bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The length of patient and primary care time interval in the pathways to treatment in symptomatic oral cancer. A quantitative systematic review
Authors: Varela‐Centelles P. , Seoane J. , Lopez‐Cedrun J.L. , Fernandez‐Sanroman J. , García‐Martin J.M. , Takkouche B. , Alvarez‐Novoa P. , Seoane‐Romero J.M. 
Published: June 2017

ObjectivesTo examine the relative length of the patient and primary care intervals in symptomatic oral cancer.DesignQuantitative systematic review. Search strategy: Oral cancer OR oral squamous cell carcinoma OR oropharyngeal cancer AND time interval OR diagnostic delay.SettingPrimary and secondary care.ParticipantsOral and oropharyngeal cancer patients.Main outcome measuresWe computed five measures (patient, primary care, diagnosis, total diagnosis and total treatment intervals). Most studies did not provide any dispersion measure. We then used the sample size of each study to compute a weighted average of the mean intervals. When the median was provided, we assumed normality of the distribution of the means and used the median as a proxy of the mean.ResultsA total of 1089 articles were identified, and 22 met the inclusion criteria, reporting on 2710 patients from Europe, USA, India, Australia, Japan, Argentina and Iran. The weighted average of patient interval was 80.3 days. Primary care interval was five times shorter: 15.8 days. The diagnostic interval was appreciably shorter (47.9 days) when compared with the patient interval during symptomatic period.ConclusionsPatient interval represents the major component of waiting times since the detection of the first signs/symptoms to the definitive diagnosis of oral cancer. Thus, strategies focused on high‐risk patients should be prioritised. Interventions aimed at optimising the health systems should be implemented by monitoring and facilitating diagnostic and treatment pathways of patients with oral cancer.
The role of long‐term physical exercise on performance and brain activation during the Stroop colour word task in fibromyalgia patients
Authors: Martinsen S. , Flodin P. , Berrebi J. , Löfgren M. , Bileviciute‐Ljungar I. , Mannerkorpi K. , Ingvar M. , Fransson P. , Kosek E. 
Published: June 2017

SummaryThe Stroop colour word test (SCWT) has been widely used to assess changes in cognitive performance such as processing speed, selective attention and the degree of automaticity. Moreover, the SCWT has proven to be a valuable tool to assess neuronal plasticity that is coupled to improvement in performance in clinical populations. In a previous study, we showed impaired cognitive processing during SCWT along with reduced task‐related activations in patients with fibromyalgia. In this study, we used SCWT and functional magnetic resonance imagingFMRI to investigate the effects of a 15‐week physical exercise intervention on cognitive performance, task‐related cortical activation and distraction‐induced analgesia (DIA) in patients with fibromyalgia and healthy controls. The exercise intervention yielded reduced fibromyalgia symptoms, improved cognitive processing and increased task‐related activation of amygdala, but no effect on DIA. Our results suggest beneficial effects of physical exercise on cognitive functioning in FM.
The real thing: preschoolers prefer actual activities to pretend ones
Authors: Taggart Jessica , Heise Megan J. , Lillard Angeline S. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractPretend play is a quintessential activity of early childhood, and adults supply children with many toys to encourage it. Do young children actually prefer to pretend, or do they do it because they are unable to engage in some activities for real? Here we examined, for nine different activities, American middle‐class preschoolers' preferences for pretend and real activities. The 100 children we tested (M = 58.5 months, range 36 to 82 months) overwhelmingly preferred real activities to pretend ones, and this preference increased from age 3 to age 4, then remained steady through age 6. Children provided cogent justifications for their preferences. The results are discussed with reference to other domains in which children show reality preferences and with respect to the content of preschool curricula.
Successful management of refractory diabetic gastroparesis with long‐term Aprepitant treatment
Authors: Fountoulakis N. , Dunn J. , Thomas S. , Karalliedde J. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractBackgroundPeople with gastroparesis who develop treatment‐resistant (refractory) disease pose a difficult challenge, especially in the setting of end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) or post pancreas transplant. Aprepitant (a neurokinin‐receptor antagonist) is licensed for the short‐term treatment of chemotherapy‐induced nausea. There is lack of information on its long‐term efficacy and safety in people with diabetic gastroparesis.Case reportCase 1 was 73‐year‐old man with Type 2 diabetes of 25 years’ duration and ESRD requiring dialysis. He was referred to our unit as his severe symptoms of gastroparesis had failed to respond to multiple medications and resulted in frequent hospital admissions. Aprepitant, which can be used in ESRD, resulted in significant improvement in his symptoms of nausea and vomiting within weeks, and he remained on this long term (18 months) with continued benefits and had no further gastroparesis‐related hospital admissions. Case 2 was a 44‐year‐old man with Type 1 diabetes of 41 years’ duration with a history of severe hypoglycaemic events that required a pancreas transplant. Despite normoglycaemia, his symptoms of gastroparesis persisted and failed to respond to multiple medications and frequent botulinum toxin injections. He was commenced on aprepitant with significant improvement in symptoms and has remained on treatment for 12 months with sustained benefits.ConclusionWe describe two cases in which long‐term aprepitant treatment proved effective in alleviating severe symptoms of gastroparesis that had failed to respond to conventional first‐line medical treatments. Our cases highlight the need for novel treatments for managing refractory diabetic gastroparesis.
Fetal overnutrition and offspring insulin resistance and β‐cell function: the Exploring Perinatal Outcomes among Children (EPOCH) study
Authors: Sauder K. A. , Hockett C. W. , Ringham B. M. , Glueck D.H. , Dabelea D. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractAimsTo examine the associations of intrauterine exposure to maternal diabetes and obesity with offspring insulin resistance, β‐cell function and oral disposition index in a longitudinal observational study of ethnically diverse offspring.MethodsA total of 445 offspring who were exposed (n=81) or not exposed (n=364) to maternal diabetes in utero completed two fasting blood measurements at mean (sd) ages of 10.5 (1.5) and 16.5 (1.2) years, respectively, and an oral glucose tolerance test at the second visit. We used linear mixed models and general linear univariate models to evaluate the associations of maternal diabetes and pre‐pregnancy BMI with offspring outcomes.ResultsMaternal diabetes in utero predicted increased insulin resistance [18% higher updated homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA2‐IR), P=0.01; 19% lower Matsuda index, P=0.01 and 9% greater updated homeostatic model assessment of β‐cell function (HOMA2‐β), P=0.04]. Each 5‐kg/m2 increase in pre‐pregnancy BMI predicted increased insulin resistance (11% greater HOMA2‐IR, P<0.001; 10% lower Matsuda index, P<0.001; 6% greater HOMA2‐β, P<0.001). Similar results were obtained in a combined model with both exposures. After adjustment for offspring BMI, only maternal diabetes was associated with higher HOMA2‐IR (β=1.12, P=0.03) and lower Matsuda index (β=0.83, P=0.01). Neither exposure was associated with early insulin response or oral disposition index.ConclusionsIntrauterine exposure to diabetes or obesity is associated with greater offspring insulin resistance than non‐exposure, supporting the hypothesis that fetal overnutrition results in metabolic abnormalities during childhood and adolescence.
The impact of Chinese competition on third markets: An analysis by region and technological category
Authors: Módolo Débora Bellucci , Hiratuka Celio 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThis article seeks, through the use of a gravity model, to verify if in the 2000‐2009 years Chinese exports have displaced exports from other countries in third markets. The contribution of this article is to provide an overview of Chinese competition, covering different regions and technology categories in a comparative way. The evidence shows that the effect of Chinese exports on global exports is mainly negative. The medium technology manufacturing sector is the segment most affected by Chinese competition. The results also indicate that developing economies are experiencing the most negative effect of Chinese competition, especially the emerging Asian countries.
Shakeout in the early commercial airframe industry
Authors: Jaworski Taylor , Smyth Andrew 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe commercial airframe industry in the US experienced a shakeout from the early 1930s into the post‐Second World War period. Unlike shakeouts in automobiles, tyres, or televisions, the commercial airframe industry's early life cycle was affected by external factors, particularly government demand. Using newly digitized data on all planes introduced in the commercial market between 1926 and 1965, we find that commercial airframe manufacturers with bomber contracts during the Second World War were more likely to have postwar market share than firms without such contracts, controlling for plane characteristics and other forms of government contracting. We attribute the effect of bomber contracts to advantages in R&D learning capacity acquired by firms with military airframe contracts. Despite low (or zero) initial presence in the commercial market, these learning capacity advantages allowed such firms to survive the early period of the shakeout, and later to thrive.
Microstructural evolution and thermal fatigue resistance of grey cast iron
Authors: Casati R. , Faccin R. , Vedani M. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractIn the present work, thermal fatigue in grey cast iron has been investigated by means of a numerical and an experimental approach. Temperature gradients were generated within the material by means of a testing rig specifically designed for the experiments. The temperature gradients were responsible for the formation of severe stress fields that led to the failure of the specimens after a fairly low number of cycles. Crack growth was monitored during the tests, and the microstructure and hardness of samples were analysed after failure and compared with those of untested alloy. The repeated thermal cycles at peak temperatures of 600, 700, and 800°C led to important microstructural alterations of cast iron and to a drop in material hardness. The pearlite lamellae lost their original shape and became more fragmented. Oxygen‐rich regions surrounding the graphite flakes were produced by microgalvanic corrosion mechanism.
Towards a Higher Comparability of Geothermometric Data Obtained by Raman Spectroscopy of Carbonaceous Material. Part 2: A Revised Geothermometer
Authors: Lünsdorf N. Keno , Dunkl István , Schmidt Burkhard C. , Rantitsch Gerd , von Eynatten Hilmar 
Published: June 2017

The estimation of the peak metamorphic temperature by Raman spectroscopy of carbonaceous material (RSCM) is influenced by several bias sources grouped in measuring conditions, spectral processing and sample heterogeneity. The measuring conditions (selected excitation wavelength) and the operator bias during spectral processing have a pronounced impact on the temperature estimate and thus on the comparability and portability of thermometric data obtained by RSCM. Several calibration lines of RSCM geothermometers are published already, but no standardised approach exists. Samples of carbonaceous material bearing metasediments with well‐established metamorphic conditions of the central and western Alps compile a reference series. By applying an automated, iterative and randomised curve‐fitting approach, a consistent and user input‐independent RSCM geothermometer is presented, which covers peak metamorphic temperatures from ca. 160 to 600 °C. The method is hardware independent because the measuring conditions bias is excluded by the use of the reference series and the automated curve‐fitting approach reduces the spectral processing bias effectively, increasing the method's comparability and portability. By distributing the reference series and the automated curve‐fitting software, a laboratory will be able to derive a laboratory specific calibration line for the RSCM geothermometer.
Genetic loss of the muscarinic M3 receptor markedly alters bile formation and cholestatic liver injury in mice
Authors: Durchschein Franziska , Krones Elisabeth , Pollheimer Marion J. , Zollner Gernot , Wagner Martin , Raufman Jean‐Pierre , Fickert Peter 
Published: June 2017

AimHepatic innervation represents a potentially underestimated regulator of liver function and regeneration. The muscarinic 3 receptor (M3‐R) is the primary cholangiocyte receptor for the afferent parasympathetic innervation of bile ducts. We aimed to determine the specific role of the M3‐R in bile formation and models for cholestatic liver disease in mice.MethodsWe compared bile flow and composition in M3‐R knock‐out mice (M3‐R−/−) and wild type littermates (WT). Furthermore, we compared liver inury of M3‐R−/− and WT mice after 3,5‐diethoxycarbonyl‐1,4‐dihydrocollidine (DDC) feeding, a well‐characterized preclinical model of cholestatic liver disease. To analyze the possible role of the M3‐R as a therapeutic target, we treated 4‐week‐old Mdr2−/− mice, a preclinical model for sclerosing cholangitis, with the M3‐R agonist bethanechol for 4 weeks.ResultsM3‐R−/− mice showed significantly reduced bile flow compared to WT mice, most likely due to decreased biliary HCO3− secretion. However, even aged M3‐R−/− mice did not spontaneously develop liver injury or cholestasis. Challenging M3‐R−/− and WT littermates with DDC feeding showed substantially aggravated liver injury in M3‐R−/− mice. After 4 weeks bethanechol treatment, Mdr2−/− mice showed less liver injury compared to controls.ConclusionOur experimental findings suggest that M3‐R‐signalling significantly influences bile formation. Loss of the M3‐R increases susceptibility to cholestatic injury in DDC‐fed mice. Since treatment of Mdr2−/− mice with a M3‐R agonist decreases liver injury, M3‐R signaling may represent a therapeutic target in specific cholangiopathies.
Arabidopsis shaker pollen inward K+ channel SPIK functions in SnRK1 complex‐regulated pollen hydration on the stigma
Authors: Li Dan‐Dan , Guan Huan , Li Fei , Liu Chang‐Zhen , Dong Yu‐Xiu , Zhang Xian‐Sheng , Gao Xin‐Qi 
Published: June 2017

AbstractPollen hydration is a critical step that determines pollen germination on the stigma. KINβγ is a plant‐specific subunit of the SNF1‐related protein kinase 1 complex (SnRK1 complex). In pollen of the Arabidopsis kinβγ mutant, the levels of reactive oxygen species were decreased which lead to compromised hydration of the mutant pollen on the stigma. In this study, we analyzed gene expression in kinβγ mutant pollen by RNA‐seq and found the expression of inward shaker K+ channel SPIK was down‐regulated in the kinβγ pollen. Furthermore, we showed that the pollen hydration of the Arabidopsis spik mutant was defective on the wild‐type stigma, although the mutant pollen demonstrated normal hydration in vitro. Additionally, the defective hydration of spik mutant pollen could not be rescued by the wild‐type pollen on the stigma, indicating that the spik mutation deprived the capability of pollen absorption on the stigma. Our results suggest that the Arabidopsis SnRK1 complex regulates SPIK expression, which functions in determining pollen hydration on the stigma.
Microperforate hymen presenting with incomplete abortion: A case report
Authors: Padhi Maya , Tripathy Priyadarshini , Sahu Asutosh 
Published: June 2017

AbstractA 20‐year‐old patient with 3 months of amenorrhea presented in the labor room with bleeding per vaginum and having experienced lower abdominal pain for 2 h. She had a history of difficult intercourse and prolonged menstrual flow. Inspection revealed a bleeding point over an obstructing membrane at the level of the vaginal introitus. Subsequent vaginal examination confirmed the diagnosis of microperforate hymen. Her urine pregnancy test was positive and an ultrasound examination revealed the presence of retained products of conception in the endometrial cavity. Hymenectomy was carried out to evacuate the retained products of conception and the margins of the hymen were sutured to prevent restenosis. The outcome was uneventful. This case study suggests that even though subocclusive hymenal anomalies, such as microperforate hymen, can interfere with normal vaginal intercourse, it does not lead to infertility and can permit pregnancy. Hence, awareness about this rare entity may lead to early detection and improvement in the patient's quality of life.
Could intradialytic nutrition improve refractory anaemia in patients undergoing haemodialysis?
Authors: Thabet Ahmad F. , Moeen Sawsan M. , Labiqe Mohammed O. , Saleh Medhat A. 
Published: June 2017

SUMMARYBackgroundThis prospective randomised study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of intradialytic parenteral nutrition (IDPN) therapy in malnourished patients with refractory anaemia.MethodsForty patients who were malnourished with a BMI not greater than 23 (17–23) kg/m2, undergoing regular HD were included. Of those, 20 patients received 500–1000 ml of IDPN at a rate of 250–300 ml/h at each HD session three days per week for six consecutive months. The other 20 patients did not receive IDPN infusion. The malnutrition inflammation score (MIS) and haematological parameters were recorded at baseline and after three and six months.ResultsMean haemoglobin levels, BMI and serum albumin were significantly increased while MIS was significantly decreased after the 3rd and 6th months of IDPN.ConclusionIDPN has a good role in improving refractory anaemia by significantly increasing haemoglobin levels, body weight, and serum albumin levels. The intervention also significantly decreases the MIS of patients.
Transfer pricing regulation and taxation of royalty payments
Authors: Juranek Steffen , Schindler Dirk , Schjelderup Guttorm 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe digital economy is characterized by the use of intellectual property such as software, patents, and trademarks. The pricing of such intangibles is widely used to shift profits to low‐tax countries. We analyze the implications of different OECD methods to regulate transfer pricing and the role of a source tax on royalty payments for abusive transfer pricing. First, we show that under the traditional transfer pricing methods mispricing of royalty payments does not affect investment behavior. In contrast, the Transactional Profit Split Method that is promoted by the OECD for evaluating firms in the digital economy triggers higher investment in order to facilitate higher profit shifting. Second, royalty taxation is effective in reducing (such) abusive profit shifting, but always reduces investment. Third, a royalty tax rate below the corporate tax rate leads to overinvestment in a tax system with allowance for corporate equity (ACE).
Little differences in digestive efficiency for protein and fat in mammals of different trophic guilds and digestive strategies: data constraints or fundamental functional similarity?
Authors: Richard O. K. , Codron D. , Hagen K. B. , Südekum K.‐H. , Clauss M. 
Published: June 2017

SummaryCarnivores do not vary markedly in their digestive efficiency for protein and fat, but whether they resemble other trophic guilds (omnivores and herbivores) in this respect has not been evaluated. We collated data on apparent crude protein (CP) and crude fat (ether extracts,EE) digestibility in 157 mammal species, applying the Lucas principle of regressing digestible nutrient content against nutrient content, where the slope of the regression equation represents the true digestibility and the intercept the metabolic losses per unit dry matter intake. The data collection is marked by the evident uneven distribution of dietary nutrient contents across trophic guilds and differences in the nutrient range by which different species have been evaluated, making statistical interpretation difficult. Results indicate a lower true digestibility ofCPin herbivores compared to carnivores, most likely due to a lower digestibility of fibre‐bound protein in herbivore diets. MetabolicCPlosses did not appear to differ between trophic guilds, but herbivores had higher metabolicEElosses, compatible with the hypothesis that a higher proportion of metabolicCPlosses were bound in microbes that also contain lipids in herbivores. Among herbivores, no clear pattern was evident that would indicate a difference in metabolic losses associated with microbes between digestive strategies (coprophagy, foregut/hindgut fermentation). Foregut fermenters had a lower trueEEdigestibility, possibly linked to the hydrogenation of lipids in their forestomach prior to digestion. The results do not demonstrate clear differences in digestive efficiency and metabolic losses for protein and fat between mammalian trophic guilds and digestive strategies, leading to the hypothesis that the process ofCPandEEdigestion is not physiologically challenging and hence does not lead to a noticeable differentiation between species or species groups.
Changing trends in complications of chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Lu Mei , Li Jia , Rupp Loralee B. , Zhou Yueren , Holmberg Scott D. , Moorman Anne C. , Spradling Philip R. , Teshale Eyasu H. , Boscarino Joseph A. , Daida Yihe G. , Schmidt Mark A. , Trudeau Sheri , Gordon Stuart C. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractBackground & AimsChronic hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐related complications have increased over the past decade.MethodsWe used join‐point regression modelling to investigate trends in these complications from 2006 to 2015, and the impact of demographics on these trends. Using data from the Chronic Hepatitis Cohort Study (CHeCS), we identified points at which the trend significantly changed, and estimated the annual percent change (APC) in rates of cirrhosis, decompensated cirrhosis and all‐cause mortality, adjusted by race, sex and age.ResultsAmong 11,167 adults with chronic HCV infection, prevalence of cirrhosis increased from 20.8% to 27.6% from 2006 to 2015, with adjusted annual percentage change (aAPC) of 1.2 (p <. 01). Although incidence of all‐cause mortality increased from 1.8% in 2006 to 2.9% in 2015, a join‐point was identified at 2010, with aAPCs of 9.6 before (2006 < 2010; p < .01) and −5.2 after (2010 ≤ 2015; p < .01), indicating a decrease in mortality from 2010 and onward. Likewise, overall prevalence of decompensated cirrhosis increased from 9.3% in 2006 to 10.4% in 2015, but this increase was confined to patients 60 or older (aAPC = 1.5; p = .023). Asian American and Black/African American patients demonstrated significantly higher rates of cirrhosis than White patients, while older patients and men demonstrated higher rates of cirrhosis and mortality.ConclusionsAlthough cirrhosis and mortality among HCV‐infected patients in the US have increased over the past decade, all‐cause mortality has decreased in recent years.