bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification of two early life eczema and non‐eczema phenotypes with high risk for asthma development
Authors: Johansson Elisabet , Biagini Myers Jocelyn M. , Martin Lisa J. , He Hua , Ryan Patrick , LeMasters Grace K. , Bernstein David I. , Lockey James , Khurana Hershey Gurjit K. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe “atopic march” has been considered a linear progression starting with eczema and culminating with development of asthma. Not all asthma cases, however, are preceded by eczema, and not all children with eczema go on to develop asthma.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to explore the impact of allergic sensitization patterns on the association between early eczema and later childhood asthma. Given the numerous reported associations of the ciliary gene KIF3A with the atopic march, we also examined the impact of KIF3A risk allele rs12186803 on our analyses.MethodsWe studied 505 participants in the Cincinnati Childhood Allergy and Air Pollution Study (CCAAPS), a prospective birth cohort, with longitudinal eczema and asthma outcomes as well as prospective data regarding timing of sensitization to foods and aeroallergens. KIF3A genotypes were available on all children.ResultsTwo high‐risk groups were identified: one with and one without early eczema. The high‐risk group with early eczema was more likely to be sensitized to food allergens, while the group without early eczema was more likely to be polysensitized to aeroallergens. The KIF3A rs12186803 risk allele interacted with food sensitization to increase asthma risk in children with eczema (P = 0.02). In children without eczema, asthma was associated with the interaction between rs12186803 and aeroallergen sensitization (P = 0.007).Conclusions & Clinical RelevanceKIF3A interacted differentially with sensitization pattern to increase the risk of asthma in two high‐risk groups of children with and without early eczema. Given the reported role of KIF3A in epithelial cell functioning, the results add evidence to the hypothesis that an impaired epithelial barrier is a key aspect in the development of allergic disease.
Evaluating unmet needs in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer: a patient reported outcome measures study
Authors: Sutton P. A. , Bourdon‐Pierre R. , Smith C. , Appleton N. , Lightfoot T. , Gabriel C. , Richards B. , Mohamed S. , Mason‐Whitehead E. , Hulbert‐Williams N. J. , Vimalachandran D. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractAimPatient reported outcome measures (PROMs) are self‐reported measures of patients’ health status or health‐related quality of life at a single point in time. We aimed to evaluate the use of a colorectal PROM and conducted a focus group to further explore this and other unmet needs in our patient population treated surgically for colorectal cancer.MethodA multidisciplinary research group consisting of colorectal surgeons, nurse specialists, psychologists, sociologists and patient representatives devised a composite tool of new and existing outcome measures which was piloted in our local population (n = 35). Participants were subsequently invited to attend a semi‐structured focus group during which the PROM was reviewed and an unmet needs analysis was performed. Thematic analysis of focus group transcripts was undertaken for emergent themes.ResultsInitial consensus was for a tool including the EQ‐5D, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy – Colorectal (FACT‐C), the distress thermometer, a validated measure of stigma, an unmet needs analysis, and questions assessing the psychological impact of cancer. Median and interquartile range values suggested that all metrics were discriminatory with the exception of FACT‐C. All participants agreed that the tool was acceptable and reflected the current state of their health and emotions. Thematic analysis of focus group transcripts identified four major themes: physical symptoms, emotional response, information provision and coping mechanisms.ConclusionThrough expert consensus, local piloting and patient focus groups we have evaluated a novel PROM for colorectal cancer. Furthermore, through our direct engagement with patients we have identified several unmet needs which we are currently exploring within the clinical service.
Frequency, characteristics, and outcome of PTLD after allo‐SCT: A multicenter study from the Spanish group of blood and marrow transplantation (GETH)
Authors: García‐Cadenas Irene , Yáñez Lucrecia , Jarque Isidro , Martino Rodrigo , Pérez‐Simón Jose Antonio , Valcárcel David , Sanz Jaime , Bermúdez Arantxa , Muñoz Cristina , Calderón‐Cabrera Cristina , García Estefania , Alonso Laura , Suárez‐Lledó Maria , González Vicent Marta , Heras Inmaculada , Viguria Mª Cruz , Batlle Montserrat , Vázquez Lourdes , López Javier , Solano Carlos ,   the Spanish group of blood and marrow transplantation (GETH)
Published: March 2019

AbstractPost‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is an infrequent complication of allogeneic stem cell transplant (allo‐SCT).AimsTo estimate the frequency and management of PTLD in Spain and to identify prognostic factors influencing outcomes.MethodsMulticenter, retrospective analysis of allo‐SCT performed in 14 transplant units over a 15‐year period.Results102 PTLD were diagnosed among 12 641 allo‐SCT, leading to an estimated frequency of 0.8%. PTLD was diagnosed at a median of 106 days after SCT. Eighty‐seven cases (85%) were diagnosed between 2007 and 2013. At diagnosis, 22% and 17% of the patients had gastrointestinal tract and CNS involvement. Eighty‐seven (85%) received rituximab treatment, alone or in combination with immunosuppression reduction, with an ORR of 50.6%. With a median follow‐up for survivors of 58 months, the 2‐year overall survival (OS) was 33% and the PTLD‐related mortality 45%. Age ≥ 40 years, malignant underlying disease, non‐response to rituximab, and severe thrombocytopenia or lymphocytopenia at PTLD diagnosis were associated with worse overall survival.ConclusionsOnly a small proportion of allografted patients were diagnosed a PTLD. Its clinical course was highly aggressive, and prognosis poor, especially in those failing rituximab. The prognostic impact found of the platelet, and lymphocyte count at diagnosis requires further confirmation.
Equine congenital heart disease and respiratory disease interactions
Authors: Navas De Solis C. , Wesselowski S. 
Published: March 2019

SummaryThe interactions between the respiratory and cardiovascular system in neonates with severe illness are relevant to the equine clinician. There is little information available regarding the treatment of congenital heart disease or pulmonary hypertension in foals, thus a team approach with experts in these fields may help our equine cases.
Required return on equity when capital structure is dynamic
Authors: Dai Na , Piccotti Louis R. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractWe link the firm's required return on equity to its target debt ratio. We find that a firm's expected return on equity is increasing in the product of the distance between its debt ratio and its target debt ratio, its speed of adjustment, and the spread of the tax benefits of its debt over its bankruptcy costs of debt. Our empirical tests validate the testable implications of our model.
Quantifying the biophysical and socioeconomic drivers of changes in forest and agricultural land in South and Southeast Asia
Authors: Xu Xiaoming , Jain Atul K. , Calvin Katherine V. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractSouth and Southeast Asia (SSEA) has been a hotspot for land use and land cover change (LULCC) in the past few decades. The identification and quantification of the drivers of LULCC are crucial for improving our understanding of LULCC trends. So far, the biophysical and socioeconomic drivers of forest change have not been quantified at the regional scale, particularly for SSEA. In this study, we quantify the biophysical and socioeconomic drivers of forest change on a country‐by‐country basis in SSEA using an integrated quantitative methodology, which systematically accounts for previously published driver information and regional datasets. We synthesize more than 200 publications to identify the drivers of the forest change at different spatial scales in SSEA. Subsequently, we collect spatially explicit proxy data to represent the identified drivers. We quantify the dynamics of forest and agricultural land from 1992 to 2015 using the Climate Change Initiative (CCI) land cover data developed by the European Space Agency (ESA). A geographically weighted regression method is employed to quantify the spatially heterogeneous drivers of forest change. Our results show that socioeconomic drivers are more important than biophysical drivers for the conversion of forest to agricultural land in South Asia and maritime Southeast Asia. In contrast, biophysical drivers are more important than socioeconomic drivers for the conversion of agricultural land to forest in maritime Southeast Asia and less important in South Asia. Both biophysical and socioeconomic drivers contribute approximately equally to both changes in the mainland Southeast Asia region. By quantifying the dynamics of forest and agricultural land and the spatially explicit drivers of their changes in SSEA, this study provides a solid foundation for LULCC modeling and projection.
Industry sponsorship bias in clinical trials in implant dentistry: Systematic review and meta‐regression
Authors: dos Santos Mateus Bertolini Fernandes , Agostini Bernardo Antônio , de Moraes Rafael Ratto , Schwendicke Falk , Sarkis‐Onofre Rafael 
Published: March 2019

AbstractAimIndustry sponsorship might distort the conduct and findings of studies in a large range of medical disciplines. The objective of this study was to assess whether industry sponsorship bias is present in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on dental implants.Material and methodsTwo databases were searched (MEDLINE; Web of Science) to identify RCTs published between 1996 and 2016 assessing different implant systems, components or techniques, such as implant‐abutment connections, geometries, surfaces, loading protocols or regions of placement. Studies’ sponsorship status was classified as unclear, non‐sponsored or sponsored. Our outcome was marginal bone loss per year (MBL/year) of follow‐up. Random‐effects meta‐analysis of MBL/year with subgroup analysis according to sponsorship status was performed. Moreover, multivariable stepwise‐selection meta‐regression was performed to assess whether sponsorship status, among other covariates, was associated with MBL/year.ResultsOne hundred and two RCTs (4,775 patients, 8,806 implants) were included. Overall mean (95% confidence interval) MBL/year was 0.74 mm (95% CI 0.67/0.82). There was no significant difference in MBL/year among sponsorship categories; unclear: 0.64 (95% CI 0.37/0.91); non‐sponsored: 0.65 (095% CI 0.55/0.75); and sponsored: 0.82 (95% CI 0.71/0.94).ConclusionMeta‐regression did not demonstrate a significant association of MBL/year with sponsorship status or other covariates was found. We did not detect significant sponsorship bias in RCTs on dental implants.
Chemoprevention of gastric cancer by Helicobacter pylori eradication and its underlying mechanism
Authors: Kim Nayoung 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe cascade of gastric cancer, a leading cause of cancer incidence and mortality, is multifactorial. Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection plays a major role in gastric cancer (GC), and there has been an accumulation of data regarding the chemopreventive effect of HP eradication. However, it remains unclear how HP infection causes GC and how HP eradication prevents GC. To clarify this issue, the following approaches were performed in this review article. First, how HP‐induced atrophic gastritis (AG) and intestinal metaplasia (IM) provoke the development of GC is shown, followed by how long HP eradication takes to induce a reversible change in AG and IM. Second, epigenetic studies of PTPN6, MOS, DCC, CRK, and VAV1 were performed in noncancerous gastric specimens in terms of HP status. Among these genes, MOS was found to be a possible surrogate marker for GC development. HP eradication decreased aberrant DNA methylation in a gene‐specific manner, and MOS played a role in metachronous gastric neoplasms. Third, transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1) and TGF‐β1‐induced epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers were investigated in gastric mucosa. HP infection triggered the TGF‐β1‐induced EMT pathway and caused the emergence of GC stem cells, such as CD44v8‐10. When HP was eradicated, these two pathways were inhibited. Finally, a 2222 cohort study showed that HP eradication significantly decreased the risk of noncardiac GC. Taken together, HP eradication is effective as a primary GC prevention method, and its underlying mechanism includes reversibility of AG and IM, methylation, EMT, and stem cells.
End‐of‐Life Care in Patients Exposed to Home‐Based Palliative Care vs Hospice Only
Authors: Wang Susan E. , Liu In‐Lu Amy , Lee Janet S. , Khang Peter , Rosen Romina , Reinke Lynn F. , Mularski Richard A. , Nguyen Huong Q. 
Published: March 2019

OBJECTIVESThe current evidence base regarding the effectiveness of home‐based palliative care (HomePal) on outcomes of importance to multiple stakeholders remains limited. The purpose of this study was to compare end‐of‐life care in decedents who received HomePal with two cohorts that either received hospice only (HO) or did not receive HomePal or hospice (No HomePal‐HO).DESIGNRetrospective cohorts from an ongoing study of care transition from hospital to home. Data were collected from 2011 to 2016.SETTINGKaiser Permanente Southern California.PARTICIPANTSDecedents 65 and older who received HomePal (n = 7177) after a hospitalization and two comparison cohorts (HO only = 25 102; No HomePal‐HO = 22 472).MEASUREMENTSUtilization data were extracted from administrative, clinical, and claims databases, and death data were obtained from state and national indices. Days at home was calculated as days not spent in the hospital or in a skilled nursing facility (SNF).RESULTSPatients who received HomePal were enrolled for a median of 43 days and had comparable length of stay on hospice as patients who enrolled only in hospice (median days = 13 vs 12). Deaths at home were comparable between HomePal and HO (59% vs 60%) and were higher compared with No HomePal‐HO (16%). For patients who survived at least 6 months after HomePal admission (n = 2289), the mean number of days at home in the last 6 months of life was 163 ± 30 vs 161 ± 30 (HO) vs 149 ± 40 (No HomePal‐HO). Similar trends were also noted for the last 30 days of life, 25 ± 8 (HomePal, n = 5516), 24 ± 8 (HO), and 18 ± 11 (No HomePal‐HO); HomePal patients had a significantly lower risk of hospitalizations (relative risk [RR] = .58‐.87) and SNF stays (RR = .32‐.77) compared with both HO and No HomePal‐HO patients.CONCLUSIONEarlier comprehensive palliative care in patients’ home in place of or preceding hospice is associated with fewer hospitalizations and SNF stays and more time at home in the final 6 months of life. J Am Geriatr Soc, 2019.
Mixed‐methods evaluation of an educational intervention to change mental health nurses' attitudes to people diagnosed with borderline personality disorder
Authors: Dickens Geoffrey L. , Lamont Emma , Mullen Jo , MacArthur Nadine , Stirling Fiona J. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractAims and objectivesTo evaluate and explore mental health nurses’ responses to and experience of an educational intervention to improve attitudes towards people with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Report findings are concordant with relevant EQUATOR guidelines (STROBE and COREQ).BackgroundAttitudes towards people with a diagnosis of BPD are poorer than for people with other diagnoses. There is limited evidence about what might improve this situation. One intervention with reportedly good effect uses an underlying biosocial model of BPD. No previous intervention has been co‐produced with an expert by experience. We developed and delivered a 1‐day intervention comprising these elements.DesignA mixed‐methods design was used comprising prospective within‐subjects cohort intervention and qualitative elements. Participants were mental health nursing staff working in inpatient and community settings in one NHS Board in Scotland, UK.MethodsMeasurement of cognitive and emotional attitudes to people with a diagnosis of BPD at pre‐ and postintervention (N = 28) and at 4‐month follow‐up. Focus groups were used to explore participants’ experiences of the intervention (N = 11).ResultsQuantitative evaluation revealed some sustained changes consistent with expected attitudinal gains in relation to the perceived treatment characteristics of this group, the perception of their suicidal tendencies and negative attitudes in general. Qualitative findings revealed some hostility towards the underpinning biosocial model and positive appreciation for the involvement of an expert by experience.ConclusionsSustained benefits of an educational intervention for people working with people diagnosed with BPD in some but not all areas. Participants provided contrasting messages about what they think will be useful.Relevance to clinical practiceThe study provides further evidence for incorporation of a biosocial model into staff training as well as the benefits of expert by experience co‐production. Mental health nurses, however, believe that more well‐resourced services are the key to improving care.
Taxonomic resolution of the genus Cyanothece (Chroococcales, Cyanobacteria), with a treatment on Gloeothece and three new genera, Crocosphaera, Rippkaea, and Zehria
Authors: Mareš Jan , Johansen Jeffrey R. , Hauer Tomáš , Zima Jan , Ventura Stefano , Cuzman Oana , Tiribilli Bruno , Kaštovský Jan 
Published: March 2019

The systematics of single‐celled cyanobacteria represents a major challenge due to morphological convergence and application of various taxonomic concepts. The genus Cyanothece is one of the most problematic cases, as the name has been applied to oval‐shaped coccoid cyanobacteria lacking sheaths with little regard to their phylogenetic position and details of morphology and ultrastructure. Hereby we analyze an extensive set of complementary genetic and phenotypic evidence to disentangle the relationships among these cyanobacteria. We provide diagnostic characters to separate the known genera Cyanothece, Gloeothece, and Aphanothece, and provide a valid description for Crocosphaera gen. nov. We describe two new genera, Rippkaea and Zehria, to characterize two distinct phylogenetic lineages outside the previously known genera. We further describe 13 new species in total including Cyanothece svehlovae, Gloeothece aequatorialis, G. aurea, G. bryophila, G. citriformis, G. reniformis, Gloeothece tonkinensis, G. verrucosa, Crocosphaera watsonii, C. subtropica, C. chwakensis, Rippkaea orientalis, and Zehria floridana to recognize the intrageneric diversity as rendered by polyphasic analysis. We discuss the close relationship of free‐living cyanobacteria from the Crocosphaera lineage to nitrogen‐fixing endosymbionts of marine algae. The current study includes several experimental strains (Crocosphaera and “Cyanothece”) important for the study of diazotrophy and the global oceanic nitrogen cycle, and provides evidence suggesting ancestral N2‐fixing capability in the chroococcalean lineage.
Differences in Sun Protection Behaviors Between Rural and Urban Communities in Texas
Authors: Cunningham Sonia A. , Yu Robert , Shete Sanjay 
Published: March 2019

AbstractPurposeThe increasing incidence of skin cancer is a global health issue. In order to identify at‐risk populations in Texas, we compared sun protection behaviors and sunburn history across rural and urban counties.MethodsAn online health screening survey collected data from a nonprobability sample of Texas residents in 2018. Data were weighted by sex, age, race, and ethnicity. Multinomial multivariable logistic regression identified key factors associated with sun protection behaviors and sunscreen use. Weighted Pearson's χ2 test identified differences between urban and rural respondents in strength of sunscreen used and sunburn history.FindingsRural residents in Texas were less likely to seek shade (OR = 0.58; P = .004) and less likely to use sunscreen lotion (OR = 0.65; P = .013) compared to their urban counterparts. Sunscreen use was also lower among current versus never smokers (OR = 0.67; P = .034) but higher in those with personal versus no cancer history (OR = 2.14; P = .004). Although rural versus urban residents were more likely to use higher SPF sunscreen (P < .002), they had more blistering sunburns over the course of their life (P < .001) and these injuries were more likely to occur at an earlier age, between 5 and 14 years old (P < .001).ConclusionsIncreased attention to sun protective behaviors among rural communities in Texas is vital to help reduce the high prevalence of sunburn injury and incidence of skin cancer.
Phenology and polyploidy in annualBrachypodiumspecies (Poaceae) along the aridity gradient in Israel
Authors: Penner Shira , Dror Barak , Aviezer Iris , Bar‐Lev Yamit , Salman‐Minkov Ayelet , Mandakova Terezie , Šmarda Petr , Mayrose Itay , Sapir Yuval 
Published: March 2019

AbstractLocal adaptation of plants along environmental gradients provides strong evidence for clinal evolution mediated by natural selection. Plants have developed diverse strategies to mitigate stress, for example, drought escape is a phenological strategy to avoid drought stress, while polyploidy was proposed as a genomic adaptation to stress. Polyploidy as an adaptation to aridity (an environmental parameter integrating temperature and precipitation) was previously documented in annualBrachypodiumspp. (Poaceae) in the Western Mediterranean. Here, we examined whether polyploidy or phenology are associated with aridity in annualBrachypodiumspp. along the aridity gradient in the Eastern Mediterranean. Using flow cytometry, we determined ploidy levels of plants from natural populations along the Israeli gradient, spanning ∼424 km from mesic Mediterranean to extreme desert climates. In a common garden we recorded time of seedling emergence, flowering and senescence. We tested whether the proportion of allotetraploids in the populations and phenological traits were associated with aridity. Contrary to a previous study in the Western Mediterranean, we found no effect of aridity on the proportion of allotetraploids and diploids within populations. Interestingly, phenology was associated with aridity: time of emergence was later, while flowering and senescence were earlier in desert plants. Our results indicate that in the Eastern Mediterranean, adaptation ofBrachypodiumto aridity is mediated mainly by phenology, rather than ploidy level. Therefore, we suggest that genome duplication is not the main driver of adaptation to environmental stress; rather, phenological change as a drought escape mechanism may be the major adaptation.