bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An Unusual Cause of Headache and Sudden Death of a Young Sailor—Postmortem Computed Tomography and Histological Findings of a Fatal Retroperitoneal Malignant Mixed Germ Cell Tumor
Authors: Lee Belinda , Chan Michelle , Goh Ronald 
Published: November 2017

AbstractA 26‐year‐old Caucasian sailor, with no past medical history aside from headache for the last 1 week, was found dead in his cabin. The body was stored in a refrigerator on board and disembarked for autopsy 3 days later. Autopsy showed a large, nodular, necrotic and hemorrhagic retroperitoneal mass, and smaller hemorrhagic nodules in the brain, lungs, liver, and left kidney, with the brain being markedly edematous. Both testes were descended and normal. Histologically, the retroperitoneal mass showed a malignant mixed germ cell tumor comprising choriocarcinoma, embryonal carcinoma, and teratoma components. Retroperitoneal extragonadal germ cell tumors are uncommon, and this case of a young male who presented with headache and sudden death due to metastases is extremely rare.
Past‐year Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Opioid Prescriptions and Self‐reported Opioid Use in an Emergency Department Population With Opioid Use Disorder
Authors: Hawk Kathryn , D'Onofrio Gail , Fiellin David A. , Chawarski Marek C. , O'Connor Patrick G. , Owens Patricia H. , Pantalon Michael V. , Bernstein Steven L. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackgroundDespite increasing reliance on prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) as a response to the opioid epidemic, the relationship between aberrant drug‐related behaviors captured by the PDMP and opioid use disorder is incompletely understood. How PDMP data should guide emergency department (ED) assessment has not been studied.ObjectivesThe objective was to evaluate a relationship between PDMP opioid prescription records and self‐reported nonmedical opioid use of prescription opioids in a cohort of opioid‐dependent ED patients enrolled in a treatment trial.MethodsPDMP opioid prescription records during 1 year prior to study enrollment on 329 adults meeting Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV criteria for opioid dependence entering a randomized clinical trial in a large, urban ED were cross‐tabulated with data on 30‐day nonmedical prescription opioid use self‐report. The association among these two types of data was assessed by the Goodman and Kruskal's gamma; a logistic regression was used to explore characteristics of participants who had PDMP record of opioid prescriptions.ResultsDuring 1 year prior to study enrollment, 118 of 329 (36%) patients had at least one opioid prescription (range = 1–51) in our states’ PDMP. Patients who reported ≥15 of 30 days of nonmedical prescription opioid use were more likely to have at least four PDMP opioid prescriptions (20/38; 53%) than patients reporting 1 to 14 days (14/38, 37%) or zero days of nonmedical prescription opioid use (4/38, 11%; p = 0.002). Female sex and having health insurance were significantly more represented in the PDMP (p < 0.05 for both).ConclusionPDMPs may be helpful in identifying patients with certain aberrant drug‐related behavior, but are unable to detect many patients with opioid use disorder. The majority of ED patients with opioid use disorder were not captured by the PDMP, highlighting the importance of using additional methods such as screening and clinical history to identify opioid use disorders in ED patients and the limitations of PDMPs to detect opioid use disorders.
Contrasting patterns of insect herbivory and predation pressure across a tropical rainfall gradient
Authors: Weissflog Anita , Markesteijn Lars , Lewis Owen T. , Comita Liza S. , Engelbrecht Bettina M.J. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractOne explanation for the extraordinarily high tree diversity of tropical lowland forests is that it is maintained by specialized natural enemies such as insect herbivores, which cause distance and density dependent mortality. Insect herbivory could also explain the positive correlation between tree species richness and rainfall if herbivory increases with rainfall, is higher on locally abundant versus rare species, and is not limited by predation pressure at wet sites. To test these predictions, insect herbivory and predation pressure on insect herbivores were quantified across a Neotropical rainfall and tree species richness gradient, and herbivory was investigated in relation to local tree abundances. Insect herbivory on leaves (folivory) decreased strongly and significantly with rainfall, while predation pressure was significantly higher at the wetter site. Herbivores were more likely to attack abundant tree species, but herbivore damage levels were not related to tree species abundance. Insect folivores might contribute to local tree species coexistence in our system, but seem unlikely to drive the positive correlation between tree species richness and rainfall. The unexpected and contrasting patterns of herbivory and predation we observed support the need for a multi‐trophic perspective to understand fully the processes contributing to diversity and ecosystem functioning.
General illness and psychological factors in patients with chronic nasal symptoms
Authors: Kara N. , Yao A. C. , Newton J. , Deary V. , O'Hara J. , Wilson J. A. 
Published: November 2017

ObjectivesOnly a minority of patients referred to specialists with sinonasal symptoms have clear evidence of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). This study aims to estimate the prevalence of and associations between (i) general illness factors (fatigue, autonomic dysfunction) and (ii) psychological factors (anxiety, depression, somatisation, personality traits) in patients presenting with sinonasal symptoms.DesignThe following validated questionnaires were administered to patients: the Sino‐Nasal Outcome Test‐22 (SNOT‐22) identifying symptom burden, Composite Autonomic Symptom Score‐31 (COMPASS‐31) measuring autonomic function, Chalder Fatigue Questionnaire, Patient Health Questionnaire‐15 (PHQ‐15) addressing somatisation symptoms, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the International Personality Item Pool‐50 (IPIP‐50). Comparisons were made with normative and general population data, and relationships were analysed using nonparametric correlation.SettingSecondary care ENT outpatients.ParticipantsAdults referred with chronic sinonasal symptoms.Main outcome measuresSNOT‐22, COMPASS‐31, Chalder, PHQ‐15, HADS, and IPIP‐50 questionnaire scores.ResultsSixty‐one patients were included. There was a high prevalence of all general and psychological factors assessed compared with controls. Total SNOT‐22 scores showed significant correlation with Chalder fatigue scores, total autonomic dysfunction score, anxiety, depression, somatisation tendencies and the emotionally unstable personality trait. Emotional instability and psychological dysfunction correlated significantly with sleep and psychological subscales of SNOT‐22 but not the rhinological or ear/facial subscales.ConclusionPatients with sinonasal symptoms demonstrate high prevalence and complex associations of general illness factors, psychological distress and certain personality traits. The SNOT‐22 is a valuable tool, but its utility is limited by correlations with these confounding factors (eg psychological factors) that may exaggerate the total score. The use of the SNOT‐22 component subscales is likely to provide more clinically meaningful and discriminant information.
Adjuvant radiotherapy in sinonasal mucosal melanoma: A retrospective analysis
Authors: Caspers C.J.I. , Dronkers E.A.C. , Monserez D. , Wieringa M.H. , Baatenburg de Jong R.J. , Hardillo J.A.U. 
Published: November 2017

ObjectivesEvaluation of outcome after curative treatment for sinonasal mucosal melanoma focused on the effect of adjuvant radiotherapy on recurrence and survival.DesignRetrospective chart analysis.SettingTertiary referral hospital.ParticipantsFifty‐one patients with primary sinonasal mucosal melanoma who underwent surgical resection with curative intention between 1980 and 2016 at Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam.Main outcome measuresPatients were categorised into 2 groups: surgery alone and surgery with adjuvant radiotherapy. Log‐rank test was used to compare rates of recurrence and survival between treatment groups. Predictors for treatment modality, recurrence and survival were assessed with multivariate statistical analysis.ResultsOf all patients, 23.5% developed local recurrence and 47.1% developed distant metastasis. Estimated 5‐year disease‐free survival was 25.2%, and 5‐year overall survival (OS) was 38.1%. Forty‐three patients (84.3%) were treated with post‐operative radiotherapy. Patients who underwent surgery with adjuvant radiotherapy presented more often with high tumour stage, tumour involving multiple sites and positive margins. Post‐operative radiotherapy seemed to be associated with better local control (P = .549). No effect was found on occurrence of distant metastasis and OS. Positive margin status was an independent negative predictor for distant metastasis‐free survival and overall survival.ConclusionsOur treatment outcomes are consistent with literature. Post‐operative radiotherapy seems to be associated with improved local control despite advanced disease and positive margin status in this treatment group.
An assessment of an Australasian pathway for the introduction of transanal total mesorectal excision (taTME)
Authors: Abbott S. C. , Stevenson A. R. L. , Bell S. W. , Clark D. , Merrie A. , Hayes J. , Ganesh S. , Heriot A. G. , Warrier S. K. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAimTo evaluate the use of a pathway for the introduction of transanal total mesorectal excision (taTME) into Australia and New Zealand.MethodA pathway for surgeons with an appropriate level of specialist training and baseline skill set was initiated amongst colorectal surgeons; it includes an intensive course, a series of proctored cases and ongoing contribution to audit. Data were collected for patients who had taTME, for benign and malignant conditions, undertaken by the initial adopters of the technique.ResultsA total of 133 taTME procedures were performed following the introduction of a training pathway in March 2015. The indication was rectal cancer in 84% of cases. There was one technique‐specific visceral injury, which occurred prior to that surgeon completing the pathway. There were no cases of postoperative mortality; morbidity occurred in 27.1%. The distal resection margin was clear in all cases of rectal cancer, and the circumferential resection margin was positive in two cases. An intact or nearly intact total mesorectal excision was obtained in more than 98% of cases.ConclusionThis study demonstrates the safe and controlled introduction of a new surgical technique in a defined surgeon population with the use of a pathway for training. The authors recommend a similar pathway to facilitate the introduction of taTME to colorectal surgical practice.
Housing privatization in Romania
Authors: Buckley Robert , Mathema Ashna 
Published: November 2017

AbstractOver the past three decades, Romanian housing rights changed from a strictly managed public stock to one governed by individual decision‐making. And while it is typical that widespread private ownership provides a basis for a well‐functioning housing market, in Romania this has not been the case. Indeed, rather than creating a market that spontaneously allocates resources efficiently, housing privatization in Romania has created exclusion rights, thus creating an Anti‐commons problem. This problem can have effects similar to those of the tragedy of the Commons in which those who share a common good overuse it. In the Anti‐commons, in contrast, if too many owners have the right to exclude others from use of a resource, the resource is underused. In both cases, the rights allocation wastes resources.
Pilot study of cognitive remediation and motivational interviewing in youth at risk of serious mental illness
Authors: Piskulic Danijela , Romanowska Sylvia , Addington Jean 
Published: November 2017

AimThe aim of this pilot project was to determine the recruitment feasibility for a computerized cognitive remediation treatment (CRT) for youth at‐risk of serious mental illness (SMI), and treatment adherence following an adjunct treatment of motivational interviewing (MI).MethodsTwelve youth at‐risk of SMI were randomized to receive either CRT or CRT plus MI. CRT was conducted over 10 wk during which time 5 MI sessions were available for the CRT + MI group.ResultsThe recruitment rate was 55%. The attrition rate from the study was 25% and on average participants completed 33% of the CRT sessions, with no group differences in the number of CRT sessions completed.ConclusionsTreatment adherence was low. Participants described the CRT as easy and unchallenging. Future recommendations include engaging youth at‐risk into CRT programs based on cognitive deficits, measuring intervention satisfaction and offering access to supportive therapies for concerns other than cognition.
The role of soil depth in the evaluation of management‐induced effects on soil organic matter
Authors: Knebl L. , Leithold G. , Schulz F. , Brock C. 
Published: November 2017

SummaryThe aim of the current survey was to determine the relevance of the subsoil in the assessment of management effects on soil organic matter (SOM) in arable farming. Data in this survey were provided by the organic arable long‐term field experiment Gladbacherhof (OAFEG). Three different ‘farming types’ were compared: mixed (MF), stockless with rotational ley (SFL) and stockless with cash crops (SFC). Each type had four different tillage treatments: full inversion (FIT), two‐layer plough (TLP), reduced inversion (RIT) and non‐inversion (NIT). The different mean masses of soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil total nitrogen (STN) at 0–30‐, 30–60‐, 60–90‐ and 0–90‐cm soil depths after three crop rotation cycles (17‐year observation period) were evaluated and considered as an indicator of SOM. ‘Farming types’ differ in their effect on SOC and STN mass of the topsoil layer (0–30 cm) in the order MF > SFL > SFC (P < 0.01). For the 0–90‐cm soil depth there were no differences between the treatments. Treatments with different tillage intensity did not show any effect on the contents of SOC or STN within the 0–30‐cm soil depth. However, within the 30–60‐cm depth full‐inversion tillage (FIT) was associated with larger amounts of SOC and STN than the reduced tillage intensity treatments TLP, RIT and NIT (P < 0.01). This situation even resulted in significantly larger SOC and STN masses under FIT (P < 0.05) over the whole soil profile under study (0–90 cm). Our results suggest that sampling depth should be extended to include the effects on the upper subsoil in assessment of the effects of arable management on soil organic matter.Highlights
Role of subsoil in the assessment of management effects on soil organic matter in arable farming is rarely accounted for.
We investigated SOC and STN contents below 0–30‐cm depth in a long‐term field experiment.
Consideration of the subsoil had a marked effect on the differentiation of the treatments.
Sampling depth should be extended to include effects of management on the upper subsoil in the assessment of soil organic matter.
Physical effects of habitat‐forming species override latitudinal trends in temperature
Authors: Jurgens L. J. , Gaylord B. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractLatitudinal and elevational temperature gradients (LTG and ETG) play central roles in biogeographical theory, underpinning predictions of large‐scale patterns in organismal thermal stress, species' ranges and distributional responses to climate change. Yet an enormous fraction of Earth's taxa live exclusively in habitats where foundation species modify temperatures. We examine little‐explored implications of this widespread trend using a classic model system for understanding heat stresses – rocky intertidal shores. Through integrated field measurements and laboratory trials, we demonstrate that thermal buffering by centimetre‐thick mussel and seaweed beds eliminates differences in stress‐inducing high temperatures and associated mortality risk that would otherwise arise over 14° of latitude and ~ 1 m of shore elevation. These results reveal the extent to which physical effects of habitat‐formers can overwhelm broad‐scale thermal trends, suggesting a need to re‐evaluate climate change predictions for many species. Notably, inhabitant populations may exhibit deceptive resilience to warming until refuge‐forming taxa become imperiled.
There are two very different accruals anomalies
Authors: Detzel Andrew , Schaberl Philipp , Strauss Jack 
Published: November 2017

AbstractWe document that several well‐known asset‐pricing implications of accruals differ for investment and non‐investment‐related components. Exposure to an investment‐accruals factor explains the cross‐section of returns better than accruals themselves, and sentiment negatively predicts this factor's returns. The opposite results hold for non‐investment accruals. Cash profitability only subsumes long‐term non‐investment accruals in the cross‐section of returns and economy‐wide investment accruals negatively predict stock‐market returns while other accruals do not. These results challenge existing accruals‐anomaly theories and resolve mixed evidence by showing the anomaly is two separate phenomena: a risk‐based investment accruals premium and a mispricing of non‐investment accruals.
Reduced contamination and infection via inhibition of adhesion of foodborne bacteria to abiotic polystyrene and biotic amoeba surfaces
Authors: Klančnik Anja , Gobin Ivana , Vučković Darinka , Smole Možina Sonja , Abram Maja , Jeršek Barbara 
Published: November 2017

SummaryAdhesion of foodborne pathogens to materials of industrial surfaces is an important step in their transmission through the food chain. Adhesion is also a prerequisite for bacterial colonisation within a host, to enable intracellular invasion. We define a strategy to reduce contamination and infection by Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter jejuni and Escherichia coli using an ethanol extract of Alpinia katsumadai seeds (AlpE) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) as anti‐adhesive agents. We show for the first time that AlpE and EGCG reduce adhesion of individual cultures to polystyrene (AlpE, up to 10.6%; EGCG, up to 39.7%) and to the amoeba Acanthamoeba castellanii (AlpE, up to 52.6%; EGCG, up to 53.4%). The combination of AlpE/EGCG significantly reduced C. jejuni adherence to the abiotic (45.5%) and biotic (52.2%) surfaces. Thus, using natural agents from plants at low doses, we can potentially reduce the primary source of food contamination and a frequent source of infections.
Effect of seaweed flakes addition on the development of bioactivities in functional Camembert‐type cheese
Authors: Hell Attara , Labrie Steve , Beaulieu Lucie 
Published: November 2017

SummaryThe effect of adding Palmaria palmata or Saccharina longicruris to Camembert‐type cheese on both the antioxidant capacity (ORAC) and Angiotensin I‐converting enzyme (ACE)‐inhibitory activity has been studied with the aim of developing a functional food. The nutritional composition showed that P. palmata had the highest total protein and carbohydrate contents while S. longicruris demonstrated the highest total fibre and minerals contents. The bioactivities determined in the S. longicruris soluble extract were the highest. Three cheese model curds were studied: cheese control (CC), 2% of P. palmata (C2PP) and 2% of S. longicruris (C2SL). During ripening (20 days), the curd pH of all treatments was significantly similar, as their ORAC values, starting at 0 and reaching 41.28 mmol TE g−1. The ACE‐inhibitory activity of the three treatments was significantly similar, at day 0 (13.20%) and day 20 (58.27%). The feasibility of including these two seaweeds into Camembert‐type cheeses was validated through the adequate development of bioactivities during ripening supporting promising food applications.
Effects of tadalafil on storage and voiding function in patients with male lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia: A urodynamic‐based study
Authors: Matsukawa Yoshihisa , Majima Tsuyoshi , Matsuo Kazuna , Funahashi Yasuhito , Kato Masashi , Yamamoto Tokunori , Gotoh Momokazu 
Published: November 2017

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of tadalafil on storage and voiding function in treatment‐naïve patients with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia, based on a urodynamic study.MethodsThis was an open‐labeled, single‐center, prospective study. A total of 80 untreated outpatients with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia received tadalafil 5 mg/day for 12 weeks. Subjective symptoms and objective findings on voiding and storage function obtained through urodynamic studies, including cystometry and pressure flow study, were evaluated before and after treatment.ResultsA total of 71 patients with a mean age of 70.2 years and a mean prostate volume of 45.6 mL were included in the analysis. In the International Prostate Symptom Score and Overactive Bladder Symptom Score, mean total scores significantly improved from 18.2 to 13.4 (P < 0.001) and 6.5 to 4.7 (P < 0.001), respectively, after treatment. Mean maximum bladder capacity significantly increased by approximately 35 mL (P < 0.001). Detrusor overactivity disappeared in 15 (39.5%) of 38 patients with detrusor overactivity at baseline (P < 0.001). Mean maximum flow rate on pressure flow study significantly increased from 7.1 to 9.1 mL/s (P < 0.001) and mean bladder outlet obstruction index significantly decreased from 61.3 to 47.1 (P < 0.001).ConclusionsTreatment with tadalafil 5 mg once daily effectively relieves lower urinary tract symptoms based on objective improvement of storage and voiding function, such as detrusor overactivity and bladder outlet obstruction, in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Identification and characterization of a histamine‐binding lipocalin‐like molecule from the relapsing fever tick Ornithodoros turicata
Authors: Neelakanta G. , Sultana H. , Sonenshine D. E. , Andersen J. F. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractLipocalins are low molecular weight membrane transporters that are abundantly expressed in the salivary glands and other tissues of ticks. In this study, we identified a lipocalin‐like molecule, designated as otlip, from the soft ticks Ornithodoros turicata, the vector for the relapsing fever causing spirochete Borrelia turicatae. We noted that the expression of otlip was developmentally regulated, with adult ticks expressing significantly higher levels in comparison to the larvae or nymphal ticks. Expression of otlip was evident in both fed and unfed O. turicata ticks, with significantly increased expression in the salivary glands in comparison to the midgut or ovary tissues. High conservation of the biogenic amine‐binding motif was evident in the deduced primary amino acid sequence of Otlip. Protein modelling of Otlip revealed conservation of most of the residues involved in binding histamine or serotonin ligand. In vitro assays demonstrated binding of recombinant Otlip with histamine. Furthermore, prediction of post‐translational modifications revealed that Otlip contained phosphorylation and myristoylation sites. Taken together, our study not only provides evidence for the presence of a lipocalin‐like molecule in O. turicata ticks but also suggests a role for this molecule in the salivary glands of this medically important vector.