bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Confirmation of chronic endometritis in repeated implantation failure and success outcome in IVF‐ET after intrauterine delivery of the combined administration of antibiotic and dexamethasone
Authors: Zhang Yu , Xu Hanjie , Liu Yusheng , Zheng Shengxia , Zhao Weidong , Wu Dabao , Lei Lei , Chen Gang 
Published: August 2019

AbstractProblemThe aim of this prospective study was to investigate the prevalence of chronic endometritis (CE) in repeated implantation failure (RIF) patients and to determine whether intrauterine delivery of the combined administration of antibiotic and dexamethasone improves the clinical pregnancy outcome.Method of studyThe combination of hysteroscopy and histology was used to diagnose CE in the patients with RIF, and the diagnosed patients were treated with the intrauterine delivery of the combined antibiotic and dexamethasone therapy. The prevalence of CE in the RIF patients was recorded, and the therapeutic effect was also evaluated in the first IVF‐ET cycle.ResultsIn a total number of 298 patients with RIF, 109 cases (36.58%) were diagnosed as CE. Intrauterine infusion treatment resulted in CE resolution in 77.98% of patients. After the treatment, 85 cases with no signs of CE (Group 2) had a significantly higher implantation rate (31.33%) and clinical pregnancy rate (51.76%) as compared with both 126 cases without CE diagnosis (Group 1; 16.30% and 30.15%, respectively) and 24 cases with persistence of CE (Group 3; 14.89% and 25.00%, respectively). The live birth rate in the first IVF‐ET cycle following treatment in Group 2 was significantly higher than that of both Group 1 and Group 3 (all P < .05).ConclusionChronic endometritis is highly prevalent in patients with RIF. To the best of our knowledge, we for the first time reported that intrauterine delivery of the combined administration of antibiotic and dexamethasone as a treatment option of CE could achieve expected therapeutic effects and successful pregnancy outcomes.
The feto‐maternal immune response to equine placentitis
Authors: Fedorka Carleigh E. , Ball Barry A. , Scoggin Kirsten E. , Loux Shavahn C. , Troedsson Mats H. T. , Adams Amanda A. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractProblemAscending placentitis is one of the leading causes of abortion in the horse. Minimal work has focused on its effect on fetal fluids or the antenatal immune response of the fetus.MethodologyPlacentitis was induced via transcervical inoculation ofStreptococcus equisspZooepidemicus, and fluids/serum/tissues were collected 4‐6 days later following euthanasia. Cytokine concentrations were detected using a multiplex immunoassay within fetal fluids (amniotic and allantoic) and serum (maternal and fetal) in inoculated and control mares. In addition, tissues from fetal (spleen, liver, lung, umbilicus, amnioallantois) and maternal (spleen, liver, lung, chorioallantois, endometrium) origin were analyzed in inoculated and control mares utilizing qPCR for expression of cytokines.ResultsNo difference in cytokine concentrations in maternal or fetal serum was noted between inoculated and control mares. Concentrations of IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐10, and GRO were upregulated in the amniotic fluid following inoculation, with a trend toward higher IL‐6 concentration in allantoic fluid. The amnioallantoic tissue separating the two fluids had higher expression of IL‐1β and IL‐6 following inoculation, while chorioallantois and endometrium upregulated IL‐1β and IL‐8 expression. IL‐1β was upregulated in the maternal spleen following inoculation. Fetal spleens were upregulated in expression of IL‐1β, GRO, and IL‐6, while IL‐6 was higher in fetal liver after inoculation than in controls.ConclusionThe maternal response to placentitis is primarily pro‐inflammatory while the fetus appears to play a regulatory role in this inflammation. Additionally, amniotic fluid sampling may be more diagnostic of ascending placentitis than circulating cytokines.
Evaluation of a novel flow‐controlled syringe infusion pump for precise and continuous drug delivery at low flow rates: a laboratory study
Authors: Batliner M. , Weiss M. , Dual S. A. , Grass B. , Meboldt M. , Schmid Daners M. 
Published: August 2019

SummarySyringe infusion pumps are used for the administration of short‐acting drugs in anaesthesia and critical care medicine, but are prone to flow irregularities at low flow rates. A flow‐controlled syringe infusion pump using an integrated flow sensor for feedback control represents a new approach to overcoming these limitations. This study compares the performance of a prototype flow‐controlled syringe pump both at start‐up, and during vertical displacement manoeuvres, with that of a standard infusion syringe pump. The novel pump almost completely eliminated delays at start‐up and flow irregularities during hydrostatic pressure changes. Related fluctuations in plasma drug concentration were minimised and the known disadvantages of standard syringe infusion pumps currently used in clinical practice were reduced. Besides providing fast start‐up to steady‐state flow and precise continuous drug delivery at low flow rates during hydrostatic pressure changes, the new pump offers the potential for the development of target‐controlled infusion algorithms for short‐acting cardiovascular and other drugs.
The influence of first author sex on acceptance rates of submissions to Anaesthesia Cases
Authors: Laycock H. , Bailey C. R. 
Published: August 2019

SummaryMore than 50% of medical students and 45% of practising doctors are female in the UK. In the specialty of anaesthesia, 32% of consultants are female. However, compared with males, females are under‐represented as authors of articles published in high‐impact journals. We investigated the proportion of female first authors by examining the case reports submitted to Anaesthesia Cases since its inception in 2013. We defined authors by their sex (male or female), that is, biological characteristics, rather than their gender. There were a total of 802 submissions to Anaesthesia Cases over 4.5 years. Sixteen submissions were excluded and of the remaining 786 submissions, 279 were accepted and 507 rejected, an acceptance rate of 35.5%. Twenty (2.5%) authors’ sex could not be identified. The overall proportion of female first authors was 37.1%. The proportion of female first authors of accepted case reports was 42.1% and females were first authors of rejected case reports in 34.4%. We found that, compared with previous studies on female sex and gender bias in publishing, there was a relatively high proportion of female first authors publishing in Anaesthesia Cases and female first authors were more likely to be accepted than male first authors. Authorship is considered to reflect career success and there continues to be sex/gender inequity that must be tackled at all levels, from application to medical school, through research funding, journals and Editorial Boards.
Distribution modelling of vegetation types based on area frame survey data
Authors: Horvath Peter , Halvorsen Rune , Stordal Frode , Tallaksen Lena Merete , Tang Hui , Bryn Anders 
Published: August 2019

AbstractAimMany countries lack informative, high‐resolution, wall‐to‐wall vegetation or land cover maps. Such maps are useful for land use and nature management, and for input to regional climate and hydrological models. Land cover maps based on remote sensing data typically lack the required ecological information, whereas traditional field‐based mapping is too expensive to be carried out over large areas. In this study, we therefore explore the extent to which distribution modelling (DM) methods are useful for predicting the current distribution of vegetation types (VT) on a national scale.LocationMainland Norway, covering ca. 324,000 km2.MethodsWe used presence/absence data for 31 different VTs, mapped wall‐to‐wall in an area frame survey with 1081 rectangular plots of 0.9 km2. Distribution models for each VT were obtained by logistic generalised linear modelling, using stepwise forward selection with an F‐ratio test. A total of 116 explanatory variables, recorded in 100 m × 100 m grid cells, were used. The 31 models were evaluated by applying the AUC criterion to an independent evaluation dataset.ResultsTwenty‐one of the 31 models had AUC values higher than 0.8. The highest AUC value (0.989) was obtained for Poor/rich broadleaf deciduous forest, whereas the lowest AUC (0.671) was obtained for Lichen and heather spruce forest. Overall, we found that rare VTs are predicted better than common ones, and coastal VTs are predicted better than inland ones.ConclusionsOur study establishes DM as a viable tool for spatial prediction of aggregated species‐based entities such as VTs on a regional scale and at a fine (100 m) spatial resolution, provided relevant predictor variables are available. We discuss the potential uses of distribution models in utilizing large‐scale international vegetation surveys. We also argue that predictions from such models may improve parameterisation of vegetation distribution in earth system models.
Genetic spectrum and clinical profiles in a southeast Chinese cohort of Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth disease
Authors: Chen Cong‐Xin , Dong Hai‐Lin , Wei Qiao , Li Li‐Xi , Yu Hao , Li Jia‐Qi , Liu Gong‐Lu , Li Hong‐Fu , Bai Ge , Ma Huan , Wu Zhi‐Ying 
Published: August 2019

AbstractCharcot‐Marie‐Tooth (CMT) disease is a heterogeneous group of inherited sensorimotor neuropathies. To clarify the genetic spectrum and clinical profiles in Chinese CMT patients, we enrolled 150 unrelated CMT patients from southeast China. We performed multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification (MLPA) testing in all patients and next‐generation sequencing (NGS) among those patients without PMP22 rearrangements. We identified PMP22 duplications in 40 patients and deletions in 12 patients. In addition, we found 19 novel variants and 36 known mutations in 57 patients. Among these 55 variants, 45 pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants were identified in 48 cases, and 10 variants with uncertain significance were identified in 9 cases. Therefore, we obtained a genetic diagnosis in 63.8% (88/138) of CMT patients and 66.7% (100/150) of all included patients. PMP22, GJB1, and MFN2 are the most common causative genes in CMT1 (demyelinated form), intermediate CMT, and CMT2 (axonal form), respectively. In this study, we identified a higher proportion of intermediate CMT, a relatively high frequency of NDRG1 mutations and clinical features of later onset age in CMT1A patients. Our results broaden the genetic and clinical spectrum of CMT patients, which can help optimize the genetic and clinical diagnosis.
Mathematical equations for dental implant stability patterns during the osseointegration period, based on previous resonance frequency analysis studies
Authors: Charatchaiwanna Attakorn , Rojsiraphisa Thaned , Aunmeungtong Weerapan , Reichart Peter A. , Khongkhunthian Pathawee 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBackgroundTotal stability of dental implant can be obtained from resonance frequency analysis (RFA) device, but without primary and secondary stability values.PurposeTo formulate mathematical equations for dental implant stability patterns during the osseointegration period.Materials and MethodsAn online systematically search of the literature between January 1996 and December 2017 was performed for all prospective clinical trials that measured implant stability using RFA device during the osseointegration period. Initial mathematical function with adjustable parameters were created. Then curve‐fitting was performed using a computerized program to formulate mathematical equations stability patterns.ResultsNine publications (24 study groups) were included in the mathematical analysis. Curve fitting with low sum of squared errors could be applied in all studies, except one. The stability has been divided into high, medium, and low stability. The curve fitting showed stability dip areas and intersection point which predict the returning of the stability to reach the primary stability. The study groups with low primary stability showed the poorest results, the high and medium stability group showed the stability pattern following the assumed primary stability pattern according to the mathematic equations.ConclusionsThe model of primary and secondary stability could be predicted from the proposed equations.
Sphinkeeper™ for faecal incontinence: a preliminary report
Authors: La Torre M. , Lisi G. , Milito G. , Campanelli M. , Clementi I. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractAimA new artificial anal sphincter placed into the intersphincteric space, SphinKeeper™, has recently been proposed to improve outcomes in the treatment of faecal incontinence (FI). We report our preliminary results with short‐term follow‐up, comparing preoperative and postoperative data after implant of SphinKeeper™ in patients suffering from FI.MethodsAll patients older than 18 years were included with FI of at least 6 months, incontinence episodes occurring more than once a week and resistance to other conservative treatments. Anorectal manometry, endoanal ultrasound, Cleveland Clinic FI Score, FI Quality of Life score and total number of episodes of FI per week were recorded preoperatively and at the end of the 6‐month follow‐up period.ResultsThirteen consecutive patients were treated with SphinKeeper™. No intra‐operative nor postoperative complications were reported. Two cases of prosthesis extrusion occurred, and in one case an anterior dislocation was detected. Maximum resting pressure, total number of episodes of FI per week and Cleveland Clinic FI Score were improved after 6 months (P < 0.05).ConclusionsSphinKeeper™ could be a minimally invasive procedure for FI with good postoperative outcomes. If these results are confirmed by studies with more patients and longer follow‐up, it could be a first‐line approach in FI.
Core outcome set for children with neurological impairment and tube feeding
Authors: Joachim Kariym C , Farid‐Kapadia Mufiza , Butcher Nancy J , Chee‐a‐tow Alyssandra , Monsour Andrea , Cohen Eyal , Mahant Sanjay , Guttmann Astrid , Offringa Martin ,   the Complex Care COS Consensus Meeting Group
Published: August 2019

AimTo develop a core outcome set (COS) for evaluating gastrostomy/gastrojejunostomy tube impact in children with neurological impairment.MethodHealthcare providers/researchers and caregivers rated the importance of candidate outcomes on a 5‐point Likert scale. Outcomes rated ‘somewhat important’ or ‘very important’ by most (≥85%) respondents were voted on during a consensus meeting. Outcomes that reached consensus for inclusion were ratified and assigned to Outcome Measures in Rheumatology filter core areas. The COS was validated in a separate group of caregivers.ResultsTwelve outcomes were selected from 120 candidate outcomes to form the COS. These included five ‘Life Impact’ outcomes, three ‘Pathophysiological Manifestations’ outcomes, two ‘Resource Use’ outcomes, one ‘Growth and Development’ outcome, and one ‘Death’ outcome.InterpretationWe developed an evidence‐informed and consensus‐based COS for use in studies of gastrostomy/gastrojejunostomy tube feeding in children with neurological impairment. Implementation of this COS will help reduce heterogeneity between studies and facilitate evidence‐based decision‐making.What the paper adds

Caregivers, healthcare providers, and researchers ranked the importance of 120 outcomes.

Twelve core outcomes were identified as essential to measure in future clinical research studies.
Evaluation of weight change and hypoglycaemia as mediators in the association between insulin use and death
Authors: Min Jea Young , Hackstadt Amber J. , Griffin Marie R. , Greevy Jr Robert A. , Chipman Jonathan , Grijalva Carlos G. , Hung Adriana M. , Roumie Christianne L. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractAimTo evaluate whether weight change or hypoglycaemia mediates the association between insulin use and death.Materials and MethodsIn a retrospective cohort of veterans who filled a new prescription for metformin and added insulin or sulphonylurea (2001‐2012), we assessed change in body mass index (BMI) and hypoglycaemia during the first 12 months of treatment intensification. Cox proportional hazards models compared the risk of death between treatment groups. Using the difference method, we estimated the indirect effect and proportion mediated through each mediator. A sensitivity analysis assessed mediators in the first 6 months of intensified therapy.ResultsAmong 28 892 patients surviving 12 months, deaths per 1000 person‐years were 15.4 for insulin users and 12.9 for sulphonylurea users (HR 1.20, 95% CI 0.87, 1.64). Change in BMI and hypoglycaemia mediated 13% (−98, 98) and −1% (−37, 71) of this association, respectively. Among 30 214 patients surviving 6 months, deaths per 1000 person‐years were 34.8 for insulin users and 21.3 for sulphonylurea users (HR 1.66, 95% CI 1.28, 2.15). Change in BMI and hypoglycaemia mediated 9% (1, 23) and 0% (−9, 4) of this association, respectively.ConclusionsWe observed an increased risk of death among metformin users intensifying treatment with insulin versus sulphonylurea and surviving 6 months of intensified therapy, but not among those surviving 12 months. This association was mediated in part by weight change.
Double diabetes: A distinct high‐risk group?
Authors: Kietsiriroje Noppadol , Pearson Sam , Campbell Matthew , Ariëns Robert A. S. , Ajjan Ramzi A. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe term double diabetes (DD) has been used to refer to individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D) who are overweight, have a family history of type 2 diabetes and/or clinical features of insulin resistance. Several pieces of evidence indicate that individuals who display features of DD are at higher risk of developing future diabetes complications, independently of average glucose control, measured as glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) concentration. Given the increased prevalence of individuals with features of DD, pragmatic criteria are urgently required to identify and stratify this group, which will help with subsequent implementation of more effective personalized interventions. In this review, we discuss the potential criteria for the clinical identification of individuals with DD, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of each definition. We also cover potential mechanisms of DD and how these contribute to increased risk of diabetes complications. Special emphasis is placed on the role of estimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR) in the diagnosis of DD, which can be easily incorporated into clinical practice and is predictive of adverse clinical outcome. In addition to the identification of individuals with DD, eGDR has potential utility in monitoring response to different interventions. T1D is a more heterogeneous condition than initially envisaged, and those with features of DD represent a subgroup at higher risk of complications. Pragmatic criteria for the diagnosis of individuals with DD will help with risk stratification, allowing a more personalized and targeted management strategy to improve outcome and quality of life in this population.
Students’ perspectives of early and gradual transitioning between simulation and clinical training in dentistry and their suggestions for future course improvements
Authors: Kashbour Wafa A. , Kendall Juliette , Grey Nicholas 
Published: August 2019

AbstractIntroductionStudents’ perspectives on their learning environment are essential for course development and to enhance the educational experience. In dentistry, there is limited understanding of how students perceive their early clinical training. This study presents students’ views on their gradual progression from simulation to patient care and describes the approaches they followed to adapt during this transitioning phase.MethodsA qualitative study design was employed, drawing on focus group discussions conducted with students from the Division of Dentistry at the University of Manchester. The discussions were transcribed verbatim. Data collection and coding process followed the principles of thematic analysis and the inductive approach.FindingsThe sample was comprised of 28 undergraduate students, across four focus groups. Thematic analysis generated three key categories: students’ immediate perspectives of early clinical training, students’ approaches to adapting to the transitioning period and students’ suggestions for future improvement. Further, subthemes emerged describing the positive gains which students recognised from their early and gradual clinical involvement and training. Despite experiencing stress and uncertainty, related to insufficient knowledge and immature multitasking skills in the early years of dental training, students were motivated by the clinical environment and identified several ways to adapt to it and enhance their learning. These included additional self‐learning resources and simulation opportunities; inter‐year group learning activities and further peer support and mentoring.ConclusionThe current study provided insights into students’ experiences of learning through early clinical involvement and gradual transitioning between simulation and clinical environments in dentistry. The findings revealed that whilst students appreciated being involved in the clinic at an early stage, they had to adopt a variety of approaches to link their knowledge, learning and skills between the simulation and clinical environments. Students’ suggested additional activities to link the learning gap between the two environments and to enrich their learning.
Flooding effect on mineralogical and geochemical changes in alkaline‐sodic soil system of northern Pantanal wetlands, Brazil
Authors: Oliveira Junior Jairo C. , Andrade Gabriel R. P. , Barbiero Laurent , Furquim Sheila A. C. , Vidal‐Torrado Pablo 
Published: August 2019

AbstractIn the northern Pantanal wetlands of Brazil, alkaline sodic soils play a significant role in the ecological functioning of the region, but little is known about their mineralogical equilibria in current flooding dynamics, which is necessary for good management of these areas. This study focused on a transition between sodic and non‐sodic soils, identified by low frequency electromagnetic induction survey. Samples of B horizons from alkaline‐sodic and non‐sodic soils were analyzed via soil solution from saturated paste, decomposition of X‐ray diffraction (XRD) patterns and transmission electron microscopy with X‐ray dispersive energy spectroscopy (TEM‐EDS) analysis. The transition between alkaline‐sodic and non‐sodic soils matches with the transition between flooded and non‐flooded areas. The soil solution shows a concentration factor of about 40 along this transition. The formation of sodic soils results from an accumulation by evaporation of solutions with a positive calcite residual alkalinity (RAcalcite), probably imposed by the chemistry of the São Lourenço River. An increasing Na:Ca ratio caused solonization of the exchange complex. These alkaline‐sodic soils, however, can be interpreted as declining soils in the current context with an evacuation of soluble salts during flood cycles. The detailed investigation of the fine clay fraction (< 0.2 μm) using full profile modelling and decomposition of XRD patterns and TEM‐EDS analysis demonstrates gradual transformations of trioctahedral to dioctahedral smectite by Mg ‐ Al substitutions on octahedral sites, leading to the prevalence of kaolinite‐smectite interstratified minerals when the conditions become more acidic via the solodization process.Highlights
Clay minerals of alkaline‐sodic soil have been altered due to flooding dynamic.
Clay minerals are a useful tool for understanding environmental changes.
Interstratified clay minerals result from current acidification.
The evolution of soil mineral suite is related to the environmental changes.