bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Morbidity of Vestibular Schwannomas as Documented by Treating Providers
Authors: Nuño Miriam , Ugiliweneza Beatrice , Boakye Maxwell , Monfared Ashkan 
Published: January 2019

Objective:
Characterize the morbidity associated with vestibular schwannoma (VS) as documented by treating providers.

Study Design:
Retrospective analysis of the MarketScan database.

Setting:
MarketScan database.

Subjects and Methods:
A study of morbidity in VS patients who underwent treatment between 2002 and 2012 was conducted. A detailed account of morbidity at multiple time points before and after treatment was described.

Results:
Of 3,355 patients treated for VS, 2,029 (60.5%) underwent surgery and 1,326 (39.5%) radiation. The average (SD) age of diagnosis was 52.5 (12.1) years. Patients were followed for a mean (SD) of 29.1 (24.2) months before and 39.2 (30.5) months after treatment. Hearing loss (65.4%), vertigo (28.0%), tinnitus (24.7%), and headache (15.2%) were the most documented symptoms at 6 months before treatment. At this juncture, higher rates of hearing loss (71.6 versus 58.6%, p < 0.0001), vertigo (32.3 versus 21.4%, p<0.0001), and tinnitus (26.9 versus 21.5%, p=0.0004) were reported for the surgery cohort. At 6 months posttreatment, surgery cohort were reported to have higher rates of hearing loss (OR 2.15, 95% CI: 1.82–2.52), vertigo (OR 1.56, 95% CI: 1.23–1.96), balance (OR 4.17, 95% CI: 3.03–5.56), facial weakness (OR 10.0, 95% CI: 6.67–14.29), headache (OR 1.56, 95% CI: 1.23–1.96), fatigue (OR 2.22, 95% CI: 1.19–4.17), and swallowing difficulties (OR 2.33, 95% CI: 1.43–3.70) compared with radiosurgery group. Surgery patients also experienced more treatment-related complications than the radiation (28.5 versus 2.6%, p<0.0001) cohort.

Conclusions:
Patients who eventually underwent surgery were reported by their providers to have higher morbidity before and after treatment.
Recently reported familial hypercholesterolemia-related mutations from cases in the Middle East and North Africa region
Authors: Awan Zuhier A. , Bondagji Nabeel S. , Bamimore Mary A. 
Published: January 2019

Purpose of review
Familial hypercholesterolemia is an inherited disorder where cases have a significantly higher risk of having premature myocardial infarction than noncases. The prevalence of this genetic disease is currently unknown in countries of the Middle East and North Africa region. Given that a high percentage of marriages are consanguineous in this region, the prevalence may be much higher than assumed. We systematically reviewed the literature to identify case-related mutations reported within the last 4 years and since our first report in 2014.

Recent findings
Mutations were reported in familial hypercholesterolemia cases from the Saudi, Iranian, Lebanese, and Syrian populations. Some of the mutations were novel and a variety of familial hypercholesterolemia genotypes were identified, such as compound heterozygotes and double heterozygotes.

Summary
In recent years, work has been done to identify familial hypercholesterolemia cases in various countries of the Middle East and North Africa region. With regards to the prospective familial hypercholesterolemia registry for the Middle East and North Africa region, an important goal for the near future would be to have physician specialists collaborate with primary care clinicians for the identification and optimal care of familial hypercholesterolemia cases.
Unknown primary of the head and neck: a new entry in the TNM staging system with old dilemmas for everyday practice
Authors: Piazza Cesare , Incandela Fabiola , Giannini Lorenzo 
Published: January 2019

Purpose of review
To summarize the most recent nuances in diagnosis, management, and prognostic stratification of carcinoma of unknown primary of the head and neck (CUPHN), in light of its recent re-assessment in the eighth edition of the TNM Classification Manual.

Recent findings
At least in Western Countries, most CUPHN are expected to be Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)-positive with an oropharyngeal origin. Their appropriate diagnosis starts with fine needle aspiration cytology and/or core biopsy of pathologic lymph node(s) with staining for p16 by immunohistochemistry and subsequent HPV detection by PCR. If these exams are negative (especially in Eastern Countries), in-situ hybridization for Epstein–Barr virus detection should be added. Thorough clinical examination should encompass white light videoendoscopy with the adjunction of bioendoscopic techniques (such as narrow band imaging). Radiologic workup (by CT, MR and/or PET) should be limited to cases that are persistently negative after comprehensive endoscopic evaluation. Invasive diagnostic procedures, such as unilateral or bilateral palatine tonsillectomy and base of tongue mucosectomy, may play a staging as well as a therapeutic role in CUPHN management.

Summary
Every effort should be made to identify and remove the primary site of a CUPHN: in doing so, possible subsequent de-intensification protocols by irradiation of the neck alone (with or without previous neck dissection according to the cN category, patient's risk profile, and general status) can be taken into consideration on a case-by-case basis.
Current outcomes after pediatric and adult intestinal transplantation
Authors: Amin Arpit , Farmer Douglas G. 
Published: January 2019

Purpose of review
In this article, we will review the outcomes of patients with intestinal transplant (ITx) with a focus on factors affecting long-term graft and patient survival.

Recent findings
The most recent International Intestinal Transplant Registry reports a 1-, 5-, and 10-year graft survival of 71%, 50%, and 41% respectively, for ITx grafts transplanted since 2000. Over the past decades, significant improvements have been achieved in short-term graft and patient outcomes for ITx recipients. The improvement in short-term outcomes may be related to the focused treatment of antihuman leukocyte antigen antibodies, the use of induction immunotherapy protocols, refinements in surgical techniques, establishment of dedicated ITx units, and improved postoperative management.
However, long-term graft and patient outcomes for ITx recipients remain stagnant. Issues impairing long-term outcomes of ITx include the challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic rejection and antibody-mediated rejection, progressive decline in renal function, and long-term infectious and malignancy risks especially related to cytomegalovirus, Epstein–Barr virus and posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder after ITx.

Summary
Addressing and preventing early and late complications is the key to improving short-term and long-term outcomes after ITx.
Reassessing the role of liver transplantation for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer to the liver
Authors: Chotai Pranit , Matsuoka Lea 
Published: January 2019

Purpose of review
Early studies reported poor survival rates following liver transplantation for metastatic colorectal cancer to the liver and liver transplantation has thus traditionally been contraindicated for these patients. However, improvements in liver transplantation outcomes, immunosuppression and the treatment of colorectal cancer warrant a reassessment of the role of liver transplantation for metastatic colorectal cancer.

Recent findings
The literature on this topic is sparse, the majority of publications being isolated cases of liver transplantation for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer to the liver. These case reports are heterogeneous, as patients received varying chemotherapy regimens and liver transplantation was performed at different times and for different indications. A prospective clinical trial out of Norway, however, has recently reported 5-year survival of 60% in a cohort of 21 patients undergoing liver transplantation for metastatic colorectal cancer to the liver. These results are significantly better than standard of care chemotherapy and comparable with outcomes for other indications for liver transplantation.

Summary
The role of liver transplantation for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer to the liver needs to be further elucidated and defined by ongoing clinical trials and experience with living donor liver transplantation.
Chemotherapy Versus Chemoradiation as Preoperative Therapy for Resectable Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Cloyd Jordan M. , Chen Hsiang-Chun , Wang Xuemei , Tzeng Ching-Wei D. , Kim Michael P. , Aloia Thomas A. , Vauthey Jean-Nicolas , Lee Jeffrey E. , Katz Matthew H.G. 
Published: January 2019

Objectives
Although the use of neoadjuvant therapy for resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is increasing, the optimal preoperative treatment regimen remains poorly defined.

Methods
All patients with resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who received preoperative chemotherapy alone (12%) or chemoradiation therapy (CRT) alone (88%) before pancreatectomy between 1999 and 2014 were included. Propensity score matching with inverse probability weighting was conducted based on age, baseline carbohydrate antigen 19-9, and procedure type.

Results
Patients who received preoperative CRT were more likely to undergo a margin negative (91% vs 79%, P < 0.01) and node negative (53% vs 23%, P < 0.01) resection and experience less locoregional recurrence (LR; 16% vs 33%, P < 0.01) but similar median overall survival (OS; 33.6 vs 26.4 months, P = 0.09). On multivariate analysis, carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (hazard ratio, 1.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1–1.3) and positive lymph nodes (hazard ratio, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.0–2.2) were associated with OS, whereas tumor size (odds ratio [OR], 1.5; 95% CI, 1.3–1.8), positive lymph nodes (OR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.8–5.6), and preoperative chemotherapy (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1–2.9) were associated with LR.

Conclusions
Preoperative CRT is associated with less margin and lymph node positivity, reduced LR, and similar OS compared with preoperative chemotherapy.
Severe Hypertriglyceridemia-Related Pancreatitis
Authors: Zafrir Barak , Saliba Walid , Jubran Ayman , Hijazi Rawan , Shapira Chen 
Published: January 2019

Objectives
The diagnosis of severe hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) as a cause for acute pancreatitis is often delayed with limited data on the characteristics and predictors of recurrent pancreatitis in this population.

Methods
A regional database of severe HTG level of 1000 mg/dL or greater was analyzed to identify subjects with acute pancreatitis. Factors associated with recurrent pancreatitis during long-term follow-up were investigated.

Results
Severe HTG-associated pancreatitis was evident in 171 patients (75% diabetics). Recurrent pancreatitis was observed in 16%; this was associated with younger age, alcohol abuse, and an increase in triglyceride levels. In multivariable analysis, peak triglycerides level of greater than 3000 mg/dL (hazard ratio, 2.92; 95% confidence interval, 1.28–6.64; P = 0.011) and most recent triglycerides level of greater than 500 mg/dL (hazard ratio, 3.72; 95% confidence interval, 1.60–8.66; P = 0.002) remained independently associated with recurrent pancreatitis. These lipid measures as well as alcohol abuse were additionally correlated with a stepwise increase in the number of pancreatitis episodes.

Conclusions
Severe HTG-related pancreatitis was closely associated with diabetes. Extreme HTG and a lack of attainment of lower triglyceride levels were independent long-term predictors of recurrent pancreatitis. These findings emphasize the importance of early identification and successful treatment of severe HTG and its underlying disorders to reduce the burden of recurrent pancreatitis.
Angiotensin Type 2 Receptor Agonist C21 Ameliorates the High-Fat Diet–Induced Pancreatic β-Cell Dysfunction Partially by Activation of Antiapoptosis and Autophagy
Authors: Liu Min , Li Xiaojing , Ha Si , Wang Anping , Yin Shinan , Mu Yiming 
Published: January 2019

Objective
We aim to investigate whether C21, a selective angiotensin type 2 receptor agonist, can exert protective effects on pancreatic β-cells through activation of antiapoptosis and autophagy.

Methods
The high-fat diet–induced obese rats (HFDs) were under C21 treatment for 4 weeks.

Results
C21 treatment decreased the fasting glucose levels and improved β-cell insulin secretory function in the HFD group. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and electron microscopy indicated that the islet morphology was improved in the C21-treated obese rats, which was associated with increased levels of the key transcription factor PDX1, glucose sensing, and uptaking protein GCK and GLUT2, respectively. C21 treatment exerted antiapoptotic effects through decreasing the levels of apoptotic marker Caspase-3 while increasing the levels of antiapoptotic markers AKT, p-AKT, and BCL2. C21 treatment also induced autophagosome formation in the mitochondria of the β-cells in the HFD group accompanied by increased levels of autophagy markers, LC-3B and Beclin-1.

Conclusions
The results suggested C21 treatment decreased the fasting glucose level and protected β-cell function in the HFD-induced obese rat model, which in part through activation of antiapoptotic and autophagy processes. This study provided preclinical evidence for the utilization of C21 in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
Optimizing Immunomodulatory Drug With Proteasome Inhibitor Combinations in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Ntanasis-Stathopoulos Ioannis , Terpos Evangelos , Dimopoulos Meletios A. 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
In the modern era of multiple myeloma therapeutics, proteasome inhibitor (PI) and immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) have replaced chemotherapy regimens for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients. Treatment combinations that comprise both first- and next-generation PIs, including bortezomib, carfilzomib, and ixazomib and IMiDs, including thalidomide and lenalidomide, have been evaluated in phases II and III clinical trials and have shown significant efficacy with manageable toxicity profiles. Bortezomib or carfilzomib with lenalidomide and dexamethasone (VRD and KRD) are the most promising regimens resulting in significant survival improvement. Disease and patient characteristics should lead the individualization of treatment, with the eligibility for autologous transplant being of principal importance. The addition of a monoclonal antibody to PI with IMiD combinations is currently under clinical investigation and may lead to further treatment optimization.
Nurse Author: Who Me? Yes, You!
Authors: Mauk Kristen L. , Almauhy Deborah , Barks Lelia , Black Terrie , Camicia Michelle , Campbell Grace B. , Dzurec Laura Cox , Green Theresa L. , Neal-Boylan Leslie , Pierce Linda L. 
Published: January 2019

Abstract

Background and Purpose
Potential nurse authors may find writing a challenge, including managing the publication process from getting started through submission to revision of the work and its acceptance. This special article presents strategies to help inexperienced writers develop and hone skills for journal publication.

Potential Publication Strategies
Tips discussed here that may lead to manuscript acceptance include selecting a topic of interest, using motivational self-talk approaches and structuring time to write, choosing coauthors, targeting a journal for submission, writing strong sentences in active voice, developing a structured abstract, using correct citation and reference formats, understanding reviews and resubmitting the manuscript, and keeping momentum to produce continued writing results. Practical writing hints are also suggested for inexperienced writers.

Relevance and Conclusion
These strategies can help guide nurse writers in planning, navigating the system, and finding success as a published author.
Implementation of a Trauma Quality Improvement Program Communications Package Decreases Time-to-Operation for Facial Trauma
Authors: Keller Patrick R. , Schneeberger Steven , Drolet Brian C. , Al Kassis Salam , Bennett Pearce F. , Perdikis Galen 
Published: January 2019

Introduction
Facial trauma is common and carries significant morbidity and cost. Suboptimal interdisciplinary communication is associated with negative health outcomes. This study evaluates the clinical impact of implementation of American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP) interdisciplinary communication guidelines between facial surgery and trauma teams.

Methods
Patients with facial trauma presenting to our level 1 trauma center between May and December 2017 were included (N = 812) and split into 3 groups, each anonymously representing a service that treats facial trauma. Services 1 and 2 were controls, and service 3 adopted TQIP communication guidelines. Mean and slope of time-to-operation (TTO) and mean length of stay were assessed 106 days before (n = 95) and 107 days after (n = 77) implementation.

Results
For service 3, mean TTO decreased significantly from 6.2 to 2.9 days (P = 0.005) after implementation of the communication intervention. There was no significant difference in mean TTO preimplementation versus postimplementation in either control cohort, including service 1 (4.6 vs 4.9 days; P = 0.59) and service 2 (4.2 vs 4.5 days; P = 0.62). Average length of stay did not differ significantly between the preintervention versus postintervention in any service (service 1: 9.0 vs 8.3 days, P = 0.43; service 2: 4.6 vs 6.6 days, P = 0.85; service 3: 6.7 vs 6.4 days, P = 0.45).

Conclusion
Our study demonstrates that cost-free TQIP-guided improvement in interdisciplinary communication between the trauma service and a consulting surgical specialist decreases TTO for patients with operative facial trauma. Health care providers should develop strong well-defined communication channels between collaborating teams involved in patient care to optimize patient clinical outcomes.
Process noise distinguishes between indistinguishable population dynamics
Authors: Simpson Matthew J. , Ryan Jacob M. , McGree James M. , Baker Ruth E. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractModel selectionis becoming increasingly important in mathematical biology. Model selection often involves comparing a set of observations with predictions from a suite of continuum mathematical models and selecting the model that provides the best explanation of the data. In this work we consider the more challenging problem of model selection in a stochastic setting. We consider five different stochastic models describing population growth. Through simulation we show that all five stochastic models gives rise to classical logistic growth in the limit where we consider a large number of identically prepared realisations. Therefore, comparing mean data from each of the models gives indistinguishable predictions and model selection based on population-level information is impossible. To overcome this challenge we extractprocess noisefrom individual realisations of each model and identify properties in the process noise that differ between the various stochastic models. Using a Bayesian framework, we show how process noise can be used successfully to make a probabilistic distinction between the various stochastic models. The relative success of this approach depends upon the identification of appropriate summary statistics and we illustrate how increasingly sophisticated summary statistics can lead to improved model selection, but this improvement comes at the cost of requiring more detailed summary statistics.
Differential effects of open- and closed-loop intracortical microstimulation on firing patterns of neurons in distant cortical areas
Authors: Averna Alberto , Pasquale Valentina , Murphy Maxwell , Rogantin Maria Piera , Acker Gustaf Van , Nudo Randolph J. , Chiappalone Michela , Guggenmos David 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBackgroundIntracortical microstimulation can be used successfully to modulate neuronal activity. Activity-dependent stimulation (ADS), in which action potentials recorded extracellularly from a single neuron are used to trigger stimulation at another cortical location (closed-loop), is an effective treatment for behavioral recovery after brain lesion in rodents. Neurophysiological changes in cortical communication induced by ADS, and how these changes differ from those induced by open-loop random stimulation (RS) are still not clear.ObjectivesWe investigated the ability of ADS and RS to induce changes in firing patterns in distant populations of neurons in healthy anesthetized rats.MethodsFor this study we used 23 adult Long-Evan rats, recording from a total of 591 neuronal units. Stimulation was delivered to either forelimb or barrel field somatosensory cortex, using either randomly-timed stimulus pulses or ADS triggered from neuronal spikes recorded in the rostral forelimb area (RFA) of the motor cortex.ResultsBoth RS and ADS stimulation protocols rapidly altered spike firing within RFA compared with no stimulation. Changes consisted of increases in mean firing rates and patterns of spike firing as measured by the revised Local Variation metric. ADS was more effective than RS in increasing short-latency evoked spikes during the stimulation periods, by producing a reliable, progressive increase in stimulus-related activity over time.ConclusionsThese results are critical for understanding the efficacy of electrical microstimulation protocols in altering activity patterns in interconnected brain networks. These data further strengthen the idea that activity-dependent microstimulation, can be used to modulate cortical state and functional connectivity.
Loss of heterozygosity of essential genes represents a widespread class of potential cancer vulnerabilities
Authors: Nichols Caitlin A. , Gibson William J. , Brown Meredith S. , Kosmicki Jack A. , Busanovich John P. , Wei Hope , Urbanski Laura M. , Curimjee Naomi , Berger Ashton C. , Gao Galen F. , Cherniack Andrew D. , Dhe-Paganon Sirano , Paolella Brenton R. , Beroukhim Rameen 
Published: January 2019

AbstractAlterations in non-driver genes represent an emerging class of potential therapeutic targets in cancer. Hundreds to thousands of non-driver genes undergo loss of heterozygosity (LOH) events per tumor, generating discrete differences between tumor and normal cells. Here we interrogate LOH of polymorphisms in essential genes as a novel class of therapeutic targets. We hypothesized that monoallelic inactivation of the allele retained in tumors can selectively kill cancer cells but not somatic cells, which retain both alleles. We identified 5664 variants in 1278 essential genes that undergo LOH in cancer and evaluated the potential for each to be targeted using allele-specific gene-editing, RNAi, or small-molecule approaches. We further show that allele-specific inactivation of either of two essential genes (PRIM1 and EXOSC8) reduces growth of cells harboring that allele, while cells harboring the non-targeted allele remain intact. We conclude that LOH of essential genes represents a rich class of non-driver cancer vulnerabilities.