bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
PROGNOSTIC VALUE OF SHAPE-DESCRIPTIVE FACTORS FOR THE PROGRESSION OF GEOGRAPHIC ATROPHY SECONDARY TO AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION
Authors: Pfau Maximilian , Lindner Moritz , Goerdt Lukas , Thiele Sarah , Nadal Jennifer , Schmid Matthias , Schmitz-Valckenberg Steffen , Sadda SriniVas R. , Holz Frank G. , Fleckenstein Monika ,   for the Fundus Autofluorescence in Age-Related Macular Degeneration Study Group
Published: May 2018

Purpose:
To systematically compare the prognostic value of multiple shape-descriptive factors in the natural course of the disease.

Methods:
A total of 296 eyes of 201 patients (female patients 130; mean age: 72.2 ± 13.08 years) with a median follow-up of 2.38 years from 2 prospective, noninterventional natural history studies (Fundus-Autofluorescence-in-Age-related-Macular-Degeneration [clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT00393692], Directional-Spread-in-Geographic-Atrophy [NCT02051998]) were included in the analysis. Serial fundus autofluorescence images were annotated using semiautomated image analysis software to determine the lesion area, circularity, perimeter, and caliper diameters. These variables and the fundus autofluorescence phenotype were evaluated for prediction of the future square root progression rates using linear mixed-effects models.

Results:
For the combined model, leave-one-out cross validation on patient level (Scenario 1: previously unknown patient) resulted in a goodness-to-fit (R2 value) of 0.244 and leave-one-out cross validation on visit level (Scenario 2: previous observation of the patient) in a R2 value of 0.391. This indicated that shape-descriptive factors could explain 24.4% of the variance in geographic atrophy progression in previously unknown patients and 39.1% in patients with previous observation.

Conclusion:
These findings confirm the relevance of shape-descriptive factors and previous progression as prognostic variables for geographic atrophy progression. However, a substantial part of the remaining variation in geographic atrophy progression seems to depend on other variables, some of which are visible in optical coherence tomography.
Osteo-Odonto-Keratoprosthesis in Severe Thermal and Chemical Injuries
Authors: Vasquez-Perez Alfonso , Zarei-Ghanavati Mehran , Avadhanam Venkata , Liu Christopher 
Published: May 2018

Purpose:
To report the results of osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis (OOKP) surgery in patients who sustained severe chemical and thermal injuries.

Methods:
This is a noncomparative retrospective case series of 14 patients who underwent OOKP surgery between 2001 and 2016 at the Sussex Eye Hospital, Brighton, UK, because of severe chemical and thermal injuries

Results:
OOKP surgery was performed in 14 eyes of 14 patients. Eight patients (57%) sustained thermal injuries and 6 patients (43%) chemical injuries. Every eye had previously undergone adnexal or ocular surgery, including 2 cases that underwent synthetic keratoprosthesis implantation. One case had choroidal hemorrhage during stage 2. Laminar retention was observed in 11 cases (85%) at the end of the study. The Kaplan–Meier curve showed a probability of 81% of laminar retention at 5 years and a decrease at 15 years to 61%. Functional visual success was observed in only 7 patients (50%) because of end-stage glaucomatous optic neuropathy in 4 cases and macular scar in 1 case. Two cases developed endophthalmitis. Two cases required removal of laminae, one because of endophthalmitis, bone resorption and aqueous leak and the other because of development of a retroprosthetic membrane. Glaucoma was the most frequent complication (79%) and required surgical intervention with tube shunts in 5 cases. Six cases (43%) required buccal mucosal repair, which included two cases that developed endophthalmitis.

Conclusions:
Anatomic success was achieved in 11 of 13 cases in this series of OOKP surgery after severe chemical and thermal trauma; 8 of these cases had at least 5 years of follow-up and thus qualified as long-term.
Repeatability and Intersession Reproducibility of Pentacam Corneal Thickness Maps in Fuchs Dystrophy and Endothelial Keratoplasty
Authors: Mingo-Botín David , Arnalich-Montiel Francisco , Couceiro de Juan Ana , Ortiz-Toquero Sara 
Published: May 2018

Purpose:
To assess intrasession repeatability and intersession reproducibility of Pentacam corneal thickness maps in patients with Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) before and after endothelial transplantation.

Methods:
In this observational diagnostic evaluation, 20 healthy subjects along with 81 consecutive patients were examined. Patients were classified into 4 groups: FECD without corneal edema, FECD with corneal edema, Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty, and Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty. Three consecutive scans of each eye were obtained at 2 different sessions. Raw pachymetry data were used to calculate average values of 4 concentric annular zones, which were also divided into 8 sectors. Repeatability and reproducibility coefficients (CR), coefficient of variation (CV), intraclass correlation coefficient, and 95% limits of agreement were calculated.

Results:
The intrasession repeatability CV was ≤1% in the central 6 mm for all groups, with an intraclass correlation coefficient ≥0.97. It was better at the central zone than the periphery in all groups. Intersession reproducibility tended to be worse in the central area than the periphery in FECD without edema (CR ≤ 24.37; CV ≤ 1.48) and FECD with edema (CR ≤ 36.74; CV ≤ 2.03), whereas it was better in the central area in healthy eyes (CR ≤ 20.11; CV ≤ 1.32) and improved after Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (CR ≤ 21.93; CV ≤ 1.31) and Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (CR ≤ 30.83; CV ≤ 1.94).

Conclusions:
Pentacam corneal thickness maps showed good repeatability and intersession reproducibility in virgin and grafted corneas with FECD, which makes it a valid tool for monitoring these patients. Central areas showed the highest variability between sessions in diseased groups.
Quantitative sensory testing in patients with migraine: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Nahman-Averbuch Hadas , Shefi Tom , Schneider Victor J. , Li Dan , Ding Lili , King Christopher D. , Coghill Robert C. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractQuantitative sensory testing (QST) is widely used to assess somatosensory function by application of controlled stimuli across a variety of modalities. The aim of the present meta-analysis is to synthesize QST results across a wide array of studies of patients with migraine to identify the QST parameters that are reliably different between patients with migraine and healthy controls. In addition, we aimed to determine whether such differences vary according to stimulus location. A comprehensive literature search (up to January 2017) was conducted, which included studies comparing QST parameters between patients with migraine and healthy controls. For each QST modality, we calculated up to 3 meta-analyses for combined (combined data from multiple testing locations), local (head and neck), and nonlocal (outside the head or neck) locations. A total of 65 studies were included in the meta-analyses. Lower heat and pressure pain thresholds were observed in patients with migraine compared with healthy controls in the combined locations. Importantly, lower pressure pain threshold in patients with migraine was found in local areas but not in nonlocal areas. In addition, patients with migraine had higher pain ratings to cold suprathreshold stimuli for combined and nonlocal areas, and higher pain ratings to electrical suprathreshold stimuli for nonlocal areas. This meta-analysis indicates that the alterations in nociceptive processing of patients with migraine may be modality, measure, and location specific. These results provide researchers and clinicians the evidence to choose QST parameters optimally suited for differentiating patients with migraine and healthy controls.
Involvement of the VGF-derived peptide TLQP-62 in nerve injury–induced hypersensitivity and spinal neuroplasticity
Authors: Skorput Alexander G. J. , Zhang Xijing , Waataja Jonathan J. , Peterson Cristina D. , Riedl Maureen S. , Kitto Kelley F. , Truong Hai , Huffman Cecilia , Salton Stephen R. , Fairbanks Carolyn A. , Honda Christopher N. , Vulchanova Lucy 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
Neuroplasticity in the dorsal horn after peripheral nerve damage contributes critically to the establishment of chronic pain. The neurosecretory protein VGF (nonacronymic) is rapidly and robustly upregulated after nerve injury, and therefore, peptides generated from it are positioned to serve as signals for peripheral damage. The goal of this project was to understand the spinal modulatory effects of the C-terminal VGF-derived peptide TLQP-62 at the cellular level and gain insight into the function of the peptide in the development of neuropathic pain. In a rodent model of neuropathic pain, we demonstrate that endogenous levels of TLQP-62 increased in the spinal cord, and its immunoneutralization led to prolonged attenuation of the development of nerve injury–induced hypersensitivity. Using multiphoton imaging of submaximal glutamate-induced Ca2+ responses in spinal cord slices, we demonstrate the ability of TLQP-62 to potentiate glutamatergic responses in the dorsal horn. We further demonstrate that the peptide selectively potentiates responses of high-threshold spinal neurons to mechanical stimuli in singe-unit in vivo recordings. These findings are consistent with a function of TLQP-62 in spinal plasticity that may contribute to central sensitization after nerve damage.
Dermatology Emergencies
Authors: Kellen Roselyn , Berlin Joshua M. 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACT
Dermatology is primarily an outpatient specialty. However, it is important to recognize certain conditions that require referral for inpatient management as well as for healthcare professionals to appreciate the types of patients who need to be triaged appropriately in the emergency room or urgent care setting. This article will serve to summarize some of the diagnostic features and management of these patients.
Intestinal Fatty Acid Binding Protein as a Marker of Necrosis and Severity in Acute Pancreatitis
Authors: Kupčinskas Juozas , Gedgaudas Rolandas , Hartman Hannes , Sippola Tomi , Lindström Outi , Johnson Colin D. , Regnér Sara 
Published: May 2018

Objectives
The aim of this study was to study intestinal fatty acid binding protein (i-FABP) as a potential biomarker in predicting severity of acute pancreatitis (AP).

Methods
In a prospective multicenter cohort study, plasma levels of i-FABP were measured in 402 patients with AP. Severity of AP was determined based on the 1992 Atlanta Classification.

Results
Admission levels of plasma i-FABP were significantly higher in patients with pancreatic necrosis, in patients having systemic complications, in patients treated invasively, in patients treated in the intensive care unit, in patients with severe AP, and in deceased patients. Plasma i-FABP levels on admission yielded an area under curve (AUC) of 0.732 in discriminating patients with or without pancreatic necrosis and AUC of 0.669 in predicting severe AP. Combination of levels of i-FABP and venous lactate on the day of admission showed higher discriminative power in severe AP—AUC of 0.808.

Conclusions
Higher i-FABP levels on admission were associated with pancreatic necrosis, systemic complications, and severe AP. Low levels of i-FABP had a high negative predictive value for pancreatic necrosis and severe AP. Combination of levels of i-FABP and venous lactates on admission were superior to either of markers used alone in predicting severe AP.
Risk of Post-Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography Pancreatitis After Double-Guidewire Biliary Cannulation in an Average-Risk Population
Authors: Krill Joseph T. , DaVee Tomas , Edwards Jade S. , Slaughter J. Chris , Yachimski Patrick S. 
Published: May 2018

Objectives
Double-guidewire cannulation (DGC) for selective biliary access has been associated with increased risk of post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) in patients who have had pancreatic duct (PD) contrast injection. The objective of this study was to determine whether DGC increases PEP risk in standard risk individuals when controlling for procedural aspects such as PD contrast injection.

Methods
Consecutive adults with native papillae who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography from 2009 to 2014 were retrospectively identified, and clinical data were collected.

Results
There were 879 subjects who met inclusion criteria. Increased incidence of PEP was observed after DGC (18% with DGC vs 4% without DGC, P < 0.005). Additional factors associated with increased PEP risk included the following: PD contrast injection, PD wire cannulations, and biliary stent placement. The association between DGC and increased PEP risk remained significant in a multivariate model controlling for age, sex, PD contrast injection, biliary sphincterotomy, biliary stent placement, and rectal indomethacin administration (odds ratio = 2.87, 95% confidence interval = 1.23–6.36).

Conclusions
Double-guidewire cannulation is associated with increased risk of PEP when controlling for confounding variables. Prospective studies should be undertaken to assess whether prophylactic interventions reduce risk of PEP after DGC in an average-risk population.
STRONGkids
Authors: da Cruz Gouveia Mara Alves , Tassitano Rafael Miranda , da Silva Gisélia Alves Pontes 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACTObjectives:The aim of the study is to assess STRONGkids as a tool for predicting weight loss and length of hospital stay in children and to determine whether the anthropometric diagnosis of nutritional status at the time of admission was associated with weight loss and length of hospital stay.Methods:A methodological study recruiting 245 children age between 1 and 10 years of age admitted to a tertiary hospital. The participants were weighed daily until discharge. Validation of the STRONGkids tool for the identification of patients sustaining weight loss at the end of hospitalization involved the calculation of sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values, and anthropometric assessment.Results:A total of 129 (52.7%) children lost weight at the end of hospitalization. Of these, 73 (56.6%) lost over 2% of their weight on admission. The tool had a sensitivity of 55.8%, a specificity of 38.8% and a positive predictive value of 50.3% in identifying children who lost weight. The anthropometric assessment had a sensitivity of 26.5%, a specificity of 75.9%, and a positive predictive value of 49.1%.Conclusions:The model used to develop the STRONGkids tool incorporated clinical evaluation to a greater extent than the assessment of nutritional status. The tool, however, had a low sensitivity and a high percentage of false positives. Therefore, it should be considered as a preliminary evaluation tool and its use should be complemented with clinical data.
Efficacy and Safety of Direct Acting Antiviral Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis C in Thalassemic Children
Authors: Padhi Shivadatta , Maharshi Sudhir , Gupta Gaurav K. , Garg Kapil , Nijhawan Sandeep 
Published: May 2018

Objectives:
There is limited data on the efficacy and safety of directly acting antiviral therapy (DAA) for chronic hepatitis C in pediatric population. The aim was to assess the efficacy and safety of DAA in chronic hepatitis C β-thalassemic major pediatric patients.

Methods:
Prospective study was conducted from September 2015 to January 2017. All β-thalassemic major chronic hepatitis C pediatric patients with age between 5 and 14 years were included in this study. Data related to demography, laboratory parameters, hepatitis C viral load, genotype and outcome of antiviral therapy was analyzed. DAA was planned according to EASL guidelines 2015 for chronic hepatitis C therapy in adults.

Observations:
Fourteen β-thalassemic major patients (median age was 9.5 y, 12 male) were studied. All patients were of genotype 3, received DAA (sofosbuvir 400 mg+daclatasvir 80 mg) for 12 weeks. The median viral load was 2.5×103 IU/mL. End of treatment response and sustained virological response at 12 weeks was achieved in all the patients. Serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, ferritin, and albumin significantly reduced after DAA.

Conclusions:
DAA in adult dosage are safe and effective for treatment of chronic hepatitis C (genotype 3) in pediatric β-thalassemic major population.
Cold Pressor Pain Response in Children With Cancer
Authors: Jenkins Brooke N. , Roemer Ryan J. , Martinez Ariana , Torres Tara K. , Fortier Michelle A. 
Published: May 2018

Objective:
The goal of this study was to examine pain responses in pediatric patients with cancer.

Method:
Children (ages 6 to 18) undergoing treatment for cancer (N=68) completed the cold pressor task.

Results:
Average pain tolerance was 118.22 seconds (SD=101.18) and 40% of the children kept their hand in the water the entire 4-minute ceiling. On a 0 to 10 numeric rating scale, children reported a pain severity of 5.07 (SD=3.47) at their first report of pain, a pain severity of 5.94 (SD=3.54) at their maximum report of pain, and a pain severity of 5.33 (SD=3.72) at the time they reached pain tolerance. Children receiving chemotherapy agents (N=56) with possible neuropathic effects exhibited higher pain tolerance compared with children not receiving such treatments (N=10), β=0.84, SE=0.38, Wald χ2
1=4.88, P=0.027, hazard ratio=2.33, 95% confidence interval (1.10-4.92).

Conclusions:
This study provides data on experimental pain responses in a sample of children undergoing cancer treatment and suggests that pain experience may be moderated by cancer treatment type.
Psychological Community Integration of Individuals With Serious Mental Illness
Authors: Pahwa Rohini , Kriegel Liat 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
As different facets of community integration as well as psychological and social integration are important dimensions of recovery for individuals with serious mental illness (SMI). The primary aim of the study was to explore psychological integration for individuals with SMI into the mental health and mainstream (i.e., non–mental health) communities and its association with their social integration into both communities. The study used self-report and egocentric social network data from 60 individuals with SMI receiving community-based mental health services. The primary findings indicated that social integration connected to service providers was associated with psychological integration in both mental health and mainstream communities. Our data suggest that in addition to providing services, providers are doing something meaningful to impact their clients' lives well beyond mental health services. The study supports a bifurcated conceptualization of psychological integration and provides a more complex understanding of the community integration concept.
Differential Association of Stigma with Perceived Need and Mental Health Service Use
Authors: Wong Eunice C. , Collins Rebecca L. , Breslau Joshua , Burnam M. Audrey , Cefalu Matthew , Roth Elizabeth A. 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
This study examined the role of stigma at two stages of the treatment-seeking process by assessing associations between various types of stigma and perceived need for mental health treatment as well as actual treatment use. We analyzed cross-sectional data from the 2014 and 2016 California Well-Being Survey, a telephone survey with a representative sample of 1954 California residents with probable mental illness. Multivariable logistic regression indicated that perceived need was associated with less negative beliefs about mental illness (odds ratio [OR] = 0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.54, 0.95) and greater intentions to conceal a mental illness (OR = 1.47; 95% CI = 1.12–1.92). Among respondents with perceived need, treatment use was associated with greater mental health knowledge/advocacy (OR = 1.63; 95% CI = 1.03–2.56) and less negative treatment attitudes (OR = 0.66; 95% CI = 0.43–1.00). Understanding which aspects of stigma are related to different stages of the help-seeking process is essential to guiding policy and program initiatives aimed at ensuring individuals with mental illness obtain needed mental health services.
Electrolytes and Biochemical Changes in Cerebrospinal Fluid in Drowning
Authors: Paulis Melad G. , Hasan Eman I. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe diagnosis of drowning is still a difficult task in forensic science. Biochemical changes in different body fluids have been examined for the identification of drowning. However, none of them alone gives accurate results in the diagnosis of drowning and differentiation of saltwater and freshwater drowning. This study aimed to examine cerebrospinal fluid changes in drowned rabbits. Six groups of rabbits were used including immersed dead rabbits in freshwater or saltwater (as control groups), alive fully conscious rabbits drowned in freshwater and saltwater, and anesthetized rabbits drowned in freshwater and saltwater. Cerebrospinal fluid electrolytes except for potassium levels were significantly higher in rabbits drowned consciously in saltwater than their level in the control group. In rabbit drowned in freshwater, the examined electrolytes decreased significantly. In addition, urea, creatinine, uric acid, glucose, and tumor necrosis factor were different in cases of freshwater and saltwater drowning from those of control rabbits. Electrolytes and biochemical changes of unconscious rabbits drowned in water showed no significant difference from those of control rabbits. Cerebrospinal fluid examination in drowning gives promising results in the diagnosis of drowning. In addition, the differentiation between freshwater and saltwater drowning was possible.
Cost of Integrating Noncommunicable Disease Screening Into Home-Based HIV Testing and Counseling in South Africa
Authors: Golovaty Ilya , Sharma Monisha , Van Heerden Alastair , van Rooyen Heidi , Baeten Jared M. , Celum Connie , Barnabas Ruanne V. 
Published: May 2018

Introduction:
Integrated HIV–noncommunicable disease (NCD) services have the potential to avert death and disability but require data on program costs to assess the impact of integrated services on affordability.

Methods:
We estimated the incremental costs of NCD screening as part of home-based HIV testing and counseling (HTC) and referral to care in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. All adults in the households were offered integrated HIV–NCD screening (for HIV, diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, depression, tobacco, and alcohol use), counseling, and linkage to care. We conducted comprehensive program microcosting including ingredient-based and activity-based costing, staff interviews, and time assessment studies. Sensitivity analyses varied cost inputs and screening efficiency.

Results:
Integrating all-inclusive NCD screening as part of home-based HTC in a high HIV prevalence setting increased program costs by $3.95 (42%) per person screened (from $9.36 to $13.31 per person). Integrated NCD screening, excluding point-of-care cholesterol testing, increased program costs by $2.24 (24%). Furthermore, NCD screening integrated into HTC services reduced the number of persons tested by 15%–20% per day.

Conclusions:
Integrated HIV–NCD screening has the potential to efficiently use resources compared with stand-alone services. Although all-inclusive NCD screening could increase the incremental cost per person screened for integrated HIV–NCD services over 40%, a less costly lipid assay or targeted screening would result in a modest increase in costs with the potential to avert NCD death and disability. Our analysis highlights the need for implementation science studies to estimate the cost-effectiveness of integrated HIV–NCD screening and linkage per disability-adjusted life year and death averted.