bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of noninvasive cardiovascular testing, applied clinical nutrition and nutritional supplements in the prevention and treatment of coronary heart disease
Authors: Houston Mark 
Published: January 2018

Numerous clinical trials suggest that we have reached a limit in our ability to decrease the incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) utilizing the traditional diagnostic evaluation, prevention and treatment strategies for the top five cardiovascular risk factors of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, obesity and smoking. About 80% of heart disease (heart attacks, angina, coronary heart disease and congestive heart failure) can be prevented by optimal nutrition, optimal exercise, optimal weight and body composition, mild alcohol intake and avoiding smoking. Statistics show that approximately 50% of patients continue to have CHD or myocardial infarction (MI) despite presently defined ‘normal’ levels of the five risk factors listed above. This is often referred to as the ‘CHD gap’. Novel and more accurate definitions and evaluations of these top five risk factors are required, such as 24 h ambulatory blood pressure (ABM) results, advanced lipid profiles, redefined fasting and 2 h dysglycemia parameters, a focus on visceral obesity and body composition and the effects of adipokines on cardiovascular risk. There are numerous traumatic insults from the environment that damage the cardiovascular system but there are only three finite vascular endothelial responses, which are inflammation, oxidative stress and immune vascular dysfunction. In addition, the concept of translational cardiovascular medicine is mandatory in order to correlate the myriad of CHD risk factors to the presence or absence of functional or structural damage to the vascular system, preclinical and clinical CHD. This can be accomplished by utilizing advanced and updated CV risk scoring systems, new and redefined CV risk factors and biomarkers, micronutrient testing, cardiovascular genetics, nutrigenomics, metabolomics, genetic expression testing and noninvasive cardiovascular testing.
National roll-out of latent tuberculosis testing and treatment for new migrants in England: a retrospective evaluation in a high-incidence area
Authors: Loutet Miranda G. , Burman Matthew , Jayasekera Nivenka , Trathen Duncan , Dart Susan , Kunst Heinke , Zenner Dominik 
Published: January 2018

Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) screening is an important intervention for tuberculosis (TB) elimination in low-incidence countries and is, therefore, a key component of England's TB control strategy. This study describes outcomes from a LTBI screening programme in a high-incidence area to inform national LTBI screening in England and other low-incidence countries.We conducted a retrospective cohort study of LTBI screening among eligible migrants (from high-incidence countries and entered the UK within the last 5 years), who were identified at primary-care clinics in Newham, London between August 2014 and August 2015. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with LTBI testing uptake, interferon-γ release assay (IGRA) positivity and treatment uptake.40% of individuals offered LTBI screening received an IGRA test. The majority of individuals tested were 16–35 years old, male and born in India, Bangladesh or Pakistan. Country of birth, smoking status and co-morbidities were associated with LTBI testing uptake. IGRA positivity was 32% among those tested and was significantly associated with country of birth, age, sex and co-morbidities.This study identifies factors associated with screening uptake, IGRA positivity and treatment uptake, and improves understanding of groups that should be supported to increase acceptability of LTBI testing and treatment in the community.
Clinical and inflammatory phenotyping by breathomics in chronic airway diseases irrespective of the diagnostic label
Authors: de Vries Rianne , Dagelet Yennece W.F. , Spoor Pien , Snoey Erik , Jak Patrick M.C. , Brinkman Paul , Dijkers Erica , Bootsma Simon K. , Elskamp Fred , de Jongh Frans H.C. , Haarman Eric G. , in ‘t Veen Johannes C.C.M , Maitland-van der Zee Anke-Hilse , Sterk Peter J. 
Published: January 2018

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are complex and overlapping diseases that include inflammatory phenotypes. Novel anti-eosinophilic/anti-neutrophilic strategies demand rapid inflammatory phenotyping, which might be accessible from exhaled breath.Our objective was to capture clinical/inflammatory phenotypes in patients with chronic airway disease using an electronic nose (eNose) in a training and validation set.This was a multicentre cross-sectional study in which exhaled breath from asthma and COPD patients (n=435; training n=321 and validation n=114) was analysed using eNose technology. Data analysis involved signal processing and statistics based on principal component analysis followed by unsupervised cluster analysis and supervised linear regression.Clustering based on eNose resulted in five significant combined asthma and COPD clusters that differed regarding ethnicity (p=0.01), systemic eosinophilia (p=0.02) and neutrophilia (p=0.03), body mass index (p=0.04), exhaled nitric oxide fraction (p<0.01), atopy (p<0.01) and exacerbation rate (p<0.01). Significant regression models were found for the prediction of eosinophilic (R2=0.581) and neutrophilic (R2=0.409) blood counts based on eNose. Similar clusters and regression results were obtained in the validation set.Phenotyping a combined sample of asthma and COPD patients using eNose provides validated clusters that are not determined by diagnosis, but rather by clinical/inflammatory characteristics. eNose identified systemic neutrophilia and/or eosinophilia in a dose-dependent manner.
Long-term benefits of airway clearance in bronchiectasis: a randomised placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Muñoz Gerard , de Gracia Javier , Buxó Maria , Alvarez Antonio , Vendrell Montserrat 
Published: January 2018

Keeping airways clear of mucus by airway clearance techniques seems essential in bronchiectasis treatment, although no placebo-controlled trials or any studies lasting longer than 3 months have been conducted. We evaluate the efficacy of the ELTGOL (slow expiration with the glottis opened in the lateral posture) technique over a 1-year period in bronchiectasis patients with chronic expectoration in a randomised placebo-controlled trial.Patients were randomised to perform the ELTGOL technique (n=22) or placebo exercises (n=22) twice-daily (ClinicalTrials.gov,NCT01578681). The primary outcome was sputum volume during the first intervention and 24 h later. Secondary outcomes included sputum volume during the intervention and 24 h later at month 12, exacerbations, quality of life, sputum analyses, pulmonary function, exercise capacity, systemic inflammation, treatment adherence, and side effects.Sputum volume during intervention and 24 h later was higher in the ELTGOL group than in the placebo group both at the beginning and end of the study. Patients in the ELTGOL group had fewer exacerbations (p=0.042) and a clinically significant improvement in the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire score (p<0.001) and the Leicester Cough Questionnaire score compared with the placebo group (p<0.001).Twice-daily ELTGOL technique over 1 year in bronchiectasis patients facilitated secretion removal and was associated with fewer exacerbations, improved quality of life, and reduced cough impact.
Endemic carbapenem-nonsusceptible Acinetobacter baumannii-calcoaceticus complex in intensive care units of the national referral hospital in Jakarta, Indonesia
Authors: Saharman Yulia Rosa , Karuniawati Anis , Sedono Rudyanto , Aditianingsih Dita , Sudarmono Pratiwi , Goessens Wil H. F. , Klaassen Corné H. W. , Verbrugh Henri A. , Severin Juliëtte A. 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
Background
Carbapenem-nonsusceptible A. baumannii-calcoaceticus complex have emerged worldwide, but the epidemiology in Indonesian hospitals has not been studied.

Methods
A prospective observational study was performed on the intensive care units (ICUs) of the national referral hospital in Jakarta-Indonesia, in 2013 and 2014. All consecutive adult patients admitted and hospitalized for >48 h in ICUs were included. Basic and clinical data at admission were recorded. Carbapenem-nonsusceptible A. baumannii-calcoaceticus complex from clinical cultures and standardized screening were included. Environmental niches and healthcare workers (HCWs) were also screened. PCR was used to detect carbapenemase genes, and Raman spectroscopy as well as multilocus sequence typing (MLST) for typing.

Results
Of 412 included patients, 69 (16.7%) carried carbapenem-nonsusceptible A. baumannii-calcoaceticus complex on admission, and 89 (25.9%) became positive during ICU stay. The acquisition rate was 43 per 1000 patient-days at risk. Six isolates were cultured from environment and one from a HCW. Acquisition of carbapenem-nonsusceptible A. baumannii-calcoaceticus complex was associated with longer ICU stay (median interquartile range [IQR]: 11 days [5–18], adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 2.56 [99% confidence interval (CI):1.76–3.70]), but not with mortality (adjusted odds ratio: 1.59 [99%CI: 0.74–3.40] at the chosen level of significance). The blaOXA-23-like gene was detected in 292/318 (91.8%) isolates, including isolates from the environment and HCW. Typing revealed five major clusters. Sequence types (ST)195, ST208, ST218, ST642 as well as new STs were found. The dominant clone consisted of isolates from patients and environment throughout the study period.

Conclusions
Carbapenem-nonsusceptible A. baumannii-calcoaceticus complex are endemic in this setting. Prevention requires source control and limiting transmission of strains.

Trial registration
The study was retrospectively registered at www.trialregister.nl (No:5541). Candidate number: 23,527, NTR number: NTR5541, Date registered NTR: 22nd December 2015.
Community treatment orders: Are they useful?
Authors: Rugkåsa Jorun , Burns Tom 
Published: January 2018

SummaryIn the wake of the deinstitutionalisation of mental health services, community treatment orders (CTOs) have been introduced in around 75 jurisdictions worldwide. They make it a legal requirement for patients to adhere to treatment plans outside of hospital. To date, about 60 CTO outcome studies have been conducted. All studies with a methodology strong enough to infer causality conclude that CTOs do not have the intended effect of preventing relapse and reducing hospital admissions. Despite this, CTOs are still debated, possibly reflecting different attitudes to the role of evidence-based practice in community psychiatry. There are clinical, ethical, legal, economic and professional reasons why the current use of CTOs should be reconsidered.Learning Objectives• Gain an overview of the development and use of CTOs in the UK and internationally• Get up-to-date information about the evidence base for CTO effectiveness and the relative contributions of different levels of evidence• Appreciate the nature of the current controversy around the use of CTOs and become familiar with the factors in the ongoing debate about their future
Empagliflozin Treatment Is Associated With Improved β-Cell Function in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Al Jobori Hussein , Daniele Giuseppe , Adams John , Cersosimo Eugenio , Solis-Herrera Carolina , Triplitt Curtis , DeFronzo Ralph A , Abdul-Ghani Muhammad 
Published: January 2018

Abstract

Objective
To examine whether lowering plasma glucose concentration with the sodium-glucose transporter-2 inhibitor empagliflozin improves β-cell function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods
Patients with T2DM (N = 15) received empagliflozin (25 mg/d) for 2 weeks. β-Cell function was measured with a nine-step hyperglycemic clamp (each step, 40 mg/dL) before and at 48 hours and at 14 days after initiating empagliflozin.

Results
Glucosuria was recorded on days 1 and 14 [mean ± standard error of the mean (SEM), 101 ± 10 g and 117 ± 11 g, respectively] after initiating empagliflozin, as were reductions in fasting plasma glucose levels (25 ± 6 mg/dL and 38 ± 8 mg/dL, respectively; both P &lt; 0.05). After initiating empagliflozin and during the stepped hyperglycemic clamp, the incremental area under the plasma C-peptide concentration curve increased by 48% ± 12% at 48 hours and 61% ± 10% at 14 days (both P &lt; 0.01); glucose infusion rate increased by 15% on day 3 and 16% on day 14, compared with baseline (both P &lt; 0.05); and β-cell function, measured with the insulin secretion/insulin resistance index, increased by 73% ± 21% at 48 hours and 112% ± 20% at 14 days (both P &lt; 0.01). β-cell glucose sensitivity during the hyperglycemic clamp was enhanced by 42% at 14 hours and 54% at 14 days after initiating empagliflozin (both P &lt; 0.01).

Conclusion
Lowering the plasma glucose concentration with empagliflozin in patients with T2DM augmented β-cell glucose sensitivity and improved β-cell function.
Genetic Analyses in Small-for-Gestational-Age Newborns
Authors: Stalman Susanne E , Solanky Nita , Ishida Miho , Alemán-Charlet Cristina , Abu-Amero Sayeda , Alders Marielle , Alvizi Lucas , Baird William , Demetriou Charalambos , Henneman Peter , James Chela , Knegt Lia C , Leon Lydia J , Mannens Marcel M A M , Mul Adi N , Nibbering Nicole A , Peskett Emma , Rezwan Faisal I , Ris-Stalpers Carrie , van der Post Joris A M , Kamp Gerdine A , Plötz Frans B , Wit Jan M , Stanier Philip , Moore Gudrun E , Hennekam Raoul C 
Published: January 2018

Abstract

Context
Small for gestational age (SGA) can be the result of fetal growth restriction, which is associated with perinatal morbidity and mortality. Mechanisms that control prenatal growth are poorly understood.

Objective
The aim of the current study was to gain more insight into prenatal growth failure and determine an effective diagnostic approach in SGA newborns. We hypothesized that one or more copy number variations (CNVs) and disturbed methylation and sequence variants may be present in genes associated with fetal growth.

Design
A prospective cohort study of subjects with a low birth weight for gestational age.

Setting
The study was conducted at an academic pediatric research institute.

Patients
A total of 21 SGA newborns with a mean birth weight below the first centile and a control cohort of 24 appropriate-for-gestational-age newborns were studied.

Interventions
Array comparative genomic hybridization, genome-wide methylation studies, and exome sequencing were performed.

Main Outcome Measures
The numbers of CNVs, methylation disturbances, and sequence variants.

Results
The genetic analyses demonstrated three CNVs, one systematically disturbed methylation pattern, and one sequence variant explaining SGA. Additional methylation disturbances and sequence variants were present in 20 patients. In 19 patients, multiple abnormalities were found.

Conclusion
Our results confirm the influence of a large number of mechanisms explaining dysregulation of fetal growth. We concluded that CNVs, methylation disturbances, and sequence variants all contribute to prenatal growth failure. These genetic workups can be an effective diagnostic approach in SGA newborns.
Case Report: Polyarteritis nodosa or complicated Henoch-Schonlein purpura, a rare case
Authors: Hasanzadeh Sajad , Alavi Seyedeh Maryam , Masnavi Elahe , Rohani Maryam , Jokar Saeid 
Published: January 2018

Background:Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a vasculitis that affects medium sized arteries. PAN is a rare disease and requires a high vilgilance for diagnosis. For instance, PAN and Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) have narrowing differential diagnosis. Here, we report a case of PAN.Case presentation:Our patient was a 65 year old woman that came to hospital due to abdominal pain and skin lesion on the right upper and right lower extremities. All rheumatologic tests were negative. A biopsy of the skin lesion was reported as mild hyperkeratosis, slight spongiosis with intact basal layer. The dermis showed moderate to severe perivascular PMN infiltration with vessel wall degeneration and extravasation of RBCs. A colonoscopy reported diffuse mucosal erythema and erosions were seen in the rectum until 6cm of anal verge. An electromyogram test and nerve conduction velocity study of the upper extremities reported bilateral mild carpal tunnel syndrome, and in the right lower extremities mononeuritis multiplex could not be ruled out. Abdominopelvic CT scan reported diffuse wall thickening of terminal ileum associated with mesenteric fat and narrow enhancement of inferior Mesenteric artery with patchy filling defect. After evaluation, the patient received corticosteroid pulses plus cyclophosphamide.Conclusion:Diagnosis and treatment of PAN is important and PAN should be considered in a patient with skin lesions and neurological impairment.
Temporal order of RNase IIIb and loss-of-function mutations during development determines phenotype in pleuropulmonary blastoma / DICER1 syndrome: a unique variant of the two-hit tumor suppression model
Authors: Brenneman Mark , Field Amanda , Yang Jiandong , Williams Gretchen , Doros Leslie , Rossi Christopher , Schultz Kris Ann , Rosenberg Avi , Ivanovich Jennifer , Turner Joyce , Gordish-Dressman Heather , Stewart Douglas , Yu Weiying , Harris Anne , Schoettler Peter , Goodfellow Paul , Dehner Louis , Messinger Yoav , Hill D. Ashley 
Published: January 2018

Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is the most frequent pediatric lung tumor and often the first indication of a pleiotropic cancer predisposition, DICER1 syndrome, comprising a range of other individually rare, benign and malignant tumors of childhood and early adulthood. The genetics of DICER1-associated tumorigenesis are unusual in that tumors typically bear neomorphic missense mutations at one of five specific “hotspot” codons within the RNase IIIb domain of DICER 1, combined with complete loss of function (LOF) in the other allele. We analyzed a cohort of 124 PPB children for predisposing DICER1 mutations and sought correlations with clinical phenotypes. Over 70% have inherited or de novo germline LOF mutations, most of which truncate the DICER1 open reading frame. We identified a minority of patients who have no germline mutation, but are instead mosaic for predisposing DICER1 mutations. Mosaicism for RNase IIIb domain hotspot mutations defines a special category of DICER1 syndrome patients, clinically distinguished from those with germline or mosaic LOF mutations by earlier onsets and numerous discrete foci of neoplastic disease involving multiple syndromic organ sites. A final category of PBB patients lack predisposing germline or mosaic mutations and have sporadic (rather than syndromic) disease limited to a single PPB tumor bearing tumor-specific RNase IIIb and LOF mutations. We propose that acquisition of a neomorphic RNase IIIb domain mutation is the rate limiting event in DICER1-associated tumorigenesis, and that distinct clinical phenotypes associated with mutational categories reflect the temporal order in which LOF and RNase IIIb domain mutations are acquired during development.
Audiences, Aesthetics and Affordances Analysing Practices of Visual Communication on Social Media
Authors: Schreiber Maria 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
This research investigates how the practices of sharing pictures with specific audiences on social media may be related to aesthetics and affordances. Based on fieldwork (interviews, picture analysis and digital ethnography) with a group of female teenagers in Vienna, Austria, how they visually curate their accounts is mapped and reconstructed. Regarding content and aesthetics, different kinds of pictures are shared using different apps. Snapchat, for example, (for this specific group at the time of the investigation) is the preferred medium for live communication with very close friends using fast, pixelated, “ugly” pictures, while Instagram serves to share polished, conventional, “beautiful” pictures with broader audiences. Based on this case study, three conceptual arguments can be made. First, visual communication is practised in relation to specific social settings or audiences. Social media is part of these practices, and users navigate differences between platforms to manage identities and relationships. Second, the analysis of practices embedded in specific software, therefore, has to be contextualised and related to the structures of these environments. Software co-constructs processes of editing, distribution, sharing and affirmation, and its affordances have to be related to the ways in which users exploit them. Third, as visual communication becomes an intrinsic part of online communication, the exploration of how distinctions between audiences and affordances play out stylistically appears to be of particular interest, which entails calibrated aesthetics; however, this visual layer is seldom investigated closely.
UOE Pipe Numerical Model: Manufacturing Process And Von Mises Residual Stresses Resulted After Each Technological Step
Authors: Delistoian Dmitri , Chirchor Mihael 
Published: January 2018

AbstractFluid transportation from production areas to final customer is effectuated by pipelines. For oil and gas industry, pipeline safety and reliability represents a priority. From this reason, pipe quality guarantee directly influence pipeline designed life, but first of all protects environment. A significant number of longitudinally welded pipes, for onshore/offshore pipelines, are manufactured by UOE method. This method is based on cold forming. In present study, using finite element method is modeled UOE pipe manufacturing process and is obtained von Mises stresses for each step. Numerical simulation is performed for L415 MB (X60) steel plate with 7,9 mm thickness, length 30 mm and width 1250mm, as result it is obtained a DN 400 pipe.
Variety of Displacement Dependent Devices Used for Bridges and Viaducts Certified by Icecon Cert SRL
Authors: Alexandru Carmen 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
The paper is specially addressed to the seismic device manufacturer, designers and end users of these products, to explicitness the provisions of EN 15129:2009 regarding the tests shall be performed for the displacement depended devices used for bridges and viaducts. Are presented some of examples of dynamic tests carried out under the supervision of the certification body ICECON CERT SRL for the assessment and verification of constancy of performance, based on the evaluation of conformity procedures indicated in the reference document and the regulation EU no (305)/2011