bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Acrylamide Content of Experimental and Commercial Flatbreads
Authors: Crawford Lauren M. , Kahlon Talwinder S. , Chiu Mei‐Chen M. , Wang Selina C. , Friedman Mendel 
Published: February 2019

AbstractAcrylamide, formed in baked and fried plant‐based foods, is reported to induce numerous adverse effects in cells, animals, and humans. Examples from the literature show that processed potato‐ and cereal‐based products are two major food types that seem to contribute the highest amounts of acrylamide to the diet worldwide. To meet both the demand for gluten‐free products and the interest in alternative grains, we previously developed recipes for flatbreads using a variety of different grains. In this study, we determined the acrylamide content of 15 experimental flatbreads made from a variety of flours and 21 commercial flatbreads. The application of a validated, highly sensitive HPLC/MS method revealed that flatbreads made with the following flours baked at 195.5 °C for 2 min had very low (<10 μg/kg) levels of acrylamide: brown rice, buckwheat, cornmeal, millet, oat, and quinoa. The acrylamide levels of the following flatbreads were 14 to 59 μg/kg: rye, sorghum, soy, wheat, commercial pita, pita crackers, pizza, naan, and lavash. Wheat‐based matzo breads, which are rapidly baked to a crisp texture at high heat (∼400 °C), contained 101 to 504 μg/kg acrylamide. Potato‐based products were some of the highest of the products tested, ranging from 153 (potato pancakes) to 2,070 (potato‐containing gluten‐free matzos) μg/kg acrylamide. Except for the potato‐containing products, the flatbreads made in this study were lower in acrylamide content (<3 to 21.3 μg/kg) than any of the commercial products tested. Of these experimental flatbreads, wheat‐ and sorghum‐based products were the highest. Flatbreads from alternative grains can result in gluten‐free products with high nutritional value and less acrylamide.Practical ApplicationAcrylamide formation is dependent on both the composition of the food product and the method of cooking. Flatbreads have the potential to be high in acrylamide due to cooking methods which lead to the development of desirable browning products. Flatbreads developed in this study using alternative and ancient grains were mostly lower in acrylamide content than their wheat counterpart, suggesting that they can serve as a low‐acrylamide, gluten‐free functional food.
Impact of hepatitis C treatment on pain intensity, prescription opioid use and arthritis
Authors: Kumthekar Anand , Shull Sarah , Lovejoy Travis I. , Morasco Benjamin J. , Chang Michael , Barton Jennifer 
Published: February 2019

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the impact of direct acting anti‐viral (DAA) therapy for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection on changes in pain intensity and prescription opioid use among Veterans.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study of Veterans with HCV who were seen in a rheumatology clinic at least once while receiving DAA therapy between January 1, 2010 and December 31st 2016. Demographic characteristics, HCV status, HCV treatment characteristics, numeric rating scale (NRS) pain scores and opioid prescription data were extracted from the electronic medical record. Pain scores were averaged over 6 months prior to HCV treatment and 6 months after completion of treatment. Prescription opioid dose was converted to a morphine equivalent daily dose (MEDD) and averaged across the two 6‐month intervals. Generalized estimating equations were used to model the change in average pain and MEDD from pre‐ to post‐HCV treatment. Effect size was assessed using Cohen’sd.ResultsA total of 121 Veterans, 91% male with average age of 59 were included. Average pre‐treatment pain was 4.4 (SD 2.4). The average reduction in pain scores was 0.6 points (P = 0.02, Cohen’sd = 0.22) after treatment. Among 67 patients prescribed chronic opioid therapy at baseline, average pre‐treatment MEDD was 52.4 mg (SD = 62.5 mg) and post‐DAA treatment average MEDD was 49.5 mg (SD = 69.3 mg), representing a decrease by 2.9 mg (P < 0.01, Cohen’sd = 0.14). Opioid dose reduction was seen in 43/67 patients and 12 patients discontinued opioids entirely.ConclusionAmong US Veterans, subjective pain scores had modest improvement and opioid prescriptions were mildly reduced following treatment with DAA.
A low perfusion‐metabolic mismatch in 99mTl and 123I‐BMIPP scintigraphy predicts poor prognosis in systemic sclerosis patients with asymptomatic cardiac involvement
Authors: Iida Harunobu , Hanaoka Hironari , Okada Yukinori , Kiyokawa Tomofumi , Takakuwa Yukiko , Yamada Hidehiro , Okazaki Takahiro , Ozaki Shoichi , Yamaguchi Kenichiro , Nakajima Yasuo , Kawahata Kimito 
Published: February 2019

AbstractAimThis study investigated the prognostic factors of cardiac death or cardiac failure using cardiac scintigraphy, echocardiography (UCG), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in asymptomatic systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients.MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated SSc patients who had undergone cardiac scintigraphy using 99mthallium (99mTl) and 123I‐β‐methyl‐P‐iodophenyl‐pentadecanoic acid (123I‐BMIPP), UCG, and cardiac MRI. We calculated the mismatch score in scintigraphy by subtracting the uptake of 123I‐BMIPP from that of 99mTl. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether they survived with no cardiac failure or subsequently proceeded to cardiac failure or death during the study period. We identified prognostic factors by analyzing 99mTl and 123I‐BMIPP uptake, mismatch scores, UCG findings, and cardiac delayed enhancement on MRI. We also evaluated pathological evidence of myocardial fibrosis.ResultsOf 33 SSc cases, 11 proceeded to cardiac failure or death. There was no significant difference in UCG or MRI findings between the two groups. Low mismatch score in cardiac scintigraphy was the only predictive factor of cardiac failure or death by multivariate analysis (odds ratio, 6.48; 95% confidence interval, 1.22‐423.2; P = 0.01). When patients were grouped according to high or low mismatch scores based on a cut‐off using receiver operating characteristics curve analysis, the cumulative incidence of cardiac failure or death was higher in the low mismatch group than in the high mismatch group (P = 0.02). The percentage of fibrosis was significantly higher in deceased cases compared to surviving cases.ConclusionsLow mismatch score in cardiac scintigraphy was associated with cardiac death or cardiac failure in SSc patients.
Institutional Drift in International Biotechnology Regulation
Authors: Rabitz Florian 
Published: February 2019

AbstractDigitalization, genome editing and synthetic biology are presently leading to fundamental changes in the field of biotechnology. At the same time, international regulatory institutions have largely failed to adapt to those changes. This text evaluates the role of interests, knowledge and institutional factors for explaining nonadaptation, or ‘institutional drift’. Focusing on the domains of biosafety, biosecurity and genetic resources, the analysis highlights the explanatory power of knowledge and, to a lesser extent, interests, with institutional factors playing only a minor role. With global governance having to cope with profound changes in various technological fields, the text thus shows the broader importance of understanding the conditions under which international institutions do, or do not, adapt.
Effect of beta‐blockade on quantitative microvolt T‐wave alternans in 24‐hour continuous 12‐lead ECG recordings in patients with long QT syndrome
Authors: Takasugi Nobuhiro , Takasugi Mieko , Goto Hiroko , Kuwahara Takashi , Kawasaki Masanori , Verrier Richard L. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of study was to investigate effects of beta‐blockade on microvolt T‐wave alternans (TWA), a precursor of lethal arrhythmia, in patients with long QT syndrome (LQTS).MethodsEleven consecutive LQTS patients, types 1 (n = 6), 3 (n = 2), and “non‐1, non‐2, non‐3” (n = 3) were enrolled. All patients underwent 24‐hr continuous 12‐lead ECG monitoring before and after initiation of beta‐blockade therapy. TWA was measured using the modified moving average method.ResultsSeven (63.6%) of the 11 patients studied were symptomatic, with history of cardiac arrest or documented Torsade de Pointes (TdP) in 4 and syncope in three patients. After a median follow‐up of 34 months, beta‐blockade reduced the number of symptomatic patients to 1 with TdP (p < 0.02), in whom TdP frequency decreased from 25 events/60 months (0.42 event/month) to seven events/69 months (0.1 event/month). In association with this reduction in symptoms, peak TWA decreased by 47% in the cohort after a median of eight months of beta‐blockade therapy [from 95 (74–130) to 50 (39.5–64.5) µV, p = 0.01]. All patients exhibited TWA ≥42 µV before beta‐blockade therapy, which eliminated these episodes in four patients. Daily frequency of TWA ≥42 µV episodes decreased by 87% [from 15 (6–26) to 2 (0–5) episodes/day, p = 0.009].ConclusionsThis study is limited by the small sample size and is mainly hypothesis generating. TWA monitoring deserves further evaluation as a risk marker and a guide to therapy in LQTS patients in future large‐scale studies.
Single‐family room design in the neonatal intensive care unit did not improve growth
Authors: Tandberg Bente Silnes , Frøslie Kathrine Frey , Markestad Trond , Flacking Renèe , Grundt Hege , Moen Atle 
Published: February 2019

AbstractAimThe aim was to compare growth in very premature infants cared for in a single‐family room (SFR) and an open‐bay (OB) unit. We recorded duration of parental presence and skin‐to‐skin contact as proxies for parental involvement in care of their infants.MethodsWe consecutively included infants with gestational ages 28 + 0 through 32 + 0 weeks at two hospitals in Norway, one SFR unit (n = 35) and one OB unit (n = 42). Weight, length, and head circumference were followed from birth to four months after term date. Both units adhered to the same nutritional protocol and methods of recording events.ResultsThe SFR mothers spent a mean (standard deviation) of 111 (38) hours and the OB mothers 33 (13) hours with their infants during the first week and 21 (5) versus 7 (3) hours per day later. The respective duration of skin‐to‐skin care was 21 (10) versus 12 (8) hours during the first week and 4.2 (2) versus 3.0 (2) hours per day later. The differences were similar, but less pronounced for the fathers. The growth trajectories did not differ between the groups.ConclusionSFR care was associated with more parental involvement, but not with better growth.
Predicting children's school grades: Unique and interactive effects of parental beliefs and child inattention/hyperactivity symptoms
Authors: Ferretti Nicole , Ganley Colleen M. , Kofler Michael J. 
Published: February 2019

Parental beliefs about school involvement are key in predicting individual differences in children's academic success. The current study examined unique and interactive relations between parental beliefs and child inattention/hyperactivity symptoms in predicting children's achievement. Participants (N = 348) were caregivers of children aged 8–12. Caregivers completed questionnaires regarding their beliefs and their child's inattention/hyperactivity and achievement. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated lower child inattention/hyperactivity and greater parental confidence in their ability to help their child academically predicted better achievement. Parent/child interactions probed with simple slopes suggested an achievement gap for children with higher inattention/hyperactivity only when their parents felt less efficacious or more responsible for their child's academic success. This suggests parent self‐efficacy may buffer the negative relation between children's inattention/hyperactivity symptoms and underachievement, and parents of children with higher inattention/hyperactivity may increasingly assume responsibility for their success due to feedback from the school.
Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Academic achievement predicts several short‐ and long‐term outcomes for children.

Parental involvement beliefs are multi‐faceted and predict children's academic success.

Child inattention/hyperactivity symptoms are related to lower academic achievement.

What does this study add?

It provides specificity of previous relations for children with a range of inattention/hyperactivity symptoms.

It identifies parental self‐efficacy as a promising moderator of the relation between child behaviour and academics.

It provides a preliminary evidence base for future work on the role of parental beliefs in child academic outcomes.
The use of artificial neural network analysis can improve the risk‐stratification of patients presenting with suspected deep vein thrombosis
Authors: Willan John , Katz Harley , Keeling David 
Published: February 2019

SummaryArtificial neural networks are machine‐learning algorithms designed to analyse data without a pre‐existing hypothesis as to any associations that may exist. This technique has not previously been applied to the risk stratification of patients referred with suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Current assessment is usually with a points‐based clinical score, which may be combined with a D‐dimer blood test. A neural network was trained to risk‐stratify patients presenting with suspected DVT and its performance compared with existing tools. Data from 11 490 cases of suspected DVT presenting consecutively between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2017 were analysed, and 7080 for whom all components of the Wells’ score, a D‐dimer and an ultrasound result were available were included in the analysis. The data were broken into a training set of 5270 patients, used to develop the algorithm, and a testing set of 1810 patients to assess performance of the trained algorithm. This network was able to exclude DVT without the need for ultrasound in significantly more patients than existing risk assessment scores, whilst retaining very low false negatives rates. More generally, this approach may improve the analysis of complex data to support decision‐making in other areas of clinical medicine.
The impact of books on social inclusion and development and well‐being among children and young people with severe and profound learning disabilities: Recognising the unrecognised cohort
Authors: Robinson Deborah , Moore Nicki , Harris Catherine 
Published: February 2019

Accessible Summary

This paper shows what people with learning disabilities can get out of enjoying books and reading even when they cannot read words easily.

The writers think about how people with learning disabilities can be helped to enjoy books. They say that this can happen through reading with other people, enjoying lots of activities about books and making books part of their daily routine.

The writers also think about the way that books and stories help us to learn about the world and the people in it.

The writers are annoyed about the way that enjoyment of books by people with learning disabilities has been ignored by people.

This matters to people with learning difficulties because enjoying books, even when we cannot read words easily, can give us good feelings and help us to learn and develop.

AbstractThis paper presents the findings of an original research project commissioned by BookTrust, a respected UK charity that gifts books to children, young people (CYP) and their families. It explored the impact and modus of pleasurable engagement with books among CYP with severe and profound learning disabilities and applied a critical, phenomenological stance on what it means to read through drawing on “inclusive literacy” as a conceptual framework. Data were collected from four local areas in England and included 43 CYP aged 4–14. In keeping with a phenomenological stance, it employed interpretivist methods involving 13 deep‐level interviews with families to include observations and structured play; 13 observations of CYP sharing books with others in home, play or school settings, and interviews with 27 practitioners working in a range of organisations (e.g., Portage service and advisory teams). Findings were that books had a positive impact on well‐being, social inclusion and development. CYP were engaged in enjoying the content of books through personalisation, sensory stimulation, social stimulation and repetition. This affirmed the theoretical and practical approaches espoused by “inclusive literacy” but made a critical and original contribution to our understanding of the special place that books occupy as ordinary artefacts of literary citizenship among this cohort. The benefits of volitional reading among CYP who do not have learning disabilities are well known, but the authors urge publishers and policymakers to recognise CYP with severe and profound learning disabilities as equally important, active consumers of books who have much to gain from reading for pleasure.
The clinical value of 4‐hour delayed‐enhanced 3D‐FLAIR MR images in sudden hearing loss
Authors: Byun Hayoung , Chung Jae Ho , Lee Seung Hwan , Park Chul Won , Park Dong Woo , Kim Tae Yoon 
Published: February 2019

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of 4‐hour delayed‐enhanced 3.0 Tesla (3T) 3D‐fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) MR imaging in sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL).Study designCase series with comparisons.SettingTertiary referral centre.ParticipantsEighty‐seven idiopathic SSNHL patients were enrolled between January 2015 and December 2016 and received high dose steroid therapy and intratympanic steroid injections as salvage treatment.InterventionPre‐contrast, 10‐minute and 4‐hour delayed‐enhanced 3D‐FLAIR MR images were obtained using double‐dose IV gadolinium.Main outcome measuresThe results of treatment were evaluated according to Siegel's criteria 3 months after the start of treatment. Where possible lesion‐side laterality of the inner ear was identified based on the MR images, the associations between MR findings and other clinical parameters were analysed, and the relationships between hearing recovery and MR image findings were assessed.ResultsLesion‐side laterality was identified on MRI in 52 (59.7%), 18 (20.1%) and 8 (9.2%) patients, based on 4‐hour delayed, 10‐minute delayed, and pre‐contrast images, respectively. The hearing recovery rate was significantly lower in the patients with lesion‐side laterality on 4‐hour delayed images (P < 0.001). In a multivariate analysis, lesion‐side laterality on 4‐hour delayed images was associated with poor prognosis (OR = 5.6) after adjusting other prognostic factors including initial hearing level, lesion‐side laterality on 10‐min delayed images and presence of vertigo. In addition, as the extent of enhancement in the inner ear increased the probability of hearing recover decreased (P = 0.001).ConclusionsContrast enhancement of inner ear structures can be seen on 4‐hour delayed‐enhanced 3T 3D‐FLAIR MR images in idiopathic SSNHL. Asymmetric lesion‐side enhancement of the inner ear may be associated with a poor prognosis.
The context dependence of frontier versus wilderness conservation priorities
Authors: Sacre Edmond , Bode Michael , Weeks Rebecca , Pressey Robert L. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractMuch of conservation planning has focused on how we should prioritize areas for protection based on biodiversity and cost, but less is known about how we should prioritize areas based upon the level of threat they face. We discuss two opposing threat prioritization strategies: frontier conservation (prioritizing high‐threat areas) and wilderness conservation (prioritizing low‐threat areas). Using a temporally explicit model, we demonstrate that the best strategy depends on a variety of factors, including protection costs, heterogeneity in biodiversity, biodiversity–area relationships, the rate of biodiversity recovery, the rate of change in threats through time, and the timeframe within which we measure conservation outcomes. By quantitatively comparing the impact of these strategies, we aim to shift the debate away from a simple dichotomy of frontier versus wilderness, toward an understanding of the context‐specific benefits of each option, and a discussion of how threat combines with other factors to determine spatial conservation priorities.
Left atrial remodeling postseptal myectomy for severe obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: Analysis by two‐dimensional speckle‐tracking echocardiography
Authors: Weissler‐Snir Adaya , Hindieh Waseem , Moravsky Gil , Ralph‐Edwards Anthony , Williams Lynne , Rakowski Harry , Carasso Shemy 
Published: February 2019

BackgroundSeptal myectomy relieves left ventricular outflow obstruction (LVOTO) and is associated with excellent long‐term outcomes. LVOTO is associated with diastolic dysfunction and increased left atrial (LA) size. We sought to investigate the changes in LA volumes and function postmyectomy and the association between these changes with clinical outcomes postmyectomy.MethodsSixty‐six hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients undergoing myectomy were retrospectively studied. Preprocedural and 6‐ to 18‐month postmyectomy follow‐up transthoracic echocardiographic images were obtained. LA volumes and strain were assessed by two‐dimensional speckle‐tracking echocardiography.ResultsLeft atrial volumes, that is, indexed maximal, minimal, and pre‐A volumes reduced postmyectomy, yet remained increased compared to controls (105.6 ± 34.5 mL vs 84.9 ± 26.7 mL, 45.2 ± 25.7 mL vs 35.4 ± 22.6 mL, 70.1 ± 31.4 mL vs 35.4 ± 22.6 mL, respectively, P < 0.05). The total emptying index did not improve postmyectomy and remained lower than controls (58.6 ± 12.4 vs 59.9 ± 12.8, P = NS) whereas atrial contraction improved, yet did not normalize (active emptying index 36.1 ± 14.9 vs 41.1 ± 16.2, P < 0.05). The conduit volume remained reduced postmyectomy (18.6 ± 13.3 mL vs 16.6 ± 15.1 mL, P = NS). LA strain also did not improve postmyectomy (26.8 ± 7.3 vs 28.5 ± 8.8, P = NS). A multivariable logistic regression identified preprocedural E/e′ ratio and indexed maximal LA volume, as independent predictors for LA volume reduction ≥20% postmyectomy. During a mean follow‐up of 4.9 ± 2.3 years postmyectomy, 24.2% of the patients developed atrial fibrillation and <5% of patients were severely symptomatic. We found no associations between LA volumes/function and atrial fibrillation or symptoms postmyectomy.ConclusionPostmyectomy LA volumes decreased, and the contractile function improved. There was no association between LA volumes/function and clinical outcomes postmyectomy. Notably, the LA remained enlarged (though to a lesser degree) with reduced strain and emptying fraction, suggesting possible atrial myopathy.
A study on corrosion‐fatigue behavior of AA7075‐T651 subjected to different surface modification treatments
Authors: Michailidis Nikolaos , Stergioudi Fani , Ragousis Antonios , Lopez‐Castaneda Homero 
Published: February 2019

AbstractTwo corrosive media were used (3.5 wt% NaCl aqueous solution and distilled water) to examine the corrosion‐fatigue behavior of AA 7075‐T651, subjected to various surface modifications (wire‐EDM, blasting, and anodizing). An in‐situ corrosion‐fatigue device was used to test the corrosion‐fatigue durability. The apparatus is able to generate cyclic loads within a corrosive solution. The mechanical loading is simulated with the aid of finite element method (FEM). At both corrosive environments, a prolongation of the corrosion‐fatigue life was achieved by the blasting procedure, compared with the as‐machined specimens under same conditions. Anodizing had a deleterious impact in all examined cases.