bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical and laboratory predictions of myocardial inflammation as detected by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in patients with systemic sclerosis: A pilot study
Authors: Tipparot Thapanee , Foocharoen Chingching , Mahakkanukrauh Ajanee , Suwannaroj Siraphop , Nanagara Ratanavadee , Pussadhamma Burabha , Chaosuwannakit Narumol 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundCardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cardiac MRI) has high sensitivity and specificity for differentiating cardiac fibrosis from inflammation. There is no data on the clinical and laboratory association or prediction of myocardial inflammation in systemic sclerosis—a major organ involvement in systemic sclerosis (SSc).ObjectivesOur aim was to ascertain the clinical and laboratory associations with myocardial inflammation in SSc patients as detected by cardiac MRI.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was conducted among Thai adult SSc patients who had: disease onset <4 years; a New York Heart Association functional class ≥ II; and followed up at the Scleroderma Clinic, Khon Kaen University, between June 2018 and January 2019. We excluded patients who were taking steroids and/or immunosuppressants or had a diagnosed heart disease before being diagnosed with SSc. All enrolled patients underwent cardiac MRI, and clinical and laboratory assessments the same date. Myocardial inflammation was defined by cardiac MRI per the Lake Louise Criteria.ResultsA total of 30 SSc patients were enrolled. The female‐to‐male ratio was 1.8:1. The majority (73%) had diffuse cutaneous SSc. The respective mean age and median duration of disease was 57 ± 8 and 2.0 years (interquartile range 1.5‐2.7). Myocardial inflammation was detected in 22 patients (73.3%). The multivariate analysis revealed that every 5 years of increased age at onset and every 5‐point increase in the modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) at onset was significantly associated with myocardial inflammation (odds ratio 0.47, 95% CI 0.22‐0.98; and 2.64 95% CI 1.04‐6.74, respectively). Neither the SSc subset, internal organ involvement, inflammatory markers, nor cardiac and muscle enzymes were associated with myocardial inflammation in SSc.ConclusionMyocardial inflammation is common in early‐onset SSc. An increased risk of myocardial inflammation was associated with young age and high mRSS at onset. Cardiac MRI is the suggested evaluation for high‐risk SSc patients experiencing dyspnea on exertion.
Quantitative tracking of inflammatory activity at the peak and trough plasma levels of tofacitinib, a Janus kinase inhibitor, via in vivo 18F‐FDG PET
Authors: Raychaudhuri Sanchita , Abria Christine , Harmany Zachary T. , Smith Charles M. , Kundu‐Raychaudhuri Smriti , Raychaudhuri Siba P. , Chaudhari Abhijit J. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractPurposeTo assess the capability of in vivo positron emission tomography (PET) using 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose (18F‐FDG) to quantify changes in inflammatory activity in response to tofacitinib, a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, over a timeframe of a few hours to few days in a preclinical model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MethodsTwenty‐four mice with collagen‐induced arthritis in the following groups were assessed: Group 1, where the changes in PET measures for the extremity joints were evaluated at the peak and trough plasma drug levels after administration of a single dose of tofacitinib (4 hours apart); Group 2, where joint PET measures were assessed before treatment and after 6 days of administration of a daily dose of tofacitinib; and group 3 (controls), where joint PET measures were derived from the same mice, 6 days apart.ResultsAt about peak plasma levels of the drug after a single tofacitinib administration, there was a reduction in PET measures compared to pretreatment values, suggesting decreased inflammatory activity. These measures were equivalent to those obtained after 6 days of daily dosing by tofacitinib. However, PET measures at trough plasma levels of the drug from tofacitinib administration were significantly higher than those at peak plasma drug levels and equivalent to pretreatment measures. There were insignificant changes in PET measures for the control animals.Conclusion18F‐FDG PET can detect changes in inflammatory activity occurring in response to the JAK inhibitor tofacitinib: (a) during peak and trough plasma drug levels, that is within mere hours of treatment; and (b) over a span of days.
Causal attributions of potentially traumatic life events in fibromyalgia patients
Authors: De Almeida‐Marques Francisco X. , Sánchez‐Blanco José , Sanduvete‐Chaves Susana , Cano‐García Francisco J. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAimIn common clinical practice, potentially traumatic life events and the possible attribution of such events to fibromyalgia often go undetected. Having demonstrated in a previous study that hypnosis facilitates the exploration of such events, we now aim to explore and classify the content of these events and to determine whether there is an association between the type of event, the state of consciousness in which the patient verbalized it, and possible causal attributions of the disorder.MethodThirty‐two women (age 52 ± 7 years) suffering from fibromyalgia and receiving care in a primary healthcare center participated in the same semi‐structured interview twice: once in a wakeful state and once under hypnosis. They answered two questions: what other events in your life coincided with the onset of fibromyalgia? Are those events related to your fibromyalgia in any way? To counteract biases related to order or recall, the order of the two interviews was randomized with a 3‐month period in between.ResultsThe patients verbalized 23 different types of events, which we classified into eight categories, mostly psychosocial events. Although the relationship between the three variables was not statistically significant, two of the bivariate associations predicted (type of event and state of consciousness; and state of consciousness and causal attribution) were confirmed (χ2, P values of .01 and <.001 respectively).ConclusionPotentially traumatic life events could remain undetected in primary healthcare consultations and hypnosis could prove a useful tool for their detection.
Knowledge of Australian primary education providers towards dental avulsion injuries: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Khan A , Goyal A , Somaiya V , Rathesh A , Sathiyamoorthy J , Larkin K , Currell SD , Nimmo AJ 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackground/aimThe aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of school professionals regarding the emergency management of dental avulsion.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study utilised a self‐administered, pilot‐tested questionnaire for school staff from primary schools. Descriptive statistics were used for the analysis – the prevalence and univariate associations between a categorical outcome and the variables under consideration, were evaluated using Pearson’s Chi‐squared test.ResultsThis survey yielded a response rate of 43.5% (n = 313). Approximately 60% of participants held valid first‐aid certificates and 23% had received avulsion advice previously. Over 80% of participants expressed an unwillingness to replant an avulsed tooth, and over 90% believed that there should be greater awareness in this area. This unwillingness to replant was influenced by respondents’ age (x2 = 8.13 df = 3, P = 0.043) and receiving advice previously (x2 = 13.15, df = 1, P < 0.001). Under‐preparedness was related to years of experience (x2 = 15.03, df = 5, P = 0.010), first‐aid training (x2 = 6.41, df = 1, P = 0.011) and receiving advice previously (x2 = 43.47, df = 1, P < 0.001). It was also evident that first‐aid training positively influenced appropriate dental referral in the management pathway (x2 = 10.49, df = 1, P = 0.001).ConclusionThis study suggests that there is an inadequate level of knowledge on the appropriate management of dental avulsion injuries amongst primary school professionals in Australia.
Series estimation for single‐index models under constraints
Authors: Dong Chaohua , Gao Jiti , Peng Bin 
Published: October 2019

SummaryIn this paper, a semi‐parametric single‐index model is investigated. The link function is allowed to be unbounded and has unbounded support that answers a pending issue in the literature. Meanwhile, the link function is treated as a point in an infinitely many dimensional function space which enables us to derive the estimates for the index parameter and the link function simultaneously. This approach is different from the profile method commonly used in the literature. The estimator is derived from an optimisation with the constraint of identification condition for the index parameter, which addresses an important problem in the literature of single‐index models. In addition, making use of a property of Hermite orthogonal polynomials, an explicit estimator for the index parameter is obtained. Asymptotic properties for the two estimators of the index parameter are established. Their efficiency is discussed in some special cases as well. The finite sample properties of the two estimates are demonstrated through an extensive Monte Carlo study and an empirical example.
Laparoscopic treatment of endometriosis and predictors of major complications: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Clark Nisse V. , Dmello Monalisa , Griffith Kendall C. , Gu Xiangmei , Ajao Mobolaji O. , Cohen Sarah L. , Einarsson Jon I. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractIntroductionPatients with advanced endometriosis may be at an increased risk of surgical complications following laparoscopic treatment of endometriosis; however, this relationship has not been examined. We sought to identify predictors of major complications following laparoscopic treatment of endometriosis.Material and methodsA retrospective cohort study of women who underwent laparoscopic treatment of suspected endometriosis between 2009 and 2016 within the Division of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. Predictors of major perioperative complications were assessed by comparing the characteristics of women who had any major intraoperative or postoperative complication with those of women who had no complication.ResultsA total of 397 women underwent laparoscopic treatment of suspected endometriosis including excision of superficial endometriosis (55.4%), excision of deep‐infiltrating endometriosis (24.9%), fulguration of endometriosis (38.3%), hysterectomy (23.2%), ovarian cystectomy (35.5%), salpingectomy (18.6%), oophorectomy (15.1%), and bowel resection (1.0%). Women were followed for 60 days following surgery, over which time 18 women (4.5%) had a major perioperative complication. Patient characteristics and preoperative imaging were similar between women with and without complications. Women with advanced endometriosis, including stage III or IV endometriosis, deep‐infiltrating endometriosis, or rectovaginal disease, were more likely to have a complication, though this did not reach statistical significance (77.8% of women with a complication versus 56.7% of women without a complication had advanced endometriosis, P = 0.077). Women who had a complication were more likely to have undergone adhesiolysis or ureterolysis (88.9% of women with a complication versus 52.5% without a complication underwent adhesiolysis, P = 0.002; and 61.1% of women with a complication versus 28.8% without a complication underwent ureterolysis, P = 0.003). The total number of procedures was greater for women who had a complication (4.3 ± 1.2 vs 3.2 ± 1.5, P = 0.003). All other procedure characteristics were similar between women with and without complications.ConclusionsComplications following laparoscopic treatment of suspected endometriosis could not be predicted by preoperative patient characteristics or surgical findings of advanced endometriosis. Adhesiolysis, ureterolysis, and an increased number of total procedures may be predictive of perioperative complications, suggesting that surgical complexity as measured by the procedures performed, rather than the disease severity, may increase the risk of a complication compared with women who do not undergo these procedures.
Cross‐linked cartilage acellular matrix film decreases postsurgical peritendinous adhesions
Authors: Park Do Young , Yun Hee‐Woong , Lim Sumin , Truong Minh‐Dung , Yin Xiang Yun , Park Jinho , Kim Byeong Kook , Shin Dong Il , Li Xue Guang , Chung Jun Young , Kim Moon Suk , Min Byoung‐Hyun 
Published: October 2019

AbstractCartilage extracellular matrix contains antiadhesive and antiangiogenic molecules such as chondromodulin‐1, thrombospondin‐1, and endostatin. We have aimed to develop a cross‐linked cartilage acellular matrix (CAM) barrier for peritendinous adhesion prevention. CAM film was fabricated using decellularized porcine cartilage tissue powder and chemical cross‐linking. Biochemical analysis of the film showed retention of collagen and glycosaminoglycans after the fabrication process. Physical characterization of the film showed denser collagen microstructure, increased water contact angle, and higher tensile strength after cross‐linking. The degradation time in vivo was 14 d after cross‐linking. The film extract and film surface showed similar cell proliferation, while inhibiting cell migration and cell adhesion compared to standard media and culture plate, respectively. Application of the film after repair resulted in similar tendon healing and significantly less peritendinous adhesions in a rabbit Achilles tendon injury model compared to repair only group, demonstrated by histology, ultrasonography, and biomechanical testing. In conclusion, the current study developed a CAM film having biological properties of antiadhesion, together with biomechanical properties and degradation profile suitable for prevention of peritendinous adhesions.
Computational investigation of hemodynamics in hardshell venous reservoirs: A comparative study
Authors: Benim Ali Cemal , Frank Thiemo , Assmann Alexander , Lichtenberg Artur , Akhyari Payam 
Published: October 2019

AbstractExtracorporeal circulation using heart‐lung‐machines is associated with a profound activation of corpuscular and plasmatic components of circulating blood, which can also lead to deleterious events such as systemic inflammatory response and hemolysis. Individual components used to install the extracorporeal circulation have an impact on the level of activation, most predominantly membrane oxygenators and hardshell venous reservoirs as used in extracorporeal systems. The blood flows in two different hardshell reservoirs are computationally investigated. A special emphasis is placed on the prediction of an onset of transition and turbulence generation. Reynolds‐averaged numerical simulations (RANS) based on a transitional turbulence model, as well as large eddy simulations (LES) are applied to achieve an accurate prediction. In the LES analysis, the non‐Newtonian behavior of the blood is considered via the Carreau model. Blood damage potential is quantified applying the Modified Index of Hemolysis (MIH) based on the predicted flow fields. The results indicate that the flows in both reservoirs remain predominantly laminar. For one of the reservoirs, considerable turbulence generation is observed near the exit site, caused by the specific design for the connection with the drainage tube. This difference causes the MIH of this reservoir to be nearly twice as large as compared to the alternative design. However, a substantial improvement of these performance criteria can be expected by a local geometry modification.
Impact of pharmaceutical care on the quality of life of patients with heart failure due to chronic Chagas disease: Randomized clinical trial
Authors: Chambela Mayara da Costa , Mediano Mauro Felippe Felix , Carneiro Fernanda Martins , Ferreira Roberto Rodrigues , Waghabi Mariana Caldas , Mendes Verônica Gonçalves , Oliveira Luciano de Souza , de Holanda Marcelo Teixeira , de Sousa Andréa Silvestre , da Costa Andréa Rodrigues , Xavier Sérgio Salles , da Silva Gilberto Marcelo Sperandio , Saraiva Roberto Magalhães 
Published: October 2019

AimsChronic Chagas disease (ChD) has high morbimortality and loss in quality of life due to heart failure (HF). Pharmaceutical care (PC) optimizes clinical treatment and can improve quality of life in HF. We evaluated if PC improves quality of life of patients with ChD and HF.MethodsSingle‐blinded, randomized, controlled trial that assigned adult patients with ChD and HF (81 patients; 61 ± 11 years; 48% male) to PC (n = 40) or standard care (n = 41). Quality of life according to SF‐36 and Minnesota living with HF questionnaires, incidence of drug‐related problems (DRPs), and adherence to medical treatment were determined at baseline and at every 3 months for 1 year. Intention‐to‐treat analyses were performed by mixed linear model to verify the treatment effect on the changes of these variables throughout the intervention period.ResultsRelative changes from baseline to 1 year of follow‐up of the domains physical functioning (+16.6 vs –8.5; P < .001), role‐physical (+34.0 vs +5.2; P = .01), general health (+19.4 vs –6.1; P < .001), vitality (+11.5 vs. –5.8; P = .003), social functioning (+7.5 vs –13.3; P = .002), and mental health (+9.0 vs –3.7; P = .006) of the SF‐36 questionnaire and the Minnesota living with HF questionnaire score (−12.7 vs +4.8; P < .001) were superior in the PC group than in the standard care group. Adherence to medical treatment increased as early as after 3 months of follow‐up and DRPs incidence decreased after 6 months of follow‐up only in the PC group.ConclusionsPatients with ChD and HF who received PC presented improved quality of life, decrease in DRP frequency, and increase in medication adherence.
In silico and in vitro studies of two non‐imidazole multiple targeting agents at histamine H3 receptors and cholinesterase enzymes
Authors: Ghamari Nakisa , Dastmalchi Siavoush , Zarei Omid , Arias‐Montaño José‐Antonio , Reiner David , Ustun‑Alkan Fulya , Stark Holger , Hamzeh‐Mivehroud Maryam 
Published: October 2019

AbstractRecently, multi‐target directed ligands have been of research interest for multifactorial disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Since H3 receptors (H3Rs) and cholinesterases are involved in pathophysiology of AD, identification of dual‐acting compounds capable of improving cholinergic neurotransmission is of importance in AD pharmacotherapy. In the present study, H3R antagonistic activity combined with anticholinesterase properties of two previously computationally identified lead compounds, that is, compound 3 (6‐chloro‐N‐methyl‐N‐[3‐(4‐methylpiperazin‐1‐yl)propyl]‐1H‐indole‐2‐carboxamide) and compound 4 (7‐chloro‐N‐[(1‐methylpiperidin‐3‐yl)methyl]‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinoline‐2‐carboxamide), was tested. Moreover, molecular docking and binding free energy calculations were conducted for binding mode and affinity prediction of studied ligands toward cholinesterases. Biological evaluations revealed inhibitory activity of ligands in nanomolar (compound 3: H3R EC50 = 0.73 nM; compound 4: H3R EC50 = 31 nM) and micromolar values (compound 3: AChE IC50 = 9.09 µM, BuChE IC50 = 21.10 µM; compound 4: AChE IC50 = 8.40 µM, BuChE IC50 = 4.93 µM) for H3R antagonism and cholinesterase inhibition, respectively. Binding free energies yielded good consistency with cholinesterase inhibitory profiles. The results of this study can be used for lead optimization where dual inhibitory activity on H3R and cholinesterases is needed. Such ligands can exert their biological activity in a synergistic manner resulting in higher potency and efficacy.
Turning a City into a Milieu of Study: University Pedagogy as “Frontline”
Authors: Masschelein Jan 
Published: October 2019

AbstractIn 2016 Bruno Latour delivered a lecture at Cornell University in which he responded to what he called the actual situation of disorientation and (literal) lack of common ground by offering some “hints for a neo‐Humboldtian university.” One hint he offered was that we should consider pedagogy as the frontline for staging an approach to societal challenges that links basic research and public engagement. Here, Jan Masschelein follows and extends upon this hint through exploring some ways to reclaim or reinvent the university as pedagogic form. Concretely, he describes the development of a course on designing educational practices that is conceived as a way to turn cities into a milieu of public and collective study. Masschelein's contribution to this symposium offers a “technical story” about physical, material experiences, one that contains some prepositions and propositions, an example, many detours, and a few practical notes and considerations. By this means, he explores the meaning and form pedagogy takes when we do not reduce it to teaching and extension, but instead approach it as the genus and the locus of a nexus between public engagement and basic research. Masschelein concludes by proposing the “public design studio” as a pedagogic form suited to the neo‐Humboldtian university.
No evidence for spontaneous cross‐frequency phase–phase coupling in the human hippocampus
Authors: Rings Thorsten , Cox Roy , Rüber Theodor , Lehnertz Klaus , Fell Juergen 
Published: October 2019

AbstractCross‐frequency phase–phase coupling (PPC) has been suggested to play a role in cognitive processing and, in particular, in memory consolidation during sleep. Controversial results have been reported regarding the existence of spontaneous phase–phase coupling in the hippocampus. Here, we investigated this phenomenon in intracranial EEG recordings from the human hippocampus acquired during waking state and different sleep stages. We estimated the strength of interactions between different pairs of frequency bands and evaluated the statistical significance of findings using surrogates that build on different null hypotheses. Indications for spontaneous phase–phase coupling were only observed when testing with less rigorous surrogates. When requiring that all four surrogate tests be passed, however, there were no significant indications for phase–phase coupling. In conclusion, we did not detect evidence for spontaneous cross‐frequency phase–phase coupling in the human hippocampus.
Para‐articular osteochondroma with intersynovial fistula between the common digital extensor sheath and carpometacarpal joint
Authors: Labbe K. A. , Huber M. J. , Pool R. R. 
Published: October 2019

SummaryA 7‐year‐old Holsteiner gelding was presented with a left common digital extensor sheath effusion of one‐year's duration. Radiographic examination revealed two extra‐articular mineralised bodies adjacent to the dorsolateral carpometacarpal joint. Ultrasonography confirmed an intrathecal location of one mineralised body in the common digital extensor sheath, palmar fraying of the common digital extensor tendon and tenosynovitis. Ultrasound could not confirm whether the second mineralised body was intrathecal or located external to the common digital extensor sheath. Common digital extensor tenoscopy facilitated removal of both mineralised bodies and revealed a fistula communicating with the carpometacarpal joint. The mineralised bodies, initially thought to be synovial osteochondromas, were histologically identified as para‐articular osteochondromas. There are no previously published reports of para‐articular chondroma/osteochondroma in the horse. Despite surgical removal of the para‐articular osteochondromas, concern for future extensor sheath distension remained given the communication between the carpometacarpal joint and common digital extensor sheath.