bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Scanning Electron Microscopic Studies on Morphological Abnormalities of Erythrocytes in Alcoholic Liver Diseases
Authors: Takashimizu Shinji , Shiraishi Koichi , Watanabe Norihito , Numata Makoto , Kawazoe Kazuya , Miyachi Hayato , Tokunaga Masayosi , Akatuka Akira , Matsuzaki Shohei 
Published: November 2018

Background: We previously reported that morphological abnormalities and the altered deformability of erythrocytes play important roles in disturbances of hepatic microcirculation associated with alcoholic liver disease.Methods: The subjects of this study were five patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis, two patients with alcoholic fatty liver, and two healthy volunteers. Concentrating on erythrocyte morphology in the presence of alcoholic liver disease, we observed erythrocytes under a scanning electron microscope and examined their morphological changes in relation to the disease.Results: Among the five patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis, stomatocytes accounted for about 14% and acanthocytes for about 10% of all erythrocytes. In the fatty liver group (n = 2), acanthocytes were absent, and stomatocytes accounted for 23% in one subject and 56% in the other, of the total. When the two patients with liver cirrhosis were examined over time, one of them was found to have 12% stomatocytes, 21% acanthocytes, and a filtration time of 14.7 sec at admission. Following 1 month of abstinence, this patient had 1% stomatocytes, 6% acanthocytes, and a filtration time of 10.4 sec, which were accompanied by improvements in peripheral blood parameters and liver function. In another patient with liver cirrhosis, there were no acanthocytes, 8% stomatocytes, and a filtration time of 5 sec at admission; this patient had 1% stomatocytes and a filtration time of 7.7 sec after 1 month of abstinence. In one patient with fatty liver who was examined over time, the percentage of stomatocytes was 56%, and the filtration time was 7.7 sec at admission; these parameters were 1% and 5.1 sec, respectively, after 1 month of abstinence.Conclusions: The present study revealed that stomatocytes and acanthocytes are morphologically abnormal erythrocytes observed in the presence of alcoholic liver disease. These abnormal forms of erythrocytes tended to normalize as peripheral blood parameters and liver function were improved by abstinence, which suggests that erythrocyte morphology is related to the pathophysiology of alcoholic liver disease.
Rifampicin Suppresses Hepatic CYP2E1 Expression and Minimizes DNA Injury Caused by Carbon Tetrachloride in Perivenular Hepatocytes of Mice
Authors: Takeda Kazuo , Watanabe Jun , Inoue Kyouichi , Kanamura Shinsuke 
Published: November 2018

Background: Rifampicin has been shown to increase during activities of serum transaminases and to decrease in cytochrome P‐450‐mediated monooxygenase activities in livers of mice treated with carbon tetrachloride (CC14). Although these findings suggest that rifampicin prevents hepatocyte damage caused by CC14, detailed information on the protective effects is not available.Methods: We injected first rifampicin and then CC14 into mice and examined denaturation and fragmentation of hepatocyte DNA by in situ nick translation, in situ end labeling, and in situ hybridization. Furthermore, expressions of p53, a cytoplasmic marker for apoptosis, and bc12, an anticell death factor, were examined immunohistochemically. In addition, a major ethanol‐inducible P‐450 isoform in liver homogenates or microsomes, CYP2E1, was examined by Western blotting, because the enzyme metabolizes CCl4 and forms free radicals to injure perivenular hepatocytes in which the enzyme is restrictedly expressed.Results: Rifampicin prevented the denaturation and fragmentation of DNA caused by CCl4 in perivenular hepatocytes except for those located within two or three cell layers surrounding the central venule. Furthermore, CYP2E1 decreased in liver homogenates or microsomes from rifampicin‐treated animals. It is therefore likely that rifampicin suppresses expression of CYP2E1 and protects CCl4‐mediated DNA damage of hepatocytes by inhibiting formation of free radicals. In addition, perivenular hepatocytes except for those surrounding the venule showed negative immunoreaction for p53 and bc12 in rifampicin+CCl4‐treated animals.Conclusions: The drug did not alter the mechanism of cell death from necrosis to apoptosis and did notpromote recovery of hepatocytes from CCl4‐mediated damage.
Comparison of Cyanamide and Disulfiram in Effects on Liver Function
Authors: Tamai Hironao , Yokoyama Akira , Okuyama Keiji , Takahashi Hisao , Maruyama Katsuya , Suzuki Yukako , Ishii Hiromasa 
Published: November 2018

Background: Cyanamide, an aversive drug widely used in Japan, develops ground‐glass inclusion bodies in the hepatocytes at high incidences, which may be associated with portal inflammation and fibrosis. When cyanamide‐treated alcoholics relapse drinking, the combined effect of cyanamide and alcohol produce more severe portal inflammation along with the emergence of ground‐glass inclusions. Disulfiram also causes hepatitis, but there have been no comparative studies of effects of cyanamide and disulfiram on liver function.Methods: We reviewed the laboratory data of 408 alcoholics admitted for a 3 month course of alcohol detoxification and rehabilitation. Patients tested negative for hepatitis virus markers and were diagnosed as not having cirrhosis. Among the subjects, 222 patients received cyanamide treatment (a daily dose of 70 mg) without a history of disulfiram treatment, and 186 received disulfiram (a daily dose of 200 mg) without a history of cyanamide treatment. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels obtained at 0, 4, 8, and 12 weeks of administration of each aversive drug were compared between the two alcoholic groups.Results: Elevation of serum transaminases (AST, > ALT) probably due to alcoholic liver disease quickly fell after abstinence. In patients who took cyanamide, the ALT levels were significantly higher at 4 and 12 weeks than in those who took disulfiram. Reelevations of ALT after alcohol detoxification were more frequently observed in those who took cyanamide than in those who took disulfiram (19.4% vs. 5.9%, p < 0.001). The reelevations of ALT were slight to moderate, being more than 3‐fold in three (1.4%) patients who took cyanamide and four (2.2%) who took disulfiram. The reelevations occurred more frequently in those with a history of cyanamide treatment before the present treatment than in those who took cyanamide for the first time (31.1% vs. 16.4%, p < 0.05).Conclusions: Cyanamide, compared with disulfiram, was more frequently associated with elevations of ALT that persisted after abstinence.
Shared decision‐making in the BREATHE asthma intervention trial: A research protocol
Authors: George Maureen , Pantalon Michael V. , Sommers Marilyn (Lynn) S. , Glanz Karen , Jia Haomiao , Chung Annie , Norful Allison A. , Poghosyan Lusine , Coleman Danielle , Bruzzese Jean‐Marie 
Published: November 2018

AimTo evaluate the preliminary effectiveness of the BRief Evaluation of Asthma THerapy intervention, a 7‐min primary care provider‐delivered shared decision‐making protocol that uses motivational interviewing to address erroneous asthma disease and medication beliefs.DesignA multi‐centre masked two‐arm group‐randomized clinical trial.MethodsThis 2‐year pilot study is funded (September 2016) by the National Institute of Nursing Research. Eight providers will be randomized to one of two arms: the active intervention (N = 4) or a dose‐matched attention control (N = 4). Providers will deliver the intervention to which they were randomized to 10 Black adult patients with uncontrolled asthma (N = 80). Patients will be followed three months postintervention to test the preliminary intervention effects on asthma control (primary outcome) and on medication adherence, lung function, and asthma‐related quality of life (secondary outcomes).DiscussionThis study will evaluate the preliminary impact of a novel shared decision‐making intervention delivered in a real world setting to address erroneous disease and medication beliefs as a means of improving asthma control in Black adults. Results will inform a future, large‐scale randomized trial with sufficient power to test the intervention's effectiveness.ImpactShared decision‐making is an evidence‐based intervention with proven effectiveness when implemented in the context of labour‐ and time‐intensive research protocols. Medication adherence is linked with the marked disparities evident in poor and minority adults with asthma. Addressing this requires a novel multifactorial approach as we have proposed. To ensure sustainability, shared decision‐making interventions must be adapted to and integrated into real‐world settings.Trial registration: Registered at clincialtrials.gov as NCT03036267 and NCT03300752.
Work readiness, transition, and integration: The challenge of specialty practice
Authors: Baumann Andrea , Crea‐Arsenio Mary , Hunsberger Mabel , Fleming‐Carroll Bonnie , Keatings Margaret 
Published: November 2018

AbstractAimTo determine how extended orientation enhances the work readiness of new graduate nurses as they transitioned to their professional role in a specialty care hospital.BackgroundGiven increased complexity of care and high‐patient acuity, there is concern about the work readiness of new graduate nurses in specialty areas.DesignQualitative exploratory study using an inductive approach.MethodsAn integrative literature review was conducted to abstract characteristics of work readiness among new graduate nurses. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 41 participants from a large paediatric specialty hospital in Ontario, Canada, in 2014. The sample of nurses was stratified and included nurse managers, new graduates, and preceptors. Interview texts were interpreted using thematic analysis.ResultsA framework for enhancing work readiness of new graduates transitioning to specialty care was developed from the interview and literature findings. Interview data demonstrate an extended orientation that includes mentorship, a gradual increase in clinical responsibilities, and involvement in the professional role during the early stages of a nurse's career can enhance work readiness of new graduates. Four key areas of work readiness were identified in the literature: personal characteristics, clinical characteristics, relational characteristics, and organizational acuity.ConclusionBased on the study results, new graduate nurses can be an integral part of the team in specialty care provided certain conditions are met during their transition to practice. Our study gives further evidence that extended orientation enhances new graduates’ work readiness as they transit to their professional role.
CEO internal experience and voluntary disclosure quality: Evidence from management forecasts
Authors: Brockman Paul , Campbell John L. , Lee Hye Seung (Grace) , Salas Jesus M. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractInternally‐promoted CEOs should have a deep understanding of their firm's products, supply chain, operations, business climate, corporate culture, and how to navigate among employees to get the information they need. Thus, we argue that internally‐promoted CEOs are likely to produce higher quality disclosure than outsider CEOs. Using a sample of US firms from the S&P1500 index from 2001 to 2011, we hand‐collect whether a CEO is hired from inside the firm and, if so, the number of years they worked at the firm before becoming CEO. We then examine whether managers with more internal experience issue higher quality disclosures and offer three main findings. First, CEOs with more internal experience are more likely to issue voluntary earnings forecasts than those managers with less internal experience as well as those managers hired from outside the firm. Second, CEOs with more internal experience issue more accurate earnings forecasts than those managers with less internal experience as well as those managers hired from outside the firm. Finally, investors react more strongly to forecasts issued by insider CEOs than to those issued by outsider CEOs. In additional analysis, we find no evidence that these results extend to mandatory reporting quality (i.e., accruals quality, restatements, or internal control weaknesses), perhaps because mandatory disclosure is subjected to heavy oversight by the board of directors, auditors, and regulators. Overall, our findings suggest that when managers have work experience with the firm prior to becoming the CEO, the firm's voluntary disclosure is of higher quality.
Historical interactions are predicted to be disrupted under future climate change: The case of lace lichen and valley oak
Authors: Zhao Jian‐Li , Werth Silke , Ikegami Makihiko , Gugger Paul F. , Sork Victoria L. 
Published: November 2018

ABSTRACTAimThe distributions and interactions of co‐occurring species may change if their ranges shift asymmetrically in response to rapid climate change. We aim to test whether two currently interacting taxa, valley oak (Quercus lobata) and lace lichen (Ramalina menziesii), have had a long‐lasting historical association and are likely to continue to associate in the future.LocationCentral western California, western United States of AmericaMethodsUsing population genetic analyses and MaxEnt software for ecological niche modelling, we estimate species’ distributions during the Last Interglacial, the Last Glacial Maximum, present, and future periods. Mantel and vertex (genetic connection) tests were used to examine the spatial congruence among taxa. To compare the modelled response to climate change, we estimated migration speed between respective time periods using vector analysis.ResultsWe found significant genetic congruence between valley oak and the lichen's green algal photobiont, independent of geographic isolation and habitat isolation, which is consistent with long‐term association. Ecological niche models under past and future climate scenarios indicate that overlap of climatic niche sharing between valley oak and lace lichen might decrease in the future. Our models indicate that the speed of shifts in climate niches between these two taxa differed significantly in past periods from that of the present period.Main conclusionsOur findings reveal that historical interactions between valley oak and lace lichen correlate with long‐term sharing of past climate niches. However, the future association of lace lichen with valley oak may be disrupted in parts of its current distribution due to differential discordance of climate niche shifts, species’ movements and generation times. This study illustrates the processes and patterns that allow long‐term association during historic climate change and how they are likely to change during rapid climate change.
Plasma levels of soluble ST2, but not IL‐33, correlate with the severity of alcoholic liver disease
Authors: Sun Zijian , Chang Binxia , Huang Ang , Hao Shuli , Gao Miaomiao , Sun Ying , Shi Ming , Jin Lei , Zhang Wei , Zhao Jun , Teng Guangju , Han Lin , Tian Hui , Liang Qingsheng , Zhang Ji‐Yuan , Zou Zhengsheng 
Published: November 2018

AbstractAlcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a complication that is a burden on global health and economy. Interleukin‐33 (IL‐33) is a newly identified member of the IL‐1 cytokine family and is released as an “alarmin” during inflammation. Soluble suppression of tumourigenicity 2 (sST2), an IL‐33 decoy receptor, has been reported as a new biomarker for the severity of systemic and highly inflammatory diseases. Here, we found the levels of plasma sST2, increased with the disease severity from mild to severe ALD. Importantly, the plasma sST2 levels in ALD patients not only correlated with scores for prognostic models (Maddrey's discriminant function, model for end‐stage liver disease and Child‐Pugh scores) and indexes for liver function (total bilirubin, international normalized ratio, albumin, and cholinesterase) but also correlated with neutrophil‐associated factors as well as some proinflammatory cytokines. In vitro, lipopolysaccharide‐activated monocytes down‐regulated transmembrane ST2 receptor but up‐regulated sST2 mRNA and protein expression and produced higher levels of tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α). By contrast, monocytes pretreated with recombinant sST2 showed decreased TNF‐α production. In addition, although plasma IL‐33 levels were comparable between healthy controls and ALD patients, we found the IL‐33 expression in liver tissues from ALD patients was down‐regulated at both RNA and protein levels. Immunohistochemical staining further showed that the decreased of IL‐33‐positive cells were mainly located in liver lobule area. These results suggested that sST2, but not IL‐33, is closely related to the severity of ALD. Consequently, sST2 could be used as a potential biomarker for predicting the prognosis of ALD.
A 3 months clinical evaluation comparing two professional bleaching systems of 25% and 40% hydrogen peroxide and extended treatment outcome using a power versus a manual toothbrush
Authors: Lee Sean S. , Kwon So Ran , Ward Marilyn , Jenkins Wendy , Souza Sonia , Li Yiming 
Published: November 2018

AbstractObjectivesTo assess two professional tooth bleaching products: Philips Zoom WhiteSpeed (PZW) and Ultradent Opalescence Boost PF (UOB); and to assess bleaching maintenance after use of Philips Sonicare power toothbrush (SDC) or manual toothbrush (MTB).MethodsThere was a randomized, parallel clinical trial. Eligible subjects were 18‐75 years, with VITA Classical shade (VCS) of A3 on anterior teeth. Subjects were randomized to bleaching with PZW or UOB. Tooth color and shade were assessed using VITA EasyShade (VES), VCS, and VITA Bleachedguide (VBG). Subjects returned on Days 7 and 30. On Day 30, participants were dispensed either SDC or MTB for home use until Day 90.ResultsA total of 135 subjects completed the study. For the primary endpoint, ΔE at Day 7, a significantly larger reduction was observed for PZW than UOB (P value = .0059). Significant differences in shade were also observed at Day 7 for VCS (P value = 0.0106), and VBG (P value = .0489). On Day 90, the SDC was statistically superior to MTB in maintaining shade per VBG and VCS, but not ΔE.ConclusionsAt Day 7, PZW showed statistically greater change in overall color and shade than UOB. The SDC maintained tooth shade significantly better than MTB. Both bleaching regimens were safe.Clinical SignificanceThe outcomes confirm the bleaching efficacy advantage of a lower H2O2 dose‐LED accelerated professional tooth bleaching system, compared to a higher‐dose H2O2 approach. The safety assessments via clinical intraoral exam and daily logged use of subjects' desensitizing agents, and the incidence and severity of reported sensitivity, provide evidence that both professional products are safe for use. Finally, powered tooth brushing may confer an advantage to manual tooth brushing in maintaining tooth shade‐change results following professional whitening.
Head trauma in sports – clinical characteristics, epidemiology and biomarkers
Authors: Zetterberg H. , Winblad B. , Bernick C. , Yaffe K. , Majdan M. , Johansson G. , Newcombe V. , Nyberg L. , Sharp D. , Tenovuo O. , Blennow K. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractTraumatic brain injury (TBI) is clinically divided into a spectrum of severities, with mild TBI being the least severe form and a frequent occurrence in contact sports, such as ice hockey, American football, rugby, horse riding and boxing. Mild TBI is caused by blunt nonpenetrating head trauma that causes movement of the brain and stretching and tearing of axons, with diffuse axonal injury being a central pathogenic mechanism. Mild TBI is in principle synonymous with concussion; both have similar criteria in which the most important elements are acute alteration or loss of consciousness and/or post‐traumatic amnesia following head trauma and no apparent brain changes on standard neuroimaging. Symptoms in mild TBI are highly variable and there are no validated imaging or fluid biomarkers to determine whether or not a patient with a normal computerized tomography scan of the brain has neuronal damage. Mild TBI typically resolves within a few weeks but 10–15% of concussion patients develop postconcussive syndrome. Repetitive mild TBI, which is frequent in contact sports, is a risk factor for a complicated recovery process. This overview paper discusses the relationships between repetitive head impacts in contact sports, mild TBI and chronic neurological symptoms. What are these conditions, how common are they, how are they linked and can they be objectified using imaging or fluid‐based biomarkers? It gives an update on the current state of research on these questions with a specific focus on clinical characteristics, epidemiology and biomarkers.
Associations between symptoms of temporomandibular disorders, quality of life and psychological states in Asian Military Personnel
Authors: Tay Koong Jiunn , Yap Adrian U‐Jin , Wong Johnny Chiew Meng , Tan Keson Beng Choon , Allen Patrick Finbarr 
Published: November 2018

SummaryBackgroundSymptoms of Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) could affect oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) and psychological distress.ObjectiveThis study aims to determine the prevalence of TMD symptoms, and impact of type and number of TMD symptoms on OHRQoL and psychological states among Asian military personnel.MethodThe study was conducted across 12 military dental centres using self‐administered questionnaire comprising demographical data, DC/TMD symptom questionnaire, OHIP‐14 and DASS‐21. A total of 3028 personnel, aged between 18‐65 years old, were invited to participate with an acceptance rate of 90.5%. Data analysis was done using non‐parametric tests, regression analysis and Spearman correlation (P < 0.05).ResultsOut of 2043 subjects (1998 males; 45 females, mean age 24.18 ± 7.18 years), 36.32% (n = 742) reported at least one TMD symptom. Significant differences in summary OHIP‐14, depression, anxiety and stress scores were observed between subjects with and without TMD symptoms. Significant differences in OHIP‐14 and DASS‐21 scores were observed between dissimilar type and number of TMD symptoms in the TMD group. Those with headaches and 2‐3 symptoms have substantially poorer OHRQoL and greater psychological distress. Associations between number of TMD symptoms, quality of life, depression, anxiety and stress were significant but weak (r = 0.19‐0.40).ConclusionsSymptoms of Temporomandibular Disorders were prevalent among Asian military population. Significant differences in OHRQoL and psychological states were observed between subjects with and without TMD symptoms. Specific type and number of TMD symptoms impacted OHRQoL and psychological states differently. Associations between number of TMD symptoms and quality of life, depression, anxiety and stress were significant but weak.