bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long‐term applicability of the new ILAE definition of epilepsy. Results from the PRO‐LONG study
Authors: Beretta Simone , Carone Davide , Zanchi Clara , Bianchi Elisa , Pirovano Marta , Trentini Claudia , Padovano Giada , Colombo Matteo , Cereda Diletta , Scanziani Sofia , Giussani Giorgia , Gasparini Sara , Bogliun Graziella , Ferrarese Carlo , Beghi Ettore ,   the PRO‐LONG Study Group
Published: August 2017

SummaryObjectiveThe new epilepsy definition adopted by the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) includes patients with one unprovoked seizure with a probability of further seizures, similar to the general recurrence risk after two unprovoked seizures, occurring in a 10‐year period. Long‐term follow‐up of patients diagnosed after a single seizure is needed to assess the applicability of the new epilepsy definition in clinical practice.MethodsPatients with newly diagnosed epilepsy were recruited retrospectively with a minimum follow‐up of 10 years. Patients were stratified in two groups depending on the occurrence of one (new definition, ND) or two or more unprovoked seizures (traditional definition, TD) at the time of epilepsy diagnosis and compared for disease characteristics and factors predicting seizure recurrence. The primary outcome was the occurrence of a new unprovoked seizure during follow‐up in the ND group. The secondary outcome was the achievement of an early remission in both groups.ResultsAmong 1,006 patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy, 152 (15.1%) were diagnosed after a single seizure. Compared to patients diagnosed using the TD, patients diagnosed according to the ND showed a higher proportion of subjects with an abnormal neurologic examination (19.9% vs. 13.7%, p = 0.0504) and with focal seizures (69.3% vs. 60.4%, p = 0.0021). The two samples differed in the presence of at least one of the factors predicting seizure recurrence (focal seizures or abnormal findings in at least one among the following: neurologic examination, electroencephalography [EEG], and neuroimaging) (94.6% vs. 89.1%, p = 0.0376). Long‐term recurrence in patients diagnosed with the new definition was 83.6% at 10 years and 89.1% at 15 years. The probability of early remission did not differ between the two groups.SignificanceOur results support the applicability of the new epilepsy definition in clinical practice. Individual patient characteristics and a personalized diagnostic approach can justify treatment after a single unprovoked seizure.
Failure of commercial extruded catalysts in simple compression and bulk thermal cycling
Authors: Young Alice , Henderson Sam , Buchanan Liam , Hall Daniel , Bishop Catherine 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe mechanical performance of three commercial extruded catalyst pellets was characterized by single particle compression testing in five orientations and bulk crush testing during thermal cycles from 20°C to 900°C in a reformer tube. Failure loads were analyzed with Weibull statistics, and fragment shapes were cataloged. Maximum principal stresses from finite element simulations were consistent with the shapes of fragments from single pellet tests. In smaller scale bulk tests, excluding pellets in contact with the top and bottom plates, the most common location of damaged pellets was in contact with the reformer wall. In one large‐scale test (280 pellets), damage was most common in pellets at the reformer wall. The most common fragment shapes from ex‐service single pellet tests and bulk tests are similar, but differ from those from single pellet tests. Neither single pellet compression testing nor conventional bulk crush testing is a sufficient analog for the loading conditions on catalyst pellets in reformer tubes. This study demonstrates that catalyst pellet damage occurs in each full thermal cycle, and that using thermal cycling to reproduce the boundary conditions in service is essential for future studies.
A Clinical Evaluation of Large‐area Short‐time Haemodialysis
Authors: Ward R. A. , Farrell P. C. , Tiller D. J. , Horvath J. S. , Freeman J. M. 
Published: August 2017

SummaryA large‐area short‐time (LAST) haemodialysis regimen (three hours by three times per week on a 2·5 M2 haemodialyser) has been compared with conventional haemodialysis (six hours by three times per week on a 1·3 M2 haemodialyser) on four patients over a period of eight months. Parameters monitored throughout the study included: Serum biochemistries, haematocrit, extracellular fluid space, platelet function, granulocyte kinetics, immunological status and neurological status.All patients showed weight increases (3–12%) during the LAST dialysis period. These increases were related to problems of intradialytic hypotension which resulted from the increased rate of fluid removal required during the LAST dialysis period. Hypotension was not a problem during routine treatment over six hours. During LAST dialysis all patients showed an increase of 10–20% (P < 0.05) in predialysis serum urea and creatinine and a moderate decrease in predialysis serum bicarbonate (from 24·8 ± 2·2 to 21·4 ± 2·6 mM/I, P < 0.005).This study indicates that, providing fluid balance can be controlled, a LAST dialysis regimen provides comparable therapy to conventional haemodialysis. However, recent studies have suggested that short‐time dialysis may be possible with conventional 1.0 to 1.3 M2 haemodialysers, indicating that short‐time haemodialysis may not need to involve more costly large‐area haemodialysers.
Clinical Evaluation of a Dialysate Regeneration System for Maintenance Haemodialysis
Authors: Farrell P. C. , Mahony J. F. , Jones B. F. , Mathew T. H. , Dawborn J. K. , Disney A. P. 
Published: August 2017

SummaryA commercially available sorbent‐based dialysate regeneration system has been compared to conventional single‐pass dialysate delivery systems for treatment periods of six weeks in 13 patients on maintenance dialysis. The results of treatment were virtually identical in comparing sorbent and conventional systems except that seven of the eight patients using 2·5 M2 dialysers for 3–4 hours thrice per week developed asymptomatic metabolic acidosis with the dialysate regeneration system. This complication was not seen in the five patients using 1·3 M2 dialysers and having a 6–7 hour treatment thrice weekly.Dialysate regeneration systems are particularly suited for use when water supplies are limited or of insufficient purity for single‐pass dialysis, and when a portable artificial kidney is required. To avoid metabolic acidosis with this system, using currently available disposable cartridges, each dialysis treatment should be of at least 4·5 hours duration.
Goitre Survey in Armidale and the New England Region
Authors: Barbato M. P. 
Published: August 2017

SummaryThe results of a goitre survey in school children in the New England Region are presented and compared with previous studies. Goitre incidence has fallen significantly in Tamworth but has remained unchanged in Armidale. Analyses of blood and urine showed no differences in thyroid hormone levels, TSH, and urinary iodide in goitre and non‐goitre subjects. In one group of goitre subjects prolactin levels were found to be significantly higher than those in a non‐goitre group matched for sex, age and years in the district. The estimated iodine intake was well above normal requirements in all age groups studied. Sources of dietary iodine in the New England Region are outlined with special reference to milk and water.A brief review of clinical thyroid disease in Armidale is presented and reveals an unusually high incidence of both hyper‐ and hypo‐thyroidism.
Diabetes Mellitus and Tropical Form of Chronic Calcific Pancreatitis in Thailand
Authors: Chandraprasert S. , Samranvej P. , Arthachinta S. , Isarasena S. 
Published: August 2017

SummarySix cases of chronic calcific pancreatitis in Thailand occurring in patients aged 13 to 22 years are reported. Protein malnutrition was a possible aetiologic factor. Abdominal pain was mild to moderate and intermittent and not a presenting feature. Severe diabetes mellitus was present in all. Extensive pancreatic calcification was seen on abdominal X‐ray.
Metastatic Hepatoma in the Stomach Masquerading as a Leiomyoma
Authors: Green P. H. R. , Fevre D. I. , Barratt P. J. 
Published: August 2017

SummaryMetastatic hepatoma in the stomach is rare. A case is described in which a gastric tumour appeared to be a leiomyoma, but after laparotomy proved to be an isolated secondary deposit from a hepatoma.
Preparing master‐level mental health nurses to work within a wellness paradigm: Findings from the eMenthe project
Authors: Doyle Louise , Ellilä Heikki , Jormfeldt Henrika , Lahti Mari , Higgins Agnes , Keogh Brian , Meade Oonagh , Sitvast Jan , Skärsäter Ingela , Stickley Theo , Kilkku Nina 
Published: August 2017

AbstractMental health promotion remains an important component of mental health nursing practice. Supporting wellness at both the individual and societal levels has been identified as one of the key tenets of mental health promotion. However, the prevailing biomedical paradigm of mental health education and practice has meant that many nurses have not been equipped to incorporate a wellness perspective into their mental health practice. In the present study, we report on an exploratory study which details the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required by master‐level mental health nurses to practice within a wellness paradigm from the perspective of three groups of key stakeholders: (i) service users and family members (n = 23); (ii) experienced mental health nurses (n = 49); and (iii) master‐level mental health nursing students (n = 37). The findings, which were reported from individual and focus group interviews across five European countries, suggested a need to reorientate mental health nursing education to include a focus on wellness and resilience to equip mental health nurses with the skills to work within a strengths‐based, rather than a deficits‐based, model of mental health practice. Key challenges to working within a wellness paradigm were identified as the prevailing dominance of the biomedical model of cause and treatment of mental health problems, which focusses on symptoms, rather than the holistic functioning of the individual, and positions the person as passive in the nurse–service user relationship.
Shaping Discourse and Setting Examples: Normative Power Europe can Work in the Israeli–Palestinian Conflict
Authors: Persson Anders 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe conventional wisdom in the literature on EU–Israel/Palestine relations is that the EU has only displayed very limited, if any, normative power in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. Previous studies have focused on the ability, or rather inability, of the EU to diffuse any of the core norms behind Ian Manners' concept of ‘Normative Power Europe’ (NPE) into the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, while tending to ignore the ability of the EU to shape what is considered normal in many aspects of the conflict – either by making others adopt its policies, or by contributing to creating consensus around an issue. By using Tuomas Forsberg's framework of four different mechanisms of normative power: persuasion, invoking norms, shaping the discourse and the power of example on three important case studies from the conflict (EC/EU's declaratory diplomacy on the need for a just peace in the conflict, the Palestinians' bid for statehood at the UN in 2011 and the emerging ‘differentiation strategy’), this article concludes that the EU has much more normative power in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict than the literature has previously acknowledged.
Understanding European Union Science Diplomacy
Authors: López de San Román Alea , Schunz Simon 
Published: August 2017

AbstractScience diplomacy represents a relatively novel field of EU external action. This contribution provides a better understanding of the under‐researched development of this policy domain, asking how and why the EU has extended the scope of its external activities in the scientific area. To answer these questions, it conducts an analysis of EU policy‐makers' discourses on external science policies inspired by role theory. It finds that EU role conceptions in this domain take the forms of ‘science for diplomacy’ or ‘diplomacy for science’, and that they correspond either to an image of normative or market power Europe. These findings are confirmed by a study of the EU's recent external science policies. The article argues that the ambiguity of rationales invoked for introducing a genuine science diplomacy in the EU helps to appeal to different constituencies. This, in turn, enhances the Union's chances for successfully expanding the scope of its activities.
The role of nutrition as risk factor for polyneuropathy: a case‐control study
Authors: Visser Nora A. , Notermans Nicolette C. , de Vries Jeanne H. M. , van den Berg Leonard H. , Vrancken Alexander F. J. E. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe aim of this case–control study is to investigate the role of nutrition as risk factor for polyneuropathy. Three hundred eighteen patients with chronic idiopathic axonal polyneuropathy and 636 matched controls completed a validated food frequency questionnaire that covered nutrient intake and alcohol consumption. As risk estimates, we calculated adjusted odds ratios for the intake of energy and nutrients. Energy and nutrient intake did not differ between patients and controls, regardless of moderate alcohol consumption. Nutrition is not a risk factor for chronic idiopathic axonal polyneuropathy.
The fate of the vitelline and umbilical veins during the development of the human liver
Authors: Hikspoors Jill P. J. M. , Peeters Mathijs M. J. P. , Mekonen Hayelom K. , Kruepunga Nutmethee , Mommen Greet M. C. , Cornillie Pieter , Köhler S. Eleonore , Lamers Wouter H. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractDifferentiation of endodermal cells into hepatoblasts is well studied, but the remodeling of the vitelline and umbilical veins during liver development is less well understood. We compared human embryos between 3 and 10 weeks of development with pig and mouse embryos at comparable stages, and used Amira 3D reconstruction and Cinema 4D remodeling software for visualization. The vitelline and umbilical veins enter the systemic venous sinus on each side via a common entrance, the hepatocardiac channel. During expansion into the transverse septum at Carnegie Stage (CS)12 the liver bud develops as two dorsolateral lobes or ‘wings’ and a single ventromedial lobe, with the liver hilum at the intersection of these lobes. The dorsolateral lobes each engulf a vitelline vein during CS13 and the ventromedial lobe both umbilical veins during CS14, but both venous systems remain temporarily identifiable inside the liver. The dominance of the left‐sided umbilical vein and the rightward repositioning of the sinuatrial junction cause de novo development of left‐to‐right shunts between the left umbilical vein in the liver hilum and the right hepatocardiac channel (venous duct) and the right vitelline vein (portal sinus), respectively. Once these shunts have formed, portal branches develop from the intrahepatic portions of the portal vein on the right side and the umbilical vein on the left side. The gall bladder is a reliable marker for this hepatic vascular midline. We found no evidence for large‐scale fragmentation of embryonic veins as claimed by the ‘vestigial’ theory. Instead and in agreement with the ‘lineage’ theory, the vitelline and umbilical veins remained temporally identifiable inside the liver after being engulfed by hepatoblasts. In agreement with the ‘hemodynamic’ theory, the left–right shunts develop de novo.
Morphological and histological features of the vomeronasal organ in the brown bear
Authors: Tomiyasu Jumpei , Kondoh Daisuke , Sakamoto Hideyuki , Matsumoto Naoya , Sasaki Motoki , Kitamura Nobuo , Haneda Shingo , Matsui Motozumi 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe vomeronasal organ (VNO) is a peripheral receptor structure that is involved in reproductive behavior and is part of the vomeronasal system. Male bears exhibit flehmen behavior that is regarded as the uptake of pheromones into the VNO to detect estrus in females. However, the morphological and histological features of the VNO in bears have not been comprehensively studied. The present study investigated the properties and degree of development of the VNO of the brown bear by histological, histochemical and ultrastructural methods. The VNO of bears was located at the same position as that of many other mammals, and it opened to the mouth like the VNO of most carnivores. The shape of the vomeronasal cartilages and the histological features of the sensory epithelium in the bear VNO were essentially similar to those of dogs. Receptor cells in the VNO of the bear possessed both cilia and microvilli like those of dogs. The dendritic knobs of receptor cells were positive for anti‐G protein alpha‐i2 subunit (Gαi2) but negative for anti‐G protein alpha‐o subunit, indicating preferential use of the V1R‐Gαi2 pathway in the vomeronasal system of bears, as in other carnivores. The VNO of the bear possessed three types of secretory cells (secretory cells of the vomeronasal gland, multicellular intraepithelial gland cells and goblet cells), and the present findings showed that the secretory granules in these cells also had various properties. The vomeronasal lumen at the middle region of the VNO invaginated toward the ventral region, and this invagination contained tightly packed multicellular intraepithelial gland cells. To our knowledge, this invagination and intraepithelial gland masses in the VNO are unique features of brown bears. The VNO in the brown bear, especially the secretory system, is morphologically well‐developed, suggesting that this organ is significant for information transmission in this species.
Lipid‐body containing interstitial cells (lipofibroblasts) in the lungs of various mouse strains
Authors: Opitz Luka , Kling Katharina Maria , Brandenberger Christina , Mühlfeld Christian 
Published: August 2017

AbstractPulmonary alveolar septa are thought to contain at least two types of fibroblasts that are termed myofibroblasts and lipofibroblasts based on their morphological characteristics. Lipofibroblasts possess cytoplasmic lipid inclusions (lipid bodies or droplets) and are involved in several important functions, such as surfactant synthesis, development, vitamin A storage and presumably regeneration. As vitamin A was shown to reduce pulmonary emphysema in several but not all mouse and rat strains, we hypothesized that these strain differences might be explained by a differential occurrence of lipofibroblasts and their lipid bodies in various mouse strains. Therefore, mouse lungs of six strains (NMRI, BALB/c, C3H/HeJ, C57BL/6J, C57BL/6N and FVB/N) were investigated by light and electron microscopic stereology to quantify the amount of lipid bodies and the composition of alveolar septa. Lipofibroblasts were observed qualitatively by transmission electron microscopy in every investigated mouse strain. The total volume and the volume‐weighted mean volume of lipid bodies were similar in all mouse strains. The results on the composition of the interalveolar septa did not show major differences between the groups. The only mouse strain that differed significantly from the other strains was the NMRI strain because the lungs had a higher volume and consequently many of the morphological parameters were also larger than in the other groups. In conclusion, the present study showed that lipofibroblasts are a common cell type in the mouse lung across various strains. Therefore, the mere presence or absence of lipofibroblasts does not explain differences in the pulmonary regenerative potential among mouse strains.
The notochord in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salarL.) undergoes profound morphological and mechanical changes during development
Authors: Kryvi Harald , Rusten Iselin , Fjelldal Per Gunnar , Nordvik Kari , Totland Geir K. , Karlsen Tine , Wiig Helge , Long John H. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWe present the development of the notochord of the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salarL.), from early embryo to sexually mature fish. Over the salmon's lifespan, profound morphological changes occur. Cells and gross structures of the notochord reorganize twice. In the embryo, the volume of the notochord is dominated by large, vacuolated chordocytes; each cell can be modeled as a hydrostat organized into a larger cellular‐hydrostat network, structurally bound together with desmosomes. After the embryo hatches and grows into a fry, vacuolated chordocytes disappear, replaced by extracellular lacunae. The formation of mineralized, segmental chordacentra stiffens the notochord and creates intervertebral joints, where tissue strain during lateral bending is now focused. As development proceeds towards the parr stage, a process of devacuolization and intracellular filament accumulation occur, forming highly dense, non‐vacuolated chordocytes. As extracellular lacunae enlarge, they are enclosed by dense filamentous chordocytes that form transverse intervertebral septa, which are connected to the intervertebral ligaments, and a longitudinal notochordal strand. In the vertebral column of pelagic adults, large vacuolated chordocytes reappear; cells of this secondary population have a volume up to 19 000 times larger than the primary vacuolated chordocytes of the early notochord. In adults the lacunae have diminished in relative size. Hydrostatic pressure within the notochord increases significantly during growth, from 525 Pa in the alevins to 11 500 Pa in adults, at a rate of increase with total body length greater than that expected by static stress similarity. Pressure and morphometric measurements were combined to estimate the stress in the extracellular material of the notochordal sheath and intervertebral ligaments and the flexural stiffness of the axial skeleton. The functional significance of the morphological changes in the axial skeleton is discussed in relation to the different developmental stages and locomotor behavior changes over the lifespan of the fish.
Bioresorbable vascular scaffold to treat in‐stent restenosis: Single‐center experience
Authors: Picard Fabien , Avram Robert , Marquis‐Gravel Guillaume , Tadros Victor‐Xavier , Ly Hung Q. , de Hemptinne Quentin , Dorval Jean‐François , L'allier Philippe L. , Tanguay Jean‐François 
Published: August 2017

AimsThe management of patients with in‐stent restenosis (ISR) is still a major clinical challenge even in the era of drug‐eluting stents (DES). Recent studies have demonstrated acceptable clinical outcomes for the everolimus‐eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) ABSORB™ in patients with stable coronary artery disease but data are scarce on its use in patients with ISR. We report the long‐term results of our preliminary experience with this novel approach at our institution.Methods and ResultsWe investigated the safety and efficacy of BVS implantation to treat ISR. 34 consecutive patients (37 lesions) underwent PCI for ISR with BVS implantation between May 2013 and June 2015 at our institution and were included in the current analysis. Follow‐up was available in 91.9% of the patients. Mean follow‐up period was 801.9 ± 179 days. One patient had definite scaffold thrombosis (ScT) 2 months after stent implantation which was treated with DES. Five patients (six lesions) experienced target lesion revascularization (TLR). The composite endpoint rate of TLR, ScT, myocardial infarction, and death occured in 6/37 lesions at follow‐up (16.2%).ConclusionsThese real‐world data using BVS in patients with ISR demonstrates that ISR treatment with ABSORB™ BVS is feasible but could have slightly higher target lesion failure rates as compared to DES. This proof of concept could be hypothesis‐generating for larger randomized controlled studies.