bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reluctant Rationers: Public Input to Health Care Priorities
Authors: Lomas Jonathan 
Published: February 2018

Members of the public can adopt any one of at least three roles when providing input to public decision-making: Taxpayer, collective community decision-maker, or patient. Each of these potential roles can be mapped onto three areas of public policy decision-making in health care: Funding levels and organization for the system, the services we choose to offer under public funding, and the characteristics of those who should receive the offered services. The increasing desire to involve the public across the spectrum of health care decision-making has yet to result in a clear delineation of either which of the areas are most appropriate for public input or which of the roles we wish individual participants to adopt. The average citizen (as opposed to the self-interested patient, the provider or the manager) has so far shown little interest in contributing and rarely has the requisite skills for most of the tasks asked of him or her. The widespread motivation of governments and others for seeking public input appears to be to get the public to take or share ownership in the tough rationing choices consequent on fiscal retrenchment in health care. Evaluation of existing literature leads to the conclusion that there are only limited areas where we might wish to obtain significant public input if we adopt this widespread policy motivation. Specifically, the general public should be asked to give input to, but not determine, priorities across the broad service categories that could potentially be publicly funded. Members of the public have neither the interest nor the skills to do this at the level of specific services. The role expected of such members of the public should be made explicit and should focus on collective views of the community good rather than self-interested views of individual benefit. Groups of patients, however, should be the source of input when socio-demographic characteristics are being used to decide who should receive offered services. The role expected of these consumers is not, however, to take a self-interested perspective; rather, it is to adopt Rawls' veil of ignorance' to reflect compassionate views of priorities across socio-demographic characteristics. Finally, there appears to be no best method for obtaining public input that overcomes the common problems of poor information upon which to base priorities, difficulty in arriving at consensus, poor representativeness of participants, and lack of opportunity for informed discussion prior to declaring priorities. There is some suggestion, however, that panels of citizens or patients, convened on an ongoing basis and provided with the opportunity to acquire relevant information and discuss its implications prior to making consensus recommendations, offer the most promising way forward.
Strategies for the Management of Hypercholesterolaemia: A Systematic Review of the Cost-Effectiveness Literature
Authors: Morris Stephen , McGuire Alistair , Caro Jaime , Pettitt Daniel 
Published: February 2018

Objective: To review research addressing the management of cholesterol in the prevention of coronary heart disease in order to assess the cost-effectiveness of such interventions. Methods: A systematic review of economic evaluations identified through searches of MEDLINE and the Social Sciences Citation Index revealed 38 studies addressing the cost-effectiveness of cholesterol management. They were distinguished according to screening approaches, dietary advice and drug treatment. Most studies were not associated directly with clinical trial results, but adopted economic modelling approaches. Results: Whilst there is general agreement among the majority of analyses, studies of cholesterol management concerned with screening strategies were extremely sensitive to changes in their assumptions; so much so that only a limited emphasis may be placed on specific cost-effectiveness ratios and the conclusions drawn from them. All studies considered direct costs, though many were limited to drug costs. The cost-effectiveness of primary prevention by cholesterol-lowering drugs is highly variable, depending on age at initiation of treatment and cardiovascular risk profile. Pharmacological intervention is least cost-effective in the young and the elderly. The cost-effectiveness of cholesterol-reducing agents improves when they are targeted at those at high risk. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors are generally more effective and more cost-effective at reducing cholesterol-related coronary events than other medications. Conclusion: The methods and economic data upon which these studies are based need to be improved if robust policy conclusions are to be formulated.
Prognostic value of baseline metabolic tumor volume in early-stage Hodgkin lymphoma in the standard arm of the H10 trial
Authors: Cottereau Anne-Ségolène , Versari Annibale , Loft Annika , Casasnovas Olivier , Bellei Monica , Ricci Romain , Bardet Stéphane , Castagnoli Antonio , Brice Pauline , Raemaekers John , Deau Bénédicte , Fortpied Catherine , Raveloarivahy Tiana , Van Zele Emelie , Chartier Loic , Vander Borght Thierry , Federico Massimo , Hutchings Martin , Ricardi Umberto , Andre Marc , Meignan Michel 
Published: February 2018

Key Points
Baseline metabolic tumor volume is a strong prognostic factor in early-stage HL. Baseline metabolic tumor volume affects the early response to treatment and, combined with early PET, improves risk stratification.
B-cell targeting in chronic graft-versus-host disease
Authors: Zeiser Robert , Sarantopoulos Stefanie , Blazar Bruce R. 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
Over the last decade, our understanding of the pathophysiology of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) has improved considerably. In this spotlight, we discuss emerging insights into the pathophysiology of cGVHD with a focus on B cells. First, we summarize supporting evidence derived from mouse and human studies. Next, novel cGVHD therapy approaches that target B cells will be covered to provide treating physicians with an overview of the rationale behind the emerging armamentarium against cGVHD.
Improving T-cell expansion and function for adoptive T-cell therapy using ex vivo treatment with PI3Kδ inhibitors and VIP antagonists
Authors: Petersen Christopher T. , Hassan Mojibade , Morris Anna B. , Jeffery Jasmin , Lee Kunhee , Jagirdar Neera , Staton Ashley D. , Raikar Sunil S. , Spencer Harold T. , Sulchek Todd , Flowers Christopher R. , Waller Edmund K. 
Published: February 2018

Key PointsNumber of prior chemotherapy cycles in cancer patients correlates with T-cell senescent phenotype and loss of CD27 and CD28 expression. Addition of PI3Kδ inhibitors and VIP antagonists increased ex vivo expansion, in vivo persistence, and anticancer cytotoxicity of T cells.
First trimester fetal size and prescribed asthma medication at 15 years of age
Authors: Turner Steve , Fielding Shona , Devereux Graham 
Published: February 2018

There is increasing evidence that antenatal factors predispose to childhood asthma. We tested the hypothesis that reduced first trimester fetal size is associated with increased risk for asthma at 15 years of age.Fetal size in the first and second trimester was ascertained by ultrasound scan. The primary outcome of being dispensed one or more asthma medications by the family doctor in the year before the 15th birthday was determined from routinely acquired dispensing data.Dispensing data were available for 1699 (88% of the original cohort) participants at 15 years of age and questionnaire data for 750 (39%). Each reduction in z-score for first trimester size was associated with increased odds for dispensed asthma medication at 15 years of age (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.03–1.54) and self-reported use of asthma medications (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.16–2.08). Overall, first and second trimester size and forced expiratory volume in 1 s at ages 5, 10 and 15 years were reduced for those dispensed asthma medications compared with those not dispensed asthma medications (p=0.003).Antenatal factors that are active by the first trimester may contribute to respiratory well-being throughout childhood. Dropout from a birth cohort study can overestimate of the magnitude of any true association.
Efficacy of web-based cognitive–behavioural therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome: randomised controlled trial
Authors: Janse A. , Worm-Smeitink M. , Bleijenberg G. , Donders R. , Knoop H. 
Published: February 2018

BackgroundFace-to-face cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) leads to a reduction of fatigue in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).AimsTo test the efficacy of internet-based CBT (iCBT) for adults with CFS.MethodA total of 240 patients with CFS were randomised to either iCBT with protocol-driven therapist feedback or with therapist feedback on demand, or a waiting list. Primary outcome was fatigue severity assessed with the Checklist Individual Strength (Netherlands Trial Register: NTR4013).ResultsCompared with a waiting list, intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis showed a significant reduction of fatigue for both iCBT conditions (protocol-driven feedback: B = −8.3, 97.5% CI −12.7 to −3.9, P < 0.0001; feedback on demand: B = −7.2, 97.5% CI −11.3 to –3.1, P < 0.0001). No significant differences were found between both iCBT conditions on all outcome measures (P = 0.3–0.9). An exploratory analysis revealed that feedback-on-demand iCBT required less therapist time (mean 4 h 37 min) than iCBT with protocol-driven feedback (mean 6 h 9 min, P < 0.001) and also less than face-to-face CBT as reported in the literature.ConclusionsBoth iCBT conditions are efficacious and time efficient.Declaration of interestNone.
Dysregulation of Kupffer Cells/Macrophages and Natural Killer T Cells in Steatohepatitis in LXRα Knockout Male Mice
Authors: Endo-Umeda Kaori , Nakashima Hiroyuki , Umeda Naoki , Seki Shuhji , Makishima Makoto 
Published: February 2018

AbstractLiver X receptor (LXR) α expression is mainly localized to metabolic tissues, such as the liver, whereas LXRβ is ubiquitously expressed. LXRα is activated by oxysterols and plays an important role in the regulation of lipid metabolism in metabolic tissues. In macrophages, LXRs stimulate reverse cholesterol transport and regulate immune responses. Although a high-cholesterol diet induces severe steatohepatitis in LXRα-knockout (KO) mice, the underlying mechanisms linking lipid metabolism and immune responses remain largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of LXRα in the pathogenesis of steatohepatitis by assessing the effects of a high-fat and high-cholesterol diet (HFCD) on hepatic immune cell proportion and function as well as lipid metabolism in wild-type (WT) and LXRα-KO mice. HFCD feeding induced severe steatohepatitis in LXRα-KO mice compared with WT mice. These mice had higher cholesterol levels in the plasma and the liver and dysregulated expression of LXR target and proinflammatory genes in both whole liver samples and isolated hepatic mononuclear cells. Flow cytometry showed an increase in CD68+CD11b+ Kupffer cells/macrophages and a decrease in invariant natural killer T cells in the liver of HFCD-fed LXRα-KO mice. These mice were more susceptible to lipopolysaccharide-induced liver injury and resistant to inflammatory responses against α-galactosylceramide or concanavalin-A treatment. The findings provide evidence for activation of bone marrow–derived Kupffer cells/macrophages and dysfunction of invariant natural killer T cells in LXRα-KO mouse liver. These findings indicate that LXRα regulates hepatic immune function along with lipid metabolism and protects against the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.
Postnatal Changes in Testicular Position Are Associated With IGF-I and Function of Sertoli and Leydig Cells
Authors: Koskenniemi Jaakko J , Virtanen Helena E , Wohlfahrt-Veje Christine , Löyttyniemi Eliisa , Skakkebaek Niels E , Juul Anders , Andersson Anna-Maria , Main Katharina M , Toppari Jorma 
Published: February 2018

Abstract

Context
Despite clinical guidelines calling for repetitive examination of testicular position during childhood, little is known of normal changes in testicular position during childhood, let alone factors that control it.

Objective
To assess changes in and factors associated with testicular position during childhood.

Design
Testicular position (the distance from the pubic bone to the upper pole of the testes) at birth, 3 months, 18 months, 36 months, and 7 years and reproductive hormones at 3 months were measured.

Setting
Prenatally recruited, prospective longitudinal birth cohort.

Participants
A total of 2545 boys were recruited prenatally in a Danish-Finnish birth cohort and had a testicular position examination available. A subset of 680 Danish and 362 Finnish boys had serum reproductive hormone concentrations and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) determined at 3 months.

Main Outcome Measures
Testicular distance to pubic bone (TDP), serum reproductive hormone, and IGF-I concentrations.

Results
TDP increased from birth to 3 months and decreased thereafter. Length, gestational age, weight for gestational age, and penile length were positively associated with larger TDP and thus lower testicular position in a linear mixed-effect model. Furthermore, IGF-I concentration, inhibin B/follicle-stimulating hormone ratio, and testosterone/luteinizing hormone ratio were all independently and positively associated with longer TDP.

Conclusions
We provide longitudinal data on postnatal changes in TDP. TDP is dynamic and associated with Leydig and Sertoli cell function as well as with IGF-I levels during the first months of life at mini-puberty of infancy. TDP may thus be a useful biomarker of postnatal testicular function.
In the Literature Lab
Authors: Pask Kevin 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
The most striking development in literary scholarship since the millennium is the increasing exploration of scientific models for literary research. This reflects an anxiety about the authority of humanistic research that has historical roots, some of them well described in the work of the social anthropologist Ernest Gellner. The “two cultures” debate of the early 1960s, centrally animated by C. P. Snow and F. R. Leavis, made the anxiety of the literary professoriat a matter of public debate that still inflects literary scholarship and theory. The rhetorical amplification of scientism, privileging scientific methodologies or partnership with scientific methodologies, in recent literary-critical scholarship is one result. The older formation of “humanities computing,” for example, has reemerged as the digital humanities, with claims to the status of interpretive methodology, particularly in the work of Franco Moretti. Such claims, however, are sometimes the repackaging of older methodologies.
Οξύς υποφλοιοεπινεφριδισμος (αδισσώνια κρίση) στο σκύλο: αναφορά σε έξι περιστατικά
Authors: KASABALIS (Δ. ΚΑΣΑΜΠΑΛΗΣ) D. , SOUBASIS (Ν. ΣΟΥΜΠΑΣΗΣ) N. , PARDALI (Δ. ΠΑΡΔΑΛΗ) D. , SAVAS (Ι. ΣΑΒΒΑΣ) I. , PAVLIDOU (Κ. ΠΑΥΛΙΔΟΥ) K. , PETANIDES (Θ.Α. ΠΕΤΑΝΙΔΗΣ) T. Α. , PAPADIMITRIOU (Δ. ΠΑΠΑΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ) D. , VARLAMI (Β. ΒΑΡΛΑΜΗ) V. , KOUTINAS (Α. ΚΟΥΤΙΝΑΣ) A. 
Published: February 2018

Medical records of six dogs admitted with acute hypoadrenocorticism were reviewed. All 6 animals were bradycardic and had prolonged capillary refilling time. Hypothermia was detected in 5/6 animals. Clinicopathological evaluation on admission revealed anemia (3/6 dogs), increased (2/6) and normal (2/6) lymphocyte and eosinophil counts, azotemia and hyperkalemia (6/6), hyponatremia, in 5/6 dogs in which sodium was measured with a sodium (Na) : potassium (K) ratio lower than 24, hypoglycemia (2/6) and hypercalcemia, hypocholosterolemia, increased serum alkaline phosphatase and alaninoaminotransferase activities, one dog each. Urine specific gravity was lower than 1025 in 4 dogs. Thoracic radiographs and abdominal ultrasonography disclosed microcardia (2/6), pleural effusion (2/6) and ascites (1/6). Two dogs (2/6), also, presented atrial standstill or atrioventricular block, detected on electrocardiograms. In all 6 animals emergency treatment included the use of intravenous normal saline and glucocorticoids (dexamethasone) immediately after the completion of an ACTH stimulation test with tetracosactide. Two dogs died, one during the 1st day and the other on the 4th day of hospitalization, the latter after the sudden appearance of severe hemorrhagic gastroenteritis. Hospitalization time in the remaining 4 dogs ranged from 3 to 10 days. Prolongation of hospitalization was associated with worsening of anemia, hypoalbuminemia, neurologic complications and non-responsive azotemia. Four dogs (4/6) were discharged on oral prednisolone and fluodrocortisone, but one died after a week for unknown reasons. Acute hypoadrenocorticism is a life threatening condition requiring emergency treatment for a successful outcome. Its inclusion in the differential diagnosis of canine emergencies, presented with acute weakness and gastrointestinal signs, is mandatory, but for its confirmation a complete laboratory and, most importantly, an ACTH stimulation test are always required.
Aujeszky's Disease (Pseudorabies). An old threat in current pig industry? Part I. Pathogenetic information and implications
Authors: PAPAGEORGIOU (Κ.Β. ΠΑΠΑΓΕΩΡΓΙΟΥ) K. V. , BURRIEL A. R. , FILIOUSSIS (Γ. ΦΙΛΙΟΥΣΗΣ) G. , PSYCHAS (Β. ΨΥΧΑΣ) V. , NAUWYNCK H. , KRITAS (Σ.Κ. ΚΡΗΤΑΣ) S. 
Published: February 2018

Aujeszky's disease (AD) (or Pseudorabies) is an important viral disease of swine causing neurological signs in neonatal pigs, respiratory problems in fatteners and reproductive disorders in breeding stock. Glycoproteins and enzymes of the AD virus (ADV) and their interactions with the cellular components majorly determine its pathogenesis. After primary replication in the epithelia of the upper respiratory tract, ADV travels via the nerves to the central nervous system and via the blood to secondary replication sites (lymph nodes, lungs, uterus etc). Depending on the age of the affected swine, it can cause neonatal mortality due to neurological disease, respiratory disease in growing and adult pigs and reproductive disorders in breeding animals. One of the characteristic features of ADV is latency. In this paper, its major points on etiology, pathogenesis, clinical and post mortem findings and diagnosis are presented.
Aujeszky's Disease (Pseudorabies). An old threat in current pig industry? Part II. Epidemiology, Immunity, Prevention and the current situation in Greece
Authors: PAPAGEORGIOU (Κ.Β. ΠΑΠΑΓΕΩΡΓΙΟΥ) K. V. , BURRIEL A. R. , FILIOUSSIS (Γ. ΦΙΛΙΟΥΣΗΣ) G. , CHRISTODOULOPOULOS (Γ. ΧΡΙΣΤΟΔΟΥΛΟΠΟΥΛΟΣ) G. , NAUWYNCK H. J. , KRITAS (Σ.Κ. ΚΡΗΤΑΣ) S. K. 
Published: February 2018

Aujeszky's disease (AD) (or Pseudorabies) is an important viral disease of swine causing neurological signs in neonatal pigs, respiratory problems in fatteners and reproductive disorders in breeding stock. Swine is the only natural host of Aujeszky's disease virus (ADV) and the only species that can survive its infection. Its transmission is mainly through nose-to-nose contact, but several other ways may apply. Both antibody- and cell-mediated immune responses occur following ADV infection, while maternal immunity can protect the pigs depending on their level and the virulence of the infecting strain. Virus glycoproteins may, also, play a role in immunity with that of gC and gD being the most important. Prevention and control of ADV is based on proper vaccination and biosecurity measures, while eradication has been practiced in various ways depending on the situation. The current vaccines are based on deletion of certain proteins and are effective. Despite the fact that the disease has been eradicatedfrom many developed countries, AD is still endemic in Greece. Findings of recent emergence of AD in Greek farms and the possibility of its eradication are discussed.
First identification of Bartonella coopersplainsensis in wild rodents (Rattus norvegicus) in Greece
Authors: PAPADOGIANNAKIS (Ε. ΠΑΠΑΔΟΓΙΑΝΝΑΚΗΣ) E. , SPANAKOS (Γ. ΣΠΑΝΑΚΟΣ) G. , KONTOU (Ι. ΚΟΝΤΟΥ) I. , KONTOS (Β. ΚΟΝΤΟΣ) V. , VELONAKIS (Ε. ΒΕΛΟΝΑΚΗΣ) E. , SKLIVAS (Δ. ΣΚΛΗΒΑΣ) D. , KOUTIS (Χ. ΚΟΥΤΗΣ) C. 
Published: February 2018

This study was a preliminary attempt to detect Bartonella sp. in tissues (liver and heart) obtained from wild rodents {Rattus norvegicus) in central Greece. Eighteen (18) liver and eighteen (18) heart samples were examined, which were obtained from twenty three (23) animals. Two (2) liver samples were found positive, while the heart samples examined were found negative for Bartonella sp. 16S-23S intergenic spacer rDNA gene by PCR. Sequencing of the positive PCR products and comparison with those available in GenBank using the BLAST program revealed the same species of Bartonella in both positive samples with 100% sequence homology to Bartonella coopersplainsensis.
Molecular screening for Blastocystìs sp. in canine faecal samples in Greece
Authors: SPANAKOS (Γ. ΣΠΑΝΑΚΟΣ) G. , PAPADOGIANNAKIS (Ε. ΠΑΠΑΔΟΓΙΑΝΝΑΚΗΣ) E. , KONTOS (Β. ΚΟΝΤΟΣ) V. , MENOUNOS (Π. ΜΕΝΟΥΝΟΣ) P. , VELONAKIS (Ε. ΒΕΛΟΝΑΚΗΣ) E. , KOUTIS (Χ. ΚΟΥΤΗΣ) C. , VAKALIS (Ν. ΒΑΚΑΛΗΣ) N. C. 
Published: February 2018

Blastocystìs is an anaerobic parasitic microorganism which has been found in the intestinal tract of many vertebrates including humans and dogs. Recently, members of Blastocystìs sp. were classified into nine sub-types, based on phylogenetic trees derived from sequence analysis of the small sub-unit ribosomal RNA gene. The pathogenesis of Blastocystìs in the dog remains uncertain and the existence of pathogenic and non-pathogenic sub-types is under investigation. Feacal samples from 30 privately owned and 42 stray dogs, originated from central and northern Greece, were examined by both light microscopy and PCR assays for the detection of Blastocystìs sp. All samples were found to be negative by both assays. It seems that, in Greece, the dog is unlikely to be a "reservoir" of Blastocystìs sp., although a large scale epidemiologic study is needed to be carried out in order for more conclusive results to be drawn.