bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modern contraceptive use among women living with HIV/AIDS at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Ghana
Authors: Samba Ali , Mumuni Kareem , Adu Joseph A. , Sefogah Promise E. , Kudzi William , Nartey Edmund T. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo examine factors influencing contraceptive use among women living with HIV/AIDS.MethodsThe present cross‐sectional study included a randomly selected sample of sexually active females aged 15–60 years who were living with HIV/AIDS and receiving care at the HIV Clinic, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana, between September 1 and November 31, 2016. Data were collected via a structured interviewer‐administered questionnaire.ResultsAmong 202 women who completed the survey, 50 (24.7%) were using contraceptives. Of the women using contraception, 39 (78%) were married and 6 (12%) were cohabiting. Twenty‐eight (56%) reported that their primary sexual partners were HIV‐positive, 14 (28%) had HIV‐negative partners, and 8 (16%) did not know their partner's HIV status. Condoms were used by 42 (84%) women and the majority (41 [82%]) wanted to have more children; almost all (47 [94%]) had received counseling on contraceptive use. Overall, 133 (65.8%) and 45 (22.3%) women reported that they would prefer to share their family planning concerns with a doctor and nurse, respectively, at the HIV clinic.ConclusionWomen living with HIV/AIDS desired more children but preferred to share their family planning concerns with their clinician at the HIV clinic. Integrating HIV care and reproductive health services could help these women achieve childbearing goals safely.
Binding affinity and decontamination of dermal decontamination gel to model chemical warfare agent simulants
Authors: Cao Yachao , Elmahdy Akram , Zhu Hanjiang , Hui Xiaoying , Maibach Howard 
Published: January 2018

AbstractSix chemical warfare agent simulants (trimethyl phosphate, dimethyl adipate, 2‐chloroethyl methyl sulfide, diethyl adipate, chloroethyl phenyl sulfide and diethyl sebacate) were studied in in vitro human skin to explore relationship between dermal penetration/absorption and the mechanisms of simulant partitioning between stratum corneum (SC) and water as well as between dermal decontamination gel (DDGel) and water. Both binding affinity to and decontamination of simulants using DDGel were studied. Partition coefficients of six simulants between SC and water (Log PSC/w) and between DDGel and water (Log PDDGel/w) were determined. Results showed that DDGel has a similar or higher binding affinity to each simulant compared to SC. The relationship between Log P octanol/water and Log PSC/w as well as between Log P octanol/water and Log PDDGel/w demonstrated that partition coefficient of simulants correlated to their lipophilicity or hydrophilicity. Decontamination efficiency results with DDGel for these simulants were consistent with binding affinity results. Amounts of percentage dose of chemicals in DDGel of trimethyl phosphate, dimethyl adipate, 2‐chloroethyl methyl sulfide, diethyl adipate, chloroethyl phenyl sulfide and diethyl sebacate were determined to be 61.15, 85.67, 75.91, 53.53, 89.89 and 76.58, with corresponding amounts absorbed in skin of 0.96, 0.65, 1.68, 0.72, 0.57 and 1.38, respectively. In vitro skin decontamination experiments coupled with a dermal absorption study demonstrated that DDGel can efficiently remove chemicals from skin surface, back‐extract from the SC, and significantly reduced chemical penetration into skin or systemic absorption for all six simulants tested. Therefore, DDGel offers a great potential as a NextGen skin Decon platform technology for both military and civilian use.
Formation of nanotubular TiO2 structures with varied surface characteristics for biomaterial applications
Authors: Aguirre Robinson , Echeverry‐Rendón Mónica , Quintero David , Castaño Juan G. , Harmsen Martin C. , Robledo Sara , Echeverría E Félix 
Published: January 2018

AbstractNanotubular structures were generated on the surface of titanium c.p. by anodization technique in an aqueous solution of acetic acid (14% v/v) with different sources of fluoride ion (HF, NaF, NH4F). The aim of using these three different compounds is to study the effect of the counterion (H+, Na+ and
) on the morphology, wettability and surface free energy of the modified surface. Nanotubes were generated at 10 and 15 V for each anodizing solution. To further improve surface characteristics, the samples were heat‐treated at 600°C for 4 h and at 560°C for 3 h. SEM images revealed the formation of nanotubes in all anodizing conditions, while their diameter increased proportionally to the electric potential. X‐ray diffraction and micro‐Raman spectroscopy results showed the presence of both anatase and rutile phases, with a higher content of rutile in the coatings obtained using NH4F and an applied potential of 10 V. The heat‐treatment significantly increased the wettability of the anodic coatings, especially for the coating obtained at 15 V with HF, which showed values < 7 degrees of contact angle. Besides, the nanotubes show a decrease in diameter due to the heat treatment, except for the nanotubes formed in NH4F. Depending on their surface properties (e.g. low contact angle and high surface free energy), these coatings potentially have great potential in biomedical applications, sensors devices, and catalytic applications among others. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 1341–1354, 2018.
Differential Adaptive Response of Growing Bones From Two Female Inbred Mouse Strains to Voluntary Cage‐Wheel Running
Authors: Schlecht Stephen H. , Ramcharan Melissa A. , Yang Yueqin , Smith Lauren M , Bigelow Erin MR , Nolan Bonnie T , Moss Drew E , Devlin Maureen J , Jepsen Karl J 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTThe phenotypic response of bones differing in morphological, compositional, and mechanical traits to an increase in loading during growth is not well understood. We tested whether bones of two inbred mouse strains that assemble differing sets of traits to achieve mechanical homeostasis at adulthood would show divergent responses to voluntary cage‐wheel running. Female A/J and C57BL6/J (B6) 4‐week‐old mice were provided unrestricted access to a standard cage‐wheel for 4 weeks. A/J mice have narrow and highly mineralized femora and B6 mice have wide and less mineralized femora. Both strains averaged 2 to 9.5 km of running per day, with the average‐distance run between strains not significantly different (p = 0.133). Exercised A/J femora showed an anabolic response to exercise with the diaphyses showing a 2.8% greater total area (Tt.Ar, p = 0.06) and 4.7% greater cortical area (Ct.Ar, p = 0.012) compared to controls. In contrast, exercised B6 femora showed a 6.2% (p < 0.001) decrease in Tt.Ar (p < 0.001) and a 6.7% decrease in Ct.Ar (p = 0.133) compared to controls, with the femora showing significant marrow infilling (p = 0.002). These divergent morphological responses to exercise, which did not depend on the daily distance run, translated to a 7.9% (p = 0.001) higher maximum load (ML) for exercised A/J femora but no change in ML for exercised B6 femora compared to controls. A consistent response was observed for the humeri but not the vertebral bodies. This differential outcome to exercise has not been previously observed in isolated loading or forced treadmill running regimes. Our findings suggest there are critical factors involved in the metabolic response to exercise during growth that require further consideration to understand how genotype, exercise, bone morphology, and whole‐bone strength interact during growth. © 2018 The Authors. JBMR Plus is published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Red blood cell distribution width as a predictor of atrial fibrillation
Authors: Shao Qingmiao , Korantzopoulos Panagiotis , Letsas Konstantinos P. , Tse Gary , Hong Jiang , Li Guangping , Liu Tong 
Published: January 2018

BackgroundCurrent evidence suggests that a higher red blood cell distribution width (RDW) may be associated with increased risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) development. Given that some controversial results have been published, we conducted a systematic review of the current literature along with a comprehensive meta‐analysis to evaluate the association between RDW and AF development.MethodsWe performed a systematic search of the literature using electronic databases (PubMed, Ovid, Embase, and Web of Science) to identify studies reporting on the association between RDW and AF development published until June 2016. We used both fix‐effects and random‐effects models to calculate the overall effect estimate. An I2 > 50% indicates at least moderate statistical heterogeneity. A sensitivity analysis and subgroup analysis were performed to find the origin of heterogeneity.ResultsA total of 12 studies involving 2721 participants were included in this meta‐analysis. The standardized mean difference in the RDW levels between patients with and those without AF development was 0.66 units (P < .05; 95% confidence interval 0.44‐0.88). A significant heterogeneity between the individual studies was observed (P < .05; I2 = 80.4%). A significant association between the baseline RDW levels and AF occurrence or recurrence following cardiac procedure or surgery was evident (SMD: 0.61; 95% confidence interval 0.33‐0.88; P < .05) with significant heterogeneity across the studies (I2 = 80.7%; P < .01).ConclusionsOur comprehensive meta‐analysis suggests that higher levels of RDW are associated with an increased risk of AF in different populations.
Playing off the beat: Applying the jazz paradigm to psychotherapy
Authors: Johnson David Read 
Published: January 2018

AbstractA jazz paradigm is applied to traditional psychotherapy practice, illuminating the links between psychotherapy and the Romantic aesthetic tradition, primarily in the centrality of concepts such as attunement. Modernist disruptions of realism during the early 20thcentury, such as jazz, elaborated dissonant and improvisational artistic impulses that brought new vitality to their art forms. The psychotherapeutic relationship also has potential avenues for multilevel and discrepant communication that open possibilities of freedom. However, the limitations imposed by the single channel nature of comprehended language, compared with the capacity of artistic media to express multiple sensory information simultaneously, remain the most significant obstacle to dimensionalizing the psychotherapeutic dialogue. Psychotherapy may have much to gain from embracing some of the concepts underlying the jazz aesthetic.
Making unformulated experience real through painting: Painting and psychoanalytic psychotherapy practice as two ways of making sense
Authors: Schwartz Karen M. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractI contend that painting, like psychoanalytic psychotherapy, is an intersubjective process able to connect hearts and minds of painters and viewers alike, because the creative process of making a painting brings painters into more complex and more animated relationship with themselves. My own painting process is largely nonverbal. Interactions between me and my evolving artwork‐in‐process reveal experiences, thoughts, and feelings not yet formulated in words, and so, not available explicitly to conscious awareness until visual representation allows questions of meaning and intention to be thought about and elaborated in the usual, verbal sense. I describe how my particular painting practice provides an experiential frame for the creative process of self‐articulation that goes on in psychotherapy, as well as how the physical and mostly nonverbal dialogue experienced in the painting studio served as a source of listening attitudes and self‐regulation in my work with a patient's inhibited self‐expression and thwarted artistic ambitions.
Precision and Bias of Target‐Controlled Prolonged Propofol Infusion for General Anesthesia and Sedation in Neurosurgical Patients
Authors: Cortegiani Andrea , Pavan Alessandra , Azzeri Fabio , Accurso Giuseppe , Vitale Filippo , Gregoretti Cesare 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe aim of this study was to determine the relationship, precision, and bias of a propofol target‐controlled infusion (TCI) system during prolonged infusion in neurosurgical patients. We retrospectively included patients undergoing general anesthesia for elective neurosurgical removal of brain tumors and postoperative sedation in the intensive care unit over a period of 3 months. TCI of propofol (Diprifusor – Marsh model) and remifentanil were used for general anesthesia and sedation. We compared propofol blood concentration (Cmeas) measured by liquid chromatography–mass spectroscopy with predicted concentrations (Cpred) by the TCI system at 40 minutes (T0), 2 hours (T1), and 4 hours (T2) and every 8 hours after starting the drug infusion and at the time of emergence from sedation. Ninety‐four paired determinations of Cmeas and Cpred from 15 adult ASA I patients (8 men and 7 women 54.9 ± 13 years old; BMI, 24 ± 3.2 kg/m2) were analyzed. Mean duration of drug administration was 31 ± 6 hours. The coefficient of determination (R2) of the linear regression model for the relationship of Cmeas and Cpred was 0.43. At the time of emergence, Cmeas was 0.5 ± 0.18 μg/mL. The bias of the TCI system (median performance error) was ‐34.7%, and the precision (median absolute performance error) was 36%. Wobble and divergence were 0.3% and 12.3%, respectively. This study found bias of the system out of the range of tolerability and showed a high tendency toward overestimation. These findings may lead to undersedation when propofol TCI is used for prolonged infusion.
Loss of skeletal muscle during systemic chemotherapy is prognostic of poor survival in patients with foregut cancer
Authors: Daly Louise E. , Ní Bhuachalla Éadaoin B. , Power Derek G. , Cushen Samantha J. , James Karl , Ryan Aoife M. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundMalnutrition, weight loss, and muscle wasting are common in patients with foregut cancers (oesophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, and bile ducts) and are associated with adverse clinical outcomes. However, little is known about the changes in body composition that occur in these patients during chemotherapy and its impacts clinical outcomes.Patients and methodsA prospective study of adult foregut cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy between 2012 and 2016 was conducted. Computed tomography images were evaluated for cross‐sectional skeletal muscle area (SMA) and adipose tissue area (ATA) at two time points [interval 118 days (IQR 92–58 days)]. Longitudinal changes in SMA and ATA were examined using paired t‐tests. Sarcopenia and low muscle attenuation (MA) were defined using published cut‐points. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate mortality hazard ratios for key predictors.ResultsA total of 225 foregut cancer patients were included (67% male, median age 66 years). At baseline, 40% were sarcopenic, 49% had low MA, and 62% had cancer cachexia. Longitudinal analysis (n = 163) revealed significant reductions in SMA [−6.1 cm2 (3.9%)/100 days, P < 0.001]. Patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy experienced greater losses in SMA and skeletal muscle mass compared with patients receiving palliative chemotherapy [−6.6 cm2 (95%, confidence interval, CI: −10.2 to −3.1), P < 0.001 and −1.2 kg (95% CI: −1.8 to −0.5), P < 0.001, respectively]. Neither sarcopenia nor low MA at baseline was associated with reduced survival. A loss of SMA >6.0%/100 days (highest fourth) independently predicted overall survival in patients receiving palliative chemotherapy [hazard ratio: 2.66, (95% CI: 1.42 to 4.97), P = 0.002].ConclusionsPatients with foregut cancers, particularly those treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, experience significant losses of muscle during chemotherapy. A high level of SMA loss is prognostic of reduced survival in patients treated with palliative chemotherapy. Multimodal interventions to stabilize or increase muscle mass and influence outcome warrant further investigation.
A model for the reaction kinetics of main and side reactions during the industrial production of trioxane, and its applications
Authors: Zhang Xianming , Hu Yufeng , Ma Weiting 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDTrioxane is industrially synthesized by cyclotrimerization of formaldehyde in [formaldehyde–H2SO4(catalyst)–H2O]. A rapid expansion of trioxane production facilities has occurred worldwide, which requires a reliable model for the reaction kinetics of main and side reactions, and a deep understanding of underlying mechanisms of conversion and selectivity.RESULTSSuch a model is developed on the basis of our newly established reaction pathways for product and by‐products, and component activities calculated by the extended UNIFAC models. Reaction kinetics data are measured and utilized to determine model parameters. The new model offers correct descriptions of the reaction kinetics of main and side reactions that occur under industrial working conditions. The model calculation results are used to illustrate the mechanisms that govern conversion and selectivity, and illustrate the roles of catalysts and salt additives in industrial production of trioxane through the reactive distillation process.CONCLUSIONSThe principal prediction results are that both conversion and selectivity can be significantly enhanced by developing new catalysts and salt additives to decrease the rate constant for decomposition reaction of trioxane to formaldehyde, and new catalytic mixtures should integrate catalysis with extractive distillation. All of the model predictions are consistent with experimental results. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Why allometric variation in mammalian metabolism is curvilinear on the logarithmic scale
Authors: Packard Gary C. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractStudies performed over the last 20 years have repeatedly documented a slight convex curvature (relative to the x‐axis) in double‐logarithmic plots of basal metabolic rate (BMR) versus body mass in mammals. This curvilinear pattern has usually been interpreted in the context of a simple, two‐parameter power function on the arithmetic scale, y = a × xb, with the exponent in the equation supposedly increasing systematically with body size. An equation of this form has caused concern among ecologists because a variable exponent is inconsistent with an assumption underlying the metabolic theory of ecology (MTE). However, the appearance of an exponent that varies with body size is an artifact resulting from the widespread use of logarithmic transformations in allometric analyses. Curvature in the distribution on the logarithmic scale actually is caused by a requirement for an explicit, non‐zero intercept—and not a variable exponent—in the model describing the distribution on the arithmetic scale. Thus, the MTE need not be revised to accommodate an exponent that varies with body size in the scaling of mammalian BMR, but the theory may need to be tweaked to accommodate an intercept in the allometric equation. In general, any bivariate dataset that is well described by a three‐parameter power equation on the arithmetic scale will follow a curvilinear path when displayed on the logarithmic scale. Consequently, reports of curvilinearity in log domain (i.e., “complex allometry”) need to be revisited because conclusions from those investigations are likely to be flawed.
Fully automated segmentation of the left ventricle in cine cardiac MRI using neural network regression
Authors: Tan Li Kuo , McLaughlin Robert A. , Lim Einly , Abdul Aziz Yang Faridah , Liew Yih Miin 
Published: January 2018

BackgroundLeft ventricle (LV) structure and functions are the primary assessment performed in most clinical cardiac MRI protocols. Fully automated LV segmentation might improve the efficiency and reproducibility of clinical assessment.PurposeTo develop and validate a fully automated neural network regression‐based algorithm for segmentation of the LV in cardiac MRI, with full coverage from apex to base across all cardiac phases, utilizing both short axis (SA) and long axis (LA) scans.Study TypeCross‐sectional survey; diagnostic accuracy.SubjectsIn all, 200 subjects with coronary artery diseases and regional wall motion abnormalities from the public 2011 Left Ventricle Segmentation Challenge (LVSC) database; 1140 subjects with a mix of normal and abnormal cardiac functions from the public Kaggle Second Annual Data Science Bowl database.Field Strength/Sequence1.5T, steady‐state free precession.AssessmentReference standard data generated by experienced cardiac radiologists. Quantitative measurement and comparison via Jaccard and Dice index, modified Hausdorff distance (MHD), and blood volume.Statistical TestsPaired t‐tests compared to previous work.ResultsTested against the LVSC database, we obtained 0.77 ± 0.11 (Jaccard index) and 1.33 ± 0.71 mm (MHD), both metrics demonstrating statistically significant improvement (P < 0.001) compared to previous work. Tested against the Kaggle database, the signed difference in evaluated blood volume was +7.2 ± 13.0 mL and –19.8 ± 18.8 mL for the end‐systolic (ES) and end‐diastolic (ED) phases, respectively, with a statistically significant improvement (P < 0.001) for the ED phase.Data ConclusionA fully automated LV segmentation algorithm was developed and validated against a diverse set of cardiac cine MRI data sourced from multiple imaging centers and scanner types. The strong performance overall is suggestive of practical clinical utility.Level of Evidence: 3Technical Efficacy: Stage 2J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018.
1.0T MR‐guided percutaneous coaxial cutting needle biopsy in pancreatic lesion diagnosis
Authors: Liu Chao , Wang Ligang , He Xiangmeng , Xu Yujun , Lu Dong , Li Peipei , Lv Rongbin , Feng Yong , Liu Ming , Li Chengli 
Published: January 2018

BackgroundPancreatic carcinoma is a common cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Biopsy is often required for the initial diagnosis of pancreatic masses. Biopsy can be performed endoscopically or percutaneously with computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound (US) guidance. MRI offers many inherent advantages over CT and US.Purpose/HypothesisTo prospectively evaluate the feasibility, accuracy, and safety of MRI‐guided percutaneous coaxial cutting needle biopsy of pancreatic lesions using an open 1.0T high‐field MR scanner.Study TypeProspective.PopulationThirty‐one patients with 31 pancreatic lesions underwent MR‐guided percutaneous coaxial cutting needle biopsy.Field Strength/Sequence1.0T T2WI‐TSE PDW‐aTSE T1WI‐TFE.AssessmentFinal diagnosis was confirmed by surgery and clinical follow‐up for at least 12 months. The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were calculated. Complications were recorded.Statistical TestsThere was no statistical analysis in this study.ResultsThe procedure was technically successful and final biopsy samples were adequate for histopathological examination in all patients. Biopsy pathology revealed malignant pancreatic tumor in 25 patients (25/31, 80.6%), and benign pancreatic lesions were present in six patients (6/31, 19.4%). The final diagnosis was pancreatic malignancy in 27 patients and benign disease in four patients, which was confirmed by surgery and clinical follow‐up. Two biopsy results were false‐negative. The diagnostic accuracy in biopsies was 93.5% (29 of 31). The sensitivity to detect a malignant disease was 92.6% (25 of 27), and the specificity was 100%. All patients tolerated the procedure well; minor peripancreatic hemorrhage was found in two patients after the procedure, and none had major complications either during or after the procedure.Data ConclusionMRI‐guided percutaneous biopsy of pancreatic lesions using an open 1.0T high‐field scanner has high diagnostic accuracy, which is feasible and safe for use in clinical practice.Level of Evidence: 2Technical Efficacy: Stage 2J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2018;48:382–388.