bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Distinctive low epidermal nerve fiber density in schwannomatosis patients provides a major parameter for diagnosis and differential diagnosis
Authors: Farschtschi Said C. , Kluwe Lan , Schön Gerhard , Friedrich Reinhard E. , Matschke Jakob , Glatzel Markus , Weis Joachim , Hagel Christian , Mautner Victor‐Felix 
Published: August 2019

AbstractSchwannomatosis and neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) are two distinct neuro‐genetic tumor predisposition disorders, which, however, share some clinical and genetic features. While germline mutations in the NF2 gene are only found in NF2, a majority of schwannomatosis patients have germline mutations in the SMARCB1 or LZTR1 genes. The overlapping clinical phenotypes pose a serious challenge in differential diagnosis and in risk stratification of these two entities which is further complicated by frequent mosaicism in both disorders. Chronic neuropathic pain which is a typical consequence of small fiber neuropathy, is characteristic for schwannomatosis. By contrast, NF2 patients do not have chronic pain but may have moderate to severe sensory deficits and paresis which are not characteristic for schwannomatosis. In the present study, we determined intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IEND) in skin biopsies of 34 clinically ascertained schwannomatosis and 25 NF2 patients. In the NF2 group, 11/25 (44%) presented with IEND below the age‐ and gender‐matched bottom 5% normative reference IEND. In contrast, nearly all (33/34 = 97%) schwannomatosis patients showed IEND below or on the bottom 5% normative reference. The reduction of IEND in schwannomatosis patients was age‐independent. Paired t‐test revealed no difference between the NF2‐IEND and the corresponding bottom 5% normative reference (P = 0.98). By contrast, IEND in the schwannomatosis patients were highly significantly lower than the corresponding 5% normative reference IEND (P < 0.0001). In addition, the difference between the IEND of our patients and the 5% lowest normative reference IEND was highly significantly larger in schwannomatosis patients than in NF2 patients (P < 0.0001). IEND of our patients did not correlate with neither the presence nor types of germline mutations in neither the NF2 nor the LZTR1 gene. In conclusion, schwannomatosis patients have marked low IEND which provides a major parameter for diagnosis and differential diagnosis.
Child maltreatment types and adolescent substance use: The role of deviant peer affiliation
Authors: Yoon Dalhee , Snyder Susan M. , Yoon Susan 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThis is the first study to examine the mediating effects of deviant peer affiliation on the association between different types of child maltreatment and adolescent substance use that includes alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana. Peer deviance is a well‐established correlate of adolescent substance use, but most studies exploring the relationship between child maltreatment and adolescent substance use have failed to include peer deviance. Structural equation modelling was conducted to examine the direct effects of each type of child maltreatment (i.e., physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, and neglect) on adolescent substance use, as well as indirect effects via deviant peer affiliation, using Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect. The results indicated that deviant peer affiliation fully mediated the individuals who had been emotionally abused showed increased deviant peer affiliation, which in turn was associated with higher levels of adolescent substance use. None of the four types of child maltreatment was directly associated with adolescent substance use. The study's findings underscore the importance of early assessment and intervention for the peer relationships of youth who have been emotionally abused.
Needs and availability of support among care‐leavers: A mixed‐methods study
Authors: Refaeli Tehila 
Published: August 2019

AbstractData are scarce on the long‐term needs of care‐leavers and on the support resources that are available for them in the years after leaving care. This mixed‐methods study presents data on the needs and availability of support of 222 Israeli care‐leavers, suggesting that the most urgent needs of care‐leavers are a lasting need for a stable and available support figure and assistance with educational issues. For some care‐leavers, these needs are fulfilled by their mentors. Parents and other familial figures were found to be the most common support resource for care‐leavers, which highlights the need for the intervention of social workers to improve relationships within families while the children are still in care. Due to high rate of young people who have no support resources and a low rate of services utilization, social services should provide a platform to support this group, using mentors and other supporters. The longitudinal data of up to 4 years after leaving care indicated that the availability of various types of informal support improved over the years, and the reports on difficulties in relationships of the care‐leavers with their parents were significantly fewer 4 years after leaving care than on the verge of leaving care.
Clinical assessment of the palatal alveolar bone thickness and its correlation with the buccolingual angulation of maxillary incisors for immediate implant placement
Authors: Do Thanh A. , Shen Yen‐Wen , Fuh Lih‐Jyh , Huang Heng‐Li 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBackgroundClinicians needed to be aware of the thinness of the palatal bone plate when identifying severe protrusion of maxillary incisors, as this could result in perforation of the palatal bone plate during surgical procedures associated with immediate maxillary implant placement.PurposeThis study evaluated the thickness of the palatal bone plate, the buccolingual angulation of maxillary incisors, and the correlation between these two parameters in relation to immediate implant placement.Materials and MethodsCone‐beam computed tomography images of 37 Asian patients (20‐60 years old) with no evidence of dental treatment in the maxillary incisor area were collected and classified into groups based on sex and incisor locations. Sagittal slices were used to measure the palatal bone plate thickness at the cervical, middle, and apical levels, and the buccolingual angulation of each tooth was also measured. The intraclass correlation, Shapiro‐Wilk test, descriptive analysis, Student's t‐test, and Pearson correlation were used for statistical and correlation analyses, with P < .05 applied as the criterion for statistical significance.ResultsAt the apical level of all inspected teeth and the middle level of lateral incisors, the palatal bone was significantly thicker in males than in females. The inclination of the maxillary lateral incisor showed a moderate negative linear correlation with the palatal bone thickness at the apical level (R = −0.517 and R = −0.579 for males and females, respectively).ConclusionsIn an Asian population, an increased buccolingual angulation of the maxillary lateral incisors was correlated with a thinner palatal bone plate at the apical level.
Topographic cues of a novel bilayered scaffold modulate dental pulp stem cells differentiation by regulating YAP signalling through cytoskeleton adjustments
Authors: Du Yu , Montoya Carolina , Orrego Santiago , Wei Xi , Ling Junqi , Lelkes Peter I. , Yang Maobin 
Published: August 2019

AbstractObjectivesTopographic cues can modulate morphology and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. This study aimed to determine how topographic cues of a novel bilayered poly (lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) scaffold affect osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs).MethodsThe surface morphology of the scaffolds was visualized by scanning electron microscope, and the surface roughness was measured by profilometry. DPSCs were cultured on each side of the scaffolds. Cell morphology, expression of Yes‐associated protein (YAP) and osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation were analysed by immunohistochemistry, real‐time polymerase chain reaction, and Alizarin Red S staining. In addition, cytochalasin D (CytoD), an F‐actin disruptor, was used to examine the effects of F‐actin on intracellular YAP localisation. Verteporfin, a YAP transcriptional inhibitor, was used to explore the effects of YAP signalling on osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs.ResultsThe closed side of our scaffold showed smaller pores and less roughness than the open side. On the closed side, DPSCs exhibited enhanced F‐actin stress fibre alignment, larger spreading area, more elongated appearance, predominant nuclear YAP localization and spontaneous osteogenic differentiation. Inhibition of F‐actin alignments was correlated with nuclear YAP exclusion of DPSCs. Verteporfin restricted YAP localisation to the cytoplasm, down‐regulated expression of early osteogenic/odontogenic markers and inhibited mineralization of DPSCs cultures.ConclusionsThe surface topographic cues changed F‐actin alignment and morphology of DPSCs, which in turn regulated YAP signalling to control osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation.
Evaluation of Aloe arborescens gel as new coating to maintain the organoleptic and functional properties of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa cv. Cadonga) fruits
Authors: Sicari Vincenzo , Loizzo Monica Rosa , Pellicanò Teresa M. , Giuffrè Angelo M. , Poiana Marco 
Published: August 2019

SummaryStrawberries (Fragaria × ananassa cv. Cadonga) are highly perishable fruits with a storage life, which may be less than a week. In this study, Aloe arborescens gel was used as post‐harvest treatment in order to maintain strawberry quality. Strawberries coated with edible A. arborescens gel were packaged in a polypropylene box and stored. Fruit titratable acidity, pH, soluble solid content, ascorbic acid, total phenols, total flavonoids, total anthocyanins and antioxidant activity evaluated by two different tests (DPPH and ABTS) were measured during 14 days of storage. Significant differences were found (P < 0.05) for the samples treated with A. arborescens compared to the control. During conservation, use of Aloe gel maintained lower values for total soluble solids, a higher concentration of total phenols and ascorbic acid, and a better antioxidant activity when compared to the control. The anthocyanin content remained largely unchanged throughout, in all compared samples.
Diagnosis, management and prevention of Candida auris in hospitals: position statement of the Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases
Authors: Ong Chong W. , Chen Sharon C.‐A. , Clark Julia E. , Halliday Catriona L. , Kidd Sarah E. , Marriott Deborah J. , Marshall Caroline L. , Morris Arthur J. , Morrissey C. Orla , Roy Rita , Slavin Monica A. , Stewardson Andrew J. , Worth Leon J. , Heath Christopher H. ,   on behalf of the Australian and New Zealand Mycoses Interest Group (ANZMIG); and the Healthcare Infection Control Special Interest Group (HICSIG); both of the Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases (ASID)
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Candida auris is an emerging drug‐resistant yeast responsible for hospital outbreaks. This statement reviews the evidence regarding diagnosis, treatment and prevention of this organism and provides consensus recommendations for clinicians and microbiologists in Australia and New Zealand. C. auris has been isolated in over 30 countries (including Australia). Bloodstream infections are the most frequently reported infections. Infections have crude mortality of 30–60%. Acquisition is generally healthcare‐associated and risks include underlying chronic disease, immunocompromise and presence of indwelling medical devices. C. auris may be misidentified by conventional phenotypic methods. Matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionisation time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry or sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer regions and/or the D1/D2 regions of the 28S ribosomal DNA are therefore required for definitive laboratory identification. Antifungal drug resistance, particularly to fluconazole, is common, with variable resistance to amphotericin B and echinocandins. Echinocandins are currently recommended as first‐line therapy for infection in adults and children ≥2 months of age. For neonates and infants <2 months of age, amphotericin B deoxycholate is recommended. Healthcare facilities with C. auris should implement a multimodal control response. Colonised or infected patients should be isolated in single rooms with Standard and Contact Precautions. Close contacts, patients transferred from facilities with endemic C. auris or admitted following stay in overseas healthcare institutions should be pre‐emptively isolated and screened for colonisation. Composite swabs of the axilla and groin should be collected. Routine screening of healthcare workers and the environment is not recommended. Detergents and sporicidal disinfectants should be used for environmental decontamination.
Troponin measurements, myocardial infarction diagnoses and outcomes. An analysis of linked data from New South Wales, Australia
Authors: French John , Brieger David , Juergens Craig , Costa Bernadette , Carr Bridie , Chew Derek P. , Briffa Tom 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBackgroundCardiac troponin assays are very widely requested tests, particularly in emergency departments. Thus, many seriously ill patients who may not have heart disease as their primary discharge diagnosis have undergone troponin testing during hospitalisation.AimsTo determine associations between cardiac troponin levels and mortality, including from cardiovascular and non‐cardiovascular causes, among patients hospitalised in New South Wales, Australia over a 2‐year period.MethodsOver a 2‐year period (2006–2008), 172 753 hospitalised patients had a quantitative or qualitative troponin assay performed in New South Wales (Australia). The associations were examined, using data linked to late outcomes, between elevations in levels of troponins T or I and 1‐year mortality. Mortality was determined for International Statistical Classification of Diseases 10th Revision diagnostic groups.ResultsOf 172 753 patients undergoing troponin testing, 44 357 (25%) had a cardiovascular diagnosis of whom (7% had myocardial infarction) 47 827 (28%) had a probable ischaemic heart disease diagnosis if the 23 873 (14%) of patients coded with ‘chest pain’ were included. In patients with a cardiovascular diagnosis and elevated troponin 3060 (1.8%) died in 12 months in comparison to 6262 (3.6%) in those with a non‐cardiovascular disease diagnoses and elevated troponin. The 1‐year mortality hazard with respect to a troponin elevation was 2.5 (95% confidence interval 2.3–2.7) and 2.0 (95% confidence interval 1.99–2.01) for those with a cardiovascular and non‐cardiovascular diagnosis respectively.ConclusionIn a very large state‐wide hospitalised patient cohort, among patients with elevated troponin levels and non‐cardiac diagnoses, mortality was higher than in those with cardiovascular diagnoses, including MI.
Nanolayered attributes of calcium‐silicate‐hydrate gels
Authors: Masoumi Saeed , Ebrahimi Davoud , Valipour Hamid , Abdolhosseini Qomi Mohammad Javad 
Published: August 2019

AbstractCalcium‐silicate‐hydrates (C–S–H) gel, the main binding phase in cementitious materials, has a complex multiscale texture. Despite decades of intensive research, the relation between C–S–H's chemical composition and mesoscale texture remains experimentally limited to probe and theoretically elusive to comprehend. While the nanogranular texture explains a wide range of experimental observations, understanding the fundamental processes that control particles’ size and shape are still obscure. This paper strives to establish a link between the chemistry of C–S–H nanolayers at the molecular level and formation of C–S–H globules at the mesoscale via the potential‐of‐mean‐force (PMF) coarse‐graining approach. We propose a new thermomechanical load‐cycling scheme that effectively packs polydisperse coarse‐grained nanolayers and creates representative C–S–H gel structures at various packing densities. We find that the C–S–H nanolayers percolate at ~10% packing fraction, significantly below the percolation of ideal hard contact oblate particles and rather close to that of overlapping ellipsoids. The agglomeration of C–S–H nanolayers leads to the formation of globular clusters with the effective thickness of ~5 nm, in striking agreement with small angle neutron and X‐ray scattering measurements as well as nanoscale imaging observations. The study of pore structure and local packing distribution in the course of densification shows a transition from a connected pore network to isolated nanoporosity. Furthermore, the calculated mechanical properties are in excellent agreement with statistical nanoindentation experiments, positioning nanolayered morphology as a finer description of C–S–H globule models. Such high‐resolution description becomes indispensable when investigating phenomena that involve internal building blocks of globules such as shrinkage and creep.
Ablation using 3D maps adjusted for spatial displacement of premature ventricular complexes relative to sinus beats: Improving precision by correcting for the shift
Authors: Steyers Curtis M. , Sodhi Sandeep , Faddis Mitchell N. , Cooper Daniel H. , Cuculich Phillip S. , Noheria Amit 
Published: August 2019

AbstractIntroductionPoint‐by‐point 3‐dimensional (3D) electroanatomic mapping (EAM) is used to guide catheter ablation of premature ventricular complexes (PVCs). Due to the differences in the spatial excursion of the cardiac chambers during cardiac cycles in PVCs vs sinus rhythm, the 3D location registration during PVCs is shifted relative to sinus rhythm. In this study, we describe our strategy to adjust for this displacement in real‐time during PVC mapping.Methods and ResultsWe report 21 patients who underwent catheter ablation of 23 unique PVCs using Carto 3. After mapping the earliest site for each PVC, we reregistered its 3D location to a sinus rhythm beat in real‐time, and used this to guide ablation lesion delivery. The PVC earliest location was spatially displaced from the successful ablation lesion in sinus rhythm by average 6.7 (range 3.3–13.0) mm. Offline, we subsequently analyzed 25 unique chamber maps and 606 PVC points. For each point, we reregistered the 3D location to a preceding sinus beat. The PVC points were displaced from sinus rhythm location by average 4.4 (0.3–13.7) mm. The maximally displaced point for each chamber was 7.7 (4.7–13.7) mm. The general direction of shift during PVC was leftward and inferior relative to sinus rhythm.ConclusionsDuring electroanatomic mapping of PVCs using the Carto 3 system, points mapped during PVCs are spatially displaced relative to their location in sinus rhythm. Electrophysiologists should recognize this phenomenon and account for the shift to guide accurate delivery of ablation lesions.
From near‐zero to zero fluoroscopy catheter ablation procedures
Authors: Santoro Amato , Di Clemente Francesca , Baiocchi Claudia , Zacà Valerio , Bianchi Claudio , Bellini Cesare , Falciani Francesca , Valente Serafina , Gaspardone Achille , Lamberti Filippo 
Published: August 2019

AbstractAimsThe use of electroanatomical mapping (EAM) systems can reduce radiation exposure (RX) and it can also completely eliminate the use of RX. Radiation exposure related to conventional radiofrequency ablation procedures can have a stochastic and deterministic effect on health. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of an entirely nonfluoroscopic approach to catheter ablation (CA) using EAM CARTO3.MethodsIn 2011 we started an RX‐minimization programme in all procedures using the CARTO system with the deliberate intention to not resort to the aid of RX unless strictly necessary. We divided procedures into two groups (group 1: from 2011 to 2013; group 2: from 2014 to 2017). The only exclusion criteria were the need for transseptal puncture, and nonidiopathic ventricular tachycardia (VT).ResultsFrom a total of 525 procedures, we performed CA entirely without RX in 78.5% of cases. From 2011 to 2013, we performed CA without RX in 38.5% of cases; from 2014 to 2017, we performed 96.2% of cases with zero RX. The use of RX was significantly reduced in group 2 (group 2: 1.4 ± 19.6 seconds vs group 1: 556.92 ± 520.76 seconds; P < .001). These differences were irrespective of arrhythmia treatment. There were no differences between the two groups in acute success, complications, or duration of procedures.ConclusionCA of supraventricular tachycardia and VT entirely without RX, guided by the CARTO system, is safe, feasible, and effective. After an adequate learning curve, CA can be performed entirely without RX.
Pulmonary vein isolation using a higher power shorter duration CLOSE protocol with a surround flow ablation catheter
Authors: Berte Benjamin , Hilfiker Gabi , Russi Ian , Moccetti Federico , Cuculi Florim , Toggweiler Stefan , Ruschitzka Frank , Kobza Richard 
Published: August 2019

AbstractIntroductionThe CLOSE protocol combines ablation index (AI) and ≤6 mm interlesion distance using standard power settings for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). The purpose was to compare the safety and efficacy of a conventional CLOSE and a higher power shorter duration (HPSD)‐CLOSE pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) strategy.Methods and ResultsAll consecutive patients referred for PVI were included after informed consent was obtained from them. Group 1 was treated with a standard CLOSE protocol and group 2 with a HPSD‐CLOSE protocol (45 W anterior and 35 W posterior). Procedural parameters and 6‐month follow‐up were analyzed. In total, 174 patients (group 1: n = 94 [paroxysmal: n = 74]; group 2: n = 80 [paroxysmal: n = 65], similar baseline characteristics) were included. PVI was reached in all, but procedure duration (82 ± 18 minutes vs 100 ± 22 minutes; P < .0001) and radiofrequency (RF) time (23 ± 5 minutes vs 36 ± 11 minutes; P < .0001) was shorter in group 2. First pass isolation was similar in groups 2 and 1 (left veins: 94% vs 90%; P = .42 and right veins: 83% vs 84%; P = .79, respectively). Six‐month off‐ antiarrhythmic drugs freedom of AF/AT was similar in groups 2 and 1 (82% [paroxysmal: 86%] vs 83% [paroxysmal: 88%]; P = .93, respectively). Major complications were similar (group 2: 1% vs group 1: 3%; P = .39).ConclusionA higher‐power short duration approach can shorten a CLOSE procedure and reduce ablation time without having a negative impact on safety or efficiency.
Ginsenoside Rb1 ameliorates CKD‐associated vascular calcification by inhibiting the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway
Authors: Zhou Peng , Zhang Xinyu , Guo Mengqi , Guo Rong , Wang Lei , Zhang Zihao , Lin Zongwei , Dong Mei , Dai Hongyan , Ji Xiaoping , Lu Huixia 
Published: August 2019

AbstractVascular calcification (VC) is a pathological process underpinning major cardiovascular conditions and has attracted public attention due to its high morbidity and mortality. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common disease related to VC. Ginsenoside Rb1 (Rb1) has been reported to protect the cardiovascular system against vascular diseases, yet its role in VC and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we established a CKD‐associated VC rat model and a β‐glycerophosphate (β‐GP)‐induced vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) calcification model to investigate the effects of Rb1 on VC. Our results demonstrated that Rb1 ameliorated calcium deposition and VSMC osteogenic transdifferentiation both in vivo and in vitro. Rb1 treatment inhibited the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway by activating peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ (PPAR‐γ), and confocal microscopy was used to show that Rb1 inhibited β‐catenin nuclear translocation in VSMCs. Furthermore, SKL2001, an agonist of the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway, compromised the vascular protective effect of Rb1. GW9662, a PPAR‐γ antagonist, reversed Rb1's inhibitory effect on β‐catenin. These results indicate that Rb1 exerted anticalcific properties through PPAR‐γ/Wnt/β‐catenin axis, which provides new insights into the potential theraputics of VC.