bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical Evaluation of an Oil-Based Lubricant Eyedrop in Dry Eye Patients with Lipid Deficiency
Authors: Baudouin Christophe , Galarreta David J. , Mrukwa-Kominek Ewa , Böhringer Daniel , Maurino Vincenzo , Guillon Michel , Rossi Gemma C.M. , Van der Meulen Ivanka J. , Ogundele Abayomi , Labetoulle Marc 
Published: October 2016

Purpose To evaluate and compare the efficacy of a lipid-based lubricant eyedrop formulation (hydroxypropyl guar/propylene glycol/phospholipid [HPG/PG/PL]) with preservative-free saline for the treatment of dry eye. Methods This was a prospective, multicenter, randomized, single-masked, parallel-group phase 4 clinical study. Patients ≥18 years diagnosed with dry eye received 1 drop of saline 4 times daily (QID) for 15 days during a run-in phase, followed by randomization. Patients then instilled HPG/PG/PL or saline QID through day 35 and as needed through day 90. Change in tear film break-up time (TFBUT), change in total ocular surface staining (TOSS) score, and Impact of Dry Eye on Everyday Life (IDEEL) were evaluated on day 35. Results Increase in TFBUT from baseline to day 35 was assessed during the interim and final analyses. Mean ± SE difference between the HPG/PG/PL (n = 110) and saline groups (n = 100) was 1.3 ± 0.4 seconds (interim analysis; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.5-2.1 seconds; p = 0.0012) and 1.0 ± 0.3 seconds (final analysis; 95% CI 0.4-1.6 seconds; p = 0.0011), demonstrating the superiority of HPG/PG/PL. The mean ± SE difference between the HPG/PG/PL and saline groups for IDEEL treatment effectiveness scores was 16.0 ± 3.6 (95% CI 8.9-23.1; p<0.0001). No significant differences in TOSS scores or IDEEL inconvenience scores were observed between treatment groups. Conclusions Thirty-five days of QID HPG/PG/PL treatment resulted in a statistically significant improvement in TFBUT and IDEEL treatment effectiveness scores compared with saline but not in TOSS or IDEEL treatment inconvenience scores. HPG/PG/PL was well-tolerated by patients.
Retinal Neurovascular Changes Appear Earlier in Type 2 Diabetic Patients
Authors: Pierro Luisa , Iuliano Lorenzo , Cicinelli Maria Vittoria , Casalino Giuseppe , Bandello Francesco 
Published: October 2016

Purpose To investigate the early neurodegenerative changes of inner retina and choroid in type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients without retinopathy and with early-stage retinopathy. Methods In this observational cross-sectional study, 90 right eyes of 90 naive type 1 and 2 diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy (DR) and with mild to moderate nonproliferative DR (NPDR) were analyzed. Forty healthy eyes were included as controls. We used spectral-domain optical coherence tomography to evaluate the ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness, the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, the choroid thickness, and the central foveal thickness (CFT) of patients and controls. Results Average GCC thickness turned out to be thinner in type 2 diabetic patients with no DR and with NPDR compared to controls ( p = 0.046 and p = 0.041, respectively). The RNFL thickness and CFT were similar among the studied groups and compared to controls ( p = 0.78 and p = 0.104, respectively). Average choroid thicknesses (both in the subfoveal area and in a 1-mm radius circular area) were significantly thinner in type 2 diabetic patients with no DR and NPDR, compared to DMT1 groups and controls (both p<0.0001). The GCC and choroid thickness changes were not correlated in any of the investigational groups. Conclusions Type 2 diabetic patients without retinopathy and with early-stage retinopathy have inferior thickness values of GCC and choroid compared to controls. Insulin resistance might be a possible adjunctive pathogenetic aspect of neurodegeneration.
Ethnic Variation in Vitreoretinal Surgery: Differences in Clinical Presentation and Outcome
Authors: Gupta Bhaskar , Neffendorf James E. , Wong Roger , Laidlaw David A.H. , Williamson Tom H. 
Published: October 2016

Purpose The true prevalence of retinal detachment and other vitreoretinal disorders in different ethnic groups is not well-established. Understanding differences in vitreoretinal disease prevalence is important to appropriately allocate resources to meet demand where ethnic variation in the community exists. The aim of this study is to provide hospital-based data on the proportion of people with vitreoretinal disorders in the 3 main ethnic groups in the United Kingdom: Caucasian, Afro-Caribbean, and South Asian. Methods A retrospective study was performed on 3,262 patients undergoing vitreoretinal procedures for various indications between 2001 and 2014 from a single center in London, UK. Results The majority of patients with known ethnicity were Caucasian (80.19%) followed by Afro-Caribbean (12.31%) and Asian (5.20%). The mean age of the study population was 59.64 ± 15.75 years, with 57.28% males. Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) was the common indication for surgery across all ethnic groups (54.83%). Caucasians were older, on average, compared to other ethnic groups at the time of surgery for RRD (p<0.05) and achieved higher success rates after primary surgery and were less likely to require silicone oil as primary tamponade. Macular hole was more common in the ethnic minorities with similar closure rates. Surgery for complications of diabetic retinopathy was more common in Afro-Caribbeans and Asians compared to Caucasians (28.07%, 24.02%, and 9.40%, p<0.05). Conclusions This study presents a large population-based data analysis on ethnic variation in vitreoretinal disorders. This may assist in predicting the requirement of vitreoretinal service provision depending on local ethnic variation.
Myoblast Adhesion, Proliferation and Differentiation on Human Elastin-Like Polypeptide (HELP) Hydrogels
Authors: D'Andrea Paola , Civita Deborah , Cok Michela , Ulloa Severino Luisa , Vita Francesca , Scaini Denis , Casalis Loredana , Lorenzon Paola , Donati Ivan , Bandiera Antonella 
Published: October 2016

Background The biochemical, mechanical and topographic properties of extracellular matrix are crucially involved in determining skeletal muscle cell morphogenesis, proliferation and differentiation. Human elastin-like polypeptides (HELPs) are recombinant biomimetic proteins designed to mimic some properties of the native matrix protein; when employed as myoblast adhesion substrates, they stimulate in vitro myogenesis. Given the influence that the biophysical properties of extracellular matrix have on skeletal muscle cells, the aim of this work was to investigate the effects of HELP hydrogels on myoblasts’ viability and functions. Methods We recently synthesized a novel polypeptide, HELPc, by fusing the elastin-like backbone to a 41aa sequence present in the α2 chain of type IV collagen, containing two arginyl-glycyl-aspartic acid (RGD) motifs. To obtain hydrogels, the enzymatic cross-linking of the HELPc was accomplished by transglutaminase. Here, we employed both non-cross-linked HELPc glass coatings and cross-linked HELPc hydrogels at different monomer densities, as adhesion substrates for C2C12 cells, used as a myoblast model. Results By comparing cell adhesion, proliferation and differentiation, we revealed several striking differences. Depending on support rigidity, adhesion to HELPc substrates dictated cell morphology, spreading, focal adhesion formation and cytoskeletal organization. Hydrogels greatly stimulated cell proliferation, particularly in low-serum medium, and partially inhibited myogenic differentiation. Conclusions On the whole, the results underline the potential of these genetically engineered polypeptides as a tool for dissecting crucial steps in myogenesis.
The ATS/ERS/JRS/ALAT Statement “IPF by HRCT” could Predict Acute Exacerbation of Interstitial Lung Disease in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Asai Nobuhiro , Katsuda Eisuke , Hamanaka Rie , Kosaka Kenshi , Matsubara Ayako , Nishimura Masaki , Tanaka Hiroyuki , Yokoe Norihito , Takahashi Ayumu , Yamaguchi Etsuro , Kubo Akihito 
Published: October 2016

Introduction Patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and interstitial lung disease (ILD) are at high risk of acute exacerbation of ILD (AE-ILD) when treated with systemic chemotherapy. Standard treatment for NSCLC complicated by ILD has not been established. Purpose and methods To examine whether the type of ILD categorized by the official ATS/ERS/JRS/ALAT statement as “idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) by high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT)” could predict chemotherapy-induced AE-ILD in NSCLC patients with ILD, we retrospectively reviewed all patients with NSCLC complicated by ILD who had received chemotherapy at our institute from January 2007 until December 2013. Patients’ characteristics, pathology and clinical staging of lung cancer, chemotherapy, type of ILD and AE-ILD during chemotherapy were evaluated. ILD was classified according to the statement as follows: usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP), possible UIP, and inconsistent with a UIP pattern. Results A total of 46 patients had pre-existing ILD and received chemotherapy. The mean age was 73 years (range 46-83 years). Fifteen (32.6%) of 46 patients with ILD developed chemotherapy-induced AE-ILD, which was seen more frequently in patients with ILD with a UIP pattern or possible UIP pattern than in patients with a pattern inconsistent with UIP (80% versus 9.7%, p<0.001). Multivariate analyses including age, sex, performance status and radiographic patterns of ILD showed that the presence of a UIP or possible UIP pattern was an independent risk factor for chemotherapy-induced AE-ILD. Conclusions ILD with a UIP pattern or possible UIP pattern by the classification could be a risk factor for AE-ILD in NSCLC patients with ILD.
Clinical factors stratifying the risk of tumor upgrading to high-grade disease in low-risk prostate cancer
Authors: Porcaro Antonio B. , Siracusano Salvatore , Luyk Nicolò de , Corsi Paolo , Sebben Marco , Tafuri Alessandro , Processali Tania , Cerasuolo Mattia , Mattevi Daniele , Inverardi Davide , Cerruto Maria A. , Brunelli Matteo , Artibani Walter 
Published: October 2016

Purpose: To identify clinical factors stratifying the risk of tumor upgrading to increasing patterns of the tumor grading system in low-risk prostate cancer (PCa). Methods: We evaluated the records of 438 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy. Associations between clinical factors and tumor upgrading were assessed by the univariate and multivariate multinomial logistic regression model. Results: Low-risk PCa included 170 cases (38.8%) and tumor upgrading was detected in 111 patients (65.3%): 72 (42.4%) had pathology Gleason pattern (pGP) 3 + 4, 27 (15.9%) pGP 4 + 3, and 12 (7.1%) pGP 4 + 4. Prostate- specific antigen (PSA) and proportion of positive cores (P+) were independent predictors of upgrading to high-risk disease. These factors also stratified the risk of tumor upgrading to the increasing patterns of the tumor grading system. The model allowed the identification of pGP 4 + 4. The main difference between high-risk PCa and other upgraded tumors related to PSA load (odds ratio 2.4) that associated with high volume disease in the specimen. Conclusions: Low-risk PCa is a heterogeneous population with significant rates of tumor upgrading. Significant clinical predictors stratifying the risk of tumor upgrading to increasing patterns of the grading system included PSA and P+. These factors allowed the identification of the subset hiding high-grade disease requiring further investigations before delivering active treatments.
Evaluation of Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) in Medical Students in Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
Authors: Alian Shahriar , Dadashi Amir , Najafi Narges , Alikhani Ahmad , Davoudi Alireza , Moosazadeh Mahmood , Ahangarkani Fatemeh 
Published: October 2016

<p><strong>BACKGROUND: </strong>Working in health care units has been known as occupational risk factor in mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) infection. The TB exposure rate in medical students is more than other people. In several studies significant correlation has been reported between hospital presence hours and positive PPD test prevalence. With regard to morbidity of several medical students and nursing staff due to primary tuberculosis in recent years, we decided to investigate positive tuberculin skin test (TST) prevalence in medical students and examine correlation between positive cases prevalence with presence hours in hospitals.</p><p><strong>METHODS: </strong>This was a cross sectional study and 297 medical students of Mazandaran University of medical sciences were investigated. TST was done with Mantoux method. After 48 hours, injection site induration was measured. Subjects that had induration &lt;10 millimeters were injected again (1-3 weeks later) with same method. (As a booster dose)</p><p><strong>RESULTS: </strong>32 cases (10.7%) had positive test at the first phase. Second phase was done on rest 265 persons and 20 cases had positive test. In summation 52 positive cases (17.5%) were observed. 21 cases of 151 persons (13.9%) in group with &lt;100 hours/annual hospital presence, had positive tests. 21 cases of 71 persons (16.9%) in group with 100-1000 h/a hospital presence (Extern) and 19 cases of 75 people (25.3%) those who had &gt;1000 h/a hospital presence(Intern), had positive tests. There was a meaningful statically difference in positive tests, between groups &lt; 1000 hours exposure and the other who had &gt; 1000 hours contact (p=0.032).</p><p><strong>CONCLUSIONS: </strong>Because of, Interns’ high responsibilities and their more involvement in patient’s diagnostic and therapeutic process, they have high chance to contact with undiagnosed and diagnosed tuberculosis patients. Due to these reasons, TB infection rate is increasing among Interns. As a result of these findings, performing PPD test should be considered at the beginning of entrance to hospital departments and then annually. Necessary tasks and following up are needed to new positive cases.</p>
Possibilities of Application of Transcatheter Treatment of Vascular Dementia with Binswanger’s Disease
Authors: Maksimovich Ivan V. 
Published: October 2016

INTRODUCTION: The research is dedicated to the main features of brain angioarchitectonics caused by the development of Binswanger’s disease (BD), as well as to the effectiveness of the method of transcatheter laser revascularization of cerebral vessels in the treatment of this disease.MATERIALS: We examined 23 patients with BD whose age ranged from 58 to 81, mean age 78, including 15 (65.22%) men and 8 (34.78%) women. The examination included Clinical Dementia Rate (CDR), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Index Bartels (IB), laboratory examination, scintigraphy (SG), rheoencephalography (REG), Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and cerebral multi-gated angiography (MUGA).14 (60.87%) patients underwent transcatheter interventions - Test Group.9 (39.13%) patients had conservative treatment - Control Group.RESULTS: Test Group: favorable clinical result - 9 (64.29%) cases; adequate clinical result - 5 (35.71%) cases; comparatively adequate and comparatively positive clinical results were not attained in any case.Control Group: favorable and adequate clinical results were not achieved in any case; comparatively adequate clinical result was gained in 7 (77.78%) cases; comparatively positive clinical result - in 2 (22.23%) cases.CONCLUSIONS: The method of transcatheter laser revascularization of cerebral vessels furthers natural angiogenesis, induces collateral and capillary revascularization both in ischemic areas and in closely located tissues, thereby improving cerebral blood flow. At the same time, laser energy promotes the restoration of metabolic processes in neurons. It significantly distinguishes the proposed method from conservative treatment.
Declining trend in transmitted drug resistance detected in a prospective cohort study of acute HIV infection in Bangkok, Thailand
Authors: Colby Donn J , Crowell Trevor A , Sirivichayakul Sunee , Pinyakorn Suteeraporn , Kroon Eugene , Benjapornpong Khunthalee , Intasan Jintana , Trichavaroj Rapee , Tovanabutra Sodsai , Robb Merlin , Phanuphak Praphan , Ananworanich Jintanat , Phanuphak Nittaya ,   on behalf of the Search 010/RV 254 Study Group
Published: October 2016

IntroductionAs availability of antiretroviral therapy expands in developing countries, the risk for transmission of drug‐resistant HIV also increases. Patients with acute HIV infection (AHI) provide an opportunity for real‐time monitoring of transmitted drug resistance (TDR). SEARCH 010/RV 254 study is a prospective, longitudinal study of AHI. This analysis was performed to characterize changes in TDR over time in persons enrolled in the AHI cohort.MethodsGenotype testing for TDR mutations was performed on 229 subjects enrolled from 2009 to 2014.ResultsThe cohort was predominantly male (95%) and men who have sex with men (92%). TDR prevalence was 7.0%, declining from 12.5% in 2009–2010 to 4.8% in 2013–2014 (p=0.08). By drug class, resistance prevalence was 3.6% for proteases inhibitors, 2.6% for nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors and 2.2% for non‐nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. The greatest decline in prevalence was seen in the non‐nucleoside reverses transcriptase inhibitors, from 9.4% in 2009–2010 to 0.7% in 2013–2014 (p=0.005).ConclusionsTDR appears to be declining among individuals with AHI in Bangkok and in 2013 to 2014 met the World Health Organization definition for low prevalence. Continued surveillance is necessary to determine if this trend persists.
Solid–liquid phase epitaxial growth of Li4Ti5O12 thin film
Authors: Li Ning , Katase Takayoshi , Zhu Yanbei , Matsumoto Takao , Umemura Tomonari , Ikuhara Yuichi , Ohta Hiromichi 
Published: October 2016

Abstract
A thin film of Li4Ti5O12, a candidate anode material for solid-state Li-ion batteries, was heteroepitaxially grown on a (001) SrTiO3 substrate using solid–liquid phase epitaxy. An amorphous Li4Ti5O12 film deposited at room temperature was first heated with LiNO3 powder in air and then washed with distilled water. The Li4Ti5O12 epitaxial film was obtained by heating with molten LiNO3 at 600 °C; the liquid LiNO3 completely covered the film, suppressing the formation of Li deficiencies and enhancing the low-temperature crystal growth. Solid–liquid phase epitaxy is a powerful approach to grow Li-containing-oxide films, which are difficult to fabricate because of the loss of Li species at high temperature.
Value of Ultrasound Elastography in the Differential Diagnosis of Cervical Lymph Nodes
Authors: Acu Leyla , Oktar Suna Özhan , Acu Rusen , Yücel Cem , Cebeci Süleyman 
Published: October 2016

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to determine the usefulness of ultrasound elastography in the evaluation of enlarged cervical lymph nodes in comparison with B‐mode and color Doppler sonography.MethodsA total of 220 lymph nodes in 168 consecutive patients who were referred for sonography of the neck were included in this study. B‐mode sonograms were evaluated according to short‐axis diameter, long‐to‐short‐axis ratio, hilum, echogenicity, and microcalcification. For color Doppler sonography, 5 different patterns were defined according to vascularity. Elastographic patterns of the lesions were categorized to 5 main types. The mean strain index values were calculated for all lymph nodes. Histopathologic findings, clinical and laboratory data, and imaging findings were used as reference standards for the diagnosis of benign and malignant lymph nodes.ResultsOf the 220 lymph nodes, 69.5% were diagnosed as benign, and 30.5% were diagnosed as malignant. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of B‐mode sonography were 97.0%, 31.4%, and 51.3%, respectively; the values were 76.1%, 82.4%, and 80.5% for color Doppler sonography and 82.1%, 56.2%, and 64.1% for elastography. The strain index cutoff value for the differentiation of benign and malignant lymph nodes was accepted as 1.7. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the strain index were 71.6%, 76.5%, and 75.0%.ConclusionsUltrasound elastography adds no additional value to combined B‐mode and color Doppler sonography for differentiation of benign and malignant cervical lymph nodes.
Existence of the threshold pressure for seismic excitation by atmospheric disturbances
Authors: Tanimoto Toshiro , Valovcin Anne 
Published: October 2016

AbstractExcitation of seismic waves by atmospheric pressure changes is examined from data for two tropical cyclones, Tropical Storm Lee (2011) and Hurricane Isaac (2012). They moved through the EarthScope Transportable Array and generated variations in pressure and ground motions that spanned 4–5 orders of magnitude in power spectral density (PSD). For vertical seismic ground velocity PSD (SV) for frequencies between 0.01 and 0.02 Hz, there is a threshold pressure at about pressure PSD (SP) of 10 Pa2 s, below which vertical motion is not affected by local atmospheric pressure. Above this threshold pressure, vertical ground motion increases with surface pressure as SV~SP1.5. In order to understand the land‐atmosphere interaction, pressure above this threshold is the only useful range. Horizontal component PSDs are about 2 orders of magnitude larger than vertical component PSDs and change with pressure for its entire range. This overall trend is most likely caused by ground tilt.
A three‐dimensional QP imaging of the shallowest subsurface of Campi Flegrei offshore caldera, southern Italy
Authors: Serlenga Vincenzo , de Lorenzo Salvatore , Russo Guido , Amoroso Ortensia , Garambois Stephane , Virieux Jean , Zollo Aldo 
Published: October 2016

AbstractTo improve the knowledge of the shallowest subsurface of Campi Flegrei caldera, a 3‐D P wave attenuation tomography of the area was performed. We analyzed about 18,000 active seismic traces, which provided a data set of 11,873 Δt* measurements, e.g., the differential travel times to quality factor ratios. These were inverted through an adapted tomographic inversion procedure. The 3‐D tomographic images reveal an average QP about 70, interpreted as water‐saturated volcanic and marine sediments. An arc‐like, low‐QP structure at 0.5–1 km depths was interpreted as a densely fractured, fluid‐saturated rock volume, well matching the buried rim of Campi Flegrei caldera. The spatial distribution of high‐ and low‐QP bodies in the inner caldera is correlated with low‐Vp values and may reflect either the differences in the percentage of fluid saturation of sediments or the presence of vapor state fluids beneath fumarole manifestations.
The link between extreme precipitation and convective organization in a warming climate: Global radiative‐convective equilibrium simulations
Authors: Pendergrass Angeline G. , Reed Kevin A. , Medeiros Brian 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe rate of increase of extreme precipitation in response to global warming varies dramatically across climate model simulations, particularly over the tropics, for reasons that have yet to be established. Here we propose one potential mechanism: changing organization of convection with climate. We analyze a set of simulations with the Community Atmosphere Model version 5 with an idealized global radiative‐convective equilibrium configuration forced by fixed sea surface temperatures varying in 2° increments from 285 to 307 K. In these simulations, convective organization varies from semiorganized in cold simulations, disorganized in warm simulations, and abruptly becomes highly organized at just over 300 K. The change in extreme precipitation with warming also varies across these simulations, including a large increase at the transition from disorganized to organized convection. We develop an extreme precipitation‐focused metric for convective organization and use this to explore their connection.