bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome treated with the complement inhibitor eculizumab: the experience of the Australian compassionate access cohort
Authors: Mallett A. , Hughes P. , Szer J. , Tuckfield A. , Van Eps C. , Cambell S. B. , Hawley C. , Burke J. , Kausman J. , Hewitt I. , Parnham A. , Ford S. , Isbel N. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBackground/AimThis study aimed to report the clinical characteristics and outcomes of Australian patients treated with eculizumab for atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome (aHUS).MethodsA retrospective cohort study was undertaken of all patients in Australia treated with eculizumab provided in a compassionate access programme for a clinical diagnosis of aHUS using prospectively collected clinical data.ResultsA total of 10 patients with a median age of 23.5 years (interquartile range (IQR) 24.83 years) received compassionate access eculizumab for aHUS in Australia. Eight patients were female, and three had a family history of aHUS. Three received eculizumab for an initial acute aHUS presentation, three for relapsing and refractory acute aHUS, two for de novo aHUS post‐renal transplantation, and one each for aHUS recurrence post‐transplantation and facilitation of transplantation with a history of aHUS. The median duration of eculizumab therapy has been 911.5 days (IQR 569 days) with a cumulative exposure of 9184 days. At baseline all patients had renal and extra‐renal aHUS involvement, with up to three non‐renal organs affected. All but one patient, who died from uncontrollable gastrointestinal aHUS manifestations, have continued. The nine continuing patients achieved remission of aHUS. Two of the four patients requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT) at eculizumab commencement subsequently ceased RRT. Clinical events occurring in this cohort while on eculizumab treatment included neutropenia (two), posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (one), cardiomyopathy (one), pulmonary embolus (one), antibody‐mediated rejection resulting in renal graft failure (one), iron deficiency (one), gastrointestinal haemorrhage (one) and death (one).ConclusionEculizumab has been an effective therapy for aHUS in this cohort, including when other therapies have failed.
Growth and geographical variation in the use of cardiac imaging in Australia
Authors: Fonseca R. , Otahal P. , Wiggins N. , Marwick T. H. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBackground and AimGrowth rates and regional differences in the use of cardiac imaging are potential metrics of quality of care. This study sought to define growth and regional variation in outpatient cardiac imaging in Australia.MethodsAnalyses are based on the rate of outpatient transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) and stress echocardiography (SE) and single‐photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) per 100 000 people in each geographic insurance region in Australia (Medicare local, ML). Numbers of tests from 2002 to 2013 were obtained from Medicare Australia Statistics, and the number of doctors was obtained from the Health Workforce data. Demographic data (total population, rural areas and quintiles of disadvantage) were obtained from census data.ResultsOver the past 11 years, TTE reimbursements/100 000 people increased from 1780 to 3497 (8.8% annualised growth), TOE from 33 to 61, SE from 181 to 947 and SPECT from 287 to 337. SE had the biggest increment, an average growth rate of 38.5%/year. The relationships between the use of each cardiac imaging techniques and demographic, medical and illness factors were analysed in outpatient tests reimbursed in 2012. For each additional medical practitioner per 1000 people, there was an increase in the rate of TTE (β = 1.25 (95% confidence interval CI: 1.17–1.33), P < 0.001), and TOE use (β = 1.13 (1.04–1.24), P = 0.005), independent of regional burden of cardiovascular disease and social determinants. For SPECT the largest independent correlate for testing was the percentage of women within the ML; each additional percentage increase resulted in doubling of the rate of testing (β = 2.25 (1.72–2.94), P < 0.001).ConclusionVariation in the use of TTE in Australia does not appear illness related and may be evidence of under‐ and overutilisation. An appropriate use process may contain this variation.
Prioritarianism for Global Health Investments: Identifying the Worst Off
Authors: Sharp Daniel , Millum Joseph 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe available resources for global health assistance are far outstripped by need. In the face of such scarcity, many people endorse a principle according to which highest priority should be given to the worst off. However, in order for this prioritarian principle to be useful for allocation decisions, policy‐makers need to know what it means to be badly off. In this article, we outline a conception of disadvantage suitable for identifying the worst off for the purpose of making health resource allocation decisions. According to our total advantage view: (1) the worst off are those who have the greatest total lifetime disadvantage; (2) advantage foregone due to premature death should be treated in the same way as other ways of being disadvantaged at a time; (3) how badly off someone is depends on the actual outcomes that will befall her without intervention, not her prospects at a time; and (4) all significant forms of disadvantage count for determining who is worst off, not just disadvantage relating to health. We conclude by noting two important implications of the total advantage view: first, that those who die young are among the globally worst off, and second, that the epidemiological shift in the global burden of disease from communicable to non‐communicable diseases should not lead to a corresponding shift in global health spending priorities.
Comorbid psychiatric conditions as mediators to predict later social adjustment in youths with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Chiang Huey‐Ling , Gau Susan Shur‐Fen 
Published: August 2015

BackgroundIndividuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience long‐term social impairment and their comorbid psychiatric conditions negatively impact adaptive functioning. The aims of the study are to investigate whether comorbid psychopathologies, such as anxiety/depression, inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, and oppositional behaviors, mediated the link between autistic symptoms and social maladjustment.MethodOne hundred and twenty‐four youths diagnosed with a clinical diagnosis of DSM‐IV ASD (mean age, 10.6 ± 3.3 years) participated in this longitudinal study. They were assessed using semistructured diagnostic interviews on ASD and other psychiatric conditions at recruitment. Follow‐up interviews took place approximately 3 years later (37.59 ± 15 months) while the parents reported to the Social Adjustment Inventory for Children and Adolescents on their children's social adjustment. Mediation models were used to examine the mediating effect of comorbid psychopathologies on social adjustment.ResultsYouths with ASD had worse school, peer, and home functions than controls at follow‐up assessment. In general, comorbid psychiatric conditions mediated the link between autistic symptoms and different domains of social adjustment, independent of age, sex, and full‐scale IQ. Additionally, we found specific mediating effects of anxiety/depression and inattention on school functions; anxiety/depression on peer relationships; and oppositional behaviors on home behaviors.ConclusionEarly comorbid psychopathologies may further impair later social adjustment in youths with ASD and an early identification and intervention of these comorbid conditions are suggested.
Disruptive viability selection on a black plumage trait associated with dominance
Authors: Acker P. , Grégoire A. , Rat M. , Spottiswoode C. N. , van Dijk R. E. , Paquet M. , Kaden J. C. , Pradel R. , Hatchwell B. J. , Covas R. , Doutrelant C. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractTraits used in communication, such as colour signals, are expected to have positive consequences for reproductive success, but their associations with survival are little understood. Previous studies have mainly investigated linear relationships between signals and survival, but both hump‐shaped and U‐shaped relationships can also be predicted, depending on the main costs involved in trait expression. Furthermore, few studies have taken the plasticity of signals into account in viability selection analyses. The relationship between signal expression and survival is of particular interest in melanin‐based traits, because their main costs are still debated. Here, we first determined the main factors explaining variability in a melanin‐based trait linked to dominance: the bib size of a colonial bird, the sociable weaver Philetairus socius. We then used these analyses to obtain a measure representative of the individual mean expression of bib size. Finally, we used capture–recapture models to study how survival varied in relation to bib size. Variation in bib size was strongly affected by year and moderately affected by age, body condition and colony size. In addition, individuals bearing small and large bibs had higher survival than those with intermediate bibs, and this U‐shaped relationship between survival and bib size appeared to be more pronounced in some years than others. These results constitute a rare example of disruptive viability selection, and point towards the potential importance of social costs incurred by the dominance signalling function of badges of status.
Environmental impact of flooding: studies of ‘self‐cleaning’ of river ecosystem during consecutive flood events
Authors: Niedzielski P. , Skolasińska K. , Kozak L. , Kowalewski P. , Wachowiak W. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThis article presents the similarities and differences between the chemical compositions of sediments deposited by theWarta river (central Poland) during two consecutive flood events. The studies conducted revealed significant differentiation in the metal content of acid‐leached sediment fractions deposited during the summer flood event and subsequent winter flood event. The lower metal content in the sediment deposits during the winter flood event may be evidence of different transport processes and sediment deposition during the consecutive flood stages; as well as the potential ‘purification’ of the river channel from pollutants previously deposited during the summer flood event.
Epigenetic silencing of NDRG2 promotes colorectal cancer proliferation and invasion
Authors: Hong Sung Noh , Kim Sung Jin , Kim Eun‐Ran , Chang Dong Kyung , Kim Young‐Ho 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBackground:Genome‐wide methylation arrays have revealed aberrant methylation of N‐Myc downstream‐regulated gene 2 (NDRG2) promoter in colorectal cancer (CRC). This study investigated the role of NDRG2 in colorectal carcinogenesis.Methods:The aberrant promoter methylation, mRNA, and protein expression of NDRG2 were evaluated in 27 pairs of human CRC and adjacent normal tissues and seven human CRC‐derived cell‐lines. After stable NDRG2 over‐expressed RKO and DLD‐1 human CRC cell‐lines were constructed, in vitro functional assays, including colony formation, cell viability, proliferation, invasion and migration assays, and in vivo xenograft models were performed.Results:The promoter of NDRG2 was methylated in 89% human CRC tissue compared to adjacent normal colonic mucosa (7.4%; P < 0.001). High‐level methylation of NDRG2 promoter was more prevalent in proximal CRC (P = 0.022) and advanced T stage (P = 0.039). NDRG2 mRNA and protein expression was down‐regulated in 89% and 100% human CRC tissue, respectively. In human CRC cell‐lines, the promoter of NDRG2 was methylated aberrantly and mRNA, and protein expression of NDRG2 was down‐regulated. NDRG2 mRNA expression was reactivated by 5‐aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine. Colony formation of NDRG2 over‐expressing RKO cells was inhibited (P = 0.012), as was the viability, proliferation, and invasion of NDRG2 over‐expressing DLD‐1 cells (P < 0.001, P = 0.003, and P = 0.044, respectively). Tumor volume in xenograft mice transplanted with NDRG2 over‐expressing RKO and DLD‐1 cells was smaller than that in controls (P = 0.002 and P = 0.001, respectively).Conclusions:Epigenetic silencing of NDRG2 induces proliferation and invasion of CRC and may be associated with proximal CRC and advanced T stage. NDRG2 methylation might serve as novel biomarker of CRC.
Early decrement of serum carbohydrate antigen 19‐9 predicts favorable outcome in advanced pancreatic cancer
Authors: Chung Kwang Hyun , Ryu Ji Kon , Lee Ban Seok , Jang Dong Kee , Lee Sang Hyub , Kim Yong‐Tae 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBackground and AimThe role of carbohydrate antigen 19‐9 (CA 19‐9) for predicting treatment outcome in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains to be elucidated. This study was aimed to determine the correlation between early decrement in CA 19‐9 concentration and prognosis of advanced PDAC after chemotherapy.MethodsAll patients confirmed with locally advanced or metastatic PDAC who received initial systemic chemotherapy for at least two cycles in our institution between January 2012 and December 2013 were included. Serum CA 19‐9 concentrations at baseline and 8 weeks after the initiation of chemotherapy were obtained. Correlation between CA 19‐9 decrement and survival outcomes (time to progression [TTP] and overall survival [OS]) were evaluated.ResultsA total of 183 patients with initially elevated CA 19‐9 were included. OS and TTP was significantly longer for patients whose serum CA 19‐9 concentration decreased more than 10% from baseline (n = 103), than that for patients whose serum CA 19‐9 was not decreased (n = 80) (423 vs 155 days, P < 0.001 for OS and 222 vs 75 days, P < 0.001 for TTP). In multivariate analysis, CA 19‐9 decrement more than 10% from baseline was still a significant factor for longer OS (hazard ratio for progression 0.275 [0.184–0.412], P < 0.001) and TTP (0.322 [0.219–0.473], P < 0.001) in both stage III and IV.ConclusionsThe early decrement of CA 19‐9 after the initiation of chemotherapy was an independent factor related with better survival outcomes in unresectable PDAC.
Microscopy of nanoparticulate dispersions
Authors: BRYDSON R. , BROWN A. , HODGES C. , ABELLAN P. , HONDOW N. 
Published: August 2015

SummaryWe present a critical review of the common methods for determining the dispersion state of nanoparticulate samples particularly in liquid media, including the determination of particle size and morphology; particle size distributions and polydispersity and equilibrium particle structure and chemistry. We highlight the potential contributions of both scanning probe and electron microscopies in this analysis which is of benefit in understanding nanoparticulate formulations and their behaviour applied across a very wide range of technologies and industry sectors.
Neuronal connectivity between habenular glutamate‐kisspeptin1 co‐expressing neurons and the raphe 5‐HT system
Authors: Nathan Fatima M. , Ogawa Satoshi , Parhar Ishwar S. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe habenula, located on the dorsal thalamic surface, is an emotional and reward processing center. As in the mammalian brain, the zebrafish habenula is divided into dorsal (dHb) and ventral (vHb) subdivisions that project to the interpeduncular nucleus and median raphe (MR) respectively. Previously, we have shown that kisspeptin 1 (Kiss1) expressing in the vHb, regulates the serotonin (5‐HT) system in the MR. However, the connectivity between the Kiss1 neurons and the 5‐HT system remains unknown. To resolve this issue, we generated a specific antibody against zebrafish Kiss1 receptor (Kiss‐R1); using this primary antibody we found intense immunohistochemical labeling in the ventro‐anterior corner of the MR (vaMR) but not in 5‐HT neurons, suggesting the potential involvement of interneurons in 5‐HT modulation by Kiss1. Double‐fluorescence labeling showed that the majority of habenular Kiss1 neurons are glutamatergic. In the MR region, Kiss1 fibers were mainly seen in close association with glutamatergic neurons and only scarcely within GABAergic and 5‐HT neurons. Our findings indicate that the habenular Kiss1 neurons potentially modulate the 5‐HT system primarily through glutamatergic neurotransmission via as yet uncharacterized interneurons.
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The neuropeptide kisspeptin (Kiss1) play a key role in vertebrate reproduction. We have previously shown modulatory role of habenular Kiss1 in the raphe serotonin (5‐HT) systems. This study proposed that the habenular Kiss1 neurons modulate the 5‐HT system primarily through glutamatergic neurotransmission, which provides an important insight for understanding of the modulation of 5‐HT system by the habenula‐raphe pathway.
Autophagy protects human brain microvascular endothelial cells against methylglyoxal‐induced injuries, reproducible in a cerebral ischemic model in diabetic rats
Authors: Fang Lili , Li Xue , Zhong Yinbo , Yu Jing , Yu Lina , Dai Haibin , Yan Min 
Published: August 2015

AbstractCerebral microvascular endothelial cells (ECs) are crucial for brain vascular repair and maintenance, but their physiological function may be impaired during ischemic stroke and diabetes. Methylglyoxal (MGO), a reactive dicarbonyl produced during glucose metabolism, could exacerbate ischemia‐induced EC injury and dysfunction. We investigated the protective effect of autophagy on cultured human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC) that underwent MGO treatment. A further study was conducted to explore the underlying mechanisms of the protective effect. Autophagic activity was assessed by evaluating protein levels, using western blot. 3‐methyladenine (3‐MA), bafilomycin A1, ammonium chloride (AC), Beclin 1 siRNA, and chloroquine (CQ) were used to cause autophagy inhibition. Alarmar blue assay and lactate dehydrogenase release assay were used to evaluate cell viability. Streptozotocin was administered to induce type I diabetes in rats and post‐permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion was performed to elicit cerebral ischemia. Blood–brain barrier permeability was also assessed. Our study found that MGO reduced HBMEC cell viability in a concentration‐ and time‐dependent manner, and triggered the responsive autophagy activation. Autophagy inhibitors bafilomycin A1, AC, 3‐MA, and BECN1 siRNA exacerbated MGO‐induced HBMEC injury. FAK phosphorylation inhibitor PF573228 inhibited MGO‐triggered autophagy and enhanced lactate dehydrogenase release. Meanwhile, similar autophagy activation in brain vascular ECs was observed during permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion‐induced cerebral ischemia in diabetic rats, while chloroquine‐induced autophagy inhibition enhanced blood–brain barrier permeability. Taken together, our study indicates that autophagy triggered by MGO defends HBMEC against injuries.
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Cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (ECs) are crucial for brain vascular repair and maintenance, but their physiological function is impaired during ischemic stroke and diabetes. In this study, we found methylglyoxal (MGO) decreased human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC) cell viability in a concentration and time dependent manner, which was accompanied by the responsive autophagy activation. Autophagy inhibitors exacerbated (MGO)‐induced HBMEC injury. FAK phosphorylation inhibitor PF573228 inhibited MGO‐triggered autophagy and enhanced LDH release. Meanwhile, the similar autophagy activation in brain vascular ECs was observed during permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO)‐induced cerebral ischemia in diabetic rats, and chloroquine ‐induced autophagy inhibition enhanced BBB permeability. This study indicates that autophagy triggered by MGO defends HBMEC against injuries.
Advancing Symptom Science Through Use of Common Data Elements
Authors: Redeker Nancy S. , Anderson Ruth , Bakken Suzanne , Corwin Elizabeth , Docherty Sharron , Dorsey Susan G. , Heitkemper Margaret , McCloskey Donna Jo , Moore Shirley , Pullen Carol , Rapkin Bruce , Schiffman Rachel , Waldrop‐Valverde Drenna , Grady Patricia 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBackgroundUse of common data elements (CDEs), conceptually defined as variables that are operationalized and measured in identical ways across studies, enables comparison of data across studies in ways that would otherwise be impossible. Although healthcare researchers are increasingly using CDEs, there has been little systematic use of CDEs for symptom science. CDEs are especially important in symptom science because people experience common symptoms across a broad range of health and developmental states, and symptom management interventions may have common outcomes across populations.PurposesThe purposes of this article are to (a) recommend best practices for the use of CDEs for symptom science within and across centers; (b) evaluate the benefits and challenges associated with the use of CDEs for symptom science; (c) propose CDEs to be used in symptom science to serve as the basis for this emerging science; and (d) suggest implications and recommendations for future research and dissemination of CDEs for symptom science.DesignThe National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)‐supported P20 and P30 Center directors applied published best practices, expert advice, and the literature to identify CDEs to be used across the centers to measure pain, sleep, fatigue, and affective and cognitive symptoms.FindingsWe generated a minimum set of CDEs to measure symptoms.ConclusionsThe CDEs identified through this process will be used across the NINR Centers and will facilitate comparison of symptoms across studies. We expect that additional symptom CDEs will be added and the list will be refined in future work.Clinical RelevanceSymptoms are an important focus of nursing care. Use of CDEs will facilitate research that will lead to better ways to assist people to manage their symptoms.
The Wall Street Walk when Blockholders Compete for Flows
Authors: DASGUPTA AMIL , PIACENTINO GIORGIA 
Published: August 2015

ABSTRACTEffective monitoring by equity blockholders is important for good corporate governance. A prominent theoretical literature argues that the threat of block sale (“exit”) can be an effective governance mechanism. Many blockholders are money managers. We show that, when money managers compete for investor capital, the threat of exit loses credibility, weakening its governance role. Money managers with more skin in the game will govern more successfully using exit. Allowing funds to engage in activist measures (“voice”) does not alter our qualitative results. Our results link widely prevalent incentives in the ever‐expanding money management industry to the nature of corporate governance.
The Boats That Did Not Sail: Asset Price Volatility in a Natural Experiment
Authors: KOUDIJS PETER 
Published: August 2015

ABSTRACTWhat explains short‐term fluctuations of stock prices? This paper exploits a natural experiment from the 18 century in which information flows were regularly interrupted for exogenous reasons. English shares were traded on the Amsterdam exchange and news came in on sailboats that were often delayed because of adverse weather conditions. The paper documents that prices responded strongly to boat arrivals, but there was considerable volatility in the absence of news. The evidence suggests that this was largely the result of the revelation of (long‐lived) private information and the (transitory) impact of uninformed liquidity trades on intermediaries' risk premia.