bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Survey of Aboriginal smokers' and ex‐smokers’ knowledge, attitudes and behaviours in Central Australia 2016–2017
Authors: Wright Alyson 
Published: July 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo examine tobacco knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of community members in Central Australia and to compare these by participant's location (town or remote community).DesignCommunity‐based survey of 165 smokers and recent ex‐smokers.Outcome measuresKnowledge was assessed using responses to questions on the health risk of smoking (e.g. lung cancer) and knowledge of quit support services. Attitudes towards smoking were assessed using statements that asked participant whether they agreed or disagreed. Smoking behaviours were assessed by asking participants about quit attempts, cigarettes per day and time to first cigarette (used to calculate the heaviness of smoking index).ResultsThere were high levels of knowledge about most common diseases associated with smoking, including cancer (93%) and heart disease (89%). There was less knowledge about quit support services that are available through telephone (69%), online (27%) and apps (32%). Responses to attitude statements were suggestive of the normalised practices towards smoking in town and remote participants, with remote participants more likely to disagree that ‘ok to smoke close to a building’ and to disagree ‘if I had my time over again I would not have started’. Over 75% of the participants had attempted to quit smoking and 55% had a sustained quit attempt (>1 month).ConclusionThere are greater challenges to reduce smoking in remote areas due to the social and communal practices of smoking and in providing service needs that encourage quit attempts. This supports the need for continued and increased investment for targeted tobacco control by remote health services.
Evaluation of a novel cricothyroidotomy introducer in a simulated obese porcine model: a randomised crossover comparison with scalpel cricothyroidotomy
Authors: Yeow C. , Greaney L. , Foy C. , King W. , Patel B. 
Published: July 2018

SummaryThe Difficult Airway Society 2015 guidelines for management of unanticipated difficulties in tracheal intubation in adults have generated much discussion regarding Plan D: emergency front‐of‐neck access with a scalpel‐bougie cricothyroidotomy technique. There is concern that this technique may not provide an adequate pathway for the bougie and subsequently the tracheal tube, especially in obese patients with deeper airway structures. This could lead to the formation of a false passage, trauma and failure. A novel cricothyroidotomy introducer, 8 mm wide and 170 mm long, with a sharp leading edge and guiding channel to pass a bougie into the trachea, has been designed to complement the scalpel cricothyroidotomy technique. A comparison study of the use of this novel introducer with the scalpel technique in a simulated obese porcine laryngeal model demonstrated shorter insertion times (median (IQR [range]) 85 (65–123 [48–224]) s vs. 84 (72–184 [46–377]) s, p = 0.030). All 26 (100%) participants successfully performed cricothyroidotomy in the introducer group, whereas only 24 (92%) participants were successful in the scalpel group. The introducer group required fewer attempts to access the trachea compared with the scalpel group (p = 0.046). False passages occurred eight (31%) times in the introducer group compared with 17 (65%) times in the scalpel group (p = 0.022). There were no statistical differences in tracheal trauma (p = 0.490), ease of use (p = 0.220) and device preference (p = 0.240). This novel cricothyroidotomy introducer has shown promising results in securing the airway in an emergency front‐of‐neck access situation. With robust training, this introducer could potentially be complementary to the scalpel‐bougie cricothyroidotomy technique.
The association of sex hormone‐binding globulin with mortality is mediated by age and testosterone in men with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Ramachandran S. , Strange R. C. , Fryer A. A. , Saad F. , Hackett G. I. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractBackgroundSerum sex hormone‐binding globulin levels have been associated with mortality in adult men with type 2 diabetes (T2DM).ObjectivesTo confirm the association of serum sex hormone‐binding globulin with mortality and then determine whether this association is mediated by age and total testosterone concentration.Materials and MethodsWe studied 364 men (median age: 66 years) with T2DM over a median follow‐up of 4.3 years using the Cox regression to study associations between sex hormone‐binding globulin, age, total testosterone, and mortality.ResultsMortality was significantly and independently associated with sex hormone‐binding globulin, age, and total testosterone. In pairwise combinations of age and sex hormone‐binding globulin dichotomized by median values, the association of sex hormone‐binding globulin with mortality was age‐dependent. Relative to the combination of age >66 years/SHBG >35 nmol/L (mortality 22.5%), the other combinations were associated with significantly less mortality (mortality in men ≤66 years/SHBG ≤ 35 nmol/L was 3.23%). In men >66 years, SHBG ≤ 35 nmol/L was associated with decreased mortality (HR: 0.41, p = 0.037) compared with SHBG > 35 nmol/L. In men ≤66 years, there was no significant difference between those with sex hormone‐binding globulin above or below the median (HR: 1.73, p = 0.56, reference: SHBG ≤ 35 nmol/L). TT < 12 nmol/L was associated with increased mortality in both age categories. Men >66 years with the reference combination of SHBG > 35 nmol/L and TT < 12 nmol/L (36.84%) nmol/L had significantly higher mortality than those with SHBG > 35 nmol/L and TT ≥ 12 (18.06%) and those with SHBG ≤ 35 nmol/L and TT < 12 nmol/L (13.79%).DiscussionOur data suggest sex hormone‐binding globulin and total testosterone have particular impact on mortality in men aged over 66 years. Further, in older men, the combination of high sex hormone‐binding globulin levels and low total testosterone is associated with greater risk than either high sex hormone‐binding globulin or low total testosterone individually.ConclusionsOur findings are compatible with data suggesting the importance of sex hormone‐binding globulin lies in mediating free testosterone levels.
Erosion rates of 3.5‐cm artificial urinary sphincter cuffs are similar to larger cuffs
Authors: McKibben Maxim J. , Shakir Nabeel , Fuchs Joceline S. , Scott Jeremy M. , Morey Allen F. 
Published: July 2018

ObjectiveTo compare long‐term outcomes and erosion rates of 3.5‐cm artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) cuffs vs larger cuffs amongst men with stress urinary incontinence (SUI), with and without a history of pelvic radiotherapy (RT).Patients and methodsWe reviewed the records of all men who underwent AUS placement by a single surgeon between September 2009 and June 2017 at our tertiary urban medical centre. A uniform perineal approach was used to ensure cuff placement around the most proximal corpus spongiosum after precise spongiosal measurement. Patients were stratified by cuff size and RT status, and patient demographics and surgical outcomes were analysed. Cases of AUS revision in which a new cuff was not placed were excluded. Success was defined as patient‐reported pad use of ≤1 pad/day.ResultsAmongst 410 cases included in the analysis, the 3.5‐cm cuff was used in 166 (40.5%), whilst 244 (59.5%) received larger cuffs (≥4.0 cm). Over a median follow‐up of 50 months, there was AUS cuff erosion in 44 patients at a rate nearly identical in the 3.5‐cm cuff (10.8%, 18/166) and the ≥4‐cm cuff groups (10.7%, 26/244, P = 0.7). On multivariate logistic regression, clinical factors associated with AUS cuff erosion included a history of pelvic RT, prior AUS cuff erosion, prior urethroplasty, and a history of inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) placement. Patient demographics were similar between the cuff‐size groups; including age, body mass index, comorbidities, smoking history, RT history, prior AUS, and prior IPP placement. Continence rates were high amongst all AUS patients, with similar success in both groups (82% for 3.5‐cm cuff, 90% for ≥4‐cm cuff, P = 0.1).ConclusionsAfter 8 years of experience and extended follow‐up, the outcomes of the 3.5‐cm AUS cuff appear to be similar to ≥4‐cm cuffs for effectiveness and rates of urethral erosion. RT patients have a higher risk of cuff erosion regardless of cuff size.
Early and rapid prediction of postoperative infections following percutaneous nephrolithotomy in patients with complex kidney stones
Authors: Chen Dong , Jiang Chonghe , Liang Xiongfa , Zhong Fangling , Huang Jian , Lin Yongping , Zhao Zhijian , Duan Xiaolu , Zeng Guohua , Wu Wenqi 
Published: July 2018

ObjectivesTo obtain more accurate and rapid predictors of postoperative infections following percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in patients with complex kidney stones, and provide evidence for early prevention and treatment of postoperative infections.Patients and MethodsA total of 802 patients with complex kidney stones who underwent PCNL, from September 2016 to September 2017, were recruited. Urine tests, urine cultures (UCs) and stone cultures (SCs) were performed, and the perioperative data were prospectively recorded.ResultsIn all, 19 (2.4%) patients developed postoperative urosepsis. A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that an operating time of ≥100 min, urine test results with both positive urine white blood cells (WBC+) and positive urine nitrite (WBC+NIT+), positive UCs (UC+), and positive SCs (SC+) were independent risk factors of urosepsis. The incidence of postoperative urosepsis was higher in patients with WBC+NIT+ (10%) or patients with both UC+ and SC+ (UC+SC+; 8.3%) than in patients with negative urine test results or negative cultures (P < 0.01). Preoperative WBC+NIT+ was predictive of UC+SC+, with an accuracy of >90%. The main pathogens found in kidney stones were Escherichia coli (44%), Proteus mirabilis (14%) and Staphylococcus (7.4%); whilst the main pathogens found in urine were E. coli (54%), Enterococcus (9.4%) and P. mirabilis (7.6%). The incidence of E. coli was more frequent in the group with urosepsis than in the group without urosepsis (P < 0.05).ConclusionsWBC+NIT+ in preoperative urine tests could be considered as an early and rapid predictor of UC+SC+ and postoperative urosepsis. Urosepsis following PCNL was strongly associated with E. coli infections in patients with complex kidney stones.
Stimulation of brain nicotinic acetylcholine receptors activates adrenomedullary outflow via brain inducible NO synthase‐mediated S‐nitrosylation
Authors: Higashi Youichirou , Shimizu Takahiro , Yamamoto Masaki , Tanaka Kenjiro , Yawata Toshio , Shimizu Shogo , Zou Suo , Ueba Tetsuya , Yuri Kazunari , Saito Motoaki 
Published: July 2018

Background and PurposeWe have demonstrated that i.c.v.‐administered (±)‐epibatidine, a nicotinic ACh receptor (nAChR) agonist, induced secretion of noradrenaline and adrenaline (catecholamines) from the rat adrenal medulla with dihydro‐β‐erythroidin (an α4β2 nAChR antagonist)‐sensitive brain mechanisms. Here, we examined central mechanisms for the (±)‐epibatidine‐induced responses, focusing on brain NOS and NO‐mediated mechanisms, soluble GC (sGC) and protein S‐nitrosylation (a posttranslational modification of protein cysteine thiol groups), in urethane‐anaesthetized (1.0 g·kg−1, i.p.) male Wistar rats.Experimental Approach(±)‐Epibatidine was i.c.v. treated after i.c.v. pretreatment with each inhibitor described below. Then, plasma catecholamines were measured electrochemically after HPLC. Immunoreactivity of S‐nitrosylated cysteine (SNO‐Cys) in α4 nAChR subunit (α4)‐positive spinally projecting neurones in the rat hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN, a regulatory centre of adrenomedullary outflow) after i.c.v. (±)‐epibatidine administration was also investigated.Key Results(±)‐Epibatidine‐induced elevation of plasma catecholamines was significantly attenuated by L‐NAME (non‐selective NOS inhibitor), carboxy‐PTIO (NO scavenger), BYK191023 [selective inducible NOS (iNOS) inhibitor] and dithiothreitol (thiol‐reducing reagent), but not by 3‐bromo‐7‐nitroindazole (selective neuronal NOS inhibitor) or ODQ (sGC inhibitor). (±)‐Epibatidine increased the number of spinally projecting PVN neurones with α4‐ and SNO‐Cys‐immunoreactivities, and this increment was reduced by BYK191023.Conclusions and ImplicationsStimulation of brain nAChRs can induce elevation of plasma catecholamines through brain iNOS‐derived NO‐mediated protein S‐nitrosylation in rats. Therefore, brain nAChRs (at least α4β2 subtype) and NO might be useful targets for alleviation of catecholamines overflow induced by smoking.
Analgesic effects of ASP3662, a novel 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 inhibitor, in rat models of neuropathic and dysfunctional pain
Authors: Kiso Tetsuo , Sekizawa Toshihiro , Uchino Hiroshi , Tsukamoto Mina , Kakimoto Shuichiro 
Published: July 2018

Background and PurposeGlucocorticoids are a major class of stress hormones known to participate in stress‐induced hyperalgesia. Although 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (11β‐HSD1) is a key enzyme in the intracellular regeneration of glucocorticoids in the CNS, its role in pain perception has not been assessed. Here, we examined the effects of ASP3662, a novel 11β‐HSD1 inhibitor, on neuropathic and dysfunctional pain.Experimental ApproachThe enzyme inhibitory activities and pharmacokinetics of ASP3662 were examined, and its antinociceptive effects were evaluated in models of neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia and inflammatory pain in Sprague‐Dawley rats.Key ResultsASP3662 inhibited human, mouse and rat 11β‐HSD1 but not human 11β‐HSD2, in vitro. ASP3662 had no significant effect on 87 other possible targets (enzymes, transporters and receptors). ASP3662 inhibited in vitro conversion of glucocorticoid from its inactive to active form in extracts of rat brain and spinal cord. Pharmacokinetic analysis in Sprague‐Dawley rats showed that ASP3662 has CNS‐penetrability and long‐lasting pharmacokinetic properties. Single oral administration of ASP3662 ameliorated mechanical allodynia in spinal nerve ligation (SNL) and streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats and thermal hyperalgesia in chronic constriction nerve injury rats. ASP3662 also restored muscle pressure thresholds in reserpine‐induced myalgia rats. Intrathecal administration of ASP3662 was also effective in SNL rats. However, ASP3662 had no analgesic effects in adjuvant‐induced arthritis rats.Conclusions and ImplicationsASP3662 is a potent, selective and CNS‐penetrable inhibitor of 11β‐HSD1. The effects of ASP3662 suggest that selective inhibition of 11β‐HSD1 may be an attractive approach for the treatment of neuropathic and dysfunctional pain, as observed in fibromyalgia.
Calprotectin protects against experimental colonic inflammation in mice
Authors: Aranda Carlos J , Ocón Borja , Arredondo‐Amador María , Suárez María Dolores , Zarzuelo Antonio , Chazin Walter J , Martínez‐Augustin Olga , Sánchez de Medina Fermín 
Published: July 2018

Background and PurposeCalprotectin is a heterodimer composed of two myeloid‐related proteins, S100A8 and S100A9, that is abundant in neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages. Faecal levels of calprotectin are used routinely to monitor inflammatory bowel disease activity.Experimental ApproachWe aimed to assess the role of calprotectin in intestinal inflammation, using the dextran sulfate sodium model of colitis in mice. Calprotectin was administered (50 or 100 μg·day−1) by the intrarectal or by i.p. injection (50 μg·day−1 only). The condition of the mice was characterized by morphological and biochemical methods.Key ResultsIntrarectal calprotectin protected significantly against colitis, as shown by lower levels of macroscopic and microscopic damage, colonic myeloperoxidase activity and decreased expression of TNFα and toll‐like receptor 4. IL‐17 production by spleen and mesenteric lymph node cells was reduced. Calprotectin had no effect on body weight loss or colonic thickening. There were no effects of calprotectin after i.p. injection. Calprotectin had virtually no effects in control, non‐colitic mice. Calprotectin had almost no effect on the colonic microbiota but enhanced barrier function. Treatment of rat IEC18 intestinal epithelial cells in vitro with calprotectin induced output of the chemokines CXL1 and CCL2, involving the receptor for advanced glycation end products‐ and NFκB.Conclusion and ImplicationsCalprotectin exerted protective effects in experimental colitis when given by the intrarectal route, by actions that appear to involve effects on the epithelium.
Late recurrent bleeding episodes from duodenojejunostomy after pancreas transplantation
Authors: Messner Franka , Bösmüller Claudia , Oberhuber Rupert , Maglione Manuel , Cardini Benno , Resch Thomas , Scheidl Stefan , Öfner Dietmar , Schneeberger Stefan , Margreiter Christian 
Published: July 2018

AbstractIn response to a number of late, repetitive bleeding episodes from the site of the enteric anastomosis, we herein analyze the clinical courses and etiologies of 379 consecutively performed pancreas transplants between January 2000 and December 2016. Duodenojejunostomies for enteric drainage were performed at the upper jejunum in a side to side, double layer fashion. Five patients (1.3%) developed recurrent late hemorrhagic episodes originating from the graft duodenal anastomosis. Bleeding from the anastomotic site was associated with hematochezia, hemodynamic instability and decrease in serum hemoglobin. Mean onset was 6.4(±2.8) years after transplantation. Bleeding was recurrent (mean 5.2 ± 2.6) and required 9(±2.5) interventions. Hypervascularization, mucosal vulnerability, and bleeding at the site of the enteric anastomosis could be identified in all cases. In four patients, the enteric pancreas anastomosis was resected and a new duodenojejunostomy was performed. No pancreas graft loss occurred due to bleeding. In two patients, hepatic cirrhosis and portal hypertension were identified, one patient had a liver fibrosis as putative cause for the repetitive bleeding episodes. Late anastomotic hemorrhage is a rare but severe complication following pancreas transplantation. The treatment is challenging and includes endoscopy, interventional radiology, and surgery. Hepatic conditions with an increased portal pressure may be the underlying cause.
Expression of phosphatase and tensin homologue in imprint smears of endometrial carcinoma
Authors: Kosmas Konstantinos , Mitropoulou Georgia , Provatas Ioannis , Stamoulas Marios , Marouga Anna 
Published: July 2018

AbstractObjectiveThe aims of this study were to determine the expression of phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) in endometrial adenocarcinomas (as a potential prognostic indicator before treatment) in imprint smears and to correlate the results with clinicopathological parameters of primary untreated endometrial cancer patients.MethodsA total of 126 patients with endometrial carcinoma were evaluated with samples freshly resected after a total abdominal hysterectomy during a 29‐month period. The expression of PTEN was assessed by immunocytochemistry.ResultsIn total, 102 cases were type I and 24 type II endometrial adenocarcinomas. High expression of PTEN was more frequent in type I (42/102) compared to type II (6/24) adenocarcinomas, to less advanced and aggressive clinical stage (stage I: 41/79, stage II: 5/13, stage III: 2/19, stage IV: 1/15) as well as in low grade (grade 1: 26/42, grade 2: 20/57) compared to high‐grade (grade 3: 8/27) carcinomas. The nonaffected lymph nodes showed high expression of PTEN (in 43.3%) than the affected lymph nodes (in 5.9%). Also, in 45 out of 74 cases with myometrial invasion <50%, there was positive expression of PTEN in contrast to 12 out of 52 cases with depth of myometrial invasion >50%.ConclusionsImmunocytochemical findings from PTEN stain, in addition to cytomorphological features, appeared to be a useful marker in the diagnosis and in the postoperative prognosis of endometrial carcinoma in endometrial cytology with imprint smears and that high PTEN expression is related to morphological features of less aggressiveness tumours.
Donor cell‐derived acute promyelocytic leukemia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Bouvier Anne , Ribourtout Bénédicte , François Sylvie , Orvain Corentin , Luque Paz Damien , Beucher Annaëlle , Guérard Alexandre , Guardiola Philippe , Ugo Valérie , Blanchet Odile , Geneviève Franck , Schmidt Aline , Hunault‐Berger Mathilde 
Published: July 2018

AbstractDonor cell leukemia (DCL) is an infrequent complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Its true incidence is difficult to assess, although improvements in chimerism studies contributed to a better diagnosis of DCL. We report two rare cases of donor cell‐derived acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). To our knowledge, only two cases have been described in the literature. Here, we report one male and one female patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), who developed an APL in donor cells after HSCT. The latency between HSCT and DCL was 279 and 43 months, respectively. Fluorescent in situ hybridation and chimerism monitoring analysis proved the donor origin of APL. Surprisingly, donor lymphocyte infusion provided a hematological response during 19 months in the female patient. The mechanisms associated with pathogenesis of DCL are unclear and seem to be multifactorial. Increasing worldwide allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation activity and potentially the age of donor could explain the increasing incidence of DCL in the future. It is highlighted that long‐term follow up of recipients will allow to report all cases of DCL, to clarify the genetic landscape and factors which contribute to DCL, to understand the response to DLI.
Immune thrombocytopenia: Effectiveness of frontline steroids and comparison of azathioprine, splenectomy, and rituximab as second‐line treatment
Authors: Chang Hung , Tang Tzung‐Chih , Hung Yu‐Shin , Li Pei‐Ling , Kuo Ming‐Chung , Wu Jin‐Hou , Wang Po‐Nan 
Published: July 2018

AbstractObjectiveFor immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), efficacy of frontline steroids is well established. However, clinical data comparing various treatment options for refractory or relapsed ITP are limited. We aimed to investigate the outcome of frontline steroid treatment for ITP patients and compare common second‐line modalities in a single institute in Taiwan.MethodsWe collected the complete outpatient list over a 6‐month period. Patients were identified from the list, and medical records were reviewed to capture the data retrospectively. The diagnosis of ITP was made by excluding other etiologies.ResultsAmong 665 patients with thrombocytopenia, the diagnosis of ITP was made in 375. Two hundred and fifty‐seven patients (51 males, median age 45.5) received treatment. Response to steroids was evaluable for 184 patients. Complete response (CR) was achieved in 120 (65.2%) and partial response in 43 (23.3%). In 21 (11.4%) patients, ITP was refractory to steroids. Among those with CR, 76 (63%) patients relapsed in a median of 9.5 months. After relapse or steroid failure, 57 (49%) received azathioprine treatment and 38 (32%) underwent splenectomy. Response rate was 71.4% (38.1% CR) for azathioprine and 91.4% (77.1% CR) for splenectomy. Rituximab was effective in 8 of 10 patients.ConclusionSteroids are effective frontline treatment for ITP, but relapse is common. Both azathioprine and splenectomy are effective treatment after steroid failure. Rituximab appears to a reasonable second‐line treatment option in our limited experience.