bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new adaptive support vector machine for diagnosis of diseases
Authors: Gürbüz Emre , Kılıç Erdal
Published: January 2015

Automatic disease diagnosis systems have been used to treat diseases for many years. The data used in the construction of these systems require correct classification. Therefore, previous literature has proposed a variety of methods. This paper develops a general‐purposed, fast and adaptive automatic disease diagnosis system, using the information generated by the newly‐designed classifier, which makes decisions with a simple rule base comprising the rules in ‘if‐then’ form. This newly‐proposed methodology is based on the support vector machine (SVM), a powerful classification algorithm. In the proposed method of this study, we added a feature of adaptivity to an SVM. In order to increase the success rate and decrease the decision‐making time, the bias value of the standard SVM is changed in an adaptive structure. This process introduces a new kind of SVM, ‘adaptive SVM’, seeking a diagnosis of diseases in a more successful way. During the training and test operations of this newly designed system, we used diabetes and breast cancer datasets, acquired from the medical database of California University. This newly proposed methodology has 100% correct classification rates on both diabetes and breast cancer datasets.
Parent–Child Relational Problem: Field Trial Results, Changes in DSM‐5, and Proposed Changes for ICD‐11
Authors: Wamboldt Marianne , Cordaro Anthony , Clarke Diana
Published: January 2015

Caregiving relationships are significant factors in the development, mediation, or moderation of childhood mental health problems. However, epidemiological and clinical research has been limited by lack of reliable, succinct, and standardized methods of assessing parent–child relationship constructs. The Relational Processes Workgroup (ad hoc to the DSM‐5 process) proposed more specific criteria to define a parent–child relational problem (PCRP). These criteria were field tested in one of the DSM‐5 Field trial sites, utilizing a similar research design as DSM‐5. Participants included 133 symptomatic children (5–17 years) in active treatment for a mental health problem and their primary caregiver (86% mothers). Two separate clinicians, each blinded to the assessment of the other clinician as well as the DSM‐5 diagnoses, interviewed the dyads within a 2‐week period, utilizing the proposed PCRP criteria. Prior to each interview, parents were asked to write about their relationship with their child, and children (over the age of 10 years) filled out the Parental Bonding Instrument, Brief Current, and the Perceived Criticism Measure. Clinicians were able to read the narratives and see results of the child report measures before assessing the dyad. The weighted prevalence of a PCRP in this sample was 34%. The interclass kappa for overall agreement between clinicians was 0.58 (0.40, 0.72), which indicates good interrater reliability. Further, clinicians found the PCRP diagnostic criteria clinically useful and an improvement over the brief description of PCRP that was presented in DSM‐IV. Relationships between children and their primary caregiver can be assessed in a reliable manner, based on clinical interview with the child–caregiver dyad and several self‐report measures.
Status Goods and Market Powers
Authors: Chiu Woo Wai
Published: January 2015

Status goods are often produced by firms with market powers. Taking this into account, we construct a new class of models of status goods, which refutes many important results in the conventional models without assuming market powers. Specifically, relative consumption effect normally leads to under-consumption of status goods, which is the opposite of the conventional result. Generally speaking, status goods may be over- or under-consumed, depending crucially on a widely overlooked factor in the literature- the elasticity of marginal status. More competition tends to support overconsumption and is not necessarily welfare-enhancing. Our results call into questions if, as often suggested in existing literature, a general taxation is an appropriate solution to tackle market bias from status seeking.
Prompt immune tolerance induction at inhibitor diagnosis regardless of titre may increase overall success in haemophilia A complicated by inhibitors: experience of two US centres
Authors: Nakar C. , Manco‐Johnson M. J. , Lail A. , Donfield S. , Maahs J. , Chong Y. , Blades T. , Shapiro A.
Published: January 2015

Current guidelines recommend delaying the start of immune tolerance induction (ITI) until the inhibitor titre is <10 Bethesda units (BU) to improve success. This study was conducted to evaluate ITI outcome relative to time to start ITI from inhibitor detection irrespective of inhibitor titre. Data were retrospectively collected from two US haemophilia treatment centres (HTCs) on subjects with severe/moderate factor VIII (FVIII) deficiency with inhibitors who underwent ITI. Outcomes were defined pragmatically: success – negative inhibitor titre and ability to use FVIII concentrate for treatment/bleed prevention; partial success – inhibitor titre 1 to <5 BU with ability to use FVIII concentrate for treatment of bleeding; failure – ITI ongoing >3 years without achieving success/partial success, or ITI discontinuation. Fifty‐eight subjects were included; 32 of 39 (82%) with high‐responding inhibitor (HRI) achieved success, 7 failed. HRI subjects were subdivided based on ITI start time: 23/39 subjects started within 1 month of detection and 22/23 (96%) achieved success. Of these 23, 13 started ITI with an inhibitor titre ≥10 BU; all were successes. Eleven of 39 HRI subjects had an interval >6 months until ITI start; 7 (64%) achieved success. Time from inhibitor detection to ITI start may play a critical role in outcome. A titre ≥10 BU at ITI start did not influence outcome in subjects when ITI was initiated within 1 month of detection. Prompt ITI should be considered a viable therapeutic option in newly identified patients with inhibitors regardless of current inhibitor titre.
Alleviation mechanisms against hepatocyte oxidative stress in patients with chronic hepatic disorders
Authors: Hiura Masaaki , Honma Yuichi , Miyagawa Koichiro , Oe Shinji , Shimajiri Shohei , Mihara Hitomi , Oe Masami , Sato‐Morita Miyuki , Katsuki Yuka , Harada Masaru
Published: January 2015

Aim

Autophagy induction and Mallory–Denk body (MDB) formation have been considered to have cytoprotective effects from cellular stress in liver diseases. We investigated the relations among oxidative stress, autophagy and MDB formation in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to clarify the alleviation mechanisms against oxidative stress of hepatocytes.

Methods

First, we treated cultured cells with proteasome inhibitor (PI) or free fatty acid (FFA) and evaluated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, oxidative stress, ubiquitinated proteins and p62 by western blotting. Then, we used human liver biopsy samples to evaluate oxidative stress, autophagy and MDB formation by immunohistochemical analysis.

Results

Treatment with PI or FFA increased ER stress, oxidative stress, ubiquitinated proteins and p62 in cultured cells. Human liver biopsy samples of CHC and NAFLD showed that MDB formed in areas with strong oxidative stress and that the MDB‐containing cells circumvented oxidative stress. Keratin 8 (K8) expression was strong in MDB‐containing cells in CHC and NAFLD. However, in CHB samples, the expression of K8 was not increased in response to oxidative stress and MDB aggregates did not appear. Aminotransferase values were significantly lower in patients with CHC and NAFLD in whom light chain 3 antibody expression was increased in response to oxidative stress.

Conclusion

Strong expression of K8 was considered to be important for MDB formation. MDB protect liver cells from oxidative stress at a cellular level and autophagy reduced hepatic damage when it was induced in the hepatocytes exposed to strong oxidative stress.
Proposal of Japan Red Cross score for sorafenib therapy in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Takeda Haruhiko , Nishikawa Hiroki , Osaki Yukio , Tsuchiya Kaoru , Joko Kouji , Ogawa Chikara , Taniguchi Hiroyoshi , Orito Etsuro , Uchida Yasushi , Izumi Namiki ,   Japanese Red Cross Liver Study Group
Published: January 2015

Aim

There have been no established predictors of the outcome on sorafenib therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. We aimed to establish a new prognostic model suitable for sorafenib in HCC.

Methods

Among 465 HCC patients treated with sorafenib in 14 hospitals, we formed a training cohort with 270 patients at seven hospitals located in West Japan and a validation cohort with 167 patients at seven hospitals located in East Japan. In the training cohort, we examined the relationship between overall survival (OS) and pretreatment clinical factors, and structured a new prognostic model. We verified this model in the validation cohort and compared with four existing staging models.

Results

Multivariate analysis demonstrated distant metastases, portal invasion, intrahepatic tumor burden of more than 50%, serum α‐fetoprotein of 150 ng/dL or more, des‐γ‐carboxyprothrombin of 1200 mAU/mL or more, albumin of 3.5 g/dL or less and total bilirubin of more than 1.0 mg/dL were significant independent adverse prognostic factors. We calculated a Japan Red Cross (JRC) score with these factors and classified three groups: low‐, intermediate‐ or high‐risk. Their median OS were well stratified (18.0, 8.8 and 3.7 months, respectively, P < 0.001) in the training cohort. In the validation cohort, OS were also statistically stratified (23.9, 10.3 and 2.9 months, P < 0.001). C‐statistics of the JRC score was 0.755, the highest in the five models, indicating its novel predictability.

Conclusion

Our proposed JRC score well predicts the prognosis of sorafenib therapy, and would be useful to plan individualized strategies for unresectable HCC.
Use of nucleoside analogs in patients with chronic hepatitis B in Nepal: A prospective cohort study in a single hospital
Authors: Masaki Naohiko , Shrestha Pradeep Krishna , Nishimura So , Ito Kiyoaki , Sugiyama Masaya , Mizokami Masashi
Published: January 2015

Aim

There still remain many concerns about the present status of antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis B in developing countries in Asia, where the monitoring systems of virological markers have not been well established, despite the high prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. To investigate it in Nepal, this prospective cohort study was conducted at the Teaching Hospital of Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu.

Methods

From 2007 to 2012, 65 patients were consecutively enrolled, 44 of whom received nucleoside analogs (NA), such as lamivudine (LMV), adefovir or tenofovir (TDF), on the decision of the local hepatologist. Virological determinations were performed in Japan, by using the serially collected serum samples at the Teaching Hospital. Statistical analysis was performed, using Mann–Whitney U‐test or Fisher's exact test.

Results

The younger, especially female patients of reproductive age were more frequently prescribed with these NA, and an increased preference for the use of TDF was observed over time. However, there was insufficient follow up of the NA‐treated patients in this cohort, and not a few patients developed emergence of NA‐resistant HBV: known resistance to LMV in 3 patients and incidental resistance to non‐administrated NA in four patients.

Conclusion

The results of the present study indicate that education for physicians as well as for infected patients regarding the proper use of NA, together with establishment of appropriate monitoring systems for virological markers, is warranted to prevent an increase in NA‐resistant HBV infections in Nepal.
Photoluminescence of Sr2P2O7:Sm3+ Phosphor as Reddish Orange Emission for White Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Cao Renping , Cao Chunyan , Yu Xiaoguang , Li Wensheng , Qiu Jianrong
Published: January 2015

A reddish orange emission Sr2P2O7:Sm3+ phosphor is prepared by the solid‐state reaction method in air, and the crystal structure and luminescence properties of phosphors are investigated. Sr2P2O7:Sm3+ phosphor shows Commission International de I'Eclairage (CIE) chromaticity coordinates (x = 0.5753, y = 0.4147). White light‐emitting diodes (W‐LEDs) fabricated using Sr2P2O7:Sm3+ phosphor etc. show CIE chromaticity coordinates (x = 0.3471, y = 0.3124). These results indicate that Sr2P2O7:Sm3+ phosphor could be a potential suitable reddish orange emitting phosphor candidate for W‐LEDs with excitation of a ~400 nm n‐UV LED chip.
Properties and Performance of Polycrystalline Cubic Boron Nitride
Authors: Swab Jeffrey J. , Vargas‐Gonzalez Lionel , Wilson Elizabeth , Warner Eric
Published: January 2015

Cubic boron nitride (CBN) is a lightweight (ρ = 3.45 g/cm3) ceramic material that is harder than all materials except diamond. As harder ceramics tend to perform better as armor, this material is of interest to the military community. CBN is synthetically produced and is primarily used as an abrasive and in cutting tool applications. The properties (elastic modulus, strength, toughness, hardness, etc.) and ballistic performance of this material were determined and compared to a commercially available armor‐grade boron carbide (B4C).
High Chrome Refractory Characterization: Part II. Accumulation of Spinel Corrosion Deposits in Radioactive Waste Glass Melters
Authors: Jantzen Carol M. , Imrich Kenneth J. , Pickett John B. , Brown Kevin G.
Published: January 2015

High Cr2O3 containing Monofrax™ K‐3 is a robust refractory that is used in radioactive waste glass melters worldwide. Monofrax™ K‐3 contains highly reduced phases. Conversely, many of the radioactive feeds being processed are highly oxidizing. The K‐3 refractory corrosion rates in oxidizing (high nitrate) feeds were ~1.8–2.8 times higher than the rates determined using reducing feeds. The corrosion product formed is a mixture of spinel and glass (slag) that can accumulate on the melter floor. A methodology to calculate the depth of slag deposits from refractory corrosion is presented and verified with slag measurements from the Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) melter after it had processed oxidized feeds for 1.75 years. The calculations show that had the facility continued to process oxidized feeds the melter lifetime (based on when the deposits could have reached and blocked the pour spout riser) would have been ~4.5 years. The DWPF changed to a reducing flow sheet after ~3 years of operation. The lifetimes of Melter #1 and Melter #2, assuming a failure due to pour spout blockage, are calculated as 7.7–12 years based on corrosion rates measured with reducing feeds. Lifetimes of 9 and >11 years have actually been achieved.
The Growth Rate of Early DWI Lesions is Highly Variable and Associated with Penumbral Salvage and Clinical Outcomes following Endovascular Reperfusion
Authors: Wheeler Hayley M. , Mlynash Michael , Inoue Manabu , Tipirnini Aaryani , Liggins John , Bammer Roland , Lansberg Maarten G. , Kemp Stephanie , Zaharchuk Greg , Straka Matus , Albers Gregory W.
Published: January 2015

Background

The degree of variability in the rate of early diffusion-weighted imaging expansion in acute stroke has not been well characterized.

Aim

We hypothesized that patients with slowly expanding diffusion-weighted imaging lesions would have more penumbral salvage and better clinical outcomes following endovascular reperfusion than patients with rapidly expanding diffusion-weighted imaging lesions.

Methods

In the first part of this substudy of DEFUSE 2, growth curves were constructed for patients with >90% reperfusion and <10% reperfusion. Next, the initial growth rate was determined in all patients with a clearly established time of symptom onset, assuming a lesion volume of 0 ml just prior to symptom onset. Patients who achieved reperfusion (>50% reduction in perfusion-weighted imaging after endovascular therapy) were categorized into tertiles according to their initial diffusion-weighted imaging growth rates. For each tertile, penumbral salvage [comparison of final volume to the volume of perfusion-weighted imaging (Tmax > 6 s)/diffusion-weighted imaging mismatch prior to endovascular therapy], favorable clinical response (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale improvement of ≥8 points or 0–1 at 30 days), and good functional outcome (90-day modified Rankin score of ≤2) were calculated. A multivariate model assessed whether infarct growth rates were an independent predictor of clinical outcomes.

Results

Sixty-five patients were eligible for this study; the median initial growth rate was 3·1 ml/h (interquartile range 0·7–10·7). Target mismatch patients ( n = 42) had initial growth rates that were significantly slower than the growth rates in malignant profile ( n = 9 patients, P < 0·001). In patients who achieved reperfusion ( n = 38), slower early diffusion-weighted imaging growth rates were associated with better clinical outcomes ( P < 0·05) and a trend toward more penumbral salvage ( n = 31, P = 0·103). A multivariate model demonstrated that initial diffusion-weighted imaging growth rate was an independent predictor of achieving a 90-day modified Rankin score of ≤2.

Conclusions

The growth rate of early diffusion-weighted imaging lesions in acute stroke patients is highly variable; malignant profile patients have higher growth rates than patients with target mismatch. A slower rate of early diffusion-weighted imaging growth is associated with a greater degree of penumbral salvage and improved clinical outcomes following endovascular reperfusion.
Extent of Secondary Intraventricular Hemorrhage is an Independent Predictor of Outcomes in Intracerebral Hemorrhage: Data from the Helsinki ICH Study
Authors: Mustanoja Satu , Satopää Jarno , Meretoja Atte , Putaala Jukka , Strbian Daniel , Curtze Sami , Haapaniemi Elena , Sairanen Tiina , Niemelä Mika , Kaste Markku , Tatlisumak Turgut
Published: January 2015

Background

Intraventricular hemorrhage is a severe subtype of intracerebral hemorrhage associated with high mortality and poor outcome.

Aim

We analyzed various intraventricular hemorrhage scores at baseline to find common parameters associated with increased mortality.

Methods

Consecutive intracerebral hemorrhage patients treated in Helsinki University Central Hospital during 2005— 2010 were included in the Helsinki Intracerebral Hemorrhage Study registry and analyzed for three-month mortality. Results After excluding lost-to-follow-up patients, 967 intracerebral hemorrhage patients were included, out of whom 398 (41%) had intraventricular hemorrhage. Intraventricular hemorrhage patients, compared with nonintraventricular hemorrhage patients, had lower baseline Glasgow Coma Scale [median 12 (IQR 6–15) vs. 15 (13–15); P < 0·001] and higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [18 (10–27) vs. 7 (3–14); P < 0·001] scores; larger intracerebral hemorrhage volumes [17 ml (7·2–42) vs. 6·8 (2·4–18); P < 0·001] and more often hydrocephalus (51% vs. 9%; P < 0·001); and higher mortality rates (54% vs. 18%; P < 0·001). In multivariable analysis, the presence of intraventricular hemorrhage was independently associated with mortality [OR 2·05 (95% CI 1·36–3·09)] when adjusted for well-known prognostic factors of intracerebral hemorrhage, i.e. age, gender, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, intracerebral hemorrhage volume, infratentorial location, and etiology.

Conclusions

The presence of intraventricular hemorrhage was independently associated with increased mortality, and all the intraventricular hemorrhage scores were strong predictors of three-month mortality.
Modest Blood Pressure Reduction with Valsartan in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Prospective, Randomized, Open-Label, Blinded-End-Point Trial
Authors: Oh Mi Sun , Yu Kyung-Ho , Hong Keun-Sik , Kang Dong-Wha , Park Jong-Moo , Bae Hee-Joon , Koo Jaseong , Lee Juneyoung , Lee Byung-Chul
Published: January 2015

Background and aims

To assess the efficacy and safety of modest blood pressure (BP) reduction with valsartan within 48 h after symptom onset in patients with acute ischemic stroke and high BP.

Methods

This was a multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded-end-point trial. A total of 393 subjects were recruited at 28 centers and then randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive valsartan ( n = 195) or no treatment ( n = 198) for seven-days after presentation. The primary outcome was death or dependency, defined as a score of 3–6 on the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 90 days after symptom onset. Early neurological deterioration (END) within seven-days and 90-day major vascular events were also assessed.

Results

There were 372 patients who completed the 90-day follow-up. The valsartan group had 46 of 187 patients (24·6%) with a 90-day mRS 3–6, compared with 42 of 185 patients (22·6%) in the control group (odds ratio [OR], 1·11; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0·69–1·79; P = 0·667). The rate of major vascular events did not differ between groups (OR, 1·41; 95% CI, 0·44–4·49; P = 0·771). There was a significant increase of END in the valsartan group (OR, 2·43; 95% CI, 1·25–4·73; P = 0·008).

Conclusions

Early reduction of BP with valsartan did not reduce death or dependency and major vascular events at 90 days, but increased the risk of END.
Characteristics and significant predictors of detecting underlying diseases in adults with asymptomatic microscopic hematuria: A large case series of a Korean population
Authors: Kang Minyong , Lee Sangchul , Jeong Seong Jin , Hong Sung Kyu , Byun Seok‐Soo , Lee Sang Eun , Jeong Chang Wook
Published: January 2015

Objective

To provide detailed characteristics of asymptomatic microscopic hematuria, as well as to identify the significant predictors of detecting underlying diseases of asymptomatic microscopic hematuria, by evaluating a large Korean population.

Methods

We obtained data from healthy adults over the age of 20 years who underwent the health‐screening program from 2005 to 2010 at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, resulting in 56 632 participants included in the analysis. Patients who had microscopic hematuria (five red blood cells/high‐power field) were referred to a urological outpatient clinic for further urological evaluation. An underlying disease of asymptomatic microscopic hematuria was predefined as a urinary stone, renal mass, urothelial cancer or other relevant lesions.

Results

At the initial urinalysis, 6.2% (3517/56 632) were diagnosed with asymptomatic microscopic hematuria. Of these, 1619 participants underwent repeat urinalysis within 1 year after screening, and 911 (56.3%) participants were detected with microscopic hematuria again. We identified 131 lesions (3.7%) as underlying diseases for asymptomatic microscopic hematuria, with urinary stone as the most common cause. Just six lesions were malignant: three renal cell carcinomas and three bladder cancers. Male sex and diabetes mellitus were significant predictors for detection of underlying diseases of asymptomatic microscopic hematuria.

Conclusions

Herein we report the largest screening case series of asymptomatic microscopic hematuria including approximately 60 000 asymptomatic participants studied at a single institution. These findings provide clinical practice information for the management of asymptomatic microscopic hematuria in adults.
‘I was raped by Santa Claus’: Responding to disclosures of sexual assault in mental health inpatient facilities
Authors: Ashmore Toni , Spangaro Jo , McNamara Lorna
Published: January 2015

Sexual violence is significantly higher among those with mental illness than the rest of the population. The risk of sexual violence posed to patients during inpatient admissions is now also beginning to be recognized, but remains a challenging area of practice. This paper introduces a trauma‐informed care approach for responding to disclosures of sexual violence by people with serious mental illness, taking into account the complexities of caring for individuals who might be unable to provide coherent accounts of assaults and/or who might be experiencing varying degrees of psychosis. A framework for understanding and responding to disclosures of sexual violence that occur in mental health facilities is described, recognizing that such disclosures take many forms, including plausible and implausible accounts of recent sexual violence, as well as disclosures of past abuse triggered by current traumatic experiences. Illustrated by case studies, the practice implications for each type of disclosure described in the framework are explored in relation to investigation, care planning, and prevention.
Uganda nursing research agenda: a Delphi study
Authors: Spies L.A. , Gray J. , Opollo J. , Mbalinda S.
Published: January 2015

Aim

Use a Delphi Methodology to identify nursing research priorities in Uganda.

Background

Identifying nursing research priorities, empowering researchers, and encouraging relevant studies can advance attaining global health goals. The Uganda Nurses and Midwives Union identified the need to establish a nursing research agenda. Nurse leaders have a priority of increasing the influence of nurses in practice and policy. This study was conducted as a preliminary step in a long‐term strategy to build nurses’ capacity in nursing research.

Methods

A three‐round Delphi study was conducted. The 45 study participants were nurses in practice, nurse faculty and members of the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Union. In the initial round, the participants wrote their responses during face‐to‐face meetings and the follow‐up rounds were completed via email.

Results

Maternal and child morbidity and HIV/AIDS were identified as research priorities. Nurses also identified nursing practice, education and policy as key areas that nursing research could impact.

Limitations

Demographic characteristics such as length of time in nursing were not collected. Additionally, first round participants completed a pencil‐paper survey and the follow‐up rounds were done by email.

Conclusions

Nurse Leaders in Uganda identified areas where research efforts could have the most impact and were most relevant to nursing practice.

Implications for nursing and health policy

Health policy decisions have historically been made without nursing input. Nursing research can provide evidence to inform policy and, ultimately, improve population health. The focus of nursing research in priority areas can be used to guide nursing contribution in policy discussions.
Solid‐State Conversion of Single Crystals: The Principle and the State‐of‐the‐Art
Authors: Kang Suk‐Joong L. , Park Ji‐Hoon , Ko Seok‐Young , Lee Ho‐Yong
Published: January 2015

Solid‐state conversion of single crystals from polycrystalline materials has the advantages of cost‐effectiveness, chemical homogeneity, and versatility over the conventional melt growth and solution growth methods, particularly for systems with high melting points, incongruent melting, high reactivity (volatility), and phase transformations at high temperature. Nevertheless, for commercial production, this technique has only been successful in a few limited systems, in particular ferroelectric systems. This is mostly because of the difficulty in controlling the microstructure, particularly suppressing grain growth in the polycrystal during its conversion. This article describes the principle and the current status of the solid‐state conversion of single crystals. We first introduce the recently developed principle of microstructural evolution to explain the basis of the microstructure control in polycrystals for solid‐state conversion. We then report recent technical developments in fabricating single crystals by the solid‐state single crystal growth (SSCG) method and their physical properties. The SSCG method is expected to be studied and utilized more widely in fabricating single crystals with complex compositions as a strong alternative to the melt growth and solution growth methods.
Microstructure and Li‐Ion Conductivity of Hot‐Pressed Cubic Li7La3Zr2O12
Authors: David Isabel N. , Thompson Travis , Wolfenstine Jeff , Allen Jan L. , Sakamoto Jeff
Published: January 2015

The effect of hot‐pressing temperature on the microstructure and Li‐ion transport of Al‐doped, cubic Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO) was investigated. At fixed pressure (62 MPa), the relative density was 86%, 97%, and 99% when hot‐pressing at 900°C, 1000°C, and 1100°C, respectively. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy showed that the percent grain‐boundary resistance decreased with increasing hot‐pressing temperature. Hot pressing at 1100°C resulted in a total conductivity of 0.37 mS/cm at room temperature where the grain boundaries contributed to 8% of the total resistance; one of the lowest grain‐boundary resistances reported. We believe hot pressing is an appealing technique to minimize grain‐boundary resistance and enable correlations between LLZO composition and bulk ionic conductivity.
Depressive disorder in pregnant Latin women: does intimate partner violence matter?
Authors: Fonseca‐Machado Mariana de Oliveira , Alves Lisiane Camargo , Monteiro Juliana Cristina dos Santos , Stefanello Juliana , Nakano Ana Márcia Spanó , Haas Vanderlei José , Gomes‐Sponholz Flávia
Published: January 2015

Aims and objectives

To identify the association of antenatal depressive symptoms with intimate partner violence during the current pregnancy in Brazilian women.

Background

Intimate partner violence is an important risk factor for antenatal depression. To the authors' knowledge, there has been no study to date that assessed the association between intimate partner violence during pregnancy and antenatal depressive symptoms among Brazilian women.

Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Methods

Three hundred and fifty‐eight pregnant women were enrolled in the study. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and an adapted version of the instrument used in the World Health Organization Multi‐country Study on Women's Health and Domestic Violence were used to measure antenatal depressive symptoms and psychological, physical and sexual acts of intimate partner violence during the current pregnancy respectively. Multiple logistic regression and multiple linear regression were used for data analysis.

Results

The prevalence of antenatal depressive symptoms, as determined by the cut‐off score of 12 in the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, was 28·2% (101). Of the participants, 63 (17·6%) reported some type of intimate partner violence during pregnancy. Among them, 60 (95·2%) reported suffering psychological violence, 23 (36·5%) physical violence and one (1·6%) sexual violence. Multiple logistic regression and multiple linear regression indicated that antenatal depressive symptoms are extremely associated with intimate partner violence during pregnancy.

Conclusion

Among Brazilian women, exposure to intimate partner violence during pregnancy increases the chances of experiencing antenatal depressive symptoms.

Relevance to clinical practice

Clinical nurses and nurses midwifes should pay attention to the particularities of Brazilian women, especially with regard to the occurrence of intimate partner violence, whose impacts on the mental health of this population are extremely significant, both during the gestational period and postpartum.
Immunoscoring of epidermal growth factor receptor expression in recurrent cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Mehta Anurag , Chowdhary Meenakshi , Sinha Rupal
Published: January 2015

Background

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a genetic disease with high prevalence and poor survival. Evaluation of recurrent tumor for a valid biomarker may serve as a predictive system for analyzing prognostic course of this disease. This study was designed to evaluate and compare the immunoscoring of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression in recurrent cases with their matched regional/locoregional recurrence and non‐recurrent cases of OSCC.

Methodology

A total of 64 cases of OSCC were studied and immunostained with polyclonal EGFR antibody. Of these, 33 cases recurred at the end of 5 years of follow‐up. For positive evaluation of EGFR staining, immunscoring was performed by adding the extent score and intensity score.

Results

We observed significant increase in EGFR immunoscore in recurrent cases of OSCC (P‐value 0.001). Immunoscoring of EGFR expression is an independent prognostic and/or predictive parameter for recurrence in OSCC (Odds Ratio: 6.52).

Conclusion

Immunoscore using EGFR can be incorporated into traditional classification, thus providing an essential prognostic and potentially predictive tool.
LOCAL CONSEQUENCES OF GLOBAL PRODUCTION PROCESSES
Authors: Brakman Steven , van Marrewijk Charles , Partridge Mark
Published: January 2015

The financial crisis of 2008 not only started the Great Recession, but also set off fundamental changes in production processes, government fiscal practices, and housing. Technological progress has enabled firms to outsource and offshore parts of the production process, leading to a fragmentation of global value chains. We briefly discuss this “second unbundling,” global versus regional fragmentation and some of the consequences that became visible during the Great Recession's trade collapse. We discuss the consequences for some local clusters, both from a theoretical and empirical perspective, and some consequences for government fiscal health and housing from an American perspective.
Sleepiness at the wheel across Europe: a survey of 19 countries
Authors: Gonçalves Marta , Amici Roberto , Lucas Raquel , Åkerstedt Torbjörn , Cirignotta Fabio , Horne Jim , Léger Damien , McNicholas Walter T. , Partinen Markku , Téran‐Santos Joaquín , Peigneux Philippe , Grote Ludger ,   National Representatives as Study Collaborators
Published: January 2015

The European Sleep Research Society aimed to estimate the prevalence, determinants and consequences of falling asleep at the wheel. In total, 12 434 questionnaires were obtained from 19 countries using an anonymous online questionnaire that collected demographic and sleep‐related data, driving behaviour, history of drowsy driving and accidents. Associations were quantified using multivariate logistic regression. The average prevalence of falling asleep at the wheel in the previous 2 years was 17%. Among respondents who fell asleep, the median prevalence of sleep‐related accidents was 7.0% (13.2% involved hospital care and 3.6% caused fatalities). The most frequently perceived reasons for falling asleep at the wheel were poor sleep in the previous night (42.5%) and poor sleeping habits in general (34.1%). Falling asleep was more frequent in the Netherlands [odds ratio = 3.55 (95% confidence interval: 1.97; 6.39)] and Austria [2.34 (1.75; 3.13)], followed by Belgium [1.52 (1.28; 1.81)], Portugal [1.34 (1.13, 1.58)], Poland [1.22 (1.06; 1.40)] and France [1.20 (1.05; 1.38)]. Lower odds were found in Croatia [0.36 (0.21; 0.61)], Slovenia [0.62 (0.43; 0.89)] and Italy [0.65 (0.53; 0.79)]. Individual determinants of falling asleep were younger age; male gender [1.79 (1.61; 2.00)]; driving ≥20 000 km year [2.02 (1.74; 2.35)]; higher daytime sleepiness [7.49 (6.26; 8.95)] and high risk of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome [3.48 (2.78; 4.36) in men]. This Pan European survey demonstrates that drowsy driving is a major safety hazard throughout Europe. It emphasizes the importance of joint research and policy efforts to reduce the burden of sleepiness at the wheel for European drivers.
Histopathologic Variation between Liver Lobes in Dogs
Authors: Kemp S.D. , Zimmerman K.L. , Panciera D.L. , Monroe W.E. , Leib M.S.
Published: January 2015

Background

Biopsy of the liver evaluates a small portion of tissue, with inferences made to the entire organ. The method and number of biopsies obtained are tempered by consideration of the risks and benefits. Recommendations often include biopsy of more than one liver lobe, although the consistency of histopathology among lobes in dogs is unknown.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To describe the distribution of histopathologic abnormalities between liver lobes. We hypothesized that discordant results would be evenly distributed among all liver lobes.

Animals

Seventy dogs undergoing necropsy.

Methods

Prospective study. Liver samples were obtained from all lobes. A primary diagnosis was assigned to each liver sample based on the predominant histopathologic abnormality.

Results

In this population of dogs, biopsy of at least 2 liver lobes identified the predominant histologic abnormality in 98.6% of the cases. Ten (14%) of the dogs had ≤3 lobes in agreement and could not be assigned a predominant diagnosis. The same diagnosis was present in 6/6 lobes in 39 (56.5%) dogs, 5/6 lobes in 10 (14.5%) dogs, 4/6 lobes in 10 (14.5%) dogs, 3/6 lobes in 7 (10.1%) dogs, and 2/6 in 3 (4.3%) dogs. The number of discordant results did not differ between the liver lobes.

Conclusion and Clinical Importance

The likelihood of obtaining a sample that is reflective of the predominant histologic abnormality in the liver is increased when multiple liver lobes are biopsied.
Non‐selective beta‐blockers may reduce risk of hepatocellular carcinoma: a meta‐analysis of randomized trials
Authors: Thiele Maja , Albillos Agustín , Abazi Rozeta , Wiest Reiner , Gluud Lise L. , Krag Aleksander
Published: January 2015

Background & Aims

Non‐selective beta‐blockers (NSBB) are used in patients with cirrhosis and oesophageal varices. Experimental data suggest that NSBB inhibit angiogenesis and reduce bacterial translocation, which may prevent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We therefore assessed the effect of NSBB on HCC by performing a systematic review with meta‐analyses of randomized trials.

Methods

Electronic and manual searches were combined. Authors were contacted for unpublished data. Included trials assessed NSBB for patients with cirrhosis; the control group could receive any other intervention than NSBB. Fixed and random effects meta‐analyses were performed with I2 as a measure of heterogeneity. Subgroup, sensitivity, regression and sequential analyses were performed to evaluate heterogeneity, bias and the robustness of the results after adjusting for multiple testing.

Results

Twenty‐three randomized trials on 2618 patients with cirrhosis were included, of which 12 reported HCC incidence and 23 reported HCC mortality. The mean duration of follow‐up was 26 months (range 8–82). In total, 47 of 694 patients randomized to NSBB developed HCC vs 65 of 697 controls (risk difference −0.026; 95% CI−0.052 to −0.001; number needed to treat 38 patients). There was no heterogeneity (I2 = 7%) or evidence of small study effects (Eggers P = 0.402). The result was not confirmed in sequential analysis, which suggested that 3719 patients were needed to achieve the required information size. NSBB did not reduce HCC‐related mortality (RD −0.011; 95% CI −0.040 to 0.017).

Conclusions

Non‐selective beta‐blockers may prevent HCC in patients with cirrhosis.
Erythropoietin pretreatment ameliorates renal ischaemia‐reperfusion injury by activating PI3K/Akt signalling
Authors: Zhang Jiong , Zou Yu‐rong , Zhong Xiang , Deng Hanlu Ding Fei , Pu Lei , Peng Kun , Wang Li
Published: January 2015

Aim

Renal ischaemia‐reperfusion (I/R) injury, a primary cause of acute renal failure, can induce high morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to explore the effect of erythropoietin on renal I/R injury and its underlying mechanism.

Methods

Fifty male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly allocated to three groups (n = 10): the sham group, the renal ischaemia‐reperfusion‐saline (IRI) group, and the IRI+‐Erythropoietin (EPO) group. Erythropoietin (250, 500, 1000 U/kg) was intraperitoneally injected 30 min before inducing I/R. Renal I/R injury were induced by clamping the left renal artery for 30 min followed by reperfusion, along with a contralateral nephrectomy. Renal function and histological damage were determined after 24 h reperfusion. The expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), interleukin‐1 β (IL‐1β), and tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) in the serum and renal tissue were evaluated by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), respectively. Further, the effects of erythropoietin on PI3K/Akt signalling, erythropoietin receptor (EPOR) and nuclear factor (NF)‐κB activation were measured by Western blotting.

Results

Erythropoietin pretreatment can significantly decrease the level of renal dysfunction in a dose‐dependent manner, attenuated the renal histological changes, the expression of TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and IL‐6, the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and NF‐κB p65 phosphorylation in renal tissue upon IRI. Moreover, erythropoietin pretreatment could further activate the PI3K/Akt signalling and induced EPOR activity.

Conclusions

Erythropoietin pretreatment could attenuate renal I/R injury by suppressing inflammation, which was associated with activating PI3K/Akt signalling though EPOR activation. Our findings suggest that erythropoietin may be a novel practical strategy to prevent renal I/R injury.
Effects of wall shear stress in venous neointimal hyperplasia of arteriovenous fistulae
Authors: Jia Lan , Wang Lihua , Wei Fang , Yu Haibo , Dong Hongye , Wang Bo , Lu Zhi , Sun Guijiang , Chen Haiyan , Meng Jia , Li Bo , Zhang Ruining , Bi Xueqing , Wang Zhe , Pang Haiyan , Jiang Aili
Published: January 2015

Aim

An arteriovenous fistulae (AVF) is the preferred vascular access for maintenance haemodialysis patients. Its dysfunction is often due to venous stenosis, which is mainly caused by neointimal hyperplasia. Additionally, haemodynamic forces, especially wall shear stress (WSS), as a mechanical stimuli to venous wall have a significant role in neointimal hyperplasia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between WSS and neointimal hyperplasia.

Methods

An ‘end‐to‐side’ AVF was created between the right femoral artery and vein of canines. Canines were killed at 7 and 28 days post‐surgery. The velocity and WSS in the three‐dimensional computational model of AVF were simulated using computational fluid dynamics (CFDs). The four typical sites of the vein evaluated in this study, chosen according to the haemodynamic analysis, included the arteriovenous anastomosis (A‐V), the juxta‐anastomotic segment (J‐V), the juxta‐ligation segment (L‐V) and the proximal vein (P‐V). The specimens were haematoxylin‐eosin stained and the intima‐media thickening was then measured.

Results

Neointimal hyperplasia was more obvious in the inner wall of the J‐V and L‐V (low‐and‐disturbed WSS) sites compared with the P‐V and A‐V sites, and the outer wall of the L‐V and J‐V segments (high or laminar WSS) (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

In this study, we described the haemodynamic condition in the AVF and found that neointimal hyperplasia predisposed to occur in the inner wall of venous segment near the anastomosis. We also found that not only the neointimal hyperplasia has a strong inverse correlation with WSS levels, but also is related to flow patterns.
Symptom‐association probability between meal ingestion and abdominal pain in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. Does somatization play a role?
Authors: Arsiè E. , Coletta M. , Cesana B. M. , Basilisco G.
Published: January 2015

Background

Patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) complain of postprandial abdominal pain, but it is still unknown how much of this association is due to chance. Somatization enhances the perception of symptoms after a meal. We assessed: (i) the proportion of meal‐related pain periods and the symptom‐association probability (SAP) between the two variables in IBS patients; and (ii) how this association is affected by somatization.

Methods

Seventy IBS patients recorded the times of meals and abdominal pain in a 10‐day diary card. The proportion of postmeal pain periods was calculated in relation to the total number of 90‐min periods with pain. Fisher's exact test was used to calculate the probability (p) of an association within a time window of 90 min, and the SAP was calculated as (1 − p) × 100%. The IBS Symptom Severity Scale, the SCL90‐R for psychological symptoms, and the SF‐36 for the quality of life were completed.

Key Results

The proportion of postmeal pain periods was 42 ± 27%. SAP was significant (p < 0.05) in 32 patients (45%). Somatization was altered in 30 patients (47%), who were younger and had more severe IBS and a poorer quality of life. Somatization did not influence the association between meal ingestion and abdominal pain.

Conclusions & Inferences

Meal ingestion and abdominal pain are significantly associated in 45% of IBS patients. Somatization influences IBS severity and the patients' quality of life, but not the strength of the association between eating and pain.
Genome scans reveal candidate domestication and improvement genes in cultivated sunflower, as well as post‐domestication introgression with wild relatives
Authors: Baute Gregory J. , Kane Nolan C. , Grassa Christopher J. , Lai Zhao , Rieseberg Loren H.
Published: January 2015

The development of modern crops typically involves both selection and hybridization, but to date most studies have focused on the former. In the present study, we explore how both processes, and their interactions, have molded the genome of the cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus), a globally important oilseed.

To identify genes targeted by selection during the domestication and improvement of sunflower, and to detect post‐domestication hybridization with wild species, we analyzed transcriptome sequences of 80 genotypes, including wild, landrace, and modern lines of H. annuus, as well as two cross‐compatible wild relatives, Helianthus argophyllus and Helianthus petiolaris.

Outlier analyses identified 122 and 15 candidate genes associated with domestication and improvement, respectively. As in several previous studies, genes putatively involved in oil biosynthesis were the most extreme outliers. Additionally, several promising associations were observed with previously mapped quantitative trait loci (QTLs), such as branching. Admixture analyses revealed that all the modern cultivar genomes we examined contained one or more introgressions from wild populations, with every chromosome having evidence of introgression in at least one modern line.

Cumulatively, introgressions cover c. 10% of the cultivated sunflower genome. Surprisingly, introgressions do not avoid candidate domestication genes, probably because of the reintroduction of branching.
Impact of bariatric surgery on physical functioning in obese adults
Authors: Steele T. , Cuthbertson D. J. , Wilding J. P. H.
Published: January 2015

Obesity is associated with a profound impairment in the ability to perform the basic physical activities required for everyday function. This impacts on quality of life and contributes to disability. Bariatric surgery leads to weight loss and metabolic improvements in severe obesity; however, less is known about its effect on physical functioning. This narrative review summarizes current evidence on the effect of bariatric surgery on this outcome with a consideration of the mechanisms involved. Nine longitudinal observational studies reporting objective measures of physical functioning were identified. Inclusion criteria, follow‐up time and outcomes reported varied considerably between studies and sample sizes were small. They all showed a significant improvement in performance following surgery despite variations in baseline patient characteristics. Additionally, six studies were found in which subjects were subjected to exercise testing protocols. Performance of the test protocol improved in all. Where reported, peak oxygen uptake related to body weight improved; however, absolute values were either unchanged or decreased. In conclusion, observational evidence suggests that patients’ physical functioning improves following bariatric surgery. More evidence is required regarding mechanisms involved; however, it may be due to improved efficiency in performing activities as opposed to absolute improvements in cardiorespiratory or muscle function.