bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transient generalized glucocorticoid hypersensitivity
Authors: Nicolaides Nicolas C. , Lamprokostopoulou Agaristi , Polyzos Alexandros , Kino Tomoshige , Katsantoni Eleni , Triantafyllou Panagiota , Christophoridis Athanasios , Katzos George , Dracopoulou Maria , Sertedaki Amalia , Chrousos George P. , Charmandari Evangelia 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBackgroundTransient generalized glucocorticoid hypersensitivity is a rare disorder characterized by increased tissue sensitivity to glucocorticoids and compensatory hypo‐activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. The condition itself and the underlying molecular mechanisms have not been elucidated.ObjectiveTo present the clinical manifestations, endocrinologic evaluation and transcriptomic profile in a patient with transient generalized glucocorticoid hypersensitivity.Design and ResultsA 9‐year‐old girl presented with an 8‐month history of clinical manifestations suggestive of Cushing syndrome. Endocrinologic evaluation revealed undetectable 08:00 h ACTH (<1 pg/mL) and cortisol (0·025 μg/dL) concentrations, which remained decreased throughout the 24‐h period and did not respond to stimulation with ovine CRH. The disease gradually resolved spontaneously over the ensuing 3 months. Sequencing of the human glucocorticoid receptor gene revealed no mutations or polymorphisms. Western blot analysis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells revealed equal protein expression of hGRα of the patient in the disease and postresolution phases compared with a control subject. Transcriptomic analysis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in the disease and postresolution phases identified 903 differentially expressed genes. Of these, 106 genes were up‐regulated and 797 were down‐regulated in the disease compared with the resolution phase. Bioinformatics analysis on the differentially expressed gene networks revealed Nuclear Factor‐κB as the predominant transcription factor influencing the expression of the majority of differentially expressed genes.ConclusionsOur findings indicate that a transient postreceptor defect, or a virus‐ or bacterium‐encoded molecule, may have enhanced glucocorticoid signal transduction, leading to transient generalized glucocorticoid hypersensitivity and hypo‐activation of the HPA axis.
Assessing upstream invasion risk in alien freshwater fishes based on intrinsic variations in swimming speed performance
Authors: Starrs Tyrie , Starrs Danswell , Lintermans Mark , Fulton Christopher J. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractManaging the spread and impact of invasive species requires an understanding of what limits their dispersal into new areas. Here, we investigated an intrinsic component of invasive species dispersal, via assessments of the swimming speed performance of four species of alien freshwater fish at risk of invading the upper reaches of a montane river system in south‐east Australia. Using water flow measurements taken from a range of potential barriers to their upstream dispersal (fishways, culverts, natural riffle habitats), we assessed the likelihood of alien species passage based on intrinsic differences in swimming speed performance. With the four alien fish species displaying a wide range of sprint swimming speed (Usprint) capabilities, our logistic regression analysis identified pipe culverts as being a challenge to dispersal by all but the largest individuals of one species (Rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss). Notably, fishway installations facilitating passage of the sympatric threatened species, Macquarie perch (Macquaria australasica), could allow upstream dispersal of a key threatening species (European perch, Perca fluviatilis). Our study highlights the utility of locomotor capabilities for assessing the likelihood of upstream dispersal by species following human‐assisted introductions to the lower parts of a catchment.
Monitoring of physical health in services for young people at ultra‐high risk of psychosis
Authors: Carney Rebekah , Bradshaw Tim , Yung Alison R. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractAimPeople with schizophrenia have poor physical health and high rates of premature mortality. Risk factors for later cardiovascular disease are present from an early stage, and recording of these factors is recommended in first‐episode services. However, it is unclear whether cardiometabolic risk factors are monitored prior to first‐episode psychosis.MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on case notes of individuals accepted into a specialized early detection service for young people at ultra‐high risk for psychosis. Notes were assessed to determine whether the following physical health measures were recorded: height, weight, body mass index, blood pressure, blood glucose and lipids, physical activity levels, smoking status, substance use and alcohol intake.ResultsForty individuals were deemed at ultra‐high risk for psychosis and accepted into the service. The two measures reported most frequently were whether a person used substances (82.5%) or alcohol (72.5%), but more specific details were not commonly reported. A minority of case files contained information on height (2.5%), weight (7.5%), body mass index (5%), blood glucose (2.5%), smoking status (15%) and physical activity (7.5%). Six case files had no measure of physical health.ConclusionsPhysical health and unhealthy lifestyle factors were not assessed routinely in the specialized service. Clear monitoring guidelines should be developed to establish routine assessment of common metabolic risk factors present in this population.
Fixation of a complete scapular neck fracture in a foal using two 3.5 mm locking compression plates
Authors: Kamm J. L. , Quinn G. , van Zwanenberg D. 
Published: October 2015

SummaryThis report describes the successful surgical repair of a transverse, displaced scapula fracture in a foal. A 3.5 mm locking compression plate (LCP) was used on either side of the spine of the scapula. The suprascapular nerve was apparent upon dissection as it passed directly over the fracture line and care was taken to leave it intact, although the fracture line itself caused some irritation. The foal recovered without long‐term nerve damage and is sound at 1.5 years post surgery.
Helicobacter Species Identified in Captive Sooty Mangabeys (Cercocebus atys) with Metastatic Gastric Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Esmail Michael Y. , Bacon Rebecca , Swennes Alton G. , Feng Yan , Shen Zeli , Garcia AnaPatricia , Sharma Prachi , Cohen Joyce , Fox James G. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBackgroundOf all human cancers, gastric carcinoma is the one of the leading causes of death. Helicobacter pylori is considered a major etiologic agent of this disease. Spontaneously occurring gastric carcinoma is a rare diagnosis in nonhuman primates. A 2011 case report documented a high incidence of gastric adenocarcinoma in a closed colony of captive sooty mangabeys (Cercebus atys). However, H. pylori infection was not detected in these animals.Materials and MethodsIn this study, using archived formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded stomach sections of these animals alternative methodologies were used to identify H. pylori and other non‐H. pylori Helicobacter species. In addition, two additional cases of sooty mangabeys with metastatic gastric carcinoma are characterized.ResultsUsing fluorescent in situ hybridization, we identified gastric H. suis in 75% of archived and new gastric carcinoma cases. In the two newly reported cases, H. suis and a novel Helicobacter species were detected via PCR and sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene. H. pylori was not identified in any of the gastric carcinoma cases via FISH and/or PCR and sequence analysis of Helicobacter spp. in DNA from of available tissues.ConclusionsThis report is the first to characterize Helicobacter species infection in spontaneous gastric carcinoma with metastatic potential in nonhuman primates.
Expression profile of microRNA‐200 family in cholangiocarcinoma arising from choledochal cyst
Authors: Chu Chia‐Hui , Chou Wenchi , Wang Frank , Yeh Chun‐Nan , Chen Tse‐Ching , Yeh Ta‐Sen 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBackground and AimThe risk of cholangiocarcinoma (cCC) arising from choledochal cyst (CC‐CC) is imminent, if the latter not treated appropriately in time. Epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) is considered a critical step for various solid cancers, which is regulated by the microRNA‐200 (miR‐200) family. The aim of this study was to assess the role of miR‐200 family in the pathogenesis of CC‐CC.MethodsSixteen patients with CC‐CC were enrolled and 254 patients with conventional cCC served as clinicopathologic controls. Fifty‐four cCC were selected to compare the miR‐200 family expression and immunohistochemical characteristics. Gain‐and loss‐of‐function studies of miR‐200 family were conducted using the cCC cell lines.ResultsCC‐CC were younger (P < 0.01), more female‐ predominated (P < 0.01), and rarely associated with lithiasis (P < 0.01) compared with those of cCC. miR‐200 family was down‐regulated in CC‐CC, while miR‐200 family was paradoxically up‐regulated in cCC (P < 0.01). CC‐CC exhibited overt overexpression of mesenchymal markers including ZEB1, Twist, Snail, and vimentin as well an aberrant E‐cadherin expression in comparison with cCC. In vitro migration assay showed that cCC cells bearing lower miR‐200 s levels exhibited stronger migration ability. Invasive ability of cCC cells was increased after miR‐200 s knockdown, accompanied by up‐regulation of mesenchymal markers.ConclusionsCC‐CC was characterized by distinct demographics, precipitating factors, and down‐regulation of miR‐200 family, compared with those of cCC. The pathogenesis of CC‐CC might partly link to the silencing of miR‐200 family, acting via ZEB1‐directed EMT activation.
A novel diagnostic method to detect truncated neurofibromin in neurofibromatosis 1
Authors: Esposito Teresa , Piluso Giulio , Saracino Dario , Uccello Rossella , Schettino Carla , Dato Clemente , Capaldo Guglielmo , Giugliano Teresa , Varriale Bruno , Paolisso Giuseppe , Di Iorio Giuseppe , Melone Mariarosa A. B. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractNeurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant genetic condition caused by dominant loss‐of‐function mutations of the tumor suppressor gene NF1 that encodes neurofibromin, a negative regulator of RAS activity. Mutation analysis of NF1 located at 17q11.2 has been hampered by the large size of the gene, the high rate of new mutations, the lack of mutational clustering, and the presence of several homologous loci. To date, about 80% of the reported NF1 mutations are predicted to result in protein truncation, but very few studies have correlated the causative NF1 mutation with its effect at the protein level. We evaluated a novel diagnostic method to detect truncated forms of neurofibromin in a large cohort of unrelated subjects suspected of having NF1, according to the NIH consensus criteria. Western blot analysis was carried out on protein extracts from patients' leukocytes to highlight the possible presence of altered neurofibromin as a result of mutations in NF1. Truncated neurofibromin was identified in 274/336 patients (81%), confirming the usefulness and reproducibility of the proposed diagnostic approach. Our methodology can be routinely applied in the diagnostic setting, thanks to its simplicity and reliability. Combined with molecular approaches, it may increase the accuracy and efficiency of NF1 genetic testing.
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We evaluated a novel diagnostic method to detect truncated forms of neurofibromin in patients fulfilling the clinical criteria for Neurofibromatosis 1. Western blot analysis identified truncated neurofibromin in 274/336 patients (81%). Our results indicate that the proposed technique is cheap and reliable, and could ideally be performed as a preliminary biochemical screening before molecular analysis of the NF1 gene.
A Simple Technique for Accurate Transfer of Secondary Copings in a Tooth‐Supported Telescopic Prosthesis
Authors: Shankargouda Swapnil B. , Sidhu Preena , Kardalkar Swetha , Desai Pooja M. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractResidual ridge resorption is a rapid, progressive, irreversible, and inevitable process of bone resorption. Long‐standing teeth and implants have been shown to have maintained the bone around them without resorption. Thus, overdenture therapy has been proven to be beneficial in situations where few remaining teeth are present. In addition to the various advantages seen with tooth‐supported telescopic overdentures, a few shortcomings can also be expected, including unseating of the overdenture, increased bulk of the prosthesis, secondary caries, etc. The precise transfer of the secondary telescopic copings to maintain the spatial relationship, without any micromovement, remains the most critical step in ensuring the success of the tooth‐supported telescopic prosthesis. Thus, a simple and innovative technique of splinting the secondary copings was devised to prevent distortion and micromovement and maintain its spatial relationship.
Are WHO priority medicines for mothers and children included in Essential Medicines Lists of Pacific Island Countries?
Authors: Nunan Michael , Duke Trevor 
Published: October 2015

Abstract

Objective
The objective of the study was to determine if the World Health Organization's (WHO) 31 Priority Medicines for Mothers and Children are included in the Essential Medicines Lists (EML) of Pacific Island Countries (PICs).

Methods
EMLs from all PICs were sought. These were reviewed to determine if the priority medicines were listed in clinically appropriate doses for the age and indication in the WHO priority list.

Key findings
EMLs were sourced from 11 countries, representing 89% of the total PIC population. All countries had most of the priority items listed in its EML, but no country included the whole list; the overall inclusion of items listed on national EMLs ranged from 22/31 (71%) to 30/31 (97%). The average inclusion of items was 80.4%. 16 priority medicines were included in every country's EML.

Conclusion
The results suggest that treatment guidelines for Child and Maternal Health are not up-to-date in all countries or that vertical programme supply systems may not be fully incorporated into existing country mechanisms. Further support should be given to national drugs and therapeutics committees and essential medicines processes in the PICs.
Impact of comorbid depression on medication adherence and asthma-related healthcare costs in Texas Medicaid patients with asthma
Authors: Gupte-Singh Komal , Kim Gilwan , Barner Jamie C 
Published: October 2015

AbstractObjectivesTo compare: (1) rates of adherence to asthma controllers (ACs) between patients with asthma alone (A) and patients with asthma and comorbid depression (A + D); (2) rates of adherence to AC between patients who adhere to antidepressants and patients who do not adhere to antidepressants; and (3) asthma-related healthcare costs between the A and A + D groups.MethodsTexas Medicaid insurance claims from 1 January 2007 to 31 October 2011 were extracted for adults (18–63 years) diagnosed with asthma with at least two fills of the same AC (inhaled corticosteroids, long-acting beta agonists, fixed-dose combinations (FDC) and leukotriene modifiers) in the A group, and at least two antidepressant claims in the A + D group. Proportion of days covered (PDC) was used to assess adherence to antidepressants and AC, while controlling for demographics, chronic disease score (CDS) and AC therapy type (monotherapy, FDC, dual therapy). Asthma-related healthcare costs included asthma-related prescriptions, inpatient and outpatient costs. Descriptive statistics, Wilcoxon test and regression analyses were used.Key findingsThe patients (n = 3626) were 40.1 ± 14.0 years, primarily women (75.0%), Caucasians (37.3%), FDC therapy users (56.3%), with CDS = 0 (74.2%). Results showed that compared to the A group (n = 3400), patients in the A + D group (n = 226) were 1.6 times more likely to adhere (PDC ≥50%) to their AC (odds ratio (OR) = 1.596; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.198–2.128; P &lt; 0.001). Compared to patients who do not adhere to antidepressants (PDC &lt; 80%) (n = 140), patients who adhered to antidepressants (PDC ≥80%) (n = 86) were 2.5 times more likely to adhere (PDC ≥50%) to AC, while controlling for covariates (OR = 2.517; 95% CI = 1.304–4.855; P = 0.006). After controlling for covariates, compared to the A group, the A + D disorder group had significantly lower total asthma-related healthcare costs (P &lt; 0.001).ConclusionsIn the A + D group, the higher costs of asthma-related prescriptions was offset by the lower costs of inpatient and outpatient claims. Patients in the A + D group should be encouraged to adhere to both their ACs and antidepressants.
Pigmented naevi and sun protection behaviour among primary and secondary school students in an Eastern Hungarian city
Authors: Gellén Emese , Janka Eszter , Tamás Ildikó , Ádám Balázs , Horkay Irene , Emri Gabriella , Remenyik Éva 
Published: October 2015

SummaryBackgroundThe most important risk factors for malignant melanoma are skin type I or II, large number of atypical naevi and a history of sunburn in childhood and adolescence.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was performed to assess skin type, number of pigmented lesions and sun protection behaviour in 1157 12‐ to 19‐year‐old Hungarian students at 20 primary and secondary schools in Debrecen, Hungary. After receiving dermatological training, 18 school doctors examined the students' skin. A questionnaire was completed by the students with the assistance of their parents about sun protection, sunburns and the use of sunbed. Data from 612 questionnaires were evaluated.ResultsBased on the doctors' evaluation, most of the pupils were classified as having skin type II and majority of them had 5–20 naevi, particularly on the trunk. Based on the student's response, 5.2% purposely sunbathed daily, 10.1% did not use any form of sun protection, 32.2% wore sun‐protective clothing and 65.7% applied sunscreen generally. 6.9% used sunbed, and 74.0% previously experienced serious sunburn at least once. Indoor tanning statistically correlated with the number of melanocytic naevi.ConclusionA high prevalence of sunburn was reported by the students and some of them did not apply any sun protection methods but used sunbed at a critical age for developing melanoma at a later time. These data highlight the importance of educating children and parents about appropriate sun protection.
Effects of low‐dose light‐emitting‐diode therapy in combination with water bath for atopic dermatitis in NC/Nga mice
Authors: Kim Chang‐Hyun , Cheong Kyung Ah , Lim Won Suk , Park Hyung‐Moo , Lee Ai‐Young 
Published: October 2015

SummaryBackgroundLight‐emitting diode (LED) phototherapy and water bath therapy have beneficial effect on atopic dermatitis (AD)‐like skin disease. However, not all current treatments work well and alternative therapies are need. The contribution of combination therapy with low‐dose 850 nm LED and water bath was investigated on dermatophagoides farina (Df)‐induced dermatitis in NC/Nga mice.MethodsLow‐dose LED (10, 15, and 20 J/cm2) irradiation, water bath (36 ± 1°C) were administered separately and together to the Df‐induced NC/Nga mice in acrylic jar once a day for 2 weeks.ResultsCombined therapy with low‐dose LED therapy and water bath therapy significantly ameliorated the development of AD‐like skin lesions. These effects were correlated with the suppression of total IgE, NO, histamine, and Th2‐mediated immune responses. Furthermore, combination therapy significantly reduced the infiltration of inflammatory cells and the induction of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) in the skin lesions. The beneficial therapeutic effects of this combination therapy might regulate by the inhibition of various immunological responses including Th2‐mediated immune responses, inflammatory mediators such as IgE, histamine, and NO, as well as inflammatory cells.ConclusionsThe combination therapy of LED and water bath might be used as an efficacious, safe, and steroid‐free alternative therapeutic strategy for the treatment of AD.
Differential neutrophil activation in viral infections: Enhanced TLR‐7/8‐mediated CXCL8 release in asthma
Authors: Tang Francesca S.M. , Van Ly David , Spann Kirsten , Reading Patrick C. , Burgess Janette K. , Hartl Dominik , Baines Katherine J. , Oliver Brian G. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBackground and objectiveRespiratory viral infections are a major cause of asthma exacerbations. Neutrophils accumulate in the airways and the mechanisms that link neutrophilic inflammation, viral infections and exacerbations are unclear. This study aims to investigate anti‐viral responses in neutrophils from patients with and without asthma and to investigate if neutrophils can be directly activated by respiratory viruses.MethodsNeutrophils from peripheral blood from asthmatic and non‐asthmatic individuals were isolated and stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (1 μg/mL), f‐met‐leu‐phe (fMLP) (100 nM), imiquimod (3 μg/mL), R848 (1.5 μg/mL), poly I:C (10 μg/mL), RV16 (multiplicity of infection (MOI)1), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (MOI1) or influenza virus (MOI1). Cell‐free supernatants were collected after 1 h of neutrophil elastase (NE) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐9 release, or after 24 h for CXCL8 release.ResultsLPS, fMLP, imiquimod and R848 stimulated the release of CXCL8, NE and MMP‐9 whereas poly I:C selectively induced CXCL8 release only. R848‐induced CXCL8 release was enhanced in neutrophils from asthmatics compared with non‐asthmatic cells (P < 0.01). RSV triggered the release of CXCL8 and NE from neutrophils, whereas RV16 or influenza had no effect.ConclusionNeutrophils release CXCL8, NE and MMP‐9 in response to viral surrogates with R848‐induced CXCL8 release being specifically enhanced in asthmatic neutrophils. Toll‐like receptor (TLR7/8) dysregulation may play a role in neutrophilic inflammation in viral‐induced exacerbations.
On Determinacy and Learnability in a New Keynesian Model with Unemployment
Authors: Tesfaselassie Mewael F. , Schaling Eric 
Published: October 2015

AbstractWe analyse determinacy and stability under learning (E‐stability) of rational expectations equilibria in a new Keynesian model of inflation and unemployment, where labour market frictions due to costs of hiring workers play an important role. We derive results for alternative specifications of monetary policy rules and alternative values of hiring costs as a percentage of gross domestic product. We find that in general the region of indeterminacy and E‐instability in the policy space increases with hiring costs. Thus, higher hiring costs – consistent with European and South African “sclerotic” labour market institutions – seem to play an important part in explaining inflation and unemployment instability. Moreover, under lagged data‐based rules, the area where monetary policy delivers both determinacy and E‐stability shrinks. These rules also perform worse according to these two dimensions when hiring costs go up. Finally, under expectations‐based rules an additional explosive region is introduced. For South Africa, a rule based on current data – not unlike the original Taylor rule – works better than a forward‐looking rule.