bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Primary cutaneous nocardiosis caused by Nocardia takedensis with pulmonary dissemination in an immunosuppressed patient
Authors: Benzaquen Michael , Belenotti Pauline , Lebowitz Dan , Drancourt Michel , Serratrice Jacques 
Published: March 2016

AbstractWe present a remarkable case of primary cutaneous nocardiosis with pulmonary dissemination due to Nocardia takedensis in a 76‐year‐old man suffering from marginal zone lymphoma and hypogammaglobulinaemia. We also discuss an alternative treatment to trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole, which could be contraindicated due to haematological and cutaneous toxicities. This case report is of interest due to the emergence of cutaneous nocardiosis in dermatology.
Cheilitis in acne vulgaris patients with no previous use of systemic retinoid products
Authors: Balighi Kamran , Daneshpazhooh Maryam , Lajevardi Vahideh , Talebi Shahin , Azizpour Arghavan 
Published: March 2016

AbstractBackground/ObjectivesIsotretinoin is commonly used in the treatment of acne vulgaris. While one of the more common side–effects is cheilitis, we have observed an increased incidence of cheilitis prior to the commencement of systemic isotretinoin. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of cheilitis among acne vulgaris patients.MethodsA non‐interventional cross‐sectional study of patients with acne vulgaris. Patients with previous use of systemic retinoids were excluded. The patients were examined for signs and symptoms of cheilitis.ResultsOf a total of 400 patients, 134 (34%) had evidence of cheilitis at initial presentation. Two‐thirds (63%) were female (P < 0.001). The distribution of the cheilitis was as follows; 55% on the lower lip, 30% on both lips, and 16% on the upper lip. Over a quarter (27%) of patients with cheilitis had acne excorie, compared with only 8% of patients with no signs of cheilitis.ConclusionOur findings suggest that cheilitis is quite common among acne vulgaris patients even before treatment with isotretinoin.
Endotypes of pollen‐food syndrome in children with seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis: a molecular classification
Authors: Mastrorilli C. , Tripodi S. , Caffarelli C. , Perna S. , Di Rienzo‐Businco A. , Sfika I. , Asero R. , Dondi A. , Bianchi A. , Povesi Dascola C. , Ricci G. , Cipriani F. , Maiello N. , Miraglia Del Giudice M. , Frediani T. , Frediani S. , Macrì F. , Pistoletti C. , Dello Iacono I. , Patria M. F. , Varin E. , Peroni D. , Comberiati P. , Chini L. , Moschese V. , Lucarelli S. , Bernardini R. , Pingitore G. , Pelosi U. , Olcese R. , Moretti M. , Cirisano A. , Faggian D. , Travaglini A. , Plebani M. , Verga M. C. , Calvani M. , Giordani P. , Matricardi P. M. ,   the Italian Pediatric Allergy Network (I‐PAN)
Published: March 2016

AbstractBackgroundPollen‐food syndrome (PFS) is heterogeneous with regard to triggers, severity, natural history, comorbidities, and response to treatment. Our study aimed to classify different endotypes of PFS based on IgE sensitization to panallergens.MethodsWe examined 1271 Italian children (age 4–18 years) with seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (SAR). Foods triggering PFS were acquired by questionnaire. Skin prick tests were performed with commercial pollen extracts. IgE to panallergens Phl p 12 (profilin), Bet v 1 (PR‐10), and Pru p 3 (nsLTP) were tested by ImmunoCAP FEIA. An unsupervised hierarchical agglomerative clustering method was applied within PFS population.ResultsPFS was observed in 300/1271 children (24%). Cluster analysis identified five PFS endotypes linked to panallergen IgE sensitization: (i) cosensitization to ≥2 panallergens (‘multi‐panallergen PFS’); (ii–iv) sensitization to either profilin, or nsLTP, or PR‐10 (‘mono‐panallergen PFS’); (v) no sensitization to panallergens (‘no‐panallergen PFS’). These endotypes showed peculiar characteristics: (i) ‘multi‐panallergen PFS’: severe disease with frequent allergic comorbidities and multiple offending foods; (ii) ‘profilin PFS’: oral allergy syndrome (OAS) triggered by Cucurbitaceae; (iii) ‘LTP PFS’: living in Southern Italy, OAS triggered by hazelnut and peanut; (iv) ‘PR‐10 PFS’: OAS triggered by Rosaceae; and (v) ‘no‐panallergen PFS’: mild disease and OAS triggered by kiwifruit.ConclusionsIn a Mediterranean country characterized by multiple pollen exposures, PFS is a complex and frequent complication of childhood SAR, with five distinct endotypes marked by peculiar profiles of IgE sensitization to panallergens. Prospective studies in cohorts of patients with PFS are now required to test whether this novel classification may be useful for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in the clinical practice.
Burden of disease and costs of exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals in the European Union: an updated analysis
Authors: Trasande L. , Zoeller R. T. , Hass U. , Kortenkamp A. , Grandjean P. , Myers J. P. , DiGangi J. , Hunt P. M. , Rudel R. , Sathyanarayana S. , Bellanger M. , Hauser R. , Legler J. , Skakkebaek N. E. , Heindel J. J. 
Published: March 2016

SummaryA previous report documented that endocrine disrupting chemicals contribute substantially to certain forms of disease and disability. In the present analysis, our main objective was to update a range of health and economic costs that can be reasonably attributed to endocrine disrupting chemical exposures in the European Union, leveraging new burden and disease cost estimates of female reproductive conditions from accompanying report. Expert panels evaluated the epidemiologic evidence, using adapted criteria from the WHO Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation Working Group, and evaluated laboratory and animal evidence of endocrine disruption using definitions recently promulgated by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency. The Delphi method was used to make decisions on the strength of the data. Expert panels consensus was achieved for probable (>20%) endocrine disrupting chemical causation for IQ loss and associated intellectual disability; autism; attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; endometriosis; fibroids; childhood obesity; adult obesity; adult diabetes; cryptorchidism; male infertility, and mortality associated with reduced testosterone. Accounting for probability of causation, and using the midpoint of each range for probability of causation, Monte Carlo simulations produced a median annual cost of €163 billion (1.28% of EU Gross Domestic Product) across 1000 simulations. We conclude that endocrine disrupting chemical exposures in the EU are likely to contribute substantially to disease and dysfunction across the life course with costs in the hundreds of billions of Euros per year. These estimates represent only those endocrine disrupting chemicals with the highest probability of causation; a broader analysis would have produced greater estimates of burden of disease and costs.
Triassic to Early Jurassic climatic trends recorded in the Jameson Land Basin, East Greenland: clay mineralogy, petrography and heavy mineralogy
Authors: Decou Audrey , Andrews Steven D. , Alderton David H. M. , Morton Andrew 
Published: March 2016

AbstractDuring the Early Triassic the Jameson Land Basin (Central East Greenland) was located around 30° N, in the Northern arid belt, but by the Early Jurassic was positioned at a latitude of approximately 50° N. This study examines the record of this transition through a largely continental succession using clay mineralogy, sedimentology, petrography and heavy mineralogy. The Jameson Land Basin is aligned north–south and is 280 km long and 80 km wide. Following an Early Triassic marine phase the basin was filled by predominantly continental sediments. The Early‐to‐Late Triassic succession comprises coarse alluvial clastics (Pingo Dal Formation) overlain by a succession of fine‐grained evaporite‐rich playa/lacustrine sediments (Gipsdalen Formation), indicative of arid climatic conditions. The overlying buff, dolomitic and then red lacustrine mudstones with subordinate sandstones (Fleming Fjord Formation) record reduced aridity. The uppermost Triassic grades into dark organic‐rich, and in places coaly, mudstones and buff coarse‐grained sandstones of lacustrine origin that belong to the Kap Stewart Group, which spans the Triassic–Jurassic boundary, and appear to record more humid climatic conditions. Clay mineralogy analyses highlight significant variations in the kaolinite/illite ratio, from both mudstone and sandstone samples, through the Triassic and into the earliest Jurassic. Complementary heavy mineral analyses demonstrate that the variations recognised in clay mineralogy and sandstone maturity through the Triassic–Early Jurassic succession are not a product of major provenance change or the effect of significant diagenetic alteration. The observed variations are consistent with sedimentological evidence for a long‐term trend towards more humid conditions through the Late Triassic to Early Jurassic, and the suggestion of a significant pluvial episode in the mid‐Carnian.
Non‐genetic polymorphisms in rotifers: environmental and endogenous controls, development, and features for predictable or unpredictable environments
Authors: Gilbert John J. 
Published: March 2016

ABSTRACTPronounced non‐genetic polymorphisms, or polyphenisms, occur in some monogonont rotifers reproducing by diploid, female parthenogenesis. In many brachionids, there is great variation in spine length. In trimorphic species ofAsplanchna, females can vary in size and shape, from a small saccate morph to giant cruciform and campanulate morphs. In species that also reproduce sexually, diploid eggs can develop into two types of females. Amictic females produce diploid eggs that develop parthenogenetically into females; mictic females produce haploid eggs that develop parthenogenetically into males or, if fertilized, into resting eggs. In a species ofSynchaeta, amictic females produce diploid eggs that can be either thin‐shelled and subitaneous or thicker‐shelled and diapausing. In all cases, morph determination occurs during the oogenesis or embryological development of diploid eggs in the maternal body cavity. For the first time, these polymorphisms are reviewed together and compared regarding a number of features associated with transitions from default to induced morphs: (i) type of variation (morphological, physiological, or both; continuous or discrete); (ii) inducing signal (environmental, endogenous, or both); (iii) universality of response to that signal (all or only some individuals); (iv) fitness cost; (v) reversibility; and (vi) ecological significance. Most of the polymorphisms fall into two major categories regarding these features. Transitions suitable for predictable environments involve: universal responses to environmental signals; continuous morphological variation; low reproductive cost; rapid reversibility; and adaptations for defence, hydrodynamics or prey ingestion. Transitions suitable for unpredictable environments are bet‐hedging strategies and usually involve: partial (stochastic) responses to environmental or endogenous signals; discontinuous physiological variation; initiation of diapause, and thus high reproductive cost and slow reversibility. Two cases of morphological variation also involve the simultaneous production of different morphs and likely are adaptations for an uncertain future: continuous spine‐length variation due to maternal age inBrachionus calyciflorus, and production of discrete cruciform and campanulate females inAsplanchnaspp.
Hypermethylated DNA as a biomarker for colorectal cancer: a systematic review
Authors: Rasmussen S. L. , Krarup H. B. , Sunesen K. G. , Pedersen I. S. , Madsen P. H. , Thorlacius‐Ussing O. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAimImproved methods for early detection of colorectal cancer (CRC) are essential for increasing survival. Hypermethylated DNA in blood or stool has been proposed as a biomarker for CRC. Biochemical methods have improved in recent years, and several hypermethylated genes that are sensitive and specific for CRC have been proposed. Articles describing the use of hypermethylated promoter regions in blood or stool as biomarkers for CRC were systematically reviewed.MethodA systematic literature search was performed using the Medline, Web of Science and Embase databases. Studies were included if they analysed hypermethylated genes from stool or blood samples in correlation with CRC. Studies in languages other than English and those based on animal models or cell lines were excluded.ResultsThe literature search yielded 74 articles, including 43 addressing blood samples and 31 addressing stool samples. In blood samples, hypermethylated ALX4, FBN2, HLTF, P16, TMEFF1 and VIM were associated with poor prognosis, hypermethylated APC, NEUROG1, RASSF1A, RASSF2A, SDC2, SEPT9, TAC1 and THBD were detected in early stage CRC and hypermethylated P16 and TFPI2 were associated with CRC recurrence. In stool samples, hypermethylated BMP3, PHACTR3, SFRP2, SPG20, TFPI2 and TMEFF2 were associated with early stage CRC.ConclusionHypermethylation of the promoters of specific genes measured in blood or stool samples could be used as a CRC biomarker and provide prognostic information. The majority of studies, however, include only a few patients with poorly defined control groups. Further studies are therefore needed before hypermethylated DNA can be widely applied as a clinical biomarker for CRC detection and prognosis.
Institutional Determinants of Private Shareholder Engagement in Brazil and South Africa: The Role of Regulation
Authors: Yamahaki Camila , Frynas Jędrzej George 
Published: March 2016

AbstractManuscript typeEmpiricalResearch Question/IssueThis study investigates to what extent regulation encourages private shareholder engagement attitudes and behavior (including behind‐the‐scenes consultations, letters, meetings, and ongoing dialogues) of pension funds and asset managers with listed investee companies on environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) issues in Brazil and South Africa.Research Findings/InsightsDrawing on 44 in‐depth semi‐structured interviews with pension fund representatives, asset managers, and other investment players, the findings suggest that legislation provides limited direct encouragement to private engagement behavior. However, legislation encourages attitudes toward Responsible Investment by enhancing investor understanding of Responsible Investment, increasing the interest of pension funds and asset consultants in the Responsible Investment practices of asset managers, and reducing the fear of pension funds to violate their fiduciary duties, thereby promoting an enabling environment for ESG engagement.Theoretical/Academic ImplicationsThis article adds to the literature on comparative corporate governance and shareholder engagement. To the best of our knowledge, this is first study that specifically analyzes how regulation affects private shareholder engagement behavior in emerging markets, providing empirical support for the institutional perspective. The findings also suggest that the sophistication of the legislation on ESG issues in Brazil and South Africa is more typical of developed countries, indicating the need for a more fine‐grained analysis of emerging markets in corporate governance studies.Practitioner/Policy ImplicationsThis study draws investors' attention to the importance of understanding the national legal environment of the companies with which they engage and offers insights to governments interested in fostering ESG engagement practices.
Platelet function in diabetic and nondiabetic patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a case control study
Authors: Makhlouf Hoda Ahmed , Sadek Samiaa Hamdy , Nafady Asmaa Abdel Hakim 
Published: March 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe effect of association between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and diabetes (DM) on platelet function has not been studied before.ObjectivesTo evaluate the effect of the association between COPD and DM on platelet function and C reactive protein (CRP).Patients and MethodsThis case control study was carried out on 110 stable COPD patients who were classified into diabetic and nondiabetic groups. In addition, 40 apparently healthy, age and sex‐matched individuals were included in this study as a control group. Chest X‐ray, pulmonary function testing and arterial blood gases were done for COPD patients. CRP and complete blood count (CBC) were measured in both patient and control groups.ResultsMean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), platelet crit (PCT) and CRP were significantly higher in COPD patients either nondiabetic or diabetic compared to control group. Moreover, MPV and CRP markers were significantly higher in COPD diabetic patients compared to nondiabetic. There was no significant difference in various laboratory data among different stages of COPD either diabetic or nondiabetic (P > 0.05). In COPD patients, MPV was a significantly positively correlated with CRP and PDW (r = 0.346, P < 0.001; r = 0.510, P < 0.001, respectively) and negatively correlated with PLT count (r = −0.294, P = 0.002).ConclusionMPV, PDW, PCT and CRP were significantly higher in COPD patients either nondiabetic or diabetic. Platelet function may be modified by the systemic inflammation that associated with COPD. Platelet activation as a prothrombotic sequence of this disease may be used as novel therapeutic target.
Comparative cardiovascular safety of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists versus other antidiabetic drugs in routine care: a cohort study
Authors: Patorno E. , Everett B. M. , Goldfine A. B. , Glynn R. J. , Liu J. , Gopalakrishnan C. , Kim S. C. 
Published: March 2016

AimsTo evaluate the comparative cardiovascular disease (CVD) safety of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1 RAs) in head‐to‐head comparisons with dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP‐4) inhibitors, sulphonylureas or insulin, when added to metformin, as used in ‘real‐world’ patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).MethodsWithin a large US commercial health plan database linked to laboratory test results, we identified three pairwise 1 : 1 propensity‐score‐matched cohorts of patients with T2DM aged ≥18 years treated with metformin who initiated a GLP‐1 RA or a comparator, i.e. DPP‐4 inhibitor (n = 35 534), second‐generation sulphonylureas (n = 28 138) or insulin (n = 47 068), between 2005 and 2013. We examined the association between drug initiation and a composite CVD endpoint, comprising hospitalizations for acute myocardial infarction, unstable angina, stroke or coronary revascularization.ResultsDuring the course of 1 year, there were 13.9 and 13.7 CVD events per 1000 person‐years among propensity‐score‐matched initiators of GLP‐1 RAs versus DPP‐4 inhibitors [hazard ratio (HR) 1.02; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.84–1.24]; and 12.1 versus 14.0 events among initiators of GLP‐1 RAs versus sulphonylureas (HR 0.86; 95% CI 0.69–1.08). The effect estimates for GLP‐1 RAs versus insulin were sensitive to the adjustment for glycated haemoglobin, after which the HR was 1.01 (95% CI 0.73–1.41). Results were robust across several sensitivity analyses, including an as‐treated analysis considering up to 8.7 years of follow‐up.ConclusionsThis large study, performing head‐to‐head comparisons of GLP‐1 RAs with other antidiabetic agents in real‐world patients, provides estimates of relative safety precise enough to exclude large differences in CVD risk and adds further understanding to results from recent clinical trials.
Serum tryptase concentration and progression to end‐stage renal disease
Authors: Jesky Mark D. , Stringer Stephanie J. , Fenton Anthony , Ng Khai Ping , Yadav Punit , Ndumbo Miguel , McCann Katerina , Plant Tim , Dasgupta Indranil , Harding Stephen J. , Drayson Mark T. , Redegeld Frank , Ferro Charles J. , Cockwell Paul 
Published: March 2016

AbstractBackgroundMast cell activation can lead to nonclassical activation of the Renin–Angiotensin–Aldosterone System. However, the relevance of this to human chronic kidney disease is unknown. We assessed the association between serum tryptase, a product of mast cell activation, and progression to end‐stage renal disease or mortality in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease. We stratified patients by use of angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor II blockers (ACEi/ARB).Materials and methodsThis was a prospective cohort study of 446 participants recruited into the Renal Impairment in Secondary Care study. Serum tryptase was measured at recruitment by sandwich immunoassay. Cox regression analysis was undertaken to determine variables associated with progression to end‐stage renal disease or death.ResultsSerum tryptase concentration was independently associated with progression to end‐stage renal disease but not with death. In patients treated with ACEi or ARB, there was a strong independent association between higher tryptase concentrations and progression to end‐stage renal disease; when compared to the lowest tertile, tryptase concentrations in the middle and highest tertiles had hazard ratios [HR] of 5·78 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1·19–28·03, P = 0·029) and 6·19 (95% CI 1·49–25·69, P = 0·012), respectively. The other independent risk factors for progression to end‐stage renal disease were lower age, male gender, lower estimated glomerular filtration rate and higher urinary albumin creatinine ratio.ConclusionElevated serum tryptase concentration is an independent prognostic factor for progression to end‐stage renal disease in patients with chronic kidney disease who are receiving treatment with an ACEi or ARB.
Higher hydrocortisone dose increases bilirubin in hypopituitary patients‐ results from an RCT
Authors: Werumeus Buning Jorien , Kootstra‐Ros Jenny E. , Brummelman Pauline , van den Berg Gerrit , van der Klauw Melanie , Wolffenbuttel Bruce H. R. , van Beek André P. , Dullaart Robin P. F. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractBackgroundBilirubin has anti‐oxidative and anti‐inflammatory properties, which may explain its proposed protective effects on the development of cardiometabolic disorders. Glucocorticoids affect heme oxygenase regulation in vitro, which plays a key role in bilirubin production. Effects of variations in glucocorticoid exposure on circulating bilirubin levels in humans are unknown. Here we tested whether a higher hydrocortisone replacement dose affects circulating bilirubin in hypopituitary patients.Materials and methodsA randomized double‐blind cross‐over study (ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01546992) was performed in 47 patients with secondary adrenal failure [10‐week exposure to a higher hydrocortisone dose (0·4–0·6 mg/kg body weight) vs. 10 weeks of a lower hydrocortisone dose (0·2–0·3 mg/kg body weight)].ResultsPlasma total bilirubin was increased by 10% from 7 to 8 μM in response to the higher hydrocortisone dose (P = 0·033). This effect was inversely related to age (P = 0·042), but was unaffected by sex, obesity and (replacement for) other hormonal insufficiencies. The higher hydrocortisone dose also resulted in lower alkaline phosphatase (P = 0·006) and aspartate aminotransferase activities (P = 0·001).ConclusionBilirubin is modestly increased in response to higher glucocorticoid exposure in humans, in conjunction with lower alkaline phosphatase and aspartate aminotransferase activities, which are supposed to represent biomarkers of a pro‐inflammatory state and enhanced liver fat accumulation.
Family Ecologies and Child Risk for Obesity: Focus on Regulatory Processes
Authors: Fiese Barbara H. , Bost Kelly K. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractChildhood obesity is a significant public health problem. The causes of obesity are complex and extend across biological and social ecologies. This article focuses on how proximal regulatory processes connect biological risk for obesity and family systems. Response to satiety, distress during feeding, organization of family routines, and exposure to food marketing are provided as examples of the complexity of risk for obesity. The article concludes with recommendations for practice and policy to prevent childhood obesity and to empower families to take an active role in their community.