bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sub-Coronal Inflatable Penile Prosthesis Placement with Modified No-Touch Technique: A Step-by-Step Approach with Outcomes
Authors: Weinberg Aaron C. , Pagano Matthew J. , Deibert Christopher M. , Valenzuela Robert J. 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT

Introduction
The surgical treatment of disorders of male sexual function requires specific exposure to correct the underlying problem safely and efficiently. Currently, sub-coronal exposure is used for treatment of phimosis, Peyronie's disease plaque (PDP), and semirigid penile prosthesis insertion. Infra-pubic and scrotal incisions are used for inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) placement. However, men who present with several disorders might require multiple procedures and surgical incisions.

Aim
To report a prospective review of our surgical experience and outcomes with a single sub-coronal incision for IPP placement with a modified no-touch technique. This approach allows for access to the entire corporal body for multiple reconstructive procedures.

Methods
Two hundred men had IPPs placed through a sub-coronal incision using our modified no-touch technique. The penis was degloved to the level of the penoscrotal junction and the dartos muscle was everted and secured to the drapes. This allowed exclusion of the scrotal and penile skin from the operative field. After artificial erection, the patient's corpora were inspected for PDP and other abnormalities. Penoscrotal IPP models were placed in all cases with insertion proximal to the penoscrotal junction. After placement of the IPP, the abnormalities were repaired.

Main Outcome Measures
Feasibility of the procedure, operative times, complication rate, utilization of accessory, reconstructive procedures, and post-operative penile length.

Results
Of the 200 men who had IPP placement, 92 had PDP that was treated, 106 (53%) consented to circumcision, 24 (12%) had their reservoir placed ectopically, and 31 (16%) had a prosthesis exchanged through the sub-coronal technique. Mean operative time was 73 minutes (39–161 minutes).

Conclusion
Specialists in the surgical treatment of disorders of male sexual function can perform multiple procedures safely and easily through a modified no-touch single sub-coronal incision. This approach allows access to the entire corporal body, providing excellent visibility and allowing the surgeon to perform multiple penile reconstructive surgeries through a single incision.
Clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic management of patients with breast tuberculosis: Analysis of 46 Cases
Authors: Kilic Murat Ozgur , Sağlam Cemile , Ağca Filiz D. , Terzioğlu Serdar G. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractBreast tuberculosis is a rare form of extrapulmonary tubercular infection. Our aim is to highlight the nonspecific clinical presentations, diagnostic difficulties and therapeutic approaches of mammarian tuberculosis. Forty‐six patients diagnosed with breast tuberculosis between 2005 and 2015 were reviewed retrospectively. Clinical features, all diagnostic methods, and the outcomes of treatment were analysed. All cases were female with a mean age of 36.4 years. Breast mass and pain were the most common complaints. While 34.8% of the cases had a physical examination with suspicions for malignancy, 43.5% of the patients had Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI‐RADS) 4 or 5 lesions suggested malignancy radiologically. Definitive diagnosis was based on histopathologic examination through core needle biopsy (n = 29), excisional biopsy (n = 12), and open biopsy (n = 5) taken from the abscess wall during drainage. Standard antiTB therapy for 6 months was given to all cases. Thirty‐three patients recovered with standard 6‐month therapy while extended treatment for 9–12 months was needed in 13 (28.2%) cases. Surgery was carried out in 17 cases. Two patients developed recurrence. Breast tuberculosis can be easily confused with breast cancer, suppurative abscess, and other causes of granulomatous mastitis, both clinically and radiologically. A multidisciplinary approach is required to prevent diagnostic delays and unnecessary surgical interventions. Although antiTB therapy is the mainstay treatment of breast TB, surgery is usually indicated in patients refractory to medical treatment.
Perinatal Regionalization and Implications for Long-Term Health Outcomes in Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Bolbocean Corneliu , Wintermark Pia , Shevell Michael I. , Oskoui Maryam 
Published: January 2016

AbstractBackground: Perinatal regionalization is linked to improved neonatal outcomes; however, the effects on long-term outcomes in cerebral palsy (CP) are not known. We estimate the effect of highest levels of neonatal care available at delivery on the risk of developing a nonambulatory CP status. Methods: Children with CP born in Quebec from the Canadian CP Registry excluding postneonatal causes were included (N=360). We estimate the effect of level of care available at delivery on risk of nonambulatory status among children with CP using propensity score matching and instrumental variables methods to adjust for differences in case mix among the three groups of hospitals. The outcome variable is an indicator for CP nonambulation assigned according to Gross Motor Function Classification System (levels IV and V). This study used data that predated therapeutic hypothermia in Quebec. Results: Propensity score estimates of change in the adjusted risk of having a nonambulatory CP status because of birth at level II versus level I is −0.081, 95% confidence interval (CI; −0.2182 to 0.0562); level III versus level I is −0.072 95% CI (−0.225 to 0.08), and level III versus level II is 0.157 95% CI (0.027 to 0.286). Conclusions: Differences in levels of neonatal care available at hospital where the delivery was carried out are not associated with the risk of a nonambulatory CP phenotype. This suggests that level of care and associated medical technology within the Quebec regionalized neonatal-perinatal system is used efficiently because it does not offer any further marginal benefit in the reduction of severe CP outcomes. The system works well as it is, which is supportive of the perinatal regionalization. The success of the neonatal resuscitation program and referral of high-risk births to regional hospitals with sufficient obstetric and perinatal competence and resources may contribute to this lack of variability.
Perceived Addiction as a Predictor of Smoking Cessation Among Occasional Smokers
Authors: Chaiton Michael , Cohen Joanna E. , Bondy Sue J. , Selby Peter , Brown K. Stephen , Ferrence Roberta , Garcia John M. 
Published: January 2016

Introduction: Common short screening measures of dependence that use number of cigarettes per day may not be appropriate for use in populations of occasional smokers.Aims: In this study, we investigate whether perceived addiction (PA) predicts quit attempts and successful cessation among occasional smokers.Methods: Current occasional smokers (18+) in the Ontario Tobacco Survey (OTS) longitudinal cohort study followed up every six months for up to three years. Respondents rated their self-perceived level of addiction (very vs. somewhat or not very addicted). Generalised Estimating Equation models and proportional hazard models were used to test the predictive ability of PA.Results/Findings: Occasional smokers with very high PA had a higher likelihood of reporting a quit attempt (RR: 2.49; 95% CI: 1.88, 3.30) after adjusting for demographics. Given an incident quit attempt, occasional smokers who reported being very addicted were 2.93 times more likely to relapse (95%: 2.01, 4.28). The effect of PA was independent of other predictors of smoking behaviour.Conclusions: For some, occasional smokers, smoking cessation is a difficult process that may require significant support. Asking occasional smokers about PA is an effective way to predict likely success in quitting smokers that may be easily assessed in population based, as well as in community and clinical, settings.
AMS Dates from Two Archaeological Sites of Korea: Blind Tests
Authors: Kim Jangsuk , Wright David K , Lee Youngseon , Lee Jaeyong , Choi Seonho , Kim Junkyu , Ahn Sung-Mo , Choi Jongtaik , Seong Chuntaek , Hyun Chang Ho , Hwang Jaehoon , Yang Hyemin , Yang Jiwon 
Published: January 2016

AbstractIn interpreting radiocarbon dating results, it is important that archaeologists distinguish uncertainties derived from random errors and those from systematic errors, because the two must be dealt with in different ways. One of the problems that archaeologists face in practice, however, is that when receiving dating results from laboratories, they are rarely able to critically assess whether differences between multiple14C dates of materials are caused by random or systematic errors. In this study, blind tests were carried out to check four possible sources of errors in dating results: repeatability of results generated under identical field and laboratory conditions, differences in results generated from the same sample given to the same laboratory submitted at different times, interlaboratory differences of results generated from the same sample, and differences in the results generated between inner and outer rings of wood. Five charred wood samples, collected from the Namgye settlement and Hongreyonbong fortress, South Korea, were divided into 80 subsamples and submitted to five internationally recognized14C laboratories on a blind basis twice within a 2-month interval. The results are generally in good statistical accordance and present acceptable errors at an archaeological scale. However, one laboratory showed a statistically significant variance in ages between batches for all samples and sites. Calculation of the Bayesian partial posterior predictivepvalue and chi-squared tests rejected the null hypothesis that the errors randomly occurred, although the source of the error is not specifically known. Our experiment suggests that it is necessary for users of14C dating to establish an organized strategy for dating sites before submitting samples to laboratories in order to avoid possible systematic errors.
Institutional disparities and asset allocation homologation in Italian defined contribution pension funds. How do they affect the guarantee commitment?
Authors: DE VINCENTIIS PAOLA , ISAIA ELEONORA , ZOCCHI PAOLA 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThis paper analyzes the performance of the Italian defined contribution guaranteed pension funds during the period 2008–2012 through a panel analysis. This paper is organized around three main research questions. The first one is focused on the probability of a guarantee payment in a given year. The second one deals with the determinants of the gap between actual return and minimum guaranteed yield on a yearly basis. The third one focuses on the factors affecting the weight of administrative and management costs and their relationship with the fund dimension.
Human brain networks function in connectome-specific harmonic waves
Authors: Atasoy Selen , Donnelly Isaac , Pearson Joel 
Published: January 2016

AbstractA key characteristic of human brain activity is coherent, spatially distributed oscillations forming behaviour-dependent brain networks. However, a fundamental principle underlying these networks remains unknown. Here we report that functional networks of the human brain are predicted by harmonic patterns, ubiquitous throughout nature, steered by the anatomy of the human cerebral cortex, the human connectome. We introduce a new technique extending the Fourier basis to the human connectome. In this new frequency-specific representation of cortical activity, that we call ‘connectome harmonics’, oscillatory networks of the human brain at rest match harmonic wave patterns of certain frequencies. We demonstrate a neural mechanism behind the self-organization of connectome harmonics with a continuous neural field model of excitatory–inhibitory interactions on the connectome. Remarkably, the critical relation between the neural field patterns and the delicate excitation–inhibition balance fits the neurophysiological changes observed during the loss and recovery of consciousness.
Imaging tumour cell heterogeneity following cell transplantation into optically clear immune-deficient zebrafish
Authors: Tang Qin , Moore John C. , Ignatius Myron S. , Tenente Inês M. , Hayes Madeline N. , Garcia Elaine G. , Torres Yordán Nora , Bourque Caitlin , He Shuning , Blackburn Jessica S. , Look A. Thomas , Houvras Yariv , Langenau David M. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractCancers contain a wide diversity of cell types that are defined by differentiation states, genetic mutations and altered epigenetic programmes that impart functional diversity to individual cells. Elevated tumour cell heterogeneity is linked with progression, therapy resistance and relapse. Yet, imaging of tumour cell heterogeneity and the hallmarks of cancer has been a technical and biological challenge. Here we develop optically clear immune-compromised rag2E450fs(casper) zebrafish for optimized cell transplantation and direct visualization of fluorescently labelled cancer cells at single-cell resolution. Tumour engraftment permits dynamic imaging of neovascularization, niche partitioning of tumour-propagating cells in embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, emergence of clonal dominance in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and tumour evolution resulting in elevated growth and metastasis in BRAFV600E-driven melanoma. Cell transplantation approaches using optically clear immune-compromised zebrafish provide unique opportunities to uncover biology underlying cancer and to dynamically visualize cancer processes at single-cell resolution in vivo.
Axotomy-induced HIF-serotonin signalling axis promotes axon regeneration in C. elegans
Authors: Alam Tanimul , Maruyama Hiroki , Li Chun , Pastuhov Strahil Iv. , Nix Paola , Bastiani Michael , Hisamoto Naoki , Matsumoto Kunihiro 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe molecular mechanisms underlying the ability of axons to regenerate after injury remain poorly understood. Here we show that in Caenorhabditis elegans, axotomy induces ectopic expression of serotonin (5-HT) in axotomized non-serotonergic neurons via HIF-1, a hypoxia-inducible transcription factor, and that 5-HT subsequently promotes axon regeneration by autocrine signalling through the SER-7 5-HT receptor. Furthermore, we identify the rhgf-1 and rga-5 genes, encoding homologues of RhoGEF and RhoGAP, respectively, as regulators of axon regeneration. We demonstrate that one pathway initiated by SER-7 acts upstream of the C. elegans RhoA homolog RHO-1 in neuron regeneration, which functions via G12α and RHGF-1. In this pathway, RHO-1 inhibits diacylglycerol kinase, resulting in an increase in diacylglycerol. SER-7 also promotes axon regeneration by activating the cyclic AMP (cAMP) signalling pathway. Thus, HIF-1-mediated activation of 5-HT signalling promotes axon regeneration by activating both the RhoA and cAMP pathways.
Conformation and dynamics of the ligand shell of a water-soluble Au102 nanoparticle
Authors: Salorinne Kirsi , Malola Sami , Wong O. Andrea , Rithner Christopher D. , Chen Xi , Ackerson Christopher J. , Häkkinen Hannu 
Published: January 2016

AbstractInorganic nanoparticles, stabilized by a passivating layer of organic molecules, form a versatile class of nanostructured materials with potential applications in material chemistry, nanoscale physics, nanomedicine and structural biology. While the structure of the nanoparticle core is often known to atomic precision, gaining precise structural and dynamical information on the organic layer poses a major challenge. Here we report a full assignment of 1H and 13C NMR shifts to all ligands of a water-soluble, atomically precise, 102-atom gold nanoparticle stabilized by 44 para-mercaptobenzoic acid ligands in solution, by using a combination of multidimensional NMR methods, density functional theory calculations and molecular dynamics simulations. Molecular dynamics simulations augment the data by giving information about the ligand disorder and visualization of possible distinct ligand conformations of the most dynamic ligands. The method demonstrated here opens a way to controllable strategies for functionalization of ligated nanoparticles for applications.
Factors associated with the time to the first wheezing episode in infants: a cross-sectional study from the International Study of Wheezing in Infants (EISL)
Authors: Pacheco-Gonzalez Rosa M , Mallol Javier , Solé Dirceu , Brand Paul L P , Perez-Fernandez Virginia , Sanchez-Solis Manuel , Garcia-Marcos Luis ,   the EISL Study Group
Published: January 2016

AbstractMale gender, asthmatic heredity, perinatal tobacco smoke exposure and respiratory infections have been associated with wheeze in the first years of life, among other risk factors. However, information about what factors modify the time to the first episode of wheeze in infants is lacking. The present study analyses which factors are associated with shorter time to the first episode of wheeze in infants. Parents of 11- to 24-month-old children were surveyed when attending their health-care centres for a control visit. They answered a questionnaire including the age in months when a first wheeze episode (if any) had occurred (outcome variable). The study was performed in 14 centres in Latin America (LA) and in 8 centres in Europe (EU) (at least 1,000 infants per centre). Factors known to be associated with wheezing in the cohort were included in a survival analysis (Cox proportional hazards model). Summary hazard ratios adjusted for all risk factors (aHR) were calculated using the meta-analysis approach with random effects. A total of 15,067 infants had experienced wheezing at least once, out of 35,049 surveyed. Male gender in LA (aHR 1.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00–1.10, P=0.047), parental asthma in LA and EU (aHR 1.05, 95% CI 1.00–1.11, P=0.037), infant eczema in EU (aHR 1.25, 95% CI 1.12–1.39, P<0.001) and having a cold during the first 3 months in LA and EU (aHR 1.97, 95% CI 1.90–2.04, P<0.001), in LA (aHR 1.98, 95% CI 1.90–2.06, P<0.001) and in EU (aHR 1.91, 95% CI 1.75–2.09, P<0.001) were associated with a shorter period of time to the first episode. Breast feeding for at least 3 months was associated with a longer period, only in LA (aHR 0.91, 95% CI 0.86–0.96, P<0.001). Cold symptoms during the first 3 months is the most consistent factor shortening the time to the first episode of wheezing; breast feeding for ⩾3 months delays it only in LA, whereas eczema shortens it only in EU. Avoiding a common cold in the first months of life could be a good strategy to delay the first wheeze episode; however, cohort studies will help to elucidate this association.
Help-seeking and antibiotic prescribing for acute cough in a Chinese primary care population: a prospective multicentre observational study
Authors: Wong Carmen Ka Man , Liu Zhaomin , Butler Chris C , Wong Samuel Yeung Shan , Fung Alice , Chan Dicken , Yip Benjamin Hon Kei , Kung Kenny 
Published: January 2016

AbstractAcute cough is a common reason to prescribe antibiotics in primary care. This study aimed to explore help-seeking and antibiotic prescribing for acute cough in Chinese primary care population. This is a prospective multicentre observational study that included adults presenting with acute cough. Clinicians recorded patients’ presenting symptoms, examination findings and medication prescription. Patients completed symptom diaries for up to 28 days by charting their symptom severity and recovery. Adjusted binary logistic regression models identified factors independently associated with antibiotic prescription. Primary care clinicians (n=19) recruited 455 patients. A total of 321 patients (70.5%) returned their completed symptom diaries. Concern about illness severity (41.6%) and obtaining a prescription for symptomatic medications (45.9%), rather than obtaining a prescription for antibiotics, were the main reasons for consulting. Antibiotics were prescribed for 6.8% (n=31) of patients, of which amoxicillin was the most common antimicrobial prescribed (61.3%), as it was associated with clinicians’ perception of benefit from antibiotic treatment (odds ratio (OR): 25.9, 95% confidence interval (CI): 6.7–101.1), patients’ expectation for antibiotics (OR: 5.1, 95% CI: 1.7–11.6), anticipation (OR: 5.1, 95% CI: 1.6–15.0) and request for antibiotics (OR 15.7, 95% CI: 5.0–49.4), as well as the severity of respiratory symptoms (cough, sputum, short of breath and wheeze OR: 2.7–3.7, all P<0.05). There was a significant difference in antibiotic prescription rates between private primary care clinicians and public primary care clinicians (17.4 vs 1.6%, P=0.00). Symptomatic medication was prescribed in 98.0% of patients. Mean recovery was 9 days for cough and 10 days for all symptoms, which was not significantly associated with antibiotic treatment. Although overall antibiotic-prescribing rates were low, there was a higher rate of antibiotic prescribing among private primary care clinicians, which warrants further exploration and scope for education and intervention.
Mozart, Mozart Rhythm and Retrograde Mozart Effects: Evidences from Behaviours and Neurobiology Bases
Authors: Xing Yingshou , Xia Yang , Kendrick Keith , Liu Xiuxiu , Wang Maosen , Wu Dan , Yang Hua , Jing Wei , Guo Daqing , Yao Dezhong 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe phenomenal finding that listening to Mozart K.448 enhances performance on spatial tasks has motivated a continuous surge in promoting music education over the past two decades. But there have been inconsistent reports in previous studies of the Mozart effect. Here conducted was a systematic study, with Mozart and retrograde Mozart music, Mozart music rhythm and pitch, behaviours and neurobiology tests, rats and humans subjects. We show that while the Mozart K.448 has positive cognitive effects, the retrograde version has a negative effect on rats’ performance in the Morris water maze test and on human subjects’ performance in the paper folding and cutting test and the pencil-and-paper maze test. Such findings are further confirmed by subsequent immunohistochemical analyses in rats on the neurogenesis and protein levels of BDNF and its receptor, TrkB. Furthermore, when the rhythm and pitch of the normal and retrograde Mozart music are manipulated independently, the learning performance of the rats in the Morris water maze test indicated that rhythm is a crucial element in producing the behavioural effects. These findings suggest that the nature of Mozart effect is the Mozart rhythm effect and indicate that different music may have quite different to opposite effects. Further study on rhythm effect may provide clues to understand the common basis over animals from rats to humans.
Novel Quantum Criticality in Two Dimensional Topological Phase transitions
Authors: Cho Gil Young , Moon Eun-Gook 
Published: January 2016

AbstractTopological quantum phase transitions intrinsically intertwine self-similarity and topology of many-electron wave-functions and divining them is one of the most significant ways to advance understanding in condensed matter physics. Our focus is to investigate an unconventional class of the transitions between insulators and Dirac semimetals whose description is beyond conventional pseudo relativistic Dirac Hamiltonian. At the transition without the long-range Coulomb interaction, the electronic energy dispersion along one direction behaves like a relativistic particle, linear in momentum, but along the other direction it behaves like a non-relativistic particle, quadratic in momentum. Various physical systems ranging from TiO2-VO2 heterostructure to organic material α-(BEDT-TTF)2I3 under pressure have been proposed to have such anisotropic dispersion relation. Here, we discover a novel quantum criticality at the phase transition by incorporating the "Equation missing" long range Coulomb interaction. Unique interplay between the Coulomb interaction and electronic critical modes enforces not only the anisotropic renormalization of the Coulomb interaction but also marginally modified electronic excitation. In connection with experiments, we investigate several striking effects in physical observables of our novel criticality.