bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quality of life questionnaires in otorhinolaryngology: a systematic overview
Authors: Koenraads S.P.C. , Aarts M.C.J. , van der Veen E.L. , Grolman W. , Stegeman I. 
Published: November 2015

BackgroundThe importance of quality of life (QOL) as an endpoint and the use of validatedQOLquestionnaires have increased over time.ObjectivesTo evaluate health‐related quality of life (HR‐QOL) measurement instruments used in patients in otorhinolaryngology (ORL). We aimed to establish the use ofQOLquestionnaires inORLover a period of time, establish the use ofQOLquestionnaires within different domains and determine the use of validatedQOLquestionnaires.Main out come measuresWe performed a comprehensive search in PubMed up to 1 January 2014. Articles were included that measuredHR‐QOLquestionnaires in clinical practice in children, adolescents or adults in 42 journals ofORL. Multiple uniqueQOLquestionnaires, organised according to domain, time and survey of validation, were extracted from reported articles.ResultsOf 2442 articles, we utilised 1196 publications with a total of 2103QOLquestionnaires regardingORL. We evaluated a variety of 363 uniqueQOLquestionnaires in which 60% (n= 220)QOLquestionnaires had been validated. We found a continuing increase in the amount of articles which usedQOLquestionnaires since the beginning of the 20th century, while the percentage of validatedQOLquestionnaires remained the same (76%). MostQOLquestionnaires were used in the domains oncology (35%), otology (21%) and rhinology (20%). The domain otology had the largest amount of uniqueQOLquestionnaires (n= 122).ConclusionsWe identified and evaluated all uniqueHR‐QOLquestionnaires utilised in patients inORL. Recently, the use of validated and non‐validatedHR‐QOLquestionnaires has increased within all domains ofORL. The assessment ofQOLhas become an important outcome measure in clinical practice, in medical research and for healthcare organisations.
Evaluation of an 18‐month commercial multidisciplinary obesity treatment programme
Authors: Aller E. E. J. G. , van Baak M. A. 
Published: November 2015

SummaryThe treatment of obesity is an often studied subject. Although reductions in weight and improvements in cardiometabolic risk factors are important aims of obesity treatment, improvements in quality of life and eating behaviour are also relevant outcomes. In this practice‐based study, we evaluated an 18‐month commercial multidisciplinary obesity treatment programme and report on treatment results for weight, cardiometabolic risk factors, eating behaviour and quality of life. From a local commercial obesity treatment centre, 426 subjects (65% female; 45.4 ± 12.2 years; body mass index 40.0 ± 6.6 kg m−2) were recruited. Measurements of body weight, height, body composition, waist circumference and blood pressure were scheduled at baseline and every 3 months, whereas fasting blood collections were scheduled at baseline and every 6 months. At the same time points, participants were asked to fill in questionnaires on dietary intake, eating behaviour and quality of life. After 18 months of treatment programme, average weight change [mean (95% confidence interval)] was −10.9 kg (−14.8 to −7.0; P < 0.001) for the completers (n = 181) and −10.8 kg (−14.2 to −7.4; P < 0.001) for the intention‐to‐treat population (n = 426). Waist circumference (mean ± standard error of the mean) (−0.13 ± 0.01 cm; P < 0.001), fat mass (−7.8 ± 1.3 kg; P < 0.001) systolic (−11.4 ± 2.0; P < 0.001) and diastolic (−7.0 ± 1.3; P < 0.001) blood pressure, triglycerides (−0.4 ± 0.1; P = 0.004) and plasma glucose (−0.6 ± 0.2; P = 0.001) were significantly reduced. The PCS scale of the SF‐36 and all three scales of the three‐factor eating questionnaire improved significantly over the 18‐month treatment period. All collected data in this study provide evidence that a multidisciplinary treatment programme based on lifestyle modification results in significant weight loss and improvements in cardiometabolic risk factors, quality of life and eating behaviour.
Bilingual enhancements have no socioeconomic boundaries
Authors: Krizman Jennifer , Skoe Erika , Kraus Nina 
Published: November 2015

AbstractTo understand how socioeconomic status (SES) and bilingualism simultaneously operate on cognitive and sensory function, we examined executive control, language skills, and neural processing of sound in adolescents who differed in language experience (i.e. English monolingual or Spanish‐English bilingual) and level of maternal education (a proxy for SES). We hypothesized that experience communicating in two languages provides an enriched linguistic environment that can bolster neural precision in subcortical auditory processing which, in turn, enhances cognitive and linguistic function, regardless of the adolescent's socioeconomic standing. Consistent with this, we report that adolescent bilinguals of both low and high SES demonstrate more stable neural responses, stronger phonemic decoding skills, and heightened executive control, relative to their monolingual peers. These results support the argument that bilingualism can bolster cognitive and neural function in low‐SES children and suggest that strengthened neural response consistency provides a biological mechanism through which these enhancements occur.
Gender‐related differences in elderly patients with myocardial infarction in a European Centre
Authors: Sulzgruber Patrick , Koller Lorenz , Pavo Noemi , El‐Hamid Feras , Rothgerber David‐Jonas , Forster Stefan , Maurer Gerald , Goliasch Georg , Niessner Alexander 
Published: November 2015

AbstractBackgroundWeighing the benefit of revascularization procedures against the risk of adverse events is particularly challenging in elderly patients suffering acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Based on a general gender gap in coronary interventions, the restraint in invasive procedures may be particularly high in elderly women. We therefore investigated gender‐related differences in the frequency of coronary interventions as well as gender‐ and age‐specific outcomes after coronary interventions in patients with AMI.DesignWe included 906 AMI patients in the final analysis. Among patients ≥ 80 years (n = 453), the intention to intervention (lysis and/or coronary angiography) for women was significantly lower compared to men (65·7% vs. 80·8%; P < 0·001), whereas in patients < 80 years (n = 453), the rate was similar between both genders (94·8% vs. 95·1%, P = 0·89). However, the assessment of potential risk factors for adverse events did not explain the gender gap. When assessing the benefit of any coronary intervention (stenting and/or lysis and/or coronary artery bypass graft), elderly women benefited at least as much with a hazard ratio (HR) for cardiovascular mortality of 0·56 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0·37–0·84, P = 0·005) compared to a HR of 0·96 (95% CI 0·76–1·23, P = 0·766) in elderly men.ConclusionWe observed a lower intention to coronary intervention in elderly women compared with men. However, the distribution of risk factors in elderly women and men who did not undergo coronary intervention was similar and therefore seemed not to be causal for the gender gap although the benefit of any coronary interventions was even higher in elderly women.
Bespoke video vignettes – an approach to enhancing reflective learning developed by dental undergraduates and their clinical teachers
Authors: Davies B. R. , Leung A. N. , Dunne S. M. , Dillon J. , Blum I. R. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractThis study explores the selective use of video as a medium to support reflective processes as related to dental undergraduate learning. With the objective of developing and enhancing high‐quality adult dental care, the use of compiled video materials created in an undergraduate clinical setting was investigated. Video cameras were used to capture elements of reflection‐in‐action and reflection‐on‐action typically found during everyday clinical practice.‘Gold standard’ or ‘textbook outcomes’ are rarely, if ever, fully achieved in dental practice. Real‐life clinical experiences offer challenges and opportunities for both teachers and students to engage with reflective learning processes.The materials generated allowed for an experience of individual reflective learning and the creation of a data bank or archive with potential use for the benefit of a wider student cohort. Various aspects of the students’ views and comments on the process of reflection were reported and explored by means of a semi‐structured focus group moderated by a linked educational advisor.
A risk prediction model for xerostomia: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Villa Alessandro , Nordio Francesco , Gohel Anita 
Published: November 2015

ObjectiveWe investigated the prevalence of xerostomia in dental patients and built a xerostomia risk prediction model by incorporating a wide range of risk factors.Materials and methodsSocio‐demographic data, past medical history, self‐reported dry mouth and related symptoms were collected retrospectively from January 2010 to September 2013 for all new dental patients. A logistic regression framework was used to build a risk prediction model for xerostomia. External validation was performed using an independent data set to test the prediction power.ResultsA total of 12 682 patients were included in this analysis (54.3%, females). Xerostomia was reported by 12.2% of patients. The proportion of people reporting xerostomia was higher among those who were taking more medications (OR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.08–1.13) or recreational drug users (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.1–1.9). Rheumatic diseases (OR = 2.17, 95% CI = 1.88–2.51), psychiatric diseases (OR = 2.34, 95% CI = 2.05–2.68), eating disorders (OR = 2.28, 95% CI = 1.55–3.36) and radiotherapy (OR = 2.00, 95% CI = 1.43–2.80) were good predictors of xerostomia. For the test model performance, the ROC‐AUC was 0.816 and in the external validation sample, the ROC‐AUC was 0.799.ConclusionThe xerostomia risk prediction model had high accuracy and discriminated between high‐ and low‐risk individuals. Clinicians could use this model to identify the classes of medications and systemic diseases associated with xerostomia.
The impact of oxidative stress on hair
Authors: Trüeb R. M. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractOxidative stress reflects an imbalance between the systemic manifestation of reactive oxygen species and a biological system's ability to detoxify the reactive intermediates or to repair the resulting damage. Reactive oxygen species or free radicals are highly reactive molecules that can directly damage lipids, proteins, and DNA. They are generated by a multitude of endogenous and environmental challenges, while the body possesses endogenous defense mechanisms. With age, production of free radicals increases, while the endogenous defense mechanisms decrease. This imbalance leads to progressive damage of cellular structures, presumably resulting in the aging phenotype. While the role of oxidative stress has been widely discussed in skin aging, little focus has been placed on its impact on hair condition. Moreover, most literature on age‐related hair changes focuses on alopecia, but it is equally important that the hair fibers that emerge from the scalp exhibit significant age‐related changes that have equal impact on the overall cosmetic properties of hair. Sources of oxidative stress with impact on the pre‐emerging fiber include: oxidative metabolism, smoking, UVR, and inflammation from microbial, pollutant, or irritant origins. Sources of oxidative stress with impact on the post‐emerging fiber include: UVR (enhanced by copper), chemical insults, and oxidized scalp lipids. The role of the dermatologist is recognition and treatment of pre‐ and post‐emerging factors for lifetime scalp and hair health.
The specialist nursing workforce caring for men with prostate cancer in the UK
Authors: Leary Alison , Brocksom Jane , Endacott Ruth , Fleure Louisa , Howdle Felicity , Masterton Morven , O'Connor Anita , Swift Adrian , Trevatt Paul , Aslet Philippa 
Published: November 2015

ABSTRACTProstate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK accounting for 25% of all new cases of cancer. It is predicted to become the most common cancer overall by 2030. A national survey of the specialist nursing workforce caring for men with prostate cancer was completed across the four countries of the UK during June and July 2014. In total 302 specialist nurses completed the survey and data from 285 was used in the analysis. This is the biggest whole population survey of this workforce in recent years. The most common job title was clinical nurse specialist (185) and the most common band was agenda for change band 7 (174). However in Scotland 50% of the respondents stated that they were paid on band 6. Over half the group (158) had worked in prostate cancer care for more than 10 years. Few (48) had come into specialist posts from a specific specialist nurse development role. There is wide geographic variation in the provision of specialist nursing for men with prostate cancer. This is reflected in available hours and caseload sizes. The respondents reported frozen and vacant posts across the UK. This equated to 58·3 full time equivalents. The work of specialist nurses caring for men with prostate cancer is clinically complex and appears to cover most key times in the cancer journey. However workload appears to be limiting the care that the nurses are able to provide with over half the respondents (163) saying that they left work undone for patients.
Enhanced renewal of regulatory T cells in relation to CD4+ conventional T lymphocytes in the peripheral compartment
Authors: Nogueira Jeane de Souza , Canto Fábio Barrozo do , Nunes Caroline Fraga Cabral Gomes , Vianna Pedro Henrique Oliveira , Paiva Luciana de Souza , Nóbrega Alberto , Bellio Maria , Fucs Rita 
Published: November 2015

SummaryCD4+ Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells are necessary for the maintenance of self‐tolerance and T‐cell homeostasis. This population is kept at stable frequencies in secondary lymphoid organs for the majority of the lifetime, despite permanent thymic emigration or in the face of thymic involution. Continuous competition is expected to occur between recently thymus‐emigrated and resident Treg cells (either natural or post‐thymically induced). In the present work, we analysed the renewal dynamics of Treg cells compared with CD4+Foxp3‐ conventional T cells (Tconv), using protocols of single or successive T‐cell transfers into syngeneic euthymic or lymphopenic (nu/nu or RAG2−/−) mice, respectively. Our results show a higher turnover for Treg cells in the peripheral compartment, compared with Tconv cells, when B cell‐sufficient euthymic or nude hosts are studied. This increased renewal within the Treg pool, shown by the greater replacement of resident Treg cells by donor counterparts, correlates with augmented rates of proliferation and is not modified following temporary environmental perturbations induced by inflammatory state or microbiota alterations. Notably, the preferential substitution of Treg lymphocytes was not observed in RAG2−/− hosts. We showed that limited B‐cell replenishment in the RAG2−/− hosts decisively contributed to the altered peripheral T‐cell homeostasis. Accordingly, weekly transfers of B cells to RAG2−/− hosts rescued the preferential substitution of Treg lymphocytes. Our study discloses a new aspect of T‐cell homeostasis that depends on the presence of B lymphocytes to regulate the relative incorporation of recently arrived Treg and Tconv cells in the peripheral compartment.
Influence of Root Canal Posts on the Reattachment of Fragments to Endodontically Treated Fractured Incisors: An in vitro Experimental Comparison
Authors: Mazzoleni Sergio , Graf Francesco , Salomon Elena , Simionato Francesco , Bacci Christian , Stellini Edoardo 
Published: November 2015

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study was to establish the benefits of inserting a fiberglass post when bonding tooth fragments after complicated coronal fractures.MethodsThirty bovine incisors were randomly assigned to three groups: a control group of intact teeth (A), and two experimental groups (B and C). Coronal fragments were cut from the teeth in groups B and C, which then underwent root canal treatment, inserting posts in the teeth in group C. The coronal fragments were bonded to the teeth in both experimental groups using the same materials and technique, then the specimens were submitted to mechanical loading until fracture.ResultsThe specimens in the experimental groups had a lower resistance to mechanical loading than the intact teeth. The mean failure load was: 352.77 (SD ± 62.22) N in group A, 151.04 (SD ± 45.76) N in group B, and 168.61 (SD ± 33.59) N in group C. The difference between group A and the other two groups was statistically significant (analysis of variance test: p < 0.0001), whereas there was no statistically significant difference in the force needed to fracture the teeth in groups B and C (Tukey's test: p = 0.34). When the failure mode under loading was examined, the fractures in group C never involved new tooth substance beneath the adhesion interface, whereas in group B, this was only true in one in two cases.ConclusionsInserting a post does not significantly improve the strength of restored teeth, but it may result in a more favorable fracture mode.Clinical SignificanceWithin the limitations of this in vitro study, reattaching the fragment of a fractured tooth does not seem to restore the tooth to its original load resistance. The findings of this study indicate that inserting a fiberglass post for reinforcement purposes in fractured teeth undergoing root canal treatment is unable to significantly improve their load‐bearing capacity by comparison with teeth repaired without inserting a post. However, the results of the present study suggest that inserting a post may result in a more favorable fracture mode in the event of further trauma.
Eighteen‐ to 30‐year‐olds more likely to link to hepatitis C virus care: an opportunity to decrease transmission
Authors: Young K. L. , Huang W. , Horsburgh C. R. , Linas B. P. , Assoumou S. A. 
Published: November 2015

SummaryHepatitis C virus (HCV) infection incidence among 18‐ to 30‐year‐olds is increasing and guidelines recommend treatment of active injection drug users to limit transmission. We aimed to : measure linkage to HCV care among 18‐ to 30‐year‐olds and identify factors associated with linkage; compare linkage among 18‐ to 30‐year‐olds to that of patients >30 years. We used the electronic medical record at an urban safety net hospital to create a retrospective cohort with reactive HCV antibody between 2005 and 2010. We report seroprevalence and demographics of seropositive patients, and used multivariable logistic regression to identify factors associated with linkage to HCV care. We defined linkage as having evidence of HCV RNA testing after reactive antibody. Thirty two thousand four hundred and eighteen individuals were tested, including 8873 between 18 and 30 years. The seropositivity rate among those ages 18–30 was 10%. In multivariate analysis, among those 18–30, diagnosis location (Outpatient vs Inpatient/ED) (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.28–2.49) and number of visits after diagnosis (OR 5.30, 95% CI 3.91–7.19) were associated with higher odds of linking to care. When we compared linkage in patients ages 18–30 to that among those older than 30, patients in the 18–30 years age group were more likely to link to HCV care than those in the older cohort even when controlling for gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, birthplace, diagnosis location and duration of follow‐up. Eighteen‐ to 30‐year‐olds are more likely to link to HCV care than their older counterparts. During the interferon‐free treatment era, there is an opportunity to prevent further HCV transmission in this population.
The Uses of Travel: Science, Empire and Change in 18th‐Century Travel Writing
Authors: Vanek Morgan 
Published: November 2015

AbstractThis essay surveys recent critical approaches to 18th‐century travel writing, with an emphasis on a seeming contradiction in the way the field treats the possibility that the traveller might be changed by the experience of travel. On the one hand, the traveller's vulnerability to external influence seems to represent a threat to British imperial authority, particularly in studies of scientific travel in the service of empire – but on the other hand, recent studies on the novel's debts to travel writing insist that the traveller's capacity to change is fundamental to any argument for travel's edifying potential or contribution to civic improvement. To resolve this divide, this article will argue that reading 18th‐century travel writing for the moments in which the ‘changeable’ traveller appears in a positive light might help to open new avenues of research on the form and function of change in 18th‐century records of scientific observation. Looking ahead, this essay proposes that future studies in scientific travel might draw inspiration from recent research on sympathetic travellers as agents of empire, and continue to investigate how the traveller's capacity for change could add nuance to our history of the scientific observer as – in Captain Cook's terms – a ‘disinterested’ “eyewitness to a fact.”
Leptosphaeria maculans effector AvrLm4‐7 affects salicylic acid (SA) and ethylene (ET) signalling and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) accumulation in Brassica napus
Authors: Nováková Miroslava , Šašek Vladimír , Trdá Lucie , Krutinová Hana , Mongin Thomas , Valentová Olga , Balesdent Marie‐HelEne , Rouxel Thierry , Burketová Lenka 
Published: November 2015

SummaryTo achieve host colonization, successful pathogens need to overcome plant basal defences. For this, (hemi)biotrophic pathogens secrete effectors that interfere with a range of physiological processes of the host plant. AvrLm4‐7 is one of the cloned effectors from the hemibiotrophic fungus Leptosphaeria maculans ‘brassicaceae’ infecting mainly oilseed rape (Brassica napus). Although its mode of action is still unknown, AvrLm4‐7 is strongly involved in L. maculans virulence. Here, we investigated the effect of AvrLm4‐7 on plant defence responses in a susceptible cultivar of B. napus. Using two isogenic L. maculans isolates differing in the presence of a functional AvrLm4‐7 allele [absence (‘a4a7’) and presence (‘A4A7’) of the allele], the plant hormone concentrations, defence‐related gene transcription and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation were analysed in infected B. napus cotyledons. Various components of the plant immune system were affected. Infection with the ‘A4A7’ isolate caused suppression of salicylic acid‐ and ethylene‐dependent signalling, the pathways regulating an effective defence against L. maculans infection. Furthermore, ROS accumulation was decreased in cotyledons infected with the ‘A4A7’ isolate. Treatment with an antioxidant agent, ascorbic acid, increased the aggressiveness of the ‘a4a7’ L. maculans isolate, but not that of the ‘A4A7’ isolate. Together, our results suggest that the increased aggressiveness of the ‘A4A7’ L. maculans isolate could be caused by defects in ROS‐dependent defence and/or linked to suppressed SA and ET signalling. This is the first study to provide insights into the manipulation of B. napus defence responses by an effector of L. maculans.