bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hochauflösende optische Kohärenztomografie – ein Hilfsmittel in klinischer Praxis und dermatologischer Forschung
Authors: Cao Taige , Tey Hong Liang 
Published: August 2015

ZusammenfassungDie Diagnose von Hautkrankheiten beruht derzeit, über die klinische Beurteilung hinaus, hauptsächlich auf der Histologie. Hautbiopsien haben jedoch zahlreiche Nachteile, beispielsweise Schmerzen, Narbenbildung, Infektionsrisiko und Fehler bei der Probennahme. Mit den Fortschritten bezüglich dermatologischer Bildgebungstechnologien in jüngerer Zeit eröffneten sich klinische Anwendungsmöglichkeiten von Bildgebungsmethoden bei der Behandlung von Hautkrankheiten. Vor Kurzem wurde die hochauflösende optische Kohärenztomografie (HD‐OCT) für die In‐vivo‐Anwendung entwickelt und kommerzialisiert (Skintell®; Agfa, Belgien). Diese Technologie verfügt über höhere Auflösung als die konventionelle OCT, ermöglicht eine schnellere Bilderfassung als die Reflektanz‐konfokale Mikroskopie und bietet größere Eindringtiefe und Sichtfeld. Die HD‐OCT ist zukunftsträchtig, erfordert aber umfangreiche weitere Untersuchungen, um sie von einem Forschungsinstrument zu einem wertvollen Hilfsmittel für die nichtinvasive Diagnose von Hautläsionen weiterzuentwickeln. Zur Identifizierung von HD‐OCT‐Charakteristika bei verschiedenen Krankheiten sind bereits detaillierte Arbeiten durchgeführt worden, deren Auswertung aber zeitaufwändig und mühsam sein kann. Derzeit laufen Projekte zur Automatisierung dieser Abläufe und zur Verbesserung der Bildqualität.
Enzymes in the in‐situ pellicle of children with different caries activity
Authors: Grychtol Susann , Viergutz Gabriele , Pötschke Sandra , Bowen William H. , Hoth‐Hannig Wiebke , Leis Birgit , Umanskaya Natalia , Hannig Matthias , Hannig Christian 
Published: August 2015

The present study investigated, for the first time, enzymes in the in‐situ pellicle of children. Furthermore, it was purposed to detect glucosyltransferase (GTF) isoforms in each child's pellicle. Twenty‐four children (5–9 yr of age) participated in the study. Twelve were caries free with no decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmft), whereas 12 had active caries (dmft ≥ 2, indicating at least two untreated carious lesions). Bovine enamel slabs, fixed on individual upper jaw splints, were utilized for pellicle formation in situ. After 3 and 30 min, samples were tested for amylase, lysozyme, and peroxidase activities; total GTF activity was examined only in the 30‐min pellicle. Gold‐immunolabelling was used to quantify the GTF B, C, and D isoforms in the pellicle by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). All enzymes tested were detected in the children's in‐situ pellicle in an active conformation, and there were no significant differences in their levels of activity between caries‐free and caries‐active children. All GTF isoforms were found to be randomly distributed within all pellicle layers, althoug GTF B was only detected very sporadically. A significantly higher amount of GTF D was detected in the pellicle of caries‐active children. Pellicle formation in children is characterized by uniformity and selectivity. Glucosyltransferase D might represent a possible biomarker for high caries risk in children.
Homocysteine excess: delineating the possible mechanism of neurotoxicity and depression
Authors: Bhatia Pankaj , Singh Nirmal 
Published: August 2015

AbstractHomocysteine (Hcy) is a nonproteogenic sulfur containing amino acid derived from dietary methionine through demethylation. Homocysteine can be re‐methylated to methionine [precursor of S‐adenosylmethionine (SAM)] via the re‐methylation or 5‐methyltetrahydrofolate pathway or undergoes transsulfuration to form cysteine by the action of metabolic enzymes and cofactors. Impaired metabolism due to genetic alteration in metabolic enzymes (methionine synthase, methyltetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), cystathionine β‐synthase (CβS), and cystathionine‐γ‐lyase (CγL) or deficiency in cofactors (vitamin B6, B12, folate) may lead to acquired metabolic anomaly known as hyperhomocysteinemia. Hcy excess decreases the S‐adenosylmethionine (SAM)‐dependent synthesis of catecholamines, viz. dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and noncatecholamine, viz. serotonin (5‐HT), due to genetic alteration in key enzyme MTHFR in the homocysteine metabolism pathway that leads to depression. Thus, hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy)‐induced SAM level is influenced by the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) MTHFR C677T. Furthermore, HHcy leads to production of precarious neurotoxic product homocysteic acid (HCA) and cysteine sulfinic acid (CSA) which acts as an N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor agonist and has neurotoxic effects on dopaminergic neurons. In the current review, an attempt has been made to discuss the neurotoxic effects of HHcy in the pathogenesis of depression.
Once daily ledipasvir/sofosbuvir fixed‐dose combination with ribavirin in patients with inherited bleeding disorders and hepatitis C genotype 1 infection
Authors: Stedman C. A. M. , Hyland R. H. , Ding X. , Pang P. S. , McHutchison J. G. , Gane E. J. 
Published: August 2015

AimPeople with inherited bleeding disorders have been disproportionally affected by HCV. We assessed the fixed‐dose combination of the NS5A inhibitor ledipasvir (LDV) with the NS5B polymerase inhibitor sofosbuvir (SOF) with ribavirin (RBV) in patients with genotype 1 HCV and inherited bleeding disorders.MethodsTo be eligible, patients had to be over 18 years of age and have an inherited bleeding disorder. HCV treatment‐naïve and ‐experienced patients could enrol. All patients received LDV 90 mg per SOF 400 mg once daily and weight‐based RBV in a divided dose for 12 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint was sustained virologic response (SVR), defined as HCV RNA below the limit of detection (15 IU mL−1) 12 weeks after the end of treatment (SVR12).ResultsOf the 14 patients enrolled, 8 (57%) had haemophilia A, 3 (21%) had haemophilia B and 2 (14%) had von Willebrand disease, and 1 (7%) had factor XIII deficiency. All 14 patients (100%, 95% CI: 77–100%) achieved SVR12. Treatment was well tolerated: all patients completed therapy, with mostly mild adverse events. No specific safety concerns associated with the patient's underlying bleeding disorders were noted.ConclusionThese results appear to suggest that people with HCV and inherited bleeding disorders can be safely and effectively treated with 12 weeks of LDV/SOF plus RBV.
Live attenuated herpes zoster vaccine for HIV‐infected adults
Authors: Shafran SD 
Published: August 2015

ObjectivesMultiple guidelines exist for the use of live viral vaccines for measles‐mumps‐rubella (MMR), varicella and yellow fever in people with HIV infections, but these guidelines do not make recommendations regarding live attenuated herpes zoster vaccine (LAHZV), which is approved for people over 50 years in the general population. LAHZV is made with the same virus used in varicella vaccine. The incidence of herpes zoster remains increased in people with HIV infection, even when on suppressive antiretroviral therapy, and a growing proportion of HIV‐infected patients are over 50 years of age. The purpose of this article is to review the use of varicella vaccine and LAHZV in people with HIV infection and to make recommendations about the use of LAHZV in adults with HIV infection.MethodsA PubMed search was undertaken using the terms ‘herpes zoster AND HIV’ and ‘varicella AND HIV’. Reference lists were also reviewed for pertinent citations.ResultsVaricella vaccine is recommended in varicella‐susceptible adults, as long as they have a CD4 count > 200 cells/μL, the same CD4 threshold used for MMR and yellow fever vaccines. No transmission of vaccine strain Varicella zoster virus has been documented in people with HIV infections with a CD4 count above this threshold. LAHZV was administered to 295 HIV‐infected adults with a CD4 count > 200 cells/μL, and was safe and immunogenic with no cases of vaccine strain infection.ConclusionsIt is recommended that LAHZV be administered to HIV‐infected adults with a CD4 count above 200 cells/μL, the same CD4 threshold used for other live attenuated viral vaccines.
‘I Hate Talking About It’: Identifying and Supporting Traumatised Young People in Custody
Authors: GRAY PAUL 
Published: August 2015

AbstractResearch has shown that a significant proportion of young people in custody have experienced some form of abuse and/or loss in their lives. This article uses the biographies of three young men (all serving custodial sentences) to elucidate the feelings that experiences of this nature can engender. Crucially, none of the three was effectively helped to resolve their experiences. The article goes on to argue that more needs to be done to identify and support traumatised young people in custody. The article concludes that, while the CHAT: Secure tool may go some way to better identifying those needing support, an individual's reluctance to disclose their traumatic experiences in the first place may limit the tool's efficacy.
Physical changes in the home environment to reduce television viewing and sugar‐sweetened beverage consumption among 5‐ to 12‐year‐old children: a randomized pilot study
Authors: French S. A. , Sherwood N. E. , JaKa M. M. , Haapala J. L. , Ebbeling C. B. , Ludwig D. S. 
Published: August 2015

SummaryThis study evaluated the feasibility of a home‐based intervention to reduce sugar‐sweetened beverage intake and television viewing among children. Lower income parents of overweight children aged 5–12 years (n = 40) were randomized to a home environment intervention to reduce television viewing with locking devices and displace availability of sugar‐sweetened beverages with home delivery of non‐caloric beverages (n = 25), or to a no‐intervention control group (n = 15) for 6 months. Data were collected at baseline and 6 months. After 6 months, television viewing hours per day was significantly lower in the intervention group compared with the control group (1.7 [SE = .02] vs. 2.6 [SE = .25] hours/day, respectively, P < .01). Sugar‐sweetened beverage intake was marginally significantly lower among intervention group compared to control group children (0.21 [SE = .09] vs. 0.45 [SE = .10], respectively, P < .09). Body mass index (BMI) z‐score was not significantly lower among intervention compared to control children. Among a lower income sample of children, a home‐based intervention reduced television viewing, but not sugar‐sweetened beverage intake or BMI z‐score.
Acute Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack Treated with Aspirin or Ticagrelor and Patient Outcomes (Socrates) Trial: Rationale and Design
Authors: Johnston S. Claiborne , Amarenco Pierre , Albers Gregory W. , Denison Hans , Easton J. Donald , Held Peter , Jonasson Jenny , Minematsu Kazuo , Molina Carlos A. , Wong Lawrence K. S. 
Published: August 2015

Rationale The risk of recurrent ischemia is high in the acute period after ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack. Aspirin is recommended by guidelines for this indication, but more intensive antiplatelet therapy may be justified. Aims We aim to evaluate whether ticagrelor, a potent antiplatelet agent that blocks the P2Y12 receptor without requiring metabolic activation, reduces the risk of major vascular events compared with aspirin when randomization occurs within 24 h after symptom onset of a nonsevere ischemic stroke or high-risk transient ischemic attack. Design Acute Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack Treated with Aspirin or Ticagrelor and Patient Outcomes (SOCRATES) is a randomized, double-blind, event-driven trial and will include an estimated 13 600 participants randomized in 33 countries worldwide to collect 844 primary events. Study outcomes The primary endpoint is the composite of stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic), myocardial infarction, and death. Time to the first primary endpoint will be compared in the treatment groups during 90-day follow-up, with major hemorrhage serving as the primary safety endpoint. Participants will be followed for an additional 30 days after the randomized treatment period. Discussion The SOCRATES trial fulfills an important clinical need by evaluating a potent antiplatelet agent as a superior alternative to current standard of care in patients presenting acutely with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack.
The psychosocial dimensions of fatigue in men treated for prostate cancer
Authors: McConkey Robert W. 
Published: August 2015

ABSTRACTProstate cancer is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer in men worldwide. Cancer‐related fatigue (CRF) is the most frequently reported side effect of all cancer treatments and occurs in up to 74% of men treated for prostate cancer, particularly those receiving combined hormone and radiation therapies. Patients report the devastating impact of CRF on their quality of life and psychosocial functioning, affecting work, social, emotional and cognitive performance. It can manifest during treatment and persist long after its completion. A diagnosis of CRF is achieved once all other treatable factors such as anaemia or anxiety and depression have been managed, but does not alleviate the fatigue. The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy‐Fatigue (FACT‐F) is a brief and easily administered valid and reliable tool recommended for the assessment of CRF. Non‐pharmacological interventions such as activity‐based programs and psychosocial interventions including prostate cancer specific education and cognitive behavioural therapy have shown benefits in reducing levels of CRF. A multidisciplinary approach to the management of CRF in prostate cancer patients is advocated. The NICE four‐tier model of psychological support can be used as a framework to assist nurses and other health care professionals to alleviate the psychosocial burden of CRF. More research studies using a solid methodological foundation are required in men with prostate cancer to provide robust evidence which can be applied in practice.
Tracking Banks’ Systemic Importance Before and After the Crisis
Authors: Alessandri Piergiorgio , Masciantonio Sergio , Zaghini Andrea 
Published: August 2015

AbstractWe develop a methodology to identify and rank ‘systemically important financial institutions’ (SIFIs). Our approach is free of discretion and based entirely on publicly available data, thus filling the gap between the judgment of the regulator and the views that market participants may form with their own information. We apply the methodology to three samples of banks (global, EU and euro area) for the years 2007–2012 and find that both the nature of systemic importance and its geographical distribution have changed significantly over time, with a shift from advanced western economies towards emerging markets, particularly China. Moreover, a distinctive consequence of the crisis is the proliferation of SIFIs that are at the same time complex and poorly substitutable, a combination that seemed relatively rare at the onset of the crisis and might not be entirely consistent with regulatory aspirations for a less risky financial framework.
Lognormal Distributions and Geometric Averages of Symmetric Positive Definite Matrices
Authors: Schwartzman Armin 
Published: August 2015

SummaryThis article gives a formal definition of a lognormal family of probability distributions on the set of symmetric positive definite (SPD) matrices, seen as a matrix‐variate extension of the univariate lognormal family of distributions. Two forms of this distribution are obtained as the large sample limiting distribution via the central limit theorem of two types of geometric averages of i.i.d. SPD matrices: the log‐Euclidean average and the canonical geometric average. These averages correspond to two different geometries imposed on the set of SPD matrices. The limiting distributions of these averages are used to provide large‐sample confidence regions and two‐sample tests for the corresponding population means. The methods are illustrated on a voxelwise analysis of diffusion tensor imaging data, permitting a comparison between the various average types from the point of view of their sampling variability.
Pollen limitation and its influence on natural selection through seed set
Authors: Bartkowska M. P. , Johnston M. O. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractStronger pollen limitation should increase competition among plants, leading to stronger selection on traits important for pollen receipt. The few explicit tests of this hypothesis, however, have provided conflicting support. Using the arithmetic relationship between these two quantities, we show that increased pollen limitation will automatically result in stronger selection (all else equal) although other factors can alter selection independently of pollen limitation. We then tested the hypothesis using two approaches. First, we analysed the published studies containing information on both pollen limitation and selection. Second, we explored how natural selection measured in one Ontario population of Lobelia cardinalis over 3 years and two Michigan populations in 1 year relates to pollen limitation. For the Ontario population, we also explored whether pollinator‐mediated selection is related to pollen limitation. Consistent with the hypothesis, we found an overall positive relationship between selection strength and pollen limitation both among species and within L. cardinalis. Unexpectedly, this relationship was found even for vegetative traits among species, and was not found in L. cardinalis for pollinator‐mediated selection on nearly all trait types.
Visceral adiposity is associated with an increased risk of functional dyspepsia
Authors: Jung Jae Gu , Yang Jae Nam , Lee Chang Geun , Choi Sung Hun , Kwack Won Gun , Lee Jin Ho , Kang Hyoun Woo 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe relationship between visceral adiposity and the incidence of functional dyspepsia (FD) has not yet been studied. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the association between visceral adiposity and the risk of FD.MethodsThis is a case–control study that compares the abdominal adipose tissue area between subjects with FD and control subjects without FD, who underwent abdomen computerized tomography (CT) for health examinations in a tertiary center. Retrospectively, a telephone survey was conducted to diagnose FD using the Rome III criteria. We measured various indices of obesity including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), visceral adipose tissue (VAT) area, subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) area and the VAT/SAT ratio in order to evaluate the association between FD and abdominal adiposity.Key ResultsA total of 363 subjects were included in the present study. FD was diagnosed in 90 subjects (24.8%). In the univariate analysis, WC, VAT area, TAT area, VAT/SAT ratio, and the presence of erosive esophagitis were significantly higher in the FD group than in the non‐FD group. In the multivariate analysis, a higher VAT area (odds ratio (OR), 3.76; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.24–11.40; highest quartile vs lowest quartile, p = 0.019) and VAT/SAT ratio (OR, 2.35; 95% CI, 1.27–4.32; highest quartile vs lowest quartile, p = 0.006) were independently associated with a risk of FD.Conclusion and InferencesVisceral adiposity as measured by the VAT area and VAT/SAT ratio is associated with an increased risk of FD.
Subgroup analysis of East Asians in RAINBOW: A phase 3 trial of ramucirumab plus paclitaxel for advanced gastric cancer
Authors: Muro Kei , Oh Sang Cheul , Shimada Yasuhiro , Lee Keun‐Wook , Yen Chia‐Jui , Chao Yee , Cho Jae Yong , Cheng Rebecca , Carlesi Roberto , Chandrawansa Kumari , Orlando Mauro , Ohtsu Atsushi 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBackground and AimEast Asia has higher gastric cancer incidence and mortality rates than other regions. We present a subgroup analysis of East Asians in the positive study RAINBOW.MethodsPatients with advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma previously treated with platinum and fluoropyrimidine received ramucirumab 8 mg/kg or placebo on days 1 and 15 plus paclitaxel 80 mg/m2 on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28‐day cycle.ResultsOf 665 intention‐to‐treat patients, 223 were East Asian. Median overall survival was 12.1 months for ramucirumab plus paclitaxel and 10.5 months for placebo plus paclitaxel (hazard ratio: 0.986, 95% confidence interval: 0.727–1.337, P = 0.929). Median progression‐free survival was 5.5 months for ramucirumab plus paclitaxel and 2.8 months for placebo plus paclitaxel (hazard ratio: 0.628, 95% confidence interval: 0.473–0.834, P = 0.001). Objective response rates were 34% for ramucirumab plus paclitaxel and 20% for placebo plus paclitaxel. Grade ≥ 3 neutropenia (60% vs 28%) and leukopenia (34% vs 13%) were higher for ramucirumab plus paclitaxel. The rate of febrile neutropenia was low (4% vs 4%). Special interest adverse events included any grade bleeding/hemorrhage (55% vs 25%), proteinuria (27% vs 7%), and hypertension (22% vs 2%).ConclusionsRamucirumab plus paclitaxel significantly improves progression‐free survival and response rate, with prolonged median overall survival and an acceptable safety profile in East Asians with advanced gastric cancer.
Patients' beliefs and attitudes about their treatment for inflammatory bowel disease in Korea
Authors: Kim Sung Bum , Kim Kyeong Ok , Jang Byung Ik , Kim Eun Soo , Cho Kwang Bum , Park Kyung Sik , Chung Min Kyu , Jeon Seong Woo ,   Daegu‐Gyeongbuk Gastrointestinal Study Group (DGSG)
Published: August 2015

AbstractBackground and AimsAdherence to medication during the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is important in terms of maintaining remission. According to studies on adherence to medication in other chronic diseases, non‐adherence is associated with negative attitudes to treatment. The aims of this study were to assess adherence rates and IBD patients' beliefs and attitudes regarding medication using a questionnaire based approach.MethodsTwo hundred and eighty seven patients from three tertiary hospitals were enrolled and completed a questionnaire that addressed adherence (Medication Adherence Report Scale, MARS), beliefs, and attitudes to medication (Beliefs about Medications Questionnaire, BMQ).ResultsUsing a cutoff score of 16/20 for MARS, 64 (22.3%) patients did not adhere to medication. According to attitude analysis conducted using the BMQ, 41.8% of the 287 study subjects felt high necessity but low concern for the medication (“accepting”) and 34.8% felt high necessity and concern (“ambivalent”). Multivariate analysis showed significantly lower adherence to medication among younger patients, patients with experience of adverse effects to medication, patients with demanding jobs, and for those with an “indifferent” or “skeptical” attitude regarding the benefits of medication. On the other hand, IBD patients with “accepting” attitude adhered to medication.ConclusionTwenty‐two percent of IBD patients were non‐adherent to medical treatment, and belief of the need for medication was found to significantly enhance adherence. Interventions, such as education about the efficacy and safety of medications, should be considered to facilitate adherence to medical treatment among IBD patients.