bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The pathological spectrum and clinical correlation of pigmented purpuric dermatosis—A retrospective review of 107 cases
Authors: Huang Yen‐Kai , Lin Cheng‐Kuan , Wu Yu‐Hung 
Published: January 2018

BackgroundVarious pathological findings have been reported in pigmented purpuric dermatosis, but their clinical significance remains unclear.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed demographics, clinical presentations, pathological patterns and concurrent systemic diseases among biopsy‐confirmed cases of pigmented purpuric dermatosis.ResultsA total of 107 cases were ascertained. Five major pathological patterns were identified: lichenoid (45/107, 42.1%), perivascular (40/107, 37.4%), interface (11/107, 10.3%), spongiotic (7/107, 6.5%) and granulomatous (4/107, 3.7%). Lymphocytic vasculitis was present in 17 patients (15.9%), and Langerhans cell microabscess was seen in 4 (3.7%). Nine patients had partial features mimicking mycosis fungoides but none were confirmed. The lichenoid, perivascular and spongiotic patterns correlated to lichen aureus, Schamberg and eczematoid clinical variants, respectively. The interface pattern was associated with a higher risk of coincident autoimmune diseases (18.2%, P = .0280) and gout (27.3%, P = .0180).ConclusionsThis study described the wide pathological spectrum of pigmented purpuric dermatosis among Asians. Physicians should be aware about the clinical and pathological variations to facilitate diagnosis.
Principal factors controlling the species richness of European fens differ between habitat specialists and matrix‐derived species
Authors: Horsáková Veronika , Hájek Michal , Hájková Petra , Dítě Daniel , Horsák Michal 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAimWe present the first continental‐scale study of factors controlling the species richness of groundwater‐fed fens, comparing land snails, vascular plants and bryophytes. We separately analyse two ecologically distinct groups differing in conservation value and colonization/extinction dynamics, that is habitat specialists, and matrix‐derived species. Considering the island‐like nature of fen habitats, we hypothesize larger differences in the species richness–environment relationships between habitat specialists and matrix‐derived species than among the taxonomic entities.LocationSeven European regionsMethodsRichness was counted at 373 well‐preserved fens with undisturbed hydrology using the same protocols. Relationships between the species richness and water pH, waterlogging, climate and geography were explored by GLMs.ResultsLand snail richness responded mainly to water pH, regardless of habitat specialization. Richness of vascular plant and bryophyte specialists was strongly driven by geographical location of the sites, while that of matrix‐derived species was driven by waterlogging and water pH. The richness of matrix‐derived species of all taxa significantly increased with the decreasing waterlogging. Residual richness of specialists of all taxa decreased towards southern Europe.Main conclusionsIn island‐like terrestrial habitats, differences between specialists and matrix‐derived species may outweigh differences among taxa, unless there is one strong physiological determinant of species richness such as pH in land snails. The richness of specialists seems to be strongly related to difficult‐to‐measure regional factors such as historical frequency and connectivity of fen habitats. The richness of matrix‐derived species depends mainly on local conditions, such as pH and waterlogging, determining the degree of habitat contrast against the surrounding matrix. Sufficient waterlogging maintains a high representation of habitat specialists in fen communities, and disturbance of water regime may cause the increase in the number of matrix‐derived species and potentially trigger successional shifts towards non‐fen communities.
Safe credit to the poor: The role of anti‐usury policies
Authors: Crosato Lisa , Dalla Pellegrina Lucia 
Published: January 2018

AbstractUsury regulations focus both on explicit recommendations, such as disclosure statements in lending acts or interest rate caps, and on incentives for the formal banking sector to reach the poor. Considerable attention is also devoted to adequate sanctions for the practice of usury. We propose a theoretical model to investigate where to direct reforms to curb usury. Our primary policy implication is the convenience of polarizing the allocation of public resources in either legal safeguards for formal lenders or sanction enforcement against usurers. Furthermore, we demonstrate that in developing countries such policy interventions may backfire when borrowers' higher wealth implies increasing inequality in its distribution. Therefore, countries undertaking reforms against predatory lending should be aware of their growth path during transition.
Early blindness is associated with increased volume of the uncinate fasciculus
Authors: Bauer Corinna M. , Cattaneo Zaira , Merabet Lotfi B. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractGrowing evidence demonstrates dramatic structural and functional neuroplastic changes in individuals born with early‐onset blindness. For example, cross‐modal sensory processing at the level of the occipital cortex appears to be associated with adaptive behaviors in the blind. However, detailed studies examining the structural properties of key white matter pathways in other regions of the brain remain limited. Given that blind individuals rely heavily on their sense of hearing, we examined the structural properties of two important pathways involved with auditory processing, namely the uncinate and arcuate fasciculi. High angular resolution diffusion imaging (HARDI) tractography was used to examine structural parameters (i.e., tract volume and quantitative anisotropy, or QA) of these two fasciculi in a sample of 13 early blind individuals and 14 normally sighted controls. Compared to controls, early blind individuals showed a significant increase in the volume of the left uncinate fasciculus. A small area of increased QA was also observed halfway along the right arcuate fasciculus in the blind group. These findings contribute to our knowledge regarding the broad neuroplastic changes associated with profound early blindness.
Oscillatory activity in the cortico‐basal ganglia‐thalamic neural circuits in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Singh Arun 
Published: January 2018

AbstractDopamine is an important neurotransmitter that maintains the balance within the basal ganglia between the direct pathway, which promotes movement, and the indirect pathway, which inhibits movement. Degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra increases the influence of the indirect pathway, resulting in motor dysfunction in Parkinson's disease (PD). The direct and indirect pathways are composed of basal ganglia and thalamic nuclei, which are interconnected via independent parallel loop circuits with cortical areas and often referred to as cortico‐basal ganglia‐thalamic (CBT) neural circuits. CBT circuits have been useful in generating hypotheses to describe slowness in PD. Recent work has focused on aberrant neural oscillations within CBT circuits. Although beta (13–30 Hz) oscillations are a common feature of the CBT network, there is growing evidence that abnormally exaggerated beta oscillations, observed after dopamine loss in the CBT circuits, may contribute to motor symptoms of PD. Disruption of abnormal beta oscillations has been associated with the improvement of motor functions during pharmacological treatments, surgical lesions, and electrical stimulation. However, it is not clear how abnormal oscillations originate in the CBT motor network and resonate specifically in the beta band after the loss of dopamine. Most studies have addressed these questions by simultaneous recordings of oscillations in the motor cortex, basal ganglia nuclei, and motor regions of the thalamus in animal models of parkinsonism as well as in PD patients. This review further discusses previous and current studies of the changes in oscillatory activity at the level of CBT neural network in PD.
Evidence of oxygenic phototrophy in ancient phosphatic stromatolites from the Paleoproterozoic Vindhyan and Aravalli Supergroups, India
Authors: Sallstedt T. , Bengtson S. , Broman C. , Crill P. M. , Canfield D. E. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractFossil microbiotas are rare in the early rock record, limiting the type of ecological information extractable from ancient microbialites. In the absence of body fossils, emphasis may instead be given to microbially derived features, such as microbialite growth patterns, microbial mat morphologies, and the presence of fossilized gas bubbles in lithified mats. The metabolic affinity of micro‐organisms associated with phosphatization may reveal important clues to the nature and accretion of apatite‐rich microbialites. Stromatolites from the 1.6 Ga Chitrakoot Formation (Semri Group, Vindhyan Supergroup) in central India contain abundant fossilized bubbles interspersed within fine‐grained in situ‐precipitated apatite mats with average δ13Corg indicative of carbon fixation by the Calvin cycle. In addition, the mats hold a synsedimentary fossil biota characteristic of cyanobacterial and rhodophyte morphotypes. Phosphatic oncoid cone‐like stromatolites from the Paleoproterozoic Aravalli Supergroup (Jhamarkotra Formation) comprise abundant mineralized bubbles enmeshed within tufted filamentous mat fabrics. Construction of these tufts is considered to be the result of filamentous bacteria gliding within microbial mats, and as fossilized bubbles within pristine mat laminae can be used as a proxy for oxygenic phototrophy, this provides a strong indication for cyanobacterial activity in the Aravalli mounds. We suggest that the activity of oxygenic phototrophs may have been significant for the formation of apatite in both Vindhyan and Aravalli stromatolites, mainly by concentrating phosphate and creating steep diurnal redox gradients within mat pore spaces, promoting apatite precipitation. The presence in the Indian stromatolites of alternating apatite‐carbonate lamina may result from local variations in pH and oxygen levels caused by photosynthesis–respiration in the mats. Altogether, this study presents new insights into the ecology of ancient phosphatic stromatolites and warrants further exploration into the role of oxygen‐producing biotas in the formation of Paleoproterozoic shallow‐basin phosphorites.
Pneumonia risks in bedridden patients receiving oral care and their screening tool: Malnutrition and urinary tract infection‐induced inflammation
Authors: Matsusaka Kaoru , Kawakami Genichiro , Kamekawa Hatsumi , Momma Haruki , Nagatomi Ryoichi , Itoh Jun , Yamaya Mutsuo 
Published: January 2018

AimPneumonia develops in bedridden patients even when they are receiving oral care. However, the pneumonia risk in bedridden patients remains unclear, and no screening tool has been developed to assess this risk by using daily hospital data.MethodsWe retrospectively examined pneumonia risk factors by analyzing the records of 102 bedridden patients receiving oral care.ResultsBody mass index, peripheral blood hemoglobin, and serum concentrations of total protein, albumin, total cholesterol and uric acid in the pneumonia group (n = 51; mean age 73.4 years) were lower than those in the non‐pneumonia group (n = 51; mean age 68.1 years). In the univariate analysis, body mass index; leukocytosis; high C‐reactive protein; low levels of hemoglobin, total protein and albumin (<3.5 g/dL); and urine bacteria were associated with the development of pneumonia. Furthermore, in the multivariate analysis, low levels of albumin and urine bacteria were independently associated with pneumonia. We developed a bedridden patient pneumonia risk (BPPR) score using these two risk factors to assess pneumonia risk. We applied scores of zero (0) or one (1) according to the absence or presence of the two risk factors and summed the scores in each patient. The proportion of pneumonia patients increased with increasing BPPR score when the patients were divided into three groups – low, moderate and high risk – according to the BPPR score (0, 1 or 2, respectively).ConclusionsMalnutrition, urinary tract infection‐induced inflammation and anemia were associated with pneumonia in bedridden patients. BPPR scoring might be useful for assessing pneumonia risk and managing affected patients. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 714–722.
Oral function as an indexing parameter for mild cognitive impairment in older adults
Authors: Watanabe Yutaka , Arai Hidenori , Hirano Hirohiko , Morishita Shiho , Ohara Yuki , Edahiro Ayako , Murakami Masaharu , Shimada Hiroyuki , Kikutani Takeshi , Suzuki Takao 
Published: January 2018

AimTo investigate the association between mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and oral status, and to develop an oral‐based screening index for MCI.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was carried out in a total of 5104 community‐dwelling adults (aged ≥65 years) from the Obu Study of Health Promotion for the Elderly. Screening for MCI included a standardized personal interview, Mini‐Mental State Examination, Geriatrics and Gerontology‐Functional Assessment Tool (which included 8 tasks used to assess logical memory, word list memory, attention and executive function, processing speed, and visuospatial skill) and oral status.ResultsIn our study, 930 individuals were diagnosed with MCI, whereas the remaining 2669 were not. Both men and women with MCI showed a significantly lower number of functional and present teeth, poorer oral diadochokinesis, and less palpation of masseter muscle tension (P < 0.01). Discriminant analysis of participants with MCI, between categories of pertinence and non‐pertinence, showed significant associations for age, sex, educational background, handgrip strength, Geriatric Depression Scale score, Mini‐Mental State Examination score, history of heart disease, albumin level and oral diadochokinesis representing oral motor skill. Although the diagnosis rate of our screening index for MCI was not high, it was in the acceptable range as a screening index.ConclusionsOral motor skill, such as lip movement, might be impaired in patients with MCI. Detecting decreasing oral motor dexterity supports the early detection of MCI, and might be key to improve the prognosis of dementia. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 790–798
Online information for parents caring for their premature baby at home: A focus group study and systematic web search
Authors: Alderdice Fiona , Gargan Phyl , McCall Emma , Franck Linda 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundOnline resources are a source of information for parents of premature babies when their baby is discharged from hospital.ObjectivesTo explore what topics parents deemed important after returning home from hospital with their premature baby and to evaluate the quality of existing websites that provide information for parents post‐discharge.MethodsIn stage 1, 23 parents living in Northern Ireland participated in three focus groups and shared their information and support needs following the discharge of their infant(s). In stage 2, a World Wide Web (WWW) search was conducted using Google, Yahoo and Bing search engines. Websites meeting pre‐specified inclusion criteria were reviewed using two website assessment tools and by calculating a readability score. Website content was compared to the topics identified by parents in the focus groups.ResultsFive overarching topics were identified across the three focus groups: life at home after neonatal care, taking care of our family, taking care of our premature baby, baby's growth and development and help with getting support and advice. Twenty‐nine sites were identified that met the systematic web search inclusion criteria. Fifteen (52%) covered all five topics identified by parents to some extent and 9 (31%) provided current, accurate and relevant information based on the assessment criteria.ConclusionParents reported the need for information and support post‐discharge from hospital. This was not always available to them, and relevant online resources were of varying quality. Listening to parents needs and preferences can facilitate the development of high‐quality, evidence‐based, parent‐centred resources.
Immunohistochemical assessment of the diagnostic utility of PD‐L1: a preliminary analysis of anti‐PD‐L1 antibody (SP142) for lymphoproliferative diseases with tumour and non‐malignant Hodgkin–Reed‐Sternberg (HRS)‐like cells
Authors: Sakakibara Ayako , Kohno Kei , Eladl Ahmed E , Klaisuwan Teerada , Ishikawa Eri , Suzuki Yuka , Shimada Satoko , Nakaguro Masato , Shimoyama Yoshie , Takahara Taishi , Kato Seiichi , Asano Naoko , Nakamura Shigeo , Satou Akira 
Published: January 2018

AimsThe programmed death 1 (PD1)/PD1 ligand (PD‐L1) axis plays an important role in tumour cells escape from immune control. PD‐L1 immunohistochemistry is a useful predictor of immunotherapy response, but is still not used widely in the diagnostic setting. Here we describe results using PD‐L1 immunohistochemistry during routine diagnostics in lymphoma.Methods and resultsNinety‐one lymphoproliferative disease cases sharing tumour and non‐malignant Hodgkin–Reed‐Sternberg (HRS)‐like cells with and without Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) association were investigated by immunohistochemistry for PD‐L1 (clone SP142). PD‐L1 expression was present in more than 5% of tumour or non‐malignant HRS‐like cells in 100% of EBV+ classical (C) Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) (n = 10) and EBV‐negative nodular sclerosis CHL (n = 8); 40% of EBV+ diffuse large B cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (DLBCL–NOS) (n = 20); and 4% of nodal peripheral T cell lymphoma of follicular helper T cell type (PTCL‐TFH) (n = 22). In contrast, nodular lymphocyte‐predominant HL (n = 4), lymphocyte‐rich CHL (n = 6), EBV+ hyperplasia (n = 8), plasmablastic lymphoma (n = 3) and anaplastic lymphoma kinase‐negative anaplastic large cell lymphoma (n = 5) seldom exhibited PD‐L1 in their large cells. Assessing PD‐L1 positivity in tumour and non‐malignant large cells was helpful in differentiating between CHL versus nodal PTCL–TFH (P < 0.0001) or EBV+ DLBCL–NOS (P = 0.0052) and between EBV+ DLBCL–NOS versus nodal PTCL‐TFH (P = 0.0052), with PD‐L1 expression indicating the first diagnosis in each of those sets.ConclusionImmunohistochemical evaluation of PD‐L1 expression in tumour and non‐malignant HRS‐like large cells may be useful for assessing either immune escape or immunodeficiency in their pathogenesis.
The treatment outcomes and dose de‐escalation of desloratadine up‐dosing in chronic spontaneous urticaria
Authors: Choonhakarn Charoen , Chaowattanapanit Suteeraporn , Julanon Narachai 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundAn increase in dosages up to fourfold of second generation antihistamines is recommended for recalcitrant chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). No regimen guidelines about dose de‐escalation, however, are mentioned once the disease is controlled.ObjectiveTo demonstrate the treatment outcomes and dose reduction in desloratadine assessed using the urticarial activity score over 7 consecutive days.MethodsMedical records of all patients with CSU treated with desloratadine were collected retrospectively during a period from January 2010 to December 2013.ResultsSixty‐seven (94.4%) patients had remission of the disease with variable doses of desloratadine. The patients who had CSU concomitant with antithyroid antibodies or high erythrocyte sedimentation rates had a greater tendency not to respond to the standard dose. Once the disease was completely controlled, 67 patients finished the treatment, but 63 (94%) patients had recurrent symptoms. Sixty‐three patients took the same dose that induced the response for a further 4 weeks before stopping or reducing the dose, 41/63 (65.1%), however developed urticaria again. Forty‐one patients took the same dose for a further 8 weeks; only 2/41 (4.9%) patients developed the rash again. The mean follow‐up period after the disease was controlled was 7.5 months.ConclusionMost patients need higher than the standard doses to obtain remission. Once the disease is completely controlled, however, maintenance of the same dosage for at least 8 weeks before dose reduction is suggested in order to avoid recurrence of the symptoms.
Grappa quality from the Chianti and Montepulciano areas (Tuscany, Italy): monitoring the leaching of copper from distillation columns
Authors: Tamasi Gabriella , Donati Alessandro , Leone Gemma , Magnani Agnese , Cini Renzo , Macchia Eugenio , Rossi Claudio , Bonechi Claudia 
Published: January 2018

SummaryThe main aim of this work was to evaluate the leaching of copper in grappa from distillation plant that treats Cabernet and Sangiovese marcs (Montepulciano and Chianti, Tuscany). Copper content (determined by atomic absorption spectrometry, AAS) was 1.05 ± 0.03 mg L−1 in industrial distillates (Cabernet marc, 82.3% alcohol, v/v), and 3.7 ± 0.2 μg L−1 in artificial grappa (62.0%, Cabernet) obtained by distilling marc in a laboratory‐scale glassware plant. The artificial grappa distillate was refluxed over copper shavings, and copper content, CCu, was analysed in relation to reflux time and wear of the copper bell. The results showed that CCu trend was almost linear with increasing alcohol concentration and constant reflux time, and vice versa. The ratios of selected volatile components were not influenced by reflux on the shavings.
The influence of agents differentiating HL‐60 cells toward granulocyte‐like cells on their ability to release neutrophil extracellular traps
Authors: Manda‐Handzlik Aneta , Bystrzycka Weronika , Wachowska Małgorzata , Sieczkowska Sandra , Stelmaszczyk‐Emmel Anna , Demkow Urszula , Ciepiela Olga 
Published: January 2018

AbstractStudies on neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are challenging as neutrophils live shortly and easily become activated. Thus, availability of a cell line model closely resembling the functions of peripheral blood neutrophils would be advantageous. Our purpose was to find a compound that most effectively differentiates human promyelocytic leukemia (HL‐60) cells toward granulocyte‐like cells able to release NETs. HL‐60 cells were differentiated with all‐trans retinoic acid (ATRA), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or dimethylformamide (DMF) and stimulated with phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA) or calcium ionophore A23187 (CI). Cell differentiation, phagocytosis and calcium influx were analyzed by flow cytometry. Reactive oxygen species production and NETs release were measured fluorometrically and analyzed microscopically. LC3‐II accumulation and histone 3 citrullination were analyzed by western blot. ATRA most effectively differentiated HL‐60 cells toward granulocyte‐like cells. ATRA‐dHL‐60 cells released NETs only upon PMA stimulation, DMSO‐dHL‐60 cells only post CI stimulation, while DMF‐dHL‐60 cells formed NETs in response to both stimuli. Oxidative burst was induced in ATRA‐, DMSO‐ and DMF‐dHL‐60 cells post PMA stimulation and only in DMF‐dHL‐60 cells post CI stimulation. Increased histone 3 citrullination was observed in stimulated DMSO‐ and DMF‐, but not in ATRA‐dHL‐60 cells. The calcium influx was diminished in ATRA‐dHL‐60 cells. Significant increase in autophagosomes formation was observed only in PMA‐stimulated DMF‐dHL‐60 cells. Phagocytic index was higher in ATRA‐dHL‐60 cells than in control, DMSO‐ and DMF‐dHL‐60 cells. We conclude that ATRA, DMSO and DMF differentiate HL‐60 in different mechanisms. DMF is the best stimulus for HL‐60 cell differentiation for NETs studies.