bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic and clinical role of serum proteinase 3 antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies in inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Takedatsu Hidetoshi , Mitsuyama Keiichi , Fukunaga Shuhei , Yoshioka Shinichiro , Yamauchi Ryosuke , Mori Atsushi , Yamasaki Hiroshi , Kuwaki Kotaro , Sakisaka Hideto , Sakisaka Shotaro , Torimura Takuji 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackground and AimProteinase 3 antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (PR3‐ANCAs) are well‐known serological markers for granulomatosis with polyangiitis, but their role as serological markers for inflammatory bowel disease remains uncertain. The present study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic and clinical role of PR3‐ANCAs as markers for inflammatory bowel disease.MethodsUsing a new methodology with chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay, serum PR3‐ANCA titers were assessed in 102 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), 67 patients with Crohn's disease (CD), 44 controls with other intestinal diseases, and 66 healthy controls. Associations with clinical data were investigated. The diagnostic role of PR3‐ANCAs was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic analysis.ResultsProteinase 3 antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody titers were significantly higher in patients with UC than in those with CD patients, patients with intestinal diseases (intestinal controls), and healthy controls (all P < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated an area under the curve of 0.85 (95% confidence interval: 0.83–0.87) and showed that the manufacturer's cutoff value (3.5 U/mL) had a sensitivity of 39.2% and specificity of 96.6% for UC. There was a significant difference between PR3‐ANCA‐positive and PR3‐ANCA‐negative patients with regard to disease duration (P < 0.05) and disease severity (P < 0.01).ConclusionsProteinase 3 antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies were significantly more prevalent in patients with UC than in those with CD and controls. Our results suggested the role of PR3‐ANCAs as serological markers for aiding in diagnosing UC and evaluating disease severity. Further prospective studies are needed across multiple populations of patients and ethnic groups.
Medical Costs of Fatal and Nonfatal Falls in Older Adults
Authors: Florence Curtis S. , Bergen Gwen , Atherly Adam , Burns Elizabeth , Stevens Judy , Drake Cynthia 
Published: March 2018

ObjectivesTo estimate medical expenditures attributable to older adult falls using a methodology that can be updated annually to track these expenditures over time.DesignPopulation data from the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) and cost estimates from the Web‐based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) for fatal falls, quasi‐experimental regression analysis of data from the Medicare Current Beneficiaries Survey (MCBS) for nonfatal falls.SettingU.S. population aged 65 and older during 2015.ParticipantsFatal falls from the 2015 NVSS (N=28,486); respondents to the 2011 MCBS (N=3,460).MeasurementsTotal spending attributable to older adult falls in the United States in 2015, in dollars.ResultsIn 2015, the estimated medical costs attributable to fatal and nonfatal falls was approximately $50.0 billion. For nonfatal falls, Medicare paid approximately $28.9 billion, Medicaid $8.7 billion, and private and other payers $12.0 billion. Overall medical spending for fatal falls was estimated to be $754 million.ConclusionOlder adult falls result in substantial medical costs. Measuring medical costs attributable to falls will provide vital information about the magnitude of the problem and the potential financial effect of effective prevention strategies.
Efficacy of stabilisation splint treatment on the oral health‐related quality of life–A randomised controlled one‐year follow‐up trial
Authors: Kokkola O. , Suominen A. L. , Qvintus V. , Myllykangas R. , Lahti S. , Tolvanen M. , Sipilä K. 
Published: March 2018

SummaryThe aim of this randomised controlled trial was to assess the efficacy of stabilisation splint treatment on the oral health‐related quality of life OHRQoL during a 1‐year follow‐up. Originally, the sample consisted of 80 patients (18 men, 62 women) with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) who had been referred to the Oral and Maxillofacial Department, Oulu University Hospital, Finland, for treatment. Patients were randomly designated into splint (n = 39) and control group (n = 41). Patients in the splint group were treated with a stabilisation splint. Additionally, patients in both groups received counselling and instructions on masticatory muscle exercises. The patients filled in the Oral Health Impact Profile‐14 (OHIP‐14) questionnaire before treatment and at 3 months, 6 months and 1 year. At total, 67 patients (35 in the splint group vs. 32 in the control group) completed the questionnaire at baseline. The outcome variables were OHIP prevalence, OHIP severity and OHIP extent. Linear mixed‐effect regression model was used to analyse factors associated with change in OHIP severity during the 1‐year follow‐up, taking into account treatment time, age, gender and group status. OHIP prevalence, severity and extent decreased in both groups during the follow‐up. According to linear mixed‐effect regression, decrease in OHIP severity did not associate significantly with group status. Compared to masticatory muscle exercises and counselling alone, stabilisation splint treatment was not more beneficial on self‐perceived OHRQoL among TMD patients over a 1‐year follow‐up
Dealing with stroke: Perspectives from stroke survivors and stroke caregivers from an underserved Hispanic community
Authors: Torregosa Marivic B. , Sada Rosemary , Perez Ilse 
Published: March 2018

AbstractGlobally, stroke is the leading cause of death and disease burden. While post‐stroke studies have been conducted, they excluded survivors and caregivers from underserved communities. It can be argued that the impact of stroke on survivors and caregivers from underserved communities may be greater. Using qualitative exploratory research design, the purpose of this study was to examine the lived experiences of post‐stroke recovery and readjustment among stroke survivors and stroke caregivers from an underserved community. Two separate focus groups were conducted, one each for stroke survivors and caregivers. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Finding meaning in life is the general theme of stroke survivors' and stroke caregivers' journey of post‐stroke recovery and readjustment. For stroke survivors, the transition to stroke recovery required time, life goal reconfiguration, willpower, humor, and network support. Post‐stroke caregiving is a daily navigation and negotiation influenced by internal and external processes. Personal, economic, and socio‐cultural nuances play a role in how post‐stroke recovery is lived and experienced. Study findings highlight the importance of policies to support family‐centered and system‐level advocacy in post‐stroke care.
Toward a better noninvasive assessment of preejection period: A novel automatic algorithm for B‐point detection and correction on thoracic impedance cardiogram
Authors: Forouzanfar Mohamad , Baker Fiona C. , de Zambotti Massimiliano , McCall Corey , Giovangrandi Laurent , Kovacs Gregory T. A. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractImpedance cardiography is the most common clinically validated, noninvasive method for determining the timing of the opening of the aortic valve, an important event used for measuring preejection period, which reflects sympathetic beta‐adrenergic influences on the heart. Automatic detection of the exact time of the opening of the aortic valve (B point on the impedance cardiogram) has proven to be challenging as its appearance varies between and within individuals and may manifest as a reversal, inflection, or rapid slope change of the thoracic impedance derivative's (dZ/dt) rapid rise. Here, a novel automatic algorithm is proposed for the detection of the B point by finding the main rapid rise of the dZ/dt signal, which is due to blood ejection. Several conditions based on zero crossings, minima, and maxima of the dZ/dt signal and its derivatives are considered to reject any unwanted noise and artifacts and select the true B‐point location. The detected B‐point locations are then corrected by modeling the B‐point time data using forward and reverse autoregressive models. The proposed algorithm is validated against expert‐detected B points and is compared with different conventional methods; it significantly outperforms them by at least 54% in mean error, 30% in mean absolute error, and 27% in standard deviation of error. This algorithm can be adopted in ambulatory studies requiring beat‐to‐beat evaluation of cardiac hemodynamic parameters over extended time periods where expert scoring is not feasible.
Comparison of outcomes with vancomycin or metronidazole for mild‐to‐moderate Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea among solid organ transplant recipients: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Nguyen Cynthia T. , Li Julius , Anders Stephanie , Garcia‐Diaz Julia , Staffeld‐Coit Catherine , Hand Jonathan 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundCurrent guidelines recommend oral vancomycin or fidaxomicin for the treatment of mild‐to‐moderate Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD), while metronidazole is recommended as an alternative when oral vancomycin and fidaxomicin are unavailable. However, data are lacking among the solid organ transplant (SOT) population.MethodsThis single center, retrospective cohort study evaluated adult SOT recipients with mild‐to‐moderate CDAD. Analysis 1 evaluated patients receiving initial therapy with metronidazole vs oral vancomycin for at least 72 hours. Analysis 2 evaluated patients receiving metronidazole vs oral vancomycin for at least 70% of the treatment duration. The primary outcome was treatment failure. Secondary outcomes included CDAD recurrence and all‐cause mortality.ResultsAnalysis 1 included 71 patients (metronidazole n = 50, oral vancomycin n = 21) and analysis 2 included 75 patients (metronidazole n = 42, oral vancomycin n = 33). No significant differences in C. difficile risk factors were observed between groups in either analysis. However, in both analyses, more patients in the oral vancomycin arm received antibiotics during the CDAD episode (analysis 1, 52% vs 26%, P = .03; analysis 2, 55% vs 32%, P < .01). Neither analysis demonstrated differences in treatment failure (analysis 1, metronidazole 16%, oral vancomycin 10%, P = .71; analysis 2, metronidazole 2%, oral vancomycin 6%, P = .58). CDAD recurrence and all‐cause mortality were similar across groups in both analyses.ConclusionsResults suggest that both metronidazole and oral vancomycin are reasonable options for the treatment of mild‐to‐moderate CDAD in patients with SOT. No difference in treatment failure was observed; however, oral vancomycin may be preferred for higher risk patients, such as those receiving concurrent antibiotics.
Reduction in mortality associated with secondary cytomegalovirus prophylaxis after solid organ transplantation
Authors: Serrano‐Alonso M. , Guillen‐Grima F. , Martin‐Moreno P. , Rabago G. , Manrique J. , Garcia‐del‐Barrio M. , Reina G. , Torre‐Cisneros J. , Fernandez‐Alonso M. , Herrero J.I. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundCytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most important viral pathogen in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. The role of secondary CMV prophylaxis in this population remains unclear.MethodsRetrospective cohort study in a single center. SOT recipients treated for CMV infection from 2007 to 2014 were studied to determine the efficacy and safety of secondary prophylaxis and its impact on graft loss and mortality. The outcome variable was CMV replication in the first 3 months after the end of therapy. Secondary variables were crude mortality and graft lost censored at 5 years after transplantation. Propensity score for the use of secondary prophylaxis was used to control selection bias.ResultsOf the 126 treated patients, 103 (83.1%) received CMV secondary prophylaxis. CMV relapse occurred in 44 (35.5%) patients. The use of secondary prophylaxis was not associated with fewer relapses (34.0% in patients with prophylaxis vs 42.9% in those without prophylaxis, P = .29). After a mean follow‐up of 32.1 months, graft loss was not different between both groups but patient mortality was significantly lower in patients who received secondary prophylaxis (5.8% vs 28.6%, P = .003).ConclusionSecondary prophylaxis did not prevent CMV infection relapse but it was associated with improved patient survival.
Dengue fever in renal allograft recipients: Clinical course and outcome
Authors: Subbiah Arunkumar , Bagchi Soumita , Bhowmik Dipankar , Mahajan Sandeep , Yadav Raj K. , Chhabra Yogesh , Agarwal Sanjay 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundThere are annual outbreaks of dengue infection in tropical and subtropical countries. This retrospective study aimed to assess the clinical manifestation of dengue and outcome in renal transplant recipients.MethodsRenal transplant recipients diagnosed with dengue in the nephrology department during the outbreak from August 2015 to December 2015 were included in the study.ResultsTwenty patients developed dengue presenting during the outbreak. Mean age was 31.9 ± 8.8 years and all were males. Two patients had severe dengue (dengue hemorrhagic fever, dengue shock syndrome). Clinical presentation included febrile illness (95%), myalgia (65%), headache (30%), retro‐orbital pain (10%), and mucocutaneous bleeding manifestations (10%). Three (15%) had third space fluid accumulation and 2 (10%) had hypotension. Ninety percent patients had thrombocytopenia, with 4 requiring platelet transfusion. Leucopenia (WBC < 4000/mm3) developed in 50% patients. About 60% had transient transaminitis. One patient with severed dengue expired and 1 recovered with IV immunoglobulin therapy. About 40% patients had rise in serum creatinine, with complete recovery in all patients.ConclusionClinical manifestations of dengue infection in renal transplant recipients were similar to that in general population. However, leucopenia necessitating temporary withdrawal of immunosuppression was common. Renal dysfunction was frequent but completely reversible.
Isavuconazole pharmacokinetics in a patient with cystic fibrosis following bilateral orthotopic lung transplantation
Authors: Kabulski Galen M. , MacVane Shawn H. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractPrevious studies of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) treated with azole antifungals have shown altered pharmacokinetics relative to healthy patients. Data regarding the pharmacokinetic profile of isavuconazole in patients with CF undergoing lung transplantation are currently not available. Serum trough concentrations assessed in a single CF patient following transplant revealed significantly lower values relative to available literature. Larger studies are required to validate CF population pharmacokinetics of isavuconazole.
Integration of danger peptide signals with herbivore‐associated molecular pattern signaling amplifies anti‐herbivore defense responses in rice
Authors: Shinya Tomonori , Yasuda Shigetaka , Hyodo Kiwamu , Tani Rena , Hojo Yuko , Fujiwara Yuka , Hiruma Kei , Ishizaki Takuma , Fujita Yasunari , Saijo Yusuke , Galis Ivan 
Published: March 2018

SummaryPlant defense against herbivores is modulated by herbivore‐associated molecular patterns (HAMPs) from oral secretions (OS) and/or saliva of insects. Furthermore, feeding wounds initiate plant self‐damage responses modulated by danger‐associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) such as immune defense‐promoting plant elicitor peptides (Peps). While temporal and spatial co‐existence of both patterns during herbivory implies a possibility of their close interaction, the molecular mechanisms remain undetermined. Here we report that exogenous application of rice (Oryza sativa) peptides (OsPeps) can elicit multiple defense responses in rice cell cultures. Specific activation of OsPROPEP3 gene transcripts in rice leaves by wounding and OS treatments further suggests a possible involvement of the OsPep3 peptide in rice–herbivore interactions. Correspondingly, we found that simultaneous application of OsPep3 and Mythimna loreyi OS significantly amplifies an array of defense responses in rice cells, including mitogen‐activated protein kinase activation, and generation of defense‐related hormones and metabolites. The induction of OsPROPEP3/4 by OsPep3 points to a positive auto‐feedback loop in OsPep signaling which may contribute to additional enhancement of defense signal(s). Finally, the overexpression of the OsPep receptor OsPEPR1 increases the sensitivity of rice plants not only to the cognate OsPeps but also to OS signals. Our findings collectively suggest that HAMP–DAMP signal integration provides a critical step in the amplification of defense signaling in plants.
The anti‐inflammatory effect of topical tofacitinib on immediate and late‐phase cutaneous allergic reactions in dogs: a placebo‐controlled pilot study
Authors: Blubaugh Amanda , Rissi Daniel , Elder Deborah , Denley Tara , Eguiluz‐Hernandez Sitka , Banovic Frane 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundTopical Janus kinase (JAK) inhibition is a promising therapeutic target for several inflammatory skin diseases of humans.ObjectivesTo evaluate the anti‐inflammatory effect of tofacitinib, a JAK 1/3 inhibitor, on immediate and late‐phase skin reactions in dogs.AnimalsFive healthy laboratory beagle dogs.MethodsTopical tofacitinib (total daily dosage: 0.5 mg/cm2) or its gel vehicle were applied on either the left or right lateral thorax of each dog for eight days. Three days before application and after eight days of topical treatment, intradermal injections of histamine and anticanine‐IgE antibodies were performed on both sides; they were evaluated by an investigator blinded to the interventions.ResultsThe tofacitinib gel was well‐tolerated; one dog developed mild erythema at Day 5 that resolved by the next application. Treatment with tofacitinib reduced histamine and anticanine‐IgE global wheal scores (one‐way ANOVA, P ≤ 0.005 for both) compared to baseline; there was no significant difference for the vehicle placebo (histamine; P = 0.163; IgE, P = 0.223). Late‐phase reactions (LPRs) were markedly, but not significantly reduced after tofacitinib treatment (P = 0.071). A blinded histological evaluation of 6 h‐anti‐IgE‐associated LPRs revealed a significant reduction in the total leucocyte superficial dermal cellularity (P = 0.022), as well as eosinophil (P = 0.022) and mast cell (P = 0.022) counts at tofacitinib‐treated sides compared with pretreatment values. Post‐treatment complete blood counts and serum chemistry profiles did not show relevant tofacitinib‐induced changes.ConclusionsOur observations suggest that topical tofacitinib exerts an inhibitory effect on activated canine skin‐emigrating immune cells; this drug should be investigated further as a topical immunosuppressive drug in dogs.
NMDA receptor‐gated visual responses in hippocampal CA1 neurons
Authors: Liu Yu‐zhang , Wang Yao , Tang Wei , Zhu Jun‐yi , Wang Zhiru 
Published: March 2018

Key points
Sensory information processing in hippocampal circuits is critical for numerous hippocampus‐dependent functions, but the underlying synaptic mechanism remains elusive.
We performed whole‐cell recording in vivo to examine visually evoked synaptic activity in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells (PCs).
We first found that at resting potentials, ∼30% of CA1 PCs showed synaptic responses to a flash of visual stimulation.
Interestingly, at depolarizing potentials, nearly all CA1 PCs were found to exhibit NMDA receptor‐dependent responses, indicating the presence of NMDA receptor‐mediated gating of CA1 responses.
The NMDA receptor‐gated CA1 responses may play important roles in the hippocampal function that depends on sensory information processing.
AbstractHippocampal processing of environmental information is critical for hippocampus‐dependent brain functions that result from experience‐induced hippocampal plasticity, such as memory acquisition and storage. Hippocampal responses to sensory stimulation have been extensively investigated, particularly with respect to spike activity. However, the synaptic mechanism for hippocampal processing of sensory stimulation has been much less understood. Here, we performed in vivo whole‐cell recording on hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells (PCs) from adult rodents to examine CA1 responses to a flash of visual stimulation. We first found in recordings obtained at resting potentials that ∼30% of CA1 PCs exhibited significant excitatory/inhibitory membrane‐potential (MP) or membrane‐current (MC) responses to the flash stimulus. Remarkably, in the other (∼70%) CA1 PCs, although no responses could be detected at resting potentials, clear excitatory MP or MC responses to the same flash stimulus were observed at depolarizing potentials, and these responses were further found to depend on NMDA receptors. Our findings demonstrate the presence of NMDA receptor‐mediated gating of visual responses in hippocampal CA1 neurons, a synaptic mechanism for hippocampal processing of sensory information that may play important roles in hippocampus‐dependent functions such as learning and memory.
TLR7 Agonists Display Potent Antiviral Effects against Norovirus Infection via Innate Stimulation
Authors: Enosi Tuipulotu Daniel , Netzler Natalie E. , Lun Jennifer H. , Mackenzie Jason M. , White Peter A. 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACT

Norovirus infections are a significant health and economic burden globally, accounting for hundreds of millions of cases of acute gastroenteritis every year. In the absence of an approved norovirus vaccine, there is an urgent need to develop antivirals to treat chronic infections and provide prophylactic therapy to limit viral spread during epidemics and pandemics. Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists have been explored widely for their antiviral potential, and several are progressing through clinical trials for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) and as adjuvants for norovirus viruslike particle (VLP) vaccines. However, norovirus therapies in development are largely direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) with fewer compounds that target the host. Our aim was to assess the antiviral potential of TLR7 agonist immunomodulators on norovirus infection using the murine norovirus (MNV) and human Norwalk replicon models. TLR7 agonists R-848, Gardiquimod, GS-9620, R-837, and loxoribine were screened using a plaque reduction assay, and each displayed inhibition of MNV replication (50% effective concentrations [EC
50
s], 23.5 nM, 134.4 nM, 0.59 μM, 1.5 μM, and 79.4 μM, respectively). RNA sequencing of TLR7-stimulated cells revealed a predominant upregulation of innate immune response genes and interferon (IFN)-stimulated genes (ISGs) that are known to drive an antiviral state. Furthermore, the combination of R-848 and the nucleoside analogue (NA) 2′C-methylcytidine elicited a synergistic antiviral effect against MNV, demonstrating that combinational therapy of host modulators and DAAs might be used to reduce drug cytotoxicity. In summary, we have identified that TLR7 agonists display potent inhibition of norovirus replication and are a therapeutic option to combat norovirus infections.
Full-Genome Sequence of Infectious Laryngotracheitis Virus (Gallid Alphaherpesvirus 1) Strain VFAR-043, Isolated in Peru
Authors: Morales Ruiz Sandra , Bendezu Eguis Jorge , Montesinos Ricardo , Tataje-Lavanda Luis , Fernández-Díaz Manolo 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACT
We report here the first genome sequence of infectious laryngotracheitis virus isolated in Peru from tracheal tissues of layer chickens. The genome showed 99.98% identity to the J2 strain genome sequence. Single nucleotide polymorphisms were detected in five gene-coding sequences related to vaccine development, virus attachment, and viral immune evasion.