bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reasons for Use of and Experiences with Homeopathic Treatment as an Adjunct to Usual Cancer Care: Results of a Small Qualitative Study
Authors: Yde Charlotte , Viksveen Petter , Duckworth Jean 
Published: September 2018

Background A significant proportion of patients with cancer consult with homeopaths. No former qualitative study has reported on experiences with homeopathy in this patient group. This study aimed to learn about the reasons for, and experiences with, treatment provided by homeopaths among Danish patients with cancer.
Methods A small qualitative semi-structured interview study was carried out to collect preliminary knowledge to learn about reasons for and experiences with treatment provided by homeopaths as an adjunct to usual care among patients with cancer. Thematic analysis was used for the development of themes.
Results Five patients, diagnosed with cancer, were interviewed. On the basis of qualitative interviews five themes emerged: concerns and hopes, obstacles and support, internal health locus of control, whole person approach, and improved well-being.
Conclusion The cancer patients in this study sought homeopathy to address their hopes and concerns and to help them face obstacles and find support. They were actively taking responsibility for their own health and valued the whole person approach used by their homeopaths. Participants reported improved well-being both at the physical and mental levels. The results provide a basis for further research to learn more from patients' experiences with this intervention. Such knowledge could potentially be helpful to improve healthcare practitioners' communication with patients, and thereby patients' overall care.
Movement kinematics drive chain selection toward intention detection
Authors: Soriano Marco , Cavallo Andrea , D’Ausilio Alessandro , Becchio Cristina , Fadiga Luciano 
Published: September 2018

Significance
Estimation of intentions from the observation of other people’s actions has been proposed to rely on the same motor chain organization supporting the execution of intentional actions. However, the nature of the mechanism by which a specific neuronal chain is selected among possible alternatives during action observation remains obscure. Our study shows that in absence of discriminative contextual cues, subtle changes in the kinematics of the observed action inform mapping to the most probable chain. These results shed light on the importance of kinematics for the attribution of intentions to actions.
Introduction and background.
Authors: Blair R. 
Published: September 2018

Abstract

In this second edition of Nutrition and Feeding of Organic Poultry, guidance for producers on nutrition and feeding practices that relate to the standards for certification of organic poultry were highlighted. Details on permitted feed ingredients, with an emphasis on those grown or available locally and on suitable dietary formulations, are included. In this edition, producers will benefit form guidelines in formulating diets without and with supplemental amino acids as well as on the standards and rules laid down to accomplish organic production place several restrictions on diet and feeding. Overall the main aim of this book is to present advice on how the appropriate diets can be formulated and how feeding programmes can be integrated into an organic production system. Another goal of this book is to help the regulatory authorities in several countries to address nutritional issues relevant to future revisions of the regulations.
Aims and principles of organic poultry production.
Authors: Blair R. 
Published: September 2018

Abstract

A review on the international guidelines, regulations and standards of poultry feeding was presented in this chapter highlighting its impact on national standards in Europe, Asia, Latin America, North America, USA as well as in developing countries. From the regulations and principles its clear that increasing convergence or harmonization of these regulations will occur as the markets for organic feedstuffs and poultry products grow and countries seek to export to others.
Ethyl β-d-glucoside: a novel chemoattractant of Ralstonia solanacearum isolated from tomato root exudates by a bioassay-guided fractionation
Authors: Hasegawa Takuya , Okabe Atsushi , Kato Yusuke , Ooshiro Atsushi , Kawaide Hiroshi , Natsume Masahiro 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACT
A chemoattractant of Ralstonia solanacearum isolated from the activated charcoal-adsorbed fraction of tomato root exudates was identified as ethyl β-d-glucopyranoside by instrumental analyses and comparison with synthetic preparations. Ethyl β-d-glucopyranoside showed unambiguous activity at above 1 µmol/disc. Its stereoisomers and d-glucose were inactive.
Orexigenic action of oral zinc: metabolomic analysis in the rat hypothalamus
Authors: Nishiuchi Mika , Sakai Kumiko , Tajima Hiroyuki , Katayama Kazuo , Kimura Fumiko , Hoshi Seiko , Goto Tomoko , Shirakawa Hitoshi , Komai Michio 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACTWe previously reported an orexigenic action of oral zinc administration in male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats during an early stage of feeding with a zinc-deficient diet, without decreased zinc concentrations in tissues. The overall conclusion was that orally but not intraperitoneally administered zinc stimulates food intake in short-term zinc-deficient-diet fed rats. We here investigate the mechanism of the orexigenic action of zinc using GC-MS/MS-targeted metabolomic analysis in the rat hypothalamus. Four-week-old, male SD/Slc rats were used, and after 2 days of feeding with a zinc-deficient diet, 3 mg of ZnSO4 in 5 mL saline solution were administered to each rat either orally or intraperitoneally. Three hours after administration, the rats were sacrificed and the hypothalamus were excised and analyzed. We found that the oral administration group showed increased concentrations of 3-aminopropanoic acid (β-alanine), hypotaurine, dopamine, and biotin. In light of metabolomic analysis of these results, we indicate directions for further research.
Resistance to Stress Can Be Experimentally Dissociated From Longevity
Authors: Dues Dylan J , Andrews Emily K , Senchuk Megan M , Van Raamsdonk Jeremy M 
Published: September 2018

AbstractOn the basis of multiple experiments demonstrating that high resistance to stress is associated with long lifespan, it has been proposed that stress resistance is a key determinant of longevity. However, the extent to which high resistance to stress is necessary or sufficient for long life is currently unclear. In this work, we use a genetic approach to disrupt different stress response pathways and examine the resulting effect on the longevity of the long-lived insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) receptor mutant daf-2. Although mutation of the heat shock factor gene hsf-1, deletion of sod genes, deletion of the p38 MAPK kinase gene pmk-1, or deletion of the transcription factor gene egl-27 all resulted in decreased resistance to at least one form of stress and decreased lifespan, the magnitude of change in stress resistance did not correspond to the magnitude of change in lifespan. In addition, we found that deletion of the glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase genes gpdh-1 and gpdh-2 or deletion of the DAF-16 cofactor gene nhl-1 also results in decreased resistance to at least one form of stress but increases lifespan. Overall, our results suggest that while increased stress resistance is associated with longevity, stress resistance, and lifespan can be experimentally dissociated.
Clinical Strategies for the Treatment and Management of Patients Prescribed Long-term Opioid Therapy
Authors: Wyse Jessica J , Ganzini Linda , Dobscha Steven K , Krebs Erin E , Zamudio Janet , Morasco Benjamin J 
Published: September 2018

Abstract

Objectives
Across diverse health care systems, growing recognition of the harms associated with long-term opioid therapy (LTOT) for chronic pain has catalyzed substantial changes to policy and practice designed to promote safer prescribing and patient care. Although clear goals have been defined, how clinics and providers should most effectively implement these changes has been less well defined, and facilities and providers have had substantial flexibility to innovate.

Methods
Qualitative interviews were conducted with 24 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) clinicians across the United States who prescribe LTOT for chronic pain. Interviews probed the practices and initiatives providers utilized to meet opioid safety requirements and address common challenges in caring for patients prescribed LTOT.

Results
Innovative strategies in the design and organization of clinical practice (urine drug testing, informed consent, limiting transfer requests, specialty patient panel) and resources utilized (engaged pharmacists, non-opioid pain treatments, intra-organizational collaborations) are described.

Conclusions
We conclude with recommendations designed to improve opioid prescribing practices, both within the VA and in other settings.
What Have We Learned From the Osaka Study?
Authors: Uchino Miki , Uchino Yuichi , Kawashima Motoko , Yokoi Norihiko , Tsubota Kazuo 
Published: September 2018

Purpose:
To summarize the results of a cross-sectional epidemiologic study of Japanese office workers who use visual display terminals (VDTs).

Methods:
Workers in a pharmaceutical company head office were recruited. Participants were requested to complete a questionnaire on symptoms of dry eye disease (DED) and evaluations using the Work Limitations Questionnaire, International Physical Activity Questionnaire, Subjective Happiness Scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Evaluations of ocular status, including conjunctival and corneal vital staining with lissamine green and fluorescein, measurement of tear film breakup time, and the Schirmer test, were performed. The Japanese 2007 diagnostic criteria for DED were implemented.

Results:
The prevalence of DED among VDT workers was high. Definite DED was present in 11.6% (18.7% women and 8.0% men) of participants, and probable DED was present in 54.0% (57.8% women and 52.1% men). Total loss of workplace productivity was significantly greater in the definite DED group (4.82%) than in the probable DED group (4.06%) and the non-DED group (3.56%, P < 0.014, trend test). Participants with definite DED had significantly lower physical activity scores than those without DED (P = 0.025). Subjective happiness correlated with the dry eye symptom score (r = −0.188; P < 0.001). Participants with DED reported poor sleep quality at a higher rate compared with those without DED (45% vs. 34%), with a significant difference in the global score (P = 0.002).

Conclusions:
Dry eye is prevalent among VDT workers. Its impacts on work productivity, physical activity, and sleep quality warrant further study.
Five Misconceptions Related to Punctal Plugs in Dry Eye Management
Authors: Song Jong Suk , Woo In Ho , Eom Youngsub , Kim Hyo Myung 
Published: September 2018

Abstract:
Punctal plugs are an effective treatment option for patients with aqueous-deficient dry eye refractory to topical medications. However, punctal plugs are not commonly used in clinical practice mainly because of various misconceptions, rather than clinical complications. We analyzed previous studies and present 5 misconceptions related to punctal plugs. The first and most important misconception is that ocular surface inflammation should be sufficiently controlled before punctal plug insertion. However, it is unclear how ocular surface inflammation can be sufficiently controlled in patients refractory to conventional topical medications. The second misconception is that silicone punctal plugs are made of nonabsorbable materials and, therefore, permanent. In fact, silicone plugs are reversible and can be easily removed if necessary. Therefore, depending on the specific type, nonabsorbable plugs may be classified as reversible or permanent. The third misconception is that punctal plugs disrupt normal tear drainage. However, punctal plugs maintain natural tears on the ocular surface for extended periods and reduce the frequency of artificial tear use. The fourth is that all punctal and canalicular plugs have similar effects. The efficacy and complication rates differ depending on plug types. The fifth misconception about punctal plugs is that they are effective only in aqueous-deficient dry eye disease. Many studies have reported that plugs are effective in a variety of ocular diseases and conditions. Understanding these 5 misconceptions may provide an opportunity to rethink the use of silicone punctal plugs in clinical practice.
Appropriate Sequence of Combined Intracorneal Ring Implantation and Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking in Keratoconus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Hashemi Hassan , Alvani Azam , Seyedian Mohammad A. , Yaseri Mehdi , Khabazkhoob Mehdi , Esfandiari Hamed 
Published: September 2018

Purpose:
To compare surgical sequences of combined intracorneal ring segment (ICRS) implantation and corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) in keratoconus and corneal ectasia in terms of visual, refractive, and keratometric outcomes.

Methods:
A comprehensive electronic search (in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane Library) was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA statement to find articles on combined ICRS implantation and CXL in keratoconus and corneal ectasia. The search period was from the inception of the database up to April 2017. Eligible articles were categorized into 3 surgical sequences (same day, ICRS first, and CXL first) and assessed qualitatively. Articles with 12 months of follow-up data after combined surgery were included in the meta-analysis.

Results:
The initial search identified 120 related articles, of which 17 were included in the review after screening. The quality assessment showed that visual, refractive, and keratometric improvement was observed in all studies in all 3 groups of combined surgery. Meta-analysis on 6 studies that reported 12-month follow-up outcomes showed no significant differences between the 3 groups regarding uncorrected and best-corrected visual acuity and cylindrical refractive error. However, results with simultaneous surgery were superior to the CXL-first technique in terms of spherical refractive errors and flat-K (P = 0.011 and P = 0.0001, respectively) and to both CXL first and ICRS first in terms of steep-K (P = 0.002 and P = 0.007, respectively).

Conclusions:
Simultaneous ICRS implantation and CXL may provide better outcomes than staged techniques for improving the corneal shape.
Isolated Primary Corneal Acremonium Eumycetoma: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Mukhija Ritika , Gupta Noopur , Ganger Anita , Kashyap Seema , Hussain Nishat , Vanathi Murugesan , Tandon Radhika 
Published: September 2018

Purpose:
To report an unusual case of isolated Acremonium eumycetoma presenting as a protuberant mass over the cornea.

Methods:
Case report and literature review.

Results:
A 55-year-old male patient referred to our center with a case of perforated corneal ulcer with uveal tissue prolapse was examined in the casualty department and found to have central melt, approximately 8 mm, along with suspected uveal tissue prolapse. A provisional diagnosis of sloughed corneal ulcer with uveal prolapse was made along with differential diagnoses of fungal ball and infected foreign body granuloma. Tectonic penetrating keratoplasty under general anesthesia was planned. Intraoperatively, the suspected uveal (brown colored) tissue was found to be an epicorneal mass growing over an intact and infiltrated cornea. Histopathological and microbiological analysis of the epicorneal mass and host cornea revealed it to be a fungal ball (mass full of septate hyphae) with growth of Acremonium species on culture. The patient was administered topical and oral antifungal agents postoperatively, in addition to topical antibiotics and cycloplegics.

Conclusions:
Isolated corneal Acremonium eumycetoma masquerading as a perforated corneal ulcer with prolapsed uveal tissue is a rare entity. Surgical intervention and appropriate antimicrobial therapy are key to successful outcome.
Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty for Failed Penetrating Keratoplasty: Visual Outcomes and Graft Survival
Authors: Pasari Anand , Price Marianne O. , Feng Matthew T. , Price Francis W. 
Published: September 2018

Purpose:
To evaluate outcomes and graft survival of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) for failed penetrating keratoplasty (PK).

Methods:
Ninety-three DMEK procedures performed in 84 eyes of 77 patients with failed PK were retrospectively reviewed. The main outcomes were corrected distance visual acuity and graft survival assessed with Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and proportional hazards modeling taking follow-up into consideration.

Results:
Sixty-nine eyes had 1 previous failed PK, 13 had 2, 1 had 3, and 1 had 4. Ten eyes had failed Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK) performed under failed PK. Fourteen cases (15%) had previous glaucoma filtration surgery (9 trabeculectomy alone; 5 trabeculectomy and aqueous shunt). Median follow-up was 21 months (range, 1 month to 7 years). Median Snellen corrected distance visual acuity improved from 20/100 preoperatively (range, 20/30 to count fingers) to 20/30 at 6 months postoperatively (n = 73; range, 20/20–20/200). Rebubbling rates were 53% when the diameter of the DMEK graft was oversized, 27% when same sized, and 33% when undersized relative to that of the previous PK graft. Two grafts (2%) experienced an immunologic rejection episode, and 15 (16%) failed, including 5 primary/early failures and 10 late failures. Previous glaucoma surgery was the only significant risk factor for failure (relative risk, 7.1; 95% confidence interval, 2.1–37.0). The 1-, 2-, and 3-year graft survival rates were 96%, 89%, and 89% without versus 78%, 53%, and 39% with previous glaucoma surgery.

Conclusions:
Treatment of failed PK with DMEK produced similar 4-year survival (76%) and better visual outcomes than previously reported with Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty or an initial PK regraft.
Comparative Evaluation of the Prognostic Value Between the Ocular Trauma Score and the Pediatric Penetrating Ocular Trauma Score
Authors: Morgan Adriana M. , Kasahara Niro 
Published: September 2018

Abstract
Controversy exists about the utility of the Ocular Trauma Score (OTS) in children. A new score was developed specifically for children—the Pediatric Penetrating Ocular Trauma Score (POTS)—which proved to be of prognostic value in young patients with penetrating eye injuries. The purpose of the study was to compare the prognostic value of OTS and POTS in children with open-globe injuries in a cohort of Brazilian children. This was a retrospective, interventional case series and included 37 children with open-globe injuries seen at the Santa Casa de Sao Paulo Emergency Service. Mean age was 8.0 ± 3.9 years; 28 were male and 9 female. All patients were reviewed on the basis of time and circumstance of injury, time of surgery, type of penetrating injury, initial and final visual acuity (VA), and concomitant eye disease. Both OTS and POTS categories were calculated based on specific variables. The final achieved VA was compared with the predicted VA for both scores with Kendall's test for significant association; the agreement between the predicted VA for both OTS and POTS was accessed with the Cohen kappa coefficient. The association between OTS and achieved VA was good (Kendall Tau-b = 0.511, P = 0.001), as well as between POTS and achieved VA (Kendall Tau-b = 0.422, P = 0.002). The agreement between the predicted VA for OTS and POTS was fair (kappa = 0.400). In conclusion, in this small cohort of Brazilian children with open-globe injuries, there was no superiority of one score over the other and both OTS and POTS underestimated the potential best-corrected VA after treatment.
Traumatic Facial Fractures in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Wang Hongwei , Song Guoli , Ren Weijian , Zhou Yue , Li Changqing , Ou Lan , Liu Jun , Xiang Liangbi 
Published: September 2018

Abstract
This study showed a retrospective analysis of the incidence and pattern of traumatic facial fractures in a pediatric and adolescent population (≤18 years old) in China. The authors retrospectively reviewed 154 children and adolescent who had traumatic facial fractures and who were admitted to our university-affiliated hospitals from 2005 to 2010. This study enrolled 109 males and 45 females aged 11.9 ± 5.2 years old. The incidence peaked around the periods of 12 to 18 years in the male, ≤6 and 16 to 18 years in the female. The most common etiologies were motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) (60, 39.0%), followed by high fall (40, 26.0%), low fall (32, 20.8%). The most common fracture sites were mandible (78, 50.6%) and nose (33, 21.4%), followed by orbit (31, 20.1%). A total of 35 (22.7%) patients suffered neurological deficit. The patients in the 12 to 18 age range group accounted for the largest proportion of 54.5%. Fracture incidence showed peaks between the hours of 12:00 to 16:00 pm (33.7%), during the autumn season (30.5%) and on Friday to Sunday (50.0%). The most common etiology and fracture site were MVCs and mandible, respectively. Etiologies and patterns of traumatic facial fractures vary with age. Continued efforts toward injury prevention of traumatic facial fracture among the children and adolescents are warranted.
The Promising Effects of Transplanted Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells on the Treatment in Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Qi Lifeng , Xue Xinhong , Sun Jijun , Wu Qingjian , Wang Hongru , Guo Yan , Sun Baoliang 
Published: September 2018

Abstract
Many studies have reported the recovery ability of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) for neural diseases. In this study, the authors explored the roles of UC-MSCs to treat the traumatic brain injury. Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from healthy neonatal rat umbilical cord immediately after delivery. The traumatic brain injury (TBI) model was formed by the classical gravity method. The authors detected the behavior changes and measured the levels of inflammatory factors, such as interleukin-lβ and tumor necrosis factor-α by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at 1, 2, 3, 4 weeks after transplantation between TBI treated and untreated with UC-MSCs. Simultaneously, the expression of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were measured by real-time–polymerase chain reaction and ELISA.
The authors found that the group of transplantation UC-MSCs has a significant improvement than other group treated by phosphate buffered saline. In the behavioral test, the Neurological Severity Scores of UC-MSCs + TBI group were lower than TBI group (P < 0.05), but not obviously higher than control group at 2, 3, and 4week, respectively. The inflammatory factors are significantly reduced comparison with TBI group (P < 0.05), but both GDNF and BDNF were higher than TBI group (P < 0.05). The results indicated that UC-MSCs might play an important role in TBI recovery through inhibiting the release of inflammatory factors and increasing the expression of GDNF and BDNF.