bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
“Well Digging” Subcraniotomy Strategy with Navigation for Optic Nerve Decompression in Frontoorbital Fibrous Dysplasia: Preliminary Experience
Authors: Lu Yunhe , Yang Junyi , Wu Yingzhi , Pan Sida , Lu Jiawen , Mu Xiongzheng 
Published: November 2016

Background:
During the past decades, surgical intervention has been the primary treatment modality for frontoorbital fibrous dysplasia involving optic nerve. However, controversy has surrounded the role of optic nerve decompression in a number of ways. Herein, we describe 3 patients with frontoorbital fibrous dysplasia involving optic nerve, who underwent a “well digging” subcraniotomy strategy with navigation for intraorbital unit optic nerve decompression.

Methods:
From 2013 to 2015, 3 patients with frontoorbital fibrous dysplasia were investigated in a retrospective manner. They underwent unilateral intraorbital optic nerve decompression with the help of “well digging” strategy and navigation. The key procedures comprise preoperative software simulation, frontoorbital subcraniotomy (like digging a well), expanding cone-shaped surgical field, intraorbital unit optic nerve decompression with navigation, correcting frontal-orbital dystopias, and deformities.

Results:
Both at the immediate postoperative period and during the 3–12 months follow-up, 2 cases showed improvement of visual acuity in the affected eye and 1 case showed no deterioration. Other ocular examinations including eye movement were stable. Subsequent reconstruction yielded a satisfactory cosmetic result. No postoperative complications happened.

Conclusions:
In our philosophy, surgical management should be tailored to each patient, which is based on the most possible potential etiology. We consider that the intraorbital optic nerve decompression may be more feasible and safer with the help of “well digging” strategy and navigation, especially for those with exophthalmos, orbital volume decreasing, and nonacute visual loss.
Negative Attribution Bias and Anger After Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Neumann Dawn , Malec James F. , Hammond Flora M. 
Published: November 2016

Objectives:
Negative attributions pertain to judgments of intent, hostility, and blame regarding others' behaviors. This study compared negative attributions made by people with and without traumatic brain injury (TBI) and examined the degree to which these negative attributions predicted angry ratings in response to situations.

Setting:
Outpatient rehabilitation hospital.

Participants:
Forty-six adults with moderate to severe TBI and 49 healthy controls.

Design:
Cross-sectional study using a quasi-experimental research design.

Main Measures:
In response to hypothetical scenarios, participants rated how irritated and angry they would be, and how intentional, hostile, and blameworthy they perceived characters' behaviors. There were 3 scenario types differentiated by the portrayal of characters' actions: benign, ambiguous, or hostile. All scenarios theoretically resulted in unpleasant outcomes for participants.

Results:
Participants with TBI had significantly higher ratings for feeling “irritated” and “angry” and attributions of “intent,” “hostility,” and “blame” compared with healthy controls for all scenario types. Negative attribution ratings accounted for 72.4% and 65.3% of the anger rating variance for participants with and without TBI, respectively.

Conclusion:
People with TBI may have negative attribution bias, in which they disproportionately judge the intent, hostility, and blameworthiness of others' behaviors. These attributions contributed to their ratings of feeling angry. This suggests that participants with TBI who have anger problems should be evaluated for this bias, and anger treatments should possibly aim to alter negative attributions. However, before implementing clinical practice changes, there is a need for replication with larger samples, and further investigation of the characteristics associated with negative attribution bias.
INCOMPLETE REPAIR OF RETINAL STRUCTURE AFTER VITRECTOMY WITH INTERNAL LIMITING MEMBRANE PEELING
Authors: Hisatomi Toshio , Tachibana Takashi , Notomi Shoji , Nakatake Shunji , Fujiwara Kohta , Murakami Yusuke , Ikeda Yasuhiro , Yoshida Shigeo , Enaida Hiroshi , Murata Toshinori , Sakamoto Taiji , Sonoda Koh-Hei , Ishibashi Tatsuro 
Published: November 2016

Purpose:
To examine retinal changes after vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling, we used a cynomolgus monkey model and focused on surgical damages of ILM peeling for long observational period of 3 years.

Methods:
Vitrectomy was performed followed by ILM peeling similar to clinical settings in humans. Ultrastructural changes of the retina were investigated by light, transmission, and scanning electron microscopy at 3 months and 3 years after ILM peeling.

Results:
Ultrastructural study showed that the ILM peeled area was still clearly recognized after 3 years. The Müller cell processes covered most of the retina; however, the nerve fiber layer was partly uncovered and exposed to the vitreous space. The arcuate linear nerve fiber bundles were observed as comparable with dissociated optic nerve fiber layer appearance. Small round retinal surface defects were also observed around macula, resembling the dimple sign. Forceps-related retinal thinning was also found on the edge of ILM peeling, where we started peeling with fine forceps.

Conclusion:
The ultrastructural studies showed that most of ILM peeling area was covered with glial cells during wound healing processes. Retinal changes were found comparable with dissociated optic nerve fiber layer appearance or dimple sign, which were clinically observed with optical coherence tomography.
MULTICOLOR SCANNING LASER IMAGING IN LIPEMIA RETINALIS
Authors: Rivera-De La Parra David , Perez-Peralta Liliana , Toldi Jim , Levine Jason , Fikhman Michael , Graue-Hernandez Enrique O. 
Published: November 2016

Purpose:
To describe multicolor scanning laser imaging (MSLI) and conventional fundus photography findings in lipemia retinalis (LR).

Methods:
We report two LR cases. The first case is a 47-year-old diabetic woman with LR secondary to familial hypertriglyceridemia examined with MSLI, conventional fundus photography, and optical coherence tomography (OCT). The second case is a 39-year-old diabetic man with hypertriglyceridemia and LR. He was followed over time with conventional fundus photography of his retina until metabolic control was achieved.

Results:
In the first case, MSLI showed retinal arteries with an intense yellow and retinal veins with a pale yellow color. Fundus photography disclosed only mild pale red vessels. Optical coherence tomography detected macular edema and hyperreflective changes of retinal vessels. In the second case, fundus photography showed vessels with a pale red appearance that normalized after metabolic control of triglycerides.

Conclusion:
We described the retinal findings in patients with LR using different image modalities. Specifically, we report the findings with MSLI not previously described. While regular fundus photography may show mild changes in LR, the MSLI modality may show more significant findings assisting in the diagnosis and follow-up of this disease.
Improving Detection of HIV-Associated Cognitive Impairment: Comparison of the International HIV Dementia Scale and a Brief Screening Battery
Authors: de Almeida Monteiro , Kamat Rujvi , Cherner Mariana , Umlauf Anya , Ribeiro Clea E. , de Pereira Ana Paula , Franklin Donald , Heaton Robert K. , Ellis Ronald J. 
Published: November 2016

Objectives:
The International HIV Dementia Scale (IHDS) was developed to screen for HIV-associated dementia, but it has been used more generally for HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND). This study sought to examine the accuracy of the IHDS in a cohort of Brazilian HIV-infected individuals and compare its performance to an alternative screening battery for detecting HAND.

Methods:
A total of 108 participants (including 60 HIV-infected persons) completed the IHDS and a gold standard neuropsychological (NP) battery of 17 tests. As alternative screening method, all possible 3-test combinations from the NP battery were examined and a superiority index (a marker of specificity and sensitivity) was calculated.

Results:
Sensitivity and specificity to HAND using the standard IHDS cutpoint of 10 were 36% and 75%, respectively. The best balance between sensitivity and specificity was accomplished with a modified cutpoint of 11.5, which yielded sensitivity of 72% and specificity of 58%. The top two most sensitive test combinations, compared with the gold standard NP battery, were Trail Making Test A, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale III Digit Symbol and Hopkins Verbal Learning Test—Revised Total Recall (sensitivity 91%, specificity 96%), and Digit Symbol, Brief Visuospatial Memory Test—Revised Total Recall and Grooved Pegboard Test—dominant hand (sensitivity 94%, specificity 91%).

Conclusions:
Both test combinations can be administered in less than 10 minutes and were more accurate than the IHDS in classifying HIV+ participants as NP impaired or unimpaired. These data suggest that demographically corrected T-scores from commonly used NP measures with modest time and material demands can improve identification of patients with HAND who may benefit from a more extensive NP examination.
Brief Report: Elevated Red Cell Distribution Width Identifies Elevated Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Patients With HIV Infection
Authors: Al-Kindi Sadeer G. , Kim Chang H. , Morris Stephen R. , Freeman Michael L. , Funderburg Nicholas T. , Rodriguez Benigno , McComsey Grace A. , Dalton Jarrod E. , Simon Daniel I. , Lederman Michael M. , Longenecker Chris T. , Zidar David A. 
Published: November 2016

Abstract:
Red cell distribution width (RDW) is linked to cardiovascular risk in the general population, an association that might be driven by inflammation. Whether this relationship holds for patients with HIV infection has not been previously studied. Using a large clinical registry, we show that elevated RDW (>14.5%) is independently associated with increased risk of coronary artery disease {odds ratio [OR] 1.39 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.25 to 1.55]}, peripheral vascular disease [OR 1.41 (95% CI: 1.29 to 1.53)], myocardial infarction [1.43 (95% CI: 1.25 to 1.63)], heart failure [OR 2.23 (95% CI: 1.99 to 2.49)], and atrial fibrillation [OR 1.96 (95% CI: 1.64 to 2.33)]. In conclusion, in the context of the inflammatory milieu that accompanies HIV infection, RDW remains a powerful marker of cardiovascular disease.
Property development and the unresolved housing issue in northern Nigeria
Authors: Madichie Nnamdi , Madichie Okechukwu A. 
Published: November 2016

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to highlight the challenges of property development and management in northern Nigeria drawing upon the experiences of Bauchi, Gombe and Kaduna states.Design/methodology/approachBased on a longitudinal evaluation of these trends and challenges, this study draws upon a literature review and practitioner insights on property investment efforts in northern Nigeria. It also benefits from insider accounts related to the author’s 20-years’ experience of work both in both Nigeria and the UK.FindingsThe study highlights the salient factors that have brought about the housing challenges in northern Nigeria. Arguably poor property development and management initiatives have had direct correlations with the weak property management practices in these states and thereby further restricted investments in the real-estate sector in northern Nigeria.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations of the study are based on those attributable to personal observation and ethnographic studies as adopted in this case. This impacts upon the generalisability of the findings, however, sound the propositions may be. Areas for future research inquiry are also proffered.Originality/valueThe study is a critical reflection of developments in property management taken from the purview of the Nigerian real-estate market. While primarily a viewpoint paper, it does highlight some of the key challenges facing property management in a manner not previously discussed in the literature.
Inflation dynamics and agricultural supply shocks in Uganda
Authors: Mawejje Joseph , Lwanga Musa Mayanja 
Published: November 2016

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop an empirical model for inflation in Uganda, highlighting the role of supply side factors in the domestic agricultural sector.

Design/methodology/approach
The adopted empirical analysis is based on a single equation model that exploits cointegration techniques and general-to-specific modeling. The analysis controls for historical, seasonal as well as policy factors such as the effects of the global financial crisis, change in monetary policy regime to inflation targeting and monthly seasonal effects.

Findings
Results indicate that disequilibrium in the money, external and agricultural sectors feed into the Ugandan inflation process in the long run. However, the external and monetary sectors have larger long-run effects on inflation than the agricultural sector. Other factors that influence inflation in the short run include: inflation inertia, real output, money supply, exchange rate movements, foreign prices, monetary policy instruments and seasonal factors. In addition, the paper shows that the inflation-targeting policy has been successful in containing inflationary pressures.

Practical implications
These findings suggest that in the long-run monetary policy will continue to play an important role in managing Ugandan inflation through money demand management. The inflationary effects of agricultural supply shocks could be mitigated with appropriate domestic actions. In particular, fiscal policy that targets increased productivity and efficiency in agriculture through increased focus on production, irrigation, storage and transportation could reduce the effects of agricultural supply variability on inflation. In addition, policies intended to improve economic growth by expanding total output, control money supply growth and maintaining stability in the foreign exchange markets will help to reduce inflation.

Social implications
Studies of inflation and its determinants have dominated macroeconomic debates in the past decades because of the importance of price stability in economic growth and household welfare. The major conclusions from those studies are that: high inflation is detrimental to investment and growth; erodes the purchasing power; reduces household welfare; and exacerbates income inequality. Moreover there is a growing strand of literature establishing a causal link between inflation and conflict. Particularly for agricultural households, the effects of inflation are usually felt through the increase in food prices with implications for consumption and food security. These findings indicate the important macro and social implications of inflation. By focusing on the importance of agricultural supply shocks, the paper contributes to a better understanding of the drivers of inflation and how the macro and social effects can be addressed.

Originality/value
The major contribution of this paper is to try and model an equilibrium relationship in the domestic agricultural sector rather than using proxies such as an output gap measure or rainfall.
The impact of the reputation of underwriter and sponsoring representative on IPO underwriting fees
Authors: Chen Chao , Wang Xinrong 
Published: November 2016

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the effect of the reputation of underwriters and sponsoring representatives on initial public offering (IPO) underwriting fees, and further investigates the role of ownership and political connection.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology includes three models. Model 1 empirically investigates the effect of underwriter’s reputation on underwriting fee. Model 2 studies the effect of sponsoring representative’s reputation on underwriting fee. Model 3 further examines the effect of underwriter’s reputation and sponsoring representative reputation on the underwriting fee controlling for the impact of ultimate controlling ownership and political connection.FindingsThe study documents that underwriters’ and sponsoring representatives’ reputation can result in reputational premiums. In the IPO of state-owned enterprises (SOEs), the reputation of underwriters and sponsoring representatives does not significantly affect the underwriting fees. In the IPO of non-state-owned enterprises (NSOEs), there is a significantly positive correlation between underwriters’ and sponsoring representatives’ reputation and underwriting fees. Further research results show that, on the one hand, the effect of underwriters’ and sponsoring representatives’ reputation on underwriting fees is not significant in the IPO of NSOEs with political connection. On the other hand, underwriting fees are positively associated with underwriters’ and sponsoring representatives’ reputation in the IPO of NSOEs without political connection.Research limitations/implicationsThe sponsoring representative’s fee is not disclosed separately, which makes it difficult to distinguish the incremental effect from underwriter’s services and reputation.Practical implicationsNSOEs relative to SOEs are more likely to pay higher underwriting fees for hiring underwriter and sponsoring representative with better reputation during the process of IPO.Social implicationsThe reputation of underwriter and sponsoring representative does not matter to SOEs but does matter to NSOEs. However, NSOEs’ political connection affects underwriter fees.Originality/valueThis paper provides new evidence of sponsoring representatives’ reputation and political connection on the underwriting fees in the IPO in Chinese SOEs and NSOEs.
Instant death, slow death and the consequences of assumptions about prolonged dormancy for plant population dynamics
Authors: Alahuhta Kirsi , Crone Elizabeth , Ettinger Ailene , Hens Hilde , Jäkäläniemi Anne , Tuomi Juha 
Published: November 2016

SummaryMany perennial plants experience prolonged dormancy, meaning they do not grow above‐ground for one or several growing seasons. When plants disappear (fail to sprout) and have not been recorded to re‐emerge, they either have died or are alive and dormant. In demographic studies of such species, researchers have been forced to make assumptions about death versus dormancy. Little is known about the consequences of these assumptions for predictions from the population models used in the studies.Here, we define survival of dormancy‐prone plants in three distinct ways: Separate, Instant and Slow death. In the Separate death model, plants are assumed to die either in emergent or in dormant stages. Death can also be described as a process of disappearance followed by dying, either in the first year below‐ground (Instant death) or with constant mortality rate in any given dormant year (Slow death). Using simulated data with known parameter values, we test whether survival and re‐emergence rates are confounded in these life‐history models.Using a general model and models for two orchid species (Epipactis atrorubensandIsotria medeoloides), we test how different assumptions about dormancy (Instant and Slow death) affect predictions about population dynamics: population growth rate, generation time, relative reproductive values, life expectancies, and sensitivity and elasticity of population growth rate to stage transitions and vital rates.Our results confirm that survival and re‐emergence rates of dormancy‐prone plant species are difficult to estimate; parameters were separable only with the assumptions of Instant and Slow death. Both theoretical and empirical analyses show that the predictions of population growth rate and generation time do not depend on the assumptions made about the fate of the plants after their disappearance.Synthesis. Assumptions about dormancy affect some, but not all predictions, about plant population dynamics. In the studies of species with unobservable stages, assumptions about dormancy should be carefully defined and possible consequences of these assumptions for the predictions of the population model should be evaluated. Nonetheless, if we are only interested in overall population viability,ad hocmodels of prolonged dormancy are sufficient as a first step.
Tolerability, pharmacokinetics and antiviral activity of rHSA/IFNα2a for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B infection
Authors: Ding Yanhua , Lou Jinfeng , Chen Hong , Li Xiaojiao , Wu Min , Li Cuiyun , Liu Jingrui , Liu Chengjiao , Li Qingmei , Zhang Hong , Niu Junqi 
Published: November 2016

AimsA recombinant human serum albumin‐interferon alpha2a fusion protein (rHSA/IFNα2a) is expected to extend the half‐life of IFNα2a. This study aims to evaluate the tolerability, safety and efficacy of rHSA/IFNα2a.MethodsThis is an open, randomized, positive control, multiple‐dose ascending Phase Ib study. A panel of 32 treatment naïve and non‐cirrhotic chronic hepatitis B patients were divided into four cohorts, and each received 600, 750 or 900 μg of rHSA/IFNα2a or 180 μg of PEG‐IFNα2a for 3 months. Tolerability, pharmacokinetics and antiviral responses were assessed.ResultsThirty‐one of 32 enrolled patients completed the treatment study. The rHSA/IFNα2a treatment was better tolerated than the PEG‐IFNα2a 180 μg treatment, as evidenced by blood cell counts and higher serum albumin levels. Half‐life (t1/2) of rHSA/IFNα2a was estimated to be 120–140 h, and is potentially suitable for a dosing interval of 2 weeks or longer. Pharmacokinetics of the last dose between rHSA/IFNα2a 750 μg and PEG‐IFNα2a 180 μg, with the exception of t1/2, was comparable, and a similar kinetics of inhibiting HBV DNA replication was observed in both groups. Mean reductions in serum HBV DNA levels after treatment were −1.32, −2.13, −1.10 and −2.48 log10 IU/ml in the 600, 750 and 900 μg rHSA/IFNα2a groups and PEG‐IFNα2a group, respectively.ConclusionsThe rHSA/IFNα2a treatment was well tolerated and can be administered biweekly. Similar efficacy in inhibiting HBV replication was observed in both PEG‐IFNα2a and rHSA/IFNα2a 750 μg groups.
Distinct T helper cell dependence of memory B‐cell proliferation versus plasma cell differentiation
Authors: Zabel Franziska , Fettelschoss Antonia , Vogel Monique , Johansen Pål , Kündig Thomas M. , Bachmann Martin F. 
Published: November 2016

SummarySeveral memory B‐cell subclasses with distinct functions have been described, of which the most effective is the class‐switched (CS) memory B‐cell population. We have previously shown, using virus‐like particles (VLPs), that the proliferative potential of these CS memory B cells is limited and they fail to re‐enter germinal centres (GCs). However, VLP‐specific memory B cells quickly differentiated into secondary plasma cells (PCs) with the virtue of elevated antibody production compared with primary PCs. Whereas the induction of VLP+ memory B cells was strongly dependent on T helper cells, we were wondering whether re‐stimulation of VLP+ memory B cells and their differentiation into secondary PCs would also require T helper cells. Global absence of T helper cells led to strongly impaired memory B cell proliferation and PC differentiation. In contrast, lack of interleukin‐21 receptor‐dependent follicular T helper cells or CD40 ligand signalling strongly affected proliferation of memory B cells, but differentiation into mature secondary PCs exhibiting increased antibody production was essentially normal. This contrasts with primary B‐cell responses, where a strong dependence on CD40 ligand but limited importance of interleukin‐21 receptor was seen. Hence, T helper cell dependence differs between primary and secondary B‐cell responses as well as between memory B‐cell proliferation and PC differentiation.