, ranging from maculopapular exanthema to severe blistering reactions. The HLA-B*1502 allele has been shown to be strongly correlated with carbamazepine-induced Stevens–Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS–TEN) in the Han Chinese and other Asian populations but not in European populations. Methods We performed a genomewide association study of samples obtained from 22 subjects with carbamazepine-induced hypersensitivity syndrome, 43 subjects with carbamazepine-induced maculopapular exanthema, and 3987 control subjects, all of European descent. We tested for an association between disease and HLA alleles through proxy single-nucleotide polymorphisms and imputation, confirming associations by high-resolution sequence-based HLA typing. We replicated the associations in samples from 145 subjects with carbamazepine-induced hypersensitivity reactions. Results The HLA-A*3101 allele, which has a prevalence of 2 to 5% in Nor...
TL;DR: Modelling of microbiota colonization-induced Treg cell responses shows that they are a fundamental intrinsic mechanism to induce and maintain host-intestinal microbial T cell mutualism.
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11 Dec 2011-Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research Section A-accelerators Spectrometers Detectors and Associated Equipment
TL;DR: The T2K experiment as discussed by the authors is a long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiment whose main goal is to measure the last unknown lepton sector mixing angle by observing its appearance in a particle beam generated by the J-PARC accelerator.
Abstract: The T2K experiment is a long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiment Its main goal is to measure the last unknown lepton sector mixing angle {\theta}_{13} by observing {
u}_e appearance in a {
u}_{\mu} beam It also aims to make a precision measurement of the known oscillation parameters, {\Delta}m^{2}_{23} and sin^{2} 2{\theta}_{23}, via {
u}_{\mu} disappearance studies Other goals of the experiment include various neutrino cross section measurements and sterile neutrino searches The experiment uses an intense proton beam generated by the J-PARC accelerator in Tokai, Japan, and is composed of a neutrino beamline, a near detector complex (ND280), and a far detector (Super-Kamiokande) located 295 km away from J-PARC This paper provides a comprehensive review of the instrumentation aspect of the T2K experiment and a summary of the vital information for each subsystem
TL;DR: In this article, a Holocene Climate Atlas (HOCLAT) is presented based on carefully selected 10,000-year-long time series of temperature and humidity/precipitation, as well as reconstructions of glacier advances.
University of Amsterdam1, University of Manchester2, Charité3, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens4, Charles University in Prague5, Stavanger University Hospital6, Vilnius University7, University of Verona8, University of Szeged9, Erasmus University Rotterdam10, Wrocław Medical University11, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven12, St. John's University13, Karolinska Institutet14, University of Bern15
TL;DR: This programme defines the severity of plaque psoriasis for the first time using a formal consensus of 19 European experts and to improve patient care and mitigate the problem of undertreatment.
Abstract: Patients with moderate to severe psoriasis are undertreated. To solve this persistent problem, the consensus programme was performed to define goals for treatment of plaque psoriasis with systemic therapy and to improve patient care. An expert consensus meeting and a collaborative Delphi procedure were carried out. Nineteen dermatologists from different European countries met for a face-to-face discussion and defined items through a four-round Delphi process. Severity of plaque psoriasis was graded into mild and moderate to severe disease. Mild disease was defined as body surface area (BSA) ≤10 and psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) ≤10 and dermatology life quality index (DLQI) ≤10 and moderate to severe psoriasis as (BSA > 10 or PASI > 10) and DLQI > 10. Special clinical situations may change mild psoriasis to moderate to severe including involvement of visible areas or severe nail involvement. For systemic therapy of plaque psoriasis two treatment phases were defined: (1) induction phase as the treatment period until week 16; however, depending on the type of drug and dose regimen used, this phase may be extended until week 24 and (2) maintenance phase for all drugs was defined as the treatment period after the induction phase. For the definition of treatment goals in plaque psoriasis, the change of PASI from baseline until the time of evaluation (ΔPASI) and the absolute DLQI were used. After induction and during maintenance therapy, treatment can be continued if reduction in PASI is ≥75%. The treatment regimen should be modified if improvement of PASI is 5 but can be continued if the DLQI is ≤5. This programme defines the severity of plaque psoriasis for the first time using a formal consensus of 19 European experts. In addition, treatment goals for moderate to severe disease were established. Implementation of treatment goals in the daily management of psoriasis will improve patient care and mitigate the problem of undertreatment. It is planned to evaluate the implementation of these treatment goals in a subsequent programme involving patients and physicians.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present three variants of the so-called Porter Hypothesis: the weak, narrow and strong versions of the hypothesis are tested using data on the four main elements of the hypothesized causality chain (environmental policy, research and development, environmental performance and commercial performance).
Abstract: Jaffe and Palmer (1997) present three distinct variants of the so-called Porter Hypothesis. The “weak” version of the hypothesis posits that environmental regulation will stimulate certain kinds of environmental innovations. The “narrow” version of the hypothesis asserts that flexible environmental policy regimes give firms greater incentive to innovate than prescriptive regulations, such as technology-based standards. Finally, the “strong” version posits that properly designed regulation may induce cost-saving innovation that more than compensates for the cost of compliance. In this paper, we test the significance of these different variants of the Porter Hypothesis using data on the four main elements of the hypothesised causality chain (environmental policy, research and development, environmental performance and commercial performance). The analysis is based upon a unique database which includes observations from approximately 4200 facilities in seven OECD countries. In general, we find strong support for the “weak” version, qualified support for the “narrow” version, and qualified support for the “strong” version as well.
University of Copenhagen1, University of California, Berkeley2, Technical University of Denmark3, Estonian Biocentre4, Imperial College London5, University of Cambridge6, Chinese Academy of Sciences7, Stanford University8, Murdoch University9, National Autonomous University of Mexico10, University of Western Australia11, Kitasato University12, University of Bern13, University of Chicago14, University of Toulouse15, Leiden University16, University College London17, Griffith University18, Max Planck Society19, University of British Columbia20, Estonian Academy of Sciences21
TL;DR: It is shown that Aboriginal Australians are descendants of an early human dispersal into eastern Asia, possibly 62,000 to 75,000 years ago, which is separate from the one that gave rise to modern Asians 25, thousands of years ago.
Abstract: We present an Aboriginal Australian genomic sequence obtained from a 100-year-old lock of hair donated by an Aboriginal man from southern Western Australia in the early 20th century. We detect no evidence of European admixture and estimate contamination levels to be below 0.5%. We show that Aboriginal Australians are descendants of an early human dispersal into eastern Asia, possibly 62,000 to 75,000 years ago. This dispersal is separate from the one that gave rise to modern Asians 25,000 to 38,000 years ago. We also find evidence of gene flow between populations of the two dispersal waves prior to the divergence of Native Americans from modern Asian ancestors. Our findings support the hypothesis that present-day Aboriginal Australians descend from the earliest humans to occupy Australia, likely representing one of the oldest continuous populations outside Africa.
TL;DR: Practical advice for the application of exercise in heart failure and how to overcome traditional barriers is provided, based on the current scientific and clinical knowledge supporting the beneficial effect of this intervention.
Abstract: The European Society of Cardiology heart failure guidelines firmly recommend regular physical activity and structured exercise training (ET), but this recommendation is still poorly implemented in daily clinical practice outside specialized centres and in the real world of heart failure clinics. In reality, exercise intolerance can be successfully tackled by applying ET. We need to encourage the mindset that breathlessness may be evidence of signalling between the periphery and central haemodynamic performance and regular physical activity may ultimately bring about favourable changes in myocardial function, symptoms, functional capacity, and increased hospitalization-free life span and probably survival. In this position paper, we provide practical advice for the application of exercise in heart failure and how to overcome traditional barriers, based on the current scientific and clinical knowledge supporting the beneficial effect of this intervention.
TL;DR: Patients with osteoarthritis are at higher risk of death compared with the general population, and history of diabetes, cancer, or cardiovascular disease and the presence of walking disability are major risk factors.
Abstract: Objective To examine all cause and disease specific mortality in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee or hip. Design Population based cohort study. Setting General practices in the southwest of England. Participants 1163 patients aged 35 years or over with symptoms and radiological confirmation of osteoarthritis of the knee or hip. Main outcome measures Age and sex standardised mortality ratios and multivariable hazard ratios of death after a median of 14 years’ follow-up. Results Patients with osteoarthritis had excess all cause mortality compared with the general population (standardised mortality ratio 1.55, 95% confidence interval 1.41 to 1.70). Excess mortality was observed for all disease specific causes of death but was particularly pronounced for cardiovascular (standardised mortality ratio 1.71, 1.49 to 1.98) and dementia associated mortality (1.99, 1.22 to 3.25). Mortality increased with increasing age (P for trend Conclusion Patients with osteoarthritis are at higher risk of death compared with the general population. History of diabetes, cancer, or cardiovascular disease and the presence of walking disability are major risk factors. Management of patients with osteoarthritis and walking disability should focus on effective treatment of cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidities, as well as on increasing physical activity.
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens1, The Catholic University of America2, Boston Children's Hospital3, University of Bern4, Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital5, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven6, Innsbruck Medical University7, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre8, Palacký University, Olomouc9, Hacettepe University10, Carlos III Health Institute11
TL;DR: Administration of amphotericin B and surgery, where feasible, significantly improve survival and the most common manifestations of zygomycosis were pulmonary, rhinocerebral and soft tissue.
TL;DR: Several crystal chemical properties appear to promote the high Li-ion conductivity in cubic Al-containing Li(7)La(3)Zr(2)O(12) garnet, which is the best conducting Li-oxide garnet discovered to date.
Abstract: Recent research has shown that certain Li-oxide garnets with high mechanical, thermal, chemical, and electrochemical stability are excellent fast Li-ion conductors. However, the detailed crystal chemistry of Li-oxide garnets is not well understood, nor is the relationship between crystal chemistry and conduction behavior. An investigation was undertaken to understand the crystal chemical and structural properties, as well as the stability relations, of Li7La3Zr2O12 garnet, which is the best conducting Li-oxide garnet discovered to date. Two different sintering methods produced Li-oxide garnet but with slightly different compositions and different grain sizes. The first sintering method, involving ceramic crucibles in initial synthesis steps and later sealed Pt capsules, produced single crystals up to roughly 100 μm in size. Electron microprobe and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) measurements show small amounts of Al in the garnet, probably originating from the crucible...
TL;DR: It is illustrated that magic traits can be produced by a variety of mechanisms, including ones in which reproductive isolation arises as an automatic by-product of adaptive divergence.
Abstract: Speciation with gene flow is greatly facilitated when traits subject to divergent selection also contribute to non-random mating. Such traits have been called ‘magic traits’, which could be interpreted to imply that they are rare, special, or unrealistic. Here, we question this assumption by illustrating that magic traits can be produced by a variety of mechanisms, including ones in which reproductive isolation arises as an automatic by-product of adaptive divergence. We also draw upon the theoretical literature to explore whether magic traits have a unique role in speciation or can be mimicked in their effects by physically linked trait-complexes. We conclude that magic traits are more frequent than previously perceived, but further work is needed to clarify their importance.
TL;DR: Comorbidity and multi-bidity because of non-AIDS diseases, particularly diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, non- AIDS-defining malignancies, and osteoporosis, become more important in care of HIV-infected persons and increase with older age.
Abstract: Results. Overall,8444(96%)of8848participantscontributeddatafrom40720semiannualvisits;2233individuals (26.4%) were aged 50‐64 years, and 450 (5.3%) were aged $65 years. The median duration of HIV infection was 15.4 years (95% confidence interval [CI], 9.59‐22.0 years); 23.2% had prior clinical AIDS. We observed 994 incident nonAIDS events in the reference period: 201 cases of bacterial pneumonia, 55 myocardial infarctions, 39 strokes, 70 cases of diabetes mellitus, 123 trauma-associated fractures, 37 fractures without adequate trauma, and 115 non-AIDS malignancies. Multivariable hazard ratios for stroke (17.7; CI, 7.06‐44.5), myocardial infarction (5.89; 95% CI, 2.17‐ 16.0), diabetes mellitus (3.75; 95% CI, 1.80‐7.85), bone fractures without adequate trauma (10.5; 95% CI, 3.58‐30.5), osteoporosis (9.13; 95% CI, 4.10‐20.3), and non‐AIDS-defining malignancies (6.88; 95% CI, 3.89‐12.2) were elevated for persons aged $65 years. Conclusions. Comorbidity and multimorbidity because of non-AIDS diseases, particularly diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, non‐AIDS-defining malignancies, and osteoporosis, become more important in care of HIV-infected persons and increase with older age.
TL;DR: The results suggest that nonverbal synchrony embodies the patients' self-reported quality of the relationship and further variables of therapy process and might prove useful as an indicator of therapy progress and outcome.
Abstract: Objective: The authors quantified nonverbal synchrony—the coordination of patient's and therapist's movement—in a random sample of same-sex psychotherapy dyads. The authors contrasted nonverbal synchrony in these dyads with a control condition and assessed its association with session-level and overall psychotherapy outcome. Method: Using an automated objective video analysis algorithm (Motion Energy Analysis; MEA), the authors calculated nonverbal synchrony in (n = 104) videotaped psychotherapy sessions from 70 Caucasian patients (37 women, 33 men, mean age = 36.5 years, SD = 10.2) treated at an outpatient psychotherapy clinic. The sample was randomly drawn from an archive (N = 301) of routinely videotaped psychotherapies. Patients and their therapists assessed session impact with self-report postsession questionnaires. A battery of pre- and postsymptomatology questionnaires measured therapy effectiveness. Results: The authors found that nonverbal synchrony is higher in genuine interactions contrasted with pseudointeractions (a control condition generated by a specifically designed shuffling procedure). Furthermore, nonverbal synchrony is associated with session-level process as well as therapy outcome: It is increased in sessions rated by patients as manifesting high relationship quality and in patients experiencing high self-efficacy. Higher nonverbal synchrony characterized psychotherapies with higher symptom reduction. Conclusions: The results suggest that nonverbal synchrony embodies the patients' self-reported quality of the relationship and further variables of therapy process. This hitherto overlooked facet of therapeutic relationships might prove useful as an indicator of therapy progress and outcome.
TL;DR: The results support the following causal sequence of events: (1) demethylesterification of pectin is triggered in subepidermal tissue layers, this contributes to an increase in elasticity of these layers-the first observable mechanical event in organ initiation, and (3) the process propagates to the epidermis during the outgrowth of the organ.
University of Bern1, Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research2, Newcastle University3, Imperial College London4, University of Washington5, Changjiang Water Resources Commission6, Tel-Hai Academic College7, Spanish National Research Council8, University of KwaZulu-Natal9, University of British Columbia10, University at Albany, SUNY11, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research12
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the state of knowledge in water resources from a highland-lowland viewpoint, focusing on mountain areas on the one hand and the adjacent lowland area on the other hand, and concluded that effective management of mountain water resources urgently requires more detailed regional studies and more reliable scenario projections.
Abstract: . Mountains are essential sources of freshwater for our world, but their role in global water resources could well be significantly altered by climate change. How well do we understand these potential changes today, and what are implications for water resources management, climate change adaptation, and evolving water policy? To answer above questions, we have examined 11 case study regions with the goal of providing a global overview, identifying research gaps and formulating recommendations for research, management and policy. After setting the scene regarding water stress, water management capacity and scientific capacity in our case study regions, we examine the state of knowledge in water resources from a highland-lowland viewpoint, focusing on mountain areas on the one hand and the adjacent lowland areas on the other hand. Based on this review, research priorities are identified, including precipitation, snow water equivalent, soil parameters, evapotranspiration and sublimation, groundwater as well as enhanced warming and feedback mechanisms. In addition, the importance of environmental monitoring at high altitudes is highlighted. We then make recommendations how advancements in the management of mountain water resources under climate change could be achieved in the fields of research, water resources management and policy as well as through better interaction between these fields. We conclude that effective management of mountain water resources urgently requires more detailed regional studies and more reliable scenario projections, and that research on mountain water resources must become more integrative by linking relevant disciplines. In addition, the knowledge exchange between managers and researchers must be improved and oriented towards long-term continuous interaction.