bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phenotypic and functional changes in gamma delta T lymphocytes from HTLV-1 carriers
Authors: Cavalcanti De Albuquerque Raquel , Granato Alessandra , Silva Castro Isabela , Carvalho Torres Rafael , Santos Souza Flávia , Lima Marco Antonio , Celestino Bezerra Leite Ana Claudia , de Melo Espíndola Otávio , Echevarria-Lima Juliana 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1) is the etiologic agent of HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP), which is a chronic inflammatory disease that leads to gradual loss of motor movement as a result of the death of spinal cord cells through immune mediated mechanisms. The risk to develop HAM/TSP disease positively correlates with the magnitude of HTLV-1 proviral load. Gamma-delta T lymphocytes have been recognized as important players in a variety of infectious diseases. Therefore, we have investigated interactions between HTLV-1 infection and γδ T lymphocytes during HAM/TSP. Similar frequencies of total γδ T lymphocytes and their Vγ9δ2+ and Vγ9δ2neg subpopulations were observed in HAM/TSP patients. However, T lymphocytes obtained from HTLV-1 carriers displayed significantly higher rates of spontaneous proliferation and NKp30 expression when compared to cells from uninfected donors. In addition, an important decrease in the frequency of granzyme B+ γδ T lymphocytes (approximately 50%) was observed in HAM/TSP patients. Higher proportion of IFN-γ+ γδ T lymphocytes was found in HTLV-1-infected patients, which positively correlated with the HTLV-1 proviral load in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Collectively, our data indicates that HTLV-1 infection leads to phenotypic and functional changes in the population of γδ T lymphocyte population, suggesting that HTLV-1 infection modulates functions associated to these cells, which might be involved in controlling the infection or in the development of HTLV-1-associated diseases.
Service mix, market competition, and cost efficiency: A longitudinal study of U.S. hospitals
Authors: Ding Xin (David) , Peng Xiaosong (David) , Heim Gregory R. , Jordan Victoria S. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractWe examine the longitudinal impact of service mix on cost efficiency in U.S. acute care general hospitals. We propose two different dimensions of service mix, with the first dimension capturing internal emphasis on specific service lines (i.e., specialization) and the second dimension reflecting the deviation of a hospital from the average level of specialization for hospitals in the same service area (i.e., differentiation). We hypothesize that as the level of a hospital's specialization increases, hospital cost efficiency should improve at a decreasing rate. We also hypothesize that differentiation helps improve cost efficiency in competitive markets. Lastly, we examine whether acute care general hospitals can use service mix as an operational lever to improve cost efficiency when specialty hospitals are present in the same local markets. We find strong empirical support for the hypothesized relationships.
Shift in the timing of microvascular free tissue transfer failures in head and neck reconstruction
Authors: Sweeny Larissa , Topf Michael , Wax Mark K. , Rosenthal Eben L. , Greene Benjamin J. , Heffelfinger Ryan , Krein Howard , Luginbuhl Adam , Petrisor Daniel , Troob Scott H. , Hughley Brian , Hong Steve , Zhan Tingting , Curry Joseph 
Published: July 2019

ObjectiveAnalyze the cause and significance of a shift in the timing of free flap failures in head and neck reconstruction.Study DesignRetrospective multi‐institutional review of prospectively collected databases at tertiary care centers.MethodsIncluded consecutive patients undergoing free flap reconstructions of head and neck defects between 2007 and 2017. Selected variables: demographics, defect location, donor site, free flap failure cause, social and radiation therapy history.ResultsOverall free flap failure rate was 4.6% (n = 133). Distribution of donor tissue by flap failure: radial forearm (32%, n = 43), osteocutaneous radial forearm (6%, n = 8), anterior lateral thigh (23%, n = 31), fibula (23%, n = 30), rectus abdominis (4%, n = 5), latissimus (11%, n = 14), scapula (1.5%, n = 2). Forty percent of flap failures occurred in the initial 72 hours following reconstruction (n = 53). The mean postoperative day for flap failure attributed to venous congestion was 4.7 days (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.6–6.7) versus 6.8 days (CI 5.3–8.3) for arterial insufficiency and 16.6 days (CI 11.7–21.5) for infection (P < .001). The majority of flap failures were attributed to compromise of the arterial or venous system (84%, n = 112). Factors found to affect the timing of free flap failure included surgical indication (P = .032), defect location (P = .006), cause of the flap failure (P < .001), and use of an osteocutaneous flap (P = .002).ConclusionThis study is the largest to date on late free flap failures with findings suggesting a paradigm shift in the timing of flap failures. Surgical indication, defect site, cause of flap failure, and use of osteocutaneous free flap were found to impact timing of free flap failures.Level of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 130:347–353, 2020
Hierarchical and Spiral Polymer Structures: Direct Electrospinning on Porous Anodic Aluminum Oxide Templates
Authors: Liu Ying‐Hsuan , Chiu Yu‐Jing , Chen Jiun‐Tai 
Published: July 2019

AbstractElectrospun fibers with hierarchical structures have attracted a great deal of attention because they have distinct properties, such as large specific surface areas and high surface area‐to‐volume ratios, and can be applied to various fields. Here, a simple and versatile method is demonstrated to prepare electrospun fibers with hierarchical structures by directly electrospinning poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) solutions on porous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates. Hierarchical PMMA structures with micro‐ and nanometer scales can be generated. The two length scales of the hierarchical structures can be independently controlled; the first length scale is controlled by the electrospinning conditions, and the second length scale is controlled by the pore sizes of the AAO templates. By adding water in the polymer solutions, the evaporation of the solvents and the whipping instability of the solution jets can be manipulated. Consequently, spiral and hierarchical structures can be obtained. This study opens a promising avenue in fabricating electrospun polymer fibers with hierarchical structures, which should have great potential in a variety of applications, such as filtration, diagnosis, and tissue regeneration.
Evaluation of GALNT16 polymorphisms to breast cancer risk in Chinese population
Authors: Wu Huangfu , He Guisheng , Song Tao , Zhang Yazhen , Chen Xiuxiu , Chen Huamin , Xiong Wei , Sun Chuanwei , Zhao Chaoyang , Chen Yunjing 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackgroundPolypeptide N‐acetylgalactosaminyltransferase 16 (GALNT16) is an N‐acetylgalactosaminyltransferase gene that alters protein O‐glycosylation, which plays a role in tumor development. This study aims to explore the association of eight GALNT16 polymorphisms with susceptibility to breast cancer (BC).MethodsThis case–control study included 563 BC patients and 552 age‐matched healthy controls from the Chinese Han population. The genotypes of GALNT16 polymorphisms were detected using the Agena MassARRAY. The relationship between GALNT16 polymorphisms and BC risk was evaluated using a chi‐squared test with an odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) under five genetic models.ResultsWe observed that rs2105269 and rs72625676 were associated with higher BC risk in younger patients with age ≤51 (rs2105269, codominant: p = .006; recessive: p = .005 additive: p = .018; and allele: p = .012; rs72625676, codominant: p = .038; recessive: p = .037). For rs1275678 polymorphism, there was a significantly decreased risk of BC among elder patients (codominant: p = .017; dominant: p = .019; additive: p = .030; and allele: p = .029). Further analysis by clinical characteristics showed rs2105269 was associated with tumor size and lymph node metastasis.ConclusionOur study suggests that GALNT16 polymorphisms are associated with BC susceptibility in Chinese population.
Screening for Pediatric Malnutrition at Hospital Admission: Which Screening Tool Is Best?
Authors: Carter Laura E. , Shoyele Grace , Southon Sarah , Farmer Anna , Persad Rabin , Mazurak Vera C. , BrunetWood M. Kim 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackgroundIdentifying children at malnutrition risk on admission to hospital is considered best practice; however, nutrition screening in pediatric populations is not common. The aim of this study was to determine which screening tool is able to identify children with malnutrition on admission to hospital.MethodsA nurse administered 2 pediatric nutrition screening tools, Screening Tool for Risk on Nutritional Status and Growth (STRONGkids) and Pediatric Nutrition Screening Tool (PNST) to patients admitted to medicine and surgery units (n = 165). The Subjective Global Nutritional Assessment (SGNA) was then completed by a dietitian, blinded to the results of the screens. Sensitivity, specificity, and κ were calculated for both screening tools against the SGNA. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve assessed alternate cutoffs for each tool. Length of hospital stay (LOS) was used to assess prospective validity.ResultsUsing the recommended cutoffs, the sensitivity of STRONGkids was 89%, specificity 35%, and κ 0.483. The sensitivity of PNST was 58%, specificity 88%, and κ 0.601. Using adjusted cutoffs, PNST's sensitivity improved to 87%, specificity 71%, and κ 0.681, and STRONGkids specificity improved to 61%, sensitivity 80%, and κ 0.5. Children identified at nutrition risk had significantly longer LOS (P< 0.05).ConclusionThis study showed neither tool was appropriate for clinical use based on published cutoffs. By adjusting the cutoffs using ROC curve analysis, both tools improved overall agreement with the SGNA without significantly impacting the prospective validity. PNST with adjusted cutoffs is the most appropriate for clinical use in this population.
Validating effectiveness of safety requirements' compliance evaluation in process assessments
Authors: Varkoi Timo , Mäkinen Timo , Cameron Frank , Nevalainen Risto 
Published: July 2019

AbstractSafety is the primary concern when developing systems containing software in the nuclear power domain. Process assessments are used to ensure quality of the development processes for safety‐critical systems. Regulators of the nuclear power industry have increased requirements concerning the systems development processes. Now, process assessments are integrated in the qualification of the systems and are expected to provide information not only based on the assessment model but also about the domain‐specific requirements. Therefore, a specific activity, compliance evaluation, was inserted into the assessment process to provide detailed information that supports analysis of the compliance to the domain standards. Compliance evaluation utilizes assessment findings to create evidence of the relevant domain‐specific requirements. The main purpose of this study is to validate effectiveness of compliance evaluation by analyzing assessment findings and their relation to the requirements of a safety‐critical domain. The analysis is based on representing the data in compliance evaluation reports as binary relations. The results of this analysis indicate that process assessment findings are also relevant when evaluating compliance to other sets of requirements. The results can significantly support the trustworthiness of the process assessment method and ensure effective use of process assessments.
Human-Computer Interaction in Physical Retail Environments and the Impact on Customer Experience: Systematic Literature Review and Research Agenda
Authors: Obermeier Gabriele , Auinger Andreas 
Published: July 2019

Abstract

Shopping in the traditional retail environment is increasingly being influenced by technologies enabling human-computer interaction. Scientists, as well as retailers, are interested in examining the effects of interactive in-store technologies on customer behavior. An abundance of researchers have examined customer acceptance of interactive technologies, but little is known about its effects on the customer’s experience and its consequences, such as satisfaction, loyalty, and purchase intention. Following the guidelines for a systematic literature review, this article gives an overview of empirical studies conducted on interactive technologies in traditional brick-and-mortar retail stores. Based on that review, this paper provides a research agenda for future work on interactive in-store technologies and their impact on customer experience and suggests possible research methods for empirical studies in the field of human-computer interaction.
Increased ethanol tolerance associated with the pntAB locus of Oenococcus oeni and Lactobacillus buchneri
Authors: Liu Siqing , Skory Chris , Liang Xiaojin , Mills David , Qureshi Nasib 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Lactobacillus buchneri and Oenococcus oeni are two unique ethanol-tolerant Gram-positive bacteria species. Genome comparison analyses revealed that L. buchneri and O. oeni possess a pntAB locus that was absent in almost all other lactic acid bacteria (LAB) genomes. Our hypothesis is that the pntAB locus contributes to the ethanol tolerance trait of these two distinct ethanol-tolerant organisms. The pntAB locus, consisting of the pntA and pntB genes, codes for NADP(H) transhydrogenase subunits. This membrane-bound transhydrogenase catalyzes the reduction of NADP+ and is known as an important enzyme in maintaining cellular redox balance. In this study, the transhydrogenase operon from L. buchneri NRRL B-30929 and O. oeni PSU-1 were cloned and analyzed. The LbpntB shared 71.0% identity with the O. oeni (OopntB). The entire pntAB locus was expressed in Lactococcus lactis ssp . lactis IL1403 resulting in an increased tolerance to ethanol (6%), butanol (1.8%) and isopropanol (1.8%) when compared to the control strain. However, the recombinant E. coli cells carrying the entire pntAB locus did not show any improved ethanol tolerance. Independent expression of OopntB and LbpntB in recombinant E. coli BL21(DE3)pLysS host demonstrated higher tolerance to ethanol when compared with a control E. coli BL21(DE3)pLysS strain carrying pET28b vector. Ethanol tolerance comparison of E. coli strains carrying LbpntB and OopntB showed that LbpntB conferred higher ethanol tolerance (4.5%) and resulted in greater biomass, while the OopntB conferred lower ethanol tolerance (4.0%) resulted lower biomass. Therefore, the pntB gene from L. buchneri is a better choice in generating higher ethanol tolerance. This is the first study to uncover the role of pntAB locus on ethanol tolerance.
Outcome of children with systemic rheumatic diseases admitted to pediatric intensive care unit
Authors: Al-Mayouf Sulaiman M , Fallatah Rehab , Al-Twajery Mohammed , Alayed Tareq , Alsonbul Abdullah 
Published: July 2019

Objective
To report the outcome of children with rheumatic diseases admitted to pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) in a tertiary hospital.

Methods
Database from PICU and pediatric rheumatology section used to retrieve all candidate patients admitted to PICU from June 2000 to December 2017. Medical records of all enrolled patients reviewed for diagnosis, organ involvement, reason of PICU admission, the length of stay, and outcome.

Results
Twenty-five patients (17 female, 8 male) with total of 41 admissions identified. The median PICU stay was 13.5 days (range, 3–24). The most frequent diagnoses were systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (48%), followed by systemic vasculitis (16%). Most admissions were from the medical ward (68.3%), while 24.4% from the emergency room. The main reason of PICU admission was a disease flare or related complications (48.8%), followed by infection (34.2%). Fifty one percent of the admissions were due to respiratory dysfunction, 46% required non-invasive respiratory support while 38% was in need for mechanical ventilation. During PICU stay, anti-microbial agents used 90.3%, immunosuppressive treatment adjustment 75.6%, anti-hypertensive 24.4% and vasopressors 12.2%. Twelve patients (48%) fully recovered and 40% partially recovered while three patients died during their PICU stay. The causes of death were macrophage activation syndrome complicated by sepsis in two patients and advanced pulmonary hypertension in one patient.

Conclusion
Our data showed that children with rheumatic diseases, particularly SLE, are mostly admitted to PICU with serious disease exacerbation or severe infection. To improve the outcome, early diagnosis of critical condition and proper intervention are fundamental in reducing mortality.
Teaching More Civil Law at the National University of Singapore: A Necessity for Singapore as a Legal Hub for Asia
Authors: BELL Gary F 
Published: July 2019

AbstractSingapore aims to be a legal service hub for its region and, therefore, aims to provide legal services to the civil law countries of Southeast and East Asia. One would therefore think that the teaching of at least the rudiments of the civil law (the law of obligations – contracts, delictual liability (tort), quasi-contracts – and property) would be a high priority. However, for all its talk of being ‘Asia's Global Law School’, the NUS Law School does not train its students to handle work from, or in, most of this region. The students are simply not required to learn the very foundations of the civil law tradition. The requirement that they take a course entitled ‘Legal Systems of Asia’ does not ensure that they know the very basics of the civil law. The fact that they must take a course on the law of a civil law country does not ensure that they learn about the civil law. This article suggests how the NUS Law School can make sure that it prepares its students, or at least some of its students, for regional work that includes civil law work.
Summer surface melt thins Petermann Gletscher Ice Shelf by enhancing channelized basal melt
Authors: WASHAM PETER , NICHOLLS KEITH W. , MÜNCHOW ANDREAS , PADMAN LAURIE 
Published: July 2019

ABSTRACTIncreasing ocean and air temperatures have contributed to the removal of floating ice shelves from several Greenland outlet glaciers; however, the specific contribution of these external forcings remains poorly understood. Here we use atmospheric, oceanographic and glaciological time series data from the ice shelf of Petermann Gletscher, NW Greenland to quantify the forcing of the ocean and atmosphere on the ice shelf at a site ~16 km from the grounding line within a large sub-ice-shelf channel. Basal melt rates here indicate a strong seasonality, rising from a winter mean of 2 m a−1 to a maximum of 80 m a−1 during the summer melt season. This increase in basal melt rates confirms the direct link between summer atmospheric warming around Greenland and enhanced ocean-forced melting of its remaining ice shelves. We attribute this enhanced melting to increased discharge of subglacial runoff into the ocean at the grounding line, which strengthens under-ice currents and drives a greater ocean heat flux toward the ice base.
A novel prognostic biomarker for recurrent aphthous stomatitis: calprotectin
Authors: Kayabasi S , Kuzucu I 
Published: July 2019

AbstractObjectiveThis study aims to investigate whether there is a correlation between serum calprotectin concentration and oral ulcer activity in patients with active recurrent aphthous stomatitis.MethodThis prospective, cross-sectional, historical cohort study included 52 patients (26 with active lesions and 26 with inactive lesions) with recurrent aphthous stomatitis and 27 healthy volunteers. The relationship between the groups was statistically evaluated in terms of serum calprotectin level and other inflammatory parameters.ResultsThe median calprotectin value of the active lesion group (80.5 ng/ml) was significantly higher than that of the control group (55.4 ng/ml,p= 0.002). Furthermore, the median calprotectin value of the active lesion group was significantly higher than that of the inactive lesion group (72.5 ng/ml,p= 0.017).ConclusionIn patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis and active ulcer lesions, the serum calprotectin value can be used as a reliable and robust prognostic marker for inflammation.
Prospective observational study to estimate set-up errors and optimise PTV margins in patients undergoing IMRT for head and neck cancers from a Government cancer centre of Eastern India
Authors: Biswas Priyanka , Lahiri Debarshi , Roy Sanjoy , Maji Tapas , Bhadra Kallol , Ray Dilip Kumar , Das Subhadip , De Palas , Mohanta Bijan Kumar 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackground:The head and neck cancers as a whole are the most common cancers among males in India. Technological advancements have led to an improvement in radiation therapy (RT) techniques with subsequent reduction in normal tissue complications. To correct patient set-up errors, an off-line correction method like no action level (NAL) protocol may be used as a preferred protocol particularly for a busy department. The objectives of the study were to measure the translational set-up errors using kV cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in patients undergoing intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in head and neck cancers and also to optimise clinical target volume (CTV) to planning target volume (PTV) margin using NAL protocol.Material and methods:On the first 5 days of RT, patient’s position was verified by kV-CBCT and then weekly during the course of treatment. The comparison between the reference and kV-CBCT images was performed, and the shifts measured and recorded. The mean error from the initial five consecutive fractions was corrected on the sixth daily fraction. Displacements in all the directions were measured. The population systematic and random errors were determined and used to estimate PTV margins according to the van Herk formula.Results:A total of 322 images were analysed. Before correction, 15, 12 and 9% patients had systematic error ≥3 mm on X, Y and Z axes, but after correction this was reduced to 9, 0 and 0%. The total percentage of patients whose set-up margin was ≥5 mm before correction was 5, 6·25, 3·75%, but after correction it reduced to 1·88, 0, and 0·63%. The margins of total population were reduced to 63, 65 and 56% after correction on X, Y and Z axes, respectively.Conclusion:A simple off-line NAL protocol can correct the set-up errors without daily on-line imaging in patients undergoing IMRT and hence acting as a resource sparing alternative. Five millimetre margin to CTVs was adequate and safe to overcome the problem of set-up errors in head and neck IMRT.