bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Wisteria floribunda agglutinin‐positive human Mac‐2 binding protein predicts the risk of HBV‐related liver cancer development
Authors: Kim Seung Up , Heo Ja Yoon , Kim Beom Kyung , Park Jun Yong , Kim Do Young , Han Kwang‐Hyub , Ahn Sang Hoon , Kim Hyon‐Suk 
Published: December 2016

AbstractBackground & AimsWisteria floribunda agglutinin‐positive human Mac‐2 binding protein (WFA+‐M2BP) can be used to assess the degree of liver fibrosis, but few studies have investigated its prognostic utility. We evaluated whether serum WFA+‐M2BP can predict the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.MethodsA total of 1323 CHB patients with WFA+‐M2BP test results between 2009 and 2011 were included in this retrospective analysis.ResultsThe mean age of patients (793 men) was 51.0 years. During the follow‐up period (median 60.3 months), 52 (3.9%) patients developed HCC. Age, the proportion of male gender, the presence of diabetes and cirrhosis, and levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alpha‐foetoprotein, and WFA+‐M2BP were significantly greater in patients with HCC than in those without HCC, whereas serum albumin levels and platelet counts were significantly lower in patients with HCC than in those without HCC (all P<.05). In multivariate analysis, WFA+‐M2BP level was an independent predictor of HCC development (adjusted hazard ratio 1.143, 95% CI: 1.139‐1.829), along with male gender and diabetes (all P<.05). In patients without cirrhosis (n=1087), WFA+‐M2BP levels ≥1.8 were associated with a higher risk of HCC development (P<.001 by log‐rank test), whereas WFA+‐M2BP levels ≥1.8 tended to be associated with a higher risk of HCC development in patients with cirrhosis (n=236) (P=.073 by log‐rank test).ConclusionsWFA+‐M2BP level can independently predict HCC development. Further studies should investigate whether WFA+‐M2BP level could be incorporated into surveillance strategies for CHB patients.
Improving the quality of nurse‐influenced patient care in the intensive care unit
Authors: Sutton Lynsey J. , Jarden Rebecca J. 
Published: December 2016

ABSTRACTBackgroundQuality of care is a major focus in the intensive care unit (ICU).AimTo describe a nurse‐initiated quality improvement (QI) project that improved the care of critically ill patients in a New Zealand tertiary ICU.DesignA framework for QI was developed and implemented as part of a practice change initiative.MethodsAudit data were collected, analysed and reported across seven nurse‐influenced patient care standards. The seven standards were enteral nutrition delivered within 24 h of admission, timely administration of antibiotics, sedation holds for eligible patients, early mobilization and three pressure ulcer prevention strategies.ResultsComparison of audit data collected in 2014 and 2015 demonstrated improvements in five of the seven standards. Those standards with the largest practice improvements were related to the following standards: all eligible patients have enteral nutrition commenced within the first 24 h of ICU admission (3% increase); all eligible patients receive antibiotics within 30 min of prescription time (6% increase); all eligible patients have a daily sedation interruption (DSI; 24% increase); and all eligible patients are mobilized daily in their ICU stay (11% increase in percentage of patients mobilized daily).ConclusionsThe nursing‐initiated QI project demonstrated improved ICU patient care in relation to early enteral nutrition commencement, DSIs and early and daily mobilizing.Relevance to clinical practiceThe use of a nursing QI framework incorporating audit and feedback is one method of evaluating and enhancing the quality of care and improving patient outcomes. This initiative demonstrated the improved quality of nursing care for ICU patients, particularly in relation to early enteral nutrition commencement, timely antibiotics, DSIs and daily mobilizing. It is thus highly relevant to critical care nursing teams, particularly those working to create a culture where change is safe, achievable and valued.
Enhanced regeneration potential of mobilized dental pulp stem cells from immature teeth
Authors: Nakayama H , Iohara K , Hayashi Y , Okuwa Y , Kurita K , Nakashima M 
Published: December 2016

ObjectivesWe have previously demonstrated that dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) isolated from mature teeth by granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF)‐induced mobilization method can enhance angiogenesis/vasculogenesis and improve pulp regeneration when compared with colony‐derived DPSCs. However, the efficacy of this method in immature teeth with root‐formative stage has never been investigated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the stemness, biological characteristics, and regeneration potential in mobilized DPSCs compared with colony‐derived DPSCs from immature teeth.Materials and methodsMobilized DPSCs isolated from immature teeth were compared to colony‐derived DPSCs using methods including flow cytometry, migration assays, mRNA expression of angiogenic/neurotrophic factor, and induced differentiation assays. They were also compared in trophic effects of the secretome. Regeneration potential was further compared in an ectopic tooth transplantation model.ResultsMobilized DPSCs had higher migration ability and expressed more angiogenic/neurotrophic factors than DPSCs. The mobilized DPSC secretome produced a higher stimulatory effect on migration, immunomodulation, anti‐apoptosis, endothelial differentiation, and neurite extension. In addition, vascularization and pulp regeneration potential were higher in mobilized DPSCs than in DPSCs.ConclusionsG‐CSF‐induced mobilization method enhances regeneration potential of colony‐derived DPSCs from immature teeth.
What is (Dis)Agreement?
Authors: Rowbottom Darrell P. 
Published: December 2016

When do we agree? The answer might once have seemed simple and obvious; we agree thatpwhen we each believe thatp. But from a formal epistemological perspective, where degrees of belief are more fundamental than beliefs, this answer is unsatisfactory. On the one hand, there is reason to suppose that it is false; degrees of belief aboutpmight differ when beliefs simpliciter onpdo not. On the other hand, even if it is true, it is too vague; for what it is to believe simpliciter ought to be explained in terms of degrees of belief.This paper presents several possible notions of agreement, and corresponding notions of disagreement. It indicates how the findings are fruitful for the epistemology of disagreement, with special reference to the notion of epistemic peerhood.
Coxiella burnetii: Serological reactions and bacterial shedding in primiparous dairy cows in an endemically infected herd—impact on milk yield and fertility
Authors: Freick M , Enbergs H , Walraph J , Diller R , Weber J , Konrath A 
Published: December 2016

ContentsCoxiella burnetii (C. burnetii) is the causative agent of Q fever both in humans and animals. The objectives of this study were to investigate seropositivity and bacterial shedding in heifers and primiparous cows in an endemically infected herd and to assess the effects on post‐partum diseases, fertility and milk production. At the age of 9 months, 96 Holstein heifers were included. Sampling was performed reproduction‐orientated: at the beginning of the study, at detection of first pregnancy, 3 weeks before expected calving date (blood serum), at parturition and after 21, 42, 100 and 150 days in milk (DIM) (blood serum, vaginal swabs and milk). Serum samples were investigated by a commercial ELISA for the presence of specific antibodies and vaginal swabs and milk samples by PCR to detect C. burnetii DNA. Individual animal data (calving ease, stillbirth, retained foetal membranes, puerperal metritis, endometritis after 42 DIM, presence of corpus luteum after 42 DIM, interval calving‐first service, interval calving‐conception, number of inseminations until 150 DIM, proportion of pregnant cows until 100 and 150 DIM, proportion of pregnant cows after first service and data of the dairy herd improvement test) were documented. All heifers were seronegative at the age of 9 months and 3 weeks before the expected calving date. Subsequently, the proportion of seropositive animals and the antibody score increased significantly towards 42 and 100 DIM, respectively. Vaginal C. burnetii shedding was highest at parturition (30.9%), while the most positive milk samples were detected after 100 DIM (15.3%). Coxiella burnetii seropositivity and shedding had no impact on parameters of reproduction. However, milk fat yield was declined in puerperal vaginal shedders and cows which seroconverted during their first 42 DIM, respectively.
Efficiency of uterine fluid cytology in the diagnosis of subclinical endometritis in the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)
Authors: Gahlot SC , Kumar S , Kumaresan A , Chand S , Baithalu RK , Lathika S , Patbandha TK , Lathwal SS , Mohanty TK 
Published: December 2016

ContentsThis study compared endometrial cytology vis‐a‐vis uterine fluid cytology for assessment of uterine health in clinically normal and subclinical endometritis (SE)‐affected buffaloes. Uterine fluid samples and endometrial samples were collected from the buffaloes (n = 38) at oestrus using blue sheath and cytobrush, respectively. The smears were stained with Field stain for 3 minutes, and a minimum of 400 cells were counted in each smear for determination of the percentage of polymorphonuclear (PMN) leucocyte. The incidence of subclinical endometritis, based on the cytobrush cytology, was 23.08%. The correlation between cytobrush cytology with uterine fluid cytology was positive and significant (r = .37; p = .02). The ratio of PMN leucocyte in cytobrush cytology to uterine fluid cytology was 1:2.4. ROC analysis revealed that the threshold value of 6.16% PMN leucocyte in uterine fluid cytology showed a diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of 100% in differentiating normal from SE‐affected buffaloes. In conclusion, collection of uterine fluid was easier compared to collection of endometrial samples using cytobrush and the percentage of PMN leucocyte in uterine fluid cytology can be used as a tool for diagnosis of subclinical endometritis in buffaloes.
Affects, Bodies and Desire: ‘Queering’ Methods and Methodologies to Research Queer Migration
Authors: Di Feliciantonio Cesare , Gadelha Kaciano B. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractIn this paper we discuss the main methodological issues raised by a research project we carried out between 2012 and 2013 about Italian queer ‘creative’ migration in Berlin, focusing on the tensions among mobility/movement, desire, bodies, affects and fieldwork. Following an increasing international debate on the topic, the contribution discusses the (im)possibility to develop a queer method or methodology. We stress how ‘queering’ methodologies and methods is not an ontological position pre‐assumed when conducting research with queer‐identified subjects, but is a process of dismantling taken‐for‐granted, stable, monolithic categories and identities. In order to do so, the paper discusses positionalities, situated knowledge and the different interactions – with both human and non‐human actors – shaping the field. Through analysing body performances in the terms introduced by Taylor, ‘a politics of becoming’ emerges as a way to consider the relation between sexualities and spaces. The ‘objects’ of our research, that is, queer migrants, can thus be reframed following Braidotti's conceptualisation of the ‘nomadic subject’ and Deleuze and Guattari's ‘desiring machines’. Since they are shaped by affects, personal trajectories are exceptional and unique, composing new territorial materialities.
Evaluation of the Lactate Plus monitor for plasma lactate concentration measurement in dogs
Authors: Nye Carolyn J. , Musulin Sarah E. , Hanel Rita M. , Mariani Christopher L. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractObjectiveTo compare the Lactate Plus handheld monitor to a reference blood gas analyzer for determining plasma lactate concentrations in canine whole blood.DesignProspective observational study.SettingUniversity teaching hospital.AnimalsNinety‐four dogs hospitalized or admitted through the emergency service provided 125 blood samples. Only dogs that required a venous or arterial blood gas evaluation as a part of their diagnostic assessment or ongoing management were included.InterventionsNone.Measurements and Main ResultsCanine whole blood samples were assayed for plasma lactate concentration with a reference blood gas analyzer and the Lactate Plus monitor. Correlation and Bland–Altman analyses were used to compare results between the 2 methods. A subset of blood samples was repeatedly analyzed with the Lactate Plus to assess monitor precision. Plasma lactate measurements from the Lactate Plus monitor showed excellent correlation with those from the reference analyzer (ρ = 0.98, P < 0.0001). Bland–Altman analysis revealed a small bias (0.1296). Agreement between the 2 methods was less consistent for lactate concentrations >5 mmol/L. The coefficient of variation ranged from 0–26.2% (median, 3.7%) and was <15% for 50/53 samples.ConclusionsThe Lactate Plus provides a fast and affordable method to measure plasma lactate concentration in dogs. Results showed excellent agreement with the reference analyzer and precision of the instrument was acceptable.
Managing haemovigilance at hospital and national level
Authors: Hindawi S. 
Published: December 2016

BackgroundThe haemovigilance system is an adverse event monitoring system established at the beginning of the last decade (1990s) in Europe. It then became a crucial part in quality system of blood transfusion in developed countries. However, there have been difficulties in taking farther steps in the direction of haemovigilance in developing countries up until now. In each country, a proposal of clear simple plan should be submitted to an official national body responsible of transfusion services in the country to get approval and support. The proposal should include aim and objective of having such system. The aim was to prevent the risk and/or to reduce the severity of adverse events, a written policy and standard to be followed, working group or committee to be responsible for the process of implementation, funds to cover system requirement and the running cost of the system. The decision must be taken to apply the haemovigilance system as voluntary or mandatory process according to the need of the country. At national level, the ministry of health (MOH) or the National Blood Authority (NBA) should ensure that bidirectional traceability is maintained from donor to patient and vice versa. In addition, they should ensure that mechanisms are in place for data collection, monitoring, analysis, reporting, evaluation and assessment.ConclusionHaemovigilance should be part of quality management systems of blood centres and healthcare institutions and should result in improved policies, procedures and practices in the blood transfusion chain.
The Epidemiology and Characteristics of Q fever and Co‐infections with Scrub Typhus, Murine Typhus or Leptospirosis in Taiwan: A Nationwide Database Study
Authors: Lai C.‐H. , Sun W. , Lee C.‐H. , Lin J.‐N. , Liao M.‐H. , Liu S.‐S. , Chang T.‐Y. , Tsai K.‐F. , Chang Y.‐C. , Lin H.‐H. , Chen Y.‐H. 
Published: December 2016

SummaryQ fever (QF) is a worldwide zoonosis associated with outbreaks. Only a few nationwide studies regarding the surveillance and epidemiology of human QF have been reported. Although QF is endemic in Taiwan, a nationwide database investigation of the epidemiology and characteristics of QF and its associations with scrub typhus (ST), murine typhus (MT) and leptospirosis (LS) has never been reported. We analysed nationwide databases of suspected QF, ST, MT and LS cases from October 2007 to December 2014 obtained from the Centers for Disease Control, Taiwan. A total of 468 (4.2%) QF cases were identified among 11 109 suspected QF cases. QF cases were mainly distributed in the southern and Kaohsiung–Pingtung regions but rarely in the eastern region. Compared to non‐QF cases, QF cases had significantly higher percentages of males (88.7 versus 66.2%) and high‐risk occupations (farming, animal husbandry or veterinary medicine) (16.2 versus 10.5%). But the percentages of specific animal contact, including cattle (0.6 versus 0.8%) and goats (0.9 versus 1.0%), were low in both. The majority of suspected QF cases (89.4%) were simultaneously suspected with ST, MT or LS, and the combinations of suspected diseases differed between regions. The number of suspected QF cases from the eastern region decreased since 2009, which was not observed in other regions. A total of 1420 (12.8%) cases had confirmed diseases, including QF (453, 4.1%), QF+ST (7, 0.06%), QF+MT (4, 0.04%), QF+LS (4, 0.04%), MT (186, 1.7%), ST (545, 4.9%), ST+LS (11, 0.1%) and LS (210, 1.9%). Compared to cases of unknown disease, QF cases had larger percentages of high‐risk occupations (16.2 versus 9.6%) but similar histories of animal contact (29.8 versus 25.1%). QF is an endemic disease in southern Taiwan. It is difficult to differentiate QF from ST, MT or LS only by high‐risk occupations and history of animal contact, and co‐infection of QF with these diseases should be considered.
Hand-related physical function in rheumatic hand conditions: a protocol for developing a patient-reported outcome measurement instrument
Authors: Klokker Louise , Terwee Caroline B , Wæhrens Eva Ejlersen , Henriksen Marius , Nolte Sandra , Liegl Gregor , Kloppenburg Margreet , Westhoven Rene , Wittoek Ruth , Kjeken Ingvild , Haugen Ida K , Schalet Ben , Gershon Richard , Bliddal Henning , Christensen Robin 
Published: December 2016

IntroductionThere is no consensus about what constitutes the most appropriate patient-reported outcome measurement (PROM) instrument for measuring physical function in patients with rheumatic hand conditions. Existing instruments lack psychometric testing and vary in feasibility and their psychometric qualities. We aim to develop a PROM instrument to assess hand-related physical function in rheumatic hand conditions.Methods and analysisWe will perform a systematic search to identify existing PROMs to rheumatic hand conditions, and select items relevant for hand-related physical function as well as those items from the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Physical Function (PF) item bank that are relevant to patients with rheumatic hand conditions. Selection will be based on consensus among reviewers. Content validity of selected items will be established through the use of focus groups. If patients deem necessary, we will develop new items based on the patients' input. We will examine whether it is valid to score all selected and developed items on the same scale as the original items from the PROMIS PF item bank. Our analyses will follow the methods used for calibrating the original PROMIS PF item bank in US samples, which were largely based on the general PROMIS approach.Ethics and disseminationThis study will be carried out in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration. Ethics approvals will be obtained where necessary, and signed informed consent will be obtained from all participants. We aim to disseminate the results of the study through publication in international peer-reviewed journals and at international conferences.
Permian conodont biostratigraphy
Authors: Henderson Charles M. 
Published: December 2016

Abstract

Forty Permian conodont biozones are summarized and 35 additional regional zones are correlated. The Lower Permian is largely zoned on the basis of partial range lineage interval zones of species of
Streptognathodus
,
Sweetognathus
,
Neostreptognathodus
and
Mesogondolella
. The Middle and Upper Permian are zoned, respectively, on the basis of partial range lineage interval zones of species of
Jinogondolella
and
Clarkina
. The ranges of all key taxa to develop this zonation are depicted in relation to the geochronological ages of Permian stages. The lowest Permian succession has been astronomically tuned with 400 kyr cyclothems linked to interpolated ages in the Uralian succession.
Characteristics of breathing rate control mediated by a subregion within the pontine parabrachial complex
Authors: Zuperku Edward J. , Stucke Astrid G. , Hopp Francis A. , Stuth Eckehard A. E. 
Published: December 2016

The role of the dorsolateral pons in the control of expiratory duration (Te) and breathing frequency is incompletely understood. A subregion of the pontine parabrachial-Kölliker-Fuse (PB-KF) complex of dogs was identified via microinjections, in which localized pharmacologically induced increases in neuronal activity produced increases in breathing rate while decreases in neuronal activity produced decreases in breathing rate. This subregion is also very sensitive to local and systemic opioids. The purpose of this study was to precisely characterize the relationship between the PB-KF subregion pattern of altered neuronal activity and the control of respiratory phase timing as well as the time course of the phrenic nerve activity/neurogram (PNG). Pulse train electrical stimulation patterns synchronized with the onset of the expiratory (E) and/or phrenic inspiratory (I) phase were delivered via a small concentric bipolar electrode while the PNG was recorded in decerebrate, vagotomized dogs. Step frequency patterns during the E phase produced a marked frequency-dependent decrease in Te, while similar step inputs during the I phase increased inspiratory duration (Ti) by 14 ± 3%. Delayed pulse trains were capable of pacing the breathing rate by terminating the E phase and also of triggering a consistent stereotypical inspiratory PNG pattern, even when evoked during apnea. This property suggests that the I-phase pattern generator functions in a monostable circuit mode with a stable E phase and a transient I phase. Thus the I-pattern generator must contain neurons with nonlinear pacemaker-like properties, which allow the network to rapidly obtain a full on-state followed by relatively slow inactivation. The activated network can be further modulated and supplies excitatory drive to the neurons involved with pattern generation.NEW & NOTEWORTHY A circumscribed subregion of the pontine medial parabrachial nucleus plays a key role in the control of breathing frequency primarily via changes in expiratory duration. Excitation of this subregion triggers the onset of the inspiratory phase, resulting in a stereotypical ramplike phrenic activity pattern independent of time within the expiratory phase. The ability to pace the I-burst rate suggests that the in vivo I-pattern generating network must contain functioning pacemaker neurons.