bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Systematic review with meta‐analysis: extrahepatic manifestations in chronic hepatitis C virus‐infected patients in East Asia
Authors: Younossi Zobair M. , Henry Linda , P. Ong Janus , Tanaka Atsushi , Eguchi Yuichiro , Mizokami Masashi , Lim Young‐Suk , Dan Yock Young , Yu Ming‐Lung , Stepanova Maria 
Published: February 2019

SUMMARYBackgroundAlthough the prevalence of extrahepatic manifestations of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been reported from Western countries, their prevalence in East Asian countries is not well known.AimTo perform a systematic review to quantify the prevalence of selected extrahepatic manifestations ofHCVamong patients from East Asia.MethodsMedline,CINAHL,EMBASE, Cochrane and country‐specific databases were reviewed according to standard guidelines for meta‐analyses. Only articles with patients from East Asian countries were included.ResultsAfter review, 34 articles were selected (Japan = 9; China = 5, Korea = 3, Taiwan = 16, multiple countries = 1) with 646 228 subjects, 66 436 withHCV. Mean age forHCV‐infected patients was 56 years (range 41‐72 years), 50% were male (range 26%‐73%). The pooled prevalence of type 2 diabetes in East AsianHCVpatients was 19.0% (95% confidence interval 15.6%‐22.9%) (n = 19 studies) with an increased risk when compared to non‐HCV: odds ratio (OR) 1.58 (1.28‐1.94). The prevalence of chronic kidney disease inHCVwas 9.2% (5.0%‐16.2%) (n = 7 studies), also with a significantly increased risk:OR=1.98 (1.41‐2.77). Pooled prevalence of cardiovascular disease inHCVwas 8.6% (3.5%‐19.9%) (n = 6 studies), also with an increased risk:OR = 1.55 (1.21‐1.98). The prevalence of lichen planus inHCVwas 8.9% (3.6%‐20.6%) (n = 6 studies) while the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis was 4.5% (0.6%‐25.7%) (n = 4 studies).ConclusionsThese data show increased risk of developing extrahepatic manifestations in East Asian patients withHCV. Both hepatic and extrahepatic manifestations of the infection should be used to accurately determine the total burden of the disease in the region.
Consensus: guidelines: best practices for detection, assessment and management of suspected acute drug‐induced liver injury during clinical trials in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Regev Arie , Palmer Melissa , Avigan Mark I. , Dimick‐Santos Lara , Treem William R. , Marcinak John F. , Seekins Daniel , Krishna Gopal , Anania Frank A. , Freston James W. , Lewis James H. , Sanyal Arun J. , Chalasani Naga 
Published: February 2019

SummaryBackgroundThe last decade has seen a rapid growth in the number of clinical trials enrolling patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Due to the underlying chronic liver disease, patients with NASH often require different approaches to the assessment and management of suspected drug‐induced liver injury (DILI) compared to patients with healthy livers. However, currently no regulatory guidelines or position papers systematically address best practices pertaining to DILI in NASH clinical trials.AimsThis publication focuses on best practices concerning the detection, monitoring, diagnosis and management of suspected acute DILI during clinical trials in patients with NASH.MethodsThis is one of several papers developed by the IQ DILI Initiative, comprised of members from 15 pharmaceutical companies, in collaboration with DILI experts from academia and regulatory agencies. This paper is based on extensive literature review, and discussions between industry members with expertise in drug safety and DILI experts from outside industry to achieve consensus on common questions related to this topic.ResultsRecommended best practices are outlined pertaining to hepatic inclusion and exclusion criteria, monitoring of liver tests, DILI detection, approach to a suspected DILI signal, causality assessment and hepatic discontinuation rules.ConclusionsThis paper provides a framework for the approach to assessment and management of suspected acute DILI during clinical trials in patients with NASH.
Reactions to Gudair® vaccination identified in sheep used for biomedical research
Authors: Musk GC , Kershaw H , Tano K , Niklasson A , von Unge M , Dilley RJ 
Published: February 2019

Case reportWe report Gudair® vaccination (against ovine Johne's disease, Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis) site reactions in sheep used as a surgical model in biomedical research and discuss the actual and potential impact these lesions may have on surgical procedures, particularly in otology. Nine female Merino‐cross sheep (Ovis aries) were enrolled in a project designed to investigate the healing capabilities of the malleus bone in the middle ear. The sheep were 12–18 months of age. Eight sheep had lesions near the base of the right ear that were discovered when surgery was performed. The size of the lesions varied and all lesions had a thick capsule containing various amount of caseous material. Two lesions had a draining tract where purulent material was apparent at the lowest point. The prescapular lymph nodes were not palpable in any of the sheep. Aerobic growth of various organisms was reported from four sheep lesions when the purulent material was transferred to a broth media. Histopathological examination revealed intralesional Mycobacteria and focal caseous necrosis or granulomatous dermatitis and cellulitis in seven of the eight lesions. Mild necrotising to granulomatous dermatitis and cellulitis was described in the lesion where organisms were not found.ConclusionsThe lesions were confirmed at the end of the study to be associated with the vaccination and did not cause any known adverse effects on the research. However, it is important to acknowledge the risk of contamination these lesions could have on a sterile surgical site.
Does Ethical Reinforcement Pay? Evidence from the Canadian Mutual Fund Industry in the Post‐Financial Crisis Era
Authors: Smimou K. , Ayadi Mohamed A. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThis study elucidates the link and effect ofethical reinforcement in the post‐financial crisis eraby taking two congruent directions to demonstrate that ethical reinforcement can be accomplished by either a continuous ethical training or a meticulous code of business ethics—which members of the mutual fund industry claim they adhere to—asbothhave a positive effect on the funds’ performance, including sizeable gains to investors. Furthermore, evidence divulges that ethical reinforcement moderates the performance of ethical or socially responsible investments (SRI) funds more than nonethical investments, suggesting that a perspective of ethical or SRI classification of a fund aloneis not sufficient, but it is necessary to have the institutional ethical environment and/or managers’ continuous ethical training. This result supports the notion of financial market discipline and reveals some factors behind SRI or ethical funds returns, notably during the period following the recent financial crisis.
Neprilysin inhibition for pulmonary arterial hypertension: a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, proof‐of‐concept trial
Authors: Hobbs Adrian J. , Moyes Amie J. , Baliga Reshma S. , Ghedia Dipa , Ochiel Rachel , Sylvestre Yvonne , Doré Caroline J. , Chowdhury Kashfia , Maclagan Kate , Quartly Harriet L. , Sofat Reecha , Smit Angelique , Schreiber Benjamin E. , Coghlan Gerry J. , MacAllister Raymond J. 
Published: February 2019

Background and PurposePulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is an incurable, incapacitating disorder resulting from increased pulmonary vascular resistance, pulmonary arterial remodelling, and right ventricular failure. In preclinical models, the combination of a PDE5 inhibitor (PDE5i) with a neprilysin inhibitor augments natriuretic peptide bioactivity, promotes cGMP signalling, and reverses the structural and haemodynamic deficits that characterize PAH. Herein, we conducted a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial to assess the efficacy and safety of repurposing the neprilysin inhibitor, racecadotril, in PAH.Experimental ApproachTwenty‐one PAH patients stable on PDE5i therapy were recruited. Acute haemodynamic and biochemical changes following a single dose of racecadotril or matching placebo were determined; this was followed by a 14‐day safety and efficacy evaluation. The primary endpoint in both steps was the maximum change in circulating atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) concentration (Δmax), with secondary outcomes including pulmonary and systemic haemodynamics plus mechanistic biomarkers.Key ResultsAcute administration of racecadotril (100 mg) resulted in a 79% increase in the plasma ANP concentration and a 106% increase in plasma cGMP levels, with a concomitant 14% fall in pulmonary vascular resistance. Racecadotril (100 mg; t.i.d.) treatment for 14 days resulted in a 19% rise in plasma ANP concentration. Neither acute nor chronic administration of racecadotril resulted in a significant drop in mean arterial BP or any serious adverse effects.Conclusions and ImplicationsThis Phase IIa evaluation provides proof‐of‐principle evidence that neprilysin inhibitors may have therapeutic utility in PAH and warrants a larger scale prospective trial.
Why electoral reform might improve representation and why it might make it worse
Authors: Guntermann Eric 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe debate over electoral reform has largely focused on representation in Parliament. However, the government largely controls policy‐making in parliamentary systems like Canada. This article shows that a more proportional system would increase the likelihood of coalitions. Because the dominant approach to studying representation in government, ideological congruence, suggests that reforming the electoral system would make no change to the level of representation, this article focuses instead on the representation of party preferences. It shows that multi‐party cabinets, common under proportional systems, involve a trade‐off between including more citizens’ preferred parties in government, while reducing the overall level of party preference representation.
Long non‐coding RNA AFAP1‐AS1 is upregulated in a subset of multiple sclerosis patients
Authors: Mazdeh Mehrdokht , Eftekharian Mohammad M. , Komaki Alireza , Arsang‐Jang Shahram , Ghafouri‐Fard Soudeh , Taheri Mohammad 
Published: February 2019

AbstractObjectiveMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system. Although the exact mechanism of this autoimmune disorder has not yet been identified, several protein coding genes and non‐coding transcripts have been shown to be dysregulated in MS patients.MethodsIn the current study, we assessed expression of actin filament associated protein 1 (AFAP1) and its naturally occurring antisense (actin filament associated protein 1‐antisense 1: AFAP1‐AS1) in the peripheral blood of MS patients and healthy individuals.ResultsAFAP1‐AS1 was upregulated in male MS patients compared with healthy male controls (P = 0.048). AFAP1 expression was not different between MS patients and controls or between any subgroups of patients and controls. The interaction between disease status and sex was significant in AFAP1‐AS1 expression. There was a significant inverse correlation between expression levels of AFAP1 and AFAP1‐AS1 in healthy individuals (r = −0.472, P = 0.001), but not MS patients (r = −0.251, P = 0.078).ConclusionsThe current study implies the role of AFAP1‐AS1 dysregulation in the pathogenesis of a certain group of MS patients. Future studies are required to elaborate the underlying mechanism of such dysregulation.
Decreased ciliary beat responsiveness to acetylcholine in the nasal polyp epithelium
Authors: Do Hung Ba , Ohbuchi Toyoaki , Yokoyama Mitsuru , Kitamura Takuro , Wakasugi Tetsuro , Ohkubo Jun‐ichi , Suzuki Hideaki 
Published: February 2019

ObjectiveWe investigated the difference in ciliary beat responsiveness to acetylcholine in ex vivo and the difference in the expressions of associated molecules (M1/M3 muscarinic receptors, pannexin‐1 and P2X7 purinergic receptor) between the nasal polyp and turbinate mucosa.Study designLaboratorial study.ParticipantsNasal polyp and inferior turbinate were collected from patients with hypertrophic rhinitis and/or nasal polyp during endoscopic sinonasal surgery.Main outcome measuresThe mucosa was cut into thin strips, and ciliary movement was observed under a phase‐contrast light microscope equipped with a high‐speed digital video camera. The samples were also examined by scanning electron microscopy, fluorescence immunohistochemistry, and quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction.ResultsCilia were well preserved in both tissues at the ultrastructural level. The baseline ciliary beat frequency (CBF) was not different between the two tissues. The CBF of the turbinate was significantly increased by stimulation with acetylcholine (P < 0.001), but that of the polyp was not. The ratio of the acetylcholine‐stimulated CBF to the baseline CBF was significantly lower in the polyp than in the turbinate (P < 0.001). Immunohistochemical study revealed that immunoreactivities for M3, pannexin‐1 and P2X7 were weaker in the polyp than in the turbinate. The mRNA expressions of M1, M3 and P2X7 were significantly lower and that of pannexin‐1 tended to be lower in the polyp than in the turbinate.ConclusionsThese results indicate that ciliary beat responsiveness to acetylcholine is decreased in the nasal polyp. This may be explained by the decreased expressions of M3, P2X7 and probably pannexin‐1 in this tissue.
Whose Sustainability? An Analysis of a Community Farming Program's Food Justice and Environmental Sustainability Agenda
Authors: Davenport Sarah Grace , Mishtal Joanna 
Published: February 2019

AbstractAs the 1960s U.S. environmental movement gained momentum, sustainability and justice discourses surfaced to the forefront. While environmental justice discourse considers the unequal effects of environmental burdens, the language that frames “sustainability” is often socially and politically neutral. This paper critically examines the sustainability initiatives and practices of urban farming program in Florida. Based on ethnographic fieldwork in 2017, it explores the extent to which these initiatives consider a community's race and socioeconomic class when working to provide sustainably grown food in diverse communities. We argue that the program's initiatives overlook food justice concerns and use the same approach across disparate communities that focus on environmental rather than community benefits. Therefore, the program's non‐political approach neglects to integrate the experiences of those living on the margins. This research calls for a critical examination of sustainability practices, and the incorporation of social justice themes into sustainability agendas.
Trends in methamphetamine and opioid use among clients of needle‐syringe programs in Queensland, Australia: 2007–2015
Authors: Jacka Brendan , Kemp Robert , Degenhardt Louisa , Peacock Amy , Clare Philip , Bruno Raimondo , Dev Abhilash , Sotade Oluwadamisola , Larance Briony 
Published: February 2019

AbstractIntroduction and AimsNeedle‐syringe programs (NSP) are an underutilized source of data on drug injection trends; these data are essential for informing public health interventions. We examine trends in NSP service occasions from 2007–2015.Design and MethodsUsing standardised data from 26 NSP outlets through the Queensland NSP Minimum Data Set (QNSPMDS), trends in service occasions among clients intending to inject methamphetamine, heroin, opioid substitution therapy (OST) medications and other pharmaceutical opioids were assessed using multilevel mixed‐effects negative binomial regression, adjusting for month, year, age and clustering by site.ResultsOver 1.5 million service occasions were recorded in 2007–2015. Methamphetamine was the main ‘drug intended to inject’ (33.7%), however cf. 2007, the incidence rate ratio decreased to 0.64 (95% CI: 0.62, 0.66) in 2009, remaining low until 2015. Among clients reporting methamphetamine injection, there was a shift in the form from base to the higher‐potency crystal methamphetamine since 2012. Heroin injection (22.5% service occasions) initially increased (cf. 2007), followed by a decline to 0.77 (95% CI: 0.75, 0.79) in 2015. Significant and sustained increases in OST and other pharmaceutical opioids injection were observed throughout the study period, accounting for 7.2% and 19.8% of total visits, respectively.Discussion and ConclusionsThe QNSPMDS provides unique, routinely collected, jurisdiction‐wide and standardised data on the demographics of people who inject drugs, types of drugs injected and regional variations; these data are essential in informing policy, planning and program implementation. There remains significant opportunity to enhance engagement and linkage to care alongside needle‐syringe provision.
Handekzeme bei niederländischen Imkern – eine Querschnittsuntersuchung
Authors: Oosterhaven Jart A. F. , Verbist Julia , Schuttelaar Marie‐Louise A. 
Published: February 2019

ZusammenfassungHintergrund und ZielsetzungStudien mit Imkern konzentrierten sich bislang meist auf die Kontaktallergie auf Propolis. Die Gesamtprävalenz des Handekzems (HE) bei Imkern wurde noch nicht untersucht. Unser Ziel war es, einen Einblick in die Prävalenz des HE bei niederländischen Imkern und in die Auswirkungen der Imkerei auf das HE (und vice versa) zu gewinnen. Zusätzlich sollten Faktoren, die mit dem HE assoziiert sind, ermittelt werden.Patienten und MethodikWir führten eine Querschnittserhebung anhand einer Online‐Befragung durch. Die niederländischen Imker beantworteten Fragen zu ihren Aktivitäten als Imker, der Prävalenz und Ausprägung des HE, inklusive Schweregrad und Einfluss ihrer Erkrankung auf die Imkerei.Ergebnisse833 Fragebögen (12 % der niederländischen Imker) wurden von uns ausgewertet. Die Ein‐Jahres‐Prävalenz des HE lag bei 13,2 % und die Lebenszeitprävalenz bei 20,5 %. Von 28 mit Epikutantest untersuchten Imkern reagierten acht (28,6 %) allergisch auf Propolis. Die einzige mit dem HE assoziierte Variable war die atopische Dermatitis (Odds Ratio 4,53 [95 %‐Konfidenzintervall 2,78–7,38]). Einer von drei Imkern berichtete, dass das HE durch die Imkerei verursacht wurde oder sich darunter verschlechtert hatte. Dennoch berichteten lediglich 3,8 % davon, ihre Tätigkeit als Imker aufgrund des HE einzuschränken. Der Einfluss des HE auf die Imkerei ist (aus Imkersicht) gering.SchlussfolgerungenIn dieser Studie mit niederländischen Imkern wurde eine im Vergleich zur Allgemeinbevölkerung höhere Prävalenz des HE beobachtet. Bei der Mehrheit der betroffenen Imker scheint ein HE jedoch kaum Auswirkungen auf die Ausübung der Imkerei zu haben.
Skin inflammation associated with arthritis, synovitis and enthesitis. Part 2: rheumatoid arthritis, reactive arthritis, Reiter's syndrome, Lyme borreliosis, dermatomyositis and lupus erythematosus
Authors: Schempp Christoph M. , Schauer Franziska , Huhn Christian K. , Venhoff Nils , Finzel Stephanie 
Published: February 2019

SummarySyndromes associated with concurrent skin and joint inflammation frequently pose a therapeutic challenge for both dermatologists and rheumatologists. In part 1 of this review, we discussed psoriatic arthritis as well as the autoinflammatory disorders SAPHO syndrome, Still's disease and Behçet's disease. Part 2 will address rheumatoid arthritis, reactive arthritis, Reiter's syndrome and Lyme borreliosis. In addition, we will discuss dermatomyositis and lupus erythematosus, two common autoimmune disorders that frequently present with both cutaneous and joint involvement. For each of the aforementioned disorders, we will highlight aspects of epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment.
Assessing patient‐reported outcomes for automated insulin delivery systems: the psychometric properties of the INSPIRE measures
Authors: Weissberg‐Benchell J. , Shapiro J. B. , Hood K. , Laffel L. M. , Naranjo D. , Miller K. , Barnard K. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractAimParticipants in clinical trials assessing automated insulin delivery systems report perceived benefits and burdens that reflect their experiences and may predict their likelihood of uptake and continued use of this novel technology. Despite the importance of understanding their perspectives, there are no available validated and reliable measures assessing the psychosocial aspects of automated insulin delivery systems. The present study assesses the initial psychometric properties of the INSPIRE measures, which were developed for youth and adults with Type 1 diabetes, as well as parents and partners.MethodsData from 292 youth, 159 adults, 150 parents of youth and 149 partners of individuals recruited from the Type 1 Diabetes Exchange Registry were analysed. Participants completed INSPIRE questionnaires and measures of quality of life, fear of hypoglycaemia, diabetes distress, glucose monitoring satisfaction. Exploratory factor analysis assessed factor structures. Associations between INSPIRE scores and other measures, HbA1c, and technology use assessed concurrent and discriminant validity.ResultsYouth, adult, parent and partner measures assess positive expectancies of automated insulin delivery systems. Measures range from 17 to 22 items and are reliable (α = 0.95–0.97). Youth, adult and parent measures are unidimensional; the partner measure has a two‐factor structure (perceptions of impact on partners versus the person with diabetes). Measures showed concurrent and discriminant validity.ConclusionsINSPIRE measures assessing the positive expectancies of automated insulin delivery systems for youth, adults, parents and partners have meaningful factor structures and are internally consistent. The developmentally sensitive INSPIRE measures offer added value as clinical trials test newer systems, systems become commercially available and clinicians initiate using these systems.
Cholangiocarcinoma is associated with a raised enhanced liver fibrosis score independent of primary sclerosing cholangitis
Authors: Saffioti Francesca , Roccarina Davide , Vesterhus Mette , Hov Johannes R. , Rosenberg William , Pinzani Massimo , Pereira Stephen P. , Boberg Kirsten M. , Thorburn Douglas 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBackgroundCholangiocarcinoma (CCA) complicates primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) in 10%‐20% of cases, but current tools for prediction of a CCA diagnosis are inadequate. Recently, we demonstrated the utility of the enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF) test to stratify prognosis in PSC. We observed that patients with PSC + CCA had significantly higher ELF score than those with PSC alone. In this study, we aimed to investigate further this association in a larger cohort of PSC patients with CCA compared with patients with PSC or CCA alone.Materials and methodsStored sera from patients with PSC (n = 119), CCA without known chronic liver disease (n = 36) and PSC + CCA (n = 32) were tested for ELF. ELF score, gender, age, age at disease diagnosis, inflammatory bowel disease, PSC duration and severity, and CCA features were compared amongst the three cohorts. Factors related to an elevated ELF score were investigated.ResultsEnhanced liver fibrosis score was significantly higher in patients with CCA without underlying chronic liver disease and in patients with PSC + CCA compared to those with PSC alone (P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, elevated ELF score was associated with the diagnosis of CCA independently of age and PSC status (P < 0.001).ConclusionsEnhanced liver fibrosis score was elevated in patients with CCA irrespective of the presence of PSC, and independently of liver disease stage. Our results indicate that the association between high ELF score and CCA may be related to the tumour’s desmoplastic nature, independent of background liver fibrosis, suggesting that ELF score could be used to risk stratify for CCA in PSC.