bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Isolated Ectopic Cutaneous Atypical Meningioma of the Scalp: Another Mimicker of Primary Adnexal Tumor
Authors: Konopinski Jonathan , Prieto Victor G. , Ivan Doina , Nagarajan Priyadharsini , Tetzlaff Michael T. , Curry Jonathan L. , Torres-Cabala Carlos A. , Fuller Gregory N. , Aung Phyu P. 
Published: February 2017

Abstract:Cutaneous meningiomas are rare tumors most commonly located in the skin and soft tissue of the scalp. They may be congenital (type I), acquired and derived from ectopic arachnoid tissue in the skin (type II), or arise through direct extension from an intracranial meningioma (type III). Despite their well-established documentation in the literature, they may escape recognition when classic features are not present. Herein, we present a case of a cutaneous atypical meningioma (≥4 mitotic figures/10 High Power Fields (HPF)) on the posterior scalp of a 31-year-old man with histologic features mimicking a malignant adnexal tumor. To our knowledge, this is the first case of isolated cutaneous meningioma mimicking an adnexal neoplasm. Thus, cutaneous meningiomas should be considered in the differential diagnosis of dermal and subcutaneous epithelioid neoplasms of the scalp.
Germinotropic Onychocytic Matricoma: A New Histopathologic Subtype of Onychocytic Matricoma in the Light of the Microanatomy of the Normal Nail Unit, With Special Reference to Nail Mesenchyme
Authors: Perrin Christophe 
Published: February 2017

Abstract:
Onychocytic matricoma (OCM) is a benign tumor of adnexal keratinocytes in which there is complete cytodifferentiation toward the germinative cells of the nail matrix, the keratogenous zone cells, and cells of the nail plate. Several microscopic variants of OCM were initially recognized; acanthotic type, acanthotic and papillomatous type, keratogenous type, and melanocytic as slight proliferation of dendritic melanocytes within the basaloid cells. This study reports an additional histopathologic variant of OCM. The case presented as an acquired localized longitudinal pachymelanonychia of the thumb in a 50-year-old man. The excisional biopsy, with partial nail plate avulsion, showed a matrical acanthoma composed of basaloid cells with peripheral palisading. This matrical lesion showed extension into the proximal nail bed. The boundary between the matrix and nail bed was identified by the 2 microanatomical zones of the matrical mesenchyme, and the matrix metaplasia of the proximal nail bed was identified by the coexpression of hair-related keratins and K75. This onychogenic epithelial benign tumor presented a prominent germinative compartment without spheres of prekeratogenous and keratogenous zone cells and exhibited an unusual expression of K35. The melanocyte count was high in the proximal nail bed with matrix metaplasia (22.25 melanocytes per mm). By contrast, the distal nail bed, showed only rare melanocytes. This study describes a previously uncharacterized histopathologic subtype of OCM that can microscopically mimic onychocytic carcinoma, onychomatricoma and basal cell carcinoma. Careful conventional microscopy coupled with knowledge of the fine microanatomy of the normal nail mesenchyme can facilitate a correct diagnosis to be established.
A Preclinical Translational Study of the Cardioprotective Effects of Plasma-Derived Alpha-1 Anti-trypsin in Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Mauro Adolfo G. , Mezzaroma Eleonora , Marchetti Carlo , Narayan Pratyush , Del Buono Marco G. , Capuano Marialessia , Prestamburgo Andrea , Catapano Simone , Salloum Fadi N. , Abbate Antonio , Toldo Stefano 
Published: February 2017

Background:
The area of myocardial infarction continues to expand for hours after reperfusion. The injured but viable myocardium may be salvaged if the signals leading to cell death are interrupted. Activation of the caspase-1 inflammasome in the heart shortly after ischemia–reperfusion contributes to the final infarct size. Plasma-derived α-1 anti-trypsin (AAT) has shown to inhibit inflammasome formation in vitro and in vivo. To explore the potential translational clinical value of AAT as a therapeutic, we conducted a series of preclinical experiments designed to simulate clinically relevant scenarios.

Methods:
Adult male CD1 mice were used. The left anterior descending coronary artery was ligated for 30 or 75 minutes followed by reperfusion, to explore different severity of ischemic injury. Plasma-derived AAT (Prolastin C) was administered intraperitoneally after reperfusion, without pretreatment, exploring 3 different doses (60, 120, and 180 mg/kg). In a subgroup of mice, we administered Prolastin C with a delay of 30 minutes after reperfusion to simulate the clinical context of delayed administration, and we also used a model of permanent coronary artery ligation without reperfusion. Finally, we tested whether a single dose at reperfusion was sufficient to maintain a benefit in the longer term (7 days). Infarct size was measured by 3 different and independent methodologies: pathology, plasma levels of troponin I, and wall motion abnormalities at echocardiography.

Results:
Prolastin C given at reperfusion after 30 minutes of ischemia provided a powerful reduction in infarct size (>50% reduction in all methodology used, all P < 0.01) without a clear dose-dependent response. Prolongation of ischemia to 75 minutes nor a delay in treatment by 30 minutes after reperfusion had any negative impact on Prolastin C effects. A single dose given at reperfusion was as effective as multiple daily doses. When given to the mouse without reperfusion, Prolastin C failed to reduce infarct size.

Conclusions:
Plasma-derived AAT (Prolastin C) given as an adjunct to reperfusion powerfully limits the final infarct size across a wide range of experiments in the mouse reproducing clinically relevant scenarios, such as variable duration of ischemia, delay in administration in the drug, and a large therapeutic index.
Prospective Evaluation of a Novel Treatment Algorithm for Health Care-Associated Pneumonia
Authors: Fazylov Roman , Peyko Vincent , Burney Sibte , Cohen Henry 
Published: February 2017

Background
The current health care–associated pneumonia (HCAP) model may be too broad, leading to inappropriate use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. As a result, therapeutic algorithms, such as what Maruyama et al validated, have been developed for a more specific therapy. Our study aims to validate this algorithm in our patient population.

Methods
This is a single-center, prospective, cohort study, with a historical control cohort. The prospective cohort followed an outlined algorithm to determine empiric therapy as compared with a historical cohort, which followed the standard of care. Prospective cohort patients were categorized as low versus high risk based on the algorithm and started on empiric community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) or HCAP regimens, respectively. Primary objectives included length of stay and initial empiric failure. Secondary objectives included patients treated with CAP versus HCAP regimens, intravenous to oral conversion time, antibiotic duration, and incidence of acute kidney injury.

Results
There was no difference in the primary outcomes of length of stay and initial empiric regimen. Secondary outcomes were significant for elevated frequency of empiric CAP regimens compared with HCAP regimens and shorter antibiotic duration.

Conclusions
The current definition of HCAP may be too expansive leading to the overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Risk stratification based on the presence of multidrug-resistant risk factors and severity of illness may prove to be a useful assessment tool in determining targeted empiric therapy and limit the propagation of bacterial resistance.
Lateral inhibition during nociceptive processing
Authors: Quevedo Alexandre S. , Mørch Carsten Dahl , Andersen Ole K. , Coghill Robert C. 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
Spatial summation of pain (SSP) is the increase of perceived intensity that occurs as the stimulated area increases. Spatial summation of pain is subadditive in that increasing the stimulus area produces a disproportionately small increase in the perceived intensity of pain. A possible explanation for subadditive summation may be that convergent excitatory information is modulated by lateral inhibition. To test the hypothesis that lateral inhibition may limit SSP, we delivered different patterns of noxious thermal stimuli to the abdomens of 15 subjects using a computer-controlled CO2 laser. Lines (5 mm wide) of variable lengths (4, 8 cm) were compared with 2-point stimuli delivered at the same position/separation as the length of lines. When compared with one-point control stimuli, 2-point stimulus patterns produced statistically significant SSP, while no such summation was detected during line stimulus patterns. Direct comparison of pain intensity evoked by 2-point pattern stimuli with line pattern stimuli revealed that 2-point patterns were perceived as significantly more painful, despite the fact that the 2-point pattern stimulated far smaller areas of skin. Thus, the stimulation of the skin region between the endpoints of the lines appears to produce inhibition. These findings indicate that lateral inhibition limits SSP and is an intrinsic component of nociceptive information processing. Disruption of such lateral inhibition may contribute substantially to the radiation of some types of chronic pain.
Clinical usefulness and performance of acoustic radiation force impulse in patients with chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Ozturker Coskun , Karagoz Ergenekon , Sivrioglu Ali K. , Kara Kemal 
Published: February 2017

Aim
The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) compared with liver biopsy in quantifying fibrosis levels in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

Patients and methods
The study was approved by the institutional review board at our hospital. One hundred CHB patients and 30 healthy controls (130 individuals) were included in the study. ARFI measurements were performed on all of these cases. CHB was diagnosed when serum hepatitis surface antigen was positive for more than 6 months and when persistent or intermittent elevations in alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels and histopathological changes in liver biopsy were present. Liver biopsies were taken as a reference standard for 100 CHB patients. Liver biopsy samples were examined using the Ishak scoring system and compared with ARFI velocity values.

Results
Of the 130 participants, 107 (82.3%) were men and 23 (17.7%) were women. Thirty of these participants were healthy controls and their fibrotic score was evaluated as an Ishak fibrosis score of 0. A gradual increase in the mean velocity value was obtained for fibrosis scores F0–F6 (Ishak fibrosis score) in our study. A strong positive correlation was found between the mean velocity values and fibrosis scores of liver biopsy that were performed on liver segment 8. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was used to detect the best cutoff velocity values, and no or mild fibrosis (F≤2), significant fibrosis (F≥3), and severe fibrosis (F≥5) were calculated to be 0.95, 1.75, and 2.55 m/s, respectively. When a cutoff value of 1.75 m/s was used, ARFI had a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 98% in differentiating patients with fibrosis score F≤2 versus F≥3.

Conclusion
ARFI elastography in patients with CHB can be considered an easy-to-use and accurate noninvasive tool to evaluate the severity of liver fibrosis.
Transient elastography evaluation of hepatic and spleen stiffness in patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis
Authors: Veiga Zulane S.T. , Villela-Nogueira Cristiane A. , Fernandes Flávia F. , Cavalcanti Marta G. , Figueiredo Fátima A. , Pereira João L. , Pereira Gustavo H. , Moraes Coelho Henrique S. , Peralta José M. , Marques Carlos E. , Perez Renata M. , Fogaça Homero S. 
Published: February 2017

Background
Hepatosplenic schistosomiasis (HES) has not been evaluated by transient elastography so far and its correlation with ultrasound variables remains to be defined.

Aims
The aim of this study was to describe the parameters of liver and spleen stiffness in HES assessed by transient elastography in comparison with cirrhotics and controls evaluating its correlation with ultrasonographic data.

Patients and methods
HES, hepatitis C virus-cirrhotic, and control patients were included in this sectional study. Liver and spleen stiffness were compared among the three groups. The ultrasonographic parameters were compared with transient elastography in HES patients.

Results
Thirty HES, 30 hepatitis C virus-cirrhotic patients, and 17 controls were included. Those with HES presented liver stiffness that was significantly higher than the controls and lower than the cirrhotics: 9.7 (3.6–75.0) versus 3.7 (2.8–5.4) versus 27.0 (14.7–61.5) kPa (P<0.001). Spleen stiffness values were comparable between hepatosplenic and cirrhotics: 66.4 (25.7–75.0) versus 69.1 (18.0–75.0) kPa (P=0.78) and were significantly higher than the controls 16.5 kPa (6.3–34.3) (P<0.001). In patients with HES, high spleen stiffness was associated with right liver lobe diameter (P=0.015), splenic artery resistance index (P=0.002), portal vein diameter (P=0.021), portal vein area (P=0.008), portal vein congestion index (P=0.035), splenic vein diameter (P=0.013), and spleen diameter (P=0.021).

Conclusion
Liver stiffness may be a useful tool to differentiate portal hypertension related to cirrhosis from that of HES. High spleen stiffness is a potential surrogate marker of portal hypertension in this population.
Direct-acting antivirals are effective for chronic hepatitis C treatment in elderly patients: a real-world study of 17 487 patients
Authors: Su Feng , Beste Lauren A. , Green Pamela K. , Berry Kristin , Ioannou George N. 
Published: February 2017

Background
The mean age of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the USA has been increasing. Despite the increasing proportion of HCV-infected elderly patients, this group is under-represented in clinical trials of HCV treatment.

Aim
We aimed to describe the real-world effectiveness of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) among elderly patients.

Patients and methods
We retrospectively identified 17 487 HCV-infected patients who were started on treatment with sofosbuvir, ledipasvir/sofosbuvir, or paritaprevir/ombitasvir/ritonavir/dasabuvir-based regimens in the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System between 1 January 2014 and 30 June 2015. We ascertained sustained virologic response (SVR) rates in patients aged below 55, 55–59, 60–64, 65–69, 70–74, and 75 years or older and performed multivariable logistic regression to determine whether age predicted SVR.

Results
Overall unadjusted SVR rates were 91.2% [95% confidence interval (CI): 89.7–92.4], 89.8% (95% CI: 88.8–90.7), 90.8% (95% CI: 90.1–91.6), 91.1% (95% CI: 90.1–91.9), 90.0% (95% CI: 86.9–92.4), and 93.8% (95% CI: 88.8–96.7) in patients aged below 55, 55–59, 60–64, 65–69, 70–74, and 75 years or older. Unadjusted SVR rates were similar in all age groups after stratifying by genotype, treatment regimen, stage of liver disease, and treatment experience. In multivariate models, age was not predictive of SVR after adjusting for confounders.

Conclusion
DAAs produce high rates of SVR in all age groups, including patients in our oldest age category (≥75 years). Advanced age in and of itself should not be considered a barrier to initiating DAA treatment.
Regulatory Advocacy Update: American Society of Plastic Surgeons Comments in Response to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Draft Guidance Documents on Human Cell and Tissue Products
Authors: Rubin J. Peter , D’Amico Richard A. , Rodriguez Ricardo , Coleman Sydney R. , Cederna Paul , Glasberg Scot , Neumeister Michael , Song David H. , Butler Charles , Hume Keith M. 
Published: February 2017

Summary:
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration released draft guidance documents on human cells, tissues, and cellular and tissue-based products regulations. These proposed guidance documents can impact the practice of plastic surgery in the area of tissue grafting procedures. This article describes the relevant issues in these draft guidance documents, and presents the comments provided to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Contrast Agent–Induced High Signal Intensity in Dentate Nucleus on Unenhanced T1-Weighted Images
Authors: Ichikawa Shintaro , Motosugi Utaroh , Omiya Yoshie , Onishi Hiroshi 
Published: February 2017

Objective
The aim of this study was to evaluate whether an association exists between T1-signal increase in the dentate nucleus (DN) on unenhanced magnetic resonance imaging and previous administration of gadoxetic acid and gadodiamide.

Materials and Methods
This retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board; the requirement for informed patient consent was waived. A total of 132 patients (male-female ratio, 86:46; mean age, 68.8 ± 11.6 years) who underwent imaging between December 2000 and April 2016 were divided into 4 groups: patients with 5 or more administrations of gadoxetic acid (“gadoxetic acid ≥5 administrations” group), only 1 administration of gadoxetic acid (“gadoxetic acid 1 administration” group), no gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) administration or chronic liver disease (CLD; “no GBCA administration and no CLD” group), and 5 or more administrations of gadodiamide (“gadodiamide ≥5 administrations” group). Unenhanced T1-weighted images were quantitatively analyzed by 2 radiologists. Intergroup comparison of DN-to-pons signal intensity ratios was performed by the Dunn test, with the no GBCA administration and no CLD group as control. Interobserver agreement was assessed by intraclass correlation coefficients.

Results
The DN-to-pons ratio of the “gadodiamide ≥5 administrations” group was significantly higher (P < 0.0001) and those of the “gadoxetic acid ≥5 administrations” and “gadoxetic acid 1 administration” groups did not differ significantly (P = 0.3912 and 1.0000, respectively) compared with the DN-to-pons ratio of the “no GBCA administration and no CLD” group. The interobserver intraclass correlation coefficient for measurement of DN-to-pons ratio was excellent (0.835; 95% confidence interval, 0.767–0.883).

Conclusions
Hyperintensity in the DN on unenhanced T1-weighted images is associated with previous administration of gadodiamide but not gadoxetic acid. Although the number of administrations for the 2 GBCA groups was identical, the administered dose of gadoxetic acid was only a quarter the amount of gadolinium as those with gadodiamide. This difference might influence the results of this study.
The dual rod system of amphibians supports colour discrimination at the absolute visual threshold
Authors: Yovanovich Carola A. M. , Koskela Sanna M. , Nevala Noora , Kondrashev Sergei L. , Kelber Almut , Donner Kristian 
Published: February 2017

The presence of two spectrally different kinds of rod photoreceptors in amphibians has been hypothesized to enable purely rod-based colour vision at very low light levels. The hypothesis has never been properly tested, so we performed three behavioural experiments at different light intensities with toads (Bufo) and frogs (Rana) to determine the thresholds for colour discrimination. The thresholds of toads were different in mate choice and prey-catching tasks, suggesting that the differential sensitivities of different spectral cone types as well as task-specific factors set limits for the use of colour in these behavioural contexts. In neither task was there any indication of rod-based colour discrimination. By contrast, frogs performing phototactic jumping were able to distinguish blue from green light down to the absolute visual threshold, where vision relies only on rod signals. The remarkable sensitivity of this mechanism comparing signals from the two spectrally different rod types approaches theoretical limits set by photon fluctuations and intrinsic noise. Together, the results indicate that different pathways are involved in processing colour cues depending on the ecological relevance of this information for each task.This article is part of the themed issue ‘Vision in dim light’.
The Deubiquitylating Enzyme Ubp12 Regulates Rad23-Dependent Substrate Delivery at the Proteasome
Authors: Gödderz Daniela , Dantuma Nico P. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe consecutive actions of the ubiquitin-selective segregase Cdc48 and the ubiquitin shuttle factor Rad23 result in the delivery of ubiquitylated proteins at the proteasome. Here, we show that the deubiquitylating enzyme Ubp12 interacts with Cdc48 and regulates proteasomal degradation of Rad23-dependent substrates. Overexpression of Ubp12 results in stabilization of Rad23-dependent substrates. We show that Ubp12 removes short ubiquitin chains from the N-terminal ubiquitin-like domain (UbL) of Rad23. Preventing ubiquitylation of Rad23 by substitution of lysine residues within the UbL domain, Rad23UbLK0, does not affect the non-proteolytic role of Rad23 in DNA repair but causes an increase in ubiquitylated cargo bound to the UBA2 domains of Rad23 and recapitulates the stabilization of Rad23-dependent substrates observed upon overexpression of Ubp12. Expression of Rad23UbLK0or overexpression of Ubp12 impairs the ability of yeast to cope with proteotoxic stress consistent with inefficient clearance of misfolded proteins by the ubiquitin/proteasome system. Our data suggest that ubiquitylation of Rad23 plays a stimulatory role in facilitating the transfer of ubiquitylated substrates to the proteasome.Summary statementUbiquitylation of a ubiquitin shuttle factor regulates the delivery of substrates at the proteasome, uncovering a novel regulatory link between ubiquitin and proteasomal degradation.
Applications of the discrete element method and Fibonacci sequence on a banana screen
Authors: Li Zhanfu , Tong Xin 
Published: February 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to design the geometrical structure of banana screen, and this study aims to improve the screen efficiency.Design/methodology/approachThe discrete element method was used to simulate the sieving process of banana screen with the inclinations of decks improved by Fibonacci sequence. The effect of each deck along screen length on the screening efficiency of particles was studied in this paper.FindingsThe comparisons among three groups of industrial banana screens with five different consecutive Fibonacci numbers have been made, and the variations of fine particle ratio were also investigated. The results show that the banana screening improved by the 5 Fibonacci sequence, 3, 5, 8, 13 and 21, has the good screening performance in the simulation. It is found that the inclination degree of the first deck at the feed end is the key factor to determine screening efficiency of banana screens.Practical implicationsIt is not possible to consider all real physical factors exactly in a virtual model. The experiment prototype of banana screen was used to simply verify the feasibility of the methodology.Originality/valueThis work is helpful for designing the geometric parameters of the curved screen and gives a broad perspective to improve the efficiency of banana screens.