bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Physical activity modifies the risk of atrial fibrillation in obese individuals: The HUNT3 study
Authors: Garnvik Lars E , Malmo Vegard , Janszky Imre , Wisløff Ulrik , Loennechen Jan P , Nes Bjarne M 
Published: June 2018

Background Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart rhythm disorder, and high body mass index is a well-established risk factor for atrial fibrillation. The objective of this study was to examine the associations of physical activity and body mass index and risk of atrial fibrillation, and the modifying role of physical activity on the association between body mass index and atrial fibrillation. Design The design was a prospective cohort study. Methods This study followed 43,602 men and women from the HUNT3 study in 2006–2008 until first atrial fibrillation diagnosis or end of follow-up in 2015. Atrial fibrillation diagnoses were collected from hospital registers and validated by medical doctors. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was performed to assess the association between physical activity, body mass index and atrial fibrillation. Results During a mean follow-up of 8.1 years (352,770 person-years), 1459 cases of atrial fibrillation were detected (4.1 events per 1000 person-years). Increasing levels of physical activity were associated with gradually lower risk of atrial fibrillation ( p trend 0.069). Overweight and obesity were associated with an 18% (hazard ratio 1.18, 95% confidence interval 1.03–1.35) and 59% (hazard ratio 1.59, 95% confidence interval 1.37–1.84) increased risk of atrial fibrillation, respectively. High levels of physical activity attenuated some of the higher atrial fibrillation risk in obese individuals (hazard ratio 1.53, 95% confidence interval 1.03–2.28 in active and 1.96, 95% confidence interval 1.44–2.67 in inactive) compared to normal weight active individuals. Conclusion Overweight and obesity were associated with increased risk of atrial fibrillation. Physical activity offsets some, but not all, atrial fibrillation risk associated with obesity.
Benign endometriosis masquerading as intra-abdominal malignancy: One of the most extreme cases reported and a review of the literature
Authors: Walker Philippa J , Johnson Neil P 
Published: June 2018

Introduction: To elicit key clinical lessons from an extreme case of endometriosis associated with massive ascites and a review of the literature. Methods: We report one of the most extreme cases of massive ascites caused by endometriosis. For literature review, MEDLINE via OVID (from 1946 to 2016) database was searched. As a result, all the publications based on the keywords relating to the review topic were acquired. Case: A 32-year-old nulliparous woman, with stage 4 endometriosis and primary infertility, presented with massive ascites, complex pelvic mass, pleural effusion, weight loss, anaemia and elevated CA-125 suggesting ovarian malignancy. Six litres of ascites was drained. After extensive investigations to exclude malignancy, endometriosis-related ascites was diagnosed. Red-cell transfusion, nasogastric-tube-feeding and gonadotrophin-releasing-hormone analogue were initiated and long-term follow-up is planned. Ablation of ovarian function either by surgical oophorectomy or ovarian irradiation appears to cure the condition without recurrence. Endocrine therapy, in the form of gonadotrophin-releasing-hormone analogue or progestins, is useful if surgery is undesirable, as most women with this condition are young and wish to preserve fertility. Endocrine therapy alone resolves the problem in the majority, but ascites reappears after stopping treatment. Conclusion: Endometriosis associated with massive ascites and pleural effusion is rare. There are less than 30 similar case reports in the literature. In women of reproductive age who present with clinical and imaging features to suggest ovarian malignancy, a diagnosis of endometriosis should be considered. Although permanent cure is by oophorectomy, endocrine therapy is useful if surgery is undesirable.
Tubular surgery with the assistance of endoscopic surgery via a paramedian or midline approach for lumbar spinal canal stenosis at the L4/5 level
Authors: Komatsu Jun , Muta Tomoya , Nagura Nana , Iwabuchi Masumi , Fukuda Hironari , Kaneko Kazuo , Shirado Osamu 
Published: June 2018

Background: Lumbar spinal canal stenosis surgery has recently improved with the use of minimally invasive techniques. Less invasive procedures have emerged, and microendoscopic decompression through smaller incisions is frequently performed. Tubular surgery with the assistance of endoscopic surgery procedures has led to particularly remarkable changes in surgery, with reduced tissue trauma and morbidity. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of two different minimally invasive decompressive surgical techniques (microendoscopic bilateral decompression surgery using the unilateral approach [microendoscopic laminectomy (MEL)] and microendoscopy-assisted muscle-preserving interlaminar decompression (MILD; ME-MILD)) using spinal endoscopy for lumbar spinal canal stenosis measured using a visual analog scale (VAS), the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score, and the JOA Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ), which is based on a patient-oriented scoring system. Study design: This study was a retrospective review of prospectively collected surgical data. Methods: The study included 81 patients (MEL 39 patients, 20 men and 19 women, mean age 68.9 years; and ME-MILD 42 patients, 22 men and 20 women, mean age 73.1 years) with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). The indications for surgery were moderate-to-severe stenosis, persistent neurological symptoms, and failure of conservative treatment over 3 months, with a JOA score under 15 points or intermittent claudication at 100 m. This study included patients having LSS at a single vertebral level (L4/5). Results: Low back pain, buttock-leg pain, and numbness were significantly improved in terms of the VAS score from 3 months with both MEL and ME-MILD. In all periods, JOA scores over 3 years of follow-up were significantly higher than those obtained before surgery with both MEL and ME-MILD, and there were improvements of low back pain and walking function. Conclusions: These observations demonstrate that ME-MILD is a safe and very effective minimally invasive technique for degenerative LSS, similar to MEL.
Age- and Sex-Specific Morphologic Variations of Capital Femoral Epiphysis Growth in Children and Adolescents Without Hip Disorders
Authors: Novais Eduardo N. , Maranho Daniel A. , Kim Young-Jo , Kiapour Ata 
Published: June 2018

Background: Understanding the development of the capital femoral epiphysis is essential to identify pathologic variations that may lead to cam morphology. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to investigate the development of the capital femoral epiphysis during childhood and adolescence, with specific morphologic analysis of the peripheral growth and the metaphyseal surface of the growth plate. We hypothesized that age- and sex-dependent morphologic variations of the peripheral growth (cupping) and surface anatomy (epiphyseal tubercle) of the epiphysis would be evident with increasing age. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Pelvic computed tomography scans of 80 children and adolescents (range, 8-15 years; n = 10 per age group; 50% male), imaged because of suspected appendicitis, were used to reformat the proximal femur. All patients had asymptomatic hips with no signs or history of hip disorder. We measured the peripheral cupping of the epiphysis and the epiphyseal tubercle dimensions from 3-dimensional models. All measurements were normalized to the epiphyseal diameter. The effect of age on these parameters was evaluated by use of linear regression analysis. A 2-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare these parameters between males and females. Results: The mean epiphyseal cupping increased with increasing age ( R2 = 0.54; P < .001). The mean normalized epiphyseal cupping was consistently higher in the anterior and posterior directions compared with the inferior and superior locations. Male patients aged 10 and 11 years had lower ( P = .002) mean epiphyseal cupping compared with female patients of the same age. We observed no difference between male and female participants after 12 years of age ( P > .3). The normalized epiphyseal tubercle height ( R2 = 0.08; P = .009), width ( R2 = 0.13; P = .001), and length ( R2 = 0.45; P < .001) decreased with increasing age, with no differences between male and female patients. On average, a 2.6-fold increase was found in epiphyseal cupping from 8 to 15 years of age, whereas normalized tubercle height decreased by 0.4-fold. Conclusion: Peripheral cupping of the epiphysis over the metaphysis increases with age, while the relative epiphyseal tubercle dimensions decrease. Females have an earlier onset of rapid increase in the peripheral cupping compared with males; however, no differences in epiphyseal tubercle dimensions were found between male and female patients. These findings may guide future studies investigating the development of cam morphology, which should consider the surface morphologic characteristics of the capital femoral epiphysis, the growth plate, and the differences in morphologic characteristics according to age and sex.
Platelet MEKK3 regulates arterial thrombosis and myocardial infarct expansion in mice
Authors: Fan Xuemei , Wang Conghui , Shi Panlai , Gao Wen , Gu Jianmin , Geng Yan , Yang Wenlong , Wu Ningbo , Wang Yang , Xu Yanyan , Chen Xue , Zhang Lin , Wang Kemin , Su Bing , Liu Junling 
Published: June 2018

Key Points
MEKK3 regulates platelet activation through ERK1/2 and JNK2. MEKK3 −/− mice are protected from microthrombosis and myocardial infarct expansion post-MI.
Prevalence of antibiotic resistant Escherichia coli isolates from fecal samples of food handlers in Qatar
Authors: Eltai Nahla O. , Yassine Hadi M. , Al Thani Asmaa A. , Abu Madi Marwan A. , Ismail Ahmed , Ibrahim Emad , Alali Walid Q. 
Published: June 2018

Abstract
Background
It is well documented that food handlers harbor and shed enteric foodborne pathogens causing foodborne disease outbreaks. However, little known on enteric antibiotic resistant (AR) bacteria carriage in food handlers. The objective of this study was to establish a baseline prevalence of fecal AR E. coli among food handlers in Qatar.

Methods
Fecal samples were collected from 456 migrant food handlers of different nationalities arriving in Qatar on a work permit between January 2015 and December 2016. These samples (25 g each) were collected based on the availability and examination schedule at the Medical Commission facility from those consented to participate. Isolated E. coli bacteria were tested for antibiotic susceptibility against nine antibiotics using the E-test method and Double Disc Synergy Test (DDST) for extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production.

Results
From the 78 E. coli positive samples (17.1%, n = 456), 60% of the isolates were resistant to at least one antibiotic, whereas, 27% were multi-drug resistant (MDR). Seven isolates (9%, n = 78) were ESBL producers of which five were MDR. Individual AR E. coli frequencies to the nine antibiotics were not significantly (P > 0.05) different by nationality.

Conclusions
Based on our findings, we revealed that individual resistant E. coli and MDR resistant E. coli were common in fecal samples of food handlers in Qatar. This may indicate that food handlers can potentially contaminate foods with AR E. coli, a possible public health concern.
Age exerts a continuous effect in the outcomes of Asian breast cancer patients treated with breast‐conserving therapy
Authors: Wong Fuh Yong , Tham Wei Ying , Nei Wen Long , Lim Cindy , Miao Hui 
Published: June 2018

AbstractBackgroundAsians are diagnosed with breast cancer at a younger age than Caucasians are. We studied the effect of age on locoregional recurrence and the survival of Asian breast cancer patients treated with breast‐conserving therapy.MethodsMedical records of 2492 patients treated with breast‐conserving therapy between 1989 and 2012 were reviewed. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to estimate locoregional recurrence, breast cancer‐free survival, and breast cancer‐specific survival rates. These rates were then compared using log‐rank tests. Outcomes and age were modeled by Cox proportional hazards. Fractional polynomials were then used to test for non‐linear relationships between age and outcomes.ResultsPatients ≤ 40 years old were more likely to have locoregional recurrence than were older patients (Hazard ratio [HR] = 2.32, P < 0.001). Locoregional recurrence rates decreased year‐on‐year by 4% for patients with luminal‐type breast cancers, compared with 8% for those with triple‐negative cancers. Similarly, breast cancer‐free survival rates increased year‐on‐year by 4% versus 8% for luminal‐type and triple‐negative cancers, respectively. Breast cancer‐specific survival rates increased with age by 5% year‐on‐year. Both breast cancer‐free survival and breast cancer‐specific survival rates in patients with luminal cancers exhibited a non‐linear (“L‐shaped”) relationship—where decreasing age at presentation was associated with escalating risks of relapse and death. The influence of age on overall survival was confounded by competing non‐cancer deaths in older women, resulting in a “U‐shaped” relationship.ConclusionsYoung Asian breast cancer patients have a continuous year‐on‐year increase in rates of disease relapse and cancer deaths compared with older patients with no apparent threshold.
The 5-HTTLPR genotype, early life adversity and cortisol responsivity to psychosocial stress in women
Authors: Aleknaviciute Jurate , Tulen Joke H. M. , de Rijke Yolanda B. , van der Kroeg Mark , Kooiman Cornelis G. , Kushner Steven A. 
Published: June 2018

BackgroundThe serotonin transporter gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) has previously been associated with hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis function. Moreover, it has been suggested that this association is moderated by an interaction with stressful life experiences.AimsTo investigate the moderation of cortisol response to psychosocial stress by 5-HTTLPR genotype, either directly or through an interaction with early life stress.MethodA total of 151 women, 85 of which had personality psychopathology, performed the Trier Social Stress Test while cortisol responsivity was assessed.ResultsThe results demonstrate a main effect of genotype on cortisol responsivity. Women carrying two copies of the long version of 5-HTTLPR exhibited stronger cortisol responses to psychosocial stress than women with at least one copy of the short allele (P = 0.03). However, the proportion of the variance of stress-induced cortisol responsivity explained by 5-HTTLPR genotype was not further strengthened by including early life adversity as a moderating factor (P = 0.52).ConclusionsOur results highlight the need to clarify gender-specific biological factors influencing the serotonergic system. Furthermore, our results suggest that childhood maltreatment, specifically during the first 15 years of life, is unlikely to exert a moderating influence of large effect on the relationship between the 5-HTTLPR genotype and cortisol responsivity to psychosocial stress.Declaration of interestNone.
Distinct transcriptional responses of mouse sensory neurons in models of human chronic pain conditions
Authors: Bangash M.A. , Alles Sascha R.A. , Santana-Varela Sonia , Millet Queensta , Sikandar Shafaq , de Clauser Larissa , ter Heegde Freija , Habib Abdella M. , Pereira Vanessa , Sexton Jane E. , Emery Edward C. , Li Shengnan , Luiz Ana P. , Erdos Janka , Gossage Samuel J. , Zhao Jing , Cox James J. , Wood John N. 
Published: June 2018

Background: Sensory neurons play an essential role in almost all pain conditions, and have recently been classified into distinct subsets on the basis of their transcriptomes. Here we have analysed alterations in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) gene expression using microarrays in mouse models related to human chronic pain. Methods: Six different pain models were studied in male C57BL/6J mice: (1) bone cancer pain using cancer cell injection in the intramedullary space of the femur; (2) neuropathic pain using partial sciatic nerve ligation; (3) osteoarthritis pain using mechanical joint loading; (4) chemotherapy-induced pain with oxaliplatin; (5) chronic muscle pain using hyperalgesic priming; and (6) inflammatory pain using intraplantar complete Freund’s adjuvant. Microarray analyses were performed using RNA isolated from dorsal root ganglia and compared to sham/vehicle treated controls. Results: Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. Known and previously unreported genes were found to be dysregulated in each pain model. The transcriptomic profiles for each model were compared and expression profiles of DEGs within subsets of DRG neuronal populations were analysed to determine whether specific neuronal subsets could be linked to each of the pain models. Conclusions: Each pain model exhibits a unique set of altered transcripts implying distinct cellular responses to different painful stimuli. No simple direct link between genetically distinct sets of neurons and particular pain models could be discerned.
Geographical distribution of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) and genetic diversity of invading population of Ae. albopictus in the Republic of the Congo
Authors: Kamgang Basile , Wilson-Bahun Theodel A. , Irving Helen , Kusimo Michael O. , Lenga Arsene , Wondji Charles S. 
Published: June 2018

Background:The arbovirus vector,Aedes albopictus,originating from Asia, has recently invaded African countries, including the Republic of the Congo, where it was associated with a chikungunya outbreak. Up until now, little was known about its distribution in relation to the nativeAedes aegyptiand how the invasion will modify the epidemiology of arboviral diseases. Here, we assessed the current distribution ofAe. albopictusandAe. aegyptiin the Republic of the Congo and explored the genetic diversity of the invading species,Ae. albopictus.Methods:Immature stages ofAedeswere collected in nine locations in the Republic of the Congo in 2017 following a north-south transect and reared to adult stage. Adults were morphologically identified, counted and grouped according to species and location. Genetic diversity ofAe. albopictuswas assessed by analyzing the cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene.Results:Ae.albopictusandAe. aegyptiwere found together across the country in all the locations investigated. The invasive species is predominant over the native species in all locations except Brazzaville, suggesting thatAe. albopictusis displacingAe. aegyptiacross Congo. When comparing the species distributions across the two largest cities, Brazzaville and Pointe Noire,Ae. albopictuswas more prevalent thanAe. aegyptiin the suburbs whereas the opposite situation was reported in the city centre. Mitochondrial DNA analysis revealed very low genetic diversity ofAe. albopictuswith only three haplotypes recorded across the country supporting the recent introduction of this species in the Republic of the Congo. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed thatAe. albopictusfrom Congo originated from other tropical Asian countries such as China, likely as a result of increasing trade links.Conclusion:These findings are important for the implementation of vector control strategies and can serve as a foundation for further research on these vectors in the country.
Cross-sectional study among medical students in Latvia: Differences of mental symptoms and somatic symptoms among Latvian and international students
Authors: Rueckert Kamiar-Kersten , Ancane Gunta 
Published: June 2018

Introduction. This research aims to determine the prevalence of mental symptoms (depressive symptoms, anxiety and adjustment disorders) and somatic symptoms among medical students at Riga Stradins University in Latvia, as well as to display the differences between local and international medical students.
Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted by means of onlinebased questionnaires among medical students in their 1st, 4th and 6th years studying in Riga, Latvia, during March 2017. The mental and somatic symptoms were screened with the PHQ-D Option C (PHQ-15, PHQ-9, GAD-7). Symptoms of adjustment disorder were obtained by the ADNM-6. Medical students were divided into three groups according to their answers of the PHQ-D: Group A: no symptom, group B: a single symptom, group C: multiple symptoms. A general questionnaire and a questionnaire regarding stressful life events over the past half-year were distributed additionally.
Results. 67 (40.1%) participants were Latvian students; 100 (59.9%) were international students. 23 (34.3%) Latvian students were in group A, 20 (29.9%) in group B, 24 (35.8%) in group C. 51 (51%) international students were in group A, 34 (34%) in group B, 14 (14%) in group C. Latvians displayed statisti cally significantly more health-related symptoms (0.003). 11 (11%) international students who reported a stressful life event over the last half-year were in group C. 21 (31.3%) of Latvian students who reported a stressful life event over the last half-year were in group C. 73 (43.7%) of all students had experienced stressful life events and displayed troubles adjusting to them. 65 (63.1%) students of the two groups with a stressful life found the event to have a great burden on them, 63 (61.2%) were wondering whether it could happen again, and 73 (70.9%) tried to suppress their feelings.
Conclusion. Medical students in Latvia have a high prevalence of healthrelated symptoms. Latvian medical students display more health-related symptoms and symptoms of adjustment disorder. Further research needs to be performed to investigate whether Latvians have a lower threshold for stressors or whether they are exposed to more stressors than international students. The high prevalence of symptoms of adjustment disorder may impact the prospective patient-doctor relationship and the treatment outcome.
On preservation and development of Estonian as a research language in anthropology – the role of the Yearbooks of the Estonian Anthropometric Register (1998–2002) in it. Part II
Authors: Kasmel Jaan , Kasmel Tiiu 
Published: June 2018

On 18 July 2018, the Centre for Physical Anthropology at the University of Tartu will mark its 25th anniversary. The specialists of different research areas from whole Estonia who had gathered around this Centre also considered it necessary to preserve and develop Estonian as a research language in anthropo logy. When cooperation was established with the Estonian Anthropometric Register (founded in 1995), it became possible to publish the Estonian-language Yearbook of the Estonian Anthropometric Register (YEAR), the first of which was published in 1998, i.e. 20 years ago.
The article will deal with the YEARs published in 1998–2002 – who were the authors who decided to publish their research papers on anthropology in in Estonian in this serial, how many of them there were, in which towns and institutions they worked?
The first part of the overview [6] briefly described the publications by researchers of anthropology originating in Estonia, starting with publications in Latin and finishing with English as the main present-day language of research. Table 1 provided a general characterisation of the five yearbooks and Table 2 the distribution of the published articles according to the number of authors.
Tables 3–7 in the second part of the overview present the distribution of articles over the years according to their first authors. Table 8 presents the distribution of articles between Tartu and Tallinn and the institutions and their subunits in these towns according to the first authors of the articles.