bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Measuring Prices in Health Care Markets Using Commercial Claims Data
Authors: Neprash Hannah T. , Wallace Jacob , Chernew Michael E. , McWilliams J. Michael 
Published: March 2015

ObjectiveTo compare methods of price measurement in health care markets.Data SourcesTruven Health Analytics MarketScan commercial claims.Study DesignWe constructed medical prices indices using three approaches: (1) a “sentinel” service approach based on a single common service in a specific clinical domain, (2) a market basket approach, and (3) a spending decomposition approach. We constructed indices at the Metropolitan Statistical Area level and estimated correlations between and within them.Principal FindingsPrice indices using a spending decomposition approach were strongly and positively correlated with indices constructed from broad market baskets of common services (r > 0.95). Prices of single common services exhibited weak to moderate correlations with each other and other measures.ConclusionsMarket‐level price measures that reflect broad sets of services are likely to rank markets similarly. Price indices relying on individual sentinel services may be more appropriate for examining specialty‐ or service‐specific drivers of prices.
Eosinophilic Coronary Periarteritis with Arterial Dissection: The Mast Cell Hypothesis
Authors: Mandal Rakesh , Brooks Erin G. , Corliss Robert F. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractA subset of coronary arterial dissections is associated with eosinophilic coronary periarteritis (ECPA); however, the pathogenesis of the process remains unclear. Mast cells normally reside in coronary arterial adventitia and are known mediators of eosinophilic inflammatory conditions such as type I hypersensitivity reactions. We report two cases in which coronary arterial dissection with ECPA was detected at autopsy. Tryptase, CD68, CD4, CD8, and CD1a immunohistochemical staining was performed to better characterize inflammation. While eosinophils represented a prominent periadventitial inflammatory cell, there were slightly more lymphocytes: CD4/CD8 ratios were within expected reference ranges. There were moderate numbers of macrophages, and few neutrophils or dendritic cells. Numbers of mast cells in dissected versus nondissected sections were compared: adventitial mast cell densities were threefold higher in dissected portions and showed a trend toward increased degranulation. These findings suggest that mast cells may play a role in orchestrating inflammation in cases of ECPA.
Bronchoscopic debulking for endobronchial malignancy: Predictors of recanalization and recurrence
Authors: Kuo Scott Chih‐Hsi , Lo Yu‐Lun , Chou Chun‐Liang , Chung Fu‐Tsai , Lin Shu‐Min , Liu Chien‐Ying , Kuo Han‐Pin 
Published: March 2015

AbstractBackgroundCentral airway obstruction related to endobronchial malignancy is one of the most difficult oncological complications and requires efficient palliative intervention.MethodsFifty‐three consecutive patients with unresectable endobronchial malignancy receiving bronchoscopic cryotherapy as palliative treatment were retrospectively reviewed. Efficiency was evaluated by the improvement of performance status (PS), and the best achievement of tumor removal was assessed as complete or partial removal.ResultPatients' PS after cryotherapeutic tumor removal improved from the baseline PS (P = 0.006). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, the compression part of the tumor (odds ratio [OR] 0.42; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.23∼0.75, P = 0.004) and the thin tumor stalk (OR 87.86; 95% CI 2.31∼3337.37, P = 0.016) were independent predictors of complete tumor removal. Tumors larger than 9.3 cm, including compression and invasion parts, had the highest odds of being only partially removed (positive predictive value [PPV]: 88.2%, likelihood ratio [LR]+: 10.49); tumors smaller than 9.3 cm were likely to be completely removed (negative predictive value [NPV]: 80.6%, LR−: 0.34). After cryotherapy, re‐obstruction was significantly associated with non‐squamous cell carcinoma (65.7 vs. 16.7%, P = 0.001) and patients who had longer overall survival (11.7 vs. 1.5 months, P < 0.001). Odds of tumor re‐obstruction increased 2.28‐fold (PPV: 81.6%, LR+: 2.28) beyond two months; the odds decreased by 81% (NPV: 73.3%, LR−: 0.19) within two months.ConclusionDebulking of a tumor using cryotherapy is a useful palliative treatment for endobronchial obstruction secondary to a variety of malignancies.
Early Myoclonic Encephalopathy in 9q33‐q34 Deletion Encompassing STXBP1 and SPTAN1
Authors: Nicita Francesco , Ulgiati Fiorenza , Bernardini Laura , Garone Giacomo , Papetti Laura , Novelli Antonio , Spalice Alberto 
Published: March 2015

SummaryDeletions in the 9q33‐q34 region have been reported in patients with early onset epileptic encephalopathy, but a consistent phenotype has yet to emerge. We report on the diagnosis of a de novo 9q33‐q34.12 microdeletion of 4 Mb in a 15‐month‐old girl presenting with severe psychomotor delay, facial dysmorphisms, thin corpus callosum and early myoclonic encephalopathy. This deletion encompasses 101 RefSeq genes, including the four autosomal dominant genes STXBP1, SPTAN1, ENG and TOR1A. We discuss genetic, clinical and epileptic features comparing our patient with those previously reported in the literature.
Emotion regulation deficits in euthymic bipolar I versus bipolar II disorder: a functional and diffusion‐tensor imaging study
Authors: Caseras Xavier , Murphy Kevin , Lawrence Natalia S , Fuentes‐Claramonte Paola , Watts Jessica , Jones Derek K , Phillips Mary L 
Published: March 2015

ObjectivesEmotion regulation deficits are a core feature of bipolar disorder. However, their potential neurobiological underpinnings and existence beyond bipolar I disorder remain unexplored. Our main goal was to investigate whether both individuals with bipolar I and bipolar II disorder show deficits in emotion regulation during an attention control task, and to explore the neurophysiological underpinnings of this potential deficit.MethodsTwenty healthy controls, 16 euthymic participants with bipolar I disorder, and 19 euthymic participants with bipolar II disorder completed psychometric and clinical assessments, a neuroimaging emotion regulation paradigm, and an anatomical diffusion‐weighted scan. Groups were matched for age, gender, and verbal IQ.ResultsDuring the presence of emotional distracters, subjects with bipolar I disorder showed slowed reaction times to targets, and increased blood oxygenation level‐dependent (BOLD) responses in the amygdala, accumbens, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, but not increased inverse functional connectivity between these prefrontal and subcortical areas, and altered white matter microstructure organization in the right uncinate fasciculus. Subjects with bipolar II disorder showed no altered reaction times, increased BOLD responses in the same brain areas, increased inverse functional connectivity between the prefrontal cortex and amygdala, and no abnormalities in white matter organization.ConclusionsParticipants with bipolar I disorder showed abnormalities in functional and anatomical connectivity between prefrontal cortices and subcortical structures in emotion regulation circuitry. However, these deficits did not extend to subjects with bipolar II disorder, suggesting fundamental differences in the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder subtypes.
Episodic foresight and anxiety: Proximate and ultimate perspectives
Authors: Miloyan Beyon , Bulley Adam , Suddendorf Thomas 
Published: March 2015

ObjectiveIn this paper, we examine the relationship between episodic foresight and anxiety from an evolutionary perspective, proposing that together they confer an advantage for modifying present moment decision‐making and behaviour in the light of potential future threats to fitness.MethodsWe review the body of literature on the role of episodic foresight in anxiety, from both proximate and ultimate perspectives.ResultsWe propose that anxious feelings associated with episodic simulation of possible threat‐related future events serve to imbue these simulations with motivational currency. Episodic and semantic details of a future threat may be insufficient for motivating its avoidance, but anxiety associated with a simulation can provoke adaptive threat management. As such, we detail how anxiety triggered by a self‐generated, threat‐related future simulation prepares the individual to manage that threat (in terms of its likelihood and/or consequences) over greater temporal distances than observed in other animals. We then outline how anxiety subtypes may represent specific mechanisms for predicting and managing particular classes of fitness threats.ConclusionsThis approach offers an inroad for understanding the nature of characteristic future thinking patterns in anxiety disorders and serves to illustrate the adaptive function of the mechanism from which clinical anxiety deviates.Practitioner pointsEpisodic foresight can elicit anxiety even when there are no immediate environmental cues of fitness threats.Anxiety may be a mechanism by which simulations of future events are imbued with motivational currency, to ensure the management of potential future threats to fitness.Subtypes of anxiety disorders may reflect different mechanisms for effectively managing certain potential future threats to fitness.Understanding the utility of episodic foresight in anxiety disorders may lead to new insights into diagnosis and treatment.
Forward‐oriented designing for learning as a means to achieve educational quality
Authors: Ghislandi Patrizia M.M. , Raffaghelli Juliana E. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractIn this paper, we reflect on how Design for Learning can create the basis for a culture of educational quality. We explore the process of Design for Learning within a blended, undergraduate university course through a teacher‐led inquiry approach, aiming at showing the connections between the process of Design for Learning and academic staff/student reflections on educational quality. As emerges from the evidence collected, forward‐oriented design—which is Design for Learning as iterative and participatory practice—supports meta‐learning on the practices and values of educational quality. We introduce in depth the two main constructs adopted in our work—Design for Learning and educational quality—in order to understand the ongoing debate in these two separate (but convergent) areas of research. The four phases (design for configuration, design for orchestration, design for reflection and design for redesign) show the impact of design on educational quality reflections and practices. Alongside the process of Design for Learning, the data are collected and analysed adopting different methods that enable the researchers to better understand the diverse perspectives of staff and students.We conclude that Design for Learning can be deemed a mediational instrument to explore methods of transforming existing educational situations into desired situations, linking the vision of educational quality with concrete practices of the teacher and students' daily activities.
Understanding transactional distance in web‐based learning environments: An empirical study
Authors: Huang Xiaoxia , Chandra Aruna , DePaolo Concetta A. , Simmons Lakisha L. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractTransactional distance is an important pedagogical theory in distance education that calls for more empirical support. The purpose of this study was to verify the theory by operationalizing and examining the relationship of (1) dialogue, structure and learner autonomy to transactional distance, and (2) environmental factors and learner demographic factors to transactional distance in web‐based distance courses. More than 200 online undergraduate and graduate students in a Midwest university in the USA were surveyed. The findings indicate that high levels of structure and dialogue are not necessarily incompatible while supporting the inverse relationship of structure, dialogue and learner autonomy to transactional distance. Environmental factors and learner characteristics impacting transactional distance are identified, and practical implications of the findings for online course design are discussed.
Improving the Tuberculosis Drug Development Pipeline
Authors: Evangelopoulos Dimitrios , McHugh Timothy D. 
Published: March 2015

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is considered one of the most successful pathogens and multidrug‐resistant tuberculosis, a disease that urgently requires new chemical entities to be developed for treatment. There are currently several new molecules under clinical investigation in the tuberculosis (TB) drug development pipeline. However, the complex lifestyle of M. tuberculosis within the host presents a barrier to the development of new drugs. In this review, we highlight the reasons that make TB drug discovery and development challenging as well as providing solutions, future directions and alternative approaches to new therapeutics for TB.
Civic and Political Participation of Children and Adolescents: A Lifestyle Analysis for Positive Youth Developmental Programs
Authors: Rivera Reynaldo , Santos David 
Published: March 2015

Social participation plays a key role in predicting positive youth development (PYD). As a previous step of this link, this research examined how children and adolescents' relational lifestyles influenced their participation in political and civic activities. This research provides a multi‐dimensional approach to the study of children's social participation, based on six children's lifestyles factors (i.e. family dialogue, risky behaviours, cultural activities, civic values, family supervision and peer group relationships). Using data from an international survey that included 6130 participants (2198 Spanish, 3932 Italian, Mage = 13.8), this study's results show that relational lifestyles (especially family dialogue and out‐of‐school cultural activities) are positively related to political and civic participation among children and adolescents. On the contrary, some peer group relationships decreased their social participation in those key dimensions for PYD. Limitations of the current study, implications for future policy decisions and applications to children social programs are discussed.
Differential expression of TOX by skin‐infiltrating T cells in Sézary syndrome and erythrodermic dermatitis
Authors: Boonk Stephanie E. , Çetinözman Fatma , Vermeer Maarten H. , Jansen Patty M. , Willemze Rein 
Published: March 2015

BackgroundThe histopathologic differentiation between Sézary syndrome (SS) and erythrodermic dermatitis may be extremely difficult. In this immunohistochemical study, it was investigated if thymocyte selection‐associated high mobility group box protein (TOX) and C‐MYC can be used as additional diagnostic markers to differentiate between SS and erythrodermic dermatitis.MethodParaffin‐embedded skin biopsies from 15 SS patients and 17 erythrodermic dermatitis patients were stained and scored for TOX or C‐MYC expression.ResultsStrong nuclear staining for TOX in more than 50% of skin‐infiltrating T cells was observed in 13 of 15 (87%) SS cases, whereas erythrodermic dermatitis cases showed weak nuclear staining in 11–50% (median: 25%) of the T cells; strong nuclear staining as found in SS was never observed in erythrodermic dermatitis. No significant differences in C‐MYC expression between SS and erythrodermic dermatitis were found. In most patients of both groups, percentages of C‐MYC positive‐cells varied between less than 10 and 25% of skin‐infiltrating T cells.ConclusionOur results suggest that strong expression of TOX in more than 50% of skin‐infiltrating T cells in erythrodermic skin is a useful marker in the differentiation between SS and erythrodermic dermatitis, whereas staining for C‐MYC does not contribute to differential diagnosis.
Diagnostic performance of endocytoscopy for evaluating the invasion depth of different morphological types of colorectal tumors
Authors: Kudo Toyoki , Kudo Shin‐ei , Wakamura Kunihiko , Mori Yuichi , Misawa Masashi , Hayashi Takemasa , Kutsukawa Makoto , Ichimasa Katsuro , Miyachi Hideyuki , Ishida Fumio , Inoue Haruhiro 
Published: March 2015

Background and AimEndocytoscopy (EC) is a next‐generation endoscopic technique that enables diagnostic imaging at 450× magnification. In the present study, we retrospectively evaluated the diagnostic performance of EC and magnifying chromoendoscopy (MCE) for diagnosing the invasion depth of colorectal tumors.MethodsWe investigated 330 lesions with a ≥10‐mm tumor diameter that could be diagnosed by both MCE and EC. The lesions were classified according to morphological type as follows: laterally spreading type–granular (LST‐G), laterally spreading type–non‐granular (LST‐NG), protruding, or depressed. After all lesions had been classified by both pit pattern and EC, qualitative and quantitative (invasion depth) diagnoses were made. The diagnostic accuracy was then compared between pit pattern classification and EC classification.ResultsDiagnostic accuracy of EC classification was significantly higher for LST‐NG lesions (90.5%) than for protruding lesions (80.6%) (P < 0.05). Diagnostic accuracy for LST‐NG lesions was significantly higher with EC classification (90.5%) than with pit pattern classification (79.3%) (P < 0.001). Comparison of the diagnostic performance of EC3a findings using EC classification between LST‐NG and protruding lesions revealed a sensitivity of 92.9% versus 11.3% (P < 0.001), positive predictive value of 78.0% versus 27.3% (P < 0.001), negative predictive value of 95.5% versus 56.1% (P < 0.001), and diagnostic accuracy of 87.9% versus 51.2% (P < 0.001), respectively.ConclusionEC is a very useful method for evaluating the invasion depth of LST‐NG lesions.
Histological observations of pulpal replacement tissue in immature dog teeth after revascularization of infected pulps
Authors: Saoud Tarek Mohamed A. , Zaazou Ashraf , Nabil Ahmed , Moussa Sybel , Aly Hanaa Mohamed , Okazaki Katsushi , Rosenberg Paul A. , Lin Louis M. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractBackground and aim: Many studies have examined the nature of tissue formed in the canals of immature necrotic teeth, following revascularization in animals and humans. While speculations have been made that regeneration of the pulp tissue might take place in the canal, the tissue has been found to be cementum‐like, bone‐like, and periodontal ligament‐like. The purpose of this study was to histologically examine the tissue in the root canals in immature dog teeth that had been artificially infected and then revascularized.MethodsTwo 4‐ to 5‐month‐old mongrel dogs with immature teeth were used in the study. In one dog, four maxillary and four mandibular anterior teeth, and in another dog, four maxillary and five mandibular anterior teeth were used in the experiment. Pulp infection was artificially induced in the immature teeth. Revascularization was performed on all teeth by disinfecting the root canals with sodium hypochlorite irrigation and triple antibiotic intracanal dressing, completed with induction of intracanal bleeding, and sealed with an MTA plug. The access cavity was restored with silver amalgam. The animals were sacrificed 3 months after revascularization procedures. The revascularized teeth and surrounding periodontal tissues were removed and prepared for histological examination.ResultsBesides cementum‐like, bone‐like, and periodontal ligament‐like tissues formed in the canals, residual remaining pulp tissue was observed in two revascularized teeth. In four teeth, ingrowth of alveolar bone into the canals was seen; presence of bone in the root canals has the potential for ankylosis.ConclusionsWithin the limitation of this study, it can be concluded that residual pulp tissue can remain in the canals after revascularization procedures of immature teeth with artificially induced pulp infection. This can lead to the misinterpretation that true pulpal regeneration has occurred. Ingrowth of apical bone into the root canals undergoing revascularization can interfere with normal tooth eruption if ankylosis occurs.
Arrest and Calcification Repair of internal root resorption with a novel treatment approach: Report of two cases
Authors: Ebeleseder Kurt Alois , Kqiku Lumnije 
Published: March 2015

AbstractAimWe report a novel treatment option for teeth with internal root resorption (IRR) in which the lesion had perforated to the PDL and was located in the coronal aspect of the root. Arrest and calcification of IRR can be achieved by local application of calcium hydroxide without further intracanal instrumentation.Case ReportTwo cases of severe IRR without periapical inflammation were treated with a novel technique: The vital pulp including the granuloma was left in place and subjected to long‐term disinfection with application of calcium hydroxide in the coronal aspect of the IRR. In both cases, the radiolucent areas were reduced and showed progressive calcification. Solid barriers were found in the coronal layers of the IRRs, and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) was placed as definitive fillings. No apical periodontitis was seen during the follow‐up period of 6 years. The root canals appeared to gradually be narrowed. The results were similar to those obtained after successful cervical pulpotomy. Thus, the biological outcome was improved in comparison with pulp extirpation and conventional root canal treatment.Key learning points of this articleA treatment option for internal root resorption without periapical inflammation.
Effects of radiation on the fertility of the Ethiopian fruit fly, Dacus ciliatus
Authors: Rempoulakis Polychronis , Castro Rossana , Nemny‐Lavy Esther , Nestel David 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThe Ethiopian fruit fly, Dacus ciliatus (Loew) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is a significant pest of cucurbit crops in Asia and Africa and is currently controlled with insecticides. The sterilizing effect of gamma radiation on D. ciliatus adults was investigated to assess the suitability of sterile insect technique (SIT) for use as an alternative, non‐chemical strategy for the control of this pest. Late pupae (48 h before emergence) were irradiated with 60, 80, 100, 120, and 140 Gy of gamma rays emitted by a 60Co source. Following emergence, the biological characteristics of the experimental cohorts (including all possible male‐female combinations of irradiated and untreated flies) were recorded. No significant negative effects of irradiation on pupal eclosion or the ability of newly emerged flies to fly were observed. Samples of eggs at reproductive fly‐ages (12‐, 15‐, and 17‐day‐old pairs) were collected and their hatch rates were assessed. At 60 Gy, females were completely sterilized, whereas complete sterilization of the males was observed only at 140 Gy (a small amount of fertility persisted even at 120 Gy). In addition to the above experiments, three fruit infestation trials were conducted with zucchini [Cucurbita pepo L. (Cucurbitaceae)] as the plant host and the pupae produced in those trials were collected and recorded. We observed significant (ca. 10%) infestation following treatment with up to 120 Gy and zero progeny only at 140 Gy, mirroring the egg‐hatch results. Our findings support the feasibility of SIT for the control of D. ciliatus.