bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pathogenesis and diagnosis of disseminated intravascular coagulation
Authors: Levi M. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractSeveral clinical conditions, in particular those associated with a systemic inflammatory response, can cause some degree of activation of coagulation but when the procoagulant stimulus is sufficiently severe and overcomes the natural anticoagulant mechanisms of coagulation, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) may occur. The clinical manifestations of DIC encompass multiorgan dysfunction caused by fibrin‐platelet clots in the microcirculation, and bleeding caused by consumption of platelets and coagulation factors. Molecular mechanisms that play a role in inflammation‐induced effects on coagulation have been recognized in much detail. Exposure of blood to tissue factor is the most common trigger, whereas the intravascular coagulation is propagated due to loss of function of physiological anticoagulants and impaired fibrinolysis. In patients with DIC, various abnormalities in routine coagulation parameters may be observed, including thrombocytopenia, prolonged global coagulation assays, or high levels of fibrin split products. In addition, more sophisticated tests for activation of individual factors or pathways of coagulation may point to specific involvement of these components in the pathogenesis of the disorder. A combination of readily available tests is usually sufficient in establishing the diagnosis of DIC, and for this purpose, several scoring algorithms have been developed. Some specific clinical situations may elicit coagulation responses that can be distinguished from DIC or may occur in combination with DIC, including dilutional coagulopathy, liver failure‐related coagulation derangement, and thrombotic microangiopathies.
Acute myeloid leukaemia: How to combine multiple tools
Authors: Merino A. , Boldú L. , Ermens A. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe pathogenesis of acute myeloid leukaemias (AML) frequently requires at least 3 mutations in different cellular pathways. In many cases, mutations in proliferation/survival mechanisms and differentiation pathways are involved. Genetic aberrations explain the pathogenesis of AML, provide prognostic criteria and guide drug design for future therapy. Since the last update of the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of tumours of the hematopoietic and lymphoid tissues in 2008, there have been many discovers regarding the genomic landscape of AML and molecular assays for the detection of minimal residual disease. The identification of unique biomarkers associated with AML, derived from gene expression analysis and next‐generation sequencing, may improve significantly the diagnostic criteria. In the new WHO classification published in 2017, several new AML entities are added. Moreover, the prognostic and diagnostic relevance of recently identified molecular features is reviewed and integrated into existing sets of criteria. This article reviews the most common tests and procedures for AML diagnosis, including morphology, immunophenotyping, cytogenetics and molecular genetic testing. The major changes in the new WHO classification for AML are also remarked.
Optimizing morphology through blood cell image analysis
Authors: Merino A. , Puigví L. , Boldú L. , Alférez S. , Rodellar J. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIntroductionMorphological review of the peripheral blood smear is still a crucial diagnostic aid as it provides relevant information related to the diagnosis and is important for selection of additional techniques. Nevertheless, the distinctive cytological characteristics of the blood cells are subjective and influenced by the reviewer's interpretation and, because of that, translating subjective morphological examination into objective parameters is a challenge.MethodsThe use of digital microscopy systems has been extended in the clinical laboratories. As automatic analyzers have some limitations for abnormal or neoplastic cell detection, it is interesting to identify quantitative features through digital image analysis for morphological characteristics of different cells.ResultThree main classes of features are used as follows: geometric, color, and texture. Geometric parameters (nucleus/cytoplasmic ratio, cellular area, nucleus perimeter, cytoplasmic profile,RBCproximity, and others) are familiar to pathologists, as they are related to the visual cell patterns. Different color spaces can be used to investigate the rich amount of information that color may offer to describe abnormal lymphoid or blast cells. Texture is related to spatial patterns of color or intensities, which can be visually detected and quantitatively represented using statistical tools.ConclusionThis study reviews current and new quantitative features, which can contribute to optimize morphology through blood cell digital image processing techniques.
High prevalence of diabetes before and after lung transplantation: target for improving outcome?
Authors: Fazekas‐Lavu Monika , Reyes Michael , Malouf Monique , Plit Marshall , Havryk Adrian , Campbell Lesley V. , Center Jacqueline R. , Glanville Allan R. , Greenfield Jerry R. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackgroundDiabetes increases morbidity and mortality of lung transplantation. However, the reported prevalence of diabetes varies post‐transplantation partly due to lack of detection protocols.AimTo determine the prevalence of diabetes in patients (i) waitlisted for lung transplant and (ii) early post‐transplantation.MethodsWe analysed patients on the St Vincent's Heart Lung database from 1 April 2014 to 30 September 2015 on the waitlist (Study 1) and those transplanted (Study 2). Standard of care required all non‐diabetic patients to have an oral glucose tolerance test (modified for patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) to screen for CF‐related hyperglycaemia (CFRH) (plasma glucose ≥8.2 mmol/L at 60 or 90 min).ResultsStudy 1 included 114 patients (32 with CF and 82 without CF). Of 30 CF patients with glycaemic data, 27 (90%) had abnormal glucose metabolism: 18 had diabetes and nine had CFRH. In 50 patients without CF, 20 (40%) had abnormal glucose metabolism: eight had diabetes and 12 had impaired fasting glucose and/or impaired glucose tolerance. Study 2 included 78 transplanted patients (25 with CF and 53 without CF). Fourteen CF patients had pre‐existing diabetes and seven had pre‐existing CFRH. All but one patient were diagnosed with diabetes post‐transplantation. Hence, diabetes prevalence in CF patients post‐transplantation was 96%. Among 53 transplanted patients without CF, seven (13%) had abnormal glucose metabolism but 30 (57%) were diagnosed with post‐transplant diabetes.ConclusionThere is a high prevalence of diabetes in lung transplant patients. Earlier endocrine participation in lung transplant services is likely to lower diabetes‐related morbidity and mortality further.
What are the effects of cash transfers for refugees in the context of protracted displacement? Findings from Jordan
Authors: Hagen‐Zanker Jessica , Ulrichs Martina , Holmes Rebecca 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe current refugee crisis requires new thinking and durable policies which move beyond simply meeting the short‐term immediate needs of refugees. In the context of this protracted crisis, the humanitarian response has included a focus on cash transfer programming as a way to support Syrian refugees in Jordan to meet their basic needs. While evidence on cash transfers in stable contexts has been well‐documented over the last two decades, little is known about the potential effects of cash transfers on populations in protracted displacement. This article examines the economic and social effects of a UNHCR cash transfer programme for Syrian refugees in urban areas in Jordan. We find that almost all beneficiaries used the transfer to pay rent, and that this reduces stress and anxiety among beneficiaries. These effects are important, but depend on the continuation of cash transfer support. For longer‐term impacts, assistance for refugees needs to move beyond short‐term support and align better with national interventions and a broader enabling policy environment, including refugees' right to work.
The targeting effectiveness of Egypt’s Food Subsidy Programme: Reaching the poor?
Authors: Talaat Walaa 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIn Egypt, the Food Subsidy Programme (FSP) contributes greatly to social stability, yet there is academic and political pressure to reform the system to prioritize the effective targeting of the poor. This has been particularly so since the 2011 Egyptian revolution, and in the light of claims by the government and international organizations that the programme is relatively expensive and ineffective in targeting the poor. Accordingly, the ability to measure the programme’s targeting performance is crucial, not least to assess the targeting outcome of this anti‐poverty intervention. Most previous studies of the Egyptian FSP address the challenges of exclusion and inclusion errors exclusively from an econometric approach. However, in this study a mixed approach method is developed to better explain the programme and to explore how its governance structure might play an important role in determining its effectiveness. This method generates both a statistically reliable measure of the magnitude of the targeting performance as well as a greater depth of understanding of the programme’s effectiveness in achieving targeting outcomes. Additionally, understanding the actual targeting mechanism should help policy‐makers improve its effectiveness, and ultimately support a comprehensive reform to build an effective social protection system.
Phylogenetic comparative analysis supports aposematic colouration–body size association in millipede assassins (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Ectrichodiinae)
Authors: Forthman Michael , Weirauch Christiane 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe diversity of colour patterns and its importance in interactions with the environment make colouration in animals an intriguing research focus. Aposematic colouration is positively correlated with body size in certain groups of animals, suggesting that warning colours are more effective or that crypsis is harder to achieve in larger animals. Surprisingly, this relationship has not been recovered in studies investigating insects, which may have been confounded by a focus on aposematic taxa that are also gregarious. Millipede assassin bugs (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Ectrichodiinae) comprise species with cryptic and aposematic colour patterns across a range of body sizes, are typically solitary as adults and are thus an excellent model for investigating a possible association between colouration and body size. Here, we use a comprehensive phylogeny for Ectrichodiinae, ancestral state reconstruction of colouration, and phylogenetic comparative methods to test for a colouration–body size association. The ancestor of Ectrichodiinae is reconstructed as cryptically coloured, with multiple subsequent transitions between aposematic and cryptic colouration. Aposematic colouration is positively associated with male body length and supports the hypothesis that selection on Ectrichodiinae body size may influence evolutionary transitions between aposematic and cryptic colouration or alternatively that selection for aposematic colouration influences body size evolution.
Probiotics to Prevent Respiratory Infections in Nursing Homes: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Wang Biao , Hylwka Tammy , Smieja Marek , Surrette Michael , Bowdish Dawn M.E. , Loeb Mark 
Published: May 2018

ObjectivesTo assess the feasibility of conducting a large clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of probiotics to reduce influenza and other respiratory virus infections in residents of long‐term and chronic care facilities (LTCFs).DesignRandomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled pilot trial.SettingFourteen nursing homes in Hamilton and surrounding region, Ontario, Canada.ParticipantsNursing home residents aged 65 and older (N=209). Those who were taking immunosuppressives (steroids or other immunosuppressives) or had a hematological malignancy, structural heart disease, or gastroesophageal or intestinal injury and others at high risk of an endovascular infection were excluded.InterventionParticipants were randomized to receive study probiotics—2 capsules of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (estimated 10 billion colony forming units of L. rhamnosus GG per capsule) or placebo (calcium carbonate) daily for 6 months.MeasurementsLaboratory‐confirmed respiratory viral infections.ResultsOne hundred ninety‐six individuals were included in the analysis: 100 in the probiotics group and 96 in the placebo group. Laboratory‐confirmed respiratory viral infections were observed in 14 (15.0%) residents in the probiotic group and 21 (22.9%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio=0.65, 95% confidence interval=0.32–1.31).ConclusionA larger trial is warranted to determine whether probiotics reduce influenza and other respiratory virus infections in residents of LTCFs.
Non‐dormant Axillary Bud 1 regulates axillary bud outgrowth in sorghum
Authors: Chen Jun , Zhang Limin , Zhu Mengjiao , Han Lijie , Lv Ya , Liu Yishan , Li Pan , Jing Haichun , Cai Hongwei 
Published: May 2018

AbstractTillering contributes to grain yield and plant architecture and therefore is an agronomically important trait in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor). Here, we identified and functionally characterized a mutant of the Non‐dormant Axillary Bud 1 (NAB1) gene from an ethyl methanesulfonate‐mutagenized sorghum population. The nab1 mutants have increased tillering and reduced plant height. Map‐based cloning revealed that NAB1 encodes a carotenoid‐cleavage dioxygenase 7 (CCD7) orthologous to rice (Oryza sativa) HIGH‐TILLERING DWARF1/DWARF17 and Arabidopsis thaliana MORE AXILLARY BRANCHING 3. NAB1 is primarily expressed in axillary nodes and tiller bases and NAB1 localizes to chloroplasts. The nab1 mutation causes outgrowth of basal axillary buds; removing these non‐dormant basal axillary buds restored the wild‐type phenotype. The tillering of nab1 plants was completely suppressed by exogenous application of the synthetic strigolactone analog GR24. Moreover, the nab1 plants had no detectable strigolactones and displayed stronger polar auxin transport than wild‐type plants. Finally, RNA‐seq showed that the expression of genes involved in multiple processes, including auxin‐related genes, was significantly altered in nab1. These results suggest that NAB1 functions in strigolactone biosynthesis and the regulation of shoot branching via an interaction with auxin transport.
Deviant Peer Behavior and Adolescent Delinquency: Protective Effects of Inhibitory Control, Planning, or Decision Making?
Authors: Hinnant J. Benjamin , Forman‐Alberti Alissa B. 
Published: May 2018

We examined relations between adolescent perceptions of deviant peer behavior and delinquency as moderated by inhibitory control, planning, and decision making in the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development at age 15 (N = 991). Adolescents reported perceptions of deviant peer behavior. Inhibitory control, planning, and decision making were assessed behaviorally. Delinquency was evaluated with a latent variable comprised of parent‐guardian perceptions of adolescent delinquency and adolescent self‐reports. Only inhibitory control moderated the relationship between deviant peer behavior and delinquency, showing that better inhibition protected against delinquency in contexts of high levels of adolescent perceptions of deviant peer behavior. Findings are discussed in the context of theories of adolescent delinquency and risk taking.
Effect of adjuvants on in ovo vaccination against Newcastle disease on hatchability, performance and antibody titres in commercial pullets
Authors: Soleimani Roudi P. , Golian A. , Haghparast A. , Bassami M. R. , Majidzadeh Heravi R. 
Published: May 2018

SummaryThis study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of in ovo administration of aluminium hydroxide (AH) and/or mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) adjuvants along with lentogenic VG/GA strain‐Avinew to alleviate the embryonic pathogenicity of Newcastle disease virus. Six hundred and thirty fertilized Bovans eggs were divided into nine groups of 70 each incubated in a commercial hatchery and administered with eight types of in ovo injections in a factorial design of 2 × 2 × 2 including with/without AH, MOS and Newcastle disease vaccine (NDV), and one uninjected group on day 18 of incubation. Hatchability was higher in the eggs received MOS and/or AH adjuvants plus NDV compared those injected with NDV alone which confirmed the attenuation of NDV. However, the average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio of pullets hatched from NDV‐injected eggs were significantly reduced, but did not affect growth performance during 0‐42 days of age. The performance of pullets hatched from eggs injected with AH, MOS or their mixture with NDV was not significantly different during all growth periods. Pullets from MOS + vaccine injected eggs had significantly higher antibody titres against NDV compared to those hatched from either injected with saline or uninjected on d 28 (p < .05). In addition, AH plus vaccine and MOS significantly improved total anti‐SRBC and IgG respectively. Histological observation revealed that injection of MOS adjuvant into eggs led to increase crypt depth, whereas AH injection caused a reduction in villus surface area of jejunum in chicks on d 14 post‐hatch. It is concluded that in ovo MOS injection as compared to AH may be more effective to attenuate the embryonic pathogenicity of in ovo NDV injection.
A novel index using routine clinical parameters for predicting significant liver inflammation in chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Wang J. , Xia J. , Zhang R. , Yan X. , Yang Y. , Zhao X. , Chang H. , Wang G. , Chen G. , Liu Y. , Chen Y. , Jia B. , Zhang Z. , Ding W. , Huang R. , Wu C. 
Published: May 2018

SummaryIdentifying the degree of liver inflammation is critical for therapeutic judgement of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). However, we lack indexes which can accurately predict significant liver inflammation in patients with CHB. This study aimed to develop a simple predictive index for liver inflammation in CHB using routine clinical parameters. A total of 519 patients with CHB who underwent liver biopsy were enrolled and randomly divided into training (n = 346) and validation cohorts (n = 173). Based on routine clinical parameters, gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT; P = 0.031) and platelets (PLT; P < 0.001) were identified as independent predictors of significant inflammation by multivariable analysis in the training cohort. Accordingly, the GGT to PLT ratio (GPR) was developed to amplify the opposing effects for predicting liver inflammation. In the training cohort, the AUCs of GPR in predicting significant inflammation were 0.791 (95% CI: 0.742‐0.839), 0.783 (95% CI: 0.717‐0.849) and 0.791 (95% CI: 0.716‐0.867) in the entire patients with CHB, HBeAg‐positive CHB patients and HBeAg‐negative CHB patients, respectively. The diagnostic performance of GPR for significant inflammation was significantly superior to that of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and GGT in all patients with CHB and HBeAg‐positive CHB patients, but was comparable with ALT, AST and GGT in HBeAg‐negative CHB patients. In the validation cohort, the diagnostic performance of GPR in assessing significant liver inflammation was also superior to other indexes in all patients with CHB and HBeAg‐positive CHB patients, but was comparable with GGT in HBeAg‐negative CHB patients. Thus, GPR can be a novel and simple index for predicting significant liver inflammation in CHB, especially for HBeAg‐positive CHB.
Epidemiological characteristics and associated factors of acute hepatitis A outbreak among HIV‐coinfected men who have sex with men in Taiwan, June 2015‐December 2016
Authors: Cheng C.‐Y. , Wu H.‐H. , Zou H. , Lo Y.‐C. 
Published: May 2018

SummaryIn Taiwan, an outbreak of acute hepatitis A (AHA) infection has been identified since June 2015. Approximately half of the cases occurred in HIV‐infected men who have sex with men (MSM). We used the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (TCDC)‐operated National Disease Surveillance Systems (NDSS) to identify the incidence of AHA during 2011‐2016. Between June 2015 and December 2016, a total of 1268 AHA cases were documented, and 601 cases (47.4%) were co‐infected with HIV; the majority of whom were MSM (98.4%). Each AHA case was matched to two HIV‐infected controls without AHA reported in the NDSS on age (± 5 years), risk factor of HIV infection, HIV diagnosis date (± 30 days) and county/city of residence at HIV diagnosis. Three hundred forty‐three HIV/AHA cases were matched to 686 controls. In multivariable conditional logistic regression analysis, a previous gonorrhoea (adjusted OR=1.77, 95% CI 1.16‐2.70) and recent (aOR=6.77, 95% CI 4.34‐10.55) or remote syphilis report (aOR=3.56, 95% CI 2.48‐5.13) were independently associated with AHA. The epidemic persisted till December 2016, and the cases with a new diagnosis of HIV infection after AHA (28/301, 9.3%) increased after July 2016 (P = .001). HIV/AHA cases were centralized in northern and central metropolitan areas and HIV‐infected MSM with a recent history of sexually transmitted diseases in Taiwan. We recommend surveillance of associated behavioural and virologic characteristics and HAV counselling and testing for HIV‐infected men.
The nature of the L chondrite parent body's disruption as deduced from high‐pressure phases in the Sixiangkou L6 chondrite
Authors: Li Shaolin , Hsu Weibiao 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe disruption of the L chondrite parent body (LCPB) at ~470 Ma is currently the best‐documented catastrophic celestial impact event, based on the large number of L chondritic materials associated with this event. Uranium‐lead (U‐Pb) dating of apatite and its high‐pressure decomposition product, tuite, in the Sixiangkou L6 chondrite provides a temporal link to this event. The U‐Pb system of phosphates adjacent to shock melt veins was altered to varying degrees and the discordance of the U‐Pb system correlates closely with the extent of apatite decomposition. This suggests that the U‐Pb system of apatite could be substantially disturbed by high‐temperature pulse during shock compression from natural impacts, at least on the scale of mineral grains. Although many L chondrites can be temporally related to the catastrophic LCPB impact event, the shock conditions experienced by each individual meteorite vary. This could be due to the different geologic settings of these meteorites on their parent body. The shock pressure and duration derived from most meteorites may only reflect local shock features rather than the impact conditions, although they could provide lower limits to the impact conditions. The Sixiangkou shock duration (~4 s), estimated from high‐pressure transformation kinetics, provides a lower limit to the high‐pressure pulse of the LCPB disruption impact. Combined with available literature data of L chondrites associated with this impact event, our results suggest that the LCPB suffered a catastrophic collision with a large projectile (with a diameter of at least 18–22 km) at a low impact velocity (5–6 km s−1). This is consistent with astronomical estimates based on the dynamical evolution of L chondritic asteroids.