bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hepatitis B Virus Infection Among Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease Who Attended an Educational Program in Japan
Authors: Tanaka Akihito , Inaguma Daijo , Watanabe Yu , Mizukawa Takahiro , Shinjo Hibiki , Koike Kiyomi , Otsuka Yasuhiro , Takeda Asami 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe rate of hepatitis B infection among hemodialysis patients is high. However, it is not clear if this rate reflects the infection rate among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Therefore, we evaluated the rate of hepatitis B infection among patients with CKD. This is an important clinical issue when considering the risk of infection to medical staff when performing invasive procedures in this clinical population. A retrospective, observational study was conducted among stable, non‐dialysis patients with CKD who attended a CKD educational program at our hospital, between August 2012 and October 2017. We collected patients’ background and markers of hepatitis infection (HBsAg, HBcAb and HBsAb, as well as HBV‐DNA when available) from medical records. The data from 496 patients (373 men and 123 women, with a mean age of 69.3 ± 13.0 years and mean level of creatinine of 3.15 ± 1.72 mg/dL, AST of 21.6 ± 10.5 IU/L, and ALT of 17.3 ± 12.5 IU/L), were included in the analysis. The rate of positive testing for hepatitis B virus infection was as follows: HBsAg, 1.6%; HBsAb, 16.5%; and HBcAb, 21.4%. Of the patients with a negative HBsAg test, 20.1% tested positive for HBcAb. Of the 66 patients in whom HBV‐DNA testing was performed, 10.6% tested positive. The rate of hepatitis B virus infection was specifically higher among patients ≥71‐years‐old. In patients with CKD, the rate of HBsAg positivity is high. Rate of HBcAb positivity is higher particularly in older individuals.
Survey of nutritional practices in total gastrectomy and oesophagectomy procedures
Authors: Lahoud John , Bazzi Khalil , Yeo David , Carey Sharon 
Published: July 2018

AimTotal gastrectomy and Ivor Lewis oesophagectomy procedures are the mainstay of upper gastrointestinal cancer management. Maintenance of adequate nutritional intake is essential for positive patient outcomes. Although numerous nutritional support options exist, clear evidence‐based guidelines on the optimal means and duration of nutritional support are lacking. The aim of this study is to establish preliminary data on the current perioperative nutritional practices of upper gastrointestinal surgeons performing these procedures across Australia and New Zealand. It is hoped this will help provide the platform for future research towards establishing evidence‐based guidelines in upper gastrointestinal surgery.MethodsA questionnaire exploring the nutritional practices and considerations of surgeons was developed and emailed to the members of the Australia & New Zealand Gastric & Oesophageal Surgery Association.ResultsA total of 27.4% of Australia & New Zealand Gastric & Oesophageal Surgery Association members completed the questionnaire. Surgeons reported inserting a jejunostomy feeding tube intraoperatively in Ivor Lewis oesophagectomy procedures 80–100% of the time, compared to only 20–39% of the time in total gastrectomy procedures. For both procedures, surgeons often refer their patients to a dietitian preoperatively, and always postoperatively. Preoperative immune‐enhancing nutrition is rarely administered. Patient age and BMI are deemed to be of low importance when determining the means of nutritional support.ConclusionsThis study has demonstrated the current nutritional practices employed in Australia and New Zealand for patients undergoing major upper gastrointestinal surgery. Questions remain regarding the noted differences between procedures as well as the optimal means and duration of perioperative nutritional support.
D‐dimer in Adolescent Pulmonary Embolism
Authors: Sharaf Nematullah , Sharaf Victoria B. , Mace Sharon E. , Nowacki Amy S. , Stoller James K. , Carl John C. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractBackgroundD‐dimer is used to aid in diagnosing adult pulmonary embolism (PE). D‐dimer has not been validated in adolescents. Clinicians must balance the risk of overtesting with that of a missed PE. D‐dimer may be useful in this context. This study evaluates D‐dimer in PE‐positive and PE‐negative adolescents.MethodsPE‐positive patients < 22 years were diagnosed with PE by computed tomography (CT) or high‐probability ventilation/perfusion, seen at emergency departments (EDs)/hospitals within a 16‐hospital system across two states, January 1998 through December 2016. Of the 189 PE‐positive patients, 88 (46.5%) had a D‐dimer and were matched 1:1 by age, sex, and race to patients suspected of PE but confirmed negative by CT angiogram.ResultsAges of PE‐positive patients ranged from 13 to 21 years, 64 (73%) were female, and 52 (60%) were Caucasian. Mean D‐dimer was significantly higher (3,256 ng/mL, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2,505–4,006 ng/mL) in PE‐positive versus PE‐negative patients (1,244 ng/mL, 95% CI = 493–1,995 ng/mL; p < 0.001). Mean D‐dimer was higher in patients with massive or submassive PE (8,742 ng/mL, 95% CI = 5,994–11,491 ng/mL), followed by PE in central (4,795 ng/mL [95% CI = 3,465–6,125 ng/mL), lobar (3,758 ng/mL [95% CI = 1,841–5,676), and distal (2,327 ng/mL [95% CI = 1,273–3,381 ng/mL]) arteries. When comparing thresholds of positive D‐dimer (≥500, ≥750, and ≥1,000 ng/mL), D‐dimer had sensitivities of 90, 82, and 67% and specificities of 16, 53, and 67%, respectively. Negative predictive values were 61, 75, and 71% while positive likelihood ratios were 1.1, 1.8, and 2.2, respectively.ConclusionsThis study represents the largest available cohort of adolescent patients examining the diagnostic value of D‐dimer for PE. Our results indicate that depending on the threshold selected, D‐dimer can be a sensitive test for PE in adolescents and that discriminative value is higher for a cutoff of 750 ng/mL than that for 500 ng/mL. Prospective studies investigating the diagnostic value of D‐dimer and a clinical decision rule for PE in pediatrics are needed.
Association of CTLA‐4 polymorphisms with increased risks of myasthenia gravis
Authors: Li Fang , Yuan Wuzhou , Wu Xiushan 
Published: July 2018

AbstractMyasthenia gravis (MG) is considered to be a kind of autoimmune disorder resulting from dysfunction of neuromuscular transmission caused by autoantibodies against the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. A number of studies have identified Cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte‐associated antigen‐4 (CTLA‐4) as a candidate gene for MG. Several recent reports have indicated that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of CTLA‐4, including rs733618, rs4553808, rs5742909, rs231775, and rs3087243 were associated with the risks of MG; however, the results were not consistent. To assess the correlations between CTLA‐4 SNPs and MG susceptibility, a meta‐analysis was performed following a series of database searching. A total of 1460 cases and 1652 controls from 12 studies were enrolled in the analysis. Our results indicated that rs231775 and rs733618 were associated with higher risks of MG, providing potential references for future case–control studies.
Polymorphisms of dopamine receptor genes DRD2 and DRD4 in African populations of Hadza and Datoga differing in the level of culturally permitted aggression
Authors: Sukhodolskaya Evgeniya M. , Fehretdinova Daniya I. , Shibalev Dmitry V. , Lazebny Oleg E. , Mabulla Audax Z. P. , Butovskaya Marina L. , Ryskov Alexey P. , Vasilyev Vasily V. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe key regulator in the control of aggressive behavior is dopamine receptors. Association of variants in these genes with aggression has been shown in modern populations. However, these studies have not been conducted in traditional cultures. The aim of our study was to investigate population features in distributions of allele and genotype frequencies of DRD2 rs1800497, DRD4 120 bp Ins, and DRD4 exon III polymorphisms and their associations with aggressive behavior in the traditional African populations of Hadza and Datoga, which display a contrast in their culturally permitted aggression. Overall, 820 healthy unrelated Hadza and Datoga individuals were studied. Self‐rated scores of aggression were collected using Buss and Perry's Aggression Questionnaire. Polymerase chain reaction‐Restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) was used to determine the genotype of each individual. We show that the Hadza and the Datoga differed significantly in allele and genotype frequencies of all studied loci. Our association analysis detected that only ethnicity and sex of individuals significantly influenced their aggression rank, but we failed to identify any associations of DRD2 rs1800497, DRD4 120 bp Ins, or DRD4 exon III polymorphisms with aggression. Thus, our data have no strong evidence to support the involvement of polymorphisms of DRD2 and DRD4 in controlling aggressive behavior.
Exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells exert therapeutic effect in a rat model of cavernous nerves injury
Authors: Li M. , Lei H. , Xu Y. , Li H. , Yang B. , Yu C. , Yuan Y. , Fang D. , Xin Z. , Guan R. 
Published: July 2018

SummaryPostradical prostatectomy erectile dysfunction (pRP‐ED) is a major health issue. There has been a shortage of an effective treatment method until now. In this study, a total of 48 adult male Sprague‐Dawley (SD) rats were randomly equally divided into four groups, including group 1—sham surgery with cavernous nerve exposure plus vehicle, group 2—bilateral cavernous nerve injury (BCNI) plus vehicle, group 3—BCNI plus adipose‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs)‐derived exosomes (ADSC‐Exo), and group 4—BCNI plus bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cell (BMSCs)‐derived exosomes (BMSC‐Exo). Twenty‐one days following surgery, erectile function was measured before tissue harvest. Histologic and Western blot analyses were then performed. Exosomes were capable of internalization into human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) in vitro and could be detected in the corpus cavernosum in vivo. The nNOS expression in the penile dorsal nerves (DN) and major pelvic ganglion (MPG), protein level of neurofilament in the DN, endothelial markers vWF, alpha smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA), the ratio of smooth muscle to collagen content were obviously lower in BCNI group compared with the sham group, while ADSC‐Exo and BMSC‐Exo groups resulted in significant restoration of the above histopathological changes. Moreover, BCNI treated with ADSC‐Exo or BMSC‐Exo had significantly higher mean intracavernous pressure/mean arterial pressure ratio compared with BCNI group. The results demonstrated that both ADSC‐Exo and BMSC‐Exo treatment could significantly alleviate pathological changes and improve the erectile function in BCNI‐related rats. Exosomes derived from ADSCs and BMSCs may be a potential agent for pRP‐ED treatment.
Sexual dimorphism in the gammaridean amphipod, Urothoe carda Imbach, 1967, from an intertidal sandflat in southern Japan
Authors: Tamaki Akio , Kagesawa Takumi , Takeuchi Seiji , Sassa Shinji 
Published: July 2018

AbstractSpecies of the gammaridean amphipod genus, Urothoe, commonly occur on intertidal and shallow subtidal sandy bottoms. Sexual dimorphism is reported for some species of Urothoe, but the descriptions are semi‐quantitative, lacking allometric growth models. A distinct sexual dimorphism was detected in Urothoe carda Imbach, 1967 collected from an intertidal sandflat in western Kyushu, Japan, in March, June, August, and October, 2015. The analysis for the total length–frequency distribution and maturity in each sex showed a female‐biased sex ratio (3.6 for mature individuals). Mature males had the larger eye and longer antenna 2 versus total length, expressed as generalized linear models (gamma distribution; logarithmic link‐function). Based on other studies on Urothoe spp. and peracarids, the above differences may suggest higher mate searching activity in male U. carda, with its larger eye functioning during the nocturnal excursion into the water column and its longer antenna 2 equipped with calceoli effective in detecting receptive females in the sediment.
Individual differences in the effectiveness of self‐distancing for young children's emotion regulation
Authors: Grenell Amanda , Prager Emily O. , Schaefer Catherine , Kross Ethan , Duckworth Angela L. , Carlson Stephanie M. 
Published: July 2018

Self‐distancing has been shown to improve children's self‐regulation in a variety of tasks. However, it is unknown whether this strategy is more effective for some children than others. This study investigated self‐distancing in relation to individual differences in executive function (EF) and effortful control (EC). Typically developing 4‐ (n = 72) and 6‐year‐olds (n = 67) were randomly assigned to think about the self from one of four perspectives: self‐immersed, control, third‐person, or competent media character. Children participated in a frustrating task for up to 10 min and overt expressions of frustration were coded. Conceptually replicating prior research with adults, younger children, and children with lower EF and lower EC (independent of age) benefitted the most from self‐distancing. This suggests self‐distancing is especially effective during a frustrating task for children with less developed self‐control, adding to a growing body of research showing self‐distancing is especially effective for vulnerable individuals.
Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Using third‐person speech and pretending to be a media character improve children's self‐regulation.

Age and theory of mind skills are related to the effectiveness of self‐distancing.

What does this study add?

Self‐distancing can help children regulate their emotions during an emotionally charged task.

Individual differences in executive function and effortful control are related to the efficacy of self‐distancing.
Ruxolitinib in elderly patients with myelofibrosis: impact of age and genotype. A multicentre study on 291 elderly patients
Authors: Palandri Francesca , Catani Lucia , Bonifacio Massimiliano , Benevolo Giulia , Heidel Florian , Palumbo Giuseppe A. , Crugnola Monica , Abruzzese Elisabetta , Bartoletti Daniela , Polverelli Nicola , Bergamaschi Micaela , Tiribelli Mario , Iurlo Alessandra , Breccia Massimo , Cavazzini Francesco , Tieghi Alessia , Binotto Gianni , Isidori Alessandro , Martino Bruno , D'Adda Mariella , Bosi Costanza , Sabattini Elena , Vitolo Umberto , Aversa Franco , Ibatici Adalberto , Lemoli Roberto M. , Sgherza Nicola , Cuneo Antonio , Martinelli Giovanni , Semenzato Giampietro , Cavo Michele , Vianelli Nicola , Sapienza Maria R. , Latagliata Roberto 
Published: July 2018

SummaryRuxolitinib is a JAK1/2 inhibitor that may control myelofibrosis (MF)‐related splenomegaly and symptoms and can be prescribed regardless of age. While aging is known to correlate with worse prognosis, no specific analysis is available to confirm that ruxolitinib is suitable for use in older populations. A clinical database was created in 23 European Haematology Centres and retrospective data on 291 MF patients treated with ruxolitinib when aged ≥65 years were analysed in order to assess the impact of age and molecular genotype on responses, toxicities and survival. Additional mutations were evaluated by a next generation sequencing (NGS) approach in 69 patients with available peripheral blood samples at the start of ruxolitinib treatment. Compared to older (age 65–74 years) patients, elderly (≥75 years) showed comparable responses to ruxolitinib, but higher rates of drug‐induced anaemia and thrombocytopenia and worse survival. Nonetheless, the ruxolitinib discontinuation rate was comparable in the two age groups. Number and types of molecular abnormalities were comparable across age groups. However, the presence of high molecular risk (HMR) mutations significantly affected survival, counterbalancing the effect of aging. Indeed, elderly patients with <2 HMR mutated genes had a comparable survival to older patients with ≥2 HMR mutations. Given that responses were not influenced by age, older age per se should not be a limitation for ruxolitinib administration. NGS analysis of HMR mutations also confirmed a strong predictive value in elderly patients.
Dendritic cells cross-talk with tumour antigen-specific CD8+ T cells, Vγ9γδT cells and Vα24NKT cells in patients with glioblastoma multiforme and in healthy donors
Authors: Eiraku Y , Terunuma H , Yagi M , Deng X , Nicol A J , Nieda M 
Published: July 2018

SummaryThe finding that dendritic cells (DCs) orchestrate innate and adaptive immune responses has stimulated research on harnessing DCs for developing more effective vaccines for DC therapy. The expression of cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigens in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) presents a unique opportunity to target these viral proteins for tumour immunotherapy. Here, we demonstrate that Vγ9γδT cells, innate immune cells activated by zoledronate (Z) and Vα24 natural killer (Vα24NK) cells, innate/adaptive immune cells activated by α-galactosylceramide (G) can link innate and adaptive immunities through cross-talk with interferon (IFN) DCs from patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and healthy donors in a manner that can amplify the activation and proliferation of CMVpp65-specific CD8+ T cells. The IFN DCs derived from patients with GBM used in this study express lower levels of programmed cell death ligand (PD)-L1 and PD-L2 and higher levels of C-C receptor 7 (CCR7) than the most commonly used mature interleukin (IL)-4 DCs. The expression level of programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) on CD8+ T cells, including CMVpp65-specific CD8+ T cells, expanded by IFN DCs pulsed with the CMVpp65-peptide and Z plus G (IFN DCs/P+Z+G), was lower than that expanded by IFN DCs pulsed with the peptide alone (IFN DCs/P). Multi-functional T cells, including human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-A*0201-restricted CMVpp65-specific CD8+ T cells, Vγ9γδT cells and Vα24NKT cells, efficiently kill the HLA-A*0201-positive GBM cell line expressing CMVpp65 protein (T98G). These findings indicate that DC therapy using IFN DCs/P+Z+G and/or CTL therapy using CMVpp65-specific CD8+ T cells expanded by IFN DCs/P+Z+G may lead to a good clinical outcome for patients with GBM.
Using conservation science to advance corporate biodiversity accountability
Authors: Addison Prue F. E. , Bull Joseph W. , Milner‐Gulland E. J. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractBiodiversity declines threaten the sustainability of global economies and societies. Acknowledging this, businesses are beginning to make commitments to account for and mitigate their influence on biodiversity and report this in sustainability reports. We assessed the top 100 of the 2016 Fortune 500 Global companies' (the Fortune 100) sustainability reports to gauge the current state of corporate biodiversity accountability. Almost half (49) of the Fortune 100 mentioned biodiversity in reports, and 31 made clear biodiversity commitments, of which only 5 were specific, measureable, and time bound. A variety of biodiversity‐related activities were disclosed (e.g., managing impacts, restoring biodiversity, and investing in biodiversity), but only 9 companies provided quantitative indicators to verify the magnitude of their activities (e.g., area of habitat restored). No companies reported quantitative biodiversity outcomes, making it difficult to determine whether business actions were of sufficient magnitude to address impacts and were achieving positive outcomes for nature. Conservation science can advance approaches to corporate biodiversity accountability by helping businesses make science‐based biodiversity commitments, develop meaningful indicators, and select more targeted activities to address business impacts. With the biodiversity policy super year of 2020 rapidly approaching, now is the time for conservation scientists to engage with and support businesses in playing a critical role in setting the new agenda for a sustainable future for the planet with biodiversity at its heart.
Cosmovisions and Farming Praxis: An Investigation of Conventional and Alternative Farmers along the Willamette River
Authors: Parks Melissa M. , Brekken Christine Anderson 
Published: July 2018

AbstractGovernments and environmental groups seeking to solve agri‐environmental issues, many of which are localized, must understand how farmers choose production practices. In recent decades, agri‐environmental discourse in the United States has identified two seemingly distinct styles of agriculture—“conventional” and “alternative.” However, this dichotomy is not reliably observed nor predictive of a farm's local environmental impacts. Using a unique framework combining practice theory and cosmovision, we analyzed interviews with 23 farmers along Oregon's Willamette River to explore how production decisions arise from social, economic, and structural factors and farmer environmental values. Results echo conclusions from previous studies to show that self‐identified “conventional” and “alternative” farmers have distinct characteristics, challenges, and rely on different institutions for support. However, we find nuanced within‐group variability and between‐group similarities in their cosmovisions, which often involve conflicting ethics and worldviews and combine with practical constraints to navigate farming decisions. This understanding informs approaches to working with farmers to improve environmental outcomes along the Willamette River in Oregon, while a similar nuanced approach to influencing local farm decisions can be adopted elsewhere.
Hepatitis C viral infection and imprisonment among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non‐Indigenous people who inject drugs
Authors: Smirnov Andrew , Kemp Robert , Ward James , Henderson Suzanna , Williams Sidney , Dev Abhilash , Najman Jake M. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractIntroduction and AimsAn understanding of the relationship between hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection and contextual factors such as imprisonment may contribute to the development of targeted treatment and prevention programs. We examine the associations of imprisonment and drug dependence with lifetime exposure to HCV, and whether these associations differ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non‐Indigenous people who inject drugs.Design and MethodsRespondent‐driven sampling was used in major cities and ‘peer recruitment’ in regional towns of Queensland to obtain a community sample of people who injected drugs, which comprised 243 Indigenous and 227 non‐Indigenous participants who had ever been tested for HCV. Data are cross‐sectional. Two binary Poisson models were developed to examine associations for variables relating to imprisonment, Indigeneity and drug use history.ResultsSharing needles and syringes in prison (adjusted risk ratio 1.25, 95% confidence interval 1.02–1.53) remained significantly associated with HCV infection after adjustment for Indigeneity, injecting drug use history and drug dependence. Opioid dependence and concurrent dependence on opioids and methamphetamine was also independently associated with HCV infection.Discussion and ConclusionsSharing needles and syringes in prison is linked with HCV infection, for both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non‐Indigenous people who inject drugs. Further development of treatment and prevention programs in prisons is required, with consideration of the role of opioid and methamphetamine dependence in HCV exposure.