bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sphincter‐Preserving Surgery for Low Rectal Cancers: Incidence and Risk Factors for Permanent Stoma
Authors: Mak Joanna Chung Kiu , Foo Dominic Chi Chung , Wei Rockson , Law Wai Lun 
Published: June 2017

AbstractBackgroundAdvances in surgical techniques and paradigm changes in rectal cancer treatment have led to a drastic decline in the abdominoperineal resection rate, and sphincter‐preserving operation is possible in distal rectal cancer.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to evaluate the long‐term incidence of permanent stoma after sphincter‐preserving surgery for low rectal cancer and its corresponding risk factors.MethodFrom 2000 to 2014, patients who underwent sphincter‐preserving low anterior resection for low rectal cancer (within 5 cm from the anal verge) were included. The occurrence of permanent stoma over time and its risk factors were investigated by using a Cox proportional hazards regression model.ResultsThis study included 194 patients who underwent ultra‐low anterior resection for distal rectal cancer, and the median follow‐up period was 77 months for the surviving patients. Forty‐six (23.7%) patients required a permanent stoma eventfully. Anastomotic‐related complications and disease progression were the main reasons for permanent stoma. Clinical anastomotic leakage (HR 5.72; 95% CI 2.31–14.12; p < 0.001) and neoadjuvant chemoradiation (HR 2.34; 95% CI 1.12–4.90; p = 0.024) were predictors for permanent primary stoma. Local recurrence (HR 16.09; 95% CI 5.88–44.03; p < 0.001) and T4 disease (HR 11.28; 95% CI 2.99–42.49; p < 0.001) were predictors for permanent secondary stoma. The 5‐ and 10‐year cumulative incidence for permanent stoma was 24.1 and 28.0%, respectively.ConclusionAdvanced disease, prior chemoradiation, anastomotic leakage and local recurrence predispose patients to permanent stoma should be taken into consideration when contemplating sphincter‐preserving surgery.
Effects of High Intensity Ultrasound Frequency and High‐Speed Agitation on Fat Crystallization
Authors: Silva R. C. , Lee J. , Gibon V. , Martini Silvana 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe objective of this research was to examine the effect of ultrasound frequency and high‐speed agitation on lipid crystallization. Interesterified soybean oil was crystallized at 44 °C without and with the application of high intensity ultrasound (HIU—20 and 40 kHz) or with high‐speed agitation (6000 and 24,000 rpm). Two tip amplitudes (24 and 108 µm) and three pulse durations were evaluated (5, 10, and 15 s) for the acoustic frequencies tested. Sonication at 20 kHz of frequency significantly reduced crystal size, increased (p < 0.05) elasticity (435.9 ± 173.3–80,218 ± 15,384 Pa) and SFC (0.2 ± 0.0–4.5 ± 0.4%). No significant difference was observed in the crystallization behavior of these samples when sonicated at different amplitudes for 5 and 10 s. The crystallization behavior was significantly delayed (p < 0.05) in samples sonicated using 108 µm amplitude for 15 s. Larger crystals were formed in samples sonicated at 40 kHz compared to those obtained with 20 kHz and lower SFC (3.7 ± 0.0%) and elasticity (3943 ± 1459 Pa) values were obtained. High‐speed agitation at 24,000 rpm increased SFC (5.5 ± 0.1%) and crystallized area and decreased the elasticity (42,602 ± 11,775 Pa) compared to the samples sonicated at 20 kHz.
LIFELONG HEALTH INSURANCE COVERS WITH SURRENDER VALUES: UPDATING MECHANISMS IN THE PRESENCE OF MEDICAL INFLATION
Authors: Dhaene Jan , Godecharle Els , Antonio Katrien , Denuit Michel , Hanbali Hamza 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThis paper considers the problem of a lifelong health insurance cover where medical inflation is not sufficiently incorporated in the level premium determined at policy issue. We focus on the setting where changes in health benefits, driven by medical inflation, are accounted for by an appropriate update or indexation of the level premium, the policy value, or both premium and policy value, during the term of the contract. Such an updating mechanism is necessary to restore the actuarial equivalence between future health benefits and surrender values on the one hand, and available policy values and future premiums on the other hand. We extend existing literature (Vercruysse et al., 2013; Denuit et al., 2017) by developing updating mechanisms in a discrete-time framework, where medical inflation is only taken into account ex-post as it emerges over time and where surrender values are allowed for. We propose and design two types of surrender values: based on the ageing provision on the one hand and based directly on the premiums paid until surrender on the other hand. We illustrate our updating strategy with numerical examples, using Belgian data, and investigate the sensitivity of our findings with respect to elements from the technical basis (in particular: the lapse rates) used in the actuarial calculations. Our updating mechanism is generic and useful for a wide range of products in life and health insurance, where some elements of the technical basis are guaranteed while others are subject to revision according to policy conditions.
Burden of Clostridium difficile Infections in French Hospitals in 2014 From the National Health Insurance Perspective
Authors: Leblanc Soline , Blein Cécile , Andremont Antoine , Bandinelli Pierre-Alain , Galvain Thibaut 
Published: June 2017

OBJECTIVETo describe the hospital stays of patients with Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) and to measure the hospitalization costs of CDI (as primary and secondary diagnoses) from the French national health insurance perspectiveDESIGNBurden of illness studySETTINGAll acute-care hospitals in FranceMETHODSData were extracted from the French national hospitalization database (PMSI) for patients covered by the national health insurance scheme in 2014. Hospitalizations were selected using the International Classification of Diseases, 10threvision (ICD-10) code for CDI. Hospital stays with CDI as the primary diagnosis or the secondary diagnosis (comorbidity) were studied for the following parameters: patient sociodemographic characteristics, mortality, length of stay (LOS), and related costs. A retrospective case-control analysis was performed on stays with CDI as the secondary diagnosis to assess the impact of CDI on the LOS and costs.RESULTSOverall, 5,834 hospital stays with CDI as the primary diagnosis were included in this study. The total national insurance costs were €30.7 million (US $33,677,439), and the mean cost per hospital stay was €5,267±€3,645 (US $5,777±$3,998). In total, 10,265 stays were reported with CDI as the secondary diagnosis. The total national insurance additional costs attributable to CDI were estimated to be €85 million (US $93,243,725), and the mean additional cost attributable to CDI per hospital stay was €8,295±€17,163, median, €4,797 (US $9,099±$8,827; median, $5,262).CONCLUSIONCDI has a high clinical and economic burden in the hospital, and it represents a major cost for national health insurance. When detected as a comorbidity, CDI was significantly associated with increased LOS and economic burden. Preventive approaches should be implemented to avoid CDIs.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:906–911
Evidence for the treatment of moderate depression: a systematic review
Authors: Aherne D. , Fitzgerald A. , Aherne C. , Fitzgerald N. , Slattery M. , Whelan N. 
Published: June 2017

ObjectivesThis study aims to investigate existing evidence for the effectiveness of psychological treatments and/or antidepressant medication as a treatment for those diagnosed with moderate levels of depression.MethodsA PRISMA systematic review of articles using electronic research databases (2000–2014) was conducted to identify studies investigating the effectiveness of psychotherapy and/or medication as a treatment for people with moderate levels of depression. Search terms included moderate depression, psychotherapy and/or medication, depressive disorders, antidepressants, psychotherapy, mental health services, and randomized-controlled trial (RCT). The included studies were then assessed, extracted, and synthesised.ResultsA total of 14 studies met the inclusion criteria (11 RCTs and three additional studies) for this review. The findings of the systematic review indicate that there is limited evidence available specific to the treatment of moderate depression and that this research seems to suggest that psychotherapy or combined treatment has a beneficial effect.ConclusionsGiven that depression is one of the biggest challenges the world faces at present, further research is required to examine the effectiveness of treatment for different levels of depression severity.
Comparison of measured and predicted energy density of an oral care chew for dogs
Authors: Nuttall Danielle , Butterwick Richard , Strauhs Katja , McGenity Phil 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe dog chew studied here is a starch-based, twin-screw cooker extruded dog care and treat (C&T) product with oral health benefits. The manufacturing process and nutrient profile of such products are markedly different from those of main meal pet foods. Predicted metabolisable energy (PME) in pet food is calculated using equations derived from main meal feeding studies so it is unclear whether these equations can be applied to C&T products. The present study aimed to directly measure metabolisable energy (ME) content of the dog chew in dogs and compare with calculated PME. A batch of dog chews was manufactured and the product rendered micronutrient complete to allow solus feeding. Following a 3 d standard diet pre-feed phase, the test product was fed solus to a panel of seven adult dogs for a period of 8 d. Dietary intake was recorded daily and faecal matter collected for the last 5 d. Test product and pooled faecal samples were analysed for proximate nutrients, and digestibility coefficients were calculated as the difference in intake and faecal excretion (7–11 d). Digestible energy was converted to ME by correcting for energy losses in urine. PME was calculated using proximate analysis and modified Atwater factors according to National Research Council 2006. The results showed close agreement between actual ME (1272 (sd 12·1) kJ/100 g) and calculated PME (1268 (sd 12·6) kJ/100 g), indicating transferability of the NRC 2006 PME equations to the dog chew tested here.
Prior exercise alters the difference between arterialised and venous glycaemia: implications for blood sampling procedures
Authors: Edinburgh Robert M. , Hengist Aaron , Smith Harry A. , Betts James A. , Thompson Dylan , Walhin Jean-Philippe , Gonzalez Javier T. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractOral glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity are common measures, but are determined using various blood sampling methods, employed under many different experimental conditions. This study established whether measures of oral glucose tolerance and oral glucose-derived insulin sensitivity (insulin sensitivity indices; ISI) differ when calculated from venousv.arterialised blood. Critically, we also established whether any differences between sampling methods are consistent across distinct metabolic conditions (after restv.after exercise). A total of ten healthy men completed two trials in a randomised order, each consisting of a 120-min oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), either at rest or post-exercise. Blood was sampled simultaneously from a heated hand (arterialised) and an antecubital vein of the contralateral arm (venous). Under both conditions, glucose time-averaged AUC was greater from arterialised compared with venous plasma but importantly, this difference was larger after rest relative to after exercise (0·99 (sd0·46)v.0·56 (sd0·24) mmol/l, respectively;P<0·01). OGTT-derived ISIMatsudaand ISICederholmwere lower when calculated from arterialised relative to venous plasma and the arterialised–venous difference was greater after restv.after exercise (ISIMatsuda: 1·97 (sd0·81)v.1·35 (sd0·57) arbitrary units (au), respectively; ISICederholm: 14·76 (sd7·83)v.8·70 (sd3·95) au, respectively; bothP<0·01). Venous blood provides lower postprandial glucose concentrations and higher estimates of insulin sensitivity, compared with arterialised blood. Most importantly, these differences between blood sampling methods are not consistent after restv.post-exercise, preventing standardised venous-to-arterialised corrections from being readily applied.
How does peer similarity influence adult children caregivers' perceptions of support from peers? A mixed-method study
Authors: WASILEWSKI MARINA BASTAWROUS , STINSON JENNIFER N. , WEBSTER FIONA , CAMERON JILL I. 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACTDue to the growing elderly population, adult children care-givers (ACCs) are increasingly providing complex care for one or both elderly parents. Social support from similar peers can mitigate care-giving-related health declines. To date, ‘peer similarity’ amongst care-givers has been predominantly investigated in the context of peer-matching interventions. However, because peer similarity is especially influential in ‘naturally occurring’ support networks, care-givers' everyday peer support engagement warrants further attention. Our goal was to explore care-givers' everyday peer support engagement and the influence of peer similarity on support perceptions. We employed a mixed-method design using Web-based surveys and in-depth qualitative interviews. The quantitative data were analysed using a hierarchical multiple while qualitative data were thematically analysed. Seventy-one ACCs completed the online questionnaire and 15 participated in a telephone interview. Peer similarity was positively and significantly associated with perceived support (β = 0.469, p < 0.0005) and explained 18.5 per cent of the additional variance. ACCs' narratives suggested the most important aspect of similarity was ‘shared care-giving experience’ as it optimised the support received from peers, and also enhanced the quality of the relationship. In conclusion, both data-sets underscored that peer similarity importantly influences support perceptions. The importance of ‘shared care-giving experience’ suggests that a more comprehensive understanding of this concept is needed to optimise peer-matching endeavours. Peer similarity's influence on relationship quality should also be explored.
On the asymptotic expansions of the Kashaev invariant of the knots with 6 crossings
Authors: OHTSUKI TOMOTADA , YOKOTA YOSHIYUKI 
Published: June 2017

AbstractWe give presentations of the asymptotic expansions of the Kashaev invariant of the knots with 6 crossings. In particular, we show the volume conjecture for these knots, which states that the leading terms of the expansions present the hyperbolic volume and the Chern--Simons invariant of the complements of the knots. As higher coefficients of the expansions, we obtain a new series of invariants of these knots.A non-trivial part of the proof is to apply the saddle point method to calculate the asymptotic expansion of an integral which presents the Kashaev invariant. A key step of this part is to give a concrete homotopy of the (real 3-dimensional) domain of the integral in ℂ3 in such a way that the boundary of the domain always stays in a certain domain in ℂ3 given by the potential function of the hyperbolic structure.
Retrospective genomic analysis ofVibrio choleraeO1 El Tor strains from different places in India reveals the presence ofctxB-7allele found in Haitian isolates
Authors: DE R. , RAMAMURTHY T. , SARKAR B. L. , MUKHOPADHYAY A. K. , PAZHANI G. P. , SARKAR S. , DUTTA S. , NAIR G. B. 
Published: June 2017

SUMMARYA total of 45 strains ofVibrio choleraeO1 isolated from 10 different places in India where they were associated with cases of cholera between the years 2007 and 2008 were examined by molecular methods. With the help of phenotypic and genotypic tests the strains were confirmed to be O1 El Tor biotype strains with classicalctxBgene. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis by double – mismatch amplification mutation assay PCR showed 16 of these strains carried thectxB-7allele reported in Haitian strains. Sequencing of thectxBgene in all the 45 strains revealed that in 16 strains the histidine at the 20th amino acid position had been replaced by asparagine and this single nucleotide polymorphism did not affect cholera toxin production as revealed by beads enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. This study shows that the newctxBgene sequence was circulating in different places in India. Seven representatives of these 45 strains analysed by pulsed – field gel electrophoresis showed four distinctNot Idigested profiles showing that multiple clones were causing cholera in 2007 and 2008.
A rapid echocardiographic screening protocol for rheumatic heart disease in Samoa: a high prevalence of advanced disease
Authors: Allen Marvin , Allen John , Naseri Take , Gardner Rebecca , Tolley Dennis , Allen Lori 
Published: June 2017

AbstractBackgroundEchocardiography has been proposed as a method to screen children for rheumatic heart disease. The World Heart Federation has established guidelines for echocardiographic screening. In this study, we describe a rapid echocardiogram screening protocol according to the World Heart Federation guidelines in Samoa, endemic for rheumatic heart disease.MethodsWe performed echocardiogram screening in schoolchildren in Samoa between 2013 and 2015. A brief screening echocardiogram was performed on all students. Children with predefined criteria suspicious for rheumatic hear diseases were referred for a more comprehensive echocardiogram. Complete echocardiograms were classified according to the World Heart Federation guidelines and severity of valve disease.ResultsEchocardiographic screening was performed on 11,434 children, with a mean age of 10.2 years; 51% of them were females. A total of 558 (4.8%) children underwent comprehensive echocardiography, including 49 students who were randomly selected as controls. Definite rheumatic heart disease was observed in 115 students (10.0 per 1000): 92 students were classified as borderline (8.0 per 1000) and 23 with CHD. Advanced disease was identified in 50 students (4.4 per 1000): 15 with severe mitral regurgitation, five with severe aortic regurgitation, 11 with mitral stenoses, and 19 with mitral and aortic valve disease.ConclusionsWe successfully applied a rapid echocardiographic screening protocol to a large number of students over a short time period – 28 days of screening over a 3-year time period – to identify a high prevalence of rheumatic heart disease. We also reported a significantly higher rate of advanced disease compared with previously published echocardiographic screening programmes.
Neuropsychological Clustering in Bipolar and Major Depressive Disorder
Authors: Cotrena Charles , Damiani Branco Laura , Ponsoni André , Milman Shansis Flávio , Paz Fonseca Rochele 
Published: June 2017

AbstractObjectives: Cognitive dysfunction is a key feature of major depressive (MDD) and bipolar (BD) disorders. However, rather than a single cognitive profile corresponding to each diagnostic categories, recent studies have identified significant intra- and cross-diagnostic variability in patterns of cognitive impairment. The goal of this study was to contribute to the literature on cognitive heterogeneity in mood disorders by identifying cognitive subprofiles in a population of patients with MDD, BD type I, BD type II, and healthy adults. Methods: Participants completed a neuropsychological battery; scores were converted into Z-scores using normative data and submitted to hierarchical cluster analysis. Results: Three distinct neuropsychological clusters were identified: (1) a large cluster containing mostly control participants, as well as some patients with BD and MDD, who performed at above-average levels on all neuropsychological domains; (2) a cluster containing some patients from all diagnostic groups, as well as healthy controls, who performed worse than cluster 1 on most tasks, and showed impairments in motor inhibition and verbal fluency; (3) a cluster containing mostly patients with mood disorders with severe impairments in verbal inhibition and cognitive flexibility. Conclusions: These findings revealed multiple cognitive profiles within diagnostic categories, as well as significant cross-diagnostic overlap, highlighting the importance of developing more specific treatment approaches which consider patients’ demographic and cognitive profiles in addition to their diagnosis. (JINS, 2017, 23, 584–593)
Front-of-package nutrition references are positively associated with food processing
Authors: Christoforou Anthea , Dachner Naomi , Mendelson Rena , Tarasuk Valerie 
Published: June 2017

AbstractObjectiveFoods characterized by a high degree of processing are pervasive in the global food supply and concerns have been raised about their contribution to the escalating burden of diet-related disease. It has been suggested that the dominance of these products relates in part to their aggressive on-package marketing. The purpose of the present study was to assess the relationship between the extent and nature of front-of-package (FOP) nutrition references on products sold in Canadian supermarkets and the level of food processing.DesignFOP references were recorded from all packaged foods. Nutrition references were classified as ‘negative’ and ‘positive’ and further differentiated in terms of the use of regulated and unregulated text. Foods were coded for level of processing, using three different classification systems. Logistic and negative binomial regression analyses were conducted to assess associations.SettingThree large Toronto supermarkets, from the top Canadian food retailers.SubjectsPackaged foods (n20 520).ResultsForty-one per cent of products had FOP nutrition references. Irrespective of the classification system considered, the most processed category comprised the greatest proportion of products and nearly half of these bore FOP references. Foods deemed most processed were more likely than less processed products to bear FOP references and regulated and unregulated references to negative ingredients, but they were equally or less likely to bear positive nutrition references, depending on the classification system.ConclusionsThe greater frequency of FOP nutrition references on heavily processed foods raises questions about the extent to which discretionary FOP labelling supports public health efforts to promote healthy eating.
Histomorphometric Parameters of the Growth Plate and Trabecular Bone in Wild-Type and Trefoil Factor Family 3 (Tff3)-Deficient Mice Analyzed by Free and Open-Source Image Processing Software
Authors: Bijelić Nikola , Belovari Tatjana , Stolnik Dunja , Lovrić Ivana , Baus Lončar Mirela 
Published: June 2017

AbstractTrefoil factor family 3 (Tff3) peptide is present during intrauterine endochondral ossification in mice, and its deficiency affects cancellous bone quality in secondary ossification centers of mouse tibiae. The aim of this study was to quantitatively analyze parameters describing the growth plate and primary ossification centers in tibiae of 1-month-old wild-type andTff3knock-out mice (n=5 per genotype) by using free and open-source software. Digital photographs of the growth plates and trabecular bone were processed by open-source computer programs GIMP and FIJI. Histomorphometric parameters were calculated using measurements made with FIJI.Tff3knock-out mice had significantly smaller trabecular number and significantly larger trabecular separation. Trabecular bone volume, trabecular bone surface, and trabecular thickness showed no significant difference between the two groups. Although such histomorphological differences were found in the cancellous bone structure, no significant differences were found in the epiphyseal plate histomorphology. Tff3 peptide probably has an effect on the formation and quality of the cancellous bone in the primary ossification centers, but not through disrupting the epiphyseal plate morphology. This work emphasizes the benefits of using free and open-source programs for morphological studies in life sciences.