bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Determinants of National Guard Mental Health Service Utilization in VA versus Non‐VA Settings
Authors: Gorman Lisa A. , Sripada Rebecca K. , Ganoczy Dara , Walters Heather M. , Bohnert Kipling M. , Dalack Gregory W. , Valenstein Marcia 
Published: February 2016

ObjectiveTo determine associations between need, enabling, and predisposing factors with mental health service use among National Guard soldiers in the first year following a combat deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan.Data Sources/Study SettingPrimary data were collected between 2011 and 2013 from 1,426 Guard soldiers representing 36 units.Study DesignAssociations between Guard soldier factors and any mental health service use were assessed using multivariable logistic regression models in a cross‐sectional study. Further analysis among service users (N = 405) assessed VA treatment versus treatment in other settings.Principal FindingsFifty‐six percent of Guard soldiers meeting cutoffs on symptom scales received mental health services with 81 percent of those reporting care from the VA. Mental health service use was associated with need (mental health screens and physical health) and residing in micropolitan communities. Among service users, predisposing factors (middle age range and female gender) and enabling factors (employment, income above $50,000, and private insurance) were associated with greater non‐VA services use.ConclusionOverall service use was strongly associated with need, whereas sector of use (non‐VA vs. VA) was insignificantly associated with need but strongly associated with enabling factors. These findings have implications for the recent extension of veteran health coverage to non‐VA providers.
The Relative Importance of Post‐Acute Care and Readmissions for Post‐Discharge Spending
Authors: Huckfeldt Peter J. , Mehrotra Ateev , Hussey Peter S. 
Published: February 2016

ObjectiveTo understand what patterns of health care use are associated with higher post‐hospitalization spending.Data SourcesMedicare hospital, skilled nursing, inpatient rehabilitation, and home health agency claims, and Medicare enrollment data from 2007 and 2008.Study DesignFor 10 common inpatient conditions, we calculated variation across hospitals in price‐standardized and case mix–adjusted Medicare spending in the 30 days following hospital discharge. We estimated the fraction of spending differences between low‐ and high‐spending hospitals attributable to readmissions versus post‐acute care, and within post‐acute care between inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) versus skilled nursing facility (SNF) use. For each service, we distinguished between differences in probability of use and spending conditional on use.Data Extraction MethodsWe identified index hospital claims and examined hospital and post‐acute care occurring within a 30‐day period following hospital discharge. For each Medicare Severity Diagnosis‐Related Group (MS‐DRG) at each hospital, we calculated average price‐standardized Medicare payments for readmissions, SNFs, IRFs, and post‐acute care overall (also including home health agencies and long‐term care hospitals).Principal FindingsThere was extensive variation across hospitals in Medicare spending in the 30 days following hospital discharge. For example, the interquartile range across hospitals ranged from $1,245 for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to over $4,000 for myocardial infarction MS‐DRGs. The proportion of differences attributable to readmissions versus post‐acute care differed across conditions. For myocardial infarction, 74 to 93 percent of the variation was due to readmissions. For hip and femur procedures and joint replacement, 72 to 92 percent of the variation was due to differences in post‐acute care spending. There was also variation in the relative importance of the type of post‐acute spending. For hip and femur procedures, joint replacement, and stroke, whether patients received IRF was the key driver of variation in post‐acute care spending In contrast, for pneumonia and heart failure, whether patients received SNF care was the key driver of variation in post‐acute spending.ConclusionsThrough initiatives such as bundled payment, hospitals are financially responsible for spending in the post‐hospitalization period. The key driver of variation in post‐hospitalization spending varied greatly across conditions. For some conditions, the key driver was having a readmission, for others it was whether patients receive any post‐acute care, and for others the key driver was the type of post‐acute care. These findings may help hospitals implement strategies to reduce post‐discharge spending.
Do Smoking Bans Improve Neonatal Health?
Authors: Hankins Scott , Tarasenko Yelena 
Published: February 2016

Research ObjectiveTo estimate the effects of smoking bans on neonatal health outcomes and maternal smoking behavior during pregnancy.Data SourcesRestricted‐use 1991–2009 Natality Detail Files, a Clean Air Dates Table Report, and the Tax Burden of Tobacco.Study DesignA quasi‐experimental study using difference‐in‐differences estimation based on legislative history of smoking restrictions or bans by type/place/county/state level. Dependent variables included average monthly percentage of healthy neonates, of term neonates born with low and very low birth weight, of premature births, of maternal smokers, and average number of cigarettes smoked daily during pregnancy. The analyses were restricted to singleton births and those that occurred in the same county as mother's county of residence.Data Collection/Extraction MethodsThe data from three data sources were combined using Federal Information Processing Standard codes.Principal FindingsResults of the overall and stratified by maternal smoking status, educational level, and age regression analyses suggested no appreciable effect of smoking bans on neonatal health. Smoking bans had also no effect on maternal smoking behavior.ConclusionWhile there are health benefits to the general population from smoking bans, their effects on neonatal health outcomes and maternal smoking during pregnancy seem to be limited.
Retrospective Single Center Study of Granulocyte Monocyte Adsorption Apheresis Treatment in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Edfors Kajsa , Ståhlberg Dagny , Söderman Charlotte 
Published: February 2016

AbstractPatients with active inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have elevated and activated myeloid leukocytes, which infiltrate the intestinal mucosa. A significant proportion of IBD patients do not respond adequately to conventional treatment regimes. Studies have suggested that treatment with granulocyte monocyte apheresis (GMA) could be a safe and efficacious alternative for these patients. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of granulocyte/monocyte apheresis in patients with IBD in a retrospective cohort study, conducted from a single center in Stockholm. Clinical details from consecutive apheresis treated patients were retrospectively reviewed from 2004 to 2012. A total of 37 patients were included, 23 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 14 with Crohn's disease (CD). Clinical response was seen in 11 patients (30%) and complete remission in 11 patients (30%). The remission rate was higher in UC patients compared to CD patients, 39% (N = 9) and 14% (N = 2) respectively. A total of 9 patients experienced adverse events. Most frequently reported was headache (N = 4). GMA seems to be a valuable adjuvant treatment regime in the care of patients with refractory IBD.
Association of fasting glucose levels with incident atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: An 8‐year follow‐up study in a Chinese population
Authors: Liu Fangchao , Yang Xueli , Li Jianxin , Cao Jie , Chen Jichun , Li Ying , Liu Xiaoqing , Zhao Liancheng , Shen Chong , Yu Ling , Huang Jianfeng , Gu Dongfeng 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBackgroundIdentification of the population at high risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is critical for its prevention. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the use of fasting blood glucose (FBG) to predict ASCVD.MethodsIn all, 18 610 participants, aged 35–74 years at enrollment, were included in this prospective study. Baseline information was collected using a standardized questionnaire, physical examinations, and laboratory tests. During follow‐up, disease status and vital information were updated. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to estimate associations, with normal FBG (70–99 mg/dL) as the reference group. Anthropometric measurements, socioeconomic status, and conventional cardiovascular risk factors were included in the multivariate‐adjusted model.ResultsAfter 7.8 years follow‐up (145 223 person‐years), there were 519 cases of ASCVD. The multivariate‐adjusted hazard ratios (HR), with 95% confidence intervals (CI), for ASCVD in patients with low FBG (<70 mg/dL), impaired fasting glucose (IFG; 100–125 mg/dL), and diabetes (≥126 mg/dL, use of antidiabetic medication and/or self‐report) were 1.35 (0.84, 2.15), 1.02 (0.81, 1.27), and 1.68 (1.26, 2.23), respectively. Although IFG was associated with the development of diabetes (multivariate‐adjusted HR 3.67; 95% CI 3.20, 4.21), it was only associated with incident ASCVD in the univariate model (HR 1.52; 95% CI 1.23, 1.88). The association of diabetes with coronary heart disease was more pronounced than that with stroke. Gender and residential differences were also identified.ConclusionsIn the present study, IFG was associated with the development of diabetes but not incident ASCVD. Prevention strategies to reduce the development of diabetes in people with IFG are critical to improve cardiovascular health.
Gefitinib for asymptomatic brain metastasis from advanced non‐small cell lung cancer: Report of a favourable outcome
Authors: Liu Wen‐Yang , Liu Yu‐Tao , Yang Lin , Zhang Ye , Liu Peng , Wang Yan , Hui Zhou‐Guang 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBrain metastasis (BM) is common in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Although epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have now been included as standard treatment options for NSCLC harboring EGFR‐activating mutations, only a few prospective reports demonstrate the efficacy of these agents in a BM setting. We report a case of a patient with advanced NSCLC, in which oral gefitinib documented a significant antitumor effect on parallel progression of extracranial lesion and BM occurred during chemotherapy.
Dynamic seascapes predict the marine occurrence of an endangered species: Atlantic Sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus
Authors: Breece Matthew W. , Fox Dewayne A. , Dunton Keith J. , Frisk Mike G. , Jordaan Adrian , Oliver Matthew J. 
Published: February 2016

Summary

Categorical landscapes are powerful environmental partitions that index complex biogeochemical processes that drive terrestrial species distributions. However, translating landscapes into seascapes requires that the dynamic nature of the fluid environment be reflected in spatial and temporal boundaries such that seascapes can be used in marine species distribution models and conservation decisions.

A seascape product derived from satellite ocean colour and sea surface temperature partitioned mid‐Atlantic coastal waters on scales commensurate with the Atlantic Sturgeon migration. The seascapes were then matched with acoustic telemetry records of Atlantic Sturgeon to determine seascape selectivity. To test for selectivity, we used real‐time satellite seascape maps to normalize the sampling of an autonomous underwater vehicle that resampled similar geographic regions with time varying seascape classifications.

Our findings suggest that Atlantic Sturgeon prefer one seascape class over those available in the coastal ocean, indicating selection for covarying environmental properties rather than geographical location.

The recent listing of Atlantic Sturgeon as Endangered throughout much of their United States range has highlighted the need for improved understanding of marine habitat requirements to reduce interactions with anthropogenic stressors. Narrow dynamic migration corridors may enable seascapes to be used as a daily decision tool by industry and managers to reduce interactions with this imperilled species during coastal migrations.
Autoantibodies to Heat‐Shock Protein, HSPA5, and Epitope Spreading: High‐Dose Dexamethasone Therapy Rescues Ovarian Function in Experimental Autoimmune Ovarian Insufficiency Mouse Model
Authors: Kadam Kaushiki M. , Mande Purvi V. , Gawas Nilesh , Ahire Sarika , Khole Late Vrinda V. 
Published: February 2016

ProblemRole of autoantibodies to heat‐shock protein 70 isoform, HSPA5, both alone or in combination with other antigenic peptides in epitope spreading and effect of high‐dose dexamethasone to overcome this.Method of studyExperimental autoimmune premature ovarian insufficiency mouse model generated by immunization with immunodominant epitopes of HSPA5 alone or in combination with other antigenic peptides. Two doses of dexamethasone treatment are given to the latter group. Immunosorbent assay and Western blot analysis were undertaken to detect cross‐reactivity. Hormonal estimations, histological evaluation, and fertility studies were performed to assess treatment efficacy.ResultsOne of the immunodominant epitopes of HSPA5 led to epitope spreading. Of the two doses, 100 mg was more effective in rescuing fertility.ConclusionsWe postulate that the shared immunodominant peptide could be included in a peptide array to detect both HSAP5 and HSP90β autoantibodies for early diagnosis or prognosis of aPOI and customized glucocorticoid therapy for such subjects.
Are open‐Label Placebos Ethical? Informed Consent and Ethical Equivocations
Authors: Blease Charlotte , Colloca Luana , Kaptchuk Ted J. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThe doctor‐patient relationship is built on an implicit covenant of trust, yet it was not until the post‐World War Two era that respect for patient autonomy emerged as an article of mainstream medical ethics. Unlike their medical forebears, physicians today are expected to furnish patients with adequate information about diagnoses, prognoses and treatments. Against these dicta there has been ongoing debate over whether placebos pose a threat to patient autonomy. A key premise underlying medical ethics discussion is the notion that the placebo effect necessitates patient deception. Indeed, the American Medical Association guidelines imply that placebo treatment necessary entails a form of deception. As a consequence of this assumption, the fulcrum of debate on the use of placebo treatment has hinged on whether that deception is ever justified. Recently performed experiments with open‐label transparently prescribed placebos have begun to challenge the notion that deception is necessary in eliciting the placebo effect and such effects necessarily involve a binary distinction between autonomy and beneficence. In this article we focus on the content of disclosures in distinctive open‐label, transparently disclosed placebo studies and inquire whether they might be said to invoke deception in clinical contexts, and if so, whether the deception is unethical. We find that open placebos may be said to involve equivocation over how placebos work. However, drawing on surveys of patient attitudes we suggest that this equivocation appears to be acceptable to patients. We conclude that open placebos fulfil current American Medical Association guidelines for placebo use, and propose future research directions for harnessing the placebo effect ethically.
Partial Functional Correspondence
Authors: Rodolà E. , Cosmo L. , Bronstein M. M. , Torsello A. , Cremers D. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractIn this paper, we propose a method for computing partial functional correspondence between non‐rigid shapes. We use perturbation analysis to show how removal of shape parts changes the Laplace–Beltrami eigenfunctions, and exploit it as a prior on the spectral representation of the correspondence. Corresponding parts are optimization variables in our problem and are used to weight the functional correspondence; we are looking for the largest and most regular (in the Mumford–Shah sense) parts that minimize correspondence distortion. We show that our approach can cope with very challenging correspondence settings.
Magnetic assembly of 3D cell clusters: visualizing the formation of an engineered tissue
Authors: Ghosh S. , Kumar S. R. P. , Puri I. K. , Elankumaran S. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractObjectivesContactless magnetic assembly of cells into 3D clusters has been proposed as a novel means for 3D tissue culture that eliminates the need for artificial scaffolds. However, thus far its efficacy has only been studied by comparing expression levels of generic proteins. Here, it has been evaluated by visualizing the evolution of cell clusters assembled by magnetic forces, to examine their resemblance to in vivo tissues.Materials and methodsCells were labeled with magnetic nanoparticles, then assembled into 3D clusters using magnetic force. Scanning electron microscopy was used to image intercellular interactions and morphological features of the clusters.ResultsWhen cells were held together by magnetic forces for a single day, they formed intercellular contacts through extracellular fibers. These kept the clusters intact once the magnetic forces were removed, thus serving the primary function of scaffolds. The cells self‐organized into constructs consistent with the corresponding tissues in vivo. Epithelial cells formed sheets while fibroblasts formed spheroids and exhibited position‐dependent morphological heterogeneity. Cells on the periphery of a cluster were flattened while those within were spheroidal, a well‐known characteristic of connective tissues in vivo.ConclusionsCells assembled by magnetic forces presented visual features representative of their in vivo states but largely absent in monolayers. This established the efficacy of contactless assembly as a means to fabricate in vitro tissue models.
Overexpression of CD61 promotes hUC‐MSC differentiation into male germ‐like cells
Authors: Li Bo , Liu Weishuai , Zhuang Mengru , Li Na , Wu Siyu , Pan Shaohui , Hua Jinlian 
Published: February 2016

AbstractObjectivesPrevious studies have shown that germ‐like cells can be induced from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (hUC‐MSCs) in vitro. However, induction efficiency was low and a stable system had not been built. CD61, also called integrin‐β3, plays a significant role in cell differentiation, in that CD61‐positive‐cell‐derived pluripotent stem cells easily differentiate into primordial germ‐like cells (PGC). Here, we have explored whether overexpression of CD61 would promote hUC‐MSC differentiation into PGC and male germ‐like cells.Materials and methodshUC‐MSCs were cultured and transduced using pCD61‐CAGG‐TRIP‐pur (oCD61) and pTRIP‐CAGG plasmid (Control), and hUC‐MSCs overexpressed CD61 were induced by bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4, 12.5 ng/ml), to differentiate into PGC and male germ cells. Quantitative real‐time PCR (RT‐qPCR), western blotting and immunofluorescence staining were used to examine PGC‐ and germ cell‐specific markers.ResultsHigh expression levels of PGC‐specific markers were detected in oCD61 hUC‐MSCs compared to controls. After BMP4 induction, expression levels of male germ cell markers such as Acrosin (ACR), Prm1 and meiotic markers including Stra8, Scp3 in oCD61 were significantly higher than those of the Control group.ConclusionsUnder induction of BMP4, CD61‐overexpressing hUC‐MSCs, which had turned into PGC‐like cells, could be further differentiated into male germ‐like cells. Thus, a simple and efficient approach to study male germ cell development by using hUC‐MSCs has been established.
Decellularized human amniotic membrane: how viable is it as a delivery system for human adipose tissue‐derived stromal cells?
Authors: Gholipourmalekabadi M. , Sameni M. , Radenkovic Dina , Mozafari M. , Mossahebi‐Mohammadi M. , Seifalian A. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractObjectivesHuman amniotic membrane (HAM) has been widely used in soft tissue engineering both in its fresh form and decellularized; its efficiency to aid treatment of burn injuries is well known. On the other hand, it has been reported clinically by several studies that human adipose‐derived stem cells (hADSC) are a promising cell source for cell therapy for burns. Recently, we have reported a new technique for decellularization of HAM. In this study, potential of prepared decellularized HAM (dHAM) as a viable support for proliferation and delivery of hADSC was investigated.Materials and methodsAmniotic membranes were collected, decellularized and preserved according to the protocol described in our previously published study. hADSC were obtained from the patients undergoing elective liposuction surgery and cells were then seeded on the decellularized membrane for various times. Efficiency of the decellularized membrane as a delivery system for hADSC was investigated by MTT, LDH specific activity, DAPI staining and SEM.ResultsThe results showed that dHAM provided a supporting microenvironment for cell growth without producing any cytotoxic effects. In addition, the cells were spread out and actively attached to the dHAM scaffold.ConclusionThese results strongly suggest that dHAMs have considerable potential as 3D cell‐carrier scaffolds for delivery of hADSC, in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications.
Effect of donor cardiac arrest and arrest duration on outcomes of lung transplantation
Authors: Mohite Prashant N. , Zych Bartlomiej , Sabashnikov Anton , Popov Aron‐Frederik , Garcia‐Saez Diana , Patil Nikhil P. , Koch Achim , Zeriouh Mohamed , Rahmanian Parwis B. , Dhar Dhruva , Amrani Mohamed , Bahrami Toufan , DeRobertis Fabio , Carby Martin , Reed Anna , Simon Andre R. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBackgroundLimited data are available about lung transplantation (LTx) from donors suffering cardiac arrest (CA) prior to actual donation.MethodsA retrospective analysis of LTx performed between January 2007 and September 2012 was done with the focus on CA in donors. The recipients were grouped depending on the history of donor CA and CA duration (downtime) as: No cardiac arrest (“NoCA”), CA downtime less than 20 min (“CA < 20”), and CA downtime equal to or more than 20 min (“CA > 20”). Early and mid‐term outcomes after LTx were compared among the three groups.ResultsA total of 237 LTx were performed during the study period. One hundred eighty‐eight patients received organs from “NoCA” donors, 25 from “CA < 20” donors, and 24 patients from “CA > 20” donors. There was a trend toward better overall cumulative survival in both CA groups (log rank p = 0.076) whereas the survival in the “CA > 20” group was significantly better than in the “NoCA” group in the subgroup analysis (log rank p = 0.045). Freedom from bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) also increased with increase in CA duration, although it did not reach statistical significance.ConclusionsTransplantation of lungs from donors with a history of CA is safe and feasible. Longer duration of cardiac arrest may improve the outcomes after the LTx in terms of survival and freedom from BOS.