bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adjusting for social risk factors impacts performance and penalties in the hospital readmissions reduction program
Authors: Joynt Maddox Karen E. , Reidhead Mat , Hu Jianhui , Kind Amy J. H. , Zaslavsky Alan M. , Nagasako Elna M. , Nerenz David R. 
Published: March 2019

ObjectiveMedicare's Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP) does not account for social risk factors in risk adjustment, and this may lead the program to unfairly penalize safety‐net hospitals. Our objective was to determine the impact of adjusting for social risk factors on HRRP penalties.Study DesignRetrospective cohort study.Data Sources/Study SettingClaims data for 2 952 605 fee‐for‐service Medicare beneficiaries with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), congestive heart failure (CHF) or pneumonia from December 2012 to November 2015.Principal FindingsPoverty, disability, housing instability, residence in a disadvantaged neighborhood, and hospital population from a disadvantaged neighborhood were associated with higher readmission rates. Under current program specifications, safety‐net hospitals had higher readmission ratios (AMI, 1.020 vs 0.986 for the most affluent hospitals; pneumonia, 1.031 vs 0.984; and CHF, 1.037 vs 0.977). Adding social factors to risk adjustment cut these differences in half. Over half the safety‐net hospitals saw their penalty decline; 4‐7.5 percent went from having a penalty to having no penalty. These changes translated into a $17 million reduction in penalties to safety‐net hospitals.ConclusionsAccounting for social risk can have a major financial impact on safety‐net hospitals. Adjustment for these factors could reduce negative unintended consequences of the HRRP.
An Investigation of Auditors’ Judgments When Companies Release Earnings Before Audit Completion
Authors: BHASKAR LORI SHEFCHIK , HOPKINS PATRICK E. , SCHROEDER JOSEPH H. 
Published: March 2019

ABSTRACTThe majority of U.S. public companies release annual earnings prior to the completion of audit fieldwork. We investigate this phenomenon in a controlled experiment with audit partners and senior managers. We find that releasing earnings before completion of the audit pressures auditors to adopt the goals of management, thereby reducing the likelihood of post‐announcement audit‐adjustment recommendations. We also examine the effect of audit committee (AC) strength in improving auditors’ judgments after annual earnings are released. When ACs are actively involved in accounting issues and proactively communicating with auditors—characteristics currently lacking in most ACs—the negative effects on auditors’ judgments are completely mitigated. Our study provides evidence on potential unintended consequences of early release of earnings and the importance of investing in high‐quality ACs to mitigate adverse effects of client pressures on audit judgment and financial reporting quality.
Index hopping on the Illumina HiseqX platform and its consequences for ancient DNA studies
Authors: van der Valk Tom , Vezzi Francesco , Ormestad Mattias , Dalén Love , Guschanski Katerina 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe high‐throughput capacities of the Illumina sequencing platforms and the possibility to label samples individually have encouraged wide use of sample multiplexing. However, this practice results in read misassignment (usually <1%) across samples sequenced on the same lane. Alarmingly high rates of read misassignment of up to 10% were reported for lllumina sequencing machines with exclusion amplification chemistry. This may make use of these platforms prohibitive, particularly in studies that rely on low‐quantity and low‐quality samples, such as historical and archaeological specimens. Here, we use barcodes, short sequences that are ligated to both ends of the DNA insert, to directly quantify the rate of index hopping in 100‐year old museum‐preserved gorilla (Gorilla beringei) samples. Correcting for multiple sources of noise, we identify on average 0.470% of reads containing a hopped index. We show that sample‐specific quantity of misassigned reads depends on the number of reads that any given sample contributes to the total sequencing pool, so that samples with few sequenced reads receive the greatest proportion of misassigned reads. This particularly affects ancient DNA samples, as these frequently differ in their DNA quantity and endogenous content. Through simulations we show that even low rates of index hopping, as reported here, can lead to biases in ancient DNA studies when multiplexing samples with vastly different quantities of endogenous material.
Clinical practice visits: a rapid review
Authors: Forel Deanne , Marlow Nicholas , Vandepeer Meegan , Hill Andrew G. 
Published: March 2019

BackgroundPractice visits are a peer review activity where one or more healthcare providers visit the practice of another in the same field. The purpose of this exercise is for visitors to observe and review a host’s practice in a non‐punitive manner and provide them with constructive feedback as required; ultimately to improve practice quality and patient care.MethodsA rapid review of three biomedical databases was conducted to identify relevant literature published up until 9 April 2018. There were no limits placed on publication date or publication type. Two authors were responsible for study selection and data extraction using a priori inclusion criteria and extraction templates. Study details and key findings were reported narratively and in tables.ResultsA total of nine publications, reporting outcomes for eight study groups, were identified as eligible for inclusion in this rapid review. Of these eight, six were observational studies, one was a longitudinal study and one was a randomized controlled trial. Practice visits were considered useful in identifying areas of improvement in professional practice; however, the rate at which these improvements were elicited varied greatly between the included studies. Overall, both hosts and visitors gained insight from the practice visit process and in general their experiences were positive.ConclusionsBased on the evidence provided by the included studies, recommendations for an effective practice visit can be made. Importantly, the poor quality and age of the literature from which these recommendations are based should be considered.
Species’ cultural heritage inspires a conservation ethos: The evidence in black and white
Authors: Hopper Nigel G. , Gosler Andrew G. , Sadler Jonathan P. , Reynolds S. James 
Published: March 2019

AbstractBirds feature prominently in the arts and folklore of practically every culture. Yet, in industrialized countries, this rich cultural heritage is largely ignored by conservation biologists. Taking the Eurasian Magpie (Pica pica) as a focal species, we conducted a classroom‐based survey to test the value of avian cultural heritage for inspiring a conservation ethos among UK schoolchildren, comparing it with the effects of other information types and factors. Although identified effects were not strong, species’ cultural heritage was found to be valued and a positive driver of conservation concern—one, we suggest, that has the potential to endure into adulthood when certain other conservation motivations may fail. We therefore encourage its more widespread incorporation into conservation education and outreach programs. Our findings constitute an important “first word” on the potential value of species’ cultural heritage for inspiring a lasting conservation ethos.
Enhanced metabolic activities for ATP production and elevated metabolic flux via pentose phosphate pathway contribute for better CIK cells expansion
Authors: Zhang Weiwei , Huang Huimin , Cai Haibo , Tan Wen‐Song 
Published: March 2019

AbstractObjectiveEx vivo expansion is an effective way to produce cytokine‐induced killer (CIK) cells needed for clinical trials. Here, ex vivo expansion and metabolism characters of CIK cells in static and dynamic cultures and the relationship between cell expansion and metabolism were investigated.Materials and methodsOxygen transfer efficiency was assessed by computational fluid dynamics technique. Cell phenotype, apoptosis and of transporter expression were determined by flow cytometry and Western blotting. Metabolites and enzyme activities were assessed by biochemical methods.ResultsDynamic cultures favoured better CIK cell expansion without impairing their phenotype and cytotoxicity, enhanced oxygen transfer efficiency. The glucose metabolism flux of cells in dynamic cultures was enhanced by upregulating surface glucose transporter 1 expression and phosphofructokinase activity. Moreover, pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) metabolic flux was enhanced through upregulating glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase activity. Glutaminolysis was also accelerated via boosting glutamine transporters expression, glutaminase (GLS) and glutamate dehydrogenase activities. Together with higher oxygen consumption rate and extracellular acidification rate, it was suggested that cells in dynamic cultures were in a more vigorous metabolic state for ATP production.ConclusionDynamic cultures accelerated glucose and glutamine metabolic flux to promote ATP production, elevated glucose metabolic flux through PPP to promote biosynthesis for better cell expansion. These findings may provide the basis for ex vivo CIK cell expansion process optimization.
Beyond HbA1c: using continuous glucose monitoring metrics to enhance interpretation of treatment effect and improve clinical decision‐making
Authors: Brown S. A. , Basu A. , Kovatchev B. P. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractAssessment of glycaemic outcomes in the management of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes has been revolutionized in the past decade with the increasing availability of accurate, user‐friendly continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). This advancement has brought a need for new techniques to appropriately analyse and understand the voluminous and complex CGM data for application in research‐related goals and clinical guidance for individuals. Traditionally, HbA1c was established using the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) and other trials as the ultimate measure of glycaemic control in terms of efficacy and, by default, risk of microvascular complications of diabetes. However, it is acknowledged that HbA1c alone is inadequate at describing an individual's daily glycaemic variation and risks for hypo‐ and hyperglycaemia, and it does not provide the guidance needed to decrease those risks. CGM data provide means by which to characterize an individual's daily glycaemic excursions on a different time scale measured in minutes rather than months. As a consequence, clinical reports, such as the ambulatory glucose profile, increasingly include summary statistics related to averages (mean glucose, time in range) as well as markers related to glycaemic variability (coefficient of variation, standard deviation). However, there is a need to translate those metrics into specific risks that can be addressed in an actionable plan by individuals with diabetes and providers. This review presents several clinical scenarios of glycaemic outcomes from CGM data that can be analysed to describe glycaemic variability and its attendant risks of hyperglycaemia and hypoglycaemia, moving towards relevant interpretation of the complex CGM data streams.
Subsidies of long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids from aquatic to terrestrial environments via amphibian emergence
Authors: Fritz Kelley A. , Whiles Matt R. , Trushenski Jesse T. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractResource subsidies across aquatic‐terrestrial boundaries can alter predator distribution and biomass and elicit trophic cascades. Most studies have focused on the size of cross‐boundary fluxes, but the impact of a subsidy is also mediated by quality and relative abundance of similar resources in the recipient habitat.Long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC‐PUFAs) are necessary for proper physiological function, are unevenly distributed across the landscape, and animals differ greatly in their ability to synthesize them from biochemical precursors, which creates the potential for limitation and increases their possible importance as a subsidy.We examined whole‐body LC‐PUFA content and export in eight species of emerging amphibian metamorphs across eight temporary ponds in a wetland complex. We found that whole‐body content and export of LC‐PUFAs varied across species, but were generally within the ranges of other amphibian studies and several freshwater fish and aquatic insects.Anurans exported higher amounts of LC‐PUFAs than salamanders, largely due to the higher emergence biomass of anurans. As such, the export of LC‐PUFAs closely mirrored the biomass export for each species.Larger ponds exported higher amounts of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, but some smaller ponds exported more per unit wetted area, indicating the potential importance of small ponds at a landscape scale. Given their vital physiological roles, the uneven distribution of aquatic‐origin LC‐PUFAs could have far reaching effects on terrestrial predators.
Brain natriuretic peptide reflects individual variation in hydration status in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Stenberg Jenny , Melin Jan , Lindberg Magnus , Furuland Hans 
Published: March 2019

AbstractIntroduction: Fluid management in hemodialysis patients is a controversial topic. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is secreted from the heart in response to volume overload, and may be a marker of overhydration in hemodialysis patients. Our aim was to investigate the correlation between BNP and overhydration in a cohort of hemodialysis patients, and to find out whether BNP and overhydration correlate in repeated measurements within individuals with elevated BNP.Methods: The study was prospective, observational, and had a cross‐sectional part and a longitudinal follow‐up. The distribution of BNP was investigated in a cohort of 64 hemodialysis patients. Blood samples and bioimpedance spectroscopy measurements were performed before midweek dialysis. Subsequently, 11 study participants with elevated BNP concentrations (>500 pg/mL) were assessed in another nine dialysis sessions each. These individuals also had their cardiac function and heart rate variability (HRV) examined.Findings: BNP was above 500 pg/mL in 38% of the participants, and correlated positively with overhydration (rs = 0.381), inflammation and malnutrition, but not with systolic blood pressure. In comparison to participants with BNP below 500 pg/mL, participants with elevated BNP were older, had lower muscle strength, lower bodyweight and lower levels of hemoglobin and albumin. Echocardiography revealed cardiac anomalies in all 11 participants in the longitudinal follow‐up, and HRV, as measured by SDNN, was pathologically low. In repeated measurements, the between‐individuals variation of BNP in relation to overhydration was greater (SD = 0.581) than the within‐person variation (SD = 0.285).Discussion: BNP correlates positively to overhydration, malnutrition, and inflammation. In a subgroup of patients with elevated BNP, who are mainly elderly and frail, BNP reflects individual variation in hydration status, and hence seems to be a modifiable marker of overhydration. These data suggest that BNP is best applied for measuring changes in hydration status within an individual over time.
Chemotherapy‐induced skin toxicity and capillary leak syndrome
Authors: Hunjan Manrup K. , Nowsheen Somaira , Ramos‐Rodriguez Alvaro J. , Bridges Alina G. , Lehman Julia S. , Hashmi Shahrukh K. , el‐Azhary Rokea A. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe occurrence of chemotherapy‐related adverse cutaneous reactions in the setting of capillary leak syndrome (CLS) is quite rare. Our objective was to identify the type of skin reactions associated with CLS.MethodsLeukemia or hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients between January 2010 and December 2017 were identified, and medical records were reviewed for a dermatology consultation occurring concomitantly with CLS.ResultsFive patients were identified, two with a diagnosis of toxic erythema of chemotherapy (TEC) and three others with a skin diagnosis of toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). Pathology of all patients was available for clinical‐pathologic confirmation.ConclusionsAlthough TEC is generally self‐limited, both TEC and TEN can present with severe adverse skin manifestations during CLS secondary to toxicity from chemotherapy.
The meaning of acceptance (Thum‐jai) in Thai people: Letting it go…so life goes on
Authors: Mills Andrew C. , Poogpan Jidapa , Wong‐Anuchit Choochart , Rujkorakarn Darunee 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the meaning of acceptance (Thum‐jai) as a culturally embedded coping strategy in the lives of Thai people who have experienced adversity that caused suffering. Thematic analysis was used to examine the responses of 47 participants to written, open‐ended questions or face‐to‐face interviews. The EQUATOR's COREQ checklist for qualitative research was followed. Participants came from diverse religious’ traditions and geographic regions throughout Thailand. Findings revealed seven themes: circumstance and emotion; thought and action; time, experience, and effort; social and moral support; religious and spiritual ethos; acceptance and hope; and survive and thrive. The adverse circumstance is central to the concept of acceptance. Before acceptance, there is often hope; yet Thai people reach an existential point whether to accept the reality of the situation or continue in distress. Purposeful approaches to deal with the event flow from the cultural contexts of spirituality and social support. Drawing upon psychological strength, Thai people undertake purposive thought and action to facilitate redirecting their lives for better mental health. Thum‐jai brings release and peace of mind. Clinicians may find that people experiencing adverse life events are best served by nondirective approaches. Acceptance and change in thoughts and behaviours may come from meditation and therapeutic mindfulness practices that allow those in Western and non‐Western cultures to use their own values, expressions, and societal expectations to cope with suffering and formulate effective decisions.
Let’s get physical: Recent research on relations of adolescent peer victimization with psychosomatic symptoms, sleep, and body weight
Authors: Zimmer‐Gembeck Melanie J. , Duffy Amanda L. , Stuart Jaimee 
Published: March 2019

AbstractPurposeVictimization by peers is known to have a detrimental effect on emotional and educational adjustment. Yet, there is also a sparser research literature on the potential negative effects of peer victimization on physical health. Our purpose was to draw from meta‐analyses and studies of peer victimization and physical health (including psychosomatic symptoms, sleep, and body weight) to highlight key findings and future directions in the area. We also briefly summarize research findings that associate peer victimization with stress physiology.MethodNarrative research summary.ResultsPeer victimization is associated with poorer physical health among youth, including more somatic complaints (e.g., health concerns, pain) and disrupted sleep. Also, victimized youth are at more risk than other youth for increasing weight problems. These effects seem to be both immediate and long‐term, with associations found into later adolescence and even adulthood.ConclusionFuture directions for research are proposed that take a biopsychosocial perspective, by integrating the domains of physiology, mental health, and physical health, in order to test holistic models that better illuminate the negative effects of peer victimization. Additionally, future research should continue to address potential mechanisms, such as neurophysiological reactions and recovery from stressful events.
Nail changes due to chemotherapy: a prospective observational study of 129 patients
Authors: Zawar V. , Bondarde S. , Pawar M. , Sankalecha S. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractBackgroundNail changes due to systemic drugs are common, especially with anticancer treatments due to involvement of nail plate, nail bed and periungual area.ObjectiveTo study the pattern of nail changes occurring due to chemotherapy in patients suffering from various malignancies.Materials and MethodsA prospective, observational study was conducted at various health care centres, Nashik, India, for 15 months. The timing of administration of chemotherapy and onset of nail changes were recorded and evaluated by a dermatologist at regular interval.ResultsA total of 129 diagnosed cases of various malignancies who received chemotherapy were included. The most common malignancy noted was breast cancer, that is n = 42 (32.5%) followed by oral cancer, that is n = 24 (18.6%). Chemotherapy agents included taxanes (n = 54), cyclophosphamide (n = 42) and prednisolone (n = 28). Nail changes were noted in 92 patients (71.3%). The most common nail changes observed were chromonychia (n = 70, 54.26%), followed by nail dystrophy (n = 38, 29.45%).ConclusionNail toxicity is quite common side effect of anticancer agents. Nail changes due to chemotherapy depend on the nail structure involved and the severity of insult. Awareness among dermatologists and oncologists of these nail changes and their culprit agent can promote early diagnosis and may avoid inadvertent measures.
Presence of nhe, cytK, and ces in Bacillus cereus isolated from dairy products commercially available in Brazil
Authors: Reis André Luiz Souza , Pereira Juliano Gonçalves , Montanhini Maike Tais Maziero , Bittencourt Juliana Vitória Messias , de Almeida Nogueira Pinto José Paes , dos Santos Bersot Luciano 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of genes (nheABC, cytK, and ces) among bacteria present in dairy products (100 pasteurized milk, 110 UHT milk, and 50 powdered milk). In total, 63 Bacillus cereus isolates were tested and subjected to the detection of genes by using PCR. Regardless of the type of sample analyzed, the most frequent were nheC (82.5%), cytK (68.2%), and nheA (66.6%). The genes nheB and ces were detected in only 23.8% and 3.1% of the isolates, respectively. None of the isolates presented the three genes simultaneously. The combination of nheABC‐cytK was highly prevalent in most of the isolates, present in 25% from pasteurized milk and 20% of those from powdered milk. None of the cultures showed nheABC and ces simultaneously, and the combination of cytK‐ces was found in only one isolate from pasteurized milk (2.7%) and one isolate in powdered milk (6.6%). These results demonstrate the presence of B. cereus toxin genes in dairy products from Brazil.Practical applicationsConsumption of food contaminated with Bacillus cereus is a risk to public health as this micro‐organism produces diarrheal and emetics toxins. Thus, studies that aim to research genes that code for these toxins can be important tools for dairy industries to establishment of process parameters, limits and actions to control of contamination. This article demonstrated that strains of B. cereus isolated from milk and dairy products may contain genes encoding the toxins (nhe, cytK, and ces), so the risk of food poisoning should not be neglected.