bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Immune checkpoint proteins: exploring their therapeutic potential to regulate atherosclerosis
Authors: Foks A C , Kuiper J 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe immune system provides a large variety of immune checkpoint proteins, which involve both costimulatory and inhibitory proteins. Costimulatory proteins can promote cell survival, cell cycle progression and differentiation to effector and memory cells, whereas inhibitory proteins terminate these processes to halt ongoing inflammation. Immune checkpoint proteins play a pivotal role in atherosclerosis by regulating the activation and proliferation of various immune and non‐immune cells, such as T‐cells, macrophages and platelets. Upon activation within the atherosclerotic lesions or in secondary lymphoid organs, these cells produce large amounts of pro‐atherogenic cytokines that contribute to the growth and destabilization of lesions, which can result in rupture of the lesion causing acute coronary syndromes, such as a myocardial infarction. Given the presence and regulatory capacity of immune checkpoint proteins in the circulation and atherosclerotic lesions of cardiovascular patients, modulation of these proteins by, for example, the use of monoclonal antibodies, offers unique opportunities to regulate pro‐inflammatory immune responses in atherosclerosis. In this review, we highlight the latest advances on the role of immune checkpoint proteins, such as OX40–OX40L, CTLA‐4 and TIM proteins, in atherosclerosis and discuss their therapeutic potential as promising immunotherapies to treat or prevent cardiovascular disease.Linked ArticlesThis article is part of a themed section on Targeting Inflammation to Reduce Cardiovascular Disease Risk. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.22/issuetoc and http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bcp.v82.4/issuetoc
Vascular inflammation and low‐density lipoproteins: is cholesterol the link? A lesson from the clinical trials
Authors: Catapano Alberico Luigi , Pirillo Angela , Norata Giuseppe Danilo 
Published: March 2017

For long time, the role of LDL and inflammation in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis have been studied independently from each other and only more recently a common platform has been suggested. Accumulation of excess cholesterol due to the presence of increased circulating LDL promotes endothelium dysfunction and activation, which is associated with increased production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, overexpression of adhesion molecules, chemokines and C‐reactive protein (CRP), increased generation of reactive oxygen species and reduction of nitric oxide levels and bioavailability. All these processes favour the progressive infiltration of inflammatory cells within the arterial wall where cholesterol accumulates, both extracellularly and intracellularly, and promotes vascular inflammation. According to this, lipid‐lowering therapies should improve inflammation and, indeed, statins decrease circulating inflammatory markers such as CRP and improve endothelial function and plaque burden. Pleiotropic activities have been proposed to explain this effect. However, mendelian randomization studies ruled out a direct role for CRP on coronary artery disease and studies with other lipid lowering drugs, such as ezetimibe showed that the beneficial effect of LDL‐cholesterol‐lowering therapies on systemic inflammatory status, as monitored by changes in CRP plasma levels, could be achieved, independently of the mechanism of action, only in patients presenting with baseline inflamed conditions. These observations strengthen the direct link between cholesterol and inflammation and indicate that decreasing LDL levels is one of the key goals for improving cardiovascular outcome.Linked ArticlesThis article is part of a themed section on Targeting Inflammation to Reduce Cardiovascular Disease Risk. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.22/issuetoc and http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bcp.v82.4/issuetoc
Impact of refractive error on quality of life: a qualitative study
Authors: Kandel Himal , Khadka Jyoti , Goggin Michael , Pesudovs Konrad 
Published: March 2017

AbstractImportanceThis study qualitatively explores the impact of refractive error on adults, particularly after correction.BackgroundThe study aimed to explore the impact of refractive error on quality of life.DesignCross‐sectional; in‐depth telephone and face‐to‐face semistructured interviews; qualitative study with inductive and deductive processes.ParticipantsForty‐eight adults with refractive error (including presbyopia) were recruited from the Flinders Vision, the Ashford Advanced Eye Care and among Flinders University staff and students, in South Australia.MethodsThe interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim, coded and analysed using thematic analysis.Main Outcome MeasuresThemes and categoriesResultsThe median age of the participants was 49 years (min: 22 years; max: 76 years). Most of them were female: (29; 59%). Most of them (36; 75.0%) had myopia followed by hyperopia (12; 25.0%). Twenty‐two (45.8%) participants had astigmatism. Similarly, 23 (47.9%) of them were presbyopes. Most of the participants (39; 81.3%) wore glasses; 17 (35.4%) used contact lenses, and 17 (35.4%) had undergone refractive surgery. A total of 2367 comments were coded. Thematic analysis resulted into six themes that informed about quality of life issues in people with refractive error. Concerns about cosmetic appearance, personal health and safety, difficulties in day‐to‐day activities and inconveniences rendered in daily life were identified as the most important themes.Conclusions and RelevanceThe findings of this study enrich the understanding on the issues important in people with refractive error. The quality of life issues identified will be used to develop a refractive error‐specific item bank.
Genetic susceptibility to severe asthma with fungal sensitization
Authors: Overton N. L. , Simpson A. , Bowyer P. , Denning D. W. 
Published: March 2017

SummarySevere asthma is problematic and its pathogenesis poorly understood. Fungal sensitization is common, and many patients with severe asthma with fungal sensitization (SAFS), used to denote this subgroup of asthma, respond to antifungal therapy. We have investigated 325 haplotype‐tagging SNPs in 22 candidate genes previously associated with aspergillosis in patients with SAFS, with comparisons in atopic asthmatics and healthy control patients, of whom 47 SAFS, 279 healthy and 152 atopic asthmatic subjects were genotyped successfully. Significant associations with SAFS compared with atopic asthma included Toll‐like receptor 3 (TLR3) (p = .009), TLR9 (p = .025), C‐type lectin domain family seven member A (dectin‐1) (p = .043), interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) (p = .0010), mannose‐binding lectin (MBL2) (p = .007), CC‐chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) (2 SNPs, p = .025 and .041), CCL17 (p = .002), plasminogen (p = .049) and adenosine A2a receptor (p = .024). These associations differ from those found in ABPA in asthma, indicative of contrasting disease processes. Additional and broader genetic association studies in SAFS, combined with experimental work, are likely to contribute to our understanding of different phenotypes of problematic asthma.
Information problem‐solving skills in small virtual groups and learning outcomes
Authors: Garcia Consuelo , Badia Antoni 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThis study investigated the frequency of use of information problem‐solving (IPS) skills and its relationship with learning outcomes. During the course of the study, 40 teachers carried out a collaborative IPS task in small virtual groups in a 4‐week online training course. The status of IPS skills was collected through self‐reports handed in over the course of the 4 weeks. Learning was evaluated by means of open‐ended questionnaires before and after the group task. Three types of knowledge learning were evaluated: declarative, procedural and situational. Teachers exhibited a recurrent use of all skills during the whole collaborative task, although periodic use differed from week to week. Results showed a relationship between some IPS skills and declarative and procedural knowledge. The skills that were statistically significant were share information, read peer's information and analyse information. Implications for learning support and instruction are discussed.
Daclatasvir/asunaprevir/beclabuvir, all‐oral, fixed‐dose combination for patients with chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 1
Authors: Kao Jia‐Horng , Yu Ming‐Lung , Peng Cheng‐Yuan , Heo Jeong , Chu Chi‐Jen , Chang Ting‐Tsung , Lee Youn‐Jae , Hu Tsung‐Hui , Yoon Ki Tae , Paik Seung Woon , Lim Young Suk , Ahn Sang Hoon , Isakov Vasily , McPhee Fiona , Hu Wenhua , Scott Swenson Eugene , Yin Philip D , Treitel Michelle 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBackground and AimThis multinational (Taiwan, South Korea, Russia) phase 3 study evaluated the all‐oral, ribavirin‐free, fixed‐dose combination (DCV‐TRIO) of daclatasvir (NS5A inhibitor) 30 mg, asunaprevir (NS3 inhibitor) 200 mg, and beclabuvir (NS5B inhibitor) 75 mg, in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus genotype‐1 infection, with or without compensated cirrhosis.MethodsUNITY‐4 (NCT02170727) was an open‐label, two‐cohort study in which 169 patients, treatment‐naive (n = 138) or treatment‐experienced (n = 31), received twice‐daily DCV‐TRIO for 12 weeks with 24 weeks of post‐treatment follow‐up. The primary efficacy end point was sustained virologic response at post‐treatment week 12 (SVR12) in treatment‐naive patients.ResultsEighty‐eight (52%) patients were men, 81 (48%) Taiwanese, 78 (46%) Korean, and 10 (6%) Russian; 23 (14%) had compensated cirrhosis, and 52 (31%) were IL28B (rs1297860) non‐CC genotype. Baseline resistance‐associated NS5A polymorphisms (L31 and/or Y93) were detected in 25/165 (15%) patients with available genotype‐1 sequencing data. SVR12 was achieved by 98.6% (136/138; 95% confidence interval: 94.9–99.8%) of treatment‐naive and 100% (31/31; 95% confidence interval: 88.8–100%) of treatment‐experienced patients. Both virologic failures were found to be infected with hepatitis C virus genotype‐6g; 100% SVR12 was observed for genotype‐1a (n = 8) and genotype‐1b (n = 157). Two patients experienced serious adverse events. Eight (5%) patients experienced reversible grade 3/4 alanine aminotransferase or aspartate aminotransferase elevations, leading to discontinuation in four (2%); all achieved SVR12. There were no grade 3/4 total bilirubin increases and no deaths.ConclusionsTwelve weeks of DCV‐TRIO was well tolerated and provided 100% SVR12 in treatment‐naive and treatment‐experienced patients with genotype‐1 infection, with or without cirrhosis, including those with baseline NS5A‐L31 or NS5A‐Y93 resistance‐associated substitutions.
The agrarian political economy of left‐wing governments in Latin America: Agribusiness, peasants, and the limits of neo‐developmentalism
Authors: Vergara‐Camus Leandro , Kay Cristóbal 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThis paper concludes this special issue. It draws on the findings of the individual contributions and provides a comparison of the agrarian policies of left‐wing governments in Latin America. We identify common trends and offer an explanation of why these governments did not change the agricultural model in the direction of food sovereignty, but continued to heavily support agribusiness while redirecting some resources to peasant and family producers. They improved the living conditions of the rural poor, mostly through populist anti‐poverty and social protection programmes financed by the commodity boom. They expanded programmes to integrate small farmers into commodity chains and improved the working conditions of rural wage labourers, but did not carry out a redistributive agrarian reform. They instead continued to support agribusiness with numerous policies and measures. We argue that these governments did not curb the power of the dominant rural classes because these are highly intertwined with capital, making them part of a coalesced bourgeoisie that occupies key positions in the state. Leftist governments did not have a real agenda of social transformation or a strategy to tackle the rentier nature of the state. Contradictorily, their policies furthered peasant differentiation thereby weakening the previous alliance of rural subaltern classes.
Increased public reimbursement for prophylactic visits with dentists associated with increased receipt of preventive dental services in children
Authors: Fisher‐Owens Susan A. , Amendola Louis , Featherstone John D.B. , Inge Ronald E. , Flaherman Valerie J. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo determine whether higher reimbursement for children's preventive dentistry correlates with greater utilization of preventive dental care.MethodsA cross‐sectional analysis of National Survey of Children's Health 2011/2012 was conducted, combined with state Medicaid reimbursement rates for preventive dentistry. Analyses included prevalence, unadjusted odds ratios, and multivariable logistic regression for receipt of preventive dental services.ResultsOf all surveyed American children 1–17 years, almost 20 percent had not received preventive dental care in prior year; this percentage is even higher in those with public insurance. Each $10 increase in state reimbursement was associated with a 17 percent decrease in odds of children not receiving preventive services.ConclusionsHigher state reimbursement for preventive services may increase children's receipt of preventive dental care.
Efficacy of feline anti‐parvovirus antibodies in the treatment of canine parvovirus infection
Authors: Gerlach M. , Proksch A. L. , Unterer S. , Speck S. , Truyen U. , Hartmann K. 
Published: March 2017

ObjectiveThis prospective, randomised, placebo‐controlled, double‐blinded study aimed to evaluate efficacy of commercially available feline anti‐parvovirus antibodies in dogs with canine parvovirus infection.MethodsFirst, cross‐protection of feline panleukopenia virus antibodies against canine parvovirus was evaluated in vitro. In the subsequent prospective clinical trial, 31 dogs with clinical signs of canine parvovirus infection and a positive faecal canine parvovirus polymerase chain reaction were randomly assigned to a group receiving feline panleukopenia virus antibodies (n=15) or placebo (n=16). All dogs received additional routine treatment. Clinical signs, blood parameters, time to clinical recovery and mortality were compared between the groups. Serum antibody titres and quantitative faecal polymerase chain reaction were compared on days 0, 3, 7, and 14.ResultsIn vitro, canine parvovirus was fully neutralised by feline panleukopenia virus antibodies. There were no detected significant differences in clinical signs, time to clinical recovery, blood parameters, mortality, faecal virus load, or viral shedding between groups. Dogs in the placebo group showed a significant increase of serum antibody titres and a significant decrease of faecal virus load between day 14 and day 0, which was not detectable in dogs treated with feline panleukopenia virus antibodies.Clinical SignificanceNo significant beneficial effect of passively transferred feline anti‐parvovirus antibodies in the used dosage regimen on the treatment of canine parvovirus infection was demonstrated.
Parents’ perspectives on caring for children after solid organ transplant
Authors: Lerret Stacee M. , Johnson Norah L. , Haglund Kristin A. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractPurposeTo explore parents’ experiences of the transition from hospital to home and complex chronic illness management following their children's solid organ transplant (SOT).Design and MethodsQualitative component of a larger mixed methods longitudinal study. Parents of SOT recipients were interviewed three times following hospital discharge from five major pediatric transplant hospitals in the United States.ResultsAnalysis of parent interviews (N = 48) resulted in three themes that characterized the phases of transition to home and complex chronic illness care. Three themes, corresponding to the three time periods of data collection, included “getting back to normal” at 3 weeks, “becoming routine” at 3 months, and “facing a future” at 6 months. Challenges families experienced over the course of their transition are also described.Practice ImplicationsThe transition from hospital to home and complex chronic condition care is challenging and changes over time. Nurses are called upon to prepare parents to become knowledgeable and confident to care for the child after hospital discharge. Nurses can best support families in transition after SOT by anticipating and understanding their dynamic challenging complex care needs.
The effects of oat β‐glucan incorporation on the quality, structure, consumer acceptance and glycaemic response of steamed bread
Authors: Wang Lei , Ye Fayin , Feng Liyuan , Wei Fubin , Zhao Guohua 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the incorporation of oat β‐glucan (OβG) on the sensory and nutritional quality of steamed bread. Wheat flour was substituted with OβG at levels varying from 0 g/100 g to 5 g/100 g. The results showed that the products containing 1 g/100 g and 3 g/100 g OβG produced a comparable overall consumer acceptance while a significantly lower score was given to the product with 5 g/100 g. Nutritionally, the presence of OβG impeded in vitro starch hydrolysis by amylolytic enzymes. More importantly, the addition of OβG up to 5 g/100 g did bring about a lower in vitro predicted glycaemic index to steamed bread, but it generated insignificant effects on the in vivo glycaemic response. The current work first demonstrated the feasibility of fabricating OβG‐enriched steamed bread and its nutritional superiority compared to the corresponding normal product.Practical applicationsModern methods of food elaboration and processing frequently reduce the content of dietary fiber (DF). Despite the well‐known health benefits of DF consumption, average intake levels still fall far below recommended ones. Oat β‐glucan (OβG) is a kind of indigestible polysaccharide with diverse bioactivity. This article evaluated the effects of OβG incorporation on quality, structure, consumer acceptance, and glycaemic response of steamed bread. The addition of less than 3 g/100 g of OβG had negligible effects on the consumer acceptance of steamed bread. The enrichment at 5 g/100 g indeed deteriorated the consumer acceptance. Moreover, OβG highly lowered the glycaemic response of steamed bread. The current work first demonstrated the feasibility of fabricating OβG‐enriched steamed bread and its nutritional superiority compared to the corresponding normal product. OβG enriched steamed bread may offer an alternative to improve DF intake of residents.
A post cardiac surgery intervention to manage delirium involving families: a randomized pilot study
Authors: Mailhot Tanya , Cossette Sylvie , Côté José , Bourbonnais Anne , Côté Marie‐Claude , Lamarche Yoan , Denault André 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACTBackgroundAs many delirium manifestations (e.g., hallucinations or fears) are linked to patients' experiences and personality traits, it is suggested that interventions should be tailored to optimize its management. The inclusion of family members, as part of an intervention, has recently emerged as a solution to developing individualised patient care, but has never been assessed in post‐cardiac surgery intensive care unit where almost half of patients will present with delirium.AimsTo assess the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary efficacy of an nursing intervention involving family caregivers (FC) in delirium management following cardiac surgery.DesignA randomized pilot study.MethodsA total of 30 patient/FC dyads were recruited and randomized to usual care (n = 14) or intervention (n = 16). The intervention was based on the Human Caring Theory, a mentoring model, and sources informing self‐efficacy. It comprised seven planned encounters spread over 3 days between an intervention nurse and the FC, each including a 30‐min visit at the patient's bedside. During this bedside visit, the FC used delirium management strategies, e.g. reorient the person with delirium. The primary indicator of acceptability was to obtain consent from 75% of approached FCs. The preliminary effect of the intervention on patient outcomes was assessed on (1) delirium severity using the Delirium Index, (2) occurrence of complications, such as falls, (3) length of postoperative hospital stay and (4) psycho‐functional recovery using the Sickness Impact Profile. The preliminary effect on FC outcomes was assessed on FC anxiety and self‐efficacy. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, ANCOVAs and logistic regressions.ResultsThe primary indicator of obtaining consent from FC was achieved (77%). Of the 14 dyads, thirteen (93%) dyads received all seven encounters planned in the experimental intervention. Intervention group patients presented better psycho‐functional recovery scores when compared with control group patients (p = 0·01). Mean delirium severity scores showed similar trajectories on days 1, 2 and 3 in both groups.ConclusionThe mentoring intervention was acceptable and feasible and shows promising results in improving patients and FC outcomes.Relevance to clinical practiceNurses should involve, if willing, FC to participate in activities that optimise patient well‐being FC to use recognized delirium management strategies like reorientation and reassurance.
Intra‐ and inter‐individual variability in the mechanical properties of the human skin from in vivo measurements on 20 volunteers
Authors: Jacquet E. , Chambert J. , Pauchot J. , Sandoz P. 
Published: March 2017

Background/purpose:The mechanical properties and behavior of the human skin in vivo are of medical importance, particularly to surgeons who have to consider the skin extension capabilities in the preparation of surgical acts. Variable data can be found in literature that result from diverse kinds of tests (in vivo, ex vivo, and postmortem) performed with different instruments.MethodsThis paper presents the results of in vivo measurements performed on a cohort of 20 healthy volunteers with an ultralight homemade uniaxial extensometer. Different anatomical zones were explored under different directions of solicitation in order to document inter‐ and intra‐individual variability as well as skin anisotropy.ResultsThe experimental data obtained are fitted with a phenomenological exponential model allowing the identification of three parameters characteristic of the tested skin behavior. These parameters can be related to the concept of skin extensibility used by surgeons.ConclusionThe inter‐ and intra‐variability observed on that cohort confirms the need for a patient‐specific approach based on the in vivo measurement of the mechanical behavior of the human skin of interest. Even the direction of higher skin stiffness is found to be individual‐dependent. The capability of the extensometer used in this study to fulfill such measurement needs is also demonstrated.