bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prohibiting physicians' dual practice in Iran: Policy options for implementation
Authors: Bazyar Mohammad , Rashidian Arash , Jahanmehr Nader , Behzadi Faranak , Moghri Javad , Doshmangir Leila 
Published: April 2018

SummaryBackgroundIn Iran, based on the recent national policy documents, physician dual practice (PDP) has been prohibited. This study aimed to develop policy options (POs) to implement physicians' dual practice prohibition law in Iran.MethodsInternational evidence published in English and local documents published in Persian about PDP analyzed and results (advantages, disadvantages, challenges and requirements to ban PDP, and applied policies to limit the dual practice) were extracted. Results discussed among the research team in 5 rounds of meetings. In each meeting, any possible PO to limit PDP in Iran was proposed based on brainstorming technique and 12 POs were developed. These 12 POs and their advantages and disadvantages were discussed in a focus group discussion attended by 14 informed policy makers, and 3 additional POs were added.ResultsFifteen POs were developed. Each PO has its own advantages and disadvantages. It is worth to highlight that not only are the proposed POs not mutually exclusive but they are also mutually reinforcing; that is, each of these POs can be applied alone or they can be implemented alongside each other simultaneously.ConclusionNo single optimal PO exists for dealing with the dual practice in Iranian health system. Implementing a mix of POs could reduce possible complications of each PO and increase the chance of successful implementation of the law. It is advisable to follow a conservative and incremental approach and start with POs that will cause less resistance and political challenges.
The effects of air pollution on length of hospital stay for adult patients with asthma
Authors: Luo Li , Ren Jing , Zhang Fengyi , Zhang Wei , Li Chunyang , Qiu Zhixin , Huang Debin 
Published: April 2018

SummaryLength of hospital stay (LOS) of asthma can be a reflection of the disease burden faced by patients, and it is also sensitive to air pollution. This study aims at estimating and validating the effects of air pollution and readmission on the LOS for those who have asthma, considering their readmission history, minimum temperature, and threshold effects of air pollutants. In addition, sex, age, and season were also constructed for stratification to achieve more precise and specific results. The results show that no significant effects of PM2.5 and NO2 on LOS were observed in any of the patients, but there were significant effects of PM2.5 and NO2 on LOS when a stratifying subgroup analysis was performed. The effect of PM10 on LOS was found to be lower than that of PM2.5 and higher than that of NO2. SO2 did not have a significant effect on LOS for patients with asthma in our study. Our study confirmed that the adverse effects of air pollutants (such as PM10) on LOS for patients with asthma existed; in addition, these effects vary for different stratifications. We measured the effects of air pollutants on the LOS for patients with asthma, and this study offers policy makers quantitative evidence that can support relevant policies for health care resource management and ambient air pollutants control.
Excel and Simulation for Accountants
Authors: Goh Clarence 
Published: April 2018

Simulation is an extremely useful decision‐making tool for accountants. While many companies have invested heavily in developing sophisticated software to help them run simulations, simulations can also be run on tools such as Excel. In this article, I will use a simple example to demonstrate how an accountant could use Excel to run simulations.	© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The evaluation of two genetic polymorphisms of paraoxonase 1 in patients with pulmonary embolism
Authors: Basol Nursah , Karakus Nevin , Savas Asli Yasemen , Karakus Kayhan , Kaya İlker , Karaman Serhat , Yigit Serbulent 
Published: April 2018

Background and ObjectivePulmonary embolism (PE) is caused by some genetic factors for more than half patients. Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) has significant anti‐oxidative and anti‐inflammatory effects. According to our knowledge, there is no study researching the relation between PON 1 gene polymorphisms and PE in the literature. Therefore, it is aimed to research possible impacts of PON 1 Q192R and L55M polymorphisms on PE, considering anti‐inflammatory and anti‐oxidative effects of PON 1 in Turkish population.MethodsOne hundred and five PE patients and one hundred and seventeen controls were enrolled in this study. Genomic DNA was isolated and genotyped using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses for the PON1 gene Q192R and L55M polymorphisms.ResultsAny associations were not found between clinical and demographical characteristics of PE patients and the PON1 gene Q192R polymorphism; however, there were associations between surgery, chronic renal failure, and cerebrovascular disease on the history of patients and L55M polymorphism (P = .013, P = .037, and P = .031, respectively). Genotype and allele frequencies did not show any significant differences between patients and controls according to PON1 gene Q192R and L55M polymorphisms (P > .05).ConclusionThe results of this study suggest that there is no correlation between PE and PON 1 gene Q192R and L55M polymorphisms in the Turkish population from the Central Black Sea region. Besides, whole genotypes and alleles of Q192R and L55M are not risk factors for patients with PE in this population.
Dot enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay strip as a screening tool for detection of autoantibody to interferon gamma in sera of suspected cases of adult‐onset immunodeficiency
Authors: Rattanathammethee Kritsadee , Chawansuntati Kriangkrai , Chaiwarith Romanee , Praparattanapan Jutarat , Supparatpinyo Khuanchai , Wipasa Jiraprapa 
Published: April 2018

BackgroundBeing able to detect the presence of autoantibodies to interferon (IFN)‐γ in serum is essential for evaluating patients with suspected adult‐onset immunodeficiency (AOID) with unusual intracellular infections. Most reported patients with AOID have been Asian, although the exact prevalence of this illness is unknown. To date, no standard assay exists to detect autoantibodies to IFN‐γ. An easy‐to‐use, low‐cost assay that can be performed in any laboratory would be a valuable tool for clinical management of AOID, as well as better reveal its prevalence.MethodsOur experimental study exploited a dot enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (Dot‐ELISA) strip to detect autoantibodies to IFN‐γ. Sera from 66 HIV‐negative patients having autoantibodies to IFN‐γ as determined by indirect ELISA were tested.ResultsDot enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was sensitive (100%) and specific (94.5%), with a positive predictive value of 97.6% and a negative predictive value of 100%.ConclusionThis simple method provides prompt qualitative results that can be read visually and used in facilities with limited testing capabilities.
Tracking disease progression non‐invasively in Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies
Authors: Spitali Pietro , Hettne Kristina , Tsonaka Roula , Charrout Mohammed , van den Bergen Janneke , Koeks Zaïda , Kan Hermien E. , Hooijmans Melissa T. , Roos Andreas , Straub Volker , Muntoni Francesco , Al‐Khalili‐Szigyarto Cristina , Koel‐Simmelink Marleen J.A. , Teunissen Charlotte E. , Lochmüller Hanns , Niks Erik H. , Aartsma‐Rus Annemieke 
Published: April 2018

AbstractBackgroundAnalysis of muscle biopsies allowed to characterize the pathophysiological changes of Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies (D/BMD) leading to the clinical phenotype. Muscle tissue is often investigated during interventional dose finding studies to show in situ proof of concept and pharmacodynamics effect of the tested drug. Less invasive readouts are needed to objectively monitor patients' health status, muscle quality, and response to treatment. The identification of serum biomarkers correlating with clinical function and able to anticipate functional scales is particularly needed for personalized patient management and to support drug development programs.MethodsA large‐scale proteomic approach was used to identify serum biomarkers describing pathophysiological changes (e.g. loss of muscle mass), association with clinical function, prediction of disease milestones, association with in vivo 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy data and dystrophin levels in muscles. Cross‐sectional comparisons were performed to compare DMD patients, BMD patients, and healthy controls. A group of DMD patients was followed up for a median of 4.4 years to allow monitoring of individual disease trajectories based on yearly visits.ResultsCross‐sectional comparison enabled to identify 10 proteins discriminating between healthy controls, DMD and BMD patients. Several proteins (285) were able to separate DMD from healthy, while 121 proteins differentiated between BMD and DMD; only 13 proteins separated BMD and healthy individuals. The concentration of specific proteins in serum was significantly associated with patients' performance (e.g. BMP6 serum levels and elbow flexion) or dystrophin levels (e.g. TIMP2) in BMD patients. Analysis of longitudinal trajectories allowed to identify 427 proteins affected over time indicating loss of muscle mass, replacement of muscle by adipose tissue, and cardiac involvement. Over‐representation analysis of longitudinal data allowed to highlight proteins that could be used as pharmacodynamic biomarkers for drugs currently in clinical development.ConclusionsSerum proteomic analysis allowed to not only discriminate among DMD, BMD, and healthy subjects, but it enabled to detect significant associations with clinical function, dystrophin levels, and disease progression.
Simultaneous sorption and reduction of Cr(VI) in aquatic system by microbial extracellular polymeric substances from Klebsiella sp. J1
Authors: Wei Wei , Li Ang , Ma Fang , Pi Shanshan , Yang Jixian , Wang Qilin , Ni Bing‐Jie 
Published: April 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDCr(VI) is being increasingly used in a variety of fields, including electroplating, metallurgy, pigment synthesis and leather tanning. The possible application of a microbial extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) from Klebsiella sp. J1 with abundant functional groups in remediating Cr(VI) pollution in water system was demonstrated.RESULTSThe maximum biosorption capacity of EPS for Cr(VI) was found to be 53.3 mg g−1 at an EPS dose of 1.5 g L−1, which was better than the majority of reported biosorbents. The adsorption of EPS for Cr(VI) was a spontaneous and endothermic process. The removal mechanism of Cr(VI) in aquatic environments was explored qualitatively and quantitatively by Zeta‐potential meter, X‐ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS) as well as Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. The superior Cr(VI) removal performance was attributed mainly to Cr(VI) adsorption on EPS via chelation and ion‐exchange sorption, and the efficient reduction (82.3%) of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) by benzenoid amine (–NH–) on EPS, followed by generated Cr(III) immobilization on the surface of EPS via surface physical sorption and chelation, which might control the reaction rate of Cr(VI) removal process.CONCLUSIONThe removal of Cr(VI) by EPS from Klebsiella sp. J1 was attributed mainly to simultaneous sorption and reduction of Cr(VI) by EPS. The results demonstrated that EPS from Klebsiella sp. J1 has great potential in treating Cr(VI)‐contaminated water. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Two‐dimensional speckle‐tracking echocardiographic evaluation of the longitudinal deformation of the left ventricular myocardium in patients with severe coronary artery tortuosity
Authors: Khosravani‐Rudpishi Mohsen , Akhavan‐Khaleghi Niloofar , Hosseinsabet Ali 
Published: April 2018

AbstractPurposeCoronary artery tortuosity (CAT) is an anatomical condition in which epicardial coronary arteries have abnormal curves or spiral courses. Although correlated with higher rates of positive stress test, its effects on the myocardial function remain to be clearly defined.MethodsWe included in this cross‐sectional study and evaluated with 2D speckle‐tracking echocardiography 40 consecutive patients admitted to our hospital for selective coronary angiography which showed severe CAT without significant epicardial coronary artery stenosis, and 40 consecutive subjects matched for age, hypertension, and diabetes in whom selective coronary angiography showed neither CAT nor significant epicardial coronary artery stenosis.ResultsSystolic strain, strain rate, and early and late diastolic strain rates were not significantly different between the 2 groups, even after adjustment for potential confounding variables.ConclusionThe 2D speckle‐tracking echocardiography‐derived indices of longitudinal deformation of the left ventricular myocardium were not significantly different between the patients with severe CAT and controls.
Contrast‐enhanced transoral carotid ultrasonography for the evaluation of plaque protrusion after carotid artery stenting
Authors: Hagiwara Yuta , Yoshie Tomohide , Shimizu Takahiro , Fukano Takayuki , Takada Tatsuro , Ueda Toshihiro , Hasegawa Yasuhiro 
Published: April 2018

AbstractA 67 year‐old man was admitted to our hospital because of mild left hemiparesis and was diagnosed with cerebral infarction caused by right internal carotid artery stenosis. He was treated with dual antiplatelet therapy and scheduled for carotid artery stenting 14 days after onset. The preoperative right carotid angiogram showed 60% stenosis by the NASCET criteria, with an ulcer. The postoperative angiogram suggested protrusion in the stent, which could not be seen on conventional carotid ultrasonography because of its high location. On transoral carotid ultrasonography, clear delineation of the lesion was not possible due to color blurs. Contrast‐enhanced transoral carotid ultrasonography (CETOCU) clearly demonstrated the protrusion and delineated the lumen within the stent.
The differences between GluN2A and GluN2B signaling in the brain
Authors: Sun Yongjun , Xu Yingge , Cheng Xiaokun , Chen Xi , Xie Yinghua , Zhang Linan , Wang Long , Hu Jie , Gao Zibin 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor, a typical ionotropic glutamate receptor, is a crucial protein for maintaining brain function. GluN2A and GluN2B are the main types of NMDA receptor subunit in the adult forebrain. Studies have demonstrated that they play different roles in a number of pathophysiological processes. Although the underlying mechanism for this has not been clarified, the most fundamental reason may be the differences between the signaling pathways associated with GluN2A and GluN2B. With the aim of elucidating the reasons behind the diverse roles of these two subunits, we described the signaling differences between GluN2A and GluN2B from the aspects of C‐terminus‐associated molecules, effects on typical downstream signaling proteins, and metabotropic signaling. Because there are several factors interfering with the determination of subunit‐specific signaling, there is still a long way to go toward clarifying the signaling differences between these two subunits. Developing better pharmacology tools, such as highly selective antagonists for triheteromeric GluN2A‐ and GluN2B‐containing NMDA receptors, and establishing new molecular biological methods, for example, engineering photoswitchable NMDA receptors, may be useful for clarifying the signaling differences between GluN2A and GluN2B.
Considerations on cross‐linking by bivalent cations in soil organic matter with low exchange capacity
Authors: Schaumann Gabriele Ellen , Kunhi Mouvenchery Yamuna 
Published: April 2018

AbstractA soil's cation exchange capacity (CEC) is expected to be relatively inert against changes in cation loading. In this study, we treated a soil sample originating from the organic layer of a forest soil with various bivalent cations after removing the native cations. Sorption isotherms and cation exchange capacity were determined, the latter using the BaCl2method. Sorption showed Langmuir characteristics, with the maximum coverage (Qmax) increasing in the order Ba2+< Ca2+< Mg2+, but being clearly smaller than the initial load of native exchangeable cations. The Langmuir coefficient,kMe, depended oppositely to the order obtained forQmax. CEC increased upon cation treatment and it varied by a factor of almost two.The unexpected variation of CEC was explained by the low cation exchange capacity of the organic matter such that not all functional groups are close enough to be bridged and the second charge of a bivalent cation is not neutralized by the organic functional group. The Langmuir sorption type, andQmaxbeing smaller than the content of sorption sites and being largest for Mg, suggested that only a part of the sites can be cross‐linked and at least part of the cross‐links are formed by hydrated cations. Thermodynamic considerations allowed reconstruction of two contrasting processes during CEC determination by Ba2+:Case A: the disruption of cross‐links, which increases with the cationic strength and the cation load before CEC determination, but does not require structural re‐orientation in the SOM matrix, andCase B:the formation of new cross‐links during CEC determination, depending only on the content of unoccupied sites before CEC determination and requiring structural re‐organization of the matrix and thus a minimum matrix flexibility.The use of bivalent cations for CEC determination may thus result in an overestimation of CEC for organic matter with low CEC. This has, however, promising potential when comparing CEC determined with monovalent cations and bivalent cations. Using a set of bivalent cations, may allow probing distribution of distances between functional groups in the organic matter and even characterize the matrix rigidity of the cation‐cross‐linked network.
Internal marketing, employee customer‐oriented behaviors, and customer behavioral responses
Authors: Park Jong Hee , Tran Thi Bich Hanh 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThis study seeks to investigate the effect of internal marketing—treating employees as internal customers—on salesperson's engagement in customer‐oriented behaviors and resultant customers’ responses. The data were collected from dyadic interactions between salespeople and customers in banking firms in Vietnam. The results showed that internal marketing is significantly associated with salesperson's performance of adaptive selling behavior, customer‐oriented selling behavior, and relational selling behavior, which result in customer relationship continuity, purchase intention, and positive word‐of‐mouth. In addition, salesperson's customer‐oriented behaviors play partial mediating roles between internal marketing and external customer responses. The study extends the extant literature of internal marketing and offers useful managerial implications for service firms, particularly banking firms in Vietnam. The study concludes with suggestions of potential research directions for future studies.
Rapid assessment of pulmonary gas transport with hyperpolarized 129Xe MRI using a 3D radial double golden‐means acquisition with variable flip angles
Authors: Ruppert Kai , Amzajerdian Faraz , Hamedani Hooman , Xin Yi , Loza Luis , Achekzai Tahmina , Duncan Ian F. , Profka Harrilla , Siddiqui Sarmad , Pourfathi Mehrdad , Cereda Maurizio F. , Kadlecek Stephen , Rizi Rahim R. 
Published: April 2018

PurposeTo demonstrate the feasibility of using a 3D radial double golden‐means acquisition with variable flip angles to monitor pulmonary gas transport in a single breath hold with hyperpolarized xenon‐129 MRI.MethodsHyperpolarized xenon‐129 MRI scans with interleaved gas‐phase and dissolved‐phase excitations were performed using a 3D radial double golden‐means acquisition in mechanically ventilated rabbits. The flip angle was either held fixed at 15 ° or 5 °, or it was varied linearly in ascending or descending order between 5 ° and 15 ° over a sampling interval of 1000 spokes. Dissolved‐phase and gas‐phase images were reconstructed at high resolution (32 × 32 × 32 matrix size) using all 1000 spokes, or at low resolution (22 × 22 × 22 matrix size) using 400 spokes at a time in a sliding‐window fashion. Based on these sliding‐window images, relative change maps were obtained using the highest mean flip angle as the reference, and aggregated pixel‐based changes were tracked.ResultsAlthough the signal intensities in the dissolve‐phase maps were mostly constant in the fixed flip‐angle acquisitions, they varied significantly as a function of average flip angle in the variable flip‐angle acquisitions. The latter trend reflects the underlying changes in observed dissolve‐phase magnetization distribution due to pulmonary gas uptake and transport.Conclusion3D radial double golden‐means acquisitions with variable flip angles provide a robust means for rapidly assessing lung function during a single breath hold, thereby constituting a particularly valuable tool for imaging uncooperative or pediatric patient populations.
Effect of Grading Fingerling Hybrid Catfish (♀ Channel Catfish × ♂ Blue Catfish) on Growth, Production, Feed Conversion, and Food Fish Size Distribution
Authors: Torrans Les , Ott Brian 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
Hybrid catfish (♀ Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus × ♂ Blue Catfish I. furcatus) production ponds often produce a wide size range of fish, and payments to farmers may be reduced due to discounts for larger fish. In general, fish under 1 lb or over 4 lb may decrease the price paid to farmers, but this is highly dependent on individual processors. The present study was conducted to determine the effect of grading hybrid catfish fingerlings on the size distribution of harvested food fish. Three 0.25-acre ponds were stocked with ungraded fingerlings (average weight = 0.05 lb; coefficient of variation [CV] = 78.0%) at 8,000 fish/acre. An additional three 0.25-acre ponds were stocked with double-graded fingerlings of the same average weight (0.05 lb) as the ungraded fingerlings but with a significantly reduced size variation (CV = 26.9%). Grading of the fingerlings had no significant effect on any production variable other than final size variation (ungraded fingerlings: CV = 48.2%; graded fingerlings: CV = 26.1%). Final mean weights were identical (1.1 lb) and feed conversion ratios were nearly identical (1.58 and 1.57) between the treatments. Survival and net production were similar between treatments. Overall, 13.5% of ungraded fish and 1.2% of graded fish were less than 0.5 lb at harvest; 5.6% of the ungraded fish and 0.1% of the graded fish were larger than 2.0 lb. Grading of hybrid catfish fingerlings is an effective means of decreasing food fish size variability without impacting production efficiency.