bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Acute acquired comitant esotropia of childhood: a classification based on 48 children
Authors: Buch Helena , Vinding Troels 
Published: May 2015

AbstractPurposeTo identify characteristics of pediatric patients who develop acute acquired comitant esotropia (AACE) with and without intracranial disease.MethodsWe reviewed the charts of 48 children consecutively referred to the hospital with AACE during a 13‐year period. Inclusion criteria were acute onset of comitant esotropia, available data on ophthalmologic, orthoptic and neurologic examinations. Children with neurological signs, AACE recurrence or hyperopia <+3 dioptres (D) underwent brain computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. Patients without imaging were followed.ResultsIn all, 48 cases were recorded. The mean age at onset was 4.7 years, being significantly higher among children with intracranial disease. Seven cause‐specific types of AACE in childhood were identified: The acute accommodative (n = 15, 31%), decompensated monofixation syndrome or esophoria (n = 13, 27%), idiopathic (n = 9, 19%), intracranial disease (n = 3, 6%), occlusion related (n = 3, 6%), AACE secondary to different aetiologic disease (n = 3, 6%) and cyclic AACE (n = 2, 4%). Intracranial disease included hydrocephalus, pontine and thalamic glioma. Of the children with intracranial disease, 2 of 3 had no obvious neurological signs at onset. Four significant risk factors for intracranial disease were identified as follows: larger esodeviation at distance, recurrence of AACE, neuro signs (papilledema) and older age at onset (>6 years).ConclusionIn a large case series of children with AACE and by review of literature, we identified seven cause‐specific types of AACE. Intracranial disease was present in 6%, and four risk factors were identified to guide clinicians when to perform brain imaging. Findings suggest AACE of childhood to be differentiated from AACE of adulthood.
Prelinguistic Relational Concepts: Investigating Analogical Processing in Infants
Authors: Ferry Alissa L. , Hespos Susan J. , Gentner Dedre 
Published: May 2015

This research asks whether analogical processing ability is present in human infants, using the simplest and most basic relation—the same–different relation. Experiment 1 (N = 26) tested whether 7‐ and 9‐month‐olds spontaneously detect and generalize these relations from a single example, as previous research has suggested. The attempted replication failed. Experiment 2 asked whether infants could abstract the relation via analogical processing (Experiment 2, N = 64). Indeed, with four exemplars, 7‐ and 9‐month‐olds could abstract the same–different relation and generalize it to novel pairs. Furthermore, prior experience with the objects disrupted learning. Facilitation from multiple exemplars and disruption by individual object salience are signatures of analogical learning. These results indicate that analogical ability is present by 7 months.
Expression of peptide fragments from proADM and involvement of mitogen‐activated protein kinase signaling pathways in pulmonary remodeling induced by high pulmonary blood flow
Authors: Li Wei , Guo Aili , Wang Lijuan , Kong Qingyu , Wang Rong , Han Li , Zhao Cuifen 
Published: May 2015

AbstractPulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a life‐threatening disease characterized by progressive pulmonary arterial remodeling and right ventricular failure. Despite recent advances in pathophysiological mechanism exploration and new therapeutic approaches, PAH remains a challenging condition. In this study, we investigated the roles of the peptide fragments from proadrenomedullin (proADM) such as adrenomedullin (ADM), adrenotensin (ADT), and proadrenomedullin N‐terminal 20 peptide (PAMP) during pulmonary remodeling caused by high pulmonary blood flow, and probed the possible involvement of mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal transduction pathways. Sixteen rat models of PAH were artificially established by surgically connecting the left common carotid artery to the external jugular vein. We subcutaneously injected an extracellular signal‐regulated protein kinase (ERK1/2) inhibitor, PD98059, in eight rats, treated another eight rats with an equal volume of saline. Eight rats without connections served as the control group. We observed that mRNA expression levels of ADM, stress‐activated protein kinase (SAPK), and ERK1/2 were significantly elevated in the shunted rats; furthermore, ERK1/2 levels were significantly inhibited by PD98059. Protein levels of ADM, PAMP, p‐SAPK, and p‐ERK1/2 were significantly higher ADT was lower, and p‐p38 remained unchanged in the rat models compared with the controls. However, the protein expression of both ADM and p‐ERK1/2 was significantly inhibited by PD98059. Our results suggest that levels of ADM, ADT, and PAMP respond to pulmonary remodeling, and that activation of the SAPK and ERK1/2 signaling pathways is involved in pulmonary hypertension and artery remodeling caused by high pulmonary blood flow.
Clinical profile and quality of life of patients with occupational contact dermatitis from New Delhi, India
Authors: Bhatia Riti , Sharma Vinod K. , Ramam M. , Sethuraman Gomathy , Yadav Chander P. 
Published: May 2015

SummaryBackgroundData regarding occupational contact dermatitis (OCD) and its effect on quality of life (QOL) in India are limited.Objectives/aimsTo evaluate patients with OCD and record the outcome of treatment.Patients/materials/methodsAll patients with OCD were evaluated for severity of disease (by the use of physician global assessment) and its effect on QOL (by use of the Dermatology Life Quality Index) questionnaire) at the first visit and after 3 months of treatment.ResultsAmong 117 patients with OCD, hand eczema was present in 81.2%. Positive patch test reactions were found in 76%. The most common allergens were Parthenium hysterophorus and potassium dichromate. The most frequent diagnosis was occupational allergic contact dermatitis (OACD) (57%), caused by farming and construction work, followed by occupational irritant contact dermatitis (OICD) (24%), caused by wet work. Severe psychosocial distress was recorded in 62.5% of patients. After 3 months of treatment, 83% improved significantly, and 54% had improvement in QOL.ConclusionsFarmers were most frequently affected, followed by construction workers and housewives. OACD was found at a higher frequency than OICD. The most frequent allergens were Parthenium hysterophorus in farmers, potassium dichromate in construction workers, and vegetables in housewives. OCD has a significant impact on QOL. Patch testing, in addition to standard treatment, improves the outcome considerably.
Sleep duration and snoring associate with hypertension and glycaemic control in patients with diabetes
Authors: Wang T. , Lu J. , Wang W. , Mu Y. , Zhao J. , Liu C. , Chen L. , Shi L. , Li Q. , Yang T. , Yan L. , Wan Q. , Wu S. , Liu Y. , Wang G. , Luo Z. , Tang X. , Chen G. , Huo Y. , Gao Z. , Su Q. , Ye Z. , Wang Y. , Qin G. , Deng H. , Yu X. , Shen F. , Chen L. , Zhao L. , Xu M. , Sun J. , Bi Y. , Lai S. , Bloomgarden Z. T. , Li D. , Ning G. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractAimsFew studies have analysed the effect of sleep duration and snoring on hypertension and glycaemic control in patients with diabetes. This study aims to investigate the relationship of sleep duration and snoring on prevalent hypertension and glycaemic control in people with diabetes.MethodsIn the baseline survey of the REACTION study, 56 032 patients with diabetes were categorized into four groups according to self‐reported sleep duration: < 6, 6–7.9, 8–8.9 and ≥ 9 h. Snoring frequency was evaluated as ‘usually’, ‘occasionally’ or ‘never’. Hypertension was assessed by systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, self‐reported previous diagnosis and antihypertensive medications. ‘Good’ glycaemic control was defined as HbA1c < 53 mmol/mol (7.0%) and ‘poor’ glycaemic control as HbA1c ≥ 53 mmol/mol (7.0%).ResultsControlling for potential confounders and intermediates, sleep ≥ 9 h relative to intermediate sleep (6–7.9 h) was significantly associated with prevalent hypertension (OR: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.18–1.32) and poor glycaemic control (OR: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.05–1.18), and a U‐shaped association was found between sleep duration and prevalent hypertension (P for quadratic trend = 0.019). Usually snoring was positively associated with prevalent hypertension (OR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.23–1.37), whereas the association between snoring and poor glycaemic control was only on the borderline of statistical significance.ConclusionsCompared with a sleep duration of 6–7.9 h, longer sleep duration was associated with a higher prevalence of hypertension and poor glycaemic control in people with diabetes. Moreover, the relationship between sleep duration and prevalent hypertension was U‐shaped. These findings may propose important public health implications for diabetes management.
An Unusual Case of Double‐Orifice Mitral Valve Associated with D‐Transposition of Great Arteries and Left‐Side Heart Anomalies
Authors: Gitto Placido , Caruso Elio , Costanzo Luca , Di Pino Alfredo 
Published: May 2015

Mini‐AbstractWe describe a very rare incidental echocardiography finding of double‐orifice mitral valve in a newborn with prenatal diagnosis of D‐transposition of great arteries, mild pulmonary valve stenosis, interventricular septal defect, and left superior cava vein draining into coronary sinus.
Impaired antioxidant HDL function is associated with premature myocardial infarction
Authors: Distelmaier Klaus , Wiesbauer Franz , Blessberger Hermann , Oravec Stanislav , Schrutka Lore , Binder Christina , Dostal Elisabeth , Schillinger Martin , Wojta Johann , Lang Irene M. , Maurer Gerald , Huber Kurt , Goliasch Georg 
Published: May 2015

AbstractBackgroundThere is growing evidence that the predictive value of HDL cholesterol levels for cardiovascular risk stratification is limited in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). HDL function seems to be a more sensitive surrogate of cardiovascular risk estimation than simple serum levels. Therefore, we aimed to assess whether impaired antioxidant HDL function is involved in the development of premature acute myocardial infarction (AMI).MethodsIn this multicentre case–control study, we compared the antioxidant function of HDL, measured by the HDL inflammatory index (HII), and HDL particle size in 184 patients comprising 92 patients with AMI at a very young age (≤40 years of age) and 92 age‐ and gender‐matched controls.ResultsAntioxidant capacities of HDL were significantly impaired in the acute phase of AMI (HII of 1·50 [IQR 1·10–1·74] vs. 0·56 [IQR 0·41–0·86] in controls, P < 0·001 as well as in the chronic stable phase 1 year after the event (HII of 0·85 [IQR 0·72‐1·03] vs. 0·56 [IQR 0·41–0·86], P < 0·001) compared to controls. Moreover, HDL function in the stable phase remained significantly associated with premature MI in adjusted logistic regression analysis with an OR of 2·24 per SD increase of HII (95% CI 1·28–3·91; P = 0·005). Analyses of HDL size revealed a significant correlation between all HDL subfractions and HDL function in controls, whereas this correlation was lost for large and intermediate HDL in AMI patients.ConclusionImpaired antioxidant function of HDL is independently associated with the development of premature AMI. The maintenance of HDL function might evolve into a significant therapeutic target, especially in patients with premature CAD.
Healthcare‐associated outbreaks due to Mucorales and other uncommon fungi
Authors: Davoudi Setareh , Graviss Linda S. , Kontoyiannis Dimitrios P. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractBackgroundHealthcare‐associated outbreaks of fungal infections, especially with uncommon and emerging fungi, have become more frequent in the past decade.Materials and methodHere, we reviewed the history and definition of healthcare‐associated outbreaks of uncommon fungal infections and discussed the principles of investigating, containing and treatment of these outbreaks.ResultsIn case of these uncommon diseases, occurrence of two or more cases in a short period is considered as an outbreak. Contaminated medical devices and hospital environment are the major sources of these outbreaks. Care must be taken to differentiate a real infection from colonization or contamination. Defining and identifying cases, describing epidemiologic feature of cases, finding and controlling the source of the outbreak, treating patients, and managing asymptomatic exposed patients are main steps for outbreak elimination. These fungal outbreaks are not only difficult to detect but also hard to treat. Early initiation of appropriate antifungal therapy is strongly associated with improved outcomes in infected patients. Choice of antifungal drugs should be made based on spectrum, pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic characteristics and adverse effects of available drugs. Combination antifungal therapy and surgical intervention may be also helpful in selected cases.ConclusionsA multidisciplinary approach and close collaboration between all key partners are necessary for successful control of fungal outbreaks.
Aggressiveness, cultural characteristics and genetic variation of Ceratocystis fimbriata on Eucalyptus spp.
Authors: Oliveira L. S. S. , Guimarães L. M. S. , Ferreira M. A. , Nunes A. S. , Pimenta L. V. A. , Alfenas A. C. 
Published: May 2015

SummaryCeratocystis wilt caused by Ceratocystis fimbriata is currently one of the most important diseases affecting Eucalyptus in Brazil. This disease is controlled by planting resistant clones; however, possible variability in the pathogen population may compromise the selection of resistant genotypes. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the aggressiveness of C. fimbriata isolates obtained from Eucalyptus spp, as well as their cultural characteristics and genetic variation of their ITS rDNA gene region. We found a significant isolate × clone interaction, with the isolate RM35 being the most aggressive and presenting a broader spectrum of aggressiveness, causing greater xylem discoloration on a larger number of clones. This isolate is the most suitable for artificial inoculations focusing on the selection of resistant materials. Clones CLR‐236 and CLR‐212 were identified as the most resistant and clones CLR‐223 and CLR‐240 as the most susceptible and those that are recommended as reliable comparators in artificial inoculations. All isolates were morphologically similar and differed from C. fimbriata from sweet potato by the formation of a wide mouth endoconidiophore that produces doliform endoconidia. According to the culture media and temperature applied, the most favourable conditions for mycelial growth were observed using malt extract agar (MEA) and temperatures ranging from 24 to 26°C. There was no correlation between sporulation and aggressiveness. Great variation in ITS sequences was observed, and a total of five ITS genotypes were identified among the ten isolates tested.
Mode of delivery and cranial bleeding in newborns with haemophilia: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of the literature
Authors: Davies J. , Kadir R. A. 
Published: May 2015

ObjectivesCranial bleeding at birth can result in significant neurological morbidity in newborns with haemophilia. The optimum mode of delivery (MOD) of a potentially affected foetus remains controversial.AimThe aim of this review is to ascertain overall incidence of cranial bleeding in newborns with haemophilia compared to the general population and the impact of MOD on rates of intracranial haemorrhage (ICH).MethodAn EMBASE/MEDLINE search using key terms revealed the relevant studies. Studies included report the incidence of cranial bleeding by MOD within a newborn population. The heterogenicity across studies was assessed using Cochrane's Q test and I2 statistic and studies were assigned appropriate weight based on a fixed‐effect model. Odds ratio (OR) is the primary effect measure.ResultsNewborns with haemophilia are 44 times (95% CI: 34.7–57.1, P < 0.01) more likely to experience symptomatic ICH, and 8 times (95% CI: 5.38–12.6, P < 0.01) more likely to experience extracranial haemorrhage at birth, compared to the general population. In newborns with haemophilia the OR of experiencing ICH are 4.4 (95% CI: 1.46–13.7, P = 0.008) following an assisted vaginal delivery (AVD) and 0.34 (95% CI: 0.14–0.83, P = 0.018) following caesarean section (CS), compared to vaginal delivery.ConclusionCranial bleeding occurs with a significantly higher frequency in newborns with haemophilia compared to the general population. In newborns with haemophilia, delivery by a CS is associated with the lowest risk of ICH. AVD significantly increases the risk of ICH and should be avoided.
Atypical IgM multiple myeloma with deletion of c‐MAF
Authors: Juárez Salcedo L. M. , López Rubio M. , Gil Fernández J. J. , Garcia‐Suarez J. , Magro E. , Arranz E. , Gutiérrez Jomarrón I. , Marcellini Antonio S. , Blasco A. , Burgaleta C. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractIgM multiple myeloma (MM) is a rare subtype of myeloma that shares clinical and pathological features with Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia. These are two separate entities that differ both in therapy and prognosis. We report a 57‐year‐old male, who presented with anaemia, hypercalcaemia, acute renal failure and several vertebral fractures that clinically suggested a multiple myeloma. Further investigations revealed a serum monoclonal component of IgM lambda type and a bone marrow infiltrated by small, lymphoplasmocytic cells. IgM MM was finally diagnosed by means of both inmunophenotypic and immunohistochemistry techniques, stressing the importance of inmunophenotypic evaluation when clinical and morphological features are discordant. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) studies disclosed a particular combination of deletion 13q14, t(11;14) and monoallelic deletion C‐MAF without t(14;16). The clinical evolution after a Bortezomib‐containing polychemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) conditioned with busulphan and melphalan is also presented. This very uncommon case highlights the impact of immunophenotyping on the differential diagnosis between IgM MM and WM, to choose the best treatment and establish an appropriate outcome.
Patients' experience and expectations of conservative management strategies, anti‐muscarinics and treatment with intravesical onabotulinum toxin for overactive bladder – a qualitative interview study
Authors: Maguire Turlough , Doshani Angie , Mayne Christopher , Slack Mark , Tincello Douglas 
Published: May 2015

ABSTRACTThe RELAX trial studied the efficacy of intra‐detrusor onabotulinum toxin A (onaBoNTA) for the treatment of detrusor overactivity (DO) in women. Our objectives in this study were to explore patients' experience and understanding of taking part in a randomised controlled trial (RCT) and their experience of the treatment itself. In addition we explored how patients felt about their bladder problem prior to treatment, conservative management strategies they had been offered, and anti‐muscarinic treatment. Purposive sampling was used to interview patients who had successful and unsuccessful outcomes. Interviewers were blinded to this sampling. Semi‐structured telephone interviews were conducted with all recruited women. Analysis was using a grounded theory approach. Transcripts were analysed thematically based on a constant comparative method until the point of data saturation, that is no new themes were identified. Fifteen women in total were interviewed. There were eight global themes identified. These were: quality of life, conservative management, study awareness, reasons for participation, role of the media, the extension study, intervention and experience of a RCT. The impact of overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms was a strong theme leading to feelings of anxiety. All of the women interviewed perceived pelvic floor exercises as a short term plan. Compliance was sporadic and most discontinued because of lack of efficacy. All women had been counselled about the risk of voiding dysfunction after onaBoNTA treatment and women found the actual process of being taught clean intermittent self‐catheterisation by another woman difficult, Patients stated they felt embarrassed and traumatised by the experience. OnaBoNTA is an effective treatment for patients with DO whose disease burden is considerable. This work highlights the value of incorporating qualitative research methods into the design of RCTs particularly when dealing with surgical procedures.
Adversarial and Amiable Inference in Medical Diagnosis, Reliability and Survival Analysis
Authors: Singpurwalla Nozer D. , Arnold Barry C. , Gastwirth Joseph L. , Gordon Anna S. , Tony Ng Hon Keung 
Published: May 2015

SummaryIn this paper, we develop a family of bivariate beta distributions that encapsulate both positive and negative correlations, and which can be of general interest for Bayesian inference. We then invoke a use of these bivariate distributions in two contexts. The first is diagnostic testing in medicine, threat detection and signal processing. The second is system survivability assessment, relevant to engineering reliability and to survival analysis in biomedicine. In diagnostic testing, one encounters two parameters that characterize the efficacy of the testing mechanism: test sensitivity and test specificity. These tend to be adversarial when their values are interpreted as utilities. In system survivability, the parameters of interest are the component reliabilities, whose values when interpreted as utilities tend to exhibit co‐operative (amiable) behavior. Besides probability modeling and Bayesian inference, this paper has a foundational import. Specifically, it advocates a conceptual change in how one may think about reliability and survival analysis. The philosophical writings of de Finetti, Kolmogorov, Popper and Savage, when brought to bear on these topics constitute the essence of this change. Its consequence is that we have at hand a defensible framework for invoking Bayesian inferential methods in diagnostics, reliability and survival analysis. Another consequence is a deeper appreciation of the judgment of independent lifetimes. Specifically, we make the important point that independent lifetimes entail at a minimum, a two‐stage hierarchical construction.
Sr(Ga0.5Nb0.5)1−xTixO3 Low‐Loss Microwave Dielectric Ceramics with Medium Dielectric Constant
Authors: Ma Pian Pian , Liu Xiao Qiang , Zhang Fa Qiang , Xing Juan Juan , Chen Xiang Ming 
Published: May 2015

The microwave dielectric properties of Sr(Ga0.5Nb0.5)1−xTixO3 (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3) ceramics have been investigated together with their microstructures. Single‐phase solid solutions are achieved in this series of ceramics. The ordering features are comprehensively analyzed by transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Local 1:1 ordering in B‐site leads to a double‐cubic structure with space group , while Ti substitution disrupts this 1:1 ordering between Ga and Nb, and the metastable ordering between Ti and (Ga + Nb) is speculated to form due to their large size difference. The dielectric constant and temperature coefficient of resonant frequency increase nonlinearly as x increases, while the Qf value decreases gradually. The variation trend of Qf value is mainly attributed to the intrinsic loss because of the increasing vibrational anharmonicity by Ti substitution. The ordering transition from short coherence, long‐range ordering to short‐range ordering with increasing Ti content has an agreeable and weak effect on the Qf value. The best combination of microwave dielectric properties is achieved for the composition of x = 0.3: εr = 46.6, Qf = 42 200 GHz and τf = 5.0 ppm/°C.