bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Training doctors briefly and in situ to involve their patients in making medical decisions—Preliminary testing of a newly developed module
Authors: Kasper Jürgen , Liethmann Katrin , Heesen Christoph , Reissmann Daniel R , Geiger Friedemann 
Published: May 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo carry out preliminary evaluation of a training module for doctors to enhance their ability to involve their patients in medical decision making. The training refers to the shared decision‐making (SDM) communication concept.MethodsThe training module includes a comprehensive manual, a corresponding video tutorial with communication examples and a 15‐minute face‐to‐face feedback session based on an SDM analysis of a consultation recording provided by the trainee. Ten trainees (four neurologists, three dentists, and three general practitioners) participating in the pretest each recorded four clinical consultations (total sample: N=40) and received three training components. After the training, doctors provided feedback on the module's feasibility in a questionnaire. Communication performance of doctors, patients and doctor–patient dyads was assessed by trained observers and self‐assessed by doctors and patients using the MAPPIN’SDM approach. Training effects were determined using Wilcoxon signed‐rank tests comparing baseline values with post‐intervention performance as assessed in the fourth consultations.ResultsThe face‐to‐face training sessions were short and feasible with regard to clinical reality. Participants considered the training supportive for acquiring SDM skills and recommended more emphasis on the face‐to‐face feedback. Communication improved according to observers rating doctors (P=.05) and doctor–patient dyads (P=.07) and to doctors’ own judgements (P=.02). No improvement was observed in patients’ SDM behaviour (P=.11); accordingly, patients’ judgements did not indicate improvement (P=.14).ConclusionsThe training is designed to meet clinicians’ needs. Improvement of risk communication after training encourages optimization according to doctors’ feedback. Following this study, the efficacy of the training is now being examined in a randomized controlled trial.
STAT4 expression and activation is increased during mitosis in vitro and in vivo in skin‐ and mucosa‐derived cell types: implications in neoplastic and inflammatory skin diseases
Authors: Ferreli C. , Lai C. , August S. , Buggy Y. , Kumar P. , Brownlow N. , Parker P. , Friedmann P.S. , Ardern‐Jones M. , Pickard C. , Healy E. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe signal transducer and activator of transcription‐4 (STAT4/Stat4) is a transcription factor known to convey signals from interleukin‐12, interleukin‐23, and interferon‐alpha/beta to the nucleus, resulting in activation of dendritic cells, T‐helper cell differentiation and production of interferon‐gamma.ObjectiveTo demonstrate a novel role for STAT4 in cell mitosis.ResultsPhosphoserine STAT4 (pSerSTAT4) is increased in cells undergoing mitosis and is distributed throughout the cytoplasm during this stage of the cell cycle, whilst phosphotyrosine STAT4 (pTyrSTAT4) is confined to the chromosomal compartment. This distinct pattern of pSerSTAT4 during mitosis is seen in vitro in human keratinocytes and in other cell types. This is also present in vivo in cells undergoing mitosis in normal skin, psoriasis and squamous cell carcinoma.Inhibition of STAT4 phosphorylation by lisofylline and depletion of STAT4 by RNA interference results in a delay in progression of mitosis and leads to a reduction in cells completing cytokinesis.ConclusionOur data demonstrate that STAT4 plays a role in enabling the normal and timely division of cells undergoing mitosis.
Determination of occlusal vertical dimension for complete dentures patients: an updated review
Authors: Alhajj M. N. , Khalifa N. , Abduo J. , Amran A. G. , Ismail I. A. 
Published: May 2017

SummaryDetermination of the occlusal vertical dimension (OVD) is an integral part of complete dentures fabrication. Due to the lack of teeth, the clinician faces the challenge of how to accurately establish the OVD of the new denture. Therefore, the purpose of this review article was to present, discuss and critique the available methods used in determining the OVD for complete dentures patients. This review identified two main streams to determine the OVD: (i) pre‐extraction methods and (ii) post‐extraction methods. For the pre‐extraction methods, the OVD of the natural dentition is transferred to the new dentures mainly by intra‐oral measurements, profile tracing and cephalometric analysis. The post‐extraction methods rely on mandibular rest position, facial aesthetic appearance, swallowing pattern, craniofacial landmarks measurements, cephalometric analysis, phonetics and existing dentures. In general, all the available techniques have merits and are helpful for routine clinical use. However, they are empirical in nature, controversial and lack the scientific support. Further, there is no single accurate method for OVD determination. To overcome the limitations of the techniques, the clinician will benefit from applying combination of techniques to approximate the OVD.
Can an NTI‐tss device be effective as a first‐line therapy in patients with TMD myofascial pain?
Authors: Hasanoglu Erbasar G. N. , Alpaslan C. , Eroglu Inan G. 
Published: May 2017

SummaryThis study was conducted to evaluate whether integrating a nociceptive trigeminal inhibition–tension suppression system (NTI‐tss) device with first‐line therapy of myofascial pain, which includes guidance, assurance, counselling and behavioural changes, would be more effective in alleviating symptoms. This randomised controlled clinical trial included 40 patients who were clinically diagnosed with myofascial pain according to Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD). Patients were randomly divided into two groups: the first group comprised patients who received guidance, assurance, counselling and behavioural changes; an NTI‐tss device was integrated to this protocol in the second group. Both groups exhibited reduction in pain levels and improvement of jaw function compared with baseline values, but the difference was not significant. Both groups demonstrated improvements in 6 weeks; however, the integration of NTI‐tss device into the therapy protocol did not provide any additional benefit in relieving symptoms of myofascial pain.
AIC identifies optimal representation of longitudinal dietary variables
Authors: VanBuren John , Cavanaugh Joseph , Marshall Teresa , Warren John , Levy Steven M. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractObjectivesThe Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) is a well‐known tool for variable selection in multivariable modeling as well as a tool to help identify the optimal representation of explanatory variables. However, it has been discussed infrequently in the dental literature. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the use of AIC in determining the optimal representation of dietary variables in a longitudinal dental study.MethodsThe Iowa Fluoride Study enrolled children at birth and dental examinations were conducted at ages 5, 9, 13, and 17. Decayed or filled surfaces (DFS) trend clusters were created based on age 13 DFS counts and age 13‐17 DFS increments. Dietary intake data (water, milk, 100 percent‐juice, and sugar sweetened beverages) were collected semiannually using a food frequency questionnaire. Multinomial logistic regression models were fit to predict DFS cluster membership (n=344). Multiple approaches could be used to represent the dietary data including averaging across all collected surveys or over different shorter time periods to capture age‐specific trends or using the individual time points of dietary data.ResultsAIC helped identify the optimal representation. Averaging data for all four dietary variables for the whole period from age 9.0 to 17.0 provided a better representation in the multivariable full model (AIC=745.0) compared to other methods assessed in full models (AICs=750.6 for age 9 and 9‐13 increment dietary measurements and AIC=762.3 for age 9, 13, and 17 individual measurements). The results illustrate that AIC can help researchers identify the optimal way to summarize information for inclusion in a statistical model.ConclusionsThe method presented here can be used by researchers performing statistical modeling in dental research. This method provides an alternative approach for assessing the propriety of variable representation to significance‐based procedures, which could potentially lead to improved research in the dental community.
High‐throughput sequencing of transposable element insertions suggests adaptive evolution of the invasive Asian tiger mosquito towards temperate environments
Authors: Goubert Clement , Henri Helene , Minard Guillaume , Valiente Moro Claire , Mavingui Patrick , Vieira Cristina , Boulesteix Matthieu 
Published: May 2017

AbstractInvasive species represent unique opportunities to evaluate the role of local adaptation during colonization of new environments. Among these species, the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, is a threatening vector of several human viral diseases, including dengue and chikungunya, and raises concerns about the Zika fever. Its broad presence in both temperate and tropical environments has been considered the reflection of great “ecological plasticity.” However, no study has been conducted to assess the role of adaptive evolution in the ecological success of Ae. albopictus at the molecular level. In the present study, we performed a genomic scan to search for potential signatures of selection leading to local adaptation in one‐hundred‐forty field‐collected mosquitoes from native populations of Vietnam and temperate invasive populations of Europe. High‐throughput genotyping of transposable element insertions led to the discovery of more than 120,000 polymorphic loci, which, in their great majority, revealed a virtual absence of structure between the biogeographic areas. Nevertheless, 92 outlier loci showed a high level of differentiation between temperate and tropical populations. The majority of these loci segregate at high insertion frequencies among European populations, indicating that this pattern could have been caused by recent adaptive evolution events in temperate areas. An analysis of the overlapping and neighbouring genes highlighted several candidates, including diapause, lipid and juvenile hormone pathways.
Shifts in water availability mediate plant–pollinator interactions
Authors: Gallagher M. Kate , Campbell Diane R. 
Published: May 2017

SummaryAltered precipitation patterns associated with anthropogenic climate change are expected to have many effects on plants and insect pollinators, but it is unknown if effects on pollination are mediated by changes in water availability. We tested the hypothesis that impacts of climate on plant–pollinator interactions operate through changes in water availability, and specifically that such effects occur through alteration of floral attractants.We manipulated water availability in two naturally occurringMertensia ciliata(Boraginaceae) populations using water addition, water reduction and control plots and measured effects on vegetative and floral traits, pollinator visitation and seed set.While most floral trait values, including corolla size and nectar, increased linearly with increasing water availability, in this bumblebee‐pollinated species, pollinator visitation peaked at intermediate water levels. Visitation also peaked at an intermediate corolla length, while its relationship to corolla width varied across sites. Seed set, however, increased linearly with water.These results demonstrate the potential for changes in water availability to impact plant–pollinator interactions through pollinator responses to differences in floral attractants, and that the effects of water on pollinator visitation can be nonlinear. Plant responses to changes in resource availability may be an important mechanism by which climate change will affect species interactions.
Associations between nursing home performance and hospital 30‐day readmissions for acute myocardial infarction, heart failure and pneumonia at the healthcare community level in the United States
Authors: Pandolfi Michelle M. , Wang Yun , Spenard Ann , Johnson Florence , Bonner Alice , Ho Shih‐Yieh , Elwell Timothy , Bakullari Anila , Galusha Deron , Leifheit‐Limson Erica , Lichtman Judith H. , Krumholz Harlan M. 
Published: May 2017

ObjectivesTo evaluate community‐specific nursing home performance with community‐specific hospital 30‐day readmissions for Medicare patients discharged with acute myocardial infarction, heart failure or pneumonia.DesignCross‐sectional study using 2009–2012 hospital risk‐standardised 30‐day readmission data for Medicare fee‐for‐service patients hospitalised for all three conditions and nursing home performance data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Five‐Star Quality Rating System.SettingMedicare‐certified nursing homes and acute care hospitals.Participants12,542 nursing homes and 3,039 hospitals treating 30 or more Medicare fee‐for‐service patients for all three conditions across 2,032 hospital service areas in the United States.MeasurementsCommunity‐specific hospital 30‐day risk‐standardised readmission rates. Community‐specific nursing home performance measures: health inspection, staffing, Registered Nurses and quality performance; and an aggregated performance score. Mixed‐effects models evaluated associations between nursing home performance and hospital 30‐day risk‐standardised readmission rates for all three conditions.ResultsThe relationship between community‐specific hospital risk‐standardised readmission rates and community‐specific overall nursing home performance was statistically significant for all three conditions. Increasing nursing home performance by one star resulted in decreases of 0.29% point (95% CI: 0.12–0.47), 0.78% point (95% CI: 0.60–0.95) and 0.46% point (95% CI: 0.33–0.59) of risk‐standardised readmission rates for AMI, HF and pneumonia, respectively. Among the specific measures, higher performance in nursing home overall staffing and Registered Nurse staffing measures was statistically significantly associated with lower hospital readmission rates for all three conditions. Notable geographic variation in the community‐specific nursing home performance was observed.ConclusionCommunity‐specific nursing home performance is associated with community‐specific hospital 30‐day readmission rates for Medicare fee‐for‐service patients for acute myocardial infarction, heart failure or pneumonia.Implications for practiceCoordinated care between hospitals and nursing homes is essential to reduce readmissions. Nursing homes can improve performance and reduce readmissions by increasing registered nursing homes. Further, communities can work together to create cross‐continuum care teams comprised of hospitals, nursing homes, patients and their families, and other community‐based service providers to reduce unplanned readmissions.
Association of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate with primary allograft survival in HIV‐positive kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Boyle Suzanne M. , Malat Gregory , Harhay Meera N. , Lee Dong H. , Pang Lisa , Talluri Sindhura , Sharma Akshay , Bias Tiffany E. , Ranganna Karthik , Doyle Alden M. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBackgroundTenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is an antiretroviral agent frequently used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). There are concerns regarding its potential to cause acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, and proximal tubulopathy. Although TDF can effectively suppress HIV after kidney transplantation, it is unknown whether use of TDF‐based antiretroviral therapy (ART) after kidney transplantation adversely affects allograft survival.MethodsWe examined 104 HIV+ kidney transplant (KT) recipients at our center between 2001 and 2014. We generated a propensity score for TDF treatment using recipient and donor characteristics. We then fit Cox proportional hazards models to investigate the association between TDF treatment and 3‐year, death‐censored primary allograft failure, adjusting for the propensity score and delayed graft function (DGF).ResultsOf the 104 HIV+ KT candidates who underwent transplantation during the study period, 23 (22%) were maintained on TDF‐based ART at the time of transplantation, and 81 (78%) were on non‐TDF‐based ART. Median age of the cohort was 48 years; 87% were male; 88% were black; and median CD4 count at transplantation was 450 cells/mm3. Median kidney donor risk index was 1.2. At 3 years post transplantation, primary allograft failure occurred in 26% of patients on TDF‐based ART and in 28% of patients on non‐TDF‐based ART (P=.5). TDF treatment was not associated with primary allograft failure at 3 years post transplant after adjusting for DGF and a propensity score for TDF use (hazard ratio 2.12, 95% confidence interval 0.41‐10.9).ConclusionsIn a large single‐center experience of HIV+ kidney transplantation, TDF use following kidney transplantation was not significantly associated with primary allograft failure. These results may help inform management for HIV+ KT recipients in need of TDF therapy for adequate viral suppression.
Postdonation iron replacement for maintaining iron stores in female whole blood donors in routine donor practice: results of two feasibility studies in Australia
Authors: Pasricha Sant‐Rayn , Marks Denese C. , Salvin Hannah , Brama Tania , Keller Anthony J. , Pink Joanne , Speedy Joanna 
Published: May 2017

BACKGROUNDIron deficiency represents a risk to donor health and the blood supply. Efficacy trials indicate that postdonation iron replacement improves iron stores but they do not account for complexities of implementation in the routine collection context. We therefore conducted two prospective feasibility studies in Australian donor centers.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSIn both studies we recruited female donors between 18 and 45 years who had made at least one donation in the previous 12 months. In READ (replacement advice), female donors were given a recommendation to self‐procure postdonation iron. In DIRECT (donor iron replacement), donors were provided with a course of iron supplements. Donors could return to donate at their discretion and were surveyed after the recruitment visit and again toward the end of the 13‐month follow‐up. Donor uptake, adverse effects, effectiveness in maintaining iron stores, and workflow impact were assessed.RESULTSWe recruited 1404 (70.9% of invited) donors to READ and 768 (53.2% of invited) to DIRECT. READ and DIRECT extended predonation interviews by 1 and 5 minutes, respectively. Among participants, 44 and 88% took iron in READ and DIRECT, respectively. Adverse effects were common but usually mild. READ failed to maintain iron stores in the population, but was effective in donors who consumed more than 75% of the recommended dose. DIRECT was effective in preventing declines in ferritin concentration.CONCLUSIONTrade‐offs between cost, complexity, uptake, and effectiveness must be considered in the implementation of postdonation iron supplementation.
Loss of Humoral and Cellular Immunity to Invasive Nontyphoidal Salmonella during Current or Convalescent Plasmodium falciparum Infection in Malawian Children
Authors: Nyirenda Tonney S. , Nyirenda James T. , Tembo Dumizulu L. , Storm Janet , Dube Queen , Msefula Chisomo L. , Jambo Kondwani C. , Mwandumba Henry C. , Heyderman Robert S. , Gordon Melita A. , Mandala Wilson L. 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACT

Invasive nontyphoidal
Salmonella
(iNTS) infections are commonly associated with
Plasmodium falciparum
infections, but the immunologic basis for this linkage is poorly understood. We hypothesized that
P. falciparum
infection compromises the humoral and cellular immunity of the host to NTS, which increases the susceptibility of the host to iNTS infection. We prospectively recruited children aged between 6 and 60 months at a Community Health Centre in Blantyre, Malawi, and allocated them to the following groups; febrile with uncomplicated malaria, febrile malaria negative, and nonfebrile malaria negative. Levels of
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium-specific serum bactericidal activity (SBA) and whole-blood bactericidal activity (WBBA), complement C3 deposition, and neutrophil respiratory burst activity (NRBA) were measured. Levels of SBA with respect to
S
. Typhimurium were reduced in febrile
P. falciparum
-infected children (median, −0.20 log10 [interquartile range {IQR}, −1.85, 0.32]) compared to nonfebrile malaria-negative children (median, −1.42 log10 [IQR, −2.0, −0.47],
P
= 0.052). In relation to SBA, C3 deposition on
S
. Typhimurium was significantly reduced in febrile
P. falciparum
-infected children (median, 7.5% [IQR, 4.1, 15.0]) compared to nonfebrile malaria-negative children (median, 29% [IQR, 11.8, 48.0],
P
= 0.048). WBBA with respect to
S
. Typhimurium was significantly reduced in febrile
P. falciparum
-infected children (median, 0.25 log10 [IQR, −0.73, 1.13],
P
= 0.0001) compared to nonfebrile malaria-negative children (median, −1.0 log10 [IQR, −1.68, −0.16]). In relation to WBBA,
S
. Typhimurium-specific NRBA was reduced in febrile
P. falciparum
-infected children (median, 8.8% [IQR, 3.7, 20],
P
= 0.0001) compared to nonfebrile malaria-negative children (median, 40.5% [IQR, 33, 65.8]).
P. falciparum
infection impairs humoral and cellular immunity to
S
. Typhimurium in children during malaria episodes, which may explain the increased risk of iNTS observed in children from settings of malaria endemicity. The mechanisms underlying humoral immunity impairment are incompletely understood and should be explored further.
Not All Antigens Are Created Equally: Progress, Challenges, and Lessons Associated with Developing a Vaccine for Leishmaniasis
Authors: Duthie Malcolm S. , Reed Steven G. 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACTFrom experimental models and the analyses of patients, it is well documented that antigen-specific T cells are critical for protection againstLeishmaniainfection. Effective vaccines require both targeting to the pathogen and an immune stimulant to induce maturation of appropriate immune responses. While a great number of antigens have been examined as vaccine candidates against variousLeishmaniaspecies, few have advanced to human or canine clinical trials. With emphasis on antigen expression, in this minireview we discuss some of the vaccine platforms that are currently being explored for the development ofLeishmaniavaccines. It is clear that the vaccine platform of choice can have a significant impact upon the level of protection induced by particular antigens, and we provide and highlight some examples for which the vaccine system used has impacted the protective efficacy imparted.