bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ultrasound surveillance for cholangiocarcinoma in an endemic area: A prove of survival benefits
Authors: Siripongsakun Surachate , Vidhyarkorn Sirachat , Charuswattanakul Sirivipa , Mekraksakit Poemlarp , Sungkasubun Prakongboon , Yodkhunnathum Nuphat , Tangruangkiat Sutthirak , Ritlumlert Napat , Sricharunrat Thaniya , Jaroenpatarapesaj Sirima , Soonklang Kamonwan , Kulthanmanusorn Anond , Auewarakul Chirayu U , Mahidol Chulabhorn 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBackground and AimCholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is an aggressive malignancy with rapid progression and poor prognosis. Abdominal ultrasound surveillance may detect early‐stage malignancy and improve surgical outcome. However, little data exist on the benefits of abdominal ultrasound surveillance in populations at high risk for CCA development in an endemic area. This study compared survival outcomes of CCA patients recruited through abdominal ultrasound surveillance program and those presented to the hospital independent of surveillance.MethodsThe surveillance population‐based cohort was 4225 villagers in Northern Thailand, aged 30–60 years, who consented to a 5‐year abdominal ultrasound surveillance program, which included interval ultrasound examinations every 6 months. The non‐surveillance cohort was hospital‐based CCA patients diagnosed during April 2007 to November 2015. Numbers of operable tumors, percentages of R0 resection, and survival analyses were compared between the two cohorts.ResultsThere were 48 and 192 CCA patients in the surveillance and the non‐surveillance cohorts, respectively. Of these, 37/48 (77.1%) and 22/192 (11.5%) were in an operable stage and R0 resections performed in 36/48 (97.3%) and 14/192 (63.6%), respectively. The median survival in each group was 31.8 and 6.7 months, respectively (with correction of lead time bias) (P < 0.0001). By multivariate analysis, abdominal ultrasound surveillance (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.41; P = 0.012), operable stage (HR = 0.11; P < 0.001), and serum albumin ≥ 3.5 g/dL (HR = 0.42; P < 0.001) were significantly associated with decreased mortality, whereas size of CCA (HR = 1.11; P < 0.001), serum alanine aminotransferase > 40 IU/L (HR = 1.71; P = 0.017), and tumor recurrence (HR = 4.86; P = 0.017) were associated with increased mortality.ConclusionAbdominal ultrasound surveillance provided survival benefits and should be considered in areas highly endemic for CCA to reduce mortality.
Financial Literacy and Portfolio Dynamics
Authors: BIANCHI MILO 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACTWe match administrative panel data on portfolio choices with survey measures of financial literacy. When we control for portfolio risk, the most literate households experience 0.4% higher annual returns than the least literate households. Distinct portfolio dynamics are the key determinant of this difference. More literate households hold riskier positions when expected returns are higher, they more actively rebalance their portfolios and do so in a way that holds their risk exposure relatively constant over time, and they are more likely to buy assets that provide higher returns than the assets that they sell.
Development of an oesophageal stimulation method to elicit swallowing reflex in humans
Authors: Taniguchi H. , Aoyagi Y. , Matsuo K. , Nakagawa K. , Saitoh E. 
Published: December 2017

SummarySwallowing reflex is known to be evoked by gastroesophageal regurgitation or oesophageal stimulation in animal studies. However, details regarding the stimulating material, bolus size and stimulation area remain unclear for the stimulation‐induced type of swallowing reflex in humans. Here, we evaluated the effects of different kinds of stimulation via water and air injection of the oesophagus on the initiation of the swallowing reflex. Nine healthy individuals participated in this study. A fibre‐optic endoscope was passed transnasally, and a thin catheter for injection was passed through the other side. The tip of the catheter was placed at the upper, upper middle, lower middle or lower region of the oesophagus, and the rate of injection was controlled at 0.2 mL/s. Swallowing reflex latency was calculated as the time from injection via air or thin/thick fluid until the onset of white‐out in endoscopic images. Reflex latency was significantly shorter when injection occurred at the upper region of the oesophagus than at the lower region, for both thin and thick fluids (P < .01). At the upper region of the oesophagus, the latency was significantly shorter after injection of thin fluid than with thick fluid (P < .05). Injection of air did not induce the swallowing reflex at all sites. These findings suggest that while the swallowing reflex is evoked by stimulation via fluid injection of the oesophagus in humans, sensitivity is greatest in the upper region of the oesophagus compared with the lower region and can vary depending on the injecting material.
The phenylpropanoid pathway affects apple fruit resistance to Botrytis cinerea
Authors: Ma Lijing , He Junhua , Liu Huan , Zhou Huiling 
Published: December 2017

AbstractApple fruits are rich in phenolic compounds that may enhance resistance to grey mould disease caused by Botrytis cinerea. Using Malus domestica Borkh. cultivars Fuji and Qinguan, we analysed the contents of total phenols, total flavonoids, eight individual phenolic compounds, H2O2 and O2.− as well as the activities of key enzymes in the phenylpropanoid pathway in the flesh of control and B. cinerea‐inoculated fruits. Chlorogenic acid contents increased for a short period in the less susceptible cultivar Qinguan fruits, but decreased in the disease‐susceptible Fuji fruits. Additionally, ferulic acid production was induced in both cultivars in response to B. cinerea. Furthermore, the activities of phenylalanine ammonia lyase, cinnamate 4‐hydroxylase, 4‐coumarate:coenzyme A ligase and cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase were differentially induced between the two apple cultivars. Remarkably, the contents of H2O2 and O2.− as well as the activities of enzymes in phenolic metabolism tested in this study were always higher in Qinguan fruits than in Fuji fruits. Our data imply that phenylpropanoid metabolism is closely associated with apple fruit resistance to grey mould disease. These findings may be useful for characterizing the mechanism(s) underlying plant resistance to B. cinerea, with potential implications for the screening of grey mould disease‐resistant apple varieties in breeding programmes.
Two decades of persisting income‐disparities in dental caries among U.S. children and adolescents
Authors: Slade Gary Douglas , Sanders Anne Elizabeth 
Published: December 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo describe trends in income disparities in dental caries among U.S. children and adolescents during two decades of fluctuating economic growth.MethodsData were from National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys conducted in 1988‐1994, 1999‐2004, and 2011‐2014. The number of tooth surfaces with dental caries experience per child was computed for three age groups: 2‐5, 6‐11, and 12‐17 years. Absolute and relative measures of inequality compared caries experience in families below the poverty level with families where income was at least three times the poverty threshold.ResultsConspicuous, inverse income gradients in dental caries were observed at each time period and in each age group. However, there was no consistent trend or statistically significant change in the degree of inequality between survey periods.ConclusionsPersisting income disparities in dental caries among U.S. children and adolescents challenge public health dentistry to redouble efforts to redress the inequity.
A 5‐year retrospective audit of prescribing by a critical care outreach team
Authors: Wilson Mark 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACTUK prescribing legislation changes made in 2006 and 2012 enabled appropriately qualified nurses to prescribe any licensed medication, and all controlled drugs in schedule 2–5 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001, for any medical condition within their clinical competence. Critical Care Outreach nurses who are independent nurse prescribers are ideally placed to ensure that acutely ill patients receive treatment without delay. The perceived challenge was how Critical Care Outreach nurses would be able to safely prescribe for a diverse patient group. This study informs this developing area of nurse prescribing in critical care practice. The aims of the audit were to: identify which medications were prescribed; develop a critical care outreach formulary; identify the frequency, timing and number of prescribing decisions being made; identify if prescribing practice changed over the years and provide information for our continuing professional development. This article reports on data collected from a 5‐year retrospective audit; of prescribing activity undertaken by nine independent nurse prescribers working in a 24/7 Critical Care Outreach team of a 600‐bedded district general hospital in the UK. In total, 8216 medication items were prescribed, with an average of 2·6 prescribed per shift. The most commonly prescribed items were intravenous fluids and analgesia, which were mostly prescribed at night and weekends. The audit has shown that Critical Care Outreach nurse prescribing is feasible in a whole hospital patient population. The majority of prescribing occurred after 16:00 and at night. Further research would be beneficial, particularly looking at patient outcomes following reviews from prescribing critical care outreach nurses. The audit is one of the only long‐term studies that describes prescribing practice in Critical Care Outreach teams in the UK.
Abiotic rather than biotic filtering shapes the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities of European seminatural grasslands
Authors: Van Geel Maarten , Jacquemyn Hans , Plue Jan , Saar Liina , Kasari Liis , Peeters Gerrit , van Acker Kasper , Honnay Olivier , Ceulemans Tobias 
Published: December 2017

SummaryAlthough it is well known that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play a key role in the functioning of natural ecosystems, the underlying drivers determining the composition ofAMFcommunities remain unclear.In this study, we established 138 sampling plots at 46 grassland sites, consisting of 26 acidic grasslands and 20 calcareous grasslands spread across eight European countries, to assess the relative importance of abiotic and biotic filtering in drivingAMFcommunity composition and structure in both the grassland soils and in the roots of 13 grassland plant species.SoilAMFcommunities differed significantly between acidic and calcareous grasslands. In rootAMFcommunities, most variance was attributable to soil variables while very little variation was explained by host plant identity. RootAMFcommunities in host plant species occurring in only one grassland type closely resembled the soilAMFcommunities of that grassland type and the rootAMFcommunities of other host plant species occurring in the same grassland type. The observedAMF–host plants networks were not modular but nested.Our results indicate that abiotic conditions, rather than biotic filtering through host plant specificity, are the most important drivers in shapingAMFcommunities in European seminatural grasslands.
Side effects during subcutaneous immunotherapy in children with allergic diseases
Authors: Tophof Max A. , Hermanns Anne , Adelt Thomas , Eberle Peter , Gronke Christine , Friedrichs Frank , Knecht Roland , Mönter Ernst , Schöpfer Helmut , Schwerk Nicolaus , Steinbach Jörg , Umpfenbach Hans‐Ulrich , Weißhaar Christian , Wilmsmeyer Brigitte , Bufe Albrecht 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBackgroundAllergen‐specific immunotherapy is the only causal form of therapy for IgE‐mediated allergic diseases. Subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) is considered safe and well tolerated in adults, yet there is less evidence of safety in the pediatric population.MethodsA non‐interventional prospective observing longitudinal study was carried out to determine the incidence of local and systemic side effects by SCIT, routinely performed in pediatric patients. A total of 581 pediatric patients were observed in 18 study centers between March 2012 and October 2014, recording 8640 treatments and 10 015 injections.ResultsA total of 54.6% of the patients experienced immediate local side effects at least once; delayed local side effects were seen in 56.1%. Immediate systemic adverse reactions occurred in 2.2% of patients; 7.4% experienced delayed systemic side effects. However, severe systemic side effects (grade III in the classification of Ring and Messmer) were seen in 0.03% of all treatments, all appearing within 30 minutes after the injections. No grade IV reactions were observed. In addition, many potential risk factors were investigated, yet only a few were found to be associated with the occurrence of side effects.ConclusionsSubcutaneous immunotherapy is a safe form of therapy in pediatric patients, with similar rates of local side effects compared to adult patients and low rates of severe systemic side effects. However, local and systemic reactions occurring later than 30 minutes after injection were observed more often than expected, which makes it essential to be attentive on behalf of pediatricians, patients, and parents.
Slow movement resistance training using body weight improves muscle mass in the elderly: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Tsuzuku S. , Kajioka T. , Sakakibara H. , Shimaoka K. 
Published: December 2017

To examine the effect of a 12‐week slow movement resistance training using body weight as a load (SRT‐BW) on muscle mass, strength, and fat distribution in healthy elderly people. Fifty‐three men and 35 women aged 70 years old or older without experience in resistance training participated, and they were randomly assigned to a SRT‐BW group or control group. The control group did not receive any intervention, but participants in this group underwent a repeat measurement 12 weeks later. The SRT‐BW program consisted of 3 different exercises (squat, tabletop push‐up, and sit‐up), which were designed to stimulate anterior major muscles. Initially, these exercises were performed by 2 sets of 10 repetitions, and subsequently, the number of repetitions was increased progressively by 2 repetitions every 4 weeks. Participants were instructed to perform each eccentric and concentric phase of movement slowly (spending 4 seconds on each movement), covering the full range of motion. We evaluated muscle mass, strength, and fat distribution at baseline and after 12 weeks of training. Changes over 12 weeks were significantly greater in the SRT‐BW group than in the control group, with a decrease in waist circumference, hip circumference, and abdominal preperitoneal and subcutaneous fat thickness, and an increase in thigh muscle thickness, knee extension strength, and hip flexion strength. In conclusion, relatively short‐term SRT‐BW was effective in improving muscle mass, strength, and fat distribution in healthy elderly people.
From dictators to avatars: Furthering social and personality psychology through game methods
Authors: Freedman Gili , Flanagan Mary 
Published: December 2017

AbstractFrom football to the ultimatum game to chess to World of Warcraft, games have been used in social and personality psychology research for decades. Games are a unique and powerful method: They are engaging and have the potential to both manipulate and measure psychological constructs. In fact, researchers have used physical games, board games, behavioral economics games, and digital games to study a range of individual differences, interpersonal processes, and social cognitive processes. Furthermore, researchers have the opportunity to create their own games that can be targeted directly toward their topic of interest. Our review provides a primer for social and personality psychologists interested in using existing games or creating new games for their research as a method for understanding attitudes, behaviors, emotions, cognitions, and perceptions.
Peripheral inflammation in prodromal Alzheimer’s and Lewy body dementias
Authors: King Eleanor , O’Brien John Tiernan , Donaghy Paul , Morris Christopher , Barnett Nicola , Olsen Kirsty , Martin-Ruiz Carmen , Taylor John-Paul , Thomas Alan J 
Published: December 2017

ObjectivesThere is growing evidence for the role of systemic inflammation in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative diseases; however the systemic inflammatory profile in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) has never before been investigated. This study aimed to characterise systemic inflammatory mediators in established DLB and AD, as well as in their prodromal, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) phases.MethodsWe obtained plasma samples from patients with DLB (n=37), AD (n=20), MCI with DLB profile (n=38), MCI with AD profile (n=20) and healthy control subjects (n=20). The following inflammatory biomarkers were measured using Roche cobas c702 and Meso Scale Discovery V-Plex Plus: high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interferon-gamma, interleukin (IL)-10, IL-12p70, IL-13, IL-1beta, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha.ResultsWe found significantly higher levels of IL-10, IL-1beta, IL-4 and IL-2 in both MCI groups (P<0.001), while there was no significant difference in inflammatory markers between dementia groups and controls. Furthermore, increased disease severity was associated with lower levels of IL-1beta, IL-2 and IL-4 (P<0.05).InterpretationWe have shown for the first time that in both DLB and AD, increased peripheral inflammation occurs early at the MCI disease stages. These data support a role for inflammation early in the disease process, and have important implications for the stage of disease where trials of anti-inflammatory medication should be focused.
Negative affect, message reactance and perceived risk: how do pictorial cigarette pack warnings change quit intentions?
Authors: Hall Marissa G , Sheeran Paschal , Noar Seth M , Boynton Marcella H , Ribisl Kurt M , Parada Jr Humberto , Johnson Trent O , Brewer Noel T 
Published: December 2017

ObjectivePictorial warnings on cigarette packs increase motivation to quit smoking. We sought to examine the potential mediating role of negative affect, message reactance (ie, an oppositional reaction to a message) and perceived risk in shaping quit intentions.MethodsIn 2014 and 2015, we randomly assigned 2149 adult US smokers to receive either pictorial warnings or text-only warnings applied to their cigarette packs for 4 weeks. Analyses used structural equation modelling with bootstrapped SEs to test our theorised mediational model.FindingsPictorial warnings increased negative affect, message reactance and quit intentions (all P<0.001), but not perceived risk (ie, perceived likelihood and severity of harms of smoking). Negative affect mediated the impact of pictorial warnings on quit intentions (mediated effect=0.16, P<0.001). Message reactance weakened the impact of pictorial warnings on quit intentions, although the effect was small (mediated effect=−0.04, P<0.001). Although pictorial warnings did not directly influence perceived risk, the model showed additional small mediation effects on quit intentions through negative affect and its positive association with perceived risk (mediated effect=0.02, P<0.001), as well as reactance and its negative association with perceived risk (mediated effect=−0.01, P<0.001).ConclusionsPictorial cigarette pack warnings increased quit intentions by increasing negative affect. Message reactance partially attenuated this increase in intentions. The opposing associations of negative affect and reactance on perceived risk may explain why pictorial warnings did not lead to observable changes in perceived risk.
Thirty-Day Readmission Rate and Costs After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in the United States
Authors: Tripathi Avnish , Abbott J. Dawn , Fonarow Gregg C. , Khan Abdur R. , Barry Neil G. , Ikram Sohail , Coram Rita , Mathew Verghese , Kirtane Ajay J. , Nallamothu Brahmajee K. , Hirsch Glenn A. , Bhatt Deepak L. 
Published: December 2017

Background—
The association of short-term readmissions after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on healthcare costs has not been well studied.

Methods and Results—

The Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project National Readmission Database encompassing 722 US hospitals was used to identify index PCI cases in patients ≥18 years old. Hierarchical regression analyses were used to examine the factors associated with risk of 30-day readmission and higher cumulative costs. We evaluated 206 869 hospitalized patients who survived to discharge after PCI from January through November 2013 and analyzed readmissions over 30 days after discharge. A total of 24 889 patients (12%) were readmitted within 30 days, with rates ranging from 6% to 17% across hospitals. Among the readmitted patients, 13% had PCI, 2% had coronary artery bypass surgery, and 3% died during the readmission. The most common reasons for readmission included nonspecific chest pain/angina (24%) and heart failure (11%). Mean cumulative costs were higher for those with readmissions ($39 634 versus $22 058;
P
<0.001). The multivariable analyses showed that readmission increased the log
10
cumulative costs by 45% (β: 0.445;
P
<0.001). There was no significant difference in cumulative costs by the type of insurance.

Conclusions—
In a national sample of inpatient PCI cases, 30-day readmissions were associated with a significant increase in cumulative costs. The majority of readmissions were because of low-risk chest pain that did not require any intervention. Ongoing effort is warranted to recognize and mitigate potentially preventable post-PCI readmissions.
The Biography of a Computerized Personnel Records System
Authors: Roe T. H. , Leach A. 
Published: December 2017

The Greater Manchester Police have recently installed a computerized Personnel Records system to cater for the detailed records of almost 6,000 police personnel. The system has aroused considerable interest among other police forces, local authorities and certain large commercial organizations. The system was designed, developed and installed by Gemini Computer Systems Ltd. in conjunction with the Computer Section of the City of Manchester and the Greater Manchester Police. This article describes the background to the system, the facilities offered and the reaction, by the user, to the operational use of the system.
Causes of Mortality in ICU-Acquired Weakness
Authors: van Wagenberg Linda , Witteveen Esther , Wieske Luuk , Horn Janneke 
Published: December 2017

Background: Intensive care unit–acquired weakness (ICU-AW) is a common complication of critical illness and is associated with increased mortality, longer mechanical ventilation and longer hospital stay. Little is known about the causes of mortality in patients with ICU-AW. In this study, we aimed to give an overview of the causes of death in a population diagnosed with ICU-AW during hospital admission. Methods: Data from a prospective cohort study in the mixed medical–surgical ICU of the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam were used. Patients were included when mechanically ventilated for more than 48 hours. Intensive care unit–acquired weakness was defined as a mean medical research council score <4. Baseline data and data on the time of death were collected. Results: Fifty-three patients were included. Irreversible shock with multiple organ failure (MOF) was the most common cause of death (28/53 of patients; 26 patients with septic shock and 2 patients with hypovolemic shock). Most common site of sepsis was abdominal (38.5%) and pulmonary (19.2%). On admission to the ICU, 53% had a do-not-resuscitate code. In 74% of the patients, further treatment limitations were implemented during their ICU stay. Conclusion: In this cohort of patients with ICU-AW, most patients died of irreversible shock with MOF, caused by sepsis.