bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Validation of an Enclosed Blood Collection System in a Pediatric Laboratory
Authors: Weinzierl Elizabeth P , Brawley Cindy , Adams James L , Rogers Beverly B 
Published: July 2018

Abstract

Background
Preanalytical, analytical, and postanalytical issues are often magnified in pediatric laboratories, and traditional vacuum-based blood tubes can contribute to some of these issues. Because of this, we investigated adopting an enclosed blood collection system that can perform vacuum or gentle aspiration blood collection, eliminating syringes, transfer device, and transfer steps, as well as potentially minimizing preanalytical error in the pediatric laboratory. We embarked on a validation of this tube system, in comparison with our current collection tubes, across most in-house tests at a large pediatric hospital.

Methods
Twenty adult volunteers were recruited. Blood was drawn into lithium heparin, serum, EDTA, and citrate tubes of each commercial tube type for comparison. For some tests, remnant blood from pediatric syringe draws was used when available. Samples were then processed and analyzed across all general areas of the clinical laboratory, and correlations of the results from the 2 tube systems were performed.

Results
Across 95 tests in the core laboratory and blood bank, almost all demonstrated clinically acceptable comparisons, with most R values &gt;0.90. Only 3 of 95 tests demonstrated clinically significant differences between the tube systems.

Conclusions
Our validation of the enclosed blood collection system demonstrated acceptable results when compared with our current collection tubes. Additionally, with some minor modifications, our automated instruments could utilize ultralow-volume tubes from the enclosed blood collection system for direct tube sampling, which is impossible using our current small-volume tubes with our main chemistry analyzer.
Clinical Impact of Circulating Irisin on Classified Coronary Plaque Characteristics
Authors: Hirayama Kenshi , Ishii Hideki , Kikuchi Ryosuke , Suzuki Susumu , Aoki Toshijiro , Harada Kazuhiro , Sumi Takuya , Negishi Yosuke , Shibata Yohei , Tatami Yosuke , Tanaka Akihito , Murohara Toyoaki 
Published: July 2018

Abstract

Background
Myokines are hormones secreted by skeletal muscles during physical activity. Low myokine levels may contribute to metabolic dysfunction and cardiovascular disorders. Irisin, a newly identified myokine, has been the focus of recent research. The aim of the present study was to analyze the association between circulating irisin levels and tissue characteristics of nonculprit left main coronary artery (LMCA) plaques with the use of integrated backscatter (IB) intravascular ultrasound (IVUS).

Methods
This observational study enrolled 55 Japanese patients following successful percutaneous coronary intervention for lesions in the left anterior descending arteries or left circumflex arteries. Circulating myokine levels, including myostatin, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and irisin, were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Tissue characteristics of LMCA plaque were evaluated by IB-IVUS.

Results
Circulating irisin levels were negatively associated with percent lipid volume (%LV) [r = −0.31 (95% CI, −2.52 to −0.21), P = 0.02] and positively associated with percent fibrous volume (%FV) [r = 0.32 (95% CI, 0.22–2.20), P = 0.02]. The optimal cutoff value of circulating irisin for the prediction of lipid-rich LMCA plaques was 6.02 μg/mL [area under the curve = 0.713, P &lt; 0.01 (95% CI, 0.58–0.85)]. Multivariate linear regression analysis identified circulating irisin levels as independent predictors for %LV and %FV of the LMCA [β = −0.29 (95% CI, −2.53 to −0.07), P = 0.04 and β = 0.30 (95% CI, 0.10–2.23), P = 0.03, respectively].

Conclusions
Circulating irisin levels are significantly associated with tissue characteristics of nonculprit LMCA plaques.
Accurate Estimation of Drug Intake Day by Microsegmental Analysis of a Strand of Hair by Use of Internal Temporal Markers
Authors: Kuwayama Kenji , Nariai Maika , Miyaguchi Hajime , Iwata Yuko T , Kanamori Tatsuyuki , Tsujikawa Kenji , Yamamuro Tadashi , Segawa Hiroki , Abe Hiroko , Iwase Hirotaro , Inoue Hiroyuki 
Published: July 2018

Abstract

Background
Segmental hair analysis can be useful for estimating the time of drug intake. However, this estimation is currently only accurate to within several months. We previously conducted microsegmental analysis of a strand of hair to visualize drug distribution at a spatial resolution of 0.4 mm, which corresponds to daily hair-growth length. Herein, we describe a procedure for accurately estimating the day of drug intake by using internal temporal markers (ITMs) to mark a timescale in the analyzed strand of hair.

Methods
Five drugs were administered in a single dose to the subjects, and then administration was stopped for several weeks. Two subsequent cycles of drug administration and similar withdrawal were performed. For analysis, a strand of hair was plucked from the subject's scalp. The first intake day was considered as the unknown and the drugs administered second and third were regarded as the ITMs. The first intake day was estimated based on the distance from hair root end to 3 drug peaks and 3 known days (hair sampling and 2 ITM cycles).

Results
The drug concentration–hair segment curve had 3 peaks, which reflected the 3 drug cycles. The use of ITMs reduced the error of the true intake day to within 2 days, because the growth rate of the analyzed strand of hair was accounted for by the 2 ITMs.

Conclusions
The estimated accuracy showed little dependency on drug and individual variation. This procedure for estimating the time of drug intake down to a particular day can be used in drug-related crimes, drug abuse and compliance, and for medical diagnosis.
Novel Benzodiazepines (Clonazolam and Flubromazolam) Identified in Candy-Like Pills
Authors: Pope Jeffrey D , Weng Choy Kay , Drummer Olaf H , Schneider Hans G 
Published: July 2018

Abstract

Objectives
To identify the contents of pills found on an intoxicated patient by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTof).5 To highlight the potential ability that this technique can add to the clinical laboratory.

Methods
Illicit PEZ-like pills purchased from an online vendor, containing unknown substances, were investigated by UHPLC-QTof. Accurate mass and experimental data were obtained. Tentative identifications were subsequently confirmed with commercial standards.

Results
Accurate mass data, high-energy mass spectra, elucidation software, and a review of the scientific literature enabled the tentative identification of clonazolam and flubromazolam in the PEZ-like pills. On the basis of these tentative identifications, commercial standards were purchased to confirm the initial findings. On subsequent reinterrogation of the data, flubromazolam was identified in the urine specimen of the patient.

Conclusions
Utilizing high-resolution mass data, 2 novel benzodiazepines were tentatively identified by reinterrogation of a routine analysis for drugs of abuse. Use of UHPLC-QTof in a clinical toxicology laboratory provides additional capabilities to explain and potentially improve treatment of patients presenting to the emergency department with symptoms possibly due to toxic substance ingestion.
The Definition and Scope of Diagnostic Error in the US and How Diagnostic Error is Enabled
Authors: Laposata Michael 
Published: July 2018

Abstract

Background
The quality of healthcare in the US has been progressively addressed by 3 reports from the National Academy of Medicine, the latest of which, entitled “Improving Diagnosis in Health Care,” was issued in 2015 from a 21-member panel (the author of this report was a member). The report is a review of the longstanding problem of diagnostic error. The infrastructure of healthcare delivery in the US has inadvertently made diagnostic error a major contributor to the high cost of care and preventable poor patient outcomes.

Content
This review describes the failures in US healthcare delivery that have led to the overwhelming number of deaths attributable to diagnostic error. Each failure is associated with recommendations to eliminate it. The review begins with a description of the scope of the diagnostic error problem and then discusses each of the issues that need to be addressed to reduce the number of misdiagnoses.

Summary
The problem of diagnostic error in the US is a large one. Some the contributing factors to this large problem can be resolved at a small expense and with modest change; others require a major overhaul of aspects of medical practice. For the first time, Americans have a “to-do list” to reduce our diagnostic error problem and be on par with other developed countries that are recognized as providing less costly care with better patient outcomes.
JAK2 V617F Analysis in Indonesian Myeloproliferative Neoplasms Patients
Authors: Saktini Fanti , Santosa Santosa , Faradz Sultana MH 
Published: July 2018

Background : Three subtypes of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs): Polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET), and primary myelofibrosis (PMF) showed overlapping phenotype. There has been no specific cytogenetic marker identified in these subtypes. JAK2 V617F mutation prevalence in Caucasian MPNs was first reported as 97% in PV, 57% in ET, and 50% in PMF.Objective: This study was done to define the prevalence of JAK2 V617F mutation and to identify cytogenetic markers in MPNs.Methods : The study design was cross-sectional. Patients who were admitted to Dr. Kariadi Hospital with clinical diagnosis of MPNs were referred for bone marrow cytogenetic analysis in Telogorejo Hospital. JAK2 V617F mutation was tested for using Amplification Refractory Mutation System Polymerase Chain Reaction (ARMS-PCR) from peripheral blood vein. Clinical data were secondary data retrieved from hospital medical records.Results : There was no cytogenetic abnormality found in all MPNs patients. The prevalence of JAK2 V617F mutation in MPNs patients was 73,68%. Mutation prevalence distribution in each subtypes were 100% in PV, 63,6% in ET and 100% in PMF. Conclusion : Chromosomal abnormality was not found using conventional cytogenetic analysis. More sensitive methods might elucidate submicroscopic chromosomal abnormalities in these patients. The prevalence of JAK2 V617F mutation was comparable with studies in Caucasian. It is recommended that JAK2 V617F testing should be incorporated in the management therapy of MPNs in Indonesia.
The Effect of Extra Virgin Olive Oil on LOX-1 and COX-2 in High Fat Diet Rats
Authors: Lakhder Ibrahem Omran , Suromo Lisyani , Djamiatun Kis 
Published: July 2018

Background: High fat diet is a diet containing large amounts of fat consistently, the increase dietary fat and cholesterol which have a key role in growing health problems. Extra virgin olive oil associated with prevention of LDL oxidation, beneficial changes in lipid ratios and low risk for CHD.Objective: to determine the anti-inflammatory effect of extra virgin olive oil extract to levels of COX-2 and LOX-1 in the blood in rats induced by high fat dietMethods: This research is an experimental study that used randomized posttest only control group design. 30 Wistar rats which were divided into five groups: group of control (-) which received normal diet and group of control (+) which received high fat diet without EVOO treatment and three high fat diet groups treated by EVOO 1 mL/kg/day, 2 mL/kg/day and 3 mL/kg/day orally for 2 months. The blood was collected from eyes rats and serum separation by centrifuge. COX-2, LOX-1 concentration was measured by the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results: The result of this study showed higher COX-2 concentrations in groups treated with EVOO than control group. COX-2 serum levels of negative control where significantly lower than those of rats treated with 2 ml/kg/day (p = 0.047) and 3 ml/kg/day EVOO (p = 0.014). The COX-2 serum levels of group received 1 ml/kg/day were significantly lower than those of rats received 3 ml/kg/day EVOO (p = 0.027). And showed not significantly deferent among all groups (p = 0.570).Conclusions: The conclusion of this study has showed that extra virgin olive oil extract might have minor anti inflammatory and antioxidant effect in rats.
ΔFosB Decreases Excitability of Dorsal Hippocampal CA1 Neurons
Authors: Eagle Andrew L. , Williams Elizabeth S. , Beatty Joseph A. , Cox Charles L. , Robison Alfred J. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractBoth the function of hippocampal neurons and hippocampus-dependent behaviors are dependent on changes in gene expression, but the specific mechanisms that regulate gene expression in hippocampus are not yet fully understood. The stable, activity-dependent transcription factor ΔFosB plays a role in various forms of hippocampal-dependent learning and in the structural plasticity of synapses onto CA1 neurons. The authors examined the consequences of viral-mediated overexpression or inhibition of ΔFosB on the function of adult mouse hippocampal CA1 neurons usingex vivoslice whole-cell physiology. We found that the overexpression of ΔFosB decreased the excitability of CA1 pyramidal neurons, while inhibition increased excitability. Interestingly, these manipulations did not affect resting membrane potential or spike frequency adaptation, but ΔFosB overexpression reduced hyperpolarization-activated current. Both ΔFosB overexpression and inhibition decreased spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents, while only ΔFosB inhibition affected the AMPA/NMDA ratio, which was mediated by decreased NMDA receptor current, suggesting complex effects on synaptic inputs to CA1 that may be driven by homeostatic cell-autonomous or network-driven adaptations to the changes in CA1 cell excitability. Because ΔFosB is induced in hippocampus by drugs of abuse, stress, or antidepressant treatment, these results suggest that ΔFosB-driven changes in hippocampal cell excitability may be critical for learning and, in maladaptive states, are key drivers of aberrant hippocampal function in diseases such as addiction and depression.
Resident Work in High-Support Housing
Authors: Haley Tobin LeBlanc 
Published: July 2018

While feminist political economists have identified social service provisioning as socially reproductive work and have examined its reorganization under neoliberalism, little attention has been paid to the mental health care sector. Furthermore, within feminist political economy scholarship on work in the social service sector, little attention has been paid to the contributions of service users. I address some of these gaps by developing a Mad feminist political economy framework to analyze the unpaid socially reproductive work completed by residents in high-support psychiatric housing in Ontario today.
Drawing on data from interviews with 23 residents and 15 service providers in high-support psychiatric housing in Ontario, as well as a review of government and non-profit organization documents, I argue that the work done by residents alleviates demands on social service workers in a time of neoliberal restraint, intensified workplace demands, and a heightened focus on service user independence in all aspects of life. I then conclude with recommendations for change.
Autonomously Autistic
Authors: Williams Anna 
Published: July 2018

The locus of pathology exists not in the autistic person, but in the interaction between a hostile environment and the subjugated autistic. It is essential for parents, practitioners, educators, and autistic people themselves to ask the crucial question— Is the autistic a machine, or an organism? Are we active agents in our own embodied experience, or are we a locus of behavior? It is not with defiance, but autonomy, that I declare as an autistic person— I am not a manifestation of stimuli and response. I am agential. I am Autonomously Autistic.
An Environmentally Friendly University Library Based on Renewable Hybrid Energy Systems
Authors: DURSUN Bahtiyar 
Published: July 2018

This paper presents a techno-economic analysis of hybrid renewable energy systems (HRES) to supply the electrical load requirements of the Central Library of Istanbul Esenyurt University located in Istanbul, Turkey. The standalone HRES (PV/Wind/Fuel Cell/Electrolyzer, PV/Fuel Cell/Electrolyzer and Wind/Fuel Cell/Electrolyzer etc.) considered in the analysis were comprised of different combinations of PV modules, Fuel Cell and wind turbines supplemented with hydrogen storage. Meanwhile, wind and solar energy potential in Esenyurt region in Istanbul is fairly appropriate for supplying energy requirements of some places with no high electricity load like libraries. In this study, the HOMER software is used as the assessment tool to determine the optimal configuration of HRES taking total net present cost (NPC) and cost of energy (CoE) into consideration. As a result, it is determined that the optimal system configuration of standalone Wind/PV/Fuel Cell/Electrolyzer hybrid renewable power generation system with the lowest total NPC consists of 25kW PV array, 40kW Wind turbine, 20kW Fuel Cell, 25kW power converter, 50kW electrolyzer and 100kg hydrogen tank and also that total NPC and CoE of the optimal configuration are estimated to be $809,442, $2.040/kWh, respectively. Renewable fraction of the hybrid system is 100%. Electricity generated through this hybrid system is completely clear and no harmful emission gases in this hybrid system are generated and there is no contribution of the HRES to the pollution of environment.
Effects of self-management support and family participation enhancing program for delayed progression of diabetic nephropathy in Thai adults with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Thojampa Somsak 
Published: July 2018

Abstract
Background/Purpose: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is increasingly becoming common in developing countries including Thailand. Uncontrolled hyperglycemia can lead to progression of severe complications for persons with DM which include diabetic nephropathy and can, later on, lead to kidney failure. Self-management support and participation of social groups, specifically the family of the patient, can help people with DM in controlling the complications of their disease from progressing; in this case, the advancement of diabetic nephropathy. The aim of this research is to develop a program and determine if self-management support with the participation of the family members will have an effect in delaying the progress of diabetic nephropathy in adults with type 2 DM.
Theoretical Framework: Self-management based on social cognitive and self-regulation theories were used in this study to set a framework which utilizes social support from the family and self-efficacy of patients in implementing self-management activities.
Methods: This is a quasi-experimental research. The sample consisted of 50 Thai adults with type 2 DM, 25 for the control group and 25 for the experimental group. The participants in the experimental group attended a self-management support and family participation enhancing the program for 8 weeks. The interventions included a video presentation, manual, and health education with a family member in a focus group. Data were collected before attending the program and evaluated on the 8th and 12 weeks after the program. The instruments used for the data collection were (1) Self-Management Activity Questionnaire (SMAQ), (2) Self- Efficacy Questionnaire (SEQ). The data collected for clinical outcome used the automatic physiological measures: Systolic and Diastolic blood pressure, Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), serum creatinine (SCr) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Independent t-test and Paired t-test and repeated measurement ANOVA.
Results: The mean scores of the self-management activity and self-efficacy of the experimental group were significantly higher, their clinical outcomes for blood pressure, SCr and HbA1C levels were significantly lower, and eGFR results were significantly higher after attending the self-management support and family participation enhancing the program.
Conclusions and Implications: The findings of this study indicate that the self-management and family participation enhancing program promote and support health behavior change and leads to better control of the delayed progression of diabetic nephropathy in Thai adults with type 2 DM. This can be applied by health care professionals in health care centers as a supplement to their usual care in dealing with persons with type 2 DM.
High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) Cholesterol levels in young pregnant Women
Authors: Suman Shishir Kumar 
Published: July 2018

A woman's reproductive history may affect her risk for coronary heart disease. Parity has been associated with increased coronary disease risk in some studies, while other studies have shown that nulliparous women are at increased risk (1-3). Pregnancy fre­quency (including frequency of spontaneous abortion (4, 5)) and age at first pregnancy (6) have also been associated with increased coronary disease risk. Although reports of associations of coronary disease risk with parity, age at menarche, or incidence of miscar­riage are not all consistent (7, 8), the majority of cohort studies have shown an increased risk of coro­nary disease among women with high gravidity or parity (9). Long-term effects of pregnancy on coronary disease risk factors, such as lipoproteins (10, 11), are potential mechanisms for an association between par­ity and coronary artery disease risk.
Marked increases in lipoprotein concentrations oc­cur during pregnancy (12) and have been correlated with pregnancy-related increases in insulin, 17-beta estradiol, progesterone, and human placental lactogen (13). Total and low density lipoprotein (LDL) choles­terol and triglyceride levels progressively increase during gestation (10, 14). Although triglycerides have been reported to decrease rapidly during the postpar­tum period, total and LDL cholesterol levels may require several months to return to baseline (10, 14). High density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, which has been shown to be inversely associated with coronary disease risk among women (15, 16), peaks at mid- gestation and then falls to levels approximately 15 percent above baseline at term (12). Few data are available on the long-term effects of pregnancy on lipoproteins; however, there are reports of inverse associations between parity and postpartum HDL cho­lesterol levels (17-20). In order to examine further relations of parity with lipid risk factors, we assessed plasma lipids at baseline and at the year 1 and year 2 follow-up examinations among young adult women in an ongoing epidemiologic study.
Numerical Investigation For Convective Heat Transfer and Friction Factor Under Pulsatile Flow Conditions
Authors: Aslan Erman 
Published: July 2018

Under
pulsatile flow conditions, the characteristics of convective heat transfer and
friction factor for periodic corrugated channel are investigated numerically.
The Finite Volume Method (FVM) is used in the numerical study. Three different
Reynolds Averaged Numerical Simulation (RANS) based turbulence models, namely the k-ω, the Shear Stress Transport
(SST) and the transition SST model are employed and compared with each other.
The results are also compared with the previous measurements performed for
non-pulsating conditions. Investigations are performed for air flowing through
corrugated channel which has sharp corrugation peak with an inclination angle
of 30° and a 5mm minimum channel height. Reynolds number is varied within the
range 6294 to 7380, while keeping the Prandtl number constant at 0.70. Four
different sinusoidal pulsatile flow conditions, which are combination of two
different frequencies and two different amplitudes, are used. Variations of the
Nusselt number and friction factor with the Reynolds number are studied.
Effects of the amplitude and period of sinusoidal pulsatile flow conditions are
discussed.