bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analysis of patients referred for aged care assessment with concerns related to hoarding or squalor
Authors: Guinane John , Bailey Deborah , Fuge Warren , Lee Sook Meng 
Published: October 2019

AbstractPatients referred with concerns related to hoarding and squalor frequently pose significant management challenges. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 120 patients referred to an Aged Care Assessment Service. The hoarding only group comprised 27%, squalor only 15% and hoarding and squalor 53%. Mild cognitive impairment was the most common cognitive diagnosis, no cognitive diagnosis was made in 25% and the usual diagnostic process could not be followed in 13%. This analysis provides relevant Australian specific data to assist with planning service delivery for a group of patients with complex management issues.
Idarucizumab for dabigatran reversal: the first 6 months in a tertiary centre
Authors: Wheeler Matthew , Borrie Andrew , Dookia Rishi , Carter John 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThis retrospective audit reviews patients on dabigatran presenting with bleeding or requiring urgent surgery in the Wellington region, whether they received idarucizumab appropriately and the outcome of episodes. Eighty patients were identified with bleeding or need for urgent surgery, 14 of which received idarucizumab. In patients who received idarucizumab, use was safe, effective and overall appropriate. Idarucizumab was underutilised with patients who could have benefited not receiving it; however, some patients who were treated may not have required it. Increased awareness and use may improve outcomes.
A nationwide assessment of blood pressure control and the associated factors in Chinese type 2 diabetes mellitus patients
Authors: Zhang Yu‐Qing , Li Yong , Dong Yu‐Gang , Wu Yan‐Hua , Bian Rui , Li Ji‐Hu , Ji Li‐Nong 
Published: October 2019

AbstractA subgroup analysis of the nationwide, cross‐sectional 3B STUDY was performed to understand the current blood pressure (BP) control status and treatment patterns in Chinese diabetes patients as well as to identify factors associated with BP control. The demographic data, anthropometric parameters, and laboratory results were collected from 24 512 type 2 diabetes patients. The BP goal was a systolic BP <130 mm Hg and a diastolic BP <80 mm Hg regardless of a history of hypertension or current antihypertensive treatment. The overall prevalence of hypertension was 59.9% with geographical differences. Among the diabetes patients with hypertension, 76.9% received antihypertensive medicines. Calcium channel blockers (39.3%), angiotensin II receptor antagonists (26.6%), and then β‐blockers (14.0%) or angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors (13.6%) were frequently used for BP control. Only 17.5% (n = 2658) of diabetes patients with hypertension reached the recommended target BP. Body mass index <24 kg/m2, urban resident, frequent physical activity, good adherence to medication, comorbidity with cardiovascular disease, achieving glycemic goal (HbA1c <7.0%), achieving lipid goal (low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol <2.59 mmol/L) were independent factors that predicted achievement of target BP goal. On the contrary, comorbidity with chronic kidney disease predicted failure to achieve target BP goal. Patients who were treated in a cardiology department or lived in the North were more likely to achieve BP goals. A considerable proportion of diabetic patients failed to achieve guideline‐recommended BP targets. More aggressive efforts should be made to overcome the diverse barriers and facilitate the optimization of diabetes management.
Savings that hurt: Production rationalization and its effect on prices
Authors: Varela Mauricio , Viswanathan Madhu 
Published: October 2019

AbstractPostmerger scenarios often lead to a reallocation of resources and production across the merged entity. Production rationalization, the process of reallocating production across facilities so as to reduce total costs, results in firms equating marginal costs across markets. This results in marginal costs, and hence prices, being higher in some markets and lower in others than otherwise would be without production rationalization. This paper proposes a model of competition that elicits these effects and the resulting consequences on consumer and producer surplus. The paper also presents empirical evidence to show that production rationalization, in the form of fleet reoptimization, affected prices following the US Airways/American Airlines merger. Prices of the merged firm increased 10% on routes typically served by US Airways relative to routes typically served by American Airlines, and by 12% relative to US Airways’ rivals’ prices. Price‐cost regressions confirm such price hikes were likely due to fleet reoptimization.
Metabolic syndrome and its association with the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII)® in a Croatian working population
Authors: Kenđel Jovanović G. , Pavičić Žeželj S. , Klobučar Majanović S. , Mrakovcic‐Sutic I. , Šutić I. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundMetabolic syndrome (MetS) is a global public health concern, although its association with the inflammatory potential of the diet is still indefinite. The main objective of the present study was to investigate the association of MetS and its components with the inflammatory potential of the diet in a Croatian working population with sedentary occupations.MethodsIn a cross‐sectional study, Croatian workers (n = 366) self‐administrated questionnaires for sociodemographic and health‐related data. Their anthropometric measurements and fasting blood samples were collected for evaluation of MetS. The inflammatory potential of the diet was assessed with a Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII)®, scored using dietary data collected from a food frequency questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression analysis, adjusted for sex, age, body mass index, education, smoking, physical activity and energy intake, was used to establish the association between DII and MetS.ResultsMetS prevalence was 25% and was significantly associated with a pro‐inflammatory diet [mean (SD) 3.28 (1.45); P < 0.01]. The pro‐inflammatory diet was statistically associated with women, university degree, moderate physical activity, snacking between meals, central obesity, hypertriglyceridaemia, hypertension, low high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol, MetS prevalence and lower adherence to a Mediterranean diet. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed a statistically positive association for a one‐unit increase in the DII and MetS prevalence (odds ratio = 2.31; 95% confidence interval = 1.61–3.31; P < 0.01) and hypertension (odds ratio = 1.28; 95% confidence interval = 1.01–1.64; P = 0.04).ConclusionsFurther longitudinal studies in different parts of Croatia, including inflammation biomarkers, are needed to enable a more defined view of the inflammatory potential of a diet and its association with various inflammatory‐based health conditions. The results obtained in the present study indicate the need for the development of anti‐inflammatory dietary interventions for population health protection.
Retinol status and associated factors in mother–newborn pairs
Authors: Bezerra D.S. , Ribeiro K.D.S. , Lima M.S.R. , Pires Medeiros J.F. , da Silva A.G.C.L. , Dimenstein R. , Osório M.M. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundVitamin A deficiency is still considered to be a nutritional problem during pregnancy, lactation and early childhood. The present study aimed to assess the vitamin A status of women and their newborns in the Brazilian Northeast and to determine the association between retinol in the maternal serum, umbilical cord blood and colostrum.MethodsVitamin A status in 65 pairs of women and newborns was assessed from samples of the mother’s serum, umbilical cord serum and colostrum using high‐performance liquid chromatography. The inadequacy of the vitamin A status of mothers and infants was identified if the retinol values were <0.7 µmol L−1 in maternal serum or umbilical cord blood or <1.05 µmol L−1 in colostrum.ResultsThe prevalence of inadequate maternal vitamin A status was 21.5% (95% CI: 11.5%–31.5%) and 13.8% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 5.4%–22.2%] based on maternal serum and colostrum, respectively. Among newborns, 41.5% (95% CI = 29.3%–53.5%) presented a low status of vitamin A based on cord serum. Multiple linear regression analysis identified that maternal serum retinol is a predictor of umbilical cord retinol (P = 0.005). Retinol in maternal serum was lower in mothers who were less educated (P = 0.04) and colostrum retinol was higher in older (P = 0.04) and multiparous (P = 0.002) mothers.ConclusionsVitamin A deficiency is a common problem among mothers attended in public hospitals in Northeast Brazil and maternal retinol concentrations are associated with retinol status in newborns. Maternal age, parity and educational level were related to the maternal vitamin A status.
Cystatin C improves blood–brain barrier integrity after ischemic brain injury in mice
Authors: Yang Bo , Xu Junjie , Chang Liuhui , Miao Zhigang , Heang Dara , Pu Yuwei , Zhou Xun , Zhang Lingwei , Xie Hong 
Published: October 2019

AbstractCystatin C, a well‐established biomarker of renal function, has been associated with a protective effect against stroke. However, the potential neuroprotective mechanism of cystatin C in ischemic brain injury remains unclear. Our study hypothesized that cystatin C can ameliorate blood–brain barrier (BBB) disruption by up‐regulating caveolin‐1 expression, thereby improving neurological outcomes in cerebral ischemic injury. Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence staining, and immunoprecipitation were performed to investigate target proteins. Evans Blue and gelatin zymography were used to examine the effect of cystatin C on BBB disruption. Plasmid and small interfering RNA transfection was used to observe alterations in caveolin‐1 and occludin expression induced by changes in cystatin C expression. Intriguingly, our study showed that the expression of both cystatin C and caveolin‐1 was increased in middle cerebral artery occlusion‐injured mice, and pretreatment with exogenous cystatin C significantly increased caveolin‐1 expression, reduced Evans Blue leakage in the injured brain region, and decreased the enzymatic activity of matrix metallopeptidase‐9. Meanwhile, our study also showed that the over‐expression of cystatin C greatly enhanced caveolin‐1 expression, which later increased occludin expression in oxygen‐glucose deprivation‐exposed brain microvascular endothelial cells. The knockdown of cystatin C induced the opposite outcomes. These experimental results indicate a positive role for cystatin C in the regulation of caveolin‐1 and occludin expression in cerebral ischemic injury. Taken together, these data unveil a new mechanism of the regulation of caveolin‐1 expression by cystatin C in the maintenance of BBB integrity after ischemic brain injury and provide new clues for the identification of potential therapeutic strategies for stroke.
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Comparative study of 15% trichloroacetic acid peel combined with 70% glycolic acid and 35% trichloroacetic acid peel for the treatment of photodamaged facial skin in aging women
Authors: Kubiak Marlena , Mucha Paulina , Rotsztejn Helena 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundPhotoaging (extrinsic aging) is caused by environmental exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Superficial and medium‐depth chemical peels with trichloroacetic acid (TCA) are performed to reduce wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, dryness, and erythema caused by photoaging process.AimThe aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and tolerability of 15% TCA peel against the combined 70% glycolic acid and 35% TCA for the treatment of photodamaged facial skin.Patients/MethodsForty female patients with types II and III of Glogau photoaging scale were divided into two groups of twenty subjects (GA/TCA and 35% TCA). The GA/TCA group was treated with combination peeling of 70% GA and 15% TCA, whereas the 35% TCA group was treated with monopeeling of 35% trichloroacetic acid. Each patient was submitted to five sessions of these peels, with an interval of 14 days between each session. The following skin aging parameters were examined before treatments, before each session, and 3 months after the last application: hydration, elasticity, melanin index, and erythema index (MPA‐5; Courage‐Khazaka, Germany); and depth and volume of wrinkles (PRIMOS; GFMesstechnik GmbH, Germany).ResultsBoth peel methods achieved significant improvement in all skin parameters: elasticity, hydration, melanin index, and erythema index. Significant differences between the GA/TCA and 35% TCA groups were found only for hydration and melanin index. GA/TCA was characterized by significantly higher values of the hydration parameter and lower values of melanin index compared with 35% TCA. Combination peel GA/TCA did not cause dryness, edema, or intensive lysis of the epidermis, and the frequency of peel‐induced erythema did not increase with the addition of glycolic acid, but with higher concentration of the TCA solution. However, subject‐perceived improvements of the 35% TCA peel did not differ significantly from subject‐perceived improvements of combination peel treatment. Adverse events requiring intervention or discontinuing treatment were not observed in either group.ConclusionThe addition of glycolic acid before 15% TCA chemical peel application significantly enhanced TCA‐induced improvement in photoaging parameters (increase in skin elasticity and hydration; reduction in melanin index and erythema index), and subject‐perceived improvements. However, 35% TCA peel is more effective in reducing wrinkles, despite a lower tolerability. Both medium‐depth chemical peels including 15% TCA in combination with 70% GA and 35% TCA alone proved to be useful for the removal of epidermal or superficial lesions and to improve the texture of photodamaged facial skin (grade II‐III Glogau photoaged skin).
Melasma: A critical analysis of clinical trials investigating treatment modalities published in the past 10 years
Authors: Spierings Natalia M. K. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundMelasma is an acquired disorder of facial pigmentation which is a treatment challenge.AimsThe aim of this article is to critically appraise the clinical trial evidence for different treatment modalities for melasma, published in peer‐reviewed journals in the past 10 years.Patients/MethodsThe literature review was conducted using PubMed and MEDLINE. The search was performed in July 2019, and search parameters were limited to all English language articles published in the past 10 years only.ResultsEighty‐nine clinical trials were found. Four clinical trials investigated topical hydroquinone, supporting its safety and efficacy as first‐line treatment. Twelve studies showed tranexamic acid as very promising. Nineteen studies assessed various novel oral, injectable, and topical treatments and highlight some new potential future treatments. Forty‐two studies investigated laser and light treatment in melasma: LFQS laser is still one of the best options, especially in darker skin types. However, the picosecond laser has shown excellent results. Finally, 11 studies looked at peels. Overall, peels have not been shown to be superior to the use of topical therapy alone.ConclusionTopical therapy with a HQ and retinoid‐based product should be first line for a minimum of 3 months with the addition of oral tranexamic acid at 250 mg BD if no contraindication. Second‐line treatment with lasers includes the LFQS Nd:YAG, picosecond laser, and the pulsed dye laser in lighter skin types. Third‐line therapy would be the addition of chemical peels to the above treatments, with GA or TCA peels having the most evidence for effectiveness.
Tax‐Efficient Asset Management: Evidence from Equity Mutual Funds
Authors: SIALM CLEMENS , ZHANG HANJIANG 
Published: October 2019

ABSTRACTWe investigate the relation between tax burdens and mutual fund performance from both a theoretical and an empirical perspective. The theoretical model introduces heterogeneous tax clienteles in an environment with decreasing returns to scale and shows that the equilibrium performance of mutual funds depends on the size of the tax clienteles. Our empirical results show that the performance of U.S. equity mutual funds is related to their tax burdens. We find that tax‐efficient funds exhibit not only superior after‐tax performance, but also superior before‐tax performance due to lower trading costs, favorable style exposures, and better selectivity.
Atrial fibrillation is frequent but does not affect risk stratification in pulmonary embolism
Authors: Ebner M. , Rogge N. I. J. , Parwani A. S. , Sentler C. , Lerchbaumer M. H. , Pieske B. , Konstantinides S. V. , Hasenfuß G. , Wachter R. , Lankeit M. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundAlthough prior studies indicate a high prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with pulmonary embolism (PE), the exact prevalence and prognostic impact are unknown.MethodsWe aimed to investigate the prevalence, risk factors and prognostic impact of AF on risk stratification, in‐hospital adverse outcomes and mortality in 528 consecutive PE patients enrolled in a single‐centre registry between 09/2008 and 09/2017.ResultsOverall, 52 patients (9.8%) had known AF and 57 (10.8%) presented with AF on admission; of those, 34 (59.6%) were newly diagnosed with AF. Compared to patients with no AF, overt hyperthyroidism was associated with newly diagnosed AF (OR 7.89 [2.99–20.86]), whilst cardiovascular risk comorbidities were more frequently observed in patients with known AF. Patients with AF on admission had more comorbidities, presented more frequently with tachycardia and elevated cardiac biomarkers and were hence stratified to higher risk classes. However, AF on admission had no impact on in‐hospital adverse outcome (8.3%) and in‐hospital mortality (4.5%). In multivariate logistic regression analyses corrected for AF on admission, NT‐proBNP and troponin elevation as well as higher risk classes in risk assessment models remained independent predictors of an in‐hospital adverse outcome.ConclusionAtrial fibrillation is a frequent finding in PE, affecting more than 10% of patients. However, AF was not associated with a higher risk of in‐hospital adverse outcomes and did not affect the prognostic performance of risk assessment strategies. Thus, our data support the use of risk stratification tools for patients with acute PE irrespective of the heart rhythm on admission.
An experimental assessment of the antipredatory function of green dorsal coloration in poisonous Neotropical red‐bellied toads
Authors: Dallagnol Vargas Natália , Guimarães Murilo , Caorsi Valentina , Wolff Bordignon Debora , Borges‐Martins Márcio 
Published: October 2019

AbstractCrypsis and aposematism are important forms of antipredatory strategies. Through cryptic coloration, animals reduce their detectability by matching the coloration of backgrounds, while through aposematic coloration, prey species signal to potential predators their unprofitability by conspicuous coloration. The efficacy of aposematism depends on a predator’s ability to identify and avoid unprofitable prey. Among amphibians, both strategies are well known for many species. Most species of red‐bellied toads, Melanophryniscus spp., present conspicuous coloration with a likely aposematic function, both dorsally and ventrally, and display the behavior known as the unken reflex. However, there are a few species, like M. cambaraensis, that only present ventral conspicuous coloration. The dorsal coloration of this species is dull green, which is usually associated with camouflage. Although this species is diurnal and toxic, the exposition of red ventral coloration does not seem to serve as an aposematic signal. Here, we evaluated experimentally if the green dorsal color of M. cambaraensis functions as warning coloration for visually oriented natural predators. We conducted field predation experiments using clay models, representing M. cambaraensis (green models) and a generalized cryptic frog (brown models), to compare attack rates between treatments. The avian attacks were concentrated mainly on the anterior end, suggesting models were perceived as prey. However, attack rates were similar on green and brown frog models. Our results suggest that the green dorsal color of the species does not act as an aposematic signal, but functions as a cryptic color. Although crypsis in poisonous species remains a complex topic, under certain circumstances, the selection pressures imposed by predators may favor a cryptic coloration instead of a conspicuous coloration, even for diurnal species.
Isotopic compositions, nitrogen functional chemistry, and low‐loss electron spectroscopy of complex organic aggregates at the nanometer scale in the carbonaceous chondrite Renazzo
Authors: Vollmer Christian , Leitner Jan , Kepaptsoglou Demie , Ramasse Quentin M. , Busemann Henner , Hoppe Peter 
Published: October 2019

AbstractOrganic matter (OM) was widespread in the early solar nebula and might have played an important role for the delivery of prebiotic molecules to the early Earth. We investigated the textures, isotopic compositions, and functional chemistries of organic grains in the Renazzo carbonaceous chondrite by combined high spatial resolution techniques (electron microscopy–secondary ion mass spectrometry). Morphologies are complex on a submicrometer scale, and some organics exhibit a distinct texture with alternating layers of OM and minerals. These layered organics are also characterized by heterogeneous 15N isotopic abundances. Functional chemistry investigations of five focused ion beam‐extracted lamellae by electron energy loss spectroscopy reveal a chemical complexity on a nanometer scale. Grains show absorption at the C‐K edge at 285, 286.6, 287, and 288.6 eV due to polyaromatic hydrocarbons, different carbon‐oxygen, and aliphatic bonding environments with varying intensity. The nitrogen K‐edge functional chemistry of three grains is shown to be highly complex, and we see indications of amine (C‐NHx) or amide (CO‐NR2) chemistry as well as possible N‐heterocycles and nitro groups. We also performed low‐loss vibrational spectroscopy with high energy resolution and identified possible D‐ and G‐bands known from Raman spectroscopy and/or absorption from C=C and C‐O stretch modes known from infrared spectroscopy at around 0.17 and 0.2 eV energy loss. The observation of multiglobular layered organic aggregates, heterogeneous 15N‐anomalous compositions, and indication of NHx‐(amine) functional chemistry lends support to recent ideas that 15N‐enriched ammonia (NH3) was a powerful agent to synthesize more complex organics in aqueous asteroidal environments.