bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spasmodic Dysphonia: A Review. Part 1: Pathogenic Factors
Authors: Hintze Justin M. , Ludlow Christy L. , Bansberg Stephen F. , Adler Charles H. , Lott David G. 
Published: August 2017

ObjectiveThe purpose of this review is to describe the recent advances in identifying possible factors involved in the pathogenesis of spasmodic dysphonia. Spasmodic dysphonia is a task‐specific focal laryngeal dystonia characterized by irregular and uncontrolled voice breaks. Pathogenesis of the disorder is poorly understood.Data SourcesPubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library.Review MethodsThe data sources were searched using the following search terms: (spasmodic dysphonia or laryngeal dystonia) and (etiology, aetiology, diagnosis, pathogenesis, or pathophysiology).ConclusionsSeveral potential etiological factors have been proposed by epidemiological, genetic, and neuropathological studies. Spasmodic dysphonia is a rare disorder primarily affecting females beginning in their 40s. Vocal tremor co‐occurs in 30% to 60%. Large cohort studies identified risk factors such as a family history of neurological disorders including dystonia and tremor, recent viral illness, and heavy voice use. As none are rare events, a complex interactive process may contribute to pathogenesis in a small proportion of those at risk. Consequences to pathogenesis are neurological processes found in spasmodic dysphonia: loss of cortical inhibition, sensory processing disturbances, and neuroanatomical and physiological differences in the laryngeal motor control system.Implications for PracticeDiagnosis of spasmodic dysphonia usually includes speech and laryngoscopic assessment. However, as diagnosis is sometimes problematic, measurement of neurophysiological abnormalities may contribute useful adjuncts for the diagnosis of spasmodic dysphonia in the future.
Comparing routine inpatient data and death records as a means of identifying children and young people with life-limiting conditions
Authors: Jarvis Stuart , Fraser Lorna K 
Published: August 2017

Background: Recent estimates of the number of children and young people with life-limiting conditions derived from routine inpatient data are higher than earlier estimates using death record data. Aim: To compare routine inpatient data and death records as means of identifying life-limiting conditions in children and young people. Design: Two national cohorts of children and young people with a life-limiting condition (primary cohort from England with a comparator cohort from Scotland) were identified using linked routinely collected healthcare and administrative data. Participants: A total of 37,563 children and young people with a life-limiting condition in England who died between 1 April 2001 and 30 March 2015 and 2249 children and young people with a life-limiting condition in Scotland who died between 1 April 2003 and 30 March 2014. Results: In England, 16,642 (57%) non-neonatal cohort members had a life-limiting condition recorded as the underlying cause of death; 3364 (12%) had a life-limiting condition-related condition recorded as the underlying cause and 3435 (12%) had life-limiting conditions recorded only among contributing causes. In all, 5651 (19%) non-neonates and 3443 (41%) neonates had no indication of a life-limiting condition recorded in their death records. Similar results were seen in Scotland (overall, 16% had no indication of life-limiting conditions). In both cohorts, the recording of life-limiting condition was highest among those with haematology or oncology diagnoses and lowest for genitourinary and gastrointestinal diagnoses. Conclusion: Using death record data alone to identify children and young people with life-limiting condition – and therefore those who would require palliative care services – would underestimate the numbers. This underestimation varies by age, deprivation, ethnicity and diagnostic group.
SUMMIT (Serially Unified Multicenter Multiple Sclerosis Investigation): creating a repository of deeply phenotyped contemporary multiple sclerosis cohorts
Authors: Bove Riley , Chitnis Tanuja , Cree Bruce AC , Tintoré Mar , Naegelin Yvonne , Uitdehaag Bernard MJ , Kappos Ludwig , Khoury Samia J , Montalban Xavier , Hauser Stephen L , Weiner Howard L ,   on behalf of the SUMMIT Consortium
Published: August 2017

Background: There is a pressing need for robust longitudinal cohort studies in the modern treatment era of multiple sclerosis. Objective: Build a multiple sclerosis (MS) cohort repository to capture the variability of disability accumulation, as well as provide the depth of characterization (clinical, radiologic, genetic, biospecimens) required to adequately model and ultimately predict a patient’s course. Methods: Serially Unified Multicenter Multiple Sclerosis Investigation (SUMMIT) is an international multi-center, prospectively enrolled cohort with over a decade of comprehensive follow-up on more than 1000 patients from two large North American academic MS Centers (Brigham and Women’s Hospital (Comprehensive Longitudinal Investigation of Multiple Sclerosis at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital (CLIMB; BWH)) and University of California, San Francisco (Expression/genomics, Proteomics, Imaging, and Clinical (EPIC))). It is bringing online more than 2500 patients from additional international MS Centers (Basel (Universitätsspital Basel (UHB)), VU University Medical Center MS Center Amsterdam (MSCA), Multiple Sclerosis Center of Catalonia-Vall d’Hebron Hospital (Barcelona clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) cohort), and American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC-Multiple Sclerosis Interdisciplinary Research (AMIR)). Results and conclusion: We provide evidence for harmonization of two of the initial cohorts in terms of the characterization of demographics, disease, and treatment-related variables; demonstrate several proof-of-principle analyses examining genetic and radiologic predictors of disease progression; and discuss the steps involved in expanding SUMMIT into a repository accessible to the broader scientific community.
Anti-JCV serology during natalizumab treatment: Review and meta-analysis of 17 independent patient cohorts analyzing anti-John Cunningham polyoma virus sero-conversion rates under natalizumab treatment and differences between technical and biological sero-converters
Authors: Schwab Nicholas , Schneider-Hohendorf Tilman , Hoyt Tammy , Gross Catharina C , Meuth Sven G , Klotz Luisa , Foley John F , Wiendl Heinz 
Published: August 2017

Background: Anti-John Cunningham virus (JCV) serology has been studied with varying results concerning longitudinal changes. Objectives and methods: Results from 17 published natalizumab-treated multiple sclerosis (MS) patient cohorts were analyzed with common parameters and subsequently verified in two large independent cohorts with 722 and 499 patients from Germany and the United States. Results: Published studies and the verification showed (1) a mean of 10.80% sero-negative patients presented with sero-status change to positivity per year; (2) patients, who sero-convert to index values <0.9, convert from near the threshold and have a high probability of reverting with time; (3) patients, who convert to index values >0.9, start with low index values; (4) while JCV sero-positive patients with low index values sometimes revert to sero-negativity, patients with high index values almost never revert; and (5) the conversion rate of natalizumab-treated patients is three to four times higher than the biological conversion by age. Conclusion: JCV sero-conversion was comparable using standardized parameters and indicates influence of natalizumab on JCV immune control. Converters to low index values are probably consistently infected with JCV with varying low levels of activity, in line with their low risk to develop progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). Patients with high index values rarely revert back to sero-negativity.
Combinations of QTc-prolonging drugs: towards disentangling pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects in their potentially additive nature
Authors: Meid Andreas D. , Bighelli Irene , Mächler Sarah , Mikus Gerd , Carrà Giuseppe , Castellazzi Mariasole , Lucii Claudio , Martinotti Giovanni , Nosè Michela , Ostuzzi Giovanni , Barbui Corrado , Haefeli Walter E. 
Published: August 2017

Background: Whether arrhythmia risks will increase if drugs with electrocardiographic (ECG) QT-prolonging properties are combined is generally supposed but not well studied. Based on available evidence, the Arizona Center for Education and Research on Therapeutics (AZCERT) classification defines the risk of QT prolongation for exposure to single drugs. We aimed to investigate how combining AZCERT drug categories impacts QT duration and how relative drug exposure affects the extent of pharmacodynamic drug–drug interactions. Methods: In a cohort of 2558 psychiatric inpatients and outpatients, we modeled whether AZCERT class and number of coprescribed QT-prolonging drugs correlates with observed rate-corrected QT duration (QTc) while also considering age, sex, inpatient status, and other QTc-prolonging risk factors. We concurrently considered administered drug doses and pharmacokinetic interactions modulating drug clearance to calculate individual weights of relative exposure with AZCERT drugs. Because QTc duration is concentration-dependent, we estimated individual drug exposure with these drugs and included this information as weights in weighted regression analyses. Results: Drugs attributing a ‘known’ risk for clinical consequences were associated with the largest QTc prolongations. However, the presence of at least two versus one QTc-prolonging drug yielded nonsignificant prolongations [exposure-weighted parameter estimates with 95% confidence intervals for ‘known’ risk drugs + 0.93 ms (–8.88;10.75)]. Estimates for the ‘conditional’ risk class increased upon refinement with relative drug exposure and co-administration of a ‘known’ risk drug as a further risk factor. Conclusions: These observations indicate that indiscriminate combinations of QTc-prolonging drugs do not necessarily result in additive QTc prolongation and suggest that QT prolongation caused by drug combinations strongly depends on the nature of the combination partners and individual drug exposure. Concurrently, it stresses the value of the AZCERT classification also for the risk prediction of combination therapies with QT-prolonging drugs.
Technology-assisted toilets: Improving independence and hygiene in stroke rehabilitation
Authors: Yachnin David , Gharib Georges , Jutai Jeffrey , Finestone Hillel 
Published: August 2017

Background and Purpose Dependence on assistance for toileting is a widespread problem for persons receiving healthcare. Technology-assisted toilets, which hygienically wash and dry the perineal region, are devices that could improve toileting independence in a variety of patients. The objective was to investigate whether technology-assisted toilets improve toileting independence, quality of life, and whether technology-assisted toilets can provide sufficient toileting hygiene in stroke rehabilitation. Methods This pilot study was carried out in a stroke rehabilitation unit. Thirty participants were recruited. Participants had a bowel movement and cleaned themselves using the technology-assisted toilet on one to three occasions. Participants rated their toileting before using the technology-assisted toilet and after each technology-assisted toilet use with the Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale (PIADS). After each session, participants were rated for cleanliness. Results PIADS scores were analyzed from eight individual participants, five of whom completed the full protocol. PIADS scores were significantly higher with the technology-assisted toilet than with the participants’ regular toileting routine (p < 0.05). Technology-assisted toilets cleaned effectively in 73% of cases (16/22, p < 0.05). Conclusion Technology-assisted toilets improved stroke patients’ psychosocial outcomes compared to standard toileting and completely cleaned participants in the majority of cases. A larger study should confirm technology-assisted toilet’s benefit in stroke rehabilitation through improved independence and hygiene.
Humerus shaft fracture associated with traumatic radial nerve palsy: An international survey among orthopedic trauma surgeons from Latin America and Asia/Pacific
Authors: Giordano Vincenzo , Belangero William , Pires Robinson Esteves , Labronici Pedro José ,   the Clinical Decision Rules Group
Published: August 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to explore the real-life practice of clinical management of humeral shaft fracture associated with traumatic radial nerve palsy among orthopedic trauma surgeons. Methods: Two hundred seventy-nine orthopedic surgeons worldwide reviewed 10 real cases of a humeral shaft fracture associated with traumatic radial nerve palsy answering two questions: (1) What treatment would you choose/recommend: nonoperative or operative? (2) What are the reasons for your decision-making? The survey was developed in an online survey tool. All participants were active members from AOTrauma International. Results: Two hundred sixty-six (95.3%) participants were from Latin America and Asia/Pacific. One hundred sixty-two participants (58.1%) had more than 10 years in practice and 178 (63.8%) of them did trauma as the main area of interest. One hundred fifty-one (54.1%) participants treated less than three humeral shaft fractures a month. Traumatic radial nerve palsy was the main reason (88.4%) for surgeons to recommend surgical treatment. Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) or percutaneous fixation of the fracture associated with acutely explore of radial nerve was the first option in 62.0% of the cases. A combination of morphology and level of the fracture and the presence of the radial nerve palsy was the most suggested reason to surgically treat the humerus fracture. The main isolated factor was the morphology of the fracture. Conclusion: Our survey highlight the tendency for a more aggressive management of any humeral shaft fracture associated with a traumatic radial nerve palsy, with surgeons preferring to use ORIF with acute exploration of the radial nerve. Nonsurgical management was the less chosen option among the 279 respondents. Fracture morphology, level of the fracture, and the presence of the radial nerve palsy were most influential for guiding their treatment.
The immunoinhibitory PD-1/PD-L1 pathway in inflammatory blood vessel disease
Authors: Weyand Cornelia M , Berry Gerald J , Goronzy Jörg J 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
Because of their vital function, the wall structures of medium and large arteries are immunoprivileged and protected from inflammatory attack. That vascular immunoprivilege is broken in atherosclerosis and in vasculitis, when wall-invading T cells and macrophages (Mϕ) promote tissue injury and maladaptive repair. Historically, tissue-residing T cells were studied for their antigen specificity, but recent progress has refocused attention to antigen-nonspecific regulation, which determines tissue access, persistence, and functional differentiation of T cells. The coinhibitory receptor PD-1, expressed on T cells, delivers negative signals when engaged by its ligand PD-L1, expressed on dendritic cells, Mϕ, and endothelial cells to attenuate T cell activation, effector functions, and survival. Through mitigating signals, the PD-1 immune checkpoint maintains tissue tolerance. In line with this concept, dendritic cells and Mϕs from patients with the vasculitic syndrome giant cell arteritis (GCA) are PD-L1lo; including vessel-wall–embedded DCs that guard the vascular immunoprivilege. GCA infiltrates in the arterial walls are filled with PD-1+ T cells that secrete IFN-γ, IL-17, and IL-21; drive inflammation-associated angiogenesis; and facilitate intimal hyperplasia. Conversely, chronic tissue inflammation in the atherosclerotic plaque is associated with an overreactive PD-1 checkpoint. Plaque-residing Mϕs are PD-L1hi, a defect induced by their addiction to glucose and glycolytic breakdown. PD-L1hi Mϕs render patients with coronary artery disease immunocompromised and suppress antiviral immunity, including protective anti–varicella zoster virus T cells. Thus, immunoinhibitory signals affect several domains of vascular inflammation; failing PD-L1 in vasculitis enables unopposed immunostimulation and opens the flood gates for polyfunctional inflammatory T cells, and excess PD-L1 in the atherosclerotic plaque disables tissue-protective T cell immunity.
The utility of serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin-D and body mass index in the work-up of patients presenting to a bone health clinic
Authors: McCarley Matthew R. , Wise Kelsey L. , Jupiter Daniel C. , Lindsey Ronald W. , Klein Gordon L. 
Published: August 2017

Background: 25-hydroxyvitamin-D (25[OH]D) and Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) are routinely evaluated in bone health clinics, but existing literature is conflicting with regard to whether these factors predict fragility fractures. We hypothesized that both serum 25(OH)D levels and bone density are lower in patients who have sustained fragility fracture(s) prior to initial presentation compared to those patients who have not. Methods: We reviewed the charts of 102 consecutive patients presenting to a single-center Bone Health Clinic, comprising 11 males and 91 females with a mean age of 68 and range of 50 to 92. Demographic data, serum 25(OH)D levels, fracture history, and DEXA scans were obtained at the initial visit. Results: 64 patients had previously sustained a fragility fracture, and 38 patients had not. 25(OH)D levels were similar in the fracture and non-fracture groups (37.12±17.02 ng/mL versus 38.55±16.42, p=0.676). DEXA T-scores were similar between fracture and non-fracture groups (-2.28±1.33 versus -1.82±1.1, p=0.075). Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (n=7) had lower 25(OH)D levels upon presentation (mean 22.57±8.46 versus 38.77±16.67, p=0.001). BMI was inversely correlated with 25(OH)D level (Pearson correlation [R] =-0.211, p=0.033). Age was inversely correlated with DEXA T-score (R=-0.269, p-0.009), whereas BMI was positively correlated with DEXA T-score (R=0.259, p=0.013). The other demographic variables and risk factors studied were not significantly associated with either 25(OH)D levels or DEXA T-scores. Within the fracture group, DEXA T-scores were lower for patients who had sustained a hip fracture (n=15) compared to those who had sustained a fragility fracture elsewhere (-3.12±1.02 versus -2.03±1.32, p=0.004), but their 25(OH)D levels did not differ (34.33±25.49 versus 37.98±13.69, p=0.602).Conclusions: In this cohort of patients referred to a Bone Health Clinic, serum 25(OH)D levels and DEXA T-scores did not differ between those patients who had sustained a fragility fracture from those who had not.
Gender-Based Specifics of Intellectual Characteristics of Top Managers
Authors: Токарева Ю. , Tokareva Yu. , Коваленко Т. , Kavalenko T. , Гафурова Т. , Gafurova T. 
Published: August 2017

and female managers. The study included methods traditionally used for intelligence diagnostics, and proved significant differences between general mental
capacities, intellectual and mnemic manifestations of male and female managers that eventually affected their management strategy and dynamics. Both men
and women over 50 years old were marked with the passivity of thinking and poor attention switch capability. Such persons hardly adapt to any changes of their
working practice, are not prone to change the stream of their thought, or switch from one type of activity to another. Their intellectual processes are sluggish,
Human resources practices give scientific credence for differentiation of management approaches, styles and behavioral patterns of male and female managers. It is proved that there are differences in social, psychological, and economic aspects of the management process for male and female managers. Although some gender studies are available, the question of comparison of intellectual characteristics of top managers still remains open. Such authors as T.I. Zaslavskaya, E.S. Balabanova, T.M. Dadaeva, I.A. Kovaleva and others insisted on mandatory consideration of management capabilities and skills of men and women.
The objective of our research was to identify gender-based specifics of intellectual characteristics of top managers, to determine intellectual resources of maleand the pace of work is slowed.
The emotional components of thinking and distractibility are mostly indicative to women at the age of 45 to 50 years old, which means poor commitment to the task. Perception speed and accuracy, attention distribution and concentration are indicative to male managers at the age of 40 to 45 years old which lets us make a suggestion about having an ability to work with various materials under pressure of time, to highlight the main contents, to compare symbols, numeric characters, etc. Knowing about gender-based specifics of the intelligence will ensure a psychological aspect of personnel management and promotion.
Distinguishing the Representative Marshes in China Based on Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Chen Yongming , Lin Ping 
Published: August 2017

Abstract. A new means to distinguish the habitat spectacles of the representative marshes in China based on artificial intelligence is presented in this article. Three typical instances including Yancheng mudflat marsh, Zoige plateau marsh, and Dongzhai Harbor mangrove forest marsh were investigated. Firstly, the RGB true-color pictures of the marsh habitat spectacles were resized to the appropriate sizes and switched to gray intensity pictures. Secondly, the GIST descriptors were evaluated for encoding the marsh habitat spectacles at both a basic level and a superordinate level. Thirdly, the principal component analysis algorithm was performed to extract the principal components from the encoded features. Finally, the multi-class support vector machine (MSVM) algorithm was used to discriminate the marsh habitat spectacles using the principal components. The recognition percisions for the training and test set reached 72.5% and 70.6%, respectively. It was accounted that the proposed methods could be applied to distinguishing the representative marsh habitat spectacles in China. Keywords: Classification, GIST descriptiors, Marsh Habitat spectacle, Multi-class support vector machine, Principal component analysis.