bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Altered Expression of Astrocyte-Related Receptors and Channels Correlates With Epileptogenesis in Hippocampal Sclerosis
Authors: Aoki Yoshinori , Hanai Sae , Sukigara Sayuri , Otsuki Taisuke , Saito Takashi , Nakagawa Eiji , Kaido Takanobu , Kaneko Yuu , Takahashi Akio , Ikegaya Naoki , Iwasaki Masaki , Sugai Kenji , Sasaki Masayuki , Goto Yuichi , Oka Akira , Itoh Masayuki 
Published: June 2019

Background Hippocampal sclerosis (HS) is one of the major causes of intractable epilepsy. Astrogliosis in epileptic brain is a peculiar condition showing epileptogenesis and is thought to be different from the other pathological conditions. The aim of this study is to investigate the altered expression of astrocytic receptors, which contribute to neurotransmission in the synapse, and channels in HS lesions. Methods We performed immunohistochemical and immunoblotting analyses of the P2RY1, P2RY2, P2RY4, Kir4.1, Kv4.2, mGluR1, and mGluR5 receptors and channels with the brain samples of 20 HS patients and 4 controls and evaluated the ratio of immunopositive cells and those expression levels. Results The ratio of each immunopositive cell per glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive astrocytes and the expression levels of all 7 astrocytic receptors and channels in HS lesions were significantly increased. We previously described unique astrogliosis in epileptic lesions similar to what was observed in this study. Conclusion This phenomenon is considered to trigger activation of the related signaling pathways and then contribute to epileptogenesis. Thus, astrocytes in epileptic lesion may show self-hyperexcitability and contribute to epileptogenesis through the endogenous astrocytic receptors and channels. These findings may suggest novel astrocytic receptor-related targets for the pharmacological treatment of epilepsy.
Ambulance nurses’ experiences of patient relationships in urgent and emergency situations: A qualitative exploration
Authors: Svensson Cecilia , Bremer Anders , Holmberg Mats 
Published: June 2019

Background The ambulance service provides emergency care to meet the patient’s medical and nursing needs. Based on professional nursing values, this should be done within a caring relationship with a holistic approach as the opposite would risk suffering related to disengagement from the patient’s emotional and existential needs. However, knowledge is sparse on how ambulance personnel can meet caring needs and avoid suffering, particularly in conjunction with urgent and emergency situations. Aim The aim of the study was to explore ambulance nurses’ experiences of relationships with patients in urgent and emergency situations. Methods Data collection was performed using individual open-ended interviews with six ambulance nurses. The data were analyzed using a thematic analysis. Results Relationships with patients during urgent and emergency assignments emerged as three themes: “ Ambiguous silence,” “ Professional competence” and “ Challenging inadequacy” comprising eight sub-themes in total. The result shows that the ambulance nurses found it difficult to prioritize between medical care and establishing a caring relationship with the patient. However, sometimes a wordless relationship was perceived sufficient and considered a first step towards a verbal relationship. Conclusions Ambulance nurses experience that a caring relationship cannot and does not need to be prioritized in the acute stage. This uncovers a dichotomy approach to medical care versus caring relationships that exclude a holistic approach. Thus, patients’ emotional, existential and physical needs are not considered as equally important. Clinical relevance: It is important to stimulate reflection on core ethical nursing values, in training and simulation exercises among clinically active ambulance nurses.
Helicobacter pylori infection in rehabilitation staff younger than 35 years: Infection surveillance for three years
Authors: Ikezawa Kazuto , Kanamori Takeshige , Iwai Kentaro , Otsuka Kouichirou , Kobayashi Mariko , Ochi Daisuke , Sugiyama Hiroaki , Suzuki Hideo , Soeda Atsuko 
Published: June 2019

Background: Screening for Helicobacter pylori infection is important because of the high risk of gastric cancer development. The H. pylori carrier rate among elderly Japanese patients is still high; therefore, rehabilitation (RH) workers who are in frequent contact with such individuals could be assumed to be at a higher risk of H. pylori infection. Aim/Objective: We surveyed RH workers to investigate the initial occurrence of H. pylori infections in adults. Methods: Urine samples of RH workers aged < 35 years were screened for H. pylori antibodies to confirm infection. H. pylori infection rates were stratified according to the type of RH work and duration of employment. Infection surveillance was performed at six-month intervals for H. pylori-negative individuals. Findings/Results: The H. pylori infection rate among 173 workers was 16.8%. Infection rates were 26.3%, 16.3% and 15.3% among speech, occupational and physiotherapists, respectively. The employment duration was divided into < 24, 24–47, 48–60 and ⩾ 61 months; the respective infection rates were 5.0%, 12.0%, 17.6% and 28.6%. However, no new H. pylori infection was detected in a total of seven surveillance studies of H. pylori-negative workers over a three-year period. Discussion: The results of the initial examination showed that the infection rate increased with the duration of employment. However, subsequent surveillance detected no new H. pylori infections.
Contribution of pharmacy education to pharmaceutical research and development: critical insights from educators
Authors: Nouri AI , Hassali MA , Hashmi FK 
Published: June 2019

Aims: This article examines the outputs of pharmaceutical education with the development of the pharmacy profession and how that affects pharmaceutical innovation. It also discusses different models of collaboration between the academic and pharmaceutical industry in order to achieve a healthy collaboration between the stakeholders. Methods: The perspective, experiences and insights of educators from various backgrounds, origin and educational levels were sought regarding the role of pharmacy education in providing pharmaceutical research and development workforce. Results: Many countries around the world are currently undertaking major reforms in pharmacy education due to the changing landscape of health and healthcare delivery. These reforms must be accompanied by robust systems to assure that the quality of educational structures, processes and outcomes will produce competent pharmacy graduates in the future. It is also considered imperative that pharmacy academic institutions should establish collaboration with the drug development units, the pharmaceutical industry and government agencies for sustainability and positive research outcomes. Conclusion: Shortcomings in pharmacy curricula need to be addressed and the authors have proposed the ‘TARGET’ approach for the development of integrated pharmacy curriculum to substantially contribute to pharmaceutical research and development.
Cell-Free Scaffolds in Cartilage Knee Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Evidence
Authors: Andriolo Luca , Reale Davide , Di Martino Alessandro , Boffa Angelo , Zaffagnini Stefano , Filardo Giuseppe 
Published: June 2019

Objective To evaluate current evidence and results of cell-free scaffold techniques for knee chondral lesions. Design A systematic review was conducted on 3 medical electronic databases according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) guidelines, and the methodological quality was assessed with a modified Coleman Methodology Score. A meta-analysis was performed on the articles reporting results for visual analogue scale (VAS), Lysholm, and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores. In order to investigate the clinical results improvement over time of cell-free cartilage scaffold implantation, all scores were reported and analyzed as improvement from basal scores at 1, 2, and ≥3 years’ follow-up. Results A total of 23 studies involving 521 patients were included in the qualitative data synthesis. The Coleman score showed an overall poor study quality with the majority of studies reporting results at short-/mid-term follow-up. Sixteen studies were included in the meta-analysis, showing a significant improvement from basal score at 1, 2, and ≥3 years’ follow-up. The improvement reached at 1 year remained stable up to the last follow-up for all scores. Conclusions The current literature suggests that cell-free scaffolds may provide good clinical short-/mid-term results; however, the low evidence of the published studies and their short mean follow-up demand further evidence before more definitive conclusions can be drawn on their real potential over time and on their advantages and disadvantages compared to the cell-based strategies for the treatment of cartilage lesions.
Differential clusters of modifiable risk factors for impaired fasting glucose versus impaired glucose tolerance in adults 50 years of age and older
Authors: Ghachem Ahmed , Brochu Martin , Dionne Isabelle J. 
Published: June 2019

Background: The aim of this study was to identify modifiable risk factors associated with isolated impaired fasting glucose (IFG), isolate impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), or combined IFG-IGT in men and women aged 50 years and older. Methods: Cross-sectional analyses were performed in 703 men and women aged between 50 and 80 years old from NHANES (2007–2008). Outcome variables: IFG and IGT (ADA 2003), estimated body composition, cardiometabolic profile, and socio-demographic, dietary, and lifestyle factors. Results: First, 235 had normal glucose tolerance (men = 38.3%, women = 61.7%), 243 had IFG (men = 61.7%, women = 38.3%), 67 had IGT (men = 40.3%, women = 59.7%) and 158 had both conditions (men = 57.0%, women = 43.0%). The only common determinant of both IFG and IGT was triglyceride levels. High total fat mass index (FMI) and high total fat-free mass index (FFMI) were independently associated with IFG; while high C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were independently associated with IGT. Finally, combined IFG-IGT was associated with inadequate fiber intake, high FMI, FFMI, and CRP levels. Conclusions: Middle-age and older individuals presented different modifiable risk factors depending on whether they had IFG or IGT. IFG was associated with deteriorated body composition and lipids, whereas IGT was associated with deteriorated lipids and inflammatory factors. IFG-IGT, on the other hand, was associated with a larger number of risk factors, including worsen body composition, cardiometabolic and dietary factors. To prevent the transition to type 2 diabetes, specific clinical interventions targeting these risk factors should be considered.
A pilot cohort study of deprescribing for nursing home patients acutely admitted to hospital
Authors: Russell Patrick , Laubscher Sara , Roberts Gregory W. , Mangoni Arduino A. , McDonald Cameron , Hendrix Ivanka , Hewage Udul , Hofmann Dirk , Michell Sophie , Taeuber Lauren , Woodman Richard J. , Shakib Sepehr , Crawford Gregory B. , Maddison John , Thompson Campbell 
Published: June 2019

Background: Patients from residential aged care facilities are commonly exposed to inappropriate polypharmacy. Unplanned inpatient admissions can provide an opportunity for review of complex medical regimens and deprescribing of inappropriate or nonbeneficial medications. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy, safety and sustainability of in-hospital deprescribing. Methods: We followed a prospective, multi-centre, cohort study design, with enrolment of 106 medical inpatients age 75 years and older (mean age was 88.8 years) who were exposed to polypharmacy prior to admission and with a planned discharge to a nursing home for permanent placement. Descriptive statistics were calculated for relevant variables. The Short Form-8 (SF-8) health survey was used to assess changes in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) at 90-day follow up, in comparison with SF-8 results at day 30. Results: Deprescribing occurred in most, but not all patients. There were no differences between the groups in principal diagnosis, Charlson index, number of medications on admission or number of Beers list medications on admission. At 90 days, mortality and readmissions were similar, though the deprescribed group had significantly higher odds of better emotional wellbeing than the nondeprescribed group [odds ratio (OR) = 5.08, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.93, 13.39; p = 0.001]. In the deprescribing group, 31% of the patients still alive at 90 days had medications restarted in primary care. One-year mortality rates were similar. Conclusions: Deprescribing medications during an unplanned hospital admission was not associated with mortality, readmissions, or overall HRQOL.
Gait speed, grip strength, and clinical outcomes in older patients with hematologic malignancies
Authors: Liu Michael A. , DuMontier Clark , Murillo Anays , Hshieh Tammy T. , Bean Jonathan F. , Soiffer Robert J. , Stone Richard M. , Abel Gregory A. , Driver Jane A. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThis study aimed to evaluate whether gait speed and grip strength predicted clinical outcomes among older adults with blood cancers. We prospectively recruited 448 patients aged 75 years and older presenting for initial consultation at the myelodysplastic syndrome/leukemia, myeloma, or lymphoma clinic of a large tertiary hospital, who agreed to assessment of gait and grip. A subset of 314 patients followed for ≥6 months at local institutions was evaluated for unplanned hospital or emergency department (ED) use. We used Cox proportional hazard models calculated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for survival, and logistic regression to calculate odds ratios (ORs) for hospital or ED use. Mean age was 79.7 (± 4.0 standard deviation) years. After adjustment for age, sex, Charlson comorbidity index, cognition, treatment intensity, and cancer aggressiveness/type, every 0.1-m/s decrease in gait speed was associated with higher mortality (HR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.12-1.29), odds of unplanned hospitalizations (OR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.16-1.51), and ED visits (OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.17-1.53). Associations held among patients with good Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (0 or 1). Every 5-kg decrease in grip strength was associated with worse survival (adjusted HR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.07-1.43) but not hospital or ED use. A model with gait speed and all covariates had comparable predictive power to comprehensive validated frailty indexes (phenotype and cumulative deficit) and all covariates. In summary, gait speed is an easily obtained “vital sign” that accurately identifies frailty and predicts outcomes independent of performance status among older patients with blood cancers.
Incisional Injury Modulates Morphine Reward and Morphine-Primed Reinstatement: A Role of Kappa Opioid Receptor Activation
Authors: Nwaneshiudu Chinwe A. , Shi Xiao-You , Clark J. David 
Published: June 2019

BACKGROUND:
Persistent use of prescription opioids beyond the period of surgical recovery is a large part of a public health problem linked to the current opioid crisis in the United States. However, few studies have been conducted to examine whether morphine reward is influenced by acute pain and injury.

METHODS:
In a mouse model of incisional injury and minor trauma, animals underwent conditioning, extinction, and drug-primed reinstatement with morphine to examine the rewarding properties of morphine in the presence of acute incisional injury and drug-induced relapse, respectively. In addition, we sought to determine whether these behaviors were influenced by kappa opioid receptor signaling and measured expression of prodynorphin messenger RNA in the nucleus accumbens and medial prefrontal cortex after conditioning and before reinstatement with morphine and incisional injury.

RESULTS:
In the presence of incisional injury, we observed enhancement of morphine reward with morphine-conditioned place preference but attenuated morphine-primed reinstatement to reward. This adaptation was not present in animals conditioned 12 days after incisional injury when nociceptive sensitization had resolved; however, they showed enhancement of morphine-primed reinstatement. Prodynorphin expression was greatly enhanced in the nucleus accumbens and medial prefrontal cortex of mice with incisional injury and morphine conditioning and remained elevated up to drug-primed reinstatement. These changes were not observed in mice conditioned 12 days after incisional injury. Further, kappa opioid receptor blockade with norbinaltorphimine before reinstatement reversed the attenuation induced by injury.

CONCLUSIONS:
These findings suggest enhancement of morphine reward as a result of incisional injury but paradoxically a protective adaptation with incisional injury from drug-induced relapse resulting from kappa opioid receptor activation in the reward circuitry. Remote injury conferred no such protection and appeared to enhance reinstatement.
Heterogeneity Among Hospitals in the Percentages of All Lumbosacral Epidural Steroid Injections Where the Patient Had Received 4 or More in the Previous Year
Authors: Pearson Amy C. S. , Dexter Franklin , Epstein Richard H. 
Published: June 2019

BACKGROUND:
Current guidelines for the administration of therapeutic epidural injections suggest that these be limited to a maximum of 4 per year. We sought to gain an understanding of the proportion of lumbosacral epidural injections administered to patients who had received ≥4 such injections during the preceding 364 days, and whether these proportions varied among hospitals.

METHODS:
This observational cohort study included data from all facilities owned by the 121 nonfederal hospitals in the State of Iowa, July 2012 through September 2017. One end point was the percentage of all lumbar or sacral transforaminal or interlaminar epidural injections where the patient had received ≥4 such injections during the preceding 364 days. Comparisons also were made among hospitals’ percentages of injections that were the fifth or greater (ie, patient had already received ≥4 during preceding 364 days) using Bonferroni-adjusted conservative 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS:
There were 48,270 unique patients who underwent at least 1 lumbosacral epidural steroid injection. The patients received care at 112 hospitals’ facilities. Most patients received no additional steroid injections within 364 subsequent calendar days after the first steroid injection (54.1%). There were ≥5 steroid injections for 1.27% of patients (ie, the injection was the fifth or greater). Among the 39 hospitals in Iowa that performed overall at least 1 steroid injection every 4 days, there were 6 hospitals at which the percentages of injections that were the fifth or greater significantly exceeded the overall prevalence of 1.91% (range: 3.0%–6.4%). There were 14 of the 39 hospitals with prevalences significantly less.

CONCLUSIONS:
Although most patients received only 1 lumbosacral steroid injection within 1 year, 1.27% of patients received 5 or more, and 1.91% of injections were the fifth or greater. Several hospitals had significantly greater than the overall average percent of steroid injections which were fifth or more. This heterogeneity warrants study of whether annual steroid injections per patient should be a clinical quality measure for the care received by patients with lower back pain or whether payment should be greater when injections are in accordance with guidelines.
Carrying out streamlined routine data analyses with reports for observational studies: introduction to a series of generic SAS® macros
Authors: Liu Yuan , Nickleach Dana C. , Zhang Chao , Switchenko Jeffrey M. , Kowalski Jeanne 
Published: June 2019

For a typical medical research project based on observational data, sequential routine analyses are often essential to comprehend the data on hand and to draw valid conclusions. However, generating reports in SAS® for routine analyses can be a time-consuming and tedious process, especially when dealing with large databases with a massive number of variables in an iterative and collaborative research environment. In this work, we present a general workflow of research based on an observational database and a series of SAS® macros that fits this framework, which covers a streamlined data analyses and produces journal-quality summary tables. The system is generic enough to fit a variety of research projects and enables researchers to build a highly organized and concise coding for quick updates as research evolves. The result reports promote communication in collaborations and will escort the research with ease and efficiency.
Síndrome metabólico en conductores de transporte intermunicipal de Tunja, Boyacá
Authors: Ramírez López, Msc Laura Ximena , Calero Saa Pedro Antonio , Arias Holguín, Mg German Javier , Quincos Echeverry, Bact Diana Carolina , Tipazoca Nontién, Bact Luz Angélica , Monroy Díaz, Mg Ángela Liliana 
Published: June 2019

Introducción: el síndrome metabólico (SM) se considera una epidemia mundial; el aumento global de su prevalencia se ha extendido en los países tanto industrializados como en vías de desarrollo, como resultado de una mayor proporción de obesidad y sedentarismo en la población. El objetivo de esta investigación fue determinar la prevalencia de SM en conductores de transporte intermunicipal de Tunja en 2017. Materiales y métodos: se realizó un estudio analítico de corte transversal a una muestra de 115 conductores de transporte intermunicipal en la ciudad de Tunja, se evaluaron índices antropométricos, glicemia, triglicéridos, HDL y se aplicó el cuestionario internacional de actividad física IPAQ. La presencia de SM se identificó de acuerdo con los criterios de NCEP/ATP III, se calculó la razón de prevalencias y se determinó significancia mediante la prueba exacta de Fisher y de U de Mann-Whitney. Resultados: se encontró una prevalencia de SM del 10.4 % (12/115; ic 95 % 4.6-15.7) y se hallaron diferencias significativas entre los pacientes con y sin SM en relación con la hipertensión (p = 0.03), niveles de glucosa (p = 0.0004), triglicéridos (p = <0.001), HDL (p = 0.00004), perímetro abdominal (p = 0.008) e índice de masa corporal (p = 0.001). Conclusión: en esta población de conductores, la hipertrigliceridemia fue el criterio más frecuente entre los que tenían síndrome metabólico, y se observó una tendencia hacia el sobrepeso y la obesidad, que determina la importancia de la generación de programas de información, educación y comunicación dirigidos a estas poblaciones que promuevan la alimentación saludable y la actividad física.