bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Human oocyte maturation arrest caused by a novel missense mutation in TUBB8
Authors: Xiang Jingjing , Wang Wei , Qian Chunfeng , Xue Jiangyang , Wang Ting , Li Haibo , Li Hong 
Published: June 2018

Objective To explore the etiology of human oocyte maturation arrest in two infertile Chinese sisters. Methods Clinical examination and genetic testing of all available family members were conducted, and the findings were used to create a pedigree. Mutation screening using PCR amplification and DNA Sanger sequencing of the entire tubulin beta 8 class VIII gene ( TUBB8) including intron–exon boundaries was performed to identify mutations. Results A novel missense TUBB8 mutation (c.1054G > T, p.A352S) in the patient and her elder sister was detected and shown to be associated with oocyte maturation arrest. Conclusion Our findings expand the known mutation spectrum of TUBB8 and provide insights into the etiology of human oocyte maturation arrest.
Sex Differences in the Clinical Incidence of Concussions, Missed School Days, and Time Loss in High School Student-Athletes: Part 1
Authors: Bretzin Abigail C. , Covassin Tracey , Fox Meghan E. , Petit Kyle M. , Savage Jennifer L. , Walker Lauren F. , Gould Daniel 
Published: June 2018

Background: Sports-related concussion (SRC) injury rates are well established in collegiate athletics through epidemiological studies using the National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance System. However, few studies have examined sex differences, time loss, and missed school days in high school athletes, especially at the state level. Purpose: To identify sex differences in the clinical incidence of SRCs, missed school days, and time loss in high school student-athletes. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiological study. Methods: A total of 193,757 (116,434 male and 77,323 female) student-athletes (10th grade ± 1.1) participating in Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA)–sponsored athletic activities were recorded in the Head Injury Reporting System. Certified athletic trainers, school athletic administrators, and coaches from MHSAA high schools reported SRC data and overall participation for the 2015-2016 academic year. Total concussive injuries, as well as missed school days and time loss for each concussive injury, were reported. The clinical incidence was calculated by dividing the number of SRCs in a particular category by the number of participants in that category and presented with 95% CIs. Relative risk ratios (RRs) were determined for sex-comparable sports. Results: The overall clinical incidence for all sports was 1.7 per 100 player-seasons (95% CI, 1.6-1.8) and 1.9 (95% CI, 1.8-2.0) for male sports and 1.5 (95% CI, 1.4-1.6) for female sports. Female athletes were at a 1.9 (95% CI, 1.8-2.2) times greater risk for enduring SRCs than male athletes in sex-comparable sports, with a greater risk in baseball/softball (RR, 2.7 [95% CI, 1.9-3.8]), basketball (RR, 2.5 [95% CI, 2.1-2.9]), and soccer (RR, 1.6 [95% CI, 1.4-1.9]). Female student-athletes had significantly longer time loss than male student-athletes ( P < .001). The mean number of missed school days did not differ between sexes ( P = .70). Conclusion: High school female student-athletes have a higher risk for an SRC in all sex-comparable sports except lacrosse. This may be because of biomechanical differences of the head-neck segment, hormonal differences, and the fact that female athletes are more likely to report symptoms after a suspected SRC. Clinical Relevance: Despite sex differences in the clinical incidence of SRCs and time loss from participation in high school sports, the numbers of missed school days are relatively similar between sexes.
Gellan gum macrobeads loaded with naproxen: The impact of various naturally derived polymers on pH-dependent behavior
Authors: Osmałek Tomasz Z , Froelich Anna , Soból Marcin , Milanowski Bartłomiej , Skotnicki Marcin , Kunstman Paweł , Szybowicz Mirosław 
Published: June 2018

Aims After oral administration, naproxen generates several side-effects related to stomach malfunction. Undoubtedly, the enteric dosage forms with naproxen can be considered as safer. Moreover, since it has been evidenced that development and growth of colorectal cancer is related to the presence of cyclooxygenase, naproxen is investigated in terms of the tumor prevention. The aim of the present work was to formulate and evaluate the properties of novel naproxen-loaded macrobeads, made on the basis of low-acyl gellan gum and its blends with carrageenans, guar gum, cellulose sulfate, and dextran sulfates. Method Seven formulations were prepared by ionotropic gelation. The morphology of the dried beads was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. The next step focused on Raman spectroscopy and thermal analysis of naproxen, polymers, and the beads. Next, the swelling behavior was examined in three acceptor fluids at pH = 1.2; 4.5, and 7.4. The beads were evaluated regarding naproxen content and encapsulation efficiency. The last stage of the work concerned the drug release studies. Results Addition of any other polysaccharide than gellan resulted in flattening of the beads upon drying. Differential scanning calorimetry confirmed the crystalline form of naproxen. Raman spectra showed that no apparent interactions occurred. In the acidic environment, all the beads revealed the tendency to absorb water. The beads swelled to the greatest extent at pH = 4.5. Naproxen was released from the beads at a varied rate. At pH = 7.4, the most prolonged release was observed for the beads containing carrageenans. Conclusions We have proved that blending of gellan with various polysaccharides can change the pH-dependent properties of the beads loaded with naproxen. We believe that the information enclosed in the paper will be of particular importance regarding the development and characteristics of novel oral dosage forms based on natural polymers.
Metabolic syndrome in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients
Authors: Duro M , Manso MC , Barreira S , Rebelo I , Medeiros R , Almeida C 
Published: June 2018

The objective of this study was to investigate the factors underlying the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in HIV-infected patients. Two hundred and sixty-six clinical cases were selected for a retrospective study. The sample was classified using the Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines and the identification of risk or protective factors associated with MetS evaluated via multivariate logistic or multinomial regressions. HIV-infected individuals diagnosed with MetS tend to be older, overweight, or obese (85% have a BMI ≥ 25), with a waist circumference > 90 cm (96.5 [88.8–105.5] cm, median [interquartile range]). Blood testing these individuals revealed high fasting levels of insulin (8.1 [5.8–21.6] pg/ml), glucose (98.0 [84.0–116.0] mg/dl), triglycerides (201.0 [142.0–267.3] mg/dl), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (36.5 [29.8–43.3] mg/dl) in addition with higher levels of inflammatory mediators such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (2.5 [1.0–4.9] mg/dl) and interleukin-6 (3.4 [2.8–3.8] pg/ml). The likelihood of HIV-infected individuals who are virally suppressed developing MetS is about 60% higher than those with acute infection. Treatment with nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and protease inhibitors (PIs) increases the chance of developing MetS by around 2.4 times. Individuals with a lower antioxidant capacity (total antioxidant status [TAS] <1.33) have a 2.6 times higher risk of developing MetS. HIV-related chronic inflammation, a low TAS, and treatment with NRTIs in association with PIs are additional MetS risk factors.
Interactions between injectable anticancer drugs and polyvinyl chloride bags: Evaluation of the adsorption phenomenon after reconstitution
Authors: Baye Fall Diop Boubacar , Cheikh Amine , Mefetah Hafid , Rahali Younes , Oulad Bouyahya Idrissi Mohammed , Draoui Mustapha , Bouatia Mustapha 
Published: June 2018

Introduction During the reconstitution of a drug and during its storage, there are risks of interactions between the drug and the bag used for the preparation. Polyvinyl chloride is a material used in the manufacture of a large part of chemotherapy infusion bags. It is subject to many interactions like sorption of drugs and release of phthalate additives. Material and Methods Seven anticancer drugs used in pediatric oncology were involved in our study. After reconstitution of the anticancer agents in polyvinyl chloride bags, the adsorption phenomenon between the container and the contents is evaluated by infrared spectroscopy by analyzing the inner surface of the polyvinyl chloride. Subsequently, for the anticancer agents which exhibited an adsorption–container–content, the analysis was carried out by ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry in order to examine the kinetics of the concentration of reconstituted anticancer drugs. Results All the polyvinyl chloride bags gave a spectrum identical to the spectrum of the reference bag, except the bags used to reconstitute etoposide whose spectra showed 12 additional peaks. With the absorbances measured by ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry at different times, the analysis of variance statistical analysis shows that there is a significant difference in absorbances between t0 and all the other measurement times. Conclusion This study testifies to the existence of a container–content interaction between etoposide and polyvinyl chloride. Thus, reconstitution of etoposide for intravenous infusion into a polyvinyl chloride bag should be used immediately. For etoposide preparations intended for storage beyond 24 h, it is recommended to use a container other than the polyvinyl chloride bag.
Single-pass four-throw pupilloplasty for secondary angle-closure glaucoma associated with silicon oil tamponade
Authors: Narang Priya , Agarwal Ashar , Agarwal Amar 
Published: June 2018

Purpose: To describe the feasibility and efficacy of performing single-pass four-throw pupilloplasty for secondary angle-closure glaucoma post silicon oil tamponade. Methods: The procedure was performed in five eyes of five patients. All the cases underwent silicon oil removal with single-pass four-throw pupilloplasty. Single-pass four-throw procedure involves a single pass of needle through the iris tissue that is to be apposed followed by taking four throws by passing the suture end through the loop that is withdrawn from the anterior chamber as in a modified Siepser’s slip-knot technique. Both the suture ends are pulled and this leads to sliding of the loop into the anterior chamber. Surgical pupilloplasty stretches the peripheral iris tissue and helps in breaking the peripheral anterior synechia. Intraoperative gonioscopy and anterior segment optical coherence tomography were performed in all the cases. Results: Intraoperative gonioscopy and anterior segment optical coherence tomography demonstrated opening of the anterior chamber angles with breakage of peripheral anterior synechia. The mean preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity in logarithm of minimum angle of resolution was 1.24 ± 0.23 and 0.56 ± 0.18, respectively (p < 0.001). The mean preoperative and postoperative intraocular pressure was 38.2 ± 4.97 and 13.0 ± 2.35 mm Hg, respectively. There was a significant decrease in intraocular pressure and marked improvement in visual acuity in all the cases. Conclusion: Surgical pupilloplasty helps to relieve the post-silicon oil-induced secondary angle-closure glaucoma by breaking peripheral anterior synechia and significantly opening the anterior chamber angles.
The effect of precautions on early dislocations post total hip arthroplasty: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Allen Felix C , Skinner Daniel L , Harrison Jane , Stafford Giles H 
Published: June 2018

Introduction: The efficacy of hip precautions in preventing dislocation post total hip arthroplasty (THA) has been questioned in recent literature. From 2014 our centre ceased routinely prescribing them due to lack of evidence. We investigate the effect of stopping these precautions on dislocation rate, patient satisfaction and Oxford hip score (OHS). Methods: Patients who underwent primary total hip arthroplasty prior to this change in protocol ( n = 2551) and for 1 year subsequently ( n = 673) were identified. Operative records were used to identify key demographic and operative data. Incidence of dislocation, OHS and patient satisfaction were extracted from the centre’s electronic database. Subset analysis of those patients dislocating within 6 weeks was performed. Results: Rate of dislocation at 6 weeks in those prescribed and not prescribed precautions was 0.71% and 0.89% respectively ( p = 0.618). At 1 year this rose to 1.25% and 1.49% ( p = 0.406). Satisfaction ( p = 0.332) and OHS ( p = 0.441) at 1 year was not significantly different between cohorts. Conclusions: Cessation of prescribing routine hip precautions post primary THA does not appear to significantly affect overall dislocation rate, patient satisfaction or functional status at 1 year post-operatively.
Physicians’ communication patterns for motivating rectal cancer patients to biomarker research: Empirical insights and ethical issues
Authors: Wöhlke Sabine , Perry Julia , Schicktanz Silke 
Published: June 2018

In clinical research – whether pharmaceutical, genetic or biomarker research – it is important to protect research participants’ autonomy and to ensure or strengthen their control over health-related decisions. Empirical–ethical studies have argued that both the ethical concept and the current legalistic practice of informed consent should be adapted to the complexity of the clinical environment. For this, a better understanding of recruitment, for which also the physician–patient relationship plays an important role, is needed. Our aim is to ethically reflect communication processes by identifying patterns used by physicians to motivate patients’ participation in clinical research and to assess whether patients also use these patterns in formulating their own research motivation. We conducted a secondary analysis with empirical data from a research project involving physicians and patients in a clinical research setting of a biomarker study for rectal cancer treatment. Our empirical data included observations of physician–patient consultations ( n = 54) and semi-structured interviews with patients ( n = 40). Overall, we collected 93 interviews. We found two dominant communication patterns, which physicians applied for motivating patients to take part in this research study. Some forms of these patterns tend to mislead patients’ understanding, while others could justifiably be applied in this consultation setting without undermining patients’ autonomy. This insight that the physician–patient communication has a strong influence on patients increases the importance to strengthen physicians’ ethically acceptable communication patterns regarding research participation. We further suggest that there is a need for a critical reflection of the ethics committee’s requirements for information regarding research participation.
Opinions of nurses on the ethical problems encountered while working as a team in intensive care units
Authors: Ögenler Oya , Dağ Ahmet , Doğan Havva , Genç Talip , Kuzgun Hürmüs , Çelik Tülay , Yıldırım Didem Derici 
Published: June 2018

BackgroundThe intensive care unit entails working as a team in rescuing patients from life-threatening conditions. The care being given by the team could also be done by nurses and other health professionals through the coordinated use of all medical practices.ObjectiveTo determine the opinion of nurses on the ethical problems they experienced while working as a team in the intensive care units of a university hospital.MethodThe descriptive research was conducted on nurses working in intensive care units (n = 96). A 56-item data collection form consisting of two parts developed by the researchers was used. Frequency (percent) and median were evaluated, and statistical calculations were used for group comparisons.ResultsOut of the 82 (85.4%) nurses who participated in the study, 65 (82.3%) were university graduates. About 52 (66.7%) of the participants were female with a mean age of 28.12 ± 5.84; 26 (31.6%) had intensive care certification, and 54 (65.1%) had ethical training. The internal intensive care unit nurses were less satisfied with their jobs, able to use tools, said that they had the right to refuse the patient compared to the surgical intensive care unit nurses. Discussion and conclusions: It is a positive situation for the participants to score low with ethical problems based on suggestion as the probability of meeting with their teammates. However, it is important that the problems that affect the motivation of the nurses are different according to the intensive care unit and the employees.
Danger in the Air: Air Pollution and Cognitive Dysfunction
Authors: Cipriani Gabriele , Danti Sabrina , Carlesi Cecilia , Borin Gemma 
Published: June 2018

Background: Clean air is considered to be a basic requirement for human health and well-being. Objective: To examine the relationship between cognitive performance and ambient pollution exposure. Methods: Studies were identified through a systematic search of online scientific databases, in addition to a manual search of the reference lists from the identified papers. Results: Air pollution is a multifaceted toxic chemical mixture capable of assaulting the central nervous system. Despite being a relatively new area of investigation, overall, there is mounting evidence implicating adverse effects of air pollution on cognitive function in both adults and children. Conclusions: Consistent evidence showed that exposure to air pollution, specifically exposure to particulate matter, caused poor age-related cognitive performance. Living in areas with high levels of air pollution has been linked to markers of neuroinflammation and neuropathology that are associated with neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease-like brain pathologies.
Bisphenol-A alters microbiota metabolites derived from aromatic amino acids and worsens disease activity during colitis
Authors: DeLuca Jennifer AA , Allred Kimberly F , Menon Rani , Riordan Rebekah , Weeks Brad R , Jayaraman Arul , Allred Clinton D 
Published: June 2018

Inflammatory bowel disease is a complex collection of disorders. Microbial dysbiosis as well as exposure to toxins including xenoestrogens are thought to be risk factors for inflammatory bowel disease development and relapse. Bisphenol-A has been shown to exert estrogenic activity in the colon and alter intestinal function, but the role that xenoestrogens, such as bisphenol-A , play in colonic inflammation has been previously described but with conflicting results. We investigated the ability of bisphenol-A to exacerbate colonic inflammation and alter microbiota metabolites derived from aromatic amino acids in an acute dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis model. Female C57BL/6 mice were ovariectomized and exposed to bisphenol-A daily for 15 days. Disease activity measures include body weight, fecal consistency, and rectal bleeding. Colons were scored for inflammation, injury, and nodularity. Alterations in the levels of microbiota metabolites derived from aromatic amino acids known to reflect phenotypic changes in the gut microbiome were analyzed. Bisphenol-A exposure increased mortality and worsened disease activity as well as inflammation and nodularity scores in the middle colon region following dextran sulfate sodium exposure. Unique patterns of metabolites were associated with bisphenol-A consumption. Regardless of dextran sulfate sodium treatment, bisphenol-A reduced levels of tryptophan and several metabolites associated with decreased inflammation in the colon. This is the first study to show that bisphenol-A treatment alone can reduce microbiota metabolites derived from aromatic amino acids in the colon which may be associated with increased colonic inflammation and inflammatory bowel disease.Impact statementAs rates of inflammatory bowel disease rise, discovery of the mechanisms related to the development of these conditions is important. Environmental exposure is hypothesized to play a role in etiology of the disease, as are alterations in the gut microbiome and the metabolites they produce. This study is the first to show that bisphenol-A alone alters tryptophan and microbiota metabolites derived from aromatic amino acids in a manner consistent with autoimmune diseases, specifically inflammatory bowel diseases, regardless of dextran sulfate sodium treatment. These findings indicate a potential mechanism by which bisphenol-A negatively affects gut physiology to exacerbate inflammation.
A Long-Time Follow-Up Study of a Single-Center Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (Evar) Endoleak Outcomes
Authors: Andersen Rosa Marie , Henriksen Daniel P. , Mafi Hossein Mohit , Langfeldt Sten , Budtz-Lilly Jacob , Graumann Ole 
Published: June 2018

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence, risk factors, and outcome of endoleaks related to endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) procedure at a single center with up to 10 years’ surveillance. Materials and Methods: All patients treated with EVAR for an abdominal aorta or iliac aneurysm in a 10-year period at a single cardiovascular center in Denmark were included. Data were collected from a national database and patient journals. Follow-up computed tomography angiography and plain abdominal X-ray reports were reviewed. Results: A total of 421 patients were included. There were 125 endoleaks observed in 117 (27.8%) patients after a median 95 days (interquartile range: 90-106 days). There were 16 type I, 107 type II, 1 type III, and 1 type V endoleaks. A total of 33 (7.8%) patients had at least 1 reintervention. Patients with type II endoleaks had significantly fewer active smokers and lower plasma creatinine at baseline. They also more often had one, or both, internal iliac arteries embolized as well as an identified endoleak at the procedural completion angiogram. Non-type II endoleaks were associated with internal iliac artery embolization. There was no association between the occurrence of endoleaks and increased mortality. Conclusion: Type II endoleaks are common after EVAR, yet few lead to reintervention. Absence of smoking, low plasma creatinine, embolized iliac arteries, and endoleak on completion angiogram were associated with type II endoleaks, whereas only embolized iliac arteries were associated with non-type II endoleaks. Overall, endoleaks are not associated with increased mortality.
Diagnostic value of serum dihydrodiol dehydrogenase 2 levels in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer
Authors: Xu Chun-Hua , Ren Ding-Yu , Wang Yu-Chao , Zhang Qian , Zhang Xiu-Wei , Qian Li-Hua , Shao Jie-Bao 
Published: June 2018

Objectives: Dihydrodiol dehydrogenase 2 (DDH2) plays an important role in pathogenesis of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study aimed to evaluate the value of serum DDH2 levels in NSCLC patients. Methods: Serum samples were obtained from 863 NSCLC patients and 439 healthy controls. The samples were randomly divided into a training set and a test set. Serum DDH2 levels were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: The levels of DDH2 in NSCLC patients were significantly higher than those in healthy controls ( P < 0.001). The diagnostic use of DDH2 in lung adenocarcinoma was significantly greater than that of carcinoembryonic antigen, cytokeratin 19 fragment (CYFRA21-1), and carbohydrate antigen 125 ( P < 0.001). Combining DDH2 with carcinoembryonic antigen, CYFRA21-1, and carbohydrate antigen 125 was more effective for lung adenocarcinoma diagnosis than DDH2 alone. In addition, the levels of DDH2 could contribute to the diagnosis of lung squamous cell carcinoma. Conclusions: The measurement of serum DDH2 is a valuable diagnostic marker for NSCLC patients.