bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical hemodialysis experience with percutaneous arteriovenous fistulas created using the Ellipsys® vascular access system
Authors: Hebibi Hedia , Achiche Jedjiga , Franco Gilbert , Rottembourg Jacques 
Published: March 2019

AbstractIntroduction: The aim of this study is to report our clinical hemodialysis experience using a percutaneous arteriovenous fistula (pAVF) created with the Ellipsys® vascular access system. This pAVF device creates a permanent AVF anastomosis between the proximal radial artery (PRA) and the deep communicating vein (DCV) in the proximal forearm.Methods: The medical records of all patients with a pAVF were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical data analyzed included reliability of pAVF use, quality of dialysis, rate and success of puncture, and pAVF related complications, along with incidence of subsequent interventions.Findings: Between May 2017 and November 2018, 34 patients had a pAVF created with technical success in 33 patients (97%). Twenty‐eight out of 34 (82%) patients had successful two‐needle cannulation within 10 days to 6 weeks after pAVF creation. The mean Kt/v was 1.6 (1.2‐2) and the average recirculation was 10%. Fifteen patients (44%) needed no further access intervention. Twelve patients (35%) required an additional procedure to assist maturation of the pAVF in order to facilitate puncture. The average blood flow measured at the brachial artery, before the first cannulation, was 850 ml/min. From causes unrelated to the procedure, four patients died during the follow‐up study. Two patients required revision to a surgical AVF. None of the pAVFs developed aneurysmal degeneration steal syndrome, or high access flow related issues.Discussion: The Ellipsys® pAVF offers a safe and functional vascular access for hemodialysis. Advantages included prompt access maturation, avoidance of high flow AVFs, and a simple nonsurgical procedure with high patient satisfaction. Functional outcomes are equivalent and likely better than surgical fistulas. There appears to be less aneurysmal degeneration and need for future re‐intervention. Objective dialysis parameters indicate excellent quality of hemodialysis for the patient.
Gastric juice‐based PCR assay: An alternative testing method to aid in the management of previously treated Helicobacter pylori infection
Authors: Hsieh Meng‐Shu , Liu Chung‐Jung , Hsu Wen‐Hung , Li Chia‐Jung , Tsai Pei‐Yun , Hu Huang‐Ming , Shih Hsiang‐Yao , Lu Chien‐Yu , Yu Fang‐Jung , Kuo Fu‐Chen , Wu Deng‐Chyang , Kuo Chao‐Hung 
Published: March 2019

AbstractBackgroundCulture of Helicobacter pylori with previous eradication failure has been emphasized in clinical guidelines. The current unmet need to manage previously treated H pylori is one tool with diagnostic accuracy and ability for antibiotics susceptibility. Gastric juice PCR can provide diagnosis and antibiotics susceptibility; however, whether treatment failure affects its accuracy remains uninvestigated. Our study aimed to investigate diagnostic accuracy and antibiotics susceptibility of juice PCR in previously treated H pylori and to compare with the current standard of culture.MethodsWe categorized all 547 patients into treatment‐naïve, post‐1st treatment, post‐2nd treatment, and post‐3rd treatment. Helicobacter pylori infection was confirmed using gold standards. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under ROC curve (AUC) of juice PCR and culture were calculated. Intra‐gastric H pylori density was evaluated. Lastly, the antibiotics susceptibility results of gastric juice and culture were compared.ResultsOur findings demonstrated AUC was higher in juice PCR than culture in all patients (96.7% vs 91.3%, P < 0.0001). The superiority of juice PCR was statistically significant in previously treated patients (P < 0.0001) but not in treatment‐naïve patients (P = 0.13). Antral H pylori density was less marked in previously treated patients (P = 0.014). The comparisons of PCR‐RFLP and E‐test for Clarithromycin resistance showed reliable AUC = 89.8%.ConclusionCompared with the current standard of culture, the gastric juice PCR contains the strengths of performing the antibiotics susceptibility and overcomes the shortcomings of low accuracy. Consequently, gastric juice PCR suits the unmet need to manage previously treated H pylori.
Host genetic factors and clinical parameters influencing the occult hepatitis C virus infection in patients on chronic hemodialysis: Is it still a controversial infection?
Authors: Ayadi Ahmad , Nafari Amir Hossein , Sakhaee Fatemeh , Rajabi Kimia , Ghaderi Yaser , Rahimi Jamnani Fatemeh , Vaziri Farzam , Siadat Seyed Davar , Fateh Abolfazl 
Published: March 2019

AimThe presence of occult hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (OCI) is still controversial, however, this infection cannot be ignored. Therefore, the current study aimed at assessing the OCI frequency in patients on chronic hemodialysis (CHD) and also evaluating the association between OCI incidence with clinical parameters and interferon lambda 3/4 (IFNL3/4) gene polymorphisms.MethodsA total of 515 patients on CHD and HCV negative markers were selected. Plus‐ and minus‐stranded HCV‐RNA was tested in peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction and then genotyped using the restriction fragment length polymorphism method.ResultsThe frequency of OCI was 11.3% in patients on CHD. Among 58 patients with OCI, 25.8%, 62.1%, and 12.1% were infected with HCV‐1a, HCV‐1b, and HCV‐3a, respectively. The mean alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase levels were 31.9 ± 24.8, 32.3 ± 19.1, and 171.6 ± 88.9, respectively. None of the patients with OCI had a history of liver disease. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that cholesterol, triglyceride, low‐density lipoprotein, 25‐hydroxyvitamin D, platelets, duration of hemodialysis, HCV subtypes, IFNL3 rs12979860 TT, IFNL3 rs8099917 GG, IFNL3 rs12980275 GG, and IFNL4 ss469415590 ΔG/ΔG genotypes were associated with OCI.ConclusionThere was a moderate prevalence of OCI in Iranian patients on CHD. The current study findings indicated that this infection was associated with clinical parameters and unfavorable genotypes of IFNL3 single nucleotide polymorphisms and IFNL4 ss469415590. Further studies are required to determine the correlation between OCI incidence with clinical parameters and host genetic factors.
Assessment of renal function in living kidney donors before and after nephrectomy: A Japanese prospective, observational cohort study
Authors: Kakuta Yoichi , Imamura Ryoichi , Okumi Masayoshi , Horio Masaru , Isaka Yoshitaka , Ichimaru Naotsugu , Takahara Shiro , Nonomura Norio , Tanabe Kazunari 
Published: March 2019

ObjectiveTo investigate the utility of estimated glomerular filtration rate for assessing kidney function in living kidney donors before and after nephrectomy.MethodsA total of 101 donors underwent inulin clearance measurements before and 1 year after nephrectomy. The mean of three inulin clearance values was used as the measured glomerular filtration rate. Estimated glomerular filtration rate based on serum creatinine and cystatin C levels was calculated using the Japanese estimated glomerular filtration rate equation, Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration formula and new full age spectrum equation. Age‐adjusted chronic kidney disease was defined as glomerular filtration rate <75 mL/min/1.73m2 for donors aged <40 years, <60 mL/min/1.73m2 for donors aged 40–65 years and <45 mL/min/1.73m2 for donors aged >65 years.ResultsThe postoperative measured glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73m2 and age‐adjusted chronic kidney disease rate were 36.0% and 27.0%, respectively. In younger donors (aged <50 years), postoperative measured glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73m2 and age‐adjusted chronic kidney disease rates were 5.3% and 26.3%, respectively. In older donors (aged >70 years), postoperative measured glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73m2 and age‐adjusted chronic kidney disease rates were 75.0% and 33.3%, respectively. Donor age and measured glomerular filtration rate were significant predictors of postoperative measured glomerular filtration rate. The Japanese estimated glomerular filtration rate equation based on creatinine and cystatin C showed the strongest correlation with measured glomerular filtration rate. However, the Japanese estimated glomerular filtration rate equation based on creatinine overestimated the prevalence of measured glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73m2, whereas the Japanese estimated glomerular filtration rate based on cystatin C underestimated it.ConclusionsAged donors might have an increased risk of lower glomerular filtration rate after donor nephrectomy; post‐surgery, long‐term monitoring of renal function is recommended. Measurement of glomerular filtration rate should be carried out for donors, especially pre‐surgery. A more precise glomerular filtration rate equation is required in the future.
The Social Inclusion and Inequality Nexus: EU versus non‐EU migrants
Authors: Wang Cong , Naveed Amjad 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThis study examines the relationship between social inclusions of migrant and income inequality. Both positive and negative impacts of social inclusion on income inequality have been observed in the previous literature. This study specifically considers two types of migration flow: migration flow from EU and migration flow from non‐EU. The aim of this article is twofold: 1) is there a strong association between social inclusion of migrants and income inequality, 2) is there any different impact of social inclusion of two types of migrants (EU vs non‐EU)? Using data from 33 mainly European countries over the period 2003‐2015 and controlling for savings rate, arable land rate and age‐dependency ratio, our results indicate that there is a significant negative relationship between social inclusion and income inequality. In particular, we find that social inclusion from non‐EU migrants significantly reduces income inequality compare with EU migrants.
A Dynamic Growth Model with Equity for Guarantee Swap and Asymmetric Information*
Authors: Liu Qi , Song Dandan , Tang Xiaolin 
Published: March 2019

AbstractWe develop an endogenous dynamic growth model in which a financially constrained firm optimizes the entrance timing and financing structure in different information exposure scenes. An innovation financing tool called equity‐for‐guarantee swap is introduced to solve the dilemma of financing constraints. The productivity of the firm is a random variable following a two‐point distribution and its value can be observed in advance by the entrepreneur but not by the insurer. Our main goal is to fix the fair guarantee cost with asymmetry information and examine how the cost differs from the one under the same situation except with symmetric information. We solve a Nash equilibrium of the game between the entrepreneur and the insurer and specify the condition to determine whether a separating equilibrium or pooling one will be achieved. We find that at the separating equilibrium, the high‐profit firm will sacrifice a profit to send a signal for the purpose of separating itself from the low‐profit one by increasing the latter's mimicking cost. The pooling equilibrium occurs when the insurer can not distinguish the firm's type and therefore, the insurer demands the same guarantee cost for all firms.
Prospective validation of a deep learning electrocardiogram algorithm for the detection of left ventricular systolic dysfunction
Authors: Attia Zachi I. , Kapa Suraj , Yao Xiaoxi , Lopez‐Jimenez Francisco , Mohan Tarun L. , Pellikka Patricia A. , Carter Rickey E. , Shah Nilay D. , Friedman Paul A. , Noseworthy Peter A. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractObjectivesWe sought to validate a deep learning algorithm designed to predict an ejection fraction (EF) less than or equal to 35% based on the 12‐lead electrocardiogram (ECG) in a large prospective cohort.BackgroundPatients undergoing routine ECG may have undetected left ventricular (LV) dysfunction that warrants further echocardiographic assessment. However, identification of these patients can be challenging.MethodsWe applied the algorithm to all ECGs interpreted by the Mayo Clinic ECG laboratory in September 2018. The performance of the algorithm was tested among patients with recent echocardiographic assessments of LV function. We also applied the algorithm in patients with no recent echocardiographic assessments of LV function to determine the rate of new “positive screens.”ResultsAmong 16 056 adult patients who underwent routine ECG, 8600 (age 67.1 ± 15.2 years, 45.6% male), had a transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) and 3874 patients had a TTE and ECG less than 1 month apart. Among these patients, the algorithm was able to detect an EF less than or equal to 35% with 86.8% specificity, 82.5% sensitivity, and 86.5% accuracy, (area under the curve, 0.918). Among 474 “false‐positives screens,” 189 (39.8%) had an EF of 36% to 50%. Among patients with no prior TTE, the algorithm identified 3.5% of the patients with suspected EF less than or equal to 35%. Exploratory analysis suggests false positives could be reduced by assessing NT‐pro‐BNP after the initial “positive screen.”ConclusionsA deep learning algorithm detected depressed LV function with good accuracy in routine practice. Further studies are needed to validate the algorithm in patients with no prior echocardiogram and to assess the impact on echocardiography utilization, cost, and clinical outcomes.
Transmission of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus between Monochamus alternatus and Monochamus saltuarius through interspecific mating behaviour
Authors: Togashi Katsumi , Akbulut Süleyman , Matsunaga Koji , Sugimoto Hiroyuki , Yanagisawa Kenichi 
Published: March 2019

AbstractCerambycid adults of the genus Monochamus transmit the pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus [Steiner et Buhrer] Nickle), the causative agent of pine wilt disease. To confirm the transmission of B. xylophilus between vector species, nematode‐infected Monochamus alternatus Hope and nematode‐free Monochamus saltuarius (Gebler) adults were paired and their behaviour was observed for 107–220 min. In three pairs that exhibited mounting without copulation, nematode transmission occurred, whereas it was not found in another pair without mountings. The effect of nematode transmission between different vector species on the invasion biology of B. xylophilus is discussed.
Systematic reviews in restorative dentistry: discussing relevant aspects
Authors: Sarkis‐Onofre Rafael , Pereira‐Cenci Tatiana , Tricco Andrea C. , Demarco Flávio Fernando , Moher David , Cenci Maximiliano Sérgio 
Published: March 2019

AbstractObjectiveThis article aims to discuss key aspects of systematic reviews (SR) focusing on the improvement of the conduct and reporting.MethodsImportant aspects of SRs, such as prospective registration of the review protocol, basic structure, inclusion criteria, use of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) Statement, confidence in the results and future directions are discussed. To determine relevant aspects, a search was conducted without date limitations in PubMed (October 15th, 2017) to identify SRs written in English evaluating clinical performance of direct composite resin restoration in permanent posterior teeth or comparing direct composite resin with other material/techniques. The quality of SRs included was assessed using the Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews 2 tool.ResultsFifteen SRs were included. The overall confidence in the results of SRs was classified as critically low. Some aspects should be highlighted: SRs of in vitro studies are an important tool in restorative dentistry, and initiatives such as the PRISMA Statement and PROSPERO should be considered a standard code of practice.ConclusionsThe compliance with and awareness of the discussed aspects may be a significant feature of the improvement of SR quality in the dentistry.Clinical significanceInitiatives such as the PRISMA Statement and PROSPERO should be taken in account by systematic reviewers in dentistry to improve the conduct and reporting of SRs, and to make their reviews are more clinically helpful.
Twin anemia‐polycythemia sequence with blood chimerism in monochorionic dizygotic opposite‐sex twins
Authors: Suzuki Takuma , Kagami Kyosuke , Mitani Yusuke , Yamazaki Rena , Ono Masanori , Fujiwara Hiroshi 
Published: March 2019

AbstractWe report a case of twin anemia‐polycythemia sequence with blood chimerism in monochorionic dizygotic twins born to a 30‐year‐old woman who conceived via ovulation induction. The neonates developed twin anemia‐polycythemia sequence; the female twin had anemia and the male had polycythemia. We detected blood chimerism using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Twin anemia‐polycythemia sequence carries not only perinatal risks, but also genetic and immunological implications due to blood chimerism. Although previous reports have described twin‐to‐twin transfusion syndrome in monochorionic dizygotic twins, we report the first case of twin anemia‐polycythemia sequence in monochorionic dizygotic twins.
Maintaining the Flow: Medical Challenges to Breastfeeding and “Risky” Bodies in Mexico
Authors: de López Jenna Murray 
Published: March 2019

AbstractIn this article, I discuss a case study from southeast Mexico that highlights conflicting ideas regarding what constitutes risk and illness in the context of breastfeeding and postpartum practices. On the one hand, doctors’ indeterminate and conflicting diagnoses about mother's milk as a source of pollution is revealed as an act of moral pathology that frames young mothers as high risk. On the other hand, milk pollution is understood by women as an unwelcome yet temporary interruption that can be remedied through non‐allopathic intervention. As such, women can exert collective agency to overcome medicalized barriers to early breastfeeding and maintain established nurturing practices.
Three Hfq‐dependent small RNAs regulate flagellar motility in the fire blight pathogen Erwinia amylovora
Authors: Schachterle Jeffrey K. , Zeng Quan , Sundin George W. 
Published: March 2019

SummaryErwinia amylovora, the causative agent of fire blight disease of apple and pear trees, causes disease on flowers by invading natural openings at the base of the floral cup. To reach these openings, the bacteria use flagellar motility to swim from stigma tips to the hypanthium and through nectar. We have previously shown that the Hfq‐dependent sRNAs ArcZ, OmrAB and RmaA regulate swimming motility in E. amylovora. Here, we tested these three sRNAs to determine at what regulatory level they exert their effects and to what extent they can complement each other. We found that ArcZ and OmrAB repress the flagellar master regulator flhD post‐transcriptionally. We also found that ArcZ and RmaA positively regulate flhD at the transcriptional level. The role of ArcZ as an activator of flagellar motility appears to be unique to E. amylovora and may have recently evolved. Our results suggest that the Hfq‐dependent sRNAs ArcZ, OmrAB and RmaA play an integral role in regulation of flagellar motility by acting primarily on the master regulator, FlhD, but also through additional factors.
Reflections on an ethnographic project with elementary educators on the Wind River Reservation: A cautionary tale
Authors: BIALOSTOK STEVEN 
Published: March 2019

AbstractIn this article, I analyze the successes and challenges of the first year of a four‐year applied anthropology project conducted on Wyoming's Wind River Reservation intended to help mostly white educators of Arapaho children who develop culturally relevant classroom pedagogy. Educators of Arapaho children have expressed concerns that student achievement is low, but also that the curriculum is largely disconnected from student backgrounds and experiences. Following deficit models, non‐Indian educators have historically cast American Indian schooling to reflect the norms and expectations constructed by the white dominant group. In contrast, in this study teachers were taught anthropological methods to conduct fieldwork in the households of children they taught. Teachers successfully documented historically accumulated and culturally developed bodies of knowledge and skills essential for household or individual functioning and well‐being. Teacher's ethnographic research fostered trust between school and families, and bridged communities to classrooms. On the other hand, pedagogical paradigms remained largely aligned with preexisting schooled programs, culturally relevant pedagogy existing as an add‐on but not inextricably embedded within the curriculum.
A case of MuSK myasthenia gravis associated with solitary lymphadenopathy and insidious autoimmune‐like diffuse encephalopathy
Authors: Konishi Tetsuro , Kohsaka Masayuki , Daifu Masako 
Published: March 2019

AbstractWe report an 81‐year‐old woman with anti‐muscle‐specific kinase (MuSK) antibody‐positive myasthenia gravis (MG) associated with solitary lymphadenopathy and insidious encephalopathy. At the age of 74, her myasthenic symptoms were remitted by immunosuppressive therapy and solitary abdominal lymphadenopathy was removed from the mesentery. Histopathological examinations showed follicular hyperplasia with marked IgG4‐positive plasma cell infiltration in the interfollicular connective tissues. Simultaneous head MRI examinations revealed diffuse brain lesions predominantly in the white matter without any neurological symptoms. The biopsied brain specimen showed scattered lymphocyte infiltration around vessels and reactive gliosis without IgG4‐positive plasma cells suggesting an autoimmune‐like encephalopathy. At the age of 81, MuSK‐MG was remittent, but the head MRI abnormalities sustained.
Invisible but sensible aesthetic aspects of excellence in nursing
Authors: Herholdt‐Lomholdt Sine Maria 
Published: March 2019

AbstractBased on a Lived Experience Description written by an experienced nurse in Denmark, this article offers an ontological and existential‐phenomenological exploration of aesthetic dimensions of excellence in nursing. In the research of Patricia Benner and colleagues, excellence in nursing is described as a matter of intuitive pattern recognition based on clinical experience and narrative understanding. In this article, and based on phenomenological reflections and philosophical inspirations from the Danish philosopher Dorthe Jørgensen and the French philosopher Maurice Merleau‐Ponty, I suggest an extended understanding of excellence in nursing, and I argue that the work and research of Benner seem to overlook ontological and aesthetic aspects of excellence in nursing. This article argues that aesthetic aspects of excellence in nursing can be comprehended as moments where nurses sense a surplus of meaning and moments where the nurse and the patient share and are subjected to communal and unfolding life phenomena. Aesthetic dimensions of being in nursing can, from an ontological approach, best be described as similar to the way human beings listen to a piece of music or to how artists try to give a voice to the world: as a resonant way of being and becoming within the moment.