bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Contemporary Ottoman Views of Catherine the Great
Authors: Menchinger Ethan L. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThis article is the first to examine views of the Russian empress Catherine the Great (r. 1762‐96) in the contemporary eighteenth‐century Ottoman empire. Drawing on Turkish chronicles, embassy reports and captivity narratives, it reveals extreme hostility but also a fascination with Catherine, whom the sources depict variously as a foreign interloper, usurper, regicide and trial sent by God. The article argues that this vilification stemmed not from simple misogyny but rather, in large part, from an Ottoman rejection of Catherine's legitimacy as well as from their close personal identification of her with the two empires' geopolitical struggles.
Successful treatment outcomes in pregnant patients with ANCA‐associated vasculitides: A systematic review of literature
Authors: Singh Pawan , Dhooria Aadhaar , Rathi Manish , Agarwal Ritesh , Sharma Kusum , Dhir Varun , Nada Ritambhra , Minz Ranjana , Suri Vanita , Jain Sanjay , Sharma Aman 
Published: October 2018

AbstractAimAntineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody‐associated vasculitides (AAV) are a group of small vessel vasculitis with systemic presentations and considerable morbidity and mortality. Pregnancy in these patients poses a significant therapeutic challenge. There is limited published literature regarding pregnancy in AAV.MethodsTwo cases of successful pregnancy outcomes in patients with active AAV are described. A systematic review was conducted on the lines of the PRISMA statement for conducting systemic reviews: PubMed (inception of PubMed until 30 April 2017, English language only) and EmBase databases were searched using the following terms: ‘pregnancy’ AND ‘ANCA associated vasculitis’ OR ‘granulomatosis with polyangiitis’ OR ‘eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis’ OR ‘microscopic polyangiitis’ OR ‘Churg‐Strauss syndrome’ OR ‘Wegener's granulomatosis’.ResultsOne hundred and thirty‐seven pregnancies were documented in 110 patients of AAV. Vasculitis diagnosis was made before pregnancy in 69, during pregnancy in 32 and after pregnancy in 9 patients. Mean age at the time of pregnancy was 29.3 ± 5.3 years. There were 91 term pregnancies, 28 were preterm pregnancies, 15 abortions and 3 still births; 78 had normal delivery and 26 had caesarian section.ConclusionSuccessful pregnancies have been reported in AAV patients.
Leaky gut biomarkers in depression and suicidal behavior
Authors: Ohlsson L. , Gustafsson A. , Lavant E. , Suneson K. , Brundin L. , Westrin Å. , Ljunggren L. , Lindqvist D. 
Published: October 2018

ObjectiveInflammation is associated with major depressive disorder (MDD) and suicidal behavior. According to the ‘leaky gut hypothesis’, increased intestinal permeability may contribute to this relationship via bacterial translocation across enterocytes. We measured plasma levels of gut permeability markers, in patients with a recent suicide attempt (rSA), MDD subjects with no history of a suicide attempt (nsMDD), and healthy controls (HC), and related these markers to symptom severity and inflammation.MethodWe enrolled rSA (n = 54), nsMDD (n = 13), and HC (n = 17). Zonulin, intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I‐FABP), soluble CD14, and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) were quantified in plasma. Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and Suicide Assessment Scale (SUAS) were used for symptom assessments.ResultsThe rSA group displayed higher I‐FABP and lower zonulin levels compared with both the nsMDD and the HC groups (all P < 0.001). IL‐6 correlated positively with I‐FABP (r = 0.24, P < 0.05) and negatively with zonulin (r = −0.25, P < 0.05). In all subjects, I‐FABP levels correlated positively with MADRS (r = 0.25, P < 0.05) and SUAS scores (r = 0.38, P < 0.001), and the latter correlation was significant also in the nsMDD group (r = 0.60, P < 0.05).ConclusionThe ‘leaky gut hypothesis’ may improve our understanding of the link between inflammation and suicidal behavior. These findings should be considered preliminary until replicated in larger cohorts.
Test uptake and hepatitis C prevalence in 5483 Danish people in drug use treatment from 1996 to 2015: a registry‐based cohort study
Authors: Øvrehus Anne , Nielsen Stine , Hansen Janne Fuglsang , Holm Dorte Kinggaard , Christensen Peer 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBackground and aimsThe aims of this study were, in people in treatment for drug use in Funen, Denmark, to: (1) assess prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) test uptake and prevalence of HCV; (2) identify predictors of test update and HCV infection; and (3) characterize changes between 1996 and 2015 in test uptake, HCV prevalence and drug use.DesignCohort study linking the Danish National Registry on Drug Users in Treatment to the regional hepatitis test registry and the Danish Death Certificate Registry, thus combining longitudinal data on drug use with data on HCV testing and results.Setting and participantsPeople recorded as having received treatment for drug use between 1996 and 2015 (n = 5483) in Funen, Denmark. In the cohort, 24.8% were female, median age 23 years [interquartile range (IQR) = 20–32] at entry and 50% had self‐reported injecting or had received opiate substitution therapy (OST).MeasurementsThe main outcomes were the test for HCV ever and latest HCV‐RNA being positive. The main predictors were for test and infection investigated; ever receiving OST, self‐reported injecting, age at entry and connection to treatment centre offering outreach hepatitis care.FindingsHCV test uptake was 52% and prevalence of current HCV‐RNA+ was 21% in people alive at the end of follow‐up. Positive predictors of having undergone HCV testing were: receiving OST [odds ratio (OR) = 3.7; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 3.2–4.5], self‐reported injecting (OR = 2.3; 95% CI = 2.0–2.7), female gender (OR = 1.7; 95% CI = 1.4–1.9) and having been connected to centres with outreach hepatitis care (OR = 1.4; 95% CI = 1.2–1.7). In people alive, HCV‐RNA+ prevalence was 31% if ever on OST or self‐reported injecting. Among HCV‐infected people, 69% were in drug use treatment at end of follow‐up. For participants entering the cohort after 2010, only 5% reported opiates as main drug of use and 17% had experience of injecting.ConclusionAmong Danish people in treatment for drug use from 1996 to 2015, receiving opiate substitution therapy had the largest associating to being tested for hepatitis C virus. As opiate use is declining, adapting test strategies will be necessary.
Accurate measurement of androgen after androgen esters: problems created by ex vivo esterase effects and LC‐MS/MS interference
Authors: Ceponis J. , Swerdloff R. , Leung A. , Hull L. , Bai F. , Longstreth J. , Dudley R. , Danoff T. , Wang C. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBackgroundEx vivo androgen prodrug conversion by blood esterases after oral androgen ester administration may result in an overestimation of the measured blood androgens.ObjectiveWe investigated whether blood collection tubes with esterase inhibitors decreased the conversion of testosterone undecanoate (TU) and dimethandrolone undecanoate (DMAU) to their active metabolites, testosterone (T), and dimethandrolone (DMA), providing a more accurate assessment of circulating T/DMA levels.MethodsBlood was collected in tubes with/without esterase inhibitors from: (i) four healthy and four hypogonadal men receiving no androgens and spiked ex vivo with TU/DMAU; (ii) four men taking oral TU (Andriol®); and (iii) eight hypogonadal men dosed with oral 316 mg TU and 15 healthy men with 200 mg DMAU. T/DMA levels were measured by LC‐MS/MS.ResultsSodium fluoride (NaF, an esterase inhibitor) decreased measured T levels by 14.2% in men not receiving TU. Increasing amounts of TU/DMAU added to blood collected into plain tubes resulted in a concentration‐dependent overestimation of T/DMA that was reduced by collecting blood into NaF tubes (by 30–85%), and keeping samples at 4 °C and minimizing time prior to centrifugation. After oral TU/DMAU administration to men, when TU/DMAU levels were >15/10 ng/mL, respectively, blood collected in NaF tubes yielded lower measured T concentrations by 15–30% and DMA by 22% due to an additional inhibitory effect of NaF on blood esterases.ConclusionNaF directly lowers plasma T/DMA levels measured by LC‐MS/MS and also inhibits blood esterase activity. Overestimation of T/DMA in blood collected in tubes without NaF after oral TU/DMAU administration is important for pharmacokinetics studies in drug development clinical trials but may have limited impact in clinical practice/utilization because the differences between measured and true androgen values are modest and the wide therapeutic androgen efficacy ranges obviate the need for highly accurate androgen measurements during therapy.
Is single‐anaesthetic bilateral primary total hip replacement still safe? A 16‐year cohort study from the New Zealand Joint Registry
Authors: Wyatt Michael C. , Hozack Joan W. , Frampton Chris , Rothwell Alastair , Hooper Gary J. 
Published: October 2018

BackgroundThe surgical management options for bilateral hip osteoarthritis comprise staged or single‐anaesthetic bilateral total hip replacements (THRs). The key issue of contention in performing the latter remains safety. We compared unilateral, staged bilateral and single‐anaesthetic bilateral THR with the hypothesis that there would be no difference between these three practices using mortality risk, functional outcome and revision rate as the primary outcome measures.MethodsWe performed a retrospective cohort analysis of the New Zealand Joint Registry identifying all primary THRs performed between 1 January 1999 and 31 December 2015. We report this study in accordance with STROBE and RECORD guidelines. We identified all unilateral THRs, all single‐anaesthetic bilateral THRs and all staged bilateral THRs and compared the mortality risk, all‐cause revision risk with Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and reasons for revision and functional outcome using the Oxford 12 scores. Analysis was adjusted for age, gender, American Society of Anesthesiologists rating score and body mass index.ResultsThe mortality risk for single‐anaesthetic bilateral THR within 3 months was 0.26% and for unilateral THR 0.75% (hazard ratio 0.35 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.30–0.41, P < 0.001). The risk of revision in the single‐anaesthetic bilateral THR group was 0.69/100 component years (95% CI 0.59–0.79/100 component years) versus 0.74/100 component years (95% CI 0.72–0.77/100 component years) in unilateral THR. Mean Oxford 12 scores at 6 months post‐arthroplasty was 41.7 (95% CI 41.2–42.2) in the single‐anaesthetic bilateral THR group. The best results in the staged bilateral THR group were obtained if the second procedure was delayed by at least 90 days from the first THR.ConclusionsSingle anaesthetic bilateral THR is at least as safe as unilateral THR or staged bilateral THR in appropriately selected cases. Experienced surgeons can expect predictable survival rates and functional scores.
Impact of intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring on the management of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Shawky Michael , Abdel Aziz Tarek , Morley Simon , Beale Timothy , Bomanji Jamshed , Soromani Christine , Lam Francis , Philips Ian , Matias Michelle , Honour John , Smart Jamie , Kurzawinski Tom R. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBackground/ObjectiveIntraoperative parathyroid hormone (IOPTH) monitoring during surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) could improve cure rate and simplify current care pathways. This study assesses the performance of US, MIBI and IOPTH monitoring and their impact on outcomes and perioperative strategy.DesignThis is a retrospective study of a prospectively maintained database of patients who underwent parathyroidectomy guided by preoperative US, MIBI and IOPTH monitoring. Test performance (sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, accuracy) and IOPTH added value (percentage of patients in whom test contributed to achieving cure) were calculated.ResultsA total of 617 patients (median age 59 years, 75% females), 603 (97.7%) of them cured, were included in analysis. Sensitivity of US was higher than MIBI (78.2% vs 70%, P < 0.05), but both were inferior to IOPTH (98.6%, P < 0.05). US and MIBI were more sensitive at detecting single gland disease (SGD) than multigland disease (MGD) (85% vs 55% and 77.5% vs 45.5%, respectively, P < 0.05), while IOPTH performed well in both situations (98.8% vs 96.7%, P > 0.05). In 41 patients with incorrect US predictions, MIBI gave correct result only in 12 (29.3%) cases, while IOPTH gave correct predictions in all but one patient (97.6%). Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy (MIP) was completed in 409 patients, with a similar completion rate regardless whether both or one scan was positive. IOPTH added value was significant in whole cohort (14%) and in subgroups of patients with concordant vs discordant scans, minimally invasive vs conventional surgery, and initial vs reoperative surgery.ConclusionsIntraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring is more accurate at predicting cure than US and MIBI are at identifying abnormal glands in patients undergoing parathyroidectomy for PHPT and significantly contributes to cure rate in range of clinical scenarios. This implies that its routine use could facilitate successful surgery in patients with single positive imaging and increase number of MIPs while maintaining high cure rate.
Two different initial treatment regimens of ranibizumab in myopic choroidal neovascularization: 12‐month results from a randomized controlled study
Authors: Li Songshan , Ding Xiaoyan , Sun Limei , Zhao Xiujuan , Zhang Aiyuan , Lyu Cancan , Liu Bingqian , Zhang Junyan , Jin Chenjin , Lu Lin 
Published: October 2018

ImportanceThe optimal treatment regimen for myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV) is essential to understand but currently poorly studied.BackgroundTo date, there is still no consensus on the optimal dosage and frequency of anti‐vascular endothelial growth factor injections in treating mCNV.DesignA prospective, single‐centre, single‐blind, randomized controlled study.ParticipantsAdult patients with active mCNV.MethodsPatients were randomized 1:1 to one or three doses initial ranibizumab treatments. Additional injections were administered pro re nata (prn) over 12 mo.Main Outcome MeasuresNumber and frequency of injections.ResultsFifty patients participated in the study. Patients in both 1 + prn or 3 + prn groups experienced similar best‐corrected visual acuity gain and anatomical improvement, including central retinal thickness (CRT), CNV thickness, area of CNV and area of leakage. Over 12 mo, patients in the 1 + prn group received fewer ranibizumab injections (2.04 ± 1.22) compared with the 3 + prn group (3.58 ± 0.72, P<0.0001), but no statistic difference of the injection received was observed in the prn period. During the follow‐up, 15 of 26 eyes in the 1 + prn group and 10 of 24 eyes in the 3 + prn group received additional injections after initial dosing (P = 0.2575). Cox regression analysis showed that 1 + prn, female, age > 55 y and CRT > 300 μm are risk factors for retreatment.Conclusions and RelevanceThe eyes with a single loading dose achieved parallel anatomical and functional visual improvement, while required less injections over 1 y. The risk factors for retreatment include 1 + prn, female, older age and thick retina thickness.
Binge drinking: Prevalence, correlates, and expectancies of alcohol use among individuals with first‐episode psychosis
Authors: Tan Jit H. , Shahwan Shazana , Satghare Pratika , Cetty Laxman , Verma Swapna , Sendren Jagan R. , Chong Siow Ann , Subramaniam Mythily 
Published: October 2018

AimThis study examines the prevalence and correlates of binge drinking and its association with expectancies of alcohol use, within a sample of patients with first‐episode psychosis enrolled in the Early Psychosis Intervention Programme (EPIP) in Singapore's Institute of Mental Health.MethodsA total of 280 patients from the EPIP were recruited for an on‐going longitudinal study examining cigarette smoking and alcohol habits. Only baseline data were used, pertaining to socio‐demographics, alcohol use, clinical symptomology, quality of life, and expectancies of alcohol use.ResultsOverall 23.9% (N = 67) reported ever binge drinking in their lifetime, and 11.4% (N = 32) had binged in the past 2 weeks. Controlling for all other socio‐demographic and clinical factors, binge drinking was significantly associated with higher education levels, having children, current or past history of cigarette smoking, and lower negative symptom scores. Binge drinkers were also more likely to endorse statements relating to the themes of enhancement seeking (ie, using alcohol to alter or enhance experiences in a pleasurable way), coping with distress, and socializing‐related expectancies of alcohol use.ConclusionSimilar to past studies, the prevalence of binge drinking among our first‐episode sample was relatively high. Our findings suggest certain lifestyle and social factors associated with risky drinking behaviour that future prevention efforts may address. Additionally, the three motivations of enhancement seeking, coping, and socializing also suggest psychological processes and coping styles that could be targeted for interventions.
Suprachiasmatic function in a circadian period mutant: Duper alters light‐induced activation of vasoactive intestinal peptide cells and PERIOD1 immunostaining
Authors: Manoogian Emily N. C. , Kumar Ajay , Obed Doha , Bergan Joseph , Bittman Eric L. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractMammalian circadian rhythms are entrained by photic stimuli that are relayed by retinal projections to the core of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Neuronal activation, as demonstrated by expression of the immediate early gene c‐fos, leads to transcription of the core clock gene per1. The duper mutation in hamsters shortens circadian period and amplifies light‐induced phase shifts. We performed two experiments to compare the number of c‐FOS immunoreactive (ir) and PER1‐ir cells, and the intensity of staining, in the SCN of wild‐type (WT) and duper hamsters at various intervals after presentation of a 15‐min light pulse in the early subjective night. Light‐induced c‐FOS‐ir within 1 hr in the dorsocaudal SCN of duper, but not WT hamsters. In cells that express vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), which plays a critical role in synchronization of SCN cellular oscillators, light‐induced c‐FOS‐ir was greater in duper than WT hamsters. After the light pulse, PER1‐ir cells were found in more medial portions of the SCN than FOS‐ir, and appeared with a longer latency and over a longer time course, in VIP cells of duper than wild‐type hamsters. Our results indicate that the duper allele alters SCN function in ways that may contribute to changes in free running period and phase resetting.
Mid borderline leprosy in type Bα Blaschko linear pattern: a rare phenomenon
Authors: Chetan Rajput , Shailesh Malani 
Published: October 2018

AbstractIntroductionLeprosy is a chronic granulomatous disease caused by M. leprae. It is a great imitator as it can manifest in different unusual and atypical ways. Mid borderline leprosy (BB) is an unstable form representing the immunologic midpoint in the clinical spectrum.Case reportHere, we report a case of BB leprosy having classical inverted saucer‐shaped lesions elsewhere on the body with a linear psoriasiform lesion over the left forearm following the lines of Blaschko. Biopsy from this lesion revealed granulomas consisting of equal admixture of epithelioid cells and macrophages without multinucleate giant cells suggesting mid borderline leprosy.ConclusionOccurrence of lesions in a Blaschko linear pattern supports the role of genetic susceptibility to leprosy. The genetically vulnerable cells along the lines of Blaschko were infected while the surrounding cells remained unaffected. This explains the concept of locus minoris resistentiae due to cutaneous mosaicism.
Species‐specific elicitors induce tea leaf to arrest the endoparasitoid Ascogaster reticulata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)
Authors: Piyasaengthong Narisara , Sato Yasushi , Kainoh Yooichi 
Published: October 2018

AbstractAscogaster reticulata Watanabe (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is an egg‐larval endoparasitoid of the smaller tea tortrix, Adoxophyes honmai Yasuda. Recent studies have examined tritrophic interactions among Camellia sinensis, A. honmai and A. reticulata, but the effect of non‐host insects on the induction of tea plant that may affect foraging behaviour of A. reticulata remains unclear. In this study, we selected two non‐host insects, Homona magnanima Diakonoff and Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée), as representative species in our bioassays. Tea leaves were treated with homogenized female reproductive tissues of a non‐host insect in comparison with untreated leaves in a choice test. Residence times of parasitoids on both leaves were recorded. The parasitoids seemed to prefer walking on leaves treated with homogenates of H. magnanima over untreated leaves, but the difference in residence times was not significant. In contrast, its residence time on leaves treated with homogenates of O. furnacalis was significantly shorter than that on untreated leaves. Thus, the induction of tea leaf surface chemicals may differ among moth species, which may produce different types of elicitors. This difference may, in turn, affect the host‐searching behaviour of A. reticulata.
Australian infection control in endoscopy consensus statements on carbapenemase‐producing Enterobacteriaceae
Authors: Devereaux Benedict M , Athan Eugene , Brown Robyn R , Greig Sue M , Jones Dianne M , Bailey Fiona K , Wallis David J , Singh Rajvinder 
Published: October 2018

AbstractOutbreaks of carbapenemase‐producing Enterobacteriaceae clinical infections related to endoscopic transmission are well documented. The high morbidity and mortality associated with these infections emphasizes the need to reassess endoscopic reprocessing protocols. The Gastroenterological Society of Australia established a multi‐society committee to formulate evidence‐based consensus statements on the prevention and management of endoscopic transmission of carbapenemase‐producing Enterobacteriaceae. A literature search was undertaken utilizing the MEDLINE database. Further references were sourced from published paper bibliographies. Nine statements were formulated. Using the Delphi methodology, the statements were initially reviewed electronically by the committee members and subsequently at a face‐to‐face meeting in Melbourne, Australia. After further discussion, four additional sub‐statements were added resulting in a total of 13 statements. Each statement was assessed for level of evidence, recommendation grade and the voting on recommendation was recorded. For a statement to be accepted, five out of six committee members had to “accept completely” or “accept with some reservation.” All 13 statements achieved consensus agreement. Eleven statements achieved 100% “accepted completely.” Two statements were 83% “accepted completely” and 17% “accepted with some reservation.” Of particular significance, automated flexible endoscope reprocessors were mandated for high‐level disinfection, and the use of forced‐air drying cabinets was mandated for endoscope storage. These evidence‐based statements encourage preventative strategies with the aim of ensuring the highest possible standards in flexible endoscope reprocessing thereby optimizing patient safety. They must be considered in addition to the broader published guidelines on infection control in endoscopy.