bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The spectrum of histopathologic findings in pemphigoid: Avoiding diagnostic pitfalls
Authors: Hodge Bonnie D. , Roach Jenna , Reserva Jeave L. , Patel Tejal , Googe Amber , Schulmeier Jennifer , Brodell Robert T. 
Published: August 2018

BackgroundBullous pemphigoid (BP) is an autoimmune vesiculobullous dermatitis that primarily affects the elderly and presents with tense, fluid‐filled blisters. The histological hallmark on routine hematoxylin & eosin (H&E)‐stained specimens is a subepidermal blister with luminal eosinophils. However, there are histologic variants than can produce diagnostic confusion.MethodsAll immunofluorescence reports from an independent certified dermatopathology laboratory (2006‐2015) were inspected, and those with findings consistent with an autoimmune subepidermal blistering process were selected. Seventy‐seven cases were identified, and the corresponding H&E‐stained specimens were reviewed by two dermatopathologists who tabulated the histopathologic findings.ResultsJust over half of biopsies showed subepidermal clefting (54%). The histologic variants included: urticarial or eczematous findings (17%), partial or complete re‐epithelialization (28%), and epidermal necrosis (7%).ConclusionWhile re‐epithelialization of subepidermal blisters is a commonly accepted phenomenon, there are no published data demonstrating its incidence. Because only half of the biopsies showed the classic subepidermal blister, it is important to be aware of the spectrum of histopathologic findings that occur in this disease. Specifically, the presence of an intraepidermal blister and/or epidermal necrosis on routine H&E‐stained specimens does not preclude the diagnosis of pemphigoid.
Targeting redox regulation to treat substance use disorder using N‐acetylcysteine
Authors: Womersley Jacqueline S. , Townsend Danyelle M. , Kalivas Peter W. , Uys Joachim D. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractSubstance use disorder (SUD) is a chronic relapsing disorder characterized by transitioning from acute drug reward to compulsive drug use. Despite the heavy personal and societal burden of SUDs, current treatments are limited and unsatisfactory. For this reason, a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying addiction is required. Altered redox status, primarily due to drug‐induced increases in dopamine metabolism, is a unifying feature of abused substances. In recent years, knowledge of the effects of oxidative stress in the nervous system has evolved from strictly neurotoxic to include a more nuanced role in redox‐sensitive signaling. More specifically, S‐glutathionylation, a redox‐sensitive post‐translational modification, has been suggested to influence the response to drugs of abuse. In this review we will examine the evidence for redox‐mediating drugs as therapeutic tools focusing on N‐acetylcysteine as a treatment for cocaine addiction. We will conclude by suggesting future research directions that may further advance this field.
To replicate, or not to replicate – that is the question: how to tackle nonlinear responses in ecological experiments
Authors: Kreyling Juergen , Schweiger Andreas H. , Bahn Michael , Ineson Phil , Migliavacca Mirco , Morel‐Journel Thibaut , Christiansen Jesper Riis , Schtickzelle Nicolas , Larsen Klaus Steenberg 
Published: August 2018

AbstractA fundamental challenge in experimental ecology is to capture nonlinearities of ecological responses to interacting environmental drivers. Here, we demonstrate that gradient designs outperform replicated designs for detecting and quantifying nonlinear responses. We report the results of (1) multiple computer simulations and (2) two purpose‐designed empirical experiments. The findings consistently revealed that unreplicated sampling at a maximum number of sampling locations maximised prediction success (i.e. theR² to the known truth) irrespective of the amount of stochasticity and the underlying response surfaces, including combinations of two linear, unimodal or saturating drivers. For the two empirical experiments, the same pattern was found, with gradient designs outperforming replicated designs in revealing the response surfaces of underlying drivers. Our findings suggest that a move to gradient designs in ecological experiments could be a major step towards unravelling underlying response patterns to continuous and interacting environmental drivers in a feasible and statistically powerful way.
Foundation species patch configuration mediates salt marsh biodiversity, stability and multifunctionality
Authors: Crotty Sinéad M. , Sharp Sean J. , Bersoza Ada C. , Prince Kimberly D. , Cronk Katheryne , Johnson Emma E. , Angelini Christine 
Published: August 2018

AbstractFoundation species enhance biodiversity and multifunctionality across many systems; however, whether foundation species patch configuration mediates their ecological effects is unknown. In a 6‐month field experiment, we test which attributes of foundation species patch configuration – i.e. patch size, total patch area, perimeter, area‐perimeter ratio, or connectivity – control biodiversity, stability and multifunctionality by adding a standardised density of mussel foundation species in patches of 1, 5, 10, 30, 60, 90 or 180 individuals to a southeastern US salt marsh. Over 67% of response variables increased with clustering of mussels, responses that were driven by increases in area–perimeter ratio (33%), decreases in perimeter (29%), or increases in patch size (5%), suggesting sensitivity to external stressors and/or dependence on foundation species‐derived niche availability and segregation. Thus, mussel configuration – by controlling the relative distribution of multidimensional patch interior and edge niche space – critically modulates this foundation species’ effects on ecosystem structure, stability and function.
The use of antidepressant drugs in pregnant women with epilepsy: A study from the Australian Pregnancy Register
Authors: Sivathamboo Niveshan , Hitchcock Alison , Graham Janet , Sivathamboo Shobi , Chen Zhibin , O'Brien Terence J. , Vajda Frank J. E. 
Published: August 2018

SummaryObjectiveTo study interactions between first‐trimester exposure to antidepressant drugs (ADDs) and antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), and a history of clinical depression and/or anxiety, on pregnancy outcomes and seizure control in pregnant women with epilepsy (WWE).MethodsWe examined data from the Australian Pregnancy Register of Antiepileptic Drugs in Pregnancy, collected from 1999 to 2016. The register is an observational, prospective database, from which this study retrospectively analyzed a cohort. Among the AED‐exposed outcomes, comparisons were made among 3 exposure groups: (1) pregnancy outcomes with first‐trimester exposure to ADDs; (2) outcomes with mothers diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety but who were not medicated with an ADD; and (3) those with mothers who were not diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety and were not medicating with ADD. Prevalence data was analyzed using Fisher's exact test.ResultsA total of 2124 pregnancy outcomes were included in the analysis; 1954 outcomes were exposed to AEDs in utero, whereas 170 were unexposed. Within the group of WWE taking AEDs, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of malformations in infants who were additionally exposed to ADDs (10.2%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.9‐16.6), compared to individuals in the non–ADD‐medicated depression and/or anxiety group (7.7%, 95% CI 1.2‐14.2), or those without depression or anxiety (6.9%, 95% CI 5.7‐8.1; P = 0.45). The malformation rates in pregnancy outcomes unexposed to AEDs were also similar in the above groups (P = 0.27). In WWE medicated with AEDs and ADDs, the frequency of convulsive seizures (P = 0.78), or nonconvulsive seizures (P = 0.45) throughout pregnancy, did not differ across comparative groups.SignificanceCo‐medicating with ADDs in WWE taking AEDs does not appear to confer a significant added teratogenic risk, and it does not affect seizure control.
‘Re‐reading’ Dassonville: Meaning and understanding in the history of European law
Authors: Schütze Robert 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThere are few ‘mythical’ judgments that every student of European integration has read or ought to have read. Dassonville is one of these judgments. The Court here makes one of its ‘most famous pronouncement[s] ever’; and yet very little historical research on where the Dassonville formula came from and what it was intended to mean in 1974 has yet been undertaken. The conventional wisdom holds that the Court offered a hyper‐liberalist definition of the European internal market, which radically dissociated itself from the conceptual shackles accepted in modern international trade law. According to this view, Dassonville represents the substantive law equivalent of Van Gend en Loos. This traditional view, it will be argued, is simply not borne out by the historical facts. A contextual interpretation indeed shows a very different meaning of Dassonville; and a closer author‐centric analysis reveals a very different understanding of the Dassonville formula in its historical context.
Warming springs and habitat alteration interact to impact timing of breeding and population dynamics in a migratory bird
Authors: Kentie Rosemarie , Coulson Tim , Hooijmeijer Jos C. E. W. , Howison Ruth A. , Loonstra A. H. Jelle , Verhoeven Mo A. , Both Christiaan , Piersma Theunis 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIn seasonal environments, increasing spring temperatures lead many taxa to advance the timing of reproduction. Species that do not may suffer lower fitness. We investigated why black‐tailed godwits (Limosa limosa limosa), a ground‐breeding agricultural grassland shorebird, have not advanced timing of reproduction during the last three decades in the face of climate change and human‐induced habitat degradation. We used data from an 11‐year field study to parameterize an Integral Projection Model to predict how spring temperature and habitat quality simultaneously influence the timing of reproduction and population dynamics. We found apparent selection for earlier laying, but not a correlation between the laying dates of parents and their offspring. Nevertheless, in warmer springs, laying dates of adults show a stronger positive correlation with laying date in previous springs than in cooler ones, and this leads us to predict a slight advance in the timing of reproduction if spring temperatures continue to increase. We also show that only in landscapes with low agricultural activity, the population can continue to act as a source. This study shows how climate change and declining habitat quality may enhance extinction risk.
Climate–fire interactions constrain potential woody plant cover and stature in North American Great Plains grasslands
Authors: Scholtz R. , Fuhlendorf S. D. , Archer S. R. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractAimDisturbances such as fire operate against a backdrop of constraints imposed by climate and soils to influence grass–woody plant abundance. However, little is known of how these factors interact to determine the upper limits of woody cover and stature in grasslands, in which shrub/tree abundance has been increasing globally.LocationKansas, Oklahoma, Texas, USA.Time period2004–2014.Major taxa studiedAngiosperms and gymnosperms.MethodsUsing a database of 1,466 sites and quantile regression to derive precipitation‐based upper limits to woody cover and height within grasslands of the central/southern Great Plains, USA, we assessed how soil texture and climate‐related fire probabilities [two groups; low fire probability, P(Flow), versus high fire probability, P(Fhi)] might influence realization of the climate potential.ResultsSoil texture had no substantive influence on regional‐scale woody cover, but taller plants were predicted on sandy soils. Woody plant height potential increased linearly with increasing annual precipitation, becoming asymptotic at c. 800 mm for both the P(Flow) and the P(Fhi) fire groups, after which P(Flow) areas were predicted to support taller plants. Potential woody cover also increased linearly with annual precipitation until c. 800 mm, after which predictions of maximum % cover were similar under both fire groups.Main conclusionsPrecipitation was the overriding factor constraining potential woody cover and height, particularly in drier regions, with fire playing a minor role at these regional scales. In contrast to height potential, cover potential remained similar for both P(Flow) and P(Fhi) sites. Dynamic adjustments in woody plant architecture and allocation to foliage and stems, wherein areal cover is maintained when height is suppressed has implications for remote sensing, primary production and biogeochemical processes. Our analyses indicate drier grasslands [< 800 mm mean annual precipitation (MAP)] undergoing woody plant encroachment have the potential to become shrublands (e.g. short woody plants, low cover), whereas wetter areas have the potential to become woodland or forest (taller woody plants, high cover).
Haemophilia care in Latin America: Assessment and perspectives
Authors: Boadas Apsara , Ozelo Margareth C. , Solano Maria , Berges Adolfina , Ruiz‐Saez Arlette , Linares Adriana , Lamas José Luis , Aparicio Rafael , Aversa Luis , Baques Alejandra , Estrada Armando , Herrejon Misael , Mancia Ana , Nieves‐Paulino Rosa , Pinto Ieda , Prezoti Alessandra , Soto Verónica , Ugalde Dani 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIntroductionThe study is the first application of the Principles of Haemophilia Care for Europe (PHCE) in other regions of the world, specifically in Latin America.ObjectiveTo identify strengths in the care of haemophilia, and the aspects that should be improved.MethodsThe information was obtained through a questionnaire designed according to the PHCE and answered by specialists in mid‐2016. The countries included were as follows: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mexico, Panama, Dominican Republic and Venezuela.ResultsIn most countries, there is a central organization for haemophilia care supported by local groups. The existence of a national registry of people with haemophilia (PWH) was verified in eight countries. Centres of integrated care are located in large cities. In the majority of countries, there was no evidence of the participation of multiple actors in the decision‐making. The supply of factor concentrates presents constraints, although it is reported as adequate in half of the countries. In most countries, home treatment is available under special conditions. In most countries, there are restrictions on the use of prophylaxis. The coordination of specialized and emergency services depends on each centre. Unrestricted treatment of inhibitors is performed in most countries. In all countries, there are human resources training programmes; however, clinical and health services researches are not widely developed.ConclusionThe study identifies the initial situation of principles of care, as well as the alternatives that must be implemented to achieve improvements in the quality of life of PWH in the region.
High‐Volume Anesthetic Suboccipital Nerve Blocks for Treatment Refractory Chronic Cluster Headache With Long‐Term Efficacy Data: An Observational Case Series Study
Authors: Rozen Todd D. 
Published: August 2018

ObjectiveTo determine the efficacy of high‐volume anesthetic suboccipital nerve blocks (HVSON) for chronic cluster headache (CCH) and to define consistency of response over long‐term use.BackgroundThere are studies showing efficacy of greater occipital and suboccipital nerve block injections for CCH and also their possible use as a preventive treatment modality. There are scant data about the long‐term efficacy of repetitive greater occipital and suboccipital nerve injections in CCH. HVSON has not been studied for CH.MethodsThis was an open label, observational, case series study. Patients with CCH seen at a dedicated headache clinic over a 7‐year time period and injected on at least 2 separate occasions were used for analysis. All were deemed medicinal treatment refractory. HVSON consisted of 9 mL 1% lidocaine and 1 mL triamcinolone 40 mg/mL injected on the side of CH.ResultsTen CCH patients were retrospectively studied. Range of mean average response to HVSON (all patients had complete pain freedom) was 1.5–31 weeks (longest: 44 weeks in 2 patients). Only one patient did not respond; 2 patients had 1.5–2 weeks of response; the remainder had at least 4 weeks of response. The mean average duration of effect was 10.3 weeks in the responders. Five patients were injected serially for 2–4 years (30x, 17x, 15x, 10x and 3x, respectively) with a consistent response of 6 weeks, 4 weeks, 12 weeks, 4 weeks, and 31 weeks, respectively, after each injection. Response duration was very reliable per individual patient. All 5 patients felt HVSON was effective as a preventive treatment. Smoking history did not appear to alter treatment response (8/10 were chronic current smokers and 7/8 responded to HVSON). The one patient who received the most injections developed avascular necrosis of the hip; the remainder of the subjects had no adverse events.ConclusionHVSON from this open label study appears to be effective in the preventive treatment of medicinal refractory CCH and shows consistent response over long‐term use with high rates of pain freedom.
Probiotic supplementation with Lactobacillus plantarum and Pediococcus acidilactici for Helicobacter pylori therapy: A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: McNicholl Adrian G. , Molina‐Infante Javier , Lucendo Alfredo J. , Calleja José Luis , Pérez‐Aisa Ángeles , Modolell Inés , Aldeguer Xavier , Calafat Margalida , Comino Luis , Ramas Mercedes , Callejo Ángel , Badiola Carlos , Serra Jordi , Gisbert Javier P. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of a probiotic supplementation for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication therapy.DesignConsecutive adult naive patients with a diagnosis of H. pylori infection who were prescribed eradication therapy according to clinical practice (10‐day triple or nonbismuth quadruple concomitant therapy) randomly received probiotics (1 × 109 colony‐forming units each strain, Lactobacillus plantarum and Pediococcus acidilactici) or matching placebo. Side effects at the end of the treatment, measured through a modified De Boer Scale, were the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were compliance with therapy and eradication rates.ResultsA total of 209 patients (33% triple therapy, 66% non‐bismuth quadruple therapy) were included [placebo (n = 106) or probiotic (n = 103)]. No differences were observed regarding side effects at the end of the treatment between groups (β −0.023, P 0.738). Female gender (P < 0.001) and quadruple therapy (P 0.007) were independent predictors of side effects. No differences in compliance were observed, regardless of the study group or eradication therapy. Eradication rates were similar between groups [placebo 95% (95% confidence interval (CI), 89% to 98%) vs probiotic 97% (95% CI, 92% to 99%), P 0.721]. There were no relevant differences in cure rates (>90% in all cases) between triple and quadruple concomitant therapy.ConclusionProbiotic supplementation containing Lactobacillus Plantarum and Pediococcus acidilactici to H. pylori treatment neither decreased side effects nor improved compliance with therapy or eradication rates.
Therapeutic potential of lenvatinib for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma in clinical practice: Multicenter analysis
Authors: Hiraoka Atsushi , Kumada Takashi , Kariyama Kazuya , Takaguchi Koichi , Itobayashi Ei , Shimada Noritomo , Tajiri Kazuto , Tsuji Kunihiko , Ishikawa Toru , Ochi Hironori , Hirooka Masashi , Tsutsui Akemi , Shibata Hiroshi , Tada Toshifumi , Toyoda Hidenori , Nouso Kazuhiro , Joko Kouji , Hiasa Yoichi , Michitaka Kojiro ,   Real‐life Practice Experts for HCC (RELPEC) Study Group and the HCC 48 Group (hepatocellular carcinoma experts from 48 clinics in Japan)
Published: August 2018

AimLenvatinib (LEN) has recently become available as a first‐line tyrosine‐kinase inhibitor (TKI) for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (u‐HCC). In patients who showed intolerability or failure in other TKI treatments, alternative treatment options are needed. This retrospective study evaluated the therapeutic potential of LEN in clinical practice.MethodsWe enrolled 57 u‐HCC patients treated with LEN from March to June 2018. Lenvatinib was given orally to patients weighing <60 kg at 8 mg/day and at 12 mg/day to those ≥60 kg. Following the exclusion of patients whose initial LEN dose was reduced, 49 patients were evaluated in regard to their characteristics and early therapeutic response using modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors for findings of follow‐up computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations at 4 weeks after introducing LEN.ResultsThe average patient age was 72.4 ± 9.3 years and 38 (77.6%) were men. The LEN dose was 8 and 12 mg in 32 and 17 patients, respectively. Twenty‐nine (59.2%) had history of treatment with sorafenib and six of them (20.7%) with regorafenib. Of the 49 patients, 27 were evaluated using findings obtained by enhanced CT/MRI at 4 weeks after introducing LEN. Partial response was shown in 11, stable disease in 12, and progressive disease in four (overall response rate [ORR], 40.7%; disease control rate [DCR], 85.2%). The ORR and DCR of TKI‐naïve patients (n = 8) were 50.0% and 87.5%, respectively, whereas those of TKI‐experienced patients (n = 19) were 36.8% and 84.2%, respectively (P = 0.675 and P = 1.00, respectively).ConclusionEarly therapeutic response to LEN was favorable. This new TKI could have therapeutic potential both in patients with and without past TKI treatments.
TECHNOLOGY, POLICY DISTORTIONS, AND THE RISE OF LARGE FARMS
Authors: Cai Wenbiao 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBetween 1900 and 2002, mean farm size in the United States tripled; productive resources were increasingly concentrated in large farms. These observations are difficult to explain as results of profit maximization by farmers in a frictionless equilibrium model, given exogenous factor endowment and technology. I show that notable shifts in the farm size distribution coincided with important changes in farm legislation and that farm programs provided larger farms more subsidy per dollar of output produced. These farm‐level distortions are crucial for the increasing dominance of large farms but have little impact on employment and productivity in agriculture.
Obstructive sleep apnea, low transferrin saturation levels, and male‐pattern baldness
Authors: Baik Inkyung , Lee SeungKu , Thomas Robert J. , Shin Chol 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBackgroundThere are limited data on the association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which is characterized by intermittent hypoxia, and male‐pattern baldness (MPB). Low blood iron levels are reportedly associated with hypoxia and hair loss. This study explored a possible link amongOSA, iron status, andMPB.MethodsPolysomnography (PSG) and hair assessments were conducted in a cross‐sectional study including 932 men aged 46–76 years.OSAwas defined as an apnea‐hypopnea index ≥5 byPSGevaluation andMPBas scales fromIVtoVIIaccording to the Norwood‐Hamilton scale classification. Serum transferrin saturation (TSA) levels were assessed.ResultsA total of 224 men (24%) were identified asMPBcases and 495 men (53%) as havingOSA. After considering potential risk factors,OSAand other sleep‐related variables were not associated withMPB. In joint analysis ofOSAand family history of hair loss, men with these two factors showed a sevenfold higher multivariate odds ratio (95% confidence interval: 3.70, 12.56) forMPBthan those without both of them (P < 0.05 for the interaction betweenOSAand family history of hair loss).TSAlevels were significantly associated withMPBandOSA.OSAcases withoutMPBas well asMPBcases showed lowerTSAlevels than those with neitherOSAnorMPB(P < 0.05).ConclusionsThese findings suggest thatOSAmay be a risk factor forMPBin men who have a family history of hair loss and that low serumTSAlevels associated with hypoxia may be involved in a pathway linkingOSAandMPB.