bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Persistent high blood urea nitrogen level is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events in patients with acute heart failure
Authors: Jujo Kentaro , Minami Yuichiro , Haruki Shintaro , Matsue Yuya , Shimazaki Kensuke , Kadowaki Hiromu , Ishida Issei , Kambayashi Keigo , Arashi Hiroyuki , Sekiguchi Haruki , Hagiwara Nobuhisa 
Published: June 2017

AbstractAimsThe association between kinetics of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels in hospital and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with acutely decompensated congestive heart failure (HF) is unclear. We aimed to estimate the impact of changes in BUN level during hospitalization on clinical prognosis in patients with acute HF.Methods and resultsA total of 353 consecutive patients that were urgently hospitalized due to acutely decompensated HF and discharged alive were divided into four subgroups depending on their BUN level at admission and discharge, using a cut‐off level of 21.0 mg/dL. Among 206 patients with high baseline BUN level, 46 (22%) and 160 (78%) had normal and persistent high BUN levels at discharge, respectively. In contrast, of the 147 patients with normal baseline BUN level, 55 (37%) and 92 (63%) had high and normal BUN levels at discharge, respectively. During the observational period after discharge, Kaplan–Meier analysis showed the highest rate of combined outcome of cardiovascular death and HF readmission in patients with persistent high BUN (log‐rank test: P < 0.001). After adjustment for comorbidities, the hazard ratio for a combined outcome was significantly lower in patients with normalized BUN level compared with those with persistent high BUN (hazard ratio 0.48, 95% confidence interval 0.23–0.99, P = 0.049).ConclusionsPersistent high BUN levels in hospital are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular death and HF readmission. Normalization of BUN levels during hospitalization may be associated with long‐term clinical outcomes.
Portable data‐parallel surface reconstruction on a uniform rectilinear grid
Authors: Francois Marianne M. , Lo Li‐Ta , Sewell Christopher , Velechovsky Jan 
Published: June 2017

SummaryWith the increasing heterogeneity and on‐node parallelism of high‐performance computing hardware, a major challenge is to develop portable and efficient algorithms and software. In this work, we present our implementation of a portable code to perform surface reconstruction using NVIDIA's Thrust library. Surface reconstruction is a technique commonly used in volume tracking methods for simulations of multimaterial flow with interfaces. We have designed a 3D mesh data structure that is easily mapped to the 1D vectors used by Thrust and at the same time is simple to use and uses familiar data structure terminology (such as cells, faces, vertices, and edges). With this new data structure in place, we have implemented a piecewise linear interface reconstruction algorithm in 3 dimensions that effectively exploits the symmetry present in a uniform rectilinear computational cell. Finally, we report performance results, which show that a single implementation of these algorithms can be compiled to multiple backends (specifically, multi‐core CPUs, NVIDIA GPUs, and Intel Xeon Phi processors), making efficient use of the available parallelism on each. We also compare performance of our implementation to a legacy FORTRAN implementation in Message Passing Interface (MPI) and show performance parity on single and multi‐core CPU and achieved good parallel speed‐ups on GPU. Our research demonstrates the advantage of performance portability of the underlying data‐parallel programming model.
Development of gluten‐free bread formulations containing whole chia flour with acceptable sensory properties
Authors: Sandri Luciana T. B. , Santos Fernanda G. , Fratelli Camilly , Capriles Vanessa D. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractIncreasing the variety of better‐tasting and healthier gluten‐free products is important for consumers with gluten‐related disorders. This work aimed to develop a gluten‐free bread formulation containing whole chia flour with acceptable sensory properties. A mixture design for three ingredients and response surface methodology were used to identify the proportions of potato starch, rice flour and whole chia flour to achieve the best physical properties and result in sensory‐accepted products. The physical properties and visual appearance showed that whole chia flour alone is not suitable for bread production. Nevertheless, it is possible to add up to 14% whole chia flour to a rice flour‐based gluten‐free bread formulation while negligibly diminishing the loaf volume, crumb firmness and crumb moisture. The best formulations were prepared from rice flour blends with 5, 10, and 14% whole chia flour, which received overall acceptability scores of 8.7, 8.1 and 7.9 on a 10‐cm scale, respectively, similar to those of their white gluten‐free bread and wheat bread counterparts. Incorporating 5%–14% whole chia flour in the formulation increased the levels of ash, lipid, protein and dietary fiber compared to those of the white gluten‐free bread.
A randomized double‐blind controlled trial of different filling pressures in operative outpatient hysteroscopy
Authors: Haggag Hisham , Hassan AbdelGany , Wahba Amr , Joukhadar Ralf 
Published: June 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo identify the optimal filling pressure during operative outpatient hysteroscopy that allows completion of the procedure while minimizing pain.MethodsA double‐blind randomized controlled trial of women aged 20–60 years undergoing operative hysteroscopy (including biopsy sampling, polypectomy, septum excision, adhesiolysis, or intrauterine device removal) was undertaken at a university hospital in Egypt between May 2014 and July 2016. Using a computer‐generated randomization sequence, patients were randomly assigned into three equal groups: filling pressures of 40 mm Hg (group 1), 60 mm Hg (group 2), and 80 mm Hg (group 3; control). The primary outcome was the proportion of successfully completed procedures. Analyses were by intention to treat.ResultsEach group contained 80 women. The procedure was completed for 63 (79%) women in group 1, 73 (91%) in group 2, and 76 (95%) in group 3 (P=0.004). The proportion of completed procedures in group 3 was significantly different from that in group 1 (P=0.002), but did not differ significantly from that in group 2 (P=0.349).ConclusionA uterine filling pressure of 60 mm Hg does not reduce the frequency of completion when compared with 80 mm Hg in operative outpatient hysteroscopy.ClinicalTrials.gov registrationNCT02142673.
A pediatric case of imported dengue hemorrhagic fever in Japan
Authors: Kusama Yoshiki , Ito Ken , Tajima Shigeru , Kutsuna Satoshi 
Published: June 2017

AbstractWe report a case of imported dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) in a 10‐year‐old Philippine boy. The patient was admitted to the hospital with a 4‐day history of high fever, headache, and malaise, and a 2‐day history of epistaxis and hematemesis. Symptoms deteriorated after admission, and the patient was subsequently diagnosed with DHF. DHF occurs more frequently among cases of reinfection than among cases of primary infection. Therefore, physicians should recognize the difference in the risk of developing DHF between patients in endemic and nonendemic areas.
Achieving success in clinically based research: the importance of mentoring
Authors: Ward Elizabeth C. , Hargrave Catriona , Brown Elizabeth , Halkett Georgia , Hogg Peter 
Published: June 2017

AbstractWithin the professions of radiation therapy and medical imaging, clinician led research activity is becoming more prevalent. However, more is needed. A key component of continuing to develop professional groups who are both research active and producing high quality clinical research, is research mentoring. The authors of this paper share a common interest in enhancing research capacity through research mentoring within the health workforce, and came together to run a workshop on this issue at the 11th Annual Scientific Meeting of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy (ASMMIRT 2016) conference in Brisbane. Theory, clinical insights and issues regarding research mentoring were raised in the workshop as were the benefits of having dedicated research positions embedded within the health workforce to help provide support and build capacity. Key elements from this workshop are shared within this article, with the objective to encourage clinicians and clinical researchers to invest the time and effort into seeking and providing good quality research mentoring. A single service example is used to demonstrate how this can lead to enhanced research engagement and productivity.
High salt diet impairs memory‐related synaptic plasticity via increased oxidative stress and suppressed synaptic protein expression
Authors: Ge Qian , Wang Zhengjun , Wu Yuwei , Huo Qing , Qian Zhaoqiang , Tian Zhongmin , Ren Wei , Zhang Xia , Han Jing 
Published: June 2017

ScopeA high salt (HS) diet is detrimental to cognitive function, in addition to having a role in cardiovascular disorders. However, the method by which an HS diet impairs cognitive functions such as learning and memory remains open.Methods and resultsIn this study, we found that mice on a 7 week HS diet demonstrated disturbed short‐term memory in an object‐place recognition task, and both 4 week and 7 week HS treatments impaired long‐term memory, as evidenced in a fear conditioning test. Mechanistically, the HS diet inhibited memory‐related long‐term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampus, while also increasing the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in hippocampal cells and downregulating the expression of synapsin I, synaptophysin, and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor in specific encephalic region.ConclusionThis suggests that oxidative stress or synaptic protein/neurotrophin deregulation was involved in the HS diet‐induced memory impairment. Thus, the present study provides novel insights into the mechanisms of memory impairment caused by excessive dietary salt, and underlined the importance of controlling to salt absorb quantity.
Establishing the overlap of IONP quantification with echo and echoless MR relaxation mapping
Authors: Ring Hattie L. , Zhang Jinjin , Klein Nathan D. , Eberly Lynn E. , Haynes Christy L. , Garwood Michael 
Published: June 2017

PurposeIron‐oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have shown tremendous utility for enhancing image contrast and delivering targeted therapies. Quantification of IONPs has been demonstrated at low concentrations with gradient echo (GRE) and spin echo (SE), and at high concentrations with echoless sequences such as swept imaging with Fourier transform (SWIFT). This work examines the overlap of IONP quantification with GRE, SE, and SWIFT.MethodsThe limit of quantification of GRE, SE, inversion‐recovery GRE, and SWIFT sequences was assessed using IONPs at a concentration range of 0.02 to 89.29 mM suspended in 1% agarose. Empirically derived limits of quantification were compared with International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry definitions. Both commercial and experimental IONPs were used.ResultsAll three IONPs assessed demonstrated an overlap of concentration quantification with GRE, SE, and SWIFT sequences. The largest dynamic range observed was 0.004 to 35.7 mM with Feraheme.ConclusionsThe metrics established allow upper and lower quantitative limitations to be estimated given the relaxivity characteristics of the IONP and the concentration range of the material to be assessed. The methods outlined in this paper are applicable to any pulse sequence, IONP formulation, and field strength. Magn Reson Med 79:1420–1428, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Age‐based differences in the predictive accuracy of a one‐size‐fits‐all risk‐cutoff value in prenatal integrated screening for Down syndrome
Authors: Yan Jia , Ayer Turgay , Keskinocak Pinar , Caughey Aaron 
Published: June 2017

AbstractObjectiveThe objective of this study is to assess variation in detection and false positive rates and adverse pregnancy outcomes across different age groups when a one‐size‐fits‐all risk‐cutoff value, such as 1/270, is used in integrated screening for Down syndrome.MethodA Monte Carlo simulation was utilized to estimate the detection and false positive rates as well as adverse pregnancy outcomes.ResultsUsing a one‐size‐fits‐all risk‐cutoff value, such as 1/270, can result in considerably high variations in detection and false positive rates across maternal ages and lead to a higher than the minimum possible total number of adverse outcomes.ConclusionOur findings indicate that the one‐size‐fits‐all risk‐cutoff value of 1/270, commonly used in DS screening, should be revisited and alternative (possibly age‐based) cutoff values and strategies should be considered. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles as a Novel Potential Therapeutic Tool for Tissue Repair
Authors: Chen Bi , Li Qing , Zhao Bizeng , Wang Yang 
Published: June 2017

Summary
Stem cells, with their therapeutic potential in tissue repair and regeneration, have been widely used in translational medicine. Recent evidence suggests that the beneficial effects are mediated largely by their paracrine actions rather than the engraftment and differentiation at the injured sites. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), actively released from cells, play important roles in cell-to-cell communication and display multiple functions in tissue regeneration. In the present report, we will briefly review the current knowledge related to the therapeutic potential of EVs, particularly stem cell or progenitor cell-derived ones for promoting tissue repair and regeneration, and focus on the restorative properties of exosomes/microvesicles in cutaneous wound healing, bone regeneration, hindlimb ischemia, and vascular injury repair.
Neuroprotektion geschädigter Photorezeptoren
Authors: Landfried Britta , Grimm Christian 
Published: June 2017

Zusammenfassung
Der Schutz der Sehzellen durch Neuroprotektion ist ein vielversprechender Ansatz, der bei vielen degenerativen Netzhauterkrankungen entweder als Mono- oder Kombinationstherapie zum Einsatz kommen könnte. Viele neuroprotektive Substanzen wurden im Tiermodell identifiziert und erfolgreich getestet. Einige dieser Substanzen wurden auch bereits in klinischen Versuchen am Patienten untersucht, allerdings mit unterschiedlichem Erfolg. Diverse Versuchsansätze werden derzeit überprüft.
Reasons for and Experiences with Surgical Interventions for Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C): A Systematic Review
Authors: Berg Rigmor C. , Taraldsen Sølvi , Said Maryan A. , Sørbye Ingvil Krarup , Vangen Siri 
Published: June 2017

Abstract

Background
Because female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) leads to changes in normal genital anatomy and functionality, women are increasingly seeking surgical interventions for their FGM/C-related concerns.

Aim
To conduct a systematic review of empirical quantitative and qualitative research on interventions for women with FGM/C-related complications.

Methods
We conducted systematic searches up to May 2016 in 16 databases to obtain references from different disciplines. We accepted all study designs consisting of girls and women who had been subjected to FGM/C and that examined a reparative intervention for a FGM/C-related concern. We screened the titles, abstracts, and full texts of retrieved records for relevance. Then, we assessed the methodologic quality of the included studies and extracted and synthesized the study data.

Outcomes
All outcomes were included.

Results
Of 3,726 retrieved references, 71 studies including 7,291 women were eligible for inclusion. We identified three different types of surgical intervention: defibulation or surgical separation of fused labia, excision of a cyst with or without some form of reconstruction, and clitoral or clitoral-labial reconstruction. Reasons for seeking surgical interventions consisted of functional complaints, sexual aspirations, esthetic aspirations, and identity recovery. The most common reasons for defibulation were a desire for improved sexual pleasure, vaginal appearance, and functioning. For cyst excision, cystic swelling was the main reason for seeking excision; for reconstruction, the main reason was to recover identity. Data on women's experiences with a surgical intervention are sparse, but we found that women reported easier births after defibulation. Our findings also suggested that most women were satisfied with defibulation (overall satisfaction = 50–100%), typically because of improvements in their sexual lives. Conversely, the results suggested that defibulation had low social acceptance and that the procedure created distress in some women who disliked the new appearance of their genitalia. Most women were satisfied with clitoral reconstruction, but approximately one third were dissatisfied with or perceived a worsening in the esthetic look.

Clinical Translation
The information health care professionals give to women who seek surgical interventions for FGM/C should detail the intervention options available and what women can realistically expect from such interventions.

Strengths and Limitations
The systematic review was conducted in accordance with guidelines, but there is a slight possibility that studies were missed.

Conclusion
There are some data on women's motivations for surgery for FGM/C-related concerns, but little is known about whether women are satisfied with the surgery, and experiences appear mixed.
Body Esteem as a Common Factor of a Tendency Toward Binge Eating and Sexual Dissatisfaction Among Women: The Role of Dissociation and Stress Response During Sex
Authors: Castellini Giovanni , Lo Sauro Carolina , Ricca Valdo , Rellini Alessandra H. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractBackgroundSeveral studies have suggested a relevant overlap between eating disorders and sexual dysfunction involving the emotional component of body image esteem and dissociative experiences.AimTo evaluate the common maintaining factors of sexual dysfunction and vulnerability to pathologic eating behaviors and their relation to a physiologic stress response.MethodsIn the present cross-sectional study, we evaluated a non-clinical sample of 60 heterosexual women (25–35 years old) for dissociation during sex with a partner, body image disturbance, and tendency toward pathologic eating behaviors. We also evaluated the stress-induced hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activation in response to a sexual stimulus and its association with binge eating and dissociation.OutcomesParticipants completed the Clinician-Administered Dissociative States Scale, the Sexual Satisfaction Scale–Women, the Body Esteem Scale for Adolescents and Adults, and the Eating Attitudes Test Short Version. Furthermore, we assessed cortisol levels before, during, and after exposure to explicit sexual stimuli shown within a laboratory setting.ResultsDysfunctional body image esteem and a tendency toward binge-eating behaviors were associated with greater sexual distress in women. In particular, body esteem was significantly associated with greater dissociation during sex with a partner. Moreover, women who reported greater dissociation during sex with a partner and a tendency toward binge-eating behaviors showed higher levels of cortisol in response to sexual stimuli.Clinical ImplicationsThese results support further research based on trans-diagnostic treatments targeted to dissociation and body image esteem, which could lessen sexual dysfunction and vulnerability to pathologic eating behaviors.Strengths and LimitationsDespite the small sample and self-reported questionnaires, this is the first study to consider the association of the stress response during sexual stimuli with sexual distress and with pathologic eating behaviors adopting a dimensional approach.ConclusionBody uneasiness and dissociation represented factors underlying pathologic eating behaviors and sexual dysfunction. Women reporting a tendency toward binge-eating episodes and dissociation during sexual experiences represented a subpopulation with a higher stress response during sexual stimuli.
Community in Hegel’s Social Philosophy
Authors: Lumsden Simon 
Published: June 2017

AbstractIn thePhilosophy of RightHegel argues that modern life has produced an individualized freedom that conflicts with the communal forms of life constitutive of Greek ethical life. This individualized freedom is fundamentally unsatisfactory, but it is in modernity seemingly resolved into a more adequate form of social freedom in the family, aspects of civil society, and ultimately the state. This article examines whether Hegel’s state can function as a community and by so doing satisfy the need for a substantial ethical life that runs through Hegel’s social thought. The article also examines why Hegel does not provide a detailed analysis of community, as a distinct sphere between the private and the public political sphere in thePhilosophy of Right, and why it is not a key platform of his social freedom.
Guinea worm: from Robert Leiper to eradication
Authors: TAYEH AHMED , CAIRNCROSS SANDY , COX FRANCIS E. G. 
Published: June 2017

SUMMARYGuinea worm disease, dracunculiasis or dracontiasis, is an ancient disease with records going back over 4500 years, but until the beginning of the 20th century, little was known about its life cycle, particularly how humans became infected. In 1905, Robert Thomas Leiper was sent by the British colonial authorities to West Africa to investigate the spread of Guinea worm disease and to recommend measures to prevent it. While carrying out his investigations, he made important contributions to the aetiology, epidemiology and public health aspects of Guinea worm disease and provided definitive answers to many outstanding questions. First, he tested the validity of previous theories; second, he confirmed the role of water fleas, which he identified as Cyclops, as the intermediate hosts in the life cycle; third, he investigated the development of the parasite in its intermediate host; and fourth, he recommended measures to prevent the disease.[The crustacean Order Cyclopoida in the Family Cyclopidae contains 25 genera, including Cyclops which itself contains over 400 species and may not even be a valid taxon. It is not known how many of these species (or indeed species belonging to related genera) can act as intermediate hosts of Dracunculus medinensis nor do we know which species Fedchenko, Leiper and other workers used in their experiments. It is, therefore, best to use the terms copepod, or copopoid crustacean rather than Cyclops in scientific texts. In this paper, these crustaceans are referred to as copepods except when referring to an original text.]Leiper described the remarkable changes that took place when an infected copepod was placed in a dilute solution of hydrochloric acid; the copepod was immediately killed, but the Dracunculus larvae survived and were released into the surrounding water. From this, he concluded that if a person swallowed an infected copepod, their gastric juice would produce similar results. He next infected monkeys by feeding them copepods infected with Guinea worm larvae, and thus conclusively demonstrated that humans became infected by accidentally ingesting infected crustaceans. Based on these conclusions, he advocated a number of control policies, including avoidance of contaminated drinking water or filtering it, and these preventive measures paved the way for further research. The challenge to eradicate Guinea worm disease was not taken up until about seven decades later since when, with the support of a number of governmental and non-governmental organizations, the number of cases has been reduced from an estimated 3·5 million in 1986 to 25 in 2016 with the expectation that this will eventually lead to the eradication of the disease.