bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Morphine and pholcodine‐specific IgE have limited utility in the diagnosis of anaphylaxis to benzylisoquinolines
Authors: Rose M. A. , Anderson J. , Green S. L. , Yun J. , Fernando S. L. 
Published: January 2018

BackgroundInvestigation of immediate hypersensitivity reactions in the perioperative setting involves skin testing and measurement of specific IgE (sIgE) as standard practice. In the case of the neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs), the main allergenic epitopes have been shown to be substituted ammonium groups. Commercial assays are available for detection of sIgE to these epitopes using morphine and pholcodine substrates but questions have been raised about the effectiveness of these assays in the diagnosis of benzylisoquinoline anaphylaxis. This study was therefore undertaken to assess the effectiveness of these assays in the diagnosis of hypersensitivity reactions to this group of NMBAs.MethodsAnalysis was carried out on all available results for patients assessed at the Royal North Shore Hospital Anaesthetic Allergy Clinic during the period June 2009 to June 2016. Standardised intradermal skin tests were performed with a panel of NMBAs. Measurement of sIgE to morphine and pholcodine was performed via the Phadia ImmunoCAP® system.ResultsFor all patients with positive skin test results to NMBAs which included a benzylisoquinoline NMBA (n = 24), 75% exhibited negative sIgE to both morphine and pholcodine. Where patients were reactive to benzylisoquinoline NMBAs alone (n = 12), 100% exhibited negative sIgE results, indicating 0% sensitivity of the assays relative to skin testing, in this subgroup.ConclusionUse of sIgE testing to morphine and pholcodine in the assessment of NMBA immediate hypersensitivity is a valuable tool particularly in the case of reactions to the aminosteroid NMBAs. However, these assays are unreliable in detecting sensitisation to benzylisoquinoline NMBAs.
Accuracy of Computed Tomography in Diagnosis of Intra‐abdominal Injuries in Stable Patients With Anterior Abdominal Stab Wounds: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis
Authors: Baron Bonny J. , Benabbas Roshanak , Kohler Casey , Biggs Carina , Roudnitsky Valery , Paladino Lorenzo , Sinert Richard 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundWorkup for patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) following an anterior abdominal stab wound (AASW) has been debated since the 1960s. Experts agree that patients with peritonitis, evisceration, or hemodynamic instability should undergo immediate laparotomy (LAP); however, workup of stable, asymptomatic or nonperitoneal patients is not clearly defined.ObjectivesThe objective was to evaluate the accuracy of computed tomography of abdomen and pelvis (CTAP) for diagnosis of intraabdominal injuries requiring therapeutic laparotomy (THER‐LAP) in ED patients with AASW. Is a negative CT scan without a period of observation sufficient to safely discharge a hemodynamically stable, asymptomatic AASW patient?MethodsWe searched PubMed, Embase, and Scopus from their inception until May 2017 for studies on ED patients with AASW. We defined the reference standard test as LAP for patients who were managed surgically and inpatient observation in those who were managed nonoperatively. In those who underwent LAP, THER‐LAP was considered as disease positive. We used the Quality Assessment Tool for Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS‐2) to evaluate the risk of bias and assess the applicability of the included studies. We attempted to compute the pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (LR+), and negative likelihood ratio (LR–) using a random‐effects model with MetaDiSc software and calculate testing and treatment thresholds for CT scan applying the Pauker and Kassirer model.ResultsSeven studies were included encompassing 575 patients. The weighted prevalence of THER‐LAP was 34.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 30.5%–38.2%). Studies had variable quality and the inclusion criteria were not uniform. The operating characteristics of CT scan were as follows: sensitivity = 50% to 100%, specificity = 39% to 97%, LR+ = 1.0 to 15.7, and LR– = 0.07 to 1.0. The high heterogeneity (I2 > 75%) of the operating characteristics of CT scan prevented pooling of the data and therefore the testing and treatment thresholds could not be estimated.DiscussionThe articles revealed a high prevalence (8.7%, 95% CI = 6.1%–12.2%) of injuries requiring THER‐LAP in patients with a negative CT scan and almost half (47%, 95% CI = 30%–64%) of those injuries involved the small bowel.ConclusionsIn stable AASW patients, a negative CT scan alone without an observation period is inadequate to exclude significant intraabdominal injuries.
Cost‐effectiveness of possible future smoking cessation strategies in Hungary: results from the EQUIPTMOD
Authors: Németh Bertalan , Józwiak‐Hagymásy Judit , Kovács Gábor , Kovács Attila , Demjén Tibor , Huber Manuel B. , Cheung Kei‐Long , Coyle Kathryn , Lester‐George Adam , Pokhrel Subhash , Vokó Zoltán 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAimsTo evaluate potential health and economic returns from implementing smoking cessation interventions in Hungary.MethodsThe EQUIPTMOD, a Markov‐based economic model, was used to assess the cost‐effectiveness of three implementation scenarios: (a) introducing a social marketing campaign; (b) doubling the reach of existing group‐based behavioural support therapies and proactive telephone support; and (c) a combination of the two scenarios. All three scenarios were compared with current practice. The scenarios were chosen as feasible options available for Hungary based on the outcome of interviews with local stakeholders. Life‐time costs and quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs) were calculated from a health‐care perspective. The analyses used various return on investment (ROI) estimates, including incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios (ICERs), to compare the scenarios. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses assessed the extent to which the estimated mean ICERs were sensitive to the model input values.ResultsIntroducing a social marketing campaign resulted in an increase of 0.3014 additional quitters per 1 000 smokers, translating to health‐care cost‐savings of €0.6495 per smoker compared with current practice. When the value of QALY gains was considered, cost‐savings increased to €14.1598 per smoker. Doubling the reach of existing group‐based behavioural support therapies and proactive telephone support resulted in health‐care savings of €0.2539 per smoker (€3.9620 with the value of QALY gains), compared with current practice. The respective figures for the combined scenario were €0.8960 and €18.0062. Results were sensitive to model input values.ConclusionsAccording to the EQUIPTMOD modelling tool, it would be cost‐effective for the Hungarian authorities introduce a social marketing campaign and double the reach of existing group‐based behavioural support therapies and proactive telephone support. Such policies would more than pay for themselves in the long term.
An analysis of effects of heterozygosity in dairy cattle for bovine tuberculosis resistance
Authors: Tsairidou S. , Allen A. R. , Pong‐Wong R. , McBride S. H. , Wright D. M. , Matika O. , Pooley C. M. , McDowell S. W. J. , Glass E. J. , Skuce R. A. , Bishop S. C. , Woolliams J. A. 
Published: January 2018

SummaryGenetic selection of cattle more resistant to bovine tuberculosis (bTB) may offer a complementary control strategy. Hypothesising underlying non‐additive genetic variation, we present an approach using genome‐wide high density markers to identify genomic loci with dominance effects on bTB resistance and to test previously published regions with heterozygote advantage in bTB. Our data comprised 1151 Holstein–Friesian cows from Northern Ireland, confirmed bTB cases and controls, genotyped with the 700K Illumina BeadChip. Genome‐wide markers were tested for associations between heterozygosity and bTB status using marker‐based relationships. Results were tested for robustness against genetic structure, and the genotypic frequencies of a significant locus were tested for departures from Hardy‐Weinberg equilibrium. Genomic regions identified in our study and in previous publications were tested for dominance effects. Genotypic effects were estimated through ASReml mixed models. A SNP (rs43032684) on chromosome 6 was significant at the chromosome‐wide level, explaining 1.7% of the phenotypic variance. In the controls, there were fewer heterozygotes for rs43032684 (P < 0.01) with the genotypic values suggesting that heterozygosity confers a heterozygote disadvantage. The region surrounding rs43032684 had a significant dominance effect (P < 0.01). SNP rs43032684 resides within a pseudogene with a parental gene involved in macrophage response to infection and within a copy‐number‐variation region previously associated with nematode resistance. No dominance effect was found for the region on chromosome 11, as indicated by a previous candidate region bTB study. These findings require further validation with large‐scale data.
Ophthalmological data on 4.5‐ to 7‐year‐old Danish children
Authors: Sandfeld Lisbeth , Weihrauch Hanne , Tubæk Gitte , Mortzos Panteleimon 
Published: January 2018

AbstractPurposeTo report normative data on visual acuity (VA) for near and distance, refraction, ocular alignment, ocular motility and stereo acuity in a cohort of children aged 4.5–7 years.MethodsA total of 950 children with normal development from the municipality of Roskilde, Denmark, were invited to participate in an ophthalmic cross‐sectional population‐based survey, of which 445 children in the age of 54–87 months participated with a complete ocular examination including cycloplegia. Visual acuity (VA) was tested using Kay Picture charts and notified in logMAR units.ResultsMean distance VA was 0.010 logMAR [standard deviation (SD): 0.048] in right eye, and near VA in right eye was 0.012 logMAR (SD: 0.054), with a nonsignificant difference between right and left eye in both parameters (paired t‐test, p = 0.15 and p = 0.08, respectively). Amblyopia was found in 12 children (2.7%), mainly related to refractive errors. The mean refractive error of right eye was +1.75 D, and significant hyperopia (greater than +3.0 D) was found in 7.9%. No myopia (greater than or equal to −0.5 D) was found, astigmatism (>1 D) was seen in 4.3%. Manifest strabismus was present in 1.6%, and heterophoria in 4.0%. Reduced or absent stereo acuity was present in 35 children (7.9%) and was related to a reduced VA, refractive error and strabismus.ConclusionOphthalmic data of 445 normally developed children are presented, supplementing previous reported normative data in children. We found a relatively high prevalence of amblyopia and of hyperopia, while myopia was not found, confirming previous studies that myopia is not developing at early age in Danish children.
The future‐like‐ours argument, animalism, and mereological universalism
Authors: Sauchelli Andrea 
Published: January 2018

AbstractWhich metaphysical theories are involved—whether presupposed or implied—in Marquis’ future‐like‐ours (FLO) argument against abortion? Vogelstein has recently argued that the supporter of the FLO argument faces a problematic dilemma; in particular, Marquis, the main supporter of the argument, seems to have to either (a) abandon diachronic universalism (DU) or (b) acquiesce and declare that contraception is morally wrong. I argue that the premises of Marquis’ argument can be reasonably combined with a form of unrestricted composition and that the FLO argument is better viewed as including animalism, i.e., the thesis that we are animals.
Effective altruists ought to be allowed to sell their kidneys
Authors: Tonkens Ryan 
Published: January 2018

AbstractEffective altruists aim to do the most good that they can do with the resources available to them, without causing themselves or their dependents significant harm thereby. The argument presented in this paper demonstrates that there are no morally relevant dissimilarities between living kidney donation and living kidney selling for effective altruistic reasons. Thus, since the former is allowed, the latter ought to be allowed as well. And, there are important moral differences between living kidney selling for effective altruistic reasons and other reasons for kidney vending (e.g., for personal financial gain), such that standard objections against markets in human kidneys do not attach to those markets designed around principles of effective altruism. The reasonable conclusion to draw from this is that eligible effective altruist kidney donors ought to be allowed to sell (one of) their kidneys to others in need, if they so desire. Because of this, law and policy ought to be changed to allow for this exceptional case: current laws that ban kidney selling for everyone, irrespective of their reason for selling, are unjustified.
Does soil moisture availability explain liana seedling distribution across a tropical rainfall gradient?
Authors: Manzané‐Pinzón Eric , Goldstein Guillermo , Schnitzer Stefan A. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractLiana density tends to increase with decreasing rainfall and increasing seasonality. However, the pattern of liana distribution may be due to differences in soil water retention capacity, not rainfall and seasonality per se. We tested the effect of rainfall and soil substrate with respect to the distribution of liana seedlings in six sites across a rainfall gradient from the wet Atlantic to the dry Pacific in central Panama. Soils were either limestone, with low water‐holding capacity, or laterite, with higher water‐holding capacity. We sampled liana seedlings at each site using three 1 × 100 m transect. We found that relative liana seedling density was higher on limestone soils compared to laterite soils regardless of the amount of rainfall. Furthermore, liana community composition on limestone soils was more similar to dry forest sites than to adjacent wet and moist forest sites. Liana seedling species diversity relative to trees was significantly higher in a low‐fertility dry forest site compared to a high‐fertility forest, but did not differ from the other sites. Thus, liana seedling density and community structure may be driven more by soil type and thus by soil moisture availability than strictly by mean annual rainfall and the seasonality of rainfall.
Carbon stocks in the Guinea savanna of Ghana: estimates from three protected areas
Authors: Djagbletey Ebenezer D. , Logah Vincent , Ewusi‐Mensah Nana , Tuffour Henry O. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractSavannas are widespread in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) and play a major role in the global carbon balance. Extensive quantification of savanna carbon stocks inSSAwill therefore contribute to better accounting of the global carbon budget in the era of climate change. In this study, we investigated the spatial distribution of carbon stocks of different soil fractions and aboveground biomass within three forest reserves in the Guinea savanna zone of Ghana. Soil carbon stocks (SCSs) ranged from 4.80 to 12.61 Mg C/ha in surface soils (0–10 cm depth). HigherSCSs were associated with the silt +clay fraction than microaggregates and small macroaggregates in all three reserves. Relative to the dominant tree species (Vitellaria paradoxa), the highestSCSs were recorded under the sub‐canopy (SC), drip line (DL), and interspace (2 *SC+DL) zones for the Klupene, Sinsablegbinni, and Kenikeni forest reserves, respectively. The highest tree carbon stock was 60.01 Mg C/ha in Kenikeni. Sinsablegbinni had an average stock of 26.74 Mg C/ha and had the highest tree density. Average carbon capture by a single tree ranged from 0.04 to 0.34 Mg C. Aboveground grass carbon stock ranged from 0.08 to 0.47 Mg C/ha, while the belowground carbon stock ranged from 0.03 to 0.44 Mg C/ha. Accumulation of carbon in the aboveground grass biomass was greater at Klupene with low forest cover.
Editorial: The future of crisis mental health services for children and young people
Authors: Cotgrove Andy 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe future of mental health services for children and young people are at a turning point. There is increasing recognition that there is huge unmet need. In the UK only approximately 25% of children and young people with a mental health disorder receive treatment, but demand to access care is increasing. At the same time evidence is building on what treatments are effective. This has not been matched by equivalent research evidence on what service configurations are most effective. In their systematic review of ‘the impact of pediatric mental health care provided in outpatient, primary care, community and school settings on emergency department use’, Kirkland et al (2018) found only limited evidence to suggest that the provision of services in the community impact on the use of emergency departments. The absence of robust RCT evidence should not prevent us from improving the outcomes and experience of children and young people facing a mental health crisis. Much is known about the value of early intervention and effective community interventions. Action should be taken now to prioritise the use of scarce resources where they are needed most to reduce unnecessary and sometimes unhelpful attendances at emergency departments and avoid potentially harmful mental health admissions.
Clinical reactivity of celery cultivars in allergic patients: Role of Api g 1
Authors: Dölle S. , Welter S. , Ruppel E. , Lehmann K. , Schwarz D. , Jensen‐Jarolim E. , Zieglmayer P. , Franken P. , Worm M. 
Published: January 2018

SummaryBackgroundCelery (Apium graveolens L.) is a vegetable consumed world‐wide. Celery stalks and celeriac roots are often ingredients in convenient food products like spice blends and soups.ObjectiveIn this study, we examined the allergenicity of distinct celeriac cultivars.MethodsSixteen celery‐allergic patients were identified using a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled food challenge. Ten different celeriac cultivars were used for skin prick testing in the patients. Two cultivars were further applied for oral food challenges; their protein composition was analysed by immunoblotting, and contents of major allergen Api g 1 were quantified.ResultsFrom the 10 investigated celeriac cultivars, two cultivars elicited significantly different skin reactivity (“Anita”: 5.0 [2.0‐12.0] mm vs “Prinz”: 7.0 [3.0‐9.5] mm; P = .047). Moreover, “Anita” induced fewer symptoms after a controlled oral‐celeriac challenge in 14 patient (P < .001). The protein profiles on 2DE protein gels showed distinct protein patterns and higher protein amounts of Api g 1 in “Prinz” than in “Anita.”Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceTaken together, the data from this study suggest that cultivar Anita is better tolerated in celery‐allergic patients than “Prinz.” Differences in the protein expression profile between the cultivars, particularly the different content of Api g 1, could cause the different allergenicity.
Retinopathy of prematurity: the high cost of screening regional and remote infants
Authors: Yu Tzu‐Ying , Donovan Tim , Armfield Nigel , Gole Glen A 
Published: January 2018

AbstractImportanceDemand for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening is increasing for infants born at rural and regional hospitals where the service is not generally available. The health system cost for screening regional/remote infants has not been reported.BackgroundThe objective of this study is to evaluate the cost of ROP screening at a large centralized tertiary neonatal service for infants from regional/rural hospitals.DesignThis is a retrospective study to establish the cost of transferring regional/rural infants to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital for ROP screening over a 28‐month period.ParticipantsA total of 131 infants were included in this study.MethodsIndividual infant costs were calculated from analysis of clinical and administrative records.Main Outcome MeasuresEconomic cost of ROP screening for all transfers from regional/rural hospitals to Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital.ResultsThe average economic cost of ROP screening for this cohort was AUD$5110 per infant screened and the total cost was AUD$669 413. The average cost per infant screened was highest for infants from a regional centre with a population of 75 000 (AUD$14 856 per child), which was also geographically furthest from Brisbane. No infant in this cohort transferred from a regional nursery reached criteria for intervention for ROP by standard guidelines.Conclusions and RelevanceHealth system costs for ROP screening of remote infants at a centralized hospital are high. Alternative strategies using telemedicine can now be compared with centralized screening.
Effect of membrane exposure on guided bone regeneration: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Garcia Jeffrey , Dodge Austin , Luepke Paul , Wang Hom‐Lay , Kapila Yvonne , Lin Guo‐Hao 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAimsThis review aimed at investigating the effect of membrane exposure on guided bone regeneration (GBR) outcomes at peri‐implant sites and edentulous ridges.Material and MethodsElectronic and manual literature searches were conducted by two independent reviewers using four databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, for articles up to February 2017. Articles were included if they were human clinical trials or case series reporting outcomes of GBR procedures with and without membrane exposure. A random‐effects meta‐analysis was conducted, and the weighted mean difference (WMD) between the two groups and 95% confidence interval (CI) were reported.ResultsOverall, eight articles were included in the quantitative analysis. The WMD of the horizontal bone gain at edentulous ridges was −76.24% (95% CI = −137.52% to −14.97%, p = .01) between sites with membrane exposure and without exposure. In addition, the WMD of the dehiscence reduction at peri‐implant sites was −27.27% (95% CI of −45.87% to −8.68%, p = .004). Both analyses showed significantly favorable outcomes at the sites without membrane exposure.ConclusionBased on the findings of this study, membrane exposure after GBR procedures has a significant detrimental influence on the outcome of bone augmentation. For the edentulous ridges, the sites without membrane exposure achieved 74% more horizontal bone gain than the sites with exposure. For peri‐implant dehiscence defects, the sites without membrane exposure had 27% more defect reduction than the sites with exposure.
Ileocolonic neuroendocrine tumours identified in the English bowel cancer screening programme
Authors: Basuroy R. , O'Donnell C. M. , Srirajaskanthan R. , Ramage J. K. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAimIleocolonic neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are diagnosed as part of bowel cancer screening programmes (BCSPs). The aim of this study was to identify and characterize NETs diagnosed within the English BCSP, a double‐screen programme that uses guaic faecal occult blood test (gFOBT) screening and colonoscopy, by interrogating the national colorectal screening database and validating the findings with individual BCSP centres.MethodThe Exeter database was interrogated by running queries to identify participants with coded NETs (from the start of the programme in July 2006 – 1 December 2014). A written proforma was sent to the responsible BCSP clinician for validation and characterization.ResultsDuring this period, 13 061 716 participants were adequately screened using gFOBTs, and 259 765 participants had definitively abnormal results. There were 146 unique participants with NET‐related codes from 216 707 BCSP colonoscopies. The diagnosis rates per 100 000 colonoscopies were 29 rectal, 18 colonic and 11 ileal NETs. The majority of rectal NETs had Grade 1 (80%) and Stage T1 (85.1%) disease. Over half of ileal NETs (53.6%) in this study had invasive disease, with 85.2% having nodal and 36.1% having metastastatic disease.ConclusionThe current study highlights the rate of colorectal NETs diagnosed in the English BCSP. These data highlight a higher‐than‐anticipated incidence, and the potential additional benefit of BCSPs in identifying occult NETs.