bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of structural birth defects in IVF‐ICSI pregnancies resulting from autologous and donor oocytes in Indian sub‐continent: Results from 2444 births
Authors: Banker Manish , Arora Parul , Banker Jwal , Benani Hetal , Shah Sandeep , Lalitkumar Parmeswaran Grace Luther 
Published: January 2019

AbstractIntroductionThis study was conducted to evaluate and compare the incidence of birth defects in In‐Vitro Fertilization‐Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (IVF‐ICSI) pregnancies with autologous and donor oocytes. As a secondary outcome, the prevalence of birth defects in IVF‐ICSI pregnancies was compared with those from spontaneous conceptions in India.Material and methodsThis retrospective study included 2444 births resulting from IVF‐ICSI cycles from autologous (n = 1743) and donor oocytes (n = 701) during a 3‐year period in an Indian infertility center. Birth defects, if any, were noted antenatally and followed till the neonatal period, in case of live birth.ResultsThe overall prevalence of birth defects in IVF‐ICSI pregnancies in this study was 29/2444 (118.6/10 000 births) and the most common congenital anomaly was cardiac malformation (32.7/10 000 births) followed by genitourinary (28.6/10 000 births). The risks of birth defects resulting from autologous and donor oocytes did not differ (114.7/10 000 vs 128.38/10 000; P > 0.05). However, pregnancies resulting from autologous oocytes had a higher trend of gastrointestinal birth defects (20.5/10 000 births vs 0), though not statistically significant. The risk of cardiovascular birth defects resulting from IVF‐ICSI pregnancies was much higher compared with the natural conceptions in India (32.7/10 000 vs 12.7/10 000 births; P = 0.03), whereas the risk of central nervous system malformations was much lower (8.1/10 000 vs 60.18/10 000 births; P = 0.005).ConclusionsOverall, there was no significant difference in birth defects resulting from IVF‐ICSI with autologous or donor oocytes. The births resulting from IVF‐ICSI pregnancies did not tend to have a higher rate of birth defects a compared with natural conceptions. The differences in the prevalence of certain birth defects (cardiovascular or central nervous system) reported in IVF‐ICSI pregnancies may be due to improved surveillance modalities and early detection in pregnancies following IVF‐ICSI. A study with larger number of sample size will give us better understanding of the prevalence of reported incidence in this study.
Long‐term safety and tolerability of oral tofacitinib in patients with Crohn’s disease: results from a phase 2, open‐label, 48‐week extension study
Authors: Panés Julián , D’Haens Geert R. , Higgins Peter D. R. , Mele Linda , Moscariello Michele , Chan Gary , Wang Wenjin , Niezychowski Wojciech , Su Chinyu , Maller Eric 
Published: January 2019

SummaryBackgroundTofacitinib is an oral, small molecule Janus kinase inhibitor that is being investigated for inflammatory bowel disease.AimsThis 48‐week open‐label extension study primarily investigated long‐term safety of tofacitinib 5 and 10 mg b.d. and secondarily investigated efficacy as maintenance therapy in patients with Crohn's disease.MethodsPatients who had completed the phase 2b maintenance study, or withdrawn due to treatment failure, were enrolled. Patients in remission (Crohn's disease activity index <150) at baseline received tofacitinib 5 mg b.d.; all others received 10 mg b.d. A single dose adjustment was allowed after 8 weeks’ fixed, open‐label treatment.ResultsSixty‐two patients received tofacitinib 5 mg b.d.; 88 received 10 mg b.d. Both groups had similar rates of adverse events and serious infections. Crohn's disease worsening was the most frequent adverse event for tofacitinib 5 (33.9%) and 10 mg b.d. (19.3%). Patients not in remission at baseline, receiving 10 mg b.d., had higher rates of serious adverse events (19.3%) and discontinuation attributed to insufficient clinical response (30.7%) vs 5 mg b.d. (8.1% and 9.7%, respectively). At week 48, of patients with baseline remission receiving 5 mg b.d., 87.9% maintained remission and 75.0% sustained remission as observed (46.8% and 38.7%, respectively, by non‐responder imputation). Study design prevented between‐dose efficacy comparisons.ConclusionsNo new safety signals emerged. Although both doses showed generally similar safety outcomes for overall adverse events, serious adverse events were more frequent for tofacitinib 10 than 5 mg b.d. Discontinuation due to insufficient clinical response was lower among patients in remission at baseline. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01470599.
Letter: different risks of venous thromboembolism in subsets of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases – authors' reply
Authors: Chu Thomas P. C. , Grainge Matthew J. , Card Timothy R. 
Published: January 2019

Linked ContentThis article is linked to Chu et al and Ding et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15010 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15083.
Disability in inflammatory bowel disease patients is associated with race, ethnicity and socio‐economic factors
Authors: Agrawal Manasi , Cohen‐Mekelburg Shirley , Kayal Maia , Axelrad Jordan , Galati Jonathan , Tricomi Brad , Kamal Kanika , Faye Adam S. , Abrudescu Paul , Scherl Ellen , Lawlor Garrett , Sultan Keith , Lukin Dana , Colombel Jean‐Frederic , Ungaro Ryan C. 
Published: January 2019

SummaryBackgroundRace, ethnicity and socio‐economic status impact clinical outcomes in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. However, their impact on disability has not been studied.AimTo determine the association between race, ethnicity and socio‐economic factors with disability in IBD, using the validated IBD disability index (IBD‐DI).MethodsAmbulatory IBD patients were enrolled at five academic centres participating in the New York Crohn's and Colitis Organization. We assessed the IBD‐DI, and collected clinical and socio‐economic data. Factors associated with moderate‐to‐severe disability (IBD‐DI score > 35) on univariable analysis were tested in multivariable models with adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) reported.ResultsIn this study, 323 patients (57.3% CD, 51.4% female) were enrolled; 17.7% were Hispanic, 17% were non‐Hispanic black, 56.0% were non‐Hispanic Caucasian and 9.3% belonged to non‐Hispanic non‐black minority races. However, 39.0% of patients were publicly insured and 38.4% of patients had low annual household income (<$50 000). 100 (31.0%) patients reported moderate‐to‐severe disability. On multivariable analysis, Hispanic ethnicity (aOR 2.7, 95% CI 1.3‐5.6), non‐Hispanic non‐black minority race (aOR 3.5, 95% CI 1.3‐8.9), public payer (aOR 2.1, 95% CI 1.1‐4.0) and low annual household income (aOR 3.0, 95% CI 1.7‐5.4) were associated with moderate‐to‐severe disability controlling for disease characteristics.ConclusionsIBD patients who are minorities, have public insurance, or low household income, are 2‐3 times more likely to report moderate‐to‐severe disability independent of disease characteristics in the United States. Future studies are needed to study their complex relationship and to mitigate disability.
Impact of hepatitis B core‐related antigen on the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients treated with nucleos(t)ide analogues
Authors: Hosaka Tetsuya , Suzuki Fumitaka , Kobayashi Masahiro , Fujiyama Shunichirou , Kawamura Yusuke , Sezaki Hitomi , Akuta Norio , Suzuki Yoshiyuki , Saitoh Satoshi , Arase Yasuji , Ikeda Kenji , Kobayashi Mariko , Kumada Hiromitsu 
Published: January 2019

SummaryBackgroundChronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is an aetiologic factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Baseline HBV DNA is a known independent predictor of HCC, and the serum hepatitis B core‐related antigen (HBcrAg) level corresponds to intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNA.AimTo investigate whether the baseline and on‐treatment serum HBcrAg levels can predict HCC incidence in patients with chronic hepatitis B following nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) therapy.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study included 1268 patients treated with NAs for >1 year. In all patients, serum HBcrAg and hepatitis B surface antigen levels were measured at baseline and 1 year.ResultsDuring a median follow‐up of 8.9 years, 113 patients (8.9%) developed HCC (10.3/1000 person‐years). These patients were stratified by baseline hepatitis B e‐antigen (HBeAg) status into HBeAg+ and HBeAg‐ cohorts. High on‐treatment HBcrAg levels at 1 year were found to associate significantly with HCC (HBeAg+ cohort: P = 0.017; HBeAg‐ cohort: P = 4.30 × 10−5; cut‐off values: 4.9 log U/mL and 4.4 log U/mL, respectively). In a multivariate Cox regression analysis, patients with persistently high on‐treatment HBcrAg levels had a higher risk of HCC than those with low HBcrAg levels (HBeAg+: hazard ratio [HR], 6.15, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.89‐20.0, P = 0.003; HBeAg‐ cohort: HR, 2.54, 95% CI: 1.40‐4.60; P = 0.002). A sub‐analysis of patients without alcoholism yielded similar findings.ConclusionsPatients with persistently high on‐treatment HBcrAg levels were more likely to develop HCC despite sustained viral suppression via long‐term NA treatment.
Vedolizumab exposure levels and clinical outcomes in ulcerative colitis: determining the potential for dose optimisation
Authors: Osterman Mark T. , Rosario Maria , Lasch Karen , Barocas Morris , Wilbur Jayson D. , Dirks Nathanael L. , Gastonguay Marc R. 
Published: January 2019

SummaryBackgroundProspectively designed studies assessing the exposure‐response profile of vedolizumab are lacking. Observational exposure‐response data for vedolizumab are limited and have not been adjusted for potential confounding factors, particularly those that may affect vedolizumab clearance.AimsTo (a) investigate the vedolizumab exposure‐response relationship after adjusting for potential confounding variables; (b) propose potential target serum vedolizumab concentrations for future study; (c) ascertain whether early vedolizumab serum concentrations were associated with short‐ and long‐term clinical outcomes in adults with ulcerative colitis in GEMINI 1.MethodsPropensity‐score‐based case‐matching analysis was performed using data from GEMINI 1 and an earlier large population pharmacokinetic study, with vedolizumab clearance or concentration as predictors of clinical remission and response, adjusted for age, weight, anti‐tumour necrosis factor alpha therapy history, serum albumin and faecal calprotectin concentrations. Potential vedolizumab concentration targets at weeks 6, 14 and steady state were proposed. Association between early vedolizumab concentrations at weeks 2, 4 and 6 and clinical remission at weeks 14 and 52 was evaluated.ResultsAmong 693 patients with pharmacokinetic data at week 6, potential target vedolizumab concentrations at weeks 6, 14 and steady state were 37.1, 18.4 and 12.7 µg/mL respectively. Week 6 was identified as the earliest time at which vedolizumab concentrations were consistently associated with clinical remission at weeks 14 and 52.ConclusionsIn this comprehensively adjusted analysis, vedolizumab concentrations at week 6 were associated with short‐ and long‐term remission. Potential induction and maintenance target concentrations were proposed for further study.
Video‐assisted esophagectomy using a port‐free organ retractor for the prevention of laryngeal nerve paralysis
Authors: Sato Shinsuke , Nagai Erina , Taki Yusuke , Watanabe Masaya , Takagi Masakazu 
Published: January 2019

IntroductionRecurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) paralysis is a major complication of esophageal cancer surgery. The free jaw clip (FJ clip) was developed as an organ‐retracting device, and it can also reduce the number of ports required during surgery. Here, we describe a new technique for lymphadenectomy along the left RLN using the FJ clip.Materials and Surgical TechniqueAfter the middle and lower mediastinal lymph nodes were dissected, the upper esophagus and other tissues, including the lymph nodes and left RLN, were retracted by cutting the tracheal arteries between the esophagus and trachea and then pulling the upper esophagus to the dorsal side with the FJ clip. The esophagus was transected at the upper mediastinum, and the proximal esophagus was drawn by the FJ clip. This technique helped provide a good field of view during lymphadenectomy along the left RLN. The data of nine consecutive patients who underwent video‐assisted esophagectomy in the left lateral decubitus position by the same surgeon were reviewed. Postoperative left RLN paralysis occurred in only one patient in whom the RLN could not be preserved.DiscussionGiven the excellent short‐term outcomes with respect to left RLN paralysis, lymphadenectomy along the left RLN using the FJ clip was safe and feasible.
Vegetation changes over the past two decades in a West African savanna ecosystem
Authors: Leßmeister Anna , Bernhardt‐Römermann Markus , Schumann Katharina , Thiombiano Adjima , Wittig Rüdiger , Hahn Karen 
Published: January 2019

AbstractQuestionsWest African savanna ecosystems are affected by increasing land use intensity (e.g., agriculture and livestock herds) due to a growing human population. To understand the impact of land use intensification on savanna vegetation, we aim to answer the following questions: How do savanna species composition, diversity and structure change with increasing land use pressure? Are the impacts of land use change different in the woody and the herbaceous layers? Do the effects of land use change differ between vegetation types?LocationSoutheastern Burkina Faso, West Africa.MethodsVegetation plots from the early 1990s representing vegetation types occurring in fallows of different age and in uncultivated pasturing zones were resurveyed. We distinguished between woody (tree and shrub layer) and herbaceous vegetation types. Species composition changes were analyzed using ordination techniques (detrended correspondence analysis, DCA) and indicator species analysis (IndVal). Species turnover and plant diversity as represented by species richness and evenness were compared between the baseline survey and the resurvey.ResultsIn most woody vegetation types, we found no change in species composition and richness over the past two decades. However, some highly valued woody species decreased in abundance. In contrast, in most herbaceous vegetation types, species composition changed considerably and species richness increased. The proportion of wide‐ranging, ruderal herbaceous species increased, indicating a homogenization of herbaceous vegetation types, while preferred fodder herbaceous species decreased. We assume that the increased grazing intensity over the past two decades is the driver of these changes in the herbaceous layer.ConclusionsOur results show different reactions of vegetation types and layers to land use intensification and reinforce the need for studies on the basis of vegetation type that incorporate both the herbaceous and the woody layers.
Has the frequency of invasive higher plants stabilized? Results from a long‐term monitoring program of Danish habitats
Authors: Damgaard Christian , Nygaard Bettina , Ejrnæs Rasmus , Bruus Marianne , Strandberg Beate , Strandberg Morten , Timmermann Allan , Ehlers Bodil K 
Published: January 2019

AbstractQuestionsThe change in the frequencies of invasive higher plant species in different habitat types was investigated using Danish monitoring data from 2004 to 2014.LocationDenmark.MethodsThe occurrence data were collected in circles with a radius of 5 m at a number of plots within 923 sites. The sampling intensity was irregular with sampling intervals ranging from one to three years. The hierarchical occurrence data were fitted in a hierarchical model, where the site‐specific occurrence probabilities were modelled by latent variables.ResultsThe overall frequency of invasive higher plant species increased significantly in this 11‐year period in two of the seventeen habitat types, i.e. on coastal dunes and on dry heathland. The frequency of the dominating invasive species, Rosa rugosa, Pinus contorta, and Prunus serotina, was observed to increase significantly in three, two, and one out of the seventeen habitat types, respectively, whereas the frequency of Pinus mugo was found to decrease significantly in one habitat type.ConclusionsThe frequency of invasive higher plant species has not stabilized and is still increasing in some or several Danish habitat types. Furthermore, trend analyses of a selected subset of invasive plant species may serve as an important early warning signal that may be used in the management of ecosystems.
Vegetation connectivity increases ant activity and potential for ant‐provided biocontrol services in a tropical agroforest
Authors: Jimenez‐Soto Estelí , Morris Jonathan R. , Letourneau Deborah K. , Philpott Stacy M. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractIn natural and managed systems, connections between trees are important structural resources for arboreal ant communities with ecosystem‐level effects. However, ongoing agricultural intensification in agroforestry systems, which reduces shade trees and connectivity between trees and crop plants, may hinder ant recruitment rates to resources and pest control services provided by ants. We examined whether increasing connectivity between coffee plants and shade trees in coffee plantations increases ant activity and enhances biological control of the coffee berry borer, the most devastating insect pest of coffee. Further, we examined whether artificial connections buffer against the loss of vegetation connectivity in coffee plants located at larger distances from the nesting tree. We used string to connect Inga micheliana shade trees containing Azteca sericeasur ant nests to coffee plants to compare ant activity before and after placement of the strings, and measured borer removal by ants on coffee plants with and without strings. Ant activity significantly increased after the addition of strings on connected plants, but not on control plants. Borer removal by ants was also three times higher on connected plants after string placement. Greater distance from the nesting tree negatively influenced ant activity on control coffee plants, but not on connected plants, suggesting that connections between coffee plants and nest trees could potentially compensate for the negative effects that larger distances pose on ant activity. Our study shows that favoring connectivity at the local scale, by artificially adding connections, promotes ant activity and may increase pest removal in agroecosystems.Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.
Plasmodium falciparum: Multidrug resistance
Authors: Rout Subhashree , Mahapatra Rajani Kanta 
Published: January 2019

AbstractMalaria is the most lethal and debilitating disease caused by the protozoan parasite Plasmodium worldwide. The most severe forms of disease and the incidence rates of mortality are associated with P. falciparum infections. With the identification of disease source and symptoms, many chemical entities were developed naturally and synthetically for administration as a potential antimalarial drug. The major classes of approved antimalarial drugs that are governed as first‐line treatment in tropical and subtropical areas include quinolines, naphthoquinones, antifolates, 8‐aminoquinolines, and endoperoxides. However, the efficacy of antimalarial drugs has decreased due to ongoing multidrug resistance problem to current drugs. With increasing resistance to the current antimalarial artemisinin and its combination therapies, malaria prophylaxis has declined gradually. New‐generation antimalarial and novel drug target are required to check the incidence of malaria resistance. This review summarizes the emergence of multidrug resistance to known antimalarial and the development of new antimalarial to resolve drug resistance condition. Few essential proteins are also discussed that can be considered as novel drug target against malaria in future.
Acceptability and understanding of the Ages & Stages Questionnaires®, Third Edition, as part of the Healthy Child Programme 2‐year health and development review in England: Parent and professional perspectives
Authors: Kendall Sally , Nash Avril , Braun Andreas , Bastug Gonca , Rougeaux Emeline , Bedford Helen 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe Healthy Child Programme is the universal public health system in England to assess and monitor child health from 0 to 19. Following a review of measures for closer monitoring at age 2 years, the Department of Health for England implemented the Ages & Stages Questionnaires®, Third Edition (ASQ‐3™; Hereon, ASQ‐3).AimThe aim of this study was to evaluate the acceptability and understanding of the ASQ‐3 in England by health professionals and parents.MethodA mixed‐methods approach was used. This paper reports on the qualitative data drawn from interviews with 40 parents and 12 focus groups with 85 health professionals. The data were analysed using applied thematic analysis.FindingsOverall, parents and health professionals found the ASQ‐3 acceptable and understandable and could use it as a measure at age 2 years. The ability to work in partnership was valued.Some limitations included potential to cause anxiety, concerns around the safety of some of the items, and use of Americanized language. Health professional's training in the use the ASQ‐3 was inconsistent.ConclusionThe ASQ‐3 is an acceptable and understandable measure to use as part of the 2‐year assessment with some adaptations to the English context and some standardized training for health professionals.
A single administration of human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) induces durable and sustained long-term regulation of inflammatory response in experimental colitis
Authors: Alves V B Freitas , de Sousa B Coutinho , Fonseca M Thaís Costa , Ogata H , Caliári-Oliveira C , Yaochite J Navarro Ueda , Rodrigues Júnior V , Chica J E Lazo , da Silva J Santana , Malmegrim K C Ribeiro , Pernomian L , Cardoso C Ribeiro 
Published: January 2019

Summary
Current therapies for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are aimed at controlling the exacerbated response in the gut, but no treatment is fully effective for many refractory patients. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are multi-potent cells with regulatory immunosuppressive activity that may control inflammatory diseases. In this study, we investigated the short- and especially the long-term protective effects of MSC on experimental colitis. We show that MSC elicited protection to acute intestinal inflammation with gain of weight, improvement in the clinical disease score and expressive reduction in the mortality rate of treated mice. MSC changed the population of neutrophils, eosinophils and augmented the frequency of CD4 T lymphocytes in the gut-draining lymph nodes, together with reduced accumulation of these cells in the colon intraepithelial compartment. Interestingly, there were increased levels of programmed death 1 (PD-1) and glucocorticoid-induced tumour necrosis factor receptor family-related receptor (GITR) in the spleen regulatory T cells of mice that received MSC treatment, which also presented a reversal in the pattern of immune response in the gut, with diminished inflammatory, T helper type 1 (Th1) and Th17 profile, in contrast to augmented Th2 responses. Most strikingly, this balanced response elicited by a single administration of MSC during the acute colitis persisted long-term, with restored goblet cells, eosinophils and maintenance of elevated gut interleukin (IL)-4, besides increased CD4+CD25+PD-1+ cells in the spleen and reduced Th17 response in mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) of treated mice on day 60. Taken together, our findings provided a significant contribution to translational immunology by pointing human adipose tissue-derived MSC as a novel therapeutic approach with long-term beneficial regulatory effects in experimental colitis.