bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Analysis of The Morbidity and Mortality of Diabetes Mellitus in a Forensic Context
Authors: Zhou Chong , Byard Roger W.
Published: December 2017

To investigate the spectrum of diseases seen in diabetes mellitus in a forensic context, all autopsy reports of diabetic individuals who presented to Forensic Science, South Australia (FSSA), over a 5‐year period from 2005 to 2009 were studied. The leading cause of death was cardiovascular disease (55.0%), followed by unnatural deaths (15.4%) and infections (9.4%). In type 1 diabetics, principal causes of death included cardiovascular disease (44.7%), acute metabolic complications (18.7%), unnatural deaths (17.9%), and infections (8.9%). However, frequencies of these diseases differed in type 2 diabetics, with cardiovascular events responsible for 56.6% of cases, followed by unnatural deaths (15.0%) and infections (10.9%). A larger number of male deaths were seen in all disease categories, except respiratory and gastrointestinal where the frequencies were similar to females. Cardiovascular disease was the leading overall cause of death across all ages except in those under the age of 30 where metabolic complications were more common.
Cranial Backspatter Pattern Production Utilizing Human Cadavers
Authors: Rossi Celestina , Herold Lynne D. , Bevel Tom , McCauley Leslie , Guadarrama Stephanie
Published: December 2017

A backspatter pattern results from blood drops that travel retrograde to an applied external force. Historically, an array of animals and nonhuman objects have been used to create and study backspatter patterns. In this study, backspatter patterns captured on foam core targets that were placed 45.72 cm (18 in) behind the impact site (occipital area of the skull) were produced by cranial gunshots to human cadavers that were reinfused with fresh defibrinated bovine blood. These patterns were compared to the backspatter patterns produced by shooting blood‐soaked sponges, a typical simulant used in controlled studies of backspatter pattern production and characteristics. The backspatter pattern produced by shooting an actual human head was found to be different than those of blood‐soaked sponges in the number of stains produced, the size and size range of the stains, and the stain dispersion patterns.
Lower oesophageal sphincter‐preserving Roux‐en‐Y esophagojejunostomy with a jejunal J‐pouch reconstruction‐added His angle formation after total gastrectomy in patients with gastric cancer
Authors: Tomita Ryouichi
Published: December 2017

Aim

The aim of the present study was to prevent post‐gastrectomy disorders (PGD), such as alkaline reflux esophagitis (ARE), early dumping syndrome (EDS) and microgastria, in patients after total gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer. We performed lower oesophageal sphincter (LES)‐preserving Roux‐en Y with jejunal J‐pouch reconstruction and His angle formation (LRYJPH). We introduce the application criteria, technical points and results of the LRYJPH procedure.

Patients and Methods

Twenty‐eight patients who underwent LRYJPH in our hospital from October 2014 to August 2015 were studied. The application criteria were gastric cancer patients (stages II, IIIA and IIIB) who could undergo radical surgery and tumour mainly localized at the middle third of the stomach, with its anal side 5.5 cm or further from the esophagogastric mucosa junction. To preserve the LES, the abdominal oesophagus was resected at the level of the His angle. To make a jejeunal J pouch, a plicated jejunal loop of 15 cm in length was made. After end‐to‐side esophagojejunostomy of the jejunal J pouch, a His angle was created on the left‐side abdominal oesophagus.

Results

The patient’s appetite was unchanged compared with before the operation. Symptomatic and endoscopic ARE, food stasis in the jejunal J pouch and microgastria were all absent. EDS was 8.3 per cent. The level of satisfaction after the operation was 100 per cent.

Conclusion

LRYJPH is appropriate to prevent PGD. This procedure is safe and facilities satisfactory results.
Twilight‐free geolocation from noisy light data
Authors: Bindoff Aidan D. , Wotherspoon Simon J. , Guinet Christophe , Hindell Mark A.
Published: December 2017

Solar geolocation is used to quantify the movements of animals tagged with sensors that record ambient light with respect to time. Global location sensor (GLS) tags are small, light, and present minimal drag or wing loading. They are affordable, and some can record data for several migratory cycles. These benefits mean they can be used in applications for which satellite tags are unsuitable. However, large errors in estimated locations can result if the sensor is obscured, especially around twilight, and sometimes the data obtained is unusable by existing methods of analysis due to this source of noise. This places limitations on the usefulness of solar geolocation in conservation and monitoring efforts.

All existing methods of analysis are dependent on twilights being identifiable or faithfully recorded. Instead, the method introduced here depends on the overall pattern of day and night to calculate the likelihoods for a Hidden Markov Model, where the hidden states are geographic locations. We call this a “twilight‐free” method of light‐based geolocation.

This method quickly estimates locations from otherwise unusable noisy light data. We use examples to show that the method produces tracks that are comparable in accuracy and precision to other geolocation methods. Furthermore, efficiency and replicability of estimated paths are improved because the user does not have to subjectively identify twilights. Other data sources, such as sea surface temperature and land or sea masks are easily incorporated, further improving location estimates and processing speed.

The twilight‐free method offers new opportunities to researchers interested in the movements of animals that routinely have obscured sensors, or to analyse previously unusable noisy light data. It offers a fast, efficient, and replicable method for analysing tag data without the need for time‐consuming pre‐ or post‐processing. By increasing the yield of usable data from GLS tagging studies, researchers can more efficiently quantify where animals are going and when, and monitor changes in habitat. This is of fundamental importance to management and conservation efforts.
A new method for testing evolutionary rate variation and shifts in phenotypic evolution
Authors: Castiglione Silvia , Tesone Gianmarco , Piccolo Martina , Melchionna Marina , Mondanaro Alessandro , Serio Carmela , Di Febbraro Mirko , Raia Pasquale
Published: December 2017

Quantifying phenotypic evolutionary rates and their variation across phylogenetic trees is a major issue in evolutionary biology. A number of phylogenetic comparative methods (PCMs) currently perform such task. However, available PCMs can locate rate shifts pertaining to entire portions of the phylogeny, but not those expected to occur at the level of individual species and lineages, such as with the idea that body size changes more rapidly in insular vertebrates. Still, most PCMs cannot deal with fossil phylogenies, albeit fossils provide highly desirable information when it comes to understand trait variation and evolution.

We developed a PCM based on phylogenetic ridge regression, which we named RRphylo, which assigns an evolutionary rate to each branch of the phylogeny, and is designed to locate rate shifts relating to entire clades, as well as to unrelated tree tips. We tested RRphylo on simulated trees and data to assess its performance under different conditions. Then, we repeated its application with two real case scenarios, the evolution of flight in ornithodirans and mammals and body size evolution in insular mammals, which are usually subsumed to evolve under different range regimes than terrestrial and continental species respectively.

RRphylo performs well across all different conditions. The simulation experiments demonstrated it has low Type I and Type II error rate. We found significant evidence that flight accelerates the rate of body size evolution in vertebrates, and that the acquisition of very large body size slows down the rate. Still, insular mammals body size evolution is not faster than in continental species.

RRphylo is a new PCM ideal to estimate variation and shift in the rate of phenotypic evolution with fossil data. In addition to testing evolutionary rate variation, it is open to a variety of further questions, such as the evolution of rates in time, the estimation of ancestral states and the estimation of phenotypic trends over time.
Herpetofaunal species presence in buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) versus native vegetation‐dominated habitats at Uluṟu‐Kata Tjuṯa National Park
Authors: Dittmer Drew E. , Bidwell Joseph R.
Published: December 2017

Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) has been established in Uluṟu‐Kata Tjuta National Park since 1968. To date, the influence of buffel grass on the Park's flora and fauna has been largely unassessed. The objectives of this study were to determine if buffel grass dominates vegetation communities at the base of Uluṟu and if buffel grass habitats are associated with lower reptile and amphibian species richness than endemic vegetation communities. We used vegetation transects to measure the amount of buffel grass and genera of endemic vegetation at 26 sampling locations around the base of Uluṟu. The vegetation survey data were paired with pitfall trap data from reptile and amphibian captures at the same sampling locations. Indicator species analysis and non‐metric multidimensional scaling were used to analyse the vegetation and herpetofaunal community data. Our analyses determined five distinct vegetation communities around Uluṟu. At the base of Uluṟu, buffel grass dominated half of sampled areas and the rest of the inselberg's base was dominated by Themeda grasses. Buffel grass habitats had significantly higher herpetofaunal species richness than the Themeda habitats that dominated other areas at Uluṟu's base. Herpetofauna species richness in buffel grass‐dominated habitats was also significantly higher than all vegetation communities except for Triodia‐dominated habitats. These observations do not directly indicate that buffel grass presence promotes higher species richness of reptiles and amphibians since the observed patterns may be driven by factors such as proximity to breeding sites and abiotic variables not directly related to the grass itself.
S‐R difference in V1‐V2 is a novel criterion for differentiating the left from right ventricular outflow tract arrhythmias
Authors: Kaypakli Onur , Koca Hasan , Sahin Durmus Yıldıray , Karataş Fadime , Ozbicer Suleyman , Koç Mevlüt
Published: December 2017

Aim

The correct estimation of the VA origin as RVOT or LVOT results in reduced ablation duration reduced radiation exposure and decreased number of vascular access. In our study, we aimed to detect the predictive value of S‐R difference in V1‐V2 for differentiating the left from right ventricular outflow tract arrhythmias.

Methods

We included 123 patients with symptomatic frequent premature ventricular outflow tract contractions who underwent successful catheter ablation (70 male, 53 female; mean age 46.2 ± 13.9 years, 61 RVOT, 62 LVOT origins). S‐R difference in V1‐V2 was calculated with this formula on the 12‐lead surface ECG: (V1S + V2S) – (V1R + V2R). Conventional ablation was performed in 101 (82.1%) patients, CARTO electroanatomic mapping system was used in 22 (17.9%) patients.

Results

V1‐2 SRd was found to be significantly lower for LVOT origins than RVOT origins (p < .001). The cutoff value of V1‐2 SRd obtained by ROC curve analysis was 1.625 mV for prediction of RVOT origin (sensitivity: 95.1%, specificity: 85.5%, positive predictive value: 86.5%, negative predictive value: 94.5%). The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.929 (p < .001).

Conclusion

S‐R difference in V1‐V2 is a novel and simple electrocardiographic criterion for accurately differentiating RVOT from LVOT sites of ventricular arrhythmia origins. The use of this simple ECG measurement could improve the accuracy of OTVA localization, could be beneficial for decreasing ablation duration and radiation exposure. Further studies with larger patient population are needed to verify the results of this study.
Surgical management decreases disease recurrence risk in recurrent pyogenic cholangitis
Authors: Tan Hwee Leong , Koh Ye Xin , Lye Weng Kit , Lee Ser Yee , Goh Brian Kim Poh , Tan Siong San , Chiow Adrian Kah Heng , Chan Chung Yip
Published: December 2017

Background

Recurrent pyogenic cholangitis (RPC) has a high risk of disease recurrence. We present our experience with RPC and examine the factors associated with disease recurrence.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of all patients with RPC treated at two tertiary institutions between January 1990 and December 2013. Patients with liver atrophy and/or abscess were categorized as being associated with parenchymal disease (PD).

Results

We studied 157 patients with a median age of 59.0 (interquartile range (IQR): 47.0–70.0) years and a median follow‐up duration of 71.0 (IQR: 26.0–109.0) months. There were 64 (40.8%) and 93 (59.2%) patients with and without associated PD, respectively. Disease recurrence rate was 43.9% in our overall cohort through the course of follow‐up. Surgical treatment was an independent prognostic factor for decreased disease recurrence risk (hazard ratio (HR) 0.40, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.18–0.87, P = 0.021). Stratified analysis revealed that liver resection was prognostic for lower risk of disease recurrence among patients with PD (HR 0.38, 95% CI 0.15–0.94, P = 0.036), while biliary bypass was prognostic for lower risk of disease recurrence among patients without PD (HR 0.30, 95% CI 0.15–0.61, P = 0.001). The overall post‐operative complication rate among surgically treated patients was 31.1%, and the presence of bilobar stones was found to be independently associated with higher odds of post‐operative complications (odds ratio 3.51, 95% CI 1.26–9.81, P = 0.017).

Conclusion

Surgical treatment is associated with decreased recurrence risk in RPC, but with significant post‐operative morbidity. Where surgery is deemed appropriate, patients with and without PD are likely to benefit from liver resection and biliary bypass, respectively.
Inflammation and Its Consequences After Surgical Versus Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement
Authors: Uhle Florian , Castrup Christian , Necaev Anna‐Maria , Grieshaber Philippe , Lichtenstern Christoph , Weigand Markus Alexander , Böning Andreas
Published: December 2017

Symptomatic aortic stenosis can be treated by surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) or transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), the latter of which is regarded as a minimally invasive procedure. Differences between these procedures regarding immune responses or changes in coagulation and neurocognitive function have thus far been evaluated only sparsely. We carried out a prospective, single‐center, nonrandomized explorative study with 38 patients. Thirteen patients were subjected to either SAVR or transfemoral (TF‐) TAVR, and 12 patients underwent transapical (TA‐) TAVR. Plasma cytokines (IL‐6, −8, −18, presepsin) and acute‐phase proteins (C‐reactive protein, procalcitonin), markers of coagulation and platelet function, and neurocognitive function (via various standard tests) were assessed before and at five‐time points during a 72‐h follow‐up after surgery. SAVR and TA‐TAVR patients responded similarly to the procedure in terms of C‐reactive protein, leukocyte numbers, and IL‐6, whereas these responses were substantially lower in TF‐TAVR patients. Only SAVR patients showed measurable IL‐10 levels. SAVR patients without prior anticoagulation experienced a robust and transient restoration of platelet function after surgery, with no hypercoagulation observable in functional coagulation assays. None of the procedures led to an immediate improvement of hand and leg coordination, but patients after TA‐TAVR had decreased neurocognitive function. Patients after SAVR or TA‐TAVR exhibit a robust pro‐inflammatory response, which is—on the cytokine level—counterbalanced only in SAVR patients. Our results point toward a greater impact of TA‐TAVR on neurocognitive function and indicate a potentially detrimental activation of platelets in some patients after SAVR.
Editorial: a step forward in refining prognostication for patients with HIV‐associated hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Giannini E. G.
Published: December 2017

Linked Content

This article is linked to Pinato et al papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14356 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14394.
Letter: thiopurines ‐ is less really more?
Authors: Meijer B. , de Boer N. K. H.
Published: December 2017

Linked Content

This article is linked to Roblin et al papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14106 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14385.
Editorial: Non‐breaking news! High‐dose PPIs likely do not cause fractures
Authors: Targownik L. E.
Published: December 2017

Linked Content

This article is linked to Kumar et al. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14345.
Editorial: alfapump—an alternative to large‐volume paracentesis for patients with refractory ascites?
Authors: Macdonald S. , Jalan R.
Published: December 2017

Linked Content

This article is linked to Stirnimann et al and Stirnimann and De Gottardi papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14331 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14415.
Editorial: a step forward in refining prognostication for patients with HIV‐associated hepatocellular carcinoma—Authors’ reply
Authors: Pinato D. J. , Bräu N. , Bower M.
Published: December 2017

Linked Content

This article is linked to Pinato et al and Giannini papers. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14356 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14374.
Editorial: thiopurine‐induced myelosuppression and infections in inflammatory bowel disease patients with a normal TPMT genotype—the perils of ageing. Authors’ reply
Authors: Broekman M. M. T. J. , Wanten G. J. , de Jong D. J.
Published: December 2017

Linked Content

This article is linked to Broekman et al and Willington and Gearry papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14323 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14370.
Editorial: avoiding corticosteroids in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease—Author's reply
Authors: Selinger C. P. , Parkes G. C. , Raine T.
Published: December 2017

Linked Content

This article is linked to Colizzo and Friedman, and Selinger et al papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14399 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14334.
Editorial: anti‐TNF therapy and myopenia in Crohn's disease—another step towards personalised medicine. Authors’ reply
Authors: Ding N. S. , Malietzis G. , Hart A. L.
Published: December 2017

Linked Content

This article is linked to Ding et al and Murray papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14293 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14392.
Letter: oesophageal histological abnormalities and GERD ‐ an underestimated relationship requiring more attention
Authors: Savarino E. , Lorenzon G. , Facchin S. , Savarino V.
Published: December 2017

Linked Content

This article is linked to Vakil et al paper. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14028.
Letter: the neglected analgesic properties of red pepper in the clinical management of the irritable bowel syndrome pain
Authors: Bortolotti M.
Published: December 2017

Linked Content

This article is linked to Beckers et al papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14294 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14442.
The long‐term effects of faecal microbiota transplantation for gastrointestinal symptoms and general health in patients with recurrent Clostridium difficile infection
Authors: Jalanka J. , Hillamaa A. , Satokari R. , Mattila E. , Anttila V.‐J. , Arkkila P.
Published: December 2017

Background

Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is an effective treatment for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection. In short‐term the treatment has been shown to be safe, however, there are no large, long‐term follow‐up studies looking into the potential adverse effects.

Aim

To analyse the long‐term effect of FMT treatment in patients with recurrent C. difficile infection and to compare the outcome to antibiotic treated patients.

Methods

Altogether 84 patients of which 45 received a FMT treatment and 39 served as controls receiving antibiotics for the infection were followed on average for 3.8 years. Their recovery and medical status was evaluated using a retrospective questionnaire, determining their quality of life, gastrointestinal symptoms and new diseases potentially related to the FMT.

Results

There was no difference in the incidence of severe diseases (inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, autoimmune disease, allergy, neurological diseases) between the patient groups. In addition, weight gain did not differ between treatment groups. The FMT treated patients reported that their bowel habits improved significantly faster, they had less irregular bowel function and less symptoms of upper GI‐tract when compared to the patients treated with antibiotics. Significantly more patients in FMT‐group reported that their mental health improved after the treatment. The willingness to receive FMT treatment for potential new C. difficile infection was significantly higher in both treatment groups compared to other treatment options.

Conclusion

Our study highlights that FMT is a durable, safe and acceptable treatment option for patients with recurrent C. difficile infection also in long term, and it shows potential benefits over antimicrobial treatment.
Geography textbooks, pedagogy and disciplinary traditions
Authors: Sidaway James D. , Hall Tim
Published: December 2017

We consider Geography textbooks in the context of discussions of canonicity, disciplinary histories and genre. Our paper, an introduction to the set that follows, presents an argument about the importance of textbooks and the shifting relationship of Geography at different levels (school and university) to disciplinary history in the context of changes in the modes of publication. The papers that follow draw on material from a range of anglophone textbooks with reflections from Aotearoa/New Zealand, theUK, theUSAand Singapore.
Visibility and invisibility in, of and through textbook publication
Authors: Couper Pauline
Published: December 2017

In their production and their role in academic life, textbooks lie at the intersection of a number of “regimes of visibility” (and invisibility). In this contribution I reflect on my own experience of textbook authorship to highlight some of these regimes: first, the processes through which textbooks are published; second, the mechanisms of monitoring and measuring of academic production; third, disciplinary hierarchies of reputation and influence; and fourth, considering the textbook as a technology of visibility itself. Through all of these, what is left invisible is the knowing, learning author. I highlight some of the implications of this invisibility for Geography.
Mid‐term results of bariatric surgery in morbidly obese Japanese patients with slow progressive autoimmune diabetes
Authors: Uno Kohei , Seki Yosuke , Kasama Kazunori , Wakamatsu Kotaro , Hashimoto Kenkichi , Umezawa Akiko , Yanaga Katsuhiko , Kurokawa Yoshimochi
Published: December 2017

Introduction

Bariatric surgery is recognized as an effective treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus, but data on its efficacy for type 1 diabetes mellitus, especially slowly progressive insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus, are limited.

Methods

We investigated five Japanese patients with slowly progressive insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus who underwent bariatric surgery at our center.

Results

Five morbidly obese glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody‐positive diabetic patients underwent two different types of bariatric surgery. The mean titer of anti‐glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody was 4.6 U/mL, and the mean preoperative bodyweight and BMI were 113 kg and 39.6 kg/m2, respectively. The mean hemoglobin A1c was 8.4%. The mean fasting serum C‐peptide was 5.0 ng/mL. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy was performed in two patients, while laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with duodenojejunal bypass was performed in three patients. At one year after surgery, the mean bodyweight and BMI significantly dropped, and the mean percentage of excess weight loss was 96.4%. The mean hemoglobin A1c was 5.7%. This favorable trend was maintained at mid‐term.

Conclusion

Bariatric surgery for morbidly obese patients with anti‐glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody–positive type 1 diabetes mellitus, especially slow progressive autoimmune diabetes, seemed effective in achieving mid‐term glycemic control. Longer follow‐up with a larger number of patients, as well as validation with more advanced patients with slowly progressive insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus, will be needed.
Successful medical management of pseudomembranous cystitis in three cats with lower urinary tract obstruction
Authors: Vila A , Movilla R , Castro J , Mallol C , Novellas R , Espada Y , Roura X
Published: December 2017

Case report

The present case series describes the clinical course and outcome of three cats diagnosed with pseudomembranous cystitis. This is an uncommon presentation of lower urinary tract obstruction but can be easily be identified by ultrasonography, revealing severe bladder wall thickening and thin hyperechoic luminal strips. The condition can be secondary to severe bacterial urinary tract infection. All cats were successfully treated with medical management only, mainly based on antimicrobials and individualised supportive therapy.

Conclusion

Further evaluation of this condition is necessary in order to determine potential underlying aetiologies, pathophysiological mechanisms and the most appropriate standardised treatment.
Epidermal Growth Factor andEGFReceptors are mainly expressed in the wound epidermis and proliferating ependyma of the regenerating tail of lizards
Authors: Alibardi Lorenzo
Published: December 2017

The presence ofEGFand its receptor during tail regeneration in lizard has been assessed by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence to test whether this growth factor may be involved in the process. Immunolabelled bands at 8 and 42–46 kDa forEGFare detected in the regenerating tail. A main band at 45–50 kDa and other weaker bands at lower or higher molecular weight for theEGFreceptor are also present. The results indicate that degraded forms of the protein are present although the specific nature of the different bands could not be determined. Immunofluorescence indicates thatEGF‐labelled cells andEGFreceptor are especially seen in the wound epidermis and in the cytoplasm of ependymal cells. Numerous basal keratinocytes of the wound epidermis and apical epidermal peg contain labelled nuclei forEGFR, suggesting that activated receptor stimulates intense cell proliferation of the wound epidermis. Blastema and labelled myoblasts are occasionally detected in early differentiating muscles, but almost no labelled chondroblasts are present in the differentiating cartilaginous tube. The study indicates thatEGFand its receptor are mainly present in epithelial cells in a form that allows them to regulate proliferation during tail regeneration.
Superior anti‐suicidal effects of electroconvulsive therapy in unipolar disorder and bipolar depression
Authors: Liang Chih‐Sung , Chung Chi‐Hsiang , Ho Pei‐Shen , Tsai Chia‐Kuang , Chien Wu‐Chien
Published: December 2017

Objectives

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has long been believed to reduce suicidal tendencies in patients with affective disorders; however, ECT recipients, who constitute the most severely ill and suicidal patients, are not eligible to participate in head‐to‐head randomized controlled trials. Large‐scale studies are required to investigate the anti‐suicidal effects of ECT vs psychopharmacotherapy.

Methods

A nationwide retrospective cohort study design was used. Data were obtained from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. Inpatients with unipolar disorder or bipolar disorder who received ECT (n = 487) were observed from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2013 for suicide events. The non‐ECT control cohort consisted of inpatients with psychopharmacotherapy randomly matched (ratio, 1:4) by age, sex, and diagnosis.

Results

After potential confounds had been accounted for, the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) was 0.803, indicating that ECT recipients showed a 19.7% lower risk of suicide than control individuals. The stratum‐specific adjusted HR was 0.79 in patients with unipolar disorder (P = .041) and 0.923 in patients with bipolar disorder (P = .254). Upon further stratification of the patients with bipolar disorder by their affective states, the adjusted HR was 0.805 (P = .046) for bipolar depression, 1.048 for bipolar mania (P = .538), and 0.976 for mixed bipolar state (P = .126).

Conclusions

Compared with psychopharmacotherapy, ECT exerted superior anti‐suicidal effects in patients with unipolar disorder and bipolar depression; however, there was a lack of superior anti‐suicidal effects of ECT in the treatment of patients with bipolar mania and mixed state.
Which limb is it? Responses to vibrotactile stimulation in early infancy
Authors: Somogyi Eszter , Jacquey Lisa , Heed Tobias , Hoffmann Matej , Lockman Jeffrey J. , Granjon Lionel , Fagard Jacqueline , O'Regan J. Kevin
Published: December 2017

This study focuses on how the body schema develops during the first months of life, by investigating infants’ motor responses to localized vibrotactile stimulation on their limbs. Vibrotactile stimulation was provided by small buzzers that were attached to the infants’ four limbs one at a time. Four age groups were compared cross‐sectionally (3‐, 4‐, 5‐, and 6‐month‐olds). We show that before they actually reach for the buzzer, which, according to previous studies, occurs around 7–8 months of age, infants demonstrate emerging knowledge about their body's configuration by producing specific movement patterns associated with the stimulated body area. At 3 months, infants responded with an increase in general activity when the buzzer was placed on the body, independently of the vibrator's location. Differentiated topographical awareness of the body seemed to appear around 5 months, with specific responses resulting from stimulation of the hands emerging first, followed by the differentiation of movement patterns associated with the stimulation of the feet. Qualitative analyses revealed specific movement types reliably associated with each stimulated location by 6 months of age, possibly preparing infants’ ability to actually reach for the vibrating target. We discuss this result in relation to newborns’ ability to learn specific movement patterns through intersensory contingency.

Statement of contribution

what is already known on infants’ sensorimotor knowledge about their own bodies

3‐month‐olds readily learn to produce specific limb movements to obtain a desired effect (movement of a mobile).

infants detect temporal and spatial correspondences between events involving their own body and visual events.

what the present study adds

until 4–5 months of age, infants mostly produce general motor responses to localized touch.

this is because in the present study, infants could not rely on immediate contingent feedback.

we propose a cephalocaudal developmental trend of topographic differentiation of body areas.
Phylogeny and the colourful history of jewel bugs (Insecta: Hemiptera: Scutelleridae)
Authors: Wu Yan‐Zhuo , Rédei Dávid , Eger Joseph , Wang Yan‐Hui , Wu Hao‐Yang , Carapezza Attilio , Kment Petr , Cai Bo , Sun Xiao‐Ya , Guo Peng‐Lei , Luo Jiu‐Yang , Xie Qiang
Published: December 2017

Members of the family Scutelleridae (Heteroptera: Pentatomomorpha: Pentatomoidea) are also called shield bugs because of the greatly enlarged scutellum, or jewel bugs because of the brilliant colours of many species. All scutellerids are phytophagous, feeding on various parts of their host plants. Due to lack of obvious synapomorphies and the failure to apply rigorous phylogenetic methods, the higher classification of Scutelleridae has been disputed for more than 150 years. Here we reconstructed a phylogeny of Scutelleridae based on complete sequences of 18S and 28S nuclear rDNAs and all 13 protein‐coding genes of the mitochondrial genome, with the sampled taxa covering all of the currently recognized subfamilies. The monophyly of Scutelleridae was confirmed by the congruence of the results of analyses conducted using Bayesian inference, maximum likelihood and maximum parsimony. The phylogenetic relationships among subfamilies were well resolved for the first time. Furthermore, time‐divergence studies estimated that the time of origin of Scutelleridae was in the Early Cretaceous (142.1–122.8 Ma), after the origin of the angiosperms. The diversification between the extant subfamilies of Scutelleridae and within the subfamilies occurred from the late Palaeocene to the late Miocene, simultaneously with the rise of the major groups of angiosperms and other phytophagous insects.
Cost‐effectiveness of bariatric surgery in adolescents with severe obesity in the UK
Authors: Panca M. , Viner R. M. , White B. , Pandya T. , Melo H. , Adamo M. , Batterham R. , Christie D. , Kinra S. , Morris S.
Published: December 2017

Evidence shows that surgery for severe obesity in adults improves health and psychological functioning, and is cost‐effective. Data on bariatric surgery for adolescents with severe obesity are extremely limited, with no evidence on cost‐effectiveness. We evaluated the lifetime cost‐effectiveness of bariatric surgery compared with no surgery in adolescents with severe obesity from the UK's National Health Service perspective. Eighteen adolescents with body mass index ≥40 kg m−2 who underwent bariatric surgery (laparoscopic Roux en Y Gastric Bypass [RYGB] [N = 9], and laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy [SG] [N = 9]) at University College London Hospitals between January 2008 and December 2013 were included. We used a Markov cohort model to compare the lifetime expected costs and quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs) between bariatric surgery and no surgery. Mean cost of RYGB and SG procedures were £7100 and £7312, respectively. For RYGB vs. no surgery, the incremental cost/QALY was £2018 (95% CI £1942 ‐ £2042) for males and £2005 (95% CI £1974 ‐ £2031) for females. For SG vs. no surgery, the incremental cost/QALY was £1978 (95% CI £1954 ‐ £2002) for males and £1941 (95% CI £1915 ‐ £1969) for females. Bariatric surgery in adolescents with severe obesity is cost‐effective; it is more costly than no surgery however it markedly improved quality of life.
Capacity‐oriented approaches to developing childhood obesity interventions: a systematic review
Authors: Foster B. A. , Fu E. , Bendiks N. , Gaspard C. S. , Sharifi M.
Published: December 2017

Capacity‐oriented approaches to health interventions seek to empower the target population or community to manage the health issue themselves using resources they can control. Positive deviance, resilience and asset‐based approaches are three such methods of developing and implementing health interventions. This study aimed to review the efficacy of interventions explicitly applying these methods in addressing childhood obesity using adiposity as the primary outcome, measured by standardized body mass index. The search strategy was developed and implemented across four electronic databases. Of the 181 records identified and screened, 11 studies were identified as using a capacity‐oriented approach overall. Asset‐based approaches (n = 8 studies) consisted of 47 880 participants, positive deviance (n = 2 studies) consisted of 781 participants, and resilience‐based interventions (n = 1 study) consisted of 35 participants. The asset‐based approaches were mixed, with three of the eight studies showing a significant reduction in adiposity, while the other five did not find a difference. The positive deviance and resilience‐based studies showed signs of efficacy in reducing adiposity. There was significant design heterogeneity across studies, and varied interpretations and definitions of the approaches were used. Further work should attempt to achieve some consensus on the use of these approaches to facilitate comparison and advance the science of capacity‐oriented interventions for childhood obesity.
Long non‐coding PANDAR as a novel biomarker in human cancer: A systematic review
Authors: Zou Yifan , Zhong Yuantang , Wu Junjie , Xiao Huizhong , Zhang Xintao , Liao Xinhui , Li Jianfa , Mao Xuhua , Liu Yuchen , Zhang Fuyou
Published: December 2017

Objectives

Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are characterized as a group of RNAs that more than 200 nucleotides in length and have no protein‐coding function. More and more evidences provided that lncRNAs serve as key molecules in the development of cancer. Deregulation of lncRNAs functions as either oncogenes or tumour suppressor genes in various diseases. Recently, increasing studies about PANDAR in cancer progression were reported. In our review, we will focus on the current research on the character of PANDAR include the clinical management, tumour progression and molecular mechanisms in human cancers.

Materials and methods

We summarize and analyze current studies concerning the biological functions and mechanisms of lncRNA PANDA in tumour development. The related studies were obtained through a systematic search of Pubmed.

Results

PANDAR was a well‐characterized oncogenic lncRNA and widely overexpressed in many tumours. PANDAR is upregulated in many types of cancer, including colorectal cancer, lung cancer, renal cell carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, osteosarcoma, thyroid cancer and other cancers. Upregulation of PANDAR was significantly associated with advanced tumour weights, TNM stage and overall survival. Furthermore, repressed of PANDAR would restrain proliferation, migration and invasion.

Conclusion

PANDAR may act as a powerful tumour biomarker for cancer diagnosis and treatment.
The prevalence of asthma in Iranian adults: The first national survey and the most recent updates
Authors: Fazlollahi Mohammad Reza , Najmi Mehdi , Fallahnezhad Mojtaba , Sabetkish Nastaran , Kazemnejad Anoshirvan , Bidad Katayoon , Shokouhi Shoormasti Raheleh , Mahloujirad Maryam , Pourpak Zahra , Moin Mostafa
Published: December 2017

Background

The worldwide increase in the prevalence of asthma has made it a major public‐health concern. We aimed to identify the prevalence of asthma and asthma symptoms in adults living in urban and rural areas of Iran as a populated country with about 80 millions of residents.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of asthma in adults between 20 and 44 years old in all provinces of Iran. Data were collected by personal interview via a standardized questionnaire [European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS)] between November 2015 and February 2016.

Results

A total of 24 344 individuals were enrolled. The prevalence of asthma was 8.9% [95% confidence interval (CI): 8.5‐9.3]. The most common asthma symptoms were wheezing (14.2%, n = 3465), nocturnal cough (13.3%, n = 3234) and chest tightness (11.3%, n = 2760). Additionally, the prevalence of current asthma (taking asthma medications or asthma attack) was estimated to be 4.7% (n = 1155). Asthma was significantly more prevalent in males compared to females (P = .002), while no significant relationship was detected between gender and asthma after adjusted analysis with other variables. The prevalence of asthma was significantly higher in older participants (P < .001) and individuals with low educational level (P < .001). Interestingly, there was no significant relationship between asthma and area of residency (P = .8).

Conclusions

The prevalence of asthma in Iran was similar to other Asian and European countries. However, repeated national surveys are required to determine the trend of asthma prevalence in Iran in comparison to other countries.
Blood biomarkers as predictors of long‐term mortality in COPD
Authors: Mendy Angelico , Forno Erick , Niyonsenga Theophile , Gasana Janvier
Published: December 2017

Background

Blood biomarkers are easily accessible and might reflect chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) activity.

Aim

The aim of this study was to determine whether a panel of blood biomarkers [C‐reactive protein (CRP), neutrophils, eosinophils, albumin and vitamin D] could predict mortality in COPD.

Methods

We analyzed data from 431 COPD participants to the 2007‐2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys who were followed for a median time of 36 months. COPD was defined as post‐bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity ratio <0.70. Weibull survival analysis adjusted for covariates was performed to calculate the risk of mortality associated with the biomarkers, and C‐statistics was used to assess their added predictive value.

Results

During follow‐up, 38 of the 431 participants died. Participants with high CRP, eosinophil count <2%, hypoalbuminemia and hypovitaminosis D had worse baseline FEV1 and subsequently higher mortality compared to controls. In adjusted analysis, increasing CRP [hazard ratio (HR): 4.45, 95% CI: 1.91‐10.37] and neutrophil count (HR: 1.07, 95% CI: 1.03‐1.11) as well as decreasing eosinophil count (HR: 7.03, 95% CI: 2.05‐24.01) were associated with an increased risk of mortality. The addition of CRP with eosinophil and/or neutrophil count significantly improved a base model for the prediction of mortality which included age, gender, race/ethnicity, body mass index, smoking, poverty income ratio, asthma, diabetes, hypertension and history of stroke or myocardial infarction.

Conclusion

High CRP and neutrophils as well as low eosinophils are predictive of poor COPD prognosis. They also add significant value to prediction models of mortality in COPD.
Experience with leflunomide as treatment and as secondary prophylaxis for cytomegalovirus infection in lung transplant recipients: A case series and review of the literature
Authors: Silva Jose Tiago , Pérez‐González Virginia , Lopez‐Medrano Francisco , Alonso‐Moralejo Rodrigo , Fernández‐Ruiz Mario , San‐Juan Rafael , Brañas Patricia , Folgueira María Dolores , Aguado José María , de Pablo‐Gafas Alicia
Published: December 2017

Background

Data concerning the use of leflunomide—a drug approved for rheumatoid arthritis with in vitro anticytomegalovirus (CMV) activity—in lung transplant (LT) recipients are scarce.

Aims

To report the use of leflunomide in LT recipients diagnosed with CMV infection/disease.

Material and Methods

We performed a single‐center retrospective study including LT recipients who received leflunomide for CMV infection or as secondary prophylaxis after viremia clearance. We also conducted a full systematic PubMed search until June 30, 2017.

Results

We identified 5 LT recipients in our center plus 7 patients reported in the literature. All patients had previously received ganciclovir (GCV) and foscarnet (FOS), with drug‐induced adverse effects described in 6 recipients (50%). Antiviral resistance mutations were observed in 8 patients (66.7%). Leflunomide was prescribed for CMV infection in 9 of 12 patients (75%) and as secondary prophylaxis in 3 patients (25%). Initial decrease of CMV viremia after starting leflunomide was observed in 7 of 9 recipients (77.7%), although this response was only transient in 2 patients. Long‐term suppression of CMV viremia was reported in 7 of 12 patients (58.3%). In 3 recipients (25%), leflunomide was discontinued due to adverse effects.

Discussion

Our study has some limitations, such as the small number of patients included, its retrospective nature, and absence of leflunomide drug monitoring in serum. Notwithstanding, in our experience, leflunomide proved to be particularly effective as an anti‐CMV secondary prophylaxis treatment and for clearing low‐grade viremia. Moreover, leflunomide combined with a short course of GCV or intravitreal FOS also proved to be very effective in some patients.

Conclusion

Leflunomide, alone or in combination, could be an effective treatment in selected LT recipients with GCV‐resistant CMV infection and as secondary prophylaxis. Further studies are necessary.
Regional healthcare delivery and demographic change in Germany – scenarios for dermatological care in 2035
Authors: Kis Anne , Augustin Matthias , Augustin Jobst
Published: December 2017

Background

The ‘demand planning guidelines’ issued by the Federal Joint Committee are meant to ensure nationwide delivery of healthcare in Germany. The calculatory variable used to reflect the actual care situation in relation to a given geographical entity is referred to as ‘adjusted supply rate’. Against the backdrop of demographic change and already existing problems in replacing retiring physicians, the question arises as to how future dermatological care will evolve at the regional level.

Methods

Using current ‘demand planning guidelines’ as well as nationwide data on the location of dermatologists and current and projected population figures at the county level, the adjusted supply rate – in terms of dermatological care – was calculated for the year 2035 based on three possible scenarios (scenario 1: 100 % replacement of retiring dermatologists; scenario 2: non‐replacement of one dermatologist per planning area; and scenario 3: non‐replacement of two dermatologists in rural areas).

Results

While scenario 1 shows an actual improvement in regional dermatological care in certain areas between 2014 and 2035 (n = 3 no longer undersupplied), the more likely scenarios 2 and 3 are potentially associated with considerable regional undersupply.

Conclusions

Taking demographic change into account, it is safe to assume that the geographical heterogeneity of dermatological care will increase. This requires greater effort not only in terms of demand planning but also with regard to offering alternative methods of delivering healthcare and intercommunal cooperation. In this context, the objective will be to adapt healthcare delivery to changes both in demography as well as in the plans young physicians have for their own lives.
Using facial muscular movements to understand young children's emotion regulation and concurrent neural activation
Authors: Grabell Adam S. , Huppert Theodore J. , Fishburn Frank A. , Li Yanwei , Jones Hannah M. , Wilett Aimee E. , Bemis Lisa M. , Perlman Susan B.
Published: December 2017

Individual differences in young children's frustration responses set the stage for myriad developmental outcomes and represent an area of intense empirical interest. Emotion regulation is hypothesized to comprise the interplay of complex behaviors, such as facial expressions, and activation of concurrent underlying neural systems. At present, however, the literature has mostly examined children's observed emotion regulation behaviors and assumed underlying brain activation through separate investigations, resulting in theoretical gaps in our understanding of how children regulate emotion in vivo. Our goal was to elucidate links between young children's emotion regulation‐related neural activation, facial muscular movements, and parent‐rated temperamental emotion regulation. Sixty‐five children (age 3–7) completed a frustration‐inducing computer task while lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC) activation and concurrent facial expressions were recorded. Negative facial expressions with eye constriction were inversely associated with both parent‐rated temperamental emotion regulation and concurrent LPFC activation. Moreover, we found evidence that positive expressions with eye constriction during frustration may be associated with stronger LPFC activation. Results suggest a correspondence between facial expressions and LPFC activation that may explicate how children regulate emotion in real time.