bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A retrospective analysis of 237 Chinese families with Duchenne muscular dystrophy history and strategies of prenatal diagnosis
Authors: Xu Ying , Li Yu , Song Tingting , Guo Fenfen , Zheng Jiao , Xu Hui , Yan Feng , Cheng Lu , Li Chunyan , Chen Biliang , Zhang Jianfang 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundTo offer 4‐year clinical prenatal diagnosis experience of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).MethodsDenaturing high‐performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) and Sanger sequencing were used for molecular diagnosis of 237 DMD families.ResultsIn the study, deletions, duplications, complex rearrangement and small mutations accounted for 47.3%, 8.4%, 1.7% and 42.6% of 237 families, respectively. Sixty‐six different deletion patterns were identified in 112 families. Fourteen different duplication patterns were identified in 20 families and 4 complex rearrangements were identified. About 87.1% different small mutation patterns were identified, including 37.6% different nonsense mutation patterns, 24.8% different frameshift mutation patterns, 7.9% different missense mutation patterns, and 16.8% different splice site mutation patterns. There was no significant difference in the age of onset and mutation patterns (P > .05). The follow‐up examinations revealed that the pregnancies of 14 cases were interrupted. Two cases were preterm births, 151 cases were delivered at term, 63 cases continued to pregnancy, and 7 cases were lost to follow‐up.ConclusionDHPLC and Sanger sequencing technique are efficient, sensitive, and specific in screening for DMD gene mutations. And pre‐pregnancy DMD gene examination is an important step to assess mutation type of family with suspected DMD and guides exactly prenatal diagnosis in high‐risk families.
Platelet to lymphocyte ratio in acute aortic dissection
Authors: Sbarouni Eftihia , Georgiadou Panagiota , Kosmas Elias , Analitis Antonis , Voudris Vassilis 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundInflammation plays an important role in the initiation and progression of acute aortic dissection (AAD). New inflammatory indices derived from full cell blood count and its differential may be associated with increased risk. We evaluated platelet‐lymphocyte (PLR), red cell distribution width (RDW) and RDW/PLT's (platelets) (RPR) in AAD.MethodsWe studied 120 consecutive patients with AAD type I admitted for emergency surgery (group I), 121 consecutive patients with aortic aneurysms of the ascending aorta prior to elective repair (group II) and 121 controls (group III), age and sex matched.ResultsPLR was significantly higher in group I vs both groups II and III (P < .001). There was an excellent correlation of PLR with neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in all three groups (P < .001 for all). After adjustment for hemoglobin, RDW did not differ but RPR remained significantly higher in group I compared to groups II and III (P < .001). The best cutoff value of PLR to predict dissection was 159 with 53% sensitivity and 86% specificity. No association between PLR, RDW, and RPR and mortality in group I was found.ConclusionsIndices derived from full cell blood count may provide diagnostic information in patients with AAD; whether these indices may contribute to prognosis assessment should be further investigated.
Modified Carba NP Test: Simple and rapid method to differentiate KPC‐ and MBL‐producing Klebsiella species
Authors: Kumar Nitin , Singh Varsha A. , Beniwal Vikas , Pottathil Shinu 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate the modified Carba NP test to differentiate KPC (Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase)‐ and MBL (metallo‐β‐lactamase)‐producing Klebsiella species.MethodsA total of 508 non‐duplicate clinical isolates of Klebsiella spp. were processed by modified Carba NP and combined disc tests which were further confirmed by conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a gold standard method for statistical analysis.ResultsModified Carba NP test demonstrated 91.7% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 100% positive predictive value (PPV) and 99.8% negative predictive value (NPV) for KPC and 96.7%, 100%, 100%, and 99.5% for MBL detection, respectively.ConclusionThe performance of modified Carba NP test was significantly better than combined disc test, fulfilling the requirement of simple and rapid test for clinical applications.
Salivary levels of phosphorus and urea as indices of their plasma levels in nephropathic patients
Authors: Bilancio Giancarlo , Cavallo Pierpaolo , Lombardi Cinzia , Guarino Ermanno , Cozza Vincenzo , Giordano Francesco , Palladino Giuseppe , Cirillo Massimo 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundPhosphorus and urea are measurable in saliva. Measurements of saliva phosphorus (S‐Pho) and saliva urea (S‐Urea) could be useful because of low invasivity. Data are limited to saliva tests methodology and to correlations between plasma and saliva compositions. S‐Pho and S‐Urea were investigated focusing on blind duplicates, differences between collection sites, differences between collection times, freezing‐thawing effects, and plasma‐saliva correlations.MethodsTests were performed using fresh saliva collected by synthetic swap early morning after overnight fast (standard). Methodology was investigated in fifteen healthy volunteers. Plasma‐saliva correlations were investigated in thirty nephropathic outpatients.ResultsS‐Pho and S‐Urea in all measurements ranged above detection limits (0.3 mmol/L). In healthy volunteers, S‐Pho and S‐Urea were similar in duplicates (results for S‐Pho and S‐Urea: % difference between samples ≤ 4.85%; R between samples ≥ .976, P < .001), in samples from different mouth sites (≤4.24%; R ≥ .887, P < .001), and in samples of different days (≤5.61%; R ≥ .606, P < .01) but, compared to standard, were substantially lower in after‐breakfast samples (−28.0% and −21.3%; R ≥ .786, P < .001) and slightly lower in frozen‐thawed samples (−12.4% and −5.92%; R ≥ .742, P < .001). In nephropathic patients, S‐Pho was higher than but correlated with plasma phosphorus (saliva/plasma ratio 4.80; R = .686, P < .001), whereas S‐Urea and plasma urea were similar and correlated with each other (saliva/plasma ratio 0.96; R = .944, P < .001). Post‐dialysis changes in S‐Pho and S‐Urea paralleled post‐dialysis changes in plasma phosphorus and urea.ConclusionS‐Pho and S‐Urea reflect plasma phosphorus and plasma urea. Early morning fasting fresh samples are advisable because collection time and freezing‐thawing affect saliva tests.
Socioeconomic status, multiple autonomy support attunement, and early adolescents' social development
Authors: Simões Francisco , Calheiros Maria Manuela , Alarcão e Silva Madalena Moutinho 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThis study explores the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES), multiple autonomy support attunement (MASA), and social development indicators (antisocial behavior, prosociality, and self‐regulation), considering the concurrent effects of structural (gender and age) and social factors (social networks’ size and orientation). MASA describes patterns of autonomy support provided by different sources, which, in this case, were parents, teachers, and mentors. Participants were 645 adolescents (mean = 12.30; standard deviation = .60; 55.35% girls). Using latent class analysis, a 4‐class solution for MASA presented the best fit. A generalized linear model approach revealed that lower SES was associated with greater antisocial behavior, while MASA was linked to improved prosociality and self‐regulation when youths were included in a high‐attuned multiple autonomy support class, compared to other MASA classes. Thus, optimal levels of MASA can represent an asset for training, implementation, and assessment stages of interventions aimed at improving early adolescents’ positive social development.
Neighborhood disadvantage, residents' distress, and online social communication: Harnessing Twitter data to examine neighborhood effects
Authors: Booth Jaime M. , Lin Yu‐Ru , Wei Kai 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThis study aims to examine the role of place‐based online social communications in buffering the relationship between neighborhood disadvantage and psychological distress using geo‐located Twitter feeds. We collected 1,981,802 geo‐tagged tweets posted within the physical boundaries of 78 neighborhoods located in Pittsburgh for 16 consecutive months, beginning July 15, 2013. Psychological distress was measured using sentiments expressed in tweets, and within‐ and between‐neighborhood online social communications were assessed using users’ Twitter activity. This study reveals differential effects of within‐ and between‐neighborhood online social communications. More online social communications within a neighborhood were associated with increased psychological sadness, anxiety, and distress in high‐poverty neighborhoods; a relationship that was not found in low‐poverty neighborhoods. This study suggests the buffering effects of online social communications may follow the same patterns as off‐line social support in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Considering the interactions between online spaces and neighborhoods may be important for planning and implementing neighborhood‐level interventions.
Information‐seeking tactics and sense of workplace community in Korea
Authors: Shin Yongjun , Park Hee Sun , Han Seung Soo , Chang Woo‐Sung 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThis research examined how information‐seeking tactics and sense of workplace community are related to one another. Data from Korea showed that workers (n = 314) who preferred overt tactics of seeking information (i.e., direct questioning) also reported a stronger sense of workplace community. Information types and sources did not moderate the relationship between information‐seeking tactics and sense of workplace community. Information types, however, moderated the relationship between importance of information and sense of workplace community and the relationship between coworker availability as an information source and sense of workplace community.
Bully victimization, depression, and the role of protective factors among college LGBTQ students
Authors: Moran Theresa E. , Chen Cliff Yung‐Chi , Tryon Georgiana Shick 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThis study surveyed 347 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning college students from across the United States concerning their bully victimization, depressive symptoms, and sources of support. Participants responded to an online survey that asked them about their victimization experiences during the 3 months prior to the survey. The results indicate that four types of bully victimization (verbal, relational, cyber, and physical) occur during the college years, and that victimization relates positively to depressive symptomatology in sexual minority college students. The 4 forms of bullying did not relate to depression in the same manner for each of the 5 sexual minority subgroups. Peer support, but not family and campus support, provided a buffer against depression for lesbian, gay, and bisexual students. This study involved a sample exclusively comprising sexual minority college students, and the findings show the need for colleges to address bully victimization and its effects in this population.
Intensification and microbial pathways of simultaneous nitrification–denitrification in a sequencing batch biofilm reactor for seawater‐based saline wastewater treatment
Authors: Lu Yi , Feng Lijuan , Yang Guangfeng , Yang Qiao , Zhang Xiaoling , Mu Jun 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe optimum condition and potential mechanism of simultaneous nitrification–denitrification (SND) in a sequencing batch biofilm reactor (SBBR) have not been fully classified under salinity stress using real coastal seawater. In this study, a SBBR system under salinity stress was operated to optimize SND performance by changing the intermittent aeration intensity and drainage ratio (DR), and the microbial pathway of optimum SND was examined.RESULTSResults showed that the increase in salinity with coastal seawater ratio of no more than 50% obviously decreased SND efficiency from 66.4 ± 7.3% to 51.3 ± 7.4% mainly due to the decline of denitrification activity. The optimum SND performance of 68.1 ± 7.6% was observed when dissolve oxygen (DO) level decreased from 5.55 ± 0.31 mg L−1to 2.21 ± 0.42 mg L−1 in the aerobic phase of intermittent aeration and DR increased from 0.14 to 0.23. More functional bacteria including anoxic and aerobic denitrifiers coexisted under the optimum condition. Also, heterotrophic nitrifiers rather than autotrophic nitrifiers mainly contributed to nitrification under salinity stress in the optimum system.CONCLUSIONSA SBBR system showed efficient SND under salinity stress by control of DR and intermittent aeration intensity due to the enhancement of functional bacteria including anoxic and aerobic denitrifiers and heterotrophic nitrifiers. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Prevalence and risk factors of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease in Bangladesh
Authors: Alam Shahinul , Fahim Shah Mohammad , Chowdhury Muhammad Abdul Baker , Hassan Md. Zakiul , Azam Golam , Mustafa Golam , Ahsan Mainul , Ahmad Nooruddin 
Published: March 2018

Background and AimNon‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a significant cause of hepatic dysfunction and liver‐related mortality. As there is a lack of population‐based prevalence data in a representative sample of general population, we aimed to estimate the prevalence and risk factors of NAFLD in Bangladesh.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was conducted both in urban and rural areas of Bangladesh from December 2015 to January 2017. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire followed by ultrasonography of hepatobiliary system for screening of NAFLD. Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate the risk factors of NAFLD.ResultsA total of 2782 (1694 men and 1088 women) participants were included in the study, with a mean age of 34.21 (±12.66) years. The overall prevalence of NAFLD was 33.86% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 32.12, 35.64). Females living in the rural areas and midlife adults (45–54 years) had the highest prevalence of NAFLD (P < 0.05). Multivariable logistic regression model demonstrated that increasing age, diabetes, elevated body mass index, and married individuals are significantly associated with NAFLD. Individuals with diabetes (adjusted odds ratio: 2.71, 95% CI: 1.85, 3.97) and hypertension were at a higher risk of having NAFLD. The odds of having NAFLD were 4.51 (95% CI: 3.47, 5.86) and 10.71 (95% CI: 7.80, 14.70) times higher among overweight and obese participants, respectively, as compared to normal‐weight participants.ConclusionsAbout one‐third of the population of Bangladesh is affected by NAFLD. Individuals with higher body mass index (overweight and obese), diabetics, midlife adults, married individuals, and rural women were more at risk of having NAFLD than others.
Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with autoimmune hepatitis
Authors: Takahashi Atsushi , Arinaga‐Hino Teruko , Ohira Hiromasa , Abe Kazumichi , Torimura Takuji , Zeniya Mikio , Abe Masanori , Yoshizawa Kaname , Takaki Akinobu , Suzuki Yoshiyuki , Kang Jong‐Hon , Nakamoto Nobuhiro , Fujisawa Tomoo , Tanaka Atsushi , Takikawa Hajime ,   Japan AIH Study Group (JAIHSG)
Published: March 2018

Background and AimThe incidence of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing all over the world. NAFLD develops in patients with liver disease, including patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). NAFLD and AIH have some similar laboratory and histological findings. The aim of this study was to elucidate the characteristics of AIH patients with NAFLD.MethodsWe re‐evaluated the nationwide survey performed in Japan in 2015 of AIH patients diagnosed between 2009 and 2013.ResultsA total of 1151 subjects (144 men and 1007 women) were enrolled in the present study. The overall prevalence of NAFLD was 17.0%. Compared to AIH without NAFLD, AIH patients with NAFLD had the following characteristics: (i) low female‐to‐male ratio, (ii) older age, (iii) mild elevation in hepatobiliary enzymes, (iv) histologically progressive fibrosis and mild plasma cell infiltration or mild lobular hepatitis, (v) lower prevalence of prednisolone administration and higher prevalence of ursodeoxycholic acid administration, (vi) higher levels of hepatic enzymes and immunoglobulin G after treatment, and (vii) similar prevalence of autoimmune and malignant complications.ConclusionAIH patients with NAFLD have many features that are different from AIH patients without NAFLD. Understanding these differences is essential for the proper diagnosis and treatment of AIH patients with NAFLD.
Implementation of a patient safety program at a tertiary health system: A longitudinal analysis of interventions and serious safety events
Authors: Cropper Douglas P. , Harb Nidal H. , Said Patricia A. , Lemke Jon H. , Shammas Nicolas W. 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundWe hypothesize that implementation of a safety program based on high reliability organization principles will reduce serious safety events (SSE).MethodsThe safety program focused on 7 essential elements: (a) safety rounding, (b) safety oversight teams, (c) safety huddles, (d) safety coaches, (e) good catches/safety heroes, (f) safety education, and (g) red rule. An educational curriculum was implemented focusing on changing high‐risk behaviors and implementing critical safety policies. All unusual occurrences were captured in the Midas system and investigated by risk specialists, the safety officer, and the chief medical officer. A multidepartmental committee evaluated these events, and a root cause analysis (RCA) was performed. Events were tabulated and serious safety event (SSE) recorded and plotted over time. Safety success stories (SSSs) were also evaluated over time.ResultsA steady drop in SSEs was seen over 9 years. Also a rise in SSSs was evident, reflecting on staff engagement in the program. The parallel change in SSEs, SSSs, and the implementation of various safety interventions highly suggest that the program was successful in achieving its goals.ConclusionA safety program based on high‐reliability organization principles and made a core value of the institution can have a significant positive impact on reducing SSEs.
Frontline Science: IL-18 primes murine NK cells for proliferation by promoting protein synthesis, survival, and autophagy
Authors: El-Darawish Yosif , Li Wen , Yamanishi Kyosuke , Pencheva Magdalena , Oka Naoto , Yamanishi Hiromichi , Matsuyama Tomohiro , Tanaka Yoshimasa , Minato Nagahiro , Okamura Haruki 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
Combined stimulation by IL-2 and IL-18 effectively promotes proliferation of NK cells, whereas singular stimulation does not. In this study, synergistic effects of these cytokines on NK cells proliferation was analyzed, focusing on the roles of IL-18. In splenic resting NK cells from IL-18KO mice, IL-18 rapidly activated NF-κB independently of IL-2, and activated or up-regulated various molecules downstream of PI3K/AKT and mTOR, including S6, Bcl-XL, ATG5, and LC3II, accompanying increases in cell growth and survival. Thus, IL-18 alone was revealed to augment various cellular processes (gene transcription, protein synthesis, survival) in the absence or presence of IL-2. Notably, combined IL-18 and IL-2 promoted autophagosome formation. In addition, priming NK cells with IL-18 augmented IL-2R, especially CD25, and enabled cells to respond to IL-2, resulting in activation of STAT3 and STAT5, followed by increase of cyclin B1 leading to proliferation. However, IL-2 alone failed to activate STAT3 or STAT5 in resting IL18KO NK cells. These results clarify the distinct roles of IL-2 and IL-18 in NK cell proliferation, and the intrinsic roles of IL-18 in various cellular processes, suggesting a range of functions of IL-18 expressed in an array of nonhematopoietic cells.
IL-18 is critical factor for induction of cell growth and priming of NK cells for proliferation by induction of various cellular processes.
Apoptotic cells trigger the ABCA1/STAT6 pathway leading to PPAR-γ expression and activation in macrophages
Authors: Kim Myeong-Joo , Lee Ye-Ji , Yoon Young-So , Kim Minsuk , Choi Ji Ha , Kim Hee-Sun , Kang Jihee Lee 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) transcription factor activates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ)-regulated gene expression in immune cells. We investigated proximal membrane signaling that was initiated in macrophages after exposure to apoptotic cells that led to enhanced PPAR-γ expression and activity, using specific siRNAs for ABCA1, STAT6, and PPAR-γ, or their antagonists. The interactions between mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages or RAW 264.7 cells and apoptotic Jurkat cells, but not viable cells, resulted in the induction of STAT6 phosphorylation as well as PPAR-γ expression and activation. Knockdown of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) after the transfection of macrophages with ABCA1-specific siRNAs reduced apoptotic cell-induced STAT6 phosphorylation as well as PPAR-γ mRNA and protein expression. ABCA1 knockdown also reduced apoptotic cell-induced liver X receptor α (LXR-α) mRNA and protein expression. Moreover, inhibition of STAT6 with specific siRNAs or the pharmacological inhibitor AS1517499AS reversed the induction of PPAR-γ, LXR-α, and ABCA1 by apoptotic Jurkat cells. PPAR-γ-specific siRNAs or the PPAR-γ antagonist GW9662 inhibited apoptotic cell-induced increases in LXR-α and ABCA1 mRNA and protein levels. Thus, these results indicate that apoptotic cells trigger the ABCA1/STAT6 pathway, leading to the activation of the PPAR-γ/LXR-α/ABCA1 pathway in macrophages.
Downregulated eosinophil activity in ulcerative colitis with concomitant primary sclerosing cholangitis
Authors: Lampinen Maria , Fredricsson Annika , Vessby Johan , Martinez Johana Fernandez , Wanders Alkwin , Rorsman Fredrik , Carlson Marie 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic bile duct inflammation strongly connected to ulcerative colitis (UC). PSC is associated with an increased risk of colon cancer, but the link between the intestinal and the bile duct inflammation is still unknown. Also, the involvement of intestinal immune cells in the pathogenesis of PSC remains to be determined. The eosinophil granulocyte is one of the immune cells implicated in the inflammatory process of ulcerative colitis. This study was performed to determine how the accumulation and activation of intestinal eosinophils may differ between UC with and without concomitant PSC, and how this may be influenced by the cytokine/chemokine profile of the intestinal compartment. Eosinophils from peripheral blood and multiple parts of the colon were analyzed by flow cytometry. The intestinal level of inflammatory mediators was assessed using a multiplex proximity extension assay and a quantitative immunoassay. We found that colonic eosinophils were more abundant in both UC and PSC-UC compared with controls, but that their expression of activation markers was significantly increased in UC only. The colonic level of pro-inflammatory cytokines was increased in active UC but not in PSC-UC. In conclusion, we show for the first time that eosinophil activation phenotype discriminates between UC and PSC-UC, and that this may depend on the local cytokine profile of the colonic mucosa.
Lower expression of activation markers on eosinophils in UC with concomitant PSC may depend on the local protein profile of the colonic mucosa.