bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stage of diagnosis of prostate, breast and colorectal cancer in farm residents compared with other rural and urban residents in New South Wales
Authors: Depczynski Julie , Dobbins Timothy , Armstrong Bruce , Lower Tony 
Published: November 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo determine if stage at diagnosis of prostate, breast and colorectal cancers differs between farm, rural non‐farm and urban residents.DesignData linkage of baseline survey information from a large cohort study, with state cancer registry records from 2006 to 2009.SettingNew South Wales, Australia.ParticipantsNew South Wales residents enrolled in the 45 and Up Study cohort.Main outcome measuresAdjusted odds ratio of non‐localised cancer stage was modelled using binary logistic regression, controlling for commonly known cancer risk factors.ResultsOverall differences in the odds ratios for later stage prostate, breast and colorectal cancer diagnosis in farm men and women compared with rural non‐farm and urban counterparts were not statistically significant, although farm men had twice the odds of either group of being diagnosed at later stage colorectal cancer. The odds of later stage prostate cancer for farm and urban men were similar, but rural non‐farm men were significantly less likely than urban men to be diagnosed at later stage. Higher household income was associated with later stage breast and prostate cancer; and private health insurance with extras was negatively associated with later stage prostate cancer.ConclusionsDifferences in stage of cancer diagnosis, particularly between farm and rural non‐farm men, remain unexplained but were not statistically significant. Farm men may be at higher risk of later stage colorectal cancer diagnosis, which if confirmed has implications for research on possible reasons, and for the delivery of appropriate cancer diagnostic services in rural areas.
Quality of life is significantly impaired in nonallergic rhinitis patients
Authors: Segboer C. L. , Terreehorst I. , Gevorgyan A. , Hellings P. W. , van Drunen C. M. , Fokkens W. J. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackgroundIn contrast to the well‐known significant impairment of quality of life (QoL) in allergic rhinitis (AR), the degree of impairment in QoL in nonallergic rhinitis (NAR) remained unknown for a long time, due to a lack of a validated questionnaire to assess QoL in the NAR patient group. In this study, a validation of the mini‐RQLQ questionnaire in NAR patients was performed, followed by an assessment of QoL in NAR patients compared to AR and healthy controls. Secondly, use of medication and treatment satisfaction in AR and NAR was assessed.MethodsThe study was an observational cohort study in 287 AR and 160 NAR patients. Patients with symptoms of rhinitis were recruited from a tertiary care outpatient clinic of the Otorhinolaryngology Department. Allergic rhinitis (AR) was defined as one or more positive results on skin prick testing and clinically relevant symptoms of rhinitis related to their sensitization. Nonallergic rhinitis (NAR) was defined as clinically relevant symptoms of rhinitis but without positive results on skin prick testing. The mini‐RQLQ was successfully validated in this study for NAR patients.ResultsQuality of life (QoL) in NAR patients was equally—and for some aspects even more—impaired compared to AR. More than half of both AR and NAR patients were unsatisfied with treatment.ConclusionThese results demonstrate a significant impairment in both AR and NAR patients in their QoL combined with a low treatment satisfaction, emphasizing the need for adequate treatment, especially in the NAR patient group.
Impact of web‐based clinical practice guidelines on paediatric fracture clinics
Authors: Camp Mark W. , Barnes James R. , Damany Mohita , Donnan Leo T. 
Published: November 2017

BackgroundIn an effort to standardize management and reduce over‐treatment of uncomplicated paediatric fractures, the Victorian Pediatric Orthopaedic Network and the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, created publically available web‐based paediatric fracture pathways. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of web‐based fracture pathways on the clinic volume at a tertiary‐care paediatric fracture clinic.MethodsA comparative retrospective review was performed at a large, urban, tertiary‐care children's hospital. Fracture clinic data from two 12‐week periods before and after implementation of the fracture pathways were compared. For each study period, data collected included: total number of emergency department visits, number of fracture clinic visits, number of fracture clinic visits for patients that presented with upper extremity fractures for which web‐based fracture pathways were available, number of radiology department visits for X‐rays, and number of fracture clinic visits for patients requiring orthopaedic intervention in the operating room (closed or open reductions).ResultsThe number of fracture clinic visits for patients with upper extremity fractures decreased 12% post‐pathway implementation, from 954 visits to 842 visits. The number of radiology department visits for patients with upper extremity fractures decreased 24% post‐pathway implementation, from 714 to 544 visits.ConclusionThe implementation of web‐based fracture pathways for upper extremity paediatric fractures was associated with a decrease in clinic resource utilization at a tertiary‐care children's hospital.
Current evidence for the use of N‐acetylcysteine following liver resection
Authors: Kemp Richard , Mole Jonathan , Gomez Dhanny ,   on behalf of the Nottingham HPB Surgery Group
Published: November 2017

BackgroundN‐acetylcysteine (NAC) has many uses in medicine; notable in the management of paracetamol toxicity, acute liver failure and liver surgery. The aim of this review was to critically appraise the published literature for the routine use of NAC in liver resection surgery.MethodsAn electronic search was performed of EBSCOhost (Medline and CINAHL database), PubMed and the Cochrane Library for the period 1990–2016. MeSH headings: ‘acetyl‐cysteine’, ‘liver resection’ and ‘hepatectomy’ were used to identify all relevant articles published in English.ResultsFollowing the search criteria used, three articles were included. Two of these studies were randomized controlled trials. All the studies collated data on morbidity and mortality. All three studies did not show a significant difference in overall complications rates in patients that underwent hepatic resection that had NAC infusion compared with patients that did not. In one study, NAC administration was associated with a higher frequency of grade A post‐hepatectomy liver failure. In another study, a significantly higher incidence of delirium was observed in the NAC group, which led to the trial to be terminated early.ConclusionThe current published data do not support the routine use of NAC following liver resection.
Effects of supplementary amino acids on available energy of soybean meal determined by difference and regression methods fed to growing pigs
Authors: Zhao Jinbiao , Shi Chuanxin , Li Zhongchao , Wang Ji , Liu Ling , Li Defa , Zhang Shuai 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThis study was conducted to evaluate effects of inclusion level and supplementary amino acids (AAs) on digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) values of soybean meal (SBM) fed to growing pigs, determined by difference and regression methods. Sixty pigs were fed 10 diets according to a 5 × 2 factorial arrangement. Two control diets contained 97.34% corn without supplementary AAs or 95.61% corn with supplementary AAs. Eight diets were formulated by replacing corn and AAs in control diets with 8%, 15%, 25% and 31% SBM. There was no difference in DE and ME values of SBM determined by difference method as inclusion level of SBM increased or crystalline AAs were added. No difference was observed in DE and ME values of SBM determined by the two methods in diets without supplementary AAs, but the values determined by the difference method were greater (P < 0.05) than those determined by regression method when crystalline AAs were added in diets. In conclusion, inclusion level and supplementary AAs did not affect DE and ME values of SBM calculated by difference or regression methods. There were differences in DE and ME values of SBM determined by the difference method and the regression method when crystalline AAs were added in diets.
Rural community birth: Maternal and neonatal outcomes for planned community births among rural women in the United States, 2004‐2009
Authors: Nethery Elizabeth , Gordon Wendy , Bovbjerg Marit L. , Cheyney Melissa 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackgroundApproximately 22% of women in the United States live in rural areas with limited access to obstetric care. Despite declines in hospital‐based obstetric services in many rural communities, midwifery care at home and in free standing birth centers is available in many rural communities. This study examines maternal and neonatal outcomes among planned home and birth center births attended by midwives, comparing outcomes for rural and nonrural women.MethodsUsing the Midwives Alliance of North America Statistics Project 2.0 dataset of 18 723 low‐risk, planned home, and birth center births, rural women (n = 3737) were compared to nonrural women. Maternal outcomes included mode of delivery (cesarean and instrumental delivery), blood transfusions, severe events, perineal lacerations, or transfer to hospital and a composite (any of the above). The primary neonatal outcome was a composite of early neonatal intensive care unit or hospital admissions (longer than 1 day), and intrapartum or neonatal deaths. Analysis involved multivariable logistic regression, controlling for sociodemographics, antepartum, and intrapartum risk factors.ResultsRural women had different risk profiles relative to nonrural women and reduced risk of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes in bivariable analyses. However, after adjusting for risk factors and confounders, there were no significant differences for a composite of maternal (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.05 [95% confidence interval {CI} 0.93‐1.19]) or neonatal (aOR 1.13 [95% CI 0.87‐1.46]) outcomes between rural and nonrural pregnancies.ConclusionAmong this sample of low‐risk women who planned midwife‐led community births, no increased risk was detected by rural vs nonrural status.
Effects of achievement differences for internal/external frame of reference model investigations: A test of robustness of findings over diverse student samples
Authors: Schmidt Isabelle , Brunner Martin , Preckel Franzis 
Published: November 2017

BackgroundAchievement in math and achievement in verbal school subjects are more strongly correlated than the respective academic self‐concepts. The internal/external frame of reference model (I/E model; Marsh, 1986, Am. Educ. Res. J., 23, 129) explains this finding by social and dimensional comparison processes. We investigated a key assumption of the model that dimensional comparisons mainly depend on the difference in achievement between subjects. We compared correlations between subject‐specific self‐concepts of groups of elementary and secondary school students with or without achievement differences in the respective subjects.AimsThe main goals were (1) to show that effects of dimensional comparisons depend to a large degree on the existence of achievement differences between subjects, (2) to demonstrate the generalizability of findings over different grade levels and self‐concept scales, and (3) to test a rarely used correlation comparison approach (CCA) for the investigation of I/E model assumptions.SamplesWe analysed eight German elementary and secondary school student samples (grades 3–8) from three independent studies (Ns 326–878).MethodCorrelations between math and German self‐concepts of students with identical grades in the respective subjects were compared with the correlation of self‐concepts of students having different grades using Fisher's Z test for independent samples.ResultsIn all samples, correlations between math self‐concept and German self‐concept were higher for students having identical grades than for students having different grades. Differences in median correlations had small effect sizes for elementary school students and moderate effect sizes for secondary school students.ConclusionsFindings generalized over grades and indicated a developmental aspect in self‐concept formation. The CCA complements investigations within I/E‐research.
Emerging roles of MicroRNAs in osteonecrosis of the femoral head
Authors: Li Zheng , Yang Bo , Weng Xisheng , Tse Gary , Chan Matthew T. V. , Wu William Ka Kei 
Published: November 2017

AbstractOsteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is one of the most common orthopaedic diseases. The exact pathogenic mechanism of ONFH is still unknown. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of non‐coding RNAs that negatively modulate gene expression at post‐transcriptional level. An increasing number of studies have shown that miRNAs play crucial roles in different physiological processes, including development, cell proliferation, differentiation and metabolism. Recently, multiple studies demonstrated that miRNAs are involved in the pathogenesis of ONFH. In this review, we summarize dysregulated miRNAs and their functions in ONFH. Furthermore, we discuss their potential clinical applications for diagnosis and treatment of ONFH.
Examining the Impact of Turkey's Approach Vis‐à‐Vis Syria into Turkey's Iraq Policy
Authors: Çetinoğlu Harunoğlu Nur 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe tension between “international order” and justice has long been a focus of critical attention of many scholars. Today, with the rise of the humanitarian crises, the debate is once again visible, and Turkish foreign policy is one of the most important areas of observation of this tension. Indeed, the U.S.‐led invasion of Iraq in 2003 paved the way for Turkey to actively engage in regional affairs. Meanwhile, the need to bring human justice into world politics makes Turkish foreign policy decision makers operate on a much more humanitarian basis. Nevertheless, active humanitarian engagement poses an important challenge to traditional Turkish foreign policy as it is mainly based on the notion of “non‐interference,” as well as on the elementary components of international order, by raising suspicions on the intentions of the Turkish authorities. This article aims to explore the challenges Turkey has been facing since the U.S.‐led invasion of Iraq, and diagnose Turkish foreign policy vis‐à‐vis Iraq in the shadow of the Syrian civil war from Hedley Bull's framework of “order” and “justice.” It argues that Turkey's recent fluctuations in the Middle East could be linked to Turkey's failure to reconcile the requirements of “order” with those of “justice” and the Turkish governing party's (AKP) attempts to use justice as an important instrument to consolidate its power both in Turkey and in the Middle East.
Testicular vein thrombosis: Incidence of recurrent venous thromboembolism and survival
Authors: Lenz Charles J , McBane Robert D , Cohoon Kevin P , Janczak Dawid T , Simmons Benjamin S , Saadiq Rayya A , Mimier Malgorzata , Casanegra Ana I , Daniels Paul R , Wysokinski Waldemar E 
Published: November 2017

AbstractPurposeTesticular vein thrombosis (TVT) etiology, recurrence, and survival were compared with lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in order to determine whether treatment guidelines for DVT could be applied to TVT.Patients and MethodsAn inception cohort of patients with confirmed TVT (January 1995‐October 2015) was compared to a control group of patients with lower extremity DVT matched by age, gender, and diagnosis date.ResultsThirty‐nine men with TVT were identified; 15 (38%) with isolated TVT. Left testicular vein was affected in 77% patients; there were no cases of bilateral TVT. Cancer was over twofold more common in TVT patients (59% vs 28%, P = .01). Most cancers (78%) involved organs in proximity to the testicular vein. Although TVT patients were less frequently treated with anticoagulants (49% vs 97%, P = .0001), recurrence rates were similar to DVT group (TVT 4.2 vs DVT 1.1 per 100 patient‐years, P = .11). Despite higher cancer prevalence, survival rates were similar between groups (31% vs 28%; P = .34). Major bleeding events were rare (one patient per group).ConclusionsIdentifying TVT should prompt a search for a regional malignancy. Despite the high cancer prevalence and low utilization of anticoagulants, recurrent venous thrombosis and mortality rates are similar to DVT patients.
Interferon regulatory factor 4/5 signaling impacts on microglial activation after ischemic stroke in mice
Authors: Al Mamun Abdullah , Chauhan Anjali , Yu Haifu , Xu Yan , Sharmeen Romana , Liu Fudong 
Published: November 2017

AbstractMicroglial activation is a key element in initiating and perpetuating inflammatory responses to stroke. Interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) and IRF4 signaling have been found critical in mediating macrophage pro‐inflammatory (M1) and anti‐inflammatory (M2) phenotypes, respectively, in peripheral inflammation. We hypothesize that the IRF5/4 regulatory axis also mediates microglial activation after stroke. C57BL6 mice of 8–12 weeks were subject to a 90‐min middle cerebral artery occlusion, and the brains evaluated at 24 h, 3, 10 and 30 days after reperfusion. Flow cytometry was utilized to examine microglial activation and cytokine expression. RT‐PCR was performed for mRNA levels of IRF5/4 in sorted microglia. Microglial expression of IRF5/4 was examined by immunohistochemistry, and brain cytokine levels were determined by ELISA. Our results revealed that the IRF5 mRNA level in sorted microglia increased at 3 days of stroke; whereas IRF4 mRNA level exhibited biphasic increases, with a transient rise at 24 h and a peak at 10 days. The same pattern was seen in IRF5/4 protein colocalization with Iba‐1+ cells by IHC. Intracellular levels of TNF‐α and IL‐1β in microglia peaked at 3 days of stroke, and IL‐4+IL‐10+ double‐positive microglia significantly increased at day 10. Brain levels of these cytokines were consistent with microglial cytokine changes. Worse behavior test results were seen at 3 days vs. 10 days of stroke. We conclude that microglia phenotypes are dynamic to ischemic stroke, and IRF5/4 signaling may regulate microglial M1/M2 activation and impact on stroke outcomes.
miR‐140‐5p‐mediated regulation of the proliferation and differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells occurs through the lipopolysaccharide/toll‐like receptor 4 signaling pathway
Authors: Sun De‐gang , Xin Bing‐chang , Wu Di , Zhou Lei , Wu Hong‐bin , Gong Wen , Lv Jian 
Published: November 2017

Human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) are oral mesenchymal stem cells with potential to differentiate into various cell types. Recent studies of DPSCs have focused on microRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small noncoding RNAs that play crucial roles in regulating DPSC phenotypes. In the current study, the expression of miR‐140‐5p was significantly decreased during lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐mediated differentiation of DPSCs in vitro. Overexpression of miR‐140‐5p enhanced proliferation of DPSCs and inhibited DPSC differentiation, whereas suppression of miR‐140‐5p produced the opposite effect. Moreover, the expression of toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR‐4), a critical regulator of DPSCs, was negatively correlated with the levels of miR‐140‐5p. A luciferase reporter analysis confirmed that miR‐140‐5p could regulate TLR‐4 by directly binding to the 3′‐untranslated region (3′‐UTR) of the TLR4 mRNA. Additionally, we suppressed TLR‐4 expression by treating cells with a TLR‐4 inhibitor, CLI‐095, and demonstrated that the effect of the miR‐140‐5p inhibitor on DPSC proliferation and differentiation could be partially reversed by blocking TLR‐4. Taken together, our data suggest that miR‐140‐5p is a novel miRNA that regulates DPSC proliferation and differentiation.
Stent use for hemodialysis access: What a general nephrologist needs to know
Authors: Anwar Siddiq , Vachharajani Tushar J. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractRecurrent stenosis due to neo‐intimal hyperplasia leads to loss of patency in an established hemodialysis access. The current treatment strategy to maintain patency involves percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with or without stent placement. There are several key points that an interventionalist needs to weigh before deciding to place a stent. These include appropriateness of stent placement, the long term consequences, the type of stent to be deployed, the size of stent and finally the impact on cannulation during dialysis. A general nephrologist needs to be aware of the various benefits and pitfalls of stent placement. The current review provides basic information that will educate the dialysis provider about stents and its use in treating dysfunctional hemodialysis access using commonly encountered clinical scenarios.
Sequence variants in nine different genes underlying rare skin disorders in 10 consanguineous families
Authors: Shah Khadim , Mehmood Sabba , Jan Abid , Abbe Izoduwa , Hussain Ali Raja , Khan Anwar , Chishti Muhammad S. , Lee Kwanghyuk , Ahmad Farooq , Ansar Muhammad ,   University of Washington Center for Mendelian Genomics, Shahzad Shaheen , Nickerson Deborah A. , Bamshad Michael J. , Coucke Paul J. , Santos‐Cortez Regie L. P. , Spritz Richard A. , Leal Suzanne M. , Ahmad Wasim 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackgroundGenodermatoses represent genetic anomalies of skin tissues including hair follicles, sebaceous glands, eccrine glands, nails, and teeth. Ten consanguineous families segregating various genodermatosis phenotypes were investigated in the present study.MethodsHomozygosity mapping, exome, and Sanger sequencing were employed to search for the disease‐causing variants in the 10 families.ResultsExome sequencing identified seven homozygous sequence variants in different families, including: c.27delT in FERMT1; c.836delA in ABHD5; c.2453C>T in ERCC5; c.5314C>T in COL7A1; c.1630C>T in ALOXE3; c.502C>T in PPOX; and c.10G>T in ALDH3A2. Sanger sequencing revealed three homozygous variants: c.1718 + 2A>G in FERMT1; c.10459A>T in FLG; and c.92delT in the KRT14 genes as the underlying genetic cause of skin phenotypes.ConclusionThis study supports the use of exome sequencing as a powerful, efficient tool for identifying genes that underlie rare monogenic skin disorders.