bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of tumor necrosis factor alpha gene polymorphisms with Helicobacter pylori infection in dyspeptic patients in Sri Lanka
Authors: Arachchi Piyumali Sandareka , Weerasekera Manjula Manoji , Senevirathna Bimalka , Weerasekera Deepaka , Fernando Neluka , Gunasekara Chinthika Prabhashinie 
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACTSingle nucleotide polymorphisms present on the promoter sequence of the TNF‐α gene may affect production of TNF‐α, a pro‐inflammatory cytokine, during immune responses. The presence of TNF‐α polymorphisms is also reportedly associated with more severe manifestations of Helicobacter pylori infection. However, the frequency of TNF‐α polymorphisms and the associated disease severity vary between different patient groups. In this study, gastric biopsies and blood specimens were collected from 138 patients with dyspepsia undergoing routine upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Our institution's Ethics Review Committee approved the study and written informed consent was obtained from all participants. The presence of H. pylori was confirmed histologically in all patients. The frequency of TNF‐α polymorphisms in the study cohort was investigated using PCR–restriction fragment length polymorphism and expression of serum TNF‐α quantitated using a commercial ELISA assay. The proportions of selected TNF‐α polymorphisms (TNF‐α ‐238, ‐308 and ‐863) were similar in H. pylori‐positive and ‐negative patients. Homozygous mutations of TNF‐α polymorphisms were rarely detected in the study group. There was a significant difference in TNF‐α concentrations between patients with mild chronic gastritis and TNF‐α ‐308 GG genotype and patients with moderate to severe chronic gastritis (P = 0.008). It was not possible to identify an association between these genotypes and disease severity because of the low frequency of heterozygous and homozygous mutated genes in Sri Lankan patients with dyspepsia.
Non‐GAAP Earnings Disclosure in Loss Firms
Authors: LEUNG EDITH , VEENMAN DAVID 
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACTThis study examines the incremental information in loss firms’ non‐GAAP earnings disclosures relative to GAAP earnings. Using a large sample obtained through textual analysis and hand‐collection, we posit and find that loss firms’ non‐GAAP earnings exclusions offset the low informativeness of GAAP losses for forecasting and valuation. Loss firms’ non‐GAAP earnings are highly predictive of future performance and are valued by investors, while the expenses excluded from GAAP earnings are not. Additional tests suggest that loss firms disclosing non‐GAAP profits have significantly better future performance than GAAP‐only loss firms and are not overvalued by investors. Comparing non‐GAAP earnings of profitable firms to those of loss firms, we find that loss firms’ non‐GAAP metrics are significantly more predictive and less strategic. We conclude that non‐GAAP earnings disclosures are particularly informative about loss firms and help investors disaggregate losses into components that have differential implications for forecasting and valuation.
Tracing resident antagonisms in urban development: agonistic pluralism and participatory planning
Authors: McAuliffe Cameron , Rogers Dallas 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThis article draws on research with resident action groups and other alliances in Sydney. It investigates the ways in which citizens work beyond the formal planning system to approach and achieve their urban development goals. The post‐political treatment of community voices in planning relies on the centrality of consensus politics in current participatory planning regimes. By providing a democratic outlet that is far removed from the actual development outcome, powerful urban actors can silence through inclusion. Planning theorists have posited that one pathway beyond this post‐political moment in urban planning is provided by Chantal Mouffe's critique of Habermasian communicative theory and consensus politics, which she bases on her theory of agonistic pluralism. Following Mouffe, to achieve a productive agonistic politics, any rigid antagonisms between “enemies” need to be moderated to more mutable “adversarial” positions. However, we have little knowledge of the conditions that might precipitate such a change in praxis. To address this gap between theory and praxis, we use focus group data to show how local resident action groups and urban alliances work through three modalities of antagonism to achieve their urban development goals. We add empirical weight to the idea that citizens can shift from rigid and fundamental antagonisms to the potentially more productive adversarial politics of agonistic pluralism but therein expose some limitations with how Mouffe's ideas are being applied to urban planning.
Overexpression of CYB5R3 and NQO1, two NAD+‐producing enzymes, mimics aspects of caloric restriction
Authors: Diaz‐Ruiz Alberto , Lanasa Michael , Garcia Joseph , Mora Hector , Fan Frances , Martin‐Montalvo Alejandro , Di Francesco Andrea , Calvo‐Rubio Miguel , Salvador‐Pascual Andrea , Aon Miguel A. , Fishbein Kenneth W. , Pearson Kevin J. , Villalba Jose Manuel , Navas Placido , Bernier Michel , de Cabo Rafael 
Published: April 2018

SummaryCalorie restriction (CR) is one of the most robust means to improve health and survival in model organisms. CR imposes a metabolic program that leads to increased stress resistance and delayed onset of chronic diseases, including cancer. In rodents, CR induces the upregulation of two NADH‐dehydrogenases, namely NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (Nqo1) and cytochrome b5 reductase 3 (Cyb5r3), which provide electrons for energy metabolism. It has been proposed that this upregulation may be responsible for some of the beneficial effects of CR, and defects in their activity are linked to aging and several age‐associated diseases. However, it is unclear whether changes in metabolic homeostasis solely through upregulation of these NADH‐dehydrogenases have a positive impact on health and survival. We generated a mouse that overexpresses both metabolic enzymes leading to phenotypes that resemble aspects of CR including a modest increase in lifespan, greater physical performance, a decrease in chronic inflammation, and, importantly, protection against carcinogenesis, one of the main hallmarks of CR. Furthermore, these animals showed an enhancement of metabolic flexibility and a significant upregulation of the NAD+/sirtuin pathway. The results highlight the importance of these NAD+ producers for the promotion of health and extended lifespan.
Renal safety of short‐term empiric gentamicin therapy in aged patients
Authors: Sia Christopher SB , Ananda‐Rajah Michelle R , Adler Nikki R , Yi‐Wei Baey , Liew Danny , Tong Erica Y , Aung Ar Kar 
Published: April 2018

ObjectiveTo determine the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in aged patients receiving empiric gentamicin therapy.MethodsPatients aged ≥65 years receiving gentamicin upon admission between 2013 and 2015 at two Australian hospitals were retrospectively studied. AKI was defined as a rise in creatinine by ≥50% and/or ≥26.5 μmol/L.ResultsMost patients (95%) received a single dose of gentamicin. The incidence of AKI was 15% (36/242 patients). A composite outcome of persistent kidney injury, requirement for renal replacement therapy or inpatient death in a patient with AKI occurred in 10 (4%) patients. Patients who developed AKI were older (median 80.5 vs 78 years, P = 0.03), had higher Charlson Co‐morbidity Index (median 7 vs 5, P = 0.0004) and had more advanced chronic kidney disease at baseline (Stages IV and V) (OR 4.38, 95% confidence interval 1.45–13.2, P = 0.01).ConclusionEmpiric gentamicin use in patients with advancing age is associated with low rates of predominantly transient renal impairment.
Long‐term study showed that vaccination protected paediatric renal transplant recipients from life‐threatening varicella zoster virus
Authors: Lindahl Jenny K. , Friman Vanda , Ladfors Susanne Westphal , Hansson Sverker , Andersson Rune , Jertborn Marianne , Woxenius Susanne 
Published: April 2018

AbstractAimRenal transplant patients are particularly susceptible to highly contagious diseases due to their reduced immunity. We studied transplant recipients to gauge their varicella zoster virus (VZV) serology status over time and the outcome of any VZV infections.MethodThis retrospective study comprised 85 children who underwent renal transplants in Gothenburg, Sweden, from 1986 to 2014, at a mean age of eight (1–18) years. The children's medical records were reviewed and 47 had the VZV infection pre‐transplant and 38 had been vaccinated pre‐transplant. Clinical outcomes were available for 85 children and serology results for 72.ResultsAt transplantation, the VZV seropositivity rate was 50% in the vaccination group and 94% in the infection group and the antibody titres were significantly lower in the vaccination group (p = 0.031). During the median follow‐up period of five years post‐transplant, 28% of the vaccinated children and 97% of the infection group remained seropositive and the varicella infection affected eight children: one in the infection group and seven in the vaccination group. The herpes zoster was observed in two children in the infection group.ConclusionThis study demonstrated that VZV vaccination protected from symptomatic infections to a lesser extent than natural infection, but provided effective protection from life‐threatening disease.
Children with a very low birthweight showed poorer reading skills at eight years of age but caught up in most areas by the age of 10
Authors: Leijon Ingemar , Ingemansson Fredrik , Nelson Nina , Samuelsson Stefan , Wadsby Marie 
Published: April 2018

AbstractAimWe evaluated the development of reading skills in very low birthweight (VLBW) children and controls at 8–10 years of age.MethodsThis study was part of a longitudinal study of VLBW infants born between January 1998 and December 1999 in Sweden. We recruited 49 VLBW children and 44 sex and age‐matched full‐term controls when they started school at the age of seven and tested them using identical methods for decoding, rapid naming ability, reading comprehension, and spelling and cognitive skills at about eight and 10 years of age. Univariate analysis of variance was performed to assess the effects of VLBW on reading performance at each age and to evaluate the differences between the groups and ages.ResultsVery low birthweight children scored significantly lower in all domains of reading at 7.8 ± 0.3 years, but the performance gap had narrowed by 9.8 ± 0.3 years. Significant catch‐up gains were found in phonological awareness, rapid naming ability and reading comprehension. The differences between the groups were minor at 10 years, when controlled for non‐verbal cognition.ConclusionVery low birthweight children demonstrated worse reading performance at eight years of age than term‐born controls. The gap in reading skills between the groups had largely narrowed two years later.
Immigration, internal migration and crime in South Africa: A multi‐level model analysis
Authors: Kollamparambil Umakrishnan 
Published: April 2018

AbstractA review of South African literature on crime confirms the lack of a study that considers the impact of migration on the crime rate in the country. The high levels of crime in South Africa aside, additional motivation behind the study has been the increasing rhetoric in media and by politicians insinuating the prominent role of foreign immigrants in the high crime levels of the country. While this is the first attempt to study this relationship in the South African context, it also stands apart from existing studies undertaken in the developed countries by accounting for both internal migrants as well as foreign immigrants. Further, the study claims the use of multi‐level regression estimations as an improvement from the existing studies on the issue by accounting for variance clustering across different spatial levels. In all the estimated models, internal migrant ratio came out as being positively and significantly related to crime rates across five different crime categories, with the sole exception of sexual crime rate. There was no evidence of foreign immigrant ratio impacting on crime rate in any of the crimes analysed except crime relating to property. Further, income inequality and sex ratio figure as determining factors across most types of crime in South Africa.
Molecular basis of the skin barrier structures revealed by electron microscopy
Authors: Ishida‐Yamamoto Akemi , Igawa Satomi , Kishibe Mari 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe barrier function of skin is indispensable for terrestrial animals. This function is mainly carried out by the epidermis, more specifically by its granular and cornified layers. The major structural components associated with this function are the intercellular lipid layer, desmosomes, corneodesmosomes, tight junctions, cornified cell envelope and keratin filaments. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge of their ultrastructure, their molecular basis and their relevance to skin disease.
Inhibition of interleukin‐12 and/or interleukin‐23 for the treatment of psoriasis: What is the evidence for an effect on malignancy?
Authors: Ergen Elizabeth N. , Yusuf Nabiha 
Published: April 2018

AbstractImmune cells and cytokines play an important role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Interleukin‐12 (IL‐12) and IL‐23 promote cellular responses mediated by T cells, which contribute to an inflammatory loop responsible for the induction and maintenance of psoriatic plaques. Antibodies that inhibit IL‐12/23 or IL‐23 are key treatment options for patients with psoriasis. IL‐12 and IL‐23 also play a key role in immune responses to infections and tumors. A growing body of information from clinical trials, cohort studies, postmarketing reports, genetic studies and animal models provides insights into the potential biological relationships between IL‐12/23 inhibition and malignancies. We summarize this information in tables and provide some context for the interpretation of these data with the goal of informing dermatologists who are using IL‐12/23 or IL‐23 inhibitors to treat patients with psoriasis.
The siRNA‐mediated downregulation of PD‐1 alone or simultaneously with CTLA‐4 shows enhanced in vitro CAR‐T‐cell functionality for further clinical development towards the potential use in immunotherapy of melanoma
Authors: Simon Bianca , Harrer Dennis C. , Schuler‐Thurner Beatrice , Schaft Niels , Schuler Gerold , Dörrie Jan , Uslu Ugur 
Published: April 2018

AbstractChimeric antigen receptor (CAR)‐T cells have been used successfully for cancer immunotherapy. While substantial tumor regression was observed in leukaemia and lymphoma, CAR therapy of solid tumors needs further improvement. A major obstacle to the efficiency of engineered T cells is posed by triggering of inhibitory receptors, for example programmed cell death protein 1 (PD‐1) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte–associated protein 4 (CTLA‐4), leading to an impaired antitumor activity. To boost CAR‐T‐cell function, we co‐electroporated T cells with both, mRNA encoding a CAR specific for chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4) and small‐interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to downregulate PD‐1 (siPD‐1) and CTLA‐4 (siCTLA‐4). Flow cytometry revealed that activation‐induced upregulation of both PD‐1 and CTLA‐4 was suppressed when compared to CAR‐T cells electroporated with negative control siRNA. The siRNA transfection showed no influence on CAR expression of engineered T cells. Functionality assays were performed using PD‐L1‐ and CD80‐transfected melanoma cells endogenously expressing CSPG4. CAR‐T cells transfected with siPD‐1 alone showed improvement in cytokine secretion. Additionally, CAR‐T cells transfected with either siPD‐1 alone or together with siCTLA‐4 exhibited a significantly increased cytotoxicity. No or only little effects were observed when CAR‐T cells were co‐transfected with siCTLA‐4 only. Taken together, it is feasible to optimize CAR‐T cells by co‐transfection of CAR‐encoding mRNA and siRNAs to downregulate inhibitory receptors. Our in vitro data indicate an improvement of the functionality of these CAR‐T cells, suggesting that this strategy could represent a novel method to enhance CAR‐T‐cell immunotherapy of cancer.
External cervical resorption‐part 1: histopathology, distribution and presentation
Authors: Patel S. , Mavridou A. M. , Lambrechts P. , Saberi N. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractExternal cervical resorption (ECR) is the loss of dental hard tissue as a result of odontoclastic action. It is a dynamic process that involves periodontal, dental and in later stages pulpal tissues. Over the last two decades, ECR has attracted increased interest; this is in part due to novel micro‐CT and histopathological techniques for its assessment and also improved radiographic detection using CBCT. This literature review will cover the aetiology, potential predisposing factors, histopathology and diagnosis of ECR. Part 2 will cover the management of ECR.
Association of manual or engine‐driven glide path preparation with canal centring and apical transportation: a systematic review
Authors: Hartmann R. C. , Peters O. A. , de Figueiredo J. A. P. , Rossi‐Fedele G. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe role and effect of glide path preparation in root canal treatment remain controversial. This systematic review aims to compare apical transportation and canal centring of different glide path preparation techniques, with or without subsequent engine‐driven root canal preparation. A database search in PubMed, PubMed Central, Embase, Scopus, EBSCO Dentistry & Oral Sciences Source and Virtual Health Library was conducted, using appropriate key words to identify the effect of glide path preparation (or its absence) on apical transportation and canal centring. An assessment for the risk of bias in included studies was carried out. Amongst 2146 studies, 18 satisfied the inclusion criteria. Nine studies assessed glide path preparation per se, comparing apical transportation and canal centring of rotary systems and/or manual files; eleven further investigations examined the efficacy of the glide path prior to final canal preparation with different engine‐driven systems. Risk of bias and other study design features with potential influence on study outcomes and clinical implications were assessed. Based on the available evidence, and within the limitation of the studies included, preparation of a glide path using rotary sequences performs similarly (in most of the component studies) or significantly better than manual preparation when assessing apical transportation or canal centring. When compared to the absence of a glide path, canal shaping following glide path preparation was of similar, or significantly better quality, in regard to apical transportation or canal centring.
Colocating an accredited practising dietitian to an adult community mental health service: An exploratory study
Authors: Furness Trentham , Wallace Elizabeth , McElhinney Jo , McKenna Brian , Cuzzillo Celeste , Foster Kim 
Published: April 2018

AbstractFor people with severe mental illness, accredited practising dietitians may assist with a nutrition care plan that considers the medical, psychiatric, psychological, social, spiritual, and pharmacological aspects of their care. However, consumers’ access to care has been limited by difficulties attending appointments and suboptimal interface between nutritional and mental health services. Therefore, the objectives of this exploratory study were to describe access to, and key stakeholder perspectives of, the accredited practising dietitian role colocated in a community mental health service. A total of 16 key stakeholders participated in one‐to‐one interviews. Two main themes with subthemes were derived from analysis of interviews: (i) ‘building empowerment and collaboration’ and included the subthemes, (a) nutrition awareness and education and (b) healthy lifestyle changes, and (ii) ‘overcoming challenges to optimal nutrition and effective health care’. In addition, improved access to the role was demonstrated with 124 (79%) consumers attending at least one appointment with an accredited practising dietitian. A total of 15 (12%) consumers attended more than 10 appointments during their outpatient admission to the community mental health service. Colocating an accredited practising dietitian was perceived to build empowerment and collaboration, and overcome challenges to optimal nutrition and effective health care for consumers, carers, and clinicians. The colocation of a dietitian can empower consumers’ to make health‐informed decisions and support their willingness to engage with physical healthcare provision when it is prioritized alongside mental healthcare provision.
The role of interleukins in vitiligo: a systematic review
Authors: Gomes I.A. , de Carvalho F.O. , de Menezes A.F. , Almeida F.M. , Shanmugam S. , de Souza Siqueira Quintans J. , Quintans‐Júnior L.J. , de Moura T.R. , Oliveira P.D. , de Souza Araújo A.A. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractVitiligo is a disorder of the skin that causes depigmentation and asymptomatic macules whose exact cause is still unclear. Although its aetiology is not fully elucidated, the main theory of its pathomechanism is that it is associated with the autoimmune process. There is few summarized information about the role of inflammatory mediators, as interleukins, in vitiligo, so our aim was to present a systematic review of the role of interleukins in vitiligo, focusing on interleukins. In this review, we included all studies assessing interleukin levels in vitiligo patients conducted up to June 2017. Quality assessment of these studies was performed using the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale (NOS). The interleukins mainly involved were IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐6, IL‐10 and IL‐17. The studies highlight the crucial role of IL‐17 in the onset and progression of the disease, and its synergistic action with IL‐2, IL‐6 and IL‐33. Dysregulated levels of the interleukins were also correlated with the stage of disease, the affected skin surface area, and indicated as the main factor for lymphocyte infiltration found in depigmented regions. These findings illustrate the growing need for new therapies targeting vitiligo and further research into the role of interleukins as an area of particular interest.
Relations between a standardized experimental stressor and cutaneous sensory function in patients with chronic pruritus and healthy controls: an experimental case–control study
Authors: Schneider G. , Stumpf A. , Burgmer M. , Volmering L. , Broecker P. , Ständer S. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractBackgroundWhile chronic pruritus (CP) is a frequent symptom, many aspects of its underlying pathophysiological mechanisms still need elucidation. Research on sensory cutaneous function and on the influence of stress has been conducted mainly in patients with atopic dermatitis but is lacking for patients withCP.ObjectiveTo assess whether a standardized social stressor influences cutaneous sensory function in patients withCPin comparison with healthy controls (HC).MethodsCase–control study; 33CPand 30HCwere submitted to the standardized quantitative sensory testing protocol before and after the Trier Social Stress Test and 1 h later. Intraepidermal nerve fibre density (IENFD) was determined.ResultsMechanical pain sensitivity and mechanical detection thresholds were significantly higher inCPthan inHC, and mechanical detection thresholds increased more inCPthan inHCover the three measurements. In both groups, cold pain threshold increased and heat pain threshold decreased from before to after the stress test and remained constant 1 h later. Only inCP, almost allQSTtests induced at least a small amount of pruritus, which was not significantly altered by the stress test.IENFDin pruritic skin was significantly reduced inCPwhen compared to healthy controls.ConclusionPeripheral thermal sensory function was not altered inCPdespite reducedIENFDin lesional skin, but we could demonstrate central sensitization processes specifically inCPand influences of an acute stressor inducing more sensitivity to thermal pain in both groups.