bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Surgical Management of Intracranial Epidermoid Tumors—An Institutional Review of 234 Cases
Authors: Velho Vernon , Bhide Anuj , Naik Harish , Jain Nimesh 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
Aim To study the demographics, clinical profile, management strategies, and treatment outcomes of intracranial epidermoid lesions.
Materials and Methods A single institutional retrospective analysis from a large institute in Western India was done of all patients operated for intracranial epidermoid tumors over a period of 20 years from January 1997 to January 2017. All patients were investigated with a contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) as well as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with a diffusion-weighted imaging to confirm diagnosis of epidermoid tumor. The presenting complaints and the demographics of all patients were recorded, and all patients underwent planned surgery, with or without a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion procedure as per requirement. Surgery ranged from a gross total resection to a near-total resection depending on the patient, location of the lesion, and involvement of adjacent structures. All patients underwent an immediate postoperative computed tomographic (CT) scan as well as a follow-up MRI. Patients were followed up to note clinical improvement as well as documentation of all complications.
Results Total 234 patients of intracranial epidermoid tumors were operated upon in a 20-year span. Males predominated with a total number of 146 (62.4%). The most common age group was the fourth decade. The most common presentations were headache (118 patients) and neuralgia in the trigeminal distribution (82 patients). Infratentorial compartment was the most common location of the tumors (152 patients), with cerebellopontine angle being the predominant site in the posterior fossa (107 patients). Both supra- and infratentorial compartments were involved in 28 cases. Gross total excision could be achieved in 202 patients. Reoperation was required in 12 cases. The mean follow-up period was 68 months. The most common complication encountered was that of postoperative CSF leak (24 patients). We had eight cases of recurrence and six deaths in our series.
Conclusion Epidermoid tumors can arise in virtually all intracranial locations. Gross total excision of the tumor is treatment of choice and can be curative for these benign lesions. Large lesions at presentation with involvement of multiple compartments can be difficult to manage and may require bicompartmental or second look surgery. Complete excision of the capsule with preservation of adjacent neuronal and vascular structures is of utmost importance to decrease postoperative morbidity and chances of recurrence. Perioperative steroids, avoidance of intraoperative spillage, and intraoperative endoscopic assistance are recommended in all cases.
Psychosocial Impact of Brain Injury: A Review
Authors: Kumar Raj , Kumar Arushi , Singh Amit 
Published: April 2019

AbstractTraumatic brain injury (TBI) is known as “silent epidemic” because of lack of knowledge about it and its delayed symptoms of memory and cognitive problems. The incidence is approximately 1.4 million per year in the United States, and in the developing countries, it is approximately 341 per 100,000. In the United States, the annual productivity loss due to TBI and its delayed effects is more than $56 billion. TBIs occur mainly due to traffic accidents and falls. All the age groups are affected, but the rates are higher in men than in women. The causes vary as per the age groups as traumas affect mainly children and elderly, and traffic accidents and violence affect more of adolescents and young adults. Data from various studies indicate wide variation in the incidence and prevalence of psychiatric disorders after TBI, but they are definitely higher as compared with general population. We also noted different psychiatric disorders in post head injury cases during follow-up at our university hospital, which included depression, behavioral disorders, cognitive disorders, memory impairment, anxiety disorders, stress-related headache, vertigo, irritability and sleep disorders, etc. Therefore, this review was undertaken to assess the psychosocial impact of brain injury on an individual.
Six Month Abstinence Heterogeneity in the Best Quit Study
Authors: Javitz Harold S , Bush Terry M , Lovejoy Jennifer C , Torres Alula J , Wetzel Tallie , Wassum Ken P , Tan Marcia M , Alshurafa Nabil , Spring Bonnie 
Published: April 2019

AbstractBackgroundUnderstanding the characteristics of smokers who are successful in quitting may help to increase smoking cessation rates.PurposeTo examine heterogeneity in cessation outcome at 6 months following smoking cessation behavioral counseling with or without weight management counseling.Methods2,540 smokers were recruited from a large quitline provider and then randomized to receive proactive smoking cessation behavioral counseling without or with two versions of weight management counseling. A Classification and Regression Tree (CART) analysis was conducted to identify the individual pretreatment and treatment characteristics of groups of smokers with different quitting success (as measured by point prevalence of self-reported smoking of any amount at 6 months).ResultsCART analysis identified 10 subgroups ranging from 25.5% to 70.2% abstinent. The splits in the CART tree involved: the total number of counseling and control calls received, whether a smoking cessation pharmacotherapy was used, and baseline measures of cigarettes per day, confidence in quitting, expectation that the study would help the participant quit smoking, the motivation to quit, exercise minutes per week, anxiety, and lack of interest or pleasure in doing things. Costs per quitter ranged from a low of $US270 to a high of $US630. Specific treatment recommendations are made for each group.ConclusionsThese results indicate the presence of a substantial variation in abstinence following treatment, and that the total extent of contact via counseling calls of any type and baseline characteristics, rather than assigned treatment, were most important to subgroup membership and abstinence. Tailored treatments to subgroups who are at high risk for smoking following a quit attempt could increase successful smoking cessation.
Economic Insecurity and Deaths of Despair in US Counties
Authors: Knapp Emily A , Bilal Usama , Dean Lorraine T , Lazo Mariana , Celentano David D 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
Recent research has implicated economic insecurity in increasing midlife death rates and “deaths of despair,” including suicide, chronic liver disease, and drug and alcohol poisoning. In this ecological longitudinal study, we evaluated the association between changes in economic insecurity and increases in deaths of despair and midlife all-cause mortality in US counties during 2000–2015. We extended a previously developed measure of economic insecurity using indicators from the Census and Federal Reserve Bank in US counties for the years 2000 and 2010. Linear regression models were used to estimate the association of change in economic insecurity with change in death rates through 2015. Counties experiencing elevated economic insecurity in either 2000 or 2010 had higher rates of deaths of despair and all-cause midlife mortality at baseline but similar rates of increase in deaths of despair from 2001 to 2015 compared with counties with stable low economic insecurity. Counties in the highest tertile of economic insecurity in 2000 and 2010 had 41% (95% confidence interval: 1.36, 1.47) higher midlife mortality rates at baseline and a rate of increase of 2% more per 5-year period (95% confidence interval: 1.00, 1.03) than counties with stable low economic insecurity. Economic insecurity may represent a population-level driver of US death trends.
Areas of endemism and recent speciation in the Southern Cone of South America, using Senecio (Asteraceae) as a proxy
Authors: Elías Gabriela Del Valle , Aagesen Lone 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
We set out to identify areas of endemism (AEs) among vascular plants in the Southern Cone of South America, using the genus Senecio (Asteraceae) as proxy. The use of a proxy allows a large-scale study to be carried out in a relatively short time and is suitable for pinpointing areas of interest for further investigation. Senecio is the most obvious choice for a proxy in the Southern Cone, because it is the most diverse genus in the region. We analysed the distribution of 200 endemic species using an optimality criterion (VNDM program). In general, endemism of Senecio in the Southern Cone forms 16 AEs that coincide with previously defined AEs and/or with distribution patterns also supported in phylogeographical studies. As such, Senecio appears to be a suitable proxy in endemicity studies, bearing in mind that these species are of young ages and therefore identify neoendemic AEs. Senecio distribution patterns in the Southern Cone corroborate that high Andean environments are prime sites for endemism, which peaks in the Cuyan High Andean AE, an AE that was not identified in previous endemism studies. Nevertheless, towards the south, the ecotone between the Patagonian Steppe and the Southern Andean forest becomes equally important for speciation.
Histoplasmosis-related Healthcare Use, Diagnosis, and Treatment in a Commercially Insured Population, United States
Authors: Benedict Kaitlin , Beer Karlyn D , Jackson Brendan R 
Published: April 2019

Abstract

Background
Infections with Histoplasma can range from asymptomatic to life-threatening acute pulmonary or disseminated disease. Histoplasmosis can be challenging to diagnose and is widely underrecognized. We analyzed insurance claims data to better characterize histoplasmosis testing and treatment practices and its burden on patients.

Methods
We used the IBM MarketScan Research Databases to identify patients with histoplasmosis (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes 115.00–115.99) during 2012–2014. We analyzed claims in the 3 months before to the 1 year after diagnosis and examined differences between patients with probable (hospitalized or &gt;1 outpatient visit) and suspected (1 outpatient visit) histoplasmosis.

Results
Among 1935 patients (943 probable, 992 suspected), 54% had codes for symptoms or findings consistent with histoplasmosis and 35% had ≥2 healthcare visits in the 3 months before diagnosis. Overall, 646 (33%) had any fungal-specific laboratory test: histoplasmosis antibody test (n = 349 [18%]), Histoplasma antigen test (n = 349 [18%]), fungal smear (n = 294 [15%]), or fungal culture (n = 223 [12%]); 464 (24%) had a biopsy. Forty-nine percent of probable patients and 10% of suspected patients were prescribed antifungal medication in the outpatient setting. In total, 19% were hospitalized. Patients’ last histoplasmosis-associated healthcare visits occurred a median of 6 months after diagnosis.

Conclusions
Some histoplasmosis patients experienced severe disease, apparent diagnostic delays, and prolonged illness, whereas other patients lacked symptoms and were likely diagnosed incidentally (eg, via biopsy). Low rates of histoplasmosis-specific testing also suggest incidental diagnoses and low provider suspicion, highlighting the need for improved awareness about this disease.
Host Immune Markers Distinguish Clostridioides difficile Infection From Asymptomatic Carriage and Non–C. difficile Diarrhea
Authors: Kelly Ciaran P , Chen Xinhua , Williams David , Xu Hua , Cuddemi Christine A , Daugherty Kaitlyn , Barrett Caitlin , Miller Mark , Foussadier Agnès , Lantz Aude , Banz Alice , Pollock Nira R 
Published: April 2019

Abstract

Background
Recent data indicate that Clostridioides difficile toxin concentrations in stool do not differentiate between C. difficile infection (CDI) and asymptomatic carriage. Thus, we lack a method to distinguish a symptomatic patient with CDI from a colonized patient with diarrhea from another cause. To address this, we evaluated markers of innate and adaptive immunity in adult inpatients with CDI (diagnosed per US guidelines), asymptomatic carriage, or non-CDI diarrhea.

Methods
CDI-NAAT patients had clinically significant diarrhea and positive nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) and received CDI treatment. Carrier-NAAT patients had positive stool NAAT but no diarrhea. NAAT-negative patients (with and without diarrhea) were also enrolled. A panel of cytokines and anti–toxin A and B immunoglobulin (Ig) were measured in serum; calprotectin and anti–toxin B Ig A/G were measured in stool. NAAT-positive stool samples were tested by an ultrasensitive toxin assay (clinical cutoff, 20 pg/mL).

Results
Median values for interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-15, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GCSF), MCP-1, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and IgG anti–toxin A in blood and IgA/G anti–toxin B in stool were significantly higher in CDI patients compared with all other groups (P &lt; .05). Concentration distributions for IL-6, GCSF, TNF-α, and IgG anti–toxin A in blood, as well as IgA and IgG anti–toxin B in stool, separated CDI patients from all other groups.

Conclusions
Specific markers of innate and adaptive immunity distinguish CDI from all other groups, suggesting potential clinical utility for identifying which NAAT- and toxin-positive patients with diarrhea truly have CDI.
Simultaneous transapical aortic and mitral valve implantation in a patient with porcelain aorta
Authors: Belhaj Soulami Reda , Anselmi Amedeo , Leurent Guillaume , Verhoye Jean-Philippe 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
Left-sided double valve disease in the setting of extensive mitral annular calcifications and porcelain aorta raises multiple surgical challenges when considering an open surgical repair. We herein present the case of a 67-year-old patient with severe symptomatic aortic and mitral stenosis associated with extensive mitral annular calcifications and porcelain aorta, successfully treated by simultaneous transapical transcatheter aortic and mitral valve implantation.
Polyamine biosynthesis and biological roles in rhizobia
Authors: Becerra-Rivera Victor A , Dunn Michael F 
Published: April 2019

ABSTRACT
Polyamines are ubiquitous molecules containing two or more amino groups that fulfill varied and often essential physiological and regulatory roles in all organisms. In the symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria known as rhizobia, putrescine and homospermidine are invariably produced while spermidine and norspermidine synthesis appears to be restricted to the alfalfa microsymbiont Sinorhizobium meliloti. Studies with rhizobial mutants deficient in the synthesis of one or more polyamines have shown that these compounds are important for growth, stress resistance, motility, exopolysaccharide production and biofilm formation. In this review, we describe these studies and examine how polyamines are synthesized and regulated in rhizobia.
Why Older Adults and Their Children Disagree About In-Home Surveillance Technology, Sensors, and Tracking
Authors: Berridge Clara , Wetle Terrie Fox 
Published: April 2019

Abstract

Background and Objectives
Despite the surveilling nature of technologies that allow caregivers to remotely monitor location, movements, or activities, the potential differences in comfort with remote monitoring between caregivers and care recipients have not been examined in depth. On the dyad and aggregate level, we compare preferences of older adult women and their adult children for three remote monitoring technologies. Their assessments of each technology’s impact on privacy, safety, independence, freedom, relationship with family member, social life, and identity are also compared.

Research Design and Methods
This dyadic study used cognitive-based interview probing and value-centered design methods. Twenty-eight individual, in-depth, structured interviews were conducted with 18 women who are Meals on Wheels clients and 10 of their adult children.

Results
Meals on Wheels participants reported multiple chronic conditions and an average of 1.7 ADL and 3.3 IADL difficulties; two thirds were enrolled in Medicaid. Adult children preferred each technology more than their mothers did and underestimated both their mothers’ ability to comprehend the functions of the technologies and the importance of engaging them fully in decision making. Most were confident that they could persuade their mothers to adopt. For both groups, privacy was the most-cited concern, and participants perceived significant overlap between values of privacy, independence, identity, and freedom.

Discussion and Implications
Studying privacy in isolation overlooks privacy’s instrumental role in enabling other values. Shared decision-making tools are needed to promote remote monitoring use consistent with older adults’ values and to prevent conflict and caregiver overreach.
Somatic mutation that affects transcription factor binding upstream of CD55 in the temporal cortex of a late-onset Alzheimer disease patient
Authors: Helgadottir Hafdis T , Lundin Pär , Wallén Arzt Emelie , Lindström Anna-Karin , Graff Caroline , Eriksson Maria 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease worldwide. Familial cases suggest genetic components; however, monogenetic causes are few, and the vast majority of incidences have unknown cause. Sequencing efforts have focused on germline mutations, but improved technology has opened up for studies on somatic mutations in affected brain tissue samples. Here we use ultra-deep sequencing on brain and blood from early-onset AD (EOAD) and late-onset AD (LOAD) patients and non-AD individuals (n = 16). In total, 2.86 Mb of genomic regions, previously associated with AD, were targeted included 28 genes and upstream and downstream regulatory regions. Tailored downstream bioinformatics filtering identified 11 somatic single nucleotide variants in the temporal cortex in AD patients and none in the controls. One variant was validated to be present at 0.4% allele frequency in temporal cortex of a LOAD patient. This variant was predicted to affect transcription factor binding sites upstream of the CD55 gene, contributing to AD pathogenesis by affecting the complement system. Our results suggest that future studies targeting larger portions of the genome for somatic mutation analysis are important to obtain an increased understanding for the molecular basis of both EOAD and LOAD.
Laminin-111 protein therapy enhances muscle regeneration and repair in the GRMD dog model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Barraza-Flores Pamela , Fontelonga Tatiana M , Wuebbles Ryan D , Hermann Hailey J , Nunes Andreia M , Kornegay Joe N , Burkin Dean J 
Published: April 2019

AbstractDuchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a devastating X-linked disease affecting ~1 in 5000 males. DMD patients exhibit progressive muscle degeneration and weakness, leading to loss of ambulation and premature death from cardiopulmonary failure. We previously reported that mouse Laminin-111 (msLam-111) protein could reduce muscle pathology and improve muscle function in the mdx mouse model for DMD. In this study, we examined the ability of msLam-111 to prevent muscle disease progression in the golden retriever muscular dystrophy (GRMD) dog model of DMD. The msLam-111 protein was injected into the cranial tibial muscle compartment of GRMD dogs and muscle strength and pathology were assessed. The results showed that msLam-111 treatment increased muscle fiber regeneration and repair with improved muscle strength and reduced muscle fibrosis in the GRMD model. Together, these findings support the idea that Laminin-111 could serve as a novel protein therapy for the treatment of DMD.
Nonsense mutation-dependent reinitiation of translation in mammalian cells
Authors: Cohen Sarit , Kramarski Lior , Levi Shahar , Deshe Noa , Ben David Oshrit , Arbely Eyal 
Published: April 2019

AbstractIn-frame stop codons mark the termination of translation. However, post-termination ribosomes can reinitiate translation at downstream AUG codons. In mammals, reinitiation is most efficient when the termination codon is positioned close to the 5′-proximal initiation site and around 78 bases upstream of the reinitiation site. The phenomenon was studied mainly in the context of open reading frames (ORFs) found within the 5′-untranslated region, or polycicstronic viral mRNA. We hypothesized that reinitiation of translation following nonsense mutations within the main ORF of p53 can promote the expression of N-truncated p53 isoforms such as Δ40, Δ133 and Δ160p53. Here, we report that expression of all known N-truncated p53 isoforms by reinitiation is mechanistically feasible, including expression of the previously unidentified variant Δ66p53. Moreover, we found that significant reinitiation of translation can be promoted by nonsense mutations located even 126 codons downstream of the 5′-proximal initiation site, and observed when the reinitiation site is positioned between 6 and 243 bases downstream of the nonsense mutation. We also demonstrate that reinitiation can stabilise p53 mRNA transcripts with a premature termination codon, by allowing such transcripts to evade the nonsense mediated decay pathway. Our data suggest that the expression of N-truncated proteins from alleles carrying a premature termination codon is more prevalent than previously thought.
Prevalence of tubulopathy and association with renal function loss in HIV-infected patients
Authors: Lescure François-Xavier , Fellahi Soraya , Pialoux Gilles , Bastard Jean-Philippe , Eme Anne-Line , Esteve Emmanuel , Lebrette Marie-Gisèle , Guiard-Schmid Jean-Baptiste , Capeau Jacqueline , Ronco Pierre , Costagliola Dominique , Plaisier Emmanuelle 
Published: April 2019

Abstract

Background
The incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is 10 times higher in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients than in the general population. We explored the prevalence and determinants of proximal tubular dysfunction (PTD) in HIV-infected individuals, and assessed the impact of the tubulopathy on the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) outcome.

Methods
A cohort study was performed on 694 outpatients followed in a French centre to analyse the prevalence of PTD, the diagnosis performance of screening tools and the associated factors. eGFR was prospectively evaluated to analyse the predictive value of the tubulopathy on eGFR decrease.

Results
At inclusion, 14% of the patients presented with PTD and 5% with CKD. No individual tubular marker, including non-glomerular proteinuria, glycosuria dipstick or hypophosphataemia, registered sufficient performance to identify PTD. We found a significant interaction between tenofovir disoproxil fumarate exposure and ethnicity (P = 0.03) for tubulopathy risk. Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate exposure was associated with PTD in non-Africans [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 4.71, P &lt; 10−3], but not in patients of sub-Saharan African origin (aOR = 1.17, P = 0.73). Among the 601 patients followed during a median of 4.3 years, 13% experienced an accelerated eGFR decline. Unlike microalbuminuria and glomerular proteinuria, tubulopathy was not associated with accelerated eGFR decline.

Conclusion
PTD is not rare in HIV-infected individuals but is less frequent in sub-Saharan African patients and is associated with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate exposure only in non-Africans. Its diagnosis requires multiple biochemical testing and it is not associated with an accelerated eGFR decline.