bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cognitive function and unsafe driving acts during an on‐road test among community‐dwelling older adults with cognitive impairments
Authors: Hotta Ryo , Makizako Hyuma , Doi Takehiko , Tsutsumimoto Kota , Nakakubo Sho , Makino Keitaro , Shimada Hiroyuki 
Published: February 2018

AimTo examine the relationship between cognitive function and unsafe driving acts among community‐dwelling older adults with cognitive impairments.MethodsParticipants (n = 160) were older residents of Obu, Japan, aged ≥65 years with cognitive impairments. They regularly drove and were assessed for the number of unsafe driving acts without adequate verification during an on‐road test. We also evaluated cognitive function (attention, executive function and processing speed). Other examined variables included demographics, driving characteristics and visual condition.ResultsParticipants were classified into two groups according to the number of unsafe driving acts as follows: high group (≥4 unsafe driving acts) and low group (≤3 unsafe driving acts). The high group participants were older in age (P < 0.001) and obtained a lower score on the symbol digit substitution task (P = 0.002) than the low group. The number of unsafe driving acts showed modest significant positive correlations with age (r = 0.396, P < 0.001). The symbol digit substitution task score was significantly associated with the number of unsafe driving acts (β = −0.196, P < 0.05) after adjusting for age group.ConclusionsProcessing speed was associated with unsafe driving acts that became worse with increasing age. Future study will be required to longitudinally examine the influence of processing speed on traffic accidents for those with cognitive impairments. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 847–852
Effects of pre‐analytical heat treatment in factor VIII (FVIII) inhibitor assays on FVIII antibody levels
Authors: Boylan B. , Miller C. H. 
Published: February 2018

IntroductionThe use of pre‐analytical heat treatment (PHT) with the Nijmegen‐Bethesda assay (NBA) for inhibitors to factor VIII (FVIII) can remove/destroy infused or endogenous FVIII from patient plasma samples, allowing testing of recently infused patients with haemophilia. Two PHT methods have been described as follows: heating to 56°C for 30 minutes and heating to 58°C for 90 minutes. Data examining the effects of PHT on anti‐FVIII IgG4, the antibodies known to correlate most closely with the presence of FVIII inhibitors, are limited.AimTo assess the effect of PHT on the levels of detectable anti‐FVIII IgG4.MethodsNijmegen‐Bethesda assay‐positive specimens were incubated at 56, 58 or 60°C for 90 minutes, and anti‐FVIII IgG4 was measured by fluorescence immunoassay (FLI) at 30‐minute intervals. The effects of PHT on the ability of recombinant FVIII (rFVIII) to inhibit detection of patient antibodies by FLI was also examined to assess the stability of rFVIII under the various PHT conditions tested.ResultsLevels of anti‐FVIII IgG4 showed little change following incubations at 56°C (mean 101% of original value at 30 minutes and 100% at 60 minutes) but decreased upon exposure to 58°C (mean 85% at 30 minutes and 66% at 60 minutes). In addition, heating to 56°C effectively decreased the ability of rFVIII to block antibody binding compared to unheated rFVIII.ConclusionThe optimal temperature for PHT in the FVIII NBA is 56°C. Higher temperatures may lead to loss of inhibitory antibodies.
Older patients’ experience of primary hypothyroidism: A qualitative study
Authors: Ingoe Lorna E. , Hickey Janis , Pearce Simon , Rapley Tim , Razvi Salman , Wilkes Scott , Hrisos Susan 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBackgroundPrimary hypothyroidism is a common endocrine disorder, more so in an increasing UK ageing population. There is no qualitative research examining the older patient perspective of symptoms, treatment and self‐management of hypothyroidism.ObjectiveIn this study we explored the experience of hypothyroidism in older people and examined how this may influence their understanding and acceptance of diagnosis, treatment with Levothyroxine and the monitoring process.DesignWe conducted semi‐structured interviews with 18 participants aged between 80 and 93 years. Interview transcripts were analysed using a thematic approach.ResultsThe themes involved older individuals’ knowledge about symptoms, confidence in diagnosis and understanding of clinical management regimen to understand hypothyroidism. Interpretation of the themes was informed by the Health Belief Model.ConclusionOur findings can help to inform the development of interventions by treating clinicians and support staff to engage older patients in the long‐term management of this chronic condition.
Prognostic value of pathological lymph node status and primary tumour regression grading following neoadjuvant chemotherapy – results from the MRC OE02 oesophageal cancer trial
Authors: Davarzani Nasser , Hutchins Gordon G A , West Nicholas P , Hewitt Lindsay C , Nankivell Matthew , Cunningham David , Allum William H , Smyth Elizabeth , Valeri Nicola , Langley Ruth E , Grabsch Heike I 
Published: February 2018

AimsNeoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) remains an important therapeutic option for advanced oesophageal cancer (OC). Pathological tumour regression grade (TRG) may offer additional information by directing adjuvant treatment and/or follow‐up but its clinical value remains unclear. We analysed the prognostic value of TRG and associated pathological factors in OC patients enrolled in the Medical Research Council (MRC) OE02 trial.Methods and resultsHistopathology was reviewed in 497 resections from OE02 trial participants randomised to surgery (S group; n = 244) or NAC followed by surgery [chemotherapy plus surgery (CS) group; n = 253]. The association between TRG groups [responders (TRG1–3) versus non‐responders (TRG4–5)], pathological lymph node (LN) status and overall survival (OS) was analysed. One hundred and ninety‐five of 253 (77%) CS patients were classified as ‘non‐responders’, with a significantly higher mortality risk compared to responders [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.05–2.24, P = 0.026]. OS was significantly better in patients without LN metastases irrespective of TRG [non‐responders HR = 1.87, 95% CI = 1.33–2.63, P < 0.001 versus responders HR = 2.21, 95% CI = 1.11–4.10, P = 0.024]. In multivariate analyses, LN status was the only independent factor predictive of OS in CS patients (HR = 1.93, 95% CI = 1.42–2.62, P < 0.001). Exploratory subgroup analyses excluding radiotherapy‐exposed patients (n = 48) showed similar prognostic outcomes.ConclusionLymph node status post‐NAC is the most important prognostic factor in patients with resectable oesophageal cancer, irrespective of TRG. Potential clinical implications, e.g. adjuvant treatment or intensified follow‐up, reinforce the importance of LN dissection for staging and prognostication.
A genomic and clinicopathological study of non‐small‐cell lung cancers with discordant ROS1 gene status by fluorescence in‐situ hybridisation and immunohistochemical analysis
Authors: Zhao Jing , Chen Xiaotong , Zheng Jing , Kong Mei , Wang Bo , Ding Wei 
Published: February 2018

AimsROS1 immunohistochemistry (IHC) using D4D6 antibody is a useful tool for screening patients with non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who may be suitable for targeted therapy. Many studies and our data have identified cases that express the ROS1 protein strongly but are negative for ROS1 by fluorescence in‐situ hybridisation (FISH). The present study investigated the driver mutation and clinicopathological characteristics of 26 discordant cases (ROS1 IHC‐positive but FISH‐negative) to find new clues for distinguishing real ROS1‐rearranged cases.Methods and resultsTumours from 26 discordant cases were analysed for clinicopathological characteristics, mutations in EGFR, KRAS, ERBB2, BRAF and PIK3CA; fusions in ALK and RET; and amplifications in MET, ERBB2 and ROS1. ROS1‐rearranged NSCLCs were significantly more likely to be found in younger patients and at an advanced stage; they showed cribriform features, extracellular mucus and psammoma bodies, whereas ROS1‐discordant cases were found in older patients at a relatively early tumour–node–metastasis (TNM) stage and showed a lepidic growth pattern (all P < 0.001). Most ROS1‐rearranged NSCLCs had no concurrent mutation, whereas 73% of discordant cases harboured genetic aberrations, including EGFR and ERBB2. Compared with general lung adenocarcinomas, ERBB‐2 abnormality was disproportionately high in ROS1‐discordant cases. Moreover, we optimised the scoring criteria for ROS1 IHC as ‘H score > 150 and no concurrent mutations’; the specificity was then increased to 81.6%.ConclusionsCompared with ROS1‐rearranged cases, ROS1‐discordant patients showed distinct clinical and morphological features and often harboured another oncogenic driver alteration. The use of optimised screening criteria will increase the specificity of ROS1 antibody.
Grade 4 asbestosis does not extend directly from the respiratory bronchiole to the peripheral lung
Authors: Kawabata Yoshinori , Kasai Takahiko , Kobashi Yoichiro , Kawahara Kunimitsu , Uekusa Toshimasa , Kurashima Kazuyoshi , Shimizu Yoshihiko 
Published: February 2018

AimsTo confirm whether or not grade 4 asbestosis progresses from the respiratory bronchiole to the peripheral lung.Methods and resultsWe examined retrospectively the autopsy or lobectomy specimens from 31 cases (29 males; mean age 64 years) satisfying the pathological criteria of grade 4 asbestosis. Asbestos bodies (ABs) were quantified in samples of dissolved lung and in tissue preparations on glass slides. Respiratory bronchiolar lesions were graded as 0, 1 and ≥2. Grade 4 asbestosis was subdivided into an atelectatic induration (AI) and usual interstitial pneumonia pattern (UIP pattern). Five, 10, and 16 cases had grades 0, 1 or ≥2 lesions, respectively, with mean respective numbers of ABs in dissolved lung of 117 000/g dry lung, 468 000/g and 968 000/g; and in specimens on glass slides of seven ABs/cm2 of tissue slice, 34 ABs /cm2 and 195 ABs /cm2. The differences were significant. Fifteen and 16 cases showed AI and UIP patterns, respectively, with mean respective numbers of ABs in dissolved lung of 1 006 000/g dry lung and 354 000/g, and 186 and 56 ABs/cm2 on glass slides. The differences were significant. AI patterns originated in subpleural lobules or subpleural zonal areas and UIP patterns originated in subpleural, peripheral lobules.ConclusionsGrade 4 asbestosis does not start in the respiratory bronchiole. The presence of a grade 1 lesion is not required for the diagnosis of grade 4 asbestosis.
Expression of MAGE‐A and NY‐ESO‐1 cancer/testis antigens is enriched in triple‐negative invasive breast cancers
Authors: Raghavendra Ashwini , Kalita‐de Croft Priyakshi , Vargas Ana C , Smart Chanel E , Simpson Peter T , Saunus Jodi M , Lakhani Sunil R 
Published: February 2018

AimsA better understanding of the expression of cancer/testis antigens (CTAs) in breast cancer might enable the identification of new immunotherapy options, especially for triple‐negative (TN) tumours, which lack expression of the conventional therapeutic targets oestrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. The aim of this study was to quantify the expression of MAGE‐A and NY‐ESO‐1 CTAs in breast cancer, and relate this to known clinicopathological parameters.Methods and resultsWe surveyed MAGE‐A and NY‐ESO‐1 expression in an unselected cohort of 367 breast tumours (of which 65 were TN), with accompanying clinical follow‐up data, by using immunohistochemical analysis of tissue microarrays. Relevant to their potential as vaccine targets in breast cancer, MAGE‐A was expressed in 13% of cases, and NY‐ESO‐1 in 3.8%, with the majority of tumours showing fairly homogeneous staining within individual tissue cores (~85% of cases with staining in >75% of tumour cells). Most NY‐ESO‐1‐positive cases also expressed MAGE‐A (P = 2.06 × 10−9), and both were strongly associated with the TN phenotype (P < 0.0001), with the most proliferative and poorly differentiated cases, in paticular, showing genomic instability. This was characterised by coexpression of c‐Kit and TTK, and overexpression of p53.ConclusionsMAGE‐A and NY‐ESO‐1 are frequently expressed in TN breast cancer (~47% and 17% of TN cases, respectively), suggesting that targeting them could be feasible in this patient group. Expression is reasonably homogeneous in positive cases, suggesting that immunohistochemical analysis of tissue biopsies would be a reliable companion biomarker.
Increasing incidence of HIV‐ associated tuberculosis in Romanian injecting drug users
Authors: Oprea C , Ianache I , Calistru PI , Nica M , Ruta S , Smith C , Lipman M 
Published: February 2018

BackgroundA high prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) among HIV‐positive injecting drug users (IDUs) may fuel the TB epidemic in the general population of Romania. We determined the frequency and characteristics of TB in HIV‐infected IDUs referred to a national centre.MethodsProspective observational cohort study of all newly‐diagnosed HIV‐positive IDUs admitted to Victor Babes Hospital, Bucharest, between January 2009 and December 2014. Socio‐demographics, clinical characteristics and outcomes of HIV/TB co‐infected IDUs were compared to HIV‐positive IDUs without TB.Results170/598 (28.5%) HIV‐infected IDUs were diagnosed with TB. The prevalence increased from 12.5% in 2009 to 32.1% in 2014 (P < 0.001). HIV/TB co‐infected individuals had lower median CD4 cell counts 75 (vs. 450/mm3, P < 0.0001) and higher median HIV viral loads 5.6 log10 (vs. 4.9 log10, P < 0.0001) when presenting to healthcare services. 103/170 (60.6%) HIV/TB co‐infected IDUs were diagnosed with pulmonary TB. Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains were common, with 18/105 (17.1%) of patients having Multi‐Drug Resistant (MDR) disease. Higher mortality rate was associated with TB co‐infection (P < 0.0001), extra‐pulmonary TB (P = 0.0026) and extensively drug resistant TB (P = 0.024).ConclusionsTuberculosis (TB) is an increasing problem in HIV‐infected IDUs in Romania. Presentation is often with advanced HIV, significant TB drug resistance and consequent outcomes are poor.
Impact of varying hydrocolloid proportions on encapsulation of ascorbic acid by spray drying
Authors: Nizori Addion , Bui Lan T. T. , Jie Ferry , Small Darryl M. 
Published: February 2018

SummaryThere has been considerable research into ascorbic acid (AA) as a food component in the human diet and disease prevention. Microencapsulation technology has a promising strategy for enhancing the stability of AA towards the carrier food. The effects of varying hydrocolloid proportions on encapsulation of AA by spray drying have been evaluated. Spray drying pilot plant scale was used to produce the microcapsules, and capillary electrophoresis has been applied to analyse the retention of AA during bread making process. To investigate the characteristics of microstructure of encapsulated AA after processing, the environmental scanning electron microscope was used to investigate the structure of microcapsules. In addition to that to measure the particle size and distribution of microcapsules, the laser beam scattering was used. The impact of varying hydrocolloids proportion on encapsulation of AA by spray drying was studied.
Abnormal scattergrams and cell population data generated by fully automated hematological analyzers: New tools for screening malaria infection?
Authors: Buoro S. , Manenti B. , Seghezzi M. , Moioli V. , Bagorria M. , Callegaro A. , Ottomano C. , Lippi G. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIntroductionMalaria is a life‐threatening infectious disease, which has been for long confined to specific endemic areas. Nevertheless, the recent increase in immigration flows from endemic regions and imported cases has reemphasized many diagnostic challenges in Western countries, thus paving the way to introduce rapid and accurate strategies for screening subjects with suspected Malaria infection. Therefore, the aim of this article was to describe our recent experience with Sysmex XN‐module for rapid screening of subjects with suspected Malaria.MethodsFourteen patients admitted to the Emergency Department (Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital Bergamo, Italy) with a clinical suspicion of Malaria infection were evaluated, along with 1047 control samples. The analysis of peripheral blood was performed with XN‐module, and results were then compared to optical microscopy.ResultsNine patients were positive to Plasmodim falciparum, 3 to Plasmodim vivax, one to Plasmodim ovale, and one to Plasmodim malarie. Characteristic abnormalities could be observed in both white blood cell differential (WDF) and white cell nucleated (WNR) scattergrams (sensitivity 0.64 and specificity 1.0) in 9 samples with parasites at gametocyte or schizos stage irrespective of Plasmodium species and parasitic index, while characteristic scattergram abnormalities could not be seen in the 5 samples containing only parasites at the trophozoites stage. In these cases, specific variations of some cell population data (CPD) could be recorded (sensitivity 1.00 and specificity 0.91).ConclusionThe peculiar abnormalities observed in CPDs, WDF, and WNR‐scattergrams may raise a definite suspicion of Malaria infection. Further studies should then be planned for validating these preliminary findings and assessing whether these specific abnormalities may be incorporated in rapid and inexpensive Malaria diagnostic algorithms.
Asian Family Firms through Corporate Governance and Institutions: A Systematic Review of the Literature and Agenda for Future Research
Authors: Dinh Trung Quang , Calabrò Andrea 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAlthough the corporate governance model of Asian family firms has recently gained increased attention, it remains unclear how these firms’ corporate governance mechanisms (and their effectiveness) differ from those of family firms in the western world. Drawing upon a comparative institutional perspective, this paper systematically reviews 148 published articles in peer‐reviewed journals from 1980 to 2015. The aim of this paper is to contribute to the understanding of institutional complementarities that constitute informal governance mechanisms adopted by Asian family firms by considering a wider set of institutional factors (i.e. political environment, cultural values and social norms) embedded in the Asian context. The main findings suggest that: (i) given the lack of market‐supporting institutions and the presence of strong political control over Asian economies, family firms tend to cultivate political connections to respond to the failure of legal systems; (ii) Asian family firms still rely heavily on personal networks (e.g. guanxi) to reduce uncertainty, strengthen business ties, and gain access to external resources; and (iii) cultural values and social norms (e.g. ‘face’ saving, reputational concerns and adult child adoption) lead to functionally equivalent corporate governance mechanisms in Asian family firms. The downstream effects of such mechanisms are also discussed, and future research avenues are identified.
Continuous glucose monitoring: a review of the evidence, opportunities for future use and ongoing challenges
Authors: Wood Anna , O'Neal David , Furler John , Ekinci Elif I. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe advent of devices that can track interstitial glucose levels, which are closely related to blood glucose levels, on a near continuous basis, has facilitated better insights into patterns of glycaemia. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) therefore allows for more intensive monitoring of blood glucose levels and potentially improved glycaemic control. In the context of the announcement on 1 April 2017 that the Australian Government will fund CGM monitoring for people with type 1 diabetes under the age of 21 years, this paper provides a review of the evidence for CGM and some of the ongoing challenges. There is evidence that real‐time CGM in type 1 diabetes improves HbA1c and hypoglycaemia, while in type 2 diabetes, the evidence is less robust. Initial barriers to widespread implementation of CGM included issues with accuracy and user friendliness; however, as the technology has evolved, these issues have largely improved. Ongoing barriers include cost, and weaker evidence for their benefit in certain populations such as those with type 2 diabetes and less glycaemic variability. CGM has the potential to reduce healthcare costs, although real‐world studies, including cost‐effectiveness analyses, are needed in this area.
The versatility of the CD1 lipid antigen presentation pathway
Authors: Chancellor Andrew , Gadola Stephan D. , Mansour Salah 
Published: February 2018

SummaryThe family of non‐classical major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class‐I like CD1 molecules has an emerging role in human disease. Group 1 CD1 includes CD1a, CD1b and CD1c, which function to display lipids on the cell surface of antigen‐presenting cells for direct recognition by T‐cells. The recent advent of CD1 tetramers and the identification of novel lipid ligands has contributed towards the increasing number of CD1‐restricted T‐cell clones captured. These advances have helped to identify novel donor unrestricted and semi‐invariant T‐cell populations in humans and new mechanisms of T‐cell recognition. However, although there is an opportunity to design broadly acting lipids and harness the therapeutic potential of conserved T‐cells, knowledge of their role in health and disease is lacking. We briefly summarize the current evidence implicating group 1 CD1 molecules in infection, cancer and autoimmunity and show that although CD1 are not as diverse as MHC, recent discoveries highlight their versatility as they exhibit intricate mechanisms of antigen presentation.
Pesticide‐mediated disruption of spotted wing Drosophila flight response to raspberries
Authors: Guedes R. N. C. , Corbett S. , Rodriguez M. , Goto J. J. , Walse S. S. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe disruption of chemical communication between insects and host plants may take place due to an interference with the signal‐emitting host plant, or the signal‐receiving insect, compromising the signal production and emission, or its reception and processing. Anthropogenic compounds, in general, and pesticides, in particular, may impair the chemical communication that mediates host location by insects. Five different pesticides (the insecticides malathion, pyrethrins and spinetoram, and the fungicides fenhexamid and pyrimethanil) were applied at their field rates to raspberry fruits, or Petri dishes enclosing adult spotted wing Drosophila (SWD; Drosophila suzukii), and the attraction to fruit volatiles was evaluated in a series of two‐choice flight bioassays. The application of raspberry fruit with pesticides did not statistically affect attraction of unexposed adults, with exceptions being the spinetoram treatment, which led to mild insect avoidance, and the pyrethrin treatment, which resulted in slightly preferential attraction. In contrast, adults sublethally exposed to the pesticides had their flight take‐off impaired by the insecticides, but not by the fungicides. Furthermore, all pesticides, and particularly the insecticides, compromised the upwind capture of adults. Thus, the treatment with pesticides may indeed interfere with the flight response of SWD to host volatiles, particularly when the insects were previously exposed to pesticides. These findings are suggestive of the potential for sublethal insecticidal exposures to aid pest control and also provide evidence that pesticide use may compromise sampling/trapping strategies for this pest species that are based on attraction to host volatiles.