bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Behçet’s syndrome as a tool to dissect the mechanisms of thrombo-inflammation: clinical and pathogenetic aspects
Authors: Becatti M , Emmi G , Bettiol A , Silvestri E , Di Scala G , Taddei N , Prisco D , Fiorillo C 
Published: November 2018

Summary
Behçet’s syndrome (BS) is a complex disease with different organ involvement. The vascular one is the most intriguing, considering the existence of a specific group of patients suffering from recurrent vascular events involving the venous and, more rarely, the arterial vessels. Several clinical clues suggest the inflammatory nature of thrombosis in BS, especially of the venous involvement, thus BS is considered a model of inflammation-induced thrombosis. Unique among other inflammatory conditions, venous involvement (together with the arterial one) is currently treated with immunosuppressants, rather than with anti-coagulants. Although many in-vitro studies have suggested the different roles of the multiple players involved in clot formation, in-vivo models are crucial to study this process in a physiological context. At present, no clear mechanisms describing the pathophysiology of thrombo-inflammation in BS exist. Recently, we focused our attention on BS patients as a human in-vivo model of inflammation-induced thrombosis to investigate a new mechanism of clot formation. Indeed, fibrinogen displays a critical role not only in inflammatory processes, but also in clot formation, both in the fibrin network and in platelet aggregation. Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-derived modifications represent the main post-translational fibrinogen alterations responsible for structural and functional changes. Recent data have revealed that neutrophils (pivotal in the pathogenetic mechanisms leading to BS damage) promote fibrinogen oxidation and thrombus formation in BS. Altogether, these new findings may help understand the pathogenetic bases of inflammation-induced thrombosis and, more importantly, may suggest potential targets for innovative therapeutic approaches.
An evaluation of the quality and content of web‐based stoma information
Authors: Connelly T. M. , Khan M. S. , Alzamzami M. , Cooke F. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractAimAlthough the internet is commonly the first port of call for medical information, it provides unregulated data of variable quality. We aimed to evaluate commonly accessed web‐based information on intestinal stomas using validated and novel scoring systems.MethodThe keywords ‘stoma’, ‘colostomy’, ‘ileostomy’ and ‘bowel bag’ were entered into the most commonly used internet search engines (Google, Bing and Yahoo). The first ten websites from each search were analysed using the validated Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark criteria and DISCERN scoring systems. A novel stoma‐specific score was devised and applied.ResultsForty‐three unique websites were identified. The majority (49%) were from nonprofit or governmental agencies and 9% were from commercial entities. The mean total DISCERN score for all websites was 42.4 ± 10.2 (maximum possible score = 75). The mean JAMA and stoma‐specific scores were 2.1 ± 1.0 (maximum possible score = 4) and 12.9 ± 6.1 (maximum possible score = 27). The lowest JAMA scores were in the category of attribution, with 70% of websites lacking references for the information provided. A total of 88% displayed disclosure/paid advertiser information. Surgery was described in 67%. An image or diagram was provided in 58% and in 72% a stoma therapist/nurse was mentioned. Information on when to seek medical help was provided in 51%.ConclusionWeb‐based information on stomas is of variable content and quality. Authorship and information sources are often unclear. Only half provided information on when to seek medical help for complications including high output and dehydration. These findings should be highlighted to patients who utilize the internet to obtain information on stomas.
Paediatric asthma prevalence: The first national population‐based survey in Iran
Authors: Fazlollahi Mohammad Reza , Najmi Mehdi , Fallahnezhad Mojtaba , Sabetkish Nastaran , Kazemnejad Anoshirvan , Bidad Katayoon , Shokouhi Shoormasti Raheleh , Mahloujirad Maryam , Pourpak Zahra , Moin Mostafa 
Published: November 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe actual prevalence of paediatric asthma as a worldwide chronic disease has been surveyed in developed countries. However, no sufficient survey has been conducted in most of the eastern developing countries. Herein, we took measures to evaluate the prevalence of paediatric asthma in Iran.MethodsIn this national cross‐sectional study, the prevalence of asthma symptoms was estimated throughout the country using a randomized multistage stratified cluster sampling method in 16 410 and 16 850 individuals aged 6‐7 and 13‐14 years, respectively. A validated questionnaire including core questions of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) was applied between November 2015 and February 2016.ResultsThe total prevalence of asthma was 10.9% (n = 3624) (95% confidence interval [CI]: 10.6%‐11.2%) which was significantly higher among 13‐ to 14‐year olds compared to a younger age group (12.4% vs. 9.4%, P < 0.001), males versus females (12.1% vs. 9.8%, P < 0.001) and residents of urban compared to rural areas (P = 0.003). The prevalence of severe asthma was 3.9%, being significantly more prevalent in higher age groups and male individuals (P < 0.001). A significant relationship was found between asthma and passive smoking in both 6‐ to 7‐ and 13‐ to 14‐year olds (P < 0.001).ConclusionsThe prevalence of asthma and severe asthma in the paediatric population of Iran was similar to other developing countries. It is recommended to pay special attention to urban regions, male individuals and higher age groups for better controlling of asthma. Nevertheless, further national surveys are necessary to determine the trend of paediatric asthma in Iran.
Risk of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes during pregnancy in living kidney donors: A matched cohort study
Authors: Davis Scott , Dylewski James , Shah Pratik B. , Holmen John , You Zhiying , Chonchol Michel , Kendrick Jessica 
Published: November 2018

AbstractBackgroundWe examined the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in primiparous kidney donors compared to matched controls.MethodsFifty‐nine women with a history of kidney donation prior to their first pregnancy with normal renal function and no history of kidney disease, diabetes or chronic hypertension were matched 1:4 by age (within 2 years) and race to women with two kidneys using data from an integrated healthcare delivery system. Adverse pregnancy outcomes were defined as preterm delivery (delivery <37 weeks), delivery via cesarean section, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia/eclampsia, gestational diabetes, length of stay in the hospital >3 days, infant death/transfer to acute facility and low birthweight (<2500 g).ResultsLiving kidney donors did not have a higher risk of adverse outcomes compared to matched controls. There was a trend toward an increased risk of preeclampsia/eclampsia in kidney donors but it did not reach statistical significance (Odds ratio [OR]: 2.96, 95% CI: 0.98‐8.94, P = 0.06). However, in kidney donors ≤30 years of age, there was a fourfold increased risk of preeclampsia/eclampsia (OR: 4.09, 95% CI: 1.07‐15.59, P = 0.04).ConclusionOverall, the risk of pregnancy‐associated complications following kidney donation is small but potential female kidney donors should be counseled on the possible increased risk of preeclampsia.
Genetic variation for egg‐to‐adult survival in Drosophila melanogaster in a set of recombinant inbred lines reared under heat stress in a natural thermal environment
Authors: Borda Miguel Angel , Sambucetti Pablo Daniel , Gomez Federico Hernan , Norry Fabian Marcelo 
Published: November 2018

AbstractQuantitative trait loci (QTL) for thermotolerance were previously identified for adult flies in several mapping populations of Drosophila melanogaster Meigen (Diptera: Drosophilidae) in the laboratory. However, laboratory assays may not necessarily reflect the performance under heat stress in the field. For instance, do the heat‐resistance QTL regions in the field match the QTL for thermotolerance in laboratory studies? To address this and related questions we used a set of recombinant inbred lines (RIL), which were originally used to identify QTL in the laboratory. We tested egg‐to‐adult survival (EAS) QTL in a field experiment under naturally varying heat‐stress temperatures in fly cultures reared on a rotting fruit (banana) in summer. EAS under heat stress was found to be 3–6× lower (depending on RIL) in the field than in the corresponding control at benign temperature (25 °C). Five QTL for EAS were significant in the field experiment under heat stress, four of them co‐located with plasticity QTL, and none of the QTL was significant at control temperature. All significant QTL overlapped (co‐localized) with thermotolerance QTL previously identified in the laboratory. A previously found QTL in the middle of chromosome 2 explained near 30% of the phenotypic variance in EAS under heat stress in previous studies in the laboratory, but this QTL explained only 8% of the EAS variation in our field assay. The largest effect on EAS was found for an X‐linked QTL (cytological range 7B3‐10C3) in the heat‐stress field experiment, explaining a high percentage (14–45%) of the phenotypic variation in EAS. The ecological relevance of QTL implicated in this study is discussed.
The influence of clinical experience on dental students' ethical awareness
Authors: Hertrampf Katrin , Groß Dominik , Karsten Gudrun , Wenz Hans‐Jürgen 
Published: November 2018

AbstractIntroductionThere has been no structured integration of ethical issues into the dental curriculum and currently no data for certain ethics modules exists in Germany. The study aimed at evaluating the attitudes to ethical issues that affect students at the Dental School in Kiel during patient treatment.Material and methodsIn the summer of 2017, students were recruited from the 6th and 10th semesters. A qualitative study design with interviews was chosen. The dimensions included, for example, experience with ethical issues, definitions and expectations of teaching content and methods. A qualitative content analysis was performed.ResultsTwelve and eleven students from semesters (32% each) participated. No student was able to name an ethical question based on his own experience (private/study). The need to address ethical issues was justified solely by personal treatment experiences.DiscussionThe study revealed a lack of basic ethical knowledge resulting in a lack of ability to deal with ethical issues. Instead, participants described experiences of psychological pressure, feelings of helplessness.ConclusionThe results suggest that ethical‐theoretical foundations should be taught before the beginning of patient treatment. A didactic combination with clinical facts and case vignettes is recommended.
Inflammatory functional iron deficiency common in myelofibrosis, contributes to anaemia and impairs quality of life. From the Nordic MPN study Group
Authors: Birgegard Gunnar , Samuelsson Jan , Ahlstrand Erik , Ejerblad Elisabeth , Enevold Christian , Ghanima Waleed , Hasselbalch Hans , Nielsen Claus H. , Knutsen Håvar , Pedersen Ole B. , Sørensen Anders , Andreasson Björn 
Published: November 2018

AbstractObjectivesThe study investigates the hypothesis that inflammation in myelofibrosis (MF) like in myeloma and lymphoma, may disturb iron distribution and contribute to anaemia.MethodsA cross‐sectional study of 80 MF and 23 ET patients was performed.ResultsAbout 35% of anaemic MF patients had functional iron deficiency (FID) with transferrin saturation <20 and normal or elevated S‐ferritin (<500 µg/L). In ET, FID was rare. In MF patients with FID, 70.6% were anaemic, vs 29.4% in patients without FID (P = 0.03). Hepcidin was significantly higher in MF patients with anaemia, including transfusion‐dependent patients, 50.6 vs 24.4 µg/L (P = 0.01). There was a significant negative correlation between Hb and inflammatory markers in all MF patients: IL‐2, IL‐6 and TNF‐α, (P < 0.01‐0.03), LD (P = 0.004) and hepcidin (P = 0.03). These correlations were also seen in the subgroup of anaemic MF patients (Table ). Tsat correlated negatively with CRP (P < 0.001). Symptom burden was heavier in MF patients with FID, and MPN‐SAF quality of life scores correlated with IL‐6 and CRP.ConclusionsThe inflammatory state of MF disturbs iron turnover, FID is common and contributes to anaemia development and impairment of QoL. Anaemic MF patients should be screened for FID.
Striatal GABAergic interneuron dysfunction in the Q175 mouse model of Huntington's disease
Authors: Holley Sandra M. , Galvan Laurie , Kamdjou Talia , Cepeda Carlos , Levine Michael S. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe pathological hallmark of Huntington's disease (HD) is the massive loss of striatal and cortical neurons. Until recently, it was believed that striatal interneurons were spared from degeneration. This view has changed after the demonstration that parvalbumin (PV)‐expressing interneurons also are vulnerable in humans. Here we compared morphological and functional changes of striatal fast‐spiking interneurons (FSIs) and low‐threshold spiking (LTS) interneurons in the Q175 mouse model of HD at presymptomatic (2 months) and symptomatic (12 months) stages of the disease. Electrophysiological intrinsic and synaptic properties of FSIs were significantly altered in symptomatic mice compared to wild‐type (WT) littermates. Overall, FSIs became more excitable with disease progression. Sholl analysis also revealed a significant loss of dendritic complexity and excitatory synaptic inputs. The basic membrane and synaptic properties of LTS interneurons were similar in Q175 and WT mice regardless of disease stage. The resilience of LTS interneurons could be related to their sparsity of excitatory synaptic inputs compared with FSIs. However, in symptomatic mice, a subpopulation of LTS interneurons displayed an increase in action potential firing within oscillating bursts. Thus, we conclude that while both FSI and LTS interneurons demonstrate increases in excitability, the HD mutation differentially affects their membrane and synaptic properties as well as their ability to respond to compensatory challenges presented during the late stage of the disease. Alterations in GABAergic interneuron intrinsic activity and responsiveness to incoming signals may significantly affect SPN output thus contributing to abnormal motor movements in patients afflicted with HD.
Spontaneous pre‐stimulus oscillatory activity shapes the way we look: A concurrent imaging and eye‐movement study
Authors: Paoletti Davide , Braun Christoph , Vargo Elisabeth Julie , van Zoest Wieske 
Published: November 2018

AbstractPrevious behavioural studies have accrued evidence that response time plays a critical role in determining whether selection is influenced by stimulus saliency or target template. In the present work, we investigated to what extent the variations in timing and consequent oculomotor controls are influenced by spontaneous variations in pre‐stimulus alpha oscillations. We recorded simultaneously brain activity using magnetoencephalography (MEG) and eye movements while participants performed a visual search task. Our results show that slower saccadic reaction times were predicted by an overall stronger alpha power in the 500 ms time window preceding the stimulus onset, while weaker alpha power was a signature of faster responses. When looking separately at performance for fast and slow responses, we found evidence for two specific sources of alpha activity predicting correct versus incorrect responses. When saccades were quickly elicited, errors were predicted by stronger alpha activity in posterior areas, comprising the angular gyrus in the temporal‐parietal junction (TPJ) and possibly the lateral intraparietal area (LIP). Instead, when participants were slower in responding, an increase of alpha power in frontal eye fields (FEF), supplementary eye fields (SEF) and dorsolateral pre‐frontal cortex (DLPFC) predicted erroneous saccades. In other words, oculomotor accuracy in fast responses was predicted by alpha power differences in more posterior areas, while the accuracy in slow responses was predicted by alpha power differences in frontal areas, in line with the idea that these areas may be differentially related to stimulus‐driven and goal‐driven control of selection.
Engineering synucleinopathy‐resistant human dopaminergic neurons by CRISPR‐mediated deletion of the SNCA gene
Authors: Chen Yixi , Dolt Karamjit Singh , Kriek Marco , Baker Terry , Downey Patrick , Drummond Nicola J. , Canham Maurice A. , Natalwala Ammar , Rosser Susan , Kunath Tilo 
Published: November 2018

AbstractAn emerging treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD) is cell replacement therapy. Authentic midbrain dopaminergic (mDA) neuronal precursors can be differentiated from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). These laboratory‐generated mDA cells have been demonstrated to mature into functional dopaminergic neurons upon transplantation into preclinical models of PD. However, clinical trials with human fetal mesenchephalic cells have shown that cell replacement grafts in PD are susceptible to Lewy body formation suggesting host‐to‐graft transfer of α‐synuclein pathology. Here, we have used CRISPR/Cas9n technology to delete the endogenous SNCA gene, encoding for α‐synuclein, in a clinical‐grade hESC line to generate SNCA+/− and SNCA−/− cell lines. These hESC lines were first differentiated into mDA neurons, and then challenged with recombinant α‐synuclein preformed fibrils (PFFs) to seed the formation for Lewy‐like pathology as measured by phosphorylation of serine‐129 of α‐synuclein (pS129‐αSyn). Wild‐type neurons were fully susceptible to the formation of protein aggregates positive for pS129‐αSyn, while SNCA+/− and SNCA−/− neurons exhibited significant resistance to the formation of this pathological mark. This work demonstrates that reducing or completely removing SNCA alleles by CRISPR/Cas9n‐mediated gene editing confers a measure of resistance to Lewy pathology.
A Kiss to drive rhythms in reproduction
Authors: Simonneaux Valérie 
Published: November 2018

AbstractReproduction, like many other biological functions, exhibits marked daily and seasonal rhythms in order to anticipate and adapt breeding activity to environmental challenges. In recent years, studies investigating the neuroendocrine mechanisms driving rhythms in reproduction have unveiled the pivotal role of hypothalamic neurons expressing kisspeptin in integrating and forwarding daily and seasonal cues to the reproductive system. The objective of this review is to summarize the knowledge on the effect and role of this neuropeptide on the mammalian hypothalamo‐pituitary‐gonadal axis and describe how it is involved in the daily control of ovulation in females and long‐term adaptation of reproduction in seasonal breeders.
Safety of urgent endarterectomy in acute non‐disabling stroke patients with symptomatic carotid artery stenosis: an international multicenter study
Authors: Roussopoulou A. , Tsivgoulis G. , Krogias C. , Lazaris A. , Moulakakis K. , Georgiadis G. S. , Mikulik R. , Kakisis J. D. , Zompola C. , Faissner S. , Chondrogianni M. , Liantinioti C. , Hummel T. , Safouris A. , Matsota P. , Voumvourakis K. , Lazarides M. , Geroulakos G. , Vasdekis S. N. 
Published: November 2018

Background and purposeInternational recommendations advocate that carotid endarterectomy (CEA) should be performed within 2 weeks from the index event in symptomatic carotid artery stenosis (sCAS) patients. However, there are controversial data regarding the safety of CEA performed during the first 2 days of ictus. The aim of this international, multicenter study was to prospectively evaluate the safety of urgent (0–2 days) in comparison to early (3–14 days) CEA in patients with sCAS.MethodsConsecutive patients with non‐disabling (modified Rankin Scale scores ≤2) acute ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack due to sCAS (≥70%) underwent urgent or early CEA at five tertiary‐care stroke centers during a 6‐year period. The primary outcome events included stroke, myocardial infarction or death during the 30‐day follow‐up period.ResultsA total of 311 patients with sCAS underwent urgent (n = 63) or early (n = 248) CEA. The two groups did not differ in baseline characteristics with the exception of crescendo transient ischaemic attacks (21% in urgent vs. 7% in early CEA; P = 0.001). The 30‐day rates of stroke did not differ (P = 0.333) between patients with urgent (7.9%; 95% confidence interval 3.1%–17.7%) and early (4.4%; 95% confidence interval 2.4%–7.9%) CEA. The mortality and myocardial infarction rates were similar between the two groups. The median length of hospitalization was shorter in urgent CEA [6 days (interquartile range 4–6) vs. 10 days (interquartile range 7–14); P < 0.001].ConclusionsOur findings highlight that urgent CEA performed within 2 days from the index event is related to a non‐significant increase in the risk of peri‐procedural stroke. The safety of urgent CEA requires further evaluation in larger datasets.
High‐frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and intermittent theta‐burst stimulation for spasticity management in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis
Authors: Korzhova J. , Bakulin I. , Sinitsyn D. , Poydasheva A. , Suponeva N. , Zakharova M. , Piradov M. 
Published: November 2018

Background and purposeThe spasticity phenomenon is a significant factor in the development of disability. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a promising treatment method for this disorder. Our aim was to compare the effects of two protocols of rTMS – the high‐frequency (HF) rTMS (20 Hz) and the intermittent theta‐burst stimulation (iTBS) – on the level of spasticity and concomitant symptoms in patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis with an analysis of the duration of the effects up to 12 weeks after the stimulation course.MethodsThirty‐four patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis and lower spastic paraparesis were randomized into three groups: (i) HF‐rTMS (20 Hz); (ii) iTBS; (iii) sham stimulation. Spasticity and spasticity‐associated symptoms were assessed by the Modified Ashworth Scale, the Subjective Evaluating Spasticity Scale (SESS), the numerical analog scale, the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale and the pain level scale.ResultsThe Modified Ashworth Scale was significantly reduced after the stimulation course in the HF‐rTMS and iTBS groups. The SESS was reduced post‐intervention and at the two follow‐ups in the iTBS group, whilst HF‐rTMS produced an SESS reduction only at the 2‐week follow‐up, with no effects in the sham group. Conversely, reduction in pain and fatigue was found in the HF‐rTMS group.ConclusionsThe results show that HF‐rTMS and iTBS significantly reduce spasticity measured by the Modified Ashworth Scale, in contrast to sham stimulation. Some evidence was found in favor of a longer‐lasting effect of iTBS on the SESS and of a reduction in pain and fatigue after HF‐rTMS.