bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does public health system provide adequate financial risk protection to its clients? Out of pocket expenditure on inpatient care at secondary level public health institutions: Causes and determinants in an eastern Indian state
Authors: Rout Sarit Kumar , Choudhury Sarmistha 
Published: February 2018

SummaryThis study is undertaken to estimate the out of pocket expenditure (OOPE) for various diseases and its determinants at secondary level public health facilities in Odisha.MethodsA cross‐sectional survey was conducted among the inpatients utilising secondary level public health facilities in the 2 districts of Odisha. More than 80% of the inpatients were selected conveniently, and data on OOPE and socioeconomic status of patients were collected. The OOPE was estimated separately on surgery, nonsurgery, and child birth conditions. Ordinary least square regression models were developed to explain the factors determining OOPE.ResultsThe mean OOPE for the secondary care facility was Indian National Rupee 3136.14, (95% CI: 2869.08‐3403.19), of which, Indian National Rupee 1622.79 (95% CI: 1462.70‐1782.89) was on medicine constituting 79% of total medical expenditure. The mean OOPE on surgery was highest followed by nonsurgery and child birth conditions. The OOPE is mainly influenced by caste and educational status of patients as revealed by the regression results. With increase in social status, the OOPE increases and the results are statistically significant.ConclusionThis evidence should be used to design financial strategies to reduce OOPE at secondary care public health facilities, which is largely due to medicine, diagnostic services, and transport expenditure. Efforts should be made to protect the interest of the poor, who utilise public health facility in a low resource setting in India.
Biocompatibility of composites based on chitosan, apatite, and graphene oxide for tissue applications
Authors: Solìs Moré Yaimara , Panella Gloria , Fioravanti Giulia , Perrozzi Francesco , Passacantando Maurizio , Giansanti Francesco , Ardini Matteo , Ottaviano Luca , Cimini Annamaria , Peniche Carlos , Ippoliti Rodolfo 
Published: February 2018

AbstractNovel two‐dimensional films and three‐dimensional (3D) scaffolds based on chitosan (CHI), apatite (Ap), and graphene oxide (GO) were developed by an in situ synthesis in which self‐assembly process was conducted to direct partial reduction of GO by CHI in acidic medium. Physical–chemical characterization was carried out by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. In vitro biological studies using murine fibroblast (MC3T3) and human neuroblastoma (SH‐SY5Y) cell lines were also performed. Cell growth and adherence on composites was also checked using SEM. Live and death staining by confocal microscope and 3–(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐5–(3‐carboxymethoxyphenyl)‐2‐(4‐sulfophenyl)‐2H‐tetrazolium of the samples were investigated. The results confirmed the incorporation of both Ap and GO sheets, into CHI polymeric matrix. Furthermore, it was confirmed a physical integration between inorganic Ap and organic CHI and strong chemical interaction between CHI and GO in the obtained composites. SH‐SY5Y cell line showed preferential adherence on CHI/GO films surface while MC3T3 cell line displayed a good compatibility for all 3D scaffolds. This study confirms the biocompatibility of materials based on CHI, Ap, and GO for future tissues applications. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 1585–1594, 2018.
Validation of daily urinary creatinine excretion measurement by muscle‐creatinine equivalence
Authors: Iacone Roberto , D'Elia Lanfranco , Guida Bruna , Barbato Antonio , Scanzano Clelia , Strazzullo Pasquale 
Published: February 2018

BackgroundTwenty‐four‐hour urinary creatinine excretion (24hUCrE) is strongly correlated with skeletal muscle mass (SMM). This study suggests how to exploit the power of the SMM‐24hUCrE correlation to assess the accuracy of 24hUCrE measurement.MethodsFour hundred and sixty‐six men, a subgroup of participants in the 2002‐2004 follow‐up examination of the Olivetti Heart Study, performed a 24‐h urine collection to measure 24hUCrE and underwent bioelectrical impedance analysis to evaluate SMM. Linear regression analysis between 24hUCrE and SMM was used to calculate the muscle‐creatinine equivalence and to develop an equation to predict the 24hUCrE depending on SMM. The accuracy of the 24hUCrE measurement was assessed using the change in the SMM‐24hUCrE correlation coefficient upon variation in the percentage deviation (%D) between the measured and predicted 24hUCrE.ResultsThe calculated muscle‐creatinine equivalence was 1 g of 24hUCrE = 22.73 kg of SMM. The %Ds and the corresponding SMM‐24hUCrE correlation coefficients were as follows: %D = 3.0, r = .997; %D = 4.7, r = .989; %D = 8.1, r = .963; %D = 10.5, r = .940; %D = 12.6, r = .909; %D = 18.9, r = .825; %D = 25.8, r = .707; %D = 33.5, r = .595; %D = 41.4, r = .453.ConclusionThe increase in %D corresponds to a reduced correlation between muscle mass and creatinine excretion, which indicated a poor performance in the measurement of the 24hUCrE. For studies on single individuals, where small variations in 24hUCrE could be significant, a %D up to 12.6% is suggested; on the other hand, a wider %D interval could be acceptable for population studies.
A mechanistic analysis of the influence of iron‐oxidizing bacteria on antimony (V) removal from water by microscale zero‐valent iron
Authors: Li Yongchao , Wu Jixin , Hu Wei , Ren Bozhi , Hursthouse Andrew S 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDMicroscale zero‐valent iron (mZVI) is an efficient material for removing heavy metals from water, and iron‐oxidizing bacteria are the primary microorganisms responsible for iron corrosion. We investigated the effects of Sphaerotilus natans on antimony [Sb(V)] removal by mZVI using batch experiments.RESULTSAt an initial Fe0 dose of 0.1 g L–1, 40 mg L–1 Sb(V) was almost completely removed in an abiotic system. Although S. natans exhibited significant tolerance to Sb(V), its ability to adsorb Sb(V) was poor. Most importantly, the presence of S. natans reduced the removal rate of aqueous Sb(V) by mZVI by up to 39%. The value of the redox potential in the biologically mediated system was lower than that in the abiotic control, indicating oxygen consumption by S. natans. In the presence of S. natans, the main reaction products were FeOOH and FeSb2O6, compared to Fe2O3 in the abiotic system. Biomineralization of Fe3+ ions by S. natans may have occurred during the experiment, but it did not play a significant role in Sb(V) removal.CONCLUSIONmZVI can be efficiently used to remove Sb(V) from water. However, the presence of S. natans may inhibit its removal ability, likely due to the decreased mass transfer and lower corrosion of iron. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Characterization of a satellite DNA in the genera Lacerta and Timon (Reptilia, Lacertidae) and its role in the differentiation of the W chromosome
Authors: Giovannotti Massimo , Nisi Cerioni Paola , Rojo Verónica , Olmo Ettore , Slimani Tahar , Splendiani Andrea , Caputo Barucchi Vincenzo 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIn this study, IMO‐TaqI satDNA, previously isolated in several species of Lacertidae, was isolated and characterized from four species of the genus Lacerta and three of the genus Timon. The aim was to gain further insights into the evolutionary dynamics of this satDNA, its occurrence among lacertids and to understand if it plays any role in sex chromosome evolution in these seven species. The results here obtained highlighted the presence of this repetitive element in the genome of all the species investigated, thus indicating that IMO‐TaqI satDNA is evolutionary conserved among a wide variety of lacertids. In addition, this element was found to be very abundant in the constitutive heterochromatin of the W‐sex chromosome of the four Lacerta species investigated. The occurrence of IMO‐TaqI satDNA on Lacerta heterochromosome suggests that it is involved in the differentiation of the W chromosome by heterochromatinization, and the fact that it is absent in the W of other lacertids investigated seems to confirm that repetitive DNA sequences would remain randomly trapped into the sex chromosomes, undergoing amplification as a consequence of the suppression of recombination.
Persistence of plasmid‐mediated expression of transgenes in human mesenchymal stem cells depends primarily on CpG levels of both vector and transgene
Authors: Bruter Alexandra V. , Kandarakov Oleg F. , Belyavsky Alexander V. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBackgroundGene therapy and cell modification for clinical applications using plasmid vectors are considered to be a safe and promising strategy. One of the major problems with plasmid vector‐based constructs is a rapid decline of transgene expression in cells in vitro and in vivo. An important role of CpG motifs or bacterial vector backbone in expression silencing has been suggested.MethodsTo address the effects of CpG motifs on transgene expression maintenance in stem cells in vitro, we constructed a novel pMBR2 plasmid vector containing 13 CpG motifs only. pMBR2 constructs with CpG‐free and CpG‐replete firefly luciferase inserts were introduced into cultured human adipose‐derived mesenchymal stem (MSCs) by electroporation, and luciferase expression levels were monitored for 3 weeks.ResultsThe pMBR2 vector with CpG‐free luciferase insert demonstrated the highest persistence of expression, whereas the wild‐type luciferase insert containing 97 CpG motifs demonstrated lower expression maintenance in the same vector. In comparison, the same inserts in the CpG‐replete pCDNA3 vector demonstrated significantly lower expression levels and only a minimal persistence of expression. β‐galactosidase and enhanced green fluorescent protein genes inserted into pMBR2 vector also demonstrated higher expression levels and better maintenance compared to the same genes in pCDNA3 vector.ConclusionsThe persistence of plasmid vector expression in human MSCs is determined primarily by CpG content of both vector and transgene. The data obtained in the present study indicate that the pMBR2 vector with a minimized number of CpG motifs is appropriate for extended plasmid‐mediated expression of transgenes in MSCs and possibly other types of stem cells.
Low penetrance genetic polymorphisms as potential biomarkers for colorectal cancer predisposition
Authors: Tan Shing Cheng 
Published: February 2018

AbstractColorectal cancer is a leading form of cancer in both males and females. Early detection of individuals at risk of colorectal cancer allows proper treatment and management of the disease to be implemented, which can potentially reduce the burden of colorectal cancer incidence, morbidity and mortality. In recent years, the role of genetic susceptibility factors in mediating predisposition to colorectal cancer has become more and more apparent. Identification of high‐frequency, low‐penetrance genetic polymorphisms associated with the cancer has therefore emerged as an important approach which can potentially aid prediction of colorectal cancer risk. However, the overwhelming amount of genetic epidemiology data generated over the past decades has made it difficult for one to assimilate the information and determine the exact genetic polymorphisms that can potentially be used as biomarkers for colorectal cancer. This review comprehensively consolidates, based primarily on results from meta‐analyses, the recent progresses in the search of colorectal cancer‐associated genetic polymorphisms, and discusses the possible mechanisms involved.
Altering spacer material affects bone regeneration in the Masquelet technique in a rat femoral defect
Authors: McBride‐Gagyi Sarah , Toth Zacharie , Kim Daniel , Ip Victoria , Evans Emily , Watson John Tracy , Nicolaou Daemeon 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACTThe Masquelet technique depends on pre‐development of a foreign‐body membrane to support bone regeneration with grafts over three times larger than the traditional maximum. To date, the procedure has always used spacers made of bone cement, which is the polymer polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), to induce the foreign‐body membrane. This study sought to compare (i) morphology, factor expression, and cellularity in membranes formed by PMMA, titanium, and polyvinyl alcohol sponge (PVA) spacers in the Masquelet milieu and (ii) subsequent bone regeneration in the same groups. Ten‐week‐old, male Sprague–Dawley rats were given an externally stabilized, 6 mm femur defect, and a pre‐made spacer of PMMA, titanium, or PVA was implanted. All animals were given 4 weeks to form a membrane, and those receiving an isograft were given 10 weeks post‐implantation to union. All samples were scanned with microCT to measure phase 1 and phase 2 bone formation. Membrane samples were processed for histology to measure membrane morphology, cellularity, and expression of the factors BMP2, TGFβ, VEGF, and IL6. PMMA and titanium spacers created almost identical membranes and phase 1 bone. PVA spacers were uniformly infiltrated with tissue and cells and did not form a distinct membrane. There were no quantitative differences in phase 2 bone formation. However, PMMA induced membranes supported functional union in 6 of 7 samples while a majority of titanium and PVA groups failed to achieve the same. Spacer material can alter the membrane enough to disrupt phase 2 bone formation. The membrane's role in bone regeneration is likely more than just as a physical barrier. © 2018 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:2228–2238, 2018.
Salmonella and Campylobacter biofilm formation: a comparative assessment from farm to fork
Authors: Lamas Alexandre , Regal Patricia , Vázquez Beatriz , Miranda José M , Cepeda Alberto , Franco Carlos M 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIt takes several steps to bring food from the farm to the fork (dining table), and contamination with food‐borne pathogens can occur at any point in the process. Campylobacter spp. and Salmonella spp. are the main microorganisms responsible for foodborne disease in the EU. These two pathogens are able to persist throughout the food supply chain thanks to their ability to form biofilms. Owing to the high prevalence of Salmonella and especially of Campylobacter in the food supply chain and the huge efforts of food authorities to reduce these levels, it is of great importance to fully understand their mechanisms of persistence. Diverse studies have evaluated the biofilm‐forming capacity of foodborne pathogens isolated at different steps of food production. Nonetheless, the principal obstacle of these studies is to reproduce the real conditions that microorganisms encounter in the food supply chain. While there are a wide number of Salmonella biofilm studies, information on Campylobacter biofilms is still limited. A comparison between the two microorganisms could help to develop new research in the field of Campylobacter biofilms. Therefore, this review evaluates relevant work in the field of Salmonella and Campylobacter biofilms and the applicability of the data obtained from these studies to real working conditions. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Multivariate approaches for stability control of the olive oil reference materials for sensory analysis – part I: framework and fundamentals
Authors: Valverde‐Som Lucia , Ruiz‐Samblás Cristina , Rodríguez‐García Francisco P , Cuadros‐Rodríguez Luis 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDVirgin olive oil is the only food product for which sensory analysis is regulated to classify it in different quality categories. To harmonize the results of the sensorial method, the use of standards or reference materials is crucial. The stability of sensory reference materials is required to enable their suitable control, aiming to confirm that their specific target values are maintained on an ongoing basis. Currently, such stability is monitored by means of sensory analysis and the sensory panels are in the paradoxical situation of controlling the standards that are devoted to controlling the panels.RESULTSIn the present study, several approaches based on similarity analysis are exploited. For each approach, the specific methodology to build a proper multivariate control chart to monitor the stability of the sensory properties is explained and discussed.CONCLUSIONThe normalized Euclidean and Mahalanobis distances, the so‐called nearness and hardiness indices respectively, have been defined as new similarity indices to range the values from 0 to 1. Also, the squared mean from Hotelling's T2‐statistic and Q2‐statistic has been proposed as another similarity index. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Indigenous participation in conservation and tourism development: A case of native people of Sabah, Malaysia
Authors: Latip Normah Abdul , Rasoolimanesh S. Mostafa , Jaafar Mastura , Marzuki Azizan , Umar Mohd Umzarulazijo 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThis study investigates the participation of indigenous communities in conservation and tourism development projects, specifically focusing on the native people of Sabah, Malaysia. Using the motivation, opportunity, and ability model, we conceptualize a framework for understanding the factors that influence the participation choices of this community. The results suggest that knowledge and awareness (ability) and the perceived environmental and economic impacts of tourism (motivation) have positive effects on the participation of indigenous people. Moreover, the results of this study do not support an effect for opportunity or the perceived social impacts of tourism on participation.
Does Intravenous Infusion Influence Diagnostic Ultrasound‐Induced Pulmonary Capillary Hemorrhage?
Authors: Miller Douglas L. , Dong Zhihong , Dou Chunyan , Raghavendran Krishnan 
Published: February 2018

ObjectivesPulmonary diagnostic ultrasound (US) can induce pulmonary capillary hemorrhage (PCH) in mammals. This singular biological effect of diagnostic US imaging was discovered more than 25 years ago but remains poorly understood. Our objective here was to investigate rapid infusion of intravenous fluids as a possible stressor for capillaries, which might enhance pulmonary diagnostic US‐induced PCH.MethodsRats were anesthetized with Telazol (Zoetis, Inc, Kalamazoo, MI), which yielded relatively low pulmonary diagnostic US‐induced PCH, or Telazol and xylazine, which yielded relatively high pulmonary diagnostic US‐induced PCH. Groups of rats were not infused or infused either with normal saline, 10% mannitol, or 5% albumin. Rats were scanned in a warmed water bath with B‐mode US for 5 minutes with a 7.6‐MHz linear array set to different mechanical index values to obtain exposure response information. Pulmonary capillary hemorrhage was observed as comet tail artifacts in the image and measured on the lung surface.ResultsFor Telazol anesthesia, all of the PCH results were very low, with no significant differences at the maximum output with an in situ peak rarefactional pressure amplitude of 2.1 MPa (on‐screen mechanical index, 0.9). The addition of xylazine to the Telazol anesthetic significantly enhanced the PCH (P < .001) without infusion and likewise for the mannitol and albumin infusion. Saline infusion eliminated this enhancement, with significantly reduced PCH for Telazol‐plus‐xylazine anesthesia (P < .001); however, both mannitol and albumin infusion resulted in significantly more PCH than saline infusion (P < .01).ConclusionsThese results show PCH dependence on the specific intravenous infusion fluid and illustrate the complex importance of physiologic parameters for US‐induced PCH.
Biting flies and activity of caribou in the boreal forest
Authors: Raponi Marco , Beresford David V. , Schaefer James A. , Thompson Ian D. , Wiebe Philip A. , Rodgers Arthur R. , Fryxell John M. 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACTHabitat loss has been implicated in the decline of forest‐dwelling caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou), but it is unknown how biting insects, potentially important components of boreal forest habitat for caribou, influence the activity of this threatened species. During summers in 2011 and 2012 in northern Ontario, Canada, we quantified the relative abundance of black flies, mosquitoes, and tabanids in boreal forest stands of different ages and related their abundance to caribou activity. We counted insects in young (25–35 yrs since forest harvesting), intermediate (36–69 yrs), and old (≥70 yrs) stands using sweep nets and counts on human subjects. We related the daily variation in abundance of these insect families, along with daily maximum temperature, to the activity of female caribou, determined by accelerometers in global positioning system collars. We found higher insect abundance in young versus old stands. During the first 5 minutes in a forest stand, the rate of accumulation of mosquitoes and black flies on human subjects increased, but at a decelerating rate, whereas tabanid abundance declined over time. On days when tabanids were more numerous, female caribou were less active, possibly a response to reduce exposure and harassment. To a lesser extent, mosquitoes and black flies also tended to elicit lower activity of caribou. Our study reveals that biting flies can alter the behavior of female caribou in the boreal forest. Loss of old stands may accentuate the potential for insect harassment. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
Scaling Laws for Polymer Chains Grafted onto Nanoparticles
Authors: Yang Guang , Kim Kyoungmin , Wang Wentao , Chen Banghao , Mattoussi Hedi , Hallinan Daniel T. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAn experimental approach is presented for identifying the scaling laws for polymer chains grafted onto gold nanoparticles. Poly(ethylene oxide) of various molecular weights are grafted onto gold nanoparticles via thiol end‐functional groups. The polymer‐grafted nanoparticles are self‐assembled into monolayers from solvents of different quality. Over a significant range of graft densities, nanoparticle monolayers deposited from good (athermal) solvent exhibit particle spacing that scales according to theoretical predictions for chains in dilute solution. This unexpected result for ordered nanoparticle monolayers is discussed in the context of the deposition process. In monolayers deposited from theta solvent, molecular weight scaling of particle spacing breaks down, possibly due to chain length dependence of solvent quality. In poor solvent, the structure of nanoparticle assemblies is not sufficiently ordered to obtain reliable measurements, possibly due to loss of nanoparticle dispersion. This approach opens up the possibility for accurate measurement of the effect of solvent on grafted chain scaling in nanoparticle assemblies.
Hardy spaces for Bessel–Schrödinger operators
Authors: Kania Edyta , Preisner Marcin 
Published: February 2018

AbstractConsider the Bessel operator with a potential on , namely
urn:x-wiley:0025584X:media:mana201600286:mana201600286-math-0002We assume that and is a nonnegative function. By definition, a function belongs to the Hardy space if
urn:x-wiley:0025584X:media:mana201600286:mana201600286-math-0007Under certain assumptions on V we characterize the space in terms of atomic decompositions of local type. In the second part we prove that this characterization can be applied to for with no additional assumptions on the potential V.