bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Basic skin care in atopic dermatitis – new and established treatment options
Authors: Chylla Ricarda , Schnopp Christina , Volz Thomas 
Published: July 2018

SummaryBasic skin care (basic therapy) is a mainstay in the treatment of atopic dermatitis, irrespective of disease severity and current disease activity. Consistent application of basic skin care plays a key role in restoring skin barrier function and reducing xerosis as well as pruritus. Moreover, it has been shown that concurrent basic therapy has steroid‐sparing effects in acute disease flares. In long‐term atopic dermatitis management, the use of basic skin care is associated with prolonged recurrence‐free intervals. Recent studies have also demonstrated that early initiation of basic skin therapy has protective effects in infants at risk of developing atopic dermatitis. The present review addresses these topics with a focus on established treatments and new developments.
Custom‐made facemask as a coadjuvant in the postoperative treatment of sport‐related facial trauma: Case report
Authors: Antunes Leonardo Santos , Torres Ariane Ferraz Corrêa , Ferreira Gustavo , Prado Roberto , Coto Neide Pena , Antunes Lívia Azeredo Alves 
Published: July 2018

AbstractMaxillofacial injuries are a regular consequence of sport activities that can force athletes to take a long time off from training and competitions. One way to decrease the time that the athlete needs to get back to his or her training exercises after surgery is to use a custom facemask as a coadjuvant in the postoperative recovery phase. This case report describes the case of a 16‐year‐old male athlete who suffered facial trauma (orbitozygomatic fractures) during a soccer game. After surgery, a facemask was used during the postoperative phase. He returned to his regular physical activities only 3 weeks after surgery. This simple and very efficient procedure is a good option for athletes who suffer facial injuries.
Feasting on terrestrial organic matter: Dining in a dark lake changes microbial decomposition
Authors: Fitch Amelia , Orland Chloe , Willer David , Emilson Erik J. S. , Tanentzap Andrew J. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractBoreal lakes are major components of the global carbon cycle, partly because of sediment‐bound heterotrophic microorganisms that decompose within‐lake and terrestrially derived organic matter (t‐OM). The ability for sediment bacteria to break down and alter t‐OM may depend on environmental characteristics and community composition. However, the connection between these two potential drivers of decomposition is poorly understood. We tested how bacterial activity changed along experimental gradients in the quality and quantity of t‐OM inputs into littoral sediments of two small boreal lakes, a dark and a clear lake, and measured the abundance of operational taxonomic units and functional genes to identify mechanisms underlying bacterial responses. We found that bacterial production (BP) decreased across lakes with aromatic dissolved organic matter (DOM) in sediment pore water, but the process underlying this pattern differed between lakes. Bacteria in the dark lake invested in the energetically costly production of extracellular enzymes as aromatic DOM increased in availability in the sediments. By contrast, bacteria in the clear lake may have lacked the nutrients and/or genetic potential to degrade aromatic DOM and instead mineralized photo‐degraded OM into CO2. The two lakes differed in community composition, with concentrations of dissolved organic carbon and pH differentiating microbial assemblages. Furthermore, functional genes relating to t‐OM degradation were relatively higher in the dark lake. Our results suggest that future changes in t‐OM inputs to lake sediments will have different effects on carbon cycling depending on the potential for photo‐degradation of OM and composition of resident bacterial communities.
Impact of breast cancer grade discordance on prediction of outcome
Authors: Rakha Emad A , Aleskandarany Mohammed A , Toss Michael S , Mongan Nigel P , ElSayed Maysa E , Green Andrew R , Ellis Ian O , Dalton Les W 
Published: July 2018

AimsHistological grade is an independent prognostic variable in breast cancer (BC). Previous concordance studies of BC grade have reported moderate levels of agreement; a typical finding in morphological assessment of biological variables. This study aimed to investigate the impact of discordance on the prognostic value of grade and to identify the best reporting approach in borderline cases.Methods and resultsA large (n = 1675) well‐characterised annotated cohort of BC, originally graded in routine practice using glass slides, was re‐graded twice by an expert breast pathologist using virtual microscopy with a 3‐month washout period. Outcome was assessed using breast cancer‐specific and distant metastasis‐free survival (median follow‐up = 135 months). Fifty‐eight per cent of the cases showed absolute agreement in the three separate grading sessions, whereas grades 1/2 and 2/3 discordance were observed in 21% and 21%, respectively. Absolute intra‐observer agreement using virtual microscopy was observed in 77% of the cases, whereas 13% and 10% showed grades 1/2 and 2/3 discordance, respectively. Despite the concordance, outcome analysis revealed significant associations between tumour grade and patients’ outcome in the three grading sessions. Grades 1/2 and 2/3 discordant cases showed intermediate survival between grades 1 and 2 tumours and grades 2 and 3 tumours, respectively. Grades 1/2 discordant cases showed a worse outcome when compared with grade 1 tumours (P = 0.008) but no statistical difference was identified when compared with grade 2 tumours. Similarly, grades 2/3 discordant cases showed a significant difference from grade 2 tumours (P < 0.001), but no statistical difference was identified when compared with grade 3 tumours.ConclusionsBreast cancer grade discordance is probably a reflection of biologically, and hence morphologically, borderline tumours. Cases with borderline features for grade are more likely to behave similarly to the higher‐grade category. Repeating histological grade of borderline cases or double reporting may improve correlation with outcome.
Structural and optical study of Fe3+‐doped Al2O3 nanocrystals prepared by new sol gel precursors
Authors: Khodadadi Abolfazl , Farahmandjou Majid , Yaghoubi Mojtaba , Amani Ali Reza 
Published: July 2018

AbstractPure and Fe‐doped Al2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized with different iron doping percentage of 1, 3, and 5 mol% employing sol gel technique with AlCl3, FeCl3 as well as ethylene glycol (EG) and Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) stabilizers as precursors. The XRD results indicated that the hexagonal structure of Fe/Al2O3 nanocomposite with alpha phase was formed by the substitution of Fe3+ ions in the alumina network. The sizes of the NPs obtained for the pure samples and doped samples at percentage dopant of 5% were 35 and 28 nm, respectively. The results of FTIR optical analysis showed the vibrational bond at the wavelength of 448 cm−1, indicating the Al‐O band in the sample. The UV‐DRS analysis showed that the energy band gap for the pure NPs was 4 eV, but with increase in iron dopant up to 5%, it decreased to 3.42 eV. In addition, the results of photoluminescence (PL) analysis demonstrated that with increase in doping percentage, the PL intensity diminished. VSM magnetic analysis showed that with increase in iron dopant, the ferromagnetic state emerged in the NPs at saturation magnetism of 0.136 emu/g. Finally, photocatalytic experimental results demonstrated that 5% Fe‐doped Al2O3 NPs effectively degrade MB approximately 53%.
The role of birth weight on the causal pathway to child and adolescent ADHD symptomatology: a population‐based twin differences longitudinal design
Authors: Lim Kai Xiang , Liu Chao‐Yu , Schoeler Tabea , Cecil Charlotte A.M. , Barker Edward D. , Viding Essi , Greven Corina U. , Pingault Jean‐Baptiste 
Published: July 2018

BackgroundAvailable evidence points towards lower birth weight as a risk factor for the development of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms. We probed the causal nature of this putative effect of birth weight on ADHD symptoms using the twin differences design, which accounts for genetic and shared environmental confounds.MethodIn a large population‐based twin sample – 3,499 monozygotic (MZ) and 6,698 dizygotic (DZ) pairs – parents, teachers or twins rated the twins’ ADHD symptoms at nine assessment waves (2–16 years). We implemented the twin differences design, which completely accounts for shared environmental and genetic confounding in MZ twins. We tested whether: (a) the lighter‐born twins had elevated ADHD symptoms compared to the heavier‐born twins, by regressing within‐pair differences of ADHD symptoms on within‐pair differences of birth weight among MZ twins; (b) the effect of birth weight on ADHD was moderated by gender, gestational age and low birth weight; (c) this effect changed with age at ADHD assessment using adapted latent growth curve models; and (d) results differed for inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity.ResultsBirth weight significantly predicted ADHD symptoms from early childhood to late adolescence. The lighter‐born twin had more ADHD symptoms than the heavier‐born cotwin among MZ twins across assessment waves and raters. No moderation effect was detected. The magnitude of the effect of birth weight decreased significantly across time for hyperactivity/impulsivity, but the decrease failed to reach significance for inattention. Estimates for inattention were significantly larger than for hyperactivity/impulsivity at each time point, implying stronger effect of birth weight on inattention symptoms.ConclusionsOur findings provide stringent evidence for environmental effect of lower birth weight on the causal pathway to elevated ADHD symptoms. Effect of birth weight persists across a 14‐year period from childhood into late adolescence, in particular for inattention symptoms.
ALIGNed on adherence: subanalysis of adherence in immune‐mediated inflammatory diseases in the DACH region of the global ALIGN study
Authors: Kolios A.G.A. , Hueber A.J. , Michetti P. , Mrowietz U. , Mustak‐Blagusz M. , Sator P.‐G. , Reinshagen M. , Wilsmann‐Theis D. , Gomis‐Kleindienst S. , Luckey U. , Rössler A. , Schiefke I. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractBackgroundNon‐adherence to medication is a challenging problem in daily clinical practice.ObjectiveTo assess reasons for non‐adherence in patients with chronic immune‐mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) in a direct comparison including evaluation of treatment necessity and concerns.MethodsALIGN was a non‐interventional, multicountry, multicentre, self‐administered, cross‐sectional, epidemiologic survey study. Here, we investigate the German, Austrian and Swiss (DACH) cohort. Six hundred thirty‐one patients with different IMIDs (rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, plaque psoriasis, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) under systemic therapies were evaluated concerning adherence, beliefs of necessity and concerns towards treatment in patients with IMIDs.ResultsThe DACH cohort had significantly different levels of adherence depending on the IMID (P < 0.05) and the type of therapy (P < 0.05). Based on the significant influence of concerns on treatment adherence (P < 0.05) and the high belief of treatment necessity, patients could be classified in four attitudinal segments, which were unequally distributed throughout various IMIDs. High concerns had a significant influence on non‐adherence, whereas necessity did not. Older age, female sex, TNFi mono‐, conventional combination and TNFi combination therapy are positively associated with adherence.ConclusionsIn the DACH region, patients are less concerned about medication and believe in the necessity of treatment. Therefore, we suggest adapting the communication in the various patient groups.
Lymph node ratio is an independent prognostic factor for rectal cancer after neoadjuvant therapy: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Jin Chengwu , Deng Xiangbing , Li Yan , He Wanbin , Yang Xuyang , Liu Jian 
Published: July 2018

AbstractObjectiveWith neoadjuvant therapy increasingly used in advanced rectal cancer, the lymph node ratio (LNR) has been strongly considered to indicate cancer‐specific survival in recent years, and a comprehensive evaluation of a large number of studies is deficient. The objective of our study is to pool enough eligible studies to assess the relationship between LNR and prognosis of advanced rectal cancer after neoadjuvant therapy.MethodsA systematic search was done in the PubMed and EmBase databases (through 1 March 2017) that reported LNR in colorectal cancer after neoadjuvant therapy. The first two authors independently conducted the study selection and data extraction. All statistical analyses were conducted using STATA 13.0 (College Station, Texas).ResultsThirteen studies with 4023 participants were included in the meta‐analysis, and all were published after 2011. A high LNR was assessed to be a predictor of poor overall survival in rectal cancer after neoadjuvant therapy (HR: 2.94, 95% CI:1.97 to 3.91, P < 0.001). Similarly, a high LNR was related to poor disease‐free survival (HR: 2.83, 95% CI: 1.82 to 3.85, P < 0.001). With respect to recurrence, the HRs of 3.25, 1.93, and 2.11 also showed a strong relationship between high LNR and poor local, distant, and total recurrences.ConclusionsOur present study demonstrates that a high LNR can predict poor survival in advanced rectal cancer. We suggest well‐designed clinical trials to prospectively assess LNR as an independent predictor of rectal cancer survival.
Combination of microwave endometrial ablation and postoperative dienogest administration is effective for treating symptomatic adenomyosis
Authors: Ota Kuniaki , Takahashi Toshifumi , Shiraishi Satoru , Mizunuma Hideki 
Published: July 2018

AbstractAimMenorrhagia and dysmenorrhea are common symptoms. Uterine adenomyosis is one of the causes of menorrhagia and dysmenorrhea. These symptoms often decrease the quality of life in women. Microwave endometrial ablation (MEA) is a recently developed procedure that enables endometrial ablation. Dienogest has long been used to suppress endometrium development and reduce adenomyosis‐related dysmenorrhea. However, some cases could be resistant to dienogest. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of a combination of MEA and postoperative dienogest in reducing adenomyosis‐related dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia.MethodsTen patients with hormone treatment‐resistant symptomatic adenomyosis underwent MEA and were administered oral dienogest after the procedure. The primary endpoints were reduction in pain recurrence and anemia. The secondary endpoint was a change in the adenomyosis lesion and its symptomatic recurrence.ResultsStatistically significant improvements were seen in the visual analog scale score and hemoglobin levels in women post‐treatment. The difference in myometrial thickness pre‐ and post‐MEA was statistically significant. There were no cases of symptomatic recurrence.ConclusionThe combination of MEA and postoperative dienogest is useful for treating uterine adenomyosis with menorrhagia and dysmenorrhea.
What growth sounds like: Redemption, self‐improvement, and eudaimonic growth across different life narratives in relation to well‐being
Authors: Bauer Jack J. , Graham Laura E. , Lauber Elissa A. , Lynch Bridget P. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractObjectiveWe disentangled three growth‐relevant concepts (redemption, self‐improvement, and eudaimonic growth) in personal narratives of high, low, and turning points and tested their relations to well‐being.MethodIn two studies, participants (Study 1n = 111, Study 2n = 206; overall ages 17–83, 56% women, 75% white) wrote narratives of high points, low points, and turning points. Researchers coded each narrative forredemption sequences(i.e., affectively valenced changes in life from bad to good),self‐improvement sequences(i.e., affectively valenced changes in oneself for the better), andthemes of eudaimonic growth(i.e., values or motives for cultivating meaningful activities or relationships, helping others, or wisdom). Participants also self‐reported well‐being.ResultsRedemption sequences in low points predicted higher well‐being but in high points predicted lower well‐being. Self‐improvement sequences and growth themes each predicted higher well‐being in each life event (and interacted in high points). Growth themes consistently mediated predicted relations between both redemption and self‐improvement sequences and well‐being. Findings held when controlling for global narrative affect, self‐reported growth motivation, and big‐five traits.ConclusionsThematic motives for eudaimonic growth were more closely tied to well‐being than were affective evaluations of either changes from bad to good (redemption) or one's becoming better (self‐improvement).
Losses (and Gains) from Health Reform for Non‐Medicaid Uninsureds
Authors: Pauly Mark , Leive Adam , Harrington Scott 
Published: July 2018

ABSTRACTThis article examines how the Affordable Care Act (ACA) would change financial resources for and transfers to the previously uninsured if they were to purchase coverage in the ACA insurance exchanges (marketplaces) in 2014. The results suggest that the law provides gains to some, relative to their spending in the pre‐ACA period, particularly those in poor health and with very low incomes, but it also potentially imposes financial losses on many, again compared to their experience when uninsured. We estimate changes in expected payments—defined as premiums plus expected out‐of‐pocket costs—from purchasing coverage and paying cost sharing post‐ACA, relative to expected out‐of‐pocket payments when being uninsured pre‐ACA, across population subgroups characterized by income, age, and health status. We also estimate changes in expected transfers to the previously uninsured under alternative assumptions on how much health care spending increases after the ACA.
Incidence and spontaneous clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in people who inject drugs at the Stockholm Needle Exchange—Importance for HCV elimination
Authors: Kåberg Martin , Navér Georg , Hammarberg Anders , Weiland Ola 
Published: July 2018

SummaryThe major transmission route for hepatitis C virus (HCV) is through sharing of unsterile injection equipment among people who inject drugs (PWID). The WHO strategy for HCV elimination by 2030 proposes increased efforts to treat PWID populations that drive the HCV epidemic. Among participants in the Stockholm needle exchange programme (NEP), the HCV prevalence is 60%. We aimed to study HCV incidence, spontaneous HCV clearance rate, and predictors associated with new HCV infections and reinfections in NEP participants. All 2320 patients enrolled in the programme between 8 April 2013 and 23 September 2016 were tested for HCV at baseline, and responded to a questionnaire regarding sociodemographic data and injection risk behaviour. Tests for HCV were repeated at an interval of 3‐6 months. The anti‐HCV prevalence in the NEP participants at baseline was 77%, and the prevalence of HCV RNA was 57%. 24% of the anti‐HCV positive were HCV RNA negative with a spontaneously cleared HCV infection. The overall HCV incidence rate was 22/100 PY. The HCV incidence rate in the HCV naive group was 26/100 PY, and in the spontaneously cleared group 19/100. Although there were no significant differences in becoming HCV infected between the two groups (31% vs 29%), the rate of spontaneous HCV clearance was significantly lower in the HCV naive group, 20% vs 44%, (P < 0.05). A high HCV incidence rate was noted among the PWID indicating that treatment needs to be scaled up in conjunction with harm reduction measures to achieve HCV elimination goals set by WHO. This includes high coverage needle exchange programmes and effective addiction treatment for substance users, including opiate substitution treatment.
CTL‐associated and NK cell‐associated immune responses induce different HBV DNA reduction patterns in chronic hepatitis B patients
Authors: Nomura Motonobu , Tsuge Masataka , Uchida Takuro , Hiraga Nobuhiko , Kurihara Mio , Tsushima Ken , Fujino Hatsue , Nakahara Takashi , Murakami Eisuke , Abe‐Chayama Hiromi , Kawaoka Tomokazu , Miki Daiki , Hiramatsu Akira , Imamura Michio , Kawakami Yoshiiku , Aikata Hiroshi , Ochi Hidenori , Zhang Yizhou , Makokha Grace Naswa , Hayes Clair Nelson , Tanaka Shinji , Chayama Kazuaki 
Published: July 2018

SummaryThe activation of hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐related hepatitis is associated with both natural killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). We analyzed the association between the immune response and changes in the proportion of Pre‐S deletion variants. We quantified Pre‐S deleted HBV (HBV‐del) and wild‐type HBV (HBV‐wt) DNA levels in sera obtained from HBV‐infected mice and chronic hepatitis B patients. In chronic hepatitis B patients, the HBV‐del proportion usually increased during or after ALT elevation but did not occur during all ALT elevations. To clarify this difference in the immunological responses, we performed in vivo analyses using HBV‐infected human hepatocyte chimeric mice. Although HBV‐del proportions did not change in mice with NK cell‐associated hepatitis or in mice treated with entecavir, the proportions sharply increased in mice with CTL‐associated hepatitis. Furthermore, the number of patients in which HBV‐del proportions were greater than 5% was significantly higher in chronic hepatitis B patients than in asymptomatic carriers (P = 0.023). We identified associations between virological response in chronic hepatitis B patients and two different immune responses. The proportion of HBV‐del variants could be a useful biomarker for distinguishing between chronic hepatitis and asymptomatic carriers.
Cost‐effectiveness and health‐related outcomes of screening for hepatitis C in Korean population
Authors: Kim Kyung‐Ah , Chung Wankyo , Choi Hwa Young , Ki Moran , Jang Eun Sun , Jeong Sook‐Hyang 
Published: July 2018

AbstractBackground/AimIn the era of direct‐acting antivirals (DAA), active screening for hidden hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is important for HCV elimination. This study estimated the cost‐effectiveness and health‐related outcomes of HCV screening and DAA treatment of a targeted population in Korea, where anti‐HCV prevalence was 0.6% in 2015.MethodsA Markov model simulating the natural history of HCV infection was used to examine the cost‐effectiveness of two strategies: no screening vs screening and DAA treatment. Screening was performed by integration of the anti‐HCV test into the National Health Examination Program. From a healthcare system's perspective, the cost‐utility and the impact on HCV‐related health events of one‐time anti‐HCV screening and DAA treatment in Korean population aged 40‐65 years was analysed with a lifetime horizon.ResultsThe HCV screening and DAA treatment strategy increased quality‐adjusted life years (QALY) by 0.0015 at a cost of $11.27 resulting in an incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $7435 per QALY gained compared with no screening. The probability of the screening strategy to be cost‐effective was 98.8% at a willingness‐to‐pay of $27 205. Deterministic sensitivity analyses revealed the ICERs were from $4602 to $12 588 and sensitive to screening costs, discount rates and treatment acceptability. Moreover, it can prevent 32 HCV‐related deaths, 19 hepatocellular carcinomas and 15 decompensated cirrhosis per 100 000 screened persons.ConclusionsA one‐time HCV screening and DAA treatment of a Korean population aged 40‐65 years would be highly cost‐effective, and significantly reduce the HCV‐related morbidity and mortality compared with no screening.