bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A resource of potential drug targets and strategic decision‐making for obstructive sleep apnoea pharmacotherapy
Authors: Horner Richard L. , Grace Kevin P. , Wellman Andrew 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACT
There is currently no pharmacotherapy for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) but there is no principled a priori reason why there should not be one. This review identifies a rational decision‐making strategy with the necessary logical underpinnings that any reasonable approach would be expected to navigate to develop a viable pharmacotherapy for OSA. The process first involves phenotyping an individual to quantify and characterize the critical predisposing factor(s) to their OSA pathogenesis and identify, a priori, if the patient is likely to benefit from a pharmacotherapy that targets those factors. We then identify rational strategies to manipulate those critical predisposing factor(s), and the barriers that have to be overcome for success of any OSA pharmacotherapy. A new analysis then identifies candidate drug targets to manipulate the upper airway motor circuitry for OSA pharmacotherapy. The first conclusion is that there are two general pharmacological approaches for OSA treatment that are of the most potential benefit and are practically realistic, one being fairly intuitive but the second perhaps less so. The second conclusion is that after identifying the critical physiological obstacles to OSA pharmacotherapy, there are current therapeutic targets of high interest for future development. The final analysis provides a tabulated resource of ‘druggable’ targets that are relatively restricted to the circuitry controlling the upper airway musculature, with these candidate targets being of high priority for screening and further study. We also emphasize that a pharmacotherapy may not cure OSA per se, but may still be a useful adjunct to improve the effectiveness of, and adherence to, other treatment mainstays.
Portable oxygen concentrators versus oxygen cylinder during walking in interstitial lung disease: A randomized crossover trial
Authors: Khor Yet H. , McDonald Christine F. , Hazard Anita , Symons Karen , Westall Glen , Glaspole Ian , Goh Nicole S.L. , Holland Anne E. 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACT
Background and objectiveAmbulatory oxygen therapy is often provided to patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD). Lightweight portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) provide an alternative to traditional portable systems such as compressed oxygen cylinders; however, their efficacy in patients with ILD has not been assessed. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical performance of three ambulatory oxygen systems (two different POCs and a compressed oxygen cylinder) during 6‐min walk tests (6MWTs) in patients with ILD and exertional desaturation.MethodsA total of 20 participants with ILD of varying aetiologies who demonstrated exertional desaturation to <90% on room air during 6MWT were recruited. Each participant performed two 6MWTs while breathing room air. On a subsequent day, two further 6MWTs were performed, in random order: one breathing oxygen via a POC (either the Inogen One G2 POC or the EverGo POC at the setting of 6) and one with a compressed oxygen cylinder (at 5 L/min).ResultsThere were no significant differences in nadir oxygen saturation (SpO2
) during 6MWTs using different portable oxygen devices (Trial 1: mean SpO2
for Inogen One G2 POC: 82.3 ± 3.5% vs oxygen cylinder: 80.3 ± 2.2%, P = 0.14; Trial 2: mean SpO2
for EverGo POC: 85.7 ± 7.7% vs oxygen cylinder: 86.1 ± 6.1%, P = 0.79). The mean 6‐min walk distances were not significantly different among the three devices.ConclusionThe performance of the Inogen One G2 POC and the EverGo POC had comparable performance with that of the compressed oxygen cylinder during walking in patients with ILD and exertional desaturation.
Cough is less common and less severe in systemic sclerosis‐associated interstitial lung disease compared to other fibrotic interstitial lung diseases
Authors: Cheng Jasmine Z. , Wilcox Pearce G. , Glaspole Ian , Corte Tamera J. , Murphy Darra , Hague Cameron J. , Ryerson Christopher J. 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACT
Background and objectiveThe objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence and characteristics of cough in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) and systemic sclerosis‐associated interstitial lung disease (SSc‐ILD).MethodsCough severity was measured in consecutive patients with IPF (n = 77), HP (n = 32) and SSc‐ILD (n = 67) using a 10‐cm visual analogue scale (VAS). Dyspnoea and quality of life were measured using established questionnaires. Cough severity was compared across ILD subtypes and predictors of cough severity were determined using multivariate analysis.ResultsCough was more common in IPF and chronic HP compared to SSc‐ILD (87% and 83% vs 68%, P = 0.02). The median (interquartile range) VAS score was 39 (17–65) in the IPF cohort, 29 (11–48) in HP and 18 (0–33) in SSc‐ILD (P < 0.0001). Cough was more often productive in chronic HP and IPF (63% and 43% vs 21%, P < 0.001). Cough severity was independently predicted only by ILD diagnosis and higher dyspnoea score. Cough severity was not associated with other common causes of cough. Cough was a significant predictor of quality of life in IPF and SSc‐ILD with adjustment for age, sex, dyspnoea and ILD severity; however, cough was not associated with quality of life in chronic HP.ConclusionCough is more frequent, more severe and more often productive in IPF and chronic HP compared to SSc‐ILD, despite similar ILD severity in these cohorts. Cough severity is strongly and independently associated with dyspnoea and pulmonary function, and is a significant contributor to reduced quality of life in both IPF and SSc‐ILD.
The Effectiveness of aid in Improving Regulations: An Empirical Assessment
Authors: Busse Matthias , Hoekstra Ruth , Osei Robert Darko 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe paper empirically assesses the impact of foreign aid on the change in economic freedom, which is closely related to the quality of regulations. We build on a relatively large panel of 77 developing countries and examine the period 2002–2012 using different econometric methods. In addition to standard country fixed‐effects regressions as well as estimations in first differences, we apply the system Generalised Method of Moments estimator. We, therefore, control for the potential endogeneity of foreign aid. We find that highly targeted aid can be a driver of change: Sectorspecific Aid for Business has a significantly positive impact on regulations across developing countries, but we do not find any effects for overall aid or aid directed at broad governance areas. The result that Aid for Business drives improvements in regulatory quality is robust using different model specifications and country samples. The strongest results are found for low‐income countries and for subsamples that exclude outliers. This outcome could partly explain the inconclusive evidence from the previous literature and it confirms our hypothesis that targeted, sector‐specific aid matters.
Tax(i)ing the Poor? Commuting Costs in South African Cities
Authors: Kerr Andrew 
Published: May 2017

AbstractIn this paper, I describe the monetary and time costs of commuting to work in South African cities, and how these have changed in the post‐Apartheid era. I interpret these results in light of a paper by Brueckner, who used a simple urban model to suggest that location and commuting patterns by race could change as a result of the repeal of Apartheid era legislation such as the Group Areas Act that made it impossible for black South Africans to live near the centre of cities. A key finding is that monetary and time costs of commuting in South African cities are high and have increased in the post‐Apartheid period. Journey times are much higher than the OECD country average and a sample of developing country cities. Part of the explanation for increasing average commute times is population growth in South African cities, which has been substantial. Both the population and number of commuters doubled between 1993 and 2013 in the six metropolitan municipalities (metros) analysed in this paper. Since commuting costs a substantial amount and generates negative externalities through congestion I also explore the financing of public transport.
Remittance, Institutions and Investment Volatility Interactions: An Intercontinental Analysis
Authors: Ajide Kazeem B. , Adeniyi Oluwatosin , Raheem Ibrahim D. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractGenerating massive investment for growth and development has been one of the main policy goals of most economies around the globe. Countries, most especially developing ones, are highly susceptible to investment volatility owing largely to the fragile nature of their economies as well as weaknesses in terms of dysfunctional institutions. Therefore, sound economic management suggests the need to better understand possible sources for mitigating the adverse effects of investment volatility. Remittances have been identified as important capital flows which do a good job of dousing macroeconomic volatilities. It is on this basis that the study sought to uncover the causal relationship between remittances and investment volatility via the intermediating role of institutions. Using a panel of 70 countries and the system Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimator, three insightful outcomes come to the fore. First, remittances played countercyclical roles across the estimated regressions. Second, institutional quality had no significant role in mitigating investment volatility and lastly, the interactive terms of both remittances and institutions significantly mitigated the negative impacts of investment volatility with the exception of the political component of the institutional architecture. Policy suggestions are drawn based on our results.
Caring behaviours directly and indirectly affect nursing students' critical thinking
Authors: Chen Shu‐Yueh , Chang Hsing‐Chi , Pai Hsiang‐Chu 
Published: May 2017

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to determine the effect of caring behaviours on critical thinking and to examine whether self‐reflection mediates the effect of caring on critical thinking. We also tested whether caring behaviours moderated the relationship between self‐reflection and critical thinking.MethodsFor this descriptive, correlational, cross‐sectional study, we recruited 293 fifth‐year nursing students from a junior college in southern Taiwan. Data were collected in 2014 on critical thinking, caring behaviours and self‐reflection with insight using the Taiwan Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory, a Chinese version of the Caring Assessment Report Evaluation Q‐sort, and a Chinese version of the Self‐Reflection and Insight Scale, respectively. Relationships among variables were analysed by structural equation modelling, with the partial least squares method and Sobel test.ResultsThe results showed that caring behaviours significantly positively affected critical thinking (β = 0.56, t = 12.37, p < 0.001) and self‐reflection with insight (β = 0.54, t = 11.99, p < 0.001). Self‐reflection and insight significantly positively affected critical thinking (β = 0.34, t = 6.48, p < 0.001). Further, self‐reflection and insight mediated the relationship between caring behaviours and critical thinking. Caring behaviours did not, however, moderate the relationship between self‐reflection (β = 0.001, t = 0.021, p > 0.05) and critical thinking.ConclusionCaring behaviours directly affect self‐reflection with insight and critical thinking. In addition, caring behaviours also indirectly affect critical thinking through self‐reflection and insight.
(Can) Not talk about it – Urinary incontinence from the point of view of stroke survivors: a qualitative study
Authors: Kohler Myrta , Mayer Hanna , Kesselring Jürg , Saxer Susi 
Published: May 2017

PurposeThe current study intends to gain an in‐depth understanding of stroke survivors' lived experience of urinary incontinence and its treatment in an inpatient rehabilitation clinic.MethodsA qualitative approach was chosen. Semi‐structured individual interviews with ten stroke survivors suffering from urinary incontinence were conducted in an inpatient rehabilitation clinic and analysed using qualitative content analysis with an inductive approach.Results‘(Can) not talk about it’ was identified as the first main category. The affected persons do not talk about urinary incontinence because they are ashamed. At the same time, no one asks them about this issue. Psychological strain is so high that patients feel the need to talk about incontinence, but from their point of view, conversations with nurses – if they indeed occur – are superficial or nurses do not listen. Therefore, patients' needs and concerns are not properly considered. ‘Trying to command incontinence’ was also identified as a main category. Participants reported that they try to command incontinence and to develop their own strategies in order to hide urinary incontinence and prevent shameful situations. However, this proved mostly unsuccessful and resulted in resignation to their condition.ConclusionIt is important to raise awareness within the treatment team of urinary incontinence in stroke survivors. Team members should be able to communicate about urinary incontinence in an open and empathic way. Obviously, there is great potential for supporting stroke survivors in dealing with incontinence.
Freeze artifact on full‐field optical coherence tomography skin imaging
Authors: Durkin J. R. , Ogrich L. , Morales‐Neira D. , Dundumalla S. , Abdelmalek M. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBackground/PurposeFull‐field optical coherence tomography (FFOCT) is an emerging imaging technique for rapid histological analysis. As FFOCT is introduced into the Mohs workflow, it is important to document the effect of tissue freezing on FFOCT images and any effect FFOCT has on frozen sections. Our study aimed to evaluate the changes on FFOCT images after tissue freezing as well as FFOCT imaging effects on frozen sectioning.MethodsSix normal skin specimens were imaged using FFOCT and subsequently frozen using a cryostat. The specimens were then reimaged using FFOCT and compared for any differences. To evaluate the effect of FFOCT imaging on frozen sections, five normal skin specimens were bisected and one half was imaged using FFOCT. Both halves underwent frozen sectioning and analysis.ResultsSignificant changes in the fat, sebaceous glands, eccrine glands, and dermal collage and minimal changes in the epidermis were seen after freezing. No effect on frozen sectioning was seen after FFOCT imaging.ConclusionAs FFOCT is studied for use in Mohs, clinicians should be aware that freezing prior to imaging introduces significant artifact in the FFOCT image. If possible, specimens should undergo imaging prior to being frozen.
Changing seas in the Early–Middle Miocene of Central Europe: a Mediterranean approach to Paratethyan stratigraphy
Authors: Sant Karin , V. Palcu Dan , Mandic Oleg , Krijgsman Wout 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe Miocene palaeogeographic evolution of the Paratethys Sea is still poorly constrained. Here, we use modern Mediterranean biochronology to provide an up‐to‐date overview of changing seas in Central Europe. Instead of a Paratethys that waxed and waned with fluctuating global sea levels, we show that the development of different seas was mainly controlled by tectonic phases. The Early Miocene “Ottnangian Sea” (~18 Ma) was connected to the Mediterranean via the Rhône valley, while the “Karpatian Sea” (~16.5 Ma) was initiated by a tectonically induced marine transgression through the Trans‐Tethyan gateway. In most Central European basins, the establishment of the “Badenian Sea” (<15.2 Ma), triggered by subduction‐related processes in the Pannonian and Carpathian domain, is significantly younger (by ~1 Myr) than usually estimated. The updated palaeogeographic reconstructions provide a better understanding of the concepts of basin dynamics, land–sea distribution and palaeoenvironmental change in the Miocene of Central Europe.
A multicenter, retrospective, case‐cohort study of the epidemiology and risk factors for Clostridium difficile infection among cord blood transplant recipients
Authors: Alonso Carolyn D. , Braun David A. , Patel Ishan , Akbari Mona , Oh Daniel Jungmyung , Jun Tomi , McMasters Malgorzata , Hammond Sarah P. , Glotzbecker Brett , Cutler Corey , Leffler Daniel A. , Ballen Karen K. , Kelly Ciarán P. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBackgroundClostridium difficile infection (CDI) is the leading cause of health‐care associated infectious diarrhea. The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiology and risk factors for CDI in the 100 days following umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT) at three Boston hospitals.MethodsWe performed a multicenter, retrospective, case‐cohort study of 226 UCBT recipients at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Dana Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center from 2003 to 2012. CDI was defined as diarrhea (≥3 unformed bowel movements for at least 2 days) plus a positive stool test for toxinogenic C. difficile and not attributed to any other cause.ResultsAmong 226 UCBT recipients, 22 patients (9.7%) developed CDI within the first 100 days of transplant (corresponding to an infection rate of 10.8 cases per 10 000 person‐days). The 100‐day and 1‐year rates were stable across the time period and between institutions. UCBT recipients with CDI were more likely than non‐CDI patients to be older, with higher body mass indices, and to have received an antipseudomonal penicillin agent. In a time‐dependent case‐cohort analysis of the risk factors associated with CDI in the first 100 days after UCBT, bacterial infection after UCBT was the strongest risk factor for CDI (hazard ratio 2.8; 95% confidence interval 1.08‐7.24; P=.03), after adjustment for transplant variables including antibiotic exposure.ConclusionThis study verifies the previously reported risk factors for CDI including older age and antibiotic exposure and identifies a novel association between bacterial infections and risk for CDI.
Salmonella Typhi genomics: envisaging the future of typhoid eradication
Authors: Yap Kien‐Pong , Thong Kwai Lin 
Published: May 2017

SummaryNext‐generation whole‐genome sequencing has revolutionised the study of infectious diseases in recent years. The availability of genome sequences and its understanding have transformed the field of molecular microbiology, epidemiology, infection treatments and vaccine developments. We review the key findings of the publicly accessible genomes of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi since the first complete genome to the most recent release of thousands of Salmonella Typhi genomes, which remarkably shape the genomic research of S. Typhi and other pathogens. Important new insights acquired from the genome sequencing of S. Typhi, pertaining to genomic variations, evolution, population structure, antibiotic resistance, virulence, pathogenesis, disease surveillance/investigation and disease control are discussed. As the numbers of sequenced genomes are increasing at an unprecedented rate, fine variations in the gene pool of S. Typhi are captured in high resolution, allowing deeper understanding of the pathogen's evolutionary trends and its pathogenesis, paving the way to bringing us closer to eradication of typhoid through effective vaccine/treatment development.
Islamic economics and a third fundamental theorem of welfare economics
Authors: Khan Hayat 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe discipline of economics started as a moral science but became detached from moral concerns over time to emulate natural science and to adopt positivism. Consequently, mainstream economics assumes people to be sordidly selfish. The teachings of Islam, however, promote social preferences where individuals should be other‐regarding and have preferences over social outcomes. This paper replaces the selfish agent with a social agent and presents the results in a theorem referred to as the third fundamental theorem of welfare economics (TFTWE). The TFTWE states that “when the selfish agents are replaced with the social agents, market outcomes are Pareto optimal, equitable, and unique”. This is an important result which has widespread implications. We show that the TFTWE holds under conditions where the first two fundamental theorems of welfare economics fail and that a Walrasian equilibrium is more likely to exist when selfish preferences are non‐convex. Unlike the popular convention, there is no equity‐efficiency trade‐off. In fact we point to the possibility of reversal in equity‐efficiency trade‐off.
Biomechanical comparison between pins and polymethylmethacrylate and the SOP locking plate system to stabilize canine lumbosacral fracture‐luxation in flexion and extension
Authors: Nel Johannes J. , Kat Cor‐Jacques , Coetzee Gert L. , van Staden Paul J. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the stability of a simulated complete L7‐S1 fracture‐luxation immobilized with SOP locking plate system, compared to pins and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA).Study designIn vitro biomechanical study.AnimalsCadaver specimens of 18 skeletally mature large‐breed dogs.Materials and MethodsSpecimens were randomly stabilized with one of the two fixation techniques. Lumbosacral spine specimens (L5‐S3) were subjected to a bending moment applied to the caudal and cranial ends of the specimen. The biomechanical parameters (ie, range of motion [ROM], neutral zone [NZ], and elastic zone stiffness [EZS]) were compared between fixation techniques.ResultsNo difference was found between the means of the NZ in flexion (P = .3458), extension (P = .1255), and total value (P = .3458) of L7‐S1 stabilized with the two fixation techniques. Mean ROM in flexion (P = .2386), extension (P = .1255), and mean of EZS in extension (P = .4094) did not differ between fixations. The only significant differences were in the means of total ROM and means of the EZS in flexion, with the means being smaller with SOP fixation.ConclusionThe stability of the two fixation techniques in flexion and in extension was similar for the L7‐S1 and adjacent L5‐L6 junctions, while the mean of ROM of L6‐L7 in flexion was smaller with SOP fixation.Clinical RelevanceStability of the resulting construct should be considered when selecting an implant. Our results provide evidence that fixation via pin‐PMMA or SOP provide similar stability for L7‐S1 fracture‐luxation. In this context, other factors become more important in selecting the fixation method.
In vitro skin expansion: Wound healing assessment
Authors: Prim Peter M. , Kim Han Su , Shapiro Lindsey E. , Lee Jae Sung , Kaan James H. , Jackson John D. , Yoo James J. , Atala Anthony , Lee Sang Jin 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACTFor treatments requiring split‐thickness skin grafts, it is preferable to mesh the grafts. This reduces the amount of excised skin and covers more wound area. The mesh technique, however, destroys surface continuity, which results in scarring. Strain‐based bioreactors, on the other hand, have successfully expanded split‐thickness skin grafts in vitro within a 7‐day period, increasing graft coverage. After in vitro expansion, the expanded skin grafts were tested in a porcine full‐thickness excisional wound model. Expanded graft take rate was 100%. Volumetric, histologic, and mechanical assessments indicated that expanded grafts were comparable to unexpanded grafts (positive control). While there was considerable variation in expansion (31% to −3.1%), this technique has the potential to enhance the coverage area of skin grafts while reducing or eliminating scarring.