bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Emergency demand, repeat and frequent presentations by older patients in metropolitan Melbourne: A retrospective cohort study using routinely collected hospital data
Authors: Lowthian Judy , Turner Lyle , Joe Angela , Pearce Christopher , Brijnath Bianca , Browning Colette , Shearer Marianne , Mazza Danielle 
Published: January 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo describe patterns for potentially avoidable general practice (PAGP)‐type and non‐PAGP‐type ED presentations by older patients during 2008 and 2012.MethodsRetrospective analysis of ED presentations by patients ≥70 years for 2008 and 2012. Metropolitan Melbourne public hospital data were obtained from the Victorian Emergency Minimum Dataset. Outcomes were characteristics of PAGP‐type and non‐PAGP‐type presentations as defined by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare; numbers and rates per 1000 population ≥70 years of repeat (×2–3/year) and frequent (≥ ×4/year) PAGP‐type and non‐PAGP‐type presentations.ResultsThe older metropolitan Melbourne population increased by 10.3% between 2008 and 2012, whereas the number of ED presentations increased by 12.7%. The volume of PAGP‐type presentations decreased by 2.6%, with declining rates per 1000 population ≥70 years of repeat (7.2–6.2) and frequent (0.7–0.4) presentation. In contrast, the volume of non‐PAGP‐type presentations grew by 15.4%, with increasing repeat (57.6–60.7) and frequent (13.1–14.2) presentation rates per 1000 population ≥70 years. The majority (39%) of non‐PAGP‐type presentations by frequent ED attenders were due to cardiovascular or respiratory problems.ConclusionThe rate of repeat and frequent PAGP‐type presentations by older people decreased in 2012 compared with 2008, suggesting that initiatives implemented to reduce avoidable presentations may have had an effect. However, an increase in the rate of frequent non‐PAGP‐type presentations, predominately for acute exacerbation of cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, has important implications for planning future healthcare delivery; hence, the importance of initiatives such as the Health Care Home.
High neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio predicts poor prognosis in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Chandrasekara Sahan , Davis Sidney , Thomson Peter , Haydon Andrew 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAimTo evaluate the role of neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio as a prognostic marker in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy.MethodsA retrospective chart review was performed on patients presenting to our service between 2001 and 2014. Overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS) were calculated using Kaplan–Meier estimates. The association between neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio and survival was analyzed by both univariate and multivariate analysis.ResultsAcross all patients, OS and PFS at 5 years was 59% and 54%, respectively. Increasing T stage correlated with a statistically significant decrease in OS (P = 0.004) and PFS (P = 0.005). Both overall (P = 0.003) and PFS (P = 0.002) were highest in lifetime nonsmokers and lowest in current smokers. Patients who commenced treatment in 2010 or later had a significantly greater overall (P = 0.014) and PFS (P = 0.009) compared to those treated prior. Patients with p16 negative tumors had a significantly lower overall (P < 0.001) and PFS (P < 0.001) compared to those with p16 positive tumors. Patients treated with cisplatin had an overall and PFS of 66.8% and 59.9% respectively at 5 years. Patients with a neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio of less than 4 at treatment initiation had a significantly greater overall (P = 0.015) and PFS (P = 0.017). The trend for OS remained significant in multivariate analysis (P = 0.05).ConclusionA high neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio at treatment initiation is a negative predictive marker for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy.
Clinical impact of pharmacokinetic interactions between the HCV protease inhibitor simeprevir and frequently used concomitant medications
Authors: Marra Fiona , Höner zu Siederdissen Christoph , Khoo Saye , Back David , Schlag Michael , Ouwerkerk‐Mahadevan Sivi , Bicer Ceyhun , Lonjon‐Domanec Isabelle , Jessner Wolfgang , Beumont‐Mauviel Maria , Kalmeijer Ronald , Cornberg Markus 
Published: January 2018

AimsDirect‐acting antiviral agents (DAAs) for the treatment of hepatitis C (HCV) can be associated with drug–drug interactions (DDIs) with concomitant medications. The practical clinical implications of such DDIs are poorly understood. We assessed the clinical impact of possible pharmacokinetic (PK) interactions between simeprevir and frequently prescribed concomitant medications.MethodsThis post hoc analysis pooled data from nine studies which evaluated simeprevir (SMV)‐based interferon‐free HCV treatment. Three classes of frequently used concomitant medications of interest (CMOIs) were analysed [antihypertensive drugs (AHDs), anxiolytic drugs (AXDs) and lipid‐lowering drugs (LLDs)] and categorized as amber or green according to their DDI potential with SMV (green: no DDIs; amber: potential/known PK interactions). Concomitant medications not recommended to be coadministered with SMV were not included. The composite primary endpoint was defined as the frequency of either discontinuation, interruption or dose modification of the CMOI during 12 weeks of SMV treatment.ResultsFew patients met the composite endpoint in the various subgroups. Patients on amber CMOIs tended to experience CMOI modification more often (13.4–19.4%) than those on green CMOIs (3.1–10.8%). There was no difference in the frequency of adverse events between patients taking green and those taking amber CMOIs.ConclusionsIn this large pooled analysis, coadministration of the evaluated commonly prescribed medications with known or potential PK interactions with SMV was manageable and resulted in few adjustments of concomitant medications. Our method could serve as a blueprint for the evaluation of the impact of DDIs.
Mothers' Early Mind‐Mindedness Predicts Educational Attainment in Socially and Economically Disadvantaged British Children
Authors: Meins Elizabeth , Fernyhough Charles , Centifanti Luna C.M. 
Published: January 2018

Relations between mothers' mind‐mindedness (appropriate and nonattuned mind‐related comments) at 8 months (N = 206), and children's educational attainment at ages 7 (n = 158) and 11 (n = 156) were investigated in a British sample. Appropriate mind‐related comments were positively correlated with reading and mathematics performance at both ages but only in the low‐socioeconomic status (SES) group. Path analyses showed that in the low‐SES group, appropriate mind‐related comments directly predicted age‐11 reading performance, with age‐4 verbal ability mediating the relation between appropriate mind‐related comments and age‐7 reading. In contrast, maternal sensitivity and infant–mother attachment security did not predict children's educational attainment. These findings are discussed in terms of genetic and environmental contributions to reading and mathematics performance.
Aortic versus carotid intima‐media thickness and impact of aortic valve disease
Authors: Petrini Johan , Ring Margareta , Franco‐Cereceda Anders , Caidahl Kenneth , Eriksson Maria J. 
Published: January 2018

SummaryBackground and aimsIntima‐media thickness is a marker for atherosclerosis but is also influenced by shear stress and flow. We evaluated the relation between intima‐media thickness of the descending aorta (AoIMT) and the common carotid artery (CIMT) in patients with and without severe aortic valve disease (sAVD).MethodsA total of 310 patients (233 with sAVD, 77 without) were examined with regard to AoIMT and CIMT using transesophageal echocardiography and carotid ultrasound, respectively, before valvular and/or aortic surgery. Digitally stored B‐mode images were used for semiautomatic AoIMT and CIMT measurements.ResultsThere were no significant differences in patients with or without sAVD with regard to AoIMT (1·35 ± 0·31 vs. 1·35 ± 0·33 mm) or CIMT (0·80 ± 0·15 vs. 0·78 ± 0·16 mm). The correlations between AoIMT and CIMT were r = 0·29 in patients with and r = 0·51 in patients without sAVD, and the difference between these correlations was significant (P<0·05). In multivariate regression, age was the main determinant for AoIMT and CIMT in both groups, further in sAVD, the aortic mean pressure gradient (Pmean) was a determinant of AoIMT, but not of CIMT.ConclusionsThe correlation between CIMT and AoIMT is weaker in patients with sAVD compared to those without sAVD. Pmean is also a significant predictor of AoIMT, but not of CIMT. This implies that, in addition to the atherosclerotic process, turbulent aortic flow or altered blood flow helicity created by large stroke volumes and diastolic flow reversal or high‐velocity jets, affect the intima‐media of the descending aorta and common carotid artery differently.
Sinus node dysfunction after heart transplantation—An analysis of risk factors and atrial pacing burden
Authors: Herrmann Florian E. M. , Wellmann Petra , Sadoni Sebastian , Schramm René , Hagl Christian , Juchem Gerd 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIntroductionWe investigated the development of sinus node dysfunction (SND) requiring pacemaker implantation after heart transplant (HTx) especially regarding pacing burden in these patients.Patients and methodsPatients requiring a pacemaker for SND were compared to all other patients in an HTx cohort including transplant patients from 1981 to 2016.ResultsSinus node dysfunction requiring pacemaker implantation developed in 118 patients (10%). These patients had received a biatrial anastomosis more frequently than those in the No SND group 95.8% vs 90.0% (P = .042). The ratio of reperfusion time to aortic cross‐clamp time was significantly smaller in the SND group compared to the No SND group 71.7% vs 80.3% (P = .033). This also holds for the ratio of reperfusion time to ischemia time, which was 23.2% and 28.6%, respectively (P = .032). Pacing burden decreased from 90.5% to 66.3% after 2 years and remained around this value in the remaining 4 years of follow‐up.ConclusionWe identified the biatrial anastomosis and a low ratio of reperfusion time to aortic cross‐clamp time as well as to ischemia time as risk factors for SND requiring pacing. After implantation pacemakers continue to pace for over 60% of the time after 6 years.
Expression of hepatic progenitor cell markers in acute cellular rejection of liver allografts—An immunohistochemical study
Authors: Lo Regina Cheuk‐lam , Chan Kristy Kwan‐shuen , Leung Carmen Oi‐ning , Ng Irene Oi‐lin 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundHepatic progenitor cells (HPC) are induced following liver injury to facilitate regeneration. Acute cellular rejection (ACR) is a common complication after liver transplantation as a result of immune‐mediated liver injury. In this study, we characterized HPC phenotype in liver allograft biopsy with ACR. We also explored the correlation between expression HPC immunophenotype and clinicopathological parameters.MethodsForty‐four liver allograft biopsies performed between 2008 and 2016 in a single center with histologically proven ACR were examined for immunohistochemical expression of HPC markers CK19 and Sox9. The number of positive‐staining cells was assessed and correlated with clinicopathological features by statistical analysis.ResultsHPC phenotype expression as denoted by CK19 and Sox9 staining was detected in the liver tissue with ACR. The numbers of CK19+ and Sox9+ cells were positively correlated. A larger number of CK19+ cells were associated with higher serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level at biopsy. By histological rejection score, a larger number of Sox9+ cells were associated with a higher score of bile duct damage.ConclusionExpression HPC markers were correlated with clinical and histological parameters in ACR. Expression of each individual marker may be more tightly associated with a particular component of the ACR process.
Evaluation of Touchable 3D‐Printed Replicas in Museums
Authors: Wilson Paul F. , Stott Janet , Warnett Jason M. , Attridge Alex , Smith M. Paul , Williams Mark A. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe multisensory aspect of the museum, while neglected for many years, is undergoing a resurgence as museum workers have begun to push towards re‐establishing the senses as a major component of museum pedagogy. However, for many museums a major roadblock lies in the need to conserve rare objects, a need that prevents visitors from being able to interact with many objects in a meaningful way. This issue can be potentially overcome by the rapidly evolving field of 3D printing, which allows museum visitors to handle authentic replicas without damaging the originals. However, little is known about how museum visitors consider this approach, how they understand it and whether these surrogates are welcome within museums. A front‐end evaluation of this approach is presented, finding that visitors were enthusiastic about interacting with touchable 3D printed replicas, highlighting potential educational benefits among other considerations. Suggestions about the presentation of touchable 3D printed replicas are also discussed.
Ecological niche differentiation in peripheral populations: a comparative analysis of eleven Mediterranean plant species
Authors: Papuga G. , Gauthier P. , Pons V. , Farris E. , Thompson J. D. 
Published: January 2018

The ‘central‐peripheral’ hypothesis has provided a baseline for many studies of population dynamics and genetic variability at species distribution limits. Although peripheral populations are often assumed to occur in ecologically marginal conditions, little is known about whether they effectively occur in a distinct ecological niche. A cross‐taxa analysis of 11 Mediterranean vascular plants were studied.We quantified variation in the ecological niche between populations at the northern range limits of species in Mediterranean France and those in the central part of the distribution in continental Spain or Italy in 2013–2014. We analyzed both the macro‐ecological niche where populations occur in terms of broad habitat and altitudinal range and the micro‐ecological niche where individual plants grow in terms of soil and structural biotic and abiotic characteristics.Most species occur in a single broad habitat type common to central and peripheral populations and have a narrower altitudinal range in the latter. In contrast, for the micro‐ecological niche we detected marked variation in several niche parameters among central and peripheral populations. Although many differences are species‐specific some are common to several species. We found a trend towards narrower micro‐niche breadth in peripheral populations.Our results illustrate the importance of studying the precise ecological characteristics where plants grow and the pertinence of a multi‐species approach to correctly assess niche variation. The ecological originality of peripheral populations underlines their evolutionary potential and conservation significance.
Exchange of greenhouse gases between soil and atmosphere: interactions of soil physical factors and biological processes
Authors: Smith K. A. , Ball T. , Conen F. , Dobbie K. E. , Massheder J. , Rey A. 
Published: January 2018

SummaryThis review examines the interactions between soil physical factors and the biological processes responsible for the production and consumption in soils of greenhouse gases. The release of CO2 by aerobic respiration is a non‐linear function of temperature over a wide range of soil water contents, but becomes a function of water content as a soil dries out. Some of the reported variation in the temperature response may be attributable simply to measurement procedures. Lowering the water table in organic soils by drainage increases the release of soil carbon as CO2 in some but not all environments, and reduces the quantity of CH4 emitted to the atmosphere. Ebullition and diffusion through the aerenchyma of rice and plants in natural wetlands both contribute substantially to the emission of CH4; the proportion of the emissions taking place by each pathway varies seasonally. Aerated soils are a sink for atmospheric CH4, through microbial oxidation. The main control on oxidation rate is gas diffusivity, and the temperature response is small. Nitrous oxide is the third greenhouse gas produced in soils, together with NO, a precursor of tropospheric ozone (a short‐lived greenhouse gas). Emission of N2O increases markedly with increasing temperature, and this is attributed to increases in the anaerobic volume fraction, brought about by an increased respiratory sink for O2. Increases in water‐filled pore space also result in increased anaerobic volume; again, the outcome is an exponential increase in N2O emission. The review draws substantially on sources from beyond the normal range of soil science literature, and is intended to promote integration of ideas, not only between soil biology and soil physics, but also over a wider range of interacting disciplines.
Patient, carer and public involvement in major system change in acute stroke services: The construction of value
Authors: McKevitt Christopher , Ramsay Angus I.G. , Perry Catherine , Turner Simon J. , Boaden Ruth , Wolfe Charles D.A. , Fulop Naomi J. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundPatient and public involvement is required where changes to care provided by the UK National Health Service are proposed. Yet involvement is characterized by ambiguity about its rationales, methods and impact.AimsTo understand how patients and carers were involved in major system changes (MSCs) to the delivery of acute stroke care in 2 English cities, and what kinds of effects involvement was thought to produce.MethodsAnalysis of documents from both MSC projects, and retrospective in‐depth interviews with 45 purposively selected individuals (providers, commissioners, third‐sector employees) involved in the MSC.ResultsInvolvement was enacted through consultation exercises; lay membership of governance structures; and elicitation of patient perspectives. Interviewees’ views of involvement in these MSCs varied, reflecting different views of involvement per se, and of implicit quality criteria. The value of involvement lay not in its contribution to acute service redesign but in its facilitation of the changes developed by professionals. We propose 3 conceptual categories—agitation management, verification and substantiation—to identify types of process through which involvement was seen to facilitate system change.DiscussionInvolvement was seen to have strategic and intrinsic value. Its strategic value lay in facilitating the implementation of a model of care that aimed to deliver evidence‐based care to all; its intrinsic value was in the idea of citizen participation in change processes as an end in its own right. The concept of value, rather than impact, may provide greater traction in analyses of contemporary involvement practices.
Intervention for childhood obesity based on parents only or parents and child compared with follow‐up alone
Authors: Yackobovitch‐Gavan M. , Wolf Linhard D. , Nagelberg N. , Poraz I. , Shalitin S. , Phillip M. , Meyerovitch J. 
Published: January 2018

SummaryObjectivesThe study aims to assess the effects of family‐based interventions targeted to parents only or to parents‐and‐child for the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity.MethodAn open‐label randomized study was conducted in 247 children (166 girls, 5–11 years) with body mass index (BMI) in the 85–98th percentile. Participants were allocated to three groups: parents‐only (n = 89), parents‐and‐child (n = 84) and follow‐up alone (n = 74). The intervention consisted of 12 once‐weekly meetings with a dietician and psychologist. All children were followed for 2 years. Changes in anthropometric, clinical and lifestyle outcomes were assessed.ResultsThe 3‐month intervention was completed by 58 (65.2%) in the parents‐only, 61 (72.6%) in the parents–child and 49 (66.2%) in the control group (P = .554). BMI‐standard deviation score (SDS) decreased from baseline to 3 months in both intervention groups (parents‐only: from 1.74 ± 0.31 to 1.66 ± 0.36, P < .001; parents–child, 1.83 ± 0.33 to 1.76 ± 0.36, P = .012), with no significant change in the controls (1.73 ± 0.32 to 1.70 ± 0.31, P = .301). The 2‐year follow‐up was completed by 45 in each of the intervention groups (50.5% and 53.5%, respectively) and 37 controls (50%) (P = .896). Compared with baseline, only the parents–child group showed a significant decrease in BMI‐SDS (1.56 ± 0.46, P = .006). The rate of children who met the criteria for metabolic syndrome tended to drop from 6.0% at baseline (14/232) to 1.5% at 3 months (12/137) (P = .109), with no significant between‐group differences in the rate of metabolic syndrome at baseline or at completion of the intervention.ConclusionsAn intervention programme that focuses on both parents and children was found to have positive short‐term and long‐term effects on BMI‐SDS.
Activation of human CD141+ and CD1c+ dendritic cells in vivo with combined TLR3 and TLR7/8 ligation
Authors: Pearson Frances E , Chang Karshing , Minoda Yoshihito , Rojas Ingrid M Leal , Haigh Oscar L , Daraj Ghazal , Tullett Kirsteen M , Radford Kristen J 
Published: January 2018

AbstractMice reconstituted with human hematopoietic stem cells are valuable models to study aspects of the human immune system in vivo. We describe a humanized mouse model (hu mice) in which fully functional human CD141+ and CD1c+ myeloid and CD123+ plasmacytoid dendritic cells (DC) develop from human cord blood CD34+ cells in immunodeficient mice. CD141+ DC are the human equivalents of murine CD8+/CD103+ DC which are essential for the induction of tumor‐inhibitory cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses, making them attractive targets to exploit for the development of new cancer immunotherapies. We used CD34+‐engrafted NSG‐A2 mice to investigate activation of DC subsets by synthetic dsRNA or ssRNA analogs polyinosinic‐polycytidylic acid/poly I:C and Resiquimod/R848, agonists for TLR3 and TLR8, respectively, both of which are expressed by CD141+ DC. Injection of hu mice with these agonists resulted in upregulation of costimulatory molecules CD80, CD83 and CD86 by CD141+ and CD1c+ DC alike, and their combination further enhanced expression of these molecules by both subsets. When combined, poly I:C and R848 enhanced serum levels of key cytokines associated with cross‐presentation and the induction of cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses including IFN‐α, IFN‐β, IL‐12 and CXCL10. These data advocate a combination of poly I:C and R848 TLR agonists as means of activating human DC for immunotherapy.