bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Increasing clinical relevance in oral radiology: Benefits and challenges when implementing digital assessment
Authors: de Lange T. , Møystad A. , Torgersen G. R. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAimsThe aims of the study were to investigate benefits and challenges in implementing a digital examination and study the clinical relevance of the digital examination in relation to clinical training and practice.Material and methodThe study was based on semi‐structured focus‐group interviews from two distinct student populations (2016 and 2017) in a bachelor programme in dental hygiene. In addition, conversational data from a plenary discussion from the whole second student population (2017) were collected and analysed. The data were approached on basis of content analysis.ResultsA benefit experienced in the digital examination was the ease in typing and editing answers on the computer. This suggests an increased effectiveness in computer‐based compared to analogue examinations. An additional advantage was the experienced relevance of the examination related to the clinic. This finding refers not only to the digital presentations of images, but also to the entire setting in the clinic and dental practice. The limitations reported by the students were non‐optimal viewing conditions for presenting radiographic images and difficulties in obtaining an overview of the assignments compared to paper‐based examinations due to the linear digital examination format. The last finding on lacking overview revealed an influence on student performances which should be taken seriously in designing digital examinations.ConclusionIn conclusion, the digital layout increases efficiency and clinical relevance of examinations to a certain extent. Obstacles were found in limitations related to image presentation and lack of overview of the examination. The latter challenge raises questions related to developing suitable assessment software.
Novel mutations in DNAJB6 cause LGMD1D and distal myopathy in French families
Authors: Jonson P. H. , Palmio J. , Johari M. , Penttilä S. , Evilä A. , Nelson I. , Bonne G. , Wiart N. , Meyer V. , Boland A. , Deleuze J.‐F. , Masson C. , Stojkovic T. , Chapon F. , Romero N. B. , Solé G. , Ferrer X. , Ferreiro A. , Hackman P. , Richard I. , Udd B. 
Published: February 2018

Background and purposeThe aim was to determine the genetic background of unknown muscular dystrophy in five French families.MethodsTwelve patients with limb girdle muscular dystrophy or distal myopathy were clinically evaluated. Gene mutations were identified using targeted exon sequencing and mutated DNAJB6 was tested in vitro.ResultsFive patients presented with distal lower limb weakness whilst others had proximal presentation with a variable rate of progression starting at the mean age of 38.5 years. Two novel mutations (c.284A>T, p.Asn95Ile, two families; and c.293_295delATG, p.Asp98del, one family) as well as the previously reported c.279C>G (p.Phe93Leu, two families) mutation in DNAJB6 were identified. All showed a reduced capacity to prevent protein aggregation.ConclusionsThe mutational and phenotypical spectrum of DNAJB6‐caused muscle disease is larger than previously reported, including also dysphagia. The originally reported c.279C>G (p.Phe93Leu) mutation is now identified in four different populations and appears to be a mutational hotspot. Our report confirms that some DNAJB6 mutations cause distal‐onset myopathy and hence DNAJB6 defects should be considered broadly in dominant muscular dystrophy families.
Melatonin attenuates homocysteine‐induced injury in human umbilical vein endothelial cells
Authors: Aminzadeh Azadeh , Mehrzadi Saeed 
Published: February 2018

AbstractHomocysteine (Hcy) is a major risk factor for vascular disease and is closely associated with endothelial dysfunction. Melatonin is a neurohormone that is mostly produced by the pineal gland. Studies have reported that melatonin exhibits neuroprotective effects in several neurodegenerative disorders. The aim of the current study was to investigate the possible protective effect of melatonin against Hcy‐induced endothelial cell apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and to explore the underlying mechanisms. HUVECs were exposed to Hcy in the presence or absence of melatonin. The effect of melatonin on viability was examined by MTT assay. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were determined by 2′,7′‐dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCF‐DA). Further, expression of Bax, Bcl‐2, and caspase‐3 was analyzed by Western blot analysis. Lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels, total antioxidant power (TAP), and total thiol molecules were also evaluated. The results of this study revealed that melatonin significantly prevented Hcy‐induced loss in cell viability in HUVECs. It was found that ROS significantly increased in the presence of Hcy, whereas melatonin reduced ROS production. Melatonin also downregulated Bax, upregulated Bcl‐2, and decreased the expression and activity of caspase‐3. Hcy increased the levels of LPO, and this effect was significantly attenuated by melatonin. Melatonin also increased the levels of TAP and total thiol molecules. It was concluded that melatonin played a protective role against Hcy‐induced endothelium cell apoptosis through inhibition of ROS accumulation and the mitochondrial‐dependent apoptotic pathway.
Medical prescriptions falsified by the patients: a 12‐year national monitoring to assess prescription drug diversion
Authors: Jouanjus Emilie , Guernec Grégory , Lapeyre‐Mestre Maryse ,   the French Addictovigilance Network
Published: February 2018

AbstractDiversion of prescription drugs is difficult to assess in quality and quantity. This study aimed to characterize diversion of prescription drugs in France through a comparative analysis of falsified prescriptions collected during three periods from 2001 to 2012. The data recorded in a national program which records all falsified prescriptions presented to community pharmacies were studied. Included data regarded: subjects, prescription forms, and drugs. Description of the dataset in three periods (2001–2004, 2005–2008, and 2009–2012) was completed with clustering analyses to characterize profiles of prescriptions and subjects associated with the most reported drugs. The 4469 falsified prescriptions concerned most often females (51.6%). Average age was 46.5 years. Zolpidem, bromazepam, and buprenorphine were the most frequent drugs. Alone, 13 drugs (1.7%, 13/772) represented more than 40% of the total reports (3055/7272). They were associated with three diversion profiles: (i) buprenorphine, flunitrazepam, and morphine were mentioned on overlapping secure prescription forms presented by young men; (ii) alprazolam, bromazepam, zolpidem, codeine/acetaminophen were mentioned on simple prescription forms presented by experienced women; and (iii) acetaminophen and lorazepam were mentioned on modified prescription forms presented by elderly subjects. Clonazepam, clorazepate, dextropropoxyphene, zopiclone moved between those profiles. The patterns of falsified prescriptions provided in this study contribute to enhance the scientific knowledge on the most diverted prescription drugs. The latter follow distinct trajectories across time depending on their pharmacology (including their abuse/addiction potential) and on their regulation's history. The close and continuous analysis of falsified prescriptions is an excellent way to monitor prescription drug diversion.
mRNA expression of drug metabolism enzymes and transporter genes at birth using human umbilical cord blood
Authors: Neyro Virginia , Elie Valéry , Médard Yves , Jacqz‐Aigrain Evelyne 
Published: February 2018

AbstractGrowth and maturation changes are mainly responsible for differences in drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics observed between adults and children, especially neonates. Ontogeny of drug‐metabolizing enzymes and transporters plays an important role in drugs interindividual pharmacokinetic variability but data are limited in both term and preterm neonates. This study aimed to characterize mRNA expression of the main drug‐metabolizing enzymes and transport proteins involved in drug disposition, using umbilical cord blood (UCB), according to gender, gestational age, and genetic background. A large panel of genes was quantified as follows: cytochrome P450 system (n = 12), UGT family (n = 6), TPMT and transporters (n = 3), in 56 samples of UCB of twin neonates. Gene expression was measured using real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction with 18S rRNA as the endogenous control for normalization of data. Relative expression of the samples was expressed using the 2−ΔΔCt method for comparison of gene expression levels. Twenty genes were expressed in UCB at birth with variable levels of expression and tissue‐specific gene expression when compared to data on the fetal liver. Gestational age, gender, and genetic background influenced the expression of the genes tested. Easily accessible UCB samples will enable further studies to evaluate the influence of covariates. This suggests that these covariates need to be considered when assessing substrate drugs disposition mediated by these metabolizing enzymes and transporters in the neonatal population.
Arctic moistening provides negative feedbacks to riparian plants
Authors: Helama Samuli , Arppe Laura , Mielikäinen Kari , Oinonen Markku 
Published: February 2018

AbstractArctic moistening will affect the circumpolar forested riparian ecosystems. Upward trends observed for precipitation in high latitudes illustrate that the moistening may be underway to influence the woody biomass production near the inland waters, lakes and streams with effects on carbon pools and fluxes. Although the flooding and waterlogging tolerance of seedlings has been investigated, our understanding of responses in mature trees is still limited. Here we employ tree‐ring δ13C and width data from a subarctic riparian setting in Lapland, where artificially high lake level (HLL) has already altered the ecophysiological and growth responses of riparianPinus sylvestristrees to external drivers under conditions simulating moister environment. Prior to theHLLevent, the carbon assimilation rate was primarily limited by irradiance as reflected in the δ13C data and the radial growth of south‐facing riparian trees remained increased in comparison to shaded upland trees. By contrast, the riparian trees were not similarly benefited during theHLLperiod when reduced assimilation depleted the riparian in comparison to upland δ13C despite of increased irradiance. As a result, the radial growth of riparian trees was markedly reduced over theHLLevent while the upland trees benefited from increased irradiance and summer time warming. Although the production of biomass at high latitudes is commonly considered temperature‐limited, our results highlight the increasing role of Arctic moistening to limit the growth when increased precipitation (cloudiness) reduces the incoming solar radiation in general and when the riparian habitat becomes increasingly waterlogged in particular. The effects of high‐latitude warming to induce higher biomass productivity may be restricted by negative feedbacks.
Recombinant factor VIII Fc fusion protein for immune tolerance induction in patients with severe haemophilia A with inhibitors—A retrospective analysis
Authors: Carcao M. , Shapiro A. , Staber J. M. , Hwang N. , Druzgal C. , Lieuw K. , Belletrutti M. , Thornburg C. D. , Ahuja S. P. , Morales‐Arias J. , Dumont J. , Miyasato G. , Tsao E. , Jain N. , Pipe S. W. 
Published: February 2018

IntroductionImmune tolerance induction (ITI) is the gold standard for eradication of factor VIII inhibitors in severe haemophilia A; however, it usually requires treatment for extended periods with associated high burden on patients and healthcare resources.AimReview outcomes of ITI with recombinant factor VIII Fc fusion protein (rFVIIIFc) in patients with severe haemophilia A and high‐titre inhibitors.MethodsMulticentre retrospective chart review of severe haemophilia A patients treated with rFVIIIFc for ITI.ResultsOf 19 patients, 7 were first‐time ITI and 12 were rescue ITI. Of 7 first‐time patients, 6 had at least 1 high‐risk feature for ITI failure. Four of 7 first‐time patients were tolerized in a median of 7.8 months. The remaining 3 patients continue on rFVIIIFc ITI. Of 12 rescue patients, 7 initially achieved a negative Bethesda titre (≤0.6) in a median of 3.3 months, 1 had a decrease in Bethesda titre and continues on rFVIIIFc ITI and 4 have not demonstrated a decrease in Bethesda titre. Of these 4, 3 continue on rFVIIIFc ITI and 1 switched to bypass therapy alone. Two initially responsive patients transitioned to other factors due to recurrence. Overall, 16 of 19 patients remain on rFVIIIFc (prophylaxis or ITI). For those still undergoing ITI, longer follow‐up is needed to determine final outcomes. No adverse events reported.ConclusionsRecombinant factor VIII Fc fusion protein demonstrated rapid time to tolerization in high‐risk first‐time ITI patients. For rescue ITI, rFVIIIFc showed therapeutic benefit in some patients who previously failed ITI with other products. These findings highlight the need to further evaluate the use of rFVIIIFc for ITI.
Comparison of dysplastic fundic gland polyps in patients with and without familial adenomatous polyposis
Authors: Straub Shana F , Drage Michael G , Gonzalez Raul S 
Published: February 2018

AimsDysplastic fundic gland polyps (d‐FGPs) typically arise in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) but may occur in non‐syndromic patients. They rarely become malignant, but their significance is unclear, especially in non‐syndromic patients. We aimed to compare d‐FGPs in patients with and without FAP, using clinicopathologic findings and β‐catenin immunohistochemistry (IHC).Methods and resultsWe identified 124 fundic gland polyps with low‐grade dysplasia (LGD) or high‐grade dysplasia (HGD) or indefinite for dysplasia (IFD) from 66 patients (27 with FAP; 39 non‐syndromic). We recorded patient sex, age at first d‐FGP, time until subsequent d‐FGP (if any), history of non‐gastric cancer (no patients had gastric cancer), proton‐pump inhibitor use, and the presence of Helicobacter pylori. β‐Catenin IHC was performed on cases with available blocks. The mean age at d‐FGP diagnosis was 31 years for FAP patients and 61 years for non‐syndromic patients (P < 0.0001). Sixteen FAP patients (59%) developed at least one subsequent d‐FGP, as compared with 10 (27%) non‐syndromic patients (P = 0.0099). The median time between d‐FGP detection was 11.5 months in FAP patients and 7 months in non‐syndromic patients (P = 0.82). Six FAP patients (22%) and 17 non‐syndromic patients (44%) had non‐gastric malignancies (P = 0.11). β‐Catenin IHC showed nuclear positivity in 14 of 112 (13%) d‐FGPs: 12 of 94 with LGD, two of three with HGD, and none of 15 with IFD polyps.ConclusionsFamilial adenomatous polyposis patients develop d‐FGPs earlier and more often develop additional ones than non‐syndromic patients. d‐FGPs in FAP and non‐syndromic patients have similar low rates of β‐catenin nuclear IHC positivity. FAP and non‐syndromic patients developed non‐gastric cancers at similar rates, suggesting that d‐FGPs may portend a general increased risk of carcinogenesis in non‐syndromic patients.
Homeobox transcriptional factor engrailed homeobox 1 is expressed specifically in normal and neoplastic sweat gland cells
Authors: Miura Keiko , Akashi Takumi , Ando Noboru , Ayabe Shinya , Kayamori Kou , Namiki Takeshi , Eishi Yoshinobu 
Published: February 2018

AimsA number of homeobox transcriptional factors are utilised as organ‐specific markers in the histopathological diagnosis of neoplasms. We have screened a homeobox gene that is expressed specifically in normal sweat gland cells and is useful for the histopathological diagnosis of sweat gland neoplasms.Methods and resultsBy screening an open database resource of The Human Protein Atlas, 37 genes among the 235 homeobox transcriptional factors were found to be expressed specifically in the skin. Among those 37 genes, the engrailed homeobox 1 (En1) was expressed in normal eccrine glands but not in the epidermal keratinocytes. Expression of En1 was found throughout the eccrine glands, but not in the apocrine secretory coils, sebaceous glands or hair follicles. Expression of En1 was examined immunohistochemically in 111 cases of cutaneous epithelial neoplasms. All nine cases of poroma, seven cases of spiradenoma and six cases of syringoma, which are considered to differentiate towards eccrine glands, showed positive nuclear staining in most of the tumour cells. Sebaceous gland and hair follicle tumours were immunonegative. En1 was expressed focally in the epidermal neoplasms of seborrheic keratosis and squamous cell carcinoma.ConclusionEngrailed homeobox 1 was expressed specifically in normal eccrine glands and was expressed in most of the tumour cells of sweat gland neoplasms with eccrine gland differentiation. En1 was expressed focally in epidermal neoplasms; however, it was absent in sebaceous or hair follicle neoplasms. These findings will help in the histopathological diagnosis as well as understanding of the histogenesis of sweat gland neoplasms.
Protective effects of an extract of the freshwater microalga Scenedesmus rubescens on UV‐irradiated skin cells
Authors: Campiche R. , Sandau P. , Kurth E. , Massironi M. , Imfeld D. , Schuetz R. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBackgroundSkin ageing results from intrinsic but also extrinsic factors of which UV irradiation is a main cause. It is hence of interest to have means to protect skin from UV irradiation‐induced damage. We selected an extract of the freshwater microalga Scenedesmus rubescens and assessed its potential to protect skin from photoageing caused by UV irradiation.MethodsSkin cells in vitro and ex vivo were analysed for markers of UV irradiation‐induced photodamage such as decreased viability, decreased collagen content, hyperpigmentation and sunburn cells.ResultsWe found that a dry extract of the microalga Scenedesmus rubescens was able to suppress cellular signs of ageing induced by UV irradiation. It enhanced dermal fibroblast viability, rescued dermal collagen content, inhibited the formation of sunburn cells and inhibited tyrosinase activity.ConclusionAn extract of Scenedesmus rubescens showed broad activity against markers of UV irradiation‐induced cutaneous ageing. It may therefore be used as a preventive or regenerative agent for anti‐ageing strategies.
Nursing wound care practices in Haiti: facilitators and barriers to quality care
Authors: Timmins B.A. , Thomas Riché C. , Saint‐Jean M.W. , Tuck J. , Merry L. 
Published: February 2018

AimTo describe the facilitators and barriers for nurses to perform quality wound care in three surgical wards of a hospital in Port‐au‐Prince, Haiti.BackgroundUp to a quarter of patients in low‐ and middle‐income countries may acquire at least one infection while hospitalized. There is a paucity of research investigating nursing wound care practices in low‐ and middle‐income countries regarding the prevention of hospital‐acquired infections.MethodsThe design was qualitative descriptive. We observed nursing staff on the general surgery, orthopaedics and maternity units while they performed routine dressing changes (n = 15). We interviewed nursing (n = 13) and medical residents (n = 3) and inquired about their perceptions of facilitators and barriers for nurses to perform quality wound care.FindingsA number of wound care practices appeared well integrated including using gloves to remove dressings, applying sterile dressings, properly disposing of soiled materials, inspecting wounds for signs of infection and employing comfort and privacy measures. Areas that may need improvement included aseptic technique, hand hygiene, pain assessments, patient education and documentation. We identified four themes related to barriers and facilitators to perform quality wound care: (i) materials and resources; (ii) nurse‐to‐patient ratios, workload and support; (iii) roles and responsibilities of nurses; and (iv) knowledge and training of nurses.ConclusionNursing wound care practices may be optimized by improving nurses’ professional status and working conditions.Implications for nursing practice and health policyGreater financial investment in health care and (continuing) education, self‐regulation and development of the nursing role, including more autonomy, are needed to elevate the professional status of nurses in Haiti. Institutional policies should promote best practices, clarify nursing roles and responsibilities and foster interdisciplinary collaboration in patient care.
Methods and Tools for Bayesian Variable Selection and Model Averaging in Normal Linear Regression
Authors: Forte Anabel , Garcia‐Donato Gonzalo , Steel Mark 
Published: February 2018

SummaryIn this paper, we briefly review the main methodological aspects concerned with the application of the Bayesian approach to model choice and model averaging in the context of variable selection in regression models. This includes prior elicitation, summaries of the posterior distribution and computational strategies. We then examine and compare various publicly available R‐packages, summarizing and explaining the differences between packages and giving recommendations for applied users. We find that all packages reviewed (can) lead to very similar results, but there are potentially important differences in flexibility and efficiency of the packages.
Volatility diagram of ZrB2‐SiC‐ZrC system and experimental validation
Authors: Lu Ying , Zou Ji , Xu Fangfang , Zhang Guo‐Jun 
Published: February 2018

AbstractA volatility diagram of zirconium carbide (ZrC) at 1600, 1930, and 2200°C was calculated in this work. Combining it with the existing volatility diagrams of ZrB2 and SiC, the volatility diagram of a ternary ZrB2‐SiC‐ZrC (ZSZ) system was constructed in order to interpret the oxidation behavior of ZSZ ceramics. Applying this diagram, the formation of ZrC‐corroded and SiC‐depleted layers and the oxidation sequence of each component in ZSZ during oxidation and ablation could be well understood. Most of the predictions from the diagrams are consistent with the experimental observations on the oxidation scale of dense ZrB2‐SiC‐ZrC ceramics/coatings after oxidation at 1600°C or ablation at 1930 and 2200°C. The reasons for the discrepancy are also briefly discussed.
Mobile‐Based micro‐Learning and Assessment: Impact on learning performance and motivation of high school students
Authors: Nikou S.A. , Economides A.A. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractMobile‐based micro‐learning has gained a lot of attention lately, especially for work‐based and corporate training. It combines features of mobile learning and micro‐learning to deliver small learning units and short‐term learning activities. The current study uses the lens of the Self‐Determination Theory of motivation and proposes a series of Mobile‐Based micro‐Learning and Assessment (MBmLA) homework activities to improve high school students' motivation and learning performance in science. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. One hundred and eight students of a senior‐level high school in Europe were randomly assigned into either a control condition (conventional paper‐based homework approach) or an experimental (MBmLA approach) condition. The study carried out for a period of 5 weeks. From the experimental results, it was found that, in comparison to the conventional paper‐based approach, the proposed MBmLA approach enhanced students' basic psychological needs of self‐perceived autonomy, competence, and relatedness and improved students' exam performance in terms of factual knowledge. Moreover, students self‐reported greater learning satisfaction with the mobile‐based microassessment and micro‐learning homework tasks. Implications on educational practices as well as future research are discussed.