bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Incidence, risk factors, and longitudinal outcome of seizures in long‐term survivors of pediatric brain tumors
Authors: Ullrich Nicole J. , Pomeroy Scott L. , Kapur Kush , Manley Peter E. , Goumnerova Liliana C. , Loddenkemper Tobias 
Published: September 2015

SummaryObjectiveSeizures are common during and after treatment for a primary brain tumor. Our objective was to describe the incidence and risk factors for seizures in long‐term survivors of pediatric brain tumors.MethodsIn a retrospective, longitudinal study, we reviewed all consecutive patients during a 12‐month period who were at least 2 years post initial diagnosis of a brain tumor. Data collection included age at diagnosis, length of follow‐up, extent of initial resection, tumor histology, and treatment modalities. For patients who had experienced seizures at any time, the timing and frequency of seizures, seizure semiology, electroencephalography results, and anticonvulsant use were recorded. Univariate analyses and logistic regression were performed to assess risk factors.ResultsThe cohort included 298 patients (140 female). Average duration of follow‐up was 7.6 years. Initial surgical resection was gross‐total in 109 patients, and subtotal for 143. Twenty‐nine patients underwent biopsy alone and 17 had no surgical intervention. Tumor location included posterior fossa (104; 36%), midline (98; 34%), cortical (85; 29%), and other (11; 3%). Most frequent diagnoses were low grade glioma, medulloblastoma, and ependymoma. Other treatments included cranial irradiation (N = 163) and chemotherapy (n = 127). Tumor recurrence occurred in 92 patients (30%). Seventy‐one patients had seizures (24%). Ongoing seizures at the time of most recent follow‐up were present in 42 patients. Risk factors for seizures included tumor location, tumor histology, tumor recurrence, and incomplete resection at time of initial presentation.SignificanceSeizures are a frequent comorbidity in pediatric brain tumor survivors, seen at presentation in 24% of patients and ongoing in 14%. Factors predisposing to seizures include tumor pathology (low/high grade glioma, glioneuronal tumor), cortical location, and subtotal resection. These data may assist in identification and management of patients at highest risk for seizures as well as identification of patients for potential treatment trials with antiepileptogenic agents.
Equine laryngeal dysplasia as a cause of acute respiratory distress in a neonatal foal
Authors: Koskinen M. , Hewetson M. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryEquine laryngeal dysplasia (ELD) is a congenital disorder caused by hypoplasia or aplasia of the structures derived from the fourth and possibly sixth branchial arches. The severity of the clinical signs varies widely, and depends on which structures are involved and the extent of the defect. In most cases, affected horses present with abnormal respiratory noise during exercise and poor performance. Manifestation of the disease in foals is very rare. This case report describes an unusual presentation of ELD in a neonatal foal. The foal presented with severe respiratory distress and weakness. Equine laryngeal dysplasia was suspected on endoscopy and later confirmed on post mortem examination of the larynx. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report describing ELD as a cause of respiratory distress in a neonatal foal.
A novel accumulative fatigue damage model for multiaxial step spectrum considering the variations of loading amplitude and loading path
Authors: Xia T. , Yao W. , Zou J. , Gao D. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractIn this paper, based on the process of the fatigue crack initiation and the critical plane theory, a continuous stress parameter was proposed to quantify the driving force of the fatigue crack initiation for the fully reversed multiaxial fatigue loading. In this stress parameter, the shear stress amplitude and normal stress amplitude on the critical plane were combined with the variable coefficients which were affected by the normalized fatigue life and the loading non‐proportionality. Owing to these coefficients, for the multiaxial loadings with different non‐proportionalities, the driving force of the fatigue crack initiation during the whole life could be described. After that, a novel accumulative fatigue damage model was established for the multiaxial two‐stage step spectrum. In this model, the accumulative damage was calculated according to the variation of the proposed stress parameter on the critical plane. Considering the directionality of the multiaxial fatigue damage, for the spectrum in which the loading path was variable, the damage accumulation was carried out on the critical planes of the both loadings, and the larger one was chosen as the final accumulative fatigue damage. In order to verify the new model, up to 41 different multiaxial two‐stage step spectrum loading tests on 2024‐T4 aluminium alloy were collected. The new model, as well as other five commonly used models, was applied to calculate the accumulative fatigue damage. The final results showed that, compared with other commonly used models, the new model had the most accurate results with the smallest scatters.
Development of a community‐based oral healthcare model for Thai dependent older people
Authors: Prayoonwong Tipruthai , Wiwatkhunupakan Tidawan , Lasuka Duangruedee , Srisilapanan Patcharawan 
Published: September 2015

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to develop a community‐based oral healthcare model for Thai dependent older people in Tambon Tha Pla Duk, Amphur Mae Tha,Lamphun Province, in the north of Thailand.Materials and methodsParticipatory action research was conducted, taking an interdisciplinary approach. Data were collected through focus group discussions with key stakeholders in health care of older people in Amphur Mae Tha. Supplementary data were also collected with the stakeholders through a triangulation of in‐depth interviews, a self‐administered questionnaire, participant observations with field notes and a literature review. The model was subsequently refined and checked by the stakeholders. The data from all processes were coded, grouped, interpreted and thematically analysed for emerging themes and patterns, independently by the researcher (TP).ResultsThis model consists of two key components: (i)primary careand (ii)other related factors. Primary care: This model provides a strong linkage between home, community and healthcare services to foster strong collaborations with dependent older people. This is the central focus of the model.Other related factorsconsist of the following: (i) Thai social norms and culture, (ii) the need for equity, (iii) the need for effectiveness, (iv) the need for efficiency and (v) the need for quality (that is, holistic, integrated and continuous). Finally, interdisciplinary collaboration was a strategy used to achieve improved quality of oral health care.ConclusionA community‐based care model to enhance oral health of dependent older people was developed for potential implementation and submitted to the stakeholders at the location of the study.
Physicochemical and antioxidant properties of non‐refined sugarcane alternatives to white sugar
Authors: Seguí Lucía , Calabuig‐Jiménez Laura , Betoret Noelia , Fito Pedro 
Published: September 2015

SummaryAntioxidant properties of commercial sugarcane‐derived products were analysed to study their suitability for being used as functional ingredients. Cane honey, several jaggeries and several brown sugars were selected from the market and analysed in terms of physicochemical characteristics and antioxidant properties, and compared with white refined sugar (twelve products in total). Moisture, water activity, total soluble solids, pH, colour and sugar profile are reported. As for antioxidant properties, total phenols and flavonoid content, as well as antiradical ability (DPPH˙ and the TEAC‐ABTS methods), are given. All sugarcane products contained phenols and flavonoids and exhibited in vitro antioxidant activity, determined by degree of refining. Among the alternatives analysed, jaggeries and cane honey showed the best antioxidant properties. Thermal treatment did not significantly affect the antioxidant capacity of sugarcane products, especially jaggeries. As sugar‐rich products are widely consumed worldwide, the use of non‐refined sugarcane derivatives in food formulation is encouraged.
A single type of cadherin is involved in Bacillus thuringiensis toxicity in Plutella xylostella
Authors: Park Y. , Herrero S. , Kim Y. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractCadherins have been described as one the main functional receptors for the toxins of the entomopathogenic bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). With the availability of the whole genome of Plutella xylostella, different types of cadherins have been annotated. In this study we focused on determining those members of the cadherin‐related proteins that potentially play a role in the mode of action of Bt toxins. For this, we mined the genome of P. xylostella to identify these putative cadherins. The genome screening revealed 52 genes that were annotated as cadherin or cadherin‐like genes. Further analysis revealed that six of these putative cadherins had three motifs common to all Bt‐related cadherins: a signal peptide, cadherin repeats and a transmembrane domain. From the six selected cadherins, only P. xylostella cadherin 1 (PxCad1) was expressed in the larval midgut and only the silencing of this gene by RNA interference (double‐stranded RNA feeding) reduce toxicity and binding to the midgut of the Cry1Ac type toxin from Bt. These results indicate that from the whole set of cadherin‐related genes identified in P. xylostella, only PxCad1 is associated with the Cry1Ac mode of action.
Management of refractory breathlessness with morphine in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Smallwood N. , Le B. , Currow D. , Irving L. , Philip J. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive, incurable illness, which leads to significant morbidity over long periods of time and mortality. Treatment aims to reduce symptoms, improve exercise capacity and quality of life, reduce exacerbations, slow disease progression and reduce mortality. However, breathlessness is common in patients with advanced COPD and remains undertreated. As all reversible causes of breathlessness are being optimally managed, consideration should be given to specific non‐pharmacological and pharmacological treatment strategies for breathlessness. Low dose morphine has been shown to reduce safely and effectively breathlessness in patients with severe COPD and refractory dyspnoea. However, despite numerous guidelines recommending opioids in this clinical setting, many barriers limit their uptake by clinicians. Integration of palliative care earlier in the disease course can help to improve symptom control for people with severe COPD and refractory breathlessness. A multidisciplinary approach involving both respiratory and palliative care teams offers a new model of care for these patients.
Physical Properties of La1−xEuxPO4,0 ≤ x ≤ 1, Monazite‐Type Ceramics
Authors: Thust Anja , Arinicheva Yulia , Haussühl Eiken , Ruiz‐Fuertes Javier , Bayarjargal Lkhamsuren , Vogel Sven C. , Neumeier Stefan , Winkler Björn 
Published: September 2015

Synthetic La1−xEuxPO4 monazite‐type ceramics with 0 ≤ x ≤ 1 have been characterized by ultrasound techniques, dilatometry, and micro‐calorimetry. The coefficients of thermal expansion and the elastic properties are, to a good approximation, linearly dependent on the europium concentration. Elastic stiffness coefficients range from 182(1) to 202(1) GPa for c11 and from 53.8(7) to 61.1(4) GPa for c44. They are strongly dependent on the density of the sample. The coefficient of thermal expansion at 673 K is 8.4(3) × 10−6 K−1 for LaPO4 and 9.9(3) × 10−6 K−1 for EuPO4, respectively. The heat capacities at ambient temperature are between 101.6(8) J·(mol·K)−1 for LaPO4 and 110.1(8) J·(mol·K)−1 for EuPO4. The difference between the heat capacity of LaPO4 and the Eu‐containing solid solutions is dominated by electronic transitions of the 4f‐electrons at temperatures above 75 K.
Centres for People with Intellectual Disabilities: Attendees’ Perceptions of Benefit
Authors: Gajewska Urszula , Trigg Richard 
Published: September 2015

BackgroundDay and community learning centres aim to provide intellectually disabled (ID) people with social support, life skills and greater control over their lives. However, there is little research exploring the benefits of attendance from the perspective of attendees and whether these goals are met.Materials and methodsUnstructured interviews were held with four female and three male participants with a mild level of disability, from an East Midlands Mencap facility. Interviews were transcribed and analysed through the Grounded Theory approach.ResultsThemes of social support, life skills, control and self‐image emerged from the transcripts. This brief report focuses on issues of self‐image and internal control of behaviour and emotion, as these constructs have received less attention within existing literature.ConclusionsLearning centres provide important psychological benefits for people with learning difficulties. These are often less accessible to evaluation, but are nonetheless key outcomes from the perspective of attendees.
Impact of Substrate‐Based Ablation of Ventricular Tachycardia on Cardiac Mortality in Patients With Implantable Cardioverter‐Defibrillators
Authors: KOMATSU YUKI , MAURY PHILIPPE , SACHER FRÉDÉRIC , KHAIRY PAUL , DALY MATTHEW , LIM HAN S. , ZELLERHOFF STEPHAN , JESEL LAURENCE , ROLLIN ANNE , DUPARC ALEXANDRE , MONDOLY PIERRE , AURILLAC‐LAVIGNOLLE VALERIE , SHAH ASHOK , DENIS ARNAUD , COCHET HUBERT , DERVAL NICOLAS , HOCINI MÉLÈZE , HAÏSSAGUERRE MICHEL , JAÏS PIERRE 
Published: September 2015

Mortality After VT Substrate AblationIntroductionThis study sought to determine if the acute procedural outcome of ventricular tachycardia (VT) substrate ablation is associated with a mortality benefit in patients with implantable cardioverter‐defibrillators (ICD).Methods and ResultsA total of 195 ICD recipients (65 ± 11years) with ischemic or nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy underwent substrate‐based ablation targeting elimination of local abnormal ventricular activities (LAVA). Acute procedural success, which was defined as elimination of all identified LAVA in addition to the lack of VT inducibility, was achieved in 95 (49%) patients. During a median follow‐up of 23 months, patients with acute procedure success had a significantly lower incidence of ICD shocks compared to those with ablation failure (8% vs. 30%, P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, acute procedural success was associated with a lower risk of VT recurrence (hazard ratio [HR] 0.30, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.18–0.49, P < 0.001) and all‐cause mortality (HR 0.32, 95% CI 0.17–0.60, P < 0.001). While the impact of ablation success on mortality was not statistically significant in patients with LVEF > 35% (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.15–1.34, P = 0.15) and those with NYHA class I/II (HR 0.63, 95% CI 0.29–1.40, P = 0.26), it was marked in patients with LVEF ≤ 35% (HR 0.30, 95% CI 0.14–0.62, P = 0.001) and NYHA class III/IV (HR 0.17, 95% CI 0.05–0.57, P = 0.004).ConclusionsLAVA elimination in addition to VT noninducibility as a procedural outcome for substrate‐based ablation is associated with reduced mortality and better VT‐free survival during follow‐up. This prognostic benefit may be most pronounced in patients with severe heart failure as indicated by severely depressed LV function and NYHA class III/IV symptoms.
The Clinical Value of Nongated Dual‐Source Computed Tomography in Atrial Fibrillation Catheter Ablation
Authors: IWAYAMA TADATERU , ARIMOTO TAKANORI , ISHIGAKI DAISUKE , HASHIMOTO NAOAKI , KUMAGAI YU , KOYAMA YO , KIRIBAYASHI NOBUYUKI , NETSU SHUNSUKE , NISHIYAMA SATOSHI , TAKAHASHI HIROKI , SHISHIDO TETSURO , MIYAMOTO TAKUYA , SATO TOSHIMITSU , WATANABE TETSU , KUBOTA ISAO 
Published: September 2015

Nongated DSCT for AF Catheter AblationIntroductionUsing a high‐pitch dual‐source CT (DSCT), we aimed to quantify the amounts of contrast media, radiation doses, and image qualities in patients undergoing pulmonary vein (PV) isolation.Methods and ResultsThe study enrolled 60 patients who were randomly assigned in a 1: 1: 1 ratio to undergo ECG‐gated 64‐slice multidetector computed tomography (MDCT; group I, n = 20), ECG‐gated 128‐DSCT (group II, n = 20), and nongated 128‐DSCT (group III, n = 20). The total amount of contrast media was lower in groups II and III compared with group I (I: 54.7 ± 5.6, II: 26.6 ± 2.7, and III: 28.7 ± 6.9 mL, P < 0.001). The CT dose index was lower in groups II and III compared with group I (I: 73.1 ± 5.2, II: 3.5 ± 0.1, and III: 3.7 ± 0.1 mGy, P < 0.001). The dose length product was lower in groups II and III compared with group I (I: 1154.8 ± 82.8, II: 75.4 ± 2.3, and III: 77.2 ± 1.9 mGy × cm, P < 0.001). The total CT effective radiation dose was lower in groups II and III compared with group I (I: 16.2 ± 1.2, II: 1.1 ± 0.1, and III: 1.1 ± 0.1 mSv, P < 0.001). The total CT scan duration was shorter in group III compared with groups I and II (I: 30.8 ± 2.2, II: 23.4 ± 3.6, and III: 16.0 ± 2.4 minutes, P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in quality for integrated electroanatomical mapping (EAM) and parameters associated with PV isolation among the 3 groups.ConclusionNongated 128‐DSCT provides sufficient image quality to allow integrated EAM while exposing the patient to less contrast media, lower radiation doses, and shorter CT scan durations.
Relationships Between Blood Pressure and 24‐Hour Urinary Excretion of Sodium and Potassium by Body Mass Index Status in Chinese Adults
Authors: Yan Liuxia , Bi Zhenqiang , Tang Junli , Wang Linhong , Yang Quanhe , Guo Xiaolei , Cogswell Mary E. , Zhang Xiaofei , Hong Yuling , Engelgau Michael , Zhang Jiyu , Elliott Paul , Angell Sonia Y. , Ma Jixiang 
Published: September 2015

This study examined the impact of overweight/obesity on sodium, potassium, and blood pressure associations using the Shandong‐Ministry of Health Action on Salt Reduction and Hypertension (SMASH) project baseline survey data. Twenty‐four–hour urine samples were collected in 1948 Chinese adults aged 18 to 69 years. The observed associations of sodium, potassium, sodium‐potassium ratio, and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were stronger in the overweight/obese population than among those of normal weight. Among overweight/obese respondents, each additional standard deviation (SD) higher of urinary sodium excretion (SD=85 mmol) and potassium excretion (SD=19 mmol) was associated with a 1.31 mm Hg (95% confidence interval, 0.37–2.26) and −1.43 mm Hg (95% confidence interval, −2.23 to −0.63) difference in SBP, and each higher unit in sodium‐potassium ratio was associated with a 0.54 mm Hg (95% confidence interval, 0.34–0.75) increase in SBP. The association between sodium, potassium, sodium‐potassium ratio, and prevalence of hypertension among overweight/obese patients was similar to that of SBP. Our study indicated that the relationships between BP and both urinary sodium and potassium might be modified by BMI status in Chinese adults.
Pictorial representation of illness and self measure (PRISM): an effective tool to assess the burden of psoriasis
Authors: Fotiou K. , Hofmann M. , Kaufmann R. , Thaci D. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractBackgroundPsoriasis has a negative impact on patient's' quality of life, which may reflect the physical and psychosocial impact of the disease. However, little is known about the perceived burden of disease. Pictorial Representation of Illness and Self Measure (PRISM), a pictorial tool, was developed to measure this global suffering. Capturing quality of life impairments in psoriasis is an integral part of assessing the overall disease severity and planning effective treatment strategies.ObjectiveTo validate Pictorial Representation of Illness and Self Measure (PRISM) in psoriasis patients.MethodsAn investigator initiated, prospective cohort study was performed in 108 outpatients with psoriasis to validate PRISM as an appropriate tool; Reliability was assessed in a cohort with controlled stable disease, repeated after 1 hour and after a 3‐month follow‐up phase; Convergent validity determined by correlation against measures of life quality (DLQI) and reported severity of psoriasis (PASI, PGA and BSA) was performed.ResultsFor PRISM, we found a high reliability for short‐term measurements (ICC = 0.98, P < 0.001) and for follow‐up assessments at 3 months (ICC = 0.76, P < 0.001). Our investigation showed significant differences between patients with clear to minimal (PGA 0, 1), mild (PGA 2) and moderate‐to‐severe disease (PGA 3, 4) and significant (P < 0.001) correlation with DLQI, PGA, PASI and BSA (ρ = −0.62, −0.54, −0.44 and −0.39 respectively).ConclusionPRISM is a highly reliable tool and new approach to assess perceived burden of patients with psoriasis. It is easy to use and we recommend the application as an additional outcome measure in clinical trial settings.
The Effects of Cephalaria Syriaca Flour on Dough and Bread Containing Different Levels of Barley Flour
Authors: Boz Hüseyİn 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe aim of this study was to analyze the influence of substituting refined wheat flour (WF) by whole barley flour (WBF; 20, 40 and 60%) and defatted Cephalaria syriaca flour (DCSF; 0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5%) on dough rheological and bread textural properties. Minimum dough height (Hmin) and gas retention increased with an increased level of DCSF, while the addition of WBF decreased the maximum dough height and gas retention of dough. The addition of WBF increased the water absorption and decreased the dough development time and stability. The presence of DCSF increased the specific volume, crumb cohesiveness and decreased firmness, springiness and chewiness of bread. According to the obtained results, DCSF can be used to improve the dough rheology and bread properties in the production of bakery products containing WBF.Practical ApplicationsThis research illustrated the effects of fatted Cephalaria syriaca flour (DCSF) on dough and bread containing different levels of barley flour. As expected, the addition of WBF affected the quality of bread negatively. On the contrary, the addition of DCSF in three different levels of WBF affected both the rheological properties of dough and the textural properties of bread in a positive way. However, this positive effect of DCSF decreased when the level of WBF increased.