bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development and validation of a haematuria cancer risk score to identify patients at risk of harbouring cancer
Authors: Tan W. S. , Ahmad A. , Feber A. , Mostafid H. , Cresswell J. , Fankhauser C. D. , Waisbrod S. , Hermanns T. , Sasieni P. , Kelly J. D. ,   DETECT I trial collaborators
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackgroundA lack of consensus exists amongst national guidelines regarding who should be investigated for haematuria. Type of haematuria and age‐specific thresholds are frequently used to guide referral for the investigation of haematuria.ObjectivesTo develop and externally validate the haematuria cancer risk score (HCRS) to improve patient selection for the investigation of haematuria.MethodsDevelopment cohort comprise of 3539 prospectively recruited patients recruited at 40 UK hospitals (DETECT 1; ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02676180) and validation cohort comprise of 656 Swiss patients. All patients were aged >18 years and referred to hospital for the evaluation of visible and nonvisible haematuria. Sensitivity and specificity of the HCRS in the validation cohort were derived from a cut‐off identified from the discovery cohort.ResultsPatient age, gender, type of haematuria and smoking history were used to develop the HCRS. HCRS validation achieves good discrimination (AUC 0.835; 95% CI: 0.789–0.880) and calibration (calibration slope = 1.215) with no significant overfitting (P = 0.151). The HCRS detected 11.4% (n = 8) more cancers which would be missed by UK National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines. The American Urological Association guidelines would identify all cancers with a specificity of 12.6% compared to 30.5% achieved by the HCRS. All patients with upper tract cancers would have been identified.ConclusionThe HCRS offers good discriminatory accuracy which is superior to existing guidelines. The simplicity of the model would facilitate adoption and improve patient and physician decision‐making.
Normal utilization as the adjusting variable in Neo‐Kaleckian growth models: A critique
Authors: Girardi Daniele , Pariboni Riccardo 
Published: December 2018

AbstractAs well‐known, the canonical Neo‐Kaleckian growth model fails to reconcile actual and normal rates of utilization in equilibrium. Some recent contributions revive an old proposal for solving this problem—making the normal rate of utilization an endogenous variable that converges to the actual utilization rate—justifying it with new, micro‐founded premises. We argue that these new justifications for the convergence of normal to actual utilization do not stand closer scrutiny. First, the proposed microeconomic model relies on various restrictive assumptions, some of which are mutually inconsistent. Second, the derivation of the macroeconomic adjustment mechanism from the microeconomic analysis involves a logical leap that can be justified only by a very arbitrary assumption with little economic justification. Finally, we discuss the way in which this mechanism has been incorporated into the Neo‐Kaleckian growth model by proposers of this approach. We show that, even if one puts aside, for the sake of argument, the first two points, the existence of autonomous components of demand is sufficient to invalidate the resulting macroeconomic model.
Impact of left atrial box surface ratio on the recurrence after ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation
Authors: Keçe Fehmi , Scholte Arthur J. , de Riva Marta , Naruse Yoshihisa , Watanabe Masaya , Alizadeh Dehnavi Reza , Schalij Martin J. , Zeppenfeld Katja , Trines Serge A. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe posterior wall of the left atrium (LA) is a well‐known substrate for atrial fibrillation (AF) maintenance. Isolation of the posterior wall between the pulmonary veins (box lesion) may improve ablation success. Box lesion surface area size varies depending on the individual anatomy. This retrospective study evaluates the influence of box lesion surface area as a ratio of total LA surface area (box surface ratio) on arrhythmia recurrence.MethodsSeventy consecutive patients with persistent AF (63 ± 11 years, 53 men) undergoing computed tomography (CT) imaging and ablation procedure consisting of a first box lesion were included in this study. Box lesion surface area was measured on electroanatomical maps and total LA surface area was derived from CT. Patients were followed with 24‐h electrocardiography and exercise tests at 3, 6, and 12 months after AF ablation. Arrhythmia recurrence was defined as any AF/atrial tachycardia (AT) beyond 3 months without antiarrhythmic drugs.ResultsDuring a median follow‐up of 13 (interquartile range = 10‐17) months, 42 (60%) patients had AF/AT recurrence. Multivariate Cox proportional regression analysis showed that a larger box surface ratio protected against recurrence (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.81; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.690‐0.955; P = 0.012). Left atrial volume index (HR = 1.01 [0.990‐1.024, P = 0.427] and a history of mitral valve surgery (HR = 2.90; 95% CI = 0.970‐8.693; P = 0.057) were not associated with AF recurrence in multivariate analysis.ConclusionA larger box lesion surface area as a ratio of total LA surface area is protective for AF/AT recurrence after ablation for persistent AF.
Streptomycin resistance in Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis strains from Chile is related to an rpsL gene mutation
Authors: Valenzuela M. , Méndez V. , Montenegro I. , Besoain X. , Seeger M. 
Published: December 2018

Streptomycin has been used for decades in Chile to control Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis (Cmm), the causal agent of tomato bacterial canker. The aim of this work was to evaluate streptomycin resistance and to analyse the presence of resistance‐related genes in Cmm strains from Chile. A collection of 25 Cmm strains isolated from different localities in central Chile between 1996 and 2015 was analysed. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of streptomycin was determined. A search of streptomycin resistance‐related genes was carried out in Cmm genomes, and the presence of these genes was studied in all Chilean strains using PCR and sequencing techniques. MIC results showed that four of 25 strains were highly sensitive to streptomycin, with MIC values <2 μg mL−1. The remaining 21 strains possessed MIC of streptomycin ≥100 μg mL−1. The strB gene, encoding an aminoglycoside 6‐phosphotransferase that inactivates streptomycin, was detected in all Chilean strains, including sensitive and resistant strains. In the 21 resistant strains, a mutation in codon 43 of the rpsL gene was determined, conferring high streptomycin resistance. Interestingly, the four streptomycin‐sensitive Cmm strains did not possess this mutation. This study proposes that the continuous use of streptomycin leads to emergence of resistant Cmm strains, challenging researchers to look for novel alternatives to control this plant pathogenic bacterium.
Transport infrastructure investments and competition for FDI
Authors: Hynes Kate , Ma Jie , Yuan Cheng 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThis paper studies how transport infrastructure investments (TIIs) affect a bidding war for a firm between two asymmetric countries within a region in a context of imperfect competition, where TIIs play the role of a global public good, leading to a reduction in the unit trade cost between the two countries. A number of interesting results are derived from the model. In particular, TIIs can intensify fiscal competition between the two countries. Surprisingly, this conventional wisdom seems to be confirmed by this paper for the first time. Welfare implications of the model are also examined.
Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn due to alloanti‐M: three Chinese case reports and a review of the literature
Authors: Li Si , Mo Chunyan , Huang Linhuan , Shi Xiaomei , Luo Guangping , Ji Yanli , Fang Qun 
Published: December 2018

BACKGROUNDAlloanti‐M was once regarded as not clinically significant, with a few exceptions in extremely rare cases. However, an increasing number of cases of severe hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN), resulting in fetal hydrops and recurrent abortion caused by alloanti‐M, have been reported mainly in the Asian population.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSThree pregnant Chinese women with a history of abnormal pregnancy with hydrops fetalis were encountered. During this pregnancy, a series of clinical examinations and an alloantibody identification against RBCs and platelets were conducted. Intrauterine transfusion and postnatal transfusion were then performed in the fetuses. In addition, the HDFN cases caused by alloanti‐M reported in different ethnic groups as well as their clinical and serologic features are also summarized.RESULTSThree pregnant women were identified with an M‐N+ phenotype and IgM mixed with IgG alloanti‐M in serum. Their fetuses were found by ultrasound examination and cord blood testing to have severe anemia. Additionally, an M+N+ phenotype and IgG alloanti‐M were detected in the cord blood of the three fetuses with titers ranging from 1:1 to 1:128. Moreover, low reticulocyte counts and negative direct antiglobulin tests were also shown in two of the fetuses. After receiving intrauterine transfusions and postnatal transfusions several times, these three fetuses eventually survived and then healthfully developed in the follow‐up tracking.CONCLUSIONAlloanti‐M immunization can cause severe HDFN with hyporegenerative anemia, often seen in the Asian population, and suppression of erythropoiesis might account for it.
Seroprevalence and geographical distribution of sero‐positive blood donors to Trypanosoma cruzi at the central blood bank of the National Medical Center “La Raza”
Authors: González‐Guzmán Saúl , Paredes‐Cervantes Vladimir , Edward Bagu Tshima , Crescencio‐Trujillo José A. , Guerra‐Marquez Ángel , Rivas Nancy , Alejandre‐Aguilar Ricardo , Bermúdez‐Torres Efraín , González‐Cano Patricia 
Published: December 2018

BACKGROUND
Trypanosoma cruzi is a protozoan parasite that causes Chagas disease endemic to Latin‐America. It is estimated that 1.0 to 1.5% of Mexicans are infected with T. cruzi, which constitutes a potential risk of disease transmission via contaminated blood. New cases are being reported worldwide due to the migration of infected people from endemic areas.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSSerum samples were collected from donors at the Central Blood Bank of the National Medical Center “La Raza” from July 2008 to December 2015 and analyzed for T. cruzi antibodies using Enzyme‐linked Immunosorbent Assays. Blood donors were classified serologically as either negative or positive for Chagas disease based on the Official Mexican Standard NOM‐032‐SSA2‐2014. The geographical distribution of sero‐positive donors for Chagas disease was then determined based on the donor's areas of residence.RESULTSOf the 510, 047 donors, 595 tested positive for Chagas disease. We found a prevalence of 0.12%, was higher in males (0.13%) than females (0.08%) In both genders, there were more sero‐positive donors aged 51–65 years as compared to other age groups.Overall there were more positive donors from the State of Mexico, northern area of Mexico City, and southern area of Hidalgo State, with rates of 67.4%, 20.6%, and 5.9%, respectively.CONCLUSIONSThe seroprevalence of Chagas disease in blood donors attending to La Raza BB is low. Chagas disease is more prevalent in the older age groups; most sero‐positive donors are from areas considered non‐endemic to Chagas disease.
High prevalence of infection and low incidence of disease in child contacts of patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Huerga Helena , Sanchez-Padilla Elisabeth , Melikyan Nara , Atshemyan Hakob , Hayrapetyan Armen , Ulumyan Ani , Bastard Mathieu , Khachatryan Naira , Hewison Catherine , Varaine Francis , Bonnet Maryline 
Published: December 2018

ObjectiveWe aimed to measure the prevalence and incidence of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and tuberculosis (TB) disease in children in close contact with patients with drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) in a country with high DR-TB prevalence.Design and settingThis is a prospective cohort study of paediatric contacts of adult patients with pulmonary DR-TB in Armenia. Children were screened using tuberculin skin test, interferon-gamma release assay and chest X-ray at the initial consultation, and were reassessed every 3–6 months for a period of 24 months. Children did not receive preventive treatment.Main outcome measuresPrevalence and incidence of LTBI and TB disease; factors associated with prevalent LTBI.ResultsAt initial evaluation, 3 of the 150 children included were diagnosed with TB disease (2.0%). The prevalence of LTBI was 58.7%. The incidence of LTBI was 19.9 per 100 children per year, and was especially high during the first 6 months of follow-up (33.3 per 100 children per year). No additional cases with incident disease were diagnosed during follow-up. After adjustment, prevalent LTBI was significantly associated with the child’s age, sleeping in the same house, higher household density, the index case’s age, positive smear result and presence of lung cavities.ConclusionsChildren in close contact with patients with DR-TB or in contact with very contagious patients had an increased risk of prevalent LTBI. Although none of the children developed TB disease during a 2-year follow-up period, screening for symptoms of TB disease, based on the prevalence of disease at recruitment, together with follow-up and repeated testing of non-infected contacts, is highly recommended in paediatric contacts of patients with DR-TB.
Psychometric testing of the Norwegian Diabetes Health Profile (DHP-18) in patients with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Jelsness-Jørgensen Lars-Petter , Jensen Øystein , Gibbs Charlotte , Bekkhus Moe Ragnar , Hofsø Dag , Bernklev Tomm 
Published: December 2018

ObjectiveThe Diabetes Health Profile-18 (DHP-18) was developed to measure disease-specific health-related quality of life. It has been translated into Norwegian but remains invalidated. The purpose of this paper was to examine the psychometric properties of the Norwegian DHP-18.Research design and methodsParticipants with type 1 diabetes were recruited from three outpatient clinics in Norway. Clinical and sociodemographic data were collected, and participants completed the DHP-18 and the Short-Form 36 (SF-36). Descriptive analysis, frequencies, t-tests and the chi-squared tests were used. Principal axis factoring (PAF) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used. Convergent validity was tested using Spearman’s correlation between the DHP-18 and SF-36. Reliability was tested using Cronbach’s alpha and intraclass correlation coefficient.ResultsIn total, 288 patients were included. No floor and ceiling effects were found. A forced PAF analysis revealed that three questions had an eigenvalue below 0.40. In the unforced PAF analysis, one question loaded below 0.40, while three questions loaded into a fourth factor. The correlation between the DHP-18 and SF-36 dimensions was low to moderate. Problematic internal consistency was observed for the disinhibited eating dimension in the forced PAF and in the suggested fourth dimension in the unforced PAF. CFA revealed poor fit. The test–retest reliability displayed good to excellent values, but responsiveness was limited.ConclusionsProblematic issues were identified regarding factor structure, item loadings, internal consistency and responsiveness. Further evaluation of responsiveness is particularly recommended, and using a revised 14-item DHP version is suggested.
Utility of the Seattle Heart Failure Model for palliative care referral in advanced ambulatory heart failure
Authors: Ng Fat Hing Nicholas , MacIver Jane , Chan Derrick , Liu Helen , Lu Yu Tong Linda , Malik Abdullah , Wang Vicky N , Levy Wayne C , Ross Heather J , Alba Ana Carolina 
Published: December 2018

BackgroundPhysicians face uncertainty when predicting death in heart failure (HF) leading to underutilisation of palliative care. To facilitate decision-making, we assessed the Seattle Heart Failure Model (SHFM) as a referral tool by evaluating its performance in predicting 1-year event-free survival from death, heart transplant (HTx), and ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the charts of consecutive patients with advanced ambulatory HF with New York Heart Association Class III/IV HF and a left ventricular ejection fraction of ≤40% from 2000 to 2016. We evaluated SHFM’s performance by using the Cox proportional hazards model, its discrimination using the c-statistic, its calibration by comparing the observed and predicted survival and its clinical utility by hypothetically assessing the proportion of patients adequately or inadequately referred to palliative care.ResultsWe included 612 patients in our study. During the 1-year follow-up, there were 83 deaths, 4 HTx and 1 VAD. Although SHFM showed very good discrimination (c-statistic=0.71) and adequate calibration in medium to low-risk patients, it underestimated event-free survival by 12% in high-risk patients. SHFM’s clinical utility was limited: 33% of eligible patients would have missed the opportunity for referral and only 27% of referred patients would have benefited.ConclusionUse of SHFM could result in a high proportion of referrals while capturing the majority of patients who may benefit from palliative care. Though this may be a more encompassing and safer alternative than current referral practices, it could lead to many early referrals.
Visceral fat is associated with elevation of serum alanine aminotransferase and gamma glutamyltransferase in middle-aged Chinese adults
Authors: Tang Lizhi , Yuan Bo , Zhang Fang , Cao Hongyi , Yan Zhe , Li Jing , John Jobin , Tong Nanwei 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackgroundElevation of hepatic enzymes is associated with insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia and obesity. However, the factors behind elevation of liver enzymes remain unclear. The aim of this study was to compare the role of abdominal visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) in relation with serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) in middle-aged Chinese adults.MethodsWe performed a cross-sectional study on 959 adults aged 40–65 without hepatitis. VAT and SAT were measured at the level of L4–L5 by MRI. Pearson correlation and linear regression were performed to assess the association of VAT/SAT with serum ALT and GGT. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association of VAT and SAT with high ALT (≥40 U/L) and high GGT (≥35 U/L).ResultsVAT had higher correlation coefficient r with ALT and GGT than SAT. VAT, but not SAT, was associated with ALT (males: β=0.15, p=0.01; females: β=0.17, p=0.02) and GGT (males: β=0.39, p&lt;0.0001) in linear regression. VAT remained to be associated with GGT in males (β=0.33, p=0.0001) when was further adjusted. Logistic regression showed that VAT was associated with elevated GGT (OR=2.218, p=0.043) in males but not in females and no such association was observed for SAT.ConclusionsIncreased VAT, but not SAT, was associated with elevation of hepatic enzymes including ALT and GGT. Moreover, VAT was associated with elevated GGT independent of insulin resistance and subcutaneous fat in males.
Subgroups of minimal index in polynomial time
Authors: Skresanov Saveliy V. 
Published: December 2018

By applying an old result of Y. Berkovich, we provide a polynomial-time algorithm for computing the minimal possible index of a proper subgroup of a finite permutation group [Formula: see text]. Moreover, we find that subgroup explicitly and within the same time if [Formula: see text] is given by a Cayley table. As a corollary, we get an algorithm for testing whether or not a finite permutation group acts on a tree non-trivially.
Risk Analysis for Invasive Fungal Infection after Living Donor Liver Transplantation: Which Patient Needs Potent Prophylaxis?
Authors: Utsumi Masashi , Umeda Yuzo , Yagi Takahito , Nagasaka Takeshi , Shinoura Susumu , Yoshida Ryuich , Nobuoka Daisuke , Kuise Takashi , Fuji Tomokazu , Takagi Kosei , Takaki Akinobu , Fujiwara Toshiyoshi 
Published: December 2018

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Invasive fungal infection (IFI) is associated with high mortality after living donor liver transplant (LDLT). The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for post-LDLT IFI for early diagnosis and improvement of antifungal treatment outcome. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Risk analysis data were available for all 153 patients who underwent LDLT between January 2005 and April 2012. <b><i>Results:</i></b> During the follow-up period (1,553 ± 73 days, range 20–2,946 days), 15 patients (9.8%) developed IFI classified as “proven” (<i>n</i> = 8) and “probable” (<i>n </i>= 7) with fungal pathogens including Candida spp. (<i>n</i> = 10), <i>Aspergillus</i> spp. (<i>n</i> = 4), and <i>Trichosporon</i> (<i>n</i> = 2). Of these patients, 7 patients with IFI died despite treatment. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were lower in patients with IFI than those without IFI (66.7/59.3/44.4 vs. 90.4/85.7/81.8%, respectively; <i>p</i> = 0.0026). Multivariate analysis identified model for end-stage liver disease score of ≥26 (OR 16.0, <i>p</i> = 0.0012) and post-transplant acute kidney injury (RIFLE criteria I- or F-class; OR 4.87, <i>p</i> = 0.047) as independent risk factors for IFI. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Preoperative<b><i></i></b> recipients’ status and postoperative kidney dysfunction can affect an occurrence of post-transplant IFI. These risk factors would be taken into consideration for designation of proper antifungal therapy.
Impact of Hybrid Therapy Comprising Peritoneal Dialysis and Hemodialysis on Acute Cardiovascular Events
Authors: Banshodani Masataka , Kawanishi Hideki , Moriishi Misaki , Shintaku Sadanori , Tsuchiya Shinichiro 
Published: December 2018

<b><i>Background:</i></b> The impact of hybrid therapy comprising peritoneal dialysis (PD) and hemodialysis on cardiovascular events in PD patients remains unclear. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> We aimed to evaluate the effect of hybrid therapy on cardiovascular events. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A total of 93 PD patients undergoing hybrid therapy for ≥3 years were divided into 2 groups according to left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF): lower ejection fraction (LEF [<i>n</i> = 29], LVEF &#x3c; 60%) and normal ejection fraction (NEF [<i>n</i> = 64], LVEF ≥60%). Hospitalization rates and echocardiographic parameters were evaluated. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The 1-year hospitalization rate for acute cardiovascular events decreased after the therapy initiation in both groups (LEF: 0.36–0.11, <i>p</i> = 0.02 and NEF: 0.43–0.06, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). In generalized linear mixed models, LVEF (44 ± 15%) improved at 1, 2, and 3 years after initiation (53 ± 18, 55 ± 17, and 58 ± 7%; <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05) in the LEF group, whereas, in the NEF group, LVEF (68 ± 5%) was maintained at 1, 2, and 3 years after initiation (67 ± 8, 67 ± 9, and 68 ± 9%; <i>p</i> &#x3e; 0.05). Mitral inflow E velocity to tissue Doppler e′ ratio was maintained at the same level at 1–3 years after initiation in both groups. Left ventricular mass index (LVMI; 189 ± 41 g/m<sup>2</sup>) was decreased at 1 (178 ± 35 g/m<sup>2</sup>; <i>p</i> = 0.8), 2 (160 ± 45 g/m<sup>2</sup>; <i>p</i> = 0.008), and 3 (166 ± 47 g/m<sup>2</sup>; <i>p</i> = 0.05) years after initiation in the LEF group, whereas in the NEF group, LVMI (157 ± 45 g/m<sup>2</sup>) was maintained at 1, 2, and 3 years after initiation (153 ± 40, 155 ± 54, and 158 ± 52 g/m<sup>2</sup>; <i>p</i> &#x3e; 0.05). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Hybrid therapy decreased acute cardiovascular events and improved systolic cardiac function in PD patients in the LEF group.