bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
How we prevent and manage infection in sickle cell disease
Authors: Sobota Amy , Sabharwal Vishakha , Fonebi Gwendoline , Steinberg Martin 
Published: May 2015

SummarySickle cell disease (SCD) affects approximately 100 000 people in the US, 12 500 in the UK, and millions worldwide. SCD is typified by painful vaso‐occlusive episodes, haemolytic anaemia and organ damage. A secondary complication is infection, which can be bacterial, fungal or viral. Universal newborn screening, routine use of penicillin prophylaxis, availability of conjugated vaccines against S. pneumoniae and comprehensive care programmes instituted during the past few decades in industrialized countries have dramatically reduced childhood mortality and improved life expectancy. Yet patients with SCD remain at increased risk of infection. Unfortunately, the treatment of most bacterial infections that are common in SCD is not based on the results of randomized controlled clinical trials. In their absence, treatment decisions are based on consensus guidelines, clinical experience or adapting treatment applied in other diseases. This leads to wide variation in treatment among institutions and even between treating physicians in a single institution. Prevention of infection, when possible, is most important and we focus on prevention through targeted prophylaxis and vaccination. We will share our management strategies for managing the more common infections in SCD and provide the rationale for our recommendations.
Child's verbal ability and gender are associated with age at diagnosis in a sample of young children with ASD in Europe
Authors: Salomone E. , Charman T. , McConachie H. , Warreyn P. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractBackgroundAutism spectrum disorder can in some cases be reliably diagnosed by age 2 years, but in community settings, the mean age at diagnosis is often considerably higher. Later diagnosis has been found to be associated with lower symptom severity, lower parental socioeconomic status and fewer parental concerns. Gender differences in age at diagnosis have been examined, with mixed evidence.MethodsWe examined the association of child's verbal ability and gender, and parental education, with age at diagnosis in a large sample of young children with autism spectrum disorder in 18 European countries (n = 1410).ResultsThere was considerable variation in age at diagnosis across countries. Children with better communication skills were diagnosed significantly later than non‐verbal and minimally verbal children. There was also a significant interaction of gender with verbal ability on age at diagnosis, in that female children with complex phrase speech were diagnosed later than male children with the same level of verbal ability.ConclusionsOur findings highlight the need to implement public awareness initiatives and training for professionals to promote early detection and, consequently, early intervention for autism spectrum disorder in Europe.
Short‐term effect of diode laser cyclophotocoagulation on intraocular pressure: a prospective study
Authors: Uppal Samreen , Stead Richard E , Patil Bheemanagouda B , Henry Emer , Moodie Jonathan , Vernon Stephen A , King Anthony J 
Published: May 2015

AbstractBackgroundThis aims to determine the immediate and short‐term risk of intraocular pressure spikes following diode laser cyclophotocoagulation.DesignThis study is a prospective, consecutive cohort study in a UK teaching hospital.ParticipantsFifty‐three consecutive patients undergoing cyclophotocoagulation were invited to participate in this study.MethodsIntraocular pressure (IOP) measurements were taken immediately prior to cyclodiode laser, hourly for the first 3 h after laser, on the first and seventh postoperative days, and at three months following laser.Main Outcome MeasuresEyes experiencing intraocular pressure elevation defined at two levels (≥3 mm Hg and ≥10 mm Hg from the pretreatment level) were identified.ResultsSeventeen eyes (34%) had an elevation in intraocular pressure (≥3 mmHg) during the first 3 h postoperatively with a mean increase of 10.3 mmHg. No preoperative or perioperative associations were found for a postcyclodiode spike within the first 3 postoperative hours.No association was found between pressure spikes and visual acuity, reduction of glaucoma medication or final postoperative intraocular pressure at 3 months. Eyes that did not have an IOP spike during the first 3 h postoperatively had a greater reduction in IOP at 3 months (15.2 mmHg vs. 10.2 mmHg; P = 0.184).ConclusionIOP spikes are common in the immediate period after cyclophotocoagulation. An elevation in IOP is noted after the first hour in the vast majority who experience a spike in the first 3 h post‐procedure.
Sino‐Nasal Outcome Test‐22: translation, cultural adaptation and validation in Portugal
Authors: de Vilhena D. , Duarte D. , Lopes G. 
Published: May 2015

ObjectivesSino‐Nasal Outcome Test‐22 is a questionnaire that evaluates the specific quality of life in chronic rhinosinusitis and was widely used in scientific literature. The aim of our study was to translate and culturally adapt Sino‐Nasal Outcome Test‐22 for the Portuguese reality and validate the version obtained for use in Portugal.DesignWe translate Sino‐Nasal Outcome Test‐22 into European Portuguese according to the methodology recommended by the scientific literature. After translation, we proceeded with the evaluation of the questionnaire regarding its feasibility, reliability (internal consistency and test–retest reproducibility) and discriminant validity. Statistical analysis was performed using spss 22.0.SettingPatients treated at a single institute.ParticipantsWe applied Sino‐Nasal Outcome Test‐22 questionnaire to 15 volunteers with no nasal or sinus disease and to 50 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis.Main outcome measuresFeasibility, reliability (internal consistency and test–retest reproducibility) and discriminant validity.ResultsWe observed good internal consistency, with general Cronbach's α coefficient of 0.935, good test–retest reproducibility (32.5 versus 32, P < 0.001), with Pearson coefficient of 0.99 (P < 0.001) and Cohen Kappa coefficient of 0.898. The discriminant validity of the Portuguese version of Sino‐Nasal Outcome Test‐22 was confirmed by applying the Mann–Whitney U‐test (P < 0.001).ConclusionsUntil now, there were no validated questionnaires to evaluate quality of life in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis in Portugal. Translation and validation of Sino‐Nasal Outcome Test‐22 in Portugal will allow a more consistent assessment of the specific quality of life of these patients and the comparison with international data. Thus, we recommend this version for use with the Portuguese population with chronic rhinosinusitis.
Dynamic cerebral autoregulation to induced blood pressure changes in human experimental and clinical sepsis
Authors: Berg Ronan M. G. , Plovsing Ronni R. , Bailey Damian M. , Holstein‐Rathlou Niels‐Henrik , Møller Kirsten 
Published: May 2015

SummaryPrevious studies have demonstrated that dynamic cerebral autoregulation to spontaneous fluctuations in blood pressure is enhanced following lipopolysaccharide (LPS) infusion, a human experimental model of early sepsis, whereas by contrast it is impaired in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock. In this study, we hypothesized that this pattern of response would be identical during induced changes in blood pressure. Dynamic cerebral autoregulation was assessed in nine healthy volunteers and six septic patients. The healthy volunteers underwent a 4‐h intravenous infusion of LPS (total dose: 2 ng kg−1). Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP, arterial transducer) and middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity (MCAv, transcranial Doppler ultrasound) were recorded continuously during thigh‐cuff deflation‐induced changes in MAP for the determination of a modified rate of regulation (RoR). This was performed before and after LPS infusion in healthy volunteers, and within 72 h following clinical diagnosis of sepsis in patients. In healthy volunteers, thigh‐cuff deflation caused a MAP reduction of 16 (13–20) % at baseline and 18 (16–20) % after LPS, while the MAP reduction was 12 (11–13) % in patients (P<0·05 versus volunteers at baseline; P<0·01 versus volunteers after LPS). The corresponding RoR values increased from 0·46 (0·31–0·49) s−1 at baseline to 0·58 (0·36–0·74) s−1 after LPS (P<0·05) in healthy volunteers, whereas they were similar to values observed in patients [0·43 (0·36–0·52) s−1; P = 0·91 versus baseline; P = 0·14 versus LPS]. While our findings support the concept that dynamic cerebral autoregulation is enhanced during the very early stages of sepsis, they remain inconclusive with regard to more advanced stages of disease, because thigh‐cuff deflation failed to induce sufficient MAP reductions in patients.
Comparative analysis of cytokeratin 15, TDAG51, cytokeratin 20 and androgen receptor in sclerosing adnexal neoplasms and variants of basal cell carcinoma
Authors: Evangelista Mara Therese P. , North Jeffrey P. 
Published: May 2015

BackgroundDesmoplastic trichoepithelioma (DTE), morpheaform basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and microcystic adnexal carcinoma (MAC) are sclerosing adnexal neoplasms with overlapping histopathologic features. We compared cytokeratin 15, (CK15), T‐cell death‐associated gene 51 (TDAG51), cytokeratin 20 (CK20) and androgen receptor (AR) in differentiating these tumors and assessed their expression in BCC subtypes.MethodsFifteen DTE, 15 infundibulocystic BCC, 18 micronodular BCC, 18 morpheaform BCC and 6 MAC were assessed for CK15, TDAG51, CK20 and AR expression.ResultsQuantitative CK15 staining was higher in DTE compared with BCC (p < 0.0001) and MAC (p = 0.02). Quantitative TDAG51 staining was higher in DTE than BCC (p < 0.0001). The CK20+AR− immunophenotype was 100% sensitive and specific in diagnosing DTE. The CK20−AR+ immunophenotype was 95.24% specific and 83.33% sensitive for BCC. The CK20−AR− immunophenotype was 83.33% sensitive and 90.91% specific for MAC. CK15, CK20 and AR were positive in 87, 53 and 67% of infundibulocystic BCC cases, respectively.ConclusionCombination of CK20 and AR best differentiated these sclerosing adnexal neoplasms. Greater positivity for CK15 and TDAG51 generally favors benign lesions. Infundibulocystic BCC has higher CK20 and lower AR immunopositivity than other BCC variants and a high degree of CK15 and TDAG51 positivity.
Pediatric dermatohistopathology – histopathology of skin diseases in newborns and infants
Authors: Wobser Marion , Ernestus Karen , Hamm Henning 
Published: May 2015

SummaryWhile neonatal skin physiology has been thoroughly examined using non‐invasive techniques in recent years, only few systematic studies and review articles addressing the histopathology of neonatal skin have been published thus far. In most cases, histopathological findings of dermatoses in neonatal skin do not significantly differ from those seen in adult skin. Nevertheless, a comprehensive knowledge of embryonic and fetal skin development as well as the microanatomical structure of neonatal skin can contribute to a better understanding of various dermatoses of infancy. In the first part of this review article, we present the histopathological features of such skin diseases, which, though generally rare, almost exclusively appear during the first weeks of life due to distinctive structural and functional features of neonatal skin. The second part is dedicated to classic dermatoses of infancy and their histopathological features.
Customer Use of Virtual Channels in Multichannel Services: Does Type of Activity Matter?
Authors: Sousa Rui , Amorim Marlene , Rabinovich Elliot , Sodero Anníbal C. 
Published: May 2015

ABSTRACTMany firms have recently adopted virtual channels, based most notably on the Internet and the phone, to complement the delivery of services to their customers by their existing physical facilities. The success of such multichannel (MC) strategies relies on the alignment of service design decisions—namely those concerning the allocation of service activities to virtual channels—with customers’ MC behavior. Although prior studies have looked at the intensity with which customers use virtual channels, they have not addressed virtual channel use for different types of service activities.In our study, we investigate whether customers’ use of virtual channels for MC services varies with the type of service activities they engage in, and if so, in what way. In doing so, we address two objectives. First, we investigate the impact of accessibility to the physical channel on the degree of use of virtual channels (Internet and phone, aggregated) for different types of activities. Second, we look at channel preferences (Internet vs. phone) for different types of activities when customers do resort to virtual channels to conduct activities.To address our objectives, we develop and test hypotheses regarding customers’ use of virtual channels based on the match between activity attributes (complexity and volume) and channel attributes (access efficiency, interface efficiency, interface richness). Using data from a MC bank, we find that the impact of accessibility to physical channels (specifically, customer distance) on customers’ use of virtual channels, as well as the relative use of Internet versus phone, depend on the type of activities.
Predicting the effects of whale population recovery on Northeast Pacific food webs and fisheries: an ecosystem modelling approach
Authors: Surma Szymon , Pitcher Tony J. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThe recovery of whale populations from historical depletion may have the potential to noticeably affect Northeast Pacific ecosystems and fisheries. Surplus production models based on whaling catch records were used to reconstruct the historical abundances of five large whale species in the waters surrounding Haida Gwaii, British Columbia. The results suggest that the local abundances of all five species were vastly higher before the onset of modern whaling. A comparison of ecosystem models representing the states of the local marine food web before and after full whale recovery indicates that abundant whales could consume large proportions of the annual production of their principal prey, ranging up to 87% for Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii) and 72% for piscivorous rockfish (Sebastes spp.). Dynamic modelling of the food web effects of whale recovery, including simulations of simultaneous top‐down and bottom‐up forcing and a Monte Carlo sensitivity analysis, revealed noticeable (∼6–12%) top‐down effects on Pacific herring biomass owing to increased predation by humpback and fin whales. However, these effects cannot explain the magnitude of recent declines in local herring biomass. The dynamic modelling results also suggest that top‐down effects of whale recovery could result in reduced biomasses of large rockfish as a result of predation by sperm whales, as well as potential cascading effects on many demersal fish groups. These findings have numerous practical implications for ecosystem‐based fisheries management and whale conservation strategies in Northeast Pacific waters.
Advanced glycation end‐products accelerate the cardiac aging process through the receptor for advanced glycation end‐products/transforming growth factor‐β‐Smad signaling pathway in cardiac fibroblasts
Authors: Fang Min , Wang Junhong , Li Shiling , Guo Yan 
Published: May 2015

AimsThe current study was carried out to evaluate the effect of advanced glycation end‐products (AGE) on cardiac aging and to explore its underlying mechanisms.MethodsNeonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts were cultured and divided into four groups: control; AGE; AGE + receptor for AGE antibody and AGE + SB431542 (transforming growth factor‐β [TGF‐β]/Smad signaling pathway inhibitor, 10 μmol/L) group. After being cultured for 48 h, the cells were harvested and the senescence‐associated beta‐galactosidase expression was analyzed. Then the level of p16, TGF‐β, Smad/p‐smad and matrix metalloproteinases‐2 was evaluated by western blot.ResultsSignificantly increased senescence‐associated beta‐galactosidase activity as well as p16 level was observed in the AGE group. Furthermore, AGE also significantly increased the TGF‐β1, p‐smad2/3 and metalloproteinases‐2 expression in cardiac fibroblasts (all P < 0.01). Meanwhile, either pretreatment with receptor for AGE‐Ab or SB431542 significantly inhibited the upregulated cardiac senescence (beta‐galactosidase activity and P16) and fibrosis‐associated (TGF‐β1, p‐smad2/3 and metalloproteinases‐2) markers induced by AGE.ConclusionsTaken together, all these results suggested that AGE are an important factor for cardiac aging and fibrosis, whereas the receptor for AGE and TGF‐β/Smad signaling pathway might be involved in the AGE‐induced cardiac aging process. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 522‐527.
Impact of hospitalization on modification of drug regimens: Results of the criteria to assess appropriate medication use among elderly complex patients study
Authors: Sganga Federica , Landi Francesco , Vetrano Davide L , Corsonello Andrea , Lattanzio Fabrizia , Bernabei Roberto , Onder Graziano 
Published: May 2015

AimTo assess the impact of hospitalization on modification of drug burden among elderly patients.MethodsThe present prospective cohort study was carried out in acute care hospitals in Italy. The difference in the number of drugs used before hospital admission and those prescribed at discharge was calculated. The prevalence of (i) any increase (1 or more drugs); and (ii) an increase >50% in the number of drugs from admission to discharge was calculated, and the factors associated with these conditions were identified.ResultsThe mean age of 1082 participants was 81.2 ± 7.3 years and 606 were women (56.0%), an increase in the number of drugs (1 or more drugs) between admission and discharge was observed in 672 participants (62.1% of study sample) and an “increase >50%” was observed in 372 participants (34.3%). “Any increase” was inversely associated with age and the number of drugs used before hospitalization, and it was positively associated with length of stay and diagnoses, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, ischemic heart disease and diabetes. “Increase >50%” was inversely associated with female sex, the number of drugs before hospitalization, involuntary loss of weight and intact cognitive status, and was positively associated with length of stay, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure and diabetes.ConclusionsNot only disease, but also demographic factors (age and gender) and geriatric syndromes (weight loss and cognitive status) might influence pharmacological burden. These data might be useful in order to target interventions aimed at improving drug use and reducing iatrogenic illness. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 593–599.
Association between employee benefits and frailty in community‐dwelling older adults
Authors: Avila‐Funes José Alberto , Paniagua‐Santos Diana Leticia , Escobar‐Rivera Vicente , Navarrete‐Reyes Ana Patricia , Aguilar‐Navarro Sara , Amieva Hélène 
Published: May 2015

AimThe phenotype of frailty has been associated with an increased vulnerability for the development of adverse health‐related outcomes. The origin of frailty is multifactorial and financial issues could be implicated, as they have been associated with health status, well‐being and mortality. However, the association between economic benefits and frailty has been poorly explored. Therefore, the objective was to determine the association between employee benefits and frailty.MethodsA cross‐sectional study of 927 community‐dwelling older adults aged 70 years and older participating in the Mexican Study of Nutritional and Psychosocial Markers of Frailty was carried out. Employee benefits were established according to eight characteristics: bonus, profit sharing, pension, health insurance, food stamps, housing credit, life insurance, and Christmas bonus. Frailty was defined according to a slightly modified version of the phenotype proposed by Fried et al. Multinomial logistic regression models were run to determine the association between employee benefits and frailty adjusting by sociodemographic and health covariates.ResultsThe prevalence of frailty was 14.1%, and 4.4% of participants rated their health status as “poor.” Multinomial logistic regression analyses showed that employee benefits were statistically and independently associated with the frail subgroup (OR 0.85; 95% CI 0.74–0.98; P = 0.027) even after adjusting for potential confounders.ConclusionsFewer employee benefits are associated with frailty. Supporting spreading employee benefits for older people could have a positive impact on the development of frailty and its consequences. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 606–611.
MET in gastric cancer – discarding a 10% cutoff rule
Authors: Metzger Marie‐Luise , Behrens Hans‐Michael , Böger Christine , Haag Jochen , Krüger Sandra , Röcken Christoph 
Published: May 2015

AimsWe aimed to develop a putative predictive biomarker score for future hepatocyte growth factor receptor (MET)‐targeted therapy of gastric cancer (GC).Methods and resultsMET expression and MET amplification were analysed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and chromogenic in‐situ hybridization (CISH) in 470 GC patients. Immunostaining was documented with the HistoScore. The percentage area of MET‐amplified tumour cell clones was assessed by virtual microscopy. The expression of MET was heterogeneous in primary and metastatic GC. Immunostaining intensity (MET‐IHC 2+/3+) correlated with MET amplification and a positive MET status was defined by a combination of MET‐IHC 2+ or 3+ with MET amplification, or MET‐IHC 3+ without MET amplification. The prognostic significance of the MET status was independent from the percentage area of positive tumour cells (e.g. <10 versus ≥10%). MET‐positive GCs were microsatellite stable and of KRAS/PIK3CA wild‐type. MET‐positive GCs had a very poor prognosis, with a median survival of 5.4 months and a hazard ratio of 2.126.ConclusionsA combination of immunohistochemistry and CISH is suitable to assess MET status. If MET status is used as a predictive biomarker, prospective studies should pay specific attention to adequate tissue sampling, should ignore cutoff values for tumour areas, may consider the KRAS and PIK3CA genotype as negative predictive markers and should carry out the analysis expeditiously.