bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of SEBS on the Mechanical Properties and Miscibility of Polystyrene Rich Polystyrene/ Polypropylene Blends
Authors: Samsudin Sani Amril , Hassan Azman , Mokhtar Munirah , Jamaluddin Syed Mustafa Syed 
Published: September 2018

Blends of polystyrene (PS) with polypropylene (PP) are usually developed to overcome the inherent brittleness of PS. However, PS with PP are immiscible and (in the absence of a compatibiliser) incompatible. The present study investigated the effects of styrene-b (ethylene-co-butylene)-b-styrene (SEBS) on the mechanical properties and compatibility of PS-rich PS/PP blends. Using a Brabender PL2000 twin-screw extruder, blends of PS/PP in various compositions ranging from 100-60 wt% PS with and without SEBS were prepared and injection moulded. The overall results clearly showed that the mechanical properties of PS/PP blends are dependent on blend composition (ratio of PS/PP) and SEBS content. The impact strength and elongation at break of the PS/PP blends increase with SEBS content, at the expense of tensile strength and flexural modulus. The improvements in impact strength and elongation at break with the addition of SEBS are due to the improved interfacial adhesion between the dispersed phase (PP) and matrix phase (PS). The improvement in miscibility of the PS/PP blend with the addition of SEBS is supported by DMA analysis. This showed that the 60/40 PS/PP blends possess two endothermic peaks whereas 60/40/25 PS/PP/SEBS blends have a single endothermic peak at 102 °C, indicating that they have an improved miscibility. The effectiveness of SEBS in enhancing the blends depends on the blend composition. A significant improvement was observed upon addition of more than 10 phr of SEBS into the 70/30 and 60/40 PS/PP blends, but not much improvement in the case of the 90/10 and 80/20 PS/PP blends. However, a higher SEBS content is more effective at higher PS contents, as illustrated by the 90/10/25 PS/PP/SEBS blends having higher impact strengths than 60/40/25 PS/PP/SEBS. The optimum blend, based on achieving a balance between toughness (impact strength) and stiffness (flexural modulus), is 90/10/25 PS/PP/SEBS, followed by 80/20/25 PS/PP/SEBS.
Oesophageal symptoms are common and associated with other functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) in an English‐speaking Western population
Authors: Josefsson Axel , Palsson Olafur , Simrén Magnus , Sperber Ami D , Törnblom Hans , Whitehead William 
Published: September 2018

BackgroundThe prevalence and frequency of oesophageal symptoms suggestive of a functional oesophageal disorder according to the Rome IV criteria are unknown.ObjectiveWe aimed to describe the prevalence and risk factors for oesophageal symptoms compatible with functional oesophageal disorders in the general population.MethodsData were analysed from a population‐based online survey of 6300 individuals aged ≥ 18 years in the USA, UK and Canada with equal demographic proportions across countries. Questions included the Rome IV diagnostic questionnaire, demographics, medication, somatization, quality of life, and organic gastrointestinal (GI) disease. Multivariate analysis was used to identify factors independently related to oesophageal symptoms.ResultsData from 5177 participants (47.8% female; mean age 46.7 years) were available for analysis. Symptom prevalence was 8.1% for globus, 6.5% for heartburn, 4.5% for dysphagia and 5.2% for chest pain, and 17.0% reported at least one oesophageal symptom. Oesophageal symptoms were independently associated with younger age, female gender, previous abdominal surgery and the presence of other functional GI disorders. Reporting oesophageal symptoms was associated with reduced quality of life.ConclusionOesophageal symptoms are common in the general population and important predictors include other functional GI disorders, age and gender. Oesophageal symptoms are associated with poorer quality of life.
Analysis of Publication Trends for the 2011-2015 American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine Annual Meeting Abstracts
Authors: Gowd Anirudh K. , Liu Joseph N. , Cabarcas Brandon C. , Cvetanovich Gregory L. , Garcia Grant H. , Verma Nikhil N. 
Published: September 2018

Background: Academic conferences are sources of novel research that can influence clinical decision making. Orthopaedic surgery maintains a relatively high rate of publication compared with other surgical subspecialties, and sports medicine conferences hold an even higher rate within the subspecialty. The American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) annual meetings have been shown to have among the highest rates of publication for accepted abstracts. Purpose: To determine differences between 2-year publication rates of poster and podium abstracts accepted into the AOSSM annual meetings and identify factors associated with publication. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: The AOSSM archives were queried for all accepted poster and podium presentations for annual meetings from 2011 through 2015. Google Scholar and MEDLINE databases were used to determine which abstracts transitioned into journal articles. Publication rates were compared based on publication 2 years following presentation. Logistic regression was performed to demonstrate which variables were most correlated with successful publication. Data on publication impact factor and number of citations were collected by use of the InCites database. Results: Of 628 abstracts accepted during this period, 265 were poster presentations and 363 were podium presentations. Overall, 44.7% of abstracts presented were accepted into peer-reviewed journals within 2 years of presentation. No statistical difference was found between poster and podium presentations for journal publication ( P = .328). Poster presentations were published in journals with statistically lower impact factor ( P = .005) and had a statistically lower number of citations ( P < .001) compared with podium presentations. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that only number of authors was correlated with publication ( P = .003). Conclusion: Podium and poster presentations accepted into AOSSM conferences had equal rates of publication within 2 years and should influence decision making equally. The relative impact of podium presentations appeared to be greater, which suggests that the AOSSM selects podium presentations that will have greater clinical impact. Increasing number of coauthors was the only factor found to be correlated with publication.
The Expression of Aldolase B in Islets Is Negatively Associated With Insulin Secretion in Humans
Authors: Gerst Felicia , Jaghutriz Benjamin A , Staiger Harald , Schulte Anke M , Lorza-Gil Estela , Kaiser Gabriele , Panse Madhura , Haug Sieglinde , Heni Martin , Schütz Monika , Stadion Mandy , Schürmann Annette , Marzetta Flavia , Ibberson Mark , Sipos Bence , Fend Falko , Fleming Thomas , Nawroth Peter P , Königsrainer Alfred , Nadalin Silvio , Wagner Silvia , Peter Andreas , Fritsche Andreas , Richter Daniela , Solimena Michele , Häring Hans-Ulrich , Ullrich Susanne , Wagner Robert 
Published: September 2018

Abstract

Context
Reduced β-cell mass, impaired islet function, and dedifferentiation are considered causal to development of hyperglycemia and type 2 diabetes. In human cohort studies, changes of islet cell–specific expression patterns have been associated with diabetes but not directly with in vivo insulin secretion.

Objective
This study investigates alterations of islet gene expression and corresponding gene variants in the context of in vivo glycemic traits from the same patients.

Methods
Fasting blood was collected before surgery, and pancreatic tissue was frozen after resection from 18 patients undergoing pancreatectomy. Islet tissue was isolated by laser capture microdissection. Islet transcriptome was analyzed using microarray and quantitative RT-PCR. Proteins were examined by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. The association of gene variants with insulin secretion was investigated with oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)-derived insulin secretion measured in a large cohort of subjects at increased risk of type 2 diabetes and with hyperglycemic clamp in a subset.

Results
Differential gene expression between islets from normoglycemic and hyperglycemic patients was prominent for the glycolytic enzyme ALDOB and the obesity-associated gene FAIM2. The mRNA levels of both genes correlated negatively with insulin secretion and positively with HbA1c. Islets of hyperglycemic patients displayed increased ALDOB immunoreactivity in insulin-positive cells, whereas α- and δ-cells were negative. Exposure of isolated islets to hyperglycemia augmented ALDOB expression. The minor allele of the ALDOB variant rs550915 associated with significantly higher levels of C-peptide and insulin during OGTT and hyperglycemic clamp, respectively.

Conclusion
Our analyses suggest that increased ALDOB expression in human islets is associated with lower insulin secretion.
Role of Endocannabinoid System in the Peripheral Antinociceptive Action of Aripiprazole
Authors: Ferreira Renata C. M. , Almeida-Santos Ana F. , Duarte Igor D. G. , Aguiar Daniele C. , Moreira Fabricio A. , Romero Thiago R. L. 
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND:
Recently, we demonstrated that the antipsychotic dopaminergic and serotoninergic agonist aripiprazole induced peripheral antinociception. However, the mechanism underlying this effect has not been fully established. Here, our aim was to identify possible relationships between this action of aripiprazole and the endocannabinoid system.

METHODS:
All drugs were given locally into the right hind paw of male Swiss mice weighing 30–35 g in a volume of 20 µL. The hyperalgesia was induced by intraplantar injection of prostaglandin E2 (2 μg). Aripiprazole was injected 10 minutes before the measurement, and an irreversible inhibitor of anandamide hydrolase (MAFP), an inhibitor for monoacylglycerol lipase (JZL184), and an anandamide reuptake inhibitor (VDM11) were given 10 minutes before the aripiprazole. Nociceptive thresholds were measured using an algesimetric apparatus in the third hour after prostaglandin E2 injection. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Bonferroni tests.

RESULTS:
The antinociceptive effect induced by aripiprazole (100 μg) was blocked by cannabinoid 1 or 2 receptor antagonists AM251 (40 μg [P < .01], 80 μg [P < .0001], and 160 μg [P < .0001]) and AM630 (100 μg [P < .0001], 200 μg [P < .0001], and 400 μg [P < .0001]), respectively. The peripheral antinociception induced by aripiprazole (25 μg) was enhanced by administration of the inhibitor of fatty acid amide hydrolase (MAFP, 0.5 μg [P < .0001]) or monoacylglycerol lipase (JZL184, 4 μg [P < .0001]). Moreover, a similar enhancement was observed with the anandamide reuptake inhibitor (VDM11, 2.5 μg [P < .0001]).

CONCLUSIONS:
These results provide evidence for the involvement of the endocannabinoid system in peripheral antinociception induced by aripiprazole treatment.
Evaluation of the Determinants of Satisfaction With Postoperative Pain Control After Thoracoscopic Surgery: A Single-Center, Survey-Based Study
Authors: Siu Emily , Quick John S. , Xu Xinling , Correll Darin J. 
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND:
The need to measure, compare, and improve the quality of pain management is important to patients, payers, and health care providers. Pain after thoracic surgery can be severe, and thoracoscopic approaches have not had the favorable impact on pain as anticipated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the determinants of patient satisfaction with acute pain management and the effectiveness of pain control after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery using a modified version of the Revised American Pain Society Patient Outcome Questionnaire.

METHODS:
We performed a single-center, prospective, survey-based study of 300 patients who had undergone elective video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Patients were enrolled and completed the survey on postoperative day 1 or 2. The primary outcome variable was patient-reported satisfaction with acute postoperative pain treatment measured on a 1–4 scale. The relationship between the items on the survey and patient satisfaction was analyzed to determine the factors significantly associated with satisfaction.

RESULTS:
Fifty-one percent of the patients had the highest satisfaction level with pain treatment, and 4% of the patients had the lowest satisfaction level. The mean reported acceptable pain level was 3.8 ± 1.9 (numeric rating scale [NRS], 0–10). The average pain intensity score at the time of the survey was 2.8 ± 2.1 (NRS, 0–10). The median for the most pain in the prior 24 hours was 7 (NRS, 0–10; interquartile range, 5–9). Five items from the survey were significantly associated with the satisfaction level. The predictor with the highest associated odds ratio (OR) with satisfaction was the ability to participate in pain management decisions (OR, 1.45; P < .0001). Another positively associated predictor was receiving helpful information about pain treatment options (OR, 1.31; P = .002). Negatively associated predictors of patient satisfaction included level of pain intensity at time of survey (OR, 0.76; P = .002), lowest pain score in the prior 24 hours (OR, 0.70; P = .0006), and having pain interfere with sleep in the postoperative period (OR, 0.72; P = .037).

CONCLUSIONS:
Our findings highlight several factors associated with patient satisfaction with acute postoperative pain management. Interventions focused on achieving acceptable pain levels for the majority of the time, ensuring that patients are able to get sleep, providing patients with helpful information about their pain treatment, and, most importantly, allowing patients to participate in decisions about their pain management may improve patient satisfaction with postoperative pain management.
Nighttime Extubation Does Not Increase Risk of Reintubation, Length of Stay, or Mortality: Experience of a Large, Urban, Teaching Hospital
Authors: Everhart Kelly K. , Khorsand Sarah , Khandelwal Nita , Michaelsen Kelly E. , Spiekerman Charles F. , Joffe Aaron M. 
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND:
In the intensive care unit (ICU), extubation failure has been associated with greater resource utilization and worsened clinical outcomes. Most recently, nighttime extubation (NTE) has been reported as a risk factor for increased ICU and hospital mortality. We hypothesized that, in a large, urban, university-affiliated hospital with multidisciplinary assessment for extubation, rigorously protocolized extubation algorithms, and expert airway managers available at all times of day for assessment of high-risk extubations, NTE would not confer additional risk of adverse clinical outcomes.

METHODS:
This was a retrospective cohort study of mechanically ventilated adults at a single university-affiliated hospital. NTE was defined as occurring between 7:00 pm and 6:59 am the following day. All data were extracted from the institution’s electronic medical record. Multivariable regression analyses were used to assess associations between NTE and reintubation, ICU and hospital length of stay (LOS), and mortality with adjustments for demographic and clinical covariates defined a priori. Palliative, unplanned, and routine postoperative extubations were excluded in sensitivity analyses.

RESULTS:
Of 2241 patients, 204 of 2241 (9.1%) underwent NTE. The rates of reintubation (NTE 6.9% versus daytime extubation [DTE] 12.4%; adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval {CI}], 0.78 [0.43–1.41]; P = .41) and in-hospital mortality (NTE 3.4% versus DTE 5.9%; adjusted odds ratio [95% CI], 0.72 [0.28–1.84]; P = .49) were not found to differ. NTE, compared to DTE, was associated with shorter duration of mechanical ventilation (median [interquartile range], 1 [0–1] days vs 2 [1–4] days; adjusted ratio of geometric means [RGMs] [95% CI], 0.64 [0.54–0.70]; P < .001), ICU (2 [1–5] days vs 4 [2–10] days; adjusted RGMs [95% CI], 0.65 [0.57–0.75]; P < .001), and hospital LOS (6 [3–18] days vs 13 [6–25] days; adjusted RGMs [95% CI], 0.64 [0.56–0.74]; P < .001). These results were unchanged in sensitivity analyses.

CONCLUSIONS:
Patients who underwent NTE were not at increased risk of reintubation or in-hospital mortality. In addition, NTE was associated with a shortened duration of mechanical ventilation and hospital LOS. In health care systems with similar critical care delivery models, NTE may coincide with reduced resource utilization in appropriately selected patients.
Radiation Safety Perceptions and Practices Among Pediatric Anesthesiologists: A Survey of the Physician Membership of the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia
Authors: Whitney Gina M. , Thomas James J. , Austin Thomas M. , Fanfan Jemel , Yaster Myron 
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND:
Pediatric anesthesiologists are exposed to ionizing radiation from x-rays on an almost daily basis. Our goal was to determine the culture of safety in which they work and how they adhere to preventative strategies that minimize exposure risk in their daily practice.

METHODS:
After Institutional Review Board waiver and approval of the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia’s research and quality and safety committees, an electronic e-mail questionnaire was sent to the Society’s physician, nontrainee members and consisted of questions specific to provider use of protective lead shielding, the routine use of dosimeters, and demographic information. Univariate analyses were performed using the Wilcoxon rank sum test for ordinal variables, the Fisher exact test for categorical variables, and the Spearman test to analyze correlation between 2 ordinal variables, while a proportional odds logistic regression was used for a multivariable ordinal outcome analysis. P values of <.05 were considered statistically significant.

RESULTS:
Twenty-one percent (674/3151) of the surveyed anesthesiologists completed the online questionnaire. Radiation exposure is ubiquitous (98.7%), and regardless of sex, most respondents were either concerned or very concerned about radiation exposure (76.8%); however, women were significantly more concerned than men (proportional odds ratio, 1.66 [95% confidence interval, 1.20–2.31]; P = .002). Despite this and independent of sex, level of concern was not associated with use of a radiation dosimeter (P = .85), lead glasses (odds ratio, 1.07 [95% confidence interval, 0.52–2.39]; P = 1.0), or a thyroid shield (P = .12). Dosimeters were rarely (13%) or never used (52%) and were mandated in only 28.5% of institutions. Virtually none of the respondents had ever taken a radiation safety course, received a personal radiation dose report, notification of their radiation exposure, or knew how many millirem/y was considered safe. Half of the respondents were female, and while pregnant, 73% (151/206) tried to avoid radiation exposure by requesting not to be assigned to cases requiring x-rays. These requests were honored 78% (160/206) of the time.

DISCUSSION:
Despite universal exposure to ionizing radiation from x-rays, pediatric anesthesiologists do not routinely adhere to strategies designed to limit the intensity of this exposure and rarely work in institutions in which a culture of radiation safety exists. Our study highlights the need to improve radiation safety education, the need to change the safety culture within the operating rooms and imaging suites, and the need to more fully investigate the utility of dosimeters, lead shielding, and eye safety measures in pediatric anesthesia practice.
piRNAs and PIWI proteins: regulators of gene expression in development and stem cells
Authors: Rojas-Ríos Patricia , Simonelig Martine 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACT
PIWI proteins and Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) have established and conserved roles in repressing transposable elements (TEs) in the germline of animals. However, in several biological contexts, a large proportion of piRNAs are not related to TE sequences and, accordingly, functions for piRNAs and PIWI proteins that are independent of TE regulation have been identified. This aspect of piRNA biology is expanding rapidly. Indeed, recent reports have revealed the role of piRNAs in the regulation of endogenous gene expression programs in germ cells, as well as in somatic tissues, challenging dogma in the piRNA field. In this Review, we focus on recent data addressing the biological and developmental functions of piRNAs, highlighting their roles in embryonic patterning, germ cell specification, stem cell biology, neuronal activity and metabolism.
Reduced-dose computed tomography to detect dorsal screw protrusion after distal radius volar plating
Authors: Leffers Kevin J. , Kosty John W. , Garcia Glenn M. , Jupiter Daniel C , Lindsey Ronald W. , Gugala Zbigniew 
Published: September 2018

Background: Tenosynovitis and tendon rupture caused by screw penetration of the dorsal cortex are common complications after fixed-angle volar plating of a distal radius fracture. Detecting screw prominence with plain radiography is difficult due to the topography of the distal radius dorsal cortex. Computed tomography (CT) offers more detailed imaging of the bone topography, but is associated with radiation exposure. The present cadaveric study compared reduced-dose and standard-dose CT protocols in the detection of dorsal screw protrusion after fixed-angle volar plating of distal radius fracture. If found equivalent, a reduced-dose protocol could decrease the total radiation exposure to patients. Methods: Standard size distal radius volar locking plates were placed using a standard Henry approach in 3 matched pairs of cadaver wrists. A total of 3 distal locking screws were placed at 3 different lengths for a total of 3 rounds of CT scans per wrist pair. Each wrist pair was imaged by CT using standard-dose and reduced-dose protocols. Dorsal screw penetration was measured in each imaging protocol by 3 radiologists at two time periods to calculate inter- and intra-observer variability. Variability was calculated using the concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), and Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC). Bland-Altman plots were used and assessed 95% limits of agreement. Results: Intra- and inter-observer variabilities, either with the reduced-dose or standard-dose protocol, were >0.85. Pairwise CCC, ICC, and PCC were >0.91. In the comparison of reduced dose versus standard dose between radiologists, correlations were always >0.95. Conclusions: Comparison of a reduced-dose CT protocol and a standard-dose CT protocol for the detection of dorsal penetrating screws after fixed-angle volar plating showed >0.95 correlation in this cadaveric model. A reduced-dose CT protocol is equivalent to a standard dose CT protocol for orthopedic imaging and should reduce radiation exposure.