bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pachychoroid pigment epitheliopathy in fellow eyes of patients with unilateral central serous chorioretinopathy
Authors: Ersoz M Giray , Karacorlu Murat , Arf Serra , Hocaoglu Mumin , Sayman Muslubas Isil 
Published: August 2017

AimsTo investigate the prevalence of pachychoroid pigment epitheliopathy (PPE) in fellow eyes of patients with unilateral central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) and to determine differences between patients with PPE, uncomplicated pachychoroid (UCP) and normal fellow eyes.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 536 patients with CSC. Demographic and medical data, spectral domain optical coherence tomography scans with enhanced depth imaging mode, infrared reflectance images and fundus autofluorescence images were obtained from the patients’ medical records.Results254 (47.4%) of 536 patients had bilateral CSC. The female to male ratio was 1/2.8 in all patients with CSC. In patients with unilateral CSC (282 patients), 61% of fellow eyes had PPE, 30.8% had UCP and 8.2% were normal. There were no significant differences between patients with PPE, UCP and normal eyes in age, duration of disease, sex, presence of systemic hypertension, steroid use, psychopharmacological medication use, refractive error or central foveal thickness. Eyes with PPE and UCP did not differ regarding subfoveal choroidal thickness. In eyes with PPE (172 eyes), 77.3% had retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) bumps and 43% had pigment epithelium detachment.ConclusionPPE is common in fellow eyes of patients with CSC. There is no difference between PPE and UCP regarding demographic characteristics and medical features.
Short-term vision gains at 12 weeks correlate with long-term vision gains at 2 years: results from the BEVORDEX randomised clinical trial of bevacizumab versus dexamethasone implants for diabetic macular oedema
Authors: Mehta Hemal , Fraser-Bell Samantha , Nguyen Vuong , Lim Lyndell L , Gillies Mark C 
Published: August 2017

AimTo determine whether early vision gains predict long-term visual outcomes in the BEVORDEX randomised clinical trial of bevacizumab or dexamethasone implants for diabetic macular oedema.MethodsPost hoc analysis of 68 study eyes (77%) that completed 2 years follow-up of the BEVORDEX multicentre randomised clinical trial set in Australia (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01298076). Study eyes from both groups were combined and stratified by visual acuity (VA) change in the first 12 weeks in to three groups: (a) suboptimal gain: <5 letters gain (includes VA loss), (b) moderate gain: 5–9 letters gain, (c) pronounced gain: ≥10 letters gain. This was correlated with VA outcome at 104 weeks taking into account treatment allocation and baseline lens status.ResultsThe change in VA in the first 12 weeks was significantly correlated with VA change at 104 weeks (p<0.001). This was independent of treatment allocation (p=0.353) and lens status at baseline (p=0.593). The change in central macular thickness at 12 weeks did not correlate with VA gain at 104 weeks (p=0.847).ConclusionShort-term visual gain at 12 weeks was strongly correlated with long-term vision improvement independent of treatment allocation or baseline lens status. Early improvement in central macular thickness was not predictive of long-term visual outcomes.Trial registration numberNCT01298076, Post-results.
Randomised masked trial of the clinical safety and tolerability of MGO Manuka Honey eye cream for the management of blepharitis
Authors: Craig Jennifer P , Wang Michael T M , Ganesalingam Kalaivarny , Rupenthal Ilva D , Swift Simon , Loh Chee Seang , Te Weehi Leah , Cheung Isabella M Y , Watters Grant A 
Published: August 2017

ObjectiveTo assess the clinical safety and tolerability of a novel MGO Manuka Honey microemulsion (MHME) eye cream for the management of blepharitis in human subjects.Methods and analysisTwenty-five healthy subjects were enrolled in a prospective, randomised, paired-eye, investigator-masked trial. The MHME eye cream (Manuka Health New Zealand) was applied to the closed eyelids of one eye (randomised) overnight for 2 weeks. LogMAR visual acuity, eyelid irritation symptoms, ocular surface characteristics and tear film parameters were assessed at baseline, day 7 and day 14. Expression of markers of ocular surface inflammation (matrix metalloproteinase-9 and interleukin-6) and goblet cell function (MUC5AC) were quantified using impression cytology at baseline and day 14.ResultsThere were no significant changes in visual acuity, eyelid irritation symptoms, ocular surface characteristics, tear film parameters and inflammatory marker expression during the 2-week treatment period in treated and control eyes (all p>0.05), and measurements did not differ significantly between eyes (all p>0.05). No major adverse events were reported. Two subjects experienced transient ocular stinging, presumably due to migration of the product into the eye, which resolved following aqueous irrigation.ConclusionThe MHME eye cream application was found to be well tolerated in healthy human subjects and was not associated with changes in visual acuity, ocular surface characteristics, tear film parameters, expression of markers of inflammation or goblet cell function. The findings support future clinical efficacy trials in patients with blepharitis.Trial registration numberACTRN12616000540415
Nuclear orphan receptor NR2F6 as a safeguard against experimental murine colitis
Authors: Klepsch Victoria , Gerner Romana R , Klepsch Sebastian , Olson William J , Tilg Herbert , Moschen Alexander R , Baier Gottfried , Hermann-Kleiter Natascha 
Published: August 2017

ObjectiveNuclear receptors are known to regulate both immune and barrier functions in the GI tract. The nuclear orphan receptor NR2F6 has been shown to suppress the expression of proinflammatory cytokines in T lymphocytes. NR2F6 gene expression is reduced in patients with IBS or UC, but its functional role and tissue dependency in healthy and inflamed gut have not yet been investigated.DesignIntestinal inflammation was induced in wild-type, Nr2f6-deficient, Rag1-deficient or bone marrow-reconstituted mice by administration of chemical (dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)) and immunogenic (T cell transfer) triggers. Disease phenotypes were investigated by survival, body weight, colon length and analysis of immune cell infiltrates. Additionally, histology, intestinal permeability, tight junction proteins, bacterial fluorescence in situ hybridisation, apoptosis, cell proliferation and mucus production were investigated.ResultsNr2f6-deficient mice were highly susceptible to DSS-induced colitis characterised by enhanced weight loss, increased colonic tissue destruction and immune cell infiltration together with enhanced intestinal permeability and reduced Muc2 expression. T cell transfer colitis and bone marrow reconstitution experiments demonstrated that disease susceptibility was not dependent on the expression of Nr2f6 in the immune compartment but on the protective role of NR2F6 in the intestinal epithelium. Mechanistically, we show that NR2F6 binds to a consensus sequence at −2 kb of the Muc2 promoter and transactivates Muc2 expression. Loss of NR2F6 alters intestinal permeability and results in spontaneous late-onset colitis in Nr2f6-deficient mice.ConclusionWe have for the first time identified a fundamental and non-redundant role of NR2F6 in protecting gut barrier homeostasis.
Oral sex and human papilloma virus-related head and neck squamous cell cancer: a review of the literature
Authors: Shah Ankit , Malik Akshat , Garg Apurva , Mair Manish , Nair Sudhir , Chaturvedi Pankaj 
Published: August 2017

ABSTRACTHead neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality all around the world. Just like tobacco and alcohol, Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection is now recognized to play a role in the pathogenesis of a subset of HNSCCs. Unprotected sexual behaviours with the HPV carrier plays an important role in transmission of this virus. The global incidence of head and neck cancers is declining, but the incidence of HPV related head and neck cancers is rapidly increasing over the last few decades. However, most institutions do not mandate documentation of sexual history or counselling of patients regarding sexual practices like they do for tobacco and alcohol addictions in HNSCC patients. The aim of this review of literature is to analyse if there is a strong evidence to correlate oral sex with HPV related HNSCC and counsel the patient’s regarding sexual behaviours.
Cardiac troponin: more than meets the eye
Authors: Abela Mark , Sammut Luke 
Published: August 2017

ABSTRACTExercise is known to have a vast array of health benefits. It may however confer delirious effects on most body systems, with the cardiovascular system taking particular prominence. Athletes in particular are known to be at a higher risk for sudden cardiac death as a result of several cardiac adaptations which take place. Myocardial damage as a result of extreme exertional activities is thought to play a very important role in this risk. Cardiac troponin I is widely known to be an excellent diagnostic marker which is used in patients suspected of having acute coronary syndrome. Its release during exercise has been routinely studied, with many hypotheses currently being proposed as to its role and potential complications once released. Whether or not it implies that myocardial damage is taking place as a result of exercise is debatable, but its release might have some role in the development of cardiotoxic states which predisposes athletes to significant cardiac risk. This review aims to discuss the proposed mechanisms in exercise-induced troponin release, while also goes into its clinical relevance and potential early and late sequelae.
Assessing for domestic violence in sexual health environments: a qualitative study
Authors: Horwood Jeremy , Morden Andrew , Bailey Jayne E , Pathak Neha , Feder Gene 
Published: August 2017

ObjectivesDomestic violence and abuse (DVA) is a major clinical challenge and public health issue. Sexual health services are an important potential site of DVA intervention. The Assessing for Domestic Violence in Sexual Health Environments (ADViSE) intervention aimed to improve identification and management of DVA in sexual healthcare settings and is a modified version of the Identification and Referral to Improve Safety (IRIS) general practice programme. Our qualitative evaluation aimed to explore the experiences of staff participating in an IRIS ADViSE pilot.MethodsInterviews were conducted with 17 sexual health clinic staff and DVA advocate workers. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, anonymised and analysed thematically.ResultsStaff prioritised enquiring about DVA and tailored their style of enquiry to the perceived characteristics of patients, current workload and individual clinical judgements. Responding to disclosures of abuse was divided between perceived low-risk cases (with quick onwards referral) and high-risk cases (requiring deployment of institution safeguarding procedures), which were viewed as time consuming and could create tensions with patients. Ongoing training and feedback, commissioner recognition, adequate service-level agreements and reimbursements are required to ensure sustainability and wider implementation of IRIS ADViSE.ConclusionsChallenges of delivering and sustaining IRIS ADViSE included the varied styles of enquiry, as well as tensions and additional time pressure arising from disclosure of abuse. These can be overcome by modifying initial training, providing regular updates and stronger recognition (and resources) at policy and commissioning levels.
Comorbidities, mortality and causes of death among patients with tuberculosis in Denmark 1998–2010: a nationwide, register-based case–control study
Authors: Fløe Andreas , Hilberg Ole , Wejse Christian , Ibsen Rikke , Løkke Anders 
Published: August 2017

ObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of comorbidities, age and clinical presentation of TB on mortality among Danish patients with TB.MethodsDanish patients with an ICD-10 (International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision) diagnosis of TB in 1998–2010 were identified in the National Patient Registry and matched with controls (1:4) on age, gender, civil status and geography. Comorbid diagnoses up to 3 years before and after TB diagnosis or enrolment as control as well as survival data were obtained from national databasesResultsWe included 8433 cases and 33 707 controls. Respiratory diseases were the most common comorbidities among cases (12.4% of cases, 3.8% of controls (p<0.001)). Overall HR of death was 2.45 (2.31; 2.59). Relative mortality was especially increased among younger adults (HR 8.70 (95% CI 5.53 to 13.69) among the 30 to 39-year-olds). While overall mortality increased with Deyo-Charlson comorbidity (DCC) score, relative mortality among cases was highest in the low-DCC group. Additionally, male gender, low income and central nervous system TB were risk factors for death among TB cases. The most common cause of death in both groups was non-lung cancers, among TB cases followed by COPD, TB and lung cancer, all being significantly more common among TB cases.ConclusionIn Denmark, TB carries substantial mortality. Among those who die, 12% are reported to die from TB. A high relative mortality among younger adults underscores the importance of continually targeting high-risk TB groups in low-incidence countries.
Respiratory viruses in healthy infants and infants with cystic fibrosis: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Korten Insa , Kieninger Elisabeth , Klenja Shkipe , Mack Ines , Schläpfer Njima , Barbani Maria Teresa , Regamey Nicolas , Kuehni Claudia E , Hilty Markus , Frey Urs , Gorgievski Meri , Casaulta Carmen , Latzin Philipp 
Published: August 2017

RationaleAcute viral respiratory tract infections in children with cystic fibrosis (CF) are known causes of disease exacerbation. The role of viral infections during infancy is, however, less known, although early infancy is thought to be a crucial period for CF disease development.We prospectively assessed symptomatic and asymptomatic viral detection in the first year of life in infants with CF and healthy controls.MethodsIn a prospective cohort study, we included 31 infants with CF from the Swiss Cystic Fibrosis Infant Lung Development Cohort and 32 unselected, healthy infants from the Basel Bern Infant Lung Development Cohort and followed them throughout the first year of life. Respiratory symptoms were assessed by weekly telephone interviews. Biweekly nasal swabs were analysed for 10 different viruses and two atypical bacteria with real-time seven duplex PCR (CF=561, controls=712).Measurements and resultsInfants with CF and healthy controls showed similar numbers of swabs positive for virus (mean 42% vs 44%; OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.66 to 1.26, p=0.6). Virus-positive swabs were less often accompanied by respiratory symptoms in infants with CF (17% vs 23%; OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.43 to 0.95, p=0.026). This finding was pronounced for symptomatic human rhinovirus detection (7% vs 11%; OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.9, p=0.02).ConclusionsViral detection is not more frequent in infants with CF and respiratory symptoms during viral detection occur even less often than in healthy controls. It is likely an interplay of different factors such as local epithelial properties and immunological mechanisms that contribute to our findings.
Tobacco industry response to a ban on lights descriptors on cigarette packaging and population outcomes
Authors: Alpert Hillel R , Carpenter Daniel , Connolly Gregory N 
Published: August 2017

ObjectiveThe WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and its Guidelines recommend nations ban the use of misleading terms, such as ’light' and ’mild' on tobacco product advertising, packaging and labelling. Many nations, including the USA, have implemented such bans and some have introduced or passed legislation requiring plain packaging on tobacco products. We previously reported that manufacturers in the USA responded by replacing lights terms with colour terms and related colour-coding of packages. This study examines population outcomes and public health impact of the US ban.MethodsWe examined available data regarding a) per cent filter ventilation strata used to designate lights subbrand categories; b) market share per tar yield; c) initiation and use of cigarettes by lights categories and d) overall cigarette consumption to identify changes from before to after the ban. We used interrupted time series multivariable logistic regression and joinpoint regression models to test for changes in rates and temporal trends associated with the ban.ResultsThe per cent filter ventilation strata used to designate lights subbrand categories were maintained in the colour named subbrands. No change was observed following the ban in lights market share, relative prevalence of lights versus non-lights smoking or relative smoking initiation on lights versus non-lights among all ages or among youth in particular. The rate of decline in per capita cigarette consumption slowed by 37% from the period 2007-2010 to 2010-2014.ConclusionsThis study strongly suggests that manufacturers' circumvention prevented the lights descriptor ban from succeeding as intended, most likely perpetuating the misleading consumer perceptions about relative risks, while failing to increase smoking cessation and reduce initiation. Laws requiring generic (plain) and elimination of subbrand descriptors should prevent evasion of legislation banning the use of specific terms through marketing, regulatory and legal challenges.
Pterosaur material from the uppermost Jurassic of the uppermost Morrison Formation, Breakfast Bench Facies, Como Bluff, Wyoming, including a pterosaur with pneumatized femora
Authors: McLain M. A. , Bakker R. T. 
Published: August 2017

Abstract

Pterosaur fossils are rare in the Morrison Formation, and most are poorly preserved. The Breakfast Bench Facies (BBF) at Como Bluff produces incomplete but uncrushed limbs. One proximal and two distal femora match a complete femur (BYU 17214) referred to
Mesadactylus
. Unexpectedly, both of the BBF distal femora possess a large intercondylar pneumatopore. BYU 17214 also possesses an intercondylar pneumatopore, but it is smaller than in the BBF femora. Distal femoral pnuematicity is previously recognized only in Cretaceous azhdarchoids and pteranodontids. A peculiar BBF jaw fragment shows strongly labiolingually compressed, incurved crowns with their upper half bent backwards; associated are anterior fangs. We suspect this specimen is a previously undiagnosed pterosaur. Additional BBF material documents a diverse pterosaur fauna including a humerus with a greatly expanded ectepicondyle possibly from a non-pterodactyloid monofenestratan.
Correlates of Arrhythmia Recurrence After Hybrid Epi- and Endocardial Radiofrequency Ablation for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Bulava Alan , Mokracek Ales , Hanis Jiri , Eisenberger Martin , Kurfirst Vojtech , Dusek Ladislav 
Published: August 2017

Background—
Long-term efficacy of catheter-based treatment of persistent atrial fibrillation is unsatisfactory. Minimally invasive surgical ablation techniques have been developed recently, but their efficacy has never been systematically tested.

Methods and Results—
Seventy patients (median age, 63.5 years) with persistent atrial fibrillation underwent epicardial thoracoscopic radiofrequency pulmonary vein isolation, linear ablation, Marshal ligament disruption, and exclusion of the left atrial appendage. The procedure was followed by electroanatomic mapping and ablation (EAM) 2 to 3 months later. Only 76% of patients were in normal sinus rhythm at the beginning of EAM. All 4 pulmonary veins and the left atrium posterior wall were found isolated in 69% and 23% of patients, respectively. Arrhythmia-free survival off antiarrhythmic drugs 12 months after EAM was 77%. Using previously ineffective antiarrhythmic drugs and reablation procedures, arrhythmia free-survival increased to 97% during follow-up (mean, 936±432 days; range, 346–1509 days). The majority of arrhythmia recurrences occurred during the first 12 months after EAM. In a multivariable-adjusted estimates, left atrium volume >165 mL, absent normal sinus rhythm at admission for EAM, and inducibility of any sustained tachyarrhythmia at the end of EAM procedure were identified as independent correlates of atrial fibrillation recurrence.

Conclusions—
Our report demonstrated that the majority of patients after epicardial ablation, using bipolar radiofrequency instruments, required endocardial catheter ablation to complete the linear ablation lesions and a significant proportion of patients required spot-ablations to complete electric pulmonary vein isolation. Noninducibility of any arrhythmia after a staged hybrid procedure seemed to be the strongest correlate of long-term arrhythmia-free survival.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
www.ablace.cz
. Unique identifier: cz-060520121617.
Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve Implantation: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta‐Analyses of Observational Studies
Authors: Chatterjee Arka , Bajaj Navkaranbir S. , McMahon William S. , Cribbs Marc G. , White Jeremy S. , Mukherjee Amrita , Law Mark A. 
Published: August 2017

Background
Transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation is approved for the treatment of dysfunctional right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduits. However, the literature is limited because of a small patient population, and it does not reflect changing procedural practice patterns over the last decade.

Methods and Results

A comprehensive search of Medline and Scopus databases from inception through August 31, 2016 was conducted using predefined criteria. We included studies reporting transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation in at least 5 patients with a follow‐up duration of 6 months or more. In 19 eligible studies, 1044 patients underwent transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation with a pooled follow‐up of 2271 person‐years. Procedural success rate was 96.2% (95% confidence intervals [CI], 94.6–97.4) with a conduit rupture rate of 4.1% (95%
CI
, 2.5–6.8) and coronary complication rate of 1.3% (95%
CI
, 0.7–2.3). Incidence of reintervention was 4.4 per 100 person‐years overall (95%
CI
, 3.0–5.9) with a marked reduction in studies reporting ≥75% prestenting (2.9 per 100 person‐years [95%
CI
, 1.5–4.3] versus 6.5/100 person‐years [95%
CI
, 4.6–8.5];
P
<0.01). Pooled endocarditis rate was 1.4 per 100 person‐years (95%
CI
, 0.9–2.0).

Conclusions
Our study provides favorable updated estimates of procedural and follow‐up outcomes after transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation. Widespread adoption of prestenting has improved longer‐term outcomes in these patients.
Sleep Medicine Coding and Coverage Guidelines
Authors: El-Feky Waleed Hamed , Evans David A. 
Published: August 2017

ABSTRACT
Successful sleep billing and reimbursement is dependent on correct reporting of proper diagnostic codes for sleep disorders and associated testing. Recent changes in disease classification systems have affected the coding for sleep disorders. Guidelines set forth by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and followed by third-party payers provide direction for the required techniques and indications for sleep procedures.