bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Medical comorbidity in polycystic ovary syndrome with special focus on cardiometabolic, autoimmune, hepatic and cancer diseases: an updated review
Authors: Glintborg Dorte , Andersen Marianne 
Published: September 2017

Purpose of review
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is defined by hyperandrogenism, irregular menses and polycystic ovaries when other causes are excluded. The possible implication of increased morbidity in PCOS for screening and follow-up is uncertain and is reviewed in this article.

Recent findings
The increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease in PCOS is closely associated with BMI. Women with PCOS should be screened for the elements of the metabolic syndrome upon diagnosis. Measurement of HbA1c and the lipid accumulation product could be important tools to differentiate women with high metabolic risk. The immune function in PCOS is impaired with increased secretion of autoantibodies and increased risk of type 1 diabetes, asthma and thyroid disease. The occurrence of thyroid disease could be modified by BMI and D-vitamin status. Screening for diabetes and thyroid disease is part of routine evaluation for endocrine diseases at baseline in PCOS, whereas the necessity of prospective screening for thyroid disease awaits future studies. Especially obese women with PCOS are at an increased risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, gall bladder disease and endometrial cancer.

Summary
Recent data support that screening and follow-up in patients with PCOS should be stratified according to BMI.
Blood Supply to the Integument of the Abdomen of the Rat: A Surgical Perspective
Authors: Casal Diogo , Pais Diogo , Iria Inês , Videira Paula A. , Mota-Silva Eduarda , Alves Sara , Mascarenhas-Lemos Luís , Pen Cláudia , Vassilenko Valentina , Goyri-O’Neill João 
Published: September 2017

Background:
Many fundamental questions regarding the blood supply to the integument of the rat remain to be clarified, namely the degree of homology between rat and humans. The aim of this work was to characterize in detail the macro and microvascular blood supply to the integument covering the ventrolateral aspect of the abdominal wall of the rat.

Methods:
Two hundred five Wistar male rats weighing 250–350 g were used. They were submitted to gross anatomical dissection after intravascular colored latex injection (n = 30); conversion in modified Spalteholz cleared specimens (n=10); intravascular injection of a Perspex solution, and then corroded, in order to produce vascular corrosion casts of the vessels in the region (n = 5); histological studies (n = 20); scanning electron microscopy of vascular corrosion casts (n = 10); surgical dissection of the superficial caudal epigastric vessels (n = 100); and to thermographic evaluation (n = 30).

Results:
The ventrolateral abdominal wall presented a dominant superficial vascular system, which was composed mainly of branches from the superficial caudal epigastric artery and vein in the caudal half. The cranial half still received significant arterial contributions from the lateral thoracic artery in all cases and from large perforators coming from the intercostal arteries and from the deep cranial epigastric artery.

Conclusions:
These data show that rats and humans present a great deal of homology regarding the blood supply to the ventrolateral aspect of the abdominal integument. However, there are also significant differences that must be taken into consideration when performing and interpreting experimental procedures in rats.
The Risk Factors for Moderately Severe and Severe Post–Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography Pancreatitis According to the Revised Atlanta Classification
Authors: Kim Eui Joo , Cho Jae Hee , Oh Kyong Yong , Kim Su Young , Kim Yeon Suk 
Published: September 2017

Objectives
The aim of this study was to confirm the value of the revised Atlanta classification for predicting the severity of post–endoscopic retrograde choloangiopancreatography pancreatitis (PEP) and to validate the risk factors for moderately severe and severe PEP.

Methods
Among 2672 patients, 86 with PEP and 172 randomly selected control patients were included in this study. Post–endoscopic retrograde choloangiopancreatography pancreatitis was evaluated according to Cotton criteria and the revised Atlanta classification. The agreements between the 2 sets of criteria were compared, and the risk factors for moderately severe and severe PEP were identified.

Results
According to the revised Atlanta classification, 72 patients (83.7%) had mild, 11 (12.8%) had moderately severe, and 3 (3.5%) had severe disease. The agreement between the revised Atlanta classification and Cotton criteria was fair (κ = 0.285). Statistically significant risk factors for PEP were difficult cannulation and dye injection in the pancreatic duct, including acinarization. For moderately severe or severe PEP, obesity (hazard ratio, 3.384 [95% confidence interval, 1.023–11.191]) was the only statistically significant risk factor.

Conclusions
The revised Atlanta classification of acute pancreatitis is an effective and feasible classification system for predicting PEP severity. Obesity was identified as an important risk factor predicting moderately severe and severe PEP.
Increased Burden of Pediatric Acute Pancreatitis on the Health Care System
Authors: Hornung Lindsey , Szabo Flora K. , Kalkwarf Heidi J. , Abu-El-Haija Maisam 
Published: September 2017

Objectives
The incidence of pediatric acute pancreatitis (AP) increased over the past 2 decades and is estimated to be 3 to 13 per 100,000. The impact of rising AP incidence on health care costs is unknown. Our aim was to examine pediatric AP admissions and associated hospital costs in the United States between years 2004 and 2014.

Methods
Acute pancreatitis admission and cost data were extracted from the Pediatric Health Information System. We determined AP admission and cost percentages each year, as well as the ratio of AP cost to admission percentages to estimate AP “burden.” Length of stay, costs of hospitalization, and the effect of intensive care unit care on these estimates were examined.

Results
Between 2004 and 2014, AP admission percentages increased (P = 0.002). Length of stay decreased over time (P < 0.0001) and was longer for those requiring intensive care unit care (P < 0.0001). Acute pancreatitis admissions cost per day significantly increased over time (P < 0.0001). Median AP cost percentage remained 1.2 to 1.7 times higher than AP admission percentage.

Conclusions
Acute pancreatitis admissions constitute an expensive burden on the health care system relative to the percentage of all admissions. If AP admissions continue to increase, the cost of AP admissions may pose a substantial financial health care burden.
Should Asymptomatic Men Who Have Sex With Men Be Screened for Oropharyngeal Chlamydia? Clinical Outcomes From a Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Ong Jason J. , Chow Eric P.F. , De Petra Vesna , Williamson Deborah , Pelatosis Irene , Howden Ben , Zhang Lei , Chen Marcus Y. , Bradshaw Catriona S. , Hocking Jane , Fairley Christopher K. 
Published: September 2017

Objective
To help inform screening guidelines, we estimated the proportion of asymptomatic men who have sex with men (MSM) with oropharyngeal chlamydia.

Study Design
An audit of asymptomatic MSM attending a sexual health service from March 2015 to April 2016 was conducted. They each had an oropharyngeal swab that was tested for Chlamydia trachomatis by transcription-mediated nucleic acid amplification. In addition, a random sample of 17 swabs that initially tested positive had confirmatory testing to determine the likelihood of true positivity.

Results
We collected 4877 oropharyngeal swabs: 72 (1.5%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2–1.9) were diagnosed positive for chlamydia. Most (n = 56 [78%]; 95% CI, 67–86) only had oropharyngeal chlamydia detected (i.e., no concurrent extraoropharyngeal chlamydia and/or gonorrhea). Of the 17 samples that underwent confirmation, all confirmed positive (100%; 95% CI, 82–100).

Conclusions
Although oropharyngeal chlamydia prevalence was low among asymptomatic MSM, most oropharyngeal chlamydia cases had no chlamydia at other sites, and these cases would have been missed and not treated if routine oropharyngeal chlamydia testing was not done.
Screening for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae Infections in Men Who Have Sex With Men: Diagnostic Accuracy of Nucleic Acid Amplification Test on Pooled Urine, Anorectal, and Pharyngeal Specimens
Authors: Thielemans Elise , Wyndham-Thomas Chloé , Henrard Sophie , De Vleeschouwer Anne , Steensels Deborah , Montesinos Isabel , Debaisieux Laurent , Delforge Marie-Luce , Van Vooren Jean-Paul , Goffard Jean-Christophe 
Published: September 2017

Abstract

Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis screening was performed in a cohort of 100 men who have sex with men. A nucleic acid amplification test on a pooled sample of first-pass urine, pharyngeal, and anorectal specimens was compared with results on nonpooled samples. Despite an excellent agreement (Cohen κ, 0.932), pooling specimens reduced test sensitivity to 89.5%.
Effect of Stretching on Thoracolumbar Fascia Injury and Movement Restriction in a Porcine Model
Authors: Langevin Helene M. , Bishop James , Maple Rhonda , Badger Gary J. , Fox James R. 
Published: September 2017

Objective
Stretching of fascia is an important component of manual and movement therapies. We previously showed that in pigs, a unilateral thoracolumbar fascia injury combined with movement restriction (hobble) produced contralateral loss of fascia mobility (shear strain during passive trunk flexion measured with ultrasound) similar to findings in human subjects with chronic low back pain. We now tested whether such abnormalities could be reversed by removing the hobble with or without daily stretching for 1 mo.

Design
Thirty pigs were randomized to control, injury, or injury + hobble for 8 wks. The hobble restricted hip extension ipsilateral to the injury. At week 8, the injury + hobble group was subdivided into continued hobble, removed hobble, and removed hobble + stretching (passively extending the hip for 10 min daily).

Results
Removing hobbles restored normal gait speed but did not restore fascia mobility. Daily passive stretching was not superior to removing hobbles, as there was no significant improvement in fascia mobility with either treatment group (removed hobble or stretching).

Conclusions
Reduced fascia mobility in response to injury and movement restriction worsens over time and persists even when movement is restored. Reversing fascia abnormalities may require either longer than 1 mo or a different treatment “dose” or modality.
Importance of Risk Perception: Predictors of PrEP Acceptance Among Thai MSM and TG Women at a Community-Based Health Service
Authors: Plotzker Rosalyn , Seekaew Pich , Jantarapakde Jureeporn , Pengnonyang Supabhorn , Trachunthong Deondara , Linjongrat Danai , Janyam Surang , Nakpor Thitiyanun , Charoenying Sutinee , Mills Stephen , Vannakit Ravipa , Cassell Michael , Phanuphak Praphan , Lertpiriyasuwat Cheewanan , Phanuphak Nittaya 
Published: September 2017

Background:
HIV prevalence among Thai men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TG) are 9.15% and 11.8%, respectively, compared with 1.1% in the general population. To better understand early adopters of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in Thailand, we analyzed biobehavioral and sociodemographic characteristics of PrEP-eligible MSM and TG.

Setting:
Four Thai urban community clinics between October 2015 and February 2016.

Methods:
Sociodemographics, HIV risk characteristics, and PrEP knowledge and attitudes were analyzed in association with PrEP initiation among eligible Thai MSM and TG. Adjusted analysis explored factors associated with PrEP acceptance. We then analyzed HIV risk perception, which was strongly associated with PrEP initiation.

Results:
Of 297 participants, 55% accepted PrEP (48% of MSM, 54% of TG). Perceived HIV risk levels were associated with PrEP acceptance [odds ratio (OR): 4.3; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.5 to 12.2. OR: 6.3; 95% CI: 2.1 to 19.0. OR: 14.7; 95% CI: 3.9 to 55.1; for minimal, moderate, and high perceived risks, respectively]. HIV risk perception was associated with previous HIV testing (OR: 2.2; 95% CI: 1.4 to 3.5); inconsistent condom use (OR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.1 to 2.9); amphetamine use in the past 6 months (OR: 3.1; 95% CI: 1.1 to 8.6); and uncertainty in the sexually transmitted infection history (OR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.4 to 3.7). Approximately half of those who reported either inconsistent condom use (46%), multiple partners (50%), group sex (48%), or had baseline bacterial sexually transmitted infection (48%) perceived themselves as having no or mild HIV risk.

Conclusions:
HIV risk perception plays an important role in PrEP acceptance. Perception does not consistently reflect actual risk. It is therefore critical to assess a client's risk perception and provide education about HIV risk factors that will improve the accuracy of perceived HIV risk.
Plasma Tenofovir Levels to Support Adherence to TDF/FTC Preexposure Prophylaxis for HIV Prevention in MSM in Los Angeles, California
Authors: Landovitz Raphael J. , Beymer Matthew , Kofron Ryan , Amico Kathy Rivet , Psaros Christina , Bushman Lane , Anderson Peter L. , Flynn Risa , Lee David P. , Bolan Robert K. , Jordan Wilbert C. , Tseng Chi-Hong , Dierst-Davies Rhodri , Rooney Jim , Wohl Amy Rock 
Published: September 2017

Background:
Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is effective against HIV acquisition when taken as prescribed. Strategies that identify and intervene with those challenged by adherence to daily medication are needed.

Setting:
PATH-PrEP was an open-label single-arm interventional cohort study conducted at 2 community-based clinical sites in Los Angeles, CA.

Methods:
We enrolled self-identified men who have sex with men and transgender women ≥18 years of age at an elevated risk of HIV acquisition. Participants received a postexposure prophylaxis (PEP)–based or PrEP-based HIV prevention package for at least 48 weeks. Plasma tenofovir levels from each PrEP visit assessed as below the limit of quantitation (<10 ng/mL) triggered increased adherence support.

Results:
Three hundred one participants enrolled. Forty-eight–week retention in the PrEP cohort was 75.1%. Biomarker evidence of PrEP adherence consistent with ≥4 doses per week at weeks 4, 12, 24, 36, and 48 was found in 83.1%, 83.4%, 75.7%, 71.6%, and 65.5% of participants, respectively; younger and African American participants were less likely to have protective drug levels. Most of those with suboptimal adherence had adherence improvement after brief intervention. One seroconversion occurred in a participant who discontinued PrEP. Nearly half (46.4%) of participants were diagnosed with at least 1 incident sexually transmitted infection during 48 weeks of study follow-up.

Conclusions and Relevance:
PrEP was acceptable and well tolerated in a diverse population of men who have sex with men in Los Angeles. A brief intervention triggered from biomarkers of poor adherence was associated with improved adherence. Drug level monitoring has the potential to allow targeting of additional adherence support to those struggling with daily tablet adherence.
Identifying palliative care needs in people with dementia
Authors: Lloyd-Williams Mari , Mogan Caroline , Dening Karen Harrison 
Published: September 2017

Purpose of review
Dementia is now recognized as a progressive life-limiting illness where many patients can benefit from access to palliative care.

Recent findings
The present review has focused on three areas namely, advanced care planning in supporting palliative care for dementia, hospice provision for people with dementia and provision of care within family home. In advanced care planning, there is little research on systematically developed and implemented advance care planning interventions or whether they achieve desired outcomes for end-of-life care. There is limited research on hospice-based care for patients with dementia and most studies are U.S. based. Equally studies exploring how family carers can be supported and facilitated to care at home for the person with dementia to the end of life are exploratory rather than determining what factors may be important.

Summary
There are relatively few studies, especially quantitative studies or intervention studies being carried out to determine most effective means of providing palliative care for people with dementia, particularly with respect to advanced care planning, the provision of hospice-based care and support at home. Despite increased public awareness of dementia as a terminal illness, more research is required to support patients with dementia and their families at the end of life.
Understanding and mitigating some limitations of Illumina© MiSeq for environmental sequencing of Fungi
Authors: Thomas Dan , Vandegrift Roo , Bailes Graham , Roy Bitty 
Published: September 2017

AbstractITS-amplicon metabarcode studies using the illumina MiSeq sequencing platform are the current standard tool for fungal ecology studies. Here we report on some of the particular challenges experienced while creating and using a ribosomal RNA gene (rDNA) amplicon library for an ecological study. Two significant complications were encountered. First, artificial differences in read abundances among OTUs were observed, apparently resulting from bias at two stages: PCR amplification of genomic DNA with ITS-region Illumina-sequence-adapted-primers, and during Illumina sequencing. These differential read abundances were only partially corrected by a common variance-stabilization method. Second, tag-switching (or the shifting of amplicons to incorrect sample indices) occurred at high levels in positive mock-community controls. An example of a bioinformatic method to estimate the rate of tag switching is shown, some recommendations on the use of positive controls and primer choice are given, and one approach to reducing potential false positives resulting from these technological biases is presented.
When a rose is not a rose: Pyramidal neurons respond differently in healthy and epileptic human neocortex
Authors: Joseph Kevin , Ravi Vidhya M. , Argiti Katerina , Feuerstein Thomas J. , Zentner Josef , Migliore Rosanna , Migliore Michele , Hofmann Ulrich G. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractEpilepsy affects a huge number of patients by severe disruption of brain functions and is characterised by recurrent seizures, sometimes hard to be treated by medications. Seizure induced cellular consequences in ionic gradient and homeostasis are expected to result in electrophysiological differences between epileptic and non-epileptic neurons.In the following work we demonstrate these differences in layer III cortical pyramidal neurons sourced from epileptic and non-epileptic human patient tissue. Although visually indistinguishable and featuring similar membrane potentials and latency to first spikes upon whole cell patch stimulation, epileptic pyramidal neurons display a larger rheobase and a smaller membrane resistance, responding less efficiently to electrical stimulation than their peri-tumorous equivalents. This decreased excitability contradicts results in comparable animal models of epilepsy and was further corroborated by detailed analysis of spiking characteristics and phase plot analysis of these events. Both point to an overexpression of K+ channels trying to compensate for the hyperexcited, epileptic network state. A computational model of a pyramidal neuron was utilized to give an estimate of the needful relative changes in K+ and Na+ conductances.
Expect to neglect: Cross-modal resource allocation in anticipation of visual load
Authors: Bangel Katrin A. , Slagter Heleen A. , Mazaheri Ali 
Published: September 2017

AbstractHuman information processing is limited in capacity. To prevent sensory overload, expectation of upcoming events has been suggested to allocate processing resources to task-relevant regions (e.g., visual system), at the expense of processing in task-irrelevant regions (e.g., auditory system). In support of this, for tasks involving a high visual perceptual load (e.g. visual target search within physically similar distractors), auditory evoked responses were found to be attenuated1. This EEG study aimed to further elucidate the neural mechanisms by which the brain prepares for sensory overload. We investigated how expectancy about visual load modulated neural activity, prior to the onset of visual stimuli. Visual load in a letter search task was manipulated by varying the target letter’s similarity to the remaining letters and the letter set size from which flankers were randomly drawn. Importantly, audio-visual cues signaled the likely visual load of the upcoming stimulus-array, manipulating expectancy about visual task load. Cues signaling high visual load elicited attenuated auditory-evoked responses and increased alpha activity over task-irrelevant (auditory) regions, suggesting a functional inhibition of those regions already prior to the arrival of the visual array to suppress auditory cue processing. We also observed a sustained posterior positivity in the ERPs after high perceptual load cues, whose amplitude correlated with reaction times, suggestive of resource allocation for the upcoming visual targets. Expectation about visual load may thus prepare the attentional system both by facilitating target processing and task execution and inhibiting irrelevant sensory processing, thus providing efficient means to overcome attentional limits in situations with complex visual input.
The widespread misconception about the Japanese major biogeographic boundary, the Watase line (Tokara gap), revealed by bibliographic and beta diversity analyses
Authors: Komaki Shohei , Igawa Takeshi 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACTThe biota of the Japanese Archipelago is divided into the Palearctic and Oriental realms by the Watase line (Tokara gap), a major biogeographic boundary of Japan. This boundary is generally placed between Akusekijima and Kodakarajima Islands of the Tokara Archipelago, and has been the subject of many biogeographic debates. However, despite being widely accepted, the position of the boundary is doubtful because of a lack of clear evidence. Here, to verify the definition and existence of the biogeographic boundary, we performed a documentary search and beta diversity analysis of multiple taxa. Our documentary search suggested that the Watase line (Tokara gap) should be put between Yakushima/Tanegashima and Amamioshima Islands, but recent references to it clearly deviate from its original definition, and that the placement of the boundary line between Akusekijima and Kodakarajima Islands is based on limited and biased evidence. Our beta diversity analyses found no common biogeographic boundary dividing the Tokara Archipelago into two realms, and showed that the beta diversity pattern of this region is explained by the areas and geographic distances of the islands in agreement with the general principles of island biogeography. The widespread misunderstanding of biogeography in this region could have been perpetuated by preconception and the citation of references without verification. Our study proposes that revision of the biogeography in the Tokara Archipelago, a gap region between the Palearctic and Oriental realms, is necessary and demonstrates the negative influence of preconception in biogeographic debate.