bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
RECURRENCE OF CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULARIZATION LESION ACTIVITY AFTER AFLIBERCEPT TREATMENT FOR AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION
Authors: Wakazono Tomotaka , Yamashiro Kenji , Oishi Akio , Ooto Sotaro , Tamura Hiroshi , Akagi-Kurashige Yumiko , Hata Masayuki , Takahashi Ayako , Tsujikawa Akitaka , Yoshimura Nagahisa 
Published: January 2017

Purpose:
To examine the recurrence rate of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) lesion activity in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and associated factors after 1-year aflibercept treatment.

Methods:
Age-related macular degeneration eyes with 1-year aflibercept fixed-regimen treatment and a follow-up period of at least 18 months from the initial aflibercept injection for treatment-naive exudative AMD were retrospectively evaluated. The recurrence rate was examined. Age, gender, visual acuity, AMD subtype, greatest linear dimension, and retinal and choroidal thicknesses at the 12th month examination were compared between eyes with and without recurrence. Presence of remnant polyps and pigment epithelial detachment (PED) morphology were also compared in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) eyes.

Results:
Of the 98 eyes studied, 69 displayed a dry macula at the 12th month examination; 43.7% exhibited recurrence during the subsequent 12-month period in Kaplan–Meier analysis. Although no factors associated with recurrence were detected in AMD, remnant polyps and pigment epithelial detachment morphology at the 12th month examination were significantly associated with recurrence in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (P = 0.018 and 0.048, respectively).

Conclusion:
Continuous, proactive treatment would be considered overtreatment for more than half of the AMD eyes that achieved a dry macula. Angiography and optical coherence tomography analyses may be useful for predicting recurrence in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy eyes.
ASSOCIATION BETWEEN VISUAL FUNCTION AND SUBRETINAL DRUSENOID DEPOSITS IN NORMAL AND EARLY AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION EYES
Authors: Neely David , Zarubina Anna V. , Clark Mark E. , Huisingh Carrie E. , Jackson Gregory R. , Zhang Yuhua , McGwin Gerald , Curcio Christine A. , Owsley Cynthia 
Published: January 2017

Purpose:
To examine the association between subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDDs) identified by multimodal retinal imaging and visual function in older eyes with normal macular health or in the earliest phases of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods:
Age-related macular degeneration status for each eye was defined according to the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) 9-step classification system (normal = Step 1, early AMD = Steps 2–4) based on color fundus photographs. Visual functions measured were best-corrected photopic visual acuity, contrast and light sensitivity, mesopic visual acuity, low-luminance deficit, and rod-mediated dark adaptation. Subretinal drusenoid deposits were identified through multimodal imaging (color fundus photographs, infrared reflectance and fundus autofluorescence images, and spectral domain optical coherence tomography).

Results:
The sample included 1,202 eyes (958 eyes with normal health and 244 eyes with early AMD). In normal eyes, SDDs were not associated with any visual function evaluated. In eyes with early AMD, dark adaptation was markedly delayed in eyes with SDDs versus no SDD (a 4-minute delay on average), P = 0.0213. However, this association diminished after age adjustment, P = 0.2645. Other visual functions in early AMD eyes were not associated with SDDs.

Conclusion:
In a study specifically focused on eyes in normal macular health and in the earliest phases of AMD, early AMD eyes with SDDs have slower dark adaptation, largely attributable to the older ages of eyes with SDD; they did not exhibit deficits in other visual functions. Subretinal drusenoid deposits in older eyes in normal macular health are not associated with any visual functions evaluated.
CENTRIPETAL MOVEMENT OF THE CAPILLARIES IN THE CENTRAL MACULAR REGION AFTER INTERNAL LIMITING MEMBRANE PEELING
Authors: Kumagai Kazuyuki , Hangai Masanori , Furukawa Mariko , Suetsugu Tetsuyuki , Ogino Nobuchika 
Published: January 2017

Purpose:
To report a case that showed centripetal movements of the capillaries in the central macular region after vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling.

Methods:
A 57-year-old pseudophakic woman underwent successful vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling and air tamponade for a vitreomacular traction. Optical coherence tomography angiographic images of the 3 mm × 3 mm inner retinal vascular plexus were examined preoperatively and at 3 months postoperatively. The changes in 93 corresponding bifurcations of the capillaries were assessed.

Results:
The majority of the bifurcations were displaced towards the fovea at 3 months after the vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling.

Conclusion:
Optical coherence tomography angiography was used to help visualize the centripetal movement of the inner retina around the fovea after the vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling.
Performance characterization of a novel electronic number connection test to detect minimal hepatic encephalopathy in cirrhotic patients
Authors: Wuensch Tilo , Ruether Darius Ferenc , Zöllner Caroline , Mueller Tobias , Jung Tobias , Kaffarnik Magnus , Kassner Ursula , Schott Eckart , Kiefer Stephan , Pratschke Johann , Stockmann Martin , Jara Maximilian 
Published: January 2017

Background and aim
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a frequent complication of cirrhosis, characterized by cognitive deficits that negatively impact patients’ quality of life. The mild, minimal hepatic encephalopathy (mHE) can only be detected by psychometric tests and early mHE detection can prevent more severe complications or even survival times. Here, we aimed to investigate the feasibility and validity of the novel-developed electronic number connection test (eNCT), which is designed as a fast and easy-to-perform mHE patient self-test.

Methods
The eNCT design was inspired by the paper-pencil number connection test version A, showing 25 numbers on the screen (1–25), in a random order. The time required to tap on all digits in the correct order was measured. A total of 238 individuals (112 patients with liver cirrhosis) were enrolled in this study and eNCT times were compared with well-established paper-pencil tests. The Psychometric Hepatic Encephalopathy Score test battery was used to detect mHE and cut-off values for mHE detection by the eNCT were defined.

Results
Overall, cirrhotic patients showed significantly slower test completion times compared with control participants. The eNCT performance was inversely correlated with Psychometric Hepatic Encephalopathy Score test performance in cirrhotic patients, independent of the HE status. Thirty cirrhotic patients fulfilled the mHE criteria and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed high sensitivity (>82%) and specificity (>85%) for mHE detection. Finally, the eNCT showed excellent test–retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient=0.94).

Conclusion
The novel eNCT is a reliable HE self-test to monitor cognitive function and detect cognitive impairment in cirrhotic patients.
The Role of Patient Navigators in Building a Medical Home for Multiply Diagnosed HIV-Positive Homeless Populations
Authors: Sarango Mariana , de Groot Alexander , Hirschi Melissa , Umeh Chukwuemeka Anthony , Rajabiun Serena 
Published: January 2017

Context:
People living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PLWH) who are most at risk for falling out of HIV primary care and detectable viral loads include homeless and unstably housed individuals and those codiagnosed with behavioral health disorders. The patient-centered medical home (PCMH) is a model that promotes provision of comprehensive, patient-centered, accessible, coordinated, and quality care for patients. This initiative provided patient navigation to HIV-positive homeless and unstably housed individuals codiagnosed with a mental health or substance use disorder as a means to create an adapted PCMH to meet the specific needs of this population.

Objective:
The purpose of this analysis was to characterize the roles and responsibilities of patient navigators as part of an effort to create a medical home for homeless and unstably housed PLWH with behavioral health comorbidities.

Design:
Eighty-one in-depth interviews with clinic staff and 2 focus groups with patient navigators were conducted. Content analysis was performed to identify key roles and responsibilities of the patient navigators.

Results:
Patient navigators played an important role in creating a PCMH by working with clients to schedule and complete appointments, develop comprehensive care plans, forging critical relationships with providers both within and outside of health care systems, providing holistic support to increase patient self-management, and assisting in achieving housing stability.

Conclusions:
It may be necessary to adapt the traditional PCMH model to effectively meet the social, behavior health, and medical needs of homeless and unstably housed PLWH with behavioral health comorbidities. A patient navigator who can invest time in supporting and connecting these patients to needed services may be a key component in creating an effective PCMH for this population. These findings highlight the roles and tasks of patient navigators that may contribute to developing a PCMH specific to homeless and unstably housed PLWH with mental health and substance use comorbidities. Implementation of such a model has the potential to improve health outcomes (such as retention in care and viral suppression) for particularly vulnerable PLWH and thereby reduce the burden of HIV infection.
18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and infectious diseases: current applications and future perspectives
Authors: Bassetti Matteo , Carnelutti Alessia , Muser Daniele , Righi Elda , Petrosillo Nicola , Di Gregorio Fernando , Werner Thomas J. , Alavi Abass 
Published: January 2017

Purpose of review
18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography is a well-established technique for diagnosis and management of a number of neoplastic conditions. However, in recent years the body of literature regarding its potential role in infectious diseases has progressively increased, with promising results.

Recent findings
So far 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography has a well-established role and is recommended by guidelines only in a few settings, such as prosthetic valve endocarditis, vascular device infections, and chronic osteomyelitis. However, even the lack of large, prospective randomized trials, an increasing number of small series and case reports suggest a potential role in the diagnosis, disease staging, and monitoring of treatment response of several other infective conditions.

Summary
In this article, we summarize the available evidence and potential future applications of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in the diagnosis and management of infectious diseases.
Efficacy of Treatments for Infantile Spasms: A Systematic Review
Authors: Song Ji Min , Hahn Jongsung , Kim Se Hee , Chang Min Jung 
Published: January 2017

ObjectivesWest syndrome (also known as infantile spasm because of its main seizure type) is a rare form of epilepsy that begins during early infancy. Recent guidelines and reviews on West syndrome recommend the use of adrenocorticotropic hormone steroids, or vigabatrin, as the first-line treatment. However, West syndrome remains to be one of the most challenging epilepsies to treat. Here, we systematically reviewed the current literature obtained during the previous decade. This article provides an overview of the current treatment of infantile spasms.MethodsPubMed and EMBASE were searched to retrieve studies on human published during 2005–2015 and to identify patients with clinical diagnosis of infantile spasms. Drug or diet treatments were used as interventions and comparators.ResultsWe included 55 studies, of which 1 study was a meta-analysis, 9 were randomized controlled trials, 21 were prospective studies, and 24 were retrospective studies. Topiramate, levetiracetam, zonisamide, and sodium valproate with benzodiazepine (clonazepam or nitrazepam) were found to be potential drugs for treating West syndrome besides adrenocorticotropic hormone, steroids, and vigabatrin. Ketogenic diet and modified Atkins diet were also found to be effective.ConclusionsTo date, data regarding the efficacy of treatments of West syndrome still remain limited. Some treatments, including topiramate and ketogenic diet, seem promising besides adrenocorticotropic hormone, steroids, and vigabatrin. Well-designed trials are warranted to validate the findings.
A Multicenter Comparative Study of Impulse Control Disorder in Latin American Patients With Parkinson Disease
Authors: Ramírez Gómez Carolina Candelaria , Serrano Dueñas Marcos , Bernal Oscar , Araoz Natalia , Sáenz Farret Michel , Aldinio Victoria , Montilla Verónica , Micheli Federico 
Published: January 2017

Objectives
Impulse control disorder (ICD) is a common adverse effect in patients with Parkinson disease who receive dopamine agonists; however, other factors are involved in its manifestations. To study the frequency and factors involved in the development of this adverse effect in a Latin American population, we conducted a cross-sectional multicenter study.

Methods
Two hundred fifty-five patients in 3 Latin American centers were evaluated by examination and application of scales (Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale, Questionnaire for Impulsive-Compulsive Disorders in Parkinson’s Disease-Rating Scale, Hoehn and Yahr, Clinical Impression of Severity Index for Parkinson’s Disease).

Results
Of the patients, 27.4% had ICD, most of whom were on dopamine agonists. Other associated risk factors included a younger age at onset of Parkinson disease, moderate symptoms, a shorter evolution of the clinical manifestations, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep disorder behavior, and the consumption of tea, mate, and alcohol.

Conclusions
The frequency of ICD is higher in Latin America than in Anglo-Saxon populations. Consuming tea and mate, in addition to the use of dopamine agonists, is a factor that may demonstrate a genetic link that predisposes patients to the establishment of an ICD.
The QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube Assay in Neuro-Ophthalmology
Authors: Little Leanne M. , Rigi Mohammed , Suleiman Ayman , Smith Stacy V. , Graviss Edward A. , Foroozan Rod , Lee Andrew G. 
Published: January 2017

Background:
Although QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT) testing is regularly used to detect infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, its utility in a patient population with a low risk for tuberculosis (TB) has been questioned. The following is a cohort study analyzing the efficacy of QFT-GIT testing as a method for detection of active TB disease in low-risk individuals in a neuro-ophthalmologic setting.

Methods:
Ninety-nine patients from 2 neuro-ophthalmology centers were identified as having undergone QFT-GIT testing between January 2012 and February 2016. Patients were divided into groups of negative, indeterminate, and positive QFT-GIT results. Records of patients with positive QFT-GIT results were reviewed for development of latent or active TB, as determined by clinical, bacteriologic, and/or radiographic evidence.

Results:
Of the 99 cases reviewed, 18 patients had positive QFT-GIT tests. Of these 18 cases, 12 had documentation of chest radiographs or computed tomography which showed no evidence for either active TB or pulmonary latent TB infection (LTBI). Four had chest imaging which was indicative of possible LTBI. None of these 18 patients had symptoms of active TB and none developed active TB within the follow-up period.

Conclusions:
Based on our results, we conclude that routine testing with QFT-GIT in a low-risk cohort did not diagnose active TB infection. We do not recommend routine QFT-GIT testing for TB low-risk individuals, as discerned through patient and exposure history, ocular examination, and clinical judgment, in neuro-ophthalmology practice.
Captive-bred Orangutans voluntarily choose to reward themselves with cabbage containing greater amounts of anthocyanin in a two-alternative decision task
Authors: Mennie Neil , Symonds Rachael C. , Mahadzir Mazrul 
Published: January 2017

AbstractAnthocyanins are an important part of the human diet and the most commonly consumed plant secondary metabolites. They are potent antioxidants, and in several recent studies the ingestion of anthocyanins has been linked to positive health benefits for humans. Here, we show that when given a choice between two alternative samples of cabbage to ingest, captive born orangutans (n = 6) voluntarily chose the sample that contained greater amounts of anthocyanin. This occurred when they had to decide between samples of red cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. rubra) from the same plant (p<0.05), and samples from green cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) (p<0.01). This indicates that anthocyanin holds a reward value for these hominids. There was no difference in L*a*b* colour between ingested and discarded samples in red cabbage, but when the choice was between two green samples, the animals chose samples that were more green and yellow. There was also no difference in the amount of lightness (L*) between chosen and discarded samples of either plant. It is therefore unclear if the animals use leaf colour in decision-making. In addition to other macro nutrients provided by plants, anthocyanin is also chosen by these endangered apes.
Small RNAs reflect grandparental environments in apomictic dandelion
Authors: Morgado Lionel , Preite Veronica , Oplaat Carla , Anava Sarit , Ferreira de Carvalho Julie , Rechavi Oded , Johannes Frank , Verhoeven Koen J.F. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractPlants can show long-term effects of environmental stresses and in some cases a stress ‘memory’ has been reported to persist across generations, potentially mediated by epigenetic mechanisms. However, few documented cases exist of transgenerational effects that persist for multiple generations and it remains unclear if or how epigenetic mechanisms are involved. Here we show that the composition of small regulatory RNAs in apomictic dandelion lineages reveals a footprint of drought stress and salicylic acid treatment experienced two generations ago. Overall proportions of 21nt and 24nt RNA pools were shifted due to grandparental treatments. While individual genes did not show strong up- or downregulation of associated sRNAs, the subset of genes that showed the strongest shifts in sRNA abundance was significantly enriched for several GO terms including stress-specific functions. This indicates that a stress-induced signal was transmitted across multiple unexposed generations leading to persistent and functional changes in epigenetic gene regulation.
Glucocorticoids and cortical decoding in the phobic brain
Authors: Schwab Simon , Federspiel Andrea , Morishima Yosuke , Nakataki Masahito , Strik Werner , Wiest Roland , Heinrichs Markus , de Quervain Dominique , Soravia Leila M. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractGlucocorticoids—stress hormones released from the adrenal cortex—reduce phobic fear in anxiety disorders and enhance psychotherapy, possibly by reducing the retrieval of fear memories and enhancing the consolidation of new corrective memories. Glucocorticoid signaling in the basolateral amygdala can influence connected fear and memory-related cortical regions, but this is not fully understood. Previous studies investigated specific pathways moderated by glucocorticoids, for example, visual-temporal pathways; however, these analyses were limited to a-priori selected regions. Here, we performed whole-brain pattern analysis to localize phobic stimulus decoding related to the fear-reducing effect of glucocorticoids. We reanalyzed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from a previously published study with spider-phobic patients and healthy controls. The patients received either glucocorticoids or a placebo treatment before the exposure to spider images. There was moderate evidence that patients with phobia had higher decoding of phobic content in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the left and right anterior insula compared to controls. Decoding in the ACC and the right insula showed strong evidence for correlation with experienced fear. Patients with cortisol reported a reduction of fear by 10–13%; however, there was only weak evidence for changes in neural decoding compared to placebo which was found in the precuneus, the opercular cortex, and the left cerebellum.
Surface-driven RNA-refolding by the OB-fold proteins of theTrypanosoma bruceieditosome
Authors: Voigt Christin , Dobrychłop Mateusz , Kruse Elisabeth , Czerwoniec Anna , Kasprzak Joanna M. , Bytner Patrycja , Bujnicki Janusz M. , Göringer H. Ulrich 
Published: January 2017

SUMMARYRNA editing in African trypanosomes represents an RNA-processing reaction that generates functional mitochondrial transcripts from sequence-deficient pre-mRNAs. The reaction is catalyzed by a macromolecular protein complex known as the editosome. Editosomes have been demonstrated to execute RNA-chaperone activity to overcome the highly folded nature of pre-edited substrate mRNAs. The molecular basis of this activity is unknown. Here we test five OB-fold proteins of the editosome as potential candidates. We show that the different proteins interact by hetero-oligomerization and we demonstrate that all proteins execute RNA-chaperone activity. Activity differences correlate with the surface areas of the proteins and map predominantly to the intrinsically disordered subdomains of the polypeptides. To provide a structural context for our findings we present a coarse-grained model of the editosome. The model suggests that an inner core of catalytically active editosome components is separated from an outer shell of IDP-domains that act as RNA-remodeling sites.
Locomotor activity modulates associative learning in mouse cerebellum
Authors: Albergaria Catarina , Silva N. Tatiana , Pritchett Dominique , Carey Megan R. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractChanges in behavioral state are associated with modulation of sensory responses across visual, auditory and somatosensory cortices. Here we show that locomotor activity independently modulates performance in delay eyeblink conditioning, a cerebellum-dependent form of associative learning. Increased locomotor speed in head-fixed mice was associated with earlier onset of learning and trial-by-trial enhancement of learned responses. The influence of locomotion on conditioned responses was dissociable from changes in arousal and was independent of the sensory modality of the conditioned stimulus. Eyelid responses evoked by optogenetic stimulation of mossy fiber terminals within the cerebellar cortex, but not at sites downstream, were also positively modulated by ongoing locomotion. We conclude that locomotor activity modulates delay eyeblink conditioning through mechanisms acting on the mossy fiber pathway within the cerebellar cortex. Taken together, these results suggest a novel role for behavioral state modulation in associative learning and provide a potential mechanism through which engaging in movement can improve an individual’s ability to learn.