bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Histopathologic correlation of high‐risk MelaFindTM lesions: a 3‐year experience from a high‐risk pigmented lesion clinic
Authors: Shrivastava Vikas , Bailin Phillip , Elliott Jennifer , Bacnik Elizabeth , Gastman Brian , Bergfeld Wilma , Billings Steven D. , Piliang Melissa , Fernandez Anthony , Kovalyshyn Ivanka , Ko Jennifer S. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackgroundA significant number of pigmented lesions are biopsied to rule out melanoma, but most will be benign. MelaFindTM is a highly sensitive, noninvasive computer‐assisted system to aid in clinical diagnosis of melanoma.MethodsA total of 140 high‐risk patients were followed by one expert dermatologist. Biopsies were blindly and independently evaluated by two dermatopathologists and given histologic severity scores (HSS, 0–12) based on the histologic features of melanoma/dysplastic nevi and compared to pathologic diagnoses and MelaFindTM scores.ResultsMelaFindTM reduced the biopsy number of clinically ambiguous lesions (923 scanned to 253 biopsied, 73% reduction). Biopsied cases were usually benign (135/253, 53.4%, HSS = 2.8–3.2). Dysplastic nevi with varying degrees of atypia were observed next most commonly (80/253, 31.6%, HSS = 4.7–5.2 for mild dysplasia and 7–7.6 for moderate to severe dysplasia). Melanomas comprised 11/253 (4.3%) of biopsies (HSS = 9.3–10.7). Twenty‐four cases were given miscellaneous diagnoses not within the dysplastic nevus–melanoma spectrum (9.5%, HSS = 1.3). Dermal fibrosis was the most commonly identified worrisome histologic feature (177/253, 70%), closely followed by other known atypical features. Nonthreatening histologic features in benign lesions with high MelaFindTM disorganization scores were common. The HSS differed significantly depending on pathologic diagnosis severity, while the MelaFindTM score did not (benign = 2.2; mildly atypical = 4.8; moderately to severely atypical = 2.3; in‐situ or invasive melanoma = 3.1).ConclusionsMelaFindTM unequivocally reduced the number of biopsies, but banal lesions had histologic attributes resulting in high‐risk MelaFindTM scores, and MelaFindTM does not correlate with degree of cytologic atypia. Knowledge of these limitations should increase bidirectional confidence when making clinicopathologic correlations in high‐risk patients.
A multi‐scale characterisation of the durum wheat pasta cooking process
Authors: Littardi P. , Diantom A. , Carini E. , Curti E. , Boukid F. , Vodovotz Y. , Vittadini E. 
Published: December 2018

SummaryA multi‐level investigation was carried out to characterise uncooked to overcooked pasta. Macroscopic, mesoscopic and molecular properties were measured and their changes were clearly related to the process of cooking: hardness and viscoelastic decreased, moisture content and gelatinisation degree increased and 1H molecular mobility changed. Principal component analysis (PCA) explained 82% (PC1: 47.7% and PC2: 34.3%), enabling the differentiation by cluster of different cooking phases: uncooked, undercooked (described by degree of gelatinisation and rigid protons’ populations [FID and T2]); medium‐cooked (described by higher mobility protons [T2E1, T2E2 and %PopE2]), cooked at suggested cooking time (described by viscoelastic properties) and over‐cooked pasta by molecular mobility parameters (T2D, T2E and %PopF). Nuclear magnetic resonance relaxometry was a valuable tool to describe the entire cooking process, whereas viscoelastic properties effectively characterised suggested cooking time.
Patients' narratives of their patient participation in the myocardial infarction pathway
Authors: Bårdsgjerde Elise Kvalsund , Kvangarsnes Marit , Landstad Bodil , Nylenna Magne , Hole Torstein 
Published: December 2018

AbstractAimTo explore how patients in areas without local percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) facilities experience patient participation in different phases of the myocardial infarction pathway.BackgroundAcute treatment of myocardial infarction often involves PCI. In Norway, this treatment is centralized at certain hospitals; thus, patients often require long‐distance transportation and experience frequent hospital transfers. Short hospital stays, transfers between hospitals and the patient's emotional state pose challenges to promoting patient participation.DesignA qualitative design with a narrative approach.MethodsParticipants were recruited through purposive sampling. Eight men and two women were interviewed in 2016.FindingsFour themes related to the patients' experiences at the beginning, middle and end of the pathway were identified: (a) Lack of verbal communication in the acute phase; (b) trust in healthcare professionals and treatment; (c) lack of participation and coordination at discharge; and (d) shared decision‐making in rehabilitation. The findings showed how the patients moved from a low level of patient participation in the acute phase to a high level of patient participation in the rehabilitation phase.ConclusionThis is the first study to explore patient participation in different phases of the myocardial infarction pathway. We argue that individual plans for information and patient participation are important to improve patient involvement in an earlier stage of the pathway. Further research from a healthcare professional perspective can be valuable to understand this topic.ImpactThis study gives new insight that can be valuable for healthcare professionals in implementing patient participation throughout the pathway.
Bayesian latent class analysis of ELISA and RT‐rPCR diagnostic accuracy for subclinical Renibacterium salmoninarum infection in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) broodstock
Authors: Laurin Emilie , Morrison Diane , Gardner Ian A. , Siah Ahmed , Powell James F. F. , Kamaitis Mykolas 
Published: December 2018

AbstractRenibacterium salmoninarum infection causes bacterial kidney disease (BKD) in salmonid freshwater and saltwater life stages, with potentially severe financial loss for the aquaculture industry. Preventing vertical transmission, from infected broodstock to eggs, is key to disease management. As there is no perfect reference standard for detecting R. salmoninarum, we used Bayesian latent class analyses to compare real‐time reverse transcriptase PCR (RT‐rPCR, mRNA target) and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA; p57 antigen target) diagnostic accuracy for detection in Atlantic salmon broodstock from British Columbia, Canada, and assessed ELISA repeatability. In 2016, 4,544 Atlantic salmon broodstock (no clinical signs of BKD or gross lesions) were sampled for ELISA testing of kidney tissue. Two groups of ELISA positives (n = 132) and two groups of a random sample of ELISA negatives (n = 137) were then tested with RT‐rPCR, and ELISA testing was repeated. ELISA testing of broodstock provided the best diagnostic sensitivity (DSe; less chance of false‐negative results). The use of joint RT‐rPCR and ELISA testing improved DSe over that from each test alone, if a sample was considered positive when either test result was positive. Using these testing schemes in combination with management practices can decrease the likelihood of vertical transmission from subclinically infected broodstock.
Growth potential of Listeria monocytogenes in ready‐to‐eat Feta cheese‐based sauce stored at 4°C
Authors: Andritsos Nikolaos D. , Kallitsis Theodoros , Roukas Dimokritos 
Published: December 2018

AbstractListeria monocytogenes is now a well‐known foodborne pathogen of particular importance in ready‐to‐eat (RTE) refrigerated foods given the psychrotrophic character and ubiquitous nature of the bacterium. The objective of the current research was to assess the growth potential of L. monocytogenes in RTE cheese‐based (Feta) sauce. For this to occur, samples of Feta cheese‐based sauce (ca. 1% NaCl, pH = 4.6, 900 ppm sorbic acid) were artificially contaminated with a mixture of two L. monocytogenes strains and were stored aerobically at 4°C for 30 days. Growth potential (δ) of L. monocytogenes in Feta cheese‐based sauce was calculated at −1.2 log CFU/g for the 30‐day shelf‐life (i.e., δ < 0.5 log CFU/g). Findings of this study indicate that Feta cheese‐based sauce containing 900 ppm of sorbic acid as preservative is unable to support the growth of L. monocytogenes, thus the food safety criterion for pathogen enumeration not exceeding the limit of 100 CFU/g should apply during the shelf‐life of the product, as stated by Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2073/2005.Practical applicationsContamination of acidic cheese‐based spreadable products, with pH ≤ 4.6 and/or water activity (i.e., Aw) > 0.94, with different bacterial species during the manufacturing process, could limit considerably the shelf‐life of these RTE products. Moreover, among other possible contaminants, the ubiquitous psychrotrophic pathogen L. monocytogenes may pose a serious threat for the microbiological safety of such products, like a Feta cheese‐based sauce with the aforementioned characteristics. Challenge testing for assessing the risk from L. monocytogenes presence during shelf‐life of this product is, therefore, deemed necessary and can provide us with useful information regarding possible pathogen containment due to product's composition and characteristics. Conclusively, even if the Feta cheese‐based sauce described in this study is contaminated with low numbers of L. monocytogenes at levels below the limit of detection (i.e., absence in 25 g), then the organism will not exceed 100 CFU/g by the end of product's shelf‐life.
Inactivation of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in milk by different processing sequences of ultrasound and heat
Authors: Li Jiao , Wang Jun , Zhao Xihong , Wang Wenjun , Liu Donghong , Chen Shiguo , Ye Xingqian , Ding Tian 
Published: December 2018

AbstractDifferent processing sequences of ultrasound and heat were applied for the inactivation of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in milk. The changes in whey protein content, particle size, zeta potential, pH, viscosity, and color values were studied to evaluate the effects on the quality of milk. Results indicated ultrasound treatment (600 W, 5 min) with postheating (63 °C 5 min) reduced S. aureus and E. coli by 1.58 and 2.02 log cfu/ml, respectively, but yielded 0.26 and 0.19 log cfu/ml sublethal S. aureus and E. coli. Milk preheated to 63 °C (5 min) followed by ultrasound (600 W, 5 min) showed 1.17 and 1.68 log reductions for S. aureus and E. coli, respectively, and the sublethal S. aureus and E. coli were reduced to 0.16 and 0.09 log cfu/ml. The increased cavitation effects make the simultaneous treatment (600 W, 63 °C, 5 min) the most effective approach in killing S. aureus and E. coli, causing 1.67 and 2.16 log reductions, respectively, and producing negligible sublethal bacteria. The simultaneous treatment was also able to improve some physical–chemical properties of milk; smaller particle size and whiter color were achieved. However, whey protein and stability indices of milk were slightly deteriorated by this approach.Practical applicationsIn food processing fields, thermosonication can serve as an alternative processing technique to thermal pasteurization. Especially, the simultaneous treatment of ultrasound and heat showed best inactivation effect for viable and sublethal cells, while maintaining the overall milk quality in the meantime. The results of this research may be useful for the treatment of various bacterial contamination and give the guidance for milk processing.
Incidence and clinical impact of perianal disease in patients with ulcerative colitis: A nationwide population‐based study
Authors: Song Eun Mi , Lee Ho‐Su , Kim Ye‐Jee , Oh Eun Hye , Ham Nam Seok , Kim Jeongseok , Hwang Sung Wook , Park Sang Hyoung , Yang Dong‐Hoon , Ye Byong Duk , Byeon Jeong‐Sik , Myung Seung‐Jae , Yang Suk‐Kyun 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackground and AimThe risk and clinical impact of perianal disease (PAD) in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients have not been fully evaluated. We investigated the incidence of PAD in UC patients and compared clinical characteristics and outcomes of UC according to the presence of PAD.MethodsWe performed a nationwide population‐based cohort study and a hospital‐based cohort study. Using the 2010–2014 data from the Korean National Health Insurance claims database, we calculated incidence rates and standardized incidence ratios of PAD in UC patients compared with the general population. We evaluated the clinical characteristics and outcomes of UC patients with PAD in both population‐based and hospital‐based cohorts. To reduce clinically meaningful confounding factors, we also conducted matched analyses.ResultsIn the population‐based cohort, the incidence rate and standardized incidence ratio of PAD in UC patients were 3.74/1000 person‐years (95% confidence interval, 3.25–4.31) and 2.88 (95% confidence interval, 2.50–3.32), respectively. In the hospital‐based cohort, the cumulative probabilities of PAD at 1, 5, 10, and 20 years after diagnosis were 1.0%, 2.3%, 4.0%, and 6.3%, respectively. In both population‐based and hospital‐based cohorts, UC patients with PAD showed higher proportions of corticosteroid use and extensive colitis at diagnosis. The requirements for anti‐tumor necrosis factor agents and colectomy were significantly higher in UC patients with PAD before and after matched analysis.ConclusionsThe risk of PAD is higher in UC patients than in the general population. UC patients with PAD have distinct clinical features and poor outcomes, as indicated by the greater need for UC‐related medications and colectomy.
Validation of CollaboRATE and SURE – two short questionnaires to measure shared decision making during CPAP initiation
Authors: Broström Anders , Pakpour Amir H. , Nilsen Per , Hedberg Berith , Ulander Martin 
Published: December 2018

AbstractAdherence to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment tends to be low. Brief validated instruments focusing on shared decision making have not been used in a CPAP context. The aim was to investigate factorial structure, categorical functioning of the response scale and differential item functioning across sub‐populations of the CollaboRATE and Sure questionnaires among patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) before CPAP treatment is initiated. A prospective design, including 193 objectively diagnosed (polygraphy) OSA patients (68% men, 59.7 years, SD 11.5) from two CPAP clinics was used. Data were collected with the following questionnaires; Sure, CollaboRATE, Attitudes to CPAP Inventory, Epworth sleepiness scale, minimal insomnia symptoms scale, and hospital anxiety and depression scale. Objective CPAP use was collected after 6 months; 49% demonstrated decisional conflict on SURE and 51% scored low levels of shared decision making on CollaboRATE. Unidimensionality was found for both CollaboRATE (one factor explaining 57.4%) and SURE (one factor explaining 53.7%), as well as local independence. Differential item functioning showed both to be invariant across both male and female patients. Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.83) and composite reliability (0.89) were good. Latent class analyses showed that patients with low decisional conflict and high shared decision making were more adherent to CPAP treatment. CollaboRATE and SURE provided good validity and reliability scores to measure shared decision making and decisional conflict in relation to CPAP treatment. The questionnaires can be used by healthcare personnel as a tool to simplify the assessment of shared decision making.
Cognitive performance in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators: Associations with objective sleep duration, age and anxiety
Authors: Curtis Ashley F. , Roth Alicia J. , Sears Samuel F. , Conti Jamie B. , Berry Richard B. , Dzierzewski Joseph M. , Rathinakumar Himangshu , McCrae Christina S. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractSleep disturbance and anxiety are highly prevalent in patients with implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICDs). There is limited research, however, on the associations between cognitive performance and sleep parameters, age and anxiety. Forty‐one patients with ICDs and self‐reported sleep disturbance completed 14 days of actigraphy (Mage = 60.3, SD = 12.3) measuring total sleep time (TST), and a computerized cognitive test battery measuring processing speed and attention (i.e. simple reaction time and symbol digit modality task [SDMT]) and executive function (i.e. flanker task, letter series task and N‐back task). Multiple regressions determined whether independent effects of TST, age and anxiety, as well as interactive effects of TST and age, predicted cognitive performance. TST predicted performance on two tasks of executive function (i.e. letter series and N‐back task), as well as an attentional vigilance and processing speed task (i.e. SDMT), and this did not depend on patient age. On letter series, N‐back and SDMT, longer TST predicted better performance. Increasing age was a predictor of worse performance on SDMT and flanker tasks. No other predictors were associated with task performance. Results show that sleep duration, not anxiety, may be an important predictor of higher‐order cognitive functioning and lower‐order tasks measuring processing speed and attention in ICD patients, with longer sleep duration showing greater benefit for performance.
Tolerability and effectiveness of generic direct‐acting antiviral drugs in eradication of hepatitis C genotype 4 among Egyptian patients
Authors: Lashen Sameh A. , Shamseya Mohammed M. , Madkour Marwa A. , Aboufarrag Galal A. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackgroundWe investigated tolerability and effectiveness of generic, less expensive direct antiviral drugs in the treatment of hepatitis C virus genotype 4 (HCV GT‐4) in an Egyptian cohort.Patients and MethodsRetrospectively, we analysed data from 648 patients with HCV GT4 attending Alexandria Main University Hospital from January 2016 to May 2017 [488 treatment naïve/160 treatment‐experienced/288 with chronic hepatitis/360 with cirrhosis]. Patients received generic sofosbuvir/ledipasvir (n = 168, treatment naïve = 136, treatment‐experienced = 32) or sofosbuvir/daclatasvir (n = 480, treatment naïve = 352, treatment‐experienced = 128) ± ribavirin. We assessed sustained virologic response 12 weeks after treatment, non‐response, relapse, treatment discontinuation and drug adverse reactions.ResultsAn overall sustained virologic response 12 weeks after treatment was achieved in 97.8%, non‐response in 0.6%, relapse in 0.3% and discontinuation of treatment in 1.3% of patients. Sofosbuvir/ledipasvir ± ribavirin regimen attained an overall sustained virologic response 12 weeks after treatment in 96.4% of patients (100% of treatment‐experienced vs 95.6% of treatment naïve, P = 0.28), vs 98.3% for sofosbuvir/daclatasvir ± ribavirin regimen (100% of treatment‐experienced vs 97.7% of treatment naïve, P = 0.08). No severe drug adverse events or deaths were reported except anaemia due to ribavirin.ConclusionGeneric direct antiviral drugs used in treating Egyptian patients with HCV GT‐4 demonstrated equal potency, safety and tolerability compared to original brands, with low cost which would help to provide treatment to a larger scale of patients.
Thermoalgesic stimuli induce prepulse inhibition of the blink reflex and affect conscious perception in healthy humans
Authors: Correa Lilia I. , Cardenas Karem , Casanova‐Mollá Jordi , Valls‐Solé Josep 
Published: December 2018

AbstractAll sensory stimuli produce transient excitability changes in various central nervous system circuits. One example is prepulse inhibition (PPI), which is the inhibition generated by a preceding weak stimulus (prepulse) over the reflex response to a subsequent suprathreshold stimulus. The PPI is a ubiquitous phenomenon, common to many different sensory modalities. However, it has not yet been studied with thermoalgesic stimuli. These stimuli take a relatively long time to reach their peak, which implies some uncertainty in the exact timing of prepulse effects with respect to stimulus onset. In 20 healthy volunteers, we determined when thermoalgesic stimuli cause PPI of the blink reflex and measured conscious awareness (AW) of thermoalgesic stimulus perception using the Libet's clock. In this way, we determined the temporal relationship between AW and PPI. In a second experiment, we investigated whether prepulse effects on blink reflex also involved a change in conscious perception of the supraorbital nerve stimulus. Our results show that thermoalgesic stimuli generate PPI of the blink reflex long before subjects were consciously aware of the stimulus, confirming the already‐known principle that conscious perception is not required for PPI to take place, and that prepulse stimuli induce a change in the time of conscious perception of prepulse and pulse stimuli, in such a way that AW of both stimuli tended to become closer to each other.
Considering hepatitis C virus infection as a systemic disease
Authors: Cacoub Patrice , Comarmond Cloé 
Published: December 2018

AbstractHepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been demonstrated to result in several adverse hepatic outcomes and has been associated with a number of important extrahepatic manifestations. The scope of extrahepatic clinical possibilities includes systemic diseases such as vasculitis and lymphoproliferative disorders, cardiovascular disease, myalgia, arthritis, and sicca syndrome. These end‐organ effects of HCV may dominate the clinical course beyond the hepatic complications and significantly worsen the long‐term prognosis of infected patients. Until several years ago, the standard of care for the treatment of HCV infection had been interferon‐alpha‐based regimens, which not only had limited effectiveness in achieving a cure but were often poorly tolerated, especially in patients with kidney disease. In those HCV‐infected patients with significant systemic manifestations, the interferon‐based regimens were problematic given their association with a wide variety of toxicities. The development of highly effective direct‐acting antiviral agents to treat HCV infection presented an opportunity to improve the HCV care cascade with the eradication of HCV in most infected patients and by reducing the burden of both hepatic and extrahepatic complications.