bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Acute kidney injury in an infant of a kidney allograft recipient
Authors: Aktürk Serkan , Sadioğlu Rezzan Eren , Şengül Şule , Keven Kenan 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Tacrolimus has been used in pregnant organ recipients for &gt;20 years, and the relationship between fetal complications and the amount of tacrolimus crossing the placenta is still controversial. We report the case of a kidney transplant recipient who used tacrolimus and gave birth to an offspring that developed, shortly after birth, an acute kidney injury caused by tacrolimus exposure, which was detected by measuring tacrolimus levels in the umbilical vein, as well as in maternal blood. Even if whole-blood levels of tacrolimus are within the therapeutic range throughout pregnancy, the amount of tacrolimus could reach toxic levels.
Natural evolution of cardiac sarcoidosis in an asymptomatic patient: a case report
Authors: Degtiarova Ganna , Gheysens Olivier , Van Cleemput Johan , Wuyts Wim , Bogaert Jan 
Published: July 2019

Abstract

Background
Sarcoidosis is a multi-organ granulomatous disease of unknown aetiology. Adverse outcome related with cardiac involvement, makes early diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis crucial.

Case summary
In a 55-year-old man presenting with recurrent pulmonary infections, computed tomography (CT) showed several enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes and no lung pathology. Subsequent mediastinoscopy revealed the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. Further screening for organ involvement showed multifocal cardiac involvement both on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and 18-F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography-computed tomography (18F-FDG PET-CT). Because of the lack of functional deterioration and clinical symptoms, no steroid treatment was initiated and regular follow-up of cardiac abnormalities was performed by CMR. Unremarkable progression of cardiac involvement during the first 2 years of follow-up turned into a dramatic involvement after 4 years, with the increase in the number and size of lesions at late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) CMR. Late gadolinium enhancement areas matched the regions of strongly increased 18F-FDG uptake. For the first time, the patient started complaining on shortness of breath, electrocardiography showed an atrioventricular block Grade 1. Cardiac biomarkers and cardiac function were still preserved. Steroid treatment was started. Although an electrophysiology study was negative, Holter monitoring showed ventricular arrhythmia. Cardioverter-defibrillator was implanted.

Discussion
This case shows the progression of cardiac sarcoidosis on CMR in an asymptomatic untreated patient over a 4-year period, and rises the awareness of possible severe cardiac damage even in the absence of clinical signs of cardiac involvement. Combination of PET and CMR is appealing to better understand the evolution of cardiac sarcoidosis and may help in the management of such patients.
Uneventful survival of a rural child after penetrating cardiac injury by a thorn: a case report
Authors: De Decker Rik , Li Yifan Joshua , von Delft Dirk , Meyer Heidi , Mureko Alfred 
Published: July 2019

Abstract

Background
Paediatric penetrating cardiac injury is extremely rare, precluding published management guidelines, therefore warranting a case-by-case approach with learning points gleaned from each case.

Case summary
A 7-year-old boy presented to a rural hospital with a stab wound to the chest by a Withaak (Vachellia tortilis) thorn. The patient was haemodynamically stable on presentation, but a 2 cm subcutaneous, pulsatile mass was present at the cardiac apex. Echocardiography revealed a foreign body penetrating from the apex into the heart, with evidence for a fistula between a cardiac chamber and the pulsatile mass. Angiography confirmed the existence of the fistula between the right ventricle (RV) and the pulsatile mass. A controlled extraction under general anaesthaesia via median sternotomy was performed in-theatre, with blood products and cardiac bypass on standby. The patient recovered without complications and was discharged after 4 days.

Discussion
Our case illustrates the limitations of echocardiography in identifying the precise anatomical definition of penetrating cardiac injuries. Angiography is therefore indicated in such cases. The injury to the RV and the haemostatic effects of the in situ thorn were favourable prognostic factors. We believe that the mortality risk reduction of extraction under full control warrants the minor morbidity of a median sternotomy.
Evolution of B-type natriuretic peptide and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide during acute decompensated heart failure in a chronic heart failure patient with reduced ejection fraction treated with Sacubitril/Valsartan: a case report
Authors: Tiepolo Ambre , Nougué Hélène , Damoisel Charles , Launay Jean-Marie , Vodovar Nicolas , Mebazaa Alexandre 
Published: July 2019

Abstract

Background
B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and the N-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP) exhibit different evolution in chronic heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction treated with Sacubitril/Valsartan; BNP increasing or remaining stable, while NT-proBNP decreases. However, how this difference translates upon acute decompensation is unknown.

Case summary
Herein, we described in a 78-year-old woman with chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction treated with Sacubitril/Valsartan who had acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). BNP and NT-proBNP were markedly high during ADHF and showed parallel return to baseline level after clinical improvement.

Discussion
BNP and NT-proBNP retained similar value for the diagnosis of ADHF in patient treated with Sacubitril/Valsartan. These findings strongly suggest that either BNP or NT-proBNP can be used indifferently in this context, while their relative use is debated in chronic heart failure.
Development and validation of a concise scale for assessing patient experience of primary care for adults in Japan
Authors: Aoki Takuya , Fukuhara Shunichi , Yamamoto Yosuke 
Published: July 2019

Abstract

Background
The existing scales to measure patient experience of primary care for adults tend to be with many items and difficult to use outside of the research setting.

Objective
To develop a Japanese version of Primary Care Assessment Tool Short Form as a concise scale for assessing patient experience of primary care and to examine its validity and reliability.

Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional survey in a primary care practice-based research network in Japan (25 primary care facilities). We evaluated the structural validity, criterion-related validity, convergent validity and the internal consistency reliability of the scale.

Results
Data were analysed for 1725 primary care outpatients. A 13-item scale was constructed, and the confirmatory factor analysis showed excellent goodness of fit of the six-factor model (first contact, longitudinality, coordination, comprehensiveness (services available), comprehensiveness (services provided) and community orientation). Pearson correlation coefficients between the total score and the overall rating of care and the original scale total score were 0.43 and 0.94, respectively. The total score was positively associated with influenza and pneumococcal vaccination (P < 0.001; P = 0.009 for trend). All of the multi-item scales achieved good internal consistency and the overall Cronbach’s alpha was 0.77.

Conclusions
We developed a concise patient experience scale, which comprises six domains measuring primary care attributes and evaluated its validity and reliability. This scale can be used as a rapid assessment tool reducing the burden of respondents and provide effective information for further quality improvement and practice-based research in the Japanese primary care settings.
Comparison of laparoscopic selective colectomy based on barium-strip examination and subtotal colectomy for adult slow-transit constipation
Authors: Zhong Zhao Hui , Yang Shen , Zhao Yong , Wang Yuan , Yong Wei Dong , Zhang Ling Ling , Wang Qiu Sheng , Huang Xun 
Published: July 2019

Abstract

Background
Surgical management of adult slow-transit constipation (ASTC) can be effective for patients with intractable symptoms. This study aimed to evaluate whether barium-strip examination and selective colectomy improved post-operative outcomes in ASTC patients in comparison with subtotal colectomy.

Methods
A retrospective cohort study of 53 cases with refractory ASTC was conducted between June 2008 and June 2014. Patients were evaluated by the barium-strip technique, colonoscopy, defecography and anorectal manometry. Patients in the standard group underwent laparoscopic subtotal colectomy and patients in the laparoscopic selective colectomy (LSC) group underwent LSC at the precise location identified by barium strip. Spontaneous bowel movements, the Wexner Constipation Scale and the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI) were assessed post-operatively at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months.

Results
A total of 49 patients were included in the analysis. The median follow-up was 37 months (range, 26–60 months). The mean post-operative hospital stay was 12 days and similar between groups (P = 0.071). The length of colon resection, operative time and intra-operative blood loss were reduced in the LSC group (all P < 0.05). No major complications occurred. A similar number of patients (24 in the standard group and 25 in the LSC group) exhibited hypoganglionosis or aganglionosis in the colon-wall muscle layer (P = 0.986). Although there were no significant differences in post-operative spontaneous bowel movements and the Wexner Constipation Scale between the two groups, the mean GIQLI of the LSC group was significantly higher at 3, 6 and 24 months post-operatively (all P < 0.05).

Conclusions
LSC based on barium-strip examination is an appropriate modality for treating ASTC.
Corruption in Anglophone West Africa health systems: a systematic review of its different variants and the factors that sustain them
Authors: Onwujekwe Obinna , Agwu Prince , Orjiakor Charles , McKee Martin , Hutchinson Eleanor , Mbachu Chinyere , Odii Aloysius , Ogbozor Pamela , Obi Uche , Ichoku Hyacinth , Balabanova Dina 
Published: July 2019

AbstractWest African countries are ranked especially low in global corruption perception indexes. The health sector is often singled out for particular concern given the role of corruption in hampering access to, and utilization of health services, representing a major barrier to progress to universal health coverage and to achieving the health-related Sustainable Development Goals. The first step in tackling corruption systematically is to understand its scale and nature. We present a systematic review of literature that explores corruption involving front-line healthcare providers, their managers and other stakeholders in health sectors in the five Anglophone West African (AWA) countries: Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone, identifying motivators and drivers of corrupt practices and interventions that have been adopted or proposed. Boolean operators were adopted to optimize search outputs and identify relevant studies. Both grey and published literature were identified from Research Gate, Yahoo, Google Scholar, Google and PubMed, and reviewed and synthesized around key domains, with 61 publications meeting our inclusion criteria. The top five most prevalent/frequently reported corrupt practices were (1) absenteeism; (2) diversion of patients to private facilities; (3) inappropriate procurement; (4) informal payments; and (5) theft of drugs and supplies. Incentives for corrupt practices and other manifestations of corruption in the AWA health sector were also highlighted, while poor working conditions and low wages fuel malpractice. Primary research on anti-corruption strategies in health sectors in AWA remains scarce, with recommendations to curb corrupt practices often drawn from personal views and experience rather that of rigorous studies. We argue that a nuanced understanding of all types of corruption and their impacts is an important precondition to designing viable contextually appropriate anti-corruption strategies. It is a particular challenge to identify and tackle corruption in settings where formal rules are fluid or insufficiently enforced.
Morphological Murals: The Scaling and Allometry of Butterfly Wing Patterns
Authors: Palmer Rayleigh , McKenna Kenneth Z , Nijhout H F 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe color patterns of butterflies moths are exceptionally diverse, but are very stable within a species, so that most species can be identified on the basis of their color pattern alone. The color pattern is established in the wing imaginal disc during a prolonged period of growth and differentiation, beginning during the last larval instar and ending during the first few days of the pupal stage. During this period, a variety of diffusion and reaction–diffusion signaling mechanisms determine the positions and sizes of the various elements that make up the overall color pattern. The patterning occurs while the wing is growing from a small imaginal disc to a very large pupal wing. One would therefore expect that some or all aspects of the color pattern would be sensitive to the size of the developmental field on which pattern formation takes place. To study this possibility, we analyzed the color patterns of Junonia coenia from animals whose growth patterns were altered by periodic starvation during larval growth, which produced individuals with a large range of variation in body size and wing size. Analyses of the color patterns showed that the positions and size of the pattern elements scaled perfectly isometrically with wing size. This is a puzzling finding and suggests the operation of a homeostatic or robustness mechanism that stabilizes pattern in spite of variation in the growth rate and final size of the wing.
The intertidal benthic community of mangrove dominated estuaries: the ecological implications of a decoupled habitat
Authors: Mattone Carlo , Sheaves Marcus 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
The benthic infauna of mangrove forests have received little research despite their importance in regulating ecological processes and nutrient cycling. The majority of studies of benthic community in mangrove systems have either focused on the adjacent tidal flats, or areas with high density of pneumatophores without entering within the forest, giving a misleading impression that mangrove infauna community is understood in detail. To fill the knowledge gap we investigated the composition and distribution of benthic taxa across a tidal gradient in two meso-tidal tropical estuarine mangrove forests in north Queensland, Australia. We used a 10-cm corer to sample inside the mangrove forest and on the adjacent tidal flat. Taxonomic composition was vastly different between the tidal flat and the mangrove forest. In fact, although peracarid (e.g. amphipods) characterized the community of tidal flats, they were never recorded within the forest. The contrasting community composition likely denotes contrasting ecological role of the two habitats. In particular, because peracarids are a key component of juvenile fish diets, their absence within the forest probably limits foraging opportunities for many juvenile fish within the forest, while their dominance on adjacent tidal flats suggests that these are likely to be the key feeding areas.
Everything You Need to Know About Satisfying IACUC Protocol Requirements
Authors: Mohan Swapna , Foley Patricia L 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
There have been recent efforts to reduce the administrative burden imposed on investigators. Although a complete and thorough review of proposed animal studies is an essential function of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), efforts to streamline and clarify this process may help investigators spend less time writing animal use protocols and responding to committee comments. The IACUC relies on well-written protocols for an efficient review process. A well-designed protocol form is also critical in guiding investigators through the process. However, it is ultimately the investigators’ responsibility to ensure that the information they provide answers all the IACUC’s questions with enough detail and quality for a fast and effective review. This article, aimed primarily for researchers but also IACUC administrators, provides an overview of the IACUC protocol review and approval process, the criteria that the IACUC uses for evaluations, and the type of information that should be included in the various sections of the protocol form. Some specific examples are also provided.
Simultaneous Approximation on Affine Subspaces
Authors: Huang Jing-Jing , Liu Jason J 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
We solve the convergence case of the generalized Baker–Schmidt problem for simultaneous approximation on affine subspaces, under natural diophantine type conditions. In one of our theorems, we do not require monotonicity on the approximation function. In order to prove these results, we establish asymptotic formulae for the number of rational points close to an affine subspace. One key ingredient is a sharp upper bound on a certain sum of reciprocals of fractional parts associated with the matrix defining the affine subspace.
Management of paediatric burns in low- and middle-income countries: assessing capacity using the World Health Organization Surgical Assessment Tool
Authors: Thomson Imogen K , Iverson Katie R , Innocent Simeon H S , Kaseje Neema , Johnson Walter D 
Published: July 2019

Abstract

Background
Burns are a leading cause of global disease burden, with children in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) disproportionately affected. Effective management improves outcomes; however, the availability of necessary resources in LMICs remains unclear. We evaluated surgical centres in LMICs using the WHO Surgical Assessment Tool (SAT) to identify opportunities to optimize paediatric burn care.

Methods
We reviewed WHO SAT database entries for 2010–2015. A total of 1121 facilities from 57 countries met the inclusion criteria: facilities with surgical capacity in LMICs operating on children. Human resources, equipment and infrastructure relevant to paediatric burn care were analysed by WHO Regional and World Bank Income Classifications and facility type.

Results
Facilities had an average of 147 beds and performed 485 paediatric operations annually. Discrepancies existed between procedures performed and resource availability; 86% of facilities performed acute burn care, but only 37% could consistently provide intravenous fluids. Many, particularly tertiary, centres performed contracture release and skin grafting (41%) and amputation (50%).

Conclusions
LMICs have limited resources to provide paediatric burn care but widely perform many interventions necessary to address the burden of burns. The SAT may not capture innovative and traditional approaches to burn care. There remains an opportunity to improve paediatric burn care globally.
Genetic correlations between growth performance and carcass traits of purebred and crossbred pigs raised in tropical and temperate climates1
Authors: Godinho Rodrigo M , Bergsma Rob , Silva Fabyano F , Sevillano Claudia A , Knol Egbert F , Komen Hans , Guimarães Simone Eliza F , Lopes Marcos S , Bastiaansen John W M 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
In pig breeding, selection commonly takes place in purebred (PB) pigs raised mainly in temperate climates (TEMP) under optimal environmental conditions in nucleus farms. However, pork production typically makes use of crossbred (CB) animals raised in nonstandardized commercial farms, which are located not only in TEMP regions but also in tropical and subtropical regions (TROP). Besides the differences in the genetic background of PB and CB, differences in climate conditions, and differences between nucleus and commercial farms can lower the genetic correlation between the performance of PB in the TEMP (PBTEMP) and CB in the TROP (CBTROP). Genetic correlations (rg) between the performance of PB and CB growing-finishing pigs in TROP and TEMP environments have not been reported yet, due to the scarcity of data in both CB and TROP. Therefore, the present study aimed 1) to verify the presence of genotype × environment interaction (G × E) and 2) to estimate the rg for carcass and growth performance traits when PB and 3-way CB pigs are raised in 2 different climatic environments (TROP and TEMP). Phenotypic records of 217,332 PB and 195,978 CB, representing 2 climatic environments: TROP (Brazil) and TEMP (Canada, France, and the Netherlands) were available for this study. The PB population consisted of 2 sire lines, and the CB population consisted of terminal 3-way cross progeny generated by crossing sires from one of the PB sire lines with commercially available 2-way maternal sow crosses. G × E appears to be present for average daily gain, protein deposition, and muscle depth given the rg estimates between PB in both environments (0.64 to 0.79). With the presence of G × E, phenotypes should be collected in TROP when the objective is to improve the performance of CB in the TROP. Also, based on the rg estimates between PBTEMP and CBTROP (0.22 to 0.25), and on the expected responses to selection, selecting based only on the performance of PBTEMP would give limited genetic progress in the CBTROP. The rg estimates between PBTROP and CBTROP are high (0.80 to 0.99), suggesting that combined crossbred–purebred selection schemes would probably not be necessary to increase genetic progress in CBTROP. However, the calculated responses to selection show that when the objective is the improvement of CBTROP, direct selection based on the performance of CBTROP has the potential to lead to the higher genetic progress compared with indirect selection on the performance of PBTROP.
Floral Visitation Can Enhance Fitness of Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Long-Distance Migrants
Authors: Zhou Yan , Zhao Shengyuan , Wang Menglun , Yu Wenhua , Wyckhuys Kris A G , Wu Kongming 
Published: July 2019

AbstractNumerous insect species engage in seasonal, trans-latitudinal migration, in response to varying resource availability, climatic conditions and associated opportunities, to maximize fitness and reproductive success. For certain species, the interaction between migrant adults and individual host plants is well-studied under laboratory conditions, but scant knowledge exists on the nutritional ecology of wild (i.e., field-caught) moths. During 2017–2018, we trapped adults of the cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) along its migration pathway in northeastern China and used pollen grain analysis to assess its visitation of particular host plants. Next, we assessed life history effects of adult feeding on carbohydrate-rich resources, for migrant individuals. Pollen grain analysis revealed H. armigera visitation of 32 species from 28 families, with the largest carrier ratio for northward migrants. Evening primrose (Oenothera spp.) accounted for 48% of pollen grains, indicating a marked H. armigera feeding preference. Furthermore, feeding on sugar-rich foods benefited adult fitness, enhanced fecundity by 65–82% and increased flight distance by 38–55% as compared to unfed individuals. Also, the degree of enhancement of reproduction and flight performance following sugar feeding varied between different migratory cohorts. Our work combines (polymerase chain reaction [PCR]-assisted) palynology and laboratory-based life history trials to generate novel perspectives on the nutritional ecology of long-distance migratory insects. These findings can aid the development of population monitoring and ‘area-wide’ management strategies for a globally-important agricultural pest.