bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lung cancer staging now and in the future
Authors: Liam Chong‐Kin , Andarini Sita , Lee Pyng , Ho James Chung‐Man , Chau Ngo Quy , Tscheikuna Jamsak 
Published: February 2015

AbstractFor a long time lung cancer was associated with a fatalistic approach by healthcare professionals. In recent years, advances in imaging, improved diagnostic techniques and more effective treatment modalities are reasons for optimism. Accurate lung cancer staging is vitally important because treatment options and prognosis differ significantly by stage. The staging algorithm should include a contrast computed tomography (CT) of the chest and the upper abdomen including adrenals, positron emission tomography/CT for staging the mediastinum and to rule out extrathoracic metastasis in patients considered for surgical resection, endosonography‐guided needle sampling procedure replacing mediastinoscopy for near complete mediastinal staging, and brain imaging as clinically indicated. Applicability of evidence‐based guidelines for staging of lung cancer depends on the available expertise and level of resources and is directly impacted by financial issues. Considering the diversity of healthcare infrastructure and economic performance of Asian countries, optimal and cost‐effective use of staging methods appropriate to the available resources is prudent. The pulmonologist plays a central role in the multidisciplinary approach to lung cancer diagnosis, staging and management. Regional respiratory societies such as the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology should work with national respiratory societies to strive for uniform standards of care. For developing countries, a minimum set of care standards should be formulated. Cost‐effective delivery of optimal care for lung cancer patients, including staging within the various healthcare systems, should be encouraged and most importantly, tobacco control implementation should receive an absolute priority status in all countries in Asia.
Sediment‐rich meltwater plumes and ice‐proximal fans at the margins of modern and ancient tidewater glaciers: Observations and modelling
Authors: Dowdeswell Julian A. , Hogan Kelly A. , Arnold Neil S. , Mugford Ruth I. , Wells Martin , Hirst J. Philip P. , Decalf Carole 
Published: February 2015

AbstractTurbid meltwater plumes and ice‐proximal fans occur where subglacial streams reach the grounded marine margins of modern and ancient tidewater glaciers. However, the spacing and temporal stability of these subglacial channels is poorly understood. This has significant implications for understanding the geometry and distribution of Quaternary and ancient ice‐proximal fans that can form important aquifers and hydrocarbon reservoirs. Remote‐sensing and numerical‐modelling techniques are applied to the 200 km long marine margin of a Svalbard ice cap, Austfonna, to quantify turbid meltwater‐plume distribution and predict its temporal stability. Results are combined with observations from geophysical data close to the modern ice front to refine existing depositional models for ice‐proximal fans. Plumes are spaced ca 3 km apart and their distribution along the ice front is stable over decades. Numerical modelling also predicts the drainage pattern and meltwater discharge beneath the ice cap; modelled water‐routing patterns are in reasonable agreement with satellite‐mapped plume locations. However, glacial retreat of several kilometres over the past 40 years has limited build‐up of significant ice‐proximal fans. A single fan and moraine ridge is noted from marine‐geophysical surveys. Closer to the ice front there are smaller recessional moraines and polygonal sediment lobes but no identifiable fans. Schematic models of ice‐proximal deposits represent varying glacier‐terminus stability: (i) stable terminus where meltwater sedimentation produces an ice‐proximal fan; (ii) quasi‐stable terminus, where glacier readvance pushes or thrusts up ice‐proximal deposits into a morainal bank; and (iii) retreating terminus, with short still‐stands, allowing only small sediment lobes to build up at melt‐stream portals. These modern investigations are complemented with outcrop and subsurface observations and numerical modelling of an ancient, Ordovician glacial system. Thick turbidite successions and large fans in the Late Ordovician suggest either high‐magnitude events or sustained high discharge, consistent with a relatively mild palaeo‐glacial setting for the former North African ice sheet.
Diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of coccidioidomycosis in allogeneic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Mendoza N. , Noel P. , Blair J.E. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractBackgroundAllogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo‐HSCT) recipients have multiple risk factors for coccidioidomycosis, and previous reports of coccidioidomycosis in this patient population describe severe infections with poor outcomes.MethodsWe performed a retrospective chart review of allo‐HSCT recipients with active coccidioidomycosis to characterize the utility of diagnostic tests for coccidioidomycosis and to determine treatment outcomes.ResultsEleven of 426 (2.6%) allo‐HSCT recipients experienced active coccidioidomycosis after transplantation. Of these 11 patients, 1 (9%) had extrapulmonary infection, 9 (82%) patients were hospitalized, and 5 (45%) died. Culture or histology was positive in 33% (3/9) of the patients tested. Most (64% [7/11]) had at least 1 positive serologic test result, and the enzyme immunoassay immunoglobulin G test was positive most often (overall 55% [6/11]). Chest radiographs and chest computed tomography scans showed miliary or multifocal nodular infiltrates or consolidations, consistent with coccidioidomycosis, in 80% (8/10) and 100% (9/9), respectively, of patients tested throughout the course of active illness. Rapid polymerase chain reaction testing was positive in 71% (5/7) of the patients tested. Peripheral eosinophilia was present in 18% (2/11) of patients.ConclusionCoccidioidomycosis is associated with high morbidity and mortality in allo‐HSCT recipients in an area endemic for Coccidioides. Diagnosis of this infection can be difficult and often requires multiple and frequently invasive tests. Antifungal prophylaxis should be considered for patients at highest risk.
Evidence of meaningful levels of Trypanosoma cruzi in platelet concentrates from seropositive blood donors
Authors: Cancino‐Faure Beatriz , Fisa Roser , Riera Cristina , Bula Ibeth , Girona‐Llobera Enrique , Jimenez‐Marco Teresa 
Published: February 2015

BACKGROUNDAccording to the reported cases of transfusion‐acquired Trypanosoma cruzi infection, the risk of T. cruzi transfusion transmission appears to be higher with platelet (PLT) products than with other blood components. The aim of this study was to investigate by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) the parasitic load detected in leukoreduced plasma and PLT concentrates collected by apheresis from seropositive T. cruzi blood donors and compare them with peripheral whole blood (WB).STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSDuring 2011 to 2013, a prospective study was carried out in a group of blood donors originating from Chagas‐endemic areas but who are now living on the island of Majorca, Spain. Leukoreduced plasma and PLT concentrates were collected by apheresis from seropositive blood donors with detectable parasitemias in peripheral WB.RESULTSSeropositivity was found in 23 of 1201 donors studied (1.9%), and T. cruzi DNA with less than 1 parasite equivalent/mL was detected in peripheral WB in 60.86% (14 of 23) of these. The study in blood components obtained by apheresis from these donors showed that T. cruzi DNA with a mean ± SD parasitic load of 5.33 ± 6.12 parasite equivalents/mL was detected in 100% of the PLT concentrate samples. Parasite DNA was undetectable in the extract taken from plasma collected from donors with a positive qPCR in peripheral WB.CONCLUSIONThe higher parasitic load found in PLT concentrates compared to plasma and peripheral WB would explain the higher transfusion transmission risk of Chagas disease associated with PLT transfusions described in the reported cases of transfusion‐acquired T. cruzi infection.
Survey of ophthalmic anterior segment findings and intraocular pressure in 95 North American box turtles (Terrapene spp.)
Authors: Espinheira Gomes Filipe , Brandão João , Sumner Julia , Kearney Michael , Freitas Inês , Johnson James , Cutler Daniel , Nevarez Javier 
Published: February 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo describe the ophthalmic biomicroscopy findings and intraocular pressures (IOP) in a captive population of box turtles and to determine whether a relationship exists between body morphometrics or health status andIOP.ProceduresHundred and three box turtles (69 Gulf coast, 24 three‐toed, one ornate, one eastern, and eight unidentified) were triaged into three different color‐coded groups: green (healthy), yellow (abnormal physical examination with no need for immediate care), and red (immediate care required). Both eyes were evaluated by rebound tonometry and slit‐lamp biomicroscopy. Body weight and morphometric data were recorded.ResultsIntraocular pressures measurements were available for 190 eyes, slit‐lamp biomicroscopy was available for 170 eyes, and morphometric data were available for 81 turtles.IOPin Gulf coast turtles (138 eyes) was 6.7 ± 1.4 mmHgOU.IOPin three‐toed turtles (48 eyes) was 8.3 ± 1.5 mmHgOU, which was significantly higher than in Gulf coast turtles (P < 0.0001). No significantIOPdifferences were noted between genders in both subspecies (P = 0.768). There was a correlation betweenIOPand health status in three‐toed turtles only. There was a mild negative correlation between morphometrics andIOPin Gulf coast and three‐toed turtles. Fifteen of 87 turtles had unilateral corneal or lenticular opacities; 3/87 had bilateral corneal or lenticular disease; and 3/87 had adnexal abnormalities.ConclusionsDifferent subspecies of box turtles have different normal intraocular pressures as measured by rebound tonometry, which was influenced by the animals’ health status in one subspecies. Some morphometric parameters were found to be associated withIOP. Box turtles are often affected with ophthalmic abnormalities of unknown clinical significance.
Organic light emitting diode improves diabetic cutaneous wound healing in rats
Authors: Wu Xingjia , Alberico Stephanie , Saidu Edward , Rahman Khan Sazzadur , Zheng Shijun , Romero Rebecca , Sik Chae Hyun , Li Sheng , Mochizuki Amane , Anders, Juanita 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTA major complication for diabetic patients is chronic wounds due to impaired wound healing. It is well documented that visible red wavelengths can accelerate wound healing in diabetic animal models and patients. In vitro and in vivo diabetic models were used to investigate the effects of organic light emitting diode (OLED) irradiation on cellular function and cutaneous wound healing. Human dermal fibroblasts were cultured in hyperglycemic medium (glucose concentration 180 mM) and irradiated with an OLED (623 nm wavelength peak, range from 560 to 770 nm, power density 7 or 10 mW/cm2 at 0.2, 1, or 5 J/cm2). The OLED significantly increased total adenosine triphosphate concentration, metabolic activity, and cell proliferation compared with untreated controls in most parameters tested. For the in vivo experiment, OLED and laser (635 ± 5 nm wavelength) treatments (10 mW/cm2, 5 J/cm2 daily for a total of seven consecutive days) for cutaneous wound healing were compared using a genetic, diabetic rat model. Both treatments had significantly higher percentage of wound closure on day 6 postinjury and higher total histological scores on day 13 postinjury compared with control. No statistical difference was found between the two treatments. OLED irradiation significantly increased fibroblast growth factor‐2 expression at 36‐hour postinjury and enhanced macrophage activation during initial stages of wound healing. In conclusion, the OLED and laser had comparative effects on enhancing diabetic wound healing.
Weight‐bearing–induced changes in the microtopography and structural stiffness of human skin in vivo following immobility periods
Authors: Dobos Gabor , Gefen Amit , Blume‐Peytavi Ulrike , Kottner Jan 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTPressure ulcers (PUs) are injuries to the skin and underlying tissues, caused by sustained deformations and occur frequently in aged patients. Skin microtopography and stiffness affect the interaction of skin with contact surfaces contributing to PU development. We simulated immobility in 20 healthy females (mean age 69.9 years). Skin microtopography and stiffness were measured at the PU predilection sites before and after loading. Skin roughness decreased at the heels by 18.1% after 90 minutes (p = 0.022), but remained unchanged at the sacrum and the upper back. Structural elasticity and elastic deformations increased at all skin areas; changes over time were significant at the sacrum (p = 0.005) and the heel, (p = 0.002). The residual skin deformation increased at all skin areas after loading significantly at the sacrum (32.0%, p = 0.013) and upper back (20.6%, p = 0.007). The structural “biological” elasticity of the skin decreased significantly at the upper back after loading, but remained unchanged at the heels. All skin changes recovered after unloading. Results indicate that prolonged loading causes structural skin changes in humans in vivo in PU predilection sites. The pathogenesis of PUs is different at the heels, the sacral and upper back skin.
A cohort study of diabetic patients and diabetic foot ulceration patients in China
Authors: Jiang Yufeng , Wang Xuemei , Xia Lei , Fu Xiaobing , Xu Zhangrong , Ran Xingwu , Yan Li , Li Qiu , Mo Zhaohui , Yan Zhaoli , Ji Qiuhe , Li Qiang 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTTo determine the annual incidence and clinically relevant risk factors for foot ulceration in a large cohort study of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) patients and diabetes mellitus (DM) patients in China. To investigate a cohort of 1,333 patients comprising 452 DFU patients and 881 DM patients, who underwent foot screening, physical examination, and laboratory tests in eight hospitals. The patients were assessed at baseline in terms of their demographic information, medical and social history, peripheral neuropathy disease (PND) screening, periphery artery disease (PAD) screening, assessment of nutritional status, and diabetic control. One year later, the patients were followed up to determine the incidence of new foot ulcers, amputation, and mortality. By univariate analysis, statistically significant differences were found in age, location, gender, living alone (yes/no), occupation, smoking, hypertension, PND, PAD, nephropathy, retinopathy, cataracts, duration of diabetes, Glycosylated hemoglobin A (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose level, postprandial blood glucose level, insulin level, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, cholesterol, triglyeride, high density lipoprotein (HDL), serum albumin, white blood cell, and body mass index. A binary logistic regression model was used to examine which of these risk factors were independent risk factors for foot ulceration. A total of 687 (51.5%) of the 1,333 patients were followed up for an average of 12 months; there were 458 DM patients and 229 DFU patients. A total of 46 patients died during the follow‐up period; 13 were DM patients, and 33 were DFU patients. Of the 641 patients, 445 (69.4%) patients were DM patients, and 196 (30.6%) were DFU patients. At follow‐up, 36/445 DM patients (8.1%), and 62/196 DFU patients (31.6%), developed new ulcers; 10/196 DFU patients underwent an amputation. The annual incidence of ulceration for DM patients and amputation for DFU patients were 8.1 and 5.1%, respectively. The annual mortality of the DM patients and DMF patients were 2.8 and 14.4%, respectively. A binary logistic regression model was used to examine which risk factors were independent risk factors for foot ulceration during the follow‐up period, and the final results showed that nephropathy (odds ratio 2.32), insulin level (odds ratio 3.136, 2.629), and decreased HDL (odds ratio 0.427) were associated with increased risks for foot ulceration. Complications of diabetes affecting the feet represent a serious problem in China. The incidence of foot ulcers and amputation are much higher than that of Western countries. More intensive surveillance and aggressive care following a diagnosis of DFU and earlier referral to specialty care might improve the patient outcome.
Recipient wound bed characteristics affect scarring and skin graft contraction
Authors: Rose Lloyd F. , Wu Jesse C. , Carlsson Anders H. , Tucker David I. , Leung Kai P. , Chan Rodney K. 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTThe use of autograft skin is essential in the treatment of full thickness burns and large cutaneous defects. Both autograft thickness and condition of the wound bed modulate aesthetic and functional outcomes. Thicker autografts contract less and maintain greater functionality as the scar matures. The presence of hypodermis can also positively affect the eventual appearance and functionality of the wound site by modulating contraction and alleviating inflammation and cellular stress responses. In this study, we characterize wound‐site physical and cellular characteristics following split‐thickness skin grafting onto hypodermis vs. onto fascia. Compared to autografts grafted onto fascia, identical thickness autografts grafted onto fat demonstrated reduced contraction, enhanced mobility and vascularity, and reduced topographical variability. Grafts onto fat also showed reduced levels of myofibroblasts and leukocytic infiltration. The status of the wound bed prior to engraftment is an important contributor of skin quality outcome. The presence of hypodermis is associated with improved functional and aesthetic qualities of split thickness skin grafts, which are correlated with reduced presence of myofibroblasts and leukocytic infiltration.
Postoperative wound dehiscence: Predictors and associations
Authors: Shanmugam Victoria K. , Fernandez Stephen J. , Evans Karen Kim , McNish Sean , Banerjee Anirban N. , Couch Kara S. , Mete Mihriye , Shara Nawar 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTThe Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality patient safety indicators (PSI) were developed as a metric of hospital complication rates. PSI‐14 measures postoperative wound dehiscence and specifically how often a surgical wound in the abdominal or pelvic area fails to heal after abdominopelvic surgery. Wound dehiscence is estimated to occur in 0.5–3.4% of abdominopelvic surgeries, and carries a mortality of up to 40%. Postoperative wound dehiscence has been adopted as a surrogate safety outcome measure as it impacts morbidity, length of stay, healthcare costs and readmission rates. Postoperative wound dehiscence cases from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample demonstrate 9.6% excess mortality, 9.4 days of excess hospitalization and $40,323 in excess hospital charges relative to matched controls. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the associations between PSI‐14 and measurable medical and surgical comorbidities using the Explorys technology platform to query electronic health record data from a large hospital system serving a diverse patient population in the Washington, DC and Baltimore, MD metropolitan areas. The study population included 25,636 eligible patients who had undergone abdominopelvic surgery between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2012. Of these cases, 786 (2.97%) had postoperative wound dehiscence. Patient‐associated comorbidities were strongly associated with PSI‐14, suggesting that this indicator may not solely be an indicator of hospital safety. There was a strong association between PSI‐14 and opioid use after surgery and this finding merits further investigation.
Surveillance of Human Rabies by National Authorities – A Global Survey
Authors: Taylor L. H. , Knopf L. ,   the Partners for Rabies Prevention
Published: February 2015

SummaryEffective prevention of deaths due to human rabies is currently hampered by a lack of understanding of the scale of the problem, and the distribution of both animal and human cases across countries, regions and continents. Unfortunately, despite the severity of the disease, accurate data on which to assess these questions and to prioritize and direct public health interventions are not available for many parts of the world. This survey sought to understand the current global situation regarding the surveillance of human rabies. Data were collected from 91 countries across all continents and all categories of human rabies risk, generating the most complete and representative global data set currently available. Respondents were asked key questions about whether human rabies was a notifiable disease, how the surveillance system for human rabies operated and whether the respondent considered that the surveillance system was working effectively. Across the 91 countries from which data were collated, human rabies was a notifiable disease in all but eight. Despite international guidance, surveillance systems were very varied. Even where rabies is a notifiable disease, many countries had surveillance system judged to be ineffective, almost all of these being high and moderate rabies risk countries in Africa and Asia. Overall, 41% of the population covered by this survey (around 2.5 billion people) live in countries where there is no or ineffective rabies surveillance. The lack of robust surveillance is hindering rabies control efforts. However, whilst worldwide rabies surveillance would be improved if rabies were notifiable in all countries, many other challenges to the implementation of effective global human rabies surveillance systems remain.
Effects of Three Different Nucleoid-Associated Proteins Encoded on IncP-7 Plasmid pCAR1 on Host Pseudomonas putida KT2440
Authors: Suzuki-Minakuchi Chiho , Hirotani Ryusuke , Shintani Masaki , Takeda Toshiharu , Takahashi Yurika , Matsui Kazuhiro , Vasileva Delyana , Yun Choong-Soo , Okada Kazunori , Yamane Hisakazu , Nojiri Hideaki 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACT

Nucleoid-associated proteins (NAPs), which fold bacterial DNA and influence gene transcription, are considered to be global transcriptional regulators of genes on both plasmids and the host chromosome. Incompatibility P-7 group plasmid pCAR1 carries genes encoding three NAPs: H-NS family protein Pmr, NdpA-like protein Pnd, and HU-like protein Phu. In this study, the effects of single or double disruption of
pmr
,
pnd
, and
phu
were assessed in host
Pseudomonas putida
KT2440. When
pmr
and
pnd
or
pmr
and
phu
were simultaneously disrupted, both the segregational stability and the structural stability of pCAR1 were markedly decreased, suggesting that Pmr, Pnd, and Phu act as plasmid-stabilizing factors in addition to their established roles in replication and partition systems. The transfer frequency of pCAR1 was significantly decreased in these double mutants. The segregational and structural instability of pCAR1 in the double mutants was recovered by complementation of
pmr
, whereas no recovery of transfer deficiency was observed. Comprehensive phenotype comparisons showed that the host metabolism of carbon compounds, which was reduced by pCAR1 carriage, was restored by disruption of the NAP gene(s). Transcriptome analyses of mutants indicated that transcription of genes for energy production, conversion, inorganic ion transport, and metabolism were commonly affected; however, how their products altered the phenotypes of mutants was not clear. The findings of this study indicated that Pmr, Pnd, and Phu act synergistically to affect pCAR1 replication, maintenance, and transfer, as well as to alter the host metabolic phenotype.