bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transcranial Doppler Screening in 50 Patients With Sickle Cell Hemoglobinopathies in Iran
Authors: Zamani Susan , Borhan Haghighi Afshin , Haghpanah Sezaneh , Karimi Mehran , Bordbar Mohammad R. 
Published: August 2017

Background:
As previous studies had discordant results with regard to the correlation of transcranial Doppler (TCD) screening and brain MRI, the aim of this study was to find the correlation between TCD values and silent ischemia in sickle cell disease (SCD) patients.

Method and Materials:
In this cross-sectional study, 50 patients with proven diagnosis of sickle cell hemoglobinopathies based on their hemoglobin electrophoresis were included. Demographic data, their physical exam, information with regard to crises history, and their laboratory data were recorded. Brain MRI and TCD were requested for all patients.

Results:
The mean age of the patients was 10.2±5.8 years. Only 3 patients (6%) showed evidence of ischemia on brain MRI. Normal and ischemic patients were not significantly different with respect to TCD values, sex, splenomegaly, aplastic crisis, and laboratory test results (P-value >0.05). Only platelet count was significantly higher in the ischemic group compared with that in the normal group (P=0.002). The pain crisis was significantly associated with the mean velocity values of RMCA, LMCA, RV, and LV arteries (P-value <0.05).

Conclusion:
On the basis of our results, there was no significant difference in the mean velocity TCD values between patients with and without evidence of ischemic brain damage in brain MRI. The frequency of silent ischemia was much lower than expected. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to elucidate the positive predictive value of abnormal TCD in the prediction of silent ischemia in patients with sickle hemoglobinopathy in certain ethnic groups.
The Maternal Gut Microbiome During Pregnancy
Authors: Edwards Sara M. , Cunningham Solveig A. , Dunlop Anne L. , Corwin Elizabeth J. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe gut microbiome is a critical component of an individual's metabolism and overall health. The prenatal period is marked by unique inflammatory and immune changes that alter maternal gut function and bacterial composition as the pregnancy advances. The composition of the maternal gut microbiome contributes to obstetric outcomes with long-term health sequelae for mother and child. Estrogen and progesterone also have an impact on gut function, especially during the prenatal period. These physiologic changes in pregnancy allow for adjustments in maternal metabolism and weight necessary to support the pregnancy. Normal hormonal, metabolic, and immunologic changes to the maternal gut microbiome throughout the prenatal period are reviewed, including relevant implications for nurses providing care for pregnant women.
An Evaluation of Perceived Health Risk and Depressive Symptoms Before a Disaster in Predicting Postdisaster Inflammation
Authors: Murdock Kyle W. , Stowe Raymond P. , Peek M. Kristen , Lawrence Savannah L. , Fagundes Christopher P. 
Published: August 2017

ABSTRACT

Objective
Exposure to major life stressors is associated with subsequent enhanced inflammation-related disease processes. Depressive symptoms exacerbate stress-induced inflammatory responses. Moreover, those who report a high degree of perceived health risk before being exposed to a major life stressor such as a disaster are at risk for poor health outcomes. The present study examined whether perceived health risk and depressive symptoms before a disaster were associated with postdisaster inflammation markers.

Methods
The sample included 124 participants (mean [standard deviation] age = 55 [16] years; 69% women). At a baseline visit, participants completed self-report measures of perceived health risk and depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale) in addition to a blood draw for the assessment of inflammation markers (C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor receptor 1, and interleukin 6). All participants lived near a large petrochemical complex where an unexpected explosion occurred. A second blood sample was obtained 2 to 6 months after the explosion.

Results
No significant differences in inflammation markers were found between predisaster and postdisaster assessment (p > .21). An interaction between predisaster perceived health risk and depressive symptoms in predicting postdisaster circulating inflammation markers was identified (Cohen f
2 = 0.051). Specifically, predisaster perceived health risk was associated with postdisaster circulating inflammation markers if predisaster depressive symptoms were greater than 8.10 on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale.

Conclusions
These findings add to our understanding of the complex interactions between stress, depression, and immune responses. Indeed, findings provide a potential mechanism (i.e., inflammation) explaining the association between exposure to major life stressors and negative mental and physical health outcomes.
Integrating Household Water Treatment, Hand Washing, and Insecticide-Treated Bed Nets Into Pediatric HIV Care in Mombasa, Kenya: Impact on Diarrhea and Malaria Risk
Authors: Sugar Naomi R. , Schilling Katharine A. , Kim Sunkyung , Ahmed Aabid , Ngui Muyanga Dennis , Sivapalasingam Sumathi , Quick Robert 
Published: August 2017

Introduction:
In developing countries, HIV-infected children are at higher risk of morbidity and mortality from opportunistic infections than HIV-uninfected children. To address this problem, the Healthy Living Initiative (HLI) in Mombasa, Kenya distributed basic care packages (BCPs) containing improved water storage vessels, water treatment solution, soap, and insecticide-treated bed nets to prevent diarrhea and malaria in children, and had community health workers (CHWs) make bimonthly home visits to encourage adherence to HLI interventions and antiretroviral (ARV) medicine use.

Methods:
To evaluate HLI, we enrolled 500 HIV-infected children from Bomu Hospital. In the implementation phase, from February to August 2011, we conducted surveys of caregivers, then provided free BCPs. In the evaluation phase, from September 2011 to August 2012, CHWs recorded observations of BCP use during home visits. We abstracted hospital data to compare diarrhea and malaria episodes, and pharmacy data on ARVs dispensed, between the 12-month preimplementation baseline phase (February 2010–January 2011) and the evaluation phase.

Results:
The retention rate of children in HLI was 78.4%. In a multivariable logistic regression model adjusting for demographic characteristics, number of CHW home visits, distance to clinic, orphan status, and number of ARVs dispensed, children in HLI had 71% lower risk of diarrhea (relative risk 0.29, P < 0.001) and 87% lower risk of malaria (relative risk 0.13, P = 0.001) during the evaluation phase than the baseline phase; there was no independent association between ARV use and illness.

Conclusions:
HIV-infected children in HLI were less likely to experience diarrhea and malaria during the evaluation phase than the baseline phase.
Repeatability of Non–Contrast-Enhanced Lower-Extremity Angiography Using the Flow-Spoiled Fresh Blood Imaging
Authors: Zhang Yuyang , Xing Zhen , She Dejun , Huang Nan , Cao Dairong 
Published: August 2017

Purpose
The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the repeatability of non–contrast-enhanced lower-extremity magnetic resonance angiography using the flow-spoiled fresh blood imaging (FS-FBI).

Methods
Forty-three healthy volunteers and 15 patients with lower-extremity arterial stenosis were recruited in this study and were examined by FS-FBI. Digital subtraction angiography was performed within a week after the FS-FBI in the patient group. Repeatability was assessed by the following parameters: grading of image quality, diameter and area of major arteries, and grading of stenosis of lower-extremity arteries. Two experienced radiologists blinded for patient data independently evaluated the FS-FBI and digital subtraction angiography images. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), sensitivity, and specificity were used for statistical analysis.

Results
The grading of image quality of most data was satisfactory. The ICCs for the first and second measures were 0.792 and 0.884 in the femoral segment and 0.803 and 0.796 in the tibiofibular segment for healthy volunteer group, 0.873 and 1.000 in the femoral segment, and 0.737 and 0.737 in the tibiofibular segment for the patient group. Intraobserver and interobserver agreements on diameter and area of arteries were excellent, with ICCs mostly greater than 0.75 in the volunteer group. For stenosis grading analysis, intraobserver ICCs range from 0.784 to 0.862 and from 0.778 to 0.854, respectively. Flow-spoiled fresh blood imaging yielded a mean sensitivity and specificity to detect arterial stenosis or occlusion of 90% and 80% for femoral segment and 86.7% and 93.3% for tibiofibular segment at least.

Conclusions
Lower-extremity angiography with FS-FBI is a reliable and reproducible screening tool for lower-extremity atherosclerotic disease, especially for patients with impaired renal function.
Multidetector Computed Tomography Versus Staging Laparoscopy for the Detection of Peritoneal Metastases in Esophagogastric Junctional and Gastric Cancer
Authors: Leeman Matthew F. , Patel Dilip , Anderson Judith , O'Neill J. Robert , Paterson-Brown Simon 
Published: August 2017

Objective:
Staging laparoscopy (SL) is the gold standard investigation for detecting peritoneal metastases (PM) in patients with esophagogastric cancer but computed tomography (CT) has undergone significant improvements in recent years. The aim of this study was to investigate whether CT can replace SL in the detection of PM.

Materials and Methods:
Patients undergoing SL between January 2008 and December 2009 were identified from a prospectively collected database, operation notes were reviewed for the detection of PM. Corresponding CTs were reassessed by 2 experienced gastrointestinal radiologists, blinded to the SL results.

Results:
In total, 74 patients undergoing SL were included. Sensitivity and specificity of SL for PM were 94.1% (95% confidence interval, 69.2-99.7) and 100% (90.7-100). Sensitivity and specificity of CT were 58.8% (33.5-80.6) and 89.6% (76.6-96.1), respectively. Area under the curve of receiver operating characteristic curves for SL and CT were 0.971 (SE, 0.033) and 0.742 (SE, 0.78), respectively.

Conclusions:
CT cannot replace SL for the detection of PM in lower esophageal and gastric cancer.
Imputation strategies in the trauma registration
Authors: de Munter Leonie , ter Bogt Nancy C.W. , Hesselink Danique D. , de Jongh Mariska A.C. 
Published: August 2017

BACKGROUND
Trauma databases often contain relatively high proportions of missing physiologic values. Multiple imputation (MI) could be a possible adequate solution for the missing values. This study aimed to demonstrate the influence of more simplified imputation models on standardized W statistic (Ws) (number of excess survivors per hundred patients that would be achieved if the study center treated identically the same case mix as the reference population).

METHODS
Data from three trauma care networks in the Netherlands were used to investigate local differences in missing data. Five different imputation models (MI 1 to 5) were created based on literature and expert opinion. A sixth database was created using maximal single imputation and a seventh database with only complete case analysis (CCA). The Ws values were calculated for the three regions separately.

RESULTS
A total of 8,853, 24,487, and 8,599 observations were examined in region 1, region 2, and region 3, respectively. The Ws in region 1 ranged from −0.48 (95% confidence interval [CI], −1.71 to 0.80) for CCA to 0.53 (95% CI, −0.19 to 1.26) for MI 4 and a range of 0.40 (95% CI, −0.91 to 0.10) for CCA to −0.32 (−0.69, 0.04) for MI 1 and MI 4 was found in region 2. The Ws for region 3 ranged from −0.19 (−0.83 to 0.45) in all MI data sets to −0.12 (−0.76 to 0.52) in the CCA data set. Although there were no significant differences between the Ws of the imputation data sets and the CCA analysis, large differences were found in the region with the most missing values.

CONCLUSION
Different imputation strategies did influence Ws values. Supplementary variables showed no additional value for the imputation process and a more simplified imputation model could be used to adequately impute missing data.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Prognostic, level II.
How does marijuana affect outcomes after trauma in ICU patients? A propensity-matched analysis
Authors: Singer Matt , Azim Asad , O’Keeffe Terence , Khan Muhammad , Jain Arpana , Kulvatunyou Narong , Gries Lynn , Jehan Faisal , Tang Andrew , Joseph Bellal 
Published: August 2017

INTRODUCTION
In the United States, marijuana abuse and dependence are becoming more prevalent among adult and adolescent trauma patients. Unlike several studies that focus on the effects of marijuana on the outcomes of diseases, our aim was to assess the relationship between a positive toxicology screen for marijuana and mortality in such patients.

METHODS
A 5-year (2008–2012) analysis of adult trauma patients (older than 18 years old) in Arizona State Trauma Registry. We included patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with a positive toxicology screen for marijuana. We excluded patients with positive alcohol or other substance screening. Outcome measures were mortality, ventilator days, ICU, and hospital length of stay. We matched patients who tested positive for marijuana (marijuana positive) to those who tested negative (marijuana negative) using propensity score matching in a 1:1 ratio controlling for age, injury severity score, and Glasgow Coma Scale.

RESULTS
We included a total of 28,813 patients, of which 2,678 were matched (1,339, marijuana positive; 1,339, marijuana negative). The rate of positive screening for marijuana was 7.4% (2,127/28,813). Mean age was 31 ± 9 years, and injury severity score was 13 (8–20). There was no difference between the two groups in hospital (6.4 days vs. 5.4 days, p = 0.08) or ICU (3 days vs. 4 days, p = 0.43) length of stay. Of the marijuana-positive patients, 55.3% received mechanical ventilation, while 32% of marijuana-negative patients received mechanical ventilation (p < 0.001). On subanalysis of patients who received mechanical ventilation, the marijuana-positive patients had a higher number of ventilator days (2 days vs. 1 day, p = 0.02) and a lower mortality rate (7.3% vs. 16.1%, p < 0.001) than those who were marijuana negative.

CONCLUSION
A positive marijuana screen is associated with decreased mortality in adult trauma patients admitted to the ICU. This association warrants further investigation of the possible physiologic effects of marijuana in trauma patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Prognostic studies, level III.
Treatment Response in Pediatric Patients With Pseudotumor Cerebri Syndrome
Authors: Tovia Eliel , Reif Shimon , Oren Asaf , Mitelpunkt Alexis , Fattal-Valevski Aviva 
Published: August 2017

Background:
Pseudotumor cerebri syndrome (PTCS) is a disorder defined by increased intracranial pressure in the absence of an intracranial space-occupying lesion. This retrospective study aimed to examine the outcomes in children with PTCS.

Methods:
Data was collected retrospectively from the charts of consecutive pediatric patients treated for PTCS at our hospital between 2000 and 2007 (60 patients; 36 females, 24 males).

Results:
Forty-six patients (76.6%) responded well to acetazolamide therapy, with full resolution of symptoms, including papilledema (average treatment duration 1 year; range: 1 month–5 years). Of the 14 patients with no response to treatment, 9 (23.4%) required surgical intervention. Nonresponders tended to be younger at presentation (8.7 vs 11.5 years, P = 0.04). Twelve patients (26%) experienced relapse after acetazolamide was discontinued. The group that experienced relapse was significantly younger than the nonrelapsers (8.9 vs 12.1 years, P < 0.05).

Conclusions:
Younger age at presentation with PTCS was found to be a risk factor for treatment failure or relapse.
SEA: The small RNA Expression Atlas
Authors: Rahman Raza-Ur , Bansal Vikas , Fiosins Maksims , Liebhoff Anna-Maria , Rajput Ashish , Sattar Abdul , Magruder Daniel Sumner , Madan Sumit , Sun Ting , Gautam Abhivyakti , Heins Sven , Liwinski Timur , Bethune Jörn , Trenkwalder Claudia , Fluck Juliane , Mollenhauer Brit , Bonn Stefan 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWe present the Small RNA Expression Atlas (SEA), a web application that allows for the interactive querying, visualization, and analysis of known and novel small RNAs across ten organisms. It contains sRNA and pathogen expression information for over 4,200 published samples with standardized search terms and ontologies. In addition, SEA allows for the interactive visualization and re-analysis of 879 differential expression and 514 classification comparisons. SEA’s user model enables sRNA researchers to compare and re-analyze user-specific and published datasets, highlighting common and distinct sRNA expression patterns.We provide evidence for SEA’s fidelity by (i) generating a set of 591 tissue specific miRNAs across 30 tissues, (ii) finding known and novel bacterial and viral infections across diseases, and (iii) determining a Parkinson’s disease-specific blood biomarker signature using novel data.We believe that SEA’s simple semantic search interface, the flexible interactive reports, and the user model with rich analysis capabilities will enable researchers to better understand the potential function and diagnostic value of sRNAs or pathogens across tissues, diseases, and organisms.Availability and ImplementationSEA is implemented in Java, J2EE, spring, Django, html5, css3, JavaScript, Bootstrap, Vue.js, D3, mongodb and neo4j. It is freely available athttp://sea.ims.bio/.
Substrate binding and specificity appear as major forces in the functional diversification of eqolisins
Authors: Revuelta María Victoria , Stocchi Nicolas , Castronuovo Priscila Ailín Lanza , Vera Mariano , Have Arjen ten 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBackgroundEqolisins are rare acid proteases found in archaea, bacteria and fungi. Certain fungi secrete acids as part of their lifestyle and interestingly these also have many eqolisin paralogs, up to nine paralogs have been recorded. This suggests functional redundancy and diversification, which was the subject of the research we performed and describe here.ResultsWe identified eqolisin homologs by means of iterative HMMER analysis of the NR database. The identified sequences were scrutinized for which we defined novel hallmarks, identified by molecular dynamics simulations of mutants of highly conserved positions, using the structure of an eqolisin that was crystallized in the presence of a transition state inhibitor. Four conserved glycines were shown to be required for functionality. A substitution of W67F is shown to be accompanied by the L105W substitution. Molecular dynamics shows that the W67 binds to the substrate via a π-π stacking and a salt bridge, the latter being stronger in a virtual W67F/L105W double mutant of the resolved structure of Scytalido-carboxyl peptidase-B (PDB ID: 2IFW)). Additional likely fatal mutants are discussed.Upon sequence scrutiny we obtained a set of 233 sequences that in all likelihood lack false positives. This was used to reconstruct a Bayesian phylogenetic tree. We identified 14 putative specificity determining positions (SDPs) of which four are explained by mere structural explanations and nine seem to correspond to functional diversification related wit substrate binding ans specificity. A first sub-network of SDPs is related to substrate specificity whereas the second sub-network seems to affect the dynamics of three loops that are involved in substrate binding.HighlightsEqolisins are acid proteases found in prokaryotes and fungi only.The recently co-evolved W67F-L105W substitutions promote substrate bindingTwo Specificity Determining Networks, SDN1 and 2, were identifiedSDN1 has four Specificity Determining Positions involved in substrate specificitySDN2 has five Specificity Determining Positions involved in loop-substrate dynamics
Piper longum: A review of its phytochemicals and their network pharmacological evaluation
Authors: Choudhary Neha , Singh Vikram 
Published: August 2017

AbstractPiper longumL. (P. longum, also called as long pepper) is one of the common culinary herb and has been extensively used as an important constituent of various indigenous medicines, specifically in traditional Indian medicinal system known as Ayurveda. Towards obtaining a global regulatory framework ofP. longum’s constituents, in this work we first reviewed phytochemicals present in this herb and then studied their pharmacological and medicinal features using network pharmacology approach. We developed high-confidence level tripartite networks consisting of phytochemicals – protein targets – disease association and explain the role of its phytochemicals to various chronic diseases. 7 drug-like phytochemicals in this herb were found as the potential regulators of 5 FDA approved drug targets; and 28 novel drug targets were also reported. 105 phytochemicals were linked with immunomodulatory potency by pathway level mapping in human metabolic network. A sub-network of human PPI regulated by its phytochemicals was derived and various modules in this sub-network were successfully associated with specific diseases.Graphical abstractAbbreviationsP. longumPiper longumL.PCPhytochemicalPTProtein targetBPBiological pathwaysDADisease asscociationPCtNumber of protein targets corresponding to a particular phytochemicalTtTotal number of protein targets ofP. longumADMETAbsorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion and Toxicity.
Protection of the human gut microbiome from antibiotics
Authors: Gunzburg Jean de , Ghozlane Amine , Ducher Annie , Le Chatelier Emmanuelle , Duval Xavier , Ruppé Etienne , Armand-Lefevre Laurence , Sablier-Gallis Frédérique , Burdet Charles , Alavoine Loubna , Chachaty Elisabeth , Augustin Violaine , Varastet Marina , Levenez Florence , Kennedy Sean , Pons Nicolas , Mentré France , Andremont Antoine 
Published: August 2017

ABSTRACTBackgroundAntibiotics are life-saving drugs but severely affect the gut microbiome with short term consequences including diarrhoea,Clostridium difficileinfections and selection of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Long-term links to allergy and obesity are also suggested. We devised a product, DAV132, and previously showed its ability to deliver a powerful adsorbent, activated charcoal, in the late ileum of human volunteers.MethodsWe performed a randomized controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.govNCT02176005) in 28 human volunteers treated with a 5-day clinical regimen of the fluoroquinolone antibiotic moxifloxacin in two parallel groups, with or without DAV132 co-administration. Two control goups of 8 volunteers each receiving DAV132 alone, or a non-active substitute, were added.ResultsThe co-administration of DAV132 decreased free moxifloxacin fecal concentrations by 99%, while plasmatic levels were unaffected. Shotgun quantitative metagenomics showed that the richness and composition of the intestinal microbiota were largely preserved in subjects co-treated with DAV132 in addition to moxifloxacin. No adverse effect was observed. In addition, DAV132 efficiently adsorbed a wide range of clinically relevant antibioticsex-vivo.ConclusionsDAV132 was highly effective to protect the gut microbiome of moxifloxacin - treated healthy volunteers and may constitute a clinical breakthrough by preventing adverse health consequences of a wide range of antibiotic treatments.