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Τρίτη 19 Ιουνίου 2018

Can Ultrasound-Guided S1 Transforaminal Epidural Injection Using the In-plane Approach and Color Doppler Imaging Be a Safer Alternative to Lumbar Inter-laminar Epidural Injection?

imageNo abstract available

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Evidence-Based Physiatry: Topical Analgesics for Acute and Chronic Pain in Adults - An Overview of Cochrane Reviews

No abstract available

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Outcome Trends of Adult Cancer Patients Receiving Inpatient Rehabilitation: A 13-Year Review

imageObjective This study describes characteristics and trends of inpatient rehabilitation among cancer patients within the United States over a 13-yr period. Design This was a retrospective study of data from the Uniform Data System for Medical Rehabilitation from 2002 to 2014. Patients older than 17 yrs admitted to inpatient rehabilitation facilities with a diagnosis of malignant cancer were included. Trends of rehabilitation outcomes including length of stay, Functional Independence Measure (FIM) Instrument scores, and discharge location were examined. Results Data from 115,570 cancer patients were evaluated. Mean age was 66 ± 14 yrs and 49% were women. Mean length of stay decreased over time (2002: 14 days to 2014: 13 days; P 70%) were discharged to the community. Conclusions Cancer patients receiving acute inpatient rehabilitation demonstrated significant improvements in functional outcomes from admission to discharge. Cancer patients became more independent in important activities of daily living, thereby potentially reducing caregiver burden and ensuring safer discharges back to the community. This study suggests potential benefit of inpatient rehabilitation for appropriate cancer patients.

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Effects of Cane Use and Position on Performance of the Sit-to-Stand Task in Stroke Patients

imageObjective The aim of the study was to examine the effect of cane use and cane positions on the sit-to-stand performance of stroke patients. Design In a crossover study, 30 stroke patients performed sit-to-stand test in seven situations in a random sequence: without a cane, three positions with a regular cane (parallel to the ankle, parallel to the 5th toe, and 10 cm in front of the 5th toe), and the same three positions with a quad cane. The peak vertical ground reaction force and maximum vertical cane support force during sit-to-stand were recorded. Results Using a cane significantly reduced the peak ground reaction force by 3% to 9% of body weight compared with that without a cane (P = 0.000–0.023). Different cane positions strongly influenced the maximum cane support force and peak ground reaction force. When the cane was closer to the ankle, the maximal cane support force increased by 6.7% to 8.6% of body weight, which resulted in a decrease in the peak ground reaction force. Conclusions Both types of cane reduced lower limbs' load during sit to stand. When the cane was closer to the trunk, the load on legs was lessened, whereas the load on the upper limb increased. Upper limb's load during sit to stand was greater when using quad cane than using regular cane.

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Bilateral Patellar Tendon Tears After a Fall From Standing Position: Do You Mind Systemic Diseases and Medications?

No abstract available

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Anatomic Relationship Between the Hook of the Hamate and the Distal Transverse Carpal Ligament: Implications for Ultrasound-Guided Carpal Tunnel Release

imageObjective During ultrasound-guided carpal tunnel release, osseous landmarks may supplement direct visualization of the distal transverse carpal ligament (dTCL) to ensure a complete release. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the apex of the hook of the hamate (aHH) and the dTCL within the transverse safe zone (TSZ) of the carpal tunnel. Design Twenty unembalmed cadaveric specimens were dissected to determine the aHH-dTCL distance and the aHH-SPA distance (the distance between the aHH and the superficial palmar arch) at the ulnar and radial limits of the TSZ (the distance between the hook of the hamate or ulnar artery to the median nerve). Results The aHH-dTCL distance averaged 11–12 mm across the TSZ (maximum, 18.2 mm), whereas the aHH-SPA distance was significantly greater on the radial side of the TSZ compared with the ulnar side (22.6 ± 3.6 mm vs. 14.0 ± 4.0 mm). Conclusions The dTCL lies approximately 11–12 mm distal to the aHH across the TSZ, with an upper limit of 18.2 mm. Along with direct sonographic visualization of the dTCL, the aHH can be used with other osseous landmarks to estimate the position of the dTCL during ultrasound-guided carpal tunnel release.

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Evidence-Based Physiatry and Social Media: Two New Sections

No abstract available

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Relationship of Spinal Cord Injury Level and Duration to Peak Aerobic Capacity With Arms-Only and Hybrid Functional Electrical Stimulation Rowing

imageObjective The aim of the study was to assess the relationship of spinal cord injury level and duration to peak aerobic capacities during arms-only rowing compared with hybrid Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES)-rowing. Design Comparison of peak aerobic capacity (VO2), peak ventilation, peak respiratory exchange ratio, and peak heart rate were measured during arms-only rowing and FES-rowing obtained from graded exercise tests. Results Peak aerobic values were strongly related to injury level and injury duration for both arms-only rowing (r = 0.67, P

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Long-Term Retention of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Training During Residency

imageThe Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation developed milestones for evaluation of resident physicians that include proper musculoskeletal ultrasound examination of major joints. To date, there have been no published data demonstrating acquisition and retention of these skills and correlation with the milestone evaluation. The investigators developed and implemented a curriculum in musculoskeletal ultrasound examination for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation residents at a large academic medical center. The investigators chose the following six joints for training and evaluation: ankle, elbow, hip, knee, shoulder, and wrist/hand. The program included: (1) didactic lectures on anatomy and ultrasound technique; (2) peer-led demonstrations of the procedure on a standardized patient (SP); (3) individual practice on standardized patients; (4) faculty observation and feedback; (5) review sessions and additional practice; and (6) assessment of skills in an objective structured clinical examination. From 2013 to 2017, 30 physical medicine and rehabilitation residents were trained and evaluated. The results, based on objective structured clinical examination scores, showed that most residents achieved the appropriate level of competency for their year. A blended, standardized curriculum in musculoskeletal ultrasound instruction with assessment by an objective structured clinical examination can be used to evaluate musculoskeletal ultrasound skills and can help align this education with residency milestones.

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Spinal Cord Injury by Direct Damage During CT-Guided C7 Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection

imageCervical transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) under the guidance of computed tomography (CT) can offer great anatomical resolution and precise needle placement in the axial plane. However, some complications, including blood pressure surge, allergic reactions, vasovagal syncope, and cerebral infarct, have been reported after CT-guided cervical TFESI. We report the first case of iatrogenic spinal cord injury during a CT-guided cervical TFESI. A 67-year-old woman, upon receiving TFESI on Lt. C7, experienced an electrical shock-like sensation throughout the body. The patient complained of weakness in the left upper and lower extremities (manual muscle testing grade: 2–4) and neuropathic pain (numeric rating scale: 9) in the left upper and lower extremities. Cervical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed 9 days after TFESI showed a high T2 signal at the left side of the spinal cord from levels C5 to C7, and an electrophysiological study performed 14 days after TFESI revealed corresponding findings with cervical MRI. Three months after finishing treatment with a high dose of intravenous methylprednisolone, the patient's motor weakness improved, but it did not recover fully.

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Quantifying Effect of Onabotulinum Toxin A on Passive Muscle Stiffness in Children with Cerebral Palsy Using Ultrasound Shear Wave Elastography

imageObjective A pilot study was conducted to longitudinally quantify effect of onabotulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) on passive muscle properties in children with cerebral palsy using ultrasound shear wave elastography. Design This was a prospective longitudinal cohort study. Results Between 1 and 3 mos post-BoNT-A, a significant improvement in the shear modulus of the lateral gastrocnemius was found at 10-degrees plantar flexion (PF) (−7.57 [−10.98, −5.07], P = 0.02) and 0-degrees PF (−14.74 [−18.21, −9.38], P = 0.03). There was a notable, but nonsignificant, difference in shear modulus at 20-degrees PF, 10-degrees PF, and 0-degrees PF between pre-BoNT-A and 1 mo post-BoNT-A. Pre-BoNT-A shear modulus was not significantly different from 3 mos post-BoNT-A at all foot positions. No significant differences in ankle passive range of motion or spasticity were found. Conclusion Despite no significant change in ankle range of motion or spasticity, shear wave elastography was able to detect a difference in lateral gastrocnemius passive muscle properties in children with cerebral palsy after BoNT-A injections. The difference in passive muscle properties resolved by 3 mos post-BoNT-A.

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Bilateral Patellar Tendons Tears After a Fall From Standing Position

No abstract available

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Effects of Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Somatosensory Recovery After Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial

imageObjective Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation over the primary somatosensory cortex on the recovery of somatosensation, motor function, and the activities of daily living in patients with subacute stroke. Design This study was a prospective, randomized sham controlled, double-blinded study. Patients with subacute stroke having somatosensory deficits (N = 24) were enrolled and assigned randomly to the anodal and sham stimulation groups. Patients received 10 consecutive anodal or sham transcranial direct current stimulations over the primary somatosensory cortex on the side of the stroke lesion. Before and after each stimulation session, Nottingham sensory assessments, Semmes Weinstein monofilaments examination, and manual function tests were performed, and modified Brunnstrom classification, modified Barthel index, and functional ambulation categories were assessed. Results Although there was no clear significant difference between the two groups, when the changes from baseline to posttreatment evaluation were compared between the groups, a partially significant improvement was observed in the anodal stimulation group compared with the sham stimulation group. Interestingly, the tactile sensation of the unaffected side also improved. Moreover, the greater improvement in activities of daily living function was observed in the anodal stimulation group too. Conclusion Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation over the primary somatosensory cortex may be a useful adjuvant therapy for the recovery of somatosensation and activities of daily living function in patients with sensory deficits after stroke.

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Sonographic Evaluation of the Posterior Interosseous Nerve in a Patient With Wrist Drop

imageNo abstract available

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Around the World, People Have Surprisingly Modest Notions of the ‘Ideal’ Life

It seems reasonable that people would want to maximize various aspects of life if they were given the opportunity to do so, whether it's the pleasure they feel, how intelligent they are, or how much personal freedom they have. In actuality, people around the world seem to aspire for more moderate levels of these and other traits, according to findings published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science.

"Our research shows that people's sense of perfection is surprisingly modest," says psychological scientist Matthew J. Hornsey of the University of Queensland, first author on the research. "People wanted to have positive qualities, such as health and happiness, but not to the exclusion of other darker experiences – they wanted about 75% of a good thing."

Furthermore, people said, on average, that they ideally wanted to live until they were 90 years old, which is only slightly higher than the current average life expectancy. Even when participants imagined that they could take a magic pill guaranteeing eternal youth, their ideal life expectancy increased by only a few decades, to a median of 120 years old. And when people were invited to choose their ideal IQ, the median score was about 130 – a score that would classify someone as smart, but not a genius.

The data also revealed that participants from holistic cultures – those that value notions of contradiction, change, and context – chose ideal levels of traits that were consistently lower than those reported by participants from nonholistic cultures.

"Interestingly, the ratings of perfection were more modest in countries that had traditions of Buddhism and Confucianism," says Hornsey. "This makes sense — these Eastern philosophies and religions tend to place more emphasis on the notion that seemingly contradictory forces coexist in a complementary, interrelated state, such that one cannot exist without the other."

In one study, Hornsey and colleagues analyzed data from a total of 2,392 participants in Australia, Chile, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Peru, Russia, and the United States. The researchers classified China, Hong Kong, India, and Japan as holistic cultures, predominantly influenced by religions or philosophies (such as Buddhism, Hinduism, or Taoism) that emphasize a more holistic worldview. They classified the other five regions – Australia, Chile, Peru, Russia, and the United States – as nonholistic cultures.

Participants in each region received a questionnaire translated into their native language. In response to a series of questions, participants reported their ideal level of intelligence; they also reported how long they would choose to live under normal circumstance and how long they would choose to live if they could take a magic pill ensuring eternal youth.

Using a scale that ranged from 0 (none) to 100 (maximum), participants indicated their ideal levels of health, individual freedom, happiness, pleasure, and self-esteem. They used the same scale to rate ideal levels of societal characteristics, such as morality, equality of opportunity, technological advancement, and national security.

In general, participants tended to rate their ideal levels of individual characteristics to be about 70-80%, although there was some variation across the traits. For example, many more participants chose to maximize health than chose to maximize happiness. Participants' ideals were also relatively modest for both intelligence and longevity, even when there were no limits on the levels they could choose.

The researchers found that participants in holistic cultures reported lower ideal levels for each individual trait than did participants who lived in nonholistic cultures.

A second study with 5,650 participants in 27 countries produced a similar pattern of results. Importantly, this study showed that participants from the Philippines and Indonesia – regions that are collectivist but not holistic – reported ideal levels of individual traits that were similar to those of participants from other nonholistic countries. This finding suggests that the difference between holistic and nonholistic cultures is unlikely to be explained by differences in collectivism.

In both studies, the researchers found no crosscultural differences in ideal levels of societal characteristics.

"This principle of maximization is threaded through many prominent philosophical and economic theories," Hornsey notes. "But our data suggest that people have much more complex, blended notions of perfection, ones that embrace both light and dark."

Co-authors on the research include Paul G. Bain (University of Bath), Emily Ann Harris (University of Queensland), Nadezhda Lebedeva (National research University), Emiko S. Kashima (LaTrobe University), Yanjun Guan (Durham University Business School), Roberto González (Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile), Sylvia X. Chen (Hong Kong Polytechnic University), and Sheyla Blumen (Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú).

Chilean data collection was supported by the Centre for Social Conflict and Cohesion Studies (FONDAP15130009) and the Center for Intercultural and Indigenous Research (FONDAP15110006). Russian data collection was supported by a subsidy granted by the government of the Russian Federation for implementation of the Global Competitiveness Program.



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Alternanthera mosaic potexvirus: Several Features, Properties, and Application

Alternanthera mosaic virus (AltMV) is a typical member of the Potexvirus genus in its morphology and genome structure; still it exhibits a number of unique features. They allow this virus to be considered a promising object for biotechnology. Virions and virus-like particles (VLPs) of AltMV are stable in a wide range of conditions, including sera of laboratory animals. AltMV VLPs can assemble at various pH and ionic strengths. Furthermore, AltMV virions and VLPs demonstrate high immunogenicity, enhancing the immune response to the target antigen thus offering the possibility of being used as potential adjuvants. Recently, for the first time for plant viruses, we showed the structural difference between morphologically similar viral and virus-like particles on AltMV virions and VLPs. In this review, we discuss the features of AltMV virions, AltMV VLP assembly, and their structure and properties, as well as the characteristics of AltMV isolates, host plants, infection symptoms, AltMV isolation and purification, genome structure, viral proteins, and AltMV-based vectors.

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Analgesic effect of long-acting somatostatin receptor agonist pasireotide in a patient with acromegaly and intractable headaches

A 22-year-old woman presented with worsening vision loss and headaches. A diagnosis of acromegaly was confirmed after detection of an invasive pituitary macroadenoma and biochemical testing. Despite two attempts of surgical debulking of the tumour and administration of long-acting octreotide and cabergoline, growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels were uncontrolled. The patient experienced persistent headaches despite surgery, gamma knife radiation and ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement; she was then enrolled in the ACCESS trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT01995734). Pasireotide (Signifor; Signifor LAR) was initiated, which led to reduced GH and IGF-1 levels and resolution of her intractable headaches. This highlights the use of monthly pasireotide in resolving headaches and improved biochemical control in a patient with acromegaly. We postulate that the headaches improved due to an analgesic and/or anti-inflammatory effect mediated by somatostatin receptors targeted by pasireotide. This may represent an additional benefit of pasireotide and requires further investigation.



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Cogans syndrome with pyoderma gangrenosum: management of two uncommon disorders with aggressive presentation in a patient

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) coexisting with Cogan's syndrome (CS) is uncommon, although cutaneous manifestations are known to develop in CS. A middle-aged white female patient had chronic relapsing PG requiring ciclosporin and prednisolone. Despite receiving optimal doses of ciclosporin and prednisolone, she developed acute vestibulo-auditory symptoms as a result of CS. Ciclosporin was switched to methotrexate and prednisolone was increased. However, she continued to develop acute scleritis, requiring methylprednisolone pulses, and still had further flares of PG. Her methotrexate was held off when she developed severe pneumonia and she then received a trial of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) for her recurrent leg ulcers. Unfortunately, she failed to respond to IVIG. Her ulcers eventually responded to six doses of monthly intravenous cyclophosphamide induction. Although CS is not an antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)-associated vasculitis, we used pulse cyclophosphamide, based on the experience of cyclophosphamide efficacy in severe ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). Following induction, both diseases currently remain under control with azathioprine as maintenance treatment.



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Case of severe acute lupus myocarditis and multiple-organ failure

We report a case of severe lupus myocarditis with rapid, acute deterioration to cardiogenic shock and multiorgan failure, highlighting the importance of early identification and treatment of acute presentations in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. A 31-year-old woman with previously diagnosed subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus initially presented with abdominal pain and frank per-rectal bleeding. She deteriorated rapidly with type 1 respiratory failure and acute kidney injury requiring dialysis secondary to acute cardiac failure with a prolonged intensive care unit admission, over a month. A significantly elevated troponin, global hypokinesia on echocardiogram and normal coronary artery angiogram and cardiac MRI lead to the diagnosis of acute lupus myocarditis as the cause for the cardiogenic shock. She was treated with high-dose corticosteroids and eventually made a full recovery, with cardiac function returning to normal.



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Reactive hypoglycaemia: a rarely considered 'stroke mimic in non-diabetic individuals

Hypoglycaemia is a well-documented 'stroke mimic'. The literature documents numerous case reports of patients presenting with focal neurological deficits subsequently attributed to hypoglycaemia. The significant majority of these cases are found in patients with pre-existing diabetes. We present case histories of two patients with no history of diabetes presenting to secondary care with reactive hypoglycaemia causing transient symptoms that were responsible for referral as a possible transient ischaemic attack. Although uncommon, metabolic disturbances such as hypoglycaemia should be considered in all patients presenting as a suspected stroke, even if they are not known to have diabetes.



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Enhancement of PTSD treatment through social support in Idobata-Nagaya community housing after Fukushimas triple disaster

Cognitive–behavioural therapy is a first-line treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but it is difficult to implement in disaster settings. We report the case of an 80-year-old Japanese woman, who was diagnosed with PTSD after the 2011 triple disaster (earthquake, tsunami and nuclear plant accident) in Fukushima. Her recovery was greatly enhanced by the social support she received while living in Idobata-Nagaya community housing, established by Soma city in Fukushima, where residents could naturally discuss their traumatic experiences. Habituation to traumatic memories and processing of cognitive aspects of the psychological trauma, which are therapeutic mechanisms of trauma-focused psychotherapies, spontaneously occurred in this setting. The details of this case support the effectiveness of Idobata Nagaya as a provider of psychological first aid, an evidence-informed approach to assist children, adolescents, adults and families in the aftermath of a disaster.



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Bilateral chorea/ballismus: detection and management of a rare complication of non-ketotic hyperglycaemia

Non-ketotic hyperglycaemia (NKH) is the most common metabolic cause of hemichorea-hemiballismus (HC-HB) and an often-reversible condition. A 68-year-old man presented to the emergency department with a severe hyperglycaemic episode and altered mental status. He was treated appropriately and discharged home after his blood glucose levels were normal with an improvement of mental status. Four weeks after the discharge, he returned with flailing movements of bilateral upper and lower limbs. MRI of the brain revealed hyperintensities of the bilateral putamen on T1-weighted imaging. The patient's symptoms improved with a combination of amantadine, clonazepam and tetrabenazine. Several hypotheses involving gemistocytes, calcification and petechial haemorrhage were proposed in support of imaging abnormalities in the striatum. Dopamine-depleting agents and neuroleptics are used in the treatment of chorea. It is recommended to try a dose of tetrabenazine in patients with NKH-induced HC-HB if no improvement is appreciated with initial treatment of glycaemic control.



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Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy for dengue capillary leak syndrome in a renal allograft recipient

A 45-year-old man presented 4 months after ABOi renal transplantation with febrile illness and bicytopenia necessitating cessation of mycophenolate mofetil. Dengue non-structural protein 1 antigen (NS1 Ag) test was positive. Lowest total leucocyte count was 3.1x109/L and platelet count was 14x109/L. As fever subsided, patient became tachypneic with abdominal distention and hypotension. Ultrasonographic evaluation revealed ascites, gall bladder wall oedema and bilateral pleural effusion consistent with dengue capillary leak syndrome. He developed massive ascites with abrupt weight gain of 4 kg within 24 hours and worsening renal dysfunction. Patient was deteriorating rapidly in spite of adequate supportive care and we gave a trial of intravenous immunoglobulin (0.5 g/kg/day) for 5 days. Patient improved from day 2, and by day 3, he became haemodynamically stable and recovered completely. Patient was stable at discharge and is on regular follow-up.



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Active bleeding from intercostal artery pseudoaneurysm after a percutaneous tube thoracostomy drainage procedure: diagnosis with CT angiography and treatment with transarterial coil embolisation

Description

Intercostal artery (ICA) pseudoaneurysm related to tube thoracostomy drainage procedure is not commonly encountered.1 But when haemothoraces develops due to pseudoaneurysms, they could be timely detected by CT with CT angiography (CTA) and treated via transarterial embolisation with mini coils.2 3 We report the case of a 9-year-old female child with medullobalstoma involving her brain and spine who was admitted for scheduled chemotherapy. She developed progressive dyspnoea (with oxygen saturation80%) and a right pleural effusion was noted. Subsequently, a right-sided thoracentesis with pigtail catheter insertion was performed. After thoracentesis, her respiratory pattern improved with decreased fluid drained from the pigtail catheter and thus the pigtail was removed. However, her shortness of breath with decreased breath sounds over the right lung fields recurred the next day. Repeat thoracentesis revealed bloody fluid. CT with CTA showed right haemothorax with active bleeding from the...



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Comment on: “Mapping the Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL™) Generic Core Scales Onto the Child Health Utility Index-9 Dimension (CHU-9D) Score for Economic Evaluation in Children”



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Spherical Caps in Cell Polarization

Intracellular symmetry breaking plays a key role in wide range of biological processes, both in single cells and in multicellular organisms. An important class of symmetry-breaking mechanisms relies on the cytoplasm/membrane redistribution of proteins that can autocatalytically promote their own recruitment to the plasma membrane. We present an analytical construction and a comprehensive parametric analysis of stable localized patterns in a reaction-diffusion model of such a mechanism in a spherical cell.

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Prevalence of Obesity 17.8 Percent for Youth in 2013 to 2016

TUESDAY, June 19, 2018 -- The prevalence of obesity and severe obesity among U.S. youth was 17.8 and 5.8 percent, respectively, in 2013 to 2016, according to a study published in the June 19 issue of the Journal of the American Medical...

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Considerable Costs Associated With Switching EHR

TUESDAY, June 19, 2018 -- Switching electronic health record (EHR) systems can result in increased efficiency and productivity gains, but there are significant costs associated with the switch, according to an article published in Medical...

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Increased Levels of Distress for Firearm Victimization

TUESDAY, June 19, 2018 -- Firearm victimization is associated with increased levels of distress, according to a research letter published online June 19 in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Rose M.C. Kagawa, Ph.D., M.P.H., from the University of...

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J-Shaped Association for Alcohol, Mortality in Older Adults

TUESDAY, June 19, 2018 -- In older adults there is a J-shaped association between alcohol and mortality, according to a study published online June 19 in PLOS Medicine. Andrew T. Kunzmann, Ph.D., from Queen's University Belfast in the United...

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Robust direct position determination methods in the presence of array model errors

Direct position determination (DPD) methods are known to have many advantages over the traditional two-step localization method, especially for low signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) and/or short data records. Howev...

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In Regard to Chi et al

To the Editor: Chi et al (1) are to be commended for conducting the first randomized trial on the use of hyperthermia (HT) with radiation therapy (RT) versus RT alone for painful bone metastases (1). The study was terminated at the first interim analysis after accrual of 57 of a planned 152 eligible patients, owing to perceived superiority of the HT arm and slow recruitment. They reported complete pain relief (CR) rates within 3 months of treatment as 58.6% in the HT + RT group versus 32.1% in the RT-alone group (P = .045).

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In Reply to McClelland III and Jaboin

To the Editor: We would like to thank Drs McClelland III and Jaboin for their letter regarding our article on the prevalence of financial toxicity among radiation oncology patients (1). We have demonstrated that approximately one quarter of surveyed patients experienced financial toxicity and that radiation oncologists are concerned that this emerging toxicity will negatively affect their patients (2).

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Erratum to: Mohan R, Held KD, Story MD, et al. Proceedings of the National Cancer Institute Workshop on Charged Particle Radiobiology. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2018;100:816-831.

Due to an error, the list of authors did not include all those who contributed to the article entitled: "Proceedings of the National Cancer Institute Workshop on Charged Particle Radiobiology, Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2018;100:816-831." Authors listed in this erratum are the co-authors of this article.

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Carl Mansfield, MD, ScD, FACR, FASTRO (1928-2018)

"If we [sic] can see further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants."Sir Isaac Newton

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In Regard to Palmer et al

To the Editor: We read with interest the truly commendable survey-based study by Palmer et al (1) examining the financial toxicity of radiation therapy (RT). They found that 22% of surveyed patients experienced financial toxicity after RT, with African-American race, Medicaid insurance, and annual household income <$84,000 among the groups with the greatest financial toxicity rates (1). However, the role of patient race/ethnicity in financial toxicity is unsurprising; both previous work and the current American Society for Radiation Oncology-sponsored journal Advances in Radiation Oncology series "Disparities in Radiation Oncology in North America" have indicated that key aspects of disparities in RT access for vulnerable populations (eg, African-Americans, Native Americans, Hispanic-Americans, North Americans living in Appalachia) are longstanding socioeconomic barriers that disproportionately hinder these underrepresented minorities with cancer, making them less likely than white cancer patients to receive guideline-concordant care (2-6).

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Do Existing Audiometric Dose-Effect Models and Risk Factors Apply to Children Treated With Proton Therapy?

We present auditory outcomes from a single-institution experience of children with skull base and brain tumors treated with proton therapy.

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In Reply to Yilmaz et al

To the Editor: We thank Yilmaz et al for their insights and questions concerning our recent publication (1, 2). The combination of radiation therapy and immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) is hypothesized to augment the immune system's anti-tumor response; however, the optimal timing and sequencing of therapy remains a subject of continued investigation (3). While ICI alone without central nervous system (CNS)-directed radiation has previously been reported to provide some therapeutic efficacy in patients with brain metastases, the kinetics with which ICI administration results in immunomodulation in the CNS requires further evaluation (4-6).

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Organ Preservation in Sinonasal Malignancies Through Particle Therapy

Advanced sinonasal malignancies require aggressive local treatment regimens (1). In particular, when patients insist on organ or vision preservation, these malignancies should be treated with intensified multimodal approaches.

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Proton Therapy for Brain Metastases: A Question of Value

Brain metastases from a primary extracranial malignancy are a very common problem in cancer patients, with an estimated 170,000 new cases per year in the US (1). While whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT) was the mainstay of treatment for patients with multiple brain metastases for many years, concern has grown in recent years over the adverse effects of WBRT on neurocognition and quality of life (2). Consequently, various approaches are being explored to either mitigate the effect of WBRT (eg, memantine, hippocampal-sparing IMRT) or replace this treatment modality entirely (eg, stereotactic radiosurgery, chemotherapy).

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Hypothalamic-Pituitary Dysfunction After Radiation for Brain Tumors—A Population-based Study

Damage to the hypothalamic-pituitary (HP) complex in children treated for brain tumors (BT) is frequent. It can be caused by tumor itself, surgery or by cranial irradiation. In a population-based study, we analysed frequency of HP dysfunction in 10-year survivors of childhood BT, treated with cranial RT.

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Scholarly Publishing and the Metric System

We become what we behold. We shape our tools and then our tools shape us.–Marshall McLuhan

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Differences in Treatment-Induced Facial Growth Deformity Between AMORE and EBRT for Orbital Rhabdomyosarcoma Treatment in Children

Facial growth deformity following treatment for head and neck cancer in pediatric patients is a common and severe late effect occurring in 60% of the patient population. However, the differences in growth deformity for different treatment modalities in head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma have not been analyzed yet. The purpose of this study was to quantify and compare facial growth deformity in children with orbital RMS following different treatment modalities with inherently different radiation dose distributions.

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In Regard to Chen et al

To the Editor: Currently, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are one of the most appealing topics, and it is important and essential to work on concurrent usage of ICIs and radiation therapy. In the March 2018 issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics, Chen et al published a truly appealing, and one of the largest, retrospective series in the literature (1). We read the article with great interest, yet 3 main issues are identified in the article that need further clarification for the understanding of the paper.

https://ift.tt/2JPvcBL

Intra-arterial Chemoradiation Therapy as an Option for Maxillary Sinus Cancers

First, total maxillectomy with orbital exenteration should generally be indicated for this patient (1). The occurrence of eye-related problems after surgery, such as eye movement disorders and double vision, cannot be completely avoided, even if the eyeball is preserved anatomically. In addition, postoperative radiation therapy, which is necessary for this patient, could induce eye-related problems, because the inferior one-half of eyeball, at least, and the optic nerve, will be irradiated.

https://ift.tt/2M4eknv

Issue Highlights

Heron et al

https://ift.tt/2JQMNcP

In Reply to Roos et al

To the Editor: We thank Roos et al for their interest in and comments on our article regarding combined hyperthermia (HT) and radiation therapy (RT) for patients with painful bone metastases (1, 2). We acknowledge that the analysis was limited by small patient population size. However, an individual centralized randomization process corresponding at the starting point to time of progression was standardized. The preset interim analysis time and rule of early termination by data safety monitoring committee were followed according to protocol and were regularly monitored by institution and health regulatory authorities for clinical testing.

https://ift.tt/2M25DKv

Meetings

July 16-17, 2018

https://ift.tt/2t6pjpB

Local Control and Symptom Outcomes Following Palliative Intent Radiation Therapy in Pediatric Malignancy

Data on the efficacy and timing of palliative radiation (RT) in pediatric patients is limited. We hypothesized palliative treatment within the last 30 days of life may not provide substantial benefit to patients and can be associated with cost and healthcare visits.

https://ift.tt/2M3QHeQ

Proton Beam Therapy for Ependymomas of Childhood; Early Data From the Prospective KiProReg Registry

After increasing interest in Proton therapy (PT) for the management of childhood cancer, the aim of this study was to examine feasibility and outcome of PT for childhood ependymomas in a prospective registry.

https://ift.tt/2JQRkfa

Integrating Radiosensitivity and Immune Gene Signatures for Predicting Benefit of Radiotherapy in Breast Cancer

Purpose: Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease and not all patients respond equally to adjuvant radiotherapy. Predictive biomarkers are needed to select patients who will benefit from the treatment and spare others the toxicity and burden of radiation. Experimental Design: We first trained and tested an intrinsic radiosensitivity gene signature to predict local recurrence after radiotherapy in three cohorts of 948 patients. Next, we developed an antigen processing and presentation-based immune signature by maximizing the treatment interaction effect in 129 patients. To test their predictive value, we matched patients treated with or without radiotherapy in an independent validation cohort for clinicopathologic factors including age, ER status, HER2 status, stage, hormone-therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery. Disease specific survival (DSS) was the primary endpoint. Results: Our validation cohort consisted of 1,439 patients. After matching and stratification by the radiosensitivity signature, patients who received radiotherapy had better DSS than patients who did not in the radiation-sensitive group (hazard ratio [HR]=0.68, P=0.059, n=322), while a reverse trend was observed in the radiation-resistant group (HR=1.53, P=0.059, n=202). Similarly, patients treated with radiotherapy had significantly better DSS in the immuneeffective group (HR=0.46, P=0.0076, n=180), with no difference in DSS in the immunedefective group (HR=1.27, P=0.16, n=348). Both signatures were predictive of radiotherapy benefit (Pinteraction=0.007 and 0.005). Integration of radiosensitivity and immune signatures further stratified patients into three groups with differential outcomes for those treated with or without radiotherapy (Pinteraction=0.003). Conclusions: The proposed signatures have the potential to select patients who are most likely to benefit from radiotherapy.



https://ift.tt/2tmIkn0

Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Affect Intratumoral CD8+and FoxP3+ T Cells via Interleukin 6 in the Tumor Microenvironment

Purpose: Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumor microenvironment (TME) play a central role in tumor progression. We investigated whether CAFs can regulate tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and their role in tumor immunosuppression. Experimental Design: 140 cases of esophageal cancer were analyzed for CAFs and CD8+or forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3+) TILs by immunohistochemistry. We analyzed cytokines using murine or human fibroblasts and cancer cells. Murine-derived fibroblasts and cancer cells were also inoculated into BALB/c or BALB/c-nu/numice, and the tumors treated with recombinant interleukin 6 (IL-6) or anti-IL-6 antibody. Results: CD8+TILs and CAFs were negatively correlated in intra-tumoral tissues (P< 0.001), while FoxP3+TILs were positively correlated (P< 0.001) in esophageal cancers. Co-cultured Colon26 cancer cells and fibroblasts resulted in accelerated tumor growth in BALB/c mice, along with decreased CD8+and increased FoxP3+TILs, compared with cancer cells alone. In vitro, IL-6 was highly secreted in both murine and human cancer cell/fibroblast co-cultures. IL-6 significantly increased Colon26 tumor growth in immune-competent BALB/c (P< 0.001) with fewer CD8+TILs than untreated tumors (P< 0.001), whereas no difference in BALB/c-nu/numice. In contrast, FoxP3+TILs increased in IL-6-treated tumors (P< 0.001). IL-6 antibody blockade of tumors co-cultured with fibroblasts resulted not only in regression of tumor growth but also in the accumulation of CD8+TILs in intra-tumoral tissues. Conclusions:CAFs regulate immunosuppressive TIL populations in the TME via IL-6. IL-6 blockade, or targeting CAFs, may improve pre-existing tumor immunity and enhance the efficacy of conventional immunotherapies.



https://ift.tt/2MCAH4x

Chemotherapy sensitizes therapy-resistant cells to mild hyperthermia by suppressing heat shock protein 27 expression in triple negative breast cancer

Purpose: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a clinically aggressive disease with poor prognosis. Conventional chemotherapeutics are generally able to shrink the tumor mass, but often fail to completely eradicate cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) that are responsible for high risk of relapse and frequent metastases. In this study, we examined thermal sensibility of CSCs, developed an approach that enabled concurrent elimination of both the bulk of cancer cells and CSCs, and investigated the underlying mechanism. Experimental Design: We designed a platform consisting of gold nanoparticle-coated porous silicon microparticle (AuPSM) that was also loaded with docetaxel micelles (mDTX) to enable concurrent killing of the bulk of cancer cells by released mDTX and CSCs by mild hyperthermia upon stimulation of AuPSM with near infrared. In addition, we examined the role of heat shock proteins in sensitizing CSC killing. Finally, we applied mDTX-loaded AuPSM to treat mice with SUM159 and 4T1 orthotopic tumors, and evaluated tumor growth and tumor metastasis. Results: MDA-MB-231 and SUM159 TNBC cells treated with mDTX-loaded AuPSM and mild hyperthermia displayed significantly reduced efficiencies in mammosphere formation than those treated with mDTX alone or mild hyperthermia alone. Combination treatment also completely inhibited SUM159 orthotopic tumor growth and 4T1 tumor metastasis. Mechanistically, DTX treatment suppressed expression of heat shock protein 27 in cancer cells including the CSCs, rendering cells sensitive to mild hyperthermia. Conclusions:Our results indicate that chemotherapy sensitizes CSC to mild hyperthermia. We have developed an effective therapeutic approach to eliminate therapy-resistant cells in TNBC.



https://ift.tt/2tm3t0I

Prognostic value of methylator phenotype in stage III colon cancer treated with oxaliplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy

Purpose: There are conflicting results concerning the prognostic value of the CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) in non-metastatic colon cancer (CC) patients. We studied this phenotype in stage III CC characterized for mismatch repair (MMR), RAS and BRAF status and treated with adjuvant FOLFOX-based regimen. Experimental Design: Tumor samples of 1907 patients enrolled in the PETACC-8 adjuvant phase 3 trial were analyzed. The method used was methylation-specific PCR where CIMP+ status was defined by methylation of at least three of the five following genes: IGF2, CACNA1G, NEUROG1, SOCS1, and RUNX3. Association between CIMP status and overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and survival after recurrence (SAR), was assessed by Cox model adjusted for prognostic factors and treatment arm (FOLFOX4 ± cetuximab). Results: CIMP status was successfully determined in 1867 patients (97.9%): 275 (14.7%) tumors were CIMP+. Compared to CIMP- patients, CIMP+ patients were more frequently older (p=0.002), females (p=0.04), with right-sided (p<0.0001), grade 3-4 (p<0.0001), pN2 (p=0.001), dMMR (p<0.0001), BRAF mutated (p<0.0001), and RAS wild-type (p<0.0001) tumors. In multivariate analysis, CIMP+ status was associated with shorter OS (HR: 1.46; 95%CI 1.02 - 1.94; p=0.04) and SAR (HR: 1.76; 95%CI 1.20 - 2.56; p<0.0004); but not DFS (HR: 1.15 95%CI 0.86 - 1.54; p=0.34). A non-significant trend of detrimental effect of cetuximab was observed in patients with CIMP+ tumors for OS, DFS, and SAR. Conclusions: In a large cohort of well-defined stage III CC patients, CIMP+ phenotype is associated with a shorter OS and SAR but not to DFS.



https://ift.tt/2MG1HAq

Expression patterns of programmed death ligand 1 correlate with different microenvironments and patient prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma

Expression patterns of programmed death ligand 1 correlate with different microenvironments and patient prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma

Expression patterns of programmed death ligand 1 correlate with different microenvironments and patient prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma, Published online: 20 June 2018; doi:10.1038/s41416-018-0144-4

Expression patterns of programmed death ligand 1 correlate with different microenvironments and patient prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma

https://ift.tt/2I6ctfx

Increased sensitivity to apoptosis upon endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced activation of the unfolded protein response in chemotherapy-resistant malignant pleural mesothelioma

Increased sensitivity to apoptosis upon endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced activation of the unfolded protein response in chemotherapy-resistant malignant pleural mesothelioma

Increased sensitivity to apoptosis upon endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced activation of the unfolded protein response in chemotherapy-resistant malignant pleural mesothelioma, Published online: 20 June 2018; doi:10.1038/s41416-018-0145-3

Increased sensitivity to apoptosis upon endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced activation of the unfolded protein response in chemotherapy-resistant malignant pleural mesothelioma

https://ift.tt/2tbfff2

A clinical and radiological long‐term follow‐up study of narrow diameter implants in the aesthetic area

Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2tllkok

The effect of single tooth implant restorations on the survival, morbidity, pulpal, and periapical health of adjacent teeth: A chart review

Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2liLiFp

Particle attached and free floating pathogens survival kinetics under typical stream and thermal spring temperature conditions

Improved understanding of pathogen survival in the stream environment is needed to enhance existing predictive models of stream pathogen populations. Further, the increasing use of thermal springs for bathing ...

https://ift.tt/2JPP08m

Rapid and simple detection of endospore counts in probiotic Bacillus cultures using dipicolinic acid (DPA) as a marker

Spore counting in probiotic Bacillus cultures using dipicolinic acid (DPA) as a marker was studied for developing a rapid and simple detection method. The newly developed method is based on the fluorescence enhan...

https://ift.tt/2M7rctf

Protein profiles of bacteriophages of the family Myoviridae-like induced on M. haemolytica

The aim of study was to isolate, characterize and analyse the protein profiles of Myoviridae-like bacteriophages obtained from M. haemolytica using MALDI TOF mass spectrometry. The material consisted of the M. ha...

https://ift.tt/2MIdBK2

Numerical modelling of a peripheral arterial stenosis using dimensionally reduced models and kernel methods

International Journal for Numerical Methods in Biomedical Engineering, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2ynC3gH

Sensitivity analysis of geometrical parameters to study haemodynamics and thrombus formation in the left atrial appendage

International Journal for Numerical Methods in Biomedical Engineering, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2liUrxN

Health care expenditures among elderly patients with epilepsy in the United States

Epilepsia, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2lmlUyE

A Novel UDP-Glycosyltransferase of Rhodiola crenulata Converts Tyrosol to Specifically Produce Icariside D2

Rhodiola crenulata is a Tibetan native herbal plant belonging to the family of Crassulaceae, which produces the pharmaceutical icariside D2 with the activities of inhibiting angiotensin-converting enzyme and killing leukemia cancer cells. In this study, we functionally characterized a novel UDP-glycosyltransferase (RcUGT1) that converted tyrosol to specifically produce icariside D2 from R. crenulata at molecular and biochemical levels. RcUGT1 was highly expressed in flowers and roots, while the icariside D2 content was much higher in stems than that in other organs, suggesting the potential translocation of icariside D2 from flowers and roots to stems. The high production of icariside D2 in stems provided a reasonable suggestion to farmers to harvest stems instead of roots for icariside D2 production. Enzymatic assays of recombinant RcUGT1 indicated that it converted tyrosol to specifically form icariside D2, with the values of Km 0.97±0.10 mM, Vmax 286±8.26 pKat/mg, Kcat 0.01552 s−1, and Kcat/Km 159.55 s−1 M−1. Functional identification of RcUGT1 facilitated the icariside D2 production through metabolic engineering in plants or synthetic biology in microbes.

https://ift.tt/2ypJuDR

Metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma to the occipito‐cervical junction: a unique case and literature review

ANZ Journal of Surgery, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2I5ubjb

Oncological outcomes of complete versus conventional mesocolic excision in laparoscopic right hemicolectomy

ANZ Journal of Surgery, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2K2Lwi1

How to treat right post‐pneumonectomy fistula with carinal sleeve resection

ANZ Journal of Surgery, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2I5eloT

‘Scalp coordinate system’: a new tool to accurately describe cutaneous lesions on the scalp: a pilot study

ANZ Journal of Surgery, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2I40Ohk

Pneumatic oscillating microsagittal saw: a novel method for removal of a rectal foreign body

ANZ Journal of Surgery, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2K3jEu6

Urological outcomes following pelvic exenteration for advanced pelvic cancer are not inferior to those following radical cystectomy

ANZ Journal of Surgery, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2I5bWdU

Elevated cerebrospinal fluid protein in POLG‐related epilepsy: Diagnostic and prognostic implications

Epilepsia, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2ypkn42

Psychological treatments for adults and children with epilepsy: Evidence‐based recommendations by the International League Against Epilepsy Psychology Task Force

Epilepsia, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2tnSuDE

Evolution over time of SUDEP incidence: A nationwide population‐based cohort study

Epilepsia, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2lifGzL

Long‐term negative impact of an inappropriate first antiepileptic medication on the efficacy of a second antiepileptic medication in mice

Epilepsia, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2ywiV06

The phenotype of bilateral hippocampal sclerosis and its management in “real life” clinical settings

Epilepsia, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2llVL36

Effect of modified Atkins diet in adults with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy: A randomized clinical trial

Epilepsia, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2yskXOE

Ictal and preictal power changes outside of the seizure focus correlate with seizure generalization

Epilepsia, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2lo5Ig5

Effects of carbamazepine and lamotrigine on functional magnetic resonance imaging cognitive networks

Epilepsia, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2ysaToU

Effect of valproic acid on perampanel pharmacokinetics in patients with epilepsy

Epilepsia, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2llQWqe

Phenobarbital population pharmacokinetics across the pediatric age spectrum

Epilepsia, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2ysaMtu

Parental age and risk of epilepsy: A nationwide register‐based study

Epilepsia, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2liH94j

Inhibitory control in typically developing preschoolers: Relations among temperament, respiratory sinus arrhythmia, and behavior at age 4

Developmental Psychobiology, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2K76nkf

A systematic review of parent–child synchrony: It is more than skin deep

Developmental Psychobiology, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2K2d6bV

Adiposity and weight gain during pregnancy associate independently with behavior of infant rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta)

Developmental Psychobiology, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2Kab6l0

Issue Information

British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, Volume 84, Issue 7, Page 1395-1396, July 2018.


https://ift.tt/2JQVbZP

Issue highlights

British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, Volume 84, Issue 7, Page 1397-1398, July 2018.


https://ift.tt/2M2FbjQ

CORRECTION

British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2MEY1P6

Pharmacokinetics of cefuroxime in infants and neonates undergoing cardiac surgery

British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2M4R34P

Statin use associated with lower risk of epilepsy after intracranial haemorrhage: A population‐based cohort study

British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2JUVZNm

Issue Information

Diagnostic Cytopathology, Volume 46, Issue 7, Page 559-560, July 2018.


https://ift.tt/2tnCFx3

Stroke case‐fatality and marital status

Acta Neurologica Scandinavica, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2M1s0Qj

Non‐cardioembolic TIA and ischemic stroke: Implications of severity

Acta Neurologica Scandinavica, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2JRitOX

Age and surgical outcome of low‐grade glioma in Sweden

Acta Neurologica Scandinavica, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2I5fxbI

Free Kappa light chains in neuroinflammatory disorders: Complement rather than substitute?

Acta Neurologica Scandinavica, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2tdw4G0

Adjusted Intensive Care Infection Score (ICISΔ)—A new approach for prediction of ascitic fluid infection in patients with cirrhosis

Early and accurate diagnosis is the key to improving survival in cirrhotic patients with ascitic fluid infection.

https://ift.tt/2I16bOp

Sodium nitroglycerin induces middle cerebral artery vasodilatation in young, healthy adults

Experimental Physiology, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2MIkdYy

Vaccine immunotherapy with ARNAX induces tumor‐specific memory T cells and durable anti‐tumor immunity in mouse models

Cancer Science, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2MDYH7i

Evaluation of two prognostic indices for adult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma in the subtropical endemic area, Okinawa, Japan

Cancer Science, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2JXsnux

Synergy between peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ agonist and radiotherapy in cancer

Cancer Science, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2JQyyon

IDH‐mutated astrocytomas with 19q‐loss constitute a subgroup that confers better prognosis

Cancer Science, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2K01eaa

Therapies based on targeting Epstein‐Barr virus lytic replication for EBV‐associated malignancies

Cancer Science, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2JQxWz5

Long non‐coding RNA FOXD2‐AS1 contributes to colorectal cancer proliferation through its interaction with microRNA‐185‐5p

Cancer Science, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2M3SArT

Blockade of ONECUT2 expression in ovarian cancer inhibited tumor cell proliferation, migration, invasion and angiogenesis

Cancer Science, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2MELifp

Risk communication in genetic counseling: Exploring uptake and perception of recurrence numbers, and their impact on patient outcomes

Clinical Genetics, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2ysaZNe

Issue Information

Cancer Cytopathology, Volume 126, Issue 6, Page 365-370, June 2018.


https://ift.tt/2I3dlBJ

Stronger medical links for umbilical cord blood

Cancer Cytopathology, Volume 126, Issue 6, Page 371-372, June 2018.


https://ift.tt/2t8FTVK

Hot Off the Press: SGEM #215 Aortic Dissection—Love Will Tear Us Apart

Academic Emergency Medicine, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2M6h6c4

Global Emergency Medicine: A Review of the Literature From 2017

Academic Emergency Medicine, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2JP9wFT

Upregulation of Twist is involved in Gli1 induced migration and invasion of hepatocarcinoma cells

Journal Name: Biological Chemistry
Issue: Ahead of print


https://ift.tt/2I3JvND

Sphingolipids in inflammatory hypoxia

Journal Name: Biological Chemistry
Issue: Ahead of print


https://ift.tt/2JQrlEP

Profiling system for skin kallikrein proteolysis applied in gene-deficient mouse models

Journal Name: Biological Chemistry
Issue: Ahead of print


https://ift.tt/2I26Oas

Overview of tissue kallikrein and kallikrein-related peptidases in breast cancer

Journal Name: Biological Chemistry
Issue: Ahead of print


https://ift.tt/2tabqH1

Novel splice variants of the human kallikrein-related peptidases 11 (KLK11) and 12 (KLK12), unraveled by next-generation sequencing technology

Journal Name: Biological Chemistry
Issue: Ahead of print


https://ift.tt/2I4YLJY

Novel approach to quorum quenching: rational design of antibacterials in combination with hexahistidine-tagged organophosphorus hydrolase

Journal Name: Biological Chemistry
Issue: Ahead of print


https://ift.tt/2t7U2SW

Kallikrein-related peptidase 6 orchestrates astrocyte form and function through proteinase activated receptor-dependent mechanisms

Journal Name: Biological Chemistry
Issue: Ahead of print


https://ift.tt/2M7i1ZU

Kallikrein-related peptidase 5 and seasonal influenza viruses, limitations of the experimental models for activating proteases

Journal Name: Biological Chemistry
Issue: Ahead of print


https://ift.tt/2JRH3iY

Insulin-like signaling within and beyond metazoans

Journal Name: Biological Chemistry
Issue: Ahead of print


https://ift.tt/2M72TeZ

Functional interrelationships between the kallikrein-related peptidases family and the classical kinin system in the human neutrophil

Journal Name: Biological Chemistry
Issue: Ahead of print


https://ift.tt/2t9mGDq

Exploratory cell dynamics: a sense of touch for cells?

Journal Name: Biological Chemistry
Issue: Ahead of print


https://ift.tt/2I3IKUN

Click reactions with functional sphingolipids

Journal Name: Biological Chemistry
Issue: Ahead of print


https://ift.tt/2tbnV4Q

CD4+ Foxp3+ regulatory T cell-mediated immunomodulation by anti-depressants inhibiting acid sphingomyelinase

Journal Name: Biological Chemistry
Issue: Ahead of print


https://ift.tt/2M72LMx

Masticatory efficiency of implant‐supported removable partial dental prostheses in patients with free fibula flap reconstructed mandibles: A split‐mouth, observational study

Clinical Oral Implants Research, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2lmE6Iy

Biological effect of the abutment material on the stability of peri‐implant marginal bone levels: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Clinical Oral Implants Research, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2tmy6Dc

The enigmatic function of IgD: some answers at last

European Journal of Immunology, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2JSedio

Subcutaneous rather than intravenous ustekinumab induction is associated with comparable circulating drug levels and early clinical response: A pilot study

Alimentary Pharmacology &Therapeutics, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2K0Tepy

Is immune checkpoint inhibition part of standard therapy for stage III non‐small cell lung cancer?

Cancer, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2M3qLQw

Older women with a family history of breast cancer face increased risk of the disease

Cancer, Volume 124, Issue 13, Page 2673-2673, July 1, 2018.


https://ift.tt/2tbnBDa

Issue Information

Cancer, Volume 124, Issue 13, Page 2661-2670, July 1, 2018.


https://ift.tt/2M09yY4

Scientists probe link between stress and cancer

Cancer, Volume 124, Issue 13, Page 2671-2672, July 1, 2018.


https://ift.tt/2JP0icS

Multicenter, randomized, double‐blind phase 2 trial of FOLFIRI with regorafenib or placebo as second‐line therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer

Cancer, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2I5UuG3

Quality of life as a prognostic indicator of survival: A pooled analysis of individual patient data from Canadian Cancer Trials Group clinical trials

Cancer, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2JS7HIv

Variation in prostate cancer treatment and spending among Medicare shared savings program accountable care organizations

Cancer, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2M7WS1J

Life stress as a risk factor for sustained anxiety and cortisol dysregulation during the first year of survivorship in ovarian cancer

Cancer, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2JP031s

Erratum: Dudley B, Karloski E, Monzon FA, et al. Germline mutation prevalence in individuals with pancreatic cancer and a history of previous malignancy. Cancer. 2018;124:1691‐1700.

Cancer, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2M09h7u

Symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder among hospitalized patients with cancer

Cancer, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2JQNWkB

Quality of life in patients with proton‐treated pediatric medulloblastoma: Results of a prospective assessment with 5‐year follow‐up

Cancer, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2I5U5n1

Beyond classic risk adjustment: Socioeconomic status and hospital performance in urologic oncology surgery

Cancer, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2JOZPaC

Iron overload in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes: An updated overview

Cancer, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2I5U0jd

The classification of pediatric and young adult renal cell carcinomas registered on the Children's Oncology Group (COG) protocol AREN03B2 after focused genetic testing

Cancer, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2tauVPw

Review article: pathogenesis of Crohn's perianal fistula—understanding factors impacting on success and failure of treatment strategies

Alimentary Pharmacology &Therapeutics, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2K0RHTE

Clinical features and outcomes of hepatocellular carcinoma in Caucasian cirrhotic patients on long‐term analogue therapy for hepatitis B

Alimentary Pharmacology &Therapeutics, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2K0RFv0

High incidence of autoimmune gastritis in patients misdiagnosed with two or more failures of H. pylori eradication

Alimentary Pharmacology &Therapeutics, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2I3goKf

An expert consensus to standardise definitions, diagnosis and treatment targets for anti‐fibrotic stricture therapies in Crohn's disease

Alimentary Pharmacology &Therapeutics, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2K6PdDo

Sarcopenia is associated with the risk of significant liver fibrosis in metabolically unhealthy subjects with chronic hepatitis B

Alimentary Pharmacology &Therapeutics, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2I57b3Q

Detection of the unknown components of the oral microflora of teeth with periapical radiolucencies in a Turkish population using next‐generation sequencing techniques

International Endodontic Journal, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2JR9pcT

Expression patterns of programmed death ligand 1 correlate with different microenvironments and patient prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma



https://ift.tt/2tn2Pjt

Increased sensitivity to apoptosis upon endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced activation of the unfolded protein response in chemotherapy-resistant malignant pleural mesothelioma



https://ift.tt/2MFOY0A

Recent Progress in Biomimetic Additive Manufacturing Technology: From Materials to Functional Structures

Advanced Materials, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2tgfPHw

Emerging Nonaqueous Aluminum‐Ion Batteries: Challenges, Status, and Perspectives

Advanced Materials, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2t9kiws

Functional Enzyme Mimics for Oxidative Halogenation Reactions that Combat Biofilm Formation

Advanced Materials, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2tlETgs

A General Approach for Fluid Patterning and Application in Fabricating Microdevices

Advanced Materials, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2tc6h0Z

Unlockable Nanocomplexes with Self‐Accelerating Nucleic Acid Release for Effective Staged Gene Therapy of Cardiovascular Diseases

Advanced Materials, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2tnpPyR

High‐Mobility p‐Type and n‐Type Copper Nitride Semiconductors by Direct Nitriding Synthesis and In Silico Doping Design

Advanced Materials, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2MEBkL5

Carbon‐Quantum‐Dots‐Loaded Ruthenium Nanoparticles as an Efficient Electrocatalyst for Hydrogen Production in Alkaline Media

Advanced Materials, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2K0NHT8

Development of Bismuth Ferrite as a Piezoelectric and Multiferroic Material by Cobalt Substitution

Advanced Materials, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2tnpGeN

Transparent Polycrystalline Magnesium Aluminate Spinel Fabricated by Spark Plasma Sintering

Advanced Materials, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2taUqQU

“Dual Lock‐and‐Key”‐Controlled Nanoprobes for Ultrahigh Specific Fluorescence Imaging in the Second Near‐Infrared Window

Advanced Materials, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2ypdSym

Necklace‐Like Structures Composed of Fe3N@C Yolk–Shell Particles as an Advanced Anode for Sodium‐Ion Batteries

Advanced Materials, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2taQPlP

Defect‐Enhanced Charge Separation and Transfer within Protection Layer/Semiconductor Structure of Photoanodes

Advanced Materials, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2ysownY

A Micro‐Ark for Cells: Highly Open Porous Polyhydroxyalkanoate Microspheres as Injectable Scaffolds for Tissue Regeneration

Advanced Materials, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2tgEhJR

Masthead: (Adv. Mater. 25/2018)

Advanced Materials, Volume 30, Issue 25, June 20, 2018.


https://ift.tt/2tn041B

Cancer Therapy: Surface Nanopore Engineering of 2D MXenes for Targeted and Synergistic Multitherapies of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (Adv. Mater. 25/2018)

Advanced Materials, Volume 30, Issue 25, June 20, 2018.


https://ift.tt/2tnbySC

Sensors: On‐Chip Spiral Waveguides for Ultrasensitive and Rapid Detection of Nanoscale Objects (Adv. Mater. 25/2018)

Advanced Materials, Volume 30, Issue 25, June 20, 2018.


https://ift.tt/2lmCL4u

Combination Immunotherapy: A Dual Immunotherapy Nanoparticle Improves T‐Cell Activation and Cancer Immunotherapy (Adv. Mater. 25/2018)

Advanced Materials, Volume 30, Issue 25, June 20, 2018.


https://ift.tt/2tkRd0o

Effect of Dose and 5α‐Reductase Inhibition on the Circulating Testosterone Metabolite Profile of Men Administered Oral Testosterone

Clinical and Translational Science, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2K2qkp7

The remarkable plethora of infestation-responsive Q-type C2H2 transcription factors in potato

Q-type C2H2 transcription factors (TF) play crucial roles in the plant response to stress, often leading to regulation of downstream genes required for tolerance to these challenges. An infestation-responsive ...

https://ift.tt/2I4QGVy

Case report: Diffuse hyperplastic perilobar nephroblastomatosis complicated by a unilateral Wilms tumour: diagnosis, treatment and follow-up

Nephroblastomatosis is an uncommon pathologic process characterized by the presence of persistent embryonic nephrogenic rests. Progression to Wilms tumour occurs in an estimated 35% of patients. Cure rates are...

https://ift.tt/2K6vun2

Mitochondrial genome variation of Atlantic cod

The objective of this study was to analyse intraspecific sequence variation of Atlantic cod mitochondrial DNA, based on a comprehensive collection of completely sequenced mitochondrial genomes.

https://ift.tt/2I4QrtC

Transgastric reintervention for self‐expandable metallic stent dysfunction following endoscopic ultrasonography‐guided hepaticogastrostomy

Digestive Endoscopy, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2K2AlWB

Adjusting the length and direction of the redundant duodenal stent using a detachable snare and endoclips

Digestive Endoscopy, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2I0VNGp

Nasojejunal‐stent technique: A new system to prevent fully covered metal stent migration in the treatment of benign esophageal diseases

Digestive Endoscopy, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2K2AeKF

Long-Term Impact of Regional Nodal Irradiation in Patients with Node-Positive Breast Cancer Treated with Neoadjuvant Systemic Therapy

The impact of regional nodal irradiation (RNI) on locoregional recurrence (LRR) and any disease recurrence (DR) in women with node-positive breast cancer who receive neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NAT) is unknown.

https://ift.tt/2K3ST5l

The Expanding Role of Physiologic Imaging in Radiation Oncology

Functional imaging of tumor and normal tissue physiology provides novel opportunities to further optimize radiation therapy (RT) treatments by identifying refined critical structures and biological target volumes (BTVs) within the tumor for preferential targeting. Advances in functional imaging and adaptive RT techniques have the potential to lead to the development of improved dose–response relationships for normal tissues and RT treatments that are tailored to individual patients. In this "Oncology Scan" for the special issue on Imaging in Radiation Oncology, members of the physics editorial team discuss 3 thought-provoking articles that reflect recent and noteworthy advances in the combined use of functional imaging and adaptive RT to exploit heterogeneity in tumor and normal tissue biology.

https://ift.tt/2t7FMcS

Regional radiation dose-response modeling of functional liver in hepatocellular carcinoma patients with longitudinal sulfur colloid SPECT/CT: a proof of concept

We report on patient-specific quantitative changes in longitudinal sulfur colloid SPECT/CT as a function of regional radiation dose distributions to normal liver in a cohort of hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Dose-response thresholds and slopes varied with baseline liver function metrics, and extreme values were found in patients with fatal hepatotoxicity. Dose-response modeling of normal liver in individual HCC patients has potential to characterize in vivo radiosensitivity, identify high risk subgroups, and personalize treatment planning dose constraints.

https://ift.tt/2JRhSNs

Druggability of the guanosine/adenosine/cytidine nucleoside hydrolase from Trichomonas vaginalis

Chemical Biology &Drug Design, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2lopGrr

Pyrimidine‐based pyrazoles as cyclin‐dependent kinase 2 inhibitors: Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation

Chemical Biology &Drug Design, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2yqQLmR

Computational investigation on the binding modes of Rimonabant analogs with CB1 and CB2

Chemical Biology &Drug Design, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2lopDff

Design, synthesis and evaluation of a novel series of inhibitors reversing P‐glycoprotein‐mediated multidrug resistance

Chemical Biology &Drug Design, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2yqQIYd

Generalized Information Theory Meets Human Cognition: Introducing a Unified Framework to Model Uncertainty and Information Search

Cognitive Science, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2K6vp2I

Synergistic Information Processing Encrypts Strategic Reasoning in Poker

Cognitive Science, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2I5ebxP

How the Abstract Becomes Concrete: Irrational Numbers Are Understood Relative to Natural Numbers and Perfect Squares

Cognitive Science, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2K3Tesg

Probing Representations of Gymnastics Movements: A Visual Priming Study

Cognitive Science, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2K1raCz

Scientific surgery

BJS, Volume 105, Issue 8, Page 1070-1070, July 2018.


https://ift.tt/2K4H9Tp

Is axillary ultrasound imaging necessary for all patients with breast cancer?

BJS, Volume 105, Issue 8, Page 930-932, July 2018.


https://ift.tt/2I4VRF4

Molecular and cellular characterization of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes in the arcuate nucleus of the mouse hypothalamus

European Journal of Neuroscience, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2tdiUZC

Reading memory formation from the eyes

European Journal of Neuroscience, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2I5bxbn

Spontaneous resting‐state gamma oscillations are not predictive of autistic traits in the general population

European Journal of Neuroscience, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2t86eDA

Contribution of early Alzheimer's disease‐related pathophysiology to the development of acquired epilepsy

European Journal of Neuroscience, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2I2UzKw

Optogenetic activation of the central amygdala generates addiction‐like preference for reward

European Journal of Neuroscience, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2tc5zRn

Voxel‐based morphometry in creative writers: Grey matter increase in a prefronto‐thalamic‐cerebellar network

European Journal of Neuroscience, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2I4Nw43

Lasting changes induced by mild alcohol exposure during embryonic development in BDNF, NCAM and synaptophysin‐positive neurons quantified in adult zebrafish

European Journal of Neuroscience, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2JOQwHy

Issue Information

European Journal of Neuroscience, Volume 47, Issue 11, Page i-iii, June 2018.


https://ift.tt/2M7o8NN

Delta‐9‐tetrahydrocannabinol potentiates fear memory salience through functional modulation of mesolimbic dopaminergic activity states

European Journal of Neuroscience, Volume 47, Issue 11, Page 1385-1400, June 2018.


https://ift.tt/2JQJAKh

Safety and Effectiveness of Nurse-Administered Propofol Sedation in Outpatients Undergoing Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and colonoscopy are common outpatient gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures that frequently use sedation. We aimed to identify a protocol that combines safety with cost effectiveness.

https://ift.tt/2M3HO4V

Improved Bone Safety of Tenofovir Alafenamide Compared to Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate Over 2 Years in Patients With Chronic HBV Infection

Long-term use of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) reduces bone mineral density (BMD). Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), a new prodrug of tenofovir, has shown non-inferior efficacy to TDF in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, with improved bone effects at 48 weeks. We performed a randomized trial to evaluate the bone safety of TAF compared with TDF over 2 years, assessing baseline risk factors for bone loss, were evaluated after 2 years of treatment.

https://ift.tt/2t85Tki

Obstacles to the development of the organic food market in Poland and the possible directions of growth

Food Science &Nutrition, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2M3HGSZ

A comparison of the nutritional content of processed foods available on the French market, according to the type of brand, and potential impact on nutrient intakes—An Oqali study

Food Science &Nutrition, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2tc5z3P

The effect of pre‐process and transport strategies on survival, microbiologic, and physiologic of Patinopecten yessoensis

Food Science &Nutrition, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2I5bcp7

The changes in chemical composition of Holothuria tubulosa (Gmelin, 1788) with ambient‐drying and oven‐drying methods

Food Science &Nutrition, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2JQJoe1

Impact of process conditions on the microbial community dynamics and metabolite production kinetics of teff sourdough fermentations under bakery and laboratory conditions

Food Science &Nutrition, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2M6g3J4

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of Gannan navel orange (Citrus sinensis Osbeck cv. Newhall) peel essential oils

Food Science &Nutrition, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2t85yhw

Functional Multichannel Poly(Propylene Fumarate)‐Collagen Scaffold with Collagen‐Binding Neurotrophic Factor 3 Promotes Neural Regeneration After Transected Spinal Cord Injury

Advanced Healthcare Materials, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2I4M41G

Redox‐Activated Near‐Infrared‐Responsive Polyoxometalates Used for Photothermal Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease

Advanced Healthcare Materials, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2JTdgGs

Self‐Assembling Nanoclay Diffusion Gels for Bioactive Osteogenic Microenvironments

Advanced Healthcare Materials, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2I3BFDH

Simultaneous Micropatterning of Fibrous Meshes and Bioinks for the Fabrication of Living Tissue Constructs

Advanced Healthcare Materials, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2JQH8Dz

Cross Talk Between Autophagy and Apoptosis Contributes to ZnO Nanoparticle‐Induced Human Osteosarcoma Cell Death

Advanced Healthcare Materials, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2M2mwVk

Cardiorespiratory Fitness Attenuates the Obesity Risk in Chinese Children Who Have Parents with Overweight/Obesity

To evaluate the impact of parental weight status and offspring cardiorespiratory fitness on the risk of obesity among Chinese children.

https://ift.tt/2K6NIFd

Altered White Matter Microstructure Correlates with IQ and Processing Speed in Children and Adolescents Post-Fontan

To compare white matter microstructure in children and adolescents with single ventricle who underwent the Fontan procedure with healthy controls, and to explore the association of white matter injury with cognitive performance as well as patient and medical factors.

https://ift.tt/2I53dZb

Various Aortic Endovascular Graft Systems: Letter to Health Care Providers - UPDATE on Type III Endoleaks

[Posted 06/19/2018] AUDIENCE: Risk Manager, Surgery, Patient, Cardiology ISSUE: The FDA continues to evaluate information from several sources and based on new information, the Endologix AFX with Strata device is at greater risk for a Type III...

https://ift.tt/2t5EAqH

Environmental exposures and the risk of multiple sclerosis in Saudi Arabia

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common non-traumatic condition that leads to disability among young individuals. It is associated with demyelination, inflammation, and neurodegeneration within the central ...

https://ift.tt/2tmixvg

A qualitative assessment of the acceptability of hepatitis C remote self-testing and self-sampling amongst people who use drugs in London, UK

Hepatitis C (HCV) diagnosis and care is a major challenge for people who use illicit drugs, and is characterised by low rates of testing and treatment engagement globally. New approaches to fostering engagemen...

https://ift.tt/2MEiEen

Various Aortic Endovascular Graft Systems: Letter to Health Care Providers - UPDATE on Type III Endoleaks

[Posted 06/19/2018] AUDIENCE: Risk Manager, Surgery, Patient, Cardiology ISSUE: The FDA continues to evaluate information from several sources and based on new information, the Endologix AFX with Strata device is at greater risk for a Type III...

https://ift.tt/2t5EAqH

Synchrotron X-ray Microdiffraction and Fluorescence Imaging of Mineral and Rock Samples

We describe a beamline setup meant to carry out rapid two-dimensional x-ray fluorescence and x-ray microdiffraction mapping of single crystal or powder samples using either Laue (polychromatic radiation) or powder (monochromatic radiation) diffraction. The resulting maps give information about strain, orientation, phase distribution, and plastic deformation.

https://ift.tt/2JZ3nTK

Proofreading and DNA Repair Assay Using Single Nucleotide Extension and MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry Analysis

57862fig1.jpg

A non-labeled, non-radio-isotopic method for DNA polymerase proofreading and a DNA repair assay was developed by using high-resolution MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and a single nucleotide extension strategy. The assay proved to be very specific, simple, rapid, and easy to perform for proofreading and repair patches shorter than 9-nucleotides.

https://ift.tt/2JQprE9

Ovarian Tissue Culture to Visualize Phenomena in Mouse Ovary

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Ovarian tissue cultures can be used as models of follicle development, ovulation, and follicle atresia and indicate regulatory mechanisms of dynamic ovarian processes.

https://ift.tt/2M22WZk

Generation of First Heart Field-like Cardiac Progenitors and Ventricular-like Cardiomyocytes from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

57688fig1.jpg

Here we describe a scalable method, using a simple combination of Activin A and lentivirus-mediated Id1-overexpression, to generate first heart field-like cardiac progenitors and ventricular-like cardiomyocytes from human pluripotent stem cells.

https://ift.tt/2M6I9E1

Evaluating Vascular Hyperpermeability-inducing Agents in the Skin with the Miles Assay

Here, we present a protocol to measure the vascular leakage induced by intradermal administration of permeability promoting agents into the murine skin. This technique can be used to determine the ability of molecules to promote or inhibit vascular leakage or to study the molecular mechanisms that regulate vascular permeability.

https://ift.tt/2MGjpU7

Algorithm Predicts Very Low Blood Pressure During Surgery

TUESDAY, June 19, 2018 -- A machine-learning algorithm can predict hypotension during surgery based on high-fidelity arterial pressure waveform analysis, according to a study published online June 11 in Anesthesiology. Feras Hatib, Ph.D., from...

https://ift.tt/2JO251T

Pharmacologic Tx Should Be Used Sparingly for Reflux in Preemies

TUESDAY, June 19, 2018 -- Conservative measures to control reflux have limited effect on signs of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in preterm infants, and pharmacologic treatments should be used sparingly, according to a clinical report published...

https://ift.tt/2JYKEHO

High Success Rates for Mitral Valve Repair With Robotic Surgery

TUESDAY, June 19, 2018 -- Robotic and minimally invasive (mini) approaches to mitral surgery are associated with high rates of mitral repair, although robotic patients have longer procedural time, according to a study published online June 18 in...

https://ift.tt/2JRwRqD

Mental Health Declining for Disadvantaged U.S. Adults

TUESDAY, June 19, 2018 -- Mental health seems to be declining among Americans of low relative socioeconomic position, according to a study published online June 18 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Noreen Goldman, D.Sc., from...

https://ift.tt/2M6I0At

Many Women Report Vasomotor Symptoms in Their 60s

TUESDAY, June 19, 2018 -- A substantial proportion of women older than 60 years may experience moderate-to-severe vasomotor symptoms (msVMS), according to a study published online May 7 in Menopause. Paru S. David, M.D., from the Mayo Clinic in...

https://ift.tt/2MFuSn2

Recent-Onset Diabetes Tied to Increased Pancreatic Cancer Risk

TUESDAY, June 19, 2018 -- Recent-onset diabetes is associated with more than a two-fold greater increase in risk of pancreatic cancer (PC) than long-standing diabetes in African-Americans and Latinos, according to a study published online June 18 in...

https://ift.tt/2M3Vvkk

Rates of Cardiac Stress Testing Down but Still Higher in CKD

TUESDAY, June 19, 2018 -- From 2008 to 2012 there was a decrease in overall rates of cardiac stress testing in Medicare beneficiaries, though rates were consistently higher for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) than those without CKD,...

https://ift.tt/2JThtK8

Less Improvement in AHA Diet Score for SNAP Participants

TUESDAY, June 19, 2018 -- Participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) have less improvement in American Heart Association (AHA) diet scores than other U.S. adults, according to a study published online June 15 in JAMA...

https://ift.tt/2M67VIq

Increased Risk of MI, Ischemic Stroke After COPD Exacerbation

TUESDAY, June 19, 2018 -- For adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), acute exacerbations are associated with increased risk of myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke, according to a study published online May 3 in the Annals of...

https://ift.tt/2JTvaJ9

Tattoo-Linked Complications ID'd in Immunosuppressed Female

TUESDAY, June 19, 2018 -- In a case report published online June 18 in BMJ Case Reports, a tattoo-related complication causing an inflammatory myopathy is described in an immunosuppressed patient. William Thomas Wilson, from NHS Greater Glasgow and...

https://ift.tt/2M3dpnj

Endovascular Therapy and Ethnic Disparities in Stroke Outcomes

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Background and Purpose: Ethnic disparities in stroke are well described, with a higher incidence of disability and increased mortality in Blacks versus Whites. We sought to compare the clinical outcomes between those ethnic groups after stroke endovascular therapy (ET). Methods: We performed a retrospective review of the prospectively acquired Grady Endovascular Stroke Outcomes Registry between September 1, 2010 and September 30, 2015. Patients were dichotomized into two groups – Caucasians and African-Americans – and matched for age, pretreatment glucose level, and baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score. Baseline characteristics as well as procedural and outcome parameters were compared. Results: Out of the 830 patients treated with ET, 308 pairs of patients (n = 616) underwent primary analysis. African-Americans were younger (p #x3c; 0.01), had a higher prevalence of hypertension (p #x3c; 0.01) and diabetes (p = 0.04), and had higher Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score values (p = 0.03) and shorter times to treatment (p = 0.01). Blacks more frequently had Medicaid coverage and less private insurance (29.6 vs. 11.4% and 41.5 vs. 60.3%, respectively, p #x3c; 0.01). The remaining baseline characteristics, including baseline NIHSS score and CT perfusion-derived ischemic core volumes, were well balanced. There were no differences in the overall distribution of 90-day modified Rankin scale scores (p = 0.28), rates of successful reperfusion (84.7 vs. 85.7%, p = 0.91), good outcomes (49.1 vs. 44%, p = 0.24), or parenchymal hematomas (6.5 vs. 6.8%, p = 1.00). Blacks had lower 90-day mortality rates (18 vs. 24.6%, p = 0.04) in univariate analysis, which persisted as a nonsignificant trend after adjustment for potential confounders (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.26–1.03, p = 0.06). Conclusions: Despite unique baseline characteristics, African-Americans treated with ET for large vessel occlusion strokes have similar outcomes as Caucasians. Greater availability of ET may diminish the ethnic/racial disparities in stroke outcomes.
Intervent Neurol 2018;7:389–398

https://ift.tt/2MFS1Wu

Rapid In Vivo Assessment of Adjuvant's Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes Generation Capabilities for Vaccine Development

We present here an application for a standard immunological technique (CFSE stained OT-I proliferation) intended to rapidly monitor adjuvant-mediated cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) generation in vivo. This fast estimation of CTL capacities is useful for the development of prophylactic vaccines against intracellular pathogens as well as therapeutic cancer vaccines.

https://ift.tt/2K1YCfr

Adherence of Bacteria to Plant Surfaces Measured in the Laboratory

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An easy method for measuring and characterizing bacterial adhesion to plants, particularly roots and sprouts, is described in this article.

https://ift.tt/2JXyf6R

Inconsistent symptom clusters for functional gastrointestinal disorders in Asia: is Rome burning?

On 18 July 64 AD, the great fire of Rome destroyed much of the ancient city, starting in the slums in the southern part and rapidly spreading north.1 The Emperor Nero was long blamed for the disaster but there is little evidence that he actually set the fire. However, he was displeased by the architectural design of the ancient Rome and the disaster provided a welcome opportunity for him to change the city building codes.

Fast forward 2000 years; the Rome criteria today are considered the global 'gold standard' for the diagnosis and categorisation of functional GI disorders (FGID) including the IBS and functional dyspepsia (FD), and Rome IV was released to acclaim in 2016.2 The Rome criteria are consensus and expert opinion based and anatomical region or structure focused (eg, oesophageal disorders, gastroduodenal disorders, bowel disorders, centrally mediated pain disorders and anorectal disorders)2 rather than...



https://ift.tt/2I6Ube6

Acquired factor XII deficiency following transanal excision of rectal lesion by transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS): a case report and literature review

Abstract

Background

Local excision (LE) is currently one of the most effective methods used in cases of large benign polyps, not suitable for endoscopic treatment, or early-stage neoplasms. LE is also alternative to anterior rectal resection in selected patients suffering from major comorbidities and limits for major abdominal procedure. Furthermore, LE results in less pain, reduced impact on bowel function, shorter duration of hospital stay, and lower rates of morbidity, mortality and stoma creation. In particular, early data on transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) are promising, but they come from single centre case series related to small groups of patients and more data are needed to draw a final conclusion on the safety of this novel approach for transanal resection.

Case presentation

A 62-year-old woman, following a positive faecal occult blood test and with unremarkable medical history, was admitted to hospital for excision of a large flat neoplastic lesion. Endoscopic biopsy demonstrated a tubular adenoma with high-grade dysplasia and was decided to proceed with surgical excision by TAMIS. After surgery, short-term outcomes revealed prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time, undetectable factor XII activity, fever, and partial dehiscence of rectal wall defect suture. Cross-mixing studies of patient plasma show no correction in either the immediate or incubated activated partial thromboplastin time, indicating the presence of an acquired factor XII inhibitor. Activated partial thromboplastin time and factor XII improved in the following weeks without any specific therapy in addition to antibiotic therapy.

Conclusion

This is the first report in which acquired inhibitor of coagulation factor XII is associated with a specific surgical procedure. This case has shown how trans-anal excision of rectal lesions, even when performed by minimally invasive means such as in case of TAMIS, is not free of complications. We consider the acute infection, resulting from early dehiscence of the suture, the trigger in an abnormal immune response, and inhibitor development.



https://ift.tt/2yr9f6U

Vascular complications in adult postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock patients receiving venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

The rate, prognostic impacts, and predisposing factors of major vascular complications (MVCs) in patients underwent venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) by surgical cut-down are poorly un...

https://ift.tt/2thOtAQ

Tumor-Suppressive Function of miR-30d-5p in Prostate Cancer Cell Proliferation and Migration by Targeting NT5E

Cancer Biotherapy and Radiopharmaceuticals, Volume 33, Issue 5, Page 203-211, June 2018.


https://ift.tt/2M7aBG3

On Reviewing

Cancer Biotherapy and Radiopharmaceuticals, Volume 33, Issue 5, Page 167-168, June 2018.


https://ift.tt/2M3RRH9

Exploration of a F(ab′)2 Fragment as the Targeting Agent of α-Radiation Therapy: A Comparison of the Therapeutic Benefit of Intraperitoneal and Intravenous Administered Radioimmunotherapy

Cancer Biotherapy and Radiopharmaceuticals, Volume 33, Issue 5, Page 182-193, June 2018.


https://ift.tt/2MFe8wc

Effects of hsa_circRBM23 on Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Viability and Migration as Produced by Regulating miR-138 Expression

Cancer Biotherapy and Radiopharmaceuticals, Volume 33, Issue 5, Page 194-202, June 2018.


https://ift.tt/2K3thG4

Does perceived organisational support influence career intentions? The qualitative stories shared by UK early career doctors

Introduction

The wish to quit or take time out of medical training appears to be related, at least in part, to a strong desire for supportive working and learning environments. However, we do not have a good understanding of what a supportive culture means to early career doctors, and how perceptions of support may influence career decision making. Our aim was to explore this in UK Foundation doctors.

Methods

This was a qualitative study using semistructured interviews incorporating a narrative inquiry approach for data collection. Interview questions were informed by the literature as well as data from two focus groups. Interviews were carried out in two UK locations. Initial data coding and analysis were inductive, using thematic analysis. We then used the lens of Perceived Organizational Support (POS) to group themes and aid conceptual generalisability.

Results

Twenty-one interviews were carried out. Eleven interviewees had applied for specialty training, while ten had not. Support from senior staff and colleagues influenced participants' job satisfaction and engagement. Positive relationships with senior staff and colleagues seemed to act as a buffer, helping participants cope with challenging situations. Feeling valued (acknowledgement of efforts, and respect) was important. Conversely, perceiving a poor level of support from the organisation and its representatives (supervisors and colleagues) had a detrimental impact on participants' intentions to stay working within the National Health Service (NHS).

Conclusion

Overall, this is the first study to explore directly how experiences in early postgraduate training have a critical impact on the career intentions of trainee/resident doctors. We found perceived support in the early stages of postgraduate training was critical to whether doctors applied for higher training and/or intended to stay working in the NHS. These findings have transferable messages to other contexts struggling to recruit and retain junior doctors.



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Comparison of the efficacy and acceptability of Chinese herbal medicine in adult patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction: study protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Introduction

Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is defined as the clinical diagnosis of heart failure (HF) and ejection fraction (EF) ≤40%, which is a severe public healthcare issue and brings a heavy social and economic burden for patients with HFrEF. Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has a long history in treating HF. Questions concerning the efficacy and acceptability of CHM-related interventions in adult patients with HFrEF led us to use the method of systematic review and network meta-analysis to integrate direct and indirect evidence to create hierarchies for all CHM.

Methods and analysis

Nine medical databases, including PubMed, EMBASE (OVID), the Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, Web of Science, CNKI, VIP, Wanfang Database and CBM will be searched from the date of database inception to June 2015 (updated to March 2017) without language and publication status restriction. Completely randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing CHM or CHM plus routine treatment with CHM, CHM plus routine treatment, routine treatment, no treatment or placebo for adults with HFrEF will be examined. Our primary outcomes will include all-cause mortality, HF-related death, all-cause rehospitalisation, HF-related rehospitalisation and acceptability (discontinuation due to any adverse events during treatment). Secondary outcomes will include response rate, mean value or mean difference from baseline of surrogate indexes. We will perform the Bayesian network meta-analyses (NMA) for the most frequently reported primary or secondary outcome and the acceptability outcome, if available. Meta-regression, subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses will be conducted based on prespecified effect modifiers to assess the robustness of the findings.

Dissemination

The results of this NMA will provide useful information about the effectiveness and acceptability of CHM in adults with HFrEF, which will also have implications for clinical practice and further research. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journal publication and conference presentations.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42016053854.



https://ift.tt/2ylSR7u

Is prevalence of e-cigarette and nicotine replacement therapy use among smokers associated with average cigarette consumption in England? A time-series analysis

Objectives

Many smokers use e-cigarettes and licensed nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), often in an attempt to reduce their cigarette consumption. We estimated how far changes in prevalence of e-cigarette and NRT use while smoking were accompanied by changes in cigarette consumption at the population level.

Design

Repeated representative cross-sectional population surveys of adults aged 16+ years in England.

Methods

We used Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average with Exogeneous Input (ARIMAX) modelling of monthly data between 2006 and 2016 from the Smoking Toolkit Study. Prevalence of e-cigarette use and NRT use in current smokers, and specifically for smoking reduction and temporary abstinence, were input variables. Mean daily cigarette consumption was the dependent variable. Analyses involved adjustment for mass media expenditure and tobacco-control policies.

Results

No statistically significant associations were found between changes in use of e-cigarettes (β –0.012, 95% CI –0.026 to 0.002) or NRT (β 0.015, 95% CI –0.026 to 0.055) while smoking and daily cigarette consumption. Neither did we find clear evidence for an association between e-cigarette use (β –0.010, 95% CI –0.025 to 0.005 and β 0.011, 95%–0.027 to 0.004) or NRT use (β 0.006, 95%–0.030 to 0.043 and β 0.022, 95%–0.020 to 0.063) specifically for smoking reduction and temporary abstinence, respectively, and changes in daily cigarette consumption.

Conclusion

If use of e-cigarettes and licensed NRT while smoking acted to reduce cigarette consumption in England between 2006 and 2016, the effect was likely very small at a population level.



https://ift.tt/2lkZ9Le

Validation of discharge diagnosis codes to identify serious infections among middle age and older adults

Objectives

Hospitalisations for serious infections are common among middle age and older adults and frequently used as study outcomes. Yet, few studies have evaluated the performance of diagnosis codes to identify serious infections in this population. We sought to determine the positive predictive value (PPV) of diagnosis codes for identifying hospitalisations due to serious infections among middle age and older adults.

Setting and participants

We identified hospitalisations for possible infection among adults >=50 years enrolled in the Tennessee Medicaid healthcare programme (2008–2012) using International Classifications of Diseases, Ninth Revision diagnosis codes for pneumonia, meningitis/encephalitis, bacteraemia/sepsis, cellulitis/soft-tissue infections, endocarditis, pyelonephritis and septic arthritis/osteomyelitis.

Design

Medical records were systematically obtained from hospitals randomly selected from a stratified sampling framework based on geographical region and hospital discharge volume.

Measures

Two trained clinical reviewers used a standardised extraction form to abstract information from medical records. Predefined algorithms served as reference to adjudicate confirmed infection-specific hospitalisations. We calculated the PPV of diagnosis codes using confirmed hospitalisations as reference. Sensitivity analyses determined the robustness of the PPV to definitions that required radiological or microbiological confirmation. We also determined inter-rater reliability between reviewers.

Results

The PPV of diagnosis codes for hospitalisations for infection (n=716) was 90.2% (95% CI 87.8% to 92.2%). The PPV was highest for pneumonia (96.5% (95% CI 93.9% to 98.0%)) and cellulitis (91.1% (95% CI 84.7% to 94.9%)), and lowest for meningitis/encephalitis (50.0% (95% CI 23.7% to 76.3%)). The adjudication reliability was excellent (92.7% agreement; first agreement coefficient: 0.91). The overall PPV was lower when requiring microbiological confirmation (45%) and when requiring radiological confirmation for pneumonia (79%).

Conclusions

Discharge diagnosis codes have a high PPV for identifying hospitalisations for common, serious infections among middle age and older adults. PPV estimates for rare infections were imprecise.



https://ift.tt/2ylTwpu

Self-reported child abuse in the home: a cross-sectional survey of prevalence, perpetrator characteristics and correlates among public secondary school students in Kathmandu, Nepal

Objectives

To explore the prevalence, perpetrator characteristics and the correlates of child abuse in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Methods

For this cross-sectional study, we translated the internationally validated questionnaire developed by the International Society for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect, Child Abuse Screening Tool-Child Home into Nepali. We added questions on descriptive information about students and their family to the questionnaire. We recruited students from 20 schools selected randomly—2 from each of the 10 electoral constituencies of Kathmandu district. In each school, we administered the questionnaires to the students in a classroom selected randomly. To assess the correlates, we ran multilevel multivariable logistic regression models, stratified by schools.

Results

Among the 962 students, 88.88% had experience of at least one form of abuse throughout their lifetime. Psychological abuse was the most prevalent form of abuse (previous year: 75.19%; lifetime: 76.15%) followed by physical abuse, exposure to violence, neglect and sexual abuse. Adults were the most common perpetrators of child abuse (37.55%). The correlates identified in this study mostly aligned with the global literature on correlates of abuse. Female students were more likely to report neglect (previous year: adjusted OR (AOR) 1.50, 95% CI 1.10 to 2.04; lifetime: AOR 1.49, 95% CI 1.10 to 2.02), but no gender difference was observed with other forms of abuse. Students living with a single parent had a greater likelihood of exposure to violence (previous year: AOR 2.55, 95% CI 1.31 to 4.94; lifetime: AOR 2.77, 95% CI 1.39 to 5.53), neglect (previous year: AOR 2.01, 95% CI 1.10 to 3.69; lifetime: AOR 2.08, 95% CI 1.14 to 3.81) and sexual abuse (previous year: AOR 3.03, 95% CI 1.45 to 6.37; lifetime: AOR 2.49, 95% CI 1.21 to 5.14).

Conclusions

Over 88% of students reported experiencing child abuse in the home in one or more forms throughout their lifetime. Delineating the reasons for the high burden and its implications are important topics for future research.



https://ift.tt/2ljB0oD

Estimating the economic costs of ethnic health inequities: protocol for a prevalence-based cost-of-illness study in New Zealand (2003-2014)

Introduction

There is significant international interest in the economic impacts of persistent inequities in morbidity and mortality. However, very few studies have quantified the costs associated with unfair and preventable ethnic/racial inequities in health. The proposed study will investigate inequities in health between the indigenous Māori and non-Māori adult population in New Zealand (15 years and older) and estimate the economic costs associated with these differences.

Methods and analysis

The study will use national collections data that is held by government agencies in New Zealand including hospitalisations, mortality, outpatient consultations, laboratory and pharmaceutical claims, and accident compensation claims. Epidemiological methods will be used to calculate prevalences for Māori and non-Māori, by age-group, gender and socioeconomic deprivation (New Zealand Deprivation Index) where possible. Rates of 'potentially avoidable' hospitalisations and mortality as well as 'excess or under' utilisation of healthcare will be calculated as the difference between the actual rate and that expected if Māori were to have the same rates as non-Māori. A prevalence-based cost-of-illness approach will be used to estimate health inequities and the costs associated with treatment, as well as other financial and non-financial costs (such as years of life lost) over the person's lifetime.

Ethics and dissemination

This analysis has been approved by the University of Auckland Human Participants Research Committee (Ref: 018621). Dissemination of findings will occur via published peer-reviewed articles, presentations to academic, policy and community-based stakeholder groups and via social media.



https://ift.tt/2ylJyEN

Cross-sectional study of cognitive stress appraisal and related factors among workers in metropolitan areas of Japan

Objective

Stress has major socioeconomic implications for all spheres of employment. It is a trigger for depression, and affects absenteeism, turnover, productivity, morale and suicide. Positive or negative cognitive stress appraisal can be a self-care strategy that affects workers' ability to cope with stress. This study examined cognitive stress appraisal among workers and identified related individual and environmental factors.

Design

Cross-sectional study using self-administered postal questionnaires.

Setting

Companies located in two metropolitan areas of Japan (Tokyo and Kanagawa prefectures).

Participants

2311 employees of 48 companies in metropolitan areas in Japan. In total, 341 questionnaires were returned (response rate: 14.8%), 337 of which were suitable for analysis (effective response rate: 98.8%).

Primary measures

Cognitive stress appraisal was assessed using the Japanese version of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Potential variables related to stress appraisal included demographic, individual and environmental factors. Multiple regression analysis was used to identify factors related to cognitive stress appraisal.

Results

Participants' mean±SD age was 42.8±11.7 years, and two-thirds were male. The mean±SD PSS score was 25.8±6.2. The multiple regression analysis controlled for age, sex and depression showed that those with poorer economic status (β=0.171, p<0.001), lower electronic health (eHealth) literacy (β=–0.113, p=0.012), higher traditional organisational climate (β=0.131, p=0.004) and lower perceived social support (β=–0.205, p<0.001) experienced significantly higher levels of negatively perceived stress.

Conclusions

The results show individual and environmental factors related to cognitive stress appraisal among workers. An effective strategy to improve mental health among workers may involve an interprofessional approach by public health nurses and health practitioners that includes enhanced self-coping skills using individual workers' eHealth literacy, improvement of organisational climates in workplaces and community-based social support.



https://ift.tt/2lhPdST

Enhancing recognition of obstetric anal sphincter injuries in six maternity units in Palestine: an interventional quality improvement study

Objective

To explore the impact of a training intervention on obstetric anal sphincter injuries' (OASIS) detection rate.

Design

Prospective quality improvement interventional study.

Setting

Six secondary and tertiary maternity units in Palestine.

Population

Women having singleton vaginal births ≥23 weeks' gestation or babies weighing ≥500 g (n=22 922). Caesarean births (n=5431), multiple gestations (n=443) and vaginal births of unregistered perineum status (n=800) were excluded.

Interventions

Training programme for enhancing OASIS detection was conducted between 31 January and 31 December 2015. International experts delivered 2-day standardisation workshop teaching OASIS diagnosis and repair to each maternity unit. They also provided additional training to three research fellows employed in three of the maternity units. This was followed by 13-week period of data collection (phase 1). Research fellows then delivered training intervention over 15-week interval (phase 2), including theoretical teaching and 'onsite' training in perineal trauma assessment within the six maternity units. Finally, 13-week postintervention observation (phase 3) followed.

Primary outcome measure

OASIS rates were used as surrogate for OASIS recognition. OASIS rates were compared between different phases and between the two maternity unit groups (research fellow and non-research fellow based) using Pearson's ² test.

Results

A total 22 922 women were included. Among primiparous women, OASIS rate was higher in phase 2 (2.8%, p<0.001) and phase 3 (3.1%, p<0.001) than phase 1 (0.5%). However, no significant differences were detected in the rates of severe OASIS (third-degree 3c and fourth-degree tears) between phase 1 and 2 (0.5% vs 0.3%), because this would have required at least 103 women with severe OASIS to be included in each phase. Among parous women, OASIS rate was significantly higher in phase 2 (0.6%, p=0.002) but not in phase 3 (0.4%, p=0.071) compared with phase 1 (0.2%). Research fellows' maternity units showed higher OASIS rates among primiparous women in phase 2 (3.6% vs 1.4%, p=0.001) and phase 3 (4.3% vs 0.8%, p<0.001) than non-research fellows' maternity units.

Conclusions

This work is basically an epidemiological study which has identified the prevalence of perineal lacerations and their severity on a large sample of women representative of an entire geographical ethnic region. The quality improvement intervention improved OASIS detection mainly in the research fellows' maternity units. Regular mandatory national programmes in obstetric perineal trauma assessment and management by local champions are essential to mitigate the risk of missing significant degrees of trauma.



https://ift.tt/2tme0J4

Association of total homocysteine with blood pressure in a general population of Chinese adults: a cross-sectional study in Jiangsu province, China

Objectives

We aimed to evaluate the relation of total homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations with systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) levels, and examine the possible modifiers in the association among a general population of Chinese adults.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Setting

The study was conducted within 21 communities in Lianyungang of Jiangsu province, China.

Participants

A total of 26 648 participants aged ≥35 years and with no antihypertensive drug use were included in the final analysis.

Results

Overall, there was a positive association between tHcy concentrations and SBP (per 5 μmol/L tHcy increase: adjusted β=0.45 mm Hg; 95% CI 0.29 to 0.61) or DBP levels (per 5 μmol/L tHcy increase: adjusted β=0.47 mm Hg; 95% CI 0.35 to 0.59). Compared with participants with tHcy <10 μmol/L, significantly higher SBP levels were found in those with tHcy concentrations of 10 to <15 (adjusted β=0.80 mm Hg; 95% CI 0.32 to 1.28) and ≥15 µmol/L (adjusted β=1.79 mm Hg; 95% CI 1.20 to 2.37; p for trend <0.001). Consistently, significantly higher DBP levels were found in participants with tHcy concentrations of 10 to <15 (adjusted β=0.86 mm Hg; 95% CI 0.49 to 1.22) and ≥15 µmol/L (adjusted β=2.01 mm Hg; 95% CI 1.57 to 2.46; p for trend <0.001), respectively as compared with those with <10 μmol/L. Furthermore, a stronger association between tHcy and SBP (p for interaction=0.009) or DBP (p for interaction=0.067) was found in current alcohol drinkers.

Conclusion

Serum tHcy concentrations were positively associated with both SBP and DBP levels in a general Chinese adult population. The association was stronger in current alcohol drinkers.



https://ift.tt/2ljGtvp