bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The association between submarine service and multimorbidity: a cross-sectional study of Korean naval personnel
Authors: Kang Jihun , Song Yun-Mi 
Published: September 2017

ObjectiveWe aimed to estimate the prevalence of multimorbidity (≥2 chronic health problems) among Korean submariners and to evaluate the association between submarine service and multimorbidity and disease burden.Study design and settingThis cross-sectional study included 590 naval personnel who visited a Korean primary care clinic during 2014–2015. Data regarding general characteristics and morbidities were collected from medical records, and disease burden was assessed using the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS). Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between submarine service and multimorbidity and disease burden.ResultsThe prevalence of multimorbidity was 11.7% among 180 non-submariners and 32.2% among 410 submariners. The prevalence of multimorbidity and the CIRS scores gradually increased with age. Submarine service was associated with higher risk of multimorbidity and disease burden compared with non-submarine service even after adjusting for age, alcohol consumption, smoking status and naval rank. However, a dose–response relationship was not evident between the duration of submarine service and the risk of multimorbidity as well as high disease burden.ConclusionsSubmarine service was significantly associated with a higher risk of multimorbidity and greater disease burden than non-submarine service. This finding suggests that multidimensional and holistic healthcare approaches are needed for submariners.
Online peer support interventions for chronic conditions: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Munce Sarah Elizabeth Patricia , Shepherd John , Perrier Laure , Allin Sonya , Sweet Shane N , Tomasone Jennifer R , Nelson Michelle L A , Guilcher Sara J T , Hossain Saima , Jaglal Susan 
Published: September 2017

IntroductionPeer support is receiving increasing attention as both an effective and cost-effective intervention method to support the self-management of chronic health conditions. Given that an increasing proportion of Canadians have internet access and the increasing implementation of web-based interventions, online peer support interventions are a promising option to address the burden of chronic diseases. Thus, the specific research question of this scoping review is the following:What is known from the existing literature about the key characteristics of online peer support interventions for adults with chronic conditions?Methods and analysisWe will use the methodological frameworks used by Arksey and O’Malley as well as Levac and colleagues for the current scoping review. To be eligible for inclusion, studies must report on adults (≥18 years of age) with one of the Public Health Agency of Canada chronic conditions or HIV/AIDS. We will limit our review to peer support interventions delivered through online formats. All study designs will be included. Only studies published from 2012 onwards will be included to ensure relevance to the current healthcare context and feasibility. Furthermore, only English language studies will be included. Studies will be identified by searching a variety of databases. Two reviewers will independently screen the titles and abstracts identified by the literature search for inclusion (ie, level 1 screening), the full text articles (ie, level 2 screening) and then perform data abstraction. Abstracted data will include study characteristics, participant population, key characteristics of the intervention and outcomes collected.DisseminationThis review will identify the key features of online peer support interventions and could assist in the future development of other online peer support programmes so that effective and sustainable programmes can be developed.
COBI (COntinuous hyperosmolar therapy for traumatic Brain-Injured patients) trial protocol: a multicentre randomised open-label trial with blinded adjudication of primary outcome
Authors: Roquilly Antoine , Lasocki Sigismond , Moyer Jean Denis , Huet Olivier , Perrigault Pierre François , Dahyot-fizelier Claire , Seguin Philippe , Sharshar Tarek , Geeraerts Thomas , Remerand Francis , Feuillet Fanny , Asehnoune Karim 
Published: September 2017

IntroductionTraumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of death and severe prolonged disability. Intracranial hypertension (ICH) is a critical risk factor of bad outcomes after TBI. Continuous infusion of hyperosmolar therapy has been proposed for the prevention and the treatment of ICH. Whether an early administration of continuous hyperosmolar therapy improves long-term outcomes of patients with TBI is uncertain. The aim of the COBI study (number clinicaltrial.gov 03143751, pre-results stage) is to assess the efficiency and the safety of continuous hyperosmolar therapy in patients with TBI.Methods and analysisThe COBI (COntinuous hyperosmolar therapy in traumatic Brain-Injured patients) trial is a multicentre, randomised, controlled, open-label, two-arms study with blinded adjudication of primary outcome. Three hundred and seventy patients hospitalised in intensive care unit with a TBI (Glasgow Coma Scale ≤12 and abnormal brain CT scan) are randomised in the first 24 hours following trauma to standard care or continuous hyperosmolar therapy (20% NaCl) plus standard care. Continuous hyperosmolar therapy is maintained for at least 48 hours in the treatment group and continued for as long as is necessary to prevent ICH. The primary outcome is the score on the Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale at 6 months. The treatment effect is estimated with ordinal logistic regression adjusted for prespecified prognostic factors and expressed as a common OR.Ethics and disseminationThe COBI trial protocol has been approved by the ethics committee of Paris Ile de France VIII and will be carried out according to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and the Good Clinical Practice guidelines. The results of this study will be disseminated through presentation at scientific conferences and publication in peer-reviewed journals. The COBI trial is the first randomised controlled trial powered to investigate whether continuous hyperosmolar therapy in patients with TBI improve long-term recovery.Trial registration numberTrial registration number isNCT03143751.
From research to practice: results of 7300 mortality retrospective case record reviews in four acute hospitals in the North-East of England
Authors: Roberts Anthony Paul , Morrow Gerry , Walkley Michael , Flavell Linda , Phillips Terry , Sykes Eliot , Kirkpatrick Graeme , Monkhouse Diane , Laws David , Gray Christopher 
Published: September 2017

IntroductionMonitoring hospital mortality using retrospective case record review (RCRR) is being adopted throughout the National Health Service (NHS) in England with publication of estimates of avoidable mortality beginning in 2017. We describe our experience of reviewing the care records of inpatients who died following admission to hospital in four acute hospital NHS Foundation Trusts in the North-East of England.MethodsRCRR of 7370 patients who died between January 2012 and December 2015. Cases were reviewed by consultant reviewers with support from other disciplines and graded in terms of quality of care and preventability of deaths. Results were compared with the estimates published in the Preventable Incidents, Survival and Mortality (PRISM) studies, which established the original method.Results34 patients (0.5%, 95% CI 0.3% to 0.6%) were judged to have a greater than 50% probability of death being preventable. 1680 patients (22.3%, 95% CI 22.4% to 23.3%) were judged to have room for improvement in clinical, organisational (or both) aspects of care or less than satisfactory care.ConclusionsReviews using clinicians within trusts produce lower estimates of preventable deaths than published results using external clinicians. More research is needed to understand the reasons for this, but as the requirement for NHS Trusts to publish estimates of preventable mortality is based on reviews by consultants working for those trusts, lower estimates of preventable mortality can be expected. Room for improvement in the quality of care is more common than preventability of death and so mortality reviews contribute to improvement activity although the outcome of care cannot be changed. RCRR conducted internally is a feasible mechanism for delivering quantitative analysis and in the future can provide qualitative insights relating to inhospital deaths.
Performance of variable selection methods for assessing the health effects of correlated exposures in case–control studies
Authors: Lenters Virissa , Vermeulen Roel , Portengen Lützen 
Published: September 2017

ObjectivesThere is growing recognition that simultaneously assessing multiple exposures may reduce false positive discoveries and improve epidemiological effect estimates. We evaluated the performance of statistical methods for identifying exposure–outcome associations across various data structures typical of environmental and occupational epidemiology analyses.MethodsWe simulated a case–control study, generating 100 data sets for each of 270 different simulation scenarios; varying the number of exposure variables, the correlation between exposures, sample size, the number of effective exposures and the magnitude of effect estimates. We compared conventional analytical approaches, that is, univariable (with and without multiplicity adjustment), multivariable and stepwise logistic regression, with variable selection methods: sparse partial least squares discriminant analysis, boosting, and frequentist and Bayesian penalised regression approaches.ResultsThe variable selection methods consistently yielded more precise effect estimates and generally improved selection accuracy compared with conventional logistic regression methods, especially for scenarios with higher correlation levels. Penalised lasso and elastic net regression both seemed to perform particularly well, specifically when statistical inference based on a balanced weighting of high sensitivity and a low proportion of false discoveries is sought.ConclusionsIn this extensive simulation study with multicollinear data, we found that most variable selection methods consistently outperformed conventional approaches, and demonstrated how performance is influenced by the structure of the data and underlying model.
High circulating angiopoietin-2 levels exacerbate pulmonary inflammation but not vascular leak or mortality in endotoxin-induced lung injury in mice
Authors: Schlosser Kenny , Taha Mohamad , Deng Yupu , McIntyre Lauralyn A , Mei Shirley H J , Stewart Duncan J 
Published: September 2017

BackgroundElevated plasma levels of angiopoietin-2 (ANGPT2) have been reported in patients with acute lung injury (ALI); however, it remains unclear whether this increase contributes to, or just marks, the underlying vasculopathic inflammation and leak associated with ALI. Here we investigated the biological consequences of inducing high circulating levels of ANGPT2 in a mouse model of endotoxin-induced ALI.MethodsTransgenic mice (ANGPT2OVR) with elevated circulating levels of ANGPT2, achieved through conditional hepatocyte-specific overexpression, were examined from 3 to 72 hours following lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI. An aptamer-based inhibitor was used to neutralise the effects of circulating ANGPT2 in LPS-exposed ANGPT2OVR mice.ResultsTotal cells, neutrophils and macrophages, as well as inflammatory cytokines, were significantly higher in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of ANGPT2OVR versus littermate controltTA mice at 48 hours and 6 hours post-LPS, respectively. In contrast, LPS-induced vascular leak, evidenced by total BAL protein levels and lung wet/dry ratio, was unchanged between ANGPT2OVR and controlstTA, while BAL levels of IgM and albumin were decreased in ANGPT2OVR mice between 24 hours and 48 hours suggesting a partial attenuation of vascular leak. There was no significant difference in LPS-induced mortality between ANGPT2OVR and controlstTA. An ANGPT2-neutralising aptamer partially attenuated alveolar cell infiltration while exacerbating vascular leak in LPS-exposed ANGPT2OVR mice, supported by underlying time-dependent changes in the lung transcriptional profiles of multiple genes linked to neutrophil recruitment/adhesion and endothelial integrity.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that high circulating ANGPT2 potentiates endotoxin-induced lung inflammation but may also exert other pleiotropic effects to help fine-tune the vascular response to lung injury.
KIT Suppresses BRAFV600E-Mutant Melanoma by Attenuating Oncogenic RAS/MAPK Signaling
Authors: Neiswender James V. , Kortum Robert L. , Bourque Caitlin , Kasheta Melissa , Zon Leonard I. , Morrison Deborah K. , Ceol Craig J. 
Published: September 2017

Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinase KIT promotes survival and migration of melanocytes during development, and excessive KIT activity hyperactivates the RAS/MAPK pathway and can drive formation of melanomas, most notably of rare melanomas that occur on volar and mucosal surfaces of the skin. The much larger fraction of melanomas that occur on sun-exposed skin is driven primarily by BRAF- or NRAS-activating mutations, but these melanomas exhibit a surprising loss of KIT expression, which raises the question of whether loss of KIT in these tumors facilitates tumorigenesis. To address this question, we introduced a kit(lf) mutation into a strain of Tg(mitfa:BRAFV600E); p53(lf) melanoma-prone zebrafish. Melanoma onset was accelerated in kit(lf); Tg(mitfa:BRAFV600E); p53(lf) fish. Tumors from kit(lf) animals were more invasive and had higher RAS/MAPK pathway activation. KIT knockdown also increased RAS/MAPK pathway activation in a BRAFV600E-mutant human melanoma cell line. We found that pathway stimulation upstream of BRAFV600E could paradoxically reduce signaling downstream of BRAFV600E, and wild-type BRAF was necessary for this effect, suggesting that its activation can dampen oncogenic BRAFV600E signaling. In vivo, expression of wild-type BRAF delayed melanoma onset, but only in a kit-dependent manner. Together, these results suggest that KIT can activate signaling through wild-type RAF proteins, thus interfering with oncogenic BRAFV600E-driven melanoma formation. Cancer Res; 77(21); 5820–30. ©2017 AACR.
Discrimination of Germline EGFR T790M Mutations in Plasma Cell-Free DNA Allows Study of Prevalence Across 31,414 Cancer Patients
Authors: Hu Yuebi , Alden Ryan S. , Odegaard Justin I. , Fairclough Stephen R. , Chen Ruthia , Heng Jennifer , Feeney Nora , Nagy Rebecca J. , Shah Jayshree , Ulrich Bryan , Gutierrez Martin , Lanman Richard B. , Garber Judy E. , Paweletz Cloud P. , Oxnard Geoffrey R. 
Published: September 2017

Abstract
Purpose: Plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) analysis is increasingly used clinically for cancer genotyping, but may lead to incidental identification of germline-risk alleles. We studied EGFR T790M mutations in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) toward the aim of discriminating germline and cancer-derived variants within cfDNA.
Experimental Design: Patients with EGFR-mutant NSCLC, some with known germline EGFR T790M, underwent plasma genotyping. Separately, deidentified genomic data and buffy coat specimens from a clinical plasma next-generation sequencing (NGS) laboratory were reviewed and tested.
Results: In patients with germline T790M mutations, the T790M allelic fraction (AF) in cfDNA approximates 50%, higher than that of EGFR driver mutations. Review of plasma NGS results reveals three groups of variants: a low-AF tumor group, a heterozygous group (∼50% AF), and a homozygous group (∼100% AF). As the EGFR driver mutation AF increases, the distribution of the heterozygous group changes, suggesting increased copy number variation from increased tumor content. Excluding cases with high copy number variation, mutations can be differentiated into somatic variants and incidentally identified germline variants. We then developed a bioinformatic algorithm to distinguish germline and somatic mutations; blinded validation in 21 cases confirmed a 100% positive predictive value for predicting germline T790M. Querying a database of 31,414 patients with plasma NGS, we identified 48 with germline T790M, 43 with nonsquamous NSCLC (P &lt; 0.0001).
Conclusions: With appropriate bioinformatics, plasma genotyping can accurately predict the presence of incidentally detected germline risk alleles. This finding in patients indicates a need for genetic counseling and confirmatory germline testing. Clin Cancer Res; 23(23); 7351–9. ©2017 AACR.
<b>Avifaunal diversity in the scrub forest of Sri Lankamalleswara Wildlife Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh, India</b>
Authors: Mali Sumant , Srinivasulu Chelmala , Rahmani Asad R. 
Published: September 2017

A total of 115 bird species belonging to 47 families were recorded in the scrub forests of the Sri Lankamalleswara Wildlife Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh, India in a survey carried out from May 2014 to April 2015. Of these, 107 species were resident and nine species were resident migrants. The scrub forests of peninsular India are equally important as other habitats for avifaunal assemblages.
<b>A note on three interesting Heteroptera from Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India</b>
Authors: Gaikwad S. M. , Koli Y. J. , Bhawane G. P. 
Published: September 2017

A survey of the various localities of the district of Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India, revealed three very interesting species of bugs that have not been recently recorded from Maharashtra State: Cazira verrucosa (Westwood), Alcimocoris sp., and Ptilocerus cf. montandoni Distant. A brief description and illustrations of habitus of all three species are provided here.
<b>Distribution and habitat use of the endangered Dhole <I>Cuon alpinus</I> (Pallas, 1811) (Mammalia: Canidae) in Jigme Dorji National Park, western Bhutan</b>
Authors: Namgyal Chhimi , Thinley Phuntsho 
Published: September 2017

The Dhole is a little-studied wild canid with decreasing populations throughout its global range. We conducted this study in Bhutan’s Jigme Dorji National Park (JDNP) to establish baseline records of Dhole distribution and habitat use. We used trail transects and recorded animal presence via tracks, scats, direct sightings and camera traps. Ancillary habitat characteristics such as elevation, slope and vegetation cover were recorded to characterise habitat use. We used MaxEnt model to estimate distribution within JDNP. We recorded 609 indicators of Dhole presence over a 60-day survey period. The model estimated almost one-fourth of JDNP as having a high probability of Dhole occurrence, which closely corresponds to the distribution of cool broadleaved forests (CBLF) and areas close to human settlements. The highest number of indicators was obtained from CBLF, between slope ranges of 2 – 38 degree and elevation ranges of 1,468 m – 4,620 m above sea level, indicating a new record upper altitude limit for Dhole distribution across its global range. We highlight JDNP as an important Dhole conservation area in the Eastern Himalayas, and recommend drafting a pragmatic conservation plan that will strive to minimize conflicts with livestock owners and include key components such as farmer education and livestock insurance to cover Dhole kills.
<b>An ethnomycological survey of Jaunsar, Chakrata, Dehradun, India</b>
Authors: Kumar Manoj , Harsh N.S.K. , Prasad Rajendra , Pandey Vijay Vardhan 
Published: September 2017

The indigenous people in Chakrata have an immense knowledge of edible and poisonous mushrooms. In the present study the use of mushroom in culinary practices was surveyed among three communities, viz., the natives: Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Scheduled Caste; and Nepali immigrants. The Brahmins & Kshatriyas showed a narrow range of consumption of mushrooms while the Nepalis showed the widest range of consumption. Medicinal and religious uses were reported by the scheduled caste. A total of 63 mushrooms were recorded from the study area. The knowledge of edible as well as medicinal uses of fungi is at risk in this region as the younger generation is not willing to learn this traditional knowledge. In the present study most of the youths were excluded at the end as they did not gave much information.
<b>On the poorly-known White-spotted Skink <I>Lygosoma albopunctatum</I> (Gray, 1846) (Reptilia: Scincidae) with further topotypical records and notes on the type locality</b>
Authors: Ganesh S. R. 
Published: September 2017

The White-spotted Skink Lygosoma albopunctatum, a rarely recorded lizard, has been re-sighted from its type locality: Madras in the Coromandel Coastal Plains. Morphological details and field notes on the findings are elaborated. Since many past surveys in and around Madras, and in southern India generally, did not record this species, lack of consensus about its existence in southern India had developed, leading to published misconceptions about its distribution. These are highlighted and corrected herein. The species is also illustrated in life based on topotypical examples.
First record and genetic affiliation of the Balkan Snow Vole <I>Dinaromys bogdanovi</I> (Rodentia: Cricetidae) in Albania
Authors: Stolarik Ivan , Jablonski Daniel 
Published: September 2017

One individual of the rare rodent Dinaromys bogdanovi (Martino, 1922) was trapped in Prokletije Mountains, northern Albania. This is the first record of this species in Albania, and morphological data and genetic affiliation are presented. Analysis of mitochondrial DNA (cytochrome b) places this individual within the reported central phylogenetic lineage of the species. This first record has impacts for future conservation activities.
Between Institutional Exclusion and Inclusion: Comparing Old and New Chinese Immigrants in South Korea (制度的排斥與包容：在韓國的舊華僑和新華僑之比較)
Authors: Lee (李承恩) Claire Seungeun 
Published: September 2017

This article explores three Chinese immigrant groups in South Korea. South Korean society characterizes itself with a long-held traditional myth of being a homogenous society. Two waves of migrants from China, however, challenged this myth. The earlier wave took place in the late 19thcentury. The recent, new, wave of Chinese migration took place in the last three decades and coincidently right before and after the normalization of relations between the People’s Republic of China (prc) and South Korea in 1992. Due to the rise of China and the changing dynamics of inter-Asian migration, new migrants from theprcsince the 1990s have changed the demographic composition of foreign citizens in Korea.These new migrants from theprcare mostly ethnic Han (prcChinese), but some are ethnic Korean (Korean Chinese) who holdprccitizenship. Most previous studies have focused on either old (earlier) Chinese immigrants or new (later) Chinese immigrants separately. This paper, in contrast, comparatively investigates these groups utilizing statistics and secondhand source data. This study contends that the mechanisms of institutional exclusion and inclusion in Korean immigration policies, put forward by the policies’ citizenship, legal and economic aspects, produce both new multiculturalism and ethnonationalism. This paper also contends that mechanisms of institutional exclusion and inclusion are a result of the interplay between citizenship and ethnicity.本文對韓國華僑（“舊華僑”）、持中國國籍的中國大陸漢族和朝鮮族（“新華僑”）進行比較。長久以來，在韓國社會裡“單一民族”一直是一個很普遍的傳統現象。但兩波從中國到韓國的華人華僑移民潮卻反駁此現象。早期的移民潮發生在十九世紀末，在此期間移居到韓國的華人一般稱之為韓國華僑（簡稱為“韓華”）。最近這一波新移民潮則是發生在最近30多年，恰好是在發生在中華人民共和國和韓國建交的一九九二年前後。從一九九零年代開始，因中國崛起和亞洲移民的動態變化帶動的中國“新”移民到了韓國，也改變了在韓國社會裡外國剬民的國籍與種族結構。這些來自中國的新移民大部分都是漢族（簡稱為“漢族”），有些則是朝鮮族，這兩個不同的民族都持有中華人民共和國的國籍。已經有許多研究關注移居韓國的華人，但比較不同時代移居至韓國的華人的討論卻非常少見。這個研究便以統計和二手資料為主，特別針對這些在不同時期來到韓國的華人進行比較。本論文分析了在韓國移民政策裡頭制度排斥和包容的機制，筆者分析了這些政策裡的剬民權、法律和經濟等不同層面，發現韓國的一系列移民政策造成了新的多文化主義和民族國家主義。此外，本研究也發現產生制度排斥和包容機制是剬民權和種族性之間的相互作用的結果。 (This article is in English).