bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prenatal maternal stress and risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in the offspring: A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol
Authors: Manzari Nicla , Matvienko-Sikar Karen , Baldoni Franco , O'Keeffe Gerard W. , Khashan Ali 
Published: May 2018

Background: Prenatal maternal stress (PNMS) is defined as the experience of significant levels of prenatal stress, depression or anxiety during pregnancy. PNMS has been associated with increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in exposed offspring. However, these findings are inconsistent and other studies found no association, meaning a clear consensus on the impact of PNMS on ASD and ADHD risk is required. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to summarize and critically review the existing literature on the effects of PNMS on ASD and ADHD risk. Methods: Electronic databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Scopus and EMBASE) will be searched for articles following a detailed search strategy. We will include cohort, case-control and cross-sectional studies that assessed maternal exposure to psychological and/or environmental stress and had ASD or ADHD as an outcome. Two reviewers will independently screen the titles, abstracts and full articles to identify eligible studies. We will use a standardised data extraction form for extracting data and a bias classification tool for assessing study quality. This systematic review will be reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The generic inverse variance method will be used if possible to perform meta-analyses. Ethics and dissemination: Ethical approval is not required for this study because it will not involve the conduct or inclusion of any experimental or personal data that would require informed consent. The systematic review will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42018084222.
ANALYTIC HIERARCHY PROCESS APPLICATION FOR MULTIPLE PURPOSE FOREST RESOURCES MANAGEMENT BUDGET ALLOCATION IN DURANGO, MEXICO
Authors: Tecle Aregai 
Published: May 2018

A very important aspect of natural resources management is determining optimal budget allocation to satisfy the needs and aspirations of multiple stakeholders. This is especially the case in developing countries like Mexico where budgetary funds are in short supply. There has been an increasing debate in Durango, Mexico, for example, about determining the most efficient way of allocating a budget for multi-purpose forest management. The debate has been triggered by a growing number of interests and stakeholders, which in addition to optimal timber production, have the desire to improve environmental conditions, water resource development, range and other non-timber resources production, and to provide better amenity values and expanded recreational opportunities. CONAFOR (COmisión NAcionale FORestal), the Mexican agency in charge of allocating funds to promote sustainable forest resources development, has been implementing four national programs: developments of forest resources, tree plantations, non-timber products, and water resources. In addition to these programs, the forest resources management decision-making process involves four interest groups and six management objectives independently connected in a hierarchical framework. Accordingly, the most suitable multi-objective/multi-criterion decision-making (MODM/MCDM) technique for optimal allocation of scarce budgetary funds among the four natural resources development programs is the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The two programs that receive the most funds are forest resources development and water resources/ environmental services development. In this way, the AHP can be used to optimally distribute scarce financial resources among competing programs to improve regional economic development and better satisfy the needs of various interest groups.
INTEGRATION OF DELPHI TECHNIQUE AND ANALYTICAL HIERARCHY PROCESS IN SELECTING THE TYPE OF DAM: A CASE STUDY OF BUNGOH CATCHMENT IN SARAWAK, MALAYSIA
Authors: Kaw KarMun , Abd Manaf Latifah 
Published: May 2018

Dams are built ancient structures, which serve to retain, collect, and store water. Over the years, the function of dams has been diversified to flood prevention, water level regulation, and even recreational purposes. However, selecting a suitable type of dam based on the characteristics of a potential dam site is consistently a concern in the preliminary construction stage. Therefore, this study attempts to integrate the Delphi technique and Analytical Hierarchy Process (D-AHP) to develop a set of influential attributes, which assists in the selection of a suitable type of dam for the potential dam site. These influential attributes are determined based on comprehensive literature reviews and corroborated by twelve experts from relevant fields through three rounds of interviews. Using the Delphi technique, 9 important criteria and 25 sub-criteria are finalized. Expert’s judgments are measured through pairwise comparisons to derive eigenvectors. Based on prioritisation of AHP, the gravity dam scores the highest total weight, and is selected as the optimal type of dam for Bungoh catchment. The selection of the gravity dam is quantified based on the developed influential attributes, which include environmental criteria, social criteria, and engineering criteria. Essentially, the selection takes the characteristics of the potential dam site into account during the pairwise comparison process. In this context, the developed set of influential attributes could objectively assist related organizations in their decision making process. These attributes are also applicable in the preliminary stage of any dam development project.[1]
This work is supported by Exploratory Research Grant Scheme (ERGS/1/11/STWN/UPM/02/8-5527027)
VENTURE CAPITALISTS DECISION MAKING: APPLYING ANALYTIC NETWORK PROCESS TO THE STARTUPS EVALUATION
Authors: Milkova Maria , Andreichikova Olga , Andreichikov Alexander 
Published: May 2018

The idea of synthesizing analytical and heuristic approaches is proposed in order to join different approaches to the Venture Capitalists (VCs) decision making. The research applies Analytic Network Process (ANP) methodology to the comparative evaluation of four e-commerce startups. The proposed ANP model represents the decision problem as a structure of Benefits-Opportunities and Risks networks with dependences and feedbacks between decision criteria and alternatives. Based on VCs judgments that are checked for consistency, the ANP approach helps choose the best startup for funding or to estimate the target startup versus other startups. The ratings that are obtained may be used as weights for determining a startups valuation. In the model, heuristics is used without reducing the complexity of the task and thus helps avoid the systematic error. Moreover, the idea of applying ANP to the VCs decision making serves to make the decision process transparent and understandable. To implement the ANP model, Multichoice software has been developed.
‘Don’t talk like that: It’s not just what you say but how you say it’: The process of developing an applied theatre performance to teach undergraduate nursing students communication skills around paediatric end-of-life care
Authors: Reeves Alison , Neilson Sue 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
The project aimed to explore the effectiveness of drama and nursing students working collaboratively to develop communication skills based on situations nurses face working with children in palliative and end-of-life care. Interactive theatre techniques were developed in the participatory performance and embedded in Noddings’ concept of care education. Based on findings from pre and post intervention student feedback the results demonstrate and exemplify how performance can offer new ways of understanding the caring encounter. Through facilitating re-enactment of their real-life scenarios pre-registration nursing students both discussed and practiced nurse: patient interactions, reflecting on how caring and uncaring communication sounds and feels. Role-play and simulation is not new in training nursing students but the innovative aspect of this project was the way working with drama students enabled participation and reflection through elements of ‘Simultaneous Dramaturgy’ and ‘Forum Theatre’ in this paediatric palliative context.
‘Our Lives’ and ‘Life Happens’, from stigma to empathy in young people’s depictions of sexual health and relationships
Authors: Senior Kate , Grozdanovski Laura , Chenhall Richard , Minton Stephen 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
This article describes qualitative research undertaken to explore young people’s understanding of sex and relationships that used a scenario-driven body-mapping technique. This art-based method was designed to allow young people to think deeply about the subject and build upon each other’s ideas through the medium of decorating a life-sized human body. Although this method produced rich information the depictions of young people tended to be highly stigmatized. We further refined the method to encourage young people to empathize with the character that they created and the resultant research became the basis for the sexual health resource ‘Life Happens’.
Social Network Structure and Risk Sharing in Villages
Authors: Jiang Bin , Kim Jun Sung , Li Chuhui , Yang Ou 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
This paper studies how the structure of friendship networks affects risk sharing in villages. Using techniques for partially identified econometric models, we construct a sharp bound on the true risk-sharing rate, which takes into account nomination errors in survey responses, and implement interval estimation. We show that the diameter of a network has a negative and significant impact on risk sharing. Our result implies that policymakers can effectively improve risk sharing between households by adopting policies that increase the network connectivity of individuals in the periphery of the social network.
How Hedstrom files fail during clinical use? A retrieval study based on SEM, optical microscopy and micro-XCT analysis
Authors: Zinelis Spiros , Al Jabbari Youssef S. 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
This study was conducted to evaluate the failure mechanism of clinically failed Hedstrom (H)-files. Discarded H-files (n=160) from #8 to #40 ISO sizes were collected from different dental clinics. Retrieved files were classified according to their macroscopic appearance and they were investigated under scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray micro-computed tomography (mXCT). Then the files were embedded in resin along their longitudinal axis and after metallographic grinding and polishing, studied under an incident light microscope. The macroscopic evaluation showed that small ISO sizes (#08–#15) failed by extensive plastic deformation, while larger sizes (≥#20) tended to fracture. Light microscopy and mXCT results coincided showing that unused and plastically deformed files were free of internal defects, while fractured files demonstrate the presence of intense cracking in the flute region. SEM analysis revealed the presence of striations attributed to the fatigue mechanism. Secondary cracks were also identified by optical microscopy and their distribution was correlated to fatigue under bending loading. Experimental results demonstrated that while overloading of cutting instruments is the predominating failure mechanism of small file sizes (#08–#15), fatigue should be considered the fracture mechanism for larger sizes (≥#20).
Computer-assisted interventions in the clinical laboratory process improve the diagnosis and treatment of severe vitamin B12 deficiency
Authors: Salinas Maria , Flores Emilio , López-Garrigós Maite , Leiva-Salinas Maria , Asencio Alberto , Lugo Javier , Leiva-Salinas Carlos 
Published: May 2018

Abstract

Background:
Severe vitamin B12 deficiency can result in serious complications if undiagnosed or untreated. Our aim was to test the efficacy of interventions in the laboratory process to improve the detection and the treatment of severe vitamin B12 deficiency.

Methods:
Quasi-experimental investigation with a retrospective 7-year pre-intervention period and 29-month post-intervention follow-up in a university hospital. Two interventions were designed to improve the detection and treatment of subjects with vitamin B12 deficiency: the laboratory information system (LIS) automatically added seru vitamin B12 (s-vitamin B12) based on certain conditions; and created a comment in the report and scheduled an appointment with the general practitioner (GP). We calculated the number of new diagnoses of severe vitamin deficiency (s-vitamin B12 <73.8 pmol/L) and the proportion of identified patients that were correctly treated in the pre- and post-intervention periods. We compared the number of tests needed to detect a new case when ordered by GPs vs. added by the strategy. Finally, we investigated the economic cost of each new case.

Results:
The strategy added 699 s-vitamin B12 and detected 66 new cases of severe vitamin deficiency. The number of tests needed to identify a new case when s-vitamin B12 was ordered by GPs was 187, as opposed to 10 when added through the intervention (p<0.001). The intervention reagent cost was €26.7 per new case. In the post-intervention cohort, 88% of patients were correctly treated, as opposed to 52% in the pre-intervention (p<0.001).

Conclusions:
Interventions in the clinical laboratory process improved the diagnosis and treatment of severe vitamin B12 deficiency.
Quantification of vanillylmandelic acid, homovanillic acid and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in urine using a dilute-and-shoot and ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method
Authors: Grouzmann Eric , Centeno Catherine , Eugster Philippe J. 
Published: May 2018

Abstract

Background:
Urinary vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) and homovanillic acid (HVA) are biomarkers for the diagnosis and follow-up of neuroblastoma, whereas urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) is used to assess a carcinoid tumor. These analytes are conventionally analyzed in a single run by chromatography (LC) coupled with electrochemical detection (LC-ECD) using commercial kits. A rapid dilute-and-shoot LC tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) assay was validated in order to replace the LC-ECD method and therefore improve analytical specificity and throughput.

Methods:
Sample preparation was carried out by dilution of the urine sample with a solution containing the deuterated internal standards. The separation was achieved on an ultra-high pressure LC system with MS detection using a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. The method was validated according to the current EMA and FDA guidelines.

Results:
The full chromatographic run was achieved in 8 min. The method validation showed excellent linearity (r2>0.999 for all three analytes), precision (CV <15%), negligible matrix effect (recoveries >90%), low carryover (<1%) and LLOQ of 0.25, 0.4 and 0.4 μM for VMA, HVA and 5-HIAA, respectively. Deming fits and Bland-Altman analyses showed no significant differences between the values obtained between the two assays.

Conclusions:
The LC-MS/MS method proposed in this study is fast and robust, and the simple sample preparation saves time and avoids the additional costs of dedicated kits used for the LC-ECD assays by switching to LC-MS/MS. Additionally, the near-perfect correlation observed herein between both assays allows the previously established reference ranges to be maintained.
External quality assessment schemes for glucose measurements in Germany: factors for successful participation, analytical performance and medical impact
Authors: Bietenbeck Andreas , Geilenkeuser Wolf J. , Klawonn Frank , Spannagl Michael , Nauck Matthias , Petersmann Astrid , Thaler Markus A. , Winter Christof , Luppa Peter B. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackground:Determination of blood glucose concentration is one of the most important measurements in clinical chemistry worldwide. Analyzers in central laboratories (CL) and point-of-care tests (POCT) are both frequently used. In Germany, regular participation in external quality assessment (EQA) schemes is mandatory for laboratories performing glucose testing.Methods:Glucose testing data from the two German EQAs “Reference Institute for Bioanalytics” (RfB) and “INSTAND – Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Qualitätssicherung in medizinischen Laboratorien” (Instand) were analyzed from 2012 to 2016. Multivariable odds ratios (OR) for the probability to reach a “good” result were calculated. Imprecision and bias were determined and clinical risk of measurement errors estimated.Results:The device employed was the most important variable required for a “good” performance in all EQAs. Additional participation in an EQA for CL automated analyzers improved performance in POCT EQAs. The reciprocal effect was less pronounced. New participants performed worse than experienced participants especially in CL EQAs. Imprecision was generally smaller for CL, but some POCT devices reached a comparable performance. Large lot-to-lot differences occurred in over 10% of analyzed cases. We propose the “bias budget” as a new metric to express the maximum allowable bias that still carries acceptable medical risk. Bias budgets were smallest and clinical risks of errors greatest in the low range of measurement 60–115 mg/dL (3.3–6.4 mmol/L) for most devices.Conclusions:EQAs help to maintain high analytical performances. They generate important data that serve as the foundation for learning and improvement in the laboratory healthcare system.
Fibroblast growth factor 23 and renal function among young and healthy individuals
Authors: Bernasconi Raffaele , Aeschbacher Stefanie , Blum Steffen , Mongiat Michel , Girod Marc , Todd John , Estis Joel , Nolan Niamh , Renz Harald , Risch Lorenz , Conen David , Risch Martin 
Published: May 2018

Abstract

Background:
Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23), an osteocyte hormone involved in the regulation of phosphate metabolism, is associated with incident and progressive chronic kidney disease. We aimed to assess the association of FGF-23 with renal parameters, vascular function and phosphate metabolism in a large cohort of young and healthy individuals.

Methods:
Healthy individuals aged 25–41 years were included in a prospective population-based study. Fasting venous blood and morning urinary samples were used to measure plasma creatinine, cystatin C, endothelin-1, phosphate and plasma FGF-23 as well as urinary creatinine and phosphate. Multivariable regression models were constructed to assess the relationship of FGF-23 with parameters of renal function, endothelin-1 and fractional phosphate excretion.

Results:
The median age of 2077 participants was 37 years, 46% were males. The mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR – CKD-EPI creatinine-cystatin C equation) and fractional phosphate excretion were 110 mL/min/1.73 m2 and 8.7%, respectively. After multivariable adjustment, there was a significant inverse relationship of FGF-23 with eGFR (β per 1 log-unit increase −3.81; 95% CI [−5.42; −2.20]; p<0.0001). Furthermore, we found a linear association between FGF-23 and endothelin-1 (β per 1 log-unit increase 0.06; [0.01, 0.11]; p=0.01). In addition, we established a significant relationship of FGF-23 with fractional phosphate excretion (β per 1 log-unit increase 0.62; [0.08, 1.16]; p=0.03).

Conclusions:
Increasing plasma FGF-23 levels are strongly associated with decreasing eGFR and increasing urinary phosphate excretion, suggesting an important role of FGF-23 in the regulation of kidney function in young and healthy adults.
Diagnostic laboratory tests for systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases: unmet needs towards harmonization
Authors: Meroni Pier Luigi , Borghi Maria Orietta 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
Autoantibodies are helpful tools not only for the diagnosis and the classification of systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARD) but also for sub-grouping patients and/or for monitoring disease activity or specific tissue/organ damage. Consequently, the role of the diagnostic laboratory in the management of SARD is becoming more and more important. The advent of new techniques raised the need of updating and harmonizing our use/interpretation of the assays. We discuss in this opinion paper some of these issues. Indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) was originally suggested as the reference technique for anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) detection as previous solid phase assays (SPA) displayed lower sensitivity. The new available SPA are now offering better results and can represent alternative or even complementary diagnostic tools for ANA detection. The improved sensitivity of SPA technology is also changing our interpretation of the results for other types of autoantibody assays, but we need updating their calibration and new reference materials are going to be obtained in order to harmonize the assays. There is growing evidence that the identification of autoantibody combinations or profiles is helpful in improving diagnosis, patients’ subgrouping and predictivity for disease evolution in the field of SARD. We report some explanatory examples to support the idea to make the use of these autoantibody profiles more and more popular. The technological evolution of the autoimmune assays is going to change our routine diagnostic laboratory tests for SARD and validation of new algorithms is needed in order to harmonize our approach to the issue.
Procalcitonin guidance in patients with lower respiratory tract infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Hey Juliane , Thompson-Leduc Philippe , Kirson Noam Y. , Zimmer Louise , Wilkins Dana , Rice Bernie , Iankova Irena , Krause Alexander , Schonfeld Sophie A. , DeBrase Christopher R. , Bozzette Samuel , Schuetz Philipp 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
Although effective for bacterial lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs), antibiotic treatment is often incorrectly prescribed for non-bacterial LRTIs. Procalcitonin has emerged as a promising biomarker to diagnose bacterial infections and guide antibiotic treatment decisions. As part of a regulatory submission to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, this systematic review and meta-analysis summarizes the effects of procalcitonin-guided antibiotic stewardship on antibiotic use and clinical outcomes in adult LRTI patients. PubMed and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched for English-language randomized controlled trials published between January 2004 and May 2016. Random and fixed effects meta-analyses were performed to study efficacy (initiation of antibiotics, antibiotic use) and safety (mortality, length of hospital stay). Eleven trials were retained, comprising 4090 patients. Procalcitonin-guided patients had lower odds of antibiotic initiation (odds ratio: 0.26; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.13–0.52) and shorter mean antibiotic use (weighted mean difference: −2.15 days; 95% CI: −3.30 to −0.99) compared to patients treated with standard care. Procalcitonin use had no adverse impact on mortality (relative risk: 0.94; 95% CI: 0.69–1.28) and length of hospital stay (weighted mean difference: −0.15 days; 95% CI: −0.60 to 0.30). Procalcitonin guidance reduces antibiotic initiation and use among adults with LRTIs with no apparent adverse impact on length of hospital stay or mortality.