bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of thiopurine S-methyltransferase gene polymorphisms in patients with inflammatory bowel disease from the island of Crete, Greece
Authors: Coucoutsi Constantina , Emmanouil George , Goulielmos George , Sfakianaki Ourania , Koutroubakis Ioannis E. , Kouroumalis Elias A. 
Published: August 2017

Background
There is evidence that genotyping for the thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT) gene variants is useful for the prediction of response to thiopurine analogs (azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of TPMT gene polymorphisms in a genetic homogenous population of IBD patients in Crete and to correlate the results with adverse reactions to thiopurine drugs.

Patients and methods
Genotyping for the most common TPMT variants TPMT*2, TPMT*3A, TPMT3*C, and TPMT*3B was performed using the PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism method in 223 consecutive IBD patients and 119 age-matched and sex-matched healthy controls. The hospital medical records were reviewed for thiopurine use in these patients and related adverse events.

Results
The prevalence of TPMT variants TPMT*2, TPMT*3A, TPMT*3B, and TPMT*3C was 1.8, 2.7, 1.3, and 1.8%, respectively. The G238C mutation was detected in four (1.8%) out of 223 patients, three (1.3%) patients were carriers of the G460A mutation, four (1.8%) of the A719G mutation, and six (2.7%) of both G460A and A719G mutations. In healthy controls, only one (0.8%) carried both the G460A and the A719G mutation, whereas TPMT*2, TPMT*3C, and TPMT*3B were not detected. None of the genotypes was homozygous. A statistically significant correlation between the presence of the G460A mutation and the development of leucopenia after the administration of thiopurines was observed (P=0.048).

Conclusion
This study showed a lower frequency of total TPMT variants and a higher frequency of TPMT*3B in Cretan IBD patients compared with other Caucasian populations. The presence of the G460A mutation is associated with the development of leukopenia.
Viral hepatitis screening in transgender patients undergoing gender identity hormonal therapy
Authors: Mangla Neeraj , Mamun Rifat , Weisberg Ilan S. 
Published: August 2017

Background and aim
Viral hepatitis is a global health issue and can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Guidelines for viral hepatitis screening in the transgender population do not exist. Transgender patients may be at higher risk for contracting viral hepatitis due to socioeconomic and behavioral factors. The aim of this study was to measure the quality of screening, prevalence, and susceptibility of viral hepatitis, and to identify barriers to screening in transgender patients undergoing gender identity hormonal therapy.

Methods
LGBTQ-friendly clinic visits from transgender patients older than 18 years in New York City from 2012 to 2015 were reviewed.

Results
Approximately 13% of patients were screened for any viral hepatitis on initial consultation. Screening rates for hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis A virus (HAV) at any point were 27, 22, and 20%. HAV screening was performed in 28% of the female to male (FtM) patients and 16% of male to female (MtF) (P<0.05) patients. HBV screening was performed in 30% of FtM patients and 18% of MtF patients (P<0.05). Thirty-one percent of FtM, 24% of MtF, and 17% of genderqueer patients were tested for HCV (P>0.05). Prevalence of HCV, HBV, and HIV in FtM was 0, 0, and 0.44% and that in MtF was 1.78, 0.89, and 1.78%, respectively. Percentage of patients immune to hepatitis A in FtM and MtF subgroups were 55 and 47% (P>0.05). Percentage of patients immune to HBV in FtM and MtF subgroups were 54 and 48% (P>0.05).

Conclusion
This study indicates a significant lack of hepatitis screening in the transgender population and a concerning proportion of patients susceptible to disease.
MRI assessed pancreatic morphology and exocrine function are associated with disease burden in chronic pancreatitis
Authors: Madzak Adnan , Olesen Søren Schou , Lykke Poulsen Jakob , Bolvig Mark Esben , Mohr Drewes Asbjørn , Frøkjær Jens Brøndum 
Published: August 2017

Background and aim
The aim of this study was to explore the association between morphological and functional secretin-stimulated MRI parameters with hospitalization, quality of life (QOL), and pain in patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP).

Patients and methods
This prospective cohort study included 82 patients with CP. Data were obtained from clinical information, QOL, and pain as assessed by questionnaires (The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire and modified Brief Pain Inventory short form). Secretin-stimulated MRI morphological parameters included pancreatic gland volume, main pancreatic duct diameter, the modified Cambridge Classification of Duct Abnormality, apparent diffusion coefficient, fat signal fraction, and the pancreatic secretion volume as a functional parameter. The primary outcomes were time to first hospitalization related to the CP, as well as annual hospitalization frequency and duration. The secondary outcomes were pain severity, QOL, and pain interference scores.

Results
A main pancreatic duct diameter below 5 mm was associated with reduced time to first hospitalization (hazard ratio=2.06; 95% confidence interval: 1.02–4.17; P=0.043). Pancreatic secretion volume was correlated with QOL (r=0.31; P=0.0072) and pain interference score (r=−0.27; P=0.032), and fecal elastase was also correlated with QOL (r=0.28; P=0.017). However, functional and morphological findings were not related to pain intensity.

Conclusion
Advanced pancreatic imaging techniques may be a highly sensitive tool for prognostication and monitoring of disease activity and its consequences.
Accommodative Behavior of Eyes Wearing Aspheric Single Vision Contact Lenses
Authors: Altoaimi Basal H. , Almutairi Meznah S. , Kollbaum Pete , Bradley Arthur 
Published: August 2017

SIGNIFICANCE
Wearing aspheric contact lenses adds significant amounts of negative spherical aberration (SA). Also, when accommodated and converged to near targets, pupil size shrinks and SA shift from positive to more negative direction. Interestingly, in this study, pupil miosis was fully or partially able to compensate for the additional accommodation-induced negative SA.

PURPOSE
The present study aims to examine the accommodative response characteristics of young eyes fit with aspheric single vision contact lenses (SVCLs) that add significant negative SA to the eye responding to a wide range of accommodation stimuli.

METHODS
Using a Shack–Hartmann aberrometer, the accommodation behavior in eight young adult eyes (mean age and spherical equivalent is 27.25 ± 2.05 years and −1.75 ± 1.80D, respectively) was measured while subjects fixated binocularly and monocularly 20/40 letter E, which were moved from 2 m to 20 cm (0.5 to 5D) in 0.25D steps. Using natural pupils, refractive state was defined using three standard criteria: the dioptric power that (1) minimized the root mean square error (minRMS), (2) best-fit paraxial, and (3) provided the peak image quality (peak IQ).

RESULTS
Wearing aspheric lenses with negative SA shifts the mean SA of the unaccommodated eyes from +0.05 μm (eyes only) to −0.029 μm (eyes + SVCL) and increases the negative SA for the eye + lens when accommodating from −0.029 to −0.07 μm for natural pupils. Aberration changes with accommodation were attenuated by the accommodative pupil miosis, which reduced binocular viewing pupil diameters from 3.9 to 3.3 mm. This alteration of the typical SA levels by the aspheric SVCL did not prevent accurate accommodation (mean ± standard deviation accommodative lag under binocular viewing were −0.08 ± 0.12D, −0.38 ± 0.12D, and −0.26 ± 0.08D for paraxial, minRMS, and peak IQ, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS
These data clearly show that aspheric contact lenses designed to correct some or all of the unaccommodated eye’s positive SA do not interfere with accommodation.
Two Unique Cases of Ciprofloxacin-Associated Avulsion of Ligament and Tendon
Authors: Smith Jeffrey David , Irwin Robert W. , Wolff Erin T. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractCiprofloxacin is recognized to have a deleterious relationship with tendons, particularly Achilles tendinopathy, which makes up most case reports. Tendinopathy seems to occur because of induction of collagen-degrading enzymes causing damage and ischemia of the poorly vascularized regions preventing repair. The focus on the relationship of ciprofloxacin and the Achilles tendon leaves patients on fluoroquinolones with non-Achilles tendinopathy symptoms at risk of misdiagnosis. There have not been any documented instances of ligament damage with ciprofloxacin administration in the literature, although ligament and tendon compositions are similar and should have similar susceptibility. This report includes two cases, one presenting with right lateral thumb pain and a medical history of gastroenteritis treated with ciprofloxacin. Physical examination showed swelling of the right metacarpophalangeal joint and ultrasound confirmed disruption of the radial collateral ligament at insertion on first metacarpal; the second case is of a woman presenting with right hip pain in setting of chronic recurrent diverticulitis treated with ciprofloxacin. She received work-up for lumbar disc disease and spondylosis. After standard therapy with pharmacotherapy and physical therapy for radiculopathy failed, magnetic resonance imaging was performed showing near complete avulsion of the right hamstring tendons from the ischial tuberosity.
Is Horizontal Mattress Suturing More Effective Than Simple Interrupted Suturing on Postoperative Complications and Primary Wound Healing After Impacted Mandibular Third Molar Surgery?
Authors: Acar Ahmet Hüseyin , Kazancioğlu Hakki Oğuz , Erdem Necip Fazil , Asutay Fatih 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
The aim of this clinical study was to compare the influence of 2 different suturing techniques on postoperative complications and wound healing after surgical extractions of impacted mandibular third molars. In this randomized split mouth study, 30 patients were examined in whom 60 consecutive surgical extractions of symmetrically positioned impacted mandibular third molars were performed. After the extractions, the surgical flaps were sutured with either the simple interrupted or horizontal mattress suturing technique. Postoperative swelling and trismus were recorded on the 2nd, 7th, and 10th days. Pain was recorded in a 7-day diary and wound dehiscence was recorded on the10th postoperative day. Statistical evaluation of data was made using Mann–Whitney U test and Pearson correlation. There were no statistical differences between the 2 suturing techniques in terms of postoperative pain, trismus, and swelling (P > 0.05). There was significantly less wound dehiscence in the horizontal mattress suturing group than in the simple interrupted suturing group (P: 0017). According to the results of this study, the horizontal mattress suturing technique is more effective than the simple interrupted suturing technique on wound healing after impacted mandibular third molar surgery, although it does not decrease the levels of pain, trismus, and swelling.
Effect of Suturation Plus Surgicel Application on Post-Tonsillectomy Bleeding and Pain
Authors: Cetiner Hasan , Cavusoglu Ilker , Duzer Sertac , Sakallioglu Oner , Susaman Nihat , Yildirim Yavuz Sultan Selim 
Published: August 2017

Objective:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of suturation (tonsillary fossa closure) plus Surgicel application on postoperative bleeding and pain after tonsillectomies performed using a classical dissection method.

Study Design:
A prospective, randomized, double-blind, clinical trial was performed on 760 patients undergoing tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy during a 5-year period.

Methods:
After excluding patients with hemorrhagic disorder, chronic disease, and peritonsillar abscess, both tonsils were removed via classic dissection technique (cold knife or blunt dissection) and then electrocauterized for hemostasis. The tonsillar fossa randomly assigned to the treatment protocol (Group 1) was closed by sutures, following Surgicel application. The other side was unaltered and acted as the control (Group 2). Pain was evaluated every day for 10 days postoperatively, and bleeding was reported at any time.

Results:
A total of 760 patients (393 males, 367 females) between the ages of 4 and 35 years (mean age 13.46 ± 7.98) were included in the study. Bleeding was observed in 31 patients: 8 from Group 1; and 23 from Group 2 (95% confidence interval [CI], P < 0.05). The average pain score was greater in Group 1 than in Group 2 on each postoperative day (95% CI, P < 0.05).

Conclusion:
Suturation plus Surgicel application increased pain levels while decreasing bleeding incidence during the postoperative period.
Surgical Treatment as a First Option of the Lower Eyelid Xanthelasma
Authors: Obradovic Bojan 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
Xanthelasma palpebrarum represents yellowish plaques, which mostly appear near the inner cantus of the eyelid. In most patients, cosmetic reasons are the main purpose for their removal.
The author presents a patient with a lower eyelid xanthelasma where surgical excision was used as a first treatment option. Cosmetic reasons, fast recovery, and possibility of a 1-stage procedure were the main requests of the patient for the removal of xanthelasma. Treatment and postrecovery period were routine.
In the treatment of xanthelasma palpebrarum of the lower eyelids, it is necessary to consider surgical excision as a first treatment option.
Nationwide Procedural Trends for Renal Trauma Management
Authors: Colaco Marc , Navarrete Roberto A. , MacDonald Susan M. , Stitzel Joel D. , Terlecki Ryan P. 
Published: August 2017

Objective:
To characterize national trends in procedural management of renal trauma.

Background:
Management of renal trauma has evolved to favor a more conservative approach. For patients requiring intervention, there is a paucity of information to characterize the nature of procedural therapy administered.

Methods:
A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was performed using data contained within the National Trauma Data Bank. The National Trauma Data Bank is a voluntary data repository managed by the American College of Surgeons, containing data regarding trauma admissions at 747 level I to V trauma centers throughout the United States and Canada. Participants included any patient with renal trauma requiring intervention from 2002 to 2012. They were identified according to International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) diagnosis codes, with codes 866.00 through 866.03 for blunt renal trauma, and codes 866.10 through 866.13 for penetrating trauma. Cases were separated into those requiring nephrectomy, renorrhaphy, or endovascular repair based on ICD-9 procedure code. The number of cases performed each year and yearly trends as measured by linear regression.

Results:
A total of 4296 cases were reported during the study period. Of these cases, 2635 involved blunt trauma and 1661 involved penetrating injury. There was a significant increase in the percentage of cases managed by endovascular means for both blunt and penetrating trauma (R
2 = 0.92, P < 0.01; and R
2 = 0.86, P < 0.01, respectively). This was primarily at the expense of nephrectomy, with cases showing significant decline in both groups.

Conclusions:
National trends for procedural management of renal trauma are toward less invasive interventions. These trends suggest favorable change towards renal preservation and decreased morbidity, potentially facilitated, in part, by improved radiographic staging and endovascular techniques, and also increased provider awareness of the safety and value of conservative management.
Biomarker-guided Intervention to Prevent Acute Kidney Injury After Major Surgery
Authors: Göcze Ivan , Jauch Dominik , Götz Markus , Kennedy Pascal , Jung Bettina , Zeman Florian , Gnewuch Carsten , Graf Bernhard M. , Gnann Wolfgang , Banas Bernhard , Bein Thomas , Schlitt Hans J. , Bergler Tobias 
Published: August 2017

Objective:
To determine the impact of renal biomarker–guided implementation of the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) care bundle on the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) after major noncardiac surgery in a single-center unblinded randomized clinical trial.

Background:
Early optimization of volume status and discontinuation of nephrotoxic medication before the occurrence of AKI may be the crucial step to reduce preventable AKI.

Methods:
The urinary biomarker−triggered KDIGO care bundle (early optimization of fluid status, maintenance of perfusion pressure, discontinuation of nephrotoxic agents) was compared to standard intensive care unit (ICU) care in 121 patients with an increased AKI risk after major abdominal surgery that was determined by urinary biomarker (inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 × insulin-like growth factor–binding protein 7) >0.3. Incidence of overall AKI, severity of AKI, length of stay, major kidney events at discharge, and cost effectiveness were evaluated.

Results:
The overall stages of AKI were not statistically different between the 2 groups, but in patients with inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 × insulin-like growth factor–binding protein 7 values of 0.3 to 2.0 a subgroup analysis demonstrated a significantly reduced incidence of AKI 13/48 (27.1%) in the intervention group compared to control 24/50 (48.0%, P = 0.03). Incidence of moderate and severe AKI (P = 0.04), incidence of creatinine increase >25% of baseline value (P = 0.01), length of ICU, and hospital stay (P = 0.04) were significantly lower in the intervention group. Intervention was associated with cost reduction. There were no significant differences regarding renal replacement therapy, in-hospital mortality, or major kidney events at hospital discharge.

Conclusions:
Early biomarker-based prediction of imminent AKI followed by implementation of KDIGO care bundle reduced AKI severity, postoperative creatinine increase, length of ICU, and hospital stay in patients after major noncardiac surgery.
The tale of a tail: histone H4 acetylation and the repair of DNA breaks
Authors: Dhar Surbhi , Gursoy-Yuzugullu Ozge , Parasuram Ramya , Price Brendan D. 
Published: August 2017

The ability of cells to detect and repair DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) within the complex architecture of the genome requires co-ordination between the DNA repair machinery and chromatin remodelling complexes. This co-ordination is essential to process damaged chromatin and create open chromatin structures which are required for repair. Initially, there is a PARP-dependent recruitment of repressors, including HP1 and several H3K9 methyltransferases, and exchange of histone H2A.Z by the NuA4-Tip60 complex. This creates repressive chromatin at the DSB in which the tail of histone H4 is bound to the acidic patch on the nucleosome surface. These repressor complexes are then removed, allowing rapid acetylation of the H4 tail by Tip60. H4 acetylation blocks interaction between the H4 tail and the acidic patch on adjacent nucleosomes, decreasing inter-nucleosomal interactions and creating open chromatin. Further, the H4 tail is now free to recruit proteins such as 53BP1 to DSBs, a process modulated by H4 acetylation, and provides binding sites for bromodomain proteins, including ZMYND8 and BRD4, which are important for DSB repair. Here, we will discuss how the H4 tail functions as a dynamic hub that can be programmed through acetylation to alter chromatin packing and recruit repair proteins to the break site.
This article is part of the themed issue ‘Chromatin modifiers and remodellers in DNA repair and signalling’.
DNA replication through a chromatin environment
Authors: Bellush James M. , Whitehouse Iestyn 
Published: August 2017

Compaction of the genome into the nuclear space is achieved by wrapping DNA around octameric assemblies of histone proteins to form nucleosomes, the fundamental repeating unit of chromatin. Aside from providing a means by which to fit larger genomes into the cell, chromatinization of DNA is a crucial means by which the cell regulates access to the genome. While the complex role that chromatin plays in gene transcription has been appreciated for a long time, it is now also apparent that crucial aspects of DNA replication are linked to the biology of chromatin. This review will focus on recent advances in our understanding of how the chromatin environment influences key aspects of DNA replication.
This article is part of the themed issue ‘Chromatin modifiers and remodellers in DNA repair and signalling'.
Putting the “dynamic” back into dynamic functional connectivity
Authors: Heitmann Stewart , Breakspear Michael 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe study of fluctuations in time-resolved functional connectivity is a topic of substantial current interest. As the term “dynamicfunctional connectivity” implies, such fluctuations are believed to arise from dynamics in the neuronal systems generating these signals. While considerable activity currently attends to methodological and statistical issues regarding dynamic functional connectivity, less attention has been paid toward its candidate causes. Here, we review candidate scenarios for dynamic (functional) connectivity that arise in dynamical systems with two or more subsystems; generalized synchronization, itinerancy (a form of metastability), and multistability. Each of these scenarios arise under different configurations of local dynamics and inter-system coupling: We show how they generate time series data with nonlinear and/or non-stationary multivariate statistics. The key issue is that time series generated by coupled nonlinear systems contain a richer temporal structure than matched multivariate (linear) stochastic processes. In turn, this temporal structure yields many of the phenomena proposed as important to large-scale communication and computation in the brain, such as phase-amplitude coupling, complexity and flexibility. The code for simulating these dynamics is available in a freeware software platform, the “Brain Dynamics Toolbox”.
Functional effects of heating and cooling gene networks
Authors: Charlebois Daniel A. , Hauser Kevin , Marshall Sylvia , Balázsi Gábor 
Published: August 2017

AbstractEveryday existence and survival of most organisms requires coping with temperature changes, which involves gene regulatory networks both as subjects and agents of cellular protection. Yet, how temperature affects gene network function remains unclear, partly because natural gene networks are complex and incompletely characterized. Here, we study how heating and cooling affect the function of single genes and well-characterized synthetic gene circuits inSaccharomyces cerevisiae. We found nontrivial, nonmonotone temperature-dependent gene expression trends at non-growth-optimal temperatures. In addition, heating caused unusual bimodality in the negative-feedback gene circuit expression and shifts upward the bimodal regime for the positive feedback gene circuit. Mathematical models incorporating temperature-dependent growth rates and Arrhenius scaling of reaction rates captured the effects of cooling, but not those of heating. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that heating alters the conformational dynamics and allows DNA-binding of the TetR transcriptional repressor, fully explaining the experimental results for the negative-feedback gene circuit. Overall, we uncover how temperature shifts may corrupt gene networks, which may aid future designs of temperature-robust synthetic gene circuits.