bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Clinical Study Comparing the Efficacy of Halobetasol Propionate 0.05% Ointment Once Daily versus Twice Daily in Combination with Ammonium Lactate Lotion in the Treatment of Stable Plaque Psoriasis
Authors: Busse Zitelli Kristine , Bhutani Tina , Patel Tejas , Chiang Charles , Wu Jashin J. , Koo John 
Published: April 2018

Objective The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of halobetasol propionate 0.05% ointment administered once daily with that of the ointment administered twice daily in combination with 12% ammonium lactate lotion for treatment of plaque psoriasis. A second objective was to investigate the benefits of maintenance therapy with ammonium lactate 12% lotion. Design The study was a randomized, investigator-masked, parallel trial. In the first phase, subjects applied halobetasol 0.05% ointment either once or twice daily in combination with 12% ammonium lactate lotion twice daily for 2 weeks. In the second phase, subjects either continued ammonium lactate twice daily or discontinued all treatment for 4 weeks. Setting University of California San Francisco Psoriasis and Skin Treatment Center. Participants: The study comprised 40 patients with a target plaque of at least 1 cm2 and a Psoriasis Severity Assessment (PSA) score of at least 6. Measurements Plaque induration, scale, and erythema were recorded at weeks 0, 1, 2, 4, and 6. Paired t-tests compared improvement between the two groups; unpaired t-tests compared differences between the two arms. Results No significant difference was noted in efficacy between once- and twice-daily halobetasol application at weeks 0 and 2 for induration (respectively, P = 0.10 and P = 0.21), scale (P = 0.49 and 0.51), erythema (P = 0.42 and 0.14), and total PSA (P = 0.37 and 0.23). A significant difference was found in scale between weeks 2 and 4 (P = 0.04) and weeks 2 and 6 (P = 0.03) in favor of patients continuing ammonium lactate lotion. Conclusion Once-daily halobetasol ointment achieves results similar to those of twice-daily application when used with ammonium lactate lotion in plaque psoriasis treatment. Sequential therapy with 2-week halobetasol ointment followed by twice-daily ammonium lactate may enhance therapeutic duration.
Efficacy and Safety of a Second Adalimumab Treatment Cycle in Psoriasis Patients who Relapsed after Adalimumab Discontinuation or Dosage Reduction: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Larian Amir , Emer Jason J. , Gordon Kenneth , Blum Robin , Okun Martin , Gu Yihua , Lebwohl Mark 
Published: April 2018

Objective To evaluate re-treatment with weekly adalimumab in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis who had been successfully treated with weekly adalimumab but relapsed following randomization to either dosage reduction or discontinuation. Methods Patients who had achieved a Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) response of 50 or greater after 12 weeks on adalimumab 40 mg weekly in a previous study (M02-538), but then fell below a PASI 50 response within 12 weeks following reduction of dosage frequency to adalimumab 40 mg every other week or treatment discontinuation, could enter study M03-596 and receive open-label re-treatment with 12 weeks of weekly adalimumab. Results Thirty-two patients relapsed on or before week 24 of M02-538 and entered study M03-596. Overall, 81.3% (26 of 32) again achieved a PASI 50 response after 12 weeks of re-treatment. Of the 19 M03-596 patients who had a PASI 75 response at week 12 of M02-538, 12 (63.1%) again achieved a PASI 75 response at week 12 of M03-596. Conclusion Most patients who had initially responded to weekly adalimumab and who relapsed after randomization to a lower dosage or discontinuation regained response upon re-treatment with weekly adalimumab.
Psoriasis Patients' Reflections on Provider Information Giving: Perceptions of Actual and Desired Experiences at Diagnosis
Authors: Wolfe Barat J. , O'Toole Ashley , Tan Jerry , Sirois Fuschia 
Published: April 2018

Background Psoriasis adversely impacts patients' quality of life, yet few studies have explored patients' experiences at diagnosis, a pivotal though largely negative time for any patient suffering from chronic disease. Objective Our objective was to identify potential shortcomings in the content and process of information delivery from the patient's perspective. Methods Twenty-three psoriasis patients completed an online survey regarding information they considered valuable at diagnosis and, in retrospect, content they would like to have received. Results Responses were subjected to a qualitative content analysis that revealed several themes: need for information and options, discussion of time and effort to find the right treatment, for providers to offer hope, and discussion of the psychosocial impact of psoriasis. Conclusions Many patients perceived negative actual experiences at diagnosis that were incongruent with their desired experiences. Psoriasis patients wanted information about disease and management, acknowledgement of psychosocial impact, and an empathetic mode of communication.
Insulin Resistance may be a Central Pathogenetic Mechanism in the Development of Psoriatic Plaques
Authors: Boehncke Wolf-Henning , Boehncke Sandra , Bürger Claudia 
Published: April 2018

Background Insulin is a multifunctional hormone. It provides a link for the regulation of metabolic as well as nonmetabolic cells. Inefficient signal transduction (ie, insulin resistance) is the central pathomechanism in type 2 diabetes mellitus; it also drives atherosclerosis through induction of endothelial dysfunction. Objective Because epidermal homeostasis depends on insulin, too, we speculate on a potential role of insulin resistance in the formation of psoriatic plaques. Methods We comment on the effects of insulin on keratinocyte biology, with an emphasis on cytokine-induced insulin resistance in the light of recent original work from our group. Results There is increasing evidence for cytokine-induced insulin resistance in keratinocytes that contributes to the epidermal phenotype in lesional psoriatic skin. Conclusion Pro-inflammatory cytokines might induce a state of epidermal dysfunction, much like the state of endothelial dysfunction induced by similar mechanisms. Kinases involved in insulin- and cytokine-receptor signalling represent potential targets for innovative topical antipsoriatic therapies.
Influence of Cutaneous Involvement in Deciding how to Treat Psoriatic Arthritis
Authors: Gusis Simon Eduardo , Montoya Sandra Fabiana , Castelli Andrea , Mario Kerzberg Eduardo , Kogan Nora Noemi , Veira Rosana Cyntia 
Published: April 2018

Background Cutaneous psoriasis precedes joint disease in 84% of patients with psoriatic arthritis. We believe that skin involvement should be considered when deciding how to treat psoriatic arthritis. Objective The goal of our study was to investigate how the severity of skin disease influenced the management of psoriatic arthritis. Methods Fifty patients with psoriatic arthritis and cutaneous involvement were studied. The severity of joint and skin involvement was evaluated. Treatment decisions for each patient were based on the most severe presentation between skin and joint involvement. Results Treatment decisions were guided and were compared by the most severe skin involvement in 22/50 patients (44%), by the most severe joint involvement in 16 patients (32%), and by both skin and joint involvement in 12 patients (24%). There were no statistically significant differences (p <0.472). Conclusion Treatment decisions in patients with psoriatic arthritis should be made in conjunction with decisions about skin treatment.
Reviewing the Guidelines for Tuberculosis Screening in Psoriasis Patients Treated with Biologics
Authors: Choi Young M. , Wu Jashin J. 
Published: April 2018

Background Biologic agents for psoriasis, in particular tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) inhibitors, increase the risk of latent tuberculosis (TB) reactivation, prompting routine TB screening prior to initiating these biologics. Purpose We sought to review the current guidelines for the screening and management of TB while using biologic agents. Methods A systematic search of the MEDLINE PubMed database was performed to review guidelines published from dermatology and rheumatology associations worldwide. Results We reviewed eight guidelines in psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis patients regarding the screening and management of TB with TNF-α inhibitor therapy. There was consensus among all the guidelines that TB screening should be performed prior to initiating therapy. As far as annual TB screening, the current guidelines in psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis suggest routine monitoring only in patients at risk for TB exposure. Discussion Dermatologists should utilize clinical judgment based on risk factors for TB exposure to determine whether to perform annual TB testing in their patients on biologics.
Analysis of Gender Differences in the Efficacy of Psoriasis Treatment Modalities Resulting in Clearance
Authors: Garber Caren , Saraiya Ami , Au Shiu-chung , Argobi Yahya , Mansfield Ryan , Smith Natalie , Gottlieb Alice 
Published: April 2018

Background/Objective Characterize gender differences in efficacy of psoriasis treatments, as this has not been well studied. Methods In this retrospective cohort study, data were collected on patients with psoriasis seen at Tufts Medical Center between 2008 and 2014. Treatment courses lasting ≥ 4 weeks in patients with baseline moderate to severe psoriasis were included. Clearance was defined as an S-MAPA (simple measure for assessing psoriasis activity, the product of body surface area and physician global assessment) ≤ 3. Results Of the 172 biologic treatment courses, 81 (47%) resulted in clearance, 56% of females and 39% of males (RR=1.43, p=0.032). Women were more likely to clear on infliximab (88% compared to 27% of males, RR=3.21, p=0.02) despite a significantly higher baseline S-MAPA in females in this subgroup (166.63 versus 94.86 in men, p=0.05). There was no statistically significant gender difference in clinical outcomes for patients on conventional systemics or combination treatment courses. Conclusion Clinical outcomes are better for biologics, especially infliximab, in females compared to males with moderate to severe psoriasis. Further investigation of possible biologic or pharmacokinetic explanations for this finding is warranted.
Enhanced phosphocholine metabolism is essential for terminal erythropoiesis
Authors: Huang Nai-Jia , Lin Ying-Cing , Lin Chung-Yueh , Pishesha Novalia , Lewis Caroline A. , Freinkman Elizaveta , Farquharson Colin , Millán José Luis , Lodish Harvey 
Published: April 2018

Key PointsPHOSPHO1 regulates phosphocholine metabolism, ATP production, and amino acid supply during erythropoiesis.
Astrocytes, neurons, synapses: a tripartite view on cortical circuit development
Authors: Farhy-Tselnicker Isabella , Allen Nicola J. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractIn the mammalian cerebral cortex neurons are arranged in specific layers and form connections both within the cortex and with other brain regions, thus forming a complex mesh of specialized synaptic connections comprising distinct circuits. The correct establishment of these connections during development is crucial for the proper function of the brain. Astrocytes, a major type of glial cell, are important regulators of synapse formation and function during development. While neurogenesis precedes astrogenesis in the cortex, neuronal synapses only begin to form after astrocytes have been generated, concurrent with neuronal branching and process elaboration. Here we provide a combined overview of the developmental processes of synapse and circuit formation in the rodent cortex, emphasizing the timeline of both neuronal and astrocytic development and maturation. We further discuss the role of astrocytes at the synapse, focusing on astrocyte-synapse contact and the role of synapse-related proteins in promoting formation of distinct cortical circuits.
Deep data analysis via physically constrained linear unmixing: universal framework, domain examples, and a community-wide platform
Authors: Kannan R. , Ievlev A. V. , Laanait N. , Ziatdinov M. A. , Vasudevan R. K. , Jesse S. , Kalinin S. V. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractMany spectral responses in materials science, physics, and chemistry experiments can be characterized as resulting from the superposition of a number of more basic individual spectra. In this context, unmixing is defined as the problem of determining the individual spectra, given measurements of multiple spectra that are spatially resolved across samples, as well as the determination of the corresponding abundance maps indicating the local weighting of each individual spectrum. Matrix factorization is a popular linear unmixing technique that considers that the mixture model between the individual spectra and the spatial maps is linear. Here, we present a tutorial paper targeted at domain scientists to introduce linear unmixing techniques, to facilitate greater understanding of spectroscopic imaging data. We detail a matrix factorization framework that can incorporate different domain information through various parameters of the matrix factorization method. We demonstrate many domain-specific examples to explain the expressivity of the matrix factorization framework and show how the appropriate use of domain-specific constraints such as non-negativity and sum-to-one abundance result in physically meaningful spectral decompositions that are more readily interpretable. Our aim is not only to explain the off-the-shelf available tools, but to add additional constraints when ready-made algorithms are unavailable for the task. All examples use the scalable open source implementation fromhttps://github.com/ramkikannan/nmflibrarythat can run from small laptops to supercomputers, creating a user-wide platform for rapid dissemination and adoption across scientific disciplines.
Analgesic Prescription Patterns and Pain Outcomes in Southeast Asia: Findings From the Analgesic Treatment of Cancer Pain in Southeast Asia Study
Authors: Thinh Dang Huy Quoc , Sriraj Wimonrat , Mansor Marzida , Tan Kian Hian , Irawan Cosphiadi , Kurnianda Johan , Nguyen Yen Phi , Ong-Cornel Annielyn , Hadjiat Yacine , Moon Hanlim , Javier Francis O. 
Published: April 2018

Purpose To identify patterns of analgesic prescription and to explore patient-reported pain intensity, sleep disturbance, and quality of life among cancer patients with pain in Southeast Asia (SEA). Methods This cross-sectional observational study included 465 adult outpatients prescribed analgesics for cancer pain for 1 month or longer at 22 sites in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Data on analgesic prescription and cancer characteristics were extracted from medical records. Pain intensity, sleep disturbance, and quality of life measures were recorded via questionnaires. Results Most patients (84.4%) had stage III or IV cancer. A total of 419 patients (90.7%) were prescribed opioids; of these, 42.2% received only weak opioids, whereas 57.8% received at least one strong opioid. The mean worst pain intensity during the past 24 hours was 4.76 (standard deviation [SD], 2.47) on a scale of 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst possible pain); the mean current pain intensity was 4.10 (SD, 2.61). More than half of patients (54.8%) reported sleep disturbance caused by pain in the past 7 days. The majority of patients reported problems with pain/discomfort (82.3%), usual activities (65.8%), mobility (58.2%), and anxiety/depression (56.3%). The median daily dose prescribed in oral morphine equivalents was 30 mg for both morphine and tramadol. Conclusion Despite unrelieved pain, sleep disturbance, and issues with quality of life, a notable proportion of patients were prescribed only weak opioids, and opioid doses prescribed were generally low. Efforts focused on encouragement of prescriptions with analgesic strength and/or doses proportional to the pain management needs of patients are vital to improve the status of cancer pain management in the region.
The Attendant's Lament: Loan-Sharking, Squeeze, and Extortion in the Yangzhou Novel Fengyue meng (Seductive Dreams)
Authors: McMahon Keith 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
The brothel and the local yamen are the two main institutions around which life revolves in the 1848 novel Fengyue meng 風月夢 (Seductive Dreams) by an anonymous author. Loan-sharking, squeeze, and extortion are the most prominent ways besides prostitution of making a living in this milieu, which features an array of characters rarely described before in fiction in such detail: yamen functionaries and other working or idle underlings, including clerks, runners, servants, entertainers, laborers, and beggars. The most down-and-out characters resemble the subject of one of the deepest instances of self-expression in the novel, a song about an opium addict, whose lament addresses a key aspect of the life of underlings like him, that he has left village and family to enter the broad mix of people living in Yangzhou, the city of opium, prostitution, and corruption. The novel is about the raw and practical interactions of that world and the new types of relations that take place there. My focus is on the terminology and descriptions used to identify these people and the ways in which the novel narrates the transactions of their brothel-dominated, usury-prone, and squeeze-driven society in terms of both money and that money's equivalent in terms of a character's survival.
The Xikun Experiment: Imitation and the Making of the New Poetic Style in the Early Northern Song
Authors: Wang Yugen 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
Despite its tremendous influence in the early eleventh century, Xikun poetry was essentially written out of the main literary historical narratives of the Northern Song dynasty. When it does appear in such narratives, it is usually used as a foil to set up the reputedly real grand beginnings of Song poetry in the generation led by Ouyang Xiu. This article takes another look at the Xikun phenomenon, arguing that in the Xikun poets' imitative works modeled on the Late Tang poet Li Shangyin, we see a burgeoning interest in creating a more internally consistent world and a tendency toward a more immersive mode of composition that would become a defining feature of the new style of Song poetry. Through closely comparing the technical innovations and rhetorical strategies of the Xikun poets against those used by Li Shangyin, the author demonstrates how these poetic and rhetorical choices made sense in their own new world of creation and how their imitation actually helped advance positive future developments.
Development of Hospitalization Resource Intensity Scores for Kids (H‐RISK) and Comparison across Pediatric Populations
Authors: Richardson Troy , Rodean Jonathan , Harris Mitch , Berry Jay , Gay James C. , Hall Matt 
Published: April 2018

BACKGROUNDIn the Medicare population, measures of relative severity of illness (SOI) for hospitalized patents have been used in prospective payment models. Similar measures for pediatric populations have not been fully developed.OBJECTIVETo develop hospitalization resource intensity scores for kids (H‐RISK) using pediatric relative weights (RWs) for SOI and to compare hospital types on case‐mix index (CMI).DESIGN/METHODSUsing the 2012 Kids' Inpatient Database (KID), we developed RWs for each All Patient Refined Diagnosis Related Group (APR‐DRG) and SOI level. RW corresponded to the ratio of the adjusted mean cost for discharges in an APR‐DRG SOI combination over adjusted mean cost of all discharges in the dataset. RWs were applied to every discharge from 3,117 hospitals in the database with at least 20 discharges. RWs were then averaged at the hospital level to provide each hospital's CMI. CMIs were compared by hospital type using Kruskal–Wallis tests.RESULTSThe overall adjusted mean cost of weighted discharges in Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project KID 2012 was $6,135 per discharge. Solid organ and bone marrow transplantations represented 4 of the 10 highest procedural RWs (range: 35.5 to 91.7). Neonatal APR‐DRG SOIs accounted for 8 of the 10 highest medical RWs (range: 19.0 to 32.5). Free‐standing children's hospitals yielded the highest median (interquartile range [IQR]) CMI (2.7 [2.2–3.1]), followed by urban teaching hospitals (1.8 [1.3–2.6]), urban nonteaching hospitals (1.1 [0.9–1.5]), and rural hospitals (0.8 [0.7–0.9]; P < .001).CONCLUSIONH‐RISK for populations of pediatric admissions are sensitive to detection of substantial differences in SOI by hospital type.
Characterizing Hospitalizations for Pediatric Concussion and Trends in Care
Authors: Rhine Tara , Byczkowski Terri , Altaye Mekibib , Wade Shari L. , Babcock Lynn 
Published: April 2018

BACKGROUNDChildren hospitalized for concussion may be at a higher risk for persistent symptoms, but little is known about this subset of children.OBJECTIVEDelineate a cohort of children admitted for concussion, describe care practices received, examine factors associated with prolonged length of stay (LOS) or emergency department (ED) readmission, and investigate changes in care over time.DESIGN/SETTINGRetrospective analysis of data submitted by 40 pediatric hospitals to the Pediatric Health Information System.PATIENTSChildren 0 to 17 years old admitted with a primary diagnosis of concussion from 2007 to 2014.MEASUREMENTSDescriptive statistics characterized this cohort and care practices delivered, logistic regression identified factors associated with a LOS of ≥2 days and ED readmission, and trend analyses assessed changes in care over time.RESULTSOf the 10,729 children admitted for concussion, 68.7% received intravenous pain or antiemetic medications. Female sex, adolescent age, and having government insurance were all associated (P ≤ .02) with increased odds of LOS ≥ 2 days and ED revisit. Proportions of children receiving intravenous ondansetron (slope = 1.56, P = .001) and ketorolac (slope = 0.61, P < .001) increased over time, and use of neuroimaging (slope = –1.75, P < .001) decreased.CONCLUSIONSAlthough concussions are usually self‐limited, hospitalized children often receive intravenous therapies despite an unclear benefit. Factors associated with prolonged LOS and ED revisit were similar to predictors of postconcussive syndrome. Since there has been an increased use of specific therapeutics, prospective evaluation of their relationship with concussion recovery could lay the groundwork for evidenced‐based admission criteria and optimize recovery.
Analysis of Bambusa rigida Bamboo Culms between Internodes and Nodes: Anatomical Characteristics and Physical–Mechanical Properties
Authors: Huang Xingyan , Li Feng , De Hoop Cornelis F. , Jiang Yongze , Xie Jiulong , Qi Jinqiu 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
In this research, the anatomical characteristics and physical–mechanical properties of bamboo between internodes and nodes were investigated to evaluate the influence of nodes on the properties of bamboo culm. The results indicate that node sections had lower vascular bundle frequency, shorter fiber length, and wider parenchyma lumen diameters in comparison with internodes. The compressive strength parallel to grain, shear strength parallel to grain, and modulus of elasticity of bamboo culm internodes were significantly higher than those of the nodes. The basic density, volumetric shrinkage, and modulus of rupture of the former were also higher than the latter, although the difference was not significant.
The maternal impulse as ghost: Three hauntings in contemporary women’s fiction
Authors: Mundler Helen E. 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
This article offers a critical reading of three short stories, each of which explores the extent to which its protagonist is literally, as well as figuratively, haunted by the desire for a child. Firstly, the notion of textual haunting is proposed through an intratextual reading of each of these short stories within the author’s work as a whole. Secondly, the hauntings undergone by the protagonists are analysed, both through close reading and through the notions of abjection and intergenerational haunting.