Showing papers by "Istanbul University published in 2016"
TL;DR: In this article, the authors used a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate trends in diabetes prevalence, defined as fasting plasma glucose of 7.0 mmol/L or higher, or history of diagnosis with diabetes, or use of insulin or oral hypoglycaemic drugs in 200 countries and territories in 21 regions, by sex and from 1980 to 2014.
2,782 citations
James Bentham1, Mariachiara Di Cesare2, Mariachiara Di Cesare1, Gretchen A Stevens3 +787 more•Institutions (246)
TL;DR: The height differential between the tallest and shortest populations was 19-20 cm a century ago, and has remained the same for women and increased for men a century later despite substantial changes in the ranking of countries.
Abstract: Being taller is associated with enhanced longevity, and higher education and earnings. We reanalysed 1472 population-based studies, with measurement of height on more than 18.6 million participants to estimate mean height for people born between 1896 and 1996 in 200 countries. The largest gain in adult height over the past century has occurred in South Korean women and Iranian men, who became 20.2 cm (95% credible interval 17.5–22.7) and 16.5 cm (13.3–19.7) taller, respectively. In contrast, there was little change in adult height in some sub-Saharan African countries and in South Asia over the century of analysis. The tallest people over these 100 years are men born in the Netherlands in the last quarter of 20th century, whose average heights surpassed 182.5 cm, and the shortest were women born in Guatemala in 1896 (140.3 cm; 135.8–144.8). The height differential between the tallest and shortest populations was 19-20 cm a century ago, and has remained the same for women and increased for men a century later despite substantial changes in the ranking of countries.
1,348 citations
Carlos III Health Institute1, University of Brescia2, University of Glasgow3, Istanbul University4, Haukeland University Hospital5, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg6, University of Valencia7, Heidelberg University8, Charles University in Prague9, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust10, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki11, University of Manchester12, University of Milan13
TL;DR: The recommendations of the present document represent the best clinical wisdom upon which physicians, nurses and families should base their decisions and should encourage public policy makers to develop a global effort to improve identification and treatment of high blood pressure among children and adolescents.
Abstract: Increasing prevalence of hypertension (HTN) in children and adolescents has become a significant public health issue driving a considerable amount of research. Aspects discussed in this document include advances in the definition of HTN in 16 year or older, clinical significance of isolated systolic HTN in youth, the importance of out of office and central blood pressure measurement, new risk factors for HTN, methods to assess vascular phenotypes, clustering of cardiovascular risk factors and treatment strategies among others. The recommendations of the present document synthesize a considerable amount of scientific data and clinical experience and represent the best clinical wisdom upon which physicians, nurses and families should base their decisions. In addition, as they call attention to the burden of HTN in children and adolescents, and its contribution to the current epidemic of cardiovascular disease, these guidelines should encourage public policy makers to develop a global effort to improve identification and treatment of high blood pressure among children and adolescents.
795 citations
TL;DR: Adjunctive everolimus treatment significantly reduced seizure frequency with a tolerable safety profile compared with placebo in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex and treatment-resistant seizures.
510 citations
Wouter van Rheenen1, Aleksey Shatunov2, Annelot M. Dekker1, Russell L. McLaughlin3 +184 more•Institutions (54)
TL;DR: Evidence of ALS being a complex genetic trait with a polygenic architecture is established and the SNP-based heritability is estimated at 8.5%, with a distinct and important role for low-frequency variants (frequency 1–10%).
Abstract: To elucidate the genetic architecture of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and find associated loci, we assembled a custom imputation reference panel from whole-genome-sequenced patients with ALS and matched controls (n = 1,861). Through imputation and mixed-model association analysis in 12,577 cases and 23,475 controls, combined with 2,579 cases and 2,767 controls in an independent replication cohort, we fine-mapped a new risk locus on chromosome 21 and identified C21orf2 as a gene associated with ALS risk. In addition, we identified MOBP and SCFD1 as new associated risk loci. We established evidence of ALS being a complex genetic trait with a polygenic architecture. Furthermore, we estimated the SNP-based heritability at 8.5%, with a distinct and important role for low-frequency variants (frequency 1-10%). This study motivates the interrogation of larger samples with full genome coverage to identify rare causal variants that underpin ALS risk.
466 citations
TL;DR: This review presents and classify the widely used analytical approaches for evaluating antioxidant capacity/activity and critically evaluates ET-based methods for analytical, food chemical, biomedical/clinical, and environmental scientific communities so that they can effectively use these assays in the correct places to meet their needs.
Abstract: Because there is no widely adopted “total antioxidant parameter” as a nutritional index for labeling food and biological fluids, it is desirable to establish and standardize methods that can measure the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) level directly from plant-based food extracts and biological fluids. In this review, we (i) present and classify the widely used analytical approaches (e.g., in vitro and in vivo, enzymatic and nonenzymatic, electron transfer (ET)- and hydrogen atom transfer (HAT)-based, direct and indirect assays) for evaluating antioxidant capacity/activity; (ii) discuss total antioxidant capacity/activity assays in terms of chemical kinetics and thermodynamics, reaction mechanisms, and analytical performance characteristics, together with advantages and drawbacks; and (iii) critically evaluate ET-based methods for analytical, food chemical, biomedical/clinical, and environmental scientific communities so that they can effectively use these assays in the correct places to meet their needs.
455 citations
TL;DR: A new disease caused by high-penetrance heterozygous germline mutations in TNFAIP3, which encodes the NF-κB regulatory protein A20, in six unrelated families with early-onset systemic inflammation is described, which resembles Behçet's disease.
Abstract: Systemic autoinflammatory diseases are driven by abnormal activation of innate immunity. Herein we describe a new disease caused by high-penetrance heterozygous germline mutations in TNFAIP3, which encodes the NF-κB regulatory protein A20, in six unrelated families with early-onset systemic inflammation. The disorder resembles Behcet's disease, which is typically considered a polygenic disorder with onset in early adulthood. A20 is a potent inhibitor of the NF-κB signaling pathway. Mutant, truncated A20 proteins are likely to act through haploinsufficiency because they do not exert a dominant-negative effect in overexpression experiments. Patient-derived cells show increased degradation of IκBα and nuclear translocation of the NF-κB p65 subunit together with increased expression of NF-κB-mediated proinflammatory cytokines. A20 restricts NF-κB signals via its deubiquitinase activity. In cells expressing mutant A20 protein, there is defective removal of Lys63-linked ubiquitin from TRAF6, NEMO and RIP1 after stimulation with tumor necrosis factor (TNF). NF-κB-dependent proinflammatory cytokines are potential therapeutic targets for the patients with this disease.
437 citations
TL;DR: The aim of this chapter is to explain endothelial dysfunction and the circulating molecules of endothelial cells as they become potential targets of therapeutic approach for hypertension, and the role of endothelium dysfunction in white coat hypertension has been discussed.
Abstract: In the past, endothelium was thought to be only a mechanical barrier. Today, endothelium is known to be a tissue regulating vascular tone, cell growth and the interaction between the leukocytes, thrombocytes and the vessel wall. It also synthesizes growth factors and thrombo-regulatory molecules and responds to physical and chemical signals. Even though the term "endothelial dysfunction" is generally used for deterioration of endothelium-dependent vasodilatation; the term also includes the abnormalities between endothelium and leukocytes, thrombocytes and regulatory molecules and conditions resulting in aberrant endothelium activation. Healthy endothelium is essential for cardiovascular control. Thus, it plays an important role in pathogenesis of many diseases and cardiovascular problems such as atherosclerosis, systemic and pulmonary hypertension, cardiomyopathies and vasculitides. The aim of this chapter is to explain endothelial dysfunction and the circulating molecules of endothelial cells as they become potential targets of therapeutic approach for hypertension. This chapter reviews the roles of endothelial dysfunction in hypertension by addressing (1) the nature of endothelial function, (2) mechanisms of endothelial dysfunction and its relationship with the diseases (3) also endothelial function testing (4) the role of endothelial dysfunction and hypertension and (4) the effects of antihypertensive therapeutic options on the endothelial dysfunction. In addition to these, the role of endothelial dysfunction in white coat hypertension has been discussed. The key connections between hypertension and endothelial dysfunction are vitally important for future studies to permit new interventions to be designed and released.
432 citations
TL;DR: This article analyzes English-language literature and provides an update on the most recent literature regarding side effects of systemic glucocorticoid treatment and suggests the risk/benefit ratio of glucoc Corticoid therapy can be improved by proper use.
Abstract: Introduction: Glucocorticoids represent the standard therapy for reducing inflammation and immune activation in various diseases. However, as with any potent medication, they are not without side effects. Glucocorticoid-associated side effects may involve most major organ systems. Musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, endocrine, neuropsychiatric, dermatologic, ocular, and immunologic side effects are all possible.Areas Covered: This article analyzes English-language literature and provides an update on the most recent literature regarding side effects of systemic glucocorticoid treatment.Expert Opinion: The risk/benefit ratio of glucocorticoid therapy can be improved by proper use. Careful monitoring and using appropriate preventive strategies can potentially minimize side effects.
404 citations
Hiroshima University1, Rockefeller University2, Augsburg College3, Valparaiso University4, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal5, Boston Children's Hospital6, Utrecht University7, Istanbul University8, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich9, Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital10, Paris Descartes University11, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven12, University of Tartu13, University of Zurich14, National Institutes of Health15, University of Freiburg16, Radboud University Nijmegen17, University of Debrecen18, Tokyo Medical and Dental University19, Newcastle University20
TL;DR: Invasive infections, cerebral aneurysms, and cancers were the strongest predictors of poor outcome, and Circulating interleukin-17A-producing T-cell count was low for most (82%) but not all of the patients tested.
380 citations
University of Milan1, Cairo University2, Jehangir Hospital3, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and Health Services4, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences5, St. John's Medical College6, University of Southern California7, All India Institute of Medical Sciences8, Mexican Social Security Institute9, University of the Witwatersrand10, Medical University of Vienna11, City of Hope National Medical Center12, Alfaisal University13, Rush University Medical Center14, University of Mississippi15, Çukurova University16, Ege University17, University of Colorado Denver18, Ain Shams University19, Sapienza University of Rome20, Johannes Kepler University of Linz21, Children's Mercy Hospital22, Istanbul University23, Leiden University24
TL;DR: Patients treated with plasma-derived factor VIII containing von Willebrand factor had a lower incidence of inhibitors than those treated with recombinant factor VIII, and this association did not change in multivariable analysis.
Abstract: BackgroundThe development of neutralizing anti–factor VIII alloantibodies (inhibitors) in patients with severe hemophilia A may depend on the concentrate used for replacement therapy. MethodsWe conducted a randomized trial to assess the incidence of factor VIII inhibitors among patients treated with plasma-derived factor VIII containing von Willebrand factor or recombinant factor VIII. Patients who met the eligibility criteria (male sex, age <6 years, severe hemophilia A, and no previous treatment with any factor VIII concentrate or only minimal treatment with blood components) were included from 42 sites. ResultsOf 303 patients screened, 264 underwent randomization and 251 were analyzed. Inhibitors developed in 76 patients, 50 of whom had high-titer inhibitors (≥5 Bethesda units). Inhibitors developed in 29 of the 125 patients treated with plasma-derived factor VIII (20 patients had high-titer inhibitors) and in 47 of the 126 patients treated with recombinant factor VIII (30 patients had high-titer inhib...
Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre1, University College London2, University of Cambridge3, Toronto Western Hospital4, University of Birmingham5, Hanyang University6, McGill University Health Centre7, University of Calgary8, University of California, Los Angeles9, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation10, SUNY Downstate Medical Center11, Laval University12, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine13, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust14, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill15, Northwestern University16, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research17, University of Alabama at Birmingham18, University of Pittsburgh19, King's College London20, Karolinska Institutet21, Hairmyres Hospital22, University of the Basque Country23, Emory University24, Istanbul University25, University of California, San Diego26, Medical University of South Carolina27, University of Manitoba28, Copenhagen University Hospital29, New York University30
TL;DR: Despite current standard of care, nephritis was associated with ESRD and death, and renal insufficiency was linked to lower health-related quality of life.
Abstract: Objective. To determine nephritis outcomes in a prospective multi-ethnic/racial SLE inception cohort.
Methods. Patients in the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics inception cohort (≤15 months of SLE diagnosis) were assessed annually for estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), proteinuria and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Health-related quality of life was measured by the Short Form (36 questions) health survey questionnaire (SF-36) subscales, mental and physical component summary scores.
Results. There were 1827 patients, 89% females, mean (s.d.) age 35.1 (13.3) years. The mean (s.d.) SLE duration at enrolment was 0.5 (0.3) years and follow-up 4.6 (3.4) years. LN occurred in 700 (38.3%) patients: 566/700 (80.9%) at enrolment and 134/700 (19.1%) during follow-up. Patients with nephritis were younger, more frequently men and of African, Asian and Hispanic race/ethnicity. The estimated overall 10-year incidence of ESRD was 4.3% (95% CI: 2.8%, 5.8%), and with nephritis was 10.1% (95% CI: 6.6%, 13.6%). Patients with nephritis had a higher risk of death (HR = 2.98, 95% CI: 1.48, 5.99; P = 0.002) and those with eGFR <30 ml/min at diagnosis had lower SF-36 physical component summary scores (P < 0.01) and lower Physical function, Physical role and Bodily pain scores. Over time, patients with abnormal eGFR and proteinuria had lower SF-36 mental component summary (P ≤ 0.02) scores compared to patients with normal values.
Conclusion. LN occurred in 38.3% of SLE patients, frequently as the initial presentation, in a large multi-ethnic inception cohort. Despite current standard of care, nephritis was associated with ESRD and death, and renal insufficiency was linked to lower health-related quality of life. Further advances are required for the optimal treatment of LN.
TL;DR: A set of widely accepted recommendations for the treatment and monitoring of FMF is presented, supported by the best available evidence and expert opinion.
Abstract: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is the most common monogenic autoinflammatory disease, but many rheumatologists are not well acquainted with its management. The objective of this report is to produce evidence-based recommendations to guide rheumatologists and other health professionals in the treatment and follow-up of patients with FMF. A multidisciplinary panel, including rheumatologists, internists, paediatricians, a nurse, a methodologist and a patient representative, was assembled. Panellists came from the Eastern Mediterranean area, Europe and North America. A preliminary systematic literature search on the pharmacological treatment of FMF was performed following which the expert group convened to define aims, scope and users of the guidelines and established the need for additional reviews on controversial topics. In a second meeting, recommendations were discussed and refined in light of available evidence. Finally, agreement with the recommendations was obtained from a larger group of experts through a Delphi survey. The level of evidence (LoE) and grade of recommendation (GR) were then incorporated. The final document comprises 18 recommendations, each presented with its degree of agreement (0-10), LoE, GR and rationale. The degree of agreement was greater than 7/10 in all instances. The more controversial statements were those related to follow-up and dose change, for which supporting evidence is limited. A set of widely accepted recommendations for the treatment and monitoring of FMF is presented, supported by the best available evidence and expert opinion. It is believed that these recommendations will be useful in guiding physicians in the care of patients with FMF.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a comprehensive study of spectroscopic radius measurements of twelve neutron stars obtained during thermonuclear bursts or in quiescence, incorporating uncertainties in the measurement of the apparent angular sizes, Eddington fluxes, and distances, in the composition of the interstellar medium, and in the flux calibration of X-ray detectors.
Abstract: We present a comprehensive study of spectroscopic radius measurements of twelve neutron stars obtained during thermonuclear bursts or in quiescence. We incorporate, for the first time, a large number of systematic uncertainties in the measurement of the apparent angular sizes, Eddington fluxes, and distances, in the composition of the interstellar medium, and in the flux calibration of X-ray detectors. We also take into account the results of recent theoretical calculations of rotational effects on neutron star radii, of atmospheric effects on surface spectra, and of relativistic corrections to the Eddington critical flux. We employ Bayesian statistical frameworks to obtain neutron star radii from the spectroscopic measurements as well as to infer the equation of state from the radius measurements. Combining these with the results of experiments in the vicinity of nuclear saturation density and the observations of ∼ 2 M⊙ neutron stars, we place strong and quantitative constraints on the properties of the equation of state between ≈ 2 − 8 times the nuclear saturation density. We find that around M = 1.5 M⊙, the preferred equation of state predicts a radius of 10.8 +0.5 −0.4 km. When interpreting the pressure constraints in the context of high density equations of state based on interacting nucleons, our results suggest a weaker contribution of the three-body interaction potential than previously considered. Subject headings: dense matter — equation of state — stars:neutron — X-rays:stars — X-rays:bursts — X-rays:binaries
DSM1, University of Bonn2, Centre national de la recherche scientifique3, Istanbul University4, University of Nice Sophia Antipolis5, University of Zagreb6, University of Bristol7, University of Bologna8, University of Western Australia9, Max Planck Society10, Paris Diderot University11, University of Geneva12, European Southern Observatory13, University of Birmingham14, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich15, University of Oxford16, University of Paris17, University of Michigan18, Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences19, University of Liège20, Durham University21, University of KwaZulu-Natal22, Université Paris-Saclay23, Chalmers University of Technology24, INAF25, University of Victoria26, Liverpool John Moores University27, Australian Astronomical Observatory28, University of Chicago29, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv30, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign31, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki32, National Institute of Astrophysics, Optics and Electronics33, University of Copenhagen34, Presidency University, Kolkata35, Leiden University36, Stanford University37, Goddard Space Flight Center38, Princeton University39, University of California, Davis40
TL;DR: The XXL-XMM survey as discussed by the authors provides constraints on the dark energy equation of state from the space-time distribution of clusters of galaxies and serves as a pathfinder for future, wide-area X-ray missions.
Abstract: Context. The quest for the cosmological parameters that describe our universe continues to motivate the scientific community to undertake very large survey initiatives across the electromagnetic spectrum. Over the past two decades, the Chandra and XMM-Newton observatories have supported numerous studies of X-ray-selected clusters of galaxies, active galactic nuclei (AGNs), and the X-ray background. The present paper is the first in a series reporting results of the XXL-XMM survey; it comes at a time when the Planck mission results are being finalised. Aims. We present the XXL Survey, the largest XMM programme totaling some 6.9 Ms to date and involving an international consortium of roughly 100 members. The XXL Survey covers two extragalactic areas of 25 deg(2) each at a point-source sensitivity of similar to 5 x 10(-15) erg s(-1) cm(-2) in the [0.5-2] keV band (completeness limit). The survey's main goals are to provide constraints on the dark energy equation of state from the space-time distribution of clusters of galaxies and to serve as a pathfinder for future, wide-area X-ray missions. We review science objectives, including cluster studies, AGN evolution, and large-scale structure, that are being conducted with the support of approximately 30 follow-up programmes. Methods. We describe the 542 XMM observations along with the associated multi-lambda and numerical simulation programmes. We give a detailed account of the X-ray processing steps and describe innovative tools being developed for the cosmological analysis. Results. The paper provides a thorough evaluation of the X-ray data, including quality controls, photon statistics, exposure and background maps, and sky coverage. Source catalogue construction and multi-lambda associations are briefly described. This material will be the basis for the calculation of the cluster and AGN selection functions, critical elements of the cosmological and science analyses. Conclusions. The XXL multi-lambda data set will have a unique lasting legacy value for cosmological and extragalactic studies and will serve as a calibration resource for future dark energy studies with clusters and other X-ray selected sources. With the present article, we release the XMM XXL photon and smoothed images along with the corresponding exposure maps.
Population Health Research Institute1, The George Institute for Global Health2, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute3, University of London4, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill5, Birzeit University6, Loyola University Chicago7, Simon Fraser University8, St. John's Medical College9, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research10, North-West University11, University of the Western Cape12, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences13, Independent University, Bangladesh14, Sahlgrenska University Hospital15, University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre16, Dubai Health Authority17, Istanbul University18, Aga Khan University19, College of Health Sciences, Bahrain20, University of La Frontera21, Universiti Teknologi MARA22, Laval University23
TL;DR: In this article, the authors assessed fruit and vegetable consumption using data from country-specific, validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires in the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study, which enrolled participants from communities in 18 countries between Jan 1, 2003, and Dec 31, 2013.
Paris Diderot University1, Yonsei University2, Drexel University3, Kyungpook National University Hospital4, Kaohsiung Medical University5, National University of Singapore6, Istanbul University7, University of Hamburg8, Queen Mary University of London9, Toronto General Hospital10, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital11, Carlos III Health Institute12, Seconda Università degli Studi di Napoli13, Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital14, Athens State University15, Medical University of Białystok16, The Chinese University of Hong Kong17
TL;DR: A significantly greater proportion of patients received TDF plus peginterferon for 48 weeks had HBsAg loss than those receiving TDF or peginerferon alone.
University of Cologne1, University of Salamanca2, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital3, Technische Universität München4, National Institutes of Health5, Odense University Hospital6, Charité7, Gdańsk Medical University8, Brigham and Women's Hospital9, University of Groningen10, Mayo Clinic11, Stanford University12, Heidelberg University13, Guy's Hospital14, Paris Descartes University15, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich16, University of New Mexico17, Istanbul University18, Karolinska University Hospital19, Medical University of Vienna20, University of Salerno21, Karolinska Institutet22, École normale supérieure de Cachan23
TL;DR: It is recommended that the typical maculopapular cutaneous lesions (urticaria pigmentosa) should be subdivided into 2 variants, namely a monomorphic variant with small maculipapular lesions, which is typically seen in adult patients, and a polymorphic variant with larger lesions of variable size and shape, which has important prognostic implications.
Abstract: Cutaneous lesions in patients with mastocytosis are highly heterogeneous and encompass localized and disseminated forms. Although a classification and criteria for cutaneous mastocytosis (CM) have been proposed, there remains a need to better define subforms of cutaneous manifestations in patients with mastocytosis. To address this unmet need, an international task force involving experts from different organizations (including the European Competence Network on Mastocytosis; the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology; and the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology) met several times between 2010 and 2014 to discuss the classification and criteria for diagnosis of cutaneous manifestations in patients with mastocytosis. This article provides the major outcomes of these meetings and a proposal for a revised definition and criteria. In particular, we recommend that the typical maculopapular cutaneous lesions (urticaria pigmentosa) should be subdivided into 2 variants, namely a monomorphic variant with small maculopapular lesions, which is typically seen in adult patients, and a polymorphic variant with larger lesions of variable size and shape, which is typically seen in pediatric patients. Clinical observations suggest that the monomorphic variant, if it develops in children, often persists into adulthood, whereas the polymorphic variant may resolve around puberty. This delineation might have important prognostic implications, and its implementation in diagnostic algorithms and future mastocytosis classifications is recommended. Refinements are also suggested for the diagnostic criteria of CM, removal of telangiectasia macularis eruptiva perstans from the current classification of CM, and removal of the adjunct solitary from the term solitary mastocytoma.
TL;DR: The use of mAR applications in anatomy education contributed to the formation of an effective and productive learning environment and the sensory experience and real time interaction with environment may provide learning satisfaction and enable students to structure their knowledge to complete the learning tasks.
Abstract: Augmented reality (AR), a new generation of technology, has attracted the attention of educators in recent years. In this study, a MagicBook was developed for a neuroanatomy topic by using mobile augmented reality (mAR) technology. This technology integrates virtual learning objects into the real world and allow users to interact with the environment using mobile devices. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of learning anatomy via mAR on medical students' academic achievement and cognitive load. The mixed method was applied in the study. The random sample consisted of 70 second-year undergraduate medical students: 34 in an experimental group and 36 in a control group. Academic achievement test and cognitive load scale were used as data collection tool. A one-way MANOVA test was used for analysis. The experimental group, which used mAR applications, reported higher achievement and lower cognitive load. The use of mAR applications in anatomy education contributed to the formation of an effective and productive learning environment. Student cognitive load decreased as abstract information became concrete in printed books via multimedia materials in mAR applications. Additionally, students were able to access the materials in the MagicBook anytime and anywhere they wanted. The mobile learning approach helped students learn better by exerting less cognitive effort. Moreover, the sensory experience and real time interaction with environment may provide learning satisfaction and enable students to structure their knowledge to complete the learning tasks. Anat Sci Educ 9: 411-421. © 2016 American Association of Anatomists.
TL;DR: The reference cut-off values for muscle mass, muscle strength and calf circumference in Turkey were defined to improve general applicability of EWGSOP criteria and were somewhat higher but comparable with other reference populations.
TL;DR: New guidelines for the management of acute mesenteric ischaemia are presented to provide recommendations for practice that will lead to improved outcomes for patients.
Abstract: Acute mesenteric ischaemia (AMI) accounts for about 1:1000 acute hospital admissions. Untreated, AMI will cause mesenteric infarction, intestinal necrosis, an overwhelming inflammatory response and death. Early intervention can halt and reverse this process leading to a full recovery, but the diagnosis of AMI is difficult and failure to recognize AMI before intestinal necrosis has developed is responsible for the high mortality of the disease. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are the goals of modern therapy, but there are no randomized controlled trials to guide treatment and the published literature contains a high ratio of reviews to original data. Much of that data comes from case reports and often small, retrospective series with no clearly defined treatment criteria. A study group of the European Society for Trauma and Emergency Surgery (ESTES) was formed in 2013 with the aim of developing guidelines for the management of AMI. A comprehensive literature search was performed using the Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) thesaurus keywords “mesenteric ischaemia”, “bowel ischaemia” and “bowel infarction”. The bibliographies of relevant articles were screened for additional publications. After an initial systematic review of the literature by the whole group, a steering group formulated questions using a modified Delphi process. The evidence was then reviewed to answer these questions, and recommendations formulated and agreed by the whole group. The resultant recommendations are presented in this paper. The aim of these guidelines is to provide recommendations for practice that will lead to improved outcomes for patients.
University of Oxford1, Innsbruck Medical University2, University of Barcelona3, Charles University in Prague4, Odense University Hospital5, University of Pécs6, Technische Universität München7, Gonzaga University8, Erasmus University Rotterdam9, Medical University of Vienna10, Autonomous University of Barcelona11, Istanbul University12, Charité13, University of Düsseldorf14, Heidelberg University15, University of Bergen16, Haukeland University Hospital17
TL;DR: The cell-based assays were most sensitive and specific overall, but immunohistochemistry or flow cytometry could be equally accurate in specialist centres.
Abstract: Objective Antibodies to cell surface central nervous system proteins help to diagnose conditions which often respond to immunotherapies. The assessment of antibody assays needs to reflect their clinical utility. We report the results of a multicentre study of aquaporin (AQP) 4 antibody (AQP4-Ab) assays in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD). Methods Coded samples from patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO) or NMOSD (101) and controls (92) were tested at 15 European diagnostic centres using 21 assays including live (n=3) or fixed cell-based assays (n=10), flow cytometry (n=4), immunohistochemistry (n=3) and ELISA (n=1). Results Results of tests on 92 controls identified 12assays as highly specific (0–1 false-positive results). 32 samples from 50 (64%) NMO sera and 34 from 51 (67%) NMOSD sera were positive on at least two of the 12 highly specific assays, leaving 35 patients with seronegative NMO/spectrum disorder (SD). On the basis of a combination of clinical phenotype and the highly specific assays, 66 AQP4-Ab seropositive samples were used to establish the sensitivities (51.5–100%) of all 21 assays. The specificities (85.8–100%) were based on 92 control samples and 35 seronegative NMO/SD patient samples. Conclusions The cell-based assays were most sensitive and specific overall, but immunohistochemistry or flow cytometry could be equally accurate in specialist centres. Since patients with AQP4-Ab negative NMO/SD require different management, the use of both appropriate control samples and defined seronegative NMOSD samples is essential to evaluate these assays in a clinically meaningful way. The process described here can be applied to the evaluation of other antibody assays in the newly evolving field of autoimmune neurology.
TL;DR: This work provides a general and up-to-date overview of HAT-based, mixed-mode (ET/HAT), and lipid peroxidation assays available for measuring antioxidant activity/capacity and the chemistry behind them, including a critical evaluation of their advantages and drawbacks.
Abstract: Measuring the antioxidant activity/capacity levels of food extracts and biological fluids is useful for determining the nutritional value of foodstuffs and for the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of numerous oxidative stress-related diseases. Biologically, antioxidants play their health-beneficial roles via transferring a hydrogen (H) atom or an electron (e(-)) to reactive species, thereby deactivating them. Antioxidant activity assays imitate this action; that is, antioxidants are measured by their H atom transfer (HAT) or e(-) transfer (ET) to probe molecules. Antioxidant activity/capacity can be monitored by a wide variety of assays with different mechanisms, including HAT, ET, and mixed-mode (ET/HAT) assays, generally without distinct boundaries between them. Understanding the principal mechanisms, advantages, and disadvantages of the measurement assays is important for proper selection of method for valid evaluation of antioxidant properties in desired applications. This work provides a general and up-to-date overview of HAT-based, mixed-mode (ET/HAT), and lipid peroxidation assays available for measuring antioxidant activity/capacity and the chemistry behind them, including a critical evaluation of their advantages and drawbacks.
University of Florida1, Universidade Nova de Lisboa2, University of Bergen3, Alpen-Adria-Universität Klagenfurt4, Moscow State University5, University of Strasbourg6, Geological Survey of Slovenia7, Academy of Military Medical Sciences8, Istanbul University9, Indian Ministry of Environment and Forests10
TL;DR: In this paper, a spatio-temporal distribution of deadly landslides is presented for 27 European countries over the last 20 years (1995-2014) and a total of 1370 deaths and 784 injuries were reported resulting from 476 landslides.
Abstract: Landslides are a major hazard causing human and large economic losses worldwide. However, the quantification of fatalities and casualties is highly underestimated and incomplete, thus, the estimation of landslide risk is rather ambitious. Hence, a spatio-temporal distribution of deadly landslides is presented for 27 European countries over the last 20 years (1995–2014). Catastrophic landslides are widely distributed throughout Europe, however, with a great concentration in mountainous areas. In the studied period, a total of 1370 deaths and 784 injuries were reported resulting from 476 landslides. Turkey showed the highest fatalities with 335. An increasing trend of fatal landslides is observed, with a pronounced number of fatalities in the latest period from 2008 to 2014. The latter are mostly triggered by natural extreme events such as storms (i.e., heavy rainfall), earthquakes, and floods and only minor by human activities, such as mining and excavation works. Average economic loss per year in Europe is approximately 4.7 billion Euros. This study serves as baseline information for further risk mapping by integrating deadly landslide locations, local land use data, and will therefore help countries to protect human lives and property.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors proposed a method to detect ROS1 gene rearrangements in non-small cell lung cancer using immunohistochemistry and next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms.
Abstract: Rearrangements of the ROS1 gene occur in 1–2 % of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs). Crizotinib, a highly effective inhibitor of ROS1 kinase activity, is now FDA-approved for the treatment of patients with advanced ROS1-positive NSCLC. Consequently, focus on ROS1 testing is growing. Most laboratories currently rely on fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) assays using a dual-colour break-apart probe to detect ROS1 rearrangements. Given the rarity of these rearrangements in NSCLC, detection of elevated ROS1 protein levels by immunohistochemistry may provide cost-effective screening prior to confirmatory FISH testing. Non-in situ testing approaches also hold potential as stand-alone methods or complementary tests, including multiplex real-time PCR assays and next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms which include commercial test kits covering a range of fusion genes. In order to ensure high-quality biomarker testing, appropriate tissue handling, adequate control materials and participation in external quality assessment programmes are essential, irrespective of the testing technique employed. ROS1 testing is often only considered after negative tests for EGFR mutation and ALK gene rearrangement, based on the assumption that these oncogenic driver events tend to be exclusive. However, as the use of ROS1 inhibitors becomes routine, accurate and timely detection of ROS1 gene rearrangements will be critical for the optimal treatment of patients with NSCLC. As NGS techniques are introduced into routine diagnostic practice, ROS1 fusion gene testing will be provided as part of the initial testing package.
TL;DR: The X-ray Imaging Polarimetry Explorer (XIPE) as discussed by the authors is a mission dedicated to Xray Astronomy which is in a competitive phase A as fourth medium size mission of ESA (M4).
Abstract: XIPE, the X-ray Imaging Polarimetry Explorer, is a mission dedicated to X-ray Astronomy. At the time of writing XIPE is in a competitive phase A as fourth medium size mission of ESA (M4). It promises to reopen the polarimetry window in high energy Astrophysics after more than 4 decades thanks to a detector that efficiently exploits the photoelectric effect and to X-ray optics with large effective area. XIPE uniqueness is time-spectrally-spatially- resolved X-ray polarimetry as a breakthrough in high energy astrophysics and fundamental physics. Indeed the payload consists of three Gas Pixel Detectors at the focus of three X-ray optics with a total effective area larger than one XMM mirror but with a low weight. The payload is compatible with the fairing of the Vega launcher. XIPE is designed as an observatory for X-ray astronomers with 75 % of the time dedicated to a Guest Observer competitive program and it is organized as a consortium across Europe with main contributions from Italy, Germany, Spain, United Kingdom, Poland, Sweden.
TL;DR: Tuberculosis was the most common OI reported but was rare in regions of low and medium TB incidence, and patients who screen positive for latent TB can be treated with isoniazid during tofacitinib therapy.
Abstract: Objectives To evaluate the risk of opportunistic infections (OIs) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with tofacitinib. Methods Phase II, III and long-term extension clinical trial data (April 2013 data-cut) from the tofacitinib RA programme were reviewed. OIs defined a priori included mycobacterial and fungal infections, multidermatomal herpes zoster and other viral infections associated with immunosuppression. For OIs, we calculated crude incidence rates (IRs; per 100 patient-years (95% CI)); for tuberculosis (TB) specifically, we calculated rates stratified by patient enrolment region according to background TB IR (per 100 patient-years): low (≤0.01), medium (>0.01 to ≤0.05) and high (>0.05). Results We identified 60 OIs among 5671 subjects; all occurred among tofacitinib-treated patients. TB (crude IR 0.21, 95% CI of (0.14 to 0.30)) was the most common OI (n=26); median time between drug start and diagnosis was 64 weeks (range 15–161 weeks). Twenty-one cases (81%) occurred in countries with high background TB IR, and the rate varied with regional background TB IR: low 0.02 (0.003 to 0.15), medium 0.08 (0.03 to 0.21) and high 0.75 (0.49 to 1.15). In Phase III studies, 263 patients diagnosed with latent TB infection were treated with isoniazid and tofacitinib concurrently; none developed TB. For OIs other than TB, 34 events were reported (crude IR 0.25 (95% CI 0.18 to 0.36)). Conclusions Within the global tofacitinib RA development programme, TB was the most common OI reported but was rare in regions of low and medium TB incidence. Patients who screen positive for latent TB can be treated with isoniazid during tofacitinib therapy.
Ryon M. Bateman1, Michael D. Sharpe1, Justin E. Jagger1, Christopher G. Ellis1 +1872 more•Institutions (226)
TL;DR: This research presents a novel probabilistic procedure called “spot-spot analysis” that allows for real-time analysis of the response of the immune system to natural disasters.
Abstract: [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s13054-016-1208-6.].
TL;DR: There is an increased understanding of the circadian modulation of drug effects and several molecular strategies are being developed to treat disease-dependent and drug-induced clock disruptions in humans.
TL;DR: An overview of the current knowledge concerning lignocellulosic biomass synthesis and degradation, by focusing on its three principal constituents, i.e. cellulose, hemicellulose (in particular xylan), and lignin is provided.
Abstract: Lignocellulose biomass derived from plant cell walls is a rich source of biopolymers, chemicals, and sugars, besides being a sustainable alternative to petrochemicals. A natural armor protecting living protoplasts, the cell wall is currently the target of intense study because of its crucial importance in plant development, morphogenesis, and resistance to (a)biotic stresses. Beyond the intrinsic relevance related to the overall plant physiology, plant cell walls constitute an exquisite example of a natural composite material that is a constant source of inspiration for biotechnology, biofuel, and biomaterial industries. The aim of the present review is to provide the reader with an overview of the current knowledge concerning lignocellulosic biomass synthesis and degradation, by focusing on its three principal constituents, i.e. cellulose, hemicellulose (in particular xylan), and lignin. Furthermore, the current industrial exploitation of lignocellulose from fast growing fibre crops (such as hemp) is highlighted. We conclude this review by suggesting approaches for further research to fill gaps in our current knowledge and to highlight the potential of biotechnology and bioengineering in improving both biomass biosynthesis and degradation.