bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of anaemia in immune‐mediated gastrointestinal disorders
Authors: Bergamaschi Gaetano , Di Sabatino Antonio , Corazza Gino R. 
Published: May 2018

SummaryImmune‐mediated disorders affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract may compromise GI integrity, interfere with the absorption of nutrients and cause bleeding and inflammation. All these features contribute to the pathogenesis of anaemia, the most prevalent extra‐intestinal manifestation of immune‐mediated GI disorders. Anaemia is most commonly due to iron deficiency and/or inflammation, but vitamin deficiencies and, more infrequently, autoimmune haemolysis or drug‐induced myelosuppression can be involved. Here we address several issues related to the differential diagnosis and treatment of anaemia in immune‐mediated GI disorders, giving particular relevance to the problem of iron deficiency anaemia associated with inflammation. It is emphasized how, in most cases, anaemias due to iron or vitamin deficiencies are best treated by parenteral administration of the deficient factor(s), and how the available high dose intravenous (IV) iron formulations can reduce ambulatory and social costs of IV iron supplementation, while improving patient's compliance to treatment. Actual and future treatment possibilities for anaemia of inflammation, involving the use of erythropoiesis stimulating agents, biologicals and hepcidin inhibitors are discussed.
Exploring breast cancer and screening awareness among Irish women with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Reidy Mary , Denieffe Suzanne , Foran Sinéad 
Published: May 2018

Accessible Summary

We asked women with intellectual disabilities what they knew about breast cancer and screening programmes.

We asked women what would put them off going to see a doctor whether they found something wrong with their breast.

Most of those we asked knew that a lump was a warning sign for breast cancer.

Most of those we asked did not know about the risk factors for breast cancer.

Many women did not know much about the breast screening programme.

Many women said they would be worried about what the doctor might find.

Improving breast cancer and screening awareness is important for women with intellectual disabilities.

Women with intellectual disabilities need to be taught more about breast cancer and screening.

AbstractBackgroundInternationally, it is known that there are gaps in cancer and screening awareness among women with intellectual disabilities. Little is known about this awareness among Irish women with intellectual disabilities. The aim of this study was to explore this awareness among these women.Materials and MethodsThe study design incorporated a cross‐sectional descriptive survey using an accessible version of the Cancer Research UK Cancer Awareness Measure. The questionnaire was administered to women with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities (n = 45, age range 20–59 years) living in the South East of Ireland.ResultsAlmost three quarters of the women (77.8%) recognised a breast lump as a breast cancer warning sign. Knowledge about nonlump warning signs was much lower; 40% of the women did not feel confident that they would notice a change in their breast; 80% of the women could not recall a breast cancer risk factor. Overall, there was poor awareness of the national breast screening programme in Ireland. Worry and embarrassment about talking about their breasts would put women off seeking early medical intervention.ConclusionThere was poor awareness about breast cancer warning signs, risk factors and the breast screening programme among the women. Where women with intellectual disabilities are lacking this knowledge, breast cancer warning may be missed. Carers and intellectual disability services need to ensure that theoretically based cancer and screening education interventions are undertaken which will enable these women to identify warning signs and seek attention promptly.
Cytomegalovirus: an unlikely ally in the fight against blood cancers?
Authors: Bigley A B , Baker F L , Simpson R J 
Published: May 2018

Summary
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a potentially fatal complication in patients receiving haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), but recent evidence indicates that CMV has strong anti-leukaemia effects due in part to shifts in the composition of natural killer (NK) cell subsets. NK cells are the primary mediators of the anti-leukaemia effect of allogeneic HSCT, and infusion of allogeneic NK cells has shown promise as a means of inducing remission and preventing relapse of several different haematological malignancies. The effectiveness of these treatments is limited, however, when tumours express human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-E, a ligand for the inhibitory receptor NKG2A, which is expressed by the vast majority of post-transplant reconstituted and ex-vivo expanded NK cells. It is possible to enhance NK cell cytotoxicity against HLA-Epos malignancies by increasing the proportion of NK cells expressing NKG2C (the activating receptor for HLA-E) and lacking the corresponding inhibitory receptor NKG2A. The proportion of NKG2Cpos/NKG2Aneg NK cells is typically low in healthy adults, but it can be increased by CMV infection or ex-vivo expansion of NK cells using HLA-E-transfected feeder cells and interleukin (IL)-15. In this review, we will discuss the role of CMV-driven NKG2Cpos/NKG2Aneg NK cell expansion on anti-tumour cytotoxicity and disease progression in the context of haematological malignancies, and explore the possibility of harnessing NKG2Cpos/NKG2Aneg NK cells for cancer immunotherapy.
Parent perspectives of engagement in the strengthening families program: An evidence‐based intervention for families in child welfare and affected by parental substance use
Authors: Akin Becci A. , Johnson‐Motoyama Michelle , Davis Sharah , Paceley Megan , Brook Jody 
Published: May 2018

AbstractDespite growing use of evidence‐based parenting interventions (EBPIs) in child welfare settings, few qualitative studies have obtained parents' direct views and feedback on these programs. Further, engagement in EBPIs continues to present challenges in a child welfare context, particularly for parents affected by substances. We sought to understand parents' experiences of the supports and barriers to engagement in an EBPI. Semistructured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 10 parents who were involved in child welfare and a family drug treatment court, affected by parental substance use, and had recently completed the Strengthening Families Program. Our results indicated that barriers and supports comprised individual, provider, and programmatic factors. A prevalent theme was providers' abilities to build supportive helping relationships and facilitate a dynamic group effectively. Also significant were pragmatic program features that directly assisted families' access and ongoing participation, such as transportation and scheduling.
Generation and Visual Exploration of Medical Flow Data: Survey, Research Trends and Future Challenges
Authors: Oeltze‐Jafra S. , Meuschke M. , Neugebauer M. , Saalfeld S. , Lawonn K. , Janiga G. , Hege H.‐C. , Zachow S. , Preim B. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractSimulations and measurements of blood and airflow inside the human circulatory and respiratory system play an increasingly important role in personalized medicine for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases. This survey focuses on three main application areas. (1) Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of blood flow in cerebral aneurysms assist in predicting the outcome of this pathologic process and of therapeutic interventions. (2) CFD simulations of nasal airflow allow for investigating the effects of obstructions and deformities and provide therapy decision support. (3) 4D phase‐contrast (4D PC) magnetic resonance imaging of aortic haemodynamics supports the diagnosis of various vascular and valve pathologies as well as their treatment. An investigation of the complex and often dynamic simulation and measurement data requires the coupling of sophisticated visualization, interaction and data analysis techniques. In this paper, we survey the large body of work that has been conducted within this realm. We extend previous surveys by incorporating nasal airflow, addressing the joint investigation of blood flow and vessel wall properties and providing a more fine‐granular taxonomy of the existing techniques. From the survey, we extract major research trends and identify open problems and future challenges. The survey is intended for researchers interested in medical flow but also more general, in the combined visualization of physiology and anatomy, the extraction of features from flow field data and feature‐based visualization, the visual comparison of different simulation results and the interactive visual analysis of the flow field and derived characteristics.
Time discounting and the decision to protect areas that are near and threatened or remote and cheap to acquire
Authors: Armsworth Paul R. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractShould conservation organizations focus on protecting habitats that are at imminent risk of being converted but are expensive or more remote areas that are less immediately threatened but where a large amount of land can be set aside? Variants of this trade‐off commonly arise in spatial planning. I used models of land‐use change near a deforestation frontier to examine this trade‐off. The optimal choice of where to protect was determined by how decisions taken today accounted for ecological benefits and economic costs of conservation actions that would occur sometime in the future. I used an ecological and economic discount rate to weight these benefits and costs. A large economic discount rate favored protecting more remote areas, whereas a large, positive ecological discount rate favored protecting habitat near the current deforestation frontier. The decision over where to protect was also affected by the influence economic factors had on landowners' decisions, the rate of technological change, and ecological heterogeneity of the landscape. How benefits and costs through time are accounted for warrants careful consideration when specifying conservation objectives. It may provide a niche axis along which conservation organizations differentiate themselves when competing for donor funding or other support.
The glycaemic benefits of a very‐low‐carbohydrate ketogenic diet in adults with Type 1 diabetes mellitus may be opposed by increased hypoglycaemia risk and dyslipidaemia
Authors: Leow Z. Z. X. , Guelfi K. J. , Davis E. A. , Jones T. W. , Fournier P. A. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAimsTo investigate whether very‐low‐carbohydrate high‐fat diets, typical of ketogenic diets, can improve glycaemic control without causing any ill health effects in adults with Type 1 diabetes.MethodsIn this observational study, 11 adults with Type 1 diabetes (seven men, four women, mean ± sd age 36.1± 6.8 years, mean ± sd duration of diabetes 12.8 ± 10.3 years), who followed a ketogenic diet (< 55 g carbohydrate per day) for a mean ± sd of 2.6 ± 3.3 years (β‐hydroxybutyrate 1.6 ± 1.3 mmol/l), underwent sampling and analysis of fasting blood, and were fitted with a blinded continuous glucose monitor for 7 days to measure glycaemic variability.ResultsThe mean ± sd HbA1c levels were 35±4 mmol/mol (5.3±0.4%), and participants spent 74±20 and 3±8% of their time in the euglycaemic (4–8 mmol/l) and hyperglycaemic (>10 mmol/l) ranges, respectively, with little daily glycaemic variability (sd 1.5±0.7 mmol/l; coefficient of variation 26±8%). Blood glucose levels were <3.0 mmol/l for 3.6% of the time, and participants experienced a median (range) of 0.9 (0.0–2.0) daily episodes of hypoglycaemia. Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio, and triglycerides were above the recommended range in 82%, 82%, 64% and 27% of participants, respectively; however, HDL cholesterol levels were within the recommended range for all participants. Participants displayed no or little evidence of hepatic or renal dysfunction.ConclusionThis study provides the first evidence that, ketogenic diets in adults with Type 1 diabetes are associated with excellent HbA1c levels and little glycaemic variability, but may also be associated with dyslipidaemia and a high number of hypoglycaemic episodes.
CXCR4, the master regulator of neutrophil trafficking in homeostasis and disease
Authors: De Filippo Katia , Rankin Sara M. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackgroundChemokines play a critical role in orchestrating the distribution and trafficking of neutrophils in homeostasis and disease.ResultsThe CXCR4/CXCL12 chemokine axis has been identified as a central regulator of these processes.ConclusionIn this review, we focus on the role of CXCR4/CXCL12 chemokine axis in regulating neutrophil release from the bone marrow and the trafficking of senescent neutrophils back to the bone marrow for clearance under homeostasis and disease. We also discuss the role of CXCR4 in fine‐tuning neutrophil responses in the context of inflammation.
Sensory attenuation of self‐produced signals does not rely on self‐specific motor predictions
Authors: Kaiser Jakob , Schütz‐Bosbach Simone 
Published: May 2018

AbstractSensory events produced by ourselves are known to lead to lower neural and perceptual impact than sensory events from other environmental sources. This sensory attenuation is widely assumed to result from control processes that are specific to our own motor actions, potentially helping us to distinguish effects produced by ourselves and others. However, previous research cannot rule out that the putative self‐attenuation in fact reflect actor‐independent, general predictive mechanisms, which, in direct comparison, just highlight external events due to lower predictability of their onset and thus higher surprise. By measuring the auditory‐evoked N1 component, we show that self‐generation of sounds only lead to cortical attenuation when the onset of other‐generated sounds is less predictable due to the absence of any predictive cues. The presence of a cue predicting the onset of auditory stimuli, in contrast, led to a reversal of the attenuation effect, with lower N1 amplitudes for other‐generated sounds in contrast to self‐generated sounds. Thus, contrary to prevalent assumptions sensory attenuation is not bound to self‐generation per se. Rather, it appears to be the result of general mechanisms that does not reliably and selectively attenuate self‐induced stimulation but is determined by a flexible processing of sensory input based on its predictability, contextual relevance and attentional salience.
Proteomic and cellular localisation studies suggest non‐tight junction cytoplasmic and nuclear roles for occludin in astrocytes
Authors: Morgan Sarah V. , Garwood Claire J. , Jennings Luke , Simpson Julie E. , Castelli Lydia M. , Heath Paul R. , Mihaylov Simeon R. , Vaquéz‐Villaseñor Irina , Minshull Thomas C. , Ince Paul G. , Dickman Mark J. , Hautbergue Guillaume M. , Wharton Stephen B. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractOccludin is a component of tight junctions, which are essential structural components of the blood–brain barrier. However, occludin is expressed in cells without tight junctions, implying additional functions. We determined the expression and localisation of occludin in astrocytes in cell culture and in human brain tissue, and sought novel binding partners using a proteomic approach. Expression was investigated by immunocytochemistry and immunoblotting in the 1321N1 astrocytoma cell line and ScienCell human primary astrocytes, and by immunohistochemistry in human autopsy brain tissue. Recombinant N‐ and C‐terminal occludin was used to pull‐down proteins from 1321N1 cell lysates and protein‐binding partners identified by mass spectrometry analysis. Occludin was expressed in both the cytoplasm and nucleus of astrocytes in vitro and in vivo. Mass spectrometry identified binding to nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins, particularly those related to RNA metabolism and nuclear function. Occludin is expressed in several subcellular compartments of brain cell‐types that do not form tight junctions and the expression patterns in cell culture reflect those in human brain tissue, indicating they are suitable model systems. Proteomic analysis suggests that occludin has novel functions in neuroepithelial cells that are unrelated to tight junction formation. Further research will establish the roles of these functions in both cellular physiology and in disease states.
Selective determination of the catalytic cysteine pKa of two‐cysteine succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase from Acinetobacter baumannii using burst kinetics and enzyme adduct formation
Authors: Phonbuppha Jittima , Maenpuen Somchart , Munkajohnpong Pobthum , Chaiyen Pimchai , Tinikul Ruchanok 
Published: May 2018

Succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (SSADH) from Acinetobacter baumannii (Ab) catalyzes the oxidation of succinic semialdehyde (SSA). This enzyme has two conserved cysteines (Cys289 and Cys291) and preferentially uses NADP+ over NAD+ as a hydride acceptor. Steady‐state kinetic analysis showed that AbSSADH has the highest catalytic turnover (137 s−1) and can tolerate SSA inhibition the most (< 500 μm) among all SSADHs reported. Alanine substitutions of the two conserved cysteines indicated that Cys291Ala has ~ 65% activity compared with the wild‐type enzyme while Cys289Ala is inactive, suggesting that Cys289 is the active residue participating in catalysis. Pre‐steady‐state kinetics showed for the first time burst kinetics for NADPH formation in SSADH, indicating that the rate‐limiting step is associated with steps that occur after the hydride transfer. As the magnitude of burst kinetics represents the amount of NADPH formed during the first turnover, it is directly dependent on the amount of the deprotonated form of cysteine. The pKa of Cys289 was calculated from a plot of the burst magnitude vs pH as 7.4 ± 0.2. The Cys289 pKa was also measured based on the ability of AbSSADH to form an NADP–cysteine adduct, which can be detected by the increase of absorbance at ~ 330 nm as 7.9 ± 0.2. The lowering of the catalytic cysteine pKa by 0.6–1 unit renders the catalytic thiol more nucleophilic, which facilitates AbSSADH catalysis under physiological conditions. The methods established herein can specifically measure the active site cysteine pKa without interference from other cysteines. These techniques may be useful for studying ionization state of other cysteine‐containing aldehyde dehydrogenases.EnzymeSuccinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase, EC1.2.1.24.
Another cause of difficult airway in an elderly patient: Tongue‐base abscess
Authors: Binar Murat , Arslan Fatih , Aydin Umit 
Published: May 2018

ObjectiveAn abscess of the tongue base is rare, but it can be a potentially life‐threatening situation in elderly patients.Case reportA 72‐year‐old male patient presented with mid‐anterior neck swelling, odynophagia, poor oral hygiene and severe dyspnoea. After a difficult intubation, the muscles were dissected via a submental suprahyoid approach and the abscess was drained.ConclusionPoor oral hygiene may predispose elderly patients to tongue‐base abscesses. An early decision should be made for surgical drainage due to the risk of airway obstruction.
Restoration of natural killer cell activity by interferon‐free direct‐acting antiviral combination therapy in chronic hepatitis C patients
Authors: Nakamura Ikuo , Furuichi Yoshihiro , Sugimoto Katsutoshi 
Published: May 2018

AimInterferon‐free direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) therapy is an effective treatment for chronic hepatitis C (CH(C)) patients. Activity of natural killer (NK) cells was reported to be impaired in patients with hepatitis C virus infection. The aim of this study was to examine whether DAA therapy could restore NK activity in patients with CH(C).MethodsDirect‐acting antiviral therapy was given to 31 CH(C) patients as asunaprevir/daclatasvir (ASV/DCV) (n = 15), ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (n = 7), ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir (n = 6), or elbasvir/grazoprevir (n = 3). Prior to therapy (0M), at the completion of the therapy (EOT), and at 24 weeks after completion (AFTER), NK activity and the frequency of CD56dimNK and CD56brightNK cells in peripheral blood were estimated by Cr release assay and flow cytometry. Statistical analysis was carried out by anova and the Mann–Whitney U‐test.ResultsIn one of the ASV/DCV‐treated patients, treatment was stopped 12 weeks after initiation of therapy because of viral breakthrough. The anova showed that NK activity significantly improved at EOT (vs. 0M, P < 0.01) and at AFTER (vs. 0M, P < 0.001) in 30 patients with sustained virologic response. It also showed that the frequency of CD56dimNK cells was significantly increased at EOT and at AFTER (vs. 0M, P < 0.05). In addition, the NK activity ratio (AFTER/0M) had no significant difference between patient groups with higher and lower Fibrosis‐4 scores.ConclusionDirect‐acting antiviral therapy in CH(C) patients could improve NK activity by increasing the frequency of CD56dimNK cells. Additionally, our results might imply that DAAs therapy could reduce the risk of hepatocarcinogenesis by restoring innate immune responses.
Zinc‐containing compounds for personal care applications
Authors: Abendrot M. , Kalinowska‐Lis U. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIt is well‐known that zinc ions are widely used in cosmetic products. Their popularity is associated with the multifunctional profile of Zn2+, which is classified as an essential chemical element in the human body. This review examines numerous beneficial biological properties of zinc‐containing compounds and classifies the compounds used in cosmetic products according to their functionality profile: antioxidant, sunscreen, anti‐inflammatory, anti‐pigmentation, anti‐ageing, anti‐acne, antimicrobial, anti‐odour, cleansing or stabilizing activity. It also underlines the significance of zinc in enzymatic processes, which depends on the enzyme type acts as inhibitor or enzymatic stimulator. Moreover, the article describes the chemical nature of the most interesting groups of Zn compounds.
Factors associated with quality of life in facial melasma: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Pollo C. F. , Miot L. D. B. , Meneguin S. , Miot H. A. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackgroundMelasma is a common chronic focal hypermelanosis that affects photexposed areas as face, mainly in women at fertile age. It inflicts a significant impact in quality of life; nevertheless, quality of life scores (e.g. MELASQoL) are not strongly correlated with clinical severity (e.g. MASI) in facial melasma, suggesting that different factors can influence the perception of disease beyond the clinical extension or the intensity of pigmentation.ObjectivesTo explore clinical and socio‐demographic aspects that influences MELASQoL scores.MethodsCross‐sectional study enrolling 155 adults (>18 y.o.) with facial melasma. MELASQoL, MASI, clinical and demographic information were assessed. The associations among factors were explored by multivariable methods.ResultsThe mean (SD) age of the participants was 39 (8) years, and 134 (86%) were females. The correlation (Spearman′s rho) between MELASQoL and MASI was 0.35 (P < 0.05). In a multivariate regression, MELASQoL score was associated (P ≤ 0.05) to MASI score (β = 0.6), lower income (β = 6.8), be single (β = 4.2) and low education level (β = 5.0). At multiple correspondence analysis, MASI, sex, marriage, education and income were associated with MELASQoL, as well as MASI was associated to skin phototypes, income and education level.ConclusionThe perception of life quality impairment in melasma is influenced by low scholarly, low family income, single marital status and greater clinical severity.