bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Groin Surgery during Childhood on the Incidence of Inguinal Hernia Repair and Its Postoperative Complications in Adult Life
Authors: Sokratous Arestis , Österberg Johanna , Sandblom Gabriel 
Published: April 2018

Background Pediatric inguinal hernia, hydrocele, and cryptorchidism are common congenital anomalies affecting children, and require surgical intervention in some cases. The association between surgical treatment of these conditions and acquired inguinal hernia later in life is poorly understood. The aim of this cohort study was to examine the effect of groin surgery during childhood on the incidence and surgical outcome of inguinal hernia repair in adult life.
Materials and Methods Data from the Swedish Inpatient Register and the Swedish Hernia Register were cross-linked using the patient personal identity numbers. The incidence of inguinal hernia repair in patients 15 years or older in the study cohort, as well as postoperative complication rates, were compared with the expected incidence and complication rates extrapolated from the general Swedish population in 2014, stratifying for age and gender.
Results Note that 68,238 children aged 0 to 14 years were found to have undergone groin surgery between 1964 and 1998. The median follow-up time after an operation in the groin was 30.8 years (21.0–50.0). Of those, 1,118 were found to have undergone inguinal hernia repair as adults (> 15 years old) between 1992 and 2013. The incidence of inguinal hernia repair in the cohort was significantly higher than that expected (1.43 [1.33–1.53]), both for men (1.32 [1.25–1.41]) and women (4.30 [3.28–5.55]). The incidence was also increased in the subgroup of patients that had undergone more than one procedure during childhood. No significant impact on postoperative complication rate, reoperation rate, or operation time was identified.
Conclusion Individuals undergoing surgery in the groin during childhood are at increased risk for acquired inguinal hernia surgery later in life. Inguinal surgery during childhood did not affect the outcome of hernia repair in adult age.
Stressfaktor Ankleiden – so geht es deutlich entspannter
Authors: Zimmermann Lucina 
Published: April 2018

Zusammenfassung
Angepasste Kleidung Das An- und Auskleiden von hilfebedürftigen Senioren und von Menschen mit schweren Krankheiten oder Behinderungen gehört im Pflegealltag zur Routine. Je nach Ausmaß der körperlichen Einschränkungen, stellt diese Tätigkeit einen erheblichen Zeit- und damit auch Stressfaktor für die Pflegekräfte und die Betroffenen dar. Mittlerweile gibt es jedoch – im Alltag viel zu selten verwendete – funktionelle und zugleich modische Kleidung für die gehandicapten Menschen. Der folgende Beitrag beschreibt, welche Aspekte bei der Auswahl entsprechender Kleidungsstücke beachtet werden müssen und wie sich durch funktionale, an die jeweilige geistig-körperliche Situation angepasste Kleidung, Zeitnot, Frustration und Stress bei allen Beteiligten vermindern lassen.
Synthesis of polymers and modification of polymeric materials in electromagnetic fields
Authors: Ponomarenko Anatoly T. , Tameev Alexey R. , Shevchenko Vitaliy G. 
Published: April 2018

Data on the effect of electromagnetic fields on polymerization processes are analyzed and integrated. The results of investigation of the response of polymeric systems including polymerization mixtures, polymer solutions, melts and gels to external electromagnetic fields are discussed. Mechanisms of changes in the kinetic parameters of cationic polymerization of certain monomers are considered. They are based on ideas of spatial redistribution of growing macroions and counterions depending on the degree of dissociation of the active sites, which can lead to an increase in the polymerization rate, stabilize it or slow down the process. It is shown that these mechanisms are universal for other ionic systems. Almost all types of polymerization processes are discussed to reveal potential fields of their application in additive manufacturing technologies. High demand for further studies of the effect of electromagnetic fields on polymeric objects is pointed out in connection with the need to solve problems in the design of novel materials and functional structures.
The bibliography includes 214 references.
Role of PD-1 during effector CD8 T cell differentiation
Authors: Ahn Eunseon , Araki Koichi , Hashimoto Masao , Li Weiyan , Riley James L. , Cheung Jeanne , Sharpe Arlene H. , Freeman Gordon J. , Irving Bryan A. , Ahmed Rafi 
Published: April 2018

Significance
PD-1–mediated inhibitory signals play a major role in T cell exhaustion during chronic infections and cancers, which makes PD-1 a valuable target of checkpoint blockade in cancer immunotherapy. However, the role of PD-1 in effector CD8 T cell differentiation during an acute viral infection is not well defined. Here, we show that PD-1 also functions as an inhibitory receptor during this early stage of T cell activation and that PD-1 blockade enhances effector function and results in faster clearance of infection.
Ligand metathesis as rational strategy for the synthesis of cubane-type heteroleptic iron–sulfur clusters relevant to the FeMo cofactor
Authors: Xu Gan , Wang Zheng , Ling Rong , Zhou Jie , Chen Xu-Dong , Holm Richard H. 
Published: April 2018

Significance
The biosynthesis and mechanism of action of nitrogenase, an enzyme that converts dinitrogen to ammonia under ambient conditions, are problems of prominent significance in metallobiochemistry. Because the active centers of the enzyme are metal–ligand clusters, it is feasible that they are attainable by synthesis and as such are primary goals in the field of biomimetic inorganic chemistry. Here we present a ligand metathesis strategy utilizing the periodic near-identity of molybdenum and tungsten when incorporated into analogous compounds. The approach provides a pathway for constructing heterometal heteroleptic Fe–S clusters of presumed relevance to the active site. Based on cubane-type stereochemistry, clusters have been prepared allowing alterations in structure and ligand binding, and inclusion of a light core atom.
The role of sentence type in Ika (Arwako) egophoric marking
Authors: Bergqvist Henrik 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
The chapter focuses on the role of sentence type and subject person in accounting for egophoric marking in Ika, an Arwako-Chibchan language spoken in northern Colombia. Egophoric marking in Ika is only found in declarative clauses for which the speaker either assumes the role of epistemic authority, or where the speaker shares this role with the addressee. Interrogatives are treated as non-egophoric with all subject persons, as they do not encode the speaker’s assumptions about possible answers. This restriction, together with ones that pertain to predicate type and temporal frame of reference, point to epistemic/observational access as an important parameter in a system where public acts and personal attributes involving the speaker and/or the addressee are the only ones available for egophoric marking. Drawing on a model of dialogical stance-taking (Du Bois 2007), the notion of “complex epistemic perspective” (see Bergqvist 2016) is introduced to identify which perspective configurations allow for egophoric marking.
The evidential nature of conjunct-disjunct terms
Authors: Loughnane Robyn 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
Conjunct-disjunct person-marking systems, such as those found in Newar, mark first person in statements the same way as second person in questions, in contrast to second and third person in statements and first and third person in questions. In the Papuan language Oksapmin, the evidential system implies conjunct-disjunct subject person. In addition to tense, aspect and subject number, the past tense forms in Oksapmin are obligatorily marked for evidentiality: participatory versus visual evidence. Participatory evidential marking correlates with conjunct subject person; visual, with disjunct. Despite assertions by some researchers that conjunct-disjunct systems are not evidential in nature, Oksapmin is part of the growing body of evidence in favour of a link between evidential systems and conjunct-disjunct ‘person marking’.
MethylMix 2.0: an R package for identifying DNA methylation genes
Authors: Cedoz Pierre-Louis , Prunello Marcos , Brennan Kevin , Gevaert Olivier 
Published: April 2018

Abstract

Summary
DNA methylation is an important mechanism regulating gene transcription, and its role in carcinogenesis has been extensively studied. Hyper and hypomethylation of genes is a major mechanism of gene expression deregulation in a wide range of diseases. At the same time, high-throughput DNA methylation assays have been developed generating vast amounts of genome wide DNA methylation measurements. We developed MethylMix, an algorithm implemented in R to identify disease specific hyper and hypomethylated genes. Here we present a new version of MethylMix that automates the construction of DNA-methylation and gene expression datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). More precisely, MethylMix 2.0 incorporates two major updates: the automated downloading of DNA methylation and gene expression datasets from TCGA and the automated preprocessing of such datasets: value imputation, batch correction and CpG sites clustering within each gene. The resulting datasets can subsequently be analyzed with MethylMix to identify transcriptionally predictive methylation states. We show that the Differential Methylation Values created by MethylMix can be used for cancer subtyping.

Availability and implementation
MethylMix 2.0 was implemented as an R package and is available in bioconductor. https://www.bioconductor.org/packages/release/bioc/html/MethylMix.html
Progression of Low-Grade Glioma During Pregnancy With Subsequent Regression Postpartum Without Treatment—A Case Report
Authors: Shah Amar S , Nicoletti Lisa K , Kurtovic Elvisa , Tsien Christina I , Benzinger Tammie L S , Chicoine Michael R 
Published: April 2018

AbstractBACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCEThis report illustrates a case of a low-grade glioma that showed significant disease progression during pregnancy, and then subsequent regression spontaneously in the postpartum period without treatment. This is a rare case of spontaneous glioma regression in the postpartum period, and may suggest underlying mechanisms of hormonal influences upon glioma progression.CLINICAL PRESENTATIONThe patient is a 27-yr-old female who underwent placement of a right-sided ventriculoperitoneal shunt for aqueductal stenosis at 8 wk of age. At the age of 24 yr, she was evaluated for chronic headaches and was found on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the first time to have a small nonenhancing tectal glioma that remained stable on follow-up MRI. At the age of 25 yr, she returned for annual follow-up after giving birth and reported a significant increase in headache frequency and severity during the pregnancy. Repeat imaging now showed a larger, contrast-enhancing lesion. A decision was made to pursue radiosurgery, but during the pretreatment planning phase, the lesion and symptoms regressed spontaneously, and the lesion has remained stable on repeat MRI studies over a 30-mo period since delivery of her child.CONCLUSIONA young woman with a tectal glioma developed symptomatic disease progression during pregnancy, and subsequently had regression of the lesion and symptoms in the postpartum period without treatment. This case supports watchful waiting in select cases and suggests a potential role of hormones in glioma progression.
Absolute Insurer Denial of Direct-Acting Antiviral Therapy for Hepatitis C: A National Specialty Pharmacy Cohort Study
Authors: Gowda Charitha , Lott Stephen , Grigorian Matthew , Carbonari Dena M , Saine M Elle , Trooskin Stacey , Roy Jason A , Kostman Jay R , Urick Paul , Lo Re Vincent 
Published: April 2018

Abstract

Background
Despite the availability of new direct-acting antiviral (DAA) regimens, changes in DAA reimbursement criteria, and a public health focus on hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination, it remains unclear if public and private insurers have increased access to these therapies over time. We evaluated changes in the incidence of absolute denial of DAA therapy over time and by insurance type.

Methods
We conducted a prospective cohort study among patients who had a DAA prescription submitted from January 2016 to April 2017 to Diplomat Pharmacy, Inc., which provides HCV pharmacy services across the United States. The main outcome was absolute denial of DAA prescription, defined as lack of fill approval by the insurer. We calculated the incidence of absolute denial, overall and by insurance type (Medicaid, Medicare, commercial), for the 16-month study period and each quarter.

Results
Among 9025 patients from 45 states prescribed a DAA regimen (4702 covered by Medicaid, 1821 Medicare, 2502 commercial insurance), 3200 (35.5%; 95% confidence interval, 34.5%–36.5%) were absolutely denied treatment. Absolute denial was more common among patients covered by commercial insurance (52.4%) than Medicaid (34.5%, P &lt; .001) or Medicare (14.7%, P &lt; .001). The incidence of absolute denial increased across each quarter of the study period, overall (27.7% in first quarter to 43.8% in last quarter; test for trend, P &lt; .001) and for each insurance type (test for trend, P &lt; .001 for each type).

Conclusions
Despite the availability of new DAA regimens and changes in restrictions of these therapies, absolute denials of DAA regimens by insurers have remained high and increased over time, regardless of insurance type.
Validity, Reliability, Feasibility, and Usefulness of Pain Monitor
Authors: Suso-Ribera Carlos , Castilla Diana , Zaragozá Irene , Ribera-Canudas María Victoria , Botella Cristina , García-Palacios Azucena 
Published: April 2018

Objectives:
Ecological momentary assessment has been recommended in the management of chronic pain. Smartphone apps might be a useful tool for that purpose. This goal of this study was to develop and test a multidimensional smartphone app for adults with chronic pain. A multidisciplinary team developed the app content after a series of meetings, considering clinical guidelines for pain measurement. The content included pain intensity and interference, fatigue, mood, perceived health status, activity level, side effects of the medication, use of rescue medication, and pain-related sychological constructs (catastrophizing, acceptance, fear, and coping).

Methods:
Thirty-eight participants (21 to 59 y) used the app, called Pain Monitor, twice a day during 30 consecutive days. Patients completed a set of well-established measures at the beginning and end of the study via paper-and-pencil. Weekly phone assessments were also made for pain intensity, pain interference, fatigue, and mood.

Results:
Construct validity was revealed by moderate-to-strong correlations between app content and traditional measures. Feasibility was supported by high compliance (between 70% and 82%) and high acceptability and ease of use. Both side effects of the medication and use of rescue medication were found to be useful tools to guide treatment.

Discussion:
The new assessment protocol in the app allows for an easy and rapid multidimensional assessment of chronic pain patients.
Clinical Prediction Rule for Heterotopic Ossification of the Hip in Patients with Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Suero Eduardo M. , Meindl Renate , Schildhauer Thomas A. , Citak Mustafa 
Published: April 2018

Study Design.
A case-control study; clinical prediction rule.

Objective.
The aim of this study was to construct and internally validate a clinical prediction rule to identify patients at high risk of developing heterotopic ossification (HO) after spinal cord injury (SCI).

Summary of Background Data.
HO after SCI can lead to loss of joint mobility, loss of function, peripheral nerve entrapment, and pressure sores. HO is usually diagnosed on the basis of clinical symptoms, as no laboratory tests are yet available to identify patients with early HO formation. Risk factors include a complete SCI; patient age; spasticity; urinary tract infection (UTI); pneumonia; pelvic trauma; cervical or thoracic injury; and pressure sores.

Methods.
We analyzed a total of 558 patients with SCI, of whom 221 developed HO of the hip. A parametric survival model was fitted to estimate the probability of developing HO of the hip within 3 months of a SCI. Hazard ratios (HRs) calculation, internal validation, calibration, and model reduction were performed over 200 bootstrapped resamples. A risk score for clinical used was developed.

Results.
Risk factors contributing to the risk score were completeness of the injury, age, sex, UTI, spasticity, and pneumonia. The model demonstrated good discrimination (AUC = 0.72). According to the risk score quintiles, the risk of developing HO after SCI was 1.0 for persons with a score of 0 to 17 and increased 2.47-fold for persons with a score of 1 to 21, 4.75-fold for persons with a score of 22 to 27, 6.95-fold for persons with a score of 28 to 31, and 9.23-fold for persons with a score of 32-35.

Conclusion.
The risk score demonstrated good discrimination in predicting the occurrence of HO within 3 months of a SCI. Further development and validation of the model in other populations is warranted.

Level of Evidence: 3
Implication of Biomarker Mutations for Predicting Survival in Patients With Metastatic Lung Cancer to the Spine
Authors: Choi Bryan D. , Shankar Ganesh M. , Sivaganesan Ahilan , Van Beaver Laura A. , Oh Kevin , Shin John H. 
Published: April 2018

Study Design.
A retrospective cohort study.

Objective.
We performed a retrospective study of patients treated at our institution over the last 7 years to ascertain whether gene expression signatures in patients with advanced metastatic disease are associated with survival, when the disease has progressed to the spine.

Summary of Background Data.
Spinal metastases are a major cause of morbidity in patients with cancer. Molecular profiling strategies to characterize lung cancer have identified several genetic biomarkers that may lead to more effective prognostication.

Methods.
We queried our institutional database for patients with metastatic lung cancer who underwent treatment for spinal metastases between 2011 and 2017. Genetic mutations in ALK, MET, ROS1, EGFR, and KRAS were chosen a priori for study based on availability by standard SNaPshot Lung Tumor Genotyping Analysis. Survival time was the duration between treatment for spinal metastases and death. Kaplan–Meier methods and the log-rank test were applied to characterize survival data.

Results.
Twenty-six patients met criteria for inclusion. Median survival after surgery was 0.67 years. Median overall survival (OS) after diagnosis was 2.7 years. The presence of molecular abnormalities in patients with spinal metastases was significantly associated with increased OS (HR 0.38, 95% CI 0.12–1.22, P = 0.03).

Conclusion.
Molecular phenotyping may provide prognostic insight in patients undergoing surgery for spinal metastases. This is the first study to demonstrate an association between genetic mutational data and OS in this patient population. It also represents the largest published series of such patients (n = 26) for which genetic mutational data are reported. Future models estimating survival for patients with spinal metastases may be enhanced by incorporation of molecular criteria.

Level of Evidence: 4
Alloknesis and hyperknesis—mechanisms, assessment methodology, and clinical implications of itch sensitization
Authors: Andersen Hjalte Holm , Akiyama Tasuku , Nattkemper Leigh Ann , van Laarhoven Antoinette , Elberling Jesper , Yosipovitch Gil , Arendt-Nielsen Lars 
Published: April 2018

AbstractItch and pain share numerous mechanistic similarities. Patients with chronic itch conditions (for instance atopic dermatitis or neuropathic itch) often experience symptoms such as mechanical alloknesis and hyperknesis. These dysesthesias are analogous to the pain-associated phenomena allodynia and hyperalgesia, which are often observed, for example, in neuropathic pain conditions. Mechanical itch dysesthesias represent abnormal sensory states (caused by neuroplastic changes), wherein considerable itch is evoked, for instance by light cutaneous stimuli such as from clothing (alloknesis), or where increased itch is perceived in response to normally itch-evoking stimuli (hyperknesis). These itch sensitization phenomena have been explored in experimental human studies, observed in chronic itch patients, and in animal models of itch. Limited attention has been paid to these sensory phenomena in clinical studies, and it is unknown how they respond to antipruritics. Psychophysical quantitative sensory testing can quantify the presence, severity, and spatial extent of itch dysesthesias in chronic itch patients, providing a proxy measurement of itch sensitization. This review outlines current assessment techniques, knowledge on the mechanisms of mechanical alloknesis and hyperknesis, and presents the diverse results derived from clinical studies exploring the presence of itch dysesthesias in chronic itch patients. A key role of quantitative sensory testing and neuronal sensitization in patients with chronic pain is accepted and used in clinical assessments. However, the precise mechanisms and potential clinical implications of itch sensitization in chronic itch patients remain to be evaluated.
Hybrid Extracorporeal Therapies as a Bridge to Pediatric Liver Transplantation*
Authors: Akcan Arikan Ayse , Srivaths Poyyapakkam , Himes Ryan W. , Tufan Pekkucuksen Naile , Lam Fong , Nguyen Trung , Miloh Tamir , Braun Michael , Goss John , Desai Moreshwar S. 
Published: April 2018

Objectives:
Standard intensive care treatment is inadequate to keep children with liver failure alive without catastrophic complications to ensure successful transplant, as accumulation of endogenous protein-bound toxins often lead to hepatic encephalopathy, hepatorenal syndrome, cardiovascular instability, and multiple organ failure. Given paucity of proven treatment modalities for liver failure, blood purification using different extracorporeal treatments as a bridge to transplantation is used, but studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of combination of these therapies, especially in pediatric liver failure, are lacking. We describe our experience at a major tertiary children’s hospital, where a unique hybrid extracorporeal treatment protocol has been instituted and followed for acute liver failure or acute-on-chronic liver failure as a bridge to transplantation. This protocol combines high-flux continuous renal replacement therapy for hyperammonemia, therapeutic plasma exchange for coagulopathy, and albumin-assisted dialysis (molecular adsorbent recirculating system) for hepatic encephalopathy.

Design:
Retrospective observational study.

Setting:
Freestanding tertiary children’s hospital and liver transplant referral center.

Patients:
All patients with acute liver failure/acute-on-chronic liver failure receiving hybrid extracorporeal therapy over 24 months.

Intervention:
Hybdrid extracorporeal therapy.

Measurements and Main Results:
Fifteen children (age 3 yr [0.7–9 yr]; 73% male) with acute liver failure/acute-on-chronic liver failure who were either listed or actively considered for listing and met our protocol criteria were treated with hybrid extracorporeal therapy; 93% were ventilated, and 80% were on vasoactive support. Of these, two patients recovered spontaneously, four died prior to transplant, and nine were successfully transplanted; 90-day survival post orthotopic liver transplant was 100%. Overall survival to hospital discharge was 73%.

Conclusions:
Hybrid extracorporeal therapies can be effectively implemented in pediatric liver failure as a bridge to transplantation. Overall complexity and heavy resource utilization need to be carefully considered in instituting these therapies in suitable candidates.