bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cerebral oxygen saturation and tissue hemoglobin concentration as predictive markers of early postoperative outcomes after pediatric cardiac surgery
Authors: Suemori Tomohiko , Skowno Justin , Horton Steve , Bottrell Stephen , Butt Warwick , Davidson Andrew J. 
Published: December 2015

SummaryBackgroundNear‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) provides an assessment of cerebral oxygenation and tissue hemoglobin concentration.AimThe aim of this study was to investigate whether the cerebral oxygenation and hemoglobin concentration measured with NIRS could predict outcomes after pediatric cardiac surgery.MethodWe conducted a retrospective observational study in 399 patients who underwent pediatric cardiac surgery. Associations were determined between postoperative outcome and preoperative and postoperative cerebral tissue oxygenation index (TOI), postoperative normalized tissue hemoglobin index (nTHI), concentration changes in oxygenated hemoglobin (Δ[HbO2]) and deoxygenated hemoglobin (Δ[HHb]).ResultsThirty‐nine children had major postoperative morbidity and 12 died. Using Spearman's correlation analysis, postoperative lower TOI and higher Δ[HHb] were associated with longer stays in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) (r = −0.48, P < 0.001, r = 0.31, P < 0.001, respectively) and longer duration of intubation (r = −0.48, P < 0.001, r = 0.31, P < 0.001, respectively) and higher probability of death determined by the Risk Adjusted Classification for Congenital Heart Surgery (RACHS‐1) (r = −0.39, P < 0.001, r = 0.23, P < 0.001, respectively). In multivariate regression analysis, postoperative TOI was independently associated with major morbidity and mortality and Δ[HHb] was independently associated with major morbidity. In receiver operating characteristic analysis, postoperative TOI and Δ[HHb] predicted major morbidity (Area under the curve [AUC] = 0.72, 0.68, respectively) and mortality (AUC = 0.81, 0.69, respectively).ConclusionLower TOI or higher [HHb] at the end of surgery and higher RACHS‐1 category predicted worse outcomes.
Reappraisal of adhesive strapping as treatment for infantile umbilical hernia
Authors: Yanagisawa Satohiko , Kato Mototoshi , Oshio Takehito , Morikawa Yasuhide 
Published: December 2015

AbstractBackgroundMost umbilical hernias spontaneously close by 3–5 years of age; therefore, surgical repair is considered only in children whose hernias have not closed by this point. At present, adhesive strapping is not the preferred treatment for umbilical hernias because of the lack of supporting evidence regarding its efficacy, and its association with skin complications. This aim of this study was to examine umbilical hernia closure on ultrasonography, and reassess the merits of adhesive strapping.MethodsBetween January 2013 and December 2014, 89 infants underwent adhesive strapping for umbilical hernia. The strapping was changed once a week. The diameter of the hernia orifice was measured on ultrasonography every 2 weeks until closure. The closure speed (CS) of the hernia orifice was compared between the infants treated with adhesive strapping and those undergoing observation alone. The association between CS and birthweight, gestational age, diameter of the hernia orifice, and timing of treatment (before 12 weeks of age vs between 12 and 26 weeks of age) was also analyzed.ResultsClosure was achieved after 2–13 weeks of strapping in 81 infants (91%), and the likelihood of closure was not affected by the diameter of the hernia orifice, gestational age, or the timing of treatment. The mean CS of the infants treated with adhesive strapping was significantly faster than that of the infants undergoing observation alone (2.59 vs 0.37 mm/week, P < 0.05). Adhesive strapping was discontinued in five of the 89 infants (5.6%) due to severe skin complications.ConclusionAdhesive strapping promoted early spontaneous umbilical hernia closure compared with observation alone, regardless of the diameter of the hernia orifice. Adhesive strapping is an effective alternative to surgery and observation.
Longitudinal influence of musculo‐skeletal injuries and extra physical education on physical fitness in schoolchildren
Authors: Rexen C. T. , Ersbøll A. K. , Wedderkopp N. , Andersen L. B. 
Published: December 2015

The aims of this study were to investigate if (A) injuries and (B) increased physical education (PE) influenced the development of physical fitness in schoolchildren. Simultaneously, to investigate if a possible PE effect was modified by sport participation outside school hours. This was a longitudinal controlled school‐based study. Six schools with 270 min of PE (extra PE) and four schools with 90 min of PE were followed up for 2.5 years. In total, 1054 children were included for analysis (normal PE = 443, extra PE = 611). Development in fitness was analyzed using composite z‐scores from six fitness tests measured four times. Information of injury and sport was derived from weekly automated mobile phone text messages surveying the presence of musculo‐skeletal pain and organized sport participation. Injury and extra PE both influenced the development of physical fitness. Injury decreased development of physical fitness with −1.01 composite z‐score units (95% CI: −1.57; −0.45). Extra PE increased physical fitness development with 0.80 (95% CI: 0.49; 1.10) composite z‐score units. The influence of injury was not dependent on extra PE. No modifying effect was found by mean weekly sport participation outside school hours. In conclusion, extra PE had a positive effect, whereas injuries had a negative effect on physical fitness development in schoolchildren.
Publicising Food: Big Data, Precision Agriculture, and Co‐Experimental Techniques of Addition
Authors: Carolan Michael 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThis article draws upon data taken from the following: 18 interviews of Iowa farmers who utilise big data when making farm management decisions; 14 interviews of those engaged within big data industry, those involved in the sale and promotion of large‐scale data acquisition, predictive analytic software, and/or precision agriculture technologies for conventional agriculture applications; and 19 interviews of regional food system entrepreneurs, those looking to create and encourage the adoption of technological platforms that enhance the capacities of regional food systems. A central aim of this article is to help reshape the debate around agro food‐based technologies, from one that asks what technology is to one that looks at what these socio‐technical forms engender. As described, alternative foodscapes are not looking for alternatives to technology but rather to technologies that engender specific effects. The empirical findings are organised around three themes that emerged out of the qualitative interviews. The technological assemblages investigated all exhibited the following three engendering qualities, which are (1) anticipatory, (2) moralising, and (3) a movement that multiplies absent presences. Precisely how these qualities were expressed, however, varied greatly across foodscapes.
Stress in Suburbia: Counting the Costs of Ireland's Property Crash and Mortgage Arrears Crisis
Authors: Waldron Richard , Redmond Declan 
Published: December 2015

AbstractFollowing the 2008 financial crisis, an extensive geographic literature has examined mortgage market financialisation and its socio‐spatial impacts, particularly patterns of mortgage defaults and foreclosures in US cities. However, the local geographic impacts remain under‐examined in European contexts, including Ireland, limiting the ability to accurately identify the casualties of the crisis and understand the manner in which they are affected. This paper draws on quantitative survey data to examine the Irish mortgage arrears crisis in a suburban spatial context. The socio‐economic and mortgage characteristics of households struggling with arrears are examined, while participants’ open‐ended responses elaborate upon the drivers of arrears and impacts upon households’ quality of life. The results demonstrate the extreme distress faced by suburban mortgagors and the role of the banks’ underwriting practices in driving arrears difficulties. The research questions Ireland's model of homeownership provision, particularly as home repossessions are expected to increase through 2015 and onwards.
Examining the Effectiveness of Climate Change Frames in the Face of a Climate Change Denial Counter‐Frame
Authors: McCright Aaron M. , Charters Meghan , Dentzman Katherine , Dietz Thomas 
Published: December 2015

AbstractPrior research on the influence of various ways of framing anthropogenic climate change (ACC) do not account for the organized ACC denial in the U.S. media and popular culture, and thus may overestimate these frames' influence in the general public. We conducted an experiment to examine how Americans' ACC views are influenced by four promising frames for urging action on ACC (economic opportunity, national security, Christian stewardship, and public health)—when these frames appear with an ACC denial counter‐frame. This is the first direct test of how exposure to an ACC denial message influences Americans' ACC views. Overall, these four positive frames have little to no effect on ACC beliefs. But exposure to an ACC denial counter‐frame does significantly reduce respondents' belief in the reality of ACC, belief about the veracity of climate science, awareness of the consequences of ACC, and support for aggressively attempting to reduce our nation's GHG emissions in the near future. Furthermore, as expected by the Anti‐Reflexivity Thesis, exposure to the ACC denial counter‐frame has a disproportionate influence on the ACC views of conservatives (than on those of moderates and liberals), effectively activating conservatives' underlying propensity for anti‐reflexivity.
In Vitro
Pharmacodynamics of Vancomycin against Methicillin-Susceptible and -Resistant Staphylococcus aureus: Considering the Variability in Observed Tissue Exposure
Authors: Hamada Yukihiro , Kuti Joseph L. , Nicolau David P. 
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT

Vancomycin is considered a first-line antibiotic for complicated skin and skin structure infections (cSSSI) because of the risk of methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA). The vancomycin exposure of tissue can vary widely in patients with cSSSI, yet most models test only the average exposure. The
in vitro
pharmacodynamic model was used to simulate three tissue exposure levels attained by administering vancomycin at 1 g every 12 h (q12h), based on the median (50th), 25th, and 10th percentile tissue area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) values observed during an
in vivo
microdialysis study of diabetic patients. Four clinical isolates (two of MRSA [vancomycin MIC, 1 and 2 μg/ml] and two of methicillin-susceptible
S. aureus
[MSSA] [MIC, 1 and 2 μg/ml]) were evaluated. Experiments were performed over 72 h in duplicate. Time-kill curves were constructed, and the area under the bacterial killing and regrowth curve (AUBC) during the final 24-h dosing interval (48 to 72 h) (AUBC
48–72
) was calculated. Reductions in the 72-h number of CFU/ml and AUBC
48–72
at the different exposure levels were compared. Target tissue vancomycin exposure levels for the 50th (AUC
0–12
, 102.0 ± 9.1 μg · h/ml), 25th (AUC
0–12
, 44.3 ± 1.8 μg · h/ml), and 10th (AUC
0–12
, 25.3 ± 3.1 μg · h/ml) percentiles were obtained in all studies. No differences in the 72-h number of CFU or AUBC were observed between exposure levels when all of the isolates were analyzed together. However, for the two MRSA isolates, the 10th percentile exposure level achieved a lower 72-h number of CFU/ml (−1.4 ± 0.4 log
10
CFU/ml,
P
= 0.007) and a greater AUBC
48–72
(97.1 ± 20.0 log
10
CFU · h/ml,
P
= 0.011) than the higher exposure levels. The majority of the tissue exposure levels achieved with a vancomycin dosing regimen of 1 g q12h resulted in substantial killing of MSSA and MRSA; however, the lowest exposure levels observed in a minority of the population may explain the poor vancomycin response.
Comparative RNA-seq-Based Transcriptome Analysis of the Virulence Characteristics of Methicillin-Resistant and -Susceptible Staphylococcus pseudintermedius Strains Isolated from Small Animals
Authors: Couto Natacha , Belas Adriana , Oliveira Manuela , Almeida Paulo , Clemente Carla , Pomba Constança 
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT

Staphylococcus pseudintermedius
is often associated with pyoderma, which can turn into a life-threatening disease. The dissemination of highly resistant isolates has occurred in the last 10 years and has challenged antimicrobial treatment of these infections considerably. We have compared the carriage of virulence genes and biofilm formation between methicillin-resistant and methicillin-susceptible
S. pseudintermedius
(MRSP and MSSP, respectively) isolates and their
in vitro
gene expression profiles by transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq). Isolates were relatively unevenly distributed among the four
agr
groups, and
agr
type III predominated in MRSP. Five virulence genes were detected in all isolates. Only the
spsO
gene was significantly associated with MSSP isolates (
P
= 0.04). All isolates produced biofilm in brain heart infusion broth (BHIB)–4% NaCl. MSSP isolates produced more biofilm on BHIB and BHIB–1% glucose media than MRSP isolates (
P
= 0.03 and
P
= 0.02, respectively). Virulence genes encoding surface proteins and toxins (
spsA
,
spsB
,
spsD
,
spsK
,
spsL
,
spsN
,
nucC
,
coa
, and
luk-I
) and also prophage genes (encoding phage capsid protein, phage infection protein, two phage portal proteins, and a phage-like protein) were highly expressed in the MRSP isolate (compared with the MSSP isolate), suggesting they may play a role in the rapid and widespread dissemination of MRSP. This study indicates that MRSP may upregulate surface proteins, which may increase the adherence of MRSP isolates (especially sequence type 71 [ST71]) to corneocytes. MSSP isolates may have an increased ability to form biofilm under acidic circumstances, through upregulation of the entire
arc
operon. Complete understanding of
S. pseudintermedius
pathogenesis and host-pathogen signal interaction during infections is critical for the treatment and prevention of
S. pseudintermedius
infections.
Challenges of diabetes prevention in the real world: results and lessons from the Melbourne Diabetes Prevention Study
Authors: Dunbar James A , Hernan Andrea L , Janus Edward D , Vartiainen Erkki , Laatikainen Tiina , Versace Vincent L , Reynolds John , Best James D , Skinner Timothy C , O'Reilly Sharleen L , Mc Namara Kevin P , Stewart Elizabeth , Coates Michael , Bennett Catherine M , Carter Rob 
Published: December 2015

ObjectiveTo assess effectiveness and implementability of the public health programmeLife! Taking action on diabetesin Australian people at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.Research design and methodsMelbourne Diabetes Prevention Study (MDPS) was a unique study assessing effectiveness ofLife!that used a randomized controlled trial design. Intervention participants with AUSDRISK score ≥15 received 1 individual and 5 structured 90 min group sessions. Controls received usual care. Outcome measures were obtained for all participants at baseline and 12 months and, additionally, for intervention participants at 3 months. Per protocol set (PPS) and intention to treat (ITT) analyses were performed.ResultsPPS analyses were considered more informative from our study. In PPS analyses, intervention participants significantly improved in weight (−1.13 kg, p=0.016), waist circumference (−1.35 cm, p=0.044), systolic (−5.2 mm Hg, p=0.028) and diastolic blood pressure (−3.2 mm Hg, p=0.030) compared with controls. Based on observed weight change, estimated risk of developing diabetes reduced by 9.6% in the intervention and increased by 3.3% in control participants. Absolute 5-year cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk reduced significantly for intervention participants by 0.97 percentage points from 9.35% (10.4% relative risk reduction). In control participants, the risk increased by 0.11 percentage points (1.3% relative risk increase). The net effect for the change in CVD risk was −1.08 percentage points of absolute risk (p=0.013).ConclusionsMDPS effectively reduced the risk of diabetes and CVD, but the intervention effect on weight and waist reduction was modest due to the challenges in recruiting high-risk individuals and the abbreviated intervention.
Depression and anxiety in ovarian cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence rates
Authors: Watts Sam , Prescott Philip , Mason Jessica , McLeod Natalie , Lewith George 
Published: December 2015

ObjectivesTo systematically review the literature pertaining to the prevalence of depression and anxiety in patients with ovarian cancer as a function of treatment stage.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis.Participants3623 patients with ovarian cancer from primary research investigations.Primary outcome measureThe prevalence of depression and anxiety in patients with ovarian cancer as a function of treatment stage.ResultsWe identified 24 full journal articles that met the inclusion criteria for entry into the meta-analysis resulting in a pooled sample size of 3623 patients. The meta-analysis of prevalence rates identified pretreatment, on-treatment and post-treatment depression prevalences of 25.34% (CI 22.79% to 28.07%), 22.99% (CI 19.85% to 26.46%) and 12.71% (CI 10.14% to 15.79%), respectively. Pretreatment, on-treatment and post-treatment anxiety prevalences were 19.12% (CI 17.11% to 21.30%), 26.23% (CI 22.30% to 30.56%) and 27.09% (CI 23.10% to 31.49%).ConclusionsOur findings suggest that the prevalence of depression and anxiety in women with ovarian cancer, across the treatment spectrum, is significantly greater than in the healthy female population. With the growing emphasis on improving the management of survivorship and quality of life, we conclude that further research is warranted to ensure psychological distress in ovarian cancer is not underdiagnosed and undertreated.
Recorded gonorrhoea rates in Denmark, 1900–2010: the impact of clinical testing activity and laboratory diagnostic procedures
Authors: Lind Inga , Hoffmann Steen 
Published: December 2015

ObjectivesAssessment of the relations between recorded gonorrhoea rates and clinical testing activity and disposable diagnostic tests.MethodsIn Denmark, two sources of information on the epidemiology of gonorrhoea are available: (1) a mandatory clinical notification system (since 1867) comprising summary information about geographic distribution, season, age group and gender; in 1994, more detailed anonymous individualised epidemiological information was included; (2) a voluntary countrywide laboratory surveillance system for culture-confirmed cases (since 1957) comprising information about patient's age and gender, infected anatomical sites and medical setting attended.ResultsBoth surveillance systems showed marked simultaneous changes in gonorrhoea rates, although periodically considerable under-reporting or under-diagnosing was demonstrated. The annual incidence of notified cases peaked in 1919 (474/100 000), in 1944 (583/100 000) and in 1972 (344/100 000). Since 1995, the incidence has been at a low endemic level (1.5–10/100 000) and the total male/female incidence ratios were from 3 to 7 times higher than previously recorded. Among approximately 2 million persons tested during 1974–1988 78 213 men and 63 143 women with culture-confirmed gonorrhoea were identified. During this period, pharyngeal sampling was performed in 36% of men and 25% of women with gonorrhoea; pharyngeal gonorrhoea was found in 10% and 16%, respectively; 40% and 30% of these patients had no concomitant urogenital gonorrhoea. Among men with gonorrhoea, 34% were sampled from the rectum; 9% had rectal gonorrhoea, among whom the rectum was the only infected site in 67%.ConclusionsCrucial factors for case finding are clinical sampling tradition and appropriate laboratory diagnostic facilities. When case finding is insufficient, a reservoir of asymptomatic rectal or pharyngeal gonorrhoea remains unrecognised.
Factoring in weather variation to capture the influence of urban design and built environment on globally recommended levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity in children
Authors: Katapally Tarun Reddy , Rainham Daniel , Muhajarine Nazeem 
Published: December 2015

ObjectivesIn curbing physical inactivity, as behavioural interventions directed at individuals have not produced a population-level change, an ecological perspective called active living research has gained prominence. However, active living research consistently underexplores the role played by a perennial phenomenon encompassing all other environmental exposures—variation in weather. After factoring in weather variation, this study investigated the influence of diverse environmental exposures (including urban design and built environment) on the accumulation of globally recommended moderate to vigorous physical activity levels (MVPA) in children.DesignThis cross-sectional observational study is part of an active living initiative set in the Canadian prairie city of Saskatoon. As part of this study, Saskatoon's neighbourhoods were classified based on urban street design into grid-pattern, fractured grid-pattern and curvilinear types of neighbourhoods. Moreover, diverse environmental exposures were measured including, neighbourhood built environment, and neighbourhood and household socioeconomic environment. Actical accelerometers were deployed between April and June 2010 (spring-summer) to derive MVPA of 331 10–14-year-old children in 25 1-week cycles. Each cycle of accelerometry was conducted on a different cohort of children within the total sample and matched with weather data obtained from Environment Canada. Multilevel modelling using Hierarchical Linear and Non-linear Modelling software was conducted by factoring in weather variation to depict the influence of diverse environmental exposures on the accumulation of recommended MVPA.ResultsUrban design, including diversity of destinations within neighbourhoods played a significant role in the accumulation of MVPA. After factoring in weather variation, it was observed that children living in neighbourhoods closer to the city centre (with higher diversity of destinations) were more likely to accumulate recommended MVPA.ConclusionsThe findings indicate that after factoring in weather variation, certain types of urban design are more likely to be associated with MVPA accumulation.