bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Three‐dimensional virtual cystoscopy: Noninvasive approach for the assessment of urinary tract in fetuses with lower urinary tract obstruction
Authors: Werner Heron , Lopes Jorge , Ribeiro Gerson , Jésus Nilson Ramires , Santos Gildasio Rocha , Alexandria Helenara Abadia Ferreira , Ruano Rodrigo , Araujo Júnior Edward 
Published: November 2017

What is already known about this topic?

Lower urinary tract obstruction is associated with high morbidity and mortality.
Fetal cystoscopy may allow the correct identification of the etiology of the obstruction and may provide the adequate treatment.
What does this study add?

Three‐dimensional virtual navigation is a noninvasive approach that provides an immersive virtual reality in the assessment of fetal structures.
Three‐dimensional virtual cystoscopy provides a noninvasive evaluation of fetal lower urinary tract obstruction that in the future may help in the selection of candidates for fetal cystoscopy.
Tissuepatch is biocompatible and seals iatrogenic membrane defects in a rabbit model
Authors: Engels Alexander C. , Joyeux Luc , Van der Merwe Johannes , Jimenez Julio , Prapanus Savitree , Barrett David W. , Connon Che , Chowdhury Tina T. , David Anna L. , Deprest Jan 
Published: November 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate novel sealing techniques for their biocompatibility and sealing capacity of iatrogenic fetal membrane defects in a pregnant rabbit model.MethodAt day 23 of gestation (term = d31), a standardized fetoscopy was performed through a 14G cannula. The resulting fetal membrane defect was closed with condensed collagen, collagen with fibrinogen, Tissuepatch, Duraseal, or a conventional collagen plug (Lyostypt) as reference. At d30, the fetuses were harvested and full thickness fetal membrane samples were analyzed. The study consisted of 2 consecutive parts: (1) biocompatibility testing by fetal survival, apoptosis, and infiltration of polymorphonuclear cells in the membranes and (2) the efficacy to seal fetal membrane defects.ResultsThree sealants (collagen with fibrinogen, Duraseal, or Lyostypt) were associated with a higher fetal mortality compared to control unmanipulated littermates and hence were excluded from further analysis. Tissuepatch was biocompatible, and amniotic fluid levels were comparable to those of control untouched littermates. Compared to the condensed collagen, Tissuepatch was also easier in surgical handling and induced limited cell proliferation.ConclusionTissuepatch had the best biocompatibility and efficacy in sealing an iatrogenic fetal membrane defect in the pregnant rabbit compared to other readily available sealants.
Psychosocial predictors of distress and depression among South African breast cancer patients
Authors: Kagee Ashraf , Roomaney Rizwana , Knoll Nina 
Published: November 2017

AbstractObjectiveThe present study focused on psychological distress and symptoms of depression among a sample of patients attending an outpatient breast cancer clinic in South Africa. The authors also sought to identify the predictors of distress and depression by using demographic, medical, and psychosocial variables, including perceived and received social support.MethodsA convenience sample of breast cancer patients was recruited from the Breast Clinic at a hospital in the Western Cape, South Africa. Participants (N = 201) were asked to complete a questionnaire battery consisting of, inter alia, the Center for Epidemiological Studies‐Depression Scale, the Hopkins Symptom Checklist, and the Berlin Social Support Scales.ResultsMore than one‐third of participants scored in the elevated ranges on the Center for Epidemiological Studies‐Depression Scale and Hopkins Symptom Checklist, indicating that distress and symptoms of depression were a concern for a sizable minority of participants. Regression analysis showed that body change stress and perceived social support were significant predictors of both psychological distress and symptoms of depression.ConclusionsDistress and depressive symptoms are prevalent among South African breast cancer patients, especially those with higher body change stress and lower perceived support. For breast cancer patients who are distressed or have symptoms of depression, social support, information, psychosocial counseling, and in some cases, referral for medication management and cognitive psychotherapy is indicated. This article calls attention to the need for psychosocial services directed at supporting patients receiving care at breast clinics in South Africa.
Thyroid cancer patients receiving an interdisciplinary team‐based care approach (ITCA‐ThyCa) appear to display better outcomes: Program evaluation results indicating a need for further integrated care and support
Authors: Henry Melissa , Frenkiel Saul , Chartier Gabrielle , MacDonald Christina , Payne Richard J. , Black Martin J. , Mlynarek Alex M. , Zeitouni Anthony , Kost Karen , Loiselle Carmen , Ehrler Antoinette , Rosberger Zeev , Tamilia Michael , Chang Yu Xin , de la Mora Cecilia , Arbaud Camille , Hier Michael P. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackgroundThyroid cancer (ThyCa) is generally associated with a favorable prognosis and excellent surgical outcomes. Consequently, its treatment is medically focused and current guidelines recommend interdisciplinary care including access to a nurse for complex cases alone. To date, no studies have evaluated the need for and impact of an Interdisciplinary Team‐based Care Approach (ITCA‐ThyCa) for general thyroid cancer patients, including a dedicated nurse as part of a larger interdisciplinary team, as well as patient‐reported outcomes, as is recommended worldwide in cancer care. Our aim was to evaluate such a program.MethodsThe ITCA‐ThyCa was evaluated within a quasi‐experimental design using the Centers for Disease Control Framework for Program Evaluation, including process and outcome measures. Patients eligible were adults with a biopsy indicating confirmed or highly suspicious ThyCa (TNM‐Classification + Bethesda score of V/VI). The intervention group (IG) received ITCA‐ThyCa and the comparison group (CG), usual care alone.ResultsIn our sample comprised of 200 participants (122 IG; 78 CG), ITCA‐ThyCa patients appeared to show significantly better outcomes than CG patients, namely, higher levels of overall well‐being (P = .001) and fewer physical (P = .003) and practical (P = .003) issues and concerns. More satisfied with their overall care (P = .028), including care coordination (P = .049), they reported their health care provider as more approachable (P = .007), respectful (P = .005), and trustworthy (P = .077; trend) and were more likely to recommend their hospital (P = .02). Ninety‐eight percent of IG patients recommended ITCA‐ThyCa.ConclusionData from our program illustrates that hospital resources should not be allocated based on medical trajectory alone and challenges the idea that ThyCa is “straightforward.” ThyCa patients seem to experience symptom distress at a level comparable to—or exceeding—that of general oncological patients despite their promising medical outcomes, indicating that better integrated care and support are in order.
Should consultation recording use be a practice standard? A systematic review of the effectiveness and implementation of consultation recordings
Authors: Rieger Kendra L. , Hack Thomas F. , Beaver Kinta , Schofield Penelope 
Published: November 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo conduct a systematic review of the effectiveness of consultation recordings and identify factors contributing to their successful implementation in health‐care settings.MethodsA systematic review was conducted for quantitative studies examining the effectiveness of consultation recordings in health care. Two independent reviewers assessed the relevance and quality of retrieved quantitative studies by using standardized criteria. Study findings were examined to determine consultation recording effectiveness and to identify barriers and facilitators to implementation. A supplementary review of qualitative evidence was performed to further explicate implementation factors.ResultsOf the 3373 articles retrieved in the quantitative search, 26 satisfied the standardized inclusion criteria (12 randomized controlled trials, 1 quasi‐experiment, and 13 cross‐sectional studies). Most patients found consultation recordings beneficial. Statistically significant evidentiary support was found for the beneficial impact of consultation recordings on the following patient reported outcomes: knowledge, perception of being informed, information recall, decision‐making factors, anxiety, and depression. Implementation barriers included strength of evidence concerns, patient distress, impact of the recording on consultation quality, clinic procedures, medico‐legal issues, and resource costs. Facilitators included comfort with being recorded, clinical champions, legal strategies, efficient recording procedures, and a positive consultation recording experience.ConclusionsConsultation recordings are valuable to patients and positively associated with patient‐reported outcomes. Successful integration of consultation recording use into clinical practice requires an administratively supported, systematic approach to addressing implementation factors.
Validation of a simultaneous method for determining polycyclic aromatic compounds and alkylated isomers in biota
Authors: Idowu Ifeoluwa , Francisco Olga , Thomas Philippe J. , Johnson Wesley , Marvin Chris , Stetefeld Jörg , Tomy Gregg T. 
Published: November 2017

RationaleThere is a need for a validated method to improve detection limits and simultaneously quantify polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs, both parent and alkylated homologues) in biota by gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry because of their environmental significance. The validation of the method was performed in accordance to the Eurachem Guide to Quality in Analytical Chemistry.MethodsGas chromatography coupled with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer used in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode was used for detection and quantification. Retention time windows and selective MRM ion transitions were optimized for a suite of PACs. The developed method was validated by comparing our measurements made on a reference material of freeze‐dried mussel tissue (Mytilus edulis) with the certified values.ResultsLinearity was observed between 10–1000 pg/μL (PAHs) and 2‐500 pg/μL (alkyl‐PACs including S‐based PACs). The overall mean (±SD) for the limits of detection of 43 PACs studied were 0.305 ± 0.276 and 2.69 ± 1.10 ng/g, respectively. For the 14 certified target analytes, the percent relative error ranged from 1.3 to 33%. With the exception of benzo(a)pyrene, the between‐day and within‐day repeatability for all target analytes was lower than 15% RSD.ConclusionsThis is the first report of a fully validated method to simultaneously quantify PACs in biota performed in an ISO accredited laboratory.
Rapid characterization of nonpolar or low‐polarity solvent extracts from herbal medicines by solvent‐assisted electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Su Yue , Liu Xiaopan , Guo Yinlong 
Published: November 2017

RationaleThe direct detection of nonpolar and low‐polarity solvent extracts of herbal medicine is difficult by conventional electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS). This problem can be solved by solvent‐assisted electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (SAESI‐MS). With the help of assisted solvents (ESI‐friendly solvents) at the tip of the spray needle, compounds (especially the low‐polarity compounds) in nonpolar and low‐polarity solvent extracts can be ionized directly.MethodsHerbal medicines were ultrasonically extracted with nonpolar or low‐polarity solvents, such as petroleum ether. Thereafter, the extracts were analyzed by conventional ESI‐MS, atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (APCI‐MS) and SAESI‐MS. The mass spectra obtained from these three methods were compared and analyzed.ResultsUnstable ion signals, and even no ion signals, were observed when the nonpolar and low‐polarity solvent extracts were detected directly by conventional ESI‐MS. Better specificity, higher sensitivity or cleaner spectra were acquired from SAESI‐MS by comparing with the performance of conventional ESI‐MS. The ion signals generated by SAESI‐MS and APCI‐MS were observed in clearly different m/z ranges. A variety of potential compounds were detected in the petroleum ether extracts of Pogostemon cablin and Ligusticum chuanxiong. The relative abundances and signal intensities of the same ion signals from the stems, leaves and decoction pieces of Pogostemon cablin were significantly different by SAESI‐MS.ConclusionsAs a convenient and efficient method, SAESI‐MS can be used to directly detect compounds (especially the low‐polarity compounds) in nonpolar or low‐polarity solvent extracts of herbal medicines, providing abundant chemical information for pharmacological studies. SAESI‐MS allows the simultaneous qualitative analysis of multiple compounds in the same complex samples and is thus particularly suitable for the preliminary screening of compounds in complex samples. SAESI‐MS can be used to differentiate the different parts of herbal medicines.
Cascading ripples: Contagion effects of entrepreneurial activity on self‐employment attitudes and choices in regional cohorts
Authors: Nikolaev Boris N. , Wood Matthew S. 
Published: November 2017

Research Summary: We introduce a contagion model of self‐employment that relates regional cohort self‐employment to individuals’ preferences for and decisions toward engaging in entrepreneurial action. We test the predictions of our model via evidence from two studies. Study 1 uses cross‐sectional data from the U.S. General Social Survey (GSS) and examines the correlation between regional cohort self‐employment and individuals’ attitudes for self‐employment. Study 2 uses longitudinal data from the Household, Income, and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey and examines the likelihood of transitioning into self‐employment as a function of regional cohort entrepreneurship. Our results provide evidence that individuals who belong to regional cohorts with a greater proportion of entrepreneurs are more likely to express favorable attitudes toward self‐employment and to enter into self‐employment.
Managerial Summary: A large literature in the social sciences indicates that people's preferences and actions are influenced by the behaviors of those around them. We find this is true when it comes to entrepreneurship. Specifically, we document that people who live in regions with higher proportions of entrepreneurs are more likely to express favorable attitudes toward self‐employment and are more likely to start new business ventures. This suggests that people embedded in environments where there is a lot of entrepreneurial activity are more likely to “catch the bug” of self‐employment, as they use already‐established entrepreneurs in the region as a roadmap for their own thinking and action.
Growing with the market: How changing conditions during market growth affect formation and evolution of interfirm ties
Authors: Ozcan Pinar 
Published: November 2017

Research Summary: Market conditions are known to matter for firm performance and growth. This study explores how changing levels of uncertainty and competition affect interfirm ties of entrepreneurial firms as markets transition from nascent to growth stage. Tracing six entrepreneurial game publishers during the growth stage of the U.S. wireless gaming market, the findings reveal that in a growth stage market, as uncertainty decreases, certain ties of entrepreneurial firms are terminated. First, existing partners may cut ties and become competitors after entering the market directly. This is a “winner's curse” as more successful firms are more likely to entice their partners to enter the market directly. Second, ties may be terminated as prominent firms that are “overwhelmed” with too many partners cut ties with low to mediocre performance, while their remaining partners enter a positive spiral of tie strength and performance. Finally, as uncertainty decreases, new firms may enter the market as competitors to prominent firms. While entrepreneurial firms with high‐ and low‐performing ties to prominent partners may find ties with these new entrants attractive, those with mediocre ties to few prominent partners find this move too risky and wait for a first mover to legitimate it. Overall, the findings show that changing levels of uncertainty and competition in growth stage markets can have different consequences for firms due to heterogeneity in their ties and power relative to partners. The findings provide several contributions to literature regarding the relationship among interfirm ties, firm performance, and market evolution.
Managerial Summary: Based on interviews at six entrepreneurial game publishers in the United States and their partners, this study shows how changing levels of uncertainty and competition in growing markets can have different consequences for firms based on the different types of alliances in their portfolio and their power relative to partners. The findings highlight the importance of managing partners differently based on alliance type and goal of the partner. They advocate remaining flexible in alliance management as information asymmetries, intentions and bargaining power of partners can change and lead to abrupt alliance dissolution. They show that alliance portfolio management goes beyond a firm's capability of managing individual alliances, and provide a tool for managers to evaluate their alliance portfolios and take the necessary precautions.
Low Osteogenic Yield in Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Associates with Differential Neural Crest Promoter Methylation
Authors: Sparks Nicole Renee Lee , Martinez Ivann Kenneth Carvajal , Soto Cristina Helen , zur Nieden Nicole Isolde 
Published: November 2017

AbstractHuman pluripotent stem cell-derived osteoblasts possess great potential for use in bone disorder elucidation and repair; however, while the general ability of human pluripotent stem cells to differentiate into osteoblasts and lay down bone-specific matrix has been shown, previous studies lack the complete characterization of the process whereby such osteoblasts are derived as well as a comparison between the osteogenic efficiency of multiple cell lines. Here, we compared the osteogenic potential of two human induced pluripotent stem cell lines (RIV9 and RIV4) to human H9 embryonic stem cells. Generally capable of osteogenic differentiation, the overall osteogenic yield was lower in the RIV9 and RIV4 lines and correlated with differential expression of osteocalcin (OCN) in mature cultures and PAX7 and TWIST1 during early differentiation. In the undifferentiated cells, the promoters of the latter two genes were differentially methylated potentially explaining the variation in differentiation efficiency. Furthermore, the expression signatures of selected neural crest and mesodermal genes and proteins suggested that H9 cells preferentially gave rise to neural crest-derived osteoblasts, whereas the osteoblasts in the RIV9 cultures were generated both through a mesodermal and a neural crest route although each at a lower rate. These data suggest that epigenetic dissimilarities between multiple PSC lines may lead to differences in lineage derivation and mineralization. Since osteoblast progenitors from one origin inadequately repair a defect in the other, these data underscore the importance of screening human pluripotent stem cells lines for the identity of the osteoprogenitors they lay down.
Phylogeographic testing of alternative histories of single‐origin versus parallel evolution of early flowering serpentine populations of Picris hieracioides L. (Asteraceae) in Japan
Authors: Sakaguchi Shota , Horie Kenji , Kimura Takuma , Nagano Atsushi J. , Isagi Yuji , Ito Motomi 
Published: November 2017

AbstractSerpentine, a chemically extreme substrate with a discontinuous distribution, supports a high proportion of endemic plant species. The evolutionary pathway of edaphic endemics in isolated areas may be of parallel origin (convergence), but this can be difficult to detect due to similar sets of phenotypic traits repeatedly selected for by the extreme conditions of serpentine environments. Testing the alternative histories of single origin vs. parallel evolution in serpentine plant populations provides insight into the ability of plants to adapt to extreme serpentine environments and to disperse between isolated serpentine areas. In this study, we focused on the herb Picris hieracioides L. (Asteraceae), which includes early‐flowering serpentine populations surrounded by later flowering, non‐serpentine populations on Hokkaido Island, Japan. We performed population genetic analysis based on genome‐wide SNPs markers and quantified temporal overlap of flowering times under natural conditions. Phylogeographic analysis confirmed the occurrence of two genetic groups, corresponding to the serpentine and non‐serpentine races. Although the two races were found to occur in close parapatry over multiple paired soil sites, little evidence for hybridization was detected. The flowering times of the two races showed significant divergence, with flowering peaks separated by more than 1 month. Overall, this study supported the single origin of serpentine Picris populations, and showed the role of divergent flowering time as a strong prezygotic barrier to maintain the edaphic races over short spatial distances.
Long noncoding RNAs that respond to Fusarium oxysporum infection in ‘Cavendish’ banana (Musa acuminata)
Authors: Li Wenbin , Li Chunqiang , Li Shuxia , Peng Ming 
Published: November 2017

AbstractLong noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a class of genes that influence a variety of biological functions through acting as signal, decoy, guide, and scaffold molecules. In banana (Musa spp.), an important economic fruit crop, particularly in Southeast Asia, the wilt disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc), especially strain Foc TR4, is disastrous. In banana, how the biogenesis of these lncRNAs is regulated in response to pathogen infection is still largely unknown. In this study, strand-specific paired-end RNA sequencing of banana samples was performed on susceptible and resistant cultivars inoculated with Foc, with three biological replicates and at two different times after infection. Overall, 5,294 lncRNAs were predicted with high confidence through strict filtration, including long intergenic ncRNA (lincRNA) and antisense lncRNA. Differentially expressed (DE) lncRNAs were identified in response to Foc infection in the inoculated versus the mock-inoculated banana of the susceptible ‘BX’ and resistant ‘NK’ cultivars. Through KEGG, GO, and the expression levels of the DE lncRNAs, some DE lncRNAs were predicted to be involved in plant-pathogen interactions and phytohormone signal transduction. In this study, this catalog of lncRNAs and their properties will facilitate further experimental studies and functional classifications of these genes.