bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimizing Porcine Islet Isolation to Markedly Reduce Enzyme Consumption Without Sacrificing Islet Yield or Function
Authors: Holdcraft Robert W. , Green Michael L. , Breite Andrew G. , Circle Lisa , Meyer Eric D. , Adkins Hollie , Harbeck Steven G. , Smith Barry H. , Gazda Lawrence S. 
Published: June 2016

Background
Human allogeneic islet transplantation for treatment of type 1 diabetes provides numerous clinical benefits, such as fewer episodes of hypoglycemic unawareness and tighter control of blood glucose levels. Availability of human pancreas for clinical and research use, however, is severely limited. Porcine pancreas offers an abundant source of tissue for optimization of islet isolation methodology and future clinical transplantation, thereby increasing patient access to this potentially lifesaving procedure.

Methods
Porcine islet isolations were performed using varying amounts of collagenase (7.5, 3.75, or 2.5 Wunsch units per gram tissue) and neutral protease activity (12 000, 6000, or 4000 neutral protease units per gram tissue) and perfusion volumes (1.7 or 0.85 mL/g tissue) to assess their effects on isolation outcomes. Retention of dissociative enzymes within the pancreas during perfusion and digestion was evaluated, along with distribution of the perfusion solution within the tissue.

Results
Reducing enzyme usage by as much as 67% and perfusion volume by 50% led to equally successful islet isolation outcomes when compared with the control group (48 ± 7% of tissue digested and 1088 ± 299 islet equivalents per gram of pancreas vs 47 ± 11% and 1080 ± 512, respectively). Using margin-marking dye in the perfusion solution to visualize enzyme distribution demonstrated that increasing perfusion volume did not improve tissue infiltration.

Conclusions
Current protocols for porcine islet isolation consume excessive amounts of dissociative enzymes, elevating cost and limiting research and development. These data demonstrate that islet isolation protocols can be optimized to significantly reduce enzyme usage while maintaining yield and function and thus accelerating progress toward clinical application.
Continuous dopaminergic stimulation therapy for Parkinson's disease – recent advances
Authors: Timpka Jonathan , Mundt-Petersen Ulrika , Odin Per 
Published: June 2016

Purpose of review
We aim to review the most interesting recent advances on the clinical aspects of continuous dopaminergic stimulation in Parkinson's disease.

Recent findings
Several large, open-label studies have presented data that are in line with the randomized controlled trial on L-dopa-carbidopa intestinal gel infusion, which shows that a continuous drug delivery can improve motor fluctuations and dyskinesia in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease. Furthermore, new extended-release formulations of L-dopa aim to stabilize plasma concentrations and thus reduce the degree of motor complications – despite a reduced number of daily doses. Transdermal rotigotine has been shown to be effective for specific subgroups of patients, although the general effect on nonmotor symptoms is still unclear. New products for L-dopa infusion are also at different stages of development, but the routes of administration are widely different: intrajejunal, subcutaneous, and oral.

Summary
The understanding of the mechanisms behind the complications of long-term L-dopa treatment is still not complete, but therapies aiming for continuous dopaminergic stimulation are already widely used in clinical practice and the evidence strength is improving. However, there is still an urgent need for both less invasive and less costly options in order to increase access to these therapies.
Electromyographic Findings in Gracilis Muscle Grafts Used to Augment Elbow Flexion in Traumatic Brachial Plexopathy
Authors: Kazamel Mohamed , Sorenson Eric J. 
Published: June 2016

Background:
Gracilis muscle graft transplantation is one of the last resort surgical options to restore elbow flexion in patients with chronic traumatic upper-trunk brachial plexopathies.

Methods:
We retrospectively identified 34 patients who underwent surgeries between 1997 and 2014, and had postoperative follow-up for at least 12 months. Demographic, clinical, and electromyographic preoperative and postoperative data were analyzed.

Results:
The median age of injury was 30 years old. Most subjects had a complete loss of elbow flexion preoperatively (n = 28, 82.4%). Median time from injury to surgery was 20 months (range = 3–226 months). It did not correlate with the time to reinnervation on EMG (r = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.007–0.62) or with the time improvement in muscle strength (r = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.007–0.62). The mean postoperative follow-up interval was 22.35 months. During that period, 32 of 34 (94%) patients achieved reinnervation. Median times from surgery to graft innervation and to any improvement in elbow flexor muscle power were the same (8.5 months) with overlapping time to event curves.

Conclusion:
Despite the long-standing and complete loss of elbow flexion in most of our patients, gracilis transfer surgeries have helped most of them to achieve reinnervation and start to regain function. Electromyography is a helpful tool, which along with the clinical examination, can predict postoperative improvement.
Pleural empyema due to Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis in an immunocompetent elderly patient: a case report
Authors: Xaplanteri Panagiota , Assimakopoulos Stelios F. , Karachalios Kostis , Siagris Dimitrios , Lekkou Alexandra , Anastassiou Evangelos D. , Spiliopoulou Iris , Gogos Charalambos , Kolonitsiou Fevronia 
Published: June 2016

Introduction:
Pleural empyema as a focal infection due to Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis is rare and most commonly described among immunosuppressed patients or patients who suffer from sickle cell anaemia and lung malignancies.

Case presentation:
Here, we present an 81-year-old immunocompetent Greek woman with bacteraemia and pleural empyema due to Salmonella Enteritidis without any gastrointestinal symptoms.

Conclusion:
In our case, we suggest that patient’s pleural effusion secondary to heart failure was complicated by empyema and that focal intravascular infection was the cause of bacteraemia.
NGMASTER: in SilicoMulti-Antigen Sequence Typing forNeisseria gonorrhoeae
Authors: Kwong Jason C , Gonçalves da Silva Anders , Dyet Kristin , Williamson Deborah A , Stinear Timothy P , Howden Benjamin P , Seemann Torsten 
Published: June 2016

ABSTRACTWhole-genome sequencing (WGS) provides the highest resolution analysis for comparison of bacterial isolates in public health microbiology. However, although increasingly being used routinely for some pathogens such asListeria monocytogenesandSalmonella enterica, the use of WGS is still limited for other organisms, such asNeisseria gonorrhoeae. Multi-antigen sequence typing (NG-MAST) is the most widely performed typing method for epidemiologic surveillance of gonorrhoea. Here, we presentNGMASTER– a command-line software tool for performingin silicoNG-MAST on assembled genome data.NGMASTERrapidly and accurately determined the NG-MAST of 630 assembled genomes, facilitating comparisons between WGS and previously published gonorrhoea epidemiological studies. The source code and user documentation are available athttps://github.com/MDU-PHL/ngmaster.
Theta-burst transcranial magnetic stimulation to the prefrontal or parietal cortex does not impair metacognitive visual awareness
Authors: Bor Daniel , Schwartzman David J. , Barrett Adam B. , Seth Anil K. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractNeuroimaging studies commonly associate dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and posterior parietal cortex with conscious perception. However, such studies only investigate correlation, rather than causation. In addition, many studies conflate objective performance with subjective awareness. In an influential recent paper, Rounis and colleagues addressed these issues by showing that theta burst transcranial magnetic stimulation (tbs-TMS) applied to the DLPFC impaired metacognitive (subjective) awareness for a perceptual task, while objective performance was kept constant. We attempted to replicate this finding, with minor modifications, including an active tbs-TMS control site. Using a between-subjects design for both DLPFC and posterior parietal cortices, we found no evidence of a tbs-TMS-induced metacognitive impairment. In a second experiment, we devised a highly rigorous within-subjects tbs-TMS design for DLPFC, but again failed to find any evidence of metacognitive impairment. One crucial difference between our results and the Rounis study is our strict exclusion of data deemed unsuitable for a signal detection theory analysis. Indeed, when we included this unstable data, a significant, though invalid, metacognitive impairment was found. These results cast doubt on previous findings relating metacognitive awareness to DLPFC, and inform the current debate concerning whether or not prefrontal regions are preferentially implicated in conscious perception.
Sorry seems to be the hardest word: consumer reactions to self-attributions by firms apologizing for a brand crisis
Authors: Yuan Denghua , Cui Geng , Lai Lei 
Published: June 2016

Purpose
When apologizing for a brand crisis, self-attribution by a business inevitably affects consumer attitude and behavior. The purpose of this study is to draw from the dissonance-attribution model and investigate the effect of self-attribution in apologies on consumers’ brand attitude.

Design/methodology/approach
This study includes two scenario-based experiments of 2 × 2 design.

Findings
In the first experiment on product failure, the results show that internal attribution generates significant change in brand attitude in a positive direction, while external attribution leads to negative change in brand attitude. Dispositional attribution leads to significantly more positive brand attitude than situational attribution. Internal/dispositional attribution produces significantly more positive effect on consumer attitude than the other three types of attribution. Moreover, perceived risk is found to mediate the relationship between attributions and brand attitude, and such mediating effect is moderated by consumers’ corporate associations. However, in the second experiment on moral crisis, the mediating and moderating effects are not significant.

Practical implications
Clearly, how a company apologizes for a product crisis makes a big difference in the effectiveness of recovery strategies to restore consumer confidence. Sincere apologies based on internal/dispositional attribution are more effective to re-gain the respect of consumers and win them back.

Originality/value
This study is the first to examine consumer reactions to self-attributions by marketers apologizing for a brand crisis and the combined effect of self-attributions along the horizontal dimension (internal versus external attribution) and the vertical dimension (dispositional versus situational attribution).
Management of Hypertension in Primary Care Safety‐Net Clinics in the United States: A Comparison of Community Health Centers and Private Physicians' Offices
Authors: Fontil Valy , Bibbins‐Domingo Kirsten , Nguyen Oanh Kieu , Guzman David , Goldman Lauren Elizabeth 
Published: June 2016

ObjectiveTo examine adherence to guideline‐concordant hypertension treatment practices at community health centers (CHCs) compared with private physicians' offices.Data Sources/Study SettingNational Ambulatory Medical Care Survey from 2006 to 2010.Study DesignWe examined four guideline‐concordant treatment practices: initiation of a new medication for uncontrolled hypertension, use of fixed‐dose combination drugs for patients on multiple antihypertensive medications, use of thiazide diuretics among patients with uncontrolled hypertension on ≥3 antihypertensive medications, and use of aldosterone antagonist for resistant hypertension, comparing use at CHC with private physicians' offices overall and by payer group.Data Collection/Extraction MethodsWe identified visits of nonpregnant adults with hypertension at CHCs and private physicians' offices.Principal FindingsMedicaid patients at CHCs were as likely as privately insured individuals to receive a new medication for uncontrolled hypertension (AOR 1.0, 95 percent CI: 0.6–1.9), whereas Medicaid patients at private physicians' offices were less likely to receive a new medication (AOR 0.3, 95 percent CI: 0.1–0.6). Use of fixed‐dose combination drugs was lower at CHCs (AOR 0.6, 95 percent CI: 0.4–0.9). Thiazide use for patients was similar in both settings (AOR 0.8, 95 percent CI: 0.4–1.7). Use of aldosterone antagonists was too rare (2.1 percent at CHCs and 1.5 percent at private clinics) to allow for statistically reliable comparisons.ConclusionsIncreasing physician use of fixed‐dose combination drugs may be particularly helpful in improving hypertension control at CHCs where there are higher rates of uncontrolled hypertension.
Confronting Health Inequalities in the BRICS: Political Institutions, Foreign Policy Aspirations and State‐civil Societal Relationships
Authors: Gómez Eduardo J. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThe BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) have emerged as potentially robust economies with considerable international influence. Nevertheless, essentially all of these nations have fallen short of simultaneously developing strong economies and health care systems, contributing to the emergence of health care inequalities, such as inadequate access to medicine, health care treatment and out‐of‐pocket spending. This is puzzling considering that most of these nations’ economies burgeoned during the 1990s and early‐2000s, thus potentially providing additional revenue for health care spending, while constitutional guarantees of universal access to health care and the presence of democratic electoral institutions in most nations should have incentivized governments to successfully address these inequality issues. Nevertheless, with the exception of South Africa, this study finds that waning political commitment to health care spending, increased foreign aid commitments and tenuous state‐civil societal relationships accounted for these ongoing inequality challenges.
Smartphone patient monitoring post‐laser resurfacing
Authors: Chee Shien‐Ning , Lowe Patricia , Lim Adrian 
Published: June 2016

AbstractBackground/ObjectivesPatients should be monitored post‐laser resurfacing for reassurance and the early detection of adverse events. Smartphone monitoring in the post‐laser resurfacing setting is an efficient and convenient tool that is well accepted by patients and dermatologists. The objective was to identify the benefits and barriers of, and patient attitudes towards, smartphone monitoring in the post‐laser resurfacing setting.MethodsA retrospective audit of 123 laser resurfacing patients was undertaken to determine the characteristics of this population. A web‐based survey was used to determine patients' attitudes towards smartphone monitoring.ResultsThe commonest indications for laser resurfacing were acne scarring and photoageing rejuvenation. 88% of patients either had no adverse outcomes or expected post‐laser resurfacing side‐effects such as erythema. 12% developed adverse effects requiring intervention. The survey showed that all patients who had used the smartphone monitoring service felt it was a positive initiative for post‐laser patients. Of note, most patients not using the smartphone review service were simply unaware of its existence. Biases may have been introduced as staff were less likely to promote the review service to patients undergoing lower intensity procedures.ConclusionsSmartphone monitoring post‐laser resurfacing is an efficient and convenient alternative to face‐to‐face review for both patients and dermatologists. As technology improves and patients' expectations increase we expect more patients will request teledermatology reviews in order to easily and rapidly access medical advice.
Outcomes of halo immobilization in the management of subaxial cervical facet fractures
Authors: Sime David , Gabbe Belinda , Liew Susan 
Published: June 2016

BackgroundSpinal injury causes a significant burden on patients, families and health services. Cervical facet fractures are uncommon, and there is a paucity of functional and health‐related quality‐of‐life data in patients who are managed non‐operatively for this injury.MethodsVictorian State Trauma Registry patients managed in a halothoracic brace for cervical facet injuries from August 2006 to June 2013 were included. Health status (12‐item Short‐Form health survey), function (Glasgow Outcome Scale‐Extended), pain and return to work outcomes were assessed at 6, 12 and 24 months post‐injury. Subgroup analysis was performed for age, sex, comorbidity, compensable status, Injury Severity Score (ISS) and education.ResultsOutcome data were available for 54 patients, with road trauma being the most common mechanism (69%), followed by a fall from height (18%). Overall, good 24‐month function was achieved in 35% of patients, and 51% and 77% of patients reported good physical and mental health status, respectively. Ongoing moderate–severe neck pain was present in 19% of patients. Poorer function was associated with compensable status (P = 0.05), an ISS > 12 (P = 0.001) and a lower level of education (P = 0.04). Poorer physical health status was associated with age ≥50 (P = 0.05), pre‐existing comorbidities, an ISS > 12 (P = 0.04) and a lower level of education (P = 0.03).ConclusionAlthough many patients achieved good function and health status by 24 months, neck pain remains prevalent. A number of demographic factors were associated with a poorer outcome. This understanding helps to inform prognosis when managing this injury.
Integrated reporting: an international overview
Authors: Vaz Natalia , Fernandez‐Feijoo Belen , Ruiz Silvia 
Published: June 2016

This article analyses the determinants associated with the use of the Integrated Report (IR) as a corporate reporting model for sustainability information. IRs provide information regarding the use and interdependence of different company resources. The previous literature has identified determinants behind the presentation of IRs at the country level (legal system, investor protection, economic development, cultural characteristics) as well as at the company level (size, industry, verification of the sustainability report). Our work contributes to the literature by using a novel statistical approach that addresses the likelihood of the non‐independence of data: companies in the same country are more similar to one another than are companies from different countries. Our results confirm significant inter‐country variance, which may be partially explained by the existence of specific regulations and the individualism vs. collectivism dimension. Although we confirm the effect of company‐level determinants, our results do not support the role of specific variables tested as determinants.
Cytomegalovirus‐negative kidney transplant recipients are at an increased risk for malignancy after kidney transplantation
Authors: Rozen‐Zvi Benaya , Lichtenberg Shelly , Green Hefziba , Cohen Ori , Chagnac Avry , Mor Eytan , Rahamimov Ruth 
Published: June 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe effect of cytomegalovirus (CMV) serology status on malignancy risk in kidney transplanted patients is not clear yet.MethodsIn a nested case–control study, CMV serology status was compared between patients with a malignancy and 2:1 matched control patients without a malignancy. In a cohort study, the hazard of malignancy was compared between patients that were CMV‐negative but had a CMV‐positive donor and other patients, using Cox analysis.ResultsFifty‐two of 599 patients transplanted in our center between 2001 and 2014 developed a malignancy. Nine (17.3%) of the 52 patients that developed cancer were CMV‐negative but had a‐CMV‐positive donor compared with 6 (5.8%) of the 104 matched control patients (odd ratio 3.42, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.15–10.2, P=.021). By univariate Cox model, there was a trend toward increased cancer risk in CMV‐negative patients with a positive donor (hazard ratio [HR] 1.95, 95% CI 0.95–4.0, P=.07), but after adjusting for multiple covariates, CMV‐negative status was significantly associated with increased risk of cancer (HR 2.55, 95% CI 1.23–5.26; P=.012).ConclusionsCMV‐negative patients that had a CMV‐positive donor were found to have a higher risk of malignancy after kidney transplantation.
N‐dimensional hypervolumes to study stability of complex ecosystems
Authors: Barros Ceres , Thuiller Wilfried , Georges Damien , Boulangeat Isabelle , Münkemüller Tamara 
Published: June 2016

AbstractAlthough our knowledge on the stabilising role of biodiversity and on how it is affected by perturbations has greatly improved, we still lack a comprehensive view on ecosystem stability that is transversal to different habitats and perturbations. Hence, we propose a framework that takes advantage of the multiplicity of components of an ecosystem and their contribution to stability. Ecosystem components can range from species or functional groups, to different functional traits, or even the cover of different habitats in a landscape mosaic. We make use of n‐dimensional hypervolumes to define ecosystem states and assess how much they shift after environmental changes have occurred. We demonstrate the value of this framework with a study case on the effects of environmental change on Alpine ecosystems. Our results highlight the importance of a multidimensional approach when studying ecosystem stability and show that our framework is flexible enough to be applied to different types of ecosystem components, which can have important implications for the study of ecosystem stability and transient dynamics.
Relative male and female contributions to the supercooling point of their offspring in Microvelia reticulata (Heteroptera: Veliidae)
Authors: Ditrich Tomáš , Boukal David S. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractCold hardiness is a key life history trait in temperate and polar ectothermic species, as it affects survival during overwintering, but its evolution is poorly understood. While many studies of cold hardiness in insects have shown differences between species, populations or developmental stages, data on the relative contribution of individual genotypes to cold hardiness are scarce and mainly limited to drosophilid fly species. We used a sib‐analysis (paternal half‐sib/full‐sib breeding design) to estimate the relative contributions of parental generation to the supercooling point (SCP) of the offspring of a heteropteran non‐model insect species, Microvelia reticulata (Heteroptera: Gerromorpha: Veliidae). We found that parent identity affected significantly SCP values of their offspring. Magnitudes of estimated sire and dam variance components were similar but the distributions of individual contributions to SCP differed between sires and dams, which points to sex‐specific genetic or parental effects on SCP in this species. The animal model failed to find a realistic estimate of heritability (h2) of SCP, suggesting that the underlying genetics of SCP in M. reticulata can not be characterized by purely additive effects.