bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predictive capacity of prodromal symptoms in first‐episode psychosis of recent onset
Authors: Barajas Ana , Pelaez Trinidad , González Olga , Usall Judith , Iniesta Raquel , Arteaga Maria , Jackson Chris , Baños Iris , Sánchez Bernardo , Dolz Montserrat , Obiols Jordi E. , Haro Josep M. ,   GENIPE Group, Ochoa Susana 
Published: November 2017

BackgroundBoth the nature and number of a wide range of prodromal symptoms have been related to the severity and type of psychopathology in the psychotic phase. However, at present there is an incomplete picture focused mainly on the positive pre‐psychotic dimension.AimTo characterize the prodromal phase retrospectively, examining the number and nature of prodromal symptoms as well as their relationship with psychopathology at the onset of first‐episode psychosis.MethodsRetrospective study of 79 patients experiencing a first‐episode psychosis of less than 1 year from the onset of full‐blown psychosis. All patients were evaluated with a comprehensive battery of instruments including socio‐demographic and clinical questionnaire, IRAOS interview, PANSS, stressful life events scale (PERI) and WAIS/WISC (vocabulary subtest). Bivariate associations and multiple regression analysis were performed.ResultsRegression models revealed that several prodromal dimensions of IRAOS (delusions, affect, language, behaviour and non‐hallucinatory disturbances of perception) predicted the onset of psychosis, with positive (22.4% of the variance) and disorganized (25.6% of the variance) dimensions being the most widely explained.ConclusionIn addition to attenuated positive symptoms, other symptoms such as affective, behavioural and language disturbances should also be considered in the definitions criteria of at‐high‐risk people.
The course of neuropsychological functioning in young people with attenuated vs discrete mental disorders
Authors: Tickell Ashleigh M. , Lee Rico S. C. , Hickie Ian B. , Hermens Daniel F. 
Published: November 2017

AimClinical staging of mental disorders is designed to facilitate the selection of stage‐appropriate interventions, early in the course of illness. Neuropsychological performance, particularly at early stages of mental disorder, is a strong predictor of medium‐term functional outcomes. Despite this, the longitudinal examination of neuropsychological profiles in early stages of illness is poorly researched. Thus, we examined baseline and longitudinal neuropsychological profiles of young patients with attenuated syndromes vs those with discrete disorders.MethodsNeuropsychological testing of 497 help‐seeking young people (21.2 ± 3 years; 56% female). Clinical staging, assigned separately from testing, rated 262 individuals as “attenuated syndrome” (stage 1b) and 235 as “discrete” or “persistent” disorder (stage 2+). Follow‐up testing was undertaken in 170 individuals (54% at stage 1b) after 19.8 ± 9 months (range: 3 to 51 months).ResultsAt baseline, attenuated and discrete/persistent disorders significantly differed in 4 of the 9 neuropsychological measures (verbal learning, verbal memory, visual memory and set shifting). Despite this, both groups showed similar improvement in neuropsychological functioning at follow‐up, particularly in processing speed, sustained attention and visual memory. Longitudinal improvement in cognition corresponded with increases in socio‐occupational functioning.DiscussionThe degree of baseline neuropsychological dysfunction discriminates those with attenuated syndromes from those with a discrete/persistent disorder. Furthermore, improvement in neuropsychological functioning corresponded with improvement in clinical and functional status, despite stage of illness. This suggests that neuropsychological functioning remains relatively stable in young people with a mental illness and may be a critical window for intervention.
Thrombotic microangiopathy with concomitant GI aGVHD after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: Risk factors and outcome
Authors: Zhang Xiao‐hui , Liu Xiao , Wang Qian‐ming , He Yun , Zhu Xiao‐lu , Zhang Jia‐min , Han Wei , Chen Huan , Chen Yu‐hong , Wang Feng‐rong , Wang Jing‐zhi , Zhang Yuan‐yuan , Mo Xiao‐dong , Chen Yao , Wang Yu , Fu Hai‐xia , Chang Ying‐jun , Xu Lan‐ping , Liu Kai‐Yan , Huang Xiao‐Jun 
Published: November 2017

AbstractObjectivesTo explore the possible risk factors for the occurrence and mortality of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) with concomitant acute graft‐vs‐host disease (aGVHD) and to investigate outcomes and treatments of this disorder after allo‐HSCT.MethodsFifty cases diagnosed with TMA with concomitant aGVHD and 150 controls were identified from a cohort composed of 3992 patients who underwent allo‐HSCT from 2008 to 2016.ResultsGrade III‐IV aGVHD (P = .000), acute kidney injury (AKI) (P = .033), and hypertension (P = .028) were significant independent risk factors associated with the occurrence of TMA with concomitant aGVHD. A haptoglobin level below normal (P = .013), a maximum volume of diarrhea >2500 mL/d (P = .015), and bloody diarrhea (P = .049) were significant markers for death in both univariate and multivariate analyses. Patients diagnosed with TMA with concomitant aGVHD had a lower overall survival (OS), a higher non‐relapse mortality (NRM), but a lower risk of relapse.ConclusionsThrombotic microangiopathy with concomitant aGVHD is a significant complication after allo‐HSCT, with a worse outcome, including significantly lower OS and higher NRM. There are specific risk factors associated with occurrence and mortality of this complication.
Apathy in rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder is common and under‐recognized
Authors: Barber T. R. , Muhammed K. , Drew D. , Lawton M. , Crabbe M. , Rolinski M. , Quinnell T. , Zaiwalla Z. , Ben‐Shlomo Y. , Husain M. , Hu M. T. M. 
Published: November 2017

Background and purposeApathy is an important neuropsychiatric feature of Parkinson's disease (PD), which often emerges before the onset of motor symptoms. Patients with rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) have a high probability of developing PD in future. Neuropsychiatric problems are common in RBD, but apathy has not previously been detailed in this key prodromal population.MethodsEighty‐eight patients with polysomnographically proven RBD, 65 patients with PD and 33 controls were assessed for apathy using the Lille Apathy Rating Scale. Cognition and depression were also quantified. The sensitivity of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale screening questions for apathy and depression was calculated.ResultsA total of 46% of patients with RBD were apathetic, compared with 31% of patients with PD in our sample. Most patients with RBD with depression were apathetic but more than half of apathetic patients were not depressed. The sensitivity of the single Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale screening question was only 33% for mild apathy and 50% for severe apathy.ConclusionsApathy is common in RBD and is underestimated by a single self‐report question. Recognition of apathy as a distinct neuropsychiatric feature in RBD could aid targeted treatment interventions and might contribute to the understanding of prodromal PD.
Functions of post‐conflict affiliation with a bystander differ between aggressors and victims in Japanese macaques
Authors: Katsu Noriko , Yamada Kazunori , Nakamichi Masayuki 
Published: November 2017

AbstractPost‐conflict affiliative interactions with a bystander, an uninvolved third party, have been reported in several species. The functions of these interactions could vary depending on whether the individual was an aggressor or a victim in a conflict. We examined the occurrence of and three potential functions for bystander affiliation—substitute for reconciliation, self‐protection and consolation (stress reduction)—in a free‐ranging group of Japanese macaques. We predicted that in this despotic species, the function of bystander affiliations for victims was self‐protection, whereas this was not so for aggressors. We found that compared to control situations, both aggressors and victims engaged in bystander affiliation soon after a conflict, confirming the occurrence of bystander affiliation. Victims were less likely to receive further aggression when bystander affiliation occurred than when no such interaction occurred, consistent with the explanation that post‐conflict bystander affiliation functions as self‐protection for victims. Aggressors were less likely to perform self‐scratching, an indicator of post‐conflict stress, when bystander affiliation occurred. This suggests that such affiliations benefited aggressors by reducing stress. Self‐scratching was not less frequent after affiliation with a bystander who was familiar with the former opponent, indicating that substitute reconciliation did not apply for either aggressors or victims. When bystander affiliation occurred, the bystander was a more familiar individual for aggressors and victims than the former opponent was. In conclusion, aggressors benefited in stress reduction, whereas victims benefited in self‐protection through affiliation with bystanders with whom they have a good relationship. Our study indicated that monkeys cope with post‐conflict problems according to their roles or situations not only by reconciliation but also by bystander affiliation.
Pharmacokinetics of intravenous lithium chloride and assessment of agreement between two methods of lithium concentration measurement in the horse
Authors: Martin L. M. , Bukoski A. D. , Whelchel D. D. , Evans T. J. , Wiedmeyer C. E. , Black S. J. , Johnson P. J. 
Published: November 2017

SummaryBackgroundPharmacokinetics of lithium chloride (LiCl) administered as a bolus, once i.v. have not been determined in horses. There is no point‐of‐care test to measure lithium (Li+) concentrations in horses in order to monitor therapeutic levels and avoid toxicity.ObjectivesTo determine the pharmacokinetics of LiCl in healthy adult horses and to compare agreement between two methods of plasma Li+ concentration measurement: spectrophotometric enzymatic assay (SEA) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS).Study designNonrandomised, single exposure with repeated measures over time.MethodsLithium chloride was administered (0.15 mmol/kg bwt) as an i.v. bolus to eight healthy adult horses. Blood samples were collected pre‐administration and at multiple times until 48 h post‐administration. Samples were analysed by two methods (SEA and ICP‐MS) to determine plasma Li+ concentrations. Pharmacokinetics were determined based on the reference ICP‐MS data.ResultsAdverse side effects were not observed. The SEA showed linearity, R2 = 0.9752; intraday coefficient of variation, 2.5%; and recovery, 96.3%. Both noncompartmental and compartmental analyses (traditional two‐stage and nonlinear mixed‐effects [NLME] modelling) were performed. Geometric mean values of noncompartmental parameters were plasma Li+ concentration at time zero, 2.19 mmol/L; terminal elimination half‐life, 25.68 h; area under the plasma concentration–time curve from time zero to the limit of quantification, 550 mmol/L min; clearance, 0.273 mL/min/kg; mean residence time, 31.22 h; and volume of distribution at steady state, 511 mL/kg. Results of the traditional two‐stage analysis showed good agreement with the NLME modelling approach. Bland–Altman analyses demonstrated poor agreement between the SEA and ICP‐MS methods (95% limits of agreement = 0.14 ± 0.13 mmol/L).Main limitationsClinical effects of LiCl have not been investigated.ConclusionsThe LiCl i.v. bolus displayed pharmacokinetics similar to those reported in other species. The SEA displayed acceptable precision but did not agree well with the reference method (ICP‐MS).
The Summary is available in Spanish – see Supporting Information
Type 2N von Willebrand disease: Characterization and diagnostic difficulties
Authors: Casonato A. , Galletta E. , Sarolo L. , Daidone V. 
Published: November 2017

IntroductionAn abnormal factor VIII (FVIII) binding capacity of von Willebrand factor (VWF) identifies type 2N von Willebrand disease (VWD). Type 2N VWD patients are identified by means of the VWF FVIII binding (VWF:FVIIIB) assay, and especially their VWF:FVIIIB/VWF:Ag ratio (VWF:FVIIIB ratio).AimWe report on our 15‐year experience of diagnosing type 2N VWD.MethodsWe have performed 2178 VWF:FVIIIB assays in bleeders and normal subjects.Resultsvon Willebrand factor (VWF):FVIIIB was reduced in 682, but only 60 had low VWF:FVIIIB ratios (<0.74). Among nine patients who had a VWF:FVIIIB ratio below 0.3, four had normal VWF levels and were homozygotes for the p.R854Q mutation; the other five had low VWF levels due to a quantitative VWF mutation combined with p.R854Q. The VWF:FVIIIB ratio ranged between 0.3 and 0.73 in 51 subjects; 34 of them were heterozygotes for the p.R854Q mutation, while one carried the p.R760C. The heterozygotes for type 2N included subjects with or without bleeding symptoms, the former with significantly lower mean VWF levels than the latter. Among the 116 normal subjects tested, six were heterozygotes for the p.R854Q mutation (all asymptomatic).ConclusionsThe prevalence of type 2N in our VWD cohort was 2.5%, and 5.2% of the general population in Northeast Italy was found heterozygous for the p.R854Q mutation. It might be difficult to reveal a type 2N defect using routine tests alone, especially when it is combined with a quantitative VWF mutation. Accordingly, we always recommend VWF:FVIIIB assay in the diagnostic workup of VWD.
Serum autotaxin is a useful liver fibrosis marker in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection
Authors: Joshita Satoru , Ichikawa Yuki , Umemura Takeji , Usami Yoko , Sugiura Ayumi , Shibata Soichiro , Yamazaki Tomoo , Fujimori Naoyuki , Komatsu Michiharu , Matsumoto Akihiro , Igarashi Koji , Ota Masao , Tanaka Eiji 
Published: November 2017

AimAutotaxin (ATX) is a secreted enzyme that is considered to be associated with liver damage as well as fibrosis. This study assessed the ability of ATX to diagnose liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.MethodsSerum ATX levels were retrospectively evaluated in 101 treatment‐naïve patients with HBV‐related chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis, all of whom had undergone liver biopsy at our hospital.ResultsSerum ATX concentration increased significantly according to liver fibrosis stage in overall (r = 0.46, P < 0.0001), male (r = 0.55, P < 0.0001), and female (r = 0.52, P = 0.0006) patient groups. When analyzed by gender, serum ATX was one of the most reliable markers for all fibrosis stages compared with other tested non‐invasive markers, which included hyaluronic acid, type IV collagen 7S, aspartate aminotransferase‐to‐platelet ratio index, and fibrosis index based on four factors, according to receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.ConclusionBased on this histologically proven data, ATX represents a novel non‐invasive biomarker for liver fibrosis in HBV‐infected patients.
Comparison of human umbilical cord blood‐derived mesenchymal stem cells with healthy fibroblasts on wound‐healing activity of diabetic fibroblasts
Authors: Jung Jae‐A , Yoon Young‐Don , Lee Hyup‐Woo , Kang So‐Ra , Han Seung‐Kyu 
Published: November 2017

AbstractVarious types of skin substitutes composed of fibroblasts and/or keratinocytes have been used for the treatment of diabetic ulcers. However, the effects have generally not been very dramatic. Recently, human umbilical cord blood‐derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hUCB‐MSCs) have been commercialised for cartilage repair as a first cell therapy product using allogeneic stem cells. In a previous pilot study, we reported that hUCB‐MSCs have a superior wound‐healing capability compared with fibroblasts. The present study was designed to compare the treatment effect of hUCB‐MSCs with that of fibroblasts on the diabetic wound healing in vitro. Diabetic fibroblasts were cocultured with healthy fibroblasts or hUCB‐MSCs. Five groups were evaluated: group I, diabetic fibroblasts without coculture; groups II and III, diabetic fibroblasts cocultured with healthy fibroblasts or hUCB‐MSCs; and groups IV and V, no cell cocultured with healthy fibroblasts or hUCB‐MSCs. After a 3‐day incubation, cell proliferation, collagen synthesis levels and glycosaminoglycan levels, which are the major contributing factors in wound healing, were measured. As a result, a hUCB‐MSC‐treated group showed higher cell proliferation, collagen synthesis and glycosaminoglycan level than a fibroblast‐treated group. In particular, there were significant statistical differences in collagen synthesis and glycosaminoglycan levels (P = 0·029 and P = 0·019, respectively). In conclusion, these results demonstrate that hUCB‐MSCs may have a superior effect to fibroblasts in stimulating diabetic wound healing.
An exploratory study of safety culture, biological risk management and hand hygiene of healthcare professionals
Authors: Bernard Laurence , Biron Alain , Lavigne Geneviève , Frechette Julie , Bernard Agnès , Mitchell Jonathan , Lavoie‐Tremblay Mélanie 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAimsThe objectives of the study were to: (1) examine the relationships between three different qualitative perceptions of safety culture and the Canadian Patient Safety Climate Survey factors; (2) determine whether these perceptions are associated with different hand hygiene practices.BackgroundHealthcare‐associated infections and safety cultures are a worldwide issue. During the A/H1N1 Influenza pandemic, Europe and North America did not have the same responses. Importantly, healthcare professionals' perceptions can influence patient safety through infection prevention practices like hand hygiene.DesignA cross‐sectional design was used with data collected in 2015.MethodsThe Canadian Patient Safety Culture Survey and hand hygiene observations were gathered from three healthcare centres (two Canadian and one European). Descriptive analyses and ANOVAs were conducted to explore healthcare professionals' safety perceptions and practices.ResultsThe rates of hand hygiene practices varied widely between the three sites, ranging from 35–77%. One site (Site 3) was found to have the highest scores of management follow‐up, feedback about incidents, supervisory leadership for safety, unit learning culture and senior leadership support for safety, and the highest levels of overall patient safety grades for the unit and organization.ConclusionThe quantitative results of this study support the previously described model based on qualitative results: individual culture, blaming culture and collaborative culture. Differences between continents emerged regarding infection prevention practices and the way we qualify infections. The results raise concerns about infection practices and about safety cultures and challenges worldwide.
Chief physicians' attitudes towards early warning score systems in Switzerland: Results of a cross‐sectional survey
Authors: Richard Aline , Frank Olga , Schwappach David 
Published: November 2017

AbstractRationale, aims and objectivesEarly warning score systems (EWS‐S) have been shown to be valuable tools to recognize otherwise unnoticed clinical deterioration (CDET) of patients. They have been associated with fewer unplanned transfers to the intensive care unit (UTICU) and lower in‐hospital mortality. Little is known about their current usage in Switzerland and about the attitudes towards such tools among chief physicians. We aimed to assess the use of EWS‐S in Switzerland and the attitudes of chief physicians towards EWS‐S depending on previously experienced CDET followed by UTICU, reanimation, or death.MethodsChief physicians of medical and surgical departments from all acute care hospitals in Switzerland were asked to participate within a project that aims to develop recommendations for the use of EWS‐S in Switzerland (n = 118). The explorative study assessed perceived CDET, which led to UTICU, reanimation, or death of a patient, the knowledge and usage about different EWS‐S and attitudes towards EWS‐S in a written questionnaire. Means and percentages were used, and differences were assessed with independent t tests, chi‐square, or Fisher exact test, as appropriate.ResultsAdverse events based on CDET were reported frequently, and awareness among chief physicians was high. Less than half of the chief physicians knew tools that systematically assess CDET with one‐fifth of responders reporting using tools at their department. Previous experiences of UTICU, reanimation, or death after due to CDET were associated with more positive attitudes towards EWS‐S.ConclusionsAdverse events based on CDET of patients are frequent and the awareness of this problem is high among chief physicians. Positive attitudes were more common with previous experiences of adverse events due to CDET. Our results strengthen the argumentation that the recommendation and future implementation of EWS‐S in Switzerland would be meaningful.
Racial Differences in Patterns of Use of Rehabilitation Services for Adults Aged 65 and Older
Authors: Keeney Tamra , Jette Alan M. , Freedman Vicki A. , Cabral Howard 
Published: November 2017

ObjectivesTo examine racial differences in the use of rehabilitation services and functional improvement during receipt of services.DesignSecondary analysis of the 2016 National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS).SettingStandardized in‐person home interviews.ParticipantsCommunity‐dwelling Medicare enrollees (N = 6,309), 1,276 of whom reported receiving rehabilitation services in the previous 12 months.MeasurementsSelf‐reported use of rehabilitation services, setting (inpatient, outpatient, home based), reason for use, and perceptions of change in functioning after receiving services.ResultsControlling for sex, dual eligibility for Medicaid, age, number of chronic conditions, functional mobility at the prior round, income, and geographic region, the odds of receiving rehabilitation services in any setting was 1.38 times as great in whites as in blacks (95% confidence interval = 1.09–1.75). Of those receiving therapy, whites were more likely to receive home‐based and inpatient rehabilitation services, but there were no racial differences in improvement in function.ConclusionStrategies are needed to identify possible barriers to use of rehabilitation services for vulnerable groups of aging individuals who need rehabilitation services, particularly older blacks.
Shifting rivers and stationary ground: biogeographic history of slimy salamanders on an isolated bluff in the Mississippi River floodplain
Authors: Shepard D. B. , Kuhns A. R. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractGeographic barriers are integral to the processes of dispersal and vicariance, but some barriers, such as rivers, may vary spatiotemporally, potentially affecting biodiversity patterns in significant ways. Fountain Bluff is an isolated upland in the Mississippi River floodplain along the Illinois‐Missouri border, USA. The Mississippi River presently runs on the west side of Fountain Bluff, but the course ran on the east side prior to the Illinois glacial stage (~150 000 years ago). The northern slimy salamander (Plethodon glutinosus) occurs to the east in Illinois, whereas the morphologically similar western slimy salamander (Plethodon albagula) occurs to the west in Missouri. We used mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences to determine the species identity of slimy salamanders on Fountain Bluff and test whether they originated via vicariance (P. albagula) or dispersal (P. glutinosus). We found that slimy salamanders on Fountain Bluff are P. glutinosus, which supports the hypothesis that they originated via dispersal from the river bluffs ~6 km to the east. Divergence time estimates corroborated that dispersal likely occurred after the westward diversion of the Mississippi River. The shifting courses of large rivers have had important impacts on biodiversity through the creation and removal of geographic barriers as well as by facilitating passive dispersal across riverine barriers.