bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Discovery and Validation of Circulating Biomarkers of Colorectal Adenoma by High-Depth Small RNA Sequencing
Authors: Roberts Brian S. , Hardigan Andrew A. , Moore Dianna E. , Ramaker Ryne C. , Jones Angela L. , Fitz-Gerald Meredith B. , Cooper Gregory M. , Wilcox C. Mel , Kimberly Robert P. , Myers Richard M. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractPurpose: Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide, causing approximately 700,000 deaths each year. The majority of colorectal cancers begin as adenomas. Definitive screening for colorectal adenomas is currently accomplished through colonoscopy but, owing largely to costs and invasiveness, is typically limited to patient groups at higher risk by virtue of age or family history. We sought to determine if blood-based small RNA markers could detect colorectal adenoma.Experimental Design: We applied high-depth small RNA sequencing to plasma from a large (n = 189) cohort of patients, balanced for age, sex, and ancestry. Our analytical methodology allowed for the detection of both microRNAs and other small RNA species. We replicated sequencing results by qPCR on plasma samples from an independent cohort (n = 140).Results: We found several small RNA species with significant associations to colorectal adenoma, including both microRNAs and non-microRNA small RNAs. These associations were robust to correction for patient covariates, including age. Among the adenoma-associated small RNAs, two, a miR-335-5p isoform and an un-annotated small RNA, were validated by qPCR in an independent cohort. A classifier trained on measures of these two RNAs in the discovery cohort yields an AUC of 0.755 (0.775 with age) for adenoma detection in the independent cohort. This classifier accurately detects adenomas in patients under 50 and is robust to sex or ancestry.Conclusions: Circulating small RNAs (including but not limited to miRNAs) discovered by sequencing and validated by qPCR identify patients with colorectal adenomas effectively. Clin Cancer Res; 24(9); 2092–9. ©2018 AACR.
A Genetic Polymorphism in CTLA-4 Is Associated with Overall Survival in Sunitinib-Treated Patients with Clear Cell Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Liu Xiaoyan , Swen Jesse J. , Diekstra Meta H.M. , Boven Epie , Castellano Daniel , Gelderblom Hans , Mathijssen Ron H.J. , Vermeulen Sita H. , Oosterwijk Egbert , Junker Kerstin , Roessler Max , Alexiusdottir Kristin , Sverrisdottir Asgerdur , Radu Marius T. , Ambert Valentin , Eisen Tim , Warren Anne , Rodríguez-Antona Cristina , García-Donas Jesus , Böhringer Stefan , Koudijs Karel K.M. , Kiemeney Lambertus A.L.M. , Rini Brian I. , Guchelaar Henk-Jan 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
Purpose: The survival of patients with clear cell metastatic renal cell carcinoma (cc-mRCC) has improved substantially since the introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI). With the fact that TKIs interact with immune responses, we investigated whether polymorphisms of genes involved in immune checkpoints are related to the clinical outcome of cc-mRCC patients treated with sunitinib as first TKI.
Experimental Design: Twenty-seven single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in CD274 (PD-L1), PDCD1 (PD-1), and CTLA-4 were tested for a possible association with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in a discovery cohort of 550 sunitinib-treated cc-mRCC patients. SNPs with a significant association (P &lt; 0.05) were tested in an independent validation cohort of 138 sunitinib-treated cc-mRCC patients. Finally, data of the discovery and validation cohort were pooled for meta-analysis.
Results: CTLA-4 rs231775 and CD274 rs7866740 showed significant associations with OS in the discovery cohort after correction for age, gender, and Heng prognostic risk group [HR, 0.84; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.72–0.98; P = 0.028, and HR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.54–0.99; P = 0.047, respectively]. In the validation cohort, the associations of both SNPs with OS did not meet the significance threshold of P &lt; 0.05. After meta-analysis, CTLA-4 rs231775 showed a significant association with OS (HR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.72–0.95; P = 0.008). Patients with the GG genotype had longer OS (35.1 months) compared with patients with an AG (30.3 months) or AA genotype (24.3 months). No significant associations with PFS were found.
Conclusions: The G-allele of rs231775 in the CTLA-4 gene is associated with an improved OS in sunitinib-treated cc-mRCC patients and could potentially be used as a prognostic biomarker. Clin Cancer Res; 24(10); 2350–6. ©2018 AACR.
Oral Anticoagulation in Very Elderly Patients With Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Chao Tze-Fan , Liu Chia-Jen , Lin Yenn-Jiang , Chang Shih-Lin , Lo Li-Wei , Hu Yu-Feng , Tuan Ta-Chuan , Liao Jo-Nan , Chung Fa-Po , Chen Tzeng-Ji , Lip Gregory Y.H. , Chen Shih-Ann 
Published: February 2018

Background:
Stroke prevention with oral anticoagulants (OACs) is the cornerstone for the management of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, data about the use of OACs among patients ≥90 years of age are limited. We aimed to investigate the risk of ischemic stroke and intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) and the net clinical benefit of OAC treatment for very elderly patients with AF (≥90 years of age).

Methods:
This study used the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. Risks of ischemic stroke and ICH were compared between 11 064 and 14 658 patients with and without AF ≥90 years of age without antithrombotic therapy from 1996 to 2011. Patients with AF (n=15 756) were divided into 3 groups (no treatment, antiplatelet agents, and warfarin), and the risks of stroke and ICH were analyzed. The risks of ischemic stroke and ICH were further compared between patients treated with warfarin and nonvitamin K antagonist OACs (NOACs) from 2012 to 2015 when NOACs were available in Taiwan.

Results:
Compared with patients without AF, patients with AF had an increased risk of ischemic stroke (event number/patient number, incidence = 742/11 064, 5.75%/y versus 1399/14 658, 3.00%/y; hazard ratio, 1.93; 95% confidence interval, 1.74–2.14) and similar risk of ICH (131/11 064, 0.97%/y versus 206/14 658, 0.54%/y; hazard ratio, 0.85; 95% confidence interval, 0.66–1.09) in competing risk analysis for mortality. Among patients with AF, warfarin use was associated with a lower stroke risk (39/617, 3.83%/y versus 742/11 064, 5.75%/y; hazard ratio, 0.69; 95% confidence interval, 0.49–0.96 in a competing risk model), with no difference in ICH risk compared with nontreatment. When compared with no antithrombotic therapy or antiplatelet drugs, warfarin was associated with a positive net clinical benefit. These findings persisted in propensity-matched analyses. Compared with warfarin, NOACs were associated with a lower risk of ICH (4/978, 0.42%/y versus 19/768, 1.63%/y; hazard ratio, 0.32; 95% confidence interval, 0.10–0.97 in a competing risk model), with no difference in risk of ischemic stroke.

Conclusions:
Among patients with AF ≥90 years of age, warfarin was associated with a lower risk of ischemic stroke and positive net clinical benefit. Compared with warfarin, NOACs were associated with a lower risk of ICH. Thus, OACs may still be considered as thromboprophylaxis for elderly patients, with NOACs being the more favorable choice.
A review of the helminths co-introduced with Trachemys scripta elegans – a threat to European native turtle health
Authors: Demkowska-Kutrzepa Marta , Studzińska Maria , Roczeń-Karczmarz Monika , Tomczuk Krzysztof , Abbas Zahrai , Różański Paweł 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
In the 20th century large numbers of exotic turtles Trachemys scripta elegans have been imported into Europe as pets and this has led to frequent introductions into many freshwater ecosystems. Nowadays, established populations of red-eared slider, coexist and compete with the native in Europe species of turtles in the wild. Invasive turtles are a threat to indigenous species because of carriage of many parasites, which are often considered to cause disease emergence and produce high mortality in native hosts. Helminths are the most prominent group introduced with T. s. elegans and due to their host-switching ability have become important co-invaders, a potential threat to indigenous turtle health. The aim of this review was to assess the risks of the transfer of helminths co-introduced with T. s. elegans to native species of European turtles.
New species, redescriptions and a new combination of Acanthocyrtus Handschin, 1925 and Amazhomidia Cipola &amp; Bellini, 2016 (Collembola, Entomobryidae, Entomobryinae)
Authors: CIPOLA NIKOLAS GIOIA , DE MORAIS JOSÉ WELLINGTON , BELLINI BRUNO CAVALCANTE 
Published: February 2018

Herein one new species of Amazhomidia Cipola & Bellini from Brazilian Amazon is described and illustrated: A. thaisae sp. nov., plus one specimen no nominal due to lack of material for formal descriptionend point. Acanthocyrtus guianiensis Womersley is redescribed and transferred to Amazhomidia by presence of prelabral chaetae bifurcated, macrochaetotaxy pattern, manubrium laterally with long distal mac finely ciliate and dens ventrally unscaled. Acanthocyrtus croceus Womersley is confirmed as a junior synonymy of A. guianiensis. The juvenile description of Amazhomidia ducke is provided, and changes in chaetotaxy nomenclature are made based on them. Acanthocyrtus lineatus Womersley is redescribed based on type material and new diagnostic characters are revealed. Identification keys for both genera and a comparison for Entomobryinae genera with dental spines are provided. Amazhomidia has now three and Acanthocyrtus Handschin six valid species.
Measuring the Sea: Marsili’s Oceanographic Cruise (1679–80) and the Roots of Oceanography
Authors: Pinardi Nadia , Özsoy Emin , Latif Mohammed Abdul , Moroni Franca , Grandi Alessandro , Manzella Giuseppe , De Strobel Federico , Lyubartsev Vladyslav 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACTThe first in situ measurements of seawater density that referred to a geographical position at sea and time of the year were carried out by Count Luigi Ferdinando Marsili between 1679 and 1680 in the Adriatic Sea, Aegean Sea, Marmara Sea, and the Bosporus. Not only was this the first investigation with documented oceanographic measurements carried out at stations, but the measurements were described in such an accurate way that the authors were able to reconstruct the observations in modern units. These first measurements concern the “specific gravity” of seawaters (i.e., the ratio between fluid densities). The data reported in the historical oceanographic treatiseOsservazioni intorno al Bosforo Tracio(Marsili) allowed the reconstruction of the seawater density at different geographic locations between 1679 and 1680. Marsili’s experimental methodology included the collection of surface and deep water samples, the analysis of the samples with a hydrostatic ampoule, and the use of a reference water to standardize the measurements. A comparison of reconstructed densities with present-day values shows an agreement within 10%–20% uncertainty, owing to various aspects of the measurement methodology that are difficult to reconstruct from the documentary evidence. Marsili also measured the current speed and the depth of the current inversion in the Bosporus, which are consistent with the present-day knowledge. The experimental data collected in the Bosporus enabled Marsili to enunciate a theory on the cause of the two-layer flow at the strait, demonstrated by his laboratory experiment and later confirmed by many analytical and numerical studies.
Locating People Diagnosed With HIV for Public Health Action: Utility of HIV Case Surveillance and Other Data Sources
Authors: Padilla Mabel , Mattson Christine L. , Scheer Susan , Udeagu Chi-Chi N. , Buskin Susan E. , Hughes Alison J. , Jaenicke Thomas , Wohl Amy Rock , Prejean Joseph , Wei Stanley C. 
Published: February 2018

Introduction: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) case surveillance and other health care databases are increasingly being used for public health action, which has the potential to optimize the health outcomes of people living with HIV (PLWH). However, often PLWH cannot be located based on the contact information available in these data sources. We assessed the accuracy of contact information for PLWH in HIV case surveillance and additional data sources and whether time since diagnosis was associated with accurate contact information in HIV case surveillance and successful contact. Materials and Methods: The Case Surveillance-Based Sampling (CSBS) project was a pilot HIV surveillance system that selected a random population-based sample of people diagnosed with HIV from HIV case surveillance registries in 5 state and metropolitan areas. From November 2012 through June 2014, CSBS staff members attempted to locate and interview 1800 sampled people and used 22 data sources to search for contact information. Results: Among 1063 contacted PLWH, HIV case surveillance data provided accurate telephone number, address, or HIV care facility information for 239 (22%), 412 (39%), and 827 (78%) sampled people, respectively. CSBS staff members used additional data sources, such as support services and commercial people-search databases, to locate and contact PLWH with insufficient contact information in HIV case surveillance. PLWH diagnosed <1 year ago were more likely to have accurate contact information in HIV case surveillance than were PLWH diagnosed ≥1 year ago ( P = .002), and the benefit from using additional data sources was greater for PLWH with more longstanding HIV infection ( P < .001). Practice Implications: When HIV case surveillance cannot provide accurate contact information, health departments can prioritize searching additional data sources, especially for people with more longstanding HIV infection.
Ankle Motion after External Fixation of Tibial Fractures
Authors: Taylor G J , Allum R L 
Published: February 2018

Loss of ankle movement is a complication of severe tibial fractures. This can be exacerbated if the foot is allowed to drop into equinus, particularly when an external fixator is employed. The range of ankle motion following external fixation of tibial fractures as compared to the opposite normal ankle was studied in 40 of 55 patients treated over a ten-year period. Nine were excluded due to other causes of ankle stiffness, leaving 31 cases for analysis. The mean follow up was 2 years 7 months (range 1 year to 8 years 3 months), and union had occurred by a mean of 35 weeks (range 9–100 weeks). The mean loss of ankle movement was 8° of plantar-flexion and 12° of dorsiflexion (overall loss 20°), the difference between the two being highly significant (P> 0.001, t test). Loss of ankle motion closely paralleled the degree of soft tissue trauma, being 6° for closed fractures and 22° for open fractures (0.05 > P> 0.02). Ankle function is therefore at risk when a severe tibial fracture is treated by external fixation, and appropriate measures should be taken to preserve movement and prevent an equinus contracture.
Non-Specific Abdominal Pain-an Expensive Mystery
Authors: Raheja S K , McDonald P J , Taylor I 
Published: February 2018

Non-specific abdominal pain (NSAP) is a common cause of urgent admission to surgical wards. We studied 80 such patients prospectively. NSAP was commonest in female patients under 30. The pain was localized in the right lower quadrant in 32 patients (40%) and in 56 (70%) the pain was aggravated by movement. Viral studies failed to show any abnormality except in one patient with raised acute and convalescent titres but three patients had raised antistretptolysin 0 titres. The psychological results demonstrated that the NSAP group had the same levels of anxiety and depression as the control group and also had no evidence of increased preceding life events.
Penetrating Keratoplasty in South East London 1981–1986: Epidemiological Aspects and Demands on Medical Resources
Authors: Claoué C , Falcon M , Shilling J 
Published: February 2018

We have compared penetrating keratoplasty at a teaching hospital and a district general hospital (DGH). At the teaching hospital, the pathology was similar to previous reports, but at the DGH the patients were older (P<0.01) and had a worse prognosis. The vision in the unoperated eye was also frequently poor. The number of postoperative outpatient visits within a hospital was unrelated to the original disease, and there was no statistically significant difference between the two centres. At the DGH, a corneal transplant patient requires the outpatient resources equivalent to three matched cataract patients. The implications for medical manpower requirements are discussed.
Is There an Allergic Synovitis?
Authors: Golding D N 
Published: February 2018

Nine patients had attacks of joint pain and sometimes swelling precipitated by certain foods or associated with allergic manifestations. All were atopic subjects-three having strong evidence of Type I (immediate) allergy and three ‘urticarial arthralgia’, in which attacks of severe urticaria and joint pain occurred coincidentally. Food allergy appeared to be responsible for the joint symptoms in three patients and in one it was possible to precipitate swelling of a knee due to synovitis with effusion by drinking milk a few hours beforehand, the synovial fluid having mildly inflammatory features and a relatively high eosinophil count. It seems that allergy is an occasional cause of episodic rheumatic pain or synovitis in certain atopic patients, whether or not they have an underlying arthritis. These are usually Type I hypersensitivity reactions, though it is thought that some food-allergic reactions are immune complex-mediated.
Hepatitis in a Family Infected by Chlamydia Psittaci
Authors: Samra Z , Pik A , Guidetti-Sharon A , Yona E , Weisman Y 
Published: February 2018

Hepatic involvement is considered a rare complication of psittacosis. Occurrence of icteric hepatitis as the cardinal manifestation of the disease has been rarely reported. We describe two members of a family infected by psittacosis, in whom icteric hepatitis was the prominent expression of the disease. The diagnosis of psittacosis was confirmed by isolation of the pathogen and by detection of serum antibodies to Chlamydia species. No serological evidence for acute TWAR infection was found. Chlamydia psittaci was also isolated from the family's parrot.
Asymptomatic Hypothyroidism and Hypercholesterolemia
Authors: Ball M J , Griffiths D , Thorogood M 
Published: February 2018

Hypothyroidism is a cause of secondary hyperlipidaemia. This study investigates the frequency of biochemically diagnosed hypothyroidism and its relationship with plasma cholesterol concentration in apparently healthy people. Thyroid function tests (total T4, TSH, and free T4) were performed on 272 apparently healthy men and women (179 vegetarians, 93 meat eaters) with a plasma cholesterol concentration above 7 mmol/l and on 90 individuals with a plasma cholesterol below 4.1 mmol/l who were matched for age, sex and dietary habits. Six per cent of those with a plasma cholesterol above 7 mmol/l had biochemical evidence of hypothyroidism as defined by a TSH greater than 10 mIU/l (reference range 1–6) and a low free T4 below 10 pmol/l (reference range 10.1–25). Eighty per cent of these people had a high titre of thyroid anti-microsomal antibodies. Of the 90 individuals with a plasma cholesterol level below 4.1 and the 25 randomly selected participants none had biochemical evidence of hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is relatively common in apparently healthy people with a raised plasma cholesterol. It appears no commoner in vegetarians than in meat eaters.
The effect of read-aloud assistance on the text comprehension of dyslexic and non-dyslexic English language learners
Authors: Košak-Babuder Milena , Kormos Judit , Ratajczak Michael , Pižorn Karmen 
Published: February 2018

One of the special arrangements in testing contexts is to allow dyslexic students to listen to the text while they read. In our study, we investigated the effect of read-aloud assistance on young English learners’ language comprehension scores. We also examined whether students with dyslexia identification benefit from this assistance differently from their peers with no official identification of dyslexia. Our research was conducted with young Slovenian learners of English who performed four language assessment tasks adapted from a standardized battery of Slovenian national English language tests. In a counter-balanced design, 233 students with no identified dyslexia and 47 students with dyslexia identification completed two language comprehension tasks in a reading-only condition, one task with read-aloud assistance and one task in listening-only mode. We used Generalized Linear Mixed-Effects Modelling (GLMM) to estimate accurately the effects of the mode of administration, dyslexia status, and input text difficulty, while accounting for error variance owing to random differences between students, texts, and questions. The results of our study revealed that young L2 learners with no dyslexia identification performed similarly in the three conditions. The read-aloud assistance, however, was found to increase the comprehension scores of dyslexic participants when reading difficult texts, allowing them to perform at the level of their non-dyslexic peers. Therefore, our study suggests that this modification of the test administration mode might assist dyslexic students in demonstrating their text comprehension abilities.
Using Ethnography to Identify Barriers and Facilitators to Optimal Infant and Young Child Feeding in Rural Ghana: Implications for Programs
Authors: Armar-Klemesu Margaret , Osei-Menya Sarah , Zakariah-Akoto Sawudatu , Tumilowicz Alison , Lee James , Hotz Christine 
Published: February 2018

Background: Understanding the context of infant and young child feeding (IYCF) is recognized as essential for designing appropriate complementary feeding interventions. Objective: Our objective was to study household IYCF behaviors in 2 districts in southern and northern Ghana to identify opportunities to improve existing nutrition programs. Methods: We interviewed 80 caregivers of children aged 6 to 23 months using ethnographic methods, including free listing, guided discussions and cognitive mapping techniques, and 24-hour dietary recall. Descriptive statistics and thematic content analysis were used to analyze quantitative and qualitative data. Results: In both settings, children’s diets were predominantly maize based. Fish, the main animal source food, was consumed daily but in very small quantities. Milk was consumed by only a few children, in tea and porridge. Fruits were seldom consumed. Household food production did not meet requirements, and the markets were heavily relied on for staples and other key ingredients. Most caregivers demonstrated basic knowledge and understanding of key health and nutrition concepts. Barriers to optimal child feeding identified were lack of money to purchase the nutritious foods recommended for children, seasonal food insecurity, and some caregiver beliefs, practices, and nutrition knowledge gaps. Positive contextual features include caregiver recognition of the dietary needs of young children and commitment to provide foods to meet these needs. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that complementary feeding in these rural settings can be improved through reinforcement or modification of strategic components of local health and nutrition education in light of existing barriers and enablers to optimal IYCF.