bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Beliefs about medicines as mediators in medication adherence in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Pereira Maria da Graça , Ferreira Gabriela , Machado José C. , Pedras Susana 
Published: July 2019

AbstractAimsThis study analysed whether beliefs about medicines mediated the relationship between illness representations and medication adherence.BackgroundAdherence to medication is required in diabetes treatment, contributing to decreased blood glycaemic levels. The knowledge and perception of patients about diabetes as well as the beliefs about medicines are considered to be key factors for medication adherence.DesignThe study used a cross‐sectional design that included 387 patients recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.MethodsParticipants were assessed, between 2010 and 2013, and answered the Medication Adherence Scale, the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire, and the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire.ResultsThe results of the path analysis showed that beliefs about medicines had a mediating role on self‐report medication adherence with the exception of beliefs about specific concerns with medicines. Therefore, both general beliefs and specific needs about medicines mediated the relationship between diabetes consequences and self‐report medication adherence as well as between treatment control and self‐report medication adherence. Needs about medicines mediated the relationship between personal control and self‐report medication adherence.ConclusionHealth professionals should target beliefs about medicines besides illness representations regarding medication adherence. The current study may help optimize adherence to medication in early‐diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients.
Distribution‐free Approximate Methods for Constructing Confidence Intervals for Quantiles
Authors: Nagaraja Chaitra H. , Nagaraja Haikady N. 
Published: July 2019

SummaryQuantile estimation is important for a wide range of applications. While point estimates based on one or two order statistics are common, constructing confidence intervals around them, however, is a more difficult problem. This paper has two goals. First, it surveys the numerous distribution‐free methods for constructing approximate confidence intervals for quantiles. These techniques can be divided roughly into four categories: using a pivotal quantity, resampling, interpolation, and empirical likelihood methods. Second, a method based on the pivotal quantity that has received limited attention in the past is extended. Comprehensive simulation studies are used to compare performance across methods. The proposed method is simple and performs similarly to linear interpolation methods and a smoothed empirical likelihood method. While the proposed method has slightly wider interval widths, it can be calculated for more extreme quantiles even when there are few observations.
The early stress response of maize (Zea mays L.) to chloride salinity
Authors: Zhang Xudong , Zörb Christian , Kränzlein Markus , Franzisky Bastian L. , Kaiser Hartmut , Geilfus Christoph‐Martin 
Published: July 2019

AbstractChloride is a micronutrient required for photosynthesis but when applied in the concentration of a macronutrient, it may also promote growth by regulating turgor. However, if chloride accumulates excessively, it can induce toxicity. The aim of this study was to identify physiological dysfunctions in maize (Zea mays L.) that arise in response to excessive chloride ion accumulation. For this, a novel water sensor was employed for the first time allowing the in vivo measurement of water content in the plant by using two near IR‐wavelengths with different absorption of water. This enabled to analyse whether water imbalances occurred. Chloride was given together with calcium as companying counter cation. Results show that most of the tested maize genotypes were able to maintain growth, photosynthesis and normal water content when stressed with concentrations as high as 757.1 mg chloride/kg soil dry matter. Leaf blades accumulated only 8.5 mg chloride/g dry matter, with the most genotypes not even showing salt stress necrosis at the leaves. A comparison between more tolerant and more sensitive genotypes revealed that restriction of chloride root‐to‐shoot translocation is a trait of chloride tolerance.
Subclinical atrial fibrillation detection with a floating atrial sensing dipole in single lead implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator systems: Results of the SENSE trial
Authors: Thomas George , Choi Daniel Y. , Doppalapudi Harish , Richards Mark , Iwai Sei , Daoud Emile G. , Houmsse Mahmoud , Kanagasundram Arvindh N. , Mainigi Sumeet K. , Lubitz Steven A. , Cheung Jim W. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractIntroductionSubclinical atrial fibrillation (AF), in the form of cardiac implantable device‐detected atrial high rate episodes (AHREs), has been associated with increased thromboembolism. An implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD) lead with a floating atrial dipole may permit a single lead (DX) ICD system to detect AHREs. We sought to assess the utility of the DX ICD system for subclinical AF detection in patients, with a prospective multicenter, cohort‐controlled trial.Methods and ResultsOne hundred fifty patients without prior history of AF (age 59 ± 13 years; 108 [72%] male) were enrolled into the DX cohort and implanted with a Biotronik DX ICD system at eight centers. Age‐, sex‐, and left ventricular ejection fraction‐matched single‐ and dual‐chamber ICD cohorts were derived from a Cornell database and from the IMPACT trial, respectively. The primary endpoint were AHRE detection at 12 months. During median 12 months follow‐up, AHREs were detected in 19 (13%) patients in the DX, 8 (5.3%) in the single‐chamber, and 19 (13%) in the dual‐chamber cohorts. The rate of AHRE detection was significantly higher in the DX cohort compared to the single‐chamber cohort (P = .026), but not significantly different compared to the dual‐chamber cohort. There were no inappropriate ICD therapies in the DX cohort. At 12 months, only 3.0% of patients in the DX cohort had sensed atrial amplitudes less than 1.0 mV.ConclusionUse of a DX ICD lead allows subclinical AF detection with a single lead DX system that is superior to that of a conventional single‐chamber ICD system.
Regional abnormalities on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and arrhythmic events in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis
Authors: Okada David R. , Xie Eric , Assis Fabrizio , Smith John , Derakhshan Arsalan , Gowani Zain , Ambale‐Venkatesh Bharath , Gilotra Nisha A. , Zimmerman Stefan L. , Berger Ronald D. , Calkins Hugh , Lima Joao A. C. , Tandri Harikrishna , Chrispin Jonathan 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackgroundPatients with cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) may present with arrhythmic events (AE): atrioventricular block (AVB) and/ or ventricular arrhythmias (VA). We sought to: (a) use regional analysis of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) to describe anatomic and functional phenotypes of patients with CS and AE; (b) Assess the association of regional CMR abnormalities with the combined endpoint of death, heart transplantation (HT) and AE; and (c) use machine learning (ML) to predict the combined endpoint based on CMR features.Methodswe included 76 patients with CS and CMR. We analyzed cine images to determine regional longitudinal (LS) and radial strain (RS); and late gadolinium enhancement imaging to determine regional scar burden (%scar).ResultsPatients with AVB (n = 7), compared with those without, had higher %scar in the anterior (21.8 ± 27.4 vs 5.1 ± 8.9; P = 0.0005) and anteroseptal (19.3 ± 24.5 vs 3.5 ± 5.5; P < .0001) walls. Patients with VA (n = 12), compared with those without, had higher %scar in the basal inferoseptum (20.4 ± 30.8 vs 8.3 ± 13.4; P = .03). During mean follow‐up of 4.4 ± 3.3 years, four patients died or underwent HT; eight had VA; and zero developed AVB. Multiple regional abnormalities were associated with the combined endpoint, including scar in the anteroseptal wall (HR 1.06 [1.02‐1.09] per 1%scar increase, P = .002). The ML algorithm predicted the combined endpoint with a C‐statistic of 0.91.ConclusionRegional CMR abnormalities are associated with AE in patients with CS.
Regulatory T cells protected against abdominal aortic aneurysm by suppression of the COX‐2 expression
Authors: Liu Bin , Kong Jing , An Guipeng , Zhang Kai , Qin Weidong , Meng Xiao 
Published: July 2019

AbstractCD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) have been shown to protect against the development of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2), a pro‐inflammatory protein, can convert arachidonic acid into prostaglandins (PGs). The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of Tregs on COX‐2 expression in angiotension II (Ang II)‐induced AAA in ApoE−/− mice. Tregs were injected via tail vein in every 2 weeks. Ang II was continuously infused by a micropump for 28 days to induce AAA. In vivo, compared with the control group, adoptive transfer of Tregs significantly reduced the incidence of AAA, maximal diameter, and the mRNA and protein expression of COX‐2 in mice. Immunofluorescence showed that Tregs treatment reduced COX‐2 expression both in smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and macrophages in AAA. In vitro, the Western blot analysis showed that Tregs reduced Ang II‐induced COX‐2 expression in macrophages and SMCs. Meanwhile, ELISA showed that Tregs reduced Ang II‐induced prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) secretion. Moreover, Tregs increased SMC viability and induced transition of macrophages phenotype from M1 to M2. In conclusion, Tregs treatment dramatically decreased the expression of COX‐2 in vivo and in vitro, suggesting that Tregs could protect against AAA through inhibition of COX‐2. The study may shed light on the immune treatment of AAA.
Combined bivalent human papillomavirus vaccine and Candida antigen versus Candida antigen alone in the treatment of recalcitrant warts
Authors: Marei Ayman , Nofal Ahmad , Alakad Rania , Abdel‐Hady Amina 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe burden of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and HPV‐associated diseases is consistently growing worldwide. Several combination therapies are being tested nowadays for the treatment of recalcitrant warts, with promising results.AimsTo evaluate the potential therapeutic role of combined bivalent HPV vaccine (Cervarix) and Candida antigen versus candida antigen alone in the treatment of multiple recalcitrant warts.Patients/MethodsForty patients with recalcitrant warts were enrolled into this study. They were divided into two groups (A and B), each including 20 patients. Patients in the group (A) received intralesional Candida antigen injection alone for five sessions at 2‐week intervals. Patients in the group B received combined treatment of bivalent recombinant HPV vaccine and intralesional Candida antigen. Candida antigen was administered as in the group A, while Cervarix vaccine was given intramuscularly at 0, 1, and 6 months as scheduled. Follow‐up was made monthly for 6 months to detect any possible recurrence.ResultsEight patients (40%) in the group (A) showed complete clearance of warts after intralesional Candida antigen injection alone, while 14 patients (70%) in the group (B) showed complete regression of warts after the combined therapy. No significant side effects were reported in both groups, and no recurrence was detected.ConclusionBivalent human papillomavirus vaccine combined with Candida antigen is a promising, effective, and safe modality for the treatment of multiple recalcitrant warts.
Successful treatment of late‐onset nevus comedonicus with Er:YAG laser
Authors: Aktaş Karabay Ezgi , Yapıcıer Özlem 
Published: July 2019

AbstractNevus comedonicus, a rare congenital hamartoma of the pilosebaceous unit, is characterized by keratotic plugging. It usually occurs after birth and during early childhood. It rarely appears in adulthood. Despite the benign nature of the condition, it usually requires treatment due to aesthetic reasons. Several treatments have been reported in nevus comedonicus, most of them resulting with recurrences. Here, we report a case of nevus comedonicus with adult onset, successfully treated with erbium‐doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) laser therapy.
Burden on parents of children with haemophilia: The impact of sociodemographic and child's medical condition
Authors: Myrin Westesson Linda , Sparud‐Lundin Carina , Baghaei Fariba , Khair Kate , von Mackensen Sylvia , Acuña Mora Mariela , Wallengren Catarina 
Published: July 2019

AbstractAims and objectivesTo describe the perceived burden on parents of children with severe or moderate haemophilia and the impact of sociodemographic aspects and the child's medical condition on this.BackgroundParents of children with haemophilia face a multitude of demands. The child needs frequent intravenous injections, hospital visits, extra supervision and care. The child's illness and related management might have psychosocial effects on the parents.DesignA multicentre, cross‐sectional study.MethodsCaregiver burden was evaluated in 102 parents of children with haemophilia, using the HEMOCAB questionnaire which consists of 54 items divided into 13 domains which are to be answered on a 5‐point Likert scale. To assess the impact of sociodemographic aspects and clinical data on parental burden, linear regression analyses were undertaken. The study followed the STROBE checklist throughout the research process.ResultsGreater burden was seen in parents of children with past or present inhibitors, in parents of younger children, if a family member administered the clotting factor and in parents of children with overweight/obesity. No significant differences in burden were observed for type of haemophilia, if the child had bleeding in the past 12 months, if the child self‐infused, had another family member with haemophilia or if the parent had more children.ConclusionsParental perceived burden can be negatively affected by the child's medical condition; our results underline that healthcare professionals need to be aware of increased parental burden if the child is young, has or had inhibitors and has overweight/obesity.Relevance to clinical practiceMore psychosocial support from the healthcare professionals needs to be directed towards parents of younger children and particularly the parents of young children with inhibitors, thus decreasing the parental burden. Parental burden may be reduced if healthcare professionals more actively treat overweight and refer children to appropriate specialists.
Telemedicine in specialised palliative care: Healthcare professionals' and their perspectives on video consultations—A qualitative study
Authors: Funderskov Karen Frydenrejn , Boe Danbjørg Dorthe , Jess Mia , Munk Lene , Olsen Zwisler Ann‐Dorthe , Dieperink Karin B. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractAims and objectivesTo explore the advantages and disadvantages of using video consultations, as experienced by specialised palliative care healthcare professionals, who are involved in palliative care at home.BackgroundOne challenge in the work of specialised palliative care teams is the substantial resources used in terms of time and transport to and from the patient's home. Video consultations may be a solution for real‐time specialised palliative home care.DesignsHermeneutic, postphenomenology.MethodsAn explorative qualitative study utilising data from field notes of an autobiographical diary, participant observations and semi‐structured interviews with healthcare professionals. The COREQ guideline was used for reporting the study. See Appendix S1. The data collection took place in patients' homes and at the Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, Denmark.ResultsEight participants (n = 8); five community nurses; and three specialised palliative care team members—a head physician, a physiotherapist and a nurse—participated in the study. The healthcare professionals' knowledge was based on n = 82 video consultations with 11 patients. The range of video consultations was 3–18 per patient. The use of tablets in video consultations facilitated direct palliative care and led the community nurses and the specialised palliative care team nurse to co‐operate. Potential barriers against using video consultations are the discussions about personal, and private issues regarding the illness, while family members are present.ConclusionsVideo consultations in specialised palliative home care are feasible, and the technology can facilitate multidisciplinary participation and co‐operation among healthcare professionals. The continuous use of video consultations over time may increase the quality of specialised palliative home care.Relevance to clinical practiceThe use of video consultations can provide direct specialised palliative care over distance involving healthcare professionals, patients and their relatives.
Where cities fail to triumph: The impact of urban location and local collaboration on innovation in Norway
Authors: Fitjar Rune D. , Rodríguez‐Pose Andrés 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe role of cities in fostering innovation has for long been taken for granted. Agglomeration and the knowledge spillovers generated in dense urban environments have been considered fundamental drivers of innovation. This view has, however, become challenged by research questioning the returns to physical agglomeration and local networking, placing instead more emphasis on the importance of interregional and international collaboration, and on innovation in peripheral regions. This paper delves into the debate on the role of cities for innovation by examining the interplay between urban location and local collaboration in Norway. It uses data from the Community Innovation Survey for 2006–2010 to map out the geographical dimension of R&D collaboration in Norwegian firms with a view to assessing whether different types of R&D collaboration in urban and rural locations affect firms’ propensity to innovate. The results show that local collaboration is associated with increased process and organisational innovation, while it does not produce higher levels of product or marketing innovation. Conversely, international collaboration is connected with higher probabilities of product, new‐to‐market and marketing innovations. Furthermore, location in urban or rural areas makes no difference for most innovation outcomes in Norway when other characteristics are controlled for. Location in cities also does not shape the returns to local R&D collaboration. Hence, the role of cities for innovation in Norway, whether in themselves or as sites for dense local interaction, is less relevant than the urban innovation literature would predict.
Efficacy and safety of applying a neonatal early‐onset sepsis risk calculator in China
Authors: He Yi , Chen Jie , Liu Zhenqiu , Yu Jialin 
Published: July 2019

AimTo evaluate and compare the performance of the early‐onset sepsis (EOS) risk calculator with procalcitonin (PCT), complete blood count (CBC) and C‐reactive protein (CRP) for predicting neonatal EOS.MethodsThis was a retrospective case–control study of neonates who were ≥34 weeks of gestation and ≤12 h of age at admission to our hospital between January 2017 and December 2018. Neonates with strictly defined EOS and those without evidence of infection were included in this study. We reviewed and collected the laboratory data and medical charts of the included neonates. The EOS risk scores for all neonates were calculated using the EOS risk calculator, and the results were analysed and compared with blood biomarkers.ResultsA total of 501 neonates, including 353 infected and 148 uninfected infants, met the inclusion criteria for the study. Comparing these predictors, PCT had the best predictive value (sensitivity: 87.5%, specificity: 95.5%), closely followed by the EOS risk calculator (sensitivity: 81.16%, specificity: 93.92%). Multivariate logistic regression found that risk scores calculated by the EOS risk calculator had strong associations with EOS as an independent risk factor (odds ratio: 57.37, P < 0.05). The combination of the EOS risk calculator, PCT, CBC and CRP could increase the predictive value of the model and reach an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.987 for predicting EOS.ConclusionsIn this pilot study, applying the EOS calculator in China, the EOS risk calculator and PCT showed good predictive value compared to CBC and CRP. Risk scores from the EOS risk calculator strongly correlated with EOS, and the EOS risk calculator offered increased predictive value when used in combination with blood biomarkers.
Oral supplementation with p‐coumaric acid protects mice against diabetes‐associated spontaneous destruction of periodontal tissue
Authors: Bhattarai Govinda , Min Chang‐Ki , Jeon Young‐Mi , Bashyal Rajendra , Poudel Sher B. , Kook Sung‐Ho , Lee Jeong‐Chae 
Published: July 2019

AbstractObjectiveDietary bioactive materials having anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant potentials are able to inhibit diabetes‐associated periodontal complications. Although numerous studies indicate that administration of p‐coumaric acid (p‐CA) ameliorates diabetes and diabetes‐related complications, the roles of p‐CA on periodontal tissue destruction in diabetic mice and the possible mechanisms therein are not completely understood. In this study, we evaluated whether supplementation with p‐CA protects mice against diabetes‐associated spontaneous periodontal destruction and also explored the associated mechanism therein using in vivo and in vitro experimental systems.Materials and MethodsC57BL/6 male mice were divided into sham, streptozotocin (STZ), and STZ+CA groups (n = 5/group). Sham group was intraperitoneally injected with sodium buffer, whereas other two groups were injected with the buffer containing 160 mg/kg of STZ. STZ‐induced diabetic mice received oral gavage with p‐CA (50 mg/kg) (STZ+CA group) or with buffer only (STZ group) daily for 6 weeks. The effect of p‐CA on diabetes‐associated spontaneous periodontal destruction was evaluated using μCT analysis, hematoxylin and eosin staining, tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase staining, and immunohistochemical staining methods. The efficacies of p‐CA on cell proliferation, osteoblast differentiation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, and antioxidant‐related marker expression were examined using human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (hPLFs) cultured under high glucose condition.ResultsStreptozotocin group exhibited periodontal tissue destruction along with increased inflammation, oxidative stress, and osteoclast formation, as well as with decreased osteogenesis. However, oral administration with p‐CA protected mice against STZ‐induced periodontal destruction by inhibiting inflammation and osteoclastic activation. STZ+CA group also showed higher expression of antioxidant and osteogenic markers in periodontal tissue than did STZ group. Treatment with high glucose concentration (30 mmol/L) impaired proliferation and osteoblast differentiation of hPLFs along with cellular ROS accumulation, whereas these impairments were almost completely disappeared by supplementation with p‐CA.ConclusionThese findings demonstrate that supplementation with p‐CA inhibits diabetes‐associated spontaneous destruction of periodontal tissue by enhancing anti‐inflammatory, anti‐osteoclastogenic, and antioxidant defense systems in STZ‐treated mice.