bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antepartum or intrapartum deinfibulation for childbirth in women with type III female genital mutilation: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Esu Ekpereonne , Udo Atim , Okusanya Babasola O. , Agamse David , Meremikwu Martin M. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractBackgroundThere remains no consensus on the best timing of deinfibulation in women with type III female genital mutilation (FGM).ObjectivesTo conduct a systematic review of the effects of antepartum or intrapartum deinfibulation on childbirth outcomes in women with type III FGM.Search strategyThe following major databases were searched: Cochrane Central Register for Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov, from inception until August 2015 without any language restrictions.Selection criteriaStudies of pregnant women or girls with type III FGM who were deinfibulated antepartum or intrapartum were included.Data collection and analysisTwo team members independently screened and collected data. Quality of evidence was assessed using GRADE. Summary odds ratios and proportions were calculated when possible.ResultsThere is no evidence of a significant difference between antepartum and intrapartum deinfibulation for obstetric outcomes such as duration of labor, perineal lacerations, episiotomies, postpartum hemorrhage, and cesarean deliveries. Outcomes in women living with type III FGM and those who have undergone deinfibulation were not statistically different; however, trends show a benefit for deinfibulation. All studies were underpowered to detect statistical differences.ConclusionLarger studies are required to have full confidence in these findings.PROSPERO registrationCRD42015024464.
Deinfibulation for preventing or treating complications in women living with type III female genital mutilation: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Okusanya Babasola O. , Oduwole Olabisi , Nwachuku Nuria , Meremikwu Martin M. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractBackgroundDeinfibulation is a surgical procedure carried out to re‐open the vaginal introitus of women living with type III female genital mutilation (FGM).ObjectivesTo assess the impact of deinfibulation on gynecologic or obstetric outcomes by comparing women who were deinfibulated with women with type III FGM or women without FGM.Search strategyMajor databases including CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and Scopus were searched until August 2015.Selection criteriaWe included nonrandomized studies that compared obstetric outcomes of women with deinfibulation, type III FGM (not deinfibulated during labor), and no FGM.Data collection and analysisQuality of evidence was determined following the GRADE methodology. Summary measures were calculated using odds ratios at 95% confidence intervals.ResultsWe found no randomized controlled trials. We included four case–control studies. The quality of evidence was very low. Compared with women with type III FGM at delivery, deinfibulated women had a significant reduction in the risk of having a cesarean delivery or postpartum hemorrhage. Compared with women without FGM, deinfibulated women had a similar risk of episiotomy, cesarean delivery, vaginal lacerations, postpartum hemorrhage, and blood loss at vaginal delivery. The length of second stage of labor, mean maternal hospital stay, and Apgar scores less than 7 were also comparable.ConclusionsLow‐quality evidence suggests deinfibulation improves birth outcomes for women with type III FGM.PROSPERO registrationCRD42015024466.
Providing information about the consequences of female genital mutilation to healthcare providers caring for women and girls living with female genital mutilation: A systematic review
Authors: Oringanje Chioma M. , Okoro Anthony , Nwankwo Ogonna N. , Meremikwu Martin M. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe persistence of female genital mutilation (FGM) in some countries, despite an overall decline in the prevalence of the practice, calls for improvement in the capacity of healthcare workers and institutions to provide optimal care for this population.ObjectivesTo determine the impact of providing information on FGM and its consequences to healthcare providers on their attitudes toward FGM, and quality of care and patient satisfaction.Search strategyThe following major databases were searched from inception to August 2015: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov, without language restrictions.Selection criteriaControlled studies were included based on use of objective measures.Data collection and analysisTwo team members independently screened and collected data. Relative risks and proportions were calculated and evidence assessed using the GRADE (Grade of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) approach.ResultsOne study was identified. Based on this study there was no evidence to suggest change in healthcare provider outcomes after the intervention.ConclusionsDespite a comprehensive search, only one study of low methodological quality was included. This precludes a definitive conclusion regarding the impact of providing information on FGM to healthcare providers. More research is needed.PROSPERO registrationCRD42015024570.
Clinical outcomes for couples containing a reciprocal chromosome translocation carrier without preimplantation genetic diagnosis
Authors: Yin Biao , Zhu Yuanchang , Wu Tonghua , Shen Shuqiu , Zeng Yong , Liang Desheng 
Published: February 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the pregnancy outcomes of couples containing a carrier of a reciprocal chromosome translocation (RCT) after assisted reproductive technology without preimplantation genetic diagnosis.MethodsA retrospective study was performed using data for couples with an RCT carrier and control couples with a normal karyotype (1:4 ratio) who underwent assisted reproductive technology cycles at a Chinese fertility center in 2010–2011. The embryos were fertilized via in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Only the first pick‐up cycles were used for analysis. Clinical variables were compared.ResultsCompared with the control group (n=164), the RCT group (n=41) had a marginally lower clinical pregnancy rate (46.3% [19/41] vs 54.3% [89/164]), implantation rate (21.7% [23/106] vs 26.9% [118/438]), multiple‐gestation pregnancy rate (21.1% [4/19] vs 32.6% [29/89]), and delivery rate (36.6% [15/41] vs 47.6% [78/164]), whereas the spontaneous abortion rate was slightly higher (21.1% [4/19] vs 12.4% [11/89]). However, none of these differences were significant.ConclusionThe clinical outcomes for RCT carriers were acceptable after IVF/ICSI without performing preimplantation genetic diagnosis, indicating that this approach might comprise a feasible alternative fertility treatment for RCT carriers.
Retracted: Maternal serum amyloid A level as a novel marker of primary unexplained recurrent early pregnancy loss
Authors: Ibrahim Moustafa I. , Ramy Ahmed R. , Abdelhamid Ahmed S. , Ellaithy Mohamed I. , Omar Amna , Harara Rany M. , Fathy Hayam , Abolouz Ashraf S. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo assess maternal serum amyloid A (SAA) levels among women with primary unexplained recurrent early pregnancy loss (REPL).MethodsA prospective study was conducted among women with missed spontaneous abortion in the first trimester at Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital, Cairo, Egypt, between January 21 and December 25, 2014. Women with at least two consecutive primary unexplained REPLs and no previous live births were enrolled. A control group was formed of women with no history of REPL who had at least one previous uneventful pregnancy with no adverse outcomes. Serum samples were collected to measure SAA levels. The main outcome was the association between SAA and primary unexplained REPL.ResultsEach group contained 96 participants. Median SAA level was significantly higher among women with REPL (50.0 μg/mL, interquartile range 26.0–69.0) than among women in the control group (11.6 μg/mL, interquartile range 6.2–15.5; P<0.001). The SAA level was an independent indicator of primary unexplained REPL, after adjusting for maternal age and gestational age (odds ratio 1.12, 95% confidence interval 1.06–1.19; P<0.001).ConclusionElevated SAA levels found among women with primary unexplained REPL could represent a novel biomarker for this complication of pregnancy.
Development and application of LED arrays for use in phototherapy research
Authors: Hadis Mohammed A. , Cooper Paul R. , Milward Michael R. , Gorecki Patricia. C. , Tarte Edward , Churm James , Palin William M. 
Published: February 2017

Lasers/LEDs demonstrate therapeutic effects for a range of biomedical applications. However, a consensus on effective light irradiation parameters and efficient and reliable measurement techniques remain limited. The objective here is to develop, characterise and demonstrate the application of LED arrays in order to progress and improve the effectiveness and accuracy of in vitro photobiomodulation studies.96‐well plate format LED arrays (400–850 nm) were developed and characterised to accurately assess irradiance delivery to cell cultures. Human dental pulp cells (DPCs) were irradiated (3.5–142 mW/cm2: 15–120 s) and the biological responses were assessed using MTT assays.Array calibration was confirmed using a range of optical and analytical techniques. Multivariate analysis of variance revealed biological responses were dependent on wavelength, exposure time and the post‐exposure assay time (P < 0.05). Increased MTT asbsorbance was measured 24 h post‐irradiation for 30 s exposures of 3.5 mW/cm2 at 470, 527, 631, 655, 680, 777, 798 and 826 nm with distinct peaks at 631 nm and 798 nm (P < 0.05). Similar wavelengths were also effective at higher irradiances (48–142 mW/cm2).LED arrays and high throughput assays provide a robust and reliable platform to rapidly identify irradiation parameters which is both time‐ and cost‐effective. These arrrays are applicable in photobiomodulation, photodynamic therapy and other photobiomedical research.
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Studying the effect of physically‐adsorbed coating polymers on the cytotoxic activity of optimized bisdemethoxycurcumin loaded‐PLGA nanoparticles
Authors: Mehanny Mina , Hathout Rania M. , Geneidi Ahmed S. , Mansour Samar 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe aim of this work was to study the effect of different physically‐adsorbed coating polymers on the cytotoxic activity of optimized bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC) loaded‐PLGA nanoparticles. BDMC‐loaded poly(DL‐lactide‐co‐glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles were prepared adopting the nanoprecipitation technique according to a full factorial study design. The effects of three independent variables each at two levels, namely: the polymer type, polymer concentration, and poly vinyl alcohol concentration were studied. The particles were optimized regarding particle size and entrapment efficiency where sizes <200 nm and entrapment efficiencies reaching ∼98% were obtained. The particles were further characterized using x‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and in‐vitro release studies. A selected formulation was subjected to physical coating using various coating moieties, namely: PEG 4000, Tween 80 and Pluronic F68, to impart a hydrophilic stealth character to the surface. The surface hydrophobicity was assessed using the Rose Bengal dye test where the hydrophilicity character followed the following order: Tween 80 > PEG 4000 > Pluronic F68. The particles coating rendered the particles suitable for cancer‐targeting regarding particle size measurements, morphology, release kinetics, and stability studies. Moreover, cytotoxicity testing was performed using HepG‐2 cells. Coated NPs showed the highest inhibition of malignant cells viability compared to the uncoated NPs and free BDMC where the IC50 of Pluronic‐F68 coated NPs was 0.54 ± 0.01 µg/mL. The augmented effect against malignant cells poses these particles as a successful cancer remedy. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 1433–1445, 2017.
Serum Phosphate Is Associated With Fracture Risk: The Rotterdam Study and MrOS
Authors: Campos‐Obando Natalia , Koek W Nadia H , Hooker Elizabeth R , van der Eerden Bram CJ , Pols Huibert A , Hofman Albert , van Leeuwen Johannes PTM , Uitterlinden Andre G , Nielson Carrie M , Zillikens M. Carola 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACTExtreme phosphate levels (P) have been associated with mineralization defects and increased fracture risk. Whether P within normal range is related to bone health in the general population is not well understood. To investigate the association of P with bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture risk, we assessed two population‐based cohorts: the Dutch Rotterdam Study (RS‐I, RS‐II, RS‐III; n = 6791) and the US Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS; n = 5425) study. The relationship of P with lumbar spine (LS) and femoral neck (FN) BMD was tested in all cohorts via linear models; fracture risk was tested in RS‐I, RS‐II, and MrOS through Cox models, after follow‐up of 8.6, 6.6, and 10.9 years, respectively. Adjustments were made for age, body mass index, smoking, serum levels of calcium, potassium, 25‐hydroxyvitamin D, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), FN‐BMD, prevalent diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Additional adjustments were made for phosphate intake, parathyroid hormone, and fibroblast growth factor 23 levels in MrOS. We further stratified by eGFR. Results were pooled through study‐level meta‐analyses. Hazard ratios (HR) and betas (β) (from meta‐analyses) are expressed per 1 mg/dL P increase. P was positively associated with fracture risk in men and women from RS, and findings were replicated in MrOS (pooled HR all [95% CI]: 1.47 [1.31–1.65]). P was associated with fracture risk in subjects without chronic kidney disease (CKD): all (1.44 [1.26–1.63]) and in men with CKD (1.93 [1.42–2.62]). P was inversely related to LS‐BMD in men (β: –0.06 [–0.11 to –0.02]) and not to FN‐BMD in either sex. In summary, serum P was positively related to fracture risk independently from BMD and phosphate intake after adjustments for potential confounders. P and LS‐BMD were negatively related in men. Our findings suggest that increased P levels even within normal range might be deleterious for bone health in the normal population. © 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Rapid, sensitive detection of bacteria in platelet samples with Fountain Flow Cytometry
Authors: Johnson Paul , Moriwaki Mika , Johnson Joseph 
Published: February 2017

BackgroundThere is a current need to develop a technique for bacterial screening of platelet donations that is more rapid, sensitive, and economical than alternatives. The objective of this research was to perform a pilot test of the viability of Fountain Flow Cytometry (FFC), for the rapid and sensitive detection of bacteria in platelet donations.MethodsPlatelet samples were inoculated with serial dilutions of five selected bacterial strains. Samples were then centrifuged, reconstituted in buffer, and stained with a live/dead bacterial stain cocktail. The resulting aqueous sample was measured by FFC, in which the sample passed as a stream in front of an LED, which excited the fluorescent labels. Fluorescence was detected with a digital camera as the sample flowed toward it.ResultsFountain Flow Cytometry enumeration yielded results that were linear with bacterial concentration, having an R2 of ≥0.98 with a detection efficiency of 92%±3%. Measurements of uninoculated samples showed a false‐positive detection rate at ~400 colony forming units (CFU)/mL. Detection of bacterial concentrations in platelets above this threshold can be made in ~15 minutes, including sample preparation time.ConclusionThis pilot study supports the efficacy of FFC for the rapid and sensitive screening of platelet donations for bacteria.
Laboratory diagnosis of Clostridium difficile infection: Comparison of Techlab C. diff Quik Chek Complete, Xpert C. difficile, and multistep algorithmic approach
Authors: Seo Ja Young , Jeong Ji Hun , Kim Kyung Hee , Ahn Jeong‐Yeal , Park Pil‐Whan , Seo Yiel‐Hea 
Published: February 2017

BackgroundClostridium difficile is a major pathogen responsible for nosocomial infectious diarrhea. We explored optimal laboratory strategies for diagnosis of C. difficile infection (CDI) in our clinical settings, a 1400‐bed tertiary care hospital.MethodsUsing 191 fresh stool samples from adult patients, we evaluated the performance of Xpert C. difficile (Xpert CD), C. diff Quik Chek Complete (which simultaneously detects glutamate dehydrogenase [GDH] and C. difficile toxins [CDT]), toxigenic culture, and a two‐step algorithm composed of GDH/CDT as a screening test and Xpert CD as a confirmatory test.ResultsClostridium difficile was detected in 35 samples (18.3%), and all isolates were toxigenic strains. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value of each assay for detecting CDI were as follows: Quik Chek Complete CDT (45.7%, 100%, 100%, 89.1%), Quik Chek Complete GDH (97.1%, 99.4%, 97.1%, 99.4%), Xpert CD (94.3%, 100%, 100%, 98.7%), and toxigenic culture (91.4%, 100%, 100%, 98.1%). A two‐step algorithm performed identically with Xpert CD assay.ConclusionOur data showed that most C. difficile isolates from adult patients were toxigenic. We demonstrated that a two‐step algorithm based on GDH/CDT assay followed by Xpert CD assay as a confirmatory test was rapid, reliable, and cost effective for diagnosis of CDI in an adult patient setting with high prevalence of toxigenic C. difficile.
Water recovery from brines and salt‐saturated solutions: operability and thermodynamic efficiency considerations for desalination technologies
Authors: Vane Leland M 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThis review provides an overview of desalination technologies and discusses the thermodynamic efficiencies and operational issues associated with the various technologies particularly with regard to high salinity streams. When water is recovered from a saline source, a brine concentrate stream is produced. Management of the brine stream can be problematic, particularly in inland regions. An alternative to brine disposal is recovery of water and possibly salts from the concentrate. Due to the high osmotic pressures of the brine concentrates, reverse osmosis, the most common desalination technology, is impractical. Mechanical vapor compression which, like reverse osmosis, utilizes mechanical work to operate, is reported to have the highest thermodynamic efficiency of the desalination technologies for treatment of salt‐saturated brines. Thermally‐driven processes, such as flash evaporation and distillation, are technically able to process saturated salt solutions, but suffer from low thermodynamic efficiencies. This inefficiency could be offset if an inexpensive source of waste or renewable heat could be used. Overarching issues posed by high salinity solutions include corrosion and the formation of scales/precipitates. These issues limit the materials, conditions, and unit operation designs that can be used. Published 2017. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
A kinetics study on anammox bacteria with a disproportionate substrate concentration
Authors: Qiao Liang , Ning Xiaofang , Li Yan , Zhang Yanqiu 
Published: February 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDAnaerobic ammonia oxidation, or anammox, is one of the most efficient techniques to dispose of sewage ammonia nitrogen and nitrite nitrogen within a reactor. Kinetics equations of anammox have been studied under proportions of ammonia nitrogen and nitrite nitrogen in the laboratory, however, in wastewater treatment, the reaction conditions are variable and unstable.RESULTSTwo strains of anammox bacteria, Candidatus Brocadia fulgida and Candidatus Brocadia caroliniensis, were identified by PCR and assigned the formal bacterial serial numbers: KR005667 and KR005668, respectively. The degradation curves of the two anammox bacteria were drawn by calculating the kinetics parameters using the Michaelis–Menten equation, and the ammonia oxidation rates, nitrite conversion rates and Km values of ammonia and nitrite were close to or identical to the known data range of the kinetics of anammox bacteria metabolism.CONCLUSIONA hypothesis regarding the role of extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) was proposed and the reaction mechanism of anammox bacteria was deduced in the case of a disproportionate substrate concentration. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Spatio‐temporal variation of dryness/wetness across the Pearl River basin, China, and relation to climate indices
Authors: Huang Chong , Zhang Qiang , Singh Vijay P. , Gu Xihui , Shi Peijun 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACTCorrelations between wet/dry variations and El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO), North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), and Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) across the Pearl River basin were analysed at annual and seasonal time scales using the Pearson correlation and moving correlation coefficient. The basin was divided into homogeneous climate zones using the fuzzy C‐means method. The influences of ENSO, NAO, IOD, and PDO on annual and seasonal wet/dry variations and impacts of warm and cold episodes of these indices on Standardized Precipitation Index‐based dry and wet conditions were investigated. Furthermore, the mechanisms of the influences were tried to be analysed from the perspective of moisture transmission. The results indicated that: (1) IOD, NAO, and ENSO are the principle factors driving annual, wet, and dry seasonal precipitation variations, respectively. Moreover, opposite correlations can be identified between precipitation and IOD, NAO, and ENSO in the same/previous year; (2) Correlations between precipitation variations at different time scales and climate indices are strongly stable. Furthermore, climate indices tend to have more significant and stable impacts on precipitation variations during the dry season than on annual precipitation and precipitation variations during the wet season; (3) There exist different moisture convergence and divergence phenomena in the Pearl River basin under anomalous year of climate indices, so the annual, wet, and dry seasonal precipitation characteristic will be affected; (4) ENSO exhibits remarkable impacts on the variations of dry conditions; and meanwhile ENSO and IOD have significant impacts on the variations of wet conditions. In general, the cold phase of climate indices tends to trigger a higher risk of droughts, and the warm phase of climate indices tends to cause higher rates of extreme wet conditions. Taking different climate indices as predictors, this study may help forecast precipitation variations at different time scales.
Raman study of HoFe3(BO3)4 at simultaneously high pressure and high temperature: p–T phase diagram
Authors: Krylov A. S. , Gudim I. A. , Nemtsev I. , Krylova S. N. , Shabanov A. V. , Krylov A. A. 
Published: February 2017

Raman spectra of a HoFe3(BO3)4 crystal chip has been investigated at simultaneously high temperature and high pressure (up to 7.1 GPa and 560 K). On the basis of Raman analysis, the assignment to one of the two possible crystal phases has been made. The experimental p–T phase diagram of HoFe3(BO3)4 was established. An increase in the pressure leads to an increase in the temperature of transition. The phase boundary equation was obtained. Neither triple points nor a phase with new symmetry was revealed in the phase diagram. A critical point with the temperature T = 560 K and the pressure p = 2.53 GPa was found. The nanocrystals with different shapes began to grow on crystal surface after reaching that point. The composition of new nanocrystals is identical to the composition of initial crystal. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.