bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Resting‐state functional connectivity of subcortical locomotor centers explains variance in walking capacity
Authors: Boyne Pierce , Maloney Thomas , DiFrancesco Mark , Fox Michael D. , Awosika Oluwole , Aggarwal Pushkar , Woeste Jennifer , Jaroch Laurel , Braswell Daniel , Vannest Jennifer 
Published: July 2018

AbstractWalking capacity influences the quality of life and disability in normal aging and neurological disease, but the neural correlates remain unclear and subcortical locomotor regions identified in animals have been more challenging to assess in humans. Here we test whether resting‐state functional MRI connectivity (rsFC) of midbrain and cerebellar locomotor regions (MLR and CLR) is associated with walking capacity among healthy adults. Using phenotypic and MRI data from the Nathan Kline Institute Rockland Sample (n =119, age 18–85), the association between walking capacity (6‐min walk test distance) and rsFC was calculated from subcortical locomotor regions to 81 other gait‐related regions of interest across the brain. Additional analyses assessed the independence and specificity of the results. Walking capacity was associated with higher rsFC between the MLR and superior frontal gyrus adjacent to the anterior cingulate cortex, higher rsFC between the MLR and paravermal cerebellum, and lower rsFC between the CLR and primary motor cortex foot area. These rsFC correlates were more strongly associated with walking capacity than phenotypic variables such as age, and together explained 25% of the variance in walking capacity. Results were specific to locomotor regions compared with the other brain regions. The rsFC of locomotor centers correlates with walking capacity among healthy adults. These locomotion‐related biomarkers may prove useful in future work aimed at helping patients with reduced walking capacity.
Identification of lymphatic channels in the tracheoesophageal groove during central neck dissection for thyroid cancer
Authors: Hong Yong Tae , Hong Ki Hwan 
Published: July 2018

AbstractBackgroundChyle leakage after central neck dissection for thyroid carcinoma is an extremely rare condition. We investigated chyle leakage in patients with thyroidectomy and central neck dissection.MethodsWe experienced 3 cases of chyle leakage. The patterns of lymphatic drainage from the central neck to the lateral neck (supraclavicular fossa) were reviewed. The amount and duration of chyle leakage were measured in patients with postoperative chyle leakages.ResultsThe lymphatic channels were found in 2 cases during central neck dissection on the tracheoesophageal groove. One case did not show chyle leakage and ducts during surgery but showed chyle leakage after surgery.ConclusionChyle leakage can occur after thyroidectomy with central neck dissection. There have been no reports on identification of lymphatic channels during central neck dissection. This finding will aid in the recognition and treatment of this uncommon complication during or after central neck dissection in patients with thyroid cancer.
Radiotherapy for extranodal classic Hodgkin lymphoma of the maxillary sinus: Case report and literature review
Authors: Mokhtech Meriem , Mercado Catherine E. , Lynch James W. , Mendenhall Nancy P. , Mendenhall William M. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractBackgroundClassic Hodgkin lymphoma is a malignant neoplasm of the lymphatic system that commonly presents with cervical and mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Primary extranodal disease of the head and neck is rare, with only a few cases reported in the literature. In this case report, we describe the presentation, treatment, and clinical outcome of a patient who presented with extranodal Hodgkin lymphoma of the maxillary sinus.MethodsWe report a case of extranodal classic Hodgkin lymphoma of the maxillary sinus treated with 2 cycles of chemotherapy and consolidative radiotherapy (RT). We also reviewed the literature.ResultsThe patient tolerated treatment without complications and has experienced no evidence of recurrence 2 years after treatment.ConclusionThis is one of the few reports of extranodal Hodgkin lymphoma of the maxillary sinus. To our knowledge, this report represents the longest follow‐up of any patient with this presentation.
Efficiency of Brazilian public services of kidney transplantation: Benchmarking Brazilian states via data envelopment analysis
Authors: Siqueira Marina Martins , Araujo Claudia Affonso Silva 
Published: July 2018

SummaryThe Brazilian Public Health System, facing a national economic and political crisis, operates with tight budgets and poor physical infrastructure. Among the services it delivers, organ transplantation represents a complex process wherein inefficient resource allocation is a relevant issue. This study examines the technical and scale efficiency of the Brazilian public services in kidney transplantation, assessing the conversion of physical and labor inputs into kidney transplants using data envelopment analysis. This longitudinal analysis used a secondary database from the Brazilian Registry of Transplants having, as a unit of analysis, 23 Brazilian states that performed kidney transplants from 2013 to 2015. The Malmquist index is applied to examine productivity changes. Data were adjusted per million of population, and factors were extracted by principal component analysis. The results indicate that most states operate in a technically inefficient manner, resulting in a low mean efficiency score. Overall efficiency worsened during the analyzed period, and there was a significant disparity in performance between states, with higher scores in the South and Southeast—the most developed and wealthiest regions—than in the North and Northeast. The results provide managerial insights into the delivery of organ transplantation by the Brazilian public services on both the national and state levels, helping to identify opportunities for better resource allocation in this activity. Given the scarcity of studies that systematically assess and benchmark organ donation and transplantation, this work represents an innovative context of application and may be useful for the community of relevant policymakers, academics, and health professionals.
The sustainability of a community nurses programme aimed at supporting active ageing in mountain areas
Authors: Ippoliti Roberto , Allievi Isabella , Falavigna Greta , Giuliano Pasquale , Montani Floriana , Obbia Paola , Rizzi Silvia , Moda Giuliana 
Published: July 2018

SummaryBackgroundCommunity Nurse Supporting Elderly iN a changing SOciety is a project funded by the European Union, which is aimed at developing an innovative care model based on community nurses to support active ageing in mountain areas. The planned sustainability of this innovative approach relies on social entrepreneurship, and this work highlights the necessary conditions for the existence of these entrepreneurial initiatives on the market, with community nurses' services purchased by the public health care system.MethodsThe authors propose a sustainability framework for this project based on three relevant dimensions (ie, health, organisation, and context), highlighting the necessary conditions for continued provision of health services beyond project conclusion. Then, considering the Piedmont Region and those aged 65 or older as target population, health outcomes are analysed, proposing a break‐even analysis to calculate expected levels.ResultsAccording to our results, in order to care for 191 977 elderly people for 3 years, a successful pro‐active approach is needed to prevent 1657 falls with hip fracture, reducing the prevalence of this adverse outcome by 36%. These are the expected health outcome levels for the existence of a social market, which can be achieved through the successful involvement of local public health organisations and stakeholders.ConclusionsPolicy makers need clear information on the economic impact of extending this new intervention to the whole target population and on the required preconditions for its financial sustainability in terms of health outcomes. However, a participatory process involving all relevant local stakeholders and organisations is crucial to extend current achievements beyond project conclusion.
Using community pharmacies to expand access to screening for noncommunicable diseases in suburban Ghana—A facility‐based survey on client needs and acceptability
Authors: Akutey Richard , Der Reina , Owusu‐Daaku Frances , Baiden Frank 
Published: July 2018

AbstractBackgroundMany of the 28 million deaths from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in low‐ and middle‐income countries each year could be prevented through early detection and intervention. The introduction of screening for NCDs in community pharmacies (CPs) in Ghana could enhance access to early detection.MethodsWe surveyed clients in three districts in suburban Ghana to assess perceived need for screening, willingness to be screened in CPs, and willingness to receive NCD health promotion information through text messages (NCD m‐Health). We performed regression analysis to identify predictors of NCD m‐Health acceptability.ResultsWe interviewed 330 clients in six CPs, 134 (42.3%) of whom were females. The median age was 34 years (interquartile range, 27‐43). Fifty‐four (16.4%) had no formal education. Although most respondents knew obesity (74.9%), smoking (81.9%), and excessive dietary salt (91.7%) were risk factors for NCDs, only 27.0% knew family history carried similar risk. Most respondents, 61.6% and 70.6%, respectively, had not had their weight and blood pressure (BP) checked for more than 12 months. These included about a third of respondents who were known hypertensives. Similarly, 71.3% of 80 participants with a family history of hypertension had not had their BPs checked. Screening for NCDs in CPs and the sending of NCD m‐Health messages was deemed acceptable to 98.5% and 83.1% of the participants, respectively. Formal education beyond junior high school (Grade 9) was the strongest independent predictor of NCD m‐Health acceptance (OR = 4.77; 95% CI, 1.72‐13.18; P value < 0.01). One hundred and twenty‐five (39.4%) participants indicated they would consider unsolicited NCD m‐Health messages an invasion of their privacy.ConclusionAn urgent need exists to promote access to NCD screening in these communities. Its introduction into CPs is acceptable to nearly all the clients surveyed. The introduction of NCD m‐Health as an accompaniment requires consideration for the privacy of clients.
Glabridin attenuates antiadipogenic activity induced by 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin in murine 3T3‐L1 adipocytes
Authors: Choi Eun Mi , Suh Kwang Sik , Jung Woon‐Won , Park So Young , Chin Sang Ouk , Rhee Sang Youl , Kim Pak Youngmi , Chon Suk 
Published: July 2018

Abstract2,3,7,8‐Tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin (TCDD) has various toxicological effects in adipose tissue. Evidence is accumulating that glabridin, a flavonoid extracted from licorice, has beneficial effects on the regulation of glucose homeostasis. In this study, we investigated whether glabridin suppresses TCDD‐induced loss of adipogenic action using 3T3‐L1 adipocytes as a cell culture model of wasting syndrome. Glabridin effectively suppressed TCDD‐induced loss of lipid accumulation in this model. Pretreating cells with glabridin increased the gene expression of not only the adipogenesis‐associated key transcription factors peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha, but also lipoprotein lipase in the presence of TCDD. TCDD decreased insulin‐stimulated glucose uptake, which was effectively restored by pretreatment with glabridin. Glabridin also inhibited the TCDD‐driven decreased production of insulin receptor substrate 1 and glucose transporter 4. TCDD increased the production of mitochondrial superoxides, prostaglandin E2, phospholipase A2, cyclooxygenase‐1 and intracellular calcium concentrations, while reducing the production of PPARγ coactivator 1 alpha and glycolysis. However, glabridin treatment reduced these TCDD‐induced effects. We conclude that glabridin suppresses the TCDD‐induced loss of lipid accumulation in 3T3‐L1 adipocytes by regulating the levels of PPARγ, CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha, lipoprotein lipase, glucose uptake, prostaglandin E2 and energy metabolism. These results also provide in vitro evidence of the effects of glabridin on adipocyte metabolism, which suggests a protective effect against dioxin exposure in the development of insulin resistance and diabetes.
Does having a similar disability matter for match outcomes?: A randomized study of matching mentors and mentees by visual impairment
Authors: Heppe Eline C. M. , Kupersmidt Janis B. , Kef Sabina , Schuengel Carlo 
Published: July 2018

AbstractMentoring is modestly effective for youth with a chronic illness or physical disability; however, program effectiveness may be enhanced when mentors and mentees are matched on shared interests and experiences. To test this hypothesis, mentees were randomly assigned to having a mentor with or without visual impairment (VI). Results showed that mentors without VI were younger and more likely to work or be educated in a helping profession and less likely to have a fixed mindset and extremely high positive expectations than mentors with VI. The main analyses on match outcomes showed that mentors with VI had significantly fewer and shorter match meetings, had a weaker relationship with their mentees, and were more likely to end their match prematurely. Mentor age, helping profession background, and fixed mindset were confounds in several analyses and reduced the significance of the relationship between VI group and match meeting quantity. The only relationship that remained significant controlling for covariates showed that matches including a mentor with VI were significantly more likely to end in premature closure than matches including a mentor without VI. Implications of the findings for future research and program practices related to matching were discussed.
Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Evaluation of Intravenous Levetiracetam in Children With Epilepsy
Authors: Kim Min‐Jee , Yum Mi‐Sun , Yeh Hye‐Ryun , Ko Tae‐Sung , Lim Hyeong‐Seok 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThis study aimed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of intravenous (IV) levetiracetam (LEV) as a monotherapy in children aged 1 month‐16 years and to explore the pharmacokinetics (PK) of IV LEV and the time to seizure after IV then oral administration of LEV in pediatric children with epilepsy. Children diagnosed with acute unprovoked seizures requiring in‐hospital IV LEV administration were included. After administration, the clinical seizure outcomes, side effects, and the Korean‐Child Behavior Checklist were monitored and the PK and repeated time to seizure were analyzed via modeling using NONMEM software. Overall, 37 children with epilepsy were enrolled and underwent a PK analysis (median age, 4.6 years; median weight, 18.0 kg). Nine children (24.3%) had seizure recurrence during the follow‐up period (median, 3.8 months) and 5 children (13.5%) experienced LEV‐associated adverse events such as irritability (n = 2; 5.4%) and somnolence (n = 3; 8.1%). The plasma LEV concentrations after IV LEV were best described by a one‐compartment linear PK model. Only body weight was associated with both the clearance and volume of distribution of LEV. The Weibull distribution model described the time to seizure recurrence well; no statistically significant predictor for the time to seizure was identified. Therefore, IV LEV was a well‐tolerated and effective alternative in children with acute unprovoked seizures, and models for the PK and time to repeated seizure recurrence after LEV were successfully developed. In particular, the current use of a weight‐based IV LEV dosing regimen in pediatric children is practical.
LY2495655, an antimyostatin antibody, in pancreatic cancer: a randomized, phase 2 trial
Authors: Golan Talia , Geva Ravit , Richards Donald , Madhusudan Srinivasan , Lin Boris Kin , Wang Haofei Tiffany , Walgren Richard A. , Stemmer Salomon M. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractBackgroundCachexia is a formidable clinical challenge in pancreatic cancer. We assessed LY2495655 (antimyostatin antibody) plus standard‐of‐care chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer using cachexia status as a stratifier.MethodsIn this randomized, phase 2 trial, patients with stage II–IV pancreatic cancer were randomized to 300 mg LY2495655, 100 mg LY2495655, or placebo, plus physician‐choice chemotherapy from a prespecified list of standard‐of‐care regimens for first and later lines of care. Investigational treatment was continued during second‐line treatment. The primary endpoint was overall survival.ResultsOverall, 125 patients were randomized. In August 2014, 300 mg LY2495655 was terminated due to imbalance in death rates between the treatment arms; in January 2015, 100 mg LY2495655 treatment was terminated due to futility. LY2495655 did not improve overall survival: the hazard ratio was 1.70 (90% confidence interval, 1.1–2.7) for 300 mg vs. placebo and 1.3 (0.82–2.1) for 100 mg vs. placebo (recommended doses). Progression‐free survival results were consistent with the overall survival results. A numerically higher hazard ratio was observed in patients with weight loss (WL) of ≥5% (cachexia) than with <5% WL within 6 months before randomization. Subgroup analyses for patients stratified by WL in the 6 months preceding enrollment suggested that functional responses to LY2495655 (either dose) may have been superior in patients with <5% WL vs. patients with ≥5% WL. Among possibly drug‐related adverse events, fatigue, diarrhoea, and anorexia were more common in LY2495655‐treated than in placebo‐treated patients.ConclusionsIn the intention‐to‐treat analysis, LY2495655 did not confer clinical benefit in pancreatic cancer. Our data highlight the importance of assessing survival when investigating therapeutic management of cachexia and support the use of WL as a stratifier (independent of performance status).
Preliminary economic assessment: a valuable tool to establish biocatalytic process feasibility with an in‐lab immobilized lipase
Authors: Serrano‐Arnaldos Mar , Ortega‐Requena Salvadora , Montiel Maria Claudia , Máximo Fuensanta , Bastida Josefa , Murcia Maria Dolores 
Published: July 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDDespite the interest that commercial lipases arouse, the number of industrial applications is still very limited. Only high added value products such as cosmetic ingredients that can simultaneously benefit from ‘green chemistry’ and ‘natural’ labels of using biocatalysts can justify the final cost. In any case, process feasibility economic assessment in the first project stages must be done to take decisions about its industrial applicability.RESULTSThis work presents an economic study of the cetyl esters mixture production process similar to natural spermaceti catalyzed by different in‐lab immobilized lipase derivatives to determine if they can compete, not only in catalytic properties (activity and stability) but also in price, with the commercial ones. Results highlight that CALB lipase immobilized in Amberlite™ XAD™ 1180 whose direct total cost (1.20 € g−1) is comparable with commercial lipases, is also effective in spermaceti biocatalytic synthesis achieving, under optimal conditions, 98% conversion in less than one hour.CONCLUSIONHigh conversion values and it reusability (at least 15 times), provides a product with a price (58 € kg−1) similar to that of the well‐known Novozym® 435 (56.5 € kg−1). Future scale‐up will allow better study the process and gives a more realistic product final price. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
High purity fructose from inulin with heterogeneous catalysis – from batch to continuous operation
Authors: Pérez Nebreda Andrea , Russo Vincenzo , Di Serio Martino , Eränen Kari , Murzin Dmitry Yu , Salmi Tapio , Grénman Henrik 
Published: July 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDInulin is a valuable source of high purity fructose. The conversion of inulin to fructose utilizing an advanced sulfonic ion‐exchange resin was previously investigated in detail in a batch reactor study, where a detailed mechanistic model for the reaction kinetics was demonstrated (J Chem Technol Biotechnol 2018;93:224–232). The same catalyst was employed in tailor‐made continuous fixed‐bed reactors in the current work in order to study the feasibility of continuous operation.RESULTSTwo types of reactors were utilized: a single‐bed reactor and a multibed reactor with sample withdrawal between catalyst beds. The results from the single‐bed reactor allowed optimal reaction conditions to be determined which were extrapolated and used for experiments in the multiple‐bed reactor. High yields of fructose (75%) were obtained with the multiple‐bed reactor without any degradation products. Detailed flow characterization was performed on the reactor system and residence time distribution results were merged with the detailed model for the chemical kinetics obtained from batch reactor studies taking into account mass transfer limitations, in order to obtain a rigorous model for the performance of the continuous reactor. The fit of the mathematical model to the experimental data was very good and this provides a useful tool for further development and scale‐up purposes.CONCLUSIONSThe results of the two related studies highlight the potential of new reactor design strategies towards the realization of more efficient, sustainable and green processes, which can easily be scaled‐up and implemented in bio‐based industry. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
The opioid system and the social brain: implications for depression and suicide
Authors: Lutz Pierre‐Eric , Courtet Philippe , Calati Raffaella 
Published: July 2018

AbstractIn the past decade, considerable attention has been drawn to social interactions and behaviors as sources of pleasurable (social reward) and painful (social pain) emotional states. While the role of the opioid system in the regulation of reward and pain processes has long been recognized, it has more recently been investigated and characterized in the specific context of social experiences across several mammalian species. Accordingly, the present narrative review provides a comprehensive summary of studies detailing how the opioid system controls social reward and social pain. From a translational and pathophysiological perspective, we further discuss how opioid‐dependent regulation of social behaviors may contribute to depressive illness and suicidal behaviors, and ultimately provide innovative therapeutic opportunities.