bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hospital productivity: The role of efficiency drivers
Authors: Ali Manhal , Salehnejad Reza , Mansur Mohaimen 
Published: February 2019

SummaryA major feature of health‐care systems is substantial variation in hospital productivity. Hospital productivity varies widely across countries. The presence of such variation suggests potential areas for improvement, which can substantially lower health‐care costs. This research aims to investigate factors that may explain variations in hospital productivity by constructing a longitudinal data (panel) on English NHS hospital trusts. It also seeks to explore possible interactions among the factors in a data–driven manner. We employ unbiased panel regression tree techniques from the machine‐learning literature to explore the complex interactive structure of the data. We next use econometric panel regression to deal with individual hospital effects to identify some of the determinants of hospital productivity. The findings point to the significance of efficiency‐enhancing mechanisms for hospital productivity, including measures to reduce the length of stay, increase day case (outpatient) surgery rate, and to minimize errors. Further, such measures are shaped by more fundamental factors such as the availability of human capital and management practices. Our results underscore the importance of within‐hospital efficiency‐enhancing mechanisms to cost‐adjusted hospital productivity. Improving hospital operational processes will enhance productivity. At a deeper level, human capital and management practices are likely to be most critical.
Therapeutic potential of toll‐like receptors in treatment of gynecological cancers
Authors: Moradi‐Marjaneh Reyhaneh , Hassanian Seyed Mahdi , Hasanzadeh Malihe , Rezayi Majid , Maftouh Mona , Mehramiz Mehrane , Ferns Gordon A. , Khazaei Majid , Avan Amir 
Published: February 2019

AbstractToll‐like receptors (TLRs) play an important role in the innate and adaptive immune system. They are expressed in various regions of the female reproductive tract, and their regulation may be involved in the pathogenesis of gynecological lesions. There is growing evidence that ligands for several TLRs are potentially anticancer agents, some of which have already been approved by the FDA, and these compounds are now undergoing clinical evaluation. There is a rationale for using these ligands as adjuvants in the treatment or prevention of gynecological cancer. Some TLR agonists that are of potential interest in the treatment of gynecological lesions include imiquimod, motolimod, cervarix, and CpG‐oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs). In this review, we outline the different functions of TLRs in gynecological cancer with particular emphasis on the value of TLR agonists as a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of gynecological cancer. © 2019 IUBMB Life, 71(5):549–564, 2019
Effect on door‐to‐needle recombinant tissue plasminogen activator administration times for acute ischemic stroke with and without an emergency department pharmacist
Authors: Gilbert Brian W. , Huffman Joel 
Published: February 2019

Study ObjectiveA paucity of data exists on the impact emergency department (ED) pharmacists have on a stroke team's door‐to‐needle (DTN) administration time of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rTPA). The purpose of this study was to assess the odds of achieving a DTN administration time for rTPA of 60 minutes or less with an ED pharmacist present.MethodsThis was a retrospective, cohort study of patients who received rTPA for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) from May 2017 to May 2018. Patients were included if they were at least 18 years old and received tPA for AIS in the ED. The primary outcome for this study was the likelihood of patients receiving a DTN administration time of 60 minutes or less with or without an ED pharmacist present during a stroke alert at a primary stroke center.ResultsThe electronic medical record of 184 stroke alert patients was reviewed, and 65 patients were included in the final analysis. Baseline characteristics were similar in all aspects. The odds ratio was 3.3 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1‐9.6; P = 0.04) to achieve a DTN administration time of 60 minutes or less when an ED pharmacist was present. The ED pharmacist present group had faster median (47 minutes vs 60 minutes; P = 0.001) and average (49 minutes vs 63 minutes; P = 0.003) DTN administration times compared with the ED pharmacist not present group.ConclusionAn ED pharmacists present during a stroke alert at our faculty resulted in reduced overall DTN rTPA administration times and increased the odds of a patient receiving rTPA less than 60 minutes from arrival for AIS. Further study is required to determine if this finding can be replicated in other EDs.
Chinese herbal medicines of supplementing Qi and nourishing Yin combined with chemotherapy for non–small cell lung cancer: A meta‐analysis and systematic review
Authors: Shen Shuijie , Jiang Shuiju 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBackgroundNon–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the malignant tumors with the highest incidence and mortality. This meta‐analysis aimed to explore the efficacy of the supplementing Qi and nourishing Yin method combined with chemotherapy for the treatment of NSCLC based on qualified randomized controlled trials.MethodPubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases were searched by the index words to identify the eligible studies, and relevant literature sources were also searched. The latest research was performed in December 2017. Of the eligible studies, only those involving randomized controlled trials were included. Relative risks (RR) along with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were used to analyze the main outcomes.ResultA total of 41 studies were involved in the meta‐analysis with 1335 objects in the treatment group and 1272 objects in the control group. Compared with chemotherapy, supplementing Qi and nourishing Yin combined with chemotherapy significantly increased the effective rate (RR: 1.37, 95% CI: 1.24‐1.51), increased the Karnofsky score (RR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.39‐1.61), and improved the TCM symptom (RR: 1.69, 95% CI: 1.55‐1.85).ConclusionThese results demonstrated that supplementing Qi and nourishing Yin combined with chemotherapy would have better clinical efficacy in effective rate, the Karnofsky score, and TCM symptom. Most of the included studies had a low Jadad score; however, there is still a need for high‐quality, larger‐sample, multicentric, and long‐term follow‐up randomized controlled trials to confirm our conclusion.
Tiaopi huxin recipe improved endothelial dysfunction and attenuated atherosclerosis by decreasing the expression of caveolin‐1 in ApoE‐deficient mice
Authors: Wen Junmao , Lin Tong , Wu Wei , Yang Yi , Luo Chuanjin , Zhou Chi , Wan Jindong , Liu Sen , Wang Dan , Wang Peijian , Li Junzhe 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe Tiaopi Huxin recipe (TPHXR) is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for the clinical treatment of coronary heart disease. However, the mechanism of TPHXR treatment of atherosclerosis (AS) has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we have aimed to explore the potential antiatherosclerotic effect of TPHXR and its underlying mechanisms. Male ApoE knockout (ApoE−/−) mice were fed a high‐fat diet for 12 weeks and were randomly divided into four groups: the control group, and the low‐dose, medium‐dose, and high‐dose TPHXR groups. The nitric oxide (NO) levels in arterial tissue and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were measured by diaminofluorescein‐2 diacetate staining. Vasorelaxation of mice aorta was performed by wire myograph. Inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), hs‐CRP, IL‐6, and IL‐1β, in mice plasma were analyzed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Western blot analysis was applied to observe protein expression. Oil Red O staining was utilized for the quantification of atherosclerotic plaques. Results showed that 4 weeks of high‐ and medium‐dose TPHXR treatment by oral gavage reduced atheromatous lesions in ApoE
−/− mice. The high‐ and medium‐dose TPHXR treatment, but not the low‐dose treatment, promoted eNOS phosphorylation, increased NO levels and improved endothelium‐dependent vasorelaxation in ApoE
−/− mice. High‐ and medium‐dose TPHXR, but not low‐dose TPHXR, decreased the expression of cav‐1, NF‐κB p50, NF‐κB p65, ICAM1, VCAM‐1, TNF‐α, IL‐6, and IL‐1β in the vasculature of ApoE
−/− mice. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay analysis indicated that high‐ and medium‐dose TPHXR decreased the levels of TNF‐α, IL‐6, hs‐CRP, and IL‐1β. In conclusion, our findings show that TPHXR improved the endothelial function and reduced atheromatous lesions in ApoE
−/− mice. This result may be due to the decreased expression of caveolin‐1 and NF‐κB and, hence, the attenuated inflammatory response in AS mice vasculature. TPHXR may represent a promising intervention in patients with AS.
Prenatal sonographic diagnosis of biliary tract malformations
Authors: Koukoura Ourania , Kelesidou Veroniki , Delianidou Marina , Athanasiadis Apostolos , Dagklis Themistoklis 
Published: February 2019

AbstractCongenital anomalies of the biliary tract include a variety of pathologic conditions, such as biliary atresia, choledochal cysts, gallbladder agenesis, congenital cholelithiasis, and gallbladder duplication. Although most of these malformations are rare and benign conditions, they may occasionally represent a major threat to extrauterine life. Visualization of a normal‐sized gallbladder should be a mandatory component of the second‐trimester anomaly ultrasound scan. Advances in prenatal sonography enable the detection of biliary tract congenital malformations. In this review, we discuss the detection rates, sonographic features, and prognosis of the most frequently prenatally diagnosed biliary tract malformations.
Human platelet antigens polymorphisms; association to the development of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Ghasemi Ali , Zadsar Maryam , Shaiegan Mojgan , Samiei Shahram , Namvar Ali , Rasouli Mahboobeh , Moosanejad Molood 
Published: February 2019

AbstractRecently, human platelet antigens (HPAs) polymorphisms are found to play a role in susceptibility to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and fibrosis progression. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the possible association between the HPAs polymorphisms with liver fibrosis progression in HCV patients. HPAs polymorphisms genotyping was performed in HCV patients (n = 71) by Sequence‐specific primers‐polymerase chain reaction. Fibrosis progression was evaluated using the Metavir scoring system and liver biopsy, and the patients were assigned to two groups, namely, G1 (n = 35) that included patients with F1 (portal fibrosis without septa) or F2 (few septa) and G2 (n = 36) that comprised patients with F3 (numerous septa) or F4 (cirrhosis). The data analyses were performed using Pearson's χ2 test. The genotype frequency of HPA‐3ab was significantly higher in G1 patients than in G2 patients (P = 0.015). No statistically significant differences were found between the patient groups (G1 and G2) regarding the distributions of the allelic and genotypic frequencies of the HPA‐1, ‐2, ‐4, ‐5, and ‐15 systems. Multivariate logistic regression showed an independent association between the genotype HPA‐3aa/BB and severe fibrosis (F3‐F4), when compared with genotype HPA‐3ab, independent of the viral genotype, high alanine transaminase, sex, age, time of infection, diabetes, and high cholesterol as risk factors. The present study suggested that the HPA‐3ab genotype could be noticed as a potential protecting factor against hepatic fibrosis. Therefore, the antigenic variation of integrins might be considered as a part of the coordinated inflammatory process involved in the progression of liver fibrosis.
Creativity Booster: How Time versus Money Impacts Creative Performances
Authors: Gong Han , Zhou Haotian , Zhang Xiao 
Published: February 2019

AbstractPast research shows that time and money, although both scarce resources indispensable in modern societies, tend to exert distinct impacts on interpersonal behaviors. Yet, little is known about the effects of these two resources on intrapersonal cognitive processes, including creative thinking. In the present research, we explored whether and how increasing the saliency of time versus money concept would affect creative thinking. Six experiments provide converging evidence that activating time concept leads to superior creative performance than money concept. Specifically, individuals treated to time priming (versus money priming) were more likely to solve insight problems (Experiments 1a and 1b), to expand boundaries of conceptual categories (Experiment 2), and to identify connections among seemingly unrelated stimuli (Experiments 3a, 3b and 4). Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.
Cross‐sectional Evaluation of Home Enteral Nutrition Practice in the United States in the Context of the New Enteral Connectors
Authors: Epp Lisa M. , Salonen Bradley R. , Hurt Ryan T. , Mundi Manpreet S. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractPurposeThe increased prevalence of home enteral nutrition (HEN), reemergence of blenderized tube feeding (BTF), and conversion of enteral connectors to the ISO 80369‐3 standard are creating a significant need to better understand the practices of the HEN population. A cross‐sectional survey of current HEN consumers was conducted to evaluate the demographics of HEN consumers, including formulas and feeding tubes being used.MethodsIn order to disseminate the survey to a wide range of HEN consumers, we partnered with private infusion companies (Coram and Pediatric Home Services) along with the Oley and Tube Feeding Awareness Foundations. A validated survey focusing on patient demographics, tube types, formula used, and tube clogging complications was placed online from September 1, 2016, to October 15, 2016.ResultsDuring the study period, 1519 surveys were completed, with 1062 respondents in the pediatric group (<18 years old) and 457 in the adult group (≥18 years old). The most popular formulas were standard polymeric and specialized formulas in both the pediatric and adult groups. However, a significant number in the pediatric (31.2%) and adult (18.6%) groups used BTF either alone or in combination with other formulas. Clogging was also quite prevalent and correlated with tube size.ConclusionsThe present study highlights the significant diversity of the HEN practice in terms of types and sizes of tubes as well as formulas used, including confirmation of the widespread use of BTF. These data are key to ensure HEN providers are able to appropriately support and educate their patients.
Comparison of keystone flaps and skin grafts for oncologic reconstruction: A retrospective review
Authors: Darrach Halley , Kokosis George , Bridgham Kelly , Stone Jill P. , Lange Julie R. , Sacks Justin M. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesTwo common options for the closure of complex defects are local flaps and skin grafting. The keystone flap, a fasciocutaneous flap based on perforators, has demonstrated compelling ease of use, reproducibility, and low complication rates without requiring a distant donor site. Our objective for this study was to compare postoperative outcomes for keystone flaps and skin grafts in cancer resection.MethodsA retrospective review was conducted of patients undergoing keystone flap closure or skin grafting for soft tissue defects resulting from cancer resection at a single institution from June 2017 to June 2018. Patient demographics, operative indications, length of stay, time to heal, and complications were reviewed.ResultsA total of 34 patients were identified having undergone either keystone reconstruction (n = 16) or skin graft (n = 18) after oncologic resection. Patients undergoing keystone flap reconstruction had significantly shorter mobility restriction and healing times. Length of hospital stay and overall complication rates were not significantly different.ConclusionThe keystone flap is an adaptable tool that can safely be used for the coverage of complex defects with faster healing, shorter mobility restriction, and comparable complication rates to skin grafting without the need for a distant donor site.
Electrospun metal‐organic framework/polyacrylonitrile composite nanofibrous mat as a microsorbent for the extraction of tetracycline residue in human blood plasma
Authors: Arabsorkhi Batoul , Sereshti Hassan , Abbasi Alireza 
Published: February 2019

AbstractA new composite nanofiber of polyacrylonitrile doped with copper benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarboxylate metal‐organic framework was fabricated by electrospinning and used as a microsorbent in the solid‐phase extraction of trace tetracycline. The chemical structure of the adsorbent was studied by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area analysis, and Barrett‐Joyner‐Halenda pore size and volume analysis techniques. The significant parameters of the method including desorption solvent kind and volume, adsorbent mass, pH, and salt percentage were investigated. At the optimized conditions, the linear range was 8–1000 μg/L with a determination coefficient (R2) of 0.9954. The limits of detection and quantification were 2.40 and 8.00 μg/L, respectively. The inter‐ and intraday precisions were 4.7 and 3.4%, respectively. The developed extraction method was followed by high‐performance liquid chromatography and applied for the determination of tetracycline in human blood plasma, and good relative recoveries (97.3‐104.5%) were obtained.
Tannin‐Tethered Gelatin Hydrogels with Considerable Self‐Healing and Adhesive Performances
Authors: Zhao Qiuxia , Mu Shengdong , Long Yanru , Zhou Jin , Chen Wuyong , Astruc Didier , Gaidau Carmen , Gu Haibin 
Published: February 2019

AbstractHydrogels, especially the ones with self‐recovery and adhesive performances, have attracted more and more attention owing to their wide practical potential in the biomedical field involving cell delivery, wound filling, and tissue engineering. Tannic acid (TA), a nature‐derived gallol‐rich polyphenol, exhibits not only unique chelating properties with transition metal cations but also desirable anti‐oxidation properties and strong bonding capability to proteins and gelatin. Thus, taking advantage of the versatility of TA, a one‐pot method is proposed herein to produce TA‐modified gelatin hydrogels with the aid of NaIO4 under basic conditions. By changing the amount of NaIO4 used, the obtained hydrogels are covalently cross‐linked to different degrees and consequently exhibit diversity in their self‐healing and adhesive properties. The gelling time, viscoelasticity, and morphology of hydrogels are investigated, and when the feed molar ratio of NaIO4 to TA is adjusted to 15:1, the fabricated hydrogel shows optimum self‐healing efficiency of 73% and adhesive strength of 36 kPa. Additionally, considering the completely natural origin of TA and gelatin, this study offers an original way for the fabrication of biocompatible self‐healing and adhesive materials.
Overall Investigation of Poly (Phenylene Sulfide) from Synthesis and Process to Applications—A Review
Authors: Zuo Peiyuan , Tcharkhtchi Abbas , Shirinbayan Mohammadali , Fitoussi Joseph , Bakir Farid 
Published: February 2019

AbstractPoly (phenylene sulfide) (PPS) is one kind of high‐performance polymer with high thermal stability that can be used widely in different industrial domains. However, according to an investigation of the literature, few reviews have comprehensively focused on the continuous development of PPS applications in the past decade. To meet this demand, this paper provides an overall investigation of PPS polymer and PPS‐based composites from synthesis and process to applications. Briefly, this paper introduces PPS materials according to the following topics. First, the molecular weight distribution and morphology of PPS, as well as their reinforced parts, are introduced. Afterward, the topic is focused on the synthesis, process, and blending of PPS. In the next part, this paper investigates the key points regarding PPS as a high‐performance polymer, focusing on the aspect of thermal behavior and mechanical properties. Finally, PPS composite applications are emphasized and overviewed from a wide range of aspects.
Quantitative Bessaga–Pełczyński property and quantitative Rosenthal property
Authors: Chen Dongyang , Ruan Yingbin 
Published: February 2019

AbstractWe prove that c0 and , where K is a dispersed compact Hausdorff space, enjoy a quantitative version of the Bessaga–Pełczyński property. We also prove that l1 possesses a quantitative version of the Pełczyński property. Finally, we show that has a quantitative version of the Rosenthal property for any finite measure μ.
High‐throughput sequencing approach in analysis of microbial communities colonizing natural gas pipelines
Authors: Staniszewska Agnieszka , Kunicka‐Styczyńska Alina , Otlewska Anna , Gawor Jan , Gromadka Robert , Żuchniewicz Karolina , Ziemiński Krzysztof 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThis study provides a deep modern insight into the phylogenetic diversity among bacterial consortia found in working and nonworking high‐methane natural gas pipelines located in Poland. The working pipeline was characterized by lower biodiversity (140–154 bacterial genera from 22 to 23 classes, depending on the source of the debris) in comparison to the off‐gas pipeline (169 bacterial genera from 23 classes). The sediment recovered from the working pipeline contained mostly DNA identified as belonging to the phylum Firmicutes (66.4%–45.9% operational taxonomic units [OTUs]), predominantly Bacillus (41.4%–31.1% OTUs) followed by Lysinibacillus (2.6%–1.5% OTUs) and Clostridium (2.4%–1.8% OTUs). In the nonworking pipeline, Proteobacteria (46.8% OTUs) and Cyanobacteria (27.8% OTUs) were dominant. Over 30% of the Proteobacteria sequences showed homologies to Gammaproteobacteria, with Pseudomonas (7.1%), Enhydrobacter (2.1%), Stenotrophomonas (0.5%), and Haempohilus (0.4%) among the others. Differences were noted in terms of the chemical compositions of deposits originating from the working and nonworking gas pipelines. The deposits from the nonworking gas pipeline contained iron, as well as carbon (42.58%), sulphur (15.27%), and oxygen (15.32%). This composition can be linked to both the quantity and type of the resident microorganisms. The presence of a considerable amount of silicon (17.42%), and of aluminum, potassium, calcium, and magnesium at detectable levels, may likewise affect the metabolic activity of the resident consortia in the working gas pipeline. All the analyzed sediments included both bacteria known for causing and intensifying corrosion (e.g., Pseudomonas, Desulfovibrio, Shewanella, Serratia) and bacteria that can protect the surface of pipelines against deterioration (e.g., Bacillus). Biocorrosion is not related to a single mechanism or one species of microorganism, but results from the multidirectional activity of multiple microbial communities. The analysis presented here of the state of the microbiome in a gas pipeline during the real gas transport is a particularly valuable element of this work.