bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Virgin coconut oil extract mitigates testicular‐induced toxicity of alcohol use in antiretroviral therapy
Authors: Ogedengbe O. O. , Naidu E. C. S. , Akang E. N. , Offor U. , Onanuga I. O. , Peter A. I. , Jegede A. I. , Azu O. O. 
Published: April 2018

SummaryThe consumption of alcohol by people living with HIV/AIDS is associated with a graver prognosis. Long‐term use of antiretrovirals may have certain health challenges that may be aggravated by concomitant alcohol use. This study investigated virgin coconut oil (VCO) as an adjuvant to the deleterious effects of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and alcohol on the cyto‐architecture and functioning of the testis. Forty adult male Sprague‐Dawley rats, weighing 165~176 g, were divided into eight groups and treated according to protocol. Testicular histology, stereological parameters, seminal fluid, testosterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle‐stimulating hormone, the antioxidants marker malondialdehyde (MDA), and antioxidant glutathione (GSH) were examined. The use of ethanol alone and ethanol + HAART showed extensive degeneration in the seminiferous epithelium, decreased semen quality, disorganized basement membrane and widened, hypocellular interstitium. GSH was significantly decreased in the ethanol alone treated group with no significant effect on testosterone, LH, and MDA levels. Adjuvant treatment with VCO at low dose (2.5 mL/kg/bw) improved sperm motility with a partial restoration of the histopathological alterations. High doses of VCO (5.0 mL/kg/bw) showed greater improvement with respect to sperm counts, increased FSH hormonal and GSH antioxidant levels, and a well‐preserved testicular cyto‐architecture.
Incidence and associations of painful neuroma in a contemporary cohort of lower‐limb amputees
Authors: Penna Anthony , Konstantatos Alex H. , Cranwell William , Paul Eldho , Bruscino‐Raiola Francesco‐Raffaele 
Published: April 2018

BackgroundThe painful post amputation neuroma significantly impairs the prosthesis‐wearing lower‐limb amputee. It remains poorly understood, with literature limited to cohorts of traumatic amputees. This paper reports the incidence and associations of painful neuroma in a modern tertiary centre with a case load of amputations performed for both traumatic and non‐traumatic indications.MethodThis retrospective cohort study analysed the records of 304 patients who underwent all‐cause lower‐limb amputation at The Alfred Hospital between January 2002 and March 2012. Patients were included in our analysis if they completed 1‐year follow‐up at our Amputee Rehabilitation Clinic, producing a final cohort of 96 patients. In order to identify a painful neuroma post‐operatively, both clinical suspicion, and either histopathological or radiological evidence were required.ResultsThe overall incidence of symptomatic neuromas was 4.17%. There was no significant difference between patients who underwent amputation for a traumatic indication (6.25% (2/32) versus 3.13% (2/64); P = 0.59) compared to non‐traumatic indication (P = 0.59). Visual analogue score at discharge and the presence of phantom limb pain at follow‐up showed significant associations with the formation of painful neuroma. Dose of opioid on discharge, history of depression and current smoking did not reach statistical significance.ConclusionThis study presents a lower incidence of painful post‐amputation neuroma to those published in the literature. This may be attributed to improved methodology. The described associations require further investigation into central factors leading to neuroma sensitization.
CO2 laser‐assisted sclerectomy surgery compared with trabeculectomy in primary open‐angle glaucoma and exfoliative glaucoma. A 1‐year follow‐up
Authors: Jankowska‐Szmul Judyta , Dobrowolski Dariusz , Wylegala Edward 
Published: April 2018

AbstractPurposeTo report on the efficacy and safety of CO2 laser‐assisted sclerectomy surgery (CLASS) compared with trabeculectomy in primary open‐angle glaucoma and exfoliative glaucoma.MethodsOne hundred and thirty‐one patients underwent CLASS (66 patients) or trabeculectomy (65 patients) and were followed up for 12 months. ‘Complete success’ was defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) between 10 and 18 mmHg and reduced by at least 30% from the baseline without medications, while ‘qualified success’ was compliant with the above criteria with or without the medications.ResultsComparing CLASS with trabeculectomy at 1 year, the mean IOP reduction rate was 32.6 ± 10.8% versus 40.6 ± 15.9% (p < 0.001) and the average use of medications was 1.4 ± 1.4 versus 0.7 ± 1.1 (p < 0.05). At 12 months, the complete success rate was 35% for CLASS versus 60% for trabeculectomy (p < 0.01), while the qualified success rate was 74% versus 75%, respectively, with no significant difference in qualified success rate between the groups at any time‐point (p > 0.05). Compared with CLASS, patients after trabeculectomy developed a higher rate of early complications (9.1% versus 29.2%, p = 0.004), higher endothelial cell density (ECD) loss (1.4 ± 1.4% versus 6.5 ± 4.8%, p < 0.001), higher astigmatism (0.0 ± 0.1 versus 0.1 ± 0.2, p < 0.001) and significant visual acuity deterioration (0.1 ± 0.1; range 0–2 lines versus 0.4 ± 0.6; range 0–3 lines, p = 0.016).ConclusionAlthough CLASS shows a less potent hypotensive effect, it is similar to trabeculectomy in the qualified success rate and offers the reduction in medications up to 12 months. With a more attractive complications profile, CLASS may be an alternative to trabeculectomy, especially at the earlier glaucoma stage and in patients with a low ECD.
Fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant (Retisert®) in the treatment of sight threatening macular oedema of juvenile idiopathic arthritis‐related uveitis
Authors: Leinonen Sanna , Immonen Ilkka , Kotaniemi Kaisu 
Published: April 2018

AbstractPurposeWe describe eight patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis‐related chronic uveitis, who received a fluocinolone acetonide implant (FAI, Retisert®, Bausch&Lomb) in one eye. All patients had poor visual acuity (VA) due to persistent macular oedema in one or both eyes despite treatment with antirheumatic medication.MethodsMedian age of the patients was 22.9 years (range, 14.1–39.7) and duration of uveitis 13.0 years (range, 6.8–28.4) at FAI implantation. Median preoperative best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.1 (range, 0.05–0.4) and Standardization of Uveitis Nomenclature, SUN‐grade was SUN 2+ (range, 0.5–4.0). All patients had been treated extensively with systemic corticosteroids and antirheumatic drugs by the time of FAI implantation. The median follow‐up time was 5.3 years (range, 4.4–6.3).ResultsMacular edema resolved in a median time of 0.2 years (range, 0.04–0.39) after the FAI implantation. The median BCVA was 0.5–0.63 (range, 0.1–1.0) from 1 to 5 years of follow‐up. Macular edema did not recur in 5 eyes after the implantation. In three eyes, the macular oedema relapsed at 2.7, 2.9 and 5.5 years of follow‐up. All our patients needed antirheumatic drugs in addition to the FAI to treat their macular edema. During the follow‐up, 7 eyes required further intraocular operations: 4 cataract operations, 4 intraocular pressure ‐lowering operations and 1 retinal detachment surgery were performed.ConclusionFluocinolone acetonide implant is a valuable option in the treatment of persistent macular edema associated with JIA‐related uveitis refractory to systemic treatments.
Contribution of Helicobacter pylori infection to the risk of peptic ulcer bleeding in patients on nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, antiplatelet agents, anticoagulants, corticosteroids and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
Authors: Venerito M. , Schneider C. , Costanzo R. , Breja R. , Röhl F.‐W. , Malfertheiner P. 
Published: April 2018

SummaryBackgroundNonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, low‐dose aspirin, non‐aspirin antiplatelet agents, anticoagulants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and corticosteroids increase the risk of gastroduodenal bleeding.AimTo determine in a retrospective cohort study the contribution of Helicobacter pylori infection to the risk of peptic ulcer bleeding in patients taking these drugs.MethodsAmong patients with peptic ulcer disease diagnosed by endoscopy from 01/2004 to 12/2014 (N = 1719, 60% males, age 65.8 ± 14.5), 56.9% had peptic ulcer bleeding (cases) and 43.1% uncomplicated peptic ulcer disease (controls). Demographics, intake of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, aspirin, non‐aspirin antiplatelet agents, anticoagulants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, proton pump inhibitors and corticosteroids were documented. H. pylori status was determined by histology, rapid urease test or serology. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) were estimated by logistic regression analysis.ResultsHelicobacter pylori infection increased the risk of peptic ulcer bleeding in nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug and aspirin users (OR = 2.91, 95% CI = 1.71‐4.98 and OR = 2.23, 95% CI = 1.52‐3.28, respectively), but not in patients on anticoagulants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor or corticosteroid therapy. H. pylori‐positive status substantially increased the risk of peptic ulcer bleeding in patients on non‐aspirin antiplatelet agents (OR = 4.37, 95% CI = 1.28‐14.99), concomitant aspirin/nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug intake (OR = 5.85, 95% CI = 1.68‐20.36) and combined antiplatelet therapy (OR = 8.43, 95% CI = 1.09‐65.17). After further adjustment for proton pump inhibitor intake, H. pylori infection was still a risk factor for peptic ulcer bleeding in nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug and aspirin users.ConclusionsHelicobacter pylori infection increases the risk of peptic ulcer bleeding in peptic ulcer disease patients on nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, aspirin and non‐aspirin antiplatelet agents. H. pylori‐positive patients on combined antiplatelet therapy carry the highest risk for peptic ulcer bleeding.
Culture‐specific links between maternal executive function, parenting, and preschool children's executive function in South Korea
Authors: Lee Min Kyung , Baker Sara , Whitebread David 
Published: April 2018

BackgroundResearch on the relationships between parental factors and children's executive function (EF) has been conducted mainly in Western cultures.AimThis study provides the first empirical test, in a non‐Western context, of how maternal EF and parenting behaviours relate to child EF.SampleSouth Korean mothers and their preschool children (N = 95 dyads) completed EF tasks.MethodTwo aspects of parental scaffolding were observed during a puzzle task: contingency (i.e., adjusting among levels of scaffolding according to the child's ongoing evidence of understanding) and intrusiveness (i.e., directive, mother‐centred interactions).Results and ConclusionsMaternal EF and maternal contingency each accounted for unique variance in child EF, above and beyond child age, child language and maternal education. Maternal intrusiveness, however, was not significantly related to child EF. Additionally, no mediating role of parenting was found in the maternal and child EF link. However, child language was found to partially mediate the link between maternal contingency and child EF. These results complement prior findings by revealing distinctive patterns in the link between maternal EF, parenting behaviours, and child EF in the Korean context.
Emotion regulation and well‐being in primary classrooms situated in low‐socioeconomic communities
Authors: Somerville Matthew P. , Whitebread David 
Published: April 2018

BackgroundAlthough emotion is central to most models of children's well‐being, few studies have looked at how well‐being is related to the ways in which children regulate their emotions.AimsThe aim of this study was to examine the associations among children's emotion regulation strategy choice and their emotional expression, behaviour, and well‐being. The study also investigated whether contextual factors influenced the emotion regulation strategies children chose to use.SampleParticipants (N = 33) were selected from four Year 5/6 composite classrooms situated in low‐socioeconomic urban communities in New Zealand.MethodQuestionnaires were used to measure children's well‐being and teacher‐reported emotional and behavioural problems. Emotional expression and emotion regulation strategies were measured through video‐recorded observations in the classroom. A total of 1,184 instances of emotion regulation strategy use were coded using a framework based on Gross' process model of emotion regulation.ResultsThe findings highlight the complexity of the relations among emotion regulation, emotion expression, and well‐being. Some strategies, such as Cognitive Reappraisal, were effective at upregulating negative emotion in the short term, yet not strongly associated with well‐being. Others, such as Situation Modification: Physical, were positively associated with well‐being, yet not with an immediate change in a child's emotional experience. The findings also suggest children flexibly use different strategies in relation to different contextual demands.ConclusionThese findings may be used to guide future intervention efforts which target emotion regulation strategy use as well as those which focus on teachers' support of children during emotionally challenging situations.
The diverse origins of circulating cell‐free DNA in the human body: a critical re‐evaluation of the literature
Authors: Aucamp Janine , Bronkhorst Abel J. , Badenhorst Christoffel P. S. , Pretorius Piet J. 
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACTSince the detection of cell‐free DNA (cfDNA) in human plasma in 1948, it has been investigated as a non‐invasive screening tool for many diseases, especially solid tumours and foetal genetic abnormalities. However, to date our lack of knowledge regarding the origin and purpose of cfDNA in a physiological environment has limited its use to more obvious diagnostics, neglecting, for example, its potential utility in the identification of predisposition to disease, earlier detection of cancers, and lifestyle‐induced epigenetic changes. Moreover, the concept or mechanism of cfDNA could also have potential therapeutic uses such as in immuno‐ or gene therapy. This review presents an extensive compilation of the putative origins of cfDNA and then contrasts the contributions of cellular breakdown processes with active mechanisms for the release of cfDNA into the extracellular environment. The involvement of cfDNA derived from both cellular breakdown and active release in lateral information transfer is also discussed. We hope to encourage researchers to adopt a more holistic view of cfDNA research, taking into account all the biological pathways in which cfDNA is involved, and to give serious consideration to the integration of in vitro and in vivo research. We also wish to encourage researchers not to limit their focus to the apoptotic or necrotic fraction of cfDNA, but to investigate the intercellular messaging capabilities of the actively released fraction of cfDNA and to study the role of cfDNA in pathogenesis.
Small montane cloud forest fragments are important for conserving tree diversity in the Ecuadorian Andes
Authors: Wilson Sarah Jane , Rhemtulla Jeanine M. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractMontane tropical cloud forests, with their complex topography, biodiversity, high numbers of endemic species, and rapid rates of clearing, are a top global conservation priority. However, species distributions at local and landscape scales in cloud forests are still poorly understood, in part because few regions have been surveyed. Empirical work has focused on species distributions along elevation gradients, but spatial variation among forests at the same elevation is less commonly investigated. In this study, the first to compare tree communities across multiple Andean cloud forests at similar elevations, we surveyed trees in five ridge‐top forest reserves at the upper end of the ‘mid‐elevation diversity bulge’ (1900–2250 masl) in the Intag Valley, a heavily deforested region in the Ecuadorian Andes. We found that tree communities were distinct in reserves located as close as 10 to 35 km apart, and that spatially closer forests were not more similar to one another. Although larger (1500 to 6880 ha), more intact forests contained significantly more tree species (108–120 species/0.1 ha) than smaller (30 to 780 ha) ones (56–87 species/0.1 ha), each reserve had unique combinations of more common species, and contained high proportions of species not found in the others. Results thus suggest that protecting multiple cloud forest patches within this narrow elevational band is essential to conserve landscape‐level tree diversity, and that even small forest reserves contribute significantly to biodiversity conservation. These findings can be applied to create management plans to conserve and restore cloud forests in the Andes and tropical montane cloud forests elsewhere.
Exploring Indigenous youth perspectives of mobility and social relationships: A Photovoice approach
Authors: Goodman Ashley , Snyder Marcie , Wilson Kathi 
Published: April 2018

AbstractGrowing rates of urbanization among young Indigenous populations have been associated with frequent geographic mobility between urban and rural areas, as well as within cities. Little is known of the context of this mobility, or its impacts on social relationships. With nearly half the urban Indigenous population under the age of 25, gaps persist in understanding the mobility experiences of Indigenous youth, who tend to be more mobile than non‐Indigenous youth and move more often than their older counterparts. The voice of Indigenous youth remains under‐represented, and research with mobile Indigenous youth is limited. To address these gaps, Photovoice was used to better understand how mobility shapes social relationships among a group of Indigenous youth living in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Key findings reveal mobility is common and persistent, often rooted in colonization and intergenerational trauma. As a result, this mobility is often linked to unstable living conditions and displacement from family and social connections. The frequent and uncertain nature of this mobility impacts the ability to develop and sustain positive and supportive social relationships. Findings point to the importance of culturally safe spaces and Indigenous mentorship that fosters resilience and self‐empowerment.
Subclinical thyroid dysfunction and circulating thyroid hormones are not associated with bone turnover markers or incident hip fracture in older men
Authors: Siru Ranita , Alfonso Helman , Chubb S. A. Paul , Golledge Jonathan , Flicker Leon , Yeap Bu B. 
Published: April 2018

SummaryObjectiveOvert thyroid dysfunction is a risk factor for osteoporosis and fractures. Subclinical hyperthyroidism has also been associated with fracture. It remains unclear whether variation in thyroid hormones within the euthyroid range modulates bone health, particularly among older men. We assessed whether thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4) are associated with bone turnover markers (BTMs) and predict hip fracture risk in community‐dwelling older men without known thyroid disease.DesignProspective cohort study.PatientsFour thousand two hundred forty‐eight men aged 70‐89 years.MeasurementsBaseline blood samples were assayed for TSH, FT4, total osteocalcin (TOC), undercarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC), N‐terminal propeptide of type I collagen (P1NP) and collagen type I C‐terminal cross‐linked telopeptide (CTX). Incidence of hip fracture events was ascertained to 2012. Associations of TSH and FT4 with BTMs were analysed at baseline using Pearson correlation coefficients, and with incident hip fracture using Cox proportional hazards regression.ResultsAfter excluding men with pre‐existing thyroid or bone disease, there were 3, 338 men for analysis. Of these, 3, 117 were euthyroid, 135 had subclinical hypothyroidism, and 86 had subclinical hyperthyroidism. Men with subclinical thyroid disease were older, and those with subclinical hyperthyroidism had lower creatinine than the other groups. After multivariate analysis, there were no associations found between FT4, TSH or subclinical thyroid dysfunction and BTMs at baseline. Neither subclinical thyroid dysfunction, TSH nor FT4 were predictive of incident hip fracture in our study population.ConclusionsIn euthyroid older men, TSH and FT4 were not associated with BTMs or incident hip fracture. Our findings differ from those previously described in postmenopausal women.
A Survey on 3D Virtual Object Manipulation: From the Desktop to Immersive Virtual Environments
Authors: Mendes D. , Caputo F. M. , Giachetti A. , Ferreira A. , Jorge J. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractInteractions within virtual environments often require manipulating 3D virtual objects. To this end, researchers have endeavoured to find efficient solutions using either traditional input devices or focusing on different input modalities, such as touch and mid‐air gestures. Different virtual environments and diverse input modalities present specific issues to control object position, orientation and scaling: traditional mouse input, for example, presents non‐trivial challenges because of the need to map between 2D input and 3D actions. While interactive surfaces enable more natural approaches, they still require smart mappings. Mid‐air gestures can be exploited to offer natural manipulations mimicking interactions with physical objects. However, these approaches often lack precision and control. All these issues and many others have been addressed in a large body of work. In this article, we survey the state‐of‐the‐art in 3D object manipulation, ranging from traditional desktop approaches to touch and mid‐air interfaces, to interact in diverse virtual environments. We propose a new taxonomy to better classify manipulation properties. Using our taxonomy, we discuss the techniques presented in the surveyed literature, highlighting trends, guidelines and open challenges, that can be useful both to future research and to developers of 3D user interfaces.
Management of patients with incurable colorectal cancer: a retrospective audit
Authors: Thavanesan N. , Abdalkoddus M. , Yao C. , Lai C. W. , Stubbs B. M. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractAimCounselling patients and their relatives about non‐curative management options in colorectal cancer is difficult because of a paucity of published data. This study aims to determine outcomes in patients unsuitable for curative surgery and the rates of subsequent surgical intervention.MethodThis was an analysis of all colorectal cancers managed without curative surgery in a district general hospital from a prospectively maintained cancer registry between 2009 and 2016, as decided by a multidisciplinary team. Primary outcomes were overall survival and secondary outcomes were subsequent intervention rates and impact of tumour stage.ResultsIn all, 183 patients out of 976 patients (18.8%) were identified. The median age at diagnosis was 81 years [interquartile range (IQR) 71–87 years]. Overall median survival from diagnosis was 205 days (IQR 60–532 days). One‐year mortality was 62.3%. Patients were classified into two groups depending on the reason for a non‐curable approach: patient‐related (PR) or disease‐related (DR). The difference in survival between PR (median 277 days, IQR 70–593) and DR (median 179 days, IQR 51–450) was 98 days (P = 0.023). Twenty‐four patients were alive at the end of the study period; 19 out of 91 cases in PR (20.8%) and five out of 92 cases in DR (5.4%). Overall intervention rates were 11.9%, with higher rates in the DR group (P = 0.005). Disease stage was not associated with subsequent surgical intervention between the two groups (P = 0.392).ConclusionLife expectancy for non‐curatively managed patients within our unit was 6.8 months with one in nine patients requiring subsequent surgical admission for palliation. This information may be useful when counselling patients with incurable colorectal malignancy.