bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Outliving Death: Ebola, Zombies, and the Politics of Saving Lives
Authors: Gomez‐Temesio Veronica 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACTTreatment units were created all across the country with a mission to save lives when the Ebola outbreak hit Guinea in 2014. These units were exceptional sites of biomedical and biosecurity technology. Nevertheless, the concrete procedures to contain the virus reduced the people quarantined to dangerous bodies. The emergency therefore created zombies, haunting figures trapped between life and death. The figure of the zombie shed light on the failure of the humanitarian engagement: when humanitarianism was driven by an ethical imperative of saving lives at any cost, its concrete procedures failed to preserve political and social existence. Zombies also related to the legacy of the slave trade. Connecting the zombie with the postcolonial context of Guinea, I will argue that humanitarian teams were dealing with already devalued lives. Zombies is then another word for pariah citizens of a global world. But people never live in utter subjection. The zombie is thus not only a metaphor for the commodification of life. It also invokes a slave rebellion. Enduring the politics of saving lives, zombies nevertheless resisted the confinement: to the quarantine but also to our analytical gaze. Zombies are thus the ones who outlive not only death in life but also conceptual death. [life, violence, humanitarian aid, zombie, Ebola]
Plasma progesterone, estradiol, and unconjugated estriol concentrations in twin pregnancies: Relation with cervical length and preterm delivery
Authors: Johnsson Vilma L. , Pedersen Nina G. , Worda Katharina , Krampl‐Bettelheim Elisabeth , Skibsted Lillian , Hinterberger Stefan , Strobl Isolde , Bowman Maria E. , Smith Roger , Tabor Ann , Rode Line 
Published: September 2018

AbstractIntroductionThe aim of this study was to examine the association between plasma hormone concentrations, cervical length, and preterm delivery in twin pregnancies, including the effect of progesterone treatment.Material and methodsThis study included 191 women pregnant with twins from a randomized placebo‐controlled trial. A baseline blood sample was collected at 18‐24 weeks before treatment with vaginal progesterone (n = 95) or placebo pessaries (n = 96), and 167 (87.4%) women had a second sample collected after 4‐8 weeks of treatment. At baseline, 155 (81.2%) women had their cervical length measured. Progesterone, estradiol, and unconjugated estriol concentration was measured, and the association between hormone concentrations, cervical length, and gestational age at delivery was examined. Hormone concentrations were compared in the placebo and progesterone group. Statistical analysis included Spearman's rho, Mann‐Whitney U test, Cuzick's test for trends, and linear regression analyses.ResultsA short cervical length was associated with preterm delivery. Cervical length and hormone concentrations were not associated (Spearman's rho; progesterone −.05, estradiol .04, estriol .08). Decreasing gestational age at delivery was associated with higher progesterone and estradiol concentrations at baseline (P trend; progesterone 0.04, estradiol 0.02) but not in the second sample or in the weekly change between samples. Progesterone treatment did not increase the progesterone concentration.ConclusionsPlasma concentrations of progesterone, estradiol, and unconjugated estriol at 18‐24 weeks are not associated with cervical length or preterm delivery in twin pregnancies. Vaginal progesterone treatment does not increase the circulating progesterone concentration in twin pregnancies. Cervical length, but not hormone concentration, is predictive of preterm delivery in twin gestations.
Adherence to a Mediterranean diet, lifestyle and age‐related macular degeneration: the Coimbra Eye Study – report 3
Authors: Raimundo Miguel , Mira Filipe , Cachulo Maria da Luz , Barreto Patrícia , Ribeiro Luísa , Farinha Cláudia , Laíns Inês , Nunes Sandrina , Alves Dalila , Figueira João , Merle Bénédicte MJ , Delcourt Cécile , Santos Lèlita , Silva Rufino 
Published: September 2018

AbstractPurposeTo characterize the lifestyle and nutritional risk profile associated with the Mediterranean diet in a Portuguese population with and without age‐related macular degeneration (AMD).MethodsNested case–control study (n = 883) within the Coimbra Eye Study, including 434 subjects with AMD and 449 age‐ and sex‐matched subjects without AMD. All enrolled subjects underwent a full risk assessment, including lifestyle‐related risk factors and a thorough food frequency questionnaire. This allowed us to build an adherence score to the Mediterranean diet (mediSCORE, range 0–9) constructed from individual food intakes. Food intake was also further analysed by conversion to micronutrient consumption.ResultsOur results suggest that physical activity has a protective role in AMD [p = 0.018 after multivariate adjustment, OR: 0.69 (0.51–0.93)]. High (mediSCORE ≥6) was also found to be protective [p = 0.041, OR: 0.62 (95% CI: 0.38–0.97)]. Food group analysis unveiled a specific protective role for increased fruits consumption (p = 0.029). Finally, micronutrient analysis revealed a protective role associated with increased consumption of caffeine, fibres, beta‐carotene, vitamin C and vitamin E (p < 0.05).ConclusionHigh mediSCORE appears to confer protection against the development of AMD in a Mediterranean population. This effect is driven by increased consumption of fruits and some antioxidant micronutrients, which emerged as statistically significant protective factors. Further studies are required to establish dietary recommendations with clinical application.
The rim area of the optic nerve head, assessed with Heidelberg retina tomography, is smaller in prematurely born children than in children born at term
Authors: Åkerblom Hanna , Holmström Gerd , Larsson Eva 
Published: September 2018

AbstractPurposeTo examine the optic nerve head with Heidelberg tomography (HRT) in prematurely born school‐age children and compare them to children born at term.MethodsSixty‐three 5–16‐year‐old children born with a gestational age (GA) of ≤32 weeks were included in the study and compared to 54 children of the same age, born at term. In the preterm group, 29 children had had retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and nine children had neurological complications. The optic nerve head was assessed with HRT. Three measurements were performed, and the different topographic parameters were noted.ResultsRim area of the optic nerve was significantly smaller in prematurely born children than in children born at term. The mean difference was 0.146 mm2 (p = 0.02). No difference between the groups was found regarding disc area or cup area. In the preterm group, both disc and rim areas were reduced with increasing GA. No correlations with birthweight, ROP or neurological complications were found.ConclusionReduced rim area of the optic nerve head was found in preterm children of school age. Previous ROP or neurological complication did not influence the result, suggesting the preterm birth per se was the reason for the reduction. Establishing whether this finding was caused by disturbed maturation of the optic nerve or by injury of the axons, or a combination of the two, will require further research.
Unnecessary harm is avoided by reliable paediatric index of mortality2 scores without arterial gas sampling
Authors: Kalzén Håkan , Hannegård Hamrin Tova , Lindberg Lars , Ingemanson Ola , Radell Peter J. , Eksborg Staffan 
Published: September 2018

AbstractAimTo investigate whether unnecessary harm could be avoided in children admitted to paediatric intensive care (PICU), we analysed the impact of arterial blood gas on the paediatric index of mortality score2 (PIM2) and the derived predicted death rate (PDR).MethodsFrom January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2010, 1793 consecutive admissions, newborn infants to 16 years of age (median 0.71 years) from a single, tertiary PICU in Gothenburg Sweden, were collected. Admission information on arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) and fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) was extracted from 990 admissions.ResultsThere was close agreement between PIM2 score and PDR regardless of whether the PaO2/FiO2 ratio was omitted or not. In the subgroup of admissions with a respiratory admission diagnosis, the inclusion of the PaO2/FiO2 ratio increased the accuracy of the PIM2 score as well as the PDR. The standard mortality ratio was slightly but not significantly overestimated by excluding the PaO2/FiO2 ratio.ConclusionTo avoid unnecessary harm to children admitted to PICU, an arterial blood gas analysis should only be performed if clinically indicated or if the child has a respiratory admission diagnosis. Estimation of the PIM2 score and PDR will not be less accurate by this approach.
Cystatin C measurement leads to lower metformin dosage in elderly type 2 diabetic patients
Authors: Šálek Tomáš , Adamíková Alena 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe aim of this study was to provide evidence for the hypothesis that estimated glomerular filtration rate from serum Cystatin C (eGFRcys) is better to be determined for all elderly type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients based on eGFRcys upward and downward reclassification rate for hypothetical metformin dose reduction by eGFRcys at the GFR decision point of 45 mL/min/1.73 m2. A total of 265 consecutive T2DM elderly patients (age range 65‐91 years) from outpatient diabetic clinic were included in the study. The Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) guidelines for metformin dosing were strictly followed. Estimated glomerular filtration rate from serum creatinine (eGFRcrea) led to results of metformin eligibility. Each of the results of eGFRcrea‐based eligibility was further compared to eGFRcys‐based eligibility. Creatinine was measured by enzymatic method standardized against international reference material SRM 967. Cystatin C was determined by method traceable to DA ERM 471 international standard. eGFRcrea and eGFRcys were calculated according to Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD‐EPI) equations. A downward reclassification rate was higher than upward reclassification rate (31 vs 3, respectively; P < 0.0001). The median (IQR) eGFRcrea was higher than eGFRcys (73 (58‐85) vs 63 (50‐75) mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively; P < 0.0001). eGFRcys reclassified significant proportion of patients with T2DM from metformin eligible CKD stages to less or non‐eligible stages. The downward reclassification was more frequent in patients older than 80 years (P < 0.01). Cystatin C‐based eGFR selects more complicated patients, where lower doses of metformin are possibly advisable. We recommend calculating both eGFRcrea and eGFRcys for metformin dosing in elderly patients with T2DM.
Quantitation of escitalopram and its metabolites by liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry in psychiatric patients: New metabolic ratio establishment
Authors: Canbolat Fadime , Tasdemir Erinç Dilek Meltem , Evrensel Alper , Aydın Ahmet , Tarhan Kaşif Nevzat 
Published: September 2018

AbstractTherapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is used to determine the concentration of drug in plasma/serum to adjust the dose of the therapeutic drug. Selective and sensitive analytical methods are used to determine drug and metabolite levels for the successful application of TDM. The aim of the study was to develop and validate using LC‐MS/MS to analyse quantitative assay of escitalopram (S‐CT) and metabolites in human plasma samples. In order to provide a convenient and safe treatment dose, it was aimed to determine the levels of S‐CT and its metabolites in the patients’ plasma. A new method with short sample preparation and analysis time was developed and validated using LC‐MS/MS to analyse quantitative assay of S‐CT and its metabolites in plasma. Also, plasma samples of 30 patients using 20 mg S‐CT between the ages of 18 and 65 years were analysed by the validated method. The mean values of S‐CT, demethyl escitalopram and didemethyl escitalopram in plasma of patients were 27.59, 85.52 and 44.30 ng/mL, respectively. At the end of the analysis, the metabolic ratio of S‐CT and metabolites was calculated. It is considered that the method for the quantitative analysis of S‐CT and its metabolites in human plasma samples may contribute to the literature on account of its sensitive and easy application. Additionally, the use of our data by physicians will contribute to the effective drug treatment for their patients who take S‐CT.
Women from racial or ethnic minority and low socioeconomic backgrounds receive more prenatal education: Results from the 2012 to 2014 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System
Authors: Nguyen Minh N. , Siahpush Mohammad , Grimm Brandon L. , Singh Gopal K. , Tibbits Melissa K. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackgroundRacial or ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in adverse birth outcomes are well known, but few studies have examined disparities in the receipt of prenatal health education. The objectives of this study were to examine racial or ethnic and socioeconomic variations in receiving (1) comprehensive prenatal health education and (2) education about human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing, breastfeeding, alcohol, and smoking cessation from health care practitioners.MethodsData were drawn from the 2012 to 2014 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS). Twenty‐seven states were included with an analysis sample size of 68 025 participants. Receiving counseling on all listed health topics during prenatal care visits was denoted as comprehensive prenatal health education. Logistic regression was used to examine the association of racial or ethnic and socioeconomic variables with receiving comprehensive prenatal health education, and HIV testing, breastfeeding, alcohol, and smoking cessation advice separately.ResultsMultivariable results showed that racial or ethnic minorities and women with a high school degree or less; receiving Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) assistance; and on Medicaid during pregnancy have higher odds of receiving comprehensive prenatal health education (all P ≤0 .001). Results were similar for receiving HIV testing, breastfeeding, alcohol, and smoking counseling. Low household income was associated with receiving counseling on HIV testing, alcohol, and smoking (all P ≤ 0.001).ConclusionDespite reporting higher levels of prenatal health education on a variety of health‐related topics, disadvantaged women continue to experience disparities in adverse birth outcomes suggesting that education is insufficient in promoting positive behaviors and birth outcomes.
Long‐term testosterone therapy in type 2 diabetes is associated with reduced mortality without improvement in conventional cardiovascular risk factors
Authors: Hackett Geoffrey , Cole Nigel , Mulay Akhilesh , Strange Richard C. , Ramachandran Sudarshan 
Published: September 2018

ObjectivesTo further characterize the beneficial impact of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) on the association between mortality and hypogonadism (HG) in men with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), by determining, firstly, if changes in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors after TRT play a role, secondly, whether the reduction in mortality is lost when TRT is discontinued and, finally, the presence of subgroups where benefit may be greater.Materials and MethodsWe studied 857 men with T2DM, screened for the BLAST randomized controlled trial, over 3.8 years of follow‐up. The men were stratified first by testosterone levels: group 1: total testosterone (TT) >12 nmol/L and free testosterone (FT) >0.25 nmol/L; Group 2: TT ≤12 nmol/L or FT ≤0.25 nmol/L. Group 2 was further stratified into those not on TRT (Group 2a) and those on TRT (Group 2b). Group 2b was further stratified by whether TRT was discontinued (Group 2b1) or not (Group 2b2). The principal outcome, mortality, was studied using Cox regression.ResultsWe found that TRT was not associated with improvements in CVD risk factors. CVD risk factors (baseline and changes during follow‐up) were not associated with mortality. Men in Group 1 and Group 2b were found to have lower mortality (reference: Group 2a), even with CVD risk factors included in the regression models. Mortality was lower in men in Group 2b1 (6.2%) and Group 2b2 (0%) compared with those in Group 2a (16.9%). The lower mortality associated with Group 1 and Group 2b was observed primarily in older (>64.6 years) and less overweight (≤93.8 kg) men.ConclusionsThe benefits associated with normal testosterone levels and TRT (even after discontinuation) do not appear to be related to improvements in the CVD risk factors studied. In view of TRT having greater impact in men of lower weight, better outcomes may be achieved with concurrent TRT and weight reduction programmes.
Holocene vegetation change in northernmost Fennoscandia and the impact on prehistoric foragers 12 000–2000 cal. aBP– A review
Authors: Sjögren Per , Damm Charlotte 
Published: September 2018

While single pollen records are widely used in reconstructing the environment for nearby prehistoric settlements, they are less helpful when addressing large‐scale issues of variation in human settlement patterns. In order to assess the impact of vegetation change on regional prehistoric settlement and subsistence patterns in an ecotone sensitive area, we inferred the general change in main vegetation types based on palaeobotanical investigations from across northernmost Fennoscandia. Tundra vegetation was predominant during the Lateglacial and earliest parts of the Holocene. Maritime birch forests rich in ferns started to expandc. 11 000 cal. aBPand became dominant from 10 000 cal. aBP. Pine expanded from theNEof the investigation area and pine‐birch forest dominated in the inland around 8000 cal. aBP. A gradual degeneration of forest towards more open birch woodland startedc. 6000 cal. aBPwith the most marked change around 3500 cal. aBP. Along the northern outer coast, this eventually led to open heathland. Comparison with the archaeological setting suggests a general correlation between low forest cover and extensive mobility patterns, while widespread and varied forest cover appear to have led to a more sedentary way of life. The background for this is arguably that the forested landscapes hosted a larger diversity of resources within a shorter foraging distance, while areas and periods with low forest cover required longer travels to obtain the desired prey and materials.
Adenosine A2A receptors facilitate synaptic NMDA currents in CA1 pyramidal neurons
Authors: Mouro Francisco M , Rombo Diogo M , Dias Raquel B , Ribeiro Joaquim A , Sebastião Ana M 
Published: September 2018

Background and PurposeNMDA receptors play a key role in both synaptic plasticity and neurodegeneration. Adenosine is an endogenous neuromodulator and through membrane receptors of the A2A subtype can influence both synaptic plasticity and neuronal death. The present work was designed to evaluate the influence of adenosine A2A receptors upon NMDA receptor activity in CA1 hippocampal neurons. We discriminated between modulation of synaptic versus extrasynaptic receptors, since extrasynaptic NMDA receptors are mostly associated with neurodegeneration while synaptic NMDA receptors are linked to plasticity phenomena.Experimental ApproachWhole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings were obtained to evaluate NMDA receptor actions on CA1 pyramidal neurons of young adult (5–10 weeks) male Wistar rat hippocampus.Key ResultsActivation of A2A receptors with CGS 21680 (30 nM) consistently facilitated chemically‐evoked NMDA receptor‐currents (NMDA‐PSCs) and afferent‐evoked NMDA‐currents (NMDA‐EPSCs), an action prevented by an A2A receptor antagonist (SCH58261, 100 nM) and a PKA inhibitor, H‐89 (1 μM). These actions did not reflect facilitation in glutamate release since there was no change in NMDA‐EPSCs paired pulse ratio. A2A receptor actions were lost in the presence of an open‐channel NMDA receptor blocker, MK‐801 (10 μM), but persisted in the presence of memantine, at a concentration (10 μM) known to preferentially block extrasynaptic NMDA receptors.Conclusion and ImplicationsThese results show that A2A receptors exert a positive postsynaptic modulatory effect over synaptic, but not extrasynaptic, NMDA receptors in CA1 neurons and, therefore, under non‐pathological conditions may contribute to shift the dual role of NMDA receptors towards enhancement of synaptic plasticity.
Non‐atopic rhinitis at age 6 is associated with subsequent development of asthma
Authors: Carr Tara F. , Stern Debra A. , Halonen Marilyn , Wright Anne L. , Martinez Fernando D. 
Published: September 2018

SummaryBackgroundIt has been postulated that the association between allergic rhinitis and asthma is attributable to the progressive clinical expression of respiratory inflammation during childhood. The role of non‐allergic rhinitis in early life in relation to subsequent asthma has not been extensively explored.ObjectiveWe sought to determine whether rhinitis in early life was associated with risk of asthma development into adulthood, and whether this relationship is independent of allergic sensitization.MethodsParticipants were identified from the Tucson Children's Respiratory Study, a non‐selected birth cohort. Allergy skin prick testing was performed at age 6 years using house dust mix, Bermuda, mesquite, olive, mulberry, careless weed, andAlternariaaeroallergens. Atopy was defined as ≥1 positive tests. Physician‐diagnosed active asthma from age 6 to 32 and physician‐diagnosed rhinitis at age 6 were determined by questionnaire. Participants with asthma or active wheezing at age 6 were excluded from analyses. Risk estimates were obtained with Cox regression.ResultsThere were 521 participants who met inclusion criteria. The hazard ratio for subsequently acquiring a diagnosis of asthma between the ages of 8 and 32 for those with non‐atopic rhinitis was 2.1 (95%CI: 1.2, 3.4,P = 0.005), compared with the non‐atopic no rhinitis group, after adjusting for sex, ethnicity, maternal asthma, maternal education and smoking, and history of 4+ colds per year at age 6. Among the atopic participants, both the active and no rhinitis groups were more likely to develop and have asthma through age 32. The relation between non‐atopic rhinitis and asthma was independent of total serum IgE levels at age 6.Conclusion and Clinical RelevanceChildhood rhinitis, even in the absence of atopy, confers significant risk for asthma development through adulthood. These findings underscore the importance of non‐allergic mechanisms in the development of asthma.