bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A retrospective study of past graduates of a residential life skills program for youth with physical disabilities
Authors: Kingsnorth S. , King G. , McPherson A. , Jones‐Galley K. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackgroundYoung people with physical disabilities experience issues regarding employment, schooling, independent living and establishing meaningful personal relationships. A lack of life skills has been recognized as an important factor contributing to this lag. TheIndependenceProgram (TIP) is a short‐term residential life skills program that aims to equip youth with the foundational life skills required to assume adult roles. This study retrospectively examined the achievements, skills acquired and program attributions of youth and young adults who took part in this three‐week immersive teen independence program over a 20‐year period.MethodsA total of 162 past graduates were invited to take part, with 78 doing so (a 48% response rate). These past graduates completed an online survey assessing objective outcomes such as employment and independent living; subjective outcomes such as feeling in control and living meaningful lives; and reflections on skills acquired, opportunities experienced and attributions toTIP.ResultsThe majority of respondents were female (71%), had a diagnosis of cerebral palsy (55%) and ranged from 20 to 35 years of age (92%). Despite a range of outcomes related to the achievement of adult roles, high levels of life satisfaction and overall quality of life were reported. Nearly every respondent reported using the skills they learned at the program in their lives afterwards and a high percentage attributed the acquisition and consolidation of core life skills to participating in this intensive immersive program.ConclusionsAlthough causality cannot be assumed, respondents reflected very positively on the opportunities provided byTIPto develop their independent living and life skills, extend their social networks and understand their strengths and weaknesses. Such findings validate the importance of targeted skill development to assist young people with physical disabilities in attaining their life goals and encourage focused investigations of key features in program design.
Genomewide association study identifies HAS2 as a novel susceptibility gene for adult asthma in a Japanese population
Authors: Yatagai Y. , Sakamoto T. , Yamada H. , Masuko H. , Kaneko Y. , Iijima H. , Naito T. , Noguchi E. , Hirota T. , Tamari M. , Konno S. , Nishimura M. , Hizawa N. 
Published: September 2014

SummaryBackgroundIt is increasingly clear that asthma is not a single disease, but a disorder with vast heterogeneity in pathogenesis, severity, and treatment response. To date, 30 genomewide association studies (GWASs) of asthma have been performed, including by our group. However, most gene variants identified so far confer relatively small increments in risk and explain only a small proportion of familial clustering.ObjectiveTo identify additional genetic determinants of susceptibility to asthma using a selected Japanese population with reduced tobacco smoking exposure.MethodsWe performed a GWAS by genotyping a total of 480 098 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for a Japanese cohort consisting of 734 healthy controls and 240 patients with asthma who had smoked for no more than 10 pack‐years. The SNP with the strongest association was genotyped in two other independent Japanese cohorts consisting of a total of 531 healthy controls and 418 patients with asthma who had smoked for no more than 10 pack‐years. For the hyaluronan synthase 2 (HAS2) gene, we investigated SNP–gene associations using an expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) database and also analysed its gene expression profiles in 13 different normal tissues.ResultsIn the discovery GWAS, a SNP located upstream of HAS2, rs7846389, showed the strongest statistical significance (P = 1.43 × 10−7). In the two independent replication cohorts, rs7846389 was consistently associated with asthma (nominal P = 0.0152 and 0.0478 in the first and second replication cohorts, respectively). In the meta‐analysis, association of rs7846389 with susceptibility to asthma reached the level of genomewide significance (P = 7.92 × 10−9). This variant was strongly correlated with HAS2 mRNA expression. The strongest expression of the gene was detected in the lung.ConclusionsOur study identified HAS2 as a novel candidate gene for susceptibility to adult asthma.
Low ficolin-2 levels in common variable immunodeficiency patients with bronchiectasis
Authors: Metzger M-L , Michelfelder I , Goldacker S , Melkaoui K , Litzman J , Guzman D , Grimbacher B , Salzer U 
Published: September 2014

Summary
Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) encompasses a heterogeneous group of antibody deficiencies characterized by susceptibility to recurrent infections and sequelae, including bronchiectasis. We investigated the relevance of the lectin complement pathway in CVID patients by analysing ficolin-2 and ficolin-3 serum levels and genotyping single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the FCN2 and FCN3 genes. Our results show that ficolin-2 levels in CVID patients are significantly lower (P &lt; 0·0001) than in controls. The lowest ficolin-2 levels are found in CVID patients with bronchiectasis (P = 0·0004) and autoimmunity (P = 0·04). Although serum levels of ficolin-3 were similar in CVID patients and controls, CVID patients with bronchiectasis again showed lower levels when compared to controls (P = 0·0001). Analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the FCN2 gene confirmed known influences on ficolin-2 serum levels, but did not support a genetic basis for the observed ficolin-2 deficiency in CVID. We found that CVID patients with bronchiectasis have very low levels of ficolin-2. The reason for the deficiency of ficolin-2 in CVID and any possible causal relationship is currently unknown. However, as bronchiectasis is a very important factor for morbidity and mortality in CVID, ficolin-2 could also serve as biomarker for monitoring disease complications such as bronchiectasis.
Influence of recipient age on deceased donor kidney transplant outcomes in the expanded criteria donor era
Authors: Al‐Shraideh Yousef , Farooq Umar , Farney Alan C. , Palanisamy Amudha , Rogers Jeffrey , Orlando Giuseppe , Buckley Michael R. , Reeves‐Daniel Amber , Doares William , Kaczmorski Scott , Gautreaux Michael D. , Iskandar Samy S. , Hairston Gloria , Brim Elizabeth , Mangus Margaret , Stratta Robert J. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractMethodsWe performed a retrospective single‐center review of 884 deceased donor (DD) kidney transplants (KTs) in patients (pts) aged ≥40 yr.ResultsOne hundred and four (11.8%) pts were ≥70 (mean 74), 286 (32.3%) were 60–69 (mean 64), and 494 (55.9%) were 40–59 (mean 51) yr of age; the proportion receiving expanded criteria donor (ECD) kidneys were 66%, 49%, and 30%, respectively (p < 0.001). Mean waiting time (15 months) was shorter for pts ≥70 yr compared to the other two groups combined (23 months, p = 0.002). With mean follow‐up ranging from 54 to 70 months, actual pt (81% vs. 72%, p = 0.002) and graft (66% vs. 58.5%, p = 0.03) survival rates were higher in the younger compared to the two older groups, whereas death‐censored graft survival was similar (76% vs. 73%, p = NS). The incidence of death with a functioning graft correlated with older recipient age group, increasing from 13% to 18% to 23% (p = 0.01). The incidence of delayed graft function was similar (31.8% overall), and renal function, morbidity, and resource utilization were similar among groups.ConclusionsBy directing ECD kidneys to selected older pts, waiting times are reduced and censored survival outcomes are similar to middle‐aged patients, suggesting that matching strategies for graft and patient lifespan are warranted.
Immunosuppressive therapies after intestinal transplant modulate the expression of Th1 signature genes during acute cellular rejection. Implications in the search for rejection biomarkers
Authors: Zambernardi Agustina , Chiodetti Ana , Meier Dominik , Cabanne Ana , Nachman Fabio , Solar Héctor , Rumbo Carolina , Gondolesi Gabriel E. , Rumbo Martin 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackground and AimsAcute cellular rejection (ACR) and infections are leading causes of graft loss and death in intestinal transplant patients. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of maintenance immunosuppressive therapies on the expression of pro‐inflammatory mediators in small bowel at ACR diagnosis.Materials and MethodsWe analyzed expression levels of Th1‐associated genes, IFNG, CXCL10, and CXCL11 by qPCR in 46 selected graft biopsies unequivocally assigned to mild ACR (n = 14) or normal histopathology and clinical condition (n = 32) from 15 patients receiving two different immunosuppressive (IS) schemes. Double treatment: corticosteroids and tacrolimus (n = 17) and triple treatment: sirolimus or mycophenolate mofetil in addition to the basal therapy (n = 29).ResultsIFNG, CXCL10, and CXCL11 were induced during rejection (p < 0.05; p < 0.005, and p < 0.05, respectively). However, when rejection and control groups were classified according to immunosuppressive treatment, in the rejection group, significant differences of IFNG, CXCL10, and CXCL11 expression (p < 0.001; p < 0.005, and 0.01, respectively) were detected, whereas no differences were observed in the control group.ConclusionGene expression of Th1 response mediators is higher during ACR. Triple IS group showed significantly lower expression of pro‐inflammatory Th1 mediators during mild ACR indicating that use of these markers to monitor rejection can be affected by the IS treatment used.
Can aspirin reduce the risk of colorectal cancer in people with diabetes? A population‐based cohort study
Authors: Lin C. C. , Lai M. S. , Shau W. Y. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractAimTo evaluate whether aspirin can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer in people with diabetes.MethodsWe studied ≥ 30‐year‐old people with diabetes, included in the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2005 in Taiwan, who were treated with hypoglycaemic drugs. We used a time‐varying Cox regression model to adjust for immortal time bias and to estimate the adjusted hazard ratio and 95% CI for the association between aspirin use and colorectal cancer occurrence.ResultsWe studied a total of 60 828 people with diabetes (31 176 men and 29 652 women). Their mean (sd) age was 58.72 (13.33) years. A total of 26 494 people were taking aspirin. Aspirin use 3–5 times/week (moderate frequency) for > 5 years (long duration) was found to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer by 46% (hazard ratio 0.54, 95% CI 0.34–0.86). Aspirin use > 5 times/week (high frequency) for 4–5 years (moderate duration) and > 5 years reduced the risk of colorectal cancer by 56 and 68%, respectively (hazard ratio 0.44, 95% CI 0.24–0.80; hazard ratio 0.32, 95% CI 0.20–0.50). Low frequency (≤ 2 times/week) and/or short duration (≤ 3 years) of aspirin use did not reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.ConclusionsAspirin use with high frequency and long duration reduced the risk of colorectal cancer in people with diabetes in a frequency‐ and duration‐dependent manner, whereas low frequency and/or short duration of aspirin use did not. The dosage, frequency and duration of aspirin use that are sufficient to prevent the incidence of colorectal cancer in people with diabetes require further study.
Role of Three‐Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography in Diagnosis of Coronary Anomalies
Authors: Theron Alexis , Jacquier Alexis , Ravis Eleonore , Ronchard Thibault , Gaubert Jean‐Yves , Grisoli Dominique , Gariboldi Vlad , Collart Frederic 
Published: September 2014

Mini‐AbstractA 16‐year‐old man was referred to our institution after a recovered sudden cardiac death supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. A three‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3DTEE) revealed a left anterior descending coronary artery arising from the right coronary sinus with a course between the aorta and the pulmonary artery. After extracorporeal membrane oxygenation weaning, a multidetector computed tomography coronary angiogram scan confirmed the 3DTEE findings. Here, we suggested that 3DTEE can provide a reliable coronary anatomic assessment in some emergency cases when it is not possible to shift the patient out of the ICU.
Diagnosis of Pentacuspid Aortic Valve with Severe Regurgitation Using Three‐Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography
Authors: Ozyilmaz Sinem , Akgul Ozgur , Guzeltas Alper , Ozyilmaz Isa 
Published: September 2014

Mini‐AbstractWe describe a 48‐year‐old female patient with a pentacuspid aortic valve and severe aortic regurgitation that was diagnosed using three‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography.
Left Atrial Volume Index as a Predictor for Persistent Left Ventricular Dysfunction after Aortic Valve Surgery in Patients with Chronic Aortic Regurgitation: The Role of Early Postoperative Echocardiography
Authors: Cho In‐Jeong , Chang Hyuk‐Jae , Hong Geu‐Ru , Heo Ran , Sung Ji Min , Lee Sang‐Eun , Chang Byung‐Chul , Shim Chi Young , Ha Jong‐Won , Chung Namsik 
Published: September 2014

BackgroundThis study aimed to explore whether echocardiographic measurements during the early postoperative period can predict persistent left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) after aortic valve surgery in patients with chronic aortic regurgitation (AR).MethodsWe prospectively recruited 54 patients (59 ± 12 years) with isolated chronic severe AR who subsequently underwent aortic valve surgery. Standard transthoracic echocardiography was performed before the operation, during the early postoperative period (≤2 weeks), and then 1 year after the surgery.ResultsTwelve patients with preoperative LVSD demonstrated LVSD at early after the surgery. Of the 42 patients without LVSD at preoperative echocardiography, 15 patients (36%) developed early postoperative LVSD after surgical correction. All 27 patients without LVSD at early postoperative echocardiography maintained LV function at 1 year after surgery. In the other 27 patients with postoperative LVSD, 17 patients recovered from LVSD and 10 patients did not at 1 year after surgery. Multiple logistic analysis demonstrated that postoperative left atrial volume index (LAVI) was the only independent predictor for persistent LVSD at 1 year after surgery in patients with postoperative LVSD (OR 1.180, 95% CI, 1.003–1.390, P = 0.046). The optimal LAVI cutoff value (>34.9 mL/m2) had a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 88% for the prediction of persistent LVSD.ConclusionPrevalence of early postoperative LVSD was relatively high, even in the patients without LVSD at preoperative echocardiography. Postoperative LAVI could be useful to predict persistent LVSD after aortic valve surgery in patients with early postoperative LVSD.
Reliability of Doppler‐Based Measurement of Pulmonary Vascular Resistance in Congenital Heart Disease with Left‐to‐Right Shunt Lesions
Authors: Bhyravavajhala Srinivas , Velam Vanajakshamma , Polapragada Nishanth V. , Pallempati Pranav , Iragavarapu Tammi Raju , Patnaik Amar Narayan , Damera Seshagiri Rao 
Published: September 2014

BackgroundPulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) is a crucial parameter in the management of patients with left‐to‐right shunt lesions. Cardiac catheterization (Cath) is the gold standard test to assess PVR (PVRcath), but it is invasive and hence, risky in children with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). A noninvasive tool to assess PVR is desirable. Ratio of tricuspid regurgitation velocity (TRV) and time‐velocity integral of right ventricular outflow tract (TVIRVOT) by Doppler was previously shown to be a reliable noninvasive method for estimation of PVR in acquired PAH.MethodsPeak TR velocity and TVIRVOT were recorded from 63 prospective patients with various congenital shunt lesions. Subsequently, the patients were subjected to cath in less than 2 hours. The patients were subdivided into four subsets based on age and pulmonary arterial mean pressure (PAMP). A regression equation was developed for calculation of PVR from TRV/TVIRVOT (PVREcho) which was indexed for BSA (PVRIEcho). Bland–Altman analysis was done for agreement between PVRIcath and PVRIEcho. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to test the identity of the two methods and also the applicability of PVRIEcho across a wide range of Wood units.ResultsReceiver operating characteristic curve plotted between the two methods showed good identity. Bland–Altman analysis showed excellent agreement between the two methods with negligible bias. ROC curves showed that PVRIEcho was accurate in distinguishing different cutoff values of PVR in each of the 4 groups.ConclusionNoninvasive Doppler estimation of PVR is reliable in patients with shunt lesions over a wide range of PVR.
Diversity in tropical ecosystems: the species richness and turnover of moths in Malaysian rainforests
Authors: Ashton Louise A. , Barlow Henry S. , Nakamura Akihiro , Kitching Roger L. 
Published: September 2014

Abstract

As a contribution to accurate estimation of arthropod alpha and beta diversities in tropical forests, we present results of some of the largest moth samples ever collected in the Malaysian region.

To estimate alpha diversity, light traps were run at three geographically distinct locations. We generated individual‐based and coverage‐based rarefaction curves to estimate sampling sufficiency and alpha diversity of the locations. Despite a large number of moths collected (67 282 individuals, from three locations), none of the rarefaction curves reached asymptote. The species accumulation curves based on the Chao1 richness estimator at each location suggested that, even when sampling yielded over 30 000 individuals, Chao1 could not reliably estimate the observed number of species. In one of the three locations, moths were collected systematically by light traps in 1979–1980 and 2000–2001. Despite over 160 trapping nights and 16 500 individuals collected in total, the estimated total number of species (2262) was well below the general collection conducted at the same location over a 35‐year period [3921 species (1975–2013)].

Beta diversity was investigated using the samples collected at one location on two occasions over a 20‐year period. The faunal composition has changed over the 20‐year period, possibly as a result of extensive land‐use change around the study location. We estimated the minimum sampling effort required to detect such changes by calculating type II errors. Unlike alpha diversity estimation, we found that only four replicate samples, each with only two trapping nights, would be sufficient to reliably detect changes in assemblage composition.
Sonographically measured suprailiac adipose tissue is a useful predictor of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease in obese children and adolescents
Authors: Schlieske C. , Denzer C. , Wabitsch M. , Oeztuerk S. , Mason R. A. , Thiere D. , Kratzer W. 
Published: September 2014

SummaryObjectiveThe objective of the present study was to identify ultrasonographic and anthropometric parameters that are highly associated with the presence of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in overweight children and adolescents.MethodsA total of 447 overweight children and adolescents (body mass index, 32.4 ± 5.2 kg m−2; mean age, 14.2 ± 1.9 years; range 10.1–20.3 years) were analysed. Subjects underwent ultrasound examination of the liver as well as ultrasonographic measurement of the amount of adipose tissue overlying the biceps brachii and triceps brachii muscles, and of subscapular, suprailiac and abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue and intra‐abdominal depth. Anthropometric parameters such as body mass index, waist and hip circumference were documented.ResultsThe prevalence of NAFLD was 27.1%; it was significantly associated with the above‐cited anthropometric parameters (P < 0.001). Ultrasonographic findings identified a significant association between NAFLD and the amount of subscapular, suprailiac and abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (P < 0.001) as well as between NAFLD and intra‐abdominal depth (P < 0.001). Stepwise logistic regression analysis showed only intra‐abdominal depth for both gender and the deposit of subcutaneous suprailiac adipose tissue in females to be independent predictors of NAFLD.ConclusionsIn overweight children and adolescents, we identified intra‐abdominal depth for both gender and the ultrasonographically easily determined subcutaneous suprailiac adipose tissue in females as independent predictor of NAFLD.
Percutaneous nephrolithotripsy and antegrade ureterolithotripsy in a 10‐month‐old infant with urinary stones in both kidney and ureter
Authors: Naitoh Yasuyuki , Yamada Yasuhiro , Fujihara Atsuko , Naya Yoshio , Hongo Fumiya , Kamoi Kazumi , Okihara Koji , Miki Tsuneharu 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe prevalence of urinary tract stones in the pediatric population is lower than that in adults. Although methods of surgery and medical equipment have developed, medical treatments for urinary tract stones are limited for pediatric cases. We report the case of a 10‐month‐old male infant with urinary stones in the left kidney and ureter who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotripsy and ureterolithotripsy using antegrade insertion of a ureteroscope through the same nephrostomy tract.
Postmyocarditis Ventricular Tachycardia in Patients with Epicardial‐Only Scar: A Specific Entity Requiring a Specific Approach
Authors: BERTE BENJAMIN , SACHER FREDERIC , COCHET HUBERT , MAHIDA SAAGAR , YAMASHITA SEIGO , LIM HAN , DENIS ARNAUD , DERVAL NICOLAS , HOCINI MÉLÈZE , HAÏSSAGUERRE MICHEL , JAÏS PIERRE 
Published: September 2014

Epicardial‐Only VT AblationBackgroundNonischemic cardiomyopathy is a heterogeneous condition providing a favorable substrate for ventricular tachycardia (VT).ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to further characterize the substrate in a subset of postmyocarditis patients with epicardial‐only scar.MethodsTwelve postmyocarditis patients (11 male, 49 ± 14 years, left ventricular ejection fraction 49 ± 12%) with VT and epicardial‐only scar were included for analysis comparing automatic high‐amplitude normal activity (HANA) maps to manually adjusted maps of based on local abnormal ventricular activity (LAVA) electrograms when present. A combined endocardial (endo) and epicardial (epi) approach was used in 11/12 with usual bipolar/unipolar voltage thresholds and analyzed using image integration.ResultsA delayed enhancement MRI scar area of 52 cm2 (38, 59) and multidetector CT wall thinning area of 18 cm2 (14, 35) was found. Bipolar voltage substrate mapping (160 points [101, 239] endo, 553 points [232, 713] epi and LAVA were found only epicardially [443 LAVA points] in all) illustrated a low‐voltage area of HANA: 1 cm2 (0, 10) endo, 25 cm2 (22, 39) epi and LAVA: 1 cm2 (0, 10) endo, 39 cm2 (28, 51) epi. Manual maps performed better than automatic maps for delineating low‐voltage area with a higher overlap with scar area on delayed enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (DE‐MRI; 76% [66, 94] vs. 45% [35, 62]; P = 0.04). In addition, manual voltage maps also showed a higher overlap with location of LAVA (LAVA in normal voltage area: 3% [0, 9] vs. 35% [32, 41]; P < 0.05).ConclusionIn postmyocarditis patients with epicardial‐only scar, automatic voltage mapping may miss or minimize the electrical VT substrate. DE‐MRI and manual LAVA‐based voltage mapping are necessary to optimize scar delineation. Epicardial access is critical for mapping and ablation in this condition.