bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alicaforsen, an antisense inhibitor of ICAM‐1, as treatment for chronic refractory pouchitis after proctocolectomy: A case series
Authors: Greuter Thomas , Biedermann Luc , Rogler Gerhard , Sauter Bernhard , Seibold Frank 
Published: July 2015

Background and aimsThe published data about the efficacy of the intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) antisense oligonucleotide termed alicaforsen in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is rather inconsistent. This case series analyzes its efficacy in chronic refractory pouchitis, after proctocolectomy.MethodsWe performed a retrospective analysis on all patients who had received at least one dose of alicaforsen for IBD at three referral centers in Switzerland. We assessed the drug’s efficacy in patients treated for chronic refractory pouchitis, by comparing the clinical and/or endoscopic disease activity at baseline with a 2–3‐month follow‐up visit.ResultsWe identified 22 patients who had received at least one dose. Among them, 13 patients were being treated for chronic refractory pouchitis. These patients had a median age of 38.0 years (95% CI 21.0–69.0) and five were female (38.5%). The median time since pouch surgery was 102.5 months (95% CI 16.0–288.0), with a median pouchitis duration of 16.0 months (95% CI 4.0–216.0). At 2–3 months after therapy, clinical and endoscopic disease activity was significantly reduced (stool frequency 9.0 versus 6.0, the Pouchitis Disease Activity Index (PDAI) clinical subscore was 4.0 versus 1.0, and the endoscopic disease activity was 4.0 versus 2.0). Clinical improvement was achieved in 11 out of 13 pouchitis patients (84.6%); however, a relapse was observed in nine of these patients (81.8%). The median time from clinical improvement to relapse was 16 weeks (95% CI 9.0–23.0).ConclusionsAlicaforsen seemed to be efficacious in inducing clinical and/or endoscopic improvement in chronic refractory pouchitis and may be a promising treatment alternative in those patients; however, given the high proportion of relapse, one 6‐week course of alicaforsen may not be sufficient.
Effectiveness of focal vs. balloon radiofrequency ablation devices in the treatment of Barrett’s esophagus
Authors: Brown Jesica , Alsop Benjamin , Gupta Neil , Buckles Daniel C , Olyaee Mojtaba S , Vennalaganti Prashanth , Kanakadandi Vijay Naag , Saligram Shreyas , Sharma Prateek 
Published: July 2015

Background and aimsThe safety and efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in treatment of Barrett’s esophagus (BE)‐associated dysplasia has been well established. The effectiveness of focal and balloon RFA devices has not been compared. Therefore, the aim of our study was to assess the effectiveness of focal and balloon RFA devices in the treatment of BE by calculating absolute and percentage change in BE length with RFA therapy by comparing pre‐ and post‐treatment BE length.Patients and methodsThis is a retrospective cross‐sectional study of patients who underwent at least one treatment with either focal and/or balloon RFA devices who were identified from two tertiary centers. Patients’ demographics, hiatal hernia, pre‐ and post‐treatment BE length, prior use of endoscopic therapies and number of sessions were recorded.ResultsSixty‐one patients who had undergone 161 RFA treatment sessions met inclusion criteria. There was no significant difference in percentage change in BE length with greater number of RFA sessions. RFA with a focal device resulted in greater percentage reduction in BE length compared to the balloon system (73% vs. 39%, p  < 0.01). After adjusting for initial BE length, pre‐treatment BE length, hernia status, prior endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), prior RFA, and prior EMR/RFA sessions, RFA with a focal device at each session remained an independent predictor for a significant reduction in BE extent as compared to the balloon system.ConclusionThe focal RFA device alone was more effective in treatment of BE compared to the balloon system, with a greater reduction in extent of BE. The focal RFA device for endoscopic eradication therapy of BE should be considered the preferred technique.
The burden of bowel preparations in patients undergoing elective colonoscopy
Authors: Sharara Ala I , El Reda Zeinab D , Harb Ali H , Abou Fadel Carla G , Sarkis Fayez S , Chalhoub Jean M , Abou Mrad Rachel 
Published: July 2015

BackgroundAn adequate bowel preparation is an important quality measure for optimal colonoscopy.AimsThe aim of this article is to study the burden of bowel preparations by examining seven specific variables (hunger, taste, volume, sleep, social, work, and adverse events (AEs)).MethodsAmbulatory patients undergoing elective colonoscopy completed a questionnaire regarding their experience with the prescribed preparation. The seven study variables were graded using a numerical scale of 0–10 (best to worst). A score >6 was considered to indicate a significant impact and used as primary outcome. Patients were also asked to grade in descending order what they perceived as the worst aspect of the preparation.ResultsA total of 216 patients completed the survey. Preparations consisted of split‐dose sodium picosulfate (SPS) (n  = 49), split‐dose 4 l PEG ± menthol (n  = 49), full‐dose PEG (n  = 68), and 2 l split‐dose PEG + ascorbic acid (n  = 50). Except for work and AEs, all variables were considered to have a negative impact by >20% of patients (range 20.4–34.2). SPS was superior to PEG regimens in taste (4.1% vs. 35.9%) and volume (0% vs. 44.9%) (p  < 0.05 for both) but inferior for hunger (30.6% vs. 19.2%; p  = 0.09). The addition of menthol to PEG significantly improved taste (22.4% vs. 41.5%; p  = 0.02). Sleep disturbances were most common with SPS and least with split‐dose PEG (30.6% vs. 17.4%; p  < 0.05). Overall, patients ranked volume, taste, and hunger as most burdensome.ConclusionsThe burden of bowel preparation is substantial. An informed personalized choice of preparation may improve adherence, tolerability and colon cleansing.
Short‐term prognosis of potential celiac disease in Indian patients
Authors: Kondala Raghuram , Puri Amarender S , Banka Ameet K , Sachdeva Sanjeev , Sakhuja Puja 
Published: July 2015

BackgroundProgression of potential celiac disease (PCD) to overt celiac disease (CD) has been described in some studies from the Western Hemisphere. There are no Asian data on this aspect of CD.ObjectiveWe aimed to study the short‐term histological course of PCD in Indian patients.MethodsPatients with PCD were prospectively identified by screening relatives of patients with CD, the diarrheal subtype of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS‐D) and patients with iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Patients with serology that was positive for immunoglobulin A antibodies against tissue transglutaminase (IgA anti‐tTG) were subjected to endoscopy with duodenal biopsy. PCD was defined as a Marsh‐0 to Marsh‐II lesion on duodenal biopsy, along with positive IgA tTG serology. Retesting for serology and histology was done at 6‐month intervals, for 12 months.Results : We diagnosed 57 patients (23 male) of mean age 28.7 years (range: 4–73 yrs) as having PCD. Of these 57 patients, 28 were identified by screening 192 first‐degree relatives of 55 index cases of CD, while the remaining 29 had either IBS‐D or IDA. Duodenal biopsy showed Marsh‐0, Marsh‐I and Marsh‐II changes in 28, 27 and 2 patients, respectively. At 6 months, 12 patients became seronegative. The remaining 45 patients continued to be seropositive at the 12‐month time point. Histological progression to Marsh‐III occurred in only four patients, while progression from Marsh‐0 to either Marsh‐I or Marsh‐II occurred in six patients and one patient, respectively; but 14 patients with Marsh‐I did show regression to Marsh‐0. Of the two patients who were initially Marsh‐II, one remained so upon follow up and one showed regression to Marsh‐0.ConclusionsOur data suggested that despite the fact that nearly 80% of the patients diagnosed to have PCD continue to remain seropositive for tTG 12 months later, histological progression to Marsh‐III occurred in only 7% of patients over the same time period. These observations do not justify starting a gluten‐free diet in all patients with PCD, in India.
Factors Influencing Discharge Destination After Total Hip Arthroplasty
Authors: Schwarzkopf Ran , Ho Jenny , Snir Nimrod , Mukamel Dana D. 
Published: July 2015

Introduction: With this growing demand, the length of stay for total hip arthroplasty (THA) procedures has decreased, and as a trade-off, we have seen a higher utilization of extended care facilities (ECFs). Both trends have significant economic implications on the health care system, and predicting the discharge destinations of THA patients would help policy makers plan for future health expenditures. We performed a retrospective data analysis of a large patient database to determine which variables are significant in predicting discharge destinations of THA patients. Methods: We used the California Hospital Discharge data set of the year 2010, collected and provided by the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development. The data set includes information about patient demographics, insurance type, diagnoses and procedures, and patient disposition. The study cohort included 14 326 patients. Discharge to home was the reference category. Discharge to ECF and discharge to home with home care were the 2 additional alternatives. Results: In all, 46.9% of patients were discharged home with home health care, followed by 29.6% to ECF, and 23.5% to home without care. Discharge to ECF was more likely for patients with more comorbidities and a higher age. The strongest predictors were Medicaid and black or Asian race. Medicare relative to private payer was a strong predictor of ECF discharge. Male gender was the only factor that lowered the risk of discharge to ECF. The strongest predictor for discharge to home with home care was black race relative to whites. Medicaid lowered the risk of home care, and gender did not matter. Conclusion: This study serves to provide insight on which patient characteristics influence discharge destination after THA. Race, insurance, and morbidity were highly significant factors on patient discharge destination to a subacute nursing facility.
Contribution of inflammation and impaired angiogenesis to the pathobiology of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Quarck Rozenn , Wynants Marijke , Verbeken Erik , Meyns Bart , Delcroix Marion 
Published: July 2015

Deficient angiogenesis and systemic inflammation could be involved in the pathophysiology of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). We aimed to characterise the histopathology of pulmonary vascular lesions from 52 CTEPH patients who underwent a pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) and investigate a potential link between clinical, biological and morphometric parameters.Collagen, elastin, fibrin, lipid, endothelial, smooth muscle and inflammatory cell content was investigated using immunohistochemistry. Qualitative changes were evaluated using severity scores. Circulating levels of inflammatory mediators were measured using ELISA.Neointima, thrombotic, recanalised and atherosclerotic lesions were found. Accumulation of macrophages, T-lymphocytes and neutrophils was found mainly in atherosclerotic and thrombotic lesions. Angiogenesis was observed in all kinds of lesions; low-scored angiogenesis predicted adverse outcome, including persistent pulmonary hypertension post-PEA, start of medical therapy and poor survival. C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-10, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, macrophage inflammatory protein-1α and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 were significantly elevated in CTEPH patients. Plasma CRP and MMP-9 levels correlated with neutrophil and macrophage accumulation, respectively.Enhanced systemic inflammation parallels local inflammatory cell infiltration in major pulmonary arteries at advanced stages of CTEPH. Impaired neovascularisation is associated with poor survival, start of medical treatment and persistent pulmonary hypertension post-PEA. These findings suggest that inflammation and impaired angiogenesis could contribute to the progression of the disease.
The impact of obstructive sleep apnoea on the aorta
Authors: Gaisl Thomas , Bratton Daniel J. , Kohler Malcolm 
Published: July 2015

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) has been shown to be a causal factor in the pathogenesis of vascular dysfunction and hypertension, conditions which can promote dilation and subsequent aortic dissection and rupture. The objective of this review is to summarise the current literature on the possible association between OSA and aortic disease and delineate the underlying mechanisms.Relevant studies were found by searching for terms including “obstructive sleep apnoea” in combination with “aortic aneurysm, dissection, and dilation” in the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases.Observational studies consistently reported that OSA is highly prevalent among patients with aortic aneurysms and aortic dissections. Patients with co-occurring OSA and Marfan's syndrome as well as patients at the more severe end of the spectrum of OSA seem to be especially vulnerable to aortic disease.Several mechanisms are discussed concerning the link between OSA and aortic disease: nocturnal negative intrathoracic pressure surges leading to mechanical stretching of the aorta and ultimately aortic distension; arousal-induced reflex sympathetic activation with subsequent hypertension; and intermittent hypoxia associated with autonomic nervous system activation and consequently increased oxidative stress. Further well controlled studies are needed in order to define the exact role of OSA as a risk factor for aortic disease.
Tubedown regulation of retinal endothelial permeability signaling pathways
Authors: Ho Nhu , Gendron Robert L. , Grozinger Kindra , Whelan Maria A. , Hicks Emily Anne , Tennakoon Bimal , Gardiner Danielle , Good William V. , Paradis Hélène 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACT
Tubedown (Tbdn; Naa15), a subunit of the N-terminal acetyltransferase NatA, complexes with the c-Src substrate Cortactin and supports adult retinal homeostasis through regulation of vascular permeability. Here we investigate the role of Tbdn expression on signaling components of retinal endothelial permeability to understand how Tbdn regulates the vasculature and supports retinal homeostasis. Tbdn knockdown-induced hyperpermeability to Albumin in retinal endothelial cells was associated with an increase in the levels of activation of the Src family kinases (SFK) c-Src, Fyn and Lyn and phospho-Cortactin (Tyr421). The knockdown of Cortactin expression reduced Tbdn knockdown-induced permeability to Albumin and the levels of activated SFK. Inhibition of SFK in retinal endothelial cells decreased Tbdn knockdown-induced permeability to Albumin and phospho-Cortactin (Tyr421) levels. Retinal lesions of endothelial-specific Tbdn knockdown mice, with tissue thickening, fibrovascular growth, and hyperpermeable vessels displayed an increase in the levels of activated c-Src. Moreover, the retinal lesions of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) associated with a loss of Tbdn expression and hyperpermeability to Albumin displayed increased levels of activated SFK in retinal blood vessels. Taken together, these results implicate Tbdn as an important regulator of retinal endothelial permeability and homeostasis by modulating a signaling pathway involving c-Src and Cortactin.
Effects of Niobium Addition into TiO2 Layers on CH3NH3PbI3-based Photovoltaic Devices
Authors: Oku Takeo , Iwata Taishi , Suzuki Atsushi 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
TiO2/CH3NH3PbI3-based photovoltaic devices were fabricated by a spin-coating method using a mixture solution of niobium(V) ethoxide, and the effects of niobium (Nb) addition to TiO2 layers were investigated. The lattice distance and energy gap of the TiO2 were almost same after Nb addition. The elemental mapping and sheet resistance measurements indicated a wide distribution of Nb and Ti, and a decrease in sheet resistance by Nb addition. The external quantum efficiency and internal quantum efficiency increased by Nb addition to compact TiO2 and mesoporous TiO2 layers, which resulted in an increase in the current density and conversion efficiency of the cell.
Synthesis of Phenylenevinylene Oligothiophene Derivatives with and without Cyano Side Substitution and Evaluation of Optoelectronic Characteristics
Authors: Kondo Mizuho , Inoue Yukihiro , Koeduka Yuki , Funahashi Masahiro , Heya Akira , Matsuo Naoto , Kawatsuki Nobuhiro 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
Two types of phenylenevinylene terthiophene with and without cyano side substitution were synthesized to investigate the effect of the molecular structure on optoelectronic properties. The oligothiophene with cyano side substitution exhibited large bathochromic effect and behaved as organic electron acceptors with decrease in field effect conductivity due to increase in dipole moment.
Control and Supervision in Education: FAQ on Recent Update
Authors: Фёклин  , Feklin Sergey 
Published: July 2015

Federal law of 31.12.2014 № 500-FZ “On Amending Parts of Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation» has significantly changed State regulation
of education in the frame of Federal law of 29.12.2012 № 273-FZ “On Education in the Russian Federation”.
Federal law of 29.12.2012 № 273-FZ “On Education in the Russian Federation” has been amended to optimize the following procedures:
– State accreditation of educational activity;
– System of actions taken by education control and supervision organs towards educational institutions, bodies of state power of the subjects of the
Russian Federation conducting governmental management of education, bodies of local self-government conductingmanagement of educationbased
on the results of inspection of federal government oversight of education and federal government control of education quality;
– Distribution and control figures of admission for professions, programs, majors and (or) groups of professions, programs, majors.
The article explicitly generalizes, explains and comments on questions coming from the bodies of state power of the subjects of the Russian Federation
exercising the authority of state control (supervision) of education.
The author covers procedural issues of control and supervision as a matter of education legislation effective since 11.12.2015.
Article consists of detailed answers to questions.
Implementation of the Requirements of the Standard in the study of Euler theorem
Authors: Васильева  , Vasileva Marina 
Published: July 2015

The article describes the implementation of the requirements of the Standard in the study of Euler theorem for majorlevel.Organization
ofschoolchildren’s activelearning ofEuler theorem is displayed.Aproblematic situationofdiscovering the properties ofpolyhedron
andthe relationbetween vertices, faces and edgesnumbercombinesfrontaland independent groupwork, promotes the formationof
problem setting and solvingskillsthat form a part ofthe universalcognitivelearning activities.Problem solving, hypothesizing, pressingthe
pointrequire accurate formulation of basic supporting facts; hence a pupil develops universalcommunicativeeducationalactivities.
In subject-oriented classes studying should be systematic and serve as preparation for further education. Therefore, the use of Euler
theorem as the proof of existence of five and only five regular polyhedronsis important for understanding that in Mathematics every
statement butan axiom must be proven.
The importance of foetal movement for co-ordinated cartilage and bone developmentin utero
Authors: Shea C. A. , Rolfe R. A. , Murphy P. 
Published: July 2015

Construction of a functional skeleton is accomplished through co-ordination of the developmental processes of chondrogenesis, osteogenesis, and synovial joint formation. Infants whose movement in utero is reduced or restricted and who subsequently suffer from joint dysplasia (including joint contractures) and thin hypo-mineralised bones, demonstrate that embryonic movement is crucial for appropriate skeletogenesis. This has been confirmed in mouse, chick, and zebrafish animal models, where reduced or eliminated movement consistently yields similar malformations and which provide the possibility of experimentation to uncover the precise disturbances and the mechanisms by which movement impacts molecular regulation. Molecular genetic studies have shown the important roles played by cell communication signalling pathways, namely Wnt, Hedgehog, and transforming growth factor-beta/bone morphogenetic protein. These pathways regulate cell behaviours such as proliferation and differentiation to control maturation of the skeletal elements, and are affected when movement is altered. Cell contacts to the extra-cellular matrix as well as the cytoskeleton offer a means of mechanotransduction which could integrate mechanical cues with genetic regulation. Indeed, expression of cytoskeletal genes has been shown to be affected by immobilisation. In addition to furthering our understanding of a fundamental aspect of cell control and differentiation during development, research in this area is applicable to the engineering of stable skeletal tissues from stem cells, which relies on an understanding of developmental mechanisms including genetic and physical criteria. A deeper understanding of how movement affects skeletogenesis therefore has broader implications for regenerative therapeutics for injury or disease, as well as for optimisation of physical therapy regimes for individuals affected by skeletal abnormalities.Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2015;4:105–116
Topological contact dynamics I: symplectization and applications of the energy-capacity inequality
Authors: Müller Stefan , Spaeth Peter 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
We introduce topological contact dynamics of a smooth manifold carrying a cooriented contact structure, generalizing previous work in the case of a symplectic structure [27] or a contact form [5]. A topological contact isotopy is not generated by a vector field; nevertheless, the group identities, the transformation law, and classical uniqueness results in the smooth case extend to topological contact isotopies and homeomorphisms, giving rise to an extension of smooth contact dynamics to topological dynamics. Our approach is via symplectization of a contact manifold, and our main tools are an energy-capacity inequality we prove for contact diffeomorphisms, combined with techniques from measure theory on oriented manifolds. We establish non-degeneracy of a Hofer-like bi-invariant pseudo-metric on the group of strictly contact diffeomorphisms constructed in [4]. The topological automorphism group of the contact structure exhibits rigidity properties analogous to those of symplectic diffeomorphisms, including C0-rigidity of contact and strictly contact diffeomorphisms.
Einleitung zu Georg Lukács: Warum sind Demokratien den Autokratien überlegen? und Das wirkliche Deutschland
Authors: Baehrens Konstantin 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
Two short typescripts by G. Lukacs from the archive, dating from 1941/42, shed light on his appraisal of the cultural ‘inner reserves’ of Germany and the ‘moral reserves’ of the democracies involved in the Second World War, as well as on Lukacs’s political philosophy at that time. The conception of an intrinsic interrelation of a humanist philosophical anthropology and rationalist epistemology elucidates his egalitarian and democratic account. Both texts are located within the intellectual development of the author in an introduction by the editor, which sketches the historical background and indicates relevant contemporaneous theoretical and political debates, such as the controversies over realism and humanism and also a dispute with K. Jaspers on German collective guilt.